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V2 Chapter 6: The Puzzling Hoshino
🕑 Added 2025-09-25 04:10:07 +0000 UTCFrom my perspective, the problem wasn't nearly as grave as it sounded.
The moment I heard the exact figure of the debt, I already realized the key point.
First, one has to remember: the ultimate goal of lending money is always profit.
And where does profit come from? Naturally, from the interest collected on time every month.
At the end of the day, it can be seen as a secured investment. When necessary, a creditor can claim high-value collateral that is otherwise hard to liquidate, as compensation for unrecovered principal.
But then…
"What exactly do creditors gain if Abydos is shut down?"
I raised my index finger. "All they'd get is the school and its land. Harsh weather, unstable terrain, a dwindling population. No industry, agriculture, or commerce could take root, and it would require massive ongoing investment just to maintain.
"In other words, the collateral is worthless. They'd even lose the steady income from your interest payments.
"So, my dear students, relax a little.
"Even if you can't pay the interest, the ones who should be worried most are the creditors."
Silence filled the room.
Still sheltered within their ivory tower, the girls of Abydos had little worldly experience. This was the first time they had ever heard such an argument. Their innocent hearts were shaken, caught between instinctively wanting to protest and realizing the reasoning was sound. They couldn't help but glance at one another.
After a long pause, Hoshino finally broke the silence, her voice hesitant.
"But… it really is true that we borrowed the money…"
The looks of agreement on the others' faces showed they were all good kids with a strong sense of responsibility. Wait, why did Shiroko still look like she was deep in thought?
I gave Shiroko a longer glance before continuing.
"Yes, the fact remains that you borrowed money. Which is why, even without weighing right or wrong, I won't suggest that you report this to the General Student Council.
"Loan sharks are illegal, and the scale here is especially severe. Legally, it could be resolved easily on the surface, but only on the surface."
Revenge from the shadows was something Abydos, with just five students left, could never withstand.
So, whether by principle or by pragmatism, the debt had to continue being repaid.
That being the case, the help I could offer wasn't to foolishly cover Abydos' interest out of my own pocket, but something else.
Something reasonable and viable, not violating any basic morals, something the girls could accept with peace of mind, but at the very least, a way to ease their immediate burden.
"How much interest are you paying each month right now?"
Ayane instantly rattled off the number. "Seven million, eight hundred and eighty-three thousand, two hundred and fifty."
Hmm… does that fall under the realm of predatory lending…?
I realized I had no real frame of reference for this. But that wasn't the problem.
It just meant my tone would be a little less absolute.
"I have a plan. Perhaps I can make the creditors themselves suggest lowering the interest rate. That way, the pressure on you will ease significantly. Of course, it won't involve coercion. Just a straightforward, open strategy."
I stopped there, feeling a bit embarrassed.
Because everyone was looking at me with eyes sparkling with admiration.
Ayane exclaimed, "Amazing! As expected of an adult!"
Serika turned her head away sharply as if startled, but couldn't stop sneaking glances back. "Hmph… not bad. If you can really pull it off, maybe I'll reluctantly admit you're useful."
Shiroko clasped her hands together, her voice sincere. "Thank you, Sensei."
Nonomi beamed. "That's wonderful! It means things might get easier for us~"
Wait a second. I hadn't even explained the actual method yet. Why were they already popping the champagne? Had they just been under too much pressure for too long?
Maybe sensing my confusion, Hoshino spoke up.
"Sensei~ I told you earlier, didn't I? You're the first person who's ever listened to our worries. So of course, you're also the first to come up with a way forward for us.
Her eyes lowered softly. "No matter what, I'll always be grateful for your kindness."
Kindness, huh?
I wasn't sure how much of my actions came from kindness, and how much from calculation.
Helping them, earning their trust, advancing my bond with them, and in turn gaining more strength through the cards… With benefits like that involved, my intentions could hardly be called pure.
Rubbing my brow, I brought the topic back.
"All right, hold up for now. To test my idea, I'll need you all to help me gather some information—"
BOOM—!
Suddenly, a series of explosions erupted from the direction of the school gates, cutting me off and drawing everyone's attention.
"They're destroying our defenses? It must be the Helmet Gang!"
"That's strange… since when did the Helmet Gang have artillery?"
"Didn't they hijack a helicopter from Kaiser Corporation yesterday? Maybe they got other weapons from them too."
"No time to think about that now. Everyone, move out!"
The Foreclosure Task Force was already experienced in fending off these kinds of attacks. The girls quickly armed themselves, grabbed supplies, and rushed out to engage the Helmet Gang head-on.
But this assault was unusual.
Not only was the enemy well-equipped and well-supplied, but their numbers far exceeded the usual skirmishes, at least forty to fifty delinquents, and even a heavy tank.
It was as if they had thrown in every resource they had left.
I did my best to direct operations, using Schale's helicopter that had arrived earlier to airdrop supplies, or lower rope ladders to evacuate students tactically…
After half an hour of brutal fighting, we finally managed to repel them.
When the girls returned to the clubroom covered in dust and dirt, Ayane, who had been supporting from the rear, rushed to them in tears, wiping their faces and tending to wounds.
Only Hoshino, still in the best condition, came straight to me first.
"Whew... That was a tough one, it's been a while since we had to fight like that~ Didn't think the Helmet Gang's small fry had gotten so strong. Or maybe this oji-san's bones are just worn out, huh?"
Seeing that Hoshino was practically unscathed, with only a little dirt on her face, I sighed, wetted a handkerchief with bottled water, and carefully wiped her face clean.
"Tell me what you need. Weapons, ammo, supplies, reinforcements, manpower… Schale still has plenty of operational funds."
"My, my~ Sensei, you really are too kind, but it's fine. The Helmet Gang suffered a huge blow today. They won't be able to gather this kind of force against Abydos again anytime soon. You could say this was a decisive win for now~"
Hoshino paused. As the soot faded from her face, her fair skin was revealed, faintly flushed, perhaps from the recent intensity of battle.
"Still, it's strange, isn't it? Choosing this timing, right after we'd received new supplies, to launch a decisive battle. Sensei, do you have any guesses?"
I hesitated, then shook my head. I didn't tell her about my suspicions of Kaiser Corporation.
There was no solid proof yet.
"I see."
Hoshino took the handkerchief from my hand, her smile sweet and charming.
"I'll wash this and return it to you. Thanks. Uhee~ I'm tired. This oji-san's going to sleep now..."
With that, Hoshino plopped down on the desk and was fast asleep within moments.
…Winning over Hoshino was still going to be a long road.
