A Doting Sensei - a Blue Archive Fanfic

Chapter 4: Step by Step

An early morning at the Problem Solver 68 office. Haruka had been the first to wake up, just slightly ahead of the others since she was once again scheduled to appear on duty for Schale. And this time she wouldn't be messing anything up or causing a scene for Sensei or for anyone in particular.

She joined her fellow Problem Solvers for the most minimal breakfast where they would eat plain slices of bread. Prior they had even shared one slice bread, but at least now they had a toaster and were able to afford not having to share bread, and that itself made meals slightly more enjoyable. Better this than eating the weeds outside for reasons obvious.

"Well, my employees will have to suffice for our meal this morning. Perhaps later once we get our upfront payment today with the job, we may have a more delectable meal for dinner," announced Aru, giving her pep talk, standing up while everyone else remained seated.

"We're probably just going to eat at Shiba Seki Ramen, aren't we?" said Kayoko knowingly.

"..." Aru's proud expression faded and her smile twitched. "It's better than this, is it not?

"Oh, Aru-chan!" Mutuski giggled. "We're living in a luxury office like this yet our meals don't follow the lifestyle."

"...It is unfortunate to think of. Which is why we'll just have to work harder and harder until we're out of this situation. That is how strong the determination of Problem Solver 68 is! It's as I planned."

Haruka's eyes lit up and she nodded her boss sure had a way of words. "As expected of Aru-sama! You're motivating me like always!"

"Thank you, Haruka. I am glad to hear it."

"I'll work so hard that I won't mind if I don't eat with you tonight so we can save money!"

"You don't have to go that far!" Aru exclaimed, concern shadowing over her face.

"Haha, Haruka, I love your energy!" Mutuski cheered. "Do your best at Schale, okay? We will today, too."

"U-Understood! I apologize in advance if I mess anything up."

...

Before heading to Schale Haruka went to her secret garden. The interiors of the building were still wet, with puddles lying all around and about, and that included the room where she kept her weeds. The next time she had a day off she was going to have to find some way to patch this up.

"Let's see...is there anything good enough to bring...?" Haruka looked among her weeds, with most, if not all of them still being soaked from yesterday's weather.

Well, not all of them. Some in the back corner of the room were spared, miraculously, and the size of one of them was compact enough that it wouldn't be a hassle to carry over to D.U. It also just had buds that have yet to sprout.

"This...this should be good enough, right?" Haruka placed her shotgun behind herself with it hanging by the sling and took the pot from the table it stood on. "I hope it is..."

This was going to be a gift for Sensei. Another one to be exact. She had attempted once before and all had been going well until she screwed it up by shooting up the gift because there was a worm inside of it, which left Sensei with a face full of dirt and her dashing away with speed she never had prior.

Haruka didn't feel that she had been able to make up to him for that. Or any of the occasions where she had caused him trouble. Apologizing was one thing but so was owning up to a mistake - apologizing were just words while the latter were actions.

"Little by little...I'll make a difference."

***

Sensei was ready to start the day. For one of the few rare occasions, he didn't need to start work so early. Putting on his Schale lanyard over his undershirt, then his white longcoat he left his locker room. He made a stop for Angel 24 first.