A Day Trip to the Airport

A breeze stirred the little sprites that had fallen from the treetops, painting a different kind of beauty outside the classroom window.

Inside the spacious classroom, all the first-years sat obediently in their seats. Eikura Yohei felt deeply gratified by the sight.

Still, the assignment the higher-ups had just informed him about worried him a little. A mission like this would be difficult for first-year newcomers.

Eikura Yohei took out several sets of documents and handed them around. The four first-years quickly began reading.

"Your mission this time is to assist the second-years. You'll be monitoring criminal activity at an airport in Okinawa."

Miwa Chisei had wondered why the past few days had been so unusually peaceful. So the annoying jerks had gone to Okinawa on a mission.

Yu Haibara's face lit up with excitement. Getting to go on a mission with his senior Suguru Geto was such an honor.

The other three looked quite calm.

"This came in at short notice. The second-years' mission location has changed to Okinawa. Members of a group called the Time Vessel Association are suspected of planning terrorist activity at Naha Airport in Okinawa, so support is needed."

After hearing Eikura Yohei's explanation, the attentive Kento Nanami asked a question.

"Will the second-years be joining us?"

Eikura Yohei shook his head.

"They have another assignment. You'll be handling the airport mission yourselves."

Yu Haibara's excitement vanished, replaced by disappointment.

Miwa Chisei turned to watch a bird soaring outside the window, reflecting on how mysterious they were making all this sound.

Kento Nanami sighed.

"No matter how you look at it, this isn't a mission first-years can handle..."

Halfway through, he glanced at Miwa Chisei. With her around, though, they could probably manage.

Eikura Yohei checked his watch, his eyes reassuring.

"Our flight is at noon. I'll be accompanying you on this mission, so try to relax."

There was still time to prepare, so Yu Haibara raised his hand curiously.

"Sir, what's the Time Vessel Association? Are they curse users?"

Eikura Yohei scratched his cheek. Where was he supposed to start? He didn't actually know the details of the second-years' mission either. The higher-ups had only assigned him this portion.

"According to our intelligence, it's a civilian organization made up of non-sorcerers."

Yu Haibara nodded and smiled sheepishly.

"This will be my first time in Okinawa. I've heard it's really beautiful."

"Haibara, we're not going sightseeing."

Kento Nanami reminded him.

"I know. I'll make sure to do my job!"

He looked full of enthusiasm. Even Miwa Riona joined in as they encouraged each other; after all, this was their first mission away from home.

By contrast, Miwa Chisei seemed uninterested. She tilted her head and asked curiously.

"Sir-is there a mission bonus?"

"Ah... oh! This isn't a training assignment, so yes, there is."

Miwa Chisei immediately put on the sunglasses sitting on her desk and strode away with effortless flair.

"I'm going to pack. See you later."

Where had that sudden burst of motivation come from?

At three that afternoon, the group of five arrived at Naha Airport.

Their main assignment was to monitor the airport, so they wouldn't be leaving until the mission was complete. Enjoying Okinawa's beautiful scenery was out of the question. At most, this would be a day trip to the airport.

Naha Airport had two operational terminals, one domestic and one international, connected by a passageway. The overall structure had four floors.

That left exactly one floor for each student to watch, while Eikura Yohei handled patrols throughout the airport.

The first floor was arrivals, the second departures, the third check-in, and the fourth shopping.

The first and second floors had the heaviest foot traffic, so they were assigned to Miwa Chisei and Kento Nanami.

Miwa Chisei wandered around the first floor of Naha Airport, leisurely munching on the chips she had swiped from Yu Haibara.

Her phone rang in her pocket at an inopportune moment. It was Suguru Geto.

"Hello, hello. Have you arrived in Okinawa, Miwa?"

Suguru Geto sounded relaxed and cheerful.

"Yeah. Is your mission going smoothly?"

"Very smoothly-we're having fun at the beach."

Miwa Chisei: ?

Puzzled, she lowered her phone and checked the name. It really was Suguru Geto. She offered a flat comment.

"So your mission is to play at the beach while we patrol the airport."

Imagining Miwa Chisei's deadpan face as she made that observation, Suguru Geto couldn't help laughing.

"Our mission target wanted to have some fun, so Satoru and I had no choice but to keep her company."

They're probably having the time of their lives themselves.

Miwa Chisei didn't buy either of those jerks' bullshit and quickly reached that conclusion.

"But you should be heading back soon, right? Our instructions say we can return once you've arrived safely at Jujutsu High."

It felt like they had come to take over a shift.

"Ah, that's actually why I called."

Remembering the matter at hand, Suguru Geto glanced at a certain someone beside him, who was holding sea cucumbers with Riko Amanai and laughing wildly. A smile curved his own lips.

"Satoru said we're going back tomorrow, so thanks in advance for staying up all night."

Miwa Chisei felt her body stiffen. Sure enough, getting anywhere near those two brought nothing but misfortune.

She would have to patrol this boring airport until tomorrow, probably staying awake all night to fend off surprise attacks. Meanwhile, what were those two doing?

Miwa Chisei smiled without warmth, her tone unexpectedly friendly.

"What do you two have planned next?"

Suguru Geto gave it serious thought and answered just as gently.

"Beach volleyball, then a barbecue by the sea. I heard there'll be fireworks here tonight. That should be pretty fun."

Miwa Chisei tightened her grip on her phone.

"We booked a room with an unbeatable ocean-view balcony, and the hotel's breakfast buffet is highly rated too. Then we'll visit the aquarium, and there's also..."

"Right. Good luck with the mission. Bye."

Miwa Chisei didn't want to hear any more. She abruptly hung up.

Suguru Geto glanced at his phone, a little bewildered, while Satoru Gojo turned toward him with a teasing look.

"Did she chew you out, Geto?"

Suguru Geto narrowed his foxlike eyes and waved the phone in his hand.

"So that's why you made me call her?"

Satoru Gojo pushed his sunglasses up onto his head and gave him a thumbs-up, his azure eyes seemingly brimming with wisdom.

"I didn't want to call that little brat."

"Calling Mr. Eikura directly would've been the proper thing to do, you know."

"Nope. It had to be that deadpan brat."

Suguru Geto nodded and slipped his phone back into his pocket.

"I sent her a text saying Satoru deliberately made me call."

Satoru Gojo's expression turned grave. Then he scooped up a handful of seawater and attacked Suguru Geto without mercy.

Suguru Geto raised an arm to block it, but still took a faceful of water. He shook his head and smiled knowingly.

"I won't go easy on you."

"Wouldn't have it any other way."

The boys and girl chased one another across the beach, laughing and playing, immersed in the seaside's cheerful atmosphere.

At the airport, Miwa Chisei opened the first-years' group chat with their teacher and expressionlessly typed a new announcement.

[Suguru Geto says the mission has been extended until noon tomorrow. We'll be stationed at the airport all night. Good luck.]

Kento Nanami looked pained when he saw the message.

Only Yu Haibara replied enthusiastically in the group chat.

[It must be a super important mission. Let's keep our spirits up, everyone!]

Looking at the sweet, innocent Yu Haibara, Miwa Chisei could only sigh.

You're overthinking it. Those two jerks are running wild having fun. They're the absolute worst.