The warmth beneath the covers abruptly dissipated. Yūki groaned miserably, curled into a ball, and squinted at Bastion Misawa with bloodshot eyes.
"Bastion... can you let me sleep another half hour?"
"Forget sleeping. The Academic Affairs Office has come for you!"
Bastion whispered into his ear, "There are Student Council members at the door. The girl leading them looks like a third-year from the Executive Department. She doesn't look easy to deal with."
Yūki rubbed his aching brow, slowly sat up in bed, and glanced out through the open doorway.
The sharp-looking, short-haired girl outside did not take so much as a step into the boys' dorm room. She simply stood in the middle of the corridor and met Yūki's gaze coldly.
"Yūki, since you're awake, please hurry. Professor Crowler and the Academic Affairs Office Director are already waiting for you."
With that, she turned briskly and lined up outside in the corridor with her two subordinates to wait.
Yūki pulled on his jacket and mussed his hair, his mind racing.
The Academic Affairs Office?
Didn't we hand over the man and his cards last night... no, hand Heichuan Jin over to the Academy Security Department completely intact?
Asuka had recorded his full statement at the scene, and the five of them had merely signed their names as students who had "acted bravely to assist in apprehending an intruder."
We did the academy a huge service by rooting out a security threat. Fine if they didn't quietly award us some credits, but why send the Student Council first thing in the morning to haul me in like a criminal?
Did Heichuan Jin fail to keep his mouth shut and spill the beans about my fee for the trouble?
Yūki muttered inwardly, then silently shook his head.
Impossible!
*Even if he