第６１９堀：完全復活とローテーション (Part2)
Riel and Amanda embraced each other, squealing with delight at their reunion, while Tori and Eoid exchanged standard greetings. Kaya looked on, a sense of relief washing over her as she watched the two.
"Now, I appreciate you all volunteering to help, but are you sure you're up for it? What about the kids?"
Indeed, Riel and the others had only recently given birth. While it had been about two weeks, I was more concerned about them tending to their children than serving as combat assets.
"You worry too much. We were able to move just fine with Mauve-san and the others over on the If Continent, remember?"
"There’s no problem at all. We can do this. We’ve had a rotation system for childcare for a while now."
"Yuki, you’re always overprotective. You need to trust us more."
"Hah... I suppose I am. No point in being stubborn about it. Please, help me out. Actually..."
When I explained that I was planning to investigate the town of Onock but lacked the guidance of Kagura, Mikos, Solo, Amanda, and Eoid, Riel and the others puffed out their chests and accepted the task.
"Leave it to us! Honestly, this kind of work is right up our alley."
"That’s right. Investigations like this are the police's specialty."
"Besides, my main job is on maternity leave anyway, so it’s not an issue."
Come to think of it, that was true. These three were police officers tasked with maintaining order in Weed. Kaya had her agricultural duties, but she was no stranger to police work either. Even better, their successors in Weed were doing a great job, so there was no pressing need for them to focus solely on their primary roles.
"Hmph. If we’re talking about that, the same applies to me."
"No, Deryu, you were on the assault team. You just leave the investigations to your subordinates, don't you?"
"Ngh..."
Ah, right. Deryu was a special duty officer for the police. I wondered what kind of work she did, but an assault team? That sounded like a military special forces unit. It fit her perfectly.
"Deryu, don't try to show off. Just stay here and quietly act as Yuki-san's guard with me."
"Ria, aren't you frustrated?"
"Hmm? My job was originally just to guard Yuki-san anyway. I haven't been helping out in various fields like Deryu has, so I don't really feel frustrated. It’s best to leave things to the experts. Besides, being with Yuki-san all the time is fun, isn't it?"
"Ah, I see. That’s one way to look at it. Alright, do your best! Riel, Tori, Kaya."
"Muuu!? I feel like I just lost big time!?"
"That’s unfair!! Yuki-san, we should rotate the guard duty while we’re here!"
"Deryu and Ria should also take this opportunity to learn proper investigative techniques. Right, Yuki?"
...Well, since Deryu was the one who stirred up this trouble, I decided we would implement a rotation system from now on.
"Deryu, you idiot. Now my job is going to disappear."
"My apologies. I didn't expect it to turn out like this."
"Eh? It’s my first time working with Ria, and I’m actually looking forward to it."
"Oh, me too."
"If you don't understand something, I'll teach you properly. Ria, you teach me about guard work, too."
"Oh, that's right! I'll be working with Riel and the others. What do police officers actually do?"
"Whoa. They got over their bad moods easier than I thought."
I had feared Ria might stay upset, but perhaps this was a good opportunity after all. She had indeed been strictly focused on guarding and hadn't branched out into other things. She might even find a new line of work she enjoys.
As I was thinking this, Vilia and Dressa, who had been listening quietly, joined the conversation.
"I-in that case, I would also like to learn about guarding my brother and police work!!"
"M-me too!! Originally, we were Yuki's guards, after all!!"
This is bad. Things are getting out of hand. Now it’s turning into a debate about who stays at the academy.
"Calm down. Hiiro, you haven't said anything—do you have an opinion?"
"Hmm? Hiiro doesn't really have one. Hiiro is with Sta-onee-sama. I know that's my job. I'm not in a rush like Vili-onee-sama or Dre-onee-sama."
"In a rush? Ah, well, you shouldn't rush to become a full-fledged adult, but... well, no point in saying that now."
"..."
For some reason, everyone fell silent for a moment and looked at me.
"Ahem. Well, both sides have valid points. Why don't we make it a rotation that includes supporting us?"
"Taizo-san, are you sure? Vilia and Dressa are attending classes at the school and have a track record of supporting us, so wouldn't it be easier to work with them? Taiki-kun, don't you think so?"
Taiki-kun, whom I had directed the question to, shook his head vigorously...
"No, no, we can coordinate before classes, it’s not that difficult. Besides, if they’re going to be active here, wouldn't it be better for Riel and the others to show their faces at the academy as well?"
Hmm. When he puts it that way, he has a point. And so, the Onock Town Investigation Team was formed with a rotation system. It was probably for the best; having different members on rotation would help keep our investigation under wraps.
・Onock Investigation Team
Leaders: Riel, Tori, Kaya
Support: Deryu, Ria, Vilia, Dressa, Amanda, Eoid
Guides: Kagura, Mikos, Solo
Rear Support: Steve’s Squad
We started the investigation with these twelve members. Now, I wonder how skilled Riel and the others are as police officers. Come to think of it, this is the first time I’ve seen them work directly, so it’s a great opportunity. The last time I visited the police station, it was just paperwork and training drills, so I’m looking forward to this.
A long-awaited return! And they’re the stars of the upcoming investigation! The beast-eared girls are going to run wild! But first, a trial awaits Kagura.