The Task Force's Predicament

The students explain to Sensei that their school's over 900 million yen in debt and how difficult it is for them to even keep up with interest payments. When Sensei offers to help, Serika goes off on a tirade about how grown-ups can't be trusted.

Ayane: Welcome back, everyone. Great work today.

Hoshino: We're back!

Serika: Thanks Ayane. You too.

Nonomi: We finally took down the Kata-Kata Helmet Gang. It should be smooth sailing from here.

Shiroko: More like we can finally get back to more important matters

Serika: Haha! All we have to focus on now is paying back the debt. Thanks for your help Sensei. We won't forget what you did for us.

Sensei: Debt?

Serika: Wait.... Shoot!

Ayane: W-Well, the thing is...

Serika: Stop right there! Not another word, Ayane!

Ayane: ...!

Hoshino: Why not, Serika? It's not like it's a secret

Serika: That doesn't mean we should go telling everyone!

Hoshino: It isn't as though we're guilty of anything. Besides, Sensei is one of us now.

Shiroko: Hoshino is right, Serika. Sensei is responsible-trustworthy, even

Serika: I know but, they're still a outsider

Hoshino: I'm not saying Sensei can solve this problem on our behalf, but they're the only adult we have to turn to. Maybe we can come up with a solution if discuss it with Sensei, even. Or do you have any better ideas, Serika?

Serika: Well... Sensei just showed up out of nowhere! Why would an adult care about our problems, anyway. We've always taken care of ourselves! Why do we suddenly need to be supervised? I don't want any part of this!

Ayane: Serika?

Nonomi: I'll go talk to her.

Hoshino: Back to the matter at hand... Our school owes quite a bit of money to a loan company. It's a challenge, but not exactly an uncommon problem either. The real issue is...that it's over 900 million yen.

Ayane: Its 962,350,000 yen to be exact. That's the amount that Abydos-no. That's the amount the Foreclosure Task Force has taken upon itself to pay back. The loan company will foreclosure on the school and shutter it permanently if we don't repay them. But the odds of paying back a debt that large are practically zero. That's why most of the students left the school and town.

Shiroko: All except for us, that is.

Ayane: The debt is the source of everything thats wrong. It's why the school is on the brink of closure, why the students left, and why the down is so desolate...

Sensei: What Happened?

Ayane: You mean how the debt was accrued in the first place?

*Ayane Tells Sensei A Story About Abydos From Several Years Ago*

Shiroko: So the school was forced to turn to loan sharks...

Ayane: Exactly. They were looking to take the easy way out and pay the money back quickly...but the sandstorms only worsened as the years went on. Despite schools best intentions, the situation just kept getting worst. Today, more than half of Abydos is under sand and the debt keeps growing. We're barely able to pay the interest every month. We can't even afford ammunition or school supplies.

Shiroko: I can sympathize with Serika's frustrations. No one has ever cared enough to ask about our situation before, let alone reach out to help.

Hoshino: That's the long and short of it. Now that you've helped us scare the Helmet Gang away, we can return our focus to paying off the debt. Even if we appoint you as our club's advisor, you don't have to trouble yourself with our debt. It was kind of you to listen to out story.

Shiroko: We're not trying to pressure you. You've already helped us enough.

Sensei: We're in this together now. I won't abandon you.

Ayane: You dont have to say all that... But thank you for doing so anyway, Sensei

Hoshino: Listen to you being so noble. You're really going to insist on helping...

Ayane: I feel so relieved. There's some hope if we have Schale's support

Shiroko: True. Things are going up, at least.

Serika:Hmph.

Nonomi keeps finding where Serika's is.

Nonomi: Serika, where are you?

To Be Continue..