Due to Hifumi’s efforts, I had a gut feeling that things would turn out well. However, reality has a way of throwing curveballs, and it’s no longer surprising when one problem gets solved only for another to pop up.
But honestly, I never imagined that the next problem would erupt outside Trinity.
A little late in the evening, Iroha timidly requested to meet for a discussion. I accepted her request.
The subject she brought up was something completely unexpected.
“So, Makoto recently received a separate visit from Kaiser Corporation?”
“Yes. It seems that the ongoing impeachment of the Student Council President that Makoto has been ranting about was the trigger.”
Do they even know what they’re getting themselves into? They’ve come back to bother us again.
“Oh, they said they would spare no support for Makoto to take the position of Student Council President…”
“Heueng. Interesting. The financial situation of Kaiser shouldn’t be so rosy right now.”
If they sold the land of Abydos to Saint Nephthys, they might have some leeway. But comparing the current scale of Kaiser to the original story, it’s more like a small puddle to an entire reservoir.
No, that might be overselling it, so let’s say it’s more like a water tank.
The crucial thing, though, isn’t that. At this point, if they’re discussing raising Makoto to the position of Student Council President, it’s likely a do-or-die plan for Kaiser Corporation.
Why would they even want to get Makoto into that position? What do they really want?
In the first place, it’s pretty much impossible for Makoto to become Student Council President. At least, through normal means—
“…a military coup?”
Thinking it over, if they’re saying they’re going to support Makoto, it basically means they’re going to help take over the Student Council by force, right? Kaiser’s actions are essentially no different from those of a gang.
That leads us back to the start—if they’re not trying to get Makoto elected as Student Council President, but rather trying to use Makoto and the Manma Battle… like how Kaiser ditched Kaya in the original…
Aha.
“Only Makoto-chan knows the specifics of that support, right?”
“Yes, for now. Honestly, I thought you just overdid things again… so I didn’t pry too much. It’s partly because it seemed annoying.”
“Indeed, it is… Even if they shout for the impeachment of the Student Council President a hundred times, that side is as solid as a rock.”
Nanagami Rin is competent. I’m not just saying this to flatter her; she’s genuinely good, and that’s why she’s in that position.
What Rin is most concerned about is maintaining the status quo of the Student Council and searching for the Student Council President.
And since Makoto stood up with the impeachment motion, there haven’t been any significant achievements thanks to Rin blocking everything.
In truth, there’s no fault to find in that; the current Student Council is doing its job quite well. The capable head of the Defense Office is firmly holding her position, the Student Council is focused on its role, and meanwhile, the Teacher is wandering around Kivotos solving troubles.
Plus, the diplomacy that could pose the biggest obstacle with Trinity-Gehenna has been quite stable under Hina and me, and SRT has the proven head of the Teacher in charge…
Looking at it this way, it’s somewhat better than having a Student Council President. Especially the absence of the Student Council President, who used to intervene actively in Academy matters, has given several Academies the idea that having less involvement is more comfortable.
If there’s a problem, SRT will just handle it. So, is it really not just better in every aspect…?
In this stable situation, Makoto’s presence, shouting to impeach the “missing” Student Council President and place me in that position, must be a thorn in Rin’s side.
But asking if there’s really someone capable of pushing out the genuinely absent Student Council President and taking over, the answer is no. She lacks support and doesn’t possess overwhelming abilities like the Student Council President.
At least one of the two needs to be outstanding to even compete. Up till now, Makoto has been swinging an axe at a tree that can’t even be cut.
But a military coup supported by Kaiser is different. This is like uprooting the tree entirely and planting a new one in its place.
If I hadn’t been kept in the dark until now, if Iroha hadn’t given me a tip-off, it’s possible that a coup plan sitting at a low probability could have escalated into reality… and even succeeded.
“Thanks, Iroha-chan. I might have just dodged a bullet. Yeah, this could seriously be a huge help.”
“Yes~ You can thank me more. Honestly, if I had known it was such a significant matter, I might have asked for something in return. But if Makoto-senpai really gets involved in a military coup…”
“That’d mean a one-way ticket to the Correction Bureau. Heueng.”
“Isn’t that something Mika would actually welcome?”
“Well, that’s not exactly wrong, so I can’t refute it. Yeah, but you know, I don’t particularly want to see Makoto-chan go that wrong. Sure, I’d welcome seeing a bit of struggle, but not to the point of ending up in the Correction Bureau.”
Makoto is annoying and infuriating. It’s undeniable. Yet… I might have developed a bit of fondness for him. I wouldn’t want to see him used around casually by Kaiser either.
…Just like that poor Kaya from the original story. Yeah.
“Haah… It’s annoying, but it can’t be helped. If it comes down to it, I’ll just put you to sleep. That should work.”
“…Wait, you still have that?”
“If I were to use it and it caused health issues for you, what then? I’m not that careless, you know?”
After hearing Iroha, I silently nodded. She had been quite persistent during my earlier recruitment rejection, and it seems she has a lot of affection for me.
Anyway, I feel like the pieces of the puzzle in my head are slowly falling into place.
Given the knowledge of the original story, it’s possible, after all. But so what? If I can make use of it, I must.
Reflecting on the original situation during which Kaiser provoked Kaya to carry out a coup, their motives become quite clear.
Kaiser would surely benefit from placing Makoto as the Student Council President, but when you weigh the difficulty, possibility, and especially the question of whether Makoto can be trusted—this can’t really be their true purpose.
In other words, Kaiser’s objectives are evidently no different than in the original story. The only differing piece they want to use as a pawn is slightly different.
“It seems I need to discuss this with Abydos… and the Defense Office.”
“…The Defense Office is one thing, but Abydos?”
“Right now, if the Kaiser side’s stronghold is in the Abydos Autonomous District, then simply put, it means we need to connect with them and solve issues before anything erupts.”
“That would entail seeking support from the Defense Office to resolve administrative issues, gaining permission from Abydos, and having the Defense Office take the lead…”
“It might be better to move SRT rather than having the Defense Office directly involved. But that’s the general picture. More than anything, if they’re planning an attack against the Student Council, they’re virtually preparing for a full-on offensive… Yeah, I think it’ll be tough for the Defense Office to handle it on their own.”
The problem is really understanding why Kaiser is attempting such a full-on assault.
The target shouldn’t be unclear: the Sanctum Tower. There’s no other option.
If Kaiser is intending to pull off such a thing, it means they’ve successfully unearthed the unidentified ancient superweapon buried in the Abydos Desert. This, much earlier than in the original story.
If I were to speculate, it seems the Kaiser President has become quite desperate.
Given the scaling down of Kaiser Corporation from events last year and the influence held by Saint Nephthys in Abydos after cooperating in its reclamation, plus my contribution placing pressure on the debt committee, there are multiple factors at play. It’s challenging to read the Kaiser President’s mind perfectly, but with so much to know, I can see quite a bit.
By the way, Kaiser really is tenacious. They’ve somehow survived this far and even managed to excavate that legendary ancient superweapon.
Still, I have a feeling this will be the last time.
The moment I stomp out their do-or-die plan, Kaiser is bound to crumble. After all, they can’t get a third second chance.
So——
“What are you doing?”
“I brought you information far more important than I expected. So, there should be a fitting reward for that.”
“Iroha-chan, I have no idea how leaning on my shoulder relates to that…”
“Not particularly, but it’s not entirely unrelated, is it?”
“…?”
What’s that supposed to mean? I’m completely lost.
“Hmm… this might not be the best idea.”
With a look of utter disbelief directed at Iroha, she casually rested her head on my lap and lay down.
What is she doing outside, where anyone could easily see her?
“Mika-san, I’m going to take a nap for a bit, so please wake me up in an hour.”
“Uh, did I just hear that right…?”
“Even though it’s for Makoto-senpai, it does still feel like I’m betraying you. So, don’t you think you could fulfill this little request of mine?”
“…Honestly, you’re a troublesome kid.”
“Yes~ I’m troublesome and annoying. So do your proper duty as a pillow, please.”
In the end, I had to sit on a bench in the Trinity promenade, quietly toying with Iroha’s messy hair as we passed the time. During that process, I also dozed off for a bit… which resulted in Nagisa personally coming after receiving an anonymous report.
Fortunately, that night, I was forgiven without any issues.
