“…Kirihouji.”
“Nagisa. Or just Nagisa. You can call me however you like. Either way, it’s already turned out this way.”
“Then I’ll call you Nagisa.”
How on earth did it end up like this?
Mika, I can’t deny that there’s a hidden agenda behind your utterly outrageous request that is devoid of any conscience.
I’ve fallen in love with you to the point where I’m compelled to comply with such an unreasonable request. That’s what I told her.
At the same time, I emphasized just how painfully I had to comply with that request, repeatedly drilling it into her.
It was the first time in my life that I almost cursed, but I sucked it up and held it in.
Sometimes Mika uses her unique exclamations instead of curses… And when it comes to things involving Mika, I find it particularly hard to maintain my dignity, and I might have been tempted a bit.
But still, I managed to express that bad girl description towards Mika… Looking back, it was indeed a choice of vocabulary fitting for a child.
It was precisely because it was such vocabulary that Mika seemed to understand my feelings to some extent.
Sorasaki Hina… If I were to reveal my true feelings, it’s not that I completely dislike her. It’s just that I didn’t learn anything significant during our conversation before the match.
Basically, Mika was wagging her tail, and Hina was enchanted by it.
It can be summarized that way, so the arrows of resentment in my heart turned toward Mika once more.
If only I had confessed my feelings a little earlier… If that had happened, none of this would have ensued. It’s partially my fault for thinking I had plenty of time to spare, but if you ask who was most at fault among us, there’s only one answer.
“First of all… you understand why Mika asked us to spend the day together, right?”
“It’s because she wanted us to become accustomed to each other’s presence…”
“That’s a rather vague answer that’s far from the essence of the matter, isn’t it? Why don’t you think it over again?”
We haven’t had many conversations, but it doesn’t take much to realize how bright Hina, the chairperson of Gehenna’s Student Council, is.
She is the one who excels at both martial and civil virtues… quite more competent than I am, whose skills are limited to paperwork and a bit of political maneuvering. If anything, she could be compared to Mika now.
So if she thinks it over a bit more, she’ll probably arrive at the same conclusion as I did.
“It’s because she wants you to directly see the good sides I’ve shown until now through your own eyes, isn’t it?”
“Exactly. Even when I had only met Hina once, Mika was strangely trusting of you. And she wants me to see the source of that trust myself. To put it bluntly, Mika wants us to become friends. I think that’s a fair way of putting it. It’s very blunt of her, but that’s just so like her.”
“…Unlike me, who has no reason to be by Makoto’s side, Nagisa, you can stay there without any issues. It certainly is blunt.”
“That was our original plan too. We were supposed to watch the two-person jet ski event together until the finals today. Just the two of us having a nice time.”
Strictly speaking, Hina is more a victim of Mika’s inconsiderate actions, but it’s inevitable for me to grumble. It’s true that she took advantage of someone’s affections to gain an opportunity.
“That plan seems to have been half-ruined since the Student Council President and Makoto decided to stay there.”
“…I doubt Mika ever expected the Student Council President to declare that she would stay there. It’s not an exaggeration to say that she’s one of the busiest people in Kivotos, so predicting such a decision is no small feat. As for Makoto from the Manma Battle, I’ve heard little about her, so I’m careful with my comments.”
“Makoto… she’s a fool like no other. She can be sharp at odd times, but there’s no doubt that she’s a fool. Being in the same space as Makoto is torture in itself, so if you want to look on the bright side, maybe Mika was just showing you consideration… Hmm. It’s really a stretch to try and frame it that way.”
“Yeah, that’s definitely a stretch… I’m not wholly dissatisfied, but since it’s turned out this way, shall we follow Mika’s intentions for now? I’m a bit curious about how much you liked me to have kneeled before me like that.”
“…Well, I’m not sure if I should say this, but when that game ended in a draw, I was planning to confess everything and cut my feelings off.”
“Hehe, I see. Hina? About that story, could you tell me a bit more in detail?”
…Did she really go out of her way to bring someone who would have distanced themselves from me right to my face for permission? Hehe, Mika, you really are something.
I can see that you must have liked this woman enough to go to such lengths.
But then again, you didn’t say a word as you sent me off with Hina.
Are you challenging me?
*
[Everyone, thank you for your long wait. The finals of the jet ski event, which had a total of 32 teams participating, is about to begin! Let me introduce the eight players who have made it to the finals, emerging from the tournament where only two teams out of four in each group survive.]
For some reason, our Student Council President seemed to be enjoying this event more than anyone else and had quite the talent for organizing it. Well, she’s a superhuman who excels at everything, so this must have been a piece of cake for her.
[First up, Trinity Team 1, Jomae Saori and Shirase Azusa. This team has wiped out the entire opposing team every single time without fail! With seven jet skis made of scrap metals, they are definitely the biggest favorites for the victory in this final round.]
As expected, our squad is our only hope. And is it any wonder…
[Gehenna Team 1!]
[Gehenna Team 2!]
[Gehenna Team 3, Wanibuchi Akari and Shiroimi Iori! Even though their teamwork was abysmal, exhibiting a terrible rapport, they showcased overwhelming racing and fighting skills, pushing their way through to the finals!]
In this final, there are three teams just from Gehenna.
Why on earth did none of the Pater and Arius teams make it?
Sure, it’s true that in the group with three Gehenna teams and one Trinity team, the Trinity team got knocked out.
And the group with four Trinity teams got completed by chance, along with the worst matchmaking luck, plus the surviving Trinity team ran into Iori’s team and got knocked out—I saw it with my own eyes.
But still, this is just absurd.
And Iori!
Yes, Iori.
[Moreover, there’s an interesting backstory to this team. Wanibuchi Akari is a ‘culinary terrorist’ who has been gaining notoriety in Gehenna, while Shiroimi Iori is the one who has put her behind bars multiple times in the student council’s detention… It’s more of a cat-and-mouse relationship, if you will. Isn’t it fascinating?]
Why on earth did she end up teaming up with Akari?
How does this even make sense? It really doesn’t add up.
What’s even more ridiculous is that until this moment, the two of them seem to be half-ignoring each other’s existence. That’s 100% a business relationship.
After seeing both of them wreak havoc on the water today, I finally understood why Hina told me to brace myself.
It turns out that Hina’s offer to temporarily set aside her usual decorum as the head of the student council was genuinely heartfelt. She must have dropped her insistence on maintaining etiquette long ago to win this competition, and that was indeed her true intention.
[With three of your four teams being Gehenna, this is going to put a significant burden on the Trinity competitors. But considering the performance that team has shown so far, there’s a chance! So Trinity members, you should continue to trust in this undeniably powerful team, showcasing both individual skill and teamwork!]
…Ahaha, this is really messed up.
The scoring system for the medals is that gold gets 5 points, silver 3, and bronze 1, so as long as Saori and Azusa do their part, we can solidly secure a lead by 1 point.
But the best result is only a 1-point lead, and in this match, it’s effectively 3 against 1. From Gehenna’s perspective, there’s no reason for them to fight amongst themselves and leave Trinity to do whatever.
Even if they win a gold medal, it will only be a 1-point lead, and if they only win a silver, they’ll fall behind by a good 3 points.
I believe two Mob Students and Iori can somehow pull through, but if we mess up even once, we’ll be stepping dangerously close to Gehenna’s heels.
Please, prove to me that bringing Arius into Trinity was worthwhile. I’m counting on you!
[All players have completed their preparations. It’s important to note that players must keep their guns aimed at the water until they reach the line where shooting is allowed, or they risk being disqualified. Please take heed.]
After taking a deep breath, I clasped my hands tightly and offered a prayer.
Oh, divine beings of the beginning, even though I’m an insufferable skeptic, I’ve spent nearly half a year diligently praying, right?
So at this point, please acknowledge me as an honorary sister and help those two out there this one time.
“Hmph! It’s obvious that the victory will go to Trinity; it’s nothing serious. We can smoothly secure 10 points from Gehenna. If this keeps up, it won’t be long before I see you crawling at my feet, Misono Mika?! Kiki-kiki-kik!”
“Makoto-chan, even if you win all the medals, it’s not 10 points; it’s 9…”
“Kishish—!!! Who cares about that! Just accept that the victory will go to Gehenna, and if you acknowledge your loss now, I’ll reduce your time as my slave by about 10 minutes! This benevolence from your Makoto-sama, you should be grateful—”
“Haha, trying to flaunt just 10 minutes? That’s nothing to brag about. I wouldn’t even say that’s the level of a Manma Battle. If it were me, I would have cut it down to a week.”
“Hah! Are you belittling the Manma Battle? Fine, in that case, I’ll reduce it by two weeks…”
As Makoto continued speaking, she belatedly realized something was off and half-rose her upper body. Her legs were still resting on the desk in the announcer’s booth.
“…You’re impressive, Misono Mika. I admit it. You are on par with me or perhaps just below as a rival! But that’s it. The result that’s been set cannot be changed. This match will belong to us, Gehenna! Kiki-kiki-kikiki— cough! Cough!!!”
Ah, please.
Saori. Azusa. I’m pleading you so earnestly.
Win the gold medal and shut her up…!
