With the help of the Odyssey students, the situation on the upper deck and hull was quickly being sorted out. As for the 2nd Bridge problem, it seemed that the crew would resolve it, although it might take a little time.
And there was one piece of good news.
[This is FOX 4. We received communication from the Aigis ship. 3 out of 4 fleet missiles have been successfully intercepted. The last one fell into the sea quite some distance away, so it seems they decided not to intercept it.]
It seems there were no issues at the festival site.
This part was well handled by the Odyssey, so it’s time for me and the FOX Squad to do what we need to do.
[And the Reikubyō no Yū has started destroying the CCTV on the lower levels. They’re planning to blind us. The escape route is blocked, so we don’t have to worry about a retreat, but be careful of ambushes as we enter.]
“…I see. FOX 4, please check if there are enough lifeboats and jackets for the personnel on the academy ship to distribute to the captain.”
“…Oh? Shichido Yukino. Didn’t you say our only option is negotiation?”
“If we’re not going to swiftly overpower the Reikubyō no Yū and seize the detonation device, we will ultimately have to negotiate. However, now that we’ve regained control of the academy ship, it’s wise to solidify a plan to ensure lives are protected, just in case.”
Regardless of all this, Wakamo certainly had the upper hand.
If they succeed in overpowering us, everything will go as Wakamo wishes.
Even if we corner Wakamo, as long as we’re threatened with the detonation device and people’s safety isn’t guaranteed, she still holds the initiative.
I ponder whether things would be different if I were alone here, but realizing how arrogant that thought is leaves me with a strange sense of self-loathing. Because I’m overly confident in my own abilities, thinking that just because things went well with Arius.
Unlike the Arius Squad, who could be persuaded using the knowledge I have, I know too little about Wakamo.
From the start, we can’t control anything unless the teacher comes directly. And that damn teacher won’t arrive at Kivotos for another six months.
Wait a minute. Six months?
“Whoa—oh…?”
Before that, I might die of stress.
I don’t know which corner of this damn Kivotos is bright and healthy. Maybe I’m the problem for having fallen in love with such a Kivotos.
[This is FOX 4. The amount of life jackets and boats is sufficiently prepared. All we need is the time required for preparation…]
“How much time do you need?”
[It’ll take about 15 minutes to evacuate all personnel from the upper hull… No, 10 minutes should be enough.]
“Understood. I’ll direct the captain to begin preparations immediately. We’ll enter the lower level and resume operations in 5 minutes.”
Thus Yukino, prioritizing the lives on the academy ship, was about to say something when—
Boom!!!
A loud explosion reverberated from the lower hull.
“…It’s probably a grenade. It’s a provocation, telling us to hurry up and come get them.”
I was momentarily startled, but after hearing Niko’s words, I realized she was right. The lack of subsequent explosions indicates that the planted bomb hasn’t detonated.
Well, we’re in the upper level while Wakamo is in the lower level; what would she gain by blowing herself up? It’s not like that’s her wish.
Yukino scowled at Wakamo’s antics and turned to me.
“FOX 5… No, Misono Mika. From here on out, please leave it to us.”
“Hmm? That’s a bit sudden, Shichido Yukino.”
“This isn’t a joke. Considering the number of bombs plastered all over the lower levels, if there happens to be a detonation while we’re in there… it would mean we can’t guarantee your safety, Misono Mika.”
“So, because of a possible danger, I should just step back? You guys are ready to die, so it’s fine—if that’s what you’re saying, right?”
“This is our actual sense of justice. As the leader of an academy, you must have other things to protect, don’t you? We, who pledged to do anything for justice upon entering the SRT, are different from you, Misono Mika!”
“…”
I question myself if what they’re saying is truly wrong.
No, it’s not wrong. That’s my answer.
Yukino’s words are the truth. If the lower levels are half-covered in plastic bombs, I can’t dare say there won’t be a future where we sink together with this academy ship after the detonation occurs.
I have no desire to die, and I have my own things to protect. It’s too much to lose just on the hope that Wakamo won’t use the detonator.
However, sending off these kids, who look resolute as if they have accepted the possibility of death, isn’t an easy task.
“By the way, Yukino, you said that justice is the correct path that aligns with truth…”
“Even if you bring up what I said, my position won’t change. And just because I’ve called you FOX 5 today doesn’t mean you’ve truly become a member of our squad!”
“No, I wasn’t trying to say that. Um, I just… thought it was easy to become an adult, that’s all.”
If the teacher were here, what choice would they have made? I can’t even imagine a scenario where an unaware teacher would decide to send off the FOX Squad kids and stay behind.
But I’m not the teacher. I can’t be the teacher. We are fundamentally different vessels.
“…But I’ve also thought that maybe it’s not necessary to become an adult.”
I raised my gun. Glancing at the fox-ear headband I had set aside, I chuckled and put it on my head.
Yeah, a student has a student’s mindset. Even an adult child who hasn’t quite grown up has their own way of thinking.
It’s just about shifting one’s perspective a little. Besides, there was no hesitation at all until Yukino brought up such serious matters.
“What if you send me off and I get overpowered again? Some people here already have a history of getting overpowered.”
“W-Well, that was unavoidable!”
“Of course, you’d think that!”
I lightly ruffled Kurumi’s hair as she bristled with indignation.
…What’s with that? How does her expression change within 3 seconds? She’s such a weird kid.
“Let’s go, FOX 1. You said the final choice is negotiation anyway, right? Talks about life and death and all that heavy stuff makes me sick.”
“…I really don’t understand. Misono Mika, why are you so eager to step forward in a situation where you don’t need to?”
“Well, that’s because… what was it? Point man, right? That’s my position today. So it’s only natural for me to take the lead, right?”
More than anything, I can’t shake the feeling that if I don’t personally smack Wakamo a few times, I won’t feel satisfied.
I must release all the pent-up frustration I’ve felt today into a proper scolding.
“If you’re not coming, I’ll go alone?”
“No, um, haah…”
“You’re such a free spirit, aren’t you?”
I flashed a smile at Yukino, who sighed, and a flabbergasted Kurumi.
“I’m sorry for being such a free spirit☆”
“Hehe. I’ve never felt liveliness in a person’s apology before.”
Eventually, after hesitating, the FOX Squad decided to follow me. I suddenly thought of something and tossed it out nonchalantly.
“By the way, weren’t we supposed to split up to enter?”
“…”
Seeing Yukino’s expression telling me she wants to smack me, I quietly zipped my lips.
The moment we stepped forward into the lower level.
Thud!!!
“…”
“Hello? I didn’t get a chance to greet you earlier, but here’s one more chance. Of course, this is assuming you’re able to accept my greeting…”
“Whoa—oh.”
I rubbed my throbbing forehead and looked at Wakamo. But she slightly shivered.
“Right…?”
“Hahaha, talk about bad luck.”
“Excuse me, Miss Fox…?”
“Yep, yep. Do you have any last words you’d like to leave? I might remember them.”
“…I have a bomb.”
Wakamo’s attempt to negotiate by casually bringing up a bomb was truly ridiculous. There’s no way I’d allow that, you brazen fox.
“Oh, I’m not interested in that anymore. That furry tail of yours looks utterly delectable—I’d love to take it and decorate my gun with it!”
“A-Ah, thank you…?”
“It wouldn’t be a bad idea to pluck every last bit of it out and add it as an ornament; though it may hurt a bit, if you’re the infamous Reikubyō no Yū, you should be able to endure it, right?”
“…”
It wouldn’t be a problem if the plastic bomb got hit a bit, but I don’t know what’s going to happen with my mystic shooting star, so I shouldn’t use it. What a pity.
Without even aiming my gun at Wakamo, I charged at her. Startled, she tried to pull the trigger but realized she hadn’t unloaded the magazine and turned around to flee.
“…Oh, didn’t Kurumi-chan get shot and faint?”
As those words reached my ears, a hellish chase began where getting caught would mean losing all pride as a fox.
