In reality, I thought that once I finished talking with Yukino, I could finally take a break today. I believed I could enjoy the beach alongside Seiya and Nagisa, in a time that felt like a final supper…
So, I decided to push Wakamo off onto Yukino and wandered around, looking for the two who should be relaxing somewhere on the beach by Trinity. Thankfully, I found them not too far from where Yukino was, and at last, I could finally have that long-awaited break…
“Buddy, for this situation, I think it’s best to personally express your apologies to the Student Council President.”
I couldn’t handle it.
Of course, it’s natural, but the conversation I had with the Student Council President today, coupled with last night’s events, had to be communicated to the other two in T-party as a priority.
Thus, relaxation? What relaxation? I was immediately stuck with the two of them, becoming the audience for an interrogation.
It was inevitable since I had to do what I needed to do, but it stung a bit to see my precious time, which felt like a final supper, slip away like this…
“People tend to fear different things… No, lower your hand! Just listen to me! How did you become so violent? You weren’t this way before.”
No, I just wanted to stroke Seiya’s head and find some peace of mind. That sharp glare from Seiya, as if she thought I’d suddenly slap her, was painful. I had already dealt out my daily slap to Wakamo, to be honest.
Am I really more violent than I was back then… I mean, before I was reincarnated as Mika?
That must be a lie. It has to be. There is no way I was that violent. If I really was…
“Then… didn’t Seiya-chan make me this violent?”
“…Mika, I think I misspoke… hmmm.”
Honestly, what a talkative fox, all bark and no bite when it comes to being petted on the head for even a moment.
“I realize I might’ve treated the Student Council President too harshly as well, so just like Seiya said, I should apologize separately… Yes, that seems fair.”
I recall Yukino’s words. The Student Council President wasn’t perfect, despite how she appears.
I became so focused on her being a superhuman and a returning character that I completely forgot she’s just a girl of this age too.
The Student Council President isn’t perfect either. That’s why she’s laying the groundwork to leave it all to the teacher.
And now that the chaos I caused post-reincarnation could lead to variables in a future she doesn’t know, I had to start taking her caution more seriously. Any failure to do so was solely my fault.
“I trust you’ll handle that aspect well. Mika, you’re not the little girl you used to be, right?”
I momentarily gasped at Seiya’s words. But upon realizing she meant them literally, my body relaxed.
It might be time to tell Seiya that I’m not the real Misono Mika. While her bond with Miko wasn’t as deep as I thought, it definitely existed.
“As for how to deal with Kaiser… I’ll look to see if there’s anything we can help with on our end. The Student Council may be a bit lukewarm, but even outside of that, once SRT’s troops are involved, we’ve essentially been given permission for non-excessive attacks that don’t cross the line… We should utilize whatever is available as long as we don’t overstep.”
“Haha, but you see, I don’t particularly want a situation where our troops clash face to face…”
“Mika, that’s just a weak excuse…? Once you start operating the SRT troops alongside Arius Squad, no matter how carefully you avoid direct destruction as your goal, you can’t escape troop clashes. This is retaliatory terror operations, regardless of purpose, so don’t look away from that. You mustn’t forget that you managed to get concessions from someone who’s responsible for the entire administration of Kivotos.”
Seiya’s words hit my heart.
I was merely rationalizing on my end, and that cold critique made me reflect on my past actions.
…Seiya’s point about my needing to apologize to the Student Council President was meant for me. Realizing that made me a bit embarrassed for just nodding along with my own reasons.
I acknowledge my lack of awareness regarding the position I held for the entire academy.
Even directly, the Student Council President requested that I calm down, yet I was so caught up with my own feelings that I pushed her until she ended up distressed and helpless.
“Seiya, please don’t press Mika too hard. Also, let’s not forget that we share part of the responsibility for pushing her into a position she didn’t want. Mika, even if you have some issues concerning the direction of your love, I believe your pursuit itself isn’t wrong. Seiya likely thinks the same, and the Student Council President won’t be much different. Ultimately, this is just a matter of perspective. So, please remember the lessons learned from this incident and strive to become a better leader.”
“Haha… Seems like the only one looking out for me is Nagisa-chan. Thanks, Nagisa-chan. I always feel like I’m a burden on you.”
“…Nagisa, you slithering villain! You’ve handed me the bad cop role just to garner points with your lover. T-party has indeed gone that far.”
“Isn’t it a little rich for the one who submits to Seiya like a pet to say anything?”
Why are they suddenly fighting again?
Instead of supporting me so I could savor my final restful moments, here they were turning it into work chat! It was becoming awkward for me…
“Haha, both of you cut it out. I know that if Seiya hadn’t mentioned it, Nagisa would’ve brought up the same points. I’m not unhappy to be hearing this from Seiya. Yes, even though I reluctantly shrugged off the host position, it was me who decided to be responsible for everyone in this spot without leaving T-party. I’m always grateful for someone pointing out where I need to improve☆”
Of course, I’m annoyed about passing off the hosting duties. Very, very annoyed! But still, I think I could forgive a single slap eventually.
Bringing up the issue of hosting seemed to quiet Seiya down. It seems like everyone needs to have at least one weakness to steer the conversation to safer waters.
“Hey, how about we walk a bit?”
I reached out to the two sitting quietly on the beach towel sipping tea. As I attempted to lead them away, the movements of the surrounding guards became hurried.
They didn’t refuse my suggestion.
Seiya, adorned in a flowy, near-dress swimwear, Nagisa in her bikini from the festival, and me uniquely in the SRT uniform.
Three people with an unbalanced combination started walking side by side along the ocean and beach. Occasionally, the waves rushed over us only to retreat, creating a warm feeling exclusive to the seaside, where T-party joined hand in hand.
I vowed to never let go of this hand to prevent any division like in the original T-party.
“But hey, Mika. Where did you leave your swimsuit to wear another academy’s uniform…?”
“Umm, well, it looks a little off to show up in a swimsuit for an operation, right?”
“…Isn’t that usually what you do?”
“Eh?”
Nagisa, why are you bringing up something that’s supposed to be obvious?
“I just don’t like the uniforms from other academies from the get-go. Please don’t wear them anymore.”
“What? But this design is pretty, isn’t it? It’s neatly casual and doesn’t stand out too much; I actually like it.”
“But that belongs to another girl.”
“Oh.”
Umm… umm… Uh-oh.
I didn’t expect this aspect would spark jealousy. But outright refusing to wear it is tricky since I find the outfit pretty appealing…
“Hehe, I’m just joking. I think it looks good. But you aren’t planning to flaunt that SRT mark constantly, are you?”
“…Haha! Of course not. I’ll either erase it later or cover it with the Trinity mark, so you don’t need to worry☆”
Leaving that response, I gathered my thoughts a bit. Feeling the warmth of the two solidifies my resolve.
Even if it’s not now, I’ve made up my mind to tell the two about the original Mika.
Probably, when that time comes, I will also have to confess to Seiya that I’m not really Mika, but isn’t this framing the moment I’ll first reveal such facts, much like Seiya had once said in a dream?
But still, not yet. Discussing the real Mika with the two of them now would be premature since I don’t have any solid facts yet. I need to gather more information than I have now.
‘Don’t trust Gematria.’
…It’s not that I trust them. It’s more that I feel, even at this risk, I must figure out the whereabouts of the real Mika… her condition, and inform the two of them.
I merely thought of that.
