“…Teacher, please wake up.”
“…”
“Teacher!!!”
“…?”
A man with a kind face woke up to the girl’s call. Rinn, thinking he might be the kind of person who listens to complaints without a word but would readily fulfill a request, cleared her throat.
“I told you to wait a moment, but it seems you were quite tired. I had no idea you were sleeping so deeply that waking you would be difficult.”
“…Ah, I’m sorry.”
“Oh, no. You don’t need to apologize. First, let me explain the situation again, so please focus now that you’ve woken up.”
Rinn’s explanation continued. Kivotos and the Student Council. And the story that he was presumed to be a teacher who was brought to Kivotos by them.
Even while listening intently, the teacher recalled the girl from the dream he had just before waking up.
Somewhere familiar, filled with a kind of affection… The teacher revisited the only words of the girl that remained in his memory.
“Please, remember me.”
With that one line, still full of emotions he couldn’t grasp, the teacher asked Rinn, “I’m not sure, but… can I assume that I came here because there’s something I have to do?”
“Yes, that’s correct. I understand this situation might be confusing for you, but for now, please follow me. There’s an important task you must accomplish… By the way, it’s unfortunate that that person is coming. Hoo.”
“…That person?”
“Ah, no… That was an indiscretion, but you will meet her soon, so let me briefly explain. She is… like the actual ‘queen’ of Trinity, one of the largest and most influential academies here in Kivotos.”
“…?”
“I’m sure as you begin to act as a teacher, you’ll grasp it naturally. Time is of the essence, so this way, please.”
Following Rinn’s guidance, the teacher walked ahead. Step into the elevator, he looked through the glass and let out a small gasp at the view of D.U.
“Welcome to Kivotos, Teacher.”
*
February 12. Today marks… three weeks since the Student Council President has been missing.
No, when I got contacted three weeks ago, they said it had been 80 hours since their disappearance, so it has been exactly over 24 days.
What I heard last night while talking to Hina was that the Student Guidance Department plans to send someone to the Student Council today. And only after hearing that did I recall that a few days ago, there was an article about the Millennium wind power plant being shut down.
This means today is indeed the day that person is coming.
If I remember correctly, it was Hasumi from the Justice Realization Department and Suzumi from the Vigilante Corps who represented Trinity to the Student Council in the original story… should I send Hasumi after all, or go see the Student Council myself?
Over the past three weeks, I spent my days buried in paperwork and spent afternoons rehabilitating troublesome students who were acting out in the field. Maybe it was a valid reason for a break I reached.
Moreover, I need to verify with my own eyes if the teacher has truly arrived, or I won’t feel at ease.
…There’s no way they won’t come, right? It would be problematic if they didn’t show up.
If that happens, I might have to transfer to Millennium and join the Game Development Club to raise Aris…
Oh wait, that doesn’t sound half bad.
*
I’m almost certain that, compared to the original story, the current situation in Kivotos is infinitely better.
Gone are the days of high percentages of illegal distribution of unknown weapons that were clearly in my memory. All thanks to SRT, who have been controlling the black market.
Particularly noteworthy is a squad of new students organized this year and an agent working alone… If you just hear that, don’t you already have a pretty good guess about who they are?
But while the situation is good, it’s still too good for Hina, who has long become accustomed to the effects of ETO, showing extreme discontent about returning to the past. To be honest, I’m getting close to losing my mind as well, so I completely understand her feelings.
Upon entering the Student Council building, a staff member who recognized me jumped back, quickly guiding me to the reception room. Various students from different academies were visible, but the ones that stood out the most were Yuuka from Millennium and the new student Chinatsu from the Gehenna Student Council. Those two…
“Huh?”
No, wait a minute. What on earth are they doing here?
“Keehehee!!! Look who it is! Isn’t this the greatest supporter of the dignified Makoto-sama? Have you finally decided to lend your support to my impeachment motion, Mika!”
What’s the point of impeaching a Student Council President who’s currently absent…?
“Ahaha, well… this is definitely an unexpected encounter… but Makoto-chan, I think it’d be better to hold off on the potentially misleading words. I really don’t want to be classified as some dissident group.”
“…Huh? What do you mean, Mika?! Don’t you want to witness the moment when Makoto-sama’s influence spreads throughout Kivotos once he’s the Student Council President?! You’re definitely dying to see that, aren’t you?! Didn’t you say that with your own mouth?!”
“W-Wait, when did I say that?!”
“To support me with—Khaaa!”
Makoto stumbled as if he was about to say something that shouldn’t have been said, then he fell back and settled naturally into a chair.
The gift I gave to Iroha last Christmas ended up saving not just Gehenna but ultimately the peace of Kivotos too… If miracles truly exist, this is that miracle.
“…Hah. I’m sorry, Mika-chan. But upon reflection, I don’t feel sorry at all. This is all a result of the nonsense you filled Makoto-senpai’s head with last year. What’s with dragging me here to protest in front of the Student Council early in the morning… Oh?!”
Iroha’s gaze was directed somewhere. There stood Rinn, who currently acted on behalf of the Student Council President, along with a… giant.
Just by appearance, he was at least a head and a half taller than me, with wide shoulders, a muscular body, and most strikingly, a face that was so handsome it was almost infuriating. There’s no doubt who he is.
“Wow—oh.”
Ah, life is so unfair. Why was I born as a mere beta, unable to experience a sweet romance with our princess who drips honey, while he exists?
This is frustration at its finest. I hate this world. I despise it.
“Uh, Iroha-chan…?”
“Yes, Mika-chan.”
“Do you, by any chance, know that guy? That one?”
“…I hope I don’t have to know him.”
If I got caught with that watch I gifted to Iroha, that would be a problem. If the teacher attempts to confiscate it, I wouldn’t have a leg to stand on. The teacher’s authority in Kivotos is absolute.
If I lose that, Gehenna… No, the peace of Kivotos itself would be at risk.
While I was having these internal thoughts, the teacher strode over toward us. Meanwhile, Rinn, who was caught by Yuuka and Chinatsu, was heard performing the famous “time-wasting guitar, etc., everyone” routine.
Whoa, now even I’m feeling the radishes from afar… surely Kaya was innocent. Over the past three weeks, we had been in touch more than ten times, and she had been doing her best to maintain the peace of Kivotos, so if she revolted, it’s undoubtedly Rinn’s fault.
Half of those conversations were simply her whining about how hard things were, so honestly, it felt a little annoying for me who was struggling more than that… but still, I support our Kaya.
Especially considering that the current Student Council basically comprises useless parts aside from the Transportation Office and Health Office, Kaya surely was right.
“Hey, I want to ask one thing. Can you answer honestly?”
“…What is it?”
While losing myself in thoughts, the teacher finally approached us. He then turned to Iroha and asked,
“About that tranquilizer gun from earlier…? I’m talking about something similar. If there’s a risk to your body or anything like that, I would hope you wouldn’t use it on your friends from now on.”
“I don’t think it’s a dangerous item…”
“Really? That’s a relief. By the way, what are your names?”
“Hah… It’s generally polite to introduce yourself before asking for others’ names, isn’t it?”
“Ah, that’s true. For now, it seems I was summoned here as a teacher. I’ll know more details as I hear them.”
“Teacher, is it? I have a feeling we’re going to be caught up in some troublesome matters…”
Iroha lowered her book and, avoiding his gaze, answered his question.
“I am Natsume Iroha.”
“Iroha… That’s a lovely name. Nice to meet you, Iroha.”
The teacher received her name, then turned his gaze toward me, wearing a smile that had a slightly different, lethal charm. That type of smile is one that could make anyone wonder, “Wow, how is a person even that good looking?”
Fortunately, those impressions didn’t go too far. Honestly speaking, in my view, Haruna’s smile has a stronger destructive power. This should be safe, right?
“Mi sono Mika, nice to meet you, Teacher! Well, it looks like we’ll be seeing each other often, so let’s get along well☆”
“I see, Mika. I’ll be sure to remember that. Let’s get along.”
…Smile, smile.
My heart raced like a runaway train, but thankfully, it didn’t go completely wild, nor did I feel anything overly suggestive. So, for now, I think I’m safe.
Still, I’ll pass on giving him my Momotalk ID. Absolutely.
