Yukino handed me a sheet of paper with a rather serious expression on her face.
Flipping through it quickly, I realized it was a survey targeting SRT students.
“Regarding the teacher in Shalle… umm, heueng. It seems there’s surprisingly a lot of indifference. Aside from that, it’s mostly positive. There are also quite a few suggestions like wanting the teacher to recruit members outside of the RABBIT Squad. Seems like the reputation is pretty good…”
“I think the fact that the teacher declared they wouldn’t intervene in SRT’s operations has effectively worked. Thanks to that, SRT is collecting information independently while also getting some intel from the Student Council, allowing us to manage our duties based on our judgment.”
“Aha, so you’re basically taking on the role of the Student Council President for SRT! That explains why you were so flustered earlier… you were just exhausted to death, right?”
“I won’t deny it…”
I know that pain too well. But once you adapt, it should get a bit easier.
But then there’s Wakamo, what’s she doing now…
“Ufufu, our little fox senior. This unworthy junior will specially relieve your fatigue directly!”
“…Why are you suddenly doing something you’ve never done before?”
“What a strange thing to say. Now, let’s press hard…!”
“…!”
Observing Wakamo starting to knead Yukino’s shoulders while Yukino began letting out silent screams as if she’d been struck by lightning, I couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of pity.
Originally, Yukino, who was an elite capable of locking up Wakamo in the correctional bureau, was now being toyed with in her hands…
Well, thinking about it, the Wakamo who was actually stuck in that correctional bureau managed to escape and now follows the teacher around, calling them ‘husband,’ while Yukino has joined the coup with the feeling of ‘SRT… we definitely need to save it…!’ seems to suggest that this situation isn’t so bad for Yukino after all.
Anyway, leaving the two of them like that to strengthen their senior-junior bond, I continued to examine the document.
The most crucial part. Looking for the issue Yukino mentioned that was directly related to ETO.
In the satisfaction survey on the current operation of SRT, an overwhelming majority indicated dissatisfaction.
And out of that, 80% expressed negative opinions connected to ETO.
“At this point, wouldn’t it be better to just separate from ETO?”
“That’s because they don’t really understand. Not just about who Mika-san is, but that it was even Mika-san who pushed to integrate SRT under Shalle…”
“They’re full of themselves due to their ignorance. It ended up this way. It’s only natural they can’t see that if SRT hadn’t been moved under Shalle, ETO would’ve become SRT’s lifeline. That’s obviously because SRT has become a part of Shalle now. They’re such fools.”
“Heueng… that’s sharp.”
“Opposing opinions… once they realize who’s responsible for SRT maintaining this form, their attitudes will switch like flipping a palm. So I hope you won’t be swayed by those foolish opinions and trust us. Not just me, but also the seniors in the FOX Squad know better than anyone the weight of what Mika-san has done for SRT.”
Yukino, who had been quietly listening to Wakamo’s words, nodded and opened her mouth. While trying to remove Wakamo’s hand that had climbed onto her shoulder, she seemed a bit pitiful.
It was understandable since it had no effect at all.
“Mika-san, there won’t be any issues with the progress of the Eden Treaty.”
In the meantime, Yukino looked at me with a very serious expression.
“I will make sure of it.”
“Wow—oh…”
I locked eyes with Wakamo standing behind Yukino. Perhaps thinking the same thing as me, she seemed to lose strength in her hands, and Yukino finally succeeded in pushing her hand away.
“…Fufu.”
“Hahaha…!”
“Fuhuhut… puhehuh… Ah, little fox senior… that was just too, too cool…!”
“HahaHah…! Seriously, that’s so awesome! How can you say something like that so seriously…? Haha, I’m dying…☆”
“…”
With laughter erupting from both sides, Yukino’s expression appeared blank.
Eventually, with her eyes tightly shut, Yukino… buried her face in her hands.
Her ears were a vivid red.
“Mika-san. And Wakamo.”
“Huh… yes, Yukino-chan.”
“Yeah, little fox senior… fufu.”
“I’m serious…”
“No, it’s not that I don’t know… Just hearing it makes me feel really reliable, and it’s such a nice thing. Well, just a bit…”
“Cute?”
“That’s the vibe.”
Yukino, blushing with embarrassment, glanced at me and Wakamo before letting out a small sigh. Then, with a rather calm demeanor, she spat out a line.
“Wakamo.”
“Yes~.”
“Next week, you’ll be the instructor for the first-year tactical training.”
“…Me? Why?”
Wakamo replied with a voice that seemed to be in shock, but as she fixed her gaze on me, it was clear that Yukino had decided to completely ignore her.
Well, it might be good to side with her a bit here. Since I felt sorry for laughing so much earlier.
“Wakamo-unnie, is it really okay to talk to your senior like that? I’m totally disappointed!☆”
“Huh…? Mika-san… I swear it’s not like that…!”
“Well, it was just a joke.”
Interestingly enough, seeing her reaction when I poked fun at her was amusing. It’s somewhat regrettable due to the mask, though.
“More than that… Mika-san.”
“Yeah, unnie.”
“Um, could you please stop calling me that…?”
As she spoke, Wakamo twisted her body awkwardly, making Yukino grimace.
She was so pleased earlier; why did her thoughts suddenly change in just a short amount of time? If she dislikes it, I won’t force it.
“Then, Wakamo-chan.”
“…Huh.”
Why is it that every time I comply she gives a sigh? This is what women are like. Even after living as one for almost a year, I still can’t understand these creatures.
“By the way, I’m not sure if you know what tomorrow is…”
“Of course I know.”
“Huh? Uhm, is that really true?”
“Of course! Tomorrow is…”
My words trailed off.
I knew that tomorrow was Wakamo’s birthday.
Momotalk kindly reminded me of it, so if I didn’t know, I would be an idiot.
So, I was thinking of playing dumb about the whole trivial schedule, but after pondering, it turned out to be even more significant than I thought.
Tomorrow was the day I lost everything I originally had.
The day I began life as Misono Mika after being possessed.
I’d been too busy denying it on that day.
“Mika-san, are you okay?”
“Ah, umm. I was just deep in thought, but I just remembered. Yes, of course, I know tomorrow is Wakamo-chan’s birthday☆”
“Aah, I’m relieved… I almost felt a little hurt, you know…? The little fox senior didn’t seem to know. Sniff.”
“…”
I caught a glimpse of Yukino subtly shaking her fingers at Wakamo. That must mean she knew.
Ah, I got the gist of it. Yukino, or maybe the FOX Squad, is preparing something for Wakamo.
In that case, Niko is likely the one taking the lead.
“So, Mika-san! Do you have time tomorrow?”
“…Huh?”
“Even though White Night isn’t starting just yet, if you’re okay with it, could you come with me… um, to the Hakgwiyaeng? I mean. That kind of thing.”
“Uh…”
“…It’s not a date request! Just, a one-day trip to celebrate a birthday with friends… That’s all. There’s absolutely no special meaning behind it, really—”
Thud.
“Kyaaa?!”
While quietly listening to Wakamo’s words, Yukino suddenly ripped off her mask and covered her eyes with her hands.
Through the mask, I locked eyes with Wakamo, whose face was flushed and about to die from embarrassment. I followed suit, covering my face as well.
“Uh, umm…”
Yukino formed an X with her fingers and showed it to me. Her expression seemed a little annoyed.
Honestly, I was already planning to decline even without that gesture. Tomorrow was somewhat a significant day for me too.
At least for this year, I wanted to spend the day alone…
“Sorry, Wakamo-chan. I have plans for tomorrow…”
“Oh, no… please don’t apologize. Yes, I should have planned ahead…”
“Well, I have about two hours free starting now, and since I feel bad for declining, how about we go shopping together? You know, as friends.”
“…! Yes, yes! Two hours? That means… we can’t waste any time here! Let’s go, let’s go immediately, Mika-san!”
“Ah, umm.”
“Ufufu, so friends… yes, we’re starting off as friends. Fufu.”
As I exchanged greetings with Yukino, who nodded awkwardly with a sour expression, I heard Wakamo muttering to herself.
I, in turn, held my throbbing head down, shamelessly asking Yukino if I could grab some painkillers. I was sure there’d be at least one available.
“Here it is. You can grab some water when you stop by the lounge.”
“Yep, thanks…”
After taking a painkiller in the lounge, the two of us headed towards the nearby township.
Walking side by side, I suddenly felt something on my pinky finger and glanced over to find Wakamo’s pinky holding onto mine.
That felt like a signal that this was where it would all begin, so after much deliberation, I decided to detach my finger.
If she had just held my hand openly, I wouldn’t have felt that way.
“Tch.”
It could be seen as rejection, but with a slight click of her tongue, Wakamo moved half a step closer to me.
However, throughout shopping, that strange attempt of closeness continued without any incidents… Thankfully, until the moment we parted ways, I managed to maintain that distance.
They said to join the battle for the teacher, but really, why is she sticking to me like this…?
