The way to subdue the rampaging Makoto is exceedingly simple.
Instead of bothering with violence, just put Ibuki in the front, and that’s that. It’s literally the best method.
That’s the reason I reluctantly let go of Ibuki from my embrace. Seeing her rush over to Makoto like that makes me think, is this what it feels like to get NTR’d? It’s quite distressing…
“Ehehe… Makoto-senpai~! Ibuki is okay!”
“Ibuki… I emphasized several times that you shouldn’t even talk to that guy… Ugh.”
“Uh-huh? But Mika-oneechan gave me hot chocolate! She even drew a picture with me. Look, Makoto-senpai, it’s one she drew!”
“W-what…?!”
Makoto, holding Ibuki, approached me with an expression that words cannot describe. It was completely in contrast to the smiling Ibuki.
“Y-you…”
Could it be… that when I thought this is a strange drawing by Ibuki, it actually wasn’t, and I changed my mind after taking the red pill that I drew it?
Ugh, this is racism. Discrimination against devils and angels… Oh, that was Misono, right.
By the way, while Misono is a discriminatory person, Mika-ojou is not. There’s a huge difference, so don’t get it mixed up.
So what on earth does Makoto want to say by taking this long pause? For today, I have to endure her no matter how rude she acts. Violence in front of Ibuki is simply unacceptable…
“What a wonderful picture… Mika, did you do this for me…?”
“Wah—o…?”
This is… a totally unexpected reaction.
“Ugh. As expected, only you, the apex of Trinity, could understand me, the biggest obstacle and competitor in my rise to the position of Student Council President!”
“Eh?”
“…Mika, could it be?”
No way, teacher, are you crazy? Would you especially want to move to a place where work copies are done?
Honestly, being the Student Council President of Trinity, where work is divided among three people, is tiring enough; being the Student Council President? Even if you offered a lot of cash, I wouldn’t do it.
Since I won’t owe anyone money anymore, at least not if it’s just Nonomi, who isn’t from a typical wealthy family. I’ve already piled up honor and respect at the T-party host position, and once the Eden Treaty is wrapped up, I’ll be bursting with it.
“Ugh. Hehe…! Well then, Mika. Just because we’re enemies doesn’t mean we can’t respect each other… No! Showing respect to an enemy is a sign of greatness, so it’s only natural for me, Makoto! Alright, I look forward to a fantastic duel.”
“…What duel?”
“Hm? It’s obviously the life-and-death battle for the position of Student Council President. What else could it be? Between you and me. Which of us will seize Kivotos’ authority… hehehe… this is going to be an interesting match.”
“Not interested☆”
“W-what…?!”
“Absolutely not. Why would I? I refuse to deal with something so annoying.”
“…Hmm. I’m disappointed. I didn’t expect you, Makoto, to chicken out from a duel with me.”
Damn, she’s really trying to provoke me. But this time, I won’t fall for it. Since the real Mika who probably influenced me isn’t even around, I just need to hold on.
“In the end, it was just an illusion that you were my equal.”
…I have to endure. This is a time when I need to grit my teeth. I have no interest in being the Student Council President.
“Hmph. The air is leaking.”
Hey, Saori. What are you doing? Put the gun down quickly!
No matter how angry I get and how much I want to hit her, I can’t because of the relationship between me and Makoto right now.
Ugh… where is Iroha when I need her… just come and shoot me with a tranquilizer, please. At this rate, my blood pressure might explode.
“Hm. Makoto, can I ask why you want to be the Student Council President?”
“Hmm? Teacher, that’s a rather boring question. To stand at the pinnacle of Kivotos, above the heavens, I must place the Student Council at my feet. And that can simply be achieved by ascending to the position of Student Council President.”
“…You’re more boring than I expected, Makoto.”
“W-what?! I can’t let that statement slide. You say this, me, who has engraved such lofty aspirations in my heart?!”
“I thought you’d have a more thrilling goal since you talked about ruling the world together. Hearing that you weren’t aiming to stand at the apex as the chairperson of the Gehenna Manma Battle leaves me a bit… deflated? Walking a path not paved by oneself is hard to argue against when you call it boring.”
“…Oh, I see. Was that it? Indeed, you have a point. As expected, it seems I can communicate well with you, Teacher. Just rising to the position of Student Council President might not be as close to conquering Kivotos as it seems.”
Wait a moment. Excuse me? Teacher, do you even understand what you’re instigating…?!
With that thought in mind, I glared at the teacher, but she was already fully engaged in eye contact with Makoto, looking intensely serious.
No way. Are they filming a movie? Please don’t enact an absurdly handsome scene with each other.
“I apologize, Mika. So, you’ve already foreseen all this. Tsk, you truly are my one and only rival.”
“Uh, uh…?”
What is happening? I can’t keep up with this conversation.
“Hey, teacher, how about we discuss the great undertaking of conquering Kivotos together…? When a competent leader teams up with an admirable collaborator, the concept of impossibility loses its meaning.”
“…”
“Today, it truly saddens me that Mika cannot cooperate fully due to her position. If the three of us joined forces, conquering Kivotos would be a breeze, and we could spend even more time with Ibuki.”
Oh, that’s a bit tantalizing… wait, what am I saying? What on earth is this person planning, choosing to influence Makoto out of all the many students?
I’m a bit shy to say this, but wouldn’t it be better to waste time challenging something with a 0% chance of success, like being Student Council President, than let Makoto chase those dreams of conquering Kivotos that are bound to go wrong? Is it just me thinking this way?
As I pondered this, Hanako, who had snuck up behind me, whispered in my ear.
“Mika-senpai, this is a message from Aco.”
“…Huh?”
“‘I can’t do this anymore. I’m going on strike.’ She said to convey that.”
I must have misheard? Aco’s strike declaration? Suddenly?
“Why is she doing that?!”
“About 60% of the Gehenna students have illegally left the campus.”
“Hmm…? Hanako-chan, that’s within expectation, isn’t it? The Justice Realization Department can cover that level easily. 60% means about twenty or so kids.”
“Normally, yes, but… if what Aco said and the Justice Realization Department has observed is true, this is a diversion operation by the Onsen Development Department using Gehenna students as bait. The Justice Realization Department is busy dealing with that side, and they lack enough personnel to monitor the Gehenna students to prevent accidents…”
“Wah—o.”
Seriously, what’s going on? Is there no day off for this crazy Kivotos? I expected some incidents to happen this week, but for the Onsen Development Department to pop up on the second day feels a bit much.
“Keekekek—!!! I’m pleased, teacher! If I visit Gehenna later, I’ll serve you with the utmost hospitality at our Manma Battle.”
“I’ll look forward to that.”
No, what do you find pleasing? Why are you two talking about things only you understand?
I’m about to lose my mind. I should have just told Saori to shoot her.
“Hanako-chan, um… I just want to ask, is Iroha-chan missing?”
“Oh my, how did you know?”
“…Haa.”
As expected. Who would’ve thought she’d be the king of ditching.
The person responsible for the Manma Battle is here messing around, the mascot is cute, and the worker is slacking off.
I can understand why Aco, who’s effectively taking the blame, suddenly declared a strike. Poor girl… I should sort this situation out somewhat before soothing Aco’s feelings.
“Anyway… Teacher, can I borrow Saori-chan for a moment?”
“Hm? I don’t see a problem with that. It seems there are no situations that require security checks from yesterday to today, and the security here is well maintained, akin to D.U.”
“Then, Saori-chan… though it’s sudden, could you track down the Gehenna students who fled with the kids from the Arius Faction? Yes, please keep watch so they don’t cause any trouble… Sorry for making you do this.”
“Hm. More than anything, are you really alright, Mika? It feels like incidents are emerging one after another just before a good day.”
Oh right, that’s reasonable.
Even if it’s not my birthday, today is our Mika princess’ birthday. Isn’t it just too annoying for someone to cause trouble on a wonderful day like this?
It’s completely justified to arrest everyone…
“Anyway, I’ll make sure to carry out the task you assigned me. You don’t have to worry. However, if you don’t return to campus before the party starts… then I can take you back by force, right?”
“…Uhm, well then. I guess that’s how things are.”
Really? She was genuinely planning to capture them. Is this the hard-boiled style of thinking that has made Saori the ace of the service market?
“I’ll take that task, but I’d like to spend a little time together this evening.”
“Eh? That much is fine.”
“…Alright then, we’ll see each other tonight, Mika.”
Hmm, what is it? I feel like Saori’s expression was incredibly resolute. I can’t guess what that could be about.
For now, I’ll figure that out later. How do I deal with that damn horned jerk who has smashed the peace of my office…
“Kehehe…! By the way! Ibuki, I’ve brought you the famous chocolate pudding from the café at Trinity!”
“Eh? Today, it’s senpai who should eat it!”
“…W-what? Why?!”
“Ibuki already had lots of pudding and desserts from my oneechan! So my belly has gotten all round…”
“Ugh… Misono Mika, you…!”
Upon further thought, it might not be too bad at this point to just close my eyes and give her a little smack.
