“Time spent in Gehenna, etch! You foolish Trinity students, your eyes are etchit——!!!”
Sometimes, living can feel quite mysterious in the presence of this thing called Shinpi.
The power of Shinpi acting on our bodies severely limits the impact of physical trauma and, essentially, allows for incredibly rapid recovery.
In fact, our resistance to harmful gases is significantly enhanced, and we’re also quite free from threats like electrocution or burns.
Yet, we can still die from excessive bleeding, drowning, and such.
For instance, no one has ever tried experimenting, but if you dipped yourself in the lava over there at Hinnom Volcano, you’d obviously die. Taking a nap in the snowy red winter stark naked might result in hypothermia… right? I can’t be so sure about that.
Anyway. Such is the marvel of Shinpi, and students under its protection, as well as ordinary citizens, typically don’t suffer from major illnesses unless they have congenital disabilities.
However, there are two areas where this incredible Shinpi has no effect. It’s truly astonishing.
Firstly, the monthly inconvenience called menstruation that I endure. I’ve gotten used to it and don’t think much of it, but in the beginning, it was terrifying.
It refers not only to my situation but also to other girls. For example, there’s Nagisa, who experiences an unusually strong sexual desire during that time.
The other area is the common cold.
“Cough cough. Sniff.”
Just look at Makoto, who is happily chatting away while sneezing every now and then, and even the adorable Hina who’s sniffling can confirm this.
Shinpi can’t protect us from colds. Isn’t that just incredibly unfair?
Once the Trinity—Gehenna exchange student week ended, a terrible cold hit the two pillars of Gehenna. I know they’ve just returned from the red winter, but did they really bundle up warmly?
When I confirmed that the stares exchanged between Trinity students and Gehenna students were significantly less hostile, I let out a small smile. I had my worries, but thankfully things seem to be working out.
Avoiding Makoto, who seems to think she’s the principal and getting increasingly long-winded, I moved over to Hina. Her gaze back at me was somewhat piercing.
‘We’re in front of people. Control yourself, Mika.’
I interpreted her look in that vein and flashed her a bright smile. Without a word, I reached out and intertwined my fingers with her tiny hand.
“…”
Contrary to her gaze, Hina seemed to welcome the physical contact, as she clasped my hand in return. While we gently stroked each other’s palms with our thumbs, click click sounds could be heard repeatedly.
Chiaki was probably fervently taking pictures of us to capture Makoto’s moments.
As I was observing our fellow students while being beside the suddenly sick Hina, she subtly pulled her hand away from mine. She then tapped my lower back to signal me.
It might have seemed like a gesture that could elicit some sadness, but understanding that it was my turn to step forward, I walked silently ahead.
“If you’d gone just a little lower, it could have been dangerous☆”
Of course, I didn’t forget to add a playful comment to Hina beforehand. After all, her hand was just about to brush against a sensitive spot near my wing roots.
“I knew that… sniff.”
Yet, her response was so brazen that I ended up flustered. I have no idea how our pure and innocent Hina turned into this.
“Hey, Mika. I’m leaving the finale to you. Hehe.”
“…Huh? What’s that, Hanuma Makoto? Where are you going?”
“Kisisi! That’s none of your business.”
After watching Makoto distance herself, I cleared my throat and stood on the platform.
Strangely enough, the auditorium was filled not just with our Trinity students but also with some Gehenna students mixed in. Perhaps bonds were formed over the week.
This week was different from last week when students from Gehenna were causing trouble together; they were now required to follow the class curriculum.
The Trinity students were granted more freedom, allowing for more time to interact freely with Gehenna students. It made sense that relationships would deepen accordingly.
However, if they learned that and turned Trinity into a delinquent academy that ditches class, that would be troublesome… After all, it’s true that the white side is more prone to being tainted than the black side…!
But looking at it, it isn’t completely accurate to think of Trinity kids as purely white either. Right?
Ah, this isn’t a racially discriminatory statement. While it’s true that black is dominant, it’s not discriminatory.
Don’t let appearances fool you. Is it really right to describe angels harboring dark tendencies as purely white?
When applying the concept of “like attracts like,” I really don’t think our kids would be that easily tainted.
With the microphone in my hand from the place where Makoto had left, I paused to gather my voice.
“Ahh. Aah~”
…Maybe it’s because I’ve gotten so used to singing every time I step on stage. It wasn’t intentional.
I was just relieved that being so accustomed to the stage didn’t make me feel overly embarrassed.
“Honestly, Makoto can be quite chatty. Right, everyone thinks so too?”
With a smile, I said that, and our student body immediately responded with a loud ‘Yes!’ The Gehenna kids nodded, showing that being concise and choosing words carefully is vital in these situations.
In a lecture, it might be different. Just like how no one listens attentively to a principal’s lengthy speech, it doesn’t matter how hard you try to talk if no one is paying attention.
“So I won’t go on too long. This is better for everyone…”
“You can speak longer!”
“It’s better if you do!”
Thus, I chose to dismiss the absurd voices echoing from over there. They were probably my fans, or students from Pater or Arius… If I drag things out too much, the other kids won’t like it.
“Ahaha. Thank you for the kind words, everyone, but… I’ll keep it brief. First of all, did you all enjoy the past week? Ah, no need to answer! I just have a feeling you had a good time~! Doesn’t that feel right?”
Yet, keeping things short is more difficult than you’d think. Once you let one word out, you can keep talking, especially for someone who can chat endlessly.
So, here I need to execute the plan we’ve set out effectively.
“This experience week is just what it sounds like. Once the Eden Treaty is officially signed, our inter-academy exchanges will continue to increase, and that means more opportunities like this will arise. It’s encouraged at the academy to maintain relationships with new friends made during this opportunity.”
We’re really close now. The signing ceremony for the Eden Treaty is set for next month; there’s almost no chance of unexpected variables.
I’m confident saying that our preparations have been nearly perfect.
After confirming that no insubordinate factions threaten T-party, we’ve wrapped things up internally. The most significant risk factor, Makoto, could be tackled through the weakness of Ibuki.
To be more candid, I’ve been considering that perhaps after this Eden Treaty, it might be time for me to step down from my host role. It’s about time I start looking for a successor as I think about my graduation.
“Does anyone remember about this time last year? If you truly recall, you’ll see how far we’ve come. Perhaps saying a step is an understatement.”
Trinity and Gehenna. Gehenna and Trinity.
The two academies, once thought incapable of harmonizing, have now transitioned from mere peace agreements to genuine friendships. If the original Nagisa saw the reconciliation with Arius, she might feel her understanding being fundamentally challenged.
“Do you know how precious the moments you’ve shared in the past week, free from barriers, really are? It might seem trivial at first glance… but it’s proof that we can move forward and a signpost pointing in the direction we ought to take.”
The original Seiya remarked on the Eden Treaty with disdain, and to be honest, my thoughts weren’t that different.
However, if we all put in the effort, I’m certain we can reach that point.
Not some ideal paradise whose reality we can’t even verify, but one we create and live in to prove its existence.
Even though it may not be perfect right now, it will serve as a stepping stone toward the ideals we aspire to.
“…Haha. I said I’d keep it short, but I might have talked too long. Yeah, that’s a bit embarrassing. Anyway… don’t dwell too much on the immediate parting; feel free to promise for a next time. I’ll make sure we have endless ‘nexts.'”
Just as I was about to delve into a verse from the scriptures, I sensed the conversation would extend longer and quickly shut my mouth. I didn’t want to become like a principal who drones on forever.
“Well then, everyone, let’s head back! No matter how comfortable Gehenna is, it can’t be more comfortable than home. Right?”
As I joked that way, students from Gehenna and council members laughed. I didn’t care if they laughed because they understood it was a joke or if they were mocking me.
I then took care of our council president who caught a cold and needed to see what trouble Makoto was plotting next.
Please, it’s like a child left unsupervised. How could the once nearly-graduated kid be so frighteningly distracted?
