To cut to the chase, I didn’t really apologize to Kisaki. I just couldn’t shake the feeling that it seemed a bit excessive.
Sipping my coffee and occasionally savoring some mille-crepe, we engaged in conversation. It was supposed to be small talk, sharing bits of our daily lives, but somehow the topic shifted to her overly enthusiastic subordinates.
Especially Kisaki seemed to have a fair amount of grievances about this, creating a sense of mutual understanding between us…
“…You mean you prepared gifts for hundreds of people out of your own pocket?”
“Eh? Well, sort of. It’s not like they’re anything grand or anything.”
“Hmm. I can only think that the students following you are all too zealous.”
“Ahaha… That was true even before I started giving them gifts.”
“You see, in the end, you receive back what you give out, don’t you?”
After discussing, it seemed that Kisaki was somewhat unconscious of her own situation. The fact that she reached out to me for help about resolving the conflict between Hyunryongmun and Hyeonmusanghoe reveals just how much she cares for her academy.
Looking at it that way, I could understand how she treats her subordinates, so it’s no surprise that the members of Hyunryongmun are completely enamored by her every word. As long as it doesn’t translate into excessive loyalty, I suppose that’s fine.
After spending time at the café, I decided to give Kisaki a tour of Trinity campus as per her request. Thankfully, even in her cheongsam outfit, there were no incidents with delinquent students recognizing us while we walked around.
“Kisaki-chan, what’s your first impression of our academy? Isn’t it incredible? When I first saw it, I thought I might faint☆!”
Standing at the entrance, Kisaki stared silently at the Trinity campus in awe. This reminded me of the first day I stepped foot into Trinity, just like how Nagisa had felt back then. So, I asked Kisaki about her first impression of our academy.
“Would you mind stepping a bit closer to the front?”
“Huh? Sure, why not.”
When I asked for her first impression, Kisaki pointed ahead of her, asking me to stand there. I didn’t really know why, but it didn’t seem difficult, so I moved to that spot. Turning my gaze to her, I noticed her nodding.
“Your beauty doesn’t need any flowery language.”
…I really hope she doesn’t say something like that while looking at my face.
Anyway, as I guided Kisaki around the campus, I could feel the stares intensifying. I mean, if their student council president is out and about in a strange outfit with someone similarly dressed, I’d be curious too.
After showing her around the inside of the cathedral, we headed towards the T-party building. I intended to stop by my office to serve the promised tea.
When we reached in front of my office, I assumed it would be empty and opened the door. Immediately, I locked eyes with Nagisa, who was sitting upright, processing documents.
“…Mika? What brings you here? Wasn’t it said you were going to host the student council president from Sanhaegyeong today?”
“Ah, haha. Well… I just came to treat her to some tea.”
“Ah, I see. Nice to meet you. I’m Kirihouji Nagisa from Trinity T-party.”
Nagisa properly greeted Kisaki, who had followed me into the office.
“I’m Ryuuge Kisaki, the head of Hyunryongmun from Sanhaegyeong. I’ve heard many good things about you, Kirihouji president, and I wanted to meet you at least once… it seems fate always brings us together unexpectedly.”
Well, since this is happening, it might be nice if the three of us have some tea together. Since Nagisa is pretty bright, she might have something to say about Kisaki’s situation.
*
“Mika, and it seems the head of Hyunryongmun has been going in circles about a simple issue.”
“…Huh?”
“Kirihouji president, what do you mean by that?”
“I can only think that a little love from the head of Hyunryongmun could simply solve the issue.”
“…Love?”
Nagisa, who heard about the backlash from Hyunryongmun regarding the situation, reacted as if confused about why we were trying to avoid the fastest solution.
Especially, since I mentioned that I was thinking way too complicated, I felt a bit hurt.
“While the issue involving both groups may not be easily resolved, I believe the negative reactions within Hyunryongmun could be settled if the head truly wanted to smooth things over. It may vary depending on her standing…”
“Ah, that’s totally a Kisaki-chan fan club level of support.”
“I can’t deny that…”
“Well, that makes things a lot easier. Just be honest and straightforward in asking for the support of the Hyunryongmun members. Isn’t that how you like to go about it, Mika?”
…Is that really okay? No matter how much the kids from Hyunryongmun adore Kisaki, I can’t imagine they’d react well to her asking them to let go of tradition.
“If it was deemed possible, I would have acted on it sooner. You aren’t considering that Hyunryongmun is rooted in tradition, and they exist to uphold that tradition.”
Kisaki seems to share the same thoughts as I do.
“If you were to abruptly tell them to discard all their traditions, even if it came from the head of Hyunryongmun, there would be a fierce backlash. Of course. But… I believe she could pave the way for a dialogue that leads to your suggestion, Mika.”
“You’re saying that if Kisaki-chan openly asks for cooperation so that a cooking competition can take place, it would all work out?”
“Yes. What they’re worried about is the invasion of outside culture that may end up damaging or altering their traditions. However, compared to before, I believe Sanhaegyeong has already changed considerably.”
“Perhaps due to those changes, they cling more desperately to tradition. But I think I understand what you, Kirihouji president, want to convey.”
Kisaki nodded as if she understood and turned her gaze toward me again. Then she opened her mouth once more.
“In short, you mean we should create a similar situation to when you declared the joint summer festival between the two academies.”
‘Through this cooking competition, I want to demonstrate that the cooking of Hyunryongmun is unparalleled. I will give a grand prize to anyone who can make the new dish Rumi from Hyeonmusanghoe served me kneel before them…’
“If I, as the head, ignite everyone’s competitive spirit directly, perhaps it could bring the cooking competition to fruition. That’s what you wish to say, right?”
“…Uh, yeah? That’s not what I was trying to convey.”
Seeing Nagisa looking flustered, it seemed that fighting spirit wasn’t part of what she had in mind.
“Keeping the competitive spirit in check is entirely up to you, Kisaki-chan. To me, that doesn’t seem easy either. Anyway, what about Rumi’s new dish…?”
“It’s stir-fried rice cakes with mala sauce. I heard that the original recipe was created by you.”
“Whoa—oh.”
“…Are you okay? You don’t look well.”
Ugh. That brings back some unpleasant memories…
*
After we finished dinner together, I dropped Kisaki off at the airport. With year-end around the corner, both Nana and Kisaki seemed busier than usual, so it was regrettable that she couldn’t stay longer, yet I understood her situation.
I’m not sure if Nagisa’s style of conveying her unique love was communicated effectively, but since Kisaki declared that she’d do her best in her way, I think we can hope for good results.
Nagisa mentioned that she never expected that the Black Lord of Sanhaegyeong would communicate so well with her. This is why I think you shouldn’t judge people based on rumors alone.
As the year-end approached, the new year arrived.
Kivotos celebrated the New Year with great excitement, and so did we.
To relieve the stress from the flood of work leading up to the New Year, the ETO, Justice Realization Department, Student Council, and T-party gathered together for a New Year’s celebration. The best outcome that ETO achieved, which was beyond our expectations, was how the lines between the Justice Realization Department and Student Council had blurred significantly.
With the graduation of the third-year students approaching, while sifting through the list of incoming new students and granting permissions, I couldn’t help but notice familiar names, which made me acutely aware of the passage of time.
The story of Blue Archive must have taken quite a different path by now, but the starting point of everything I know is right around the corner.
And then…
“Even though I allowed it… I hope there won’t be any misunderstandings, Mika. I don’t particularly like Haruna…”
“I have no plans to like her going forward. Nagisa-chan, I’ve heard that so many times it’s painful. But considering how at first you secretly called her a stealth cat and referred to Kurodate as ‘that,’ at some point it became Haruna-chan… Ahaha, just kidding! By the way, where did that roll cake come from? Huh…?”
“…Huh. Just go on home already. But know this, Mika. No matter the method, if what you said is true, there’s a possibility that someday I could return to my original self. If you intend to execute that, it’d be wise to be cautious about forming connections with that body.”
“Ah, about that…”
…Isn’t it a bit too late?
The truth is, my desire to return this body to Mika… remains unchanged. However, Mika’s own will is incredibly stubborn.
That said, there is certainly the option to simply return the body and see what happens, but since respect for her wishes is paramount, I might have to consider grafting her into the body currently being worked on by Gematria. I want to give her the final choice, but since I don’t have a way to summon her, it’s quite frustrating.
In any case, if everything gets decided in that direction… I’ll probably have to figure out a way to pass on this body’s Shinpi with minimal retention.
…Looking at it this way, Gematria sure has a lot on its plate.
“Listen, Nagisa-chan. You are my biggest support. I’m always grateful for you.”
“…Suddenly?”
“I just wanted to convey how precious you are to me☆”
“Fufu. I didn’t want to hear that the day you go to meet other girls.”
“That’s the mistake of someone who fell for a selfish and greedy girl… Ugh, no!”
If I may offer my sincere opinion, I personally think I’d rather put something else in than a roll cake…
