The Maestro vanished into the darkness of the amusement park. I believe he left to fulfill the promises he made.
I don’t think he would do something so morally questionable as to run away after promising me half-heartedly without keeping his word. The members of Gematria, except for Beatrice, are generally quite decent people.
I never imagined that someone like the Maestro would go out of his way for Hifumi. What a coincidence that it turned out this way.
Retracing my steps, I imagined what bizarre creation the Maestro would come up with after taking my fragment of mystery. I felt like I could hear the teacher’s wailing, and I wondered if that would actually happen.
Well, even considering that, I think I’ve already alleviated the teacher’s burden more than enough. Just the appearance of a full-scale boss like Jeronimus or Gregory would mean things were already half out of whack.
Moreover, I have prevented the future event of getting shot by Saori and becoming a “donut,” so the teacher might endure the slight increase in the difficulty of a full-scale encounter. He’s not the type to struggle with something that minimal.
That said, I’m willing to take a slap if it comes to it. Knowing the teacher’s personality, he wouldn’t do more than that anyway.
Crossing over from a suspiciously deserted area, I finally felt how strange a deal I had accepted once I returned to a bustling place.
Still, if I think of it as a small gift for Hifumi, who has been such a great friend to me, it’s not a losing business. Put differently, it feels like a small tribute I’m presenting to the great Pater.
“Ah… over there, I see Mika-senpai!”
“Mika…? Where have you been rushing off to?”
“Ahaha, let’s just say I had a brief errand to attend to with someone I know. It’s nothing to worry about, so you can relax your expression, Nagisa-chan.”
It seems that during the ten minutes I was away, the group stood perfectly still at the spot where they were waiting for the parade until I returned.
“By the way, Hifumi-chan, I don’t think you need to be so upset about the parade.”
“Yeah…? It’s a shame I can’t see the marvelous sight of Peroro leading the parade, but it’s okay! I had an amazing day today and even made a new friend! That’s enough for me!”
“Wow, Hifumi-chan is recovering faster than I expected?! If that’s the case, all the effort I went through to prepare a gift will feel wasted…”
Hifumi, who was smiling brightly, replied to me with an unexpectedly cheerful expression. I had anticipated a more fragile reaction, and it seems I underestimated Hifumi too much.
Indeed, the one who betrays humanity, Ajitani Hifumi. She’s strong…
“A gift, you say…? Aww… Mika-senpai, you can stop giving me presents. It’s becoming a burden for me.”
“Hmm, that’s not really an option.”
“Why not?”
“Because, obviously, I’m going to train Hifumi-chan with gift offensives until the day you become shameless!”
“Aww… please don’t do that, Mika-senpai… Ah, wait! How about you give gifts to Azusa-chan instead of me!”
Pointing to Azusa as if she had come up with a brilliant idea was cute since her intentions were so clear.
“Ahaha! You don’t need to go that far, Hifumi-chan. We already show our little squirrel only good things, feed her only good things, and dress her only in good things. So, it’s perfectly fine to accept!”
“Yeah, that’s all true. From my head to my toes, there’s nowhere that Mika’s hands haven’t touched.”
Azusa declared that right after hearing what I said to Hifumi. Then, she approached me with anticipation, looking up at me.
…But hey Azusa, didn’t that comment leave some room for misunderstanding? What are you expecting from me after dropping such a bomb?
“…”
“Kyaah! Angel-chan, how wickedly cunning~! Shouldn’t Mitsuki-chan be careful now?!”
Nagisa’s piercing gaze sent shivers down my spine. I want to punch the flustered Mitsuki.
Nagisa-sama, if you only listened to that, I’m indeed a heinous criminal. But it’s all a misunderstanding! And more than anything…
“Hey, Azusa-chan… isn’t the outfit you’re wearing today one that Hifumi-chan picked out for you?”
What I’m wearing now is an outfit I had no part in choosing. In other words, this is all slander. I’m innocent.
“Ah, that’s right! I did pick it out when we went shopping together the other day!”
“…I don’t know about that.”
“Ah, Azusa-chan?!”
Azusa quickly turned her head away from Hifumi. Who would ever believe someone nicknamed the Ice Witch could display such a side?
“Anyway. The important thing isn’t this, Hifumi-chan. You don’t need to be disappointed about the parade being canceled. It’s fine, you see, because the parade—”
[Ah, we have an urgent announcement for our customers! Currently, the parade floats are moving on their own and entering the scheduled parade route, so we ask you to quickly move away from the area and evacuate!]
“It’s going to proceed as scheduled.”
Peroro invaded the starting point of the parade, spinning his long tongue like a windmill and flapping his wings.
“…I-Is that Peroro?!”
I don’t know what’s so great about it, but as Hifumi’s eyes went wide, I figured that it was at least something.
“Mika-senpai… what on earth is that? Please don’t tell me this was done by someone you know…?”
As I watched with pride, Nagisa approached me, her voice trembling. Maybe it was because Peroro’s presence frightened her, as her eyes were shaking vigorously.
“Yeah, well… I made a small deal for Hifumi-chan.”
“…So, you got into trouble again.”
“Hold on! That’s not true, Nagisa-chan! When have I been the one causing trouble?!”
“Should I enumerate all the troubles one by one?”
“…Thinking about it again, maybe that’s unnecessary! So, I’m really sorry…”
Well, this isn’t really a situation we need to resolve anyway, right? So, we should just enjoy it, Nagisa.
Perorooooooo——!!!
“This is amazing, Peroro niiiiiiime!!!!!”
Just as I was thinking that since the cleanup would be someone else’s job, I was splashed with cold water by Peroro’s monstrous roar. An otherworldly sound that shouldn’t exist echoed there.
…I’m so sorry, Nagisa-sama. I just wanted to protect Hifumi’s childlike heart, and I never intended to unleash a creature like that into the world.
I swear, please believe me.
*
As people realized the parade wasn’t threatening, they gathered around, and the amusement park announced that this was an intentional event rather than an uncontrollable situation.
It’s shameless to the extreme, but I thought it might be better than letting the incident blow up for no reason.
In fact, I was worried about how to explain this situation to the group, but thankfully no one pressed for details. I was glad because it’s a topic I’d rather not elaborate on.
As I watched the parade floats modeled after Momo Friends pass by one by one, I was astonished, in many ways, by Momo Friends themselves more than the Maestro’s sense.
Honestly, I didn’t have much interest in most of the Momo Friends, but since Peroro drew an enthusiastic response from Hifumi, that was a pass. Of course, the rest of the group, including me, reacted as if we saw something we shouldn’t have, so that lost points.
However, I couldn’t deny the Skullman doing breakdancing on top of the parade float. This was something everyone responded positively to, and Azusa was nearly dying from excitement.
But the Wave Cat parade float was…
“Mika, can you please do something so that hideous sight doesn’t catch my eye again? This is my lifelong wish.”
“A sane person with any sense of aesthetics wouldn’t like that kind of thing…”
I swore I saw something that shouldn’t be seen, and I promised myself I would never recall that memory no matter what happened. This was just something that didn’t exist. Wave Cat didn’t even participate in this parade.
If I didn’t impose my own censorship like this, I didn’t think I could continue liking Wave Cat further.
Honestly, I never imagined I’d witness such a bizarre sight that reduced my fondness for the Maestro from 30 to 0 in an instant.
I had only one thing to say.
This isn’t our Wave Cat!!!
…Anyway, just like that, the parade that could only be enjoyed by Hifumi and Azusa finally came to an end. Checking the time on the top of my phone, it was just about time to head home.
To be precise, it was a suitable time for three of the group to return.
“See you tomorrow, Mika! Don’t forget to contact me once you get home.”
“Bye, Mika.”
“I had a really fun day, Mika-senpai! And you too, Aru-san!”
“Yeah, me? Well, of course! There’s no way I wouldn’t enjoy my time with this Aru-nin, right?! That’s only natural!”
I left the safety of ensuring my friends returned to Trinity in the hands of the T-party executives. Even though Azusa would say it wasn’t necessary, the other two wouldn’t.
Actually, there was something I specifically wanted to ask the Pater kids before sending off the group.
Seeing the kids from Trinity and Gehenna, who I thought could never mingle, playing together, I wondered what they thought about it. Do they still see the two schools as oil and water that could never mix?
But seeing the utterly confused expressions on those kids, I thought, did I really need to?
Rather, letting them experience this summer festival first-hand and then drawing conclusions might not be so bad, so I decided against probing further.
“Ahaha, everyone be careful!”
Now, as the day was nearly over and I sent off three people along with their escort, all that remained at the amusement park’s entrance were me and the kids from Heungsinso.
The cheerful atmosphere we had just moments ago felt like it was a lie as a chilly silence settled between us.
Regardless of the bonds forged today, it was time to discuss the conversations that had been postponed.
“So, shall we slowly delve into the discussions we left unfinished? Heungsinso 68, who did you accept a request from, and what was the content of that request… Oh right, Aru-chan already mentioned it was about kidnapping me?”
“U-Um?! W-Well, that was all a ruse to deceive you. Hehe, yes. I merely released false information to trick you!”
“Yeah, I don’t believe you☆ If you truly intended that, you wouldn’t have any reason to reveal it now, would you?”
“Haa, boss…”
“…”
As Kayoko sighed, Aru lowered her head deeply. Somehow, she seems even more clueless than in the original story.
Seeing Aru sulk like that, Haruka’s eyes darkened, but her shotgun was still in my hands. So, to avoid Aru’s slip of the tongue from igniting a rampage, I decided to get straight to the point.
“In fact, I have a rough idea of who requested you. It’s Hanuma Makoto, right?”
“Hanuma Makoto…? Who is that?”
“I-I’ve never heard that name before…”
“Ah.”
Right. The kids from Gehenna didn’t even know who their own student council president was.
But since they’re so unfazed by the name, it seems they deliberately hid the identity behind a shady request.
“Oh, now that you mention it, I remember. The name on the deposit slip when I received the down payment said ‘The Great Hanuma Ma’.”
“Wow~! Aru-chan, that’s amazing! I can’t believe you even remembered such a seemingly useless detail!”
“Why him of all people…”
From the looks of Kayoko and Mitsuki, it’s clear they know who Makoto is. Yet, seeing them remain quiet suggests they want to act as bystanders as they usually do.
However, a down payment? Didn’t they say they wouldn’t accept those? I guess that rule hadn’t come about yet.
“Makoto is the chairperson of the Gehenna Academy’s Manma Battle. I’m not sure why I need to inform you, a Gehenna student, about this from my side… but no one else would take on such a silly request except that guy.”
“…Ha, haha! That sounds like a plausible deduction, but protecting the confidentiality of our clients is the lifeblood of Heungsinso work. Naturally, no client would trust a Heungsinso that has lost credibility! So we—”
“By the way, I’m quite close with your student council president, Hina-chan. Just by dropping a light hint to her that you tried to kidnap me, there’s bound to be a bounty out on you. That would naturally lead to your accounts being frozen…”
“…W-What?!”
“Kuhehe, but we received money as an advance for this job. Aru-chan~ how much was that again~?”
“Ten million yen… But no way! I can’t use that until I satisfactorily complete the request! My pride won’t allow that!”
“M-Magnificent, Aru-san…!”
What’s going on here?
Did Makoto truly pay such a down payment on a request for that shoddily named Heungsinso with a low likelihood of success?
Seriously, she’s beyond my imagination. I’m worried about how she’s going to live after graduation. I doubt Iroha will take care of her then.
And speaking of the ten million yen… was the payment on completion supposed to be around ten times that amount? Since it’s Makoto, it feels like it might be that way.
“Hmm. Hey, Aru-chan. Would you mind making a call to the client? On speakerphone. If that guy is who I know him to be, it’ll be much more effective for you to talk directly than trying to pry something out of him.”
It’s clear that if I choose my words well, he’ll spill the secrets all on his own. That’s just how he is.
“…That should be fine then!”
Aru pulled out her cell phone and dialed someone, switching to speakerphone. For a moment, a classical and somewhat static music played, then the other party answered.
[Kikikikick—— I’ve been waiting, Heungsinso. How is the request I handed over progressing? Or have you, perchance, contacted me because you’ve successfully kidnapped that guy?]
Well, I expected it, but it really is Makoto. Just why did he commission such a request?
“Ah, that’s…”
Wait, no, Aru. It’s not your place to talk with Makoto right now. Just leave everything to me.
“Makoto-chan, how can you do this to me?!”
“…?!”
A moment of silence passed. Apart from the curious Mitsuki, everyone else looked dumbfounded.
And then…
[…Oh? It seems the request has been completed! Long time no see, Misono Mika! Did you like the gift I sent? Kishi-shi-shit——!!]
As I expected, Makoto really was Makoto.
Now, the only thing left is to mold this guy to my liking.
“What the hell are you thinking orchestrating such a scheme?!”
[Kikikik. Well, it’s obvious…]
Great, let’s see what kind of grand reason there is for using the Manma Battle funds to pull this off.
If it’s a ridiculous reason, I might just take Iroha! She’s been whining about how tough it has been preparing for the festival lately in Momotalk; I’m sure she would gladly go with me.
[To win our bet! After all, the most perfect victory is one in which you win without fighting, so if you don’t show up for the festival, it would naturally mean a forfeit! Kishi-shit!]
…Hey, we never set up such a rule, you idiot. Why are you coming up with weird delusions by yourself?
“Hey, Makoto-chan. Just to check… are you scared?”
[What?! How dare you, pigeon girl! How could the great Hanuma lead the Gehenna Academy be defeated by such a mere bird’s nest!]
“But you did request a kidnapping out of fear, didn’t you? Such a cowardly action.”
[…Kik. Kikikikiki!! Even if you try to provoke me like that, it won’t help, Misono Mika. You’ve already been kidnapped, and the festival will start in four days. If you don’t show up then, the spirits of your birdies will drop to rock bottom. That would mean Gehenna’s victory is assured!]
“Ahh… I see. So really, our cowardly little Makoto-chan has a lot of excuses too, huh?”
[Hmph, blame yourself for being so incompetent that even a mere club could capture you.]
…Oh no, wait a minute. Did she actually plan this after seeing me kidnapped by the Gourmet Research Club? For real?
Everything about this reeks of sloppiness, all typical of Makoto…
[Thanks for your work, Heungsinso. The promised payment will be sent immediately, so make sure to thoroughly lock away Misono Mika in some distant place in the Gehenna Autonomous District for about five days. Kishi-shi-shit——!!]
“W-Wait a second?! The request—”
Click.
“…was a failure…”
Without even hearing what Aru had to say, Makoto hung up and soon after transferred the payment of fifty million yen. I guess it wasn’t the one million yen I expected, so that’s a minor relief. Seriously…
Well, whatever that’s that.
“Aru-chan, you can keep that ten million yen, and can you send me the remaining forty million? I think I should secretly slip half of it to our poor conductor who always suffers because of that idiot.”
If I show up during the festival in one piece, Makoto would surely blow up. But who cares? In any case, the Heungsinso kids would eventually be targeted by the student council anyway, so adding one more Manma Battle to the mix wouldn’t change anything.
You know, even though they technically failed the request, didn’t I just end up securing a whopping twenty million yen thanks to me?
I suppose they wouldn’t be expecting anything more from there with their conscience intact.
Next, I should take care of our Iroha-chan, who always struggles because of Makoto and the rest I’ll use for my business funds.
Thank you, the great Hanuma-chan!
