Kwaaaaaang! Bang!! Kwekwang!!!

In a remote corner of Trinity, successive explosions echoed. The startled birds fled their perches, escaping from the noise.

Eventually, the students witnessing the properly erupted hot spring couldn’t contain their cheers.

“Wahahaha~! I can’t believe they left such a wonderful hot spring source unattended until now! This feels like it holds up well even compared to those in Gehenna… Hmm, this feeling… I can’t quite put my finger on it, but it definitely has the essence of a great onsen!”

Shimokura Megu from the Onsen Development Department exclaimed heartily. No matter how mischievous the Onsen Development Department of Gehenna was, continuing activities in Trinity wasn’t an easy task for them.

Of course, that was all yesterday’s story.

“Indeed, you’re right, prospective president Kasumi! You really predicted that such a day would come?!”

[Wahahaha!! Of course! When it comes to enjoying our onsen development life, there’s nothing we can’t do! Just because it’s Trinity doesn’t mean we can’t develop our hot springs… Even though conditions weren’t right before, now we can finally get to work on this hot spring source. Man, the Eden Treaty organization is just amazing!]

“Not that I know much, but anyway, good things are good!”

[It’s not that we have to hide from the student council if we’re developing in Trinity, right? Just not having that terrifying student council president around makes it so much more enjoyable to develop! So then… Onsen Development Department members, let’s start construction!]

“Yeap! We’re leaving our monumental first hot spring in Trinity~!”

Kasumi, being designated as the next president of the Onsen Development Department and effectively given full authority, realized one important detail just as the operations of the Eden Treaty organization commenced.

From now on, even if they started activities in Trinity, it wouldn’t simply lead to complex political issues between academies but would fall directly under the jurisdiction of ETO. Thus, the burdens and risks that would have been heavy on her in the past had now become manageable.

What this meant was the inevitable suffering ETO would endure in the future and the merciless headaches that awaited Mika.

The hot spring, which rapidly expanded into a proper shape, was completed in just half a day—truly a feat that would leave even the service departments astonished, a magic only the Onsen Development Department could wield.

However, Kasumi’s grand ambition to leave traces of the Onsen Development Department all over Trinity got hit with a big bump. It was because Tsurugi from the Justice Realization Department was among those deployed to suppress them.

By sheer coincidence, the Onsen Development Department, which committed their crime just as Tsurugi decided to act in ETO, was all rounded up and sent off along with their construction equipment.

The hot spring they built was later operated as Trinity’s property after Mika confirmed the incident and paid the Onsen Development Department a proper compensation.

In a way, this could have been a happy ending for everyone involved.

…If only the Onsen Development Department hadn’t made a habit of causing trouble in Trinity afterwards, it would have certainly been a happy ending. Unfortunately, their future onsen developments would become far less secluded than that initial quiet corner of the mountains.

Naturally, it would be utterly shocking and farcical for Mika.

*

Although the trial operations of ETO had started, a little more time was needed to adjust Hina’s schedule. The one thing that was certain was that her workload had noticeably decreased.

Especially during video calls, it was clear how much brighter her expression had become, making it only natural for my mood to lift as well.

Well, even so, the real story of Hina being able to dedicate time properly to the idol project would only begin after December.

Until then, my tasks were to make an additional visit to Sanhaegyeong, and before pushing the project forward, I needed to go through the final negotiations with Rion first.

There wasn’t much difference whether one took precedence over the other, so I decided to leave the choice to the most scientific method in human history.

“Coca-Cola is delicious. If it’s delicious, I’ll drink more.”

“…Mika, what are you doing?”

Wait, when did Nagisa show up again? Of all times, she had to come while I was doing something this childish… I mean, scientific.

Anyway, after employing that ridiculously scientific method, I decided to visit Sanhaegyeong before Millennium. The day after I sent a letter to the president of Hyunryongmun, I received a reply sealed with a dragon emblem.

[Host of T-party in Trinity. I received your letter well. It would be a lie if I said I wasn’t a little disappointed that you only visited Hyunmusanghoe the last time you came to our school.

Although it’s a matter that cannot be overlooked, it brings me joy that you’ve expressed your intention to visit. Therefore, I plan to host a grand feast in your honor on the date of your visit.

Ah, don’t be concerned about the previous visit to only Hyunmusanghoe, so any worries about ill feelings can be set aside. As the head of Hyunryongmun, I can’t harbor personal resentment.

How about we have a more formal discussion when you visit Hyunryongmun? Just let me know the time, and I will ensure my schedule is open to accommodate yours.

Wishing for the boundless growth of your academy, Ryuuge Kisaki, Head of Hyunryongmun.]

…Hmm.

Considering the time it takes for the letter to be delivered, about five days from now seems appropriate? I don’t particularly feel like squeezing everything tightly, so I’m leaning towards scheduling my meeting with Rion for the following week.

But more importantly, why hasn’t Sanhaegyeong opened a hotline? Even Trinity has a hotline between T-party and Manma Battle. It seems like the last time I had any correspondence was with Hina.

“The Black Lord of Sanhaegyeong…”

“Hmm? Black Lord sounds like quite a prestigious alias. I feel like I’ve heard it somewhere.”

Where have I heard it before… Unless I’ve missed something, it can’t be from the in-game story of Blue Archive. Did I maybe overlook it while hosting T-party? My memory has been so hazy lately.

“I don’t know much about her either. Only heard rumors. But… it’s certain that she reigns as the ruler of Sanhaegyeong. People talk highly of her leadership, inclusiveness, cool-headedness, and drive—rumor has it that she’s reached the heavens.”

“…Wow—oh. To have rumors circulating like that is pretty incredible. Hmm.”

“Of course, as with any rumor, there might be exaggerations. But I believe Mika-san has nothing to be ashamed of when lined up against her.”

“Haha, you think so?”

I sometimes feel that the people around me have an oddly skewed tendency to overrate me.

Honestly, if I was that impressive, I would have stood out back on Earth. Suddenly becoming a genius after coming to Kivotos is just nonsense.

It all comes down to luck, knowledge, and a body that feels overly excellent, all coming together.

“…So, Mika-san, what color do you like?”

“Huh?”

Nagisa’s abrupt question sounded like she was asking about the color of the yarn for a scarf she planned to crochet.

“How about a safe gray? I don’t think it’s necessary to make it a different color.”

“Gray… Hmm. That doesn’t sound bad. As long as Seiya agrees.”

Honestly, I’m not really expecting Nagisa to finish the scarf. Despite being busy, she’s claiming she’ll make scarves for the three of us in T-party before winter, but I doubt she can do it in two weeks.

Even so, I can’t help but want to cheer her on. I wonder if I should learn crochet and help; but then again, that might just cause more trouble, so I’m hesitant.

“By the way, Nagisa-chan, should I cook dinner tonight?”

“…Are you trying to make that Rose Bulb Tteokbokki again?”

“Well, I just got word that I finally found a decent seasoning ratio. I’m sure of it…!”

No kidding, that’s the truth. Honestly, what other tasks would bring me to Hyunmusanghoe of Sanhaegyeong besides that?

My journey to become the Tteokbokki Empress of Kivotos is about to commence, after all.

“…Sigh. Fine then. But I hope you don’t make too much again and give it to the attendants like last time.”

“Oh, come on. Does that mean you’re secretly jealous that I want to eat what I made for myself?”

“…Mika, if I’m being honest, the last dish was so unappetizing that it felt wrong to share it with my attendants. I only ate it out of courtesy.”

“That was the recipe’s fault! But remember, back when I made it before that, you ate it without complaint, right? Right?”

…I clearly need to reflect on this. But I swear, I just followed the recipe given to me. They messed up the sending.

“That time you didn’t add cream. And it was a bit spicy for my taste.”

“Hmm, according to my standards, that would’ve been too bland and even sweet. What’s with having to extract anchovies…?”

“Sigh. If solving the taste only requires a sprinkle of anchovies, then we’d be lucky. I think it’s a cream ratio issue.”

“Right, but I’m sure about the ratio this time! Really, you can believe me☆”

“…Also, I found out recently that Bulb Tteokbokki is a calorie bomb. Let’s do something else.”

“Wow—oh…?”

Oh no. I didn’t expect to run into a sensitive topic for a high school girl.

I guess I have no choice but to lead Nagisa towards some exercise…!