What’s the difference between farewell and parting?

In a dictionary sense, we often call the situation where we greet each other and then go our separate ways “parting.”

On the other hand, farewell carries the connotation of separating under unwanted circumstances.

At first glance, it seems like an easy concept to understand, especially since parting is something we choose to do.

“Sis… are you coming to play with Ibuki…?”

“Of course! I have to go.”

“Promise?”

“Yep, promise☆”

But what about my parting with Ibuki… or rather, the farewell? Is there really someone in this world who wishes for me to separate from Ibuki?

In that sense, what I experienced today might qualify as a parting, but really is more of a farewell.

“Ibuki…”

While I was nuzzling against Ibuki tightly in my arms, I glanced over at Makoto, who looked utterly lost, as if her soul had left her body.

I feel a bit sorry for her. I mean, I do, but still… You might be happier than me if you can just suck it up for a bit.

“Really, what a child…”

“What do you mean by that, Aco-chan…?”

You don’t know how sad it is to say goodbye to Ibuki, Aco…

Wait a second…

“…Aco-chan, who doesn’t understand the sadness of parting from Ibuki, might just be the truly pitiful one, don’t you think?”

“Huh?”

“Yeah… Right. Cheer up, Aco-chan. You’ve got me, after all?”

“Honestly, what a weirdo…”

Ignoring Aco’s eye-rolling reaction, I approached Makoto. When I handed Ibuki over to her, her eyes lit up immediately, which was both amusing and understandable.

“Oh, ohh…! Ibuki, are you finally free from that wicked witch’s shackles?!”

“Wicked… witch? Makoto-senpai, why are you speaking badly about Mika-onee-chan…?”

“N-No! That’s not it, Ibuki! It just means Mika and I are that close! Isn’t that right, Mika?!”

“…Uh, let’s say that’s about right.”

“Did you hear that, Ibuki! So, saying I spoke badly about Mika was all a misunderstanding!”

“Yup… since Makoto-senpai and Mika-onee-chan are close, Ibuki is super happy! Hehe…”

Seeing Makoto grin while hugging Ibuki, I thought to myself, it’s not so bad for a person to be that simple.

As for me, I’m simply grateful that unpredictable Makoto is being like this.

“By the way, Makoto-chan. How has your week as a Trinity student been?”

“Hmph… is that even a question? Compared to the great Gehenna, it’s lacking in every aspect.”

“Wow… considering that, you’ve been moving around quite a bit. Isn’t your evaluation a bit harsh?”

Still, as the last day was approaching, everyone seemed to be getting along better than expected, so I thought things were turning out well. But now I feel like a bad person trying to take advantage of Ibuki’s cuteness to score the Eden Treaty.

While I was thinking about that, Makoto spoke up again.

“Though it’s not comparable to Gehenna, it wasn’t all that bad… let’s just say that.”

…Oh. If that’s the case, maybe it’s the highest praise Makoto can give to Trinity. That’s how I feel, at least.

“Haha, that sounds like a pretty good thing to hear.”

“Right, that Trinity received such an evaluation from this noble Makoto should be a moment of appreciation… kheeek kheeek——!!”

Just when I thought I’d have some fun with her, Makoto went back into a state that was exhausting to deal with. As I was about to move away from her, I spotted an ordinary girl approaching.

“Uguu… Uh, Ibuki-chan…?”

“Ah, Peroro-onee!”

“…Yeah? Isn’t that a bit too much of an honor for me to be called that by you, Ibuki-chan…? Not that I mind, but um.”

Our Peroro evangelist, Hifumi, was the one who had firmly captured Ibuki’s heart. I could see Makoto looking dazed at the thought of losing Ibuki again, but that didn’t seem to be my concern.

As I watched students greeting each other, I felt a strange sentiment.

Unfortunately, our Trinity baseball club wasn’t here, but this was pretty much a result of their own actions.

“Then Aco-chan, I’m counting on you for this☆”

“…Yeah, you too. Don’t strain yourself too much, just a little.”

Aco’s obvious struggles weren’t the priority right now.

I had my own things to do.

*

Basically, this operation wasn’t some grand scale full-scale war.

Strictly speaking, it was more of a cleaning operation… which meant we were going to bombard and clear them away. Doesn’t that sound simple?

The scenario we wanted was for the Kaiser side to crumble in an instant without putting up a proper fight. To achieve that, we needed to completely wipe out the enemy forces with immediate reinforcement after a preemptive strike.

One regret would be that we couldn’t utilize the T-party’s direct artillery unit. This conclusion came after discussions with Kaya and Nagisa.

On the surface, it was decided that the operation would be limited to Abydos and Shalle, which was decided considering the backlash from other private companies aside from Kaiser.

No matter how much Kaiser deserves to die a hundred times over, private companies would find it unreasonable for Trinity to interfere and see it as the tyranny of a large academy.

Whether that’s true or not, it’s a fact that it wouldn’t look good for the student council to collaborate with other academies to take down a single company. Especially since Shalle was supposed to lead the operation.

‘Abydos has a justifiable reason as the autonomous district head to cooperate with the student council. But Trinity is just butting in for what? Is this perhaps a private revenge collusion between Trinity and the student council?’

If such responses were to emerge, regardless of the truth, the academy’s image would be compromised… So it’s probably better to refrain from deploying the artillery unit.

Instead, it was decided that SRT would conduct a stronger bombardment—they just couldn’t touch Kaiser Corporation.

[Hehe~ So, the operation is set to begin immediately after the emergency student council meeting at 11 AM tomorrow. I remember it right, don’t I?]

“Yep, that’s correct. The bombing will start as soon as permission is granted during that meeting. The countermeasure committee can proceed after that.”

[Honestly, I never thought I’d see our connection with Kaiser end like this… Well, I guess it can’t be helped since they brought it upon themselves~?]

“Haha… let’s think positively, Hoshino-chan. We’re finally escaping that annoying mountain of debt, right? Once this is over, we won’t have to tighten our belts like before.”

[Hmm…]

I can understand why Hoshino was reacting so delicately over the phone. She wanted to solve the academy’s issues on her own, but I hadn’t been uninvolved until now. There must be a complicated feeling there. Probably.

[Well then, let’s just leave it at that~.]

“Huh? What do you mean by ‘let’s leave it at that’? Is there some problem?”

[Hehe~. It’s nothing serious, so Mika-chan doesn’t need to worry. But I do have something else to tell you… I went and met with the president of Millennium as you asked before.]

“Oh, really? And?”

I vividly remembered why that was—related to the Supernatural Special Forces… it was because of Vina’s remnants, right?

[Well… that meeting went reasonably well. But Mika-chan, are you somewhat close with Chikachika, the president?]

“I guess…? I think we’re on friendly terms. Not sure what Rion-chan thinks, though, but I definitely consider myself close. And it’s Tsukatsuki, not Chikachika.”

[Ah, sorry sorry~ I sometimes mix up names. Hmm. I see…]

Whether she was pondering something or not, Hoshino fell silent for a while, piquing my curiosity. When it started getting awkwardly long, she cleared her throat and spoke again.

[Now that I think about it, I don’t usually meddle in others’ relationships, but I think there’s a bit of caution needed with Tsukatsuki.]

“…In what sense?”

[When we met, Mika-chan’s name came up. And surprisingly, the person’s expression changed dramatically while we were talking? I think I pride myself on having a good eye for people, but that person’s face when talking about you was… Hmm…]

Hoshino seemed to be choosing her words carefully, and I wondered if Rion was that easy to arouse suspicion. But then I remembered her personality, so it wasn’t as shocking.

Our Rion… unfortunately, that does sound about right.

[Ah, now that you mention it. It did remind me of someone I’ve seen before. I should say it resembled someone I know a bit too much.]

…But as far as I know, Hoshino doesn’t know that many people. I’m curious about who she thinks she resembles.

[Well, I’m just saying I got such a feeling. I think it’s something you can brush off easily~.]

“Haha. You’re the one saying it, Hoshino-chan… Okay, I’ll keep that in mind.”

[Hehe~ If you do that, I think this old man will be quite pleased too.]

Since Rion came up, I remembered what Himari said to me the last time.

It seems like there’s something she’s plotting.

Hmm. What should I do about that?

Still, since I’m Rion’s best friend, I suppose it’s wise to trust her outright…?