The Student Council Meeting Room was a place where the council members rarely gathered outside of regular meetings. It was quite rare for any issues that warranted the calling of an emergency meeting to arise under the administration led by Rin.
As the council members began to gather in the meeting room, it created an overwhelming sense of curiosity among the students affiliated with the Student Council.
By the time their curiosity was satisfied, it would likely be after something major had already happened… But even so, the situation was certainly enough to grab immediate attention.
Especially since the one who called this sudden meeting was none other than the diligent and trustworthy Defense Office Head, Shiranuichi Kaya, who had an impeccable reputation.
“…”
Waiting for the council members to take their seats, Kaya, with a refreshing smile that seemed to lighten the mood, inwardly let out a sigh.
‘I did volunteer for this, but… I don’t really understand why this process is necessary. If everyone just followed Mika’s orders…’
In truth, despite such thoughts, no one knew that the face she usually showed was merely a mask.
This was because her current reputation as the Defense Office Head was built upon her performance, moderate abilities, and diligence. Naturally, there was no reason for the council members to harbor unnecessary suspicions about her.
She was a girl who looked good, had decent abilities, and a lovely personality… She was practically a jack of all trades on the outside.
But in reality, she was filled with discontent over trivial matters and was a fervent follower of a person with the ability to firmly control everyone.
Shiranuichi Kaya scanned the room with a distant look in her eyes. Not long after, she concluded.
If Rin had been the Student Council President, such matters would have been reported to her directly and swiftly passed. Once again, it became clear that they needed a superhuman to lead the Student Council strongly.
As she held those thoughts, the council members gradually filled the seats in the meeting room.
From the Culture Office Head, Health Office Head, to the Talent Resource Office Head, there were a total of 11 members from the administrative committee, including Kaya herself. And there was the Chief Administrator of the General Administration, the acting Student Council President, Nanagami Rin.
And then there was the Traffic Office Head, Yuraki Momoka, who entered while leisurely munching on cod roe-flavored potato chips.
“Munch munch… Not quite sure what’s going on, but I’m on board~. The Defense Office Head wouldn’t call for an emergency meeting over trivial matters.”
“Oh my… I’m thankful for the Traffic Office Head’s trust, but I can’t help but feel you’ve overlooked that the Chief Administrator is also present here…”
“Mmm. I think Ms. Rin would graciously overlook that? I don’t really know what’s going on, but it sounds urgent.”
“Since it seems everyone has arrived, let’s get started with the meeting.”
With all the Student Council members present, Rin’s sharp gaze turned toward Kaya.
“Defense Office Head, you called for this emergency meeting…”
Scratch scratch.
As Rin spoke, the secretary standing in one corner of the meeting room began recording the conversation. Seeing this, Kaya thought it would be wise to be a bit more cautious with her words and mentally reviewed the script she had memorized.
“…I am Defense Office Head Shiranuichi Kaya. Although this may seem rather sudden, it is a matter that requires the attention of all the executives, which is why I gathered everyone here. I will get to the point quickly to avoid wasting your precious time.”
Kaya, with her fingers clasped, licked her lips and glanced toward Rin, who still wore that irritating face.
“Recently, a dangerous movement that could threaten the existence of the Student Council was detected in the information network of the SRT Special Academy. The materials I am about to show you serve as evidence to support this.”
As she spoke, several documents appeared on the screen in the meeting room.
“This is…”
“You must have seen it in the photographic materials, but currently, in the desert region of the Abydos Autonomous District, Kaiser Corporation’s troops are gathering on a large scale. It has been over a year since they occupied that area, but the reason remains unclear… Moreover, no one has raised any issues regarding this matter.”
“Of course, that’s because there were no legal problems.”
“Yes, the Chief Administrator’s words are correct. Naturally, there must have been reasons for it—Kaiser Corporation has kept their dark intentions hidden, straddling the line between legality and illegality, merely waiting for the right moment. Right now, they intend to overthrow the Student Council and transform Kivotos’ identity from an academic city into a military regime under their control.”
“While I cannot deny that the materials presented indicate suspicious movements, the evidence supporting the claim that Kaiser Corporation intends to attack the Student Council with the troops they gathered seems rather insufficient. In fact, based on their past behavior, it seems far more likely that they would target the recently steadily growing Abydos High School instead of the Student Council. Do you have additional supporting documents, Defense Office Head?”
‘…This is why your methods are flawed.’
Had she been the Student Council President, she would have smashed down that audacious corporation the moment everything clicked together like puzzle pieces.
No, even the former Student Council President kept neutrality without taking any significant action when Abydos was attacked. To Kaya, the only person truly fit for that position was someone who could stand firm in their beliefs without being swayed by circumstances… There was only one person in Kivotos who fit that profile.
“Please take another look at the screen. This document in front of me contains the agreement from Kaiser Corporation to support the troops in exchange for making the host of the Gehenna Manma Battle… Hanuma Makoto, the Student Council President.”
“…”
“Before you ask about how I came to acquire this information, I would like to answer in advance. This was leaked by an insider from the Manma Battle and was delivered to me through a highly credible individual…”
“I’d first like to know who this credible individual you referred to is.”
As Rin requested, Kaya briefly fell silent. The atmosphere became so tense that it felt as if the slightest swallow would trigger chaos.
Kaya, who had been staring silently at Rin for a while, finally smiled faintly.
“Unfortunately, I made a pact to keep the identity of that individual confidential… so it may be somewhat difficult to disclose that right here. I’m sorry, Chief Administrator. However, I assure you that the information provider is indeed a trustworthy person. Yes, the fact that they care for Kivotos’ well-being is indisputable.”
“W-Well, if the Defense Office Head goes that far, shouldn’t we just let it slide, Rin-senpai… I mean, Chief Administrator?”
“…I was merely attempting to confirm the credibility of the information, Traffic Office Head.”
‘And based on that reaction, I think I know who the person is.’
Shiranuichi Kaya may have shallow connections within the Student Council, but her external connections were extremely limited.
If we consider the SRT as part of the Student Council, it would be fair to say there were only two ties to the outside world.
The leader of Gehenna and the host of the Trinity T-party.
While they didn’t seem like individuals who would leak information from the Manma Battle’s inner circle… Given how much Kaya had vouched for it, it would be safe to assume there were no others apart from these two.
As far as Rin knew, Kaya’s connections leaned slightly more towards the T-party host, and considering that their personality was to maintain friendly relations with everyone, the answer was clear.
“Defense Office Head, calling for this emergency meeting to relay such information means…”
“Ah. It’s not to request opinions on subsequent actions. The operations are already proceeding without any hitches, thoroughly.”
“…Independently by the Defense Office?”
“Not at all.”
Kaya, with a refreshing smile, displayed new documents on the screen.
“The operation will begin with a concentrated bombardment from the SRT. Following that, the elite forces of the SRT and the Abydos Countermeasure Committee, which effectively represents the local student council… along with the personnel from Shalle, will fully eradicate Kaiser Corporation. As you can see from the simulation, the estimated time for the operation is about 27 minutes…”
“Was this a post-action report…?”
“Under normal circumstances, I would have called this meeting with more leeway, but given Kaiser Corporation’s track record, I judged that it would be best to push forward without giving them any room for maneuvering. After all, just half a year ago, their tentacles had spread into the former Defense Office and the entire Student Council. I’m sure everyone is well aware of this.”
Though these comments came from Kaya, a person heavily influenced by Kaiser, no one dared to rebuff her.
Given that she had spent considerable effort repairing the tarnished reputation of the Defense Office and proven her abilities following the Student Council President’s disappearance, she had every right to say such things.
“This approach is bordering on overstepping… No, it seems you addressed this through Shalle. I understand. However, I still have concerns that initiating such a preemptive strike against a private corporation may be seen as an excessive suppression. There will undoubtedly be significant backlash.”
“To collect honey, one must be prepared to be stung by bees, Chief Administrator. They are a threat that endangers the very existence of the current Student Council and, moreover, Kivotos itself. From the moment they revealed their ambitions to target Abydos, they should never have been left unchecked. If we can dispose of them at minimal cost, we must do so.”
With half-opened eyes, Kaya swept her gaze over the council members. Her confidence that she was doing the right thing, combined with the thrill that came from cornering Rin, whom she had often found irritating, gave her an aura that overwhelmed everyone in the room.
“Even if Kaiser Corporation’s attack is aimed at Abydos rather than the Student Council, the outcome will remain unchanged. If we turn a blind eye to them with another excuse, what does that mean for the existence of the Student Council and the Defense Office?”
Shiranuichi Kaya was ready to become a superhuman in the shadows.
“Realizing the value of the golden time only after it has passed is a mistake that those seated in a position like ours should never commit. Please remember that.”
The Student Council’s opinion unified.
Unanimously.
It was the moment the operation to eradicate Kaiser Corporation was authorized.
