“…there was such an incident.”
After stepping out of the Student Council building, I had been chatting away on my phone for a while, waiting for a response from the other side.
Before long, the girl on the phone let out a hesitant sound. She seemed to be choosing her words carefully before finally speaking slowly.
[Well… um, I don’t think those are completely ridiculous claims.]
“…Ugh, Hina-chan, so you’re going to say that too, huh?”
[Um, from my perspective, that’s just how I feel. The Student Council President? Of course, I know she’s incredible in terms of abilities. But in every other aspect, I personally want to support Mika instead.]
“Well, hearing Hina-chan say such high praises makes me a bit embarrassed… Ahaha.”
[To be honest, I wished Mika would be even more competent, so she wouldn’t feel like she’s lacking in any way… um, no, that might be too disrespectful to say.]
Anyone who has had the opportunity to observe the Student Council President handling her work usually has a reaction similar to mine.
Her paperwork skills alone had reached a certain level. Even while talking to me, she was processing documents like a machine, leaving me in awe and a bit horrified.
[Still, it’s undeniable that Mika suits the position of Student Council President more than anyone else. Overall, she deserves far more love and respect than the former president, that girl… ]
“Okay, okay…! Hina-chan, if you keep saying such serious things like that, it’s going to be awkward in many ways, alright?”
[It’s not like I’m making stuff up, so isn’t it okay…?]
No, it’s really awkward. Honestly.
My cheeks are burning up right now.
When Kaya complimented me, it felt more like a frenzy of sorts… a kind of fanatic atmosphere that didn’t evoke this kind of feeling.
But hearing such things from Hina makes me feel embarrassed but also incredibly proud, so much so that I might unconsciously puff my chest out.
I’m just glad I’m not face-to-face with Hina right now.
[Well, if it’s truly awkward, I’ll stop here. Even though I said that, you shouldn’t feel pressured to do things you don’t want to do. That decision is entirely up to you, and I respect that. But… ]
As Hina trailed off, I held my breath. I was a bit scared to know what she would say next.
Our dear Hina wouldn’t say anything reckless like, “Mika would be so cool as the Student Council President…” but if such words were to come my way, I might just waver immensely.
If both Nagisa and Hina want me to be the Student Council President… I might need to change my thinking a bit.
[I’m a little curious, though. It’s already been almost half a year since the Student Council President disappeared. If her disappearance was voluntary, I wonder where she is and what she’s doing.]
“…Maybe she’s handling something important.”
Or, perhaps, she’s on vacation somewhere, enjoying the air conditioning.
Thinking about it, if that girl hadn’t disappeared, Kaya wouldn’t have had to push me to take that position. If we meet later, it seems I’ll have a lot more to say.
“Come to think of it, wouldn’t our Hina-chan be a better fit for Student Council President than me?”
[…What?]
“Come on! In terms of competency, Hina-chan is just as capable as the Student Council President~”
[…]
Hina fell silent upon hearing my half-joking, half-serious remark. And that silence seemed to hold various meanings.
The joke was that an earnest but carefree girl like Hina would never take on the role of Student Council President. The seriousness of my compliment stemmed from my sincere acknowledgment of Hina’s abilities.
Outstanding grades. Perfect execution of tasks. With someone like Hina who can capture both hares, honestly, being Student Council President would be a piece of cake.
But…
“Ahaha, it was just a joke, so don’t take it too seriously, okay…”
Feeling tense not knowing what Hina would say next, I decided to hide my head for a moment.
[…Anyway. I think the issue regarding the Student Council Presidency is entirely your decision. No matter how much Shiranuichi, the Head of the Defense Office, said otherwise, let’s be honest—what could she really do?]
“Well, that’s true…”
That was a fact. In the original story, Kaya was able to initiate a coup precisely because she had the Valkyries and FOX Squad as weapons.
In contrast, the current Kaya lacks both the FOX Squad and has little connection to the Valkyries, making it somewhat awkward to say anything.
However, if someone were to try and initiate a coup, it’s certain that the SRT would respond. Kaya’s statement shows that instead of acting on her behalf, she won’t stop until she persuades me.
That’s how it can be interpreted.
Probably.
*
When I finished my call with Hina, I received a rather important contact.
It was my communication device for the advisory position at the Supernatural Special Forces. Through it, the president of the Millennium’s student council reached out to me.
I was a bit taken aback by the unexpected call from someone I didn’t anticipate, but thinking about it, there were reasons for it.
Whether I actually become the Student Council President is a matter of interest to the whole academy’s leadership. Separate from my lack of desire to take that position, now that the rumors were out there, I was bound to receive such contacts for a while.
[I’d like you to come to Millennium as soon as possible. There’s something important I need to discuss.]
However, it seemed that Rio wasn’t contacting me regarding matters related to that.
“…Wasn’t this communication device supposed to be for discussions like that?”
[Normally, it would be… but I’m sorry. It might be a bit difficult to explain everything right now. Whenever you come, I’ll make sure to find time to meet with you.]
“Uh…?”
[…Is that a difficult request?]
Hmm. What’s going on?
Why is Rio being so tentative and looking for my approval?
Something felt off.
“Alright. I can kind of make it by tomorrow… no, let’s quickly address it; can I drop by today? I should be able to arrive within four hours at the latest.”
[…There’s really no need to rush that much, but if you do come, I don’t have any issues with that. Once you arrive in the Millennium Autonomous District, just contact me. I’ll send someone to bring you to where I am.]
“Hm… makes me feel kind of special. You’re not trying to butter me up in case I become the Student Council President, right?”
As I said this jokingly, a moment of silence ensued.
Then Rio spoke to me.
[…I didn’t think we were distant enough to talk about scoring points like that.]
It was a statement that felt almost too good to hear, making me feel wonderful, but… wasn’t that just too overt for something Rio would say?
“That’s a very pleasing thing to hear. Really. If Rio-chan were here, I would want to give her a big hug!”
[…Kuh.]
“Huh? Why so sudden?”
[No, it’s nothing. Anyway, I’ll be waiting.]
“Got it, I’ll try to get there as quickly as I can☆”
ASAP. Now I needed to get the closest flight to Millennium.
Thank goodness I was already close to the train station for D.U. Moving towards the airport would be quick from here.
After ending the communication, I fell into thought for a moment.
Today, Rio felt suspicious. So suspicious that it made me uneasy.
Every word she said seemed unlike her, and for some reason, she appeared oddly tense.
And then, in that instant, the warnings that Himari and Noa had thrown my way recently flashed through my mind.
They warned me to be cautious as Rio seemed to be up to something.
If she were plotting something, it would likely involve Aris and Eridu.
I wasn’t certain, though.
It could simply be a business matter related to the Supernatural Special Forces.
Nevertheless, I wasn’t feeling good about this.
After quickly booking my flight, my hand hovered over one of the contacts on my phone for a moment.
I thought maybe I was being overly sensitive, but it took me no time to judge that being cautious was better than charging in without thought.
My fingers moved, and after a brief ringing, a bright voice came through the phone.
[Aang? What’s up? It feels like it’s been ages since you called me. What’s going on?]
“Neru-chan, do you have time today?”
[W-What? I do have time, but what is it?]
Neru seemed to show a hint of wariness at my question. I didn’t know what I’d done to make her feel that way, but right now, those small details weren’t what mattered.
“If you could, would you help me out? It’s really urgent, and you’re the only reliable one I could ask right now.”
[…Cough. Well, if you insist, what do you want me to do?]
“Once I get to Millennium, can you find me and follow me around without being noticed?”
[Aang…??? What kind of nonsense is that?]
Neru looked taken aback by my request.
I could understand her reaction. After all, who wouldn’t be surprised when someone asks them to follow them around? It was a perfectly reasonable response.
“I’m not entirely sure, but it feels like Rio is up to something.”
[…Hah? That’s nothing special, then.]
If Rio was up to something, her strongest card would likely be Asuma Toki, the fifth member of C&C, who was kept secret from the existing members.
If my guess was right, then I would need Neru’s help.
I just hoped that I wasn’t barking up the wrong tree as I made my way towards Millennium.
