Once again, Trinity has started to take the lead by a narrow margin in this competition, but this is at least a million light-years away from the picture I wanted.
From the very beginning, the situation where we can’t win after Arius reunited with Trinity is a problematic competition in itself.
Gehenna was expected to have low participation and couldn’t even imagine how they’d come together.
But why?
I felt like screaming “Why?” endlessly, like in a black suit, but suppressed my anxious heart as I approached the podium.
Saori’s incident was an unavoidable accident. I shouldn’t blame her, nor do I even think about it.
I could understand why Azusa was eliminated. The skills of Iroha and Akari, which I witnessed with my own eyes, were truly astounding. Just being in a group with them was unfortunate.
Hina being this serious about the competition was unexpected. Just listening to Aco’s words made it easy to guess that various discussions were going on behind the scenes.
In the first place, wasn’t it a sign when Iroha teamed up with Hina in the opening match?
…It’s okay. There are still 7 events left, excluding the focus on the group competition on day 6 and day 7. There’s still enough time to widen the gap. Moreover, as long as we don’t mess up in the group competition, it doesn’t matter if we trail a bit before that.
While gaining comfort from such thoughts, I watched Aco present medals to Akari and Iroha.
After all, the ones suffering more than me right now would be Gehenna, who could have opened up a 7-point gap in an instant but instead gave away 1 point. If Trinity were behind by 7 points right now, it would truly be hopeless.
In that sense, our Hifumi saved a life. For real.
“Gehenna Academy second-year student Wanibuchi Akari… Congratulations on the bronze medal. You did well…”
Maintaining a forced smile, Aco struggled to force out her words, and I worried about her teeth. I wondered if they might fall out at this rate.
Well, it’s not like the current situation of awarding a medal to a student belonging to a delinquent club would please Aco.
If it were a gold or silver medal, it might’ve been different, but for Aco, congratulating Akari for the 1-point bronze medal might’ve made her happier if Akari hadn’t won at all. However, with Saori’s disqualification, that possibility was completely closed off.
“Gehenna Academy first-year student Natsume Iroha. Congratulations on the silver medal. I’ll say it was quite good for you. You got it in the end.”
“…Um. Would it be possible for you to just hang the medal on me instead of talking when I’m already standing here?”
Well, Iroha’s expression wasn’t bad for someone who lost by a narrow margin. She seemed almost like she had already achieved her goal…?
Hmm. I’m not sure. Either way, it seems neither Hina nor Iroha have any intention of solving my curiosity.
Hasumi, being aware of my love for Hifumi, even gave up the medal ceremony for me without me having to say anything. Thanks to that, I could directly stand in front of Hifumi while presenting the gold medal.
Meanwhile, seeing Hifumi awkwardly fidgeting in this atmosphere, it seems she wasn’t too pleased with all this attention.
“Trinity General Academy first-year student Ajitani Hifumi. Congratulations on the gold medal. I hope you take more pride in this achievement since it came from such a tough match.”
“Ahaha… Thank you, Mika-senpai.”
“Oh right. I’ll get you the Peroro goods I promised before. Just let me know what you want!”
“Really?!”
Hifumi’s eyes sparkled as she asked back. Why does she seem happier now than when she won the gold medal?
“Of course! You can even ask for two☆”
As long as it isn’t something like asking for Perorozira from the ocean below, I’m fine with anything. I really don’t want to see Perorozira rampaging around on Trinity Campus…
“Two?!! Ahaha…”
“Uh, Hifumi-chan?!”
Unable to control her excitement, Hifumi’s eyes went wide, and she suddenly fell backward. I couldn’t help but wonder how happy she was to faint, but I quickly rushed in to catch her before her head hit the ground.
“Well… I guess I have to take her to the joint medical headquarters. It’s been nice seeing you again, Aco-chan!”
“W-what?! Please don’t get too friendly because it’s creepy! No, instead of that, why don’t you be nice to our ‘Head’!”
“…Ahaha. I was just sincerely glad to see you. That kind of hurts a little.”
“If you’re going to be sensitive about such things, you might want to reconsider your own behavior first. Just so you know, starting tomorrow morning, you need to text our ‘Head’ every day. And don’t forget to call her often. By the way, her birthday is February 19! Don’t just throw something together at the last minute when the time comes; you need to prepare properly. And also—”
Hmm… I could somewhat understand Aco’s behavior. Considering she has been playing the role of Cupid for Hina, it wouldn’t be surprising if she heard about yesterday’s events.
If she also knew about what happened in Millennium, she’d know that I have about five or six kids around me who like me.
But seriously, it’s so unfair. I’ve never once had any thoughts about actively trying to flirt with someone.
“—If I were really you, I’d think nothing of giving my ‘Head’ away, but here you are, blatantly trying to juggle two relationships! And what’s up with my ‘Head’ accepting that?! She’s not lacking in any way; why would she settle for less… Ugh!”
“Ah, uhm. Aco-chan…?”
I only made a simple farewell, but Aco set off a massive bomb.
“Ah, more than anything, you better be prepared for the day that sighs come out of my ‘Head’ because of Mika!”
“Right… But Aco-chan, if you’ve said what you needed to, how about you take a moment to look around…?”
After blabbering about my ‘Head’ for a while, it seemed Aco finally snapped back to reality and looked around. Her face went pale as she realized.
“Hiiick.”
She started hiccuping and bowed her head deeply.
In truth, if I had really wanted to stop Aco from spreading news about my relationships, I would have done it long ago. But after a moment of contemplation, I concluded that there was no need to stop it.
It seems better to take the hit now before a late scandal erupts and causes trouble. That was the thought that crossed my mind.
Hmm… And partly because Aco, who couldn’t pull herself together while saying it, was so cute, I also didn’t stop her. Honestly, just listening to her express how much she cared about Hina was enough to warm my heart.
“Then… Take care, Aco-chan!”
“Y-Yeah?! Wait! If Mika-san just leaves, I’ll get killed by my ‘Head’!”
“Well, don’t you think that’s a bit of an overreaction on your part? I think it’s all your own doing.”
“Ah, no! Then make sure to at least say something nice to my ‘Head’!”
“You know, I don’t think you need to worry about that. What you really should be worried about is the reporters, right?”
“…”
With her eyes tightly shut, Aco let out a silent sigh.
As I said earlier, it’s all her own doing.
“…I see. So, Mika-san’s constant gifting of desserts was all an elaborate setup for me. I’m glad I realized this before it was too late. I should express my gratitude to Amau, the Senior Administrative Officer.”
“No, that’s not it…”
Ah, I should’ve just left swiftly. This time, Hasumi was going to drag my reputation down to the depths.
It won’t be long before Kronos School labels me an unprecedented lecher, or T-party hosts write articles about my sordid private life that would make anyone envious.
…In the end, articles like “Misono Mika is actually trying to become the idol of Millennium by selling pillows to Student Council President Tsukatsuki Rion?!” wouldn’t be surprising at all.
“I really don’t know anymore… Take care of Aco-chan for me, Hasumi-chan. I’m going to head out first.”
I scooped up Hifumi, who was still being supported, in a princess-carry and quickly made my escape. I could hear Aco howling behind me, but frankly, I couldn’t care less.
First, I hurried into the athlete waiting room to grab Hifumi’s belongings. On my shoulder, a Peroro bag filled with Hifumi’s things was added.
All of Hifumi’s clothes were in this hideous Peroro bag, so I had no choice but to carry it, but I really couldn’t join the Peroro faction. Wave Cat is the best.
…So, where exactly is the Joint Medical Headquarters? It’s precisely located on the border between Trinity and Gehenna, right?
How long had I moved avoiding the crowd that began to spill out of the audience after today’s match? Familiar kids blocked my way.
“…Mika-onee, are you trying to eat up Hifumi-chan now too?”
“Huh? Aco-chan, whatever you’re thinking, you’re completely mistaken.”
“Yeah, I actually know.”
With a bright smile, Aco stuck out her tongue teasingly. Seeing Aco mingling with her peers from Trinity and getting lively didn’t feel all that bad even though she was being openly teased.
“But still, I can’t help feeling a bit jealous. Next time, I want you to hug me like that, Onee!”
“Ahaha…”
Couldn’t she refrain from bringing up such awkward topics that made me uncomfortable…?
“So, is this the decision of Azusa-chan and Saori-chan?”
I had somewhat expected this possibility. If Saori, who prioritizes her squad over herself, wanted to share my promised day with the other kids from the squad, it wouldn’t be strange at all.
As for Azusa, the bond with the squad felt remarkably deep compared to the original work.
“…Aco and Hiyori also said they want to spend a day with you. If you’re okay with it, I’d like both to join us.”
“Yeah, the squad is family.”
“Uh-huh. I see~. Then how about Misaki-chan? Is she not going to hang out with us?”
I turned my gaze toward Misaki, who was covered head to toe in a rash guard. Despite this, her neck bandage remained, making it seem very difficult for her to enjoy swimming normally.
Furthermore, our kids from Arius, in the original story, couldn’t even get swimsuits except for Azusa. But here, everyone seems to be happy now…
“…I said no. That girl, Hifumi, right? I’ll take her to the Joint Medical Headquarters.”
“Misaki-chan has only been hanging out with the Rescue Knights lately… I guess we’ve really fallen behind now. Eventually, our squad will be scattered, won’t we? Is it all my fault for being a nuisance with my clothes…?”
“That’s not the case.”
Watching Misaki I received from Fumi gave me a strange feeling. Although both she and Saori hadn’t taken off their masks even at the beach, making it hard to see their expressions, I somehow guessed there was an interesting expression on Misaki’s face down there right now.
“Wow—oh, I see… So you’ve gotten that close with Serina-chan. I see…”
“…Shut up. That’s not the case, so don’t worry about it.”
“Ahaha! Misaki-chan starts with denial every time she opens her mouth, huh? But I bet Saori wouldn’t fall for the last one either.”
“She may not have fallen for it, but why am I being brought up here…?”
Seeing Saori mumble softly made me giggle. Seeing Misaki shake her head and turn her back silently, she started walking toward the Joint Medical Headquarters.
“Thanks for helping Misaki-chan out, Onee.”
Aco thanked me as she watched Misaki, appearing much better than before. Even I felt like Misaki was finding some mental peace or at least getting close to it.
“It seems like Misaki-chan is the first to escape the Club of Dread. I feel a little envious. I want to join a club too.”
Aco’s words made me think that maybe by next year, I might just happen upon Misaki, who’d joined the Rescue Knights.
Sure enough, leaving Misaki in the Rescue Knights turned out to be the best choice.
“Hey Aco-chan, the club… you mean T-party, right?”
“…Secret.”
No, Aco. You must come to T-party. The only ones who can inherit the throne are either Hanako or you…!
