How desperate was I? I found myself hugging Kurodate Haruna without realizing it, and in the process, I managed to snatch the detonator from her frozen, shocked hands.
Somehow, using Haruna’s feelings for me became the plan, but I just couldn’t stand to see the shop explode right in front of my eyes.
The truth is, that wasn’t the main issue. The real problem was that I was one of the organizers of this festival. Regardless of how justified Haruna’s anger was, the occurrence of such a terrorist act at the festival site was a huge minus for me.
If this had happened at some street stall or store in Gehenna, I’d have probably just let Haruna do what she wanted. After all, who could blame her? I mean, ‘Takoyaki’ made with squid instead of octopus? That’s a whole new level of absurdity.
Hmm… But I find it quite fascinating that Haruna could distinguish between the two. Being able to differentiate between squid and octopus within the flavors and textures of takoyaki? That alone seems like a skill!
Clutching the detonator in my hand, I slowly pulled away from Haruna while enduring Kirihouji Nagisa’s piercing gaze. Luckily, it seemed like Haruna’s fury had somewhat cooled, but now I was stuck in a tight spot with Nagisa’s rising anger.
Well, soothing Nagisa was something to think about later. Right now, I had to resolve this ‘octopus-less takoyaki’ situation quickly.
“Haruna-chan, I know you’re angry, but…”
“…Huh, fufu. Misono Mika is sometimes just too innocent, you know?”
“Eh?”
“The explosives haven’t even been set up yet, so how could I possibly blow something up? Honestly, I wonder if there’s even a second person in the world as adorably clueless as you.”
“Wah—oh…?”
Hearing that made me speechless; it was quite right, after all. What would happen if you pulled the trigger of an empty gun all day?
Well, that means I fell for Haruna’s act… It might sound absurd coming from someone who was deceived, but I didn’t believe everything was an act. Especially that intensely focused gaze of hers, which seemed to come from her heart.
If I were to ask where the truth ends and the act begins, I’d most likely get the answer of ‘from the start to the finish.’ If explosives had been set, she probably would’ve blown something up had I not intervened.
“…Who’s the one teasing whom, blushing just from a single hug? Kurodate’s audacity is truly astonishing.”
“Umm? Kirihouji-san might not be aware, but this wasn’t aimed at mocking Misono Mika. I just wanted to see her reaction when I pulled this out. Having gone on a gourmet journey with Mika so far, I hadn’t encountered any metaphorical land mines until now.”
“…I see. That brings back memories. A few months ago, there was a terrorist who blew up an ice cream shop in our Trinity Autonomous District. That was you, wasn’t it, Kurodate-chan?”
“Fufu. Technically, our first meeting can be traced back to when I was fully intent on stopping Misono from doing something reckless. But once we met and hit it off unexpectedly well, we continued our friendship since then.”
Just as Haruna said, even I couldn’t have imagined we’d get along so well. But listening to her say it to Nagisa gives me a strange feeling. In the end, if something goes haywire in Trinity, it’s the people involved who’ll be stressed.
“Ahaha… Anyway, let’s leave that topic for now. So, Haruna-chan, you’re not actually going to blow something up, right? If something like that happens during this festival, I’d be the one in trouble. So, I’d like to ask you not to cause any problems here, please.”
“…Mika, the request you’re making directly contradicts my culinary path. Of course, I only did that because I was curious about your reaction, but I still have the desire to blow something up.”
“I’ll take responsibility! I’ll make sure this stall clears out, so can we let that slide? In any case, deceiving people like this would also be a breach of contract. If you want, I can do that right now—”
“What are you two talking about? What do you mean by blowing something up, and clearing out stalls? What right do you have to speak like that?”
I occasionally feel that the people of Kivotos have some serious halo recognition issues. Even though I’ve had a bit of a style change and am wearing a hat, shouldn’t a characteristic halo mean they should recognize who I am?
Anyway, as the shop owner interrupted, Haruna narrowed her eyes and glared at the cat girl.
“What’s your reason for using squid in this takoyaki?”
“Squid? I’ve never used squid or anything like that. If you’re trying to make up facts, then just get lost.”
“Oh, is that how you want to play it? Fine. I’ll prove it.”
Haruna pulled out another toothpick and began to deconstruct the takoyaki in front of her.
While Haruna did that, I was curious to see if I could discern the difference in texture and took a piece of takoyaki to my mouth.
…What is this? This is just octopus.
“…Tsk, see? It’s octopus, isn’t it? Seriously, what a complete nuisance. Trying to blame others when you don’t even know what you’re eating.”
“…This can’t be happening.”
Haruna looked flabbergasted as she confirmed what was inside the takoyaki. There were indeed pieces of octopus without any argument.
“Oh man, what a bummer. You’re spoiling my appetite, so just get lost. Otherwise, I’ll have to call the Justice Realization Department on you for obstruction of business.”
No, the moment they see me, they’d be crawling!
Does that mean Haruna was wrong? Really?
“Well, from what I’ve tasted, it’s definitely octopus.”
“…Huh? What I had felt like squid.”
The parties that thought there was squid in the takoyaki were Haruna and Nagisa. The ones who thought it was octopus were me and Noa.
“This is, you know. Nagisa-chan, do you have any idea what’s going on?”
“Yeah, it’s such an obvious trick that it’s frankly boring. If you thought you could fool people with such a low-level prank, then I’d only have words of pity for you.”
“Huh? What are you two still doing here? If you keep talking like that, then just get lost!”
The shop owner began to act annoyed again, but it sounded more like a cornered rat squeaking.
As Nagisa and I began to dismantle all the takoyaki in front of us, the shop owner’s eyes started to flicker anxiously.
Regardless of what they do, we focused on exposing all the insides of the takoyaki. As Nagisa said, it was an exasperatingly childish trick.
“…I see. Seeing this, my resentment has doubled.”
The truth finally revealed that out of the eight pieces of takoyaki in the box, only two used squid. Had we bought just one box, Nagisa and Haruna consuming one each could have kept us from uncovering this stall’s scam.
It appeared they had increased the ratio of octopus, knowing that something like this would happen someday. This is… just plain wrong.
“Do these look like octopus to you?”
“Y-Yes! There’s no way this doesn’t look like octopus no matter how you look at it. Why do you keep cornering me like this… are you all not afraid of heaven!?”
“My heaven looks nice and clear without you worrying about it, so it doesn’t seem like it matters.”
The moment I grasped the situation—a short hesitation was unnecessary. I immediately contacted the T-party staff. This deceitful takoyaki stall was officially done for today.
*
The conversations that followed were little more than exploitation discussions on contract violations and such. By tomorrow, a different takoyaki stall would have taken its place. After all, that was the level of interest this festival had attracted.
After settling things down relatively peacefully, I asked Haruna for her thoughts, and surprisingly positive feedback came back.
“…Even if I blew that stall up, the owner would’ve just repeated the same thing somewhere else. In that sense, Mika’s method of filling obstacles in their path isn’t so bad after all. They will essentially have to stop running a business in both Trinity and Millennium.”
“Hahaha! Now you know that blowing up stalls isn’t the only solution?”
“Mika has a bit of power, you see. That method won’t work in Gehenna.”
Hmm. Maybe it’s true. The teacher who also failed to reform doesn’t seem to have any intention of bending her stubbornness. However, it’s just a relief that she’s at least showing that softer side because I’m here.
“But, to avoid negatively affecting Mika’s reputation, I do need to restrain myself to some extent. Internal issues in Gehenna are one thing, but it wouldn’t hurt to be a bit more patient outside. Fufu…”
Hmm, should I consider this a halfway successful reformation? Even if that brings into question what is right or wrong, the mere fact that she’s concerned about my reputation feels far from that, yet there’s a strange resonance in her decision to bend for me.
It’s one of those things that make your heart skip a beat.
“…Ah, Nagisa-chan?”
“Are you happy? You look happy. No, of course, you would be, you lecher.”
“…?”
I was at a loss for words seeing Nagisa poke my side with a displeased expression.
Truly, this isn’t easy. What kind of life did those people live back in the old days when they kept both favorites and concubines like some kind of harem?
I know it’s a product of unconscious temptation mixed with my own greed, yet I still can’t breathe from this situation that makes me wonder how much fun watching would be, especially since Noa hasn’t stopped smiling once today.
With my hand on Nagisa’s sulky shoulder, I locked eyes with her.
“I’m sorry for being a bad girl, Nagisa-chan. Yes, this is all my fault.”
“…Exactly which part is the problem?”
“Hahaha, there are so many it’s hard to count them, but… if I had to say, it’s probably my greedy desire not to be satisfied with such a lovely and adorable girlfriend like you? I promise, Nagisa-chan, there’s no way you’re lacking anywhere. Yes, I think it’s too much for me to have and to receive such abundant love.”
I stood on my tiptoes and left a light kiss on Nagisa’s lips.
“I love you a lot, Nagisa-chan. This is sincere.”
“…That’s just low. Don’t think you can keep getting away with it like that.”
“Can’t you let me keep getting away with it forever?”
“Are you trying to see me die?”
“Eh, but you love me so much, you won’t be able to die☆ Right?”
“What kind of nonsense is that… Haah. Just stay still for a moment.”
Nagisa, said so seriously, wrapped her arms around my waist. Then what followed was——
“…Wow, this seems rather inappropriate in many ways.”
“Hmm…”
Narisa’s feelings were conveyed heavily that I couldn’t even hear what those two were saying behind me. Really intensely!
After letting me go, it seemed like Nagisa’s face was even redder than mine, but she would soon deny that fact with all her might.
“What you took that day means nothing now. You understand now, Kurodate-chan?”
“…?”
But what does it mean to start by provoking Haruna with such a flushed face?
Nagisa…? I know from experience that you should never provoke Haruna. Otherwise…
“Fufu. Is that so? Were you hoping to boast about that?”
“Boast? I would never engage in such childish things. I simply helped Kurodate-chan face the obvious.”
“On my end, I’d like to throw a counterquestion. Would you be satisfied with just that level of bragging?”
“…?”
“If only it were me instead of Kirihouji-san, I would have already tasted the cherry on top of the whipped cream cake by now. You’re slow, you know? Or should I say, for a lady of Trinity, I should at least call you relatively quick?”
“There’s no need to say it in such a roundabout way that belittles the noble thing called love, which demons take lightly.”
Ah, they’re revving up again. I can’t handle this…
More than anything, it’s Noa, who’s watching with a broad smile instead of lending a helping hand, that’s really getting under my skin.
The struggles I endured while mediating between the two of them seemed more laborious than doing tasks for the T-party, but is it just my imagination?
And this is all my fault as well, but these days, Nagisa seems to fit the role of Pater’s head better than I do…
