“Hu, hehe…”
As the girl Urawa Hanako walked through the campus, some of the students observing her wore strange expressions. While some seemed curious, most quickly turned their gazes elsewhere or even changed their direction completely.
The reason these students avoided Hanako was quite simple. They knew very well that she was the type of person that brought exhaustion if you got entangled with her.
Moreover, the Hanako they knew would never, under any circumstances, be seen walking around with a smirk on her face.
Among those who knew her well, Hanako was famous for being highly favored by the T-party host, and it was widely recognized that she was competent enough to earn such admiration.
It was a common story among students interested in their studies that all model answers for tests across grade levels were based on Hanako’s solutions.
And they also knew well that Hanako frequently uttered comments that were totally out of place at Trinity… Students who had conversed with her at least once were well aware of that.
So, if Hanako was behaving peculiarly wherever she turned, avoiding her was a wise course of action.
Meanwhile, some students were curious about why Hanako appeared to be in such a good mood, but they wouldn’t dare express it. To them, it was better to pass by obliviously than to risk having a conversation with Hanako just to find out.
‘I guess not wearing underwear tomorrow wouldn’t be a bad idea… I wonder if Mika-senpai would notice, hmmm.’
And that thought was… accurate enough to be more than merely described as “wise.”
Hanako was looking forward to the gradual changes in her relationship with Mika that were set to begin today. That was also the very reason for the smile on her face right now.
She had worked hard to make a good impression on Kirihouji Nagisa all this time and had even secured prior permission. However, she never imagined her feelings would collide in this way, leaving her still in a daze.
Although she occasionally felt the fire burning within her that left her wanting to find a quiet place and cool off…
‘I guess I should hold back. This is Mika-senpai’s responsibility…’
There were indeed things she couldn’t compromise on. Unfortunately, most of those things were related to Mika.
When someone with a natural charm adds a foolish dream, capable individuals gather around to help make it a reality. Just like Hanako at this moment.
…It might have been an unavoidable fate that, during this process, her feelings became overly intertwined with the other’s charm, leading to a relationship fraught with friction.
“The assigned classroom…”
The genius girl who had willingly declared herself Mika’s slave stepped into the building. Then she slowly made her way toward the classroom that Mika had assigned to the supplementary lessons.
Upon reaching the classroom, Hanako confirmed the muffled voices she could faintly hear and felt reassured she had arrived at the right place.
“…Whoa, Sensei!”
The voice of Koharu, who always reacted amusingly when Hanako playfully called out, indicated that this was indeed her destination.
Creak——
With a smiling face, Hanako turned the doorknob and opened the classroom door, greeted by the sight of three girls huddled together, seemingly engrossed in something.
“Hello, everyone~ But it seems like you all have become close without me, and that leaves me feeling a bit… heartbroken, you know…”
“Oh, Hanako-chan… Did you have a good chat with Mika-senpai?”
“Yes, Hifumi-chan. Just like always, we shared our most secret and profound secrets♡”
“W-What…?! Secret… Deep…? W-Why on earth are you sharing those?!”
“Oh my, is that a problem? Mika-senpai is my direct superior, and I am Mika-senpai’s dedicated attendant and secretary. So, there are indeed things we can only share with each other, you know?”
“I’m jealous, Hanako.”
“Hehe, Azusa-chan, that’s true. After all, you mentioned last time that you were caught in a shameful situation you couldn’t even discuss. I suppose you’ll need to be careful until the right moment comes…”
“I-I can’t talk about something so embarrassing?! I-I’m not perverted! That’s a no-go!”
Seeing Koharu’s wide-eyed reaction as her face flushed red while she shouted “Out!” with cat-like eyes, Hanako let out a small laugh.
Though she didn’t understand the details fully, there was certainly a reason for Azusa’s quiet behavior regarding the growing crowd around Mika.
Only Saori and Mika were privy to the intricate details… which were certainly not beneficial to know. It was a matter of preserving Azusa’s dignity that they remained a secret.
“…I’ll be doomed.”
“Ah…! Please don’t make such extreme choices, Azusa-chan! You have to stick with me until the day Blooming Buds and Momo Friends collaborate…!”
“Will that day really come…?”
“Don’t forget that Mika-senpai is our comrade. Since Mika-senpai is the biggest supporter of Wave Cat, the opportunity will surely come! Yes, if you believe, good fortune will follow, definitely…!”
“Okay, I’ll try to live until then, Hifumi.”
“Haha… You can do it, Azusa-chan!”
Koharu looked at the two united in support of Momo Friends with a disgusted, almost contemptuous expression.
“Ugh… What’s so good about those ugly things? I don’t get it.”
“Oh my, Shimoe-san. It seems we actually share a surprising similarity.”
Hanako approached Koharu with a curious gaze, wondering what part of Momo Friends was appealing, despite following Mika, and said,
“J-Just wait a second…! Keep at least 3 meters away from me… No, make that 5 meters! Better yet, don’t even talk to me!”
“Oh my… Has Shimoe-san taken a dislike to me? But… I have been assigned the role of a temporary teacher for this supplementary lesson, so it might be a bit hard not to talk to you.”
“I-I don’t need it! The only reason I failed was because I took the second-year exam. If I take the first-year exam properly, passing it would be a piece of cake! I don’t need your help at all!”
Like a little animal suspicious of those around her, Koharu’s stance prompted Hanako to stop advancing and fix her eyes on her with intrigue, as if she had just found a fun toy.
“…Is that so?”
“Of course! So, this level of distance is just right for us! A relationship like passing ships! You get what I mean?”
“With that said, just a moment ago, you were glued to Azusa-chan and Hifumi-chan, watching something intently… If it was something you couldn’t take your eyes away from, then it must be—”
“N-No, it’s not like that?! No matter what you think, that’s absolutely not it!”
“By the way, that was Mika’s most recent concert video. I feel a bit disappointed since the outfit changed to a casual feel.”
“Thanks for letting me know, Azusa-chan. Hehe, I see now. After hearing that, it makes sense why Shimoe-san couldn’t tear her eyes away. Once you fall for our Mika-senpai’s charm, it’s impossible to escape.”
“Th-That’s not it! I was just worried you might be watching something inappropriate! I was only keeping a close watch just in case!”
Hehe. “While spending time like this might have its own fun, I must do my best since it’s something Mika-senpai entrusted to me… In that sense…”
After casting a quick glance over the three, Hanako smiled brightly.
“Shall we start off with a simple mock exam?♡”
“Huh…? Hanako-chan, but the exam papers…”
Hehe… “Hifumi-chan, do you think Mika-senpai hasn’t prepared even that?”
The moment Hanako held up a thick pile of exam papers, Koharu and Azusa groaned, and even Hifumi couldn’t help but let out a sound of despair.
[Results of the May 1 Mock Exam]
Ajitani Hifumi – Average score of 39 points
Shirase Azusa – Average score of 34 points
Shimoe Koharu – Average score of 19 points
Final target score – Average of 60 points
*
[Teacher, you may want to read this letter… or rather, document…? It has been received.]
When the teacher returned from their work in Sanhaegyeong, they were welcomed with a new assignment.
Helping students was sometimes difficult but overwhelmingly rewarding, so the teacher decided to check the contents first and then take a break.
“The sender is… Trinity General Academy T-party Host, Misono Mika?”
Upon confirming the sender of this request, the teacher found it interesting and rubbed their chin. They thought it curious how, since arriving in Kivotos, they seemed to be entangled with Mika in some way every single month.
Slowly, the teacher began to read the received document.
[Are you doing well, teacher? I’m Misono Mika, the T-party host representing Trinity General Academy.
I’ll assume you have no particular schedule for the coming second and fourth weeks of May. At Trinity, to be more precise, I would like to formally request your assistance.
With the student exchange experience week between Trinity and Gehenna Academy—our long-time rival—approaching fast, it is vital that you join us at this gathering.
Do you remember the Eden Treaty we briefly spoke about? The peace treaty between Trinity and Gehenna, initiated under the guidance of the missing Student Council President… As the acting representative of the Student Council President, your attendance at the final signing of the Eden Treaty is essential.
The signing ceremony is scheduled for next month, but I believe you may still lack an understanding of the necessity of this treaty. Therefore, I would like to arrange a gathering to deepen your understanding of the relationship between our two academies and the need for the peace treaty…]
The teacher, who was surprised to find such a formal tone from Mika, took a moment to express their surprise at the beginning of the letter as they read through the document step by step.
[Now… all the serious stuff aside☆
Hello there, teacher! I hope you’ve been doing well? Unlike what I mentioned earlier, I believe this request can also provide a good opportunity for you. You will get to meet many students, and in the process, you will surely encounter kids who will need your assistance.
Well then, isn’t it likely that you can expect more pleasant meetings at Trinity than at Gehenna?!
By the way, I intend to assign a student to escort you so you won’t need to bring the kids from SRT unnecessarily. I won’t stop you if you insist on bringing them along, but… those kids frequently travel back and forth between Trinity and Gehenna under ETO’s orders, so just calling them when needed should suffice!
And also…]
It seemed like the shock had gotten the better of Mika, as the formalities gradually faded from the letter toward the end.
After finishing the letter, the teacher tapped on their desk thoughtfully.
The week’s notice gave off faint hints of Mika’s thoughtful consideration, and after a moment of contemplation, the teacher gladly decided to make time.
