Hanuma Makoto. The current chairman of the Pandemonium Society, but in reality, an incompetent and foolish freeloader who does nothing but create pointless work and waste Gehenna's budget. A perfectly ordinary student who would never have even gotten into the Pandemonium Society if Gehenna's student body wasn't so apathetic about politics.
Stupid and simple, but with an unpredictable personality that makes getting the desired result from her surprisingly difficult.
A dog who holds some kind of grudge, perhaps an inferiority complex, against the Disciplinary Committee… or more precisely, its Head, Hina-sama, and is chomping at the bit for a chance to pick a fight with them.
She can occasionally show a surprisingly sharp side. This side becomes more pronounced when her intentions are focused on harassing the Disciplinary Committee, but because her inherent abilities are so flawed, she isn't much of a threat beyond the power she holds.
"…Hey, Ako-chan?"
"Yes, Mika-san? Is there something else you're curious about?"
"That was an incredibly malicious description. Do you really hate that person, Makoto, that much?"
"Since you're not a Disciplinary Committee member, Mika-san, there are some things that might be difficult for you to empathize with. But once you deal with that raccoon yourself, you'll understand to some extent."
"Ako's words might seem a bit excessive, but they're not wrong, for the most part. Especially the part about her showing a surprisingly sharp side. It's possible that the face Chairman Makoto usually shows is just a mask. A small possibility, but a possibility nonetheless."
"Oh, come on, Captain! That's going a bit too far, even for you."
"Ahem! Then, the next person is Satsuki-senpai… She's most likely not on campus right now, but if by some chance she's at the Pandemonium Society, she might suddenly try to hypnotize you by dangling a coin in front of your eyes."
With four people in the room, it was easy for the conversation to get sidetracked with just a few comments. Ako's seasoned skill shone through as she quickly cleared her throat to bring everyone's attention back. A competent secretary who's also easy on the eyes… I'd like to get one of my own…
But more importantly, Satsuki? Was there a character like that in the Pandemonium Society? I don't really remember. All I know are Ibuki, who might become playable someday, and the demon of adultery, Natsume Iroha…
Ah, she appeared with the Pandemonium Society in the final volume. The character who looks like Aru's older sister. It was a recently updated story, so I was barely able to recall it. Maybe it's because Makoto drew so much aggro in that part, but I'd clearly seen her and yet couldn't remember.
But hypnosis? Whether she's related to Aru or not, it feels like a fitting gimmick.
"The moment you see that coin, don't ask questions, just look away."
…Huh?
"Ahaha, what's that about? Ako-chan, are you the type who seriously believes in things like hypnosis? Okay, got it! I don't really get it, but if she dangles a coin in front of my face, I'll just send it flying!"
"I-I didn't tell you to go that far. And I don't seriously believe in hypnosis! This is merely a calculation that by simply playing along with that strange senpai's prank, the Pandemonium Society will have one less person to worry about! Do you understand? A fool is bound to feel favorable toward someone who plays along with their foolishness."
Oh. That's plausible. That's a definitely plausible story. So, you're saying that Satsuki girl is also a bit loose in the head, befitting her membership in the Pandemonium Society, so I don't need to take her too seriously. Aha, I see.
…Are you kidding me, Ako? No matter how much the Pandemonium Society exists to worship Ibuki, there's no way two characters that simple could exist, right?
But if I look at the clubs in Gehenna…?
Huh? Come to think of it, isn't it rarer for a club here to have more than two sane people?
In Problem Solver, there's Kayoko and, to an extent, Mutsuki. In the Disciplinary Committee, there's Chinatsu and Hina.
By that logic, since the Pandemonium Society already has Iroha, wouldn't that mean there's another, unrevealed student who fills the other sane-person slot? In that case, maybe that Satsuki girl really is just a bit of a simpleton…
I glanced to the side and saw that Hina had closed her eyes completely. No way, did you really just wash your hands of this? Hina, she's your subordinate…?
"Next is Natsume Iroha. She claims to be just an ordinary middle manager, but the very fact that she, a first-year, caught Makoto's eye and was scouted as a high-ranking member of the Pandemonium Society makes her someone to be wary of. Because of that, she's actually easier to persuade with logic than Chairman Makoto, but in the end, her personality is to do what she's told. If Chairman Makoto tells her to overturn something, she'll overturn it."
"In other words, there's no need to persuade her☆"
"…If you put it that simply, it makes me, the one who just gave a long-winded explanation, feel rather foolish."
"But it's true, isn't it, Ako-chan?"
"Haaah… Iori, please be quiet. I know that already."
Ako lowered her clipboard and let out a small sigh.
"Originally, there was one person who was ten times more difficult than all three of them combined, but that senpai left the Pandemonium Society. I don't know why, but it's a fortunate thing for us."
"I heard she started a company with some other students."
Hmm…? A senpai to Ako would be a third-year. And if you say "company," one thing comes to mind immediately.
So, you're telling me that the eldest member of Problem Solver 68, Kayoko, was originally a member of the Pandemonium Society?
"Waaah-oh…"
It feels a little strange to confirm the truth of a piece of lore I didn't know like this. Well, it's not as shocking as when I found out Mika was the Host before Seia and Nagisa. I don't think anything could ever top that.
"First, I will briefly go over Plan A, which I have prepared."
"Hey, Ako-chan. Does 'Plan A' mean you have others prepared after that?"
"Oh, of course. For today, I have prepared plans all the way to Plan H."
"Ugh, hearing that there are that many actually makes me more anxious!?"
"Iori, let's listen first before we judge. With that many, there's bound to be at least one worth trying."
"Excuse me, Captain? You're treating me a little strangely!"
For the entire duration of Ako's "Operation Persuade Hanuma Makoto: Plans A to H," which could only be described as a complete and utter mess, I couldn't stop smiling. This is what Kivotos is all about. It's a place you really can't hate.
On the way to the Pandemonium Society headquarters, a few Gehenna students looked at me with suspicion, but thanks to Hina's presence right next to me, they didn't approach.
If I were alone, they would have definitely tried to pick a fight a few times, but no student had the gall to pull such a stunt in front of the Disciplinary Committee Head.
Gehenna is full of crazies who would do such a thing without a second thought, but paradoxically, because this is Gehenna, they're able to keep their wits about them in front of the Disciplinary Committee Head, Hina.
"…For the Disciplinary Committee Head to visit the Pandemonium Society with her members, this is quite unusual. And there's even an unpleasant Trinity student among your entourage. This must be more than just a trouble—I mean, more than just an ordinarily important matter, I suppose?"
As we entered the Pandemonium Society headquarters, Iroha greeted us with a sigh, her annoyance on full display. It seemed that since a person of the Disciplinary Committee Head's stature had come to visit, the Pandemonium Society members sent out Makoto's confidante, Iroha. Of course, it's possible she was just the one stuck with the grunt work.
By the way, she really just opened with a diss, calling me an unpleasant Trinity student. To be fair, this is normal in Gehenna, but because I've already formed a common ground with Haruna and befriended the rational Hina, this situation feels a little awkward.
The Disciplinary Committee members naturally had to keep their mouths shut due to my status, and Ako, who knew of the friendship I had built with Hina, also hid her true feelings. Though, her hostility did decrease significantly after she realized how much I respected Hina.
"Yes, Councilwoman Iroha. This is an unprecedented situation where the student council president of Trinity has personally visited Gehenna. Therefore, I ask that you guide us to Makoto at once."
"Trinity's student council president…? Committee Head, your joke is a bit…"
Iroha, who had been speaking, trailed off as she saw Hina's unwavering expression, then muttered to herself, her face paling.
"Ah… you weren't joking…"
Blinking, Iroha turned her head toward me. I gave her a bright smile and a wave.
"Sorry for having an unpleasant face☆"
I added a light jab for good measure. It's not that I dislike Iroha, but it's a bit difficult to just laugh off being told that to my face. The Michael inside me won't allow it, so it can't be helped.
"M-My apologies for the discourtesy. Please, I beg your gracious forgiveness—"
"Yup, I forgive you. So don't worry about it~ I didn't set my expectations very high to begin with."
I decided to stop teasing the self-proclaimed middle manager here. There's nothing more ridiculous than building ill will with a Gehenna student while talking about improving relations with Gehenna. Since I heard what she said, my light retort was just self-defense, wasn't it?
"P-Please wait a moment. I will inform Makoto-senpai at once."
Realizing the gravity of the situation, Iroha didn't even utter her usual catchphrase, "What a pain."
"What a pain…"
Uh… okay, never mind.
"Councilwoman Iroha, I'm not unaware that Chairman Makoto is just wasting time sitting in her office chair with nothing to do. So instead of informing her, just guide us there now."
"…Haaah. Understood, Committee Head. I will guide you there at once. It's a pain, but once I hand this off to Makoto-senpai, it's not my problem anymore."
"Wow… I can't believe she can say something like that so brazenly."
Iori clicked her tongue at Iroha's shamelessness. I'm sure everyone here was thinking the same thing.
Hmm… I feel a little bad saying this, but if this plan goes through, one of the people who will have to work the hardest is Iroha.
The more I egg on Makoto, the more work Iroha will have to deal with, endlessly duplicated. It's a sad story, but… isn't that the sorrow of a middle manager you speak of, Iroha?
And so, we arrived in front of the Pandemonium Society's office. Iroha didn't even bother to knock and just went straight inside.
Through the open door, I could see Makoto, sitting at her desk with her chin in her hand, her head bowed.
…Hey Makoto, where'd you sell your halo?
"Haaah… I really don't know what they were thinking, electing a person like that as chairman."
"She's got it easy."
Unlike the other two who reacted with disbelief, Iori seemed to be at a complete loss for words.
"Makoto-senpai, it's time to get up."
"…"
"Ah, what a pain…"
With a sigh, Iroha looked at us, then raised a finger to her lips in a 'shh' gesture. And then,
WHACK—!!! CRASH!!
She smacked Makoto on the back of the head with the book she was carrying.
"Wh-Who's there?! To dare attack the great Makoto, you must have some nerve! Now, show yourselves!"
"…Makoto-senpai, the Disciplinary Committee Head is here to see you."
"What, was that you, Iroha? Anyway, what, the Disciplinary Committee Head is looking for me?"
Makoto, who had been knocked off her hat, picked it up and jammed it back on her head before turning to face us.
"Kikikik—!! For the Disciplinary Committee Head to seek me out, what a strange day! Well, what is it? Have you finally decided to kneel before the great Makoto and compose a poem in my praise?!"
"Makoto-senpai, more importantly, look at the person next to the Committee Head."
"…Huh?"
Hearing Iroha's words, Makoto turned her head and let out a gasp filled with disbelief as soon as she saw me.
"She holds a very important position in Trinity, so please be careful with your words and actions—"
"Kishishish!!! What the hell? Where do you think you are, for a pigeon bitch like you to come crawling in here? And you, Disciplinary Committee Head, have you betrayed Gehenna? Just how cornered must you be to join hands with Trinity just to push me out! You've truly fallen, Sorasaki Hina!"
"…Ah, we're screwed."
Along with Iroha's despairing sigh, Makoto's icy glare turned to me. Looking at Makoto, there was only one thing I could say.
"Damn, she's handsome…"
The moment I said those words, everyone in the room froze completely. But why?