With the backing of virtually every faction of significant size in Trinity, there was nothing left to hold me back. It meant, in short, that my era had arrived. Well, as the Host of the Tea Party, it was already half my world to begin with.
The first thing I did was contact the General Student Council. I informed them that Trinity and Gehenna were planning to jointly host a festival, and I requested that the GSC take on the role of auditor to ensure that both sides' budgets were being properly executed and that neither side was taking an unfair advantage. In the first place, this was a path we were forced to take, as neither academy could trust the other.
In truth, this was only possible because the authority of the General Student Council was so great at this point in time, with the President not yet missing. If I had tried to entrust the role of budget auditor to the GSC of the original timeline, even Makoto probably would have laughed in my face and asked if I was sane.
The General Student Council initially reacted with disbelief upon hearing the full story, but after confirming the contract, they accepted the auditor role, unable to hide their bewilderment.
What if the GSC had refused? I had calculated that the GSC President, who was in the midst of preparing the groundwork for the Eden Treaty, would be more likely to support something that aided her grand design rather than throw a wrench in it.
In the process, I had anticipated that I might have a one-on-one meeting with the GSC President, but…
"Host of the Tea Party, what sort of change of heart have you had? The last time we met, I recall you held an extremely hostile stance toward Gehenna. For you to now be hosting a joint event of this nature is, in many ways, quite surprising."
Well. Now that the situation was actually happening, it was a little flustering.
Looking at the woman before me… the General Student Council President, whose identity was surrounded by nothing but speculation, I was seized by a strange feeling.
This woman, I thought, has something more to her than what is visible on the surface. What that was, exactly, was impossible for me to confirm, which only served to grate on my nerves.
But that wasn't what was important right now. What was important was that the past Mika and the GSC President were acquainted.
Would Mika have used her usual tone of voice with the GSC President? I think she probably would have. No matter how I thought about it, I couldn't quite picture Mika speaking politely and formally with the GSC President.
Lately, even people who had known me before no longer found my way of speaking strange, so as long as I didn't make a major misstep, it was unlikely the GSC President would see through my act. So, let's say what Mika would have said, and continue the conversation by recalling the words and actions she might have used.
"Hmm… is that how it seemed, hmm? But, President. The me that you saw when we last met, and the me that is in front of your eyes now… neither of them is a lie! Yes, it's just the difference between blatantly revealing my inner thoughts, or hiding them."
"That's a rather cryptic thing to say. In that case, which side is closer to the Tea Party Host's true intentions?"
"Hmm?"
"The side that, when discussing personal feelings, does not hate Gehenna, but was forced to show such a side due to various circumstances. Or if not that… the side that has hidden a hatred for Gehenna deep within her heart, sharpening her blade and waiting for the right time to wield it."
"Ahaha, a blade! President, don't you think that word is a bit too grim? Yes, I don't think that's a word that suits me, no matter how you look at it."
The GSC President's gaze scrutinized me as I played it off with a smile. It was a gaze that felt unfathomably deep, with a sense of unease I couldn't place. For some reason, I thought that I did not want to get close to this woman.
"…You may be right. That might have been a slightly rude expression. But my question is still valid, you know?"
As her gaze demanded an answer, I had a thought that perhaps the GSC President wasn't just trying to judge whether I would be a hindrance to the Eden Treaty. Perhaps I was just overreacting.
"Then, I'll cut to the chase and be honest. President, it's true that I dislike Gehenna. But I also believe that we can reconcile, and even become friends. Yes, so this festival is the starting point. The goal is to focus on the competition between our two academies, to guide the hatred we have for each other to be downgraded into a simple rivalry, a desire not to lose."
"…An interesting story. However, the student council president of Gehenna is a person whose way of thinking is fundamentally different from yours. I find myself wondering how you managed to make this happen. The most likely possibility would be a joint effort with the current Head of Gehenna's Disciplinary Committee. Is my guess correct?"
Wow, I can hear the gears turning in her head from all the way over here. Considering the influence the GSC President has on Kivotos and the authority given to the position, she can't be incompetent, but isn't she a little too capable?
Then again, that must be how she's able to interfere in the internal affairs of various academies and handle things without major complaints arising.
"Waaah, you're not the GSC President for nothing. Yes, your guess is correct. The Head of Gehenna's Disciplinary Committee and I, hoping to improve relations between our two academies, had many conversations via letters and even met in person."
"Is that so. Indeed, if it is the Head of Gehenna's Disciplinary Committee, it is highly likely she would have agreed with the Tea Party Host's plan."
"Ah, but that's not to say I'm expecting the animosity that has built up over many long years to be resolved in one fell swoop! That would be asking for too much. I simply believe that if we repeat this event every year, our efforts will one day bear fruit."
"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step… Yes, I understand completely. So that is the picture you are painting, Host of the Tea Party. Thanks to you, I am now certain."
Hmm…? What does she mean by that?
Well, in this context, she's probably talking about the Eden Treaty, right? I can't think of anything else…
"Trinity, and Gehenna. There is a matter concerning these two academies that I have decided to pursue soon. I must be careful about revealing the details just yet… but this event you have planned will be a great help. Yes, in that case, I must offer you my thanks."
So it was about the Eden Treaty, just as I thought. But why is this person suddenly smiling so cryptically?
"Thank you, Tea Party Host. I do not know what it was, nor how it acted as a catalyst for your change… but to see you, who only ever caused trouble and burdened that person, escape from your own fairy tale and choose a helpful path, brings me great joy. Yes, this time, I am certain that thanks to the Tea Party Host, many things will flow in a better direction."
"Waaah-oh… hey, I have no idea what you're talking about. That person? A fairy tale? Hmm, aren't you leaving out all the context there?"
The truth is, I did understand what she was saying. The GSC President was implying that she knew the path the original Mika was supposed to walk. But that was a conversation I wasn't supposed to understand.
"Perhaps so. You need not think too deeply about it. You may consider it as just some nonsensical rambling from a person tired from work."
No, no, if I hadn't understood you, I would have been feeling uneasy all day. What's with saying everything you want to say and then going, 'You don't understand? Then you can just treat it as nonsense~'?
"I will personally take on the auditor role that the two academies have entrusted to the General Student Council. Yes, this is a truly important matter."
"Ahaha! It's so reassuring to hear you say that, President. Thank you! I'll be counting on you for this☆"
"Yes, you can count on me."
After that, we discussed various other work-related matters, but the GSC President never once brought up the Eden Treaty.
The way she expresses herself is a little different, but this just feels like I'm being Kal'tsit'd. I will not give you the answer you desire… The time is not yet right… Dokutahhhhh!!
Why do you have to express yourself in a way so similar to her… It really makes me want to flick you on the forehead.
"Today's meeting seems to have been a beneficial time for both of us. I hope your journey back is a safe one."
"Yup, you worked hard too, President☆"
Ah, did I mention? The entire time the GSC President was having this conversation with me, she was also doing paperwork. That's not a person; it's definitely an AI that just looks like a person.
"Strike while the iron is hot." It's a saying I'm quite fond of.
Work is the kind of thing where if you put it off once, you'll put it off again, and again. It's better for your peace of mind to take care of things as they come.
In that sense, after finishing my meeting with the GSC President, I held a press conference, inviting various media outlets as I had planned beforehand. On the way back to Trinity, the train service was temporarily suspended for some unknown reason, and I was terrified I might be late, but thankfully, I made it with plenty of time to spare.
After revealing myself this time, it might be a little difficult to use the train every day like I do now. I guess this means it's time for the Tea Party's aides to start their work in earnest?
Honestly, I can't resist the idea of flying around in an airship like it's my personal jet.
"We understand that for the Tea Party's student council president to not only hold a press conference, but to even appear in an official capacity is an unprecedented event that has not occurred in at least several decades! Is there some special background to this decision?"
If you were to ask what the biggest media outlet in Kivotos is, it would undoubtedly be the Chronos School, but there were countless other media outlets, large and small. The same went for broadcasting stations. It was no surprise that the press conference hall was swarming with reporters.
"There is nothing that could be called a special background. To that question, I can only answer that I felt the time had come for the Tea Party to abandon the mystique it has long held."
"Are you aware that the 'joint summer festival between Gehenna and Trinity' you announced today has already taken over the search rankings of various portal sites? Countless people are shocked and awed by the fact that these two academies, famous for being sworn enemies, are hosting such a festival. Could you please say a word about how this amazing event came to be?!"
"…Trinity and Gehenna."
"…?"
"Please be mindful, as this is a sensitive issue. Here, Trinity must always come first. If that is difficult for you, please refer to it as the '20XX Summer Festival'."
"Ah, yes…"
No, this really is a sensitive matter. Historically, when two countries are involved in something like a treaty, it's an unwritten rule to put your own country's name first, isn't it?
And the people of Trinity are more likely to feel favorable toward me for being so sensitive about such a trivial matter. There are definite political, if you want to call them that, reasons included in this.
"I have been informed that many people view this event as a reconciliation between the two academies, or even go a step further and see it as a prelude to an alliance. However, I am here to tell you that all of that, from beginning to end, is not true."
Ugh, speaking in a different tone from my usual self is such a pain. Why does it feel so much harder these days? Should I be using more formal language on a regular basis?
I lightly cleared my throat and continued with the words they wanted to hear.
"This summer festival, to be held this year and every year hereafter, will feature various competitions to determine the superiority between our two academies as its main event. In other words, this is a stage for a duel to the death, merely using the pretext of a festival. It is, so to speak, a small battlefield to gather and resolve the ever-increasing friction between our two academies as the times change. The loser will have to swallow their humiliation and wait with folded hands for the next festival to be held, while the winner will mock the loser without hesitation. Of course, as the prestige of our two academies is on the line, we will not be negligent in the festival's true essence."
No, to be precise, I'm throwing out the words that a certain faction of Trinity wants to hear and ruthlessly fanning the flames. This is how I survive.
"Is there any need to say more? Trinity will stomp Gehenna flat at this festival. Remember this. In the end, Trinity will win."
If I've gone this far, the Pater kids will take care of winning this festival for me. No, they have to win.
…Guys, please, I'm begging you, just win. If we lose, Nagisa is going to kill me!!!