Something was wrong.
I had been passing the time waiting for Nagisa to wake up, and ended up falling asleep next to her. But when I opened my eyes, I found myself tucked into the bed. Not only that, but Nagisa was lying right there in front of me, a gentle smile on her face. I couldn't help but find the situation a little strange.
This was her reaction, after what I'd just done? I could understand her moving me to the bed out of kindness, but... as nice as it was, that serene smile was something I couldn't explain. And there was something about her eyes, too… something I couldn't quite put my finger on.
"Hey, Nagi-chan. How long have you been awake?"
"Fufu... I wonder? I think it's definitely been over two hours, though."
"So you're the one who put me in bed...?"
"I suppose it would have been around the same time. Why, is something bothering you?"
"Ahaha, I don't know if 'bothering' is the right word... But more importantly, Nagi-chan, was it hard carrying me?"
I'm definitely not heavy. I won't mention my exact weight for... reasons, but it's not easy for a high school girl under 160cm to be that heavy in the first place.
The real issue was Nagisa's own strength. Unlike the girls who race for a living, the physical abilities of Kivotos students vary greatly. Some are of average strength or even weaker. Nagisa and Hifumi fall into the former category, while girls like Seia or Millennium's super-genius sickly beauty fall into the latter. So, it couldn't have been easy for Nagisa to lift and carry me.
"No, you were so light, Mika-san, it was quite manageable. And besides, Mika-san, don't you have something to say to me?"
"Ah... uh, umm... Well... Ahaha, I'm back...?"
"..."
Hey, you don't have to look so genuinely disgusted, Nagi-chan! It works just fine when Hoshino says it, why not me?!
Hina, I guess I can't be like Hoshino Takanashi after all. Sob.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry for making you worry, Nagi-chan."
"And? That's not all, is it?"
"...I'll never do it again?"
"Hmm. Alright. I'll let it go this one time, so make sure you keep your promise. Understood?"
"Huh? Is that really it? What, seriously? I was expecting something more... explosive."
Honestly, I was surprised. Her reaction was completely different from what I'd anticipated. Nagisa is usually gentle, polite, and graceful, but she can be a little scary when she's angry. But seeing her smiling like this when she should be angry is actually even scarier. I was terrified of what she might say. I was half-expecting her to deliver a devastating blow with a smile on her face.
"Fufu, would you prefer that I did, Mika-san?"
"Ahaha, no! Not at all, so please, don't..."
"Very well. I'm sure your love reached those children from Arius, so I'm sure you'll be rewarded for it someday. That is why I'm letting it go this time."
...So it was for political reasons?
"Well, I think I've already received my reward. Actually, I feel like I'm the one in their debt now."
"...Pardon?"
"Well, the only reason I made it back alive is thanks to Atsuko-chan... one of the Arius Squad members. You could say she's the person who saved my life. ☆"
"...I see. In that case, I too must thank her personally."
Phew. I let out a sigh of relief at Nagisa's calm nod. It seems she did hear from Seia that I could have died. I'm glad I didn't try to beat around the bush or hide it.
"I was so very worried, Mika-san. I can't tell you how happy I am that you've returned safely."
As she spoke, Nagisa reached out and cupped my cheek. The warmth of her touch was so comforting it felt like I was melting, but I couldn't help but wonder what had gotten into her. I didn't think she was the type to initiate physical contact like this. Hmm, it probably just means she was that worried about me, right? I think that's the right way to take it.
...By the way, I guess this kind of skinship isn't that strange for girls. If so, what does that make me, who got all flustered just for brushing a few strands of hair out of her face?
"Ahaha, I'm also very grateful that I get to see you again like this, Nagi-chan!"
"...Fufu, is that so? I'm happy to hear you say that, Mika-san."
But really, what is this strange feeling? She sounds like the usual Nagisa, but the aura she's giving off is a little different...
"We should probably get up now. I was of no help at all during last night's operation, so the least I can do is make sure the cleanup is handled properly."
"Nagi-chan, you're too diligent for your own good. No one would say a thing if you stayed in bed for another day. Sometimes, it's good for the mind and body to just skip out on work, you know?"
"It wasn't by choice, but I've already had plenty of rest, haven't I? My conscience won't allow me to be any lazier."
With that, Nagisa sat up. I couldn't stay in a patient bed forever either, so I turned to get up. I say "turned to get up" because I failed to actually get up.
Grab. Thump—
"Wh-wha? Hey, Nagi-chan...?"
Nagisa suddenly grabbed my left wrist and lifted it above my head. The move was so unexpected that despite the difference in our strength, my arm was easily pinned. Then, she placed a hand next to my face, leaned over me, and smiled. Hey, I may not know much about girls, but even I know this is not normal friend behavior.
"Mika-san, I'll be borrowing your scrunchie."
"Nagi-chan, couldn't you have just asked...?"
"Shh, be quiet. For the next week, Mika-san, you are not to talk back to me. I may have let it go for now, but I'm not entirely over my anger."
Nagisa deftly pulled the scrunchie from my wrist and used it to tie her hair back, smiling brightly. The way her eyes curved into crescents was so charming that I thought any man would be helpless but to fall for her.
My suspicion grew. Maybe I was overreacting, but today's Nagisa was definitely different from her usual self.
"Let's go get some breakfast. You should get up too, Mika-san. We have a mountain of work to do today, so we probably won't be able to go home until late tonight. It would be best to eat a hearty meal."
Nagisa got out of bed and started humming as she changed her clothes. I quickly looked away. Did she really have to climb over me to get out of bed...? And why did she have to take my scrunchie like that?
Her ears had been slightly red the whole time we were talking, and now this... Could it be...? Nah, no way. It must be my imagination. Why is my brain so determined to read into every little thing?
"Hey, Nagi-chan?"
"Yes, Mika-san? What is it?"
"Do you have a swimsuit?"
A brief silence followed my question. It didn't last long, however, broken by a small sigh that escaped Nagisa's lips. The sigh seemed to be a mix of relief and disappointment, and I had a feeling that wasn't just my imagination.
"No, the one I have probably doesn't fit anymore."
"Ahaha, then let's go pick one out together! I need to buy one for the summer festival."
"Very well, then. It's not urgent, so we can take our time deciding when to go."
"Okay, okay. And also—"
"Is there something else?"
"Do you want to go to an amusement park together soon?"
"...Yes, I'd like that."
Even if this wasn't all in my head, it was a difficult issue for me to make a decision on.
After all, I was just a fake, living the life of Nagisa's most precious friend in her place.
Breakfast was a classic English breakfast. If one had to eat British food for all three meals of the day, at least breakfast would be a safe bet. Scrambled eggs, bacon, toast with orange marmalade, and a hash brown. And of course, the quintessential Trinity beverage: milk tea. It was nothing short of a luxurious morning meal. Besides, the restaurants in Trinity's central district prioritize plating, whether the food is good or not, so it was a feast for the eyes as well.
I discreetly took a photo and sent it to Haruna. When I mentioned it to Nagisa, she made a somewhat uneasy face before eventually nodding and letting it go. My suspicion was slowly turning into certainty.
After breakfast, we headed to the office and tackled the day's work. We worked well past noon, and then reports started coming in from Miné and Sakurako that the cleanup in Arius was more or less complete.
After contacting the Valkyrie Police School and the General Student Council, we continued to chip away at the mountain of work. It was probably around this time that the news of the Arius Branch School's re-integration into Trinity began to spread among the upper echelons.
The Arius Branch School, a faction that had been branded as heretical and effectively exiled long ago, was now rejoining Trinity under the leadership of a Tea Party Host. For some, it might have been a simple piece of news. But for the factions that were constantly vying for power behind the scenes, it was an entirely different story.
And the Arius Branch School was not small. It was much larger than the minor factions, and while it had certainly declined from its former glory, it was still just a step below the major factions. So, for those who were sensitive about their slice of the pie, it was a very serious matter.
The position of Tea Party Host didn't come with dictatorial power, so I had to spend the entire afternoon dealing with them. If Nagisa hadn't been there, I might have exploded. Fortunately, my recent actions had left a good impression on a good number of the moderate factions, so there were fewer of them to deal with than I had expected.
"...So, you're saying the priority is to enroll this 'Arius Squad' and the twenty-eight students selected by the Sisterhood into the high school and middle school divisions first? And that all younger students will be admitted without exception?" Nagisa asked.
"Yep, that's right. Sakurako-chan selected the twenty-eight who are most likely to be able to start their studies at Trinity without causing any major problems. They'll need intensive support with their studies, but the Sisterhood has promised to help with that."
"And you, Mika-san, will be personally responsible for the five members of this Squad. Hmm..."
"That's right! If the children from the Arius Branch School manage to adapt to Trinity, I'm thinking of putting one of them in our position one day. ☆"
"I see. Then, on to the next item on the agenda: this year's budget."
I believe Atsuko has what it takes to one day hold a seat at the Tea Party. Her natural charm and grace are her greatest weapons; with them, she'll surely be able to win many people to her side. To do that, however, we must first prove that Arius can be a beneficial faction... no, a beneficial branch for Trinity's future. But with the reformed Squad girls leading the way, I believe it's more than possible.
My workload and my worries had both increased dramatically, but I was grateful that everything had worked out so well, and I was willing to bear the weight.
There was no Kyrie for the maidens here, no Kyrie Eleison. But this was the ending I had wished for more than anything.
And finally, the month of June, which had felt so very long, came to an end.