Hifumi summoning her Peroros sparked a deep, thirty-minute-long conversation about Momo Friends.
...I'll be censoring the details of that conversation to protect what little is left of my dignity. It's too embarrassing to even mention.
Anyway, the result was that Azusa, as if it were her destiny all along, became a full-fledged Momo Friends fan. It was then that I belatedly realized something: Azusa wasn't wearing her wing and head ornaments yet.
Until recently... no, even now, Azusa is a member of the Arius Squad, and her uniform is generally plain. There are no flashy, frilly, or girlish decorations to be found anywhere.
I suspect that when the original Mika secretly enrolled Azusa in Trinity, she personally took the lead in styling her to her own tastes. Azusa may like cute things, but we can't forget that she was born and raised in Arius. How could a girl who received harsh military training in such a gloomy place adorn herself so lavishly that she would stand out even in a prestigious school like Trinity? It had to be the work of an expert. And since the only ones in Trinity who use wing ornaments are Azusa and Mika, the most likely culprit is... wait, it's me?
"Hmm... no matter how I think about it, it's strange. To think that such a cute creature exists in this world..."
"Ahaha... they don't actually exist, Azusa-chan..."
If you're wondering why I'm bringing this up now, the answer is so simple it's almost funny. It's to prevent Azusa's wings, clothes, and hair from being corrupted by the influence of Momo Friends.
In other words, I have to take responsibility for styling Azusa to be as close to her original design as possible. Before a catastrophe occurs—before Peroro and Nikolai ornaments are attached to her wings, and before the Skullman is emblazoned on her chest brooch instead of the Arius skull insignia—I will protect the original Azusa. I must.
There's just one minor problem: the only flower ornament I can remember Azusa wearing is a rose... but I'm sure I can find something if I look up information on roses. In the world of Blue Archive, especially when it comes to character design, everything, no matter how trivial it seems, has a meaning.
"By the way, why were you two wearing those gas masks when I first saw you...?" Hifumi asked.
"...I was on guard against anyone who might try to poison the drinks."
"I just didn't want Azusa-chan to feel lonely."
"..."
Hearing Atsuko's words, Azusa looked at her with an expression of utter shock, as if she had been betrayed. I guess she mistakenly thought Atsuko had agreed with her reasoning.
"Aww... poisoning the drinks? Do you really think someone would do something that horrible...?"
"I don't know. But in a new environment, you must always assume the worst and be on your guard. That's how you can respond appropriately to any situation."
"Azusa-chan, you're so cautious, just like a squirrel."
"..."
This time, it was clearly a tease, and Azusa shot Atsuko a glare with a pouty 'ᓀ ‸ ᓂ' expression. Seeing these small, quiet moments of everyday life was exactly what I wanted to give to the children of Arius, and it brought a smile to my face.
"You know, Azusa's not entirely wrong. Punch bowls are structured in a way that makes it easy for someone to secretly spike them with alcohol."
It's a surprisingly common trope. It's just that it's difficult for students to get their hands on alcohol. Then again, if one were determined enough to scour the Black Market, it wouldn't be impossible, but is there really any reason to go to such lengths just to spike a party drink?
"Actually, if someone did spike the drinks with alcohol, I'd probably thank them... Ah, hey. Guys? Sorry, but please forget I just said that! Nagi-chan will kill me if she hears."
"...Ahaha."
"Umm... Mika-senpai, I think it's already too late..."
At the girls' words, I slowly tilted my head up, met Nagisa's icy glare, and immediately looked back down. But the chillingly cold smirk on her lips was already vividly imprinted in my memory.
"Ahem! If anyone were to spike the drinks with alcohol, I would personally find them and give them a stern talking-to... ahahat."
"Now you see the necessity of always being on guard, don't you?"
It seemed I had to face the fact that it was far too late. Why do I keep failing to sense Nagisa's presence? I've never failed to notice someone getting this close before, but with Nagisa, it's different.
...Could it be that I instinctively see her as someone who would never harm me?
And why did Azusa's triumphant words have to sound so resentful? Why are you using me as a cautionary tale to lecture the others?
"Don't worry too much, Mika-oneechan. I'll get scolded with you."
...Oh my god, I swear, our Atsuko is the reason I'm still alive. What am I going to do with this angelic child?
I thought I heard a 'Ha?' from behind me, but it must have been my imagination. Nagisa would never make a sound like that. My ears must be playing tricks on me.
"Mika-san, I have no intention of scolding you for a few words like that, so please don't worry. It's not as if I didn't already know you were a delinquent."
"Oh? Was I being seen as a delinquent by you, Nagi-chan? That's a little sad, you know..."
"The whiskey you hid under your desk in the office. Did you really think I wouldn't find it?"
"...Eh?"
Wait, Nagisa, how did you—?! I went through the trouble of disguising myself so perfectly that no one who knew me would ever recognize me, just to sneak into the Black Market. You're telling me I got caught? That's impossible...!
"There was an attendant who happened to witness your crime that day. And since that person happens to be from my faction, I was able to easily find out your movements and your purpose for visiting the Black Market."
"...In that case, I'll have to deal with that person—"
"Mika-san, you're not planning on talking about harassing a member of my faction in front of me, are you? Of course not, I must have misheard you."
No, I was just going to get on my knees and beg them to look the other way next time...
"The student council president, who should be a role model for others. The Tea Party Host, who is now no different from a public figure. To think that you would try to persecute a child who was simply doing her job, when you were the one who committed the wrongdoing..."
Oh dear, my goose is cooked...
I should just die. My dear whiskey, which I can no longer reach, I'll be joining you soon. If I tie a box of ammunition to my feet and throw myself into that lake, I should be able to sink to the bottom.
"Have you reflected on your actions?"
"...Yes."
How did I end up in a situation where I was brewing tea at a party? After pouring the sixth cup of black tea, I was finally forgiven by Nagisa and allowed to return to my seat.
I'd learned a thing or two by watching, so the tea turned out quite well. The moment Nagisa sat at our table, attendants bustled over with desserts, so we were able to fully enjoy the tea's flavor. Come to think of it, the Filius Faction girls are really working hard, preparing for the party and serving everyone.
"Hifumi-san... we met recently. Hanako-san, I believe this is the first time we've met since then. Have you been well?" Nagisa asked.
"Yes, of course~. Fufu, and thanks to Mika-senpai, the people who were bothering me are gone, so it's been nice to be able to return to my peaceful daily life. It would be a lie to say everything is perfect, but Mika-senpai's advice has been a great help."
"Pardon? Mika-san's advice? Was there...? No, it can't be. That was clearly a joke..."
Ah, she's broken. She lasted a long time.
Nagisa's hand, holding her teacup, was trembling, so I gently guided it back down to the saucer before any problems could arise.
"Mika-san... what on earth have you done to this innocent underclassman...?"
"Wh-what? I didn't think she'd actually do it..."
No, seriously. I won't say I wasn't hoping for this outcome, but I never imagined she'd actually go through with it just from my words alone.
"Still, I'm glad it helped you, Hanako-chan. ☆"
"Mika-san! How could you say that... sigh."
"Aww... are you alright, Nagisa-sama...?"
"No, I am not alright at all..."
Nagisa closed her eyes and pressed a hand to her forehead, letting out a deep sigh. Beside her, Hanako let out a light "fufut" as Hifumi looked on, at a loss.
And through it all, our Azusa was endlessly inhaling desserts. Her cheeks are so puffed out, she really does look like a squirrel.
As for Atsuko...
"...Mika-oneechan."
"Hm?"
"Here, say 'ah'."
Oh. What is this feeling of déjà vu? Seeing Atsuko holding out a piece of roll cake on a fork... ah, right. It was Haruna, that time. Nagisa's case was when I was sick, so I think that was a little different.
Hmm, was it different? It probably was.
Well, at least I've experienced this once before, and Atsuko feels like a cute little sister, so it's not too overwhelming. With Haruna, I seriously thought I was going to die of embarrassment. That sly devil.
"Thanks, Atsuko-chan."
Her smile as I took the cake was unbearably cute. The stares from those around us seemed to have gotten a bit strange, but seeing Atsuko so happy made me happy too.
"...You were so embarrassed that time, but why not today?"
"Hm? Did you say something, Nagi-chan?"
"...No. It's just a nice sight."
Tsk, I really don't think that's what she meant. If she's talking about the time she fed me porridge, it's only natural that I was embarrassed. Today just feels like a cute little sister being affectionate, so it's not a big deal.
Hmm, did it look different from Nagisa's perspective...?
"You are Hakari Atsuko-san of the Arius Squad, correct? The head of the Arius faction."
"Yes, that's right. Though the 'head' part isn't official yet."
"Mika-san said she plans on entrusting it to you, so it's reasonable to assume that's how it will be. Once you advance to the high school division, we'll likely be seeing each other often, given our positions."
"...Sorry, I don't really know about things like that yet."
"Hmm..."
Nagisa observed Atsuko as if sizing her up. Since she knew I wanted to promote Atsuko to be one of the Tea Party heads, this might have been her way of evaluating a potential successor.
"It's not an urgent matter, so we can think about it after you've entered high school, Atsuko-san. I was being hasty. There is something else more important I wished to discuss."
"...?"
"I heard that you were the one who saved Mika-san's life. For saving my precious friend... thank you, from the bottom of my heart."
"Um, it was my duty. What Mika-oneechan did for Arius isn't a debt that can be repaid simply with a life... so it's not something you need to thank me for."
"Even so, the fact that you saved Mika-san will never change. I would like to maintain a good relationship with you from now on, Atsuko-san."
"...Then, can I call you Nagisa-san?"
"Yes, please call me whatever you're comfortable with."
Seeing the two of them getting along so well, the future of Arius looks bright. Having earned the favor of both me and Nagisa, and with the support of the Sisterhood... at this rate, it wouldn't be surprising if there's a major shift in Trinity's power structure in the near future.
"Ah, that's right. Nagi-chan, did you open your presents?"
"Yes, though there were so many I couldn't open them all. But I did see the ones from you and Hifumi-san."
I'd seen earlier that a whole table in the transformed office was piled high with presents. I hadn't expected there to be that many when I left mine with the Filius girls. I was strangely touched that she'd managed to find mine and Hifumi's in all that.
To be honest, I'd bought Atsuko's and Azusa's gifts when I was buying mine, so they were practically from me anyway. I'd offered to buy gifts for Hanako and Hifumi too, but they'd refused, saying they'd prepare their own.
"I'll check the others later and thank them personally. Your gift was brought to me by my girls, and Hifumi-san's was so conspicuous that I couldn't miss it..."
The moment I heard that, I had a thought. Hifumi did a Hifumi again.
Was it you again, O mighty Peroro-sama?
After a while of chatting in a relatively cheerful atmosphere, when the mood was right, everyone gathered to celebrate Nagisa's birthday. It turns out they sing the birthday song before blowing out the candles here, too.
Was I the only one who felt a pang of sadness seeing Azusa and Atsuko, who had grown up in Arius, just clapping along because they didn't know the words? I'll have to ask Atsuko for the Squad members' birthdays later. I have a feeling that if I don't celebrate them, they won't even celebrate among themselves.
Anyway, it's a relief to see everyone getting along. When a group of people forms, it's often difficult for new members to fit in, but with Hifumi, whose friendliness stat is maxed out, I don't think there will be any problems bringing Koharu in next year. Hanako and Atsuko also seem like they'd get along well with her.
"Mika-san."
"Hm?"
"Today... was truly wonderful. It was full of unexpected events, and I was surprised and flustered in many ways... but from beginning to end, there wasn't a single part that I wasn't satisfied with."
Most of the guests had gone home, and as we were helping with the cleanup, Nagisa leaned against the office railing and spoke calmly.
"Ahaha, I'm glad you had fun! It makes all the hard work feel worthwhile. Actually, hearing you say that makes me even more grateful. ☆"
The day had felt so long, yet at the same time, I couldn't help but feel it was too short. There were so many more things I wanted to do for her, but it's a shame that time is limited.
"Hey, Nagi-chan. Tomorrow, do you want to play a little more of that chess we left off?"
"...I'd like that."
But time isn't just for today. As long as I'm here, the future we have together will be dozens of times longer than the past.
And so, I can only pray that when the day comes for me to reveal the whole truth, everything doesn't fall apart.
For you, who have become so precious to me... and for myself, who have filled everything with lies.
Just as the ground hardens after the rain, I hope we can safely weather the storm that is sure to come.