In life, you sometimes come across a stroke of completely unexpected luck.
By that same token, it's only natural that you sometimes run into a stroke of completely unexpected misfortune.
And every once in a while, these misfortunes pile up, one on top of the other, until they snowball into a massive disaster.
My first misfortune of the day was realizing I'd left my phone somewhere. Since my movements are pretty limited and my phone has fingerprint recognition, it shouldn't have been a huge problem.
But that's when the second misfortune struck.
Screeeech—
An unidentified car slammed on its brakes right in front of me, coming to a dead stop. It left skid marks on the pavement, a sight so sudden it left me dumbfounded.
The rear door opened, and a student stepped out with a dignified stride. Her ruby-red eyes curved into a languid smile as she looked at me.
"It's been a while, Vice Chief."
"...Haruna-chan?"
"Yes. If you are calling for your partner, who has sworn to walk the endless path of gastronomy with you, then that would be me. Fufufu…"
What are you… no, how are you here? And when did I ever swear to that?!
"Are you perhaps wondering how we found you, Mika-san? To put it simply, ever since you revealed your identity as a Tea Party Host, your movements have become considerably easier to track. It was no small effort, mind you, but thanks to that, we were able to appear before you at this perfect moment."
"Haha, I see. Yeah, now that my identity is public, it's nearly impossible to hide my tracks. But… why are you getting closer, Haruna-chan?"
"Fufu."
What is this suffocating atmosphere? The moment Haruna appeared, my instincts started screaming at me.
Right. This was the feeling of dread, the fear that I might be 'corrupted.' A vision flashed through my mind: me, laughing alongside the infamous terrorists of the Gourmet Research Society, blowing up restaurants as a matter of daily routine. It felt like I'd just had an unwilling glimpse into a future I should never have seen.
Perhaps this was the true meaning of cosmic horror…?
"Mika-san."
"Y-Yes?!"
A bewitching smile graced Haruna's lips as she closed the distance between us. As she drew nearer, the fresh scent of citrus washed over me… No, this is no time to be thinking about Haruna's perfume.
"Wait, Haruna-chan! Stop! If you come any closer…!"
"If I come closer…?"
"Whoa-oh…"
"Now that I'm here, what will you do to me? Fufu."
My thoughts finally short-circuited, overwhelmed by Haruna, who was now so close that the slightest movement would bring our faces together. I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks.
I could see Haruna's face was just as red as mine, but our situations were completely different. While she was feeling shy, she had overcome it. I, on the other hand, was incapable of rational thought.
"The position of Vice Chief of our Gourmet Research Society… Are you really going to turn it down?"
I-I'll take it…?
No, damn it. That was a close call. Thankfully, I didn't say it out loud. Why the hell isn't my damn Mystique freaking out now, screaming 'Demons are evil!!! Reject them!!!'? I'm still sore about the bet it forced me into, and now it picks this moment to mess with my blood pressure.
"Haruna-chan, can you please back up a little? And we're attracting attention here, let's go somewhere quieter to…"
"Oh my, if you're going to be so forward, Mika-san—"
"Stop! That's not it! You know that's not what I meant, Haruna-chan!"
"Fufu. Your reactions are so amusing, Mika-san, that I got a little carried away."
Haruna finally took a step back, and I could breathe again.
This… this sly little devil. She flustered me when we first met, and she's still just as good at playing with people's hearts…!
"Yes, very well. Let's talk somewhere quiet. But before that."
"Hmm?"
"Could you close your eyes for just a moment? It will only take a second."
I should not have closed my eyes.
I really shouldn't have. But I didn't have the strength to refuse Haruna when she asked with that bewitching smile.
Pop.
"Mmph?!"
Feeling something pushed into my mouth, I snapped my eyes open. Haruna's fingers were touching my lips, a cat-like smile on her face. The object in my mouth quickly began to dissolve in my saliva.
This taste… is it chocolate? But something's wrong. As the chocolate melted, some strange liquid inside…
?????
"I didn't want to resort to such methods. So this is your fault, Mika-san. I thought we were good friends, but then you sold us out to the Head Prefect so cruelly. And after that, you wouldn't even give me a straight answer when I asked you to have a meal together, just that you'd 'think about it'…"
…I'll admit it. That part was my fault. I feel the need to reflect on my actions.
But even so, this horrific taste… I haven't even swallowed it yet, and my consciousness is already fading from its sheer potency…
Isn't this going too far, Haruna? Besides, didn't you say I didn't have the right to refu— ah. The answer was already there.
"Just take a little nap, Vice Chief. Fufu."
All the strength drained from my body. As I started to collapse, Haruna caught me in an embrace, whispering in my ear with a soft laugh.
Thanks to her, I can say one thing for sure.
Whoever made this, I just hope they never give it to someone as a 'friendship chocolate' on Valentine's Day. For the recipient's sake.
When I opened my eyes, I was in a rattling car. At the same time, I felt a soft sensation against my head… my cheek, to be exact. On top of that, someone was gently stroking my hair.
'You've been kidnapped.'
A familiar line played automatically in my head. Honestly, this was my fault for being careless. But Haruna was just too bewitching…
"Oh, you're awake. We've almost arrived at our destination. Perfect timing, isn't it?"
"Hngh… destination…?"
"Why, Millenium, of course. I told you before about that handmade hamburger place that's become so popular, didn't I?"
"…All the way from Trinity to Millenium by car?"
Wait, I was out cold for the entire drive? Then…
"What in the world did you feed me?!"
"Let's see… I just took a few of the things Izumi-san usually eats, mixed them together, liquefied them, and injected the mixture into a hollow chocolate. To be honest, I never imagined you'd be unconscious for this long…"
"…You didn't test that on anyone, did you?"
"Well, Izumi-san did say she couldn't possibly eat it and spit it out. So I thought it might be enough to incapacitate you for a little while… I'm sorry, Vice Chief."
Ah… could you please stop stroking my hair while you apologize, Haruna? This is something I really shouldn't forgive so easily, but I can't help but feel my resolve weakening. And her lap is so soft, I feel like I could fall asleep again.
"Hey, what time is it? It doesn't look like night… ah, right, we're in Millenium."
I was unconscious for the entire long drive from Trinity to Millenium, which means it has to be at least the next afternoon. I'd been hovering on the brink of death for over 18 hours.
"…Ugh, is it a relief that I'm only two days behind on work? Okay, if we turn around and head for the airport to go back to Trinity right now, I can probably manage this. A silver lining, I guess."
"What? Right now? You've come all this way, surely you'll stay and have a hamburger with us, won't you?"
"Haruna-chan, you can't be serious right now."
"…"
"No, no, this is not something you can solve by just looking away from me!"
"…As I said before, this is entirely your fault, Mika-san. If you had just agreed to a date from the beginning, I wouldn't have had to go to such lengths."
"Whoa-oh."
Oh, I'm going to lose my mind. It's my own damn fault for knowing exactly what Haruna is like and still not sending a simple reply to eat with her. But I was out for over half a day. I can't even imagine what might have happened in that time.
Most importantly, what about Nagisa? I really hope Seia had some kind of prophetic dream and warned her. Considering Nagisa's reaction on the day I was isekai'd, it wouldn't be surprising if she'd completely lost it.
I need to contact her somehow, but the problem is, I don't have my phone. First thing's first—
"Mika-san, you're not really planning on just going back, are you…?"
Ah, I really shouldn't do this. But seeing those drooping eyes and that trembling gaze, on the verge of tears, my mouth just moved on its own…
"F-Fine, I get it! We can eat first!"
"Fufu, wonderful. The plan is a success."
I've done it now. I'm trash…
As soon as she got the answer she wanted, Haruna's expression changed completely. She smiled gently and guided my head back onto her lap. Trying to get back in my good graces like this…
Mika the Meerkat has been deceived.
"Hey, Prez~! So when are you gonna introduce us to the Vice Chief?"
Just then, a voice came from the front seat, followed by the rustling of a snack bag. I didn't even need to look. It was Shishidou Izumi. I have a certain fondness for the champion who destroyed the Game Rating and Administration Committee, but right now, at this very moment, I despise her. If it weren't for her penchant for bizarre food, I wouldn't have been kidnapped so absurdly.
"…Hey, Haruna-chan. You didn't actually introduce me to the other members as the Vice Chief, did you?"
"What? What a strange question. You are the only one with enough passion for the path of gastronomy to deserve the title of Vice Chief of the Gourmet Research Society, Mika-san."
No, I'm not passionate about it at all. Why are you so determined to lump me in with you…? I distinctly remember telling you that your path of gastronomy was wrong!
"I must admit, I agree with you on that point☆ A Vice Chief who betrays her own members is something to reconsider… but isn't gastronomy itself, and the path of those who pursue it, a matter of survival of the fittest?"
This time, another voice came from the driver's seat. She was the hidden madness of the Gourmet Research Society, a fellow student in Haruna's year. A big eater with a personality completely opposite to her gentle appearance…
"Nice to meet you, Mika-san! I'm Wanibuchi Akari☆ Oofufu, I look forward to working with you."
"Yo! I'm Shishidou Izumi! Hey, what's your favorite food, Vice Chief? I like everything, but hamburgers are my favorite!"
"No, even if you both say that… I never said I'd be the Vice Chief."
"…Oh my. Does that mean someone who isn't even our Vice Chief offered us as a sacrifice to the Head Prefect?"
In that moment, I saw Akari's dark eyes as she glanced back at me. I did what anyone in a disadvantageous position would do.
I kept my mouth shut.
"Hah, come to think of it…! Vice Chief, why did you throw us to the Head Prefect back then?! I thought I was really gonna starve to death!"
"Because students like you kept bothering that poor girl! As her friend, it's only natural that I'd want her to suffer a little less. So, see? I did nothing wrong."
"…Hey, Prez, is this person really okay?! She's talking like she'll sell us out to the Prefect Team any chance she gets!"
That's right, I will. So please stop calling me Vice Chief. If you don't, I'll sell you out every chance I get until you do.
After I said that to Izumi, Haruna gave me a strange look and asked a question.
"Mika-san, I have something I'm curious about. May I ask?"
"Sure, what is it?"
"We are friends, aren't we?"
"Hmm… I guess so? When you called me a kindred spirit, I did agree."
"And the Head Prefect is your friend as well."
"I suppose…?"
No, why do I already have a feeling I know what logic she's going to use to sway me? If she tries to torment me with that bewitching face again, I won't forgive her, Kurodate Haruna…!
With that thought, I sat up. It felt like we were about to have a serious conversation, and how sincere could I possibly sound while getting a lap pillow?
"If both I and the Head Prefect are your friends… why won't you take my side? Aren't friends supposed to be equals?"
After a moment of thought, Haruna posed the question. It was what I had expected, but with an unexpected angle attached.
Friends, and equality.
Her words weren't entirely wrong, but in reality, they were. How could anyone treat every single person the same? Strangers are different from friends, lovers are different from friends, and family is certainly different from friends.
And even between two friends, there are differences. You might have known one longer, or you might just click better with the other. That's just an unavoidable part of being human.
"Haruna-chan, if you ask me to choose between you and the Head Prefect, nine times out of ten, I'll choose the Head Prefect."
"And… why is that?"
I chose my words carefully. I didn't want to hurt Haruna by misspeaking.
"It's not a matter of who I like more. It's a matter of right and wrong. As I said before, I think your extreme methods are wrong, don't I?"
"However, shouldn't a restaurant have an obligation to meet its customers' expectations in exchange for their money? Even if they don't exceed expectations, they must at least meet the minimum standards for their price. A substandard restaurant that fails to do even that should not exist. That is my creed."
"Haha, Haruna-chan, that creed of yours is exactly what causes trouble for the Head Prefect. How can I call myself her friend if I just stand by and watch someone constantly add to the burden of a girl who's already working without a moment's rest?"
To be honest, I don't have very high expectations for Haruna. I mean, she's the one who continues her terrorist activities even after Sensei arrives in Kivotos. Realistically, correcting her tendencies would be difficult, so I just hope that, at least when I'm around, she refrains from blowing up restaurants.
"Look, if you go around blowing up restaurants in the Gehenna district, Hina-chan, who is also my friend, gets busier. If you blow up restaurants in Trinity, my workload increases. See? Neither one is a welcome outcome for me."
"Fufu. Then I suppose it's alright to blow up restaurants in Millenium."
"No, hey! Haruna-chan, that's not what I was talking about!"
"Yes, yes, I was only joking. Well, half-joking."
Hearing Haruna's reply, I leaned my head against the window and closed my eyes. I was now certain that Haruna was not a girl I could handle on my own.
"Mika-san."
"Yeah. What's up?"
"Still… I wish you would take my side."
With those words, Haruna turned to look out the window. I had no way of knowing what thoughts had led her to say that, or what she was thinking now.
[This is Sorasaki Hina, Head Prefect of Gehenna.]
[This is Kirifuji Nagisa, one of Trinity's Tea Party Hosts. There is no time to waste, so I will be direct, Head Prefect of Gehenna.]
[…Regarding what?]
[Where is Mika-san right now?]
Misono Mika's final misfortune.
It was that the bonds she had formed were far too numerous, and far too deep.