After leaving the Yin-Yang Club's building, Shizuko and I walked down the bustling festival street, lively with the crowds drawn by the Cherry Blossom Festival, heading toward the Inner discipline Club.
Shizuko wore a heavy expression, mumbling under her breath.
"Speaking of the Inner discipline Club… the Inner discipline Club…"
"What about them?"
I asked with curiosity, not because I didn't know their usual quirks, but because I wanted to hear what the Inner discipline Club looked like from Shizuko's perspective.
Shizuko sighed anxiously. "I heard the members of the Inner discipline Club are all weirdos…"
"Is that so?" I teased lightly. "Just like you?"
To me, Shizuko was indeed similar to the girls in the Inner discipline Club. Each had a unique personality, each had traits I found endearing.
For example, when Shizuko was teased, she'd get flustered, slip out of her perfect poster-girl persona, reveal her true emotions, then hastily try to cover it back up. It was always amusing.
Just like now.
"Eh, huh!? No, wait…"
Her first reaction was her real voice, confused and startled. Then she quickly forced her tone up again with a smile. "Oh Sensei, stop teasing me∼ What are you talking about∼? Shizuko isn't a weirdo∼ I'm the cutest, cutest poster girl of Hyakkiyako.🎵"
It was true, but it still made me want to laugh.
"…Anyway!" The poster girl returned to the topic. "The Inner discipline Club keeps saying everything they do is for training, even when the activities make no sense at all."
I recalled the promotional video I'd filmed for them earlier and nodded in agreement.
Shizuko began counting on her fingers.
"For example, someone who solves jigsaw puzzles while sleeping and claims it's part of her training."
I nodded. That was definitely Tsubaki.
Among all the relaxed, lazy girls I'd met, Tsubaki had no rivals in the art of sleeping. Hoshino slept during the day because she patrolled all night. Fubuki from the Public Safety Bureau was simply idle by nature. As for Arona… I'd rather not comment.
I had already witnessed Tsubaki's astonishing ability to eat while asleep. Now she could do puzzles too…?
In that case…
If Arona tried hard enough, could she learn to handle my paperwork while sleeping?
Thinking about Arona's work ethic, I wisely abandoned the idea.
"And there's someone who says she wants to become a refined young lady, but for some reason goes around beating up delinquents all over town."
I nodded. That was definitely Kaede.
She dreamed of becoming a proper lady, but her cheerful, energetic personality made her the type to do exactly that.
In fact, I strongly suspected that the Inner discipline Club's reputation being so widespread was mostly thanks to Kaede.
After all, both Tsubaki and Mimori pursued their training in ways that didn't really disturb others.
"And someone who's into traditional Yamato Nadeshiko virtues… and can use telepathy."
I nodded. That was definitely—
…Huh?
Realizing what the word actually meant, then connecting it to certain events that had quietly become undeniable facts, my eyes widened and even my heartbeat stalled for a moment.
I forced myself to speak calmly, but my voice shook slightly.
"T-telepathy? There's something like that? Ahaha, how amusing."
"Who knows? I've only heard rumors. We'd need to see for ourselves to know the truth."
"R-right, of course."
Calm down!
Telepathy? That was just a baseless rumor. Even assuming it were real, though…
Yes, Mimori's dream was to become a Yamato Nadeshiko. Yes, the Inner discipline Club only had three members. Excluding Tsubaki and Kaede, that left only one candidate…
But what if... just what if... The Inner discipline Club actually had a mysterious fourth member with the exact same aspirations as Mimori?
Even if Mimori really had telepathy, such an overpowered skill would definitely have limits. Just like the authority granted to me by the credit card.
Worst case scenario, if there were no restrictions at all, and she happened to read my mind at the exact moment I had certain… unspeakable thoughts…
Then…
Actually, thinking about it, if that happened and Mimori still continued interacting with me normally, that would mean she had already accepted it.
After all, there was nothing wrong with my thoughts! If Mimori knew and didn't object, then in that case, wouldn't that make us mutually interested?
In other words, I had nothing to worry about.
I convinced myself and finally exhaled, regaining full composure, only to realize I was drenched in sweat.
Shizuko, still preoccupied with her own concerns, hadn't noticed my panic at all. She continued, "Anyway, can those weirdos really help…? Hmm… never mind, no more negative thinking!"
Right! No more negative thinking! I would absolutely not suffer a social death!
I nodded vigorously, wholeheartedly agreeing and silently praising Shizuko's wisdom.
As expected of the poster girl of Hyakkiyako and possibly my future.. okay, pause, I need a moment...
Shizuko slapped her cheeks to hype herself up, then smiled determinedly. "You won't know until you try! Alright! Let's hurry to the Inner discipline Club!"
…Could I choose not to go?
At this point, there was no chance to say something like that aloud.
Just as I was drowning in inner conflict...
A thunderous blast erupted only ten meters away. Shrapnel shot toward me, but Infinity from temu activated just in time, deflecting it past my side. It left nothing more than a small tear in my clothes.
A cloud of choking smoke spread. Coughing, I covered my nose and mouth, quickly taking out a handkerchief and offering it to Shizuko, who had breathed in more dust than I had and was coughing violently.
"Cough… th-thank you." With her voice muffled behind the handkerchief, Shizuko sputtered, "W-what is it this time!?"
As if in response, a familiar, arrogant laugh rang out.
"Hmphahaha! This time we'll definitely ruin the Cherry Blossom Festival! Street Mouryo has arrived!"
"This time we'll crush you for the sake of our great leader!"
As the dust cleared, two girls stood at the front of a group of dozens of delinquents. One wore a tengu mask and cackled loudly, while the other, wearing a traditional Noh mask, declared her resolve.
"It's Street Mouryo again! They never learn!" Shizuko gritted her teeth.
Street Mouryo again! Perfect timing! I was delighted.
Thanks to this group's appearance, I could delay things with a perfectly valid excuse… at least long enough to mentally prepare myself.
I really was a little scared to face Mimori.
Shizuko slung her shotgun from her back, furious. "Fine! If that's how it is, I'll take you on!"