Early August. The weather was hot, and students had already mostly changed into light summer uniforms.
Walking through the campus in the afternoon after school, what met my eyes everywhere were stretches of dazzling, almost blinding white scenery that was oddly captivating.
While quietly admiring it, I couldn't help but think:
If I hadn't managed to stop Mika and Arius back then, what would this academy look like now?
Counting it, it has already been two months since Mika's failed coup.
Because of the internal turmoil that broke out in Trinity, Makoto, like a vulture sensing the smell of rotten meat, forcefully demanded that certain previously agreed clauses of the Eden Treaty be reexamined.
As a result, during this period, what had originally been a nearly completed negotiation between Trinity and Gehenna went through a series of wrangling and reversals. Only today did this deadlock finally come to a temporary pause.
Having just attended a meeting as sensei representing Schale and the adviser for the Student Council at Trinity, I sincerely reflected:
"At last, the time and place for the signing ceremony have been decided. That wasn't easy."
It is set for early September, about twenty days from now. The location will be the Ancient Cathedral, where the first Great Council was held and the formal founding of Trinity was declared.
Interestingly, the choice of venue was proposed by Gehenna.
"Ki ki ki! For a grand event like this, it has to be held in a place that is large and dignified enough to properly showcase the greatness of Makoto-sama!"
That was what the proposer herself said.
Because of this, Makoto even agreed to make concessions in certain areas of benefit distribution. It felt a bit absurd, but it was very much her style.
In truth, even without Makoto's suggestion, the Ancient Cathedral was already the most appropriate choice given its symbolic significance. Trinity naturally had no reason to refuse.
In short, although it took quite a long time, the Eden Treaty finally reaching this stage after so many twists and turns was also a long-standing concern of mine that was about to be settled.
"Hehe."
Hanako beside me covered her mouth and laughed softly.
"Yes, I also didn't expect it would take so long. How should I put it? Is it because the leader of Pandemonium Society and the administrative officer of the Prefect Team are too difficult to deal with, or because our school's way of handling things continues to fully embody its long-standing traditions?"
That's a very roundabout way of saying your own school is bureaucratic and inefficient.
Still, since Hanako had been deeply involved in promoting the Eden Treaty due to owing a favor to the Sisterhood, as well as helping to stabilize the faction that lost Mika as its leader and opposed peace with Gehenna, she did have the qualifications to complain.
"You've worked hard during this time, Hanako."
I paused, then chuckled.
"When I first got invited to serve as sensei for the Make-Up Work Club, I never imagined there would be so many hidden schemes behind the scenes, and that the aftermath would still continue to this day."
If you trace it back, most of Hanako's recent busyness could ultimately be attributed to a certain pink-haired girl currently in prison eating three meals of Swiss roll a day.
Mika didn't actually get the Russian black bread punishment I joked about to Nagisa, I am truly magnanimous and need not say more.
"So compared to sensei, I only did a little insignificant work∼"
Hanako changed the topic.
"By the way, is Mika still unwilling to see you, sensei?"
"Yeah."
Although I felt a bit regretful about not being able to complete Seia's request recently, my mentality remained fairly relaxed.
"It's fine. There will come a day when she's willing. As the saying goes, sincerity can move even metal and stone."
Hanako blinked, looking a bit jealous.
"So sensei means you're going to increase the number of visits to Mika?"
"No."
I said seriously.
"I'll just have the guards increase the number of times they tell her that I visited."
After a brief pause, Hanako couldn't help but laugh.
"Pfft∼ So that's still an option∼"
Looking at her smile, brighter than the sunlight itself, I suddenly felt the summer heat becoming a bit too dry and stifling, so I asked:
"By the way, do you have any plans later?"
"Oh my∼ Is sensei the kind of adult who invites seemingly free young female students to do something interesting together?"
As she spoke, Hanako narrowed her eyes and licked her lips slightly, the soft pink becoming even more alluringly moist.
Already somewhat used to her antics, I immediately replied:
"Yes. So how much are you paying?"
"Huh? I'm the one paying?"
She feigned surprise.
"Hehe∼ That's not impossible∼ Hmm… but I'm still a student, could I get a discount?"
"How much are you paying?"
"Hmm… how about one ice cream?"
I said in rebuttal, "That's way too cheap! What do you take your sensei for?"
At the very least, it should include a few more items and twelve hours of accommodation fees, right? If you enjoy saying provocative things, you should be prepared for actual execution!
Hanako was about to respond when she suddenly noticed something and shifted her gaze to the side.
"Oh? Isn't that Koharu-chan over there?"
I followed her gaze and indeed saw a small girl in Justice Task Force uniform, walking timidly with her head lowered among the crowd. The only striking feature was the pair of pitch-black small chicken wings on her head, sharply contrasting her pink hair.
"It really is Koharu. Should we go say hi?"
Hanako looked genuinely surprised.
"Sensei, surely you're joking?"
Ah, classic Trinity best friends.
I teased, "Why not? Aren't you and Koharu on good terms? You even tease her all the time."
"Haha… I just think Koharu-chan's reactions are interesting."
She paused for a moment.
"Although I don't think you'd misunderstand, I'll clarify anyway. I'm purely heterosexual."
"Uh, and?"
I didn't quite understand why she suddenly said that. There was no ambiguity in my words just now, was there?
"So what I do with Koharu-chan is just a joke. So let's not go greet her today."
…So with me it's not just a joke, huh!?
Her wording was so roundabout that I actually had to think for a moment before catching the implication.
Just as I was about to ignore Koharu, who might become a third wheel, and enjoy a pleasant outing with Hanako...
Hanako suddenly frowned, took out her phone, and her expression shifted unpredictably. She looked up at me apologetically.
"…Sensei, I'm sorry. The Sisterhood suddenly has something urgent for me."
"Ah, I see."
Since it was work, there was nothing I could do. I nodded in understanding.
"Yeah, I got it. It's fine."
"I'll try to make it up to you next time. As for today…"
Hanako pointed toward the figure already disappearing into the distance and smiled.
"You should go play with Koharu-chan∼"
I thought to myself:
Perhaps this is what Trinity best friends are like.
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