As it turned out, the game design of having a mini-boss, a mid-way boss, and a final boss was quite logical, a proper progression of difficulty.
But now, Sunday Serenity felt like she'd managed to piss off Tracen Academy's ultimate final boss before even making her proper debut. The difficulty curve had just snapped completely.
Every time class ended, the disciplinary committee and class representatives would mobilize in force, patrolling everywhere. The training grounds, the library, the classrooms—people would periodically pop in to look around, noting anyone acting suspiciously.
This whole massive, overt operation made moving around the school incredibly difficult for Sunday Serenity.
It seemed the Emperor… well, 'Her Royal Highness'… had been seriously pissed off last night, deploying extra 'troops' to garrison Tracen.
So much for the saying that 'a prime minister's stomach should be big enough to sail a boat in.'
'Emperor,' you're being really petty right now!
But no amount of internal grumbling would change things. Sunday Serenity had no choice but to alter her usual strategy and lay low.
She didn't want to throw Tracen into complete chaos.
Seizing a moment when no one was around, Sunday Serenity moved through the mysterious world, observing Tracen through the many mirrors.
Even now, there were no sensational notices on the school bulletin board like 'Tracen Invaded by Mystery Person' or 'The Midnight Clad Walker.'
It appeared Symboli Rudolf had chosen to keep it under wraps.
A few key reasons came to mind.
She didn't want this incident affecting the students' daily lives or making them anxious.
And secondly, the point about appearance.
The black-clad woman looked far too much like Manhattan Cafe.
She couldn't very well post the person's likeness on the notice board and announce, 'This is the one! The invader of Tracen, the malicious trespasser who broke the rules. If you see her, keep a close watch and report to the student council immediately. I know what you're thinking, but she is not Manhattan Cafe; it's someone else.'
That would just sound bizarre, and it would cause a lot of trouble for the real Cafe. Involving an unrelated student went against Rudolf's responsibilities as student council president.
After weighing the options, she'd decided to avoid drawing attention, claiming instead that patrols were increased to enhance student safety before races and prevent unauthorized personnel from entering the academy and disrupting routines.
Meanwhile, she committed the image of the black-clad girl to memory, investigating on her own.
All things considered, if Sunday Serenity wanted to enter Tracen again, she couldn't just waltz in like she was coming home. She had to adopt the tension of infiltrating enemy territory.
Really, 'Your Royal Highness' and her phantom army of disciplinary committee members!
Forced to compromise, Sunday Serenity chose to bide her time and endure.
When Manhattan Cafe left her dorm room for school, Sunday Serenity slipped inside.
'If I can't use my own identity, I'll just use Cafe's,' she declared. 'It's not like anyone will notice a few extra Cafes in a place as big as Tracen… Who goes around staring at their classmates all day anyway?'
"No rummaging through her clothes," Sunday Silence reminded from the side.
Clearly, she approved of Sunday Serenity's plan—simple and efficient.
They just had to be careful not to cause any trouble while impersonating Cafe. If their 'friend' got implicated because of it, Sunday Silence would be in a foul mood.
"Got it," Sunday Serenity agreed.
An elite institution like Tracen wouldn't issue just one set of uniforms, right?
There had to be everyday uniforms, formal uniforms, and uniforms for specific occasions, all properly accounted for.
Opening the wardrobe, Sunday Serenity saw a row of black and white outfits, all in a consistent style.
She seemed to really like those two colors.
"These are Cafe's casual clothes for going out. The uniform is here."
The clothes on the right rustled as a light blue blazer and a white skirt were lifted down by an unseen hand.
"Once you put this on, you won't be able to pass through the mirrors."
"It just means turning into a regular person. Everyone was one when they were alive."
"Just a reminder. Ghosts who've been around a long time tend to forget things that were once obvious to them as humans…" Her voice trailed off, not finishing the thought.
Sunday Serenity nodded, only half-understanding, and took the uniform to stand before the mirror.
"Okay, I'm taking this off now."
"…"
Her reflection in the mirror frowned slightly, as if steeling itself, then spoke with resolve.
"Go ahead."
Getting this response, Sunday Serenity nodded. She removed her black cloak and casually placed it into the mirror.
As part of a ghost, clothing could naturally pass through the blue and purple mysterious space. Of course, if separated from the body and left unattended in the physical world, it would eventually fade away like a body losing its blood.
Only by storing it in the nether-like world could the clothing's form be maintained.
Ghosts are strange, aren't they?
In the mirror, her 'self,' while not mirroring the action, also had its cloak disappear, leaving only the black top and skirt.
As a reflection, Sunday Silence would also change along with the main body.
Without the black cloak, she seemed to lose some of her usual sharpness, becoming softer.
Maybe it was psychological, but not just her appearance—even her mannerisms seemed more girlish than before.
"It really is hard to feel settled without that coat…" Her voice grew quieter, her eyes shifting restlessly.
"Because that coat was really comfortable."
It fit perfectly.
Answering casually, Sunday Serenity removed her golden tie, unbuttoned her top, and revealed the fitted white shirt underneath.
Just as she was putting the top into the mirror and preparing to unbutton her skirt—
"Ahem… You know, you don't have to change clothes right in front of the mirror…" Sunday Silence coughed awkwardly, trying to advise Sunday Serenity.
Huh? What's she on about now?
The skirt button was already undone.
"What I mean is, wouldn't it be more efficient to change by the bed first, and then send the clothes in?"
"I think it's fine…"
It's not like those few seconds make a difference.
But as Sunday Serenity, having ended the conversation, continued to take off her skirt, her arm was suddenly grabbed.
The girl in the mirror wore a rare expression of conflict.
"Mmm…"
She let out a soft sound.
"W-was my posture wrong? I've never worn a skirt before, are there special tricks to it…?" For Sunday Serenity, whose world was divided into 'how to be cool' and 'everything else,' she saw absolutely nothing wrong with her actions.
Sorry, first time wearing girls' clothing, not very skilled at it.
Instead of answering, Sunday Silence's expression shifted through several complicated emotions before she finally spoke.
"No… it's nothing. Please, continue."
The resistance on her arm vanished.
The 'self' in the mirror stepped out into the outside world; Sunday Silence's figure was no longer visible. Not only that, but all reflective surfaces in the room that could show a reflection had vanished.
What's going on?
Just as Sunday Serenity was puzzling over this, a voice came from behind her.
"Don't look down. Lift your foot, I'll help you get dressed."
"Ah… Okay, thanks."
Why does her voice sound so tense?
Sunday Serenity was confused.
The always composed and calm Sunday Silence, how could she possibly be feeling such an emotion? Right… how could she? It must be my imagination.
She shook her head.
Sunday Silence was undoubtedly facing this, as always, with her eternally unshakable mindset.
Yes, that had to be it—
--+--
"Good morning, Hayakawa-san."
"Good morning, Daiwa Scarlet—"
That morning, Hayakawa Tazuna at the Tracen gate was, as usual, greeting students on their way in, fulfilling her duty as the chairman's secretary.
"Good morning…"
"Morning, Cafe."
Watching the black-haired girl walk away, Tazuna blinked, a slightly disappointed look flashing in her eyes.
No affectionate nickname today.
A shame. She really wished the students would be a bit more familiar with her, not just seeing her as a school staff member. Something like 'big sister,' or just 'sis,' not honorifics like 'san' or 'sama.'
"Good morning~"
"Yes, good morning, Seiun Sky-san."
"Feels like a perfect day for slacking off, as usual~" the mint-haired girl said in a leisurely tone before ambling past.
You should study hard, Sky-san…
Tazuna couldn't help but think.
But it was precisely because she could see all these charming, diverse students that Tracen was so wonderful.
And I need to work harder to get closer to them…
"Good morning… Tazuna-nee."
A black-haired girl carrying a single-strap bag walked by.
"Ah! Good morning, Cafe! It's such a lovely day, isn't it?"
"Yes," she nodded, then quickly walked off.
See? I did get that kind of address. What was I feeling disappointed about earlier?
Tazuna unconsciously touched her cheek, but before her happiness could fully settle, her eyebrows twitched almost imperceptibly.
Huh? Wait a minute… did something just feel… off?
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.