The day after Tsurugi and Mika's visit. As the second day of the new year dawned, Nagisa and Seia came to visit.
The two of them looked quite bright. Probably because Gehenna had formally apologized for the recent incident.
It was certainly an unusual occurrence. While the outlandish antics of Gehenna students happened simultaneously in various districts within Kivotos, it was rare for Gehenna to apologize for them. However, in this case, even they had no choice. Kidnapping, causing injury, and even forcing the victim to stay in the hospital for several months? And fractures at that?
In Kivotos, hospitalization due to trauma carries significant meaning. For the girls who can recover after a few days of rest even from bullets or shells, hospitalization meant 'they attacked with intent to kill.'
So, backlash was inevitable. While Gehenna's internal circles might not consider it a big deal, other academies did. There was a considerable possibility that the accumulated dissatisfaction and resentment until now would erupt all at once because of this incident.
So, they bowed their heads quickly. Gehenna's leadership personally recited an apology on broadcast and bowed so deeply their heads touched the ground, fortunately avoiding major friction with Trinity. But what if the one injured wasn't Kenji, but a Trinity student?
Well, that's a meaningless assumption. But what's certain is that at the very least, someone's head would have had to roll. Whether it was the three from Gehenna, or the student council president.
"It is a pity."
"Hmm. Indeed, that's true."
Nagisa and Seia couldn't hide their disappointment that such an outcome didn't occur. While Kenji's status within Trinity was no different from an ordinary citizen, it was a natural thought since Seia considered Kenji her 'husband' and Nagisa considered him her 'lover.'
But Kenji himself didn't think much of it. No, on the contrary, he grinned and waved the check card in his hand.
"We got proper compensation, so it's fine."
Gehenna's leadership bowed to Trinity and also handed appropriate compensation to Kenji. A whopping 20 million yen. An amount equivalent to about 200 million Korean won, which Kenji swallowed without question. There's a saying that accepting more than your share upsets your stomach, but who cares? Not taking this would be idiotic.
He wasn't particularly money-grubbing by nature, but when a fortune flashes before your eyes, your eyes roll—it was the tearful instinct of someone born at the bottom of a capitalist society. Kenji simply couldn't suppress that instinct.
"...There are many things I'm dissatisfied with one way or another, but since you say it's okay, Kenji, I'll let it go for now."
Nagisa said with a deep sigh. She poured green tea into Kenji's cup and black tea into Seia's and her own. Kenji smiled faintly and picked up the steaming cup. The unique aroma of green tea penetrated his nostrils. It was Nagisa's special green tea—the same color as store-bought, but with a completely different smell and taste.
They must use the same tea bags, so how could the taste be so different? Whenever he thought about it, Nagisa's skills related to tea and sweets were top-class. Well, the alcohol-spiked black tea from last time was a bit much though.
Kenji took a sip of the green tea and smiled contentedly. Seia and Nagisa also elegantly tilted their teacups. It was a very Trinity-student-like movement.
"Ah, by the way, did things go well yesterday? I heard you were called to Trinity High School."
As if it suddenly occurred to him, Kenji tilted his head and asked. To that question, Nagisa answered with a faint smile.
"Yes. It was just answering simple questions, so it wasn't difficult."
"Same for me. Even though they are the three factions of the Tea Party, they didn't assert their turf."
"Really? That's unexpected."
The three factions of the Tea Party. Pater, Filius, Sanctus. Those three factions, each meaning the names of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, had a rather long history within Trinity.
In the past, when neither the word Trinity nor General School existed at Trinity General School. This land mass, composed of numerous branch schools, was plagued by endless conflict. To put it bluntly, it was similar to religious wars on Earth. The only difference was that the weapons used were shells and bullets instead of swords and spears.
The long years of war and conflict eventually led to the land's devastation. Then, feeling the crisis, the student council presidents of three academies—Pater, Filius, Sanctus—gathered to end the conflict and held a Tea Party, which became the origin of the current Tea Party. Thanks to that legitimate history, their political power was immense.
Monsters who possessed something other than military might. Nagisa and Seia had a meeting with such individuals.
It wasn't a meeting they initiated. If someone had a good reputation at school, top grades, or outstanding talent in a particular field, the three factions would attempt to make contact first to recruit them. Nagisa and Seia were just among those.
The Tea Party's influence in the Trinity district operates on a different level. If they had ill intentions, making someone disappear would be nothing. Having met such people, it was natural to be worried.
The two of them were aware of his concern. Frankly, it was unclear who was worrying about whom, but it still felt good. Because they could clearly feel that Kenji cherished them.
A lovely feeling. Upon reconfirming that affection, the two unconsciously trembled the corners of their mouths. Kenji, watching them with mixed feelings, took out his vibrating smartphone.
[Kenji!]
[Are you with Nagi-chan and Seia-chan right now???]
It was Mika. Unlike the two who had met with Filius and Sanctus yesterday, Mika was scheduled to meet with the Pater faction today. That was also the reason she was absent from her daily hospital visits. Kenji put a cookie baked by Nagisa himself into his mouth and typed.
[Yeah, but why?]
[They're not reading my messages!]
[We were all supposed to visit together! I was trying to persuade them that going in the afternoon isn't too late!]
[Everyone's so mean! You could wait a little!]
[(ꐦ°᷄▿°᷅)]
[Says the one who came alone yesterday?]
[And that takes a really long time, doesn't it? You said both of them started in the morning and didn't finish until almost midnight.]
[Huh?]
[What did you say?]
[You're lying, right?]
[Kenji, no way, right? I even prepared to sleep over there today?]
[That hospital doesn't allow visits past 10 pm, right? I have to go in before that?]
[Fight on. Do well and come back.]
[See you tomorrow.]
[No!]
[Don't have fun without me!]
[At the very least, sleep alone! I'm watching both of you, you know!]
[Alright.]
Kenji gave perfunctory replies and put away his smartphone. The vibration that rang a few more times after that died down within seconds. She probably started the meeting with the Pater side. It was about time. Nagisa and Seia's messages had also abruptly stopped around this time yesterday.
Saying he wasn't worried would be a lie, but he was still more at ease than with Seia or Nagisa. Well, it's Mika, after all. In his years in Kivotos, Kenji had never seen anyone stronger than Mika. Would High School be different? Well, it didn't seem likely.
Still, just in case, he sent a message telling her to contact him if there was any danger. The reply came immediately. Perhaps she didn't have time to type long, it was just the short word 'Okay'. Kenji chuckled softly and took a sip of green tea. The rich tea aroma and taste satisfied his palate and sense of smell.
"By the way, you. Aren't you getting a bit hungry? It's almost lunchtime."
Seia asked. Kenji stared into her eyes and sighed.
"Not really? But I should eat. I have to take medicine too."
"Then how about we have a meal together? I'll help you move, so don't worry. If need be, we can use a wheelchair."
"Shall we then. Do you know any restaurants nearby?"
"I looked into it. You won't be disappointed."
Seia put on a confident expression. It was a change in expression she showed often recently. In the past, she only showed a dull face as if her facial muscles had stiffened, but it seems she's changing in her own way. It was a positive change. Kenji chuckled softly and patted the head of Seia sitting beside him.
"Hng!"
As his hand touched her golden hair, Seia let out a small moan. But a moment later, she fluttered the ears sprouting from her head and let out a low, trembling voice. At the same time, she gently guided her ear toward Kenji's hand.
The moment her originally sensitive organ, her ear, touched Kenji's finger, her body flinched and her mouth fell open with a 'Hee—'. Saliva pooled on the long tongue visible within the red oral cavity. She looked as if she might collapse any moment. Her face was blissfully relaxed, and her gaze was no different from that of a female in heat. Since she was bowing her head, Kenji didn't notice, but Nagisa saw it clearly.
-Crack.
It was only natural that the teacup in Nagisa's grip shattered. She glared at Seia with eyes full of jealousy and gritted her teeth slightly. An inelegant sight. Her resolve to reform her demeanor upon entering high school was shattered in an instant. It was an unavoidable situation.
Look at that slack face. That's the face of a lustful fox faithful to its desires. Her squirming thighs showed no sign of calming down, and the moment Kenji's fingers traced around her ear, she was gritting her teeth, holding back moans. Just watching made resentment well up.
But Nagisa swallowed the rising anger. Interrogating Kenji or showing irritation here would be a bad move. All that would come back is his flustered expression, not affectionate gestures or words.
That would only benefit that fox. Nagisa didn't want such a result and had the flexibility to choose a draw rather than defeat. So, she put on a shy, girlish expression. Then, instead of urging Kenji, she gently grabbed his sleeve.
"Ke, Kenji..."
She deliberately trailed off her words. It was so natural it couldn't be seen as an intentional act.
Kenji's gaze turned toward Nagisa. Nagisa, as if she'd made a mistake, looked up at him with trembling eyes and spoke in a voice that seemed embarrassed.
"Me, me too, please..."
"...Huh?"
"My head too... please pet me like Seia..."
At the simple request, Kenji smiled wryly. Seeing the person you like—even someone you've kissed—flirting with another girl right in front of you should be irritating, but instead of getting angry, she was pushing her head forward asking for the same.
Her appearance was both admirable and made him feel sorry. Kenji reached out toward her with even more affection than he had shown Seia. At that moment, Nagisa snatched Kenji's outstretched hand. Lifting it upward in that state, the obstruction covering his face disappeared.
His revealed face was full of bewilderment. Nagisa stared at that expression and leaned her upper body forward. Seia, realizing her intention, immediately stood up, but Nagisa's action was faster.
Instantly, Kenji and Nagisa's breaths mingled. The warm exhalations from their noses heated their faces, and the soft touch of their touching lips melted his brain into mush. But Nagisa went one step further. The first time is always the hardest. Although she had been drunk the first time, having already kissed him once, she had no hesitation. Mixed with jealousy and possessiveness, her lips parted before Kenji could even react.
From within that gap, a red tongue popped out adorably. The saliva-glistening tongue pushed past Kenji's lips and invaded beyond. At the hot, squishy sensation, Kenji's eyes widened. He grabbed Nagisa's face and pushed as if to separate them. But she didn't budge. On the contrary, her tongue dug deep into the inside of his mouth.
"Hahp."
Nagisa's lips wriggled. The glimpsed tongue squirmed like a living creature.
Just as their tongues were about to touch, Seia grabbed Nagisa's shoulder and yanked her back sharply. Because of that, Nagisa's body fell backward. Her tongue, which had been exploring Kenji's mouth, also popped out. Nagisa looked dazedly at Kenji's lips for a moment, then, as if coming to her senses, calmly wiped her saliva-drenched lips.
"...You."
Seia glared at her with eyes full of murderous intent. They say when you're too angry, you can't even speak properly. She was now feeling the meaning of those words more strongly than anyone. Many words came to mind, but none actually left her mouth.
Regardless, Nagisa didn't even glance at Seia.
The shy girl's demeanor from their first kiss was nowhere to be found. It was only natural. Right now, she was slightly out of her mind. She wasn't drunk on alcohol, but drunk on jealousy. Because of that, she could calmly perform actions that would make her flail in embarrassment the moment she regained her senses.
Nagisa smiled slyly at Kenji and said.
"Was this your first time too?"
There was no need to ask 'what?' It was clearly about the French kiss. But Kenji gave no answer. No, he couldn't. Because Seia had covered his mouth with her small hand.
Tears that couldn't fall were welling up in the corners of her eyes.
"Don't say it. Please."
"...."
"I'll… come back later. Sorry, but have lunch alone. I… need to have a little talk with her."
Seia's gaze turned toward Nagisa. Only then did Nagisa also face Seia. Their gazes clashed in the air. Seia gritted her teeth, and Nagisa stood up gracefully with an elegant smile.
"Shall we go to a nearby cafe?"
"...Follow me."
With that, Seia tapped Nagisa's shoulder and left the hospital room. Nagisa bowed to Kenji and followed her out. Then, only three patients remained in the room. An excruciating silence filled the room.
"...Crazy bastard."
Someone muttered.
Kenji couldn't find any words to retort and covered his face with his hands.