They tried to go home, but somehow ended up right back to where they started.
Normally, trains in any district—especially in Abydos, a place so isolated and difficult to maintain—would be closed by nighttime, if not earlier, given how desolate the desert was. With no other options, Aris and Konata decided to book a room at one of the Black Market's hotels.
Of course, anything in the Black Market—its quality, legality, and overall safety—was questionable at best.
Which made it perfect for the two of them, since neither possessed proper documents or identification for a normal booking anyway.
And safety?
Please. She was a Terror—more precisely, the Horus of Dawn—but "Terror Hoshino" sounded better, so the name stuck.
Besides, the safety they needed to worry about wasn't their own, but that of the unfortunate adults and students of Kivotos around them.
As for Aris… her identity alone was proof enough.
So when morning came, in a cramped little room, Konata blinked awake. She stared up at the ceiling from the hard-but-decent bed, waited a moment, then turned her head.
Aris was already awake, sitting at the edge of her thin mattress, quietly scrolling through her phone—the one Mikan had bought for them.
"So…" Konata murmured groggily, rolling over sluggishly. "Did Mikan reply?"
Aris didn't look up.
"Negative," she said in her usual flat tone.
"Mikan has not responded. Timestamp of last received message: eleven hours, forty-two minutes, thirty-three seconds ago."
Konata rubbed her eyes and stifled a yawn. "That long? Did something happen?"
Such a nonchalant reaction was expected.
To this all-knowing Sensei, dying and reincarnating—imagining something happening to her childhood friend was almost out of the question.
At the start, that lucky fellow had ended up with Mika Misono's abilities and body, different as it might be. But as a well-known student comparable to a gorilla in raw power, worrying about accidents felt unnecessary. If provoked, Konata was certain Mikan wouldn't hold back against troublesome students.
At least… she hoped so.
Aris's fingers paused mid-scroll. Her expression remained neutral, but her gaze sharpened, calculating.
She's still too stiff, Konata thought, idly wondering if she could buy that game called Tales Saga Chronicles.
Her lips twitched as she imagined the scenario. Maybe she could even livestream it for all of Kivotos to see.
No—better yet, keep it as a keepsake.
Unaware of Konata's increasingly questionable thoughts, Aris remained deep in analysis before glancing briefly at her silent friend, then returning her attention to the phone.
"Cross-referencing current data." A few taps later, Aris's brows dipped slightly. "Public footage uploaded last night from Kronos indicates a high-probability incident. An unknown Trinity student—presumed to be Mikan—was escorted away by the Gourmet Research Society."
"Later, the group encountered Sorasaki Hina. An altercation commenced, and the Disciplinary Committee Head took immediate action. Current status of the Trinity student: unknown."
…Eh?
At that, Konata jolted upright, her ahoge practically bouncing. She scrambled closer to look at the video, spotting a faint streak of pink hair at the edge of the pixelated frame.
"Wait—Hina?! No way right!?"
You've got to be kidding. Messing with the Head of the Disciplinary Committee was practically asking to get caught.
Along with their lovely pink angel.
Mikan might have the strength of a gorilla, but that didn't compare to someone with overwhelming experience under her belt, and Mikan, that poor noob.
The Gourmets, delinquents, and even the Hot Springs Development Club—Hina was a professional when it came to capturing unruly troublemakers.
"Possible they had escaped. Earlier today, exactly 9:01:05 am, surveillance footage showed the Head of the Gourmet Research Society purchasing a crate of unknown food and loading it into a broken truck. Appearing to be operating freely."
"Huh?! If the Gourmet Club escaped, then it's probably nothing major—maybe they slipped away from Hina… but that also means Mikan's still being held hostage to make desserts!"
"That is Mikan's specialty and expertise, after all! And if she's gone for the day, our expenses gets cut!"
Aris tilted her head and gently pushed Konata's face away, staring at the pinkette wearing an expression that screamed that's the only logical conclusion.
The way she's reasoning all of it was flawed, Aris thought—but after living in Kivotos long enough… depressingly plausible.
Kivotos's common sense was spectacular, in all the worst ways.
Unbeknownst to Konata, the android couldn't help but wonder if their own perspectives were changing as well.
Hers was determination—for her friends.
They're becoming abnormal.
However, there was one flaw in Konata's logic.
"Correction. Regarding your last point," Aris said. "The probability of an incident occurring in D.U., the Gourmet Research Society's primary hunting ground, is eighty-four percent—excluding Gehenna territory. However, Mikan appeared conscious and mobile during transport prior to the conflict with Sorasaki Hina. Therefore, classification is 'escorted without resistance.'"
Konata groaned. "Aris… do you really think Mikan—no, her body—would be fine being that close to demon-related students?"
"Despite her rationality and logic trying to control her instinctive hatred, at least she's becoming a bit decent and polite, but staying that long would be a miracle if she doesn't throw at least one form of resistance against them."
"…"
They both fell silent as memories resurfaced in eerie synchronization.
They recalled the first time Mikan encountered "demon" students.
Short summary: a brawl erupted, with Mikan hurling racial slurs against demon delinquents against her own will.
Afterward, the racist pinkette immediately reined herself in and apologized—sarcastically.
(Mikan insists to this day that she was genuinely trying to sound sincere.)
Which, of course, led to another massive brawl that dragged Konata and Aris into the mess, eventually attracting horde of Valkyrie students attention.
"…."
"Semantic discrepancy acknowledged," Aris said after pausing for a moment1. "Updating classification: 'kidnapped (??).'"
She resumed scrolling—faster this time, her movements betraying unease.
Konata leaned closer, finally calming down, and offered a reassuring smile as she watched Aris's twitching fingers.
As for worrying about Mikan? Heh. If she was with the Gourmets and not with Hina, things were probably fine—and they still had some cash left.
What concerned Konata more was Aris's growing clinginess and anxiety whenever they were separated. Still, the change didn't bother her 'that' much. With everything going on, she wasn't about to complain if the Blue Archive story shifted a little.
This world wasn't a game, and the people here were living their own lives—their own stories and dreams.
It may even lead to unexpected outcomes.
So for better or worse. As long as they kept an eye on SCHALE's prime hunk, any incident would be overcome eventually. With the help of a trauma-upgraded Mika, an infamous Terror Hoshino, and the Princess of the Nameless Gods, AL-1S, most immediate threats to his safety would be handled.
As long as Sensei stayed safe, Kivotos would eventually find peace.
And honestly… this new Aris was even cuter.
With Mikan agreeing too.
"Those Gourmet kids… I don't think they're bad," Konata said. "They'll probably just make Mikan cook a few dishes and let her go. So… we don't need to panic too much, right?"
Her confidence wavered near the end, but Aris didn't comment.
"But still, we should hurry back."
With that, Konata stood and began getting them ready for the day. She grabbed a comb from the desk, sat beside Aris, and gently loosened the ribbon in her hair. Aris's long locks spilled down her back, nearly brushing the floor.
Aris nodded once and turned off her phone—after a brief hesitation—before leaning closer to Konata.
A small, soft smile flickered across her face as Konata quietly combed through her hair.
All the while thinking that maybe… this "new" life was something she truly didn't mind.
At least that crushing despair had receded, like a fading tide.
———
When they stepped outside the hotel, a blast of scorching desert heat slammed into them.
Konata grimaced. "Hot…!"
"Analysis," Aris began in her monotone. "Because the Black Market lies between Abydos, Trinity, and Gehenna—regions with frequent lawless activity—Abydos controls a larger portion of this territory. This results in—"
"Muuuuh, I get it. No lecturing, please…"
As a longtime Blue Archive player, even without knowing the exact geography, Konata had always suspected the Black Market was near Abydos—especially given how casually the Abydos gang strolled in and out, committing bank robberies like a hobby. That suspicion had been confirmed the moment she and Aris boarded the train to Abydos before entering the market.
The Black Market itself was massive—almost a town wedged between Abydos, Gehenna, and part of Trinity, with countless routes. But the safest entry point was undoubtedly Abydos.
Gehenna's route was chaotic. Trinity's route was outrageously expensive and heavily monitored by the Justice Task Force.
And surprisingly…
There was even a route leading to Arius.
A grim fact Aris uncovered after hacking a nearby server while searching for directions, accidentally revealing the Black Market's emergency evacuation maps.
The mere existence of a route to Arius—a place where—
Konata quickly waved her hands, shooing away the spiraling thoughts.
There wasn't much she could do now. The plot was already in motion, and even if she interfered, logic would prevail.
Beatrice still possessed the bomb capable of destroying halos, and the Arius students would never allow a stranger near their territory.
An army of brainwashed, terrified children—would they really trust someone unfamiliar to guide them toward a rebellion they believed would fail?
They weren't like Sensei, who could charm an entire school with that Buddha-like adult charisma and fix tragedies with a swipe of an "adult card."
Konata and Mikan might have adult minds, but they lacked the experience to back it up. All they could do was fight—and the consequences of that scale?
The responsibility?
Weighing lives and expectations?
They couldn't handle that.
She couldn't handle any of that.
And then there were Mikan's and Aris's feelings.
Unlike her, they didn't know the story, nor did they carry the same obligation as a "Sensei."
At most, Konata could protect Sensei until Volume 3, help those who needed it, perhaps ki̶d̶n̶a̶p̶p̶e̶d̶ assist some Arius students, and ensure Trinity and Gehenna students who were originally injured stay safe—but beyond that?
The answer was a firm no.
Accepting that, Konata let her thoughts drift as she made small talk with Aris.
If she couldn't save Arius or give them immediate relief, then she would protect those she could—right now.
As they walked, the streets grew busier—adults, robots, animals, and students flooding the area. A few helmeted students cast sharp, suspicious glances their way—or rather, at Konata.
And somehow, those looks felt even hotter than the desert sun.
Konata shrank under the stares, tugging her bangs down to appear less noticeable.
"Ugh… they're at it again…?" she muttered.
Combined with her thoughts about Arius, the attention weighed heavily on her chest.
Noticing her discomfort, Aris scanned the area. Spotting a small shop selling MomoFriends merchandise, she immediately grabbed Konata by the wrist and pulled her closer.
"Wha—Aris?!" Konata squeaked as she stumbled forward, narrowly avoiding a group of students near the open shop.
Cool shade enveloped them like mercy. Plushies, keychains, stickers, and pastel-colored merchandise crammed the small shop. A tiny fan buzzed in the corner under the shade, pushing out a blessed breeze.
Aris released her wrist once they were safely inside.
"Threat levels reduced." she declared. "Helmeted students' line of sight is obstructed. Therefore, provide praise."
She lowered her head slightly, gazing up expectantly.
Konata laughed and rubbed Aris's head. "I think Mikan and I spoiled you a bit."
Her hand didn't stop. In fact, she pulled Aris into a hug, smiling with smug pride.
Unlike other Senseis, only she got to spoil Aris like this.
Hehe, jealous?
Satisfied, she finally let go and looked around. Plushies, MomoFriends characters… and the infamous Peroro-sama were dangerously adorable—especially for someone who liked birds. Despite the bizarre tongue, the mascot was irresistibly cute, and Konata's eyes sparkled before she caught herself.
Aris noticed, frowned slightly, then glanced behind Konata—toward the street, where a group of students surrounded an adult.
Someone she didn't want to see.
Ah.
Without a word, Aris slipped toward a rack of Peroro and Skullman masks, keeping a close eye on the figure outside.
Leaving Konata alone to resist temptation.
"Focus. Focus. We're on a tight budget," she muttered, sternly resisting the urge to grab a MomoFriends plush wearing a tiny commander hat.
Meanwhile, Aris examined the mask rack with the seriousness of someone evaluating weapons. Her expression stayed blank as she handled each carefully before selecting two—both full-face, with cartoony expressions and soft, fluffy textures.
She thrust them toward the unsuspecting Konata.
Konata nearly dropped them. "Aris—! What—?!"
She raised an eyebrow. "Why are you staring at these?"
Aris lifted one of the masks slightly. "Disguise acquisition. I hypothesize a ninety-five percent reduction in unwanted attention."
Konata blinked, then frowned. "Aris, we're on a tight budget. MomoFriends merch costs thousands—especially two."
Aris paused, recalculating. She glanced behind Konata again, then looked forward with renewed determination.
She stepped closer—Konata confused at first—until confusion turned into pure bewilderment as Aris's indifferent expression melted away.
She crouched down.
And looked up with devastatingly effective puppy eyes.
"Please… I want to have something with you, Konata~"
BOOOOOM.
TerrorHoshino.exe has crashed.
And without further incident, Konata bought both masks—displaying such unrestrained fanaticism and pure euphoria that even the cashier visibly shivered.
To Konata, it was a win-win! Getting Peroro and seeing Aris's cute adorable self, ah! Truly a blessing!
.
.
.
.
However, for an angel experiencing hell on the other side, she really wanted to punch someone. Anyone. Please—just let her blow off some steam.
Damn it. She hadn't slept a wink after that incident, and now she wanted to hunt those cowardly demonic Gourmets to the ends of the earth.
Who kidnaps someone so casually, then abandons the kidnappee as bait with that kind of nonchalant attitude? It almost made Mikan want to sing a song about flammable and explosives!
One really dares to do crime with a carefree smile!
Really.. infuriating.
"Uhm!~ This might be adding salt to the wound, but… would you forgive me if I said I didn't mean to hit your ugl—uhm, cute face~☆"
Like a maggot being eaten alive, Mikan writhed as if her life depended on it. The restraining jacket left her with almost no room to move.
Before her stood the exhausted and furious Head of the Disciplinary Committee of the stinking Gehenna, alongside the Emergency Medicine Club, staring blankly at the completely totaled Tactical Ambulance.
Mikan truly, deeply felt that she had messed up. But between this and going to Trinity—a place Konata had explicitly forbidden her from entering unless she wanted to be buried under endless drama and politics—
She would choose this tragedy in a heartbeat.
But… could the consequences be reduced, even just a little?