I followed Nagisa, discreetly looking around the whole time. The Cathedral, the Central Library, the General Hospital—I committed the locations of the main buildings to memory. In reality, the academies of Kivotos are closer to the concept of governments than schools, so these places should be treated as critical national facilities.
"...Nagisa-sama!"
As we entered the Tea Party building, staff members in Tea Party uniforms rushed over, startled. Is it because Nagisa isn't a powerhouse in terms of combat that they're more sensitive about her safety?
"Where on earth did you disappear to yesterday?! You know you must at least give us a heads-up so we can prepare for any contingency! When you think of the trouble we went through searching for you... Ughh...!"
"Oh my, I do apologize. Something truly urgent came up, and I did not have the composure to inform you of my whereabouts."
"...And Mika-sama! An unexcused! Absence! How could you, the Host of the Tea Party of all people, be so irresponsible... Aaaargh!!!"
Wow, this one's full of passion. The way she clutched the back of her neck and collapsed at the end was perfect. When you think about it, my current position is almost equivalent to a president, yet she has the audacity to speak so brazenly to my face. I have to respect that.
But... that collapse, could it be that she's faking it because she doesn't have the confidence to deal with the aftermath? Honestly, that's a reasonable suspicion. In Trinity, that's a perfectly plausible scenario.
"I-I'm sorry! She must have eaten something bad! You there, take her to the Remedial Knights!"
Seeing the mob staff member flinch at the mention of the Remedial Knights confirmed it for me. Even the collapse was an act. Just thinking about having to live here is already giving me a headache, my heart is pounding again, and I feel nauseous. I think I'm really going to lose my mind...
At this point, wouldn't it be more peaceful to just embezzle some funds and run away?
I could transfer to Abydos, go off the grid, and become a deadbeat sergeant duo with Hoshino. Then, when Hina makes her first appearance, just like she reacted with a shocked, "Hoshino... of Abydos... Takanashi Hoshino?", wouldn't she give me a line like, "Wait... could you be... Trinity's runaway angel, Misono Mika?"
Of course, that would never happen, but honestly, it doesn't seem easy to just stick it out in Trinity until the main story begins. And what changes when the main story starts, anyway?
I swear, I'm only staying because of my Nagisa and Seia. It's not like Arius will just sit back and do nothing if I abandon Trinity. Those two are hopeless when it comes to combat, so I have to at least act as their shield. The irony that the original Mika was the one who used that shield to smash their feet is not lost on me...
Well, I can't just stand by and do nothing in this situation. If I'm not careful, the authority of the leaders could be undermined, and every Tom, Dick, and Harry might start getting bold. I don't see that as a desirable outcome at all.
"Mmm~ The 'me' from yesterday just needed a little time to rebel! I guess the stress of being the Host was too much, and I just burst? But I'll take our staff-chan's harsh words to heart and try to be a diligent Tea Party Host from now on☆"
I walked over to the Tea Party member who was pretending to be unconscious with her eyes closed and patted her shoulder lightly. Of course, I controlled my strength properly. If I hadn't, her shoulder would have been dislocated for real.
The way she flinched when my hand touched her confirmed my suspicion that she was, indeed, faking it. Still, let's graciously overlook her scolding us without a filter. Now that she knows her act has been exposed, she'll probably be more careful next time.
Well, I only did that much because I was annoyed by her pathetic fainting act at the end. If she had just stood her ground after saying her piece, with a vibe like, "I will gladly accept the punishment for this insolence...!", I would have actually wanted to praise her.
Anyway, I don't see any particular reason to wake her up and scold her here, and with that kind of guts, she's probably not from the Pater faction, so I don't feel like giving her any more trouble. For the sake of my happy ending, it's best to accumulate as little bad karma as possible and make as many allies as I can.
"Oh, and! The leaders have something urgent to discuss among ourselves, so you don't need to follow us~ Everyone, do your best today, and I'll see you later!"
"Yes, as Mika-san says. Everyone, please return to your duties. Those who were scheduled to assist us, please act autonomously for the morning. Well then, good work, everyone."
I gave Nagisa a subtle glance, and she caught on immediately. She promptly gave out detailed instructions and once again began to lead the way. Since I'm the Host and had just been scolded, I couldn't just stay silent. I only stepped up because of that, but I still had no idea where to go, so I had no choice but to call for help.
By the way, I have no idea how to deal with Seia when we meet her. I just hope she doesn't hit me with a prophecy right off the bat.
...She wouldn't, right?
"Mika. It is a relief that you appear to be unharmed, but I must request an explanation as to why you worried myself and Nagisa yesterday."
Thankfully, she didn't. I can't tell if it's because she hasn't seen anything yet, or if she can't, but I think it's likely the former.
"Seia-san, about that, I..."
"No, Nagi-chan. I'll explain. I think it's right for me to do it."
"...Very well. However, there is one thing I would like to tell you, Seia-san."
"Hrm? And what is that, Nagisa?"
Seia tilted her head as she looked at Nagisa. This was the moment my prediction that all named students were just unfairly good-looking was proven true. The only difference was that Seia, unlike Nagisa or myself, had a smaller frame, fox ears on her head, and an overall impression that leaned more towards 'cute.'
Worthless human... execution... Ugh, my head!
"From now on, no matter how absurd Mika-san's words may sound, please do not doubt them. I will vouch that everything she says is the truth, so I ask that you listen with a serious mind."
"...For you to say that, Nagisa, this must be no ordinary matter. I understand. Mika, go ahead and explain. I am now curious as to what kind of outlandish and preposterous story it could be to make Nagisa speak in such a way."
Logically, this is where we should have a serious conversation. My reason is screaming that at me. It certainly should be.
But Nagisa, vouching for someone, even a close friend? Does she not know that is the ultimate taboo?
At this point, I can't tell if I'm being influenced by Mika or if this was my original personality. I feel like a predator drooling at the sight of a delicious meal placed right before me.
"Seia-chan, you see..."
"Mm."
As Seia looks at me with a serious face, is she prepared for me to pull a prank in this situation?
No. The guard she would normally have up has just been effectively neutralized thanks to Nagisa's assistance.
In that case, how can a sparrow simply pass by a mill? For Misono Mika to hold back a light-hearted prank in a situation like this is simply absurd. It cannot and should not happen.
Perhaps I have assimilated with the original Mika far more than I thought. My consciousness is the only thing that is 'me'; everything else, I myself feel, is closer to Mika than to my old self.
I never intended to practice "if you can't avoid it, enjoy it" to this extent. It seems I never had a choice from the beginning.
"Phew, this isn't easy. Okay, but I'll say it. Seia-chan, listen up. As of yesterday, Nagi-chan and I are dating! So today is our second day! You know, I had no idea Nagi-chan was so passionate☆ And also, and also—"
"...What in the world are you talking about, Misono Mika!!!!!!!!!!!"
"Whoa—"
Hey, Nagisa...? Where in the world did that roll cake come from? Do you have a personal pocket dimension just for roll cakes and tea sets?
"Nagi-chan...? No matter how I look at it, that's really not going to fit..."
"...your mouth."
"Huh?"
"Shut that mouth! No, I will personally make it shut! You didn't lose your memory after all, did you! Including the crime of messing with me, I will never forgive you!!!"
I slowly started to back away. The door we came in through is right behind me, but opening it and running is not a very desirable course of action.
The relationship between Mika and Nagisa has always been consistent. Mika plays a prank, Nagisa falls for the obvious prank every time, thinking, "How could I fall for it again...?" and then Mika intentionally lets herself be punished by her.
The possibility of Mika being subdued by Nagisa's physical strength is literally nil, so accepting the consequences of her pranks with her body is a sort of unspoken rule between them.
But this is my first time experiencing it, so I'm a little freaked out, you know...? And this girl, her mouth is smaller than you'd think... That thing really isn't going to fit!
"...I understand that Mika was being Mika again, but Nagisa. What was that just now? You said she didn't lose her memory. Were you perhaps about to tell me the absurd story that Mika is suffering from amnesia?"
"...Haa. Yes. It seems I ended up saying it myself, but what you surmised is correct, Seia-san. I know full well how preposterous it sounds, which is why I said Mika's words were true... but seeing her pull a prank like that in this situation makes me reconsider its veracity!"
As Nagisa fanned her flushed face, the corners of her eyes were strangely moist. Was the thought of dating me that unpleasant to you, Nagisa...?
Yeah, it's probably best not to even dream of romance while I'm living as Mika... First of all, with Sensei, there is absolutely, definitely, no matter what, no thought of developing a relationship beyond that of an acquaintance. I'm not unlocking past Affinity Rank 0. I'm going to be the one on the sidelines, munching on popcorn while watching the battle royale for Sensei, who could probably fill a stadium with all the students fawning over him.
"Hrm. Looking at Mika now, it does seem that there is nothing wrong with her memory, but if you went so far as to say that, Nagisa, it must not have been the case yesterday. In that case, before I draw a conclusion, there is one thing I would like to ask Mika."
"Hm? Sure, Seia-chan. What are you curious about?"
"Mika, are you truly okay right now? If you are trying to endure it, I do not think you need to do so, not even in front of us. Simply enduring the pain of a wound that has not been properly treated is not the answer. A neglected wound will fester, and if you continue to hide it, you will eventually face an irreversible situation."
"..."
Silence fell. No one could speak immediately. Seia gazed at me with a look of pity, and Nagisa... she reminded me once again that for all her kindness, she is just as fragile.
Was it Mika's innate strength that kept me from breaking down immediately after hearing Seia's words? The original Mika only began to crumble after she was cornered into a situation where she misunderstood that she had killed her own friend. Anyone would be pushed to the brink in such an extreme situation, so one should not judge Mika's mental fortitude based on that.
But, you see, 'I' had already broken down once yesterday. Seia's words could have been the trigger to make me crumble again. I am just an ordinary person.
And so, Seia's words, worrying about me first even in a situation like this. And Nagisa's actions, helping me so devotedly. The two of them have become one and placed a shackle on me.
"...Ahaha, Seia-chan. Of course I'm okay☆ So could you stop making such a sad face? You too, Nagi-chan. No matter how pretty your original face is, even you can't cover for a face like that, so stop it already!"
No matter what happens, I will protect the Tea Party. I will not let the three of them be torn apart.
That is my repayment to you, who reached out a hand to me when I was on the edge of a cliff. It is the only way I, an foreign substance that has wedged itself between the three of you who should have been happier than anyone, can repay you.