Putting aside the unsettling events of last night, I got up early, parted ways with Nagisa, and boarded the train to the General Student Council.
It had been quite a while since I'd last visited the General Student Council in person. This was because, after the Kaiser affair was concluded, no other issue had come up that required my presence.
Well, that was the story until today. To move forward with the trial run of the Eden Treaty Organization, a few more visits were inevitable.
Due to a busy schedule, the General Student Council President would not be attending in person, but she had provided one of the council building's meeting rooms for our use.
To be honest, for both Hina and me, meeting in the D.U. was more convenient than visiting each other's academies, so this was a welcome development.
That said, since SRT was slated to become the main body of the ETO, the President's absence was a little puzzling.
However, it was worth noting that Yukino of FOX Squad would be attending today's meeting as the President's representative.
When one thinks of SRT Specialist School, the first things that come to mind are FOX Squad and the yet-to-be-enrolled RABBIT Squad, but there are many other students belonging to other squads.
The fact that Yukino, who was not a member of the General Student Council, was attending on behalf of the President was an indirect declaration of intent to appoint her as the head of the SRT, which would become the main body of the ETO....
In other words, not only had the preservation of SRT after the President's future disappearance—something I had hoped for—come into view, but the problem of a leader to guide them was also on the verge of being partially resolved.
"It feels like it's been a while, Mika-nim. Has it been a little over a month?".
The moment I arrived at the General Student Council building, Kaya, who by now seemed to have settled into her role as Defense Director, greeted me as if she had been waiting.
Given my position, it was only natural for an executive-level staff member to greet me, but… until now, it had always been Nanagami Rin who had met me.
Personally, I found Kaya a little more affable and easier to talk to than Rin.
Rin herself wasn't as cold as I had expected… but there was no denying that Kaya felt much more approachable.
Now that I had decided to trust Kaya, I was determined to trust her completely.
The coup that our dear Kaya was supposed to have started must have actually been a patriotic decision, born from an inability to stand by and watch the General Student Council's incompetence any longer.
Therefore, her innocence was certain. And if, by some one-in-a-million chance, Kaya were to betray me....
Then all I'd have to do is fold her in half. A harsh physical lesson awaits anyone who betrays my precious trust.
"About that long, I think. Have you been well, Kaya-chan?".
"Unfortunately, the former Defense Director, that idiot—oh my. I apologize, I seem to have spoken out of turn...".
"Ahaha! It's fine, I completely understand. I was shocked myself, wondering how a woman foolish enough to take bribes from the likes of Kaiser even got the position of Defense Director.
Especially when there was already a precedent of someone getting caught for doing the exact same thing".
"It's great that you and I are on the same wavelength, Mika-nim!. Thanks to the former Defense Director causing such a huge incident, the standing of the Defense Office has become rather awkward… I have spared no effort to regain everyone's trust, but it seems it will take much more work to return to how things were.
It is a grave problem that our Defense Office, which is tasked with maintaining the peace in Kivotos, is not trusted".
"Yes, yes, that's right. It's true that there's a widespread atmosphere of distrust toward the Defense Office… But I believe you can handle it, Kaya-chan!. Oh, and if there's anything I can do to help, feel free to let me know☆".
"Thank you for the offer. However, it is only right that our committee resolves its internal affairs on its own. Oh, it's not exactly help, but… I do have one small favor to ask. I have been briefed by Yukino-san regarding today's meeting, and I had a request I wanted to make in relation to that".
Hmm? Kaya had a connection with the SRT? It wasn't particularly strange for a new Defense Director to be acquainted with them, but still.
"Well, in a short while, I was hoping to ask for your opinion on whether I could attend that meeting. As Defense Director, I must not be uninterested in a policy that can be expected to have a positive effect on the security of both academies!. I believe I need to understand the direction in which this policy is heading. Of course, that's not to say I would directly participate in the meeting.
If you would only give your permission, Mika-nim, I intend to observe the meeting as a spectator".
"Hmm. Well, I don't think anyone would object to our dear Defense Director observing, as it's perfectly reasonable. I don't see any issue with it, but… the world works on give and take. So, Kaya-chan. Instead of 'Mika-nim,' try calling me 'Mika-ssi' just once".
"…Pardon?".
"Well, it's not that hard, is it?. I'm already giving you a big discount. In the past, I would have asked you to call me 'Mika-chan'. I've been getting too soft lately".
"…I cannot do that. After reviewing your accomplishments, Mika-nim, I have judged that I cannot dare to place myself on the same level as you".
Eek.
Were my accomplishments that great…?. And the Defense Director is a position that's well-respected anywhere….
"Not even once?. Just this once…?. Even if I ask you like this, you still can't?. I just want to become a little closer with you, Kaya-chan".
I took Kaya's hands in mine and looked at her earnestly, and her smile immediately crumbled.
Flustered, she opened her eyes, her gaze darting about before finally landing on her own hands, which were held in mine.
"…Just this once, Mika-ssi. It is truly just this once. After today, I will not use any other form of address than Mika-nim. This is my firm intention, so I would appreciate it if you would respect my wishes".
"Okay, thank you!. You don't have to worry, I won't bother you about it anymore. After all…".
I let go of Kaya's hands and took my phone out of my pocket. I stopped the ongoing recording and played it back.
[I just want to become a little closer with you, Kaya-chan.].
[…Just this once, Mika-ssi.].
The moment I stopped the playback, Kaya's face instantly hardened, so much so that I thought I might have heard a cracking sound.
"Now I can listen to it whenever I want".
"P-please delete it".
"Ahaha. The world works on give and take!. I've received my payment in full, so I'll graciously permit you to observe☆".
"Mika-nim, please… this is troubling".
"No. I won't delete it. From now on, whenever you're being cold to me, I'm going to play this and listen to it by myself.
That should help soothe my sorrows a little".
"…"
Since it was just a lighthearted prank, I did end up deleting it. But surely she wasn't planning on calling me Mika-nim forever, was she?.
That was a little too burdensome.
◇─◇───◆─◈─◆───◇─◇
Guided by Kaya, I took a seat in the empty meeting room first, and not long after, Yukino showed her face.
After exchanging greetings with her, Hina arrived shortly after.
Since we were meeting for work and we weren't alone, we exchanged only a light hug and greeting, separate from the joy of seeing each other's faces.
We could catch up after work was done.
"The position of Director-General of the Eden Treaty Organization has been structured to rotate between Trinity, Gehenna, and SRT, but for this trial period, I believe it's right for the SRT side to take the lead.
And regardless of how successful the trial run is, even after the Eden Treaty is formally signed, it would be better for SRT to hold the position for the first year to lessen the backlash".
"I have no choice but to agree on that point. In fact, from the perspective of Gehenna or Trinity, it wouldn't be a bad form for SRT to continue holding the Director-General position… but there's a risk that the ETO could be perceived not as an organization to maintain peace between the two academies, but as a form of control from the General Student Council".
"We are grateful for the trust you both have placed in our SRT, but as you said, a monopoly on power will be perceived as surveillance and control. Ideally, we should be members of this organization in the position of mediators, so if possible, after the trial period, it would be best for one of the two academies to take the Director-General position…".
"Hmm? No, that won't do. Absolutely not, Yukino-chan".
"That's right. If it comes to that, it's better for SRT to take the inaugural Director-General position".
Anything else, perhaps, but for either Trinity or Gehenna to take the inaugural Director-General position of the ETO?.
That alone would surely cause an outcry from the other academy.
That backlash wouldn't disappear by the time the second or third Director-General came around, but it would surely be a better situation than the first.
"During the trial period, what do you think is an appropriate number of personnel to dispatch from each academy?. Considering that the ETO will be performing some of the roles of the Justice Task Force and the Prefect Team. Realistically, it's impossible to merge the entirety of the Justice Task Force and the Prefect Team into the ETO".
"At most, we won't be able to exceed 50 members. We can't forcibly change the affiliation of Prefect Team members against their will, so voluntary participation is necessary".
"Hmm. That's certainly similar on our side. Wouldn't it be better to approach it as if we're deploying members to the ETO?. They would maintain their basic affiliation, but prioritize the ETO's orders during their deployment. If we continuously rotate members for a set period, I believe we can catch two birds with one stone: securing personnel and managing backlash".
"In that case, do we also need to dispatch executives to lead the Justice Task Force and the Prefect Team within the ETO?.
It seems that would be closer to a full transfer of affiliation…".
"Hmm… is the concern in that process factional infighting?. That doesn't paint a pretty picture".
"Ultimately, the main body must be the SRT.
We could consider a method of dividing the personnel into squads and appointing SRT-affiliated commanders".
"If we can quell the discontent, it would be a desirable method in many ways."
"Alternatively, how about having students who show promise in the Justice Task Force and the Prefect Team.
complete an accelerated SRT training course?".
Among the various stories being exchanged, I seriously considered the proposal Yukino presented.
but in the end, I had to voice my reservations.
"Even so, it doesn't become a solution that can quell the inevitable problem of factional infighting".
And it was around then that Kaya, who had been sitting at one side of the table scribbling notes, cautiously offered her opinion.
"Excuse me, I know I said I would only observe, so I apologize for interjecting.
But, is it absolutely necessary to suppress the factional infighting?".
"…Huh?".
"I believe there must be a way to use the factional infighting, to channel it in the direction of competition for results…".
"Hmm, as long as the competition doesn't overheat…?".
"That could work".
"A method to prevent the competition from becoming excessively heated by implementing a system of merits and demerits…".
As expected, Kaya is competent.