Seia glared at Mika and Nagisa, who were sitting across from her.
If she had encountered these two under normal circumstances, she probably would have been impressed; that's how outstanding their appearances were.
But that only grated on her nerves even more. Damned vixen bitches, ruining a date with her husband. Their goal was obvious. Since they had no chance of ending up with her husband, they were trying to prevent the wife from meeting him in any way possible, weren't they? Not that it would ever lead to them marrying him.
'Are these bitches the obstacles standing between my husband and me?'
Seia forced the scowl off her face and took a sip of the cocoa she had ordered. As the sweet liquid went down her throat, the boiling feeling in her stomach subsided somewhat.
Right, the wife of Kenji I saw in the dream is none other than me. No matter how much these two struggle here, the result won't change.
With that thought, Seia set her cup down with a clatter. Then, she turned to look at Kenji, who was sweating profusely.
"You seem to be having a hard time."
A benevolent smile graced Seia's lips. She folded the napkin she received with her plate and wiped the sweat from Kenji's forehead.
A blatant appeal. She smiled gently while twisting one corner of her lips upwards. It was a sneer directed at Mika and Nagisa.
At that sight, a vein popped on Mika's forehead. A crack appeared on the teacup Nagisa was holding.
"Hey. I don't know who you are, but could you stop acting so familiar with our Kenji? You're making him uncomfortable."
Mika emphasized the word 'our'. But Seia scoffed and retorted.
"You're the one who intruded on his and my time, so why should I listen to you? If you're so displeased, then get up and leave. No, I would prefer if you did. Get out."
"...What's your name? Do you go to our middle school?"
"I have no reason nor obligation to tell you that."
"...Ahaha, I've never wanted to kill someone so much in my life☆"
Mika stabbed her fork into a roll cake. The entire fork crumbled, and the roll cake and the plate were torn apart. The table shook, so it seemed the table leg was broken as well.
Overwhelming power. Seia flinched at the sight but soon regained a relaxed smile. She took one of Kenji's hands and perked up her fox ears. Startled by her sudden action, Kenji tried to pull his hand away, but he couldn't move due to the difference in their strength.
"Wanting to kill someone. My dear, you shouldn't associate with such a vulgar woman. A woman like that will surely bring you misfortune."
"Before I rip your entire arm off, would you mind letting go of that hand? There's a limit to my patience."
"Hot-tempered and foul-mouthed. Truly... a woman who doesn't suit him."
"Hmm... and yet, Kenji calls me his princess, doesn't he? Right?"
At Mika's words, Seia looked up at Kenji. Mika also smiled brightly and stared at Kenji. Receiving both of their gazes at once, Kenji repeatedly screamed 'fuck' in his mind.
"My dear?"
"...We had an arm-wrestling bet, and I lost, so I was forced to—"
"Kenji?"
"No, ma'am. Princess Mika is so beautiful that I am speaking of my own free will. Please spare me."
Kenji bowed his head towards Mika's trembling fist. Nagisa, who had been watching, sighed and set down her teacup.
"Let's stop this farce. So, Seia-san? What is your relationship with Kenji-san?"
"His wi—... just a friend."
Suppressing the word 'wife' that she had almost blurted out, Seia replied with a calm expression. Nagisa stared intently at her face and nodded.
"Then there should be no problem. Just as you are friends with Kenji-san, we too are friends with Kenji-san. Since we ran into a close friend, it might be only natural for us to join you."
"...What kind of sophistry is that?"
"Kenji-san would also want us to become friends with you. A friend of a friend. Wouldn't it be better for all of us to get along, rather than meeting like this and fighting?"
Nagisa said, closing her eyes. As she did, she mulled over the words she had just spoken.
A friend of a friend? Get along?
'What nonsense.'
Nagisa did not like Seia. It was obvious she had feelings for Kenji, and the way she was so touchy-feely without respecting his wishes irritated her to no end. But she didn't let it show.
If they were to fight in front of Kenji every time, he might get the wrong impression that they were violent women, wouldn't he? It was better to wear a mask and laugh it off. Perhaps, by doing so, they might even become genuine friends.
Of course, the chances of that were extremely low.
Look at the eyes of that damned fox bitch. They're droopy as if she's sleepy, but those are the eyes of a predator. The eyes of a predator that never lets go of its prey once it has locked on. But in that regard, she was no different. If she looked in a mirror, she would probably see the same eyes as that fox.
Smiling on the outside. Sharpening a knife on the inside.
Nagisa smiled brightly and extended her hand towards Seia.
"My name is Kirifuji Nagisa. Let's get along."
"..."
Seia stared blankly at Nagisa's outstretched hand for a moment, then gave a faint smile and took it. It was because she understood the meaning behind her words and actions. The lesser evil of friendship instead of the worst-case scenario of mutual destruction. It wasn't a bad choice.
"Yurizono Seia. It's a pleasure."
"Fufu, yes. Do you like black tea?"
Nagisa asked, swirling the tea in her cup. Seia nodded lightly.
"I like it well enough. Personally, I prefer green tea, though."
(=You like black tea? I like what Kenji likes better.)
"Green tea isn't bad either. But the drink you ordered is hot chocolate, isn't it?"
(=You like it too? I like it too. But why did you order something else? Are you lying in front of Kenji?)
"I was debating between something bitter and something sweet, and I made my choice. I think it was a good choice, personally. A bitter taste suddenly filled my mouth, you see."
(=It's because of you two. If you weren't here, it would have been a sweet situation, you damn bitch.)
"Fufu. Is that so? That's a relief."
(=Whatever.)
Nagisa and Seia conversed with smiles. But every single word was laced with daggers.
Kenji didn't understand the meaning behind their words. He was just grateful for the suddenly warm atmosphere and let out a sigh of relief.
Mika, on the other hand, had caught on to the meaning behind their words and the reason they had agreed to be friends. She may have been slow-witted when she was younger, but not anymore. Ever since Kenji had declared that he liked smart women during their kindergarten days, she had acquired intelligence and wisdom.
"...I don't like it, but since Nagi-chan said so, I'll make an effort too. I'm Misono Mika."
"Mm. As I've introduced myself, I am Yurizono Seia. Feel free to call me by my last name or first name, whichever you prefer."
Mika and Seia also shared a light handshake. Of course, it was only a light handshake for Mika. Seia looked down at her hand, which now had Mika's handprint on it, and let out a hollow laugh.
"...It's a pleasure."
(=Are you insane?)
"Yeah. The pleasure is all mine."
(=Shut up.)
And so.
The meeting of the three future student council presidents who would lead Trinity was forged amidst all sorts of schemes and machinations.
*
After leaving the cafe, the three of them headed back to the school dormitory. They seemed to be having some sort of conversation on the way back, but he didn't pay much attention. The term 'girl talk' didn't exist for no reason. He felt like he would get into trouble if he tried to find out.
As soon as the three of them were out of sight, Kenji checked the time on his smartphone.
8:30 PM.
The time when Torimune left the kindergarten had long passed, but it wasn't a big problem. He had a key, so he could go back and sleep whenever he wanted. Besides, he had the day off from his part-time job tomorrow. He could go to sleep in the early hours of the morning and it wouldn't matter.
"...Hah."
Kenji looked up at the sky and exhaled.
The late autumn night was cold, and his breath fogged up in the air. The puff of white rose towards the sky before dissipating a short while later. Kenji stared blankly at the spot where his breath had been, then chuckled and lowered his head.
Am I getting sentimental because it's autumn? How unnecessarily emotional.
He put on his earphones, played a suitable song, and started walking.
The place he arrived at was a shooting range located somewhere in Trinity. The building was more run-down than the other shooting ranges in the autonomous district. But Kenji opened the door of the shooting range without hesitation and went inside. And then, the sound of loud gunshots. He had been startled at first, but now he was used to it.
He went through a series of familiar motions, signed in, and headed deeper into the shooting range.
In the corner of his vision, he could see figures holding pistols or rifles, pulling the triggers. But he saw no one with a halo.
Most of the members who used this place were not students, but civilians like machines or beastmen. It was only natural. There was a shooting range with excellent facilities at the school, so why would a student with a halo come all the way here? Even if they were to go to a shooting range, they would go to a nice one, not a shabby place like this.
'Doesn't matter to me.'
Kenji rolled his stiff shoulders and continued to walk.
He arrived in front of a simulation room located in the depths of the shooting range. Fortunately, no one was using it.
Kenji's gaze shifted to the firearms placed next to the simulation room.
The types of guns ranged from pistols to machine guns. But he didn't see the K2 he had used in the military. Not that he would have used it even if it were there.
The bullets were arranged by type below where the guns were hanging, and among them were even Hollow Points, which were banned by the Hague Convention. But since their penetration power wasn't very high, Kenji looked away from the Hollow Points.
Kenji skimmed through the countless guns and bullets, then chose a suitable pistol and ammunition. He then holstered the pistol in the gun holder on his right thigh and inserted the bullets into the magazine.
He prepared a total of five magazines. In terms of the number of bullets, that was 60 rounds. Kenji attached the magazines to his belt and put on a pair of black gloves that were lying nearby. He tucked a knife into his left hip.
With that, he operated the simulation control panel.
'10 enemies. Difficulty: Hard. Terrain: Open field with plenty of cover.'
-Ding. Settings have been completed.
At the voice from the panel, Kenji nodded in satisfaction. He put on the in-ear monitor placed next to the panel and entered the simulation room.
"Hoo... haa..."
He steadied his breathing.
-Commencing simulation. 3...
He opened the eyes he had closed at the voice coming through the in-ear monitor.
-Static. The pure white space begins to change. The floor becomes dirt. The ceiling mimics the sky, and cover like rocks and cars rises from the ground.
-2...
Next, robots emerge. Fakes created by the simulation. They each hold a different weapon and begin to activate. Light glows from the holes that serve as their faces.
-1...
The robots' gazes turn towards Kenji. Receiving their inorganic stares, Kenji checked his magazine and chamber.
There were no problems.
-Start.
The moment the calm voice sounded in his ear.
Rat-tat-tat!
Flames erupted from the muzzles of their guns.