"...Sensei, please wake up."
"..."
"Sensei!!!"
"...?"
A man with a somewhat kind-looking face awoke to the sound of a girl's call. He seemed like the type of person who would listen to most complaints without a word and readily grant any request. Composing her voice, Rin began to speak.
"I asked you to wait for a moment, but you must have been tired. I didn't realize you were sleeping so soundly that it would be difficult to wake you."
"...Ah. Sorry."
"N-No, there's no need to apologize. First, I will explain the situation once more, so please wake up fully and focus."
Rin's explanation continued. About Kivotos and the General Student Council. And about how he was a figure presumed to be the "Sensei" summoned to Kivotos by them.
As he listened intently, Sensei recalled the girl from the dream he just had.
Amidst a feeling of familiarity and fondness... Sensei mulled over the one and only phrase from the girl's words that remained in his memory.
*'Please, remember me.'*
Tucking that single phrase, filled with emotions he couldn't yet grasp, into a corner of his heart, Sensei asked Rin a question.
"I don't really understand... but can I assume I was brought here because there's something I need to do?"
"Yes, that's correct. I'm sure this situation is confusing, but for now, please follow me. There is an important task that only you can perform right now... By the way, of all people, for *her* to be here. Hahh."
"...Her?"
"Ah, no... it was a slip of the tongue, but you will be meeting her soon enough, so I will give you a brief explanation. She is... a figure like the de facto 'queen' of Trinity, one of the largest and most influential academies here in Kivotos."
"...?"
"I believe you will come to understand naturally as you carry out your duties as Sensei. Time is of the essence, so please, this way."
Following Rin's guidance, Sensei began to walk. As he stepped into the elevator, he let out a small gasp of admiration at the view of the D.U. district visible beyond the glass.
"Welcome to Kivotos, Sensei."
***
February 12th. Today marks... three weeks since the General Student Council President disappeared.
No, wait. When I got the call three weeks ago, they said it had been 80 hours since she went missing, so it's been exactly 24 days since then.
I heard from Hina during our call last night that the Prefect Team is scheduled to send someone to the General Student Council today. And only after hearing that did I remember seeing an article a few days ago about Millennium's wind power plant shutting down.
This means that today is the day *he* arrives.
In the original story, I remember it was Hasumi from the Justice Realization Committee and Suzumi from the Vigilante Corps who represented Trinity at the General Student Council... After debating whether or not to send Hasumi as planned, I ultimately decided to go to the GSC myself.
Perhaps it's because for the past three weeks or so, I've spent my days processing mountains of paperwork and my afternoons kindly rehabilitating misbehaving delinquents who act crazy on the streets. I've concluded that I need a break.
More importantly, I don't think I'll be able to rest easy until I confirm with my own two eyes that Sensei has arrived safely.
...Don't tell me he's not coming, right? That would be a problem.
If that happens, I'll have to transfer to Millennium, join the Game Development Department, and raise Aris on my back...
Oh, wait. That might not be so bad in its own way.
***
This is something I'm almost certain of, but the current situation in Kivotos is incomparably better than in the original story.
For starters, the line about the illegal distribution of weapons of unknown origin increasing by over 2000%, which is quite vivid in my memory, is now a non-issue. This can all be attributed to the efforts of SRT in controlling the Black Market.
I heard that a certain squad composed of this year's freshmen and a certain solo operative have been particularly active... Just hearing that, isn't it obvious who they are?
But the situation being good is one thing.
For Hina, who has become thoroughly accustomed to the benefits of ETO, the current situation, which feels like a regression to the past, seems to be extremely unsatisfactory. To be honest, I, who have been going through a similar routine, was also on the verge of losing my mind, so I can understand her feelings a hundred times over.
As I entered the General Student Council building, an executive who recognized me jumped in surprise and guided me to the reception room. I saw students from various academies, but the most conspicuous were Yuuka from Millennium and Chinatsu, a freshman from Gehenna's Prefect Team. Those two...
"Hm?"
No, you've got to be kidding me.
What the hell is *she* doing here?
"Kishishishishi—!!! Look who it is. If it isn't the greatest supporter of the magnificent me, Makoto! Have you finally decided to lend your fire support to my impeachment bill for the General Student Council President, Mika!"
Um, the GSC President you want to impeach isn't here right now, so what's the point of that...?
"Ahaha, well. This is certainly an unexpected meeting... But Makoto-chan, I'd appreciate it if you'd refrain from making remarks that could cause misunderstandings. Yeah, I'd really rather not be classified as a subversive element."
"...What? What in the world do you mean, Mika! Do you not wish to witness the moment I, Makoto-sama, become the General Student Council President and exert my influence over all of Kivotos?! Y-You must want to see it, right? Did you not say so yourself!"
"H-Huh? When did I ever...?!"
"For me, Kai— K-Heogh."
Makoto, who seemed to be on the verge of saying something she shouldn't, staggered and fell backward, landing neatly in a chair.
The gift I gave Iroha for Christmas has not only protected Gehenna but has ultimately saved the peace of Kivotos... If artificial miracles exist in this world, this must be one of them.
"...Hahh. I'm sorry, Mika-ssi. But on second thought, I'm not sorry at all. This is all the result of the nonsense you filled Makoto-sunbae's head with last year. What is she even doing, dragging me all the way to the GSC building this early in the morning to stage an impeachment protest... Ah?"
Iroha's gaze shifted to a single point. There stood Rin, who was currently acting as the GSC President, and one... giant.
At a glance, he was a head and a half? Two heads taller than me, with broad shoulders, a sturdy build, and most of all, a face so handsome it momentarily made me angry. It was obvious who he was.
"Wo—ow."
Ah, life is so damn unfair. Why couldn't I have been born as a super-cool alpha male like that and had a sweet, lovey-dovey romance with our princess, instead of being reincarnated into the princess's body?
This is what you call a true *eok-kka*. I hate this world. I despise it. (TN: Eok-kka is Korean slang for an unfair or forced disadvantage, often used in gaming.)
"Um, Iroha-chan...?"
"Yes, Mika-ssi."
"That person, do you think he saw? That thing."
"...I don't know. I was just thinking that it would have been better if he hadn't."
It would be a problem if he caught sight of the detective watch I gave Iroha. If Sensei were to decide to confiscate it, there would be no grounds to refuse. In Kivotos, Sensei's authority is absolute.
If that thing gets taken away, Gehenna's... no, the peace of all of Kivotos is in danger.
As I was lost in such thoughts, Sensei strode towards us. In the meantime, I could hear Rin, who was being held up by Yuuka and Chinatsu, delivering her famous line, "All you etceteras with time on your hands."
Man, even hearing it from a distance, that stings... The original story's Kaya was definitely innocent. If the Kaya who did her best to maintain order in Kivotos, contacting me at least ten times over the past three weeks, had rebelled, then it was absolutely, positively Rin's fault.
Half of those calls were just me soothing Kaya as she whined about how hard things were, so as someone who was honestly working ten times harder than her, I found it a bit annoying... but anyway, I support our Kaya.
Especially considering that the current GSC, aside from the Transportation, Health, and Defense Offices, is a useless collection of incompetents, maybe Kaya is in the right after all.
"Excuse me, there's something I'd like to ask. Could you answer honestly?"
"...What might that be?"
While I was lost in my useless thoughts, Sensei had finally reached Iroha and me. He then looked at Iroha and posed his question.
"I'm talking about that tranquilizer gun...? Or a similar device from a moment ago. If it's dangerous to the body or anything like that, I'd like you to not use it on your friends from now on."
"W-Well, I don't believe it's a dangerous object, but..."
"Really? That's a relief, then. Oh, by the way, could I get your names?"
"Hahh... isn't it normally proper to introduce yourself before asking for someone else's name?"
"Hmm, you have a point. Well, it seems I've been summoned here in the capacity of a 'Sensei.' I'll need to hear a bit more to know the full details."
"Sensei, you say? I have a feeling I've gotten involved in something troublesome..."
Iroha lowered her book, avoiding Sensei's gaze as she answered his question.
"Natsume Iroha."
"Iroha... that's a nice name. It's nice to meet you, Iroha."
Having gotten her name, Sensei turned his gaze to me, a lethally charming smile on his lips. It was a bewitching smile that could captivate anyone. It was the kind of look that would make even a man think, 'Wow, how can a person be that handsome?'
Fortunately, that was the extent of my reaction. To be honest, by my standards, the smile Haruna gives has far more destructive power. I'm safe, right?
"Misono Mika. Nice to meet you, Sensei. Well, I think we'll be seeing each other often from now on, so let's get along☆"
"Mika, is it? I'll be sure to remember it. It's nice to meet you."
...Just smile, smile.
My heart didn't suddenly start pounding like a runaway train, nor did my womb, to be a bit vulgar, start fluttering, so I think I'm safe for now. (TN: "Womb fluttering" is a crude internet slang phrase used to describe a strong physical reaction of attraction.)
Hmm, still, I'm going to decline giving this person my Momotalk ID. Absolutely.
***