NOVEL WEB While Wakamo was showering, I took the time to organize the backlog of Momotalk messages. Initially, I intended to request a meeting with the Student Council President because it was an urgent matter, but I ended up overthinking it after hearing something that contradicted that plan.
Don’t trust Gematria? That could be a thing. Maybe they’re just hoping to avoid sharing any sensitive information while gathering intel about me.
However, I can’t wrap my head around the idea of not trusting the Student Council President and doubting everything. Mika’s words definitely carried a sense of wariness towards her.
I just couldn’t get my mind around it, and even though I knew I had to request that meeting anyway, I ended up worrying for no reason.
In the end, I left a request with Yukino to check if we could have a meeting with the Student Council President before noon. If that wasn’t possible, I asked her to schedule it as soon as possible.
Honestly, given the importance of this situation, the Student Council President should carve out some time, even if it interfered with other matters. The Kaiser Corporation causing a major incident might conflict with her plans, so she perhaps feels the need to impose some sanctions on them.
It seemed better to relay the message through the captain of the Aigis ship and encourage the Odyssey side to participate in a video conference for the meeting. After losing one academy ship, they, too, would make time to join.
I informed Seiya that joining her in the festivities today might be a bit tricky. I mentioned that if I found some free time in the afternoon, I’d try to join, but until then, she should hang out with Nagisa.
Next, I braced myself to check yesterday’s game results, something I had been consciously avoiding. I decided to only follow the rough flow via a video streaming app that I usually try to stay away from.
Overall, the game was tense and closely contested, highlighting several noteworthy moments.
First off, it became clear that Trinity’s armored car being a lower weight class didn’t hold much significance compared to Gehenna’s. Watching Tsurugi incapacitate a Tiger tank in an instant really hammered that home.
Even in the midst of this, it was quite impressive to see a Tiger tank, presumably driven by Iroha, holding its ground until it took significant damage right before Arius’s rocket launcher support arrived. I can’t tell if that tank was exceptionally durable or what, but by performance alone, Iroha’s tank would rank among the best in that mock battle.
“…Should I die?”
As I watched the game with Nagisa’s gentle commentary, I couldn’t help but feel regret about not witnessing it with my own eyes. I suddenly felt the urge to give Wakamo another smack, but since the mastermind was Kaiser, I started to think maybe I should cause a ruckus at their headquarters instead.
Well, I mean, it’s only fair.
Why do I have to watch a replay of Tsurugi and Hina clashing head-on like this? It’s infuriating…
And today’s matches will be streamed live, so even if I could make the time, it would be no different from watching them recorded.
Honestly, it feels like the universe has it out for me. Isn’t this suffocating disbelief a bit excessive?
I was glued to the screen as I witnessed Tsurugi leap to dodge her attack, while Hina sprang off Tsurugi’s shoulder and spread her wings in mid-air, ready to unleash ‘Isboset’!
Heavens!!! Why in the world can’t I catch a break!!!
Even as I silently wailed inside, I was engrossed so completely in their battle that I nearly forgot to breathe.
Hina was smoothly evading gunfire like water flowing, while Tsurugi seemed to shrug off any hits, charging forward like a zombie. Their fight was almost like a test of endurance.
However, it was hard to shake the feeling that Hina was slightly at a disadvantage due to their types. Tsurugi needed to focus all her firepower to break through, almost like a self-repairing shield.
In contrast, Hina was more like a firing platform, strongest when she held her ground and pummeled away, but inflicting serious damage on Tsurugi in a pressured situation was a tall order.
Yet, Tsurugi, this shield, had sharp spikes. Two spikes, in fact.
Despite all that disadvantage, Hina wasn’t proving Gehenna’s strongest side for nothing, as she bravely took shotgun blasts and retaliated with her own machine gun to deliver a hit on Tsurugi’s jaw. And then there was the follow-up fire.
While half of her ammunition belt ran dry from close-range shots directed at Tsurugi, Tsurugi stared blankly at Hina for a moment before contorting her face in horror and charging again, almost reminiscent of a horror movie.
That’s exactly why I never want to fight Tsurugi. I’d have no confidence in myself against her when she’s flipped that crazy switch.
As Hina continued to struggle, Gehenna’s opposing front line crumbled.
Arius unleashed her full power, tearing away one of Gehenna’s wings. Akko and Iori fought valiantly, but Hiyori swiftly subdued Haruna, showing her desire for revenge after the sniper competition.
As if a domino fell, once their troops reinforced the center, balance was lost in an instant. The central front held only thanks to Makoto’s marvelous defense, but ultimately, all that remained was the last wing, held up by Hina and Tsurugi’s persistent fight.
Ignoring those changes, only Hina and Tsurugi remained in a fierce struggle for dominance, refusing to give an inch until the very end.
Forty minutes in, the outcome was practically decided, but the two continued to persevere, preserving the dignity of their positions as the strongest students from their respective academies. Amidst it all, Hina’s ammo belt ran dry, and it looked like Tsurugi’s time was finally approaching.
“Wha—!”
An advertisement suddenly interrupted the flow. It was a 15-second ad that couldn’t be skipped, and just as that ended, another ad popped up, this time from Kaiser Travel, a subsidiary of Kaiser Corporation.
My precious 30 seconds wasted. Being forced to watch ads from that damn Kaiser…
I guess if I subscribe to premium, I won’t have to see ads at all… I don’t typically use this site or app, so their blatant marketing ploys had me scowling.
Anyway, as soon as the ads ended, I saw Hina charging in to headbutt Tsurugi. Thank goodness she didn’t get jabbed by those dangerous horns—was that relief felt by only me?
Tsurugi brushed it off lightly and unleashed a barrage using the shotgun in an akimbo style. Hina attempted to avoid the shots as much as possible, but it felt like Tsurugi was gaining the upper hand.
Wobbling on her feet but not willing to give up, Hina launched a heel kick towards Tsurugi’s face. Tsurugi blocked it with one hand and caught Hina just as the sound indicating over an hour of game time rang out, signaling the end.
It was practically a decision victory for Tsurugi, but I felt strangely ambivalent.
The score was now an 8-point lead for Trinity. If they win just one of today’s two matches, Trinity’s victory is assured. Plus, I was glad to know that during the time I had to step away, Nagisa managed the commentary without major slips.
While that part was definitely uplifting… it couldn’t help but feel disappointing that Hina lost against Tsurugi, especially since Tsurugi was a friend from the same academy, while Hina was my begrudgingly gained partner.
So, I decided to casually check in on Hina via Momotalk to see how she was feeling. Those of us with busy lifestyles seem to start our days ridiculously early, so by now, Hina must have gone through her entire morning routine and was already working before the afternoon match.
Sure enough, I received a reply from Hina asking why I suddenly brought that up. Instead of answering, I asked her if I could call her for a moment.
A few days ago, Akko had mentioned that I should check in and call Hina often, and while I was indeed providing consistent communication through Momotalk, we both seemed too busy to have phone calls frequently.
Since I’ve wrapped my selfish desires around her, I realized I had to be more considerate in this aspect.
“Good morning, Hina-chan!”
[Good morning, Mika. Why the sudden call?]
“Well, um, you see…”
But once I started the call with Hina, it was surprisingly difficult to find the right words. I worried that I might inadvertently poke her sore spots with thoughtless words. She had her pride, after all, and I didn’t want to say the wrong thing in an attempt to console her after losing…
No, I’d rather just speak up and continue on. This is all part of getting to know each other, and it’s better to confront than to speculate.
“I just rewatched the game from yesterday.”
[…]
“It was really amazing, Hina-chan! But still, we won the match☆”
[Hehe… yeah. Thanks, Mika.]
I could almost imagine Hina from far away, chuckling softly. Thankfully, she didn’t seem to bear any ill will towards me.
[You also had a lot of hard work yesterday. It must have been a headache handling the aftermath, but I’m really glad you reached out even while dealing with that. And… even though we lost yesterday, today’s going to be different. If I give the Justice Realization Department Head two games, I can’t even imagine how much Makoto will annoy me.]
“Haha! If that’s the case, Tsurugi-chan has to be careful! It’s practically a declaration that she must win, right?”
[It won’t just end with declarations. So… what was it you mentioned before? Oh, right. Anyway, victory belongs to Gehenna. You should look forward to my performance today, Mika. I’ll do my best for you, someone who willingly opened her heart to a person like me.]
“…Um, Hina-chan, doing your best is commendable, but, you know, the opposing team doing their best… is kind of… well, it’s not meant for me, right?”
[But Mika, you love witnessing others shine, don’t you?]
I found myself nodding absentmindedly at Hina’s words.
Indeed, the core expression may differ, but ultimately, they are the same.
I’ve initiated many events hoping for the happiness of these kids, and I will continue to do so. All the sleepless nights and arduous efforts are all for this—seeing everyone smile happily at the end.
[Besides, I’m not sure how to shine unless I’m holding a gun…]
“Right, I get it. If that’s the case, then there’s no helping it. I’ll look forward to seeing your amazing side today, Hina-chan☆”
I meant to provide consolation to Hina by reaching out, but it turned out I was the one receiving aid in return. My weary heart, crushed under the weight of all my responsibilities, felt a new vigor awaken inside.
I decided to stop my unnecessary sulking.
The happiness of everyone who deserves to be happy. I reaffirmed that once more in my heart.
In the end, everything is for me and for all of you.