I gotta admit, the villains in Kivotos are dedicated as always.
Whenever they have the upper hand, they generously answer every question, giving ti to stall.
If I had any questions left… there was one, just one:
Whether Seia's attack had anything to do with Mika.
But seeing her so confidently misplace her anger toward , I decided that question was at least temporarily off-limits.
…Maybe that's the real reason Mika hates ?
After a mont's thought, I ca up with another question, one whose answer I more or less already knew, but was perfectly suited for asking here:
"So, claiming the Eden Treaty was for a military alliance… that was a lie too, right?"
"Huh?" Mika raised an eyebrow in surprise. "You actually believed that nonsense? I even warned you not to trust . How could straightforward, honest Nagisa-chan turn a peace treaty into sothing like that? Hahaha☆ You really are an idiot!"
I shook my head, sighing, and stole a glance at Nagisa off to the side, her face nearly black with fury. I couldn't help but feel inside:
Foolish to the MAX...!
Sly villain!
Unaware that the persona she had used to deceive had been sharply critiqued by Nagisa before, Mika pondered for a mont, then began speaking at length:
"…But not everything I said back then was a lie. My desire to reconcile with Arius? That was genuine. After all, those kids also hate Gehenna just as much as we do.
"Besides, Arius was originally a mber of the Trinity. Like I said before, those kids hate Gehenna intensely too, they're not any worse than us. If anything, their hatred might even be purer.
"So I reached out to them. Allies with shared goals, working together to eliminate the villains trying to make a treaty with Gehenna? That's basically it."
Nagisa's expression darkened further, her lips twitching, almost grinding her teeth as she repeated the word: "Villains…"
"Hahaha~ It's just a taphor, Nagi-chan, don't be so mad. Well, in other words, if this Tea Party host [Kirifuji Nagisa] has the Justice Task Force, then the next host [Misono Mika] has Arius. That's the kind of trade it was. Consider it a small step toward reconciliation?"
Mika concluded cheerfully. "To defeat a common enemy, forr enemies temporarily ally. That's how it works. And I supported Arius from behind the scenes."
"So Arius was just a tool in the Trinity coup from the start…?"
"Hm?" Mika looked toward Azusa, who had suddenly spoken. After a mont's thought, she smiled and nodded. "Yes, that's right. You could call it a coup. After all, the ultimate goal was to remove Nagi-chan and make the Tea Party host."
Listening to Mika's plan, which felt all too familiar, I couldn't help but glance at Nagisa. Our eyes t, her gray-gold gaze sharp and cold. And I quickly looked away.
"Ah, I know you." Mika looked at Azusa, as if only now noticing her. "Sorry, I'm a little bad with faces!"
…Could this really be the true reason she doesn't like ?
"Thank you, Shirasu Azusa." Mika's words carried unmistakable sincerity. "Though I don't know much about you, you are truly important to . That hasn't changed, and it won't change. Not before, not now, and not in the future."
She smiled brightly. "After all, from now on, you'll be the one attacking Nagi-chan."
The pure-looking girl sighed softly, as if asking soone else or herself, "Is this what they call a scapegoat? Only because there's a sacrifice bearing the guilt can everyone else sleep peacefully. That's how the world works, right?"
With those words, the vast gymnasium fell utterly silent.
The only thing I could be certain of now:
Mika's condition was far, far worse than Nagisa's.
Is this why Seia hid the truth of her attack from the Tea Party, instead entrusting her trust to Mine and ?
This was indeed a tough problem. But whatever confusion cos next, there was only one thing I needed to do.
"Misono Mika." I asked in a low voice, "Everything you've done… was it all just to beco the Tea Party host?"
"Yes, that's right. But I'm not doing this to gain power. I just want to erase Gehenna from Kivotos… really, that's all."
Mika spoke of her envisioned future. "Expel the conservative faction of the Trinity, let Arius take the vacant position. Maybe a new alliance could form? If necessary, hold a new Academy… hmm, that might not be bad?
"Then, rebuild the Trinity with a new military force and launch an all-out war against Gehenna. Yes, that's my plan!"
Having said that, she seed as if a great weight had been lifted from her shoulders, looking completely refreshed.
In stark contrast, Nagisa's face was tense and sorrowful.
"Mika…" she whispered, calling the friend she had grown up with, but her gaze was strangely distant, as if she had never truly known her.
"Hehe, don't worry, Nagi-chan, it won't hurt, okay?" Mika's smile was soft, almost as if speaking of so trivial matter. "Though your school life from now on might mostly be spent in a cell… as a courtesy, black tea and roll cakes are definitely unlimited, okay?"
Then she exhaled deeply, turning to with a cold expression:
"Well, I'd like to chat more, but we've said enough small talk for now. Sensei, and everyone in the Make-Up Work Club, your ti-wasting tactics end here. Hand Nagisa-chan over to ."
"If you want her, you'll have to co get her yourself." I said, strangely. "You know the rules already."
Mika chuckled lightly. "I knew you'd say that. Then, I'll have to take care of the obstacles first."
At her words, the Arius students who had silently stood behind her stepped forward in unison.
Yet this only emphasized Mika's presence and…
The aura she radiated, enough to seize one's soul.
"Careful, sensei," Azusa stepped forward, wings pushing behind her for protection, her gaze fixed on Mika. "Just watching, you can tell… she's really strong."
"Hehe, weren't you supposed to protect ? Why are you hiding behind another girl now?"
A faint hint of mockery appeared in Mika's smile. "Sensei, you really are a big liar."
Then, on Mika's command, the Arius students launched their attack.
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