Chapter 23: Selective Choices

“──Alright then. I guess it’s about time we got to the main topic.”

“Hey, sis… don’t you think this lady’s kind of, um, living in a dream world…?”

“That’s rude, Shio. Though… I won’t deny it.”

“Suou, that’s rude too…!”

“Ahaha! It’s fine, it’s fine! I get that a lot! Seia-chan’s always telling me, ‘You should try to be a little more thoughtful. You might see the world differently if you did!’ Can you believe that? So mean!”

…Given what happened in the original story, the fact that she can already say things like that… yeah, that’s a bit worrying.

“So anyway, the main topic—it’s actually pretty simple.”

…I already know what’s coming next.

“──I want to make peace with you, Arius.”

“…Make peace?”

“Yeah. It might sound a little extreme, but… you probably still hate us, right?”

And if the next words are what I remember… then maybe, just maybe…

“…No, not at all.”

…!!

“Huh?”

“Mm?”

Saori…!!

“Sa—Saoriii…!!”

“Wha—what’s with you all of a sudden!? Why are you crying… stop clinging to me! Let go…!!”

“I’m so glad…!! Really, I’m so glad…!”

“Quit patting my head, it’s annoying!!! Ugh, geez—how strong are you…!?”

“Sis…!? Me too…!!”

I’m so glad… everything I’ve done wasn’t in vain.

At least Saori… she wasn’t consumed by hatred toward Trinity. She didn’t inherit that grudge.

“Uh, wait a second? What’s going on here?”

“Isn’t it obvious?”

“Sorry, but I can’t make any sense of this scene. All I see are three girls clinging together.”

…Well, fair enough.

“Ah, basically, we don’t hate Trinity. I can’t speak for everyone, but at least the three of us don’t.”

“Then… then why do you refuse help from us or the Federal Student Council? You’re living in this rundown district with nothing but old buildings…”

“That’s because…”

…What should I say?
That we’re under Beatrice’s control?

If we could get Mika to cooperate from here, there’s still a year left before the signing of the Eden Treaty.
If we can contact Sensei during that time, we might be able to gather forces—and defeat Beatrice.

But that comes with three risks.

First: Kirifuji Nagisa and Yurizono Seia.
They’re not as lenient as Misono Mika.
Would they even believe us? In the original story, they created the Remedial Class Division out of suspicion. Granted, that was because they thought Seia had been killed—but still, telling them now might backfire.
Worst case, we’d end up detained… or they’d move to cut us out completely. They were against the idea of reconciling with Arius from the start.

Second: There’s no guarantee we can kill Beatrice.
Even in the original story, she had to release Arius, but she took heavy damage before that happened.
If she decides to flee before we can corner her—and takes everyone with her—we’d lose our only chance to strike back.
And she’s still producing bombs capable of destroying halos.
We can’t risk any students getting caught in that. If it has to be done, I’ll do it alone.

Third: Misono Mika herself.
Well… Mika’s a bit of an airhead.
She’s physically and socially strong—too strong. Because of that, she tends to think she can handle anything that happens.
That confidence leads to carelessness. In the original story, it nearly cost Seia her life.
She learned from that, sure—but still…

“…? Why are you staring at me like that?”

“It’s nothing.”

…I don’t know what happens after the original.
I don’t know how the Eden Treaty arc connects to all this.
And Mika… she wasn’t even in the game before I died.
If—by any chance—her lack of foresight hasn’t changed, and it shows itself at the worst possible time…
It’ll be irreversible.

That’s why Mika needs to experience some pain.
Not bullying, not name-calling. And killing? Absolutely not.

“Anyway, Arius isn’t a unified group. Our leader’s just… that kind of person. And we’re all under her control. That’s all.”

“Ah… I see.”

Then this is fine.
This is the right path.

…I’m not wrong.
At least, I hope not.

It’s not like I’m lying, either.
Beatrice is stirring up hatred toward Trinity—but that’s just one of her many tools.
And I’m the only one in this world who knows that, apart from her.

“I see, I see… then maybe the proposal I brought today wasn’t a waste after all.”

“Ah, finally getting to that part… so, why did you come here?”

“Well, first off, I think there’s too much misunderstanding and hatred between us.”

“Between us? Are there really people in Trinity who hate us?”

“Yeah. Not many even know about Arius, but… there are some students who were victims of robberies, for example.”

“…I see.”

“……”

…So even that action helped deepen the divide.

“But honestly, there are probably more students who just misunderstand things.
Even I thought until just now that all Arius students hated Trinity.”

“Well, that’s not actually the case. You mentioned earlier—Nagisan and Seia-san?”

“Oh, sorry—Nagichan’s just a nickname. Her full name’s Nagisa.”

“Got it, sorry about that. Do you think those two would believe us if we said Arius doesn’t hate Trinity?”

“Hard to say… probably not. They were totally against the idea of reconciliation.
I came here secretly, so if they find out, they’ll be really mad.”

“Are you sure you’re part of the Tea Party? You’re way too reckless.”

“If you move quietly enough, things tend to work out.”

“That’s… not the point…”

“Hahaha…”

Saori and Shio look completely taken aback… a testament to their education. They truly understand the danger of letting a leader act freely.
…Though honestly, it’s been a long time since there was anything left for me to teach them.

“Anyway. I believe that if we can just take a single step toward each other, someday everyone will be able to get along. That’s why I came here—to take that first step, even if it’s small.”

“……”

Her ideal is a beautiful one.
An ideal will always remain just that—an ideal. But it’s something I’ve already given up on.
Before chasing ideals, I have to face reality. Because failure isn’t an option.

…That’s why.

“…I envy you.”

“Huh? Did you say something?”

“Ah, nothing.”

“……Still, we can’t trust you that easily.”

…Not “we don’t trust you,” but “we can’t afford to trust you,” huh.

“Y-yeah… if something were to happen because of it, everyone would be in serious trouble…!”

“Yeah, that makes sense… I get that reaction. So I was thinking—what if we transferred one Arius student to Trinity? Secretly, of course.”

“…!? Is that even possible?”

“If I act as their guardian, I think I can make it happen. Believe it or not, I am part of the Tea Party.”

“……Hard to believe.”

“Agreed… completely.”

“That’s mean, you two!”

Maybe thanks to the earlier icebreaker, Saori and Shio seem a lot more comfortable now.

“S-so! If that Arius student can live happily and peacefully at our academy, it’ll prove that it’s possible for us to get along.”

“……That’s…”

“In other words, that student could become a ‘symbol of reconciliation.’ What do you think? I mean, we’re getting along just fine right now, aren’t we?”

“…It sounds a bit unrealistic.”

“R-really? But if someone like that existed… then Nagichan and Seiachan would definitely believe there are Arius students who don’t hate Trinity!”

“W-what do you think… sis…?”

“…Shio. What do you think?”

“Eh? M-me? I-I’ll go with whatever you decide…”

…That’s not good.
She’s losing her ability to make her own decisions.

“No, that’s not what I mean. What do you think is right? …You have to think about this for yourself.”

“…U-uh… I… I think… we could try believing her…”

Good. She needs to learn to stand on her own like this.
So that someday, even if I’m gone… she’ll be alright.

“…Yes. That’s a good answer. Saori, how about you?”

“…I can’t decide right now. I’d like to hear everyone else’s opinion first. But personally, I think it’s a good proposal.”

“I agree, more or less. Actually, I’d say we can trust her completely. She doesn’t seem capable of lying.”

“You know that’s kind of rude, right? But still, if that’s the case—”

“Ah-ah-ah, however. That’s just our opinion. You understand that decisions come with responsibility, don’t you?”

“……Yeah. You’re right.”

…I really hope she truly understands that. But maybe there’s still some way to make this work later.
We’ll probably continue to meet Mika in the future—perhaps we can find a way to use that.

“Also, we’ll need approval from above. Would you mind waiting for our next response? Honestly, I doubt they’ll approve it. Don’t get your hopes up.”

And she’s right—almost certainly.
Beatrice has no reason to allow it. Unless it’s as a spy, a “symbol of reconciliation” would just make her laugh.

“……I see. Okay, I understand. At first, I wasn’t sure if such a student could even exist, but… looking at you all, I think it’s possible.”

“Yes. There are plenty of us like that.”

“……”

…For Saori, the best candidate would probably be Azusa.
Honestly, that would make things easier for me too. The conditions would match the original events, after all.
And since I never finished high school, I can’t really help with academics. Besides, Kivotos’ education system probably isn’t the same as my old world’s. She’d likely end up in the Remedial Class Division…

“…Even if it doesn’t work out this time… I’ll be hoping that someday, there’ll be another chance.”

“Yes. I feel the same way.”

Not everything in the original needs to change.
You must choose—what to keep, what to discard.
And look further—toward the future beyond that.

Think carefully. Think deeply.

“Then, let’s stop here for today.”

“Yeah. See you. …I’ll be hoping for a good answer.”

“……Alright.”

…That’s why. I’ll report this directly to Beatrice.
The best time to kill her—and save everyone—is during the Eden Treaty signing ceremony.

We’ll have to move toward that.

“Alright! Shall we head back now?”

“Y-yeah… Joumae Saori…? Are you even listening…?”

“…Hm? Ah, sorry. I was lost in thought.”

“Hey, who said you could—oof!?”

“Shio? You’re getting a little too cheeky again, aren’t you?”

“…!? S-sorry…!!”

“Sigh… as long as you understand. Saori, make sure you’re listening too, alright?”

“…Yeah.”

“I’ll report to Beatrice myself. You two go on ahead and rest.”

“Okayyy…”

…Alright then. Time to go.

“Madam. I’ve returned.”

“I see. So, how did it go? Contact with Trinity…?”

…As usual, sitting there all high and mighty. Should I just kill her right here?

“To put it simply, she wishes for reconciliation.”

“…Hmm.”

“Specifically, she requested one of our students. She says it would symbolize their desire for peace.”

Heh… Reconciliation? What a laughably naïve idea. It’d be suspicious if it weren’t a trap.

…Well, that figures. I never had any expectations from the start. This rotten old hag wants us to harbor hatred, after all.

“I think the same. But she… she’s an idiot. I can’t imagine her capable of deceiving anyone.”

“…So, what exactly are you trying to say?”

In an instant, Beatrice’s gaze sharpens. Is she sizing things up right here, right now?

“She can be used.”

“…Used for what?”

“For retaliation against Trinity. Most likely, she is not a serpent. Of course, it’s too early to draw that conclusion… but it may be worth observing her behavior.”

“Then you know what needs to be done, don’t you?”

“…Regarding this proposal, we will refuse it once. But cutting ties entirely would be unwise. I intend to skillfully coax information from her, focusing on that.”

“…Hmm. Very well.”

Beatrice nods, clearly satisfied.

“You haven’t forgotten, have you? The reason you shiver in the cold and continue to starve?”

───It’s your fault, isn’t it?

I bite back the words that almost escape my lips.

“Of course, Madam.”

I can let my boiling hatred be mistaken as being aimed at Trinity.

Fortunately, I’ve perfected that kind of acting over these nearly sixteen years.

“This hatred will never fade. This murderous intent will never vanish.”

───Exactly. It must never disappear. It cannot be allowed to.

“No matter what I do, without fail—”

───No matter the means, without fail.

“I will make her suffer as much as possible, and I will slaughter all of Trinity.”

───With maximum humiliation and defeat, I’ll crush you to pieces.

Remedial Classes Club

— One of Trinity’s school clubs
— Established on an emergency basis
— Students with poor grades are forced to join
— Its true purpose is to expel “traitors of Trinity” along with their suspects
— Operates using Sharle’s authority, but the entire scheme is actually orchestrated by Kirifuji Nagisa