Chapter 25: Dialogue, Once More

"Been a while, Mika-san."

"Yeah, though it’s only been, what, a little over a week? Sorry about yesterday—it was so sudden."

It had been about a week since I last met Misono Mika.
We were supposed to meet yesterday, but she’d contacted me at the last minute, asking to postpone it by a day.

"Did something happen?"

"Yesterday was kinda risky… I almost got caught by Seia-chan on my way here."

"…Is that so."

"Seia-chan’s been nagging me nonstop lately… Don’t you think that’s mean?"

…So, does Yurizono Seia know that Mika’s been coming here?
I’d always wondered about that.

In the original story, Yurizono Seia was a clairvoyant—though not an ordinary one. Her ability allowed her to see the future through dreams, even converse with people from those futures, and influence events from them. A genuine power of prophecy through dreams.

So how could someone like her fail to notice Mika’s movements? Did Yurizono Seia really know nothing about Arius?

Shirasu Azusa had known Arius was planning an assassination attempt against her. But judging from her reaction at the time, she’d only learned about Arius’s true nature—the assassin training, the underlying organization—right before the attack itself.

And when it came to Gematria, Seia had clearly struggled to predict their moves too.

In other words, the foresight that once seemed flawless in the original story actually had limits.

What kind of limits, though? She could probably choose to attempt a prophetic dream, but she couldn’t control what she saw—or what she didn’t. If that’s the case, then it makes sense.

Even if she knows Arius plans to attack her, she might not know Mika is visiting here. Or maybe… she doesn’t even know about the attack yet.

In short, there’s a good chance she doesn’t know about us either.

Which means Yurizono Seia really isn’t trying to reconcile with Arius after all…

Well, fine. That would mean these "nagging complaints" Mika mentioned are probably…

"It’s probably Mika-san’s fault."

"What!? I haven’t even told you what happened yet!"

"Just a feeling."

Yeah, it’s most likely her fault. Sure, Seia can be sharp-tongued and stubborn, but… it’s probably still Mika’s fault.

"Haa… come to think of it, Nagi-chan said the exact same thing to me."

"Hahaha… well, these things happen."

"You’re the last person who should be saying that, you know?"

Yeah. I’ve gotten pretty comfortable with Mika lately. She’s easy to talk to—naturally cheerful—but there’s a sly side to her too.

"…So, how did it go?"

At her question, I shook my head.

"…I see."

"I’m sorry. As expected, the higher-ups…"

"No, Suou-chan, you don’t need to apologize. It can’t be helped."

…Damn it.
That’s not it. If I’d really wanted to, I could’ve persuaded Beatrice.

But I didn’t—for the sake of my own plan.

To begin the “Eden Treaty Arc,” what’s about to happen has to happen.

Which means… I’m trampling on Mika’s goodwill.

"But still—"

"Hm?"

I can’t stop anymore. No excuses. No turning back.
I’ll do this because I want to.

"Maintaining friendly contact between us and you has been approved. So if we keep this up, eventually…"

"…! Yeah, you’re right."

…Tch. Damn it.

I feel sick. Then again, I already threw up this morning.

"By the way, aren’t those two with you today?"

"Hm? Ah, no. Saori and Shio are training the others at the practice grounds today."

Saori’s fine, but Shio worries me. That girl doesn’t really know when to hold back.

"I see. So it’s just you today, Suou-chan. I kinda wanted to meet the others too."

"Hahaha… I’ll introduce you someday. They’re quite the unique bunch."

"That one girl, Shio-chan, right? She really left an impression."

"Trust me, the others are just as remarkable."

"Even compared to her…?"

"…Yes."

"Hmm…"

Yeah, I’m honestly surprised too. In the original story, Arius’s members barely had any presence. But in reality, they’re full of eccentric kids, ordinary kids—all kinds.

"But Suou-chan, you’re one to talk, aren’t you?"

"Guh!?"

"I heard you forced everyone to become your little sisters?"

"Eh? Not forced! I declared they’d be my little sisters and then made them my little sisters."

…Even I know how flimsy that sounds.
But what choice did I have? A little forcefulness was necessary back then.

"…See, that’s exactly the problem. Actually, I think they’ve picked up that attitude from you."

"Hahaha… nice joke."

"Not a joke, though…"

Stop it. I already suspect that myself.
‘My’ personality is a troublesome one.

…Anyway, maybe it’s time to get to the main point.

"Speaking of which—"

This was something I’d have to ask eventually.

"Mika-san… why do you hate Gehenna?"

"…? Why do I…? Why?"

"…"

Yeah, I figured she’d react like that.

"Why do you hate Gehenna’s people?"

"Hmm… why, huh… that’s a tough one. For starters, they’ve got horns and tails, right? Isn’t that kinda gross?"

"I think it’s cute."

"…And besides, a lot of them are rough types."

"Trinity’s full of schemers and two-faced people, though."

"Sche… schemers…?"

Okay, maybe that was a bit much.

"That’s not what I mean. Don’t you have a more… concrete reason?"

"…Nope. I just don’t like them. Do I need a reason?"

The fact that she even asks that means… yeah.
Just like Yurizono Seia said, deep down Mika probably feels she should have a reason.

…But, you know.

"I think it’s fine, honestly."

"…Huh?"

"It’s fine. Even if you don’t have a specific reason."

"R-really? …I was sure you’d scold me like Seia-chan does. Wait—don’t tell me you hate Gehenna too, Suou-chan?"

"No, quite the opposite. I actually like it."

Gehenna’s full of free-spirited personalities, each with their own quirks. I remember thinking it had a lot of genuinely interesting students.

"…I see."

"Oh, but I like Trinity too. It’s just… sometimes there are people you can’t get along with, you know? Like, ‘Yeah, I’m not gonna mesh with this one.’ Isn’t it the same thing?"

"E-even so… don’t you think that’s kind of an extreme stance? To dislike someone for no reason…"

Yeah, exactly. If she didn’t think it was extreme, she wouldn’t even say that.

That dislike for Gehenna. That need for a justification to erase it. The realization that Arius could be the strength to make it happen.

It’s not about which came first.

She just happened to harbor a baseless dislike for Gehenna—that was her malice.
She just happened to want to reconcile with Arius without reason—that was her goodwill.

And by chance, those two feelings intertwined.
Reconciling with Arius became her reason to erase Gehenna.
Erasing Gehenna became her reason to reconcile with Arius.

Both her goodwill and her malice had simply become entangled—and Mika ended up standing in a place where she could take Seia’s role as host.

A place where both her kindness and her cruelty could take form. Shallow, naive enough to act on them simply because she could.

So what I’m saying is—

Mika’s actually just normal.

It was the times, the environment, the chain of circumstances… and Beatrice’s malice that took advantage of her.

"It’s normal, really. Usually when you feel like someone’s not your type, you’re right."

"…So you’ve had people like that too, Suou-chan?"

"…Yeah. I have. And I still do."

…Who was it again? I don’t even remember their face or name. Just… someone.

That person—I hated them. I’m pretty sure I did.

Right, it was that one guy. The one slurping pasta.

Yeah, I remember now. It’s fine. I remember. I’m still me.

"…I see. …Suou-chan?"

"—Yes? Suou-chan here."

"What was that? You looked so far away for a second."

"Sorry. Just an old memory."

Seventeen years ago, and not even from this world.

"So you’ve had someone like that too, huh."

"Yeah. I hated them so much it made me sick."

…Though, if I’m being honest, the only one I truly can’t reconcile with right now is Beatrice.

"So, what did you do?"

"Hm?"

"When you had someone like that… what did you do, Suou-chan?"

…What did I do? Honestly, nothing special.

"I talk to them once. Give it about a month. If it still doesn’t work out, I cut ties."

"Eh—you’d talk to them even if you already disliked them?"

"Of course. Because… you don’t really know until you talk."

"What do you mean?"

"Sometimes, after actually talking, you realize you get along better than you thought."

"But didn’t you just say—"

"Yeah. Most of the time it doesn’t work out. But if you never try talking in the first place, that’s it, right? Even if you might’ve become friends otherwise."

"…Maybe you’re right."

…Talking with Mika like this—maybe this could be a chance to change her.

If Mika never gives the order to attack Seia… maybe she can still stop herself. Maybe she won’t have to get hurt.

That’s why—I can’t afford to answer her wrong. Every single choice I make could change the future.

"In our teachings, there’s something called vanitas."

"Vani…?"

"I don’t remember the full phrase—it’s long—but basically, it means that everything is meaningless."

"You’re so vague about it, and it’s supposed to be your faith…?"

"Well, yeah. I hate that doctrine anyway."

I really do remember it. But when facing Beatrice, I need to be me—watashi.

"Because if you give up on trying just because it feels pointless, then you’ll never be able to do anything, right? Saying everything’s meaningless isn’t an excuse. It’s not a reason to stop."

"…That’s a wonderful way of thinking."

"Haha… thanks. I think it’s the same with conversations, too. If you give up before even trying, you’ll end up cutting off people you might’ve actually gotten along with. That’s why I at least try to connect first."

"You’re amazing, Suou-chan… I could never be that pure."

…Impulsive, greedy… sometimes self-destructive. Just like Seia said.

She has proper morals, and she’s not stupid—but that doesn’t mean she can always hold herself back.

She’s been blessed with so much that she’s able to reject the flaws others carry—and that only makes her hate herself more.

That’s why she regrets her actions, despises herself, and tries to shut herself away.

But really, acting on impulse—doesn’t every kid do that?

Misono Mika… to me, she’s indulgent yet strict with herself. A normal good kid, a normal bad kid. That’s who she is.

Which means what this girl needs is… affirmation and denial.

"That’s not true. Mika-san, you tried to reach out to us, didn’t you?"

"That was only because I thought maybe, just maybe, we could get along…"

"It’s the same for me. I only talk because I think maybe we could get along. Don’t worry—you have that kind of kindness too."

"……"

But the fact that she doesn’t do the same with Gehenna means…

"Maybe, Mika-san… you just don’t want to get along with Gehenna at all, do you?"

"…Yeah, I guess so."

"That’s… well, it’s hard to call that a good thing. As long as it stays inside you, it’s fine. But since you have power, and benefit from it, you need to remember… responsibility comes with that."

"……"

…That’s why.

"So think carefully. Think. Think about it. Otherwise, one day… something terrible will happen."

"…Ahaha… you sound just like Seia-chan."

"…Did I annoy you?"

"…I wonder why. When Seia-chan says it, it really gets on my nerves, but right now… not so much."

So, just a little bit then.

…As for Seia—well, Seia does have a way of saying too little, or saying things the wrong way sometimes…

"…Sorry, I must’ve sounded preachy."

"No, it’s fine. ‘Think carefully,’ huh… yeah, I’ll remember that."

"Not like I’m in any position to act all high and mighty, though… haha."

Honestly, if I could really do that myself, I’d have already saved everyone by now.

"…So, we’ll keep in touch, then?"

"…Yes. I look forward to it, okay?"

"Yeah, same here! …Well then, see you in a week."

…Things I can change. Things I can’t.

How many events can I really alter?

I don’t know. But one thing’s certain—Yurizono Seia dies, and Kirifuji Nagisa accepts that as fact.

That can’t be changed.

Nagisa grows suspicious, moves to expel the traitors within Trinity. To do that, she has to use SCHALE’s authority… which means inviting Sensei into Trinity.

That’s why the attack on Yurizono Seia has to happen.

"…Yes. Until next time."

But the one to pull the trigger doesn’t have to be Misono Mika.

She doesn’t have to be a killer. She doesn’t have to be a witch.

"See you!"

"…Yes."

So all I can do is pray—that before then, Misono Mika changes.