Chapter 3: The situation is always a crappy game.

It’s been three years since I was born into this world and taken in by Arius.

"Fwaah…"

Yawning lightly, I hopped out of bed.

From that day on, I’d been raised in the dorms inside Arius. Apparently, there were quite a few orphans—or rather, abandoned children—around here. Maybe word spread because they went out of their way to pick them up. Not that I could blame them; leaving kids like that behind would weigh heavy on anyone’s conscience.

"Quahh… ahhh…!"

I stretched wide, opened the door, and headed outside.

So this was the logic behind how Arius secured its students. I’d always wondered about that. Though of course, that wasn’t the whole picture. Characters descended from the student council president showed up, and there were definitely kids who got in through more formal means too. Still, the school itself was practically an irregular existence.

Anyway. These past three years, I hadn’t exactly been idle. I’d been gathering information properly. And from that, I’d managed to piece together a few things.

Just as I was turning that over in my head, a red-haired woman spoke to me.

"…Hm. Good morning, Suou."

"…Good morning, Hiro-san."

Ah, right—let me introduce myself. I’m Naitou Sei, now going by the name Kirihana Suou. Cute, isn’t it? Yeah… it’s a girl’s name. Damn it all.

And this person here is Saeki Hiro-san, the woman who took me in. Funny enough, she ended up almost overlapping with the temporary nickname I’d given her—“Hiroko-san.” She’s always looked after me.

"Mmm, you really insist on staying formal till the end. How lonely."

"I respect you, Hiro-san. That’s all."

"…I see. You really are dependable. Hard to believe you’re only three years old."

I stiffened.

"At this rate, I don’t think I’ll have to worry, even if I’m gone."

"…"

…Three years. The length of time until graduation.

And today, this very morning, was when Hiro-san would be leaving. I’d only been told that a short while ago.

I was surprised Arius Branch School even had something like a graduation system. What came after that, though? Where did students go, once they left this world’s academy? I’d been too afraid to ask.

Still, adult students—those with Halos—had been depicted before. Which meant not all of them left Kivotos… probably.

"…Hiro-san, where are you going?"

"Me? I plan to work at a kindergarten. Still within Kivotos. Who knows, we might run into each other again someday."

"…! Really?!"

"Yeah. Fighting… it’s not something I’m good at, or even fond of. Honestly, I couldn’t care less about Arius’ feuds. I just don’t have the interest. …Though I suppose saying that to you won’t make much sense."

No, no—I understand you perfectly.

But still… that’s… that’s really nice to hear.

"What’s this? Were you sad at the thought of me leaving? You’ve got your cute sides too, don’t you?"

"…Ugh."

I couldn’t deny it.

Which ties back to one of the things I’ve figured out: my mind and heart are being pulled pretty strongly toward this body’s age.

For example, I get so afraid of the dark you’d never believe I used to be a high school boy. Sometimes, left alone, I end up crying. My thoughts don’t work as sharply anymore either. Just what’s happening to me?

I’ve still got all my knowledge and memories, but my emotions and mentality are closer to those of a child. A messy situation, to put it mildly.

"Even without me around, you’ll do fine. Stay strong, okay?"

"…Yes."

And that was why this parting felt so terribly lonely.

"We’ll meet again, I’m sure… so don’t cry."

"Yes…! Th-thank you so much…!"

Hiro-san let me bury my face against her shoulder.

She’d done so much for me. Helped me in so many ways. The reason I’m alive today is because she found me that day. Because she picked me up. I’ll never be able to thank her enough.

"…See you."

"…Yes! Someday, somewhere!"

"…Mm."

She gave my head one last pat, and then Hiro-san left Arius Branch School.

Lonely. Painfully lonely. But at least I felt a little relieved… that she managed to leave this place before he arrived.

After parting with Hiro-san, I sat on the bed of my assigned room, thinking.

The second thing I’d figured out: Beatrice hadn’t visited Arius Branch School yet.

In fact, the civil war hadn’t even started. That said, the tension in the air was there, bit by bit—like it was only a matter of time.

Which means, there’s still a little over ten years before the main story begins. More precisely… fourteen or fifteen years.

How do I know? Because I secretly peeked at some of the documents here. Not long ago. Honestly, I think I did pretty well for a three-year-old body.

And in those documents, I found the name “Hakari Atsuko.” From there I pinned down her age and worked backwards. Because the exact timing of the main story isn’t clear, it came out a little fuzzy.

It was risky, but I’d rather cross that dangerous bridge before Aunt Bea shows up.

Right now, at worst, I’d just get suspected or scolded. But if Aunt Bea came… yeah, I’d probably be purged.

So this is the only time I can take risks.

Acting on that reasoning led to these results. Which means, by the time I’m about a second-year in high school, the main story starts.

"Absolute worst…!"

I mean, come on! In three or four years the civil war kicks off! In four or five years Aunt Bea’s brainwashing program starts! Then comes the Trinity raid! Then the Eden Treaty raid! And then Aunt Bea’s “Colors” project on top of that!

Who can deal with a crappy game like this?! I’m checking out of this life!

"Sigh…"

But I reined in the escapism and started thinking again.

"…Technically, I could run away."

The third thing I’d figured out: before Aunt Bea arrives, the school isn’t made up solely of violent extremists. There are still plenty of moderate students.

And that’s probably the real cause of the civil war.

Students carrying inherited grudges versus students who couldn’t care less. Someone lashes out, a fight starts, Aunt Bea shows up, and it’s over. That’s probably how it’ll go.

Right now, though, it’s not yet the kind of violent academy where they basically say “no newcomers, and those who leave get killed.” So I’d probably be fine.

…But if I did that—

"I’d be abandoning them, wouldn’t I…"

The Arius Squad members. The three from the Tea Party.

They’ll be saved even without me. By Sensei from Schale.

That’s fine. I’m not arrogant enough to think I could pull off what Sensei did.

But still… even if their salvation is guaranteed, they’re going to suffer. Again and again, for a long time.

And not just them. The students my age right now… they probably won’t be able to forget their grudges. They’ll keep living under Aunt Bea’s education.

"I don’t like that…"

In the end, it’s just an emotional argument.

Maybe I could do something. Maybe I could help, even a little.

Thinking that way, I couldn’t bring myself to just run off alone. Knowing what’s coming, sitting back and watching while people suffer because of my inaction… no thanks.

If I did that, I’d never be able to like myself again.

"…What should I do now."

Arius Squad
ー A special unit from Arius Branch School. When people say "Arius," they’re usually referring to these girls.

Schale’s Sensei
ー An "adult" working at Schale, an extralegal organization.
ー Though called a "teacher," they don’t actually handle any classes. They mostly act as a sort of all-purpose troubleshooter.
ー The school does have regular teachers, but "Sensei" only refers to this one person (whether he—or she?—isn’t really clear).

Schale
ー Sensei’s workplace.
ー With the help of students, the organization takes on various problems across Kivotos.