Chapter 47: The One We Wait For

"...The traitor of Trinity—Shirasu Azusa is probably a student of Arius Branch School."

“...!?”

Sensei’s eyes widened in shock at the completely unexpected words.

“Azusa... a traitor? No, more importantly, how do you know that...?”

"Like I said, we used some... less-than-ideal methods."

“R-Right... um...”

Avoiding eye contact awkwardly, Mayumi and Asiri began explaining what they had done.

“...We found out about a month ago that Azusa might be—or used to be—a student of Arius Branch School.”

"Right. Sensei, please take a look at this."

“...?”

Beside her own holographic projection, Mayumi displayed a certain symbol.

“This is... a skull?”

"This is the crest of Arius Branch School."

“If our memory’s correct, that is...”

Asiri said hesitantly, her voice uncertain.

No matter how deeply they dug into Trinity’s records, finding information about Arius Branch School had proven difficult. Especially details like its emblem—there was no documentation, and even if one had existed, it could have been changed long ago.

So they had relied on memory to recreate it as best they could.

Of course, it wasn’t actually Mayumi or Asiri who did that work, but their seniors.

“This crest... I feel like I’ve seen it somewhere before.”

"Exactly, Sensei."

With a sharp snap! of her fingers, Mayumi pointed at Sensei, then displayed Azusa Shirasu’s scarf pin beside the Arius emblem.

"This is Azusa Shirasu’s scarf clip. The white background and gold embroidery make it easy to overlook, and there are some differences, but..."

She gradually moved the two images closer until they overlapped.

“It—it really does look just like the Arius Branch emblem, doesn’t it?”

“Yeah... it does.”

"So we thought so too. Then we dug into everything about Azusa Shirasu and the others."

Mayumi added lightly, “That part was done using mostly legitimate methods,” and closed the two images.

"First off, we found almost no other examples of this design. That means it’s an original emblem."

“But judging by her personality, it’s hard to imagine her doing something like that...”

“...Yeah, I agree.”

Sensei nodded slightly, recalling Azusa’s calm and reserved demeanor.

"And when we looked into Azusa Shirasu’s student record, we found she’s a transfer student. Nothing else suspicious came up—but that alone is enough to raise questions, don’t you think?"

“...”

That was true.

Transfer students were rare at Trinity General Academy, especially this close to the signing of the Eden Treaty.

It was far too suspicious.

Sensei reached the same conclusion but, bound by her position, couldn’t say it out loud.

“There’s... other evidence too! Like the things Azusa says sometimes, or how far behind she is in her lessons...”

"That’s why, you see..."

Mayumi hesitated briefly, then gathered her resolve and faced forward.

“...We planted hidden cameras and listening devices in the annex—the one used for the Supplementary Lesson Department.”

“...!?”

“S-sorry, we’re so sorry!”

Sensei looked even more shocked than before, while Asiri bowed repeatedly in frantic apology.

"Ah, of course, we didn’t put any in bathrooms or places that would seriously violate privacy. But... we did plant some in the main room and your room, Sensei."

“My... my room too?”

"Yes. We even heard you chugging energy drinks and singing, ‘Work’s not dooone, workaholic time~,’ when you were overworked."

“Ugh...!?”

Sensei winced in pure embarrassment, but still managed to focus on their story.

"...We know it was a bad thing to do."

“Y-Yeah, but we couldn’t afford to be picky about our methods...”

“...I see.”

Sensei took a deep breath, regaining composure.

True, what Mayumi and Asiri had done was far from acceptable.
But since they clearly understood that and were reflecting on it, there was nothing more to say.

So Sensei quietly nodded in acknowledgment.

“T-that’s why we also know about the Supplementary Lesson Department...! The one formed to uncover the traitor—and if it fails, everyone could be expelled...! So, please...”

For a brief moment, Sensei thought they were going to say, “Please report Azusa Shirasu to Nagisa.”

Neither Asiri nor Mayumi had any reason to protect Arius Branch School.
And if Arius truly harbored vengeance toward Trinity, even less so.

“Please... protect Azusa-chan.”

“...!”

Those words were completely unexpected.

Sensei hadn’t thought, even for a second, that they would ask for Azusa to be protected.

“I... I think she has her own reasons. S-so please...”

“...Haa... Asiri, you’re as naïve as ever.”

“I’m not naïve! I’m not!”

Mayumi stifled a sigh, swallowing back the retort that she definitely was.

"Well, she’s clearly been charmed by Azusa Shirasu already... and this whole ‘protect her’ thing is just personal feelings talking."

“I haven’t been charmed! Azusa-chan’s just a good person!”

“You’ve definitely been charmed.”

This time, she couldn’t hold it back—it just slipped out.

Still, considering how easily Asiri had fallen for Azusa’s kindness, it was impressive she’d managed to hold it in even once.

"Well, the real reason is a little different. There’s a proper reason behind it."

"‘…Reason?’"

"To keep our connection with Arius Branch intact."

Asiri tried to object, looking offended, but Mayumi gently calmed her before clearly explaining the reason to Sensei.

"‘Connection…’"

"Yes, a connection. Sensei, why do you think we were investigating Arius Branch in the first place?"

"‘Why…?’"

Sensei thought about it for a while but couldn’t come up with an answer.

"…W-we were looking for someone."

"‘Looking for someone?’"

"…Ten years ago. Let’s go back to the story about the civil war."

Mayumi narrowed her eyes, wearing a sad yet nostalgic expression.

"…We used to be Arius students. You’ve figured that out already, haven’t you?"

"‘Yeah.’"

"Then, why former students, I wonder?"

"‘…!’"

"The side that won the war was the Revenge Faction. They needed manpower. There was no reason they’d just let us go."

With a deep sigh, Mayumi continued.

"In other words, we ran away—from Arius Branch."

"‘…I see. That’s what happened.’"

"…Don’t make that face. It’s true there were painful things, but it wasn’t all bad, you know?"

Though, Asiri’s case might’ve been a little different.

Mayumi gave her a small glance, and perhaps taking it as a cue to continue, Asiri began explaining.

"A-and the reason we ran away was, of course, the civil war. It was so dangerous that… people could’ve been killed or injured."

"‘…’"

"B-but, it wasn’t our decision to escape…"

"‘…? What do you mean?’"

They didn’t run away of their own will.

That could only mean one thing.

"…My sister and the rest of the Anti-Revenge Faction fought until the end—to buy us time to escape."

"‘Until the end… meaning…’"

"…A delaying action."

"‘…’"

A delaying action.

A war so violent that death was all but certain.
They threw away their chances of victory, choosing instead to fight so others could flee.
Students—children—sacrificed themselves, their lives, their entire futures, just to help someone else.

The truth was so devastating that Sensei could only lower her head. She couldn’t even find the words to respond.

"…That’s why!"

"‘!’"

Asiri suddenly shouted, startling Sensei so much that she flinched.

"…That’s why we’ve been searching—for survivors of the Anti-Revenge Faction."

"‘…I see.’"

"Yes. To find them, to protect them, to help them. That’s why we former Arius students scattered across the land."

Her usual timid tone was gone; Asiri looked straight at Sensei, speaking with unwavering conviction.
Her sincerity—her resolve—reached Sensei clearly.

"And in each school, we founded clubs. So that someday, when the Anti-Revenge survivors return, they can live normal lives again. To build the foundation for that—and to keep our activities from drawing suspicion."

"‘…You mean, you already know what I’m thinking, right? Those clubs are…’"

"‘The Volunteer Activities Club and the Supplementary Lessons Department…’"

"That’s right. Though it’s not just those. There are people in Gehenna and Shanhaijing too. The main ones are Gehenna, Trinity, and Millennium."

Satisfied with Sensei’s answer, Mayumi nodded and continued.

"That’s why I don’t want to cut off our connection with Shirasu Azusa. She’s an important link to Arius Branch."

"‘Then, the reason you asked me to share information too was…’"

"For the same reason. That’s why I want you to protect Shirasu Azusa. Although…"

Mayumi gave a faint smile, casting a sidelong glance toward Asiri.

"…This girl, though, seems to have a bit more on her mind."

"Uuu…!"

Having her thoughts read so bluntly, Asiri could only let out a flustered groan.

"But still, we do want to observe her for now. If Arius Branch truly still seeks revenge, then Shirasu Azusa’s behavior is far too strange. And that emblem—what kind of fool goes out of their way to flaunt that they’re an Arius student?"

"Y-yes, exactly…! The way she talks is unusually positive, and her speech is really modern—like she’s using youth slang… If she’d been raised for revenge, that just feels… off somehow…!"

"‘…Yeah, I get what you mean.’"

Was Azusa truly a traitor from Trinity? Or even really a student of Arius Branch at all?
Even Asiri and Mayumi didn’t have that answer yet.

That was why they didn’t want to act rashly. They weren’t foolish enough to let a fish that had swum into their net slip away.

"So when we say we want her protected," Mayumi explained, "we mean—don’t make any careless moves. And if she’s ever put under suspicion, help us cover for her."

"And… please, keep a close eye on her too," Asiri added quietly. "I—I know we’re asking a lot, Sensei…"

Mayumi’s usual high-energy tone had faded. She looked at Sensei with a serious, almost pleading expression.

"…For ten years, we’ve waited, hoped—for some sign, some clue that would connect us to everyone… to that person… We finally found it. Finally, finally, finally! We finally found it! I won’t let it slip away. I won’t let anyone take it from us. That’s why—we need your help, Sensei…"

They both stepped forward and bowed deeply.

"Please…"

"Please protect Azusa-chan…!"

"‘You have my word. No matter what happens, I won’t let anything bad happen to Azusa.’"

Without a moment’s hesitation, Sensei answered clearly.

"‘And about the Anti-Revenge members too—if you can tell me what they look like, I’ll help search for them myself.’"

"…! Thank you, Sensei! As thanks, I’ll gift you a fully autonomous robot figure next time!"

"Wait—what!? That’s your hobby, Mayumi-chan! I’m sure Sensei wouldn’t want some—"

"‘A figure that actually moves…!?’"

"He would want it!?"

Gradually, the two began returning to their usual rhythm.

"I told you, Asiri! Robots are a perfectly normal hobby in Kivotos, you blockhead!"

"W-what did you just call me!? Ugh, it’s just a hologram—I can’t even grab you…!"

"‘…’"

Watching their exchange, Sensei felt a bit of relief return and couldn’t help but smile faintly.

"Oh—before I forget, Sensei!"

"‘Hm? What is it?’"

"I’ll send you the information we have so far on the Anti-Revenge members. It’s all in a data file. While you’re there, if you find out anything new, let Asiri know. I’ll be a bit busier from now on."

"‘Got it. Thanks, Mayumi.’"

"No, thank you, Sensei. Really."

Then, after a short pause, Mayumi added softly:

"…And one more thing. This is just a personal request. If you ever find one particular person among the Anti-Revenge faction… please, make sure to tell me. The one who showed us the way."

"…"

That day, in that place—

The one who let them escape, trembling in fear.
The one who fought for them, risking everything.
The one who taught them how to live for tomorrow.

Mayumi had seen that person with her own eyes.

"…Brown hair, kind of dark. Wore a big gas mask. Talked in a boyish tone… She was a bit shorter than us back then. And she carried a hand cannon."

"‘…Alright. I’ll remember that.’"

"…She’s the only one I ever met from the Anti-Revenge group. We only spoke a little that day, so I don’t even know her name… But please—let me know if you find her."

…Her name was Suou Kirihana.

The person Mayumi longed most desperately to meet again.

Even now, Suou herself remained unaware of that truth.