Chapter 15: I’m Not a Suspicious Person

The week after the Justice Task Force’s attack incident. I figured Sensei had probably finished handling the Game Development Club’s issue by now—or at least was close—when Nagisa summoned me to a tea gathering.

When I went to the usual room—who knows how many times I’d been there by now—I found Maiha and Masa already inside. Seeing these three gathered meant Nagisa was planning something. I could at least tell that much. What that something was… I had no idea.

"Everyone, as officer cadets of the Tea Party, I have a certain assignment for you."

"An assignment?"

"Yes. First, please take a look at these."

She handed each of us a sheet of paper. I picked mine up and skimmed it. It was a directive instructing the three of us to conduct reconnaissance on various organizations within Trinity—groups that held influence outside the Tea Party.

"As written there: Aika-san will be inspecting the Sisterhood. Maiha-san will observe the Library Committee. And Masa-san, the Justice Task Force. Afterward, I’d like each of you to report your findings."

The Sisterhood… huh. Sure, I’d heard rumors—sinister schemes behind the scenes, bloody rituals—but they were probably just that: rumors.

"I simply follow instructions."

"As do I."

"Me toooo."

"Thank you very much. Then, I’ll be expecting your reports later."

After being dismissed, the three of us walked down the hallway chatting.

"But still, an inspection? I wonder what exactly Nagisa-sama is thinking."

"Indeed… perhaps it’s meant as a precaution because of the Eden Treaty?"

"Nagisa-sama feels kinda… I dunno, on edge lately, don’t you think?"

"…Well, all we can do is complete the tasks we’re given."

"Yes."

"Mhm~"

…Seriously, I’ve always thought this, but Maiha may look soft and floaty, yet she’s surprisingly sharp, isn’t she?

After a few days passed, I headed out for my investigation of the Sisterhood.

"Hello. Here to pray?"

Marie greeted me—the same girl I’d briefly glimpsed at the entrance ceremony. Unlike back then, she now wore her sister’s habit with elegance and confidence.

"No. Nagisa-sama has asked me to check on the Sisterhood’s activities. Would it be alright if I observed for a bit?"

"Yes, of course. Sakurako-sama is here as well, so please follow me."

She led me deeper inside. We stepped into a room lined with bookshelves packed tight with Bibles and commentaries. At a desk stacked neatly with documents sat a lone figure, quietly working.

"Sakurako-sama, we have a guest from the Tea Party."

"…A guest?"

She stood and turned toward us—Utasu Sakurako, a slight, suspicious-looking smile curving her lips.

"The Sisterhood always welcomes visitors. …May I have your name?"

"My apologies for the late introduction. I am Gion Aika of the Tea Party."

"I see. Gion Aika-san. I’ve heard about you from time to time—someone who carries a rather mysterious aura. I’ve been looking forward to speaking with you."

"R-right…"

I don’t know why, but even knowing full well they aren’t doing anything illegal, I still can’t shake this weird air of suspicion around her.

"Now then, what business do you have with us?"

"As I also told Iori-san, Nagisa-sama has asked me to check on the Sisterhood’s activities."

"I see, from Nagisa-san… In that case, does this involve that matter?"

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Marie blinking in confusion, glancing between us. Well, she’s just a first-year; she probably doesn’t know much about “that matter”—most likely the Eden Treaty.

"Yes, that would be the reason. But I’m simply here to see what sort of activities the Sisterhood conducts. There are some odd rumors circulating about you all, and I’d like to confirm that they’re untrue."

The moment she heard “odd rumors,” Sakurako made a familiar pained expression.

"Rumors, rumors… Yes, I hear them constantly. Claims that we have a secret torture chamber underground, that we’re connected to the Black Market, or that we conduct rituals sacrificing misbehaving students to summon monsters."

Ah. I might’ve flipped her switch a little with that one.

"It’s true that our predecessor organization had some fierce practices, and even now, the Sisterhood maintains enough strength to avoid being influenced by other factions. But we are by no means some shady organization. People often call us secretive, but everyone has one or two secrets. And here in Trinity—where power struggles churn nonstop beneath the surface—we cannot afford to act carelessly."

Marie, flustered and unsure how to respond, looked like she was about to panic, so I decided it was time to steer things back on track.

"Yes, well… I do know the Sisterhood devotes itself to volunteer work and service. It’s not that I’m doubting you."

"…My apologies. I may have gotten a bit too heated."

"Not at all. Would it be alright if I observed the Sisterhood’s activities?"

"…Very well. I’ve finished most of my paperwork anyway. I’ll guide you myself."

Sakurako started walking out of the room, and Marie and I followed close behind.

From morning prayers, to maintaining the church and its surrounding grounds, to serving food for the needy, to Mass—after observing the Sisterhood’s full day of activities, the sky had already turned red and dusk was beginning to fall.

"…Um, Aika-san. One last thing—please be sure to tell Nagisa-san this."

"‘I am not a suspicious person!’"

"Y-yes…"

I swallowed the urge to retort, If anything, that just makes you sound more suspicious! But at least I could confirm the Sisterhood wasn’t plotting anything at the moment, so I decided to report that much and left the sanctuary.

"…"

Nagisa sat staring at three documents: Gion Aika’s report on the Sisterhood, Tsuchimikado Maiha’s report on the Library Committee, and Homura Masa’s report on the Justice Task Force.

Her purpose in arranging these inspections had been twofold: to keep the various organizations in check, and to have the three officer cadets observed from the other side—to make them act as mutual surveillance.

After the inspections, she contacted each organization to ask about the cadets’ behavior during their visits. But—

"Hmm… It’s true we rarely get the chance to hear directly about other organizations’ activities. Learning about them like this might be a good thing."

She murmured this while reading Aika’s report, which simply summarized an ordinary day in the Sisterhood. In the end, none of the organizations, nor any of the officer cadets, showed signs of suspicious behavior.

"…Were my doubts misplaced?"

For a moment, uncertainty crept in. Had she been rejecting even the hands reaching out to support her, suspecting people who were genuinely trying to help? She pondered this while reading Maiha’s report, written in her distinctively poppy handwriting.

"No… The Eden Treaty is far too important. One cannot be too careful."

She spoke the words as if reassuring herself. With Seia collapsed and unable to help, there was no one left to consult. The only path forward was to see this through with her own hands.