Chapter 17: Roll Cake

The day after a strangely fulfilling holiday—part outing, part long shift at SCHALE—I was summoned by Nagisa. Apparently, she was inviting Sensei to a tea party and wanted me, someone who already knew them, to guide him in.

A few days later, while I waited at the meeting point in front of Trinity’s main gate—occasionally hearing distant booming noises and wondering what on earth they were—an adult in the usual white coat approached, waving.

"Thanks for guiding me today, Aika."

"Yes, Sensei."

We walked through Trinity’s endlessly spacious campus, heading toward that room.

"So this is where you and the others study… Trinity certainly has many historical buildings."

"Yes, whenever I look at these majestic structures, I feel both body and mind tighten with resolve. Ah, this building here."

We entered, climbed the stairs, and finally reached the balcony where the tea party would be held. There, seated, were two of the three members of the Tea Party—the supreme authorities of Trinity.

"Nagisa-sama, Mika-sama, I have brought SCHALE’s Sensei."

"Thank you for your work, Aika-san."

"Um… would it be better if I excuse myself?"

"Hmm, I think it’s fine? Right, Nagichan?"

"Let me see… well, very well. You may remain; there’s no need to leave."

"Then, I will wait over there."

Straightening my posture along the nearby wall, I watched Nagisa turn to face Sensei.

"Good afternoon, Sensei. This is our first time meeting like this, isn’t it? I am Kirifuji Nagisa, the host of the Tea Party."

She glanced briefly toward Mika before returning her gaze to Sensei.

"And this is another member of the Tea Party, Misono Mika-san."

As Nagisa finished, Mika gave Sensei a slow once-over—first overall, then leaning in to peer at his face.

"Heeey, so this is the famous Sensei. I see, I see… yeah, I think he’s pretty good!! What do you think, Nagichan? What about you, Aikachan?"

"Uh, well… I…"

She probably means “good-looking,” right? I guess he is, but saying that at a first meeting is a bit… And also, why are you dragging me into this?

"Mika-san, talking like that upon a first meeting is rather lacking in manners. It’s fine to overflow with love, but please consider time and place."

…Why love?

"Ugh, well, yeah, that’s fair… Sorry, Sensei. Anyway, let’s get along from here on!"

"It’s nice to meet you too."

"…"

"…hehe."

Nagisa looked as though she wanted to comment, but Mika’s bright smile kept her from saying anything further.

"…As far as my memory serves, this is the first time someone from outside Trinity has been invited to this Tea Party. Even our ordinary students are rarely allowed a seat here."

I mean, I’m technically part of a subordinate organization under the Tea Party, and I can still count the number of times I’ve been invited on one hand. As I recalled that, Mika leaned forward with a mischievous grin.

"Ahh, that’s a little shady of you, Nagichan! Kinda sounds like you’re fishing for gratitude! Right, Aikachan?"

"No, um…"

Please stop dragging me into this?! Nagisa closed her eyes, clearly fighting back the urge to retort, barely holding on.

"…I apologize, Sensei. I meant no such insinuation… Anyway, Mika-san?"

She had reached her limit. Nagisa shot Mika a look that said please behave, and Mika, looking a little guilty, shrank back.

"Ah—sorry. I’ll behave. As much as I can."

"…Now then, to return to the matter at hand. The reason we invited you today is that we have a request."

"A request?"

"Wow, jumping straight to it, Nagichan!? Don’t you want to do a little ice breaker first? Maybe some charming small talk?"

You just said you’d behave!! I mean, I don’t mind unless she drags me in, but Nagisa’s the one taking the brunt of this…

"…"

Uh-oh. Nagisa’s starting to look dangerous. She’s even glaring now. Well, I’m just standing over here, so it’s none of my business. Nope. None at all.

But Mika didn’t flinch.

"Glaring at me with such beautiful eyes won’t work. This is a matter of how the Tea Party should conduct itself! We need to be proper! Right, Aikachan?"

"…I am only a first-year, so I must refrain from giving an opinion."

Please stop trying to recruit me when we’re not even in the same faction. I really don’t want to be pulled into Nagisa’s growing aura of irritation.

"Mika-san, Aika-san is troubled. If you wish to pursue such discussions, do so when you are the host. For now, I am the host, so please follow my lead."

Nagisa’s smile allowed no argument. Mika finally backed down.

"…Hey Aika, is it always like this?"

"No, Sensei… I’m not invited to tea very often, but it’s never been this bad."

Sensei and I shared a wry smile. Today’s tea party was exceptionally chaotic.

"…Very well. As Mika-san suggested, let’s adjust the flow of the conversation a bit."

Nagisa ignored our quiet whispering and continued—until Sensei suddenly spoke up.

"You two are the student council presidents of Trinity, right?"

"Whoa, Sensei’s reading the room! Look, Nagichan! This is what an adult does—guiding the conversation naturally!"

"…Yes. As you say, we are the student council presidents of Trinity General School."

Apparently deciding that reacting to every one of Mika’s comments would get them nowhere, Nagisa ignored her completely.

"The term ‘student council presidents’ may sound unfamiliar… To explain from the beginning, Trinity’s student council has traditionally been managed by multiple people simultaneously."

"Hey, Nagichan ignoring me? Are you ignoring me? Hellooo~?"

"Long ago… before Trinity General School was founded, representatives of each faction would resolve disputes by—"

"Eh, that’s… mean… sniff… I’m kinda hurt… Aikachan, what do you think?"

"We’re in the middle of an explanation…"

Mika tried to evoke sympathy with teary eyes, but Nagisa remained unfazed. And once again—I’m in the Filius faction, not Pater, so please stop involving me.

"Pater, Filius, Sanctus… representatives from those three schools—"

"Nagichan really is ignoring me… harassment! Isn’t that awful? We’ve been childhood friends for over ten years! Hasn’t this happened before…? Aikachan’s being cold too…"

"…After that, Trinity’s student council came to be referred to as the Tea Party. Representatives from each faction take turns hosting—Ah, enough already! Are you seriously making this so noisy!?"

"Eek…"

Ah, no… it finally happened. Nagisa’s patience snapped.

"I am trying to explain! Right now!"

I’m not involved, and I even tried gently to discourage it…

"And yet, you’ve been muttering beside me this whole time…!"

"If you absolutely cannot stay silent, then I’ll take that tiny little mouth of yours…"

"I’LL STUFF IT WITH A ROLL CAKE!?"

The sheer intensity of her outburst left both Mika and Sensei speechless. As for me… having directly experienced this scene in a certain infamous game moment, I struggled desperately not to laugh.

Pffft…

Excuse me, I couldn’t hold it in after all.

"…Oh my. What kind of language have I just used…"

After that explosive moment, Nagisa regained her composure, returning to a calm demeanor.

"My apologies, Sensei… and Mika-san."

"Wow… scary, scary…"

Scary? Well, I think that was her own fault.

"…Shall we get to the main topic? What we are asking of you, Sensei, is simple."

"Simple, yet important."

"Yes… would you become the advisor for the Make-Up Work Club?"

"The Make-Up Work Club?"

Nagisa then began explaining the club. At Trinity, which prides itself on both academics and athletics, there were four students whose grades were so poor they were in danger of failing. She wanted Sensei to support them.

Well, among the four: one was automatically disqualified for skipping exams, one intentionally scored low, and one had received almost no proper education… leaving only one truly struggling student. Even that one was essentially a “hostage” of their faction. Realistically, the club could have been avoided if each case were handled individually.

"For us, the timing is a bit tricky… With the Eden Treaty matters, things are hectic right now."

The Eden Treaty… in a way, the very reason the Make-Up Work Club was founded. Sensei probably doesn’t know that yet.

"We also need to resolve the issues with those students, but we’re short on both time and manpower… That’s when we found you! We saw SCHALE’s activities in the newspaper!"

Rescuing a high school on the brink of closure, saving a club from disbandment by producing results… something along those lines?

"Cat searches, cleaning the city, delivering packages—you’ve done it all!"

Hmm? That’s not quite what I imagined.

"Sensei… you were doing even these odd jobs?"

"Uh… yeah… a little."

"If you’re doing that much, won’t there never be enough hours in the day…?"

When it comes to students, Sensei really has no limits. Though… wait. Was all of that actually for the students? I wonder.

"I’ve often thought… if only a day had 48 hours."

"That’s not something to brag about, you know?"

As she chastised Sensei, Mika cut in.

"What are you and Aika talking about?"

"We’re discussing how Sensei uses his time."

"Hmm, really? Well, whatever. So, Sensei… your name literally means ‘to live ahead,’ right? That is, someone who guides others. You offer your hand and provide direction as a role model or example… That’s perfect for the advisor of the Make-Up Work Club!"

Indeed, Sensei is someone who lends a hand to students as a responsible adult. Thinking that, Nagisa continued with a slightly puzzled expression.

"I’ve heard there’s some disagreement on whether the word ‘respect’ really applies…"

"Ah, right. Depending on the report, the impression varies completely…"

At this point, just listening to the Tea Party duo and Sensei talk was getting a bit dull, and a tiny mischievous thought popped into my head.

"For example… that rumor about licking the legs of the Gehena disciplinary committee…"

"…???"

"What? The Gehena… licking…!?"

I casually dropped one rumor, and Nagisa froze mid-smile, while Mika visibly panicked.

"A-Aika…!?"

"Of course, it’s just a rumor, right? Sensei wouldn’t do something like that, would he?"

"…Uh, well… yes, that’s right."

Sensei’s gaze darted around frantically before finally settling diagonally upward. Extremely suspicious behavior. Heh heh… this is perfect.

"A-anyway! We’re a little busy right now, so we want Sensei to take care of these students! Nagichan, stop spacing out!"

"Y-yes… How about it, Sensei? Would you extend your hand to help these students in need?"

"If it’s something I can do, I’d be glad to."

Well, if Sensei is asked to help for the students’ sake, there’s no way he’d refuse.

"…Thank you. Then, here you go."

Saying this, Nagisa handed Sensei a file. Presumably, it was the roster for the Make-Up Work Club.

"These are the students in question."

"So, Trinity’s… troublemakers, huh—"

Even leaving aside the Make-Up Work Club, it can’t be denied that these students are difficult. But that phrasing is still harsh.

"That phrasing lacks love, Mika-san. Let’s say it like this: ‘students in Trinity who need love.’"

…Why is there love again?

I glanced at Sensei. He was quietly staring at one of the pages. Right, one of the club members—Hifumi—was someone he already knew.

"Huh? Is there a student that caught your attention, Sensei?"

"…No, nothing."

"We’ll provide more details later. Is there anything else that concerns you?"

When asked that, Sensei rested his hand on his chin, thought for a moment, and spoke again.

"The Eden Treaty… what is that?"

Ah, right. Sensei came to Trinity for the first time today. He doesn’t know anything yet. When asked about the Eden Treaty, Nagisa and Mika exchanged glances, silently discussing how much to reveal, then settled on an answer.

"Hmm… how should I put this…"

"Explaining it would take quite some time, so we’ll talk about it another day. It’s also somewhat internal information… and it isn’t directly related to the Make-Up Work Club matter."

…Lie. It’s very much related. Well, it’s not the time to discuss it, so I’ll stay quiet.

"And the other student council president of the Tea Party?"

"That is…"

"Seia isn’t at Trinity right now. She’s hospitalized…"

Another lie. Seia is said to be hospitalized… but her Halo was destroyed—effectively, she’s supposed to be dead.

…Or rather, that’s the story. In truth, she’s being hidden by the Captain of the Relief Knights, still unconscious but alive. Complicated, isn’t it?

"Originally, Seia-san would have been the host, but due to her absence, I am fulfilling that role."

"Ah, I see. I hope she recovers soon… That’s about all I wanted to ask for now."

"Understood. Please feel free to ask if anything else comes up."

Should I tell Sensei about Seia now? He would probably just get confused. Maybe I should follow up about the Eden Treaty later. Although, in a few days, Nagisa will likely explain it herself…

"Once preparations are complete, we’d like Sensei to come to Trinity General School officially. Thank you for your cooperation—now we can relax a bit."

"Well then, see you, Sensei. Though I’m not sure when we’ll meet again."

"Since this is a busy time, it’s not certain we’ll be able to gather again so soon."

"Hehe, busy as always, huh? Well, thanks to Sensei, I got to see Nagichan’s face today. That’s good enough for me."

"Yes, the same here, Mika-san."

"Hehe."

Watching them smile together like that, you can tell they’re childhood friends and close companions, despite everything. I’ll pretend I didn’t witness the whole roll cake incident.

"Then, we look forward to working with you, Sensei."

"Yes, looking forward to it."

Seeing Sensei off as he went to meet the Make-Up Work Club members, only Nagisa, Mika, and I remained.

"Now then… Mika-san."

"Y-Yes? What is it?"

"Sigh… please stop interrupting every time I speak. Also, Aika-san is in the Filius faction. If you want backup, you should ask Maasa-san or someone else."

A surprise lecture from Nagisa began. I had nothing to do with it and honestly wanted to leave.

"But… she doesn’t seem like she’d take my side anyway."

Well, Maasa would probably just say, "Could you be quiet while someone’s speaking?" and shut it down.

"Isn’t it because your behavior cannot be considered appropriate for the head of the Pater faction, Mika-san?"

"Ugh… I… I am aware of that…"

"Honestly… today we’ll leave it at this. But even if you attend a tea party with Sensei again, don’t get overly excited."

"Y-Yes."

With that, the tea party finally concluded. Still… I never thought I’d witness the infamous moment of "I’LL STUFF IT WITH A ROLL CAKE!?" firsthand. Maybe that’s one of the perks of being in the Tea Party.