Chapter 65: The Country-Bred Lady of the Tea Party

So much happened during the two and a half months between the end of my suspension and my promotion to second year.

First, just as we’d planned, the three of us went to stay at my family home. It seemed my suicide attempt had already been conveyed to my parents by Nagisa or Sensei, because the moment I returned, they clung to me in tears. I carefully talked them through everything, promised I would never do something like that again, and somehow managed to make them understand. After that, much like during summer break, the three of us spent our time chatting and relaxing together.

Once we returned, I began receiving succession training from Nagisa as a future candidate to become the head of the Filius faction. I did wonder whether someone who had been confined to their room could really serve as host, but apparently the disciplinary action had been handled in a way that wouldn’t remain on my record, so there was no real issue. At least, that was what Nagisa told me.

"Among the officer cadets who harbor relatively little prejudice toward Gehenna and who are calm and capable, we truly hope that you will lead Trinity after we graduate."

Masa was considered promising as an individual combatant, Maiha was intelligent and personable, and as for me—thanks to memories from my previous life—I apparently possessed a great deal of information on key figures from other academies and was skilled at negotiations. Combined with the weapon I carry*1, I was even being treated as having the combat power of an entire platoon—or even a company—on my own.

As for the Pater faction, it seemed they ultimately failed to decide on a next representative before Mika graduated, so the decision was postponed until the following academic year. The Sanctus faction… honestly, I wasn’t sure. That group had a rather unique atmosphere, and aside from Maiha, I hadn’t really interacted much with anyone there.

In February, while everyone was preoccupied with Valentine’s Day, I decided to prepare gifts for Nagisa, whom I owed so much to, my two friends, and Sensei as well.

For Nagisa, I chose a commercially available high-end bitter chocolate that looked like it would pair well with tea. For Sensei and the other officer cadets, I melted some pricier chocolate bars and mixed in dried fruit from my family farm to make handmade chocolates. It wasn’t that I was being cold toward Nagisa—she was my superior, after all, and I couldn’t help worrying about what might happen if I made a mistake.

The handmade chocolates turned out very well, and everyone was delighted. Maiha, especially, looked genuinely moved. Sensei was happy too, but seeing them working amid a massive pile of chocolates sent in from all over Kivotos made me think—just as expected, they were on another level.

I wasn’t the only one who made chocolates by hand—Maiha and Masa did as well. Maiha made huge quantities and handed them out everywhere, while Masa, saying she wasn’t very used to it and that they might look a bit clumsy, gave hers only to the two of us. On top of that, as a trio of officer cadets, we received chocolates from students of the Sisterhood and the Tea Party we had met before. Masa, in particular, was showered with gifts from her classmates. It really felt like a small festival.

In March, when greenery had fully returned to snow-covered Trinity, the graduation ceremony for the third-years arrived. Trinity has quite a large student body, so only third-years are required to attend the ceremony itself. Afterward, however, each organization holds its own farewell gathering, and naturally, we went to see Nagisa and the others off. Since it was graduation, Mika was permitted to attend as well, with Masa accompanying her at her side.

"So I’m finally being set free… haaah, it’s been such a long road up until now… Ah—no, please forget I just said that…"

"Honestly, Nagichan. That makes it sound like being the head of a faction was some kind of punishment game."

"Well, wasn’t it, in practice?*2"

The leaders of each faction looked as though they could finally relax from the heart after such a long time, and somehow, without any major conflicts, graduation day came to a close.

Then came spring break. Going back home to relax… was not an option. Strawberries were reaching the end of their harvest, melons and mandarins needed planting, grapes required bud pruning, and even persimmons—which usually don’t require much work in April—meant we still had to weed a wide area of the farm. It was exhausting labor, but that only made it more fulfilling. This year again, we hired Trinity students—such as members of the After-School Sweets Club—to work part-time, so things were easier than usual.

Even after advancing to second year, an unbelievable number of events and incidents took place.

Right at the start of the new school year, a full-scale war broke out between the Gehenna Hot Springs Development Department—who invaded while shouting incomprehensible things like "Trinity is hiding hot springs from us!"*3—and the Justice Task Force led by Chairwoman Ichika.

You would think that with Sakurako*4 graduating, the image of the often-misunderstood Sisterhood would improve. Instead, some particularly thick-headed members of the Remedial Knights, who had inherited Mine’s will, ended up starting a skirmish over the most trivial trigger.

The Sailing Operation Department and the Steamship Club dragged in other groups like the After-School Sweets Club and the Vigilante Crew, escalating their conflict until an entire district of Trinity was reduced to scorched earth.

Hifumi, now a third-year, attempted to hold a mysterious and bizarre festival called the "Trinity Peroro Festival," which spiraled into a massive uproar involving the entire academy.

Then there was the chaos within the General Student Council over whether to hold the Halo Festival every year now that Trinity would be hosting next, continue with the biennial schedule, or cancel it altogether. Somehow, the fallout from that debate resulted in the Tea Party headquarters being carpet-bombed.

After that, the Arius Squad finished their soul-searching journey and came to Trinity seeking atonement, so it was decided they would first receive the necessary education.

And so, over the course of a year—while dealing with the kinds of troubles that are everyday occurrences in Kivotos—I spent my youthful days alongside friends like Maiha and Masa, and at last arrived at my final year.

"Everyone, thank you for gathering here today."

The balcony where Tea Party conferences were held—a place I had visited many times since my first year. Gathered there were Trinity’s new key figures, all assembled in one place.

"Allow me to formally introduce myself once more. I have been appointed as the head of the Filius faction and will be serving as this term’s Tea Party host. My name is Gion Aika. There will surely be situations I cannot resolve on my own, and when that happens, I sincerely hope I may rely on all of your strength. I look forward to working with you."

To begin with, I—Gion Aika—had become the head of the Filius faction. Honestly, there were probably others just as well suited for the role, but within the faction, the voices pushing for me to take the position were particularly strong. Thinking back on it now, I feel like I caused quite a bit of trouble toward the latter half of my first year…

"Alright, then it’s my turn next~. I’m Tsuchimikado Maiha, newly appointed head of the Sanctus faction. Nice to meet you all~"

"And likewise, I’ve assumed the position of head of the Pater faction. My name is Honotani Masa. Though I suppose most of you are familiar faces by now."

Maiha and Masa both advanced smoothly into their third year and assumed their respective top positions. Within the Tea Party, they would handle the scholarly and martial sides, respectively—while I served as the one who maintained the balance between them.

"New Chairwoman of the Justice Task Force, Shimoe Koharu. I look forward to working with you."

"Vice Chairwoman, Shizuyama Mashiro."

Next came the introductions from the Justice Task Force. Koharu had been appointed as its new chairwoman. Over the past two years, she had truly grown. Through relentless training under Masa and the other members, she had acquired more than enough ability for the role. While she still didn’t quite measure up to Tsurugi in her prime, she had weathered countless harsh situations, emerged mentally tougher*6, and even buckled down academically so she wouldn’t embarrass the Justice Task Force—managing to avoid failing grades entirely.

After all those changes, there were hardly any voices within the Justice Task Force opposing Koharu’s appointment. She had even grown a little taller—now standing above Masa.

Mashiro still tended to go overboard when it came to matters of justice, but compared to before, she had calmed down considerably thanks to two years of experience. As the Tea Party, we had no real concerns about entrusting Trinity’s public safety to these two.

"Next up! I am the Commander of the Remedial Knights and head of the Johannine Sect—Asagao Hanae! I’ll devote myself wholeheartedly to rescuing the injured and the sick, so please take good care of me!"

Over the past two years, Hanae had accumulated knowledge and discernment, and she no longer resorted to the wildly off-the-mark treatment methods she had tried as a first-year—though that somewhat unhinged, head-first medical aura reminiscent of Mine hadn’t really changed. Still, her skill and unwavering dedication to medical care were beyond doubt, and within the Remedial Knights, it was widely agreed that she was the most suitable choice.

"Then, if you will allow me… I am Iochi Mari, representative of the Sisterhood. I may still have shortcomings, but I hope you will all treat me kindly."

Mari had been appointed as the head of the Sisterhood. She often humbly claimed she was still inexperienced, but to me, she looked every bit the dignified sister worthy of representing them.

During her second year, she had taken the lead in various initiatives aimed at making the Sisterhood more approachable. By now, it seemed everyone had come to agree—there was no one better suited to serve as their current representative.

"Next, then. I am Endo Shimiko, newly appointed Head Librarian. To commemorate today, I actually have one book I’d like to recommend to each of you—!"

"Um… perhaps after the meeting concludes, please…"

Shimiko—I hadn’t interacted with her much compared to the others present, but her love for books was likely second to none, even rivaling that of the former chairwoman, Ui*7. As the head of Trinity’s library, which boasts one of the largest collections in all of Kivotos, I was confident she would carry out her duties admirably.

"And lastly… I suppose it’s me. Hikari Atsuko, head of the Arius Faction of Trinity General Academy. Nice to meet you."

About a year and a half had passed since the Arius Autonomous District had been subdued during our first year, the Arius students transferred to Trinity to receive the necessary education, and the Trinity Arius Faction formally established. At first, the drastic change in environment—combined with their past history—made it difficult for them to fit in. However, from what I had seen recently, they had largely adapted to life at Trinity and appeared to be doing well.

The Arius Squad, having completed their soul-searching journey, had returned about half a year ago. Unfortunately, they still lacked some of the coursework required for graduation, and as a result, the three aside from Atsuko had no choice but to repeat a year. Still, I believed all four of them would graduate together this year.

Because Atsuko was of royal blood—descended from the former Arius student council president—she naturally became this year’s head of the Arius Faction.

Incidentally, we had also taken in the pre-enrollment children who had been living in Arius at the time. This meant the Arius Faction would continue to exist for at least another ten generations. What would happen after that… who knew. It might be wise to establish some guidelines for the faction’s future, for the sake of the next generation.

"So this is Trinity’s new power structure…"

"Oh my, Sensei. Good day to you."

With everyone’s introductions complete, an adult finally appeared at the meeting venue—the Sensei of Schale. The General Student Council President was still missing, and troubles both large and small continued to erupt across Kivotos. It seemed it would still be some time before Sensei could return to the outside world.

"By the way, since we’re all here, why don’t we head over to Schale together afterward?"

At that suggestion, everyone’s eyes lit up. Everyone present—including myself—was a student who had been helped by Sensei at one point or another, so the invitation was more than welcome.

"That sounds lovely… now that introductions are done, shall we adjourn the meeting for now and continue with a more casual gathering over at Schale?"

And so, off to the Schale building we went. It seemed the other representatives headed there together with Sensei aboard Schale’s helicopter. As for us, however, we had a more familiar means of transportation.

"Yaaay, it’s Aika-chan’s truck!"

"Just how many times have we ridden in this vehicle over the years we’ve spent at Trinity, I wonder?"

As usual, I put the two of them in the driver’s cabin while I took up position in the cargo bed, ready to fire the anti-aircraft pop-pop cannon at a moment’s notice.

"Indeed… probably more times than we could count on both hands and feet."

The driver’s seat carried a faint lingering sweetness from the snacks Maiha had brought along, and wedged between the seats was a game strategy guide Masa had forgotten. After all this time, this vehicle had become more than just mine—it felt like a symbol of the three of us. The Royal Tea.

"Huh? What’s that~?"

"Looks like a helmet gang."

On the way toward the D.U. District, a large group of delinquents—reason unknown—had blocked the road ahead. We came to a stop just short of them.

"Oi, oi, what the hell do you think you’re doin’?! This here’s Dosu-Dosu Helmet Gang territory! Anyone who gets in our way’s gonna get dosu-dosu’d!!"

The Dosu-Dosu Helmet Gang…? Was that even a thing? And what exactly did “dosu-dosu” mean, anyway?

"We are on official business. Would you kindly clear the road for us?"

"Hah?! Shut it! If you wanna pass, come take it by force!!"

Either they failed to notice the anti-aircraft pop-pop cannon mounted behind us, or they were simply that bold. They continued shouting their bravado regardless. If they truly weren’t going to back down… then we had no choice.

"The ‘country-bred lady of the Tea Party,’ taking the stage at full power."

Murmuring that to myself, I turned the crank. My beloved gun roared to life, unleashing fourteen consecutive anti-aircraft shells amid blazing fire and thunder. When the smoke cleared, not a single member of the helmet gang—who must have numbered close to a hundred—was left standing.

Incidentally, “country-bred lady of the Tea Party” was just one of the many nicknames I’d been given. Thirty-six… or was it seventy-two?*8 I’d forgotten the exact count, but there were plenty of others as well: “Songstress of the Battlefield,” “One-Woman Navy,” “Machine-Gun Girl,” and “Trinity’s Living Map Weapon,” among them.

"Alright then—shall we hurry along?"

Careful not to run over the fallen delinquent students, we pushed through the area and headed for Schale, where everyone else was surely waiting.