Kayama Esumi: The Solo Exhibition and the Two Proposals

A solo exhibition for Kayama Esumi was being held today at a certain location within the Trinity District.

The venue, capable of comfortably holding three hundred people, had been entirely reserved to display approximately fifty works Esumi had produced from the start of her career as a painter up to the present day.

The canvas sizes varied, and the exhibition followed no specific theme, allowing for a sense of creative freedom. Most of the attendees were either her established clients or fans who had come after hearing rumors of her talent. Given that Trinity was a district known for its devotion to and appreciation of the arts, the event was a massive success, with hundreds of visitors having already passed through by noon on the first day.

While her name was already well-known, the sheer number of people drawn to this solo exhibition was a testament to her immense popularity.

However, as this particular event was intended solely for viewing the works, all business negotiations regarding the purchase of paintings were strictly prohibited. Most visitors spent a satisfied amount of time admiring the pieces before departing.

"Oh, Ms. Kayama! It is an honor to meet you!"

"Well, well, it has been a long time, Ms. Kayama. My, you have grown even more beautiful than before."

"Esumi-sama, I am a huge fan! Um, could I please have your autograph?!"

"Ms. Kayama, please tell us your thoughts on the incredible success of this exhibition!"

Such peace was not to last once the creator herself, Kayama Esumi, made her appearance.

With her stunning features and the dignified presence of an artist who had birthed countless masterpieces, she commanded attention. Combined with her status as a student of Trinity General School, a crowd quickly formed around the promising young talent as people sought to deepen their acquaintance with her.

Even though a gallery talk featuring Esumi was scheduled for later, many were too eager to wait and wanted to speak with her immediately. The gathering was a diverse mix of familiar clients, wealthy socialites, passionate fans seeking autographs, and members of the media.

Since her time was limited, Esumi prioritized interacting with the clients who frequently purchased her work. Afterward, she had the temporary staff and art dealers she had hired politely manage the crowd to give her some breathing room.

"Everyone, thank you for coming to my exhibition today. Seeing so many of you here fills me with a gratitude I cannot fully express. While I have held several small-scale exhibitions before, this is my first time hosting one of this magnitude."

Bowing her head in thanks, Esumi spent some time enjoying conversation with her clients.

Since business talk was off-limits, the conversation centered mostly on anecdotes and behind-the-scenes stories regarding the creation of her works. Esumi exchanged words with them regarding her future prospects and the themes she planned to explore in her upcoming paintings.

Eventually, after about twenty or thirty minutes of standing and chatting, Esumi noticed the arrival of a certain individual. She excused herself, saying, "I am sorry, but I must take my leave now," and began to move through the hall.

"Tsukusu-sama. Thank you very much for coming today."

Esumi bowed slightly as she addressed the person. It was Tsukusu, the former host of the Tea Party at Trinity General Academy and the student council president representing the Sanctus Faction.

She was also a prominent client who had purchased Esumi's work and a self-proclaimed "big fan." She had come to the exhibition today following an invitation from Esumi.

"Good day, Esumi-san. You seemed to be in the middle of a conversation with others; was it alright for you to come to me?"

"Thank you for your concern. However, I had already been talking with them for quite some time, so it is no issue. In truth, I have been eagerly awaiting your arrival, Tsukusu-sama."

"Oh, to think I kept the famous Esumi-san waiting. I apologize for taking up your time."

"Please, do not give it a thought. You have your own matters to attend to, and more importantly, I did not specify a time for your visit."

"I see. Then...... let us speak somewhere we can both be at ease."

Tsukusu gave a bright smile, to which Esumi responded with her best professional smile before leading her to a corner of the gallery. Exchanging light nods and greetings with people they passed along the way, the two eventually stopped before a single painting.

It was an oil painting on a P50 size canvas (1167mm x 807mm).

The work was defined by its vibrant colors and high-contrast lighting. If one had to describe the image in a single word, it would be "warm." While the "P" designated a landscape format, and the canvas did feature a few figures, the overall composition was a landscape depicting the daily life of a certain district.

However, it was not a literal reproduction of a real scene—it wasn't realism or naturalism. Instead, it was a work of the imagination modeled after an existing town, reminiscent of the Flemish school. As the "warm" description suggested, the sunlight and shadows were striking, and the overall color palette was remarkably vivid.

Because the figures and buildings were rendered with such intricate detail, the painting almost looked like a photograph processed with a warm filter. Tsukusu let out a sigh of genuine admiration at the realization that Esumi was capable of producing such a work.

"This is...... a truly magnificent piece. It is rare to see a landscape that blends fantasy and reality so seamlessly. I am quite surprised."

"While the landscape itself is loosely based on an existing district, I produced it in my indoor studio. I believe that is why it resulted in such a unique, otherworldly expression of light and color. Trinity usually favors religious or historical paintings; landscape works are not quite as common here. It is only natural that you might find it unfamiliar."

"I had no idea you were so skilled in this style as well, Esumi-san. I am becoming even more of a fan."

"Thank you for the kind words. It took about three weeks to complete, but it is the only brand-new work being debuted at this exhibition. I am relieved to hear it has been well-received by others as well."

While the P50 size is common in galleries, it was a large canvas that reached the chest of the five-foot-tall Esumi even when placed on the floor. Considering the process of adjusting the composition and details during sketching before moving on to the delicate application of paint, the task required immense precision and effort.

To finish such a work in just three weeks while still being a student...... Esumi's speed was truly extraordinary.

It was no wonder her dominant arm was screaming in protest. At that moment, Tsukusu silently cast her gaze toward Esumi's right arm.

"......I look forward to the day you become the painter who represents all of Kivotos."

At those words, Esumi gave a small shrug.

"I wonder if that day will ever come. Kivotos has schools like the Wildhunt Academy of the Arts that specialize in the field, and if you look at other districts, painters like me are not that rare. Honestly, if I can make it into the top ten, I will be more than satisfied."

"In my eyes, you possess the talent and skill to be in the top three, let alone the top ten."

"......You certainly think highly of me."

"Oh, have you forgotten? I am merely a third-year student of Trinity General Academy who claims to be your biggest fan."

Tsukusu shifted her gaze from the artwork to Esumi, her face lit with a delighted, full smile.

In contrast, Esumi looked exasperated as she asked, "How can the host of the Tea Party call herself 'merely' a student?" but Tsukusu simply shook her head, her smile remaining unchanged.

"Former host, Esumi-san. I have already handed over the position to the representative of the Filius Faction. For a while, I will be focusing on 'cleaning' within the Sanctus Faction, so I plan to send a replacement to the Tea Party soon."

"Ah...... Come to think of it, has it already been a week since you stepped down?"

"Yes. Last month, a USB drive containing 'vital information' was delivered to the Sanctus Faction headquarters. Since then, the faction has been scrambling to cover up evidence and cut off loose ends. To manage that chaos, I stepped down as host earlier than planned."

Just as Tsukusu said, the arrival of the mysterious USB drive at the Sanctus headquarters had shattered their peace and thrown the faction into total disarray.

Some students took sudden leaves of absence for unknown reasons, others were transferred from their departments, and some even withdrew from the Tea Party altogether. It was a massive purge and a state of chaos that left the rival Pater and Filius factions—and even other smaller groups—utterly bewildered.

The Sanctus Faction was such a wreck that it was said it would take at least a year to function normally again. As the head of the faction, Tsukusu had to temporarily leave the Tea Party to oversee the rebuilding.

For the time being, the Pater and Filius factions would lead the Tea Party. However, they weren't exactly running toward their ambitions thinking, "Our rival is down, now’s our chance!" Instead, seeing one of Trinity's three great powers collapse into dysfunction overnight had made them retreat in fear, thinking, "We could be next......"

This meant that the factional infighting unique to Trinity would be quiet for a while. To the commoners and general students who had nothing to do with such politics, the current state of affairs was generally welcomed with comments like, "I don't know why, but things are peaceful now!" The victimized Sanctus Faction, however, was not having a good time.

"I hear the Filius Faction, who took over as host, and the Pater Faction, who are next in line, intend to focus on maintaining the status quo for the school’s administration. Though, this peace might only last a year or two."

"I suppose you are right. If time passes without them suffering the same fate as Sanctus, they will naturally lower their guard. Sanctus must hurry to rebuild or will be forced out of the power struggle entirely."

"Oh? Does that mean...... you wish for me to work myself to death?"

Esumi returned a smile at the question and remarked, "Wasn't this exactly what you wanted, Tsukusu-sama?" Tsukusu responded with a somewhat wry smile.

"It is true that this is what I hoped for...... but you went a bit too far, Esumi-san."

"Now, I wonder what you mean by 'too far'?"

At this point, Esumi gave a subtle nod to an art dealer waiting nearby. The person immediately hurried over to the two of them, holding a folder.

"Pardon me for interrupting your conversation. If you are interested in Ms. Kayama's work, perhaps you would like to look over this catalog? These pieces are technically not for sale, but since you are a valued guest of the artist, please, have a look."

He was a merchant, through and through. Despite acting on Esumi's signal, his performance was natural as he casually handed Tsukusu a special folder containing a list of the works displayed in the exhibition.

It was not uncommon for certain galleries to keep non-saleable files featuring descriptions and photos of works by their contracted artists to help gauge a visitor's tastes. It was a standard tool for an art dealer during negotiations.

As someone who had visited galleries many times, Tsukusu took the folder without suspicion and began to look through the contents.

"......This is."

Her hand stopped as she turned the pages, her eyes widening in slight surprise. Seeing this, Esumi checked their surroundings and spoke with a perfectly neutral expression.

"Tsukusu-sama, please feel free to look through it for as long as you like. This is special material intended for my clients, so there is no need to worry about the eyes of those around you."

"......You really are something, Esumi-san. You thought this through."

Tsukusu let out a laugh as if she found the situation amusing and stared intently at the open page.

Like the other pages, it featured a photograph of a painting and a description. However, a closer look revealed that the text had absolutely nothing to do with the artwork.

Thank you for coming to my solo exhibition.

If you are reading this, it means the USB memory I sent to the Sanctus Faction—containing the names and detailed records of every student involved in criminal activity—has arrived, and you are likely in the middle of trying to rebuild the faction from the resulting chaos.

As you know, I traveled to the Gehenna District last month to settle a certain matter. There, I fended off raiders who were attempting to steal goods from an art supply manufacturer. Afterward, I traveled to the factory where the stolen goods were being forged and gathered every scrap of information and record connecting the Sanctus Faction to the incident.

The results were shocking. The theft and forgery were not limited to art supplies; the same crimes were being committed against other companies as well. It became clear that many students of the Sanctus Faction were involved in the majority of these transactions.

Personally, I have no interest in whether the criminal group held leverage over these students or if it was a mutual relationship of convenience. However, it seems the Sanctus Faction had spun out of control in its attempt to sabotage rival factions. Or perhaps the organization had been corrupt for a long time. The fact that they could knowingly use such crimes suggests the latter is highly likely.

As an aside, I have already contacted the Valkyrie Police Academy regarding the criminal group responsible for the theft, forgery, and sales. By now, the investigation should be closing in on the external parties and students involved. Since the organization has essentially collapsed, these crimes will not be repeated.

However, regarding the Sanctus Faction's involvement, I have allowed a special exception for the matter to be handled internally by Trinity.

But, if the Sanctus Faction chooses to turn a blind eye to the contents of the USB I sent, or if you attempt to destroy the evidence, I will not hesitate to report this matter to Valkyrie and expose the faction's misdeeds to all of Kivotos.

That you are reading this, however, suggests that Sanctus has fortunately chosen the correct path. I have no desire to disrupt the power balance within the Tea Party, which carries the future of Trinity. In the worst-case scenario, all of Trinity could have been plunged into turmoil.

But in the first place, you were the ones who committed the sin of exploiting art for the sake of factional warfare and earned my wrath.

I remain uninterested in Trinity's politics, but this incident has forced me to step into that murky world. I am fully aware of this, and I am prepared for any retaliation.

But as I told you directly in my studio that day, I am willing to make any sacrifice to protect art and its culture. Even if it means my own ruin.

In the future, if my beloved art is ever defiled again, I will not hesitate to challenge the Pater Faction or the Filius Faction. And of course, if the rebuilt Sanctus Faction ever walks this path again, I will crush it utterly next time.

I sincerely hope such a future never comes to pass.

Kayama Esumi

It was a letter of indictment, but at the same time, it was a message carrying Kayama Esumi’s firm resolve and convictions.

"......Regarding the contents of this 'description,' are these your true feelings, Esumi-san?"

"Yes. It is a manifestation of the thoughts I have kept pushed down in the depths of my heart."

"......I see."

So she was serious.

To hide such a statement in plain sight within a catalog...... one could call her incredibly bold, or perhaps a madwoman whose love for art bordered on insanity.

Tsukusu already knew Esumi was the one who sent the USB, as she was the one who had encouraged her in the studio that day, telling her to "do as you like, so that you have no regrets."

But the rest of the chaotic Sanctus Faction didn't know that. While Tsukusu was a brilliant leader, there were many other capable and loyal students in the faction, and some of them were beginning to suspect Esumi was behind it.

While they wouldn't defend the students who had actually committed crimes, the fact remained that the Sanctus Faction had been crippled as an organization. Having suffered damage that threatened their standing as one of the three great powers, it was impossible for some members not to feel resentment or hatred toward her. No matter how much she loved art, the blow Esumi had dealt in retaliation was far too heavy.

For now, because Sanctus was clearly in the wrong, they were holding back. But if Esumi ever retaliated in the same way again...... her safety could no longer be guaranteed. By then, Tsukusu would have graduated and would be unable to restrain the more radical elements of the faction.

"............"

However, as a self-proclaimed fan and as someone who had "seen" the future of both Esumi and Trinity, Tsukusu had a clever plan that would ensure they didn't become enemies, even if they didn't become allies.

She sensed that now was the time to voice it.

"......Esumi-san. As someone who truly worries for your safety, may I offer two proposals?"

"Proposals from you, Tsukusu-sama? I have no reason to refuse. Please, let me hear them."

"Thank you for listening. First, I recommend that from now on, you adopt a new persona in addition to being a student and a painter."

With a soft click, she closed the folder and looked around to ensure no one was eavesdropping. Thankfully, the merchant from before was subtly keeping people away, so she didn't have to worry about anyone hearing this important conversation.

"My advice is for you to become an information broker."

"......An information broker?"

Esumi tilted her head at the unexpected suggestion.

"Yes. After all, you are the most famous painter in the Trinity District. As someone who belongs to no faction and has gained attention for not having a patron, you have undoubtedly used that position to gather a vast amount of useful information...... That should be more than enough to serve you well at Trinity General Academy. If you hold information that makes any faction hesitate to touch you, and you use it wisely, you can protect yourself."

It was a very logical argument.

Esumi had always used her status as a painter to gather necessary information from clients and industry insiders. It felt like forever ago that she had been desperately gathering info to try and transfer to the Wildhunt Academy of the Arts—though that plan was scrapped after she was talked out of it by a certain young lady, her very first client.

Now that she was at Trinity General Academy, her interactions with students who were drawn to her beauty and talent had increased significantly compared to middle school. It was a simple fact that, just as Tsukusu said, information regarding various Trinity factions was constantly falling into her hands.

Up until now, most of it had been mere rumors of questionable truth. But if Esumi could use her connections to build her own information network, she could almost certainly establish herself as an information broker within the academy.

More importantly, as a lover of art, she couldn't allow incidents like the one with the Sanctus Faction to happen again. If she could catch wind of things beforehand, she could stop them with minimal damage.

Esumi decided that the idea of becoming an information broker was actually quite viable.

"I think that is an excellent idea. I never imagined a day would come where I would become an information broker...... but what is your other proposal?"

The first idea was already worth accepting, so Esumi asked with genuine curiosity.

"As for the second proposal, I would like you to become a consultant for an acquaintance of mine."

"A-A consultant......?"

This was another completely unexpected suggestion.

"If you say 'consultant,' then is this acquaintance of yours the successor to the head of the Sanctus Faction?"

In the corporate world, a consultant or advisor is a key role that supports the president or chairperson, helping to solve various problems the company faces. While the job varies by company, in Trinity’s three great factions, it was a position created to support the person almost certain to become the next leader.

Therefore, the acquaintance Tsukusu was talking about must be someone worthy of leading the Sanctus Faction.

"Yes, exactly. She is my pride and joy, a junior with the talent and intellect suitable to lead the faction...... However, she is physically frail, and because her abilities surpass my own, she tends to carry her burdens alone. If possible, I would like you to be her emotional support, Esumi-san."

"I see. She sounds like someone with quite a 'complicated' background...... but what do you mean by abilities that surpass your own?"

Esumi had seen firsthand how Tsukusu, the student council president, managed to hide her true nature behind a polite smile and dignified behavior. She was an exceptionally talented individual, even within the current Tea Party and Trinity General Academy.

Even now, while rebuilding the chaotic Sanctus Faction, she had come to see Esumi without showing a single hint of weakness or exhaustion from her heavy workload. Her political skill was far beyond anyone else's.

Esumi was very curious about what kind of ability could possibly surpass her.

"Oh?...... Come to think of it, I haven't told you yet. Since we are here, I shall reveal it to you. In truth, I can see into the distant future."

"......Huh?...... The future...... what......?!"

Even though they were keeping their voices low, Esumi couldn't help but let out a cry of surprise.

She had thought Tsukusu was just an incredibly gifted politician, but to have her casually reveal a "cheat" ability she was familiar with from her previous life was a shock.

"T-Tsukusu-sama...... you mean......?"

"It is what some call precognition, or clairvoyance. While I can only see a precise future a few months ahead, I can still see up to several years into the future. I have used this to survive the harsh world of politics. In fact, my meeting you directly after your speech as the freshman representative was partly due to this precognition."

"So, the reason you contacted me and turned a blind eye to so many things was...... all to solve the problem with the Sanctus Faction?"

"Yes, exactly. The reason I didn't try to stop the Sanctus Faction from running wild was because I knew from my visions that you would intervene. Of course, it was possible for me to stop them myself, but doing so carried the risk of an internal split within the faction. The effort I had to put in was a bit more than I expected, but compared to the collapse of the faction itself, it is a minor issue."

"......I see. Considering the risks, using me as your visions dictated was indeed the best course of action."

Despite saying that, it meant all her actions and the results had been within Tsukusu's expectations.

She couldn't shake the feeling she had been used, but perhaps that was why Tsukusu, in her own way, had worried for Esumi and offered these two proposals.

Setting aside the first proposal, Esumi had a question about the second.

"But what is the benefit of me becoming a consultant for the next successor? You explained the benefit of being an information broker, but once people find out the person who caused the chaos in the Sanctus Faction has become a consultant, there will be opposition. And more importantly, it would mean I am joining a faction."

Tsukusu smiled, showing she understood Esumi's firm stance on never joining a faction despite her intervention in their affairs.

"Please, do not worry about that. I called it a 'consultant' role, but in practice, it would be more like counseling...... or more simply, just being someone she can talk to. If you are treated as a 'trusted personal acquaintance,' the people around her will eventually accept it. And above all, if you are liked by the future leader of the faction, no one will dare try to harm you directly."

"......You seem to have high expectations for her, Tsukusu-sama."

"Oh? Are you curious about my relationship with her?"

Esumi didn't want to poke her nose into other people's business, but since Tsukusu was so strongly recommending this connection with a successor who hadn't even taken over yet, it was only natural to be curious. Esumi had done her own research on the Sanctus Faction, but she had never seen anyone Tsukusu held in such high regard.

For Tsukusu, who possessed the "cheat" weapon of precognition, to say someone had "abilities that surpass my own" made Esumi genuinely interested.

"Let’s see. If I had to describe our relationship in a single word, it would be 'master and disciple'."

"......Master and disciple?"

"Yes. I have precognition, but she possesses perfect clairvoyance, capable of seeing the past, present, and future. And because she can see everything accurately while remaining fully conscious, she already surpasses me. Don't you agree, Esumi-san?"

"I am more surprised that there are two people with such abilities in Trinity...... So, as someone with similar powers, you have been guiding or looking after her, Tsukusu-sama?"

Tsukusu nodded deeply.

"Even with precognition, neither of us can see the future at will. It is convenient, but because it triggers unexpectedly, it takes a toll on the mind and body. In my case, it only causes my vision to drop significantly after a vision. But for her, who can see the past and present as well, it is not so simple. Because her visions are so accurate, she struggles to distinguish reality from dreams. I have stayed by her side for a long time to support her through that."

Tsukusu pulled a phone from her pocket, tapped the screen a few times, and quietly handed it to Esumi. Out of curiosity, Esumi looked at the screen and saw a single photograph.

It was a photo of Tsukusu, looking like a first or second-year high school student, and a girl with animal ears lying in a bed, both of them smiling...... Honestly, Esumi felt like those animal ears looked familiar, but she couldn't quite place them.

When she asked if this was the successor, Tsukusu let out a lonely smile.

"Yes. Since we are four or five years apart, she is like a little sister to me. She is physically frail and often bedridden due to the recoil of her abilities, but she is a brilliant girl with high-level thinking. Her taking over the top of Sanctus is almost a certainty. But......"

"If there is such a gap in your ages, then she is currently...... still in middle school, right?"

"......That is correct."

She was still in middle school. That meant Tsukusu, who was graduating this year, wouldn't be able to stay by her side once she entered high school.

She could spend her middle school years without much factional involvement, but once someone with her intellect and extraordinary abilities entered Trinity General Academy, she would almost certainly be pushed into the role of the next Sanctus leader. In the old, corrupt Sanctus Faction, her powers might even have been exploited.

"In truth, my total effort in rebuilding the Sanctus Faction is for her sake. In the old Sanctus, they would have either exploited her or locked her away. I want to leave her to you, Esumi-san, because I believe that someone like you, who refuses to join a faction and always puts art first, will help her without exploiting her."

"......Is that because you saw it in a vision? Or is it your own personal trust in me, Tsukusu-sama?"

Tsukusu closed her eyes, returned the folder to Esumi, and spoke.

"In the many futures I have seen, the only one where I could confirm your involvement was years away. A future that distant lacks accuracy and isn't guaranteed to happen............ Does that help you understand how serious I am about entrusting her to you?"

"......It is enough."

Esumi bowed her head slightly and accepted the proposal, saying, "I will do my best to support her." Tsukusu gave a small chuckle.

"Thank you. Whether or not you would accept this proposal was a scene I never saw in my visions, so I was a bit nervous."

"Enough to make you nervous, Tsukusu-sama?...... By the way, when should I begin interacting with her?"

Tsukusu looked away, deep in thought.

"Let’s see...... She won't enter the academy until next year, and for now, I’m busy with rebuilding the faction. If possible, I’d like to introduce you next week. Once a week is fine for your meetings. I’ll leave the content to you."

"Understood. Will that frequency be alright even after she enters high school?"

"Of course. Meeting too often might lead to misunderstandings from those around you."

In any case, if she could build a relationship with this girl with animal ears, the harassment from the Sanctus Faction should mostly stop. Since she had stuck her nose into their business, she was now part of the political world, and Esumi steeled herself for what was to come.

"............Hmm?"

Suddenly, Esumi felt a bad premonition. It was as if...... she had forgotten something important. The feeling told her she needed to check the photo again. She apologized to Tsukusu and looked at the phone once more.

"Animal ears...... frail...... bedridden...... clairvoyance...... Sanctus Faction...... starting high school next year?"

She had lived in the world of Blue Archive for fifteen years now. Her love for art hadn't changed, but she was slowly starting to forget the details of her previous life. She had made it her creed not to get involved with named characters.

Kirifuji Nagisa, Misono Mika, Onikata Kayoko.

She couldn't help meeting them, but she had tried her best not to get too close. The problem was that from now on, she would not only meet more characters but become close with them.

She wanted to keep the number of people she was involved with to a minimum. If possible, she wanted to keep it to just those "three" she had already met.

Esumi spoke, trying to escape the bad feeling that was growing.

"......Tsukusu-sama. If possible, may I ask for her name?"

It couldn't be. There was no way that simply acting on her love for art would lead to yet another fateful encounter. There was no way the art she loved would come back to haunt her like this. Such a tragedy couldn't possibly be happening......

"Her name is Seia. Yurizono Seia."

"......I...... see."

At that moment, Esumi froze completely, a strained smile plastered on her face.

It seemed her intense love for art was destined to bring both happiness and chaos.

Later, when Kirifuji Nagisa arrived at the exhibition full of excitement, she was met with the sight of Esumi slumped against a wall just before her gallery talk. It reportedly caused a bit of a scene as Nagisa cried, "What happened?!"

Of course, when Esumi finally pulled herself together and casually revealed the truth about her "right hand" during the gallery talk, it caused an even bigger stir...... but that is a story known only to those who were there.

According to Mika, who was also there, "Nagisa-chan turned completely pale when she heard about your hand. It was pretty bad."

Somewhere in Kivotos.

A district full of abandoned buildings that no one approached. It was a place famous among certain enthusiasts for its "cinematic look" and was a frequent topic in streaming circles. However, it was regularly patrolled by the Valkyrie Police Academy, and few were willing to risk expulsion or dropping out to enter.

Yet today, despite it being the middle of the day, a single figure appeared in the district.

"......A city that has lost its life is destined to be used by people for as long as it remains...... but to choose such a place for a meeting."

The mysterious figure, looking like a double-headed mannequin in a tuxedo, muttered as if complaining to no one in particular. Like a ghost, the figure entered the district without being seen and vanished into the shadows.

Reaching a hall that once served as a venue for music and theater, the double-headed figure spotted a black, inorganic figure in a suit standing on the stage, facing away from the seats.

"I have arrived. I am a bit ahead of schedule, but I trust that is not a problem."

The double-headed figure spoke while stepping onto the stage. The wood was old and let out a loud groan with every step. At this rate, it would rot completely within ten years. Neither figure seemed to care, and they simply began their conversation.

"Yes. In fact, our meeting may end earlier than planned, so it is no issue. To get straight to the point, one of my experiments has ended in failure."

"Is this the experiment regarding 'crime and the relationship between students' that you devised?"

The figure in the suit gave a troubled shrug and turned to face the double-headed figure.

"Exactly. To see what negative effects would be visited upon a school when students knowingly use crime to fulfill their own ambitions and desires. It was a minor experiment, but I predicted it would ultimately lead to the dissolution of the student council itself...... Unfortunately, the organization I was using collapsed before that could happen."

"......Are there any traces of your involvement?"

"No. I only provided advice. While Valkyrie is likely conducting a full investigation now, they will not find any trace of my existence. Nor of Gematria."

"I see. Then why have you called me here? I did not come to hear you complain about a failed experiment that has nothing to do with Mystery."

"I am well aware. I am not angry about the failure. In fact, I wanted to report that this sacrifice has led to a new discovery."

"......Let me hear it."

The suit-clad figure pulled a bundle of photographs from his pocket and handed them over. The double-headed figure looked through them.

"......The students in these photos are?"

"The brave students who stopped my experiment. I obtained these from the security cameras at the facility through my own channels. The student in the hoodie belongs to Gehenna, but there is nothing of interest there. But the other student......"

"......A student from Trinity?"

The suit figure let out a low chuckle, clearly amused.

"The relationship between Trinity and Gehenna has been hostile since ancient times...... and yet, you say they cooperated to stop your experiment? A coincidence, or a miracle...... Hmm, interesting."

"I do not know which one reached out to the other, but either way, it is a real-world example of 'strange bedfellows.' I suspect the Trinity student was the one to initiate it."

"......I have an idea who this Trinity student is. She is undoubtedly the rising star of the art world who appeared recently. I have been watching her personally as an explorer of art."

"I have done my own research. She is a lone wolf who refuses to join a faction, yes? It seems she has absolutely no interest in the politics of Trinity General Academy."

"One could say she is a student who has devoted her entire life solely to art. But for her to stop your experiment when she seems interested in nothing else...... what happened?"

The double-headed figure asked out of curiosity, but the suit figure shook his head.

"I have no idea. But she is a Trinity student who interacts and acts with a Gehenna student, which is unprecedented. I believe her criteria for action are entirely dictated by 'art.' My experiment happened to include art-related targets. Perhaps I touched a nerve."

"............I will overlook your use of art for your research for now. So, what do you want from me?"

"Why don't you take charge of this Trinity student yourself?"

The double-headed figure looked at the photos and then back at the suit figure.

"......Is she not someone who could be a subject for your own research?"

As someone who sought to research and explore Mystery by any means, a student driven by something like "art" would be a perfect subject for observation. While her aesthetics and methods might be different from his own, he didn't deny her fundamental nature. It was surprising that he would give up such a "subject" so easily.

"I would like to continue my observations, but one of my other projects has become quite demanding, and I felt I should focus on it."

"......Now that you mention it, you were involved in the Abydos matter, were you not?"

"Yes. Progress is still minimal, but since this experiment failed, I decided to start fresh and focus entirely on Abydos. I feel something big will happen there starting next year, and as the saying goes, 'He who hunts two hares catches neither'."

"......And so you are handing her over to me?"

"In fact, as an artist yourself, wouldn't using her help you in your own expressions? As fellow artists, you should have much to gain from one another."

"............Very well. I am interested in her...... In return for this gift, I shall share any new information regarding her with you."

The double-headed figure tucked the photos away, looking satisfied. Then, as if suddenly remembering, the suit figure asked one more thing.

"By the way, this student...... Kayama Esumi. Her love for art is bordering on madness. It won't be long before that love leads her to her 'death.' Whether that is a physical death or a mental one, I cannot say. But anyone who holds such intense passion for one thing...... must eventually pay the price."

"............"

"I hope you obtain the results you desire before that day comes."

With his hands clasped behind his back, the suit figure spoke with a sense of enjoyment about an uncertain future.

"......It seems you do not truly understand what it means to be an artist......"

The double-headed figure replied coldly.

"Oh?"

"......To manifest the will within, to realize it, and to sear it into the eyes of the masses...... Art has always walked that path since ancient times...... As long as one lives, one must create more and leave their ideology to future generations...... For one who is a captive of art, it is only when facing death that they produce their true masterpiece......"

"So, you are saying you welcome it?"

"......Further talk is useless. I shall take my leave."

"............Heh heh heh. Very well. As someone who values means and methods, you will undoubtedly be unable to take your eyes off her...... It seems I must also find a 'student' worthy of my own attention."

"......Any student you set your eyes on will surely resent you."

Leaving those final words, the double-headed figure departed the stage. Left alone, the suit figure clasped his hands behind his back and looked out over the hall.

"I look forward to the Kivotos of a few years from now."

He whispered the monologue to himself, then stepped off the stage and vanished into the exit of the hall.