Chapter 10: White Wings, Locked Doors
“…”
“Here we are, Sensei. The Justice Task Force’s clubroom.”
“Thanks for showing me the way, Koharu. Hmm… Kaoru, it might be a bit awkward for you to join the Justice Task Force, so could you wait here for a bit? Is that okay?”
“Yes, Master, fufu.”
As the second day at the Supplementary Lessons Department’s training camp drew to a close, I found myself accompanying Koharu and Sensei near Trinity’s main campus.
“Fufufu, I never would’ve guessed you’d have something like that, Koharu. It’s… kind of surprising~”
“I-It’s not mine…! It’s confiscated, confiscated!”
More precisely, we were on our way to return a naughty magazine that had tumbled out of Koharu’s bag to the Justice Task Force’s storage.
As expected, when the adult magazine was first discovered in the original story, I’d just watched the commotion unfold without much thought.
I figured following them deep into the campus might lead to an awkward run-in with Nagisa or Mika.
“Oh, Sensei, why don’t we bring Kaoru-san along?”
“Oh, me?”
“Yes~ Since Kaoru-san isn’t fully used to Kivotos yet, rather than staying cooped up in the annex, it could be a chance to explore the campus~ Fufu.”
“Hm, that makes sense. What do you think, Kaoru? Want to come along?”
“Um…”
For some reason, Hanako’s suggestion, delivered with an odd glint in her eyes, caught me off guard, and I ended up tagging along.
Come to think of it, since lending her the poetry book earlier today, Hanako’s attitude toward me seemed to have subtly shifted.
Was she that moved by the poem I picked?
As I pondered this, Koharu, perhaps feeling self-conscious, pointed at the sword strapped to my back and shouted.
“A-And how long are you going to carry that dangerous thing around?! It’s grounds for execution, I say!”
“Hmm… but if we’re being honest, isn’t that book of yours just as dangerous, Koharu? Fufu.”
“I-It’s not mine… ugh, uuu…”
When I teased her a bit mischievously, Koharu’s face turned beet red, and she looked on the verge of tears.
Wow, teasing her is kind of fun. No wonder Hanako enjoys it so much.
“Now, now, you two, that’s enough. I’ll be back soon, Kaoru.”
“Fufu, understood, Master.”
Sensei, giving a wry smile, stepped in to stop us.
I smiled back, seeing them off, and settled onto an empty bench nearby.
Setting my bag down beside me, the old revolver tied alongside my sword caught my eye.
The saying from Blue Archive about going out in Kivotos without a gun being like walking around naked wasn’t an exaggeration.
Carrying the revolver did seem to slightly reduce the stares directed at my unusual weapon—the sword.
“Wow… look over there. Is she from our school?”
“First time seeing her… but I get the feeling we shouldn’t get too close…”
“…”
The attention my appearance drew, though, was unavoidable, weapon or not.
Guess I’ll just have to get used to—
—This way…
“Hm…?”
A strange voice snapped me out of my thoughts, and I whipped my head toward the sound.
But all I saw was an old, stately building.
Did I mishear…?
Puzzled by the empty scene with no one around, I tilted my head, only to accidentally knock my bag onto the dirt below the bench.
Thud.
“Oh my.”
Of course.
The bag, especially the revolver tied to it, was now covered in dirt.
Sigh… Sensei won’t be back for a while, so I might as well clean it up.
“I’ll be right back.”
That building looks deserted, so it should be fine to step in for a moment to avoid attention.
With that simple thought, I stood and headed toward the old building to find a place to clean up.
“Fufu, this is… a bit troublesome.”
…I messed up.
Moments later, I regretted stepping into this old building so carelessly.
“Which way is the exit…?”
By the time I realized the dimly lit building had a labyrinthine structure, I was already completely lost.
It didn’t even look that big from the outside.
I’ve passed through several hallways, so how…?
—This way…
Huh, again…?
Hearing the eerie voice again, I turned toward it, but all I saw was a heavy, unassuming door with no signs of life.
Still, thinking I might ask for directions if I found someone, I placed my hand on the door’s handle.
Squeeze.
It won’t open.
“Hmm.”
It didn’t feel locked, though, so I pushed harder, just in case.
Creak…
With a grating screech, the old door slowly began to open.
Why is this door so stiff?
I thought it was locked.
Grumbling inwardly but managing to open it, I cautiously stepped inside, scanning the surroundings.
To my disappointment, instead of an exit, another long hallway stretched out before me.
Am I seriously going to get stranded here?
I don’t even have a phone yet…
Staring at the empty corridor, with only another door at the far end, a sense of unease crept in.
Step.
“…Oh my?”
Suddenly, a clear presence from the opposite door caught my attention, and I hurried across the corridor to seek help.
Click.
As if on cue, the door swung wide open just as I approached.
Hesitating with a mix of surprise and relief at finally encountering someone in this building, a striking female student stepped out from the doorway.
Wait, that’s…
A white cap adorned with a cross, sky-blue hair flowing like waves, and matching wings.
A face radiating resolve and strength.
A long, white skirt reminiscent of a nurse’s uniform, reaching below her knees.
And most eye-catching of all, a large riot shield in one hand and a sawed-off shotgun in the other.
It’s Mine…?!
The angelic girl, resembling her in-game illustration perfectly, was unmistakably Aomori Mine, leader of Trinity’s Sisterhood.
“…”
Despite her beautiful appearance, the girl also exuded an air of unshakable dignity.
She closed the door behind her and turned to me with a stern expression, silently sizing me up.
Phew… it’s a relief it’s Mine.
I don’t know why she’s here, but if I explain, she’s the type to help.
“Fufu, hello?”
Knowing she’s a good person despite her rigid sense of justice, I relaxed and greeted her, intending to ask for directions.
“I got lost since this place is new to me. Could you tell me the way out?”
“…How brazen.”
…What?
Her sharp, hostile response froze the smile on my face.
“I’ve heard the rumors. An outsider carrying a sword appeared in Trinity recently and met with the Tea Party.”
Mine continued, her face full of suspicion, as if she knew everything.
“Of course, I have no intention of questioning your origins or possessions. In fact, when I heard about the treatment Nagisa-sama imposed on you, I thought it was terribly rude to a guest…”
Pausing, she fixed me with a piercing glare.
“But this time, it seems Nagisa-sama was right.”
What is she talking about? We just met!
“I’m not sure what you mean. I was just trying to find my way out.”
Genuinely confused by her words, I replied, but Mine’s expression grew harsher as she pressed further.
“Still playing innocent? Not only did you seek out the Sisterhood’s secret facility, but you even forced open a sealed door meant to keep out intruders?”
…That stiff door was sealed?!
No, no, it opened too easily for that… it didn’t even feel locked…
Panicking at the realization I’d unintentionally trespassed into a Sisterhood facility, I tried to explain my innocence.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know the doors were locked.”
“Tch… Are you mocking me?”
Instead of clarifying things, my words only seemed to anger her more.
Even so, I just came in by mistake. If I apologize and ask to be let out…
Still believing I could resolve the situation, I opened my mouth, but Mine, her face darkening further, bit her lip and muttered.
“We’ve kept this place hidden to prevent any schemers from finding it… but it seems we’ve been discovered. Are you in league with the assassins?”
“Hmm…?”
What’s she talking about now?
Schemes? Disguises? Assassins? At this point in the story, with the Eden Treaty looming, Mine was probably… oh?
“…Oh my.”
As I racked my brain for the original story, I suddenly recalled that Mine was likely protecting a key figure faking their death at this time, my eyes widening.
“It doesn’t matter. My duty is clear: to extend a helping hand to those in need.”
Thud!
Slamming her shield into the ground and standing like an immovable mountain, Mine assumed a combat stance and declared with a commanding voice.
“I won’t allow a single step past this door where Seia-sama resides!”