NOVEL NEXT The morning commute was surprisingly peaceful. You might think nothing special happens while taking the train to school, but there’s one fact you absolutely must not forget.
That’s right, this place is Kivotos, a magical realm inhabited by all sorts of embodiments of madness.
So, it’s actually a cause for gratitude that no accidents occurred on the train, right? Although I can’t be sure what the major named students are up to at this early point compared to the original story, I seriously doubt those troublemakers would remain model students just because it’s before the original timeline.
Sitting on the train with a gun snugly in my arms feels strangely surreal. What should clearly be an extraordinary scene is set to become my new normal.
What high school girl brings a gun to school, anyway?
Surprisingly, that’s normal in Kivotos. A world so crazy it turned the concept of a military-trained high school girl from a joke into common sense. Girls operate trains, handle firearms and explosives nonchalantly, and even fight while taking hits. From a modern perspective, it’s utterly ridiculous, but if they can get away with such madness and not die, I guess it’s become a norm.
Currently, I’m holding a gun named Quis ut Deus, which is Misono Mika’s exclusive weapon that exists in reality. The model is the Lanchester Mark I.
Aside from Blue Archive, it’s the kind of gun you’d see in some movie referred to as “Nom Nom Nom,” but since I’m not a military buff and definitely not trained, I don’t know much beyond that. Being military-trained doesn’t necessarily mean you’d know details about firearms from centuries past either.
It’s so very Mika; just looking at its beautifully decorated exterior makes me feel a bit attached to it. I wasn’t even aware of it until Nagisa pointed it out, but my speech now resembles Mika’s original way of talking.
Given that my swearing has been filtered into “Wah—oh,” it’s not too surprising. The bittersweet part is that I feel I’m gradually losing my original self.
Handling guns is basic knowledge for the girls in this world, so I wasn’t even taught it through tactical BD. It’s something they learn naturally as they go from kindergarten to elementary school.
But thank goodness I have shining, lovely Nagisa by my side. Help me, Nagisa-chan!
Honestly, I grabbed the gun pretty naturally when leaving home; it’s probably a habit ingrained in Mika’s body. Still, I worried a bit about bringing an item I couldn’t even use and merely adding to my baggage. Thankfully, Nagisa offered to take me to the shooting range used by the T-party, and that put me at ease.
Although Nagisa primarily uses a handgun and isn’t particularly exceptional in strength, she confidently assured me that she could teach me the basics of handling firearms. I feel like even using the gun as a blunt weapon, Mika’s body might outclass most students, but there’s definitely a difference in learning to use a gun versus not, so I’m determined to learn.
By the way, looking over at Nagisa, who’s dozing off beside me, it seems even Kivotos’ students need their sleep. I’ve been feeling drowsy for a while too; fatigue in the brain is unavoidable, regardless of physical abilities.
Because of the wings on my back, it’s a bit inconvenient to fully lean back against the train and nap comfortably. So, I gently pull Nagisa closer, resting her head on my shoulder. As she slightly opens her eyes to glare at me, she actually snuggles in even closer, making things awkward for me.
The scent of shampoo wafts through the air. Knowing that the same smell is coming from my head gives me an odd feeling of guilt. It feels wrong, even though I haven’t done anything wrong.
But since Nagisa has worked so hard, I decide to let her take a quick nap. After all, she might be just as troubled as I am.
After passing a couple of stops, I hear girls whispering nearby.
“…Oh my, isn’t that Misono Mika over there?”
“Whoa, it really is… Wow, seeing Mika in person for the first time… Maybe the rumors don’t do her justice?”
“Right? No wonder she’s considered one of the most beautiful girls at Trinity. And look beside her—it’s Nagisa! It must be true that the two of them are best friends outside of school.”
They were just ordinary Mob Students from Trinity. But as far as I know, the T-party is a secretive group, and they probably wouldn’t often come across regular students, so maybe one of them has seen Mika before.
I’m not sure if they really know Mika, the host of the T-party. Since she’s in the T-party uniform, they probably just think she’s affiliated with them?
Ah, but man, I’m really sleepy. I can’t afford to nod off and miss my stop…
My eyelids keep getting heavier. Something nearby seems comfy to lean on, so my head tilts in that direction.
At some point, I felt a slight shift, as if my position had changed slightly due to someone’s touch. I can’t say for sure, but it was probably Nagisa.
The Mob Students briefly stopped their chatter after making eye contact with me, but I’d realize later that letting them keep talking would have been better than what actually happened.
What’s more, I wouldn’t discover until much later that a picture titled “The two most beautiful girls at Trinity sleeping on the train while leaning on each other” was secretly taken and spread around Trinity General Academy.
*
Fortunately, I didn’t miss my stop. A Yorkshire Terrier beastfolk sat beside us and woke us up, asking if we weren’t getting off at the next station.
Indeed, a dog is man’s true friend! That traitor animal can stay away!
By the way, I’m curious how Trinity Academy looks in real life. Since it’s inspired by England, I imagine the academy is built in the shape of an island, richly embedded with Christian elements that add to its grandeur.
I once visited the Vatican; though I don’t follow a religion, I couldn’t help but marvel at the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica.
Now, seeing Trinity Academy with my own eyes is…
“…”
It’s so incredibly beautiful that I momentarily lose my words.
The religiously themed buildings caught my eye and elicited admiration. The trees and lawns planted around neutralized the religious vibe enough, so it felt like an academy. Plus, the lake’s water is crystal clear! It looks drinkable. Not that anyone from a girls’ school would do something like that, though.
“…So this is it, huh? I have to say, Trinity Academy’s first impression is pretty remarkable, right, Mika?”
To be honest, I can’t comprehend how students, harboring such sinister personalities, could study in a place like this. But I couldn’t say that out loud to Nagisa.
“I’m not quite sure how to express it… It’s just… a beauty that resonates with the heart? Yeah, that feels right.”
“Hehe. I’d love to give you a tour of the academy, but first, we need to meet someone. We should discuss how we’ll act moving forward before exploring together.”
“The person we’re meeting must be Seiya-chan, the other leader of the T-party, right?”
“Yes. I haven’t yet informed Seiya that Mika has lost her memory. It’s more effective to explain complex things face-to-face. Given the current situation where the host, Mika, can’t fulfill her duties, Seiya and I will assist as much as we can. Since it won’t be long before Seiya takes over the host position, please hang in there until then, Mika.”
“Hold on, even if Seiya-chan takes over the host position, I’m still one of the leaders of the T-party, right?”
“Yes, that’s correct. But I don’t think you need to worry too much. I believe you’ll adapt to your T-party duties quickly, given your current self, Mika.”
I appreciate her confidence in me. But Nagisa, saying that feels like it’s something Mika wouldn’t have been able to say… right?