Chapter 63: In The End of The Day, They Don't Want Something Unexpected To Happen.
—OoOoO—
The Chiba Prefectural Police Headquarters seemed busier than usual, but that wasn't due to a sharp spike in crime. Summer meant numerous public events, which naturally led to crowds concentrating at various locations for extended periods. In other words, advanced security protocols had to be quickly developed based on field data, and the distribution of police officers had to be discussed. Therefore, high-ranking members of the Chiba Prefectural Police Headquarters had gathered in the meeting room.
"Chief, what's the point of this? Why are we hiring security services from private companies instead of optimising our own police force like in previous years?"
A note of objection floated through the room after a senior police officer read the security structure and protocols for the summer.
"Based on the statistical data we received from the tourism office, there has been a significant increase in the number of local and international tourists visiting Chiba this year," said the Prefectural Police Chief.
"But still, why are so many police officers stationed in non-strategic areas like Tateyama and Choshi?" another member retorted.
The police chief sighed softly at the question. It wasn't because he was annoyed by the objection, but rather because he understood what they were trying to convey. However, he couldn't explain the situation to them in detail.
“Areas like Tateyama and Choshi are strategically important in Chiba Prefecture, and no one is more familiar with them than us, the Chiba Prefectural Police.”
Before anyone could voice further complaints, the Chief continued.
"But I understand your concerns, and I will discuss our personnel distribution with the local police chiefs again at a later time. So, we will postpone today's meeting and resume tomorrow."
It was clear that many expressions of discomfort were written across the senior police officers' faces. However, there was nothing they could do. After all, who would refuse to go home early without the usual delayed meetings?
Seeing that the meeting was truly over, the police officers rose from their seats one by one, then saluted once more before leaving the room. As the last member left, leaving only the Chief of Police alone, he leaned back in his chair and rubbed his face tiredly.
“Aaaaahh….,” he moaned roughly.
His gaze then fell on one of the empty chairs, which had been empty since the meeting had even started.
“Sorry for putting you in a difficult position, Yanagi-san.”
A clear, masculine female voice echoed through the nearly empty room. However, there was no one else in the room except the man who had just been called "Yanagi." Despite the sudden voice, he appeared completely unfazed, as if he had been expecting those words.
“If I were to be transferred because of a complaint my subordinate filed to the central headquarters, you would be the first person I would hold accountable, Hiratsuka.”
After those words, a paper aeroplane glided across the room, flying hesitantly before landing right on the middle-aged man's desk. And at the same time, a barrier on the seat where the paper aeroplane had come from suddenly lifted, revealing Hiratsuka sitting there with a container of popcorn and a bottle of mineral water.
"You know that's impossible, right? There’s a reason why the police chief position in many prefectures is almost always a dead position and never replaced," the woman replied casually.
“If I had known it’d be like this, I’d never have taken this position ten years ago.”
“But you get paid better than your annual salary, don't you, Yanagi-san?”
Unlike civilian or parliamentary positions, strategic police positions had practically no term limits. They could only be removed upon retirement, by a direct decree from the Prime Minister, or by a court order. However, because those filling these positions were generally senior police officers, their terms were typically only two or three years before their retirement.
At least, that was the superficial layer of reality. In reality, there was a specific reason why police chiefs were seldom replaced unless they retired, and why candidates for the position of National Police Chief were always drawn from within the ranks of the prefectural police chiefs. It wasn’t just a simple career path. More than that, police chiefs were among the few ordinary citizens who knew the secrets of the Jujutsu Society. Therefore, the Jujutsu Headquarters would do everything possible to maintain their positions, keep them secret, and prevent others from discovering them.
“With your relationship with the Association deteriorating, this time I’m sure I’ll be transferred even if nothing happens,” said the Police Chief.
“Oh, come on. Those old folks might be annoying, but they wouldn’t bother paying attention to police matters,” Hiratsuka still replied without showing any concern, “Though, they should show a little gratitude to the police since you’ve been cleaning up our work.”
The police were the best allies a jujutsu sorcerer could have. Essentially, they operate within the same framework. Their job was to maintain order. However, because jujutsu sorcerers always operate in the shadows, they need proxies to communicate with the public and provide explanations that would cover up what happened if something big occurred.
“Whatever,” the police chief said with a resigned sigh, “I just wanted to say, how confident are you that there will be a jujutsu terrorist attack this summer, especially at the fireworks festivals?”
“I’m not sure either," Hiratsuka replied, shrugging her shoulders. "My request isn't based on any concrete data, but rather as a precaution. Because if anyone really wants to pit the association against me, they'll just need one final blow, and it’ll have to be something grand.”
The long-haired woman leaned back in her chair and tilted her head back to stare at the ceiling. Although her lips were tightly closed, her tongue explored her entire mouth, wetting each of her teeth, as if something were stuck inside.
“Can I smoke here?” the woman asked.
“No way. Are you crazy?”
“My mouth feels itchy, you know?” Hiratsuka complained again.
“I don't care. It's none of my business.”
Yanagi stared at the woman strangely. He wondered how she could say such things so nonchalantly, knowing that her future would be at stake in the coming weeks.
"What if your intuition is wrong? What if nothing happens?" the man asked.
“Well, I should be grateful, I guess?” the woman replied without looking at her interlocutor. “If nothing happens, that means there won’t be a large-scale battle in the open field. Speaking of casualty, that should be the most ideal outcome. Zero casualty is the best, after all.”
Yanagi seemed speechless upon hearing this. Hiratsuka might have been trying to appear as rational as possible, but the complexity of her expression indicated that what she was saying wasn't in line with what was on her mind.
“But in this scenario, if nothing happens during this summer, it’d be much worse, wouldn't it, because whoever is terrorising Chiba could be doing it from our blind spot? No, maybe there’ll be some small incident to distract me in this summer before the final blow,” she continued.
Events this summer were a sweet spot for implementing the best possible prevention protocols. Even simply redirecting police officers to other locations could reduce the risk of needless deaths.
“But still, I still find it morally difficult to accept how you guys got rid of problematic officers by sending them to cursed locations to get rid of them,” Yanagi said.
“What? You want to keep those corrupt cops around you?”
“Don’t try to twist my words,” the man complained again.
After all, Yanagi was the Chief of Police. If anything could make his institution cleaner, he would be grateful for it. However, sending his own men to their deaths was a different matter. And if anything major were to happen this summer, it would mean losing another handful of rogue officers from his unit.
“Well, once again, I thank you for your cooperation, Yanagi-san,” Hiratsuka stood up from her seat and looked at the man, “I don’t know how things will turn out, but we’ll do our best. So, see ya.”
—OoOoO—
Watching fireworks with his lover, honestly, if his past self had heard he was going to do the things those normies did, he would have definitely mocked and shouted at him with all sorts of curses. However, no one knew how fate would bring one's life. He, who once saw that being in a romantic relationship with someone else would only waste his free time, was now entangled in this mutually binding relationship.
Hachiman gazed up at the sky, where the orange curtains had converged, degraded by the night, forming a beautiful horizon. His rotten eyes seemed to have been blessed with such a sight. Or at least, that was what should have crossed his mind. However, after that woman entered his life, and continued to barge in no matter how many times he built a giant wall to block her, his eyes were never truly captivated by the beauty of the world except for the radiance she gave off.
“Hikigaya-kun, there you are.”
Hachiman's sleazy eyes glinted slightly when he heard the mischievous voice call his name. However, maintaining a straight face was a skill he was born with. Without overreacting, he turned toward the source of the voice.
"Ha-."
Unfortunately, the words that were about to come out got stuck in his throat as his chest felt like it had stopped for a moment to pump air.
“What do you think? It looks beautiful, doesn’t it?” Haruno said, turning her body elegantly.
The yellow yukata, adorned with cherry blossom petals, radiated a lively, cheerful vibe, like the freshness of spring lingering amidst the stifling heat of summer. The soft colour wasn't merely decorative. It reflected a light and warm spirit, contrasting with the serenity of her surroundings. Each fold of the fabric moved smoothly with her movements, conveying an unpretentious elegance.
Her short, shoulder-length hair was simply tied back in a small, slightly rough-looking ponytail, as if tied without looking in the mirror or much thought. Yet, it was precisely in this simplicity that her charm became even stronger. No flashy jewellery or extravagant touches were meant to attract attention. Just a pure, honest beauty that flowed naturally, like her unforced smile.
Haruno snorted softly, the corners of her lips tugging at the lack of a response. If it were a normal girl, they might throw a tantrum for no reason when their partner didn't give them the compliment they wanted. However, as annoying as Haruno was, such things weren't her style.
“What? Is my charm so powerful that leave you speechless?” the girl chirped cheerfully.
Which made Hachiman gasp instantly and immediately pretend to cough to clear his throat, even though there was nothing there,
“I mean, it still surprises me every time I see you in different outfits. It feels like I’m seeing a side of you I never knew before,” Hachiman replied.
The boy's honest, unfiltered response made Haruno's eyes widen slightly, but only for a moment. A mysterious smile spread across her face.
“Some people say I have many masks for a reason, you know?” the girl said, walking closer. “It’s like you said on our first date on the Boso Peninsula. I have thousands of layers, and you barely saw any of it.”
“Really? But that sounds like a pain in the ass to me,” Hachiman replied.
The guy then looked around, but he didn't see the Toyota AE86 that his girlfriend almost always took everywhere.
“You didn't come with your car?”
Haruno shook her head slowly at the question.
“I parked it in a parking lot around here. We still have plenty of time, after all. So, I was thinking maybe we could take public transportation.”
“That’s perfect then,” Hachiman replied quickly, “I came by bike. We can just go with that and I’ll give you a ride on the back.”
There was a moment of silence, Haruno's mouth slightly agape. The mischievous words she wanted to utter seemed to be lost before she could even let them out.
“I was genuinely shocked, seriously.”
Hacahiman furrowed his brows. However, before he could reply, the girl beat him to it.
“It’s hard to believe you took the initiative. Someone isn’t controlling you, right, Hikigaya-kun?”
Although those words made his eyebrows twitch, the flat expression on his face didn't seem to change at all.
“Who knows? Maybe my brain has been controlled by aliens, or maybe I was actually an AI all along.”
“What AI? AI-shiteru, isn't it?” Haruno replied, nudging her lover's stomach with her elbow.
Hachiman looked at his lover with a wry expression.
“Since when did your humour become like those dad jokes?”
Instead of being offended or sulking at the teasing, Haruno just laughed out loud.
“Hahahaha,” the girl tried hard to hold herself back, “Don’t you realise that my humour has gotten worse since I met you?”
“I don't remember teaching you anything like that.”
Haruno snorted softly at the defence.
“By the way, why are you here? I was quite surprised when I arrived at your place and Asuka-san said you had already left.”
“Why did you come to my house in the first place? I texted you that I’d wait at the park in my neighbourhood.”
"My bad, my bad. I forgot to check my phone," the girl replied.
Yukinoshita Haruno was a flawless figure. Or at least, that was what Hachiman and everyone else believed. Everything she did was of the highest quality. She consistently demonstrated her peak performance in every field she tried, to the point where it all seemed effortless. But forgetting to check her phone during an appointment? That was a mistake that no one would ever expect Haruno to make.
Would Hachiman be disappointed? No, of course he wouldn't. In fact, seeing Haruno's careless side showed that this robot-like figure was still human in the end of the day.
“So?” Haruno asked when she didn’t get a reply.
“Why am I here, right?” the boy repeated the question, “Well, Gojo-sensei is at my place right now. Even though I said I’d respect my mother’s decision, I still have a hard time fully accepting that they’re in a relationship now.”
“And is that why you chose to wait for me here instead of waiting for you at home?”
Hachiman nodded slowly, his cheeks flushed red. Haruno could only snort and smile at him.
“You’ve grown up a lot, huh?” the girl placed her hand on Hachiman’s head, “Onee-san is proud of you, you know?”
The gentle strokes brought the boy comfort and calm. However, as soon as he regained consciousness, he immediately furrowed his brows and pulled away slightly.
“So, are we going now?” the sleazy-eyed guy asked to change the subject.
And Haruno nodded with a wide smile plastered on her face.
“Sure.”
With that reply, Hachiman immediately walked to where he had parked his bike. Meanwhile, Haruno rhythmically strolled beside him. Every now and then, their hands would brush against each other, making both teenagers blush in the silence.
“Are you sure you want to give me a ride?” Haruno asked to ease the awkwardness.
“Why?”
“I mean, it wouldn't be funny if we got pulled over by the police for breaking the bicycle law.”
Hachiman glanced at his lover through the corner of his eye.
“I’ve driven your car several times even though I don’t have a driver’s license, and you’re still worried that the police will ticket us?”
“You know that’s not what I meant, right?” Haruno replied, puffing out her left cheek.
Hachiman raised his eyebrows slightly at the cute expression on the girl next to him. It was a breathtaking sight that he might rarely see. Or perhaps, something he would explore more often in the future.
“Well, I can use my cursed technique to give the illusion that there’s no one on the back of my bike. So, it should be fine,” Hachiman said, tilting his head.
The explanation made Haruno chuckle softly.
“I see. As bad as being a jujutsu sorcerer is, as long as you can find the fun in it, it’s actually not that bad, don’t you think so?”
"The worst thing about the jujutsu society isn't being a jujutsu sorcerer, after all. It's the scoundrels within it who turn this muddy mess into something even more toxic," he replied.
—OoOoO—
Ring! Ring!
Ring! Ring!
The bicycle's bell rang, warning people on the sidewalk who were walking too close to the road. Hachiman pedalled at a moderate pace, cruising along the road shoulder, enjoying the background noise of passing vehicles. Occasionally, he would flash a faint smile and mumble something incoherent. Pedestrians might have thought him crazy for talking to himself. However, unbeknownst to anyone, a girl in a yellow yukata was sitting sideways on the back of the bicycle.
Haruno's smile spread widely throughout the journey, oblivious to the air's carbon pollution. Her sitting position, sitting side-saddle and her face facing outward, was a precarious one. However, not a shred of fear deterred her. In fact, she found comfort in the position, as her right arm wrapped around Hachiman's waist.
“Riding on the back like this, I never even imagined I would experience it myself before.”
“You've said that for the fourth time, Haruno-san,” Hachiman replied.
“I know. And because this is something I never even imagined, no matter how many times I say it, it won't be enough to express how I feel right now.”
Hachiman just snorted with the corners of his lips pulling up slightly.
“Didn’t you say you used to do charity work to feed beggars and the homeless?” the boy said, glancing back for a moment, “Living a humble life like this shouldn’t be a problem for you, right?”
"This isn't about living a humble life or anything, you know? Besides, the charity work I do, whether on behalf of my family or the organisations I'm involved with, is just a publicity stunt."
Hachiman nearly choked on the air he was breathing when he heard those words.
“You really admit it that easily, huh?”
“Wouldn’t it be weirder if I didn’t admit it?” the girl replied quickly, seemingly carefree, “Besides, I didn’t intend to look good in your eyes in the first place. And I’m sure someone like you is aware that for an old-money family like ours, and my father’s political career, it’s crucial to build a caring image.”
Haruno cleared her throat after giving a rather long speech just now.
“However, if it's Yukino-chan, I think she would sincerely care about others even though on the surface she looks like an iron lady who’s impossible to approach.”
Perhaps that was the irony of those two sisters. Haruno, who appeared very friendly and warm and could get along with anyone, actually lacked empathy for humanity. She simply enjoyed talking to people from all walks of life because she found it fascinating to observe and delve into the boundless range of human reactions and emotions. Haruno was the embodiment of the social paradox that arose from the complexity of a single human being.
On the other hand, Yukino was a stark contrast to her sister. She struggled to communicate without intimidating others, yet understood the importance of respecting others and maintaining social distance, and was always rational in her actions. On the surface, Yukino was more like a robot, seeking effectiveness and efficiency in everything she did. However, despite her cold image, she was actually a person with deep empathy and easily sympathised with others.
“Speaking of Yukinoshita, how’s she doing after you said you wanted to step down from the succession?” Hachiman asked.
“Which Yukinoshita? I’m a Yukinoshita too, you know?”
Unfortunately, Hachiman's face immediately turned sour when he heard that response.
"Which Yukinoshita, you say? I'm talking about your father, and I deeply sympathise with him for having a daughter like you," the sleazy-eyed boy retorted.
Haruno chuckled slightly when she heard the subtle sarcasm.
"You're so unromantic, Hikigaya-kun. You're with me, your girlfriend, yet you're talking about another girl. And that's your clubmate on top of that."
The girl, whose short hair was tied roughly, swung her legs, causing Hachiman's bicycle to wobble. However, before he could protest, he felt a head resting on his back.
"Yukino-chan is tougher than she looks. She might be shocked at first, struggle a bit, but in the end, she knows what needs to be done," Haruno said softly.
Her almost silent voice overlapped with the sounds of the vehicles on the road, forcing Hachiman to furrow his brows and increase his concentration just to hear what she was saying.
"She might get a little lost and take some inefficient detours along the way, but she'll be there no matter what. However, since I'm the one who chose to flee from that place, I have no right to scold her when she becomes too soft-hearted and half-hearted in her decisions."
There was a subtle tremor in the words strung together in that single sentence, revealing the subtle emotions hidden behind her smile. Haruno might have appeared indifferent and unconcerned as she confronted her younger sister about her desire to step down. However, that didn't mean she didn't feel anything when she said it.
It was a completely different feeling when she decided to dive into the cursed world. When she became a jujutsu sorcerer, she simply considered it a simple spin-off of her life. However, when she truly made up her mind and confronted her direction of life with Yukino, Haruno was aware that she would be living in a completely different world from her younger sister.
“I think you’re overthinking it,” Hachiman said dryly.
Haruno lifted her head to look at the broad back, trying to see what expression he was showing.
“You don’t have the right to interfere just because you chose to step back from your position?” the boy continued without a change in tone, “You’re her older sister, aren’t you? Isn’t that reason enough for you to watch over her, scold her, and guide her when she’s lost? No, isn’t that our duty from the very beginning as firstborns to watch over our younger siblings?”
Haruno looked pensive upon hearing that reply. Her previously foggy mind began to feel more at ease. And without realising it, a genuine smile spread across her face.
“You’re right. I’m her sister. If Yukino-chan seems to be struggling and is at her wits’ end, it’s my duty to help her, after all.”
The hug around Hachiman's waist grew stronger, leaving a warm, soft feeling on his back, making him pedal a little slower to enjoy the ride a little longer.
'Huh? No, that one, it seems like the soft feeling I felt on my back was actually felt literally,' the boy thought to himself with a blush on his cheeks and an increased heart rate.
—OoOoO—
“Gojo-sensei, are you sure it's okay for me to go with Komachi-san?”
A pink-haired boy stood in the front yard of the house with a white-haired man and a short-haired black-haired woman in the doorway.
“What? You don't want to go to enjoy the festival?”
“No, that's not what I meant. I'm just worried I'll get caught or something,” the boy replied.
“I don’t see anything wrong with that,” Satoru replied with a shrug, “You’ve been to the grocery store a few times to stock up on household necessities, haven’t you?”
“Yeah, I did, but this and that are two different things, you know? At least, when I went to the grocery store, the jujutsu sorcerer's guild in Chiba didn't face any threat like tonight.”
Yuuji then turned his gaze to the bespectacled woman standing next to Satoru, as if seeking her opinion on the situation. When she realised the meaning of that gaze, her eyebrows raised slightly.
“I had a discussion with Hiratsuka-san about your daily routine, and she said it should be fine as long as you’re in Chiba City,” Asuka said with a gentle, motherly smile, “However, I would honestly feel a little safer if you would accompany my daughter considering she might overexert herself again.”
Yuuji had indeed learned the ins and outs of the Chiba sorcerer community. While they were still registered members of the association, their loyalty lay within the Chiba ecosystem, built on the collective agreement of those weary of the central government's treatment of regional sorcerers, who are often neglected within the association's core circles.
Moreover, after someone who leaked information about Miura Yumiko was directly taken care of by Hiratsuka, the ecosystem in Chiba became even more closed to associations, making it easier for Yuuji to occasionally go out casually as long as he didn't leave the city.
“Okay, I'm ready!!”
A slightly shrill scream was heard from inside the house, and Komachi walked towards the door.
“Remember, if you encounter a first-grade sorcerer or a cursed spirit, contact your Onii-chan immediately, okay?” Asuka said, moving aside to give her daughter some space.
“I doubt he’ll have time to check his phone considering he’s probably flirting with Haruno nee-san and I don’t want to disturb them,” Komachi joked.
“If it was Paisen, I'm sure he’d have immediately picked up your call and gone to your place at full speed, though.”
Right after those words, the youngest Hikigaya sent Yuuji a death glare. The boy immediately laughed awkwardly and averted his gaze.
"You don't need to worry. I explained the situation to Yukinoshita earlier, and she said she understood if Komachi called Hachiman," Satoru said, catching the two teenagers' attention.
“Right, right. I’ll do my best to avoid enemies I can’t defeat,” she replied with a resigned sigh and rolled her eyes.
“Komachi-chan, watch your attitude.”
Asuka warned her daughter when she saw her disrespect for the adults who were genuinely concerned about her. However, the reprimand didn't seem to have much of an effect on the short-haired girl, as a cheerful, enthusiastic expression immediately appeared on her face.
“Yes, yes! Don't worry! We'll go first!”
Without further ado and without wanting to hear her mother's scolding, Komachi grabbed Yuuji's wrist and dragged him with her. Seeing this, Asuka could only sigh deeply. She pushed up her glasses and pinched the bridge of her nose.
“That kid is smart and much more reliable than her brother when it comes to taking care of their daily life, but sometimes her spoiled attitude is a bit of a headache.”
“That’s fine, isn’t it? It’s pretty normal for kids to express their youth that way,” Satoru said casually. “However, they usually become more mature and responsible once they have younger siblings.”
The white-haired man, with a deft movement, immediately encircled Asuka's waist with his left arm. He pressed their bodies together as if being just a meter away from her was already torturous. That captivating smile could make almost any woman in the world bend her knees before him. However, Asuka possessed a mentality as strong as steel. She was a single mother raising two children alone. For her, more than such cheap flattery, there was something else that would make her willingly fall into her lover's embrace.
“I still have a lot of deadlines to meet, and a lot of sales reports to check,” the woman said, removing Satoru’s hand from her waist. “If you help me finish at least half of my work, I might consider your offer.”
“It's a little annoying every time I'm faced with the fact that for you, my utility is far more attractive than my flirting.”
"It can't be helped, can it? When you have a lover with a brain way more advanced than any supercomputer in the world, wouldn't it be better to make the most of it instead of just thinking about petty flattery?"
With a mischievous smile plastered across her beautiful face, Asuka left Satoru at the doorway and walked into the house. Meanwhile, the man merely chuckled softly at his girlfriend's joke.
For Gojo Satoru, a man who stood at the pinnacle of the world with absolute power, the only person who could satisfy his boredom wasn't the strongest person who could rival his strength, nor was it someone who could corner him in battle. Instead, it was a mother of two, a woman he loved, and someone who was willing to see him as a human, not a god.
For Gojo Satoru, it was these small everyday experiences that filled the void within him. In fact, every time he went to bed, he subconsciously couldn't wait to spend the next day with her. And imagining Hachiman and Komachi, whom he had raised since they were little, along with Megumi and Tsumiki, in a large photo frame alongside his own children and Asuka. Just imagining that always brought a wide smile to his face.
—OoOoO—
“Miura, it’s not too late to backdown. Are you sure you want to participate in this operation?”
“Yes, I am. I have made up my mind, Sensei.”
Yumiko stood in front of a convenience store, earbuds plugged in. Her blonde hair, usually loose, was now braided into two pigtails, which hung down her shoulders. While her ears listened to the advice being delivered through her in-ear communication device, her eyes were busy reading people's tweets on social media as her thumb scrolled down the screen of her smartphone.
“You understand I can’t even determine what attacks they’d pull on summer festivals, nor I know if it’d really happen, don’t you?” said the voice from her earbuds.
“That’s precisely why I felt the need to participate in this operation,” Yumiko quickly replied, “Ebina, Yui, Tobecchi, and the others are going to the festival in Tokyo Bay. If anything happens to them while I just stay home, I’ll definitely hate myself.”
"I've set up special protocols and protected the Sobu High’s students. Even if something happens, the fault lies with me, not you."
“Sensei, it would be my fault too!”
Yumiko raised her voice a little when giving that reply, so much so that people who were about to enter or exit the convenience store were a little surprised and looked at her in surprise.
However, the blonde girl didn’t even care about her surroundings and continued her words.
“If something bad happens and I just stand by even though I have powers that could protect, that means I’m no less guilty of what happened.”
A long sigh was heard from the figure on the other side.
“Alright, I understand how you feel. However, you have to remember that this will be uncontrolled chaos, not the controlled one like I did on the training.”
Yumiko nodded even though the person speaking to her couldn't see her reaction.
"Also, never lose sight of your priorities and objectivity," her interlocutor continued, "If a fight does break out, cast a barrier spell immediately, then prioritise evacuating your friends. As for the fighting, leave it to the sorcerers there."
“Understood, Hiratsuka-sensei!” Yumiko replied earnestly.
“Okay, good luck and again, don't push yourself too hard.”
With that, their call ended. From a distance, Yumiko spotted a group of her friends walking toward her. Yui waved her arms enthusiastically, and she quickened her pace. Meanwhile, Yumiko could only give a faint smile, trying to hide the nervousness that gripped her.
"Yumecchi, you’re here already? I hope we didn't keep you waiting too long," Tobe said, starting the conversation.
“Nah, I’m fine. I just got here too,” Yumiko replied, shaking her head slightly.
Her eyes then fell on the figure standing at the back of the group, a caramel-haired girl who gave her an awkward smile.
“You came too, Irohasu?”
“Please, stop calling me that, Miura-senpai,” the girl replied with a broken smile, “And of course I’ll come. It’s going to be a long night, so I naturally have to participate even though I don’t really want to since Hayama-senpai isn’t coming with us.”
Although Iroha said her last few words in a sulky tone, there was actually a lie in her statement. And yes, she didn't really care if Hayato joined or not. It was just a cover she had been using since Hiratsuka entrusted her with the task of looking after Yumiko when she was at her lowest point with her emotional instability. Because of that, Iroha joined Sobu High's soccer team, glazing over Hayato, and filling a managerial role, so that from the outside, her friendship with Yumiko could appear more natural, even though they were complete strangers who didn't know each other.
“Hey, Yumecchi, do you know how hard it was to convince Irohasu to join without Hayato?” Tobe said with his odd sense of humour.
To which, Iroha immediately gave the boy a cold smile, her eyes also closed.
“Tobe-senpai, could you not call me that?”
“See? I don’t understand why Irohasu can be so scary sometimes,” Tobe said, hiding behind Yumiko.
Meanwhile, the blonde girl just sighed. She knew Iroha wasn't here just to play around, but also to participate in a countermeasure against terrorism that would likely occur in many places during events like the summer festival this week. And perhaps, she was placed with her as part of the protocol Hiratsuka had mentioned for keeping an eye on her students from Sobu.
“Then, should we go now?” Yumiko said.
—To Be Continued—
Author Note: Hello, how are you all? Man, Ramadan really flew by, and I'm grateful because this year feels more meaningful than previous years for several reasons.
The summer arc is nearing its climax, but will this truly be a major battle, or will the enemy remain hidden, waiting for our heroes to let their guard down? Who knows. We'll find out soon, I guess.
In this chapter, we're shown at least four main characters in this arc: Hiratsuka, Hachiman and Haruno, Komachi and Yuuji, and Yumiko and Iroha. Honestly, even though I have a rough idea, I haven't yet decided whether they'll all fight or something. So, everything is still open.
Besides that, one thing I liked about this chapter was Haruno's interactions. Previously, we've seen how she acted in front of Yukino, like someone cold and calm in front of her sister. However, the contrast was seen when she was with Hachiman. It's not like I want to degrade Haruno's character or anything. It's just, I want to show that despite all her perfection and calculating nature, she is still a human being who feels worries.
Just as Yukino was shocked when Haruno suddenly said she'd step down from the succession because she had always considered her older sister as her role model, Haruno wasn't that cold when she decided she'd let her younger sister step up and directly face the cruel responsibilities of being an heiress. I wanted to show her a dilemma that she might be experiencing for the first time.
Anyway, that's all from me, and I won't say too much. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. See you later.