[T/N: The original chapter title, "이름석쟈만적어 새요" (ireumseokjya-manjeogeo saeyo), is a reference to a famous Korean internet meme. It's a heavily misspelled and grammatically incorrect version of "Please just write your name," part of a longer, childish plea for an autograph that became a popular copypasta. The meme is often associated with Blue Archive's Wakamo due to a similar name in the original meme text.]
I was dumbfounded at the sight of Hina naturally taking Makoto's place. I couldn't figure out what they had done to Makoto to make her collapse so helplessly.
"...Hina-chan?".
Snatching the trophy Makoto had been holding with one hand, Hina exchanged a look with Iroha and handed Makoto over to her before nodding at the drone.
"To be perfectly honest, Chairman Makoto's posturing was getting difficult to watch. For her to fall asleep so peacefully like this… this might be the first time I've ever felt grateful to her.".
No, I mean, you two are the ones who put her to sleep… though I don't know exactly how.
"I have confirmed the contents of the contract regarding the bet between Chairman Makoto and Mika. Now that Gehenna has won, Mika must accept the result. A moment ago, Chairman Makoto exercised her victor's right and declared the beginning of that period.".
"In other words, the contract stating that you, Mika-san, will serve as Makoto-senpai's slave is valid until exactly this time next week. However, since Makoto-senpai has unfortunately fallen asleep… it's a bother, but we will take responsibility for your person in her stead until then. For the record, this is also stipulated in the contract. In the event of Makoto-senpai's absence, I, Natsume Iroha, will act as a partial proxy for this contract's authority.".
…I think there was a clause like that. At the time, Nagisa's identity was a secret, so I had vaguely worded it as "the head of the Tea Party other than myself.".
"Does being your proxy mean you're going to drag me to Gehenna, no matter what, Iroha-chan…?".
"Yes, well. That's about the gist of it… Sigh. What a pain.".
Even as she called it a pain, I could see the corners of Iroha's lips starting to curl up. The puzzle pieces were falling into place.
The real reason Hina and Iroha had teamed up in the opening match was to create this very situation; Hina had likely either co-opted their joint front for her own personal desires or made a separate promise.
And if Makoto were to remain asleep for a week like this, Iroha would be able to legally skip work.
Therefore, Hina, who wanted me, and Iroha, who was the contract's proxy, had more than enough reason to cooperate.
Hina, who had fought so hard for victory despite knowing it would result in me becoming Makoto's slave, must have had some school pride, but she was surely also filled with the thought of smacking Makoto from behind and spiriting me away.
It also explained why Hina, setting aside her position in the Prefect Team, had even dragged the Hot Springs Development Club and the Gourmet Research Society into the tournament.
Either that, or she had realized the chances of winning against Trinity were slim to none and decided she needed all the help she could get.
And after borrowing their help, she must have later discovered the not-so-funny story that one of them was a sly cat who had been after me all along.
I wondered, was Haruna in on this, or was she a separate power vying for me? I couldn't be sure.
"Hina-san…".
"I'll accept your thanks later, Nagisa.".
"...My thanks?".
After questioning Hina's brazen remark with disbelief, Nagisa let out a deep sigh and nodded.
For better or for worse, she seemed to have accepted that entrusting me to Hina, whom she had approved of, was a better outcome for her than me groveling under Makoto.
Her face, however, was a clear portrait of her frustration.
"Wa-oh.".
From my perspective, this wasn't a bad turn of events at all. No-.
-Strictly speaking, wasn't it actually a good thing?.
First, I was liberated from my paperwork with a valid reason. Thinking back on my recent struggles, this was nothing short of a vacation.
Hina, being the highly rational person she is, would not demand anything unreasonable from me.
In that respect, the difference between this and being Makoto's slave was literally the difference between heaven and hell.
Of course, now that things had turned out this way, I couldn't just do nothing at all.
If I had lost the bet as planned, I was going to entrust the command of FOX Platoon and Arius Squad to Nagisa for the week. But now, there was no problem with me handling it myself.
Putting all the conditions together….
Wait, was it actually more beneficial for me to lose the bet?
Then what on earth was I so stressed about during the entire festival? Why did I push our kids so hard and make such a fuss?
A delayed sense of futility washed over me. But I guess as long as I avoided being Makoto's slave, it was all for the best. Still, the memory of pouring my heart out in front of thousands of people just a moment ago made my stomach twist.
After that, with Hina representing Gehenna in Makoto's place, the closing ceremony proceeded with incredible smoothness. As expected, Hina's simple and business-like demeanor is the best in these situations.
If I were to offer a personal opinion, I think Hina is a better fit for the position of Pandemonium Society's Chairman.
I almost felt sorry for Makoto, but then again, not really. Even without considering military might, that was the reality.
By the way, I wonder if Makoto is okay. I wouldn't deny that it would be a net positive for all of Kivotos if she had been hit with a Squirrel-brand tranquilizer and entered eternal slumber, but even so, wouldn't that be a little too cruel?.
***.
Considering the number of people participating in the after-party, one bonfire wasn't enough.
So, three were prepared simultaneously. Naturally, two of them became the de facto camps for the Gehenna and Trinity factions.
The last one was for students from other academies or, as I had hoped, for those willing to mingle with students from different schools. I, of course, made my way to the Trinity bonfire first.
"Mika-senpai, you're shining today as well♡".
"Ahaha… Are you feeling any better, Mika-senpai?".
"…Hanako-chan, Hifumi-chan?".
Come to think of it, not many students call me 'senpai'.
Other than Hifumi, Hanako, and maybe Ichika, most call me 'Mika-san' or 'Mika-sama'.
There are exceptions like Saori or Azusa who just call me 'Mika'… and then there are Sakurako and Hiyori, who go a step further and add '-chan'.
So I had assumed it was one of those three who had called me, but it seems the answer was two of them.
"It's good to see you both! Are you enjoying the after-party?".
"Yes, of course. Though the fire is a bit too big and strong to roast marshmallows. Mika-senpai, are you here to see the people from Pater or Arius?".
"Mmm, for the most part, yes. They all seemed pretty down, so I felt I had to comfort them in person… and since I'll be away in Gehenna for a bit starting tomorrow, now is the only time I have.".
"Ohoho, that's certainly very like you, Mika-senpai. But you know, Hifumi-san and I are quite disheartened as well. If you were to leave without comforting us, we might just get some naughty ideas, you know?".
"Ahaha, if you put it that way, Hanako-chan, I'd feel bad just saying hello and leaving. Mmm, I guess I have no choice.".
"W-what? 'Us,' Hanako-san? Why are you including me… And your way of speaking changes when Mika-senpai is around—".
"Oh my, Hifumi-san, what are you talking about? It's only natural to be polite in front of a senior, isn't it.".
The sight of Hifumi giving Hanako a questioning look, and Hanako desperately trying to shut her up, was, from the perspective of someone in the know, a comedy in itself.
Hanako, who for some reason saw me as something of an idol, was trying her best not to reveal her true self to me, but unfortunately for her, I had seen that side of her long ago.
I debated whether to reveal that fact but decided to just keep pretending I didn't know.
I was curious to see how long I could fool her. Personally, I thought it would be fun to try and keep it a secret until Koharu and Hanako finally met.
"Ahhh… I don't really get it, but I guess Hanako-san has her reasons. By the way, Mika-senpai, do you remember the promise you made me?!".
"A promise… you mean about the Peroro merchandise?".
"Yes, yes! That's it. There's a Peroro-sama bed scheduled for release next month, but it's a bit too much for my allowance… If it's not too much to ask, would it be alright to use your promise for that? You can even use up both promises if you think it's too much…!".
"Ahaha, I'm pretty sure there were no conditions attached to that promise… Of course you can! Mmm, something like this isn't a burden for me at all, so there's no need to use up both.".
"W-wow…!".
Honestly, what am I to do with this chronic Peroro addict?
If I keep spoiling her like this, she might reach a point where she can't find anything that doesn't have Peroro on it.
"Ah, for the record, I heard they're releasing a Wavecat bed, too…".
"Ooh, really?".
"Ahaha, really. Though the eyes on the headboard are a little scary…".
Ah, that is a bit much. It's even more so because the motif is a cat, whose eyes tend to stand out in the dark. Waking up in the middle of the night and seeing something like that would startle anyone.
"Let's go see it together next time, Hifumi-chan!".
"Yes, because that is where the Momo Friends will be…!".
Hanako's judgmental gaze stung a little. But what can I do, Hanako? Even if my love for Wavecat isn't as strong as it used to be, the fact remains.
"By the way, what should I do to cheer up our Hanako-chan? I can't really think of a good way.".
"Oh, you don't have to do anything grand… Could you just promise to give me an autograph later?".
"Hmm? Why an autograph all of a sudden…".
At my question, Hanako gave me a strange smile. Why was I suddenly reminded of Wakamo's, 'Gimme yur otograf, just write yur name heer pwease, wakkamo doesnt noe this stuff, just sign it'?.
"Ohoho, I've been doing a bit of studying recently. According to a book I read, the best time to invest is when no one else is. So…".
Hanako raised a finger, smiled, and said nonchalantly.
"As Mika-senpai's number one fan, I think I would feel much better if I could be the owner of your very first autograph.".
Ah, that's right.
There was that project, wasn't there…?
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