Looking around here and there for places where we can easily infiltrate, we sneak into the school. While there are people on guard duty, no one notices us. As I predicted, without a detecting ability at the level of the high orc’s or the dark wolf’s, it isn’t possible to detect us. It’s a relief. Recently, I’ve been against enemies who can negate the effects of the skills, so I was worried, but it seems like they’re working without a problem. In addition, by entering the building, Ichinose-san’s “Cognitive Impediment” activates. Along with the effects from my own skills, there definitely shouldn’t be a case where we are found out. In fact, no one seems to care even as we walk down the hallway. Now, we can search secretively and openly. But since it’s been many years since I’ve visited my mother school, it feels nostalgic. We enter with our shoes on and without the slippers. While it seems like a trivial matter at this point, I feel like we’re doing something bad. (TN: When entering the school, students in j.a.pan are expected to wear slippers.)
Successful students suddenly get teased; there are implicit rules between undercla.s.smen and uppercla.s.smen; getting obsessed over things that you won’t care about when you become an adult; having a caste system that is more clearly portrayed compared to the rest of society. School is truly an interesting place. To be blunt, I don’t have any good memories either. It’s not something that I can laugh at Ichinose-san for.
“… Kudou-san, do you have gasoline and a lighter in the Item Box?”
I have them. But I won’t lend them. I look around the school while Ichinose-san blurts out something dangerous. It isn’t much different from what I remember. How convenient. I hold hands with Ichinose-san as we wander about inside the school. Unless we do this, the effects of our skills will not extend to the other person… I should be careful and not have sweaty hands. Also, Ichinose-san’s hands are very soft. Thank you very much. A person who seems much fluttered runs pa.s.s us.
“h.e.l.lo, family members of Tanaksan---”
“Injured people can come here! Those that want supplies can go over there!”
“You’re alright. It’s all good, so please calm yourself.”
“Nee-chan. I’m hungry.”
“Be patient. Here, I’ll give you a candy.”
“Yay, as expected of nee-chan.”
“The search team has returned!”
“Have you heard? I heard that Nis.h.i.+no and his group has survived.”
“Legit?”
“He’s having a meeting with the president right now.”
“Men who are willing to lend a hand in the search, please come over here---”
I eavesdrop on the conversation of people near us with “Listening Ears”… There are much more people than I initially believed to be. There are people everywhere. Not only are they near the school gate, they are also at the schoolyard, near the walls, and in places adjacent to the roads. Most of them are refugees or students, but their numbers near 100.
“They don’t seem as confused as I believed…”
“Indeed…”
Children are running in the hallways and voices can be heard everywhere, but I don’t hear any screams or cries. In the hallways, there are sketches of the school located here and there. At the entrance, there’s even a message board. It is like a proper organization and maintained well. It’s just like Nis.h.i.+no-san who was in control of the home center. But to lead these many people in such chaotic times, who is it that’s actually leading them? Without a considerable amount of influence and leaders.h.i.+p, it isn’t possible to gather so many people… If I want to gather information, I should approach that person. There were three people that seemed especially powerful when I used “Detect Enemy”. The staffs room, the student council office, and near the school gate. The people near the gate must be those that came back from the search. Now that I think about it, Nis.h.i.+no-kun is talking with the president, huh. Speaking of president… it must be the student council president, right? Then should I head there?
“… Ichinose-san, how is your body holding up?”
I take a glimpse at the figure of Ichinose-san. For her, this isn’t a comfortable place to be at. In fact, her complexion isn’t very good.
“I-I’m fine.”
It’s clear as day that she’s trying to act strong. Not only is she pale, her eyes are also floating around. And her ears are red. If we continue to do this, will she eventually acquire the skill “Stress Tolerance”? Please endure without throwing up, Ichinose-san. You can do it. And get the skill. While cheering Ichinose-san on, we walk towards the student council office.
At that moment, inside the student council office ---
“Long time no see, Nis.h.i.+no-kun.”
Inside the student council office, Nis.h.i.+no was facing that person.
“Long time no see, president.”
Nis.h.i.+no replied thoughtlessly as if he didn’t want to bother hiding the fact that he didn’t welcome the reunion. Facing such att.i.tude, the girl known as the student council president put her hand near her mouth and chuckled.
“Please don’t make such a face. I don’t remember doing anything that would incur Nis.h.i.+no-kun’s hatred.”
“Well, that’s true. But from the perspective of Aisaka and I, you are someone who exists in a different dimension…”
The girl sitting in front of Nis.h.i.+no with her arms folded was Toka Igaras.h.i.+, the student president of this school. She was the cla.s.sic type of beauty who had both an exquisite appearance and a clever head. Simultaneously, she was someone Nis.h.i.+no wanted to keep a distance with.
“That’s not true. I’m your everyday school girl. I’m not any different from you guys.”
Hearing this, Nis.h.i.+no wanted to lash out at her. Who was she to say this?
“So the president knows how to crack jokes. Your everyday school girls don’t have the ability to gather this many people. I heard from the others. Ever since the monsters started appearing, you were on the move and gathering everyone, weren’t you? That’s not something that can be done easily.”
“I was just desperate. When monsters started sp.a.w.ning, some of the teachers ran away by themselves. That’s why those that remained had to do something about it. So what you’re seeing right now is the result of everyone’s efforts.”
The president replied to Nis.h.i.+no’s casual remarks with a smile. Difficult. It was difficult to see what was behind that smiling mask of hers. Rather, reading the expressions of the other student council members was much easier. In response to Nis.h.i.+no’s comments, an intelligent looking male student with gla.s.ses on – who Nis.h.i.+no remembered as the vice president – was staring at him with an irritated expression. The other members had a similar reaction as well.
(Not bringing Rika was the correct choice)
For her, who was better at moving her body compared to her brain, this situation would’ve been unpleasant. Despite her intentions, she could’ve leaked information about themselves too.
(However, we won’t be able to take actions without careful planning, huh.)
He came to a realization as soon as he stepped into the meeting room. Including President Igaras.h.i.+, every member of the council possessed skills. Unless he knew about their skills’ effects, it would be unwise to take action. While he was putting up airs, the other side had the initiative in the conversation.
“Let’s get into the main topic of this discussion. Nis.h.i.+no-kun and Aisaksan have already defeated monsters before, yes?”
The question has come. Nis.h.i.+no became more vigilant.
“…Yes, you are correct.”
“As antic.i.p.ated. Then you guys understand the concepts of levels and skills?”
“Yeah, we do.”
He didn’t bother hiding it. After all, Is.h.i.+zaki and Katsuragi, who came with him, would’ve also replied as such. But then again, the information that they would pa.s.s on would be fake.
“In that case, I’ll be blunt. Won’t you consider becoming our partner?”
“P-partner, you say?”
“Yes. Right now, we are in a dangerous situation. Not only are there monsters lurking around, communication is cut off. We don’t know when rescue will arrive either. Even our food supply is running low. I want to do something, something that can change this situation.”
President Igaras.h.i.+ closed her eyes and lamented the current situation. Her gestures, her speech, every aspect of hers were dazzling. It was as if she was trying to lure in whoever was in front of her. The council members were nodding their heads in affirmation.
“It is as the president says.”
“Exactly. We should overcome this together!”
“Yes. Yes.”
Nis.h.i.+no was observing this with cold eyes.
(To find s.h.i.+bata who has been lost, their cooperation would be indispensible. Nevertheless, is it alright to join hands with overly optimistic people like these?)
They have come here to receive information about their friends. Although their powers were attractive, he didn’t think he would fit in as a whole. They were the polar opposite of himself, who would abandon others for the sake of survival.
“Thank you everybody.”
Having said that, President Igaras.h.i.+ stood up from her seat. Then, she stood in front of Nis.h.i.+no and grabbed his hands.
“Tsu…. pre…sident?”
An overwhelmingly natural movement. Against such a move, Nis.h.i.+no’s reaction was delayed for a moment. But this delay proved deadly.
“Please, Nis.h.i.+no-kun. Will you cooperate with us?”
Her voice pierced through his ears and entered his head.
“Some people might criticize you for your bad behaviors in the past, but I believe that you and Aisaksan are amazing people filled with justice.”
This statement gradually eroded his brain in a comfortable manner.
“Let’s all survive this crisis together.”
From her dazzling eyes, he was able to see the reflection of his cloudy face.
“Yes, that’s right. We’ll gladly cooperate with you guys.”
When he noticed, he had already given his promise to cooperate.
“Thank you, Nis.h.i.+no-kun.”
President Igaras.h.i.+’s smiling face was like that of a G.o.ddess’s. He felt his heart pumping and his body temperature rising. Most probably, his face was red as well.
“I want to ask Nis.h.i.+no-kun’s group to replenish the supplies. After all, those with skills are given priority in the exploration of the city.”
“Understood…”
Nis.h.i.+no nodded his head. Yes. Why had he been so suspicious of her? This person was asking him for a.s.sistance so desperately. For her, he had to try his best and support her. Such thoughts suddenly started to rise.
“Then please rest for a while. I’ll give you further instructions later on.”
“Yes, president. Let’s work hard from now on.”
Nis.h.i.+no left the student council office with a radiant smile. After a while, when there was a considerable amount of distance between Nis.h.i.+no and the meeting room, the male student who acted as the vice president opened his mouth.
“It went smoothly.”
“Indeed. He was a somewhat wary of us in the beginning, but with him being in that state, it should be all good.”
Her voice was incomparably colder than before. Sitting on her chair, President Igaras.h.i.+ smiled coldly.
“Really, how convenient skills are. For someone like him who is very suspicious of others to bend so easily… ah, I feel so excited. Fu fu fu fufufufu…”
“With your powers, president, it is but a matter of course.”
“Fu fu, thank you. But what I’ve told him is real, you know? It’s the truth that I want to do something about the situation we’re in right now. If possible, I want to return to the peaceful school life that I had before...”
She strongly disapproved of a world like this. She wanted to return quickly. She wanted to take them back. Her peaceful life at school. To the time when she ruled over everything and people came over to ask her for her favor. The members of the student council breathed out unknowingly in response to her sorrowful gestures. Witnessing this, Igaras.h.i.+’s smile deepened.
Listening to their conversation through the wall, I am perspiring cold sweat… This student council president is much more dangerous that I thought. Slowly, Ichinose-san and I left the scene.