Act 2 Vol. 1 Ch. 1 Ep. 4: Sky-Blue Tinted Nostalgia

...I really don't need an escort back.

It's too late for you to be taking this kind of detour for my sake.

Although my expertise is in office work, I'm also a member of the General Student Council. The kind of thugs that we get in this area pose no problem to me.

If anything, Sensei, you're the one who'd be in much more danger.

...Although it's a moot point now.

Since you're already here, would you like to come in for a little bit?

Will you quit it?!

I wanted to examine the Staff of Shaqed that Kaya mentioned.

It appeared to be nothing more than an ordinary smartwatch to Kaya, but maybe it'll react to you the same way the Shittim Chest did, Sensei.

And if it really is what she said it was, it may help us stabilize Kivotos.

...Or even lead to a clue about the President's whereabouts.

So I'd like to investigate as soon as possible.

What could possibly be more important than finding the President...?

"You're supposed to be on break today."

"Which means you're NOT supposed to be working."

...I understand.

It's been a long day, so you should also go back and get some rest, Sensei.

If you'd excuse me, then.

So this is...

The Staff of Shaqed must be inside this chest.

It's locked...but beyond that, there doesn't seem to be anything particularly special about it.

...And what's this emblem?

It's not the General Student Council's... This belongs to the President? What could this emblem possibly be?

And the phrase written below...

"Brought you up out of heaven."

Connection password authorized. User: Chief Officer Nanagami Rin, the current Acting General Student Council President.

Comparison result, 99% match with the authorized individual's voiceprint.

...Verified. Lifting the ark's seal.

...That was easy.

Which must mean this watch really is the Staff of Shaqed...

...But it looks to just be an ordinary smartwatch to me.

Sensei is likely my only option.

I wondered this about the Shittim Chest as well, but what could the President have wanted with these items?

I thoroughly understand that only a superhuman can move the pieces that make up this world.

But is only an adult, like Sensei, allowed to access the fragments you've left behind?

...President.

I'm not good enough to fill the hole you've left.

If you can hear me, I don't care if it's a lie...

...but can you tell me everything will be okay? Or anything at all?

I...

...Rinny.

Rinny! What would you do if I just disappeared one day?

If you're planning on a long vacation, please submit the request at least two weeks in advance.

No, no! I meant hypothetically!

What if I got injured, or really sick, and I couldn't make it to work...

Or what if there was a sudden incident and I disappeared. How would you feel, Rin?

It's a difficult hypothetical to indulge, but if that were to happen...

It'd be problematic, at best.

My workload would likely double.

How mean! That's all I am to you?

Isn't that the obvious line of thought? Just look at the amount of work, not to mention the complexity of it, that you're handling.

It'd be impossible to backfill your position.

...That's not true. With enough hard work and dedication, anyone can do anything.

I'm really not all that important.

And there's one thing that not even the most capable person can replace.

And that's...

...Rin.

...Rin, wake up.

Chief Officer Nanagami Rin!!

...

That voice...

...Good morning, Rin.

Did you fall asleep working?

It's always good to work hard, but how many times do I have to tell you? None of that matters if you ruin your health in the process!

You...

...Who are you?

You're not a Council member... How did you get in here?

Aw, that hurts! Have you forgotten what I look like already?

Maybe you're still dreaming!

I can't believe I'm doing this, but I'll reintroduce myself.

I'm your old friend...

...the President of the General Student Council, who governs Kivotos, the Academy City...

...the General Student Council President.