Act 2 Vol. 2 Ch. 1 Ep. 10: Negotiations...?

For our next order of business...

I'm sure we all remember how communications with the Gourmet Research Society went.

Ah, right... They were super uncooperative.

There was no reasoning with them.

Precisely. And they will continue to bring an element of uncertainty to Gehenna...unless we devise a different approach.

And...

We still have another undesirable element to rectify.

Ah, I think I know it...!

Ooh, me! The Hot Springs Department!

Ah! You beat me! I was gonna say that.

Regardless, you are both correct. The Hot Springs Department is one of the two major Gehennan terrorist organizations.

Both are eroding the foundation of the glorious Gehenna that we seek to build, both physically and symbolically.

But what can we do? I feel like they're even more stubborn than the Gourmet Research Society.

Do you have a plan for them too, Shouko?

The Hot Springs Department is known for their strong bonds and unbreakable trust in each other. These are admirable virtues for an organization.

And yet...that is where their weakness lies.

"So that's why you called me."

Yes, Sensei.

We have concluded that your presence is necessary to persuade the Hot Springs Department.

Yes. I was told that the Hot Springs Department has recently finished a project in this area.

Huh? The spring's not even open yet! Someone's already here?

Ah, Sensei?

Whoa! How'd you know I was here? Were you drawn in by the sweet, sulfurous hot spring aroma?

Yup! We're all wrapped up, so I let the others take a break!

Ah, and President Kasumi's working on another site!

Yes, just as anticipated.

And who's your friend? Hiya, I'm Megu, the Hot Springs Department's...

...Captain, and the former president.

Wow... You knew about that?

Nice to meet you, Captain Megu. I am Igarashi Shouko, Secretary of the Gehenna Heritage League.

Good to meet you, Shouko!

Yes. Let's talk business.

Sensei and I came to visit you to deliver the Hot Springs Department a very special gift.

Is that so? What kind of gift?

A detailed geothermal gradient map made by cross-referencing crustal movements recorded in Gehenna and Schale's geological archives. The map illustrates the biggest and most active geothermal veins, marking 14 major locations and 56 places of interest.

Um... What are you talking about...? I'm not sure I caught all that...

Simply put, this is a treasure map marking viable hot spring locations.

This map shows all the veins with hot spring potential in the Gehenna district.

Naturally, the points marked on this map have been thoroughly vetted. Only specific points, ones that avoid the academy's power grids, water supply and drainage lines, have been selected.

Thus, the veins marked on this map are concentrated on the outskirts of the city. Developing a large-scale hot spring complex would directly boost revenue for the Gehenna district.

Yes. It would have been better to gather more info, but this should be enough to control the Hot Springs Department for now.

This map MUST be delivered to Shimokura Megu.

I know you might find that odd. After all, Kinugawa Kasumi is the Hot Springs Department's president.

But she will never behave the way I need her to, regardless of your presence, Sensei.

She might respond differently if this were your...personal request. But this is an entirely different matter.

That is why we must deliver this map to Megu directly.

Because Kinugawa Kasumi acts in accordance with Shimokura Megu's wishes.

To be more precise, the only reason she serves as the Hot Springs Department's president is at Megu's request.

With enough tenacity and a clear goal, you can learn a great deal.

We're sidetracked. The bottom line is that we must find a moment when Shimokura Megu is alone.

No kidding! We can build loads of amazing hot springs with this info!

Of course you could. We've specially selected these points. If you build here, you won't be bothered by the Prefect Team.

That's awesome! President Kasumi is really, super scared of the Head Prefect!

Ah! But you know what? I need to run this by her first.

After all, President Kasumi runs the show. We don't do anything without her...

No.

H-Hmm?

All that matters is what you think. Ask yourself, "Do I, Shimokura Megu, want to do this...or not?"

R-Really?

Yes. Because you hold within you the priorities of the Hot Springs Department, don't you?

Would you mind sharing a little wisdom, Sensei? After all, Megu trusts you with all her precious heart and true soul...

Ugh...?

"...You like digging hot springs, right, Megu?"

Yup! I like it lots! As much as ramen... No, who am I kidding? I would skip ramen if it meant I could work on a hot spring!

Heehee! Well, if you're vouching for it, Sensei, then it must be true!

Okay, all right! Then I'll tell President Kasumi that we should try digging in these spots.

You can only develop in places marked on the map.

Ah... Is that how it works?

Yes. We're giving you this map in exchange for banning hot spring development in non-designated areas.

Well, so it goes! You have plenty of places marked here, so we'll be busy for a while. I read you, loud and clear!

Thank you for your attention to this matter. Kindly deliver the message to President Kasumi.

Heehee, thank YOU! You're a real pal, Shouko! I just met you, and I feel like you've handed me a treasure map!

...

I'll find President Kasumi right away! I'm sure she'll love it too!

Bye bye! I'll be seeing you! You too, Sensei!

Remarkably simple.

The president's reaction remains a factor. But ultimately, she won't go against her sworn friend.

As I've mentioned, Kinugawa Kasumi always puts Shimokura Megu's desires first.

You don't seem so happy, Sensei.

...

We did not lie to her. Nor did we deceive her.

We simply delivered curated information to a particular individual.

If things proceed as planned, then neither side will suffer a loss.

The Hot Springs Department will happily dig successful hot springs, and Gehenna will prosper with one of its more chaotic elements contained and put to good use.

...Please do not misunderstand me, Sensei. I have no desire to deny any individual student her freedom.

You find this surprising, of course. It is only natural.

The desire to shoot something, to eat something. These actions are nothing more than unbridled impulses. They are not freedom.

We simply cannot allow Gehenna's students to be enslaved by their base instincts and impulses.

And I happen to believe that community is a far more glorious value than individual freedom. After all, freedom finds its fulfillment within the collective.

Indeed. That's very possible. I am well aware.

Wahahaha! I knew you'd take these tracks!

"That voice...!"

Pull the brakes! I rushed here after hearing the news.

Hot Springs Department President, Kinugawa Kasumi.

Right, that same "Kasumi" you've been talking around. The one you've been so determined to keep out of the loop.

Heh...

Would you like me to introduce myself?

My goodness, yes! It's been so long since someone's caused me such profound irritation. How could I not be curious?

I am Igarashi Shouko, Secretary of the Gehenna Heritage League.

I see. So THAT'S your name... Hmm... Mmmm...

...

Ah, I was so lost in thought that I forgot my manners! Hello there, Sensei!

Ah, you don't have to make that sorry little pout. Haha! You're far too accommodating, Sensei.

Don't worry. I figured out ages ago that this whole scheme was concocted by "Shocking" or whatever her name was.

It's Igarashi Shouko.

Right, "Inarizushi Shocko." Or was it "Shackle"? I'm sure I'll get it eventually. Or not!

So, you deliberately approached Captain Megu and presented her with this map. She thought it was a gift!

But on closer examination, this map seems to be quite distorted. Did you know that?

...

It kind of smells like you're trying to tell us what to do? "Order and discipline," all that?

"Stop it. Bad girls! Hey, you like hot springs? Look over there! Get 'em!" You know, something along those lines for your would-be work dogs?

Yeah? You kept it simple, so your message came in loud and clear. After that, I KNEW I had to meet you in person.

And?

...

Huh?

So, are you refusing the proposal?

...

Haha! Wow, I can't believe it! It's been a while since I've felt so...electrified!

Of course I'll go with it! I'll dig up all the places marked on this map. And why would I do that?

Because Shimokura Megu said she wanted to.

Heh... Yeah.

I'll play along THIS time, just like how you wanted. All according to your clever plan, right?

But keep this in mind.

There won't be a "next time" for you. Got it?

Yeah, that's agreeable. Unless you'd like to return to "that place" immediately.

...What?

I said what I said.

...Haha. Don't try bluffing a high roller, kid.

You're not on "our side," that's clear enough. You wouldn't last long talking like that.

Then, if we're done here...

Do take care, Kasumi.

...

Haha, hahaha! You're fun. You, I think I like you.

Catch you next time, sis! Hm? You hear me? We're definitely going to meet again REAL SOON!

Haha! And you too, Sensei!

Phew...

So it was wise to go after Shimokura Megu first.

With that, our biggest source of uncertainty has been handled. For now.

What matters is that we are now one step closer to a glorious Gehenna.

Soon, all of Gehenna will come together, unified in purpose and values.

...

Sensei...

Do you have an issue with my approach?

"I don't know what's right or wrong..."

"But I hope you don't limit yourself."

"Limit myself"? Is that how I came across?

...

...

"Shouko?"

...I'm surprised. To think that's how I...how I appeared to you.

Didn't I come across as an Übermensch, forging ahead with unwavering determination?

Is that so...?

I suppose I want to be truly glorious...or witness someone who is...

Sensei, have you met anyone like that? Someone who acts without hesitation, who walks without a shred of doubt?

You've seen lots of people who "wanted to be like that"?

Someone could be incredible, but they'll "inevitably become self-righteous if they stop questioning themselves"...?

...

Perhaps. Perhaps there's someone like that...somewhere.

Or maybe there was. Once.