Act 2 Vol. 2 Ch. 1 Ep. 8: Trigger-Happy Zone

"That's..."

Me! Me! I was here first! Gimme my ticket!

You bet! You're number one! First in line, great job!

Everyone, please line up and I'll hand you a ticket!

Ugh, I'm late... So, what's my number?

Please stand over there. You're number 27.

There are 26 people before me? I knew the line would be long, but this is...

The line will move quickly. Since the first thirty spots are filled, we'll begin our first session.

Everyone, please walk forward to your designated place.

You know, moving in sync with everyone is actually kind of...fun? In a way?

Yeah. It was awkward at first, but I fell into step before I even realized it!

I'm going to rack up a load of mileage today. What about you two?

What's that...?

They're all moving in unison. What are they doing?

Ah, I suppose you haven't heard the news yet! Here's a pamphlet on the COOLEST place on campus.

Eh? It's...

..."Shoot freely, bomb willingly? Do anything you like in the Trigger-Happy Zone"?

"Freedom from the Prefect Team"?!

Wait... What? We can actually do all that?

Should we try?

A free pass to shoot and blow stuff up? What am I, an idiot? What do I have to lose?!

Huh, I think I like it here.

So, this is it? Just go up and shoot? Spray and pray?

It's first come, first served! Here, line up over here! In the order of arrival, please!

Ay! I was here first!

Then you should've lined up first! Why are you just standing off to the side? I was in the line first, so you go to the back!

What? Are you kidding me? Just follow the rules!

Huh, what rules? Is there a set that only you're following? Real funny. Get outta here!

Yo, over here! She's pushing me to the side when she knows I was here first! Do something about it!

Hey. No cutting in line. Wait your turn.

Do you want to go to the very back, or do you want to stand in your correct spot?

Ugh... f-fine. I got you.

Yeah! See how much more efficient things are when everyone's aligned?

"They're following the rules better than I expected."

Sensei! So you came to see for yourself, huh?

Welcome, Sensei.

Hiya, Sensei!

Yaha! That's right, everyone's voluntarily following the rules. Aren't you surprised?

And let's not forget that there's going to be a HUGE announcement today.

I guess we should do it now since Sensei is here. You're going to back us up again, right?

What do you "need to do"?

The same as last time! Be yourself! Act natural! But also stand next to us and look authoritative!

Hey there, everyone! Are we all having a good time?

Hell yeah!

That's what I like to hear, because we have an important, super-fun announcement to share with you all!

To provide you with an even better environment, our Trigger-Happy Zone will now operate only during exclusively designated hours!

What? So we can't just come in whenever we want?

That's right! Exactly!

Boo! No way! Why?

If we have to come all the way out here on some schedule, then I don't see a point...

And to show our gratitude for your continued support, we're holding a special event soon! This is your opportunity to earn DOUBLE the mileage!

Wait! For real?

I just need a little more mileage to trade in for a new scope.

Ah, but it still sucks that they're cutting the hours.

Yeah. Like what if I suddenly want to shoot my friend with a rocket?

I think you know why you shouldn't do that outside of the THZ. When were you last chased by the Prefect Team?

Yeah, I got it. It is nice that they're finally leaving us alone.

Fufu. Unless, of course, you prefer being chased down and arrested?

Of course I don't... And I can't bear another moment of my own thoughts in the Self-Reflection Room.

Now that I've had freedom here, I can't let it go.

Besides, holding back might not be so bad, you know?

Hm? What?

I mean just letting the tension and desire build up inside your body, anticipating that perfect moment...

H-Hmm?

You know what I'm talking about. That tingling feeling. When the frustration keeps building up and pushing you closer and closer to the edge... And suddenly, boom!! Everything inside you goes off at once!

Why does that sound so dangerous?

...

But I...I think I'd like that! Sure, I'm in!

Yaha! A thrill loses its value if you can get it anytime.

The fruit tastes even sweeter when you harvest it after waiting...and enduring...so long.

Hm, I think she has a good point.

It might be worth trying to delay satisfaction...at least a few times.

Um, so when CAN we use the zone?

I'll distribute the details. Follow me.

Phew, that went much better than I expected!

Thank you, Sensei! Just standing next to us was a big help!

"Why did we limit the time," you ask?

This place takes a lot of upkeep. We can't have it open constantly.

The restricted hours were Shouko's idea.

Sensei, think about it! Before, the students were just shooting guns and setting off bombs anytime and anywhere!

But NOW they know that they can come here, out of their way, to relieve that stress in a more structured way. They've already gotten used to it!

And since we trained them all to respect space... What if we also happened to train them to respect TIME?

A wave of discipline and order is cresting on Gehenna!

Students will grow less impulsive, which means we'll be taking another step towards the glorious, unified Gehenna! What do you think?

Slowly acclimating them to discipline and control... Just like a frog in a boiling pot.

Yaha! When you say it like that, it sounds bad! Shouko, you've got a pretty twisted imagination, you know.

But she's right, aside from the whole "getting boiled alive" thing. We're working on gradual, manageable change.

After all, a person's mindset doesn't change overnight...normally.

Yeah, it's not like we have a mind-control ray or anything! Hahaha!

Right. Fufu. How silly.

More and more, I see that our hard work is paying off.

Say goodbye to the disorderly, chaotic, "hot mess" Gehenna.

All those wild, misbehaving students were overshadowing Gehenna's incredible potential!

If we continue to introduce changes, to painlessly teach them how to adhere to rules and order, then this will become the most glorious academy in Kivotos!

Eh, what's with that reaction? I thought you'd be cheering!

Don't you want Gehenna to become EVEN more glorious?

What do you mean, asking about our "identity"?

Isn't identity something you shape? Something that changes?

I should support the potential of "each individual student rather than the whole academy"? Uh...

Maybe! That sounds plausible, but...

...We're all part of a whole. It's "our" potential, isn't it?

...

There's "more than one path to glory"? But...

Shouldn't we all work together, be coordinated, and be aligned? Gehenna's never been able to do something like this, not until now.

A spirit of cooperation and a sense of collective consciousness are essential to build a great, glorious Gehenna.

No one was FORCED to enroll here, you know?

Students chose Gehenna because it seemed fun, or to join their friends, or just because they were curious. They were motivated to be a part of something greater.

We never forced anything on them. Change means nothing if it happens under duress.

"Yeah. Perhaps I was worried over nothing."

Heehee, that's right! You just keep rooting for the students like you have been, Sensei.

"I am ready to lay down my life for Gehenna, so you need not worry."

...That's what you were thinking, wasn't it, Sensei?

Tsk.

Everyone, let's stay focused. There's only one thing for us to do!

Restore glory to Gehenna!

For one Gehenna!