Blue Archive story · Act 2: Volume 2, Chapter 2, Episode 12
Act 2 Vol. 2 Ch. 2 Ep. 12: Will You Cheer Me On, Sensei?
1 scenes, 189 lines
1. Part 1
189 lines
...We're doomed.
You're not wrong. *sigh*
"..."
I can't believe that the broadcasting room's security was so tight...
No admittance.
What? Ah, I'm here to report a story.
Especially not allowed.
Um... No, I'm OFFICIAL PRESS for the Weekly Pandemonium Society. For glorious Gehenna?
No. No one is allowed to enter the building.
Wh-Whoa...
Security was stationed all across the building's front. And from a quick glance at the windows, the inside was tightly guarded.
The broadcasting room might be the most secure place in Gehenna...
...Can't we just break in?
Not through that many people. And even if we did, we have no follow-up plan.
Even if Satsuki snuck through and got to look around, there's no guarantee that we'd find any evidence in time.
If we were intercepted...especially by the Head Prefect, it'd be over.
...
In a sense, this predicament proves our theory.
How so?
Why would they be guarding the broadcasting room like this if it wasn't terribly important?
There MUST be a clue or something in there.
Aha, so that's good news?
Provided we get in, yes.
What?
If all the security means there's actually a clue in the broadcasting room...
...that means they're trying to prevent others from seeing the clue, right?
...
Which means...
Someone knows that there's something very valuable in there...
And ultimately...they orchestrated this situation on purpose...?
...!!!
I'm saying that this predicament was not an accident.
...You're saying that someone set all this up?
"..."
Looking at the situation... There's no other conclusion.
...Then who could it be?
Hm? Did we invite someone else...?
...
Sh-Shouko?
Shouko...!
...Yes. Right where I expected to find you.
All right! Does that mean you're here to join us, Shouko?
"Hold on, Mayumi...!"
STAY BACK!
...
...Why are you here?
I'm here to give you a chance.
A "chance"...?
An opportunity to recognize the right thing for Gehenna.
...
Yeah? Then what's your definition of "right thing"?
For you? To not betray Gehenna.
To unify with the grand order and contribute to its glory.
To join the crusade against Kivotos and mercilessly condemn our enemies with blood and iron.
That's all.
Don't play with me. You know there's nothing "right" about that.
History shall determine who was "right" or "wrong." What is "glorious" and what is "verboten."
And history, you must remember, is written by those in power.
I will continue to watch you...closely.
Shouko...!
Shouko... Are you serious?
President and...Caren. I gave you two the most chances of all.
...
...And so this is how our paths divide.
...
Seriously, you two are such troublemakers.
Whatever would you have done without me?
Not any of this, that's for sure!
You're the one who kept pushing us into things!
Indeed I was.
Shouko...
How did we end up like this?
...It was all for Gehenna.
For a Gehenna that will once more be utterly glorious.
...
No, this isn't what I wanted.
...Enough sentimentality.
Let me be clear.
The more you interfere, the more Gehenna's power is whittled away. We need unity for this conquest.
This is a warning.
If you truly care about Gehenna, stop inciting discord and division.
What you are doing right here, right now, hiding in this little room, is certainly not for the sake of Gehenna.
Yes, this way. Please come in.
...
"Hina..."
H-Head Prefect...!
...Iori, Chinatsu.
...Yes, Head Prefect.
What were you doing here, leaving your stations without approval, ignoring the chain of command?
W-Well...
Desertion is verboten. Under current Prefect Team policies, you could even be sentenced on the spot.
...
Calm down, Head Prefect. We're just here to talk...
Iroha. I heard you abdicated the Pandemonium Society.
...Yes. I quit.
That effectively means rebelling against the current Gehenna, doesn't it?
And how should I interpret the fact that my core officers are with you right now?
...
Satsuki and Chiaki. I never heard of you resigning from the Pandemonium Society.
Inform me if I am mistaken. Otherwise, return to the Pandemonium Society and aid your chairman.
And the Gehenna Heritage League, there's something I wanted to ask you as well.
U-Us...?!
Your secretary has been sacrificing sleep to devise the best possible plans for her glorious academy.
Our Gehenna, the place you cried and fretted for, has at last come to pass. How do you like it?
You're asking if this is truly the Gehenna we dreamed of?
A perfect military, free of self-indulgence, advancing toward a singular goal.
Is this not what you wanted to see?
Yaha, I think it's a little off...
How so?
You see, what you described is "madness," Head Prefect.
Shall I consider that as an official declaration that you will not take part in realizing a glorious Gehenna?
Can you say that again so I can be absolutely certain?
...Tch...! Yaha... This is a bit much...!
S-So this is what the Head Prefect's really like!
"Hina...!"
Phew...
Ugh...
*pant* *pant*
I will say this once more, just to be crystal clear.
The Gehenna that tolerated idleness under the guise of "freedom" is over.
You should all return to your places, to your proper roles, before we begin the operation.
And if you continue to show such verboten behavior in the coming days...
You shall face due consequence.
"..."
...Sensei...
I won't ask you why you were with them.
Nevertheless, could you spare a moment of your time?
Say yes.
...Very well. Then let's have a quick chat.
I followed Hina's lead.
I told the students not to worry about me...
But there was no telling what would happen next.
Sensei...
"...Go on, Hina."
Sensei, has everything been okay lately?
"Like with what...?"
I've noticed that you've had an extended stay in Gehenna.
That must mean you care dearly about our situation.
And, given that this is a very meaningful moment for us...
"..."
"I..."
When that day dawns, will you still speak to me as you once had?
"Thank you for working hard" "Thank you for giving your all."
"I'll support you, always."
...Will you still say all those things?
"..."
...I see.
So, Sensei... You think what we're trying to do is wrong.
But I...
...I don't think there's anything wrong with my feelings.
I have never had such a clear mind or felt this confident before.
Yes. This is my reason for being.
My strength, my determination, my position.
It is all for Gehenna's conquest of Kivotos.
"Hina..."
...I wonder why...
I am reminded of the past.
Why did I do those things?
Why did I stand against the Tyrant Emperor back then...?
...For "freedom"...?
Ugh! Tch...!
"Hina...!"
U-Ugh...!!!
...
...Sensei.
Ah. Please continue to support us, support ME...as you always have.
With you close, I can work even harder. I can overcome any hardship, no matter how painful.
"..."
"Hina, you can overcome THIS."
"I will also do my best for you, Hina."
...Yes. I'm sure you mean that.
Which is why I'm going to ask you to follow along and do as I say.
"Hina?!"
As I previously mentioned, we have no need for discord in our united Gehenna.
Now, we all must coordinate, united under one gestalt heart and mind.
While I still question why some students are acting against our will...
I'm sure the dissent will resolve once we remove the central figure inspiring such rebellion.
...And I've been told that person is you, Sensei.
So Sensei, you shall remain under our dutiful protection for the time being.
...I regret that things turned out this way.
Frankly, I am scared that you might hate me for this...
But this is the only way I can protect you. So please... I hope you understand.
I couldn't speak a word as I stared into Hina's strangely-glowing eyes.
This reality, where I couldn't support a student's dream...
...dissociated me from my very self.