Act 2 Vol. 2 Ch. 2 Ep. 8: Chiaki

...

*sigh* Iroha...

I truly miss having her...as a receptacle for all this tedious paperwork.

Tch, and where has Satsuki been...?! I feel like I haven't seen her in days!

Wow, Makoto hard at work!

Now this is a scoop...

...

But even if I take the picture, could I even use it for an article?

The Weekly Pandemonium Society is on hiatus... War prep comes first, after all...

...Hmm, whatever! I'll just snap a few. I'm sure they'll be historically useful one day!

...Makoto seems kind of lonely.

Iroha's gone, Satsuki's doing something...

Ibuki keeps quiet these days...

*sigh* How did the raucous Pandemonium Society turn out like this?

Hm? Isn't that...?

...Yes.

ood. ...Affirmative.

care. Over.

The Heritage League's Secretary... No, I suppose "Operations Officer" is a more apt title.

She seems to be holding up fine.

...Even though it seems like she's working the hardest...

Ah, hello! Ahaha...

...Chiaki.

Yup, that's me. Looks like you were on a pretty long call, huh?

...Ah, right.

I didn't mean to linger around. I didn't want to interrupt your important business. Haha.

Do YOU have business with me?

Um. Not in particular...

But actually, can I ask you one thing? Think of it as a short interview! A sound bite!

...Please do.

It's kind of funny. I'm the Pandemonium Society Secretary, and you're the Heritage League Secretary! Yay! Secretary besties! Twins...

...

Ahem... Here's my question!

What is your opinion on the current state of Gehenna, Shouko?

...Does my answer matter?

Mm, I had a feeling it might! Call it...a reporter's instinct.

Shouko, you seem like someone who's not only thorough, but prudent. Like a good planner, you know, a real mastermind!

...

You asked for my opinion on the current state of Gehenna, correct? Here is my answer.

Gehenna is glorious once more.

Here is a place where everyone walks, thinks, and knows where to aim their barrel, united under one goal. Glory to Gehenna.

Oh...

Everyone is doing their best to fulfill a dream that we couldn't realize in the past.

A past dream... Oh, we had one?

...Indeed. The old Gehenna dreamed of a full Kivotos conquest.

Is that so? This is my first time hearing it.

Fufu... It's not necessary for you to understand.

Right, right... But lately I feel that the academy's vibe has changed. It's almost too quiet.

It's almost like you need some surprise explosions and brawls for it to feel like Gehenna.

You speak of a bygone era ruled by imperfect freedom.

Yeah. I suppose all that ruckus made for good stories! It's hard to find a scoop nowadays.

Chiaki, do you think that our glorious Gehenna is worse than the one you yearn for?

Um... Honestly?

...

Things feel a little too heavy now. It's like a suppressive weight's fallen on everyone's shoulders.

Students are just walking on eggshells and following orders... Don't you think that lacks a certain...fun?

"Fun"...

Oh, Chiaki. Are you aware of how many opportunities Gehenna missed out on in the childish pursuit of "fun"?

Eh? I'm not sure I am...

What have those who chased the meaningless value of "fun" actually accomplished?

Gehenna was running in circles. We had girls digging up hot springs, blowing up restaurants, and needlessly wasting valuable ordnance.

But what about now? Everyone is united and marching forward. Gehenna comes first.

Hmm... That said, is attacking Kivotos really the right move?

Chairman Makoto was clear. A war is essential.

Gehenna's reign of true order will begin once the old era is shattered. All academies shall fall under Gehenna's glorious flag.

...Hmm... Yeah, about that...

To rephrase the question, why is that necessary, though?

Aren't things enriching because they're varied? I don't think it would be all that fun if Trinity turned into Gehenna, or if Millennium adopted our aesthetics.

Retaining an individual academy's personality and diversity will only lead to a dispersion of power.

Conflict arises when people are able to speak in different voices. Unnecessary resources get wasted to resolve the conflicts inherent in miscommunication.

But a little conflict is how things stay interesting. Sparks pop and people like me might catch a hot scoop!

Shouko, do you really want all academies to be part of Gehenna? Everyone would be wearing the same black uniforms!

Precisely. Conquering Kivotos is Gehenna's purpose and its final destination.

Hmm... Agree to disagree, but let me shoot you one more question.

Shouko, where do you see yourself in this "fully-realized" Gehenna?

What do you mean?

You have such a strong sense of purpose. There must be something you want to do after accomplishing your dream, right?

I...

...only want to solidify a new order in the perfect, glorious Gehenna...

...Have you never thought about what comes after?

...My head aches from trying to explain something so obvious. No more questions. This interview is over.

Ah, is that so? Okay, thank you! Feel better soon!

Hmm... I guess she never thought about it.

...Is a final conquest the goal? Or is constant war the goal...?

My reporter sense is tingling! Maybe she's hiding something...

Hmm...

All I know is that I don't want to live in the drab, boring world she dreams of.

...But do my upperclassmen...? Is this really what they want?

Was laughing and gabbing with each other so bad...?