Vol. 3 Ch. 1 Ep. 12: First Night of Boot Camp

...

In the end, we never even got to play in the pool.

I'm sorry. I didn't account for the time it would take to fill it with water.

No need to apologize. It was still an enjoyable mission.

It's surprisingly pretty at night.

It really is. I've never seen a school pool after dark before.

*nod*... *nod*

Are you still with us, Koharu? You look like you're about to fall asleep on your feet.

N-No, I'm just...tired. Exhausted from today.

Well, we have been cleaning since morning.

Should we all go inside now?

We're starting our boot camp studies tomorrow. It's going to be hard to concentrate if we don't get a good night's rest.

Yes.

Let's go back in, shall we?

Phew. It's good to be back inside.

It was a successful day.

Nice work out there, ladies. Let's get some rest.

Good night...

But of course. I'll be sure to remember that.

Gah... The Justice Task Force...would never abide by your indecency...

Why don't we all get some sleep? I'm sure everyone must be tired.

Good night, Sensei.

Return to your room.

"..."

"What a day."

After all, the Make-Up Work Club's true purpose...

...is to expel students.

"(Just what is Nagisa planning?)"

"Who is it?"

"Is someone there?"

Are you there, Sensei?

Sorry for bothering you so late.

Yeah. I just can't seem to fall asleep.

There's been a lot on my mind...

Thanks for helping us today, Sensei.

We're supposed to formally start our boot camp first thing in the morning, but are we really going to be able to do this?

There's only a week until the second exam. Then there will be a third exam shortly after if we fail again.

And if we fail that one...

Yeah. So you know.

I haven't told the others, and I'm not even sure if it's really true, but...ugh.

These are standard individual exams, but they're using this strange collective punishment system. Even the fact we're being forced to go through a boot camp of all things is odd.

And on top of that...

*sigh*

Wh-What?!

You...really want to know?

Well...

Yes, I spoke with her.

She told me to keep this a secret, but it's hard for me keep it all to myself.

There's something going on. It's...

You know about that too?!

Well, about that...

...

When I spoke to her, Nagisa said...

Hifumi, please find the traitor.

I'm sorry? What?! Th-That's...

The results of the exams don't matter. Expulsion after the third exam is a last resort, so to speak.

Your mission is to collect as much information about the suspects as you can and find the traitor as quickly as possible.

That is why you were placed in the Make-Up Work Club.

But why me? How did this happen...?

Why were you selected?

Because of your existing relationship with Schale.

The traitor won't be able to do as they wish with Sensei present.

Sensei is my insurance, my trash bin lid, seeing to it that the trash inside your club won't escape so easily.

Did you just call us a trash bin?

Pay it no mind. Moving on...

W-Wait, Nagisa! I can't do something like this!

Hifumi.

There's no other option. Don't forget that you're a failing student as well. I'm sure you understand what will happen to you if you were to fail this mission, yes?

...

"(Just like I thought. She's taking advantage of Hifumi too.)"

You have to be kidding me. Is there really a traitor? The thought alone is terrifying...

We're all supposed to be students of the same school. We spent all day cleaning together. We ate dinner together.

How am I supposed to suspect any of them? They're my friends. It's too much.

I can't do this...

...

What was that?

Sensei?

...

How I want to...

...

Right! I'll put some thought into what I can do to help!

Thanks for hearing me out. I feel a lot better now.

...

Hanako? What are you doing here?

You're still up too, Azusa? And you're in your uniform.

I've slept enough already. I was thinking of doing a nighttime patrol.

Here? And did you really get enough sleep? You seem exhausted.

I have trouble sleeping in places I'm unaccustomed to.

...

You don't have to worry on my behalf. I'm trained to go five days without sleep if necessary.

That's not really the issue here.

Anyway, I imagine everyone must be feeling anxious on our first night, hence why you and Hifumi went on walks. I wanted to go on patrol for your sakes.

In fact, I should be getting back to that.

Well, okay. Don't stay up too late, Azusa.

...