Vol. 3 Ch. 4 Ep. 26: Our Future

Stay sharp, everyone! Follow Seia's instructions or you'll be lost in the catacombs!

Yes, ma'am!

Ichika, please report. Did you find Sensei yet?

*tchhhk* Yes, we've found Sensei! But Tsurugi is a bit... Well...

Tsurugi? Is she okay?

Tsurugi, please. That's a wall, not a door.

Ugh. Too late.

...Kekekeke.

Kyaaaaaak!!

"Tsurugi..."

What is the Justice Task Force doing here?

Greetings, Sensei. I'm Ichika from the Justice Task Force.

We met briefly at the Gourmet Research Society arrest, but never formally. I'm here to rescue you!

Heehee. Pleasure's all mine.

Hasumi, Ichika reporting in. We've secured Sensei and Mika.

*tchhhk* Great job. Retreat to a safe zone as soon as possible. We've secured a route in the catacombs.

All according to plan! Are you two ready? There's some people eagerly awaiting your safe return.

Sensei! Mika! Thank goodness you're unharmed.

Nagi?! How are you here? Am I dead?

You're certainly not. You are currently standing in the command center of the Arius reclamation operation.

But...how?! How did you get through the catacombs?

I showed her the way.

"Seia?!"

S...

Seia...

You really are a dummy, Mika.

As usual, your impulsiveness ruined things. I've always said it was your worst trait.

And you're always such a meanie! But wh-what happened? Are you okay?

It's a bit of a long story.

I met someone in a dream.

It was a long journey but, to summarize, I made a deal and escaped Beatrice's grasp.

Seia...?!

*cough* *cough*

C-Captain! Seia... Seia is...!

Please... I need Nagisa... And bring the Sisterhood and the Justice Task Force here. Hurry.

What? O-Okay! If you say so!

There's no time. Sensei and Mika are in grave danger.

As soon as I woke up, I asked for the Sisterhood, the Remedial Knights, and the Justice Task Force.

During that talk, Nagisa swore she would abdicate all her authority if we could just save you, Mika.

I beg of you to help me. Please save Mika.

I implore you as well.

...

This is...

Raise your heads, Nagisa. Seia. You need not bow to us.

I understand Mika's situation. But also, Seia, I'm relieved to see you recovered. What happened?

It's...a long story...

...Understood.

I will not pry. For now.

More importantly, Sensei's safety is the priority. The Sisterhood will support this operation.

There are many students at Trinity who owe Sensei, including me. They'll be glad to help.

Thank you. And please, stay safe.

This is all I know of the catacombs' changing patterns.

This couldn't have been easy. Thank you, Azusa.

But...are you sure I can't go too?

Then who will greet Sensei when we return victorious?

And our reputation wouldn't last long if we need the Make-Up Work Club's help again...especially from you, for this particular mission.

Even Hanako is staying behind to support us the best way she can.

Trust in us.

O-Okay.

U-Umm...

It's okay. What would you like to say?

Please save Atsuko.

If I know Sensei, Atsuko is already safe. And we'll make sure to keep Sensei safe.

Thank you. And...I hope everyone else can be saved too.

Even though they pointed their guns at you? At your friends?

Even so. They may be villains who've committed heinous crimes...

But they were my family.

U-Ugh... Do you know what time it is right now?

Yes. It's so early that not even the birds are awake. Now let's search that map, Ui.

Wait a second... What are you wearing?

Oh, this? I was taking a walk...I mean, I was swimming when I heard the message.

I don't think this is it. Let's go to the next page.

Which one is it? Were you swimming or talking a walk?

Wait! Here it is! The old map of the catacombs left by that ancient council!

Th-This page? It's about to crumble apart...and it's badly faded...

Yes, that's why I came to see you, Ui. You're the Magician of the Old Library.

Ughhh, argh...

You can restore it, right? Time is of the essence.

I know you can do it, Kozeki! I'll help you in every way possible! ♡

Ugh... How did I get involved in this?

Move, move! We don't have a moment to spare!

Yes, ma'am!

Umm...

Huh? You're...Koharu?

Y-Yes! I-I'm also from the Justice Task Force...but I'm in the Make-Up Work Club right now, so I'm not allowed to go.

Do you think you could give these to a high-ranking person in the Tea Party for me? Please?

What are these? A ribbon and some accessories?

They belong to someone from the Tea Party. They were in the Justice Task Force's contraband storage.

Oh, I understand now. They're Mika's, aren't they?

I heard they were stolen and burned by angry students. I guess what the Justice Task Force recovered got mixed in with the confiscated items.

Technically, yes. I was secretly taking items that were in decent condition. I know I'm not supposed to do that, but...

...I see. Okay, Koharu.

I'll give them to Mika.

Really? Thank you!

Everyone...

We can't rely on Sensei for everything. Every relationship should go both ways.

So, we came here on our own to save you, Mika.

You really are such a narcissist! You make everything sound so self-important and complicated!

I've always wanted to say that out loud to you!

But you know what? I like you a whole lot, Seia.

...?

And Nagi! Are you kidding me? You brought tea all the way to the Arius District?

Are you a tea addict? Do you have a serious problem?

But I like that Nagi more than anything, tea and all.

I don't know how to feel about that statement.

...?

You guys are my favorite.

Thank you for coming for me. And I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry.

Mika...

Stop, Mika. I'm the one who owes you an apology.

All this time, I told myself I was waiting for the perfect moment to apologize.

But in reality, I was being immature. I was avoiding it.

Mika. When you told me you wanted to reconcile with Arius...

It's okay, Seia. You didn't do anything wrong.

It's all my fault. I'm just so sorry.

Mika...

Mika...

I'm sorry for crashing the reunion, but I have something for you, Mika.

You do? For me?

Here.

This...

My accessories?! How do you have these? I thought they were burned with everything else!

There was a member in charge of the contraband storage...

Ugh, how do I explain this...?

That student collected the accessories that didn't burn and hid them away.

Koharu...?

Yes, it was Koharu.

Whoa! You know who Koharu is?

...Yes, I do.

Tell her I said thank you. I can't believe she did this, even though I always bullied her.

...

...

"I'm sure you have a lot to talk to each other about."

I would say so.

But for now, I believe we all have a hearing to attend.

Yes.

W-Wait. You want me to go to my hearing looking like this?

Can I take a shower first? I want treatment for my wounds and to get my hair done. With a fancy curler!

...

...

Yes, Mika. You may have the fancy curler as well.

Yes, and then the three of us will go to the hearing together. Although we all look a bit of a mess.

"I'm coming too."

Yes, of course. All of us promised Mika we would attend, didn't we?