Vol. 4 Ch. 2 Ep. 10: Out of Control

Ah, there's something about the smell of a bottle of Blue Mountain after morning drills.

The heating and grinding process of the beans is meticulous and intense. But it's necessary for the beans to produce this perfect flavor: a harmonious blend of acidic and refreshing.

...Kind of like handling people. If you approach governing hesitantly, scared of opinions and backlash, you're left with nothing but a bitter taste in your mouth.

There are murmurs now, but in time, Kivotos' people will see.

They'll understand that freedom is a small price to pay for the harmony of order.

...With Chief Officer Rin's supporters ousted and Kaiser Corporation's cooperation secured, everything's on track. Granting them authority to dole out punishments was a no-brainer for access to their influence and money.

If I just slowly accumulate power like this, I might even become the next General Student Council president...

Um, Chief Kaya, I mean, acting General Student Council president. My apologies, I have something to report.

Report, Deputy Chief of Defense.

This had better be important. I have too much on my plate for trivialities.

Well, about that... Normally, I'd report to the Supervisory Office...

But Chief Officer Rin is...unavailable, so I came directly to you instead.

...In that case, make it quick. What is it?

At 11:00 AM earlier today, a cash transport train on the Hokuroku Central Line was commandeered by armed criminals. Their current location is unknown.

According to protocol, the acting president must contact the transportation office to activate the emergency system and request assistance from neighboring districts.

Yes, yes. A train hacking, armed robbers...

Wait, a train was hijacked?

Why am I only hearing about this now?

H-Huh?

But... Hijackings are practically routine in Kivotos... It's almost a monthly tradition at this point.

And you very emphatically specified no reports this morning, so...

Routine, you said? And Chief Officer Rin used to handle these hijackings on top of her other responsibilities.

Yes, that's correct.

*sigh*

...Fine. I'll handle transportation.

Coordinate with Valkyrie Police School to ID the criminals and seal off possible escape routes. Start with the stations.

Uh, there's a slight issue...

What? What now?!

The Public Peace Bureau director and all its members, who usually handle this, are actually still on probation. They were punished for disobeying orders...

Due to the executive order going into effect, most Security Bureau students are out on weapon inspections. So, uh, there's no personnel to respond to the situation.

Then rally any available officer or Public Safety member you can find. Isn't restoring order your duty?

If you let this new council down...

Then I can't help but wonder what new role you, Deputy Chief of Defense, will be holding once the dust settles.

I-I'll handle it immediately!

*sigh* ...Didn't expect this being president to be so draining...

Hello? Transportation Office?

Huh? Chief Kaya? What do you want?

My title is acting General Student Council president, not Chief.

You want me to call you that? My lunch would be delivered and go cold before I finished. Which, my lunch will be delivered soon, so I'm busy.

There are more pressing matters than your lunch.

The Deputy Chief of Defense reported a hijacking of a cash transport train on the Hokuroku Central Line.

I need you to activate the emergency system and dispatch personnel. Organize the search and retrieval for the train and report back to me.

Well...

Eh. I think I'm good.

Excuse me?!

Train hijackings aren't, like, snap my fingers and the problem'll be fixed.

It's going to be an annoying, drawn-out process. I'll handle it after lunch.

Do you not grasp the urgency here?

If you think your lackadaisical attitude is going to fly here, I'll arrest you for negligence and sabotage of the General Student Council.

Sure, go ahead. At least I won't have to work anymore. Can you ask them to bring me some chips?

Oof. I really hope whoever replaces me can read and manage all these operational charts and stuff. Well, best of luck to them, I guess!

Nobody knows Kivotos' operations like me and my staff, Kaya. But if you want to gut my department, go ahead. I'm sure that'll work out real well for you.

A-Are you trying to strong-arm me?

My lunch just got here. Later!

...

...

...Stay calm, Kaya. Deep breaths.

You're Kivotos' finest, and the future General Student Council president.

Stay calm and rational. Tackle problems one at a time...

What?! What problem needs fixing now?!

You seem on edge, Acting President.

Oh. Chief of Finance.

Just dealing with a barrage of issues on my first day. There's always a transition period.

You're a sensible one, so I trust you're not here to add to my troubles?

U-Um... Well...

Um... So, about the "New Executive Order Expenses" invoice you submitted earlier...

Yes, it's necessary for the new council. Please process it.

...Rejected.

What?! On what grounds?

I reviewed it personally, and all of the invoice entries are in Arabic numerals.

It's against policy to process non-Chinese numerals to prevent fraud.

Also, the authorization stamp is smudged and difficult to read.

If I can't read the name, I can't verify it. If I can't verify it, I can't approve it.

Resubmit it following the correct procedures at your convenience.

W-Wait. Chief Aoi...!

Aoi. I'm swamped all the way to my bangs right now.

Couldn't you overlook this just once? I promise I'll make it up to...

No.

No exceptions, no matter your position. Even Chief Officer Rin revised her mistakes herself.

But...

Revisions have a same-day turnaround. If it isn't corrected by today, I'll have to dismiss it entirely.

Could I perhaps get an extension?

...Just until tomorrow?

Tomorrow. But not a minute later.

Seriously? Did everyone just wake up and decide to be difficult today?!

Why can't I find any competent help? Not one, single person!

I can't believe my bad luck with people!

Problems?

Yes, but all trivial. They just need to be delegated properly.

It's only that incompetence somehow has the power to make a mountain of even the tiniest molehill.

The FOX Squad seems to be my only subordinates who can do as they're told.

...Because discipline and executing orders are our job.

And a weapon is useless if it can't fulfill its purpose.

That kind of mindset is why I appreciate you. Heehee...

...I do have a question.

When... When do you plan on reviving SRT Academy?

...Is that really your concern right now?

Right now, we need to secure the Board's trust and consolidate power.

Once I control the Council, I'll make you ten new SRTs.

Priorities, Yukino.

Understood. I apologize.

It's okay. Remember, I'm the only one who truly understands you and your worth.

Trust in me, and you'll have what you want.

Following my orders is the only way for you to give your squad members and those starry-eyed underclassmen what they need the most.

...Understood.

...Acting General Student Council president. I have a report.

At this point, nothing could surprise me anymore.

Well, go on. What's the crisis this time?

It's, um...

The Director of Human Resources was attacked by her subordinates!

Wh-Wh-What did you say?!

Good work, comrades!

The quick dismissal of the acting president was thanks to every single one of you here! You came together as one, screaming voice, and our injustices were heard!

Hurrah!

It's been days... They might be our alumni, but they're so dedicated to protesting it almost makes me feel bad. Did you hear how they actually refused payment?

There's no need for pity! Challenging injustice and authority is the worker's way!

We could protest all day, as long as it's against those in power!

Haha. I guess you never really take the "Red Winter" out of the student.

So, is Chief Officer Rin really gone?

Huh? That's old news.

She couldn't take the power of our protestors' shouts! Chief Officer Rin stepped down already.

...Then who is the acting General Student Council president now?

Uh, Shiranui Kaya now, I think. It's kind of confusing, but they said the old president chose her or something.

Which means...

Down with Fake President Kaya!

Down! Down! Fake! Fake!

Wh-What?! What are you chanting right now?

Hey! We won already! We wanted Rin out, not Kaya!

We did! But Rin stepped down!

Kaya is the acting president now. She's the representative authority of all of Kivotos!

So, that means... Everything in Kivotos is her fault now!

Her fault! Her fault!

I can't even begin to follow your logic!

She just became the acting president today! How could she possibly be responsible for the state of Kivotos?

Leaders are accountable for their team's mistakes. So any issues arising in Kivotos should fall on the shoulders of the current acting General Student Council president, a.k.a. Shiranui Kaya.

Whether it's the absence of a 3-day work week, the unexpected cold snap, or even the limit on pudding portions, Kaya has to answer for all of it!

Answer, Kaya! Answer!

Denounce anything! Demand everything!

Denounce anything! Demand everything!

These revolutionaries are so...self-absorbed.

Look, you're done here! Get out!

Comrades, she's unveiling her true colors! They can never hide their evil for long!

Just like President Cherino and her motley crew!

Never forget! This is why we hate bureaucrats!

We won't rest until all tyrants and capitalists are gone!

N-No! Don't come closer!

Stay back! Or I'll report you all to Chief Kaya!

Hah! Was that a threat? That's how we say, "Good morning," at Red Winter Academy!

Comrades, are you prepared to fight?!

We! Are! Ready!

The Red Winter Labor Party's struggle begins anew!

Hurrah!!