Vol. 4 Ch. 2 Ep. 13: Shock and Fear

I have one condition. More of a request, if you will.

For the Red Winter Office to take responsibility for and disband the protesters from your school.

Can we shake on that, President Cherino?

It seems you are confused, Acting General Student Council President.

You see, I am not simply a "president."

I am the student council president of Red Winter Academy, head of beautification, Great Leader, head of physical education AND the catering department, and this month's top pudding taster, Cherino!

I refuse to respond to such a paltry title!

Yes, Red Winter Academy student council president and the head of the various departments, Cherino. Back to the matter at hand...

Head of various departments...? You trivialize my position?! I'll have you purged!

(...Why is this little child in front of me so attached to these fake positions no one cares about?)

...Please excuse me, Great Leader Cherino.

But the protesters hindering the General Student Council's ability to carry out its responsibilities is a pressing concern. They are causing civil unrest all over D.U.

An external security review confirmed that most of these troublemakers are students from Red Winter Academy.

As D.U.'s Chief of Defense and the acting General Student Council president, I am firmly demanding the Red Winter Office take accountability.

Now that you mention it, the Labor Party has been unusually quiet. So, that's their game...

What's their grievance that they're protesting this time?

That's a good question, Great Leader Cherino.

These students are demanding not just free pudding rations and an unrealistic 2-day work week, but...

They're also initiating a coup!

Is that so? And?

...Does that giant hat block your hearing?!

A coup! A rebellion! They're trying to topple the General Student Council itself!

As the acting General Student Council President responsible for Kivotos' security, this is a matter that can't–

I get it. Coups can be quite bothersome. I've weathered a few myself.

One thing I've learned, Chief Kaya, is that trying to crush a coup directly only fuels its flames.

And isn't it natural for students to rebel if they're unhappy with the council's actions?

What do you mean by that?

There will always be those short-sighted students who can't see the visions of distinguished leaders like us.

While it's nothing like Red Winter, I imagine being the General Student Council President of D.U. must be challenging. The public will never understand you.

This is exactly why I'm trying to request that the Red Winter Office take responsibility...

Now then, I don't normally involve myself in matters outside of my academy, but when I see hard work, it must be rewarded.

Therefore, the Red Winter Office will send you a box of Cherenka!

Will send me a...what now?

*gasp* You have never tried a Cherenka, Chief of Defense?

Cherenka is Red Winter Academy's signature milk chocolate. Its richness is unparalleled!

If it's to your liking, perhaps the General Student Council could receive regular shipments.

What I'm asking for now is manpower, not...

Oh no! How could this have happened?

I was enjoying chatting with a like-minded leader so much I almost missed my scheduled nap time.

We'll continue this later, Acting General Student Council President Ka... whatever your name was.

That insolent brat...

How does Red Winter Academy not have one, single serious student?!

...Wait, I'm not from Red Winter Academy.

I know. I wasn't talking to you.

Are you sure that brat is Red Winter Academy's student council president and representative, Chief of Staff?

Indeed, Renkawa Cherino currently holds the position of student council president at Red Winter Federal Academy.

Currently?

Last week, I believe it was Chairwoman Ikekura Marina.

If I am understanding this correctly...

We have to solve this security threat by negotiating with an academy that changes leadership on a weekly basis?

Yet, the former acting president Rin seemed quite competent at it.

With the right incentives, this should be a cakewalk compared to dealing with Trinity and Gehenna...

I guess someone with a background in defense might only know how to use sticks. *nom*

Er... Chief Kaya...?

...Acting General Student Council President.

I-I'm so sorry! Acting General Student Council President!

Regarding the regular Defense Office reports... Numerous civilians have made grievances about the new policy mandating them to...show ten forms of ID when making a cash withdrawal...

And, there have been a number of incidents across D.U. where frustrated civilians have brandished weapons instead of IDs, coercing bank staff to make the withdrawal.

That's... That's blatant armed robbery!

This is happening all over? And are Valkyrie officers and Kaiser guards just...twiddling their thumbs?

As mentioned before, both the Security Bureau and Kaiser Security are stretched thin due to the sheer number of daily inspections...

If they lack the personnel, then hire private security firms to maintain security.

I won't tolerate even a single criminal act while I'm in charge of Kivotos.

She says that, but things have been way more chaotic since she took over.

A protest delayed me for 30 minutes this morning when I was trying to get to Sanctum Tower.

While minor crimes have decreased, major offenses have escalated...

Because all of our resources have been directed towards regulating the citizens. Criminals have suddenly found themselves with more room to play.

And with the Director of Human Resources out of commission, Chief Kaya has less supporters than ever...

Maybe she can't keep up with the pressures of her office...

Chief Officer Rin is looking more and more competent every day.

...Enough! Meeting adjourned!

...You kept me waiting.

There you are, Acting General Student Council President.

I'm here in person because there seems to be a delay in payments to Kaiser Security.

Considering the manpower and equipment required, the previous payment doesn't even come close to covering...

Why am I still being bothered with petty problems?

With the amount of money we've paid you, how is it that you are incapable of handling even a single student protest before it reaches my desk?

Why, because you haven't paid the proper price of course.

You say what you have paid me is how much the General Student Council has approved in its budget.

But if your problem won't go away, then maybe the budget isn't sufficient.

...You're in no position to be asking for more, Kaiser.

Have you forgotten that I kept Kaiser Corporation from diving nose-first into bankruptcy? Where would you be if I hadn't covered up your crimes in the incident?

Of course not. Trust is the backbone of any business arrangement.

However, I also don't believe in conducting business arrangements on emotional whims.

You may have saved us from bankruptcy, but that doesn't mean I'll burn through our revenues for you.

But you asked where I would be. I would have recovered quite easily. I can just throw away the Kaiser brand and start a new company should things go wrong.

What about you? You stake your name and credibility with so little thought. If it all comes apart, where will Shiranui Kaya be?

...I've helped you. I've kept your secrets. The public would be interested to know about the silo you've built under Kousagi Station, I should think.

That was a different issue. We were the ones who took a hit when that rebate was discovered, under your protection. The town's redevelopment went up in smoke because of it.

I've told you already. Once everything's squared away, I'll pay you back. Put it on my tab. I'll even add interest.

If that's what you choose.

Your tab is adding up to be quite a hefty fee.

From what I've gathered, you have yet to gain the Treasury's trust. You don't have much sway in directing the budget, do you?

Backing a leader who can't inspire her team's confidence does seem rather unwise.

(Why is this happening?)

(Why doesn't anyone trust me?)

(If only they'd just listen! Instead, it's suspicion and insubordination at every corner!)

(And somehow the General Student Council President...that woman... All of Kivotos followed and trusted her!)

(Why her? What can she do that I can't?)

(Why can't I become a superhuman too?)

(What's different from then and now? From her Kivotos and mine?)

I get it.

This Kivotos lacks fear.

If they fear me, then they'll fall into line.

...Kaya?

Yukino, where's the thermobaric warhead from project A.N.T.I.O.C.H. stored now? The one you confiscated from Kaiser.

The warhead has been deactivated and is being stored in a military facility in the outskirts of D.U.

But due to its explosive power, it was impossible to completely disarm it.

This is a direct order, Yukino.

Transport the warhead to the silo under Kousagi Station and detonate it.

...Can I ask the reason?

It's not like you to question my orders.

So I'll indulge you, this once.

Like you said, the A.N.T.I.O.C.H. warhead's power is intense, making it hard to fully neutralize.

And most of Kousagi Town have relocated because of the redevelopment anyway, so casualties would be minimal.

"Most of Kousagi Town" means there are still residents there.

Detonating the warhead in a confined space like a subway station will–

Yes, I'm aware how it works. Kousagi Station and the nearby stations will sustain damage.

That's the point. I need a show of force. Bigger than their wildest imaginations, otherwise it won't be enough to cow them into submission.

...!

They need to know we can erase a small city in seconds. Then, they'd think twice before crossing us.

If the "accident" occurs in the subway, we can pin it on the transit staff's negligence.

Everything will be tied up in a neat little bow for us.

Haha... Outstanding.

I knew you were a little crazy, but you've truly exceeded my expectations this time.

Our Kaiser president really does seem to have an uncanny eye for talent.

...Thanks for the praise.

One objection, however. The silo under the subway station is Kaiser property. I'm not necessarily keen on you blowing up my things.

You have a point. We'll be using your property, so to compensate...

...Would the control of D.U.'s subway system suffice?

Once I've gotten rid of the current transportation officers, we'll need another body to oversee the subway system.

If Kaiser Corporation is up for it, it'd be a win-win.

Sounds promising. We've been eyeing transportation ever since the Saint Nephthys rail takeover fell through.

Control over the primary transport linking districts would be a source of steady revenue...

I'm not one to miss a lasting opportunity because I'm blinded by the short-term.

Very well. We'll make the preparations to receive the warhead in the silo. We'll need to coordinate with your foxes.

...

That's finally settled.

...Now, back to my order.

Squad Leader Yukino. Your answer?

...FOX 1. Understood.