Blue Archive story · Volume 6, Chapter 1, Episode 7
Vol. 6 Ch. 1 Ep. 7: Harmonica
1 scenes, 224 lines
1. Part 1
224 lines
So, Sensei.
Your plan is to deliver these test papers...
...and help the Arius students prepare for the exam, yes?
"Yes. Preferably as the 'Arius Comprehensive Exam.'"
Considering the name "Trinity Comprehensive Exam"...
It'd be nigh impossible for Arius students to accept. And who would grade the tests?
The multiple choice questions are easy enough. However, the free response questions are more subjective and pose more of a problem.
If, by chance, an extra print of the Trinity Comprehensive Exam...
...ended up in the Squad's hands, and they delivered it to Arius...
Naturally, Trinity would sweep it under the rug.
Hm, perhaps it was a printing error. Or they mistakenly routed the shipment through Kawanishi station. All manner of items are frequently lost there.
Running a school truly is a lot of work.
A shipping error... So our role will be both courier and bodyguard.
...What about the pay?
"Don't worry. I'll make sure you're properly compensated."
"I've also got a secret little plan of my own!"
Y-You do?! Wh-What is it? I want to know!
Don't encourage them. When Sensei's acting like that, you know it'll be something dumb again.
I can't help but to be a little excited. I'm sure it'll be worth the wait.
That doesn't address all our issues, however.
One can hardly take an exam without studying the materials first.
And I have no insight into the kind of education Arius conducts. I'm concerned the contents of the test will be too foreign.
Which is why I asked for your assistance, Sensei.
So once again, thank you. And my apologies for hoisting this upon you, Arius Squad.
I understand that everything we are doing here is against the grain.
If people were to learn that Trinity was attempting to influence Arius' operations in any way...
It'd be inconceivable to most.
As we are two entirely separate entities, after all...
How does this sound to you?
I'm grateful, Nagisa.
For now, I can only say that I'm grateful this is the path you're choosing.
You had every opportunity to assert your authority over Arius.
However brief it may have been, Trinity did successfully take over and occupy Arius last time.
That sort of force would have gotten us nowhere.
Which is why I, Kirifuji Nagisa, approached Schale, not as the host of the Tea Party, but simply as a student.
You know, I can't think of a more roundabout way to deal with a relatively simply problem.
I-Is this what politics are like...? It's scary... really scary...
Huh, Leader? Are you supporting the Tea Party now?
I-I didn't mean...
Misaki. When the opportunity arises, can we really be so picky about whom we learn things from?
There's too much we don't know about this world.
Tsk...
Subaru! Will you play the harmonica for us, please?
Pleaaase! You haven't played in so long!
Wh-What?! Right now...?
C'mon! You're not going to be shy about it, are you?
It's just that... I mean...
Playing my harmonica in these ruins, pretending to be lost in our feelings...
I've been thinking this lately...
...but maybe we've outgrown that a little.
Whoa! Is Subaru blushing right now?
Hahaha! To think Subaru would actually get embarrassed too! We got to witness a rare event today!
U-Um... I was away for a long time, so...I'd really like to hear you play too, Subaru.
Ugh! Don't pull those puppy dog eyes with me!
Did I...do something wrong...?
YAAAY!!
I really do let you all bully me sometimes.
Well, since you've backed me into a corner...
Even if I miss a note, I don't want to hear a single noise of complaint out of you all!
You always say that!
And you never actually do!
I remember the day Madame outlawed music...
But what I remember more is the way you would secretly play for us if she was gone.
It never sounded clumsy or stilted to me...
I might not know anything about music, but I can't help but feel that you're really good at it, Subaru!
Wow...
I've really missed this.
(The sound of her playing...)
(I feel like I'm being welcomed back with warm, inviting arms.)
We're really back.
...Yeah. It'd seem so.
*inhale*... *exhale*...
Misaki? Are you okay?
Fine. I'm fine.
...Yeah.
U-U-Um... D-Do you really think it's okay for us to come back here?
I know we've already talked about it a lot...
But now that we're actually here... I feel kind of...twitchy? Unsettled?
"You're right, Hiyori. That's a good way to describe it."
I... I forgot that it's not your first time here either, Sensei...
We're nothing but traitors to the ones who stayed.
Subaru took the helm after we left, right?
Yes...
We have actually sent a few envoys to Arius in an attempt to make contact with the remaining Arius students.
How did they react?
...Let's just say the Remedial Knights found themselves carrying out their original duties of aid and treatment.
The only intel we gathered is the name of the student leading them.
Kakehashi Subaru.
...!
"What kind of person is Subaru?"
Hmm... Sao-Sao knows her best.
...
I can't say I know everything about her, but...
At first glance, she seems approachable and charismatic. But, at the same time, it always felt like there was a gap you could never quite bridge with her.
"Hm. So it's not like she'd completely shut you out."
That's a more positive way to say it, but...
Well, knowing you, you'll try talk to things out with her, regardless of what I say.
Is everyone ready, then?
Arius Squad, move out.
It's nice to hear you say that again.
Sensei.
Can I talk to you? This will probably be our last chance to talk.
I don't understand...why you have so little regard for your own well-being. You throw yourself into danger without a second thought.
S-Sorry. I-I'm not angry. I didn't mean it like that.
...
I don't want to see you get hurt or suffer anymore.
Mentally or physically.
"Just your concern strengthens me, Saori!"
R-Really? Then I can keep you safe by worrying about you more?
...That was childish of me. I guess I want everything to work out conveniently, exactly the way I want.
Hm? Where is this coming from?
...
Well, I don't know. I guess because we're here, at Arius.
It stirs the memories inside me. It feels more visceral.
...
S-Sensei?
...
Sensei, I've been wanting to apologize...
"Oh, right! I almost forgot! The transfer students!"
H-Huh?
"They wanted me to tell you something. 'Thank you.'"
What...?
Well, I guess they never would've been able to transfer if we hadn't.
Yes, it was. We never should have done it.
Uwaaah! Waaah! I knew it!!
"Regardless, those transfer students..."
"...they really were grateful towards all of you."
"That's the honest truth."
"My answer is going to be old-fashioned."
"We study so we can discover and understand the 'truth,' right?"
Heh. I should have anticipated that response.
You really are a teacher.
Hm? And since you are a teacher, you get to ask one more thing?
"Are all of you keeping up with your studies?"
Aha. Of course we are, Sensei. I do enjoy studying quite a bit, as hard as that may be to believe.
Heh. Eheehee... Me too! You work so hard to sneak us Blu-rays and notes all the time!
...Only when I have nothing better to do.
I am as well. It's useful for my work to have a better understanding of how society works.
...Which is exactly what you told us earlier. Atsuko was right. You ARE a teacher, Sensei.
"My grand plan..."
"...is coming together!"
...Sensei, the more excited you are, the more anxious I get.
U-Um! Everyone!
*sniff* That was...so touching, Subaru.
Encore! Encore!
Not today...
How come?! Please, please, please? It's okay if you're embarrassed!
Oh... That makes sense, though. We can hardly go to the store and buy more sheet music.
Okay, fine...
S-Subaru! Subaru! R-Right now! Out there! It's...!
You're okay. Slow down. What happened?
W-Well!
The Squad and Schale's Sensei just entered Arius!
The Squad...?!
They've got some guts, showing their faces around here!
There's no place for them here anymore!
...
I won't let them in!
I agree! I'll never forgive them.
We'll give them the same treatment we did those "envoys" from Trinity!
Y-Yes, that's right!
What do you mean?
Listen, everyone.
If it were only the Squad, I wouldn't even spare this issue any time.
But the problem is that adult. Schale's Sensei.
Just their presence means we'll have to tread carefully.
Why is that?
Are you serious? Think about what that adult's done here!
They're the one who made Madame disappear, remember?
Y-Yeah, but why... Oh!
Exactly.
We have no idea what that adult might do, or what kind of powers they have.
That's how adults are. We have no idea what they might do, to Arius, or to us.
...You're right.
They do the most unimaginable things like they're eating breakfast.
Th-Then, what do we do, Subaru?
Wh-What? Seriously?!
I can't guarantee this is the right path, or that it's the safest one.
But I'd rather try than roll over for them. Wouldn't you?
For now...
Keep your safeties on. Do not disengage them. Yet.
Understood, Subaru!