Chirem Act 6-6.1
Act 6-6: Gathering Delegations
TL : Cnine
ED/PF :
R1[1-3], R2[4-6]
Part 1
—— While Rakuichi was meeting Silvia, within the grounds of Enzenite Magic Academy, in the chapel of the Bellvest Faith…
「Is that a bid to curry favour?」
At one of the great windows on the second floor—an area off-limits to regular students—Sera and her three fellow shrine maidens stood together, gazing down at the reporters thronging before the sanctuary gates to report on the joint gathering.
It was at that moment that Arcana suddenly posed a question to Sera.
「What do you mean?」
「Don’t play dumb. I’m talking about this morning’s conversation.」
「You were the only one who allowed Rakuichi-kun to go out, weren’t you? Even though the other girls in your class were involved too… You kept the goody-two-shoes who wanted to complain to the school in check, always standing on Rakuichi’s side. Do you just want to look like the model girl, all on your own?」
Following Arcana, Fushigi-chan pressed her in a barbed manner. Yet Sera, without breaking her cool expression, responded with a gentle shake of her head.
「That was never my intention. I only made that choice out of genuine concern for Rakuichi-kun. After all, there must be times when even he wishes to step away from us and be on his own.」
「I wouldn’t want to weigh Rakuichi down either. I want to honour his wishes as much as I can, and if he feels the need for a little break, I’d be glad to let him go off for a day.」
「Oh, really? So that’s how you feel, Arcana-chan? But Fushigi-chan feels differently. I want him by my side always. I want him thinking only of me. Honestly, I’d rather skip a meeting like this, and go running straight to Rakuichi-kun even now. But the only reason I’m carrying out my duties as a maiden is because of the promise I made with him.」
「Me too! I want to be with Rakuichi… I don’t ever want to see him with some other girl—and I don’t even want to imagine it…」
「So do I.」
Picking up on Akane’s words, Arcana voiced a rebuttal to Sera.
「I’ve nothing more to say about that useless goddess. Admittedly, if you judged by looks alone, she’s undoubtly a peerless beauty, but her sheer incompetence more than outweighs it, and there’s no way he’d fall for her. But this time he’s going out with other girls, and one of them clearly has feelings for him. So how can you so readily allow him such freedom? Haven’t you considered the risk of what might happen?」
「…Elsie-san, was it? You mean there’s a chance that she and Rakuichi might become closer through this, don’t you? Yes, that worry is there. But still…」
「…You’re clearly the kind who condones a bit of infidelity. So even if Rakuichi has relationship with other women, as long as he returns to us, it’s acceptable… …That may be a noble way of thinking, but we can’t accept it. Rakuichi is to be shared among the four of us. That’s the purpose of our alliance… These days, there’s talk of perhaps creating an extra provision. I feel I mustn’t leave Silvia behind, and each of us probably has someone we wish to take along, someone we can’t just leave. But even if we add more provisions, we have no intention of letting unrelated outsiders in. You should know your suggestion outright contradicts our tacit agreement.」
Arcana spoke, tinged with anger, and Sera turned away from the three, her eyes fixed on the big window.
「I comprehend that bond, and I also get why you’re all jealous. True, I think that as long as he eventually returns to us… But even so, I don’t like seeing Rakuichi get close to other women, and I hope he would consider me above all else if he can.」
「Then, for this time at least, shouldn’t you have teamed up with us and encouraged the academy to get him to attend the meeting? This gathering is significant for him as well, and if he can’t make it, we can adjust the schedule and hold it on another day. Even going out with friends is fine, as long as there are no girls. By communicating that and letting him plan only with his male friends, there would have been no problem. Why aren't you doing that?」
「…One thing I can say is that I’ve spent more time with Rakuichi than any of us and have observed him closely. I may not understand him perfectly… But at the very least, from an emotional perspective, I don’t think this decision is wrong.」
「…What do you mean? Are you trying to say that letting him go out this time is more in line... With our feelings?」
「... The answer is evident since the moment the Headmaster told me 〝The delegation being dispatched is bigger than usual〟―― I could foresee what would happen. I’ve been watching all along the traces that person has left…」
Sera answered Arcana vaguely, narrowing her eyes slightly as she focused on the scene outside. Soon, a group in Enzenite Allied Forces uniforms came into view, and the reporters began clamouring loudly.
「…It seems the delegation from the Northern Command Base has arrived. We should go and welcome them as well.」
Noticing that, Sera turned on her heel, briskly slipping between her three comrades who looked suspiciously at her and retracing her steps down the corridor. Arcana and the others, left behind, exchanged glances before following her.
The place Sera and the others arrived at was the nave on the first floor of the cathedral, where Rakuichi and the others had performed the Divine Revelation Ceremony in the past. There, in addition to many priests and faculty, Yuiitsu was seated arrogantly in one of the chairs, and he barked at the four who had just appeared.
「About time! Where have the four of you been wandering off to until now?!」
「My apologies. For this gathering, we were discussing how best to honour Yuiitsu-sama, and we completely lost track of time.」
「Hmph… I’ll commend you for your virtuous attitude, but you are my shrine maiden. I won’t allow you to leave my side. If you’re holding a meeting, do it where I can keep an eye on you. Understood?!」
「Yes. My apologies for causing you any unnecessary anxiety.」
——Bowing their heads, Sera and the others endured Yuiitsu’s scolding. From past experience, they knew it was better to admit their faults and apologise, no matter how unreasonable the reprimand, than to argue and make matters worse.
Smiling on the outside but hiding contempt in her heart, she tried to placate Yuiitsu’s mood in her own way. Soon, the heavy doors opened, and the military group they had seen earlier entered the room alongside Goldwin.
Once Goldwin had ushered the group inside, he returned to the throng of reporters outside. The bearded, stylish man who had been leading the group detached himself and approached Sera and the others.
「Long time no see, Yuiitsu. Though a bit late, I offer my congratulations on your formal induction as a hero.」
Then, the leader of the Northern Command Base delegation, Bruce Stringfield, extended his right hand toward Yuiitsu.
However, Yuiitsu only gave the hand a quick glance and replied with a dismissive “Sup” and taking no further action.
「Long time no see, Colonel Bruce. We were greatly indebted to you at that time. I’m glad to see you in good health. Not only are we delighted to meet you again, but Yuiitsu-sama is pleased too.」
Unable to watch Yuiitsu's flounder, Sera hastily stepped in. Bruce, his smile dry and faint, answered awkwardly, “Ah… Yes,” then bowed his head to the four.
「It’s good to see you again, Shrine Maidens. I’m glad to see you in good health. Once again, congratulations on Yuiitsu’s official appointment as hero.」
「Yes, thank you very much.」
「Hehehehe. Fushigi-chan is also grateful for what you did back then… Or rather, I should apologise for the trouble. I’ve truly changed, so let’s tackle things together from now on, alright?」
「…Yes. I eagerly await the day I can fight alongside Fushigi-sama. I’m staying in this city today. Let’s have a productive meeting today… And you as well, Yuiitsu.」