Beep—!
After the alert tone sounded, the train that had just resumed operation began moving again, heading toward the Tennoz High School district.
The carriage was quite crowded, with hardly any seats available for them, so they could only stand. But it didn't matter... it wasn't like this little bit of time made any difference.
Inori stood beside her, holding onto the overhead strap. Her position perfectly shielded her within the inner corner, and she simply leaned slightly back as she followed along, idly watching the city scenery rushing past outside the window.
Almost every short while, they would pass by military forces. What were those called? Tanks? This world was not peaceful—she knew that.
Tap... tap...
From a distance, Tsugumi pushed through the crowd and finally made her way to the two of them.
"Inori, Mio... good morning."
The girl greeted the two beauties.
"Good morning, Tsugumi."
The Shogun responded first.
"Mm... morning."
Inori also gave a simple reply.
The girl wearing the same uniform as them was named Tsugumi—she was their next-door neighbor. Setting Inori aside, the Shogun herself often ran into this girl in the mornings or evenings while going to and from school. Over time, they had naturally become familiar with each other.
By her standards, Tsugumi was a very good girl—gentle and considerate, warm-hearted and caring. She would often bring over extra food she had made. She was even someone that a girl like Inori, who rarely showed emotion, would take the initiative to speak with.
Perhaps because she was thinking about this, her gaze remained fixed on the girl in front of her.
"Um... Mio, i-is something wrong?///"
Noticing her rather 'intense' gaze, Tsugumi blushed slightly and called out to her. She knew it was strange to blush at another girl, but... Mio was just too beautiful. Even she, a girl who already had someone she liked, couldn't help but feel a strange flutter in her heart—especially when being looked at like this.
"Mio?"
Inori also noticed, looking puzzled.
"It's nothing... I just think Tsugumi... is very nice."
She said it directly.
"Eh? Very... very nice? Um... haha... sometimes I really don't understand how Mio thinks."
Tsugumi laughed awkwardly, feeling like she had just been handed a "good person" card—though that wasn't quite it.
"Mio probably meant it as praise..."
"Eh? Is that so... ah... sorry, I didn't quite understand... Mio."
Tsugumi quickly apologized shyly.
...See? She really was a good person.
"Pfft... Mio really is cute."
Seeing her slightly airheaded and natural reaction, Tsugumi suddenly laughed.
"...?"
She looked at her in confusion.
"Mm, agreed."
Inori nodded. Because of their position, the two of them were practically 'blocking' her into the corner, both looking at her at the same time. It made her blush slightly. Beneath her skirt, her white-stockinged legs subconsciously pressed together, rubbing lightly, while she held her bag and averted her gaze.
"Let's change the topic. Stop staring at me. Am I really that good-looking?"
She rolled her eyes at the two, her face slightly red.
"Eh? Ah... right, let's change the topic."
Tsugumi snapped back to her senses and glanced at Inori.
"Mm... let's change it."
Inori nodded as well.
Though after the Shogun spoke, both of them had almost instinctively wanted to say, "Yes, you really are that good-looking!"
"By the way... why are you two wearing Tennoz uniforms? Don't tell me you were the transfer students everyone was talking about?"
Tsugumi brought up the question that had been on her mind.
"Mm... something like that."
The Shogun nodded.
"Smart."
Inori nodded as well.
"...What a coincidence. Then we can go to school together from now on, right?"
Tsugumi smiled happily.
"Probably... yes."
Screech—
The train stopped at a midway station. Some passengers got off, and only a few got on, so the space became less crowded.
During this time, Tsugumi glanced outside and saw the GHQ military control zones. A trace of sadness appeared on her face, her eyes growing complicated.
"It's been like this these past few days..."
She had expected Inori to remain silent, but unexpectedly, Inori brought up the topic herself, her voice soft—as if she didn't want others to overhear.
Just as she had thought, although Inori rarely expressed emotions outwardly, she was actually very perceptive and understood the atmosphere well.
"Mm... didn't you watch the news, Inori?"
Tsugumi asked.
"No..."
Inori shook her head.
"What about you, Mio?"
"I haven't."
She replied the same.
"Mm—makes sense. You two don't seem like the type who watches TV."
Tsugumi then took out a memo-like note from her pocket and flipped through it.
"These past few days, there have been terrorist attacks. The day before yesterday was in Odaiba—well, it's now called District 24. It was said that terrorists invaded the area."
Looking at the notes, Tsugumi explained softly in her gentle voice.
"And yesterday, there was another incident... in the Roppongi quarantine zone. It sounded pretty serious."
"..." ×2
The two exchanged glances, both looking slightly awkward.
"...Things really aren't peaceful. Do you think we'll get caught up in it?"
Tsugumi hugged her arms slightly, looking worried.
"No... Tsugumi, you'll be safe."
The Shogun reassured her. At the very least, Tsugumi lived right next door—if anything happened, they would know immediately. That alone was enough.
"Eh? Mm... thank you, Mio."
Tsugumi smiled gently, knowing she was being comforted.
Screech—
The train stopped again. This time, most of the passengers got off, leaving the carriage much more spacious. Tsugumi took the opportunity to glance around at the students. It was partly intentional, partly habit. When she spotted a boy focused on his terminal, her expression immediately brightened.
"...Shu."
She murmured softly.
"...?" ×2
Both of them looked over. The Shogun didn't recognize him, but Inori did—wasn't this the boy she had encountered in the warehouse before? Judging from his current state, he seemed fine.
She felt a bit relieved.
"...Your boyfriend?"
The Shogun asked softly.
"Eh? N-no... um... just... a friend...///"
Tsugumi blushed deeply, her voice growing softer—clearly the look of someone with a crush.
"...Why not go be with him?"
The Shogun suggested.
"Eh?"
"We're fine. Go keep him company—don't delay anything important."
She smiled, hinting at it.
"Mio..."
Tsugumi looked at her gratefully, nodded, then greeted Inori before turning and jogging toward Shu. Snippets of their conversation could be faintly heard, but the two of them tactfully ignored it.
"Tsugumi... pitiful."
"Mm?"
Hearing Inori suddenly murmur this with a complicated tone, she looked over in confusion.
"It won't reach him."
Inori added.
"...Will she be hurt?"
She glanced at Tsugumi chatting with the boy. Tsugumi kept trying to start conversations, while the boy responded half-heartedly. It made her seem pitiful—though she was still smiling.
"Mm... definitely."
Inori nodded.
"..."
She withdrew her gaze and looked at her reflection in the window, smiling faintly.
"It's fine. As long as she has something to rely on... she still has us."
"Mio... that may be true. After all... Tsugumi... blushed at you."
Inori teased.
"/// Stop it..."
This time, it was her turn to blush. She lightly bumped Inori's thigh with her bag.
Why did everyone blush around her?
She was clearly just... ordinary...
...
Beep—!
"Shu... I've also been listening to EGOIST lately, um—"
"I'm leaving..."
After the train arrived at the station, Shu, who had been half-heartedly responding to Tsugumi beside him, immediately stepped out of the carriage, leaving the girl behind as if shaking her off. It was unclear whether he had even heard what she said earlier.
"..."
Watching him leave as though escaping, Tsugumi's heart gradually grew cold. The words she had been about to say got stuck in her throat, and she forced herself to swallow them. Standing in place, her expression dimmed as she lowered her eyes in disappointment and sadness.
For quite some time before this, he hadn't taken the initiative to say a single word to her... not even once. Occasionally, he would murmur something—whether to himself or not—and whenever she caught it, she would try her best to expand on it, but to no avail. Knowing he liked listening to music, she had deliberately started learning about it so they could share a common topic, and yet—
All she received in return was his indifferent, perfunctory responses. Then again, she had no place in his heart... so why would he bother paying attention to her?
"Haa... honestly, me..."
She mocked herself softly.
"Let's go... Tsugumi?"
Before getting off, the Shogun called out to the girl.
"Mm... sorry."
Tsugumi quickly snapped out of it and hurriedly followed the two of them off the train.
This area was a school district centered around Tennoz High School. It was currently the morning arrival period, so the surrounding streets were filled with students in identical uniforms.
"Mio..."
"...Mm?"
Hearing the soft call from the girl beside her, she turned her gaze and saw Tsugumi's slightly lowered profile.
"Am I... too clingy? Am I... getting in the way?"
Tsugumi felt a bit insecure.
"How could that be? If you count as clingy, then Inori would already be at the level of tying you to her side—"
Thud—!
Inori, standing on her right, bumped into her with her shoulder in dissatisfaction after hearing the teasing remark. The impact made her instinctively lean to the left, and since Tsugumi was on her left, it created a domino effect as they bumped into each other in succession.
"Ah!"
Tsugumi ended up being the one affected the most. She let out a cute cry, her step faltering slightly to the side. Fortunately, she reacted quickly and grabbed her, otherwise she would have completely lost her balance.
"..." ×2
The two of them looked over at the culprit at the same time, only to find Inori wearing an unusually serious expression.
"Punishment. Both of you."
She said bluntly.
"W-why do I have to be punished too..."
Clearly it was Mio who said it... sob sob
Tsugumi cried inwardly.
"Because you were putting yourself down. I don't like that."
Inori glanced at the aggrieved Tsugumi and explained.
"Pfft..."
The Shogun chuckled, then looked at the girl beside her and gave her a subtle signal.
"...Hehe, you're right... thank you."
Tsugumi looked at the two friends who cared about her, her heart warming.
...
In the first-year classroom—
The homeroom teacher walked up to the podium with a roster in hand. Seeing that the students had already returned to their seats upon noticing his arrival, he showed a satisfied smile and casually tapped his shoulder with the list.
"Ahem..."
He coughed, drawing everyone's attention once more.
"Looks like you're not as unruly as before today... good!"
He joked with the class, then seemed to recall something and spoke again.
"Oh right, there's something I need to tell you."
"...?" ×N
The students below all showed puzzled expressions, their gazes filled with curiosity.
(Is it a transfer student?)
Someone whispered to the person beside them.
(No idea. Just listen!)
The other replied impatiently.
"..."
Tsugumi, who was seated near the window, wasn't confused like the others. She already knew—after all, she was aware that their class would have transfer students today. Now, she simply waited quietly for the two to enter.
To her left, in the second-to-last row by the window, Shu Ouma lay sprawled on his desk, looking bored and unwilling to even lift his head. The teacher's words went in one ear and out the other.
"Today, we have two new classmates transferring into our class."
The teacher finally announced.
(Just as expected!) ×N
Several students immediately showed excitement—after all, transfer students might be handsome or beautiful.
"Alright, you two, come in."
Seeing their reactions, the teacher smiled slightly and called for the two beauties waiting outside to enter.
Tap... tap... ×2
After a series of light footsteps, the two figures with different color schemes appeared before everyone, stepping onto the podium.
(Wow—!) ×N
The class collectively let out amazed exclamations at their appearance.
(Hey, so cute!)
(Girls~!)
(Wow, that looks!)
(Holy— the purple-haired one on the right is stunning!)
(I like the one on the right!)
(The one on the left isn't bad either!)
(The purple-haired one is totally my type!)
Most of the whispers came from the boys, though some girls also whispered among themselves. Upon seeing the Shogun's appearance, many of them subconsciously blushed. Overall, the arrival of the two caused quite a stir in the classroom.
"Haa..."
The Shogun exhaled softly at the scene below. She felt no nervousness—after all, she had once stood before countless people as the Raiden Shogun. If she got nervous over something like this, what kind of dignity would that be? She had long since grown accustomed to such situations.
Inori beside her also showed little tension, likely due to her personality. Her expression remained largely unchanged.
"Pfft..."
Tsugumi had already expected this outcome and couldn't help but laugh softly.
However—
Scrape—!
Suddenly, the harsh sound of chair legs scraping against the floor rang through the classroom, instantly drawing everyone's attention.
"...?" ×N
Everyone looked over in confusion and saw that it was Shu Ouma from the back row who had stood up. He stared blankly at the two girls at the podium—no, more precisely, at Inori. He seemed to have completely forgotten the impact of his sudden movement.
"...Shu?"
Tsugumi hadn't expected such a big reaction from him and looked at him in confusion.
Of course, this included the Shogun and Inori as well. The two of them also looked at him.
—Isn't this guy Tsugumi's crush?
The Shogun thought to herself—why was his reaction so extreme?
"Th-this... this can't be real, right?! Why? Why is Miss Inori—? Weren't you... supposed to be..."
Shu muttered in shock, saying things that most people couldn't understand, but it was clear from his words that he had known Inori before.
"...It's real."
Inori didn't seem to mind and simply tilted her head slightly as she spoke to him.
"...Eh?"
Tsugumi's body trembled subconsciously.
Why would Shu...? Why would Inori... know him?
"Ahem... although I don't quite understand what Ouma is talking about, could you please sit down first? Let the two new students introduce themselves."
The teacher coughed awkwardly.
"Ah... sorry!///"
Shu immediately blushed and sat back down, instinctively slumping over his desk. No one paid much attention to this socially anxious boy who usually had no presence, and their focus returned to the two beauties at the front.
"Alright, you two may begin your introductions."
The teacher gestured to them.
"Inori Yuzuriha, 16 years old. That's all."
Inori gave an extremely simple introduction, her expression unchanged.
"Uh... that's it?"
The teacher asked.
"That's it."
Inori nodded.
"Ahem... then the second student—"
"Raiden Mio, four hund—17 years old, female. Likes sweets and rainy, stormy weather. Dislikes bitter and spicy foods, as well as alcohol. Occasionally spaces out, even talks to herself. Dislikes indecent things and unruly children. Lives in Tenshukaku of Inazuma. Family includes two mothers, one elder sister, two wi—"
"Wait—!! Ahem, that's enough, Student Raiden."
The teacher quickly stopped her as she went further and further off track.
"Is that sufficient? I even prepared a draft."
The Shogun looked at the teacher in confusion, then casually dismissed the electronic draft that only she could see.
Everyone present was left stunned... the sheer amount of information was overwhelming.
"No need, no need. A simple introduction is enough. Well... that's it for now. Everyone knows their names, and you'll have plenty of time to get along. Please take care of each other!"
Clap clap...
The teacher hurriedly wrapped up the introduction process in embarrassment, casually clapping his hands before looking at the two of them.
"You two can go take your seats now. The seats were temporarily added at the back, so I hope you don't mind."
The Shogun glanced toward the seats at the back. Their seats were not next to each other—in fact, they were quite far apart. Hers was directly behind Tsugumi, while Inori's was by the wall.
"It's fine... as long as we can sit."
Inori replied.
"I-I see... then please take your seats. We're about to start class."
"...Understood."
Inori responded and walked down from the podium without looking back, heading toward the back of the classroom. The Shogun said nothing, ignoring the heated gazes around her as she followed in Inori's direction.