Setting everything else aside, at the very least, Makoto is quick at switching her mood.
Also, her ability to completely treat the earlier embarrassment as if it never happened is something worthy of admiration.
I really can't hold it any longer.
To suppress the grin that was rising beyond my control, I hurriedly continued to smooth things over for her.
From another angle, setting aside what is on the inside and looking only at appearances, Hanuma Makoto is indeed a flawless beauty.
Her ash gray long hair is elegant and smooth. Her slender brows and eyes give off a cool, aloof air, yet her lake blue, slit like pupils and the red eyeshadow at the corners of her eyes, paired with her overall features and confident smile, instead exude a wicked charm.
Her already slim and tall figure, dressed in a perfectly tailored military uniform, black high boots with red soles beneath her feet, gives her an outfit that does not lose its gallant, commanding presence.
And what drew my attention the most.
Without a doubt, it was her long legs wrapped in sheer black pantyhose.
Why does a beauty so perfectly to my taste have to be Makoto of all people?
I cannot help but sigh.
Perhaps this is how the heavens are fair. When they bestow a gift upon someone, they must take something from them in return.
Even someone like me, whose looks and temperament are nearly flawless, is no exception.
I think my greatest flaw is still that I lack a bit of confidence.
"Hm?"
After steadying herself, Makoto finally seemed to notice that something was off. She frowned slightly. "That said, why has Sensei already arrived..."
"Well..." I was about to make up an excuse.
Before I could, Makoto's eyes lit up and she let out a strange laugh.
"Heh heh heh. I see... so that is how it is."
How is it?
With a smile that looked as if she had seen through everything, Makoto looked at me with deep appreciation and approval. "A mere formal ceremony has no meaning at all... Rather than wasting time on something like that, we might as well talk about the real business directly."
I have no idea what kind of logical gymnastics led her to such a precise conclusion, but I was deeply impressed.
And this suited me just fine.
"Then..."
"Heh heh heh heh. As expected of the one who has captured my heart, Lady Makoto!"
Makoto grew more and more excited, as if sinking into her own world, intoxicated as she spoke. "Ahh. Only someone like this is worthy of me, Hanuma Makoto! As I thought, my eye for people was not wrong!"
I had just opened my mouth when she cut me off. Remembering the engagement she had mentioned before, I could not help but feel uneasy.
This is bad. Is Makoto actually serious about coveting my looks?
Because her way of thinking is so unusual, I had thought it was just a passing fancy.
A genuine sadness welled up inside me.
Even Makoto has been easily captivated by my charm...
"All right, it is decided!" Makoto nodded solemnly. "Inform the members to suspend all activities. Today, let it just be Sensei and me, for a secret meeting."
After making this decision, she instructed me in a familiar tone. "Now then, wait outside for a bit. I will call you as soon as I am ready."
Since I had important business this time, and knowing that Makoto is not the sharpest tool in the shed, I did not pay much mind to her somewhat presumptuous attitude.
So I temporarily withdrew to wait outside the office.
But the waiting felt especially long.
It is not that I lack patience, but from within Makoto's council president office came sounds that were impossible to ignore.
Muttering to herself, objects being moved, a cat's growls, and threats directed at the cat...
What exactly is Makoto doing in there?
Finally, the noises subsided.
"Hah... hah..." Makoto took a few deep breaths to steady herself. "Mm. You may come in."
Hearing this, I could no longer contain my curiosity. I pushed the door open, and what greeted my eyes was a scene that was somewhat hard to describe.
The beautiful girl in military uniform sat behind the desk with her legs crossed, wearing a self satisfied, confident smile. One hand lightly swirled a wine glass filled with an unknown purplish red liquid, while the other gently stroked a short haired cat lying on her body.
At a glance, Makoto did indeed display a calm, unhurried sense of authority, quite different from the impression she had given me before.
However, combined with the sounds I heard while waiting outside, I could easily imagine the hard fought struggle she went through to successfully stage this scene.
Stepping closer and observing carefully, several things felt off.
The liquid that looked like red wine. From the carton of grape juice sold at the supermarket in the trash can behind the desk, it was obvious what it actually was.
The hand not holding the glass looked like it was petting the cat, but on closer inspection, her finger was being bitten by the cat.
sauce
Even the sheer black stockings had visible tears.
All of this meant that the little authority Makoto had in my eyes lasted only a few seconds before completely vanishing.
Unaware of this, the Pandemonium Society council president let out her usual strange laugh and spoke.
"Heh heh heh, Sensei, I have seen your recent activities. Helping others, resolving many incidents... greatly enhancing Schale's reputation. The most renowned academies in Kivotos all hold you in extremely high regard."
Following Makoto's praise, my thoughts drifted back. After a brief daze, I realized that I had indeed built so many connections in Kivotos.
"Heh heh heh. At this point, I must admit it," Makoto declared loudly. "That is right. You are already a powerhouse, standing shoulder to shoulder with me, Makoto-sama!"
...I, a proud man and Sensei of Schale, am being ranked alongside someone like Makoto?
For some reason, it feels like I am being insulted.
But thinking about it again, perhaps this is simply her way of expressing admiration, so I feel that I am partly at fault.
In fact, I want to hear what Makoto actually wants to say, to make Iroha judge that Makoto and I might get along.
"To demonstrate my high evaluation of your abilities... let me propose an offer you cannot refuse."
Makoto's tone grew ever more impassioned. "Sensei of Schale, join forces with our Pandemonium Society... no, with me, Hanuma Makoto! If we unite, conquering Kivotos would be easy! And if we succeed, we will give half of Kivotos to Schale..."
She shook her head, rejecting her own words. "No, better yet, let us establish an engagement, form an even more unbreakable alliance. Let the Pandemonium Society and Schale become one, and the two of us jointly rule Kivotos!"
I seriously suspect that conquering the world is just a pretext, and the latter part is Makoto's true goal.
Or rather, if she could successfully monopolize me, that is essentially no different from conquering Kivotos.
But I have no interest in that for now.
"Well? This proposal is not bad, is it?"
Makoto took a deep breath and proclaimed loudly. "Come, Sensei. Together with me, let us realize this grand ideal!"
After making her sincere invitation, she burst into laughter.
For a fleeting moment, almost like an illusion, I felt as if I glimpsed the shadow of an outstanding leader in her.
Unfortunately, not long after her laughter subsided, Makoto revealed her true self again.
"Heh heh heh. Well, what do you think of my proposal? Sensei, surely you accepted my invitation because you share the same ambition..."
She spoke faster and faster, then finally could not hold her expression anymore and cried out at the cat in her arms. "Oh oh!? Emperor Lionmaru, you little brat!? Stop biting!"
...So she really had been enduring the pain while talking to me?
That kind of stubborn pride is indeed admirable, and it made me think of an old acquaintance from Gehenna.
"...Ha, ha, ha choo!"
For some reason, perhaps a chain reaction, after being bitten by the cat, Makoto let out a huge sneeze.
Taking advantage of the moment when she could not speak properly, I carefully opened my mouth.
"Sorry, but I do not intend to accept this proposal."
"W-What...!?" Makoto, who had just set the cat aside, snapped her head toward me, her face full of disbelief. "My, my proposal, so enticing, proposed by me, Hanuma Makoto... was rejected so easily...!?"
What is enticing about it? Leaving aside whether the conditions could move me, it is all just empty promises.
Makoto frowned slightly, puzzled. "Then why did you respond to my invitation in the first place? Could it be that I have been sending messages too frequently lately, and it annoyed you? Mm... there is nothing I can do about that. I wanted you to feel my sincerity, Sensei. If I used the wrong method and achieved the opposite effect, I am willing to apologize."
She is even willing to apologize.
But the emails from the Pandemonium Society are usually handled by Arona, so they haven't really annoyed me.
I shook my head. "It's not like that. Actually, I came this time to instead propose something to you. A proposal that you may not be able to accept."
"Oh?"
Makoto raised an eyebrow and smiled with interest. "How amusing. Knowing that I, Lady Makoto, might not accept it, yet still having the courage to propose it in the face of my authority? Heh heh heh. I knew I was not wrong about you. Sensei, please speak frankly. I guarantee that no matter what proposal you make, I will not get angry."
I was somewhat skeptical, but my impression of Makoto improved slightly.
"...Wait."
Suddenly, as if she thought of a possibility, Makoto's gaze sharpened and her expression turned grim as she shouted.
"Ibuki is still just a child!"
"Wait, what are you thinking!?"
"What... is that not it?"
The aura gathered around Makoto instantly dissipated. She nodded perfunctorily, yet still cautioned me uneasily.
"Ibuki is still young. At least wait until she grows up... Iroha, Satsuki, Chiaki, or other members are all fine. Only Ibuki is not allowed for now. Of course, that is on the premise that they consent willingly."
Still confused, although I had a vague guess, it was too absurd, so I asked tentatively.
"When you say 'fine', you mean...?"
"Hm?" Makoto frowned, but patiently explained. "After I conquer Kivotos, in order to reshape the world as I envision it, I certainly will not have time in daily life to fulfill the duties of a wife. This is an irreparable fault on my part."
Why is she already assuming the role of a wife!?
And judging by her tone, could it be that...
"So," Makoto said matter of factly, "During the days when I am not by your side, you may seek out other members of the Pandemonium Society... No, as long as they do not oppose me, they can become your concubines, relieve your loneliness, and even bear children for you. I promise that I will not interfere."
...Are the benefits really this generous?
Although I do not yet know Satsuki and Chiaki, just Iroha and a grown up Ibuki are enough to make my heart waver.
This is bad. Makoto's attitude seems genuinely sincere. From her words, I can deeply feel the breadth of her magnanimity.
But thinking about it carefully, if she did not offer such conditions, how could she possibly move my heart?
Moreover, I will not give up other forests for the sake of a single one.
Conquering Kivotos can basically be regarded as nonsense.
But regardless, with just a few words, Makoto successfully changed my view of her, even making me develop a bit of goodwill toward her.
She allowed me to have others on the side right from the start.
Of course, it could also be that she simply wants to bind me more tightly through deeper interests, without much personal feeling. Or perhaps she did not think that far at all.
In any case, I calmed my rampant emotions and did not forget the true purpose of my visit.
"Actually, what I want to talk about is the Prefect Team... no, it's about Hina."
"...Oh?"
Upon hearing this name, Makoto's expression darkened rapidly, though she did not get angry.
Her eyes, like a snake's, flickering with a cold light, stared at me as she spoke in an inscrutable tone. "What exactly is it?"
Instinctively, I switched to more tactful wording.
"I was just thinking... perhaps the burden Hina is carrying might be a bit too heavy?"
Once the words left my mouth, I was already prepared for the worst. Makoto tearing up her earlier promise in a rage, or even using force against me.
However, that did not happen.
"Heh heh..."
Makoto fell into deep thought. After a long moment, she let out a low chuckle.
Then her laughter grew louder. "Hahaha. I see. As expected of someone I acknowledge. Very good, very good!"
Is she being sarcastic? Or did she misunderstand something?
Makoto sighed emotionally. "You are right. I was blinded by hatred before. I should reduce Sorasaki Hina's workload to truly reclaim the authority of the Gehenna leader... How did I not think of this before? Heh heh heh. For the sake of our grand ideals, it is indeed possible to set aside prejudice and reduce how often we cause her trouble... But we cannot let her have too much free time either... The balance is truly hard to grasp."
I think I am beginning to understand what Iroha meant back then.
Setting aside Makoto's own excellent comprehension ability, she and I actually share similar interests to some extent.
I want Hina to have more time for herself, while Makoto wants to take this opportunity to weaken Hina's power.
However, on the other hand, I began to feel uneasy.
If Hina were to learn of my self appointed goodwill, what would she think?
My original intention was naturally just to make things easier for Hina, but now, how am I any different from Ako, who once sent troops into Abydos?
After thinking it over, I feel that I am overthinking things out of concern. It would have been better if I had discussed it with Hina beforehand.
At this moment, Makoto looked at me with burning eyes and said sincerely. "Sensei, thank you for pointing out my mistake. How should I thank you?"
I was about to decline, but then froze.
Feeling a burning sensation in my chest, I involuntarily showed a hint of a different expression.
"...I think you have already given me the thanks."
"Hm?" Makoto pondered, then suddenly understood and smiled meaningfully. "Heh heh heh. So you had such thoughts... But that's fine, even better. Once Hina no longer poses a threat to me, please, without any worries, take her for yourself."
I smiled politely, though awkwardly, but didn't take it to heart.
Such a thing does not require waiting for the right moment, nor does it need anyone's approval.
One day, I will accomplish it in my own way.
So... I will tell her about the mistake I may have made, and sincerely apologize to her.
Amid the unrestrained, arrogant laughter of the Pandemonium Society's council president, I remained silent and thought as much.