The Trinity Annex, the location for the Make-Up Work Club's training camp this time.
Early in the morning, I gathered at the Tea Party's designated meeting spot with the girls, each carrying their personal belongings, and we were then driven here by the guard squad.
This building is identical in style to Trinity's main campus, but it stopped being used a long time ago. While it has not been completely abandoned, it also has not received particularly good maintenance, so whether inside or out, it can only be described as having a strong sense of history.
Even so, the annex is fully equipped with all necessary facilities, water and electricity are available, and supplies are plentiful. Combined with the daily necessities everyone brought, staying here for a week is more than manageable.
Even if something unexpected happens, the shopping district is nearby and does not take long to reach on foot. Of course, in principle, the Make-Up Work Club is prohibited from leaving freely during this period.
In short, for the week leading up to the second evaluation exam, I will be spending my time here with four beautiful girls, each with her own distinct style.
However, when I first learned this news, the excitement and joy I felt have now become somewhat less pure… Moving on.
"I thought we'd have to sleep on shabby beds…"
After arriving in the bedroom, Hanako looked around, then smiled in satisfaction. "It's spacious and clean, and there are even such cute beds. That's great. At this rate it feels like everyone can sleep together, right? 'Naked' too?"
…Well, not impure in that way.
Though if she really invited me, it would not be impossible.
"Why have you been emphasizing 'naked' this whole time!?" Koharu shouted, her face bright red. "And there are more than enough beds. There's no need for everyone to sleep together!"
Hanako replied calmly, "Since it's a rare training camp, we should have that kind of learning too, right?"
Koharu scolded her sternly. "No! Lewd things are forbidden! Death penalty!"
Hearing that, Hanako gave a meaningful smile. "Well, since it's still daytime, let's just leave it at that. The night is very long, you know…?"
"Eh, huh, wh-what do you mean!?"
Those strange words scared Koharu into hurriedly backing away.
Everyone seems quite energetic.
"Um," Hifumi spoke up with some concern, "since we'll be eating, living, and studying together for the next week, let's all get along…"
As for me, during this period, I have another objective.
That is to find sufficient evidence at all costs and prove to Nagisa the innocence of everyone in the Make-Up Work Club.
Having already steeled my resolve, the moment I thought of this, a genuine sense of mission welled up in my heart.
To achieve that goal, I naturally need to deepen my relationships with everyone, right? Otherwise, how could I glimpse their true feelings?
I really think I have sacrificed far too much for the peace of Kivotos.
"Huh, ah?"
At that moment, Hifumi suddenly looked around in confusion. "Where is Azusa-chan…?"
Hanako followed up. "Oh my, she was just with us a moment ago…"
Only then did I realize that at some point, someone had disappeared from the group.
Just as I was about to take out my phone to contact her, I heard footsteps approaching from afar, quickly reaching the door.
Azusa walked into the bedroom with a calm expression and reported, "Scouting complete."
Hifumi repeated in surprise, "S-scouting…?"
"This place is far from Trinity's main campus, so there should be no risk of sniper attacks. I'm also satisfied that there are only two entrances connecting to the outside."
With a serious expression, Azusa said a string of rather strange things. "In an emergency, blocking one entrance and drawing the enemy into the first floor gymnasium for an annihilation battle would be effective. I did identify several other security issues, but with some remodeling, they should not be a problem."
Is this just middle school syndrome, or does it have something to do with the school Azusa came from?
After hearing her explanation of her actions, that familiar doubt surfaced in my mind once more.
Still, in this regard, there probably is not much of an issue.
Given how much Trinity values procedure, a transfer student would certainly have undergone strict screening. That she was assigned to the Make-Up Work Club is likely mainly related to her conduct after enrolling.
The first time we met, it seemed it was not Azusa's first time being arrested by the JTF due to violent disputes with classmates.
Given her words and behavior that clearly clash with Trinity's atmosphere, it is not strange that she would be suspected.
"Um, well…" Hifumi hesitated.
"And this is the barracks… no, the living area… It's very nice."
Azusa looked over the furnishings around her, then murmured as if she had thought of something. "To leave such facilities unused for so long… there really is a limit to waste."
"Um, Azusa-chan…" Hifumi finally could not help but gently remind her. "We're not here to fight. We're here to study, okay…?"
Azusa nodded. "Yes. I know. One week of intensive training, right? No going out, no free time at all, and high intensity training where even the slightest movement is not permitted to be careless for twenty four hours."
At least for now, many of this girl's perceptions really are problematic.
"I-I don't think it's that extreme…" Hifumi said hesitantly.
"I'm fully prepared as well. Gym clothes and changes of clothes, hygiene items like toothbrush and toothpaste, soap, emergency rations, blankets, water bottles…"
Azusa rattled off a long list of items she had brought, successfully drawing a sigh of admiration from Hanako.
"As expected of Azusa-chan, you're very thorough."
Azusa nodded. "Of course. Thorough preparation is the beginning of success."
Hanako smiled and reflected, "Fufu. Everyone satisfying their appetite, satisfying their need for sleep, and then together focusing on a single goal without distractions… It's really nice, a training camp."
Words that sounded completely fine at first made my face twitch.
As everyone knows, humans have three great desires.
After satisfying two of them, what could the remaining goal possibly be?
As a well read person, I silently thought something vulgar. Koharu's lewdness radar did not activate, and the simple minded Azusa, after a moment of silence, had a reaction that greatly surprised me.
On the white haired girl's beautiful yet icy face, a smile so radiant it dazzled my eyes suddenly bloomed.
"…Yes, that's right."
But the next moment, as if she realized something, she returned to her usual composure. "Ah, but the mission will be carried out properly. We'll study seriously and do our best to pass the second special evaluation exam. That's the purpose we came here for."
As she spoke, Azusa averted her gaze. "…I don't want to cause trouble for everyone."
From the smile she showed just now that did not seem fake in the slightest, and from her current words, my conviction only strengthened.
Azusa may occasionally act a little strange, but she truly is a pure hearted and kind, a good girl.
I absolutely must protect her…
Just as I was thinking that, Azusa continued, "It's fine. To prepare for possible enemy attacks, I also brought anti personnel mines and Claymore mines. I also have a full set of materials that can be used as improvised explosive devices, and several anti tank mines…"
"A-Azusa-chan! I told you, that kind of thing…!"
As Hifumi hurriedly tried to stop her, my train of thought quietly took a sharp turn.
I suddenly felt that before protecting others, I might need to protect myself first.
As expected, even during the training camp, I absolutely cannot let the Shittim Chest leave my side.
…Later, I will try to persuade Azusa again.
In any case, after all the commotion, Hifumi began by briefly explaining the current situation to everyone.
"…And during our stay here, Sensei is expected to be with us the whole time, so I think no matter what happens, it'll be fine!"
"Yeah, just leave it to me." Hearing myself mentioned and feeling Hifumi's trust, I smiled as I spoke.
...Huh, Whu—
"Thank you very much." Hifumi returned a slightly shy smile and continued, "Um, there are also rooms across the hallway, so Sensei, you should—"
At that moment, Hanako, having thought of something, walked up with a bright smile, as if about to interject into the conversation.
"No, absolutely not! Sleeping in the same bed is totally lewd! Pervert! Death penalty!!!"
The sudden high volume startled everyone present.
When I recovered, I frowned. Damn it, Koharu, how dare you ruin my good thing? Could it be that she is Trinity's traitor?
"Um, Koharu-chan, I haven't said anything yet…?"
"I already pretty much know what you were going to say! No means no! I won't let that kind of thing happen!"
Hanako gave an awkward smile. "Koharu-chan is really strict…"
Honestly, I think Koharu's vigilance is not without reason.
"I think it'd be totally fine for the Sensei to sleep here?" Azusa actually guessed what Hanako had not said out loud, yet still looked puzzled. "There are extra beds anyway, so it's not like rooms would be wasted."
…Wait, so that means the vote here is actually three to one?
Then clearly the one who should sleep in another room is Koharu.
After briefly considering the feasibility of doing that, I regretfully chose to give up.
Excluding Koharu alone would be far too cruel and would not be good for my image of brilliance and integrity.
And in my considerations, there is another especially important point.
Even if I am handsome enough to make any lovestruck girl naturally develop feelings, in such a short time, relying on my own efforts alone, it truly would be difficult to make everyone let down their guard.
So I need assistance from other close friends.
"There's no need for that," I said. "You all chat for now. If anything comes up, just call me."
After saying that, I prepared to go take a look at the room across the hall and settle in, while also giving the girls space to deepen their friendships…
And then lay the groundwork for openly staying in the same room with them in the future.
Seeing this, Hifumi said, "T-then let's do that for now. In that case, let's quickly organize our luggage and get to studying…"
"Oh my, but shouldn't there be something else to do before that? Hifumi-chan?"
Hanako's sudden comment once again put Koharu on guard and also stopped my departing steps.
"I see," Azusa guessed. "Is it to set traps to deal with enemy attacks?"
Before defending against enemy attacks, did she ever consider that such setups might also keep me out?
I really think I need to find an opportunity to give Azusa some one on one counseling, for the sake of my future personal safety.
"No, that's not it…" Hanako did not tease. "It's cleaning."
Hifumi hesitated. "C-cleaning…?"
Hanako nodded. "That's right. Although this building has been managed, since it hasn't been used for a long time, there's quite a bit of dust, isn't there? Living here like this wouldn't be good for our health, so how about we start with cleaning today, then begin studying in a refreshing environment?"
"I see." Hifumi nodded in understanding. "That's true. Starting with organizing our surroundings is basic. Otherwise, we'd get distracted partway through…"
Azusa also nodded slightly. "Yes, hygiene is important. In fact, even on the battlefield, this is something that can easily affect morale."
"C-cleaning…? Um, well, if it's normal cleaning…"
Is there abnormal cleaning?
I could not help but glance a few more times at Koharu, who said that, wondering if her knowledge in certain areas might be deeper than mine.
Hifumi lowered her head and pondered again. "Yes, perhaps just as Hanako says. A lack of motivation would be troublesome too. What we need to do is not study all night, but prepare thoroughly and then face the exam… In other words, it's like a long distance run. Order, rhythm, and strategy all need to be considered."
Thus, the president of the Make-Up Work Club made the final decision. "Then first, let's start with a big cleaning! Change into clothes you don't mind getting dirty, and gather at the front entrance in ten minutes!"
Immediately after, the girls all left the room, heading to where their luggage was temporarily stored on the first floor.
I thought about it and changed into something looser and more suitable for movement than my Schale jacket.
The silk scarf, chosen with the help of Millennium's strongest maid agent and only ever used after purchase to take selfies as bribes for Nero, would be fine even if it got dirty for now.
Aside from the Schale uniform, I do not really have any decent casual clothes, so when I saw it while packing, I just tossed it into my suitcase. I did not expect it would actually come in handy.
Speaking of which, as summer approaches, the weather has been getting hotter and hotter lately. After finishing up Trinity's affairs, should I go buy some seasonal clothes?
That is a question worth serious thought.
Who should I take on dates, using this as an opportunity?
It really is hard to choose.
Being too popular is not entirely a good thing, at least for someone with decision making difficulties.
With those conflicted thoughts, after getting ready, I went ahead to the front entrance to wait.