1.
“So, why did you give me that order?”
In the evening after the duel with Nanashi, Neru sent Akane back to the C&C office and called someone in a deserted place.
The person on the other end chuckled and responded in their usual sly tone.
“Did you like it?”
“Yeah. The kid wasn’t bad. Honestly, it makes me wonder why you had me approach him.”
“Approach? I merely asked for a small favor, nothing more. Just checking on a private rumor.”
“Hmph. Excuses again. Never mind that, let’s talk about something else.”
It was clear the other party had no intention of revealing the truth, evading Neru’s questions with vague answers. Suppressing her exasperated laugh, Neru forced herself to ask another question.
“Why is the Seminar’s secretary protecting that junior?”
“…”
“You must’ve known about this fact, right? And if Seminar hasn’t acted on this yet, it implies you’ve been hiding this fact. Isn’t that so?”
Upon finishing the duel with Nanashi, Neru immediately realized numerous things had happened behind the scenes.
The soundproofing in the duel arena, Akane’s sudden recall, the deletion of CCTV footage – all pointed to subtle but obvious protection measures.
Invisible yet deeply involved parties – mostly Veritas, but some areas where only Seminar could’ve intervened.
That’s why Neru was confident the person she was talking to was behind all this. Which led to her curiosity – why was Ushio Noah covering for Silk?
Why had she abandoned Seminar’s stance and kept this junior’s identity secret even from her colleagues?
“The secretary, you who suddenly betrayed Big Sister – that doesn’t sound right, does it?”
“Indeed. I’ve always been part of the Seminar.”
“If that’s true, why did you hide Silk’s identity?”
Noah responded to Neru’s accusation with a small smile.
“Simply put, I didn’t want to hold her back solely due to my political position.”
“…”
Even if it meant ignoring Seminar’s stance, Noah didn’t want to hinder Silk’s actions.
While Neru couldn’t fully understand her reasoning, the “gift” Noah had – perfect memory – affected her deeply in ways others couldn’t comprehend.
Perfect Memory.
Painful memories, memories of being hurt, and memories of sadness.
They constantly gnawed at Noah’s mind.
The recent chaos following the disappearance of the Student Council President only added to her growing negative emotions.
That’s when Silk appeared.
From her first appearance to now, Silk consistently acted with unwavering justice.
Perhaps that’s why Noah found herself increasingly focusing on Silk’s news updates. Watching her allowed her to temporarily cover those painful memories.
Furthermore, seeing Silk treating everyone – heroes and ordinary students alike – equally and unchangingly brought hope into Noah’s heart.
That might be why it happened.
Because of who Silk was, Noah didn’t want Seminar’s dark influence to reach her.
“While it might seem strange coming from me as Seminar’s secretary, I believe Silk is needed in Millennium – and in Kiburatos.”
“Even if that junior ends up opposing Seminar in the future?”
“Exactly. I deeply trust Silk’s sense of justice, regardless of other factors.”
An uncharacteristic unilateral decision for a Seminar secretary.
Yet Noah had no regrets about asking Neru from C&C for the favor.
“So, you didn’t expose her identity, right?”
“I managed to cover it with Akane, saying it was just a rumor I followed up on. So you deal with Seminar’s side to keep things smooth.”
“Hmph. Seems like you, Senior Neru, have taken quite a liking to that kid.”
“…”
Neru didn’t respond.
While she was surprised by Nanashi’s true identity, what truly astonished her were her perseverance and convictions. While researching Nanashi, she only found positive rumors, making Neru let out an involuntary laugh.
Silk was consistent everywhere – as a hero and as a student.
She was diligent, hardworking, and above all, kind.
Always striving to do good and never stopping her efforts, if Neru didn’t know her background, she might have considered recruiting her into C&C.
Neru had no choice but to acknowledge Nanashi.
Her conduct made Neru understand Noah’s actions, at least partially.
She could only laugh at how even the ruthless Seminar secretary had faltered.
Of course, Neru kept these thoughts to herself, expressing only her simple wish.
“Yeah. Enough that I’d like to duel her again.”
“Good to hear.”
With that, their private conversation came to an end.
2.
Ushio Noah, the secretary of the Seminar, recalls the past.
The memories remain vivid in her mind – painful traces that won’t fade easily.
Within them, there weren’t many truly bright and happy memories that could heal Noah’s spirit, mostly just small moments with her friend Yuuka.
But recently, new memories have started forming.
Silk. The memories about her are exactly those new ones.
“I’m curious about what kind of person she is.”
Yuuka’s opinion resonates deeply with Noah. Silk’s actions in the videos left a strong impression on Noah as well.
Saving citizens, punishing evil, and ultimately achieving victory.
Never standing idly by in the face of others’ despair, always appearing to resolve incidents and then vanishing suddenly.
Yet, unlike others who might elevate themselves as noble and great, Silk appeared in the videos as a kind neighbor who helped even with minor issues.
Thus, the public calls her “Kind Neighbor.”
This name originates from Silk’s response when asked about the purpose of her activities, leading many to address her as such.
And that word deeply impressed itself on Noah’s heart. Watching a hero who treated others as equals while saving them filled her with admiration.
Starting from that moment, Noah began following “Silk’s” trail.
More precisely, she began memorizing everything Silk left behind, dismissing her actions as for “Seminar’s” sake.
As those memories accumulated, Noah gradually realized she was cheering for Silk.
The decisive moment came during the fight with Wakamo.
“Are you really going to face those numbers alone? How?”
“It’s true. The enemy force is estimated to be battalion-sized.”
The battle between Silk and the calamity called “Kosaka Wakamo,” who was leading battalion-sized forces.
Against expectations, Silk steadily turned the tide in her favor.
Watching Silk’s fierce yet arduous battle alongside Yuuka, Noah alternated between anxiety, tension, and joy.
That process itself was proof that Noah, like Yuuka, had deeply accepted Silk into her heart.
Until that moment, that is.
Before Silk’s voice reached the screen.
“Your desired self is something you decide.”
“If your thoughts are a mess, ignore them.”
“Those worries – your future self, or someone else, will handle them.”
Silk’s consoling words to Wakamo.
But countless citizens and students watching, including Noah, found these words comforting for themselves.
Noah was no exception.
The answers to the numerous concerns she had been holding in her mind.
Or rather, more like advice, but Noah felt her heart untangling.
“Thank you, Silk.”
At that moment, Noah became aware of her own feelings.
The concerns about “memory” she had been pondering over.
Her secret investigations for Silk without telling Yuuka or Seminar.
Furthermore, the idea of supporting and helping Silk not as a member of Seminar, but as Ushio Noah herself.
“I won’t worry about this anymore.”
Ever since realizing Silk’s true identity, Noah had deeply deliberated whether to inform Seminar.
But by this point, she had made up her mind.
“Even if I can’t personally take actions against Seminar as its secretary…”
At least, helping the hero of Kiburatos in small ways.
If even in minor ways she could lend a helping hand to Silk.
She would gladly reach out.
This was why Ushio Noah orchestrated the current events.
3.
“So, Nanashi?”
“Y-Yes…”
“What kind of punishment would you like this time?”
“…”
Himari, kneeling with her hands raised high, asked me. But what am I supposed to answer?
I could only deeply lower my head and say:
“I’m sorry…”
“…”
So when I just apologized, Himari sighed deeply, came closer, and lightly tapped my head.
“Don’t try to seduce me.”
“…”
“Ahem, never mind that. Fine. Seeing your face, I’ll let you off with a very light punishment.”
“Wow.”
She’s still Senior Himari after all.
While she sometimes says strange things, she’s truly a good senior. Honestly, I’d even call her sister now.
“Tomorrow, you’ll go out with me.”
“Out…?”
“Yes. Nanashi accompanying me shopping will be your punishment this time.”
“Huh?”
Just shopping as punishment?
“I was angry seeing Nanashi hurt, but even I didn’t expect Neru-sama to show up. Besides, C&C said they’d cover all costs, so there’s no actual damage.”
“…”
“The reckless exposure of your identity deserves punishment, but considering the circumstances, it’s safe even if I don’t worry too much. Especially since your opponent was Neru-sama. Also, your explanation makes sense. So I don’t intend to give a severe punishment…”
As soon as she finished explaining, I couldn’t contain my overwhelming gratitude and hugged Himari.
“Himari-neechan!”
“Oh my. Nanashi, is it that good?”
Of course! How could I not like it?
At this rate, I might even confess my love to Himari.
“I really want to give you a kiss on the cheek.”
“W-W-What?! Nanashi, what’s this about… cheek kiss?!”
Apparently startled by my sudden hug, Himari was waving her arms while pleading for me to let go, but I hugged her even tighter.
And then I whispered into her ear:
“May I?”
“?!?”
I’ve heard that girls sometimes give cheek kisses as a sign of familiarity or affection.
Is it different in Kiburatos?
I don’t know. But I’m staying hugged like this for now.
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