Epilogue
♯♯♯
Fourth day on Luna Island, evening—.
Himeji and I, together, were visiting the core of Luna Island’s S-rank area,
Lake Haiji.
A lake that only one in tens of thousands of visitors can reach, known as the ultimate hidden gem—
often called a world heritage-class zone, its scenery
can only be described as breathtaking. The calm water surface sparkles, reflecting the sunset, creating a stunning view
as if it were paved with gemstones.
“It’s beautiful… I can’t help but be captivated.”
“…Yeah.”
Gazing at Himeji’s profile by the lake—elevated to a breathtaking beauty under the orange glow—
I mutter softly. …Normally, I’d come up with some comment,
but seeing something this beautiful leaves me speechless.
It’s no wonder Luna Island designates this an S-rank hidden gem.
“If… if there hadn’t been Shion-sama’s trial game,
I wouldn’t have come here with Master. Thinking of it that way,
the turmoil of the past three days might feel a little rewarding.”
“…Well, that’s true.”
To Himeji, who murmurs with a faint smile,
I nod with a wry grin.
In the end—the twelfth match of 【Dominate Poker】, which continued far beyond
the time limit of 《School Trip Battle Forteitsumo》,
ended in victory for our Eimei team. The chips earned by the four of us totaled about 40 million…
but that’s only the result of the final match,
and it doesn’t account for the chips spent during the game. Furthermore, for 【Phantom】 and 【Violet】,
it’s not about held chips but the chips earned during 《School Trip Battle Forteitsumo》 that matter.
All things considered, the records left by the top rankers from each school district
turned out like this:
【Shinohara Hiroto: +9.5 million / Himeji Shirayuki: +9.29 million / Phantom: +9.19 million】
【Saionji Sarasa: +10.99 million / Fujishiro Keiya: +2.2 million / Mano Yuka: +1.12 million】
【Minami Shizuku: +6.21 million / Kururugi Senri: +4.62 million / Violet: +17.2 million】
【Fuwa Mitsuru: +1.13 million / Fuwa Sumire: +1.2 million】
…As you can see, the overwhelming individual top scorer was 【Violet】.
We managed to close the gap significantly in the final game,
but it still wasn’t enough to catch up. However, the school district’s overall score
was led by Eimei Academy—
and in that regard,
Tatara’s
performance was a major factor. After all, the total chips earned by me, Himeji, and 【Phantom】
were almost equal to the coalition’s. The only standout was the district average.
Perhaps it’s the pent-up frustration from being constantly underestimated finally exploding.
So, as far as 《School Trip Battle Forteitsumo》 goes,
we managed to pull through safely, I suppose. Since the trip itself continues until the day after tomorrow,
the remaining schedule
involves sightseeing with Tatara and the others.
Being able to enjoy without worries is something I’m really looking forward to.
—And then,
“Hey… why are you guys here first?”
At that moment, a familiar voice called out from behind.
Turning around, there was none other than Saionji Sarasa.
Her cheeks, for some reason, were puffed up in dissatisfaction.
Brushing her luxurious red hair with her right hand,
she continued in a sulky tone.
“In the last game, you stole the spotlight,
but… in 《School Trip Battle Forteitsumo》, I was the only one who earned over 10 million chips, right?
Shinohara and Yuki only managed a little over 9 million.
What about the entry license?”
“Oh… that.”
To her question—one part curiosity, nine parts frustration at being preempted—I shrug slightly.
“The thing is, just in case we couldn’t recruit 【Phantom】,
I had an acquaintance, Shiina, act as a 【Stranger】.
She earned nearly 2 million chips over these three days,
so just a bit ago, I joined a PVP game and had her transfer some to me.
My current chip count is about 10.2 million.”
“So you earned more after 《School Trip Battle Forteitsumo》…
What about Yuki? Did she get a transfer too?”
“No, my chip count still hasn’t reached 10 million.
It’s simple cheating—fabricating an entry license,
just a very easy trick.”
“…Is that okay?”
“Yes. Shion-sama’s trial game only targeted Rina and Master.”
Himeji says this nonchalantly. …Well, she’s right.
If Saionji or I cheated, it’d likely upset Hagoromo,
but Himeji was basically just supporting to make the trial game work.
There’s no reason for her to be treated harshly.
Hearing this, Saionji crosses her arms at her chest,
letting out a faint sigh.
“Fine, whatever. …So? Where’s Shion?
We didn’t set a specific meeting time,
but I thought she’d be here before us—”
“I’m right here.”
“—Eek!? D-Don’t scare me, Shion! Wait… Shion!?”
“Yes, Shion. Also known as your average high school girl, appearing anywhere.”
To Saionji’s shocked reaction,
the girl—Hagoromo Shion—smiles brightly.
The reason we were left speechless seeing her wasn’t anything else
but the fact that she was barefaced. Large orange eyes,
transparent white skin. Mature yet unable to hide a mischievous spark,
she exudes a mysterious charm. Adding to it is her long, well-groomed hair,
like a doll’s. She calls herself an ordinary high school girl,
but if a beauty like her were at school, the entire student body would be smitten.
“…No, that’s not it. What about the mask, Hagoromo?
If your identity gets exposed—”
“It’s fine, Shinohara-san. There’s no one to expose me to—only the four of us are here.”
Hagoromo says, giggling softly. …I see, so that’s why she called us to this S-rank area.
With no one else around, she can speak as Hagoromo Shion,
or even as the real “Saionji Sarasa.”
Anyway—her long hair swaying gently,
Hagoromo continues with a refined smile.
“So, with that said… Congratulations, Rina, and Shinohara-san.
You both splendidly passed my trial game.
I can’t help but say you’re qualified to be my “stand-in”
and to take my place as the “Seven Stars.””
“…I see, that’s good then. We lost to Eimei in 《School Trip Battle Forteitsumo》, though.”
“In total score, sure, but your individual record was higher, wasn’t it?
Kazami’s probably gonna publish another inflammatory article…”
“Hmph, that’s because you didn’t earn enough. It’s just desserts.”
“…Hehe♪ As expected, Rina and Shinohara-san get along so well.”
““That’s not true!””
To Hagoromo, who laughs elegantly,
Saionji and I retort in unison.
Then, with a lovely smile,
she gently touches her cherry-pink lips with her index finger.
“Anyway. Since you passed my trial game,
I’ll tell you something good, Rina.
Something kept hidden until now, the second most important thing after the truth of the universe…”
“What? Your morning routine or something?”
“I spend the first hour after waking up in a daze, you know?
I’m weak in the mornings. …But no, that’s not it.”
Staring straight at Saionji with a calm voice,
Hagoromo continues.
“I knew, Rina—that you lied to get me to the mainland.
I’ve known for a long time… ever since the day you told me.”
“!? N-No way… How did you know?”
“There’s no way Grandfather would entrust such an important message to someone else.
…That’d be convincing, but it’s not true.
When you lie, Rina, a hint of guilt shows in your eyes.
I saw right through it.”
“…So, then… maybe…”
Saionji’s voice trembles with shock.
Her ruby eyes turn to Himeji standing beside me.
Himeji glances briefly at Hagoromo to confirm,
then nods slightly.
“Yes. I knew too—or rather, I was the one who pushed for Rina’s ‘kidnapping.’
The Saionji estate has security even the staff don’t know about,
but I disabled it. Of course, without Masamune-sama noticing.”
“!? The security… How did you know about it, Yuki?”
“Well, um… I served someone selfish, curious, and prone to running away…”
“Oh my, who could that be? How troubling.”
Hagoromo places a hand on her cheek, smiling brightly.
Refined yet playful, a mischievous young lady…
that’s the impression she gives, perhaps.
Anyway, standing side by side with Hagoromo,
Himeji speaks again.
“So, Rina. You don’t need to bear the burden of Shion-sama’s ‘kidnapping’ alone.
Both Shion-sama and I agreed to it,
so everyone here is an accomplice.”
“…!”
“Rather, I’m the one who should apologize—after the ‘kidnapping,’
I deliberately distanced myself from you, Rina.
That was to prove we weren’t connected.
As long as you didn’t know about the security system,
the chance of Masamune-sama suspecting you was minimized.
As a result, it worked perfectly…
and Shion-sama has been enjoying high school life for a year and a half.”
“Yes. I’m having so much fun right now, thanks to Rina and Yuki.”
“What… you two…”
Saionji bites her lower lip, stammering.
She seems on the verge of tears,
but noticing my gaze, she quickly turns away in a fluster.
Then, Hagoromo sways her hair gently and turns toward me.
“I need to thank you too, Shinohara-san.
When I heard my Yuki was taken by a man, I was shaken at first…
and maybe a little jealous.”
“…A little? And I didn’t take her.”
“No need to hide it. Through the trial game, I understood—
I can see why Yuki would want to serve you.
I might even forgive you for taking her.”
“…Is that so?”
“Yes. …But first nights are first nights. Please don’t touch her carelessly, okay?”
“Don’t just drop bombs like that with a straight face!”
I retort to Hagoromo, who tosses out explosive remarks with a calm smile,
while glancing at Himeji.
She, who was looking down embarrassedly,
meets my gaze, and we both turn bright red.
“—Ahem!”
Cutting through the air with a cough
was Saionji.
Her slightly flushed cheeks puffed up,
she crosses her arms under her chest.
“Honestly, no openings at all… So, Shion?
I’ve been meaning to ask…
What are you going to do from now on?”
“? Well, after spending lots of time with Rina and Yuki,
I’ll return to my friends.
Since you two passed, it means you’ll be fine without me.”
“…That might be true, but…”
Saionji agrees hesitantly to Hagoromo’s words.
…I think I understand what she wants to say.
Himeji, Saionji, and Hagoromo.
The current state of being apart may be one “correct” answer,
but all three are compromising. Sacrificing something.
Isn’t there a better way—a way for all three to be happy?
“…Hey, Shinohara. Lend us some of your brains—”
—The moment her resolute ruby eyes glance at me,
a ringtone suddenly interrupts her words.
The sound comes from the terminal in my pocket.
What terrible timing for an intruder.
Hagoromo, standing gracefully before me,
puffs her cheeks slightly in reproach.
“Really, Shinohara-san? You startled me.”
“Ah, yeah… sorry about that. …My bad, you three, I’ll take this.”
Feeling apologetic, I pull out the terminal and turn away from Hagoromo.
…My terminal is set to only notify for emergency contacts.
And at this timing, there’s only one person I can think of who’d call.
“—Hello, it’s me. What’s up, Senpai?”
‘Still no shred of respect, huh, kouhai. But I’ll let it slide for your quick response.’
The voice from the call is Eimei Academy High School Student Council President, Enomoto Shinji.
His calm, arrogant, yet unusually firm voice
delivers shocking news—.
‘In one word—come back to Academy Island now, Shinohara.’
’The situation I mentioned before has happened.
The second semester inter-grade battle 《Mastery Battle Refrain》—
Eimei Academy is currently under total attack from other districts.’
‘Recovery is impossible. I’ve deemed it impossible.’
‘But that’s because we haven’t played our trump card yet—’
‘So, I’ll say it again, come back now, Shinohara Hiroto.’
‘Eimei Academy needs your strength.’
