Epilogue: After the Festival
“Man… I seriously didn’t think we’d actually pull off the win, you know?”
The week following the flawless conclusion of the May Inter-District Tournament.
We, the students of Eimei Academy, had gathered once again in the student council room where we’d first met.
Officially, it was something like a celebratory gathering. The school-wide award ceremony was apparently scheduled for later (according to the principal), but having a casual get-together with just the main participants beforehand didn’t sound half bad. That’s why Akizuki had arranged this little event for us.
To my left, said Akizuki was sidling up to me with blatant charm.
“Ehehe… Pretending to drop out, teaming up with《Libra》to control the《Duel》from the shadows, and then pulling off a massive comeback at the very end! I mean, talk about classic Hiroto-kun, right?♪ Beating those cheaters like that… Noa might just be falling for you even harder…♡”
“…You’re too close, Akizuki-sama. Please step away from Master immediately.”
“Ehh? But I’m not even touching him yet!”
“Obviously. If I detected any contact, I’d have resorted to force already.”
Himeji’s cool voice cut in, checking Akizuki’s advance. …That said, she herself was unconsciously standing just as close, so with both of them flanking me, I was on edge, wondering when they’d hear my racing heartbeat.
Whether she knew my inner turmoil or not, Himeji soon steered the conversation back on track.
“At any rate—thanks to Master’s stellar performance, Eimei Academy has claimed the top spot in《Astral》. The rankings for the top five are as follows: Third Ward’s Ouka Academy, Sixteenth Ward’s Tsuyuri Girl’s Institute, Eighth Ward’s Otowa School, and Seventh Ward’s Shinra School. Given that last year’s top-ranked schools, like Second Ward’s Suisei School and Seventeenth Ward’s Amanezaka School, lost stars in this event, we might even have a shot at overtaking them this year.”
“Hmm. As Eimei’s student council president, I must express my gratitude. Frankly, Shinohara’s achievements in this May Inter-District Tournament are immeasurable.”
“…Nah, it’s not like that.”
Meeting Enomoto’s straightforward gaze, I quietly shook my head.
“Sure, I came up with the strategy, but it was everyone’s teamwork that made it happen. Without this group, it wouldn’t have worked. So there’s no need to single me out.”
“Got it. In that case, I’ll retract my thanks.”
“…You’re retracting it that fast?”
“Well, you didn’t use any honorifics.”
Enomoto’s lips curved into a playful smirk. …With a multiplayer event like this, I’d been worried about how things would turn out, but somehow, I’d managed to get through it without my “lie” being exposed. Enomoto was, as usual, bickering with Asamiya next to him, but I’d grown used to it by now and could watch their exchange with a faint sense of amusement.
Just then, Asamiya leaned toward me.
“So, like… Hey, Shino, have you heard anything about how the stars are gonna be distributed this time? Obviously, we’re not getting any… but didn’t someone say there was a girl with a Unique Star?”
“Oh… that.”
I gave a small nod in response to Asamiya’s question.
Normally, the “stars” awarded as rewards in academy-wide events are distributed among students based on each academy’s strategies and preferences. However, there’s a strict cap on the number of students who can hold ranks of five stars or higher, so “promotion” is impossible unless a slot opens up. In other words, as long as I don’t lose my stars, none of the six-star holders can advance to seven stars.
But that aside.
“First off, it’s confirmed that Himeji will receive one star. A bunch of people dropped from five stars to four in this event, so the cap isn’t an issue. As for the Unique Star holder Asamiya mentioned, that’s Minami Shizuku from the Fourteenth Ward. Since she placed sixth or lower, her Unique Star is indeed up for grabs. …But it hasn’t been decided yet which of the top five teams will get it.”
Eimei, Ouka, Otowa, Tsuyuri, or Shinra. Honestly, if it goes to anyone other than Eimei, it’s obvious we’re in for trouble down the line. What if it ends up with Kirigaya? Or Kururugi? Or maybe Kugasaki…? Every scenario is such a hassle that I don’t even want to think about it.
So for now, I’ll just stay optimistic.
“If that Unique Star comes to Eimei—I think Enomoto should be the one to take it.”
“…What?”
My suggestion must’ve been completely unexpected, because Enomoto’s face twisted in confusion.
“Why me? By anyone’s standards, Shinohara’s the MVP of《Astral》.”
“That’s not the point. Didn’t this May Inter-District Tournament make it clear? Individual strength matters, sure, but to win an event like this, we need to boost Eimei’s overall power. And for that, it makes the most sense for you, the student council president, to hold the Unique Star.”
Despite Enomoto’s headshake, I insisted on “passing” it to him. …I fully understand how hard it is to obtain a Unique Star, but opportunities to strengthen the entire academy don’t come often. Luckily, we’ve got another lead on a star, so entrusting this one to Enomoto will likely pay off in the long run—though, of course, it’s not guaranteed we’ll even get it.
“…I see. Very well, I’ll accept.”
With a haughty cross of his arms, Enomoto gave a quiet nod and declared:
“If I do obtain a Unique Star, I swear I won’t let its power go to waste—I guarantee it, on my title of ‘Clairvoyant.’ This year, Eimei Academy will undoubtedly claim the top rank.”
♯♯
With the celebratory gathering among Eimei’s members wrapped up, I headed home with Himeji.
Or rather, that was the plan—
“Thank you… Thank you so much, nya!!”
Right after stepping out of the school gate, we were intercepted by Kazami from《Libra》. She swiftly guided us to one of their bases, where she bowed deeply in gratitude.
“If it weren’t for you guys, I seriously don’t know what would’ve happened, nya… The event would’ve been a total disaster,《Libra》’s reputation would’ve hit rock bottom, and we might’ve even been kicked off the island. But instead, it ended up being an unprecedented success…! I’m so, so, SO grateful, nya!!”
“Nah, our interests just happened to align, that’s all. No need to thank me that much.”
“Saying that just makes it harder for me, nya! To repay this debt, I’d give my body, my arms, anything!”
“What do you take Master for, Kazami-sama?”
Himeji muttered in exasperation. Brushing back her silvery hair, she continued:
“So… what happened to the issue with Kurahashi Mikado-sama in the end?”
“Fnya? Oh, uh, yeah, about that—”
Snapping back to reality, Kazami began explaining the aftermath with a shift in tone.
According to her, the council finally launched an investigation, and Kurahashi’s faction, long plagued by issues, was completely ousted from Academy Island’s central organization. Additionally, the event committee members who abandoned《Libra》during《Astral》received stern reprimands.
“…So Kurahashi has completely lost his influence, huh.”
I lowered my gaze quietly as I spoke. …Having lost his position as Seijo’s principal and been expelled from the council, it’s safe to say he has no place left on this island. But that doesn’t mean we can let our guard down. With Kirigaya Touya emerging as a new “enemy,” the odds of me, a seven-star, being targeted again are high.
As for Shiina Tsumugi—aka《Chameleon》—who’s also under council investigation, it seems she’ll be released soon. Her involvement with Kurahashi is clear, and she’s deemed too pure—or rather, not cunning enough—to have orchestrated anything malicious, which is the basis for her acquittal. Still, the council will likely keep an eye on her, and《Fake Account》is no longer usable. If she doesn’t advance to high school, she might be sent back to the mainland.
But with talent like that, no one’s gonna let her slip away… Like, say, Eimei’s principal.
Shaking my head quietly, I mulled it over. …By the way, the “other Unique Star” we have a lead on is, of course, Shiina’s. But until the council’s verdict is finalized, it’s on hold. Since the three-way《Duel》didn’t produce a clear winner, it’s unclear how it’ll be handled.
“Anyway—thanks, Kazami. You helped out a lot this time.”
“No, that’s my line, nya! …Oh, but, Shinohara-kun, can I ask you one thing, nya? About you and Sarasa-chan—y’know,《Empress》…”
(!?)
My heart leapt at her words. …True, I got a bit too involved with《Libra》during this May Inter-District Tournament, so there was a risk someone might suspect something about my relationship with Saionji. I thought I’d managed to dodge those suspicions, but…
Crap—this is bad, bad, BAD!
My thoughts spun in panic at the sudden crisis. Damn it, I can’t come up with a good excuse—
“—Are you two, like, secretly dating or something, nya!?”
“…Huh?” “Pardon?”
My dumbfounded question overlapped perfectly with Himeji’s stiff reply. Oblivious to the emotions behind our reactions, Kazami continued with a bright smile:
“I’ve been wondering forever, nya! Since April—around when Shinohara-kun transferred here—I noticed Sarasa-chan’s been in a better mood more often. So, watching this《Duel》, I thought, wouldn’t it be cool if you two were actually dating, nya!”
“Wait… so that’s just your wishful thinking?”
“Totally, nya! The former seven-star, undefeated Sarasa-chan, and Shinohara-kun, the strongest on Academy Island who beat《Empress》… I’d never imagine you two, who spark like crazy every time you meet, being all buddy-buddy, nya! But if you were, it’d be so awesome—and, like, I’d totally want to feature it obsessively in a《Libra》special edition, nya!”
No, seriously, DON’T!
As Kazami pressed closer, her eyes sparkling, I screamed a mental “no” with all my might. If that happened, my social life would be toast. Forget lies—it’d be total ruin.
And the proof?
“…Oh… really…?”
H-Himeji-san, that’s terrifying!
Hearing Himeji’s emotionless murmur beside me, my cheeks twitched as I tried not to flinch at her inexplicably formal tone.
♭♭♭
“~~~ ♪”
She hummed cheerfully, her eyes glued to her device’s screen.
Fresh from a bath, sipping cocoa, lounging on a plush new sofa—those alone were more than enough to make her happy, but her gaze was locked on the stream of information scrolling across the screen.
The May Inter-District Tournament《Astral》—an event she hadn’t fully followed, having only just learned about it due to her… unique circumstances. Still, seeing the “final results,” her face naturally broke into a smile.
“…Yup, Hiroto’s definitely the strongest.”
The high schooler being interviewed on the screen: Shinohara Hiroto. In her memories, his face was younger, but it’d been years since they’d met, so of course he’d changed. Still, there was no mistaking him. After all, to her, he was the most important person in the world.
…And soon, she’d see him again. Finally, he’d find her.
“Wait for me, Hiroto—”
Stroking the screen gently with her delicate fingers, she spoke in a joyful tone.
