"The Legend of the Giant of Okutama"
Clutching the files, they waited outside, already regretting accepting Touka Toudou's invitation.
The Student Council room door opened again shortly afterward.
"Whew… whew… Sorry to keep you waiting! Please come in!"
Touka Toudou, breathless, ushered them inside.
"Excuse us."
Despite feeling it was inappropriate, upon entering the Student Council room, Drake subconsciously looked around.
Surprisingly, the room was spotless; there was no trace of the previous mess.
The scattered books were neatly back on the shelves, the floor gleaming like a mirror.
The clean environment, combined with the classical furnishings, made the Student Council room resemble a castle.
It was remarkable that they'd cleaned it so thoroughly in just a few minutes.
However, Drake glanced at Ikazuchi Saijou standing rigidly before the wardrobe, and the bulging wardrobe door… he decided not to dwell on it.
They sat on the sofa; the Student Council members took their seats.
Renren Tomaru greeted them first, "Long time no see!"
Drake nodded. "Yes, last time was at Ikki's match."
"Ugh! Don't remind me of that unpleasant memory!"
Touka Toudou said, "Be polite to guests. Kanata-san, please make tea."
Kanata Toutokubara, the Student Council treasurer, was the one who'd provided the tea.
The Kanata surname was unusual; while not as famous as Kurogane in the sword master world, their influence in business and politics surpassed even the Kurogane family.
Kanata Toutokubara, born into that prominent family, exuded elegance. Unlike the others in school uniforms, she wore a white dress and a wide-brimmed hat, her eyes hidden beneath the brim. She carried a white parasol, even indoors. She looked like a noble lady.
But Drake wasn't fooled; she was as dangerous as Touka Toudou. Her sword master title was 〈Scharlach Frau〉.
Unlike Touka Toudou, Kanata Toutokubara's ki was colder; it was the result of hands stained with blood.
The rumors about Kanata Toutokubara working with licensed sword masters weren't baseless.
Drake took a sip of tea. He didn't know much about tea, but it was delicious—either the tea leaves were excellent, or Kanata Toutokubara was a skilled tea maker.
"Toutokubara, I want some too!" This was Ohara Utaba, after her scolding.
Renren Tomaru said, "Senpai Toutokubara, I want cake!"
Touka Toudou said angrily, "No, you two get no sweets today!"
"Touka, that's too much! Why should we stay in the Student Council room without sweets?"
Touka Toudou facepalmed, groaning, "Because you're Student Council members!"
Drake pitied the hardworking president; managing these troublesome members was exhausting.
Ikazuchi Saijou, leaning against the wardrobe, looked at Drake and Stella, admiringly saying to Touka Toudou, "As expected of the President, your work efficiency is godlike. You found the perfect assistants!
Their fighting strength is more than sufficient."
Assistants? Fighting strength? Drake and Stella were puzzled; Touka Toudou hadn't mentioned this.
"Huh?" Touka Toudou also looked confused.
Ikazuchi Saijou quickly said, "Isn't that right? Such rare guests must be here for this."
Kanata Toutokubara, seeing Touka Toudou's confusion, said, "President, it's the matter the Principal entrusted us with… the…"
Touka Toudou remembered.
"Shinguuji-san asked us… aaaah,"
"Did you forget? I thought you invited them to help before going," Kanata Toutokubara said, smiling.
Touka Toudou groaned, holding her head. "Yes, I was focused on my next match; I completely forgot."
Stella tentatively asked, "What's this 'matter'?"
Kanata Toutokubara answered, pouring tea. "The Student Council received a request from the Principal. Before the Seven Star Sword Festival, Hagun Academy holds intensive training for the representatives.
The training facility is in Okutama, but there have been reports of suspicious individuals near Okutama recently."
"Sounds dangerous!" Stella said.
Drake nodded; Okutama was a mountainous area far from the city. Hagun Academy had a training camp there. It had many mountains and forests; suspicious individuals could cause trouble during training.
Kanata Toutokubara continued, "The teachers are busy with the selection tournament. The Principal asked the Student Council… at least the executives… to investigate and confirm safety.
But Okutama is vast, with mountains and forests; the Student Council executives alone are insufficient."
Drake stroked his chin. "So you need more people?"
Stella raised her hand like a student. "What do the suspicious individuals look like? Any other information?"
Drake was also interested; Okutama wasn't restricted; there might be hikers. What kind of suspicious individuals would make Shinguuji Kurono ask the Student Council to investigate?
Kanata Toutokubara hesitated, then said, "The suspicious individuals are said to be about four meters tall… giants!"
"What? Gi… giants?!"
Drake was stunned; were there fantasy creatures in this world? Four meters was not a normal human height; only legendary giants were that large.
"Are… are there really giants?" Stella was interested.
Drake pulled Stella's sleeve. "Stella, you're too excited!"
Stella exclaimed, "Because it's a giant! An unidentified creature! It's romantic!"
Her red eyes shone; she was excited.
"Are you a child?!" Drake facepalmed; Stella was surprisingly naive.
Renren Tomaru, finding a kindred spirit, said, "Stella-san likes unidentified creatures too?"
Stella replied excitedly, "Of course! I learned Japanese from adventure program DVDs!"
Her method of learning Japanese was unique, everyone thought.
"We have much in common!" Renren Tomaru said; if it weren't for the situation, she'd talk to Stella.
Stella said to Drake, "Drake, Drake, the President looks troubled; let's help! I want to see a giant!"
Drake looked at Stella; the second part was the key; she'd openly stated her selfish desire.
But Drake was also interested in the "giants." He knew they were likely sword masters using their abilities. Their purpose was concerning.
Seeing Drake nod, Touka Toudou said hesitantly, "Is that alright?"
Drake looked at Touka Toudou, unsure why she hesitated.
Kanata Toutokubara said, "You don't know yet. The President's next opponent… Kurogane Shizuku; she's your friend, right?"
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