In conclusion, Kamijou and company won the battle.
They understood right from the start that they would lose in a frontal battle. So when the two sides collided, they used all their powers on the ground, whipping up dust, blurring the enemy's vision and using lightning fast guerrilla tactics. Before this, the staff had sprayed some water onto the field to prevent dust from flying about, but it was impossible to prevent dust from flying up when the ground was attacked so many times.
The one who had suggested this tactic, Fukiyose Seiri, held the front of her jacket in place as she grouped the students into 'those who are to raise the dust,' 'those who are to knock down the wooden pole when the dust is up' and 'the telepathy group who can give the order to raise the dust and order those in the dust to retreat,' as she held overall command.
During the battle, as the telepathic messages could not be received in the midst of the dust storm, not only was Kamijou hit by the bullets from his own teammates, he was beaten to a pulp by the opponent, but they still won.
The warriors who were covered with bruises and injuries completely forgot about their victory and injuries as they walked out of the arena from the entrance and into the school compound. Komoe-sensei, who was about to cry, was waiting for them with some first aid boxes.
"Why…why must everyone force themselves to work so hard!? There's no point in having Daihaseisai if everyone's not having fun! It's not important whether we win or lose! Sen…sensei is very unhappy that everyone's so injured...!!"
Facing Komoe-sensei's cries, the students seemed to agree that they shouldn't explain their reasons to her, and scattered away in groups. After walking out of the competitors' rest area, Kamijou started to look for Index in the spectator stands.
Index should be in the spectators stand reserved for students.
Normally, this was an area forbidden to anyone other than students, but Kamijou didn't dare put Index in the normal spectator stands. She was someone from outside Academy City with the knowledge of 103,000 grimoires in her head, and was thus much more valuable than any Academy City resident.
"Index? Eh, where did she go?"
Kamijou looked at the spectator stand where she should be, but couldn't find her. Although it was called a spectator stand, it was actually just a blue plastic sheet laid on the school grounds, and there was nothing to block the sunlight…together with the people gathering nearby. The students nearby formed a human wall, so it was quite difficult to look around.
Kamijou got into the crowd, moving from one end to another, but in the end, he still couldn't find her.
(Hm...it should have been easy to spot her when she's wearing such a noticeable white nun's habit.)
He stuffed his hands into his PE shorts, looking at the school compound that was slightly farther away.
(I gave Index a zero-yen phone before, and it should be the fastest way to contact her. Too bad my phone is in the classroom.)
Kamijou had never seen Index use a cell phone before. Although he was worried, Kamijou felt that it was the best way given to the current situation.
During Daihaseisai, many schools prohibited people from entering the school premises. They couldn't allow others to see the facilities that were related to power development. The only exception was for their own students, like Kamijou. In case anyone got injured, the school's doctor was available in the healthcare room, and the shower room was opened.
So, Kamijou walked up the stairs.
There were two Anti-Skill members wearing black uniforms at the shoe closet. The teachers, who normally taught history and mathematics in front of the blackboard, were carrying guns, and the sight was somewhat strange.
"Ah, I'm looking for someone who's lost in the crowd, can I grab my handphone in the classroom?"
"Kamijou, your reason is too direct. If you can't contact the person due to electromagnetic wave interference, tell us when you need to use the P.A system. So now, let's wish you a good time in Daihaseisai."
The mathematics teacher seemed to find it troublesome as she replied. However, she did mention the necessary points, as expected of a trained professional.
He got past the Anti-Skill members and walked towards the staircase. After putting on his slippers at the shoe cabinet, he walked up the stairs. It was really quiet when no one was in school—the moment he thought of this, the speakers started to blare a loud echo, and it was really noisy.
He walked up the stairs. After walking for a while, he reached his own class. As he pulled the door aside, Kamijou thought
(Himegami seemed to have blended well into our class, that's good. Oh yeah, I have to contact Index the moment I get the phone. If Himegami is free, it'd be nice if she could come along with us as well—)
However, he immediately froze on the spot.
For some reason, Management Committee member Fukiyose Seiri had taken off her clothes.
Before he opened the door, he hadn't noticed that the curtains of the windows were pulled down. In the dark classroom, Fukiyose Seiri, who was sitting on the table opposite Kamijou, was wearing only a pair of panties. Just a pair of panties, she was not even wearing her bra. She seemed to be changing her clothes that were wet due to the water that burst from the water hose. Even her panties seemed to be new, as the plastic bag near her feet contained her wet clothes and undergarments. The other set of clothes seemed to be placed in a sports bag.
Fukiyose Seiri looked at the intruder calmly.
She remained emotionless as she reached out toward a nearby chair.
Kamijou's shoulders jerked.
"Wait…wait a minute, Fukiyose-san! I came here to get my handphone so that I can find someone. There's no malicious intent here!! Also, please read the instructions on how to use a chair before using it! I'll be dead if I get hit by that!!"
Kamijou got down and started begging in 0.2 seconds. Seeing the boy in front of her, Fukiyose felt bored as she sighed, and removed her hand from the chair. She took out some clothes from her sports bags beside her, and placed it over her naked body.
"Never mind. Please leave the classroom."
"...You're not angry?"
"It can't be helped, since you're looking for a missing person. You don't have to kneel down and beg, but to not turn your head around, Kamijou Touma!?"
Seeing the committee member putting on her coat, and that she only had a pair of panties on, one had to worry over whether she pulled up the zipper. Kamijou, who was as shocked as her, didn't notice that Fukiyose Seiri's arms were trembling.
Yes Madam!! Like a retainer greeting a lord, Kamijou bent down and stepped backwards. Just when he was about to leave the classroom—
"...You're really not angry?"
"GET OUT!!"
Fukiyose grabbed the cardboard box on the table and flung it at Kamijou. Kamijou frantically ran out of the classroom and slammed the door shut with his backhand. He then sat in the corridor and took a deep breath.
(Ah—this is really frightening...)
Kamijou shook his head and looked down. At this moment, he saw a box on the corridor that was as big as a cigarette pack. Was this the box that Fukiyose threw? Kamijou took the box and examined it.
"Hot Hot Sheep-san, an infrared therapy device. To be attached below a handphone. Whether it's relieving stiff shoulders or stress relief, it's effective!!"
That was what was written on the box.
Seeing the exterior of the box, the design of the item seemed to be a lamb that could change shape. It should be of the same type of good as the frog lucky charm attached to Mikoto's bag.
"...So this is a decoration that's attached to a handphone. Relieves shoulder stiffness and fatigue, the number of uses is really little. To think there are people in this world who are attracted to this weird thing…eh? Isn't this something that the late night shopping channel would recommend?"
Because Index would be sleeping soundly in the room where the television was, Kamijou could only use the television function of his cell phone to watch late night shows.
On the other hand, Fukiyose, who was in the classroom, didn't seem to notice that Kamijou was sighing,
"Kamijou, did you put the handphone in the drawer?"
"Ah, isn't my bag on the table? My handphone's placed inside."
"I'll give it to you after I finish changing. Just wait there."
"Thanks Fukiyose. I'll exchange it with that weird purchase you threw over. I really couldn't tell that you're the type that uses mail-ordering."
Hearing Kamijou say this, a frantic "WAH!?" sound could be heard in the classroom. Fukiyose seemed to realize now what she had just thrown out.
After a while, Fukiyose's voice came from the classroom.
"This…there's nothing wrong with that, right? Even if I carry a notebook as I watch the shopping channels, and read shopping magazines while rolling on the bed, what's wrong with it!?"
"No…nothing. I'm not saying that this is bad, I'm just surprised."
Although Fukiyose could really rebut, she seemed to be unable to answer when somebody else rebutted back. Kamijou was really trying hard to think of something to say that wouldn't offend her, as Fukiyose continued to rant off inside the classroom like she was reading a tongue twister.
"Sowhat?SowhatevenifIhaveabunchofcreativeconditioningapparatus?IalwaysfindthemusefulwhenIreadthemagazinesandyetIfindthemordinarywhenIgetthem. DoesitmattertoyouwhetherIuseittwotothreetimesandstoppedusingthemafterwards?"
"So that's what it's like! I think you should calm down before picking up the phone, Seiri!"
Kamijou himself thought that this was advice that a classmate should give, but she continued on,
"It'sbecausetheserratedbottomofthefryingpanlookssoattractive.Theadvertisementsaysthatitcanremove30%ofthefatifit'susedtocookmeat, butit'ssounevenatthebottomthatIcan'tevencookafriedegg!!"
Hearing her tragic complaints, Kamijou decided not to rebut her.
He looked at the box of the lamb-shaped infrared decoration.
"Useful for shoulder aches, eh..."
"What's so surprising about it? It isn't so weird for me to get shoulder aches at this age, is it?"
"No, it's not like that."
Kamijou sat on the corridor and looked up at the ceiling.
"...The reason why your shoulders ache is probably because your breasts are too huge—OH C—!?"
At this moment, the sports bag broke the classroom door as it was flung out, together with his cell phone, hitting Kamijou directly. To be expected of the cordial and attentive committee member, Fukiyose Seiri.