KABOOOOM! BOOM!! KRA-KOOM!!!
A series of explosions echoed from a mountain in Trinity. Startled birds abandoned their perches and fled from the noise.
Soon after, cheers erupted from the students who witnessed the gushing hot spring water.
"Wahahahaha~! To think they've just been letting such a magnificent hot spring source sit here! This is easily on par with the ones in Gehenna… Hmm, this feeling… I don't know for sure, but I can feel the qualities of a superb hot spring!"
Meguro Shitmokura of the Hot Springs Development Department shouted boisterously. Even for the Hot Springs Development Department, who were like the troublemakers of Gehenna, continuing their activities in Trinity was no easy task.
Of course, that was the story until yesterday.
"As expected of our next president, Kasumi! Was it true when you said you predicted a day like this would come?!"
`[Wahahaha!! Of course! For the sake of a fun hot springs development life, what can't I do!
Trinity is no exception to our hot springs development… but to think we can finally develop the hot spring sources we couldn't even touch because the conditions weren't right.
Man, this Eden Treaty Organization thing is really the best, isn't it?]`
"I don't really get it, but whatever's good is good!"
`[To think that if we develop in Trinity instead of Gehenna, we won't have to see those Prefect Team bastards.
Just not having that terrifying Prefect Head around makes developing so much more exciting! So… Hot Springs Development Department, commence construction!]`
"Yeah, yeah! Let's leave the monumental first hot spring of our club in Trinity~!"
Kasumi, who was slated to be the next president of the Hot Springs Development Department and had been effectively entrusted with full authority, had grasped a blind spot the moment the Eden Treaty Organization began its operations.
She realized that from now on, even if they started activities in Trinity, it would immediately fall under the ETO's jurisdiction rather than escalating into a complex inter-academy political problem.
Therefore, the risk that would have been a burden for her in the past had now crossed into a manageable line.
What that meant was… the impending hardship for the ETO and the ruthless headache that was scheduled to be inflicted upon Mika.
The hot spring resort, which was rapidly expanded and began to be constructed in a proper form, was completed in just half a day.
It was a magic that even the Service & Utility Department would be unable to comprehend, one that only the Hot Springs Development Department could wield.
However, Kasumi's grand ambition to leave the mark of the Hot Springs Development Department all over Trinity ran into a massive speed bump.
This was because the ETO personnel deployed to subdue them included the president of the Justice Task Force, Tsurugi.
The Hot Springs Development Department, who had committed their crime at the exact time Tsurugi had decided to be active in the ETO, were all crumpled up and hauled away with their construction equipment.
The hot spring resort they had built was later discovered by Mika, who, after paying the Hot Springs Development Department a fair price, began operating it as Trinity property.
In a way, this might have been a happy ending for everyone.
…If only the Hot Springs Development Department's subsequent troublemaking in Trinity had not become a common occurrence, it surely would have been.
Unfortunately, their later hot springs development did not take place in deserted mountains like the first time.
Naturally, for Mika, the situation was beyond baffling; it was absurd.
***
The ETO's trial run had begun, but it still required some time to adjust Hina's schedule.
Still, one thing was certain: her workload had noticeably decreased.
Especially during our video calls, her expression had brightened to the point where it was clearly visible, so it was only natural that my mood would improve along with hers.
Well, even so, the earliest Hina could make time for the idol project was sometime in December at the earliest.
Until then, my tasks were an additional visit to Shanhaijing, and holding a final negotiation with Rio before proceeding with the project.
It didn't really matter which one I prioritized, so I decided to entrust the decision to the most scientific method in human history.
"Coca-Cola is delicious. If it's delicious, have some more."
"…Mika-ssi, what are you doing?"
Hey, Nagisa, when did you get here? To think she'd appear without a sound right when I was doing something so childish… I mean, scientific.
In any case, after using that thoroughly scientific method, it was decided that I would visit Shanhaijing before Millennium.
The day after I sent a letter to the head of the Xuanlongmen, a reply arrived with a seal bearing a dragon crest.
`[To the Host of Trinity's Tea Party, your letter has been well received. If I were to say I did not feel a pang of disappointment that you sought only the Xuanwu Merchant Association on your previous visit to our school, it would surely be a lie.
Although it was due to a matter that could not be overlooked, how could I not be pleased that you have thus conveyed your intent to visit?
Therefore, to match your visiting schedule, I intend to hold a grand banquet at the main school to receive you with the utmost courtesy.
Ah, as for the matter of you visiting only the Xuanwu Merchant Association previously, I do not hold it against you, so you may set aside any worries of ill will.
As the head of the Xuanlongmen, I cannot hold personal grudges.
How about we continue our more serious discussion when you visit the Xuanlongmen?
If you reply with a date and time that fits your schedule, I shall clear my own schedule accordingly.
Wishing for the endless prosperity of your esteemed academy, Ryuge Kisaki, Head of the Xuanlongmen.]`
…Hmm.
Considering the time it takes for letters to be delivered, about five days from now should be appropriate, right?
I have no desire to rush things, so I'm leaning toward scheduling the meeting with Rio for the following week.
Besides, why on earth doesn't Shanhaijing have a hotline? Even Trinity has a hotline between the Tea Party and the Pandemonium Society, but they're using letters.
This was the first time since I had exchanged letters with Hina.
"The Black Sovereign of Shanhaijing…"
"Hmm? The Black Sovereign, that's a pretty impressive title. I feel like I've heard it somewhere before".
Where had I heard it… As long as I hadn't missed anything, it didn't seem to be from the in-game story of Blue Archive.
Was it something I had heard and forgotten while working as the Tea Party Host? My memory has been so hazy lately.
"I don't know much about her in detail either. It's only what I've heard through rumors. But… it's certain that she reigns as the literal sovereign of Shanhaijing. The rumors of her leadership, magnanimity, composure, and drive are said to reach the heavens".
"…Whoa. To have rumors like that. That's more than a little amazing. Yes".
"Of course, you must take into account that there may be some exaggeration, as they are only rumors. I believe that you are in no way inferior to her, Mika-ssi".
"Ahaha, you think so…"
I feel this sometimes, but the people around me have a strange tendency to overrate me.
Honestly, if I were that great, I would have distinguished myself back when I was on Earth. How could a non-existent talent for genius suddenly appear just by coming to Kivotos?
It was all just the result of luck, knowledge, and a body that felt a little too excellent.
"…By the way, Mika-ssi, what color do you like?"
"Hmm?"
Nagisa's question, which sounded like it came out of nowhere, was her way of asking what color yarn would be good for the scarf she was planning to hand-knit.
"How about a simple gray? There's no need to knit it in different colors, is there?"
"Gray… hmm. That sounds nice. If Seia-san agrees, that is"
Truthfully, I didn't really expect Nagisa to be able to finish the scarf.
To knit three scarves for the Tea Party members before winter arrived, while working on it in her spare time amidst her busy schedule, seemed realistically impossible in just two weeks.
But I couldn't help but want to cheer her on. I wondered if I should learn how to knit and help her out, but I hesitated, thinking I would probably just create more work and be a nuisance.
"By the way, Nagisa, I'll make dinner tonight?"
"…Are you thinking of attempting that rosé funmoza tteokbokki again?"
"B-but, I was told that this time they've really found the perfect sauce ratio. I'm sure of it…!"
It wasn't a joke, it was true. What other business would I have at the Shanhaijing Xuanwu Merchant Association?
My journey to become the Tteokbokki Empress of Kivotos was about to begin, I tell you.
"…Sigh. Very well. But I hope you won't make too much and give it away to the attendants like last time".
"Oh? Don't tell me. Could I take that to mean you're jealous, and you want the food I make all to yourself?".
"…Mika-ssi, I say this with my hand on my heart, but what you made last time tasted so strange that I felt sorry for the attendants. I only ate it because I had to".
"Th-that was because the recipe was the problem. The time before that, you ate it without a word, didn't you? Hmm?".
…I do regret that. But I just followed the recipe I was given.
They sent me the wrong one.
"You didn't put cream in it that time. And it was a little too spicy for my taste".
"Hmmm. By my standards, that was so bland it was practically sweet.
Do I need to use anchovy stock…?".
"Sigh. Wouldn't it be a relief if the taste could be solved by just adding a little anchovy stock?
From what I can see, it's a problem with the cream ratio".
"Right, so I'm telling you, the ratio is perfect this time! You can really trust me☆".
"…And, I've recently learned that funmoza is a calorie bomb. Let's make something else, something else".
"Whoa...?"
Oops. I didn't realize I'd stumble upon such a sensitive issue for a high school girl.
If this is the case, do I have no choice but to lead Nagisa down the path of exercise…!
The Black Sovereign of Shanhaijingz
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