Stepping into the Justice Realization Committee headquarters, Hasumi blinked in bewilderment. She was so surprised she almost dropped the macarons she was holding, but fortunately, such a catastrophe did not occur.
"Welcome, Hasumi-sunbae."
"Ah, Ichika. Good morning. I stopped by for a moment before heading to the ETO headquarters, but... why is Tsurugi acting like that...?"
The sight of Tsurugi lying on the sofa, holding something up and grinning foolishly, was more than enough to startle Hasumi.
"Kihi. Kihehet..."
For Tsurugi to be grinning like that, for any reason whatsoever, was bound to look threatening in many ways.
Even for Hasumi, who knew Tsurugi well, it was impossible not to be taken aback by the sight.
Ichika, who had been there for some time, let out an awkward laugh at her question. Then she said.
"I think she said she got a Christmas present from Mika-sunbae."
Hearing that, Hasumi immediately nodded in understanding.
"...Ah. It's true, Tsurugi received very few gifts last year... and she didn't get any from students outside the Justice Realization Committee. I've heard that the Tea Party often gives gifts to the department heads, though."
"Ah, I heard it was a personal gift, separate from that. Seeing as I got one too, I think it's just Mika-sunbae's personality to take care of anyone she's acquainted with..."
"I see... I can understand Mika-ssi doing that. I received a separate gift from her as well."
"Oh, is that so? Hmm. By the way, I'm worried that the gift I gave her is too shabby compared to the one I received from Mika-sunbae... I got an expensive treatment that's supposed to keep one's wings in top condition, but all I sent her was a single book."
"A book, you say? I'm a bit curious about its contents."
"It's called *A Must-Read for Stylish Reloading*. I sent it to her because I found it really impressive..."
Upon hearing Ichika's explanation, Hasumi recalled the firearm Mika used and blinked. Considering the design of her weapon, the flashy reloads Ichika sometimes showed off... seemed a bit impractical.
"Hmm... I don't think the monetary value of a gift is that important to Mika-ssi. From what I know, Mika-ssi was never one to be frugal, even as a first-year, so I believe your worries are unnecessary, Ichika."
"Is that... so? Haha. Then I'm relieved."
"Yes. In my case, I received five... I mean, one box of macaron gift sets, so I imagine she put some thought into what kind of gift would be best for each person."
Hasumi, having corrected herself mid-sentence, glanced at Ichika. Bragging about receiving five boxes... as a lady, wouldn't that be embarrassing in many ways?
Hasumi herself had gifted some expensive tea leaves, so her situation was a bit different from Ichika's.
But an expensive wing treatment... it would be a lie to say she wasn't a little envious. Her own wings were... so massive that even calling them "large" didn't seem to fit. As she thought this, Hasumi's wings fluttered slightly.
Had Mika heard, she would have certainly agreed internally that Hasumi was indeed massive in every aspect.
"So, what gift did Tsurugi receive to look so happy? From here, it looks like a picture frame."
At the part about Tsurugi looking happy, Ichika's eye twitched slightly.
"She, uh, received a photo that she and Mika-sunbae took together a while back."
"...In that case, I can see why she'd be that happy."
For Tsurugi, who had few people she could call friends, the existence of someone who would reach out to her first must have been a welcome one. Witnessing this, Hasumi made a mental note to spend more time with Tsurugi herself.
"Hmm... come to think of it, the graduation ceremony is just around the corner. I wonder how many of next year's new students will want to join the Justice Realization Committee..."
"Haha. The thought that I'll finally have cute kouhais of my own is a little exciting."
"Ihihihihihit—!!"
The fact that several students who visited the Justice Realization Committee that day suffered great mental shock and had to receive psychological treatment in the Relief Knights' ward was a secret that must never, ever reach Tsurugi's ears.
***
Having just finished her morning prayers, Sakurako quietly headed somewhere.
It was what was commonly known as a confessional, a place where the faithful confess their sins to a priest to receive forgiveness.
It was early morning, so the confessional was empty. Sakurako stepped inside and quietly closed the door.
"...Fufu."
Taking out a small, cactus-shaped doll from her pocket, Sakurako placed it beside her and pressed a button. The cactus began to dance and sing a carol.
After listening for a while, she pressed the button again to stop it, then pressed another button and spoke in a gentle voice.
"Your every move... I am always watching."
[Your every move... I am always watching.]
Then Sakurako pressed the button again, and the cactus danced and mimicked her words. Hearing it, Sakurako let out a small chuckle and pressed the record button once more.
"Glory and thanks be to my Lord, who alone is worthy to receive praise, honor, and glory for ever and ever..."
After reciting the prayer, Sakurako pressed the play button and listened to the cactus's prayer with a small smile. This way, wouldn't her feelings for the Primordial Divinity be conveyed twofold?
Thinking that Mika's gift was truly to her liking, Sakurako closed her eyes.
*Knock, knock.*
"...Excuse me, is anyone in there?"
Sakurako's contemplation, lulled by the cactus's prayer, was interrupted by someone knocking on the confessional door and asking a question.
Hurriedly turning off the cactus, Sakurako cleared her throat and answered.
"Are you, perhaps, a believer who has come for confession?"
"No, I... I'm in charge of the confessional today... H-Hold on, is that Sister Sakurako in there?"
Her identity hopelessly exposed, Sakurako silently hid the cactus doll first.
This was a chance to approach others with the friendly image she so desired, but being seen playing with a doll... she felt it was somewhat inappropriate for someone in a position who had to maintain dignity.
...In any case, unlike Sakurako, who was satisfied with the gift she received, the thick, revised edition of the scriptures she had sent to Mika would be opened once a month, if that.
***
Mine had been performing true relief work in the Relief Knights' ward since the early dawn. It was well past lunchtime when she finally emerged from the ward for a meal, only to find two familiar faces outside.
It was Serina and Misaki, oddly sharing a single white scarf, sitting side by side on a bench and looking at a book. At some point, the two had become the Relief Knights' officially recognized best friends.
The girl Mika had brought one day to Serina, who was cherished by the entire Relief Knights, not to mention all the patients in the ward, had been extremely withdrawn, cynical, and had firmly shut the door to her heart.
Serina had tried to help Misaki open up, consistently attempting to converse with her without pushing too hard. At some point, Misaki finally waved the white flag in the face of such sincerity and began to respond, a word or two at a time, and the friendship between the two finally began to sprout.
And now, several months later, Misaki had joined the Relief Knights, and her relationship with Serina, who had been like her mentor from the beginning, had reached a point where they were rarely seen apart.
"Ah, Director! Are you on your way to a meal?"
"I am, Serina. Misaki, you're working hard today as well. It's a wonderful sight."
"...Thank you, Director Mine."
There was still a bit of awkwardness when she dealt with her, but Mine believed that too would improve with time. After all, Misaki was now a comrade who had engraved the will of relief... its creed and pride, in her heart.
"It's chilly. Is there a need to study outside... Ah, I see. My apologies, Misaki."
"...No, it's fine. This has nothing to do with that."
Mine had assumed they were studying outside due to Misaki's claustrophobia, but Misaki denied it, saying that simply opening a window was enough to solve that problem.
"Then, why are you studying out here?"
"I suggested it to Misaki-chan! Seeing the snow-covered campus is bound to make you feel warm and fuzzy... so I thought it might help with concentrating on our studies."
"Hmm. Indeed, it seems the accumulated snow does have the effect of accentuating our academy's beauty. By the way, are you two not going to eat? If you don't mind, we could go together."
"Ah! I'm sorry, Director. We already had the sandwiches we brought. But thank you for the offer!"
"If that's the case, it's a shame, but it can't be helped."
"Fufu... it's not much of a substitute, but would you like some warm hot chocolate?"
As Mine, whose dinner invitation had been declined, nodded, Serina gently shook a thermos and asked.
After a moment's thought, Mine agreed. Serina handed her a paper cup of hot chocolate with a bright smile. Then, as if remembering something, her eyes lit up.
"Oh, by the way, Misaki-chan and I are going on a hot spring trip next weekend, so we probably won't be on campus then..."
"A hot spring trip, you say?"
"Yes. Mika-nim gave Misaki-chan two lodging vouchers for a hot spring inn as a Christmas present!"
"Mika-nim... I see."
Hearing Serina, Mine nodded, remembering that she too had received quite a few gifts but hadn't had a chance to check them while performing relief work in the ward.
"Serina, you're always working so hard, so if you're saying you'll take a few days off to rest, I welcome it. With Misaki there, it's unlikely any problems will arise."
Strictly speaking, Misaki was one of the relatively weaker members of the Arius Squad, but against common thugs like the Helmet Gang or Sukeban, it wouldn't even be a fight. So in Mine's eyes, she was a bodyguard more than capable of being entrusted with Serina's safety.
"Well then, I'll be on my way. It's not good to stay outside for too long, so don't stay out too late."
"Yes. Have a good lunch, Director!"
"A good lunch, Director Mine."
After bidding the two farewell, Mine headed to the student cafeteria. She finished her meal quickly and finally began to open the gifts she had left piled up.
Though her way of thinking was a bit extreme, as the leader of the Johann Faction and the Director of the Relief Knights, she was widely respected, so the number of gifts was by no means small.
She had connections with most of the other faction heads, so she was checking the formal gifts they had exchanged when she paused at Mika's.
A long Wave Cat plushie had been sent as a gift from Mika, who must have remembered her showing interest in the Wave Cat sticker on her gun.
"...It's cute."
For a while, Mine was engrossed in the cuteness of the Wave Cat. Even after snapping out of it, she couldn't stop her gaze from drifting back to it, and it took her a much longer time to sort through her presents.
It also made her wonder what that made her, for having simply gifted nutritional supplements, just as she did to the other faction heads.
The number of Momo Friends believers in Trinity was steadily on the rise.
***