"To sum it up…"
Hasumi's bewildered voice echoed in the Justice Task Force headquarters. Surrounded by Hasumi, Mashiro, and other Task Force members, Azusa, Hifumi, and Mash—who was munching on a choux cream—stood at the center.
"So, Azusa wanted to see the sea, and you stole a tank for that?" Hasumi asked.
"Y-Yes, exactly!" Hifumi nodded rapidly.
"What's the connection between the sea and a tank?"
"W-Well, um…"
Hifumi fidgeted under Hasumi's gaze. Mash had rushed to the headquarters, spoken with Hasumi, and arranged for the girls to explain themselves.
"We just borrowed some school equipment to go see it… I swear we didn't mean to steal!" Hifumi insisted.
"I believe you're not lying, Hifumi-san," Hasumi said.
"Looks that way to me too," Mash added.
"Even so, why not just go to the sea normally? Why a tank?"
"Normally isn't enough!" Hifumi exclaimed, slamming her fist on the desk and leaning forward.
"Azusa-chan's never seen the sea!"
"The sea…?" Hasumi echoed.
"Yes! It's her first time! Her first sea! Don't you get it!?"
"Uh, sure…"
"Feels familiar," Mash muttered, recalling persuading Nagisa with similar passion.
Hifumi pressed on. "It's summer vacation! Picture this: scorching sun, tickling sand, waves crashing, sunlight glinting off the water—and what's the only way to top it!?"
She paused dramatically.
"A tank ride to the sea!"
"…What?" Hasumi, Mash, and several Task Force members muttered, confused. Hifumi beamed smugly.
"Sorry, I don't quite—" Hasumi began.
"I get it," Mashiro interjected.
"Mashiro…?"
"Summer, a shimmering sea, blazing sun, sparkling sand, a first trip with friends—and seeing it all from a tank. It's essential. Romantic, even."
"Yes, exactly!" Hifumi cheered, fist raised, glowing like when Momo Friends are praised.
"Really…?" Hasumi asked.
"People have different tastes," Mash said.
"As long as Hifumi's happy," Azusa added.
"Friendship, the sea, romance, summer—thus…" Mashiro raised her finger skyward.
Mash sensed something coming and stepped in front of the others.
"YOUTH!" Mashiro shouted.
BOOM!
A wall exploded, debris flying. Mash swatted it away with his hands, spotting the culprit.
"Tsurugi-san?"
"The wall!?" Hifumi yelped.
"Where was Tsurugi-senpai?"
"Tsurugi, what's going on?" Hasumi asked.
"Why is everyone so calm!?"
"It happens sometimes," a Task Force member said.
"What!?"
"Tsurugi-san, what's up?" Mash asked.
Tsurugi, ignoring Mash, let out a beastly cry. "KEEE! The sea! Summer! Friendship!"
"…?"
"Sorry, please forgive me! No nail-pulling, it's not fun!" Hifumi pleaded.
"Tsurugi-senpai's extra hyped today," Mashiro noted.
"Could it be…" Hasumi stood, approaching Tsurugi with Mash.
"Tsurugi-san," Mash said.
"Huh? Sensei… SENSEI!?" Tsurugi's face flushed as she backpedaled, shrieking, "JABBERWOCK! KYAAA!"
"Calm down."
"Ugh, ohhh…"
"Here, choux cream."
Nom nom.
"Good."
"She's like a small animal!" Mashiro marveled.
"Sensei's amazing…✨"
(Is this worth admiring? It is, right?)
As Mash fed Tsurugi to calm her, Hasumi asked, "Tsurugi, do you want to go to the sea?"
"…!?"
"How'd you know?" Mashiro teased. "How many years have you known her?"
"No wonder she was yelling about the sea and youth," Mash said.
"So, a summer break?"
"Yes. After recent incidents, the Task Force—Tsurugi included—needs a break," Hasumi explained.
Trinity relied heavily on Tsurugi, much like Gehenna relied on Hina, especially after Eden's turmoil.
"Hifumi-chan and Azusa-chan want the sea. Tsurugi-san wants youth," Mash said.
"Ugh," Tsurugi mumbled.
"And I want to hang out with everyone!" Mash declared, thumping his chest.
"Bold words," Hasumi noted.
"I'm still a kid, gotta be clear about these things."
(His mentality's beyond adult…)
"But are you sure? I hear you're swamped," Hasumi said.
"Yeah, I'm heading to another school the day after tomorrow," Mash admitted.
His schedule was packed—Gehenna outings, bunny events, Wakamo's chaos.
"I… I'll pass then," Tsurugi mumbled.
"Why?"
"I don't want to… trouble you."
"You're not trouble."
"But…"
"You helped me at the gym, right? This trip's my thank-you."
"If… you say so…"
"Settled!"
Mash pointed skyward, buzzing with excitement. "Let's seize a youthful summer together!"
"I can't go," Hasumi said.
"What!?"
"I have reasons. Mashiro will go instead."
"Me?"
"Yes, enjoy yourself."
"Alright, let's make it epic!" Mashiro declared.
"This is getting big," Hifumi said.
"More people, more fun!" Azusa gripped Hifumi's hand. "Let's invite Koharu and Hanako too!"
"Great idea, let's do it!" Mash agreed.
"Summer… sea… friends…" Tsurugi giggled, her smile natural.
"So many things to do at the sea! Not just one or two—tons!" Azusa sparkled.
"Yes, let's make it tons of fun!" Hifumi agreed.
"Yeah!"
Hifumi and Azusa clasped hands, laughing. The room warmed with their joy until a Task Force member spoke.
"Fun's fine, but what about the tank?"
"I'll take responsibility," Mash said.
"That easy!?"
"I'll explain to Nagisa-san."
"Sensei's so reliable," Mashiro said.
"Right? But we'll apologize together later, okay?"
"Ugh… yes," Hifumi and Azusa agreed.
Thus, Hifumi, Azusa, Tsurugi, Mashiro, Mash, and soon Koharu and Hanako—seven in total—set off for a youthful adventure by the sea.
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