"Kikiki! Welcome, Schale's Teacher!" Makoto greeted, her voice brimming with energy.
"Hey, you seem lively as ever, Makoto-san," Mash replied.
"Hah! This Makoto-sama is always in top form!" she declared.
"Good to hear," Mash said.
"I'm thrilled to see you again, Teacher…" Makoto paused, her eyes narrowing. "But one thing—why did you destroy the door!?"
In the Gehenna Autonomous District, inside the grandiose Pandemonium Society's assembly hall, the room was opulent—plush sofas, a low table, and walls adorned with expensive paintings and Gehenna's emblem on drapes. It was excessively spacious and brightly lit.
And Mash had, as usual, smashed through the door to get there. Holding the remnants of the pricey handle, he faced Makoto.
"Sorry, I couldn't tell if it was push or pull," Mash said.
"That's no excuse to break it!!" Makoto shouted. "How are you gonna fix this!?"
"…I'll repair it," Mash said, and with a whirrr, he set to work.
"Hmph! Go ahead and try!" Makoto scoffed. "That was a custom-made piece, crafted by Kivotos's finest artisans. It's not something you can just—"
Creak-creak-creak! Bang-bang-bang!
"There," Mash said. "Surprisingly easy."
"No… way…" Makoto stammered. "It took two weeks to make that door!"
"Send the repair bill to Schale later," Mash offered.
"N-No, it's fine… you fixed it," Makoto muttered, deflated.
"Cool," Mash said.
(Ugh, no good… I'm getting swept up in Teacher's pace. Gotta regroup!) Makoto thought, slapping her cheeks to refocus. She leaned back on the sofa, facing Mash with renewed determination.
"Here, it's not much, but help yourself," she said, gesturing to a tray of snacks.
"Thanks… and you are?" Mash asked, turning to a new face.
"Oh, I haven't introduced myself," the girl said. "I'm Natsume Iroha, tank commander of the Pandemonium Society. Nice to meet you… I'm 16, by the way."
"Mash Burnedead," Mash said. "Nice to meet you too."
"…Sorry about the cream puff incident," Iroha added sheepishly.
"Oh, that," Mash said, waving it off. "No big deal."
"Kikiki…" Makoto laughed nervously. "That was really my bad—please let it go!"
Some time ago, Mash, intending to gift Hina a vacation, had contacted Makoto. When she mocked cream puffs, Mash retaliated by sending 10,000 of them to the Pandemonium Society, nearly giving them a cream puff phobia.
"Anyway, let's move on!" Makoto said. "Teacher, you've finally come to offer your cooperation to me, Makoto-sama, chairwoman of the Pandemonium Society!"
"Huh?" Mash tilted his head.
"Kikikiki!" Makoto cackled. "With Schale and the Pandemonium Society united, we could crush Gehenna's Disciplinary Committee like bugs. It's a logical conclusion—no, we could rule all of Kivotos! The calculations are complete. Let's execute the plan, Teacher!"
"Wanna take a slap for that?" Mash asked, raising a hand.
"What!?" Makoto yelped.
"That's what you get for saying stuff like that," Iroha said dryly.
Mash's visit was purely formal—he was attending the Eden Treaty as a courtesy, a simple meet-and-greet. Nothing more.
"Ruling Kivotos? Not interested," Mash said flatly.
"Foolish, Teacher!" Makoto said. "Control Kivotos, and you can have anything you—wait, let's talk! Stop practicing that slap!"
"…Can I go now?" Iroha sighed. "I'm not exactly free."
"Makoto-senpai, enough with that nonsense," another voice cut in. "Get to the point. Even Ako's getting fed up."
"Oh, Ako-san? When'd you get here?" Mash asked.
"I've been here the whole time!" Ako snapped. "Are you saying my presence is that negligible!?"
"If you're negligible, I'd dissolve into thin air," Mash said.
"Are you picking a fight!?" Ako fumed.
Ako Amamau, present all along but somehow overlooked, was visibly irritated. She plopped down next to Mash, glaring at Makoto.
"There's a real reason you called me, right?" Ako demanded.
"Of course!" Makoto said, her demeanor shifting. Gone was the playful bravado; now she spoke as the chairwoman of the Pandemonium Society, exuding authority and dignity as Gehenna's leader.
"Let's get to the point," she said.
"Sounds serious," Mash said.
"Very," Makoto confirmed.
"What's the deal?" Mash asked.
"Kiki…" Makoto's eyes sharpened. "Teacher… this Makoto-sama has met with Arius Branch School—and declared them enemies."
"…Huh?" Mash blinked.
"Arius?" Iroha said. "The ones exiled from Trinity ages ago?"
"Hold on, Makoto-san," Ako said. "Why were you even meeting with Arius?"
"I'll explain everything," Makoto said, her voice crisp. "Their plan… and the one orchestrating it."
Makoto recounted, with a steely expression, why she opposed Arius. The details left Ako speechless and Mash grappling with a whirlwind of emotions.
Weeks Earlier, in a Ruined Corner of Kivotos
"Kikiki! I'm here, Arius Branch School," Makoto called. "Let's hear your pitch."
"No need to rush, Pandemonium's chairwoman," a voice replied. "We'll talk."
"You really came with so few people," Iroha noted.
"It was part of the deal," the voice said.
"Just me, Iroha, and Geheko from the Cream Puff Club," Makoto said. "You've got… ten?"
"From Arius Squad, just me," Saori Jomae said. "That's enough."
"Hmph," Makoto huffed.
"Um… why am I here?" Geheko asked, bewildered.
"You were the only one who looked free," Iroha said.
"That's so flimsy!" Geheko protested.
Two groups faced off: Makoto, Iroha, and the inexplicably roped-in Geheko from the Cream Puff Club on one side; Saori and nine Arius students in matching attire on the other. They'd gathered for a critical meeting.
"Leader, preparations are ready," an Arius student said.
"Good," Saori replied. "Makoto Hanuma, our student council president will explain the plan."
"Student council president?" Makoto raised an eyebrow.
"Hey," Saori said, nodding to an Arius student.
Click.
A hologram flickered before Makoto, revealing the so-called president.
"Nice to meet you," the figure said. "I'm Beatrice, president of Arius Branch School… and your contract partner."
"An adult?" Makoto said.
"A… person?" Iroha muttered.
The figure appeared as a woman with striking red skin, but her multiple eyes and eerie aura were anything but human. An adult, unlike them, was here to negotiate with Makoto.
"Time is precious, so let's get to it," Beatrice said.
"Right," Makoto said. "Tell me about this plan to derail the Eden Treaty."
*(Derail the Eden Treaty!?) * Geheko thought, shocked.
Makoto's reason for meeting Arius was to hear their scheme to sabotage the Eden Treaty. She had no intention of reconciling with Trinity and vehemently opposed the treaty. When Arius dangled an enticing offer, Makoto accepted, coming here to seal the deal.
"First, the plan," Beatrice said. "It's simple. At the treaty's signing ceremony, we'll drop a massive bomb, turning the venue into a sea of fire. That's phase one."
"A sea of fire?" Makoto echoed.
"What kind of bomb?" Iroha asked.
"A cruise missile-sized weapon," Beatrice said. "Highly destructive. We've tested it—it won't kill Kivotos folk, but it'll leave them gravely injured."
"You're dropping that on a packed signing ceremony?" Makoto said.
"Justice Task Force, Gehenna Disciplinary Committee, Sisterhood, Tea Party—all neutralized," Beatrice said. "That's phase one."
A missile to wipe out the strongest players—that was the first step.
"Phase two," Beatrice continued. "From beneath the venue, Arius Branch School soldiers will emerge, sweeping away everyone left."
"Mash Burnedead will be there," Makoto said. "What's your take on him?"
"I doubt he'd survive the blast, but we've planned for that," Beatrice said. "Give her the gear."
"Understood," Saori said, stepping forward.
"A knife and red ammo?" Makoto observed.
"Anti-Teacher knife and ammunition," Beatrice said. "Use them to incapacitate and capture him."
"This can stop him?" Makoto asked skeptically.
"Its power is proven," Beatrice said.
Two Arius students placed a black bag before Makoto. Geheko inspected it, finding it stuffed with anti-Teacher knives and ammo. Beatrice continued.
"Why did you propose an alliance?" Makoto asked.
"We want Gehenna's internal intel," Beatrice said. "In return, we'll guarantee the Pandemonium Society's safety."
"After it's all over, you'll erase Gehenna and Trinity from existence," Makoto said, "and Arius Branch School will claim their territories."
"You'll get thirty percent of it, Makoto Hanuma," Beatrice said.
"…Heh, hahaha!" Makoto laughed. "Not a bad plan, Arius's president."
"Not a bad deal for you either," Beatrice said. "We'll give you the weapons. Cooperate, and you'll get even more. We'll send Arius soldiers to your thirty percent—use them as you please."
Beatrice's true goal was to erase Gehenna and Trinity from the map, claiming their lands to build a new Arius Branch School. The thirty percent promised to Makoto was a lie—she planned to use her and discard her.
To Arius, this was revenge—a chance to repay what had been done to them.
"You hate Trinity and Gehenna's Disciplinary Committee," Beatrice said. "This is your chance to eliminate them."
"…"
"Your Gehenna, led by you… those students must think you're in their way, that you're unloved. Why protect them?" Beatrice pressed. "There's no reason."
(W-What… this woman's voice… why does it make me shake?) Geheko thought, trembling. Iroha felt it too—the oppressive weight of a malevolent adult. But—
"You've got a point," Makoto said. "Protecting people who don't respect me, who despise me? No need for that."
"Heh heh heh… exactly," Beatrice said.
"Getting chummy with Trinity, my enemies? No thanks," Makoto said.
"Precisely," Beatrice agreed.
"That pesky Disciplinary Committee… no, their chairwoman—I'll take her down and reign supreme," Makoto said. "Kikiki, sounds glorious."
"And your biggest obstacle, Mash Burnedead, will be eliminated," Beatrice added.
"He's mocked me plenty," Makoto said. "Taking him down… not a bad idea."
"Heh heh, it's all set, then," Beatrice said. "Saori."
"Sign the contract," Saori said, presenting the document.
Beatrice smirked as Saori handed Makoto the contract. Iroha quietly prepared something, while Geheko seemed ready to speak.
"One last check," Makoto said. "After it's all done, I really get thirty percent of the land?"
"I promise," Beatrice said. "In exchange, you provide Gehenna's intel and Mash Burnedead's body. Give and take… now, sign!"
Beatrice's lips curled into an inhuman grin. At that moment—
"I refuse!!" Makoto shouted.
"What?" Beatrice said, stunned.
"This contract?" Makoto said, tearing it to shreds. "This is what I think of it!" Rip!
"!" Saori and the Arius students raised their guns.
"Let me tell you my second-favorite thing," Makoto said, laughing. "It's saying 'NO' to people who think they're hot stuff!"
"Did you not hear the plan?" Beatrice demanded.
"Oh, I heard your pathetic scheme," Makoto said.
"Pathetic…?" Beatrice hissed.
"Yeah, pathetic," Makoto said. "Wipe everything out and stand on the ashes? What's the point!?"
Spreading her arms wide, Makoto's voice boomed with confidence, courage, and conviction, pouring out her true feelings.
"I hate that Disciplinary Committee chairwoman, Sora Hina, and Trinity's lot—especially Hina, I despise her," Makoto said.
"Then—" Beatrice began.
"But that's a separate matter," Makoto cut in. "Eliminate Hina? You think I'd allow that?"
"Why… why!?" Beatrice said. "You wanted to defeat her! This plan would be your victory!"
"Who made the weapons for this plan? You. Who's executing it? You," Makoto said. "That won't do. It's not enough."
Clasping her hands, Makoto spoke with intensity. "Beating Hina has to be me. Crushing her, looking down on her, winning—it has to be by my strength alone!"
"What a… pointless notion," Beatrice said.
"Pointless is fine," Makoto said. "And you're mistaken. Sure, I dislike Trinity—but I don't want to annihilate them."
"You don't hate them enough to destroy them?" Saori asked.
"When did I ever say I wanted them gone?" Makoto shot back.
"!" Saori flinched.
"And from what I heard," Makoto said, "you had no intention of giving me that land. Use me and toss me aside? Hah, I see right through you."
Standing before Iroha and Geheko, Makoto ruffled their hair.
"You said no one respects me, but at least these two and the Pandemonium Society do," she said.
"Chairwoman…" Geheko murmured.
"…Somewhat," Iroha said dryly.
"Especially Geheko here—she joined because she admires me," Makoto said. "I've grown fond of her, my precious junior."
"…So what?" Saori said.
"She has friends at Trinity and other schools," Makoto said. "Erasing them and leaving her to cry? No way."
"Chairwoman!!" Geheko sobbed.
"Sum it up?" Makoto said, pointing dramatically at Beatrice, her face a mix of smugness and defiance. "I can't stand your condescending eyes! Making my admiring junior cry? I won't become that kind of person! Winning with your help is boring and meaningless! And above all… I don't want to make an enemy of Mash Burnedead!"
(That's probably the real reason…) Iroha thought.
"In short—this contract is null!" Makoto declared.
Cackling, Makoto prepared something as Beatrice seethed.
"Insolent… little brat," Beatrice growled.
"So that's your true face?" Makoto said. "Adults really can't be trusted."
"Silence!" Beatrice snapped. "Fine. You're no longer needed."
"Guess that's that," Saori said. "Such a shame, Makoto Hanuma."
The Arius students aimed their guns at Makoto. Geheko readied her own weapon in response. Then, Makoto grinned.
"Arius Branch School," she said. "Do you know what art is?"
"What?" Saori said.
"Iroha!" Makoto shouted, whipping off her coat.
"Got it!" Iroha said, catching it and hurling it at the Arius students.
"What's the—! Everyone, fall back!" Saori ordered.
"Geheko! Grab the bag and run!!" Makoto yelled.
"Huh!?" Geheko yelped.
"Click!" Iroha pressed a square button.
BOOM! Makoto's coat exploded in a blinding flash, the blast and roar engulfing the Arius students.
*(A bomb in her clothes!?) * Saori thought.
"Hahaha!" Makoto laughed. "You didn't even check us for weapons—what a dumb commander!"
"You're one to talk, Makoto-senpai," Iroha muttered.
"What was that!?" Makoto snapped.
"As expected of our Chairwoman Makoto!!" Geheko cheered.
"I had flashbangs and explosives from the Hot Springs Development Club sewn into my coat!" Makoto said. "Pretty powerful, right!?"
Holding the bag of Arius's knives and ammo, the trio had escaped far from the ruins.
"You underestimated this Makoto-sama," Makoto said. "I'm Hina Sorasaki's peer, you know—I can move fast when I need to."
"What's next?" Iroha asked.
"Obvious, isn't it?" Makoto said. "We report everything to Mash Burnedead… and stop them."
"Chairwoman… I'll follow you forever!!" Geheko cried.
Gaining insight into Arius's plan, securing their resources, and escaping successfully—Makoto had, in a way, triumphed over Arius Branch School.
Sure, Makoto often harassed Hina and wasn't always the most effective chairwoman. But she wasn't a monster.
"…In a way, I've been poisoned by that man too," Makoto muttered.
Without Mash, she might have accepted the deal. It could've been catastrophic. His presence was undeniably massive for any student.
"Well, mostly I'm just terrified of Teacher," Makoto admitted.
"Don't say that, Iroha!!" Makoto shouted.
And so, Makoto fully opposed Arius. Days passed, leading to the present.
Makoto-sama turned into Vegeta… and it got a bit convenient. But I regret it… only ninety percent!!
In this story, Beatrice spilled the entire plan, fully believing Makoto would ally with her. This is the result.
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