Chapter 23 – The Secretary and the Maid

Ｒｅａｄ ｏ​ｎ ＫａｔＲｅａ​ｄｉｎｇＣａｆｅ

 

“So, why did you give me such instructions?”

That evening, after her spar with Nanashi, Neru sent Akane back to the C&C clubroom and called someone in a secluded spot.

The person on the other end chuckled in response to Neru’s question, their voice as sly as ever.

[Did you like her?]

“Yeah. She was decent. Almost too decent—I don’t even get why you had me approach her.”

[Had you? I merely made a small ‘request’. Just wanted to verify some rumors, that’s all.]

“Hah. Spare me the excuses. Okay, that doesn’t matter, let’s talk about something else.”

The other person dodged the question, clearly unwilling to reveal the truth, kept beating around the bush. Suppressing a scoff, Neru moved on to her next question.

“Why is the Seminar’s secretary protecting that junior?”

[…]

“No way you didn’t know about this. If the Seminar hasn’t made a move yet, that means you’re hiding it. Am I wrong?”

As soon as the fight ended, Neru couldn’t help but realize something:

There were too many coincidences.

Soundproofing in the training hall. Akane’s sudden summons. Even the deleted CCTV footage.

Subtle but blatant protection. From this fight alone, Neru understood that unseen forces were at play behind Nanashi.

Some were likely Veritas, but certain areas could only be manipulated by the Seminar.

So Neru was certain the person who’d made this “request” was behind it. Which made her wonder. ‘Why was Ushio Noa shielding Silk?’

Why would she, as the Seminar’s secretary, keep Nanashi’s identity secret even from her own faction?

“There’s no way you, a secretary of Seminar, would suddenly betray the Seminar and Big Sister.”

[Of course not. I’m still part of the Seminar.]

“Then why hide Silk’s identity?”

Noa’s smile was audible through the phone as she answered Neru’s question. Her voice filled with a bitter, pained undertone.

[I simply didn’t want my political stance to hinder her progress.]

“……”

Even if it meant ignoring the Seminar’s interests, Noa refused to stand in Silk’s way.

Though Neru didn’t know the full story, Noa’s unique ability had gnawed at her deeply enough to drive her to this decision.

Perfect memory.

Painful memories. Traumatic memories. Depressing memories.

Countless recollections that eroded Noa’s sanity.

With the General Student Council President gone, the past month’s crumbling order had only worsened Noa’s mental state.

And then—Silk appeared.

From her debut to now, Silk had never wavered in her pursuit of justice.

Unconsciously, Noa found herself fixating on every news report about Silk. Watching her allowed Noa to temporarily bury her own suffering under Silk’s heroics.

More than that—seeing Silk selflessly help others, whether as a hero or a student, filled Noa with hope.

Maybe that was why.

Maybe that was why Noa refused to let the Seminar’s shadow touch her.

[I know it’s strange coming from the Seminar’s secretary, but… I believe Silk is necessary for Millennium—no, for all of Kivotos.]

“Even if that junior ends up opposing the Seminar someday?”

[Yes. Because if nothing else, I deeply trust her sense of justice.]

A decision unbefitting her position.

Yet Noa didn’t regret asking Neru for this favor.

[So, her identity is still safe?]

“Akane bought my excuse. Said I just went to check the rumors myself. Handle the Seminar yourself—I don’t want any trouble.”

[Hehe. Seems you’ve taken a liking to her too, Neru-senpai.]

“……”

Neru didn’t answer.

She had been surprised by Nanashi’s identity—but her tenacity and conviction were even more shocking.

And after hearing nothing but praise while investigating Nanashi, Neru couldn’t help but laugh.

Silk was the same, whether as a hero or a student.

Diligent. Hardworking. Kind.

Always striving to help, never stopping. If not for her secret, Neru might’ve tried recruiting her into C&C.

She couldn’t help but respect Nanashi.

Enough to vaguely understand Noa’s actions.

‘No wonder even the Seminar’s ruthless secretary got pulled in.’

Of course, Neru kept these thoughts to herself—voicing only a simple wish.

“Yeah. Enough that I’d wanna fight her again.”

[I’m glad.]

With that, their secret conversation ended.

***

Ushio Noa reminisced about the past.

Memories carved vividly into her mind. Scars of pain that refused to fade.

Among them, few were bright or happy enough to heal her. Most were just trivial moments with her friend Yuuka.

But recently, new memories have formed.

Memories of Silk.

“I wonder what kind of person she is.”

Noa deeply agreed with Yuuka’s sentiment. Silk’s actions in every broadcast had left a strong impression.

Saving citizens. Punishing evil. Always emerging victorious.

She doesn’t ignore the despair of others, always appearing to resolve crises before vanishing again.

Yet she never acted lofty or superior. In every video, Silk treated people warmly—helping even with minor issues, like a ‘friendly neighbor’.

A title she’d earned after answering a reporter’s question:

“What’s the purpose of your actions?”

“Just being a ‘friendly neighbor’.”

The phrase stuck—not just with the public, but with Noa herself.

She admired this hero who sought no praise, who treated everyone as equals.

From then on, Noa followed Silk’s trail.

Or rather, memorized everything about her.

She told herself it was for the Seminar’s sake—but that excuse grew thinner by the day.

The more she learned, the more she cheered for Silk.

The final blow was Silk’s fight against Wakamo.

“Is she seriously taking on that number alone? How?”

“Right? That’s at least a company’s worth of enemies.”

The battle between Silk and the ‘Fox of Calamity’. Kosaka Wakamo. To be exact, Silk versus Wakamo and an entire army.

Against all odds, Silk won.

Against Wakamo, against numerous enemies.

Like many citizens, Noa watched the broadcast with Yuuka—sometimes anxious, sometimes tense, sometimes cheering.

A sign that she, like Yuuka, had come to admire Silk deeply. However Noa hadn’t been honest with herself until then.

Not until she heard Silk’s words on screen.

[You decide who you want to be.]

[So if your head is in a mess, ignore it]

[The future you, or someone else, will be able to take care of such worries for you]

Words of comfort meant for Wakamo. 

But those words resonated with everyone watching.

Including Noa.

An answer to the countless worries she had in her head.

For the first time, she felt the knots in her heart loosening.

“…Thank you, Silk.”

And with that, she understood herself.

The memories that torment her.

Her secret investigations into Silk with Yuuka.

Furthermore, she worries that she wants to support and help Silk, not as Seminar’s secretary, but as ‘Ushio Noa’.

“I won’t hesitate anymore.”

After learning Silk’s identity, Noa had agonized over whether to inform the Seminar.

But now, she’d made her choice.

“As the Seminar’s secretary, I can’t openly act against them…”

But if it meant helping Kivotos’ hero—

Even in the smallest way—

She’d gladly reach out.

That was why she’d orchestrated this.

***

“So, Nanashi?”

“Y-Yes…?”

“What kind of punishment would you like this time?”

“……”

Himari asked as I knelt before her, hands raised in surrender. But what could I even say?

I just bowed my head deeply.

“I-I’m sorry…”

“……”

Himari sighed, stepped closer, and bonked me on the head.

“No using your looks to get out of trouble.”

“…Huh?”

“Ahem, never mind. Fine. For that face of yours, I’ll go easy.”

“Eep!”

‘Himari-senpai, you’re the best!’

Sure, she says weird things sometimes, but she’s such a good senpai.

Right now, I could even call her ‘big sister’.

“Tomorrow, you’re going out with me.”

“Going… out?”

“Yes. Accompanying me on a shopping trip—that’s your punishment.”

“What.”

Shopping as punishment?

“I was angry seeing you hurt, but even I couldn’t have predicted Neru showing up. Plus, C&C’s covering all costs, so no real damage done.”

“……”

“I should punish you for carelessly revealing your identity… but given the circumstances, I’ll let it slide. Especially since it was Neru. So no severe punishme—”

Overcome with gratitude, I tackle-hugged Himari mid-sentence.

“Himari nee-chan…!”

“Oh my. You’re that happy?”

Of course! How could I not be?

At this rate, I might even confess my love.

“I kinda wanna give you a kiss.”

“Wha—?! Nanashi, what are you—a kiss?!”

Flustered, Himari flailed, trying to push me off—but I just hugged her tighter.

Then, whispering in her ear:

“Can I?”

“?!?”

Girls sometimes kiss each other as a friendly gesture, right? 

Is it different in Kivotos?

Whatever. I’m staying like this.