The Prefect Team's Tactical Training (1)
The Prefect Team's tactical training was right around the corner. But I hadn't yet passed on the training observation plan to the Prefect Team. I was planning to stealthily inform Ako after delaying the related matters until the last moment.
'It would be better if the time was tight, so Ako couldn't make any preemptive sabotage.'
Ako was the obstacle who didn't like the idea of the tactical training. If I forced the observation, she might pull some stunt. I was engaged in an invisible battle of wits with Ako. If Ako didn't come up with countermeasures, the situation would favor me.
And then, the day before the tactical training was scheduled. I received an unexpected document from the Prefect Team.
[1. This training is a matter concerning the maintenance of security in the Gehenna Autonomous Zone, and it is classified as a secret that could cause significant security issues if made public.]
[2. Accordingly, the Prefect Team requests your cooperation in converting this tactical training to a private one. End.]
'So they're using underhanded methods.' I knew Ako's tricks well. She intended to obstruct the tactical training observation. Trying to monopolize Hina like this. Pathetic trickery. My competitive spirit was triggered by the challenge Ako threw down.
'Then I have my own thoughts.'
I called Iroha to the office.
"Senior Makocchi. Your eyes look somehow suspicious. Are you trying to concoct some suspicious conspiracy?"
"Yeah, that's right."
When I affirmed, Iroha furrowed her brows. Iroha's expression showed she was getting involved in another troublesome matter.
"Haa. They say 'near-sighted and near-sighted', but Senior Makocchi is getting closer to the original. A face like a sneaky villain."
"Then I hope Iroha becomes an accomplice too."
"With your mouth?"
Iroha pointed her index finger at her own lips. Iroha's gesture of putting a coin in the piggy bank and appealing with her lips.
"What do you want?"
"Sense-less Senior Makocchi. You only learn when it's said in words?"
Iroha seductively licked her upper lip with her tongue. Due to Iroha's somehow erotic aura, my cheeks flushed.
"W-well, please make my mouth happy."
Soon, Iroha made a demand that made my heart pound.
"Wait! That's not allowed! I haven't experienced it yet, and it's not a light action!"
"What misunderstanding are you having, Senior Makocchi."
Iroha giggled and covered her mouth.
"Buy me pudding. I said to make my mouth happy with pudding."
Iroha fanned my cheeks red. Iroha teasing me with playful eye smiles.
"Or is there another way to make my mouth happy, Senior Makocchi?"
Iroha playfully teased me as if innocent. Iroha sticking out her tongue and making a wet sound was mischievous.
"......No, the pudding story is correct."
"Ah, by the way. In Gehenna, giving pudding to someone seven times is said to implicitly allow the lips. Senior Makocchi's count is getting close......"
"There is no such custom!"
Iroha, who was enjoying my reaction, chuckled satisfied.
"Yes, so what are you planning to do, Senior Makocchi?"
"I plan to observe the Prefect Team's tactical training. ......No matter what means."
I showed Iroha the Prefect Team's document. A cooperation letter to convert the tactical training to private, to prevent interference from the Manma War.
"You were straightforwardly aiming for it. Haa. It would be troublesome to break the trap, so let's quit here?"
Iroha, who hated troublesome things, seemed rather happy.
But I couldn't back down like this.
"No. This is Ako's challenge letter. So I'll return it as is."
It was a procedure done subtly but legally. It would be hard to land a solid hit on Ako with logic and reason. It was time to use stubbornness and demands. And I knew a master of tantrums. Close enough to even cohabiting.
"What do you think, Senior Makocchi?"
"We'll negotiate with Ako together."
I answered Iroha.
♤
Amau Ako had solved a troublesome matter. She had removed Makoto the weasel who wanted to observe the Prefect Team's tactical training. By converting the tactical training to private. Thus, the grounds for outsiders to interfere in the training disappeared. Ako thought she could focus only on the training with a refreshed feeling.
Until the Manma War's battle command inspection plan was notified to Ako.
'......?'
Ako checked the content. The same place and time as the Prefect Team's tactical training, scheduled for the Manma War's command inspection. The plans overlapped perfectly. Like copy-paste.
'W-what is this......!'
Ako was at a loss. She tried to communicate with the Manma War via the communication network. As if waiting for Ako, Makoto responded immediately.
"Chairman Makoto, what? This command inspection plan is-!!!"
- Kiki kiki! Is the senior administrative officer's eyes bad and needs glasses? Or is her head bad and she couldn't understand the content? As you can see.
Makoto greeted Ako with a cunning laugh. The embodiment of a spoiled brat mocking Ako through the communication network. It was Makoto's appearance that Ako knew well. Exactly the treacherous nature.
"This is an unreasonable demand. The Prefect Team's training plan and schedule overlap perfectly!"
- Of course. That's the intention of the Manma War.
Makoto sneered and boasted to Ako.
- The Manma War taking precedence over the Prefect Team is a just absolute principle of Gehenna! All paths of Gehenna lead to this Makoto-nim. The Prefect Team's tactical training is not my concern. Kiki kiki!
"Wait a minute......! Chairman Makoto!"
- Your training is ruined! The training ground is now governed by this Makoto-nim. It means a full ban on trivial tactical training!
Ako's stress-induced migraine struck from Makoto's tantrum. She couldn't adapt to the rare event. Her immunity had weakened because recent Makoto had been quiet.
- Kiki kit. Your expression is quite pleasant, senior administrative officer. The Prefect Team should just submit their tails to the Manma War like a dog.
Makoto's arrogant appearance was annoyingly spoiled. But Ako couldn't easily counterattack. If Makoto's tantrum spirit reappeared, it would contradict the report to Hina.
'If I report to the deputy head that there's no abnormality in the Manma War, and then this happens. Was this side's trap for the weasel kid!?'
No, if it was the usual Makoto, it would be correct that there's no abnormality. Ako was tormented by cognitive dissonance and pondered.
"S-so the Prefect Team will formally protest this matter to the Manma War!"
Ako threatened Makoto. But her momentum was weaker than usual.
- Yeah, Sorasaki Hina will soon know about this too. Just as I intended. Dealing with the Prefect Team's brats is tiring. Communication ends here.
"W-wait!"
Ako urgently called Makoto. It would be troublesome if Hina knew. Ako also couldn't avoid responsibility. Ako had tried to conceal the matter of Makoto's training observation.
"......The protest is on hold. F-for now, let's adjust the differences through dialogue."
Ako tried to negotiate with Makoto. It was Ako's underhanded tactic to avoid being scolded by Hina. She missed the type of Makoto who pressured her with intelligence. Because dialogue worked better than a mindless rampage.
At the moment when the worst or second-worst was to be decided,
Despondent Ako closed her eyes tightly and waited for the answer.
- Good. Dialogue isn't bad either. Discussing the matter reasonably from a blank slate is also fine.
Makoto's atmosphere had changed from before. The madness had subsided compared to earlier.
"Huh?"
Ako felt a slight unease but soon forgot it.
- Come to me secretly by yourself. You don't want to tell Hina about this, do you?
"......Guh!"
For some reason, Ako felt an impure blackmail from Makoto. Ako bit her lips in humiliation.
"You yourself, if you tell the deputy head about this, I won't forgive you."
And Ako proceeded with the secret meeting with Makoto. In the end, the final bastion was protected. The hastily made command inspection plan for the Manma War was soon withdrawn. The situation was concluded before it reached Hina's ears.
In return, Ako had to submit an additional report to Hina. Makoto had suddenly revealed her intention to observe the tactical training. Hina accepted the situation indifferently.
'It's fine. The training will be conducted thoroughly so that the Manma War can't make a sound.' she said.'If I had known this, I should have reported it to the deputy head right away-!'
She had unnecessary worry. In the end, Ako shouted inwardly and regretted it.