Amau Ako's Shock
Amau Ako, the Senior Administrative Officer of the Gehenna Prefect Team.
Ako is a girl overflowing with pride in her work.
As the closest aide to Hina, she executes every task with elite efficiency.
That's why her pride in the Prefect Team is immense.
Insults hurled at her like "the Prefect Head's dog" are easily overlooked.
But even the all-around Senior Administrative Officer, Ako, has disliked tasks.
Namely, the Pandemonium Society.
Even Ako finds it awkward to cooperate with the Pandemonium Society.
Especially when dealing with the President of the Pandemonium Society, Hanuma Makoto, her teeth tremble every time.
That damn kitsune brat is always in a panic because she can't suppress the Prefect Team.
'Oh... This is going to stress me out again.'
Unfortunately, Ako has to regularly deal with Makoto. Ako is the Prefect Team's kitsune liaison.
The conditions are not great. The Prefect Team is in a position to be monitored by the Pandemonium Society.
The pen is in the Pandemonium Society's hand. Their influence on Gehenna Academy's budget is strong.
If the Pandemonium Society decides to scrutinize the budget, the Prefect Team's finances won't escape unscathed.
'Still, I should think positively. It's fortunate that it's just that kitsune, and she held back somewhat.'
Ako's only comfort is Makoto's incompetence, the head of the Pandemonium Society.
Compared to her hostility towards the Prefect Team, Makoto doesn't properly utilize the Pandemonium Society's authority.
Occasionally, she shows some cunning and sharply pressures the Prefect Team, but it's not fatal. It stays within the range Ako can control.
In the end, Ako controls the situation.
'This is a blessing in disguise. Haa-'
The budget report for this tactical training will be the same.
That's why Ako was confident.
Until she sensed that Makoto's atmosphere was different.
There were signs. The demands from the Pandemonium Society were unusual.
Instead of remote reporting via communication network, they wanted a face-to-face report.
'She even wants me to go to the Pandemonium Society in person. That's the worst.'
This is administrative waste that fans the flames of Ako's stress. What could have been handled in writing has now escalated to a face-to-face meeting.
Makoto's intentions were completely incomprehensible.
'There probably isn't anything special.'
After all, Makoto is a paper tiger. She makes big threats outwardly, but if Ako strongly resists, she backs down.
Think positively. If necessary, Ako can firmly oppose.
Eventually, they arrived at the Pandemonium Society's office.
Ako faced Makoto with a composed demeanor.
“Um.”
Makoto skimmed through the outline of the submitted plan.
No worries. Ako, prepared for any traps from the Pandemonium Society, had prepared thorough documents. The drafted content was perfect.
The Prefect Team's training plan was thorough. The internal approval from the Prefect Team was already complete.
The Pandemonium Society is a cooperative organization responsible for the budget.
The area they can interfere with is limited to the budget.
“Seems fine. It's a structured and easy-to-understand plan.”
Makoto set down the plan and spoke.
A positive response. No mocking undertone.
But that's the problem. Ako's mind was even more complicated.
'What is this? Today, this human is weird.'
Why did such a sweet-sounding voice come out of nowhere? There must be some scheme.
Ako couldn't easily accept Makoto's reaction.
“If it's okay, I would like the Senior Administrative Officer to roughly explain the details of the tactical training. Personally, I'm interested.”
A strange request.
Up until now, Makoto hadn't looked into the inner workings of the tactical training. She only paid attention to things worth criticizing.
Makoto was obsessed with the format of the plan, spelling, etc. Because the errors were clear.
'Hmph. She's scheming again. This time, she's trying to twist the plan. But it won't work.'
But Ako didn't panic. She was professional.
Ako summarized the matters regarding the tactical training for Makoto.
Makoto listened silently to Ako's report. She seemed like a superior carefully reviewing a subordinate's report.
“I see. I couldn't clearly imagine it in my head just from reading the plan. I wanted to hear the explanation. Thanks to the Senior Administrative Officer grasping the core, it's easy to understand.”
Ako was tense inside. She had expected Makoto to lash out at some point.
But Makoto just listened to Ako's explanation.
'......??? What the hell is this!'
The more serious Makoto was, the more confused Ako became.
What is this? What kind of trick is this? Makoto's actions are suspicious, but I can't figure out her true intentions.
Outwardly calm, but inwardly anxious, Ako.
But Makoto's sudden action didn't end there.
“Ah, if it's okay, I want to observe this training. It should be fine, right?”
“Wh-what?”
Ako was momentarily at a loss for words. Unexpected request.
The training is commanded by the Prefect Head, Hina. If Makoto visits, she will inevitably meet Hina.
The double reins of Gehenna Academy, the Prefect Team and the Pandemonium Society.
The two groups are no different from enemies.
If the Prefect Head Hina and the Pandemonium Society President Makoto meet, a storm will surely come.
'I knew it from the beginning. This kitsune brat...!'
Understood. I will review it.
Ah, I said it wrong. Ako's outside and inside were flipped.
“What? Is there a problem with the observation, Senior Administrative Officer?”
But Makoto didn't waver at Ako's contradictory statement.
Instead, she dug in sharply.
“The Prefect Team's training is executed with the Pandemonium Society's budget. From the high-explosive bombs used in training to every single 5.56mm ammunition. In fact, it's only possible to fire because of the Pandemonium Society's approval.”
Makoto's atmosphere was different. Cold and polished.
“Instead, I want to ask the Senior Administrative Officer. Isn't it wrong to want to confirm with my own eyes and understand the budget consumed by all activities of the Prefect Team? You, in front of me, insult your superior?”
Makoto was in control of the situation. The head of the Pandemonium Society that Ako had underestimated was gripping the flow.
“Or does that mean that the Pandemonium Society's legitimate inspection is an obstacle to embezzlement or misappropriation of funds for the Prefect Team?”
“What, what...! That's an insult to the Prefect Team!!”
“Then, I won't give you a chance to make amends.”
Makoto had a smile on her lips.
“This tactical training, I will attend as an observer. And I will judge the transparency of the budget execution fairly with my own eyes.”
With this, the flow to reject the Pandemonium Society's observation was formed. Ako had no room to act.
'Caught in this kitsune's scheme. It's humiliating!'
Ako ground her teeth in anger.
“Ah, for the formalities, don't worry. The Prefect Team will prioritize thinking about the training.”
How could that be! Ako burst inside.
“Details regarding the observation will be conveyed later. And deliver my regards to the Prefect Head.”
Ako concluded her judgment. The current Makoto was not in her right mind.
Conveying regards while knowing they are sworn enemies. It's blatantly mocking.
“Yes, understood.”
Ako barely maintained a smiling face as she left the Pandemonium Society's office.
The moment she left the Pandemonium Society, Ako's expression crumpled.
'......What the hell.'
She couldn't understand. Ako couldn't accept that she had been humiliated by Makoto.
'It's like Makoto's personality itself has changed.'
Ako shuddered at a side of Makoto she had never seen before.
While Ako was being careless, what change had occurred to Makoto.
Currently, there is insufficient data. She needs the latest information on Makoto.
'This... I think it's better to prepare countermeasures.'
The countermeasure that comes to mind is to attach the Information Division to Makoto. But she immediately dismissed it.
Extremely dangerous idea. If it leaks to the Pandemonium Society, it would be the worst self-sabotage.
The subordinate organization, the Information Division, formed to monitor dangerous individuals inside and outside Gehenna.
If the Information Division monitors Makoto, it would be no different from treason against the Pandemonium Society. No matter how much the Prefect Team, it couldn't avoid public sharp criticism.
'People change, right? It might be an overreaction.'
It might be due to excessive stress that Ako's suspicion has flared up.
An overly sensitive worry. Makoto can't be a person who shakes the Prefect Team.
Makoto is just a mediocre with power that doesn't match her station.
Think in a good direction.
Anyway, the tactical training budget report passed without any issues.
Ako thought this way and took a step towards returning to the Prefect Team.