Fortunately, Kenji was not caught by the discipline committee. He was worried that he might be implicated as an accomplice since he had a conversation with them just before they fled, but the Gourmet Research Club itself is so infamous in Gehenna that he managed to stay safe. Still, it was absurd, so Kenji walked while repeating the names of the Gourmet Research Club members in his head.
‘Haruna, Izumi, Akari, Junko.’
Those are the names of crazy bitches. He would remember them and never forget, so that even if he just heard their names, he would run away. He memorized their appearances too. Since they have such outstanding looks, unless they get plastic surgery, he probably wouldn't forget them.
He had vaguely heard a lot about Gehenna, but he never dreamed that such nonsense would start right from the train. Kenji let out a deep sigh and threw his rattling glasses into a trash can. Due to the impact of the explosion, the frame was slightly bent, making it difficult to wear.
“…….”
He shoved his hands into his pockets and slowly looked around.
Gehenna's streets were cleaner than he thought. He had imagined a post-apocalyptic city with burning wreckage scattered in the middle of the road and rioters wielding iron pipes, but Gehenna was fairly normal. It seems public order is well maintained.
‘Well, if a place couldn't even maintain public order properly, it wouldn't be called one of the three major academies.’
It's not like another district invaded; if their own students ran amok, would the student council be unable to stop them? Kenji took out a cigarette to smoke, but realizing this was a bustling area, he put it back. Since he smokes cigarettes when he has nothing to do, it seems he's developed a habitual smoking habit.
Thanks to Gematria automatically filtering impurities entering his body, no matter how much he smokes, cigarettes aren't harmful to him, but from a third-party perspective, it's obviously not good.
He should find a smoking room later. Kenji thought so and continued walking.
A few minutes later, he arrived at the main gate of Gehenna Academy.
Gehenna Academy was backed against a huge rocky mountain. The buildings forming the academy had medieval European architectural styles, and among them, it looked closest to German. Some buildings resembled a parliament house.
It was similar yet different from Trinity. If Trinity evoked the old-fashioned Victorian era of England, this one evoked 19th or 20th century Germany. Of course, that was only for the buildings. The long-stretched sports fields or squares were modern, not from the past.
“……Hmm.”
Kenji made a thoughtful sound and took out his smartphone.
After accepting the request, the Gehenna student council had informed him of the way to the student council room. Natsume Iroha. He remembered that a girl with such a name had sent him a map. With familiar hand movements, he entered the messenger and pressed the map he received from Iroha to find the way.
Unfortunately, there was no guide. It meant to come alone. He didn't really like it, but since they had the justification, he couldn't complain. If they acted rudely without reason, he might consider overturning things, but the student council president probably wouldn't show open hostility to Schale. The content written in the request was a bit concerning, but if they're not stupid, they wouldn't do that.
Kenji walked step by step towards the place marked on the map. In the process, he naturally encountered Gehenna students.
Perhaps there is no concept of uniforms, as most students wandering the academy had very free attire. From students dressed normally in shirts and skirts to suits, hoodies, dresses, etc. They were each displaying their personalities unfiltered. It wasn't unpleasant to see, but when thinking of it as a "school," it felt alienating.
But that's also a characteristic of Gehenna. Kenji paid no mind and averted his gaze from the students. However, the students glanced at Kenji and whispered among themselves. For young girls full of curiosity, a suddenly appearing handsome man with a striking appearance was interesting gossip material.
Kenji also heard their whispers, but he listened with one ear and let it go, operating his smartphone. When he was at Trinity, he received many such glances, so now it didn't matter.
‘Here, to the right.’
He walked through the long-stretched square and entered a side path that branched to the right. After walking a few more minutes, a rather large building came into view. Perhaps to symbolize authority, in front of the building, a statue of someone up to the chest was erected.
‘Is that the student council president?’
Since the face wasn't made, he couldn't confirm the appearance. Well, he could see it once he went inside, so it wasn't a big problem. Kenji confirmed that the building on the map was the one in front of him and shoved his smartphone into his pocket. The uniformed students standing in front of the building looked at him warily.
Seeing them holding long guns made his back instinctively cold, but soon the atmosphere eased thanks to a girl coming out of the building. A girl with fluffy crimson hair and a long coat reaching her ankles. And a loose shirt button and tie attire was impressive.
“Haaam…… You've come.”
She said, looking at Kenji with gray eyes. Kenji put back the cigarette he was about to take out, rolled up his shirt sleeves, and approached her.
“Are you Iroha?”
“Yes, yes. I'm Iroha. Seeing you've come safely, the map must have helped.”
Her voice was very soft and quiet. In other words, languid, as if all strength had drained.
“I'm Kenji from Schale. The teacher is on a business trip, so I came instead.”
“I see. Then, shall we go in right away? Or chat for a bit?”
“Let's go right away.”
“That's good. I hate bothersome things.”
Iroha smiled contentedly and nodded. Following that, she entered the building first, and Kenji followed behind her.
“Is this the Gehenna student council building?”
“Yes. It's uselessly big, so it's hard to move around.”
She said, letting out a small sigh. Kenji stared at her abundant back hair as if entranced, then cleared his throat and shifted his gaze.
As she said, this building was quite large both inside and out. A red carpet was laid on the floor of the long corridor, and instead of lights, a gorgeous chandelier served as the light source. Everywhere you looked, it was luxurious. The occasional decorations added to that impression.
It seems the Gehenna student council president enjoys luxury. He didn't view it negatively. Since ancient times, luxury has been a symbol of wealth and power, so for the student council president of a Kivotos academy comparable to a country, indulging in luxury is, in a way, natural. They can't afford to look down on students from other academies visiting.
‘Should we decorate Schale a bit too?’
Kenji thought so for a moment. But soon shook his head and shoved his hands into his pockets.
Schale doesn't need luxuries. The teacher itself is a rare person not found anywhere else in other academies, so what are luxuries? And since their authority is unrivaled within Kivotos, even if they don't decorate the building splendidly, they probably won't be looked down upon.
“What book are you reading?”
He took his eyes off the painting hanging in the corridor and asked, looking at the book in Iroha's hand. Iroha let out a short “Ah,” and answered.
“It's a simple novel. Did I offend you?”
“No, not at all. I was just curious.”
The Gehenna student council building was very wide, as Iroha said. They had already climbed quite a few stairs, but still hadn't reached the student council room. So, to shake off the boredom, Kenji conversed with Iroha. Fortunately, she didn't seem to dislike it.
“What's the novel about?”
“It's about two women fighting over one man. The man is already married to the heroine, but another woman tries to steal him.”
“……That's a very profound novel.”
“Is it? I find it interesting. Especially, the psychological description of the woman trying to steal the man is incredibly detailed, to the point where I unconsciously root for her. And adultery is bad, but I think the woman who couldn't keep him properly is also at fault.”
Iroha said with a faint smile. Kenji made an awkward expression and scratched his head.
“So, if Iroha were placed in a similar situation, would you do the same thing?”
“Hmm…… Love seems bothersome, but if I had to assume……”
She seemed to think deeply for a moment, slightly closed her eyes, then smiled and opened her mouth.
“Not exactly the same. After all, in this novel, the one who tries to steal loses.”
“…….”
“If it were me, I'd probably prepare more perfectly and steal the man completely. I may look like this, but I'm quite capable.”
Iroha laughed “Huhu,” and looked at Kenji.
While having this conversation, they arrived at the top floor, the student council room. Since it was a matter of meeting the student council president, Kenji stood in front of the door and briefly checked his attire. Fortunately, there were no wrinkles on his shirt, and his tie was neat. Far from being rude, it was overly polite.
This should be enough. Kenji nodded at Iroha. She closed the book she was reading and knocked on the student council room door with an empty hand.
“Senpai, a guest from Schale has come.”
-Come in.
A voice came from beyond the door.
For some reason, it was a familiar voice. Sharp but also seemingly stupid. He had definitely heard it somewhere, but couldn't remember exactly. Kenji narrowed his eyes and racked his brain, but nothing came to mind. He set aside the doubt for now, forced a smile, and stepped beyond the student council room.
Gehenna's student council. Pandemonium Society. By another name, Pandemonium Society. The student council room they used was filled with all sorts of decorations, as lavish as the building's splendor. On the work table, a nameplate that seemed made of gold was hung, and the sofa and desk for rest had golden embroidery, evoking an elegant atmosphere.
A red carpet was laid on the floor, a chandelier hung from the ceiling, and flags with Gehenna's emblem were attached to the walls. Besides that, all kinds of decorations were everywhere.
Having seen the corridor, he wasn't too surprised. Kenji, still with a faint smile, looked at the girl sitting on the sofa.
A girl with impressively long gray hair reaching the floor. The hat and uniform she wore emphasized her charisma, and the black long coat evoked authority. Her fiercely torn eyes were similar to Kenji's, but the right eye was covered by hair, so he couldn't confirm it.
And Kenji
“……Ah.”
Upon seeing her, he recalled a memory from the past.
His ankle tingles.
“Kekekeke! Finally here, the teacher from Schale. I was waiting…… Huh.”
“…….”
“Wh-what, why are you here?!”
She also recognized Kenji's face. She jumped up from her seat and pointed at Kenji with her finger.
“……Ha.”
Kenji let out a dry laugh and pressed his palm to his forehead.
It's a truly unexpected meeting. To think he would encounter the woman who crushed his ankle two years ago here. He knew she was from Gehenna, but he never dreamed she would be in the position of student council president. Kenji instinctively brushed off his tingling ankle and looked at Makoto.
There was no resentment. He never had any in the first place. Even if he did, two years was more than enough time for feelings to fade. He didn't have the slightest thought of grabbing Makoto's ankle and grinding it now.
‘But still.’
This was an opportunity. Since she had caused harm to him in the past, it was a chance to steer the conversation advantageously. Kenji wasn't stupid enough to miss this opportunity. He immediately thought of a way to use the current advantage and put it into action.
“Answer me, you bastard!”
“……Ugh.”
Instead of answering, Kenji groaned and collapsed to the floor.
Then, after clearing his throat once, he clutched his broken ankle and screamed shrilly.
“Kyaaaaaak!!!! My ankle!!!!”
“Kyaaaak!!”
Makoto screamed and jumped up from her spot.
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