“Then, I’ll begin this emergency homeroom.”

It was early Tuesday morning. The girls, summoned before regular hours, stared in confusion at Isshiki Shizuku. Even Houjou Noa, who’d seen the emergency ping in the girls-only chat, still didn’t know why they’d been called in.

“I have a directive. From this point on, absolutely anything that might remind Mizuki of death is forbidden.”

Noa considered the words, trying to grasp their meaning.

(Did he have an episode? After a suicide attempt six months ago, of course he wouldn’t be able to face someone else’s death calmly.)

Noa already knew Mizuki’s service assignment had been an euthanasia facility. It was one of the possible outcomes she’d anticipated; it didn’t surprise her. Shizuku, unmoved by the class’s confusion, continued in the same even tone.

“Funerals, memorial rites, hospitals—if you truly must go for some reason, use another pretext in his presence.”

“…What happened?”

From the corridor side, Minaki Suzu asked with a hard look. Shizuku didn’t bite.

“You don’t need to know.”

Even so, Noa noted how unusually fast Shizuku was moving. Barely half a day since the social service. If she’d convened a homeroom immediately, her information was likely solid.

“Also, entering entertainment districts with Mizuki is temporarily prohibited. I’ll notify you when that restriction is lifted.”

(I see… so Isshiki Shizuku is the one being used here.)

As an aide, Mikado Rei couldn’t directly police the girls as part of her duties. But it looked like she was steering the class through Shizuku. That would clearly endanger an aide’s position. Which meant there had to be sufficient cause.

“In addition, any exchange of money or goods with Mizuki is strictly banned.”

Her voice went cold. Shizuku swept the room with a hard stare.

“If anyone is found attempting to extract any sort of deal from Mizuki with money or gifts, I will deal with her personally, in the name of Isshiki—regardless of the content.”

The ban on monetary dealings didn’t sit right with Noa. As far as she knew, Toudou Mizuki had never shown the slightest interest in money. While she was still considering the intent behind it, Shizuku wrapped up.

“That’s all from me. Does anyone else have something to say?”

Silence.

No one raised a hand. Noa assumed they were done—until a low voice cut through.

“Mind if I speak?”

Seeing the speaker, Noa couldn’t quite hide her surprise. It was Gobai Miya, one of the first advance agents Noa had sent into Class K. From a family of martial instructors who had run a kendo dojo for generations, she wore her black hair up in a practical ponytail.

“I’ve seen conduct toward Mizuki that’s outright disrespectful. I’d like to ask about that here and now.”

Since her early transfer to K, Gobai Miya had started wearing her feelings for Toudou Mizuki almost on her sleeve. In Noa’s estimation, she was already in love.

“Otonashi—about your behavior yesterday, do you have any explanation?”

Every gaze in the room shifted to Otonashi Nagi by the window. Nagi remained motionless, eyes down on her bare desk.

“…If you won’t speak, I’ll take that as no explanation.”

Miya’s eyes sharpened. Noa watched with studied disinterest.

“She’s just scared, that’s all,” someone sneered from the front—Kurosaki Ren. With bleached hair and a sloppy uniform, she was one of the students Noa had tagged as high-risk.

“Whatever. No point lecturing the natives of Class K.”

Now, a tittering voice came from the front by the hallway—Kisaragi Hiyori, one of the girls Noa had brought over from Class B.

“Huh? You calling all of us idiots too?”

Stung by that “natives” line, Kurosaki Ren stood and glared. Keeping an eye on the temperature, Noa slid a glance toward Minaki Suzu. Suzu was muffling a yawn, as uninterested in the squabble as ever.

“We’re out of time, so that’s enough. Otonashi, from now on, show Mizuki at least the minimum courtesy.”

From the lectern, Isshiki Shizuku stepped in.

“This morning’s homeroom never happened. Return home or to the station once, then come back to school as usual.”

The girls rose in a shuffle. From the front, Kurosaki Ren shot Noa a glare, which Noa ignored.

◇◆◇

“Noa-sama! This is too much!”

“Is it? How so?”

In the dorm washroom, Noa checked her appearance in the mirror while brushing off Shinonome Yukari’s indignation.

“As the Houjou heir, you mustn’t debase yourself by fawning so far.”

“What are you talking about? Women are supposed to dote on men.”

Without bothering to hide her exasperation, Noa set the frilled headband and checked her reflection.

“I don’t know his tastes yet. This is the time to try things and watch his reactions.”

“N-Noa-sama should project a calmer, cooler image.”

“Really? I happen to think this suits me too.”

Noa knew she was good-looking. All that remained was tuning the presentation; then she’d win Toudou Mizuki’s favor. She was in the trial-and-error phase.

“Come on, let’s go.”

She slipped an arm around a displeased Yukari and left the dorm. Plenty of students were already walking up from the station.

“Do you like Mizuki, Yukari?”

“…I like you best, Noa-sama.”

“You always say the sweetest things.”

Noa pecked her cheek. Yukari flushed and dropped her gaze.

“By the way, Miya’s already quite invested.”

“…I thought that straight-laced person only cared for the Way of the Sword.”

“That’s how it is. Even great historical figures lost themselves over men. It’s the prime example of something wealth and power can’t buy.”

Ethics Bureau cars were pulled up along the curb again today. Noa drew Yukari closer, stroking her cheek as if to put on a show.

“N-Noa-sama.”

“Listen. In the end, what those in power crave is a man. Even if you don’t care now, you will eventually.”

“…”

“I’ll make time for you, and I’ll share Mizuki fairly, so don’t be angry. Don’t let jealousy make you do anything foolish, understood?”

“Y-Yes.”

Noa studied Yukari’s profile. Among her retainers, Yukari was the most unstable among her followers. Noa needed to make sure she stayed in line. 

When they reached class, everyone acted as if the early homeroom had never happened. 

Noa took her seat and surveyed the room. 

A week since entrance, loose cliques were starting to form in Class K.

In the center, a group around Kaminari Nene, with Aihara Yura and Minaki Suzu.

In the back, a group of quiet girls has formed.

Up front, a group of delinquents orbiting Kurosaki Ren.

(Even types like that can get into Shirayuki, huh.)

Maybe they were smarter than they looked, she thought, and waited for Toudou Mizuki to arrive.

“Noa.”

“Mm? What is it?”

It was Gobai Miya, one of Noa’s retainers, speaking in a low voice.

“Any plan from you?”

“None. Do as you like.”

Miya looked dissatisfied, so Noa added:

“Don’t hold back on my account. If you can win him over, go ahead. I’m going to take the slow approach.”

“…Understood.”

Miya turned away, ponytail swaying. Just then, Toudou Mizuki stepped into the room.

“Good morning.”

“Good morning!”

The girls’ chorus was the usual sight. Confirming that Mizuki seemed unchanged, Noa stood.

“Morning. I tried a different look—what do you think?”

“Good morning, Houjou-san. Um, you look different today, but… I think it’s cute.”

“Do you? Then maybe I’ll keep this up.”

She smiled and set a hand lightly on his desk. A clean hint of soap drifted up.

“By the way, I booked the field today. Will you join us?”

“Training for the sports festival? Yeah, I’ll join.”

“Good. It’ll lift everyone’s spirits.”

She kept the smile while probing a little.

“Have you decided on your three-legged partner? If you’d like, I’d be happy if you chose me.”

“Mm… I haven’t decided yet…”

“I’ll do everything I can.”

She pressed, carefully, but Mizuki hesitated.

“To be honest… right now I can’t run properly.”

“…Don’t worry about that. I can match any pace.”

“No, that’s not it. Everyone has to enter at least one event, right? I think it’s better if someone who’s not good at sports pairs with me.”

Oh? Noa paused at the answer she hadn’t expected.

“To put it bluntly, whoever pairs with me will be a deliberate sacrifice—but that’s probably the most efficient.”

“I see. So you’ll choose after seeing today’s practice results?”

“Yeah, I think so.”

“A rational choice. I suppose that means I’m unlikely to be picked—what a pity.”

Waving lightly, Noa returned to her seat.

(Well, that’s not a bad outcome.)

At least it meant the likes of Isshiki Shizuku or Kaminari Nene—the heavy hitters—wouldn’t be chosen. Noa decided to take the optimistic view.