Chapter 92: Closing, and After

Well, they say the happier the time, the faster it passes—guess that’s true.

Before I knew it, the days of the Great Hoshi Festival had flown by, and the final day, with the closing ceremony already finished, had arrived.

In a certain park of the Seventh District. We were taking a break, watching from the side as boys and girls danced a folk dance around a large campfire.

"Fuii… that was rough."

"Hehe… good work, Touma-san. Thank you for helping us."

Handing over a juice I bought from the vending machine, I stood before Kamijou-san, who was sitting on the bench.

Nurikae Onore was a criminal.

The charges were that he spread our private lives recklessly to the public and committed various other misdeeds. However… the additional "political crimes" tacked on to those charges were false ones, fabricated afterward by Gen-sei’s hand.

To clear Nurikae of that false charge, and make him properly atone for his real crimes, we had fought all the way up until today.

Of course, Academy City had its own sense of appearances to keep, and there was some weird pressure from here and there, but in the end it wasn’t a problem. After all, we weren’t powerless children anymore! We used all kinds of connections. Thanks to that, I feel like we toughened up a little. GMDW also grew stronger as a group.

…Well, in the process, the other side resorted to more extreme measures, and in the end we ended up relying on Touma-san for help.

So while we were being attacked by thugs hired by some slimy researchers from an Academy City lab—researchers who had been scheming to use Nurikae’s added crimes as an excuse to take over "outside" corporations—we were saved when Touma-san happened to pass by.

Riding that momentum, we stormed the lab together, and solved everything. Now we were on our way back. Really, he saved us big time.

"Still, Reicia and Shiren, you guys are way too soft-hearted. That guy was your ex-fiancé, right? The one who spread your secrets to harass you? I was planning to give him at least one punch, but you just let him leave."

"Ohoho, I already gave him one punch myself."
"I appreciate the sentiment, but he’s been judged fairly and properly. Anything more would be excessive."

"Hmm, I guess that’s how it is."

Touma-san, sitting on the bench, scratched his head as he said that.
…But honestly, it’s rare to see him this angry. Usually, once an incident is over, he’s the type to cut it clean and move on.

"Y’know… sorry about that."

He said that, with a serious look on his face, to me as I sat down beside him.

"The broken engagement. I’d heard about it a while back, but in the end, I couldn’t do anything for you two. Couldn’t protect you from everything. …But you still pushed through. Both of you, you’re really amazing."

…Ah, I see. This isn’t really about Nurikae—it’s guilt over not keeping his promise. In Touma-san’s mind, me being cornered, even temporarily, by the exposé and all that mess, counted as his failure.

Well, that does sound like him. Yeah. It’s not like he has any special feelings toward Nurikae himself.

《…Shiren?》

《No, nothing.》

I pulled myself together and said,

"If it’s about Nurikae-san, please don’t worry yourself. If anything, we’re the ones who dragged you into our circumstances—so we should be apologizing."

"No way! You trusted me enough to rely on me, and yet it still turned out like that… Reicia and Shiren were strong, so it worked out, but still—at least let me do something for you!"

Ah… right, it had turned into a whole "trust" kind of talk. Well, whatever, I guess that’s fine…

"In that case—"

As I was left dumbfounded, Reicia-chan opened her mouth. Before I could stop her, feeling a bad premonition, she continued,

"Would you become my fiancé?"

………………………Eh?

"Wh—!! Reicia-chan, what are you—"
"I’m the heiress of the Blackguard Conglomerate! Offers of arranged marriages will only keep coming in from now on! Having someone I can say is already my promised partner is an incredibly convenient excuse!"

"U-uh, b-but, that’s… that’s going a bit far—"

"You just said you’d do anything, didn’t you!?"

He didn’t…! He didn’t say that, Reicia-chan…! He said "let me do something," not "I’ll do anything"…!!

But faced with Reicia-chan’s sheer force, Touma-san nodded before he could stop himself. And thus, a fait accompli was born…

The problem is, her move actually helps us quite a bit. From now on, we’ll be not only heirs to the "outside" power of the Blackguard Conglomerate, but also the "inside" power of Tokiwadai’s major faction GMDW, led by a Level 5 esper, the hidden Fourth-ranked Another Four. There will be no shortage of people who’ll try to use us. Maybe they won’t all take the roundabout route of an engagement, but as a way to clear the field, this is… surprisingly useful.

"Kamijou—or rather, Touma! I told you before, didn’t I? I don’t say things like this half-heartedly. What about you!? This isn’t about engagements or whatever! It’s about me! And you! It’s about resolve!! Can you show me the resolve to meet my feelings!?"

Ugh…! She’s good…! This is 100% a talk about an engagement, yet with pure momentum she twisted it into something else entirely! By turning it into a matter of sincerity, she’s created an atmosphere where Touma-san can’t easily refuse! Reicia-chan, you’re ruthless… absolutely ruthless!

"…………………"

And in response, Touma-san—

"…Alright. You’re right. I’ll keep the promise I couldn’t fulfill back then. I’ll answer the trust you’ve placed in me. Nothing complicated about that. Fine! I’ll do it! I’ll be your fiancé—Shiren, Reicia!!"

He said that with an incredibly cool look on his face, and—

"………F-fi… fiancé?"

At that exact moment.

The worst possible timing.

Misaka Mikoto-san arrived.

Chapter 3 – The Value of a Soul is Worthless　Double(Square)_Faith.
Episode 77: Closing, and After　Love_is_War.

After that.

When Mikoto-san panicked, Reicia-chan’s response was swift. Without looking guilty, without showing a hint of fluster, she calmly explained the "official reason." She even emphasized that "it had to be Touma-san," and, swept along by that momentum, the still-not-honest Mikoto-san found herself nodding in agreement.

Incidentally, Shirai-san, Saten-san, and Uiharu-san were also there at the time. They clearly noticed that Reicia-chan’s words were all just "official reasoning," but even so, they were overwhelmed by her composure—pushing the conversation forward without batting an eye.

"But still, you sure were quick to say yes, huh? If it’s a fiancé, then that’s basically… l-lover… right…?"

"Huh? Ah—! Ahahaha, no way, Misaka."

"Eh…?"

"Reicia and Shiren just don’t want another mess like this happening again. That’s why they picked me as a fiancé. It’s not like that. I mean, sure, as a senpai they probably trust me, but? Misaka, maybe it’s time you stopped being such a cheeky little Biri-Biri and learned from Reicia how to—"

"Shut! Uuuup!!!!!"

BZZZTTTTTTT!!

Having carelessly ruffled the maiden’s heart, Touma-san was fried and went tumbling over. Well, yeah. I think it’s good he tasted a little pain. Serves him right, not knowing her feelings at all.

…Ah. And by "her feelings," I mean Mikoto-san’s crush, of course…

"…Still, I was a little surprised."

At that point, Saten-san, standing behind me, spoke up.

"Surprised, you say?"

"Yeah. Reicia-san seems so calm and gentle~. I didn’t think she’d push her way into a guy’s space so forcefully like that…"

"Hehehe… well,"
"Do you really think you can claim that without being bold?"

I was ready to just deflect this lightly, but then Reicia-chan jabbed her finger toward Kamijou-san, still sizzling from the shocks.

"That’s…"

"Well, I won’t stop you from helping Misaka."

…Huh.

I honestly thought Reicia-chan would at least throw out a veiled warning like, "Don’t meddle in Misaka’s love life." I was already preparing to stop her if she did. But instead—

"But. I won’t hold back either. I promised not to play underhanded games like interference, but to fight fair and square. That way, afterward, we’ll still be able to face each other without hard feelings."

………

So Reicia-chan actually took my words to heart. And now, I can tell—she’s pushing me forward. These aren’t just words for Saten-san. They’re words for me, too.

My body began to move, ahead of my own will.

While Touma-san was still being scolded by Mikoto-san, I quietly reached out and took his hand. Then I deliberately brought my consciousness back under control.

Yeah, well… I still don’t really understand romance. My feelings for Touma-san are probably closer to trust or admiration. I’m not even sure what "romantic feelings" are supposed to be…

But I think—I’ll try to understand.

With that resolve, I opened my mouth under my own will.

"Sir, would you do me the honor of one dance?"

──Later, Reicia-chan absolutely roasted me for that line:
"That was way too theatrical,"
"If Kamijou weren’t a virgin he would’ve laughed,"
"It’s a miracle the mood didn’t collapse right there."

As for the memory of that folk dance?

Too embarrassing to remember!!

After that.

Once the folk dance was over and people had begun to disperse, instead of heading straight back to the hotel, we went to a twenty-four-hour café.

Originally, this time was supposed to be the last private moment between Father and Mother. But Father had summoned us for some "business."

Well, we had already been briefed on the details...

"Oh, Reicia! Glad you could make it. Did you manage alright on your own? Sorry—I thought about sending an escort, but I figured you wouldn’t like it to be so conspicuous..."

"Thank you for your concern, Father. But Touma-san walked me partway here, so I was perfectly fine."

"........................................I see......................."

Whoa! Father’s mood just plummeted all of a sudden!?

"Anyway! Over there──"

Saying that, I turned my eyes toward the girl sitting just in Father’s shadow.

Father’s explanation went like this:

"You all rushed things this time."

Originally, the public announcement of an esper Level 5 was supposed to come only after GMDW had grown strong enough as an organization to withstand outside attacks.

But due to certain circumstances, the announcement was moved forward. In other words, GMDW still lacked organizational strength.

Concerned about this, Father proposed supplementing GMDW’s shortcomings by hiring a mercenary group already operating within Academy City.

Naturally, for us this was an offer we couldn’t refuse. Since Father said he would handle the arrangements, we left the preparation entirely to him—and today was the day we would finally meet the hired mercenary group.

"──Adabana."

When the girl stood up, I couldn’t help but stiffen in surprise.

Because she was wearing a long apron dress—that is, a maid outfit. A bona fide maid.

W-wait, is she from Ryōran Housekeeping Girls’ School...? But could an ordinary student really be the type to work as a professional "mercenary" for hire...?

"I’m part of Academy City’s official security maintenance force. This attire is simply by your order. ...Pay it no mind."

The girl—Adabana-san—said that while turning her face aside in embarrassment.

She was tall, fair-skinned, her black hair tinged brown and braided into pigtails draped over her shoulders. From just that one curt remark, it was clear she was blunt but earnest. No wonder Father seemed unfazed despite her being a professional.

"While the escort will be handled by a team, considering the fact that the person we’re protecting is a Tokiwadai Middle School lady, we needed a cover that wouldn’t look suspicious being around her constantly. Thus, the role of a maid was selected. From now on, I will mainly serve as the contact point between you and the team."

"Understood. I am Reicia Blackguard."

We shook hands.

Her hand was slender and beautiful—hands that didn’t look like they’d ever been in a fight. Since she called herself the contact point, maybe her role was more like a messenger or coordinator rather than a frontline fighter. After all, this escort mission was less about protecting me personally and more about reinforcing GMDW’s overall defenses.

"Now, let us head to the dormitory at once."

Once she let go of my hand, Adabana-san said this and stepped forward.

Already? I thought, but perhaps she considered the introductions finished. When I glanced at Father, he gave me a look that said, "Go on." So I obediently followed Adabana-san’s lead.

As we walked, Adabana-san spoke with casual ease, almost like small talk.

"I’m officially registered as a live-in for the external dormitory of Ryōran Housekeeping Girls’ School, in charge of on-site training. If anyone asks, that’s the answer you should give."

"……Though, is this really alright? Being a maid isn’t your actual profession, is it?"

I asked with some worry as I stood from my seat to walk alongside her.

No doubt she was a hardened professional if she had been entrusted with guarding us like this... but I couldn’t help but wonder if she could really keep up with the whole refined young-lady world.

It reminded me of those manga or anime stories where a hardened assassin tries to live peacefully and ends up being awkwardly out of place.

"There’s no need to worry. For the finer details of etiquette, I’ll be receiving outside support. Keeping up appearances while working security on the side is trivial."

She touched one finger to her ear. Ah, so she had a comms device hidden there. With constant live assistance, of course she wouldn’t have trouble maintaining proper manners. A true pro, fully prepared for infiltration work.

"My apologies, then. I look forward to working with you, Adabana-san."

"……Yes. Likewise. ‘Another Four, the Shadow Fourth.’"

After parting ways with Father and exchanging proper greetings, I felt genuinely relieved. Adabana-san was a girl around my own age, so it felt like we might get along well. I’m sure Reicia-chan felt the same.

And so, at that time, I failed to realize—

That the title Shadow Fourth was still only used within the Dark Side.