Chapter 67: The Distance Between Us Narrows

Summer break had ended, and most schools had resumed classes. As for me, I’d been caught up in the chaos surrounding the Eden Treaty, barely finding a moment to breathe.

Things finally settled down enough for me to have a little free time, but when I tried to think of what to do, nothing came to mind. My head—overworked by endless paperwork—clearly needed more time to recover.

As I sat there spacing out for a few minutes, a MomoTalk notification chimed. It was from Aika.

MomoTalk
Aika

"Sensei, do you have some time right now?"

"Yeah, I just finished up my work."

Aika

"If that’s the case, shall we take a little break?"

"There’s a dessert that Maiha recommended to me."

"I would be delighted if I could enjoy it together with you, Sensei."

"Maiha’s recommendation, huh? That sounds promising."

Aika

"Then that means…"

"Yeah, I’ll be right there."

Aika

"Thank you very much, Sensei."

"Then, in front of Trinity’s main gate."

Gion Aika
EP 03 Let’s Take a Break

Begin Bond Story

This was already the nth time I’d met up with Aika. When I headed toward the main gate, I spotted the figure of a refined young lady holding a parasol beneath the still-harsh late-summer sky.

"I’m here, Aika."

"Yes, I’ve been waiting for you, Sensei."

When she noticed me, her face lit up with an unmistakably happy smile. Was she that excited about the sweets—or perhaps about something else?

"So, where are we going?"

"Yes, the shop is a mobile food stall… and today it happens to be set up in Trinity’s Second Plaza."

She gestured for me to follow, and I walked alongside Aika toward the plaza where the dessert truck was located. A pop-colored sales truck was parked there, banners advertising things like factory-direct sales fluttering nearby. A short line had already formed in front of it.

"Oh my… it seems we’ll have to wait in line after all."

That said, there weren’t many students willing to stand under the intense sunlight, so our turn came sooner than expected. I looked over the menu we were handed, deciding what to order.

"Which cake would you like?"

"I’ll have the chocolate baumkuchen, please. And you, Sensei?"

"I think I’ll go with the rare cheesecake."

After we placed our order, the cakes were taken out from what appeared to be a refrigerated compartment in the truck’s cargo area. As we received them, Aika reached for her wallet, but I stopped her and took out my card instead.

"I’ll pay."

"No, I was the one who invited you, so—"

"Don’t worry about it."

They seemed to be fairly high-end cakes—about 4,000 yen for the two of us—but kids are supposed to rely on adults. This much was hardly an issue.

◇

"Sugar really seeps into a tired body…"

"Yes, the rich chocolate flavor is wonderfully deep… it’s truly delicious."

We moved to a nearby lounge and sat at the same table, enjoying our cakes together. Perhaps because of the price, the cheesecake I’d ordered was exquisite—the creaminess and richness of the cheese perfectly balanced with a faint hint of acidity.

"So, Aika, how have things been lately? It sounds like you’ve been busy with the Eden Treaty as well."

"Indeed… I returned to my family home until recently, but once summer break ended and I came back to the academy, I’ve been constantly on the move due to matters related to the treaty."

Apparently, under instructions from Nagisa, the head of the Tea Party, she would also be helping the Sisterhood with repair work on the old cathedral after this.

"I hope everything with the Eden Treaty wraps up smoothly, and that you’re able to get some proper rest afterward."

I could sense a faintly unsettling atmosphere, but reliable people like Hina and Tsurugi were scheduled to attend the conference as well. Neither Trinity nor Gehenna students would seriously consider causing trouble at such a venue—or so I believed.

"Yes… I hope nothing happens."

As she replied, Aika lowered her gaze slightly, her expression uneasy. It was almost as if she were foreseeing something going wrong at the Eden Treaty signing ceremony.

"Aika?"

"…Ah, no. I was just being overly pessimistic. I’m praying that the treaty signing will be a success."

"Did Nagisa say something to you, by any chance?"

Previously, during a meeting with me, Nagisa had expressed suspicion that Aika and the other officer candidates were “traitors of Trinity.” That issue had ultimately been resolved, with Mika identified as the true traitor, and it seemed Nagisa had apologized to Aika and the others afterward—but still…

"Yes, actually… Lady Nagisa asked that if anything were to happen on the day of the Eden Treaty signing, the officer candidates should take the lead in helping to restore order…"

For that day alone, the authority granted to the officer candidates would be significantly strengthened. …I see.

"So Nagisa has started to trust you again."

"That in itself is reassuring, but… it also means Lady Nagisa has sensed that something unpleasant may occur on that day. That is what worries me."

Aika is still a first-year student. Even though she’s spent nearly half a year at Trinity, it’s only natural for her to feel anxious—especially when it’s a major event that absolutely cannot be allowed to fail.

"It’ll be fine. No matter what happens, I’ll handle it. That’s an adult’s job."

If nothing else, what I should do right now was help put her at ease.

"Sensei… yes, thank you very much. Please take care of yourself as well."

After chatting idly for a while longer, I saw her off as she headed toward the repair work once we’d finished our cake. I then returned to Schale on my own.

MomoTalk
Aika

"I’m very sorry, Sensei."

"Even though today was meant to be a break…"

"We ended up talking about work the entire time."

"No, I got some sugar and had a chance to relax. Thank you."

Aika

"…If you say so, Sensei."

"Please be mindful of your health."

"You too, Aika. Don’t push yourself."

◇

Some time passed after the Eden Treaty signing ceremony—an eventful one in many ways—until things finally settled down. As I returned to my usual paperwork, a MomoTalk notification chimed. Over my time in Kivotos, I’d met many students and exchanged contact information, so this alone wasn’t unusual. Still, curious, I checked to see who it was.

MomoTalk
Aika

"Good day."

"Would it be inconvenient for you to come to Trinity today?"

"It’s fine. What’s up?"

Aika

"This is entirely a personal matter, so please don’t feel obligated…"

"But there is something I would like you to hear, Sensei."

"I wonder what it could be. I’m looking forward to it."

Aika

"Then, as usual, in front of Trinity’s main gate."

"I shall be awaiting your arrival, Sensei."

Gion Aika
EP 04 I’ll Play for You

Begin Bond Story

Leaving my work behind—or rather, setting it aside for the moment—I headed to the front gate of Trinity General School. Beneath the grand arch stood a familiar figure.

"Good day, Sensei."

"Yeah, Aika. You said there was something you wanted me to hear—what is it exactly?"

"That will be revealed once we arrive. Please come this way."

With a gentle expression, she said that and stepped onto Trinity’s grounds. I followed her, and we went deeper in—past the area she had shown me before, beyond Trinity Square—until we arrived in front of a glass-fronted building.

"This place is…?"

"It is Trinity’s Music Hall. Our destination is inside."

The Music Hall… if I recall correctly, it’s a facility for music-related classes, complete with a concert hall. What was Aika planning to do here?

"…This way, Sensei."

We walked steadily through the Music Hall until Aika stopped in front of a classroom labeled Music Room No. 3. I followed her inside. To the left of the blackboard stood a grand piano, and the walls were lined with portraits of famous composers—an interior that perfectly embodied the idea of a music room.

"The thing you wanted me to hear… could it be…?"

"Yes, my performance. I’ve been playing since I was little, so I do have a bit of confidence."

Aika sat quietly on the piano bench, her appearance perfectly befitting the phrase “a sheltered young lady.” As I held my breath in silence, she arranged the sheet music and began to play.

"Oh…"

Between her smooth, flowing fingerwork, the beautifully resonant piano melody, and Aika’s light, clear singing voice—so lovely it felt as though it could part the clouds—I could do nothing but marvel.

The pieces she performed ranged from pop music popular in Kivotos to classical works, game music… and even quite a few songs from the outside world that felt nostalgically familiar.

Many of the pieces seemed to revolve around themes of romance. Aika sometimes shows a boldness that belies her status as a first-year, but at heart she’s still a sensitive young girl. It seemed she was at just the age where such songs would naturally capture her interest. As I finished that thought, the performance reached its finale.

"Phew… how was it, Sensei?"

"I had no idea you were this good at piano and singing, Aika."

"Oh my… what do you mean by that?"

When I said it teasingly, Aika puffed out her cheeks in mild dissatisfaction. It was an endearing sight.

"Sorry, sorry. It was beautiful—both the piano and your singing."

"Hehe… hearing you say that makes me blush, Sensei."

Having accomplished her purpose—and perhaps because she’d been singing continuously—Aika seemed thirsty, so she bought some mineral water on the first floor of the Music Hall.

After that, since we were already at Trinity, we decided to stop by the cafeteria and buy a limited-edition ice cream to enjoy together. Paired with Aika’s earlier performance, it became a moment that truly allowed my mind to rest, even amid a hectic workload.

MomoTalk
Aika

"How was today, Sensei?"

"I’ve been buried in work lately, but it was a really nice break."

Aika

"I’m very glad to hear that."

"If time permits, by all means, please…"

"I would be delighted if you would listen to my performance again."

"Yeah, I’m looking forward to it too."