Kayama Esumi: The Club Leader

"I have something to report to both of you today."

It had been months—perhaps nearly a year—since the three of them had last gathered for a tea party. As they sat together at Kirifuji Nagisa's estate, Kayama Esumi spoke up almost as soon as the session began. It was an unusual move, enough to make Nagisa pause with her teacup halfway to her lips and for Misono Mika to stop mid-motion, the two of them exchanging a surprised glance.

"A report from you, Esumi-chan?"

"Is this regarding the recent exhibition you have been involved with? If so, you have already kept us informed via MomoTalk, so there was no need to bring it up now..."

Esumi offered a thin smile at their confusion and took a quiet sip of her tea.

"It is a bit of a major announcement, actually. As of next week, I, Kayama Esumi, will be serving as the President of the Trinity General School Art Club."

The news far exceeded anything Nagisa or Mika had anticipated. After all, Kayama Esumi was a lone wolf who belonged to no faction or organization, a solitary figure who maintained absolute neutrality. For her to suddenly take the lead of a club was shocking enough, but the club in question was the Art Club—the very one currently caught in a tug-of-war between the Filias and Sanctus branches.

Nagisa set her cup back on the table, her expression shifting to one of grave seriousness as she fixed Esumi with a sharp gaze.

"Esumi-san... what is the meaning of this? As someone active in the information trade, you must be aware that the Filius and Sanctus branches are currently fighting for jurisdiction over the Art Club. While your love for art is well known, I cannot simply offer my congratulations on such a reckless move."

"Yeah, I’m not taking it as seriously as Nagi-chan, but still... being the leader of a club the Tea Party is watching means you’re going to get dragged into the power struggle whether you like it or not. Are you sure you’re okay with that, Esumi-chan?"

Both understood Esumi’s unwavering devotion to art, but they clearly had reservations about her diving headfirst into the kind of internal conflict that was a staple of the Tea Party’s politics at the heart of Trinity. Esumi, however, remained entirely unphased, continuing to sip her tea under their scrutiny.

"Of course. I fully understand the risks involved."

She set her cup down and began to explain the situation in detail.

"First, the Art Club was suspended last year due to certain circumstances. During that time, all the third-year members—including the students from the Sanctus branch who formed the core of the club—either graduated or were expelled. You’ve both heard about this, I assume?"

"Yes, of course."

"I heard plenty from my seniors too☆"

"Then that simplifies things. To continue, the suspension put the very existence of the club at risk. The remaining first and second-year students lost their sense of purpose and most of them quit. The few who stayed are hesitant to restart activities because of the stigma surrounding that mysterious suspension. It’s understandable, but under those conditions, the revival of the Art Club was essentially hopeless."

Esumi folded her hands, her expression briefly clouding with sadness. However, she quickly regained her composed mask and continued.

"That is where I come in. I have built enough of a reputation as a painter, and thankfully, I’m somewhat popular within the school. If I join the Art Club, the bad rumors and stigma will likely vanish. It might even encourage interested students to join. I’d be happy if my presence worked as a bit of positive publicity."

"But that is exactly what it means to pull chestnuts out of the fire. If you, who are watched by everyone both inside and outside Trinity, are enrolled in the Art Club, the interference from other factions will only intensify."

Until now, Esumi had adamantly refused to join any organization, maintaining her neutrality and solitude like a true lone wolf. If she finally found a home in the Art Club, those around her would likely scramble to win her over by any means necessary.

"I expect as much. But even if the Filius or Sanctus branches managed to secure the rights to the club and solve its survival issues, they would have only used the club as a pawn to reel me in. Though in the case of the Sanctus branch, since the club was originally under their control, perhaps 'reclaiming' it is the more accurate term."

She laid out the facts and hypotheses with detached calm. Mika seemed to be struggling to keep up with the complex talk of politics and strategy, but Nagisa’s face was dark with heavy realization.

It was only natural. The Filius branch had indeed been plotting to seize the Art Club specifically as a way to bring Esumi into their fold. As Esumi said, even if she had ignored the club’s plight, once Filias held the ownership, they would have used it as leverage against her.

In that light, joining the club before either side could sink their teeth into it made a certain amount of sense. It was as if two factions were glaring at each other over a vacant house, only for a third party to move in while they were distracted. It was more complicated than that, of course, but it was an apt enough summary.

Furthermore, there was no way that Esumi, who had spent her school life avoiding political strife, would jump into the center of it without a plan.

"I have actually already spoken with the current Host of the Tea Party. I made a deal to ensure that neither the Filius nor the Sanctus branches would interfere directly."

"A deal?"

"In exchange for Kayama Esumi serving as the President of the Art Club, I am to appoint one Vice-President from the Filius branch and one from the Sanctus branch to assist me. Furthermore, the club will give priority to any requests from the Tea Party regarding art production or exhibitions. Those are the two conditions."

"Priority for Tea Party requests... I see. If the school-sponsored cultural festival or diplomatic exhibitions are held, having the Art Club led by someone with your experience would certainly ensure things go smoothly. However, as for 'art production'... have you not always avoided taking commissions? Is this truly acceptable to you?"

Esumi never sought the protection of the wealthy, nor did she establish patron relationships for steady work. She refused requests from individuals and organizations alike, choosing instead to paint freely and release her work to the world as she saw fit. That was the lifestyle she had maintained as an artist. Yet, the agreement mentioned production for the Tea Party. This meant she would be creating art specifically for them.

Nagisa wondered if the Art Club was truly worth sacrificing her own iron-clad principles.

"It seems you’ve misunderstood, Kirifuji."

"Misunderstood?"

Esumi was wearing a highly amused smile. It wasn't a look of contempt, but rather a gentle, knowing smile, like one watching a child panic over a mistake.

"It’s true the deal with the Tea Party includes art production and requests. However, I personally have no intention of taking commissions, nor will I bend my principles as a painter, even for the sake of the club."

"But... then the deal would be completely meaningless... wait, don't tell me... Did you deceive the head of the school just to save the club!?"

Startled, Nagisa stood up so abruptly she nearly slammed her hands onto the table. Esumi looked at her with a mix of confusion and exasperation before letting out a deep sigh.

"Wait, calm down, Kirifuji. Listen carefully... the one accepting the commissions isn't 'me,' it’s the 'Art Club.' I will simply act as the supervisor, watching over the process and offering advice until completion. I won't be the one painting, but any work supervised by the great Kayama Esumi will still carry significant value. Naturally, I have already obtained the Tea Party's consent for this arrangement, so you can rest easy."

"Oh... I see... so that was it. My apologies for the outburst."

Nagisa had been genuinely horrified at the thought that Esumi had pulled a con job on the highest authority of the school, but it seemed it was merely her own misunderstanding. Deep down, she knew Esumi wouldn't be so foolish as to make such a blunder, but once a misunderstanding takes root, it isn't easily shaken.

Beside her, Mika, who hadn't joined the conversation for a while, was eating her sweets with a look of utter disbelief at her childhood friend's behavior. Compared to the usual calm of Esumi and Mika’s casual indifference, Nagisa felt quite out of place.

"Well, let's ignore Nagi-chan’s mistake for now... Since you're a second-year, Esumi-chan, what about the upperclassmen? Usually, the President is a third-year, right?"

"The third-years only have a short time left before graduation, so I intend to decline any new memberships from them. Even if they joined now, the club will be too busy with reorganization and maintenance to do much actual art. It’ll probably be another four months before we can truly resume full activities."

"So until then, you’re going to be working hard as the leader?"

"Hardly. I still have a mountain of my own work as a professional painter, so I’m going to have the first-year Vice-Presidents do the heavy lifting."

"Wait, the Vice-Presidents are first-years like us!?"

Surprised, Mika accidentally mangled Nagisa’s handmade roll cake with her fork. Nagisa let out a small, pained sound at the sight of her creation being ruined, but Mika, oblivious to the carnage, pressed on.

"Is that even okay!? I’ve never heard of a club with a second-year President and first-year Vice-Presidents! Especially if they're students from the Tea Party factions! Wouldn't that just make it easier for them to be used politically?"

"Since we’re starting over with a blank slate, I want the juniors to gain experience for the sake of the future. Don’t worry, I’ve already handled the selection. I chose the best candidate from the Sanctus branch myself, and the one from the Filias branch is someone you both know well."

"Someone we know well? Wait... you don't mean!?"

Mika turned around as if sensing something, and there, standing at attention by the door, was a single student—Otaru Cheri.

Following Mika’s gaze, her mistress, Nagisa, also looked toward the door. Cheri, currently fulfilling her duties as Nagisa's attendant, felt the weight of their intense stares. She cast a silent look toward her master, Esumi, before speaking up.

"Yes. Despite my lack of experience, I have been appointed as a Vice-President for the Art Club once it resumes its activities. It was a request from my Master herself. I had no reason to refuse."

"So it really is true that Cheri-chan is going to be a Vice-President! That’s a huge promotion! ...Wait, if Cheri-chan is doing that, what happens to her work for Nagi-chan? Won't she collapse from overwork if she does both?"

"There is no need for concern, Mika-sama. My activities as a disciple under my Master are simply being replaced by club activities. If I can reduce even a fraction of the burden on my Master, who is always busy, my own circumstances are irrelevant. Besides, my Master says the busy period will only last for the first few months. I can manage a bit of overexertion for that short a time."

"I see, I see... Cheri-chan says that, but Nagi-chan, did you know about this beforehand?"

Suddenly prompted, Nagisa took a bite of her roll cake to compose herself.

"N-no... I was not informed," she replied, sounding a bit pained. It seemed she was somewhat shocked that not only Esumi, but also her reliable Cheri had kept this a secret from her.

Seeing her mistress’s reaction, Cheri lowered her eyes apologetically.

"I am truly sorry, Nagisa-sama... When my Master told me of this, it was before the official word had reached the Tea Party. I was told that if the information leaked, the Filius branch or other factions might move to obstruct the plan... Based on my Master’s judgment that the fewer people who knew the secret the better, I kept my mouth shut until today."

"I... I see. Then there is no need for you to apologize, Cheri-san. Rather, thank you for your hard work in protecting Esumi-san’s secret until now."

"No, your words are more than I deserve."

Esumi gave a small shrug as Cheri bowed deeply in a show of loyalty, then she picked up the conversation again.

"The fact that I am becoming the President, and that Otaru and another student from the Sanctus branch will assist me as Vice-Presidents to restart the Art Club... as of now, this is a secret known only to the Host of the Tea Party, the leaders of the respective factions, Otaru, and the other student. The reason I’m revealing it to you two now is because there is no longer any need to worry about interference from other factions. It was quite a challenge for me to make sure the information didn't leak, though."

Normally, preventing information from leaking in a place like Trinity would be an nearly impossible feat.

After all, as long as one is a student at Trinity General School—a place steeped in political strife and intrigue—it is no exaggeration to say that every action, conversation, and record is under surveillance. The factions of the Tea Party are particularly obsessive about information gathering, and the Tea Party itself possesses an exceptionally capable organization known as the Intelligence Bureau. Given that, taking on the Tea Party alone in an information war would usually be reckless.

However, Esumi, in her life as a painter, had another side: her role as an information broker.

While she usually used those skills only to acquire information, this time she used them to spread false information to deceive her opponents. She scattered a mix of lies and truths, buying time by ensuring no one could grasp her true intentions, much like an unsolvable puzzle. Such petty deceptions usually fail in a long-term struggle, but for a short-term blitz like this, it was remarkably effective.

Of course, this meant Esumi had been forced into a careful game of wits against the Tea Party, leading to her recent neglected lifestyle, stress, and weight loss... but as they say, all’s well that ends well. In the end, she had won the match.

"I really should thank the faction leaders of the Tea Party. They decided it would be more profitable to install me as President and work together cordially rather than wasting effort fighting for control over the club. Though I’m aware that asking for a first-year to be Vice-President was a bit of a tall order."

Esumi raised her newly refilled cup to her lips.

"Is that so? I am glad things went according to your plan, Esumi-san, but I had no idea you possessed a secret pipeline to negotiate with the upper echelons of the Tea Party."

"Well... I made a few connections over there during the Tea Party's previous troubles."

"...?"

Recalling the bold smile of Tsukusu, who had led the Sanctus branch the previous year, Esumi gave a wry smile and shrugged.

The two in front of her wouldn't know much about the graduate, and since the events involving the Sanctus branch were strictly confidential, Esumi had no intention of sharing the details. That secret would likely remain hidden even after she graduated.

Suddenly, Mika tilted her head, another question coming to mind.

"Wait, I get why Cheri-chan is a Vice-President, but who did you pick from the Sanctus branch? Since you went out of your way to choose them yourself, they must be really talented."

"Now that you mention it, I am interested as well. Someone whose talent was recognized by you, Esumi-san, must be quite gifted in the arts."

"I also know very little about the student chosen from the Sanctus branch, so I am personally curious. Since I will be supporting my Master alongside them from now on, any information would be appreciated."

Nagisa, Mika, and Cheri. Despite being at a tea party, everyone except Esumi had stopped moving, their eyes full of curiosity fixed on her.

Under their intense gaze, Esumi looked down at the surface of her tea and let out a pleasant laugh.

"Well... to put her simply... like me, she’s a talented student with a rather maddening love for art. Though she is a bit of an eccentric."

She murmured those words, her finger gently tracing the rim of her cup.

1-2

"I heard the news. It seems you’ll be serving as the Vice-President of the Art Club soon."

Yurizono Seiya, a student with the power of prophecy, spoke in a leisurely tone as she looked at a piece of paper in her hand.

"Oh? The official announcement shouldn't be for a while yet. I wonder where that information leaked from."

The sharp ring of a hammer striking something followed the reply. It was the kind of sound that would make someone with sensitive ears wince, but Seiya, already accustomed to it, didn't mind at all.

"If I said it came from your soon-to-be superior, Kayama Esumi, would you believe me?"

"Ah, I see. If you heard it directly from her, I won't deny it. It's true that in a few days, when the Art Club resumes activities, I will be serving as Vice-President by Esumi-san's side... Wait, did you come all this way just to congratulate me on my promotion?"

The ring of the hammer sounded again, followed by the rasping sound of something being carved away. The mysterious girl continued her work without pause, her hammer striking again and again.

Seiya, who had been staring blankly at the incomprehensible diagram on the paper, set it down on a nearby desk with a look of mild boredom and turned her attention to the center of the room.

"I came with a question rather than a celebration. Among the students of the Sanctus branch, your loyalty to the faction is quite deep. Your policy was to never accept work that didn't benefit the branch, wasn't it? And yet, you’ve agreed to join the Art Club under Esumi-nee, who isn't exactly focused on bringing benefit to Sanctus... Come on, tell me what brought about this change of heart."

In the center of the room stood a girl in work clothes, wielding a chisel and a wooden mallet as she worked on a large block of marble.

She was taller than Seiya, though not as tall as Esumi. Large wings sprouted from her back; they were currently folded, but clearly well-maintained. Her skin was remarkably white, almost as if it were reflecting the light. However, the most striking features were her beautiful blue hair tied in an updo and her heterochromatic eyes—one red, one green. It was rare for her to have both eyes open, so Seiya walked closer to get a better look at this precious sight.

"...Are you carving something again?"

"Yes, it’s an order from the leader of the Sanctus branch. She said she wanted 'a magnificent statue that would move anyone’s heart.'"

"That is a remarkably simple request..."

"I agree. But for me, that is the most appreciated kind of order."

"...?"

The hammer fell in a rapid succession of strikes, sending strong vibrations through the chisel and causing large chunks of the marble to fall away.

Before she knew it, the floor at the girl's feet was littered with stone fragments. Sensing the danger of the mess, Seiya didn't get too close. Instead, she picked up a stray stone near her feet and tilted her small head as she held it up to the room's lighting.

"In this day and age, to seek value in a sculpture that wastes so much stone... Like the woman before her, the leaders of the Sanctus branch seem to be quite eccentric."

"A sculpture is nothing less than a symbol given form. Unlike a painting on a wall that you view from one direction, a sculpture can be seen from any angle, evoking various thoughts and emotions. Even as time passes and trends change, the power of a sculpture to influence people remains unwavering, Seiya-san."

The girl, seemingly finished with the rough carving, set her mallet and chisel on a nearby desk and turned her odd-colored eyes toward Seiya.

"Now then, I shall pause my work and answer your question."

"I don't think you needed to stop working just to answer me."

"You are my friend, are you not? For a serious conversation, I should at least stop my work."

"Does that mean our conversation until now wasn't serious?"

"Oh? Is there any need to be earnest during hollow small talk?"

The girl crossed her arms as she spoke, and Seiya gave a shrug, dropping the stone back to the floor.

"It seems my introduction was unnecessary. Then, let's get back to it. I want to hear your answer to my previous question. As a friend, I'm happy to see you working under Esumi-nee, but as I said, your loyalty has always been to the Sanctus branch alone. For you to willingly serve an individual... there must be some meaning behind it. I thought perhaps it was to pull her into our faction, but you were never very good at schemes and intrigue, and there’s no way Esumi-nee wouldn't see through that."

"I must say, your comment about me being 'bad at schemes' hurt my feelings a little... However, you are mistaken about one thing."

Under Seiya’s questioning gaze, the girl offered a pleasant smile.

"...Tell me why."

"It’s simple. By staying by her side, I can absorb all of her techniques and knowledge. As an artist, she has already touched the realm of the gods. And she asked for me to be her 'left arm' for the sake of the club? This is a chance for me to learn a new level of art. Hehe, despite my appearance, I’m the type who wants to absorb and incorporate anything I can use for my own art. I had no reason to refuse."

The girl, never losing her smile, began to gently stroke the carved marble. Since the surface hadn't been smoothed yet, touching it should have been unpleasant or even dangerous, yet her hands moved across the stone as gracefully and quietly as if they were stroking silk.

"It is easy to speak of 'art' and produce a work. But to turn imagination into reality with one's own hands requires vast knowledge and skill. This marble is the same. You cannot create a statue simply by hacking at it blindly with a chisel and saw. First, you must draw the idea on paper to make it surface, calculate the composition and size meticulously, and only after careful preparation do you begin to carve the stone. Unlike a painting where parts can be redone, a sculpture allows for no mistakes. Since I cannot yet handle that perfectly, I am still a half-baked artist."

"Half-baked, is it? But you have already achieved great success as the Sanctus branch’s resident artist. I heard that your sculptures have received much praise from the Wild Hunt Academy of the Arts. I don't think you should belittle yourself so much."

"Success... it’s true that as you say, I have achieved more than enough success as an artist... or rather, as a sculptor. With the strong backing and patronage of the Sanctus branch, I spend my days working on constant requests and receiving praise. However, there is no such thing as an 'upper limit' to an artist's ability and knowledge."

Walking around the marble—which was nearly a meter tall—the girl spread her wings and began to speak with intense, sweeping gestures.

"I have no interest in fame. Money, praise... for that matter, I don't even need food or sleep. As long as these hands can move, as long as the ideas in my head don't run dry, I want to keep carving stone forever! The reason I am truly loyal to the Sanctus branch is because they gave me a 'place' as a sculptor for a madwoman like me! My days are spent exhausting my ideas to bring to life the forms requested in those vague, simple orders... every day my blood as a sculptor boils with fulfillment, and for that, I am deeply grateful to the Sanctus branch! That is the sole reason for my loyalty!"

"I see. Like Esumi-nee, you really are a student with a maddening love for art."

They were truly two of a kind. A painter and a sculptor. One who refused factions and one who belonged to one. One who declined work and one who lived for it. In the details, they were opposites, but they shared a bottomless love for art and the existence of 'understanders' who accepted that madness without fear. It made perfect sense that Esumi would scout her as a Vice-President. They were bound to hit it off.

However, as someone largely indifferent to art, Seiya had one more question.

"You said you were going to steal all of Esumi-nee’s techniques and knowledge... but she paints and you carve. They are different fields of art. Is there truly a point?"

At that, the girl chuckled.

"You are naive, Seiya-san. Even if I don't use a brush to carve stone, the imagination and observation essential for painting are just as necessary for sculpture. By observing the subject and grasping the shadows and structure, I can apply that to the fine details of my work. And the reverse is true. By understanding the balance and weight of a 360-degree sculpture, one can depict human bodies and structures more realistically on a canvas."

"I see. So there are things to be gained from both sculpture and painting."

"Esumi-san is the one who has truly mastered the path of painting—not just in Trinity, or this district, but in all of Kivotos. Obtaining her techniques means I will reach even greater heights as a sculptor. And that experience and growth will be the greatest way for me to repay the Sanctus branch for taking me in."

"So to summarize, you accepted her invitation to level up as a sculptor and to contribute to the Sanctus branch's artistic prestige?"

"Yes, exactly. Though as long as I’m a Vice-President of the Art Club, I intend to show my skills for her sake as well. I don't like acting solely for my own gain."

The girl spoke with a smile, but Seiya couldn't help but wonder to herself, 'Is that why you're bad at schemes and intrigue?' For the sake of her friend's honor, she kept the thought to herself.

"Well, for the sake of your further growth and to lighten Big Sister Esumi’s burden, let me say this... Honme Kio, please look after Big Sister Esumi."

"Seiya-san?"

Honme Kio.

The resident sculptor of the Sanctus branch.

One of Seiya's few friends, she narrowed her eyes for a moment at the unusual tone in Seiya's voice, but she chose not to press her and simply nodded in return.

"Rest easy. I know how 'important' she is to you, Seiya-san. Even in the art world, losing her would be an immense blow. Whether you have seen a future where that happens... or if it is just a personal worry of yours, I will not ask here. I will simply take the fact that my friend is relying on me to heart."

Kio suddenly pulled a monocle with an eyepatch attachment from her pocket and fixed it over her left eye. She turned another look of deep affection toward Seiya.

"If anything happens to her, I will do something about it for your sake... I promise."