General 46

Test

Chapter 46. Soul Armor Research Society Summer Camp Begins!

"What do you mean by 'going on a trip to Okinawa together'?! Kohou-senpai!"

"W-What are you talking about~"

As the test period ended the Soul Armor Research Society's club room became available again, on the raised tatami platform. Mina and I found ourselves kneeling while Kotomi stood in a defensive posture on the tatami, bombarding us with questions.

Even through the window, I could hear the cicadas chirping.

It's finally the real beginning of summer~, I thought, escaping reality from the chaos in front of me.

"Yuu has already confessed."

"Yuu-kun..."

"Sorry, Mina. It just slipped out of my mouth..."

Since returning as if fleeing due to the illness the other day, Mina had been a bit reserved, but now there was no room for such trifles.

If we couldn't persuade Kotomi now, our trip to Okinawa would get ruined.

Because...

"Kohou-senpai holds the heavy responsibility of being at the top of the second year, right?"

"Yes..."

"Yuu is on the Disciplinary Committee, right?"

"That's because I was somewhat forcibly pushed into it by President Domon..."

"Be silent!"

"Yes..."

The accused has no right to speak.

"You're aware, right? For trips involving long-distance travel, it's necessary to submit a prior notification to the school through the student council."

That's right.

Considering emergencies, in the military, even for trips, soldiers must submit detailed action plans to avoid going missing.

Well, since the students at the academy aren't like regular soldiers, the rules around there seem to be lenient. However, as a major general, I submitted the application to the main office as the accounting officer.

Although I received a reluctant look, it's been a few years since I had a summer vacation. So I couldn't give in.

"However, rules are rules. Those who hold heavy responsibilities must not disregard the rules."

Kotomi, the straight-A student and student council member, delivered a logical argument while folding her arms.

Although she had recently become a landmine-loving girl who constantly doted on the stuffed animal Chuusuke, I missed the old Kotomi who was a straight-A student. But I wished she had displayed her excellence on occasions that didn't involve me.

"Then, shall we have you submit a travel itinerary?"

"Huh?"

Mina started to visibly panic.

"Mina, you were up late making the travel brochure even during the test period, right?"

"I did make it, but it's still incomplete..."

Mina fidgeted uncomfortably as she spoke.

Come to think of it, I haven't even received the travel brochure from Mina yet.

Between studying for classical tests, being ill, and being busy with missions, I left it up to Mina.

"If you have it, please show it to me. Without the student council's receipt stamp, you can't submit it to the instructors."

"Uh... yes..."

Trembling, Mina took out the travel brochure from her school bag.

"Hmm, I see... "

Kotomi meticulously examined the travel brochure made by Mina, occasionally looking up something on her smartphone.

"There are many points to criticize, but first, why did you include a night view spot at the end of the first day, second day, and third day?"

"Huh! Um... because sunsets and night views are beautiful!"

Mina answered Kotomi's question while sweating profusely.

Even though the club room should have been properly air-conditioned for summer.

"I think going to night view spots three days in a row would get boring. Why did you do that?"

"Uh... um..."

"I see, Kohou-senpai... perhaps you wanted to see the beautiful night view..."

"Wow! Wow! Wow!"

Mina shouted out loud while reaching out to stop Kotomi's interrogation.

The poorly drawn illustration of a tiger by Mina on the cover of the travel brochure in Kotomi's hands seemed to have a somewhat droopy, old-cat-like face.

"Really... this won't get approval from the school. Also, isn't this schedule quite unrealistic in terms of distance? Okinawa doesn't have as many train lines as here, and transferring buses is also difficult."

Kotomi critiqued Mina's travel itinerary while checking it against the map app on her smartphone.

"Uh... we were thinking of using taxis to solve that..."

"That would cost an incredible amount of money."

"I was thinking of covering the taxi fare... because you're my senpai..."

Mina replied weakly, almost like a whimper.

"Just because we get paid doesn't mean we're not students. There should be a proper way to use money with moderation."

"But, Kotomi, you spent quite a lot of money at the arcade yesterday..."

"That's different, it was all cute stuff!"

Kotomi boldly retorted to my remark.

Being on the receiving end of a stuffed animal as a gift, I couldn't press further.

Certainly, taxi fare would likely be more expensive, but isn't this judge, isn't she being a bit lenient on herself?

"It's almost certain this won't pass the application process."

"T-That's not fair!"

Mina and I exclaimed in despair.

It would be terrible if we couldn't go anywhere during the summer break we had finally obtained.

Especially considering we endured test studying and missions in anticipation of this trip.

"Allow me to offer a solution here."

"Huh, what is it?"

Turning from despair to curiosity, Mina and I leaned forward at Kotomi's meaningful statement.

It was like a criminal desperately grasping the thin thread dropped from the sky.

"In that case, please both come in."

When Kotomi called towards the club room door, two people entered in response.

"Yeah yeah. Good work, Kotomi-san."

"Hurry up and finish. It's time for my business with Shinrin."

"Hayami-sensei and Suo-senpai!"

The cheerful teacher Hayami and the seemingly annoyed senior Suo entered the room.

It was a gathering of the Soul Armor Research Society's advisor and members.

Strictly speaking, Kotomi wasn't an official member, she was just in charge of the liaison with the affiliated student council, and I had submitted Suo-senpai's membership form without his consent.

"When all the relevant members of the Soul Armor Research Society gather..."

"Yes. We're planning the 'Soul Armor Research Society's Summer Okinawa Camp'!"

Kotomi threw away Mina's travel brochure and began distributing a project proposal.

"Hey! Why does our pre-marriage trip, mine and Yuu's, turn into a club camp?"

Mina lashed out at Kotomi upon hearing the term "club camp".

Wait, a pre-marriage trip? That's news to me?

"I think that's one of the reasons why we won't get approval. Besides, if we make it a club camp, there are various benefits for you as Kohou-senpai."

"What benefits?"

Mina glared at Kotomi with a sulky face.

"Well, if Hayami-sensei accompanies us, we can use a rental car for transportation. With that, the schedule you've arranged, Kohou-senpai, can be realized."

"That's right. We can all go in one vehicle if we rent a van."

"Ugh..."

Mina, who was firm, wavered.

"However, even if it's a camp, in Okinawa during the peak of summer vacation, can we even secure lodging?"

"R-Right! If we can't secure lodging, there's nothing we can do. You occasionally say something useful, too!"

As Suo-senpai expressed concerns, Mina strongly agreed.

Bam! Mina was hit hard on the back by Suo-senpai, causing him to grimace in pain.

"You don't have to worry about that, Senior Suou. The lodging that Kohou-senpai reserved is a pension-type accommodation. I checked online, and there are enough rooms to secure separate sleeping quarters for males and females."

"And there's a parking lot at the pension. Oh, and we can have a barbecue in the garden."

"Ugh... using a pension-type accommodation that ensures separate sleeping quarters for persuading your parents about the trip to Okinawa... turned out to be a disadvantage..."

Mina's shoulders drooped with disappointment.

What does she mean by "using a pension-type accommodation that ensures separate sleeping quarters"? 

We intended to have separate sleeping arrangements even on a trip for just the two of us.

"Sorry, but I think I'll pass on participating. Leaving my sister, Marin, alone for three nights and four days before the start of summer vacation is worrying."

At this point, Suou's sister complex flared up once again.

"I think that should be fine, Suo-senpai."

"What are you basing that on, Kamiya? She's still in middle school. In terms of security, leaving her alone at home..."

"No, what I'm saying is not about that..."

As I pondered how to explain as if on cue, a call came from Marin-chan.

"Ah, it's Onii-chan. Ah, it's okay? Huh? Airplane tickets to Okinawa? What's the date? Ah, it's the same that day happens to be the summer break for the Soul Armor Prep School. I see, then, ah, I'll talk about the details when I get home. Bye then."

Suo-senpai ended the call.

"I don't quite understand, but it seems that Marin happened to get a pair of Okinawa-bound airplane tickets that match the summer camp's schedule. It seems there's no problem with the schedule. Sorry, but can Marin join the camp as well?"

"Yeah, that should be fine. It's okay for one more person in the car and at the lodging."

It's thanks to Marin-chan's espionage ability by Espio.

In this short time, she grasped the situation and secured tickets with swift execution.

And now, with Marin-chan enthusiastically planning to go to Okinawa with her big brother, I couldn't bear to reject her participation.

Since she has complete control over my secrets.

"Now then, Kohou-san, as the organizer of the Soul Armor Research Society's summer camp, and as the vice-president, please say a few words."

With the situation at a complete deadlock, Kotomi finally handed over the lead of the conversation to Mina.

"Ugh, why does it have to turn out like this!"

"Yes. Well, since we've received word from the vice president, let's start preparing for the Soul Armor Research Society's summer Okinawa camp!"

Mina's anguished voice echoed in the club room, ignored as Kotomi's instructions flew.

Even though I was the president, I was left out of the loop.