[Blue Archive] I am the Trinity Checkpoint Chief – Chapter 64

“This document wasn’t handled by me. Common sense dictates that the Sisterhood has no reason to do such a thing.”

“That’s exactly what you need to explain at the cathedral. Sakurako-sama’s testimony alone isn’t enough. What evidence do I have to be certain? If I return empty-handed, how am I supposed to dispel the Tea Party’s suspicions?”

“Is there even a way to dispel your suspicions? I don’t know how to prove our innocence regarding this document. It’s not like I can just assume it’s a plot by a faction jealous of the Sisterhood.”

Ugh, Mother Superior.

Unfortunately, that’s not my problem.

As someone with practical experience, I understand Sakurako-sama’s position. If what you say is true, I’m shoving a document in your face that you, the Mother, never even considered. A document suggesting you’re plotting a rebellion against the Tea Party.

You probably want to scream at me to talk sense, calling me a Nagisa-like bitch in your head.

But I’m the one holding the physical evidence, and the Tea Party’s intelligence department, untangling the threads of countless leads refusing to reveal their sources, traced it back to the cathedral. That’s an objective fact.

If I apply Sakurako-sama’s attitude to myself, how am I supposed to convince Nagisa-sama and the Tea Party that a document recorded as originating from the Sisterhood isn’t actually theirs, with just my brain?

The responsibility lies with the cathedral in the first place, so asking me to figure out how to handle it is a bit unfair, don’t you think?

“That’s not the Tea Party’s job. Nor is it mine. Even if I’m not just Nagisa-sama’s messenger, I don’t have an obligation to help with the Sisterhood’s affairs.”

“Hikari-san, but—”

“I’m sorry, Sakurako-sama. Either identify and punish the person who wrote this document or show evidence that such discussions never took place within the Sisterhood. That’s the Tea Party’s will.”

I extended my hand for a handshake, signaling I had nothing more to say. Sakurako-sama, unable to hide her shock, froze for a moment but eventually accepted the situation and shook my hand. Her grip was firm.

Just as I understand your circumstances, I hope you’ll understand mine.

***

Returning to the Tea Party, my heart still wasn’t at ease. It felt like I was drowning in a pile of Gordian knots.

The tragic part is that my knots can’t be cut with swords or even miracles. They’re time bombs, each distinct from Trinity’s mountain of political contradictions. There’s a problem, it needs solving, but I have no idea how.

If I fail to resolve them and they explode, who knows how far the fallout will reach? My infuriatingly ambiguous stance sometimes makes it seem like I might muddle through, but other times it feels like an urgent issue that needs immediate resolution.

Damn it, what am I supposed to do? I can’t just wipe out a faction of hundreds because the Sisterhood is under suspicion.

Lost in thought, I started climbing the stairs.

I didn’t see the student in front of me and bumped into them.

“Uh, whoa…?”

“Huh? Ack, ow… Hey, watch where you’re going… Uh…?”

Ugh, it feels like my back, already wrecked thanks to Mika-sama, just broke again.

More importantly, who’s this blonde girl in front of me?

There aren’t many students with that hair color among the Tea Party executives…

Wait.

She’s not with the Tea Party—just an ordinary petitioner.

“Oh, Hifumi-san. What are you doing here?”

“Ow… Oh, it’s Hikari-san… I got distracted by a Peroro doll… Sorry.”

“It’s partly my fault, so no need to apologize. But what brings you to the Tea Party?”

“Oh, it’s about a doll I bought at the black market… I came to pay a fine.”

I see.

Lately, I’ve been seeing Hifumi-san a lot. So much so that I’ve started calling her by her first name instead of Ajitani-san. We’ve gotten closer from her frequent appearances.

In terms of encounters… probably close to a hundred? I’ve heard her “ahaha” laugh countless times at Border Checkpoints 3 and 4 toward Abydos. Add in that chicken-like doll—she insists it’s not—and it’s even more.

“I told you to get a pass from the Tea Party. What’s the harm in that?”

“But black market passes are almost never issued… The 3730th limited-edition Ninpero was up for auction at the black market, so I had no choice. The company went bankrupt while making it, so only 32 were ever released.”

“If you keep crossing the border, Hifumi-san, you’ll end up writing 32 apology letters. If another Peroro product comes out while you’re writing them, won’t that feel like a waste of time? It’s all about time loss.”

“Umm… You have a point, Hikari-san. I’ll get a permit next time.”

Hifumi-san smiled, agreeing with me.

The problem is, I’ve had this conversation about passes over forty times already. I hate to say it, but Hifumi-san often forgets what I tell her, as if her head’s full of Peroro.

If I tell her a hundred times, maybe she’ll get it?! But I suspect she’ll graduate before that happens. All I can do is hope she reforms soon.

“Are you still with the Supplementary Lessons Department? I remember you were there during the main building incident. You okay?”

“Oh, yes. Azusa-chan blocked most of the enemies, so I was fine. Hanako-chan’s clothes got a bit torn, but it seemed like she did it herself…”

If we’re talking about that living lewd demon, that sounds about right.

By the way, how do I solve the Sisterhood issue? Honestly, I don’t think the cathedral orchestrated the surveillance. But Nagisa-sama? She definitely does.

Who wrote the document? If the Sisterhood can’t find them, how do we track their actions? Can the Tea Party even handle that?

It’d be nice if we had a sharp detective in the Tea Party, but all we have are girls who only know politics. What should I—

“Um, Hikari-san, is something troubling you?”

“…Huh? Oh, it’s nothing.”

My expression must’ve looked bad to Hifumi-san. The blonde girl handed me her Peroro doll, as if to calm me down. It looked exactly like a chicken, but its soft texture was oddly comforting.

Even with all the trouble she causes, she’s undeniably a kind-hearted girl. If only Hanako didn’t have her paranoia…

Wait. Hanako?

“…Hifumi-san, how’s Hanako doing these days? No big issues, right?”

“Hanako-chan’s doing well. Yesterday, she was teasing Koharu-chan and accidentally made her faint, so she panicked.”

“Oh, really? Haha…”

An interesting idea hit me. If there’s no sharp mind in the Tea Party, why not outsource?

From that perspective, Urawa Hanako is perfect for outsourcing. In terms of brains, few in Trinity General Academy can match her, and without her paranoia, she doesn’t have any particular enemies in the Tea Party.

Alright, you’re the one. I’ll have to see how that damned lewd demon reacts, but knowing her, she won’t flip out and refuse. Especially since Hanako takes serious matters seriously.

“Hey, Hifumi-san. I need to send a letter to Hanako. Can you help me out?”

“Oh, sure. What is it?”

“Hold on, I’ll write it here at the table…”

***

“And that’s how it happened.”

“Hanako-san… will that be okay, Hikari-san?”

As expected, Nagisa-sama couldn’t hide her concern. Considering she’s the one who got chewed out by Sensei for disbanding the Supplementary Lessons Department, it’s understandable. But isn’t that her own karma?

What can we do when the Tea Party lacks someone of her caliber? If it bothers you so much, Nagisa-sama, why don’t you investigate the Sisterhood yourself? You don’t have the ability, time, or even the will for it. Damn security issues.

“I heard Hanako-san got love calls from both the Tea Party and the Sisterhood back in the day. I haven’t known her long, so I can’t say for sure, but her ability to solve cases is exceptional, isn’t it?”

“That’s true, but involving an outsider in a classified matter is a very risky decision.”

“She’s a student who knows the Tea Party’s safehouse patterns inside out. It’s not an exaggeration to say she’s the easiest person outside the social circle to access Trinity General Academy’s security facilities. My decision takes into account both Nagisa-sama and the Tea Party’s past influence.”

That’s the truth. Nagisa-sama might not want to hear it, but it’s undeniable.

Who dragged Hanako into all this and showed her the vastness of Trinity General Academy? It wasn’t me—at best, a mere director could do so much. But the Tea Party is different.

How much help would Hanako have been if she’d stayed with the Tea Party? A capable student is a strategic asset in itself. The problem is that the people who should know this best didn’t.

“If you’re worried about leaks outside the Tea Party, I assure you there’s no need. If Hanako-san were the type to leak classified documents, she’d have transferred to Gehenna Academy long ago and spilled everything she knew. The things done in the Tea Party’s name would’ve been scattered to Chronos and other media outlets by now.”

“…”

“But is the Tea Party like that now? Full of shameful, erasable memories? We’re still an honorable, authoritative student council. We’re standing here right now. Perhaps thanks to her.”

“I didn’t know you thought so highly of Hanako-san, Hikari-san. I thought you two had serious conflicts…”

“Well, I’ve been tangled up in a lot of things, that’s true. But I also acknowledge her abilities.”

It took just over ten minutes for Hanako to reply to my letter via MomoTalk. She was genuinely invested in the case.

I told her everything I knew and got a formal promise not to leak it to the press. Then I asked how long it might take. Guess what her response was?

Pfft, she said she’d send it by the end of today. They say geniuses are always a bit unhinged, and it’s true.

Knock, knock, knock.

The heavy sound of knocking echoed through the Tea Party chamber, followed by an attendant approaching.

“Um… A letter for the Checkpoint Captain. I’m terribly sorry to interrupt the meeting, but it’s stamped with an urgent matter seal…”

“No, no need to apologize. Thank you.”

I patted the attendant’s back twice, and they seemed relieved by my response. Are they scared of me?

“What is it, Hikari-san?”

“A gift from our friend.” As the attendant said, the letter bore a bright red seal. But I was certain it was a fake.

—Rip.

I tore open the letter and checked the sender’s name first.

Below the golden text “Sent from Trinity General Academy’s Second Post Office” was the expected five-character name.

Sender: Urawa Hanako 

See, my guess was right. How could Hanako, who’s not even with the Tea Party, use an urgent matter seal?

“…Hanako-san? How did a letter from her get here—”

“Haha, that girl always has her ways, doesn’t she? Look, Nagisa-sama!”

I held the letter in my left hand, raising my arm to show Nagisa-sama clearly.

I gave a faint smile.

And shouted with conviction:

“The names of the bastards scheming in the Sisterhood are all right here, Nagisa-sama!”