[Blue Archive] I am the Trinity Checkpoint Chief – Chapter 109

Kirifuji Nagisa remembers the moment.

The day when a long-cherished wish was fulfilled, an era when peace between Trinity and Gehenna was witnessed. I was at the High Cathedral.

I was about to read the proclamation and sign it. Then, I heard something trembling, cracking.

Was it a war breaking out?

I looked up at the towering ceiling of the High Cathedral. Sorasaki Hina and Sister Sakurako were looking in the same direction, and then—

—it shattered.

In that fleeting moment, as debris came crashing down, I thought everything was collapsing.

***

“…That uniform suits you well.”

The broken tracks of memory began to reconnect. I was lying in a hospital bed.

Upon regaining consciousness, I constructed several scenarios. Trinity General School was teetering. Kirifuji Nagisa’s absence had caused significant ripples.

If everyone present at that event had lost consciousness, who would have taken up the student council president’s duties? I couldn’t find an answer.

Trinity had to overcome a crisis it had barely begun to recover from.

Mika-san, Sanctus, delinquents, the Border Checkpoint… The list of immediate concerns numbered in the dozens.

Kirifuji Nagisa thought to herself:

Trinity is finished.

***

“Have some. A thank-you for visiting.”

It wasn’t until the hospital director—the attending physician—came to explain that I could finally feel at ease.

The fact that Hikari-san, the leader of the Border Checkpoint, had taken on the role of Designated Survivor meant that the majority of those present at the Eden Treaty ceremony had been gravely injured. At least, that’s how it felt to me.

And then… a miracle happened.

“Proxy Yamatsu Lifts Martial Law”

—High Cathedral Incident Concluded, but Mobilization Continues

“…”

I was stunned.

Truly stunned, amazed, and almost embarrassed.

You did it. While I was gone, you carried the weight of all our subordinates. You saved Trinity.

So, when Hikari-san pushed open the hospital room door… I was even more flustered.

“—Hikari-san?”

“…Loyalty.” Hikari Yamatsu pledged her loyalty to me, complete with a traditional salute.

I could only imagine the events of the past few days. Her emotions seemed to speak for themselves.

“I’m glad you’re alive.”

I thought I knew Hikari-san well. I’d seen her for months at the Tea Party, and recently, our meetings had become more frequent. I believed I could judge her character.

Who could have anticipated those tears? They say you never truly know someone’s heart, and the old adage proved entirely correct.

“…What I’m trying to say is, you’ve done well.”

Perhaps that’s why.

I found myself wanting to hold on to her.

“Be my proxy, Hikari-san. Please.”

Hikari Yamatsu.

***

Trinity General School dismissed the demands of the general student council. At least, they cited the urgency of the situation through communication channels.

[“Sorry, but we’re swamped with work.”]

I retained the title of Proxy. Since Nagisa-san’s survival was confirmed, I should have been renamed Host Proxy, but no administrator wanted to spark a debate over the scope of authority.

The political sphere quieted down somewhat. Misuzu-san seems satisfied with my measures, and Sayuri-san, unable to escape even after the incident’s resolution… sigh. Her voice grows more haggard every time we talk. She claims she’s hit a record of three cans of coffee a day.

Ritsuko-chan is the master of Hippo-chan. She visits the Tea Party chamber once a day to mooch my cocoa.

“Hey, senpai. Did you know? Unlike you, I actually get vacations.”

“Nice one. How about I make you Acting Leader of the Checkpoint?”

“W-What?! No way! Do you know how hard Yuzuki’s been working? I’d die of overwork!”

Now that she’s been promoted to Acting Leader Kawasaki Ritsuko, isn’t that just wonderful?

All’s well that ends well.

The High Cathedral, completely collapsed, remains a point of contention. Some argue that the half-millennium-old cultural landmark must be restored, while others propose excavating the catacombs entirely. Whatever the case, it will follow Sakurako-sama’s will.

Arius didn’t just start a war. The Sisterhood is now caught in an unexpected debate over heresy.

Sakurako-sama has returned, and Hanako has lost her temporary position. My friend seems eager to slip away from the situation… but I’m not so sure. She’s already deeply involved in too many areas to be let go.

Who knows, maybe she’ll flunk a test and end up back in the Supplementary Lessons Club.

Gehenna Academy’s situation is relatively calm. Thanks to Hina-san—suddenly calling me to address her this way—sweeping away her school’s troublemakers, the borders are quiet. The Prefect Team, said to have collapsed, has regained its usual authority.

Though, I did have to schedule a meeting to keep their leader from storming the Tea Party chamber.

The leader on the phone sounded quite disgruntled.

[“Open the door, Hikari. Don’t make me bring out the Destroyer.”]

[“I said not today! We’re too busy, but I’ll invite you when things calm down—agh, don’t actually bring it!”]

What is she so curious about?

In the end, we compromised. After work—starting today, “quitting time” is finally a possibility—we agreed to meet at a dingy diner in the city’s backstreets. She insisted it had to be today, so I threw up my hands.

It’ll work out somehow. She’s not exactly hostile to Trinity, and at the very least, she’s not trying to kill me.

The issue of the Arius Branch School students might be resolved simply. Most of the “prisoners”—if you can call them that without an enemy state—preferred to stay with the Checkpoint, where they were already detained.

Some might criticize it as forming a private organization, but for now, maintaining the status quo should be fine, right?

Even if voices of dissent arise at the Tea Party—well, I’m the Proxy. The embodiment of authority trusted by Nagisa-san. I can do anything, can’t I?

You can’t stop me! This is the limit of Trinity’s justice!

“…”

Ahem, and now—shall we talk about my lord? About the request I received during the hospital visit.

I couldn’t refuse Nagisa-san’s earnestness. Rationally, it was hard to defy the Host’s words, and emotionally… it was quite difficult too. Any student who’s seen her face would feel the same.

Urgent, pressing. I couldn’t think of her “request” as mere pretense.

I don’t know how long it’ll take for her to be discharged—the hospital director said at least half a month—but it seems a certain amount of hardship is inevitable. At least the Tea Party’s food is good, so there’s that.

Should I hope to handle things my way until she returns, or pray for her swift recovery?

Two desires—labor and freedom—clash within my heart.

Regardless, I made my choice, so I must take responsibility. I told Mika-san about Nagisa-san. The Pater Princess was overjoyed to hear her friend was alive, though she seemed somewhat melancholic.

That expression vanished quickly, but it’ll linger in my memory.

Of course, as part of my responsibility, I didn’t forget to fulfill “Mika-san’s requests for IPTV and a high-end hairdryer, as per Nagisa-san’s response.” The baker who loves making roll cakes called it the best day of her life.

Her baking skills are unreal. A monster at it. Would she come if I rang the bell?

“No way.”

Hanako, helping with paperwork, broke the mood.

“What, why?”

“Weren’t you the one whining about needing insulin soon?”

“A baguette wouldn’t hurt. The Checkpoint barely had any sweets.”

“No means no. Eating while working lowers efficiency.”

…Is this really the Hanako who used to throw tantrums about hating work? She’s not an Arius spy who snuck into the Tea Party with a disguise, is she?

“…You’re thinking something weird right now, aren’t you?”

“No.”

Her intuition is annoyingly sharp.

***

Meeting Hina-san was only possible after the sun had set.

The place? A small izakaya far from the Tea Party chamber, with just a couple of students around. The pro-Trinity owner, ever dutiful, prepared not only alcohol and snacks but also a glass of Lipton.

Hina-san was drinking coffee. I don’t know if she enjoyed the bitter espresso. I didn’t have the courage to ask.

“If you’re curious about the taste, you can have a sip.”

“I’m good.”

She pointed to her cup, noticing my stare. What’s she thinking? It’s rude to drink from someone else’s cup. Not to mention, I’m not planning to stay up all night.

I chose the place, but her agreeing to it was a bit puzzling. Her personality doesn’t seem like one to make dinner plans.

She’s the Prefect Team Leader—an capable administrator. She knows the weight of meeting me. This isn’t some casual chat over drinks, and it’s hard to dismiss her storming the Tea Party’s front gate as trivial.

The impassive Hina-san ordered chicken wings—why she’d pair espresso with wings is beyond me—and looked at me. I had no choice but to order katsu. Soon, the sound of frying oil echoed through the stall.

How do you deal with a girl quietly sipping her drink? Looks like I’d have to break the ice.

“Hey, Hina-san. Isn’t it time we got to the point?”

“…”

“I don’t get it. Why were you so insistent on meeting me?”

Slurp. She finished the last of her coffee.

“I heard the news. Nagisa woke up, and you went to see her.”

“That’s right.”

“What did she say?”

“…” I hesitated, wondering if I should tell the truth.

“Be my proxy, Hikari-san. Please.”

“…She just told me to keep up the good work. That I did well.”

“I see. Sorry about lunchtime. I got a bit heated.”

“It was the first time I’ve seen you that angry.”

“Guess so,” she said with a wry smile. “I’m curious about one thing. I don’t know what you want, Hikari.”

“What do you mean?”

“What’s your goal? Or, more specifically, why are you still holding onto the Proxy role?”

…

“If I said it’s because it’s my duty—would you buy that?”

“Duty?”

“Nagisa-san asked me. To be her proxy. To keep working a bit longer.” I met Hina-san’s gaze as I spoke, but I couldn’t read her expression.

“…I see. That’s fine too.” I don’t know why the corner of her mouth twitched upward.

“I don’t get what you mean.”

“No plans to explain, so don’t worry.”

Hina-san left me with questions, tearing into her chicken skewers. I had no choice but to toss a piece of katsu into my mouth.

As always, fried food is never wrong.