[Blue Archive] I am the Trinity Checkpoint Chief – Chapter 55

“Captain, the Prefect Team Head is here.”

“The chairwoman? She didn’t mention she was coming today. That’s not like her at all. Are you sure it’s the chairwoman?”

“I confirmed it myself. She’s looking for you.” That’s strange. The Head isn’t the type to show up unannounced.

She’s known for being meticulous, even sending formal notices in the proper format to other academies unless it’s something urgent. For her to come without any prior notice… something urgent must have happened.

Even among department heads, everyone knows she’s practically on par with a student council president acting as regent. It’s like meeting your boss. When your superior suddenly teleports in with a serious expression, a subordinate’s instincts kick in.

Oh, something’s seriously screwed.

And the fact that I’m feeling the same way right now is no coincidence. It’s almost midnight, so even without much information, I can make a good guess. Did something go down with Pandemonium Society or the Justice Task Force?

Of course, I’ll only know for sure once we meet. It’s a bit unsettling that she’s coming to see me specifically, not the Tea Party.

“Everything’s ready. Tell her to come in.”

“Understood. Oh, um—”

“No need for an escort. I can find my way in. I apologize for not observing formalities due to the urgency. Is it alright if Ako sits in on our conversation, Hikari-san?”

“…Of course.”

Is she in that much of a rush, or is there something she’s dying to know? As expected of a student council president-level figure, she’s completely thrown off my junior, who was trying to be polite.

What’s so urgent that she couldn’t even wait?

The Prefect Team Head clearly wants to avoid any unnecessary chit-chat, as she pulls up a chair and sits down without hesitation. She didn’t even give me a chance to speak. The senior administrative officer, used to the Head’s behavior, shows no reaction.

“Have a seat. You seem to be in a hurry, so how about some cocoa first?”

“Thanks.”

“Well, alright. Would the administrative officer like some too? No? Alright then.”

In times like this, it’s best to match the Head’s pace. Honestly, her behavior… it’s kind of, well, at least in her own way, she might be trying to be considerate of me. It’s just a bit startling.

Just to be safe, I asked Ritsuko-chan to bring three cups of cocoa. Despite her words, the senior administrative officer casually grabs a cup and downs it like it’s Red Winter vodka, then nonchalantly orders “one more!”.

What’s with her?

“Alright, let’s cut to the chase. It’s almost dawn—there’s no need for debates or discussions at this hour. My body’s not up for it either. What’s the matter? Showing up without a word like this.”

“Without a word? I’m sure I sent a message to the checkpoint saying I’d visit. Ako, what happened?”

“I definitely relayed the chairwoman’s orders! Could it be Pandemonium Society again…?”

Look, in my opinion, does Pandemonium even have the energy to pull off some kind of scheme like that?

Honestly, it’s probably nothing major. Either their communications head got drunk and thought they sent a message they didn’t, or our communications junior was too busy scarfing down meat to notice. One of the two.

“You already seem pressed for time, so let’s not make more work. Just get to the point and get some rest, alright?”

“…Fine. Ako, hand over the materials.”

With the administrative officer’s curt response, she hands over some press releases. They’re all from the recent press conference.

Trinity General Academy Student Council Tea Party Temporary Investigation Headquarters Press Release

• To all students receiving this press release, we wish you a pleasant day.
• Regarding the incident that occurred at Trinity General Academy’s Main Building 1 two days ago, the Trinity General Academy Student Council Tea Party firmly opposes any actions that may cause tension with other academies. We have reached a complete agreement on this matter.
• Investigation Headquarters Chief Yamatsu Hikari, Checkpoint Captain, is scheduled to attend a press conference today at noon at the Trinity General Academy Tea Party Hall to report on the investigation. Students are requested to refer to the relevant details.
• The Trinity Autonomous District respects the decision-making authority of the General Student Council, but Trinity General Academy is keeping all options on the table. This is a matter of Trinity General Academy’s sovereignty. We hope the media will not exacerbate the situation.
• Trinity General Academy deems the current situation unworthy of further comment, and how neighboring academies are treated by Trinity General Academy depends on them…

“…”

It’s all pretty standard stuff. The basic structure was drafted by Nagisa-sama and other Tea Party executives, but I personally selected the specific wording. Of course, Nagisa-sama supervised to ensure the tone wasn’t too aggressive.

There’s really nothing significant in these materials. It’s basically, “Nothing big happened last night, so just write down what I say,” or “It’s already a sensitive situation, so if other academies stir up trouble, we’ll really let them have it.” It’s not even a diplomatic document. Nagisa-sama said it was fine.

It’s not even that hardline. When things got heated with Gehenna, we’d throw insults into official notices and fight it out.

“…A fine piece of work. I spent hours racking my brain to create my masterpiece.”

“Sorry to say, but it’s not exactly welcome news for me. Reading this raised some questions, particularly about why you were appointed as Investigation Headquarters Chief.”

“Why? Well, Nagisa-sama must have had her reasons. I don’t know them, at least.”

“I think you do.”

No, I really don’t. All I know is I was summoned to the Tea Party Hall one morning, hit with the bombshell that I was being appointed as Investigation Chief, and I practically begged Nagisa-sama for mercy in tears.

Being Investigation Chief isn’t even a full department head role—just a deputy position with barely any real authority, except for a confinement chamber pass.

Frankly, a communications head has far more power than some run-of-the-mill investigation chief. Managing most of the Tea Party’s communications and controlling a vast network—think of all the information that passes through her hands.

I’ve benefited a lot from being close to the communications head. On the day the incident broke out, the martial law order wouldn’t have been issued without her. She’s closer to the social scene than I am, so whenever I had practical concerns, she’d give me advice. A great friend.

“I’m only telling you this because it’s you, but Gehenna has a lot of spies. The intelligence department gathers a massive amount of information. Among it was intel that you and Kirifuji Nagisa had some conflicts.”

“Why are you telling me this? I’m a department head from another academy, you know.”

“I said it because it’s you. You’re proactive in your own way… but you don’t cross lines unless someone else does first. Like a balance.”

“Balance” isn’t a word you use for a person, Prefect Team chairwoman.

I hate to say it to the kind Head, but that statement proves there’s a serious hole in Trinity’s internal security system. It’s another piece of evidence found after the last coup attempt. That’s one hell of a hole.

What the heck is the Intelligence Department Head doing? Lately, every time we meet, she’s been whining about gaining weight, but it’s not her weight that’s growing—it’s her department’s slacking. Please manage your team, I beg you.

I need to track down that senior tomorrow. What if she loses her job over this?

“Is it okay for the administrative officer to hear this?”

“It’s information I shared with the chairwoman. Would there be anything the Gehenna Prefect Team’s senior administrative officer doesn’t know?”

“Well, that’s not entirely true… Alright, fine, I’ll let it slide. Can you answer more specifically? What do you want to ask me?”

“I already said it. The reason you were appointed as Investigation Chief. To be specific, the Gehenna Prefect Team believes there was some kind of political deal between you and Nagisa. I think so too. What do you say?”

“…Let me think about it before I answer.”

Why are all these department heads so weirdly sharp? In a different way from the Intelligence Department Head, I have no idea where the Prefect Team Head and her senior officer are getting these conclusions from.

Have I ever deliberately exposed myself to the media or public? Without something like a coincidental photo of “Nagisa and me shaking hands with sly smiles,” they wouldn’t come up with these so-called rational conclusions.

The problem is, I’ve never done anything like that. So I need to think. Where did they get this idea?

First, the Prefect Team Head and her officer got hold of my press release. That’s not a big deal—press releases get passed around all the time. They probably intimidated some Gehenna-affiliated Chronos kid to get it.

Second, it’s likely her conclusion came from the content of the press release. There’d need to be other evidence.

Finally, third. Which paragraph, which line, which word in this fancy press release made her think Nagisa and I resolved our conflict and formed a political partnership?

But I don’t even know why I was appointed, and it’s not in the press release. It doesn’t outright say, “Nagisa appointed Yamatsu Hikari as Investigation Chief because she likes her,” or anything like…

There’s nothing. Nada? Did they just make this up because there’s nothing concrete?

Hmm. That makes sense.

“Prefect Team Head, I think there’s a bit of a misunderstanding here.”

“Go on.”

“I’m not sure if I should be asking this, but when was the last Intelligence Department report submitted?”

The Head conferred briefly with the administrative officer before returning to our one-on-one conversation.

“About three weeks ago.”

“I see… Don’t you think that’s a bit outdated?”

“I think three weeks is a long time.”

Exactly, it’s outdated. In intelligence warfare, three weeks isn’t just a time gap—it’s a whole different dimension.

If it was 21 or 22 days ago, the Head’s thinking might’ve been right. Back then, I was clashing a lot with Nagisa-sama—getting beat with facts, pummeled with authority, and doing everything I could with dignity in the Tea Party Hall.

But not now. I can confidently say my relationship with Nagisa-sama is… well, not great, but it’s eased up.

Our Intelligence Department and Gehenna’s are just as bad. Is their department part of Pandemonium or something? Who submits reports with a one-month gap? Should I go over there and whip them into shape for the busy Head?

“So, what I’m saying is, there’s a misunderstanding… like, a big one.”

“Did your relationship with Nagisa improve in the last three weeks or something?”

“Yes. Unfortunately.”

The Prefect Team Head’s face shifted from “Oh, I see” to, moments later, a mix of shock and mild anger at herself for dragging her body to Trinity in the middle of the night over this misunderstanding. The administrative officer, having a mini-breakdown from the shock, was a bonus.

Oh, our poor chairwoman. You really made a pointless trip this time.