26 Activist Alliance
I saved the link to my discord server in the synopsis.đ
---
Principal Momoyama was visibly frustrated, rubbing his forehead as if he is impatience.
He even knocked his finger on his desk, showing his annoyance.
There was no doubt that Momoyama was a patriot, but underneath his patriotic facade, he held resentment towards the Japan bureaucracy that had drained him.
He firmly believed that Japan had untapped potential and could achieve greater things.
It irked him even more that Japan failed to recognize exceptional talents like Haku.
After conducting his own private investigation, he discovered the dark history behind Haku.
With Momoyama's power and position, it was a trivial matter to address.
However, he acknowledged the country's mistake.
Momoyama had long desired to bring about changes in the school regulations, even if they were not drastic.
Simple matters like the different uniforms in First High seemed impossible to alter.
The discrepancy was not due to objections but rather a result of the increased student admissions.
Initially, First High accepted only 100 students but later opened up an additional 100 seats for students with limited training abilities.
During that time, due to the uniform not being ready, the embroidered logo faded, taking the form of eight flower petals, exclusively worn by Course 1 students.
"That's ridiculous... Oh, sorry~"
Haku chuckled upon hearing this inside Momoyama's office, while Mayumi shook her head at Haku's mischievous demeanor.
"So, why did the Sensei summon us?" Haku asked, curious about the reason.
Momoyama nodded in response. "It's just a warning: if Blanche has been escalating their activities through Egalite, my only order is to leave them alone."
Both Mayumi and Haku widened their eyes in surprise.
I wasn't pleased with this; the principal, with his sneaky nature, was using the students as stepping stones for his own agenda.
On the other hand, Haku had no intention of taking action against Blanche.
His plan was to wait and see.
"But Sensei! If you do nothing, it's equivalent to sacrificing the students, right?"
Mayumi jumped up from her chair, her face filled with anger.
Mayumi wanted to convey that toying with the student as if they were expendable was unacceptable.
Everyone was using them for their own purposes.
Deep down, Mayumi just desired a better school life before graduation.
Principal Momoyama needed a game-changer, something that would scare off the politicians if the enemy still lurked. He required better resources for First High.
Blanche used students as infiltrators.
As for Haku, all he wanted was to live in peace.
While improving school regulations was commendable, it couldn't be achieved by the schools alone.
The students were full of youthful passion and felt the need for revolution.
And it all started with the uniforms.
Haku let out a laugh.
[Attention, fellow students!]
A thunderous roar echoed through the loudspeaker, and at the same time, Mayumi clenched her fists.
Both of them knew that the students had reached their breaking point.
---
-Knock! Knock!
"Sayaka, please come out; Mother is worried."
-Knock! Knock!
"Sayaka..."
In a dark and disheveled room, Sayaka shut herself in, huddled under her blanket, consumed by fear of the outside world.
Sayaka's mother desperately tried to persuade her while her father served in the military overseas.
The Mibu family was moderately affluent but not considered high-class, as Sayaka's father worked in the military, specifically handling foreign relations affairs.
"Darn, it! I've been used!"
As her memories flooded back, Sayaka broke down.
Tears streamed down her eyes, surrounded by dark circles.
All this time, she believed she was striving for positive changes that would improve the school.
But now she realized it was all a facade, concealing a malicious plan.
She had merely been a scapegoat, that can disposable at any moment.
How pitiful.
Sayaka, you should know that all magic is stored within that place, and it can be useful for non-magicians.
Sayaka, this world must be equal.
Such reminders echoed in her mind, falsely raising her hopes about someone she had placed her trust in.
Furthermore, in the process, she hurt those around her.
She influenced numerous students who eventually joined the Egalite Alliance, like Haku to Tatsuya.
Sayaka attempted to convince them to join, but both of them are smart.
However, she also felt guilty for indulging in a moment with Haku's sparring sword, knowing that it was all an act.
She had few friends, not even among her closest companions.
Now, the weight of guilt burdened her heart whenever she recalled her innocent act expression from that time.
She can't bear it.
She can't see Haku's disappointed face.
"Ugh!"
Her stomach burned, and she felt the urge to vomit.
It all began with an impossible dream.
Since Blanche shared a similar vision, she had thought it was okay.
But reality says otherwise.
Sayaka's eyes turned bloodshot.
Her mind is broken, lost faith in people, and the sting of betrayal consumed her.
Meanwhile, the students, driven by their aspirations, illicitly broadcasted their thoughts through the loudspeaker.
But Sayaka no longer cared; fueled by anger, she sought revenge.
---
Tatsuya rushed over from the library when all members of the disciplinary committee were summoned due to the sabotage incident.
On his way, he encountered Miyuki.
"Ah, Onii-sama."
"Miyuki, were you summoned too?"
"Yes, the student council president requested a meeting in the public announcement room."
They chatted as they hurried, maintaining a brisk pace.
"Do you think this is the work of Blanche?"
"I'm not certain, but the pattern seems similar."
With a bland expression, It brought Tatsuya's attention back to last week when Sayaka had invited him to join the Kendo Club.
The two continued their conversation until they reached the location.
At the entrance, Tatsuya spotted Katsuto, Mari, Suzune, members of the disciplinary committee, and members of the club activity supervisors.
"You're late."
Mari crossed her arms.
"Forgive me."
Both sides exchanged scowls and apologies, then proceeded to assess the current situation.
The broadcast might be restricted by cutting off the power supply.
If they haven't entered yet, it means the door is securely locked.
It seems the other side has the master key.
Tatsuya thought.
Isn't this blatant criminal activity in broad daylight?
"Using tactics like this is truly 'activist.' It's quite bothersome; this is their true nature,"
Mock Tatsuya.
"That's why we're here, so they don't resort to more extreme measures."
"I'm not entirely convinced..."
Suzune responded to Mari's statement as if she had heard it before.
"Even if we treat them lightly, it doesn't guarantee they will back down. I believe we should address this with a direct approach."
Mari argued, confident that this approach would lead to a swift resolution.
Silence fell upon them.
"What does the Juumonji Club leader think?"
Tatsuya's question surprised everyone, and it seemed as if he was shifting the responsibility onto Katsuto.
Tatsuya considered Katsuto to be not an adult, and he believed that this case could be resolved without the assistance of an adult.
"I believe it's best to hear what they have to say. As long as we can calmly refute their claims, we can settle this matter without any concerns."
Mari pondered, "So we just sit and wait?"
"We don't have much information to use as a reference in this case. If we break in, it could be argued that we illegally damaged school property."
Katsuto's response sounded reasonable and low-risk, considering that the situation wasn't classified as urgent.
Tatsuya took out his portable terminal and tried contacting someone.
The people around him looked at Tatsuya with curiosity.
Why was he suddenly making a call?
No answer?
Did that mean Mibu-senpai wasn't involved, or did she deliberately turn off her communication device?
But looking back.
Sayaka should have been involved in this action.
Tatsuya's mind raced.
"Onii-sama, who are you trying to contact?"
Miyuki seemed to voice the curiosity of everyone present.
Without hesitation, Tatsuya responded flatly.
"I suspect someone I know might be involved in this incident. But I can't confirm it since their communication device is inactive."
Tatsuya believed he shouldn't disclose whom he was trying to contact, fearing that he might accuse someone without sufficient evidence.
"Is that so?"
Miyuki appeared skeptical.
Is it a girl?
---
"So what should we do now?"
Mari crossed her arms and impatiently tapped her foot on the ground.
"Are you that eager for action?"
Suzune let out a sigh of embarrassment.
"No! It's not like that, Suzune!"
Mari retorted at Suzune, her face reddening with embarrassment.
The sight was quite adorable, especially to those of the opposite sex.
"I thought the culprits had been apprehended. Why is everyone gathered here?"
All eyes turned towards the voice that sounded slightly loafing.
"Apologies for the delay~"
Mayumi arrived with a professional smile, while Haku wore a "what a drag..." expression.
"Mayumi, why did it take so long?"
Mari asked, her irritation evident in her tone.
"Well, you know, as usual, the principal had to share some historical anecdotes with me."
Mayumi appeared fatigued, and Mari chuckled as if to say, "You survived that? Impressive."
But Haku's attire stood out conspicuously, as he was wearing his Kenjutsu Club's Hakama.
The people around him looked at him with confusion.
"What? Do you think this girl is giving me enough time?"
Haku pointed at Mayumi.
"What!? Don't blame me! Ahem. let's put that aside for now. What's the current situation?"
Mayumi was taken aback and blushed slightly, but she quickly regained her composure as the student council president.
But somehow they look close, isn't it?
After a brief discussion, the two of them were brought up to speed on the situation.
Haku thought that maybe Sayaka was in the room, so he glanced at Tatsuya with a telepathic gaze.
Tatsuya then shook his head, understanding the unspoken question in Haku's gaze.
A silence fell, prompting Mayumi to inquire with her eyes, "Haku, do you have a solution?"
Haku felt annoyed.
Why did they look at him as if he had something on his sleeve?
Nevertheless, it was true that he was a shinobi, and this problem suited his skill set.
"Stop giving me those looks, but maybe I can give it a try."
Everyone nodded, relieved that someone was finally taking action.
But this was what happened when they shirked responsibility, wasn't it?
"Oh, I see. I thought every room in this school had advanced security, but this door has a manual lock mechanism."
Haku remarked, glancing at the others.
"Perhaps there were budget cuts? No wonder someone could easily take control of a room like this, hahaha!"
Haku burst into laughter, and the others couldn't help but think.
How is he so calm while mocking the school?
For a moment, a weird thought crossed their mind that Haku might be the principal's illegitimate grandson.
Impossible.
After examining the entrance, Haku placed his left hand right into the keyhole.
Then, an activation sequence was launched by a small CAD that resembled a black ring with a geometric pattern.
Tatsuya's eyes widened as he realized what the ring was; he was familiar with it.
"Is that ring a CAD with thought activation?"
Tatsuya inquired.
"Yes."
"Amazing. Isn't it a Yuki Magitech product? Thank goodness Azusa isn't with us."
Suzune added her observation about Haku's CAD.
It contradicted the rumors about him. Yet, Haku remained silent, as if confirming the rumors.
Amidst their contemplation of Haku's absurd background, they momentarily forgot about Azusa, who seemed to have missed this opportunity.
"Haku, what are you attempting to do?" Miyuki inquired.
Haku responded without turning his head.
"I used magic that emits a high-frequency pulse, which can map this keyhole."
Confusion spread across everyone's faces.
What was the purpose of this?
Each person present was a monster in their own field.
They could easily break through this old-school door without any issues.
However, what Haku proceeded to do appeared simple, yet it was not.
Tatsuya pondered.
It would be a waste if it didn't achieve the ultimate goal.
Using the principle of a submarine's sonar to obtain a detailed image of the keyhole required precise magical calculations and flawless memory to remember the image.
But, that's not a problem except he is a monster.
In a matter of seconds, Haku acquired the keyhole's details.
Next, Haku opened his palm and utilized the [Ice Element] to craft a key.
The wind seemed to be drawn towards the center of Haku's right palm.
-Crack!
The ice slowly formed and took on the exact details of a key.
All eyes were fixed on this spectacle, filled with surprise.
Haku effortlessly completed the entire process in a matter of moments, as if it were as natural as breathing.
Ninjutsu element: [Ice].
Perfect control.
Swift and precise execution.
Tatsuya gazed at him with his usual impassive eyes, his mind wandering back to the image of Yakumo's shadowy figure that he had seen on Haku's back.
From the beginning, Haku had been a suspicious individual, igniting Tatsuya's desire to uncover every facet of his being.
However, that intention had faded, as Tatsuya had forgotten about it, cause he know that Miyuki is more like a normal girl since they know each other.
Controlling psions with such precision without extensive training was no easy feat. Haku's [Ninjutsu] was flawless, as expected of someone acknowledged by Yakumo-sensei, mused the Shiba siblings.
Mayumi and Mari believed that Haku possessed the most advanced CAD currently available, he had a sports car that hadn't yet hit the market and a unique magic ability.
Suzune shared the same sentiment; the rumors about Haku were completely contradictory.
It was all nonsense.
But, who knows?
-Clack!
"The door is open people!"
Haku's mutterings snapped them out of their reverie and back into reality.
"Damn it! How is this possible?"
"Don't tell me you didn't secure the backup key as well!"
"It's not my fault, damn it!"
A panicked voice could be heard from behind the door.
"I've completed my task; I'm heading back to the club," Haku stated.
Haku attempts to avoid using [Elemental Sight] cause he didn't want to raise suspicions about how he knows the key's shape for this particular room.
Thus, he resorted to using the [Sonar] magic he had developed during his training, as it was inspired by his [Elemental Sight] ability.
With a yawn, Haku walked away from the group, bidding them farewell.
He could feel the stares of admiration and envy, but it was interrupted by Mari's exclamation "Catch them!"
'Where did she go?'
His eyes narrowed when he didn't find Sayaka.
