Chapter 45: It’s Time for a Boys’ Night Out
Ema, who recently couldn’t go without his stomach medicine thanks to Kazuma, felt a chill upon receiving an emergency email from Momoko.
It was set up so that if Kazuma seemed about to cause a massive problem, Momoko would contact Ema directly, and an email had arrived through that emergency line.
Ema trembled, pressing a hand to his clenching stomach as he checked Momoko’s email.
“…The liberation of Hawaii? And for a training camp, no less?”
He couldn’t make sense of it.
He’d thought it might be a request from America, but it was merely a personal whim.
He agreed with the liberation of Hawaii itself.
However, it was unacceptable for Japan to gain absolutely no benefit from it.
If possible, he wanted to dispatch the Crimson Knight and secure a track record of Japan making a significant contribution to Hawaii’s liberation.
That way, even though Hawaii was American territory, they could probably acquire some concessions.
“I have to persuade Kazuma-kun quickly…!”
Feeling he couldn’t just stand by, Ema tried calling Kazuma.
After a few rings, Kazuma answered the phone with a cheerful voice.
“Yeah, hello~?”
“Hello, Kazuma-kun. There’s something I need to confirm with you urgently, is now a good time?”
“Right now? I’m kinda talking with some friends, so can it wait till later?”
“If possible, I’d like to ask you right away…!”
“Haaah. If that’s the case, please wait a moment.”
As Kazuma’s voice faded, Ema could tell, though he couldn’t see him over the phone, that Kazuma was excusing himself to his friends.
“Sorry to keep you waiting. So, what’s this urgent thing you wanted to confirm?”
“I heard from Shinonome-kun that you’re thinking of retaking Hawaii. If possible, Japan would like to get involved as well…”
“Oh shoot, I forgot Momoko-chan read my mind. Hmm, regarding this matter, I’m sorry, but it’s a no-go. It’s like I’m repaying a favor to a friend.”
Unless it was something extremely unreasonable, Kazuma usually listened to what Ema said.
However, he was refused this time. Ema considered trying to persuade him somehow, but after hearing Kazuma’s reasoning, he changed his mind.
“(So he’s repaying a debt to a friend, huh… Knowing his personality, if I try to force our way in, he might fly into a rage. It’s extremely frustrating, but I’ll withdraw from this matter. I don’t want Kazuma-kun to get fed up with me.)”
Ema, who knew Kazuma’s personality, decided to give up on Japan’s involvement in retaking Hawaii.
To be honest, he wanted to use the Crimson Knight to advance Japan’s diplomatic interests, but doing so would undoubtedly lead to Kazuma, the Crimson Knight, defecting.
“Defecting” might be an exaggeration, but at the very least, Kazuma wouldn’t be happy about it.
Worse, he might even consider moving overseas.
That was something Ema absolutely had to avoid, so with a heavy heart, he gave up on persuading Kazuma.
“I see. Understood. I’m sorry for making an unreasonable request.”
“Nah, it’s fine. If there’s anything else you want me to do, just let me know. As long as it’s not too outrageous, I’ll work for the reward.”
“Hahaha. That’s good to hear. I’ll think about what to ask of you.”
“Sounds good. Later then~”
Having avoided the worst-case scenario and received the best possible assurance, Ema felt relieved for the time being.
There was almost nothing the world’s strongest, Kazuma, couldn’t do if asked.
From now on, for Japan to gain an advantage, Kazuma’s power was indispensable.
Ema looked to the future, planning how to best utilize that power.
“Now then, what should I have Kazuma-kun do…?”
After all, liberating territories that had become Ibinom dens, like Hawaii, was probably the best course of action.
Kazuma, the Crimson Knight, could handle any number of Ibinom, and he could even achieve the liberation of the deep sea, something other Gifted couldn’t manage.
Thanks to Kazuma, the Ibinom had been completely eliminated from the already liberated Okinawa. Reconstruction was progressing, and it was decided that it would soon be revived as a new residential area.
Since Okinawa was also famous as a resort destination, the economic impact would likely be high.
He truly had nothing but gratitude for the Crimson Knight.
“He really is an honest and good kid, though~…”
What was regrettable was his tendency to prioritize duty and personal feelings.
As an individual, this was a wonderful trait, but for someone belonging to a nation, it made him extremely difficult to utilize.
Nevertheless, as long as one didn’t mismanage the relationship, Kazuma was undoubtedly the best asset and the strongest trump card.
“Haaah… There’s no point in lamenting. I should get back to work.”
Ema stopped thinking about the Hawaii matter, took a short break, and then returned to his work.
After finishing his call with Ema, Kazuma returned to the student council room to discuss future plans.
“About the orientation, I have the final say, right?”
“Yeah, that’s right. Is there anywhere in the Seventh Area you’d like to go?” Hayato asked.
“That part’s a secret! By the way, if I decide, who should I tell?”
“First, the student council has to submit a budget proposal, so you’d tell us. Once the specifics are decided, we report to the Academy Director, and if we get approval, it’s settled,” Hayato explained.
Kazuma nodded along as he listened to Hayato’s explanation.
It was unclear if he truly understood, but he seemed to be listening earnestly, so Hayato didn’t press him for confirmation.
Besides, even if Kazuma forgot, all the student council members, including Vice President Karin, were present.
In that case, there was nothing particular to worry about.
The only concern, if any, would be Kazuma going on a rampage.
“Oh, right. Kazuma,” Souji called out.
“What is it, Souji-senpai?”
“If you’re free after this, wanna hang out?”
“I’m totally fine with that. Senpai, are you sure you don’t need to head back?”
“I’m planning to stay here tonight. So, I’ll head back tomorrow, no problem hanging out after this.”
“If that’s the case, sounds good! What should we do?”
“In that case, would it be alright if I joined as well?”
As Kazuma and Souji were getting excited about what to do, Yayoi interjected, asking if she could join them.
“I’m fine with it! What about you, Souji-senpai?”
“No way! We’re gonna hang out, just the guys! So, Hayato is okay!”
“I wish you wouldn’t drag me into this so suddenly. Well, if it’s an invitation to hang out, I don’t mind though,” Hayato said.
“…Hmph, I don’t like it, but if that’s how it is, I’ll back down. Kazuma-han, let’s hang out some other time, okay?”
“Yes! I’ll be waiting anytime, Yayoi-san!”
“Well then, I’ll be off.”
Her blonde drill-like curls fluttering elegantly, Yayoi left the Seventh Esper Academy.
The student council members were annoyed with Yayoi, who had stirred up the place like a typhoon and then left without suffering any inconvenience herself.
Everyone remaining in the student council room, except Kazuma, sighed in relief that she had finally gone.
“So, Souji-senpai. What are we gonna do?”
“Anything would be fun with you, but… let’s go to Grand One and conquer all the facilities!”
“Yeehaw! That sounds awesome!”
“Alright then, Hayato! You come too!”
“You really were planning to take me along, huh? Well, I guess it’s fine.”
“Alright then, Senpais, Kaede, Momoko-chan! We’re heading out to have some fun, so can we leave the rest to you?”
“Yes, yes. We’ll lock up, so off you go,” Kaede replied.
“Thanks a bunch!”
Kazuma, along with Souji and Hayato, darted out of the student council room like the wind.
Kazuma might have seemed like a child, but the girls found that part of him endearing and watched him with warm smiles.
“Fufu, he’s really like a child, isn’t he~?” Karin mused.
“He’s cute, like a big dog, isn’t he?” Yukihime added.
“Being energetic is a good thing,” Kaede said.
“Well, he’s a high school student now, so I think he could stand to be a little calmer though~” Shiori commented.
While Karin, Yukihime, Kaede, and Shiori were thinking about Kazuma who had just left, Momoko-chan tried to sneak away, but things wouldn’t go that smoothly.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Karin asked, her voice sharp.
“We’d like you to tell us the details, if you please,” Yukihime said, her eyes narrowed.
“I’ve been curious for a while too. About your relationship with Kazuma,” Kaede chimed in.
“Heeh~. If that’s the case, I’m interested too. Momoko-chan, was it? Let’s have a girls’ talk, shall we?” Shiori proposed with a smile.
“I-I have an errand to run, so if possible, I’d like to go home…” Momoko-chan stammered.
“Is it an important errand? If not, I’d like you to prioritize this,” Karin pressed.
“It’s a very important errand, so I’m sorry, but I’ll be taking my leave this time!”
Momoko-chan bolted, dashing away like a hamster.
The four girls tried to chase her, but Momoko-chan was surprisingly fast, and they ultimately couldn’t catch her.
As she fled, Momoko-chan felt a tiny bit grateful for the training she’d received from Kazuma.