Seiken Tsukai no World Break – Volume 11 – Chapter 3

Chapter 3      New York Headquarters

 

The building was quite different from what Moroha had imagined.

– This is the headquarters of the American Division…?

Waiting for confirmation, Sophia, who parked DELTA on the nearby garden, agreed with a YES.

Am I being deceived? Moroha seriously doubted.

Because the building that Sophia pointed to was a private house no matter how he looked at it.

A forest house in the suburbs of a rural town on the outskirts of New York.

It was certainly a new building. A pure white, elegant, wonderful house that girls seemed to dream of, saying 「I’d love to live in a house like this in the future ♥」. It felt big from the outside, it was possible to call it a palatial residence….

He had heard that the Tokyo, London and Paris headquarters were imposing buildings.

That was why when Moroha heard 「New York Headquarters」, it would be a skyscraper that towered just like he imagined.

(This private house…? Seriously…?)

Moroha, who got off DELTA, lost his voice as he stared at the white house enshrined in front of him.

– Is this that surprising?

– … Yes, well.

– But in America, all the other branch offices are like this.

– That’s really modest, isn’t it….?

Moroha recalled the Shiojiri branch that was used during the attack on 《Stronghold》.

Having six large buildings, it was a huge facility that had the appearance of a research laboratory.

Compared to that, each bureau of the American Division seemed to be surprisingly small.

Moroha stood up straight in front of the white house and continued talking while looking at it alongside Sophia.

– Like I thought, their financial situation is quite bad, isn’t it?

– That’s not it. In the first place, it’s the boss’s principle… policy, I mean.

– And that is?

– The boss says that buildings are illogical because they’re uselessly big and expensive.

While Moroha admired her frugal attitude,

– While it may be true that, you need a certain amount of space, no? This house doesn’t seem to have a place for 100 people to get in and sit, so it can’t function as the headquarters, can it?

– Not quite so. As far as office work is concerned, and although there are a few exceptions, it can be handled at home, and meetings can be held online. The boss says it’s illogical for everyone to gather and work at the same place in this internet era.

– I-I see…

Moroha was astonished.

What she said now truly made sense. And they could save a huge amount of wasted money.

With that in mind, building a facility with six buildings was the biggest waste there was.

– I got a better opinion of Arlene-san.

She wasn’t just an oddball.

– I’d like you to wait, Moroha. You thought that you might get along with the boss, right?

– Eh, is it impossible?

– Unfortunately, that’s a misunderstanding…. The boss doesn’t put limits to the money she spends on hobbies, or rather, inventions…. She throws a large amount of money away; she doesn’t listen to the people around her telling her to stop…

– A-and she calls this logical…?

– As a result, the boss insists that this is logical because it makes everyday work more convenient and everyone’s equipment has improved….

– By the way, how much does the invention of the DELTA costs…?

– Based on past patterns, I’ll be surprised if it’s below $100,000.

– Isn’t it more logical to buy an ordinary car?????

– YES. One of the reasons why the American Division is in a desperate financial situation is the wasteful habit of the boss.

Yeah, I don’t think we’ll get along.

It’s impossible.

Moroha concluded in secret in his chest.

– But, but, the boss really has a good side!

Being utterly amazed, Sophia clenched her fist and intervened.

Turning eyes of distrust toward her, she began to insist. She had very serious eyes.

– Understood. I’ll hear you.

Therefore, Moroha also flattened the look in his eyes and lent an ear to her obediently.

 

It was when the division was founded six years ago.

Unlike the other five countries, the US government pushily pressured Arlene to intervene in the construction of an organization.

Specifically, instead of building a single organization for 《Saviors》 by 《Saviors》──

They planned to incorporate the military, police organizations and even traditional organizations like the CIA to make effective use of the superpowers of the 《Saviors》 in addition to exterminating 《Metaphysicals》.

Arlene rejected this curtly.

The superhuman power of the 《Saviors》 should only be used to oppose the monstrous power of the 《Metaphysicals》.

The reason was that she agreed with the great principles, ideals and justice that Sir Edward advocated.

Arlene didn’t accept any placation, repelled the threats and didn’t allow the government to intervene with resolution.

With the pressure of the governments of the other five countries, the US government eventually gave up.

At that time, only about 100 《Saviors》 could be found, and only because their curiosity towards these superhumans took priority, the US government was fortunate to feel something like 「We might find a good way to use them」. They didn’t know the real meaning of how amazing Arlene and the others were, they held them in contempt.

Thus, the American Division, like the other five Divisions, succeeded in securing independence.

However, due to this matter, the relations with the US government ended up freezing completely.

Now, when a 《Metaphysical》 appeared, they would provide the information obtained by reconnaissance satellites and would properly control information so that the existence of monsters and superhumans didn’t come to light. Their cooperation was minimal.

However, the abundant monetary aid wasn’t what they expected.

– But it can’t be converted into money. And joining the military is out of the question.

– That’s right! I knew Moroha would understand!

Hearing Moroha’s impression, Sophia shook her clasped hand up and down, getting excited.

– My boss is an oddball, but she’s a good person deep inside her!

Moroha didn’t raise an objection to those words again.

He just looked at Sophia’s rejoice,

– Senpai likes Arlene-san, huh.

– Of course! She’s an oddball, but she’s a great boss that everyone follows.

– The oddball sure is emphasized…

– It can’t be hidden if I try to hide it. I want Moroha to become familiar with her.

– Hahaha….

Moroha scratched his head and feigned ignorance.

(But I get her…)

On the other hand, his feelings agreed.

Sophia had said that she would definitely return to her native country even though she certainly had lingering feelings for Japan.

He felt like he saw a glimpse of her feelings for America.

(I wonder if this place is full of Senpai’s 「feelings for my motherland」…)

He looked at the white house with that viewpoint.

He was more and more anxious about what would that happen to be.

As he did so for a while, he was beckoned by Sophia, who said 「Let’s go around to the backyard」.

It seemed that Arlene’s workshop was there.

They went around to the back of the house while talking about if Arlene, who should have returned a little earlier, was there.

Like the 「New York Headquarters」, the 「Workshop」 was a building far from the image that word had, but Moroha was no longer surprised.

It was a prefabricated building with an outward appearance that wanted him to call it a backstreet workshop.

Its size was about the gym of a school, perhaps?

The entrance was wide like a warehouse were anything could go in and out, it was covered with a huge double hinged door.

There was a service door next to it, and they heard a voice from the partly-open inside.

– Jee～z, agai～～～n? Didn’t I just make one the other day for France? I’m so tired of i～t. A～～h, it’s he～～re～～. There’s something I absolutely must build～～.

And, he heard someone talking in a tone of voice similar to the one of a spoiled brat, it was the voice of Arlene which he had heard at the airport.

On the other hand,

– Even if you say that, you only waste time and read books. If you have time to play, then work.

And, he heard someone talking in a tone of voice similar to a mother remonstrating, it was the voice of an adult woman which he had heard for the first time.

It was calm, gentle, and comfortable to the ear.

The quarrel continued between Arlene, who threw a tantrum, and that woman.

– From your point of view, it may look like I’m doing nothing, but I’m right in the middle of a discussion with the God of invention that has descended into my brain. I’m not lazing around.

– Here you are again, giving excuses like an artist…

– I’m an artist named inventor, alright!?

– Yeah, yeah. Now listen carefully. France pays the best, no? What is the reason why you can be hooked on inventions?

– … It’s all thanks to the hard cash, obviously.

– Then you have to make them with all your heart, no? If you were really busy, you wouldn’t be saying you’re already getting tired of it, right?

– Uuu, that stupid Charles. Treat them more carefully and train your subordinates, please.

– As for me, I would like to rapidly destroy them and rapidly buy a replacement.

– Uuu, Mira, you cheapskate dummy.

In the end, Arlene, who was talked down, cursed like a child.

I see, so this is probably the base of the American Division Head.

After that, Arlene’s 「what a hassle」 calling continued, but the conversation seemed to have ended.

No sooner graceful steps were approaching than a woman appeared from the service door.

It was a mature woman who was in her late twenties.

A slender shape that put on a cloak as if hanging on her shoulders on top of a business suit and tight skirt. That matched her bright beautiful face.

She noticed them,

– Oh dear. Welcome home, Sophie. My apologies for your sudden return.

– I’m home, Mira!

Sophia hugged her in a gleeful mood.

– My, my, no matter how much time passes, you’re still a child, Sophie.

The woman called Mira managed to stood firm somehow as she comforted Sophia who used her big body to the fullest and clung to her as if to enjoy the delight of the reunion. Their composition looked like uneven sisters.

After Moroha watched them over for a moment so as to not get in their way,

– That’s not true. At Akane Academy, Sophie-senpai is a very reliable person.

He backed her up at the right time.

With that, Sophia separated from Mira,

– I will introduce──

– It’s okay, that’s not necessary. You’re Haimura-sama, yes? Thank you for helping us this time.

The woman called Mira asked for a handshake.

– Not at all. I’m really indebted to Sophie-senpai on a daily basis, so this is a repayment.

– How kind. The rumor appears to be quite true.

She smiled gracefully.

His heart ended up racing a little when he felt the sex appeal of an adult, a type that wasn’t around Moroha.

– I will have the privilege of greeting you again later. It is cold, is it not? Please, come in. Feel free to scold this stupid girl once or twice, she’s not even able to go and pick you up properly.

She left the headquarters, leaving behind some words that he couldn’t tell whether she was joking or being serious.

Her eyes were completely serious though.

– Hahaha… then, shall we go in?

Moroha entered the workshop from the service door while speaking ambiguously.

There was no one inside.

Thanks to the emptiness, the ceiling felt way too high.

There was only a cauldron, like the ones used by witches in fairy tales, in the corner.

However, thanks to the burning fire at the bottom of the iron pot, the inside of the workshop was warm, and Moroha took a breather.

On the other hand, strange things were scattered all around on the floor.

To the eyes of Moroha, they looked like clay work. They were still unfinished.

They had a great variety of shapes, some were large, some were small.

Something like a gun, something like a sword, something like an accessory, something like a dog figure, something like a robot, something indescribable──

When Moroha stared at his feet closely,

– Jeez, boss! You’re so mean, leaving us behind!

Sophia, who came in after him, closed the service door.

– Hmm? What do you mean by “leaving us behind”?

An immediate reply from Arlene. They didn’t feel like she feigned ignorance, she seemed to have completely forgotten about them.

Looking in the direction they heard her voice, the oddball inventor was beside the cauldron.

She got on a small stool and stirred the inside of the cauldron with a long stick.

– Weeeeelcome, Something-kun. Did the long trip tire you? Get yourself comfortable as if you were at home.

She went beyond friendliness and talked to him in an overly familiar tone of voice.

– Even I would like to hold a welcome party right now, but I have to switch to fast work mode. If it takes me too long, Charles, that impatient idiot, will annoy me.

Her child-level shy attitude that he met at the airport was nowhere to be seen.

– And Mira is so nagging! I’ll have Something-kun tell her 『Take care of the Division Head more』, 『Let her do her hobbies as much as she wants』 and 『Your personal expenses, now multiplied by 10』. If the S-Rank-kun were to say that, I’m sure Mira will reflect on it.

She even made an impudent begging.

(Did she get used to me?)

(Yes! But it was too fast. This may be a record)

(I wonder if it’s a record to be pleased about…)

(Absolutely. Moroha was accepted by the boss. When you are in America, getting to feel like you’re really with your family is good, no?)

For a moment, Sophia hugged his shoulders.

Whatever that endearing was, it was never a bad thing to worry about.

In the meantime, Arlene used a long ladle to scoop something out of the cauldron.

Something like clay.

Heaps of it were piled up on the floor.

Arlene, who wondered if she had scooped up the necessary amount, got off the small stool and sat cross-legged in front of the pile of clay.

Then started kneading it with both hands.

– So tedious, so tedious ～♪ That Charles is terribly tedious ～♪ I was rejected～ By Something-chan ～♪.

She sang an out-of-tune song to herself and began to knead it languidly.

(Is this… fast work?)

For Moroha, she only seemed to do nothing.

(You’ll understand once you see it)

Sophia’s voice was mixed with something a little bitter.

(Oh, since it’s a secret of the division, do I have to go outside?)

(No, that’s not a problem. The annoying Mira told Moroha to come inside. Moroha came from a distant place, and you’re special, so she wants you to feel relieved)

(It’d be great if it’s that…)

(Rather, I’m worried that Moroha might be shocked when he sees it…)

(…?)

While Moroha was suspicious, his curiosity won, causing him to inspect the work.

This time, Arlene tore up, separated and made the kneaded clay into small round pieces similar to rice cakes.

She placed one of them on a sturdy-looking workbench and hit one with a hammer she took out of her pocket.

Every time she hit it, the clay made a sound, stretching thinly.

That work continued dispassionately for a while, but──

Suddenly, a sound similar to hitting a hard metal echoed in the wide prefabricated building.

Hitting clay never made a sound like that. However, Arlene kept swinging the hammer without caring about it and the sound of metal and metal colliding continued sounding with a good rhythm.

Moroha opened his eyes wide.

What he thought was clay changed its shape, color and material property every time it was hit with the hammer.

It turned into a small metal plate.

Moroha knew well what it was.

An ID Tag the Shirogane used to manifest weapons.

 

– Oh, is this how they are made…?

Without regards to Moroha who was impressed, Arlene threw away the completed piece and started the second piece.

As soon as her hand got tired, she swung the hammer with the other hand.

And as soon as that hand got tired too, she lay down, held the handle of the hammer between her thumb and ring finger of her foot and swung it.

In the end, she worked while opening a magazine.

The lack of motivation was still transmitted from her whole body.

– Hey? That shouldn’t be shown to him…

– I didn’t want to see that either…

At the Japanese Division, ID Tags were valuable, but if they were destroyed even if it was inevitable during battle, a written explanation would be written.

But still, even those who used them, in reality, they used them with appreciation.

Even Moroha had that sentiment. He thought it was a life-saving partner.

But now, when he saw Arlene, who was lying face down, turning the pages of the magazine while laughing heartily and swinging the hammer sloppily with her free hand, he felt that gratitude fading with each swing…. The feelings he embraced were being shattered….

Yup, this is quite a shock.

– The boss loves inventions and new things. That’s why she’s fed up with being told to make thousands of identical ID Tags.

– … I understand how she feels.

– Nonetheless, for the broke American Division, the profit on sales of the ID Tags is an important source of funds, so the boss has no choice but to accept it and put up with it.

– Is that so…? So, the ID Tags are bought and sold…?

– Since it’s a matter of life or death for us too, it’s sold at a high price. That’s why it’s precious for other divisions.

– ……

Moroha couldn’t help but recall the lesson of his father, who was a cook, made him hear in his early years.

「You must never look at the other side of a restaurant」, he said.

Moroha witnessed 「The other side of the White Knight Organization」 while making his face stiffen.

Arlene, who was unaffected by his mood, said in a bright voice,

– Wait a bit more, Something-kun. When this tedious job is over, I’ll create something amazing, the idea that flashed into my mind a while ago! Then I can thank you. The one who asked for help was me after all.

Even though she was saying something like that, and because she was reading a magazine with her butt towards him, his expectations were zero.

Rather, she was a little pushy.

– P-please…

Arlene just shook her hand, turning the pages of the magazine, saying 「Leave it to me」. Her butt still turned towards him.

– … I’m sorry for interrupting your job. Shall we go?

Roger, Sophia said, opening the service door.

Then they noticed Mira coming back from the headquarters.

She noticed them too, and invited him with a calm voice.

– Haimura-sama. It’s a little early, but would you like to have dinner?

Since he was hungry at that very moment, he was grateful for her words.

However, at the same time, it was unavoidable for him to feel a little anxious, wondering if the 「other side of the cooking」 was as safe as he thought.

 

 

 

 

Moroha passed through the entrance and entered the headquarters.

The interior was decorated like a very normal private house, common furniture was lined up.

When he looked at the condition of it, he was surprised, it was a secret base! The development wasn’t what he anticipated.

Guided by Mira, they headed straight to a large dining room appropriate for a mansion.

However, the interior design used was very family-oriented, so Moroha didn’t have to put himself on guard.

Two women came first to the table and sat and waited.

As soon as they saw Moroha, they left their seats.

Mira stepped in and the three of them lined up in front of Moroha and Sophia.

Sophia pointed to Mira and the others and introduced them.

– They are the four musketeers the American Division is proud of.

The bodyguards and confidants of Arlene Highbury.

They were all A-Rank Shirogane.

Mira stepped forward first and began to introduce herself in a calm voice.

– I was slow in saying it a moment ago, but I am Miroslava Różycki. Please remember to call me Mira, Haimura-sama. While I am the deputy division head, do not be too concerned about it. I am like the eldest daughter of my mischievous younger sisters.

– Nice to meet you. You can call me Moroha, Mira-san. Also, if I’m honest with you, having to talk in a stiff manner makes me feel tired.

– Oh…. Then, I’ll have the privilege of doing so, Moroha-san.

Mira broke her tone of voice just a little while keeping her vocal sound calm.

Moroha had the impression that she was a bright woman with a strong heart.

Next, the woman on the right, who held a cigarette in her mouth, introduced herself.

– I’m Norma Wilshere. Dropping formalities helps me a lot. I may bite my tongue if I talk slowly like Mira, so I can’t do it.

Her age was around 22 or 23. A woman with thick eyebrows and strong will, who had a strong-minded way of speaking, wore a men’s shirt and put jeans on her legs.

Moroha wasn’t poor at dealing with women like her. She had a little resemblance to AJ.

Her tone of voice was certainly brusque, but Norma seemed to welcome him, they shook each other’s hands firmly.

If he were to borrow Mira’s words, his impression would be 「the second daughter who is a tomboy and is a little cheerful at home」.

The last person stepped forward,

– I’m Chiquita Cazorla ☆. It would make me happy if you call me Chiki.

She introduced herself in a Candy Voice that matched her overflowingly charming physical appearance*.

*TN: Candy Voice is a reference to the singing voice of Seiko Matsuda and her album Candy (if I’m not wrong).

Her age was around 18. She looked petite, but as she got close, Moroha noticed that the height of their gazes was the same. As a woman, she seemed to be tall.

Her waist location was very high, her face was small and her upper body was small, giving the illusion that she was petite.

The bare legs that extended from the miniskirt were thin, wonderfully long and beautiful.

She wore a number of golden rings around her ankles, making a rattling sound every time she walked.

– How is Moroha called in Japan? Morley? Morph?

To the attractive girl who hugged him innocently,

– That would make Japanese people laugh. Just Moroha.

Moroha returned the hug while being conscious of not feeling strange.

– Okay, Moroha ☆.

Leaving a coquettish wink, Chiki separated from him.

If he were to borrow Mira’s expression, the impression he had would be 「A spoiled third daughter」.

– Now that introductions are done, let’s eat.

– Huh? Not that you are the four musketeers? Where is the other person?

Moroha presented a natural question.

Suddenly, Norma made a face as if she had bitten a bitter bug and Chiki made her gaze swim.

– Is Lei away?

Sophia stared in puzzlement, and Mira answered in a slightly business-like tone of voice.

– Adeva is having trouble again, so she went to the west while giving them a warning.

– Leaving that to Lei is a safe bet.

After Sophia was convinced, she explained to Moroha.

– The fourth person is Lei; she is my master and the strongest Shirogane in the American Division. For quarrels where brains are needed, we have Mira, and for quarrels where physical strength is needed, we have Lei, they settle everything.

She played the role of the 「reliable cousin-onee-san」, so to speak.

Moroha thought it was another unknown person.

And, being encouraged by Sophia to take a seat, Moroha sat down too.

With Mira, who brought the food, the five of them sat as if mixing with each other.

It was the beginning of a lively dinner.

– It’s home cooking I learned from my mother, so I hope it suits your taste.

Mira was a bit uneasy.

Moroha looked around the Western-style dishes lined up on the table with great interest,

– From my point of view, they are rare foreign dishes.

– Oh. Is this your first time trying Czech cuisine?

– Really…? Is that what it is?

Moroha once again took a view of the food with eyes full of inquisitiveness.

Mira, who seemed to be Czech-American, explained each dish kindly to Moroha.

The fried cauliflower with a mountain of homemade tartar sauce was a favorite of the Czechs.

There were sausages of various types, including one made by kneading black currant into wild boar meat, which Moroha ate for the first time. The flavor of the black currant brilliantly adorning the wild boar meat, which was low in fat, was really delicious.

The camembert cheese pickles were superb too. An impact to even blow away a bias like 「Isn’t it better to eat it as it is?」. The bittersweetness of the vinegar tightened the rich cheese, making it melt in the mouth.

The consommé soup was also rich in flavor in the Czech Republic. Cheese and eggs were melted and the garlic worked well. Deep in the simple taste of the consommé, a multi-layered taste spread, creating a unique world.

It seemed that the Czech style had a lot of appetizers, so he could eat and eat without getting tired of them.

The beef stew called Goulash was full of spices. The moment he got careless, saying 「This is a taste found around every corner」, the spiciness would come later. But he got accustomed to it. And the taste of the demi-glace, which felt thick, blew him away with the taste of the gallant spices. He felt the need to give it another bite.

In addition to this, Moroha noticed that many Czech dishes had seasonings that used large amounts of lard or Smetana (sour cream), extracted the flavor and tightened it with spices.  

The Czech bread, knedlíky, was a bread boiled in hot water instead of being baked. Its flavor was light, but its texture was doughy, and when it was combined with the Czech cuisine and the strength of its flavor, it became exactly a seasoning. The fact that this was well thought out caused him to be impressed.

Then came the finishing blow, the bramborák, a pancake made from grated potatoes. However, for the Japanese Moroha, this gave the impression 「Of being more an okonomiyaki than a pancake」. He enjoyed the savory-smelling dough he tried several times, the stuff that hit his taste perfectly and the okonomiyaki with potatoes.

– I missed Mira’s home cooking the whole time.

The gluttonous Sophia also filled her cheeks one after another with a big smile.

Norma and Chiki were shocked, seeing her eat in that manner, flattening the food like a bulldozer,

– You’re really in a growing period, no matter how much time passes, huh.

– You’ll never know when she’ll go past two meters tall ☆.

– Nguh!

Sophia clogged her throat, and Mira stood up and rubbed her back with a 「Oh dear」.

– Both of you are mean! I’d like you to keep your manners during dinner!

Sophia, who coughed cutely, frowned and protested.

Norma and Chiki just burst into laughter, unable to suppress their emotions.

– Eh, is Senpai worried that she may go past two meters?

– Excuse me!?

Moroha asked a question, being seriously concerned about it, and Sophia blew steam from her head.

– Haha, even needless fear has a limit.

– Yes, I think there’s a possibility ☆.

– You wanna bet, Chiki?

– Hey! Can you please not gamble my misfortune!?

– You may be close friends, but behave yourselves.

「「「Okaaay」」」

Sophia and the others, who were rebuked by the 「eldest daughter」, returned to their meal.

When he thought it got quiet for a moment,

– He───y! How are you neglecting me and having dinner────!?

Arlene rushed into the dining room while getting mad.

– Oh dear! I forgot about you.

– Don’t forget me! You made me do that bothersome work! Mira, you cold-blooded sleazeball!

Arlene’s claim was reasonable, but no one laughed or supported her.

– You only work once in a while, so don’t put on airs, boss!

– I’ve saved some (unnecessary) vegetables, I won’t eat them, boss ☆.

– I’m sorry… I ate all the meat. I completely forgot you existed, boss…

– All of you are demons! Respect me more like Charles. Comfort me more like Diegua, jee～z*.

 *TN: In case you forgot, Diegua is Tekka.

– If so, have dignity like Charles has.

– If so, you have to remember to acquire personal virtue like the old man.

– Fnnnggg.

Arlene opened her eyes wide as if the edge of the words of Norma and Mira had pierced her.

As he watched that series of exchanges, Moroha had stopped eating.

It wasn’t because of Arlene’s discontent, but because it was his first time seeing a Six Head not being respected like this.

But he didn’t think it was a bad thing.

The loneliness Edward carried didn’t seem to exist here.

– Why am I the only one being cursed with subordinates like these!? It’s unfair!

– I consider you my hobby friend ☆.

– You’re lying! This is absurd!

Chiki retorted and Arlene held her head, being vexed, and a whirlpool of laughter broke out again.

The laughter that filled the dining room never stopped.

Moroha felt a mysterious nostalgia while surrounding the table with them.

Of course, even when he ate with Satsuki and the others, he didn’t stop smiling.

But now, this feeling was a little different.

For example, as if he returned to the home of his aunt──

 

After the dinner, and as Sophia guided him around the headquarters,

– You weren’t able to eat without haste because it was noisy, right?

She apologized.

But her facial expression was bright, throwing out her chest powerfully.

As if she took pride in 「What do you think of my home?」

– Since we’re talking about the New York Headquarters, I put myself on guard, wondering how ceremonious it would be, but I was caught off guard in the best sense of the word.

It’s a wonderful place, Moroha praised it with a smile.

He understood.

Sophia had lingering attachment to Japan, but at the same time, she kept her precious 「family members」 waiting in America.

If she were told to choose between the two, she wouldn’t be able to give an answer so easily.

On the other hand, there was something he still didn’t understand.

That strong line when she said 「I cannot betray the American Division」.

The circumstances behind it still weren’t completely in sight.

It bothered him, but it wasn’t something he would know in a day or two after coming to America.

Moroha thanked and said good night to Sophia in a relaxed manner and parted from her.

It was still early to go to sleep, but he had better recover from jet lag.

If he counted his departure starting from Akane Academy, his calculation told him that they acted together for almost a whole day.

It was relatively a close relationship, but it was the first time he had been with Sophia for such a long time, and when he thought so, he was a bit moved.

He took a bath (with a jacuzzi!), brushed his teeth and headed to the prepared room.

It wasn’t very large, but it was a warm room.

The cold outside the window felt like a lie.

When he went to bed and put on the sheets, he smelled the sun.

Surely, for the sake of Moroha, it dried during the day.

The smell was exactly the same as what he sniffed in Japan, and Moroha was able to immediately get a peaceful sleep, even though he slept for some time on the airplane.

 

Go back to Volume 11 – Chapter 2

Go to Volume 11 – Chapter 4