Chapter 11

“Reiya Toujou. You are hereby suspended for one week.”

“Eh…?”

A night has passed since the battle with the monster Gotees.

Today, on just my second day at the Magical Girl Training Academy, I was summoned to the Director’s office first thing in the morning, only to be handed my suspension by the Director herself, Makiko Saionji-san.

“You understand the reason without me having to state it, correct?”

The Director glared at me with a stern gaze.

I have an idea why.

Ten to one, it’s because of what happened yesterday.

“Yes…”

As I nodded, the Director let out a sigh.

“Despite being a student at the Magical Girl Training Academy, it seems you committed an act of violence against a civilian yesterday.”

“I certainly did use violence. But that was…”

“I don’t want to hear any excuses. Whatever the reason, it is forbidden for magical girls to use violence against ordinary civilians. Anyone who breaks this rule must be severely punished. That includes you, with all your magical power.”

“…Yes, ma’am.”

I looked down.

“I don’t believe you are the type of person to hit someone without reason. Am I to assume that the person you struck acted in a way that deserved it?”

“…At least, that’s how it seemed to me.”

“I see. However, regardless of the circumstances, it is unforgivable for one who possesses power to use violence against a powerless civilian. Honestly, you could’ve gotten a much heavier punishment, but you’ve only just arrived here. Taking that into consideration, we will settle on a one-week suspension.”

“I understand.”

“You will spend one week in your dorm and reflect quietly. Repent for what you’ve done.”

“…Yes, ma’am.”

“That is all from me.”

“…Excuse me.”

Feeling dejected, I turned to leave the Director’s office.

Just then, someone burst into the room.

“Director! Please wait a moment!”

It was Koharu Saionji who had run in.

She barged into the Director’s office in a flurry and slammed her hand on the Director’s desk.

Smack!

“I heard! You’re suspending Toujou, is that right?!”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“I won’t accept this! How could you!?”

“Because he used violence against a civilian.”

“That’s not it, it wasn’t like that! Toujou did it for me…”

“For you…?”

“That’s right. Toujou did nothing wrong.”

Saionji proceeded to explain the details of yesterday’s patrol to the Director.

How I had defeated the monster Gotees and protected her.

How the only reason I had struck the civilian was to protect her from his unjust accusations.

The Director listened to Saionji’s story, then looked at me with eyes full of surprise.

“Is that what happened yesterday?”

“…Yes.”

“Why did you not report this immediately?”

The Director said, turning a sharp gaze on Saionji.

Saionji looked down, apologetic.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t report it right away, Kaa-sama. I was very shaken up yesterday…”

“I don’t want to hear any excuses. I cannot overlook the fact that you failed to report such a serious incident to me immediately.”

“I-I’m sorry…”

“Hah… I see, so that’s what it was. You were acting strangely yesterday, so I thought something must have happened.”

The Director sighed.

“I understand the situation. So those were the circumstances. Reiya Toujou. You fought to protect my daughter from the monster Gotees. And when she was faced with baseless accusations, you struck a man to defend her. Is that correct?”

“Well… more or less.”

“I see… Then it seems I must thank you, as this girl’s mother.”

“W-Wait, Director…”

The Director rose from her seat, came to stand before me, and bowed her head deeply.

“Thank you for saving my daughter’s life, Reiya Toujou-kun.”

“P-Please, raise your head… I just did what anyone would do as a student of this academy…”

“I apologize for admonishing you without knowing the circumstances. I was wrong.”

“No… I don’t mind, and it’s true that I hit a civilian.”

“Hah… this is a dilemma… If what you’ve told me is true, it seems there is little fault to be found with either of you.”

Returning to her seat, the Director folded her arms, closed her eyes, and appeared to be deep in thought.

After Saionji and I waited for a time, the Director eventually opened her eyes and addressed me.

“I retract my previous statement. Reiya Toujou. You did indeed commit the offense of striking a civilian. However, taking all the various circumstances into account, I have determined that you do not deserve a severe punishment. Therefore, your one-week suspension will be reduced to one day.”

“…Yes, I understand.”

“I’m sorry, Reiya Toujou. But this is the only way. Since you did, in fact, raise a hand to a civilian, we can’t let it go without any consequence, no matter the reason. This is the best compromise I can offer. Can you accept it?”

“I’m the one who was wrong for hitting him. I’ll spend today reflecting on my actions.”

“Thank you.”

The Director smiled at me.

Koharu Saionji let out a visible sigh of relief.

“Thanks, Saionji. My suspension got shortened because of you.”

“…H-Hmph, don’t get the wrong idea. I just told her the truth… It’s not like I did it for your sake or anything…”

“Ufufu.”

“…? Kaa-sama? Why are you smiling at me?”

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

The Director chuckled to herself as she looked at her own daughter, Saionji.

Having been laughed at, Saionji glared at the Director as if offended.

I left the two of them to it and exited the Director’s office.

Geez… suspended, huh? Still, one day is a lot better than a whole week.

Sentenced to a one-day suspension as punishment for hitting a civilian, I had returned to the dorms located on the grounds of the Magical Girl Training Academy.

I had no choice but to stay put here for the rest of the day.

Students at this academy are generally not permitted to go outside for any reason other than patrols.

Once a month, they are allowed to leave the academy grounds for recreation, but otherwise, they cannot leave without permission.

So, even though I was suspended, I couldn’t just go out and spend the day fooling around; I had no choice but to be quiet in the dorm.

I flopped onto my bed and started reading a paperback.

Knock, knock…

“Hm?”

After a while, there was a knock at my door.

When I opened it, Saionji was standing there.

“Are you alone?”

“Oh, yeah… What’s up?”

“There’s something I want to talk about. May I come in?”

“I don’t mind, but…”

A little surprised by the sudden visit, I invited Saionji into my room.

After glancing around the room, Saionji sat down on the bed and motioned for me to sit next to her.

I cautiously sat down beside Saionji.

After a moment of silence, Saionji slowly began to speak.

“Thank you… for yesterday. For saving me. I think I would have died if you hadn’t been there.”

“Right.”

“I feel like I wasn’t able to thank you properly yesterday. You saw a pathetic side of me. I might be unfit to be this academy’s Student Council President.”

“No, that’s not…”

“I have to get stronger. Like you… so I can protect the city, no matter what kind of monster I encounter…”

“I think you’re already trying your best, Saionji.”

“Heh, thanks. But I want to become stronger of my own will. So I can get even a little closer to the person I admire.”

“I see. In that case, I’m cheering for you.”

“Thank you. Now, the reason I came here today is…”

Saionji fidgeted, glancing over at me every so often.

She looked like she wanted to say something but couldn’t get the words out.

As I waited, Saionji eventually seemed to steel her resolve and spoke.

“W-Well, if you’re okay with it… would you be interested in joining the Student Council?”

“The Student Council?”

“Y-Yeah. I thought you’d be more than qualified. At least, in terms of ability.”

“What does the Student Council even do?”

“We listen to student concerns, plan events, and enforce school rules so that discipline doesn’t break down… there’s a lot of work. It’s very rewarding.”

“I see… I don’t really get it, but can someone like me who just got here handle that kind of work?”

“You can, I think. We’ll support you with the practical duties for a while. Becoming a member of the Student Council also requires a certain level of skill as a magical girl, but… you shouldn’t have any problem there. After all, you’re far stronger than I am.”

“…”

“So, what do you say? Will you accept?”

“…Can I ask something first? Why did you decide to invite me?”

“W-Well…”

Saionji suddenly averted her gaze and said, as if to cover her embarrassment,

“W-Well, I just thought… it might help you fit in at this academy… Y-You see, not all the students here have a good opinion of you yet. I think having the position of a Student Council officer would be useful in getting them to acknowledge you…”

“I see…”

She might have a point.

Right now, it’s hard to say I’ve been accepted at this academy. It’s probably not easy for these magical girls, who have grown up in a garden of women, to accept someone of the opposite sex like me.

But what if I had the status of a Student Council officer?

I feel like it would at least reduce future friction with those around me.

“Alright. If that’s the case, I’ll accept.”

“Really?!”

Saionji let out a sigh of relief.

“Thanks. For going this far for my sake.”

I thanked Saionji for making arrangements to help me fit into the academy sooner.

She cleared her throat, as if to cover her tracks.

“D-Don’t get the wrong idea… This is for my sake, too… I decided to put you on the council so I can keep an eye on you, maintain school discipline, and figure out the secret to your strength… There’s absolutely no other reason, got it?”

“That’s fine by me. I’m grateful.”

“H-Hmph… W-Well then, I’ll be waiting for you in the Student Council room tomorrow.”

Saionji left the room.

I returned to the task of killing time by reading my paperback.