Tokiwadai, October Winter.
Shokuhou Misaki sat elegantly in the school courtyard, holding the documents handed to her by Hokaze Runkko and reading them quietly, occasionally showing a troubled expression on her face.
"Are you really planning to create a faction?"
"Hmm... I know I'm not cut out for that sort of thing, but recently, seeing those cohesive factions around me... although I don't really want to admit it, I have been influenced..."
Shokuhou Misaki said softly, her eyes fixed on the documents about the Shikura Faction she was holding. The more she learned about this faction, the more incredible she found it.
Sekikura Rei, Shikura Faction.
Although one of the three major factions at Tokiwadai, it does not have a formal executive department. All members participate equally in operations and tactical strategy planning.
Almost all faction members are elites among the Tokiwadai Students, serving as the public face of the Tokiwadai Young Lady image. Their external tours and activities have also been highly successful.
If the Sha Faction makes the world think Tokiwadai young ladies are gentle and kind, then the Shikura Faction makes the world think Tokiwadai young ladies are not only kind-hearted and stunningly beautiful but also highly capable.
The fact that such a large elite group is gathered solely through Sekikura Rei's personal charisma shocked Shokuhou Misaki and plunged her into deep thought.
If she, Shokuhou Misaki, were in Sekikura Rei's position, could she really achieve this level relying solely on personal charisma, without using the ability Mental Out...
Just as a troubled look appeared on Shokuhou Misaki's face, Hokaze Runkko keenly noticed this change. She quickly took Shokuhou Misaki's hands in her own.
"Misaki-sama, I will follow you!"
Gazing closely at Hokaze Runkko's earnest face, Shokuhou Misaki's cheeks visibly flushed bright red at a rapid pace. Like a startled cat, she quickly pulled her held hands back.
"Runkko, what are you saying!"
"Misaki-sama, I will follow you!"
"I know! I know!!!"
Shokuhou Misaki, her face still red, surrendered to Hokaze's serious offensive. Then, with cheeks still flushed, she continued to look at the documents about other factions in her hands, though clearly not as composed as before.
Her eyes, fixed on the documents, drifted a glance towards Hokaze Runkko, who was beside her preparing to pour a cup of tea. Unexpectedly, Hokaze Runkko noticed instantly, responding with a gentle smile on her face.
Shokuhou Misaki quickly averted her gaze back to the faction documents in her hands, pulling herself together to continue reading seriously.
Mizukagami Faction.
Unlike the Shikura Faction, the Mizukagami Faction members were less attracted by Mizukagami's personal charisma and more by her ability [Fat Manipulation].
In order to obtain an ideal, perfect body, they curry favor with their leader, Mizukagami. It's a faction built on a very clear relationship of interests.
"Completely useless as a reference. No, wait, perhaps I could use Mental Out to alter their psychological states. For instance, cutting away some of their inner insecurities or fears..."
Shokuhou Misaki muttered softly, pinching her chin with one hand. Beside her, Hokaze Runkko, who was quietly pouring tea for Shokuhou, paused slightly upon hearing this muttering.
"Mental... brainwashing?"
"Ahem, speaking of which, Mizukagami-san seems very busy lately. I heard it's because she promised to use her ability to improve the bodies of all faction members when she announced the ceasefire..." Hokaze Runkko added awkwardly.
Due to Mizukagami's ability [Fat Manipulation], many students with extremely large or flat chests suddenly appeared in the school. However, most of these adjusted students would go back to Mizukagami for further adjustments.
[Mizukagami-san! These are too big! I can't even see my feet anymore. I've already fallen several times just today. It hurts so much!]
[I did warn you beforehand that being this big would hinder movement.]
[Mizukagami-sama! Maybe because my body fat decreased, I feel so cold. My immune system seems weaker too. I'm... so cold...]
[I-I'll adjust it for you later...]
Mizukagami was thus swamped with work. She raised a hand to her forehead in a headache, wondering if she should also set up a "cooling-off period."
Tokiwadai, Public Baths.
Students who had finished physical education class gathered here uniformly to wash their bodies. Mikoto and her dorm roommate Yukiko chatted while bathing, separated by a glass panel.
"Upperclassman Suikyou has been really, really busy lately. I often see her being stopped by her faction members in the hallways. She might not be tired, but I get tired just watching."
"Ahaha, yeah, I see it often too."
Mikoto responded to Yukiko with a laugh. She also frequently saw Upperclassman Suikyou looking troubled, always surrounded by students with exceptionally large or small chests.
"By the way, Mikoto, why don't you go ask Upperclassman Suikyou for a favor? Even though you're not a faction member, you are a Level 5. Plus, Upperclassman Suikyou has been using her ability a lot lately. Helping you out shouldn't meet with any opposition."
As she spoke, Yukiko's gaze drifted meaningfully towards Mikoto's somewhat youthful figure beside her. Among the first-years, she had seen too many new students decisively join the Mizukagami Faction for Fat Manipulation. Now, their figures had become top-notch.
Hearing Yukiko's words, Mikoto thought for a moment. When the image of her own mother, who had an excellent figure, surfaced in her mind, that slight anxiety vanished completely.
"Well~ I just started junior high, right? I think worrying about my figure now is a bit early. Besides, my mom has a great figure. With her genes, I probably won't turn out too bad either.
But even so, if my bust measurement hasn't changed even a little by the time the second-year physical check-up is over, I should probably go ask my mom for some advice. Anyway, let's cross that bridge when we come to it~"
After saying this, Mikoto hummed a cheerful tune with a smile. Beside her, Yukiko fell silent upon hearing this confident declaration.
"Mikoto, don't set up such a tragic death flag right now. And Upperclassman Suikyou is graduating next year."
"Gr-graduating? It's... it's fine. Actually, I think using an ability to change my figure is a bit weird. I won't borrow Upperclassman Suikyou's ability. I'll believe in Mom's power..."
Mikoto tried hard to convince herself. Yukiko shook her head helplessly and sighed. In her view, Mikoto had just layered on another tragically fated death flag.
Since the faction struggles had temporarily ceased, this young ladies' academy finally began to gradually regain a touch of the elegant air befitting its students, at least on the surface.