April 6, 2095 AD. Day one of new member recruitment week.
Chiba Yeyou stared blankly at where he had ended up. He distinctly remembered heading to the classroom to catch up on sleep, so how had Mayumi Saegusa lured him here along the way?
Inside the room, new and veteran members of the Public Morals Committee sat on either side of a long conference table. Tatsuya Shiba, Erika Chiba, and Shun Morisaki were there too.
Clearly, this was an internal meeting of the Public Morals Committee.
But Chiba Yeyou did not understand why he was here.
"Let me introduce him. He's someone we borrowed from the Student Council president!"
As Mari Watanabe finished speaking, looks of surprise appeared on everyone's faces.
Still, a few people looked visibly displeased. Chiba Yeyou knew that displeasure certainly was not directed at him.
"Did you just sell me out?"
Chiba Yeyou turned to Mayumi Saegusa and asked in disbelief.
By now, Chiba Yeyou understood perfectly well what had happened. If this had been arranged beforehand, he would definitely have been notified about the meeting, but he had received no notice.
Clearly, this had been a last-minute development.
"Well! This week is a little special, so give us a hand!"
Mayumi Saegusa pulled Chiba Yeyou over to a chair and pressed him down into it.
"I figured you wouldn't enjoy sitting in an office, so I found you somewhere nice!"
"But I..."
"All right, I know you're happy. Bye!"
Mayumi Saegusa gave Chiba Yeyou no chance to speak. Then, with a playful smile, she simply left...
Seeing the usually quiet and graceful Mayumi Saegusa show a boy that kind of expression, everyone immediately began looking at Chiba Yeyou differently.
"???"
Wait, what happened to your concern when you saw how bad I looked just now?
"Ahem."
"All right, everyone's here. Let's begin the meeting!"
Mari Watanabe cleared her throat to draw everyone's attention and announced the start of the meeting.
"That incredibly chaotic week is upon us again this year. Securing outstanding members is an important issue that affects every club's strength, and the competition for members will only grow fiercer."
"Unfortunately, brawls and even attacks involving magic are far from uncommon. Fortunately, we've finished filling the vacancies left by graduating members in time, and have even strengthened our ranks."
"Now, let me introduce them to everyone. Please stand!"
At Mari Watanabe's words, Tatsuya Shiba, Shun Morisaki, Erika Chiba, and Chiba Yeyou rose to their feet.
"Tatsuya Shiba, Class 1-E!"
"Erika Chiba, Class 1-E!"
"Shun Morisaki, Class 1-A!"
"Chiba Yeyou, Class 1-A!"
Each time Mari Watanabe read a name, she extended a hand to introduce that person.
"They'll be joining patrol duties shortly."
"Can these two really be of any use?"
At this point in Mari Watanabe's speech, an upperclassman beside Tatsuya Shiba pointed at Erika Chiba and Tatsuya Shiba and asked with a doubtful look.
He had not said it to flaunt his superiority as a Course 1 student. He was genuinely worried that the two would not only fail to help, but would actually make things worse.
If something really happened and these two could not beat the other party and got beaten up instead, what would that make the others when they went to help?
They might as well take responsibility for another area themselves.
Erika Chiba immediately grew annoyed, but before she could speak, Mari Watanabe spoke up.
"Don't worry. Both of them are capable!"
Mari Watanabe looked completely confident as she said this.
"I've personally witnessed Shiba's abilities."
"Morisaki is also quite skilled at operating a calculation device."
"Does anyone else have anything to say?"
Mari Watanabe's expression grew considerably more serious.
"Good. Then let's get started right away!"
Mari Watanabe nodded in satisfaction.
"Move out!"
All the Public Morals Committee members then sprang into action.
Public Morals Committee headquarters.
"Here's your equipment!"
"Next, regarding CADs."
Mari Watanabe found four sets of armbands and devices for recording incidents, then handed them to the four of them.
"The Public Morals Committee is authorized to carry CADs on school grounds, and you don't need to seek approval up the chain of command to use them. Users are to decide how to use them based on the severity of the incident. Afterward, you only need to submit a report detailing what happened."
"However!"
Mari Watanabe suddenly changed her tone, and Chiba Yeyou knew a warning was coming next.
"If your use is deemed unlawful, not only will you be expelled from the Public Morals Committee, you'll also face harsher punishment than an ordinary student!"
"Don't even think about trying your luck!"
"Understood?"
Mari Watanabe warned them sternly.
"Understood!"
They answered seriously.
"Don't go using magic carelessly either, understand?"
Mari Watanabe came over to Chiba Yeyou and reminded him.
She knew full well that the fellow before her could crush Hattori Gyoubu even without a CAD, so he definitely needed repeated reminders.
"Relax. Do you really have that little faith in me?"
The corner of Chiba Yeyou's mouth twitched.
Just how little faith did she have in me?
She even came over specifically to remind me?
"May I ask a question?"
Tatsuya Shiba suddenly spoke up.
"Hmm?"
"Go ahead!"
Mari Watanabe was a little curious about the question from Tatsuya Shiba, who had remained rather quiet.
"Regarding CADs, may I borrow the committee's equipment?"
"I don't mind. It's all older equipment anyway, so help yourself!"
Mari Watanabe had wondered what it could be, but that was all?
She instantly lost interest.
Tatsuya Shiba walked over to a cabinet nearby and picked up a pair of bracer-type CADs.
"They're older models, but they're still high-end equipment from a very advanced model line. I'll take these two, then."
As he spoke, he slipped the CADs onto his arms.
"Two?"
"Interesting!"
A faint smile appeared on Mari Watanabe's lips, and she looked intrigued.
"What about you?"
"Any other questions?"
Mari Watanabe looked at Chiba Yeyou and the other two as she asked.
"No!"
The four then prepared to go on patrol.
"Wait a moment."
Seeing that Chiba Yeyou was about to leave too, Mari Watanabe hurriedly called him back.
"What is it?"
Chiba Yeyou.
"Saegusa said you didn't sleep at all last night. You should get some rest now."
Mari Watanabe spoke as she looked at Chiba Yeyou's complexion.
"Haah..."
"Thanks, then!"
Chiba Yeyou waved a hand, intending to find somewhere to catch up on sleep.
"Don't go wandering around. Just head to the Student Council room. Saegusa specifically asked!"
"If I didn't know Saegusa, I'd think you were her long-lost little brother!"
Mari Watanabe sighed.
"The president is actually pretty nice!"