Chapter 17: Operation Tornado (Part One)

After a hearty meal, Yechen took a stroll before returning to the principal’s office, only to find everyone regarding him with teasing expressions. Hinata, perhaps having forgotten how he’d earlier been knocked into the wall by Xiaobai, called out, “Hey! Yechen, what’s the matter? Couldn’t get anything to eat and had to come back? You probably don’t know yet, but our cafeteria requires meal vouchers!”

“Actually, I’m quite full,” Yechen replied honestly. When he’d produced his meal card, the cafeteria chef had greeted him like a VIP, enthusiastically preparing a lavish spread that was hard to imagine coming from a mere system-regulated NPC—likely another effect of the system’s interference.

“No need to be embarrassed about it! Next, to help you and Otonashi get used to things and keep your stomachs full, we’ll have you join us in one of our daily little operations! You can earn meal vouchers that way!” Hinata clapped Yechen heartily on the back, clearly taking this opportunity to avenge himself for Xiaobai’s earlier actions.

“Oh, right, Otonashi, here’s a weapon for you—it’s easy to handle. As for you, Yechen, I doubt you need something like this!” Yuri handed Otonashi a semi-automatic pistol and turned to Yechen. The massive traces from this afternoon had only just now been refreshed; for Yechen, firearms were far too weak—just as Shiina didn’t need a gun to be the strongest among them, save for Yechen himself.

“No, I really don’t need one.”

“Will it even help?” Otonashi, unlike Yechen who simply declined, doubted its usefulness—after all, Kanade had left a deep impression on him.

“Aim for her feet. That way, she won’t be able to catch you.”

“Shooting at a girl? Will her wounds heal right away?”

“You’ll just have to experience it for yourself. That’s how it is for all of us! Any other questions?”

“If not, let’s start the meeting! Operation codename: Tornado!” The lights went out, plunging the principal’s office into darkness. Yuri lowered the projector screen and donned her beret, her commanding presence brimming with authority as she spoke with utmost seriousness.

A chorus of quiet exclamations rose around the room. Matsushita, his eyes nearly closed to slits and arms folded solemnly, nodded in agreement. “This time, it’s a major operation!”

“Tornado?” As a newcomer, Otonashi couldn’t grasp the meaning behind everyone’s words. His mind conjured up who knows what images, leaving him visibly anxious.

“We’re going to snatch meal vouchers from the students!” Nakamura Yuri declared loudly, clenching her fist.

“So that’s what you mean by ‘snatch’! And this is nothing major—it’s downright bullying! Using your numbers and superior weapons to run wild! I’m so disappointed!” Otonashi, ever the righteous and sharp-tongued youth, burst out indignantly, voicing his opposition.

“You! That’s an insulting remark directed at Yuri—can you please take that back?” In the next instant, Noda pressed his axe blade to Otonashi’s throat, leaving no room for negotiation—only naked threat.

“Why? Hey, you over there, aren’t you going to say something?” Unyielding in the face of threat, Otonashi called out to Yechen, the strongest fighter present.

“Say what?” A large question mark seemed to hang above Yechen’s head.

“They’re planning to forcibly rob the weak of their meal vouchers. Isn’t that something you should denounce?” Otonashi pressed, raising his voice, uncertain whether Yechen truly didn’t understand.

“Hmm? Where I’m from, things like this are quite common. If you lack strength, even dying isn’t surprising. No one’s going to spare your life just because you’re weak.” But Otonashi was doomed to disappointment. For Yechen, whose worldview had always diverged from the norm, such concepts were meaningless.

“What kind of environment did you grow up in to have such a perspective?” Otonashi was at a loss, baffled by Yechen’s outlook.

“Oh, that? I formed these views because my own biological father sent assassins after me from a young age,” Yechen replied with self-mockery.

“Your own father! What a terrifying world you come from!” Otonashi’s retort grew even weaker—what kind of world could force a child to be hunted by his own father? Now, everyone’s gaze toward Yechen was tinged with sympathy.

“I’m sorry,” Otonashi apologized, feeling guilty for bringing up Yechen’s painful past. He realized that, despite being of similar age, Yechen’s terrifying abilities had been forged by that kind of environment.

“There’s no need to look at me like that. I promised her I’d start anew—the past can’t affect me anymore. Let’s get back to our earlier topic!” Feeling the concern of his companions, Yechen shook his head.

“In order to protect our nearly extinct Barnacle Front, we would never use our numbers or force to threaten ordinary students,” Matsushita continued naturally, helping to change the subject. Otonashi, still feeling guilty, made no further remarks and simply listened as Yuri laid out the plan.

“Otonashi, you and Yechen will be part of the barricade squad to block Angel’s advance. The operation site is the cafeteria—surround the area and stand by at your assigned positions. Don’t worry; since you’re a newcomer and not very strong, I’ve paired you with the strongest, Yechen—you’ll have nothing to fear! Takamatsu and Oyama will show you your exact positions.” As Yuri operated the computer, displaying the layout of the cafeteria, she assigned tasks and marked everyone’s placements.

“Iwasawa?”

During the assignment process, Iwasawa Masami—the lead vocalist of Girls Dead Monster (GDM) and captain of the diversion unit—fixed her beautiful eyes on Yechen. It wasn’t because of his earlier display of overwhelming power, but rather the piano piece he’d played afterward. In that melody, Iwasawa had heard not only healing and tranquility, but also a hint of sorrow and longing.

“What is he mourning? Whom does he miss? Is it the person he promised to ‘start over’ for?” Iwasawa seemed lost in thought, not even noticing Yuri calling her name.

“Iwasawa? Iwasawa!” After several calls went unanswered, Yuri walked over, only to find Iwasawa staring dazedly at Yechen. It took a few taps to bring her back to herself.

“Huh? What is it, Yuri?” Startled back to reality, Iwasawa noticed everyone’s attention on her—and Yechen’s puzzled gaze as well. Her face flushed slightly, but in the darkness, no one saw. Sheepishly, she turned to Yuri.

“Iwasawa, as always, we’re counting on your outstanding performance tonight!” Yuri winked at her, noticing her embarrassment.

“Mm.” Iwasawa nodded calmly, casting Yechen a sidelong glance in response.

“If Angel appears, open fire at once and call for backup! Wherever you hear gunfire, head there immediately. The operation starts at 18:30. Begin!”

“Ding. System task: Please ensure the Tornado Operation proceeds smoothly and prevent Kanade and the members of the Afterlife Battlefront from engaging in combat. Completion will reward you with 100 Virtue Points and a waveform delay.”