“So, about the request for cooperation, I received from Director Kirigaya…”

“Oh, yes, yes, let’s get down to the main point already.”

Kotomi, realizing she had completely forgotten her original purpose due to the unexpected appearance of Vice President Nase and President Domon, urged Director Kirigaya, who had just revived from fainting, to continue.

“I, too, would like to hear about that. The insights of Dr. Kirigaya, who went to the trouble of calling us all the way to Okinawa.”

Although Vice President Nase spoke politely, there was a sharp edge to his words. It seemed he had some things to say about having to expose his own embarrassing situation to Kotomi, a junior member of the student council, despite her being the person he was supposed to be protecting.

“To put it bluntly, I want you to be my partner, Kotomi Hinoura.”

Director Kirigaya, with a serious look, set aside his usual geeky talk. This was a rare occurrence, as evidenced by the astonished look on the face of Officer Natori, who usually wore a business-like smile.

“Partner…?”

“Are you serious?! Dr. Kirigaya! This girl may be a promising student, but she’s only in her first year and has been at the academy for just a few months!”

“This is surprising… Director Kirigaya, who has always rejected partner recommendations from the government and the military, is now proposing one himself…”

While Vice President Nase and Officer Natori reacted with shock, Kotomi seemed not to fully grasp the situation.

“Scared? Scared? But this is for real.”

Director Kirigaya returned to his annoying geeky manner, but his invitation for Kotomi to be his partner did not seem to be a joke.

“Um… what exactly is a partner?”

“In this context, a partner means working together as soul armor agents.”

“Ah, like Yuu and Professor Hayami.”

When Kotomi timidly asked, President Domon answered her question.

“It’s different from forming a team for each mission. A partner refers to a combination of soul armor abilities that produce synergistic effects, significantly enhancing performance and results.”

“But my soul armor ability generates poison gas and stun gas. It doesn’t seem useful for Dr. Kirigaya’s electronic warfare…”

“Nyurufufu! Normally, that would be the thought. The key is, without a doubt, Chuusuke the stuffed toy!”

With a bizarre pose, Director Kirigaya pointed sharply at Chuusuke, the stuffed toy Kotomi was holding. Everyone’s gaze focused on Chuusuke. Despite being the center of attention, Chuusuke the stuffed toy continued to smile as usual.

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇

“This is my castle, Hinoura-san. How do you like it?”

Descending the stairs beyond the heavy door at the back of the director’s office, they entered a room filled with numerous large LCD monitors.

“Impressive setup.”

“Right? Playing FPS games here is the best. Let’s play together sometime.”

“Uh…”

Kotomi, still struggling to grasp the situation, was smiled at by Director Kirigaya.

“I’ve visited the lab a few times, but this is my first time in this room.”

“Being brought here means Director Kirigaya is serious about partnering with Hinoura-san.”

Vice President Nase and Officer Natori, while looking around the room, ignored Director Kirigaya’s non-serious comment about FPS games, which highlighted their surprise about partnering with Kotomi.

“Well then, let’s get started. Soul Activation: Electronic Blue Ocean.”

As he spoke, a virtual keyboard and trackball materialized in front of Director Kirigaya standing before the multi-monitors.

“My soul armor ability, Electronic Blue Ocean, transforms the vast ocean of computers into my own sea. Explaining this myself makes me feel like a defeated character, huh?”

Despite his meta-commentary, Director Kirigaya’s fingers moved busily, manipulating the virtual keyboard and trackball.

“All set. Here we go.”

The main monitor displayed a computer desktop.

“What is this screen?”

At first glance, it was just a regular computer desktop…

“Hmm? This is the real-time desktop of Marshal Tachibana.”

“””””Pffft!”””””

“No files on the desktop and no shortcuts. As expected from the meticulous Marshal Tachibana, he strictly follows the information security policy. However, I was hoping for a messy desktop or a surprisingly cute cat wallpaper. Boring. Let’s take a peek at the integrated staff office’s secret server for the audience.”

“”””We don’t want that! We don’t want that!!””””

As Director Kirigaya easily hacked into the military top’s computer, Kotomi and the others hurriedly objected. Getting caught could lead to more than just expulsion or dismissal.

“Oops, sorry. I got excited showing off my soul armor ability.”

Rubbing his head after being hit by Natori, Director Kirigaya continued operating the console.

“I don’t want to know unnecessary secrets.”

Beside Director Kirigaya, Natori stood ready to stop him if necessary.

“It’s okay this time. It’s an enemy server, so we can do whatever we want.”

“Is that really okay?”

“This is my daily job—extracting information from enemy servers and forwarding it to the General Staff Headquarters.”

While moving his fingers over the virtual keyboard, Director Kirigaya efficiently extracted information.

“Even if they add dummy drives or use wired communication and external storage, it’s meaningless against my ability.”

It seemed Director Kirigaya’s soul armor ability, Electronic Blue Ocean, could act on targets without being network-connected, affecting both online and offline data storage indiscriminately.

“Now, for the highlight. Hinoura-san, please connect this cable to Chuusuke-san.”

“Huh? How should I…”

Holding the LAN cable handed to her by Director Kirigaya, Kotomi hesitated.

“I leave that to you, Hinoura-san.”

“Okay…”

Confused, Kotomi made Chuusuke hold the LAN cable’s end in its mouth.

“Is this okay?”

“Perfect. Now, generate poison gas through Chuusuke-san.”

“Here? Now?”

Vice President Nase, aware of Kotomi’s ability, voiced his concern and backed away.

“It’s fine. Hinoura-san, please proceed.”

“Okay. Activating soul armor.”

“Wait! Kotomi!”

Without hesitation, Kotomi followed Director Kirigaya’s instructions and activated her poison gas generation technique.

[Ah…]

Instantly, Kotomi found herself above a blue sea. The shallow water below barely wet her shoes.

[Welcome to the ocean of the digital world.]

Turning towards the voice, she saw Director Kirigaya with open arms.

[Where are we?]

[This is a virtual world created by my Blue Ocean. The ocean’s appearance is due to the ability’s name.]

Kicking lightly, Director Kirigaya made splashes.

[It’s amazing how some soul armor abilities can construct such an image world. It’s beautiful.]

Admiring the clear water and the seamless horizon, Kotomi reflected her image on the sea surface, enjoying the unreal scenery.

[It is indeed beautiful. But it’s a scenery you’re about to destroy.]

[Huh?]

Before Kotomi could understand his words, the entire world turned red, the blue sea and sky reversing instantly.

[What? What’s happening?]

[Indeed, the name represents the reality, Hinoura-san. This is like a sea of fire, the counterpart to my Electronic Blue Ocean, a Red Ocean. Splendid.]

As Kotomi stood in stunned amazement, the sea of fire consumed everything.

“Phew… ha…”

Returning to reality and holding Chuusuke, Kotomi found herself sitting on the lab floor.

“What’s wrong, Kotomi? Are you okay?!”

Vice President Nase rushed over, concerned.

“Director Kirigaya, what was that?”

“That’s Hinoura-san’s ability—injecting poison into the enemy’s digital world, corrupting and destroying it. I thought it might turn into a purple or green poison swamp, but it became a sea of flames. Unexpected.”

“Poison into the enemy’s digital world?”

“In short, she incinerated the enemy’s military network and data. Now, they’ll need couriers for communication. Serves them right!”

Laughing, Director Kirigaya checked the results on the console. It seemed the enemy network was utterly destroyed, causing major disruption.

“I never imagined my poison gas could be used like that…”

“I knew it. When I saw Hinoura-san and Chuusuke-san, I felt it. Our abilities are a perfect fit—destined partners!”

“Honestly, I’m not thrilled about this.”

“Why? Is it because I’m a geek? But it’s an order. You and Chuusuke-san are my partners.”

Despite her resistance, Director Kirigaya imposed his authority. Kotomi looked towards Officer Natori for help, but he was lost in thought about their significant achievement.

“She’ll likely be designated as a Special Soul Armor Agent, like Director Kirigaya…”

“Really? You’re…”

“Yes, Hinoura-san and Chuusuke-san are now among the nation’s key figures.”

All eyes focused on Kotomi and Chuusuke. Feeling overwhelmed, Kotomi looked away.

“Hinoura-san, for personal security, please rely on the Nase family.”

“Hinoura-san?! Why the sudden formality, Vice President Nase?”

“That’s how it is when you become a Special Soul ArmorAgent. Accept it.”

“Ah…”

President Domon’s advice to accept her fate left Kotomi despondent. She regretted suggesting the research trip to Okinawa.