It Was Like a Giant Pillar Splitting a Mountain

"—And that's what happened."

Back at our base, I explained the situation to Ichinose-san and the others.

About the vine monster Peony and my encounter with Student Council President Igarashi, among other things.

I'd told them some of it through 'Mail,' but it seemed the news had still come as quite a shock.

Nishino-kun and Rikka-chan were both speechless.

(…Actually, everyone's just up and about like it's normal...)

It was already past four in the morning.

It was no longer late at night but early morning, yet everyone was awake as usual.

If anything, Ichinose-san had even laughed and said, "For shut-ins, this is actually prime activity time, you know?"

Rikka-chan beside her looked a little sleepy, though...