Blue Archive - Story of Joshua Sensei

Chapter 63 - A Request: Spec Ops

"I think we just hit a water vein." Shigure says, as the two stand back up.

"It's so big." The blonde says, in awe. "What if all the water freezes and this area turns into a giant ice skating rink? Shigure, we can't let that happen. We live here! We have to stop the current, immediately!"

The two look around the area. "What could we even block it with?" Shigure asks.

"All I wanted was to enjoy the smallest inkling of happiness around a warm campfire." Nodoka says, somberly. "And for that small desire, I'll be punished. We'll freeze to death inside this ice skating rink, forgotten and abandoned."

"Chin up, Nodoka. Things are never as bad as they seem." Shigure says, placing a hand on her friend's shoulder.

"Do you not see the gigantic upside-down waterfall bursting out of the ground?! Tell me how this isn't bad!" Nodoka shouts.

"Look a little closer. It's not just normal groundwater." The mint haired girl points out.

"What do you mean?" The blonde asks, moving to the water closing in on them. She reels back in surprise. "Wait! The water's kinda warm, and it smells like sulfur... A hot spring?!"

"I told you it wasn't all bad." Shigure says, smiling. "Imagine the possibilities. I can be lazy and not have to heat up water to bather anymore."

"You're right, but..." Nodoka adds. "A stupid hot spring isn't going to help our sorry situation!"

"A hot spring? Stupid?!" A new voice shouts.

"Wh-Who's there?" Nodoka shouts, eyes wide as she looks around quickly. "Shigure, a bear's attacking!"

But no, a girl with horns and red hair, wearing clothes that show a fair bit of skin appears. She, along with girls in white hardhats, all wearing less than optimal clothes for wintery areas, stand before the two unlucky girls.

"Oh? Are there bears in the Red Winter Academy? Fascinating!" The red haired girl says. "I wanna see, show me!"

"Who're you...?" Nodoka asks, dumbfounded.

"Ah! Silly me, wanting to see bears before even introducing myself." The new girl says, rapping her fist against her head. "Where a hot spring can be found, so can we! And here we are, on a bright, shiny day perfect for development! We are Gehenna Academy's Hot Springs Development Department! I'm one of the members, Shimokura Megu!"

The two unlucky girls stare wide eyed at now named Megu.

"Gehenna Academy?" Shigure asks, blinking.

"What are Gehenna students doing here?" Nodoka asks, cautiously. "We might be suspended, but that won't stop us from protecting the Red Winter Academy from intruders!"

"Hahaha! How adorable!" Megu says in a sing-song voice, causing Nodoka to growl. "If you worry too much, that cute little forehead of yours might get wrinkles. We're only here to investigate info of a new hot spring here."

"I mean, she isn't wrong..." The mint haired girl points out.

"But how in the heck did you find out about it so fast?" The blonde asks in awe.

"Hahaha! How seriously awesome!" The redhead cheers. "As expected, President Kasumi is always right!" She grins, before smiling happily as she sniffs the air. "Ahh, that sweet, comforting smell of sulfur. I feel right at home. You don't mind if I check out the spring, do you?"

"I-I guess not. Just a little peek, though." Nodoka says, hesitant.

"All right, let's see." She says, moving closer to the geyser. "Hmm... This hot spring... Honestly, it looks pretty cool to me!" Megu says with a big grin.