The loading dock was large with lots of places to hide. On top of that, the soldiers were busy with work and therefore weren't paying much attention to their surroundings. Only the few soldiers patrolling the area was a problem, but with Koutarou's careful actions and Harumi's spell, he was able to make it past them. As a result, a few minutes after setting out, Koutarou had attached five transmitters.
“It seems he's attached the fifth one.”
Clan observed Koutarou through her binoculars. After attaching a transmitter underneath the fifth trailer, Koutarou signaled Clan with his hands. One could gather that he hadn't bumped into any problems attaching the transmitters from his appearance.
“Kurano-san, Satomi-kun is on his way back.”
“I see, thank you, Harumi.”
After Harumi reported Clan's words to Kiriha, Kiriha looked up from her hand and let out a sigh of relief. She had been looking down because she had been praying for Koutarou's safety. Harumi smiled and looked down at Kiriha's hands.
“You look at that card from time to time... is it something important?”
In Kiriha's hands was a silver card. On it was a hero based on a beetle, posing. It was a strange belonging for one of the more feminine of the girls of room 106. That's why Harumi figured that it might hold a special meaning to Kiriha.
“This is... something I was given by my first love. It was from ten years ago, no, it's already eleven years now.”
Kiriha showed a nostalgic smile and turned to look at Koutarou who was returning. In her eyes was a deep love, the same kind of look she had given her card. That's why Harumi understood the circumstances right away.
Satomi-kun said he had met with a young Kiriha-san on his way back from the past... so this is from that time... and Kiriha-san has always felt for Satomi-kun since then. She really loves him...
Harumi had first met Koutarou a year and a few months ago. Since Harumi had Alaia's memories it felt like two years however. That's why Harumi knew how Kiriha felt. The feeling of wanting to stay by Koutarou's side, the feeling of wanting to be needed by him were bursting out from her chest. They were fierce yet gentle feelings. The other girls of room 106 probably shared these feelings.
“Then it's a very important memory.”
“That's right. I've given my all with this as my support.”
“Bertorion is only ever kind to Kii. He'll take her out to play and give her presents. He only ever uses me as someone convenient.”
“..I do what?”
That was where Koutarou returned. Unaware of the topic the girls were talking about, he was confused as to why Harumi and Kiriha were smiling but Clan was sulking.
“It's nothing!”
“We were talking about how you were always relying on Clan-san.”
“Well, Clan is good at what I'm bad at. It's a big help.”
“Hmm.”
“But Clan is terrible at housework... speaking of which, I'll be coming to clean up your lab again soon. You've probably made a mess.”
“Cleaning... fufufu, why Clan-san, you are being treated kindly after all.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Well, actually―”
“N-No, no no!! Don't say anymore Harumi!!”
Clan shook her head and interrupted Harumi. She then attempted to change the topic while she was at it.
“Bertorion, it's about time we move on!”
“Hm? Yeah, you're right, let's move on.”
While he was interested in what Harumi had to say, they weren't in a situation where they could casually chat. Koutarou obediently agreed with Clan.
“So, what do we do next?”
“Uhm, t-that's...”
Koutarou urged Clan ahead, but she was stumbling for words. Since she had only brought it up to change the topic, she hadn't put any thought into where to go. That was when Kiriha saved Clan from her situation.
“Koutarou, I think we should head towards this factory's control room.”
“Control room? Why?”
“If we examine the computers in the control room we can find out how many weapons have been made and where they've been sent. I want to see the whole image of the enemy.”
Kiriha hadn't spoken out just to help Clan. She had originally wanted to head to the control room. They had found out what kind of weapons had been produced from the production line, that was left was how many had been made and where they are.
“Got it. So Clan, where is that control room?”
“If it's been placed logically, then it should be placed where it can easily access all of the production line. In that case, it should be in the center of the factory.”
At this time, Clan had regained her usual composure. While speaking, Clan pointed towards the center of the factory. While they were hugging a wall and couldn't see it, Clan's intuition told her that the control room was in that direction.