Red Data Girl - Series 1 & 2

The First Makeup - 14

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Red Data Girl: The First Makeup
By Noriko Ogiwara
A Translation

Notes on this week’s translation:

In this piece, Miyuki mentions Mayura’s hometown, Togakushi. Togakushi is famous for its ninja history! Check it out!

Red Data Girl: The First Makeup
By Noriko Ogiwara
Chapter 3: Manatsu
Part 1 (2 of 3)

As Miyuki wasn’t always in the library, the task of finding him was rather difficult.
There were a number of times when Izumiko did see him, but he wasn’t alone. He wasn’t generally the sort to spend time with other people or be particularly active, but people often stopped to say hello to him. Being herself, Izumiko couldn’t cut in to the conversations. She didn’t think she could awkwardly burst into Class A a second time either.

In the end, she decided to wait for Miyuki in a quiet place. It was embarrassing. Waiting in a corner the way she was made her feel like a shikigami.

Why do I do things like this?…

After a while, she started to wonder if she was waiting for nothing. Maybe Miyuki would never show up. She could have given up and gone back to her room, but she didn’t have a choice at the moment. While waiting by herself, Izumiko pondered why she had been saddled with the chore.

They can’t say he’s my partner like it’s some big thing. I don’t think I want anyone thinking of me like that at all…

When Miyuki finally appeared, Izumiko brought him to the empty Class C classroom. If anyone did see them, they wouldn’t think it was out of the ordinary to find two students in the room. There, she told him what Mayura had said.

The desks and floor were red with the setting sun. Miyuki sat down on a desk by the window and slid his hands into his pockets. One of his feet was resting on the chair. His manners weren’t particularly great at that moment.

Izumiko remained standing. She played with her braids as she told him what had happened. Each time she noticed what she was doing, she grasped her hands behind her back but it made no difference.

Miyuki looked pleased when Izumiko finished speaking. The fact that Mayura was joining in the election was good news for him.

“So Mayura finally decided to do it. I didn’t think there was a chance of her ever figuring out what she had to do. The power dynamic in the school is going to change a lot. I wonder if Kisaragi and the others will help it along much.”

“You mean the students in charge now?”

“I guess. Mayura’s been popular in the high school since last year so the student influence will be different this year.”

Miyuki’s expression was bright. He was probably thinking about how this would benefit him as well.

“No one thinks there’ll be a power shift. Yes, Mayura’s more popular than Takayanagi so even if he runs for president, it won’t matter. But if Mayura’s up against Kisaragi, even she doesn’t have a chance of winning.

“Mayura said something about using some kind of magic to give himself an advantage. Can you tell me what kind of magic that is?” Izumiko asked.

“Right, that,” Miyuki said smoothly. “If he’s a diviner, he’s going to do everything he can to get his way. He’ll use objects linked with spells and probably build a special alter. But before he does any of that, he’ll chant incantations for days. That’s the basic model of how it works at least. The biggest problem is figuring out where he’s doing his typical, showy, diviner work. Generally, not just anywhere will do. As big as Houjou’s campus is, there are security cameras watching the inside of all the buildings. Plus, all the dorm rooms are doubles, and they’re not big enough to hide anything.”