Editing Kämpfer:Volume 1 Chapter 5 (section)

=== Espionage <sup><ref name="labels">The Table of Contents labels are my own, they do not exist in the original volume.</ref></sup>===
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Even though I wasn't expecting it, this day was as fine and sunny a day as the previous one.  I got up unusually early and high-tailed it to school.  Of course I was back to being a man.  I was the first to arrive at the classroom and I waited for the person of interest.  Higashida came in humming and singing out of tune.

"Hey, I have a request" I said as I grabbed his uniform.

"Whoa, that's abrupt." Higashida was surprised, but I didn't care.

"So, how can someone get into the girl's section?"

"That's an odd question out of the blue."

"Are the snow gates still used for illegal activities..."

"You mean the Co-ed Underground Dating Committee?"

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Although it has a name, that '' 'underground' '' club is only known by insiders of illegal activities at school.  Iron Star Academy has strict '' 'no-contact' '' policies between male and female students.  Meeting outside of school is possible, but not easy to accomplish on school grounds.  There are still students who want to evade Iron Star Academy's eyes and engage in sensual pleasures with the opposite sex.  These students succeed thanks to efforts of the '' 'Co-ed Underground Dating Committee.' ''

That club had been organized immediately after the academy had become co-educational.  The first student council president is thought to be the founder of the club.  A method of communications between the boy's and girl's sections was devised and has been secret ever since.  Funds derived from cultural festival proceeds were passed as bribes to school officials.

Higashida had connections to the '' 'Co-ed Underground Dating Committee' '' through his being chairman of Iron Star's '' 'Beauty Research Club' '', another illegal club.

"So, Senou, what business do you have there?"

"I want info on the Student Council President."

"Eh!?" Higashida was amazed. "Oi, Sangou-san is hard to contact.  She's very popular."

According to him, there were many boy students aiming for Shizuku.  There was an unofficial waiting list to worship her; don't laugh, it's not that unusual.  I have a similar target.

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"Forget contacting her! I want info on her, what she's been up to lately."

"That's private info.  Even with manpower and money it would be hard to get."

"That's why I want to sneak into the girl's section."

"Idiot, if anyone found out, you'd be suspended from school."

"That's why I want to connect with the Co-ed Underground Dating Committee."

"How soon?"

"Now."

Higashida groaned "...that's impossible."

"Yeah, probably."

"Even if you contact the Co-ed Underground Dating Committee and get in the girl's section, how will you get details on Sangou-san?"

"...espionage."

"To try and do it today is useless, impossible for anyone."

"If anyone can, it would be Higashida, and his talents."

"My talents!?  Communication with the committee has to start from the girls side, and that would have to wait 'till schools out. '' 'Impossible' '' really is impossible."

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This was an uphill battle.  Illegal activities were not only frowned on by the school officials, but by the student council as well.  Every club organization was under total surveillance, any offense would deal heavy damage to the club.  Even so, I was desperate.

"If you help me I'll introduce you to a beautiful girl.  You can interview her and take pictures, she's worthy to be added to your Beauty Research Club."

As expected, he took the bait, his eyes lit up instantly.

"It's true?  But how would you know her?"

"Hey, think about Sakura-san.  How many times have I met with her lately?"

Higashida was pondering, "first, tell the beautiful girl that I..."

"Follow me.  She's in the library right now waiting.  Come on." 

"Good plan..." Higashida and I hurried to the library.  There was still time before class, it was the reason I went to school so early.  The library was vacant and silent, students rarely went there that early.  

"Where are the librarians?" Higashida was puzzled.

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"They're busy."

"Nobody's here?"

"Because we knew you were coming" with my fingers I pointed out to Higashida.  "In the shadows over there.  Got your camera?"

"Right here," he showed me a thin digital camera.

"Photographs are free.  If you can get a shot, take it."

"Huh?" 

Suddenly a gun was thrust into Higashida's camera.

"Yo, ay'm askin' ya a little favor, nothin' hard for ya.  Listen good Higashida." Akane said with a grin.  A pocky in her mouth.

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