# 048. Hidan no Aria ## 01. Volume 6 - Absolute Radius 2051 -Killing Range- ( Full Text ) ### 001. School Rules ## Butei Charter - 1. Believe and help your comrades. - 2. Abide by contracts with your clients. - 3. Be strong. But more importantly, do no wrong. - 4. Butei are independent. Do not interfere unless it is requested of you. - 5. Be swift. The first to act will be the first to win. Let that guide you. - 6. Think and move for yourself, not for anyone else. - 7. Prepare for the worst, act for the best. - 8. Complete your missions, to the end of the end. - 9. Explore the world. Fight together, regardless of nationality. - 10. Do not give up. Butei never give up. ## School Rules It is your duty to carry arms, whether guns or blades. ### 002. Hidan no Aria - Girls with guns - Romantic comedy - NA : Digital Manga - Youhei Hayashi - Masazumi Katou - Shigaeki Komatsu - Yuuji Matsukura - Akimasa Sasao - Yasuhiro Yamaguchi - AUS : Madman Entertainment - NA : Funimation - UK : Manga Entertainment - PH : Animax - US : Funimation Channel - Noritomo Isogai - Masao Fukuda - Hajime Kamata - Keisuke Kaminaga - Shinpei Yamashita - Takanori Yamayoshi - AUS : Madman - NA : Funimation - SEA : Animax Asia - UK : Animax - US : Funimation Channel Aria the Scarlet Ammo ( Japanese : 緋弾のアリア , Hepburn : Hidan no Aria ) is a Japanese light novel series written by Chūgaku Akamatsu and illustrated by Kobuichi. As of December 2025, 44 main volumes have been published by Media Factory under their MF Bunko J label. A manga adaptation by Yoshino Koyoka started serialization in the seinen manga magazine Monthly Comic Alive in September 2009. An anime adaptation aired between April and June 2011. An original video animation (OVA) episode was released on December 21, 2011. A spin-off manga titled Aria the Scarlet Ammo AA by Shogako Tachibana was serialized in Square Enix 's Young Gangan magazine from November 2010 to May 2018, with an anime adaptation by Doga Kobo airing between October and December 2015. ## Plot The setting of the story features Butei ( 武偵 ; "war scout") , short for buso tantei ( 武装探偵 ; "armed detective") , a national qualification established to counter worsening crime conditions around the world. The Butei holders are trained in various specialized fields, and are permitted to possess various weapons and capture criminals. Kinji Tōyama is a student at Tokyo Butei High, a universal educational facility for the training of Butei. At this school, students with an aptitude for the work undertake special training in order to learn the path of the Butei. Shortly after Kinji decides to quit the Academy for personal reasons, he is attacked by the Butei Killer, a criminal notorious for eliminating Butei—a case of the hunters becoming the hunted. The elite Butei Assault prodigy Aria H. Kanzaki comes to his rescue and from that moment on, Kinji's future as a Butei changes drastically. The side story, Aria the Scarlet Ammo AA , follows Akari Mamiya, an E-ranked Butei who applies to become Aria's "Amica". ## Characters ### Main characters Kinji Tōyama ( 遠山 金次 , Tōyama Kinji ) Voiced by: Junji Majima (Japanese); Todd Haberkorn (English) A student at Butei High School. He was initially ranked E (lowest combat rank) due to missing the third term's final examination. However, when he is sexually aroused (such as sticking his face in a girl's chest, getting kissed or by him kissing a girl) he enters a state known as "Hysteria Mode" in which his cognitive and physical abilities increase to around thirty times his normal state, which allows him to perform feats of near-superhuman strength and skill, such as accurately shooting up the muzzle of an enemy gun, swinging his knife at supersonic speeds, and accurately shooting enemy bullets out of the air. Hysteria Mode is a genetic trait that all members of the Tōyama family possess, and is stated to be a highly evolved version of the natural male instinct to protect women. As such, when in Hysteria Mode, Kinji's major weakness is the fact that he cannot directly harm women, though he is still able to fight and restrain them without directly hurting them. In addition to this, Hysteria Mode also causes Kinji to develop a suave and seductive attitude towards women, which makes him very attractive to them while in Hysteria Mode. He is currently enrolled in the Inquesta department, though in the past, he was a prodigy (being rank S) of the Assault department, the most dangerous department in Butei High. Over the course of the series, Kinji grows to respect (and eventually develops romantic feelings for) Aria. He proves his feelings for Aria by kissing her on the lips in episode 5, though this is done to calm her down. Currently, his feelings for Aria are so strong that even the slightest bit of sexual/romantic involvement with Aria will instantly activate Hysteria Mode. His gun of choice is a Beretta 92F (which has been illegally modified to fire a three-round burst ; he refers to it as the Beretta Kinji Model). He also wields a butterfly knife . In Volume 6 of the light novel he obtains a black Desert Eagle (which has been modified to fire in bursts as well as auto) which belonged to his father and a double-edged seax (modified with a hidden sheath and a reinforced rubber handle) which belonged to Sherlock Holmes . When he activates Hysteria Mode, he is able to dual-wield both the Beretta and Desert Eagle as well as the Butterfly Knife and the Seax, making him earn the title of "Quadra of Mimicry" in the series. Aria Holmes Kanzaki ( 神崎・H(ホームズ)・アリア , Kanzaki Hōmuzu Aria ) Voiced by: Rie Kugimiya (Japanese); Leah Clark (English) A transfer student to the Butei High School in Japan. An "Assault" department elite rank S (the highest rank), she wishes to recruit Kinji into her team after their encounter. She has earned the title of "Quadra", meaning someone who can dual-wield both guns and swords. Her weapons of choice are two Colt Government Model M1911A1 semi-automatic pistols (one black and one silver) with custom hinge type triggers (as opposed to the traditional straight pull triggers of the M1911 ) and custom grips. She also uses two undersized Japanese swords known as kodachi . The "H" in her middle name stands for "Holmes" as she is a descendant of Sherlock Holmes himself, and her full name is Aria "Holmes" Kanzaki IV. She is very short for her age. Her stunted growth is due to a bullet embedded in her back made of a special material known as HihiIrokane. Irokane is a special element that can grant a normal human superpowers. HihiIrokane is red Irokane and in order to make use of its properties requires a childish nature and prideful personality. Although Kinji has learned about the special properties of the bullet and the potential powers it gives her, Aria seems largely unaware of anything unusual about the bullet or herself. All she knows is that a stranger shot her for unknown reasons and that the bullet can't be removed safely. As a side effect of the HihiIrokane bullet lodged within her, Aria's eye and hair color (which were originally sapphire blue and flaxen blonde) changed to a deep ruby and pinkish strawberry blonde respectively. Her mother is Japanese and her father is half English, half Japanese. Her paternal grandmother is a member of the British royal family , having been knighted and received the title of " dame ". Aria develops feelings for Kinji after they kiss in episode 5, and gets jealous when other girls approach him. Shirayuki Hotogi ( 星伽 白雪 , Hotogi Shirayuki ) Voiced by: Mikako Takahashi (Japanese); Brina Palencia (English) A female student attending Butei High School and Kinji's childhood friend. She is enrolled in the special department known as SSR and her Butei rank is A. She's the current student council chairman, and president of various clubs including the gardening club, handicraft club, and girls' volleyball club. According to Kinji, she is a perfect Japanese beauty except for one flaw - jealousy , which turns her into a berserker who assaults any girl approaching Kinji. When she finds out that Aria is living with Kinji she tries to murder her. She is shown to love Kinji to the point that she will do anything for him. Kinji and Shirayuki kiss in episode 8, and since then Shirayuki's feelings for Kinji have increased to the point that she is willing to appear nude in front of him in order for him to notice her. She uses a Japanese sword named Irokane Ayame as her weapon of choice. It is later revealed that her name, Shirayuki, was an alias used to conceal her real name, Himiko. Riko Mine ( 峰 理子 , Mine Riko ) Voiced by: Mariya Ise (Japanese); Luci Christian (English) A female student at Butei High School and a friend of Kinji's. She is enrolled in the Inquesta department along with Kinji. Although often considered the biggest idiot in Kinji's class, this is a deliberate burikko facade which she drops when she is forced into dangerous circumstances. She has a talent for intelligence assessment and, at Butei High, gossip. She enjoys customizing her uniform in an Elegant Gothic Lolita style. She wields two Walther P99s and two knives and, much like Aria, has earned the title of "Quadra". Near the end of the first volume, Riko reveals that she is a descendant of Arsène Lupin . Her real name is Riko Mine Lupin IV. Riko also reveals that she is the Butei Killer. She appears to have an inferiority complex towards the first Lupin and wants to exceed his legacy. The reason for this, and why she despises being referred to by her generation's number, is due to the circumstances under which she grew up. Orphaned at a young age, she was taken in by Vlad/Toru but kept locked in a cell with very little food and muddy water, and eventually was used as an experimental subject by Vlad/Toru. During this time he repeatedly told her that she's worthless (since she hadn't inherited any of the past Lupins' abilities) and that her only redeeming quality was that she could be used to produce another generation of the Lupin name, Lupin the V. Riko was eventually released from her captivity by Vlad/Toru and promised complete freedom provided that she was able to surpass the original Lupin. Her original plan was to recreate the historical encounter between the original Holmes and Lupin, with Aria and Kinji playing the roles of Sherlock and Watson. By defeating both of them she would surpass her ancestor since the original encounter ended in a draw. This plan fails, but Riko's able to convince them to aid her in recovering a memento from Vlad/Toru. After helping Kinji and Aria defeat Vlad, Riko helps Aria by providing evidence that Vlad/Toru, and not her mother, Kanae Kanzaki, was truly behind all of the Butei Killer murders, and so reducing Kanae's sentence and delaying her impending execution. Riko appears to have feelings for Kinji, but these feelings may not be completely healthy because she constantly attempts to seduce Kinji - attempts which fail since Kinji is able to see through her machinations. She kisses Kinji after he points out that by defeating Vlad/Toru, she has surpassed her ancestor and can finally take pride in herself, perhaps sparking a more healthy interest in him. Riko and Aria have several characteristics in common: they are short, both have earned Quadra status, both wear their hair in twin-tails, both are the third generation scions of famous ancestors, and lastly, both are romantically interested in Kinji. Her surnames are derived from Lupin III and Fujiko Mine , and she is purportedly their child; for copyright reasons, the identities of her parents are unknown. Reki ( レキ ) Voiced by: Kaori Ishihara (Japanese); Jad Saxton (English) The Snipe department's ace, Butei rank S. She has no family name and is habitually taciturn, impassive and indifferent to fashion. Kinji later finds out that this, along with her hair color, is due to the influence of large quantities of RiriIrokane in her birthplace. RiriIrokane is Azure Irokane and it bestows the ability to nullify other powers when the subject is calm. However, according to a Hotogi Historical Record it 'hates' human hearts and the princesses of the Ulus (to whom Reki belongs) revere RiriIrokane and offer their 'hearts' to it. She's always seen wearing Sennheiser PMX990 headphones through which she apparently listens to the sound of wind from her homeland (somewhere between Northern Mongolia and Siberia). Her signature quotation is "I am a single bullet. It has no heart. Therefore, it does not think. It just flies straight towards its target", which she always say before she takes a shot. Her sniper skills are so high that she can shoot anything within a 2 km radius without missing her target. Her personal weapon is a SVD (Dragunov Sniper-Rifle) with an attachable bayonet . In the middle of volume 3, Reki tames a wolf in a matter of 5 minutes, which she later names Haimaki, and trains to be a Butei dog. From then on, she lives together with Haimaki in her room in a girls' dormitory. Kinji has visited her room at least twice up to volume 6 of light novel and has noted how bare and simple it is. Reki also sleeps upright with the Dragunov in her hands, perhaps to prevent an ambush attack according to Kinji. On noting that Reki doesn't possess any clothing other than a number of school uniforms, and as a part of his Lima syndrome plan, Kinji buys her a casual outfit as a present. Reki cleans up nicely; in fact, Kinji was left speechless after witnessing her dressed-up appearance in volume 6. She plays a minor role in the series, usually providing covering fire for Aria and Kinji when they are fighting at close range or saving them during times of trouble. At the end of volume 5, she holds Kinji at gunpoint on the rooftop of Butei High, kisses him and proposes marriage to him. She also reveals that she already knows about the I-U and Hysteria Mode. Her ancestors are revealed to be Minamoto no Yoshitsune and Genghis Khan . The Ulu tribe she belongs to only gives birth to girls (possibly due to a genetic flaw from being so insular.) Since there are only 47 members of the tribe (counting Reki) there seems to be no need to provide a second name. Her tribe practices a kind of reverse bride kidnapping as their courtship ritual, where the 'bride' kidnaps the 'groom'. Reki pursued Kinji and shot the buttons off of his jacket (without hurting him) at intervals until he 'surrendered' himself to her. As an attempt to 'break up' with her, he tried to get her to undergo Lima syndrome (where a kidnapper falls for victim), but was not completely successful in preventing himself from undergoing Stockholm syndrome (where the victim sympathizes with the kidnapper.) It is hinted that selecting Kinji as her 'husband' was to provide, not only herself, but possibly the 46 other princesses of the Ulus, with strong children as well. Realizing that Reki would likely try to shoot herself as a result of her kidnapping him, Kinji sabotaged her last bullet. After this, Reki started living for herself and her friends (mainly Kinji) in contrast to her earlier habit of living solely for duty and obsessively obeying the 'voice of the wind'. Apparently, before coming to Butei High, Reki performed "unrecorded" jobs in Russia and China due to her Butei license. In other words, she worked as a "Sweeper". Jeanne d'Arc ( ジャンヌ・ダルク , Jannu Daruku ) Voiced by: Ayako Kawasumi (Japanese); Colleen Clinkenbeard (English) Jeanne d'Arc XXX (also known as Durandal or Diamond Dust Witch) is an ice ability user from I-U (a criminal organization). During the events in Volume 2 of the light novel, she targets Shirayuki in an attempt to kidnap her and force her to join I-U. She is successfully captured via the combined efforts of Aria, Kinji and Shirayuki during the season of Adseard. As one of the conditions of her plea bargain , she was forced to stay in Butei High as a 2nd year international student from Paris enrolled in the Informa department. As a reliable Informa student, Kinji requests her aid whenever he needs knowledge about a particular case he is involved in. Jeanne and Riko get along with each other very well. She is one of the few people who knows of Kinji's secret. Her personality is serious and cool. Her first comment about Butei High's uniform skirt is:"Unmarried girls shouldn't openly reveal their legs like this!". However, that notion is pretty much shattered because of Riko's strong influence on her, and she has developed a habit of secretly collecting maid dresses, lolita fashion, and other cute dresses. Due to astigmatism she usually wears contacts to see clearly, but carries a pair of glasses as backup or for reading. Although Jeanne is quite extraordinary in terms of her beauty, fighting skills, as well as her planning and investigating abilities, her drawing skills are unimpressive:an elementary school student can draw much better than she can. Despite her strength, she alleges that she is the weakest out of all the members of I-U. Her preferred weapon is the Durandal. However, after Shirayuki broke part of it off she had to adjust to the shorter blade. Melting down the whole blade and reforging it as a single piece again was inadvisable as that would severely weaken the integrity of the metal, making it much easier to break. Or in simpler terms, the weakness of the break would be spread to the entire sword. ### Aria the Scarlet Ammo AA characters Akari Mamiya ( 間宮 あかり , Mamiya Akari ) Voiced by: Ayane Sakura (Japanese); Madeleine Morris (English) A female student attending Butei High School in the Assault department who greatly admires Aria that borders on obsessiveness. Akari is typically clumsy and carefree but is known to be protective of her friends. She and her younger sister Nonoka are two of the few survivors of the Mamiya clan, a clan of assassins that operated during the days of the shogunate and specialized instant-kill techniques. In modern Japan however, their techniques and unique poisons are no longer used and are only passed down in order to preserve them but their estate was destroyed, Nonoka was poisoned and their mother Misuzu was presumably killed by Kyouchikytou and the organization IU before the events of the story. Akari joined Butei High School because she wanted to protect and save others instead of killing which is one of the reasons she greatly admires Aria and also why she refuses to use her gun on criminals. However, she is still capable of using her family's techniques if she is forced or if the situation requires it. Despite her background and experiences, Akari is clumsy but cheerful, optimistic and friendly which gains her new friends and even admirers. She uses a Colt M1911 like Aria who takes it from her as part of the Amica test wherein Akari must take to steal it back. She also possesses a 25-round Micro Uzi and tactical knife . She eventually succeeds and becomes Aria's official Amica. She is known to greatly dislike Kinji due to his closeness to Aria and because he admitted to finding her annoying. Shino Sasaki ( 佐々木 志乃 , Sasaki Shino ) Voiced by: Ai Kayano (Japanese); Amber Lee Connors (English) A female student attending Butei High School in the Inquesta department who comes from the wealthy and prestigious Sasaki family and is descended from Sasaki Kojirō . Like her ancestor she is a practitioner of the Ganryū sword style and can even use Kojirō's famous Swallow Cut technique. She first met Akari at a food stand where they share a leaf pie. She has since developed an obsessive crush on Akari to the point that she is willing to resort to violence in order to make Akari break off her amica relationship with Aria who she is extremely jealous of. She is also known to stalk Akari and take candid pictures of her changing or in a swimsuit. She later becomes Shirayuki Hotogi's amica after Shino passes her test and Shirayuki senses her strong feelings. Ironically, the two share similar traits:both have the appearance and grace of a yamato nadeshiko but their appearances belie their great skills as swordswomen, their mutual dislike and jealousy of Aria, they both come from influential families, they both harbor strong feelings for someone and they both have yandere -like tendencies. Shino prefers to use a standard katana in battle but she also possesses an ōdachi called the Monohoshizao like her ancestor's. Raika Hino ( 火野 ライカ , Hino Raika ) Voiced by: M.A.O (Japanese); Kristi Kang (English) A female student attending Butei High School who has known Akari since middle school. Tall, highly athletic and skilled in battle yet somewhat tomboyish, Raika is greatly admired by both men and women alike especially by her amica Kirin Shima although some boys insult her tomboyish behavior which she takes to heart. Despite this, Raika secretly loves cute and feminine things such as stuffed toys and dresses, a secret that is later discovered by Kirin and Akari. Raika favors close quarters combat in battle. Kirin Shima ( 島 麒麟 , Shima Kirin ) Voiced by: Aoi Yūki (Japanese); Monica Rial (English) A female student attending Butei Middle School in the CVR department's Division 2 who admires Raika and applies to become her amica. Despite Raika's initial refusal she eventually accepts Kirin. She was previously the amica of Riko Mine but after the 1 year amica period expired, Kirin searched for a new partner and found the qualities she desired in Raika. Like Riko, Kirin also customized her uniform into a Gothic Lolita style which, aside from being her preference and being used to tease and tempt Raika, is used to conceal weapons. Kirin possesses a childish personality and appearance, even more so than Riko, but this belies her crafty and manipulative side which is common among students of the CVR division. Kirin is adept at hand to hand combat. Urara Takachiho ( 高千穂 麗 , Takachiho Urara ) Voiced by: Sarah Emi Bridcutt (Japanese); Sara Ragsdale (English) A female student attending Butei High School in the Assault department. She is the proud heiress of the Takachiho Family, a household of armed lawyers. Her father and Shino Sasaki's father are said to be enemies in court. She appears very dignified, and is always seen with Yuyu and Yaya, a pair of twins that are her servants. Her wealth and status fuel her confidence level quite high, and she uses it to obtain many things that she wishes for. She likes being in control of situations and people. Despite her acting high and mighty, deep down, she cares and means well for the ones she cares about. In the anime, she is initially shown to look down on Akari and is jealous of her due to her succeeding in becoming Aria's amica while Urara herself failed though the matter with Aria is not present in the manga. She later befriends Akari and develops a rivalry with Shino over Akari's friendship. In the anime, she uses a Ruger Super Redhawk with an extended barrel and a rifle stock and a rapier . Yaya Aizawa ( 愛沢 夜夜 , Aizawa Yaya ) Voiced by: Chinami Hashimoto (Japanese); Steph Garrett (English) A female student attending Butei High School in the Assault department. Always by her side with her twin sister, Yuyu Aizawa, they follow Urara Takachiho as her sidekick servants. She wears a white single-sided headphone-like headband with her hiragana character 'や' on the earpod. She uses an Ingram Model 11 . Yuyu Aizawa ( 愛沢 湯湯 , Aizawa Yuyu ) Voiced by: Momo Asakura (Japanese); Lynsey Hale (English) A female student attending Butei High School in the Assault department. Always by her side with her twin sister, Yaya Aizawa, they follow Urara Takachiho as her sidekick servants. Like Yaya, she wears a white single-sided headphone-like headband but with her hiragana character 'ゆ' on the earpod. She uses an Ingram Model 10 . Kyouchikytou ( 夾竹桃 , Kyouchikutou ) Voiced by: Yui Horie (Japanese); Alex Moore (English) A female member of the organization IU. Along with Jeanne d'Arc, she was smuggled into Tokyo Butei High School with Mine Riko's help. Much like Riko, she has a rather short stature and often dresses in Gothic Lolita fashion. Kyou is very reserved and quiet. She is a genius tactician and knows how to cover her tracks. In one instance she sent an entire work complex crumbling down on Akari and her friends with a very intricate Rube Goldberg machine that, in the end, could only be ruled as a freak accident due to the nature of the sabotage. She and the other members of IU attacked the Mamiya clan's estate during which she poisoned Akari's younger sister Nonoka which would ultimately cause her to lose her vision two years before the beginning of the story. She later reappears and offers Akari the antidote to Nonoka's poison in exchange for the Mamiya clan's secret technique the Takamakuri which she believes is a unique poison. She is eventually defeated and captured by Aria and Akari. Her preferred weapon is poison which she claims to possess 83 different kinds. She also uses wires and an M134 Minigun . In the anime, she has an older sister named Suimitsutou. Nonoka Mamiya ( 間宮 ののか , Mamiya Nonoka ) Voiced by: Inori Minase (Japanese); Marla Acevedo (English) She is Akari's younger sister and a middle school Student and one of the few non-antagonistic characters who do not attend Butei High School. Unlike Akari, Nonoka is mature for her age; she does the housework and wakes Akari up every morning. Like Akari, she is also the object of Shino Sasaki's crush. Two years before the events of the story, her family's estate was attacked and destroyed by IU and she herself was poisoned by Kyouchikytou which would cause her to slowly lose her eyesight. Her condition worsens during the events of the story but she is eventually cured by Akari who defeats Kyouchikytou with Aria's help. ### Tokyo Butei High #### Students Hina Fuuma ( 風魔 陽菜 , Fūma Hina ) Voiced by: Ayaka Imamura (Japanese); Morgan Garrett (English) Kinji's underclassman. A Lezzad freshman, enrolled in class 1-C, she has her black hair usually pony-tailed in the back. She also wears a long muffler around the neck, a Fundoshi for underwear, and appears in traditional ninja garb. She is rumored to be a descendant of a famous ninja lineage (presumably decedents of Fūma Kotarō ). When they were in middle school together, she and Kinji sparred. At that time, Kinji happened to be in Hysteria Mode and he subdued Fuuma like a child. Ever since then, she greatly respects Kinji and calls him "Master". She works part-time in order to pay for her tuition as well as to make ends meet, which she refers to as "training". She is Kinji's Amica, which is when a Junior (Kinji) or Senior acts like a big brother/sister for a freshman (Fuuma) and essentially shows them the ropes about various things whether it is skills, state of mind for situations, training methods, nuggets of experience, etc. Goki Muto ( 武藤 剛気 , Mutō Gōki ) Voiced by: Takayuki Kondō (Japanese); Ricco Fajardo (English) The Logi's ace with a 190 cm height and pointy hair. Kinji considers him as a transportation geek. This is due to his extensive knowledge of various vehicles whether it be on land, sea or air. He is a skilled driver who can operate anything from a car to a nuclear submarine . His personal weapon is a Colt Python Revolver that uses .357 magnum bullets which he chose solely for ease of maintenance, as despite the astounding firepower, the gun's loading capacity is small, the accuracy is horrible and it cannot equip a suppressor, so normally, no Butei would use it. Goki has feelings for Shirayuki. He is also a shameless pervert. Ryo Shiranui ( 不知火 亮 , Shiranui Ryō ) Voiced by: Takuya Eguchi (Japanese); Chris Cason (English) A bright, handsome and popular guy. Enrolled in Assault, and in the same class as Kinji, his Butei level is A. Even though there are different aspects involved in an A ranking, his integration capacity is high; his barehanded, dagger handling or shooting aspects can all be relied upon. The reliability of his gun is very high, a Mk. 23 MOD 0 with an installed laser aiming lens. He is also a rare polite person in Butei High. Even though he is very popular with girls, he never had a girlfriend before. He is Kinji and Muto's close friend. In past, during Kinji's days in Assault, they were often teammates. Kinji considers him a good friend and someone to rely on; an example of a polite and elegant student. Aya Hiraga ( 平賀 文 , Hiraga Aya ) A genius of the Amdo department, she is enlisted by other students to upgrade or modify their weapons although, according to Kinji, her labor fees are considerably expensive. Kinji's Beretta pistol is one such example. Despite being a genius in customizing weapons, sometimes, due to sloppy work, the guns she has worked on malfunction, as seen when Kinji's Beretta, modified to fire three-round bursts, stops working and instead fires 2 bullets almost at the same time. Her ancestor is Hiraga Gennai . Kinji has stated that considering her skills, she should be ranked S. However, due to the massive fees she charges for her services, coupled with the large number of illegal modifications she performs, she is A-ranked. Her appearance is that of a child, her hair is length is below the ear, and she is widely known in Butei High for watching anime as she tinkers through Butei guns and weapons. Misaki Nakasorachi ( 中空知 美咲 , Nakasorachi Misaki ) Voiced by: Hisako Kanemoto (Japanese); Jamie Marchi (English) A second year student from Connect, she specializes in providing real-time intelligence to Buteis that are operating in the field. Her instructions are always crystal clear, and Kinji claims that she has a voice worthy of a NHK news broadcaster. She also possess an incredible sense of hearing and is able to deduce the location of the sound of wind which Reki always listens to through hearing alone. However, she is shown to be extremely timid when she is off-duty and has trouble interacting with people without the use of some kind of communication device, which is probably why she is ranked B despite her talents. She became friends with Jeanne when she was forced to transfer to Butei High and shared a dormitory apartment with her. #### Teachers Yutori Takamagahara ( 高天原 ゆとり , Takamagahara Yutori ) Voiced by: Mai Nakahara (Japanese); Monica Rial (original series), Tia Ballard (AA) (English) Homeroom teacher for Class 2-A and the head of department for Inquesta. Described as a "Butei High's kind teacher", she seems to be one of the few non-violent teachers depicted in the series, but she has actually a past as a vicious mercenary nicknamed "Bloody Yutori". Umeko Tsuzuri ( 綴 梅子 , Tsuzuri Umeko ) Voiced by: Masumi Asano (Japanese); Erica Harte (English) Homeroom teacher for Class 2-B and head of department for Dagula. An expert in interrogation techniques, she is capable of extracting confessions from the toughest offenders. She is apparently one of the top five interrogators in Japan. She has a habit of smoking hand-rolled cigarettes, even in the vicinity of students. Wields a Glock 18 . Ranbyou ( 蘭豹 , Ranbyō ) An Assault department instructor, she is known to be a very violent teacher, earning her the nickname of "Human Bunker Buster". Her catchphrases are "Go die!" or "Death!". Rumored to be connected with the Hong Kong triads. She was the teacher that took the group photograph for Team Baskerville during their formation ceremony in volume 7 of the light novels. Tōru Sayonaki ( 小夜鳴 徹 , Sayonaki Tōru ) Voiced by: Kenji Nojima (Japanese); J. Michael Tatum (English) A geneticist who works as a part-time instructor for the Ambulance department, he is a university graduate from abroad and is noted to be very handsome with an appearance of a 20-year-old. He is very polite, using honorific speech at all times, which contributed to his immense popularity in Butei High. It turns out he was the one who had captured and imprisoned Riko after her parents died. He was seeking Lupin's superior genetic material to add to his collection (possibly himself as well,) but, as it seemed she was severely lacking in talent and ability, he treated her as a worthless failure. This entailed abuse, long stretches of being locked in a cell covered in dirt with nothing to do but sit, and constant comments on how she was a failure while she was still dealing with her parents' deaths. In truth, this identity is an outer shell that Vlad created from the genetic material (DNA) that Vlad had absorbed through centuries of drinking blood. This is similar to an insect's memesis where not only does an 'invader' look like the species its invading, but also 'acts' like a member of the species. Toru can summon Vlad, who takes the form of a large wolf-like creature, but only when Sayonaki feels an extreme emotion. Vlad is otherwise dormant while the split personality, Sayonaki, retains control and handles the day-to-day matters. Due to his centuries of experiences Sayonaki is no longer able to get emotionally stimulated enough to summon Vlad by normal means. However, by somehow imprinting himself with a version of Kinichi Tohyama's Hysteria Savant Syndrome he's able to use it to awaken Vlad. The difference is that Sayonaki's version isn't triggered by arousal, like Kinji's, but by the sadistic pleasure he derives from abusing 'lesser species.' Being a proud and ancient vampire this means anything weaker than a vampire is considered a lesser species with humanity holding the position of 'weak prey.' Thus, he and Vlad are able to abuse cute girls, like Riko, without Hysteria mode hindering them because their protective instinct (assuming they have any) would only apply to cute, female vampires , not humans. Vlad tells Kinji that this is similar to how he (Kinji) wouldn't be able to enter Hysteria mode if he saw a female Chimpanzee being abused. Vlad has also somehow modified his howl to interrupt Kinji's Hysteria mode. Vlad has the ability to quickly heal his own wounds and proved to be a difficult opponent for Riko, Aria and Kinji. However, Vlad was finally captured by the trio when all 4 of his weak points (marked by eye-shaped symbols from a Vatican Paladin's spell) were shot at the same time causing crippling damage. However, the fact that both Vlad and Sayonaki share the same body was kept secret. This may be due to conditions of the plea bargain that Kinji and Aria had to agree to lest they go to jail for larceny (although considering they were 'recovering' stolen property for the rightful owner [Riko], this is more likely the government's overreaction over any information dealing with I-U.) #### Others Kikuyo Kagataka ( 鏡高 菊代 , Kagataka Kikuyo ) Head of the illegal Yakuza group, Kagataka. Due to her father's death she inherited the head of the group. She was Kinji's friend when he was studying in Kanagawa Butei Junior High and among the few who knew about Kinji's Hysteria Mode and used it to make Kinji her slave and which is why Kinji disliked women. After the group disbanded, she enrolled into Tokyo Butei High and a member of both Lezzad and Daugula department. Moe Mochizuki ( 望月 萌 , Mochizuki Moe ) Class representative of Higashi Ikebukuro High School and friend of Kinji when he was forced to transfer school with Reki. At volume 13 She messaged Kinji that she considered being a Butei and enrolled into Tokyo Butei High and a member of Ambulace department. The Golden Cross ( Gの血族 ) The inheritance of genes from their father, Konza Tohyama, which consist of Kinji, Kinichi, Kinzo, and Kaname. Kinichi Tohyama Brother of Kinji and a member of the criminal organization 'I.U'. Like Kinji, he possesses the Tohyama genetic trait of Hysteria Mode, although his term for it is H.S.S. Is able to sustain Hysteria mode for over a day at a time, but due to the immense stress on the body has to sleep for days. To self-trigger Hysteria Mode Kinichi crossdresses as an ideal beauty while going by the name Kana. Kana is Kinichi's version of Kinji's personality shift when going into Hysteria Mode. Like Kinji, Kinichi knows and remembers everything Kana does and vice versa. Also, like Kinji Kinichi gets extremely embarrassed about his actions in Hysteria Mode when switched back to normal mode. Six months prior to the first chapter of "Aria the Scarlet Ammo" Kinichi saved everybody on a cruise ship before disappearing as the latest victim of the Butei Killer. He never contacted Kinji during that time until Riko arranges a meeting after the confrontation with Vlad. As a result of Kinichi's disappearing, the mass of hate mail blaming Kinichi for the ship incident, and Kana asking Kinji for help killing Aria upon meeting again (breaking Article 1 of the Butei Code which Kinichi had strictly adhered to in the past,) has destroyed all of Kinji's interest in being a Butei causing him to wish for a normal life and considering Hysteria Mode a curse. Currently Kinichi seems to be in a relationship with Patra, but declared himself unaffiliated rather than siding with Deen or Grenada during the Bandire much to Patra's disappointment. Kaname Tohyama Sister of Kinji. During the questioning on the bus she mentions that she has Caucasian mixed in her lineage, but other than that hasn't explained her parentage other than being Kinji's sister. In the facility she was raised in as a super soldier she was only referred to by her serial number G-IV (Generation four.) She never had a name until Kinji gave her the name Kaname which is Kana plus the Japanese character for girl. Is obsessive over Kinji and wants all his affection for herself resulting in extreme jealous outbursts whenever another girl gets close to him. Such as carving "traitor" into concrete with her fingers when she spies him with Watson dressed up as a girl. Due to extreme training at the facility she is able to shrug off the pain from being her bulletproof clothing being shot with a magnum. (Bulletproof clothing prevents the bullet from penetrating, but the force of the bullet is turned into severe blunt force trauma which really hurts.) Weapon of choice is mono-filament vibrosword called Sonic. (Ie the edge is one molecule thick allowing it to cut everything and the whole sword vibrates.) Kinzo Tohyama Brother of Kinji. ## Media ### Light novels Aria the Scarlet Ammo is a light novel series written by Chūgaku Akamatsu, with illustrations by Kobuichi. Media Factory published the first novel on August 25, 2008, under their MF Bunko J imprint . As of December 2025, 44 main novels have been released. A spin-off novel, Aria the Scarlet Ammo Reloaded , was published on December 25, 2012. A light novel adaptation of Aria the Scarlet Ammo AA was published in four volumes in 2015. The first two novels were published in English digitally by Digital Manga in 2013 and 2014. ### Manga A manga adaptation, illustrated by Yoshino Koyoka, began serialization in the November 2009 issue of Media Factory 's Monthly Comic Alive sold on September 26, 2009. The first tankōbon volume was published on April 23, 2010; 26 volumes have been released as of February 2025. The first three manga volumes were published in English digitally by Digital Manga in 2014. A spin-off manga titled Aria the Scarlet Ammo AA ( 緋弾のアリアAA , Hidan no Aria AA ) by Shogako Tachibana was serialized in Square Enix 's Young Gangan magazine between November 5, 2010, and May 18, 2018. The first tankōbon volume was published on March 23, 2011. Fourteen volumes total were released. ### Anime A 12-episode anime television series adaptation, directed by Takashi Watanabe and produced by J.C.Staff , aired in Japan between April 15 and July 1, 2011. The opening theme is "Scarlet Ballet" by May'n and the ending theme is "Camellia no Hitomi" ( カメリアの瞳 , Kameria no Hitomi ) by Aiko Nakano. An original video animation episode was released on December 21, 2011. The anime is licensed in North America by Funimation , in Australia by Madman Entertainment , and in the United Kingdom by Manga Entertainment . The anime made its North American television debut on the Funimation Channel on November 27, 2012. An anime adaptation of Aria the Scarlet Ammo AA , a spin-off manga series written by Shogako Tachibana and produced by Doga Kobo aired in Japan between October 6 and December 22, 2015. The opening theme is "Bull's Eye" by Nano while the ending theme is "Pulse" ( パルス , Parusu ) by Ayane Sakura and Rie Kugimiya . The series is also licensed in North America by Funimation, who simulcasted the series as it aired. ## Reception The Aria the Scarlet Ammo light novels have sold over 5 million copies as of April 2014. By December 2020, it had sold over 9 million copies. ## Notes - ^ Assistance ( 協力 ) for all episodes provided by Jumondou . ## References - ^ Oppliger, John (May 30, 2012). "Ask John: What are Some Good Girls With Guns Comedies?" . AnimeNation . Archived from the original on June 13, 2012 . Retrieved January 6, 2020 . - ^ Kimlinger, Carl (April 2, 2011). "Carl Kimlinger - The Spring 2011 Anime Preview Guide" . Anime News Network . Retrieved January 6, 2020 . Takashi Watanabe at the helm, JC-Staff-powered visuals, Rie Kugimiya as a tiny girl with an outsized temper and mayhem-wreaking skills to match, and a plot that combines violent intrigue with standard-issue romantic comedy... - ^ "Animax Asia to Air Aria the Scarlet Ammo Double A, Beautiful Bones Anime" . Anime News Network . March 16, 2016. Archived from the original on 2017-10-19 . Retrieved 2016-07-26 . - ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "Funimation Reveals English Dub Cast For Valkyrie Drive: Mermaid, Aria the Scarlet Ammo AA Anime" . Anime News Network . January 2, 2017. Archived from the original on July 26, 2019 . Retrieved January 6, 2021 . - ^ 緋弾のアリア (in Japanese). MF Bunko J . 25 August 2008. Archived from the original on 6 April 2019 . Retrieved August 14, 2018 . - ^ "Aria the Scarlet Ammo (Novel) Vol. 1" . Digital Manga . Archived from the original on April 13, 2016 . Retrieved August 14, 2018 . - ^ 緋弾のアリア 2 燃える銀氷 (in Japanese). MF Bunko J . 25 December 2008. Archived from the original on 14 August 2018 . Retrieved August 14, 2018 . - ^ "Aria the Scarlet Ammo (Novel) Vol. 2" . Digital Manga . Archived from the original on March 4, 2016 . Retrieved August 14, 2018 . - ^ 緋弾のアリア 3 蜂蜜色の罠 (in Japanese). MF Bunko J . 25 March 2009. Archived from the original on 14 August 2018 . Retrieved August 14, 2018 . - ^ 緋弾のアリア 4 堕ちた緋弾 (in Japanese). MF Bunko J . 25 August 2009. Archived from the original on 14 August 2018 . Retrieved August 14, 2018 . - ^ 緋弾のアリア 5 序曲の終止線 (in Japanese). MF Bunko J . 25 December 2009. Archived from the original on 14 August 2018 . Retrieved August 14, 2018 . - ^ 緋弾のアリア 6 絶対半径2051 (in Japanese). MF Bunko J . 23 April 2010. Archived from the original on 14 August 2018 . Retrieved August 14, 2018 . - ^ 緋弾のアリア 7 火と風の円舞 (in Japanese). MF Bunko J . 25 August 2010. Archived from the original on 14 August 2018 . Retrieved August 14, 2018 . - ^ 緋弾のアリア 8 螺旋の天空樹 (in Japanese). MF Bunko J . 24 December 2010. Archived from the original on 14 August 2018 . Retrieved August 14, 2018 . - ^ 緋弾のアリア 9 蒼き閃光 (in Japanese). MF Bunko J . 25 March 2011. Archived from the original on 14 August 2018 . Retrieved August 14, 2018 . - ^ 緋弾のアリア 10 禁忌の双極 (in Japanese). MF Bunko J . 25 July 2011. Archived from the original on 14 August 2018 . Retrieved August 14, 2018 . - ^ 緋弾のアリア 11 Gの血族 (in Japanese). MF Bunko J . 22 December 2011. Archived from the original on 14 August 2018 . Retrieved August 14, 2018 . - ^ 緋弾のアリア 12 狼狗に降る雪 (in Japanese). MF Bunko J . 25 May 2012. Archived from the original on 14 August 2018 . Retrieved August 14, 2018 . - ^ 緋弾のアリア 13 反撃の九龍 (in Japanese). MF Bunko J . 24 August 2012. Archived from the original on 14 August 2018 . Retrieved August 14, 2018 . - ^ 緋弾のアリア リローデッド キャストオフ・テーブル (in Japanese). MF Bunko J . 25 December 2012. Archived from the original on 14 August 2018 . Retrieved August 14, 2018 . - ^ 緋弾のアリア 14 招かれざる海霧 (in Japanese). MF Bunko J . 25 April 2013. 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MF Bunko J . 25 June 2020. Archived from the original on 2 June 2022 . Retrieved June 1, 2022 . - ^ "緋弾のアリアＸＸＸIV 早天の嚮導艦 | 緋弾のアリア | 書籍" [Aria the Scarlet Ammo XXXIV Flotilla Leader of the Early Sky] (in Japanese). MF Bunko J . 25 December 2020. Archived from the original on 2 June 2022 . Retrieved June 1, 2022 . - ^ "緋弾のアリアＸＸＸV 侵掠の花嫁 | 緋弾のアリア | 書籍" [Aria the Scarlet Ammo XXXV Invasion Bride] (in Japanese). MF Bunko J . 25 June 2021. Archived from the original on 2 June 2022 . Retrieved June 1, 2022 . - ^ "緋弾のアリアＸＸＸVI 綺羅月に翔べ | 緋弾のアリア | 書籍" [Aria the Scarlet Ammo XXXVI Go to Kiratsuki] (in Japanese). MF Bunko J . 24 December 2021. Archived from the original on 23 December 2021 . Retrieved June 1, 2022 . - ^ "緋弾のアリアＸＸＸVII 第三の男 | 緋弾のアリア | 書籍" [Aria the Scarlet Ammo XXXVII Third Man] (in Japanese). MF Bunko J . Archived from the original on June 6, 2022 . Retrieved June 1, 2022 . - ^ "緋弾のアリアXXXVIII 愛を忘れはしない | 緋弾のアリア | 書籍" [Aria the Scarlet Ammo XXXVIII Never Forget Love] (in Japanese). MF Bunko J . 23 December 2022. Archived from the original on 27 March 2023 . Retrieved March 12, 2023 . - ^ "緋弾のアリアＸＸＸIＸ 荒脛巾の巫女 | 緋弾のアリア | 書籍" [Aria the Scarlet Ammo XXXIX Shinobi Priestess] (in Japanese). MF Bunko J . 23 June 2023. Archived from the original on 29 June 2023 . Retrieved August 11, 2023 . - ^ "緋弾のアリアXL 尻尾の女 | 緋弾のアリア | 書籍" [Aria the Scarlet Ammo XL Tail Woman] (in Japanese). MF Bunko J . 25 December 2023. Archived from the original on December 31, 2023 . Retrieved August 11, 2023 . - ^ "緋弾のアリアXLI 原罪の龍王 | 緋弾のアリア | 書籍" [Aria the Scarlet Ammo XLI Dragon King of Original Sin] (in Japanese). MF Bunko J . 25 June 2024. Archived from the original on May 30, 2024 . Retrieved March 21, 2025 . - ^ "緋弾のアリアXLII ゼロの帰隊 | 緋弾のアリア | 書籍" [Aria the Scarlet Ammo XLII Zero's Return] (in Japanese). MF Bunko J . 25 December 2024. Archived from the original on March 21, 2025 . 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Retrieved July 26, 2014 . - ^ 『緋弾のアリア』がシリーズ累計900万部を突破 . LN-News (in Japanese). December 31, 2020. Archived from the original on September 30, 2023 . Retrieved January 4, 2024 . ## External links - Light novel official website (in Japanese) - Anime official website (in Japanese) - Aria the Scarlet Ammo at Funimation - Aria the Scarlet Ammo (anime) at Anime News Network 's encyclopedia - v - t - e - Miracle Giants Dome-kun (1989–1990) - Karasu Tengu Kabuto (1990–1991) - Slayers (1995) - Slayers Next (1996) - Slayers Try (1997) - Lost Universe (1998) - Space Pirate Mito (1999) - Boogiepop Phantom (2000) - Invincible King Tri-Zenon (2000–2001) - Rave Master (2001–2002) - Ikki Tousen (2003) - Starship Operators (2005) - Shakugan no Shana (2005–2006) - Shakugan no Shana Second (2007–2008) - Slayers Revolution (2008) - Slayers Evolution-R (2009) - Demon King Daimao (2010) - Freezing (2011) - Aria the Scarlet Ammo (2011) - Shakugan no Shana Final (2011–2012) - Dangerous Jii-san Ja (2012) - Senran Kagura: Ninja Flash! (2013) - Freezing Vibration (2013) - Dai-Shogun – Great Revolution (2014) - Heavy Object (2015–2016) - Taboo Tattoo (2016) - How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom (2021–2022) - The Stories of Girls Who Couldn't Be Magicians (2024) - Kino's Journey: Life Goes On (2005) - Shakugan no Shana (2007) - Black Lion (1989) - The Abashiri Family (1991) - Ogenki Clinic (1991) - Ys (1991) - Ys II: Castle in the Heavens (1992–1993) - Casshan: Robot Hunter (1993–1994) - Battle Skipper (1995) - Sanctuary (1996) - New Fist of the North Star (2003–2004) - Shakugan no Shana S (2009–2010) - v - t - e - Metal Fighter Miku (1994) - Maze: The Mega-Burst Space (1997) - Revolutionary Girl Utena (1997) - Virus Buster Serge (1997) - Alice SOS (1998–1999) - Kare Kano (1998–1999) - Sorcerous Stabber Orphen: Begins (1998–1999) - If I See You in My Dreams (1998) - Iketeru Futari (1999) - Starship Girl Yamamoto Yohko (1999) - Sorcerous Stabber Orphen: Revenge (1999–2000) - Excel Saga (1999–2000) - UFO Baby (2000–2002) - Descendants of Darkness (2000) - Rune Soldier (2001) - PaRappa the Rapper (2001–2002) - A Little Snow Fairy Sugar (2001–2002) - Azumanga Daioh (2002) - Ai Yori Aoshi (2002) - Spiral: The Bonds of Reasoning (2002–2003) - Nanaka 6/17 (2003) - Someday's Dreamers (2003) - Gunparade March: The New March (2003) - Ikki Tōsen: Battle Vixens (2003) - R.O.D the TV (2003–2004) - Shingetsutan Tsukihime (2003) - Ai Yori Aoshi: Enishi (2003) - Maburaho (2003–2004) - Daphne in the Brilliant Blue (2004) - Doki Doki School Hours (2004) - Melody of Oblivion (2004) - Starship Operators (2005) - Mahoraba ~Heartful Days~ (2005) - Best Student Council (2005) - Loveless (2005) - Honey and Clover (2005) - Oku-sama wa Mahō Shōjo: Bewitched Agnes (2005) - Shakugan no Shana (2005–2006) - Karin (2005–2006) - Yomigaeru Sora – Rescue Wings (2006) - Honey and Clover II (2006) - The Familiar of Zero (2006) - Ghost Hunt (2006–2007) - Living for the Day After Tomorrow (2006) - Di Gi Charat (2006) - Nodame Cantabile (2007) - Sky Girls (2007) - Potemayo (2007) - The Familiar of Zero: Knight of the Twin Moons (2007) - Shakugan no Shana II (2007–2008) - KimiKiss: Pure Rouge (2007–2008) - Sky Girls TV DVD Specials (2007–2008) - Shigofumi: Letters from the Departed (2008) - Nabari no Ou (2008) - Slayers Revolution (2008) - The Familiar of Zero: Rondo of Princesses (2008) - Toradora! (2008–2009) - A Certain Magical Index (2008–2009) - Nodame Cantabile: Paris-Hen (2008) - Slayers Evolution-R (2009) - Hayate the Combat Butler!! (2007–2008) - First Love Limited (2009) - Sweet Blue Flowers (2009) - Taishō Baseball Girls (2009) - A Certain Scientific Railgun (2009–2010) - Nodame Cantabile: Finale (2010) - Maid Sama! (2010) - The Betrayal Knows My Name (2010) - Okami-san and Her Seven Companions (2010) - Bakuman (2010–2011) - Otome Yōkai Zakuro (2010) - Tantei Opera Milky Holmes (2010) - A Certain Magical Index II (2010–2011) - Dream Eater Merry (2011) - Aria the Scarlet Ammo (2011) - Heaven's Memo Pad (2011) - Twin Angel: Twinkle Paradise (2011) - Bakuman. 2 (2011–2012) - Kimi to Boku (2011) - Shakugan no Shana III: Final (2011–2012) - Tantei Opera Milky Holmes: Act 2 (2012) - Kill Me Baby (2012) - The Familiar of Zero F (2012) - Waiting in the Summer (2012) - Kimi to Boku 2 (2012) - La storia della Arcana Famiglia (2012) - Joshiraku (2012) - Bakuman. 3 (2012–2013) - Little Busters! (2012–2013) - The Pet Girl of Sakurasou (2012–2013) - Dangerous Jii-san Ja (2012) - A Certain Scientific Railgun S (2013) - The "Hentai" Prince and the Stony Cat (2013) - Futari wa Milky Holmes (2013) - Golden Time (2013–2014) - Little Busters! Refrain (2013) - Witchcraft Works (2014) - selector infected WIXOSS (2014) - Dai-Shogun – Great Revolution (2014) - Magimoji Rurumo (2014) - Love Stage!! (2014) - selector spread WIXOSS (2014) - Tantei Kageki Milky Holmes TD (2015) - Tsubasa to Hotaru (2015–2016) - Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma (2015) - Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? (2015) - Shimoneta (2015) - Prison School (2015) - Heavy Object (2015–2016) - Flying Witch (2016) - Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma: The Second Plate (2016) - The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. (2016) - Taboo Tattoo (2016) - Amanchu! (2016) - Lostorage incited WIXOSS (2016) - Urara Meirocho (2017) - Minami Kamakura High School Girls Cycling Club (2017) - Schoolgirl Strikers (2017) - Alice & Zoroku (2017) - Twin Angel Break (2017) - Sword Oratoria: Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? On the Side (2017) - Vatican Miracle Examiner (2017) - UQ Holder!: Magister Negi Magi! 2 (2017) - Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma: The Third Plate (2017–2018) - Children of the Whales (2017) - The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. 2 (2018) - Lostorage conflated WIXOSS (2018) - Amanchu! Advance (2018) - Last Period (2018) - Back Street Girls (2018) - Angels of Death (2018) - Planet With (2018) - Hi Score Girl (2018, production co-op ) - A Certain Magical Index III (2018–2019) - Million Arthur (2018–2019) - Date A Live III (2019) - One-Punch Man 2 (2019) - The Demon Girl Next Door (2019) - A Certain Scientific Accelerator (2019) - Do You Love Your Mom and Her Two-Hit Multi-Target Attacks? (2019) - Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? II (2019) - Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma: The Fourth Plate (2019) - Hi Score Girl II (2019, production co-op ) - A Certain Scientific Railgun T (2020) - Mewkledreamy (2020–2021) - Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma: The Fifth Plate (2020) - Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? III (2020) - WIXOSS Diva(A)Live (2021) - Skate-Leading Stars (2021) - Kiyo in Kyoto: From the Maiko House (2021) - Combatants Will Be Dispatched! (2021) - Blue Reflection Ray (2021) - Edens Zero (2021) - Mewkledreamy Mix (2021–2022) - How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom (2021–2022) - The Duke of Death and His Maid (2021, production co-op ) - The Strongest Sage with the Weakest Crest (2022) - Requiem of the Rose King (2022) - The Executioner and Her Way of Life (2022) - The Demon Girl Next Door Season 2 (2022) - Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? IV (2022–2023) - Sugar Apple Fairy Tale (2023) - Edens Zero Season 2 (2023) - In Another World with My Smartphone Season 2 (2023) - Sacrificial Princess and the King of Beasts (2023) - Reign of the Seven Spellblades (2023) - The Duke of Death and His Maid Season 2 (2023, production co-op ) - Tsukimichi: Moonlit Fantasy Season 2 (2024) - The Duke of Death and His Maid Season 3 (2024, production co-op ) - Chillin' in Another World with Level 2 Super Cheat Powers (2024) - 2.5 Dimensional Seduction (2024) - Fairy Tail: 100 Years Quest (2024) - Delico's Nursery (2024) - Magilumiere Magical Girls Inc. (2024) - Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? V (2024) - The Stories of Girls Who Couldn't Be Magicians (2024) - Murai in Love (2024) - The Do-Over Damsel Conquers the Dragon Emperor (2024) - Demon Lord 2099 (2024) - Honey Lemon Soda (2025) - Can a Boy-Girl Friendship Survive? (2025) - One-Punch Man 3 (2025) - Reincarnated as the Daughter of the Legendary Hero and the Queen of Spirits (2025) - Backstabbed in a Backwater Dungeon (2025) - Tamon's B-Side (2026) - Magilumiere Magical Girls Inc. Season 2 (2026) - A Certain Item of Dark Side (2026) - Magical Buffs: The Support Caster Is Stronger Than He Realized! (2027) - A Certain Scientific Railgun Season 4 (TBA) - v - t - e - Yōtōden (1987–1988) - Ultimate Teacher (1988) - Cleopatra DC (1989–1991) - Blood Reign: Curse of the Yoma (1989) - Fūma no Kojirō (1989–1990) - ARIEL Visual (1989) - Earthian (1989–1996) - 1+2=Paradise (1990) - Guardian of Darkness (1990–1992) - Osu! Karate Club (1990–1992) - ARIEL Deluxe (1991) - Magistrate of Darkness: Judge (1991) - Handsome na Kanojo (1991) - Babel II (1992) - Gorillaman (1992) - 8 Man After (1993) - Bad Boys (1993–1998) - Suikoden Demon Century (1993) - New Dominion Tank Police (1993–1994) - Konpeki no Kantai (1993–2003) - Super Dimension Century Orguss 02 (1993–1995) - Shonan Junai Gumi (1994–1997) - I Shall Never Return (1994) - Fish in the Trap (1994) - Captain Tsubasa: Holland Youth (1994) - Level C (1995) - The Heroic Legend of Arslan (1995, #5–6) - Galaxy Fräulein Yuna (1995) - Kodocha (1995) - Starship Girl Yamamoto Yohko (1996) - Battle Arena Toshinden (1996) - Maze (1996) - Private Psycho Lesson (1996) - Slayers Special (1996–1997) - Garzey's Wing (1996–1997) - Voltage Fighter Gowcaizer (1996–1997) - Fake (1996) - Galaxy Fräulein Yuna Returns (1996–1997) - Kyokujitsu no Kantai (1997–2002) - Kōgyō Aika Volley Boys (1997) - Starship Girl Yamamoto Yohko II (1997) - Voogie's Angel (1997–1998) - Detatoko Princess (1997–1998) - If I See You in My Dreams (1998) - Slayers Excellent (1998–1999) - Cat Soup (2001) - Puni Puni Poemy (2001) - Alien Nine (2001–2002) - Eiken (2003–2004) - A Little Snow Fairy Sugar: Summer Special (2003) - Ai Yori Aoshi: Enishi X-mas Special (2003) - Doki Doki School Hours (2004–2005) - Sky Girls (2006) - Shakugan no Shana SP (2006) - Yomigaeru Sora – Rescue Wings (2006) - Shigofumi: Letters from the Departed (2008) - The Familiar of Zero: Rondo of Princesses (2008) - Hayate the Combat Butler (2009) - Shakugan no Shana S (2009–2010) - Kyō, Koi o Hajimemasu (2010) - A Certain Scientific Railgun (2010) - Aria the Scarlet Ammo Special (2011) - Toradora! (2011) - Dangerous Jii-san Ja (2012) - Tantei Opera Milky Holmes Alternative (2012–2013) - Joshiraku (2013) - ChocoTan! (2013) - Little Busters! (2013) - Kill Me Baby Super (2013) - Little Busters! EX (2014) - Tsubasa to Hotaru (2014) - Waiting in the Summer (2014) - Love Stage!! (2014) - Twin Angel: Kyun Tokimeki Paradise!! (2015) - Prison School (2016) - Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma: Natsuyasumi no Erin (2016) - Lostorage Conflated WIXOSS -missing link- (2017) - Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma: Tōtsuki Jūkketsu (2017) - UQ Holder! (2017–2018) - Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma: The Third Plate- Erina no Shin Seikatsu (2018) - Hi Score Girl: Extra Stage (2019, production co-op ) - Magimoji Rurumo: The Conclusion (2019) - The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.: Reawakened (2019) - The Way of the Househusband (2021–2023) - Duel Masters Lost: Tsuioku no Suishō (2024) - v - t - e - Myself ; Yourself (2007) - Ryoko's Case File (2008) - Koihime†Musō (2008) - Shin Koihime†Musō (2009) - 11eyes (2009) - Shin Koihime†Musō: Otome Tairan (2010) - A Bridge to the Starry Skies (2011) - YuruYuri (2011) - YuruYuri♪♪ (2012) - Natsuyuki Rendezvous (2012) - Mangirl! (2013) - GJ Club (2013) - Majestic Prince (2013) - Love Lab (2013) - Devils and Realist (2013) - Engaged to the Unidentified (2014) - Monthly Girls' Nozaki-kun (2014) - Laughing Under the Clouds (2014) - Plastic Memories (2015) - Mikagura School Suite (2015) - Himouto! Umaru-chan (2015) - Aria the Scarlet Ammo AA (2015) - Luck & Logic (2016) - Three Leaves, Three Colors (2016) - New Game! (2016) - Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru (2016) - Gabriel DropOut (2017) - Hina Logi ~from Luck & Logic~ (2017) - New Game!! (2017) - Himouto! Umaru-chan R (2017) - Zoku Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru (2018) - Tada Never Falls in Love (2018) - Uchi no Maid ga Uzasugiru! (2018) - Anima Yell! (2018) - Wataten!: An Angel Flew Down to Me (2019) - The Helpful Fox Senko-san (2019) - How Heavy Are the Dumbbells You Lift? (2019) - Asteroid in Love (2020) - Sing "Yesterday" for Me (2020) - Diary of Our Days at the Breakwater (2020) - Sleepy Princess in the Demon Castle (2020) - Ikebukuro West Gate Park (2020) - Osamake (2021) - Selection Project (2021) - My Senpai Is Annoying (2021) - Chiikawa (2022–present) - RPG Real Estate (2022) - Shikimori's Not Just a Cutie (2022) - Technoroid Overmind (2023) - Oshi no Ko (2023–present) - Saint Cecilia and Pastor Lawrence (2023) - Jellyfish Can't Swim in the Night (2024) - Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian (2024–present) - The Shiunji Family Children (2025) - Let's Go Karaoke! (2025) - Captivated, by You (2025) - Though I Am an Inept Villainess (2026) - Möbius Dust (TBA) - The Skull Dragon's Precious Daughter (TBA) - Uchuu Kazoku Carlvinson (1988) - Kahey no Umi (2005) - Memories Off #5: The Interrupted Film (2006) - Shin Koihime†Musō LIVE Revolution (2009) - 11eyes (2010) - A Bridge to the Starry Skies (2011) - Lovely Movie: Lovely Muuuuuuuco! (2013) - Engaged to the Unidentified (2014) - Lovely Movie: Lovely Muuuuuuuco! Season 2 (2014) - GJ Club@ (2014) - Monthly Girls' Nozaki-kun (2014–2015) - Himouto! Umaru-chan (2015–2017) - Uchi no Maid ga Uzasugiru! (2019) - Wataten!: An Angel Flew Down to Me (2019) - Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru ~Makuai Kaisōroku~ (2017) - Toku Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru ~Setsugetsuka~ (2022) - Wataten!: An Angel Flew Down to Me: Precious Friends (2022) - " Idol " music video (2023) - v - t - e - Sherlock Holmes Baffled (1900) - Adventures of Sherlock Holmes; or, Held for Ransom (1905) - Sherlock Holmes in the Great Murder Mystery (1908) - Arsène Lupin contra Sherlock Holmes (1910) - Éclair film series (1912–1913) - Der Hund von Baskerville (1914) - Detektiv Braun (1914) - A Study in Scarlet (1914 British film) - A Study in Scarlet (1914 US film) - The Valley of Fear (1916) - Sherlock Holmes (1916) - Sherlock Holmes (1922) - The Hound of the Baskervilles (1929) - The Dying Detective (1921) - The Devil's Foot (1921) - The Man with the Twisted Lip (1921) - The Hound of the Baskervilles (1921) - The Sign of Four (1923) - The Sleeping Cardinal (1931) - The Missing Rembrandt (1932) - The Sign of Four (1932) - The Triumph of Sherlock Holmes (1935) - Silver Blaze (1937) - The Hound of the Baskervilles (1939) - The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (1939) - Voice of Terror (1942) - Secret Weapon (1942) - Sherlock Holmes in Washington (1943) - Sherlock Holmes Faces Death (1943) - The Spider Woman (1943) - The Scarlet Claw (1944) - The Pearl of Death (1944) - The House of Fear (1945) - The Woman in Green (1945) - Pursuit to Algiers (1945) - Terror by Night (1946) - Dressed to Kill (1946) - Sherlock Holmes (2009) - A Game of Shadows (2011) - The Return of Sherlock Holmes (1929) - The Limejuice Mystery (1930) - The Speckled Band (1931) - Lelíček ve službách Sherlocka Holmese (1932) - The Hound of the Baskervilles (1932) - Sherlock Holmes (1932) - A Study in Scarlet (1933) - The Hound of the Baskervilles (1937) - The Grey Lady (1937) - The Man Who Was Sherlock Holmes (1937) - Deduce, You Say! (1956) - The Hound of the Baskervilles (1959) - The Deadly Necklace (1962) - A Study in Terror (1965) - The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes (1970) - They Might Be Giants (1971) - The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother (1975) - The Seven-Per-Cent Solution (1976) - The Hound of the Baskervilles (1978) - Murder by Decree (1979) - The Case of Marcel Duchamp (1984) - Young Sherlock Holmes (1985) - The Great Mouse Detective (1986) - Without a Clue (1988) - Zero Effect (1998) - A Samba for Sherlock (2001) - Case Closed: The Phantom of Baker Street (2002) - Holmes & Watson. Madrid Days (2012) - Mr. Holmes (2015) - The Empire of Corpses (2015) - Sherlock Gnomes (2018) - Holmes & Watson (2018) - Sherlock Holmes and the Great Escape (2019) - The Sign of Four (1983) - The Hound of the Baskervilles (1983) - Sherlock Holmes and the Baskerville Curse (1983) - Sherlock Holmes and the Valley of Fear (1983) - Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson (1979) - The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson (1980) - The Hound of the Baskervilles (1981) - The Treasures of Agra (1983) - The Twentieth Century Approaches (1987) - The Leading Lady (1991) - Incident at Victoria Falls (1992) - The Hound of the Baskervilles (2000) - The Sign of Four (2001) - The Royal Scandal (2001) - The Case of the Whitechapel Vampire (2002) - The Hound of the Baskervilles (2002) - The Case of the Silk Stocking (2004) - The Three Garridebs (1937) - The Man Who Disappeared (1951) - The Hound of the Baskervilles (1972) - The Longing of Sherlock Holmes (1972) - Doctor Watson and the Darkwater Hall Mystery (1974) - The Return of the World's Greatest Detective (1976) - Sherlock Holmes in New York (1976) - Silver Blaze (1977) - The Strange Case of the End of Civilisation as We Know It (1977) - The Hound of the Baskervilles (1982) - The Masks of Death (1984) - The Return of Sherlock Holmes (1987) - Hands of a Murderer (1990) - The Crucifer of Blood (1991) - 1994 Baker Street: Sherlock Holmes Returns (1993) - The Hound of London (1993) - Sherlock: Case of Evil (2002) - Sherlock Holmes and the Baker Street Irregulars (2007) - Sherlock Holmes (2010) - Tom and Jerry Meet Sherlock Holmes (2010) - Enola Holmes (2020) - Enola Holmes 2 (2022) - Sherlock Holmes (1951) - Sherlock Holmes (1954) - Sherlock Holmes (1965–1968) - Sherlock Holmes (1967–1968) - Sherlock Holmes (1968) - Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson (1979–1980) - Young Sherlock: The Mystery of the Manor House (1982) - The Baker Street Boys (1983) - Sherlock Hound (1984–1985) - Sherlock Holmes (1984–1994) episodes - The Adventures of Shirley Holmes (1997–2000) - Sherlock Holmes in the 22nd Century (1999–2001) - Sherlock (2010–2017) - Tantei Opera Milky Holmes (2010–2016) - Aria the Scarlet Ammo (2011) - Elementary (2012–2019) - Sherlock Holmes (2013) - Sherlock Holmes (2014–2015) - Miss Sherlock (2018) - Sherlock: Untold Stories (2019) - Case File nº221: Kabukicho (2019–2020) - Moriarty the Patriot (2020–2021) - Sherlock in Russia (2020) - The Irregulars (2021) - Mademoiselle Holmes (2024) - Watson (2025–present) - Sherlock & Daughter (2025–present) - Young Sherlock (2026) - Sherlock Holmes - Dr. Watson - Inspector Lestrade - Mycroft Holmes - Mrs. Hudson - Professor Moriarty - v - t - e - Saki (2006) - +Tic Elder Sister (2009) - The Arms Peddler (2010) - Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? (2013) - Murciélago (2013) - Rooming with a Gamer Gal (2014) - Goblin Slayer Side Story: Year One (2017) - Dead Mount Death Play (2017) - Goblin Slayer Side Story II: Dai Katana (2019) - Dead Mount Death Play Side Story: Phantom Solitaire's Art of Disguising Oneself as a Supernatural Being (2023) - From Old Country Bumpkin to Master Swordsman: The Twin Dragonblade's Journey to the Top (2025) - Arakawa Under the Bridge (2004–2015) - Astro Fighter Sunred (2004–2014) - Bamboo Blade (2004–2010) - Black God (2004–2012) - Sekirei (2004–2015) - Sumomomo, Momomo (2004–2009) - Übel Blatt (2004–2009) - Manhole (2004–2006) - Working!! (2005–2015) - Bitter Virgin (2005–2008) - Until Death Do Us Part (2005–2015) - Hanamaru Kindergarten (2006–2011) - Ghost Slayers Ayashi (2006–2007) - Mononoke (2007–2008) - Hōzuki Island (2007–2009) - Violinist of Hameln: Shchelkunchik (2008–2011) - The Comic Artist and His Assistants (2008–2012) - Darker than Black: Shikkoku no Hana (2009–2011) - Mōryō no Yurikago (2010–2012) - Star Driver: Kagayaki no Takuto (2010–2011) - Densetsu no Yūsha no Densetsu Revision (2010–2011) - Aria the Scarlet Ammo AA (2010–2018) - Lagrange: The Flower of Rin-ne (2011–2013) - Dimension W (2011–2015) - Natsuiro Kiseki (2012–2013) - No-Rin (2012–2015) - La La La (2012–2021) - I Couldn't Become a Hero, So I Reluctantly Decided to Get a Job (2013–2014) - Space Dandy (2013–2014) - The Ryuo's Work Is Never Done! (2015–2019) - Baccano! (2015–2017) - Living With My Brother's Wife (2015–2025) - Though You May Burn to Ash (2015–2019) - Beauty and the Feast (2016–2021) - Knight's & Magic (2016–2022) - High School Prodigies Have It Easy Even in Another World (2016–2021) - Restaurant to Another World (2016–2019) - Wash It All Away (2017–2023) - My Dress-Up Darling (2018–2025) - 86 (2018–2021) - Gokudō Parasites (2019–2021) - My Awkward Senpai (2019–2026) - The Executioner and Her Way of Life (2020–2024) - My Dress-Up Darling XOXO! (2024–2025) ### 003. project abandonment and reinstatement policy - About - Project List - Rules and Guidelines - New Member Guide - Wikicode - Contact Us This is Baka-Tsuki's default Project Abandonment Protocol that will apply to all series that have been licensed by a publisher of the corresponding language. Please keep in mind that this is only a guideline that we provide for transparency. Certain series may be removed faster, but no series will be removed slower or less comprehensively than what is stated below. All materials' copyrights are reserved by their respective authors and the associated publishers. Works will be deleted upon request by copyright holders. ## Scope of Licenses When a publisher announces that they have licensed a series, we will schedule the removal of the following content: ALL volumes of the main series of a light novel project. ALL volumes that may be inserted in chronological order with the main publication run of the series (i.e.: Volume 7.5 or 10.5, etc.) . Unless the publisher has explicitly announced it, we will assume the publisher has not licensed the following: Bonus chapters and extras (i.e.: bonus material included with Blu-ray DVDs, web content) . Independent side stories that do not fit in the main publication run. Spin-off, doujin, sequel, collaborations, or related series. Unless we have reason to believe the publisher owns the license for any of the above, the content will not be removed. ## Abandonment Protocol ### Publisher Announces License Acquisition - Project will be flagged as licensed as soon as possible. - All downloadable content (PDFs, EPUBs, MOBI, etc.) will be removed from the Wiki and affiliated spaces. - Project will be frozen and follow Cessation Policy rules. All project contributors and staff are required to adhere to the Cessation Policy Guidelines . ### Publisher Announces Publication Date of the First Volume - Gradual deletion of ALL volumes of the main publication run will immediately commence . The exact deletion schedule will not be released to the public. - ALL volumes will be removed, at the latest, by 2 months prior to the official publication date. Bottom Line: By the publisher's release of the first volume, ALL Baka-Tsuki translations of the main series will be gone. No new translations will be made, and the project will be formally terminated. ## Reinstatement Protocol ### Conditions For Project Reinstatement Baka-Tsuki may reinstate activity on an abandoned project if there is evidence that the publisher has dropped or ceased translations on a particular light novel series. All of these may be valid reasons for reinstating activity on a project: Publisher has announced they will no longer continue to translate a particular light novel series. Publisher shows no sign of activity on a series for ONE YEAR or more: Lack of activity is defined as the lack of publications or the lack of announcements regarding future possible publications on the project. ### Reinstatement Scope If the conditions for project reinstatement are met, Baka-Tsuki will restore the following: All unpublished volumes will be restored to the Wiki, except for a three-volume buffer from the most recently published volume. The three-volume buffer will be maintained just in case the publisher resumes activity . No activity can occur on the three-volume buffer . No translations may be uploaded onto the three-volume buffer. Otherwise, contributors are free to work on all restored volumes and any future volumes that may be added to the series. ### Re-Abandonment Policy If the publisher demonstrates any renewed activity on the series, the abandonment schedule will be reactivated . Project deletion will again occur according to the standard Baka-Tsuki Abandonment policy . ## Cessation Policy The Cessation Policy describes the set a rules a project must abide by during the transitionary period between the license announcement and formal project termination. The purpose of the Cessation Policy is to allow contributors a brief period of time to finish their work before being forced to retire from the project. All projects will immediately be subjected to Cessation Policy Rules as soon as a publisher makes a license announcement for a light novel series. ### General Rules - No new translators or editors may join a project. - All activity on a project must cease FIVE MONTHS prior to the publisher's release of the first volume. Exception: On the latest chronological volume actively being translated , activity must cease THREE MONTHS prior to the publisher's release of the first volume. - Chapters and content should be locked from all editing at the 5-month (or 3-month) time-point. ### Translator Rules - During the Cessation Period , each translator may only work on the translations for ONE VOLUME that is nearly complete. This volume must be 50% or more translated. The translator must have been previously registered for that volume. If no volumes meet the conditions for continued translation by a registered translator, he/she may not work on the project during the Cessation Period . - Once the translator finishes translating that one volume, that translator MUST cease all activity and retire from the project. If the translator fails to complete translations by the 5-month (or 3-month) deadline, he/she must cease all activity and retire from the project. ### 004. Afterword Best of luck, Hidan no Aria anime! Everyone can finally watch Aria come to life on the television screen! Kinji, Shirayuki, Riko, and Reki's movements are similarly animated! Hear them speak! We did it, didn't we, Haimaki? Thanks to all the readers who shared their appreciation online, all those who frequently send character fanart via postcard, and finally all those who've shown their support by buying this volume of Hidan no Aria. It's thanks to all of you that Aria and the other characters are having life breathed into them. Really, honestly, thank you for all your support. Please continue to show your support for our characters! On another note, coinciding with the release of this volume is the release of the first volume of the Comic Alive-serialized manga of Hidan no Aria! This is a must-have reference for any fan of the series. You'll find yourself exclaiming, "Oh, so that's what that scene was like!" Enjoy anew the world of Hidan no Aria; I, too, will be buying a copy, both as an author and a fan! -Now, enough about that. Let's get to our Hidan no Aria Q&A segment! At the end of volume five, I asked everyone for their questions about this work, and have received many, many submissions! This makes me so happy! Allow me to choose one to respond to. Q : Why did the color of the uniforms change in volume five? Wow, someone noticed! The answer's pretty simple: the season's changed. Butei High's female uniform has two versions, for winter and summer. The red, long-sleeved sailor uniform is used during the winter, while the blue, short-sleeved sailor uniform is worn in the summer. If there wasn't a cooler, more refreshing uniform for summer use, performance would be negatively impacted! The flip-side is that the short-sleeved version protects less of the body with its bulletproof material, so its defensive capabilities are lowered. Accordingly, the summer uniform is actually only worn during July and August. Since they're constantly out on the battlefield, Buteis, even if hot, would rather wear the long-sleeved uniform. But don't think for a moment this is simply because I thought to myself, "While red uniforms are great, blue would also be nice on occasion. But still, red is best!" and thus forced my preferences on Gobiuchi-sensei! ...But anyway, the deadline for submissions hasn't arrived yet! Please continue to avail yourself of the QR code on the copyright page, which will link you to our questionnaire where you can submit more questions! Let's meet again next time in the bookstore. I wish everyone the best of health! April 2010 - Akumatsu Chuugaku ### 005. Epilogue: Go For The NEXT! Reki Running, running, exiting onto the highway, I-- -collapsed, my knees thudding into the ground, laying Reki down onto the asphalt. "Haa, haa, haa...!" My head was spinning, my breathing laboured. --I'm at my limit. I cannot run any further. From the beginning, my body had been weakening as I spent longer and longer in the woods. And, that body had continued carrying somebody, no matter how elfin they might be, as it ran. Furthermore, going through those pathless locations, my body had gone into completely and total exhaustion. I pressed my hands to the road, breathing heavily. And... Flutter, Flutter. The butterfly, which had been dancing in the field of cosmos earlier, had somehow, reached here first...and flitting around me as if it was worried, it flew to my left hand. Having large, white wings, it, with a design just like a swallowtail--had a star-shaped pattern on them. I felt that I had seen this design somewhere before, but...this isn't the time to investigate. (--I'm fine with whatever, but will a car...come--?) If one came, I'd use my Butei License to slow it, and then bring Reki to a hospital. The hill-road that leads to the city has a very large curve, making it impossible to see it due to the trees and topography...and now, it didn't feel as if there was a car nearby. Damn it...I have no other choice. One minute. In just one minute, I forced my legs up again, waiting for a car. If a car does not come, I will carry Reki once again, running down the road. Deciding that, I--took off the Dragunov that was slung over my back, and I looked into the scope. I cannot let even one minute go to waste. Just now, Reki's words... "Hidden inside this is a camera. It has already been set to record the scene at the instant that I snipe." Recalling them, I fumbled with the scope...and on the bottom, I pressed a slim button. I peered into the scope, redundantly pushing the button. The telescope function disappeared from my sight, replaced by the image of a black remote-controlled helicopter. This is...the video of the helicopter that Reki had shot when it attacked us at the hotel, right? I pressed the same button repeatedly. Click Click After the screen flickered through four helicopters, the image changed into that of the shot at the black dog's leg. After that, the video that I saw, the video that replaced the image of the dog's right and left legs-- (--!) My heart skipped a beat. Flash, Cannon, Russian--what was pictured inside the three photos of the time of release of the three bullets...was, as Reki had said, a girl. And she too--seemed familiar. She had black twin-tails, around the same length as Aria's. She was wearing the same extravagant Chinese clothing as when she had attacked me. This is...the transfer student from Hong Kong Butei High. "...Koko...!" This isn't a mistake. It may be that the videos were rather dark, but in all three, her whole body was clearly captured. That little girl who had ambushed me by the road on the day of the opening ceremony, Koko--charged out of the camouflage of leaves, quickly mounting the offroad-bike behind her, a CRM250AR. (Koko...the person who put me in submission by grappling when I was in Hysteria Mode, the person who drew with Aria in Aru=Kata--) --and in sniping, she was a match for Reki...wasn't she...? That kind of girl exists in this world? No, can they exist in this world? Martial arts, guns, and sniping. All of these techniques take many years to reach their ultimate form. At our age...no, at an age below that, it's impossible for someone to be a master at two, or three things. "The Warrior of Ten-Thousand Techniques--" Ten-Thousand Arms "...Koko..." As I murmured the second name she had given-- From the left...coming from the mountain, I heard the sound of an engine. Ha Raising my head, I stood up, thinking that a car was coming. -- Beeeeep Afterward, hearing the sound of a siren... -- Beeeeeeeeeep ...! "...!" ...I whipped out my Beretta. She's different from the one in legend. Well, I'm just talking to myself right now. --That was the sound of a motorcycle. It had a high pitch which even an amateur would understand from listening, the sound of a 2-stroke engine. It was the sound of the bike in the video, the engine equipped by a CRM250AR. It's impossible that the same bike would pass by coincidentally, because 2-stroke motorcycles exceed exhaust limits, and their gas, as well as the motorcycles themselves, are no longer in production. As I deduced this, sitting on the bike that was banking furiously around the curve--was Koko. "Koko!" I stood in a position where I could protect Reki, bringing my Beretta up to bear-- "Kihi!" Damn it! Laughing while swerving in an S-shape, Koko could not be held within my sights. The next instant, Koko slammed down on the brakes, brushing past me as if trying to sweep me over. "--!" Twisting my head back, I...could not ready my gun. Because, stopping the bike in a slanted position a few meters away, Koko was pointing a gun at me. That was a suppressed UZI--a sub-machine gun. This situation... Koko has the advantage in terms of magazine capacity, and moreover, she was a person that was able to match Aria in a gunfight. Facing her was me, not even in Hysteria Mode, and added to that, I had to protect Reki, who was heavily wounded, while fighting. --I don't want to admit it, but I cannot act. "Drop your pistol. The DE at your chest too." Wave, Wave . The barrel of Koko's gun pointed at my ribs, I, compelled to do so, dropped the Beretta--as well as the Desert Eagle that I had not used yet, having no other choice. "Reki--90 points. She's a good piece, so I'll take it. And as expected, Kinchi gets 0 points. But, he's a piece with a good military record. I like it. I'll bring him back." "...Take...what are you saying?" Keeping my body completely still, I directed those words at Koko, staring at her. "From now on, all ability users have to be destroyed. It's good to keep people like you, "just humans, yet strong pieces," in my grasp." "...?" "And, Reki is one of the northern barbarians , Kinchi is one of the eastern tribesmen . You're fitting as soldiers of the queen of the center of the world, Koko." I...have no idea what she's talking about. What the hell is she saying? Please go learn Japanese again. I made a confused expression, and Koko, going Fufu , snickered, looking at me. "Become part of my collection, alright? Do you know who Koko , or Meng De is? Koko is of his bloodline." "...I have no idea." " Cao Cao Meng De ." "...Aah." "--I won't forgive you for that weak reaction!" Pffft! Quickly becoming angry, Koko fired a warning shot into the air-- Once again returning the barrel of the gun to my body, she seemed as if she was going to give some sort of order...at that moment. "...!" Suddenly realizing something, she started the bike again, Vroom! Koko spun in place, turning around completely. Brushing past Koko's twin-tails, in front of me-- -- Shiiing! -along with the sound of a bell, an arrow sped past. Koko put the motorcycle into action, dodging the arrow. From the direction that the arrow came from...I could see a wine-red car cut through the air, hurtling this way. It was around 150 meters away. (...That is...!) On the engine bonnet of the convertible--there was someone kneeling on one knee. Even from such a long distance, I realized it. The gold forehead protector on her head, her body clothed with red and white Miko garments, its sleeves rolled up, a nocked bow in her hands--A Hotogi Armed Miko. However, it was not Shirayuki. Kyoto has a Hotogi shrine as well. It seemed that they were reinforcements from there. That butterfly just now...as if welcoming them, flew over, its wings fluttering. Seeing this scene, I suddenly thought back to it. That butterfly is a Hotogi Swallowtail. When I was a child, I had seen them being raised at the Hotogi shrine in Aomori. Creak Creak ... Hyuu --! The intrepid Miko used a daikyu , over 2 meters long, to shoot two arrows. Shhaang! That bell rang out again, as if exorcising something, the eagle-feathered arrow penetrating the motorcycle that Koko was using as her shield, making a hole in the fuel tank. --Amazing. From that kind of distance, on top of a swaying car...without using any sights, she managed to hit the gasoline tank with an arrow from a daikyuu. PftPftPft! Counterattacking with a number of bullets from the Uzi, Koko immediately jumped onto the motorcycle-- "In every generation, Koko has always run when the time came to run. It's fine as long as I have the last laugh. Farewell ." Leaving a trail of gasoline behind and swerving off the road, she disappeared into the thick undergrowth. I picked up Reki's Dragunov, trying to snipe her with my amateur skills...but it was impossible. I could no longer see Koko. The engine noise continued to get further and further. She--really knows how to adapt to the situation. This kind of calm, collected, hit and run type...from my experience, is very strong. I went "Tch", turning towards Reki-- The car just now--a high-grade Mitsuoka automatic car, a wine-red Himiko--had stopped. The Miko on the bonnet, a bow in her hands, was looking towards the mountain, still alert. Sitting on the seat was the beautiful driver that had come to pick up Konayuki last month-- "...Kin-chan! What happened...!?" Pointing at the Hotogi Swallowtail was Shirayuki. "Shirayuki...you really saved us. I'm glad you noticed." "Because we heard a noise like Cannon from the mountain, I had a bad feeling in my heart...so, I used Koujutsu to investigate. Also, because I couldn't connect with Kin-chan's cellphone...I-I, feh...." Climbing out of the car, her eyes filled with tears, Shirayuki embraced me tightly, as if trying to confirm if I was alright. Immediately noticing Reki, lying on the floor, Shirayuki said: "Oh no...!", kneeling by Reki's side. "Reki--was beaten by that girl from earlier. We have to go to a hospital immediately--" I said that, and next to Shirayuki, who had clasped her hands to her mouth, her eyes wide open, "Reki...?" The other Miko, getting off the car, said something in a small voice, kneeling down. Already having become a beautiful woman, I didn't recognize her for a moment, but...this girl is...Kazayuki. One of Shirayuki's sisters. One year younger. Before, she was a very cool girl, able to match Reki. She hadn't changed at all. Having just been fighting with arrows, even though she saw Reki, soaked in blood, before her...her expression did not change at all. Expressionless, Kazayuki whispered something into Shirayuki's ear-- "...N-no way. Are you sure that isn't a mistake?" Shirayuki turned towards her, stunned. Nod . Nodding, Kazayuki... ...said something that I did not wish to hear, the true identity of my fiancé--coolly, she announced it. "This is the descendant of both-- Minamoto no Yoshitsune and Genghis Khan . The princess of the continent." Go For The Next! ### 006. 1st Ammo - Manhunt ## 1st Ammo: Manhunt --The Dragunov Sniper Rifle A slender body design, with a great aesthetic design. It is very light, and it far surpasses other sniper rifles. Also, its durability and reliability are not bad, and it is one of the world-class sniper rifles. "Wa, wait. Wait a moment." The Dragunov sniper rifle is entirely different than the sniper rifles which only have shooting as an advantage. In a hostile environment it won't receive damage, it can continuously shoot through the semi-automatic function, and also, attached to the muzzle, there's a bayonet, making it usable as a pike......it's a terrifying 'warzone' sniper rifle. "Why are you unhappy......Reki!" That muzzle, for now, was pointing directly at me. The one holding the rifle was the Snipe division's genius, Reki. She is someone who has the potential of a genius, the S-ranked butei in the same grade as me. "——You and Aria, cannot be together." Her voice completely toneless, Reki replied the same way as before. Behind her, there was a bit of Tokyo's chilly night view, with tonight's moonlight blooming with radiance. I was stirred up by the sight of that scene with a feeling of uneasiness...... "United......is what?" After she spoke those weird words, I was slightly blushing. Just then, Aria and me—— After cleaning the Inquesta building, we were on this roof. Under the sunset. Just two of us. Looking like this, maybe it looked like a scene of a pair of intimate man and woman who loves each other. But, why did Reki, who seemed to have seen us two do that kind of thing, draw her gun!? "Don't......don't say rubbish. The relationship between Aria and me isn't that kind. It should be just the opposite, just then we were saying......that, from now on......we will be separated. Us two." "Were you talking about breaking up?" "What, what do you mean by 'breaking up'?" "If it's like this, then it is even better. Because Kinji-san, can be my husband without being bothered." That, that point. Only that point. The weirdest thing would be that point. After chasing Aria away from here, Reki is now pointing her rifle at me...... (And actually, proposed to me!) "Reki, you, why are you talking about 'marriage'......!" Also, from the beginning, I have the disease that is called Hysteria Mode in my body. I must live far away from women. That you, actually say 'marriage'. What the heck is that! "——If it's like this, Kinji-san can become 'Ulus'." "Ulus......?" "It means 'family'" (T/L note: Ulus is in Mongolian.) Family......family member? Impossible. This is becoming harder and harder to understand. I'm just about to cry. "Well, that...after marriage, the man and woman become family. ......But I already have my brother, it's more than enough for me. If you want to have someone you can call family, you can find some other person to take care of you. What do you think?" I said that, trying to evade it. " 'The wind says, that it's you' " Reki, said that with her previous hard tone. " 'The wind says, that it can only be you' " ——That tone, seemed to have an inexplicably strong confidence. Her pupils, which looked like lenses, were glaring at me as if she wanted to pierce through me with that gaze. It is really transparent, the sniper rifle's scope. (......What the heck is that......!) This Reki, is different from the usual Reki. This girl's nickname is 'Robot Reki'. She's always a wordless, emotionless, expressionless girl. But despite that, the Reki as of now is making me feel some inexplicable intensity, as if I'm her target. ——As if, she has received some kind of order. "Lis-listen to me. Reki." I wanted to move my body out of her line of fire, stepping back a bit as if it was nothing. "Your actions are far too contradictory. Since you want me to be part of the family, why are you pointing your gun at me? Put that down, and let's talk about this calmly. Alright?" "Denied. Men and women should not talk to each other--" And doing the opposite of my suggestion, Reki shifted the gun with the slightest movement possible, pointing it at me while saying: "--but steal each other." Men and women should steal each other. So, that's how Reki views boy-girl relationships. Well, if one had to talk about whether it was right or not, one couldn't say that it's completely wrong. But, isn't that a really wrong way of looking at things? I berated Reki in my heart, and in my line of sight... *Whoosh* A leaf-brown cloth rode the wind, fluttering down. Fluttering precisely within my reach, it was the jacket that I had taken off earlier so I could clean. I looked up at the direction that it had flown from--and there, standing on the air-conditioning unit precisely one level above the ground, a beast was looking down at me. That jacket appeared to be something that it had carried in its mouth all the way from the Inquesta classroom. (Haimaki...!) That was the silver-white wolf that Reki was taking care of, Haimaki. Not understanding why he would be holding my uniform... I caught it, and a little agitated, I put my hands through its sleeves. Butei High's uniform--The jacket and pants are made out of the bulletproof fiber, TNK. It's useless against the armor-piercing rounds that Reki was holding earlier, but wearing it is a little reassuring. After all, the bullets that are stored in that magazine may not all be pierce rounds. "Kinji-san." "...What?" "I too, do not wish to immediately make Kinji-san marry me." Naturally. "As such--I think that I will give you seven minutes grace." Just seven!? "From now on, I will attack you seven times. If you are able to escape being hit for more than one minute, I will retract my proposal." This is like...explaining the rules of a game. A cold sweat breaking out, I looked down at my watch. "You can run where-ever you like. But, I'll warn you first. My 'Killing Range' is 2051 meters." --Killing range. The farthest range at which a hit is a certainty...The people in Snipe have different names for it, but Butei call it "Killing Range". Which is to say, that is the distance at which snipers will definitely take out the enemy-- "In short, no matter where you run to inside this 2051 meter radius, my rifle will be able to hit you. Because, this rifle will never betray me--" *Kch* Looking at Reki, who had straightened her gun again, at last... I too, strengthened my resolve. --I get it, I get it. It looks like no matter what, you're not willing to talk with me, Reki. Then, as you wish, I will play this game with you. The normal me would definitely be unwilling to listen to these words. I don't know when Reki figured out how to make me change...But the me as of now has entered Hysteria Mode, where I will listen to anything that girls say, because... Without heat or passion, but all the more stimulating because of it--Earlier, Reki's kiss. "Then, please marry me before the seventh bullet." But...Why 'seven'? I didn't have enough time to even voice that question-- *Thud!* "!?" Leaping off the air-conditioning unit, the silver-wolf Haimaki flew over my head! I saw that--probably something that Reki had made him wear--on his back, thick metal plating, just like armor, was protecting it. This is...I no longer have the chance to use the paralyzing bullet technique to graze his back, like I did to his brother. "--Uu!" I, standing at the edge of the Inquesta Building, where the emergency stairs were, was smashed into by Haimaki, pouncing through the air. Colliding with me like that, I fell onto the rusty steps. As if pulling out its prey's organs, Haimaki ripped my cellphone out of my pocket, and just as that happened-- *Chnk!* --The Dragunov's gunshot! (Armor-piercing bullet--!) I was in Hysteria Mode, but the blood froze in my veins. I thought I was hit...but there was no pain. I was not injured. As I felt a wave of relief wash over me, *Gchhng!* "!" Lumped together like a Dango , Haimaki and I tumbled over together. We struck the handrail of the stairs, breaking it, sending us falling into thin-air. *Don!* Haimaki jumped off me, using me as a step, returning to the stairs. Quickly deploying the cable in my belt, I, like the Spiderman in the movies, lowered myself down to the emergency stairs a few floors below. "...?" Feeling a strange sensation, I glanced towards my left wrist, and my bulletproof uniform-- One of the buttons on the cuff was missing. I could understand from the tiny piece of broken metal that was left on the sleeve. Just before, Reki had shot it off. The button. Reki...Hasn't changed. She's still as impressive as usual. As I was rolling around with Haimaki, she managed to shoot such that she only hit the tiny button of my cuffs. (But, why did she shoot that kind of thing...?) As I frowned, by my ear, *Kccccchhhhh*-- As its paws trod upon the steel stairs, I heard the sound of its footsteps fast approaching. Haimaki was rushing down the stairs. I stretched out the Beretta in my hand...before I stopped. Haimaki's bulletproof armor. That should be the tactical body armor that police dogs or Butei dogs wear. My 9mm bullet would be completely useless. Even if I used all my bullets, the best I'd be able to do is delay him. With no other choice, I could only spin around, rushing down the stairs, just ahead of Haimaki. --Haimaki. Now that I think about it, I had spent some time chasing you around on a motorcycle in the middle of spring. That's when you were still under Vlad's control. But now...it's your turn to chase me. This is divine retribution, isn't it? Having landed on the ground, I-- (If another bullet comes, I'll defend using Billiard Shot--) -thought that for a moment, before I realized that It was impossible. A prerequisite of Billiard Shot is the ability to see the stance of the enemy, and deduce the trajectory of the bullet. I have to link the timing of my shot with the timing of her shot, a technique that only has one chance of success. And facing a sniper whom I can't see, it's impossible for me to predict when she will open fire--I can't use it. Feeling Haimaki's breath from behind my back, I sprinted forward with all my might, nothing else I could do. Under the strange looks of pedestrians that passed by occasionally, I went under the monorail tracks, jumping the guardrail to enter the commercial district, ignoring the traffic lights-- And using the anti-sniper tactics that I had learned in Assault, I twisted aside at one of the crossroads, entering a tiny alley. Bullets cannot curve, and as such, sniper rifles can only hit enemies that are directly in their line of fire. As long as I hide in this kind of angular place, I definitely won't be hit. "Haa, haa, haa..." I leaned my back against the wall of the building, glancing at my watch. It's just about to reach one minute after the first shot. According to the rules that Reki set down, this should be my victory. I thought this, turning my head towards the entrance of the alley to see whether Haimaki had caught up with me-- --*Giin!* Suddenly, sparks burst forth from the pole of the traffic light by the side of the road. "!?" The next instant, *Bch!*, a feeling of numbness ran up my wrist. (I-I was hit...!?) I looked to my left wrist in panic--and again, I saw that yet another button on the cuffs of my sleeve had been ripped off by a bullet. Reki. You-- -hit the pole of the traffic light, and you still managed to make the bullet ricochet and hit my wrist! L-Snipe. Like the concept of the V-shape bullet trajectory that my own Billiard Shot draws in the air, this is a sniping technique that allows the bullet to reach an enemy around an angle, a shot that draws an L in the air. I went "Tch", and I ran deeper into alley, which continued to wind--*Gng! Gng!* The sound of ricocheting bullets resounded twice behind me, and this time, the feeling of numbness ran up my right wrist. --L-L Snipe...! The bullet hit the pole of the traffic light before it ricocheted off a roadside garbage-can, chasing me all the way up the street! (I-is that even possible...!?) While I continued to go "Tch", I ran through the automatic door of a select shop. This is in an alley which has two corners, and what's more, this is a shop. Added to this, in front of this shop, there's nothing like a postbox or power-line pole to ricochet off. (This place is definitely...safe!) Quite unpopular, this shop was filled with mannequins of girls, but there was not a customer in sight. --*Zccchh!* I saw Haimaki, hurtling in front of the store like a hurricane...and the store attendant, seeing him, retreated into a corner of the shop. Just right. I'm sorry, but I'm just going to hide here for now. "...?" Drawing my gun and pointing towards the open door, I--couldn't help but frown. Haimaki was not entering the store. He had stopped in front of the automatic door such that it would not close, and he lowered his head, stretching his front paws out, crouching down. (...!) I reacted violently, but it was already too late. *Gin!*--*Gin!*--the bullet, having come here all the way through the alley, also--*Giiin!* Ricocheted off the metal plating on Haimaki's back, facing this way-- *Bcch!* It tore past my right sleeve in a heartbeat. "--Uwoah!" My wrist having been grazed by a bullet, I fell towards the feet of the mannequins. I looked at my hand, sprawled out across the floor--and from my right wrist, one more button had disappeared from the cuffs. My mind in Hysteria Mode told me what exactly that meant. If you add the first and second button on the chest of my uniform and the 2 cuff buttons on each of my wrists---together, there are six buttons. And Reki has been shooting them one by one. --Reki's words echoed in my mind. "Then, please marry me before the seventh bullet." If all six of my buttons go missing, and I still haven't replied with "YES"-- The seventh shot--where are you going to shoot, Reki. Could it be that, you are trying to kill...me! "...Fuck...!" Reki can see me. Reki can shoot me. But despite that, I cannot see her. I cannot shoot her back. (This is a sniper...!) A battle between pistols and snipers is like a battle between a sword and a gun. If both sides are far apart from each other, the pistol's bullet will have no way of reaching the sniper. Even if it's the me in Hysteria Mode, that fact doesn't change. Kneeling on one knee and looking up, I...in an instant, all the mannequins looked like Reki. This terrifying feeling. I'm going to go mad. My consciousness was about to be pressured into reaching its limit. The me as of right now is being run down by a silver wolf, and I am but prey that cannot evade the bullets of the hunter. Yes...This is as Reki called it, a 'hunt'. --Isn't this just a...'Manhunt'!! I used all the bullets in my Beretta to chase Haimaki away, and Hysteria Mode, sending interrupted thoughts into my mind, had thought of a place where I could hide. I don't know why, but... The Hysteria Mode this time, triggered by Reki, went away extremely fast. (If 'the exterior of an obstacle' doesn't work, then if I enter the 'hollow interior of an obstacle'...!) Perhaps, I might have a chance. Thinking that way, I ran, throwing my body about, piercing through the alleys, returning to the entrance of the campus. Hopping the fence, I ran into the Logi's garage. Rushing towards what appeared to be a very sturdy four-wheel drive, I used the multi-purpose tool in my Butei Handbook to open the door. Butei cars are completely armored. Even if the enemy uses armor-piercing bullets, it's still able to withstand the attack. As long as I hide here, there shouldn't be a problem-- But, as I had just entered and closed the door. *Pa!* "!" Cracks, running outwards like a spiderweb, appeared on the window of the car. That was Reki's shot! But, the bullet didn't pierce it. It only damaged the bulletproof glass, ricocheting off. A-as it should. (My...victory!) But, as I rubbed my hands, slick with cold sweat, I froze. --*Pa!* *Pa! Pa! Pa!* The sniping...continued without pause. And, they were all concentrated on one singular point on the glass, not straying by even a millimeter. Reki, like hammering a nail into a plank--Finally-- *Kch!* Shot through the bulletproof glass! *Bch!* And, on my uniform--the second button on my chest was ripped off, spinning into the air. My mind...thought back to Reki's other words. "That's why, you should know that there are people who can easily destroy your existences through other means." She was completely correct. If what Reki was aiming for was not a button...but my head, then even the me in Hysteria Mode would have had my brains blown out. Jeanne, Vlad, Patra-- Even Sherlock I could beat when I was in this mode--Hysteria Mode! Fuck! Ahh, I've understood! I understand it very well! You're stronger than me! So, please stop it! Reki! On my uniform, only one button was left. I ran out of the four-wheel vehicle, which already had a broken window, and I used the last resort. Understanding that running away had no meaning, I no longer ran to extend the distance. (More like, I'm doing the opposite...!) Just before Hysteria Mode had disappeared, the last place to run had flashed into the forefront of my mind--my starting point, Inquesta. The building that Reki was on. If she's still on that rooftop, then it's impossible for her to shoot downwards. Absolutely. Even if she rushes down the stairs, preparing to shoot within the classroom, she will definitely take too much time, and I will win. I sprinted into the building with all my might, running into the classroom that Aria and I had had a competition to clean this evening. I didn't turn on the light. I glanced at my watch--It had been 50 seconds since the last shot. 10 seconds left. 9, 8, 7... Alright. At the last of the last, I made a comeback. Thanks to the inverse logic due to the circumstances. As I heaved a sigh of relief-- "!" Her hair and skirt fluttering, Reki-- --*Bang*--! Falling down in what amounted to a standing position, she shot me through the window! That bullet, fired from point blank range, shattered the glass. And inexorably, it continued towards me, who couldn't help but flinch backwards. Towards the first button on the chest of my uniform. *Kin!* It was blown away...! (I'm done...!) Apparently having affixed her cable to the roof, Reki, *Shhh*...used a miniature automated reel to ascend up the cable and entered the classroom through the window. Standing in front of me, who was still in a state of shock. Afterward, she raised that face, which looked like it belonged to the CG of a game character, drawn with painstaking care... And like a robot, she raised the Dragunov towards me. Pointing at the chest of my uniform, which was wide open--pointing it at my completely defenseless, vulnerable, heart. "--I-I surrender. I understand. Don't fire." Reki really is a girl whom I cannot understand. So, she might really kill me with the seventh bullet. Because before this, when we had fought with Patra, she had shot the opponent in the head as if it were perfectly natural. "Whether it's marriage or something else, I will agree. Don't fire." My last thread of hope, Hysteria Mode, having been released, I could only raise my hands in defeat. And in front of me, who was in this position... *Kch.* Reki leaned the Dragunov against a desk by her side. "--Then, Kinji-san. From now onwards, I am yours. I have translated the following edict into modern Japanese...If you don't understand, then please forgive me." And with that, taking off her headphones, striding in my front of me-- In the empty nighttime classroom, she knelt. Behind her...the moon, particularly enormous tonight, scattered its rays through the shattered window. "From this moment onward, I am for Kinji-san to use. The strength of my gun is yours, use it as you will. My body has become but one of your possessions, use it as you will." ...He-hey... "A bride does everything her lord wishes. I vow that my bullets will seek vengeance upon all those nearby who wish to harm my lord. I will eradicate them, not leaving a trace." Wh...What did you say? Just now, you set your wolf on me, and you shot at me... But despite that, now, "my body has become but one of your possessions"? "One of Ulus is all, and all of Ulus is one. From this moment onwards, us 47 girls of Ulus, no matter when, for eternity, will become your strength." As if reciting certain requirements, she added this last sentence, in front of me, who was still stunned-- Standing up lightly, she wore her headphones again, and she picked up the Dragunov, shouldering it. "... ..." She was completely still. She just stood there like that. And that expressionless gaze was fixated upon the empty air in front of her. This is probably...the normal Reki. I can already feel the lack of killing intent. I may not know why, but that hunter form she was in just now, appears to have stopped. "..." Standing there in a daze, just like Reki, I felt a chill trickle up my spine...Using my mind in normal mode, I organized this sequence of events, which didn't seem to have fully registered in my mind. Just now, that 'Manhunt' was probably an exhibition of Reki's power. --If you run, I will kill you. That message had been deeply engraved into my mind. And just after that, she announced that she would marry me. --I am yours. These 2 messages were completely contradictory, but without a doubt, she had conveyed such to me in reality. (...) I scratched my head, trying to ascertain the situation around me. I've been captured by a sniper. If I run, I will be sniped. The Butei phrase for such situations is, 'Sniper Restriction'. It conveys the situation of being trapped in the opponent's Killing Range--an invisible cage. Following the rules that I had learned in Assault about being restricted by an enemy...I should pretend to surrender, not resisting, no matter what may come my way. Submit and obey the opponent's every order. And, later, take the chance to escape, or call for support. Well...right now, Reki probably won't interrogate me or kill me like a Yakuza or terrorist. So, the first movement that is laid down--'Surrender', should be the correct step to take. But, although I waved a white flag-- "..." -I had no idea of what to do afterward. Reki seemed to have entered standby, and she didn't move at all. "..." I tested the waters, taking one step, two steps back... *Tap Tap* Uu. She followed. I turned my back, leaving the classroom...*Tap Tap Tap Tap* She continued to follow, at my back. ...So hateful. This is like the incarnation of a ghost, haunting my back. Thinking that, I quickened my steps, wanting to descend the stairs-- Appearing to notice this, Reki, *Shh*, Grabbed my sleeve. "...What is it." "Please don't leave me." "Why?" "I cannot let the enemy attack you." The enemy, she says. Who would want to attack me? Now that I think about it, she said this before she started to attack me. Something like, "the enemies from now on," ...Wasn't that about you? But, if I just resist her, things will get ugly, right? If I push Reki's switch, and she becomes weird again, she might just deliver the seventh bullet a little late, directly to my head this time. "So...what are you going to do, Reki? From now on?" "I will obey you. I will carry out any orders you give." "...Get away from me." "I cannot do such a thing." What is this. Despite the fact that you just said you will carry out any orders I give. With that, I looked back, an unsatisfied expression on my face. "Then...raise one leg." I copied the old movie that I had seen on TV, 'Terminator 2', and I tried saying something horrible. And--*Shh* On top of the stairs, Reki raised her right knee a little, standing there on one leg, just like a flamingo. Hmmm...well, looks like she really will do anything I say. ...Alright. I've thought of something good. "A little more up." This could be my chance to escape. I--will push Reki. I'll just pretend it's payback for the blow from before. If she rolls down the stairs like that, I can steal the Dragunov before running away. Diagonally above me, who had been putting this together in my mind, Reki raised her small, deer-like leg. But, her center of gravity didn't change at all. That's amazing, that sense of balance feels like that of a gymnast. *Shhh*....*Shhhh*... That snow white knee continued to raise up, continuing to reach towards the ceiling... And her thigh, nearly horizontal now, brought her skirt along with it... "...!" Ah...Hey... Th-the scene before my eyes is about to get da-dangerous! "A-alright, alright! You can bring it down now!" Turning my face around, I gave her an order, panicked. --*Tap* *Fuah* Reki brought her leg down, and her skirt returned to normal. "?" Seeing me so panicked, Reki twisted her head by one centimeter. Hey, is there a need to go "?" If you had raised it more, I'd be able to see under your short skirt. If you're a girl, then be a little more embarrassed, a little more unwilling, alright? Really--Reki really is a robot girl. Now, have I been forced to take something I don't want at all, a remote control? A defective remote control, one with a missing switch: 'Go far away'. Me. Reki, behind me. Haimaki, behind Reki. We walked through the nighttime street in a row, just like RPG characters...I was thinking. To be honest, I was extremely, extremely angry. I wanted to return home and sleep as fast as possible. But, at this time, if I were to bring Reki back to my own room--earlier, having misunderstood the relationship between Reki and I, Aria...Meeting up with her would be very awkward. And, Shirayuki as well. She said that she was going to stay at the Meiji Shrine tonight...But, my misfortune has been proven again and again, so with that in mind, I followed the steps in my head: "I will return home before the agreed time!" → "Some pests have attached themselves to Kin-chan! Pests should be exterminated!" With that, there's the possibility that Dormitory War III will break out again. As for Muto or Shiranui's place...that won't do either. As long as Reki continues to follow me, those places won't do at all. With no other options, I told Reki this. But, Reki didn't take it seriously at all, and she said: "Then come to my room." And at that moment, I finally noticed...I had already been pressured into a position where I had no choice but to do that. (The girl's dormitory...how hateful...) Stealthily, making sure that the teacher on duty didn't notice me, I walked into the 2nd girl's dormitory. Reki and Haimaki's steps were completely silent, but the same couldn't be said for me. Hey, Reki, how is it that you have such a perfect gait? You may have said "come to my room," so calmly, but isn't it obvious that if I'm noticed, things will get ugly? Continuously complaining in my heart, I arrived at Reki's room... "..." Inside, was the same terrifying desolateness, without a trace of life. The room, illuminated by a single lightbulb, had no furniture at all. Actually, why doesn't the wall even have a clock on it? It's amazing that you're able to live in this kind of sickening atmosphere. It may have been the second time I had come here, but I still felt a vague feeling that I was intruding. "... ..." Now that I think about it, even though it looks like this, this room still belongs to a single girl. And from now on, I am going to live with Reki here, just a boy and a girl. This...in terms of Hysteria Mode, is a huge pinch. Because, if I go into Hysteria Mode, and spend a night with Reki, who has a personality like that of a hostess, doing something that I can't take back... ...I might really have to take responsibility. I might have no choice but to marry her. That really is a deathtrap. Also, the person in question won't resist at all. (I have to stay alert...) I couldn't help but twist my gaze away from Reki, who was bending down, removing her shoes on the bare concrete...couldn't help but twist my gaze away from the nape of her neck, slightly exposed...so white that I could hardly tell the difference between her skin and the uniform. Never having applied any makeup or cosmetics, Reki has never received a lot of attention, but in truth... She is a breathtakingly beautiful girl. In truth, her face as it is, is far more beautiful than a model's face, completely covered with makeup. That expressionless face makes people feel that she is hard to approach...but, just as Reki's secret fanclub believes, she is amazingly cute. "--Kinji-san." "Hmm? Ah, um, what?" Thinking about that, my voice a little agitated, I couldn't help but twist my head around to look at Reki, who had suddenly raised her head, looking my way. Th-this expressionless gaze, looking upwards--Damn it, it's cute. It's like the gaze of a puppy. "The keycard to this place. Please use it as you like." Reki's slender, white finger...It was hard to believe that just few a moments ago, it had been pulling the trigger to a sniper rifle--passed the ID card to me. (I don't want it! But, if I say something like that, her sniper rifle will spit fire again, right...) With no other choice, I reached out, but my fingers...and Reki's soft, gentle fingers. *Shh* For an instant. They touched. As if linking with each other. --*Dogun* My heartbeat, a strange sound. For some reason, this seems to be the sound between 'Dokin' and 'Giku. It's pretty talented. My heart, that is. "..." Ahh...Damn it. I can't speak. Against girls...I am weak. No matter how much time may pass, no matter which girl it may be. Reki strode into one of the interior rooms from the entrance. Inside, was the only piece of furniture--On the table, were various tools, which looked like metal brushes and anvils. Those tools were used for maintaining guns. Having been standing in the living room in a daze, I didn't really want to stay inside the desolate living room...and so, I also walked into the other room, which was like a workroom. "...Sorry for interrupting." "..." Reki didn't look at me. She was sitting up straight on the chair, preparing to maintain her sniper rifle. *Click Click Chck Chck* The gun was dismantled under Reki's practiced movements, turning into a mass of components, laid out piece by piece onto the table. There was nothing like a manual or handbook by her side. It appears that each component and function of the Dragunov, down to the smallest screw, was completely memorized by her. Her technique able to match any Amdo teacher, perfectly maintaining the Dragunov, Reki-- -*Kch*, pointed the reassembled rifle at the wall, checking it. Almost like a swordsman who had just been given a katana. "Kinji-san. I'm sorry, but starting now--please stop breathing for a while." "...Breathing? What?" "There is a chance that the water particles in your breath might stick to the bullet and affect it, somehow." Finished talking, Reki pulled open a drawer and took a vinyl-sealed ziploc bag from out of it. From within it, she took out a 7.62×54mmR--a sniper round. (...Breathing, she says. She really has some mental problems...) But still, I lowered my breathing, staring at Reki as she worked. Looking closely, there was a scale on the table. That was an instrument to precisely measure how much gunpowder to use in each bullet. Which is to say, sealed inside the case that Reki had just taken out, were bullets, all of them made by Reki herself. She certainly pays a lot of attention to fine detail. As for me, I always go to buy the pistol bullets that are resold by the army. Not even that, I always aim for the cheap ones. "..." Wearing gloves, Reki placed one bullet, two bullets on the table, in a neat row. After she had finished laying them all out, *Shh*, she stared at the 20 bullets, spread apart... Her eyes, seeming like scanners, gazed upon the bullets, flowing from left to right in a meticulous order, unblinking.... She only picked one bullet up. Continuing to scan the bullet from every angle, Reki made me feel as if she needed no instruments to measure anything. Rather, with just her eyes and fingertips, she could sense every microgram of fault, feel every nanogram of error. "..." Reki slotted the bullet, which appeared to have passed her test, into the magazine, and the remaining 19 bullets...*Clatter Clatter*. She threw them all into the rubbish bin by her feet. Once again, she took out another case, which probably held 20 bullets as well. "What are you doing?" "Misfire protection. I will only use the best bullet from the 20." "...Don't be so wasteful. This is an eco-era, after all. And as for misfires, when they happen, they happen. There's no stopping it." "Until now, that has not happened to me once." Apparently having a lot of pride when it comes to matters involving guns, Reki answered me, the box clasped between her hands. "That...I realize that maintenance is important. But, there will be times where guns, as well as tools, don't respond to our commands. The ability to adapt to such a situation, and overcome it is what it means to be a Butei." "This gun will not fail me." Reki returned those words, her tone slightly firmer, slightly louder, those cute lips tightly closed-- Her gaze returned to the desk, and she continued selecting the bullets. It's true that...if one does such a thing, the probability of a misfire happening will become zero. (But--this way of doing things, she won't even let one drop fall from her cup.) With just one battle, she completely dismantles her gun, maintaining it, protecting against any malfunctions. All her bullets are made meticulously, and even after that, they undergo a strict selection phase to prevent any chance of misfiring. Reki's attitude, obsessive to this level, leaves no room for error. It may be that I, not wanting to be killed, decided to surrender first, looking for a chance to run... But, looking at this scene, her meticulousness is such that, there will be no 'chance to run'. (At any rate, were I to escape to any corner of Academy Island...as long as I am within two kilometers of Reki, I will be sniped...) It looks like my plan to run was meaningless. Since that's the way things are--The only thing I can do is, convince Reki to stop attacking me. But, how do I do that? I leaned against the wall, my mind whirring into gear, thinking of how I could regain my freedom. Now that I think about it, I might have seen something in the appendix of one of the Assault textbooks-- When being used as a hostage, when the opponent has no weaknesses, when it's impossible to run...as the last resort, there's still the method, called: 'Lima Syndrome'. Lima Syndrome is a situation where after a period of time, the offenders will begin sympathizing with the hostages and in the end decide to end the conflict of their own free will. It is named thus because of just such a situation that happened in 1996, when a large-scale kidnapping incident occurred in the Japanese embassy of Lima, Peru. (But, will that method work? On this robot girl?) Thinking about those things, I-- *Click* -heard the sound of Reki inserting the magazine, completely loaded with handpicked bullets, into the Dragunov. A noise so ominous, filled with despair. After finishing the maintenance of her gun, Reki...*Tap Tap* Strode into the living room. As she walked, her clothes rustled, and in a flowing movement, she pulled her scarf, part of the school uniform, off. ...What's she doing now? Not understanding, I gazed upon her back... Inside a small side room, upon closer investigation, there was what appeared to be a miniature washing machine. Inside it, Reki took off her headphones... "..." *Rustle* Her hands grasped the hem of her shirt. "......" *Rustle* "--!?" Sh-she pulled it up with one movement! "--Wait! Wait! Why are you taking off your clothes!?" Reki's exposed back, shining like a pearl, made me panic. "Bathing." "Do-don't turn around!" "--The stains on one's body will affect one's health. Conversely, my health will affect the accuracy of my sniping and as such, I must constantly cleanse myself." *Zcch* She pulled her zipper down. *Fyuu* A-and without a moment's hesitation, sh-she even took her skirt off. Panicked, I twisted around, my back facing Reki, who had no qualms whatsoever about exposing her unadorned, white undergarments. "Th-that's not what I'm talking about, I-I saw it all, you know!" "I care not." "I care!" "--Haimaki, come here." Reki didn't appear to understand the reason for my resistance--*Kch, Shhhhh, Fyuu* -once again, the noise of rustling clothes reached my ears. And the source of that noise--I had no wish of thinking about. How dangerous is this girl? I knew that she had no emotions, but I didn't expect that it would even extend to things like this. Why is it that, in front of me...you can remove your clothes so calmly! *Tap Tap Tap Tap* Haimaki passed by my side, and the sound of the shower door closing reached my ears...*Shhh*...the sound of a shower really started. And my eyes, just like the shower, gushing water now, were watering. Damn it. What a horrible day. --'Lima Syndrome' Taking some time to establish a relationship with Reki, and afterward, convince her into letting me go. That was my last hope of getting out of here. (But...) Relationships can only be formed between people. But, facing the inhuman Reki, there doesn't seem to be any chance of success. Which is to say, my plan has to start with educating Reki about human emotions. And that--is a long, perhaps endless, path. But, if I don't act, there will be no way for me to leave this Sniper Restriction. So, I have to adopt an indomitable mindset and find a way to carry out, 'Reki's humanization'... After I too, had borrowed her shower-- -My head resting on Haimaki's back, lying on the ground, I pondered my plan in secret. Before, his fur wet, looking like a dog, Haimaki shook himself violently on the balcony, throwing the water off and returning to normal. His fur was soft, and very comfortable. "..." I twisted my head to the side, and Reki, wearing a sailor uniform, was sitting upright against the wall. It appears that she has several uniforms, and she wears them alternatively. "......" Before, when I found out about it, I was extremely surprised, because Reki sleeps upright. Some say that, during the Sengoku period , some warriors, for the sake of being able to react immediately to the enemy's surprise attacks, had the habit of clutching their swords while they slept. And in modern times, Reki still does that. Even while she sleeps, she does not show any weaknesses. (Well...but, as a girl, you're full of weaknesses.) ...Wearing that kind of short skirt, sitting like that, on your knees. I can understand that, if one sits like that while holding a sniper rifle, that stance is very stable...but, could you tell me where my eyes are supposed to look? As a result of your present, for the sake of not seeing anything...unnecessary, I chose a very uncomfortable sleeping position. Well, I may say that, but no matter where I lie, it will be cold, bare concrete. "...It's time for lights out. May I switch off the lights?" Hearing her words, I glanced at my watch, it was just 9:00, not 1 second more, or less. It's no wonder there are no clocks here, her body clock is as accurate as a robot's. "It's fine. There's nothing to do in this empty place, anyways." I responded, almost complaining. *Pa* Reki used the muzzle of the Dragunov to push the switch of the light behind her, switching off the light. But, the Tokyo streetlights, by the sea, were shining in a little, and as such, it wasn't very dark. "..." Silently, Reki closed those eyes, which were like gems, floating in the midst of the darkness. That gave me the feeling of a robot switching itself off, quieting down...But, she's still breathing. That chest, which could not be said to be well-developed, no matter how one looked at it, was rising and falling, in time with her breaths. "..." Reki's sleeping face, appearing in the midst of the faint light-- Such a terrifying enemy...has such an unparalleled beauty. Such that it makes me feel a little lost, a little confused. More appropriately, this is some sort of allure, right? That face, so neat, seemed to be like a doll...fashioned from some sort of crystal, crafted lovingly by a famous artisan. *Fyuu* An aroma, reminiscent of plant-scented shampoo, wafted over, in the wake of the wind. Reki's hair, damp from her shower, under the night breeze, coming in through the partially opened window, was slowly returning to its natural smoothness. "...Are you asleep yet?" "...Not yet." Once again, Reki opened her closed eyes, looking this way. It was only a vague feeling, but I felt that Reki was also thinking deeply, waiting for sleep to come. If it's now, I feel that I'll be able to converse with her calmly. Thinking that way, I, "Asking when things have come to this is a little late...but why did you take someone like me?" I came straight out with the question that I had wanted to ask from the start. "The 'wind' ordered me to do so." "Wind...? What's that? Is it someone's codename?" "Not a person. The wind is the wind." Wind...? Are you talking about the wind that's blowing around outside right now? That's merely the flow of gas, a natural phenomenon. How could something like that give anybody an order? "Then, what is the wind?" "The wind is the wind." ...Unnn... It looks like continuing to ask along this line of thought is a waste of time. There's a feeling that we'll back and forth: "What's that?" "That's the wind," for all eternity. --Let's ask about something else to start up a conversation. "...You said, 'order'? Then, this proposal, mm...is like an arranged marriage, and is not of your own free will?" "Yes." ...Hey, hey... I couldn't stop my face from twitching. "...Will you obey that...wind, no matter what it says? I don't understand, even if the wind makes you marry someone like me...you don't care?" I asked blankly. Reki-- "--I am a single bullet. A bullet has no heart. Therefore, it does not think--" She used the mantra-like words that she always said when firing, to respond. --It does not think. Which is to say, as long as the wind wills it so, you will, just like a bullet, always fly out in response to the pull of the trigger, and devotedly obey? "..." I...had no way of asking anything about the restriction anymore. Because, I had already realized that, no matter what I asked, it would be useless. It isn't possible for Reki's thoughts to suddenly change. Because, she never had her own thoughts to begin with. This may seem like a rhetoric, but in principle, it is impossible to make 'nothingness' undergo 'change'. Heaving a sigh at this conversation, completely meaningless, I-- "Then...since we're playing house, what should I do?" I asked about something else I was worried about. Is it fine if I just laze around, playing the part of a useless husband? "I don't know." ...You don't know, you say. You didn't think about this at all, did you? "But, Kinji-san and I are no longer children, physically." Reki brushed off her headphones lightly, continuing tonelessly, "While living together, just leave the rest to your natural instincts--that's what the wind told me." "Natural instincts...?" "Yes. The wind said, we would naturally have children." Children... "Children!?" Children! My head slipped off Haimaki's back, the back of my skull violently colliding with the concrete floor. Fr-from marriage, this topic turned to children. ...Which is to say, th-that kind of thing! That's impossible for me! Absolutely impossible! From the beginning, as for girls, I-- -wanted to refuse, but Reki probably already knows about my Hysteria Mode. Which means, having already exposed my arousal from Reki's kiss, I have no right to say anything. "Just, I don't know what I should do...so, I'll leave everything to Kinji-san. Kinji-san appears to be quite familiar with this, and wives should give everything to their husbands, as well." Reki's calm voice made me sit up violently. "Yo-you said that, "Kinji-san appears to be familiar with this,"...What is that supposed to mean?" "Kinji-san is liked by many girls, so I believe that you are very familiar with the relationships between men and women." "I-I'm not familiar at all. If I had to use an adjective, it would be 'slow'. Because, I am somebody that always avoids girls. I think you know this too, but it's for the sake of not activating the sickness that is Hysteria Mode." I said, as if venting my feelings, and I lay back down on Haimaki's stomach. "Anyways, even if the one in a million chance that a girl likes me occurs...then, they'd just like the me in Hysteria Mode. The normal me is just a useless, uninteresting high schooler." "--Wrong." Reki directly refuted my words. "Outside of HSS...of Hysteria Mode, you hide a different, amazing power." "...?" Outside of...Hysteria Mode? This is the first time I had ever heard someone say this. "--One of them being, your submerged charisma. Such things are hard for one to notice about oneself." "Submerged...?" Now that I think about it...Before, Tsuduri-sensei also said something like this. She said that I have "a sort of charisma". "That is the characteristic of a leader. The characteristic of a general." ...General? She's talking about generals. "When you were fighting with I-U, you activated a certain core ability, gathering numerous allies about you--even your enemies were swayed under your influence, becoming your companions. And this, is unquestionably the growth of your unique charisma. After all, once an excellent general appears, warriors will naturally gather around him." "...Hey..." I shook my head. "Even in Hysteria Mode, I am weaker than you. My abilities, as compared to Nii-san and father is such that I feel shame over my inexperience. How could I have that kind of charisma?" "A general does not need unparalleled intelligence, or power. That is something that each warrior should have. And, I'm not stating this in relation to Hysteria Mode, but stating this in relation to that particular part of Kinji-san." "..." I turned around, my back facing Reki. Reki's personality...is such that she will not lie. So, that probably isn't flattery, but her true beliefs. "..." I... Without even looking at a mirror, I know that my cheeks are slightly red. I may not know why...but, I'm abnormally embarrassed. I feel that...having that kind of direct affirmation of something inside me that isn't Hysteria Mode, is too much. But, this is something that I have never heard before, throughout my entire life. I had no idea of how I should react. "Also, just now, Kinji-san said, you are 'weaker than me'--But, I know that if Kinji-san were serious, you would be stronger. You are still conserving, locking away, your true power." "--Don't say any more." My voice, a little deeper, halted Reki. Reki wasn't wrong...that battle from just now... If I had wanted to, I wouldn't have needed to run away. If my heart could accept killing somebody... I could have eradicated Reki and Haimaki. I could have wiped them out. "...I don't wish to use that kind of power, and I will never use it again. Using my full strength against you, what will it achieve?" "..." "Guns, swords, whichever one is stronger--is meaningless for me. I'll take this opportunity to explain this to you, next year, I will drop out of this school and transfer to a normal high school. So? What do you think? That is how I truly feel. Unexpected, isn't it?" "No--If you do that, I will drop out of Butei High as well, and follow you to a normal high school." Reki's answer could not help but make me twist around. This...was the first time I had seen such a reaction. Despite the fact that, as long as they heard me say such a thing, Aria's, even Shirayuki's expression would freeze. "--A person's personality is not reliant upon which school they go to. No matter which school you go to, Kinji-san will be Kinji-san." Still sitting upright, Reki, just as always, was looking down at the floor, and she asked, "Is there something that Kinji-san wants to do, going to a normal high school?" Hearing Reki's counter-question, I was a little tongue-tied. "...This..I'll think about it after I transfer." "I see." Reki's tone, seeming to carry a hint of the question, "that's not how it really is, right?" made me feel as if I was being led-- "Probably...there might be something." The words casually slipped out of my mouth, retracting my previous statement, meant to disguise my true intention. "But...that is just a dream, hidden in my heart. In reality...I've never worked for it at all. So now, I can just drag myself through my Butei High days. As if just hanging in the air, suspended by a string." I understood very clearly that this wouldn't do. But, even with that, my heart...knew that the school I was attending now had no way of allowing me to take that very first step. "..." As if knowing my thoughts, as if understanding me, Reki...didn't say anything. (Reki...) To be honest, I...never thought that I'd be able to talk to her about this. Reflecting on this in my heart, I glanced towards the side of Reki's face. Reki has never showed any care for others. No matter who she faces, she will never form any reassuring expressions, never any promising smiles. As a result, she has no friends. If I had to name one, Aria would be the only one she could call friend. And I-- -had never thought that I would tell Reki my true feelings. The me in Butei High would never speak my mind to anybody. That is because, there is nobody in this place that would be able to talk about this kind of thing with me. Thinking about this, my feelings, full of rejection against Reki just a moment ago... Seemed to have flipped slightly. Flipped--which is to say, I felt a certain closeness. "..." I'm not sure whether she felt the same as I, but Reki, who seemed to be only moving her eyes, looked directly into mine. "..." That wordless stare, Reki's gaze... Slowly... I may be wrong, but it felt as if she was waiting for some sort of order. (...Order...) Now that I think about it, just now...I acquired an invisible remote to this person in front of me, Reki. --Acquired that remote, which had only one missing button: 'Go far away.' ... But, as opposed to that, there was a button which said, 'Come here'. ... ...No, no. I can't...! Because I had relaxed a little, I had thought of it for an instant. A little embarrassed, I turned my head a little, but those light-pink colored lips, opened in the midst of that shining porcelain-like skin, flashed into my eyes. (...Just now, those lips suddenly...touched mine...) Reki's lips-- Apparently reacting to my gaze, she shifted, perhaps a millimeter. Suddenly feeling as if my thoughts had been seen, I became a little agitated. ...This isn't good. I had only noticed it now, but Reki, whether it be in terms of strength, or in terms of Hysteria Mode...she was the strongest enemy I had faced so far. To put it briefly, I had already understood that she was someone so beautiful, someone whom the more you looked at her, the more beautiful she seemed-- And, although I don't wish to admit it, but she definitely has...as compared to Aria, Shirayuki, Riko...a completely different allure. "We...we should sleep. The opening ceremony for the 2nd semester is tomorrow. I don't want to be late on the first day of school." I said, turning my head towards the ceiling. I used Haimaki's tail as a eyeshade, covering my eyes with it. The moment that I had seen Reki's face before I turned my eyes away, it was expressionless, the same as ever, but-- For some reason, I had a slight feeling... That that face was filled with an immeasurable sorrow. ### 007. 2nd Ammo - Water Tossing ## 2nd Ammo: Water Tossing September 1-- During the opening ceremony on the first day of the second semester, the Japanese students of Butei High will respect international tradition, wearing an imitation uniform of the first Butei High in the world, Butei High - Rome, the completely black uniform which is called, 'Diviza Nero'. The students, dressed completely in black, sat up straight on the folding chairs, in a phalanx-like formation. This scene was almost like the assembly of a miniature army division, or perhaps a Yakuza funeral. The curtain, full of patched up bullet-holes, opened left and right, and on the stage, the principal, Midorimatsu, was standing in the center, at the lectern, giving a speech about the international co-operation between Butei. He said something about public safety continuing to worsen, but Japan was still a safe country, so as such, Tokyo Butei High will be accepting exchange students for the sake of the students' growth in a tense situation. ...Hey. Please don't make the situation in the school any more tense. It was probably because of Butei High's new policy, but sitting in one corner of the room were students from Hong Kong Butei High. There were not only high school students, but there seemed to be middle school students as well...even somebody like an elementary school student. As expected of foreigners. (But, it might not be too long before the era comes where Japan, like America, will legally issue firearm licenses to 5 year old children.) Having not slept much in Reki's room last night, I thought of those things, stifling a yawn. It is common practice that one cannot be absent from the opening ceremony of the second semester. However, delinquents like Riko, or busy students like Aria still neglect it. So, all those that sit here are the good students, the slackers, or those failing students, who like me, came so their credits would not drop. And Reki...after she had accompanied me to school, because she was performing in the ceremony after the opening ceremony--using a pistol or sniper rifle as a replacement for the marching band's batons--she went to the preparation room of the auditorium. As such, I am able to do this, enjoying my temporary freedom. But, as long as I am within a 2 kilometer radius of that Dragunov, I am still in the palm of Reki's hand. And, Haimaki was idly crouching by my feet, and once in a while, he would, with an expression which said: "If you dare run, I'll report it to my master," look up at me. Damn it. I couldn't help but glare angrily at the Haimaki by my feet... "Tohyama-kun, is it alright if I sit next to you?" "Yo, Kinji. Looks like you aren't getting held back a year after all." Two male students moved to the seats by my side, in unison. The good student Shiranui and the slacker Muto. The handsome Shiranui was already cheerful, even though it was the first day of the second semester, and Muto was still wearing an expression of yearning for the summer holidays, stubble building up on his chin. The contrast between you two is amazingly strong. "Kinji, I heard a rumor. Yesterday, you ran into some shooting spree, broke the glass off my four-wheel drive, forcing me to track down my insurance company..." Ah? The car that I hid in yesterday was Muto's? Well...I'll just pretend that I don't know what he's talking about for now. After all, the person who actually broke the glass was Reki. Also, I still haven't paid Muto back for breaking his Gyro Canopy while we were arguing. "--Besides that small matter...Tohyama-kun. Another scandal has been raised because of your relationship with a girl, you know?" Radiating normal Butei behavior with the mention of a shooting spree as, 'that small matter', Shiranui interrupted from the other side. He was chuckling as if he had run into something amusing. This guy definitely thinks that since it has nothing to do with him, he can just spectate from the side. "Are you serious!? Damn it! Why!? Why is it always only Kinji!?" "Don't shout so loud, Muto. It's the opening ceremony right now. Anyways, Shiranui, how did you know?" "'Know' is inaccurate, rather, I deduced this. As I was doing early sword-training in Assault--Kanzaki-san was throwing a huge tantrum. So, I thought that it might have something to do with Tohyama-kun." Kanzaki...Aria-san was throwing a huge tantrum? Just thinking about it makes me shiver. Incidentally, morning practice would refer to some specific subject practice in a normal school, but in Butei High, it refers to morning battle training. "Once again, it's become a pretty popular topic. It's said that--This morning, Tohyama-kun and Snipe's Reki-san came out of the girl's dormitory together when they were going to school." While saying this, Shiranui, as if trying to prove the existence of the relationship between Reki and I, stroked Haimaki's back. "--This time it's Reki!? Ah-, but, I can understand that. A dark boy and a wordless girl fit each other, after all. But, Kinji, you've taken action against somebody dangerous again. Reki has a lot of secret fans. You might get caught in a multi-directional crossfire one day, you know? You sure are unlucky, Kinji." Agreed. Now, not only am I being observed by Reki, but the number of guns pointed at me are increasing... Unable to explain the situation to Muto, who was laughing and patting my back from behind, I...dipped in my head in despair. "...There's another popular topic going around, because Kanzaki-san and Reki-san get along well. It's said that, after Kanzaki-san finished throwing a tantrum, she was very depressed about losing both her friend and lover." What...is that supposed to mean? Are you saying that, Reki = Friend, and I = Lover? "Hey. Aria and I aren--" "There's a lot of this kind of trouble around this season. After all, 'Caravan I' is about to arrive." I had seen it many times, but as I was trying to defend myself, Shiranui's overly brilliant smile cut me short. --Caravan I. Now that he mentions it, it's true that it's about to arrive. In Butei High, sophomores have two training trips. The first one is 'Caravan I'. From the name, it might appear to be a normal school trip, but in truth, it is an activity for the sake of making the final corrections in the teams formed between students. This is because...when Butei High students reach their second year, they have to form and register themselves as 2~8 man teams before the end of September. An unexpectedly important result of this team system is that, the registered teams will in turn, be registered in the IADA . Normally, Butei will move in those teams as units, fulfilling the activity. Even if they split up later due to their own goals, the mutual co-operation in that team takes precedence over entire organizational relationship--this is also laid down in International Butei Law. "It's popular, because there are a lot of cases where the formation of a team is affected by boy-girl relationships. Because Tohyama-kun was unable to solve his personal matters." "About that, I've pretty much decided who I'm going to team up with. We're going to take members from both Logi and Amdo, forming a logistics unit. There are girls too, you know. It's Hiraga Aya though, so there's nothing to get excited about." There are no firm criteria, but normally, teams will be either assault teams, logistics teams, communications teams, or mixed teams etc., completely different types and fields. As a result, different teams will work together. Using an army analogy, it would be like the image of sections coming together to form a platoon. Therefore, this isn't something like normal high school groups, where getting along well is the focus, but rather, a team formed with tactics and strategy taken into account. To sum it up in a sentence...team formation is something that requires a lot of thinking. Especially for me, who doesn't have many friends, and is now engaged to Reki, this is a massive undertaking. Just thinking about it gives me a headache.. "Tohyama-kun is going to form an assault team, right? Or maybe a reconnaissance team?" "I haven't decided on anything yet. I'm busy enough earning credits, so I have to postpone it for now." "Ahh, that's a problem. Tohyama-kun, the next time you wear this, what are you going to do?" Said Shiranui, pointing to my black tie. The next time I wear this? He's probably talking about the team photo at team registration. During team registration, according to the rules, the team members have to have a photograph taken of them...and they have to wear this bulletproof uniform - black while taking the photo. It's rumored that this is for the sake of preventing offenders from being able to recognize which Butei High the students come from. I remember, when we saw our senpai's team photos last year...they were all looking away from the lens on purpose, turning their heads slightly to the side or even downwards. That's probably so their appearance wasn't completely shown. Really, this is an amazingly dangerous school. Having to take so much care with just a photo. The opening ceremony finished--and on the path in front of the auditorium, the girls from class C started the parade as Little Eva's 'The Loco-Motion' was playing. On their heads were feathered military caps, their bodies clothed with extravagant uniforms. Their hands grasping their batons, the girls-- *Whoosh, whoosh. Roll.* Their white, pleated miniskirts fluttering, they span their replacements for batons, assault rifles and sniper rifles, marching forward in two lines on the road, sealed off from traffic. At times, Butei High will imitate the Police Force and the Self-Defense Force, holding a music or dance concert, reason being, they wished to improve their image with the people. And according to the principal's plan, the performers would be female. Aria and Shirayuki also performed as cheerleaders at Adseard in May. But...no matter when I see it, I always hate these performances. On both sides of the road, watching the parade was the local people, as well as the media. There were also boys, holding up cameras with lenses as long as bazookas, frantically snapping pictures of the girls. You guys, you know that you're falling right into the principal's trap, right? Their appearance may be no different from cute high school girls, but the female students over here are actually dangerous people that play with real bazookas. Not being able to withhold a sigh, I-- -as if trying to escape from Reki, who was twirling her Dragunov in the midst of the marching band, her face expressionless as always...I left. Behind me, Haimaki tailed me, not letting his guard down. At any rate, you. You've been suspecting me, following me ever since just now, right? You stepped on my shoes on purpose, and you even urinated over my clothes when I left the auditorium's male changing room. The bulletproof uniform - black that I was wearing in the auditorium was borrowed, so I could just throw it inside the 'return' basket and be done with it, but the uniform I'm wearing now is mine. If you dare dirty it, I will spare you no mercy. (...Reki, Haimaki, team formation...no matter which one it is, so troublesome...) And to add to my annoyance, today was the day of Butei High's horrible tradition, 'Water Tossing' Originally, 'Water Tossing' evolved from the special battle method that the principal's old school had had, "On the day of the opening ceremony, you can splash water onto anybody." Splashing each other with water may be very safe, but once this reached Butei High, the rules, for some reason, became, "as long as you're unarmed, you can fight with anybody you like," a real battle method, and it spread around the school. (Masters tolerates this activity as well. Really...) My head hurting again, I decided to head to the pharmacy at the Medica building. But, I was afraid that if I walked the main road, I would run into the danger that is 'Water Tossing', so I took a small road. As I walked out of the parade, the sound of it getting farther and farther... Fuah. Fuaah. What...? Bubble...? Suddenly, in front of me, who was walking down the small alley, a bubble appeared. * Pop, Pop Pop* They popped in front of my face. "--You just died three times." Immediately after, the sound of a girl's undeveloped voice came from above my head. I raised my head to look, and one foot hooked into the gutter of the building...was a small girl. ...Who's she? " Japan' s Butei High isn't very noteworthy. You're too vulnerable." The girl was wearing something reminiscent of one of the outfits of a zombie in 'Reigen Doushi'--a modified, abnormal outfit using the Qing Dynasty's imperial outfit as a basis. Added to that, her accent...she was probably one of those exchange students from Hong Kong Butei High. "...There something?" In a bad mood, I narrowed my eyes, staring at her, who was adroitly drinking something out of a gourd... "Kyuu!" *Spin, Tap* The girl laughed shrilly, and she landed in the alley lightly, just like a trapeze artist. *Shhh* Her black twintails, tied on the left and right, followed the movement of her body, falling down. "My, name, is Koko. Tell me your name." --Height, around 1.40 meters. She's still a kid. The corners of her eyes were streaked with red eyeshadow, making her already slanted eyes become even more obviously tilted. And she also had a cute appearance that would make a certain group of men drool in appreciation...But... For some reason...Her appearance seems familiar, as if she looks similar to somebody. Just a coincidence? "I am Tohyama Kinji." Since she had already told me her name, I returned the favor. After all, I don't wish to make anybody think that Japanese people don't have any manners. "Aiya! Aiyayayayayaya!" The girl, who had called herself Koko, shouted to the heavens exaggeratedly. What. Is there something wrong with my name? At any rate, you've been asking for trouble from the beginning. "...Hey. Why do you smell like alcohol? Children shouldn't drink." Seeing me lecture her, pointing at the gourd, Koko's eyes widened, saying, "--I'm not a child! Koko turned 14 yesterday!" Buwaa! She yelled, a strong smell of alcohol intermixed with her breath. She's probably drunk. I heard that China didn't have any age restrictions on the consumption of alcohol. But...this kind of conversation...Why is it that this feels kind of familiar? "I can't help it, I'll just have to test you a little. If you leave the princess, some painful things will happen immediately." Apparently not too familiar with Japanese, Koko said these incomprehensible things-- *Whoosh, Whoosh*...As if stumbling, she fell down...before she did a flip, *Pa!* She suddenly charged towards me! --This kind of reaction-- It's exactly the same as when I first met Aria! How unlucky can I be! "--!' Reflexively, I reached my hand out, and Koko's feet--twisted around my hand. Wh-what is this? This movement. It's random, as if the movement itself is drunk-- It completely nullified my subconscious counterattack. Koko, like a snake, slithered around my body, *whoosh*. She got onto my back. And she brought a rope around both sides of my neck...? No, she's using both of her twin tails. "Hehe!" Laughing in my ear, Koko even twisted her two legs around my neck. *Twist...Twist!* --Ne-neck-- It's being clamped. If this were Judo, it would be called a choke. (This kind of clamping technique...exists...!) The choke I mentioned earlier is an unarmed technique where, once it is tightened, it's impossible to loosen. And, this isn't an infraction of the rules. Not only her limbs, but her hair, it's an abnormally complex stance, almost like a coiled rope. This girl is an exchange student--where did she hear about 'Water Tossing'? "Hehe, how is it? You can't do anything, can you? A man that cannot do anything, is a man that nobody needs. I'm going to kill you." "Kill...me?" Breaking out into a cold sweat, I forced those words out. It may look like this, but I'm a Butei. If I got a 100 yen coin for every time I heard the word 'kill' in a threat, I'd be able to have a mansion built by now. But, this isn't just a threat! (Sh-she really wants to kill me!) --Only now did that electric feeling of true danger really run through my body. This is a problem beyond the rules of "Water Tossing". Panicked, I reached my hand towards my Beretta--but at that moment, I noticed that even my limbs were also being restricted by the girl's legs' vice-like grip. "--!" If one wants to initiate Aru=Kata, they have to be at striking distance. And like this, when I'm at zero-distance, drawn into grappling--arms restricted, making it impossible to resist--it's a position where guns cannot be used. It's the exact opposite as the fight with Reki, where she was out of range, unable to be touched by my bullets. This is a battle where guns have been rendered ineffective by the sheer lack of distance. (Da-dangerous...Really...!) Inside me, whose consciousness was slowly going hazy-- This tight feeling, being pressed so closely against a female body, which was so much like Aria's, as well as the feeling of getting choked to death melded together, *Thump*...creating an irregular heartbeat. (Th-this is...) It's different from normal, but I'm afraid that this is...Hysteria Mode. And, this is the Hysteria Mode that Nii-san had told me about, the Hysteria Mode when dying. Hysteria Agonizante. (I-I've been pressured into such a place!?) But, in the last of the last, this awakening was my trump card. Counter-choke techniques started appearing clearly in my mind, which had been panicking all along. Standing out was one line of thought: Performing a wall hit on Koko, biting her hand viciously, attempting to harm her-- Bad...This girl, wrong. My mind in Hysteria Mode revealed the reality that that would just make the situation more severe. This isn't a feasible method of releasing a choke. "Hihi! Shanshikeikeihou!" ...*Creak*...*Creak*... (M-my cervical vertebrae...!) My cervical vertebrae is about to be snapped! A creak rang out from my neck area, and my consciousness was becoming more and more hazy. My line of sight started to flicker on and off, my eyes couldn't see anything anymore. --The corresponding action is too late. The opponent is a girl, so it's impossible for me to choose that method. Even though I'm in Hysteria Mode, there's no way for me to do anything...! I-I'm done...! --*GRROARR!* Immediately after the roar blasted towards us, *Ba!* Koko suddenly released her hair and limbs. --*Thud* I sprawled forward, subconsciously raising my head. In front of me, Haimaki, who appeared to have just smashed Koko off me, was standing there, his hair and tail completely on end, growling softly. My neck...hadn't snapped. That was really in the nick of time. But, golden stars were still appearing in my field of vision, and I felt dizzy. --*Tap, Tap* Koko turned a flip in the air agilely, retreating to another side of the alley. "The dog that princess is raising is far more useful than you." Afterward, she made a face at me. " I am, " Ten-Thousand Arms " Koko--"The Warrior of Ten-Thousand Techniques" Kinchi, 0 points." Saying this, she waved, as if saying goodbye. "You have to study. Afterwards, I'll test you again. Goodbye ." Reaching the edge of the corner...she disappeared. And I--could only gaze at that back, in a daze. What on Earth is this...that started happening yesterday. Could you please keep terrible misfortune to one day? Sniped by Reki, losing to the hands of an exchange student...Isn't that two defeats in a row? Inside Butei High, where turning swords and guns on each other is a perfectly acceptable and common thing, things like attempted murder are outright ignored, a regrettable reality. Even if I reported: "I was nearly killed by an exchange student in an alley," to a teacher, I'd definitely have: "If you lost, then go challenge them again!" shouted at me while I'm getting kicked out of their office. The Butei watchword for this is, 'Defeat from the Bottom'--It's recognized as a humilation defeat in Butei High, a defeat where one is beaten by his underclassmen. The opponent was a middle school student, and also a girl, who are weaker than men by default. Also, I lost to her unarmed, this was a humiliation deep within mere humiliation. Were I to make an analogy to Mahjong, it would be similar to the humiliation of Yakuman defeat. I don't care about my reputation within the school, but if this gets spread around to everybody, I'll just be a laughingstock. So, I kept my mouth shut, pretending that it never happened. But-- (The feel of Koko's battle ability...seems to be on the same level as Aria's, if not higher...) I heard that the training that Assault Butei go through in China is wholly different from the training they go through in Japan. --Once they discover a person with some sort of special attribute, the Butei High there will initiate a special training program. If that attribute is guns, then they will train them with guns. If it's knives, then they'll be trained with knives. Nothing else. It seems that, using this method, China trained up several Butei with these differing skills. Which is to say, that girl from just now was probably trained in martial arts from a very young age, a true expert. (She's Chinese, isn't she...If it was her, that's how she'd say it, right?) I thought, looking to the side, towards Reki, who had finished the parade, changing back to her sailor uniform... Already completely released from Hysteria Mode, I was just relaxing in one of Odaiba's main streets. Why am I here, you ask. That's because, I want to get something to eat. Under continuous pressure just now and wanting to vent my frustrations by stuffing myself, I went to the school cafeteria, but upon my entrance, I was surrounded by a group of...abnormal boys. Apparently taking Reki as a Goddess and worshiping her, they started shouting things like: "Please tell me about the daily life of Reki-sama!" "Is her face cute when sleeping!?" "DIE!", all directed at me. Well, which is to say, it was the situation that Muto had warned me about this morning. Taking advantage of the rules of Water Tossing. And beside me, whose neck and limbs were being twisted in impossible directions, Reki, standing there with the Dragunov on her back, appeared to have decided not to interfere. And Haimaki used his back leg to scratch his ears, yawning loudly. Hey, you guys acting like this...I'm really going to burst into tears, you know? In the search of another place where I could eat--since the convenience store and family restaurant had been occupied by Reki's fan club, I had given up the thought of eating on Academy Island...and like this, I went all the way to Odaiba. Well..there's no classes today anyways, since it's the opening ceremony. Because of the Japanese Early Summer Phenomenon - Typhoon, the wind in the street was a little strong, but the weather was pretty good. Just strolling down the streets like this is a pretty good way of relaxing one's heart. But... "......" Even though she had been so talkative last night, Reki-sama had said nearly nothing today. And, I had a vague feeling that she didn't seem very happy. She was expressionless as ever, though, so I had no way of confirming it. As I walked and thought about this sniper girl-- *Fyuu* A low breeze brushed by us--*Flutter* Reki's rouge pleated skirt flipped up in an extremely dangerous manner. "...!" But, Reki didn't care at all. Since she hadn't tried to resist the wind at all, the snow-white curve of her thigh--and a military-used band of velcro, as well as the bayonet tucked inside it, was exposed, for all to see. It had gone up, but it was still barely in the safe zone. "Hey. Reki...by your feet. Be careful." I pointed it out to this robot girl, who apparently, was not programmed with any embarrassment or shyness functions. Reki scanned by her feet, as if she was looking out for a landmine... "...?" She raised her head, looking at me. It didn't seem like she knew what I was trying to bring to her attention. She's impossible...really, I have to think of a solution quickly. Scared that another gust of wind would blow, I--ran into Odaiba Water City. "Haimaki, sit. Wait here." Following me, Reki made Haimaki wait by the automatic doors. Hey, is it really all right if you leave a wolf in this kind of place? "..." I glanced at Reki out of the corner of my eye, who was following me into the stores with quick strides. I'm enveloped in all sorts of problems, but right now, the biggest problem is the matter of Reki's Sniper Restriction. If I don't think of something to solve it, I won't be able to handle the other problems. (...'Lima Syndrome'...) The trump card of extricating myself from Reki's clutches--'Lima Syndrome'. For the sake of its success, I have to establish a good relation with Reki. But, if I want to establish a relationship, the receiving end of the relationship has to be a person. Which is to say, I have to humanize Robot Reki. But, no matter how I think about this, it's a huge difficulty in itself. I have no idea what to do. But, I have to do it. Otherwise, I'll have to spend the rest of my days together with Reki. Even if I have to make things up on the spot, I have to force the initiation of Plan: Humanizing Reki. Reaching the fifth floor, the one dedicated to restaurants and the like, I, thinking that I could eat anything, as long as I could fill myself up, asked, "Is there something you want to eat, Reki?" After all, you'll definitely answer with "I don't care." "I don't care." See? Well, I already predicted it. "Then, let's go eat ramen. The ramen sold at Shintojyou is really good." Community, companion, friends. The meaning of such is captured in the English word 'Company', which, linguistically, originally meant 'eating bread together'. Like this, eating together is an important action that aids the building of a human relationship. If all goes well, I might be able to use the meal as an opportunity over which we can reconcile, leading the solution into a new dawn of hope. So, I brought Reki-- -to Odaiba's best ramen shop, the ever-crowded Shintojyou. Sitting opposite Reki at a small table, thinking of scoring some points with her, I said, "I'll treat today." And then saying to a waiter who had come forth, "I want one bowl of Char Siu noodles. And for her, the most expensive thing on the menu." Having come here many times before, I ordered, relying on the memory embedded deep in my brain, not even needing to flip through the menu. Well, there's 3000 yen inside my wallet. I shouldn't have a problem, budget-wise. ...*Flicker*, I looked at Reki using my peripheral vision, gauging her reaction. "......" Only to see that she, like a statue, was sitting like a death row victim on the chair opposite me, completely still. Her head was facing forward, her eyes seemingly looking downwards a little...But what they were looking at was not me, but an empty void...Scary. Those eyes really look like a doll's. Anyways, can't you at least take your headphones off when we enter a restaurant? (But...Reki really doesn't fit in, in this kind of loud and busy shop. It doesn't suit well with her at all.) Even if I'm the one who brought her here. Helplessly, I rested my chin in the palm of my hand, looking out upon the sight of Tokyo Bay. Above the multitude of ships, leaving several white trails on the surface of the sparkling, blue water, were seagulls, lightly flying around Empty Island, where there's a billboard for the musical, 'The Wizard of Oz' had been constructed. This panorama, this kind of relaxation, it's so comfortable. In my mind, I thought that, if Reki were to be cast in 'The Wizard of Oz', she would definitely be the heartless tin man. Thinking of those things, which were of no importance, I drifted off into a daydream. "..." Completely wordless, we just sat there, waiting for the food to arrive. Whenever I teamed up with a girl in a Butei High activity--my personality is such that, I would always be this silent. Because, I have nothing to talk about with girls. (...This kind of silence is kind of tiring, though.) In light of that, while the person in front of me is a girl, she is--Reki. Because she's just sitting there, just like a tin man, I don't need to pay attention to anything. Putting it that way, Reki...for me, might be, a rare and treasured girl. But, the image of Aria, who is boyish as well, another person that I didn't need to take care even when she's around, invaded another corner of my mind. Well, it's true that conversation is a fundamental part of building a good relationship, but there's an old saying, haste makes waste. If I talk about denpa things like Ulus or Virus or whatever, in this kind of public place, I'll just be taken for a lunatic. So, the fact that I can relax here, gazing upon the ocean and the sky, healing my scarred soul from all the trauma it had gone through, was indeed, a good thing. "--Sorry to keep you waiting!" A familiar voice jarred me, making my head slip off my hand and smash into the table. I looked up-- "Fu-Fuuma!?" Lezzad freshman, Fuuma Hina. My female kouhai, wearing an apron as part of a waitress outfit, was holding a tray, delivering the ramen. This girl...I was wondering why she didn't come to the opening ceremony, but it looks like she was doing this kind of training. "Master, I have delivered the objects you have ordered. Please, eat well." A broad smile on her face, Fuuma, *Tap*, placed the bowl of char siu noodles in front of me. ...What is this...The char siu had been made into 卍 shapes. Were you trying to make shurikens? That was...amazingly pointless. With this, the mass became smaller. Fuuma apparently thought that she had done something wonderful, and she had an expression on her face which was begging, "Master, praise me!" With that expression, she's probably expecting me to say something like, "Ooohh, that's amazing, Fuuma. You're an excellent ninja," right? Well, I'll just ignore it. *Pa* In front of me, who was snapping open the chopsticks unhappily--*Thud* Fuuma placed a container of ramen onto the table. It seemed that the gravitational pull was such that Fuuma's ponytail hung in the air as it thudded to the flat surface. "What...what on Earth is this..." The ramen...was served in a pot. And that pot was so big that somebody could easily fit their head inside it. "This is what Reki- dono ordered, the store's best, the most expensive item--Super pot ramen." "...Hey! This isn't an amount that a human being can eat! Even an elephant wouldn't be able to finish this! This shouldn't be on the menu!" "--It is. This is an order that was put on offer this month." *Flip* On the menu that Fuuma had opened... "New item - Super pot ramen! 5000 yen, *But, if it can be finished within 30 minutes, it's free!*" Clipped in between the pages was a thick piece of paper, newly written. Hey, this is 5...5000 yen! Then...Then, aren't I about to eat a meal that I can't pay for!? "Wait, today, I only brought three thousand..." Not even sparing me a glance, Fuuma--as if exposing her true personality as a ninja, she smirked, turning towards Reki, "Kukuku....As master's close friend for more than four years, I will be the one to lead the assault this time! I specially suggested these rations, which will definitely bring harmony between you two--this is only a small challenge! Then, 30 minutes, starts now! Ready, set, go!" Fuuma's ponytail, called chonmage in Japan, swished through the air, and she pressed the button on the stopwatch. "...!" I--turned my head towards Reki, who was nearly completely hidden by the pot. "..." *Pachin* The disposable chopsticks, she tore them apart. Yo-you're going to fight? Challenging this...this colossal enemy, Super pot ramen. And, why did I just hallucinate that a light gleamed in Reki's eyes? "..." Reki extended the chopsticks, clipping one strand of noodles. *Chew* She bit the tip of the noodle. And, *Shuuuuuu*...*Shuuu*... She ate it. She just ate the noodles. And, *Chew*. *Shuuuu* Strand by strand, she ate without pause. "..." Under my fixated stare, Reki continued to use that unique method of eating to draw the noodles into her mouth. Am-amazing. There's no interval at all between one strand and the next. Was ramen something that you could eat with such small movements? Before I knew it-- Reki had eaten all the noodles in the pot. In a mere 5 minutes. "..." Afterward-- Reki, *Shuu* *Chew* Used her chopsticks to eat a prawn, part of the side dish. And, *Shuu, Pa* She ate a quail egg. *Shuu, Pa* *Shuu, Pa* *Shuu Pa* Shitake, cuttlefish, mushrooms... All the side dishes in the pot were being devoured, without so much as a break. "Wh...Wh-what...what is this...?" Fuuma looked at the stopwatch in shock. To tell the truth, it doesn't surprise me that she's stunned. Because...just as the 10 minute mark passed, Reki had...eaten all the noodles and side dishes inside that enormous pot. And while Fuuma was watching, so it's impossible for her to claim that Reki cheated. Uu... Seeing Reki seem to struggle, lifting the enormous pot....I reached out, helping her bring it off the table... Reki placed those small lips by the edge of the pot... Ku. Ku...Ku. She...She's drinking the soup...! Ku...Ku. A-are you alright? You're not going to die, right? If you don't do this, I'll have a criminal record, but your life is, ever so slightly, more important. Don't force yourself. But, ignoring my worried thoughts... The soup...was completely finished...! Reki had completely finished the enormous pot of ramen, which even a Sumo wrestler would have to undergo a siege with. "--According to my senses, as of this moment, 10 minutes and 47 seconds has passed since Fuuma-san started the stopwatch." Saying this while placing the pot back on the table, Reki's expression was as always, completely unchanged. Am...Amazing... I never knew, never would have thought that you could eat so much! No, this isn't a matter of being able to eat. Are you fostering a black hole in your stomach? "...Ah...Ahhhh...!" Her gaze flickering between the stopwatch and the pot, Fuuma screamed with a broken voice. And, *Shh* Dressed like a waitress, she flopped down on the floor, right there and then. "Th...This is a dream...This is...a nightmare...!" ...I understand, Fuuma. You are still a freshman. You haven't been desensitized to this kind of abnormal scene yet. But, as students of Butei High, it is definite that supernatural people like Vlad or Sherlock will one day, appear in front of you. At that time, you can't be surprised when those abnormal things flash to life before your eyes. Before that, you have to train yourself to get used to these paranormal sights. With that, while I was thinking those senpai-like words in my heart... I felt a wave of relief wash over me, since I would not be counted among the ranks of ex-offenders. I held onto my heart, well...more like my wallet, keeping it close. The Butei threefold punishment. Such words exist. That may be a really extreme expression, but if a Butei is caught breaking the law, he receives a heavier punishment than a normal person...using just now as an example, if I really didn't have enough money to pay the bill, I would have received threefold punishment. Having escaped punishment by a thread, I, having seen the result, used the money that would have been spent on Reki's free meal to buy fish sausages for Haimaki. I ripped off the packaging, giving them to Haimaki, who was waiting at the door obediently...Ooh. He wagged his tail furiously, gulping it down. He looks pretty happy. So, he likes eating fish sausages? That's something to take note of. Accompanying me, Reki, whose appearance, for some reason, hadn't changed at all, although she had just eaten a gigantic pot of ramen, and I boarded the light rail, returning to Academy Island. We had just stepped onto the platform when another gust of strong wind blew. Out of hand, I'll tell everybody this. As long as it is a Butei registered Butei dog, then it can ride trains, buses and other forms of public transportation. I can't be sure if the same applies for wolves, though. On the desolate platform, *Fuah*-- Reki's skirt was blown upwards by the wind again, and I violently twisted my head to the side. Hey...Can't you use your hand to hold it down, or maybe just turn such that you're in a safe direction? You're a girl, you know! Because this robot girl, who had shown no signs of being humanized, was dangerous, in terms of Hysteria Mode, I made her walk in front... Reki, Haimaki, and I formed a line, with Reki in front of me, and Haimaki behind me. As we walked down the stairs, *Tap*. Reki suddenly stood still. That gaze was fixated upon something that appeared to have flickered on the platform of the stairs we were descending--the shadow of some unknown person. "...?" Nearly colliding with Reki, I slowed down, surprised--*Thud* But, Haimaki, following me from behind, smashed into the back of my knee, forcing it to buckle violently. Which is to say, a situation of multiple collisions. "...Oh..." No way of stopping myself, I charged down the platform helplessly, as if pushing Reki, who had turned around, down. Under the force of my shove, Reki too fell down the stairs... *Thud*...My back smashed into the wall midway up the stairs. Because my face appeared to be pressed against Reki's head, I had been saved from a concussion. ...Phew. And just having letting out a sigh, taking a deep breath, I-- -couldn't help but widen my eyes in shock, having deeply inhaled Reki's mint-like scent. "--!" Th-the position right now... I-It's too dangerous, isn't it!? This? ...I am one head taller than Reki. And as such, my face was buried in Reki's hair, without so much as a word of consent-- I thrust my head away hurriedly, only to see Reki's gem-like irises gaze upon me from an extremely close distance, confirming my safety. "...!" And my hand-- -Just now, reflexively, for the sake of preventing from falling, was grabbing her slender shoulders, as if I was embracing them. Because of this, Reki's body was leaning forward slightly... Th-this...isn't this... Exactly like an intimate couple, taking advantage of the shadows and the lack of people!? And, hadn't I pushed Reki violently just now, making it appear as if I wanted to do something...!? If it was Aria, at that moment, I would definitely be on the receiving end of a flying high-kick, hurtling back onto the platform. But, Reki was letting herself be embraced, not putting up any sort of resistance. Reki's soft, slender shoulders were completely in my grasp. That face, as beautiful as a carving, was directly in front of my eyes. And those pink lips were only a few centimeters from mine-- (...Hysteria, Mode...!) That single word invading my panicked mind, I checked my blood flow, extremely agitated. It's OK...? Isn't this dangerous...!? Ah, ah...? It's alright. What a relief. I may not know why, but I hadn't transformed into Hysteria Mode. Meeting Reki's gaze, I sighed discreetly... --*Pata* Suddenly, something fell on the mid-portion of the stairs, sending out a sound. A position roughly five meters on my left. I turned my head, looking towards the source of the noise, looking down the stairs... A crepe. ...Fallen on the floor. That crepe, cream and some sort of bean stuffing--was visible from a part which was half bitten off--curled up into a peach shaped, completely white bun. Which is to say, that's a miniature peach bun, right? Peach bun crepe, huh? There really are many different types of crepes in this world. And, someone who's willing to eat something so distasteful must be someone who loves peach buns. --It must be-- It must be!? "--!" My heart jumping into my throat, I lightly...turned my gaze... Towards the shoe of the person who had dropped that peach bun...a slender ankle, wearing a black sock...continuing to look up....over there... "......!" Frozen in a position of walking while eating peach bun crepes, I thought that she had been petrified...Kanzaki H. Aria was there! Those big eyes were opened wide, completely fixated upon the scene where I had pushed Reki to the wall, embracing her. And Aria, apparently trying to reboot her brain, which had crashed upon seeing this 'Terrible Scene', had entered stone-mode. "......!" And, the same went for me. Why, in this kind of place--were we seen by Aria? As expected of me, guaranteed to be followed by misfortune. Aria, I, and Reki, who had been completely still the whole time. As if in a portrait, the three of us stood still, stood silent-- "But, but, but...is it true that there is a JC that can match Aria in Aru=Kata?" As she spoke, the sides of her mouth were smeared with cream as she ate a strawberry crepe...Inquesta's Mine Riko mounted the stairs. And--she noticed Reki and I. "UWWOOOOOOOOMUGUMUGUOAH--!?" Her hair, fluttering on both sides of her head, flew upwards. Completely shocked. ...But, you know, you're still using both your hands to stuff what remains of the crepe in your mouth while you're in that shocked state. Right now. "We-well done, Ki-kun! Despite the fact that Rekyu is an amazingly difficult character route that can't be unlocked until your second playthrough! You're already in the midst of a fiery, passionate kiss! Zgyun! Don! Don!" Abnormally excited, Riko stuck her hands into her blouse, making what appeared to be punching movements from inside. What kind of movement is that? And also, by Rekyu, do you mean Reki? As always, you don't hesitate or feel the slightest bit of apprehension when giving someone a nickname--as I was thinking that, Riko's antics could be said to have helped, as I felt myself relax a little. As I realized that I was no longer in a frozen state, *Thud! Clank!* Shouting "Don!" and messing around, Riko twirled into Aria, their legs nearly going vertical, they fell onto the floor violently. Apparently freed from her frozen state as well, Aria, *Thud!*, jumped to her feet-- -- Onigawara! With that kind of face, she glared this way. Sc-scary! "Ari--" "That's enough!" Uu! Baring her canines, Aria brought her arms down violently, cutting me short. She didn't give me any chance to explain. "You, yo-yo, you've said enough! I knew that Idiot Kinji was somebody like this! That's right, that's right! You, yo-you! Lo-love, you love these kinds of quiet, re-reserved, beautiful people. Ju-just like Sh-Shi-Shirayuki!" --Wh-why is she bringing up Shirayuki at a time like this!? Below me, Aria averted her gaze from my face, which was twisted up in protest-- "A-and with her, yo-you, with her, with that kind of..." ....*Sniff, sniff*..."--I-I'm sorry! That's why, it's enough! Just shut up!" As if she had nothing to say, she swallowed her words, *Pa!* Glaring at me, frozen again. "Besides that--Reki!" *Whoosh!* Aria bared her canines, pointing at Reki. "You..really did it, didn't you...!? I saw it on the school-net website! You, without even refusing my offer...submitted an application to have a two-man team with Kinji...!" What...? Reki...already submitted an application to be in a two-man team with me? I never heard about this beforehand... "--That's 'Team Stealing'! An infraction which should be punished with holes!" Facing the furious Aria-- Reki did not respond. In Butei High, although 'Team Formation' is normally done in the latter part of September--according to the rules set down after Caravan I. However, in reality, students will form rough teams far before the actual event. But...especially for Aria and I, students who are partners, one of us registering to be a member of another team is taboo. And it appears...that that is exactly what Reki did. "I--as for the ro-romance between Kinji and Reki, that kind of thing...I do-don't care at all! It's true, it's true, I really--don't care! It's true, so...! So, I don't care about the relationship between you two! I don't care, I don't care! It's not something I care about! But--I won't forgive you for stealing my partner! I'm the one that's tuning Kinji!" Tuning? Could you please stop that way of speaking...Can't you see that Riko's eyes are sparkling again? Having been forced to shut up, I protested ineffectually, in my heart. "Aria--" Beside me, Reki said that, completely toneless. But, that voice made me feel as if she had an abnormal resolve. "--What are you to Kinji-san?" Ah... That tone...this isn't good. Things are about to get messy. I don't know why, but that sentence from just now seemed to raise an atmosphere, full of tension, as if it was a 'Declaration of War'. "Wh-wh-wh...wh, what, what, wh-what, what did you say...th-that's..!" I'm not sure if she understood Reki's words, but Aria, her hands trembilng, pointed at me. "No-nothing. That thing is just my partne--idiot!" Hey, Aria. You know, nobody could understand your overexcited words from just now. Your eyes are spinning. Well, you probably wanted to say, "That thing is an idiot," anyways. "--I am Kinji-san's fiancé." Reki answered directly. Riko immediately gasped with shock, going "Fuooahhh!" Aria seemed like she had been shot in the stomach, and with an "Uu!", she doubled over. "High...Getting engaged in high school..." *Shh, Shhhh* Seeming as if...she was carrying some sort of deep understanding in her eyes, Aria glanced to the side, lifting her torso. "That...is just playing pretend...!" An overwhelming feeling that she was doing her best was radiating off Aria. Even though I'm not sure what she's doing her best at. "--This is not a game. This is serious. Aria-san. I hope that you can stay away from Kinji-san from now on. After this, Kinji...will stay in my room, just like last night. He will stay with me throughout the day, and we shall sleep together at night." "Serious" "Stay in my room, just like last night" "Sleep together". Under the continuous barrage of Reki's words, Aria's expressions flickered through "Awaa!" "Stop it!" "Please stop!" one by one. Hey, Reki...Stop saying things that can be misunderstood so easily! Aria's already thinking some weird thoughts, and her face is turning all red! "I understand, Aria-san and Kinji-san trust each other." Reki continued to speak, as if she was following through with her furious assault, "--But, that is not love." "Lo, lo, lo-lo-lo-lo-lo...!?" Shouting with a voice like that of a chicken, Aria had entered a mode where she could not say the syllable, 「い」. No, it's fine if you don't say it. Don't say it. If you're going to react this way to all of Reki's denpa words, this will never end. "Lo-lo-lo-lo-lo-lo----Kinji!" As if forcing herself to ignore Reki's words, she glared at me with a face of a demon. "Wh-what are you going to do! Are you going to--be in a group with Reki!? Is that your plan!?" Not letting me say a word, calling me an idiot, always throwing a tantrum like a kid, I--under the accumulated pressure of Reki, Team Formation, the exchange student, -went "Hmmph," pursing my lips. No... Wrong. It's not only that. Actually... "--That kind of thing has nothing to do with you, right?" What did I say--? Something akin to pouring oil on a fire. "In the first place, I'm preparing to withdraw from Butei High next year. Teams, partners, whatever, those things don't matter to me at all. Also, once--" Kanae-san's trial is over, you're going to go back to London. But, this shouldn't be something that I should say in front of Reki and Riko. And, no matter what... I was not willing to say it. I was not willing to utter those words. Not willing to confirm the reality of Aria's approaching farewell. I did not know why, nor had I any wish to know why. "Aria. So what if I'm in a team with you? That kind of team, about to split and part their own ways, is meaningless." "Wrong! Even if they're apart, a team is a team! As long as it's registered in IADA, they can help each other without restrictions, for eternity! Even if they're scattered, the proof of their companionship will remain for all eternity--" "Whether or not that kind of thing remains, matters not the slightest to me!" I could not help but raise my voice. Aria. Since you're about to disappear from my side-- I will not agree to something like 'making memories'. As such, you can return to your home country with no regrets. Tokyo and London are on opposite sides of the Earth. As such, there is no way that we will be able to help each other. You are going to disappear. From my side. Since that is the case, do not try to leave any lingering memories. "It doesn't really matter, does it? Fighting together with you was a thing of the past. Now--" Saying this, I halted my words. Because-- -With heavy footsteps, as if kicking her feet into the ground, Aria walked towards me. "~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~" Unable to do what she wanted, I appeared to have enraged Aria until she had reached her detonation point--wordlessly, she walked towards me, preparing to resort to violence, just like a child. As I tensed my body in reflex, about to be struck by Aria... *Shh*--Reki came between us. --*Pa!* "--!" Aria, Riko, and I. Everybody widened their eyes in shock. Reki-- -struck Aria across the face. --*Shhh* Under this sudden assault, immediately going into counter mode, Aria-- -retreated, jumping backwards, bumping into Riko, who had just turned back, *Thud*. Landing on the ground heavily. "...Kinji-san. Please retreat, this place is dangerous." Reki, her tone as normal, stood in front of me. "...!" Having had her partner stolen by Reki, who she considered her friend, and being treated like a dangerous object, Aria...lowered her hand, which had been rubbing her face-- "...Nothing matters anymore..." Her eyes, hidden in the shadow of her fringe, and unsteadily...she stood up. "Reki...How coincidental. Today is the day of 'Water Tossing'. We can use unarmed combat...we can go all out--" Aria brought her arms close, assuming a fighting stance. It was full of aggressiveness, almost as if she was a tiger intimidating her prey. Sh-she really wants to fight. "Added to that, earlier, an exchange student broke the rules, and as we were passing by, she initiated Aru=Kata! In the end, there was no clear victory, and she ran away...Right now, I'm in a really bad mood...!" An exchange student able to match Aria in Aru=Kata!? "A-Aria...was that exchange student someone who called herself "The Warrior of Ten-thousand techniques"...How do I say this...someone that looked like you?" Thinking back to the time where I had nearly been killed by Koko, I asked, agitated-- "Shut up! And, I'm not that small!" --Isn't that obviously a denial? Was Aria also attacked by that exchange student from Hong Kong, Koko? Then, in that light...not only is she a martial artist, but she's also an expert that can even match Aria in marksmanship? U-unbelievable. That is completely unbelievable. "--Riko, Get my back." Aria, raised her head, speaking to Riko, who was at her back. Only to see that Haimaki had circled to the other side of the platform at some point in time. He had moved to a location where he could catch the two Quadras--Aria and Riko, between Reki and himself, in a pincer-like movement. I see. The reason Riko turned back was because she had noticed him. *Grrrrrrr*...Riko, standing in front of Haimaki, who was growling like that, "--Kufufu. Riko is a kitty lover, but Riko likes dogs too, you know." Turning her head slightly, she let loose a vicious smile, full of battle fervor. Riko's unarmed combat, huh? Now that I think about it, this is the first time I had seen her fight like this-- "Kufu!" Laughing happily, Riko moved into a stance, her right hand above, her left hand below. Afterwards, she bent her knees at right angles, *Thud!* Her left leg kicked out towards Haimaki, threatening him. That is--Kung Fu. That's unexpected. And what's more, it's the style most commonly seen in Hong Kong movies, Eight Trigrams Palm. This is a style that was separated into many schools, and the variations of the technique in this stance were one of many. "..." And Reki was standing there, completely unafraid of Aria's intimidation. Amazing. That bravery. (But...) I frowned. Because Reki...didn't assume a stance. She was just staring straight at Aria. "..." *Pa!* Facing Aria, who had pounced like a tiger-- Reki didn't resist at all--*Thud* Like a flower, carelessly plucked off its stem, she was knocked down with ease. She didn't even defend herself. *Groar!* As if trying to help Reki, Haimaki bounded over--but his tail was caught by Riko. "Ahaha! Rekyu! Riko will be taking this child! Riko will take this fur!" *Bch!* Sweeping Haimaki off his back legs with a leg sweep, Riko-- -Haimaki, turning to look at her, swung his front paw, tracing an arc in the air towards her *Bch!* Swinging her right hand in a huge circle, she deflected the paw, forcing him to sprawl out onto the ground. And, *Thud!* Jumping onto his back, she completely sealed off his movements. "...!" On the other side, sitting down on Reki, who was lying face-up, Aria-- -her eyes widened, she was staring down at Reki, who hadn't resisted...No, couldn't resist would be more accurate. I too was shocked. (...Reki can't fight unarmed...!?) It's not that Reki 'had no stance'. She 'did not know' what a stance was. In the first place, as a sniper, she's an expert at ranged warfare. There's no chance that she would intentionally move close to the enemy. So, unarmed combat isn't a mandatory class in Snipe, and Reki's movements completely exposed the fact that she was a complete amateur. "Aria, stop it! You're just picking on the weak!" I shouted. But, Aria's fist, raised high up in the air, turned towards Reki, who had been knocked down as easily as a normal high school student...was not put down. As if trying to contain her own rage, which was threatening to overflow, she gritted her teeth. "~~~~~~~~~!" She couldn't bring herself to let the blow fall. Reki was too weak. No, that was not the only reason. Aria doesn't wish to hit Reki. Because, she has always recognized Reki as her friend. Aria--different from me, who intentionally tries to stay aloof and away from society--cannot make friends. That may be because of her maverick-like personality, but it's also because her strength is too amazing, making it hard for the students around her to keep up. And only Reki--although her special study is different--could fit her. During the bus-jacking in April, she had helped too, and when Aria left home because of the fight about Shirayuki, the person she went to was Reki as well. So, she couldn't bring herself to hit Reki-- --*Shh!* At that moment, Aria suddenly bent backwards, dodging a flash of silver. Leaping backwards and turning a flip, she distanced herself from Reki. *Shh...* From Aria's twin-tails, which had just been grazed by a bayonet-- One strand, two strands of hair, just cut, floated into the air. "...Reki...Hey...!" Reki had drawn the bayonet hidden beneath her skirt. On the day of Water Tossing, unarmed combat is the only thing that is allowed with no holds barred...! ".....!" Reki brushed the Dragunov off her shoulder, *Shhh--Click!* Like a parade baton, she rolled the gun around, affixing the bayonet onto it. Reki lowered her stance, wielding the Dragunov, which has been assembled in an instant. That stance--it's an ancient bayonet technique, but it's quite effective. It's probably about twice the power of just now. "Reki...!" Seeing Reki, who was ignoring Water Tossing's rules, Aria hesitated, undecided on whether she too should draw her blades-- *Tap*--! Taking advantage of that momentary opening, Reki charged towards Aria, *Kch!* She feinted at Aria's thigh, forcing Aria to dodge backwards-- "--!" *Kch! Kch Kch!* With terrifying grace, the bayonet slashed towards Aria without pause. The targets were, wrist, abdomen, inner thigh. It did not deviate from this pattern, and the blade, as if drawn by an inexorable gravity, continued to pierce towards Aria's vitals. Aria was relying on her prodigious reflexes and athletic ability, evading the bayonet's assault--but in the end, she had been chased to the wall. "--!" And, Aria's neck as her target--Reki performed the sharpest stab yet! *Kcch!!* Aria dodged the blade, her neck a hair's breadth from the blade. And the bayonet continued, brushing past Aria's head, burying itself deep into the wall. "...!" This blow made Aria widen her camellia eyes in shock. I too had lost all ability to speak. Sealing Haimaki's movements, Riko had also opened her mouth wide, dazed, just like a manga character. Th-that was--really filled with killing intent. *Zcch* Drawing the bayonet out of the wall, *Shhh*, spinning the Dragunov and retreating a few steps, Reki--just as fast as she had closed in, she retreated.--And once again, she assumed that stance. The edge of that blade was still pointing directly at Aria's neck. *Shh* Just as Reki took a step, charging forward-- "Reki! Stop!" Finally able to take this opportunity to speak, I shouted. And...*Pa* Reki became still, just like a robot, which had the cancel button on its remote pressed. Afterward...*Spin* Twirling the Dragunov wordlessly--her gaze still on Aria, she shouldered the rifle. "Reki..." Aria-- Attacked like this by Reki, who she had thought of as a friend-- "You...you..." ...Tears appeared in her eyes. "I'm cutting all ties with you! Severing them! I will never--forgive you again! I never want to see your face again!" Facing Reki, who was still silent, still staring at herself, Aria shouted before running away. Riko followed her. So, just Reki and I, as well as Haimaki, were left at the station. I...dragged Reki along, who was like a robot that had been switched off, ever since I issued the order to stop. With quick steps, I went to one of the corners of Academy Island--The artificial island's border. We arrived at the seaside, completely devoid of life, surrounded on all sides by safety nets. Here...I wanted to teach Reki something. Because, those extreme actions from just now had exceeded anything my humanization plan could have possibly taken care of. Reki sat upright at the edge of the sea, not looking in my direction. Just, how do I put this...it looks like she's calm again. I could feel a sense of calm radiating off her even as she battled, so saying that she's calmed down is a little strange. "...Reki." "Yes." "Earlier, you wanted to kill Aria." "Yes." She answered me directly. No resistance. "Yes...you say. Why?" "--The 'wind' ordered me to do so. It said that Kinji-san and Aria-san could not stay close." ...Wind. That again. This girl...she said the same thing on the night that she placed Sniper Restriction upon me. It was all because of the 'wind's' orders. "What is this 'wind'? Could it be that that's what you're listening to with your headphones? Before, you said that you were listening to the sound of the wind." "--Incorrect. This is just a recording of the wind of my birthplace.." "Wind of your birthplace?...?" "For the sake of keeping my soul in contact with the wind, I listen to it." ...This is becoming increasingly incomprehensible. "Then, is it somebody speaking to you over the phone?" "Incorrect." "Then, how do you receive the orders of the wind?" "The wind's words are projected directly into my head. From my faraway birthplace--" ... ...... Uh... I don't want to speak ill of anybody... But, no matter how I look at it, Reki has a social disorder-- In other words, she has the disease which is 'delusion'. This is something I learned in Inquesta, 'I have received a prophecy from God', or 'Aliens ordered me to do this through electric waves'. Those kinds of delusions. What Reki has right now is very similar to such a thing. But, I had also learned that one could not deny those things outright. Because, the people in question trust those delusions with all their heart. And...I am not a doctor. Attempting to find a solution is futile. First, let's leave this topic, and I'll deliver those words I want to speak to her concisely. "Um...that. Saying this kind of thing is a little...But, don't kill people." "Why?" Wh... Why, you ask? "Why? Things that cannot be done just cannot be done. Don't kill." "Is that an order?" "It is. That is what is decided in Butei Law." "I understand. Then, I will not kill." Why is it that... Why is it that I feel that the words I'm hearing mean that she has killed before. Well, I won't delve into that. It's a scary thought. (But...) Calming down, I thought about it. I thought about Lima Syndrome, which I was using against this delusional, robot girl-- --Can I really do it? If I have to do it like this, all by myself...it doesn't seem as if that will ever come to pass. Then, I have to find people to help. Thinking about this, I-- -glanced at Reki, who was hugging her knees to herself and watching the seagulls, out of the corner of my eye. I sighed. And...that fight from just now... Reki may be in the wrong, but Aria isn't right either. She didn't even listen to our side of the story. Relying on the pieces of the puzzle that she gathered from seeing the situation, she put them together herself, and formulated a misunderstanding. That really completely exposes her weak point. Her instincts when fighting with the enemy are amazingly acute--but she has the bad habit of always reaching an incorrect conclusion, and acting upon that flawed basis when I'm involved. Originally, after leaning on each other throughout the many battles with I-U, the slight feeling I had that she was a good person...disappeared. Aria is a haughty, arbitrary, violent girl, after all. ### 008. 3rd Ammo - Caravan I -Field Trip- ## 3rd Ammo: Caravan I -Field Trip- Amdo's educational building is made up of 1 level above ground, and 3 levels below ground, with the levels underground wider than the level on top. 'Underground'. For Academy Island, which is an artificial island, that certainly is a curious phrase. Passing through the rigorous checks on the first floor and continuing underground...I arrived at a corridor that was filled with display cases filled with an innumerable amount of guns. This place...this is an empty space that makes me nervous no matter when I come. With Reki and Haimaki, who were following me, I passed through the corridor, ringing the doorbell of Workroom B201, which was adorned with a plaque which had "Hiraga Aya" written on it-- "I'm in! The door's unlocked!" From inside, Hiraga-san's childlike voice reached my ears. I opened the door, noticing that the inside seemed to be a temple devoted to Don Quixote, as there were things, things, and more things everywhere. Tools of all sizes, components of guns from every era...springs, wrenches, the hundreds of screws in plastic cases, they were all mixed about, stacked until they reached the ceiling. "Hiraga-san, it's me. Tohyama." I shuffled sideways, taking care not to touch what had already become a forest of components, walking inside. The workbench that was situated within the room had a DVD player and a TV, which was broadcasting a shoujo anime on it. Beside it--*KCCCHHH!* Having been welding something, Hiraga-san twisted her head towards me. "Oohh!? Tohyama-kun brought Reki-san with him! You guys are getting along well!" Shunting the protective goggles upwards, Hiraga-san used those innocent eyes to look between Reki and me. "This is...I didn't bring her, she followed me herself. Also...Is it completed?" I looked around, asking. "Yeah, you guys are getting along well! You two really match!" Said Hiraga-san, pointing two fingers at Reki and me. "No, that isn't how this is..." "Aha! You're getting along well!!" ...Is that all you can say? "No we're not. What I'm asking is, is the object I contracted you for completed?" Hearing me ask again, the lightbulb above Hiraga-san's head flickered on. "Aha! The contract is finished too! It's finished!" Saying this, she went deeper into the tool rack...*Kcch*. Just like a squirrel entering a tree, she stuck her head and torso within. It looks like, if she doesn't do that, she can't reach it. "Uuu! Just a little bit more!" Her SSS-sized uniform snagged by a nail on a shelf, Hiraga-san, only her bottom half visible, wriggled her hips, twisting them around, and those legs, as thin as an elementary school student's, were also struggling. ...It's amazing that you can remember where it is, at least. Well, Hiraga-san is a genius girl, which even U.S. arms manufacturers scouted because of her talent after all. The structure of her brain is, most likely, slightly different from normal. ...*Kch, Kccch* Ah, she came out. "This may be a western blade, but it is a masterpiece that is no worse than the best of Japanese katanas. Tohyama-kun really has something good!" Screws and springs stuck inside her hair, Hiraga-san, *Shh* Handed over a double-edged sword which had a body which seemed to glow with a fierce light. Ooh. It's been completely modernized. What I had just received was the scramasax that Sherlock had used in I-U. At the end of the battle, I borrowed this to mount the ICBM...but because of its unnatural sharpness, I had been keeping it up till now. What I had contracted Hiraga-san to construct was something fitted for me, a reinforced rubber handle as well as a hidden sheath-- I placed it in the sheath behind my back. Yeah, it's completely hidden. As expected of Hiraga-san. "Also, I also modified this, as you requested me to. I accelerated the speed of magazine release, added a three burst-fire setting, as well as full auto!" This time, Hiraga-san used those small hands to hand over a gun. *Click* This heavy, large pistol is--a Desert Eagle. It is one of the world's most powerful semi-automatic pistols, my father's legacy. Reki glanced towards the pitch-black body. "The only person in Amdo able to modify it to such a level is Aya! Amazing, right!?" Said Hiraga-san, thrusting forward her flat chest, no different from Aria's, with pride. I raised the gun, aiming it towards the wall. In the sight, Jeanne, Vlad, Patra, Sherlock--the appearances of all the superhumans that we had fought till now appeared. ...Regretfully, I'm still a Butei High student. I-U, as a group, may have splintered, but its remnants are still on the run. So, it's practically certain that one of those ability users, just like in manga, will attack. And, for the sake of resisting, of course I strengthen my equipment. Following this line of thought, I found this Desert Eagle from out of my the things my father left behind. The bullets that this Desert Eagle uses are bullets that have three times the stopping power of the 9mm parabellum ammo that my Beretta uses, a .50AE. However, guns...aren't like in games, where once they are equipped, they increase the user's power. To put it simply, the user has to undergo training for such a thing to happen. Especially this Desert Eagle, whose barrel and recoil are both abnormally strong. My father, who was a strong man, nearly 2 meters in height, could use it freely, but for me, it's a gun that is too heavy, and too powerful. If I want to be able to use it without impediment, I have to undergo more practice. And as such, I temporarily--decided only to use it when I was in Hysteria Mode. After all, even if I have a powerful gun, it's meaningless if I can't hit the target. I sheathed the gun, slipping it into the holster that Hiraga-san had provided--one that was strapped to one's thigh. Beside me, Hiraga-san's round eyes were glowing with an innocent light, and she looked up at me, saying "Mmm, Tohyama-kun is really cool like this! A black Desert Eagle really fits a dark boy like you!" Dark boy? "Isn't that right, Reki-san!" ....*Shh* Reki nodded her head in agreement. "Reki-san, remember to buy the components for your armor-piercing bullets. I've already prepared amazing bullet tips, made out of reinforced tungsten carbide. Thanks for the patronage♪" Her hands put together, brought up, touching her face, Hiraga-san flashed a large, salesman-like, smile. *Shh* Apparently also one of Hiraga-san's old customers, Reki nodded. ...Selling weapons to me as well as selling weapons to Reki, it looks like, the more we fight...the richer Hiraga-san becomes. And, she herself doesn't have to fight. Arms dealing, it's such a profitable job. Her face may be innocent, but she's a terrifying person. Hiraga-san, that is. A few days after I started to live with Reki--The Reki humanization plan that I had prepared for the sake of the Lima Syndrome received a small opportunity. That day, we had swimming class, but Ranbyou-sensei, whose blind date appeared to have failed again, vented the full force of her rage upon the boys of class B, destroying the swimming pool. It was hard for me to imagine a lone person destroying a swimming pool with her bare hands, but ultimately, this is only something that the Vice-Director of Assault, the monstrously strong woman, Ranbyou, could do. Repairing the swimming pool would take some time...so the swimming class that the girls in class C were going to have was pushed back till after school. And after school--I didn't want it to look like I was peeping, but I still observed the swimming pool--I noticed that Reki, also wearing the school swimsuit, was standing with the other girls by the edge of the pool. (This means that I can temporarily move freely...!) I immediately put my body into gear, burdened by one extra sword and gun--using the fish sausages as a lure, I locked Haimaki in the sports warehouse before running to the rendezvous point with the person that was going to aid me in my plan. I arrived at a point close to the center of Academy Island--the tennis court by the second field. *Bch. Bch. Shh.* ...Inside the fence, wearing white tennis outfits, the girls in the tennis club were sweating profusely. Ignoring what they're like normally, in this kind of situation, they're fulfilling their time of youth, of vigor. But, opposed to them, pressing himself into the fence, was someone, looking exactly like a prison inmate. Probably for the crime of peeping. Ah! Jeanne-san! I looked towards one side of the court, towards where the freshmen girls were shouting, and over there--*Shh!* Strands of hair hanging on each of her cheeks, the rest tied up with a ponytail, Jeanne delivered a sharp smash, currently in a furious match with a curly-haired member of the tennis club. (Hey, that...) Just now, I thought that I had seen it. Jeanne's tennis-wear-- That skirt, following in the wake of Jeanne's killer smash, had floated upwards. *Bch, Whoosh*-- And every time she swung her racket... Her pure white triple-layered, frilly underskirt would, for an instant, be completely exposed. No. I understand. That isn't underwear. It's just sportswear, it doesn't matter even if anyone sees it. What I had thought I saw was just a mistake my brain had made, unable to tell the difference. But...that underskirt, almost like underwear, wasn't the only problem. Having long, graceful legs which a Japanese person would be hard pressed to have, (well, now that I think about it, she isn't Japanese,) her thighs were full, and delightfully supple. Also, they were amazingly white, almost like snow. Every time her skirt flipped up, those were exhibited for all to see, so the stimulation of arousal was hardly normal. This is too dangerous, right? Damn it. Why is it that the girls' tennis outfit is designed such that it appears to be showing off their lower body? To the designer: Get the hell out here! I wouldn't mind using my sword to help fix your broken mind. ...Actually, now that I think about it, doesn't it really look like I'm peeking? I just came here to find Jeanne... For the sake of preventing any suspicion that I would be doing such a thing, I dropped my head, and as I fought an inner battle with Hysteria Mode, which was threatening to activate...the sound of the match stopped. I jerked my head up, only to see a freshman kouhai shouting, "Please use this towel!", running towards Jeanne, who appeared to have achieved a landslide victory. ...Jeanne, you're pretty popular, aren't you. Even if among the female students. I may not know why, but it seems that she's a beautiful person that's just as attractive to girls. With such splendor, she was received in a manner befitting a princess. --In the time since the Plea Bargain that allowed her to transfer from I-U to Butei High, Jeanne had already enrolled in Informa, joined the tennis club, and like now, she was living a fulfilling high school life. And opposed to that, having been defeated by her in the underground warehouse last spring, I...am being restricted by a robot girl and a wolf.. What have I gotten myself into? Not able to avoid spiraling into deep depression, I-- "--Tohyama." Heard Jeanne, who had finally noticed my presence. "Jeanne, come, quickly." I waved towards her. Her silver hair partitioned, hanging down her back, she had changed into her uniform, striding out of the clubroom for the tennis club... At a distance around 2 meters away, *Tap*, she stood her ground. "Don't come any closer. Tohyama." "Why?" "In the club activities just now, I sweated a little." Said Jeanne, shifting the racket that was slung over her back, under her shoulder. "But, because of your haste, I did not have time to shower. As such, I only used a wet towel to wipe my body, and perfume to mask my scent." ...You're still so formal. Also, did you say you used perfume? Even though you're still a high school student. As expected of the ojou-sama who holds the blood of nobles. "There's no need to pay attention to that. Let's talk as we walk." *Fyuu* A gust of wind blew past--and Jeanne's scent, a comfortable, grassy fragrance, wafted from her body. Hey, you're not sweaty at all, are you? Before, I had heard Nii-san...No, I should say Kana...say that just relying on perfume wasn't fully effective, and that only when perfume is mixed and melded perfectly with a woman's natural scent, will it be able to create a pleasing, moving fragrance. And the Jeanne as of now had completely achieved this. In Butei High, which is full of the acrid stink of gunpowder, you really are an unparalleled, fresh existence. Jeanne frowned, a little hesitant--but she walked this way, keeping by my side. Glancing at her, who was walking beside me, that skirt, following the school rules perfectly, was hiding a gun. --A CZ100, huh? That's a good gun. "The fact that Aria and you separated and that you're in a team with Reki now--has become quite big news in Inquesta." "You're kidding me...Somebody like me isn't qualified to be a topic of discussion, right?" "Tohyama, you yourself may not know this, but the students in Butei High, especially those in Assault, believe that you have excellent abilities in battle, and from the shadows, they respect and admire you. However, they're afraid of your reaction, so they aren't too open with their admiration. To tell the truth, after hearing about your induction exam, I looked at you in a new light." Ha-have mercy on me. And, up till now, whether it is a good or bad thing I'm not sure of, but I'm still looked up to by those in Assault. "This is also written in the reports that Masters keeps. They said that, while there are some ups and downs with your status, you possess the greatest alternative power, your charisma, your leadership--you just lack integration with others, and there are some issues with your personality." Issues with my personality, huh? How troublesome. "Mmm, well...there's no need to talk about me. Rather, let's speak about Reki. What have you found out?" I thought about what Aria had said from back then--A battle between Butei is a battle of information. What kind of opponent the enemy is, what are his weaknesses, what does he like, what does he hate...the first side able to grasp these characteristics has an overwhelming advantage. But, if one acts by himself, he will be noticed immediately, and as such, contracting a third party is common practice. The person that I had contracted in April was Riko from Inquesta, and the person that I had contracted this time was Jeanne, who had taught Riko how to sift through information. After all, the teacher should be better than the student, and jokes and false information tend to appear in Riko's reports. "Elite snipers will often try to hide information about themselves, and Reki has this tendency as well. As such, the amount of information that exists about her is extremely limited." Well, that's what I expected. Even living together with her, I hadn't really figured anything out about her. "Also, her past history is a blank. The success rate of missions after entering Butei High is 100%, an impeccable record. But, she is extremely selective with her missions." "What does that mean?" "Presently, all I can say is, Reki only accepts a mission under three patterns." "Three patterns...?" "The first, a teacher asks her directly to do so. Under certain, rare circumstances, Masters will assign the contract to specific, excellent students...although these cannot be solved outright because of special conditions, it is possible to earn a large amount of credits, nullifying the need to take an exam. You ran into something like this during your first year, right?" Now that she mentions it...when I was in Assault, such a thing did happen. I thought back to that situation, and thinking of buying a can of coffee, I slotted a coin into a roadside vending machine. "--the second, missions with an LD Score of over 900" "900...!?" Shocked, my hand slammed into a button on the vending machine. LD Score is a ranking system, assessing the difficulty of a Butei mission. I don't normally pay attention to it, but special, outside organizations will use the value as an evaluator for the compensation. 300~400 are commissions meant for student Butei, 500~700 are commissions meant for professional Butei, and that is basically how it's divided. --But, above 900. In even elite Butei organizations, they are missions that only the best of the best would ever dare accept. "Ah...I was so surprised that I pushed the button for hot." Yet, it's amazingly hot right now...So unlucky. Grumbling, I took the black coffee out, and Jeanne, standing by my side, took it from my hands. "...Recently, my magic hasn't been very stable. But, I can still do something like this." *Pa*, the can of coffee that she threw back...had become cold. Oh! The Diamond Dust Witch, Jeanne, can use her ability for something like this. How convenient. "Reki...accepted several of those maximum difficulty sniping missions. And, speaking in light of the fact that she still has a 100% success rate, we can already determine that she is either an ability user or a sorcerer." Despite the fact that she herself was an ability user and sorcerer, Jeanne still said those words with a look of awe. "...You said that there were three patterns, right? What's the third?" "It's 'Eagle Eye'." "Eagle Eye...? Reki?" This rather unexpected content made me tilt my head, not fully understanding. The "Eagle Eye" in question is something that takes advantage of snipers' prodigious eyesight to observe a target from far away--a codename for a reconnaissance mission. That mission, where both the credit and money compensation isn't high, is such that, usually, only inexperienced freshmen or trainees in Snipe accepts it... "Tohyama. You've been observed before. At least two times before." "...What did you say?" "The first time, the contractor was Aria. The date was April the 2nd. She contracted Reki to be her "Eagle Eye", so she could figure out which entrance you leave Inquesta from, and lie in wait." Ah. That past incident, where we went to Oumi to look for that kitten. At that time, thinking of how to combat Aria, I took a mission, trying to escape outside--but Aria, lying in wait outside the Inquesta building, appeared before me. So, that was Reki, observing me from afar, reporting to Aria? She really sticks her head where it's unwanted. "And in July, she accepted a mission from Masters, the content being, observe the third boy's dormitory. At that time, Masters had apparently been warned by the police, being told to observe an empty room...since it's Butei High, they have to strengthen their alertness. And, Reki accepted that mission." I remembered that too. That was the time where Shirayuki saw Aria in a bunny girl outfit, and she went trigger happy on her M60. At that time, Reki was using the Dragunov's scope to observe my room. "And, the 'Eagle Eye' missions that Reki accepts all fall under certain criteria. Only when it involves you, Aria, or Shirayuki, will she accept." "Aria, Shirayuki, or me...?" What kind of pattern is that? I don't understand at all. But, I understand a little now...from the beginning, Reki had been paying attention to what goes on around me. And the only person who didn't know--was me? "The first time I investigated, I found some other pieces of information, but many of those were unconfirmed. This is all that can be reported. Alright--did you gather anything yourself?" A few days ago, after Reki and Aria's battle...I had explained my situation under Reki's Sniper Restriction, as well as Lima Syndrome, which was my adopted plan of action, asking Jeanne for assistance... At that time, Jeanne made one request: "As you're by Reki's side, give me a clue as to what I can investigate about her." "What I have gathered is--sound." "Sound?" "Reki always wears earphones, hearing these mysterious sounds. Yesterday, I took advantage of the time she was in the shower, and borrowed her headphones and MP3 player...copying it into a micro-SD card." "Shower...? What kind of scene is that? That you two have." Jeanne said, flashing a look of suspicion towards me. I'll just ignore that. I plugged my earphones into my phone, handing one side to Jeanne. "Listen to this, see whether you can understand it." "Mm..." We stopped talking, each of us wearing one side, listening intently. Before this, I had tried listening to the sounds...It was slightly eerie, but it really was just the sound of the wind, playing endlessly. "..." Because the cord was too short, our heads slowly approached each other as we listened...*Shh*. Jeanne's long, silver hair, fluttering in the midst of the wind, lightly brushed my cheek. Uu. This feminine sensation is really hateful. But, I'll have to tolerate it. "--Here. It may be extremely small, but I heard a small sound. Not wind. But, I can't make it out..." "Mm..." Jeanne closed her eyes, her expression firm, completely concentrated on the sound. Waiting to see for Jeanne to comment, I looked directly at her face. ... ...... ...Even so...she really is so beautiful. This girl. Long eyelashes. A shining nose. Lips like the petals of a rose. This cool image. Rather than a witch, she's more like an actress. "I can't hear it. But, this is certainly a clue...Wh-what are you doing, Tohyama? Why are you looking at me?" Widening those sapphire-like blue eyes halfway through her speech, Jeanne noticed that I was looking at her from an extremely close distance, and she pulled her head away. "Ah, no, I was just waiting for your comments." I said, taking off my headphones...and passed the micro-SD card with the music file on it to Jeanne, waiting for her to speak. Her face slightly red for whatever reason, Jeanne cleared her throat before saying, "This might be a clue. I happen to know someone to go to." Her arms folded in front of her chest, forefinger and middle finger stuck out, she gestured towards the SD-card in between them. While using her own ice-blue cellphone to call that person she "happened to know", Jeanne brought me to see--Connect. Next to Informa, it's where students are taught to support those in the battlefield through the use of communicative devices. Connect, huh...I've never really come here before. "I get along quite well with the Nakasorachi here." Hearing this uncommon surname, I suddenly remembered something. --Nakasorachi Misaki. A Connect sophomore, although we were in the same grade, I couldn't remember what she looked like, but...I was very familiar with that voice. The reason I say that is because, very often, she acts as the operator during Assault combat. Butei--especially the Butei in Assault, need to be able to communicate with each other through wireless headsets. When undergoing a large-scale operation, the people that keep the complicated messages from getting jumbled, are the operators. The operator assumes command from Connect, accurately stating the team's status to all its members. Often, they will also report the ETA of reinforcements, the change in weather, etc., informing them of information that Butei in the middle of the combat cannot find out for themselves. In the bus-jacking incident in April, telling us which bus was hijacked, as well as informing us of all the situational reports before the reinforcements took action-- -was the operator, Nakasorachi. Which is to say, she was one of the people working behind the scenes, absolutely critical to the resolution of that case. Nakasorachi's operating is perfect. She is always amazingly calm, able to follow separate conversations with several Butei, all speaking with hurried, unclear voices at the same time. In spite of all that, she is able to pass on each and every piece of information accurately. Even more worthy of praise is her elocution, her voice is just as clear, as pleasing to one's ear as that of an NHK anchor. I had never heard her wrong, not once. (But, I remember that, although she is such an excellent Butei, she was only ranked as B.) I had only heard her voice, so I did not know what she looked like in reality. She's probably seen me before, through the small camera installed in every headset, but as for me, it was my first time seeing her. I can't be wrong that she's a girl. She must be an honor student, radiating a graceful air. Thinking of this, Jeanne, saying "Follow me", hurried me onwards-- We walked into the Connect building, which was like a telecommunications corporation. Under Jeanne's guidance, I arrived at the audio classroom, and it appeared that, for the sake of keeping dust outside, shoes were forbidden inside. Changing into slippers and entering the room...because school was already over, the classroom was empty. I looked left and right, and audio equipment was neatly stacked all around me, just like a radio station. Jeanne and I stood a while, in the middle of this classroom, full of the scent of machinery... "--Jeanne?" *Tap Tap* Several types of headphones piled up in her arms, a girl ran this way from the side...but because she was carrying too many, it didn't seem as if she could see in front of her-- "He-hey." Not hearing my warning in time, *Thud* "Hawaa!" She smashed into me...*Thump* Her butt hit the floor. *Whoosh* A pair of silver-edged glasses flew into the air--and beside me, who had reached up, grabbing it, *Gcch Gcch* The earphones that she was carrying spilled out onto the floor, while the tangled wires wrapped around her head, her arms, as well as her feet, which were wearing red indoor shoes. "Haaa." That girl's hair wasn't only long in the back, but in the front as well, nearly blocking out her eyes. I remembered that the male protagonist in the galge that I had helped Riko buy, had this kind of hairstyle as well. Could it be that that's what's popular nowadays? (...Uu...) --Because she had fallen down, she was at my feet, and her skirt, terrifyingly enough, was in a mess. If it was a normal guy, he'd probably be feeling quite lucky. But, that isn't me. I have to avert my gaze, looking upwards, making sure that there isn't the slightest chance that I somehow looked between those thighs. After all, safety first. "Are you alright, Nakasorachi?" Jeanne, next to me, asked. Hmm? She is...Nakasorachi...? I couldn't help but widen my eyes, turning back towards that girl, who was still tangled because, for some reason, the wires were uncannily linked, and she couldn't get them off. This...This is completely different from the way I imagined it. Hearing her instructions, I really felt that she was an extremely adept person. That girl, named Nakasorachi, extricated herself from the wires with Jeanne's help, and waving her hands in the air, she shouted "Glasses, glasses!" Almost like in a manga, like a dog chasing its own tail, she crawled around, tracing circles on the ground, feeling for her glasses. Are you alright? ...Which is to say, I can understand that she'd be wearing her uniform while crawling around like this... Bu-but, those breasts...they're majestic. Shirayuki-ranked. Ignoring what kind of feeling she gives off and judging solely by her appearance, she's an extremely dangerous girl. And those eyes, sometimes hidden, sometimes appearing from beneath her fringe, were definitely those of a beautiful person. I felt as if I couldn't bear to speak, and so, all I did was, like giving a dog a bone, hand over the glasses I had caught just now... Nakasorachi went "Feh!", taking the glasses and standing up, unsteady... "...Wh...Who...is it...?" Nn...? Frowning, she squinted at me. *Sh, shh* Apparently not getting a clear image, she brought her face closer to mine, putting it so close that I could feel her breathing. Is it that her eyes aren't good? Or is it that her fringe obscures her vision, making her vision hazy? Or is it both? Anyways, finally able to see my appearance, she, "!!" *Shuffle Shuffle Shuffle! Thud!* Backing up hurriedly, she smashed into the soundproof wall. "Ah, waa, it's, a boy, bo-boy, n-no, I'm fine! I'm fine! Bo-bo, like, I like! That's how, I really feel!" *Whoosh* Waving her hands around manically, she was panicked to the point where I could not understand what she was saying. Her face, obscured by her hair such that I could only see the bottom part, turned red. Ooh, that's a rapid-blushing technique able to match Aria's. "Je-Jeanne, suddenly, suddenly suddenly, brought a boy with her...Awaahh." Her back sliding down the wall...*Shh* *Shhhh*... For some reason, the girl suddenly became alert, and she suddenly straightened her legs. And...is that how you straighten your legs? That's an amazing X-leg. Not even Shirayuki can match that. Afterward, putting on her glasses gingerly... "Gl-glasses, t-th-thathan, you very much..." She couldn't even say "Thank you very much." Is your articulation that bad? "Isn't this the wrong person?" I couldn't help but turn back, asking Jeanne. "Nakasorachi is Nakasorachi. Are you unsatisfied with my choice?" *Zcchh* Jeanne's eyes stared directly at me... Helplessly, once again I...looked towards that creature, who appeared to be Nakasorachi. "Hii." But once I looked at her, she immediately used the headphones in her hand to block her face. "So-sorrysorry! So-sorry!" "No, I haven't sa..." "I-I-I-I, Jea-Jeanne-san, Jeanne-san was alone, I thought that Jeanne-san was going to come by herself, no-not, a boy, I didn't think that a boy would come, I haven't prepared my heart yet! I'm too excited! Ah, I say excited, but it isn't a happy excitement!" *Wave Wave Wave* As if using sign language, Nakasorachi's hands gestured wildly, without pause. "W-Which I've only seen from the incam monitor, he's so cool, I-I didn't think he would come here, moreover, Tohyama-kun! Aah..." Hold on...can this girl communicate properly? "Tohyama, Nakasorachi is the same as you, and she has some issues with her personality. Please go to that wall." *Shhh* While looking at me, Jeanne pointed at one corner of the room. Saying "The same? How are we the same at all?", I grumbled while walking to the wall... *Ba* Nakasorachi had taken a cellphone out of the pocket of her skirt, and being told something by Jeanne, *Patatatata! Patatata!* With a speed that blurred one's eyes, she entered in a cellphone number. ...Who is she calling? Just as I had thought that, the song, "Melody of Flowers" began flowing out of my cellphone. Eh. Me? "...Hello?" I picked it up. "--Hello, nice to meet you. Saying this is a little weird, but this is the first time we have met in person. I am Nakasorachi Misaki. Sorry for just now." Just like a radio announcer, a voice, enunciating each Japanese word with absolute precision, reached my ears. Eh? I couldn't help but look at Nakasorachi, but Jeanne had adopted a guard-like pose, standing in front of her. "I have the bad habit of being easily excited...so, please forgive me, I can only speak with you like this, relying on the phone--Will this be fine?" "Eh? Ah...It's fine." Wh-what's with this? What's with this attitude switch? I don't really understand, but it looks like Nakasorachi has such a personality that, only when she speaks through machines, can she speak steadily. Rather, without them, she can't speak at all. I shouldn't really say this, but she's a weird person. *Shhhh* Jeanne turned her head, saying something to Nakasorachi, who was behind her. "--Is the procedure you would like me to help you with, the audio analysis of the music file in this micro-SD card?" "Ah, ahh. If you're able to understand something from that sound, please tell us." Hesitating, I responded to Nakasorachi. "That is the sound that Reki from Snipe always listens to on her headphones. She said that she was listening to the sound of her birthplace, although...we cannot hear anything, but what sounds like wind. I know that having you try to perform an audio analysis without a video of any kind is a difficult contract--" "--Not at all. Audio is able to convey much more than video. At least, for me, it is as if seeing a video. Also, because I am in the same normal class as Reki-san, sophomore class C--I can recall her headphones. Reki-san's headphones are...these. Sennheiser PMX990. One of its characteristics is its clarity of sound, a masterpiece which accentuates the higher pitches. Please wait a moment." *Shh* I saw Nakasorachi, behind Jeanne, put on a pair of orange headphones-- "..." For a while, silence. She's probably started to listen. I'll just wait here too, silent as well. I mean, the person I'm speaking to has put their headphones on, after all. "...An extremely...vast location..." Within a few moments, I heard Nakasorachi's voice come out of my cellphone. This is probably a report on what she managed to figure out with the audio track. "From the echo and speed of the wind, the place of recording was an expansive field--a piece of ground at a high altitude. There are forests close by. Coniferous forests. The sound of the leaves rustling...this is, Larix Sibirica." He-hey, hey. Just from the sound...you're able to understand to such a degree? Now that I think about it--I had learned about this in Inquesta. Based upon the ambient noise during a telephone conversation or some other method of communication, it is possible to deduce a specific location based upon said noises. This is the method named, sound investigation. But, from what I could remember, one needs a computer with special software to do such a thing. And, Nakasorachi appeared to be able to perform such an analysis with just her ears. It looks like her ears, abnormally good, make up for her eyes. "Added to that, according to the sounds of the vegetation, this location is probably somewhere between Northern Mongolia and Siberia." ...Mongolia? Siberia...? Nakasorachi's calm voice reaching my ears, I tilted my head. "I can hear the breathing of horses. It isn't big, they aren't domesticated, but not completely wild...they're probably the descendants of Mongolia's horses, Equus przewalskii. Also, the howling of wolves...but on the contrary, these howls are quite loud, for wolves. I believe that they are a subspecies of gray wolves, tundra wolves." As I was feeling overwhelmed by Nakasorachi's sense of hearing as well as her wealth of knowledge--I felt that I was understanding these sounds less and less. Reki's birthplace...could it be that it's outside Japan? I couldn't help but frown...looking at my watch. Ah...this isn't good. Reki's swimming class is going to end soon. If I get too far from her, I might be sniped. I snapped my cellphone shut, raising my voice, directing it towards Nakasorachi's direction. "I'm sorry, but I'm out of time. I'll be leaving first...afterward, could you structure what you learned in an e-mail and send it to me? I'll leave that micro-SD here, for now. It's fine if you return it later." Unable to talk without a machine, Nakasorachi-- "Re...re-re-return it...? Go-go-go-go-go-going to the boy's dormitory, it's impossible! Be-be-because, I don't have any fitting underwear!" Immediately returning to that regretful personality, she answered with some mysterious words. What...underwear? Rather, I hadn't said anything about you coming to the boy's dormitory, right? Well, after all, this is Butei High, the gathering place of the strange. I sighed...opening the door, preparing to leave the Connect classroom... *Shh* And at that moment, Jeanne grasped hold of my arm. "...What?" "..." Wordlessly, she pushed me out of the classroom, and after confirming that there was nobody in the corridor...she said softly, as if whispering, "Tohyama, be careful." "Of what?" "Reki. I didn't say it earlier, because I couldn't confirm the information that I had received, but--before Reki entered Butei High--ever since she was 14, she was not only in Japan, but it seems that she was also active in Russia and China. Because, before her international Detective Armed License was ratified, she had received a Butei License, allowing her to travel to China and Russia." "...What did she do in those foreign countries?" "It is not recorded. It's not that nothing was done, but rather, she was doing an unrecorded job." "'An unrecorded job'...? "It's difficult to say, is it fine if I say it?" "Say it." "For example, 'Sweeper'." --Well, I expected as much. In this business, that is probably the only unrecorded job. Even in self-defense, a Butei is forbidden to kill. At best, this applies in Japan and Western Europe--but when one talks about reality, Butei that do nothing but kill, do exist. And, around 70% of such Butei are those that specialize in sniping. Of course, no matter which country it is, this information is highly classified. "--I'll pretend that I didn't hear that." Saying this, I looked out the window. Reki... As expected, you are not normal. Well, from the beginning, I had had such a feeling. "Tohyama. Since you said that you're under Reki's Sniper Restriction, this problem would be best solved early. I certainly accepted a contract to aid you, but--if you wish to make Lima Syndrome a reality, in the end, you must still build a good relationship between Reki and you." "I was doing that, but it hasn't been going well." "Mm, luckily--you and Reki are a boy and girl. There's a strategy." ...A boy and girl? ...A strategy? Why is it that I don't have a good feeling about this. "What are you saying I should do?" "Have you brought Reki into the city? In other words, going on a date." "Go-going on a date...? No, it wasn't a date, but there was a time where we went to Odaiba to eat ramen." "You didn't make Reki pay, did you?" "She didn't pay." Hearing me say this, Jeanne said, surprised, "Well done, Tohyama. Reki must have been happy." "She didn't seem any different to me." "No. She would have been happy in her heart. After all, this is something that would make anyone happy. Even if that meal cost a mere 100 yen." More accurately, she didn't use any money. Because, she ate the super pot ramen within 30 minutes. "What I wanted to say was this behavior, treating Reki as a girl, treating her gently. Because of your role as a boy, this will have an effect. As long as you continue doing this, you will be able to build a good relationship with Reki. Right, I've thought of a good idea. Why don't you go to Caravan I now? Use that time where you have freedom of action." "Freedom of action...?" "Stay by Reki's side during the trip, doing things that girls would like." "Things that girls would like...what's that? I'm not holding myself back, but I really am clueless when it comes to that area. Couldn't you tell me something a little more specific? You're a girl too, right?" "That's--this method may be a little cliche, but use gifts to deepen your relationship. Once girls receive things like clothing or jewelry from boys, they'll feel that some distance has decreased, creating a happy feeling. Even girls and boys that are fighting make up with this method." "...Then, what shop should I visit to buy such things?" "For example, a boutique." Bou-boutique... That's a really ancient way of saying it... No, rather than that... "Don't you think that Reki has no interest in things like fashion...? "Listen well, Tohyama. There is not a girl on Earth that has no interest in clothing. This is a law of the world." *Rustle* Facing Jeanne, who said those words with an earnest face and feeling a little suspicion appear in my heart, I... "Then, would you be happy as well? For example, if you were to receive some clothes that you liked that I had bought for you from a boutique." ...casually put forth an example. And...maybe it was because this was an unexpected question, but... "Clothes that I like?" Jeanne looked shocked for a moment...and with an attitude very unlike her, she dipped her head a little. "--N-no. If Tohyama sees me wearing clothes like that...he'll definitely think I am strange. The fact that the clothes I like don't fit my image, I understand perfectly." "Your taste in clothes doesn't matter, right?" "Then, for example...just as an example--I wouldn't mind a fluttering, long skirt with patterns that a girl would like. There should be a headdress. Ah, no, that's just an example." Since you said it's just an example, why are you leaning towards me? What is this? "--Whatever. I'm not interested either. What's important is, you wouldn't be happy about something you should be happy about." "I-I'd be happy about that. Originally, I'd only wear it in my room, but if it was something you bought for me, it's not that I wouldn't specially show it to only you. If you wouldn't tell anybody." As if she really wanted to show it to me, Jeanne said that with a strange sort of tension, but... Well, in short, she would be happy. Receiving clothes that a boy bought for her. I understand that. If that's so for Jeanne, then...there might be a chance that Reki too is affected. But, for me, this is an amazingly difficult task. No less than a battle. How depressing. September 14-- Called a field trip, the journey of team formation had started. Despite the fact that this, in reality, was not a field trip, on the schedule...the so-called, "Travel Bookmark": "Location: Keihanshin (Assembly point - Dispersal point) Day 1: Educational trip to tour Kyoto shrines (Tour at least three points and submit reports afterward.) Day 2 & 3: Freedom of action (Touring the cities: Osaka, Kobe)" Was all that was written. There were no teachers chaperoning. If this were shown to the Ministry of Education, they would fly into a rage. Crumpling that useless piece of paper into a ball and throwing it away, I-- -stepped onto the Kyoto platform from the Toukaidou Shinkansen , train No. 101. On the road, I had just been sitting there dazed, but the Shinkansen really is fast. We had left Shinagawa at 7:00, and barely after 9:00 we had arrived. ...*Tap Tap. Scrape Scrape* Reki and Haimaki followed me off the Shinkansen, stepping down onto the platform. "..." I couldn't help but make a pained look at Reki, who wasn't going to leave my side for any reason... The Butei High girls, taking the same Shinkansen to come here, were all looking this way, whispering something among themselves. And what they were saying...I could guess. Those few, while they were walking through the train, they saw Reki and I, and immediately, their faces became excited. ...Let's enter the city quickly, disappearing into the crowd. Aahh...This is the first time I've had a field trip where I've been less able to relax. But, the fortunate thing is, because of matters dealing with her mother's trial, Aria missed the field trip...and Shirayuki, staying at the Hotogi Kyoto Shrine, would have a hard time going onto the streets. If they were to meet Reki here and start a battle, they'd definitely give the residents of Kyoto some trouble. The type that tends to occur with stray bullets. "...Reki, is there somewhere you'd like to go?" Thinking about Jeanne's suggestion, I asked Reki what she wanted, though I knew it was useless... Reki shook her head, her hair rustling. "There isn't really somewhere I'd like to go either. But, the first day, we have to see at least three temples or shrines, submitting a report about them. So, we're going to have to walk a lot, today. It should be fine, right?" This time, she nodded. Ah...The Reki as normal. I fished the guidebook that I had bought in advance out of my bag. Now, I had to think about the routes we should take to go to whichever temple. During the time we had seen Kiyoumizudera and Kinkakuji , Reki, following at my side, had been wordless from the beginning to the end. Just, as we were walking through the tourists and geisha, whether it was to keep me from escaping or to keep us from separating, I did not know, but she would grasp my sleeve. And, known for my misfortune, I would always meet other students just at that moment, "Ah, they're linking their arms." "They're so lovey-dovey." It was like pouring oil on the fire of those horrible rumours. Because of that, for the sake of not meeting anybody from Butei High...I avoided Ginkaku temple, which was a set location, and following Muto's advice, who had come here before, we went to Sanjuusangendou , where none of my classmates were. I avoided taking the bus, and instead, we took a taxi. Reki is really expensive. I threw a glance inside from the entrance of the temple, (Alright, there are no Butei High students.) After I had confirmed this, I... I went to the reception to buy tickets, and seeing the notice on the wall: "To the students on Butei High Training School's field trip, please leave your guns and swords etc., here"--I left all my weapons there. "Reki, leave yours too." Hearing my words, Reki, more obedient than I thought, left her Dragunov and bayonet at the reception. It looks like she really will listen to all my orders. "..." Suddenly, my gaze a little suspicious, I glanced towards Reki, who was like this. I had heard...paranoid Butei would hide extremely small folding knives or derringers. And, such people would always stay silent, so that they would not be found out. "...Open your mouth a little and show it to me." Hearing my order, Reki raised her head, looking at me...opening her mouth. Hmm. There's nothing, for now. But, it really is small. Her mouth. Her teeth were neatly arranged, and her tongue too, was like that of a child's. Well, that's a given, since Reki is a rather small girl. "Alright. Close it." Once I had finished speaking, Reki's mouth shut...and like a small animal, she looked up at me. Seeing this gaze and position, not being able to help but think back to Reki's kiss, I-- "...Then, let's start touring. Make Haimaki wait here." Flicking my gaze at Haimaki, I entered the hall. Sanjuusangendou, since ancient times, has been renowned as a place for testing arrows. It is said that, the 120 meter long main hall, under the eaves, was used for an archery competition called "Arrow Traversal", and even now, it was still continuing, albeit in a different form. --Now that I think about it, it could be said that this is a temple that has a relationship with sniping. Walking through the corridor, which was lined with one thousand statues of Zenjuukannon , all neatly arranged in a row, I...glanced towards Reki. The same as ever...Reki still had that perfectly expressionless face. Even the statues of Buddha have expressions. But, only after reaching Kyoto did I know this, statues of Buddha have different expressions. Reki...didn't seem to have any interest in this place, she just trudged on alongside me. For her--a mere 120 meters was a distance where she could probably shoot through the heart of a flea. I counted the hands of Zenjuukannon, thanking God in my heart that Aria did not have this many. Rather than a Quadra, she'd be a Sendra . Thinking about that, I chuckled... (If she were here, this trip would definitely be a lot more vigorous.) Thinking about this, I walked through the corridor. Although I was together with Reki, we hadn't shared any special feelings... "...We've finished the tour." Within a short amount of time, Reki and I had finished touring the hall. It had just reached afternoon. It was set down that we were to tour three temples or shrines on the first day, but we had already finished touring three. (...What should we do...) Under the fresh, blue, autumn sky, Reki and I arrived at something like a courtyard. Seeing that, in the middle, there was something like a backless-bench, covered with a red cloth, I sat down...looking over Reki, I gazed upon several windmills, apparently made by the local children. Suddenly, "--Kinji-san. When you were walking with me, you were thinking about another girl, were you not?" Still looking downwards, Reki spoke those words to me. *Surprise* "You were thinking about Aria, were you not?" Bu-bullseye. "...How did you know?" "Just now, when you were walking through the corridor, your smiling face--was the same as the face when you are together with Aria." *Stare* Reki's ice-cold eyes were fixed on me. Sc-scary. This is a temple--thank God that weapons are prohibited here. "Th-that is...Well, I was her partner for an entire semester, I just suddenly thought about it and laughed." I casually made an excuse, and Reki, "Please do not get closer to Aria." -with some sort of terrifying air...she warned me. I mean, it was extremely slight, but...she was giving a feeling, which seemed to convey the fact that she was angry about something. And, this was the first time she had spoken since we arrived at Kyoto. "Are you angry?" "No." No, you are angry, aren't you? For some reason, I felt that the way you said "No," just now was a little angry. "You're angry, right?" "..." Reki shook her head, her hair rustling. But, this second denial--she did not speak. Just a gesture. It might be, that that was a sign of weakness. In short, she was more or less angry. About the fact that, while together with her, I had thought about Aria. Well...that was certainly my fault... But, Reki really gets angry for the most inexplicable reasons. If Reki and I were really engaged, then I'd be able to understand her anger. But, this was something that, according to what Reki had said, something like an arranged marriage...It was not because she liked me that she stays close to me. Just that, Reki had received some denpa from whatever place--and she was just obeying "wind"-sama's orders. So, Reki has no reason to get angry about the thing that happened before. From my standpoint, she was being a little unreasonable. ...With that, I felt a little upset... "I am not angry." Towards me, who was like that, as if announcing it to herself--Reki once again denied it. "Is that true?" "I am sure that Kinji-san is aware of my nickname." --Robot Reki. Have you heard it said yourself? "Just like what other people say in the shadows, I--do not have the emotions of a normal person. Because, the wind does not like people's 'emotions'." "..." The "wind" that Reki had said...it looks like it's a firm delusion, set deep within herself. "So, I am not angry. I do not laugh, nor do I cry." Telling me these things in a detached manner, Reki's words made me...completely speechless. Certainly, I had never seen Reki express her emotions. I had always believed that that was just because of an overly strong professional consciousness as a "sniper", who seeks calmness in all things, manifesting itself in that pattern...but it seems that that was not all. Is her emotionless appearance tied in together with her "wind" delusion? If so, this is a profound problem. (But...) From the conversation just now-- It may have been just a little, but contrary to her words, I felt that I had caught a glimpse of Reki's feelings. It had not been completely expressed, but the her as of right now was releasing a sense of unhappiness. So...definitely... It's definitely possible. Reki's humanization, and Lima Syndrome as well. That's what I thought. I could not help but think any other way. (But...then, what should I do?) The me as of right now has made her angry. Opposed to that, if I don't make her happy, there will be no hope for Lima Syndrome. I stared directly at the side of Reki's face, who had resumed her wordless mode, her arms folded... ... ...... Ah. A red dragonfly had stopped. On Reki's head. You, can even bugs mistake you as a statue? Please move a little. While I was complaining in my heart, I looked at the red dragonfly, sitting on her head like a ribbon, suddenly thinking back to Jeanne's words. "That's--this method may be a little cliche, but use gifts to deepen your relationship. Once girls receive things like clothing or jewelry from boys, they'll feel that some distance has decreased, creating a happy feeling. Even girls and boys that are fighting make up with this method." ...There's no choice. Because I have no more cards to play, I'll have to try using Jeanne's method. In the movie I had seen on TV, "Pretty Woman", there was this kind of scene. But...I'm not familiar with Kyoto. I have no idea of what is sold where. Go out to Osaka? After all, I had gone there before, together with Nii-san. Doing something like going with a girl to buy things, it's rather impossible for me, but... This is for the sake of Lima Syndrome. Written on Masters' schedule was the fact that Osaka too was a city where we could go see shrines, so it's two bird with one stone. "Reki." "Yes." "Let's walk to Osaka for a while. So we can shop together." Hearing me say that, Reki looked at me with, for some reason, a little surprise, before she nodded-- As if confirming the fact I had started to understand a little, a sort of soothed feeling began to flow out of Reki. She remained expressionless, but, if I were to use Haimaki as a comparison, it'd be a state in which his tail was wagging slightly. What...are you happy about me saying: "We can shop together"? I don't understand girls at all. After taking the train for around an hour, we arrived at Shinsaibashi , Osaka. This place was the gathering place of teenagers, well, to put it in terms of Kyoto, it's a location akin to that of Shibuya or Harujuku . Clothing stores and accessory shops were everywhere. Since we're going shopping for the sake of starting Lima Syndrome against Reki, then Keihanshin should be a good place. But, exiting the subway, which was like a mole, Reki and I, wearing bulletproof uniforms...stood out amongst the crowd of teenagers, wearing very current and fashionable clothes. "Coming here was good, but...I don't know it at all, the fashion of this city, that is." I said it, half to myself, "I do not know either." After Reki said that, we stood there, at a loss of what to do. "..." After all, the location that Introvert and Wordless shouldn't have gone to, is here. (But, this is also for the sake of putting Lima Syndrome into action against Reki.) I motivated myself, setting off down the busy street. I can't say that I'm wealthy--but it's not like I don't have any money. During July, my bank account had received the halved reward of the casino security detail, and the compensation of the commissions I took during the summer holiday may have been small, but I still received it from Butei High. But...the "boutique" that Jeanne had mentioned was here and there, but I had no idea of anything to do with fashion. Buying things that would make girls, Reki included, happy...I had no idea of what those things might be. "Reki. What kind of casual clothes do you wear?" Not knowing, I asked her directly, "I do not have casual clothes." "...Are you saying that you have nothing but your uniform?" "Yes." She responded with an answer that was completely expected, and I increasingly felt the urge to drop to my knees in despair. This is so difficult. Then, I'll directly make Reki walk and look for a store that she wants to go to. I'll just spend some time drinking coffee there or something. No...letting Reki, who has no consciousness of the outside world, or rather, no common sense at all, walk wherever she wants to, is dangerous. This street is full of boys radiating a feeling of nanpa , and Reki will have no idea of their ulterior motives. Even during the Casino security detail, she had trouble with the womanizing CEO. With that in mind, I brought Reki along with me, and without any real purpose, we walked onwards. If you let a dog walk on its own, it will hit a pole. As I thought about that, glancing at Haimaki, plodding along beside us... Kuh. This place too, has a few students from Tokyo Butei High. Because the boys were wearing the same uniform as me, and the girls were wearing a dark-red sailor uniform, I noticed it immediately. They too had finished their touring of the temples early, and were now touring the city...they seemed to be coming here to play. Over here, there was also an Osaka Butei High, they were moving with that as a destination. Damn it. Not wanting to be disturbed by them again, because of Reki, I-- -thinking that whatever shop would be fine, I looked around. Convenience store, clubhouse, a neko-design cafe...in my line of sight, next to the cafe, "Chaton B", a select shop aimed towards girls, appeared before my eyes. Alright. I'll just go in here. With that, I pushed forward into the store--Reki followed me, her footsteps quick. Haimaki, wiping his paws on the mat at the entrance, followed us from there. It looks like a very fashionable shop, but it's fine. We're two Butei, bringing a wolf too, after all. Inside "Chaton B", there were a lot of neko designs as well...they seemed to be using a forest as an image theme, the shelves and cases were all made out of wood. The decorations were all leaves and vines too. This ambiance...isn't so bad. I was a little worried that we would be kicked out for bringing in a wild animal, but the female assistants, with tea-colored hair, said: "Welcome~~, oh, cuuteee~!", hugging Haimaki. Thank God. This seems to be a store where pets are OK. What a relief. Haimaki wagged his tail, looking up at the assistants with a face that seemed to convey the message, "I'm a good boy!". You can really read the mood, can't you. I hope that your master over there can watch and learn. "--I'm sorry. Could you lend me your ears for a while?" Hearing me say this and going "Mm?", the assistants thrust their heads towards me, next to my face... "I...am in a certain situation, and I have to buy something for that girl over there, but...she doesn't really know what kind of clothes she likes, so would it be possible for you to pick something for her?" If one wants ice cream, he goes to an ice cream parlor. "Shirts" ,"Skirts", "Pants." I, confused and ignorant about any of these phrases that girls use, should ask the assistants, right? Thinking this, I explained the situation to them honestly--and the onee-san smiled at me strangely. "Situation, huh? An-san, it's that, right? Yer preparing to break through her barrier, right? I knew it from a glance. That girl's guard is pretty firm." Uu...this person, is she something like a former Butei? I have no idea. If one is aiming for Lima Syndrome, they have to destroy the barrier around the opponent's heart. And, the barrier around Reki's heart was extremely strong. For the sake of breaking through it, I came here to go shopping so we can improve our relationship. I thought that there was probably no-one undergoing Sniper Restriction from a girl, but Osaka Butei High is near here, it could be that this shop was often visited by Butei. "--Speaking truthfully, that's how it is. I was hoping that you could help me solve this." Forgetting my embarrassment during the journey, I said that-- "Hehe~. You're naughty~" Said the Onee-san, nudging me with her elbow. Eh. What did you say? Why would you call me naughty? "Isn't it great, young lady? This boy wants to buy something for ya~. Afterwards, give him a kiss, a'right?" Ki-kiss? Wh-what? It looks like we've misunderstood something. "Leave it to me! I'm a genius at choosin' clothes based on my customers' sizes. Alright, young lady, tell me ya height and weight. And, ya three sizes, hehehe." "150 centimeters, 41 kilograms, 76 centimeters, 50 centimeters, 73 centimeters." "Ooh, cuutee~. On a closer look~, ya have a really pretty~ face, y'know~. Almost like a diamond gem~." Answering casually while pushing Reki's back, the onee-san brought Reki deeper into the shop. "Why don'tcha sit down over there and have some coffee while ya wait, an-san?" "A-ah." Coffee? Not really knowing how things go at this store, I followed her instructions, sitting by the table, and quickly, from "Chaton Cafe", which seemed to have some sort of relationship with this place, another onee-san, wearing a brooch with a different cat-design, came, holding a menu, smiling all the while. Ku. I have to pay for the coffee as well. Rather, when did I say I was going to shop here? The people here really know how to run a business. A group of girls, holding select shop "Chaton B"'s paper bags, and boys, seeming to be buying the girls their clothes, were drinking tea and coffee while talking, seeming to be waiting for a certain event. Surrounded by these people, all speaking Osaka-ben , which my ears weren't accustomed to, I, the outsider, folded my arms, waiting... "How's it?" With that, the onee-san from earlier had brought-- Reki's appearance made me spit out the coffee I was drinking with an "Ehnn!" The reason for that was-- A kindergarten uniform...! Although it was made to be worn for adults. "Wh-what the hell is that!" Wiping a paper napkin around my mouth, I pushed the chair back. Wearing a yellow kindergarten hat along with a water-blue smock and standing there wordlessly, Reki had a tag with "れき" written on it pinned to her chest. N-no, even more than that...those legs had become horrifying. I had thought that the length of the skirt would be to scale with a normal kindergartener's skirt, but it was a shocking mini-size. It stopped 1 centimeter below the inseam. Seeing the sheathe for her bayonet, gunchira (Seeing the area under the skirt where guns and knives are hidden. Namer: Idiot Muto), was happening even now. "..." Reki was, as ever, in her living mannequin mode, standing straight. (Wh-what a lifeless kindergartener...) Her hair was also tied back with a rubber band, and she really looked like a child that had been turned overly big with magic. "...?" Seeing my reaction, Reki looked up and down at her own appearance a little. I mean...there's no need to wear that kind of thing so obediently. Some people, upon seeing this, would burst into tears out of happiness, but I have no interest in that kind of thing. "An-san~, ya made a nice, 'Eeh!', reaction. But...why'd ya do that? I thought that she'd fit this kinda childish clothin'." "O-of course, if it fits well, it fits well, but...don't use these kinds of clothes please...at least, something that she can walk outside in..." I...slumped over the table, trying to plead with the onee-san, somehow. "An-san, this ain't a joke ya know. But, somethin' for the nighttime would be nice, right? Hehehe." For the nighttime...? Is she planning to use it as pajamas? She'll catch a cold if she wears that kind of skirt, right? Well...it looks like this cosplay was just a prank. Is this part of their culture too? Looks like such things exist when you go on a trip. Behind Reki, whose kindergarten skirt was fluttering as she was led into the changing room, I wiped my sweat off. Ah, onee-san. Please close the curtain of the changing room. You just left a subtle gap, making it so that only people from my angle could see it, right? You probably think that you're doing me a favor, but it's just a complete annoyance for me. That action, that is. That kindergarten uniform was something that made me extremely surprised-- But, it too was something that fit Reki really well, the shop assistant onee-san was really good at choosing an outfit that matches with her customer. Afterward, calling it "Jungle girl," she made Reki wear clothes with a reindeer pattern...it fit her too. There was no incompatibility. After that, wearing something very similar to the frilly dresses that Riko usually wears, it was a lolita costume. (Under Riko's persistent reminding, I finally remembered.) Originally, this seemed to be clothing that was meant to be worn by rather lively girls, but with Reki wearing it, she looked like an antique doll. But, this kind of clothing would make the sleeves get caught when readying her sniper rifle, so, from the Butei standpoint, I denied it... Lastly, the assistant said, "Next is my favorite," taking out some clothes from the corner of the shop so Reki could try them on. Because makeup was part of the service, Reki was really sealed inside the changing room by the onee-san. I finally realized that some cats that Chaton Cafe was taking care of were walking around, understanding why it was OK for Haimaki to enter, but I was wondering whether it was really hygienic as I waited... Reki hadn't come out for a while. Drinking my coffee and feeling a little bored, I went outside for a little while... Suddenly, I thought about something. I spent some time buying little things at the outdoor stalls. I returned to Chaton B, "...Ahh, ya really look like a diamond gem~..." Saying that, I heard a voice, shocked at something, from the changing rooms-- *Rustle* After the curtain had opened, a slender foot, wearing white, high-heeled sandals exited the changing room. *Tap Tap* Once again making her appearance inside the shop, Reki... The assistants, Chaton Cafe's customers, I...even Haimaki, everyone's gaze was drawn to her, fixated on her. Makeup applied, her hair combed and set properly, wearing a white sleeveless one-piece, the lack of sleeves its highlight, Reki was-- (S-so...beautiful) That's what I thought, from the bottom of my heart. Those exquisite features, already looking as if she was a work of art, confirmed onee-san's words. She was like a sparkling diamond. Painstakingly polished by this process of outfitting herself and applying makeup, really, all eyes were focused on her. One portion of the white cloth, made of what looked like fine silk, accentuated the lines of her body, which were already highlighted by the illumination of the store, making the sense of transparency that Reki already gave off even stronger. I thought that if Aria takes the time to beautify herself, she could be on the cover of fashion magazines, and Reki...was the same. Well, Aria would be on one of those popular magazines that everyone reads--and Reki would be on those high class fashion magazines aimed at ojou-samas. If I had to make a distinction, that would be it. "..." Even with that, Reki wasn't making any special expressions, but as if checking herself out, she looked into the full-body mirror, her gaze somewhat satisfied. Well, that's...probably because she thinks it won't hinder her in battle. "Ehh, then, is this what you want?" Seeing that Reki and I had nothing to say, the onee-san whipped out a chocolate colored calculator. ...*Tap Tap Tap Tap*. She entered in the prices. "One piece and sandals...as well as the inner clothing, 'ight. Here ya go." Looking at the numbers on the calculator that had been handed to me, I... --Uwoah! ...as if there was a gun pointed at me, I reflexively dodged away from the calculator. --Hi-high! Isn't this 10 times the price of the clothes sold at UNIQLO !? I'll really use all my money and become homeless. If I pay for this. At this kind of time, what kind of Osaka speech should I use to get a good result? Justa prank? Didn't study? Damn it, I knew I should've learned these kinds of words from Muto, who was originally from Kobe. As if drawing my gun, my hands trembling, my fingers reached for my wallet--at that moment. "Kinji-san." Looking just like an ojou-sama, Reki moved her lips, delicately coated with lip gloss, making a sound. "...?" *Whoosh* With that, Reki's gaze, which had been appraising herself, moved--I followed it. "Popular! From 15:00 today Chaton B and Chaton Cafe's joint event ☆ Chaton Call ☆ As the winner's reward, the price of everything that is bought today at Chaton B is halved!" That was written on a small blackboard with colored chalk. Glancing at my watch, it was just 14:55. Looking up at the onee-san, I saw that she had an expression which conveyed: "Ya realized it, huh?" I see. Aiming for this event--were the boy and girl customers that were buying clothes at "Chaton B" and chatting at "Chaton Cafe". "Reki, come. Drink some tea as well." A little uneasy about the scent of the foundation, wafting this way in Reki's wake as she walked towards me, I, not knowing the contents, went to "Chaton Call", determined to take part. This joint event--would be our first mission together. These are pitiable words, but I'll have to do this for real. Because, whether or not we become homeless, is down to this. According to the assistant's explanation, Chaton Call was this store's unique event, a competition to see how many of the cats walking around Chaton Cafe could be called to one's table. The time limit is one minute. If you stand up from your seat, you are disqualified, and touching the cats with your hands is forbidden too. The prerequisite for participation is: the people involved have to be a couple, but since things had come to this, I had no choice but to sacrifice everything to win this. I was embarrassed to the point where I wanted to die, however, we could use the fact that, for some reason, we were mistaken as lovers, meeting the prerequisites. "Participating couple name: Kinji - Reki"...My hand, shaking uncontrollably, wrote our names on the blackboard. Now, the money I had had been slightly decreased by the tea that Reki had drunk, and it had fallen below the price of the clothes that had been shown to us earlier. Since things had come to this, I had to gift Reki with these clothes. Not winning, or running away with the clothes, was not an option. Now that I think about it, didn't something like this happen at the ramen shop in Odaiba? It seems that Reki was born under the star for putting my wallet in danger. Please make that star go supernova. (But...calling cats and keeping them, huh...) This was something that I hadn't even considered practicing for, a mission that was completely out of my expectations. Honestly, we have no chance of winning. Because, for some unknown reason, I don't get along well with animals. Ever since I was a child. What do I do? "So, have ya made ya preparations? Alright, start!" Despite the fact that I was so nervous, the onee-san, over at the cafe, made her announcement, the noise entering the mic amplified by the speakers. The groups of couples inside the shop started going, "Here kitty, here kitty," making whistling noises, starting to call the cats towards them. But, cats are extremely cautious creatures. Just wandering around inside the shop, they weren't going to suddenly get close to people they hadn't seen before. "He-here." I gestured at a cat whose eyes I had met--but, with a purr, it looked the other away. Damn it. The shop knew this, which is why they had this event, right? Since the cats aren't familiar with anybody, everybody will be disqualified, as written on the blackboard. "I-I have to think of something..." From in front of me, who was becoming agitated, Reki, sitting up straight in front of her untouched tea, which had gotten cold, "I do not really understand, but is it fine if I gather all the cats?" She asked, as if it had nothing to do with her. "That's right. But, it's not easy. It seems like these cats have been trained to not respond no matter how much the customers call them." "..." I told her softly, and Reki went silent for moment--not even looking in the direction of the cats, *Bch* ...She closed her eyes for a long moment, and that unchanged expressionless face-- "Nyan." She said. ... ...Ny... ..."Nyan"...did she say...? I didn't hear incorrectly. She definitely said it. She had just uttered something that was capable of entering the best three of, 'words most unlikely to come out of Reki's mouth'. Overwhelmingly rare. I mean...Having said "Nyan", was she trying to imitate a cat's purr? She doesn't sound like one at all. With just the same monotone as ever, all she said was, "Nyan". Before, in Ueno, the imitation that Aria had done was better. That too was amazingly horrible, but an imitation as bad as this makes me unable to even say that it's an imitation. As my heart shattered into pieces, just about to concede defeat... --*Tense*-- All the cats in the store raised their heads in unison. "...!?" Looking around, each one of the cats was looking at this table--rather, looking at Reki. *Tap*...*Tap Tap*... "Wha...?" "Eh...!?" The clothing store's onee-san and the cafe's onee-san made sounds of disbelief. I was sitting there, dazed, and under my table-- The cats...had gathered there without exception...! "Re-Reki, you..." "This is fine, right?" By Reki's feet, who had just said that...White, black, spotted, striped. The cats were gathered there, as if believers listening to a preacher. Now...now that I think about it, Reki...had done something similar to this in the first semester. She had spoken to the grey wolf, which was completely hostile towards us, immediately taming it. Right now, that wolf was Haimaki. Somehow, Reki seems to be a inexplicable girl that is able to undergo communication with animals. Although such a thing isn't possible for humans. The "Nyan" from earlier was... ...definitely a signal to the cats, the contents being: "Come here. If you don't, horrible things will happen." No, seeing as how obedient the cats were, it was probably a strong message, something like: "If you don't come, I will whip you into the ground. I will set Haimaki on you." "Cha-Chaton Call--The winners are the couple, Kinji and Reki!" Co-couple, you said? Please, I beg of you the cafe's onee-san, don't use that kind of speakers to say that in such a loud voice. I didn't tell you this, but this is because we're just pretending to be a couple. "From now onwards, please continue to get along well and love each other! We'll be supporting ya!" Please...please stop. The onee-san from Chaton B said, "Us sisters here will work hard!", and in full view of the other customers, she brazenly gave me the cash coupon for a 50% discount. With this, you can spread the words of what a nice atmosphere this shop has. You really have the soul of a businessman. Rather, were you sisters? "Alright, victory kiss! Kiss!" The onee-san's in Chaton Cafe were saying that, as if venting their feelings. The customers started chanting, "Kiss! Kiss!", a kiss call. ...I'm sorry. That's not happening. "We-well, we did it, somehow." As I reached for my wallet with a sense of relief-- "--Kinji-san." Not even flashing a courteous smile in the midst of everybody's applause, Reki--*Click*, suddenly stood up. "?" "Please stand." What? I stood up, and-- *Squeeze* Reki, from a distance I could not dodge, as if dancing, embraced me around the waist. "He-hey...!" Reki's hand, completely unnoticeable from looking at it--was strong. With some sort of intention, she restricted me close to herself. Seeing Reki finally bring her lips up to my cheek, the store erupted with cheers. And, looking as if she was kissing me to the surrounding people, Reki--voicelessly, whispered by my ear, "Somebody is following us." --What? "Please do not move your gaze unnaturally. I do not know who it is, but I am afraid that it is an S-rank professional. At the start, he showed no signs of aggression, but now, he is openly radiating hostility. From outside the store--near the entrance, he is observing this place." "Wh-when did this start...?" "Kinji-san, did you leave the store just now?" "Ah, yeah." Just now, taking advantage of the time that Reki was sealed inside the changing room... I went outside, buying some things from the open-air stalls. "--I think it was from that point onwards. After I had worn these clothes and strode out of the changing room, I could feel that gaze. After we arrived at this city, I felt that somebody was following us for a moment--but after that, I thought that they had retreated." There's somebody following us...? Who is it? Why are they following us? Acting calm, I returned to my seat, and as if nothing had happened, I started twirling the spoon sitting next to my coffee. I had learned about this in Inquesta. For the sake of preventing your gaze or actions from being noticed by the enemy, you have to, like this...use something like a mirror to check your surroundings. And on the curved surface of the spoon, I successfully caught the reflection of the entrance-- "..." At that time, a breeze had just blown past, making that rouge skirt... I just made out part of a twin-tail. A pink one. (--Aria?) Reflexively turning back out of shock-- -standing at the entrance of the shop, looking in discreetly, Aria's gaze met mine. --*Da!* Seeing Reki and I together, her expression, for some reason, looked as if the world had ended, Aria twisted around violently, running away. At that instant, for a reason unbeknownst to even me, I immediately stood up! Impulsively dashing out of the store. "--Aria, wait!" On this boulevard, crowded with teenagers, seemingly hard to run through, I quickly caught up to Aria. "~~~~~~~~~~~~~!" Trying to shake off my hand viciously, Aria was in a state of agitation where she couldn't even say a word. What. Why are you so mad? "I-it's fine for you! Because I haven't said it to you clearly! But, Reki--Reki, I definitely told! That girl, kn-knew full well! Reki! Reki--I won't forgive you! Reki, you...Reki, you!" In an agitated state, Aria was in a mode where I could not understand a word she was saying. Her twin tails in a tangle, she directed a constant stream of abuse at Reki, who wasn't here-- "You too--let go of me! I'm busy! Just that, before going to Kure , I came to Osaka Butei High to get some equipment that I had left here! Because, Muto Goki and Riko are waiting for me at Kure!" Kure...Hiroshima? And, Riko and Muto? What's with that. Does it have something to do with Kanae-san's trial? Towards me, who was just about to ask that, Aria-- "I'm busy!" *Thud!* A fist collided into the space between my eyebrows. "As a couple with Reki!" *Kch!* She swept me off my feet. "I hope you're happy!" *Thud!* Stepping on my face, which had been brought to the floor in an instant, she vanished into the crowd. "Y-you...What was that!" At that moment, Haimaki caught up with me, who had shouted that. Is the reason that Aria left with such haste because she noticed him? No, not only Haimaki. Because, I had also vaguely felt--Reki, from some unknown location, was staring this way. And, she was using the scope of her Dragunov. Once again, Aria had been pushed away by that killing intent. Aah. Caravan I, despite the fact that this was an activity where we're supposed to make teams...the relationship between Aria and Reki, as well as I, was getting worse and worse. --It had already reached a point where reconciliation was impossible. ### 009. 4th Ammo - Flash Cannon ## 4th Ammo: Flash Cannon Butei Charter article 4: Butei must be independent. Butei High's field trip follows this rule, making its students find lodging for themselves. Because Reki will definitely stay with me, even at night, I, not willing to be mocked by my classmates...booked an isolated hotel in northeast Kyoto, at the forest near Mount Hiei, online. After all, the site said that pets are OK. We took a minibus, going along the driveway, disembarking at a desolate night path... Standing there all alone, the hotel, "Bee's child", had a retro appearance, and personally, I liked it. If she was a normal high school student, she'd definitely scream, "I don't want to stay at such an old place!" However, Reki, wearing her dress, her Butei High uniform in a paper bag...didn't say anything. I'm so glad that, at times like these, I don't need to worry about her. *Clatter Clatter*, I opened the sliding door at the entrance, and an unexpectedly young landlady welcomed us from inside. "My, my. Welcome." "Ah, um...I'm the Tohyama that reserved a place here online. I reserved two rooms...but, I'm a little short on money, so could you change one of the two rooms into a cheaper one?" So I said to her...Wearing typical Japanese clothing, the landlady looked between Reki and I... "My, my~, ufufufu." Covering her mouth with her sleeve, she narrowed her eyes happily. ...? "Customer-han, since that is the case, wouldn't it be fine if ya switched ta one room? Ya can stay together with yer girlfriend." Fufufu . The landlady said so extremely happily. I waved my hands violently, saying, "N-no, she isn't my girlfriend." "I am his girlfriend." Eh? I turned my head, and the person who had cut in was Reki. Wh-what are you claiming to be? "The hotel is the subject of the sentence, and the only other girl here is me. Therefore, the third person noun for such a situation would be 'she'." Her speech like that of a teacher's, the robot girl said these things as if putting forth a counterargument. "Mmnnn, I'm so jealous about how innocent you two are~~. Saori is so jealous~~." With a strange movement like that of a little girl, the landlady swayed left and right. She seemed to be dancing in time with the pendulum affixed behind her. Facing her, who, if I were to put her in a manga panel, was scattering hearts everywhere, the landlady--Saori-san "Ah, no...she's a girl that's a little bit...that..." I wanted to try explaining Reki to her, but... "Fortunately, there aren't any other guests today, so I'll prepare a nice room for ya, OK?" Saori spun around, daintily walking inside, bringing us in. The "Room of the Western Front" that we had been led into was a luxurious 8-tatami room, the tatami is completely new. Aptly named, the walls of the room were decorated with vividly colored Nishijin , which looked like tapestries. In front of the silk was a vase, which looked big enough for someone to enter, raising the overall feeling of classiness. This is an amazingly...good room. Almost too good. Preferring Japanese-styled rooms to the rooms in modern city-hotels, I was extremely thankful to the landlady, who had given us such a high-class room for such a reasonable price, but... The problem is, the fact that Reki is sharing a room with me. For these few days, I had been living in Reki's room, but that was just a desolate emptiness. Rather than, "living" together with Reki, the mood was more like, "in the midst of battle." So, I was able to somewhat convince myself, but-- Staying in the same room during a trip, however, the mood was completely different. "..." Reki and I were sitting next to the wooden table, eating the food that the landlady, Saori-san, had quickly prepared for us. It was delicious, but I was agitated to the point where I wasn't sure what I was eating. (He-heavy, this atmosphere...) Reki and I...for some reason... Isn't this ambiance something like the "couple that ran away together for whatever reasons" atmosphere, so commonly found in old movies? And, the majority of those would be, the so-called adult movies...and afterward, it will go into something where I can't help but avert my eyes, pushing the fast-forward button...that stimulating scene. Ah... (I may be alone with Reki, but because we have nothing to talk about...I'm thinking about these unnecessary things.) *Stare* Looking in front of me, Reki, sitting up straight, was eating her meal from the right to left, just gradually eating, as if the taste was completely irrelevant. In a short while, she had finished all the rice, next, she ate all the tempura, from then on, it was sashimi, and lastly, she drank the miso soup in one gulp. "..." Afterwards, having finished our meal, together, Reki and I put our cellphones, both out of charge, on top of the TV, and each of us plugged our respective phones into our respective chargers. When I had released my cellphone because there was nothing that I could do...I ordered Reki to: "Sit at the wall," sleeping at the sliding door at the other end of the room. Us two, completely silent, could hear the sound of crickets coming from outside of the paper walls... In the silence of the long, autumn night, it stood out even further. "..." Following my orders, Reki was sitting at the wall, apparently resting after she had eaten, staying completely still. ...Even though she's wearing such a beautiful dress, she's still sitting upright. Turning my back on Reki, who was in that kind of position, I fell asleep... *Slide* "Forgive my rudeness." The sliding door in front of my eyes opened, and Saori-san, kneeling in the corridor, had made her appearance once again. "--How was your meal?" "Ah, yes, it was delicious. Thank you for the meal." Completely caught off guard, I sat up straight, slightly panicked, and Saori-san, seeing the distance between Reki and I-- She made an expression: "I grow tired of this." "If yer completely finished with ya meal, then feel free ta take a bath. Because, today, both of ya are my only customers...You can use the hot springs for a while." A bath...? Flashing a face at me which said Give it your best shot , because of Saori-san's expression-- I had a bad feeling about this. Confirming my premonition, the hot springs at the hotel didn't have any signs with "Men's bath", or "Women's bath". In short, this was a mixed bath. --Mixed hot springs. For me, a no-man's land. When I had strode into the ICBM hangar in I-U, I was completely unarmed...and now, this was like entering there naked. But, today was quite hot, so I had sweated a little, so I had no choice but to go bathe. According to what Saori-san had said, there were no other customers, so there was no danger of being surrounded by any hostiles (= women). "Reki, you, absolutely, cannot come in here. Absolutely forbidden. Absolutely." In the room, having warned Reki--somehow, feeling as if I was the preview act for a comedy routine--I headed towards the hot springs. Thankfully, this hotel had a service where Saori-san would wash our clothes for us while we were inside the bath. As such, I put my clothes inside the laundry basket...*Rattle*, opening the sliding door... Because I had confirmed that no-one was around, I walked to the bath that was formed by rocks and a bamboo wall, lowering myself into the water in order to wash myself. (...) This...feels amazingly good. The temperature of the bath, lukewarm, was exactly to my liking, and besides that, the fact that I was alone allowed me to slip into a state of complete relaxation. It was as if the fatigue from the journey was seeping out of me, into the bath. Inside the steam of the bath, slowly wisping upwards, I... (I wonder what everyone from Butei High is doing...we're on a trip, so they're probably having fun right now.) ...thought about my classmates, time flowing by. After thinking about this and that, it was already 9:00 at night. Looking towards the stars, I saw that they were visible in the midst of the steam, and it was a beautiful sight. This is something that would be described as 'elegant'. *Buzzz*....*Buzzz*... The sound of insects from the forest. Hooo ... Hooo What I had heard from the faraway forest was the call of an owl. It had been a while since I'd last heard it. And, *Rattle*... The sound of the sliding door opening. (...Mm...?) *Splash* The sound of splashing water. *Splash*...*Splash*. (...Mmm...!?) And, *Splash*-- The sound of someone's foot entering the bath. --That! "Hey!" *Splash!* Standing up immediately, I dropped the towel that was sitting on my head, and catching it, I--covered one specific part of my body, backing up. Looking into the steam, the figure which I could see belonged to a-- Gi-girl. Rather, no matter how I looked at it, it was Reki. Leaning against the large rock at one side of the hot spring, was a Dragunov. Moreover, this was beyond obvious, but--she was naked. One wouldn't be able to say that Reki had a nice figure, even as flattery, since she had a body akin to a middle school student, but... Seeing the lines of her body where the steam was thin, she really had feminine, beautiful curves. Comparing is something that I would never do, but...her body was less flat than Aria's. The plumpness of her chest was like that of an unripe plum, or an apple. A slender waist. Her skin, normally reminiscent of ceramics, was shining even more, light reflected off the condensation of the steam, its pigment slightly flushed. "Re-Reki...!" --Reki isn't a robot, after all. She's a person. And she was, very clearly, a girl. The image she gave off, far from being anything like a normal girl, couldn't even be said to be human, but at this moment...I was made sharply aware of this sense of lust, of immorality. Reki, was a girl. But-- If that is so, then why. Why did she enter the bath with me so calmly. We are no longer children with no sense of the relationships between men and women, just playing with bubbles. The one saving grace was...because of the steam, I had no way of clearly seeing Reki, who was standing three meters away from me. After, all I can do is hope that this steam, almost unnaturally thick, doesn't disperse, for any reason. "I-I said not to come, so why..." Hearing me say that, Reki turned her small face, veiled by her damp short hair, looking this way. "Yes. Kinji-san gave me that order--but, I sensed danger, and I came to protect you." Eh, for me, you're the most dangerous thing here! Looking at Reki, who had ignored my orders, entering the hot springs, I could only dip myself back into the water, hiding my body. Calm down...you have to calm down...Kinji...! The trigger to Hysteria Mode, is the heart. As long as my heart keeps calm, then I should...be able to suppress it! Alright, think of normal things. Think about the primary reason for bathing. Bathing is something that one does to cleanse oneself, dispelling the pressure on one's soul. There were no unhealthy impulses behind it. Absolutely not. "Pro-protect me? Protect me from what...!" I wrapped the towel around my waist, and with an immovable resolve, I strode out of the bath. Keeping my breathing steady, I turned my face, following the bamboo fence towards the exit. *Splash* The splashing sound that Reki made, apparently coming my way, made my heart skip a beat. "--I have felt an ill wind. Please do not go too far from my side." Feeling the flow of blood become ever more dangerous, I ignored Reki's words, leaving the hot springs. Taking deep breaths, confirming the status of my body's core... I-I did it. I'm safe. I overcame it. Reki is definitely a beautiful girl. She's as cute as a small animal, a girl who carries an inexplicable, indescribable attraction. But--in reality, it appears that it's hard for me to go into Hysteria because of her. I still don't know the reason, however, having been kissed by her once before and transforming, I could not let my guard down, not for any reason. My uniform, during the time that I was in the bath, had already been cleaned and dried by the landlady, Saori-san. Thanking her gratefully in my heart and wearing my uniform, having returned to "The Room of the Western Front", I never thought that my agitated blood flow would become even more excited... Because, inside the room, there was a huge futon. And, there was only one. Added to that, the two pillows on top of it were pressed together, intimately. (Did...Did Saori-san do this...!) This will definitely--even someone as slow as me understood the underlying meaning behind this scene--preventing me from composing myself. I opened the cabinet in a panic, but it was empty, there were no other futons prepared. (What do I do...!) Kinji, what do you do! You're out of the frying pan and into the fire! The futon and pillow were wondrously soft, making one feel as comfortable as if it was heaven. Although, sleeping in it alone and making Reki sit on the tatami...I thought that I'd get an ulcer out of guilt. But, if I let Reki sleep inside, heaven will immediately become hell. Just thinking about it triggered slight Hysteria, an extremely dangerous action. Maybe, if I use this side, and she uses that side...? I separated the pillows, placing them at opposite ends of the futon, and my mind was running scenarios of what this would look like while asleep. Th-this won't do. This kind of distance would be covered just by one of us rolling over. And, I have no reason to wear the complete protective gear, Armament Set C, to sleep. Because, yukata were placed next to the pillow, meant to act as pajamas. --Yukata are very dangerous. Because, they can be stripped off in an instant. Also, comparatively, my sleeping posture is quite bad. When I was a child, I had stayed at the Hotogi shrine, wearing a yukata...but, once I woke up, I noticed that, sleeping next to me, Shirayuki, Kiriyuki, Kazayuki, and Konayuki, (there were only 4 sisters then,) were pressed against me like a sandwich. If that kind of scene appears in a situation like this, where Reki and I, a boy and girl, are alone together--whether it be in the dead of the night or at the crack of dawn, because of Hysteria Mode, I will really do some things that will render me unable to do anything but submit a wedding application. I cannot let such a thing come to pass. I held up one pillow, and like Nakasorachi in Connect, I started rolling around the futon... --*Rattle* At that moment, Reki, changed back into her uniform, opened the door. Having been completely unaware of her presence, I, shocked, started swinging the pillow, twice, thrice. "Ah, no, we're only two people, so we can't have a pillow fight." Saying things that even I didn't understand, I exerted all my willpower, forcing myself to act calm, keeping the pillow inside the cabinet. Hey, hand. My hand. Stop shaking. No matter what, I cannot let the topic turn to the futon... Steeling myself in my heart, I- "No-now that I think about it...what happened to Haimaki?" -asked this question, which I had been thinking of, trying to lead away from the topic. On the other side, Reki, going her own pace, grasped the Dragunov as if it was a stick...and at the wall, she sat upright. "--He's inside the room." "Inside the room?" I asked because he wasn't here. Well...whatever. At least, I've temporarily prevented any discussion over the futon. If Haimaki really were here, it'd just be even more hateful, anyways. "..." I re-arranged the things that I had disturbed in my panic just now, sitting down at the wall opposite Reki. This...is, strangely enough, like a painting. Separated by a gigantic futon, a boy and girl sits apart, on opposite walls. Doesn't this situation make it seem as if we're paying special attention to that one futon? (Aw-awkward...) This is far too awkward. Did the people who really went through arranged marriages in the past have this kind of feeling too? Rather, what does Reki plan to do? It can't be that she can't see this gigantic futon. But, if you're going to sleep sitting down as always...I'm sorry, but I will be sleeping inside the futon by myself. I'm really sorry about doing this to you. But, let the ulcers come. "You, that...Do you plan to sit here, holding your gun while sleeping?" Unable to stand the silence any longer, I started to speak-- -suddenly, I realized that the way I had started speaking might cause an understanding. What I had said just now seemed as if I was trying to draw Reki in. "Don't sleep that way" → "So, let's get into the futon together." If it were to be misunderstood like that, then I really won't have any way of backing out. I've really done it. But, it seemed as if I was just adding on to my imagined torments... "Yes. When the time comes, I have to fend off the enemy--The wind ordered me to do so." Reki, her head slanted downwards, looking at the tatami, answered me softly. If you say that...you're going to sleep upright. Alright, alright. The ball's in my court now. "The wind's orders, huh. Then, please obey them fully as well." "Yes. Just..." "...?" "The wind has two other orders. And, I haven't fulfilled them yet." "What orders?" I couldn't help but frown. Reki-- -wordlessly, stood up. "Protect the wind, creating descendants for Ulus." "Descendants for Ulus...?" "The child of Kinji-san and I." "...!" Th-those words... Why are they being said again, in this kind of situation...! Reki, *Footstep, Footstep*, walked onto the futon-- The wood-framed chandelier that was hanging from the ceiling, *Click*, she extinguished it. Reki's eyes, reflecting the light of the stars that was shining into the room, which had darkened in an instant...*Turn* ...turned towards me. And as if at that signal, *Thump*...! The gigantic vase under the painting fell over, and a silver beast appeared from within it. Ha-Haimaki. That was where you were hiding? Haimaki- "Uu...?" *Shuffle. Shuffle* -pushed me forward forcefully, coming to a stop when he had reached Reki's feet. He-hey. Stop it! Th-this is bad...Ku! The flow which I had thought we were following, was broken. Rather than that, in the blink of an eye, I had run into a terrible danger. Before me, was Reki's soft, supple legs. Behind me, Haimaki's fangs, completely bared. I mean, I'm not too versed with this kind of thing, but this "overly forceful" approach...normally, the position of the boy and girl should be reversed, right? "That and--I was given one more order." Reki suddenly lowered her voice, bending down. Wh-what is it? "--protecting Kinji-san." Saying that--*Thump* Completely unlike the normal Reki, she shoved me with all her force, pushing me down to the ground. "...!" Because of the pillow, I didn't smash my head, but, held tightly by Reki, I had no way of getting up. Reki was clutching me as if she wanted to use her chest to squash my face-- At the point in time where I was utterly confused, my face reddening. *Sshhhcc....Sshhccc! Kch! The sound of something ripping through the air, piercing the paper screen-- And, the sound of breaking glass at the end of the hallway rang out in the midst of the darkness. "--!?" *Sshhcch!* *Kch! Kch! Kch!* The continuous sound of glass crackng. *Bang!*...under the impact of multiple bullets, the window fell out of its frame-- *Shhchhch Shhhchch*! On top of the TV, Reki's cellphone and my cellphone took direct hits. And on top of that, the bullet, *Bccch*...! The broken window, just like a frame, span around, falling down--smashing into the wall. The silk decorating the walls dropped down like flowing water. The vivid tapestries were ripped off from every direction, covering Reki and I. "--A snipe." Hearing Reki's words and not being able to help but turn pale, I, *Clank*...*Clank*...! *Clank*...*Clank*...! -heard the sound of several gunshots coming from the mountain. That--was the gunshot sound of those snipes. A sniper rifle's bullets exceed the speed of sound. So, the bullets arrived earlier than the gunshots. Then, Reki pushing me--was for the sake of preventing me from being hit by those snipes. But...who is it? Why are they firing? Why are they attacking us!? "--Remington M700. Distance: 2180m. Fired from the mountain." Apparently able to judge the opponent's location and gun model merely from the gunshot, Reki said those words calmly. Upon hearing that number, I could not help but widen my eyes. (...2180m...!?) Reki's Killing Range is 2051m. Among the S ranked Butei in Tokyo Butei High, it was named as the greatest range. But, the person attacking us appeared to be an elite sniper who was even more skillful than Reki. Morever, that person was equipped with a Remington M700. It is the world's most reliable sniper rifle. "This place is extremely dangerous. The enemy is very clear about our location. Go outside." Crawling, I extricated myself from underneath Reki, who was covered with the beautiful silk. The room was filled with feathers, dancing through the air, having flown out of the torn futon. "Who...is the enemy? Why are they assaulting us!" Well, in terms of a vague idea...it's not that I'm at a complete loss. The important thing is, this has something to do with I-U. But if this is one of the remnants of I-U acting, it's too fast. Reki didn't answer my question, and she swept away the fabric-- Those eyes looked like cameras, embedded into a robot. With Saori-san, who had called the police, trailing behind us, Reki and I, as well as Haimaki, his fur standing on end, exited from the kitchen door, which should have been in the sniper's blind spot. At that time, from an unknown location, "Tohyama Kinji Reki You two Surrender." (...!?) This...is the vocaloid that is so popular on the net, that sister-like voice. Next to me, who had realized that, Reki pointed her Dragunov into the air-- Bang!! --firing into the night sky. In the pitch black sky, something akin to small sparks burst forth... Immediately afterward, a remote-controlled helicopter, painted jet black, fell towards the driveway. And afterward, from the skies- Dadadadadadada -as if counterattacking Reki, several bullets buried themselves in the ground around us. "There's more!? --Saori-san! Don't come outside!" Hurriedly, I pushed Saori-san, who was clutching her cellphone in her hands, back into the room. And, exactly as I did that, a bullet pierced through the air, flying towards us. We dodged it by a hair's breadth. The shots, coming from the air--weren't very accurate. For the sake of keeping silent in order to prevent themselves from being noticed, miniature remote-control helicopters were being used. As such, the gun's recoil prevents them from accurately locking on to their target. However, there is the saying: 'It only takes one'. Just from the bullets ricocheting off the ground, there was the danger that we would be caught by a stray. Under the downpour of the rain of bullets, the cars and the asphalt parking lot were pockmarked with gouged-out bullet holes. "--I am a single bullet--" -- Bang! Bang! Bang! Her sniper rifle pointed into the sky, Reki fired three continuous shots. From the parking lot, they hurtled into the darkness. Each one burst into sparks in the air...afterwards, we could see the remote-controlled helicopters, leaving a trail of smoke, fall from the sky. "If you run the... Saori-san there...break her Ahaha Ahahahahahahaha" The voice came erratically...but the helicopter announced that it would start firing indiscriminately. I cannot let Saori-san get dragged into this. Well, from the beginning, as for planning to run--I had no intention of doing so. "There are no more helicopters. Let us enter the forest from the hotel's shadow, circling around so we can counterattack." Reki said, lowering her Dragunov. I nodded... ...but, the enemy's attack had made me even more uncertain. A machine-synthesized vocaloid. Remote controlled devices armed with sub-machine guns. This mode of operation. It's indelible. This is exactly the same as the "Butei Killer"--Riko's attack method when she assaulted us in April! Although, it could not be Riko. That was something which exceeded Reki's Killing Range, a snipe from 2180 meters away. It is a superhuman technique which, with the exception of elite snipers, is impossible for humans to accomplish. The offender is definitely an expert who has undergone severe sniping training ever since he was a child. Even if Riko had familiarized herself with sniper rifles, judging from her past, it was impossible that she could have this kind of skill. Also, she has no reason to attack us...after all, Riko and I are in what amounts to a truce. Furthermore, Riko's target is, "Aria and I", this partnership, not Reki and I. Added to this-- The name the enemy designated us as, "Reki and I", was also an enigma. Just now, for a moment, I had suspected that this was an assault from the remnants of I-U, but if it was them...their sights should be locked onto Aria, who was defending Kanzaki Kanae-san, who had been made their scapegoat, or perhaps the person who defeated Sherlock--me. Because, in the battle with I-U, Reki was only support. I can't say that they bear absolutely no hatred towards her, however, as for the order of targets, she should be relatively low on the list. --I don't understand. Who is this enemy? Why did you...attack us!? Reki and I crossed over the parking lot, taking care to keep ourselves hidden in the shadows of the trees-- First, the forest, afterward, we enter the jungle that stretches far behind. The humidity here is extremely high. The abnormally rugged ground emitted the smell of dirt and rotting leaves. At the beginning, I was constantly gazing at the uneven ground below my feet... (...So dark...) But, once we had gone deep into the jungle, the surroundings were swallowed by darkness. There was the light from the stars, but it only just managed to pierce the thick jungle canopy. "Reki. We should--" -go to a slightly brighter area; before I had finished my sentence--Reki looked back. Her forefinger was held to her lips, forbidding me from speaking. ...I swallowed my words, approaching her... Reki stood on her tiptoes, softly whispering into my ear, "Stay silent. The enemy should have set microphones up. Just now, after Kinji-san alerted the landlady--the enemy said her name." ...Now that she mentions it, that's how it was. There was never a mention of the landlady's real name on the website, the "Saori" which the vocaloid had uttered. I nodded-- Following Haimaki's lead, I, along with Reki, strode deeper into the jungle. But, not fit to this kind of environment, I...felt my breathing become erratic extremely quickly. I had completely lost all sense of direction as well. It was as if I was wandering through the forest, my only guide the faint starlight that pierced through the trees. And on the contrary, Reki hadn't even taken a deep breath once--it seemed as if she was advancing, a clear objective in her mind. "Where are you going?" Lowering my voice, I asked Reki, whose footfalls were near non-existent. "Judging from the hostile's location when he sniped us, I am estimating his current location--while searching for territory advantageous for my sniping." "Territory..." A battle between snipers...I had heard that they were like battles of positioning. A location where you can see the enemy clearly, yet a location where the enemy cannot do the same, the side that finds such a position, extremely fitting for snipers, gains an overwhelming advantage. "How is it that you're so clear about this mountain's topography. Our cellphones...are already broken, do you have something like a GPS with you?" "There are minor flaws in the output of GPS. My memory is accurate." "But, you haven't even seen a map of this area, right?" "Before, on the bus to the hotel, I saw a map of the topography here." ...As expected of an S rank Butei. The difference from me, who had been looking at a movie website with my cellphone while on the bus, was truly colossal. Apparently, Reki, who had been next to me, had memorized the surroundings' characteristics, a blank look on her face the whole time. "...?" Squelch ...My feet sunk slightly into the ground. Only now did I realize, there appeared to be water in front of us. From the faint sound of running water, I thought that...it was probably a rather shallow river. I don't know whether she had night vision, but Reki, moving lightly, crossed the river, almost like a water fairy. Apparently, there were stumps and rocks, and it seemed that she had crossed over above them. The river was filled with water, and I couldn't let it slow my movements. I recalled the little wilderness combat training I had learned in Assault, and keeping my body low, I kept careful watch of my feet while crossing over the deeper parts of the river. If I do this, then I can more or less make things out in the darkness. Stepping on the moss-covered rocks and stumps, I somehow managed to make it to the other side of the bank... Reki, having reached the other side far ahead of me, was standing next to a gigantic tree, and she was gesturing towards me. I walked to Reki's side, looking up at the enormous tree, which appeared to be a camphor. The large, wide trunk was already covered with vines, merging with the ground. I don't really know much about plants, but its age...is probably over 1000. It is the master of the forest. Is she going to use this tree's branches and trunk to act as cover, initiating the battle? I'm sorry, master of the forest-san. We're going to drag you into this mess, which reeks of gunpowder. "Then...What do we do now?" I pressed myself against the trunk of the colossal tree, drawing the Beretta at my waist, checking its functionality. Well, there isn't really a use for these in the coming battle--both the gun and me. "We will lie in wait here, scanning for the enemy. I will look for an opportunity to snipe." Scanning for the enemy...? We can't see anything in the midst of this darkness, right? And, the enemy is, like us, on the mountain. "Kinji-san, please keep your watch." "...Why?" "Its fluorescent paint could be noticed by the enemy." "That's retarded. How can anyone see something like this?" "I can see it." Seeing Reki, who never lies, say this with such a serious look, I...couldn't help but swallow my saliva. The enemy--is someone who holds the same level of skill as Reki, no even more skillful, an elite sniper. Really, even this kind of tiny light might be seen by him. "It might be that the enemy is equipping a starlight scope. If so, we will lose the ability to take advantage of the night to surprise him, nor will we be able to see his remote-controlled helicopters, which are painted jet black." Starlight scope, it's a night-vision scope that can be attached to armaments like sniper rifles. I had used them once before-- It really is able to make the dark night, only faintly illuminated by the stars, turn into day. "...Does that have any night-vision capabilities added to it?" While taking my watch off, I pointed at the Dragunov's scope. Rustle Reki shook her head-- "The only night-vision functionality that this scope has is lighting reticule." Lighting reticule...an overlayed aiming function, a cross that can be seen when one looks into the scope. Because it is luminous, it can be used at night, a very outdated attachment. It's better than nothing, but when pitted against starlight scope, it is nearly equivalent to fighting blind. Frowning, at my feet-- Haimaki's ears stood straight up, twitching slightly. And, he was staring deep into the dark forest...killing his footfalls, he walked towards it. "...Hey..." Reki, staring in the same direction that Haimaki was going, stretched her hand out to stop me, who had called out to him in a small voice. "..." ...Wh-what is it? What happened? Don't stay silent, explain this to me. -- Fwoosh! Cutting through the air, Haimaki rushed out. Huuu! That breathing noise--did not come from Haimaki. "...!?" In my line of sight, a black dog appeared, charging towards the silver wolf. That was something I had seen on one of Aria's animal programs, a dog-hunting dog--a Shar-Pei. It's a species that is used in China as a hunting dog or a military dog, a particularly vicious breed. And, its strain appeared to have been heavily modified, as it was far bigger than the ones I had seen on TV. It looked as if it could easily tear off a man's limb. "--!" I hurriedly brought my gun up-- Clank! But, my elbow collided with Reki, who had brought her Dragunov up at the exact same time. Reki, a petite girl, lost her balance, and she leaned against the trunk with one knee. And, staggering, I--as if trying to push Reki down, fell down on her. -- Thump! (Uu...!) The frontal impact jarred the Beretta, which was in semi-automatic, and one bullet was released, thudding into the ground. At that moment--Haimaki and the Shar-Pei had engaged each other, entering a state where we were forced into inaction, unable to shoot. If we fire, there is no guarantee that we will not fatally wound Haimaki. Standing up, thinking that I should at least fire some shots to intimidate the opponent--Woah. This time, Reki's legs and my legs were tangled, and I fell against the trunk once again. "...!" What the hell am I doing. Damn it. Reki and I--have never really fought together like this. Because, when we had worked together in Assault, Reki always acted as long-range support. Battling together with her in this kind of close-contact fighting...had only ever occurred during the Odaiba casino security detail. So, there is no coordination between us. (Right now...if it was Aria...!) In my mind--Aria's image, charging towards the dogs without any thought whatsoever, using the flat of her blade to start beating the enemy down, appeared. At that point, because she'd be unable to halt her momentum, she'd definitely strike Haimaki a few times. And I, standing on the side, would use the vines to bind the powerless dog, capturing it. If it was Aria, I felt that that kind of combination would be possible. -- Bang! Bang! Reki, still being crushed by me, extended her Dragunov to the side, firing. "!" The empty casing which flew into the air before me, as well as the unique metallic clack of the Dragunov, forced me to slam my eyes shut. When I had opened them again... The black dog had suddenly weakened considerably. "--Haimaki, let that dog go. Stop fighting." Hearing Reki, who was below me, give him an order, Haimaki--kicked off the dirt with a thud, retreating. Keeping some distance away from that dog, Grrrrrrrr... , he growled threateningly. That black dog...limping all the while...ran away. "...Did you hit?" "Yes. The bullet grazed both his legs." "That dog...probably ran back to its master. Like this, our hiding place will be exposed. I'm not trying to say that you should have killed it, but is it really fine..?" "Our location was already noticed by the enemy when Kinji-san fired. So, I fired as well." ..I-I see. The accidental discharge when I fell just now has already exposed our position? Because, the enemy really has microphones set up. That's probably it. To Reki, I'm really a dead weight. "Please do not concern yourself. That dog is very powerful. Haimaki wanted to clamp down on the dog's throat, not allowing it to bark, and afterward, he wished to use his claws to rake what appears to be a transmitter off the dog's body, but--Haimaki was unable to do so immediately. If the dog stayed abnormally still, the enemy would have turned his attention this way." "Transmitter..." I never saw such a thing...is that how it was? I turned my head, looking at Haimaki, who was staggering back, exhausted...he was injured. During the fight with the Shar-Pei, he appeared to have been bitten in several places. That beautiful silver fur was flecked with crimson blood. It appears that this confirms Reki's words. That battle dog was quite strong. Added to this, ringing out from inside the forest, as if reporting that it had already found us--a dog's howl. Probably the one from just now. It was vicious and chilling, a sound that easily inspired fear in people's hearts. "...We should change our position, right? We've already been exposed, so it's pretty dangerous here." Just about to move, I-- -had my belt, Tug , grabbed by Reki. "You cannot move." "...Why?" My eyebrows furrowed. Reki took out a box filled with Calorie Mate energy bars from her pocket...and with a click, she opened it. Emptying its contents, she filled it with the earth by her feet. "...What are you doing?" Not turning towards me, Reki- Fwoosh -threw the dirt-filled Calorie Mate box away from the tree. -- Clank --!! The box burst open, the dirt inside showering down. That scene made a chill run down my back. It had been sniped. And, it was a box roughly the size of my palm. "The moment we step to the right or left of this tree, we will be sniped. We cannot move." ... Bang ... Immediately after Reki's words, the sound of a gunshot reached us from afar. "As predicted, the enemy has not left the location he was occupying when he first attacked the hotel. The distance is 2050m, and as such, he is in range." "...From 2050 meters...he is a sniper that is able to snipe that box from such a distance, huh?" There's nothing we can do. At least, there's nothing I can do. In this battle, I can only be a burden. "...He's really a powerful enemy. I have no idea what kind of person he might be." "The enemy is certainly an expert in sniping. As for his personality, it is overflowing with confidence." "...You can understand the enemy's personality?" "Because, the enemy sniped the box. That is meant to express that, even if his position is known, he will not lose, a challenge to his opponent." "..." "At the same time, the enemy has shown that he puts a lot of trust in new technology. He is a very adaptable person." "--I can't believe you know so much. But, what does it matter if you're able to deduce the opponent's traits? A battle of sniping is but a battle of marksmanship, right?" "A battle between snipers is done by reading the opponent's characteristics, and using that as a basis, deciding upon the method of attack." "Characteristics...?" I have no idea what use that might hold in a battle... And, not being clear about this point means that, for this battle, I cannot help in the slightest. ...I have no choice. Then, Haimaki and I will sharpen our gaze, looking out, seeing whether that hunting dog returns. I sighed, sitting down on the trunk-- "--This will become a drawn-out battle. Please eat." Reki took one of the Calorie Mates which she had emptied just now, handing it over. ...I see. Now I know why Reki only ever eats these. This is like a wilderness ration. For the sake of being able to respond to these wars of attrition, Reki carries this kind of nutritious food at all times. As expected of a girl who is ready to fight whether she is walking, sitting, or even sleeping. I started thinking outside the box, and I asked Reki whether we could escape, running directly backwards from the tree...but the words had scarcely left my mouth before they were denied. But, that was normal, since this is a forest. As long as I move left or right even the slightest bit, just for the sake of avoiding a tree or rock, my head will suffer the same fate as that box. The safe zone only extends from this tree to the river. As such, Reki and I ate the Calorie Mates, scooping up some river water to drink.... Staying by the trunk of the tree, unmoving. ...10 minutes...30 minutes...1 hour... Nothing...happened. We just waited. Both us, and the enemy. 2 hours...3 hours. The time was 0:00. Right now, it's the season of passage between summer and autumn, but as time dragged on, the forest air was becoming colder and colder. Our body heat slowly being stolen by the frigid air, our strength was being sapped as well. And, not only was our body affected, but drowsiness soon fell upon us. Quietly sitting in the darkness, I felt exhaustion come upon me...and, forcing oneself to stay awake is a large test of willpower. I understood, my own willpower was fading, along with the passage of time. Until now--in all the battles that I had fought with offenders... I had been able to see the enemy. Even if the enemy hid himself, all I needed to do was to force him out of hiding with my pistol. Although, the offender we're facing this time is a sniper. An unseen enemy. And, this isn't like the battle with Reki, where I had been running everywhere, but this was a war of attrition which had already been dragged on for several hours. Humans cannot maintain a state of agitation for that long a period. However, I needed to keep myself in that state. Because, once that was interrupted--My life would be put in danger. ...Fuck. (This too...is a battle, huh...) I had never experienced this kind of battle before. To be honest, I was about to reach my limit. And even now, I wanted to--test my luck, charging out of cover, running away from this place. On the contrary, Reki...completely still, was staring at me, who was in this state. Haimaki licked his wounds, his face fatigued. We still can't act...We still can't act!? Like this, when time had passed into the deep night-- "..." Reki made her move. She slipped the bayonet out from under her skirt, affixing it to the Dragunov... And, she took off the scarf of her uniform, releasing a soft sound of rubbing fabric, placing it on the tip of the bayonet edge. "...If you want to make a white flag, I'll lend you my shirt." Reki glanced at me, who was struggling to keep his eyes open, joking... Rustle ...She extended the scarf to the side of the tree. A gust of wind washed over it, and the scarf danced in the air, slightly outside the tree. Shhchh! Shhchh! The scarf had been torn past at high speed by something--by a bullet. A few seconds later, the echo of two gunshots reached our ears from afar. --The opponent fired. The enemy's concentration was amazing, he had been staring this way for three and a half hours. "...Did he fire from the same location?" "Yes. He should not have moved from the location he attacked the hotel. I'm afraid that, securing the mechanical advantage of starlight scope and having set up several microphones, he has no intention of leaving that position." "He doesn't care even if we know where he is? Then, he really is very confident." "That is probably correct. The signal that I had released was returned to me unflinchingly." "Signal?" "The exhibition of technique. On each of that hunting dog's legs, I left a 3cm long, 3mm deep, 3cm high wound, exactly the same on both legs. A-a completely identical wound...? Furthermore, she's able to control its shallowness to such a degree that the dog can still walk? I can't do that even while in Hysteria Mode. Probably. Al...although I've been shocked at your strangeness up till now...exactly how much of a genius are you? Rustle . On the bulletproof scarf that Reki opened up for me to see...there was an X-shaped hole which was probably caused by the two bullets from before. Those two obliquely angular lines...their length was exactly the same. Each one was about 30 centimeters long. --"I can do even this." The enemy is sending that kind of signal, right? "What do we do? Do we just last till daylight...I don't know if they'll come, but should we wait here for the police to come up the mountain to investigate?" Reki shook her head. "We would not be able to do it. The enemy is in a hurry to decide his victory." Stare. She said, turning her eyes to the forest. It seemed...that there was something there again. "Kinji-san. Please use me, and go into HSS--Hysteria Mode." Wh...? What...did you say? "No matter what the result of this battle is, the you as of now cannot escape from this forest." "...Wa-wait. Hysteria Mode...you...I don't know where you found this information, but seeing as you know, I'll tell you. If I am to go into Hysteria Mode, I have to..." Suddenly telling me that crazy battle plan, Reki cut off my words. "--I will not mind no matter what you do to me. Because it's you." She said, her grip loosening on the scarf in her hands. The rouge colored scarf, fluttering in the midst of the darkness, seemed to imply some sort of deep meaning--and slowly, it fell towards Reki's feet. "We are nearly out of time, are you able to do it?" Thud ...Reki pressed herself against the gigantic tree trunk. Staying like that, unmoving, she stared directly at me. "Time...?" "After this, I will commence an exchange of shots with the enemy." "...!" "If I die or am injured, please leave me. If that time comes, please bring back the scope on this gun. Hidden inside this is a camera, it has already been set to record the scene at the instant that I snipe--You can use this to confirm the enemy's appearance." "Hey..." Facing Reki, who was able to state her purpose so coolly despite the fact that she knew she might die, I couldn't hide the tremor that ran through my body. However, Reki, as if there was no time to answer, continued, "On my body, there are 3 DAL for sniper rifle use." --Butei Bullets. Different from normal bullets, they are special modified bullets that are only circulated among elite Butei. All of them are handmade by professional bullet craftsman, the price of one cannot fall lower than 1 million yen...Other than the Grenade and Flash that Nii-san gave me on I-U, there were many different types, such as Flare or Cannon. But, Reki, you brought those kinds of things with you to travel? "In a while, I will fire two DAL. For the third shot, I will use a Russian bullet , and when I've finished--we will start to leave this place." Scarcely telling me what I needed to know, Reki ejected the magazine from her Dragunov. From its contents, she took out two bullets-- Click Click -and she slotted in two other bullets that she had taken out from her breast pocket. They were probably attack-type Butei Bullets. "Kinji-san. Quickly go into HSS...Hysteria Mode--We have no time left." I hesitated. A few seconds later... Reki closed those wise eyes. As if saying--that I was "useless". "Then, we shall change our plan. We are already at a dangerous distance. I will definitely take care of the enemy. After that, please go into Hysteria Mode...running away from here." Reki, not caring whether I approved of her plan, pressed her back against the tree-- "...I am a single bullet." -she softly recited those mantra-like words. "A bullet has no heart. As such, it does not think." That voice is something that I had gotten used to hearing when she had acted as support, sniping-- "It just flies towards its target." At that moment, I didn't know why, but a sense of unease sprung up in my chest. --Reki--- Flutter --Her skirt fluttering, turning her Dragunov to the right, Reki-- -flickered out to the side of the tree, her gun held ready. Bang! She fired without a moment's hesitation, and immediately, Reki turned left, returning behind the tree. As if grazing past Reki, Shhhchhh! , the bullet of the enemy's counterattack hurtled out of the darkness. ...! I didn't truly understand what had happened in that instant, but...wh-what was that! Just now, that was truly amazing. The enemy had fired the instant he saw Reki. The two sides are around two kilometers away from each other....the muzzle velocity of the M700 with 7.62mm NATO bullets that he was using, was 840 meters per second. The time between the shot and its impact is around 2.5 seconds. In that 2.5 seconds, Reki had aimed at the enemy, who was enveloped by the darkness, fired, and returned to the safe zone behind the tree. As I realized what had happened, stunned-- Pch...! Light glared out, coming from the direction of the forest. Almost as if lightning had struck. (Flash...!) Just now, Reki's attack--appeared to be the same as the one I had used in I-U, the bullet that brought a blinding light to life. The enemy's surroundings have definitely been lit up like a day at the height of summer. Continuing, Reki performed the same movement--flashing out to the side of the tree. Bang! The second shot... -- GIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIN --!! "Uu...!" From the depths of the forest, a high-pitched blast, which seemed to shake the ground even here, rang out. --Cannon. Normally used to disrupt the enemy's battle ability, it is a Butei Bullet that creates massive amounts of sound pressure. (Reki...) --I understand. I understand what Reki wanted to do. The first shot, Flash, was directed against starlight scope. That type of night-vision attachment, amplifying the light of the stars umpteen times, was extremely weak against strong light. A scope that faced that way would probably undergo 'white out'--or otherwise the safety function would engage, momentarily forcing a shutdown of all functionality. With this, Reki followed through with her second shot, Cannon, firing at the enemy, who had lost his sight. The enemy had used microphones, which amplified all sound, setting them up all around us. And, if he's wearing something like headphones to listen to their input, his hearing would definitely be damaged from the sonic-boom. "--The enemy sniper has reached for his ears in pain. He is a solitary killer, he has no observers." Looking into her scope, Reki reported these facts, like a scientist examining a guinea pig. (...I see...) --In a battle between snipers, the two sides read each other's personalities, deciding their method of attack. That was what had happened here. The overconfident enemy had responded to Reki's provocation. And, from that behaviour, Reki was able to recognize the enemy's position in an instant. Additionally, the enemy is also someone who relies a lot on machines. Setting up a location which he could not move from easily, he put too much faith in them. Reki specifically targeted this specific point--using light and sound, she assaulted the enemy's machine-heightened eyes and ears. And now, she held the enemy's life and death in her hands. We won... "The enemy--is a little girl. Younger than me." The sniper over there is a girl as well--and moreover, she's younger than you? It's unbelievable, but...these are Reki's words. They must be true. "Shoot to kill?" Towards Reki, who was saying this as confirmation, I immediately replied with: "No, respect Butei Law." "Then, I shall break the enemy's weapon." Bang! Immediately after Reki sniped at the enemy, her gun emitting a sharp muzzle flash-- (...?) Bch! BchBch! Small dots of light scattering about her, she seemed to be in pain, as if she had been struck. Reki's skirt, as if dancing in place, spun a semicircle, fluttering up, before it fell down. Drip, Drip The sound of a certain liquid falling to Reki's feet reached my ears. "Reki...?" ...!? What...happened? Her appearance is extremely strange. Was she counterattacked? No. The enemy should have had her battle ability ripped from her, she shouldn't be able to do anything. Even if she had been sniped, I would have heard a gunshot, but none came. "..." Reki raised her gun again, aiming towards a location slightly different from before...and one step, two steps, she retreated. "..." Silently--she lowered her gun. In that state, she placed the stock of her gun against the ground, and while she appeared to be using it to support herself... Scrape ... Scrape ... ...she sat down, unable to move. "...Ah...Hey...!" I immediately crouched down, supporting Reki, whose head was drooping down-- "...!' She's injured...! When!? In the darkness, I fumbled around, trying to find Reki's wound, copious amounts of blood were flowing out. Her upper head was heavily wounded, as well as her forearm and left thigh. In that instant just now, what on Earth was she counterattacked by? I don't understand... Pressing down on Reki's wounds with a frantic desperation, I, OOOOooOOoo...! UoOOOoooOO...! -suddenly heard the sound of several howls, all around us, continuously echoing out from within the forest. Those voices were similar to the Shar-Pei's that came earlier. And...there were 10...No, 20 sets of them. I see. It was because they were surrounding us, that Reki was so eager to decide the battle. "Kinji-san. This..." Reki handed her Dragunov and bayonet over to me. Drip, Drip . Blood was still flowing down her forehead and elbows, dripping off of her. "Regrettably, I have been injured. I no longer have the strength to drive those hunting dogs away, protecting you. After this, please protect yourself, and run away alone. The enemy will definitely regain her composure in short order...and she will come to perform the final blow." "What are you saying? Since that's the case, it's even more clear that this is a path that we cannot take! How can I leave you here, alone and unarmed?" I pushed the Dragunov back towards her. "I have one more Grenade left. It can be detonated even without a gun." Said Reki, taking the third, the final, Butei Bullet from her breast pocket. Understanding the meaning of her words, I...clenched my teeth. --Do you wish to commit suicide? Do you wish to go down the path of killing yourself and the enemy!? "Stop saying such idiotic things...!" "Kinji-san, hurry. The enemy's net is closing in, and soon, you will no longer be able to escape." Having lost too much blood, not even able to lift her head up, Reki--was still trying to hurry me, who was crouching there, not willing to stand up. "I failed. I was weaker than the enemy. The weak will be devoured by the strong. This is the natural law of the world." This...certainly, might be the truth. "This is very logical, Kinji-san. If you linger any further, both of us will be killed. As such, it is better if you yourself live." This too...might be the truth. "Kinji-san...there is no need to worry about me. I live the life that the wind has determined, and I shall die in the same manner. That is of no importance to me." People--whether they be few or many, live by the rules that have been determined for them. Whether it be a delusion or something else, the "wind" is the rule in Reki's life. Just like a normal person's society, as well as their laws. So, Reki has been respecting those rules since she was born, and it is certainly possible that she will follow them till her death. --But. "Reki...dying in this kind of place, dying by the hands of an unknown person...Isn't this a worthless death...!? Don't always listen to the "wind's" orders, never laughing, never even crying...dying with no emotion, dying with no feeling, this is too...!" I knelt by Reki's side. Reki-- Rustle. Her hair shaking, she shook her head. "Kinji-san. Yesterday...I said that I 'had no emotions'. But, actually...I do not know why I did not tell you then...I...once, had a very clear emotion..." "...Reki..." "The 'wind'...ordered me, it ordered me to take a boy...to take a powerful boy and bring him into Ulus. And when the 'wind'--ordered me to become Kinji-san's everything...in my heart...for the first time, I had my own...I had my own, true feelings." Reki... "--I'm so glad that Kinji-san is the one.--" An emotion had sprouted within you. You may not have been able to convey it through your expression or behaviour, but in your heart...an emotion, only belonging to you, had been brought to life. Drip, Drip Her blood trickling down without pause, Reki said, "So, Kinji-san, I will not die without any emotion. You...don't have to feel sadness for me inside...the responsibility of keeping the line of Ulus eternal, now lies with my sisters." Reki...! "I, have no regrets. I can, with the person who first created emotion within me...eat a meal with you, I can travel with you, I can receive clothes from you. It may not have been long, I may not have been able to...express it within this period of time...but, that is definitely an emotion...I...am very happy...the last two weeks that I have spent with you, those days were filled with joy..." Reki said, raising her bloodstained face. That face-- Ahh, it was, for the first time... --Smiling-- She smiled. This is probably Reki wanting to make me relieved. "Reki..." That beautiful, unblemished face--made me feel as if, in an instant, I had understood Reki. It isn't that Reki doesn't have emotions. She just doesn't understand what emotion is. Just that, her heart hasn't developed yet. Exactly like a child. And, the reason it was so difficult to go into Hysteria Mode from Reki, was also because...in my heart, I had a faint feeling that she was still a child. Reki. The enemy is approaching. We will fight for an instant. You cannot fight anymore. You yourself said very clearly for me to leave you behind. And I...only have to run away. By myself. "Kinji-san...please go...it's already..." Reki's voice was losing all strength, but even in that state, she was calmly hurrying me on... I slipped the bayonet into my belt, and I shouldered the Dragunov. "Reki. As opposed to two people dying, it is certainly better for one to live." Hearing my words-- Reki, as if relieved, lightly nodded. You don't even have the strength to answer anymore. "Yet--my math isn't very good, but at least, I can understand that that isn't the best answer." "...?" Reki's eyes, under her bloodstained locks, looked at me. Rustle. Putting strength into my arms, I lifted Reki's arm. "Obviously, it is better if both can live." I helped her stand up, and Reki's-- -almond eyes were slightly wider than usual, staring directly at me. It was extremely slight, but she had an amazed expression. That's good, Reki. That's good. Doing this, you have to find yourself. From this moment onward, let your life be filled with more surprise. With more tears. And--with more, more smiles. That kind of smile, shown to me while sitting in the midst of a puddle of your own blood-- -your first and last smile...That isn't fine at all! "Reki. You cannot. You cannot die. I saw it. At this moment, you--smiled. You can smile." Reki--this is the moment where you start to grow. In this situation, where you've taken your first step, you cannot die. From now onward. For what comes after. You are no longer the wind's slave--you are a human, a new life. Therefore, you cannot die! Reki seemed to start trying to resist...but immediately, she lost all strength, and while standing, she swayed dangerously. She can't. Reki can no longer walk. The Dragunov slung around my back, I took Reki with my two hands before--holding her up, princess-style. It's a relief that this girl is so light. Because of that, I'm able to run. Relying on the strength that comes when one is in the midst of a firestorm. Tap Tap Tap ...! The hunting dogs had already reached a point where I could hear their footsteps. While holding Reki, I wasn't able to fire off any intimidation shots, and I had no idea as to where to escape--when from my feet. Whisper ... A white shadow flickered out. --Haimaki. Having been injured earlier in the fight with the Shar-Pei, Haimaki was standing up. Grrrrrrr ...Growling softly, Haimaki's fur was standing up, and although he was in the darkness, I was able to see that his fangs and claws were extended. His back facing me, running towards the forest, Haimaki--is an extremely faithful wolf. That blind faith was always there, a willingness to die for his master. Even when he had been struck by Patra's hideous golems, even when he was pursuing me, acting as the platform for Reki's ricochet, those positions of enormous danger. And now, even now, he was like this. Haimaki. You... ...are going to volunteer to be our bait? By yourself, you're going to challenge that entire pack of ferocious hunting dogs? You too--are a man. It matters not whether you're a human or an animal. When in times of need, men...have no choice but to help women. Even if one is to die, it is something that one must do. Only turning his head back halfway, Haimaki's eyes, gleaming in the darkness, looked at me. Those eyes had faith in me-- Go. I leave Reki to you. They seemed to be saying that. "--Haimaki. When you survive and come back, I'll buy a box of fish sausages for you." Saying that, I-- -turned my back on Haimaki, already surrounded by the countless gleaming eyes of the hunting dogs in the darkness by his side-- -I turned my back on Haimaki, who howled, bursting into the midst of the pack like a hurricane. Facing the hunting dogs which had bundled up, preparing to savage Haimaki together, I held Reki's delicate frame in my hands, rushing towards the river-- Run. I have to run. I have to run with all my strength. Still holding Reki, who was completely still, in my arms, I ran. Into the forest. Recklessly. The me as of now isn't in anything like Hysteria Mode. The me as of now is just a normal high school student. However, I still have the ability to carry a girl in my arms, running away. I can still turn my back on the enemy, running away with all my strength. Besides, Reki--I had run away from you during the "Manhunt", and normally, I run away from Aria as well. Running away is the only field in which I have a wealth of experience. So, don't worry. Having crossed over a few muddy creeks, my limbs scratched as I hurtled through the dense branches, having slid down steep slopes, my body stained with mud, covered with wounds, I still ran, despite being in this state. I had emptied my mind of all thought. In the midst of the mountain, Haimaki is probably still fighting with the hunting dogs, preventing them from going after us. Or perhaps, because I had crossed through many rivers, it was hard to track me? The dogs--had not given chase. It seemed as if they had retreated. Continuing to run deep inside, my breathing erratic, my vision suddenly opened-- -I exited into a vast field where cosmos was growing abundantly. Under the light of the stars, the pink color of the petals, all blooming simultaneously, seemed like a haze of pink. "Reki...Reki!" While entering into the midst of the cosmos in the field, parting their branches, I called out her name, trying to confirm whether she was conscious or not, but... Reki could no longer answer. I understood that the temperature in her limbs was already dropping. "...Reki..." Panicked, in an instant, I placed Reki into the midst of the cosmos--and pulling out the wire in my belt, I cut it with the cutter on my belt. Using it, I stopped the blood flow to her thigh and forearm. Because I had ascertained that Reki was still breathing, I raised my head, looking around. There was not a single house around. Not even the tiniest home. At any rate, we cannot contact a hospital. Aah, if my cellphone hadn't been damaged in the very first attack... I could have called in reinforcements for support, called in ambulances, called in anything. There were no lights around us. I had no idea where the city was. I had ran directly away from the enemy, but...it could be that I had ran in the opposite direction from the city. At that moment-- Flutter. A butterfly...flew into my field of vision. Appearing to be a swallowtail butterfly, it flew in small circles before us, and as if guiding us--it started flying in a certain direction. Heading in that direction, at the forest on the other side of the swamp-- Shine. I saw a light. Squinting, looking closer, the lights...continued. Most likely, that's a streetlight. If I head over there, a car will probably pass. Then, I will be able to ask for help. But, aahh... It's so far...! To the point of despair. (Reki...you cannot die...!) Once again taking Reki into my arms, I stood up, focusing all the strength in my body into my legs. Reki, you cannot die. I have finally reached this point, I have finally understood you. Just the slightest bit...I can understand you. So--there is still something that I need to tell you. Something I haven't told you yet. So, you cannot die. You cannot die, Reki! ### 010. Epilogue - Go for the Next!! Reki ## Epilogue: Go For The NEXT! Reki Running, running, exiting onto the highway, I-- -collapsed, my knees thudding into the ground, laying Reki down onto the asphalt. "Haa, haa, haa...!" My head was spinning, my breathing laboured. --I'm at my limit. I cannot run any further. From the beginning, my body had been weakening as I spent longer and longer in the woods. And, that body had continued carrying somebody, no matter how elfin they might be, as it ran. Furthermore, going through those pathless locations, my body had gone into completely and total exhaustion. I pressed my hands to the road, breathing heavily. And... Flutter, Flutter. The butterfly, which had been dancing in the field of cosmos earlier, had somehow, reached here first...and flitting around me as if it was worried, it flew to my left hand. Having large, white wings, it, with a design just like a swallowtail--had a star-shaped pattern on them. I felt that I had seen this design somewhere before, but...this isn't the time to investigate. (--I'm fine with whatever, but will a car...come--?) If one came, I'd use my Butei License to slow it, and then bring Reki to a hospital. The hill-road that leads to the city has a very large curve, making it impossible to see it due to the trees and topography...and now, it didn't feel as if there was a car nearby. Damn it...I have no other choice. One minute. In just one minute, I forced my legs up again, waiting for a car. If a car does not come, I will carry Reki once again, running down the road. Deciding that, I--took off the Dragunov that was slung over my back, and I looked into the scope. I cannot let even one minute go to waste. Just now, Reki's words... "Hidden inside this is a camera. It has already been set to record the scene at the instant that I snipe." Recalling them, I fumbled with the scope...and on the bottom, I pressed a slim button. I peered into the scope, redundantly pushing the button. The telescope function disappeared from my sight, replaced by the image of a black remote-controlled helicopter. This is...the video of the helicopter that Reki had shot when it attacked us at the hotel, right? I pressed the same button repeatedly. Click Click After the screen flickered through four helicopters, the image changed into that of the shot at the black dog's leg. After that, the video that I saw, the video that replaced the image of the dog's right and left legs-- (--!) My heart skipped a beat. Flash, Cannon, Russian--what was pictured inside the three photos of the time of release of the three bullets...was, as Reki had said, a girl. And she too--seemed familiar. She had black twin-tails, around the same length as Aria's. She was wearing the same extravagant Chinese clothing as when she had attacked me. This is...the transfer student from Hong Kong Butei High. "...Koko...!" This isn't a mistake. It may be that the videos were rather dark, but in all three, her whole body was clearly captured. That little girl who had ambushed me by the road on the day of the opening ceremony, Koko--charged out of the camouflage of leaves, quickly mounting the offroad-bike behind her, a CRM250AR. (Koko...the person who put me in submission by grappling when I was in Hysteria Mode, the person who drew with Aria in Aru=Kata--) --and in sniping, she was a match for Reki...wasn't she...? That kind of girl exists in this world? No, can they exist in this world? Martial arts, guns, and sniping. All of these techniques take many years to reach their ultimate form. At our age...no, at an age below that, it's impossible for someone to be a master at two, or three things. "The Warrior of Ten-Thousand Techniques--" Ten-Thousand Arms "...Koko..." As I murmured the second name she had given-- From the left...coming from the mountain, I heard the sound of an engine. Ha Raising my head, I stood up, thinking that a car was coming. -- Beeeeep Afterward, hearing the sound of a siren... -- Beeeeeeeeeep ...! "...!" ...I whipped out my Beretta. She's different from the one in legend. Well, I'm just talking to myself right now. --That was the sound of a motorcycle. It had a high pitch which even an amateur would understand from listening, the sound of a 2-stroke engine. It was the sound of the bike in the video, the engine equipped by a CRM250AR. It's impossible that the same bike would pass by coincidentally, because 2-stroke motorcycles exceed exhaust limits, and their gas, as well as the motorcycles themselves, are no longer in production. As I deduced this, sitting on the bike that was banking furiously around the curve--was Koko. "Koko!" I stood in a position where I could protect Reki, bringing my Beretta up to bear-- "Kihi!" Damn it! Laughing while swerving in an S-shape, Koko could not be held within my sights. The next instant, Koko slammed down on the brakes, brushing past me as if trying to sweep me over. "--!" Twisting my head back, I...could not ready my gun. Because, stopping the bike in a slanted position a few meters away, Koko was pointing a gun at me. That was a suppressed UZI--a sub-machine gun. This situation... Koko has the advantage in terms of magazine capacity, and moreover, she was a person that was able to match Aria in a gunfight. Facing her was me, not even in Hysteria Mode, and added to that, I had to protect Reki, who was heavily wounded, while fighting. --I don't want to admit it, but I cannot act. "Drop your pistol. The DE at your chest too." Wave, Wave . The barrel of Koko's gun pointed at my ribs, I, compelled to do so, dropped the Beretta--as well as the Desert Eagle that I had not used yet, having no other choice. "Reki--90 points. She's a good piece, so I'll take it. And as expected, Kinchi gets 0 points. But, he's a piece with a good military record. I like it. I'll bring him back." "...Take...what are you saying?" Keeping my body completely still, I directed those words at Koko, staring at her. "From now on, all ability users have to be destroyed. It's good to keep people like you, "just humans, yet strong pieces," in my grasp." "...?" "And, Reki is one of the northern barbarians , Kinchi is one of the eastern tribesmen . You're fitting as soldiers of the queen of the center of the world, Koko." I...have no idea what she's talking about. What the hell is she saying? Please go learn Japanese again. I made a confused expression, and Koko, going Fufu , snickered, looking at me. "Become part of my collection, alright? Do you know who Koko , or Meng De is? Koko is of his bloodline." "...I have no idea." " Cao Cao Meng De ." "...Aah." "--I won't forgive you for that weak reaction!" Pffft! Quickly becoming angry, Koko fired a warning shot into the air-- Once again returning the barrel of the gun to my body, she seemed as if she was going to give some sort of order...at that moment. "...!" Suddenly realizing something, she started the bike again, Vroom! Koko spun in place, turning around completely. Brushing past Koko's twin-tails, in front of me-- -- Shiiing! -along with the sound of a bell, an arrow sped past. Koko put the motorcycle into action, dodging the arrow. From the direction that the arrow came from...I could see a wine-red car cut through the air, hurtling this way. It was around 150 meters away. (...That is...!) On the engine bonnet of the convertible--there was someone kneeling on one knee. Even from such a long distance, I realized it. The gold forehead protector on her head, her body clothed with red and white Miko garments, its sleeves rolled up, a nocked bow in her hands--A Hotogi Armed Miko. However, it was not Shirayuki. Kyoto has a Hotogi shrine as well. It seemed that they were reinforcements from there. That butterfly just now...as if welcoming them, flew over, its wings fluttering. Seeing this scene, I suddenly thought back to it. That butterfly is a Hotogi Swallowtail. When I was a child, I had seen them being raised at the Hotogi shrine in Aomori. Creak Creak ... Hyuu --! The intrepid Miko used a daikyu , over 2 meters long, to shoot two arrows. Shhaang! That bell rang out again, as if exorcising something, the eagle-feathered arrow penetrating the motorcycle that Koko was using as her shield, making a hole in the fuel tank. --Amazing. From that kind of distance, on top of a swaying car...without using any sights, she managed to hit the gasoline tank with an arrow from a daikyuu. PftPftPft! Counterattacking with a number of bullets from the Uzi, Koko immediately jumped onto the motorcycle-- "In every generation, Koko has always run when the time came to run. It's fine as long as I have the last laugh. Farewell ." Leaving a trail of gasoline behind and swerving off the road, she disappeared into the thick undergrowth. I picked up Reki's Dragunov, trying to snipe her with my amateur skills...but it was impossible. I could no longer see Koko. The engine noise continued to get further and further. She--really knows how to adapt to the situation. This kind of calm, collected, hit and run type...from my experience, is very strong. I went "Tch", turning towards Reki-- The car just now--a high-grade Mitsuoka automatic car, a wine-red Himiko--had stopped. The Miko on the bonnet, a bow in her hands, was looking towards the mountain, still alert. Sitting on the seat was the beautiful driver that had come to pick up Konayuki last month-- "...Kin-chan! What happened...!?" Pointing at the Hotogi Swallowtail was Shirayuki. "Shirayuki...you really saved us. I'm glad you noticed." "Because we heard a noise like Cannon from the mountain, I had a bad feeling in my heart...so, I used Koujutsu to investigate. Also, because I couldn't connect with Kin-chan's cellphone...I-I, feh...." Climbing out of the car, her eyes filled with tears, Shirayuki embraced me tightly, as if trying to confirm if I was alright. Immediately noticing Reki, lying on the floor, Shirayuki said: "Oh no...!", kneeling by Reki's side. "Reki--was beaten by that girl from earlier. We have to go to a hospital immediately--" I said that, and next to Shirayuki, who had clasped her hands to her mouth, her eyes wide open, "Reki...?" The other Miko, getting off the car, said something in a small voice, kneeling down. Already having become a beautiful woman, I didn't recognize her for a moment, but...this girl is...Kazayuki. One of Shirayuki's sisters. One year younger. Before, she was a very cool girl, able to match Reki. She hadn't changed at all. Having just been fighting with arrows, even though she saw Reki, soaked in blood, before her...her expression did not change at all. Expressionless, Kazayuki whispered something into Shirayuki's ear-- "...N-no way. Are you sure that isn't a mistake?" Shirayuki turned towards her, stunned. Nod . Nodding, Kazayuki... ...said something that I did not wish to hear, the true identity of my fiancé--coolly, she announced it. "This is the descendant of both-- Minamoto no Yoshitsune and Genghis Khan . The princess of the continent." Go For The Next! ### 011. Afterword Best of luck, Hidan no Aria anime! Everyone can finally watch Aria come to life on the television screen! Kinji, Shirayuki, Riko, and Reki's movements are similarly animated! Hear them speak! We did it, didn't we, Haimaki? Thanks to all the readers who shared their appreciation online, all those who frequently send character fanart via postcard, and finally all those who've shown their support by buying this volume of Hidan no Aria. It's thanks to all of you that Aria and the other characters are having life breathed into them. Really, honestly, thank you for all your support. Please continue to show your support for our characters! On another note, coinciding with the release of this volume is the release of the first volume of the Comic Alive-serialized manga of Hidan no Aria! This is a must-have reference for any fan of the series. You'll find yourself exclaiming, "Oh, so that's what that scene was like!" Enjoy anew the world of Hidan no Aria; I, too, will be buying a copy, both as an author and a fan! -Now, enough about that. Let's get to our Hidan no Aria Q&A segment! At the end of volume five, I asked everyone for their questions about this work, and have received many, many submissions! This makes me so happy! Allow me to choose one to respond to. Q : Why did the color of the uniforms change in volume five? Wow, someone noticed! The answer's pretty simple: the season's changed. Butei High's female uniform has two versions, for winter and summer. The red, long-sleeved sailor uniform is used during the winter, while the blue, short-sleeved sailor uniform is worn in the summer. If there wasn't a cooler, more refreshing uniform for summer use, performance would be negatively impacted! The flip-side is that the short-sleeved version protects less of the body with its bulletproof material, so its defensive capabilities are lowered. Accordingly, the summer uniform is actually only worn during July and August. Since they're constantly out on the battlefield, Buteis, even if hot, would rather wear the long-sleeved uniform. But don't think for a moment this is simply because I thought to myself, "While red uniforms are great, blue would also be nice on occasion. But still, red is best!" and thus forced my preferences on Gobiuchi-sensei! ...But anyway, the deadline for submissions hasn't arrived yet! Please continue to avail yourself of the QR code on the copyright page, which will link you to our questionnaire where you can submit more questions! Let's meet again next time in the bookstore. I wish everyone the best of health! April 2010 - Akumatsu Chuugaku - ↑ Double entendre fully intended ### 012. Bullet 1: Hysteria Mode of the Wise Cover art and illustrations by Kobuichi Hello and thank you for reading! This is just a short message from the translator, @Waifuspite#6971 from the SilverTongue discord group. Note, this book has not been translated by hand like the main series that BakaKaba is translating but done by machine translation and interpretation. If you enjoyed reading this please feel free to join the discord group and interact with other HnA fans. On that note I hope you enjoy this fanservice filled book, because I know I quite enjoyed translating it… Bullet 1: Hysteria mode of The Wise “Hahaha! Ki-Kun, Aria, Out-! You two don’t have any skills as Hunters!” Riko childishly kicks me with her cherry decorated socks. After a kick on my back from the couch, I nodded off, lying down in the same position as my Hunter on my PSP. Right now, we are all playing Monster Hunter on our PSP’s together over LAN… “How can I beat you when you have played for over 800 hours! You can beat me without using any weapons or armor!” As the canine-toothed and twin tailed Aria just said, as per Rikos rules everyone was forced to fight giant monsters with their characters wearing no armor. Another rule was, if your character dies three times, you are out. “………” The only survivors were Reki, who was using a heavy bow gun, and Riko, who was a Gun Lancer, who were both sitting under the air conditioning. Me and Aria each begrudgingly paid our due of 100 yen to each of the two winners. “Kin-Chan, just because it is summer vacation does not mean that you should play videogames all day…” Shirayuki came to sit next to me with tears in her eyes. By the way, Shirayuki does not have a copy of Monster Hunter, so she’s feeling a bit depressed today. “It’s no use, it’s too hot to go outside today. Hey, don’t grab my sleeve, you’ll push the wrong button!” “But, but…!” “-Hey Yuki-Chan. Don’t you think that this game is good for learning about combat?” Riko, who has survived every single fight, or rather has not died once, responded to Shirayuki. “Particularly, competitive games like this are useful for developing a desire for competition. They teach you to act based on reading your opponents moves and design strategies based on their facial expressions. Kufufufu.” “Is that so, Kin-Chan?” “Well… come to think of it, it was recommended in inquesta to play games. But, I think that was referring to table games like cards or mahjong, not Monster Hunter.” “Then let’s play a game like that, Kin-Chan! I want to play a game with Kin-Chan too!” “That’s why you shouldn’t have grabbed my sleeve… Oh, you just made me take a Great Recovery Pill for nothing…” As I was shaking off the white snowflake (Shirayuki) who was following me… With a “!” above her head, Riko’s head perked up and she dropped her PSP. “Monster Hunter is over! Let’s play table games together now!” This girl… Your mood is going to change soon isn’t it… “Riko’s room has a game room! At Riko’s Cast-Off table, we can have a battle to determine the best military strategist!” “The best military strategist…?” Shirayuki’s eyes glittered. “… so the person who is the best at table games is the one who can help Kin-Chan the most…! I’ll do it!” As Shirayuki stood up, Shirayuki’s usual incomprehensible equation gave her an equally incomprehensible interpretation and outcome. Shirayuki must be very enthusiastic about the idea of finally being able to play a game with me. Even the sore loser, Aria, was enthusiastic about this new game, saying “I can’t win in this game so I will play that instead.” As for Reki… Riko said “Rek-yum you’ll play too!” with a smile and chuckle. Reki nodded expressionlessly. “What the hell is that? What is this cast-off table thing? … My question was promptly ignored by all of the girls, who began to argue amongst themselves as they each claimed that they were the number one strategist… Without learning what kind of game we would be playing, we decided to meet again in this game room of Riko’s in the girls dormitory tomorrow in the afternoon. “Everyone must be in their uniform! Ki-Kun, wear a shirt with no jacket or tie!” Riko said in a flirtatious tone… I have a very bad feeling about this. Well, a bad feeling this time too. I had a bad feeling… and I was right. I was right once again. I decided to Google “Cast-Off table” that night and learned… “Various table games in which the loser removes his or her clothes one by one.” In short, it’s an undressing game… This girl! I already don’t like the idea of taking my clothes off in front of girls, but if I were to see a girl strip, I would enter hysteria mode 1000% of the time. And if I were to enter hysteria mode there, and there are several now stripped girls around me, I might end up with a harem end… it would be just like one of Riko’s games. Regardless of the situation, I would get sick of hearing the quartet of shooting, slashing, bombing, and sniping from all directions after the fact. It goes without saying, but my life would end there. —With haste I thought about running away as fast as I could to Soya or the Cape, but… My singular hope was dashed as Riko sent me an email saying “Deserters will be chased to the ends of the earth and sentenced to a giant Tsar bomb!” Even if I run away I’ll die! After learning of this dangerous plan of Riko’s, I made emergency phone calls to Aria, Shirayuki, and Reki. Aria responded with “I’m just going to win and I’m not going to let you take off any of my clothes”, Shirayuki with “I don’t care if it’s Kin-Chan… Kya!!”, and Reki with “…”. This was a complete waste of time. I began to panic and decided to call Riko to complain. “I don’t care about that! Five people is not balanced though, so let’s call three more people! Jeanne, Aya from Amdo, and, um, Ki-Kun, bring someone else with you!” —The result was that oil was added to the fire. (in addition to Aria, Shirayuki, Riko, and Reki, Jeanne and Hiraga now are…!) Everyone has different reasons to do this but– All the girls are either beatiful or extremely cute. This is dangerous. This is too dangerous. For me, this is like walking into a bullet-riddled battlefield naked. This is because I have a condition called hysteria mode. (What to do, what to do, what do you do Kinji…!） After worrying about it so much that my hair almost turned gray… I came up with an idea. (…”Hysteria Wiseman”…!) That’s what my brother used to call it – a secret technique passed down in the Tohyama family. It must be one of the derivatives of hysteria mode. When one of the Tohyama family’s men become a Hysteria Wiseman, he is not sexuall aroused for a while. Instead of the usual physical boosts, the body becomes less powerful and offensive abilities are completely eliminated. In other words, it is a useless technique–That’s what my brother said… Except, it is useful. At least under these very special conditions. When I first read the scrolls at my grandfather’s house, I couldn’t understand them, but now that I’m in high school, I can understand the scrolls. If I think about it calmly, I would always go through hysteria mode at least once, and its that kind of technique that makes me want to kill myself with a gun in self-loathing, but I cannot turn my back on it. Still, entering wiseman hysteria mode is better than dying under the concentrated fire of those girls. From what I can understand, Hysteria Wiseman should only last about 50 minutes. After Hysteria Wiseman ends and I return to normal, it would then be possible for me to enter normal hysteria mode. In other words, I need to beat them all and finish the game within 50 minutes, while it’s not possible for me to become sexually aroused. Now, in order to settle the game as quickly as possible… I decided to take further measures the next morning. In games, they use the so-called “passers”, henchmen that are used for cheating. With that thought in mind, I made a phone call to Fuuma Hina, a first year student in Lezzad. “Master. You called me, didnt you?” This eccentric ninja chatterbox, Fuuma, is actually a girl who is rumored to be a descendant of ninjas. She is a strange and special junior who has been through a lot in the past and has an unusual amount of loyalty to me. I’m not sure why she calls me master, but to her I am her master… For now, let’s act like her master to get her to cooperate. “Fuuma. Are you free today? You are not busy, right? Great, come with me.” “Yes, master.” “Today, I’m going to give you a special lesson. It’s training, your favorite kind of training.” “Master, are you serious?” With a estatic voice, Fuuma was quick to get on board with my “training”. Whenever Fuuma is told that something is “training”, she will always do whatever it is, whether it is simply picking up groceries or laundry. “So… I have been watching you lately, and you don’t seem to have enough guts.” “No guts…? Yes… I’m sorry that I have none.” “So, I’m going to give you a lesson on how to be courageous. Just so you know, dont call me a sexual harasser.” “???” “We don’t have a lot of time, so I’m going to ask you point-blank…. and…. uh…. the content of this training is likely to include the act of undressing. How about it, can you do it?” “Huh, undressing!? In, in, in front of my master…!? Maybe you are talking about doing nude art…!?” While saying a mysterious word, Fuuma stammered something like “awa, awa, awa,” but… “–No! You are right! If I am to train with my master, I must be willing to do anything!” …Rather, she immediately consented. I felt a little guilty about this straightforwardness, but my life is at stake here. Please don’t hesitate to help me. …She was shaking so badly that her ponytail was shaking… When I explained the Cast-Off table and the rules to her, she suddenly looked both relieved and disappointed. “It’s a pleasure to be of service to you!” And right after she went back to her normal Fuuma self and knelt down to me. ──Now, let’s go. For me, this is a game of life and death at the cast-off table. Once I actually changed I learned the hard way… Hysteria Wiseman certainly seems to be an inconvenient mode. Psychologically, I feel calm, but physically, I feel empty and slow, plus my senses are duller than usual. Just as the scrolls in my parents house had said, this mode is completely useless in combat. Also, once I met up with Fuuma in her sailor suit waiting under the girls dormitory, I noticed… As a Wiseman, I seem to lose interest in women, or rather, I seem to be cold and unapproachable. Well, actually, I’m the same as I usually am here. Because of this, I wont act suspicious. “Ah, Ki-Kun come, come! Come on in!” I was welcomed into Riko’s room by an excited Riko, and as usual, there were sweet smelling lolita and cosplay outfits hanging all over the place. It’s like a costume store. “… let’s get started.” I walked past Riko and sat down on the bed next to her…. Good. Right now, I have no interest in Aria, Shirayuki, Riko, Reki, Jeanne, Hiraga, or the others gathered in their summer uniforms. I can calmly ignore them. I see. So this is where the name “Wise Man” comes from. It’s already been five minutes since I’ve been in this mode. I have 45 minutes left. In the meantime, I’ll have to settle this. “Well, because of Jeanne’s suggestion, I’m going to have one of the boys, Ki-Kun, wear special goggles. Aya, give them to him.” “Yes! This was made by Aya yesterday!” And so the child prodigy of Amdo, Aya Hiraga, handed the goggles to me with a tiny hand… … night vision goggles…? It’s a pair of night vision goggles. “What the hell is this?” “This is a pair of goggles that recognizes only the bodies of girls and automatically applies blur to it. It’s a popular item with everyone here!” As Hiraga-san, who was wearing a sailor suit with a flat chest, said that… When I put it on and turned the switch to ON, I could only see the girl’s face and hands. Their skin appears to have a layer of light applied to it, as if it were a late night anime with a scene that I would consider disturbing. Despite this light though I can see the table and my own hand, so it looks like I’m not blind to the cards and dice in my hand. Aya, thank you for this. Hysteria Wiseman, my henchman Fuuma, and the girl distorting goggles. With all of these tools at my disposal, I’m sure that I can make it back alive from this cast-off table. Best of all, with these goggles, I don’t have to worry about Wiseman’s time limit anymore. The only risk is that I’ll be undressed, but there’s no danger of me doing anything should that happen. I don’t have the same kind of exposure hysteria activator, like the first Tohyama to use hysteria mode had/did. However, even though I’m a boy, I don’t like the idea of being naked in public. ──I’m sorry girls, but I’m going to win this. After all, right now I’m cold towards girls. Girls, are you ready for this? Riko lives alone in a three-person room and have used the two spare rooms as a game room and a manga room. In the game room, there is a collection of old, new, eastern, and western games. There are cards, dice, hanafuda, shoi, othello, darts… and even a pool table. She’s really a girl who spares no time or money when it comes to gaming. “Well, then, let’s divide up the teams! Four pairs of two, please!” And so Riko brought out a lottery in a bowl and everyone drew… First of all, the Western pair of Aria and Jeanne, the Japanese pair of Shirayuki and Fuuma, the little girl pair of Riko and Hiraga, and the surplus pair of Reki and myself. According to RIko, the pairs can cooperate with each other. “–This is the first game–!” The desk which Riko removed the tablecloth off of was a magnificent Janjian table. In other words, this is “strip mahjong”. It’s a royal road. Mahjong is a game in which… four players take turns taking and discarding mahjong tiles laid out on the table, and the winner is the one who quickly arranges the tiles into a shape called “yaku-yaku” In terms of playing cards, it’s a lot like poker. You draw and discard cards, and there are various roles such as straight and flush. These possible sets are mainly formed by collecting related tiles in sets of 3, 3, 3, 3, and 2. This makes it more complex than poker and requires a higher level of strategy. “I know the rules because I read it on a mobile app… Do you guys know the rules?” I looked around and asked that to everyone. Right now I’m the only one looking suspicious with goggles on. To my surprise, almost all of them seemed to know the rules of Mahjong. The only one who doesn’t know anything about mahjong is Jeanne. Riko had tried to play mahjong in my room yesterday, so Aria and Reki seemed to at least know the rules. Since then, Aria said that she read a manga about high school girls playing mahjong, which it seems Riko had recommended to her. “Don’t worry Jeanne. I mastered mahjong after reading that manga.” … While looking sideways at Aria, who was confidently speaking to her partner Jeanne… I also got to the table with Reki, who just knows the rules. “It’s okay to consult with your partner! I wrote a detailed ruleset in this notebook!” “Psst” Riko holds up a notebook with a kitty-cat pattern. When I looked at the Mahjong chapter of the notebook titled “Cast Off Table Ruru☆Buku”– Rules for AriAri: there are no local rules. –It’s a common Japanese style mahjong. (I bet kitty didn’t expect to be turned into a mahjong rulebook) I looked at the back of the book and saw some items that it would seem that I should pay attention to. — “when a game ends in deadlock the pair is changed”— (the pairs are changed in a deadlock, huh…) My partner is Reki, a beginner among beginners. In order to annihilate the girls, Reki will eventually have to be knocked out, but I can’t let her go down right now. I don’t know how long the rule of pairing up will last, but there is no shortage of games where two players are better than one. I should probably do my best to protect Reki here. –As the group passed around the rulebook. “People who are hit directly take off 1 piece of clothes! People who are hit with Mangan take off 2 pieces of clothes, get hit with a haneman and you take off 3 pieces of clothing and if you get hit with baiman you take off 4 pieces of clothing! In the case of a Tsumo win, regardless of whether it is a high or a low win, everyone except the person who won will take off a piece of clothing!” Riko cheerfully explains the undressing rules. “I have a total of 5 pieces of clothing, including a uniform ribbon, 2 socks, a blouse, and a skirt! Because of the warrior’s compassion, you will be eliminated when you are down to just your underwear! And when one of you is eliminated, mahjong is over! Winner gets to decide what the next game is! So, good luck to everyone!” By the way, as a boy, I’m wearing a shirt, vest, pants, and 2 socks. That means I have 5 lives to use, just like the girls. First, we roll the dice to determine who will be the starting players… “I’m like a parent” (this is in reference to who is at the table, Kinji is obv the dad) And then, starting with Aria, who had re-seated herself, Shirayuki, Riko, and I took the North, South, East, and West positions. Unless there is a pair change due to a deadlock game, one of the four here will be stripped down to his or her underwear. “—Let’s get started. Mahjong is a rhythm.” But when I checked my hand… Oh, this isn’t good… The types of tiles and numbers are all over the place. (Damn… these tiles make me want to cry…) It’s going to be hard to make a hand out of this. Well that is me, with a terrible reputation for bad luck. Pretending to rearrange the tiles, I quickly sent a distress signal to Fuuma, who was standing behind Shirayuki… Fuuma, while overhearing something from Shirayuki, touched her ponytail… and returned a signal using her fingers. You are saying… “I have a plan”…? Hmmm… it doesn’t look like i’m going to go very far with this hand, so I might as well take it. “Let’s get started.” “Yes. Please take it easy on me.” “ugggg–! Okay–!” “Come on.” Aria was grinning, Shirayuki was smiling serenely, Riko was saluting with both hands, I had my goggles on… pon, pon, pon… and I began to cut the tiles, but… What suddenly stood out was Shirayuki’s gesture of picking up a tile and shaking it. Her hands and her eyes are majestic. She looks like a professional female player. That looks cool. “Shi, Shirayuki… is this something you’re familiar with…?” “Ah, Yes. I used to compete with my sisters at Hotogi.” Shirayuki responds a little embarrassed and with a shy smile. …what are you doing at Hotogi? Why are you acting like that? As I discarded the 9, I had a thought. “Oh, by the way, Shirayuki. You have ESS powers, right? Can you increase your own luck?” “You cannot increase your own luck, but you can predict what the flow will be.” “I see. You can only see your luck… Isn’t that a foul thing to do?” When I asked her about it, Riko, not Shirayuki, squeaked. She shook her head, flicking around her two side twintails. “Because this is a combat game, anything is possible. Of course, you can cheat too, you know. But, if you get caught cheating, you’ll be naked at once! I’ll even take off your underwear!” Riko then threatened everyone with the question “Are you cheating?” No one, of course, responded back. –this is what is so scary about being a Butei. Butei are not like cops or military personnel who must always be on the side of justice even when it’s at their expense. The so-called “do-it-all” Butei, when given a mission, are relatively willing to use any means necessary to achieve victory. Therefore, when it comes to games, anything is allowed. That’s the unspoken rule. “Im not cheating.” The tile that Aria cute with a resounding thud was the 3 of Bamboo. Aria just cut a dora tile. In addition to that, Shirayuki has already cut the 2 of Bamboo. It’s an obvious backstrip, a dangerous tile. However, Shirayuki only glanced at Aria and did not move. It’s tough. Aria’s tile. …zawa… A little bit of tension appears in the air, and Aria quickly moves to hide her breasts. “Gambling doesn’t need a safety net. My policy is to cut the cards I don’t want one after another. A strong confidence that won’t be affected by your opponent’s waiting will bring you luck!” Well, that is exactly something Aria would say… Your personality certainly comes out when you play games like this. (But that’s a losing policy, no matter how you look at it) Maybe they thought the same thing I did, but Shirayuki and Riko gave me a black smile… and a look that said, “we have a sucker”. Shirayuki giggled some more. I was going to have a short meeting with Fuuma when… “–reach!” Oh, oh thats bad. While my attention was on Shirayuki and Riko, Aria threw the points bar into the table. You’re quick, Aria. Just like when you assault the enemy. … “reach” is a mahjong merger term that is also used in everyday life. It is a call that indicates that Aria will win if she draws one more tile that she needs, or if someone discards that tile and Aria takes it. “This will pass. I have a strong voice in the early stages– Yeah!” BaShi! The tile that Aria cut was the 6 of Man, which also looked like a dangerous tile that Shirayuki was waiting for. However, Shirayuki didn’t even make a Chi, let alone a Ron. She made no move at all. (way to go, Aria…) This strong luck is indeed a big deal. You can run through the scene of an active gunfight and not get hit by a single bullet. Your luck is truly like that. “… Is this okay…?” When Shirayuki, who had just seen Aria’s discarded tile, fearfully cut the 9 of the pin. “Ron! Windhole Ron!” Aah! Aria shows us her hand. Manzi 1-3, 5-7, Circles 6-8, Bamboo 7 and 8, West, West. There are 3 tiles, 3 tiles, 3 tiles, 3 more tiles if you include the tiles discarded by Shirayuki–the tiles are arranged in a staircase of numbers, and finally there are two tiles with the word [west] drawn on them. –certainly it’s a win. This is a game of peace, the name farthest from Aria herself. Her win has been established. Incidentally, Aria’s declaration of “Ron” is a call meaning that by taking the tiles discarded by her opponent, she was able to complete her hand. In this case, the player who discarded that tile, Shirayuki, lost. “…ah…” Even from my point of view, it was dangerous to cut off the 9 of the pin. Shirayuki shook her long black hair and nodded, and then… “ki, in front of kin-chan… this… is embarrassing… and everyone is watching…” She put her white-fingered hands on the ribbons of her summer uniform. And then she blushed a little, glancing up at me… tsu, tsutsu… Gently, she unraveled the ribbon from side to side. (…u~tsu…) A girl, conscious of me, shyly takes off her ribbon… This situation alone would have been risky under normal circumstances. She is making alluring motions that make you imagine what’s to come next. It’s horrifying. But, for now I’m still safe. Thanks to the girl distorting goggles, I could only vaguely see Shirayuki’s body, and the loss of the ribbon made her chest look vaguely three-dimensional, which I was rather grateful for. (Then again, the veteran Shirayuki got beaten…) A veteran was suddenly beaten by a mere novice. This would be what we call Aria’s beginner’s luck. Well, this is one of the most common sights in mahjong. (“what should we do, attack Shirayuki?”) I sent a hidden code to Fuuma… (“Don’t worry. I have a plan.”) And you’re back at it again. I don’t want to prolong even a single game, so I want to beat the fallen Shirayuki in one fell swoop… Fuuma, though, who paired with Shirayuki seems confident. I’ll bet on that confidence. …jarajarajara… And as the four of us at the table were mixing tiles… “–That’s amazing, Aria. I never thought you would be able to hit a single reach.” Shirayuki mumbled. Then, with a calm expression her face, she gave a coy smile and said, “Mmm-hmm” …What the hell? It’s scary. That smile. She’s laughing with just her facial muscles. “Yes, Shirayuki. Gambling is all about guts. You should play with more confidence.” –Aria on the other hand looks down on Shirayuki like she’s a beginner. She’s so proud of her current victory. You don’t have breasts at all but you are trying to show them off. Stop getting carried away. “Okay.” With a smirk like a Noh mask, Shirayuki responds to Aria– Everyone looks at their tiles and rearranges them while thinking. …? (What…?) Fuuma looks at Shirayuki’s tiles with a surprised “awawa” face. What happened. Were the tiles that unexpectedly bad? “I’m feeling good. Let’s go!” Aria smiled when she saw her tiles, she’s actually beaming! And then discarded a tile. “–Ron. Renhou Jinwa.” (“Garaa.”) Suddenly, Shirayuki summed up the situation. “Whoa!” Everyone in the room exclaimed in surprise. Shirayuki, though, opens up Riko’s rulebook and points to it… “I’m sorry Aria. I’m hoping to win. So I’m glad to tell you that you will soon be done for the night.” Smile. She’s telling Aria this with a beautiful smile. If you look at Shirayuki’s tiles, you’ll see… three white tiles as white as snow, just like her name, and… something, and sure enough, she’s… got a renhou! –This is a hand that requires uncanny luck, and is only possible when the player suddenly goes out in the first round. I mean, I’ve never seen anything like this before. Not once. “Yoo-hoo! Aria, you have to take off three layers! Which ones are you going to take off?” Riko claps her hands and says to aria… “That… That was an accident! It was a fluke! Shirayuki, next time I’ll aim for you!” She’s a sore loser, blah, blah, blah! She foughly unfastened the ribbon from her chest… Goso, goso… shurushuru! poi! She took off both her black knee socks on her feet and threw them at me. Gross. A pair of knee socks hit me in the face. What the hell are you doing? You are so messy. Well, at least it wasn’t… a sexy way to take off your clothes, so it was a lot safer for me. “I see you Aria. Your back is already sooty.” While mixing the tiles around, Shirayuki says a strange thing with an eerie tone… “?” Aria checks her back, but of course, it doesn’t have any soot on it. Perhaps that was Shirayuki looking at Aria’s luck. “Mahjong is a game of feng shui, dragon veins, and fortune telling. In Hotogi, it’s used to train people to divine the near future. I can already see the flow…. I wonder if Riko will win next time.” As Shirayuki predicted, the third game… “Aria, that’s Ron! Tenhou only! Hahaha!” Jara. After only a few rounds, Riko won the game. It was Aria who was hit again. “Liar! It’s too early!” Aria’s reddish-camelia eyes widened in surprise… She had originally discarded tiles quickly in a deliberate manner, but the first loss should have put her on guard.. Even as an amateur, I could see that she deserved to be beaten. –on the other hand. “Oh, no. Aria. You’ve got me cornered.” This time, there was not a single gap in the way Shirayuki played the game. You’re not the same person that Aria had attacked earlier. I’m not… sure if this is a good idea or not, but I think it is a good idea. This is not something a beginner can do. It’s an advanced skill. (In the first game, Shirayuki… she was “losing on purpose.”) Apparently, this was Fuuma’s plan. This is a common move in gambling. Letting a beginner win lightly at first to get them into a good mood, and then destroying them thoroughly after making them create their own opening. It seems that Fuuma and Shirayuki are using that tactic on Aria. Shirayuki is… usually reserved like a Yamato Nadeshiko, but at times like this, she doesn’t let her prey escape. “Ariaaa! Are you going to take off your blouse or your skirt!? DVD! DVD!” In the midst of Riko’s unintelligible rambling─ “…ugghhh…!” Aria, who sounded like a lioness who’d been stabbed with a spear, looked at me and… Gyu…gyui… Gyuiiiiiiintsu……！ Her face changed to the same color as the [中] of the Honor tile. “Kinji! Don’t you dare take that thing off!!” Aria said as she pointed at my goggles with a pistol. Hey! Watch where you point that thing! She unzipped her skirt under the table and began to rummage with it. Nu… she’s taking it off. The skirt of her uniform. “Oh, Aria! They’re little girl panties!” “Shut up! I’m coming after you next!” Aria’s head is completely on fire as she attempts to push Riko with her skirt, who has ducked under the mahjong table. So that’s why they were targeting her… –once Aria lost in the first half, she’s the type to get demolished in the second half. I can’t stand to look at it anymore. I’ll attempt to lead them away from Aria. The fourth game I began to play, thinking… With only one more piece of clothing left, Aria began to play defensively, and the game became unwinnable. Aria, who is clenching her teeth… has trembling fingertips. You are the only one here who can’t even say “poker face”. The look on her face suggests that she’s in a difficult position to get out of… is she waiting for a single opening? The word “temper” is another word that is used in everyday life, but it is derived from the mahjong term “tenpai”. Listening to a tile means that you are in an exciting situation where you know you can go out with a win if you have just one more tile. According to Riko’s rulebook, when a game ends without a winner, the players who have not yet reached a conclusion swap with their pair. “–Aria, I’ll take over. You’ll end up reaching for the clothesline.” “You don’t know how to play mahjong, so don’t try to be subtle, you just sit there and watch!” Even Jeanne, Aria’s pair who took the trouble to offer her a helping hand, half-heartedly replied to Aria. I was aiming a little too hard at Aria, and… Oh, shit. That’s not good. My hand is a mess. It’s the end of the game. And just like that… No one was able to make a yaku, and the game was called off. “Come on, you’re up.” “It would be so much easier if you just died.” “Oh, the game is over. I was on a roll…” Aside from Shirayuki, who just said something scary when she saw Aria, I… “…noten” The other three players were in tenpa, but I had to end the game with noten. In other words, you have to switch to the other half of the pair. If you turn around and look at Reki, my pair… “…” She’s standing there in her usual mannequin state. She’s as unreliable as a mountain. I got up from my seat and whispered to Reki, who has never played mahjong before. “Reki, did you get a good look at the game?” “Yes.” “So… you know how to play a little better now?” “Yes.” “Just try not to lose. Okay?” “Yes.” Reki’s only answer to my questions was “yes”. In addition to her robotic response, Reki sits at the table with absolutely no expression on her face which… only doubles my anxiety. If Reki becomes their target and I lose my partner, I will be at a disadvantage later. With my goal being to protect Reki, I exchanged signals with Fuuma, “protect Reki” and “go”. “Hey Reki, let’s do a review of the rules. All you have to do is collect similar tiles and arrange them in a 3/3/3/3/3/2 pattern.” As I said this from behind Reki, I prepared to give Reki instructions myself during the game. …jarajarajarajara… …amidst this sense of anxiety, the tiles were mixed together and… All the girls picked up a few tiles and finished arranging them in their hands. Now… the fifth game that decides my fate begins. And right now Reki is… She is just staring blankly into the void ahead of her. “I’ll leave you to it.” Jara. Suddenly, Reki opens her hand. “””WHAT THE!? TENPAI!?” Aria, Shirayuki, and Riko all look at me at once. “Hey…!” Reki…! I thought you didn’t understand the rules! And when I looked at the table, I saw… In addition to the 222, 444, 666, and 888 of the bamboo tiles, there are also 2 Hatsu’s. All of Reki’s tiles in her hand are in a beautiful shade of green. (Oh, it’s…!) This is… Ryu, all green…! That girl… She just played a hand so difficult to get that we may never see this hand played again in our lifetime. And… This is a miracle hand when compared to Shirayuki’s earlier hand. This is a miraculous hand that can only happen once in 330.000, when the hand has just been formed. “Hey, What’s this…! It’s…!” “…” When I asked Reki about this, Reki was silent, just staring at the table. It was such an extraordinary situation that it made even me, Reki’s partner, wonder if she was cheating. But since no one noticed her cheating, Reki won. That’s the unspoken rule of Butei games. In addition, Reki did not take any tiles from other players and got a win. This is called Tsumo Go Out. Riko took off her ribbon, Shirayuki took off one of her pure white socks, and… “No…! She’s cheating! Cheating! Cheater!” As soon as their loss has been confirmed, all the girls hold down Aria, who has since raised her pistols and began rampaging… Aria’s blouse popped out from the girls in a state of Oshikuramanju… (this is the Japanese term for basically how people surround someone who is changing so you cannot peek on them. Google the term if you are still confused.) … her blouse was softly placed on the square mahjong table… …it reminds me of a towel being thrown into a boxing ring to signal defeat… “u-ughhh…! Kinji! You can’t see me, can you! No looking!” “Don’t worry. I can’t see a thing with all the light.” Aria, who was apparently wearing only her underwear… Aria was sitting on the floor with her knees drawn up, covering her breasts with her right hand and her belly button with her left hand (apparently). “Wow-! This looks like it’s a special offer that only DVD or BlueRay owners can see!!” Ignoring Riko, who was currently saying things I don’t understand, Aria’s loss has led us to… The first round of the cast-off table, the undressing mahjong, was over. Our current clothes count is… 3 pieces of clothes for Shirayuki, 4 copies of clothes for Riko, and 5 pieces of clothes for everyone else. … we have a long way to go… — by the way, once the game was over and Aria was left trembling, Riko while cleaning up said “please return all tiles!” and pulled a tile from within her cleavage. Oh, Shirayuki also hid tiles in the same place. Women. Their cleavage has a grip that men cannot even imagine. I didn’t notice the tiles at all. But it’s possible for me to do something like that since i’m fully clothed. Go ahead and hate me for it. “Riko! Shirayuki! If you had a way to do that, why didn’t you tell me beforehand!” “uhh… Well, I can’t quite teach Aria how to do this…” “Yup. That’s right, Aria. You simply cannot do this trick.” “You didn’t have to say it twice! I knew it was a mistake to ask you right after I asked! Wind tunnel! Wind tunnel Daisangen!!” While Aria was fighting with Riko and Shirayuki, I… I walked up to Reki, who was still sitting there blankly in front of her green tiles… “…hey, Reki.” “yes.” “can you… explain that to me?” “Kinji told me to collect similar tiles, so I collected my favorite color.” “your favorite color…? Your favorite color is green?” “The color green reminds me of the meadows in my hometown.” Huh. So that’s why you made your whole hand green. Except, that’s not what I’m talking about… “What I meant to ask though, is are you cheating?” “I don’t know much about the rules, so I’m not sure what constitutes as cheating or a rule violation.” “…I’m not asking you if you know the rules, I’m asking you how you got those tiles to line up.” “When I mixed up the tiles, I arranged the tiles in an order that ensured that I got these tiles.” “Hey… that’s… a backdoor technique called “scatting.” Nice work actually.” “Everyone had their own peculiar hand movements.” Wh-what an observation. That’s the top of Snipe for you. –sniping requires the ability to “read the targets” movement habits. For example, if you want to shoot a bottle of medicine that someone is holding, you need to know in advance the habits of that person who is holding the medicine. By knowing those habits, you can tell when the person is going to take the bottle out of the cupboard and when they are going to bring it to a position where you can shoot it, thus knowing when and where you can shoot the bottle. Reki, though, used this ability to… She observed in advance how Aria, Shirayuki, and Riko, who were playing against me, mixed up their mahjong tiles, and grasped the habits of their hands in advance. Then, she had the three players take the tiles that would allow Reki to make a green hand, mixing them up and piling them up in a position where they would be distributed to Reki’s hand. But… “But… When you were mixing, some of the tiles were flipped over.” “Yes.” “if the tile is flipped over, you don’t know what tile it is. If you don’t know, there’s no way you could have scattered the tiles you wanted into the hands of the other three. How did you recognize the tiles… without checking the front of them?” “Weight.” “…weight?” “The weight of the tile is dependent on the shape engraved into it.” …! A-amazing….! Reki relied on the weight of the tiles to make a tenpai! Speaking of which… I have actually heard that snipers are very particular about the weight of bullets and the amount of gunpowder. It is said that a difference of only 0.1 milligram can make a difference in the point of impact. Because of this, it is said that top-notch snipers are able to weigh with their fingertips to the nanogram level, a weight that even a scale cannot measure. The weight of the mahjong tiles must have been miniscule in difference… only a S-rank butei sniper could tell the difference. “Well, well, well! This is getting exciting! The next game should be decided by the first place team, Ki-Kun and Rek-yu!” While Aria was actively trying to bite her head off, Riko continued to host the event. That’s right. There was a rule that the winner gets to decide the next game. I have a chance. “…” I can use Reki’s mannequin-like ability and have her sit there quietly. In a game it would appear that she is a reliable ally, although there are some concerns about her lack of experience in general. I look around the room, looking for a game that I can win by making good use of Reki. (Cards have too much of a luck factor… Darts? That seems like a no brainer but… i’m terrible at it. I’m not sure about darts… It’s probably best to avoid it.) I’m still trying to figure out a strategy to guarantee victory… I have got just the thing. Billiards. Billiards certainly is reminiscent of sniping, and I have some experience with that as Kana used to come along with her for “target practice” or something like that. I walked over to the billiard table, checked for any suspicious devices, and then… “For the next game i’m picking billiards.” I turned towards all the girls with vigor. With that I, …jiggle, jiggle… Suddenly I felt a slight vibration coming from my goggles to my head. “…?!” Wh, what is it now? My vision is… gradually… My vision is… getting clearer…? (…I… I can… I can see…now?!) Oh, this is not good. It was as if the steam from a hot spring was clearing away, and suddenly the girls inside the spring could be seen. In Riko’s own words, I have unlocked the “Blu Ray Bonus”, right? The girls’ uniforms and skin… are becoming more and more clear. I can now see Aria in her underwear, sitting on her knees with a angry and sad face. I… I can see her. … I just remembered that many of Hiraga’s products are defective. These girl blurring goggles… have apparently just malfunctioned. This is not good. But, I cannot tell anyone about them not working. Because, just now I saw Aria wearing nothing but her underwear. If Aria finds out that I saw her wearing nothing but her underwear, she will definitely shoot me at zero range with both of her pistols. On top of that pink demon’s unlimited strength, right now i’m even weaker than normal Kinji as im in Hysteria Wiseman mode. I won’t be able to defend myself at all, if anything I will be just like an unmoving target at a shooting range. Realistically, I will die if she finds out. “…!” I tried to remain as calm as I could, but when I looked at my watch, I saw that wiseman had only 30 minutes left before I reverted to normal Kinji…! I only have the time length of 1 normal length anime! This is not good… the time limit has been set! If I don’t do something in the next half hour… I’m going to have a catastrophe on my hands…! “Well then, let’s see what the second game has in store for us!” Riko and the other girls are all getting ready to fight to the death. Oh, oh this is not good…! I have no choice. I have to do it. In addition to Aria there is Shirayuki, Riko, Reki, Jeanne, Hiraga-san, and Fuuma… im sorry… I have 30 minutes to make them all lose as fast as possible and get out of here! Go For The Next!!! ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ### 013. Bullet 2: Solar Eclipse At Cherbourg Cast-Off Table. It was a battle of various games, with the loser taking off his or her clothes one piece at a time… It is a battle royal tournament in which survivors of the games move on to the next event until only one person is left wearing clothes. “Those who excel in games are excellent strategists.” The first round of this strange tournament… which I was involved in, began with a game of strip mahjong in which Aria was left wearing only her underwear. Those left remaining are… Shirayuki, Riko, Reki, Jeanne, Hiraga- san, Fuuma, and myself. The next game… is “billiards”. This is a game where Reki, who is still temporarily paired with me, can make use of her aiming and shooting skills. This is good. This is all fine and good, but the problem is… (Damn it… move, move, move, move…!) I am the only boy playing this tournament, and I was forced to wear a pair of “Light Transmitting Goggles” that, right now, were malfunctioning. I casually poked it with my finger, but the goggles did not do anything. This night-vision goggle-shaped machine was developed by Hiraga- san and was supposed to be a device that automatically recognizes the revealed body of a girl and covers only that part of them with light. The goggles though… broke in just over 10 minutes and now my vision is crystal clear. Not only can I now clearly Aria’s body, but I can also clearly see the playing card pattern of Aria’s childish underwear… hearts, diamonds, and all the other shapes as she sits on the couch with her teeth clenched. I couldn’t see through the light until now… This is, it’s a full view…! (…If the girls find out I can see them…) Despite the air conditioning in Riko’s game room, sweat beaded on my forehead. I… I have already seen Aria in her underwear. If the girls find out about the broken goggles, .45 ACP rounds will by flying from Aria’s governments. Aria’s skirt might have been taken off by the girls, but she did not take the gun holsters off her thighs. (The… the only thing I can rely on anymore… is my own will power…!) I checked the center of my body, the core, to check ony my bloodflow. …Good. I think I’m still good. Even though I saw Aria in her underwear, my core was still silent. — Right now I am in Hysteria Wiseman, a variant of Hysteria Mode. This is a special Hysteria mode where I lose all interest in girls at the expense of having zero combat power. (This is… our lifeline now, our last bulwark!) However, this mode can only be maintained for another 30 minutes or so. Once 30 minutes pass, the conditions that allow me to enter hysteria mode will be able to turn me into normal hysteria mode again. –Going into hysteria mode in a room with a girl in their underwear… –Is not good. No, there are seven girls in this room, so it’s seven “not good”. In normal hysteria mode, I might take on all of them at once. –Therefore, I have 30 minutes to annihilate the girls and end this ridiculous tournament– the cast-off table. In the meantime, I must keep it a secret that the goggles have malfunctioned. This is my only path to survival. Narrow and steep, it’s the only way…! “Billiards, huh? I haven’t played since I made a lot of money playing in Macau.” “Hahaha, it’s time for Aya’s Jet Cue to come into play!” “Thank you for picking billiards. There was a time in Paris where I was known for my skill as a hustler in billiards.” … a dark cloud suddenly formed, blocking that one path. Riko, Hiraga-san, and Jeanne just took out their expensive looking billiards cue. The cue, which is a stick that is used to hit the ball, costs a lot of money if you buy a high end one. If someone happens to own their own… odds are they are an intermediate or above. Riko checked her pink cue, and Jeanne began to chalk her cue which had a black painted shaft and gold rimmed pad, her actions looking very experienced. I mean… Riko and Jeanne… Didn’t they just talk about their career in billiards? Furthermore, the cue that Hiraga is using seems very mechanical. Or obviously it is mechanical. It even has a switch. “H-Hey, Hiraga. That… Jet cue? Isn’t that obviously a foul…?” But, when I looked at the billiards section of “Cast Off Table Ru-Ru ☆ Bukku” written by Riko, under billiards it states “Cue: Freedom!” Cue… Freedom…? Damn it. I should’ve read the rules beforehand. By the way, Fuuma had her own bamboo cue, so me, Shirayuki, and Reki borrowed a nondescript cue from Riko and sat around the pool table. “Clothese status! Yuki-Chan 3! Rikorin 4! Everyone else has 5!” Riko talks happily and brings the final ball for a 9 ball game. Yuki-chan, by the way, is Riko’s nickname for Shirayuki. Shirayuki… hasn’t spoken since a while ago. Not a single word. Maybe she is nervous since the rest of her clothes are only a blouse, skirt, and one sock. “The game is ‘Nine Ball’! It’s a seven-player version of that!” And Riko explained the rules as she spread her notebook out with both hands… ・The White ball that the player cues is called the hand ball, and the numbered ball (1) through (9) on the table are called the target balls. ・The player hits the handball with the cue and plays through the numbered target balls (1) through (9) and drops them into the hole. ・In this case, the ball that the cue hits first must be the ball with the lowest number. (For example, if there are still balls (3), (6), and (9) on the table, the ball must first hit (3)). ・The player may hit the target ball one after another with a single thurst. (For instance, you may hit ball (3) into (6) and then (6) may hit (9), like playing with dominoes.) ・The winner is the person who drops the final ball into the net. Repeat the game after. ・If a player makes a mistake in the middle of the game, or if a player clears the game by dropping 9, the pair changes player. –It was based on the same rules as nine-ball. Whats different is the rules that are unique to the Cast-Off Table. ・ If you make a mistake in dropping the ball, you take off a layer. Even if there is a foul, take one off. ・On the other hand, the person who successfully pockets the (9) ball can nominate someone to take a layer off. ・If someone strips down to his or her underwear, the billiard game is over. –that is the undressing rule for this game. “First, lets decide the order. The order of the pairs will be consecutive, so you have to decide who will cue first.” According to Riko’s rule book, which she said in a lively manner, it was consultation time for Shirayuki and Fuuma pair, Riko and Hiraga-san pair, and the me and Reki pair respectively. Jeanne, having lost Aria, is alone and silent. (I see… “The order of the pairs is continuous” or…) In billiards, which is a competition of individual skill, the pair system was going to be meaningless – but with this rule, it becomes important. If the better player cues first, they can prepare a favorable ball placements for the later player. In this case, the pair avoids undressing – a defensive formation. On the other hand, if the bad player cues first, those who cue after… can end their turn by creating a difficult ball placement for the enemy. It’s an aggressive strategy, losing clothes but leaving no advantageous position for the enemy. (Strategy is the key here…) Riko’s rules are very well thought out in this area. It makes you think… I spoke to my pair, Reki, who was standing there silently. “Reki. Have you ever played billiards?” “No.” “Read the rule book before it’s your turn. It’s got the basic rules in it.” “Yes.” “You can do it. Just hang in there.” “Yes.” This conversation is tense, like when robbers are having an exchange before a heist… The me and Reki pair will be in a defensive formation, with the inexperienced Reki hitting after me. Then the batting order is decided in a different way than usual (rock- paper-scissors + arbitrary in the pair.) The order is… Shirayuki, Fuuma, Me, Reki, Hiraga-san, Riko, Jeanne, and then back to Shirayuki. — As soon as that’s decided, I’m cheering inside. If you look closely at this order, you’ll see that it’s Fuuma that’s moving before me. I’m quite lucky. Fuuma is my amica. She is a spy that I’ve snuck into this Cast-Off table. Even if I can’t originally hit it, she’ll turn it around in a way that makes it easier for me to hit. “And now, the game begins! Let’s go, everyone! Kufufu~!” The fatal second game… Riko has declared the start of the undressing billiards game. “Is this all I have to do?” Aria, who has already lost all her clothes from mahjong… is currently wearing only her underwear and lining up the nine balls using a wooden triangle into a tight diamond shape. The first step is to randomize the placement of the balls by hitting them with a lot of force using the cue – “break shot”. It is the first shot that announces the start of a billiards game with a flash start. “Yes. It’s your break shot and good luck.” Aria is handing a pure white ball to Shirayuki, who is the first player. “…u-uhn.” Shirayuki, who was handed a handball, checked the rulebook, and then went to… Kyorokyoro… as she put her handball on the table, I looked at everyone’s complexion. Then, she set up the cue that she borrowed from Riko, but… “?” “?” “?” “?” “?” “?” “?” All the people in the room had question marks in response to Shirayuki’s handiwork. (Hey, what’s that? That stance…) Shirayuki is pointing the tip of the cue at the ball in her hand, holding it as if she were poking a person with a clever. The rule book had said “Cue Holding: free♪”… “…taa~!” Bam! “!” “!” “!” “!” “!” “!” “!” Everyone’s question mark turned into an exclamation mark at once. That’s because Shirayuki struck with the cue and shouted like she was at Naginata practice… and the ball… Ko-chin. She hit the (1) ball, but only managed to slightly break up the 9 balls. (yes, yes, this makes sense… Shirayuki…) Apparantly, Shirayuki has never played billiards before. This made me loosen the edge of my mouth a little bit. According to Riko’s rules, she doesn’t have to take off her clothes if she messes up her break shot – but this is where our concentrated attack on Shirayuki begins. She’s a sitting duck. “Attack Shirayuki, but don’t do it overtly” I sent Fuuma a pre-determind command – a cipher that includes scratching my neck, snapping my fingers, and the number of seconds between each. Fuuma yawned in response. She pretends to wipe the debris from her eyelashes with her hand – and gives me a “yes” sign. Good, good. Great job, Fuuma. I admire your spirit and going so far as to even sacrifice your pair for the sake of your partner. “haha… i-it’s been a while, so I’m a bit… a bit… a bit, maybe I messed up…” Shirayuki looks around while laughing bitterly– Riko is smiling, Hiraga is snorting, Jeanne is snickering, Reki is silent, and I am wearing my goggles like Cyclops from the x-men, all while piling silent pressure on Shirayuki with the message “you’re already dead”. “…hii~… Shirayuki backed away from the table while hugging her cue. “Ohon… Then, I’m the next one.” Second in line was Fuuma. With her bamboo cue at the ready, Fuuma dug in. She hit the balls in a not particularly good way and scattered the target balls as if she was trying to break shot again. First… the number (1) ball fell into a hole– Colorful balls were scattered all over the table, and it finally looked like billiards. Kakon. Fuuma continued to carefully drop the (2) ball. The (3) ball was in a position that was difficult to hit, so she ended her turn by hitting the (3) ball with another ball. “Well, that (3) ball was difficult Ninnin-chan, still, you fouled so you will have to take one off.” “Nin” At Riko’s request, Fuuma removed the ribbon from her sailor suit. Incidentally, “Ninnin-chan” is an extremely inappropriate nickname for Fuuma that Riko came up with. (TL note: with my limited understanding of Japanese, it appears that Ninnin is similar to a way to say “ninja”, so her cutesy nickname is just calling Fuuma a ninja. Basically like you calling your friend by their career but cutely.) Like I said, Fuuma says “Nin” a lot. “Then I’m next.” In the end, I dropped (3) in, which was easy thanks to Fuuma, and managed to drop (4), but… the next one, (5), I was stuck. The (5) ball is adjacent to the pocket in the corner of the table, and the (9) ball is in front of it. This will inevitably hit (9). In times like these, it’s best not to bother. After all, I have a time limit for Hysteria Wiseman. So I decided to make it as easy as possibly for my pair, Reki… I hit the handball on (9) and dropped the (5). In this case, (5) will be pocketed, and (9) will return to its fixed position, the foot spot. Of course, I fouled, so… I had no choice. I took off my vest and was now wearing only a shirt on my upper body. Next it was my pair, Reki’s turn. “Reki. Did you finish reading the rule book?” “Yes.” “Do you understand?” “Yes.” “… okay, hang in there.” “Yes.” You.. say something other than “yes” and no”. Spontaneously if possible. Reki, a robot who is also mute, expressionless, and emotionless, holds a cue and… Beside the pool table, she got down on one knee. (H-hey…) In front of me who was in a cold sweat, Reki struck a pose… This is the exact posture of a knee shot, she is using her cue like she is aiming a gun. When everyone saw this pose, they all looked at each other and said “another duck?” – and from Aria, the outsider, you could hear giggling. At this sight Riko shouted, “I’m going to get a photo!!” and dived under the table to sneak a photo of Reki. Reki though, is standing on one knee and using her cellphone as a bipod… Reki clearly did not give a damn about what Riko was doing. “I’m just a bullet…” Woah. She’s starting her chant. This is a habit of Reki when she is sniping. It’s kind of like poetry that she mumbles when she needs to concentrate. And then… Klink! With a completely blank expression on her face, she sharply hit the ball. The ball rolled over the table as quickly as a snipers bullet. First, it hits (6), which is played diagonally, and together with (6), it runs in a Y-shape like a two-headed snake. The handball bounces off the side of the table, hits (7), bounces off the side again, hits (8), and goes to the side again. The ball, cushion, ball, cushion, ball, and the handball kept rolling in a W-shape… And finally, the knocking. She hit the (9) ball. … toto~tsu, goto~tsu, goto~tsu, goto~tsu… While everyone’s eyes were buldging out of their head, all the target balls (6), (7), (8), and (9) were pocketed. The only thing left on the billiard table was the white handball resting in the center of the table. “…” Reki propped the cue up on her shoulder… she stood up as if nothing had happened. Then she returned to the usual Reki, staring diagonally into the emptiness. (a… amazing…!) For Reki, who had never played billiards before, this was probably the first time in her life she had ever even held a cue. Althought there were some similarities when compared to Shirayuki in the beginning, in that they each had unique poses… the results were very different. I, I can use this. Following the triple yakuman in mahjong, I can use this Reki cheat here too. “Let’s see… Reki, who would you like to undress?” I turned around still wearing my goggles when I heard Riko say this in a bitter voice. That’s right. I was so surprised by Reki’s super shot that I almost forgot that the player who drops the (9) can force someone to strip off one piece of their clothes. It’s got to be Shirayuki who has to strip off one piece. She only has 3 pieces left you know. “Then, Jeanne.” –Oi?! I looked back at Reki with my goggles again. Shirayuki is relieved… and puffed out her big chest, but… “Hey Reki… why did you pick Jeanne?” “Intuition.” “Huh…?” “When sniping, you mainly target the enemy leader, the UL, the communicator, the one with the most firepower. The weaker ones will either self-destruct or be defeated by others – so I’ve removed them from the target list.” “What are you talking about? This is not a battlefield. No one is the leader, and there are no communicators. In order to end this quickly, we should take off the ones who look bad.” I’m sure you’ll be able to understand. “Fufufu… That’s right. I’m the strongest in this competition. Reki, I’m sure you are not the only one who knows this. Tohyama. You can’t see our bodies with those goggles right?” Jeanne, smiling wryly, asked me with a smug mood. “O-of course I can’t.” I… I’m not sure what to say. I was suddenly asked so stuttered. (TL note: original is Kinji messes up the ending kanji, equivalent of stuttering in English) Calm down, Kinji. The mistake I made now was small, but if these small mistakes keep piling up the girls will get suspicious… “So… let’s take one off. Rules are rules. Riko. Is there an order to undress?” “Eh? No.” “I’ll start with the blouse.” And as Jeanne said… “shaaa” She rolled up the blouse of her sailor uniform with dignity. “–!” My goggles are broken, so I’m forced to witness it. If I look away, it’s like declaring “I can see you.” Even if I close my eyes, they’ll know I’m behaving strangely. I have to watch it. (Why the blouse all of a sudden? It should be a ribbon or a sock first!” I would like to protest that, but I can’t do that since right now I’m trying to be invisible to everyone. –I’m not sure if it’s because she knew she would be undressing in front of me, but Jeanne’s underwear is a white and modest bra. The cups are pure white and a little thick, so if you cut out just that part, it looks like a swimsuit. But because of the gorgeous flower embroidery on the edges and shoulder straps, my brain couldn’t help but recognize it as “underwear” (my… my bloodflow…!) I-it’s okay. I’m still in Hysteria Wiseman. And since Jeanne is unconcerned, she’s less dangerous. If she had been embarrassed in an uncharacteristic way, my interest would have been piqued. “Hohoho… I see! There is only one ribbon, so be careful to protect it, Jeanne.” Hiraga-san, who is a dexterous equipment specialist, removed the ribbon from Jeanne’s blouse… She is making a ribbon necklace out of elastic cord from Riko’s sewing box and returning it to Jeanne. “Huh, Merci, this might be cute and cuddly in its own way.” (TL Note: Merci is put above the Japanese “thanks” in original, French is original) And when Jeanne carries it around her neck… ugh. I don’t know why, but it’s kind of erotic in reverse. Her chest was bare except for her underwear, but she was wearing a ribbon around her neck. It’s like im looking through the blouse of her uniform, it’s a perverse feeling. “Then Aya gets the next break-shot!” Pyon! Hiraga-san got onto the table. Aria, the loser who now had to do the menial tasks, got to work picking up the balls that fell into pockets and rearranged them into a diamond shape. Jeanne, looking like she was having fun, pounded the cue into her palm. What’s weirder is that Riko is smiling while looking at Jeanne’s breasts. Fuuma is watching over the place with her arms folded. Reki is poised like a guardian. Shirayuki is frightened. I’m scared in another sense– As the gazes of 8 different people looked on, Hiraga-san, wearing a very short skirt (so short it’s SSS size! It’s basically a little girls skirt!) got on the platform – she thurst her buttocks out, leaned forward, and stoof on her tiptoes as if stretching, ready with the cue. “Unh-! Come on-!” Gashun-! There was a mechanical sound that obviously no normal cue would make, and Hiraga-san recoiled and flipped over. This smell is familiar… it’s gunpowder! “!” Crunchcrunchcrunch-! The inside of the billiard table is like the inside of a washing machine, with balls running east and west. She wasn’t aiming properly… so… “huh–… wh-what is it-?” And Hiraga’s break shot, with her now raising her steaming cue stick… didn’t reuslt in her pocketing 1 ball. No matter how you look at it, she hit the ball with the cue too hard. The target ball that almost fell into the hole also passed over the hole and bounced back to the cushion. But the handball didn’t fall as well. Therefore, Hiraga’s shot did not involve undressing, but simply a player change to Riko. “Riko-chan, I leave the rest to you!” “O~Kay Ayaya! Hai-tatch!” Pechi! Riko high-fived Hiraga-san and recieved the baton, then took the platform with a smile and a small leap. As usual, you’re as full of energy as a couple of schoolgirls. But… (Is this as far as you can laugh…?) I mutter this to myself as I look over the billiard table. It’s the placement of the target ball. It’s in the worst spot possible. I’m going to begin to laugh instead. It’s nice to have (9) right next to the hole. However, (1), which should be the first ball that gets hit, is surrounded by (2), (3), (4), (5), and (6). (TL note: just a refresher, in 9 ball billiards you have to hit in order from lowest-> highest or you foul. Thus, Riko has to hit (1) without hitting any other number.) No matter how you cue it, the ball will hit any number other than (1) and foul. “What are you going to do, Riko?” I couldn’t help but say something to provoke her, but… “kufu! I’ll show you something good.” Riko gave a blinky wink that had hearts and stars fly out of her big, double-lidded eyes. “J.S.R, the special move that was Riko’s nickname in Macao.” J.S.R…? Riko? Maybe Junior.School.Riko? Riko held up the pink cue toward the direction where it looked like she was going to foul… “-Jump Shot Riko!!” Klink! The fluttering, frilly skirt of Riko’s modified uniform swished about as she jabbed the ball with her cue as if she was stabbing it. Pyon! The white ball jumps up like a rabbit… Gachi! First, she hit the top of (1), bounced off of it, jumped over (2), (3), (4), (5), and (6) – Gochi! She dropped the (9) into the pocket with a thud and came to rest on the table. (…n-no way, that’s not possible…!) That’s… a joke of a trick… I can’t believe they used the ball at the end of the jump as a jumping platform to jump more hand balls! And with that, she went from (1) to (9), pocketing it in. She cleared it in the shortest possible time. “Okay then, Yuki-chan, take off your clothes!” Bishi! Riko mercilessly pointed her pink cue at Shirayuki and nominated her. “Ugh…!” Shirayuki moaned in a strangled voice- She took off her white sock, that was still on one foot, and was now barefoot on both feet. It appears that she wont take off her clothes in some crazy order, unlike someone else… “-So, I guess I’m your next break shot.” I’m not sure what to think. The two pigtails that were usually hanging down on either side of her head were now gathered together on the back of her head so as not to interfere with her play. While Aria was diligently setting the scattered balls back into a diamond shape- “Shirayuki.” With ice blue eyes, Jeanne looked squarely at Shirayuki. “wh…what” “Nine.” Gripping the cue with both hands and holding it in the cleavage of her chest… Shirayuki responded to Jeanne’s jab with eyes that still had a fighting spirit, even though she was being targeted. “Let me give you a warning right now. I’m going to Break Out and take off one more piece of your clothing with Masuwari.” … It’s… a Masuwari notice…! (TL Note: Masuwari is a Japanese notice for a break and run, a break and run being you break the balls, and then pocket 1-9 without giving your opponent a chance to play at the table, thus meaning that you dont even give oyur opponent the opportunity to win on your Break Shot.) Masuwari is a perfect game in billiards. Starting with a break shot… you must drop all the target balls correctly, in order, with no mistakes, until the (9) ball is dropped by the starting person. If you can achieve this feat, it does not matter who your opponent is, you can still win. After all, victory is guaranteed if you can clear the board before the other player can cue even a single ball. “If that happens, you will only have 1 piece of clothing left. You will be the one to take the break shot after I go up, but if you miss even one shot you will expose your pitiful body to everyone.” The lines are cool, but… Jeanne. You, you need to look at yourself, how you look right now. She is only wearing a bra on her upper body and a ribbon around her neck. That’s not cool at all. You may say “Shirayuki will look pathetic”, but you already look pathetic. Well, as far as your concerned, I can only look at you through these night-vision looking goggles. “Shirayuki, you must give up now. I, the witch of silver dust… you will never be a match for me.” I wonder if the the past of losing to Shirayuki in the underground warehouse the other day never happened in Jeannes mind. Before we knew it, the nine balls are neatly set up and ready to go… Jeanne placed the cue on the ball in a beatiful, even legitimate stance. “…ah…ah…” Forewarned of her defeat, Shirayuki is hugging her cue and shaking uncontrollably. Hey, hey, hey… Calm down, Shirayuki. What Jeanne just did is a common “off the board tactic” in these kinds of mental games. She just said something that was scary and put psyhcological pressure on Shirayuki. She fell right into it. -Kakon! The sound of Jeanne’s break shot brought me back to reality, and first of all… (1), (2), and (3) went into the pocket with a thump, thump, thump. She is just as good as she says she is. But… the next one, (4), is going to be a difficult shot. The (4) ball is located as such that (5), (6), (7), and (8) surround it. Although there are gaps between the spheres That’s a difficult position to play either directly or with a V-shape by bouncing off a cushion. “-You’re going to do jump shots too?” Jeanne listened to the sore loser, Aria, with an easy going mood. “Hm. That’s boring, isn’t it? Especially if you’re just watching.” In a more relaxed mood than Aria, Jeanne sarcastically responded… “You ready?” “I’m ready.” After a mysterious exchange with Riko, Jeanne sat with down with her back to the billiard table. She then pulls her own skirt up so that the cloth does not go over the platform. Obviously, the move was based on the assumption that my goggles were working. (ugh…) The rule is that you have to have at least one foot on the floor when playing… Jeanne stretches out her right leg as if to show off her stretched calves to her lush and now bare thighs. She has her skirt pulled up, so it’s in full view… Her slender, long, taut, pearly white legs seemed to shine regardless of the goggles… If it wasn’t for Wiseman, I would have been beaten. I’m not sure what to say. The edge of her hip that sits on the platform is also slightly visible. “-the trajectory for this hit should tell you where im going to go after.” As she said this, Jeanne twisted her body and… held the cue vertically, halfway to the platform. It looks as if she is stabbing the ball in her hand from almost directly above. (…Masse shot…!) Masse. That was Kana’s specialty shot. This is an advanced technique in which the ball is cued from the top of the curler, giving it a strong rotational force that causes it to curve… -Katsun- Jeanne did a masse just as I thought… Kuru Kuru Kuru- The ball began to move around the board, spinning like a train on a track. Then the ball dodged (5), (6), and (7) in a graceful curve, and hit (4) with a “klink!”. At the same time as the (4) ball rolls toward the pocket, the ball continues to curve around the table… (5)… (6)… (7)…! With a trajectory that resembled a figure eight, she pocketed the target balls one after another. And… Gotototot Almost simultaneously, balls (4) through (7) fell into a pocket. …Wow…! Everyone at the table shouted at this, and Shirayuki sat down in a collapsed upright position on the spot with a heap. The only balls left on the table where the (8) ball and the (9) ball. “Now, Shirayuki. Take a good look at me while you prepare to undress.” Jeanne stepped down from the platform and held her chest out to Shirayuki across the table. “-I’ll show you my magic one last time. You can’t beat me…” Jeanne, who held up her gold-rimmed cue with an axaggerated hand… said “last time”, but the hand ball and (8) are in a straight line with (9) inbetween. Normally, it’s impossible to finish with a single cue. Well, let’s see how the hustler Jeanne is going to conquer that muri. I wouldn’t be surprised if we get anything else. “… I’ve already figured out… Jeanne… I’ve already… so don’t bully me any more…” If it were a card game, Shirayuki would have zero life by now, and she’s looking up at Jeanne like shes about to become incontinent. (TL note: incontinent means basically to lost control of your bladder, in other words pee yourself… I checked with both DeepL and GT, and I got the same word… weird choice of word when “cry” works too, but that is the official word…) Shirayuki’s dark eyes were filled with tears and she looked like she was about to start crying. I’m… starting to feel a little pitiful for Shirayuki. I’ll stay beside you to calm you down. “Ah, Shirayuki, you can’t touch Jeanne while she’s cueing. Don’t be scared, come on, I’ll stay next to you so don’t cry.” “Kin-chan… Thank you… I… I…” I put one knee down next to Shirayuki, who has sat down, and she clung to my arm, trying to ease her fear. Then, looking at the table from an almost horizontal position, right in front of me and Shirayuki- “Take a look. We’ll be following “The Eclipse of Cherbourg” and “The Thawing of Mont Blanc”…!” There it is. A Technique name…! -Katsun! As soon as she hit the ball, Jeanne stretched out as if she was going to begin cowering… Surprisingly, it seems to be just a jump shot. Didn’t you say something earlier about not doing that because it’s boring? And when I saw the white ball in the air, I was momentarily distracted, and my eyes… “…!” “oh… Oh…!” I put my hand over my mouth and looked at Shirayuki in astonishment. It’s… it’s gone…! As the name of the technique suggests, there was an eclipse. Just as the sun disappeared, the target ball disappeared in midair. It was just like magic. Or, in Jeanne’s case, it might be magic for real. If that’s the case, you dont stand a chance. The ball reapered on the table with a “poof”, and at the same time it hit the (8) ball… Goton…- She dropped the (8) ball into the pocket and the ball stopped moving on the table. …Huh? Jeanne. You said earlier that this shot was your “last” shot. If the handball stopped, you would have to hit it again to finish it. And then before my eyes, which were about to break down in the presence of this act… “uh…!” “Hie~… hie~…!” My eyes, and Shirayuki’s eyes, who was in agony on the floor, were opened again in astonishment. The handball that stopped started to move again. -Toward the (9) ball. It’s like when the snow melts and becomes melted water, and it moves like it’s flowing out… No, this is not magic. It’s a technique called “pulling a ball”. The point is that the backspin is applied when stroking the ball, and the handball hits the target ball and then returns. Nevertheless, being able to do it combined with a jump shot is certainly a magical level of technical skill. Goton!- Pushed by the handball, (9) fell, and Jeanne achieved Maswari. No… As expected, you’re the which of silver ice. “It is over. Now, Shirayuki – don’t hold on to Tohyama, take one off. The next time, you’ll end up in a mess of your own making. And, Tohyama, don’t be such a softie and a good-for-nothing.” Jeanne, who is still holding her pool cue, says with a serious face. You look like you’re performing in a tournament but what you are actually performing in… is a strip game. Somehow she has gotten herself into a good mood. At the same time though… “…”now”… is that what you said?” A low voice came from beside me, or rather, from the back of Shirayuki’s throat. “…?” When I turned around, Shirayuki, who was still lying on the ground – her eyes were shaded by her close-cropped bangs, and she swayed with her eyes in the shadow of her bangs… She’s standing up. “Kin-chan is a … good-for-nothing? Hmm. That’s what you are… no, no, no. Jeanne… you really are a cold woman… to the core.” … gororororor… The murderous energy that radiated from Shirayuki’s entire body caused everyone, not just Jeanne… to back away. “Let me tell you something, Jeanne. Kin-chan didn’t support me because he’s a softie. It was compassion. Kin-chan supported me because he cares about me.” Shirayuki spoke this with her voice filled with passion and courage-! Shirayuki took off her blouse with authority! That face… it’s… scary! She was crying just a second ago, but now she suddenly has a Hannya like expression on her face! (TL note: Hannya is like that mask with the two horns by the mouth, the scary looking one. Google it if you want it for reference. Basically, she is scary.) “Jeanne! What you have just said is an outrageous claim that tramples on Kin-Chan’s feelings for me! I will punish you on behalf of the eight million gods! Next time… I’ll do the same! And then you’ll have to take off your skirt. Okay?!” Shi-Shirayuki, why are you wearing bl-black underwear to… to a undressing game?! And every time she shook the pool cue in anger, her breasts would swing around! I mean, what kind of God would punish someone by taking off their skirt? What’s more, Shirayuki after taking off her blouse is now taking out the seal in her hair, which normally seals that power that is normally too much for her to handle. Isn’t it forbidden by the Hotogi to remove that? I’m not sure where to begin anymore, but Shirayuki, or rather Kuroyuki, is… “N-No, if you can do it, I can do it.” Almost as soon as Jeanned had laid out the nine balls. -Gashin With a break shot while clenching her teeth, she dropped the target ball into the hole. The way of hitting is still in the Naginata style, but this time there are results for it. Suddenly, she dropped (1), (4), (5), and (8). (TL Note: just a reminder, you don’t have to DROP in order, just hit the BALL in order) “-ta-da! Next!” Shirayuki has begun screaming with excitement! She ran barefoot around the billiard table and she’s baaaaack! She cupped the ball in her hand at an angle that looked like it would be a completely missed shot. The handball headed in the completely oposite direction… but then a sound cut the air and created an tornado-like airflow around it, and then Boom! Byonbyonbyon! And the ball started jumping! What the-! I don’t know what to think anymore! A ball that now looks like a bouncy ball dropped (2) and (3) as if the ball was pushed. It must be a coincidence. Shirayuki was waiting for the handball to stop moving, which was starting to smell kind of burnt. “-Yes!” Bishi! She put the cue under her armpit while waiting for the ball to stop moving before taking it right out again (I guess she did that for no reason?) and then played again. The ball hit (6) and then (7), both hit off the cushion, collided, and then somehow soared into the air, both landing into the pocket. This is a miracle! Shirayuki, in just a skirt and bra, is continuing her rapid progress! Humans… Can they become this strong when cornered? Or is it a strong desire for… something else that is giving Shirayuki this divine power? I don’t think I want to think too much about that “something”. “Hey…! Yuki-Chan! It’s on fire, it’s burning! Rasha’s burning!” (TL Note: as the after-next line says, Riko is talking about the billiard table. Im not sure if Rasha is her name for the table or what.” “-huh! huuh!” Ignoring Riko’s panic at the billiard table, where white smoke has begun rising everywhere, Shirayuki- She is glaring at the (9) on the edge of the pocket as if it were her opponent in a life-or-death fight. oh-oh no. This is not good. Shirayuki is losing her mind to anger. If I somehow dont stop this here now, after the (9) is dropped Jeanne will take off her skirt, Shirayuki will also be naked soon after, and they will fight! I might get attacked as well! While the handball, which had not yet lost its momentum, was bouncing back and forth in a star shape on the table, the- “do somethine” “If its your will” “Do not get caught” “If its your will” “hurry!” “”If its your will” (TL Note: for “if its your will” the actual is recognition of someone being your “royalty” like a king, and obeying them. “If its your will” was the closest I could think of that made sense.) I’m in a hurry so I quickly exchanged these ciphers with Fuuma. Shirayuki positions her cue on the handball that is stopping in the center of the table. She hit it again! Ba-chin! Riko sneezed deliberately, and Hiraga-san knocked over her cue to make some noise, but- “-It’s useles! Onkirikiribasaraunbatta-” (TL Note: zero clue what that means. Chanting maybe? Its all in Katakana so im not sure?) It’s no good. That’s not enough to break Shirayuki’s concentration. (Fuuma…! Quick, do something…!) And the Fuuma that I saw through my goggles was… e- She turned towards the handball with a toothy grin, like a kid doing the ‘ee da’. And shes moving her tongue, or maybe her cheeks are subtly smooshing? And her breats are… what? I usually can’t believe you are a first year, but they are swelling up. “-I’ll take you down-!” Shirayuki, who is already tense for a reason I don’t understand, is hitting the table! At the same time that Shirayuki began her cue – pyu – pi- A small sound came from Fuuma’s mouth, followed by a small sound from the handball on the table. (“Short Breath Tube”…!) (TL Note:I got a few potential translations for this move, this one seemed to me to make the most sense while not sounding stupid.) This current trick by Fuuma is a little trick that she showed me before, back when I was in Junior High School and attending Kanagawa Butei High School. It’s a technique where you roll up your tongue in your mouth and press it against the back of your teeth to make a barrel, you then breathe in a lot of air and exhale it all at once, sending air bullets through the gap between your front teeth. It’s like a one-shot trick, only with enough power to shoot something small like a leaf, but… Gasp! And the handball that was struck by the cue is… “-?!” It curved to the left, shocking Shirayuki. “Go-good job, Fuuma!) With her Short Breath Tube, Fuuma was able to make the handball spin on the spot without anyone knowing. Maybe she got the idea from the Masse that Jeanne did earlier. Of all the billiard balls, only the handball has no pattern at all. It is a pure and plain white. Therefore, even if it is spinning on the spot, it is not spinning to the naked eye. “aaaaah… why…?!” At the last second, the handball does not hit the (9) ball, and Shirayuki clinged to the billiard table… But, she is persistent… A further miracle occured. (…!) The curving handball is moving back on the platform in a C shape…! This seems to have been an unpredictable event even for Fuuma, and her acorn eyes are buldging. And then the ball approaches the (9), a position where a slight push will pocket it. Shirayuki took a Banzai posture…! -Ba~- “Ukyaa!” Riko screamed while letting her twin tails bounce up and down. The handball- It was cracked. And… it shattered. It would seem… that the ball was cracked by the repeated reckless and powerful shots from Shirayuki, and reached its limit. Whatever the case, the (9) ball did not fall – by the rules, it was a foul. You got what you deserved. Shirayuki. Shirayuki, with her knees folded in the “Banzai” position, looks like a jacket shot from the movie “Platoon”. (TL Note: I have never seen the movie, so I’m not sure what the reference is. If you know, feel free to tell me in the discord.) “…Kin-Chan… Sama… Hurray…!” … She collapted to the ground. She left behind some mysterious words, and then, collapsed, as if she has burned out. Aria walked up to her, and put the sealing cloth on Shirayuki for safety before, “You were unlucky at the last minute. Scorning is catching. I guess you did get the drop on me when you tricked me into playing mahjong.” (TL Note: “scorning is catching” is english in the original. The Japanese version doesn’t translate well, it’s something like “you cursed yourself by cheating in Mahjong”. Aria is basically saying she deserved it after cheating and using that to beat her in Mahjong.) And then, oddly enough, Shirayuki’s skirt, which she had just declared she would take from Jeanne, was… Aria pulled it off Shirayuki with a plop. -With this, Shirayuki collapsed in her black underwear and dropped out of the cast-off table. I looked at my watch and saw that I had 25 minutes left. (TL Note: this is not a mistake, yes, this whole thing apparantly took 5 minutes.) The survivors are me, Riko, Reki, Fuuma, Jeanne, and Hiraga-san. That means I have to take one of them out every 5 minutes. … This is going to be a terrfying 25 minutes. Following the rulebook, the three people who dropped (9) – Reki, Riko, and Jeanne – played rock-paper-scissors, and the winner, Riko, chose the next game… “Still, that was amazing. What was it… Jeannes “Eclipse of Cherbourg?” That move. The ball actually dissapeared.” I casually asked this to Aria, who was behind me. Aria then replied with a confused voice. “…what? It was just a jump shot.” Huh…? I was right in front of Jeanne, and I could see the ball disappearing before my eyes… Did it look like a jump shot to Aria, who saw Jeanne from the side? (…tch) That statement made me understand what happened. It also made me make sense of Jeanne’s odd behaviour when she suddenly took off her blouse. Jeanne was using exaggerated terms like “magic” to put psychological pressure on Shirayuki, but… In short, it was a trick that took advantage of hard to see colors. “The Eclipse of Cherbourg” took advantage of the white color of the ball. Jeanne first took off her blouse, revealing the pure white underwear on her chest. Then, she lifted the ball in her hand, also pure white, into the air so that from the angle of Shirayuki and I, it blended into the white of her underwear and became invisible. If white is superimposed on white, the sphere appears to have disappeared. So she tried to break Shirayuki’s spirit by making it look like she was using magic. … You are a schemer, Jeanne. “I mean, Kinji? How would you know that the ball dissapeared in the first place? With those goggles and your position, Jeanne’s body should have been covered with light, it should have been invisible from the beginning and not dissapear.” …! Aria… Why are your unusual powers of deduction coming into play here! “Oh, no… I’m just asking since Shirayuki was surprised – maybe it actually dissapeared, I just thought so and wanted to know why.” I quickly turn my head away and pretended to read Riko’s rulebook. “…?” Aria came around to my side and… oh no, she’s raising her eyebrow ever so subtly. Apparantly, she was beginning to doubt whether my goggles were working properly or not. From here- If I say anything to suggest that I am actually “seeing” the girls, even a little hint, I’m out. 100% Windhole Punishment…! “All right! I pick this for the next game!” And then! Riko held up her right hand… Everyone except Reki had a face that said “Is that really possible?” Surprisingly, the game was… (-“Kaguyahime Electric Railway, Japan”…!) (TL Note: Im going to keep it real with you, I have never heard of this game before so I can only hope that the rules are completely explained, unlike with Mahjong. From what I CAN find, this is a MoDonalds, the original being called Momotaro Dentetsu.) Using stations around Japan and trains, players compete over assets by buying properties in the local area… It was a consumer game console software. This is not good. It’s going to take quite a while. While that game is going on, my Hysteria Wiseman is going to run out…! What am I going to do. What am I supposed to do… someone tell me! Gunshot For The Next!!! ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ### 014. Bullet 3: I'm Not So Nice Anymore Cast-Off Table. This is a demonic game competition where various games are played and the losers of the game must take off pieces of clothing one by one. The game is still in the midst of its early stages, so far Aria was stripped to her underwear in the first round and Shirayuki in the second round. The games at the time were mahjong and billiards, so I thought we would be playing table games again… The third game was, surprisingly, a consumer game using the PS2. (Kaguyahime Electric Railway, Japan…!) I know the Hathorn game that Riko is holding up – the one with the package featuring Princess Kaguya wearing a trainman’s cap, saluting and winking – I have heard of it before. It’s a game like Sugoroku, where each station in Japan is a area. Also known as the “Himetetsu” series. It’s a famous series that has been around for more than 20 years since its first release in 1988, and there are many versions of it. There are many locations that the game takes places in, and the one that Riko has, “Japan”, is an older version that supports multiplayer. “Who here has played Himetetsu before-!” I, Hiraga-san, Fuuma, and Riko herself raise our hand to Riko, who is waving around the game case. Reki, who I can’t picture playing games in general, and Jeanne, who was doing great at billiards… have never played it before. “It’s okay if you have never played before. Himetetsu is a game that even beginners can easily play! All you have to do is roll the dice and advance your train toward the designated goal, start with 100 million yen, and when you reach the goal you will get 300 million yen!” And as Riko says… this game is indeed as simple as the rules make it out to be. “Then, just like Monopoly, if you buy a company with your stopped train, your assets will increase. For example, if you buy an inn with a 5% rate of return for 200 million yen, you will receive 10 million yen once a year. Of course, the original price of 200 million yen is also calculated as an asset, so it’s a great deal!” There, too, the rules are simple. In short, it’s almost like Monopoly. But that’s not the problem with this game… “Then, you can use cards to gain an advantage in the game, and random events happen! That’s the fun of it!” Kya-! In front of Riko, who was waving around the software with an excited look on her face, cold sweat beaded on my forehead. This game… The “cards” and “events” are famous for their immense potency. First, the cards. Of course, there are all sorts of useful cards, but some of them can do crazy things that make you question the sanity of their creators. For example, there are “party cards” tha allow all the players to move back to the same square. There is also the “Rainy Day” card that equally distributes the money you have saved so everyone gets an equal share. No matter how many trillions of yen in debt that a player has, they will be entirely forgiven. And so on… there are a lot of cards that can quickly mess up the game. And… There is the girl character in the Tsugihagi kimono on the back of the game package. Her name is “Bimbo-chan”. This character is crazy. If you stop at a certain square, or if you’re the last one to finish, Bimbo-chan can haunt you… Once you become possessed in the game, your cards and companies will be sold for a small amount of yen, and you will be forced to move in the opposite direction of your goal, which will leave you bankrupt and in debt no matter how well you have been playing the game. Furthermore, Bimbo-chan evolves into “Queen Bimbo” on a whim. If this happens, the damage is immeasurable. The economic loss would be enough to destroy a small country. This is a literal poor God character that can be found only in this game… And this God, you can put it on people. That is the most evil system in this game. If your train overtakes someone elses train and touches it, the bimbo-chan will go to the touched person. This rule exposes the ugly nature of human beings, who want to save themselves even at the expense of others. That’s how blatant evil a rule it is. The end results is usually a fist fight. But… In the case of Butei High, a school laking normality, this will usually lead to a shootout. There is no doubt about this. “Hey Riko, why Himetetsu of all games? That’s… that’s dangerous!” “Because it’s so much fun!” Riko sets the game disc into the PS2, not caring about my protests. “Th-, that’s true, but…” This game is going to be a bad one. This game for sure. The Wii that was treasured in the audiovisual classroom of the assault department was destroyed last year by a stray bullet because of this game. At least it’s not a game you play with a gun in your hand. That is an absolute. (TL Note: this is brutally translated as I couldnt get a good basic place to start deciphering it. Basically means something like “a gun does not belong in this game” and my guesstimate was either A)you dont play with a gun or B)you aren’t SUPPOSED to play with a gun in this game, relating to the Wii incident) And despite my worries… “Then let’s begin! Last place has to take off one piece of clothing!” Holding up the rulebook in one hand, Riko clicks a button on the controller with her other hand and starts the game. Oh… it’s started. In a sloppy manner. “be-… before you start… I have a suggestion!” In addition to the selection of the game itself, I have an even more serious problem: my time limit, and so I raised my hand. I estimate that I have less than 25 minutes left to maintain Hysteria Wiseman. Once I run out of time, my blood flow will return to normal and I will nearly immediately enter hysteria mode. So, I have to win all of the games and finish the tournament before that happens. “A suggestion~?” Riko raised her eyebrows and she looked at me with her big, double lidded eyes. “Knowing you, I’m sure you’ll be able to figure out the best way to get the most out of this game. For example, if your destination is Wakkanai or Naha, you can make the tracks impassable by using “roadblock cards”. “Well, yeah. But isn’t that part of the strategy? Himetetsu is a divine game, so I dont want to put any restrictions on the rules…” (TL Note: Divine Game is reffering to a game of luck, kind of like how in Monopoly you can be a horrible player but just get wildly lucky with rolls and beat an experienced player. It’s a game largely about luck.) Riko put her finger to her lips as she thought about it. Apparantly, she has a lot of respect for Kaguyahime Electric Railway. I dont think we are going to settle on a way to conclude this game other than tying it to a card… Then… “I’m not sure that is a good idea. However, such a foot-stomping strategy could be abused to waste time, and unfair strategies could be used to treat blouse-less Jeanne unfairly. So, I’d like to propose to keep the Himetetsu rules as they are – and I would like to speed up the conclusion. Everyone, even if they are not in last place, will take off one piece for every 100 million yen they owe at someone elses goal. How about that?” I quickly had that thought and laid it out while putting down a thoughtful claim for Jeanne. …zawa… Reki remains in a daze, but Riko, Jeanne, Hiraga-san, and Fuuma are all tense. “What… are you scared? If so, this rule will apply until the second goal. Don’t tell me you guys are still scared of… this?” The trick to survive a tense Butei High situation is to relax the conditions and ask “Is this still scary?” It makes you look brave and defuses the situation. If you are not brave, you won’t survive Butei High. In the hands of such a classic line by me… “Kufufu, okay. There’s no way Riko will lose.” “Tohyama. You’re unusually thoughtgul for a man of your stature.” “It’s okay-. Aya has played this game many times with her brother!~” “If master says so, I have no objection.” And everyone was easily won over. Reki nodded her head. Good thing they are all morons. “Okay. Then – if someone owes more than the number of clothes that they own at the finish line, they’re eliminated there. Now, let’s start fast and finish fast!” With a little bit of genuine feelings,Riko- “-Let’s go then!” Riko grinned and added her name as “President Rikorin” Hiraga-san, who was given the controller, entered “President Aya”, Jeanne entered “President Jeanne”, Reki entered “President Reki”, and Fuuma entered “President Hina” (since her first name is Hina…) I quickly typed in my name as well, “President Kinji”. … come on, let’s get started. The Cast-Off table, Round 3 – the “Kaguyahime Dentetsu Japan” showdown has begin. We all started from a panel in Tokyo, and our first destination was… The game console randomly chose and selected Nagoya. “Then, let’s all take 100 million yen and have some fun~!” Riko with the controler, korokorokorokoro… pi~ch! When the dice appeared on the screen, riko pressed the button… She rolled a 4. Her train followed the track and arrived at Yokohama. And then, with blinding speed… momoman… what? She bought some property. “Oh, didn’t you just buy something nice?” As Aria said that while watching the game in her underwear, I remembered something. As I recall, there was a Momoman shop in Yokohama. Because there is a Chinatown. “It’s a 30 million yen property with an 80% rate of return. It’s an excellent property. Also, there are two Chinese restaurants, both for 60 million yen at 75%, but you have to have the cash to buy them. Hamasters is there too which sells for 600 million with a return rate of 5% but I’m short on funds right now, kufufufu~.” To Riko, who blabbered on about things not currently on the screen… I roll my eyes. “Riko, you remember this game… very well.” “What are you talking about Kiku~n? Memorizing all the cards at all the stations, all the properties, and all the cards at the card booths is a basic rule for Himetetsu, isn’t it?” (TL Note: original has “!” instead of “?” for last sentence despite it sounding like a sentence. Both “?!” didnt make sense as the first sentence makes me think she is teasing Kinji, not yelling at him. Hiragana here is also a question so I think it was used by author to signify it’s a question but sarcasm, not a genuine one.) Riko swayed her hips and flicked her fluttery skirt around, and yes. Hiraga-san nodded her head and agreed! Hiraga stopped at the card booth station and quickly bought something. This move too… I couldn’t see it. What card did she buy? (Oh no… there are two strong enemies…!) I turned pale for a moment, but then- Next up was President Jeanne, who was making her first attempt at Himetetsu. Hmm…? Ohhh. First of all, she’s confused on how to operate the controller. Kuku… She is small fry. With a dark grin on my face, President Jeanne follows the arrow and stops at the compulsory card station near Shinagawa. As its name implies, at a compulsory card station you are forced to draw a card. This card is random and contains a number of things that can happen… “… what, is this?” The card that President Jeanne, with her shapely eyebrows now raised, drew was a “Paluputen Card”. It’s a high stakes gambling card in which you never know what will happen. Without knowing what it does, Jeanne uses it… “President Jeanne! Our companies funds have doubled!” …Hey…! Damn it, Jeanne. It suddenly went well for her. I mean, it’s unreasonable. How can you go from having 100 million yen to 200 million yen just by taking the train to Kamakura? This game… “…” Next, it was Reki’s turn. PikoPiko. Reki was sitting in front of the game console, operated the dice, and the roll was a 6. In terms of distance, I’d say Reki has jumped to the top of the list. Odawara is a plus station. Here’s another funny thing about this game, when you stop at a plus station, you can get hundreds to tens of millions of yen in gold. So, President Reki’s assets are now 103.6 million yen. Next up was Fuuma, aka “President Fuuma”. This one stops in Kawasaki and buys a steel company for 80 million yen. I’m- I stopped at a card-vending station, so I bought one of the “express cards”. This is a game balance breaker card that gives you two dice to roll, so It’s nice to have one yourself. But why does it cost 30 million yen just to take an express train? I knew whoever made this game was crazy. “Hey, bosses! It’s now May!” The second round begins, and first Riko rolls the dice on the screen. And then she made a solid step at Plus Station and got some cash. “Hmm, that means that the inflation rate is about 4c. That’s too high. Kufufu.” “Hmm, it looked like a rate of 4b” Hiraga-san is answering to Riko who was talking to herself. …what are they… talking about? I have experience with Himetetsu, but I dont know that term. I dont know what it means. “What’s inflation or rates…?” “What? You don’t know, Ki-kun? You’re so scary-!” Riko, who made horns with the index figners on both of her hands, poked me in the sides like some kind of buffalo. Hiraga-san imitates her and pokes me on the other side. “In the world of Himetetsu, prices rise and fall with inflation and deflation. The income and expenditure at positive and negative stations changes accordingly.” “There are fifteen patterns to that rate, so it’s a rule of thumb to stop at a plus or minus station in May to see what the rates are!” Riko and Hiraga-san, who were still making their horns like red and blue demons, looked up at me from both sides. (This… is not good…!) This is the first time I’ve ever played Himetetsu with a group of advanced players who knew the ins and outs of the system. If I’m not careful, I could get stripped. It could easily happen. I don’t want to be stripped down to my trunks in front of a bunch of girls. Hiraga-san rolled the dice at a speed that made me think her fingers were directly connected to the PS2… then she stopped at the card sale station again and bought some cards. I knew it – she had memorized everything, including which card sale station sold what cards and where they were located from the top- down. “Then I guess I’m next.” Jeanne sits upright in front of the PS2 with a crisp face. But there was no blouse on her upper body, and her underwear, with flowers embroidered on the straps, was completely exposed. She also wore a ribbon around her neck like a necklace, which looked extremely dumb. Jeanne, who looks nothing like the president of a company with 200 million yen in assets, moves forward and stops in Shizuoka… “President Jeanne! This is a quiz on place names!” An event has occured. In Himetetsu, these mini-games are randomly generated, and depending on the result, you can get money… “The cape of Hokkaido, famous for Shinichi Mori’s enka,” Erimo “! How do you read this? 1えりも 2きんも 3きんもー 4きんちゃく “Now, please answer! President Jeanne!” (TL Note: I kept the original Hiragana in as simply put this question doesn’t work in English and translates to jibberish. Judging by the question, I’m guessing that this is a spoken quiz as well, I’m pretty sure its asking for the hiragana for the Kanji for a place.) ‘ Damn it. That’s a simple quiz. It’s Erimo (1えりも). Erimo. She even has the unnecessary hints about Enka. This is going to make Jeanne at the top in terms of profit even more money. In front of me… Jeanne is clicking her tongue. “…?” She furrows her good-looking eyebrows, thinking. Jeanne… Jeanne, can’t you read? It’s erimo. Oh, I almost forgot because of her fluency in Japanese… Jeanne is French. You are not familiar with Kanji or place names. She wouldnt know about the famous song “Cape Erimo” either. “I can’t read it. A loss is unavoiable.” It seems that Jeanne pressed the button at random, but… “Correct answer! The answer is 1) “Erimo”! That’s 100 million yen in revenue!” Thanks to the fact that she never moved the curser from the (1) selection, she accidentally got it right. It’s beginner’s luck, just like the money earned from the “Palputen Card” earlier. That is it. Jeanne has the goddess of beginners luck on her side while Hiraga- san and Riko are both masters at this game. I have got 3 strong opponents…! Just as I was thinking that, Reki… KoroKoro… she rolled the dice and… got a 6. “…” Pupu-. The yellow-green train with President Reki on board proceeded to Hamamatsu with a light whistle sounding. Her destination, Nagoya, was right in front of her. Everyone looked a little impatient at this. “I mean, Reki… you had a six earlier too, didn’t you?” I asked, and, “Yes.” While handing over the controller to Fuuma, Reki answers plainly. “You are quite lucky Reki.” “No.” “The probability of getting six two times in a row is 1/36 you know. You are lucky, extremely lucky.” “No.” … Reki… there is no way… “… did you intentionally… get 6?” “Yes.” Riko and Hiraga-san are now also looking at Reki, who answered in a calm manner. “Ho-, how did you do that?” “I figured out how to pick dice numbers after watching you roll them a few times before me.” “Watching… what were you watching for?” “I saw the roll of the dice at the moment you pressed the button. It seems that the other side of the dice is always the selected number, so I press the button when 1 is displayed.” You… you learned all that just from watching…! No, can you even do that with this game? In this game, when you roll the dice… the dice will begin rolling automatically. The player then pressed a button on cue to determine his or her roll, a system similar to roulette… Apparantly, Reki can use her astounding eyes here as well. The dice rolls so quickly on the screen that it’s impossible to follow them with the naked eye. (TL Note: In case you are confused: Player starts their turn and either presses a button or it’s automatic and the dice begins to roll on screen. Then the player presses a button and the dice stops giving you your number. Reki has realized that whatever number is pointing at you is not the number you are given, it is the one on the opposite side of the dice. Because of her amazing eyes she can make out the numbers on the dice and thus guarantee that she gets whatever number she wants.) However, Reki is an S-rank sniper, and she can see all this with her extraordinary dynamic vision. You are still the same walking cheater, huh. (In addition to Riko, Hiraga-san, and Jeanne… even Reki has such a technique…) There are too many strong enemies in this game, isnt there? In this game, my pairing with Reki is no longer relevant, so the only ally I have is my henchman Fuuma… “Uwaa, why don’t you go?” Fuuma stopped at a square called “Minus Station” and it cost her 25 million yen for nothing. She doesn’t have enough money in her possession though, and she’s forced to sell the steel company she bought earlier in Kawasaki for half of what she paid for it. “Kyahaha! Ninin-chan, that wasn’t a good roll!” “”Dont step on the Minus Station even if you have to take a detour” is a ironclad rule!” And so on and so forth, the advanced students poke fun at the poor “President Chick”. No, Fuuma is… Fuuma is just not very good at this. Himetetsu that shes. Shes just playing dumb. She’s not going to be able to help me this time. If we don’t do something soon, we’re both going to be stripped. Me and my henchman. “Hmm. Fuuma, pass me the controller!” I wrestled the controller away from “President Hina.” And this is where I made the decision to use the express card. With this, if I roll well, I can get to Nagoya in one shot. With this it doesnt matter how skillyfully the guru pair use their money, or whether Jeanne has baginner’s luck, or whether Reki uses her cheat eyes. Just like how the number of bullets in a Aru-Kata fight is the key to victory… It’s the number of dice that counts! “Go-!” I can’t press the button at the perfect moment, but I press them with all the energy I can muster. Korokoro. The two dice that I rolled… 1 and 1. (…that’s the worst possible role…!) I was planning to go to Nagoya, but I can only go to Atami. What bad luck. As expected of Tohyama, the second-year student with a reputation for bad luck. I shouldn’t run a real company in the future, for the sake of the world, myself, and others. Pfft, look at my train that only moved two squares… “Kinji, pull yourself together a little, this is pitiful to watch.” “Kin-chan, hang in there! You’ll do better next time!” I then noticed that Aria was now on my right and Shirayuki on my left. -this, this is amazing. (TL Note: no matter where I slapped this sentence in, I was given amazing. I believe it is the right meaning, but not in the sense that Kinji likes this situation but more so that Aria/Shirayuki is willing to do it, especially Aria since typically there would be .45 rounds flying about 10 minutes ago.) A girl in her underwear on my right just scolded me while another girl in her underwear on my left encouraged me. Of course, you are both only this close since you think my goggles are still working… White underwear with playing cards symbols are worn on Aria’s childish body. Black lingerie is wrapped around Shirayuki’s mature body. I’m being sandwhiched from both side by two distinctly different but beatiful girls with their bare skin visible and touching me. A normal man would be attracted to one of them and feel like he’s in heaven… or they would like both of them and feel like they are in paradise. By the way, I just remembered that Mutou told me that in the adult world, there are pubs where women in lingerie pour drinks for you. I guess this is what that would be like. Normally you would have to pay a fortune to get in, but I’m willing to pay to get out. We’re going to have a lot more girls in underwear soon. Yes. Underwear heaven for others is also the first ring of hell for me who has hysteria mode. Im surrounded by enemies. Can I make it back alive? From this place that is. In the meantime, Reki entered Nagoya of course… “Congratulations, President Reki! You are the first to reach your destination! Here is your prize, 300 million yen!” This message was displayed. “The bottom player is President Hina!” (TL Note: Remember, Hina is Fuuma as that is her first name.) “Ku… I’m sorry…!” Fuuma, A.K.A President Hina, who was the farthest from the goal, took off onr of her socks and went barefoot on her right foot. This is not good… my henchmans armor is coming off. The odds are getting even worse for me. This is not good. “President Hina will now be possessed by Bimbo-chan! Don’t be discouraged! Well, Presidents, your next destination is Aomori! Good Luck!” Following this message… on the back of Fuuma’s red train… (oh… oh, there she is…!) A ghostly girl in a tsugihagi kimono. Literally the God of poverty… Tha-, that’s Bimbo-chan..! “Good morning! I’m Bimbo-chan. It’s nice to meet you!” “uhiii!” Fuuma screamed and fell back….! Now, the place is filled with tension. -Yes. Himetetsu is the real deal after this Bimbo-chan comes out. But still, Bimbo-chan… I never thought she would possess a redscarf wearing girl like Fuuma in real life. Is this also fate? (TL Note: no idea what this means, the color “red” is present and refers to Fuuma so I assumed scarf, might be a mythological thing.) Fuuma rolled the dice with a trembling hand and headed for Tohoku, where Aomori Station is located. “Bimbo! Wha-ha-ha! You will be turning around from here on out!” Bimbo-chan took the liberty of rolling the dice again, and Fuuma returned to the southern Kanto region. “Waaa!” “Do-, Don’t come here!” Riko and I, who were on the east side of the Tokaido, shouted at Fuuma together. If you are touched by Fuuma’s train, Bimbo-chan will move to the touched train. If that happens, it will be my undoing. “Thi-, this is terrible master! Help me!” “I can’t help you with Bimbo-chan! You are on your own!” I rolled the dice and headed west along the Tokaido Highway to escape Fuuma. This station is far from my new goal of Aomori, but this is unavoidable. I’ll head north along the Nakasendo line from Toyohashi, and then go around the Sea of Japan to Aomori. -Fuuma- Thinking about it, I don’t know why you listened to me and fought so vigorously for me in Mahjong and billiards. You’re a great ninja. You’ve done a great job without people knowing. But this was apparantly as far as it went. (“Fuuma, you’ve done well so far. Thank you.”) I sent this message to Fuuma by stroking my chin and clenching my jaw, (“… I will continue to do my best.”) Fuuma also responded to the message in code by grooming her face with the back of her hand and shaking it. I feel sorry for you, but things are what they are. -Historically, ninjas have sometimes been used as pawns. A warrior cannot trade their live to save a ninja. Take off your clothes with grace and honor. Do it for me. (Forgive me, Fuuma…!) Now – when Bimbo-chan appeared, the other players actions are divided into two types. First, there is the defensive type, who runs away at a glance of Bimbo-chan, ignoring the goal. Hiraga-san and Jeanne, who imitated her, are this type. The other pattern is the attack type, where you take the risk of being handed a Bimbo-chan and go around the Sea of Japan side to reach the goal, Aomori. This group is made up of Reki, who can advance by six at a time by using her dynamic vision, and me, who knows that I can’t get Bimbo put on me since I’m working with Fuuma. In the meantime, it was Fuuma’s turn again… “Bimbo! I bought you a nice Card! Here you go! It’s one advance card! It cost 250 million yen!” Hey…! Bimbo-chan… It’s been buying cards that Fuuma doesn’t need at outrageous prices. “Hey…!” To Fuuma’s dismay, her cash reserves quickly turned into the negatives. President Hina is over 200 million yen in debt, but… The misfortune didn’t end there. “…oh? Bimbo-chan looks likes she’s on…” (TL Note: Game is saying this.) Dendendeden♪ Dendendeden♪ The sound effect that has traumatized anyone who’s ever played Himetetsu… flash! The screen flickered, and the little Bimbo… “Wha-cha! I’m a queen bimbo!” She grew a size larger and transformed into a girl wearing a twelve- layered kimono full of splintered threads. At that moment, the atmosphere of the room turned even more bleak. (… Queen Bimbo-chan…!) It is the final form of the annoying Bimbo-chan that evolves on a whim. She is the queen of fear, inflicting economic damage on players that would destroy a small country. “Fu-, Fuuma…!” The Fuuma that I saw through my goggles… -was laughing. The mental state of a person who has lost their assets, is in debt, and is possessed by a Queen Bimbo is beyond the imagination of most people. People don’t know what kind of expression to make in such a situation. So she laughed. She has no other choice. “Fufufu… Now, I truly am a living corpse. This train is now a journey of death!” A black aura rises from Fuuma who has now proclaimed that she herself has become a God of poverty. And the one who was caught in that Aura… “Ua~a!” It’s Riko. Riko, who was still on the Tokaido, rolled the dice and was unlucky enough to get a 1. -She’s completely lost her escape. Suck it up. Just because she is used to this game, she got carried away and let her guard down. (“Fuuma, take Riko down with you.”) (“Yes sir.”) While each of us was moving our trains left and right, it’s Fuuma’s turn again… As we all watched the screen with bated breath, the dice came up with… 6! Riko’s been captured…! “Mine-dono, please give me your life!” Fuuma’s train overtook Riko’s, and Queen Bimbo attached herself to Riko’s train. Fuuma succeeds in tricking Riko while overrunning her to a station where it doesn’t matter where Aomori is anymore. “…Kufufu. Sweet, sweet.” Riko, now carrying Queen Bimbo on her back, smiles… fearlessly. And when it was my turn to grab the controller, it clicked! A quick manipulation and you’ve used some kind of card…? “Hey, boss! Let’s have a party! Let’s party!” …party card…! This is a card that breaks the concept of Sugoroku by allowing you to gather everyone’s train to your own train. Riko has just used it. -All the trains are moved to Riko’s square with the Queen Bimbo. In this case, the person who takes on the Queen Bimbo is… the next person to roll the dice and move. “Ayayaya…! Ayayayaya…!” It was Hiraga-san, who had been chatting with Riko on a friendly basis and the other advanced player. “Bimbo! Wachya! We sold President Aya’s property! I sold it to you! Whahaha!” The stores that Hiraga has been steadily buying and selling are being sold off like trash… A trading company that cost 100 million yen was being sold for 500,000 yen, and a factory that cost 30 million yen is worth 100,000 yen…! In just one turn, “President Aya”, who had been sailing smoothy, had just fallen. Her assets were blown away, leaving only a small amount of cash on hand. And that cash is rapidly depleting too. Queen Bimbo-chan is now on Hiraga-sans train, waving her fan and dancing cheerfully now. “Im sorry Ayaya! Bye bye!” Riko, who was to blame for Hiraga having Queen Bimbo… She rolls four dice at once with her treasured “Shinkansen Card” and escaped 14 squares forward. She’s in a completely safe zone now. Hiraga, who was abruptly betrayed by Riko, was… “…nihi. You’re doing a great job, Riko-chan.” Shes smiling again and talking to her in an unusual way, kind of like the Queen Bimbo. This is… It’s the look of desperation on the face of someone who has lost everything they’ve worked so hard for in an instant. Hiraga-san, you never know what you’re going to get yourself into. She probably cannot even remember what cards she has right now. We had been gathered in Omaezaki because of Riko, and we ran away from Hiraga-san like bugs, but – Hiraga-san can’t catch up with anyone. Because, even more so, Queen Bimbo suddenly rolled ten dice. “Wha-cha! It’s a turnaround and linear motor operation!” This was becuase Riko had kept President Aya, a.k.a Hiraga-san, away from the finish line by 41 squares. President Aya was on the Tokaido highway… just a moment ago, but was forced to retreat to Kagoshima. -It’s a dead end. She can’t got to Aomori anymore. “Wahaha! And then, don!” (TL Note: this is a Bimbo line.) She’s still here! “I bought you a beatiful card! It costs 800 million yen!” The company was saddled with debts of more than… 7 billion yen..! “Ayayayayaya… hafu~u…” Mrs. Hiraga sat in a collapsed seiza, her soul seemingly drained. It’s like the last episode of the boxing manga “Ashita no Jō”. If someone else finished this, Hiraga-san will take off 8 pieces of clothing in total, one for being last and seven due to her debt. There are only five pieces of clothing to begin with, so you’ll be in your underwear in one shot. “Fumu. Apparantly you’re at a disadvantage with that girl attached to you.” President Jeanne, who seems to have finally understood the threat of Queen Bimbo, stops at the compulsory card station and draws an “Angel Card”. This is an unreasonable card in which a character named Angel- chan appears, the opposite of Bimbo-chan, and somehow gently leaves you millions of yen in cash every turn. It seems that Jeanne’s beginner’s luck is still going on. No, it’s not. This luck is wrong. I have heard… from rumors at least. Himetetu’s hidden program, “Beginner Preference Mode”, is said to be activated on very rare occasions. The system will try to keep the game balanced by helping players who are stumped by the initial controls… that’s what this is, isn’t it? But by the time I realized this, it was too late. I probably should have played it slow and steady like it was my first time, but hindsight is 20/20. While the remaining five are making their way to Aomori… It was Hiraga’s turn again. “Whaaat! That’s it!” She grabbed the controller with a frown on her face, looking as if she has turned into white ashes. Then she activated the “helicopter card”. THis is a card that randomly sends a train to somewhere in Japan. President Aya’s train makes a disjointed rotor sound and warps all the way from Kagoshinma to Fudasatsu Horoporo. Wow…! And everyone but Reki shouted at the sudden northward movement of the God of Poverty. Even in this turn though, President Hiraga is forced to add another 500 million yen to her debt due to Queen Bimbo-chan’s mischievous pranks. (This is not good…) Hiraga-san is planning to go south through the Seikan Tunnel in order to force Queen Bimbo-chan on someone else. While the others began to wander around the Tohoku region unsteadily, Hiraga-san… “And more! This is how it’s done!” She finally uses the mysterious card that she had gotten right after the game started. That’s… no way… No way. -“Rainy Day Card”…! “St-.StopStopStopStopStop!” My cries of “Stop!” went unanswered. The card is activated and a character resembling Taira no Shogun appears on the screen. “All of you! Money is what goes around! Go around and flatten out!” (TL Note: “flatten out” would make more sense with “flatten your wallet” but it made enough sense to me to leave it in.) -Tsu! When this card is used, everyone’s money is confiscated. Then, the money will be redistributed equally to each person, which is a communist revolutionary situation. And the scary thing is that this rule also applies to debt. Hiraga-san’s debt of 1.2 billion yen and Fuuma’s debt of 200 million yen, which seems cute compared to that, are equally distributed to us 6 people – the small amount that I, Riko, Jeanne, and Reki have accumulated steadily is not nearly enough to cover that debt… We all got debt and each ended up with a little over 200 million yen in debt. Furthermore, Hiraga-san said, “How dare you do that to me Riko! That’s it!” With the Shinkansen card, she made a suicide attack on Riko, who was one square away from Aomori. “U~a….!” Queen Bimbo is… Riko let out a short scream and was pushed by Hiraga. It was a brilliant attack. The two of them are advanced players, their use of the cards is impressive. “…I’ll do it…” Riko gnashed her teeth, but… “Wacchi wacchi! I’ve been selling off all of President Rikorin’s assets!” “Furthermore, It’s a turnaround! By ten dice!” “President Rikorin! Give me money! Even if you have to borrow money, dive it to me! Don!” And then we saw Queen Bimbo dancing around… Finally, Riko was defeated. With that out of the way… it’s my turn. “…ah!” I rolled the dice and it came up. It was the exact amount to reach Aomori. “-I got it!” It’s like when I did “Slash” during the hijacking… (TL Note: Kinji’s move where he cut a bullet in half in case you forgot.” PuPu- My train is entering Aomori. “Congratulations, President Kinji! You are the first to reach your destination! Residents are welcome! Please take your 300 million yen in prize money!” Yay…! The debt is now off the books. On the contrary, it’s a hundred million yen plus. Moreover, my goal is also a diffusion attack. According to the first rule I added – as if an exploding grenade had been thrown into the room – everyone except me would have to take off 2 pieces of clothing for their 200 million yen of debt. And since Riko was in last, she had to take of one more layer, so three layers. “Our next destination is Naha! Good luck to all the presidents!” “It’s too far!” Whoa. Riko shouted. Oh, man. She’s really pissed. Riko, with veins visible on her forehead, gasped! She took off her frilly trimmed blouse with an irritated look on her face and threw it in my direction! The fancy honey gold bra is now fully exposed, and the sock on either side – one of each being thrown at the unrelated Reki and Jeanne. 「 ッ ! 」 (TL Note: imma leave this in for dramatic effect, translates to “Tsu” like she is clicking her tongue.) Riko, who is currently on the edge… and gnashing her teeth, is apparantly the type of person, who, when she is losing… tries to intimidate her enemies to win. That’s not only it, though. When she is about to lose, she becomes clearly unhappy, and she becomes annoying, releasing a deadly energy that invites the enemy to make a mistake. “Roar-! Riko-chan has turned into scary Riko-chan!” Hiraga-san, for her debt of 200 million yen has thrown two socks from the side of the riot police shield (which she somehow got out of somewhere) that she put up as a shield against Riko. Jeanne and Reki also took off their left and right socks… Fuuma takes off the sock on her left foot and the skirt with the Swastika Shuriken on the back, exposing the loincloth underwear that she always wears out in public for some reason, despite the fact that she is a girl. I mean… I thought you were going to take your blouse off first, why take the skirt off first? Is there some reason why it’s hard to take off? “I’m not going to be… nice to you anymore.. I’ve only got one piece of clothing left.” Riko, who was seriously upset over the last round, folded her arms and looked around. Her eyes are… as sharp as blades. -That is Riko’s eyes when she becomes the “Butei Killer”. Her eyes were only this sharp in my memory that I can only recall seeing it during the hijacking and the battle with Vlad. This is proof that Riko is getting serious. Or rather, please don’t become the Butei Killer just because of Himetetsu. Don’t become UraRiko. (TL Note: Ura means opposite/reverse/other/etc.) “I’m going to take you all out one by one, so look forward to it!” Everyone pulls away from Riko, who’s current mood could kill everyone around her. The only ones who are unconcerned are Reki, who is sitting up, and… Jeanne, who has a reputation for being fearless, or rather, airheaded. “I guess it’s my turn now.” Jeanne took the controller in a rare appearance, wearing only a ribbon and skirt. “Hmmm… sometimes you just have to play the cards like everyone else.” She is using the card that she got at the compulsory card station haphazardly, without even reading the instructions. Jeanne used… The “helicopter card” that Hiraga-san used earlier. Although the destination is decided randomly, it is not a wrong strategy to use when the destination is more than 40 squares away. She seems to have chosen the card randomly though. …Barabarabarabarabara… President Jeanne’s plane in Hachinohe was taken away by helicopter and… Touhoku… Kanto… Tokai… and moved southward across the Japanese archipelago. Kansai… Shikoku… Kyshu… hu-, huh? She is going to fly over the East China Sea…!? “…!” With everyone’s eyes bulging, President Jeanne’s helicopter… To Naha, a hole-in-one. “Congratulations, President Jeanne! You’re the first to arrive at your destination! All residents are welcome! Now, please, take your 300 million yen prize!” What a… thing to do. That’s, that’s it. Himetetsu’s hidden setting, “Beginner Preference Mode”, was activated again. So, without any time for UraRiko to get serious… the decision was made. Because the “100 million debt = one piece of clothing off” rule only applied till the end of the second goal… This time, only the bottom line would take one off… (TL Note: not sure if bottom line = poorest or last place in terms of placement, it’s probably poorest but I dont play this game so im not sure…) Yes. And the bottome line is… “The bottom line is President Rikorin!” “…, …!” (TL Note: original is 「……ッ……!」, translates to “tsu”, but the symbol can also be used to double consonant, thus odds are it is used here to show how shocked everyone is with silence.) As Riko stared at the screen in disbelief… “Come on! Take it off! Enjoy the cold like the rest of us!” “I’m glad! The number of my friends who will expose their shameful appearance in front of Kin-chan has increased!” (TL Note: this is accurate, basically Shirayuki wants Kinji to see their supposed unattractive body so he doesnt like them.) The defeated attacked Riko, and the fluttering remodeled uniform… Aria stripped off her skirt and let it fly and dance in the air! “There is no way Riko could lose! I can’t help but think that the PS2 had something to do with it!” “It’s your own game machine!” I said to Riko, who was ranting and raving. Then, Aria and Shirayuki executed a two-person suplex… Riko was flipped over with her shiny golden panties pointing straight up… Finally, she fell silent. The moderator was collapsed… and that was the end of the third round. I hurriedly looked at my watch and saw that it had taken 9 minutes. (TL Note: again… this is right… starting to thing Author-san has never played a game in his life.) Thanks in part to Jeanne, we were able to settle this in less time than I expected. My Hysteria Wiseman can last for another 16 minutes. The survivors are Hiraga-san, Jeanne, Reki, and Fuuma. Earlier, I had calculated that I would have to take out one person every five minutes, but from here on, I would have to take out one person ever four minutes. But… thing’s are not so bad. They’re all wounded, having already taken off a few layers. Fuuma has one left, Jeanne two, and three for Hiraga and Reki. -Be prepared. ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ### 015. Bullet 4: The Dice are Cast Cast-Off table. On a sunny summer’s day, when most students are outside enjoying a healthy lifestyle in the middle of summer vacation… we are having an unhealthy gambling tournament in an air-conditioned room. And the cost of the bet was one’s own clothes, which was also quite unhealthy. -The scene in Riko’s room, where I am now, can only be described as bizarre. First of all… is the room itself. It is filled with a collection of games, game machines, and more, from all over the world. There are sparring tables, billiard tables, roulette and darts boards, and so on, making you feel like you’re in a casino. Riko, who spares no energy for play, is very thorough in her collection. What was even more bizzare was that there were girls hanging around who had lost the game, been forced to wear only their underwear, and retire. “It’s getting a little hot. I’ll turn up the air conditioning. Do you have any cold milk or something else to drink?” First, Aria, who was beaten in Mahjong. Her childish underwear, which was made of pure white fabric with a polkadot style playing card pattern printed on it, was in full view. It’s not easy for me to look around right now as I’m sitting on the couch with my head down. Because, if I casually avert my gaze so as to not look at Aria… “Well, the rule book says “drinks from the fridge are available”… is this the fridge? Oh, there are drinks of all kinds.” After making a series of mistakes in billiards, Shirayuki, who was only wearing lingerie, was making me troubled by what I saw. She’s a high school student, and her underwear is black for some reason. It was a very expensive pair of underwear for adult women, made with precise stitching. It is too stimulating to see even a hint of skin peeking through under the thin fabric that seems to be silk. “Okay, Yuki-chan, let’s have all of them! Let’s take a break before we decide on the next game!” The person who is organizing this crazy game tournament is Riko, who is giving a weird salute with both of her hands. She has already retired too, and is wandering around the room in her honey gold lace underwear. Not too long ago, Riko had been raging like a biting monkey, refusing to admit defeat in the “Himetetsu” game, but for some reason, only at times like this, after being hit with a double dropkick, 2 person lariat, and other 2 person techniques by Aria and Shirayuki, who are acting in perfect harmony, she has become quiet… at least, she should be, but it seems she has recovered and she’s back to being the energetic troublemaker Riko-san. Or rather, she has become more active since she started wearing only her underwear. Maybe Riko is an exhibitionist, but if she was I wouldn’t be surprised. “-I’ll have an iced coffee with a little bit of syrup, please.” (TL Note: does not mention what kind of syrup, just syrup.) Jeanne, who has the most bizarre appearance out of everyone here, requested an iced coffee. In this undressing game tournmanet, “Cast-Off Table”, the losers take off their clothes piece by piece, but there is no rule about the order in which they take them off. Therefore, common sense dictates that the girls should take off their ribbon first, then their left and right sock, then their blouse, and finally their skirts, but this is Tokyo Butei High, which is a den of the insane. The selected representative of the insane, Jeanne, took off her blouse first. Therefore, on her upper body is a white modest bra with a ribbon necklace… She still has her skirt but her socks are gone too. Even if it was part of your strategy to win at billiard’s if you look past that you are a pervert. Or the female version at least. (Though I… of all people can’t really call you that right now.) I can’t look at myself since I am myself, but I’m probably the one who looks the most like a pervert right now. I still have all my clothes except for my vest, but it’s what is on my head right now that makes me a pervert. Even though it’s a brightly lit room, I’m wearing “transillumination goggles” that look like night vision goggles, making me look like Cyclops from the X-Men series. Moreover, these goggles, which make only the girl’s body get covered in bright light, are not functioning at all right now. So right now, my vision is clear. Well, this is a product of Hiraga-san, who is famous for her ability to make such crazy items, but also for her products’ frequent failures. I can’t help the fact that it is broken. The bigger problem was that I’d already seen the girls in their undressed state. In addition to that, the fact is that right now the girls are only brazenly exposing their underwear in front of me believing that “Kinji cannot see you!” For example, let’s say that right now I said, “Oh no. I’m sorry, I think my goggles are broken. I can see your underwear.” If I said this… If these were ordinary high school girls (ordinary high school girls do not have such crazy tournaments in the first place), “Kya! Iya! Hentai!” (TL Note: I left “Hentai!” in because I could and I’m guessing most people know what it means. For those who don’t, it doesn’t just mean “art” but also pervert.) That is what would happen. But this is Tokyo Butei High School. It is a school where the most dangerous high school girls in Japan gather, and they are required to carry guns and swords. Therefore, after the “Kya! Iya! Hentai!”, there will the sounds “Bang! Gusaaa!” which is the sounds of bullets flying and the sound of blades piercing the human body. -so no matter what I cannot say it. I have to keep silent about the goggles and keep fighting. Then I will escape this room before they realize that these goggles are malfunctioning. This is the only way to leave this place alive. But… the time to cross that road is short. It would only be another 16 minutes before the Hysteria Wiseman state ends. After 16 minutes… like a cobra coming out of a jar upon hearing the sound of a whistle… my normal hysteria mode will return. I don’t want to admit it because of how young I am… -But if I enter hysteria mode here, it will be far more serious than being caught with the broken goggles. If I turned into that womanizer and did something crazy with the 7 beatiful girls here, that something will for sure something that can’t be taken back…! (TL Note: last bit was difficult to figure out what it meant, the word “ridiculous” is there but didnt make sense in how it was used, basically if he hysterizes something will happen that is ridiculous/can’t be taken back.) In other words, as a Kinji warrior this is the worst situation for me. Riko may call this a harem ending, but in my opinion, it’s the worst possible bad ending. (TL Note: VN terms) After that I would be subjected to a concentrated attack by the “Tohyama Kinji Victims Association” that the girls will establish. And all its members are armed. No matter what it takes, I have 16 minutes to quickly take out all the remaining players… I have no choice but to end this game tournament, the Cast-Off Table. Riko said that I, who won in the previous game “Kaguya Himetetsu”, could choose the next game, so I looked around the room. There is a short time limit, so the game must be settled quickly. However, it is disadvantageous if there is someone who is good at it like there was in billiards. Therefore, I have to look for something that does not make a difference in terms of individual skills… I found it. Good. “-Dice. We will play with these.” I picked up the dice that were on the table and turned around with my goggles still on… Riko – “Panpan!” Jumped while clapping her hands. The boys at Butei High secretly say that despite Rikos petite stature and loli face, she has large breasts, and right now both her disproportionate breasts on her petite body are swinging in tandem. “Nice Ki-kun! Dice is interesting! It’s the royalty of gambling!” And Riko, who ran to the back of the room with her arms outstretched like an airplane… She came back with a large, flat box. “What’s this? Looks like a beehive.” “…” “No, it looks like a jewel box.” “It looks like a case for sorting screws and nuts.” “Is this a box for holding herbal medicine?” I, Reki, Jeanne, Hiraga-san, and Fuma took a guess with what came to mind and looked at the box with our heads close to each other. The box is made of wood and is divided into small rooms for rings and necklaces. The small lids lined up in 10 rows and 10 columns. It is separated into 100 small rooms and it is unknown what is in each small room. “This is Riko’s dice collection! There are cute dice, dice made of unusual materials, and some Loaded Dice! This will make the game more interesting!” (TL Note: loaded dice are cheat dice such as weighted dice.) … and Riko said it. Loaded Dice. Loaded Dice is a gambling term for cheating dice. So that is what is in that box. “However, there are also regular dice in the rooms for those who are unlucky! From now on, the survivors, Ki-kun, Rekyu, Jeanne, Aya, and Ninnin-chan, will each be asked to open a room. However you each will get only 5 chances, and once you use all 5, you will have to fight with all the dice even if you don’t like them!” With Riko’s high tension conversation… Somehow, I think I’m starting to get the hang of this dice game at the Cast-Off table. In the first place, cheating is ‘allowed’ in this game tournament. But this dice game was different. It’s a system that is “predicated” on the use of the Loaded Dice rolls… cheating. I’m going to have to proceed strategically, not just with luck. “Incidentally, there are small rooms with several dice in it. Let’s see! Open it in the back so that other players can’t see you, and go get the dice that will share your fate! Let’s start with Ki-kun!” -There are so many different types of dice. The most common one here is “loaded”. At first glance, they look like ordinary dice, but they have a weight inside of them that makes it easier to get a certain roll. Bevels, which have slightly rounded corners for uneven rolls, flats which look like cubes but are subtly rectangular in shape, and magnetic dice, which have magnets that stick to the steel table so that the desired side appears. (You can’t see what’s inside the dice box… as long as you can’t see it, you’ll have to use your intuition to open it.) And I’m going to open five rooms at random. As a result – along with a piece of paper with the words “normal dice” written in Riko’s annoyingly round characters, there really was normal dice that could be sold for 10 yen cthat ame out of my first 4 rooms. However, two sets of “Cut Edge” came out of the last small room I opened. It is a cheating dice with three of the twelve sides of the cube cut off. The edges are rounded off to the point where you can’t see them at a glance, but… when they come in contact with the table, they roll better than usual. This means that the stakes are uneven. In fact, when I rolled the dice a few times behind the vase, I had about an 80% chance of getting a 4, 5, or 6 on both dice. I’m grateful for these dice. If someone caught me cheating and pointed it out, I’d be stripped naked in one shot, but with these dice it wouldn’t be an obvious six, and according to the rulebook I wasn’t allowed to touch or come within 30 centimeteres of anyone’s dice. This should be a no-brainer win. Even I can barely see the roundness of the dice or feel it by touching the edges with my fingers. Thus, we each got our own dice, hidden from the other player’s view. “Okay, everybody! You’ve got your dice, right? Both regular dice and cheat dice can only be used once per game. When someone takes off a piece of clothing, I’ll collect all the dice used in that game. If you run out, you can open the box again!” Riko said, jingling the box of her dice collection. The survivors at this point… are me, Reki, HIraga-san, Jeanne, and Fuuma. I have a total of four pieces of clothing: my shirt, pants, and left and right socks. Reki and Hiraga-san have three pieces: a ribbon, a blouse, and a skirt. Jeanne only has two pieces: a ribbon and a skirt. My henchman, Fuuma, is the most trapped and is only wearing her blouse. Here we go. Round 4 of the Cast-Off table. We roll with our fate – in a dice game. Riko, in her golden underwear, continues to host the event without a care in the world, and reads out the rule book to the five people at the table. “umm-, let’s review the basic rules. The dice must be rolled by hand. Also, in case something happens, the number that points towards the ceiling is the number that comes up!” That’s obvious. Just get on with it. I only have 15 minutes left of Wiseman. “In addition, the dice game has a “Preliminary and Final Round” as well as “Ant Hell”!” (TL Note: Think the den that an ant lion makes, will be explained later.) “Preliminary, Final round…? Ant Hell…?” When I complained about the time-consuming rules, Riko tapped the table with her rule book. “In this dice game, we’ll have a preliminary round. We’ll pick two losers in the preliminaries, and then the two of you will fight in a final, decisive battle! If you lose in that decisive battle, you take off one piece of clothing!” Damn it. That’s a rule that leads to a longer game. A dice game can be settled in a few seconds, depending on the rules. That’s why I chose this one, but Riko, who wants to make the game purely entertaining, has created a mechanism to make it more exciting in its own way. But whatever… dice is dice. It’ll go faster than the other games. “And then there is the “Ant Hell” rule! Whoever loses the deciding game will be forced to play the deciding game in the next game without qualifying! In other words, if you don’t win the deciding game, you won’t be able to escape the danger of taking off your clothes!” (TL Note: as I look at the term, I think this is also a jab at Aria. Original is Ari (katakana like Aria’s name) hell. This might also be a jab at Aria since she was stuck in a similar situation in Mahjong, forced to fight on the defensive as she was slowly losing clothes.) I dont know what is so fun about watching a girl take off her clothes, but Riko is very excited and is spreading out the rule book. (“Ant Hell” huh… thank goodness for this rule.) -In other words, I should think of this as a concentrated attack rule. In other words, if someone is caught in the ant hell, there is a high probability that they will be stripped down to their underwear. The more you scramble, the deeper you fall, just like an ant hell. According to RIko, who continued to give explanations in a manic state, only the first game such as Cho-Han, Cee-lo, and Sic Bo would be chosen by her, and the rest would be decided by the top qualifier. (TL Note: these are all different rule sets for dice games. Feel free to google if you are curious.) “So, what’s the first thing we do?” When I asked her about it, wanting to get the game started as quickly as possible, Riko… “Well, let’s just start with a simple roll game to get used to it! Let’s use two dice each so that there are few ties! The two players with the least value on their two dice combined will advance to the deciding game!” She declared to us with a devilish smile. -The first game is played with two dice. For that qualifying round… we gather around a smooth round table and each grab our dice. No matter what the result is, the dice will be collected by Riko when the round is over. Therefore, it is necessary to have a strategy such as whether to use the Cheat dice right away, which dice is appropriate to use, or whether to pretend to use them and challenge with normal dice. I thought about it, and decided to… (Let’s use the regular dice here.) I’ll save the cheat dice. There are two reasons, both of which are relatively simple and straightforward. The first and most obvious reason is that I don’t have a lot of cheat dice on hand. It would be a shame to use it out of the blue in the first game, and in the qualifiers. Cut edge should be used as a trump card. Another reason is that this game has two levels: “Preliminary round” and “decisive round”. In other words, even if I lose here, it’s a system that allows you to come back. Even if you lose in the qualifying round, you can still win the deciding round and come out alive. “Yes! Let the first round, the preliminaries, begin then!” Riko, with a happy face, distributed glass jars in front of each person with Aria and Shirayuki helping. The clear jar was aboutt he size of a mug with a narrow mouth. I see. So this is how you plan to prevent cheating with your fingertips. ”Put two dice in each of these jars! Lets-go!” Riko blew a whistle that she had taken out from somewhere, and we each dropped two dice into the jar. …rokoroko… I rolled both of my dice… The total value was 12 for Fuuma, 7 for Jeanne, and 5 for Hiraga-san. Reki was… 3. And for me… two 1’s for a total of 2. (…shit!) Why is my inate bad luck skill activating here…! “-and that’s it! And now, let’s go to Ki-kun and Rekyu! Congratulations on advancing to the final round!” Pa-Fu-pa-fu! Riko, who has just blown a horn taken out from somewhere, looks like a devil. The only saving grace is that the next round arrives in an instant, just as I thought, which saves me time. (Then again, I didn’t expect Reki to enter the final round.) Reki had used her cheat abilities in Mahjong, billiards, and Himetetsu, but she was no match for… this glass jar. “We were allies in Mahjong, but now we are enemies.” -I prepare my Cut Edge. I said that to Reki while secretly holding the cheating dice that had a high probability of coming up with 4, 5, or a 6. “Yes, we were.” It seems that the dice that Reki took out in response are not… normal dice either. From here on, it’s no longer a game of chance or luck. “Well then! Let’s begin the final battle!” Riko, pretending to be a referee, makes me and Reki stand on either side of the table. Reki and I, now facing each other, take the empty glass from Shirayuki and Aria respectively – and place them on the table. (…?) Reki put the jar a little farther away from her, didn’t she? Something tells me that she has a plan. “In the final battle, the dice must be thrown in one at a time, in order! First up, Ki-kun!” “Ok.” I quickly throw the first cut edge into the jar. The dice rolled in the glass jar with a “Karakarakaran”, and the result was… 6. Well done. I got lucky here. 80% x 1/3 chance, but i got the best one. (TL Note: based on Kinji’s testing, there is an 80% chance that he would get a 4, 5, or 6, and of that he got 6. If my math is right, he had a 26% chance of a 6.) Oh, and the gallery is subtly getting excited. “Next, Rekyu! Come on up!” She saw me roll a six, but she remained completely calm. Reki, Fuwa. She released the die, almost hitting the ceiling. (…?) The dice are… They are made of sponge. Fuyo, fuyo, fuyoyo… It was also a very low-density sponge, judging from the fact that it drifted through the air like a balloon for a long time. Moreover, it seems that the die is hollow and as light as a feather. In other words, very light dice. Reki seemed to have pulled it out of Riko’s collection. (It seems that the only thing different about that set is… the material rather than the rolls.) The die came down, spinning in an unstable trajectory like a jellyfish in water. The die then fell into the glass jar that Reki had placed a short distance away from her. Then, the die landed on the bottom and the throw was over. The die… also landed a 6. WOAH-! Everyone cheered. “ohhh, it’s a tie! This is going to be an interesting game!” Riko is bouncing along with her breasts, presenting us with a play-by-play. This girl… the situation just got a lot worse. For me, that is. Reki doesn’t say anything but it’s safe to say… that 6 was not a coincidence and was intentionally done. But how did she do it? “… it’s Kinji’s turn next.” And then Reki… …! She got another one of the same sponge die. Did that special die also come in sets of two? (That’s not good…!) The expected stakes for my cut edge are 4-6. If Reki can get an intentional 6, there’s a good chance you’ll lose. (I need to read her hand…!) I stare at Reki’s glass jar. That die is made out of sponge. So, for example… if you soak the die with water, you may be able to manipulate the stakes to a certain extent. (TL Note: for those who might be confused, if you soak the face of the die with the “6” with a little bit of water, should the die land on that face, it won’t bounce.) I looked through with my goggles to see if I could see anything out of the ordinary, but I saw nothing. In the first place, the feeling I got watching the die drifting through the air earlier was not that the die was wet. -No. It’s not water. Reki took advantage of the lightness of the die in some other way to roll a 6. “Okay! Ki-Kun! Throw in your second die, please!” “-Good luck, Kin-chan! Do your best!” Shirayuki noticed my pained expression (all she can see right now is from the bottom of my nose) and cheers me on from the side. She is, as expected, still wearing black lingerie. However, being cheered on does not change the outcome of the dice. There’s no way I’m going to do my best. Aria, who seemed to share my opinion, “You fool. There is no way to do your best in a dice game.” She folded her arms in front of her flat chest and “tsked” at Shirayuki on my behalf. “Aria, shut up! -I’m not afraid to blow up those dice!” I don’t know why she is so pissed off. She’s so annoying. With that in mind, I… Leaving my luck to the heavens, I put my die in the jar… The result is… 5. “…tsu…!” The total of my two dice is 11. If Reki can deliberately manipulate the dice, it’s certain that I will lose. However, in my mind… rather than shock, Shirayuki’s line from earlier was running through my mind. (Blow up… dice…) -It’s tricky. I don’t know why, but that word. “Okay, next, Rekyu!” “…” When Riko told her to do so, Reki immediately released the dice high up near the ceiling. The sponge ultra-light die began to drift through the air again, fuyo, fuyoyo, fuyo… As I followed it with my eyes in the tense atmosphere… “-!” All right…! “That’s what I thought!” As I said this, I walked around the table. Then, standing just 30 centimeters from Reki’s glass jar… In a great hurry, she rolled up her own skirt… “-Are you going to take it off now? That’s very graceful of you, Kinji. You’ve admitted defeat, haven’t you?” While ignoring Aria’s quip, “ba~tsu”. I spread my shirt out between my banzai arms, stretching it like a sail. It looks like I’m making a hand flag signal… or a pervert, but I’m just trying to win. I’m not pretending to be something I’m not. “Di-, Digital Camera!” While Shirayuki was searching for something after releasing a mysterious cry and spinning on the spot- I hold that pose. “…” Ah. Reki moved her eyes to look at me. There was no expression on her face, but I was sure of it. That’s right. You’re an S-Ranked sniper – a genius at reading the wind. You can see the airflow in the room, as if arrows were drifting around the room. And the cold breeze from the air conditioner that I’m standing on right now. She had read it and knew how the dice would fly in the air… She was able to calculate how to throw it, how it would drift, and which face it would have up. -Dice that can be blown. That’s why she was able to cheat in her own way. “That’s what I thought.” As I muttered this, Reki’s ultra-light die… The wind was blocked by my shirt, and it didn’t take the trajectory that Reki was aiming for… It was supposed to fall into the hole in the jar, but it was on the edge of the hole for a moment… The roll at that moment was a 6, but the die fell over the edge and into the jar… Kururin, Pa. It flipped over and… 1. “AAAAA! A huge upset…! Ki-kun has won!” In front of Riko, I breathed a sigh of relief. “You did it, Kin-chan! Justice will prevail after all!” While pushing away Shirayuki, who is trying to hug me in her underwear on my bare chest, “-don’t hate me Reki. This is a game.” I said this to Reki as I put my shirt back on… “I know.” Reki, unusually, was trying to calm down… She picked up the cup of juice that Shirayuki had given out earlier. Then she took a sip of it, placed the cup on the table, and put the rest of her dice next to it. And then, clink, clink. In her own cute, frustrated way, she poked the dice with her finger and… turned all the dice into 1’s, like a Japanese flag. “The outcome is the same. Because I tried to beat Kinji-san.” Then, Reki’s thin fingers- Removed the ribbon on her chest. Without any hesitation. It’s one thing to take off your clothes with shame, but if a girl takes it off so nonchalantly… It’s weird isn’t it? Somehow? “Oh, Rekyu, now all that’s left is the blouse and skirt. FuHiHiHi!” Riko took Reki’s ribbon and placed it on her own head while she danced around in a twirl. “A-N-D! According to the “Ant Hell” rule, Rekyu will advance to the second round immediately! It’s better to decide the order of undress beforehand. Blouse? Or skirt?” Riko is using the index finger of both hands to pinch Reki’s body through her blouse and skirt, but… Reki was unconcerned and remained standing like a mannequin. The second round of the tournament was called “Cho-Han”, and was selected by Fuuma, the top qualifier. Cho-Han is a form of gambling in which you roll two dice and guess whether the total number of the two is even or odd. It is something that has been done since the Edo period, and is familiar from historical dramas. -This is a very old fashioned selection. Fuuma’s way of speaking is old-fashioned and she’s a high school girl who looks like she’s stepped into the futre from the Edo period. “All right then. It’s an easy game, isn’t it? If it can divide by 2 is a Cho, if it can’t it’s a Han.” Riko gave us a simple explanation, and then she gave us a small, cup-shaped basket. Riko threw two regular dice into the so-called “cup”. According to the rule book, the person who would be the dealer in the preliminary round would be the person who had lost the previous game. In other words, it was Riko. Riko, who seemed to have been dying to do the cup swinging, happily waved around the cup… Pon. She placed the cup face down on the table with both dice in it. We can hear the dice rolling the jar and… it stopped. “Is it Cho! Or Han! Kufufufu!” “I’m… Han.” “I must follow my master, Han.” “Then I’ll be Han too.” “Then I will dare to be Cho.” And so I, Fuuma, and Hiraga, declare whether it is Cho (even) or odd (han). “Open!” (TL Note: this would be pronounced “Opun!”, essentially said in english but not written in English.) When Riko, who chose to speak English for some reason, opens the cup, the result is 5 and 2. “A 5 and a 2 is a Han! Ayaya! You have advanced to the final round!” “Ayayaya!” And so… In the second round of the dice game, the real battle of the dice was… between Hiraga-san and Reki. For Cho-Han, there were also two special rules written in the “Cast-Off Table Ru-Ru☆Buku”. ・The dice to be used in the final battle will be offered by the one who has the fewer number of clothes between the two opponents. ・Of the qualifying winners, the two who have the least clothes will then decide the cup shaker with rock-paper-scissors. It’s a complicated rule, but I guess the bottom line is that the losers are forced to work. All in all. In accordance with this rule, Reki offered the two nondescript looking dice that she had placed on the side of the paper cup earlier. Fuuma, who has only one piece of clothing left, and Jeanne, who has two pieces… Jeanne will be the urn waver. -Now, let’s start the final round. “Riko, you have the makings of a game designer. These are well written rules. and Jeanne pulls the Rekki die from the table towards her. “These two special rules are supposed to balance out the clothes we have, right?” “Kufufu. How did you notice?” Riko, who winked at Jeanne with her big eyes… “Balance our clothes? Huh…? What do you mean?” Aria asked, raising an eyebrow, even though she wasn’t a player. Jeanne turned at that, and indicated the dice on the table, which were 1 and 1. “No one but Reki know’s whether or not this is a cheat die used in this game. But if it is, Reki has a huge advantage. She can predict the outcome.” “That’s right.” “If you have a lot of clothes, you should be able to bet a lot of them. In this game, which has a strict rule for losers called “Ant Hell”, those with few clothes are especially reluctant to fall into it. Therefore, there is the temptation to concentrate your attacks on those who have already fallen into it.” I see… Well, I guess you are right. This dice game with the Ant Hell rule is dangerous for those who don’t have a lot of clothes. Therefore, the less clothes someone has, the quicker you can defeat them and end this dice game… You will want to save your clothes, your chance at survival, to use in the next game. “In other words, Reki’s advantage will be shaken. Because the dealer with the fewest clothes on them – me – will be her enemy.” (TL Note: Confused? No worries. Essentially put: Reki is in a bad situation as she is stuck in Ant Hell for now. To prevent her, and other people stuck in Ant Hell, immediate loss though, Riko added two rules. The first rule is to Reki’s large advantage, she can select the dice. By picking specific dice, she can change the completely random outcome to a potential limited outcome, such as picking dice that favor a specific set of numbers and thus change the odds for Odd or Even. Hiraga does not know the dice effect so is stuck at a disadvantage. But Jeanne is the dealer, and it is in HER interest that Reki gets knocked out, as SHE has few pieces of clothing remaining too. If she could, somehow, cheat as WELL, this would throw off Reki, and limit if not worsen her odds of getting the numbers she anticipates. Essentially a check on Hiraga, Reki’s competitor who has more clothes than her, but ALSO a check on Reki by having Jeanne as her dealer who wants her out too. Smart and tricky Riko… to be expected of her.) Jeanne, who made a wry smile, bent forward with her hands on the table. ughh… more than Aria’s and less than Riko, she had the ideal size for her body… I could clearly see Jeanne’s cleavage. “It is a well-designed rulebook that uses not only the game of luck, but also the game of cheating, the psychological sway of the remaining clothes, and many other elements. Riko’s intention to enhance the gameplay of the Cast-Off table is thoroughly reflected in every corner of the book. I’m impressed.” “I’m honored by your praise~. Kushishishi!” Riko, you should use your talent more for the world and people. Well, I guess she would never do that. “The main purpose of gambling is to enjoy the gameplay rather than to compete for the money. In 18th century France, Marie Antoinette used to play…” “Hey, Jeanne. Just get on with it and shake the cup.” I began to pay attention to Jeanne, who seems to be in a good mood and started talking nonsense. I dont want to lose any more time. There is a time limit on Hysteria Wiseman you know… “Fumu. Then…” As Jeanne blinked her blue eyes, and they sparkled like sapphires… She rolled the dice in her hand and stared at it, as if checking to see if Reki’s dice were cheat dice. And then, without a moment’s hesitation, “Korokorokoro.” She threw two dice into the cup and, ShakaShakaShaka. She began to shake it as gracefully as a top-notch female bartender handles a cocktail shaker. This is another of her sigh-inducing beautiful movements. When a beatiful woman does it, everything turns out beatiful, doesn’t it? Even if it is a gambling game. -kapo. “Cho or Han.” At about the same time Jeanne lowered the cup, she asked. “Cho.” Reki replied. That was a quick reaction. For Reki, that is. “…then, then it’s Han.” In the final round, the rule book said that the first player to declare Cho/Han got first pick, so Hiraga-san had no choice but to pick the other. “Reki, you think you’ve got a 1 and 1.” “…” Reki did not answer. In front of Reki, who doesn’t answer, Jeanne… Gently lifted the cup… She showed everyone the results. The dice is a 4 and a 3… “Han.” Grinning Jeanne laughed and declared to everyone. Reki lost this game. Hiraga-san won. “Aa! I have got nine lives!” Next to Hiraga-san, who is posing with her tiny hands, Reki is… She was as still and silent as ever. She unzipped and easily took off her sailor blouse. (…) The plain white underwear was suddenly exposed, and I almost panicked. I remembered that the girls’ bodies were supposed to be impossible to see due to my goggles and tried to keep my composure. My blood flow is becoming more and more strange. There’s less than 15 minutes left and Hysteria Wiseman is becoming unstable. This is dangerous. “…” But Reki. You are… well you, and you really are not interested in fashion at all, huh? You are a high school girl in the prime of your life, and presumably like most high school girls want to dress up, so what’s with the cheap underwear with no pattern or embroidery? It’s the kind of underwear you can buy at Daiei for about 800 yen on special sale days. (TL Note: Daiei is a grocery/department store in Japan. Walmart is the closest example I can think of.) “Excellent! Wonderful, Musuka-kun!” Riko was looking at Reki’s underwear with an incomprehensible cheer. I really don’t know why she gets so excited when she sees a woman’s bra and underwear. Uhm… Well, I sincerely hope she’s just being funny and having fun? “Fufu. If I talk about the structure of your dice, the rule is that you will be stripped naked, but it’s a knight’s mercy. I’ll leave it at that.” “Yes! Let’s collect the dice! Ki-kun, take it!” Riko, the organizer, told me… When I picked up Reki’s dice, which were unusable because they were used in the final round… “…tsu…” Cold. Very cold. So… I figured it out… (Aa, now I see…!) I’ve only read about it in comics in the past, so I don’t know for sure, but I’m pretty sure these dice are called “Liquid” cheat dice. It’s a cheater’s dice with a liquid weight inside. Its liquid weight is liquid at room temperature, but has a freezing point of about… 10 degrees, and hardens when cooled. In other words, if you cool it with the face you want to show up on top, and shake it while it’s still cold, that face will come out. (TL Note: in case you are confused: if you have 1 up and freeze the liquid, the weight is on 6. the bottom of the dice, which when bouncing, will be favored to land with 6 at the bottom due to the weight and thus 1 on top.) Right after Reki lost to me earlier – she left these dice in contact with a paper cup of juice – to conduct the coldness and harden the liquid weight. The eye in that case was 1:1, which meant that Cho should have appeared, according to Reki’s cheating. However, when Jeanne noticed this, she… When she pulled those dice over to herself, she probably did a cheat called “switch”. I can’t point it out because I can’t be sure either, but it makes sense when you think about it. A switch is a swapping of dice. It is an act of cheating to switch the dice hidden in the palm of one’s hand with Reki’s dice. Jeanne then clutched Reki’s dice in her hand. The reason she was talking flippantly was probably because she was waiting for the weight to melt and return to liquid form with the body heat of her palm. And- Just before the roll, Jeanne switched the dice again. In the form of returning Reki’s “Liquid” to the field. Then she pretended to check again if it was a cheat dice and… used her own special ability there to cool it down again. This was done to influence a “Han” instead of Reki’s “Cho”. -This unusually cold die is proof of that. Jeanne is a witch of silver dust, a master of ice magic. I’m sure that’s a piece of cake for her. Well, as I realized this, the second round was already over, and I didn’t wnat to spank Reki or Jeanne, either, as the fuste to the hysteria bomb was lit. I’ll keep quiet about this cheating process. The next competition was “Count Up”. This is a game in which each person rolls the dice ony by one in turn and rolls a larger roll than the previous person to win the game. In other words, if the previous player rolls a 3, you win if you roll a 4 or higher and lose if you roll a 3 or lower. If the next player rolls a 4, then the next player must roll a 5 or higher to win. That’s how the game is played, you fight until someone makes a mistake. -In this qualifying round, something terrible happened. The loser of the preliminary round is… Fuuma. It was my hencheman, who had only one piece of clothing left, a blouse. Reki, who is advancing to the final round of the tournament under the Ant Hell rule, is also wearing only one piece of clothing, her skirt. In other words, whichever of these two loses, that’s one more girl wearing their underwear. In effect, it was a decisive battle to determine who would be eliminated in the dice game. “Lord Reki. Your fortunes have come to an end, that they have.” “…” Fuuma took her place at the table with a hand that looked like she was about to make a hand seal, while Reki was as silent as ever. (TL Note: if you have seen AA, think of Fuuma when she has her hand in front of her face showing you the side of it. Ninja pose basically.) We watched with bated breath. Fuuma. You have survived the Himetetsu Bimbo, but this time you are up against Reki. This seems like a steep battle. “This is a tense confrontation between two high school girls in their underwear! Let’s start the strip battle!” Please dont jump up and down, Riko. It seems that every time you do your breasts pop out of your golden underwear. If that happens, my hysteria mode might just pop out too. “…” Without any hesitation, Reki placed the die in the middle of the table… Then she throws it into a cup, like the ones Heian aristocrats used to drink from. Dice can sometimes be cheated with your fingtertips if you throw them onto a flat surface, but you can’t do that if you throw them into a bowl shaped item. So Riko placed a metal cup on the table. ChinChrori-n… There was a beatiful sound and the die rolled. The result is… 1. “…” Reki is keeping a cool face, but this is… It seems that Reki does not have cheat dice anymore. She’s cornered. Fuuma, who is nearly guaranteed to get a 2 or more – Pi~. She took out her die, which she held cooly between her index and middle fingers, and released them with a shuffle. “Kukuku… Reki-dono, I will take your life!” When did we begin betting our lives? Fuuma’s die, which made a chin-chin sound… is… a 5. “Ohh~!” Everyone looked into the cup and got excited. Apparantly, Fuuma also had a cutting edge or something like that. If Reki has no more cheat dice, then she is as good as dead in the water. Since Fuuma rolled a 5, Reki has to get a 6 or she loses. (You ran out of luck, Reki.) I can barely watch as Reki is being brutally attacked by the Ant Hell rule… I moved over to the wall clock to check the remaining time. -At that time. Suddenly, Reki pulled a die out of her pocket. It was a very light dice. It’s another sponge dice, as light as a feather. (…!) She saw that I had moved and that the air conditioner was not blowing in a different direction… Reki, who apparently had a third very light dice, released it and let it drift in the wind. Fuyo, Fuyo, Fuyoyoyo. The dice landed softly on the cup, without the tinkling sound that had been heard earlier, and had a roll of… “It worked-! It’s a six! A six!” Riko hugged Reki and squealed. While Jeanne and Hiraga applauded Reki for her 6 at the last moment… “-Wait!” Fuumed held out a pared-down hand to the group. (TL Note: Pared down means unadorned, simple, etc.) “Look at the rulebook!” And on the page she showed us with her other hand… ・If you make a roll lower than the previous player, you miss. It says. “I have not yet made any roll against Reki-dono. In other words, we should consider that the matter has not been settled yet.” (TL Note: I swear if it’s a d20.) No… well… Strictly speaking, I guess it is not over…? “But, Ninin-chan? Since Rekyu rolled a six, even if you roll a six, you still lose. In the cout-up, a tie is a loss…” “Nu~un!” -?! Ignoring Riko’s explanation, Fuuma jumped out of nowhere!? While everyone looked on with confusion, Fuuma twisted around… “-Haha!” The die was spun at high speed and shot out of the vessel. Bishii! The dice hit the bowl and went round and round and round… Piki~! “…!” Paka! It broke. And… the dice, neatly cut in half – 1 and the 6 on the other half are both facing up. She came down with a swoosh and struck a pose that looked like a karate stance with a smug look on her face. No, I don’t mind you being smug, but why are you being smug? “uh, uhhh-huh… This is…” Riko, as expected, is having a hard time deciding what to do… “Mada Mine. I asked you earlier to review the basic rules, that is to say, ‘In any case, the face that faces the ceiling is the one that is chosen,’ right?” “… Oh ya, come to think of it.” “This die does currently have a 1 and a 6 facing the ceiling, that it does… Therefore, this is…” Bishi! Fuuma shouted, clicking her heels together. “-that is a 7!” …With a surprise, Fuuma’s quibble was accepted. That said, the rulebook didn’t include any rules about destroying dice, and Riko had prefaced her statement just in case. Furthermore, the die that Fuuma used was a “split” die that could be broken. Originally, the dice were used to feign an accident and pretend the game never happened… If Riko had prepared them, it is natural to assume that she would allow them to be used. In addition, the fact that Reki did not protest about this matter… The winner of this final battle was Fuuma. “…” Without complaining, Reki took off her skirt and walked… to a corner of the room in her pure white cotton underwear, where she sat down on the floor. -Reki, who boasted the strength of a demon, has now retired. Incidentally, as my Wiseman began to wear off, Reki sitting on the floor was safe from the front (Reki’s shins were covering her crotch), but dangerous from an angle of about 30 degrees in front of me. I mean, the top half of her body is as good as naked to begin with, so it’s best not to look at it. Well. Mahjong, billiards, Kaguyahime Electric Railway, dice… The cast-off table, with its wide variety of games, has now turned the corner. All survivors except for me… Jeanne. Hiraga-san. And Fuuma. Sorry, all three of you, but I’m going to take off your clothes faster and with more vigor than ever before. I gulped and looked up at the clock on the wall. (Time remaining… 12 minutes…!) Please, my wise man. You are getting more and more unreliable, but my survival depends on how long I can remain a wise man. Gunshot For The Next!!! ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ### 016. Bullet 5: Queen of Casinos An undressing game competition – cast-off table. Before I could even ask myself why I am even doing this, over half of the matches have been completed… Aria is now in her kid-like playing card symbol patterned underwear that matches her toddler body shape. Shirayuki and her gravure idol-like body is sexily covered with black silk underwear. Riko is in her gold satin with lace underwear, an interesting choice. And sitting in her white cotton underwear without any emotion whatsoever is Reki. These 4 losers have already stripped and are wearing nothing but their underwear. Meanwhile, there are four survivors… Leaving only her blouse, Fuuma for some reason took off her skirt and revealed her loincloth. Clothes in her possession: 1 piece. Jeanne took off her blouse and wore only her skirt and ribbon giving her 3 pieces of clothing left. Losing only her socks and so was now barefoot and in her uniform was Hiraga-san with 3 pieces of clothing. And I have survived this long with just my shirt off. Me, with 4 pieces of clothing. (… if you keep your mind clear, even fire can feel cool…) Unable to take a deep breath in this room that is filled with the smell of these girls, I just told my mind to “calm down, calm down.” And then- again, I warn myself. Right now I am in “Hysteria Wiseman mode”, and in this mode I cannot be sexually aroused by girls. But that would only last for another 12 minutes. And, apparently, it is not something that lasts until the very last minute. The wiseman in me is gradually becoming a fool. My physical situation within me should already be seen as a yellow light. In this “please get sexually aroused” environment… I can feel the hysterical blood flow in the center of my body. If this signal turns red and the fool gets up with a whimper, it will be a big deal. -I must endure, no matter what it takes. (Calm down… I learned this from my brother a long time ago. When you want to keep your mind calm, count the prime numbers. A prime number is a solitary number that can only be divided by 1 and itself. It gives me, in hysteria mode, the courage to face reality… 1, 2, 5, 7…) I started counting and suddenly remembered that 1 is not a prime number. “-What’s the next game? Let’s get on with it. Hurry up!” With my face still wearing the goggles, I turn to riko. But Riko flicks her head from side to side. “Before you decide on the next game, in the rule book, here! Let me explain to you all about the additional rule from Round 5: “Losers Entry”!” I go to open up my own copy of Cast Off Table Ru~Ru~Ru~ Bukku. Losers… battle…? What the hell are you talking about? we don’t have time for this! “Loser participation? I wont accept that. In the first place, the Cast- Off table is a competition to determine the most outstanding Butei. Each person only has one life. A person who disrespects that and approaches things with the mindset that even if they die they will come back to life is not a good Butei! Isn’t that right!?” I quickly spit out my disagreement with this new rule, but… “What are you getting so desperate for, Kinji?” Aria is moving away from me. Oh, oh no. I got too hot. Aria is already faintly suspicous about whether my goggles are working. I must not act even more suspicious. I do not know what might cause her to finally find out that my goggles are malfunctioning. “Uh, well… Riko, what is with the “losers battle” thing?” I asked Riko again calmy, coughing to cover up my unease. “I felt sorry for the losers because they have nothing to do. It would be boring if only the survivors were fighting passionately while those who were just watching got bored. That is why we have the losers participate in each game to make the game more exciting.” Whatever it is though, it is going to take up more time… Certainly, Aria and Shirayuki both seemed to be bored and were excited towards this idea. If I immediately deny this idea again, it will be complicated to explain - and worse, this time it might become questionable. Fine, I will hear what they have to say. “How would the losers participate…?” “It depends on the game. For example, if it’s pinball, you could substitute, if it’s roulette, you could be the dealer, if it’s darts, you could collect the dars, if it’s backgammon, we could make it a team game, etc.” While I was annoyed at Riko for giving examples with dramatics, I was… “Well, that’s… fine then…” I nodded. As Riko said, it depends on the game, but if the losers can have a role to support and excite the game… Unlike the loser’s bracket I feared earlier, the game will not drag on with rules like this. “Now that Ki-Kun is satisfied, let’s decide the game for Round 5! Starting with the fifth game, whoever loses the previous game gets to decide the event! Yay Rekyu!” Riko points to Reki with her rolled-up rulebook… Reki is in underwear… toko, toko… She walks to the back of the game room… She walked without saying a word, and we followed her… zoro, zoro… (TL Note: toko and zoro are sound effects, I assume walking ones.) The area that Reki walks to is lined with larger game equipment such as darts, pinball, and roulette… She stopped. (Darts…?) I thought, “Then, this.” Reki has chosen to play roulette in Round 5. “I’m surprised. I thought you were going to pick darts. Hey, wouldn’t darts be more fun for you?” “What are you saying Aria? Roulette is the queen of casinos. It is a magnificent and profound game.” Aria, from England, the birthplace of darts, and Jeanne, from France, the birthplace of roulette, are having this conversation. Roulette is a game in which a ball is thrown into a spinning disk with numbers on them and players try to guess which number the ball will fall on. It is mainly for gambling purposes and is offered as one of the flowery games in casinos around the world. “…” In front of the full-fledged roulette board 80cm in diameter, Reki turned around with a blank expression on her face. She looked at me. As if she was challenging me to a match. (What the hell? You already lost, why…) After a few seconds of raised eyebrows I realized… no, I was made aware. This “loser’s entry” rule is not just a mechanism to keep the losers occupied. (Retaliatory strike…) It is also a system of “payback” for the humiliation the girls went through for having been stripped. Even though it is only a game, after four rounds… many things can have occurred during that time. The players so far could have deceived and entrapped enemy players, or betray them by pretending to be on their side. In the process, complex relationships arise among the eight players. Especially relationships with resentment and bitterness. Riko is allowing the losers to use this as a chance to retaliate with their relationships… So she is trying to make the game more exciting. We survivors will now have to fight not only other players but also the retaliatory attacks of the losers, and from the fifth game on, the losers, not the winners, will choose the next game, probably to make that retaliation easier. This one is… Sure, it’s going to be a blast. The cast off tables from here on will be interesting. Reki just lost the dice game a few minutes ago… She fell for the “Ant Hell” rule, where the one who loses once runs the risk of losing all the time. And in the end, she was unable to crawl up out of it and was stripped down to her underwear in a concentrated attack. The one who pushed Reki down into that “hellhole” was me, who had been a smiling face and ally in mahjong and billiards. -Well, of course there is a reason to retaliate. And a fresh one at that. She is an emotionless girl, so she probably doesn’t have any feelings of resentment, but Reki looks like she’s a bit of a bad influence, and she is very loyal in a bad way. She follows the unspoken rule of military reconnaissance: “If you get shot once, shot back one.” (So that is why you chose… roulette.) I look at the unused dart board with a sideways glance, and I am convinced. In darts, Reki could fight with a world champion, but that’s just as a player. Riko mentioned that in darts, the loser is supposed to be the dart collector. She could probably tamper with the darts, but that doesn’t seem to be Reki’s forte. On the other hand, in roulette – which Riko just mentioned – the loser is the dealer. The dealer is the person who spins the roulette wheel and inserts the balls. And I know… I witnessed this back when I worked casino security with Reki recently. Reki is able to put the roulette ball into the number she is aiming for. The roulette wheel itself spins around and around, and the balls glide along the edge of the roulette wheel for several laps before falling into one of the numbered holes, which are separated by a metal plate. In other words, it is normally impossible to aim a ball at a specific number. The premise of the game makes it impossible for the dealer to cheat, but it is possible for Reki, an S rank Butei sniper and walking cheater, to cheat in this game. In other words, Reki realized that choosing darts as a player makes no sense so she chose roulette as a dealer. - Based on the “Loser’s Entry” rule, both other players and the loser are trying to beat me. “Now, the losers will be paired up! Each pair takes a turn as the dealer! So, whichever pair puts the ball in the basket is OK!” -Riko called for the losers to come together… Two dealer teams were formed by the Katakana pair of Aria and Reki and the Kanji pair of Shirayuki and Riko. Normally there is only one roulette dealer, but Riko’s original element seems to be that there are two. I’m sure this is done so that there will be a lot of matchups between “certain dealers” versus “certain players” who are already at odds with each other, and retaliatory battles will be more exciting. Hopefully not to the point of overkill. … Riko, that damn girl… She is usually camouflaged with her idiotic parentheses and gestures, but she’s a smart woman. You are even good at this kind of balancing act, especially when it comes to game related matters. It’s genius. Riko’s roulette was European-style, with a turntable, table, and magnification no different from the usual. The thin metal plate dividing the numbers in the turntable was made of lead to improve the sound made when the balls collide with each other, and it glowed dully. All common betting methods are allowed, including the “red-black bet” in which the player chooses the color of the number the ball will enter (2x reward), the “dozen bet” in which the player bets on 12 of the the 36 numbers (3x reward), the “six-eye bet”, in which the player bets on six numbers (6x the reward), and the “one-eye bet”, in which the player boldly bets on only one number (36x the reward). However, to prevent fraud, the turntable was to be turned by a machine, not by human hands. Hiraga-san checks carefully for any suspicious devices in its power section and… “It’s alright. This is the same ready-made product that is often sold in Asian countries. Hiraga gave it an endorsement with her pride of AMDO hanging on the line. So far, this is a typical roulette system, but according to RIko’s rulebook, there were several other original elements in addition to the pair-dealer system mentioned earlier. First, the “pre-bet” and “post-bet” rules. Players place colored coins – chips – on the table to bet, and a coin toss is held before each game to determine whether this act is done before or after the dealer puts tbe balls into the spinning disk. Next, the “win-win” rule. The rule is that whoever has the most chips at the end of a game is the winner and is not required to participate in any subsequent game. Conversely, the person with the fewest chips – takes off a piece of clothing. This win-lose rule continues until there are two players… and the last two are Sudden Death. The players will continue to play one-on-one until one of them is in their underwear. And finally, the “number of clothes taken off = number of chips” rule, which is not good for me. Players are replenished with chips before each game, and the number of chips is “the number of clothes you have taken off up to that point (at the entire cast off table). In other words, the closer you are to wearing only your underwear, the more tips you get. According to this rule, in the first round of roulette… Fuuma, who is only wearing her blouse, gets 4 tokens. Jeanne, wearing only a ribbon and skirt, has 3 tokens. Hiraga, who took off both socks, gets 2 tokens. And me – I only took off my shirt, so I only get one token. I guess this is the strategy for trying to balance the clothes that survivors have right now. Moreover, every time a loser takes off a piece of clothing they gain one more chip. In short, the system also makes you stronger when you lose. Here, too, Riko has done a splendid job. “What do you do when you bet on number zero? In that case, you don’t want the dealer’s share, do you?” At that, Aria pointed to… The only hole on the turntable colored green, number zero. Normally, the dealer gets all the chips on the table when the ball enters 0. But Aria is right, this time the players are competing against each other for the number of chips, so it would be a hole that is not used… “The rule for this game is that the door has to be blocked. It has nothing to do with this game, so if the ball entered it it would just ruin it.” Riko was about to put the spare ball in the zero hole when… “Non, Riko. This is how we do it in France.” Jeanne, who was standing by a bouquet of fresh flowers displayed in a vase in the room… Gently folded a single rose in her hand and filled the 0 hole with it. “Aaaa Kiiiii!” Riko’s reaction is right, it is a very cute and chic way to block the hole. The originally magnificent roulette table was even more spectacular now. Well, no matter how we embellish it… what we are doing is a tactless undressing game. Now it was time for the roulette game… the dealer for the first round was the pair of Aria and Reki. Reki was the one who it was decided would put the balls into the turntable, and Aria was supposed to do the backstage work. Aria know’s about Reki’s dealer abilities too, I’m sure of it. Damn. You never know what life has in store for you. Just yesterday when I was having dinner with Aria. If I knew this would happen, I wouldn’t have annoyed her and told her “I’m bored, so let’s talk about something that isn’t boring instead.” … Roulette is commonly known as the “Queen of Casinos.” Standing across the roulette table from us, Reki, silent with her usual expressionless face, looks like a queen with… immense power. Can I, who has long been called “slave” by Aria, possibly beat a queen? My henchman, Fuuma, is useless in roulette. Roulette balls are light, so if you manipulate the results with a short-breath tube, like she did in billiards, you would be exposed in an instant. But I still must fight. And I have to survive. Defeat is not an option here. –I refuse to lose to such a naked (or more accurately, a underwear clad) queen. “…” “…” In front of me glaring is Reki… ping, kur kuru kuru. Aria, in playing card-patterned underwear, tossed a coin. “Because the coin landed on reverse, it is ‘post betting’. Everyone bets after Reki throws the ball.” (TL Note: Reverse side of a yen coin = side without the number on it) Aria declares this to the players while referring to the rule book. (Okay… I was really lucky there.) I chuckle a little under my broken transilluminated goggles. Reki should not be able to decide which hole the ball will fall through after I bet to ensure I lose. This time, this will be a game of luck. (But still, it is not good just leaving it up to chance.) I myself am a countermeasure against Reki. Because without me there isn’t a countermeasure. “Roulette start~o! Aria, push that button there~!” Riko, in a flirtatious mood, handed out chips to us, and Aria hit the switch on the table… …Kuro… Kuro…Kurokuro… The wheel that dictates our destiny, the roulette, begins to spin. “I am a single bullet…” Reki holds up a white ball with a finger as if it were hanging on the trigger of a gun. Your eyes… (…!) I just saw it. I am sure of it. Black, number 10. People probably did not notice because they were looking at the ball, but I was following Reki’s gaze… so I knew. I am fortunately about to get a sweet victory, I know it! The numbers 0-36 on the roulette holes are arranged in a different order than numerical. And next to number 10 is number 23. Number 23 is the one I had bet on and won when I was at the Casino previously with Reki on a mission. I guess Reki figured I would bet there again. Snipers work on the assumption that the behavior patterns of people, or targets, are rather uniform, that they come out of the same doors, or frequent the same stores, etc. And… Reki put the ball in 10, next to 23… If I bet on 23 and lost, in my head I would go “that was so close!” and she would then also inflict psychological trauma as well. And like other forms of gambling, roulette is a funny bet that can ruin you if your mental faculties waver. “A bullet has no heart, therefore it does not think…” Reki glances at number 10 a few times, and then begins to concentrate by chanting her mantra like a spell… I knew it, she is displaying a snipers habits all over the place. I did not overlook her eye movements. Last year, when I was still in the assault department, we were mainly taught close combat, and so we were strictly instructed on hiding our eye movements during combat. This is because the enemy could tell where we were going to aim based on where we were looking and thus they could avoid us. On the other hand though, there is no such instruction in the snipe department. They tend to stare at their target because they are remote and thus enemies cannot see their eye movement, and they also stare to increase their accuracy at long ranges. “… I merely fly to where I am supposed to be.” Reki slides the ball into the edge of the turntable… “Yes, bet!” Aria announces the start of betting. The turntable and balls will continue to spin around for some time to come. In the meantime, players bet chips. The rule is that the players with the most chips bet first, so up first is Fuuma. I send a code to Fuuma with my body movements and coughing, “10, but do not make it obvious”. Fuuma, by touching her ponytail, or rather her chonmage, replied with “I shall”. “Then, here and here.” Two of her four chips on hand were bet vertically (three times the payout) in two rows with the remainder placed on 1 and 2. With a probability of 2/3, it looks like a solid strategy to at least raise your token count by 1. But that wager also casually includes the number 10 I told you about. Good one, Fuuma. “Fufufu. Let’s match my bet with the color of our dealer’s, Aria’s, eyes.” Jeanne bet all three of her chips on red (doubling the payout), so that she can win even if Fuuma wins and she has five chips. “Uwaa! Then this is how Ayaya is!” Hiraga-san, with only two chips… One token is wagered odd (double the payout) and the other card is wagered as a sixth bet from 22 to 27. I guess her thinking was that if it lands on 23, 25, or 27, you get 7 tokens and win at the top, and if it lands on 22, 24, or 26, you get 6 tokens and don’t end up in last place. But – I am sorry Hiraga-san. It is the black 10 that the ball will land in. You will lose all your chips and a piece of clothing, by the way. By the way, Jeanne’s red bet is also off, but only because the rulebook said that if they end up with the same number of pieces, the later bet loses. I was not paying attention to the roulette and the balls, which were slowing down. “Reki. You lost because… you are a sniper!” With a grin, I bet on number 10 with my sole token. But Reki had no reaction. Well, Reki is always like this, so this is natural. “You are such an idiot, Kinji. You could have won 9 tokens with a 4 eyes bet and still come out on top. There is a good chance that Hiraga-san will win an odds only bet, you could have protected yourself with a dozen different bets.” Since conversation is not prohibited during play, Aria says so with some mixed english. “It’s okay. I will make a prediction. This ball will land in black 10.” “You are betting on a 1/36 chance of victory? You really are an idiot. Then, yes, the betting is now over.” Beside Reki, who is standing there in silence, Aria rings a small bell twice. KoroKoroKoro… And the ball that was rolling, katsun, katsun, katsun… Started bouncing on the metal dividers of the turntable… I was smiling and wondering what Aria would say if it landed in black 10… Koronn. And landed in a hole… How is it, Reki-kun and Aria-kun? Are you surprised? “You see. Red 23. Baka Kinji.” The payout will be 3 for Fuuma-san who now has a total of 5, 6 for Jeanne-san, and 7 for Hiraga-san. Therefore, the winner of this game is Hiraga. Kinji-san will be the loser with zero chips. The Aria-Reki pai says that. (hu-….Huh…?) The ball… landed… in red 23, next to black 10…? I’m sorry, what? Instead of rubbing my eyes, I scrubbed my goggles and looked again, but… I’m sure it’s in there. Not in black 10, but in red 23…! “Kinji-san. You lost because you did not know that snipers fight by reading their target’s personality.” In a hushed voice, Reki responded to my earlier quip… (You-, you read that…!) (TL Note: note, this is not literal, it more so means she read his personality and guessed his next moves) The fact that Reki was looking at black 10 earlier was… an act she was doing on purpose to trick me, as she was thinking “Kinji-san thinks that the bet is on red 23″. It was an act to trick me. She led me to bet on black 10 as she put the ball into red 23. I mean… to Reki, who knows exactly who I am, how I think, and how I work… I was just lured out and shot. So I was just set up in the typical pattern of snipers taking out assault reconnaissance units. “I did it! Ayaya is the winner!” I nodded my head in disappointment next to Hiraga-san, who was bouncing around in her short skirt. I thought I would win this round and Hiraga would be the one to take off a piece of clothing. It turned out to be the exact opposite. “Tsk… but next time it won’t end like this.” I take off one of my socks with a cheap villain like like and get a chip from Riko for the second game. This roulette game… even if you lost in it, it is not all that bad. The more pieces you take off, the more chips you get. I got two tokens this time. Now, my bets can be more strategic than before. (But…) Fuuma, awkwardly looking away from me, has five tokens in her hand plus four more from missing clothes, for a total of 9 tokens. Jeanne, who had bet red for the right reason (Aria’s eye color) also increased her chips by 3 with payout for a total of 9 tokens. The number of chips I have is extremely low, I am at too much of a disadvantage. (TL Note: In case you forgot the rules, the winner does not have to participate in any subsequent game, hence why Ayaya is not here.) The next dealer pair, with gritted teeth was… The pair is Shirayuki in her black lace underwear and Riko in gold underwear. Since my goggles are still broken I can see it, this ironic casino color pair of gold and black. “In the second round… at her own insistence, Yuki chan will be throwing in the ball!” While Riko was saying that, Pashi~ After a coin toss, the second round was a “front bet”, in which the player places his chips and then the dealer throws in the balls. “Well, here is a certain win then. Safety first.” First, Fuuma bet one chip on the first half of 1-18 (double payout), and then she sent me a coded message saying “Please bet on the sixth”. Fuuma was going to pretend to play a safe tile to lower her own payout and give me a chance to win. But… that was a bit too unnatural. I’m not sure about this.. The dealer, Riko, raised her eyebrows, as if she found that bet boring. Riko then glanced at me… does she suspect something is up? (…tsu…) If they find out about the teamwork between me and Fuuma, they will make us both strip side by side. And they won’t stop at just our underwear. A little impatient, I hastily sent a code to Fuuma, “Bet one more quickly”. “…and this is in preparation for the battle to come.” Seeing my cipher, Fuuma quickly gave a good reason and puts a chip on the table in a place that makes sense, 34-36. She put the chip on a 3-eyed-bet. The payout is large, 9x, but it is a bet that is unlikely to win. For a strange act like throwing away that bet… “oo~! Ninnin-chan, why did you bet there?” Riko’s flirty eyes became joyful all at once. It seems that the mood has been lifted by Fuuma’s outrageous gambling act, and the faint suspicion has disappeared. “Those are the last 3 numbers. There is good fortune in the leftovers.” I just noticed, Fuuma is pretty good at lying. She answered right away and I did not see a single color change in her face. “Well… even if Toyama is far behind, to beat Fuuma…” While casually disregarding me as any kind of threat and declaring war on Fuuma, Jeanne bet 2 tokens. With her beautiful white fingertips, she placed one token in the 1-12 dozen betting position and the other in the 13-24 dozen betting position. Not interesting, but a solid bet. Jeanne, who is apparently used to playing roulette, played one more card… She bet on numbers 1-3, 3 eyes. “There is a saying in France, ‘When money leads, all the gates open’. In honor of this, I bet on the first line. Now that Fuuma has gotten things going, I must get in on the act.” (TL Note: I cannot find what the actual saying is. If anyone knows a French saying involving money/gold and gates feel free to message me.) As expected, players with a large number of tokens can afford to potentially waste some. Afterall, even if Fuuma beats you, you won’t be last since you will win something yourself… That strategy can also make Jeanne come out on top if the balls are in the 19-24 range, i.e. a 1/6 chance. That is, of course, if the jackpot comes in 1-3. Well, that is a negligible probability, just like the 34-36 that Fuuma bet on. I have two chips, and so cannot afford it… As Fuuma said, I have no choice but to bet all on the sixth. That would be 6x the payout, so 12 tokens if it lands. I could beat both Fuuma and Jeanne. (The odds are the same everywhere, but where should I bet?) There is good fortune in leftovers… are you telling me to rely on that good fortune and bet on 31-36 at the end of the roulette? (-or was that you just asking God for help… I guess it is really time to just start taking bets…) I let out a small sigh as I put my chips there. “And that’s the end of the bet!” Riko declared the end of the bet and rang the small bell cheerfully twice. “Then, here we go.” With a snap, Shirayuki took the ball in her hand and… “fufu… ufufufu… This is called ‘Avenging Edo’s Enemies in Nagasaki’. Jeanne.” Shirayuki is flashing the same kind of hostility at Jeanne that Reki was flashing at me earlier. I mean, you are actually naming people Shirayuki. “Eedough? Nag-a-saki?” (TL Note: Jeanne says this in Katakana, aka Japanese alphabet for foreign languages. Thus, imagine someone with zero knowledge of Japanese or Japanese words saying Edo and Nagasaki.) Jeanne raised a shapely eyebrow, apparently unaware of the saying, “Avenge Edo’s enemies in Nagasaki,” which means “to make up for a humiliation once suffered in an unexpected way. “You insulted the hot, passionate feelings Kin-Chan gave me during our billiard game. Should I let this grudge go – Ekoeko Azarak, Onkiri Kiribasaraun grasshopper, La Yodasou Stiana ……!” (TL Note: this won’t translate, cannot figure out what it means, probably a miko chant) Kaaah! Shirayuki’s eyes and mouth were wide open and she was chanting some kind of curse words… Damn, now she is in Kuroyuki mode…! I was not quite sure what Jeanne had said to me during the billiards game, and I had no memory of having given Shirayuki any passionate feelings in the first place, but… (But this could be our new ally…!) I feel a certain dependability in Shirayuki’s appearance, which exudes a dusky black aura. After the fifth round of the cast-off table, the losers of the first four rounds are given a chance for this kind of retaliatory attack. One of those sore losers, Shirayuki, is apparently targeting Jeanne. Jeanne doesn’t seem to know what it is that Shirayuki is resenting her for, and she has a few hatena marks on her head, but it is a fact that… Shirayuki has identified you as an enemy. “This white ball is my pure feelings for Kin-Chan-Sama. It is the virtue of a Yamato Nadeshiko to respond to feelings with feelings. Here or… here or… here or…” tsu… tsu… tsu… And Shirayuki, calling herself a Yamato Nadeshiko, strokes each of the metal dividers attached to numbers 31-36 of the roulette. “I’ll put it… here or… here or… here! With the power of passion!” It seems that no one can tell what is happening in Shirayuki’s world anymore. “Then, let’s turn it then-…” The ever-aggressive Riko-san subtly pulls back and presses the button to turn the turntable. Kuro, Kuro, Kuroro. “Taaaa-!” Shirayuki, eager to get started, threw the ball in right away. And… Katsun, katsunkatsun. The balls, which were not very fast despite Shirayuki’s burning spirit, soon started to hit the partition plate. Katsun, katsun… Koron. “…!” Oh, come on, come on, come on…! “Black 35…!” Oh, it landed where I bet…! I was about to strike a pose when… Fuuma turned around with her acorn eyes wide open. (Ahh…!) That’s it. I forgot because it was like throwing away my bet, but Fuuma also… I was betting on… 34-36…! “Oh, stupid…! What the hell…!” “Wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooaa aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!! Nin-nin first winning 12 tokens for a total of 19 tokens! 2nd place Ki-Kun also paid 12 tokens, and last place is Jeanne!” Jeanne and Riko look into the turntable with an expression of shock. “Did you see that, Jeanne? This is the power of our passion!” Shirayuki is looking up over the turntable with a Hinomaru fan she retrieved from who knows where, and sprinkling white snow-like confetti, also retrieved from who knows where, to create a celebratory atmosphere. Fuuma looks at me with a “You were born to be smitten” expression – even though I won. “… ha~a… they say roulette is inhabited by demons, and it would appear that is true.” Jeanne, with a listless sigh, chii~. She unzipped her zipper on the spot. -The skirt! “o, oh come on! Why are you taking off your skirt? If you have to take off a piece of clothing, take off your ribbon!” “It’s a reminder to myself. Besides, it’s hot here, we are far from the air conditioner.” And while saying that. Jeanne, the Silver Ice Witch, who currently seems to be sweating a little, is… No, she has taken it off her skirt! But…! The underwear covering her waist is made of the same large fabric as the one above, and looks like a pair of white bloomers. It looks like gym clothes, so even though her clothes are a little bit loose, Hysteria Weissman… can go on. I think I can still hold on. Nevertheless, her toned hip lines were in full view. Her thighs are as white as freshly produced white cakes, and they are slightly glistening with sweat like morning dew… (…ugh…) Its healthy texture could, in turn, spark an unhealthy imagination. Dangerous. Those thighs are dangerous. Jeanne is… now in just underwear and ribbon, truly looks like a pervert. So, from here on out, I am in a one horse race. After that, I found out that Kuroyuki, who managed to get the ball to land in black 35, which was the number I indeed bet on, is… -She… she was cheating. I noticed this when I helped Shirayuki remove the confetti paper from the turntable. -It was warm. A part of the turntable was strangely warm. I cannot tell anyone because if I reveal it, Shirayuki will be forced to go fully nude, but in short; earlier, Shirayuki touched the metal plate while saying “here and here and here” and heated up the metal plate. I’m sure of it. Although her name is Snow, Shirayyuki’s true identity is that of a fire- wielding priestess. (TL Note: Just in case you forgot or did not know, Shira Yuki translates to Snow white with Shira (shiro) being white and Yuki meaning snow.) I don’t know the details, but I guess it would be easy enough for her to heat up. Lead is used in the divider plate. Lead expands easily when heated out of most metals. I remember learning in chemistry class that its coefficient of linear expansion is about three times that of iron. Then Shirayuki stretched the dividers, which were supposed to be uniform, to make them uneven only for certain numbers, increasing the probability that the balls would be placed in the numbers 31-36, which I had bet on… Then Shirayuki pretended to pour confetti on it and fanned the turntable with a fan to cool it down and destroy the evidence. It worked, and by the time I touched it, the divider board had cooled and was almost back to normal. (Shirayuki said this was the power of passion or something like that…) Well she was half right. But it was not the Power of Passion but the Power of Heat instead that got me this victory. Now I’m thinking… Jeanne has 11 tokens and I have 15 tokens after being replenished for the 3rd round. While I do have an advantage, it is not a big advantage. The dealer pair that replaced Shirayuki and Riko was Aria and… “Third round is post betting.” “I will throw the ball in again.” .. Reki, again. Reki will keep coming after me like a hunter tracks their prey. This time, too. And while the other side has versatile skills that can be used for roulette, we are weaponless. I’m in the mood to abandon this game now that Fuuma does not have to participate anymore. I seriously just want to give up. I thought about betting on Reki’s greenish hair color (0), but that green hole, number 0, is blocked by a rose. I can’t even get a little bit of good luck here. And here- “Riko. I didn’t see this in the rulebook, but what happens if the ball doesn’t land into any of the holes?” Reki asked that to Riko. “Huh? If the ball does not fall into any hole? It is forbidden for the dealer to intentionally drop the ball outside, right? Isn’t that in the rule book?” “Yes. The book did say that, but that is when things like that happen.” “The turntable is mechanical, so it’s not like the ball is going to be bounced around.” Riko thought as she put her finger to her pink lips. “Then let’s have a celebration and congratulations if the impossible happens. Both players lose and take off one piece of clothing!” “Sorry~!” and Riko saluted both me and Jeanne with both her hands. If you feel sorry then add an appropriate rule! “Wait a minute! That would be an added disadvantage to the player!” I immediately protested… “With Reki’s skill, she might be able to get the ball to bounce off the mechanical turntable. So… yeah… wait a minute.” I ran to the umbrella stand at the entrance. And I brought my own plastic umbrella, which I had brought because an evening shower was predicted. I unfolded it and broke the handle. “When Reki puts the ball in, put this umbrella over the turntable to cover it. It’s transparent, so we can see inside. That way, it won’t affect her and the ball cannot bounce out.” I propose this rule to nullify Riko’s additional new rule. “Ummm, okay. What about you, Rekyu? Is this okay?” “… that’s fine.” Kokuri. (TL Note: Kokuri is an onomatopoeia to “nod up and down”.) Reki nodded. But… Reki still looks suspicious to me. Reki usually only ‘kokkuris’, but this time she said that it is fine. That is not like her. So… Reki has something else in mind. I looked at the turntable again and… I noticed something. “One more thing… There is a chance that Reki is going to put the ball on the rose that plugged up the zero hold. That, too, would mean that “the ball didn’t land in a hole.” “You are desperate Kinji.” “Aria, shut up. When the ball stops on the rose, replace the dealer. No, ban Reki from participating in the future. I won’t allow her to waste my time.” It seems that Riko interpreted my sense of desperation as instead an expression of enjoyment of the game, going “Uhh, Okka~y!” and allowed my rule to be added to the game. “…” Still, the roulette wheel that Reki looks down on in silence, expressionless, and emotionless, began to turn… “… I am a single bullet.” Tsuu! Reki threw a ball into the air. Huh. You put it in pretty fast, but you didn’t throw it to make it bounce, you just rolled it in normally. I see. So you were left with nothing to do because I blocked everything you were trying to do. I laugh and put my plastic umbrella over the roulette. “Yes, bet.” (TL Note: this might sound weird but it is what Reki says. She usually just starts sentences with an affirmation of something or a denial, thus either “yes” or “no”. In this scenario, she is affirming that now you can bet. Sounds weird in English though.) The ball continues to slide around the edge of the turntable and Aria rings a small bell… (So, this is just a normal game?) I bet two chips and, just like Fuuma in the first round, I bet vertically in each of the two columns with a payout of 3 times my bet. In other words, I have a 2/3 chance of getting one more chip – a strategy that will result in 16 chips total. I am playing defensively, but if I lose, I’ve got another game to play. Let’s be defensive. “Now, what are you going to do, Jeanne? You have already lost most of your clothes, but if you lose here… they will strip you of even that ribbon.” I say something provocative to try to get Jeanne to lose some of her cool. “Toyama. It is no use trying to make me lose any of my composure.” Huh. It was a little obvious what my goal was, wasn’t it? Beside my slightly flushed face, Jeanne, who was concentrating on the table… “But the fact is, the only clothes I have left is my ribbon. Let’s go on the offensive with everything I got.” 1 piece at a time, sa~, sa~, sa~. All her bets were vertical 2-eye bets anre are multiples of 3, such as 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18… Furthermore, she bet 2-eyes 1-2, 4-5… as well as 13-14. It is a complicated bet but I can read her aim. No matter where she wins, the payout is 18. She is going to beat me. Thus, the table was set with me on the defensive and Jeanne on the offensive. Metaphorically speaking, I am a warlord holed up in a distant mountain castle, and the Knight Jeanne d’Arc is currently attacking the castle. (who will win…?) -Katsun, katsunkatsun. Here we go, the balls started bouncing over the dividers. “…” All of us peered with bated breath at the ball under the plastic umbrella. Katsun, pofu, katsun. Ah. Now the ball bounced on the rose for a moment as well. Katsun, pofu, katsun. … again. Stop on the roses anyway please. Then Rekki will be banned and I will have one less enemy. Katsun, pofo, katsun. Katsun, pofu, katsun. It is bouncing on roses over and over again… Because Reki threw the ball in so hard, the turntable stopped turning first… The ball, right after that… Katsut. Suddenly it stopped. “””””””—-!””””””” “…” Everyone is so surprised that they can’t speak, and only Reki is staring at the void in a daze. Ta, ta, ta, the balls are… It didn’t fall into any of the holes • • • • • • •• • • •• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • . Red 1 and Black 20… It is stuck on the divider! This roulette ball is about the size of a ping pong ball. And Reki managed to put it on top of the divider that is only a few millimeters thick and stop it… “…” Reki is standing there like a life-size figure, but this girl is really… It is “super human” with super on top of super. I’m impressed. Even though you are the enemy I am impressed, you defeated me completely. I admit defeat, Reki. This is amazing… Isn’t this a once-in-a-lifetime miracle?” “Oh… this, this, this, then, both Ki-kun and Jeanne will take one off, and… Jeanne will be eliminated from the Cast-Off table…” It was so unexpected that both Riko and Aria are in a cold sweat. “Aa… Aaa… How am I going to lose at… Roulette! Mon Dieu!!” With a grand gesture, Jeanne looked up to the heavens and raised the torn ribbon to the sky… … Jeanne is an over the top girl. It is not like she actually went bankrupt at the casino. Beside Jeanne, I took off my other sock and went barefoot. “Oh… ohhh…” Jeanne, who had been mourning like in the comic strip “The Rose of Versailles”… (… rose…) -! Ha, I just realized. And when the miraculous ball on top of the turntable was removed with a snap… I could tell by the slight resistance I felt at my fingertips. When I figured it out, Reki took the ball out of my hand. “…” I casually sneak a peek at Reki. Making eye contact I wipe the ball with my finger and stick my tongue out at her. …Well, I guess I will just have to keep my mouth shut. The game has already been decided, and I’ve already admitted defeat and taken off my clothes. “I will keep my mouth shut to keep the peace and quiet” I pretend to touch the table and tell Reki with a finger signal commonly used by Butei. Snap. Pachi-pachi. Reki responded with the message “I understand”. (-Roses and…) I take the rose that was blocking the 0 hole and slip my finger inside the petal. Naturally, there is nectar in the flower. It is a somewhat sticky nectar. Reki threw the ball to hit this rose multiple times, and put its nectar on the surface. She then used the nectar as a glue to ensure that the ball would get stuck on the divider. However, whatever the trick was, it was a superhuman feat that you can place the ball on the divider in the first place. Well, I am going to remove one of the “super”s I gave you earlier… Round 5 of the Cast-Off Table – the roulette game – is now over. The time left on Hysteria Weissman is… about 8 minutes left. (Depending on the competition…) If I continue at this pace… I should be able to make it out alive. “Paris was one thing but… Japanese summers can be hot, too.” Jeanne, the loser, wearing her molded bra… Eh. Wait a minute. Why are you putting your hand on your breasts? “Hey, hey Jeanne! You don’t have to take off your bra too!” “You shouldn’t become desperate just because you lost!” Jeanne’s unusual behaviour has even the girls panicked. Aria and Hiraga are panicking too. “What do you mean…? Oh, no, rest assured. I am not a pervert. I had heard that Toyama was coming too, so I was wearing, on top of my regular underwear, a sports underwear. While everyone else was proudly exposing their underwear, I felt a little guilty, so I was going to take it off.” Jeanne stopped Aria and the others. “-Toyama, you can’t see the girls bodies through those goggles, right?” She suddenly asked me this, and my heart nearly jumped out of my mouth. “Th-that’s right, you are as white as a Maeda Cracker.” (TL Note: I have 0 clue what a Maeda Cracker is, other than well, it is probably a cracker snack, but kept it in for accuracy. This is just a simile since im guessing the cracker is white like the girls through the goggles.) “”””””as white as… Maeda’s Crackers…?”””””” Almost all the girls were “hmm?”-ing and tilting their heads in confusion, with only Shirayuki sighing a little, and I… Oh, no. I was in such a hurry and panic that I answered in my grandfather’s favorite phrase – the deadliest of dead languages – with a line that was too suspicious. I’m at…! “…Toyama, you speak strange Japanese sometimes.” Jeanne, saying something that, “Puchi…” unhooks herself from her molded bra. “!” I have never seen a woman remove her bra before, even though she is wearing a double layered bra. Oh, so that is how you remove it, with your hands behind your back. It looks like a lot of work, even though I can’t see your back. And naturally, this is also a first for Jeanne, who also takes off her bottom underwear without a second thought… “…tsu…?!” uaaa…! I managed to control my voice, which had gone all the way up my throat with a final “tsu”. Jeanne… She was reborn with dazzling white skin characteristic of Caucasians and too much dazzling white lingerie… Combined with her sparkling silver hair, she is already a diving beauty. And the lingerie, which seems to have been imported, is… well, it’s a bold design…! The thin fabric, glamorously decorated with fine lace and embroidery that looked as if it had been handmade by craftsmen over many months, covered only a fraction of Jeanne’s slender body. ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ### 017. Bullet 6: Aria used to lose to her sister in Poker, and since then only wears Playing Card patterned underwear. The cast-off table will now enter its sixth round. There are only three survivors now: Hiraga-san, Fuuma, and myself. And in this sixth round, one must lose so two can survive. In the last round, the seventh, those final two would have one last go at it, and then that would be the end of this cast-off table. (Two more rounds to go… and this long, bitter war will be over…!) Moreover, in this final stage of the war, the battle has turned to my advantage. Because out of the three survivors, Fuuma and I are allies – we may be able to cooperate in a two-on-one fight against Hiraga-san. In addition, a comparison of us three carrying clothes shows… Hiraga-san 2 pieces (blouse, skirt). Fuuma has 1 piece (blouse). Me with 2 pieces left (shirt and pants). This, too, is in favor for me and Fuuma, as it is our side with 3 tokens against Hiraga with 2 tokens. And although the Toyama Empire is in a good state externally… it is currently facing uncertainties about its internal politics. My Hysteria Weissman, who was so reliable at the beginning of this war, is losing its power. (I’ve got eight minutes left… and it’s getting weaker!) On the one hand, my foolish other me, long oppressed by the Wiseman, is preparing for a revolution in my body, specifically my core. If I weere to be betrayed by Wiseman, I would reawaken in my normal hysteria mode… The United States of Aria, the Shirayuki Kingdom, People’s Republic of Riko, Rekki Federation, Jeanne Republic, and other countries would launch an indiscriminate attack against me and my people. Later, that multinational force would counterattack upon each other and beat each other to a pulp until everyone was scorched to the ground. Hang on in there Prime Minister Wiseman…! But Jeanne, who has the right to decide the game in Round 6… “I remembered this after seeing Aria’s underwear… we have played Roulette already, a casino game, so how about a game of cards such as poker?” She selected a game of cards, poker. “Nice, poker! A gambling classic! One of the three great card games!” Riko, the hostess, who is currently jumping around in her honey gold underwear, it seems like she likes to play cards. She then brought out several cases of unopened playing cards from a cupboard decorated in an irritaitng Riko style. All of these packs look like the same pack of playing cards. “Then, let’s start with the cards! There are 36 kinds! Line them up, everyone, six by six.” We cooperate and arrange the cases of playing cards in a square formation just like Riko tells us to do. “The dice are used to determine which of these cards will be used. You will be using different playing cards for each round…” Riko holds up the “ordinary dice” that I used in the dice game earlier. (Well, in short, this is…) I’m sure that everyone has already noticed this, so I guess I will just ask? “So, which deck is a cheat deck?” “Kufu~” Riko laughts at me for asking my question with the eyes of a mischievous child. “Only Riko knows that. It’s just like with dice; one out of the two is a regular deck of cards, and when you use a normal one you must declare it in advance.” ”fufufu” goes Riko as she breathes out her nose and puffs out her chest. “No, this is no good. It’s a good thing you didn’t participate in the dice game. This time, with the ‘losers’ entry rule you mentioned earlier, you will be participating in this game in one way or another. You will have an overwhelming advantage for whatever side you are on.” “But there is a chance I will side with you, Ki-kun, right?” And Riko gives me a lovely wink that seems to pop out a star and heart symbol. “… that is true, but…” “Rikorins presence, too, makes the game more exciting! Yes, everyone!” Riko opened her arms and everyone turned to look at her. “First of all, this poker game is a one-on-one game between ‘hosts’! Two out of the three, Aya, Ninnin-chan, and Ki-kun, fight over clothes! Who will fight who will be decided by dice before the game!” This is…! With any luck, this is going to be swell. If two players are not selected, there is no risk of losing their clothes in the first place. For example, there is the possibility that only Hiraga-san and Fuuma will have to fight and I can win without fighting at all. When I leaned in, Riko told me something delicious… “However, the ‘hosts’ cannot touch the cards. It is the ‘knights’ who are chosen one by one from among the losers to draw and discard cards. In other words, it is a substitution system. Of course, the ‘host’ may give instructions to the ‘knights’ but the ‘knights’ have the final say. You may act against the host.” I see… winning and losing also depends on the power of the ‘knights’. In fact, it is mainly knights who can cheat as only they can touch the cards. “In addition, both hosts have one ally on each side, a shuffler and a spy.” Here is a guide. A ‘shuffler’ is the person who shuffles the cards in half… Maybe the shuffler can cheat too… I guess it depends on the person. Even though they are not as important as a knight, an ally is still an ally. “The spy stands behind the enemy knight and watches their cards! You are not allowed to say the cards or the hand directly, but you have 15 seconds to advise your knight before the game. To avoid the eyes of the spy, you may choose to not look at the cards you have drawn but instead keep them face down on the table and play by luck.” The spy is a game changer. In other words, if the enemy’s hand is bad, they can say “you may play”, and if the hand is good, they say to fold. “By the way, how do you win? Are we going to go on and on betting chips?” I casually asked Riko, being time-conscious now. “No, I don’t think so. This is not a suitable game for undressing to play by betting chips, so this is a one-shot game with only one show down!” “In other words, if you lose once, you take off a piece… or in the case of one of you, you lose if you lose once.” Fuuma, who has only one blouse, still listens with dignity. “That is right. However, the right to ‘get off’ is given to each of the three hosts once. If you decide to get off, you don’t have to take off a piece of clothing. Thus, no matter how bad your hand is or how good the other player’s hand is, you can avoid losing a piece of clothing! But if you use it once, it does not matter how bad your next hand is, you are stuck with it!” You are talking about those kinds of rules that play on the human mind again, happily at that… “So, what else? I understand that you can only open a pack of cards once, but how many times are you allowed to exchange cards?” “You can only exchange one time. It is a typical closed poker. Jokers are allowed. Also, the order that cards are drawn are decided by dice to decide if you draw from the top or the bottom of the pile or if cards are placed on the table as appropriate. This is to prevent cheating when shuffling or when dealing.” Okay, okay. All in all, the dealing rule seems like a rule that could be settled reasonably quickly. Nevertheless, there are many anomalies, such as the ‘host, knight, shuffler, spy’ system and the ‘get off only once’ system. I’m not Fuuma, but let’s tighten our loincloths. The dice of fate were rolled to determine the two hosts for the first round from among the survivors. “Ki-kun!” Yes. I was chosen first due to my reputation for bad luck. And the opponent it… “Ayayaya! I don’t have any luck!” My chosen opponent was Hiraga-san, a small butei in Amdo. Riko rolls the dice again, and it is decided that the cards to be used are ordinary cards. First of all, that means that there will be no cheating using the cards… “Let the participants check the table before the match.” I check the table to see if there are any suspicious contraptions, such as holes for micro cameras. But… It’s just a wooden table for games. It looks ok to me. “Ki-kun, you’re a skeptic, aren’t you? You can’t see me with your goggles on, but are you looking for Riko cheating so you can strip me naked?” “That’s not true. I am doing this because I do not want to lose.” After searching the table I moved away from it, and also moved away from the clock, card case, spoon, and anything else that could be used as a mirror. I lost a little bit of time, but I was sure that no one could cheat me by stealing my hand. So, the first round team divisions of “host, knight, shuffler, and spy” were… My team is… Fuuma as my knight, Riko as my shuffler, and Shirayuki as my spy. Hiraga’s team was Jeanne for knight, Aria for shuffler, and Reki for spy. (This is an even lineup.) I think that as each of us takes a seat at the table and the spy stands behind their enemy’s knight. Riko, who knows the tricks for cheating with cards, was on my side, but this time I was out of luck as these were normal cards. I initially thought it was unfortunate that Reki was on the enemy side, but as she is the spy she can see my cards with impunity, Her strong eyesight is irrelevant to her role. “Po~ka, po~ka~! poker is fun, kufufu~” “I don’t have many good memories of poker” Riko and Aria shuffled the cards, the dice were rolled, and the cards were drawn “straight from the top”. This is all normal and not special. It is special, though, that we have a stand in, our knight. “Then, let me draw 5 cards” “You are the first one to go. Draw. Draw a doom card.” My knight, Fuuma, who refers to herself as a knight, and Hiraga-sans knight, Jeanne, who also says things like she is a knight… Even though both have special abilities, those are not techniques that can be used for poker. In other words, we should end up playing a surprisingly almost normal game of poker. “…” The five cards that Fuuma drew were… Joker of spades, joker of hearts, joker of clubs, and 10 and 2 of diamonds. Not bad, three of a kind. It is also a picture card. (TL Note: I am not going to bother going through the rules for poker, just note this: in poker sets of cards are given a rank, 3 of a kind in ranking is 7 with 1 being the most desirable. If you want to learn more go to here ) Jeanne, sitting on the other side of the table, smiled first, and then drew a card. Looking at the card, Jeanne’s smiling face remains the same. “We can hear this from our spy, Reki, later, but… Toyama. Earlier you smiled a little.” Sheesh. I had a good hand so I guess I was a little loose-lipped. “In poker, it is a basic rule of thumb to try to keep your expression fixed – to keep people from guessing your hand. You cannot even do that.” “Co- Come on. Think about the possibility that my face right now was a bluff.” “The fact you made that statement right away confirms that you are not bluffing.” Jeanne, with her beautiful pale and smiling face, shook me. I got another giggle out of her and then tried to read Jeanne’s face… But… It hasn’t changed. That expression. The same as before she drew her cards. I cannot read it. “This is the secret technique of the Jeanne d’Arc’s family, our ‘Ice Smile’. A secret technique to keep one’s face the same color no matter what is being done to us by using our heart of ice. Since ancient times, we have proudly used this technique to overcome military councils, trials, and torture, or to gain an advantage in general.” You had such a hidden technique…? I did not do enough research. But to think that they would use a technique that has been handed down from generation to generation in a game of undressing. I’m sure our proud ancestors are now crying. (How about… Hiraga-san?) When I look over at Hiraga-san, our host… she is covering her face with her tiny hands and looking at Jeanne’s cards between her fingers. Her poker face is impossibly bad…! Well. when Hiraga-san does it, it’s cute, like a toddler going “I’m not here!”. “Now, I’m sorry to say I will put it back. Hmm… Is it okay to take two cards here?” Fuuma, our ninja, has a proper poker face as far as I can see from the side. Maybe it’s because students in the Intelligence Department are trained in class to maintain a sense of normalcy when they are interrogated or put through a lie detector. Incidentally, it is said that the Intelligence Department sometimes conducts interrogation training together with the Interrogation Department students, and that the two departments often become good friends after the class. How do they get along so well with each other after being abused and bullying eachother? For me, it is one of the 7 Wonders of Butei High School. “-Master?” “Oh, pull. Well, you know, two cards.” I had been thinking about something else for a moment, and when Fuuma asked me again, I was a little flustered in my reply. But… Now my reaction was the opposite of before. If you say “draw two cards again” too quickly, it’s like declaring that you have a three-card hand. This should have confused the other side somewhat. And the card that Fuuma redrew was… the 9 of diamonds and the 3 of diamonds. No good. It will not be a 4 of a kind of a full house. Three of a kind Joker. That is our hand for this round. (Fuuma, you are poor and yet all you pull is diamonds.) I am the one at risk and yet think of ideas like that… Well, okay. Three of a kind is not bad. Not as good as it sounds though. The next time Jeanne drew three cards… “woo-hoo” Hiraga-san was so happy she was happy out loud. You could do a somewhat pokerface with your hands but you couldn’t do the poker voice. Jeanne remained with her “icy smile”, but her paleness was a problem… I wonder if Hiraga-sans voice just made you angry, and for a moment a blue-streak stood out on your forehead, cross shaped. (Was that hand even better than before…?) I scratch the back of my head a little without changing my expression. Jeanne is… the opposite of Hiraga. “Yes, sir! Now then, you two spies, you may speak for 15 seconds now!” In front of me, Riko cheerfully declares vigorously… Shirayuki, my spy, and Reki, Hiraga-sans spy, are given the opportunity to advise their respective hosts. The spies on both sides can only give abstract advice, since they cannot say clearly what the cards are in their enemies hands. But… Shirayuki has a look of not knowing what to say, and begins to mumble “Poker, poker, I don’t know how to play poker, I cannot see the flow of luck…” (Ahhh, she isn’t helping…!) Come to think of it, Shirayuki has a habit of getting temperamental sometimes when it comes to helping me. She seems to be extremely afraid of making a mistake and making me angry or making me hate her. (Why are you invoking your feeble-mindedness at such an important time…!) -Meanwhile, Reki stands behind me in her white cotton underwear. “-I believe that Shirayuki-san is confused and is likely to give incorrect advice. Therefore, I have no comment.” She said calmly and strategically. Jeanne’s expression remains unreadable, Hiraga-san is in ‘see no evil, speak no evil’ mode, covering her eyes with her right hand and holding her lips between the fingers of her left hand, probably to avoid repeating the mistake she made earlier. In other words, from Reki’s point of view, even if she knows our hand, if she doesn’t know their hand, she can’t tell them to fight or get off the board. Then, it would be better to make Shirayuki nervous, right? Shirayuki is still fidgeting and not sure what to say. “3 seconds to go-“ Riko said that… “Ki-kun, get off!” At the last second, Shirayuki hastened to tell me so. (“get off” you say…?) Everyone exchanged glances at eachother while trying not to change their expressions. ”gulp”, the easy to recognize spit-swallowing sound came from Aria’s throat. This match is unexpectedly getting tense. (…Jeanne drew three cards earlier…) In other words, we can assume that two cards have some kind of role – at least one pair. However, when Jeanne took a card, Hiraga-san let out that voice, “Whoo-hoo!”. That was real joy. You do not make that kind of voice with just a two-pair. Even Jeanne had a blue streak on her forehead and was angry at Hiraga-san. We can’t rule out the possibility that she has a hand as strong as a flush. (No, that doesn’t seem likely. Then, three cards, or…?) If that is so, our J trio is likely to be stronger. No, no. There is also the instructions of our spy, Shirayuki, to ‘get off’. The fact that you thought about it just before the time limit means that the other side’s move was ‘no better or worse’… hmmm… what to do? “Well then, Ki-kun, you have one more decision to make! Do you want to get off? Or face your match?” -I am still struggling with this decision! “To-ya-ma-kun. Do. You. Want. To. Get. Off. Or. Match?” (TL Note: This translates weirdly because of how she is talking, this is the best I can make with context.) Hi-Hiraga-san… Are you trying to rush me and mislead my judgment? She spoke in a vocaloid-like voice so that people wouldn’t read her moves by her voice tone. Or rather, it sounded a bit like her. I can’t judge which vocaloid it sounded like since I don’t know much about them to begin with. “…” Sweat beads form on my forehead. My conclusion is… ‘I don’t know’, I simply don’t know what to do. (But I don’t know if you see it as poker, but from Riko’s special rules…) As long as you don’t know who wins and who loses, it is probably a good idea to use ‘get off’ here. From this point on, no matter how bad my hand is, I will not be able to get off the table, but there is also a possibility that there will be no more games. In other words, there is a possibility that Fuuma and Hiraga will continue to fight only. You can only get off once and you do not have to take off your clothes. I’m going to put it to good use here. It is a shame to waste three of a kind here but… (It would be troublesome if I did not believe in Shirayuki’s advice and lost and so Shirayuki cried later.) I let out a sigh… “… I am getting off.” Fuuma replied with “Then master I am dropping my weapons” and she put the cards face down on the table. Riko flipped through them on her own. The hand, three of a kind, is revealed. “Oh no! I could have won if you didn’t get off!” Next to Hiraga-san, who was saying this in a compound sentence, Jeanne opened her hand without hesitation… 8 and 9 of hearts, 10 of clubs, J of diamonds, and Q of spades. Straight. That was stronger than my 3 of a kind hand, though only by one rank. “What do you think, Toyama? A beautiful hand, isn’t it? Especially the Q of spades – the spade is a symbolic suit representing a sword. The ‘Queen of Swords’ that closes this straight is aptly named Jeanne d’Arc.” Jeanne pips. She shows me the Q of spades between her fingers. …your ancestor was not a queen but a knight. “Thank goodness… Kin-chan didn’t lose.” Behind Jeanne, Shirayuki laid her hand on her huge chest wrapped in black lingerie. “How did you know, just by looking at Jeanne’s hand that was only a straight, to tell Kinji to get off? Nice assist, Shirayuki, even though you are my enemy.” Aria, who was just watching as she half heartedly shuffled her cards, says in a goady tone. “Yes. I was having a hard time judging Kin-chans hand… Kin-chan has a habit of making gestures when the result of something is not so good, so I thought that it would be a bad idea to stay.” “… ‘making gestures’? I cannot remember when I did that myself. I mean, do I do such a thing?” I ask… Shirayuki smiled a fluffy smile and shook her body with both hands on her cheeks. “There is. I have been… watching Kin-chan… a lot… I’ve been watching… a lot…” Ah. That explains it. Shirayuki just reminded me of this, but Kana once told me something similar as well and said that I have a habit of scratching the back of my head. Sure, I scratch the back of my head when things are getting bad, and things were getting kind of bad. I guess I could have subtly scratched the back of my head during the match. “Oh.. somehow I have an idea what you saw. I cannot tell you because we are in the middle of a game right now, but I won’t do it anymore. Shirayuki, you noticed well.” “I’m watching Kin-chan very closely. I’m watching you closely right now. I’ve been watching you closely. I’ve been watching you since you were little, from good morning to good night…” She wiggled and subtly said very scary things to me… I was about to scratch the back of my head and stopped. And the host for the second round of poker… “Nu…~” “Ayayaya! Ayaya is host two consecutives rounds?!” It was decided to be Fuuma and Hiraga-san. (Okay, I am in luck…!) I chuckled to myself. (“How can I help you?”) Fuuma sent me a code. I see. With only three survivors left, that’s one way to go. The point is, if Fuuma were to lose here, I can survive for now. This time, however, the rule is that the host cannot play by their own judgment alone. If the host were to give someone on their team strange instructions and make the host lose on purpose, they would be suspected of collaborating with someone. (“Play like a normal person would.”) I respond back and Fuuma replies with (“I will”). In the meantime, the deck that Riko decided on with the dice… turned out to be something out of the ordinary. In other words, a cheat deck. But it looks like the cards are no different than the regular cards you just played. Nevertheless, there is some trick to this, definitely. This game is, well, a personal one… Riko knows the tricks of the trade that will decide this game. “So, let’s split up into teams! Which host will win the goddess of victory, Rikorin?” Riko, at the front and center now, threw the team division dice again, while still wearing her sparkling gold underwear, and then something terrible happened. Hiraga-sans team is made up of the knight ‘superhuman’ Reki, the shuffler is me, and the spy is Aria. Fuuma’s team is the self proclamined Goddess of victory, Riko, as the knight, the shuffler Shirayuki and the spy is Jeanne. This match has become a knight vs a superhuman. I am but just an ordinary person though and I don’t know what this game is anymore. “…” “Kufufufu~. No shortage of opponents, huh?” Reki and Riko look at eachother at the table in their underwear. It’s a match between a superhero and a goddess, but it’s a mundane picture, like a sexy comic book. “Then… it’s time to shuffle the decks.” “Kin-chan, we are working together.” For some reason, Shirayuki seemed happy to be a shuffler just like me, shaka, shaka. I put the card pulled out from the inside on top, keeping the cards stacked on top of each other, and repeat the process. In other words, a normal shuffle. I believe it’s called a Hindu shuffle. “It’s going to take a long time to cut the deck that way.” After saying that, I split the cards into two bunches, and put one half the deck in my left and the other in my right hand, put them together, and quickly do a riffle shuffle. “You are so cool Kin-chan. It sounds like a machine gun, too.” “No, it is not cool. Anyone can do this with a little practice.” “I can’t do that. Let’s see… Do you do it like this?” “Oh, you don’t have to try to do it, don’t waste your time.” We talked witht he ease of childhood friends. “Don’t be flirting with the enemy. What are you doing with your cat’s paw Shirayuki? You’re dampening the heat of the match!” For some reason, Aria glares at me with annoyed eyes. Aria, you are scaring me. You and I are on Hiraga’s team, we are on the same team. If you are going to glare at someone, do it at Shirayuki only. I finished cutting the cards while thinking that to myself. The dice were roled again and the cards were placed spread apart on the table. On the small table, Shirayuki and I spread out the cards, delicately stacking them on top of each other. -now we are ready to go. “Kufufufu~. I’m lucky, I’m lucky, I’m a lucky Rikorin~!” At that time, Riko, the knight of Fuuma… She is not nearsighted, but she put on a pair of glasses that she seemingly pulled out of nowhere. She has a massive grin on her face. Are those glasses supposed to help her in these conditions? I have yet to look at the cards at all, nevermind take one. But… this isn’t settled yet. The knight for my team is Reki-sama. “Then I will take my cards.” After Reki said that inorganically, Reki’s host, Hiraga-san was, “Wait! Riko! Let me check those glasses!” Haihaihai! I raised my hand. I did this earlier too, but at the Cast-Off table, it is ‘at your disposal’ in the rulebook to suspect people and confirm if they are cheating or not. “Oh… are these glasses?” Glancing up, Riko smiles bitterly with her glasses on. “The deck is supposed to be a cheaters deck to begin with. And when I turned the cards over and laid them out, Riko looked happy. What’s more! She then put on those suspicious-looking glasses! I’m sure that the glasses are a trick to reveal the surface from the reverse side!” If the cheating mechanism is confirmed… By force, the person who cheated is undressed until they are nude. Even if you are an already defeated player, you will be mercilessly stripped of everything, even your panties and bra…! “If that were true, Riko would have to… I~ya~!! If that were true, Riko would have to be naked and by everyone’s side for the rest of the games! What should I do~?” Riko is making a gesture with her arms as if she is pulling her breasts up together with her arms, ughhhh. I have no leeway here, even if it means Riko ends up naked. There is a new sense of urgency among everyone at the table. “As a member of Amdo, I will not allow any cheating with equipment!” Hiraga leaned over and took Riko’s glasses from her and put them on herself. I began sweating at the possibility of Riko ending up naked… “…H-… How is… it…?” I waited in horror… “Nu… it doesn’t change anything. It was Ayaya’s mistake.” “Right? Kufufufu.” “I’m disappointed in myself. I’m sorry for doubting you, Riko-chan… And, just like that!” Gaba! Hiraga-san took off her glasses and leaned forward! And she is looking closely at Riko across the table. “Riko! Bring your face closer to me!” “Face..? Okay, if Ayaya asks, just one time…?” Riko said something unintelligible, and leaned towards Hiraga-san over the table. Riko, and her golden underwear clad breasts droop and sway as gravity pulls them down… Riko’s hair, smelling like vanilla, is soft and fluffy. It flows along her back, just not touching the table. And Hiraga and Riko bring their faces closer… closer… …wait. Oh, hey. You’re getting too close. They are now nose to nose. What are you guys doing, just out of the blue? No way… they’re going to kiss? A kiss between women? I knew you two were close, but I didn’t know you two were that close. “-I knew it!” With a “gaba”, Hiraga-san returned her upper body to her seat while doing a double peace. At that moment, Riko raised her eyebrows for a moment, and “tsk”, she clicked her tongue. She looks regretful. “Riko, you don’t have bad eyesight, but you wear contact lenses! The trick is obvious, the glasses are a bluff to camouflage the real cheat! Those contact lenses are the glasses that Ayaya mentioned earlier, and they are the cheating lenses that allow you to see the front of the card from the back, and the symbols and number on the back! You must take them off! I will take them off-!” Yay, yay! While Hiraga repeatedly banzai’d, Riko looked frustrated and… right eye, left eye… “Yes, I did have contacts too, didn’t I…?” I took off my clear contacts, which I had been wearing since the beginning. “Yes, but those are disposable soft contacts. I don’t recommend that you take them off and let someone else wear them.” Riko says, with a contact on her finger… She is grinning, as if in a last stand. A drop of sweat dripped from her forehead. This is not good. Apparently, Riko really was planning to cheat with that thing. Then, once they confirm her cheating, Riko will be stripped till she is nude..! “I am sure it is suspicious, or maybe she really is cheating with the contacts, but… Don’t confirm it Hiraga-san, it is unhygienic.” If I see Riko naked, Wiseman might resign from the Kingdom of Kin’s cabinet… I suggest avoiding checking the contacts, even though it might anger the enemy. “Riko will have to remove the contacts, and I’ll let her continue the match by resetting the cards on the table. Riko won’t be able to beat Reki if she takes off the cheating lenses anyway.” According to the rulebook, if the cheating mechanism cannot be ‘confirmed’, the cheating has not been proven. So, my point is to convince Hiraga-san to remove the cheating device and to avoid Riko’s nudity. That is the purpose of my proposal… “Fumuu… What do you think, Reki-chan? Is it likely you will win?” And when Hiraga-san asked, (I am assuming based on Reki’s cheat ability), “I am not sure if I can win, but 4 of a kind is possible.” Hey…! You are too good, superhuman…! For the first time in my life, I’ve just seen a poker player give a warning before drawing their cards. And what’s a four-card? Do you mean you can draw the same number on 4 out of the 5 cards? “Why did you… You said that, is it possible…?” Fuuma, the enemy host, pulls a face as if Reki had sentenced her to death. “I am not cheating, so I will say this. When Kinji-san did the shuffle earlier, I could see the face of the cards. Among them were four cards with the same number – I couldn’t see the backs of the cards because of the angle, so I memorized each one, along with the scratches on the sides of the cards.” “–?!–“ We were all stunned by this, completely forgetting the poker face principle. Your… your eyes are too good…! The surface of the cards that I had arched in my hand and dropped in an instant would have certainly given you a glimpse… but you saw it all…! And what is with that microscopic performance Reki? Scratches on the side of the card? Did you see the scratches on the side of such a thing, not even a millimeter thick? You… “Also, as I am the first knight, I get the first move. Therefore, none of the four will be taken by Riko.” And to Reki, who concluded her explanation… Hiraga-san, who seems to be happy to win with such a strong hand, said “That is okay then, Riko! Riko, with those contacts off, come at me!” She looked so excited and she raised her tiny hands together in a Banzai. Now I won’t have to see Riko naked. “N-, no… Rekyu. You are bluffing, right?” Riko, having lost her cheating contacts, looks down at me as I mix my cards as if they were tiles. But her cheeks are drawn. All right. I need to mix them up carefully, if Riko had established any prior cheats when she touched the cards I need to make sure she cannot recognize them anymore. On the other hand, Reki is… “Then I will take my cards.” and then she pulled, 5 of spades, 5 of hearts, 5 of diamonds, 5 of clubs, six of… Ser-… seriously… She drew her four-card as announced. Moreover, the blank expression is a natural poker face. Riko will never know if Reki’s hand was what she declared. On the other hand, Aria, the enemy spy standing behind Reki, had a face that lacked even the concept of a poker face. Her red carmelia eyes were wide open and her mouth trembled with a gasp. (TL Note: for some reason the book calls Aria’s eyes “red-purple” which doesn’t make sense to me as it is always referrd to as “red camellia”, so I changed it.) After the cards are seen, the rule is that spies are not allowed to speak until advisory time… Aria does not need words though. I can see what you are thinking, ‘it’s a four of a kind, just as Reki said’. “Well, Riko is next. Well I don’t even want to look at the card…” Riko with no sense of tension took her cards, pa, pa, pa, as if it were appropriate. Then she sat down and put her cards on the table. “Yes, well, advice time…” “-Get off Riko! You have to get off!” Immediately, Aria spoke up. Jeanne, the spy over here… “Riko hasn’t looked at her cards, so I have no way to advise her, but… Aria’s face tells me that Reki got her hand as foretold. So fight.” She said the right thing. “Ye~es, then advice time is over…” As soon as Riko declares it in a voice that no longer has any motivation to keep talking, “We are going to play! But, well, you’re going to get off anyway.” Hiraga-san declared, and, “That is right. Mine-dono, declare that you will get off.” Riko’s words were supposed to be the end of this match, with her saying ‘I am getting off’. “And… and she is back! The Goddess of Victory is Back! The Goddess has Reincarnated!” Riko opened her hands and pronounced that to the table. And smiles beatifully like a real goddess, and ‘paaaaaaaah’. “To deceive your enemy, you must first deceive your allies! The Knight has betrayed his host and the game is on! Let’s show up the cards!” “Mi-Mi-Mi-Mi-Mine-dono?!” Riko suddenly ignores all instructions and Fuuma is freaking out with her ponytail standing on end. “My hand is 4 of a kind.” Reki, the superhuman, displayed her cards as announced… Riko’s hand, which she also just opened and showed, is… (…!) 4 aces and… Joker…! (TL Note: Joker in poker becomes whatever card is most beneficial, in other words, Riko just got 5 of a kind, not 4) “Five of a kind~☆ Kya~~ha! Rikorin is the winner~!” Reki, the superhuman, was defeated. Even though she had her cheat circuits fully open. (TL Note: this might be a fate reference? Magic circuits?) Hiraga was actually forced to remove her blouse and reveal her bra with ‘2-c Aya Hiraga’ written in magic marker on the edge… I am more surprised by Reki’s complete defeat than by the fact that Hiraga-sans underwear was a junior bra. I still did not know what Riko’s trick was that allowed her to win. “The glasses were a bluff and the contacts were the real deal. In fact, they were both bluffs. I had one more trick up my sleeve.” Riko, who smiles at me with her eyes narrowed, is… in revenge form for my double-bluff on her when she fought us on ANA flight 600… But I am wondering how Riko was able to make such a convincing regretful or shocked face at will. I guess it was Riko with her 100 faces. We were all completely fooled. The mystery of Riko’s cheating card trick was left unresolved in the third round… The host became Hiraga-san and me. Hiraga-san already only has one piece of clothing. The deck became an ordinary deck, and Aria, who was now used to working menial jobs, brought the deck and opened it. Well, the appearance is the same as the cheating deck from earlier, but this reduces uncertainty. (Okay, we are going to win…!) My eyes were sharp under the goggles, and I was very motivated, but… the teams announced were… Hiraga’s team… Reki was the knight, again! The shuffler was Jeanne, and the Spy is Riko. My team was Aria as the knight! The shuffler was Fuuma, and the spy was Shirayuki. That is one of the worst combinations imaginable. “I did it-!” Hiraga’s team, which is bouncing around at this point… first of all, has Reki and Riko. Even though Reki might have just lost, she is still a yokozuna. (TL Note: Weird word pick here Kinji, Yokozuna is essentially a top tier sumo wrestler master. Sounds more like backhanded compliment.) This knight on the other hand… “I used to lose so badly that I retired from poker. It has been a long time since I last played.” Aria seems unmotivated, even though she is wearing underwear with a playing card pattern. I know Aria since I live with her… and she cannot put on a poker face at all. Moreover, her emotional expression is very exaggerated. She is a girl who is easy to understand, no, too easy to understand. “Aria, watch out for your facial expressions. I will take care of the cards.” “Then where do I look?” “Keep your gaze fixed off into the distance.” “uuun… okay.” “I will give you instructions too.” “I know how to play. Dont look so anxious. Poker is a game of chance, if you win or lose it depends on luck. 50%, 1/2, half and half, either we win or they win.” What…! A complete amateur poker interpretation! I was astonished in a bad way as Fuuma and Jeanne suffled the cards in front of me. Jeanne, who is on the same Hiraga team as Reki, is doing a shuffle like I did earlier, bara bara bara bara. It involves a lot of cards being done at once, and Reki, the human scanner, is watching closely. The shuffler over here is hiding them to prevent Reki from watching, but, well, we can only assume that half of the cards are already known to Reki. (At least the cards should be stacked the normal way…) My prayers were in vain, and the cards were placed at… Again, put in pieces on the table. I’m finished. Then Jeanne and Fuuma spread the cards out on the table… Reki peeks in on it, and… “Then I’ll draw. Of all the cards I could figure out, I think this combination is the strongest hand.” And Reki took 5 cards. “I will go next.” “Oh, Aria, don’t look at the cards. Fix your gaze in the distance.” “Since you said that already, I have been doing it since you told me. Don’t you see that?” I looked into Aria’s red-camillia eyes from the side and saw… … the way her eyes are focused, something about the way they are pointed forward and nowhere, it is like she is looking at the end of the table or the floor. “Well, this one, this one, this one, this one… and this one. Riko is right behind me, so I won’t look at my cards.” Don~. Aria is so proudly and majestically flouncing around that you can almost hear a sound effect. I mean, at least look at your cards. You are throwing away the chance to exchange cards. (Well, with Reki on the other side and… my side being Aria… it would be a waste of time to do that. Then, it is better to not let Riko, the spy, behind us say anything.) I was thinking passive-aggressive things like that when Riko… “… how about exchanging cards?” I heard something from behind me, it sounded like Riko. “No need.” Reki said it loudly and proudly… and Aria. “No need. You know what I’m talking about don’t you, Riko.” Fufun, Aria is snickering. “… Chi. Yes, it is Riko and Shirayuki, the spys, advice time. My instruction is to get off.” Riko, the enemy spy, says in a voice that this time is unmotivated. “Eh? Get off? I should be surprised that I am the one saying that… You know, Kin-chan, Reki is strong after all. There’s no shame in losing.” Shirayuki, our spy over there, already assumes I’m going to lose and starts taking care of my mental state… And after the advisory period… “Reki, you must fight on! You and this ‘get off’ thing, Riko, you traitor!” “Aria, I already used my one-time get off right, so I can’t get off. I have to fight.” Both of the hosts gave their commands to their subordinates. “Then I will not follow Riko’s advice. I will fight.” “I will fight too. The word ‘retreat’ is not in my dictionary.” Reki and Aria, Boom! The duel is between two women, both clothed currently in only 100% cotton underwear, and both are S ranked Butei officers. Well, Aria is going to lose anyway. That is for sure. I might as well get ready to take off my shirt. “Straight flush.” Pachi, and Reki laid down her hand… Diamonds, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. Yes yes. That is great. You have a stronger hand than the four of a kind you played earlier. And what about Aria? What trash is she holding? (TL Note: I’m not sure what the original was, something involving a pig… basically, Kinji is insulting Aria’s card skill and the cards she has.) “Yes, Royal Straight Flush.” Saying that in an anime-esque voice, Aria laid down her cards. H-, hey…? 10 of Hearts… Jack of hearts… Queen of hearts… King of hearts… Ace of hearts…! (TL Note: this is the strongest hand, 10-A of a single suite.) …gachi…! An unbeatable hand, a Royal Straight Flush… was… made…! The probability of getting one of those in one shot is something like 1/650,000 you know. “Ukyuu!” Hiraga-sans head, which had been blown back as far as it would go, was caught between Shirayuki’s breasts. It was not stuck between the two. “Okay, that’s it. Shirayuki, please take the shirt from Hiraga-san.” Aria says coolly, and Shirayuki, with a hand like a bigger sister helping her little sister change clothes, turns her eyes and grabs Hiraga’s skirt, removing it. The appearance. The panties with the bear print on the back. These days, even elementary school students don’t wear underwear like that because it is too childish. Hiraga-san, do you always wear underwear like that? Well, it is hysteria mode safe underwear, so in my opinion, it is okay. In this Cast-Off table round, the poker game was lost by Hiraga-san, but… “Hey, Aria, you’re cheating.” “That is right.” There was a rule that after someone was eliminated, anyone could divulge their cheats up to that point, and Aria was okay with it. “How did you do it?” “I mixed in Riko’s cheating cards from the second round. That’s what those five cards are.” “You mixed it in…?” “Everyone was relying too much on advanced tricks. In times like this, a simple cheat can go a long way.” You’re right, that may be true, but… you are brave. If they found out, you would be naked right now. “But Riko must have known about the cheating. She must have found out.” “Riko Knew. But Riko would have been in trouble if she found out the trick, wouldn’t she? I used it myself just now. That’s why she wouldn’t tell on me. At least I thought she wouldn’t to protect herself.” This is simple logic, too, but it must be true. That is why Riko was so frustrated when she was a spy. “What kind of card cheat was it…?” “You said the answer yourself, didn’t you?” …what? “I thought you knew what you were doing, but you’re still a stupid Kinji, aren’t you? Look at this card. You keep your gaze fixed on the distance.” While saying the line that I had said earlier, Aria, Pi. She took the A of hearts from the table, which was in her own hand, and showed me the reverse side. “Gaze, far away at…?” As I was told, I look at the pattern on the back of the card as if I were looking beyond the card, around the wall, albeit through goggles… Then I can see… ‘H A’ (TL Note: H= hearts A= ace) On the back of the card, the letters emerged and I could see them…! I get it. This is a trick called ‘stereogram’ or something like that. The pattern on the back of this playing card looks like just a strange pattern, but it was a device that made use of binocular parallax and shifted the focus of the eyes to make the letters come to the surface. This kind of mysterious picture was popular for a while in the past, wasn’t it? These mysterious pictures. (TL Note: Think of those images where depending on how you look at it, the image changes. Basically, if you look at the card head on, it looks normal, but force your eyes to change their focus and the card in the corner of your eye will be distorted with the letters now visible.) This was the real trick hidden behind Riko’s double bluff, wasn’t it? It was actuall a simple trick. So the simple minded Aria noticed. That’s that. Now, the time remaining is – 3 minutes. But whatever the final competition is, it will be an easy win. After all, my opponent is Fuuma. In the first place, she has been fighting with me this whole time. As soon as Round 7 starts, Fuuma Self Destructs → Cast-Off Table ends → I run away as fast as I can. My victory now is as good as promised. (You can make it out, I can come out alive…!) Fuuma. You are a fool, but while it is usually useless, this time it was a great thing. I will reward you later with Yakisoba bread. …Hiraga-san, the loser, started to choose the next competition, while everyone else left the area. “Master. Before the final person loses in the next competition, I have to tell you something.” Fuuma, sneakily spoke to me. “What is it?” “I’m not sure if you know what I am talking about, but I will tell you anyway… today… I did not know that it would be a competition like this… I thought I was going to be taught boson jutsu by master…” (TL Note: Boson jutsu is Brazilian kickboxing.) “What are you trying to say?” “The thing is… I… don’t have a breast band… or a bra… that the other girls are wearing… I don’t wear one in the first place…” “…huh…?” “In other words, what is under this blouse is what is called a nobura. I am braless.” Th, th, th, this…! This stupid girl…! No wonder you took off your skirt first…! “… master, what do you think?” What do I think?! I think you are late with that report! What a development…! I thought you were on my side…! You rascal! Gunshot For The Next!!! ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ### 018. Bullet 7: Life is a Game “Life is a game!” I turned around at the sounds of Riko’s voice… Riko and Hiraga-san, both dressed in only their underwear, held a board game box together and showed it to everyone. That everyone though… Aria, Shirayuki, Reki, and Jeanne… were also only wearing their underwear, though. If Masters were to find out about a place like this, they will be in full on corporal punishment mode… This may be a view that most men would be willing to pay to see, but for me, it is a spine chilling and terrifying sight. It is like being next to six blocks of C4 lined up in a row. I have only got 3 minutes left of Hysteria Wiseman mode, but when it ends… I immediately go into Hysteria Mode -> Kinji Warrior against everyone here -> concentrated attack against me -> I die. This means that this company is not ‘Good’ company, like for others. Fuuma, who is looking at Riko and the others beside me, is also wearing a loincloth on the lower half of her body. She is only wearing a blouse on her upper body. An undressing game tournament, Cast-Off table, this final game is a one-on-one battle between Fuuma and me. Fuuma though was originally a passerby I snuck into this tournament, the so-called henchman. So, with Fuuma being an ally, I was going to make her take off her blouse as quickly as possible to win this game, but my formula for victory was overturned just now. (In terms of clothing Fuuma only looked safe to me…!) Fuuma had just told me something that has thrown my brain into a frenzy. She is not wearing that piece of fabric that women must wear over their chests after they start developing their typical sexual characteristics, the you know… a bra! It seems that Fuuma does not wear bras! In other words, below Fuuma’s blouse is just skin, bare skin. (I cannot have you take off your blouse if you are naked under it…!) Even the Wiseman in me would have a nosebleed and fall over if I were to be struck by such a devastating attack. And even if I, a mere foolish human, applied the saying that “sexual stimulation caused by a younger person is half as powerful”, I would still easily enter hysteria mode if I saw Fuuma’s bare chest. (But… But..!) There are less than 3 minutes left of Wiseman. Whatever the next game is, there is no way to get out of this room alive without undressing Fuuma. My Wiseman is getting weaker, and now I have begun thinking with typos in my head. My foolish Hysteria mode must have manipulated the blood flow to my brain. (-I am nearing my limit!) Riko and all of the other girls came back to me, who was currently secretly panicking… “Toyama-kun! This is the next game! It is ‘The Game of Life’! Ayaya used to play this game with her big brother and her brothers at the factory when I was a little girl!” And the board game that little Hiraga-san showed me… (‘The Game of Life’…!) The Game of Life is a long running game series. A turn based board game that includes a deposit/withdrawal element depending on the life events that are written on stopped frames. Winning or losing is determined by the amount of money you have at the end. It is a simple game with little strategy that even a toddler could play. “This is the last round and it would be a neat way to close out the game by trying our luck at something that has nothing to do with technology! Kufufu~.” And when Riko winked at me, I… (…finished…) I realized that I was completely trapped. This game, if everyone participates, is not something that can be finished in 3 minutes… In other words, for all intents and purposes, Wiseman will end during this game. A simultaneous uprising by fools, a hysteria revolution, will take place in my body soon. (…but!) Article 10 of the Butei Charter! Butei Never Give Up! I cannot forget this! I look down upon the Game of Life board being spread out on the fluffy carpet, desperate to find a way through this. There must be something. There must be some way. First, I must observe this game. As I grit my teeth and look at the board, the fool with me manipulated my eye movements on his own and glances around. I looked at Hiraga’s tiny bottom as she squatted down to take out a wad of toys. I saw her little bottom facing towards me and the girl’s underwear with a bear print on the back that wrapped her shapely bottom. My eyes met with the eyes of the printed bear with the word “KUMA” written on it. (Me, what are you making me look at…!? No, no, no!) Glance~ As I turned away from Hiraga-san, my eye muscles twitched and were manipulated by my foolish self again, and this time… Jeanne’s silvery white underwear catches my eye as she reads the game’s instructions. The thin cloth, which starts below her well-shaped navel, has a delicate lace design that makes her milkywhite skin seem almost transparent, and the lace is so fine it can only be described as fragile. That cloth is so… thing…! It is nearly see through! Is that even underwear! Do high school girls who live overseas wear such things? I am glad I’m Japanese. (No, no, no! I need to search for a way out, it is the only way to survive! We have to find it Kinji!) The moment I averted my faze under my goggles, again, the fool interfered! Reki sitting in her plain white underwear, taking a car-shaped playing piece out of a box… Due to how she is sitting, from here I can see her soft thighs, which is a nice view. …Not! It is not a nice view! First of all, the slender thighs leading from both of her erect and aligned knees have perfect lines, as if she were a living doll, without a single bruise or blemish… From this angle, the base of the thighs on either side are also in full view. Like this, I am reminded that Reki is 100% a girl and I can see all of her right now. The area of her white cotton underwear is curvilinear in shape, squeezed from both sides by her hip joints, due to the nature of her sitting in a gymnastic pose. The vividness of the plump female body parts may attract my mind with… unusual power due to the contrast in my mind between robot Reki and the Reki sitting before me in her underwear. The safety myth that had fooled the public at Butei High for many years, the “Reki is not feminine” myth collapsed masterfully, and once again the Wiseman in me lost another battle. (That’s why~! Don’t go to the lower half of my body, don’t pinpoint there!) The only way to survive is to explore and find a way out! And as I look away from Reki… Riko is next. “Kya Ha~! I feel like a millionaire!” Riko, who is known by some of the boys as “Loli with big breasts”- with her charming and innocent face is being smacked around by Aria with a wad of cash, who is scattering wads of money for the game in the air. That sounded painful. Her breasts, which are the size of a small melon and have deep cleavage that does not match her face, swayed with an impressive swell. The golden underwear covering her breasts is adorned with lace that is very much in the girlish tastes. Her breasts are like a giant pudding, deliciously decorated with custard cream. Oversized Pudding-A-La Mode. (-You aren’t! I have to keep Hysteria-La Mode in check…!) Run away! It’s…! Why does the fool keep controlling my eyes! Now, it is Shirayuki this time! Shirayuki, who is currently picking up the bills scattered by Riko and Aria, is in a crawl pose… Her twin breasts, clearly E-cup in size, are currently falling towards the earth based on Newton’s law of universal gravitation… damn it! They dropped and swayed. Was Newton’s apple really that stupidly big? That would have been a small watermelon instead! The silky black underwear that gently wraps those watermelon cups is a shiny frabric that should you touch it you would want to touch it forever. Shirayuki, who was wearing silk underwear that cost no less than 10,000 yen for the top and bottom, turned to me on all fours holding a 10,000 yen bill… Both breasts, held down to her by her bra shaped like the letter ω, swung like a pendulum. Now it was Foucault’s pendulum or Holstein’s law. (W, Wa, Wai, Wait Kinji…!) Her breasts were entirely covered by a full cup bra, which was a blessing in surprise. Despite that though, this situation is no less unfortunate for me. A-, a woman with dangerous weapons like that…! And I now usually live with…! “Let’s see, the $100,000 bill is at…” Shirayuki turned on the spot, shaking her massive breasts, and this time, her well shaped hips were shaking too… (S-, So big…! And here’s…!) The female body is naturally structurally more firm in the buttocks body than the male body. The female body structurally larger in the pelvic area as unlike the male body the female body is designed to be able to give birth. However, Shirayuki’s black silk panties, which are also made of thin silk and stick to her moist behind, are too tight and squeeze her buttocks, making them look soft and fluffy. Her snow-white thighs have a sense of being soft enough to squish by merely touching them. This is unmistakably a dreadnought level lower body. I think her entire body is made up of marshmallows, Shirayuki that is. I finally understand how Hotogi priestesses have had so many children for generations. If they all look like these they can have as many healthy children as they want, and raise them. With breasts that big they can make as much milk as a dairy cow. (How… how soft it looks…!) As if to show the softness of Shirayuki’s body, the side part of her underwear, which is as thin as a string, the underwear itself is not very tight but the string is slightly digging into the skin of her waist. No, I realized it now… Everywhere on you your underwear is biting slightly into your milky-white colored soft skin…! The straps on the shoulders and back, and the black cloth itself is… hanging… oh, hey, hey…! Hey, Hey, Hey, Hey! Heyyyyyyy! Stop crawling! Oh, there is that shape…! Because of the gravity, while I cannot see it I can imagine it…! (…geh, I am nearing my limit…!) My eyes, being told what to do by a fool, the next thing I see is… “Come one Kinji! Don’t just stand there like a scarecrow! Help us!” She put her hands on her hips right in front of me, and bared her canine teeth with a “Gah!”. Miss Kanzaki H. Aria. She was currently wearing nothing but her underwear. Height: 142cm. Weight (according to Riko’s data): 34kg. Three sizes, the bust appears to be 70… but is actually 65 due to the use of a pull-up bra, and the waist and hips are 50 and 67 in the form of a squid belly, which is common among girls. (TL Note: This confused the hell out of me. A squid belly is basically like an hourglass shape small bulge on a young girls tummy, has to do with organ placement, kind of looks like a squid’s main body and is considered a cute body type typical with younger/shorter girls. Idk, blame the Japanese, I’m just a translator. If you want a pic just Google イカ腹 and look in Google images or pixiv, note it is nsfw.) Aria boasts a brave figure that would be acceptable to be a sixth grader, or a first grader in Junior high, or if someone were to guess higher it will not be any higher than around the third grade. (TL Note: Idk how education works in Japan, so I am assuming that sixth grader is like end of primary and 1st and 3rd are referring to middle school.) Aria approaches me with her well-shaped pink eyebrows. (Chi, don’t get too close, don’t get up close!) I cannot control the movements of my eyes with my will anymore! I nodded my head and replied with “Oh, sorry”. While nodding my head I looked over Aria’s entire body, from top to bottom. Mainly the parts that would please the fool’s bloodstream army. It is easy to imagine her as a child, or perhaps her face has just not changed much since then. Her face however is so cute that it was even featured on the cover of a magazine in Italy. Cute. No matter how many times I see it, whenever I see it, it is cute. Contrary to her Guinness World Record level ferocity, she is cute. This girl. Just her face and her appearance. And – it’s not just her face that’s cute, but her breasts as well. Both breasts, which are modest as if in inverse proportion to their host’s behavior, are the smallest of the seven girls here. Even more so than Hiraga-san. Her so-called small breasts… She is concerned about this, and wears a bra that pulls her A-cup up with a built-in wire… But even so, it is the way of the world that what is not there will neither come close nor rise. The underwear has a gap between the skin and the fabric, but only the fabric is in the shape of a B-cup, which is a sad state of affairs. …ga! That’s even worse. The difference between our height, between me and Aria, is more than 25 centimetres. Between the reality of the A cup and the ideal of the B cup, I can see between the two…! But here God sided with the Wiseman instead of the fool. (TL Note: Sobbing, crying even.) Between the cloth and the skin was a shadow cast by my head. Moreover, my ordinary eyesight could not instantly confirm the details. Thank you God! Now, after that, my gaze moved from her breasts to her abdomen and then to her waist – and what I saw was a small waist hidden by her panties. The smallness of her waist, in fact, stirs up a feeling of no return. The curve of her waist, which is less than that of Shirayuki, who is almost a complete woman, but Aria is clearly girlish. It makes me feel her primness as a woman, which delighted the fool in me. And then, the main dish – poisonous for the Wiseman and the main dish for the fool – the bottom, Aria’s underwear. Like her bra, the kid-like panties with a white background with a little printed playing card pattern on it… Aria, of course, put her finger in the strap! With a snap, she adjusted the slightly disordered panties. In other words, the natural fact that the panties and bra are removable is reaffirmed in my brain. The character for ‘taking off’ and ‘putting on’ is made up of two parts: ‘脱ぐ’ and ‘着る’. Now she is wearing it. Or rather, right now she is. (TL Note: this was difficult to translate, it and the next one might be wrongly translated, I think it included a pun.) But if I take it off, she is not wearing it… –tsu– When you stand so defencelessly on your knees, it’s easy to imagine you’re not wearing it…! “Come on! You should help me put together the stock certificates and life insurance policies!” And, holding up her index finger and raising her red-camellia eyes to look at me, Aria… is this what her body looks like under her clothes…? Due to the power of the fool though, she is starting to look naked?! Why am I picturing Aria naked here?! I am a misogynist! (I mean… hey?!) Three minutes have already passed while I’ve been glancing at the girls! Look at your watch! Sa-, sage! My Wiseman! Please respond! … no response. I have just been reported that he died in war. He had died an honorable death. Instead, I responded to myself… (“Thou… shalt lust for power…?”) Wh-, what the hell? What’s that voice? Where is it coming from? (“… thou… shalt lust for power…?) A voice like a frightening beast – like the voice of Lord Vlad (after transformation), whom I once fought in Yokohama – was heard in my brain as if he were making a friendly appearance here. I Kind of understand… but this is… The commander of the army of fools, who controls my hysteria mode. It’s the voice of the foolish playboy…! (“I don’t want it, I don’t want it, for today only I don’t need it!”) In my brain I rejected the outstreched hand of the playboy that appeared, which appeared in the shape of Vlad. (“…thou… shalt lust for power…?”) (“Is that all you know how to say?!”) (“I know everything about you.”) (“Then listen to me! I told you I don’t want it!”) (“Then, why not semi-hysteria mode.”) (TL Note: This would not translate well, had to improvise based on previous and next sentence.) (“What? Semi?”) (“Ihuayulu ‘amahisu’ da.”) (TL Note: Not sure why this is happening but suddenly nothing translates here. Might be old Japanese?) Amahisu…? You mean that as in halfway between Hysteria and normal? Like halfway between firmness and softness? (“I am not leaving without doing my job.”) (“You are a workaholic, you…”) I’m sweating profusely in my brain and in real life as I talk to my inner vlad. (“If you say ‘I accept’, you will be forced to leave your normal hysteria mode and I will leave.”) (“Okay, Okay, then I accept! Go home!”) (“I have heard your wish.”) (“Go home right now!”) -Oh God- I finally… that blood flow in my body, pulsing. I can see it clearly. This blood is flowing into my core, the middle and true center of my body. But as… Brain Vlad said, sweetly… This hysteria mode is reduced to about half of the normal level of hysteria mode. Thanks to my desperate resistance after the death of the Wiseman, plus the negotiation with Vlad’s residual thoughts, which I defeated rather easily despite him being the number two of IU… This is nothing more than the sweet spot for Hysteria mode, aka Half Hysteria, indeed. “-!” At that moment, something flashed inside me. My brother said “when people are cornered, they come up with new tricks” … that was apparently true. “-move Aria!” I don’t retreat from the circle of girls – rather, I make a suicide attack on the circle. Then, pushing Jeanne and Hiraga-san out of the way, I was on all fours alongside Shirayuki, and looked at the game board… with countless player characters on it through my goggles. Good Luck… Good Luck me…! NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE! IMPOSSIBLE IS NOTHING! (TL Note: all caps are in English in the original.) (Especially for me, who is in hysteria mode, albeit half of it…!) I and half-standing for a moment. Then I turn my face to the ceiling, mumbling and reciting what was written on the panel:… da, no. This is not good enough. Half standing, I fold my arms again, and stare at the board. “Ki-, Kin-chan…!?” Crawling on her knees and her back stretched out before me, Shirayuki, who was posing as if she were crawling, was blushing profusely for some reason, but… “Out of the way Shirayuki! You will get in trouble if you don’t move!” Gah! I yelled through my teeth like Aria. All the girls backed away from me at the sight of my ferocity. Okay, now I can see the whole picture better! “Um… Ki-Kun…? I am going to start explaining the game, okay…?” “Shut up! You’re on your own! I’m on the verge of life and death here!” I was already prepared for the girls to be suspicious of me, but I just… I must use this small amount of time I have before everyone is forced to sit around the board and get on with the game. Damn. Why do the lines on the letters on the squares face vertically and vertically? Is it because multiple people are supposed to sit around the board? Right now I hate that design…! Moreover, this “Game of Life”… most of the squares have text that is clearly not original. The squares have stickers pasted on them with Riko’s idiotic writing. While Riko explains to all the girls that we will be playing my normal rules… I stare at the board as I circle it, or I look up and try to recite it back to myself, trying to consolidate it in my memory. I try to remember the information but the strain on my brain is too much, and I begin breathing hard. (Damn… If I was in full Hysteria Mode, I could remember everything in an instant…!) Yes. What I am trying to do… The strategy here is to play this “Game of Life” with your eyes closed, like playing blindfold chess. I have to memorize the contents of all the squares for the game, utilizing the fact that my goggles cover my eyes, and then play with my eyes closed, relying only on my memory and hoping now it is better than usual right now due to hysteria mode…! If I play like that I won’t have to see any more of those girls in their horrible underwear. If I don’t look I wont enter full hysteria mode. In other words, this is my last stand against an inner army of fools. Namely, a submarine operation. I will dive into the darkness like a submarine and cut off enemy supply ships of any visual information! “…Yes, then it’s time to get it started!” “…tsu…!” All right. It’s okay. You may begin now. I have… almost memorized… all of it! I have already pushed my brain to its limit for memory size, and I have become a submarine in both body and soul… “Main tank draws…! Dive!” I shouted and closed my eyes for the last time at the sight of the girls backing away from me even more than before. I sent a final code to Fuuma by scratching my head, shaking my head, sniffling my nose, and belching. “Ki… Kinji, let’s get you to a hospital. You are delirious.” “Even if Kin-chan is sick… I will be with you all the time and take care of you.” “Ki-kun, the rule book says ‘no sick days’… so, sorry.” “…” “Toyama, you are weak under pressure. If you go mad at stress of this level, you will never be able to stand on the battlefield.” “Ayayaya… this is the domain of Ambulance, not Amdo…” “Master, you must be careful. I will give you some pills to keep your mind off of the game.” While the seven girls (one of whom apparently had no voice) was worried about me to their cores, I… “… give me my character piece.” A challenge. For this final game, a game as long as life, I shall be a submarine. From the content of the girls’ earlier conversation, it was immediately clear that apparently this “Game of Life” would also be contested in a team competition, which included the losers. My team is me, Aria, Shirayuki, and Riko. The colors of the character piece are blue, pink, white, and yellow, respectively. The Fuuma team is Fuuma, Reki, Jeanne, and Hiraga. Black, Yellow-green, light blue, and brown, also respectively. These car-shaped character pieces are advanced by roulette, but only Reki, who can produce whatever number she desires, is turned by Fuuma on behalf of her. Then the game begins, with everyone receiving a $3000 handout of in game money. I tried to insert the light blue pin that Shirayuki gave me to represent a male (probably) into the first of several holes in the car- shaped panel, but… “Oh, Kin-chan… put it in properly? It’s higher, it’s not… that hole.” Geh. I’ve already screwed up. Is this what it’s like to be semi-hysterized? I mean, I learned the board, but I did not memorize the character pieces. “I-, I’m sorry. It has been a little while, so I just made a mistake.” I will get through this by cheating and lying my way through. And since I am first, I will spin the roulette wheel from memory. Okay, there it is. “Kufufuu~. Ki-kun, your fingers are shaking. Are you nervous? How cute~!” While being called cute by the adorable Riko, I turn the roulette wheel with a twisting motion. Kakakakakakakakaka rikarkarkari, kari, kari… kari. The prongs of the roulette repeatedly hit the stick, a lilting sound, and… semi-hysteria confirmed the sound 14 times. The initial position was ’10’, so 4 squares. (TL Note: This does not mean Kinji moved 14 times as he heard the sound 14 times, the needle for the roulette started at 10, went 14 tiles, and then stopped on 4.) The squares are designed with folds and intricate wave designs, 1, 2, 3, 4… okay. Here is the character piece. And 4 squares ahead is… (“I was able to land on a money square. So, i’m getting $2000.”) While reciting this… I confirm that I got it right and ensure I don’t stumble while speaking. (TL Note: This part translates weird, I think Kinji is reciting in his head which words to say that best fit the situation but it doesn’t work too well in English. Basically, he is trying to sound natural, not surprised, etc.) When I stuck out my hand to received the money… “Toyama-kun, why are you reaching out to Ayaya? You can take the money yourself.” Hiraga-san made a disgruntled “Buuu” sound. (TL Note: think of the sound effect when girls in anime stick out their tongue and pull down their lower eyelid.) You are the one who started this whole thing by making these goggles that broke way too easily…! I am blind right now, I cannot get the money myself. But since that is not truly the case… “The square says ‘get’ not ‘take’. Furthermore, the enemy team should hand the other side money so that tricky players do not get extra money.” I argued about this for a bit, and eventually my notion passed, and Reki, the man (?), gave me the money without saying a word. (My first card, huh…) My first card was to deliver a handgun to my dad at the DA’s office, an actual memory of mine. My parents made me do it on the theory that they wouldn’t think the kid was a courier, but now that I think about it, it was a terrible task. Also, in reality, I didn’t get $2000, it was $50 for a reward. Next is Aria, kurikurikurikuri…. ” ‘You have no friends at school, spend recess pretending to sleep, pay $1000′ … What is this?” That would be Riko’s original stickers. I mean, it would be true wouldn’t it? Aria’s ferocity seems innate. And your voice just now was dark, as if it had dug up trauma. kurikurikurikuri… ” ‘For taking care of your sisters, helping with housework, and studying properly, you are a very good child. You get $2000′, this is for Kin-chan. I made up for Aria’s losses!” Shirayuki said, with the last bit said while looking at Aria, kurikurikuri… ” ‘While your parents are travelling around the world for work, I act arrogantly to my servants in the mansion. After that, I will soon gain a good personality. I must pay $1000.’ …. ah…” Riko’s voice is also very dark. This is… something of a heavenly intervention for each of them to stop at something that reminds them of their childhood. I am pretty sure that is what it said in each of the panels, as I recall. ” ‘My household is poor. I wanted a dress-up doll for my birthday, but I got a clay figurine made from mud in the garden.’… that… that is…” ” ‘The first toy I ever received was a real sniper rifle.’ “ ” ‘I have been aware of my beauty since I could first remember it. I also don’t like children.’ I… I…” ” ‘In my families all-mal factory, everyone loves me like a butterfly loves flowers’ … it’s okay…!” Somehow, each of the enemies also managed to land on a realistic square, this time at least. And everyone is either traumatized or happy as they remember these little parts of their life. This is just a casual game. It has to be. With this process, the character pieces of the cars move forward throughout our student years. The squares where everyone is and their money is memorized and rememorized every step of the way by my semi-hysterized brain. ” ‘The girls in the class are looking at me and whispering. Go back 1 square.’ I… I’m sure they…” “What do you mean you are sure, Kinji? Whatever, I’m next. ‘The girls in the class are looking at me and whispering. Go back one square’ …” Me and Aria stopped at the same square, and in this case, my car was rear-ended. Aria, who doesn’t have a car insurance card, pays me $5000, but we are on the same team so it doesn’t affect our overall money. But… both me and Aria actually got whispered about by girls a lot at our school. For me, it was mainly female-related scandals. Aria is popular with some of the boys, so I was cynical before. The air between me and Aria is heavy. I am getting tired of this game. ” ‘I was elected student body president and I am highly trusted by those around me, I am everyone’s model student admired by everyone.’ The end of the sentence is kind of weird, but it’s a nice card. Aha.” ” ‘I am popular in my class, energetic and mischievous, popular with both the boys and girls as well as a school idol.’ Kyaha~n! Riko fits the bill perfectly!” Shirayuki and Riko seem to be living their real lives in the game as well. But you girls… I guess they did not read the square completely intentionally, as both have the sentence similar to “… the front face of you” attached to the end of the message. I know this because I memorized it. (TL Note: in Japanese it makes more sense. Basically, that sentence implies that the characteristics before are just 1 side of Riko and Shirayuki.) ” ‘The first time I went to school, I had a crush on a senior student, but I was too clumsy and nervous to say anything and graduated.’ ah… that… that is the message…” ” ‘On the first day of class, one of the students was isolated from the rest of the class.’ “ ” ‘You’re beautiful, but why do all the girls confess to you?’… ku… why is this… really…!” ” ‘My brother beat up a boy with a spanner at a folk dance when he looked happy to have held my hand’… ah-, this actually happened!” The messages are said to describe events that are close to each person’s reality. People are either happy or sad when they land on these tiles, depending on if the message is accurate or not. The more we land on, the harder this gets. I cannot wait for both this game and my school days to be over. kurikurikuri… kurikurikuri… The sound of the spinning roulette continues. Each of the cars entered their college years. “I… ‘I want to go back to square one. But I guess I cannot go backwards, time only moves forward so I move forward one square.'” What happened to me? “My… or, ‘my supposed boyfriend is not very nice to me, so I threaten him with a gun and force him to do a lot of things for me. The relationship steps up, but I have to pay $1,000 for the bullets’…” “Well, I… ‘ I fired a machine gun in a lovers quarrel. The evidence was skillfully hidden and destroyed, but I will have to pay $1,000 in expenses’… that’s a weird claim, I would never do such a thing.” Both Aria and Shirayuki landed on an accurate square that represents them both. I feel sorry for these girls’ future boyfriends. No number of lives will be enough for their partners. “Riko-rins turn! Yay! ‘I snatched the boy I had my eye on since highschool from the side while two love rivals were fighting. It is a perfect example of the benefits of fishing for a boyfriend! The relationship between the two lovers makes you advance three squares!’ Kufufufu~!” So, while Aria and Shirayuki were fighting over a boy, Riko managed to take him. This is exactly like a love drama. There are usually no machine guns in love dramas though. “… ‘I secretly develop a relationship with the man with the pretense that we were going to be friends as our apartments are next door. Move 4 squares forward.’ …” Reki is back in sniper mode and she is making some foreshadowing moves in the unfolding drama of these college days. “A certain person… ‘I work part-time, but I get fired a lot because of my weird way of talking. But I got paid $500 for my work that I did.’ …. I… I am sorry….” “I am next. ‘I was working part-time at a maid cafe, and was scouted as a member of an idol group. I get $5, 000 for the contract.’ I see. I didn’t know there was such a thing.” ” ‘I develop a beautiful girl robot. I am going to win an international competition!’ I am going to win an international competition?!” Huh… Something like that too could happen in real life. Fuuma has already been fired from her call center job for her weird way of speaking… If Jeanne were to cool off in the future and were to work part time at a maid-cafe… Well, she would be very popular. Lastly, Hiraga-san was actually developing a humanoid robot. She was going to make ‘Aya 2.0’, which will look exactly like her, down to the smallest detail. I went to Amdo the other day and saw that so far only the arms are complete, and I was so taken aback by their realism that I thought it was a pair of severed arms on a desk. As the cars moved forward with such thoughts in my mind, the car- shaped figures entered the zone where each person – although there were some variations- would encounter the crossroads that decides his or her future life. I’m first, and I stop before a square that is three dimensional, a… small mountain. “… ‘lost in the course of life, rest a turn’…” Suddenly, I am stuck. At this critical time in my life. I don’t like the idea that this could be real. “I… ‘I am going to be a Butei. If I like it, I’ll take the Butei profession card and advance three squares’ … Of course I like it!” And Aria begins her career as a Butei with sass. “I’m… ‘I’m going to be a teacher. If I like it, I will take the profession card and advance five squares’… Teacher, huh? Yes. I will do my best!” “Riko, hai~! ‘I will become a phantom thief!’ Because! Naru naru u~!” (TL Note: not sure what the ending means, might be her mimicking a theme song?) And then you would be hounded by Aria, the Butei. I mean, I would not be happy that you became a phantom thief. “It is my turn… ah. Sorry master for the collision. ‘I am lost on my path, so I take a break’. I see and I am sorry…” Fuuma pays me $5, 000 and is pinching herself in real life. I don’t like this. Both me and my war sister are late to entering the real world. In my brain, I imagine a scene where this actually happens in the future, and a 20 year old Fuuma who cannot afford to pay rent… she comes crying to my room with tears in her eyes, carrying a furoshiki wrapping cloth on her back. And I, who am a little over 20 years old, has no choice but to let her stay with me because of our relationship as master and student, both of us in a state of not doing anything, drifting through life. We are both poor, so we sipped cup noodles and had nothing to do so we went and picked up an original NES from the local dump and spend the day playing Mario, TwinBee, SECROSS, etc. In the age of the PS5, we would play on our NES wearing a T-Shirt and shorts and Fuuma wearing a jersey. … this is too realistic. “I am… ‘becoming a rancher’…” Reki blurts that out and I internally blow up. It would be a good job for Reki. I can easily imagine a picture of Reki in a straw hat, silently looking upon a mute sheep. “I have stopped at a good square. ‘I become an actress’. An actress is a woman of distinction, and is a suitable profession for me. If I like it, I can take the profession card… I see. I have the freedom of choice.” Jeanne, who has a high-paying job, speaks through her nose. Well… actually, Jeanne is the type of beauty that would be fine in a movie or something. Her acting skills are great, such as when she was pretending to be Shirayuki in the underground warehouse. But it is not a good idea for someone on the enemy team to earn so much money. “I know your family is one of those, you know, the ones that are destined to live in the shadows of history and all that. I don’t see why you would accept such a prominent job.” And, side note… “The world would not forgive itself for leaving such a good actor in the shadows of history.” Jeanne replied in a crisp voice, making a spectacular debut on the silver screen. “Ayayaya! Ayaya got ‘I am going to start a business and become president of the company’-!” Wow. This seems to be realistic too. Hiraga-san is commercial minded. But that company will just be a weapons manufacturer, right? Or maybe it will be a company that develops beautiful robot girls? Both of those companies will make money for Hiraga-san, but I think the public impact will be quite negative. Not to mention the weapons, but even if the robots were to say something like “I will be your maid!”, should a guy like Muto buy one, he might have her help him with something else. Finally, it is my turn again, so, kurikurikuri… “… geh… ‘Become a Butei’…” I don’t like it. I don’t like it at all. It is the last thing I want to do. I don’t want to do this. But… “If I don’t do this, I will never get a job… so, I can’t… help it…” I had no choice but to take an occupation card from Shirayuki, who says “Good luck with your job” and I reluctantly start my unusual life. After that, Fuuma had overrun the employment tiles with all her might and entered the life of a ‘freelancer’. She had been working part-time jobs earlier. It’s a life full of hardships for you too, isn’t it? In the meantime, the clock ticked on, and when I got out into the real world, the only thing that stopped me was… “Geh. I am getting married.” “What is with the ‘geh’ Kinji? That is not good. You should celebrate.” “It is not right if I don’t get married at the same time too, Kin-chan!” “Don’t yell in my ear Shirayuki! Then why don’t you stop her next time!” I talked with Aria and Shirayuki, and received some congratulatory money from everyone… Shirayuki handed me a pink pin (which symbolized a woman) that she had removed from her car for some reason, saying “Please make me happy” and inserted it into my car. (Marriage, huh? I hate it already when I come home and find a woman there every day…) I thought this was fiction, but sadly I am still in a similar situation. After that, Shirayuki turned the roulette wheel with tremendous force… and stopped at the marriage square herself. And, for some reason, she took the light blue pin from my car and put it in her car. I told her to return the pin back as it is mine, but Shirayuki hugged it and said “No! No!”, so we had no choice but to continue the game with the pin replenished by Reki. Then, Shirayuki went to… “Oh, I gave birth!” This was the first born. “I gave birth again, Kin- chan!” This was the second born. “This time, it was twin girls!” which was the third and fourth. Then the 5th. 6th. 7th. Shirayuki stopped at the birth squares and has filled the entire car, all in this era of rapidly falling birth rates. And the next square I stopped at was… ” ‘Japanese law changes. Polygamy is now legal, so I married a second wife’…” … what a hellhole Japan has become. “Kin… chan…?” …uh…? Even with my eyes closed, I can see the dark aura starting to emanate from Shirayuki. “Shirayuki, it is a game. It is not a prediction that will actually happen. I mean, Riko, you should have thought a little before you wrote these stickers! What is with these stickers?! They are unethical!” I reluctantly insert another pink pin into the car while making complaints. Terrifying… I then stopped, again, at the marriage square… and the next thing I knew, the car was full of women. And for some reason, around that time, Aria and Riko were also giving birth. They were not as proficient as Shirayuki, but even Reki, Jeanne, Hiraga, and even Fuuma were having kids. Hey, hey, what is going on guys?! I would now continue going on with my life, trembling with an inexpressible sense of anxiety. In the end, the “Game of Life” ended normally without any major cheating. The winner was Riko, who boldly took the ‘Biggest Gamble of Her Life’ and won an insane amount of money. The winner overall was my team. “Banzai~! Banzai~! Winner~! Riko, you are a millionaire~! Bazaaaaaaaai!” Yes! And Riko began scattering wads of bills in the air. “I am going to do it again! Even if it will be a pain to clean up!” Aria, who felt no debt to me despite covering her debt she accrued in the game, is holding her…? I heard Riko say “Hie?!” from a low position. Oh, she put Riko in a piledriver position. That is one of Aria’s specialties. I get hit with it all the time. Since this is a common scene in martial arts (except usually both parties are not only wearing a bra and panties), I was able to ignore the dull “gosu~” sound effect… I breathe a sigh of relief. (All games… are finished… I… survived Cast-Off… Table…) Hysteria Wiseman Mode. My goggles malfunction. Aria’s royal straight flush. Shirayuki’s awesome body. Reki’s Tenwa. Jeanne’s… I forget the name of the technique, but it was some kind of ball disappearing technique. Riko and Hiraga’s Himetetsu technique. My henchman Fuuma. … and finally, the war between the Wiseman and the Fool inside of me. A lot has happened at the Cast-Off table, but… now it is over. I am going home alive today, back to the boyss third dormitory. “What is wrong with you, Fuuma? You seem to be sweating uncontrollably…” “Ninnin-chan, you are sweating like a baby!” “N-… no… it is… nothing…” Ah. That is right. This was not the time to be reminiscing in my emotions at the end of this war. The losing Fuuma… She now has to take off her blouse but is not wearing anything underneath it. I have to leave as fast as I can. Even though my eyes are closed under my goggles, depending on the reactions of the girls upon seeing Fuuma’s breasts in person… Vlad could appear in my mind again. “So that concludes the Cast-Off table, and yes, I have won.” I quickly get up, turn my back to the group, and begin walking quickly towards the door. “Ehh, Ki-kun. You leave as soon as you are done, typically guys do that when they hate the people they are with you know? Why don’t you stay and watch Ninnin-chan take off the last piece of her clothing. You can see the motion of her taking off her blouse even with those goggles, cant you? It would be better to watch, wouldn’t it?” Riko, who it appears has quickly revived, called to my back. “If you think about it, it will be a great deal for you. I have already won the tournament, so there is no reason for me to be here. Let’s go home. Hey, Fuuma. Stop sweating in your loincloth and tell everyone what is going on. They might give you a break.” And so when I opened the door and grabbed the doorknob… “…wait a minute, Kinji.” My master Aria’s voice was heard. “I thought something was… suspicious… ever since billiards…” Her voice is trembling with… yes… anger… “You just said loincloth. That is Japanese underwear that Fuuma wears… How did you see it with your goggles on, huh?” “…!” My fingers, gripping the doorknob, also begin to tremble. “W-… Well, that’s…” Ok, relax Kinji. We are only one door and one step away from survival. I am not going to die in a place like this…! “EHH?! So Riko’s striped panties were visible to Ki-Kun too?! Ki-kun etchi! Etchi sketchy etchi!” Riko was shouting out crazy things and I got so irritated that I took it out on her. “Shut up! You are not even wearing striped panties!” … and then… I noticed… That was just a word trick by Riko. She lied to me on purpose as bait… “If the goggles are working, how do you know the shape and pattern of a girls underwear! Kinji!” “Eeee, Ki, Kin-chan…?” “So you can see it all after all… Kushishishi…” “…” “Toyama… You are a…!” “When did you turn it off?!” “Ma, Master?!” … I have… been exposed… totally…! “It is all Hiraga’s fault, the goggles broke! I did not turn them off! They are broken!” I take off my goggles and throw them on the floor. “He blamed it on Ayaya! Bleeeeeeeeee!” “Kinji you…! You always blame everything on someone else! You are the worst!” “Oh, yoshi, yoshi, Ayaya, keep crying into Riko’s chest~” I-, I cannot even put the blame on Hiraga-san…!” Click. ka-chink. shhhh. I cannot turn my back due to hysteria mode, but… I can hear the sounds of a governor pistol, a Dragunov sniper rifle, and an unsheathing Durandal ready to execute me. Kuh~… but you girls… look at this position. My hand is already on the doorknob. I can easily and quickly leave this place. The plan is this. distract them with some kind of intimidation, and then I can use my semi-hysteria athleticism to get out of here. Then, while the girls are getting dressed, I escape from the women’s dormitory. Now all I have to do is run for it. I will run to Okinotori Island. I am good at running anyways, I should be fine. .. I win. That is right. I am way ahead of you girls. Because at the Cast-Off table… (The winner is supposed to be the “most outstanding Butei”! So when I suddenly yelled “Ahhhhh!” and tried to open the door… …pinpon… The intercom rang. “”””””””…!”””””””” Everyone, including me, turned blue at this. “Hey! Mine Riko! You again! Someone reported hearing an explosion!” “Are you doing something illegal again!” This… this voice is…! Ranbyou sensei and Tsuzuri! The explosion… (Is that it…?! The jet cue that Hiraga-san used in billiards…!) That was a billiard cue that used gunpowder for drive power and made a hell of a noise. Because it did not sound like a normal gunshot, a student in the neighbourhood probably called Masters. Riko, who is usually doing bad things like that, has been blamed for it it would seem. Gosu~! I can hear the sound of the front door being kicked down. We are being invaded! The teachers of Masters are invading us! Gatagata~! I can hear the sound of girls and a few children moving around behind me, but I cannot turn around. There is nothing I can do now. “Help us sensei! It was Toyama-kun! He did something terrible to us!” Riko! “Kinji! Remember that later!” Aria! I heard her voice from the ceiling, right? And then… bam! I was blown away by the door, which was kicked down by Ranbyou sensei and Tsuzuri sensei and… I crashed into the wall! After hitting the wall, my body began rolling on the ground as if in a washing machine, and I… rolled into a pile of Aria’s knee socks, Shirayuki’s blouse, Riko’s skirt, etc. “Wait sensei’s…! This may look illegal, BUT, there were legal circumstances that caused this to happen…!” When I was in a crawling position, I raised my face to look at the teachers with Jeanne’s molded bra on my head looking like cat ears. “To, To, To, Toyama…! Ho~…! Looks like you are all done now, aren’t you?!” Ranbyo and Tsuzuri are shaking with rage. I, with a bare upper body, look at the sensei’s in a posture on my knees. “Yes, I have finished seven times, but we were all just playing…” (TL Note: So, basically, this sounds weird, but essentially put the earlier sentence is asking if Kinji is done whatever he is doing, and this one is confirming he IS done, but the way he words it is like usual Kinji and invites misinterpretation.) “Hooo… 7 different girls’ clothing… 7 people is a lot, huh, Toyama?” Tsuzuri counts the different skirts in the room and reachs in her jacket. Now she is cocking a pitch-black Glock. And then, pahhhh, she blew out some cigarette smoke. “… you are the enemy of all women, completely. You just said ‘play’.” (TL Note: note this is Ranbyou speaking.) “I guess he is. But it is a big deal to take on seven girls at once. If a young man is that energetic and hot, we might as well make him our pet dog before we kill him, right?” (TL Note: no mistakes here, just kinky.) “Idiot! He should be shot on sight!” Jaki. Ranbyou with a trembling hand pulled out the world’s largest pistol, the M500. Hey… HEY! The charges I am hearing are far more serious than what was done in the Cast-Off table, and the punishment far greater than anything the Cast-Off table had to offer! “Hey, wait a minute! Hey, you girls, explain what happened here!” I had no choice but to look around… All of the girls had disappeared suddenly… Aria is hiding in the ceiling, and the emergency exit door that Riko had run through was swinging and, oh, it just closed and locked automatically. (Oh, I’m…) The Cast-Off table winner was supposedly the best Butei out of the 8. But no matter how strong they are… the demon teachers at Butei High School are in a completely different class…! The only way I can win is by going into complete Hysteria Mode but.. all the potential detonators that were in the room just a few minutes ago are gone. Moreover, the two opponents in front of me are both young women. Their personalities are more vicious than Aria’s, but their faces are beautiful. If I hysterized, I would say or do something that would make this Gorilla and Junky woman think “Oh he is cool” or “oh he is cute” and things could just go from bad to worse. I would rather deal with two teachers by escaping than entering Hysteria mode and fighting. “…Tsu…” I am already prepared to be shot, and so I put Shirayuki’s white bulletproof blouse over my head with shaking hands. Except for the chest it is very tight, but… yes! The sleeves fit! “…UAAAAAAAA!” Dressed as a sailor in a sailor suit but my original pants, I ran to the window… “Stop! Don’t run away Toyama!” …DOMUUUUUUUU! Ranbyou’s M5000 bullet that made a cannon-like sound hit me on my back, and I was blown away by the impact and broke through the window, jumping out into the air. Then, I used the hook belt wire that was left on my pants to land on the balcony downstairs… And to end it all, a girl who was watering flowers on the veranda on the lower floor is now screaming at the man in the sailor suit that has fallen from the upper floor, cutting the wire, and then re-diving towards the roadside trees below. I think during the fall. I won’t at the Cast-Off table, but my victory was fleeting. A new game of battles is beginning, one that was not anticipated and will continue. That’s how life is. So, first of all… (Today it will be Masters, tomorrow it will be Aria and the girls…) I have to run, run more, win, and keep defending myself! …from here on out, the battle is not to protect my clothes, but my life! Gunshot For The Next!!! Here is the google drive for full EBook/PDF which has afterword and a bit of post novel content about what happened to Kinji after the events of the Cast-Off Table. ### 019. The Case of Naruse Yukari —Seriously, when I am with these girls, nothing ever goes well for me. One day, after school, we are all playing 2-on-2 basketball on a half-court that had just been built in a previously small vacant lot on Academy Island. The match is between me and Shirayuki on one team Vs. Aria and Riko on the other. Reki is acting as our referee. “–Hng!” Even the sounds Aria makes sounds as if they are coming from an anime… Tata, supants. From a high speed dribble Aria leads into a brilliant scoop shot. “Now the score is 30 to 6! Come on Riko, let’s keep it up!” … I… I want to go home already… Only my team is myself, who has been losing a lot of my physical strength ever since leaving the Assault department, and Shirayuki, who has quite literally never touched a basketball before in her life, and so naturally we are getting destroyed. The reason why we are all suddenly playing basketball, and why I am being forced to in particular, is simple. While I was relaxing at a nearby store I came across Shirayuki who was shopping with Aria and Riko so we left together. On our way home we happened to come across Reki who was sitting quietly on the side of the road and later we came across the vacant basketball court. When Aria suddenly saw the court she decided to yell out “Let’s go play with that!” and so naturally Riko had to join in with “let’s go let’s go!”. Reki was decided to be the referee, and when Shirayuki had said “then let’s go home together without them Kinji”, Aria’s words of “Oh? Are you running away from me?” suddenly caused Shirayuki to become strangely motivated to play… Due to the uneven teams I naturally was forced to play… That is how this one sided game of basketball came to be. (Come one… Surely it is okay for me and Shirayuki to just give up now, right…? Or rather, at least let me go home already…) Our loss is a guarantee at this point… And even more important than that, there is a Butei academic department building next to this court. If we don’t end this game quickly, the class for the students in there will come to an end and the girls and children inside will begin to leave. — Civetta Research, otherwise abbreviated as CVR. It is a department that teaches the world of “seductive” investigation. Due to the nature of what is taught there all of its girls are the cutest and most attractive out of all the girls in all of Butei High. It is full of only the most beautiful, attractive girls and women, no exceptions. I can only wonder and imagine what kind of lessons they are taught there… Or rather, it is better for me not to. I have a condition called Hysteria Savant Syndrome, a condition in which, when I become aroused I suppose, I become stronger and smarter by entering an abnormal state of mind where I value protecting women and fulfilling their dream more than my own life. Because of that condition and the low value of my own life in it as well as a desire to live a normal life, CVR for me is like entering the 7th ring of hell. Moreover, recently I heard a rumor… CVR has a special team there called “Special Majors”… Apparently these are girls who can woo people who have special interests. It is honestly frightening just to even think about what kind of an education is being provided there, not to mention what kind of an educational institution it is to begin with. “—-Eiiii!” As my vision was beginning to waver just thinking of the horrors that is CVR— As Shirayuki threw that ball with all her might the ball somehow slipped and flew at a super-high speed towards Aria’s head on a trajectory that made it seem oddly intentional for some reason— However, I was behind Aria and the second that Aria saw the ball heading towards her she crouched down, and… The ball hit me in the face, with enough momentum left still to actually bounce off of it. —Poko! “……Aaaah…!” After bouncing off of my head the ball continued and hit the head of another female student who was sneakily trying to watch me from behind a tree. After getting slammed into by the ball she ended up falling onto her back. “….. Tsu….!” Hey, why did that student just fall down like some kind of amateur…? Shirayuki is capable of unleashing a supernatural power for a short period of time that allows her to attain superhuman strength… Maybe that is why the ball hit so hard. I was okay getting hit by it since I am pretty tough (mainly a result of Aria’s daily beatings) but this girl… If she had gotten hit in the wrong place this couldn’t be excused with a simple “sorry”. I have no choice but to go and make sure she is okay or help her. “… She is okay, the ball just knocked her unconscious.” Reki spoke as she came up to me, who had already gone over to where the female student laid on the ground… Indeed, from just a quick glance it appears that there is no major trauma… What a relief. But… This girl… She is absolutely beautiful. Her fluffy and perfect chestnut-colored hair drew a graceful curve in the grass where she is laying with a beautiful shine, clearly well maintained. Honestly, her beauty is stunning to the point where my guilt at being even related to the reason that she got hit rose by over 50% for daring to be involved in injuring such a beautiful girl. Her skin as well, perfect. Unblemished without a single scar that most Butei have… But even more obvious… Her breasts. Massive. They might even be considered Shirayuki level… no, Super Shirayuki level. “… Why are you staring at her chest?” From beside me came Aria’s anime voice, her canines bared basically as soon as she stood beside me. “Um, uh, no… I was looking at the scar near her chest. Look, this is really bad.” I point at the scarf around her neck that naturally rests on her chest. With her scarf turned to the back, we can see the embroidery on it in small Roman numerals that indicate a student’s grade… And unfortunately for us, the number on her scarf… is “III”. Apparently, this girl is a senior. …. Personally I couldn’t care less what her rank is, but at Butei High hierarchy and seniority is as important and strict as it is in the military. Judging by her appearance and the way she fell, not to mention that a ball managed to knock her unconscious, I have a basic idea as to this “beautiful girls” class at Butei High, but if by some chance she happens to be in the Assault Department… Yup, when she wakes up she will simply just kill all of us. As I watched her unconscious self with bated breath as to my fate… “Un… Hmm… N…” Panting with a beautiful bell-like voice, the third-year girl began to slowly open her perfect long eyelashes revealing her stunning eyes. In response Aria and Shirayuki let out a sigh of relief, I whisper “thank goodness”, Reki is somehow standing there even more still than the unconscious senior, and the jittery Riko began to slowly distance herself, presumably so she could get a head start should this senpai in front of us snap… I mean why get nervous now, we got this far already, running won’t save you now. I open my mouth in preparation to apologize, but… “— I, I am so sorry! I didn’t even ask if I could watch, and…! It is my fault that your match…!” Uh, what. This senpai woke up and began to apologize to me…? “Eh, um, don’t worry about your match. More importantly, are you okay?” “Ah… Yes. I am okay. Even though I might look like this, I am still a Butei like you.” The senpai began to smile softly, and made a cute little fist expression with her doll-like hand. Cute… She is way too cute. She looks and acts like a cute little sister despite being a year older than me. Well, anyways… It looks like she is okay and I am okay… She seems like a kind senpai. “My name is Yukari Naruse, and I am from CVR.” That is not good. I knew it, she was CVR… My hunch was right. “But senpai. You got hit in the head… If you are feeling unwell, please let us know. We can bring a classmate from Ambulance or Medica to help you…” “Yes, yes, thank you, I can hear you fine.” Perhaps to help alleviate my worry, Naruse-senpai began to speak a little playfully and gave me a stunning smile. In a complete change from her previous cute girlish appearance and attitude, now she has a gentle teacher-like mood. Is, is this… the power of CVR…? Amazing, in such a short period of time she has completely managed to change her charms and attitude to match the mood… Amazing. Moreover… Her friendly atmosphere is so powerful and dominating that it is hard to believe that she attends the same rough and violent Butei High as me. I mean… Most of the girls that I hang around with are more like wild ravaging beasts than girls… Feeling relieved, I turn to the lion cub, bull,wild cat, and hawk (I avoid even thinking of these titles, nevermind saying them out loud, since should I even whisper these titles I would be killed on the spot) and let them introduce themselves before introducing myself to Naruse- senpai. And then… Once we confirmed that Naruse-senpai was safe and okay, with our game ending after that without a major incident from that, we decided to go back to the half court and grab our bags… “Um, excuse me…” Naruse-senpai, after seeing Aria and the others return to the court first and had left my side, stopped me from leaving with a small whisper. After fidgeting a bit and making a cute shy gesture, she turned to me and… “I, I have to ask… Do your best Yukari…!” spoke to herself. “Um, Toyama-kun… Do you and the others… Play here a lot? If I come here again, will you be here too…?” Naruse whispers only to me, as if her words are a secret. “…? Today was just a coincidence to be honest… As for if I will come here again, I only came here today because I got caught by the others while I was out shopping… Actually… If that were to happen again I guess I would come here again? Why, do you want to play basketball with us or something?” Oh, oh no. Why is my voice sounding so strained? Actually… Now that I think about it, I have a weakness for this type of girl. By being blunt with most girls, I can keep my distance from them and push them away… But when faced with such a beautiful, gentle, mature woman like this, that wall around my crumbles as does that cold attitude… I can’t help but respect her and be in awe of her at the same time… She reminds me of my brother. “I see… Then, when is the next time…?” When I told her that I wouldn’t be around here very often, the senpai’s face became downcast, and she looked down at the ground disappointed… “……?” As I was wondering what to do about this senpai who seemed to be sad for some reason when she learned that she couldn’t see me often…. From a short distance behind me, “–Kufu–” I could hear Riko’s voice. Turning around, Riko is looking at me with her bright yellow traditional school girl backpack on her back and a massive grin on her face. Whenever she is up to no good, she always has that catbus smile on her face…1 This girl… I do not have a good feeling about this. Just as I had expected with that ominous bad feeling from earlier, once I returned to my dorm room Riko beckoned me to sit next to her on the sofa. “Ki-kun~ Come here. I have something important to tell you~” “What do you want…” As I took my seat, the frown on my face obvious to all– “– Just a few minutes ago, Riko-rin’s super hearing picked up on a love-love signal!” 2 Riko, who has begun to say some strange things again, pinches her ears and points them out like a radar dish. Quickly I turn my head down the hallway to make sure that Aria and Shirayuki are in their rooms. Next, in the living room, is me, Riko, and Reki who is sitting by the window in her normal gym pose… Well she is usually pretty much just a decoration here, so I guess she is fine. “… Don’t mention anything strange here like “love”. Actually, rather what are you talking about?” “There is no point pretending to be stupid, Ki-kun! I am talking about Naruse Yukari, kupufufu~!” I knew it… This is about the senpai from earlier. Riko. It seems like she noticed my strange attitude and my senpai’s attitude and came to some strange misunderstanding. “Riko is certain that Naruse-senpai definitely has a crush on Ki-kun. Riko cannot think of any other reason but unrequited love for a girl of her age to secretly watch a boy from behind a tree!” Riko began to make herself excited, hugging her personal red heart- shaped pillow cushion beside me… In response, yareyare, I could only shake my head. 3 “… Alright, just listen for a moment. You already know about my condition. There is no way that I can relate to what you are talking about right now. I can’t do girl talk.” Just as I was about to leave, Riko reached out and grabbed my tie with her right hand. “Ki-kun, this is why you are no good! You are the worst of the worst! You are the God of all that is bad!” She began to clench her left fist, as if screaming in agony with her words. Alright, could you not say such hurtful things with such force? “Do you get it now? Ki-kun. Ki-kun, you have hysteria mode, that is your strength. Without it, you cannot win against powerful enemies, right?” I mean she was originally one of those powerful enemies she is talking about, and yet here she is with her sharp, albeit bright and double lidded eyelids, talking to me about love. “You always end up in trouble because you keep saying things that push girls away from you! Ki-kun, you need to begin to respect your womanizer side and approach girls yourself to push yourself to enter Hysteria Mode!” …. (womanizer) and (respect), huh… Isn’t there a pretty obvious contradiction here? “And so that is why, Ki-kun, you need to get used to girls!” “Get used to…?” “That’s right. It is impossible for someone to suddenly become Don Juan. First of all, you should start dating a normal girl like Narurin so you can practice falling in love! Kyaaa~!” 4 Riko’s softly permed hair began to bounce as she swung her hands around in passion. Rather than that, “Narurin”. Do you even give nicknames to your senpais? “Ki-kun, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity! There is no way that in the future Ki-kun will have another mature and timid girl fall in love with him again! There is no way such a chance will even get close to happening to you! Never! Ever!” You are exaggerating, right? “You know… I don’t even want to get used to Hysteria Mode, and when I do go into Hysteria Mode it is not like I want to stay in it forever. Do you really think that I would willingly do such a thing? To begin with I can’t even do that, maintaining it forever simply isn’t possible. No way is that possible and I don’t want to even if it is.” As I began to shake my head with my typical “it’s impossible” response mode active, “So what are you planning to d Ki-kun? Do you think you can win in a fight against an enemy like Riko or Jeanne and win on your own? Do you want to give that a try right now? Hmmm~?” Riko began to become belligerent, and stuck her other hand inside her skirt. And then, pa! She came out with something resembling a pink grenade… Wait wait wait, that is clearly just a grenade that was painted pink! “Hey! Wait, stop, stop, stop!” “Riko-rin is going through the trouble of giving Ki-kun the opportunity to train his hysteria transformation so there is no way he would turn Riko-rin down, right? Right-” The look in Riko’s eyes became more and more sinister with each “right”. This, this is really bad. Perhaps it is because she is holding a weapon, but slowly she is transforming into the infamous Butei Killer. “— Hey, hey, don’t pull out the pin, don’t ever pull it out, please just don’t!” “While it might have sounded like I was pretending, or not being serious before–” Riko began to hook her tiny finger into the pin of the grenade in her hand. Despite being painted pink, it is clearly a M67 grenade stolen from the US military. If the pin were to be pulled out and not put back in, both me and Riko would end up in heaven in approx 5 seconds…! “Stop it! I get it! Alright! I will let you train me so please, just put that grenade away!” Having been cornered by not her reasoning but the violence behind it, I have no choice but to scream and accept her demands. “Kufu! I just needed you to see my reasoning it would seem! Now then Ki-kun, let’s do our best starting tomorrow! Eyay Eyay~!” Defeated, I could only plop myself onto the table, but not before giving an “eyay” with her, I cannot let her think that I am unmotivated after all… Should Riko think that I am not being serious, she will make me swallow that grenade whole. Minus the pin. As I was holding my head and sighing in front of Riko who was happily dancing and cheering in high spirits… Reki, who was still sitting gym style by the window, blurted something out. “That… Is a pointless thing to do.” Trust me, I know. Ah… I wonder how likely it is that tomorrow will bring torrential rain? Of course, the next day is a beautiful and sunny day after school– Leaving the school I received a phone call from Riko and was told to wait on the bench next to the half court behind the CVR building. In my ear is an ultra-compact wireless earpod that, should an astute observer see it, would just look like a hearing aid… Riko is using it to send me commands discreetly. Riko, hiding in a nearby bush, can hear my voice through a high sensitivity sound-collecting microphone. When it comes to random and pointless stuff like this, she spares no effort… this damn girl. (Well, still… It is not like I am playing basketball and making a lot of noise, so odds are Naruse-senpai won’t come. Or rather, just please don’t…) As I am sitting there in my usual gloomy mood… “Ki-kun, she’s here! It’s Narurin~!” Geh. Coming from the CVR building… Is Naruse-senpai holding a basket… Walking towards me, she stops in front of the bench. “Uh, um…” “Um, uh” “— Thank goodness. I could tell that was you even from a distance, Toyama-kun.” Looking into my eyes, Naruse-senpai brushed her fluffy chestnut- colored hair back behind her ear, smiling with joy. With her smile came a warm mood coursing through me, as if the surrounding area suddenly became 1 degree warmer. Ughh. I really don’t know how to handle this kind of girl. “Greet her already!” Sergeant Riko’s voice began blaring at me through the earphone, snapping me back to my senses. “Ah, um, hello.” “Hello, Toyama-kun. Is it just you here today?” Naruse-senpai began curiously looking around her… She doesn’t seem very adept when it comes to finding potential foes. Luckily, she didn’t realize Riko was here as well. “Ya, I was just feeling off today because of some things back home so decided to laze around here. Some idiot from Inquesta named Riko Mine was telling me all these strange things…” “— If you know what’s good for you you will shut up! If you don’t I will tear you to pieces later!” An oddly familiar pink grenade flashed through my mind, and thinking of my safety I decided to stop my sentence early. Naruse-senpai only gave me a strange look, but didn’t pursue the topic. What an extremely generous and kind person. “Um, well… I was wondering if we could maybe just hang out together… Since we are both here, why don’t we just talk then?” And then, as if a soft and gentle cloud… She sat down next to me with light steps and graceful movements as if she weighed nothing at all. She looks so happy I couldn’t help but smile as well… She looks like she is about to start humming a song. But for me, this is a difficult situation. Alone with a girl, sitting side by side on a bench. In terms of what to talk about, I cannot think of a single thing. “Ah, um. Toyama-kun. Are you… hungry?” Thank you. Naruse-senpai took the lead and started talking first. “Hungry? No, I can’t really say I…” “You idiot! Say you are hungry!” Riko’s voice explodes into my eardrums, making it ring. “I already took the day off today to be here, so I am going to make it worth it.” –Pinn! Oh, hey! That is the sound of a grenade pin being pulled!! “I’m so hungry! Ahh, my stomach hurts! Just please put the pin back in!” “Pin…?” “Ah, um, pin, pink salmon, uh ya, I just suddenly had a craving for pink salmon.” Hahaha, I smiled wryly and tried to make a fool of myself… I feel like an absolute idiot. God damn it. However, more importantly than my pride, for the time being grenades aren’t flying. Apparently, Riko put the pin back in and stopped the detonation. Despite Naruse-senpai not even realizing it, my foolish act and her reaction saved our lives. “That’s good than… I thought it would be nice if you and the others showed up again today, so I made some sandwiches for you all to eat after you are done playing. Look, I even made some salmon ones too!” 5 As Naruse-senpai opens the basket that she had brought with her… Inside were cute little sandwiches that only a pure hearted and fluffy girl could have made. “Ah, um. Then I will give one a try…” I wasn’t really that hungry, but according to the flow of the story that I have been weaving, I currently have a craving for salmon… “Uh, um. Toyama-kun. Um… Can I ask you a question?” “… A question? Uhm, sure. Ya, that’s fine.” “Um… I am a student at CVR, so this might seem strange, but… Actually, I am not very good with talking to boys alone like this. If I happen to say something strange or unpleasant… Please forgive me.” “Ah.” “Toyama-kun… Older mature women who are older than you… or younger women… Do you have a preference for which one you like…? “She asked you directly… So of course you are going to say “I like older women!” Ki-kun!” Pin! Pin! Pin! Riko demanded I answer while repeatedly pulling the pin out and putting it back into the grenade. “Um, well, I guess I like older women…” What other way could I have possibly answered? For an older girl I would have to tell her I like older women. With a face clearly relaying her excitement at my answer… “… Th-, thank goodness…” “Thank goodness?” “Most boys like younger-looking and acting girls… I was so nervous to ask you that question, so…” “– UOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOGH!!!!!!” “Sh-, shut up! You are going to rupture my eardrums!!!” “Your ear…?” Naruse-senpai’s eyes widened as she heard me quietly complain to Riko about her screaming. “Ah, um! Uh, I was talking about… Well, uh, um– I just suddenly thought that it would be fun to try eating a mimiga sandwich!” 6 It was just a stupid joke that honestly I thought was strange at best and meant to deceive her, but… Naruse-senpai began to giggle. It was an adorable and modest laugh, one that I couldn’t help but laugh with her. “Toyama-kun, you are such an interesting and funny guy.” The senpai continued from there… Taking a small, but deep breath, she lightly claps her hands together and says “Yosh, it’s time”. “Uhm, Toyama-kun. To tell you the truth.. I have known about Toyama-kun for a long time now. When I went to the Assault Department for an independent course, I saw you training there with Aria-san.” “Ohhhhhh!!!!” Riko, I am begging you, shut up. “So, um, so then… Aria-san and Toyama-kun were here together playing basketball the other day, right? So… I will ask you directly, but… Aria-san… what kind of person is Aria-san, Toyama-kun?” What… Naruse-senpai is giving me a look that shows that what she is asking me is very important… Hmmm, how can I answer her honestly? “Aria, huh… Well, to put it simply, she is a violent girl. She often chases me around with a gun… Granted, to make that worse for me she is damn good with a gun too.” “Well, then… What is the relationship between Toyama-kun and Aria- san?” “Relationship? Me and Aria are an Assault Team, just two Butei working together. I guess we have been for a while now, working on some seriously insane missions and getting in trouble because of that…” “I-, I guess that’s right… I look like an idiot now. I had been thinking about that for so long and worrying about it all by myself, getting worried over nothing. Sorry for asking such a strange question…” Naruse-senpai looks down at the ground and begins to blush out of embarrassment… Looking up at me with upturned eyes, she asks “are you angry?” while looking me in my eyes. Rather than wondering why she is wondering if I am angry or not, I am more confused as to what this entire conversation has been about. “Okay, Ki-kun. You pass for today! Time to back off, Riko will head home first!” I could hear her voice coming through my earphone, but suddenly Riko’s voice cut out with a thud. Oh, hey. Look at that. Suddenly my backup is gone and I am alone in enemy territory. Before I even knew what was happening, Riko disappeared from the bushes. What am I going to do now? I had managed to break the awkward conversation I was having with Naruse-senpai and run back home to the boys dormitory, but before I even knew what was happening, Riko had gathered Aria, Reki, and Shirayuki in the living room of my dorm room. Aria was sitting sullenly on the sofa, her arms and legs both crossed. Reki was sitting on the sofa with her usual expressionless face. Shirayuki… Was sitting on the floor with her back to the sofa, wearing her armed shrine maiden outfit and sharpening her signature sword, the Irokane Ayame, with a whetstone. This mood… Oh no… Riko has already spilled the beans about the entire Naruse-senpai situation, hasn’t she! “Okay, Ki-kun, you sit there! At long, long last, Ki-kun will finally have his first girlfriend! So now it is time for the “Ki-kun is going to date a CVR girl” meeting to begin!” Honestly the mood is far more similar to a trial than a meeting, and as I sat on the couch unable to escape… Looking around the room, the prosecutor has already decided to convict me, the presiding judge is a woman with no sympathy for my case (or emotion at all), my defense attorney is a pompous jerk not to mention a professional thief, and the executor is already sharpening her blade to kill me. I am surrounded by 4 people who already decided the outcome of my case. Yup. I am dead. I had an okay run I guess. “Ah… But I… Rik-” I had no choice but to have that conversation with Naruse-senpai after that damn bratty child threatened me with a grenade. I had to plead not guilty and explain everything. I had already prepared my defense in my mine, but was interrupted only 10% of the way through. “–Kinji, you are definitely being deceived by that woman named Naruse!” Aria was the first to speak out of the 4 of them, her canines bared as she began to yell. Aria slammed a photo down onto the table as if she was given a winning hand in mahjong. It was a picture of me and Naruse-senpai having our conversation on the bench just a short while ago. Apparently, Riko had taken pictures. “I agree! That female fox vixen from CVR must have used her wily ways to deceive the pure of heart Kin-chan…. Onkirikiribasaraunbatta – Be gone evil spirits!” Gira! Shirayuki turns to me, her sword in hand. “Narurin didn’t trick Ki-kun! She had the eyes of a maiden in love!” “– It looked like that to me too.” O, oi. Chief Judge Reki, not you too…. Please don’t say anything else unnecessarily. “Lo… lo… ve…! Hey, even if she felt that way, you have no reason to go along with it! To fall for such an idiot Kinji, why would such a smart and good looking girl…! Even if I were to take a 100 million trillion steps backwards, you expect me to believe that such a girl would fall in love with the pervert Kinji! What do you even mean by that!?” 7 Aria began to grab her twintails and spin her head left and right as if to deny the situation around her. Her confusion at the situation began to hit a whole new high I had never seen before from her. Or rather, what is that scale? 100 million trillion steps? That is such an exaggeration I don’t think even kids would use that scale. “There are tons of stories of love at first sight in the world! Kufufufu~!” “– Even if that is the case, a woman who suddenly and seemingly for no reason seduces the pure Kin-chan is definitely a bad woman! Evil, instant, death!” For some reason, the “Naruse-senpai is a bad woman who needs to be exterminated” theory is being cultivated by Shirayuki, who seems ready to rise up in rebellion against her. “Fufufufufu” I knew this would happen♪ Making a face that clearly showed that she knew this would happen, Riko placed a pink translucent binder on the table. “… What is that?” “This is Narurin’s background investigation report. Rikorin has thoroughly investigated whether she is suitable for Ki-kun, who is a mere beginner in love. Kyaha☆” Background report…? “— Naruse Yukari.18 years old. Aries, blood type is AB. 165cm tall, 57kg. Three sizes from top to bottom: 94, 58, 89. A 3rd year in Special Majors CVR. A rank. Although she is well liked by everyone in her general studies class and has a good reputation, she has no experience with men. She attended a private all girls Catholic school for both elementary and high school, and currently attends Butei High from her home in Shirokanedai, Minato ward. A day student. Her hobbies are flower arranging and cake making. Her father is a diplomat and her mother is a high school teacher.” Riko quickly pulls out a piece of paper from the folder and puts the file of Naruse-senpai’s information on the table. She…. She did this much research in just one night? As expected of a modern day thief, Riko Mine is a prodigy from Inquesta when it comes to information gathering. However…. Looking over her file, she seems to be so ordinary that there is zero indication from her report that would indicate she was a Butei… Naruse-senpai, who are you? The only thing that bothers me from her entire file is that one line that indicates her as a “Special Major”… Well surely even Riko can make a mistake from time to time. There is no way that such a normal girl has been trained to “court people with special or peculiar interests”. “Something… I don’t like this. My intuition is whispering to me… This woman is suspicious…!” In contrast to Naruse-senpai, who is smiling with a beautiful and bright smile in the photo before us, Aria looks angry and is baring her canines. “She’s right! Kin-chan, this woman is no good! No way! No, no way!” Even if you say something like that, it just sounds awkward and like you are comparing her to addictive drugs. “It’s alright, Ki-kun! This girl is great! So tomorrow, let’s rendezvous at the movie theater! Yes! I have all of my senpai’s phone numbers and email addresses saved, so let’s invite her to come too!” “Don’t just ask her to come without my permission! I mean, I also feel like honestly there is something about this girls that isn’t-” I was about to refuse, but Riko pulled out her pink grenade with an awfully refreshing, albeit terrifying, smile. Ehhhhhh…..! Yup, as expected, I am powerless in the most normal of times…! I need someone else here to help defend me. What I need is someone with a good point of view on things. “—Reki, you can speak too. You can see something is clearly wrong with this whole thing, right?” I turned in my darkest hour to Reki, the armed chief judge here, who was holding her Dragunov sniper rifle over her shoulder as if she was a clingy child holding a toy. Reki turned… took a turn to look at Riko, Shirayuki, and Aria as if she was some kind of strange looking security camera. “… I think Riko-san’s plan is pointless.” Wow. You actually said something that made you sound like an ally. “But why–!!” Without turning around to look at the clearly dissatisfied Riko, Reki stopped moving and faced Aria saying “If we were to let Kinji-san go alone, it would be pointless at least.” Wait, why are you speaking again? “… If Ki-kun were to go alone, huh… Hmm. Fumu. That certainly may be true. When it comes to Ki-kun, he certainly is that kind of guy.” “…” In front of Riko, who had somehow come to an understanding on her own, Reki stood still, facing Aria. Maybe her batteries ran out. “Besides, suddenly having a one-on-one relationship might not carry the same level of charm for romance… Hmmmmm…” What is she…? Ignoring my suspicious frown, suddenly an invisible light bulb turned on above Riko’s head, “Okay! Let’s set up a party here for tomorrow and welcome Naru-rin together! Riko wants to see the birth of a new couple up close!” … A couple being born? Are you a bigger idiot than I previously thought? But, hey, since this is a proposal… I am positive that Aria and the others will– “All right. I will be attending too. I need to meet Naruse-senpai myself to interrogate her after all.” What. I thought for sure that Aria would oppose it, but she ended up approving the party plan? “I’m participating too!” Shirayuki too… Or rather, why are you “participating” in this party? It isn’t a war? “Okay! Since we all agree, let’s have a garden party in the greenhouse! Surrounded by beautiful flowers, let’s have a big party with lots of drinks, music, dancing, and singing!” Riko, an avid fan of parties of all types, is in a completely anxious and energetic state now like a toddler. “I am the head gardener so I can reserve the greenhouse for our party! No one but those involved will be allowed to enter! I will make sure anyone not allowed who tries to enter is killed!” Shirayuki-san… That… That is called a blatant abuse of power. And so, like many times before, I was let down by the girls around me and hung my head in front of Shirayuki and Aria, who both were clearly in the mood for war. And so the next day… We actually had our party in the greenhouse. (How… How did this actually come to be…?) With a sigh, I looked around and saw red roses blooming in the greenhouse, a white table lined with sweets and drinks that Riko and Reki, who were both in charge of purchasing, had bought. Aria is the liaison and the person assigned with contacting Naruse- senpai. Shirayuki was in charge of the venue and had actually rented out the greenhouse… But despite it almost being time for the party to start, she is nowhere to be seen. I cannot tell if I am more scared by that or less… That kind of action from her. But… Riko. She is in an extremely good mood, drinking a giant bottle of coke, but that will surely end up being the climax of her fun. This party… I won’t let it be a success. I may look like this, but I am still a man. I cannot just sit back and let someone who looks like a child take advantage of me. Besides…. If Naruse-senpai really does like me, throwing a party like this and the entire “use her for hysteria training” is rude. I cannot just keep quiet about this entire thing. This entire thing… It just feels wrong. No, this entire situation is wrong. Taking advantage of a woman’s goodwill… You don’t have to be in hysteria mode to understand that this is an immoral act. And so, as a man, I need to explain everything to her clearly and apologize. Naturally Riko will get angry, but in preparation for that, I had also purchased a “secret weapon”. My secret weapon is a small smoke canister hidden in my pants pocket. It works exactly like a grenade, and when the pin is pulled out, a white smokescreen will spew out… A getaway tool. Should Riko go berserk, I will use this to suppress her vision and make a clean getaway. Just as I was simulating my escape route and all possibilities in my head… Kira, Kira…. Kira… Someone entered with an absolutely shining aura. She is here… Naruse-senpai. I am so sorry. “…. I’m sorry! It took a lot of time to put on my makeup so I ended up leaving late…” Naruse-senpai came running into the glass-walled greenhouse towards me, gasping for breath while making cute and adorable excuses like “I don’t normally go to parties so didn’t know what to wear”. Senpai was dressed in neat casual clothes, and perhaps since she was going to a party, her long chestnut-colored hair was tied up, revealing the nape of her neck which gave off an erotic aura. Her excitement at this party and dressing up… Is ridiculously adorable. Upon noticing Naruse-senpai Riko snorted, and Haimaki, who was lying down next to Reki, straightened his back from his seated position. Aria on the other hand was clearly in a tense and fragile mood, as if she was ready to begin interrogating Naruse-senpai at a moment’s notice. I, on the other hand…. I begin to insert my hand into my pocket and hook my finger on the pin of my smoke grenade so it can be deployed at a moment’s notice. “Ah… Well, I am sorry for bothering you Naruse-senpai, but well this idiot by the name of Riko Mine over there planned this entire thing on her own, and–” I immediately went to blame shifting mode. But… huh…? Naruse-senpai, with a look of pure happiness on her face, passes by me, Riko who is still drinking her cola, and Reki who is sitting on a chair in a daze…. And stands in front of Aria, who has her arms folded and white lilies in the background. Ignoring the looks of everyone and the question marks above their heads, Naruse-senpai is… Fuwa. She uncrosses Aria’s arms and gently wraps Aria’s right hand in both of her own. What the hell is even going on anymore…? “Aria-san… Aria-san, I am so happy that you invited me to this party…! So, so happy…!” “…. Huh…?” Aria… Her well shaped eyebrows are knitted together, her confusion on her face evidence to the fact that she has zero clue what is going on anymore. However, Aria, your reaction is completely normal… I, too, have no clue what is happening anymore. “From the moment that I saw you, Aria-san, for the first time, I thought “My, what a cute girl you are…” From that moment on, all I could think about is how happy I would be if I could spend all my moments with you, together…” Eh…? “… Aria-san, I… I fell… I fell in love at first sight!” Upon hearing that line, not only did Riko spit out all the coke in her mouth, some of it even ended up coming out her nose. “…? …?? …???” Upon this sudden development, Aria… Her red camellia eyes suddenly shot open wide, and she froze. Her expression on her face clearly shows that she doesn’t understand what is going on, or rather, she doesn’t want to understand it. “But Aria-san, you and Toyama-kun are always together, so I thought that you two might be lovers… The other day, I asked Toyama-kun all sorts of questions about Aria-san, but he said that you two were just Butei who worked together. I am so relieved to hear that that I… I… Aah! Aria-san!!” Gyu! Naruse-senpai seems to have lost all sense of both mind and self control as she began to hug Aria, who was still in a stiff and frozen state. “Hey, Aria-san… From now on, can I call you Aria-chan?” Naruse- senpai began to whisper sweetly and sexily into Aria’s ears as Aria’s face went from frozen to horrified… Zo… zozozozozozo! Aria began to develop goosebumps over her entire body which could be seen even all the way over here… “Aria-chan! You can call me onee-chan from now on! I love, love, love, love you, Aria-chan!!” —CVR, Special Major— A specialized department that fosters “women who can approach people with special interests”. In other words… Ah… It all makes sense now… Naruse-senpai, in other words… Must have her own unique and special interests too… In other words… Naruse-senpai is a CVR agent who is meant specifically to target female targets who are lesbian!! “— MIKYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAA!!!!!!!!!!” Aria, who had begun to scream like some kind of rare beast from a video game— Supo! She managed to escape from Naruse’s hug, turned around, and started to run. Fast. Heh, she managed to trip on nothing while running out of nowhere… She is in one hell of a hurry. We have known each other for quite some time now… But this is the first time I have ever seen Aria genuinely scared of someone. “Ah, wait! Aria-chan, I’m sorry! I know that was too sudden! I’ll show you the right steps for what comes next! Don’t be scared, I will lead you the entire time!” Naruse-senpai reached down to grab the hem of her skirt and began to chase after Aria… Her feet are surprisingly fast. As I was looking at the scene unfolding before me in both awe and amazement… “— That is why I said it. This entire thing is pointless.” While saying this in a matter-of-fact tone, Reki also, toko, toko, began to leave the greenhouse. … That’s right… If Naruse-senpai loves women… It is pointless for me… Actually, Reki, if you knew all that, explain that! Preferably beforehand! As I was watching Haimaki’s wagging tail as he closely followed Reki out… Riko and I were suddenly left alone in the greenhouse… I heard a clear clanking sound right above me, and so as I looked up– Shirayuki, who is standing fully armed on a steel frame near the ceiling of the greenhouse had become weak and confused by this entire fiasco, and when she saw Aria trying to escape by climbing a tree in a clear confusion and Naruse-senpai climbing it in pursuit of her she lost all her strength. Upon falling down– doka! Riko and I were crushed by her heavy armor and the M60 machine gun that she was carrying for some reason. —Pin! “—Huh?” Due to that momentum, my finger was pulled out of my pocket… and the pin of the smoke grenade. …….. Bushiyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa….. Together, with Riko and Shirayuki, we all disappeared in the smoke that spread out all at once. Really, I guess I should repeat what I said earlier, huh? —Seriously, when I am with these girls, nothing ever goes well for me. Whiteout For The Next!!! ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ### 020. The Case of the Missing Peachbuns Hello, Waifuspite here. This was a special booklet bundled with a Jump series in Japan. Hope you enjoy~ Side Story: The Case of the Missing Peach Buns Fushi~yu. Hokohoko… I, Kinji Toyama, am watching a steamer on a gas stove… It is a precious morning during summer vacation, and I am in the kitchen in my room at the boys dormitory where it is cool. (…I am unhappy…) That steamer on the oven… is part of a kit for making Momoman Peach Buns. This strange steamer and kit was something Aria. H. Kanzaki, my roommate #1 bought, saying “Kinji, look at this! This was sold at a small stall in Daiba!” with a playful smile on her face. However, the one making the Momoman was Shirayuki Hotogi, the only one here who is good at cooking. Or rather, I asked her to make it for me. If you let Aria, whose cooking skills are atomically destructive, try to make Momoman, she will fail 100% of the time and get into a bad mood, meaning her two guns hidden under her skirt will surely appear. I realized the danger when I saw how clumsy Aria was in opening the plastic bag that held the sweet bean paste, which she opened by tearing it with her teeth. Yeah. I want to cry. Now. Why am I… why am I looking at a man shaped Momoman here? That is because the kitchen has been occupied. By both women and children. “Kufufufu~! This is Riko’s 7th straight win~! I am on a winning streak~! Kyahaha!” Fluttering her lolita modified school uniform skirt and laughing as she bounces around with her PSP is Mine Riko, a classmate who came earlier to play with us… Pikotsu! Maybe it is a punishment, Riko is hitting Aria’s head next to her with a pico pico hammer. “Mukiyu!” Aria’s pink-blonde twin-tail hair floats a bit from the recoil of the blow, and she is gritting her teeth in anger and clenching her (my) PSP in her hand. “Aria you suck! You have no game sense! Zero! Nothing! Kufufufu~!” With her back on the floor, Riko begins flapping her legs like a synchronized swimmer. Hey! When you do that I can see the Walther P99 on your thigh under your skirt! “Heyy, Ki-kun.” Riko, her skirt in disarray, sat in a crumpled upright position and called me over. Umm… She has some kind of nasty, malicious look in her eyes. I will try not to make eye contact. Riko spreads her hands out and shakes her loose, wavy hair. “Reward me please~! Can I have a hug as a reward for beating Aria? Please~?” Is she stupid? What is with her and cuddling? I have been sitting on a hard chair in the kitchen all day, and so I decide to move away from it and her. “Riko-!” Aria’s slanted, reddish-camellia eyes glared at Riko, and Riko sat back down on the floor, as if to regain her energy. And then, BANG, Aria pounded the floor as if to signal Riko to sit there. “Let’s play again! I was not playing seriously last time! I was only playing at 20% of my max seriousness! Next time I will play seriously and win!” Oh, hey, Aria. You are wearing a short skirt too, so don’t sit on your knees like that. It is hard to know where to put my eyes when looking at you with that gunchira. Also, what is 20% serious for you? You look like a schoolgirl with a tiny physique. So, because of the two girls returning to their game with their pistols on their thighs now exposed… I have no place in the living room now. If I stay in the living room, Riko will say “Dakko~☆” and say something dumb, then Aria, who will probably lose again, will say “I only lost because of Kinji!” So I had no choice but to return my gaze to Momoman again… Looks like the peach bun cooled off already. There is no steam anymore. This is not interesting to watch because there is no movement now. Granted it was not interesting to watch to begin with. Poor me, having to look for a place to stay in my own home, and now I am… looking out the window… Yes. The view…. The most amazing thing about this room is the view. Here at Tokyo Butei High, we are on a man-made floating island to the south of the Rainbow Bridge. So from the window, you can see the ocean, the bridge, and the wind turbine generators on the other side of the bridge. This scenery always gives me peace of mind. It is my day off, so at least I can relax by looking out the window at my favorite scenery. And when I went out on the balcony… “…” My eyes met those of Shirayuki, who was hanging the laundry out to dry. Or rather, Jiyuki was looking at me through a gap in the sheets, and our eyes met. For some reason, the dark-haired Yamato Nadeshiko, who was looking at me entranced, hurriedly averted her gaze with an “awawawa” feeling. And then, huh… Her cheeks are blushing. Putting aside the suspicious behavior of Shirayuki, I leaned my elbows on the balcony railing and looked out at the ocean. As I was relaxing, looking at the Yurikamome train heading to Daiba, Shirayuki was squatting by the laundry basket and started whispering to herself happily. What is it? “Ki… I made eye contact with Kin-chan, Kin-chan looked at me, I’m sure of it, I’m sure he liked it, I’m glad I’m glad I’m glad I’m glad I’m glad I’m glad I’m glad… We are having red bean rice tonight…!” (TL Note: While I was initially sure she said red bean rice for some kind of, ah hum, health benefit, it is actually because red bean rice is known as a dish to eat to celebrate something in Japan, like a celebratory dish.) … I have no need to be concerned and so I will pretend I did not hear that. Behind me, Shirayuki took my t-shirt ouf of the laundry basket and carefully hung it up to dry so that it would not get wrinkled. Next to come out of the basket was Aria’s sailor blouse , which Shirayuki quickly dried by putting it on the clothesline and, “Pang!”, hitting it with her hand. I will have to fix that later. I mean, Shirayuki is a girl who does household chores readily and happily. She is always working hard be is cooking, washing, cleaning, and shopping, even during summer vacation, and so the other day I asked her what her goal is in life, and she closed her eyes and put her hands on her cheeks and said “My goal in life is to take care of Kin-chan…”. She would continue to say long sentences with suspicious words like “married couple”, “married”, and “registered”, even after I left the room. Although she doesn’t point a gun at me like Aria or sneak up and slip me up like Riko… Shirayuki, this girl, is dangerous. For a misogynist like me. I was side-eyeing Shirayuki, who was drying the laundry while humming a children’s song…. Ding-Dong. The door chime in my room rang. … who is it? I head to the front door and open it… “……” Oh. Reki, dressed in her Butei High girls summer uniform, stood idly in front of my door. You scared me. I thought someone had left a full-size Reki figure, since she was completely expressionless and silent as usual. At her feet is Haimaki, Reki’s pet wolf. “……” Reki is not even look at me, her eyes are staring straight through me as she wears her usual headphones. What the hell. I just stared at Reki. Reki, a child prodigy in the snipe department, carries a Dragunov sniper rifle on her shoulder even during summer vacation. Or rather, she always carries it. This weirdo, even when she sleeps, she sits up and sleeps with the sniper rifle leaning on her shoulder. Maybe this sniper is actually connected to her and supplying her with some kind of nourishment. I decided to talk to Reki anyway, who is not even blinking her fake looking eyes. “Hey, Reki. You should at least say ‘Hello’, greetings are the basics of society.” “Hello.” Like an electronic dictionary who just had a button pressed, Reki responds back mechanically. “… what do you want?” “I have come to ask you to return the notebook I lent you the other day.” …ah. Come to think of it, I did borrow a math notebook from Reki, who was on day duty the other day, when I missed a general subject due to work. I forgot all about it. I apologized to Reki and went back to my room and rummaged in my bag and on my desk, but… Huh? Where did I put Reki’s notebook? I remember looking through the notebook and being surprised at the quality of the drawings and the nearly machine printed quality handwriting but… where did I do that? After about 5 minutes of searching, I went out into the hallway. Reki remained standing outside the door, not moving even slightly as she stood under the direct midsummer sun. Her silver wolf, Haimaki, who is from the northern part of Japan, is more exhausted than Reki, lying down at Reki’s feet with his tongue sticking out, panting. “I am sorry, I looked for the notebook but could not find it. I am going to look for it again but… you don’t have to stand there like that, come inside.” After I asked her to come in, she appeared to be interested. She nodded and came inside. “Haimaki, come here.” Reki told the wolf to come in in a daze. Haimaki wiped his feet on the mat at the entrance, then whined while looking at Reki as if to say “Master, are you suffering from a heatstroke?” I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. Don’t be mad at me, I will turn on the air conditioner. Reki’s notebook was found shortly after. I remembered that I had put it in my desk drawer, thinking that I should not lose something I am borrowing. When I returned it, I found Reki sitting in a corner of the living room with the air conditioner on. Reki… you are wearing a uniform with a short skirt, so don’t pull your knees up to your chest… I handed her the notebook and thinking that Reki was about to leave, Riko, while hitting Aria with the pico pico hammer, said “Okay~! Now, us four girls will play Mahjong!” keeping Reki here too. Oh, now all 4 girls are playing Mahjong? My home is just a hub for them from the start. No, don’t worry, I don’t mind. So… After about a minute… Riko rattles the keys of her motorized bicycle and returns to the girls dormitory to pick up her mahjong set, even though none of the girls said that they are going to play. After losing all of the games she faced Riko in, she threw her (mine) PSP at me and walked to the rooftop of the dorm building to refresh herself. Reki went to the bathroom, and Haimaki sat in front of the bathroom door like a gatekeeper. Shirayuki got a call on her cellphone from the student council, so she went to the hallway to answer the call… I went to the convenience store under the boys’ dormitory to buy a bottle of oolong tea. As a result, in both the living room and kitchen… … there was nobody. For only about a minute or so. When I came back from the convenience store, four girls were in the living room. Aside from the other 3 was Riko. How are you able to get to and from the girls’ dorm so quickly? It is the Vespa, isn’t it? She bought her Vespa, which was modified by Muto, a classmate from Logi, to the girls’ dorm and back. The modifications allow it to drive at 150kmph. Since Aria and Reki did not know how to play mahjong, Riko and Shirayuki, who apparently already know how to play, are teaching them the rules. Are those girls really going to play mahjong here? How long are you going to stay in my room? I mean, it’s summer, you should be playing outside, not playing games inside. It is unhealthy, four girls playing mahjong in the daytime. “The rules are such: Anyone that takes a Ron takes off one piece of clothing! A mannikan is two pieces, a hanemann is 4 pieces, and a double is six! Your ribbon is one piece of clothing and each sock is 1 piece!” I thought about running outdoors, but it is too hot outside right now… “Hmmm… this looks like a game that requires a lot of thinking. I should play it while eating something sweet.” With Aria speaking in the background, I decided to take refuge in the bedroom. Bang. I close the bedroom door behind me and take a deep breath. Now I can separate myself from the women and children in the living room. That is a relief. I mean, who do I have to run around like this? I just remembered, this is not only the boys dormitory but my own room. The scene in the living room, isn’t that 100% a women’s dormitory? This is quite bad for me. I am on vacation, but I don’t feel at home at all. Damn. … I am destined to live away from women due to a condition I have known as Hysteria Savant Syndrome, also known as “Hysteria Mode.” Anyone with this condition has a dramatic increase in intellectual and physical strength when they are sexually aroused. Instead, they give priority to the opposite sex, and in my case, I become quite sweet towards women and become their genie in a lamp, which is quite annoying for me. In other words, for me, women = danger. My house is now in a state of immediate danger. There are too many enemy soldiers, and they are all equipped with real pistols and Katanas. (TL Note: Original said “My house is in a state of M.G.S, but I am not sure what that abbreviates to.) Goron. I lay down on the bottom bunk of the bunk bed and I felt a rustling. Hmm? There is some kind of paper bag on my bed. Looking at it, I see empty bags of Momo-Man from Matsumotoya scattered all over the place, as if Aria had eaten them all up. There are seven bags. Damn. She trashed my entire bed. Aria. You don’t have to buy ready-made products since you’re making your own with Momoman kits right now. And as I was putting away the paper bags… “….huh?” Surprisingly, one of the bags held an intact Momoman. Aria was in my room eating momomans and just throwing the bags on my bed. It seems that she threw away a bag with a momoman still in it by mistake. “I am not sure… while I am hungry it is Aria’s… Whatever, I have some oolong tea, so I will eat it while I kill time here.” This is what happens when you leave food out in the summer, I am not just going to let it spoil. Paku. I ate the momoman and washed it down with the oolong tea. Hmmm… It is pretty tasty. When I put the paper bag and laid down on my bed again… In a high pitched, anime voice… Aria’s screams could be heard in the background…! “This is a serious matter of trust between us.” Aria’s voice is the most serious that I have ever heard before. At the kitchen table, which was about to become a mahjong table, there are five people, Aria, Shirayuki, Riko, Reki… and me, facing each other with question marks above our heads. “No more mahjong? What is wrong all of a sudden?” “I have a serious case I need to address. We can play mahjong later.” What? There is gonna be a next time? And with a raised eyebrow… I turn my gaze to the center of the table. There was a momoman creation kit, a little case that looked like a small basket made out of woven bamboo. Aria pops open its lid. “Someone stole and ate my momoman!” Inside, indeed, there was no momoman. “Ohh…. I was… looking forward… to making my own momoman for the first time in my life… and eating it…!” All you did was open a plastic bag with bean jam in it. But there was no way I was going to say such a thing to Aria, who looked so furious right now that her horn-like hair ornaments were really starting to look like horns. “The culprit must be here! As soon as I find them I will kil-… Don’t be scared, I am not angry, just come forward!” Aria… just now… you almost said “kill you”… while putting your hand on your government pistol… I cannot believe you already screwed up. If there is a culprit, there is no chance they will step forward now. But… hmm…. She certainly has a case here though. The name of this case shall be “The Case of the Missing Momoman.” Okay… let me try a bit of deduction here. I have been a butei for a long time. …The first step in reasoning deduction in such cases is the process of elimination first. In other words, first I address answers that are simply “this is impossible” and anything else that “is not possible either”, ultimately leaving me with just one answer that is the only possible one. First: the possibility of an outside culprit. This would be unlikely. All the windows to my room are closed from the inside to keep the air conditioning in, meaning that this is a “locked room” situation. So, Aria is right. It was one of the people here that stole her food. There is no possibility that I am the culprit. I ate a momoman earlier, but it was leftovers in Aria’s bedroom. The missing momoman was a human sculpture too, so it could not have been the normal one I ate. Then, the possible culprits are either Shirayuki, Riko, or Reki. I guess there is no other possibility than it was one of these three… Bang! Bang! Aria made the pico pico hammer clang like a judges mallet. “Did anyone here witness the incident?!?!” Riko raises her hand as Aria bares her canine teeth. “Yes yes! Riko saw it, I did! When everyone was gone from the kitchen… Yuki-chan was in there for a minute longer!” Yuki-chan. It is a nickname that Riko has given to Shirayuki of her own will. “Shirayuki…?” When I turned around, Shirayuki, whose eyes already expressed surprise, now had her eyebrows raised under her bangs. “I-, It wasn’t me!” Shirayuki, with a thud slammed the table with her back stretched out. “I am a Yamato Nadeshko! I would never steal something from anyone, even if it belonged to Aria! Kin-chan, trust me! It wasn’t me!” She hugged me with tears in her eyes, sobbing. I cannot help but notice that, in the middle of hugging me, you are pressing your big chest against my arms quite a bit more than you have to. Whoa. Why are they as soft as a giant marshmallow? N-, No! This is too dangerous! Going into hysteria mode in this place is too dangerous! This entire situation has become to chaotic that I cannot even begin to guess who stole the momoman! “Oh, hey, Shirayuki! All right, I get it! Get off me! Don’t grab onto me!” “I will prove my innocence! I don’t hide anything from you!” I pushed her away, and Shirayuki, who did not even lose at the Mahjong game earlier… shhhh, pupupupuchi! She suddenly took off the ribbon of her uniform and started unbuttoning her blouse with divine speed. “What are you doing Shirayuki! I know you are not hiding it!” “Take it off, take it off, take it off…! Look, I am hiding nothing! Rather, I want you to look at me Kin-chan-sama!” …Basun! Aria suddenly fired her Government pistol at the ceiling. Chinchinchichiiin… the brass casing bounced and rolled on the wooden floor. “Shirayuki! I have told you before, Kinji is my slave! Move away from him and stay away from my Kinji!” When Aria fired a warning shot as casually as she breathed, Shirayuki was so surprised she was unable to react immediately, but… “… my… my Kinji… haha…?” Tsuu. (TL Note: breathing sound effect) While losing the light from her now dull, black eyes, she looked like a Noh mask, and then, “Jaki!” Now she looks like Hannya and points the scythe portion of her chain scythe, that she pulled out from behind her, at Aria! “I will expose the truth!” What is it now, Shirayuki? “Kin-chan, I know who did it! It is Aria! Aria made it all up!” … excuse me? “She ate the momoman herself, and now she is trying to trick everyone to tear me and Kin-Chan apart! That is the kind of girl she is!” What are you talking about? “What? Are you insulting me right now?! This stupid woman!” “Aria is the culprit, that is my insult! She is a criminal even if she is not one here! Beheading! Behead her!” Gyagya! Aria and Shirayuki start fighting, pulling each other’s pink and black hair. Oh… come on… Although the possibility of Aria’s self committed crime cannot be ruled out, it is highly unlikely in view of the seriousness of the situation. Aria, a real aristocrat with limitless pride, is not the type of person who would come up with such a clever and underhanded trick as Shirayuki stated. “N~ fufufu… you are jumping the gun, aren’t you~…” Riko, with her finger on her forehead, shakes her head, speaking with a dumb sounding impersonation. What is it? Is it an impersonation of a famous television detective from some kind of TV drama? Riko’s loosely permed hair swayed like fluff and smelled sweetly of vanilla. “Is there not a person that Rikorin witnessed…? Hmmm…” Oh, is it an imitation of Furuhata Ninzaburo? “Rekyun.” Riko turns her hand from her forehead to look at Reki, her eyebrows deliberately raised. In contrast, Reki is…. Not making the slightest movement. I mean, she actually hasn’t moved a millimeter since we sat down. The nickname “Robot Reki” is no joke. She is just like a robot that has been disconnected from its power source. “You were alone in the kitchen for a little while after you went to the bathroom, weren’t you~? You were wandering around the room with the wolf. What do you have to say for yourself~?” Stop it. Stop imitating Furuhata. It was popular at Inquesta once upon a time, so I watched it, but there is not even a TV in Reki’s room, nevermind a DVD. “… Reki?” Aria, who has been using her mastered Scorpion Deathlock move on Shirayuki, rushed to Reki and climbed up on the table. “Did. You. Eat. The. Momoman?” “…..” “If you ate it, just tell me with honesty. I am indebted to you, and even if you are the culprit, I wouldn’t shoot you too much!” So you will still shoot her anyway? “…..” Reki, Shiii. She is silent. … Ah, she is suspicious… “Why did you do it, Reki?! Why did you eat it?! Was it because it looked good?!” Aria, who lost all control in 3 seconds, grabbed Reki by the shoulders and shook her. Reiki sways back and forth, but is remaining expressionless. At this point her expressionless is just a party trick. “… I have already taken in all the nutrition I need for the day.” Whoah. She spoke. No, this did not surprise me or freak me out. It just came out of nowhere. “If you eat a momoman, you will be overloaded with calories. It is impossible to consume.” … something seems slightly off in your answer… but I mean, you claim that you have not eaten it. You know, I used to work with Reki when I was in the Assault department. Reki is a terribly picky eater and I have never seen her eat anything but space food-like rations. What she eats in private is just calorie mates. In other words, for Reki, eating is simply just about nutrition. She has no interest in eating good food or anything like that. It is hard to imagine that her motive for eating the momoman is simply… that it looked good. Besides, Reki, she does not lie. “Kinji is more suspicious.” Reki, who does not lie, is now turning on me. She turned her eyes towards me like a camera lens. “Hey…. what the heck!” “Haimaki says he can smell azuki beans coming from Kinji’s mouth.” Reki says, stroking Haimaki who was lying at her feet. This…. This…. This robot and wolf were exchanging information…! Gra! Aria started glaring at me from the table! Scary! “Thi-, This is…” … it was a different momoman, a leftover that Aria did not gobble up yesterday. I would like to excuse myself, but I have no proof. Aria probably won’t believe that she dumped a momoman on the bed yesterday by accident, so this testimony is useless if used against her. There… there is no way out. I must… I must use my trump card! “I don’t care about anything she says!” Bishi! I pointed my finger in an exaggerated manner… At Riko Mine. “… I kept quiet because I was waiting for her to come forward on her own, but I saw her! I saw Riko in the kitchen, and she was moving suspiciously! And it was right in front of the stove!” Gikuuu! Riko’s mouth opened so grandly that you could almost hear it. “I cannot confirm for sure that she was snacking or touching the container, but if she touched it you should be able to find her fingerprints on it!” And all at once, I dropped my trump card information… Ginn! Shirayuki was just about to be falsely accused. Kiro. Similarly, Reki. Girorori! The victim was Aria. (TL Note: I have zero clue what these sounds are supposed to symbolize, maybe their reaction at the revelation?) … All at once, everyone stared at Riko. (Riko…! It was you… I thought you were suspicious from the beginning! After all, you are the great granddaughter of the great thief Lupin!” Aria. You doubted me earlier. Before that, it was Reki. Before that, it was Shirayuki. But with this… phew. The case has been settled. Farewell, Riko. For the good of a fellow classmate, I will bury your bones. “Fu…” Riko got up from her chair and backed away to the wall… “Fufuu…” Her big, idol-like eyes are moistened, and she begins making a crying like sound… uruuu, urururururu… (TL Note: Crying sound. Keeping sounds as original as possible.) “Uwaaaaaaa! It is not Riko! It is not Riko! It is not Riko! I-, I did not eat it!! I-!” Well then. She is looking straight at us, tears streaming down her face like water works. Hmm… something is up… she is really crying. It is not a trick. “No… Riko doesn’t believe anyone! I will use my trump card~!” What…? Riko also had a trump card…? Riko, who was trapped in a corner crying, now is pointing to the ceiling. Apart from the bullet hole that Aria had just made, there is a tiny hole that looks like it was drilled… I don’t know what that is…? “Riko has had a hidden camera in Ki-Kun’s room for a long time! With this camera footage, I can tell the whole truth about who ate the momoman!” I had almost forgotten about it because her usual behaviour is so stupid, but Riko’s hobbies are eavesdropping, snooping, and hacking. In other words, Riko is an information thief. She is an honor student in the Inquesta Department and has a Butei rank of A. So if she were to get into my house, well… of course something like this would happen. Ultra-compact hidden cameras about the size of a dice were found in abundance. All over the ceiling. Inside the umbrella stand at the front door. Behind the leaves of houseplants. In the bedroom, under the clock, in the air conditioner vent, in electrical outlets, on the wall, and in various other places. It annoyed me that they were strangely placed only around the bed in the bedroom, but the way they were hidden was very clever and I learned a lot. (TL Note: ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)) “There were at least 20… Riko, why did you have all these cameras in my room?” “Because, you know. Ki-kun and Aria, that is a young man and woman, are living under the same roof. Even Yuki-chan has been coming recently. As an Inquesta student, it would be negligent of me not to investigate what happens when you are alone.” “I do not think that is fine. Is that all the cameras you have? If you hid anymore, you better tell me or else there will be trouble.” When I put my hands on my hips and looked directly at Riko, Riko nodded with frustrated tears in her eyes and said “that is all of it”. “…and now, all suspects, gather around the TV.” Aria, sitting cross-legged in front of the flat-screen TV, inserted the micro SD memory card that Riko took out of the camera, put it into her cellphone, and connected the AV terminal. In front of the screen, Shirayuki is sitting upright, Riko is lying on her stomach like a mermaid, Reki is sitting like she is in gym class, and Aria is sitting cross-legged. I sat down on the sofa behind the four of them, as some of them were sitting dangerously, unaware that they were wearing short skirts. The TV begins to show a clearer image than I expected, It is in color and with sound. … we all looked at the TV. Now… who is the culprit? 11:32:05 AM. First, Aria entered the kitchen. “Mufufufu…” With a big smile on her face, she opened the container containing the momoman and looked inside. Jiruu~. I can hear her slurping up her drool. Are you really an aristocrat? Are you sure you are even a highschool girl? Aria had a sniff of the momoman and decided to eat it later while playing mahjong, and with a pop she put the lid back on the container. She did not set the clasp though, she just put it back on top. She is so random… 11:32:15AM As Riko testified earlier, Shirayuki came to the kitchen. She put a large soup pot on the stove, perhaps to prepare dinner. Oh…? So the lid fell off the container, which she pushed away a bit. Shirayuki received a call on her cell phone, which was plugged into a charger in the hallway, and she walked out of the kitchen and into the hallway, saying something like “Yes, yes, I am home right now.” 11:32:30 AM. That is right. Now, Riko went into the kitchen. And she picked up the container with a momoman in it, everyone just saw it. “Kufufuu” Laughing and such Riko… took a syringe from her skirt pocket. There is… a bright yellow liquid… something inside. “Aria, you are in for a world of pain with your spicy mustard momoman! Kufufuu! Kuraa!” While saying something like that, when she was about to stab the momoman, she suddenly turned to the door. Then, she fluffed her skirt and ran away. At that time, the container got caught in Riko’s fluttering clothes on the stove… Poron. Poyon. The momoman fell to the floor and bounced… And it landed on a chair in the kitchen. 11:32:35:AM Reki and Haimaki entered the kitchen. Did Riko sense their presence and run away? Reki heads to the table that used to be a mahjong table and took a seat next to the momoman. Haimaki went up to the table, found the momoman, and sat next to Reki. He could smell it and clearly wanted to eat it. “Don’t do it, Haimaki. That is someone’s food. Return it to its owner.” When Reki talks to Haimaki, Haimaki, who it seems is able to communicate with its owner… pouts. Haimaki lightly sniffs the fluffy momoman. Funfunfun. Then he sniffs the floor. He is now going somewhere… carrying… 11:32:50 AM. Now it is the bedroom footage. Haimaki, holding the momoman in his mouth, comes into the bedroom. I have got… a bad feeling about… something… here… Hymaki begins… funfun… sniffing the bedroom… He looked at the top bunk of the bunk bed, Aria’s bed, but he couldn’t seem to the able to climb the ladder… so he sniffed around more and went up to the bottom bunk bed, my bed… And after sniffing it, Haimaki put it in the paper bag… the same bag that Aria had tossed on my bed, a momoman bag. Goso. Gososo. He put his nose in there and is putting the momoman in it. …hoho… And after that, I appeared dashingly on the TV… (““I am not sure… while I am hungry it is Aria’s… Whatever, I have some oolong tea, so I will eat it while I kill time here.”) I was proudly eating the momoman while saying “I am not a big fan of this kind of food.” …oh… I see… Aria opened the lid of the container, Shirayuki takes it off, Riko tries to play a prank on the momoman she finds and drops it, Reki orders Haimaki to carry the momoman “to its owner”, and Haimaki carries it to the “paper bag with its owner’s smell” in the bedroom. I ate it. So that is how it is. So there was no evil will offender, and every single one of us was a little bit complicit with everyone else, unknowingly. Well, I know that Aria-sama is not someone who can accept such an explanation. Kinji ate it -> Kinki was the culprit -> Kinji gets shot dead. I guess this is what I am talking about. A short circuited verdict handed down in that twintails head. Aria’s back is shaking… as on the screen I am gulping down a bottle of oolong tea, lying on my bed, and staring at my phone while scratching my butt… she is looking at it with anger… The only thing I have to think about is this. From Aria, who now has her back turned to me and a full magazine in both her pistols… How do I escape this? And one more thing. Dear God. I rarely pray, but just listen to my prayer today. … May I live to see tomorrow? Gunshot for the next!! ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ### 021. Scarlet Festa Hello and welcome back. Waifuspite coming back with more. This time it is the Scarlet Festa booklet for the 10 year aniv of HnA. Hope you enjoy this and all the future works I plan on doing for HnA~ Aria the Scarlet Ammo 10th anniversary Short Story # E’s Face … the face represents a person. You know the saying. “Hey, what do you mean by an E-rank face? I was not listening.” While eating soba noodles in the cafeteria during lunch break… I lost my temper a little. Today, the five of us in Baskerville were having lunch together. I was losing my temper a little though at the comment that Aria, our apparent anime face heroine, made, calling me an “E rank face”. Yeah, Aria. I am the leader of Team Baskerville on paper. In case you were wondering, you are only the deputy leader, don’t disrespect your leader. Should I take out my anger by beating her up a little? I wouldn’t do it in reality though, she will just shoot me back anyway. “You have an E-rank face because you are the face of all E-rank buteis. Am I saying something wrong or incorrectly?” Aria is eating a momoman (who eats a momoman for lunch) and is saying “tsuntsun” while eating. “That is an E-rank face Ki-kun! You have an E-rank face~!” (TL Note: So there is a bit of a pun here that I can only sort of make out. Basically, Riko first says “Ejianky-kun” AKA Janky (kin”JI”), and then uses that as a reason to say he has an E-rank face. I cannot make it make sense fluently so I changed it a bit.) Riko, who has the face of a heroine in a bishojo game, smiles broadly while eating her childrens lunch, which is only on the menu for when children from the elementary school attached to Butei High come to the cafeteria, but is rarely ordered by Butei High students. “It is a crime to make puns. And even E-rank butei don’t always get ranked E-rank in everything. I got an A++ rating in survival training after only a year.” “Th- that’s right! Kin-chan is a person who can do anything if he tries.” “You did survival training more than a year ago. It is not good to cling to past glories.” Shirayuki, a girl with a nationally beautiful face who is eating matching soba noodles with me was flattered by my achievements, but Reki, a CG beauty face, was critical of me as she ate her calorie mate. Just to be sure, today is November of 2010… The last training I got an A or better in was last year’s survival training. Since then, I have gotten E’s on most tests, D’s at best. But that was largely because I have been swamped with things from Aria, absent, exhausted, and injured. I am fine now since Aria has been busy with Kaname lately. I am also in good condition except for my right knee, which was irrationally kicked and shot by Kaname. “Then I will get an A, no, an S, on my individual evaluation for tomorrow’s rotational team exercise. I mean, we are here today for that meeting, right? We are not here to talk about my face.” The subject I had just mentioned, “Rotational Team Exercise”, is one of the tests at Butei High. The Rotational Team Exercise is a test in which a Butei High instructor assigns a task to each student team. This test is not just limited to Assault Butei teams, like ours, but includes all of the different types such as investigation, transportation, intelligence, etc. Because of this, it is not possible to test all student teams at once and is thus held on a rotating basis. And so, tomorrow it is our turn for this test. –The evaluation for this team exercise will not only be for evaluating the team, but also for evaluating the individual. The results for the individual are not only important as a representation of the quality of the Butei school, but are also important as they can impact the butei rank of the individual. And so I declared I was going to get a S rank. “It will be difficult for Kinji to get an S grade as his personal evaluation as it is partially impacted by the instructor’s impression of everyone on a day-to-day basis.” “If you think you can get it, try to get it. You don’t have to act so crazy about it though. A person with an E is an “invincible person” in that they cannot get lower than an E.” Reki and Aria, who have received S rank or at least an A rank in most of their training and evaluation turn their eyes full of pity onto me. Gununu…!!! These performance bourgeoisie. Watch me. I, a soon to be accomplished proletariat, will start a revolution! Tomorrow. I was actively gritting my teeth at them. “Riko had a great idea!” Riko, who has never had a “good idea” in her life, is banzaiing with the fork she stabbed into her kids set hamburger steak with. I have a bad feeling about this… “Lets have an individual evaluation competition in the team exercise! The person with the worst evaluation is the worst butei in Baskerville! As punishment, they will have to do the Madako Ondo in front of everyone!” (TL Note: Okay, so this confused me for a bit until my dumb self decided to translate the next bit. This, from what I can find, is a make believe dance loosely based on the dance in the youtube video here. ) …Madako Ondo…! Those words make me, Aria, Shirayuki, and even Reki quite nervous. … in the current Tokyo Bay, where the environment has improved greatly, octopus can now be caught. The “Madako Ondo” is a dance invented by Minato City to promote the Madako as a special product of the bay area. The “octopus” in this dance runs around while wiggling its arms and legs to express its softness and liveliness, which is a dangerous dance that would surely get you reported if you danced it on the street. At an elementary school affiliated with Tokyo Butei high in Minato-ku, lower grade students were made to dance this at an athletic meet, which caught the attention of the Butei high students who were on the staff. The children seemed to enjoy the dance. “We already did an event to determine the best butei here during summer vacation, the Cast-Off table…!” (TL Note: shameless plug, I have already translated this story so make sure to read it if you have not already <3) “That one was for the best Butei in Baskerville and this one is for the worst one. I want to… I want to see… I want to see someone here do the Madako Ondo! Tako tako, tako tako♪” “Ehh…? That is a dance famous in that, if you dance it you wont get a husband, you know? Riko already dances it a lot though… and as for Aria not getting a husband, that is fine.” “I have heard that dance is not good for your health and can cause sprains and dislocations.” “Hey Riko, pick a different game!” Me, Shirayuki, Reki, and Aria all raise our voices in protest to Riko. “Arara~? What is this? If you don’t want to compete, does that mean Aria thinks that she might lose~! Aria is running away before she even tries!” “Hah? That is not the case! I- I will do it!” The conversation between Riko and Aria about this was the deciding factor. The battle to determine Baskervilles worst Butei would see the Rotating Team exercise as the battleground and the Madako Ondo as punishment for the worst Butei. It is now the day of the test, early afternoon. Under a clear autumn sky with a strong westerly wind, Baskerville gathers on the street in the second section of the school island, the starting point of the rotational team exercise. I had decided to avoid the bottom spot by sabotaging people, so I prepared staples to staple Aria and Reki’s skirts together, as they often stand side by side… Riko texted me at night though “anyone who intentionally sabotages someone else, no questions asked, is at the bottom of the list!”, and so I stopped that idea. So, the test instructors are Ranbyou and Tsuzuri. “This test is of a standardised level for the general butei, with an LD score of about 500. You have 45 minutes to find the vehicle, arrest the criminal, and rescue the hostage. However, assume all possible scenarios.” “I wrote the scenario. It is not too difficult, but it is a new masterpiece.” And to start, a rough briefing. The scenario for the test is a setup with an enemy that is only known to the criminal or hostage actor. This scenario informs the actors how to invade our pursuit and where to go, information which we are not allowed to know the full details of. I wonder if Tsuzuri set up some kind of trap. If there was an Olympics of bad character, she would represent Japan on the world stage with her twisted personality. She stated that this is only an LD score of 500 though, so it should not be too complicated. Regardless, I need to be on the lookout. I was a little enthusiastic, but… “The hostage is unknown, but the target driving the car is this guy.” When I saw the mugshot that Ranbyou handed out, I realized that this test is a chore. … isn’t that Jeanne d’Arc, a second year inquesta student? What a lucky role for her, playing a criminal. She can fill that role easily. “The enemy is armed with guns. Basically, fight with non-lethal ammunition.” “Some people were taking this test too easy though, so instead of paint rounds I gave the other side tabasco rounds.” (TL Note: Yes, as in the hot sauce. Read on for further explanation.) See? There is her horrible personality. Tabasco bullets are super weak bullets, and when they hit someone, the weak shell explodes, spraying hot sauce everywhere. If the sauce hits your clothes, you get blood-like colours on you, and of course, if it hits your face it will be very painful. It is one of the bullets you do not want to eat. (TL Note: eat as in take to the face, granted, I don’t think any bullet is enjoyable to eat?) “The supplies you get are this and this. You can use other things but are largely on your own.” Ranbyou pulled out a metal container containing non-lethal bullets and a butei bike (a normal bike with bulletproof tires) from the Mitsubishi Delica Cargo van they brought. These supplies are crap…! “And so we are just about ready to start the examination. It starts at exactly 13:00” Tsuzuri, smoking her tobacco like substance even in front of her students without a care in the world, got into the Delica Cargo van with Ranbyou and left for the highest building in the first district, the snipe department building… I first put the non-lethal rounds into my Beretta. They are free after all. However, as Ranbyou said, “non-lethal ammunition”. The use of these rubber warhead bullets is not mandatory. You can use whatever rounds you want in this exercise technically, but you will not be reimbursed, and if you injure the enemy unnecessarily, you will only receive point deductions. Looking at my team, it seems that Aria and Riko are also using non-lethal bullets, and Reki just took a clip. Shirayuki was not provided with non-lethal ammunition of a calibre that fits the gun she uses, so we decided to let her go without a gun because if we let her use that military machine gun, she would cause extensive damage to unrelated surroundings and we would receive a point deduction. “Well then. As the leader of Baskerville, I am going to review the operation once again. The contents of the test that Ranbyou just mentioned are almost the exact same as in the past. The supplies are of a poorer quality than usual, but since Jeanne is playing the role of the criminal, it will be balanced. Let’s see…Well, just do as I told you in the email last night. Let’s move out.” No one in Baskerville would listen to the leader, me, so I couldn’t review the operation with them but… thanks to everyone putting in 200 yen to pool 1000, we were able to buy information from our seniors for information on past tests, so we know what we have to do. It seems that a 50cc moped was provided last year, but this time it is just a bicycle. However, if Riko, our scout, works hard, she should be able to carry everything in the wheeled cart that she had prepared in advance. “It is time. Let the exercise begin!” Ranbyou’s voice echoes from each of the Baskerville members’ cell phone, which are set to conference call mode. There is also a strong wind noise mixed in with the audio. This must mean that they are watching us from the roof of the snipe building, just like in the past. There, first-year snipers are hired at 500 yen per day to observe our movements and report them to Ranbyou and her team. “Good. Shirayuki, Riko, go. If you fight on the way, I won’t talk to either of you for the next week.” When I nailed them, Shirayuki and Riko shook hands with each other, pasted on fake smiles, and said “We don’t fight!” and “we are good friends!” to show me their hastily formed friendship. First: The bicycle that Riko is pedalling on her own goes out with our materials, and Shirayuki is on the back of the bicycle. Butei Island is a sem-private property of Butei High. It is treated as a special zone, and two seaters are grudgingly allowed. It is not a good idea to do it, but you are technically allowed to. At least here, there will be no point deduction. “Alright, Reki get into position. Aria, we are going too.” Reki, with her Dragunov slung over her shoulders, nodded her head and headed for her position, while Aria and I headed for the third boys dormitory, the second tallest building in the first ward. (Whatever, this should be an easy job. Baskerville is full of cheat performers. I bet the team rating will be good, so I will concentrate on raising my individual reputation.) I chuckle while riding the elevator to the rooftop. After all, the dishonourable title of “worst Butei officer of Baskerville” and doing the Madako Ondo are at stake for this exercise. So, last night I put my wits about me, and informed everyone of a plan that would make each Baskerville member play an equal role, and I would be the coolest and make the best impression on the instructor. I basically took advantage of my role as leader. Now my victory is assured. A great general wins before the fight even begins. Now who will perform the Madako Ondo… Aria, Shirayuki, Riko, or Reki? Kukuku… “Kukuku…” “Hey, Kinji. It is kinda scary being the only person in the elevator with you and you start creepily laughing…” I should not have done that. I was so convinced of victory that I just started laughing. And then… “I found it. The vehicle is a Toyota Crown. It is an older model, the kind you see as cabs and such. The colour is black. It will enter phase 2 at location 2C. Suddenly, Shirayuki contacts me. Here is Baskerville’s cheat #1: Shirayuki’s superpower. Shirayuki is using a dowsing stick used by mountaineers to find water, but with it she can find out where people are that she knows. It is impressive, aside from the fact that she often shows up at my place with it, which is annoying as hell. “A black Crown. It is an inconspicuous, and common car. Don’t make a mistake, okay Aria?” “Don’t be ridiculous.” Me and Aria go out onto the roof of the men’s dormitory, and stand on top of the water tank farther up on the roof, and both of us equip ourselves with the paraglider and binoculars that we had prepared there earlier in the morning. Then I connect the back side of my belt to the front side of Aria’s waist harness with a metal bracket, so that I am wearing her on my back. “Okay. I am entering phase 2. Aria, you weigh just 56kg including equipment. Add that to my own weight and I can still fly. Keep in mind though that you may be getting heavier because of all the momoman’s you are eating, okay? So, let’s take of-, oww?!” Ba~a! Huh? Without the leader’s command to take off, the deputy leader, Aria, caught the headwind and rose as soon as she raised the paraglider like a kite. Connected by a carabiner, I, too, am suspended and rose with Aria into the sky. “Itetete… I bit my tongue because of how suddenly we flew up!” “You only bit your tongue because you have such a big mouth! If you are planning on talking for the rest of your life, close your mouth so you don’t bite off your tongue. I am going to go even higher.” Aria was, as always, skillfully handling herself as a pilot, and we immediately caught the updraft. We quickly climbed to an altitude of about 100 metres. As soon as Aria moved into a gentle circling course, using my binoculars I checked the front of Tokyo Waterfront Monorail Ukishima North station, point 2C that Shirayuki informed earlier about. “… I see it. It is a black crown. Looks like it’s heading west to 2C, starting at the west end between 1st and 2nd Avenues. Traffic is minimal. I’d say we can attack it.” Tsuzuri. You said this was a new test, but this is exactly the same scenario as last year. Thanks to our teacher’s lazy nature, I am going to be able to easily raise my individual rating with ease. “Okay then. Let’s stick to the original plan.” Point 2C… at that T-Junction, Riko and Shirayuki, who have gone ahead of us, have set up an “under construction” sign from their rear-drawn carriage to prevent the Crown from exiting to the north or south. Baskerville cheat member #2… Riko, disguised as a construction site lady in a perfect disguise, stops a vehicle with a red indicator stick and… The Crown, which was not stuck in traffic, made a U-turn on the two-lane road, trying to turn around on the road leading to 2C. This is exactly what we were planning to have happen. Looking through my binoculars, I could see the car moving around a few times. Jeanne is in the driver’s seat, driving the car. She is wearing sunglasses to hide her face, but her silver hair stands out amongst everyone else. “The culprit has been visually confirmed… I can see… the hostages…” In the centre backseat was Hiraga-san, who had her wrists tied with a rope and sitting clearly frightened. Hiraga-san is in the same grade as us, but it would appear that for the purposes of the test she is a child, so… “mumu, You are quite despicable to kidnap a child. The hostage is Aya Hiraga, in the backseat.” When I said that, “Hiraga-san is going to get mad when she hears that, you know that, right?” Aria replied, operating the break cord, and began to descend the paraglider in a spiral course like a corkscrew. Fifty metres above, thirty metres above, ten metres above where the Crown is, we accelerate enough to approach the enemy vehicle like a hawk. Are you watching, Masters? “Green light on the Crown. It seems that it is heading towards the crossroads at 2B” “I can see it normally, you don’t have to update me all the time…” Jeanne has just put a green light on the roof of the Crown from her driver’s seat out the window. That means that that vehicle has just now become a “training vehicle” in the local rules for Academy Island. It is a declaration to outsiders that from here on out the car will be violating the law. And true to Jeanne’s declaration, the Crown flees, avoiding unrelated cards and occasionally driving in reverse. But our paraglider has caught up to her. Baribaribari! A thunderstorm of gunfire resounded from above me, with nonlethal rounds raining down on every part of the crown, hitting everywhere except for the top of the backseat. All Butei vehicles are bulletproof, so even if the car were to be hit with live ammunition it is unlikely that the rounds would pierce them anyway. “On behalf of masters, we will contact the exercise team and the culprit. The culprit’s vehicle has been hit and damaged. Judgement: minor damage. The vehicle can still be driven, but the speed limit should be limited to 50 km/h.” A first-year sniper who is observing with masters made the damage declaration. I guess Aria got points after Shirayuki and Riko. Tsk. Baskervilles cheat #3 and #4 are Aria’s offensive power and her mobility. But… I am going to make sure I raise my reputation, even though I don’t have any special cheats. “No return fire from the enemy vehicle. Entering the final phase as scheduled.” “I understand. Get it together, Kinji.” Doing as Aria said, I was separated from the paraglider, which was flying just above the crown, and… damn… I managed to land on one knee in a cool way. Okay, I did it as cool as I had practised in my room last night after watching a YouTube clip of Heliborne. Did that give you a cool impression, masters? “Why are you trying so hard to be cool?” After landing on a traffic light and detaching her paraglider, Aria became a human turret, showering the crown with non-lethal rounds. Jeanne, being driven back by Arias gunfire, runs into the crossroads at point 2B despite Aria’s gunfire. The driver’s side windshield was also hit by Aria’s bullets but, “The deputy of Masters contacted us. The vehicle is equipped with bulletproof glass just like in this simulation, so the culprit has not been hit.” We were informed. The next moment that call was made to Baskerville – Bishii! There was a piercing impact that shook the Crown from the left side of the vehicle body. I had also read in the past that the enemy vehicles were set up with all glass being bulletproof, so as I had ordered, a sniper, Reki, led an ambush from the south side of the crossroads. From the sound and impact, she used live ammunition. Bulletproof glass, however, is not something that can be destroyed with a single shot. But here is Baskervilles cheat #5, Reki… Bishii! Bishii! She kept shooting the exact same spot on the Crown’s bulletproof glass window with semi-auto continuous fire. It was essentially hitting a nail repeatedly with a hammer until it eventually pierced a wooden board. Jeanne noticed this and swung the car to the right and left to escape Reki’s bullets. Because of this I had to cling to the roof of the car like in a Jakie Chan movie to prevent myself from being swept off. There is no point in trying to escape Jeanne, Reki can shoot a specific word off of a flyer flying in the wind from a kilometre away. From across the road, Reki continued to snipe with precision and firepower, finally smashing the bulletproof glass on the passenger side of the car with a “Baryii!” , with the final shot from an angled non-lethal round. “… not yet!” From inside the car, I can hear Jeanne’s voice. It sounds like she has an evaluation at stake, and she is working hard at succeeding. I know she is because I , too, have had to do it myself, as the role of the culprit in team exercises is often played for follow up exams. “The longer you resist, the worse your charges will be.” I entered the car through the passenger window and easily handcuffed Jeanne’s left wrist, which was easy to get as she was holding onto the steering wheel. I then pull on the other side of the handcuffs, forcing her left hand away from the steering wheel. (TL Note: remember, in Japan driver and passenger are swapped when compared to much of Europe and NA, so Kinji would have entered through the left side of the car as that is the passenger side.) “Yes, Hiraga-san, you can run away.” I quickly unlocked the car door and allowed Hiraga-san to get out of the car. Jeanne can now either keep driving away with her remaining right hand or fight me. But either way it is a dead end for her. If she continues to hold the steering wheel I will cuff her right wrist as well. If she fights me, the car will stop and she will be surrounded by Aria, Shirayuki, Riko, and Reki, who will rush in. … the perpetrators were secured and the hostages were released… Usually at this point the test is finalised and the exercise is over, but there was no such declaration from Tsurugi or masters… and the action taken by Jeanne was… neither driving or fighting… Jeanne stopped driving and looked out the window, and pulled me along with the handcuffs on her left wrist. The car had also stopped driving but Hiraga-san didn’t run away. Why? “? ? ?” I turned to Hiraga-san with a “?” above my head, and there was something pointing at me. It was a muzzle. A revolver pistol, Mateva Defesa 357 magnum. (TL Note: The Mateva Defesa 357 is a fairly large revolver that fires a, surprise, .357 round. Not as mighty as a .44 but it blows Aria’s 1911 out of the water in terms of power. Surprised Hiraga uses one.) “And that’s it!” The gun that Hiraga-san was holding, which she herself had grabbed after removing the ropes from around her wrist, went “Bang!” Bicha! And the bullet hit me in the face. “Ahhhh!” Even non-lethal bullets hurt like hell! No, that isn’t it, my face is all red now! Is this live ammunition?! Blood?! No, that is not the case, it hurts it hurts!! The pain is not the pain of live ammunition, it is tingling! It’s spicy, it’s spicy, it’s spicy! My nose and mouth are on fire! –Tabasco bullets! “Gyaaaa!” The handcuffs slip out of my hands as I am screaming, and immediately, a “Clang!”, and I hear the drivers and backseat doors open, and Jeanne and Hiraga-san flee! I say “apparently” because I cannot open my eyes as they are on fire! “Higiii! I need water!” I was in so much pain that I jumped out of the car, not caring if the examiners saw me. Damn it! Hiraga-san was a fake hostage and a member of the criminal gang! So this is what the enemy’s scenario was all about! Tsurugi! Certainly, this is a new work that has never been done in the past! Curse you! I opened my eyes frantically trying to find a vending machine to buy water to wash my face, and in my now bright red vision I saw… Aria, running like a cheetah, is jumping on Jeanne, who is covered in Tabasco, not blood, on her shoulders and back. Hiraga-san, who was running away with her hands raised, was tackled by Riko, and was sent to Jail. Ahh… they will get even more evaluation points now… “Ki- Kinchan, are you okay!?” Shirayuki is holding me up and rescuing me, although she is scared by my zombie-like complexion and movements. However, she can only create fire, not water, so she is of no use to me. However, her act of saving a victim has earned her a lot of points. Oh no, I can hear the music of Madako Ondo. Along with the spiciness and tingling of the Tabasco, my entire body is burning and tingling. “Whe-, where is the hostage…! I… helping… I…. for evaluation…! Score… rank…!” With no vending machine in sight, I wander back to the car, where Reki is squatting and has just operated a lever on the driver’s side floor. And then, Reki walked around to the side of the trunk, which she had just unlocked. “Hostage found and rescued.” I didn’t notice it while the car was driving… but there was banging on the trunk cover from the inside of the trunk. Reki helped a female student out of the trunk who was handcuffed and her mouth duct taped shut. Ahhhhhh! The last possible credit was just taken by Reki…! Jeannes driving had made her glasses fall off, and the real hostage was not Hiraga-san but Misaki Nakasorachi, a second year student in Connect. She must have been very scared, “mogogo-!” as she is crying and leaning into Reki. “Hey Toyama! What are you doing getting yourself shot!? I told you to expect all eventualities!” “Wahaha, I got you brilliantly.” “Exercise over! Assessment time. Team Baskerville succeeded in apprehending the perpetrators and rescuing the hostage. Although the seven minutes it took to complete the operation deserves an S, the fact that someone was killed makes it an A.” N-, not good. Ranbyou has started talking about the preliminary report of the evaluation. I have to protest this quickly for Team Baskerville. If I don’t protest my death quickly, I am positive I will be the worst Butei in Baskerville. The one dead person is me, who was shot in the head. Aside from the disregard for human life grading criteria, where the team gets an A for the death of a butei– any student who is treated as a death in the exercise gets an E, no questions asked…! “Personal assessment: Aria Kanzaki, S! Air assault is something you dont learn in high school. Reki, S! The freshmen in the snipe department were also impressed by your sniping. Shirayuki Hotogi and Riko Mine, both A+! This is in recognition of your contribution to the early resolution of the cast by instantly detecting and guiding the vehicle that was used by the perpetrators.” “Kinji Tohyama: 1 hit in the head, treated as fatal. The evaluation without questions is…” As I interrupted Ranbyou and Tsuzuri’s voices coming from my cell phone, I… “This is not fair! This is not something we have seen in the past before… or, well… this time, a first-year sniper was working with the communications team, so I couldn’t hear you well and the plan did not go as well because of that! I demand an invalidation and retest! Also, Misaki should have been an operator and not a hostage! Why was Hiraga-san an operator and not Misaki!?” I am risking and utilising everything in an attempt to invalidate the test and make my final stand. “Hey, Umeko. Ask Toyama why he decided that Hiraga-san was a hostage?” “Don’t call me by my name in front of the students Tsuzuri… Toyama. You are not allowed to ask the instructors any questions.” … the face represents the person. “Because she had a hostage’s face…” You know, that is what they say. I had a red face like an octopus because of the Tabasco, and I was now feeling sick. Breathing in deeply I… “…. uaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! Tako tako tako tako-o! Tako tako tako-o! Tako-oh!” (TL Note: Tako translates to octopus, kept romanji as it is a song.) Running around as if my body was squishy, I did the Madako Ondo, while making the girls in Baskerville, Jeanne, Hiraga, Misaki, and maybe even the instructors who are monitoring this place question my sanity. But I can rest assured though. E is an invincible rating because you cannot go lower than an E! ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ### 022. Bullet 1: Akari Mamiya Kachidoki, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, a location which still has a downtown feel… On this reclaimed island, which is within busing distance of Tokyo Butei High which itself resides on a man-made floating island, is the apartment where Akari Mamiya, a first-year student in the Assault Department, lives. In a room of “Heights Kachidoki”, where the rent is as cheap as if the apartment has a spooky history… … the morning light trickling through the window tickles Akari’s face, waking her up. Akari sat up on her bed, wrapped in a pair of card-print pajamas, her infantile body measuring only 139cm despite being in the first year of high school. “…uwaa…” She was still half asleep. Her eyes, which were half-closed like a dog dozing off, widened as she looked at the picture on the wall. The picture was a self-made poster made from photos, taken without permission with a cellphone, printed on A3 sheets of paper section by section using a printing machine at a convenience store and taped together. There… The massive photo showed an interesting girl, who had pink-blond twin-tail hair, a white and rouge colored Tokyo Butei High sailor uniform, and two large handguns, one in each hand. The name of the girl in the photo is Aria H. Kanzaki. She is a second-year student in the Assault Division at Tokyo Butei High, which means she is one year ahead of Akari. (… I have a goal! I am going to be like Aria-senpai…!) As Akari looks up to the photo with admiration… ”…hehehe”, Akari’s expression was elated. “Ahhh, Aria-senpai…!” With a dishevelled look on her face and hair, surisuri. Akari starts to rub her cheek on Aria’s cheek in the photo. What she is doing or why, not even Akari is sure… but… in any case, she had an internal longing that made her do it. “… it is a wonderful day today…” Since this is an older photograph, Akari knows that it is not a new image from today or yesterday, but in Akari’s brain, the illusion of Aria is still a fresh one. This is another thing that others do not quite understand about Akari, but this is just another of Akari’s form of excessive longing. But playing with such illusions… “….tsu?!” The harsh reality of a clock shatters her illusion. The time is 8:00. “…ugya…!” Akari screams in a way that flowery highschool girls normal shouldn’t, and jumps at the blouse and skirt of her sailor suit that is hung on the wall with a hanger, using both her hands and toes to grab them. Akari’s rule of thumb is that if she doesn’t leave home by 8:05, she will be late to Butei High. Akari, who managed to instantly change out of her pajamas by using her hands for her blouse and her toes for her lower body, a trick that is quite difficult for her to show others, runs out of the room half ready to leave. And then… “Nonoka! Why didn’t you wake me up!” Without even a good morning greeting, Akari shifts the blame for her oversleeping on her younger sister, Nonoka Mamiya. Meanwhile, Nonoka has already changed into the blazer uniform of her general junior high school… She was in front of the mirror table in the living room, brushing her shoulder-length black hair. “I was trying to wake you up… but then you kicked me!” And then Nonoka turned around and akabe’d me! On her face was a tiny red footprint, which seemed to be a mark left by a still sleeping Akari kicking it. “…ah…. sorry…” When her inadequate but remorseful sister apologized for her tardiness, Nonoka forgave her and said “Well, I can’t help it…” Akari was allowed to use the mirror from off to the side and fix her naturally brown hair, which was tied into a short twin-tail. Then she shoved her necessary school items into her schoolbag with haste. “Uhm, uhm, my mobile phone is…” “Yes, it was in the living room charging.” “Thank you!” Again, with the help of Nonoka, Akari tries to leave the house. “Mo~, You have to wear your bulletproof uniform properly!” Nonoka quickly adjusted the hem of Akari’s uniform, which was a bit dishevelled. … a bullet proof uniform. It is the official uniform of the Tokyo Butei High, with a fibre called TNK sewn into the fabric. TNK has a repellent structure on a microscopic level that disperses the impact of anything impacting it, even with a high velocity. The “something” that is expected to impact this uniform is, naturally, bullets. In Japan where gun control regulations are currently struggling, the U.S Republican Party is planning to expand the firearms industry into a new Japanese market, so the Japanese government in recent years has lifted all firearm bans, with the result being handguns and rifles spreading intensely among the population. The clothes of a Butei student, which could be expected to have a muzzle pointed at it daily, is designed to look like a school uniform at a glance while also being bulletproof. As Akari was fixing the tie of her sailor uniform, the tie itself also being bullet proof, “You also forgot your gun!” An exasperated Nonoka flipped up Akari’s skirt and inserted a small machine gun into a leg holster strapped around her thigh. The gun was a micro-UZI. It is a compact variant of the masterpiece gun developed by the former Israeli Company IMI. The UZI is a highly durable submachine gun that can use common handgun ammunition, and can disperse as many as 25 rounds in about one second. All students at Tokyo Butei High are required to be equipped with firearms and swords, and Akari chose this as her gun… She chose it because it is a best-selling gun with more than 10 million guns in circulation and the body and parts for it are inexpensive. She also chose it because she was easily seduced by the sales pitch of a beautiful gunsmith who said “If you shoot a lot you are guaranteed a few hits at least!” …it was chosen for such an amateurish reason. “That is everything, right. Then lets leave. Be careful of suspicious strangers, cars, and pickpockets!” Akari is playing the role of the bigger sister, making sure that she remembers her sisterly duties and – Gabu! She bit into a loaf of bread that had popped out of the toaster and left the apartment with the bread in her mouth. Currently, Japan has introduced a special international qualification in response to increasingly violent crimes. Butei, a.k.a “Detective Armed”, is a detective who is authorized to be armed and are a jack of all trades willing to take on any job, regardless of danger, for a fee. Tokyo Butei High is a comprehensive educational institution for the training of these Armed Detectives, which was located on a man-made floating island 2km north to south and 500m east to west, south of the Rainbow Bridge. In addition to a general high school education, students walk around armed with firearms and swords as per the school rules, a normal thing for students there. Aside from general education, students can take specialized courses related to investigations, forensics, combat with armed criminals, and so on. At the school gate where these students were coming and going, Akari was out of breath as she got off the bus. (Just in time…) Akari, who was saved from being late thanks to Nonoka, walked through the school gate while feeling groggy… (…?) In a corner of the general school district, there is some commotion going on. “I am telling you, I just want to use the restroom!” (TL Note: part of this is in Chinese.) “Don’t ignore my human rights!” (TL Note: Some of this is in Chinese as well.) I could hear a short scream of a female student mixed in with the violent yells of Chinese. Looking through the gathered students, it appeared that the criminals who had been transported by the Logi department’s convoy were on a rampage. They were a group of 5 men of Chinese descent, with snakes tattooed on their arms. Apparently, the language barrier was the beginning of the trouble. (…the Logi department students are getting beat up!) The gang, even when handcuffed, grabbed and kicked the Logi students who were only specialized in driving and operating vehicles, ships, and airplanes. (I have to help…) But the gang was made up of a bunch of ruffians who appeared to be Chinese mafia members. Onlookers, Akari included, were dismayed by this. And then… “Bad Losers!!” (TL Note: This is English in the original.) A sharp, high-pitched voice echoes from right next to Akari. The voice belonged to a foreign student from England, a second-year student in the Assault course at Tokyo Butei High. With her trademark long, pink-blond twin-tail hair, it was Kanzaki H. Aria! (Ah!) Akari’s heart skips a beat at the appearance of the girl of her dreams. Aria is a celebrity who is well known to the onlooking students, who repeatedly call her by her name, “…Aria”, “It’s Aria!”, a name that they all say at least once. The hostility of the criminals and the expectations of the people around her all at once changed… It seems no one knew what to do, and so Aria stepped forward with pride. However, her physique is as small as Akari’s. She is a miniature high school girl who could be described as an upper year elementary school student at most. “Who is this little kid?” (TL Note: Partially in Chinese.) The buff criminals crowd around Aria, looking down on her, literally. The difference in size between them and Aria is obvious to everyone. This is indeed a dangerous situation when… Akari was suddenly surprised to hear a loud “Pa~n!” sound! “Uwaa!!” (TL Note: for some reason, this was written in Chinese…?) 1 of the criminals screamed. Aria’s palm strike struck with the strength of an explosion into the jaw of the man who had made the first move against her. Aria, who had taken the now wobbly mans arm, with a “zisha!” did a technique similar to an aikido four way throw and threw the criminal onto the ground. The rest of the men rushed her to attack! Baki! Goki! Gago! Aria’s fist drove into the ground, making a sound as if her fist was itself a hammer… as the three men fall down with a thud as if this was a scene from a super hero movie… “You brat…!” And the last one who was standing is now swinging his hands down from behind Aria to silence her! (Watch out!) Akari tried to warn her, but… The blow, like an axe about to strike wood, never hit. Just before it hit, Aria had gotten behind the attacker and slammed a dexterous toe kick into the back of the enemies knee. After Aria leaped with both feet off the neck of her opponent, who is now in mid-fall. Then, Wham! The impact of the leap left the enemies neck out of its range of motion. (TL Note: the guys neck is not broken as in dead, think of it as he probably needs a neck brace…) “…!” Without a scream, the fifth offender passed out, his eyes white… As soon as Aria returned to the ground, she turned towards the heap of 4 men. “You should know when to give up.” (TL Note: this is in English.) Aria, who showed her slightly over the top dramatic side, says this in the Queen’s own English with a beautiful pronunciation… “…” I don’t know how long she had been standing there, but a senior in the Snipe Department, Reki-senpai, who was carrying an early model Dragunov sniper rifle with a wooden stock, was standing by Aria’s side. She did not seem to be out on duty but seemed prepared for any eventuality. Although not as famous as Aria, this senior, Reki, is also a well-known student at Butei High. As a Snipe prodigy, she is also a robot-like eccentric who shows no emotion such as joy, anger, sorrow, or pleasure. “Humph” Aria while overlooking the criminals lets out a short snort. Her hair, as well as her breathing, is not disturbed at all. “Kanzaki-san!” Finally, a groups of freshmen from the Assault Department arrived armed with guns. The students from Repier arrived as well. Aria turned on her heels and, “They were just a gang of petty thieves. Hand them over to Dagula and let Repier investigate the scene. They must still have friends out there.” She gave them orders in a snappy manner. The way she gave orders to those around her was as she walks was as if she was a famous career woman in a foreign TV drama. “You go back to Snipe and get ready for the next mission.” Aria leaves the scene in a mood as if she is pursuing a big case while also giving instructions to her classmate Reki. Aria’s back was turned to Akari. (Aria-senpai…!) Akari looks towards Aria with a twinkle and star in her eyes. (An elite member of the Assault department and an expert in pistols and hand-to-hand combat fighting techniques, as well as a British aristocrat. She has been an active Butei for the London Detective Agency since the age of 14 in various parts of Europe before coming to Japan to study. Her arrest rate for cases she has worked on is 99%! She even has a second name, feared by criminals, Aria the Quadra!) Although I know so much personal information about Aria… I have never spoken to her, she is simply too far from me. This is the relationship between Aria and Akari as of right now. The classroom of class 1A was abuzz with talk of the incident with Aria from earlier. Until morning homeroom begins, it is the only thing people are talking about, Aria’s awe-inspiring strength. Akari is not talking about it herself, but she is snickering while listening to it… I was sitting in my seat, impatiently working with my mechanical pencil. On a A-4 sized application form, I wrote “Kanzaki H. Aria” in the space provided. I was very happy and smiling, even though I was just writing her name down. …Ba! Someone surprised me and took the paper from me from behind. In addition, I was being held from behind and forced to stand up from my seat! “Waah!” Only you can play pranks like this… It was Raika Hina, who was reading manga earlier in the seat next to me on my left. Raika is a first-year student in the same Assault department as me and is half American and half Japanese. She is a slender girl, and tall at 165cm with blonde hair tied in a ponytail and deep, courageous jade green eyes. Raika’s right hand, passed under Akari’s armpit, and touched Akari’s flat chest. “Wha-, What are you doing…! You pervert!” Akari tries to fight off her hand, but she is no match for Raika, who is physically stronger than Akari. Then Raika looked at the paper she took from Akari earlier… I was filling out the “Amica” (Also known as War Sisters) form. (TL Note: I will swap between using Amica and War Sister, depending on which sounds better given the situation. Note though that they are the same thing.) “…Akari. Are you trying to make an Amica contract with Aria-senpai…!?” Akari does not answer the surprised Raika, and puffs out her cheeks. “Amica…?” Another student sitting right next to Akari turns to face her. It was Akari’s friend, Shino Sasaki, a Yamato Nadeshiko-type girl with black hair that stretches to her waist and shins, who belongs to the Inquesta department. “The Amica system was… the two man special training system?” Shino asked Akari as if something was bugging her about Akari having that application form. “Yes yes, the one where you spend a year under the direct supervision of a senpai and receive training from them.” Raika says in her usual masculine way of speaking while looking at Shino. The War Sisters, as Raika and Shino had said, is… A system in which a senior and a junior work together as if they were siblings. Usually, an underclassman submits an application to an upperclassman through Masters, saying “I want to be your apprentice”, and the upperclassman tests the underclassman. Should the underclassmen pass the test then the application is accepted, otherwise the application is rejected. If the two students are boys they are called “War Brothers” and if they are girls, they are called “War Sisters”. (TL Note: nothing is said about a boy and girl. War Siblings maybe?) This is a system that benefits both upperclassmen and the underclassmen. When they become War Sisters/Brothers, juniors can help their seniors with their work without compensation, and juniors can learn skills from seniors. However, the work of butei, which often involves activities equivalent to police work, is often… rough. There is even the risk of losing your life if you happen to pick a poor junior as your War Sister. Therefore, it is customary for the senior to carefully select their junior. This is especially true when it comes to a competent butei like Aria, who has a much higher level of danger involved with them than other butei. Raika, apparently aware of this, gave a slight scolding look to Arkai, who she still had in her grasp. “Do you know Aria-senpai’s rank? She is an S, above even an A. Twenty people in a row who applied to be her Amica were rejected.” The rank that Raika is referring to is ones butei rank. The ranks of a butei, which is decided upon by the International Armed Detective Lethal Federation according to the individuals overall abilities such as combat and investigative skills, are mainly divided into six levels, which from top to bottom are S, A, B, C, D, E. This rank represents the ability of the individual butei. The rank of a butei also determines the approximate cost for hiring them. And the rank that Aria belongs to, S, is the highest rank for a butei. Even when including the adult butei, there are only a few dozen of them in Japan, making them the elite of the elite. Meanwhile, Akari’s rank is… “There is no way a E-ranked butei like you would be partnered with Aria-senpai.” … as Raika said, her rank is the lowest, E. “Akari-san. You are just not suitable for her, that is all.” Not only Raika, but even Shino, who is usually so kind to me, is having a negative opinion of me right now… Isolated in her dreams, Akari puffed her cheeks out as much as she could, like a pufferfish. “You don’t know that until I try!” “Try it after you get a little stronger. Horehore!” (TL Note: Horehore is a sound effect, read next line for it to make sense.) Perhaps thinking that Akari’s sulking was cute, Raika held the application form high above Akari’s head and waved it in a fluttering motion. Teasing Akari in this way is an annoying hobby of Raika’s. “Ka-E-se~!” (TL Note: without the spacing translates to something like “give it back!”. Original had spacing between each hiragana so I kept it. Sounds cuter in Japanese so I kept it Japanese.) Despite her best efforts, Akari’s hand cannot reach the paper at the end of Raika’s long arm and hand. I wonder if situations like this raised Raika’s S-rank spirit even higher? “Okay then, I will personally train you in the art of taiho-jutsu!” (TL Note: Taiho-jutsu is a form of martial arts developed by Japans feudal police to arrest criminals who are armed. It has even been introduced to the US due to its effectiveness.) With a thud, Raika lightly pushed Akari down onto her desk. Even though she is a freshmen, Raika is a student in the Assault department, which specializes in the armed non-lethal suppression of criminals. She makes Akari sit on her desk in such as a way that she cannot move. Just before she is joint locked there, Akari… “…tsu!” She moved, quickly. And then, “gyurun!” at the next moment she acted as if she was turning over. “A…re?” Akari had disappeared from Raika who was now muttering in confusion. Along with the application from that Raika had previously had. Although it was only for a fleeting moment her friends could not see her as Akari was… She was bent close to the floor, far out of reach of the taller Raika. “…?!” Akari hugged the application form for the War Sisters contract while Raika looked at her strangely… As Akari look at the confused Raika, she did an Akanbe, sticking out her childish tongue. (TL Note: Akanbe is when you pull down your eye lid and stick out your tongue at someone. Just google the term if you still do not know what it is.) In addition to regular general courses, like math and science, students can take specialized courses related to the activities of a butei at a butei affiliated school. There are various specialized departments, such as the detective department Inquesta, the forensics department Repier, the equipment department Amdo, the communications department Connect, and the rescue department Ambulace, each of which had its own school building. At one of these, the assault wing for the Assault department… Akari was attending a target practice class at the indoor shooting range on the basement level floor of the building. (Stupid Raika!) Akari, wearing fingerless gloves, was staring at a human shaped target. (Anyone can apply if they want to!) As if to vent my frustration with Raika from this morning, I shoot the micro UZI in full auto mode. Barararararara! The entire magazine was emptied with bullets scattering everywhere all at once… The barrel is shaking and few if any of the bullet hit the target at all. The micro UZI is a short machine gun with low accuracy as it instead relies on its high rate of fire. Akari, who weighs only 33kg, can only hope for a lucky shot, as even a giant shooting from a fixed point with locked hips would have barely any chance at all. But, right now, I do not care about any of this. “Kora!” Go~chin! And Ranbyou-sensei of the assault department just dropped a fist right into Akari’s head. “Concentrate! Don’t let the recoil of a mere 9mm round shake your hand!” The daughter of the head of the Hong Kong Mafia, this wild and demanding female teacher in a tank top, jeans, and a sword on her back is… “You didn’t hit the target at all!” With a raised eyebrow, she points to the target Akari was shooting at. Just as Ranbyou said as she scolded Akari, not a single one of Akari’s bullets hit the target. (Achaaa…) Unlike police officers and self-defense officers, butei are, in principle, free to use guns when they see fit. Considering this fact, typically the Micro UZI is not a wise choice to have as a partner to entrust ones life to. However, Akari for one reason or another is not just a bad shot… she is a child who cannot seem to shoot straight at all. Therefore, it made sense for her to take the tactic of “if I shoot a lot some will hit for sure.” “… look at that.” Ranbyou indicates a different lane with her thumb pointing over her shoulder. The lane she is pointing to is… (Ahh, It is Aria-senpai…!) The shooting lane is occupied by Aria, who took the time out of her busy day to continue her training. In her hands she holds two pistols, one pearl white and the other jet-black. The two guns are modified M1911A1 .45 government’s that are capable of full automatic fire. Babababa! babababa! The shooting sounds coming from both large pistols is continuous without break. The bullets were all hitting the highest scoring site, the gun that the humanoid target was holding. … the law imposes strict restrictions on the actions of a butei. The most important of which is Article 9 of the Armed Detective Act. This specific rule is that Butei must not, under any circumstance, kill anyone in the course of their butei activities. This means that even if the criminal is armed, the butei may not use lethal force on them. At first glance this law may seem unreasonable, but it is a clear indication of Japan’s national character, which imposes strict responsibilities on publicly armed persons. However, shooting the targets hands or feet is allowed and would still score points in training… but Aria avoided even that, shooting only the gun with pinpoint accuracy. Her skills are a world apart from Akari, who cannot even hit the target to begin with. (she is doing all that with a .45ACP that is more powerful than the 9mm bullet of my Micro Uzi, and shooting two guns at once…!) Akari is so impressed that she forgets her own inadequacies and… I can’t help but stare at Aria with a twinkle in my eye… Her dignified reddish-purple camellia eyes were aiming at the target. The shooting posture is so perfect that I want to use it as a photo for a textbook. And… Like Akari, Aria has a petite build and a petite breast size. (She has a elementary school girls body like me but… she is so amazing!) While thinking fairly rude thoughts in her mind, Akari was still maintaining Aria’s presence on her mind and in her heart. Even though she is small, Aria is strong. That is why… I am sure I can be strong, too. I want to be strong. I must become strong. (If I become strong enough…) … A memory of the past comes back to Akari’s mind. In a burning city, Akari was… crying. The memory of the ruin, where she was defeated because of her weakness and could do nothing but cry… (… I don’t want to ever feel like that again…) On her way home in the evening, Akari left the school building with a shabby look on her face. In her hands was a printout of her “Medium Firing Range Training Results”. Akari’s placement was 144 out of 144… She got the lowest rank out of all Assault students in today’s training. If this had been an actual shootout, Akari would probably be dead and in a body bag right now. On either side of Akari, who were walking home with her, were Raika and Shino. Shino, holding a bag designed for Butei High in front of her body, was a young lady. “Maybe… you should quit the Assault department?” She says that from beside Akari, albeit reluctantly. Normally, Shino would speak kindly to me, but ever since she found out that I was going to apply for a War Sister contract with Aria, she has been a bit cold towards me. Akari shakes her head at Shino. ” I won’t quit… I want to be in the same department, Assault, as Aria-senpai, and I want to sign a contract with her to become her Amica.” “If you want, I can teach you Close Quarters Combat to help you with your melee combat.” Raika points the tip of her half-eaten American Corn Dog at Akari’s chest like a gun. (you are going to touch somewhere weird with your hands again, aren’t you?) Akari though inwardly. “Raika is an idiot and naughty, and I don’t like you.” I turned my head to the side with puffed out cheeks as if I was in a bad mood and taking it out on Raika. Raika, who had her assistance refused, showed a more shocked expression than Akari expected. Raika, who seemed to want to be kind to Akari as Shino was being cold, got angry at Akari’s reaction… “You are the one who is stupid! Aria is at the top of the Assault department and you are at the bottom! You don’t even have the opportunity to talk to her, never mind team up!” Raika had begun talking as if she had become Akari’s enemy, ran towards a cherry tree on the school property. “That is right Akari. There is a certain aptitude and talent people need to have to be her Amica.” Holding up her index finger, Shino also is admonishing me. Akari looks down at the printout of the shooting training results again… Placement 144 out of 144 people… As both have said, I have no talent. This is the reality. But, I want to be like Aria. That is Akari’s dream. A “dream” that is ceremoniously praised by Akari and irresponsibly encouraged by the public… There is still the headwinds of “reality” to get there. The headwinds blowing against Akari’s face are so fierce that she feels unable to even move forward on her own. Moreover, the path she should take to achieve this dream, the path of the butei, is a dangerous one. Unlike many other dreams, one wrong step really could end up with you dead. Seeing Akari trying to force her way down that road, her friends tell her to turn back. They are not saying it to tease her. They are saying it because they are her friends. But. However. Akari must go that way. She is weak now, but she can be reborn strong. She must do all of this, for some sad and complicated reason. Ahh… If only someone could push my back. If only someone could put there hand out for me to grab. We maybe be able to go down that road together. With this in mind, Akari entered this school. And then she found that “someone”. The “someone” that she found was a petite girl like herself, but stronger and more righteous than anyone. (…Aria-Senpai…) Akari’s hand tightens involuntarily and she clutches the training results. This dream that people around me had decided were unattainable… (I want to be strong like Aria-senpai…! But will the chance even be given to me…?) Poro… poro… her despair overflows as tears from Akari’s eyes. Akari had finally started crying. As if she had read that thought. As if to refute Raika’s words from earlier. “… I believe that everyone should be given equal opportunities.” Her voice came down, lovely and dignified. Like the voice of a goddess, descending from the heavens. “…!” Akari, who had always admired her, immediately recognized whose voice it was. Akari, Raika, and Shino look up… The person standing on the branch of a large cherry tree near the school gate on the second ground. –Aria. Kanzaki H. Aria was looking down at Akari, standing from above with pride. “…!” Akari and the others all widen their eyes and have lost their voice in surprise. Raika, who was angry earlier, also drops her remaining half eaten corn dog. Amidst the dancing pink petals of the cherry blossoms. “Being a butei is being in the midst of a constant battlefield. If I had been the enemy you would have a hole in your head right now!” And as Aria said so, Bishi! She pointed her index finger at Akari. Her imposing appearance is so cool… Akari was about to cry for a different reason than before. But the person she admired was also a very demanding person. She was not a goddess who just gave. She points to Akari with a strong hand, as if to say “come and get it…” Jackin! Aria pulled out two pistols, one black and one white, and showed them to the audience. And… “Akari Mamiya.” She spoke to Akari, who is thrilled to hear her name spoken by Aria for the first time ever. “…You can challenge me for the right to be my War Sister!” … she would tell this to Akari against a backdrop of a cherry blossom snowstorm that had fluttered along with a gust of wind. ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ### 023. Bullet 3: Emblem 2 Tower height: 126m… Naturally, there are no fall barriers at the top of the Rainbow Bridge’s main tower. And it was shaking even more than it looked like it was. Akari’s legs naturally turned inward and wobbled as she risked her life to get there. “… I can’t… standing on such a shaky place… I can’t stand here… at least lower…!” In response to Akari’s whining… Aria, who was standing there with her feet perfectly still and unconcerned, shows me the screen of her cell phone. 10:04 remaining. Those reddish-purple eyes were not looking at Akari now. For some reason, they have been looking down below us for a while now. “… I see, we have been interrupted, but I will not stop the timer. That is a rule for my tests.” “Interrupted…?” Akari, confused, looked down. (…we are too high!) And, at first I shudder at our height, but… (…that’s…!) Akari, who had a better eyesight than most, also noticed something strange happening on the roadway far below. There was a convertible and a boxcar coming from the central Tokyo side to the Daiba side, driving at breakneck speed to the bridge. And they were driving in reverse. They were chasing… a familiar convoy of vehicles from Logi department of Butei high. The men in the convertible… I’m not sure, but… are they armed? Akari raised an eyebrow… papapapa ! The distant sound of gunfire began to echo from below us. Sparks can be seen erupting on the side of the Logi convoy. The lead car of the Logi convoy is under attack. The tires of the convoy were punctured, or perhaps the convoy were thrown into a drift, and then fell over the bridge, like rolling dice. As the surrounding cars fled like spiders, the convertible and boxcar made a U-turn and began attacking the convoy again. Now I could see the weapons being used. The men were armed with Assault Rifles. Through the convoy’s broken windows and crumpled frame, I could see the criminals Aria had recaptured this morning, who were now trying to escape. The men who attacked the convoy seemed to have tattoos on their arms, although they were still too far away to make out the tattoos. The part of the tattoo that looks like a line though is probably a snake. (…That tattoos is like the one from this morning…!) These are the same Chinese criminals that Aria caught this morning. Although the butei have quasi-police powers, the normal procedure for captured criminals in the case of Tokyo Butei High is to ultimately transfer the arrested criminals to one of the stations under their jurisdiction – the Wangan, Mita, Atago, or Azabu police stations. During the transportation, a gang of criminals attacked them to save their friends. It seemed though that Aria had already figured this out. “I knew they had friends.” Aria took out a paratrooper wire, a must-have for students in the Assault department. And then… “You stay right here and be quiet.” And with that, bam! Like she was bungee jumping, she jumped off the top of the main tower. (…!) Aria intends to join the fight between the students of Butei High and the criminal gangs that started below us, to save the students of the Logi department who do not specialize in combat. § § (4 Ak-47’s and two Chinese Norinco Corp Tokarev copies…) While analyzing the enemy’s strength from above, Aria hooked the hook of her para jumper wire to the steel frame of the tower. The reel, which doubles as a handle, sparks, and the speed of her descent rapidly accelerates… She approaches the bullet-riddled scene from above. The students of the Logi department were fighting back desperately, using the overturned convoy as a shield, just like their textbooks said. But what Logi students usually hold is a steering wheel, not a gun. Their marksmanship is as good as, if not a little worse, than that of most seasoned criminals. Furthermore, their firepower, which is mainly small handguns so as to not interfere with their driving and manoeuvring, is significantly inferior to that of the enemies armed with assault rifles. Their efforts are not looking good against the assault of high power assault rifle rounds… Aria had already descended to a distance where she could hear the voices of those of the Logi department. “We are under attack by a group of heavily armed criminals! Assault and Sniper support is needed right now!” Aria heard a student on the radio calling for help. “… is just one member from the Assault department okay?” Aria responded from above. And while jumping down into the middle of a firefight, armed with a silver-white and a jet-black government handgun… Aria opens fire from the sky, like a fighter plane firing upon enemies in an air raid. Large calibre .45 ACP rounds rain down, Wham! Bam! The bullet hitting the criminals guns as if they had been punched or kicked out of the criminals hands. Aria lands on the ground and, as if it was the training from earlier, fires only at her target’s guns, shooting them one after the other. For Aria, who was said to be a marksmanship prodigy, a slightly skilled shooter cannot even compare to her. For her this fight was boring, like replaying a game over and over again. § § Akari’s trembling increases as she listens to the sound of gunfire below. “uu…uu…” Her trembling legs are now in the process of descending the suspension bridge wires of the Rainbow Bridge. “Cases don’t… wait for… butei…!” Akari chants Aria’s words as if they were a spell for courage, but… She is moving as slow as a tortoise. The more I tremble, the greater the danger of falling. When I think about that, I can’t stop myself from shaking even more. Furthermore, bullets were flying around the site where I was about to go to. It is not Aria or a teacher who are shooting down there, who will aim for your bulletproof uniform. These are real criminals, who attack Butei with genuine intent to kill. But. Even so. My friends are being attacked. Aria-senpai is fighting. Even though we will be fighting somewhere like this, I cannot just be a bystander who watches from up high… I will not be afraid. I am not just a small girl. I am a butei! To prove it to herself, Akari sets off. She goes to her friends. And to her enemies. “…!” … zuru! My legs… I slipped. The shaking caused it, especially since it started shaking out of nowhere. The paratrooper wire hanging from the bridge suddenly extended. Akari, falling down, gripped the brake on her handle with the thought that her heart is about to stop. Unable to get her balance since she is already walking on air, Akari falls straight down. (…!) Once this happens, there is no longer the option of cancelling it. Some things are inevitable. The time will come for even cowards or weak people. While I was hesitating, something intervened… and forced me to jump into action. I do not know what the result will be. I don’t know much, but I do know that now I am here I have to do my best. If I don’t do my best here, I might really die. (… that is what it means to be a butei…!) Akari, having initially decided to be patient, descends to Aria, who is fighting with two pistols. While she loosens the brake on the wire, the manages not to hit the ground and die, but is still descending very rapidly. However, as if she was shrugging of such determination, the situation seemed to be leaning heavily in favour of Aria. The enemy has been silenced for the most part. “If you are going to fight, use a better gun.” I could hear Aria shouting advice to me, even in the middle of a gunfight, as she kicks away a fallen enemies Tokarev copy. At the scene of the incident where even is celebrating victory… (!) … Akari could see something from her position in the sky. It was in the blind spot of Aria, coming from behind her, as she was looking at the fallen enemies… One man secretly got into a convertible and stepped on the gas pedal. The criminal who pretended to be beaten is about to make a getaway while attacking Aria with the car! The gun was not a good gun, but the car itself was a BMW, and stolen at that. It accelerated quickly, closing in on Aria’s back. “!” When Aria looked behind her, the car was already rapidly closing in on her and was close enough that avoiding it would be difficult. In the cars glaring headlights, Aria took a defensive stance to minimize damage should she get hit. It was at that moment. “… look out!” Akari kicked a nearby pillar, changing the direction of her fall to land on Aria. And then, da~n! , she kicked off of Aria’s small body, pushing her outside the path of the convertible. “!?” Aria was saved by Akari’s quick thinking, and right in front of her eyes, whoosh! Akari crashed into the car, destroying the windshield of the convertible. It was as if she was taking the hit in the place of Aria, who Akari had saved. “…whoah!” There is no way for the driver to avoid the girl who had suddenly appeared in front of her, and the man freezes for a second when he hits Akari, causing him to panic and sharply turn the steering wheel. The convertible, with the smell of burning tires turned and Boom! , crashed into the guardrail! Hit by the car, Akari’s body is thrown into the air and hit the ground, rolling with a rumble. (Ugh…. I… can’t move…) But then I remembered that I was currently at a active crime scene… bam , Akari got up. But, now she had a severe headache. Her head was hit hard when she got hit by the car. However. “…it hurts!” When she shouted, she sounded rather cheerful. I remember hearing about this from Ranbyo sensei from the Assault department. The head is a relatively concentrated area of nerves and blood vessels, and that it will bleed and hurt more than it should from relatively small damage. Then. “Akari!” Aria, who I managed to rescue earlier, ran towards me with a panicked look. Or rather, instead of panicked she seemed surprised that Akari got up on her own without any issue. Well, naturally she would be surprised, Akari had gotten hit by a car and all she had said was “…it hurts!” and gotten back up. However, Akari did have a reputation for being able to take a hit in the Assault Department. Since transferring as an intern from her junior high school, she has been constantly getting beat up by the older girls in combat training so… before long she has become better at passive defence and has more endurance than most people. Meanwhile, the man in the convertible, who was only slightly injured, was yelling something in Chinese, trying to get his stalled car to start again. Aria pointed the muzzle of the gun in his direction. “…?” But the convertible would not move. “… The key is over here!” Akari had the key hooked around her index finger and was sticking her tongue out. When Akari had hit the convertible, she used some kind of technique to snatch the key away. The man in the driver seat, who probably couldn’t even speak Japanese, saw that the key had been taken away and was deflated, as if he was saying “I give up”. Aria started to laugh at Akari’s gesture. She must have thought that Akari accidentally grabbed it and it got removed. (…) Akari could not say what exactly she had done as she rolled over the car. Especially not to Aria. From the road behind the two girls, a police car was now just arriving. The criminals were taken away in new convoys. The injured were transported by ambulance, and the police were busy clearing up the aftermath. With such a flurry of traffic on the roadway in the background, Akari and Aria were standing on the edge of the Rainbow Bridge. They are on the edge of the bridge used for maintenance and inspection work. A lattice-like grating floor continues along the roadway, with narrow footing and no fencing. A strong wind ruffled both girls twin tails, the sea below was tinged with the sunset, and seagulls were flying over the ocean. “… you looked like you were going to start crying, but you ended up following me all the way.” Aria, who had called Akari out to meet her here, has now shown her phone once again. The time remaining was a minute and a few seconds. “As a reward for earlier, I will give you one last chance.” The chance she was referring to didn’t need to be explained to Akari… she means once more chance to challenger her and take the star-shaped seal emblem on her hip. “He-… here?” Akari did not have confidence though. The place they were right now was narrow, with a single misstep meaning you inevitable fall. Even when she was at Butei High, where she had freedom of movement, she was unable to even get a foot in the door, but here… Can she possibly take the emblem away from the athletic Aria? No… “That kind of thing is imp-…” Reflexively, the word “impossible” almost comes out of Akari’s mouth. I have to win. “Instead of allowing others to say they “never can” or “it is impossible”, I give them a chance. Do not say those things, it stifles the unlimited potential of human beings.” Aria told her. Anything said or given to me by someone I admire gives me joy. Even if it is a harsh reminder. So, Akari grabbed onto the rest of the word about to leave her mouth, “impossible”, swallowing the rest. I am not going to say that word to you anymore. And so… You have left me with only 1 option. I have to do it. I am determined. Akari let go of the handrail on the road side of the fence that she was holding onto as a lifeline… Clenching her fists, she shakes off her fear… Akari opened her eyes again, and her eyes now were different than before. “… Aria-senpai. Please, come and attack me.” No longer afraid of what lay below her, she stood firmly on her own feet and asked Aria her request. To the weak girl before her, Aria raised an eyebrow with a “?”. However, Akari was ready. She anticipated Aria’s confusion. And so… “I have been running after you this whole time Senpai. I don’t want to be a War Sister with Aria-Senpai if she will only run away.” … a provocation from the weak to the strong. At first, Aria listened to these words with a scowling face. “What you just said…” Her eyes had changed now as well, she was clearly ticked off. Even know though, she has a smile on her face and is trying to be cute and affectionate with her rebellious underclassmen… “… you take that back!” She came running at Akari like a puma attacking its prey! Akari, however, remained standing upright and steadfast. The distance between the two girls was rapidly decreasing. Time remaining: 15 seconds or so. In other words, there truly is only 1 chance left. Akari’s fists almost clench spontaneously from fear and nervousness. But… I have to hold on. Open my hands. I need to relax. If I don’t, I cannot win. This technique… Aria reached out to grab at Akari’s face. The centre of gravity shifted slightly to the right. Perhaps this is an anomalous osotogari motion, in which Aria runs beside Akari, pushing her face to the side and at the same time sweeping her lefts out with a back kick. … it is amazing. It is amazing how fast she is. Aria’s small body seems to have the engine of a fighter jet. But that is okay. Akari dared to accept her technique head on. Because… (The only time I can do this technique is when I am countering…! Any strong man, at the moment of an attack, uses their body for the attack. On the flip side, when attacking the defence at that moment is neglected. Aria also naturally had this condition. The armpit, which for a palm strike must protrude, is wide open, and the flank protected normally by the left arm is open, leaving only the blouse for protection. And so Akari… She received the blow to the forehead from Aria’s palm, and at the same time was struck by her foot. It is so fast that I don’t even recognize how Aria moved. … bachiiii! My brain shook, my whole body collapsed, it was a blow so hard that I could not repel it in any way. Aria’s baritsu blows blow away both her consciousness and body with a single blow. But. Akari’s soul remembered a technique she learned from her mother. “…!” Akari’s body was thrown off of the Rainbow Bridge, and she was thrown into the air. The fell from the bridge girder, which was 52 meters above the sea. “Hey…! You are in the Assault department and you are going down that easily?!” Aria’s face, her voice, screaming in surprise, in the distance… There was a few seconds of weightlessness, as if you are free from everything. And then Akari fell back down and into Tokyo Bay. ..zabu! (I have a dream…) Face up, the distant Rainbow Bridge can be seen in a blur through the sea water. Although she sunk quite deep, Akari was able to get to the surface by kicking her feet. No… she would go farther. To the bridge. To Aria on the bridge. (TL Note: This obviously does not mean she is going to fly up 52 meters, just a stupid way of saying how Akari will swim up to the surface but her goal is beyond that.) There is still time, just a few more seconds. (… I am going to be just like Aria-senpai!) Akari desperately reaches her hand out towards Aria. First to break the water was her hand, followed by Akari’s smile! And when she got out of the sea… “I got it!” And then the 30 minute timer expired. In Akari’s hand, which she was now holding up to Aria… was a star-shaped seal. “… we are now War Sisters!” The emblem was held firmly in Akari’s hand. § § “…..!?” …there is no way it was taken. That was Aria’s first thought when she saw Akari emerge from the water with the emblem. But when she flipped up the blouse of her own sailor suit and looked at her flank, she found… The star-shaped sticker that should have been placed there is missing. (Did it… get stolen… when our paths crossed for merely a moment?) It could only have happened at that moment when Aria and Akari made contact. But it must have been a matter of tenths of a second. Akari must have been unconscious at the time. Aria intentionally caused a concussion by hitting Akari’s skull with the bottom of her palm, not her fist, to shake her brain. And yet… how? Aria’s mind was filled with confusion and then she remembered the collision between the convertible and Akari. At the time, I just assumed that Akari’s hand had accidentally caught the key and removed it… Now I see that I was mistaken. (That wasn’t… a coincidence…!) That, and now this… it is some kind of technique. Even in the moment that someone loses consciousness, he or she can perform a technique that has been memorized into the cells of their body through repeated, repetitive training. This is what we call technique memory. Akari has some kind of skill that even Aria does not know. … a technique that lets her take something off of her target at the same time as a collision. I don’t know the principal. I don’t even understand when it could have been used. How did Akari acquire such a high-level skill, which even I cannot understand, in a way that it has been memorized into even her bones? I do not know anything. But… I do know one thing. That is, Akari Mamiya… (… she is my first Amica…!) She has passed the test to authenticate her contract to become Aria’s Amica. And so, on this particular spring day… Kanzaki H. Aria and Akari Mamiya became War Sisters. On a bridge littered with crushed bullets and shell casings, where the scent of gunpowder smoke still lingers. ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ### 024. Bullet 4: War Sisters At Tokyo Butei High, which trains the next generation of Armed Detectives, there is a system in place called the Amica system, in which for a year, a senior and junior work together. This system, which originated at the world first Butei training institution, the Rome Butei High in Italy, has been adopted today by Butei High schools in many countries as a supplementary curriculum that allows students to train one another. When two boys are in the same unit, they are called “War Brothers”, two girls are called “War Sisters”, and with a boy and girl either or is used. Seniors can treat their juniors as a subordinate and learn the basics of leadership and management, while the junior can learn from their senior the skills and techniques of a butei, and in the future, they can pass on what they have learned to the next generation. For this reason, the two who have decided to become Amica’s literally spend their days together as a brother or sister. The following day, in the evening – in front of the first girls dormitory at Tokyo Butei High. (I am really walking with Aria-senpai…) Aria, who was as quick with paperwork as she was running, has arranged for the two War Sisters contracts to be filed with Masters. The faculty gave an immediate and tentative OK, and the process is to be approved and registered electronically at 8:00pm tonight. Walking dreamily with Aria, Akari enters the girls dormitory, a seven-story apartment building where Aria is temporarily living. In the elevator hall of the women’s dormitory, we passed a pair of girls who appeared to also be War Sisters. (To them we must seem like War Sisters as well…) The thought of this made Akari’s face heat up with happiness and nervousness. (… I am going to be spending even more time with Aria-Senpai from now on too…!) Excitedly, Akari envisions the near future of her with Aria. Together, the two War Sisters confront a difficult case. Aria wields a gun as if she was the protagonist in an action movie, and Akari helps her to defeat the enemy before them. Those days will soon begin. Yes, as early as tomorrow. No, it may even start tonight. The more she imagines it, the more her daydreaming accelerates. “We are here” Aria stops in front of room 707 of the women’s dormitory and opens the door using a card key. (TL Note: I thought 707 might be a reference to something from Sherlock Holmes but if it is it is nothing obvious. If anyone knows what 707 might refer to feel free to DM me on Discord.) Akari had a longing to live in a dormitory since she is a commuter student from her home apartment, and so she was familiar with the entire layout of the dormitory by browsing the schools website… According to my memory, room 707 is a VIP room with a rent of 300,000 yen or so. (TL Note: About $3K USD) As I walked down the common corridor for the dorm, I remembered that the layout of the VIP rooms was distinctly different from the other rooms, about three times as large. (This is Aria-Senpai’s room…!) Akari’s tension, which was already raised from standing outside a VIP room, was raised even further. “Here” Aria handed Akari the key card that opened the door to her room. “The first thing a War Sister senpai does is give a key to their shared room. You will be helping me a lot from now on” That means… you are… giving me a key to your room! “Yes! Senpai! I will do my best!” Holding the key card in front of her chest with both hands, Akari answered with a thrilled expression. I am so happy, although I am also a little scared. And so, I entered room 707 with great reluctance. There were several rooms, too many for one person to use, probably 6 rooms or more including a living room, dining room, and kitchen. In fact, it seems that Aria only uses the living room and her own bedroom, the rest of the rooms are empty. I was amazed at the lavish amount of space, but the living room, which was large than the total floor space of my house, Heights Kachidoki Room 202, also took my breath away. There was antique furniture that is not overly ornate but certainly expensive. The latest AV equipment and PC’s are in curious harmony with each other, but the kitchen looks a bit lifeless… the reason being that Aria had no need to cook for herself. “Wow… So big!” Akari’s reaction, which came out of her mouth was refuted by Aria. “Really? My room in my parent’s house was about 10 times larger than this” Aria said, not in a sarcastic tone, but in a tone that implies Aria truly thought this place was small. Aria, who was sitting on a velvet sofa, picked up an antique landline phone and placed it on her thigh… “Your parents house… is in England, right?” Akari asks, knowing that Aria is an exchange student from England. “You are now my War Sisters, so I will tell you. I am from nobility, a line of Dames. I am a legitimate daughter of the Holmes family” “Holmes…?” Which… that must mean… “Sherlock Holmes. You must have read about him in your textbooks, right? I am Sherlock Holmes the Fourth” Aria said that naturally. She said that as if it was nothing of importance. She began turning the phone dial with her white, slender finger, which seemed impossible that just yesterday it was shooting such a large pistol. (…!) I knew that Aria was an aristocrat, but I had no idea that the middle letter, “H”, of Kanzaki H. Aria, was an acronym for “Holmes”. Sherlock Holmes is the name of the man who lived during the Victorian era, from the late 19th to the early 20th century… He was the world most famous detective, active about a century ago. Although later generations have emphasized only his detective aspect, Sherlock was also a master marksman and martial artist, as well as the founder of the butei, as he would sometimes use military force to solve crimes. … he was indeed in Akari’s textbooks. Aria, who is in front of me right now, is the great granddaughter of that historical celebrity. Of course, Akari cannot help but be surprised. However, it seems that the girl from such a prestigious background is not too happy about the surprise… “… no need to act so surprised. For instance, half of my private property is an inheritance. I only earned half of it myself, so halve your compliments and surprise” Aria says so coolly, before putting the handset to her ear as if to say she is ending her conversation with Akari. Akari, reading the situation, only nods her head. But… (Wow! I just learned an amazing secret about Aria-Senpai!) In my mind, I was in a state of pure excitement. I am now Aria-Senpai’s Amica, who is top notch in butei status, achievements, and even bloodline. In other words, Aria is truly one of the best. When I think about it like that, everything in front of me looks rosy. “– Hi, Sarah” (TL Note: This is in English.) Aria’s phone seems to have connected. She began speaking in English. It is normal for her to speak English as it is her native language, but it is cool to see her like that. “This is Aria speaking. Yeah, I’d like to talk about my bullets…” (TL Note: English too) (Her pronunciation is so clean…) Akari, who is terrible at English, cannot understand a word of what Aria is talking about now… Aria is now writing something down on a notepad with a Montblanc fountain pen. And then, “Hey, you” Suddenly, she put her hand to the receivers mouthpiece and looked at Akari. “Can you place an order at Amdo and S-Lab for sterling silver bullets, Honashi, and multi use bullets?” (TL Note: no clue what some of the original is, I am pretty sure most the names are not even actual words, what I can gather is all of it is for super natural enemies.) …? “Eh?” Akari’s head was filled with “?”. I know those words were probably Japanese, but… I do not know what she said. Akari, who has never done advanced work as a butei because of her E rank, is not familiar with high-level butei terminology. So I was forced to shake my head and… Aria returned to the phone… And again, they are talking about something in Japanese. Their conversation in English now is something I must be able to understand. In order to be useful to Aria-senpai. However, I couldn’t understand a word of what Aria was saying in English or Japanese. Akari is… Despaired. I want to help you as soon as I can… but I can’t find anything in particular I can do to help you. While I was standing in a corner of the living room, “Akari” After finishing her phone call, Aria called out to me while opening the lid of a wooden box that was beside her. And then, “I am trying to track a signal. We have narrowed down the source of the signal, and we are going to use this yagi to track it. Here, assemble this” She handed me the crate. I took a quick peak inside the crate and saw that it contained metal parts of various kinds. There was also an instruction manual, but it was written in English… so Akari could not understand it. When I raised my face to tell Aria I could not read it, “– I am going to go place the order myself. I am counting on you” Quick to act, Aria was already leaving the room. “……” Akari, afraid to interfere with Aria at all, could not even ask what these parts were for. Then, standing stunned in front of the closed door… (…ya… yagi?) Akari kept repeating the word “yagi” in her head. After a few moments… “You…” When Aria returned home after running an errand, to her dismay, “!” Akari, sitting in a crumpled upright position in front of the wooden box, turned around with a startled shiver. Akari, who did not know what to do, was looking at the instruction manual. “What are you doing…?” “I… I was told by Aria-senpai… to build the yagi…” Aria turned around in a panic and saw the parts from the wooden box scattered around her. Akari tried her best to build it, but… “Ah… You broke it” As Aria, who was picking up the parts said, the results were disastrous. “I… I’m sorry… I’m sorry…” “You don’t seem to be a professional idiot… but there is no better ideal for a butei team than being able to do a lot of things, right? Driving, forensics, shooting… is there anything you can do?” From Aria’s point of view… Akari was not trying to purposefully break anything. Rather, if Aria was a level 99, Akari was probably a level 20 or so. So I need to entrust her with a correspondingly simple task, surely. However, Akari is an idiot, far below Aria’s expectations. For Aria, who was a level 1 or 2 honour student, Akari comparatively a drop-out girl who hasn’t encountered much, and was let alone capable of assembling an antenna. (… what I can do…) Akari, with her eyes downcast, had no answer. There is nothing I can do. Aria sighed as she looked at Akari’s dreary face that told her everything she had to know. “… follow me” After saying that, Aria led Akari out of the room. Once they left room 707, they went up the stairwell of the women’s dormitory to… Akari was brought up to the rooftop in the middle of the night. The rooftop is wide, with a mark in the centre indicating that a helicopter can land here. And there was another large crate placed there. “Is this…?” Akari asks, looking at the cloth-like object inside. “It is an assault para-glider. We are improving it to make it turn better” Saying this, Aria hands Akari a canopy – a piece of cloth that will be used as the umbrella for the para-glider – and a set of sewing tools from the box. It is a heavy, large-size cloth, and there is a large amount of it. “I have not sewn the fabric together yet, so go ahead and do it. It would normally take me half a day” A manual was there, this time in Japanese, bound with several sheets of paper. “Y-, Yes!” Akari answers with a slight waver. “Since you just have to sew according to the procedure manual, you can do it, right?” Aria responded to Akari’s confirmation with no intended malice. But… this is a kind of job not typically done by butei. This is a job that has nothing to do with ones skills as a butei. “…okay” Holding the paragliding materials handed to me tightly against my heart. Aria, unable to see Aria’s face, replied with her eyes downcast. § § It was 7PM, an hour after I had asked Akari to help me improve my para-glider… After buying replacement parts for the parts that Akari had destroyed, Aria made a side trip to the intelligence department, Lezzad. Lezzad is one of the specialized departments of Butei High. This department trains butei who specialize in espionage, intelligence, and sabotage of criminal organizations. Beside a magnificent oak tree planted to hide the windows of that school building… “… Akari’s gait and stance were based on Japanese martial arts” Leaning against the wall, Aria speaks about her impression of Akari. The person who Aria is speaking to is Hina Fuuma, a first-year intelligence student who is suspended upside down from a large tree above Aria’s head. Fuuma listens to the story while munching on her fried noodle buns… She is a girl who resembles a female ninja, so it is no wonder she chose to join the Intelligence division instead of the assault department as a transfer student. In addition to her sailor uniform all butei wear, she usually hides the lower half of her face with a mouthpiece except for moments like now where she is eating. What is a bit odd though is that the pleated skirt of her uniform somehow maintains its normal orientation and shape, defying gravity, while her long scarf and black hair ponytail is hanging down… However, she is a student with a unique atmosphere that convinced Aria that this is absolutely Fuuma. It is not uncommon for a student to hire a fellow student for a mission at Butei High, and Aria had hired Fuuma for a mission. It was a background check on Akari Mamiya, a first-year student in the Assault Department, whom I accepted as my Amica. However, I have not openly opened an investigation into Akari yet as I dont have enough information on her yet, so I am passing on information I know this way to Fuuma… “Despite her Japanese stance though, the techniques she used were not from karate, judo, or aikido” Akari’s techniques on the Rainbow Bridge… While telling Fuuma all this information, Aria asks Fuuma for her opinion as Fuuma is well versed in Japanese martial arts. After finishing her fried noodle bun she received from Aria as payment, Fuuma recovered her face and, “… the technique that Kanzaki-dona saw is probably ‘tobi-tsuki’. Originally, it was a shinobi killing technique to pick out the eyes and internal organs of the enemy with ones bare hands” (TL Note: This is spoken in an old dialect, the book actually had both the old and new version, presumably because of how old the dialect is.) In her unique way of speaking, she stated… quite a disturbing opinion. Aria is… completely silent. “However… the tobi-tsuki is a technique that uses the power of the enemy themself to work, and at the moment of collision between the two, the shinobi thrusts their fingers into the body, such as the mouth of naval, and pulls out the muscle and organs inside. The fact that the emblem on the surface of Kanzaki-dono’s body was able to be safely removed seems odd. Mamiya-dono may have revised her tobi-tsuki technique for some reason…” …if Fuuma’s opinion is correct, that is a bit creepy and scary. Japanese butei are forbidden to kill according to Article 9 of the charter surrounding butei law. Akari must have remade the technique to comply with Article 9. Aria, who herself is a master of the martial arts handed down from generation to generation and started with Sherlock Holmes can understand the need of reworking a technique. But… to be able to rework a technique… one must be able to use the original form of it. Why would Akari, who seems so harmless and helpless, know how to do such a brutal technique? Aria, who was beginning to feel an unusual sense of tension as that question arose in her mind, was completely silenced by Fuuma’s analysis. “…” After a few moments of silence between the two girls… …guuu… Aria heard the sound of Fuuma’s belly grumbling. Her face is expressionless… but apparently she hasn’t been eating enough. She is a poor butei whose family is equally poor and her tuition fees are barely being covered. “… for an additional fee.” And so Aria gave her the backup fried noodle bun she brought just in case. “I’m sorry” Fuuma lowered her mouthpiece again and began to happily munch on the fried noodle bun. The commission is cheap, but hungry butei will rarely work for merely the price of food. “Continue to investigate Akari. You have been a butei for nearly a year, so it shouldn’t be hard for you to find out more. Tell me more later.” “Yes, maam” (TL Note: again, old dialect) After saying these words, Fuuma disappeared into the darkness, blending in with the leaves that rustled in the winds. The slightly dusty spring breeze drowned out the smell of the Yakisoba bread sauce. § § On the rooftop of the first women’s dormitory… Under the stars, Akari was diligently stitching the canopy of her para-glider. The cloth is sturdy, stiff, long and large, so it is hard to finish sewing it. However, the sewing itself is a simple task that any girl can do. The procedure manual is in Japanese, and it is just a matter of actually doing it. But… “…” As I worked in silence, many things came to mind. The darkness of the night did not help though, and all I could think of were negative things. A few moments ago, Aria, my ideal, said to me… “There is no better ideal for a butei team than being able to do a lot of things, right?” “Since you just have to sew according to the procedure manual, you can do it, right?” … those words have been stuck in my mind since Aria said them. I knew Aria had no bad intentions when she said it, but that is why it is hard for me to bear them. I can also recall Aria’s disappointed expression… “Oww!” Akari pricked her finger with the sewing needle. I was forced to pause my work and wiggle my fingers to help relieve the pain. Akari… hugged the cloth, face down. (… I can only… do this…) Slowly, my vision began to blur. The dream I had when I entered the women’s dormitory with Aria, my dream of being reborn as a cool butei, playing a big role as I help Aria… it is not possible. I’m sure. I was only imagining it. I don’t have any specialties that can make that dream a reality: driving, forensics, shooting, communications, information processing, equipment procurement… I only became her Amica because of my one trick that caught Aria by surprise. That was all there was to it. Myself, I am still just an E-ranked butei. I am just a little girl, basically a toddler, who can’t do anything and am nearly a Butei High dropout. (I was ecstatic since I could be Aria-Senpai’s little sister… but it doesn’t make sense for a child who has no merit to be a younger sister of someone with so much potential…) The rooftop, despite not being cold at all, begins to feel like a cold front is coming on. For Akari, Spring has already begin giving her new challenges and encounters… And these new challenges and encounters are about to be transformed into anguish and ordeals. § § Aria rented an unoccupied workshop at Amdo, the equipment department, and completed the yagi antenna herself… The time was already 2 a.m. (… I’m so late.) I returned to the roof of the women’s dormitory to install the antenna, for which I had already obtained permission to install. I thought that Akari would have left by now since it was so late… “… tsu” Akari was still on the roof. She is sitting wrapped in the canopy of the para-glider, cooing and sighing in her sleep. I wonder if she had been sewing for the last 8 hours. Wondering, I took the cloth for the para-glider and looked at it, and sure enough, the work was done. I thought she would have finished it much, much later. … Aria has a case that she is pursing personally. For this case the yagi antenna and para-glider are necessary tools to complete the case. The plan was to be prepared for that case tomorrow morning. For Aria’s schedule, the yagi and the para-glider have to be ready tonight… Akari though had the para-glider prepared earlier than Aria had originally planned. That means that Akari, her Amica, has contributed to their Amica relationship in an admirable way, meeting Aria’s standards. “Ah… Aria-Senpai!” Akari woke up and rushed to her feet as Aria approached her. Beside Akari, Aria checked the seams of the canopy. … there was no problem. The seams were sewn together tightly. The canopy was not stitched like the optional method used in the manual, it is finished even more sturdy than I thought it would be. “Is this stitch…?” “I did a backwards stitch. I thought it would be sturdier” Apparently, this stitching method was chosen by Akari herself. “Backwards stitch? Is that a Japanese stitching method?” “After each stitch, I pull the fabric to the left or right and return the needle to the same hole. It is the strongest way to sew by hand” I would imagine it would be very, very time-consuming to do that kind of stitching on something this big… But thanks to this, the strength of this para-glider has been improved. The reliability is clear to see, with this para-glider odds are being able to withstand rigorous use and maneuvers that a para-glider should not normally make. Aria’s strict eyes check over the para-glider checking to see if it can survive actual combat… Akari, interpreting Aria’s questioning as dissatisfaction with the stitching style, “Uhm, sorry! If this stitch isn’t right, I will re-stitch it! Uhm, because the manual did not describe a definite way to sew it, I took the liberty of…” Akari hurriedly began to take her needle and thread back out. Her fingertips… they must have been pricked by the needle. It was slightly stained with blood. Aria saw this and shook her head. “I can see no reason why you would need to re-sew it. No one else would have sewn this so carefully. Thank you.” Then Aria gently stroked Akari’s head. “I found 1 good thing about you. You are a good girl, Akari.” Aria smiles as she says this, and Akari’s round eyes get big as she raises her eyes to look up at Aria… … poro, poro. And tears began to pour out of her large, round eyes. “?” Aria was puzzled, not know what she had said that made Akari cry… “Aria-Senpai…!” Akari hugged me and kept crying even more. “…ehh? Wh-… what is wrong?” Aria, who was being hugged so tightly it hurt, is dismayed by this unexpected reaction. “Nothing… Nothing is… egu, hii …!” When asked, Akari did not answer immediately, but she instead held onto Aria and wouldn’t stop crying. (…?) Aria grew up in London, where people of various races, ethnicities, and religions live. I am not in the habit of thinking much about other people’s feelings. Emotions are a person’s private possessions and problems. In principle, it is something that outsiders should not enter into, and I even consider it a kind of insult to be overly concerned about it. In fact, it is impossible for me to read the feelings of people who are not family members. Therefore, Aria has always tried to treat others in a dry manner. I only communicate necessary information and do not go further into other peoples mind. It is good if you can empathize with their joys and sorrows, but if you cannot empathize with them, leave them alone. In other words, I leave most peoples feelings alone. That was the mindset needed to live in an international society with different values and people, for Aria. But… This is Japan. It is a very different country from the UK, with almost a single ethnic group. Japanese people are naturally good at caring for each other and considering the feelings of others. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. (TL Note: This is in English.) Despite her previous disposition to peoples feelings, Aria did not push away her cute junior who was sobbing, but for some reason instead gently hugged her back. Akari would probably want that too. And… besides. She is my War Sister. I am not very good at that kind of thing… but… I will try to think more about my sisters feelings and act accordingly in the future… These two girls were now no longer strangers to each other. § § Akari’s body was cold from the night wind, so Aria prepared a bath for her. The bathroom is spacious, expected for a VIP room. The bathroom is 5 times larger than the bathroom in Akari’s apartment. “I will take a bath with you” Aria told me this in the changing room and began to take off her uniform… Surprised, Akari hurriedly wiped away her tears to clear her vision. With her twin-tail hair curled up in a bun, Aria’s smooth body is exposed completely, partly since both Akari and Aria are girls. Quickly, sa~, sa~, Aria took off her card-print underwear as well. (……!) Aria’s skin is fine, due to her being quarter British. Her skin boasts a dazzling whiteness, as if the skin itself were luminous. Akari looked at Aria’s breasts, something girls do even in passing… Aria’s breasts looked even flatter than when she is wearing her uniform. It is a disappointing size considering it is a high 2. (TL Note: the 2 is not incorrect, I think it is referring to AA due to next sentence.) However, her breasts are still a little bigger than my AA. Maybe an A? Her breasts are small, but so area her hips. Her hips are round and cute, although it is also tight and curvy upward. It is a rule that butei, who may be working undercover, should not have visible muscles like bodybuilders do. Aria is no exception to this rule, and when she is naked, you would never know that this petite girl’s body is possible of using force that she displayed in the CQC and firefight yesterday. Her naked body is delicate and as beautiful as glasswork. But… there is an old bullet wound scar lingering faintly on her back… It was a quiet testament to the fact that Aria was a butei. “… Akari? Come quickly” “Ye-, yes” Akari, who had been rudely looking at Aria’s bullet wound, was barely able to say “yes”. Although embarrassed, Akari takes off her uniform and reveals her even more infant body than Aria’s. Not wanting her War Sister to think of her as a sloppy sister, Akari carefully folded her uniform and underwear, which she would not normally take off in front of someone, and despite being afraid walked into the bathroom with Aria… Aria stretched out her legs while Akari sat down on a step, both soaking in the large bathtub. “…oh. So that is why you started crying.” Aria says with a look of dismay to Akari, who earlier had explained why she started crying, although it took quite some time. And to Akari who looks shunned… “There is no need to cry. If you were a A or S ranked butei, there would be no point in making you my Amica. You don’t need to suddenly become stronger, okay? If you do, you will just be given even more troublesome tasks.” With a tsuntsun face, Aria spoke to Akari. Her words were clumsy, but I could sense that she was saying them to encourage me… Akari’s heart was filled with energy and joy. What Aria said was true. I am imperfect. But even if I remain imperfect, I can still stay by Aria’s side. There is a tendency in the world to seek out only those who are capable of working immediately and meeting expectations, but that also means that those seeking these people out do not have the time to nurture them. The person I admired, Aria, was not so narrow-minded. She may have a small body, but she is a much larger person, and has more than enough strength to keep Akari by her side. The fact that Akari was trying to grow taller from the beginning to match Aria might have been perceived as disrespectful by Aria. “Aria-Senpai…!” Unable to stand still, Akari stands up with her hands on the edge of the bathtub. “I… I… I will do my best!” Zaba! Her feet shoulder-width apart, stamped her feet on the bottom of the tub, clenched her fists, and declared this. And – as a result of this pose. Akari’s lower half of her body was displayed in front of Aria’s eyes, who was sitting in the bathtub. “…!” Even though we were both girls… “- you should at least cover up your front!” Aria turns red and bam! She quickly grabbed both of Akari’s hands, who is of course completely naked, and made her hide her important parts. “…!” Akari, who has a rather active imagination, somehow felt that this was the type of behaviour that should not be performed between two girls. “I’m Sowwy!” Biting her tongue with her face bright red, Akari tried to pronounce “I’m sorry!” and ducked down into the hot water. Aria’s bedroom had only one bed, but it was a bed that could sleep even five Aria’s as the bed was super king-sized. Since it was late at night, Aria asked Akari if she would sleep with her tonight. Akari was planning to monopolize Aria wearing a negligee and have a leisurely slumber party girl talk, but… “Good night then. Turn off the light when you go to sleep.” Aria then laid down and fell asleep in 3 seconds, even with the lights still on. Aria soon fell into a deep sleep, and her adorable, doll-like sleeping face can be easily seen… What a-, what a beautiful girl. I don’t know why I, a girl, think she is this beautiful, but this is beyond beautiful. She is divine. Overall, she is elegant yet lovely, her sleeping eyes are softened from their usual somewhat harsh appearance, the bridge of her nose is well-shaped, and her cherry pink lips are fresh and soft yet firm. Previously I could only sneak around in the hallways and corners of the street to spy on her beautiful face, but now I can stare at it from a distance of only 5cm. This is revolutionary. I am so happy to be her War Sister. Akari, thrilled to the point of fainting… I am completely wide eyed from the excitement and can’t fall asleep. I could have easily watched Aria’s sleeping face for an hour or two, but it was already midnight… (…aaah) Then I suddenly remembered to do something, and took out my cellphone to send a e-mail to my sister, Nonoka. She might be worried about my since I did not come home tonight. “I will be spending the night with Aria-Senpai at her room. I borrowed her pyjamas since we are almost the same size.” Akari ended her e-mail with a laugh and sweat emoji, which made her giggle. I am happy and excited that I can be with Aria like this now. I felt like bragging a little bit, and sent that same email to Raika and Shino as well. Akari looked at the clock on her cellphone and thought “I have to go to sleep…” so turned off the light in her bedroom and, “Good night, Aria-Senpai” Akari spoke to Aria as she slept, and then she too slept in the same bed as her Amica. § § Early in the morning, shortly after 5:00a.m, Aria woke up. (…) Akari is still sleeping, her cellphone in her hand. Perhaps exhausted from eight hours of continuous sewing, she showed no sign of waking up from the sounds and movements of Aria getting up. The more I look at her, the more I see Akari as just another, normal girl… (You’re… you’re hiding something) After changing into her sailor suit and returning to her bedroom, Aria looks down at the sleeping Akari and thinks. This girl is hiding something. Whatever she is hiding is a horrible truth, I am sure of it. Aria’s intuition was whispering to her. (… you will die. You will die if you keep it hidden.) One who willingly hides one’s true self even in the midst of battle is like having a jammed gun, it puts a butei at a disadvantage. For a butei, fighting always means risking one’s life. If you hesitate to do what you should do because you are trying to hide something,it could lead to your immediate death. This has happened already to many butei recruits. But, maybe that is why. Maybe it was a good thing that I had made her my Amica. It is also the role of the older War Sister to prevent this and to protect their younger sister. § § “…Aria-Senpai…?” When Akari woke up around 7:00a.m, Aria was already gone from the bedroom. I feel like everything is gone just because Aria is not there. For a moment, I even think that everything that happened yesterday was a dream. But it is true. Both what happened yesterday and that Aria is not here. Because right now, I am on my War Sister’s bed. “Ah…” A note from Aria was left on the bedside table. Akari’s face lights up when she finds it. “Thank you for the para-glider. I will use it.” She wrote the note in Japanese, despite it being easier to write it in English. Akari hugged the note. (You are going to use it…!) Outside the window, a fresh spring morning sky is spreading. Just like Akari’s current, radiant feeling. Akari stepped out of the bedroom onto the balcony, and took in a lungful of fresh air. And I think. Aria is not here right now. Right now I cannot see her beautiful face. But that is unavoidable. Because right now, my War Sister is so far ahead of me that I cannot even see her face right now. But from now on, I will run towards her. We cannot stand side by side from the start. I am right now too far behind her. But thanks to Aria, I now know clearly which direction I should run toward. Because, Aria-Senpai who is ahead me and running at a lightning speed, is showing me her back. I need to run toward her back. I need to keep running, until one day I can stand side by side with her. That is surely what it means to grow up as a War Sister. (This is the world of a War Sister…) Akari didn’t understand that until she became one… She smiled back at the morning light that seemed to illuminate her war forward. § § Shino Sasaki… she had a special ringtone for e-mails from Akari. Akari was the only person who gets this kind of special treatment. This was done so that even if an e-mail from Akari arrives in the middle of the night, she can immediately get up and check the e-mail. Late night texting is a precious act of sharing late night time with a partner. For Shino, who has never spent the night with Akari, exchanging late-night e-mails is a rosy affair, a compensatory act. … or at least it was supposed to be. Shino is usually seen as a calm girl, and as her teacher Tokoro Irin Sensei said, “Mrs. Sasaski is a cool beauty.” But when I received an e-mail from Akari I was so excited that I immediately picked up my phone. I was so happy, oh so happy. And yet… the e-mail was… “I will be spending the night with Aria-Senpai at her room. I borrowed her pyjamas since we are almost the same size. (laughs) (sweat)” For Shino, this was the most shocking e-mail of all… Akari-Chan. Cute, cute, my cute Akari-Chan. Sleep over. In the room of that girl who suddenly appeared. “…tsu…” Reading the e-mail again, Shino’s face scrunched up first thing in the morning. “Akari-Chan…” I don’t want to… read e-mails like this. It is a nightmare. With that thought, Shino erases the email, losing the light from her eyes. But even if the e-mail disappears. … the fact is, the truth does not disappear. ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ### 025. Bullet 10: Physical Measurement On a certain day, Akari, Shino, and Raika were changing into their gym clothes. The mandatory gym top at Butei High is a white t-shirt with a name tag on it. However, there are no rules for the bottoms, so Akari wears shorts, shino wears rouge-coloured bloomers, and Raika wears black spats. “– Wow! So Shino was able to sign a War Sister contract too!” Akari, dressed only in her childish white cotton undergarments, a bra with simple lace around the edges and panties with a small bow below her belly button, was smiling innocently at Shino. “Yes!” Shino herself was very happy to see Akari again for the first time in a long time, even looking at her was filling the hole in her heart from being away for so long. Shino, who had paused after undressing, was wearing bright red lingerie with fine embroidery and lace that was handmade by craftsmen. Next to Shino, Raika had pulled down the skirt of her uniform and… “… I have a bad feeling about our senpai leading a physical today.” While blurting out such things, she was dressed in bold black underwear with a shockingly small amount of fabric. Her panties are basically a thong. Near the entrance of the changing room, which Raika was glancing at… Aria was wearing her uniform, holding a clipboard and was waiting for the three of them to finish changing. “Hurry up and get dressed! Article 5 of the Butei Charter: Act Swiftly!” Akari and the others began to rush changing their clothes after being yelled at by Aria, who seemed to be annoyed with the three of them talking among themselves. With Akari and her friends, now wearing their gym clothes, Aria led them down the sidewalks of the school district. The end goal was the building where the the Ambulance department was located. “The physical measurement is an important part of being a butei that dictates your armaments and fighting techniques. The results of the physical are submitted to Masters, so take it seriously, okay?” “Okay!” In contrast to Shino and Raika, who responded to Aria’s words with serious expressions… (Yay~! I’m with Aria-senpai!) Akari is the only one with a massive smile on her face. Physical measurements for first-year students are led by second-year students who follow the instructions of the teaching staff. The students leading the measurement are generally assigned at random, but if any of them have a War Sister contract, then that fact may be taken into consideration. That is probably why Aria is leading Akari’s group, which to Akari, is only a good thing. “I will start by measuring your height.” In the infirmary of Ambulance, that Aria brought them to, a rifle rack was temporarily set up in addition to the usual medical equipment, and various long guns were lined up in a row. Standing in front of them, Aria, “Shino Sasaki. Height, 155cm. You can just barely use a M4.” (Considering Shino’s height, a smaller carbine should be appropriate…) Aria handed her a Colt M4, which with its stock was 840mm in length. As its name suggests, the M4 was a cavalry rifle that was easy to handle, fully automatic, and neither a short or a long rifle. It is useful in urban warfare, and because the U.S army has adopted it as its weapon of choice, it is an inexpensive gun that is also available in Japan. “Hino Raika, 165mm, you could probably carry a FAL without dragging it.” Raika, who has a slender figure like a model, looked proud as she was handed the 1090mm FAL. The FAL, a lightweight automatic rifle developed by the Belgian company FN Herstal, is an assault rifle that is just right for Raika. It is a highly reliable gun that has undergone actual combat in the Falklands War and the Gulf War, with its flaws having been thoroughly identified from field use. … on the other hand… Akari, who was the first to have her height measured, and has the face of a Buddha… Was handed a G11 that was developed in the former West Germany by Heckler & Koch. It was a rare gun, rarely ever seen at any military academy. This automatic rifle uses lightweight caseless ammunition that thus does not eject casings, making it also a eco-friendly option. The continuous rate of fire when burst firing is far superior to that of other rifles. It is also extremely compact, with a barrel length of only 540mm. It is the only assault rifle that Akari, who is only 139cm tall – about the average height of a fifth grader in elementary school – can operate. However, while this gun has such amazing specs, it is… too next-generation… it is not a trusted rifle, is has frequent breakdowns and faults, and its existence has been forgotten in history. It is, in a word, impractical. “I don’t want this weird looking gun! I want that one too!” The G11, which many consider cool, that looks like a laser gun from the future, apparently did not suit Akari’s sense of style. (TL Note: The G11 is like red wine, it is a refined aesthetic. Search it up if you are curious, it looks like no other weapon.) When Akari failed to take away Raika’s FAL, she turned to Shino and said “Shino! Measure my height again!”, and went to stand on the stadiometer. “No matter how many times you measure it, 139cm it 139cm.” With a sigh, Aria wrote down the data she collected on a sheet and tucked it into her clipboard. Next, they all moved to the Sniper department, where they were to conduct an eye test in Snipe’s firing range. Next to Aria, standing at the far end of the firing range, is a landolt ring used for the vision screening. “Now, get ready.” Following Aria’s instructions, Akari, Shino, and Raika held their L96 in a standing firing position. They were free to use any rifle, and the three of them look through the scope. All vision tests at Butei high were done with a rifle at a firing range. (…right? Yeah, right.) -the person who could figure out the answer first would answer, but before Akari could voice her answer, “right.” Raika answered. In addition to this, Akari for some reason has a habit of opening her mouth when she concentrates while looking through a scope… Akari’s open mouth was so cute, that Shino, who was next to her, was looking at her concentrating face instead of the firing range. “under.” Only Raika was able to complete the vision test with flying colours… “Then what about this?” When asked by Aria, who was still at the end of the firing range, “Up left” She answered immediately. The hearing test was administered in the Connect department building, which has the quaintness of a telecommunications company. Akari and the other were wearing headphones in a room full of buttons and communication devices. From the headphones on her head came a grating noise. The content of this test was to identify small footsteps heard in the noise. But Akari honestly cannot hear anything, so she delicately removes her noisy headphones and pretends to listen while covering her ears with her short twin tails… Shino seemed to be focusing and trying to pick up the sound of footsteps from the noise, but she just raised her eyebrows and didn’t answer. … and then, “I hear the footsteps of… 5 people?” Raising one eyebrow, Raika answers. To which Aria nodded and said “Aural discrimination OK”. It seems Raika was correct. In the Lezzad department, the three girls had a test conducted on three semicircular spheres. For this test, Akari and her friends were places on swivel chairs similar to those used to train astronauts. (This is nauseating…) Akari, who had been turned and flipped and spun around many times, both vertically and horizontally, was.. “upu…” Within seconds of leaving the seat, she was staggering on the ground with a pale face. Nearby, Shino was also wobbling. However, “Akari. Are you done already?” Raika, the only girl still in the chair, was smiling and grinning at Akari as Akari hugged Aria with tears in her eyes. “Five more minutes.” Aria spoke over the trembling, kneeling Akari… “Rajah-♪” (TL Note: quirky way of saying “roger”.) Raika responded with enthusiasm. It seemed that out of the three friends… Raika was a step ahead of the rest when it came to being a butei. And so, after the completion of the physical measurements for the new butei… “Next test is the last test.” Aria spoke that at the final destination that the three girls were brought to… the Assault department. It was an annex, shaped like an apartment building. Next to Akari, looking up at the full-scale building, which is usually used for raid drills, Raika, “What is the last test…?” She is prodding Aria next to her, asking her, trying to get anything out of her. “Fufu. This is a specialty of Butei High, it is our measurement of your athletic ability. It is sort of an event.” With a grin and a unnerving laugh, Aria… The four of them step into a room in the annex that just looks like an ordinary girls room. “This training room is just… it is just a girls room…” Aria nodded to Shino, who was looking around the room. “That is right. The inspection here is also intended as a stress reliever for the year 2’s who were assigned to lead the measurement.” And with that, Aria locked the door behind her. “… now lets grade your CQC for indoor use, and I will make sure that I get a full report.” Aria, with a smile on her face, pulls two pistols out from her thigh holsters. (A close combat fight… with Aria!?) Akari and the others could not hide their surprise when they were suddenly told such an unimaginable thing. “Usually this test is done one at a time, but for here three on one is fine.” Aria smiles wryly, holding a silver-white and jet-black government pistol in either hand. (But… 3 on 1 is fine?) As a student as the ever combative Butei High, despite the difference in skill between first years and second years, Akari was a little ticked off Of course though, Aria was just trying to provoke the first years so that they would be the ones to take the advantage… “… then let me start.” First, Raika pulled a knife out of her gym clothes. “…” At Aria’s command, Akari also pulled out her Micro Uzi. Shino pulled out the sabre that she had with her… In a three-on-one situation, the side with one person should repeatedly hit and back away until they are against a wall to stop from being surrounded. However, there was no sign of Aria doing this. And so, Akari and the others spread out to surround Aria. Even in such a situation and surrounded… Aria seems to be in a good mood. In Akari’s eyes, Aria is desperate if not already beaten. (Aside from myself, Raika can use knife fighting and Shino can use swordsmanship.) “–lets go!” It was Raika who took the lead and rushed forward. However, Aria uses the side of her gun in her left hand to counter Raika’s right hand, which was holding the knife. At the same time, Aria kicked out one of Raika’s leg. “…!” Raika fell forward, but immediately put her hands on the ground to support a low kick, but Aria read that too and avoided it with a backstep. “Kyaa!” This movement from Aria though was also a kick aimed at Shino who was behind her. Shino was forced to use the side of her sabre as a shield after being kicked by Aria. Akari, who only now was turning her guns muzzle towards Aria, but… (…!) Aria used one of her twin tails to push Akari’s Uzi muzzle away. Meanwhile, Raika gets up, put her knife in the opposite hand, and clung onto Aria’s back. She then put Aria into a strangle hold, while trying to push the knife up to Aria’s neck… at the same time… “Akari, Shino, Now! Up and down!” Raika was not frightened by Aria and started giving instructions. Akari and Shino, seeing this as their chance to win, both move and make their own attack motions, with Akari pointing her muzzle at Aria’s shoulder while Shino points the blade of her sabre at her ankle. “Ara, guess it is my turn.” Aria laughed, and got a serious look on her face, turned the safety on on her gun and threw it up into the air. “–?” Raika had clear surprise on her face, and Aria… Aria hooked her right pinky into Raika’s mouth and swung her forcefully! (It is common sense in martial arts to grab an opponent’s clothes and wrists to swing them around, but I never thought Aria would pull her mouth…!) While Raika was taken aback by this action, Aria jumped a little and hit Akari’s gun with the grip of her government. With that momentum, Akari’s Micro UZI rotates around 180 degrees– “!” With her Uzi’s muzzle now point at her own face, Akari was freaked out. And when Aria landed, Shino aimed an attack with her sabre at where she would land, but instead ended up wit her sabre stuck under Aria’s ankle. “aaah…!” Shino, unable to do anything after her sabre was stepped on by Aria, was forced to drop it and retreat… Raika, watching Aria, had gone from her previous bold attacks to a stiffened face. Looking closely, Akari realized that… Aria not only hooked her little finger into Raika’s mouth, but also pressed her thumb against the lower eyelid of her right eye, as if to poke it. (If Aria were to mess up the technique and did not hold back, she could have popped Raika’s eye right out.) (With Aria’s skill, it could have happened if she willed it…) “…!” In front of the three of them, who were incapacitated in less than 10 seconds, the government pistol that Aria had thrown earlier had fallen perfectly right into her right thigh holster… …kin…kon…kin…kon… Akari heard the chimes of the Assault department… “Aaa. Are we done already?” Aria, who had not even broken a sweat, chuckles a bit with a disappointed smile. She then let go of Raika, took her foot off of Shino’s sword, and also put away the pistol in her left hand that was still pointed at Akari. And in the end, these three were no match for the senior S-ranked butei… Akari and Shino were stunned to realize this. Aria, though, told Raika who had regret in her eyes, “You have a little talent.” Even after a sound victory, Aria told Raika such enviable words. The Assault department building had a women’s bathhouse with a pool. Soaking in the public bathtub with the other girls who had just finished their physical fitness tests… Akari and the other three were depressed. (I couldn’t fight for even 10 seconds, even though it was 3 to 1, because of the motor nerve measurement test…) (TL Note: it was not said when this test was done, but it was the test involving the spinning chair.) “We couldn’t get a foot in the door.” Shino, holding her knees in the bathtub, says cheerfully. “It was like she was cheating.” Raika, who spread her arms out on the edge of the bathtub like a man, was looking up at the ceiling. Akari, with her bum sitting flat on the bottom of the tub, “I wonder if Aria wrote a bad report on me.” Akari looked down in disappointment and put her mouth in the bathtub as she blowed bubbles pointlessly… “… Not really. B+.” Aria appeared, her twin-tail hair tied up in a bun and a towel covering her naked body. Wa , when the three of them raised their faces… “You three were a very good team, you worked very well together. I just got a little too serious at the end.” Akari and the other looked a little surprised at Aria’s words as she was entering the bathtub. It took a few moments, but eventually the three realized that they had just been praised… and they looked at each other with joy evident on their face. Seeing Akari’s honest happiness, Aria smiled. “We are going to keep being good friends from now on, okay?” (TL Note: this might seem out of place, but it is a fairly accurate translation (exact word is not friend but something like “get along”, “work together”, etc. I believed that friend worked best here given previous sentence.). Think of it like Aria worried that she might have discouraged Akari from trying her best or pushed her away by beating her so soundly. It is meant to encourage Akari to work harder and keep trying her best.) “..Yes!” Overjoyed, Akari gave a lively response to Aria with a big smile on her face. “Especially you, you have a lot of potential.” Again, she praised Raika again making Akari envious. Raika was pleased to be the only one truly praised. “… well, your strategy was not very good. It was too straight forward.” Immediately after though came a scathing evaluation. While the three of them went back to a pure shocked reaction again, Aria looked like she was thinking… “Yes, you would be an even better team if you had a cunning strategist…” She muttered something like that as if talking to herself. § § A Hollywood mirror… It is a mirror placed in the dressing room of a TV station, with a row of light bulbs surrounding a rectangular edge. Female butei don’t usually care much about makeup because in their jobs they usually are never seen by anyone other than their targets… they have no need for a girl-oriented mirror that actresses and idols use to apply makeup. But there are several such mirrors with lamps in the makeup room of the CVR department of Butei High. In front of one. “Kuchin!” Kirin Shimo, a junior at Butei High, sneezes cutely. She is a girl even smaller than Akari, wearing a modified sailor suit trimmed with frills, with a huge ribbon on her head and a deformed giraffe plushie on her lap. Her height, 135cm, the height of a fourth grader. Kirin was in the middle of applying makeup with a powder puff on her finger. “Mo~, Who is whispering about me~?” As if said in response to the words of the distant Aria, she turned her head to the direction of the public bath and spoke to herself. ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ### 026. Afterword Hello! And maybe even, it is nice to meet you. This is Akamatsu Junior High School. Akari Mamiya, the protagonist of “Aria the Scarlet Ammo AA”, which has now just been published, is a first-year student at Tokyo Butei High School, which trains “armed detectives” – detectives armed with guns and swords. She is a new heroine who fights evil with her tiny 139cm body wrapped in a bulletproof sailor suit and a micro UZI in her hand. However, she is only a first year student who has just entered Butei High. She is still very inexperienced in many areas, especially in shooting, where she is the lowest scorer. Even so, fans of HnA should support her as if they were Akari’s senior or friend, as she strives to achieve her goals while still being an innocent girl who always perservers… This story is a tale of Akari’s growth from a sporty, sporadic age, while at the same time… It is woven with the threads of “friendship” with the many other heroines. All of Akari’s friends love her. Some of them, though love her a little too much… In this way, Akari and the girls are bound by a bond built with a sparklingly hot and beatiful friendship with each other. All of the girls are full of individuality, including a serious girl, a manly girl, and a brash girl, and while they sometimes with with eachother, they eventually form a strong bond with eachother. Although they are only high school girls, they are all still the children of butei, so naturally their fights involve weapons. Anyway, the keyword of “friendship” has a deep and important meaning in the story of AA. In the world of light novels, where romantic comedies are common, a story of only friendship is a rarity. This work can be read as a stand-alone level, but it is also a novel version of a manga I originally wrote for Young Gangun, and is a sister work to the novel Aria the Scarlet Ammo. I hope you will enjoy reading it as much as I did. Like Aria the Scarlet Ammo, which has already been adapted into an anime, Scarlet Ammo AA will also be adapted into a TV anime! Please keep an eye out for information on the anime and continue to patronize us. Now, you, who are browsing in a bookstore right now… yes, you! It is okay to skim over the postscripts. Take it to the checkout counter right now and immerse yourself in the world of this story! January 2015 ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ### 027. Bullet 21: Shirayuki Hotogi A Quartet is a match in which good friends who have deepened their bond fight in a 4v4 match… One day, during their lunch break, the four girls were supposed to get together at the school cafeteria. As Shino was walking through the cafeteria holding a tray of tempura soba, “Sasaki-sama, please come sit over here–“ Kirin, who was eating neapolitan spaghetti at a round table, called out to her. At the same table was also Raika, who was currently stuffing her mouth with a large hamburger. Shino bowed lightly in response to Kirin’s offer, and joined the table with the two of them. “Where is Akari-san…?” Looking around and not seeing Akari, Shino asked Raika and Kirin where she is, “She is in the Assault department right now, Aria-senpai made her stay and train with her.” Raika answers her. “She is being forced to train…” Upon hearing this, Shino’s mind went through a temporary, although frequent, split into two personalities, an angel and a devil, (On the one hand I am anxious about what they are doing…) Spoke the demon, (However, after training, Akari-chan’s clothes are dishevelled, and Akari-chan will be tired after her training and typically tends to want to play whenever she is tired. Should I look at this as an opportunity to spend some time playing with Akari…?) The conversation with the angel was about 30 times more talkative than the devil this time. The pure Raika, who couldn’t even begin to comprehend the conversations going on in Shino’s mind right now, “It seems really troublesome and busy to have an Amica in the same department as yourself. Personally, I would feel as if I am being watched and judged all the time…” Muttering such things to herself, she bites into and rips off a piece of her burger. In response to Raika’s comment, Kirin seemed to remember something, “Come to think of it… Sasaki-sama, didn’t you recently take an Amica Contract Test?” She asked Shino. “Actually, how did that go? What did you have to do?” Raika decided to join in on this conversation out of curiosity. It is true that recently Shino herself joined into an Amica Contract. However, since then since she was so preoccupied with spending as much time as possible with Akari, she has not actually talked about it at all. That said, it is not like she was trying to keep what happened a secret, and it is a good story after all… –Shino smiled, decided to share her story, and began to tell how her Amica Contract test went… “My Amica Exam? Well, at the time…” § § … Going back in time, although not too far back, just a short while before now… … At the northeast of the Aomori Prefecture, at the foot of Mt. Osore… (So this is where Shirayuki Hotogi, who was recommended by Masters, is staying.) After getting out of her luxury Bentley Mulsanne, Shino looks up nervously. Under a red sky, stone steps are lined up as a staircase, and at the top is a scarlet red torii gate. Beyond that torii gate is a Hotogi shrine… It is at this branch shrine of the Hotogi that Shino is supposed to meet with Shirayuki Hotogi. “Then, young master, do be careful. I will pick you up once you return.” The maid who had driven Shino up until this point is one of the Miyamoto sisters who is wearing a suit while driving, and bows her head. “Yes, thank you for your hard work.” After seeing off the Bentley Mulsanne, Shino pauses for a while on the quiet roadway where cars rarely drive. All she can hear are the sounds of the wind and the chirping of birds… With a trunk in one hand and her sabre in the other, she begins to climb the stone steps. Before long, she approached the torii gate… “—“ Zaza . Miko’s in shrine maiden uniforms appear from behind the right and left pillars of the torii gate. Not only do they appear, they immediately begin slashing at Shino with their beautiful white blades glinting in the sunlight. One was armed with a tanto, one with a naginata… The attack was a surprise attack, but Shino did not panic. The shrine maidens were clearly young and inexperienced, on top of that their murderous intent was clear to Shino long before she approached the torii gate. While calmly placing her trunk on the stone steps, she began to parry the two surprise attacks at the same time, her saber still sheathed. No further attacks came. Because of that, Shino felt no need to unsheathe her sword. Right after that… “– You are courteous, and skilled with the sword.” “– You are also well dressed and clean. You have passed the test.” Scattering one to the left and one to the right of the stone steps, and sheathing their weapons, the two miko’s led Shino through the torii gate. “I am Konayuki Hotogi. This is my younger sister, Hanayuki. Both of us are Shirayuki’s younger sisters.” Konayuki, with her long black hair tied back with a ribbon, spoke calmly, “Please excuse our earlier rudeness.” Hanayuki, with her black hair in braids, spoke to Shino in a strange tone. “– I am Shino Sasaki. Nice to meet you.” Shino nodded coolly at both of them, as if the earlier attack on her life had never happened. After that Shino was guided by Shirayuki’s younger sisters… And approaches the shrine entrance. The sun is now setting in the area, but unlike the city with lights every few feet in all directions, here it is dark. A flower-patterned Japanese candle is placed on the candlestick held by Hanayuki. This source of light is the only thing brightening the path the three girls walk along the porch. Shino’s sabre and trunk are entrusted to some of the other miko that are working here, and Shino, who is now empty-handed, “We have brought you this far now, however, if you cannot handle yourself properly, you will not be allowed to go any further. Shirayuki-neesama is a model of the Yamato Nadeshiko and a national treasure.” Konayuki, walking in front of Shino, spoke with pride twinkling in her eyes. Shirayuki Hotogi, whom Shino is proposing to become her Amica, is currently the subject of a preamble on how wonderful of a person, and a sister, she is. Konayuki seems to just be a little too infatuated, however… – On the other hand– “… I am usually like her too, though…” Hanayuki looked down and to the side breaking out into a sweat, spilling out a comment with some kind of odd implication. After that, Shino was led to a Japanese-style room with a large sliding door. On the other side of this sliding door is Shirayuki’s room. So, Shino sat perfectly straight on a tatami mat and straightened her back. “Nee-sama, I have brought you a guest.” In response to Konayuki’s words, a calm voice came from inside, “Please, come inside”. It is finally time for Shino to meet with Shirayuki. (… Hotogi Shirayuki-senpai…) An Amica contract is requested by one of the two potential members, and Shino had requested Shirayuki… Simply because she just seemed to be an excellent senpai. She is the student council president with a reputation for excellent grades, is a beautiful traditional Japanese beauty, is talented, and even a good photographer. For Shino, Shirayuki felt worthy of being her Amica. But this Amica application… But really, what Shino needed was just an Amica… Who the other party was didn’t really matter to her too much. Shino merely wanted to be part of an Amica group with Akari, which is why she needed an older sister Amica. So, she requested for one. For Shino her Amica can be anyone as long as they are worthy of her and has a respectable background. Article 6 of the Butei Charter: Think for yourself, act for yourself. It was in this manner that Shino intended to see this through. However… Using Shirayuki in this matter made Shino feel a tinge of guilt in her heart. Is this an insult to her sincerity? Naturally, Shirayuki was not aware of Shino’s actual intentions with this Amica Contract. “…” Shino makes sure to keep a calm expression to ensure that Shirayuki doe snot see through her deceit. Konayuki and Hanayuki each sat on either side of Shino. Then, in tandem, they opened the fusuma from either side. Beyond that, in a large Japanese style room… Shino saw the back of a woman in miko clothing, long and beautiful black hair flowing down her back. In the back of this dark and spacious Japanese style room, Shirayuki is sitting on her knees upright, facing a flower arrangement. Strangely, she has not yet turned around to face Shino. However, despite this, she did not give of the impression of being rude. Her beauty was inhumane, her pitch black and glossy hair matching her miko costume perfectly. One did not even need to recognize her beauty to assume that she is from a noble lineage, her sitting posture is immaculate. (So this is Shirayuki Hotogi senpai, a second year student in SSR…) Shino bowed in a three finger pose, (TL Note: Traditional bow, here is an image if you are interested in what it looks like. . This bow in particular has a lot of nuances to it such as when it is used or its meanings.) “Please forgive my rudeness in rudely intruding on your training. I am Sasaki Shino, who had called you earlier about meeting you.” Shino spoke first, although she questioned if she was sounding too clerical. … Shirayuki, on the other hand, “… If you were a junior with a hear that is unrelenting, I would not have even allowed you to meet me, but…” With her back still turned to Shino, she spoke about the “heart”. Her gentle tone was one of a mother that could clearly look in on the hearts of her children… This overwhelming atmosphere, combing with Shirayuki’s voice, overwhelmed Shino and in response she inadvertently raises her head. But then Shirayuki turns around and with a smile, “… If that is your heart, that is fine. You and I, we are surely similar.” She looked at Shino with eyes that were kind, very kind, making Shirayuki look like a mother and even sacred. It was then that Shino realizes. Shirayuki must be as esper. Shino had never met an esper before, so she couldn’t be sure. But, this mood… this atmosphere. The feeling Shirayuki gave off was not one of a mere mortal. When Shino had heard that she is an honour student from SSR, she had imagined that Shirayuki is merely obsessed with the occult like many others, but clearly she is not. This girl, surely she has some kind of supernatural powers. If that is the case… Shino wondered, can Shirayuki truly see into her heart? But if that is true, there is no way that Shirayuki would just say “that’s fine”. In other words, Shirayuki does not know the truth. She does not know that Shino is just merely looking to become her Amica to enter into a Amica Group with Akari. She might as well push through, the ship has already sailed so to speak. Shino has already met Shirayuki after all… But… However… (What an attractive… No… Beautiful person…) Shino was captivated by Shirayuki’s gentle and soft smile… One look at her stole her heart. Shino realized now why Konayuki was so fascinated and enamoured with her beauty. Shino did not know if it was right to refer to Shirayuki as a “healing” kind of beauty, but she has to admit to herself that just by looking at her she felt her soul being soothed. She is also a miko carrying on tradition and an intelligent girl, so perhaps her younger sisters referring to her as a “national treasure” is not too much of an exaggeration. (… no, stop!) Bunbun , Shino shook her head to clear her thoughts. (I already have a good friend, Akari!) Shino always considered herself to be the type who does not fall in love easily, but… She could only imagine that right now she must be blushing. Is this what they call love at first sight? Beauty truly is sinful. Later that day, after her meeting with Shirayuki, Shino parted ways and was forced to eat dinner separately from the other miko. After taking her bath, she was ordered to go to bed at 8 p.m. At the Hotogi Shrine, this seems to be an iron clad rule. For as long as Shino could remember she had slept on a western bed, so she was quite happy to be able to sleep on a futon in a Japanese style room. Since it was still early for Shino, she was able to do her nightly “fantasizing about fun times with Akari” for two hours… In her imagination both were dressed in Kimono’s playing cops and robbers, etc. Waking up to the morning sunshine, mentally refreshed now, Shino was prepared and enthusiastic to finally face her Amica Exam. Shino feels as if, no matter what the exam is, as long as she thinks about Akari-chan anything is possible. Nothing is too hard for her now. – Walking alongside Shirayuki in the hallway of the shrine early in the morning. In addition, Shino has changed into a shrine maiden outfit prepared by Konayuki for her exam. She is wearing a white kosode and scarlet hakama for the first time, however she had to admit to herself that she looked rather attractive in it. But this corridor… Weapons, such as bows, spears, naginata’s, swords, and matchlock guns are leaning against the walls. It looks more like a corridor in a medieval castle than a corridor in a shrine. From the moment that Shino arrived she had the vague impression that, although this shrine very much is arranged in the style of a Shinto shrine, it somehow felt more like a fortress. But that in itself is nothing new, this is something also seen in Enryaku-ji Temple, which had monk soldiers. Shino is also a female student at Butei High, naturally she is not one who is shocked by the mere sight of a weapon. “Within your heart… Is a single person that you have strong feelings for.” Shirayuki’s words as she walked down the corridor made Akari’s face reflexively appear in Shino’s mind. “We will test your ability to learn with training that will also help you achieve your inner desire.” Looking behind her at Shino, Shirayuki spoke seriously with a stern expression. Around her, the Japanese swords and naginata’s are emitting a dull silver shine. Shino could only guess as to what kind of terrifying test and training awaited her. But worrying is pointless. There is no option for Shino to withdraw now. “–Yes!” (TL Note: “──はい！” is used here. This can be used as an agreement, answering a question, etc. Here it is used as a form of acceptance.) Swallowing her fears and worries, Shino made up her mind and answered Shirayuki. The place that Shino is brought to is the shrines kitchen. Konayuki and Hanayuki are there as well, and help Shirayuki and Shino change into aprons. (TL Note: This is something that I should have explained earlier, but each of Shirayuki’s sisters much like her have a name with two “words”. Shira=white and Yuki=snow. Hana=flower yuki=snow. Kona=powder yuki=snow. Kaze=wind yuki=snow. It is also here that I realize that I called Kazeyuki Kazayuki in vol 20, my apologies. It has been fixed now.) “Are we… Cooking…?” What is considered a Amica Exam is freely decided upon by the two sisters… Shirayuki explained that the exam will be divided into several hour blocks, and for the first hour the exam is “cooking”. –Speaking to Shino, who is standing confused with a knife in one hand and a potato in the other, “Yes. Home cooking is a traditional act of Yamato Nadeshiko that allows you to convey your thoughts to your loved ones.” (TL Note: Yamato Nadeshiko refers to the personification of the idealized Japanese woman.) Wearing a triangular bandage, Shirayuki conveys her logic with a sharp expression. (TL Note: I am not sure what this triangular bandage is, googling the Japanese term just give me photos of people wearing a support bandage for when you injure a arm.) Shino could not help but begin to worry that there is something… irregular… about her senpai. “Huh…” – For a moment, Shino was disappointed, but… Shino is serious in her heart, so she decided to just visualize Akari for Shirayuki’s earlier theme of the exam, “We will test your ability to learn with training that will also help you achieve your inner desire.”. Shino has a special… Skill, that allows her to instantly summon “Akari-chan” in her mind, at any time, a convenient skill for a girl with her mindset. Shino is now committed to improving her cooking skills in this exam, the goal being Akari-chan loving eating her home cooked meals and saying “It’s delicious” Shino-san, let’s get married!”. Paa ~, Shino’s expression lit up. “Hai! I will do my best!” Motivation instantly flooding her body, Shino started to cook with Shirayuki. It seems that Shirayuki has a target as well for who she wants to cook a meal for as while she is stirring a pot of boiling rice, “Cooking is a patient process!” The two girls energized and excited themselves with their passionate shouts as they cooked. Perhaps it is because they share the same way of showing affection for the person that they love but they began to shout in harmony without either of the two telling the other to do so. And finally… a secret ingredient is mixed into the cauldron. “Oneesama-Shirayuki, the final ingredients are this and this!” Konayuki, who helped them choose the ingredients to put into the pot, brought in… Copperhead snakes, garlic, eels, soft-shelled turtles, maca, etc. Shirayuki and Shino greeted the ingredients with mischievous smiles as if the ingredients are only natural. Hanayuki looking on at this scene, “… ughhh… it looks normal, but it is filled with aphrodisiacs…” With slightly teary eyes, she looked on at the final ingredients with fear. After completing her cooking exam, the venue for the second stage of the Amica Exam is another Japanese-style room. There, Shino sat across from Shirayuki at an ebony wood table. It is an old fashioned Japanese-style room decorated with historical depictions on hanging scrolls and pottery on a low table… On the table in front of Shino, the latest spy cameras are lined up in a row. “Infrared cameras are more effective for recording swimwear than undergarments.” Picking up a camera, Shirayuki explains in novice terms the camera. Shino has the bare minimum of knowledge on cameras as she found them useful for her Shino-like justice. However, Shirayuki is an expert, her many cameras and pieces of equipment are advanced and practical. Shino could only admit that she has much to learn from Shirayuki. “And this is a super micro camera. It is a very small camera that can be attached to anything with a sticker”. Shirayuki held a a new digital camera, smaller than a one-yen coin between her fingers, and, “This kind of ultra-compact camera is prepared by attaching it to the inside of the shoe with a pinhole on the toe.” She also demonstrated to Shino how to incorporate it into the loafers and strap shoes that girls are recommended to wear at Butei High. Apparently as well, the camera installed into the shoe is a wireless type that does not require a table and can be connected to a mobile phone or smartphone via Bluetooth. At a first glance, it just looks like a pair of shoes with a slightly loose instep. There is no feeling of discomfort when wearing it. Shino had to admit to herself, she is quite proud of the human race and the rapidly advancing science that allows something this advanced to exist. “Something like this will never be discovered by your target or others.” “I can’t believe I am learning this much…!” “Basically put, in any situation you should aim to get the highest quality image in order to see any minuscule detail clearly. However, rather than sticking to still images and missing potential opportunities, you should aim to take high-quality video as much as possible.” “When it comes to taking video, there is a limit to the means of what formats to record said video in, as well as the available recording time due to media size limitations…” “There is also an app that allows you to upload to the cloud at the same time as recording the video or taking a photo. Whenever your device hits a set limit, the media is uploaded to the cloud and deleted from the main unit. Thus, until your battery runs out, you can keep recording or taking photos without fear of missing out.” Both Shirayuki and Shino made vicious and passionate faces, faces that they usually do not show out in public… They were having fun, laughing with each other occasionally, “ ufufufufu “. “Shirayuki-nee-sama, you are so passionate about your lessons, you are absolutely wonderful…!” Konayuki’s innocent eyes shined as if she was fascinated and enthralled with Shirayuki, as she demonstrated her full maniacal knowledge on digital photography equipment. Amidst the creepy mood brewing in the room, which had since long stopped being an exam, only Hanayuki could whisper, albeit in a hushed voice… “O-, Onee-sama’s dangerous side is going full throttle…!” This girl, Shino, must be why this is happening. The truth, naturally, no one fully understood or wanted to know. After their pleasant lesson and discussion on effective voyeurism, it was decided that the next step in the Amica Exam would take place outdoors. This time, it was a more traditional Butei activity. The exam was a sort of bayonet fencing. With that said, Shino was handed an old gun, a Type 38 Infantry Rifle, with an attached bayonet. (TL Note: The Arisaka Type 38 is being talked about here, a fantastic rifle used by the Japanese in WW2.) In a gravel floor section of the temple grounds stood two human-sized straw dolls. The straw dolls had a head prepared, and were both life size. (TL Note: I am not sure why the author repeated the previous line.) For some reason, however… Both dolls have pink twin tails. Shirayuki had put up the dolls herself but when she saw the pink twin tails on the dolls… Her face warped into one of a demon. “– The cat thief homewrecker must be eliminated immediately!” Gusaaa ! Without any particular explanation for her actions, suddenly Shirayuki stabbed the bayonet of her rifle into the straw doll. Her sharp and pristine bayonet effortless pierces the mid line of the straw doll, which had been modified to mimic a real human body in terms of density. At Butei High such a strike aimed at the throat would have resulted in deducted points (such a strike would always result in the target dying and murder is outlawed for Butei in all situations). Although she has not said it out loud or understand how this can be… Shino, also, happens to hate pink twin tails for some reason as why. “– Eliminated immediately!” Following Shirayuki’s example, Shino thrust her weight sharply as if she was sticking her knees out front and thrusted her bayonet at the straw doll. Gusari . She, too, struck the mid line of the doll in a beautiful strike. While she struck slightly left of exactly the mid line, this was intentional… She was aiming for the heart. To keep spirits high, both girls had hinomaru headbands around their foreheads. Shirayuki’s had the words “love” and “heart” on either side of a red ball on hers while Shino had “apprentice” written on hers. (TL Note: Red ball here is referring to the Japanese flag.) – What is being practiced here is prohibited by Butei law, but Shirayuki appears to have no qualms with practicing killing techniques and is also quite good at them. Shino tries to match her moves and felt quite good doing them. Shino felt quite happy simulating killing a pink twin tail straw doll with all her might, the straw doll in her mind looking exactly like a hostile opponent. “We must be especially wary with women who have flirtatious hairstyles like this!” Shirayuki, clenching her teeth, turns her face into one of pure murderous intent, as if she was actively in a duel, “Especially if they have pink hair… As soon as you find one, kill them!” With another bayonet charge Shirayuki charges the straw doll again, hitting it in the throat again. This time after stabbing she twists the bayonet to the left, gurii ! After twisting the bayonet to the left she then ribs it out, gouging out the entire left side of the doll. At this point, the entire dolls neck would be gouged and cut out, turning a killing strike into a massacre. (TL Note: I took a bit of liberty with this sentence since a more direct translation just doesn’t make sense and repeats itself.) However, Shirayuki’s bayonet techniques doesn’t simply end at the neck of her nemesis. – Supaa –! She continued to make sharp attacks to the side of the head where the neck meets the skull. The cervical vertebrae are the thickest and strongest of the human bodies bones, but the oak core wood, which Shino assumed to be the vertebrae in the straw doll, was easily cracked and cut clean. Goton . And thus, the head of the pink twin tail doll fell to the ground… Shino and Konayuki who saw this began to applaud, saying “Brilliantly done!” It was around this point that Shino finally returns to her sense. Their relationship goes farther than mere senpai and her junior. It seems that, by mere coincidence, Hotogi Shirayuki-senpai also happens to be aiming for Kanzaki H. Aria. Shino could only cheer that she happens to have a reliable ally. Gusari ! Gusa ! As Shino began to pierce her own straw doll with her bayonet, Shino’s expression began to resemble the manic expression on Shirayuki. “You have a firm face, Sasaki-sama.” Even Konayuki, who rarely likes people, began to praise Shino. In the midst of Shino’s attacks, Shirayuki stabbed and leaned her bayonet rifle into her straw dolls head as if her bayonet was a naginata. “This pink hair Butei! If the rumours are true, then Heaven’s Punishment! Punishment–!” Shirayuki’s expression is that of a demon king, and the dolls torso is crunched, crushed, and stabbed repeatedly. Wonderful. Shino could only give Shirayuki a round of applause. Defeating Kanzaki H. Aria. It is a difficult task that Shino had to admit to herself would be impossible by herself, but perhaps Shirayuki could. Shirayuki surely could make the impossible possible! “– PUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUNISHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEENT!!” Shirayukis cries echo in the heavens, sounding like a strange birds cry. “Just by being with Sasaki-sama, the normally dangerous Onee-sama is now even more dangerous…!” Hanayuki alone is trembling and with a whisper mutters to herself. Shirayuki Hotogi is normally a beautiful Yamato Nadeshko who excels in both the literary and military arts, a model for even maidens. She is a national treasure and a beautiful, even perfect, girl. … But if there is a front, there is also a back. And it seems that behind this perfect girl is a mischievous and dangerous Onee-sama. However, to Shino, that is just a generalization, and from Shino’s point of view as well she is just as lovely and perfect when considering that side. When Shino thought about it, this is supposed to be an Amica Exam, but all of the exams were… Lessons? In the setting sun, after Shirayuki made Shino undergo a number of special training and exams… “… After relieving her stress Onee-sama looks like she is glowing…” As Hanayuki spoke she looked on at Shirayuki with her mouth agape. On Shirayuki’s face is a fresh and sparkling smile. “Your Butei ability, manners, and learning abilities are wonderful. Shirayuki took Shino’s hand in her own with a satisfied expression. Konayuki looking on at this… “… Well, I guess she passes.” The sisters were not keen on the idea of their Shirayuki-oneesama to love and adore any woman other than themselves… But seeing Shino’s skill and her matching personalities with Shirayuki, they could not help but admit that it should be fine and they accepted Shino. The sun now completely set, Shino is waiting by the torii gate for her ride to come and take her back home. After only two days Shino feels a mood of acceptance from the shrine maidens of the Hotogi shrine… “… Th, thank you very much.” Shino’s mind is caught up in an earlier conversation. Ever since the beginning… To Shino, “Then, I will give you one more trial…” With a gentle and yet serious expression, Shirayuki raised a finger. Final exam. Whatever it is, with this mood around her, Shino is sure that she will pass… Despite not know what to expect, she is confident she will succeed. But. Shino… is not sure if she should even be allowed. Can this go on? “… I’m sorry!” Shino interrupted Shirayuki’s words and bows as deeply as she can. “I have to decline the Amica Contract!” Her sudden response shocked the girls around here, clearly seen in the utter confusion and frozen Konayuki and Hanayuki. But all throughout this, Shino… Couldn’t look Shirayuki in the face. With her head bowed, Shino decided to speak thoroughly and convey everything. She explained everything. Why she came here. Why she applied to become Shirayuki’s Amica. What her underlying goal is. “… I have a dear friend. I want to always be by her side and protect her…! So, really… I just want to become anyone’s Amica in order to form an Amica group with her…!” An Amica Group is a system in which Butei Amica’s can form groups together. Yes. And so, Shino… She wants to become someones Amica… Purely just to create an Amica Group with Akari. She is prepared to accept anyone and everyone as her Amica to allow her to reach her goal. But. “But… But… Hotogi-senpai is too good of a person for my selfish goal…” Shino continued to speak as tears welled up in her eyes. To Shirayuki, who is silent the entire time. “I feel as if I am deceiving you this entire time, my feelings of guilt growing and eating me alive…” After completing the fun and enjoyable Amica Exam, with her feelings of guilt growing Shino has to say it, even if she really doesn’t want to, “I am sorry Hotogi-senpai, but I can’t be your Amica…!” She spoke. Because she had to. That is right. Hotogi is a nice and respectable girl. She may be a little strange and eccentric, but that is just because she is being honest with her heart so she is still pure. Shirayuki Hotogi is a national treasure, one who should only be loved and respected, not deceived or taken advantage of… That was Shino’s honest feelings about her. Shirayuki Hotogi… is a good person. She doesn’t deserve to be deceived and lied to. Shino’s creed refuses to allow her to do such a thing… It goes against her sense of justice. Shino, burdened with guilt from her crime, albeit attempted, covers her face and burst into tears. Shirayuki… “… You answered my question before I even asked.” Spoke softly. And gently strokes Shino’s head. “Eh…?” Shirayuki’s earlier question about one more trial. Just now when she said “You answered my question before I even asked”… The two are related. Shino was confused as to what is going on. “From the moment we met, I knew what was in your heart Shino-san.” Shirayuki spoke kindly. “… sniffle …” Shino’s eyes opened wide. Shino wants to be with Akari in an Amica Group. With that single-minded goal alone, she sought an Amica Contract. Did Shirayuki know all along about Shino’s true feelings and let her take the Amica Exam regardless? Shirayuki’s statement just now… It doesn’t feel like a lie. Yes… Shino’s feelings from earlier that Shirayuki is an esper psychic… Surely… She knew. From the very beginning. “Whether you will be honest with me or not… That is the final test.” “!” Surprised, Shino raised her face. Shirayuki, staring at Shino’s face… She is smiling. “And so… You passed. Congratulations, Shino-san.” “But… But, even if I am like this… You will make me your Amica…?” Shirayuki nodded at Shino with a gentle face as tears began to spill from Shino’s eyes. “To tell someone the truth and be honest to yourself and them… You have courage. That is part of my final test as well.” Saying that, Shirayuki made fists with both of her hands, “– Women must be brave!!” Smiling. … And so, that is how Shirayuki Hotogi and Shino Sasaki became War Sisters. It happened with a gentle smile full of tolerance and acceptance looking at a happy and crying face. Two Amica’s face to face. In the setting sun, a Bentley arrived to pick up Shino just as she had expected… Reluctant to say goodbye to Shirayuki and the Hotogi miko, Shino sombrely got into the car. “You are going to keep chasing the person that you are in love with, aren’t you?” Shirayuki who seems as if she is going to miss Shino as well gave her a farewell gift as Shino sat in the backseat. It’s… The ultra compact camera that Shirayuki had shown earlier that is meant to be inserted into a shoe. “A woman who is persistent… Is a perfect woman.” “Yes!” (TL Note: はい “hai” is used here, which like before can be an agreement or an answer to a question. Here it is an agreement.) Word by word, Shirayuki imbued Shino with advice, which Shino engraved deep into her heart. “Love is a supreme and pure feeling! As long as you have love, you can forgive most things!” In addition, Shirayuki handed over numerous items into Shino’s hand such as infrared cameras, wiretaps, IC recorders, and more. (Keep it up! Keep it up!) Shino could feel Shirayuki’s inner thoughts in each of the item that she handed over. Shino receiving these gifts is full of emotions, her face sparkling more and more with each gift. “Thank you! Shirayuki-oneesama!” Shirayuki, h aving seen Shino cut off any and all hesitation in pursuing her passion, has a radiant expression on her face. The Bentley Mulsanne began to move, and Konayuki watching the two girls passionate parting began to wipe her emotional tears away with the cuffs of her sleeves… Hanayuki, on the other hand, was merely staring at the 3 girls with a glum expression on her face. § § Shino finishes recounting how she and Shirayuki became War Sisters with a sullen look on her face. Kirin, after hearing the whole story, “What… What a wonderful sister…!” And her eyes begin to sparkle. … However… Raika is so shocked that her half-eaten hamburger began to partially fall out of her mouth. (Wh-, what the hell…) Shino had only been given stalker-like assignments that are completely out of line with Butei activities and barely in line with anything Inquesta related… Tonic foods for the one you love… Voyeurism which Raika could barely be persuaded to believe that it could be related to Inquesta activities… Simulations of killing rival love interests, etc… That was the entirety of her Amica Exam… However, this is Butei High after all. It is an unusual school, where people use shooting guns as a greeting. It was just an unusual senior giving an unusual exam, so maybe it is normal, just… Not that kind of normal. Raika tried to convince herself to think that way inside her head using complicated mental gymnastics… “Haa~~, I’m tired~” Shino could hear Akari’s innocent and cute voice as she wandered into the cafeteria. Akari’s uniform is ruffled, perhaps because Aria had grabbed and squeezed her from behind, simulating an enemy grappling her. Because of this, however, Akari looks even more than usual like a girl that needs to be protected… “– Akari-san!” Shino locked on and ran towards Akari like a guided missile. “Are you okay, Akari-san? Let’s have a meal together!” “Okay. Thank you.” As if to support the exhausted Akari, Shino invites her to the table and helps take her there… Supporting her entire body and in close contact the entire time. Shino’s body clung unnaturally to Akari’s body, but Akari is so exhausted from her training with Aria that she did not think anything strange of it. “… Mumumu!?” It is here that Kirin senses something. Climbing up Raika’s back to widen her field of vision, she put one hand over her eyes like a canopy to let her see easier… “Is that… A hidden camera!” Kirin pointed at Shino’s shoes and spoke silently to Raika. Just as Kirin had said, there is a small hole in the toe of Shino’s shoes that seemed to be a micro camera hole. Shino casually slid her toe directly under Akari’s skirt between her legs, allowing the camera to see her panties. (TL Note: Akari panties…) “Sasaki-sama… You are amazing!” Guu ! Kirin clenches her hand into a first and praises Shino. In contrast to Kirin, however, Raika… (Akari… It seems that you, too, are being chased by a troublesome person…) Feeling the presence of Kirin climbing on her back and head, Raika could only sigh and mutter to herself “I feel sorry for you, Akari…”. ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ### 028. Bullet 22: GGG One day, in the bustling Butei High after finishing her general subject classes… Frustrated with Akari’s limited growth in her shooting abilities, Aria had ordered her to train with her in the underground shooting range of the Assault Department Center. As it is lunch break, the two girls are alone. Barabarabarabara ! Bababababa ! Akari tries her best to maintain proper shooting posture with fine finger control, but… The muzzle wobbles with recoil, and barely any of her bullets hit the humanoid target. From a range of only 15m… Only 6 out of her 100 rounds are effective. Even an amateur can get a better grade. Grabbing the target papers with their dismal results, “Mo… How is such a low hit rate even possible?” Aria said, looking annoyed, “I’m sorry…” Akari’s shoulders drooped dejectedly as she placed the Micro UZI down onto the shooting stand in front of her “You… Originally had great skill when it came to shooting but… You are holding it back because of how your original shooting style and posture is different than what you were taught at Butei High, aren’t you?” Aria, who had been watching Akari shoot for a while now, said that such a pattern of terrible shooting is a common indicator of previous practice as a civilian… Akari’s face in response turns tense and she looks away from Aria. “… I knew it. Before coming to Butei High you were using guns… Show me. Show me how you were trained to shoot originally.” When Aria hands over a now fully reloaded Micro UZI with its extended clip, Akari… “I don’t want to.” Surprising Aria, Akari refuses. Or rather, even before that… For Aria, this is the first time that Akari had ever so clearly refused her order. “This is all a part of your training, it does not matter to me where you hit.” Aria regains her composure and points to the target at the end of the range, although mentally she is confused as to why exactly Akari is so against demonstrating her true skill, “I don’t want to show you. I will just train by myself from now on instead!” For some reason, Akari continues to stubbornly refuse. Faced with such rebellious attitude, Aria, who is naturally short-tempered… “– Just shoot!!” When Aria shouts at Akari, as if that voice was the trigger for her… Akari using only her left hand rips the UZI out of Aria’s hand with a speed that even Aria could not see, babababababababababa ! She first exactly 10 bullets with the gun set to full auto. Dadadadadadadadadada ! Exactly 10 holes were ripped into the paper target with the human figure on it, the 9mm parabellum bullets burying themselves into the sand behind it. When shooting with a fast-firing sub-machine gun, typical shooting posture is to keep your elbows against your body and your armpits shut, allowing the user to brace for the guns recoil and control the barrels movement. It is natural for the shooter as well to focus on their vision. Looking directly at the target the shoot makes sure to pay attention to kick up from the bullet impact to adjust their aim. That way, even if the first few rounds miss, the shooter can quickly adjust their aim. An UZI is a rampaging horse of a gun that requires intense focus and a perfect stance to even have a hope of landing its immense spray of bullets. But, Akari… Quite on the contrary… She fully extends her left arm with a 90 degree angle to her body, using the guns own recoil to aim the next bullet… Instead of controlling the bucking UZI she expertly uses its own recoil to adjust where the bullets land, using barely any of her own energy to direct the gun. Instead of forcing the gun to stay still, she merely felt the tactile sensation of each shot in her left hand. On top of such an unorthodox and high level method of shooting… Akari was not looking at the target. Rather, she was looking at the ground, not looking at the lane never mind her target. “…. 10 Bolts…” Akari mutters in a small voice something that Aria can only assume is a technique name. Aria, stunned and dumbfounded by Akari’s acrobatic display of shooting looks at the target. The target has 10 holes in it. Two in the forehead, right eye, left eye, throat, and heart of the target. All of the shots hit a vital point… Each bullet is a fatal injury if not an immediate kill shot. Overkill is an understatement… Each of Akari’s shots was a shot meant to kill without exception. “…!” Aria is shocked at what she has just witnessed. “Akari, you…” For Aria, this… Isn’t good. Butei Law, Article 9: Under no circumstance shall a Butei kill a person during his or her activities. “… Are you satisfied with this?” Interrupting Aria, Akari for the first time since grabbing the Uzi looks at Aria and… Akari is giving Aria a glare with slight resentment at being forced to show Aria this. However, shortly after, tears replace her glare. “… This… This isn’t what Butei are supposed to do…!” With her still warm and smoking UZI in her hands, Akari begins to groan before screaming, frantically wiping away the tears pouring down her cheeks… “I’m sorry Aria-senpai. Please, please just pretend you did not see me do that.” Turning her back on the shocked Aria whose eyes are wide open, Akari runs as fast as she can away from the firing range… And Aria. With Akari having run away from the shooting range and leaving Aria there along… Aria cannot help but be at a complete loss. (I thought you were hiding something, but… I never would have thought that secret to be such a high level skill that breaks Article 9.) Breaking Article 9. In other words, murder. Frankly speaking, it is rare for Butei High students to break Article 9. It is occasionally committed by exchange students from the United States and China where Butei can legally kill, but for a first-year student born in Japan is a rare occurrence. Thinking on it… Aria recalls another move that Akari had used before, Tobi-Ugachi. Fuuma had said that the Tobi-Ugachi “Originally, it was a shinobi killing technique to pick out the eyes and internal organs of the enemy with one’s bare hands”. (Yes, that time too… And there is also what happened after…) Aria vividly recalls Akari’s face as she ran, her face full of pain and regret. Akari is normally just a normal, pure, and harmless innocent girl. But her hands, they have the muscle memory of moves meant originally purely for the purpose of killing. They have been trained to kill. Her body has been trained for the art of killing. Her techniques, sharp and advanced. (… She comes from a regular junior high. How did she learn these techniques? This will be a difficult subject to ask her about…) As Aria crosses her arms and thinks about what to do next, in her mind is Akari’s innocent and pure smile… Tinged slightly with sadness and looking eerie. § § In the evening, the female students are practicing their diving in the indoor heated pool. The head instructor in charge is Ranbyou-sensei, who currently is wearing a hoodie over her swimsuit. Ranbyou-sensei, who also happens to be the homeroom teacher of Class 2C, also serves as the physical education teacher and a Assault Department teacher… She has super human strength, putting American comic book heroes to shame, and is named the appropriate “Human Bunker Buster”. If there is something she doesn’t like she starts steaming faster than a hot water heater, and if something unpleasant happens to her, such as the often occurrence of her being dumped by a man, she will punch, kick, and shoot students at Butei High to take out her anger on something, occasionally even flipping a school bus in the process. She has previously been dismissed from her previous job at Osaka Butei High after destroying a part of the building using her bare hands. How such a person could be hired at a school is unimaginable for much of Japan if not the world, but this is Butei High after all where this kind of attitude is normal if not encouraged. Despite these personality issues she is a slim, tall, and beautiful teacher. The scene of her just standing by the pool in her swimsuit is rather picturesque and alluring. Her style is something that a lot of the female students at Butei High admire. There was a portable whiteboard behind Ranbyou-sensei, full of information related to underwater combat, scuba equipment, and the do’s and dont’s of diving. Ranbyou-sensei gave an explanation to the lower grades, using her knife to point to the whiteboard instead of the usual metre stick, about 20 first year female students listened attentively to her lecture. Due to school regulations, all students are wearing a school swimsuit with a name tag cloth on it. The diving class is a free offer course, and a voluntary participation based class. Because of that, instead of it just being a single grade lesson, female students from all the grades were gathered there. At the lesson is Akari, Shino, Raika, and Kirin… After Ranbyou’s lesson, the diving training begins. However, the training itself is crudely done, with the training involving students putting on their own scuba kit and then diving on their own. Ranbyou’s logic is based on the fact that, for her, it is important for students to experience the water and movement themselves. While most of the girls are happily entering and swimming in the water from the poolside.. One girl… Akari, wearing a brand new dark blue swimsuit, is sitting poolside. She had made an earlier promise with Shino and the others to come to training with them, but… The earlier incident at the shooting range is still bothering her, and she lacks the energy to swim. While Akari is quietly sitting, a worried Shino calls out to her. “Akari-san… The diving training is optional. If you are not feeling well, do you want me to take you to Medica?” On Shino’s chest, which was more emphasized than usual by the older style swimming suit… Kasha . There was a small sound, that Akari did not notice. At Shino’s words, who she knew is worried about her, Akari gave her her usual smile. “N-, no. It is okay, I am fine Shino-chan.” Patapata , Akari waves her hand to Shino. But, when Akari saw Shino’s endlessly kind face… “But, you know… actually…” Her inner desire to be heard, to talk to someone, won over. “I did, no, showed Aria-senpai something that she probably hates.” To Akari, who is clearly depressed, “You have nothing to worry about.” Shino, hearing that Akari and Aria’s relation is beginning to fracture, looks at Akari with a caring smile. In actuality, Shino is not the only one who is worried about Akari… Kirin, who is wearing a white old style school swimsuit, also called out to Akari. “Mamiya-san, you have been trying and training super hard recently! I am certain that Aria-senpai doesn’t hate you!” As if to match what Kirin just said, “If you keep acting so down, won’t she come to actually hate you…?” Raica, who is wearing a brand new black and blue shiny swimsuit decided to try and cheer up Akari with a lighthearted joke. And then, to try and cheer up Akari, Kirin and Raika each hugged one of her arms to their chest and made her stand up. While being encouraged by the three of them… “… un!” (TL Note: just a reminder, “un/うん” is an agreement, “yes”, etc.) Akari’s natural smile returning to her face, “Oi, Mamiya.” Ranbyou, approaching with a clipboard while scratching her long pony tailed head with the butt of her ballpoint pen, “You should take the examination for promotion to D rank next month.” “eh” Surprised by this unexpected news, Akari, “After poring over the data from the Quartet, Masters has given the OK for the examination.” Ranbyou grinned while giving Akari the good news. Akari’s life has been hard recently but finally there was good news. Akari’s face lit up when she was given the chance to finally raise her Butei rank from E to D. “Congratulations, Mamiya-sama! You did it!” “Good job!” “Good for you!” Kirin, Raika, and Shino all surrounded Akari with bright smiles. Everyone congratulated the fact that Akari could now take the examination. (That’s right… Now I can get closer to Aria-senpai, even if it is just my rank!) Akari pulls herself together and clenches her fist tightly. Then, “Alrighty~. This is everyone’s reward for being so serious about a voluntary course~” Yutori Takamagahara, an Inquesta instructor, brought a box full of ice with her on a small cart. Takamagahara-sensei, who is on good terms with Ranbyou-sensei, even sharing a room with her albeit in private, is known as the kindest teacher at Butei High. Her kindness on full display, and to everyone’s surprise… The box that is full of ice has ice cream in it, for the students to enjoy even though they are still in class. The students, overjoyed and happily cheering for Takamagahara-sensei all gathered around her, including Akari and the others. Looking closely you can even see Ranbyou-sensei grabbing an ice cream. It would seem that all girls, even adults, enjoy ice cream. Because of the ice cream that Takamagahara brought, the class felt and acted as if they were done and on free time, but the class wasn’t over yet. “Now that we are done with the ice cream, lets get back to training” Ranbyou-sensei, who had calmed down after eating her ice cream, told the girls nonchalantly, with the girls responding “Okay” and entering the pool. Micro Aqualung scuba gear, which had been developed quite recently and can hold 500 bottles of air despite its small size, can only be used for 10 minutes at a time. Ranbyou, who is watching from poolside… “Eh?” Ranbyou caught sight of Akari diving through a ring set up in the water, and the figure of a student swimming perfectly behind her at a distance of about 1m… It is Shino Sasaki. Watching Shino’s movements, Ranbyou’s face turns into a smile. (So, Sasaki is practicing underwater tracking? She’s good at it.) Sasaki is a good swimmer, and is giving Akari a skilful chase. Ranbyou couldn’t help though but think that Sasaki’s eyes, seemingly licking over Akari’s lower body was somehow distasteful, but Ranbyou was sure that that is just her imagination. They are both girls, after all. § § (…Fufufu… Ufufufufu…) As Shino is secretly chasing after Akari in the water, from her chest… Kasha . With this sound, the shutter closes and reopens for the 12th time. In Shino’s old school swimsuit, a dark smile on her face… Is a hidden camera, tucked away between the cleavage of her big E-cup breasts. Through an inconspicuous hole above the name tag “Sasaki”, a photo of Akari in her swimsuit from behind is taken! (… This infrared digital camera is ultra-compact, water resistant up to five atmospheres, and can even be remotely controlled! How wonderful!) Shino casually has a pink ring on her left little finger, and within the ring is a hidden switch that allows her to activate the camera. An infrared camera. Using infrared rays, it can even see through swimsuits. (TL Note: Yes this is accurate.) Infrared in particular can pierce through chemical fibres well, and because of that they have been cracked down by regulations in use on public pools and beaches. (A big catch of treasured photos! Tonight I am having sekihan in celebration!) With a happy expression, Shino… Akari swam up to the surface, so Shino’s pursuit was interrupted. And… Perhaps because she was having fun swimming, as Akari pokes her face out of the water she has a bright and sunny smile on her face, Kasha . She made sure to imprint this, the best shot of the day, firmly in her mind (and of course her camera). … After their training, the girls have free time in the pool. This is the final basic class for the day. The students after school have some fun, swimming, chatting, and finishing up the leftover ice cream. At this poolside, Raika as per the usual is being harassed by Kirin. “Onee-sama!♪ We should exchange our body temperatures!” While asking Raika to spoil her, Kirin has changed out of her school swimsuit and is wearing a thin swimsuit instead. “Do you know what you are asking!!” Since they were in front of everyone else, Raika immediately shot down Kirin’s request. However, (… This isn’t good… Kirin is even super cute when she isn’t wearing fluttery clothes…!) In the end, Raika’s head is on the verge of boiling when she saw and felt the lovely figure of Kirin clinging onto her. Perhaps it is because what Raika secretly wants and what she says is mixed up and the opposite, but her eyes are closed shut and yet she is smiling, as well her eyebrows are raised in joy but her mouth but her mouth is angry… It is a complicated expression that only one who is truly confused on how they feel could make in such a situation. Still, Raika’s face, which is relaxed partially by the overwhelmingly cute Kirin, “Raika-sans face…” “You are grinning~” Shino and Akari, who are swimming and playing in the pool, begin to tease Raika, Akari and Shino know that deep in her heart that Raika secretly thinks that Kirin is super cute, and that Raika is only pretending to be a super strict Amica, so… Raika, hiding her bright red face with her arms began to shout at Akari and Shino “don’t look at me!!”. At Raika’s reaction, Akari and Shino began to both burst into laughter. For Akari, spending such precious time with her important friends is a lot of fun. While exchanging smiles with Shino, Raika, and Kirin, Akari began to think. (That’s right… I need to forget about the past… And just enjoy my time at Butei High!) Akari had recalled her painful, dark, and regretful past back at the shooting range. Forget it. Akari decided to replace it with this fun and daily life with her friends at Butei High. § § Butei High was built upon a rectangular floating artificial island referred to as a Mega Float. Structurally speaking, at the edge of the mega float is a precipice with Tokyo Bay below you. Alongside the mega float are stairs at regular intervals that lead down to the sea as well as scaffolding. The scaffolds underneath are occasionally used as a simple pier for boats and yachts to dock at. On a spring night, a night with the Rainbow Bridge illuminated and shining brightly… Riko Mine, a 2nd-year Inquesta student, Class A, is descending the stairs of the mega float down to the sea in a corner of the now deserted school island. On the surface of the sea is a float that earlier she had painted pitch black. With a smile on her face, Riko steps onto the stable scaffolding, chika , chikachika … And she flashes a signal using a flashlight towards the sea. Then… Pukari . … Two objects emerge from the water in the shadow of the night. Those objects had been hiding just below the surface of the water, awaiting Riko’s signal to emerge. Orcus… A small manned torpedo modified from a super cavitation torpedo that resembles a missile and can effortlessly cut through the water at high speeds. The two submarines, capable of fitting 2-3 people lying down with their explosive payloads removed, each came up alongside the raft that Riko Mine is standing on. The hatch of the submarine opens, and the crew members inside can now be seen… “Jeanne, Kyochikuto, you must be tired!” Riko greeted them with the same personality that she usually has when interacting with her friends from class 2A, cheerfully and happily. In each of the Orcus torpedoes was one person. From the first one, “… I am not tired. It was on autopilot for the entire trip.” A Caucasian girl with silver hair stood up, turning her sapphire coloured eyes towards Riko. Her body is partially clad in French medieval armour, and in her hands she is carrying a sword encased in a jewel encrusted metal scabbard. … A recruiter for the secret society of I.U… However, she is often referred to as “The Witch of Diamond Dust”, Jeanne, a serial kidnapper… After confirming the beautiful movie actress face of a friend she hadn’t seen in a long time, Riko held out a hand to assist Jeanne in crossing a small gap between the raft and Orcus. Riko pulls Jeanne towards her by her hand and turns to face the other Orcus. Inside that Orcus is a black-haired women, sitting comfortable on the seat with a carved kiseru in her mouth, who turns towards Riko and breathes out a puff of smoke. Riko only ever smokes when disguising herself as someone who already smokes, so she does not personally know how hard it must be for Kyochikuto to keep herself from smoking while in the smoke free environment of the submarine. Despite Kyochikuto’s lack of facial expressions, watching her pleasantly smoke her pipe, with the purple smoke rising… Riko found it oddly grown up and sexy. Riko had to admit, she likes the mismatched combination of a black sailor uniform from her elementary school days and the smoking, it was a villainous bad-girl appearance. “I am not tired either, I slept the entire way.” … This is I.U’s expert in poisons, “Imperial Scorpion”, Kyochikuto… She is Japanese from the Chiba Prefecture. She looks to be 16 years old, about as old as Riko and the others, but she is actually 24 years old, a graduate of the University of Tokyo’s Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences. She is a dangerous woman who knows any and all kinds of harmful substances such as poisons, deleterious substances, and radioactive materials. She has expert knowledge and the ability to construct biological, chemical, and “dirty boms” or non-thermonuclear weapons. Because of her expertise in all of these fields, her title of “Imperial Scorpion” is not a mistake… She truly is capable of fighting alone as a deadly force. For Riko, she is one of her top picks for people that she does not want to have as an enemy. “K, Kiyo-chan, please give me your hand.” With a slightly theatrical gesture, Riko holds out her hand to Kiyochikuto, “…” However, Kiyo only stares at her with her dark, cold eyes. Her left hand, holding a pipe… Is wrapped in a thing, white cloth glove. Seeing that, Riko is reminded of her “left hand”… “Oops. I am guessing you don’t need my help?” With a wry smile, Riko silently withdraws her outstretched hand. “That would be wise.” While breathing out a ring shaped smoke, Kiyochikuto spoke expressionlessly. After a short while… Riko, Jeanne, and Kiyochikuto are all on the raft. The team name that the three have been assigned is “Attack Girl Corps”. While some might not be referred to as a girl due to their age, that was disregarded as they look as much of a young girl as the other members. The three members of the team, looking up at the mega float… Riko, who is in high spirits, raises her hand up to the night sky. “Now then, good luck to each of our goals, to either kidnap or kill a girl… Three girls, three G’s, Operation GGG!!” I.U even now is recruiting talented individuals who they can train to become excellent criminals worldwide. Among the girls here, all have joined I.U of their own will with one having received an invitation. However, judicial officials, such as Butei Members, typically don’t join on their own and thus have to be kidnapped to join their ranks. If their attempt to recruit them fails, only death awaits them to keep their mouths shut. For this operation, the students of Butei High that were up for recruitment into I.U or death are… Kanzaki H. Aria, which Riko is in charge of. Hotogi Shirayuki, which Jeanne is in charge of. “Be careful, Riko. Your target… Aria is a S-rank Butei.” Riko is in her usually playful mood, but Jeanne thrusts her sword into the raft, stabbing it in response to Riko’s lack of seriousness. However, this did nothing to change Riko’s mood. “Aria is much more fragile than she seems, this will be a piece of cake. All my preparations are already complete, kufufufu.” “Than you can help me with my preparations. I plan on catching Shirayuki Hotogi as soon as I get back to Tokyo.” Jeanne realized that Riko has some leeway and is already ready for her part of the operation, and after saying that, “Who are you planning on recruiting?” She decides to confirm this with Kiyochikuto. Sitting on a large trunk, looking up at the mega float with both of her dark, empty eyes, Kiyochikuto slowly opens her small mouth. “… The seeds I had planted two years ago are about to bloom. I am merely here to pick the flowers.” Then, after slowly removing the pipe from her mouth… she blew out the smoke, “Yes… This is a simple job, just like picking flowers…” Kiyochikuto says her targets name. “My target… is Akari Mamiya.” ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ### 029. Bullet 23: Ô toi! la vie “Oh You! The Life” A rainy, depressing morning… In Aria’s room in the girls First Dormitory of Butei High, Akari is sorting some of the materials that Aria had requested and received earlier. Scattered throughout the room are cardboard boxes and paper envelopes full of various documents. Echoing throughout the spacious dorm is the sound of rain but also running water from Aria’s bathroom as she is taking a shower. “Akari-. It is okay for you to organize the documents in whatever way you see fit as long as it is properly done.” Aria calls out to Akari from the bathroom as she takes her shower. Akari, enthusiastically working on sorting the documents while listening to the splashing water of Aria’s shower, “O-, okay-“ Akari panicked at Aria’s sudden voice, and refocused her attention on sorting the documents rather than her mental image of Aria showering… The other day, after the incident in the Assault departments shooting lanes… There was a vague sense of unease and uncertainty born between the two girls. But neither of the two girls brought the incident back up afterwards or revisted it. Because of that, before either of the two girls realized it, life and their relationship had returned to normal where the two girls could talk, hang out, and have fun together as if nothing had happened at all. Relieved enough to literally breath a sigh of relief that Aria once again today is treating her like usual, Akari continues to sort the various documents before her and so picks up a box of them to move to a shelf. “…eh!” However, as she is moving the box loses her grip on the box… basa . And a bundle of papers falls out of the box. As Akari picks up the document, the label on it catches her eye… “London Amica Operation Report”… “Operation Avalon”, “Operation Blitz Zero EX”, “Operation Ciel Unlimited”… Akari sifted through the documents, reading the title of each. “… Opereshon Avaron, Burrissu, Shieru…” (TL Note: the titles on the documents are in English, Akari here is trying to read them hence the awkward English.) Akari’s eyes sparkled as she read what English document titles that she could. (… Even these operation names are so cool…!) Akari is being driven to school by Akari in her own personal car. Due to the nature of their work, a Butei, even one who is normally too young to get a drivers license, can obtain one in accordance with Article 84 of the Road and Traffic Act. In the UK a similar law exists, and so Aria when she came to Japan had used her UK license to get the Japanese equivalent. Aria is driving a Mini John Cooper Convertible, a useful car for Butei as the convertible mode is useful during driving gun fights to allow the Butei in the car freedom when shooting. However, right now it is raining and so Aria had closed the roof of the car. “… the operation reports?” In response to Aria who is holding onto the steering wheel with both hands and raised an eyebrow at Akari, “Yes! One of them had a really cool name. I think it was called “Avaron”!” Akari happily sitting in the passenger seat and being driven by her idol proudly and properly pronounce the “v” in Avalon with an excited look on her face. Operation Avalon. Operation Blitz Zero EX. Operation Ciel Unlimited. These all seemed to be the names of various operations that Aria was involved in. To Akari, these names and what she imagined these operations entailed were the coolest things that she had ever seen before. “… Um, I… I wasn’t the one who named them, alright? Those operation codes…” In response however, Aria’s cheek began to twitch, and she released an awkward laugh, as if she did not want to talk about the names anymore. “… Operation code?” To Akari, who had not heard that term before, “Big operations typically have a codename. If it is an Amica operation, the senpai will give the operation a name for the two to use along with “Amica” in the operation name.” “Then that means…” “Back at London Butei High, I had a senpai Amica… Angelica Star. She was a bit of a chuuni, but also an honest to goodness genius.” “… Chuuni?” Akari cutely tilts her head in confusion while Aria recalls her day back at London Butei High, a slight smile appearing on her face… “When we parted ways at Heathrow Airport, she told me “You truly are an Aria, a solo singer, aren’t you?”. We were both very independent and relied only on ourselves, so we never really taught each other anything or interacted with one another. We just simply watched the other and stole techniques and skills.” From her voice alone Akari could clearly tell that Aria respect Angelica-senpai. “I was extremely happy when she allowed me to participate in an operation for the first time. I felt that finally, I was really being recognized as a full-fledged Amica for the first time…” “– Me too!! I want to participate in an operation with Aria-senpai as well, as a full fledged Amica!!” Akari, tired of the endless chores, menial tasks, and simple equipment runs that she had been doing for a long time now, Akari appeals to Aria desperately with passion, “You little… You aren’t a full Amica yet.” Kotsun , while driving with one hand, Aria lightly delivers a hand chop to Akari’s head. In response Akari leaks a strange voice, “miyuuu”, but quickly regains her composure and previous enthusiasm. (Okay!! Someday for sure I will be able to participate in an “operation” with Aria-senpai!) With her naturally positive outlook Akari set herself yet another goal to achieve with her Aria-senpai. Aria’s two-seater mini cooper stops at a red traffic light… At a bus stop in front of the third men’s dormitory next to the signal, students from Butei High are boarding the bus. Due to the rain the students who typically get to school by bike or on foot instead are taking the bus to avoid getting wet. From what Akari can see the bus has already exceeded its capacity before even arriving to the stop, and those who have managed to squeeze on are nearly pinned up against the slowly closing doors. However, one male student rushes up to the bus entrance while looking frantically at his wristwatch. He tries to somehow squeeze his way onto the bus but is pushed back, by a tall male student already on the bus. In the end, he was unable to get onto the bus– “Ah, its Kinji Toyama… senpai.” Aria seems to have noticed him as well, “Hmph, that is what he gets for being late.” Aria sighs as she steps onto the accelerator. As the two girls drive by Kinji, who has started walking to school with an umbrella, Akari watches Kinji but he does not notice them as they pass each other. Taking advantage of this, Akari gives Kinji and akanbei diagonally behind her once she passes him. (EN: akanbei is pulling once eye down, basically making a funny face) (Heh hehe, this is a car for two people only. You have no right to ride in a car with Aria-senpai!!) Akari revels in a sense of superiority and victory as she watches Kinji slowly disappear. Aria’s mini overtakes the bus. As the rainfall intensifies, the cooper’s windshield wipers increase in speed. Aria, looking up at the dim and cloudy sky, “I don’t like the rain.” As Aria mutters this, Akari cannot help but focus on the heavy and dark sky, feeling that the weather feels ominous this morning. A 10-minute break between classes… In the first-year class A, Shino is on duty for that day and walks up to the blackboard to wipe it down. As Akari is looking at Shino from behind, “Akari, have you seen this?” Raika, who is sitting behind her, is calling out to Akari. As Akari turns around, Raika shows her the April issue of the Assault Department Monthly Report that she is holding in her hand. The Assault Department Monthly Report is a simple publication, and all the content is laid out like a newspaper. On the page that Raika has spread out… (Aria-senpai!) Is a large picture of Aria smiling after receiving some type of certificate or reward. Standing next to her is Ranbyou-sensei with a proud face. “Aria-senpai was selected as the MVDA, most successful Butei, for the 4th quarter of last year.” “Waa…!!!” In the article are many other photos of Aria training, such as photos of her shooting, in kendo armour and sparing, or taking a two-sword style pose in simulated combat. To Akari, who is enraptured with the photos and stories of her idol in the Assault Department Monthly Report, “Here, read this. “… This is the fifth time that Kanzaki H. Aria has won this reward at a First-class Butei High and is currently tied for the most ever…””. Next to Akari, Raika reads a part of the article out loud. Earning rewards and trophies back at London Butei High, the way the medal hangs around her neck in the photo in the article, all of these things were valuable memories and stories to Akari about Aria as well as honourable, but her smile in the photos reminds Akari of an even more beloved fact about her idol, more important to Akari than any of her other achievements. “Aria-senpai huh, her assault success rate is ranked high even worldwide and it seems as if she has hardly ever been injured while in the field.” “But above all that, it is even more impressive and wonderful that she has never violated Butei Law! Aria-senpai is truly a perfect Butei second to no one!” While talking excitedly with Raika, Akari hugs the Assault Department Monthly Report close to her chest. Thinking that such an amazing and perfect person is her Amica made Akari proud from the bottom of her, her excitement so palpable and on display that Raika’s face is frozen in a dumbfounded expression… … Barabarabarabara … Akari suddenly noticed the sound of rotating helicopter blades approaching the general school district. “…?” A low flying helicopter is flying outside amidst the rain. The helicopter looks big… No, that isn’t right, it is just close. Very close. It is descending on a heliport on the roof o the school building. “Is that helicopter from the Logi Department…?” “It is initiating an emergency landing manoeuvre. Maybe… they are practicing?” As Akari points towards the helicopter, Raika describes and explains its manoeuvres with hopeful optimism. The other students of Class 1A noticed what was going on outside, and a sudden sense of tension erupts in the classroom that something might have just happened. The side door of the helicopter opens, and on her knees is a senior from Snipe that Akari recognizes. A familiar senpai to many with a short cut haircut (That girl, she is Aria-senpai’s friend…) Suddenly, the wail of an ambulance could be heard from below. (This bad feeling… Why…!) With a slow wobble and the rattle of her chair, Akari stands up… “Akari?” Ignoring Raika, who is calling out to Akari confused as to the sudden change in her attitude, Akari runs out of the classroom, not explaining to anyone what is going on. Akari ran out of the school building, completely forgetting that she is technically still in class, and ran through the pouring rain towards the wailing sirens that had stopped moving. After running for just a short while… Near a bus stop, Akari spotted an ambulance with its back door open. Around the ambulance, a small gathering of Butei students have formed, looking at the ambulance. When Akari arrived, a wagon with a red revolving light stopped a short distance away. Immediately after stopping, gara ! The sliding door of the wagon opens violently. The student who jumped out from the van was Kinji Toyama, a senpai of Akari’s, equipped with a bulletproof vest much like the Special Assault units vest of the Tokyo Police. The equipment is Type-C. It is only worn by students when they are carrying out assault operations when the risk of injury is high. “…!” So, there was an incident and… Kinji was involved, having just returned. And… What he is holding limply in his arms… … Is Aria, who is wearing the same Type-C equipment. She has been injured. Seriously injured. Her face and chest are covered in blood… Her own blood. (… Aria-senpai?!) Seeing Aria’s blood-stained eyelids closed and completely motionless, Akari is frozen and unable to even move. Kinji, still holding the motionless Aria, turns to the paramedics, “2 gunshot wounds to the head! Consciousness level E3V4, disorientation, confused, unconscious! Heartbeat irregular!” As loud as he could, Kinji quickly and efficiently reports Aria’s injury type and degree. The unconscious Aria is quickly transferred to a stretcher by a girl from the Ambulance department, and quickly moved into an ambulance for transportation. The students watching this unfold, unanimously… “I heard that there was a bus jacking… The culprit seems to be on the run still.” “Seriously? Isn’t she and the others on this case an S-rank?” “Huh? Did you say hijacking… Is this another “Butei Killer” case!?” The conversations all around Akari continued from the students… But for Akari, they barely reach her ear. “… Li… Es…” Akari’s eyes, devoid of any light, joy, or innocence, are open wide at the reality before her. Somehow still on her feet, she slowly approaches the ambulance. “… Aria-senpai is… Second to no one… Perfect… A perfect Butei…” As if she is delirious, Akari merely continues to mouth the earlier lines that she spoke to Raika. But before her, Aria… She was equipped with an oxygen inhaler in the ambulance that arrived earlier, and her eyes were closed… as if she was sleeping. “–ARIA-SENPAIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!” Akari’s sorrowful cry rose to the rain clouds above… Batan ! And yet even her view of Aria was taken away as well, as the ambulance rear door was quickly and violently slammed shut. The ambulance carrying Aria blares its siren and drives off, no regard for the speed limit. Akari alone was left behind in the pouring rain… The shock of what just transpired in a mere couple of minutes left Akari so shocked and weak that she fell to the ground, sitting. (Not just Aria-senpai but even the former S-rank Kinji Toyama and a senpai from Snipe… Who the hell can defeat 3 such powerful senpai… How…!?) § § Directly connected to Daiba Station, inside Hotel Nikko Tokyo… In a junior suite in that hotel, Mine Riko is dressed in a thin negligee. On the wall is a large 52-inch plasma TV… And displayed on it is a frozen image of Aria taking 2 bullets to the head to protect Kinji. The video is paused perfect, just a mere second before Aria was hit in the head. Around Riko, with the 52-inch TV in front of her, are 20-inch LCD screens arranged side by side. Each of the TV’s was playing a broadcast of the shooting incident at the exact same time but from different angles using the many different hidden cameras that Riko had hidden prior to the shooting. The “Inside the Bus” camera was broken and thus showed nothing. The “Mobile Phone” camera was just pitch black. “Segway 1” shows the Butei High students who ran outside in a hurry. “Segway 2” was a still video of the road and the cars on it. “S-segment 9 division” had the screen divided into 9 parts and the scenes of each… “Radio Helicopter” was an aerial view showing the bus stopped on Rainbow Bridge from above. Sitting cross legged on the floor in the centre of this wall of screens, Riko in her negligee had her face covered as she is wearing a Head Mounted Display. In her hands she is holding a remodelled game controller with cables coming out of it. Riko, who seemed to be enjoying this as if it was a video game from the near future, “Weak! Aria is weak! I cleared this level with ease and plenty of time to spare~♪” She removed her HMD off her head and winked at the screen with a cute and revealing smile. Then, after throwing her controller onto her bed and standing up, “Ô toi! la vie♪” She began to sing. She sings in fluent, or rather her mother tongue, French. “Que je porte en souffrant, Comme on porte un enfant♪” (TL Note: “That I wear in pain, how to bear a child.”.) –Oh my life– While singing Charles Aznavour’s masterpiece, Riko began to dance an elegant and bewitching dance in her hotel suite. Her movements are improvised, but Riko has an inane talent for expressing her emotions through body language. It is a sexy dance that expresses her joy of victory, for Riko it is a shame that no one can witness it and revel in it. Her gesture mimicking her bringing her face closer to Aria as if speaking to her, blood dripping down her face, an image reflected on the wall expresses a vivid amount of emotion… “Donne-moi l’amour et l’argent, Ma vie……♪” (TL Note: “Give me love and money, my life”.) Having finished her singing, Riko spreads her hands wide with a satisfied expression, turns on her heel, and places one hand reverently on her chest as if she is bowing at curtain call. And then, she bows. She bows towards the city and the bay, which she can see just outside the window, this same location where she herself had remotely operated during the bus-jacking incident. From outside, the sound of rain, like applause, continues to resound from off in the distance. § § The slight rain from earlier now is pouring down onto Tokyo… “…. Fueeeeeee…. Aria-senpai…” Walking without an umbrella, Akari is sobbing and staggering as she walks down the road. She was planning on heading to the hospital that Aria was taken to… But she couldn’t stop crying and so couldn’t see in front of her that well. Before she knew it, Akari was jus standing by the side of the road… “Aria-senpai… Senpai…!” Akari just keeps looking at the ground and keeps calling our Aria’s name. Aria-senpai…! … Why is she saying that name? Why did it happen? Why did that have to happen to Aria…! “… Akari Mamiya.” A murmured spoke Akari’s name. They spoke from right beside Akari. There. She appeared before Akari before she could even sense her presence. “……..!?” As soon as Akari noticed her existence, she was already right beside her. And then, she held out a black umbrella over Akari’s head. “…?” Lightly wiping the tears from her eyes, Akari turns to face the owner of the umbrella. The next moment, “–!!” Akari’s face turns pale due to a shock much different than the shock regarding Aria. Glossy perfectly straight black hair that reaches around her waist, a large, preserved flower hair ornament, a slightly old-fashioned black sailor suit, and a white glove worn only on her left hand. The figure is familiar to Akari. She remembers her from two years ago… Akari knows her well. Contrary to her quiet expression and cute appearance, she is a dangerous woman. Akari had tried to forget her. But that is impossible for her. For Akari, she is an unforgettable villain. Yes… Akari can never truly forget her. (–Kiyochikuto…!) A poisonous flower, Kiyochikuto. (TL Note: Kiyochikuto translates to Oleander, a poisonous flower.) Yes, that is her name. Also known as Oleander. “Come.” She spoke quietly, her face expressionless. She never even bothered to look at Akari, despite facing her the entire time. Bullet 23: Ô toi! la vie “Oh You! The Life” A rainy, depressing morning… In Aria’s room in the girls First Dormitory of Butei High, Akari is sorting some of the materials that Aria had received and requested earlier. Scattered throughout the room are cardboard boxes and paper envelopes full of various documents. Echoing throughout the spacious dorm is the sound of rain but also running water from Aria’s bathroom as she is taking a shower. “Akari-. It is okay for you to organize the documents in whatever way you see fit as long as it is properly done.” Aria calls out to Akari from the bathroom as she takes her shower. Akari, enthusiastically working on sorting the documents while listening to the splashing water of Aria’s shower, “O-, okay-“ Akari panicked at Aria’s sudden voice, and refocused her attention on sorting the documents rather than her mental image of Aria showering… The other day, after the incident in the Assault departments shooting lanes… There was a vague sense of unease and uncertainty born between the two girls. But neither of the two girls brought the incident back up afterwards or revisted it. Because of that, before either of the two girls realized it, life and their relationship had returned to normal where the two girls could talk, hang out, and have fun together as if nothing had happened at all. Relieved enough to literally breath a sigh of relief that Aria once again today is treating her like usual, Akari continues to sort the various documents before her and so picks up a box of them to move to a shelf. “…eh!” However, as she is moving the box loses her grip on the box… basa . And a bundle of papers falls out of the box. As Akari picks up the document, the label on it catches her eye… “London Amica Operation Report”… “Operation Avalon”, “Operation Blitz Zero EX”, “Operation Ciel Unlimited”… Akari sifted through the documents, reading the title of each. “… Opereshon Avaron, Burrissu, Shieru…” (TL Note: the titles on the documents are in English, Akari here is trying to read them hence the awkward English.) Akari’s eyes sparkled as she read what English document titles that she could. (… Even these operation names are so cool…!) Akari is being driven to school by Akari in her own personal car. Due to the nature of their work, a Butei, even one who is normally too young to get a drivers license, can obtain one in accordance with Article 84 of the Road and Traffic Act. In the UK a similar law exists, and so Aria when she came to Japan had used her UK license to get the Japanese equivalent. Aria is driving a Mini John Cooper Convertible, a useful car for Butei as the convertible mode is useful during driving gun fights to allow the Butei in the car freedom when shooting. However, right now it is raining and so Aria had closed the roof of the car. “… the operation reports?” In response to Aria who is holding onto the steering wheel with both hands and raised an eyebrow at Akari, “Yes! One of them had a really cool name. I think it was called “Avaron”!” Akari happily sitting in the passenger seat and being driven by her idol proudly and properly pronounce the “v” in Avalon with an excited look on her face. Operation Avalon. Operation Blitz Zero EX. Operation Ciel Unlimited. These all seemed to be the names of various operations that Aria was involved in. To Akari, these names and what she imagined these operations entailed were the coolest things that she had ever seen before. “… Um, I… I wasn’t the one who named them, alright? Those operation codes…” In response however, Aria’s cheek began to twitch, and she released an awkward laugh, as if she did not want to talk about the names anymore. “… Operation code?” To Akari, who had not heard that term before, “Big operations typically have a codename. If it is an Amica operation, the senpai will give the operation a name for the two to use along with “Amica” in the operation name.” “Then that means…” “Back at London Butei High, I had a senpai Amica… Angelica Star. She was a bit of a chuuni, but also an honest to goodness genius.” “… Chuuni?” Akari cutely tilts her head in confusion while Aria recalls her day back at London Butei High, a slight smile appearing on her face… “When we parted ways at Heathrow Airport, she told me “You truly are an Aria, a solo singer, aren’t you?”. We were both very independent and relied only on ourselves, so we never really taught each other anything or interacted with one another. We just simply watched the other and stole techniques and skills.” From her voice alone Akari could clearly tell that Aria respect Angelica-senpai. “I was extremely happy when she allowed me to participate in an operation for the first time. I felt that finally, I was really being recognized as a full-fledged Amica for the first time…” “– Me too!! I want to participate in an operation with Aria-senpai as well, as a full fledged Amica!!” Akari, tired of the endless chores, menial tasks, and simple equipment runs that she had been doing for a long time now, Akari appeals to Aria desperately with passion, “You little… You aren’t a full Amica yet.” Kotsun , while driving with one hand, Aria lightly delivers a hand chop to Akari’s head. In response Akari leaks a strange voice, “miyuuu”, but quickly regains her composure and previous enthusiasm. (Okay!! Someday for sure I will be able to participate in an “operation” with Aria-senpai!) With her naturally positive outlook Akari set herself yet another goal to achieve with her Aria-senpai. Aria’s two-seater mini cooper stops at a red traffic light… At a bus stop in front of the third men’s dormitory next to the signal, students from Butei High are boarding the bus. Due to the rain the students who typically get to school by bike or on foot instead are taking the bus to avoid getting wet. From what Akari can see the bus has already exceeded its capacity before even arriving to the stop, and those who have managed to squeeze on are nearly pinned up against the slowly closing doors. However, one male student rushes up to the bus entrance while looking frantically at his wristwatch. He tries to somehow squeeze his way onto the bus but is pushed back, by a tall male student already on the bus. In the end, he was unable to get onto the bus– “Ah, its Kinji Toyama… senpai.” Aria seems to have noticed him as well, “Hmph, that is what he gets for being late.” Aria sighs as she steps onto the accelerator. As the two girls drive by Kinji, who has started walking to school with an umbrella, Akari watches Kinji but he does not notice them as they pass each other. Taking advantage of this, Akari gives Kinji and akanbei diagonally behind her once she passes him. (EN: akanbei is pulling once eye down, basically making a funny face) (Heh hehe, this is a car for two people only. You have no right to ride in a car with Aria-senpai!!) Akari revels in a sense of superiority and victory as she watches Kinji slowly disappear. Aria’s mini overtakes the bus. As the rainfall intensifies, the cooper’s windshield wipers increase in speed. Aria, looking up at the dim and cloudy sky, “I don’t like the rain.” As Aria mutters this, Akari cannot help but focus on the heavy and dark sky, feeling that the weather feels ominous this morning. A 10-minute break between classes… In the first-year class A, Shino is on duty for that day and walks up to the blackboard to wipe it down. As Akari is looking at Shino from behind, “Akari, have you seen this?” Raika, who is sitting behind her, is calling out to Akari. As Akari turns around, Raika shows her the April issue of the Assault Department Monthly Report that she is holding in her hand. The Assault Department Monthly Report is a simple publication, and all the content is laid out like a newspaper. On the page that Raika has spread out… (Aria-senpai!) Is a large picture of Aria smiling after receiving some type of certificate or reward. Standing next to her is Ranbyou-sensei with a proud face. “Aria-senpai was selected as the MVDA, most successful Butei, for the 4th quarter of last year.” “Waa…!!!” In the article are many other photos of Aria training, such as photos of her shooting, in kendo armour and sparing, or taking a two-sword style pose in simulated combat. To Akari, who is enraptured with the photos and stories of her idol in the Assault Department Monthly Report, “Here, read this. “… This is the fifth time that Kanzaki H. Aria has won this reward at a First-class Butei High and is currently tied for the most ever…””. Next to Akari, Raika reads a part of the article out loud. Earning rewards and trophies back at London Butei High, the way the medal hangs around her neck in the photo in the article, all of these things were valuable memories and stories to Akari about Aria as well as honourable, but her smile in the photos reminds Akari of an even more beloved fact about her idol, more important to Akari than any of her other achievements. “Aria-senpai huh, her assault success rate is ranked high even worldwide and it seems as if she has hardly ever been injured while in the field.” “But above all that, it is even more impressive and wonderful that she has never violated Butei Law! Aria-senpai is truly a perfect Butei second to no one!” While talking excitedly with Raika, Akari hugs the Assault Department Monthly Report close to her chest. Thinking that such an amazing and perfect person is her Amica made Akari proud from the bottom of her, her excitement so palpable and on display that Raika’s face is frozen in a dumbfounded expression… … Barabarabarabara … Akari suddenly noticed the sound of rotating helicopter blades approaching the general school district. “…?” A low flying helicopter is flying outside amidst the rain. The helicopter looks big… No, that isn’t right, it is just close. Very close. It is descending on a heliport on the roof o the school building. “Is that helicopter from the Logi Department…?” “It is initiating an emergency landing manoeuvre. Maybe… they are practicing?” As Akari points towards the helicopter, Raika describes and explains its manoeuvres with hopeful optimism. The other students of Class 1A noticed what was going on outside, and a sudden sense of tension erupts in the classroom that something might have just happened. The side door of the helicopter opens, and on her knees is a senior from Snipe that Akari recognizes. A familiar senpai to many with a short cut haircut (That girl, she is Aria-senpai’s friend…) Suddenly, the wail of an ambulance could be heard from below. (This bad feeling… Why…!) With a slow wobble and the rattle of her chair, Akari stands up… “Akari?” Ignoring Raika, who is calling out to Akari confused as to the sudden change in her attitude, Akari runs out of the classroom, not explaining to anyone what is going on. Akari ran out of the school building, completely forgetting that she is technically still in class, and ran through the pouring rain towards the wailing sirens that had stopped moving. After running for just a short while… Near a bus stop, Akari spotted an ambulance with its back door open. Around the ambulance, a small gathering of Butei students have formed, looking at the ambulance. When Akari arrived, a wagon with a red revolving light stopped a short distance away. Immediately after stopping, gara ! The sliding door of the wagon opens violently. The student who jumped out from the van was Kinji Toyama, a senpai of Akari’s, equipped with a bulletproof vest much like the Special Assault units vest of the Tokyo Police. The equipment is Type-C. It is only worn by students when they are carrying out assault operations when the risk of injury is high. “…!” So, there was an incident and… Kinji was involved, having just returned. And… What he is holding limply in his arms… … Is Aria, who is wearing the same Type-C equipment. She has been injured. Seriously injured. Her face and chest are covered in blood… Her own blood. (… Aria-senpai?!) Seeing Aria’s blood-stained eyelids closed and completely motionless, Akari is frozen and unable to even move. Kinji, still holding the motionless Aria, turns to the paramedics, “2 gunshot wounds to the head! Consciousness level E3V4, disorientation, confused, unconscious! Heartbeat irregular!” As loud as he could, Kinji quickly and efficiently reports Aria’s injury type and degree. The unconscious Aria is quickly transferred to a stretcher by a girl from the Ambulance department, and quickly moved into an ambulance for transportation. The students watching this unfold, unanimously… “I heard that there was a bus jacking… The culprit seems to be on the run still.” “Seriously? Isn’t she and the others on this case an S-rank?” “Huh? Did you say hijacking… Is this another “Butei Killer” case!?” The conversations all around Akari continued from the students… But for Akari, they barely reach her ear. “… Li… Es…” Akari’s eyes, devoid of any light, joy, or innocence, are open wide at the reality before her. Somehow still on her feet, she slowly approaches the ambulance. “… Aria-senpai is… Second to no one… Perfect… A perfect Butei…” As if she is delirious, Akari merely continues to mouth the earlier lines that she spoke to Raika. But before her, Aria… She was equipped with an oxygen inhaler in the ambulance that arrived earlier, and her eyes were closed… as if she was sleeping. “–ARIA-SENPAIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!” Akari’s sorrowful cry rose to the rain clouds above… Batan ! And yet even her view of Aria was taken away as well, as the ambulance rear door was quickly and violently slammed shut. The ambulance carrying Aria blares its siren and drives off, no regard for the speed limit. Akari alone was left behind in the pouring rain… The shock of what just transpired in a mere couple of minutes left Akari so shocked and weak that she fell to the ground, sitting. (Not just Aria-senpai but even the former S-rank Kinji Toyama and a senpai from Snipe… Who the hell can defeat 3 such powerful senpai… How…!?) § § Directly connected to Daiba Station, inside Hotel Nikko Tokyo… In a junior suite in that hotel, Mine Riko is dressed in a thin negligee. On the wall is a large 52-inch plasma TV… And displayed on it is a frozen image of Aria taking 2 bullets to the head to protect Kinji. The video is paused perfect, just a mere second before Aria was hit in the head. Around Riko, with the 52-inch TV in front of her, are 20-inch LCD screens arranged side by side. Each of the TV’s was playing a broadcast of the shooting incident at the exact same time but from different angles using the many different hidden cameras that Riko had hidden prior to the shooting. The “Inside the Bus” camera was broken and thus showed nothing. The “Mobile Phone” camera was just pitch black. “Segway 1” shows the Butei High students who ran outside in a hurry. “Segway 2” was a still video of the road and the cars on it. “S-segment 9 division” had the screen divided into 9 parts and the scenes of each… “Radio Helicopter” was an aerial view showing the bus stopped on Rainbow Bridge from above. Sitting cross legged on the floor in the centre of this wall of screens, Riko in her negligee had her face covered as she is wearing a Head Mounted Display. In her hands she is holding a remodelled game controller with cables coming out of it. Riko, who seemed to be enjoying this as if it was a video game from the near future, “Weak! Aria is weak! I cleared this level with ease and plenty of time to spare~♪” She removed her HMD off her head and winked at the screen with a cute and revealing smile. Then, after throwing her controller onto her bed and standing up, “Ô toi! la vie♪” She began to sing. She sings in fluent, or rather her mother tongue, French. “Que je porte en souffrant, Comme on porte un enfant♪” (TL Note: “That I wear in pain, how to bear a child.”.) –Oh my life– While singing Charles Aznavour’s masterpiece, Riko began to dance an elegant and bewitching dance in her hotel suite. Her movements are improvised, but Riko has an inane talent for expressing her emotions through body language. It is a sexy dance that expresses her joy of victory, for Riko it is a shame that no one can witness it and revel in it. Her gesture mimicking her bringing her face closer to Aria as if speaking to her, blood dripping down her face, an image reflected on the wall expresses a vivid amount of emotion… “Donne-moi l’amour et l’argent, Ma vie……♪” (TL Note: “Give me love and money, my life”.) Having finished her singing, Riko spreads her hands wide with a satisfied expression, turns on her heel, and places one hand reverently on her chest as if she is bowing at curtain call. And then, she bows. She bows towards the city and the bay, which she can see just outside the window, this same location where she herself had remotely operated during the bus-jacking incident. From outside, the sound of rain, like applause, continues to resound from off in the distance. § § The slight rain from earlier now is pouring down onto Tokyo… “…. Fueeeeeee…. Aria-senpai…” Walking without an umbrella, Akari is sobbing and staggering as she walks down the road. She was planning on heading to the hospital that Aria was taken to… But she couldn’t stop crying and so couldn’t see in front of her that well. Before she knew it, Akari was jus standing by the side of the road… “Aria-senpai… Senpai…!” Akari just keeps looking at the ground and keeps calling our Aria’s name. Aria-senpai…! … Why is she saying that name? Why did it happen? Why did that have to happen to Aria…! “… Akari Mamiya.” A murmure spoke Akari’s name. They spoke from right beside Akari. There. She appeared before Akari before she could even sense her presence. “……..!?” As soon as Akari noticed her existence, she was already right beside her. And then, she held out a black umbrella over Akari’s head. “…?” Lightly wiping the tears from her eyes, Akari turns to face the owner of the umbrella. The next moment, “–!!” Akari’s face turns pale due to a shock much different than the shock regarding Aria. Glossy perfectly straight black hair that reaches around her waist, a large, preserved flower hair ornament, a slightly old-fashioned black sailor suit, and a white glove worn only on her left hand. The figure is familiar to Akari. She remembers her from two years ago… Akari knows her well. Contrary to her quiet expression and cute appearance, she is a dangerous woman. Akari had tried to forget her. But that is impossible for her. For Akari, she is an unforgettable villain. Yes… Akari can never truly forget her. (–Kiyochikuto…!) A poisonous flower, Kiyochikuto. (TL Note: Kiyochikuto translates to Oleander, a poisonous flower.) Yes, that is her name. Also known as Oleander. “Come.” She spoke quietly, her face expressionless. She never even bothered to look at Akari, despite facing her the entire time. ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ## 02. Volume 1 ### 001. Volume 1 Chugaku Akamatsu , Kobuichi # Aria the Scarlet Ammo (Novel) Vol. 1 - Sale - Regular price $7.95 USD Alt. Title: 緋弾のアリア / Hidan no Aria Tokyo Butei High School--- A special school where armed detectives, also known as "Butei", receive education as well as training. Kinji Tohyama, a sophomore, has a unique body that can initiate an ability called "hysteria mode" when it is stimulated a certain way. He tries to keep it a secret but all his dreams of living the life of an Average Joe get shattered when he becomes a victim of a bombing incident and meets Butei High "Assault" department elite, Aria H. Kanzaki. - Tags: 16 , action , comedy , digital , digital-only , dmg , drama , ecchi , harem , light-novel , romance , school-life , seinen , supernatural ## 03. volume 2 ### 001. volume 2 Chugaku Akamatsu , Kobuichi # Aria the Scarlet Ammo (Novel) Vol. 2 - Sale - Regular price $7.95 USD Alt. Title: 緋弾のアリア / Hidan no Aria Tokyo Butei High School, the specialized school renowned for training exemplary students to become world class buteis – military combative detectives with skills ranging from marksmanship, bomb detonation, and even supernatural abilities. Super elite S rank and top performing butei – Aria, and her chosen partner Kinji Tohyama, are assigned a new mission: to protect the SSR department’s star pupil, and Kinji’s dear childhood friend, Shirayuki, from Durandal, the same mysterious swordsman responsible for the imprisonment of Aria’s mother. Amongst the high tension of guarding against an invisible enemy, Shirayuki has a mission of her own: to rip apart Aria’s relationship with Kinji and steal him back! The thrilling, action packed saga and comedic love story continues in Aria the Scarlet Ammo Vol. 2. The dynamic duo take on new mission that leads them closer to the enemy responsible for framing Aria’s mother, but can their partnership hold up against the love triangle tensions with Shirayuki? The game is afoot once again in Akamatsu’s sequel of the scarlet ammo. - Tags: 16 , action , comedy , digital , digital-only , dmg , drama , ecchi , harem , light-novel , romance , school-life , seinen , supernatural ## 04. Volume 7 - Waltz of Wind and Fire -Castling Turn- ( Full Text ) ### 001. Afterword The world of "Hidan no Aria" continues to expand! This time, it's a spinoff! How is everyone? Today, I, Akamatsu-sensei, am quite lively thanks to everyone's kindness and hospitality! Because of everyone's efforts, Hidan no Aria's second manga volume is now on sale! Please submit helpful commentary to the phone contest as well! Finally, we're also hard at work in the production of the TV anime, announced last volume. Furthermore! Debuting in the wildly popular manga magazine "YOUNG GANGAN", an alternate take on the Hidan no Aria world in a spinoff manga, beginning serialization this fall! Its name is... "Hidan no Aria AA"! The original work is by me, Akamatsu-sensei. Aria and the others will make their entrances, one by one; be sure not to miss out! Ah...when I hear the phrase "AA", it makes me think of your cup size. I guess it's right (lol). That's an Akumatsu-ism! (<-?) As for more details...please wait! Now then, it's time for the Hidan no Aria Q&A Segment! This time, I'll answer this question: Q : "Butei High's store...what does it sell? What kind of place is it?" The Butei High store. A place that Kinji frequently references, saying things like "I picked up these bullets at the store". The group of Butei High chain stores known broadly as the "Sales Division" includes the dining hall, snack counter, electronics shop, bookstore (light novels are a popular purchase!), and even the tactical supply store referenced in volume 2 from which Aria purchased the ability-sealing handcuffs. These stores are distributed all over the island! Nevertheless, when they hear the term "Butei High store", the first thing any Butei High student thinks of is the Armory. This place sells US-Japan-stationed military- and Butei corporation produced- munitions, a student-targeted Chinese-Japanese weapons depot of great repute. What Kinji makes mention of, is this shop. That said, all models sold there are still mass-produced versions. With the exception of newly-entering first year Butei High students, no Butei High student would simply use a purchased weapon as-is. Students rely on their fellow Amdo students for modifications to weapon weight, trigger tension, LAM (laser sights), and other such changes, altering their weapons to suit their individual styles and habits. Butei High students, after all, must trust their guns with their lives. These tiny alterations directly translate into the difference between life and death. Thus, students will constantly make these small changes throughout the school year to ensure maximum suitability. That notwithstanding, running into Armory equivalents of their trusted counterparts still fills them with nostalgia. For a Butei High student, the words "Butei High store" - a name they will henceforth and always remember - a truly important place. Well, having written to here, I'm just about out of room. Let's meet again in the bookstore! Until next time! August 2010 - Akamatsu Chuugaku ### 002. Epilogue: Go for the Next!! The War Meeting -Bandire- From then on, for a while, the days which flowed by were so peaceful it felt like a dream. Aria, who had the tendency to skip school, went to school as normal, and it seemed that she was teaching a first year girl that was based in the Butei High system, Amico. Thanks to that, I could stretch my wings for a short while, and my transfer application to a normal school was too--alright, I had submitted it to Masters. If it went well, my transfer would be in April of next year. Which high school I would go to, I had not decided yet, but at the same time as my graduation to a third year, I will transfer. Doing that...after school on the day I had taken another step towards the self who was a "normal high school student", a small incident occurred. After staying at Informa, where shoes were forbidden, to go to my information class, opening my shoelocker to go home-- "...?" Above my shoes, there was a letter. The letter was inserted into a pure-white letter, and like in the movies, akin to how foreign wealthy people sealed their letters, it was sealed with red wax seal. The name of the sender was...Jeanne d'Arc...Jeanne, huh? "--Hey, hey!? I haven't seen anything like that except for the shoujo manga that my sister has, you know!" When we were going home together, Logi's Muto suddenly grabbed my head from the right. "Ahhh...just as I was wondering whether things were going well between you and Kanzaki-san, it's already this." Shiranui, on my left, was smiling wryly with his handsome face. "...what the hell's 'anything like that' and 'this'? It's just that Jeanne gave me a letter, right? But, she's so old fashioned. A letter in modern times. If she wants to contact me, it's fine if she just gives me a mail." I complained, and Muto and Shiranui looked at each other-- "You know. Mails have no romance or magical fairy tales in them, so that's why it's a letter. That's a love letter. I have the patience of a samurai, and I'll keep quiet about it so show me ." "Kanzaki-san, Hotogi-san, Mine-san, Reki-san already, and this time it's Jeanne-san~? Tohyama-kun's matters of love deal with a complete set of beauties." Saying that, certainty about it being a love letter coming from my left and right, they tried to snatch my letter from me. No matter what the contents are, showing a letter from someone to somebody else is forbidden. As a human being. Thinking that, I performed the Tohyama family's secret legacy move, the headbutt, on Muto, knocking him out, and as I was going to bring about the same result in Shiranui, he escaped from Informa. Getting on the round-trip bus which had just arrived, I opened the letter on my seat--uu. English...no, French. And it was also written in the same flowing, cursive script. She writes really well. Despite the fact that she can't draw. Rather, I can't possibly read this, right? It's in French, and it's so tightly written. As I thought that, at the end was a note in Japanese. "I do not believe that you can read this, so I wrote it in Japanese on the back." ...Sparkle. Then, write it in Japanese from the beginning! 「Tohyama Kinji-dono October 1st 0:00 Southern tip of Empty Island 。Wait under the crooked windmill Go armed 。Come alone Jeanne d'Arc」 ...What is this? The instructed time was--tomorrow, or rather, tonight. As I was suspicious, after I got off the bus I immediately called Jeanne... "--Tohyama? It seems you have read it." "Jeanne, why did you use a letter? Thanks to that, we have to bury Muto." "That is a formal letter--because, it is an invitation. You are a boy, so come properly." Just saying that, without explaining in further detail, Jeanne hung up. Calling her again, she did not pick up. How should I say this...it seemed that, if she had said it properly, she thought I probably wouldn't come. This is getting more and more suspicious. I wasn't very interested, but pulled in by Jeanne's behaviour, I-- Because Muto...refused me, I managed to get a miniature 2 horsepower motorboat which did not need a license from Muto's sister, who, like him, was in Logi. With that, at midnight, I crossed over from Academy Island to the southern tip of Empty Island. Just in case, with my gun. Climbing the rusty stairs, the surface of the artificial island was-- -on top of being dark, wrapped in mist. On the left and right of my unclear vision, windmill poles continued from west to east at regular intervals. For some reason, it was an ominous scene. Looking as if I was pushing through the mist, I...walked until I was below the slanted windmill. Nicknamed as slanted windmill in Butei High, which I had crashed a plane into in April. The wreckage of that plane had been dismantled and disposed of, and the area around here had returned to its former emptiness, but...enveloping this area, this mist...somehow, makes me feel uneasy. It felt as if this mist had not occurred naturally. Somewhere, it seemed that I had been enveloped by the same mist before...that's right. At IU, when I had fought with Sherlock Holmes, he had, in the name of "preparatory classes", covered me with a mist like this. "Tohyama, over here." Turning towards the shouted voice-- At a location slightly distant from me, wearing platinum armor, Jeanne stood there. Magic Blade - Durandal's tip pierced straight into the ground, standing there like a cane, and the hilt was clasped by two hands at the pommel, the hands placed on top of each other. "What is it. Calling me out to a place like this at night." Saying something that Aria had said to me a little earlier, I approached Jeanne-- Her western armor was more heavily equipped than when we had once fought her in the underground warehouse. In addition to the cuirass and greaves, she was even wearing a skirt-like fold and curved gauntlets. On her graceful face, there was a sense of urgency. What had happened? "--Soon, it will be 0:00." Because from above, a familiar voice rang out, I turned my face upwards-- (...Reki?) On the unmoving windmill's propellers, Reki, in her uniform, was sitting. Looking closer, the Dragunov sniper rifle which was forever slung over her shoulder was cradled in front of her. Here too--it had not reached a level of readiness for battle, but the atmosphere too was quite alert. "What the hell is this, you two..." As I was frowning. -- Flash -- As if encircling the slanted windmill in a large circle, multiple strong lights flashed into being. Covering my eyes with my arm from the glare, I...once again, looked around me. (...! What...they are...!) In the mist, illuminated by the light, other than us, there were several other--figures. Those shapes were, all, without an exception, abnormal. --An atypical group. Indescribable with any other words, that ominous bunch was gathered in an area around 50 meters in radius. Like that, with everyone standing apart, it was like a group of cosplayers at a cosplay competition, but...I instinctively understood that this was not that kind of playful event. Even if it's this slow, normal me. --This is bad. This is bad. These people are dangerous. In my mind, the faces of IU we had fought with before flashed through one by one. And whichever one of these it was, they were all in the category of strange people, monsters and demons. Not just people. If I thought about it, I could be killed by the touch of a finger. Right now. Right here. Even if I were in Hysteria Mode, I have no chance of victory. They were those kinds of people. As if, I was being surrounded by several Kanas and Sherlocks, that kind of feeling of danger. "--It seems that, a few days ago, Our Ranban's Koko sisters have caused quite a lot of trouble. My deepest apologies." Respectfully apologizing to us was a man whose eyes were so thin they were akin to slits. On that face, a smile plastered to it, he was wearing round glasses, and he was wearing magnificent Chinese cultural clothing. On the ground slightly distant from him-- ZZzzzz ...a black shadow wriggled. Strange. That shadow is strange. Although there's nothing above it, even though the shadow is the only thing there, it moved. A scene out of a nightmare. I thought that the shadow had assembled and become a human--and it rose from the ground. "So you are the boy who, along with Lupin the 4th, defeated my father. Unbelievable." This was different from Riko's sweet lolita...with white and black as a basis, her whole body clothed with a gothic lolita costume, the shadow became a girl with golden twin-tails. Despite the fact that it was night, her white hand was holding a frilly parasol, and on her back was something like a bat--large wings grew there. As if showing off that those wings were real, with one flap, behind it-- "--Vn--" -a strange sound rang out from inside another person's body. Within the faces gathered here, it was the biggest. A giant that was 3 meters tall. Its whole body was enveloped in modern armor, it was carrying a Gatling gun, and its shoulders were even equipped with a linked rocket launcher. It was like a bipedal tank. Rather, is it a human? I don't even know that. Next to it, body clothed in glamorous, white vestments, a nun carrying a large sword which looked like a cross and--with a pitch black hood, a large peaked cap, on her shoulders a raven which seemed to have been out of a picture, a tiny witch, and they were glaring at each other with droopy eyes and up-slanted eyes. "We will not wage war, that of Tohyama. Still not tonight. I too am very excited because this is my first grand battle in 86 years." For some reason, talking in a manner as if she knew about me, the person who said that was-- Wearing blue Japanese clothing with Sanskrit characters written on it, a girl even shorter than Aria. The corners of her sharp eyes long, they seemed to be that of a Japanese person, her long hair was a dark golden colour, rather, golden brown. The thing to rub one's eyes at was, on her head there were two...cat-like, no, fox-like ears standing up straight. Seeing it twitch, it did not seem to be just a decoration. Others in the area were, a handsome white man wearing a trenchcoat and carrying a longsword, wearing a one-piece which seemed to be made out of a tabby-like feline's fur, a cave-man-like girl, and listening to music from earphones and swaying his body to it, an ugly-looking pierro....various types of strange people had gathered here. And, at the edge of my vision, Sparkle, Sparkle --gold sand danced-- From the direction of the mist, two figures became visible. Wearing clothes which exposed her body, one of the girls was--aah, her...! "Hohoho. Tohyama Kinji, it's been a while." Witch of sand, Patra. And--wielding Scorpio, dyed navy blue, waving at me with a "Hellooo" kind of feeling... (Kana...!) Even Nii-san appeared...! Long bulletproof coat, high-laced boots----that was Kana's battle outfit from when she was a Butei. Rather, Kana...this isn't the time for "Heellooo", right? That's like a family member who has arrived to observe the class. With a face which was twisted with agony, I looked around again-- Sweat oozing from my forehead, I wiped it with the back of my hand. I just want to become a normal person. Just the measly, boring high school student of that wish. And being here, I too--am the same as them, being decided as an "abnormal" human being? Whoosh -- Ice blue eyes looking around at all that were present, Jeanne... Like a chairman, spoke out in a cold voice. "Then, let us begin. Ambassadors of the agencies, societies, and organizations from all around the world. Bandire Our council of declaration of war --After IU's collapse, the things we seek, taking them, fighting for them, scrambling over them, our world -- Go For The Next!!! For the sake of advancing to the next step! !" --Go For The Next-- Towards the people, each of them crying out, I, my eyes half-desperate, turned. Until now, "Go", "Go"、those rushed days-- Go--For Aria's sake, run. Go--For my companion's sake, for survival's sake, fight. Go, Go, Go--I planned on finishing up on everything. How naive. Apparently, as for becoming a normal male high school student-- It seems that, still, many "Go"s exist that I have to cross. Apparently. Go For The Next!!! ### 003. 1st Ammo - Case E8 ## 1st Ammo: Case E8 Reki. Always expressionless, unfeeling and taciturn Reki. Protecting me on orders from the "wind", the Reki who, armed with only a single sniper rifle, bravely took on the Ten Thousand Skill Warrior Koko. Under the starlight, that Reki was sprawled on the roadway. "This wound.....It's not a gunshot wound." Said Shirayuki's younger sister, Kazayuki, who was kneeling on one knee at Reki's side. The astonishment at her previously abrupt and hard to believe exclamation about Reki's bloodline still remained. However, now is not the time to be speaking about family lineages. Medical aid for Reki has to be quickly administered. "Reki was wounded by some sort of light that I don't really understand; some kind of invisible bomb. She bled considerably before you arrived. Shirayuki, your....healing art or something; can't you use it?!" Clinging onto my words, I shook Shirayuki by the neck, trying to get rescue to come. "Ordinarily, I would be up to the task......but right now, my powers are unstable." "Unstable....?" Kazayuki explained to me with my furrowed eyebrows, "Lately, in Japan...no, throughout the whole world, there has been a weakening of supernatural abilities. The reason for this drop in success rate is unknown. Among the Hotogi, the ability to heal wounds has been especially limited. In the event of failure, it could kill the person." I weakened at her words.... Somehow or other, simply having Shirayuki's magic turn the game for the better would not be the case. Then how can I..... As I agitatedly paced around, Shirayuki took Reki's temperature. "Terrible. Her body temperature has plummeted to extremely low levels. If we don't get her to a hospital fast...." From behind, Shirayuki and her sisters boarded a convertible, a Himiko, a solid sedan of Mitsuoka Automobile and a Kushinada that came along with it. Shirayuki and her sisters used this bulletproof car for retreat in accordance with the battle situation. Just perfect. These guys can transport Reki. However.... "Don't go to a hospital. Our enemy from just now, Koko, was using a sniper rifle." Right now, there is no sniper here. If the hospital in the city came under attack from a sniper rifle, we won't be able to do anything. Urban areas with plenty of buildings are where a sniper holds the most advantage. "In that case, we'll take Reki-sama to a branch shrine of the Hotogi. We'll call a doctor there." Kazayuki grudgingly soaked her miko garb in blood carrying Reki. Carrying Reki in the back seat of the Kushinada, I supported her, together with my neighboring passenger. With our cell phones destroyed, Shirayuki got into the co-driver's seat and called Butei High. With the engine primed forward, Kazayuki settled down on a passenger seat with a sharp expression. Right now, her wakyuu was in her hands in preparation for a pursuit with Koko. The driver opposite and the driver here; both of them dazzling beauties started their vehicles to maintain a lookout over the river bank, heading down the mountain road. "Kin-chan, it's connected. The Masters' night duty room. It's Nangou sensei." I accepted the white cell phone from Shirayuki, and explained the situation to Nangou-sensei of Snipe; how during Caravan I, we came under sniper attack on the outskirts of Kyouto, the battle near Mt Hiei, Reki's wounding and the assailant being a Hong Kong exchange student named Koko. The silent Nangou listened to my words, all the while not saying anything. "That's Case E8, Tohyama. The Masters cannot act." A low voice at the end was the reply. Case E8. That was cipher code for "possibility of perpetrators within being high and as such, this common knowledge cannot be leaked out. Make contact with trusted individuals as active partners; resolve issue by the hand of concerned parties." Nangou's decision was....right. The perpetrator infiltrated under the disguise of an exchange student from Hong Kong. If the situation became common knowledge amongst the entirety of the student body, the enemy could obtain information. Thus, Butei Article Chapter 4: Butei must be independent. Upon reaching their 2nd or 3rd year in Butei High, it is a general rule that they defeat their enemies on their own. Those who receive aid from the Masters are interns or inexperienced first years. As it was not like I joined only recently, I somewhat understood Butei High's education policy. I understood....Nangou's callousness. Although, the one who's been attacked is your student, can't you be more worried? "If unarmed civilians get involved, contact me again Tohyama." .....It would be too late if that happens. Muttering in the depths of my heart, I made my salutations and cut the connection with Nangou. Two vehicles sped down the mountain from the national highway 367 towards highways 105 and 106. During a stop at an intersection, Kazayuki nocked an arrow and briefly raising her bow, surveyed the bank. Casting a sidelong glance, I called Riko from Shirayuki's phone. (Koko's modus operandi resembles Riko's in some parts.) Vocaloid warnings, submachine gun mounted radio controlled devices. Conversely, Riko's close combat technique in the confrontation with Haimaki at Butei High had the feeling of Kungfu. Perhaps she may have some kind of connection with Koko. However, my call could not connect. Riko was out of range. Yesterday at Osaka, I encountered by chance Riko and Aria who were speaking of working together. When I tried to make a call, Aria was out of range. In the midst of such a serious affair, where are those two? They aren't near at all. (......Koko....) Unable to do anything, I again considered from where our enemy may target us. Just who is she? A superhuman capable of combining hand to hand combat skills rivaling mine in Hysteria Mode, handgun skills that can evenly match Aria's and sniper skills equal to that of Reki......The face of I-U? I wouldn't happen to know. With that being the case, I called Jeanne who, just like Riko, had her roots in I-U. It took six calls to get a response from Jeanne, who was sleeping in the middle of the night. "Hotogi? What's the matter?" A clear voice emitted from the phone. "No, it's me. Tohyama Kinji. I'm calling from Shirayuki's phone." "......? It....It's the middle of the night. Why are you using Shirayuki's phone?" Ignoring the suspicion in her voice, I urgently explained the situation. "Jeanne, is there a sniper of Reki's skill within I-U? A monster with hand to hand combat and handgun skills. Her name is Koko," I asked. "Sniper.....Koko? None. Except for Sherlock, a sniper with the skill to exchange shots evenly with Reki does not exist in I-U. There are people like Patra who use sniper rifles but they are of modest skill." Then Koko....is not a remnant of I-U. With my face sheer white, I recounted the words Reki had spoken. "The enemies from here onwards cannot be beaten through a simple contest of force." The enemies from here on. (Reki...) Losing my desire to sleep, I held Reki and clenched my teeth in frustration. You, we..... How can fighting be even possible now? Reki......! Within the powerful Hotogi shrine, the organization is divided into the main shrine and branch offices. The branch office also doubles as a branch shrine. There was a large branch shrine of the Hotogi shrine in Kyoto. Around the time we arrived there, a warm rain had begun to fall from the lightening sky. On the wet asphalt scented road, megumi miko stood on alert. These were young miko who served full Hotogi miko like Shirayuki and Kazayuki. The megumi miko carried Reki away on a stretcher and led me, Shirayuki and Jeanne who had rushed over in a taxi to the shrine. Ascending a flight of meticulously swept stone steps..... "Tohyama, this place is just like a city. Reki will be safely protected here," Jeanne said as she calmly surveyed the surroundings. "Ah. Upon arrival I felt that the Hotogi's head and branch shrines were slightly different from normal shrines. It looks like a shrine yet its construction also resembles a fortress." Below was a garage. We saw the two vehicles being used some moments ago entering there. Not only cars but Kawasaki Heavy Industries OH-1 Ninja reconnaissance helicopters were housed there. --The honden of the Kyoto branch of the Hotogi shrine was situated at the top of a hill overgrown with Japanese cedar. Where snipers are concerned, they would be unable to take up position beneath the slope and fire into the interior of the shrine. Additionally, with the exception of the entrance torii , samurai estates ringed with walls of mortar guarded the entire approach. Beneath the torii, Kazayuki, who had arrived earlier, stood sentinel in formal red armor and her wakyuu in hand. Koko wouldn't succeed if she were to blindly pursue us here. "This way Kin-chan," Shirayuki said as she led us under the torii to a first-aid mansion resembling Kazayuki's clinic. Summoned nurses and a female doctor immediately crowded one of the rooms where Reki was brought into. Medical equipment and medicines filled the area around them. "Oh...oh.....you took a hit there....." The young female doctor fixing her rimless glasses who greeted Reki was brandishing a handgun. It seems like Hotogi summoned a professional from the Medic DA. Medic Butei are like medic troopers in the army: key personnel who give emergency treatment to wounded Butei. In Butei High, it's the Medica who train these Butei. "Blood cell count, blood type determination - cross match, biochemistry check – ASAP, begin blood transfusion." Immediately, the nurses monitoring Reki's condition hurried to carry out the doctor's instructions. "Boy, while we work here, you go take a rest. Your face looks like a corpse," the doctor said as she cast a sidelong glance at me. "I can't help at all? Reki; she..." With that, I, who could not take my eyes off Reki calmly walked towards Shirayuki. "It's okay, Kin-chan. This is a doctor under contract with Hotogi. She's the number one doctor in Kyoto. Wait. Tell me what's wrong." "Listen Shirayuki..." Certainly, it was frightening getting used to the methods of the doctor currently treating Reki. Almost assuredly, under normal conditions wounded Butei would have been first examined. (Reki....) Last night, all I could do was administer first-aid on Reki. It goes without saying that Shirayuki would allow only professionals to administer full blown medical care. The nurses' assistant. "I'll assist. It isn't advanced grade aid but I possess Pan-European Aegis Assistant qualifications," Jeanne said as she skillfully donned a surgical apron and nurse's cap. This isn't my place at all. Thinking about that, why does it feel as if a thread of mental strain is about to be cut? (.......Uu.......) My vision faded with a great tremor. "Kin-chan!?" "Tohyama!?" Shirayuki and Jeanne's voices desperately called from far off in the distance. What happened to me.....? The floor that I had been standing on earlier... Appeared before my eyes...? What's that.....sound that I'm hearing? This is the sound of the wind. The sound of a dry wind blowing out from the surroundings. I found myself in the middle of a vast steppe with mountain ranges visible in the distance. This is probably......a dream. A dream in which you are self-aware. A lucid dream. In this arid steppe, several horses could be seen. Girls dressed in vividly colored traditional garb rode on those horses. With severe expressions, they carried old, Russian-made sniper rifles on their backs. At their head, was a girl with hair ornaments more exquisite than the others. She approached on noticing my gaze. That face..... (Reki....?) ".........Reki........" ......... .........I awoke. There was no wind but the sound of rain. This is......yes....The Hotogi branch shrine in Kyoto. After the wounded Reki had been treated by the doctors, I had collapsed from exhaustion. Sitting upright in the futon, I looked around my surroundings. I understood how I had come to be lying down in this large Japanese-style room. Beneath the hanging scrolls, I saw an old clock. It was close to noon. (Reki....How is she?) Before I knew it, I had changed out of my glossed silk night clothes into the neatly folded and washed uniform arranged by my bedside, opened the paper sliding door and headed outside. In the nightingale floored corridor, Shirayuki, in her miko garb and with sword in hand, knelt quietly. She was acting as my escort. For some reason, her face wore an expression of suspense as she glanced towards the direction of the torii. Looking over her shoulder, she finally became aware of my presence. "Kin-chan!" Pyon! Shirayuki flew from a kneeling posture to standing. Tayun! "......." Shi-Shirayuki....as a result of that excessively vigorous jump, that overly massive chest was late by a single beat in swaying. Right now...suddenly right after I woke, a wonderful sight greeted my eyes. As usual, they were of a size far beyond that of a high school student. 1.5 times that of Riko's, 3 times that of Reki's, 6 times that of Aria's. As I was still mainly stunned however, in terms of Hysteria level, I was fine. As I thought that, Shirayuki stroked me while making sure that I was alright. With teary eyes she gently caressed my arms and head. "Kin-chan, Kin-chan, I think my heart nearly stopped because of your sudden collapse......!" "Ah, aahhh. I'm fine, thank you. I was just a little tired, that's why. That aside, how's Reki?" Shirayuki delicately brushed aside my question. "Reki-san survived. However, we definitely cannot relax yet. She still hasn't regained consciousness. If she had over-exerted herself any more than this, her life would really be in danger." "I see...." "Kin-chan too....do not over exert yourself. Rest in your futon. The danger from the side of the torii seems minor for now." Said Shirayuki, facing the torii in a manner protective of me. "Torii....?" "Un....it can't be seen very well from here........for some time now, it seems some kind of animal is in the area." Shirayuki said as she looked over her shoulder in the direction of the torii. Amidst the drizzle, Kazayuki held her wakyuu in one hand like a staff, shooing in a bid to drive away something. .....grrr...... "!" Barefooted as I am, I leapt at the growl coming from the direction of the stone steps. Amidst the rain, kicking up gravel as I ran through the compound with Shirayuki's and Kazayuki's restraining voices at my back, I leapt from the torii..... ".....Haimaki!" The torn and ragged silver wolf lay on the edge of the stone steps. The rain beaten Haimaki was visibly marked with horrific wounds. Bitten by Koko's hunting dogs and rent by claws, that snow white coat now resembled a shredded rag stained with blood and mud. "Haimaki......you.....!" Stumbling as I ran down the stairs, I embraced Haimaki. During the sniper battle the night before, Haimaki had acted as a decoy so that Reki and I might escape. One single animal taking on some ten hunting dogs. Against such overwhelming numerical superiority that survival seemed impossible, Haimaki had returned alive. After driving off the hunting dogs, Haimaki had tracked us first by the scent of Reki's blood, and from the point where that became disrupted, by the scent of the car's tires until he had discovered this place. "Thank goodness, Haimaki. Reki still lives thanks to you.....!" I said, as I patted his back. Relieved, Haimaki lowered his throat and grunted. Haimaki, who had been taken to the medical station firmly refused to move from the bedside of the sleeping, bandage-covered Reki. With no other choice, the doctors and nurses began Haimaki's treatment at that spot. With the first stage of that treatment completed, the medical staff accordingly kept watch on me all the way throughout. "Kin-chan....are you hungry? I am going to prepare some food." On hearing Shirayuki, who had worn a frilly apron over her miko garments mention that, I became thoroughly aware of my empty stomach. Come to think of it, I did not get to eat the half box of Calorie Mate last night. Following Shirayuki, I, who had collapsed from this reason, met up with Jeanne, who was strolling around with a deep interest in the shrine's interior. The three of us headed towards the kitchen hall which resembled a ryoutei . The Kyouto branch shrine of the Hotogi is colossal; a great number of buildings interconnected by passageways attached to rooftops. As we crossed over, the megumi miko who occasionally appeared would kneel at the end of the passageways and bow deeply as soon as they saw me. What the heck.....it's just like a daimyo's procession. On that matter, the Hotogi is a shrine which is utterly forbidden to males. For some reason, the males of the Tohyama have special entrance rights. Because of this rule, males have been strangely accorded special treatment. It feels as if one is in foreign lands. (Such self-humiliating behavior.....it's totally not necessary....) Feeling vaguely irritated by that, we entered the kitchen hall. There, Jeanne and I prepared the small paulownia wood chairs we would use. Facing us was Shirayuki's seat. I was probably the first male to sit on this seat. Because of the need to welcome Jeanne, a foreign guest, apron wearing megumi miko reverently set the table and brought in lacquered circular soup containers. The menu consisted of flounder, turban shell, squid soumen sashimi, daggertooth pike conger, salted salmon roe sushi, tofu greater burdock rolls, kyouyasai sauce, matsutake mushroom over a charcoal fire, rice with the colors of autumn, black bean..... "I'm sorry Kin-chan. That is all I have......I think the nutritional value is perfect. Eat a lot and recover your health, okay?" Is...is this all? The Hotogi sure are rich....I mean, this meal seems indiscriminately large for just me.... "Thank you Shirayuki, it's really a little too much. Even so, excuse me for not apologizing yet. Sorry for suddenly bringing in a wounded person." "Uun....it's ok. You can rely on me any time when there is trouble." Shirayuki nodded her head with a gentle look in her eyes and a smile. At that, I again felt distress for Reki and glanced in the direction of the medical station. "Don't worry Tohyama. While I was assisting, I saw that that female doctor was skilled in her work. The treatment was adequate. With rest, Reki will surely regain consciousness." Said Jeanne, who sat down elegantly and crossed her arms before helping herself to the meal. From a side glance, I saw that she was using chopsticks perfectly. Rather than being unskillful, she was more skilled than a Japanese person. Beside me, Shirayuki was making additional checks to the food by hand. Finally, my own chopsticks were in her hands. "But....why were Kin-chan and Reki-san targeted?" "In the end, I have no idea." "Where were you targeted? You were both targeted together? Eh? Together...together....? Errm....why are Kin-chan and Reki-san together...?" "Ah....." I faltered. This is hard to explain. I cannot skillfully convey it, unstable as Shirayuki is. "Tohyama started living together with Reki from the start of this month." Jeanne murmured an elaboration from my side. With a forceful sound, Shirayuki's chopsticks came to a halt. "O...oi.....Jeanne...." "It can't be helped. The Hotogi are now involved in this. Information must be shared." I whispered into the ridiculously serious Jeanne's ear. "Be careful with what you share. Watch how you handle Shirayuki. Don't say anything unnecessary." "Anything unnecessary......? Hmm. Well then I'll just mention the main points. Tohyama and Reki acted together during the field trip and stayed together at the same inn. According to the female owner of the inn which came under sniper attack, both of them bathed together as well as slept together in the same futon. It was then that they came under attack. In short, those two continuously acted together; those two were attacked together. Is this ok ?" "No it isn't!" .....Fuck you, Jeanne... Jeanne, as might be expected from an Informa student, had last night sought out information from the ryokan that was attacked by calling the proprietress. Damn it, she really got hold of that extraneous information all too quickly. I mean, she got part of the story wrong. "......" Quietly, Shirayuki looked in my direction....... Some time ago, her posture had gone rigid, her chopsticks failing to pick up any of the black beans. She wasn't blinking at all. S-Scary! "Jeanne, please be silent for a while. I'll do the explanation." "Why? I believe I already recounted all the facts." "The way you recount facts is exactly the problem!" "Oh? Was it hard to understand? In that case, should I recount it by drawing instead?" "N-No. Please no. Anything but that. But that's not the point. The way you tell the truth..." "But the truth is the truth," *Pishari!* Jeanne flatly responded, unable to read the mood of the conversation. *Gushari!* Came the sound of Shirayuki's chopsticks. She had turned pale and was looking over her shoulder. "The truth....the whole truth....the whole truth.....eh. Beaten there first huh.....by Reki. A,ha...a,ha....a. She was one of those who didn't stand out much so you were unprepared eh, Shirayuki? That's right. Unprepared....However, how were you still unable to notice that girl's ambush Shirayuki...un. Reki's a sniper, so she'll ambush. It was unfortunate for you Shirayuki....that's right." T-Terrible. Shirayuki has started to talk to herself in a broken voice. One person playing two personalities. Furthermore, why did she start suddenly addressing Reki without honorifics? "H-Here Shirayuki. Come back to reality. I'm telling you, I was Reki's intern sniper. I was doing it for the purpose of inducing Lima Syndrome. It was a last resort...." For some reason, I felt utterly helpless while trying to explain. "Excuse me," said a small voice as the interior sliding screen opened. Sitting in the corridor with the same flowing black hair as her elder sister.....Kazayuki. Excellent. Although it was unplanned, it was a nice assist, Kazayuki. With that, Shirayuki's attention was diverted. "Ka...Kazayuki. How's the situation outside?" I asked with a stiff face, seizing upon the fleeting chance this conversation offered. "Currently, there is nothing out of the ordinary here. At this moment, the watch at the torii is being carried out by the megumi miko." The miko robes Kazayuki were wearing appeared brand new. It seems she had taken a bath. The faint scent of shampoo still lingered. Apparently, Kazayuki had business with Shirayuki as she gave me a bow and proceeded to sit next to her sister, whispering something softly into her ear. Shirayuki, whose eyes had dimmed, turned to me with a sigh. "......As I thought, Riri....I was certain wasn't I?" Hearing this highly important news, Shirayuki completely regained her senses. Suddenly resting her chopsticks with a click before the expressionlessly bowing Kazayuki..... "S...sorry Kin-chan. I have been disrespectful towards Reki-san. Thank you for the meal." Leaving her half eaten meal, she hurriedly disappeared into the interior of the room. In this uneasy atmosphere, we ended our meals prematurely and returned to the medical station. There, Reki was lying on a futon, watched over by the megumi miko. For some reason or another.....the behavior of the girls watching over Reki did not seem as if they were attending to a simple wounded person. It was more like they were tending to some distinguished and important person.... Shirayuki, who had earlier left the kitchen hall, was in the midst of the megumi miko. Together with Kazayuki, they all sat, gazing down on Reki with firm expressions which were figuratively speaking, like swords. "......Kin-chan. An explanation now would be utterly necessary. I know you didn't want to hear the details about it... Forgive me." "I didn't want to hear about it? What are you talking about?" "The matter of Irokane." ........Irokane. The subject of Sherlock Holmes's long years of research. It's usage could turn a normal human being into a powerful ability user. A fragment of the supernatural metal had been fired into Aria's body as a result. "Last month, when Kin-chan was hospitalized, I heard from Aria what happened with I-U. That's why....Kin-chan also knows......The existence of Irokane." Shirayuki looked up at me with a serious face. I remained silent, giving a tiny nod. "There are limits to how much I can say.....we Hotogi miko also know about Irokane." That I know. Sherlock had mentioned it aboard the I-U. I-U are not the only ones to hold possession of Irokane. Among that list of organizations and groups, was the Hotogi. Yet for all that, what was Reki's connection with Irokane? "It may be difficult to understand but Irokane is a metal that is linked to a person's heart. Accordingly, it chooses a heart that is capable of connecting with it." "I know that. Sherlock said awakening the HihiIrokane......the Hidan, lies with the person's character. If I remember correctly, childlike, prideful characters...." "Un. However, that is the case for HihiIrokane (Scarlet Irokane)....There are several kinds of other Irokane. One of them is..... RiriIrokane (Azure Irokane)." .....What.....? "RiriIrokane....? Is that what Reki possesses?" "No. Some time ago, despite it being disrespectful, I conducted an inspection of her body and found that that is not the case." Kazayuki turned her head to the side. "It's likely that Reki-sama spent a long time in close proximity to RiriIrokane at her birthplace. The RiriIrokane linked with her heart and as it were, she became an existence similar to the miko of that place." Reki....was in the presence of Irokane.....? What does that mean? While I was furrowing my eyebrows at this, Kazayuki drew a small scroll from a paulownia box at her side. With a rustle, characters resembling kanji were drawn on the laid out scroll. "This is the Hotogi Shiseibun. It is the historical record that has been handed down within the Hotogi Shrine. Here, is the description of the RiriIrokane. 'RiriIrokane, when used in a state of calm, nullifies other powers. It hates human hearts, and threatens the Ulus that human hearts bring calamity. The princesses of the Ulus which revere the RiriIrokane have, for generations, sealed their own hearts, their hearts being offerings to the RiriIrokane.'" "....Ulus...." Despite not knowing its meaning in its entirety, that word sounded familiar. Reki had said it on the night we came under sniper assault. ("In that case, Kinji-san can become a part of the Ulus.") Certainly, that seems like a word used to refer to a family group. "As I thought. Ulus." Jeanne said while folding her arms. "......You know what's with that girl, don't you?" Shirayuki's habitually downcast eyes were slightly lifted, gazing at Jeanne. "Tohyama requested that I investigate Reki. From the start, I knew some things about her even if I had no positive proof. As a holder of Irokane, the Ulus had ties to I-U...." Jeanne said, blinking her blue eyes below her silver hair. "The acoustics analysis done by Nakasorachi of Connect had narrowed down Reki's birthplace to several places. One of those areas was that occupied by the Ulus clan." Ulus tribe.....? "Where is that tribe from? I've never heard of it." Hearing my doubtful words, Jeanne gave a small nod of her head. "That is certainly the case. The Ulus tribe is near the borders of Russia and Mongolia, on the plateau south of Lake Baikal where a few tribes of peoples live in seclusion. Despite that however, their ancestor is someone Tohyama must have heard of before." Jeanne's eyes fell upon Reki as she continued. "Conquering Asia with a bow and arrow, the Mongol king Chingiz Khan. The Ulus strongly inherited their ancestor's methods of warfare. Certainly, that's the case with their descendents as well." Kazayuki said the same thing during Reki's rescue. I couldn't see anything particular in Reki's behavior to refute this. Don't...tell me.....this is seriously true? "Before, the Ulus, afraid of being outstripped in their mastery of the bow and rifle, were mercenaries. However, their numbers have gradually declined.....5 years ago....well ....I'll have to be frank here. When Sherlock visited the Ulus to open negotiations concerning the Irokane, there were only 47 surviving members of the tribe. Furthermore, they were all female." Upon hearing that, Reki's words replayed themselves in my mind. ("We, the 47 daughters of the Ulus.") That means there are no more than 47 people comprising the Ulus tribe. That is why Reki had no surname. No....more like it wasn't necessary, being amongst a people that was only 47 strong and on the verge of extinction. "The Ulus are an insular tribe, that's why. There's a rampant genetic flaw in their veins that may cause only females to be born to them." Reki had said before she lost consciousness, ("I've been ordered to find a strong male to be inducted into the Ulus.") Perhaps this may have been the reason for it. Even so..... "But.....wait a minute." I gave voice to the sense of unease at Kazayuki's and Jeanne's words that I had been feeling since the start. "Yes?" "Suddenly speaking about this strange tribe that Reki belongs to, it doesn't make sense. Doesn't Reki look like a Japanese person? Be it eyes or skin colour. Although I never properly asked her about it, she must've dyed her hair." I regarded the hair above the bandaged brow of the sleeping Reki that the megumi miko were washing. It's often the case that a Butei, who is basically a lone wolf ready to form a team with a random ally at any point, would dye thier hair in specific colors so their peers can distinguish their specialty at a glance. In this case, it is customary for a sniper to dye their hair in "Simo Hayha," a blue-tone color. "The circumstances may be a bit different, it's similar to how Aria's hair has turned red. It seems Reki's hair has been affected by long years of exposure to RiriIrokane. And as for her appearance of a Japanese person, that's because she has Japanese blood." Shirayuki responded for Jeanne while looking sideways at me. "Japanese blood....?" "Chingiz Khan was in fact Minamoto no Yoshitsune , a rank 9 general (Kurou Hougan ) who crossed over into the continent from Japan roughly a thousand years ago. In the Mongol Empire at that time, his name was read as Genghis Khan . It later became Chingiz Khan." ....Oi, oi..... "I've heard of this before. Isn't this story a fake?" "It was made to look like a fake story. After the truth was revealed in the Edo Period, the Hotogi requested historians to..." "The Hotogi?" "Un. At that time, the Hotogi shrine aided in Yoshitsune's crossing to the continent; a boat left in secret from Tsugaru." Shirayuki absentmindedly fiddled with her left and right index fingers, keeping them in front of her chest while pointing them towards each other, fingertips touching. As she did so, her eyes were turned upwards. A major event in history occurs and she's acting like a child whose prank has been exposed. Well, such disjointedness is only typical of Shirayuki.... "The Hotogi shrine of that era was embroiled in complicated politics. Ever since the Yoshitsune formally established a state in the continent, there has been a flurry of back and forth intelligence on the Irokane. The name Reki is one of the names they traditionally use for pure blooded princesses there." Kazayuki pointed out the kanji for Reki on the scroll she took out just now. "It seems that Kazayuki is knowledgeable even regarding the names of princesses overseas." "Kazayuki is the miko in charge of foreign diplomacy with churches and temples overseas. I'm a specialist in the internal administration of the shrines within the country..... That's why Reki's name never rang a bell to me that she's related to the Ulus." In regret for not noticing this earlier, Shirayuki hung her head in shame. "Don't take it so hard, Shirayuki. No one could have imagined that Reki is a princess from a foreign country, or a descendent of the Genji. I for one, find this extremely hard to swallow." Despite that having been said, Reki's normal behavior would have befitted that of a warrior. Cradling her sniper rifle, habitually sleeping in a seated posture, she was every inch the samurai . Truly, she was the descendent of the samurai. Outside the porch of the medical station, the rain had improved and the sunrays were returning. In the nadeshiko [1] covered courtyard, Hotogi swallowtail butterflies that had sought shelter from the rain under the leaves now fluttered around. There was a hint of calm under the noisy atmosphere. I took a metal brush and tools from a lone megumi miko and sat on the porch......maintaining the sniper rifle of the sleeping Reki in the room behind me. Removing the magazine, I placed a Butei bullet; equal to six shots of a normal one, in the pocket of Reki's uniform. This round was left over from that long battle. After all that, we ran out of ammo not while using handguns but as snipers. Like the top of an enormous piece of brown seaweed, Reki diligently scoured her room, singling out a bullet and copying it CG-like in uniformity, each one glittering in flawlessness, just like gemstones. "It's beautiful. Japan's witches using magic which make the papillon their familiars." Looking up at that voice, I saw Jeanne coming to the porch. "Tohyama, it may not be very helpful but in a short while I'm leaving Kyoto . I'm having a preparatory meeting with Kanzaki Kanae's lawyer before the trial." Looking at her wrist watch, Jeanne said apologetically. ....Trial. Aria's mother, Kanzaki Kanae, who was burdened by the false accusations laid on her by I-U is soon to be retried in court. Now is the period for preparing the legal documents. Kanae-san's lawyer is scheduled to interview Vlad, who's currently under custody at a Level 5 detention facility in Nagano , after which she's scheduled to meet with Jeanne who would be a witness in court. "Tohyama, there is a word that all of you used during your conversations just now that I don't understand. Genji. What is that?" " Genji ....well....they all no longer exist now. They were one of the famous samurai houses acting as regents in Japan around a thousand years back." I said while cleaning the Dragunov despite my knowledge of Japanese history being not very good. "The Ulus had their roots in the samurai." Jeanne turned behind and gave Reki a look, her face looking as if she thought of something. "Tohyama, about you being forced into marriage by Reki last month..." ".....Aa." "According to samurai tradition, the female is officially the property of the male." On hearing this, I recalled Reki's actions and words. Calling herself my possession and listening to everything I say.....The decree of Reki's marriage contract; that was a strange form of male domination over a female. On that subject, "During Chingiz Khan's time....there was a similar practice in the Mongol Empire . The Mongol customs of the time declared that females were 'treasures.' Just like silver or gold, they were taken amidst the plunder." "Plunder..." "Females were abducted and made their own wives; literally a custom of 'pillage wives.' One of the traces of that custom that can be found in the present day Mongolia is that on the eve of a marriage ceremony, the female is mock abducted." ".....That, that's....." I slightly tugged my cheeks as Jeanne gave a small nod. "Now you realize it. That's exactly what Reki did to you, Tohyama." "Oi...oi.... But Reki's a girl. Boys and girls are total opposites." "After a long time, male and female cultures become one. That transformation is not uncommon. For example, in Europe in the former half of the 19th century, it would have been unthinkable for a lady to wear this wristwatch," pointing at my wristwatch, Jeanne continued. "Particularly, the Ulus tribe is comprised of nothing more than a few females. It is little wonder they passed down the tradition of abducting superior members of the opposite sex to save their genetic lineage." So that....explains it. "Reki's nature is unique. She's practically a modern, living samurai of a sort," Jeanne, who herself carried the same warrior character, said. With a look that seemed to be telling me something, Jeanne sat herself beneath my gaze. "Finally, one more thing....yesterday, when you were being pursued, did Reki do anything extreme to an extent?" "Extreme to an extent?" "For example, try to shoot herself with her own gun." At this, I looked upwards. "I...understand. Yes. Reki was wounded. While we were being pursued, she would have blown herself up with the DAL. She would have left herself behind since she didn't have the strength to escape on her own." "As expected of her." So saying, Jeanne shifted her focus onto the bullet I had laid out on the cloth. "The Ulus have the same practice as the samurai's hara-kiri . "The last bullet".....The remaining bullet would be fired if survival seemed impossible in the face of pursuit, or if she was encumbering her master. That bullet would be used to end herself." "........" "Samurai would use a tantou to slice their bellies open; the Ulus would shoot themselves. They would die an honorable sacrifice for their masters." As Jeanne said this, I looked back at Reki. "Like a single bullet that has been fired, those girls lived solely for their aims. And so, this is carried over into battle. The last bullet....would be use to close the chapter of their lives. Sacrificing themselves by their blades, the samurai of old were the same. Tohyama, this is the girl that Reki is. Be careful of that." Leaving me with those words, Jeanne left the porch and headed down the corridor to await the Hotogi's chauffer. Left alone at the porch, I cradled the Dragunov.....Reki at my back. (Reki...) I am a descendent of the Tohyama bloodline. After a fashion, I am still a samurai. Yet the last bullet? Never. "Reki...." I held one of the bullets from the sniper rifle and spoke to the sleeping Reki behind me. .....I am a single bullet...... Always, Reki said these words. "You are not a bullet." As a single bullet, she would have lived purely for her goal....by a bullet, she would have died. That's just too much. "You are human." I stated this obvious fact through gritted teeth to the sleeping Reki. At this moment, you, who are clearly without an ego, are truly a girl who is like a child. Reki. Somewhere, you were brainwashed by the "wind", made to exist solely for your goal, prevented from thinking for yourself and frozen in the time when you were a child. And so, you lived your life like an unfeeling bullet; like a robot. And yet.....Reki. At your very core, some hint of humanity still exists. That night when you were beaten in that sniper battle; that final smile you gave me....you looked just like a human girl. It was a lovely, honest smile. "You are....not very good in understanding this that's why I will not say that you would immediately become a person filled with normal feelings. But.....please, don't ever call yourself a bullet again." At any rate, she could not possibly hear it; Reki was comatose. However, I continued to speak over my back. That was an irrepressible thing that I had to say. "Reki, as Reki...as a human being, become even happier. You should find happiness. Right now, the happiness as a human that has been forbidden to you; you must take it back. You must live your own life." Speaking about those two happy days you spent with me it was, to me, more enjoyable than I imagined. That ramen speed eating battle in the fort, feeding Haimaki fish sausage, and what about at Chaton Call? Besides participating in the cat herding competition in Osaka, there were many other things. Perhaps only all those things that the "wind" didn't order you to do......weren't they giving you the happiness of being human? I don't know for sure, but for some reason, I have the feeling of that being true. "That is why, if you wish it so, those things...no matter how small, I will always accompany you from beginning to end." Girls are troublesome. If I can help it, I would be with them for as little as possible. But Reki...you.... You....appreciate me. Even without that damnable Hysteria Mode. Well.....you overvalue me I think. To me, that is quite significant. .......I am a single bullet..... Reki. ....A bullet has no heart. Therefore, it does not think..... Please, stop being like that. I don't know how great your "wind" lord is, but true greatness is a person who can live, choosing his own paths. You, who gave everything up to the "wind" may find living and thinking for yourself difficult. ......it just simply flies towards its target.... But please, stop being like that. Because, "You are not a bullet." -you are human. ### 004. 2nd Ammo - HURRY UP ## 2nd Ammo: HURRY UP Honestly, I should have stayed in the Hotogi shrine to watch over Reki, but Kanae-san's trial was fast approaching. And for that, there was an unconfirmed chance that the lawyers would have to speak with us, the people who had fought with I-U, face to face before the trial. So, on the evening of that day, I left the doctors and Kazayuki to watch over Reki... Shirayuki and I took the Sanyou Shinkansen - Toukaidou Hope 246, going to Tokyo. "16, Car 15, Row D-E...Ah, here. It's all the way at the front, Kin-chan! Kin-chan likes the aisle seat, doesn't he? Here you go. Have this ticket." Pushing the ticket for the aisle seat into my hands and sitting at the window seat, Shirayuki--because she had left the Hotogi, was talking with me incessantly. It seemed like she was trying to encourage me, who barely said a word, worried about Reki. It was evident that her own heart wasn't calm either. Shirayuki is really a very firm person. She never forgets to empathize, to be concerned for others, a really good person. "Shirayuki, thanks a lot." Sitting down on the aisle seat-- "Eh. Mmm, it's fine. Because--this is the first time I've ridden on the Shinkansen, I wanted to see the scenery, so it's great that I'm sitting at the window seat. On the contrary...if I wasn't riding together with Kin-chan, I would have to take the car again, so...thank you very much." I had just said a word of thanks, yet Shirayuki's face turned red, and she waved her hands furiously. Because I saw Shirayuki, who was putting so much effort into being cheerful, abruptly return to her normal self, I laughed softly, a small Fu escaping my lips--and Shirayuki made a "Waaa!" expression. And, to hide her expression, her hands slapped to her cheeks...her face, looked as if she was paying her respects, went all the way down to her lap, a sort of kneeling position, and her body twisted in what seemed like agony, she looked out the window. Wh...what are you doing...? "Ahh...at such a short distance, I was blessed with 'Kin-chan laugh'...cool...cool, so cool...!" While muttering what she was thinking in her heart, Shirayuki was, to put it in Riko terms, making an "excited by something moe face". The feeling of "Kyaaa". Do you think that I can't see your face? Well, I can see it really clearly in the reflection of the window. Rather, what's "Kin-chan laugh"? Is it that old comedian's act, Kin-chan run, the one that Muto sometimes does to pick up girls...? While thinking about that, I reclined in the seat a little, inside the Shinkansen which had just started to move. I rested, but, is it due to the continuous chain of events that had completely thrown my body's clock into disorder...? Again, I could not sleep. I was looking at the scenery outside the Shinkansen, passing by abnormally slowly... Drowsy, Drowsy ...and... ... ...... ......... "While you're sleeping--I'm sorry to disturb you." ...n? Argh. The train attendant came. It seemed that, at some point in time, I had really fallen asleep. "Ah...Yes?" I showed her the train ticket, however, for some reason, sweating under the uniform cap, the train attendant...only swiftly checked the luggage rack above us and the space below our seats before leaving in a hurry. It seemed as if she wasn't here to check our tickets. What did she come here for? She was moving her hands like she was looking for something...well, whatever. I looked at my watch and already, more than 30 minutes had passed since our departure. Looking to my side, Shirayuki was also sleeping, continuing to sit upright on the seat. She seemed to be sleeping deeply, since she didn't seem to have woken up when the train attendant came. That's to be expected. I had caught a little sleep at Hotogi, but the reason for this was because Shirayuki had been protecting Reki and me throughout the night. Originally a beautiful person and such, with a beautiful sleeping face as well, Shirayuki...ng...? "...Fufu...so cute...mnya..." With an amazingly happy face, she started sleep-talking something. "...His eyes are exactly like Kin-chan's...ah, his nose looks like mine, doesn't it...ufufu..." ......。 What's happening inside Shirayuki's dream? I mean, before that, what does Shirayuki's dream world have to do with me? Just imagining it is terrifying. (...I shouldn't think about it too deeply...) I turned my back to Shirayuki's sleeping face, softly standing up from my seat. Because I had taken a nap, my fatigue was slightly relieved, but my head was still hazy. (I'll just go to the washroom for a little while to wash my face.) Go through the automatic door, going to the end of Car 16...I was going to the washroom on this side of the cab. But... Huh? The door isn't opening. It didn't move at all, almost like it was welded shut. What the hell is this? Since this wasn't the toilet, I looked in from the small window, but...there was nobody inside. (It seems that, somehow, the door was broken.) Since I didn't have any other choice but to use the washroom at the back, I started to walk towards Car 15. On the Oumi Shinkansen, returning to Tokyo and Chinami, Car 16 is the front most car, and Car 1 is the farthest back. The train wasn't that crowded, and I looked around while walking--on the rows of seats, three on the right, two on the left, there were many types of passengers sitting there. Some children playing trump. And, there was what I thought to be their guardian, a pregnant woman, her belly bulging out. A pair of salary-men, on a business trip, were playing chess against each other with a magnetic chessboard. Since I had learned the rules of chess from Kana, I sneaked a look as I passed by...one of the players was just using the special move, "Castling". A movement that switches the king with the rook, "Castling" is--one of the moves I like. Seeing the two pieces switch places as if dancing in a cycle, just looking at it was rather fun. (Kana was really good, I didn't even win once.) While I was reminiscing about the past, I once again started advancing up the aisle. Ah...having inclined the chair all the way backwards, the man drinking sake was Washio Narau. He was both an actor and a singer, although besides that, he was a person that was notorious for his excessive vulgarity. In the middle of the row of three seats, the ones on the left and right occupied by the female assistants he had brought with him, Washio--the eyes beneath his sunglasses met mine, and he went "Tch", as if saying: "I was noticed, huh." (...What. It's not like I'm gonna start shouting.) Feeling rather annoyed, I passed by...walking towards the back of the car. Ngaaah, Goo ...As I was thinking about who that big guy was, snoring like that, I saw that it was Muto. Aah, it's so embarrassing to be a Butei just like him. I'm just glad that, at least, there's nobody sitting next to him. I pretended that he was a stranger, passing by...farthest back on Car 16, for some reason, the seats in the two-seat row had been turned--they were seats whose backs were facing this way. Above the seat, I could see a red horn sticking out. To be more correct, it was a hair clip whose front stuck out like a horn. Attached to pink-blonde twin-tails, sitting there, back facing this way, was-- (...Aria...!) That's Aria. Next to her, I could see loose waves of tea-coloured hair, probably Riko's head. Now that I think about it, during the field trip, Aria was saying something about meeting Riko and Muto at Kure . These three were taking the train back to Tokyo, huh? "Ari..." Stepping forward, just about to tell her about Reki, my arm, Grab . "--?" I was grabbed by the person who was sitting in one of the seats in front of Aria and Riko, forcefully pulled into the empty seat. Turning my head, that hand was--Assault's Shiranui Ryou. While the handsome Shiranui placed a finger in front of his mouth, making a gesture for "be quiet," his left and right eyes flicked open and shut, winking at me. Decoding that like morse code..「Talking about something interesting; Listen」...? Trying to ignore it and get up, I was stuck inside Shiranui's arms. 「Let go; I have something to say to Aria.」 I replied. 「Let go.」 「It's fine; Stay like this」 「Let go.」 「It's fine; It's fine」 Forcefully answering with that kind of winking... Chatter Chatter. Looking up the aisle, three Butei High girls were sitting on the three-row seats, looking this way, whispering with each other. Those were students that were in the same class as me, 2A. If I'm certain, Connect. The three female students, their faces red, were saying: "Pl-player," "Even with boys," "Ca-captured...!", apparently shocked. I could hear about three-tenths of what they were saying. (...Th-this can't...) Noticing their serious expressions, if I look at this from an objective point of view--This scene between Shiranui and me. Hands linked intimately, looking at each other directly, not saying anything. Two boys. Shi-Shiranui. Please at least care about what this looks like in other people's eyes. Even if that isn't so, there's never been any rumors about you getting together with any girls, so it's easy to suspect that you're that kind. For the sake of not having an even worse reputation even more among my class, 「I got it; I got it, so; Let go of my hand; 5 minutes; I'll stay here quietly.」 Communicating that to Shiranui, Shiranui released my hand. (But, what does he want me to hear?) Folding my arms in annoyance...I could hear Aria and Riko's conversation from behind me. "--This is, something that my friend consulted me about. Look, I, ah...be-because, about romance, I don't really understand that kind of thing. Maybe you would understand...I thought." "Ask anything you want! Riko is a love-romance human Wikipedia!" ...Love? ...Romance? What. Isn't this the kind of thing that I'm horrible at? This isn't interesting at all. "My friend...th-that friend, um, let's call her A-san. This A-san, for a boy...well, he'll be K-kun. Sh-she hasn't clearly told K that she likes him, but um...well, they've been moving together. For a few months. She understands that K--doesn't have much motivation, but he's a boy that can do anything once he tries. So, A-san has established a collaborative relationship with K, becoming something like friends that fight a lot. And, while they were doing that, A-san has started to feel something like, "he's mine", towards K...that..." "Hmm, hmm. So, something more than friends but less than lovers. And, the possessive feeling towards the counterpart, it has already started to sprout before officially being together. It's those kinds of symptoms, hmm? Kufufu." Taking on the air of a teacher, Riko seemed to be having a lot of fun. In her heart, she likes talking about these kinds of things, right? "Bu-but. A-san is already going to switch schools very soon. Leaving K at Butei High." Aria, on another side, was radiating a feeling of slight desperation. Her tone seemed to suggest that she was talking about herself. She had said she was talking about a friend, so why'd she become so serious? "It does exist, you know. Before a school transfer or exam, this kind of boy-girl messy situation. Juruuuuuu." Wondering what kind of sound it was, I peeked through the gap between the seats and... On the window seat, Riko was drinking out of a pack of strawberry milk. And if I looked closer, on top of the table that was attached to the wall was around 20 packs of empty strawberry milk stacked atop each other. I see. Because she wanted to place them there in such huge numbers, she had reclined her chair back? As usual, she does whatever she wants. Rather, no matter how I think about it, that's over-drinking strawberry milk. "But, well, when things had come to that time, Kin-ah, um, K-kun became closer to another girl. This...girl named R-san. She's a type that's completely different from A-san whether it be personality or ability...an outstanding girl." Looks like the cast of characters has increased. A-san, K-kun, and R-san, huh. Well, I don't really care about the story of Aria's friend. Finish up quickly. "After that, K and R-san started moving together...um..." "Hmm, hmmm. If K-kun eats nothing but strawberries, won't he want to start eating some melons?" Extremely serious, Aria asked Riko, who had just said those words, a question: "Are boys like that?" She's such a gullible person. Aria, that is. Riko is definitely just saying whatever is most fitting. Judging from her tone. "That's right~. As opposed to women, who give birth, men are the people who make women give birth. Trying to leave their offspring behind in various types of women is just a natural instinct. Kufufufu." "Th-that does sound possible." "On that note, "what kind of girl do I like", is completely different from person to person. What kind of person is K-kun~?" "--A haremizer!' Saying that, Aria's tone seemed to be extremely angry. Although I couldn't see her, I could imagine that her face was demon-like. Despite the fact that I was completely unrelated to their conversation, a chill ran down my spine. "Normally he's a failure as a human, but just in front of girls, for an instant, he becomes really cool, amazingly cool...and, my chest starts hurting a lot, and afterwards, I can't do anything but think about it...he says strange things occasionally. Su-suddenly touching me. It's really shocking. He's far too good at that, and over here, I can't do anything, just staying in this state, rather...no matter what the other side does, I probably can't resist, rather...My head becomes...something like...strange. It becomes strange--I mean, um, that, that's what my friend said." Heh~~? Does a failure of a man like that really exist in our school? Someone like that really is a devilish bastard. "Um, just now, um, my friend, A-san said that. Really. That was completely something that my friend, A-san, said." Hearing Aria remind Riko, Shiranui, who was next to me, burst out into a fit of little giggles. ...What's so funny? I don't get the punchline. "Well, because K is like that...A-san got into a huge fight with K. But, I-ah, A! A-san, um, before transferring schools, with that K...even if "taking him back" is impossible, she wants just to be able to mend things between them. She knows that its just a selfish wish of hers, but R keeping K as hers like this...when A and K could meet again, K would already be R's captive, and K probably would not be partners with A. So, um..." At that point, Aria's chair creaked as she drew closer to Riko. "Wh-what does she do so that K doesn't forget about A-san. That, wh-what does she do before she transfers?" Somehow...Aria's voice seemed to be frozen with fear. On another side, Riko, in a very calm manner, went: "Nn~~Fufufu", laughing through her nose. "A-san-san is about to celebrate her birthday, right? And, her birthday will come right before she transfers." Saying that, Riko, Creak . Aria jumped off her seat in surprise. "Yo-you really understand this! Th-that's right." Ho~~. Aria too has a friend that she gets along so well with? She even remembers her birthday. As for me, about my friends birthdays, I don't even remember Shiranui's, who's sitting right here next to me. Of course, I don't remember Muto's either. I just remember Aria's birthday, as if I had ignored it, I would be subjected to Infinite Windhole Hell, so I had memorized it as pertinent information. I don't really know it accurately, but I do remember that it was during this month. "Kufufu. That's obvious. It's because Riko is an excellent romance counselor. Kufufu~nn." Laughing an extremely horrible laugh, Riko, "--On that day, this love triangle will have a final battle." "...?" "A-san cannot be hurried. It's fine if she doesn't do anything. Hold yourself back, and Ki-ku...um. Test K-kun!" "Te-test...?" "That's right. Because, if K-kun doesn't hate A-san, he won't let something like a birthday pass without doing anything. I expect that he'll disguise it as birthday wishes, and try to meet you alone." Gulp . I could hear the noise of Aria swallowing. "A parting confession--might be possible. Kufufu..." "CO, CO-CO-CO-CO-CO-CONFE! SS-ION!" Aria, lower your voice. A train is a public vehicle, so don't shout so loudly. "No, no. K-kun, aside from confessing--he might even do something more than that...!" "SO-SOMETHING MORE THAN THAT IS FORBIDDEN!" ...So, Aria. Please calm down. Your Japanese has already become really weird. "Th-that's too much! Be-because too early for me, for I'm just 17 at that time! Lo-lo-look! If something comes so suddenly how. how how how'd I ...I... I !" Because Aria had started panting and speaking in some sort of alien language, I couldn't understand what she was saying any longer... 「This is stupid； This much is fine, right?」 I sent some winking signals at Shiranui. Shiranui too...winked, responding. 「Tohyama-kun； Do your best, alright?」 「What? I do my best at what?」 「Only thus; Is Tohyama-kun」 Shiranui smiled wryly, smiling and gesturing at me like a hotel concierge, as if conveying, "Please go ahead." What was that. In the end. When I tried to stand up, my mouth twisted into a 「へ」 character...at that exact moment. Guu --- The train swayed, as if it had been tugged forward a little. "Woah..." Losing my balance a little, I grabbed hold of the back of the reclined seat. What happened just now...? It was only a little speed, but it seemed as if the train had shook from some sort of sudden acceleration. 'Hmm?' Muttering to himself, outside of the window that Shiranui was looking through--Nagoya station flashed past. This Shinkansen passed by a station. "...?" That's strange. Wasn't this Shinkansen definitely supposed to stop at Nagoya? This isn't just me misunderstand it, right? Some passengers, apparently going to disembark here, had an incredulous look on their faces as they returned to the aisles. Just as they, their expressions dissatisfied, started to make some noise-- 「--A notice to our customers.」 An announcement started flowing through the interior of the car. 「This train was supposed to stop at Nagoya, but because of some unexpected circumstances, it cannot stop.」 ...? 「As for those customers that planned to disembark at Nagoya, as soon as these circumstances have been resolved...you will be sent to Nagoya from the closest station by an extra train. We are sorry for the trouble, investigations into the details of said circumstances are currently being held.」 The voice, which I thought belonged to conductor, was trembling slightly. What's wrong? What happened? I've never heard of a malfunction that caused a train to hurtle by a station. On the contrary, I would understand if they stopped the train. That wasn't all that was strange. Ever since this Shinkansen passed Nagoya, it hadn't slowed down. Rather...it was speeding up...? "Hey, what the hell is happening?", "Arrrgh, the job is going to be canceled.", "What the hell are these 'circumstances'" "Could you explain? I didn't understand any of what was said just now." From between the passengers, who were milling about in confusion, the talent that was reclining in his chair just now, Washio Narau, "Hey! Conductor, get the fuck out here right now! I have to get off at Nagoya! The audience is already entering the dome, do you know who I am!? Go back to Nagoya!" -stood up, roaring in anger. Even though we've already gone past it, he was saying some reckless things. But, besides that-- (This is bad...) Agitation is infectious. If the other passengers started to panic because of the weird things he was saying, gathering them all up would become difficult. If I don't quiet him down... Just as I stood up-- 「Also, If there are any suspicious luggage or suspicious items in your vicinity, please alert the stewardesses.」 Continuing as such, the announcer could no longer be tolerated by Washio, who kicked the seat in front of him. "What the fuck are these 'suspicious items'!? Is there a bomb set on this train or something!? Eh!?" Fuck, he said it immediately...! "--Bomb?" "Eh, seriously!? He said a bomb!?" "Hey, it seems that there's a bomb!" As the passenger's unease grew larger, some people started walking towards the driver's seat. "Everyone, please calm down." "Please return to your seats!" "A thorough investigation is being conducted--" The three Butei High girls that had been looking at Shiranui and me earlier stood up, trying to soothe the crowd, but...It's impossible. The situation inside the train was quickly nearing full-blown panic. This is-- It was bad enough that Washio had stood up and shouted, but the crew's announcement didn't help either. The information that was released was far too vague. They didn't say anything about when it would be solved, just saying that there were some unnatural circumstances. As for the Shinkansen, the abnormality that they refrained from releasing an announcement:「Not stopping at Nagoya」, something that cannot be hidden, beforehand...if there was an announcement that they were sealed inside a train, an enclosed space, it isn't impossible that customers with a short temper, just like Washio, would raise a racket. A normal person, unlike us Butei, doesn't experience dangerous incidents like this everyday. "It's dangerous, so please return to your seat." When Shiranui said that to the pregnant lady, who had stood up, her stomach bulging out-- Whirr. Feet swaying, a chain of cries rang out as the passengers stumbled to the back of the train. The Shinkansen had sped up again. (What the hell is this...!?) Looking out the window, the speed we had accelerated--judging from the change of the flow of the scenery, it was only a little. But, it was too sudden. It was a sudden acceleration that would be impossible under normal circumstances. Which is to say...It's like the feeling of barely being able to endure it, yet not being able to stop, continually gaining speed. On the electronic displays above the automatic doors, --[Current speed: 130km/h]-- -those words were flowing from right to left. Apparently becoming more uneasy from the 'current speed', the customers started clamoring as they tried to stampede towards the driver's seat. Washio Narau ran towards the back of the car-- Clank Clank! Using what appeared to be a very expensive lighter to smash the lid of the emergency door control, which was buried into the wall. (That idiot! What the hell is he doing!) Is he planning..to open the door to the Shinkansen manually!? While in the midst of travel, the lock should be engaged, but now, the Shinkansen was in a situation where I didn't know if it was functioning normally. If by a one in a thousand chance, it opened...things would get ugly! "STOP!" I fixed my eyes on Washio, charging one straight line down the aisle, directly towards him. "--Kinji!?" "Kin-chan...!" While hearing Aria's voice, who had just noticed me, and Shirayuki's voice, who had apparently woken up due to the ruckus--I, "Calm down! You can't get off! Not at this speed!" -hurtled towards Washio, performing a full nelson on him. "Let go! LET GO! I'm going to Nagoya!" I managed to clamp down on Washio's arms, who had been lashing out at me, binding his arms behind him with the wire in my belt. At that moment, I heard the announcer once again-- < > ---! < > --A vocaloid's synthetic voice...! <> In response to the artificial laughter, cries started ringing out from within Train Hope 246. This vocaloid. It's the same voice as the one when Reki and I were assaulted by those remote controlled helicopters. (Koko...!) This is her doing. Leaving Washio sitting down, his face about to cry, I looked up at the electronic display-- --[Current speed: 140 km/h]-- We're accelerating. Definitely. (Express-jack--) I don't know what her goal is, but she had carried this out extremely thoroughly. No wonder we hadn't stopped at the station. It was probably only after the conductor and driver had departed to Tokyo that they received a threat from the offender concerning the bomb. Earlier, I had thought that she was checking the tickets, but the sweating conductor was actually conducting a search for the bomb. But...she's really troublesome. At the front of the car--the direction of the driver's seat, the panicked passengers were jostling against each other, saying things like: "You're going to hit the Shinkansen in front of us, right!?" "Dumbass! It said that there was a bomb!" "That's definitely a prank!", and I could see Shirayuki trying to calm them. "Tohyama-kun...!" "Kinji!" From the back of the car, Shiranui and--Muto, who was completely woken up, ran towards me. "Shiranui is calculating it right now. If the announcement just now was true, we have until 19:22." "...19:22...?" "Without stopping at any stations, if we continue at this pace of acceleration...we'll arrive at Tokyo then." I frowned at Muto and Shiranui's words. --Arrive at Tokyo. There is no more track after that. If we get there...The End. Looking at my watch, right now, it's 18:02. "Until the time limit--we have 80 minutes." "It'll probably come a little earlier. The announcement earlier...said that we would continue to accelerate. This Shinkansen is model N700, Toukaido route's top operational speed is 270 km/h. After 40 minutes--we'll exceed that." "If we exceed it, then what?" "It's impossible to operate safely. The entire car won't be able to stay on the rails, and at a curve, it's possible that it'll disengage." "Dangerous operation then...how many km/h can we go?" "It's said that the calculated maximum speed is 350-360 km/h. The actual limit wasn't announced by Japan Railways." Beside Muto, who had said that, Shiranui was using the calculator function on his phone to immediately calculate the speed and time. "--This speed isn't enough. To get past 19:00, we have to have 350 km/h, and to get to the end, we have to have 410 km/h." "No way...I've heard that the test train could reach speeds of up to 397 km/h. How long that can be sustained, nobody knows. 410 km/h is unknown territory." After 40 minutes, we will enter dangerous operation, and after an hour, we will have broken through the design limit--and at the end, unknown territory, huh? If we don't make it back to Tokyo, the chance of Kaboom is large. "Muto, Shiranui. Gather the Butei High students that are riding this train, then search for the bomb. Without decelerating, find the bomb and disarm it." From the window of Hope 246, which had turned into Under Siege 2: Dark Territory , I could see the the town in the midst of dusk flow past like in a nightmare... This, outside the window--if for example, the bomb was affixed to the bottom of the train car, it's all over. It's impossible to disarm that kind of thing. Seeing Shiranui and Muto off, who were going to confirm that the cars behind didn't have any Butei High students in them, I--- I drew closer to the location in the rear of Car 16, where Aria and Riko were sitting. "...Nn..." Having subjected me to violent acts such as kicking and punching whenever I was together with Reki in Osaka, Aria turned her head back as if avoiding me, and as if trying to hold back something that she wanted to say, her cheeks were puffed out like a puffer fish. The incident at that time...I wanted to explain a lot of things, but this wasn't the time for that. First, I looked over Aria at Riko. "Riko. You know what I want to say, right? This is the same modus operandi as yours." With a voice that the other passengers couldn't hear, I said that as if interrogating her. On Riko's face, the normal high school girl expression that she had had on her face up till just now flickered, "We've been hit..." Her eyes sharpening, she muttered those words. April. During the "Butei Killer" incident which had led to the meeting between Riko and Aria and me, she was using these types of bombs. On my bicycle as well as the bus around Academy Island...she had set something on those modes of transport, a bomb that would explode if one decelerated below a certain speed. An extremely terrifying, cruel planted explosive. Although, the explosives that were planted on this train were even more horrifying. Not only must it continue to run, but because, if the train doesn't continue to accelerate, the bomb will detonate. "Cao Cao...has started moving again, huh, that fucking miser...!" Gnashing her teeth, Riko stuck her hands between her knees, which were opened, moving them as if searching the seat. "Cao...?" Riko, her eyes in "Butei Killer" mode, turned towards Aria, who was frowning while asking that question. "Cao Cao is--a person with a demonic mindset, despite being a child. She is I-U's Mechanic. In exchange for massive amounts of money, she modified torpedoes and ICBMs into transport devices... Kinji, the "Non-Stop" method which I used on your bicycle was also taught to me by Cao Cao. This is its improvement, "Hurry Up"--!" Towards Riko, who had sweat trickling down her forehead-- "I-U's...explosive tactic instructor--is that it? Riko, you're her student, so you understand the basic structure of her explosives, right? Go look for the detonator and disarm it immediately." Aria, still not looking in my direction, tugged on Riko's hand. But, Riko didn't stand up from her seat, and she shook her head. "No. I cannot move." "Why not?" "There's a pressure switch on this seat. I was careless, so I did not realize it. If I stand up, an explosive, planted somewhere, will detonate." "...!" Aria and me, speechless, looked under Riko's seat. Added on to forbidden deceleration and forced acceleration...a human switch? The first thing the enemy had done was seal Riko, who was the only one with any chance of being able to disarm the bomb. She meticulously investigated our movements in advance, planting a trap on the seat. In short, we--had, by our own free will, boarded the Shinkansen covered with the enemy's traps. At this point, all we could do is laugh. At our own lack of vigilance. "...An eye for an eye, 'Butei Killer'-san." I, who had had a bomb planted under the seat of my bike, patted Riko on the shoulder with a thump, "Riko, Cao Cao is a Chinese girl...a girl even younger than you. And the person who taught you those martial arts was her as well, right?" -I continued. Riko's big eyes, with those double-fold eyelids, looked up at me. "How do you know, Kinji?" "I was attacked as well. Yesterday, by this girl who uses vocaloids." The fact that she had a different name as well as Jeanne's statement: "There were no snipers in I-U," there was a point which caught my attention-- That Cao Cao is Koko. I can't be wrong. Koko had...hidden from the members of I-U, who would become her enemies at some unknown point in time, her own skill in sniping. However, Koko...She is proficient in martial arts, gunfights and sniping, as well as being a genius technician? This time, it's so unbelievable that it makes me laugh. They're all monsters. Those in I-U. Saying something to Aria, who was, unreasonably, still angry, irked me, but since things had come to this, I had no choice. I pulled on one of Aria's twin-tails, forcibly making her head face this way. "Aria, calm down and listen to me. The offender who hijacked this Shinkansen is the person who attacked you with Aru=Kata. Her name is Koko. Reki had a sniping battle with her--and she was heavily injured." "...Reki was...!?" Aside from the huge fight that they had gotten into on the stairs of the Butei High Station a few days before-- At the fact that Reki had lost, Aria's camellia eyes widened in surprise, forming large circles. "Don't worry. She managed to hold on to her life. She was just in danger from losing massive amounts of blood over an hour." "Why...why didn't you tell me earlier!" "My cellphone was destroyed by Koko. By the time I could communicate again, you were out of range...No, it was painful enough that all communication with Aria was interrupted, but--in addition to that, it seems the information was also destroyed." "Information...?" "You didn't tell Riko the details either, did you? Neither the appearance nor features of the opponent you tied with on the day of 'Water Tossing'" Saying that, I could hear Aria's throat go "Uguu", and she went silent. It seemed that I had guessed right. Just like how I had never told anyone about my loss to an underclassman, "Defeat from the Bottom"...Aria had experienced, "Draw from the Bottom" in a gunfight--and she was hiding the disgrace of drawing with Koko, who was younger than her. It was because this noble ojou-san had pride twice that of a normal person. Even though her height was half of a normal person's. Koko--knew that fully well. When Koko assaulted us, the first thing she did was--destroy our phones, our method of communication, and she used a false name as well, using Butei High's culture, the fact that people would hide the reality that they lost to their underclassmen... She had prevented detailed information from being spread among us. "Kinji, Aria, listen." We turned towards Riko's voice, which was extremely tense. "'Non-Stop' and 'Hurry Up'--Meter Bomb is started by wireless. Because, she usually plants explosives somewhere which already cannot be reached. But, jamming, congestion, out of signal range, weak electric field, hangup drop...wireless is lacking in reliability. Especially on high-speed vehicles like the Shinkansen, which is loaded with wireless components. I learned this from her. At those times, one must secure an escape route, riding the vehicle yourself. And, you have to see for yourself that your targets have boarded the vehicle, making sure what is planted inside the car starts up reliably. In short--" Riko's eyes sparkled, as if confident in something. "--the enemy is aboard this train." At those words, Aria and I looked at each other. And at that moment. --- Gangan, Gakin! The sound of metal clashing resounded several times, at the front of the car--the passengers who were gathered close to the cab of the train cried out while running back into the car. (--!?) At the front side of the car, while a scream rang out--as if swept away by some force, Shirayuki flew outwards, sprawling over the seats. The salarymen, chess pieces in their hand, the gaudily dressed girl emitting a piercing shriek, as well as the passengers who had kept to their seats, stood up, running towards Car 15. Threatening the people so as to chase them away, coming out from within the cab, its door broken from some large impact-- "--Koko!" So in the end, she was riding the train...!? " Hello , Kinchi. This is Riichi , isn't it." Clothed in cultural Qing garments, Koko winked at me. And--completely clashing with her elfin body, she raised a longsword akin to a hatchet. The hilt of that sword wreathed with decorative fabric, engraved onto the blade was a picture of a slender dragon. "This train will become your coffin ! Kihi!" Zccccchhhh ----! The blade, brought down, sliced open the seats in front with ease. That is a-- Lancet Called a Seiryuutou in Japan, it's a broad, weight, single-edged Chinese sword. I learned this in Assault, but the Seiryuutou is not like a Japanese long sword, which is sharp, meant to slice through organs and arteries. The blade is heavy so that it can cleave through flesh and bone, and it's a weapon that, if conceptualized, resembles an axe. "I'll just play for 10 minutes, Koko has a promise for a date." Looking over the shoulder of Koko, who had said that, on the driver's seat that I could see in the direction of the double doors was... Was the female driver, half turning around to face this way, and there was nobody in the co-driver's seat. It appeared that Koko had kicked the co-driver out and had been sitting there. Ueeeenn --Turning my head towards that crying noise, close to the middle of Car 16, unable to escape from danger yet, the children were crying, clinging to the pregnant lady. They were all that was left of the normal passengers inside Car 16. If I looked closer, the pregnant lady was clasping her large belly, sweating heavily. Inside the midst of this panic, it seemed the stress had taken its toll on her body. "--Shirayuki! Save her and her children!" Shouting and dashing forward--drawing her sword was Aria. Leaving Riko, who couldn't move, and I, who stood up reflexively, behind, Aria crossed her twin-blades, keeping them low, assuming a compact stance while charging down the narrow aisle. As Shirayuki, crouched down while running down the aisle, brushed past Aria, they exchanged glances. "--Nn!" Using Shirayuki's hands, overlaid over each other, as a foothold, Aria jumped forward at an oblique angle. Not slowing down at all, Aria flew over the back of the seat, Tatatatata -----! With reflexes far beyond the norm, she thrust herself off the seat, using it like a stepping stone. Opposing her, Koko span the Seiryuutou around once... " Come, come , Sherlock the 4th." Her hand, outstretched towards Aria, gestured at her. Shirayuki helping the pregnant lady, I, while protecting the children, helped them to escape towards Car 15, and behind me-- Clank! The sound of Aria's blades, held in such a way that they resembled a pair of enormous scissors, clashing against Koko's Seiryuutou rang out. A Shinkansen is something alike to a steel box. For the sake of not injuring oneself due to ricochets off the wall or ceiling, Aria and Koko weren't using guns. Aria launched herself off the back of the seat, and Koko took the full impact head on, Clash . The swords, clashing together at the heart of the blades, rolled over each other as if they were dancing, displacing each other. Twice. Three times. The pink and black twin-tails fluttered through the air, outlining a swirl-like shape-- Aria. Koko. Aria. Koko. Looking alike visually, the two people were turning round and round at a speed which dizzied. It was as if it was a fighting game with 1P and 2P characters. "You tricked me, you clown! The first time I faced you, you said your name was "Koko"--that was a false name! Cao Cao!" "That's a name that Europeans mistakenly use. Sherlock of I-U called me by such a name, so Koko let everyone use it. Koko . The true pronunciation of the name in Wei !" ... Is that how it is? Just like how Riko had once said Holmes as "Ormès" using the French pronunciation, the pronunciation changes along with the changes in the language. So,that's why Jeanne, upon hearing the name "Koko", had no recollection of any such name. If I gave it a little more thought, " Sou Sou " is how Japanese people read it as well. --We're getting dragged into a global war, and we're having trouble over a name. Having guided the children to Car 15, I- "Shirayuki--I'll leave this woman to you. Go find out whether there's a doctor among the passengers. Aria and I, the two of us, will apprehend Koko." -said that to Shirayuki, who was supporting the pregnant lady, having entered Car 15. "Ye-yes! But, Kin-chan, be careful. I'm getting an abnormal feeling from that offender." While whipping out my butterfly knife-- "Abnormal? Isn't that what happens all the time? So--it's normal." As if saying that for myself to hear, I answered. I returned to Car 16, and Riko, on the last rows of seats, was kneeling on the seat, just like a child. Looking back, I could see Aria and Koko, close to the front of the car and drawing closer to the edge, "--YOOOUUU!" "Kihi!" Their feet lashing out simultaneously, Aria and Koko went into a position where they kicked each other in the waist--and, with a smack, they separated. In the next instant, Koko let go of the Seiryuutou, and, Tan, Tatatata! , she kicked the floor, Aria's knees, waist, and chest as if running vertically, showing off an acrobat-like maneuver-- Bccchhhhhh! The toes in the peony embroidered silk shoes thundered into Aria's jaw. "Aria!" While flipping open the butterfly knife in my hand, I ran up the aisle. "---!" Reeling backwards from the impact, Aria retreated several steps this way. In that direction, Koko, her back turned towards the cab--cut through the air behind her with a backflip, her two long sleeves fluttering outwards like a fin. And, from the midst of those sleeves...What the hell is that? She took out something reminiscent of an atomizer. "-- Explosive Bubble !" Shuu ! With that sound like the depression of an aerosol--If it hadn't been sparkling in the midst of the light of the car interior, I wouldn't have seen it--small soap bubbles, the size of rubber shavings, flew out towards Aria. "--Aria, dodge it!" Having seen that, Riko, panicked, shouted immediately. " Explosive Bubble is a vapor explosive, I saw it in I-U! When the bubble bursts, the contents mix together with the oxygen in the air, and--it explodes!" "!?" Aria heard her, and from her feet, a loud crack ran out. ---- BOOOOOOOM From the soap bubbles that burst right in front of Aria's eyes, a violent shockwave and blinding light burst forth. Amongst the seats in front, several of them were blown away-- "Kyaaa--!" In the midst of the flurry of poker cards, which had been left on the seat, Aria flew outwards as if she had been hit by a car. This light...! I remember this. This is the same light that appeared at the end of the nighttime sniper battle between Koko and Reki, which caused her to be severely injured. The scale was even bigger than that time--Reki was hit by this vapor explosive!? "--Aria!" In a rush, I caught Aria, who had been heavily impacted on her back and posterior cranial fossa. Thank God, she didn't seem to have received any blatant trauma. The moment right before Aria had been caught up in the explosion, her animal-like instincts had sensed the danger, and she reflexively did a backstep. Thanks to that, she escaped a direct hit, and it seemed that she hadn't received any serious injures like Reki had. However, she received a considerable amount of damage from the impact. Aria's consciousness was fuzzy, and her knees were trembling. Aria was in a state where she could not stand up on her own. She had let go of her swords as well. "Uu...Uuu!" For what I assumed was to clear her head, Aria shook her head left and right, her pink twin-tails swinging around as if beating a drum. In that direction, 10 meters away from us, Koko, a broad smile on her face-- "Kihihi, now it's even !" Like the immortal zombies who appeared in that movie from a while ago, "Reigen Doushi", her hands were stuck straight out. With that posture, sticking her hands out, Rattle Rattle . Shaking her sleeves again, from inside...Nunchucks...? No. Wrong. She took out two mini rockets! Bringing the head of the two rockets together with a clink, Koko separated the two, bringing them left and right respectively. Between the two tips, a wire stretched outwards. An appearance exactly like nunchucks. "-- Double Rocket Restriction " With a sharp jet noise, the two rockets, flying parallel to one another, passed by on the left and right of Aria and I-- The wire, stretched out between them, pressed down upon the area below Aria's flat chest. "Uuu!?" The rocket, having fixed the wire upon Aria's body, started flying around us in an absurd manner. "Ah...ah!" "Woo...oah...!" In a heartbeat, Aria and I were bound by the wire, completely paralyzed. Twirling around our arms, torso, and legs, the rockets- Clank! -crackling, automatically severed the wires as their fuel was completely depleted, and they dropped to the floor, rolling. "Kyaa!?" Stepping towards the other side, Aria completely lost her balance-- And along with me, who had been tightly restricted by the wire as well, she hit the floor with a thud. Uu...thanks to the fact that our legs were bound, w-we couldn't stand...! Added to that, from the shock of falling down...because I could not put any strength into my arms, which were fixed to my waist, I had let go of my knife. The knife had slid under the seats, and I had no way of reaching my hands out. As such, I could not retrieve it. Literally...my hands and legs were tied. In just that one instant...! "Uu...Uu..Fueh...Cao Cao...!" Seeing Aria and I get hit, Riko's hands were rubbing her eyes, which were gradually leaking out tears. "...BIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEH! Wasn't Riko your partner in E~~~U!? Aren't we class~~~mates!? Save Riko, only save Rikoooooo! BIEEEEEEEEH!" S-so loud. ...Bloody Riko. Despite the fact that she told us so much just now. When it starts to look like we're losing, she stabs us in the back. Rather, just now, you said "Save only Riko," right? Is she really our friend? "Mine Riko--stop faking your tears! Crying wins the sympathy of only boys!" Point! Pointed at by Koko, Riko- "Tch." -clicked her tongue, and she stopped crying, making a face at Koko. Koko--inserted her hands into each of her sleeves, holding them together in front of her chest, and with a composed expression, she walked forward. And, arriving at a place where she was looking down on Aria, Koko started intently at her face. "Fuuun. So, this is Aria. When I saw her photo, I certainly thought that she was as cute as Koko, but seeing her in person, Koko is actually cuter. Kihi." "Koko!" Even though she could not reach out with her arms or legs, Aria was baring her fighting spirit as well as her canines. "That hairstyle! Before, I told you to get rid of it, right!? That's the same hairstyle as mine!" "I don't remember hearing that, puh, puh! Whether it's Ranban or I-U's Ignatius, they want girls like Aria. If I use this hairstyle, I'll make a lot of money." "Ignatius...? You're one of the remnants of I-U...!?" " Wrong ! From the beginning, I've been one of the members of Ranban ! I-U was purely business!" I didn't really understand if she had met with Aria before, but Koko, saying some strange things...was squatting like a frog, her hands against the floor, bringing her mouth to Aria's ear, "Rather--you! Watch how you address me! Koko has been a princess for generations!' She shouted with a high-pitched voice on par with Aria's. I-I didn't think that princesses squatted like frogs. Whoosh Standing up, Koko-- "-- Aria the scarlet ammo ." Hidan no Aria. The name that was passed down to Aria from Sherlock in I-U was uttered. "Everything is your fault. By destroying I-U, you broke the power balance between all the associations, groups and organizations in the world. A time of chaos will begin." Koko was looking down at us haughtily. Like an empress looking down at captured criminals. "You have pleased the Hihiirokane. This too is the start of chaos. Hihiirokane and Ririirokane are opposed to each other. Sensing the mood of the Hihiirokane, Ririirokane has been harboring the anger of a century. Its anger has scattered invisible particles, rendering the ability of all the ability users in the world unstable." " Ability users ...are...?" The back of her head pressed against the bottom of my chin, Aria asked with a tone which seemed to convey that she was completely ignorant. Not completely clear on the details of ability users, I too had nothing but a question mark appear in my mind, but-- Thinking about the series of events that had been revolving around me recently, I noticed something. Before, when I had sought information about Reki...having cooled the can of hot coffee that I had bought by mistake, Jeanne had said it. "...Recently, my magic hasn't been very stable." And at Kyoto, Kazayuki had said something about the Mikos' power having debilitated. Were all those linked to the Irokane? --Koko, the corners of her eyes streaked with red eyeshadow, looked down at me, who was frowning. "From now on, ability users are useless. At this kind of time, the value of marksmen increases." Clank Clank . Koko rapped her fingertips against my head. "Kinchi is different from an ability user , but he's a good piece that has a secretly high battle ability. Ignatius, Daioh, Ulus, everybody wants Kinchi." Everyone...wants me...? I don't understand what kind of delusional words she's saying, but... It seems that I've become rather famous in the world of the other side. Despite the fact that I'm so inconspicuous at school. "The first to reach out for Kinchi was Ulus. Ririirokane gave a direct order to the princess, and she took action against Kinchi. However, Koko will snatch Kinchi from her side." As if genuinely happy, Koko jumped up and down on the spot. "Koko will also take Ulus' Reki. She's an outstanding sniper, she's good for use in assassinations, and she's good for selling too. I will take Aria as well. Hihiirokane can be sold for a lot." As if operating an abacus inside her head, Koko smiled wickedly-- "A chaotic world is good for business. This Shinkansen-jacking is also a side business deal. Earlier, Koko demanded a 30,000,000,000,000 yuan ransom from the Japanese government. It would be nice if they paid, but if they don't--KABOOM!" Twintails jumping up to the extent that it seemed they were flying, Koko shouted those words with a high-pitched voice. "I'll blow this train into pieces, demonstrating Explosive Bubble . Kihi." " Explosive Bubble --the exploding bubbles from just now, huh...!" Just having been blown back by that vapor explosive, Aria glared up at Koko. It seemed that...Koko had planted that on the train too. According to what she had just said. "The Explosive Bubble from just now was around 1cc of explosives. This train is loaded with 1 cubic meter of it." Said Koko, lightly. "Wai...that's over the top!" Kneeling on the seat, Riko'ｓ expression conveyed, 'That's seriously dangerous!'. I too--was speechless. 1 cubic meter. Whether it's a bubble or a balloon, a container which holds that much gas cannot be hid inside a train. It's definitely a lie. But, if it isn't-- According to my calculations, the explosive force would be 10000 times that of the explosion earlier. This Shinkansen will be reduced to ash. All its passengers and the surrounding structures as well. " Explosive Bubble is an invisible explosive. It is a work of art, something which no matter where it is hidden, will not be found by anyone. If it explodes with enough splendor, it will be ordered from around the world. Koko will become rich, and then I can buy my place as Ranban' s empress." Ranban --from her tone, that's the name of the organization that Koko belongs to. Most likely, it's an outlaw group based in China. While being a member of it, she also entered I-U as a black merchant...huh? That's judging from everything she's said up till now. "Kinchi, Reki, I'm bringing you to Hong Kong, Ranban' s city. When we're there, become Koko's pieces and move for her. Aria will be imprisoned until a buyer arrives. Kihihihi!" Towards Koko, who was laughing like that-- "Cao Cao. Wh-what about Riko?" Clutching the back of the seat with both her hands, Riko interrupted from the side. "Wouldn't you like some Riko with that? Riko is cute and strong, hiring me won't be a mistake!" ..."Wouldn't you like some Riko with that," you said. Are you McDonald's fries? "Mine Riko. Your power notwithstanding, your personality is difficult. Are you going to change?" Having said that to Koko, whose eyes were suspicious, Riko, 'UnUnUnUnUnUnUnUn' -with a desperate expression, nodded several times. "--If you swear loyalty to Ranban , I'll consider it." "I love Ranban ! Ranban Banzai! Kinji, Aria! Become a member of Ranban with Riko! Ranban's city is a paradise with lakes of wine and forests of meat, it's a super, ultra, amazing, wonderful place! You can eat as many authentic peach buns as you like!" "...Authentic...pea..." Still fallen down, Aria let loose a voice as if she had lost all sense of self, but- "Pea...hey, Riko! What kind of speedy betrayal is that!?" Grar!' -once again, she bared her teeth at Riko. In a position where it looked like I was embracing Aria, I-- "It looks like negotiations have broken down, Koko. I--don't want to become your underling. Even though I look like this now, I'm a Butei." In the first place, I have no intention of becoming part of one of those terrorist-like groups...if I do, it's the end. Not only will I be lynched by the OB in the Butei High all over the world, as well as those demonic teachers, I'll be sentenced to death under the threefold punishment that is applied to Butei. Compared to that, dying a clean death here is still better. "--A good general will say that in the beginning. But, all humans have desires. China is a vast country, full of things and people. A country where everything exists. If you consult Wei's books on tactics, when the enemy general is a young man, with the use of women, he can become your own subject. I'll gather one hundred of the women you like. Beautiful women, beautiful girls, big, small, I'll give you many, many, many. You can decide on this one, or that one, whichever one. Ufuun." At Koko's words-- Twist, Glare! Aria twisted her neck to its limit, afterward, staring at me out of the corner of her eye. Wh-why're you mad at me? Completely unreasonable. You're always like this. "I-it's unfortunate, but...that has the opposite effect on me, I think." I cannot explain in more detail in front of Aria...yet I replied with that. "Also, I told Reki this too, but I'm not anything like a general. I'm just a normal, male high school student." "--Kinchi, you need to know yourself. You are a special person. Special people will be hindered by those that are normal. Don't fit with the surface world. Rather than that, it's better to live an extravagant life in the world below." Twinge --A flicker of pain ran through my chest. In the midst of Nii-san's battle with I-U, he disappeared from the surface world-- Remembering that incident, my words became tinged with rage. "I...I won't become like that. I--will walk a normal person's road." "For a boy whose very existence is abnormal, what are you saying?" Once again crouching like a frog, Koko brought her hand closer to my face. Brush . Her black twin-tails carrying the scent of sugared chestnuts, brushed past my face. "Kinchi, you and Koko are the same breed. Humans who have wondrous potential will definitely be picked out." Clank ----! At that moment, the Shinkansen shook again, the scenery flowing past the window had sped up. ----[Current speed: 180 km/h]---- "Uuu...Lord--allow me closer-- Sob , fueh...to you--" I seemed to be hearing some sort of hymn, sung in a crying voice. In the direction of the double-doors, opened, it seemed that the female driver was singing. Apparently Christian, her voice seemed to express that her will was reaching its limit. "Aiyayayayaya, I've talked for so long. Koko is going to get ready for her date." Koko stamped on the ground where she was standing, Twist . Grabbing hold of Aria and I, still bound, Brush, Brush . At the front of Car 16--further forward than the frontmost seats, we were pulled through the automatic door. "Wh...what do you plan to do to us!?" Koko, letting go of Aria, who was being dragged, crying out, and I, took a carabiner hook from out of her sleeves, and she attached it to the wire binding us. "You cannot do anything anymore. Neither do you need to know anything." Apparently opened up in advance was a door in the ceiling--it looked like a person could barely squeeze through. Probably used for maintenance.--Continuing up the stairs towards it, she exited the car. Seeing the wire stretched out away from us and the hook attached to it, Aria... "She...plans to string us up like a yoyo, bringing us somewhere." "Probably China. I don't have a passport though." Not even bothering to wonder why she would use a yoyo as an example, I heaved a deep sigh. "This isn't the time to joke around...! Nn...! I'm going to wriggle out...Uuunnn...Nnnng!" Wriggle Wriggle! Aria twisted her petite shoulders, squirming around. The wire was twisted around us several times, but it didn't seem as if Aria could move at all. While pressing her shoulder against my chest, she twisted her body, twisted...not being able to wriggle out, she struggled. At that moment, Clank --! Once again, because the Shinkansen had sped up, the car shook as it had been struck. "Uwah!?" At the impact, Roll . Aria, who had been struggling, twisted around, facing this way. He...Hey. Until just now, we were in a position where I was stuck against Aria's back, but now, we were directly facing each other, in a pose as if we were glued together. All the while, bound by the wire. "Wa, wah...!" Looking up this way, Aria's face was just under my chin. "...tc...!" Because the wire was also pressed against the back of my head, I had no choice but to stare directly at Aria's face from an extremely close distance. Aria didn't seem to be able to lower her head either, and her large camellia eyes were looking at me-- "F! F! Fffff!" Gyuui . Gyuiiiiii ! Her speed-blushing technique of always was demonstrated. As expected of the inventor. Bright red was achieved three times quicker than Connect's Nakasorachi Misaki. "F! F!" ...What's "F"? "F". "F, F, face backwards! Yo-your face is close! Close, clooseeee!" Aria pressed her forehead against my face, trying to force me to look backwards. Gui ... Guiiiiii ! O-ouch! "He-hey! Hu-human's can't turn just their necks to face backwards! Stop it!" If my neck continues to twist like this until it's turned 180 degrees, I'll become like that cursed girl that appeared in that famous horror movie from years ago, "The Exorcist"! "Ca...Calm down!" While shouting, in the instant which I twisted my head back to Aria's direction, Muchi! Apparently still trying to press against me, Aria, on my cheek- --accidentally planted a kiss. "!" My mind--seemed to have registered that as "getting hit", and as such, I was fine in terms of Hysteria Mode, but Aria...seemed to have completely registered that as, "I KISSED HIM!" "~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~" Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! Apparently, she was screaming that out, but...her scream was too high pitched, and it seemed that it had exceeded the hearing capability of human beings. Baring her canines, from Aria'a mouth, all I could hear was a very slight Kiiin! Th-that's amazing. Aria. Right now, you're emitting supersonic waves. "FJKLD@#$*(&#$! SDOIFJO*#&$*(&#$! Pue! $LKJ#*&@#(*&FDLKJ!" Starting to shout with some kind of inhuman language, SQUEEEEEEEEZE! Like a rabbit trying to escape out of someone's hands, she went wild. A-amazing strength...! What the hell is this? "Nnnnn! Nnn, nnn, nnnnn!" Brush Brush, Brush, Brush! As if exceeding some sort of limiter, Aria, going half-berserk and struggling...O-oh...? Centimeter by centimeter, the wire is starting to move up our body!? (Sh-she did it...!) From a catastrophe to a blessing. Because of the wire, I could not reach out with my legs or feet, but thanks to Aria's stupid strength in this time of crisis, I managed to wriggle out. If I looked closer, her long twin-tails were...like the ears of a green foxtail clutched in a hand, apparently having the ability to help slide out of the wire restricting the body. How lucky. In the instant that I thought that...something unlucky began to happen to my body. Because Aria, still stuck against me, was inching up and up, escaping, my mouth and nose were...pressed against Aria's slender neck. (...ch...!) A-at this kind of time. I remembered about Nii-san's...which is to say, Kana's strange words which I had heard. Something like: "A girl's neck is the place where a girl's pheromones are most exuded, you know." And I was in a position where my nose, which is to say my face, was pressed against Aria's neck. I-I don't know whether or not these are pheromones, but... This is Aria's bittersweet scent. This is like some sort of perfumed fragrance. Like a flower, like a fruit--rather, a lovely fragrance which was almost addictive. It's always with Aria. At this place, with that lingering aroma, Aria was continually moving up, escaping. The parts which brushed past by my face were: a petite shoulder, a collarbone, slowing going down her body...which means, hey...! Be-below this...wai, this is bad! THIS IS BAD! "Aria...wait! WAIT!" Next, rubbing up against me, who was shouting...rubbing up against my cheek was the pure white skin exposed in the space at the collar of her sailor uniform. A-against my neck, already, Aria's...br-breasts were pressing against it...! "Nnn! Uuu!" Not listening to my warnings, Aria, Brush Brush Brush Brush Brush! Centimeter by centimeter, continuing to slide upwards--- (......Uu......!) ---! At last, I-- -had my face buried in Aria's breasts. In April, ever since I had pressed against them in the PE Warehouse, that sensation was transmitted to my face once again. It was rather pitiful that they hadn't grown at all in the past half year, but this soft climax was--the same as that of that time. While it was slight, it was definitely there. It existed. Fitting her short stature and childish face, small, lovely breasts. It was across her blouse, but I, my nose and mouth completely blocked... Bch, BchBch! As if mirroring the moment where one gives up from sparring, my hand tapped Aria's thighs. ".....? ...! M...! Mikkyaaaaaaaaa!" She screamed like a wild cat, and furthermore, Brush Brush Brush Brush Brush! Her body continued sliding up. "...!" My breathing blocked by the sailor uniform, and not able to stand the pain, I went the opposite way as Aria--forcing my body to escape downwards. My face brushed against Aria's slender waist, Aria's hip, Aria's skirt, one after another. Aria, Aria, a full course of Aria. "Ki-Kinji! Th-th-that was...damn it! Idiot! Ah, ah, aaaahh! Hole! I'll blast, a hole, stop, stop it!" I no longer understood where my head was pressing against Aria, who was shouting in agony with that anime-voice-- Squish . When I thought that my head had finally been extricated from wherever, I was in the space between Aria's thighs. It had become a position where it was as if I was shouldering those lovely, slender, white thighs. And, the fortune in the misfortune was--finally. My hands were free. "...Aria. Just hold on a little bit longer. It'll be over soon." Somewhat able to breathe, I pushed up against Aria's lithe legs--and struggling between her knees, wreathed in black stockings, then between her calves, I extricated myself from the wire. Alright--I finally managed to get out. ...And now... Aah, I understand. I don't need to check it. My own blood flow. Because, I had fully appreciated a girl's entire body, from head to toe. I closed my eyes for a very long moment--and when I opened them-- Without even looking in a mirror, I understood that the look in my eyes was completely different from that of just now. Quickly, I flicked my eyes over to the door of the bathroom, which I hadn't entered when I tried to wash my face. Leaving Aria to stand up, I grasped the handle, but...the door didn't open. This doesn't feel as if the lock was broken. It was stuck together as if it had been glued. Looking through the window---the faucet of the sink, ventilation fan, electrical socket---in other words, the holes inside the room were blocked with some transparent silicon-like substance. --I see. 1 cubic meter. That's how it is. That sealed washroom--was completely filled with that vapor explosive, Explosive Bubble If I pushed my face in to look closer, inside the window, stuck against a corner, was something I thought to be the detonator, an extremely miniature piece of C4. If this is detonated wirelessly, breaking the window--if the airseal was broken... Kaboom --right? (While it's a shame...this can't be disarmed.) Turning my head and looking down at my feet, Aria was... Drip, Drip ... Like a girl who had been subjected to horrible things by some horrible man, she was sprawled on the floor, sobbing. "...Papa, Mama, God, forgive me...this is...just my slave running wild...I, didn't, a-al-allow any of this...!" I knelt by Aria, who was muttering something I didn't understand to herself. And, respectfully, I brushed off the wires that were still clinging to her quivering shoulders and back. "--Ki-Kinji!" Thump! Jumping upwards into a sitting position, Aria grabbed hold of my collar. "I-I won't forgive you! For just now...For ju-just now, I won't forgive you! Ta-take respo--" I lightly reached out towards Aria, who was shouting with teary eyes-- "Mm, it's fine if you don't forgive me." Gently, I straightened those disordered twin-tails. "Because, next time, I will do it with your consent. It's a promise." "That's right! Things that I don't allow are--wait, hu-huh, t-th-that's not it! That isn't a matter of me allowing it or not...!" Towards Aria, who had been completely drawn in by me in a mere 5 seconds, towards her cheek, I stretched out my right hand. From that small, dainty cheek, touching it yet not touching it-- I was at that distance. At a distance where, merely the heat of my hand was transmitted to her cheek. Aria, releasing an Uu , trembled as if it tingled. "Look. As long as I don't earn your consent--I cannot even touch you with one finger. Do you understand? Aria's words have that much power. Something that can be transmitted only to me--a magical power." "Ma-magic? Wh-wh-what are you saying?" "On the other hand, if you tell me 'to do'--then, I will do anything for you, no matter what it may be. That too is a magic that only Aria can use. Think about what you can use it to make me do." "???......。......。......! ! ! !!!" First was confusion, and then, for a moment, she seemed to be trying to think about it, and from then on, suddenly starting to panic, Aria-- WaveWaveWaveWaveWave! WaveWaveWaveWaveWave! Haha. I wonder what she was thinking about. Speechless, she started waving her hands back and forth. "I await my orders. As for receiving your orders, I have prepared for it--to fight, to arrest Koko. To save the hundreds of passengers that are aboard this train--those orders." --- Ha -- I understood that Aria had regained control of herself. "You...changed, didn't you." "That is all that has happened. If I had not changed, it would have been disrespectful towards you." Hey, hey, me. Hysteria Mode's trigger--arousal--don't say anything that might be a hint. Well, the child, Aria's eyes were going, "???", so it seems like it's fine. If Sherlock Holmes the First's power of deduction had been passed down to this child, then what I had said just now would have been rather dangerous. "I...I'm not going to give you an order." Aria stood up and she turned away from me, towards the opened door in the roof-- She looked up at the night sky, visible beyond it, traveling at 190 km/h. "Butei Charter article 6. Reflect by yourself, act by yourself--a slave that only listens to people's orders...is not needed. The you as of now may say these kinds of strange things, but you are a Butei that can aid me as a partner." Partner. When those of the bloodline of Holmes fight together with their partner, their real power is released. In short, with this, she is equipped. Aria, with the me in Hysteria Mode. Koko. The us from now on will be strong. "Also, you--normally don't listen to me. So, I won't give you something like an order." -- Feh In response to Aria, who had turned back, sticking her tongue out at me, I laughed wryly. Entering Car 15, there was Shirayuki, bringing a doctor to the pregnant lady. It seemed that the woman was about to give birth, pressing down on her stomach and having broken into a cold sweat...but, the rather old female doctor started providing medical care with a calm, professional air. This was--pretty lucky, that this kind of doctor was on board. "Kinji! There aren't any other Butei!" "The nine on Cars 15 and 16 are all that we have, Tohyama-kun." Raising my head to that voice, Mutou and Shiranui were zig-zagging through the crowd of people, returning. The two people, having elbowed their way through the 400 meter round trip on the train, were a little out of breath. "We didn't find the bomb." "We managed to report to the police, but..." "We didn't manage to find the offender either." From behind the two, Takane, Hayakawa, Anesaki--the me in Hysteria Mode could remember girls' names with ease--the three girls who had been having bad delusions about Shiranui and me came back as well. "We already searched everywhere. It's time to enter battle." I put my hand on Shirayuki's back, gesturing at Shiranui, Mutou and the Connect girls. Using the space between Cars 15 and 16 as our meeting room, I-- First, because I told them about the vapor explosive that was planted in the washroom at the front of Car 16, the fight with the offender and how she had escaped to the roof, and how the enemy's power was extremely high, "We are the only ones aboard this train that are armed. To prepare for the enemy coming from anywhere, Takane, Hayakawa, Anesaki, you three will be spread throughout Cars 1, 4, and 5 and Cars 11, and 12, Shirayuki, please protect this location. Shiranui's--anti-terrorist training is very valuable. I want you to take charge of the middle, Cars 7, and 8." Swiftly, I told them how each member would be assigned. "Also, while you're waiting, can the people with Takane please contact Butei High, the Metropolitan Police, as well as the Railroad Public Safety Branch, to figure out how to disarm the bomb." "--Kinji. What do I do?" Not having been told a position, Muto asked me that question. "The Shinkansen's driver is already in shock. Muto, please drive in place of her. 10 km/h acceleration every 3 minutes...requires fine handling but, can you do it?" "Definitely. If it's Logi, a first year can do it." "The bomb is right behind the driver's seat. There's nowhere to run." I said that, as if testing his resolve, "Will you be able to run?" Muto showed me his white teeth, responding with a broad smile. Somehow, it seems it'll be alright. "--Aria, let's go. Let's arrest Koko for infractions of the armaments law and suspicion of imprisonment. We should teach that kid that it's the time for children to go home." Flexing my fingers and looking at the watch--I saw that it was 18:22. Until Tokyo, we have one hour. From now on, we are forced to be at a speed where safe-driving is impossible. In surprise, Aria was looking up at me, who was displaying such leadership in the midst of an emergency, but...when our eyes met, she let loose a small, "Ah," averting them, "Ye-yeah...!" Taking a tone as if she was my little sister, she nodded at me obediently. ### 005. 3rd Ammo - The Third Quadra ## 3rd Ammo: The Third Quadra The three girls from Connect had several simple single-earphone-type incams, and taking them, we established communication, sharing the same frequency. Afterward, confirming that we had reached our respective positions...first, a message from Shiranui was transmitted through the incam. "...Tohyama-kun. On Car 7, there are several TV staff of some location aboard and they have cameras. They understand that this is an incident, so it seems that all along, they have been using the train's wireless LAN to broadcast." "Broadcast...in this situation?" "Yes, they seem to be happy. They were able to be right at a scoop." Really...They have no sense of reality. Despite the fact that everyone might die in a heartbeat. "...Leave them. Reporting is a freedom." Scooping up the butterfly knife which I had dropped just now, that was all I said. Because of the incident with Nii-san, I hate the media, but--in any case, I cannot stop the information leak. I can just pray that this doesn't lead to something bad. --At the front of the train, next to me, "Kinji, use your heel hook too." Saying that, Aria put her white sneakers back on. To prepare for a case where one has unstable footing, Butei normally carry a titanium-alloy hook around with them. On the belt buckle or at the bottom of the holster, the concealed metallic components have the ability to fit together and change into several different forms for several different purposes, much like a transformer robot toy. For the sake of not falling off the Shinkansen , Aria had attached those to her shoes, choosing spikes. "During the bus-jacking, we had used wires attached to the roof as our support, but this time, we'll be in close quarters combat. There's the chance that the wire will be severed." "--Correct decision." And, while I too was attaching the spikes to my shoes... Having finished her preparations earlier, Aria turned her back this way, going through a series of stretching exercises. "You know. In Osaka, the thing with you and Reki--" After a while, as if for the purpose of breaking the awkward silence, Aria interjected. "I don't really mind. For intruding too much on your private matters, I apologize." This is...a tone which shows that you really do mind. Apparently, she's still angry that I was together with Reki throughout the field trip. "Aria. It probably made you misunderstand, but...at that time, I was under Reki's Sniper Restriction. Reki is silent, so she didn't say much, but it seems that she was trying to protect me." "Fuun..." Having said that, Aria turned her head, seeming to be half satisfied, half suspicious. "--Well, it's fine. I was waiting around there anyways. Waiting on my own." "Waiting? For what?" "It doesn't matter, right? Alright, this conversation is over. Ah, anyways, I'm so unlucky. Even though my birthday is so close, I've been dragged into this incident." A glance flickering my way, Aria stamped lightly, seeming to be testing out the spikes. "Really, I'm so unfortunate. It's my birthday next week." ...Why did she say it twice. Birthday, birthday. At least, I'll memorize it. Thinking about that, I met her eyes, and Aria's expression seemed a little urgent, "Ah, u-um. Kinji. Where's your hometown?" She seemed to be deliberately leading the conversation away from that topic. I don't really understand, but--I'll just go along with her. " Sugamo . My grandparents are living there." "Sugamo...? Were you planning to go there with this Shinkansen? If so, it's a shame." Saying that, it seemed that Aria wasn't very familiar with Japanese geography. "Sugamo is in the city." "In the city...Then, why do you live in a dormitory? Wouldn't it be fine to commute to school?" "--Well, there are a lot of reasons." Fixing my shoes, I faced Aria without explaining in detail. So, the atmosphere turned to "Ready"-- Aria was patting her cheeks, mustering her fighting spirit, showing a cute movement. Alright--from now on, it's time to fight. As if telling herself that. It's just a theory that when a two-man cell hasn't fought together for a long time, they should have some idle chatter in order to synchronize, but we had just finished with that. We had done it arbitrarily in the conversation just now. "Let's go." Immediately reaching out for the stairs, Aria's petite hand was-- -because I was on top, covered by my hand as if being embraced. "Wh-what, all of a sudden. Hand, hand, hand." Apparently weak against surprise attacks, Aria's face turned red in an instant, and I reached out with my little finger, flipping down her skirt. "Only when going up stairs and ladders, ladies first is an exception." The reason I was going to climb the ladder before Aria was...also for the sake of making sure that I would not have a hole blasted through me afterward, when Aria would notice the spatial relationship between myself and her skirt, but-- -it was also for the reason that, my mind in Hysteria Mode had had an uneasy prediction. If this prediction turned out to fit the reality, the first person to exit would be in danger. Leaving Aria, holding her skirt with both hands, her face having become red, below, I-- -extended my torso out from the rectangular exit leading out to the roof into the outside of the train, which had become completely dark. "...!" -- Whoosh -- While I was doing that, an enormous amount of wind pressure assaulted my back. The Shinkansen was operating at over 200 km/h--the wind-flow flowing over the roof was far more violent than I had imagined. The sound of my necktie and bulletproof uniform being buffeted by the wind rang out. (But, it isn't to the extent where it's impossible to stand up.) Fighting against the wind, I relied on my spikes to stand up. Koko was--there. Having already moved to the anterior of Car 16, at the only pantograph there--a metallic component stemming from the aerial wiring above the car which supplies electrical energy to the vehicle--in front of it, a large installation had been set up, and it was flashing as if giving off some sort of signal. Alright. Her back was facing this way. (...We haven't been noticed.) Having bent over for the sake of reducing air resistance, at my feet-- Clank . The sound of the lid of the door I had just exited slamming shut rang out. Rumble Rumble Thud! The sound of Aria, apparently having been trying to come up, falling to the floor resounded. As I went "Tch", turning around-- Bang! Bang Bang! I released bullets from the Beretta in my right hand. Clank! Clank ----! Approaching me from the back, another Koko used the broad Seiryuutou as a shield, deflecting the bullets. "Kihi--!" Creak! The spikes on her feet groaning, Koko dropped to all floors in that position. " Sister Pao! Kinji came! " "-- Sister Mei! Hold tight! " The two Kokos, at the front and back of the car yelled to each other in Chinese-- Having noticed the sound of the gunshots, the Koko at the back of the car drew an SMG, an Uzi. Taking that opportunity, I retreated from the Koko who had been called Meimei, the one holding the Seiryuutou, reaching approximately the middle of the car. The position was such that I was caught exactly in between the two Koko's at my front and back. (...As I had predicted.) This Koko and Koko. They looked exactly the same, something like twins, right? I had deduced that in advance, and ended up not being cut down-- -because my mind in Hysteria Mode had seen through this trick from two pieces of information. The first piece of information is--the Explosive Bubble bubbles that had blown Aria away. That was the same thing as the light that had injured Reki in the night-fight. But, the range of that dispersal device, the atomizer, is short. It isn't able to attack a sniper that is at least two kilometers away. Which is to say, at that time, some other person had covered Reki with that Explosive Bubble . The Koko that is strong in martial arts--Meimei was the offender. Creeping in under the distraction of the hunting dogs, Meimei released that vapor explosive. And, the second piece of information is--the conversation with Aria in the car. From that conversation, I realized that the second Koko's appearance was exactly the same as the first's. Aria had gotten angry over the fact that Koko looked like her, and apparently, on the day of Water Tossing, during their Aru=Kata battle, she had said, "I told you to get rid of it!" But, Koko had said that she had no memory of such a thing. Rather, she had said that this was only the first time that she had met Aria in person. In other words, the person who had engaged in Aru=Kata with Aria at Butei High was another Koko. With the exact same appearance, one more Koko--and that was the person that was on the back end of the car right now, Paonyang , right? This trick...it's obvious to say it's obvious. Koko had called herself "The Warrior of Ten-Thousand Techniques", but a single person cannot do everything. Martial arts. Marksmanship. The Kokos had divided up their specializations, acting as Ten-Thousand Arms --"The Warrior of Ten-Thousand Techniques". "Koko, Koko--It's time for your punishment." While looking at the Kokos on the left and right of me, one after the another, I drew the Desert Eagle that was stored by my chest with my left hand. Desert Eagle. The gun of my father's legacy can also be used by the me in Hysteria Mode. Beretta in my right hand. Desert Eagle in my left hand. Doubla, dual-wielding. Now that I think about it, in terms of blades, I also have a butterfly knife and a scramasax. I'm in the middle of a field trip, so I don't have many bullets. If I run out of ammo, against the two Kokos...I can do nothing but use twin-blades. --Aria. Riko. I'll be borrowing your specialty for a moment. Tohyama Kinji Version--Quadra of Mimicry. "Kinchi, you...went into Hysteria Mode, didn't you. How?" Apparently noticing that my aura was different from earlier, the Koko holding a blade--Meimei glared at me. "Did you use Aria? Did you use Aria who looks like Koko?" Paonyang, holding her submachine gun ready, turned red with a surprised expression. They had realized that, with Aria, who was very alike to themselves, my Hysteria Mode--had been triggered by arousal. Realizing that, it seemed that for some reason, their alertness had increased. ...How impolite. Because I had had past experiences with going into Hysteria Mode with various women, you said it in a loud voice, but it's not like I can just do it with anybody, you know? "Be-be careful, Sister Mei . There's a lot to be careful of." " Yes , Sister Pao . No matter how I look at it...it is impossible to capture HSS without injury." The two people, saying that as if playing on stereo--their eyes, already very slanted, narrowed even more. A stronger killing intent than before radiated from my left and right. Almost numbing, it was a true killing intent-- --They finally got serious, huh? Until now, it seemed that Koko had been showing themselves as relaxed in order to catch the enemy off guard. Haha. As expected of the teacher, the martial style is extremely similar to the someone who wears Goth Loli uniforms. "Kinji, it's me. After 10 seconds, we're accelerating. Don't fall off." From the driver's seat, Muto communicated over the incam. "What happened, Kinji! The door isn't opening!" I heard Aria's high-pitched voice, which was almost as if it was trying to mask Muto's. "I'm in the midst of battle. There are 2 people exactly like Aria on top of the train." Answering with only that, I didn't say anything that might urge Aria to support. The me as of now is in Hysteria Mode. I don't want to see girls in danger. "Don't hold back, Sister Mei . It doesn't matter if you kill him." " Yes . It doesn't matter if I kill him--!" Thud ---! Readying her Seiryuutou, Koko; Meimei ran towards me from the direction of advancement. --Quick. Aided by the 250 km/h tailwind, she shortened the distance in a heartbeat. And, with a stance reminiscent of baseball's head-first sliding, she charged this way. "--!" Thud! The Seiryuutou, the force of her entire body behind it, swung at my feet, and I jumped lightly, avoiding it. I wanted to jump upwards normally, but I was immediately buffeted backwards by the air pressure,-- PaPaPaPaPa! The Koko holding a gun fired her Uzi from behind me. Twisting around in the air, I--fired the same amount of bullets from my Beretta - Kinji Model, defending with Billiard Shot. The enemy's bullets all exploded into sparks in the air-- "-Ha!" This time, as if stretching out from the roof, Meimei, doing a handstand, immediately kicked up at me. I had no choice, kicking girls is rather painful for me, but-- My feet and Koko's feet met each other midair-- And, I leaped off her feet as if they were a jumping platform. Meimei and the me in Hysteria Mode. I jumped with the combined power of two. High. Jumping over the flowing power lines and the hanger of the power pole holding them up, swiftly flying upwards for two, three meters. From midair, using the Desert Eagle--boasting three times the stopping power of a Beretta, I fired at Meimei's Seiryuutou. -- BANG! With the recoil akin to that of a mortar , I hung in the air for a moment. As expected of the automatic strongest-class Desert Eagle. This power isn't to be laughed at. Clank! Deflected, the Seiryuutou was torn out of Meimei's hands, sliding backwards on the top of the Shinkansen. At the anterior of the car, just as Paonyang picked it up-- Clank. Still in the air, below my feet, the Shinkansen accelerated. This speed--260 km/h--! Paonyang embedded the Seiryuutou into the back of the Shinkansen, and I could see that she was using it as a pole to retain her balance. "Yaiyaiya!" Having lost her Seiryuutou, Meimei knelt to the ground while screaming that out, fishing two large fans from out of her sleeves. ( Battle-fan --huh? This is the first time I've come up against it.) From the air, I looked down at the fans, dyed crimson and gold, widening. I had seen Shirayuki use battle-function fans before, but they had been made out of bamboo and paper. However, Meimei's Chinese fans were made of metal. The edge, gleaming in the moonlight, was a blade. Running, Koko twisted her entire body, jumping upwards, trying to dice me like a mixer-- And against that edge, Chnk, Chnk! I kicked off of it with my spikes, dancing into the air once again. And once more, I fired the Desert Eagle in midair. --- BANG! ZNG! Meimei immediately overlaid the metal fans, somewhat deflecting the .50AE bullet. However, the Desert Eagle's stopping power was cheat-level. Destroying the two fans, it forced Meimei towards the front of the car. Once again hanging in the air through the recoil, I brushed the aerial cables in the air, modifying my trajectory-- Finally touching the roof of the Shinkansen again, I stretched my arms outward, pointing the Doubla at the Koko sisters. The light from Hamamatsu station flowed past us like innumerable tracer bullets . I-- This battle is no longer in desolate territory. An Aru=Kata gunfight at 260 km/h. This isn't something one can see in even Kung Fu movies. It's a shame that Hong Kong's famous director, John Woo's camera isn't here. -- SSSHHHHAAAAAAAAA Going onto a large curve, the Shinkansen leaned to the left as it tried to retain its bank angle. For the sake of preventing the derailment of high-speed trains, they will take the curve like an airplane, banking. The chassis moved with centrifugal force, and we were standing slanted along with the train. Her back against the slanted ground beneath her, Meimei, having thrown away her broken fans, bent over-- Ba The flat of her hand standing erect, she stretched out her hands to retain her balance, her opened knees dropped till they reached right angles as she bent her hips. And, Thud! Just like what Riko had did to Haimaki at Butei High station, she kicked up with her right leg. "As expected, Kinchi. You really do have good skills. If it were possible, I don't want to kill you." Immediately pointing her right hand at me, Meimei shook her sleeves-- Clank! She took something small out of her sleeve, holding it in her hand. I can't see it...What is it. What did she take out? I have a bad feeling. That is something--like a finishing move. Staying alert, from the opposite side of Meimei--the sign of a gunshot was--! "!" The moment I dropped down-- PaPaPaPaPaPa! The sound of gunshots rang out. The bullets that Paonyang, walking this way, had fired with her Uzi whooshed over my head. (...Danger!) The stray bullets that I had just dodged were heading straight for Meimei, in front. Thinking that, the me in Hysteria Mode readied the stance for Billiard Shot in an instant, but-- All the stray bullets passed through the air just left and right of Meimei. They didn't hit her. Paonyang--as the Koko that specializes in marksmanship, had shot such that even if she missed me, she would not hit her sister. With an Uzi , she sprayed countless of bullets in that instant--with a submachine gun. Amazing marksmanship. The level of Aria, Kana, and I. Does someone like that still remain in this world? No...That was not all I should be surprised at. Meimei--another Koko, was completely at ease. She trusted that Paonyang's bullets would not hit her. As if she understood that she would not shoot herself. (They're alteregoistic. These sisters...!) I leaped upwards, kneeling on one knee on top of the car. I tried to raise my Beretta to counterattack, but-- While switching the long-magazine of the Uzi, ThudThudThud , Paonyang kicked my head and gun while running over me. Towards Meimei. Zuzaaaa , Paonyang, doing a headfirst slide at the end of the Shinkansen-- -at Meimei's feet, she stayed lying down like that. As if protecting herself from whatever was about to happen. "--!" My eyes caught sight of the equipment that Meimei had whipped out from the palm of her hand. "Time for the fireworks." That is-- -the thing which fires the vapor explosive bubbles, an atomizer! "-- Explosive Bubble Dragon Chain !" Together with that scream, the Explosive Bubble that she released windward wasn't very visible in my dark field of vision--there were many of them. Zig-zagging side by side, they rushed towards me like a miniature dragon. (Damn...!) I can't--dodge that. A bomb's area of effect is normally an expanding "sphere". Even if its diameter is the extent of a vehicle, one can dodge to the front or back. However--multiple explosions, stretched out in a row, encompassing the whole of the top of the train, cannot be dodged. I'll have to take it. If I don't prepare myself to any degree of damage, then...! As I went "Tch", crossing my arms over my head, protecting it-- At Meimei's side--if one were to call it a dragon, the first Explosive Bubble popped at the tail. BOOMBOOMBOOMBOOMBOOMBOOMBOOM---! The explosion set off the next bubble, and then the next bubble--the explosions continued in a chain. As if a slender Chinese Dragon was blazing into flame. "--!" I put strength into my legs, trying to withstand the impact, but-- Clank! As if a raging dragon had just thundered into my body, I was blown towards the back of the train. The impact and heat wave stopped my breathing, and for a second, my consciousness--went blank. Even so, without releasing the guns on my left and right, standing up on the roof, in my ears-- "Meimei! Get Kinji off! Sister Juu came to assist! She came earlier than planned!" -could hear Koko's voice saying that. Looking up towards the sky, from the air behind me, Barabarabarabara ... As if brushing past the stars between the clouds, I could see a helicopter approaching. (Now...Reinforcements for the enemy are coming now...!?) Earlier, Koko had said, "Promise for a date". It seemed that that was meeting up and extraction with the companion that was riding this helicopter. Not even leaving me enough time to frown, Meimei fished a small gourd out of her sleeves, which were being buffeted by the wind-- Guii-----! Thud. With a pose as if gazing up into the sky, she faced straight up, emptying the contents in one gulp, throwing it away. "--- Drunken Eight Trigrams Palm ---" Sway . In a moment, Meimei, looking as if she had lost her balance-- TapTapTapTapTap! While her twin-tails were fluttering like ribbons in gymnastics, she closed in on me with frontal somersaults and cartwheels. "--!?" My reaction towards those erratic movements, which I had seen for the very first time, was late. Movements like stepping on the gourd that she had thrown away and tripping mixed in, I could not keep Meimei in my sights. Wh-what kind of movement is that? Drinking alcohol and then fighting...that's impossible! "JYAAAOOH!" Thump. Meimei extended her legs, clinging to my waist, just as I was barely standing. "Kuh...!" No, not only her legs. Shh --snaking around my neck was a twin-tail. This is what I had been subjected to on the day of "Water Tossing", the irregular choke. That front...! "ShanShiKeiKeiBa!" In a heartbeat, Koko was holding her own twin-tails, Guiii! She threw herself backwards. "...!" The same as the day of the opening ceremony, my windpipe and carotid artery was clamped. I grabbed hold of Koko's twin-tails as if we were playing tug of war, trying to resist, but-- -added to Koko's two arms, she was using the power of her back to pull the tails on her left and right completely tight. I-I can't...I'm losing my strength...! "Kihihi! From the beginning, you can't win against the princess of the middle of the world! Peaceful idiot Japanese! " This is bad...my consciousness is starting to fade... ...I'm done. My mind in Hysteria Mode told me that calmly. This is my loss. Once again. The first reason being, this was two against one. Moreover, those two could completely synchronize their actions exhibiting perfect co-operation. Teamwork increases the power of individuals. Yes, I had--been subjected to the figurative opposite of what we had always done to I-U's assassins. (This too is...divine retribution...?) The second reason for my loss was...Hysteria Mode. That weak-point had been exposed. I did not want to hurt girls, without letting Aria join the battle, my battle ability dropped, and even the enemy, Koko, I tried to protect, creating an opening. Naive. Too naive. I...really am a peaceful idiot Japanese person. I smiled a wry smile, tainted with self-derision, but even the muscles in my face...I could no longer put strength into them. Blackout----when blood no longer flows to the brain, the optic nerves cease their function--at the denouement of that feeling, as I lost consciousness-- --- BSSHHHHH! BSHH! A jarring impact ran into my body from Meimei's twin-tails. "Auoh!?" Clink, bent backwards, Meimei dropped towards my feet, the choking maneuver was-- -in an instant, released. The bundle of silky hair was still wrapped around my hand. Meimei did a backwards somersault, and her hair had--become short. The twin-tails on the left and right had been severed. Right at the foundations. Still contorted, I saw that, at the bottom of my field of vision, two new bullet holes had opened up on the roof of the Shinkansen. (Ju-just now was...a snipe!?) And the instant I noticed, Bang...Bang...! I heard the sound of distant gunshots. This--sound. I hadn't forgotten it. Time and time again, this sound had been heard as if engraving itself into my consciousness. The sound of a ... Dragunov sniper rifle ! "Different--that helicopter is different from Sister Ju' s! Who is it!" Along with that gunshot, like a distant crack of a thunder, the sound of Paonyang's panicked voice. From a swaying helicopter, shooting the roots of a person's twin-tails while they're grappling with somebody on top of a moving Shinkansen, severing two of them together. Furthermore, with a famous rifle, yet nevertheless anachronistic, an SVD. Able to do something like that, a superhuman sniper....I know nobody besides one person. "--Reki...!" The helicopter, following the Shinkansen, was an OH-1 . Inside the Hotogi shrine's garage, Kawasaki Heavy Industry's high-speed helicopter. From the opened hatch-- Still bandaged in various places around her body, Reki had stuck her body out, holding her sniper rifle in place. And with a speed which overwhelmed surprise, the muzzle of the Dragunov flashed. -- BSSSSHHH! The supersonic 7.62mm x 54R impacted the ground by Meimei's left and right feet, looking as if it was brushing past them. " Ah! " Letting loose a truncated scream, Meimei pressed against her heel-- Thump. She fell upon the ground there. This is...a manner of falling which suggests that while there was no blood loss, her Achilles tendon had been grazed. Reki. As always, you are a goddess of sniping. Despite being heavily injured. With just one bullet, you crippled Meimei's ability to stand. "--!" Unable to stay in place, Meimei was buffeted by the wind-- She slid towards the back of the car. Hssh , Somewhat able to hold on to the signalling device at the foundation of the pantograph, Meimei stayed in that position, hiding herself in the shadow of the installation. She seemed to be trying to protect herself from Reki's follow-up. "Kin-chan...um, hello? Sorry for interrupting while you're fighting." A message entered the incam as I was still stunned. Panicked for whatever reason, Shirayuki's voice. "What's wrong?" "From Hotogi's Makieda-san--from the chauffeur-san, there's a phone call." Ph-phone call? Frowning, in my ears, Click, Beep , I heard what seemed to be the sound of Shirayuki's cellphone linking with the incam. "--Tohyama-sama, my deepest apologies. This is Hotogi's Makieda. Right now...I am flying over the anterior of Hope 246." ...This voice. This is the driver which brought us to the Hotogi Shrine by car. From that high-speed helicopter, she was talking with Shirayuki? "Wh-what is it...!" "This is--our disgrace. The young megumi miko who were watching TV were talking, and Reki-sama, having heard them...took her gun, and kicking Kazayuki off, who tried to take this helicopter to come to Shirayuki-sama's aid, she ordered the pilot, myself, to fly her out." Looking at the anterior of the vehicle, the helicopter had already descended to the point where it was nearly touching the Shinkansen. In the co-pilot's seat of the OH-1, extending half her body out of the hatch, Reki-- -while her short hair was being beat down upon by the wind, she was looking down on the very back of the train. And, giving some sort of order to the pilot's seat of the helicopter... "--no, Reki-sama, we have already exceeded the vehicular speed limit. If we go any faster...the chassis won't be able to take it...!" I heard Makieda-san's voice, apparently in response to Reki-- -and even so, Reki pointed her Dragunov at Makieda-san, and I could see her giving Makieda-san some sort of order. ... Barabarabarabarabarabarabara ...! The OH-1 descended even lower while accelerating. At the edge of the very back of the Shinkansen. Do you plan to board...Reki!? Impossible. Stop it. You're injured. Don't fight! "Kinji! Pull back the helicopter! --in front of us is a tunnel!" Reaching over the incam, Aria, apparently having heard the conversation between Hotogi's chauffeur and I, said as if screaming. Looking back at our direction of advancement, while the vehicle was delineating the large curve, it was heading straight for a tunnel. Above the tunnel was a mountain. At this rate--the helicopter will crash right into it! "Kinji! We're accelerating in another 10 seconds! We're exceeding 300!" Muto's voice delivered the worst of the situation. "Makieda-san, rise!" "...!" Apparently concentrating on the complex operation under the limit-breaking speed, there was no response from the helicopter. " Reki! You can't hit anything except birds-- Northern Barbarian !" From the front of the vehicle, with the Uzi that Paonyang was holding by her hip-- PaPaPaPaPaPa! Although it was outside the gun's effective range, she let loose a barrage at the helicopter. Without taking notice of that, Reki placed her toes on the handle of the helicopter, hanging upside down out of the hatch--she readied her Dragunov. Pa! Thinking whether the muzzle had flashed-- BSSSH! "Kyuu!" Paonynang's Uzi was torn out of her hands, falling down towards the track. The next instant, no longer able to bear the strain, the helicopter tried to avoid the fast approaching mountain, rising-- Feeling that, Reki, Flutter , launched herself off the helicopter, into mid-air. Zan! At the very back of the Shinkansen, Reki pierced the roof with her bayonet, clinging on to it. Her amber eyes immediately faced towards this direction--towards the Kokos and I. -- WHOOOSSH -- Staying at a speed of 300 km/h, the Shinkansen entered the tunnel-- -- Ban! In the midst of the darkness, the airflow around us intensified in a mere moment. (Uu...!) The air pressure changing in a heartbeat, my lungs seemed to rip apart. Buffeted by the vortex of wind, I had no choice but to press myself against the back of the Shinkansen. Grinding my teeth, straining my ears in the midst of the ever-present roar. Listening to the operational noise of Hope Number 246, echoing in the tunnel--for whether the sound of the helicopter's explosion was mixed in. Still tense, my ears searched through the ripping noise. But...it was alright. The OH-1 [Ninja] was a helicopter that was as maneuverable as its nickname boasted. I had only been shown it in a video by Muto, but in case of emergency, it could perform an Immelmann turn . The helicopter performed a maneuver in reaction to death, avoiding the slope of the mountain, escaping danger. (Makieda-san--as expected of the chauffeur that armed Miko are entrusted with.) Above my head, the lights lighting up the tunnel at regular intervals flowed past one by one like a meteor shower. In that scene, as if out of a movie, at the very back of the train, around 400 meters away, was Reki. Reki was somewhat standing, and step by step, she advanced. Facing this way. --No. Don't come, Reki! You'll die! You are injured. Fighting under such torturous conditions, your body can't take it..! " Re-Ki ...!" Clatter! Turning my head to that sound, I could see that, while holding a new Uzi that she had taken out of her sleeves, Paonyang was slowly crawling towards the sloped head of the Shinkansen, which was taking the streamline-curve. Hiding her body against that slope--when Reki comes into her gun's range, she plans to take the attack with her gun. "Shira...yuki...!" Not able to breathe properly in the midst of the wind pressure, pressed on the ear which had the incam inserted into it, shouting. "Kin-chan! Are you alright!?" "I'm...alright! Rather than that, Reki has...boarded, from the helicopter! She has, severe injuries, can't let her fight...!" "Re-Reki-san is...on the train!?" Pa---! With that sound, the Shinkansen shot out of the tunnel. While Reki's skirt was fluttering as if it was about to be torn off, she was already crossing from the car at the very back to the next car. --There's no choice. Telling her to stop won't stop Reki. Finally able to breathe normally, I decided to put the final measure that I had been thinking of secretly all this time into action. "Shirayuki, for the sake of not allowing Reki to fight, for the sake of saving the passengers--there is something a request for you." "A request for me...?" "The lead car of the Shinkansen, this Car 16...sever it. With your katana." "...Eh...!" "In truth, for the sake of that, I had you stay there. The vapor explosive is in the frontmost car--Car 16. Because the passengers are gathered in Cars 15 and below, if you sever it, casualties will be kept to a minimum." "But, Kin-chan...will be left at the car with the enemy and the bomb...!" Worried about me, Shirayuki didn't seem to be willing to immediately accept cutting the Shinkansen apart. However, it doesn't seem as if I'll have enough time to persuade her. This train was passing by Shizuoka station , which was desolate after the people had evacuated. I can't help it. I don't really want to do this, but...I'll put Hysteria Mode's techniques into action. This is a technique which Nii-san, which is to say Kana, had showed me before, but-- In this kind of time, I can probably do it. "Shirayuki." Tone of voice; this kind of feeling is good. Calm down, Kinji. If you calm down, then you should be able to do it. "Shirayuki. Are you listening? Shirayuki." With a voice that was a little deeper, I started speaking as if appealing directly to Shirayuki's heart. "Ye-yes." "Ever since before, Shirayuki has known me. Shirayuki, who knows me more deeply than anybody else--wants to say that the burden of this battle is too heavy for me? If that's so, then that truly is unexpected." "Th-that's..." "I thought that Shirayuki understood me, yet--was I wrong? Shirayuki." Mixed with the sweetness of Hysteria Mode, my voice, Shirayuki, Shirayuki, called out that name, weaving it into my words. "N-no, that's..." Shirayuki's attitude immediately became as obedient as norm...no, changed into something even more obedient than normal. Alright, alright, I managed to perform it well. This is something that has been passed down through the Tohyama family, "Voice Captivation"--a type of hypnotism. Recently, this was proven scientifically by Seiyuu -training schools, but people are weak against the opposite gender's voice when a special tone and breathing method is blended in. The Tohyama bloodline, which has Hysteria Mode, has already refined this to an art, passing it down. According to that piece of knowledge, if one continually responds to girls with their own name, gently, sweetly whispering into their ear...it appears that their mind will gradually become more and more hazy, and they will leave any decision to boys. "Shirayuki. The severing of the cars--you'll do it for me, right? This is something that only Shirayuki can do." Controlling my impatience, I continued whispering to Shirayuki. Because Shirayuki has an incam inserted directly into her ear, I can expect that it's able to replicate the effect of the contact-distance of whispering. "Kin-chan...you can...win?" "Yes. Please leave the enemy and the bomb to us. I'll leave the passengers to Shirayuki and the others. You said that--recently, your Kidoujutsu has been unstable, but...you can cut it?" "Ye-yes. If I use all my strength, then...definitely!" At Shirayuki's voice, a wave of relief washed over me. It seems that she'll do this job for me. "Kin-chan, I'm cutting it. I'll definitely sever it well!" "Ye-yeah." It seemed that she was the type to be easily affected by hypnotism; it felt as if Shirayuki had been completely motivated. "I'll cut it! Cut! Cut! For the sake of Kin-chan-sama, I'll cut it in half!" No-now that I think about it...Nii-san had warned me about this. "Voice Captivation" is prohibited from being frequently used and abused. I have no idea of how one could exploit it, but indeed, if I use this often, then it seems as if it'd be horrible. It seemed that, in an instant, inside Shirayuki, something like 'loyalty' for me had been amplified... The future is extremely uneasy. "--Aria." I returned my voice to normal, talking to Aria through the incam. "Aria--please retreat to Car 15. You have Kanae-san's trial. You no longer have the time to be preoccupied with this stupid incident." "N-no way! I...!" "Kinji, I heard, you know? It seems that I've been put in the Detention group." Just as it seemed that Aria was about to starts shouting, Muto's voice interrupted. "Muto. I'm sorry. That things became like this." "Heh. I don't care. It's been my dream ever since I was a kid to drive a Shinkansen. With that granted, I feel like it's fine even if I die." Saying that, Muto's voice was really trustworthy. Even though it was half-desperate at the same time. "--Muto. There's also a pantograph at the back of the leading car. If we receive electricity from there, can we keep going even while severed?" "I'm changing the settings to that right now." As expected of Muto. He's quick at his job. No wonder he's an honor student in Logi. "If we sever the cars--what will happen to the cars in the back?" "Don't worry. The Shinkansen was designed so that each car can run on its own. Because the New Automatic Train Control System is cut, it can be stopped through manual operation. The crying driver from earlier can do it for us, right?" While listening to Muto's words, I watched the back end of the vehicle, and Reki had already crossed over the middle of the train. "Shirayuki, do it, do it for me." "Yes...! Kin-chan, may the God of battle bless you...!" Apparently having been conserving her power till now, Shirayuki took a deep breath-- "--Hotogi Soutenryuu--Hihihotogikami - Zankan--!" In the wake of that voice, Shing! , the sound of a blade being drawn, reminiscent of a bell, rang out. The next instant--without a sound, at the end of the front-most car, the linking portion, light burst forth all around it. As if several burners were being used, a scarlet light. "Kya...!" Meimei drew her neck in at the sudden glare, and immediately after-- Clank ...that heavy sound rang out, and Car 15 started drawing back. "...!" --Well done; is all that can be said. The cars had been severed. With that one strike. Having seen that, Reki started running this way as if trying to push the wind out of her path. "--Reki! Stop!" As I shouted, the severed car behind us got farther and farther. 1 meter, 3 meters, 5 meters-- Alright, it was no longer a distance that Reki could cross while fighting against the wind. The forward-most car, having become solitary--seemed to have become unstable aerodynamically, and its shaking intensified. In my shaking vision, Shirayuki, visible from the incision at Car 15-- Like Hishikawa Moronobu's Ukiyo-e "Beauty Looking Back", her back was facing this way. Apparently and probably from some kind of iai technique was the flash just now, and she appeared to be still in the regretful stance which had caused it. "Kin, chan...!" Shirayuki--the blade in her hand, Clank , dropped to her knees. Her breathing ragged, with her exhausted face, she turned to look this way painfully. Shirayuki, you did well. Thanks to you, all the passengers are saved. Reki as well. With this, she can leave the battlefield--with that, Reki, who I looked at again-- "...?" While sprinting across the roof of Car 15, which had been severed from this one, she took something out of her breast pocket. My eyes in Hysteria Mode caught sight of it. (Butei Bullet--!) That color is, Grenade. Triggering a huge explosion, it is a miniature vaporized fuel explosive. What do you plan on doing. Reki--! " Minamoto no Yoshitsune ...Eight Ship Leap...!" Still collapsed, Meimei said something, pale-- Reki was coming. Whilst spinning on the spot, Sparkle --in the air, behind her, she released the Butei Bullet. And once again, sprinting forth with all her strength, she faced this way. -- BAAAAAAAAAAAAANGGGGGGGGG!! Manually detonated, the Grenade spun into a crimson vortex of flame behind Reki. The shockwave blew away the wind from the front, acting as an reverse hurricane. --Reki, while being blown away by the blast-- -cradled the Dragunov, and her skirt seemingly being torn to pieces--she traveled the gap between the two cars. And-- Thud! , she tumbled onto the brink of the leading car. "--Reki!" Rolling off the the edge, delineating a curve, Reki, her face unchanging, pierced the roof with her bayonet. And, clinging onto the stock of her bayonet, her entire weight hanging upon it, she used it as a stepping stone, Paki--- , and just as the bayonet snapped, she somehow managed to climb onto the roof. That body, wrapped in bandages here and there, seemed to have had its wounds opened from the impact just now, and they were soaked in blood. Why...are you so reckless. Reki. White smoke streaming from her burning bandages and shoes, Reki, standing on top of the train, as expressionless as always... Meimei, and even Paonyang, stared up at her in shock. ...Reki. Robot Reki. Do you not know even terror? You'll die if you do that...! "Why...did you run this way!" I shouted from the center of the car. "The reason I ran?" Removing her burning shoes and socks and tossing them aside, Reki stood barefoot on the back of the Shinkansen-- "--because, Kinji-san too ran for me. On that night, from the mountain, cradling me." Her method of speaking completely emotionless, she answered with that. My ears in Hysteria Mode caught that voice even through the wind. "...Reki..." After the sniper battle at Hieizan...I thought that Reki had fainted, but it seemed that she was slightly conscious. Because I faltered in my words out of embarrassment, Reki turned towards Paonyang, who was looking at the situation from the front of the vehicle. "Also, I made an oath. "I oath to become a single bullet, bringing destruction upon those who wish to harm my lord."--That." Click. As if readying a blade, Reki pointed the Dragunov at Meimei. "Koko of Ranban. Just once, I will give you the chance to surrender. The number of people in battle is already two against one. You have no chance of winning. Disarm the bomb and stop the train." From behind Reki-- "It's three against one." Shh , Aria climbed up from the cut section of the Shinkansen. "Aria...!" In response to Aria, her jet-black and silver-white Governments drawn, my cheek twitched. Aria. Although I told her to retreat from this car earlier, it seemed she had stayed. Reki--continued to keep her back facing Aria, "Aria-san. Please return to the interior of the car. I believe I told you not to approach Kinji-san." While her bandages, slightly unraveled, and her short hair was being buffeted by the wind, she spoke a warning. "...As for the wounded, return to the hospital." Twin-tails being blown about, Aria answered as if arguing. "Aria-san is the one that is supposed to retreat." "That's you, right?" "It is Aria-san." "It's you!" He-hey. Both of you. Don't fight even here. The fact is, the two of you being here together in this situation is reality. There's no helping it. At that point, I thought outside the box. A place to return to, a road, none of that is here. However--if we are fighting together, if we do not work together, it will be dangerous. For a Butei and Butei, if they are able to cooperate well, 1+1 will equal 3 or even 4. However, if there is disagreement between them, 1+1 will not even equal 2. The worst case is, they will drag upon each other, turning it into a negative number. In the past, Shirayuki and Riko...were opposed to Aria, but if it was an emergency, they would cooperate and fight. They were not people who would remain stubborn in even times of trouble. --However, Reki cannot. Her killing intent, as if the number of enemies had increased by one, was released at Aria, who was behind her. Aria too, being Aria, was in a mood where she was ready to point her guns at Reki. This won't do. These two...will fight. At this rate. I frowned--and just as I clutched my Desert Eagle, nearly out of bullets, and the Beretta-- -- Zzaaa -- Once again, the Shinkansen entered a tunnel, and the vehicular noise as well as darkness enveloped us. However, the tunnel this time was short, and in a few seconds, the vehicle exited. After exiting the tunnel--a glaring light shone down upon the train. This light...what is it? Squinting while I looked up into the air-- ... Barabarabarabarabara ... A news helicopter, making that noise, was flying in the air at a rather high altitude. There were many of them. It seemed as if they were waiting for this train, Hope 246. This light was the searchlights that the helicopters were focusing on one point. The bloody media. From a distance where they would not be affected by an explosion, they were going to be bystanders from above, huh? "Koko. It's over. Throw down your weapons and raise your hands." Within the searchlights, which seemed to be carving out a path in the darkness-- I pointed the Desert Eagle, shining brightly, and the Beretta at Paonyang and Meimei respectively. However...even with that, Paonyang's eyes had not lost their will to fight. The same went for Meimei, collapsed on the ground. Why? Why won't they wave a white flag? The Kokos are-- (...Waiting for something...!?) At the exact moment that my mind in Hysteria Mode realized that... The sound of the hovering news helicopters changed slightly. Looking back at the sky, one of them--Eurocopter's AS365, approached from the anterior of the vehicle. Reckless. There's a bomb set on this train. Which location is this TV station from? --No, wrong...! That was disguised as a news helicopter-- "Aria! Reki! --Hostile vehicle!" Right before I shouted, my eyes in Hysteria Mode had caught sight of the pilot. A girl shouldering a sniper rifle. She is, she too is, Koko! Exactly the same as the Kokos that are here, the third Koko. "Rather than twins, they were triplets...!?" I went "Tch", glaring at the AS365. This is one kind of infiltration method. Even if we chase, even if we knock them down, the next Koko will appear. "Ah...!" "..." Forced away by the descending air pressure that the helicopter was creating, Aria and Reki retreated till they were at my side. Aria pointed her Governments at the AS365 as if in intimidation, but she did not fire. It seemed that Reki was observing my order, "Do not kill,"--and she did not shoot the helicopter. As if jeering at the two, the helicopter swept over the Shinkansen from the back to the front like it was making fun of them. "Uah!" Twin-tails pulled taut by the wind, Aria, behind me, was forced to retreat in the direction of advancement. The helicopter-- "...Uu, Uoah!?" Directly above Muto, who had shouted into the incam in surprise--it hovered in the air above the cab. No, to be more accurate, it was not hovering. At 350 km/h, it had started to run parallel to it. In the air. From that helicopter, which seemed as if it was originally for rescue purposes, the hatch opened and-- Thud. Koko, a hook attached to her feet, descended to the tip of the Shinkansen. The weapon that the third Koko was holding was the famous rifle, renowned for having the highest reliability in the world, an M700. The one that was destroyed by Reki was painted with camouflage paint, but this one, apparently for night-combat, was colored matte black. " Sister Pao --I kept you waiting. Let's go to Sister Mei ." The Koko that came to reinforce ordered the second Koko, Paonyang, who had earlier called her, " Sister Juu ". I could understand it from her attitude, it seems that this sniper girl is the eldest sister. " Yes -- Sister Juu " Paonyang responded to Juujuu with one sentence, Ba! While unfastening the buttons of her ethnic costume, she dived towards the right of the vehicle. "--!?" At these movements which appeared suicidal, I drew in a sharp breath-- Billowing in the empty space, Paonyang's clothes expanded into one large piece of cloth like an unfolding piece of origami--as I watched, it turned into a parachute. This scene. I've seen it before. Turning into a parachute in an emergency, it was the same as Riko's modified uniform. Koko, using it not for airborne purposes but to glide, moved in a 'C'-shape next to the Shinkansen. And, embracing Meimei, who was collapsed at the brink of the back end of the train, she gracefully descended. Severing the parachute of clothes, Paonyang* was only wearing underwear--despite the fact that she was fourteen years old, she was wearing something like crimson lingerie--and she hid her body behind the installation at the base of the pantograph. Looking closer, in that one instant, the Seiryuutou that had been embedded into the anterior of the train had been pulled out as well. (...This is bad...!) My mind in Hysteria Mode told me that the situation had devolved in a mere moment. While Paonyang was using the broad Seiryuutou as a shield to protect herself from the Dragunov, she planned to draw Reki into Aru=Kata. Because, if Reki did not have her bayonet, then close-combat was akin to impossible for her. From the other side, the front of the vehicle, Juujuu pointed the M700 sniper rifle at Aria. Aria too pointed her Goverments back at her, but there was 20 meters of distance between Juujuu and her. It was not a distance where one could shoot accurately with the accuracy of a pistol. Each of their enemies having taken an advantageous position, Aria and Reki retreated towards me, who was in the middle of the train, as if clamping down on me with their backs. And, as if symbolizing the two person's relationship, still unable to try and cooperate in this situation--they stayed like that, their backs facing one another. " Sister Pao! This is it for business. There are no hostages anymore. The Japanese government won't give us any money. "I understand, Sister Juu! Retreat and blow up the train. We can't take these people back with us either." In the sky above the Meimei sisters, who were talking to each other, the helicopter, which had been vacated, rose by a few meters before it stood-by. Apparently calculating the distance between it and the Shinkansen with a camera, while doing that, it preserved its speed and altitude. It seemed that auto-pilot functionality had been installed on it. Functionality that was the same as something like the functionality of spacecraft flying parallel to and on the edge of a small planet. That is amazing. As expected of I-U's engineer. And--as expected, they are the descendants of China's General of the Three Kingdoms, Cao Cao. Despite the fact that we wanted to drive them to a dead end, at some point in time, we had had that inflicted upon us. I had learned this from World History, it seemed that Cao Cao was also a scholar who researched and compiled ancient China's Art of War, "Sun Tzu". And according to Sun Tzu's Art of War, the three conditions that were critical to victory are: "The time of the skies, the advantages of the earth, the peace between men." If one were to analyze it in Assault terms, 'the time of the skies' would hold the meaning of timing, 'the advantages of the earth' would hold the meaning of positioning, and 'the peace between men' would hold the meaning of teamwork. The Kokos had chosen their perfect timing, successively attacking us, using the train and the helicopter freely in order to take the advantageous position, and since they were triplets, they had taken advantage of their synchronization...now, each of them had determined the target that they could defeat. On the other side, we were limited by the timer of Non-Stop, we were thrown into confusion on the roof and the interior, and with Aria and Reki turning their backs on each other, I was clamped in-between them. Even though we had higher numbers, even though our personal ability was not below theirs--we had been pressured, driven to a corner. At this rate, Aria and Reki will be crushed, and then I will be killed in a crossfire. If--we don't do something. But, what do we do? What do we do...! My mind in Hysteria Mode driven into full operation, after a few seconds-- "...!" The image of a method to turn this around flashed into my head. But...Hey, me. Is that image really possible? To realize it, we have to have the same thing as the Kokos, the three conditions of heaven, earth, and men. The time of the heaven--with the correct timing. The advantage of the earth--creating an advantageous position. But, for the sake of that, the peace between men--teamwork between Aria and Reki is required. Right now, that is missing. Therefore, we cannot help but create it. --Create it. Who? Me. Even if just for a moment. I will make these two people link hands. For the sake of victory. "Aria, Reki." To the backs of the two, I spoke. "I believe. In the two of you, in the depths of your hearts...I believe that you trust each other." Juujuu is trying to maximize her profits--Paonyang is trying to charge outwards--now! "--Then, a make-up handshake." I threw my own Beretta and Desert Eagle up into the air. And as the two lingered in the air-- Aria's and Reki's arms grasped each other behind their backs. And half forced, their hands came firmly together. "!?" "?" Aria and Reki were linking hands like girls that were really good friends with each other, turning around to face each other. While leaning over like a dancer, I-- -with my right and left hand, I turned each of their arms to back to their waists. From a bird's-eye view, we would be in an S-shape. And, as if I was a chess piece in an axis of revolution, I turned a semi-circle, bent on one knee. -- Guru ---! Using me as an axis--Aria and Reki twirled around as if in a waltz. For me. --"Castling Turn"-- Two pieces moving in one turn to switch places, a special chess move. Aria. Reki. You're good girls. Both of you. Aria trusted. Trusted Reki, who moved, trusting me. Reki too trusted. Trusted Aria, who moved, trusting me. Focusing our consciousness for the enemy's attack, at the timing where we could not defend or dodge-- The two used me as an intermediary, trusting each other, putting teamwork into play. In a mere moment. But, the moment of that inversion was more than enough. Their positions changed, each of Reki and Aria's opponents were--Juujuu for Reki, Paonyang for Aria, switching into that position. As I expected. Sniping versus sniping. Pistol versus pistol. We had set up that position. With that "Castling Turn". "--!" Bang! Unable to cancel her shot out of reflex in that instant, Juujuu's bullets were-- Bch! Clank! Catching the Desert Eagle that I had released earlier, I used Billiard Shot with my last .50AE. Juujuu's bullet deflected at an oblique angle, Reki counterattacked with the Dragunov-- Tan! She shot at the feet of the Koko that was a sniper, Juujuu. "-- Ah! " Tripping in the same manner as Meimei from earlier, Juujuu slid towards the front of the Shinkansen. "Koko!" --- Bang Bang Bang Bang Bang Bang! At the back of the vehicle, Aria, while shooting the Governments in both her hands, ran towards Paonyang. At Paonyang, who was using the Seiryuutou as a shield and planting her feet, I--switched the Beretta which I caught to full-auto, following up with a barrage which all but left my magazine empty. As expected, apparently unable to endure the consecutive attacks of the Governments and the Beretta, Koko, " Kyuu! " -fell on her butt. Clank Clank! The Uzi and Seiryuutou held in her left and right hands were precisely torn out of her hands by Aria's .45ACP bullets. Finally disarmed...towards Paonyang, who was left with the ungraceful appearance of only wearing undergarments,- "--You're under arrest!" Without holding back, she charged forwards. The weapons she was holding having been shot, her hands probably numb, Paonyang was bound by Aria, who had immediately bowled her over, with a wire. "This is payback for tying me up back then!" Because, shouting that, Aria had bound Meimei, who could not fight, too, I turned to look at the front of the car-- "..." At the edge of the continuing slope at the head of the Shinkansen, Reki was crouching there wordlessly. " Sister Pao! Sister Mei! Save me! I'm slipping! I'm falling! " In that direction, apparently, clinging unseen to the bottom of the slope, I could hear the sound of Juujuu screaming. "You are rather noisy. Since you are also a princess, please know your position." Chchk-- Taking a stance of placing the Dragunov against her shoulder, Reki's barrel was pointed directly at the helicopter in the air. "...Uguu..." It seemed that the thought of it being shot down was intolerable--at that, Juujuu fell silent. --Koko, Koko, and Koko-- All three of them had been rendered useless in combat. Finally. ...There's nobody left, right? After this. "It can't be that there's more of you, right!?" Apparently thinking the same thing as I, Aria, Step Not able to hold back, she stepped on Meimei and Paonyang who looked exactly like her-- Whoosh Whoosh , spinning the pistols on her left and right, she inserted them back into the holsters below her skirt. And, facing upwards, Aria and-- -Reki, standing up, turned to face each other at the same time. Those eyes, and those eyes, met. "...D-don't misunderstand, Reki." Blushing a little, Aria had started stuttering. "Earlier...was just my body moving by itself." "--The same goes for me, it was only that my body was moving by itself." Reki too also said that, remaining stubborn, but-- Aria. Reki. I understand. Your line of sight, meeting now, was different from earlier. Those are the eyes of two people who acknowledge each other, the eyes of a Butei and a Butei. Earlier, the event of helping each other which I facilitated--I pray that that is the new first step between two people. "--- You flat chested girl! Remember this! " From the tip of the car, Juujuu's voice-- "?" Turning to that, Buwaaaaaa...! Apparently having taken it out of her sleeves, a pink smokescreen was thrown up, whirling into a vortex. Together with the smoke, Juujuu seemed to be washed away by the cutting wind--she flew towards the back end of the vehicle. "--!" Juujuu, flying extremely far to the back in the space of an, 'Ah', Whoosh ....! Parachute expanding, she performed a rapid deceleration. Where she was inside the pink smoke, I did not really know, but in the instant that the smoke parted, I saw--hugging her knees to herself, in that position, she had slowed to around 50 km/h. And staying in that position, Zaaaaa ...she touched ground in a small field. "--What a cold-hearted sister. She left you here." At Aria, who said that to the Kokos at her feet, apparently slightly regretful that she had let one person get away-- ""Kihi...Kihihihihihihi!"" The Kokos responded with an ominous laugh. "A fight between a tiger and a dragon--We'll take you on the road with us." "This isn't Kokos' loss. Everyone will be blown away by Explosive Bubble ! Idiot, idiot, idiot!" Kun --The Shinkansen sped up even more. With this, our speed is 370 km/h...! Apparently not able to keep up at this speed, Koko's helicopter, in the air above us--began to lag behind. Once it was a certain distance from the train, the helicopter decelerated...landing on the road next to the track. "You can't do anything except for fight. You're different from Koko." "Kinchi, you're a useless, slow, idiotic turtle." There was no longer an escape route. For Koko. And for us. The Shinkansen was operating in an urban area. No matter where it explodes, there will be casualties. "--That's right. I'm not nimble like Riko or Aria. I cannot use any techniques like Shirayuki. I don't have the skills like Muto to be able to drive anything. By myself, I cannot do anything." However, my ears had already caught it. That noise. "That's right. You can't do anything!" At Koko, who said that in a high pitched voice-- "But, we can do anything--" From behind me, who answered with that--the sound of a horn rang out-- Another Shinkansen had chased us. ""...?"" The Kokos, brows creased, looked at the Shinkansen that was chasing us in shock. "In this Caravan I, that was something that we learned as well." We used a wire, returning from the back of the vehicle to the interior. And for once, the Kokos cooperated with Aria as she brought them inside. The door to the vehicle was opened due to Muto's operation, and from the door of the rescue Shinkansen, traveling at the exact same speed along the straight railroad-- A tube, roughly 1 meter in diameter, was extended this way, automatically attaching itself with a hook. "Aya, Ayayayayaya!" Sliding down that tube as if it was a slide was-- Thump , Her butt planted on the floor, Amdo's Hiraga Aya. "...I apologize, Hiraga-san. For dragging you into this." "What are you talking about! If it's one of my customer's problems, no matter where it is, Aya will come running! Tohyama-kun, Reki-san, Riko-chan, everyone is my important customer!" Hiraga-san tugged on the rope that she had brought with her in the tube, pulling several different tools and a piece of machinery that looked like a fire extinguisher with her--whilst she was doing that, her eyes blinked at me. It seemed that she was trying to wink, but apparently, she couldn't do it. A girl whom I never know if she's skillful or not. Bringing in her tools, the tube that was crossing the space between the two Shinkansen's was taken off. For the purpose of transferring signs and signals between each piece of track, there are poles, and this was for the sake of preventing the tube from clashing with them. However, even though we had nowhere to run, for some reason, Hiraga-san was assembling her equipment in a good mood. "A-Ayaya! I-i-it's leaking!" I heard Riko's voice say that from the direction of the seats. "Just hold on a little longer! If it leaks, then the switch in the seat will short-circuit!" "Riko is short-circuiting too! Quickly, quickly! Save meeeee!" Riko...wanted to go to the bathroom? That's obvious. Because, she had drank far too much strawberry milk. "Haven't you disabled it, Hiraga!" Kun --Muto said while making the Shinkansen accelerate further. With this--390 km/h. "-- Nothing is impossible!!! " Flashing an innocent smile while working, Hiraga-san answered cheerfully. We had passed Shinyokohama station. Time left till Tokyo station was--7~8 minutes, huh? No. If you think about the distance that is needed for the vehicle's system to brake, it's even shorter than that. Two instruments had been extended out of the fire extinguisher-like piece of equipment, and working very gently, attaching them to the window of the washroom, Hiraga-san-- "The vapor explosive will explode once it mixes with oxygen, I heard that earlier from Riko-chan through wireless." -said that, and she started working cautiously, but skillfully. It seemed that, with a cutter that was attached to the tip of the tube, she apparently opened two miniscule holes. Inside those holes, from one side of the tube, something like a balloon began to expand outwards. "This is...?" To Aria, who was looking through the window, Hiraga-san thrust forth her flat chest. "Inflated with nitrogen, it's a silicon balloon! When it has expanded to fill every corner, the vapor explosive will be forced into this vacuum cylinder." GoGoGoGoGoGOGo ...the sound of a compressor working. After...three minutes. We had already entered Shinakawa station. The balloon expanded, and the Explosive Bubble was forced into the gas cylinders while the balloon spread to every corner of the washroom. Hiraga-san checked the pressure inside the cylinder. The nighttime view of Tokyo flowed by on the left and right. Tokyo station was already very close--! "Kinji, the last acceleration...410 km/h...let's go!" Kun ---! The shaking of the Shinkansen growing stronger, Hiraga-san stumbled a little. Will she make it--as I watched over her-- Beep , the piece of equipment made a noise. "...Aaalllright! I'm done!" "--Muto, brake!" Having shouted, I took Aria and Reki, as well as Hiraga-san, into the embrace of my two arms-- I braced my back against the wall of the vehicle. --EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE--GIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII-- In a heartbeat, along with the noise of the wheels gripping--an ear-piercing braking noise. CLANK!! The most intense impact up till now rocked the Shinkansen. Decelerating-- Bang! Turning to the sound of the explosion, beside us, the window of the washroom beside us blew outwards. However--the vapor explosive did not explode. All of it had been sucked into the gas cylinder by Hiraga-san. Because the cylinder rolled to hit the wall with a clank, I felt a chill run down my spine-- "~~~~!" I endured the G-force of deceleration with my back. Outside the window, orange light started flashing up from below the car. Sparks raised from the wheels and the rails. I had thought that after we hit the brakes, we would travel for over 1 kilometer, and we still had not stopped. Staying like that, the Shinkansen entered Tokyo station-- Giiiiiii ... Gii ... Along with that ponderous sound--outside the window, the JR station name display could be seen. --"Tokyo"-- Visible in the direction of the smoke rising up from below the chassis, that display...stopped. Stopping-- We achieved it. With this...everything has been resolved. I took a deep breath, and--tapped on Aria's back as she continued squeezing her eyes tight in the midst of my arms. It's all right now. As if telling her that. Aria raised her head-- Her camellia eyes first looking out the window, she turned from it to look up at me. As if looking at a man who had realized something like a miracle. "Aria...the reason I stay in a dormitory despite my home being in the city, I will tell you now." Towards me, who was acting as Aria, continuing the small talk that we had had before going up the roof... "...?" Aria blinked her large eyes. "--I don't really like trains." At those words, Aria, while smiling wryly, replied with one sentence: "Same here," Tokyo station, which had been evacuated beforehand, was desolate. Apparently supposed to act as a shield at the time of detonation, the trains belonging to the empty stations of Yamanote line, Keihintouhoku line, Chuuouhon line and Oumidou line were gathered here. Furthermore, around the stop signs, sandbags were piled up to prepare for the explosion. ...How polite. Aria and I stepped onto the platform... "Ahaa! As a reward for my work, I'll be taking this~♪ Ayaya will help herself!" From behind, Hiraga-san exited while innocently hugging the canister holding the "Explosive Bubble" to herself. I see. With that as her goal, she helped us very happily. "...Careful when you play with fire." While smiling dryly, I put my hand on Hiraga-san's head, she who had a strong mercantile soul. "..." Next was, slinging the Dragunov over her shoulder, Reki, barefoot, descended onto the platform. "'Tokyo~, Tokyo~, may the customers who are disembarking please be careful not to forget anything'" Lastly, changing his tone to that of an announcer, Muto, dragging the two Kokos, exited. On top of each other in an X-shape, sprawled on the platform, the Koko sisters were...were looking between us with an expression which seemed to express that, if we came any closer to them, they would bite us. Really, what a huge fighting spirit. I want to act like that. "You two. If you persuade your sister to give up--I'll connect your phones." Aria sat on top of the two, her arms folded, triumphing over her victory with a serious expression. "It seems like these people's helicopters have been locked down by the Kanagawa police. I'm not saying this just 'cause I'm Logi, but no matter what kind of person it is, they can't do anything while on foot. She's about to be caught." While taking off the incam, Muto cracked his shoulders. "Muto...you worked hard. Thank you." "What's with the politeness? Butei Charter article 1. It says, do something something with your companions, right? Which is...hey, hey. Can we get out of this station? They really stacked up those sandbags. I was thinking about buying station-lunchboxes--rather, Ryuuyouken's Jet Sieuw Mai." "Muto~kun! You can exit from here!" "Kinji, I'll leave the rest to you. Bring them to Dagula and have them squeeze them a little for us." Hiraga-san, apparently wanting to do the analysis of the Explosive Bubble, if even a moment earlier, and Muto, a station-lunchbox maniac, scurried from the platform of the Shinkansen. (I think that the station has been locked down though...) While smiling wryly at the backs of the two, I saw them off, and once again, I knelt down on one knee by the Kokos. Looking closer, Aria was, from Meimei's sleeve--taking out tools and weapons one by one, knives, hooks, smokebombs, etc...I took a tool that Meimei was carrying, about the size of a rice ball, into my hand... I tried pulling a strange string which was sticking out of it. Doing it, Pon. (Oh...?) In around a second, expanding out of it like an airbag was-- -clutching her knees, Koko. A dummy balloon with the appearance of a person. "......!" Having seen that, my mind, still in Hysteria Mode, screamed out a warning. This is bad. This puppet's characteristics... These are the characteristics of, the person who had used a parachute of clothes, escaping to the side of the line, Juujuu. That was--an inflatable dummy. Which is to say... "--Sisters, retreat. For now, return to Hong Kong." Koko's voice resounded from the end of the platform, and Aria, Reki, and I turned towards it in unison. Over there was...dragging her feet, there was the figure of Juujuu, holding an M700 ready. (Fuck...!) Juujuu did not fall of the train. Throwing up a smokescreen, at that point, she switched with the dummy...even if she was not able to climb up, she clung to the side of the Shinkansen. Until Tokyo, the whole while. Probably crawling along the rail, Juujuu had distanced herself 100 meters, creating the distance to use a sniper rifle. Nothing can be done with guns. That aim was...on me. I knew that her sights were meeting my head. "Reki, don't move!" At Reki, trying to raise her Dragunov, Koko shouted. Reki--had noticed that I was being aimed at. She did not ready her gun. Just, staring in the direction of Juujuu. "...Ouch!" Just flicking my eyes to look in Aria's direction, Aria--was having her feet tightly squeezed by the Koko sisters. The Kokos were, with some sort of desperation, yanking on Aria's hair and skirt. With that, Aria can't move. Because, she had gotten carried away, sitting on Koko. "The wind trained Reki well. It made you lose the heart of a human. In this battle, I understood that veeeerryyy well. You are a girl I cannot use. So, already, you, I do not need." "..." "Reki--I expect that you still have bullets. Die by them . Right here, right now." Juujuu was apparently still in pain from being shot by Reki, and while her foot was trembling--she gave that order. The M700 aiming at my forehead was a bolt-action rifle, and it could not reload automatically. If it shot me, in the time until the next bullet was in the chamber, she would be counterattacked by Reki. She did not want to leave that opportunity. So, Juujuu ordered Reki to shoot herself. "If you die, I will not kill Kinchi. Kinchi is a piece I can use, Koko doesn't want to kill him either." "Koko. As you say...I have one bullet. If I shoot myself, you won't kill Kinji-san?" Towards Reki, saying that as if in confirmation--I turned in panic. I had heard this from Jeanne at the Hotogi Shrine. --Last Bullet-- When those of the clan of Ulus are backed into a corner, when they are hindering their companions--like the samurai which once existed in Japan, they perform Jiketsu . A clan that continues the culture of ancient Japan. This is dangerous. This situation is-- "Stop it, Reki! No matter what, she won't ki-" "Kinchi, shut up! Reki, the words just now was an oath by the name of Koko ." My voice was drowned by Koko's words. "Waiting is unfair for Koko. Reki, shoot yourself right now. If I have to wait, Koko will shoot Kinchi. Reki, it's fine if after that, you shoot Koko. Rather than letting some other person take Kinchi, Koko chooses to die together." "Koko. Princess of Ranban." Having said that, Reki-- -placed the stock of the Dragunov at her feet. "The Reki of Ulus asks. The oath you spoke of--not killing Kinji-san, will you abide by it?" "You shouldn't make fun of me. Koko is the princess of the prideful Wei." "--If you break the oath, all 46 girls of the Ulus will destroy you. With everything that they have, the skills that had once conquered the world, they will definitely take your life. By now, you should understand this." Straightening her back, Reki placed the barrel under her own chin. "Stop it...Reki!" "Kinji-san. The girls of Ulus are equal to bullets. However, I was...akin to a defective, unusable bullet. Unusable bullets are meaningless pieces of iron." "Stop it, Reki! You're being tricked!" Aria's high-pitched voice pierced the air. "Kinji-san. You ordered me not to kill a person, but now, I, for the sake of protecting my lord---will shoot myself." "...!" "However, please understand that this is not disobedience of your orders. Because--" "...Stop it..." "-- I am a single bullet. --" She placed the toe of the foot which had lost its shoe on the trigger of the Dragunov. "YOU ARE NOT A BULLET!" My cry was also in vain-- Her expression not even flickering, with her toe, the trigger was-- --pulled. -- Click . "...!" Once again, Reki's eyes opened. Those eyes were-- -clearly opened in surprise. The bullet--did not fire. "Misfire..." Camellia eyes opened, murmuring to herself, Aria too had an expression which conveyed her disbelief. As for modern bullets, the chance of a misfire is low. It would be correct to say that it is mostly nonexistent. Furthermore, Reki had her extremely meticulous misfire prevention, even going so far as to make her bullets herself. The chance of a misfire was one out of a billion...No, it had been controlled to the point where it was one out of a trillion, right? That had just happened. Reki was, at that--surprised. Clearly. "Because, this gun will not fail me." The Dragunov she had trusted that much had-- -failed. Failed Reki. Now, for the first time. --Reki. Earlier, you said that you were an unusable bullet, that you had no meaning. Misfires have meaning too. Think about that meaning. "...Kinchi!" Juujuu- -in that one instant, understood the change in the situation. Reki could not kill herself. However, she had no bullets but an unusable bullet. And, the next danger, the person who could fight was--me. She is lost. Kill me now and run, run without killing me and recreate this scenario, attacking us again. In the space of that hesitation--I snatched the magazine out of the Dragunov that Reki was holding in blank shock. "--Reki. Don't shoot yourself a second time." While saying that, I took the last bullet out of the magazine before Reki's eyes-- And I clasped it in my two hands. While doing that, I stared directly into Reki's eyes. I am furious. For the sake of telling her that. "This is an order. You said that you would listen to my orders, correct?" "..." Reki matched my sharp gaze-- Nod . Wordlessly, she nodded. Having confirmed that, I revealed the bullet in front of Reki's eyes, "Now--be born again." I told her that. Click . Returning it to the magazine, I slotted the magazine into the Dragunov. "--Reki. The person you should shoot is that enemy. Once more, believe in me." I said that to Reki-- Bang -- While I turned back, I stood in a position where I could protect Reki from Koko's sniper rifle. She would definitely shoot before Reki, who was cradling the gun in a daze. That one shot--well, if it comes, it comes. As for my guns, I do not have anymore bullets. Billiard Shot is impossible. Bullet slicing is impossible too. I don't have my knife anymore. The Bite I did against Patra--that is also impossible. That defense is imperfect. Because, I will faint from the impact. Koko still has bullets. If I fall, at the last, I will be killed by the second loaded bullet. All the methods I had used till now could not be used in this situation. --However, I will not die. Hysteria Mode is unmatched in this world. My reflexes, 30 times faster than normal, thrust my hands forward before I could think. That's right. Definitely, if I do this--! Towards me, who had taken that stance--Koko-- "Kinchi!" -- Bang! Along with the gunshot, a 7.62mm NATO was released. The palm of my two hands, stuck out, was-- -just the index fingers and middle fingers of my opened hands were overlaid in a #-shape. --Can I do it? This kind of thing? I was only half-confident in myself, but I could not think of anything but this. In this instantaneous moment. I surrounded the enemy's bullet trajectory with the square made of my fingers. The bullet, showing no intention of stopping, approached my fingers-- "--!" -- Whoosh -- Using Edge Catching - Double Finger, I closed in on the bullet with the two fingers of my right hand-- However, the bullet was not restrained, and it flew through the space between my fingers, heading towards me. A 7.62mm NATO's initial velocity is supersonic. The full-metal jacket, heading straight between my eyes, was averted slightly to the left-- While spinning, it flew towards my left eye. With my index finger and my middle finger, once again, I closed in on the bullet. And, once again, I slightly changed its direction. Further to the left-- "--!" Whoosh! A sharp pain ran through my cheek. And--the bullet-- Clink -- -left and behind me, far away, the glass of the showcase of the vending machine for flowers had been hit, and it was cracked. As for me--I was not hit. The bullet had just grazed my left cheek. I did it-- It was theorized in but a moment, yet when I had tried to do it, it had worked. With my bare hands, slanting the course of the bullet...a technique which changes it into something akin to the symbol, "/". If I were to give it a name--Slash--would be what it would be called. As expected of Hysteria Mode. Finally, it seemed that I had become such that I was able to deflect a bullet. Well...I had been injured quite badly though, spraining my fingers. On both of my hands. It really hurts. "Kinji...y-you, just now..." Her voice filled with shock, Aria's eyes had widened into circles. From next to her-- "--In the midst of this darkness.--" Reki's voice. Turning to look at her, Reki was closing her eyes, and her Dragunov was raised once again. Aimed towards Juujuu. That was something I would have never thought would have come from Reki, an extremely irrational movement. Reki trusted in the fact that the misfire from just now could be fired. That which was uttered just now-- -My words. "A path of light exists--outside of the light, nothing can be seen, nothing exists. I--" Reki's...poem when she was sniping had changed. Opening those eyes once again, Reki-- "--am one who runs in the midst of that light." -pulled the trigger. -- Bang! "--!" This time, having been fired, the Dragunov's 7.62mm x 54R-- -- Chiiiiii -- --brushed past Juujuu's head as she was reloading, not hitting its target. "Kihi...!" Koko, having broken out into a cold sweat, laughed, holding up the M700. Aria sucked in a deep breath. Reki, who had perfect accuracy, had, regretfully, missed--so she thought, however, that was wrong. It is that sniping technique. I had seen it before. "--!?" Bang! Koko, who was on the same level of Reki, fired. Diagonally, in a completely different direction. "...? ? ?" And, Stagger, Stagger , she stumbled about-- -and with an expression which revealed that she had no idea what was happening to her body, Thud . -at that spot, she toppled. That was a sniping technique which Reki had used against the Caucasus Silver Wolf--the Haimaki of present, during the period where he had once infiltrated Butei High. With a normal bullet, grazing one part of the body, applying pressure on one portion of the nervous system, a complex sniping technique which numbed the recipient. It can be performed on humans too, that technique. As expected of Snipe's prodigy, Reki. Getting a concussion, her feet unsteady, Koko used the M700 like a cane, trying to rise again, but-- Thud! Hidden below the platform and above the track, Riko came charging out--and she clung to Koko's back. "Mi-Mine Riko!" "Cao Cao-! That's also Cao Cao, this is also Cao Cao. All three are here~. Kufu!" Like a piggyback monster, she tightly squeezed Koko's body with her two legs, performing a full nelson on her with her hands--and very literally, Koko's two long twin-tails, like snakes, moved to tighten around her neck. This choke, used in an attempt to kill me twice--Shanshikeikeihou, Riko-version. "Go to sleep with your own technique, Cao Cao. The person who taught me this move has become my enemy." "......! !" Even so, Juujuu reached her hands out to Riko's face as she was behind her, trying to counterattack, but-- -having taken advantage of opportunity where Meimei and Paonyang were rooted in shock, she flew straight towards Juujuu. "Koko--you really don't know when to give up!" "Wai-! Aria! Time out, time out!" Aria ignored Riko's voice, extremely panicked, Thud! Going into a double-legged dropkick from sprinting forward with all her might, she rammed into Koko. Riko, Thump! , along with Juujuu, blasted backwards-- "~~~~~~~~~~..." Finally, she seemed to have fainted. Riko, too. While smiling wryly at Aria, binding the third Koko with a ferocity akin to that of a tiger devouring a panda-- This time, with this, everything is resolved--I turned my back on the Kokos. (Reki...) On the other side, Reki--apparently exhausted, collapsed to the platform, sitting completely straight. From the Dragunov, which she had not been able to shoot herself with-- As if feeling some sort of message, she tightly, tightly hugged it to herself. I knelt by her side, and... I could see that, from Reki's eyes, a single tear fell. "...Reki..." "I...do not hear it anymore." Those shoulders were trembling slightly. "Hear what?" "The voice of the wind--I can no longer hear it. The wind has already stopped speaking." Reki has... Until now, never made movements that she had thought of herself. Just being ordered by the "Wind", with this, living like a robot. Those directions had faded away--so she said. That was probably the release of the delusion that had been engrained into her by someone. I had learned this in Inquesta, that type of mind control could be released by a severe shock. With the shock of her Dragunov failing her, which Reki had trusted from the bottom of her heart, she had been released from that unseen hold. "The wind is no longer saying anything--huh. Isn't that the same as saying, "think by yourself"?" Towards me, who had said that, placing my hand on Reki's shoulder... Reki raised her head. "I do not understand. From now on, what do I do? From now on, alone--" "It's fine. The wind is something which blows where it wants, right? And also--you are not alone. I am together with you. Because, after all, you've already submitted our team registration to the school. Within this time, by yourself." Saying that, I flashed a small smile, straightening my back. Reki...was silent. Staying silent, her left and right hands grasping the grip and stock of the Dragunov for support, she stayed in that position for a few moments-- And when a gust of wind blew through the station, Whoosh , she raised her head. "-- anu urus wennuia ...Eternity--" Reki had-- ...A song...? "-- Celare clai ol....tu plute ire, urus claia Sky--" --started singing. I knew not which country those words stemmed from. I could hear that parts seemed to be in Japanese. Amazingly mysterious lyrics. However...it was, a beautiful song. Even then, its rhythm seemed was so nostalgic, so familiar. And, Reki's voice. It was wondrous. Its volume was soft, but she sang like a true singer, with perfect tone, such that anybody there who was listening to that beautiful voice would be rendered speechless. "-- Raios Zalo Ado ...Ясны, ясны на небе звёзды--" Standing up, Reki sang, and it reminded me of a bird setting off from its nest, a beautiful, vibrant song-- Along with that continuing melody, the wind flowing through the platform strengthened. As if it was singing. The wind too. Aah. This is probably-- -The parting song between the wind and Reki. "-- Celare claia ol...tu plute ire, urus claia Sky--" At the refrain of the song, the wind, intensifying into a gust-- From the vending machine which I had broken earlier, the bouquet of flowers which the person who says farewell gives to the one who sets off on his journey was swept up, released into the air. The flowers, coming loose, were caressed by the wind, with innumerable amounts of petals scattered into the air. In the midst of that multi-coloured mist of flowers--Reki walked atop the platform. Towards the end, which was completely desolate. (...Reki...) All words lost, we could not even open our eyes in the face of the intensified wind. When I closed my eyes, the last thing I could see was-- "-- anu urus wennuia ...Eternity--" -in the instant the song, returning to its first line, finished, turning around, Reki-- -as if having been reborn, her fresh, neat face. That face still could not form anything but a slight expression, but... ...It was smiling, I thought. The wind stopped--opening my eyes again, Reki's figure was no longer there. Aria panicked at the fact that Reki had suddenly disappeared, but...I was not like that at all. Isn't it alright? For the first time, Reki started walking by her own will. She had stopped living by the orders of someone, and herself acting like a new wind, she walked towards freedom. So, this is like Reki's second birthday. Rather, I felt as if I wanted to give her my blessing. 'Happy birthday, Reki'--that. Brought to our location by Muto and company, the Jieitai's bomb squad came out... After them, a higher-up from the police, Butei High's Ranbyou and Tsuzuri, those teachers, and the aftermath squad-- A few Butei High students came with them. After hearing of Reki's disappearance, Snipe's third year Shibaiko-senpai tried looking for her, but...I thought it is useless. Because, by her own will, Reki could completely erase anything like a hint of her presence. As long as she does not try to come out, no matter who looks for her, she won't be found. Even if you brush right past her. Also...because she had erased her presence by herself, she should be doing things covertly. Right now. While I was thinking that, I exited from the desolate, maze-like Tokyo station along with the others. Exiting from the Marunouchi exit, there were several black Butei Cars waiting. Apparently an Assault elite, and treated differently as such, Aria was taking a car together with Ranbyou...Each of us, Riko, Muto, Hiraga-san and I, were driven by freshmen from Logi, split up, sitting in the backseat of our respective cars. "...Now that I think about it, did you make it to a toilet? There was no toilet on Car 16." Hysteria Mode released, I asked lightly, and Riko planted her fist in my left cheek, pressing down on it firmly. Ou-ouch. The bullet graze from when I had performed Slash, hurt a little. "Ki-kun! You're not allowed to ask that question of girls! I certainly made it in time!!" Apparently, Riko, blushing, had...well, somehow done it somewhere. Pursue it any further, and she'll be pretty pitiable. Even the me of normal understood that. Turning away to face the window of the backseat, Riko-- "--Kinji. You're a cheater." -with the manner of speaking of the Other Riko, murmured that. "What are you talking about?" "This. My eyes cannot be cheated. Here. There's the mark of a knife." Saying that, the thing that Riko took out of her pocket was--the shell of a sniper rifle's bullet. That was the casing of the bullet which Reki had tried to shoot herself with, and after that had failed, shot Koko with. "...You have sharp eyes, Riko. As expected." Sinking deeper into the seat, I received the casing from Riko's small hand. A normal bullet's casing has an ignition point known as a primer attached to it. If there is no primer, the bullet cannot be fired. In other words--the end result is a misfire. I... ...after hearing about the "Last Bullet" at the Hotogi branch...if the situation became such that she had been pressured to the last bullet--Reki, as Jeanne had said, might shoot herself. That's what I thought. So, at the sleeping Reki's side, when I was performing the simple disassembly of the Dragunov--I extracted the bullets from the magazine, and removed the primer from the last bullet in advance. In preparation for Koko's next attack. Removing the primer from the bullet was a rather dangerous action, but if I used my knife, using the special method that I had learned from Nii-san, I could do it. As I expected, Reki tried to shoot herself with the last bullet--and that bullet ended up being a misfire. After that, I took the bullet out of the magazine, and I reattached the primer which I had enclosed in my pocket. Clasping the bullet, I acted as if I was concentrating on doing something. And with that, loaded once again, this bullet performed its correct function, becoming the bullet which decided our victory. "Kinji--planned this? The whole flow?" "Well, about half. Rather, it doesn't matter anymore, right? That." Riko looked this way with an expression of admiration, this time staring out my window. Visible there was a large billboard advertising the 3D movie to be opened to the public shortly, "The Wizard of Oz" Now that I think about, when I had eaten ramen with Reki at Odaiba too, that billboard was visible. "The Wizard of Oz". When I was small, my mother read that to me from a picture-book--and one of the characters which appeared in it, the tin lumberjack who was missing a heart, received a human's heart at the end. Every one of us is probably like that. The wandering Dorothy, the cowardly lion, the stupid scarecrow. However, everyone lent each other their strength, and each of them managed to take hold of their future self. Like that fairy tale, immediately getting it before the ending...is obviously impossible. However, it's fine if we approach it step by step. Towards our new self. So, Reki--you should do that too, from now on. "Ki-kun, why're you smiling? Are you so happy to be next to Riko? While pushing Riko, who had returned to Normal Riko and was cuddling up against me, I noticed that I was smiling wryly. I had been completely--drawn to Reki's side. I was just thinking about this. Lima Syndrome, which I had planned to use on the night which I was placed under Sniper Restriction by Reki-- -the reverse of that psychological phenomenon, Stockholm Syndrome, exists. The people who are imprisoned feels sympathy for the people who are imprisoning them...a phenomenon where they become completely allies of their capturers. This was, probably, that. I had planned to win her over, but I had been won over instead. Of course, the other side was not conscious of this result. Now, I am definitely standing by that wordless and expressionless beautiful girl who is out there somewhere--Reki. ### 006. 4th Ammo - Team Baskerville ## 4th Ammo: Team Baskerville Returning to Butei High in the night.... After the Masters ensured that there were no severely wounded casualties, they quickly split us up by subject and distributed debriefing records. It sickens me. Let us rest a bit first. At least allow us a bowl of katsudon . Aria was taken by the Assault instructor Ranbyou to the principal's office. Riko and I were Inquesta while Mutou was of Logi; we were all interviewed by our respective instructors. After that, the Masters got into contact with the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department , the media and the JR . I thought we would be castigated for cutting the Shinkansen ; however, with the capture of the perpetrators, this did not happen. On the contrary, we were lauded for resolving the issue. Officially to boot. Like this, Butei High did not have to take responsibility for Koko and her group's hijack of the Shinkansen to extort money from the Japanese government. This was a very nicely done maneuver no matter how you look at it. "Tohyama-kun, I'll tell you this before the start of legal hearings for a plea-bargain . The fact that you all were targeted must be kept strictly confidential lest some very important person gets upset." The Inquesta Master Takamagahara Yutori said. With the presence of the black suited man during our debriefing on top of Yutori's words, I could somehow understand that. Judging from his badge, that guy was an official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs holding the class of a vice-minister. This was probably related to Aria. As a general rule, regardless of whatever cases Butei are involved in, international ones are their own responsibility. However, Aria is a foreign aristocrat . It was better for Japanese-British relations that the fact that she was exposed to great danger on Japanese soil not to be made public. These are the so-called "adult matters" in which we kids have no say. This isn't exactly a very good point either because if it continues to worsen, it would prove troublesome indeed. Perhaps there was an attempt to offer us hush money, for the official mentioned something about "the government offering us distress money in the future" of which our polite refusals of his good-will caused us to be eventually dismissed very late. Once we finished, I headed over to the No. 2 girls dorm. To the highest floor......to Reki's room. Opening the door with the cardkey I got from her before, I found the interior dark. Although I already expected this, still there really was no one in. (Reki...) A naked light bulb cast its light to no purpose on a room of bare concrete. The living room window was shut and the silence was deafening. The wind.....didn't blow here. It wouldn't anymore. Returning to my own room in the boy's dormitory, here too, there was nobody. According to Ranbyou whom I crossed paths with on my way, Aria had headed to Toranomon for a preparatory meeting with a female lawyer whom she had hired, before the trial of her mother Kanzaki Kanae. Doing so after such a major operation; she really is tough. I entered the living room.... *Chika*, *chika* I noticed the flicker of a light. .....What? The answering machine of my rarely used landline is at maximum capacity? This is 1 min x 30 messages and with 30 minutes of recording time....With an unpleasant feeling in my heart, I pushed the playback button. "Kin-chan, are you alright?" As I thought, Shirayuki. That girl....whenever anything happens, she'll have this habit of incessantly sending mail....As my cell was destroyed and thus could not be connected, she contacted here instead. "If you receive this message, even if it might be a trouble....please call me back. I believe Kin-chan's alright, yet....guuugh....I'm really...worried....u...hu...hu...." Shirayuki had been separated from me when she had been left behind in Shizuoka with the rear portion of railway cars. I know you are worried, but don't call for 30 minutes. After a momentary break, the recordings began to play the next portion. "Uu...eguu...huu..Kin-chan...uu...uu...uuuuuuuu....." S...scary! Please stop crying into the recording. In the dead of the night it's like a ghost. With apprehension, I played the next part which was... ".....I've just got a call from Butei High! I am so relieved when I heard that Kin-chan's alright. The criminals have all been captured too! How truly magnificently done....! Kin-chan is truly amazing. Truly amazing, Kin-chan is.....aa.....Kin-chan is...truly an amazing gentleman...." Why the repetition... "All of us here are fine. We are taking the Tokaido Line back. It will be pretty late when we get back but I'll prepare a feast after we return. Just a short while back, I bought fresh crab!" Shirayuki being Shirayuki, this switch in tone is too fast. Speaking of which, have you brought the crab back yet? Uu...there's still some more messages. I'm getting sleepy already. "Kin-chan, about that...about that...that pregnant woman aboard the Shinkansen; she safely delivered her baby at a Shizuoka hospital! That's just great news...I just received the photograph by e-mail. It's a cute little girl! Errm....speaking of which...do you like babies Kin-chan? I like them a lot. They are so cute, just looking at them makes me feel all blissful inside. That...that's why I.....I....someday...someday, Kin..." *Pi*......I pushed the stop button. Stop....stop. This no longer has anything to do with the initial purpose of ensuring my safety. Furthermore, what's with this bad feeling crawling down my back. Right, time to delete them all. Despite being sleepy; well Shirayuki was rather worried, so I gave her a call. In the face of all that excited screaming, I simply said, "I'm fine. Don't worry. Sleep now," before quickly ending the call. Disconnecting the phone line and having showered, I lay alone in bed for a long time without my cell and nothing in particular to do. (Koko, Koko, Koko...) I dimly reflected on the memory of the three sisters who had targeted Reki and me. Those three were all captured at Tokyo station , screaming and cursing all the way to the end. To better differentiate them for the Logi seniors escorting them, the words "eldest daughter", "second daughter" and "third daughter" were stuck on their foreheads, in a most amusing manner; just like the kyonshi in that old film "Mr. Vampire". Tonight, those three sisters would be interrogated by the Dagula's top S instructor Tsuzuri Umeko. I don't know the details and I don't wish to know, but I hear that Tsuzuri does some rather horrific stuff to suspects during her interrogations. Good. Let them get their punishment. (Well then....this time around...) This time around, can I finally say my great ancestor's favorite phrase? "With this, one case is closed" But this phrase....thinking about it now, it has a ring of unease to it. One case closed. Doesn't this.....give the feeling that there will be a 2nd, a 3rd case? Oi....great ancestor.... Due to nothing happening after being vigilant for some time, I could spend my entire SW after Caravan I resting. No wait, it would be more proper to say, the start of the vacation. The prologue would be being awoken just some time after noon the next day by Shirayuki making crab fried rice. With Aria absent, that left Shirayuki and me to do the cleaning, washing and cooking. Shirayuki, who as ever, was a god with these household skills, was like one of the maids commonly found in Riko's games. I spent my vacation leisurely under the care of Shirayuki, who for some reason was extremely blissful every day, while taking my time to pick a new cell phone. Just in the middle of those tranquil days, right in the midst of my vacation, Riko, who had somehow gotten the cardkey to my room from god knows where, appeared in my room. A brutal mood like that found in a Western shootout scene filled the room. "Ki~ku~n♪" Riko said in a catlike voice. "Get away from Kin-chan-sama, you adulterer!" Responded Shirayuki. With a swing of a knife, I returned to those sad days; Riko clinging all over me for who knows, possibly the sake of killing time and Shirayuki would always grab her, swing her nagadosu , even let fly with her M60. My room has already been the scene of 10 grappling matches, 12 sword duels and 15 gun battles. Riko who likes games of chance besides fighting and Shirayuki who is easily provoked.....whether it be arm wrestling or speed eating, there have been many battles between those two. And Shirayuki being Shirayuki and having the ridiculous reasoning that "a wife should never lose to a mistress!" would always readily join battle. At times when I return home, those two would be on all fours head butting each other with grunts of "mo...!" "nnmo....!" like bulls......hey you two, aren't you actually on pretty good terms since it has even come to this? So it was that September arrived in the midst of this unceasing hubbub. The time had come to register the team roster that was submitted earlier even if I was reluctant to do so. Normally, a representative from the team would attend the application, the Masters would give a confirmation call after the field trip and an affirmative reply would be made and finally, the confirmation photograph would be taken. However, as Reki did not respond to the Masters' call, our team had not been confirmed. Which is to say that I did not belong to any team and that I'm left dangling. Well, even if my case is a little special, truth is on our field trip, there were numerous "we are still not a team yet" incidents. That is why there were emergency measures known as "Just" for these students. These on-site applications simply required one to fill out and submit on paper the names of the team members. Once the Masters take a group photo, the team would be considered "acknowledged/registered." In short, it is a shortened, last-minute registration of a team. Nonetheless, the deadline for this emergency measure is tomorrow. As expected of me feeling impatient, I called Aria. "About the formation of the team, please wait for a while." Awaiting instructions, I got only this from Aria. "You told me to wait, that means you already have a plan?" "Yes, but since you used that kind of tone on me earlier, I won't tell you. H-un." Making that kind of anime sound with her nose, she hung up. It seems that..... she still could not let go over the "I'm fine with anything about the team formation" I had said before Caravan I. Certainly, that had been my fault however....good grief, Aria is certainly like a bratty kid in stature and personality. Like that..... During the deadline of the on-site applications the next day, I was unattached to any group. Students who did not manage to fill in an on-site application would have their team decided for them by the Masters. Well at worst, so be it. Either way, I still intend to transfer out of Butei High. Just when I was feeling a little unwell and forcing myself to study, "Kin-chan, I'm sorry. I haven't said this until now...." Shirayuki brought in something wrapped in a furoshiki. That body resembling a gravure model was dressed in a black outfit. The neat ribbon across the breast of her blouse was black. The hair band she normally wore was also black. Furthermore, her hair was tied up, which was rare. This was not like the usual Shirayuki. It appears that that clothing was Diviza Nero; the attire worn by students taking their team confirmation photos. It has been loaned out from Amdo. "Ki..ki...ki...kun come here♪ The water here's sweet♪" Riko sang as she appeared, also wearing black. She wore a design which daringly revealed her skin, particularly her breasts. Most disagreeable. One can tell at a single glance that she wore no underwear on her breasts. On that note, is the protection offered alright? Wearing bulletproof clothing which exposes the skin.... Averting my eyes in embarrassment upwards, I saw that the ribbons holding her two-side up tails in place were also black. These two were totally in black from head to foot. "The team's....Just. You are all attending it?" "Thaaat's right! Kiii...kun must go too!" "......Me....too.....?" "About that, even though it's not good to say, but....earlier, I divined that I would form a team with Kin-chan....so I did not tell anyone about the team's application. Furthermore, I heard from Aria after Caravan I that everyone would be in the team...." I opened the furoshiki while listening to Shirayuki. Inside, was a black suit. This is.....the Diviza Zero that I would use. "Riko-rin and Aria also formed a two man team; however, we annulled it during the confirmation. Aria had changed her mind; this was for the purpose of forming a new team with Ki-kun and everyone else." So saying, Riko showed me the application slip for the on-site application. On it was.... ◎ Tohyama Kinji (Inquesta) ・ Hotogi Shirayuki (SSR) ・ Mine Riko (Inquesta) ・ Reki (Snipe) These 5 names were written. This is the team that Aria envisioned. Setting aside the fact that a double circle denoted me as leader, even Aria had a single circle marking her as the vice-captain. "Oi...this is...." I said while pointing at Reki's name. After the Just, the students of the newly formed team had to have a group photograph taken by the Masters. Like this, each team member displayed their mutual solidarity. However.....Reki, who had vanished at Tokyo Station, was still missing. Which means that there was no way we could register. "Un....Since we cannot contact Reki-san, we may cancel her name. But Kin-chan wants to do Butei work with her, right?" Shirayuki said with upturned eyes, as if she shared the same misunderstanding as Aria..... However, it didn't seem fitting to tell her about Reki interning herself to me as a sniper at this juncture. With nothing confirmed or denied, I listened to whatever else she had to say. "That's why Aria was bent on including Reki in the team. She said that, 'if Kinji is to be included, then so too must Reki be included. Otherwise, this team would be against Kinji's wishes. '" "But Rekyu is still missing. I don't know whether she can join the team like that," Riko said, continuing Shirayuki's observations. "And thus Aria said that, 'letting Kinji have false hopes isn't good, so please don't tell him about the team before Reki has been admitted.' Well, Aria being concerned about Ki-kun is a good thing that's why Riko won't say anything more from now. Apologies." Aria..... So that's the reason you were so vague about the team last night. Such human concern was so gentle and female. Even if you were like a man in every other aspect. "However we still could not contact Reki by phone in the end. Just in case, she sent the assembly location and time of the application to Reki by text but there was no reply." Looking at the downcast Shirayuki, I thought, "That's understandable," since Reki's phone was destroyed in Kyouto by Koko. "Aria is already at the photo taking site. She was already there waiting for Rekyu first thing in the morning. The deadline is noon today. 30 more minutes and it will be time. Well, we can't go yet Ki-kun! Put on your clothes! This is Ki-kun's on the spot changing show! Kyahaaa!" Riko said as she reached for my belt while I stood still with the black suit in hand. Looking as if I would be stripped of my trousers, I shifted away from Riko.....With the Diviza Nero in hand, I left to change. Partly without protest. My room was originally a four man room so there were a few to double as private rooms. Entering one of them, I straightened my hair before a mirror and got changed. *Kasha* From the roof, came the sound of a phone camera clicking. "Ki-kun is too exposed. If I were using a pistol, Ki-kun would be a wind hole now." Looking up, I saw that one of the roof panels had been removed. Riko hung upside down from there with her upper body sticking out, waving her rhinestone adorned cell phone. ....Appearing in weird places again, as usual. "Girls shouldn't take pictures of men changing. Even if I don't do it, our roles would normally be reversed." Already knowing that stopping Riko's weird behavior is fruitless, I checked out my new look with a black necktie in the mirror. "Ki-kun's life photos can be sold to Yuki-chan for a considerable price. Kuhihihi..." I say, Shirayuki would really buy them. You two really do get along, no? Definitely. "By the way, is it okay with you Riko?" Just in case.... I should ask Riko hanging over my head first. Looking in the mirror; "You want to kill Aria and me. However fighting would be difficult if we form a team. Butei seriously fighting among themselves is strictly forbidden. Killings within a team are especially heavy crimes." "Ha. This girl here is an outlaw. Tu es amnésie" Riko.....her voice suddenly becoming sharp, turned towards me with a grin. "The reason why I am working with you all, is so that others do not kill you. I said it after defeating Vlad, "I won't forgive you if you get killed by anyone else besides me." But after that, how many instances where there in which you all were nearly killed? It was also very dangerous this time round. I can't bear this any longer. Furthermore the Bandire is fast approaching. For the sake of the future from now on before Aria and Kinji are fully grown, I will always be with you. Once the cerises [cherries] are ripe, I will eat you down anew. "After this......the Ban..... what?" Looking at Riko who mentioned that unknown danger....however, the ceiling was as it was before. There was no trace left let alone Riko. I let out a "hun" from my nose like I was trying to dispel this uneasy atmosphere before putting on my black suit and leaving the room. This year's team photo shoot was held at the roof of the Inquesta block. When the 3 of us, Shirayuki, Riko and me, arrived, we found that there were more black-clad students there than we thought. 20-30 people were present. Were they all here for the Just? We were the same, yet its seemed that everybody was still hesitant at the end. Well, a Butei team is based upon mutual trust with lives. This is not something that can be so easily decided. Being unsure up to the last moment is entirely natural. I looked out over the rooftop beneath the overcast sky. There, amidst the milling crowd of students....was Aria. She was wearing what should be a specially made mini-sized Diviza Nero with a tube top beneath her jacket. Her navel was intermittently exposed as her clothes fluttered in the wind. A rectangle was marked out in black vinyl tape on the floor. The other teams waited in line in the middle of this area for Ranbyou to take their pictures. "Oi, Aria. Kaminari-sama will eat your navel." I said to the silent Aria who appeared to be having her picture taken. "Kinji." Aria, who had turned around, gave my navel and the overcast sky a "?" look Her beautiful brows deeply furrowed, she walked towards me, Shirayuki and Riko. "Once more you speak such ridiculous things. It isn't my navel that's going to be photographed." Apparently, this child who has just returned to her country had no idea about the saying where Raijin is supposed to eat human navels. Alright. Now was not the mood for explanation but next time I'll do so and give her a good scare. That's because Aria has a strong phobia of thunder. "Approximately how long till the deadline?" "Around 5 minutes." At both Shirayuki and Riko saying this, Aria's camellia eyes turned up towards me. "Kinji.....are you okay with it ....coming here? About you.... forming a team....with us" "Whether I'm fine with it or not, you have already written my name on the application form. And as leader to boot." "I, I was thinking of forcing you in because the matter between Reki and I would not abide us being in a team....I never thought about stealing you away from Reki's side." Aria, who was slightly embarrassed at saying such forceful things, fell silent. I.....said nothing and watched the surroundings. Reki.....didn't turn up. As I expected. "There is no more time. What do we do with Reki?" "Wait until the end. I'll text her again." Aria said, cradling her arm and looking at the stairs. About...4 and a half minutes left... Looking at Assault Master Ranbyou who was handling today's photo taking and at Riko and Shirayuki who were holding the application form, I leaned over slightly and whispered, "Aria, listen to me. It's still alright to cancel now." "......? What?" Aria leaned over, directing her tiny left ear at me. ".....Riko; she's dangerous. We still don't know if she's a friend or foe." "I knew that all along. When the time comes, there will still be a final showdown between her and me." "She may launch a sneak attack on us. She will always be around us if we form a team." "She's not that type. Despite her appearances she's very prideful." Aria, whose own pride reached into the heights of space, looked behind her. "Anyway, if I do fall to a sneak attack, avenge me. That's an order. Carry it out well, okay?" "Me defeat Riko? That's a very serious matter. And strictly speaking, if you are going to order me why do you still need me to be leader?" "That's for the strategic purpose of Kinji taking the role of UL in battle formation. In other words, a leader in name only. The orders will still come from me." Even if I don't hand you that task, you would still start issuing orders of your own accord anyway. But if I were to mention that, a handgun would come into play. Well, whatever. Just take it as I'm lending you the title of leader. "Also, the team name sounds like that of a vehicle. What does it mean?" "Aa...that's the name of a place that I own. It's in the Dartmoor region of Devon county ." Aria casually said as my eyes widened. Owning a piece of land...but she's a highborn lady doesn't she already own land? Does she intend to wear a crown on her head as well? I stared at Aria's twin tails in surprise. ".....Well, it's empty wilderness. It's just inheritance of one of the scenes of the Holmes family's triumphs . I didn't even earn it through my own efforts." Aria averted my gaze in mild embarrassment. I remember that name.....Baskerville. I read about it in the Inquesta textbooks. Amidst the cases solved by the original Sherlock Holmes, that name appeared. Later, the Holmes family acquired the land where that case occurred and named it Baskerville. And now, it belonged to Aria. (As I thought, she's really a noble lady...) I shook my head and while doing so, saw for a moment at the edge of my vision.....a flicker of white. ".....?" In the shadow of the 2m high air-conditioning unit installed on the roof....was something that looked like a white tail. "......!" I.....broke into a run. "Kinji!?" Ignoring Aria's voice from behind, I sprinted towards the air-con unit. ....That was... It doesn't merely look like it; it was a tail. Covered in silver fur, it was the tail of an animal. (It likely isn't a mistake....) Turning a corner round the air-con unit, there....was a silver wolf. Haimaki. And..... His master. A girl with short cut hair, wearing a Diviza Nero in the form of a man's suit. Her back against the side of the unit, gazing impassively at us as she stood there without a word.... "Reki....!" Aria, who had chased after me, shouted the girl's name. "....." Reki, who stood below my field of vision, no longer had a bandage wrapped around her brow. I was still worried about her other wounds but from the looks of it, she was alright. Her 4 kg Dragunov sniper rifle was also carried on her shoulder in her usual manner. "Reki-san! This is wonderful, you made it in time....! Everyone was searching really hard for you, yes? Where did you go? Really....." Shirayuki, who was running over with Riko looked as if she was interrogating a younger child as she questioned Reki. "....After joining up with Haimaki, I headed for Kyouto ." "Eh?" Seeing Shirayuki's surprised expression, it seems that she did not go to the Hotogi branch shrine there. She must have found it hard to show up there after stealing their helicopter. And Haimaki must have sensed that his master was near and thus, left the shrine. "....After which we made a reservation at the inn where we came under attack before and had a bath there." Inn.....you mean you were at Saori-san's Hachinoko? Speaking of which, baths? You still rely on traditional healing remedies and those are severe wounds. Well since you are healed now it's good. "Even so....you knew that we were here." I said as I remembered that Reki's cell phone had been destroyed. "After I bought a cell phone just now, I received Aria's message immediately." Reki replied as she lowered her head. (Ah...so that's the case) The moment I charged the phone that I bought a few days back, I was surprised by getting a mail from Mutou and Shiranui. It seems that Reki encountered the same situation. Generally speaking, when cell phones that are receiving messages are out of range or off, the message will be saved for a few days in the network center. And once it detects a signal again, the message will be sent anew. It's the same with new phones bought after the destruction of the previous one. It just requires the user to use the same number and not change his mail address. That's why Reki received Aria's message when she bought a new phone. A wry smile surfaced when I imagined the surrealism of Reki in an electronics shop but it's fortunate that Reki bought a new phone today. If it were tomorrow, it would be too late. (In any case, Reki.....made it here. She would never hear the Wind again.) ...Yes. She came of her own accord. This would be the first time Reki had acted on her own free will. ......Welcome. Welcome, Reki. "....." Aria.... Despite rushing over immediately, was silent. What's....with this hesitation? The deadline of the Just is drawing near. Well, despite forming a team after you had a big fight, it's understandable there would be a strain in relations. ....Can't be helped. This is where I come in. As I wasn't in Hysteria Mode now, I don't know if I can skillfully restore the ties between both girls to their former state. "Reki, are you fine with joining this team? Even if its arbitrarily formed by Aria." I asked in place of Aria. Reki....nodded her head without a word. "Well then, hurry up and say what you want to say, Aria. After that we hold hands like friends and go get our picture taken. During the battle when you were being attacked on both sides by the Koko's you were holding hands." Recalling the turn above the Shinkansen, I pressed Aria on.... "During that time, I only did that because it was the best thing to do." Aria, red from embarrassment, responded as she looked up at Reki. "But you wanted Reki in your team. Stop being so hard-hearted." "Th...the team needed a sniper in it. That's why I included her." Aria...this stubborn girl....My words seem to have had the opposite effect. It would be bad if I continued speaking and they end up fighting. They would still be fighting when the deadline passed. Just when I was getting my hands burnt dealing with this troublesome kid, a lifeboat appeared... "Even though you say all these things, Aria actually likes Reki, no?" "Come on Aria, it's fine saying it. Yesterday, I felt pity for you watching from the sides....you were so worried about Reki." Riko and Shirayuki said from both sides. Aria looked at the two of them, looked at me, and then looked at Reki. Buwaaaa With no time for me to thank Shirayuki and Riko, Aria's face turned red. "That...that's not the case! I....I...." So saying, Aria, who had extended a trembling arm towards Reki....took one step, a second, and walked towards Reki. ".....Reki.....!" ....She hugged her. "Reki....Reki.....I was so worried! Why did you suddenly disappear...!" The crying Aria and the expressionless Reki as she was being hugged. Riko laughed as she watched those two and Shirayuki looked as if she was the elder sister kindly looking upon her two younger sisters. G-Great. As I thought, to get girls to make up, you need the help of girls. "Aria-san, that time atop the Shinkansen..." Reki, from the center of Aria's arms.... "Thank you for holding my hand." Looking into Aria's face, they were the first words of gratitude she had spoken. Thank you. Until now, Reki had never said those words to anyone as far as I can remember. And hearing those common words from Reki, who was so silent that it seemed like that would never happen, it made me feel good. Reki did change a little after that life-threatening Caravan I after all. Hearing this overly frank gratitude Aria....whose face had been red from embarrassment for a moment, neatly turned to face Reki. "Reki....I too am thankful. For coming that time....thank you. Let's erase this hole in our friendship. Let's now......restore diplomatic ties? Renew our relations? Err....let's be friends again!" I gave a bitter laugh at such strange words for mending ties. "Hey hey! My dear students! There is still 15 seconds to the deadline. Butei are to strictly adhere to that timing!" A man's voice could be heard from somewhere. I looked at everyone who was dispersed. This voice....the owner was famous for only remaining audible while he himself was invisible. Master of Lezzad, Chan Wu. "Oi little brats! Stop clinging all over each other and come here! There's around 10 seconds left! Hurry up and enter this border and have your picture taken!" Looking in this direction, Assault Master Ranbyou brandished a camera and denoted the area marked out by vinyl tape on the floor. "Let's go." Aria grasped Reki's hand. Just like when they were atop the Shinkansen. "Alright, we'd also better get going." Pushing Shirayuki and Riko by the shoulder, I hurried towards Ranbyou and her camera. Ahead of us, Reki who seemed unsure how to react after having her real self accepted by another person, ran behind after Aria's lead. Chasing after those two, I smiled. Here, on this rooftop of the Inquesta building was where a month ago, Reki became my partner against my will. And now....at this very same spot, we dragged Reki into our team. What an inversion it is. "5 seconds left! Run!" Charging towards Ranbyou, who was looking at her watch and shouting angrily, the 5 of us entered the area in one scattered block. There was no time left to neatly line up like an exemplary team. If this were a normal photo shoot, the photographer would say "Smile, look this way!" "Alright. No smiling! Look diagonally ahead!" This is a Butei group shot. It required us to look diagonally ahead, giving little hint of our true selves. We wore black to prevent the identification of our school from the uniform. "Team Baskerville! Kanzaki H Aria Just!" Aria, who was first to stand in the middle of the area, said to Ranbyou with her hands on her waist. To her right rear, Reki, in order to prevent her Dragunov from being photographed, pushed the rifle sling on her shoulder back a little to hide it. At Aria's left rear, Riko folded her arms and faced to one side, with only her eyes focused on the camera. I brushed my hair slightly such that it covered the wound left on my cheek by the Slash. To hide the taping covering my still aching fingers, I placed my hand in my pocket and entered the frame's right corner. If anyone deduced my techniques from my scars, that would leave me at a disadvantage. Last to enter the left corner was Shirayuki, who, demonstrating her fine upbringing, faced Ranbyou's camera with a slight smile. "September 23rd 1159 hrs, Team Baskerville....Acknowledged, entered!" Looking at her watch, Ranbyou raised the camera and pushed the shutter release at the very last minute. And so, the strobe flashed with a sound. Unexpectedly however, the camera that Ranbyou hurriedly raised was slanted. Although all five of us were captured in the picture, it was messily crooked to one side. Well, whatever, it's a photograph of us who always leaves things to the last minute. At that time, I never expected that this photograph....... .....would be the first and last one together for us, the five members of Baskerville. After an evening shower, the sky cleared. A rose-coloured sunset engulfed Tokyo... I took Reki and Haimaki to the western tip of the Academy Island outside the fence that prevents anyone falling into the sea. This was for the purpose of giving Haimaki that reward I promised him on that mountain during the sniper battle. "Here...eat up. It's really troublesome peeling off all the vinyl wrapping." In an open box by my foot were 60 fish sausages. Or in other words, I bought the entire box. On seeing that, Haimaki let out a howl, thrust his head into the box and began devouring. His white tail was waving like a propeller. He really loves fish sausages. "...." At Haimaki's side, Reki knelt down and gently stroked his back, as always; expressionless to a stranger's eyes...however, I had the impression that I could read Reki's expression to some small degree. This was a gentle expression of gratitude to Haimaki. I turned towards the golden sea, illuminated by the sunset and took a deep breath of the sea breeze. At this time, the wind was refreshingly cool. Summer....was nearing its end. "Speaking of which, did you know that even the battle positions were submitted by Aria on her own volition?" Hearing my words, Reki raised her pretty face from her kneeling position and shook her head. "The front is formed by Aria and me. Aria is the PM (point man), I'm the UL (Unit Leader). Support will be you and Shirayuki. Riko will make up the tail. When storming a target, Aria and I will suppress with handgun bullets while you two will provide medium and long ranged attacks. Riko will be on alert for any attacks from the back and in retreat; she'll act as the rearguard, hampering any pursuers." Reki's face was like that of a small animal as she gazed intently at me while I fired Assault terms non-stop. Seeing as she didn't say anything, it appeared that she had no objections. Well, at any rate, after being forced to become leader, I knew how to improve the team's formation. I had to combine everyone's talents and personalities. Aria and I were experts at fighting alongside each other. Shirayuki was an almighty unit in both offense and defense. She could charge forwards with both spell and sword or stay at the rear tending to the wounded and act as a spotter for sniping. And at the rear was the genius sniper Reki, protecting Riko who would quickly spot dangers. In the event of withdrawal, although Riko could defend against the enemy's assault, however, her true skill lay in escaping; the fighting retreat being her expertise. Aria....in this accidental team of 5, was a balance. She may have no reasoning ability but she was a genius in combat matters. (And furthermore, military formations aren't all there is to this team.) In this team, everyone's abilities are singularly high. Including Reki, this team had two S-rank Butei which was something that was rare even amongst 3rd years. In the 2nd year, only we alone had this. Shirayuki and Riko are both A-rank so it's really a big drop in ability when my E-rank is considered. I'm truly sorry. Well, with the run-up to registration being so chaotic, the cohesiveness of the team in doubt and according to Ranbyou-sensei, "If the team is unwilling at the start, you'll have a hell of a time in the end." I certainly pray we don't run into any cases big enough to have a hell of a time. "How should I say this....Is this really alright? Forming a team with Aria." Although the matter might have passed, but I'd still better be sure. "....Yes." Reki quietly stood up and faced me. "Until now, I've never felt 'human emotions.' But after this experience, I've started to think. I've started to think about....Aria-san's feelings." "Aria's feelings....?" "When I was wounded on the mountain during the sniper attack, I was bent on following the Wind's orders; to fight to the death. And so, I allowed you to leave me. That had to be putting on a brave front. At that time, I was wavering between you and the Wind." Putting on a brave front....even at that time, that emotion had already taken root in Reki? "Now, I can say, at that time what I was thinking in my heart was 'I don't want to die.'" "...." "And the one who allowed me to embrace that thought was Kinji-san. You." "Me....?" ".......You are a very important person to me. I did not want to leave you." Reki, who was new to emotions.... Said honestly into my eyes without hiding her feelings. "......." Suddenly having a pretty girl say all this to me.... I was unable to respond and turned to face the sea. "It's you who allowed feelings to take root in my heart. If I died I would be separated from you....from the one important to me. I don't want that." The one important to her....she said it twice. And furthermore, they were both direct to my face. Reki sure is straight. Exactly like a sniper who fires straight and true at her target. "This time, I've thought about Aria-san's feelings. When I took Kinji-san away from Aria-san it was the same kind of act. To her, you are a very important person." Perhaps mirroring my actions, Reki's eyes which were looking out to sea were.....at this moment filled with a hint of loneliness. "That's why I'll join the team.....I'll watch over you all, never pulling you all apart again. No matter what happens in the end." Hearing Reki who was normally caught up in her own world say all this.....I had some difficulty keeping up. "That's why, you and Aria being together is a good thing." Having said that, Reki closed her tiny lips. And after a rare moment of hesitation, "But this too.....is putting on a brave front....." She murmured. "Putting on a brave front?" "Yes. Once more there are conflicting emotions in my heart. I'm....facing not just the male who is simply the one Ulus need....but also the Kinji-san who allowed me to feel emotions." Reki's red-brown eyes stared at me, as if she were gracefully expressing her own feelings and slowly said, "I don't want to see you stolen away by Aria-san" ....That's virtually the statement of another confrontation once more and yet.... Reki's demeanor did not have the same one-sided feel as when she last fought Aria at Butei High. "....." For a while, the two of us were silent. The sound of crashing waves resonated in the distance. "And conversely, I now ask if Kinji-san is fine with it; having me on the team. The Wind doesn't speak anymore. I myself don't know what to do either. My own heart follows some uncertain guidepost as it walks on, wrapped in contradiction. Without any direction from the Wind I don't even know who I am anymore...." Perhaps it was due to the silence raising my sense of unease but Reki's behavior....resembled in some respects an attempt to cling onto something. Thinking this a little cute, my cheeks loosened imperceptibly. "....Reki. No one ever knows who they are." "....." "Reki is Reki. That is enough. I'm fine with the current Reki, don't worry." Hearing this, Reki's cheeks....slightly turned scarlet. Well, this must have been due to the red light from the setting sun. "But....I don't know what to do from here on." "If that's so, then just start looking from now on and it'll be fine. Just set yourself a target. And the school and team are there for that purpose." The S-ranked honors student, Reki hearing me, the E-ranked problem child with a reputation for being utterly useless say such vague things, looked as if she was.....slightly taken aback. She resembled someone listening to the warnings of elders. ....The sound of waves reverberated in the distance.... Reki.... "You.....are just like the Wind." She murmured to herself. And gently caressed by the wind, "Kinji-san is a great person. Even knowing about my emptiness....he didn't change." "No, I'm quite narrow minded. You however..." Being able to suppress Hysteria Mode demonstrates that I'm quite a virtuous person at heart. I felt like saying so but to do that in front of Reki would be embarrassing. Swallowing my words, I tried to cover it up. "Ah....emptiness, emptiness has its own benefits. You just need to fill it up with many various things." "Kinji-san..." "That's why I'll teach you some general knowledge." "Yes. Please teach me." So saying, Reki's attitude gives the impression of having pure respect for me....Even if it's appropriate that I remain silent, I still felt somewhat embarrassed. In terms of Riko's games, it would be like entering "Reki's route." Although it wasn't my intention, did I just pick all the words that would win her over? This...although the character is different, it was just like my junior in Lezzad, Fuuma Hina. Mistakenly respecting the useless me, Reki sure is pitiful, I thought. "After all, you are devoid of common knowledge. Probably the most out of all 5 Baskerville members." For the sake of balance, I said something that would reduce her goodwill towards me. And with that...Reki's mouth seemed to twitch by millimeters. It seemed like she was pressing her lips together in an endless line but she was actually curling them. "....." And with a sound, she drifted over to my side and.... *Pa* Lightly struck my upper arm. This might well be an expression of anger. Communicating with Reki definitely requires observational skills. Because she hit me, I too retaliated. Lightly, gently, striking Reki on the upper arm. And so, *pa* *pa*. Reki hit me twice. I don't understand it but there was somehow an air of joy to the whole thing. Which is to say that Reki also doesn't know how to express emotions. Aa....this was bad. Even this had to be taught to her. Looking down, I saw that Haimaki had finished eating his fish sausages.....Beneath the brightening moon and the sun that had almost sunk below the sea, I turned around and prepared to return to my dorm. Like I'd just abandoned her, Reki.... "Kinji-san." Lightly tugging my jacket from behind; "The loyalty of the Ulus is eternal. Even if the wind no longer speaks to me, I will protect you....forever." The happiness within her words took me aback. Seeing that kind of expression on Reki's face again, it made me feel good. Those who do not know Reki well may not understand but I could understand that expression well enough. It was a really thin smile. But it was cute enough to capture my heart. There was nothing that could rival it in that....a smile, without a doubt. That night, just after 11pm....having revised modern Japanese until pretty late.....Shirayuki got the remaining crab out of the freezer and prepared a late night tenshindon . Perhaps it was because the food was too delicious but Riko who for some reason, had recently settled at my home took her ladle and clashed with my own for the tenshindon. Riko you little bitch...scraping even the tenshindon in my mouth out is far too much. My teeth are going to break like this. Just when I was protecting my own bowl by using Edge Catching Double Finger to stop Riko's ladle....my cell rang. It was Aria's lawyer. How many times has it been during this vacation that she had taken our testimonies over the phone? Thinking it was another one of those times; I resigned myself to leaving the remaining tenshindon and quietly walked into the living room. However, that was not the case. She was informing us that the preparations for the retrial of Aria's mother, Kanzaki Kanae-san, had been complete. Generally speaking, from now until the start of the hearing, no more new pieces of evidence could be submitted. Which in other words, means that for the time being, Aria had some time for herself. On hearing this news, I checked my watch....and took something from the wall cabinet and put it in my pocket. That was...how shall I say this....something I bought out of care for Aria. After saying "I'll be back soon" to Shirayuki who was in the bathroom, and ignoring the giggling Riko who was giggling and gulping down her tenshindon like a hyena while saying cryptically, "hu hu hu....well, well, well....? Going-some-where-hmmm? Excellent, excellent. Looks like my love-making counseling on the Shinkansen did not go to waste, hu..hu..hu," I left the house. Recently, Aria did not rest at all due to the preparations for the trial. Add to that the conflict with Reki and she must be very stressed. And all past experiences until now demonstrate that when stressed, Aria would get into angry outbursts and things would become "Kinji's fault." In reality, Aria had recently on many occasions became nervous and would eye me in a strange manner before disappearing. That is probably a sign of danger. Thus why I needed to pacify her before the dual Governments simultaneously open fire. Nevertheless, my opponent is a girl. All along, calming the tempers of girls has never been my strong suit. However, this time was different. I had methods taught to me by Jeanne-sensei at my disposal. "Girls will be calmed down when they receive from men clothes, accessories or things they can wear." And this really does work as demonstrated by Reki calming down when I bought her clothes in Osaka; this theory can be said to have withstood practical on scene scrutiny. It can thus be also applied to Aria. Even so, suddenly giving her a present would be weird. "What double meaning is there to this? Tell me! Quick, tell me now!" she would say while pointing a handgun at me. Nonetheless, today was also an occasion. Today, September 23rd...... Despite there being only around 30 minutes left, today was Aria's birthday. Probably. Probably, since I never heard it clearly from Aria's own lips. However, a few months before, I heard Aria tell Shirayuki that "I'm a Virgo." This met a reply of " Eh..? That really doesn't seem so." And thus this dangerous conversation played itself out. A few days ago while under the influence of Hysteria mode, I recalled (apparently, when in Hysteria mode, I could recall every word I heard about something) this. To avoid the problem of being peppered full of holes in the event that I forgot Aria's birthday, I noted down in my Butei notebook that "Aria is a Virgo." And from some searching on the net, I found that Virgo ended on the 23rd of September. In other words, today. If Aria's birthday was before this date, I should be blown full of holes by now. As such, I can guess that today is her birthday. Of course, this alone would still be insufficient basis for such a claim so I found additional backing in the unidentified 4 digits in Aria's e-mail address—0923 since it was common for users to place their birth dates at the end of their mail addresses. Leaving the male dormitory, I leaned against the guardrail of the road and gave Aria a call. A single ring and Aria immediately answered. ".....Wh... what? Kinji." What's with this suspicious tone. Why? Well whatever. "Where are you now?" "Ah, eh? H-Here? This is the girls dorm. My room. I just returned from the lawyer's office. But...wha, what is it Kinji? Don't tell me you want to come to my room?" Who the heck would go to Aria's room? "Then come to the conservatory below the girls' dorm." "Eh..." "I will....yeah, be there in around 10 minutes." "Ha, ha, eh?" Ha, eh? What is this? I said warningly to Aria who spoke in that idiotic voice as if air was leaking from her throat, "Understand?" "Yes." Yes? That was the first time I heard anything akin to polite language towards me from Aria's lips. Is Aria alright? She's being a little strange. Maybe she was simply tired. Even so however, I still must proceed. There was nothing more important after all, than preserving my own safety. Walking through the academy island in the late night, I reached the foot of the girls' dorm.... One would know just by looking from the outside, that the interior of the conservatory was utterly dark. Aria still hadn't arrived? I turned on the electrical switch at the side of the glass window when— *Pa* *pa* *pa*... the light of fluorescent lamps bathed the interior starting from the front of the conservatory. Vegetable gardens, lily and nadeshiko zones, water lily and hibiscus zones; flowers and greenery glistened individually beneath the light. The last zone to be illuminated was the most sprawling of all; the rose zone. There, garbed in her uniform, Aria stood idly. She grasped at her twin tails as if rubbing them. This was a habit of hers whenever she was nervous. Suddenly, she let out a "Ha, Waah?!" and looked around her surroundings. As if some event had not been able to be cleared up in time, numerous light bulbs lit up the decorative plants. It seemed as if the power source and ceiling lights were linked. It was just like a Christmas tree. Incidentally, the small fountain in the middle of the conservatory was linked to the power source as well. It began to spray sparkling drops of water. To top it off, the night scene of Tokyo, together with the Tokyo tower, under the harvest moon of mid-autumn could be seen through the glass walls. Somehow this over-illumination turned the place into one of much splendor. Well, time to put Jeanne's battle plan into action for the sake of saving my life. I raised my hand in Aria's direction and walked towards her— Aria tightly held her hands before her front, her expression one of extreme impatience. "Why...why did you call me here?" When I stepped forward, she took a step back. This isn't like the Demon Butei Quadra Aria at all. She looked apprehensive. "Aria....are you.....alright? You could still speak fine up to 'here'." While speaking, I walked up to the front of Aria who was covered in the blooming roses....and on noticing the scar on the ground left by repair work, let out a small whistle. "Haha....oi, this is where we fell from above back then." Back then, I— Had leapt from the top of the girls' dormitory together with Aria who was about to be taken back to London in a helicopter. At that time, I had misjudged the strength of the vinyl greenhouse's roof and had fallen rather vigorously to the ground. In the process, I had battered aside several of the metal piping, wounding myself as a result. "....Seriously...." Aria who was looking at that spot, remembered that incident and, hit by nostalgia, her angry, upturned eyes softened. Normally angry, Aria now— Was actually rather....cute. From the first time I met her, I had always thought so. As if she could hear my thoughts, Aria looked up and covered her grinning mouth with her hand like she was somehow trying to hide her double canines. It appears she has a sensitivity complex regarding her own cat-like canines. That being the way it is, there's no need to hide them now. Besides, I don't dislike them. Setting her unseemly mouth in order, Aria cleared her throat— "Eh....what do you want with me? There must be a fair reason for calling a lady out at such a late hour, yes?" She said with the oppressive feeling that I would be blown full of holes if that wasn't the case. I pointed at the clock hung on the trees in the center of the conservatory. "11:45. That's quite safe." "So; what. Is. The. Matter." Aria. Right now, your expression is extremely weird. It is the utterly strange expression of one who is excited but is desperately trying not to let it show on her face. I should take this with my phone camera. "Today is your birthday." Putting on airs, I had barely said this when— Aria, nodded frantically with her eyes wide open. "You, yourself forgot didn't you?" *shake, shake, shake* Presently, her twin tails were violently swinging from side to side and her eyes tightly shut as she shook her head. "You'd thought I'd ignored it then?" *Nod...shake, shake* One moment nodding then the next shaking her head, she really did believe that I had ignored her birthday totally. Such lack of faith in me. By the way, why are you suddenly not saying anything? Just some time ago, Reki had become so talkative and now Aria had fallen silent; are you switching places or something? I really can't understand girls at all, seriously. Each and every last one of them. "Your hand. I have a present for you." At this, Aria raised her trembling hands together before her chest like she was collecting water. "Err...just one hand will do." With that, I half-heartedly grasped Aria's left hand with my right. Waa...Aria having lost her voice and thus not making a single sound...was strange like that. How should I put it....it's as if someone had informed her beforehand of this and she had been waiting all this while....? Well even if that were the case it would still be alright. It doesn't look like she's going to reject it. I reached into the depths of my pocket— And fished out a ring of pure silver. To prevent it from hindering Aria when she was wielding her gun, it had no gemstone. Only a plain band. This was bought from that curious, cat filled clothes shop in Osaka, Chaton b during my spare time when Reki was in the dressing room. However.... While pulling Aria's left hand before the front of my chest, I suddenly noticed it. I noticed right now, this ring. Bought in a smaller size for the purpose of fitting Aria's hand....Yet I had not considered far enough which finger it should fit. How thoughtless of me. "Uu....uu...mou, if you want me to accept it then hurry up and give it to me.....!" Just like a child about to get a shot, Aria's left arm was trembling. "Why are you so tense? It isn't as if I'm handing you a bomb. Let me see your fingers." "F...fingers? Fingers?! W...w...w...Why!" Her eyes having opened to the point that they were about to fly out of their sockets, I examined five of Aria's fearfully trembling fingers.... Thumb, index finger, middle finger, all.....no good. It can't fit. It would fall off the little finger. Well, ring finger then. "Aha" I pulled the ring from my pocket, "Wa, wa, waaa!" Aria cried in a fit of abnormally wild temper. "Wa! Waaa!" That is a ring. It is just a ring. Why are you getting so worked up? It's not a big deal. I say, don't make so much noise in the middle of the night. You are being a public nuisance. "Here. Happy birthday." And with that, I handed the ring over— However, "! ! !," Aria was shaking so badly with fear that it was unlikely she could put it on herself. With no choice left, I took the ring finger of Aria's left hand and smoothly slid the ring into place— Oh...it fits just nice. How fortunate. *Gyui.....* *Gyuiiiiin—* At this moment, Aria's pale face was shifting through the spectrum of colours, changing from white to red. No matter how many times I see it, it never fails to amaze me; this physiology that can turn someone's face scarlet in a second. Even a chameleon would be impressed. "I'll tell you this first, that isn't some expensive trinket." "It's, it's al-al-alright. B-But can I accept this? Can I really accept this?" "Just take it. And don't open fire on me so easily in future." "—Y-Yes." There it was once more. Aria's "yes." On the contrary, it felt weird. Up to this point, she had been responding in an over the top manner. I really don't understand her at all.... This is a lesson that a ring is an item which resounds with extreme intensity in the hearts of girls. The Aria, who can boast of a level of fieriness worthy of the Guinness Records, has been reduced to this state. (.....Errm.......it's kind of like .....) Aria's tantrum isn't a reaction one would have on receiving any simple accessory. Perhaps there is a further meaning to this current chain of behavior than I know? On the night of her birthday, she got a phone call calling her to go to the conservatory. She had received a ring as a present which was put on her left ring finger. Right after, she had freely attacked me for some time. While it was possible that the above behavior had some meaning behind it, I entirely could not see it at all. I don't want to boast but regarding basic knowledge on this sort of argument between man and woman, I know little like a child. Due to my fear of entering Hysteria Mode, I had avoided that kind of information all my life. Speaking of which, Kana had already warned me in the past....a lack of knowledge on such matters poses the danger that someday, actions leading to a disastrous misunderstanding when dealing with girls would result....among other things. And so, the one facing me was the person eternally infamous for misunderstandings, Aria-san. Any one of my previous three behaviors could have been [misunderstanding causing behavior]. However, my initial aim of ensuring my own safety has been achieved. So it’s good, un, un. Aria, who was nodding alone at me stammered “Kinji….I’m….I’m very happy with th…this. But still….th..this..is too soon…wh..what does this…..mean…for us?” Hmph…is that what she's asking. Well, if right now, I say something like: "This is for the sake of preventing myself from being raged and shot at," I'll be made into live food for several .45 ACP bullets. As such, I-- "Butei Charter article 6: "Reflect by yourself, act by yourself". If you're a Butei, then you'll think of it yourself, right?" Confused her. After shaking her head up and down in one big nod, Aria looked at her open left hand, right in front of her own face-- With a feeling as if she couldn't tear her eyes away from the ring, shining on her ring finger-- Tch, tch, tch... As if backing away from the pure, silver light, she started to shuffle back. However, her hand was her own, so of course it followed her. Aria, her lips shaking, walked further backwards with her shaking knees... "Mikyaaa!" -- Thud! Splash! She caught her foot on the edge of the mini fountain, and tipped over backwards. She really fits perfectly inside the pool of that fountain, which couldn't be anything but around the size of a bathtub. "He-hey..." "M-Mikyaa! Kyaapu! Kyaaapu!" Splash! SplashSplash! Even though the water probably couldn't be anything more than 30 centimeters deep, Aria, who could not swim, started panicking in an instant--like she was drowning. At what kind of level is your inability to swim? No, that isn't a level at which one is able to say a simple inability to swim. "Are you alright, Aria...?" Aria, who was struggling, only the lower half of her fallen body sticking out, Yank! I pulled her out from the fountain's pool, and...her eyes were spinning. It didn't seem as if she had drunk any water, but her appearance was such that it appeared as if she had entered a vegetative state from the shock. (Aahh...I can't leave her alone like this...) I squeezed her soaked twin-tails like a wet towel, getting out the water, and then decided to carry her on my back, returning home. There's no choice. I guess I'll even let Shirayuki take care of her at our place. Uwaah. As light as ever. Aria, that is. Isn't her body weight around 30 kilos? "...Ex-exactly like Riko said on the Shinkansen...It's become that...Mo-more than that...!" Aria being carried on my back, I didn't understand her words, which were like the words of someone delirious, but-- (Doing this, this time I can spend with Aria, too is...coming to an end, isn't it.) So I thought, and I felt a loneliness that I could not begin to describe creep into my chest. Aria...is selfish, self-centered, presumptuous- an intensely troubling girl. But only because of that, being together with her isn't boring. Whether it was good or bad, it was always exciting. It felt as if, to me, who had been labeled with the nickname, "Introvert," that my relationship with her had led to a balanced life. It's a different meaning from what Aria had said, but--she probably was a good partner. Aria. I have never said it clearly to you-- From now on, I don't think I'll say it either though. For the sake of both of us. --I don't want you to go back. To someplace like London. Really. But, that is my selfishness. So, I will leave it in the midst of my chest. For eternity. Also, when next year comes, I too will transfer from this Butei High to a normal school. April...The transfer application that I had torn up before I had chased Aria to this girls' dormitory, it's probably time to make it again. Just about time. Continuing straight forward, Academy Island-- Carrying Aria, walking down the footpath, I thought. Right now, I even felt that it would have been nice had Academy Island been longer. That this night would continue forever, that it would have been alright just to walk like this, anywhere. However, there is no night that does not dawn. There is an end to each road. I felt as if that was something intolerable, and I tried not to think about it, but...Aria's mother's retrial is next month. I-U has been defeated, a judgement of innocence is no longer in doubt. So, after one month--my parting with Aria. Just once. Like that, this time was a time to steel myself, but... Our fate, it isn't sold by a wholesaler. In this, and that. --Right, 'Hidan no Aria'-san? ### 007. Epilogue - Go for the Next!! The War Meeting -Bandire- ## Epilogue: Go for the Next!! The War Meeting -Bandire- From then on, for a while, the days which flowed by were so peaceful it felt like a dream. Aria, who had the tendency to skip school, went to school as normal, and it seemed that she was teaching a first year girl that was based in the Butei High system, Amico. Thanks to that, I could stretch my wings for a short while, and my transfer application to a normal school was too--alright, I had submitted it to Masters. If it went well, my transfer would be in April of next year. Which high school I would go to, I had not decided yet, but at the same time as my graduation to a third year, I will transfer. Doing that...after school on the day I had taken another step towards the self who was a "normal high school student", a small incident occurred. After staying at Informa, where shoes were forbidden, to go to my information class, opening my shoelocker to go home-- "...?" Above my shoes, there was a letter. The letter was inserted into a pure-white letter, and like in the movies, akin to how foreign wealthy people sealed their letters, it was sealed with red wax seal. The name of the sender was...Jeanne d'Arc...Jeanne, huh? "--Hey, hey!? I haven't seen anything like that except for the shoujo manga that my sister has, you know!" When we were going home together, Logi's Muto suddenly grabbed my head from the right. "Ahhh...just as I was wondering whether things were going well between you and Kanzaki-san, it's already this." Shiranui, on my left, was smiling wryly with his handsome face. "...what the hell's 'anything like that' and 'this'? It's just that Jeanne gave me a letter, right? But, she's so old fashioned. A letter in modern times. If she wants to contact me, it's fine if she just gives me a mail." I complained, and Muto and Shiranui looked at each other-- "You know. Mails have no romance or magical fairy tales in them, so that's why it's a letter. That's a love letter. I have the patience of a samurai, and I'll keep quiet about it so show me ." "Kanzaki-san, Hotogi-san, Mine-san, Reki-san already, and this time it's Jeanne-san~? Tohyama-kun's matters of love deal with a complete set of beauties." Saying that, certainty about it being a love letter coming from my left and right, they tried to snatch my letter from me. No matter what the contents are, showing a letter from someone to somebody else is forbidden. As a human being. Thinking that, I performed the Tohyama family's secret legacy move, the headbutt, on Muto, knocking him out, and as I was going to bring about the same result in Shiranui, he escaped from Informa. Getting on the round-trip bus which had just arrived, I opened the letter on my seat--uu. English...no, French. And it was also written in the same flowing, cursive script. She writes really well. Despite the fact that she can't draw. Rather, I can't possibly read this, right? It's in French, and it's so tightly written. As I thought that, at the end was a note in Japanese. "I do not believe that you can read this, so I wrote it in Japanese on the back." ...Sparkle. Then, write it in Japanese from the beginning! 「Tohyama Kinji-dono October 1st 0:00 Southern tip of Empty Island 。Wait under the crooked windmill Go armed 。Come alone Jeanne d'Arc」 ...What is this? The instructed time was--tomorrow, or rather, tonight. As I was suspicious, after I got off the bus I immediately called Jeanne... "--Tohyama? It seems you have read it." "Jeanne, why did you use a letter? Thanks to that, we have to bury Muto." "That is a formal letter--because, it is an invitation. You are a boy, so come properly." Just saying that, without explaining in further detail, Jeanne hung up. Calling her again, she did not pick up. How should I say this...it seemed that, if she had said it properly, she thought I probably wouldn't come. This is getting more and more suspicious. I wasn't very interested, but pulled in by Jeanne's behaviour, I-- Because Muto...refused me, I managed to get a miniature 2 horsepower motorboat which did not need a license from Muto's sister, who, like him, was in Logi. With that, at midnight, I crossed over from Academy Island to the southern tip of Empty Island. Just in case, with my gun. Climbing the rusty stairs, the surface of the artificial island was-- -on top of being dark, wrapped in mist. On the left and right of my unclear vision, windmill poles continued from west to east at regular intervals. For some reason, it was an ominous scene. Looking as if I was pushing through the mist, I...walked until I was below the slanted windmill. Nicknamed as slanted windmill in Butei High, which I had crashed a plane into in April. The wreckage of that plane had been dismantled and disposed of, and the area around here had returned to its former emptiness, but...enveloping this area, this mist...somehow, makes me feel uneasy. It felt as if this mist had not occurred naturally. Somewhere, it seemed that I had been enveloped by the same mist before...that's right. At IU, when I had fought with Sherlock Holmes, he had, in the name of "preparatory classes", covered me with a mist like this. "Tohyama, over here." Turning towards the shouted voice-- At a location slightly distant from me, wearing platinum armor, Jeanne stood there. Magic Blade - Durandal's tip pierced straight into the ground, standing there like a cane, and the hilt was clasped by two hands at the pommel, the hands placed on top of each other. "What is it. Calling me out to a place like this at night." Saying something that Aria had said to me a little earlier, I approached Jeanne-- Her western armor was more heavily equipped than when we had once fought her in the underground warehouse. In addition to the cuirass and greaves, she was even wearing a skirt-like fold and curved gauntlets. On her graceful face, there was a sense of urgency. What had happened? "--Soon, it will be 0:00." Because from above, a familiar voice rang out, I turned my face upwards-- (...Reki?) On the unmoving windmill's propellers, Reki, in her uniform, was sitting. Looking closer, the Dragunov sniper rifle which was forever slung over her shoulder was cradled in front of her. Here too--it had not reached a level of readiness for battle, but the atmosphere too was quite alert. "What the hell is this, you two..." As I was frowning. -- Flash -- As if encircling the slanted windmill in a large circle, multiple strong lights flashed into being. Covering my eyes with my arm from the glare, I...once again, looked around me. (...! What...they are...!) In the mist, illuminated by the light, other than us, there were several other--figures. Those shapes were, all, without an exception, abnormal. --An atypical group. Indescribable with any other words, that ominous bunch was gathered in an area around 50 meters in radius. Like that, with everyone standing apart, it was like a group of cosplayers at a cosplay competition, but...I instinctively understood that this was not that kind of playful event. Even if it's this slow, normal me. --This is bad. This is bad. These people are dangerous. In my mind, the faces of IU we had fought with before flashed through one by one. And whichever one of these it was, they were all in the category of strange people, monsters and demons. Not just people. If I thought about it, I could be killed by the touch of a finger. Right now. Right here. Even if I were in Hysteria Mode, I have no chance of victory. They were those kinds of people. As if, I was being surrounded by several Kanas and Sherlocks, that kind of feeling of danger. "--It seems that, a few days ago, Our Ranban's Koko sisters have caused quite a lot of trouble. My deepest apologies." Respectfully apologizing to us was a man whose eyes were so thin they were akin to slits. On that face, a smile plastered to it, he was wearing round glasses, and he was wearing magnificent Chinese cultural clothing. On the ground slightly distant from him-- ZZzzzz ...a black shadow wriggled. Strange. That shadow is strange. Although there's nothing above it, even though the shadow is the only thing there, it moved. A scene out of a nightmare. I thought that the shadow had assembled and become a human--and it rose from the ground. "So you are the boy who, along with Lupin the 4th, defeated my father. Unbelievable." This was different from Riko's sweet lolita...with white and black as a basis, her whole body clothed with a gothic lolita costume, the shadow became a girl with golden twin-tails. Despite the fact that it was night, her white hand was holding a frilly parasol, and on her back was something like a bat--large wings grew there. As if showing off that those wings were real, with one flap, behind it-- "--Vn--" -a strange sound rang out from inside another person's body. Within the faces gathered here, it was the biggest. A giant that was 3 meters tall. Its whole body was enveloped in modern armor, it was carrying a Gatling gun, and its shoulders were even equipped with a linked rocket launcher. It was like a bipedal tank. Rather, is it a human? I don't even know that. Next to it, body clothed in glamorous, white vestments, a nun carrying a large sword which looked like a cross and--with a pitch black hood, a large peaked cap, on her shoulders a raven which seemed to have been out of a picture, a tiny witch, and they were glaring at each other with droopy eyes and up-slanted eyes. "We will not wage war, that of Tohyama. Still not tonight. I too am very excited because this is my first grand battle in 86 years." For some reason, talking in a manner as if she knew about me, the person who said that was-- Wearing blue Japanese clothing with Sanskrit characters written on it, a girl even shorter than Aria. The corners of her sharp eyes long, they seemed to be that of a Japanese person, her long hair was a dark golden colour, rather, golden brown. The thing to rub one's eyes at was, on her head there were two...cat-like, no, fox-like ears standing up straight. Seeing it twitch, it did not seem to be just a decoration. Others in the area were, a handsome white man wearing a trenchcoat and carrying a longsword, wearing a one-piece which seemed to be made out of a tabby-like feline's fur, a cave-man-like girl, and listening to music from earphones and swaying his body to it, an ugly-looking pierro....various types of strange people had gathered here. And, at the edge of my vision, Sparkle, Sparkle --gold sand danced-- From the direction of the mist, two figures became visible. Wearing clothes which exposed her body, one of the girls was--aah, her...! "Hohoho. Tohyama Kinji, it's been a while." Witch of sand, Patra. And--wielding Scorpio, dyed navy blue, waving at me with a "Hellooo" kind of feeling... (Kana...!) Even Nii-san appeared...! Long bulletproof coat, high-laced boots----that was Kana's battle outfit from when she was a Butei. Rather, Kana...this isn't the time for "Heellooo", right? That's like a family member who has arrived to observe the class. With a face which was twisted with agony, I looked around again-- Sweat oozing from my forehead, I wiped it with the back of my hand. I just want to become a normal person. Just the measly, boring high school student of that wish. And being here, I too--am the same as them, being decided as an "abnormal" human being? Whoosh -- Ice blue eyes looking around at all that were present, Jeanne... Like a chairman, spoke out in a cold voice. "Then, let us begin. Ambassadors of the agencies, societies, and organizations from all around the world. Bandire Our council of declaration of war --After IU's collapse, the things we seek, taking them, fighting for them, scrambling over them, our world -- Go For The Next!!! For the sake of advancing to the next step! !" --Go For The Next-- Towards the people, each of them crying out, I, my eyes half-desperate, turned. Until now, "Go", "Go"、those rushed days-- Go--For Aria's sake, run. Go--For my companion's sake, for survival's sake, fight. Go, Go, Go--I planned on finishing up on everything. How naive. Apparently, as for becoming a normal male high school student-- It seems that, still, many "Go"s exist that I have to cross. Apparently. Go For The Next!!! ### 008. Afterword The world of "Hidan no Aria" continues to expand! This time, it's a spinoff! How is everyone? Today, I, Akamatsu-sensei, am quite lively thanks to everyone's kindness and hospitality! Because of everyone's efforts, Hidan no Aria's second manga volume is now on sale! Please submit helpful commentary to the phone contest as well! Finally, we're also hard at work in the production of the TV anime, announced last volume. Furthermore! Debuting in the wildly popular manga magazine "YOUNG GANGAN", an alternate take on the Hidan no Aria world in a spinoff manga, beginning serialization this fall! Its name is... "Hidan no Aria AA"! The original work is by me, Akamatsu-sensei. Aria and the others will make their entrances, one by one; be sure not to miss out! Ah...when I hear the phrase "AA", it makes me think of your cup size. I guess it's right (lol). That's an Akumatsu-ism! (<-?) As for more details...please wait! Now then, it's time for the Hidan no Aria Q&A Segment! This time, I'll answer this question: Q : "Butei High's store...what does it sell? What kind of place is it?" The Butei High store. A place that Kinji frequently references, saying things like "I picked up these bullets at the store". The group of Butei High chain stores known broadly as the "Sales Division" includes the dining hall, snack counter, electronics shop, bookstore (light novels are a popular purchase!), and even the tactical supply store referenced in volume 2 from which Aria purchased the ability-sealing handcuffs. These stores are distributed all over the island! Nevertheless, when they hear the term "Butei High store", the first thing any Butei High student thinks of is the Armory. This place sells US-Japan-stationed military- and Butei corporation produced- munitions, a student-targeted Chinese-Japanese weapons depot of great repute. What Kinji makes mention of, is this shop. That said, all models sold there are still mass-produced versions. With the exception of newly-entering first year Butei High students, no Butei High student would simply use a purchased weapon as-is. Students rely on their fellow Amdo students for modifications to weapon weight, trigger tension, LAM (laser sights), and other such changes, altering their weapons to suit their individual styles and habits. Butei High students, after all, must trust their guns with their lives. These tiny alterations directly translate into the difference between life and death. Thus, students will constantly make these small changes throughout the school year to ensure maximum suitability. That notwithstanding, running into Armory equivalents of their trusted counterparts still fills them with nostalgia. For a Butei High student, the words "Butei High store" - a name they will henceforth and always remember - a truly important place. Well, having written to here, I'm just about out of room. Let's meet again in the bookstore! Until next time! August 2010 - Akamatsu Chuugaku - ↑ The phrase I translate as "Butei High store" is actually "購買". This term simply means to purchase something, and thus doesn't translate at all, in this capacity, to English. - ↑ "Sales Division" = 購買 + 部 (department, division, etc.). You can see the relationship with the term that's being discussed. ## 05. Volume 8 - Spiral Sky Tree -Tornado High- ( Full Text ) ### 001. Afterword Merry Christmas! This year Akumatsu-Santa is coming to a bookstore near you! Along with the new characters introduced at the end of the last volume, the debut of the handsome youth who is Aria's self-proclaimed most suitable partner, and the unfortunate and lively Nakasorachi-san of Connect, allow me to present the triumphal eighth entry of the series! The production of the long-awaited anime is well under way. MF Comics' manga version is on sale alongside YOUNG GANGAN's Hidan no Aria AA. The world of Hidan no Aria is steadily and energetically expanding! Ok, now that that's out of the way, let's get to the Hidan no Aria Q&A Segment. Q : "How many articles are there in the Butei Charter, and what are they?" Now I'll answer this question about the oft-cited Butei Charter. There are ten parts to the Butei Charter. When the International Armed Detective Alliance (IADA) was first organized, they enacted these articles which are roughly a collection of Butei conventional wisdom. (They can be easily confused, so please note that the ninth clause of the Butei Charter is not the same as the prohibition against killing that is unique to Japanese Butei.) The Butei Charter reads as follows: - Believe in your comrades and aid one another. - You must fulfill your contract with your client. - Become stronger, but more importantly, always stand for justice. - Be independent. Do not assist another Butei without an explicit request for help. - Move like the wind. Seize victory with the first strike. - Ponder alone, and act alone. - Be ready for pessimism, but act with optimism. - Thoroughly accomplish any and all assigned tasks. - Spread to all corners of the world. Cooperate with others without distinction for nationality or ethnicity. - Never give up. A Butei must never give up. The majestic Butei Charter demands both cooperation and independence. This is something clearly emphasized on the final page of the Butei Handbook carried by Kinji and his compatriots. The terms of the Charter originate from the school motto of my high school. Just as Aria is always explaining to Kinji, I was reprimanded quite harshly by my teachers, and their lessons have long been engraved into my mind. Whenever any of you come across words of equal moment, please treasure them. If such words further come from within the pages of the Hidan no Aria world, it would be an unsurpassed joy for me. Let's end this eighth volume here. Let's meet next on the television screen! Goodbye! December 2010 - Akumatsu Chuugaku ### 002. Epilogue: Go For The NEXT!! The Spiral Sky Tree -Tornado High- “C-Could you be a……”Cross-dressing Student”……” Stunned, I blurted out a Butei term. But Watson just looked down silently. --The so-called “Cross-dressing Student”, though a rarely used term……described a boy cross-dressing as a girl, or a girl cross-dressing as a boy in Butei High. In Butei High, there were one or two students each year who, in order to investigate a crime under special circumstances, received permission from the Masters to cross-dress as boys. From the looks of it……this fellow is a cross-dressing student. That being said, she had indeed acted strangely at times. She had never so much as glanced at any of the "cool" photos that Muto had brought, and that sense of danger I felt at first—I guess it was the instinct caused by Hysteria mode. To willingly wear a girl’s uniform during the “Cosplay Cafeteria” event, taking into account his personality……it must be one of his tactics. “The Art of War” that was taught during Inquesta classes did say that “All warfare is based on deception, the true may be false, the false may be true.” A so-called "All's fair in war" was nothing but an excellent criminal trick. It means that the culprit not only didn’t come up with an alibi, but showed that he knew the victim. Then, he acted in a calm demeanor in front of the Buteis and police. This way, the police will assume that “the culprit will not let himself become the target of the suspicion”, and assume this fellow as innocent. Watson, who has been faking his gender, had not overly resisted wearing the girl’s uniform……I guess it must have been to prevent others from discovering the fact that she was a girl cross-dressing as a guy. (This can’t be true……) Watson remained silent. But her silence meant that she acknowledged her identity as a girl. That mermaid was still sitting there, sobbing……sobbing…… Ah……she started crying. No man could cry the same way she did. She really was a girl. “Tohyama……why did you help me? Why did you help a person who intends to kill you……and who, at school, made you fall into a dangerous situation……why……” “……Go and ask the great person who established the nine Butei Laws.” “You must help a person in danger? ……Such……such a humiliation, I can’t stand it anymore……kill me! A Christian can’t commit suicide. It can be treated as an accident even if you kill me. You don’t have to obey the Butei Law!” “I ran out of bullets.” The lethargic me laid on the floor, spread out. “I have bullets. They’re down there at the column, I’ve even hidden some blessed silver bullets.” “Do you really wish that much to die? Also, wouldn’t you have beaten me if you had used them just now?” “I am not allowed to use those things on humans, although you’re half-human, half-demon……” Don’t speak such rude words so arbitrarily. That is to say……There are bullets left? If so, this time, I “won the battle, but lost the war”? “I’m a……noble. If I lose, those things before……” Watson wiped the tears at the corner of her eyes with the back of her hand, and spoke while looking at me who was lying on the floor. “Since I lost, I’ll bear all consequences willingly. I won’t resist, no matter what you do to me. Act as you please.” “You actually said such dangerous words. To the current me, you are just a girl.” I flipped over, my back towards Watson, and asked. I don’t even have the strength to get up and preach. “……But why are you cross-dressing as a boy?” “To get Aria to marry one of the Watsons. If Aria can marry me, she’ll become one of the Watsons. This is why I was raised as a boy.” “…………” In order to pull her into the family, is it? Coincidentally, the problem I’m facing now is the opposite. What instant karma. What happened to Aria finally happened to me. “The social responsibility of a noble — for the honor of the English nobles, not only do we need to succeed at the top of society……we also have to find a way to save the world while staying in the shadows. Where I am is a secret society where we aim for this practice.” A society that saves the world from its enemies without reward. Why does it sound like a place where heroes of justice gather? "But while the Watsons are carrying out these missions, we've been on the decline for about 30 years. Due to our glorious past achievements, the Watsons have always served as elites. Such a popular household......although we've gained success at the top of society, we couldn't gain support from the more important leaders. So......" "So they thought of using Aria?" "......Yes......the Holmes may not be a member of high society, but they are in support of our actions. That's why, in order to nurture future elite detectives......or Butei, the previous generation's lord, after finding out about Aria's birth, signed a secret agreement with the Holmes......which is to let me, who was going to be born in winter of the same year, be engaged to Aria. Of course, the Holmes didn't know that I was a girl. As high society doesn't allow adopted offspring to become successors, we were left with marriage. For the sake of the family......" ......It sounds like a case of family feud. I nearly lost my life due to this. That's really troublesome. "But......Tohyama. This is not the only thing. The danger I said just now that threatens Aria does exist. If you're not "Grenada"--if this continues, Aria......" Watson hesitated speaking further, while I stood up and spoke with an indifferent expression. "I may not have chosen to join "Deen" at first, but I'll become the target of "Deen" if I join the "Grenada" now. It'll be regarded as a betrayal, and I'll be frozen by Jeanne, or have a spell cast on me by Tamamo or Meiya." "But......Aria......" "--The way I see it, Aria and I are in the same boat. I can be considered as a forced partner. No matter who the opponent is. She'll defend if someone attacks. She'll get something back if it is taken away. With that as it is......I'll bring you to Aria." "You won't become "Grenada" no matter what? Regardless of how dangerous your position is?" "I'm already used to it." Watson looked at me while sitting on the floor-- Although the surroundings were dark, there was something glinting at the corner of her eye...... Her body was emitting a girlish aura and I suddenly had a bad feeling. "I understand......Tohyama, then I'll help you. As atonement. I'll also withdraw my suggestion of joining "Grenada", and suggest you join "Deen" instead." After speaking, Watson stood up with her face full of determination. Then......taking out two magazines from the back of the column, she said. "Aria is up there." I've no idea why, but she passed one of the magazines to me. Then I noticed that the bullets were not made of lead but instead made of silver, though the caliber is 9mm, so they are fully compatible with my weapon. "Why do you still have bullets?" "......I can't tell you. Just take them. I'll bring Aria here alone." Watson spoke with a sure tone. I can only take the bullets...... *tick*,*clap*...and load them into my weapon. At that moment...... "I envy you a lot." "Envy me?" "......Actually, I knew, ever since the first time I saw you and Aria together, that the most suitable partner for Aria is you. It's because my lifetime goal was to acquire Aria that I felt unhappy when I saw that scene. And I was really envious. That's why, in Butei High, I went overboard. I'm sorry." "If so, then just treat me to grilled beef next time. My revenge for food is strong." Mentioning that cafeteria issue, Watson chuckled. This is the first time I've seen it, as in, really the first time......Just like a girl, smiling brilliantly. She's actually......very cute. She has her own good points. "I guess I understand Aria's feelings." "What?" "This is why I envy you. As a girl......I know it." "What do you mean?" "--Aria, she likes you." ............ ............Ah? What kind of gibberish are you speaking. Aria fires at me an average of 7.5 rounds per day. “Impossible.” Watson raised her eyebrows and said. “I understand your feelings a little. That’s why I dare say that you like Aria too.” Again with this trick. Reki had also spoken such words before. Just how deeply is my relationship with Aria misunderstood? “Although it was an audacious guess, you’re completely wrong. Do you know how many times I have to fight with Aria each day......” Suddenly, just as I was about to finish my sentence, I noticed that the surroundings changed. …………………… The streetlights and other electrical appliances suddenly went out. Our surroundings plunged into darkness in an instant. The current scene looks like a power outage. Streetlights, signal lights, and even the lights of residential houses are out. “…………?” At that moment, the sky far above us suddenly lit up. What? A plane......? 450 meters from the Sky Tree. There was a blinding flash at the edge of the second observatory. “…………Watch out! High!” [Editor's note: If this doesn't make sense, it's because the original was given in English, like it mentions below.] Watson noticed the flash and warned me in English. The light fell! What in the world was that? That lamp-like radiance fell towards the ground quickly. No, that was no lamp! It was too huge. A gigantic ball of light of diameter approximately 2 meters flew towards my chest with blinding speed. “Tohyama......Hurry up and leave me!” *dong*! I was knocked aside. In front of my eyes— Nothing but white. “…………” She didn’t even have time to scream as Watson blocked the orb of white light with her body. The crackles of static electricity discharge are audible to my ear. Suddenly I felt a jolt of electricity run through my body. This is Hilda’s move! What happened!? It’s much more powerful than the one when we last met! “—Watson—!” Watson’s last shout burned itself into my memory. The surrounding air has become a flow, spiralling upward due to the high temperature caused by the lightning discharge. It was as if calling out to us—the air flow was drawing us upward—upward. —Like a tornado, ever upward. Go For The NEXT! ### 003. 1st Ammo - Night of Chaos -Turbulent- ## 1st Ammo: Night of Chaos -Turbulent- "—The ambassadors of the organizations, agencies, and associations who have gathered at 'Bandire'." On the nighttime artificial island, Empty Island— To the abnormal group, illuminated in the midst of the mist, the armored Jeanne spoke. "First of all, Jeanne d'Arc of IU's Daio Nomad welcomes you with respect." That voice felt as if an edge was concealed behind her words. Even though she said something which was meant to welcome. Ahh...Fuck. Even the me that is not in Hysteria Mode understands. The group that is gathered here is laced with hostility. —The mood of all gathered was that of a critical situation. (What the hell is...going on!) When one meets an unidentified armed group, it is theorized that they should first get a grasp of the enemies' battle power. However, the me as of now cannot do that. First, who is my enemy and who is my ally? Starting from that, I did not know. Jeanne, Reki and the person who had talked to me earlier...Fox-human?...She didn't seem to be an enemy, but...as for the others, I had no idea. —I want Kana to be my ally. However, seeing that she appeared together with that "Witch of Sand" Patra, I have to stay alert. After that, I did not know about any of the others. If I act like this, my life will be in danger. If I stay in this place any longer. However, running is also— —probably an action which will put myself in danger. Because, the instant I turn my back on this place, I will probably be shot by all those assembled here. So, I— (Fuck...!) —just did nothing but stand. Right here. Shit. Why? Even though I just want to be able to be a boring male high school student with an ordinary life... Which piece of causality caused me to be dragged into this meeting filled with abnormal people!? As if giving me a hint to that question—once again, Jeanne's rose-colored lips opened. "As there are first-time comers here, I shall make a statement of introduction. Once, we kept ourselves hidden in the darkness of our countries, passing down our respective battle techniques and knowledge—chasing that which we sought, scrambling over that which we sought. Along with the power-gain of IU, that conflict was arrested, but...along with the destruction of IU, once again, the start of the gunfire will be attempted." —IU— That name which I did not wish to remember echoed in the depths of my chest. With a nuclear submarine as its headquarters, it was the name of that organization, the place where the Jeanne that was standing here and other outlaw superhumans were trained. Two months ago, I fought with their leader—Aria's great-grandfather, Sherlock Holmes...the result of that was, that organization was destroyed. It should have been. That had been, for some reason, spoken of again. As I gulped down my saliva, at the edge of my vision— One of them had stepped out as if to address the entire group. "—Everybody. Is there no path which does not return to that age of battle?" Seemingly gentle, a somewhat glazed, sweet voice. The most calm of everyone gathered, blue, cloudy eyes. Eyelashes long enough to not need mascara, an impressive mole under her eye, she—outside of her beautiful face and neck, none of her white skin was exposed. Her developed body wrapped in a pure white robe with golden embroidery, the hand which was holding a small rosarius also clothed in a long, white glove, she was wearing clothing which completely covered her skin. A veil hiding soft, long blonde hair was not there, but... This girl is probably a nun, right? Probably , which is to say—she was properly wearing light makeup, and because, added to the fact that she was a sexy, beautiful woman...she was carrying something that a normal nun would definitely not carry. Trimmed with gold decoration, a sword that was so large it was like a joke. "The Vatican had decided that IU was a necessary evil. Which organization IU, holding exceptional battle strength, was going to ally with was kept silent until the last, and as such, for fear of an "enemy who would receive IU's aid", none could take action against one another...the result being, for a long while, an armistice was realized. Do you not wish to protect such a precious peace?" The nun brought her hands together, clutching the rosary. I don't know who you are, but you're good. You said something really good. You seem like a good person . No matter what, keep the peace. Also for the sake of me finishing this night without dying here. "To tell you that the Vatican does not wish for war, tonight, I have come here. Learning from the experience of peace, let us combine our knowledge and achieve peace, and as for avoiding this useless fighting—" "—It can't be done, Meiya. Hypocrite." Diagonally behind her, interrupting was the witch in a black robe who had been staring at the nun, (it seemed her name was Meiya,) from the beginning. The witch, the reason I could not help but decide she was one was... Because, her figure, from head to toe, looked like a stereotypical witch. Her short body wrapped in pitch black velvet, she was wearing a black peaked hat, and even a large raven was politely perching on her shoulder. Even I, who was completely alien to SSR matters, understood with just one look. If she wasn't a witch, she was a fake. Looking around 14 years old, her black hair tied up into a bob, on one eye she was wearing a burgundy eyepatch. On the eyepatch...what is that black mark? 卍? No, like a slanted inverted-卍—aah, that is...! In European history, the most abominable mark. Former Nazi Germany's Hakenkreuz . With just her crimson left eye, that eye-patch witch glared up at the nun, Meiya. "You didn't have an armistice at all. You attacked my familiar in Dusseldorf . Peace? The hell are you saying." At the witch had spat out her words with a tone filled with hate— "Stay silent, Katze Grasse. You filthy, unpleasant insect." ...Eh? I thought that as the nun, Meiya, suddenly changed her tone, raising her eyebrows. "You demonic filth are different. Your very existence is a stain on the Earth. I feel no hesitation against exterminating and annihilating your ilk. I do not see any reason for your existence anywhere in the Old Testament , the New Testament , or the Apocrypha contained in the Bible . On an appropriate Holy Date, I have already planned to burn you with Holy Fire, rip your corpses into 8 pieces, and let them flow into several different rivers, so—say thank you. SAY IT! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!" Completely changed from her calm demeanor of earlier, constricting the witch's neck and shouting, Meiya... I take back my previous statement. She doesn't seem to be a good person at all. Rather, it seems like she has a split personality. And, a rather horrible type. "Gyahahaha! Yes, this is war! The war with the Vatican I've been waiting for! This amazing chance, I won't let it go! Right, Hilda!' Even though the tiny witch was being held up by the neck, she spoke to another girl while cackling. The person who was spoken to was— A girl who looked the farthest away from a human here. On that back, bat-like wings grew, a girl with golden twin-tails. "That's right. I too love battles. I can drink as much lovely blood as I want." My eyes were once against drawn towards the space between the lips which had just released such a dangerous line. Visible because the tip was coated with some sort of scarlet coating...those were fangs. A girl whose canines stood out like Aria...it was not that feeling. Sharper and longer, bat-like fangs were there. "Hilda...I already cut your head off once, you're a rather stubborn girl, aren't you?" Throwing the tiny witch away from her, this time, Meiya glared at the bat-girl. Could it be...this nun is the one who has the most enemies around her? On the contrary to her peaceful words at the beginning. "—will Dracula die to something like getting his head cut off? As always, the Vatican is so blissfully ignorant. Like I asked my father to tell me, for centuries, they haven't changed at all from the way they were in the past." Hohoho , placing her crimson-manicured fingers in her mouth, the bat-girl laughed, her rolled up golden twin-tails shaking—her name is Hilda, huh?—like an 18th century European dress arranged in a modern manner, she was wearing a Gothic Lolita outfit. The frilly and sparkly part was the same as Riko's Sweet Lolita , but the color was based upon pitch black, radiating an ominous, decadent, demonic feeling. And...between the panier under her miniskirt and her spiderweb knee-socks—the area that Muto had called " Absolute Territory ", the area of the thighs...there, looking like a white tattoo was—I recalled seeing it. In June, when we had fought in Yokohama , it was the same as what was on Dracula Vlad's body an eyeball design. She was fair complexioned, so, in a location where it was very similar to the garter belt's string, it was very difficult to notice. (Vampire, huh...!) Other than Vlad, they exist? This was the second time I had seen one, so my surprise was little, but, even so...she's someone I do not want to fight. "Peace, is what was said—Meiya-san?" Interrupting with a carefree voice was, a smart man who was dressed in colorful Chinese cultural clothing. Under his round glasses, his eyes that were so thin they were almost like slits were smiling. Despite being in the middle of such a dangerous group, he's so composed. "That is something which is unrealistic, right? Because, from the beginning, for as long as the Yangtze River , tangled relationships and alliances have existed like in the Yellow River . Right?" Saying that, he looked up at Reki, who was sitting on the wings of the wind generator. Reki....just silent, cradled the Dragunov sniper rifle . "—I too, if it were possible, would not wish to fight." While using her ice-blue to eyes too look around at all assembled, Jeanne spoke. "However, I knew that this time would come long before. The fact that, along with Sherlock's demise, IU collapsed, and we would once again be thrown into war. So, the meeting of this "Bandire" too was decided during his lifetime. Ambassadors. We cannot avoid battle. Because, in that manner, we sustain ourselves." It had taken some time, but finally... I too, began to see it. The true identity of this meeting. Deducing from Jeanne's words, in this world, there are several underground groups like this which these people belong to. IU was one of them. Vlad's race of vampires too, the organization Ranban which the Kokos had talked about too, Reki's Ulus too, they were probably those. And, they stand against one another, form alliances with one another, fiercely competing with each other. Thinking about what each was saying, this had been going on for a long, long time. Not having been destroyed during that time—sending messengers here—as for those things, their relationship was one of close competition. However, with the appearance of IU, a change was created in that relationship. With a nuclear submarine armed with tactical missiles , they had a high battle ability and stealth, also, apparently staying neutral in the Other world, no matter whose eyes you looked from, they were a dangerous existence. If your own enemy becomes allies with IU, in the end, the power balance will be broken...in an instant, you might be brought down. So, for a while, they had an "armistice". Because, who would suddenly take that which was stuck in the table, the knife that was IU, they did not know. However, now, that knife had disintegrated. It was mainly the fault of Aria and I. "Then, in accordance to our ancient method, first, let us recite three pacts. It seems that, in the Bandire 86 years ago, it was in French, but I pray you forgive me for translating it into Japanese. Clause one. No matter the time, anyone can declare war upon anyone. The battle is something that will conform to the rules of a confrontation, but surprise attacks, sneak attacks, spying, use of magic, and insults are allowed. Clause two. For the sake of avoiding boundless slaughter, the use of ordinary soldiers who are unworthy of the confrontation is forbidden. This takes priority over clause one." They were anachronistic lines, but the meaning...did not pass without being understood. These two are rules that should be thought of as a set, right? They fight as organizations, but they do not fight a total war. Each organization sent out representatives of battle, just like in a card game, and based upon the confrontations of those representatives, victory and defeat was decided. There did not appear to be any specific rules pertaining to the number of confrontations as well as the headcount of the representatives, but in short, large amounts of soldiers being sent out like in modern warfare and turning either side into a bloodbath was forbidden. At the point in time where one's own organization no longer had any powerful warriors, one had to raise a white flag—was how it was, right? The style of battle was rather ancient, but it wasn't nonexistent. It was like in Japan, where such a thing occurred during the Heian period . Warriors carrying the names of their respective areas would duel in order. It would truly be fitting if one said that such a method was fitting. "Clause three. The battle will primarily be split into two alliances, 'Deen' and 'Grenada' . These ancient names are maintained as a sign of respect for the previous generations of fighters who had come before us, it is something that is not to be changed for all eternity. Which alliance each organization belongs to will be decided based upon the declarations here, but silence/unaffiliation is also allowed. Changing affiliations after the declaration is not forbidden, but based upon the prideful ones assembled here I believe that the matter will be resolved appropriately. Next, we will begin the declaration of alliances...first, we, IU's Daio Nomad, wish to declare that we are to be part of 'Deen'. The nun of the Vatican, Meiya is in 'Deen'. Katze Grasse of the witches division as well as Dracula Hilda is in 'Grenada'. There should be no changes of affiliation, correct?" Apparently finished with stating the rules, Jeanne called out the names of the three women who were talking earlier. "Ahh...My Father. Please forgive me, who will once again grasp my sword—" Gripping her rosarius in front of her huge, melon-like breasts, the nun, Meiya— "Yes. The Vatican was originally 'Deen', exterminating the tainted of 'Grenada'. The founders of Legio Deen." With her hand, clothed with gloves of white lace, she gestured at the witch and the vampires. "Ah. Of course, I too am part of 'Grenada'. Something like being Meiya's ally is unimaginable." From the direction of the witch, Katze Grasse, who had answered with that, "There's no need to even go so far as ask, right, Jeanne? As I was born, it was already decided that I was to be part of the kin of darkness—'Grenada'. Tamamo, is it not the same for you as well?" This time, the bat-girl Hilda, her high-heels clicking, towards this direction... No, towards the fox-girl who was by my side, she turned. The fox-girl, having been called Tamamo, stepped out, the sound of clogs clacking on the floor ringing out— Her ears, having been turned towards Jeanne up until just now—those pointed ears, sticking out of the top of her head, swiveled towards Hilda. This girl...below a wooden box that she was carrying like a schoolbag, from below the hem of the Japanese clothing akin to a mini-skirt...whether it was expected, or whether I felt something else, a bushy tail stuck out. It was clearly, a fox's. "I'm sorry, Hilda. This time, I'll be 'Deen'. This is only a rumour, but it's because the modern Hotogi have an alliance with the Christian church. Patra, come this way as well." Wa-wait. Hey, fox. Just now, didn't you say Hotogi? And added to that, you seem to be acquaintances with Patra and Hilda. Who are you? This fox-girl who is called Tamamo. Unexpectedly, it seemed that there was a key person. Right by my feet. Apparently, with ability users and monsters, relationships that I did not know about existed, and by that, she too seemed to be my ally. It was rather piecemeal, but I could read that from the atmosphere. Before the mist, having been called out to by Tamamo, Patra, twirling a gigantic crystal ball atop her finger— "Tamamo. For the things that your ancestors had once taught me, I give my thanks, however...towards the honor students of IU's Daio, I bear a personal hatred. This time, IU's Ignatius will be 'Grenada'." With her upturned mouth , she answered. "Ahh...What are you going to do? Kana?" Patra, wearing clothing akin to a swimsuit, looked in Kana's direction from underneath the gold crown, which mimicked a cobra. Kana, holding Scorpio, a scythe akin to that which a Reaper would carry,...my brother— "Genesis 4:11—'Each of us had a dream the same night, and each dream hid a meaning of its own'—I came here of my own free will, but that's how it is. "Unaffiliated" is what I wish to be." Her gem-like eyes closed, she announced that. "I see...well, that has reason..." Patra, having heard that, slump ...suddenly looked depressed. Towards Nii-san, who had an expression which seemed to express, "There's no helping it..." while tapping Patra on the forehead, she blushed... Nii-san. Do you...plan to join this battle? What are you aiming for? "Jeanne. Liberty Mason will also be 'Unaffiliated'. Let me observe the situation temporarily." That deep, penetrating voice was that of the beautiful man in the trench-coat, deepest in the midst. He was someone who gave off a dangerous impression which was so sharp as to give off the feeling that if one were to so much as touch him, he would be cut, but— "—LOO—" A more, no, the most mysterious person's voice...no, sound rang out. If it were possible, I wanted to avert my eyes from it the whole time—there, below the rusted, slanted windmill, this existed, a silhouette which exceeded 3 meters. More unlike humans than Tamamo and Hilda, a camouflage-painted metal man. It, who had, from several places on its body, optical devices, antennae, grenades, smoke dischargers, etc...sticking out...at a glance, looked like a military vehicle, but that was incorrect. First of all, it was not a vehicle. In place of tires or caterpillar treads, it was standing on two feet with knee-joints directly inverse of that of a human body. Also, on the left and right of its body, gigantic too, arm-like manipulators were there...rather, what the hell is that in its left hand, an M61 Gatling cannon—Vulcan...! A Vulcan is—the name of a cannon that is normally attached to military vehicles, able to spray 120 bullets within a second, a demon-like weapon. The ammunition used is a bullet that can weigh up to 100g, the M50. For something like a human, even being grazed will lead to a fatal injury. It seemed that due to issues of cooling, it could not continue to fire for over three minutes, but even so, bringing this is cheating, right? That kind of monstrosity. "LOO—LOO—...LOO—" It, able to be called nothing but a bipedal tank... Loooo, Loooo ... It seemed to be speaking something, but...what? I don't understand. "...LOO. I knew that you came from America, but I have no idea about you. If the fact that we cannot understand your method of communication continues, you will be seen as 'silent' when it comes to any alliance—is that fine?" Having been told that by Jeanne, uncowed, it... "...LOO..." —changed its stance a little, like it was nodding. With that, I understood a little, it was not an autonomous weapon. There was someone riding inside. As it were, a humanoid close-combat battle machine. I didn't really know its name, but—I chose to call it LOO. Jeanne too had called it that. "—'Grenada'—!" Suddenly, the person who raised that energetic voice with an Native American accent was— Wearing a cat-patterned fur, a girl who looked around 10 years old. Why is a child like this...? —thought I, but immediately, I realized the reason. Along with a shocking scene. After that girl had shouted, Scrape...Thump! , she held up a large axe that was by her feet, but...that axe was larger than its carrier's body. Large, thick, rather than an axe, one should say that it is a large lump of iron. Even the world record for women weightlifting in the clean & jerk isn't 200kg, but that was clearly a weight which exceeded that. I don't know accurately, but I expect that it isn't any lower than 300kg. The small girl had lifted that. Furthermore, with one hand. Thunk...! The girl...pierced the floor with the axe's ferrule, an extravagant feather decoration attached to it, and a slight tremor shook the ground by her feet. What a feeling of weight. It even gave off the the illusory feeling that the entirety of Empty Island was shaking. "—Havi—'Grenada'!" That girl, facing directly upwards, repeated with that voice, habitually slightly nasal... Flowers stuck into her hair, under that fringe, flipped up—mm? Two horns were visible. At a glance. —I see. She too is one of them , huh? Havi...seemed to be what she called herself, her horns were smaller than Aria's accessories. On the left and right of her forehead, from the inside of her skin, they rose up in small, conical shapes. Rather than a horse's or deer's bony antlers, they looked more like the horns of a rhino or giraffe, horns that covered the skin. —and as for that, that I have become able to calmly analyze monsters is making me feel rather pitiable. "Tohyama. Which will "Baskerville" be?" "...?" Because Jeanne had suddenly faced this way— My mind became a complete blank. "Wh-what? Why are you turning to me Jeanne?" "You are the person who defeated Sherlock, are you not?" "N-no. If anything, I was caught up in the flow...when I went to help Aria, it just so happened that Sherlock was there, or rather..." "You do not not know yet? For this Bandire, your faction—recently having the name of "Baskerville"—its leader's alliance declaration cannot be left unsaid. Because, you destroyed IU and are the spark that makes us fight once again." "...Wa-wait. 'Baskerville'...that was just a student Butei team that was submitted to the school. It's different from people like you. Also, even if I'm the leader, I'm just one in name—" "Tohyama. You did it. If you did it, take responsibility for it. Are you not a man?" "Don't screw with me! The fact that I am here is only because I was suddenly called out here! What are you doing to me...!?" "—'Deen' or 'Grenada'. Choose that which you think you will survive in." "...Hey......" To Jeanne, whose tone would not let me utter any excuses, I could not respond. —I have nothing to do with this! Even though I wanted to shout that and run... Now, the sight of superhumans is gathered on me. With just that, I could not take control of my body's movements. As if being stared at by a snake...no, like a frog that is encircled by a swarm of snakes. Towards I, in that state, and Jeanne, the bat-girl, Hilda, raised her voice while spinning her parasol. "All newcomers go into this unsightly panic, don't they? Jeanne, He's quite pitiful if you bully him like that. He didn't even hear, right? Tohyama Kinji. You are 'Deen'. Anything but that is impossible. Because, you are the enemy of the powerful veteran of 'Grenada', Vlad Dracula—my father." As for Hilda, staring at me, Fuun , her nose making that sound— I interrupted Jeanne's words, turning towards her. I had thought that she was the same race as Vlad, but—his daughter, huh? "—Then, I, as a representative, wish to declare that Ulus will be affiliated with 'Deen'." Cutting through Hilda's words, the person who spoke out from above was—Reki. "I, personally, am a member of "Baskerville", but because I am entering the same 'Deen', there should not be a problem, correct? As for my position as a representative ambassador, consent from Ulus has already been received." Sitting on the propellers of the wind generator, not having moved an inch from when I had seen her earlier, Reki— The man from earlier, the one in Chinese clothing with circular glasses, looked up at her, smiling. "Ranban's ambassador, Zhuge Jinghuan Shokatsu Seigen will make his declaration. We will be 'Grenada'. Because, there is the debt to be repaid by Ulus' Reki for hindering our business a few days before. Then...you are the only one left?" So he said to another one standing in the midst of the mist. Even though I didn't say whether I was going to participate in the battle or not, the flow suggested that my incident was already over. (Give me a break...seriously...!) Because of my own wariness, I could not interrupt the conversation, and so, I looked at the last person... I did not know whether he had been listening from the beginning or whether she hadn't been, the man wearing a flashy pierro-like clothing— Thud! He threw the cellphone music player that he had been listening to up till then and his white earphones to his feet. "Tch. This isn't pretty." He, raising the face which had just spit out those words...as expected...didn't seem to have been listening to the conversation. With those eyes filled with irritation, he looked around at us and his face was colored with face paint akin to the war paint of the natives of someplace. "Keh—this is laughable. I came here thinking that there'd be strong people, but, the hell is this? This is just a gathering of errand boys. All of you guys are pathetic. This was a waste of time." Apparently, he too was the same as me, in the same "I-want-to-go-home team". Wouldn't we get along? But, it seems that the reason he did not want to be here is the exact opposite of mine. "G-III—those that are gathered are certainly 'ambassadors'. Not military strength, but personal wishes and organizational recommendations as well as aptitude as an envoy, and the ability to understand Japanese etc. are used as a basis for those to be selected. Also, this is not an obligation, but—as long as they are not like you, for ambassadors, choosing men who are not eunuchs and are not battle-hungry, as well as young women has been customary since ancient times. I acknowledge that each of us is not like that which you seek. However, is that all right, G-III? If you return like this, you will be counted as 'unaffiliated'." "—Nothing to do with me." To Jeanne, who had warned him, the man answered without so much as turning his sight towards her. "...As long as you seek the same thing as us, as long as we scramble, eventually, we will fight. At that time, if we join either 'Deen' or 'Grenada', the number of enemies will decrease. We are not clear as to the numbers of every organization, but at least, of the 10-plus people that are, this will end without half of those here becoming enemies." "Enemies?" Feh , G-III spat to his side...is that his name? At his discourteous behavior, Jeanne frowned. "—Don't make me laugh. Today, I only came because recently, it seemed that strong people were coming out all around you. That all right? Next time, bring those that are the most powerful. I will kill them all." G-III spoke those words, and from his body— Zz ... Zzzzzzz ...as I wondered about that noise, akin to that of a broken fluorescent light... His appearance became indistinguishable. Literally, he disappeared. Now, I could see the flow of the mist behind G-III through him. "...!" Like in a special effects movie—an invisible man. As I watched, going from half-transparency to full-transparency, G-III, who had disappeared... He...he seems like a dangerous person. His ability, and judging from his words, his personality. "—Commoner. You are like a barking puppy. You have lost even your killing intent." Although it was night, Hilda, continuing to hold her parasol, spoke, a sigh mixed in. "However, with this, it seems that everybody is finished. That is correct, isn't it, Jeanne?" "...It is as you say. Lastly, this battle will...according to the habit of naming the land upon which Bandire took place, "Far East Warfare"—FEW is what has been decided. I thank everyone for their participation, and I pray for your fortune in batt..." "Then, it's fine, isn't it?" "...?—Already?" "It should be fine. It has already started." "Wait. Tonight...did I not say you were not to fight here?" "That's true. This is not a very good stage. The altitude is low, and the weather is lacking. However, I've changed my mind. I have waited for too long, so let's go play a little." You...what? What are you talking about? Why... Are you looking this way? Two people. "Something like a council of declaration of war that has not seen blood...In the past, such a thing has never occurred...right?" Smiling and showing me her fangs, Hilda and— Jeanne. With a panicked expression, the Short Winking that she sent me was—"Run."—and at that, I widened my eyes. "...!" This congregation of monsters which had dragged me into the midst of it ended— From now on, anyone can fight with anyone, is how it is!? However, a sudden challenge apparently being outside of her expectations, Jeanne hurriedly raised her sword. And while its blade was being sheathed in crystallized ice, crackling accompanying the process— ...Zzzzz...Zzz... At the sight of Hilda melting into the midst of her own shadow, just by her feet, I could no longer move. What an—unrealistic scene. I drew my Beretta, but isn't the opponent to shoot no longer here? Like a dragged carpet, the shadow faced me, standing completely straight, wriggling. "Tohyama, run! For 30 seconds, I'll restrict her!" Durandal, thrown by Jeanne like a javelin Zcch —! In that instant, the movements of the shadow began to dull. It felt as if it was stitched to the ground by Jeanne's sword, pierced through it. However...it felt as if that stitching was incomplete. Even so, it faced this way...and it was still wriggling. The shadow. (This kind of...this kind of person...!) Not even in Hysteria Mode, not having anything, towards me, just a high school student...! What do you want me to do!? Firstly, where do I run? Here and there, at these places where people that I know nothing about are, because of these monsters...! As if pleading for help, I turned towards the fox-girl, Tamamo, and— Tamamo did not look this way. Towards the south side of the artificial island—looking towards the sea. No, not only Tamamo. That horn-girl who was called Havi, axe in hand, she was looking in the same direction. "...?" Along with those two, the monsters started to turn towards the south, one by one. —Towards Academy Island. A few seconds afterward, finally... Drrrrrr ...that engine sound became audible to my ears as well. That was the sound of a mini-motorboat running. Thunk! The boat reaching Empty Island, impacting into it—after a while— Bsh! At the southern tip of Empty Island, at the very brink, I could saw a small hand grasp it. Th-that is...! "It was right of me make SSR extend their network! Because, you had come to a place where my eyes could reach you. Just that bravery, I will acknowledge! You're there, aren't you!? Patra! Hilda!" A high-pitched anime voice. Nsh! , clambering atop the edge of Empty Island, a twin-tail with a sailor uniform. Isn't that...Aria!? "IU's remnants! I'll arrest you as one set! A gift to Mama's supreme court this month is ready!" The entire situation apparently not visible from the mist— It seemed that Aria still had not realized the danger of the place she was stepping into. "A-Aria! Now is a bad time! Here, there is...!" Putting myself aside, I shouted, as if preventing Aria from pouring oil onto the fire. However, I did not expect that I could stop Aria, who was looking for the unarrested remnants of IU. While going "!?" at the monsters, all facing towards her, Shing, Shing! The platinum and pitch-black Governments were drawn in unison. I-I said to stop! "—LOO—" The sound of operation ringing out, the walker tank, LOO, looked back— "—You brought your minions!? Kinji! Since you're here, support me!" Suddenly, Aria, BangBangBang! Without warning, muzzle flashes lit the air. "!" The bullets did not hit LOO itself, but above his head, they hit the propellers of the wind generator, throwing up sparks. The propellers were rusted, so they must have become fragile. One of them, showered with gunfire, Kcch...Bch! Along with a tearing sound, it snapped off at the base. "—LO...!?" LOO, whose operational noise had been ringing out, made a movement as if looking up, but— Gnng! It did not have an opportunity to dodge. Falling down was a propeller which weighed several tons, and crushed by it, it went into a position akin to crawling. It struggled, but it stayed there without rising. I-I...didn't even know if it was an enemy or ally. Aria...Suddenly, she did it. With a feeling that suggested it had clearly malfunctioned, LOO was smoking. "Aha! Ahaha! She came! She came!" Standing there bow-legged and twirling, was the horn-girl from earlier—Havi. Swinging around the massive metal axe like it was a knife, she danced. As if this was a kindergarten where a fun game had just started. "...!" I looked towards Hilda, thinking to confirm, and this way— Towards the back of the witch, Katze Grasse, who had burst into laughter at the sight of LOO being destroyed, the nun, Meiya— Shhhh... , turned— Yssshhhh...! , and with that noise, she wielded her massive sword— "Witch of the filthy crimson tide ...I WILL SLAUGHTER YOU—!" Along with the high-pitched voice, with a momentum as if trying to split Katze Grasse into two parts, she brought the sword down. Thunk! With a movement which seemed to suggest that she had noticed a while ago, the witch, with a shortsword—decorated with kachiwaba engravings and diamonds, a sword that was akin to one that soldiers in old-Europe might carry—she clashed blades. "Ahh, Meiya...really, it can't be cured without dying once, can it. That stupidity." Katze Grasse used the short sword to parry, and— Ching! Meiya's broadsword fell to the concrete by her feet, and through its own weight, the sword pierced the floor. "N-not being cut obediently...Ahh, Lord, forgive this person's crimes...no, it would be splendid if you did not forgive them! In place of divine punishment, I WILL HUMBLY DO MY BEST." Meiya, already short of breath, once again readied her broadsword in a low stance. i-it's starting over there too. —－What the hell do I do!? Without any sort of forewarning, Bssh! , between the two, water burst forth— Hidden by the camouflage of the water drops, the witch instantly distanced herself from the nun. And, from inside the black robe, which she rolled up, she snatched out two golden guns and began shooting. That was—a Luger-P08. From the barrel which extended out from the body of the pistol, and the inchworm like movement of the toggle above the gun, I could figure it out. Now, it was an antique, but it was a gun that was used by Nazi soldiers in the German army, a gun which was highly accurate. However, as for that P08's bullets— BangBangBang! Even though they were being continuously fired from a range of just 9m, they did not hit Meiya. Fufun , making a triumphant expression, Meiya—I could not see what kind of technique she used. It was a scene which was hard to figure out, but it seemed that the bullets did not hit Meiya. What happened just now. "Tch. So, it was impossible after all. You really are damned lucky." Flipping open her robe—exposing her pure white tights and violet garter straps, Katze Grasse restored her guns to her leg holsters. And raising her short sword once again—fixing her eyes upon Meiya, who was readying her broadsword again, she sprinted forth. Between the two— Shh! , a figure wearing a bulletproof coat interrupted. The sound of metal rang out twice in consecutively clashes, and a dark blue scythe had simultaneously met the two blades. "...Kana...!" Giving me, who muttered that name, a wink which said, "Come back quickly," Nii-san, with the back of his scythe for the broadsword, and the handle of it for the short sword, had completely stilled them into balance. And, merely by changing the direction of her arms—Meiya and Katze Grasse's white and black robes fluttered into the air, and they fell to the floor. "Excuse me, you two. Right now—it is still a little early. Shall we go back? Hmm?" Smile — The two, completely shocked, looked on as Kana, smiling with a face so beautiful it would put an actress to shame, receded into the depths of the mist, her high-laced boots ringing out. At that moment... "Kinji! —Jeanne is here too!? What's going on!?" Aria, sprinting all the way to my side, looked around at the surroundings— Clink, Clink Her hands swift, she reloaded the magazines she had taken out of her skirt into the guns. "Aria, get away! This is a bad place to be in! Don't you get it just from seeing it!?" "In the beginning, I didn't really get it because of the mist, but no matter how I look at it, it does seem that way, doesn't it..." Looking at Patra, who was walking towards Kana, Aria—frowned. As if trying to intimidate everyone who was standing about her, she thrust her guns forward, her arms open. "It seems that Patra is together with your brother—and it seems that Hilda has run away." Having had that said to me, and remembering about Hilda, I looked around my feet, drifting in the midst. Indeed...The shadow had disappeared. No, not only Hilda. The unidentified handsome man in the coat wasn't there either. Because of the battle which had suddenly started, he had quickly made his escape, it seemed. Tamamo too...was gone. However, at my feet...a beautiful Temari with a checkered pattern had fallen. Subtly sticking out from the Temari were things like that which could be found at the tip of a fox's tail...they had been sticking out, but as if noticing my gaze upon them, they pulled back into the interior of the ball. ...I don't really understand, but, 'defensive mode'...is that what it is? Someone had moved. Thinking that, I turned around and—and at that point, the operator of LOO, which had been destroyed by Aria earlier, exited from within it, looking confused. Looking at the destroyed robot, lamenting by going "LOO, LOO,"...a girl which was wearing a costume a navy colour akin to that of a school swimsuit. She too looked like a child around the age of an elementary school student. Pointing at Aria and and raising her voice, seemingly angry, in a "LOO! LOO!", the girl stood up— Apparently unable to do anything without the walking tank, the badge...no, medal attached to the swimsuit clinking, she tried to run away, barefoot. The eagle insignia which was visible for a second was—something that I had learned in Assault. It was a rank insignia. Of the American army. And, it was that of a colonel's. This is a joke, right? The opposite of me, who had slightly relaxed from this mood of escape, "Why did you come, Aria...! Be careful, Hilda is still here. And also, she's close...! Run away! She's stolen the—'Study of Scarlet' from IU! It's dangerous!" Pulling Durandal, which was no longer stitched onto the shadow, from the floor, Jeanne warned Aria with her ice-blue eyes. Around her body, in the midst of the floating mist... Crackle, Crackle ;along with that noise, crystals of ice began to appear. Diamond Dust. Sending the sparkling crystals of ice, literally like diamonds, dancing through the air, this was Jeanne's magic. The floating ice began to gradually accumulate, becoming a haze, hiding our figures. Hidden by this mist of ice, she wanted to run, right? Jeanne concentrated upon sending the particles of ice outward in something like a smokescreen—and at that moment. "...!' From within Aria's own shadow— As if rising from the surface of a pool— Hilda, her eyes shining with golden light akin to the Vlad of that time before, floated out of it, a half-smile on her lips! "—Intâi gândeste, apoi porneste. Prilejui te face hot... [It would be better to confirm it before coming, wouldn't it. Just like a moth to flame...]" Aria tried to turn around to Hilda, muttering in Romanian from directly behind, but she could not. Hilda had already grasped hold of the back of Aria's neck with her crimson-manicured right hand. — Bang! The gunshot of a Dragonov—! (Reki—!?) Bsssh! A 7.62mm x 54R bullet penetrated through Hilda's head from the top left to the bottom right, throwing her vertically-rolled twin-tails into the air, but— "Kyaa!" Behind Aria, who had cried out at the sound of the bullet impact, Hilda had just swayed her head aside. Neither did she release Aria's neck. And, looking up at Reki, who had shot her from above the wind generator... "... Baaang " Sticking out her index finger, making a pistol-shape with her left hand, she made a gesture as if to shoot herself in the head. While smiling with her bloodstained face. Sh-she too—is the same as Vlad. Bullets have no effect. I can't do anything...! "Foolish Butei girls are punished, you know." Hilda opened her bright crimson mouth. Those two fangs—their tips covered with scarlet metal—Aria's white neck, they— "—!" Bite ...! Pierced it. "~~~~~~~~~~~!" And as for Aria, her camellia eyes widened with pain, next to her face, "Ha!" Flèche Fente—With the graceful movements of fencing, Jeanne's Durandal flew through the air. Schhhhh! Hilda, parrying Durandal with the fangs that had just left Aria's neck, turned, getting away. "What a happy miscalculation. Staying in Prime , I could remove my shell. Ohohoho...Ohohohohohoho!" Bringing the back of her hand to her cheek—the blood from the gunshot wound which had been blown open by Reki had stopped—resounding in my ears, she laughed loudly in a voice bordering on ultrasonic. "Houhohoho! Fii Bucuros! Fii Fericit! Hohohohoho!" [Wonderful! Excellent!] In the midst of the ringing laughter which almost seemed to want to fill up our ears, towards the area below her left ear that was bitten, Aria—touching her neck with left hand, checked how much had bled. And, having confirmed that her carotid artery had not been cut, Chck — Readying her Colts, she tried to turn around, but... "...ch...!?" Thud , a single knee dropped to the ground. "Poison—!?" I sprinted towards the pale Aria, and— "...This is bad, one of Tohyama. It appears that this is worse than poison." The Temari, rolling towards me though no-one had touched it, said those words to me from my feet. With the voice of Tamamo. Worse...than poison? What does she mean? When I looked at Aria, the meaning of those words struck me. Aria's body was— Indistinctly, starting to shine. It wasn't an optical illusion. Around her body, something that appeared to be a haze of scarlet light was seeping out of her. "...ch!" This...is something I've seen before. Twice, in the past. "Oooh..." It was when she fought with Patra, who was over there, looking at Aria, raising what appeared to be a surprised voice. And—when she fought with Sherlock in IU. Aria has gone into that mode. And, afterward, she had shot out a bullet of light with the power of a battleship's cannon. But...from that time...it was a little different. Rather than pouring outside—it felt as if the light was trapped inside, and that was a slight leak. "Aria...Are you alright!?" I shook Aria's shoulders with my both my hands, and— Once, twice, thrice, Aria blinked painfully... "..." Staying completely silent, slowly, she looked up towards me. "...?" Those camellia eyes fixed upon me. —Who are you? As if saying that. "...Aria...?" —Wrong. This gaze. This expression. I understood because of the months that I had spent living together with her. Even I know that this is strange. However—this is not Aria . Who are you. Who is this...! "Damn Hilda. You've learned even of the destruction of the 'Seven Stars of the Golden Shell?" "Think of it as an honour. This is the first time in history. That humans have seen the cracking of the shell—" The Temari by my legs exchanged words with Hilda, and... "One of Tohyama. That Aria has come is the worst of luck. I will return one, so do not be afraid. Make it such that Aria does not move. Meiya! You return one as well!" Saying that, Sshhhhhh——-! Raising up a puff of white smoke, it returned to the original Tamamo. Tamamo, showing off a transformation like that of an anime or movie, the fur on her ears and tail standing up— Inside that small hand, she was carrying a Gohei akin to that a Miko would hold. And, looking in Aria's direction, she grasped the two sides of the Gohei, readying it as if she was using martial techniques with a staff. "...ch...!?" Because the scarlet light had gotten noticeably stronger, I, continuing to grasp Aria's two shoulders, lost all words. The light shined a bright scarlet, just like an inferno, but there was no heat. That was the same as before. However, the phenomenon of light gathering at the point of her finger, which had happened before, did not occur. A phenomenon different from that time...is that it? This, that is. Continuing like that, the light— Bang! As if bursting out of Aria's body— "Uu...!" In front, to the left and right of me, who was unable to do anything but support Aria's body and groan, the light scattered this way and that. Shining like a blazing scarlet light, they flew, a multitude of scarlet balls of light— That scene made me feel as if my eyes were being seared. Bzzzz! Turning towards that noise, which sounded like a power short, there was Tamamo, who was in the midst of catching one of the balls of light with the handle of her Gohei. "Allllright, alright, alright. Good girl...go back, go back...ch!" Appearing to be talking to the core of the light, Tamamo— Squeeze , pressing down upon the two sides of the Gohei, she pushed the light back. That done, as if jumping back from the Gohei, it returned to Aria's left breast. "—Kyaa, ahh, ahh." Raising what seemed to be a surprised voice was sister Meiya. She too had caught a ball of light with her sword, and she was moving it, making it slide down the length of the blade. Wobble, WobbleWobble , staggering around, apparently for the sake of restraining the ball of light, Meiya— "...Nnn!" Swinging the sword with a motion like that of a lacrosse pass, she threw the ball of light back. Tracing a wide arc through the air, the ball of light flew a course which was slightly averted from Aria, but— "—ch!" Its trajectory corrected by Jeanne's sword, wielded like a tennis racket by Jeanne, who had sprinted forth—it too, returned to Aria's chest. (...What the hell...is this...!) What's going on. I don't get it. Still in a state of incomprehension, I looked around me, and the leftover balls of light were— Hilda, Katze Grasse, Havi, Shokatsu, Patra... By each of the five people who had chosen the alliance of 'Grenada', they were caught. I looked at the hands of the five, and as I watched, the light, growing weaker, it seemed to become an extremely small jewel-like solid, apparently having stabilized. "—As for that shell, I'll give it to everyone. As a reward attached to the 'Kin'. Also, it's because this is an act of hatred towards those which were father's enemies. Rather having I hold it as one person, this is much more hateful, is it not?" The bat-girl, Hilda, turned her gaze to Patra and the rest from above, saying this to them. And, she kept the grain of light, reminiscent of a ruby, which she too was holding by her chest. "Kyaha...Kyahahahah!" Havi, playing Otedama with the light, Plop , placed it in her mouth. And, going on all fours like an animal, she agilely disappeared into the other side of the mist. Witch - Katze Grasse too, "Meiya, let's meet again." Smirk , forming a smile which seemed to be formed by twitching her cheek—she sprinted towards a part of the mist which had become far thicker. "—Thanks for this. This was a welcoming gift far above my expectations. I will return to Ranban's territory fortwith and have this analyzed." While storing the grain of light in the slender bamboo pipe he had taken out from his chest, Ranban's Shosatsu too, seemed to be happy. "My, you're going already? If you kill Reki, I'll help you, you know. I mean, just now, that girl shot me in the head." While looking up at Reki with her golden eyes, Hilda said those words. Reki looked down at Hilda, silent, still holding her sniper rifle. "No, no. Because I am but a messenger, I do not fight by direct means. Wise men do not approach danger, or so they say." While saying that in a gentle tone, Shosatsu— Hidden in the smoke that was being spurted out of a smoke bomb which had been placed at his feet at some point in time, he was no longer visible. "Hoho. Hilda, For you, father and daughter, there exists a debt because I had introduced you to IU. As such, I will take this without staying my hand." Zccchhh —Hidden in the sandstorm which was intermingling with the mist, Patra too disappeared. " Fuuun. Then, I too will call this a night." Seeing that the 'Kin' other than her had gone, Hilda too... Zcchh ... Once again sunk into the depths of her own shadow. As if having taken the acquisition of the scarlet gem as a signal, "Grenada" disappeared as one... "Wa-wait...!" While clutching Aria, who was just sitting there unmoving, towards me, as if protecting her— I pointed my Beretta at Hilda. But...I didn't shoot. A chance to emerge victorious remained unseen. Already, the eyeball design at Hilda's thigh had sunk into her shadow... She, who had taken Jeanne's and Reki's attacks and remained completely undisturbed; She, who had subjected Aria to a state where she was unable to do battle in the space of a heartbeat, could I, not even in Hysteria Mode, defeat her? No, in a position that I did defeat her, what would I do. More than not understanding what had happened to Aria's body, it was something which was life-threatening, and in a position where only Hilda knew how to cure her, firing would probably not be the best course of action. —What do I do. What should I do. Incomprehensible. Right now, for me...! "Bye bye. Let's play again sometime." Appearing to be laughing at me, who was unable to do anything but point my gun at her, Hilda twirled her parasol, disappearing into her shadow. And, that shadow too, as I watched, it became thin—and dissipated. "...ch..." Because all those who appeared to be enemies had gone, I looked at Aria— Aria had... Lost consciousness. "...Aria...!" Turning towards that voice, Jeanne had sheathed Durandal in its sheath, and she was sprinting towards the place where Aria and I were. "Jeanne..." As this was not the time to have a falling out, I had no intention of blaming anyone, but my tone was slightly interlaced with that feeling, wasn't it. Coming over and peering at Aria's face, Tamamo pressed against my chest— And, she looked towards Jeanne. "Jeanne. You are not to blame. I had read in advance that this mostly would become a skirmish, but that this young maiden would come, that Hilda would use even the destruction of the "Seven Stars of the Golden Shell", was something that was beyond expectation for all of us." Next to Jeanne, who was lowering eyes, seemingly regretful, was another person— "She is..."Hidan no Aria"...is she not." Meiya too, having replaced the sword on her back, had come. "How dost it look, Meiya. Aria's condition." "She has just lost consciousness...is what it would appear to be. There is nothing otherwise pertaining to her life." "My viewpoint is as yours. Because, two of the scarlet shell are still continuing to function. She is weakened, but she should be safe for now." Saying that, Twitch Twitch , and moving her fox-ears, Tamamo... "Jeanne, thou shalt also hunt them down. Reki hath already gone. According to mine ears, they hath all scattered in every direction, however...if fortune is on our side, perhaps one might give himself away. Just, do not chase too far. I am strengthening our protection with 'The Boundary of the Devil's Contract'." "Understood." Jeanne gave a courteous nod to Tamamo, who looked far younger than her. "—Tohyama. I apologize. As for Aria's condition...hear it from Tamamo and Meiya." Clank , her armor ringing out, she spun on her heel, looking up to the propellers of the slanted windmill—already, Reki's figure was no longer there—and from that, she started running towards the east tip of Empty Island, where it seemed her own boat was. At some point, the fog had started clearing, and around me, the expansive Empty Island was visible. Besides the broken walking tank and the light nearby, having been abandoned, as well as the wind generator, nothing could be seen. All that was left was Aria, just sitting there unmoving, I, Tamamo, and Meiya, us 4. There was not a trace, not a shadow, of anyone else. (...) It was a feeling as if...I had seen a nightmare. However, this is no dream. This is reality. I, still not understanding what on Earth had happened, had been dragged by that dream, and now I was here. While holding on to Aria, who was sitting here, unconscious...! ### 004. 2nd Ammo - Cosplay Cafeteria -Ristorante Mask- ## 2nd Ammo: Cosplay Cafeteria -Ristorante Mask- Carrying Aria on my back, on the way back to Academy Island's boys' dormitory, I was wary that those of "Grenada" might make a U-turn and come attack us, but...Tamamo— "In the end, they are nothing more than emissaries. From the beginning, I had released Shikigami into this area, and am having them watch. If the 'Kin' were to enter any part of this rectangular island, we will immediately be informed by Shikigami, so be at ease. Also, according to mine ears, they hath all crossed the ocean and skies, disappearing. Fufun." —laughed at my unease. As for Sister Meiya, she asked me for where I lived, saying: "I wish to do a little shopping, so please go on ahead first." and entered the convenience store. I don't know the view of the SSR on the movement pattern of those monsters, but...because those two, who seem like specialists, had completely relaxed any form of alertness, it should probably be alright. Rather, other than thinking that, I have nothing to base my judgements upon. And...the next thing I had to worry about was Aria's condition. Returning to our room, I laid Aria down upon the sofa, and—because it was enormous, It was possible to have her lie down completely flat, housed by the three-person sofa—Aria— "...Nnn...Peach bun avalanche..." —muttered things like that, sleep-talking, Smile , and as she slept, she smiled. Certainly, it seemed that Aria had only lost consciousness...rather, it seemed that she was just in a deep sleep. Her breathing while asleep also seemed to be as usual, and her pulse was also normal. "Funfun...That there is no shrine here, what matter of house is this? Thine devotion is lacking, one of Tohyama. Funfun." Suddenly complaining about something about my room and going 'Funfun' with her nose, Tamamo, going into the kitchen... "Hast thou no syrup? Where is the syrup?" While saying that, she took some pudding, which had "Riko's" written on it with magic marker, out of the fridge. And, while muttering "Spoon, spoon, spoon", she took one of the spoon's from the kitchen, Nom Nom Just by herself...she started eating. What are you doing? "Mmmmm. This too, is quite delectable. Tohyama. I give thee mine praise!" Licking even the back of the lid of the pudding, Tamamo turned towards me with an innocent smile. (Riko is going to get angry later...rather, why is she so friendly to me, who she's met for the first time?) I sighed, and, PatterPatterPatter , Tamamo, scurrying this way— "Mmmm. Thou art the current generation's Tohyama, art thou not? Thou art wondrously similar to the Tohyama that I had met at Nasuno. I could not have thought it from our first meeting. By the lanterns of midday, thou dost give off a feeling that thou art introverted, but good, good. Then, look here." While saying something which seemed to hint that she was an acquaintance to one of my ancestors, (and while suddenly seeing through my nickname,) she turned her back to me as if to show off the backpack-like crate she was carrying. "...?" "Look. Today, I too hath worked quite hard. Put the offering for the Tamagushi within." Shake, Shake , when Tamamo shook her back, Clank, Clank , because the sound of coins rang out... I finally understood. This is an offering box. She was walking while carrying that sort of thing? "Tamagushi...?" I said, stating my confusion, "Quickly, put it in, put it in!" Tamamo leaned her body foward, and her tail was completely straightened. "...!" — Swish' At that sight, I took a step back. ...Th-this girl, isn't wearing...anything. Because she was wearing Japanese clothing with a short inseam, and because of her tail, the hem had flipped up, and it became visible. "He-hey! Wear something!" "...? Not wearing sandals should be fine, should it not? We are in a house." "No-not that, w-wear some panties! At least, make a hole for the tail to come out of in those clothes!" "Pan...ties?" Tamamo made a "?" symbol with her tail, Spin , and spun this way, "Art thou speaking of undergarments? If one wears such a thing with Japanese clothing, 'tis a loincloth. Do you not know of a thing such as that?" With that, she fixed the flipped skirt. I wiped off my cold sweat, thanking God that because Tamamo had a childish appearance, I did not go into Hysteria Mode. Well, that's though this girl is probably also a kind of god. Even so, just in case, I averted my gaze from Tamamo... "Dost thou worry about Aria, one of Tohyama?" "Of course." I'm also worried about your lower body, though. Don't you ever catch colds? "Do not linger over it. She will not become the Scarlet Blazing God immediately." "...scarlet blazing god...?" I frowned, and— "...I see, do you not know of it? Well, it could not be helped. The Tohyama Samurai are dying out, after all." Staying in the same place, Tamamo sat straight, her attitude a little careless. "If nothing in the Tohyama family has been passed down, then I have no choice but to teach you. I am Tamamo—white-snouted golden-furred heavenly fox...by your words, a monster, a demon." She said it. This time it's a demon, is it? Well, ability users, witches, and vampires also exist. As of now, it isn't something to be surprised at. "My mother too was Tamamo, my grandmother too was Tamamo—since times long past, our race has watched over the relationship between humans and Irokane, and prevented its misuse. For those multitudes of years, we established harmonies and hostilities, reaching up until now. This refers to Irokane, but in this girl's heart too...what I am about to say is not to be said to Aria...it is embedded. Also, an enormous amount of Hihiirokane, rarely seen before in history." "Ah...ahhh. That, for once, is something that both Aria and I know." "It is possible that Irokane and humans bond. As for those bonds, there art two types. "Method Bond"—a bond which gives the power of what thou call ability, and "Heart Bond"—a bond of emotions, in other words, were Irokane to bond too tight with a human, the human's heart will intermingle with the Irokane, and in the end, the Irokane will take it over." Now that she mentions it, At Hotogi's branch shrine in Kyoto, Shirayuki and Kazayuki had talked about it. —"Irokane is a metal which communicates with human's hearts," was it? "Taken over, by the Irokane...what will happen when that occurs?" "She will become the Scarlet Blazing God. When she does, we kill her." ...! "Ki-kill, hey...!" Tamamo fixed her round eyes upon me, who had panicked. "Do not panic. She will not become such immediately. However...if she doth become it, without hesitation, kill her. You saw her condition earlier, but it seems that that girl hath faith in thou. Well, thou canst do it, canst thou not? Even if thou does not, someone shalt. Even if it were I, 'twould be fine." "Stop it...to kill or not to kill. That kind of thing—" "'Tis fine even if war erupts on this planet?" "War...?" "Hihiirokane is a volatile Irokane which enjoys war and love. And, as for those who hath been invaded—the Scarlet Blazing Gods, a heart for war and a heart for love—those two hearts art driven into intense fervor, and the one that hath been affected becomes a Cursed God. In the past, seven centuries ago, there was a human who had become thus. That one seduced an emperor, inciting a war...and finally, she was struck down by the Hotogi Miko and Tohyama Samurai. "...ch." "I had said not to linger on it too much, had I not? Aria shalt not become such immediately." "Is it being...prevented by something? Prevented from becoming like that?" Still not understanding, I asked an amateurish question, and— Nod , Tamamo nodded. "So that such a tragedy would not be repeated a second time, what the Mikos of that time conceived was—"The Golden Shell." "Ka...ra...gane?" "A shell, 'tis a shell. Laid over the Hirokane as if plating it, a special shell, which only allows "Method Bond" to make its bonds, while "Heart Bond" is isolated. As such, a shell which was fitted for humans had been created. Because 'twas known that if the shell had its seven layers, Heart Bond would be cut off, 'twas also named as "The Seven Stars of the Golden Shell". If the shell is in existence, Method Bond is slowly bonded...if it bonds in the length of three years, Heart Bond is completely cut off." Three years—at those words, I remembered what had taken place in EU. Indeed, Sherlock had said that. As for Hidan's inheritor...until their ability is awakened, there was a need for her to co-exist with the Hidan for, at the very least, a space of three years . Probably, that meant that that was until the "Method Bond" which Tamamo had spoken of was completed. "That one, Hilda, used a technique which extracted the Golden Shell from Aria. I did not think that she had progressed her research on Irokane to that level. At least, 'twas not skillfully done. Thanks to that, 2 of the 7 layers of the Golden Shell had been returned." "Two layers...what will happen?" "Slowly, this girl will be taken over by the Irokane. Eventually, she will even become the Scarlet Blazing God." "...ch..." "Do not panic again and again. 'Tis alright for the moment. In that time, 'twould be well were we to take back the Golden Shell from those of "Grenada" No matter what, they are our opponents in battle. If we gather and return all layers, afterward, Heart Bond will be stopped, and she will return to as she was before." "New...that, Golden Shell, can't one be newly made? "A multitude of diamonds, sapphires, rubies, and emeralds...if we assemble a great number of materials, and train a hundred Miko and have them work, we shalt be able to make it. However, though the Golden Shell hath been conformed to the Irokane, there is a need for a hundred years. If we try to cover it, if the remaining five layers art again created, we shalt not be able to make it in the time until the girl becomes the Scarlet Blazing God." "Then...approximately, what is the period for which the two layers of the Golden Shell can hold it back?" "I do not know. For there has been no-one who has attempted it. If it is merely mine opinion, then... this is but a guess, however, it should be a few years. 'Tis not something that shalt occur today or tomorrow." "..." A few years...huh. What should I think of that? If there exists only a postponement, it should probably indeed be possible. Anyways, it seems that currently, Aria is alright...yes. "However, Hihiirokane's 'Heart Bond' has slightly started. First, from now on, in regards to war and love, the girl shalt probably start to speak her heart without hiding anything. That is the symptom of the beginning. However, do not panic, and respond. Is that fine?" War...and love...? Thinking about it a little, I paused to look at the sleeping Aria...and nodded. "Yeah. I understand." War—In regards to fighting, Aria doesn't hide anything that's in her heart, right? Definitely, nothing will change from what has been happening up till now. And, love—In regards to romance...this should be fine too, right? Because, ever since the time we first met, whenever she had the chance, "I have no interest in it!" is what she would say. Aria, that is. At the opening ceremony, "So-something like romance...is completely useless!" starting with that, and when she was fighting with Shirayuki, "Romance—th-that's a waste of time, I've never had it before, and I don't plan on ever having it either!"...Towards Reki, "Things like romance, I-I...don't care about that! Really, really, reaaa—lly, I don't care at all! REALLY, got it!?" She even went that far to deny it. So, Aria...won't change. At all. When I thought that, the doorbell for the room rang. "'Tis Meiya." As if the outside was visible, Tamamo said those words, but just in case, I walked to the door, Beretta held in one hand...when I looked outside through the peephole, indeed, it was Sister Meiya. "...Did you buy something back?" While using polite language to ask her, who seemed to be my senior in age, that question, I opened the door, and— "Ahh, Tohyama-san. That is a relief. Your room was here, was it not. I, because my strength was not enough, staggered around, and got lost. Ufufufu." —while laughing with an 'Ahahaha', Meiya entered. Somehow...she seems completely different from when she was attacking the witch, Katze Grasse, earlier...a friendly attitude. Somehow, it makes me feel a vague fear, at the fact that it kind of resembles the split personality of a certain Miko. Tonight, that Miko, or rather Shirayuki, had gone out to the festival at Suiten-gū . She had said that her return would be the morning tomorrow, but.. (Before, had we had Shirayuki's assistance, things might have turned out a little different, wouldn't it...) I casually looked into the vinyl bag that Meiya, who had not really been of assistance, had brought back, and...huh? What's that? It was filled with a large amount of liquor. This is a situation where she had completely bought out everything from the convenience store, right? Also, there were many several pastry buns. What? Facing me, who was frowning, with a large smile on her face, Meiya... "Tohyama-san. It is well that you were unhurt at that place, was it not? As expected, true to the rumours, you are a magnificent paladin." Wearing the slippers reserved for guests, she took the vinyl bag and headed to the living room. Somehow...besides the massive sword on her back, she radiated the air of the young wife living in an apartment building. I too returned to the living room, and Meiya sat, straight-backed, upon the side of the sofa. "Tamamo-san, how is Aria-san?" While taking the liquor bottles out, she looked at Aria's condition. "'Tis normal. However, as expected, the Golden Shell is insufficient. We art compelled to take it back from those of 'Grenada'." "Well, well... Slurp " Ah. She drank. Lejay Creme de Blueberry...she took the sweetly-scented wine, which appeared to be a cocktail base, straight up. Whether it be Tamamo or this person, I wonder;when they have finished their work, do the people of 'Deen' feast? "However, to have Tohyama do that, it seems a heavy burden. Let us do something. Meiya, attack Katze Grasse with haste. Take one back and return. She will return to Germany, will she not?" "Yes." Suddenly draining the strong liquor like it was water, Meiya nodded. And, while placing the empty bottle upon the low table, she took Uguisu-bread, thought to be a chaser, and the next bottle of liquor out. (Ah, that is...) Bailey's Irish Cream—Medica's Ganaha-sensei had been drinking it during the lesson—giving off a scent reminiscent of sugared pastries, it was a a high calorie, strong liquor. Meiya emptied the liquor in a full gulps, and again, she opened the bottle of bourbon—Wild Turkey, her lips pursed. Uuu. I haven't drunk anything like liquor, just looking at it is starting to make me feel sick. "U-um...that..." To I, who tried to continue with 'Is bad for your body'... Smack , Meiya stopped me with the hand that was clad in long, white gloves. With the movement of her shaking her head, her light blond hair shined in the air as it swayed about. "I know what it is you wish to say. It is true that a nun cannot drink liquor." "N-no...it's not that..." "But, there are sisters other than me that are like this. We are exceptions. One type of ability user takes away from her own body, and to disperse the ability, after battle, they have to take in a large amount of something orally, or they will die. Sugar, protein, ascorbic acid—what has to be consumed differs from person to person, but mine is alcohol. However, do not worry. Because in Italy, it is tolerated to start drinking liquor from the age of 16, and as such I have a constitution which will not get drunk. I am sorry that this sin of heavy drinking is so unsightly. Oh Lord, forgive me; Gulp Gulp ...Haaaah." Immediately after having asked for forgiveness from God, she drank again. Well, this person...other than having breasts more gigantic than Shirayuki, her whole body is slender, no matter how much she drinks these high calorie liquors, she'll be alright. As far as I've seen, she really won't get drunk. I've gotten used to seeing that level of unnatural phenomenon, from Aria's peach bun scourge and the super pot ramen incident with Reki. It's so sad. These days, if I become surprised at these things one by one, I would lose heart. I've already learned that. In the room, full of the sweet scent of liqueur— I too sighed, and sat on the sofa. I had become worried again, and I checked Aria's temperature with my hand...It's normal...isn't it... "Tamamo-san. I will definitely kill Katze Grasse. The peace conference at Bandire has failed, and at this rate...She will be tried by the Inquisition, and she will be excommunicated, torn into 8 pieces, and discarded into an unnamed grave without even a cross...I will, to-together with those witches, will go to hell...!" Trembling where she sat, Meiya-san opened the bag of chasers, ripping it. "At least, I will show you the completion of the witch hunt! The Canossa denomination too is negligible!" ...Canossa...? I know of it because Nii-san had studied abroad for a short time at the Rome Butei High, but that is the name of the organization which is called SSR here, isn't it? Th-this person is a high school Butei student? If she is, the Butei Highs all over are the same, aren't they. They're full of weirdos. "...Well, 'tis good that thou art motivated. How was it? Did Kana draw you in?" Kana. Towards Tamamo, who had spoken Nii-san's name, I lifted my face. "I...do not know. Because, Senpai has changed a little from how she was before..." "Meiya-san. You seem to know Kana—" I interrupted the conversation, and Meiya, a bottle of Żubrówka in her hand, faced me with a smile. "Yes. She is your Onee-sama, is she not?" ...Onee-sama... We-well, I'll just stay silent. Gender is one kind of personal information, after all. The fact that Nii-san will break every bone in my body if I speak freely is also rather unpleasant. "I have to introduce myself a little bit to Kana-senpai's little brother, don't I...I am Meiya Romano. 18 years of age. My nationality is the same as my mother's, Italian, but my father is Japanese, and his name..." On the other side of the long receipt, Meiya wrote the words "明夜", "It can be written this way." She showed it to me with a knowing smile. ...Just in case, "Ahh, I see. That was surprising" I made that face. Apparently satisfied with my reaction, Meiya flashed a sunflower-like smile. "—As an exorcist in the Vatican, I am inducted by the holy order, in the Rome Butei High I am a Kanossa fifth year—Ah, in Italy, high school is up to five years. I was not held back. Then, during those two years, I had hunted criminals together with Assault's Kana-senpai. I might say that I get along very well with her, or I might say that we are on the same wavelength...It was fun to do my job." "Ahh..." I let out a voice which seemed somewhat comprehending. Indeed, this kind of calm personality would get along well with Kana. "At that time, whenever I taught her recitations from the Bible, she was able to remember it immediately...I remember that I was very surprised by the quickness of her mind." I see. The fact that the Nii-san from after his transfer started to occasionally recite verses from the bible is from this person's influence. "Nii-sa...Kana has a special ability. When she is Kana, she can remember the entire contents of a book she has read once. That's kind of like cheating. It's not a trait to be surprised about." In short, it's just being able to memorize it with the power of Hysteria Mode. That's unfair, Nii-san. Even though you told me, "You can't abuse HSS for studying." "Now that you mention that, Tamamo. You too started talking to Patra suddenly. Is she an acquaintance?" I asked Tamamo, who was extracting a cream bun from Meiya's vinyl bag, and— "Mm? Ah, ahh, Patra? Yes. I hath met her before." Tamamo, sitting straight again, brought the bun around to her back, and while covering it with her tail, she answered. "In the war before, I was "Grenada". At that time, I was companions with Patra's great-grandmother. The person who taught her Japanese was me. After the war, in preparation for the next war, it seems that she taught her descendants Japanese as well. Therefore, well. While she hath an accent, Patra's method of speech is akin to mine, is it not?" Indeed...I remembered that Patra used a rather ancient mode of speech. That was because, the great-grandmother who had taught her Japanese had in the first place learned ancient Japanese from this Tamamo. "...The last war, you say. Isn't that a story from a time long past? Around the time of Patra's great-grandmother, whom you spoke of. How old are you exactly?" Because of Vlad and Sherlock, I was confident that I would not be surprised even if I was told 100 years old by that childish-looking girl, but... "I? I was born on the second year of Kennin, therefore I count 808 years old." "What...!?" Because of my surprise, no other words would leave my mouth. I-Impossible. She's been alive since the thirteenth century, the Kamakura period? "Rather, look, one of Tohyama. Asking a goddess her age is nothing. Thine faith is insufficient!" No matter how I looked at her, Tamamo, hitting my knee with her tiny hand, was an elementary school student... Also, she even looked like she was in one of the lower grades. "I-if that's so, shouldn't you dress up more like a grandma?" While pulling my knee away, I responded, and— "Originally, I was a giant fox. I had transformed, taking upon this appearance. When I transform into a human, I cannot change mine mass. If there was a granny that was this small, it wouldst seem suspicious, and I would not be able to be in the city, would I? Therefore, I became a young girl. Understand that much without having to ask!" While responding with some reasons which I didn't understand even if I heard them, Tamamo continued to hit my knee with a gohei which she had procured out of somewhere. It hurts, I said! "If you don't want to seem suspicious, then get rid of your ears and tail first." I said the most obvious thing, when... Was it because that wasn't possible? Tamamo's face went completely crimson— "That is not something that thou canst understand!" It seemed as if her sore point had been touched. "If you're going to look like a child, I'll treat you like a child. If I, for example, use respectful language towards you outside, I'll seem suspicious. Just having a man that uses respectful language to a young girl about seven years old is something that people will report about. In the Japan of today, that is." While pushing the gohei back, I also got a little irritated— "Even though thou art a new one...this generation of Tohyama is impertinent! Is this fine, one of Tohyama? I have experienced 'War' countless times, and if I am to say it, a veteran! The way to fight, the way to survive, the way to steal, the way to protect, I knooooowwwwww very well. Therefore, respect thine elders more! Show me some faith!" —saying that, she caused a clanking noise to ring out as she swung her back this way, got onto all fours, and stuck the offering box outwards. "Add in thine apologies, and put it in! Put in your faith!" ...In the end, money? Rather, don't swing your tail and butt this way! I thought that she was really insistent, so putting in about 100 yen should be good, but I shouldn't spoil a child . So that I could become distant from this person, I took a ten-yen coin out of my wallet- "Alright, alright, I'm sorry, granny." I put it in. "Mmm. Tohyama-san, you will definitely profit." Meiya applauded at that scene. ...It seems that without me knowing it, I've been sucked into a war between monsters, but... When I looked at these two, apparently the few allies that I have... My uneasiness increases. By a lot. Afterward, Meiya said that she was taking the last bus to Narita Airport and went back, Tamamo also left these words: "The boundary field shalt immediately expand. This evening, do not leave this floating isle," and around 2:00 in the morning, she left the room. The bags of bread had been cleaned up, but...Ah, the empty bottles of liquor were all over the table. Well, it should be fine if I clean them up tomorrow. Today, I'm already worn out. The actual bottles were pretty stylish after all; I'll just think of it as some interior design. "Haaah..." ...The attitude which had intensified at the 'Bandire' had completely relaxed thanks to those two, or rather, as a result of those two. However, I was worried about Aria, so I covered that small body with a blanket... The electricity still on, I decided to be like Reki and held my gun, sitting down on the sofa and going to sleep. Afterward, I did lay my cheek on it and start getting drowsy, but— I had a dream that Aria became a vampire and went wild, and I couldn't sleep properly. Even so, I did slip into a mildly deeply sleep, and in the morning... Tweet, Tweet ...within the cries of the swallows... "—Idiot Kinjii!" — Smash! "—Kuh!?" Suddenly, my face was kicked by a foot in black knee-socks, and I woke up. "A...Aria!?" Had she woken up? While rubbing my eyes, I turned towards her, and Aria— "Ki-Ki-Kinji, you...Wh-what!? What is this!? Whatwhatwhat!? WHAT THE HELL IS THIS!" Despite being in her uniform, she was hiding her body with a blanket, trembling. She was shaking to an extent where it looked like she was splitting into 2~3 people. However...within me, who saw that, I breathed a small sigh of relief. (—She's the normal Aria...!) I understand. My face was kicked, and she said something, but her movements and way of talking was as the normal Aria's. "Aria, that's great..." While cutting off the words of I who had spoken as usual— "Wh-Wh-Why am I alone together with you, i-it's already morning, you know! In...In a room with nobody else in it! Just the two of us! St-staying the night!" Redden! —Yes, 0.1 seconds. The speed of her high-speed-blushing technique was also normal. (But...what's she getting red at?) Shuffling backwards from me, who was frowning, Aria, on the other side of the blanket thrust outwards like a matador... Rustle Rustle , she felt around inside her clothes. What...is she doing...? I thought, and when I thought it, 'Kching!', she was stretching her hands towards her guns! "He-hey Aria! It's fine if you're not normal to that extent!" "You...what did you do to me! Honestly, without hiding anything, lay open the situation in detail! Idiot Kinji is really an idiot! You've skipped way too many steps! A hole! 20 hole combo chain-fire!" "He-hey, calm down! Even if you put two of your handguns together, you can only go up to a 16 chain-fire! Rather than that, what have you been saying up till just now! Yesterday, you were at Empty Island and—" "Yesterday...Empty Island? ...? ...? I do-don't have any memory of that—" Aria, who said that, looked at the empty bottles lined up on the low-table made out of glass and "!" widened her eyes in a perfect circle. "Kinji...I-I don't remember anything...That, th-that trick...I've seen it in movies and dramas before...!" Pointing at the multitude of liquor bottles, she glared at me. What had she understood, and how had she interpreted it? She was glaring at me as if I was some massive criminal. "He-hey, by 'trick'..." "I didn't think that you would do things of that level, but I-I was careless...! That's a common method of a womanizer...you really did it, didn't you...? ...? Ouch—" — Splish Apparently, Aria had noticed something wrong, and she pressed down on the scar left on her nape, bitten by Hilda. There was mostly no bleeding, and it seemed that the wound had already clotted, but— There, a lip-shaped scar was left, having been violently sucked by Hilda and clotted. "No! No! No way!" And blushing even further, she fountained steam from her head with a 'Choo Choo', and runaway locomotive Number-Aria— Thump Thump Thump! —ran towards the washroom in massive panic. "—Gyaaa!" Raising a scream which I couldn't have thought belonged to an English noble, Thump Thump Thump! She came back. More than any monster at the Bandire, it was a terrifying appearance. "Wh-Wh-What did you do to me!! You Ero-Kinji!! YOU SERIOUSLY ERO-KINJIIi!" Wh...What is it! This time! - Aria and I woke up in the morning, just the two of us. - Aria has no memory of last night. Furthermore, there are many empty liquor bottles on the table. - On Aria's nape, there is lip-shaped clotting. Why do I have to be screamed at because of the three of these things combined! "W-Wi-With this..." Aria, who was pointing at the lip mark on her neck with a trembling finger— "With this, today—I CAN'T GO TO SCHOOL, CAN I!! YOU SERIOUSLY STUPID KINJI——!" Wh-why! Why is that because of that clotting, you can't go to school!? "—If you're going to stick something on, at least think a little bit about the consequences! You Ero-Baka-Kinji! EBK!" Tears in her eyes, Aria, who had stamped her feet in rhythm, (and anger) to that original phrase, had a menacing look, and in response to that I was also just about to break into tears. One question! What the hell did you think, and what should I stick on! What should I!? Without even making it in time to stick my hand up to ask that question—this was also normal—Aria, who had used the sofa as a stepping stone and jumped, flipped her skirt— "HOLE MISSILEEEEEEE!!" Like a missile, she brought a two-legged drop-kick deep into my face. Afterward—for some reason, Aria was embarrassed even looking at my face, and with that attitude she shut herself into her own room. Even when it was time to go to school, she didn't come out. It seemed that she seriously wished to take a break from school. This was after what had happened yesterday, so I didn't want to leave Aria, but Tamamo had said that 'Grenada' had crossed the sea and sky—probably with ships or planes—and left this place. And also, Shikigami....speaking by my interpretation, a net was strung out which acted both as a radar and alarm, she had also said. Furthermore, Aria is the owner of battle ability enough to suddenly defeat the walking tank LOO; if the I who was not in Hysteria Mode was here...I'd just drag her down. "Then, I'm going. Just in case, don't let go of your swords and guns. Make sure you've plenty of spare magazines too." I spoke to the door of the small room which Aria had decided as her own room of her own will, and decided to go to school by myself. From within the small room— "...Huh...When did I shoot...Eh...?" Aria, who was counting her bullets and speaking to herself— Really had lost all memory of yesterday night. I had seen this often at Assault, but when people suddenly lose consciousness, the memories of before and thereafter will be blown away. "Also...I heard this from a certain trustworthy person, but you're being targeted by the remnants of EU, you know. Those guys have a lot of friends. The Koko sisters from a while ago are also one of them. Be especially careful, alright?" Avoiding the matter of Irokane which I had been told to not speak about by Tamamo, I told her this just in case, and... "That's the same as what's been happening up till now, right? Qu-Quickly go to school." With a tone which seemed to be driving me away, she responded with her anime-like voice. With the beginning of the day, I took the lessons of the subjects English, Chemistry, and Japanese Characters, and— At the fourth hour, right before the combined long-homeroom of three classes started, Aria finally came to school. Looking, a band-aid was stuck to her neck. A kitty-patterned one which Riko had brought into our room. The remnant of the clotting had naturally become small, and it seemed that she had just passed the time until she was able to hide the clot with that. Getting red again when she looked at me, Aria sat down on the seat next to me, when... With amazing obviousness, she didn't look in my direction. But, as for being angry...rather than that, it seemed that she was embarrassed. I couldn't hear the signal of her rage-mode, the purring of a lion cub, and occasionally, she would glance this way, blush, and resume her stare forward. I don't really understand the meaning of those movements, so for the time being, I'll ignore her— (Then...besides all this, should I tell her about what happened last night...) While everyone moved to the sports hall in which the long-homeroom was being carried out, I thought about that point. It seems that Aria has no memory of last night. Even if I suddenly explain about the unbelievable circumstances which had taken place yesterday to that kind of person...she wouldn't believe it. And it seems that Aria has randomly become vigilant against me. With that, rather than having just me say it, it would be better to bring Jeanne and Reki into this too, and after setting down the direction to go hereafter, talk about it with everyone. It's said to form a tiger of three, after all. As for Shirayuki, Tamamo had said that: "I shalt look for an opportunity and speak with her, so nothing should be said from you, Tohyama," but that was probably also for the sake of preventing the dissemination of information towards Aria. Also, there is another danger that talking about 'Deen' and 'Grenada' would pose to Aria. Putting aside that she was about to win the trial, those are the people who had Aria's mother take the fall. If I told Aria about yesterday, she'd probably say something like: to go arrest Hilda, I'll travel all the way to her base—this is just my imagination, but there's probably even something like a castle in Romania. (Well, I understand her feelings, but...) That was something especially dangerous. —First of all, if a Butei's battle becomes an away-game, it's an overwhelming disadvantage. This is something which is immediately understood even by feeling. A direction which should corner the enemy, and conversely a place where oneself can retreat, the home-game where the location ammunition, food, and water is all known is far easier to fight in. Backup coming from Connnect, Logi, Medica will obviously dull if away. —Next, the battle-ability of the enemy is still indeterminate. I had heard this from an instructor who had come from the Jietai; in land-war, there exists thing called 'The Law of Treble Attackers'. Speaking simply, to be victorious in invading an enemy's territory, one needs at least three times the battle-power. Around that much, an exhaustive amount of energy is needed to 'Invade'. Therefore, for now, I'll just leave the warnings to Aria to the contents of what I had said this morning— (Let's observe her condition for a while...) Last month, I had been subjected to being the leader of Team Baskerville. I had been informed afterward, but for every team leader, there is a required lecture called 'Tactics I', and I had earnestly attended it. Because it was rather easy to get credit from it. As a result of it, or maybe thanks to it, I had now picked up the habit of thinking about this kind of thing. "Brats! We're deciding the costumes for 'Ristorante Masque,' which we'll be doing at the culture festival!" Clang! While quieting the talking students with a warning shot towards the ceiling, Assault Instructor Ranbyou shouted. The second-year students of A, B, and C-Class are gathered in the sports hall, but...Jeanne of B-Class was...I don't see her. It seems she's absent. My phone didn't connect either. While avoiding being eavesdropped, she probably was chasing after 'Grenada'. "Alright, each of the teams gather, and go on standby—*cough cough*!" Lezzad Instructor Tsuzuri spoke, and because the people of D-Class and E-Class, and X-Class, who rarely showed themselves, weren't here, the members of the same teams started to group together just as they were. Bloody Tsuzuri, if you're about to choke then don't smoke inside the sports hall. With that, besides me, who was frowning, wasn't just Riko and Aria from the same A-Class, Shirayuki from B-Class and Reki from C-Class had gathered. "..." Because there was that incident from yesterday, I indirectly sent a look to Reki, but... "..." Reki was Reki. There wasn't any reaction at all. Wearing the same headphones as always, she was zoning out. (Well, this is the wrong place to have that kind of talk. Guess I'll do it after Jeanne comes.) Rather, those...those headphones. She isn't receiving any Kinji-sniping orders from Wind-sama, right? I thought, and lifted the headphones directly off her head. When I put them on, trying to listen— Click . Reki used the remote control attached by a cord, and Fire Starter by the Prodigy became audible, starting with a deafening instrumental which was like air-attack klaxons had started screaming in my ears. Wh-What the hell is this? What's this supposed to mean? He-hey. Don't turn up the volume! Turn it off! Bloody Reki. She had me hear a sound which was like a warning. Did she get mad that her headphones were taken? Reki kept facing forward, in Aria's direction, not looking this way, so I didn't know her expression, but... "Kin-chan, the lottery box has come around." "Ah, thanks." When I realized it, Shirayuki, who was keeping directly by my side, had spoken, so I came back to reality, and returned Reki's headphones to her head with a thump. The box, brought by a helping first year, had a round hole opened on its top...It was the lottery which decided the costumes each person was to wear there—at the "Ristorante Masque", which one section of us second years were in charge of for Butei High's culture festival. (This lottery is also me laying my life on the line, huh...) In a normal school, Ristorante Masque would be something like a cosplay cafe, but this is the abnormal Butei High. Acting out the professions held by the worn costumes, behaviour like that is what is looked for. Something like that I can't allow. Looking from Butei High's point of view, this is a chance for students to appeal with their undercover investigative techniques without seeming strange, so if one doesn't do it properly, a terrifying punishment was waiting, coming from the Masters' All-Stars. In short, this is a grave lottery which is entwined with my life. "Then, Master, please draw one. This is the male box." Ah. Isn't this Fuuma? She's carrying the box. I just realized, though. You, don't call me 'master' in front of people. I'll give you hell with my scramasax. "Also, only one redraw will be recognized. Then, may the fortunes of war guide your hand." In response to Fuuma, who was smirking up at me for some reason, I remained silent and inserted my hand into the box. I started to fumble around the innumerable double-folded papers which were inside. (...Well a good one come out for me...?) Nothing as good as what I'm praying for will come out, though. Mmm...the ones at the bottom of the box will probably be my target. Nobody knows the method of making this lottery, but they wouldn't write the outrageous things straight off the bat. By the way, among the huge misses, there is the thing called 'Female Clothing'. If I draw that, I'll commit suicide by pistol right here. It's a lot better than death by lynching at the hands of the teachers. "What...What is it...?" I hesitatingly opened the paper which I had pulled out... "Shinto Priest" No, no, no. It'd be difficult to act like this. Ignoring Shirayuki, who had stolen a glance at my paper and ecstatically burst out with things like "Kin-chan-sama, we really are fated to come together!", I said, "I'll change," and put my hand in the box once again. "If you are changing, then the first will be declared void. The second costume will be forced upon you." I knew that, so the second one, which I drew with desperate resolve was—"Policeman (M.P.D. — Patrolman)" Thank God. If it's this, I think I'll somehow be able to tide it over. I'm always there anyways, and observation is easy. Exhaling a breath of relief, I sat down right there. With this, one thing is settled. Looking around, there were many first years holding boxes and walking around...from everywhere in the sports hall, the voices of delight and wails could be heard from boys and girls who had drew their lots. "Master. Jeanne-dono is absent today, but she had designated Master as the drawing-proxy in advance. Patience." Fuuma stuck the female box out, so I also drew a lot for Jeanne. "Waitress (At Home Cafeteria)" ...I don't know the name of the shop, but it should be fine, right? Rather, it's whatever. At least it's a human. "Then, next is Riko. I'm goiiing!" With a composed gesture, Riko, with a frilly uniform, took a piece of paper out from the female box. Good for you, huh. Dressing up is your specialty after all. Rather, it seemed that she knew about Bandire since last month, but is it fine to talk to her about yesterday? There weren't any instructions from Tamamo, so I don't know, but... Looking, Riko's first draw was "Thief (Manga [Cat's Eye] Style)" Uwah. That's some drawing ability you've got there, Riko. A thief. Isn't that fitting? Wonder what it'd be like if you became a mahjong player. Before me, who was stunned— "Eh...There's no point in cosplaying like this!" Flutter . Riko threw the piece of paper behind her. He-hey, you're going to throw that card away? The second lot which Riko drew was "Gunman (Western Pioneer Age)" The person herself went, "Oooh! I'll do it, I'll do it!" seemingly overjoyed, but why's there a role which ends in 'man' in the female box? One really can't get careless. In this lottery. Shirayuki, who continued... Had the first lot "Chinese Dress", but said "My body's curves will stick out, and it'll be really embarassing, so..." and canceled. I imagined it... Th-that's right. Please stop. If you were that, the curves of your large chest will clearly stick out, and furthermore because of the slit of the dress, those plump thighs with snow-white skin will be visible up until your waist. If I'm showed that, there's the horror that I'll go into Hysteria, and the Ristorante Masque will devolve into chaos. "That's great, if it's this, then I think I'll be able to do it..." The second lot of Shirayuki, who spoke, was "Teacher (Arbitrarily Elementary~High School)". Yes. I'll allow that. "..." Having stuck her hand into the box silently, Reki drew her first lot, which was "Sorcerer". In the midst of the entire Baskerville becoming silent, Reki...drew her second lot after looking at the first year girl Mutsu, still not saying anything. The atmosphere was such that it felt like it was impossible to do a tsukkomi, so nobody did one. Then, this time, "Chemical Research Lab Staff" came out. Well...that should be fine, right? That is. She doesn't talk much, so it seems good. "Fuuu, Haaa..." Taking deep breaths was Aria, who was extremely bad with dressing up. Whilst Shirayuki and Riko, who had already entered the safe zone, smirked and looked over her, Aria stuck her hand into the box with an expression which one might have when handling a live bomb...Like pulling out a fuse, Rustle ...she withdrew a paper. Aria, putting in your willpower has no effect on lotteries. Well, I can't really talk about other people. Swallow ...Her throat made a sound, and on the opened paper— "Idol" Was written. "I-I-Idol...U-Um, those pretty girls who appear on Japanese TV...?" Aria, who locked her eyes on the paper even while trembling, was about to break into tears. 'Yes, yes yes,' Shirayuki slightly stooped over and nodded, but at her mouth, there were the dimples which appeared when she was trying not to laugh. From the side of Riko's mouth, twisted like a cat, (this was also a sign of her trying not to laugh,) a snort escaped. Ah, you drooled a little. Are you really holding yourself back so much? This is just for example: I also imagined Aria joining AKB48 ... He...Hehe...N-no. Don't laugh, me! Still, don't laugh. I can hold it back. If I laugh, I'll be shot to death. Rather, no matter what or how they tried to cover up, she'd be the only junior idol , right? That is, if Aria did it. There's a gap between her and real idols. Furthermore, in my head, the title "Aria-chan 8 years old" appeared, and it reminded about the unfortunate DVD package— "He...Hem!" I laughed for an instant, but followed up by covering it with a faked cough. Was...Was I found out...? I hesitatingly stole a glance at Aria's expression, but... Performing the rather troublesome thing of self-imagination, Aria appeared to be imagining that she had a performance where she said things like, "Is everyone having fun!?" and her face was really hot and red, as if she had gotten a fever, the type where one's face heats up like an electric heater. As a result, she didn't seem to have noticed my laugh. Thank God. This finished without my death. Sweat ... Sweat Sweat ... A large amount of sweat dripped from her forehead, just like in manga, and Aria— Spoke with a tone that a soldier who was forced to make a bitter decision might use— "Ch-Chan-Change...!" She said, and readied her right hand, braced like a talon— "Ka-Kanzaki-dono...then, the next one will be definite...!" If it was something like a bird, then Aria's gaze could definitely kill, and Fuuma shuffled slightly back from her. Thud! Aria, who had stuck her hand inside the box with a force which could have broken Fuuma's arm joints, had gotten what for her second lot? Opening in slow motion, on the paper which Aria's tiny hands were holding... On the paper... "Elementary School Student" Was there. Ele. Elementary School Student! This time, it really is: "Aria-chan 8 years old," isn't it? A-Aria. You... What kind of horrible luck is that? Never gamble in your life. "You did it——! You did it, Aria! By a certain definition, this definitely suits you! Kyahahahahahah!" Riko, who shouted that, was rolling around at the feet of Aria, who was restraining herself like she had been frozen solid at the moment she saw the three words, "Elementary School Student", and laughing uncontrollably 'Ahyahyahya,' she clutched her stomach. Was it that Shirayuki had also reached her limit of tolerance? She had knelt down as if prostrating herself, and leaking a noise of laughter which could not be called a voice, she hit the floor with a thudding noise. I, who stood there shocked at the depths of horror in which Aria's luck resided, also — unintentionally; really, unintentionally — thought about an elementary school student with sharp eyes, sucking on a lollipop and carrying a red backpack— "Ha—" I laughed, and at that moment, I noticed the killing intent of Aria, who seemed to have snapped. In the middle of my brain, the high-impact song "Firestarter" once again started to stream. Boom! Aria stuck her hands in the two-sides of her skirt, and drew her Governments! Th-this is bad! Didn't I say to make sure that your magazines were full this morning!? "Nothing happened! Nothingnothingnothingnothingnothingnooooooooooooooothing! First, it's the death sentence for you!" In response to Aria, who had stuck her pistols out, aiming at Fuuma, Riko and I leapt in from the left and right. "Stop it, Aria, don't shoot! Ranbyou's here! We'll be included and taken care of too!" " Aria-chan , give up! Riko will help you make the costume! Kyahahahahaha!" "WHO THE HELL IS ARIA-CHAN! A HOLE! HOLE METEOR SHOWER! HOLE BIG BAAAANNNGGGG!" So, this time it's a series of celestial bodies. There's a lot of them, huh. Hole series, that is. While thinking that, I protected Fuuma, crying while scattering caltrops behind her and running away, from the barrel of Aria's gun. Even though she's like that, she's still my junior, my Amica. Continuing to go wild even though her first target had escaped her, Aria was in vicious brat mode. You drew this yourself, so resign yourself to it. This is nothing more than a childish tantrum. Just like Riko had said, by a certain definition, this is a really fitting role. "Elementary School Student", that is. "DIE! DIE! DIEDIEDIEDIEEVERYONEDIE! IF EVERYONE WHO SAW THIS DIES, IT'D BE LIKE THIS NEVER HAPPENS! Gurk!" Shirayuki put Aria, who was screaming those words, into a Nelson, Riko and I desperately pinned the guns on the left and right, Reki had run outside the sports hall at some point in time, and was now sticking half of her head out of the cover of the bulletproof door, staring this way. Reki, if you knew how things were going to go, then gives us a warning before this actually happened! From then on, Butei High entered a shortened class for a while, and the preparations for the culture festival went on. As for Aria...other than being forced to take a consecutive 30 german suplexes from Ranbyou up until she said "Please let me be an elementary school student,' she was not attacked by anybody. The people from 'Deen': Jeanne, Meiya, and Tamamo didn't appear, let alone the enemy...which is to say, 'Grenada'. The ambassadors to the Bandire who stayed by Aria's side were Reki and I. It's ominous that I don't know anything about what those guys are doing, but besides the fact that the following days were completely safe, I...couldn't really do anything, and as a result had nothing to do. After all, safe things are by nature good things. Furthermore, there was one more thing, relevant to my safety, for which I was thankful for... For some reason, it seemed that Aria was in a good mood. Recently, that is. This was a trend which I had seen since giving her a ring last month, but ever since the incident with the clot mark on her neck, the number of times she had fired at me had reduced. Simultaneously, I also felt that the number of times that Aria had had fights with Shirayuki and Riko had decreased. As for this...rather than getting along better, it felt as if she had developed some sort of tolerance. I also felt that she was taking things from other points of view far more than she had up till now. I had thought that the reduction of the Golden Shell had taken effect, leading up to some sort of hormone imbalance, but because this trend was something which I had seen directly after I gave her a ring for her birthday, I felt that it was unrelated. I really...don't understand girls. —It was part of the rules that the costumes for 'Ristorante Masque', which we had decided by drawing lots the other day, had to be prepared by oneself. The deadline was set to be at a date quite a long while before the culture festival, but... If the costumes weren't finished by the time of the deadline, one would be subjected to the full punishment course proffered by the celebrities of Butei, This was truly a matter of life and death, so everyone would somehow do something to make the deadline. Therefore, it became a tradition of sorts that everyone would gather in a classroom the night before the deadline and spend all night finishing up. On the night that this 'meeting to finish up' took place...at nine o'clock. In the classroom where I was, with a paper bag with a police uniform inside, 5 or 6 teams had gathered and were making conversation while finishing their costumes. The desks had been kept to the back of the room, and each team had set up a picnic sheet, sat down, and worked. Because there were people who were already wearing their almost-finished costumes, it had the feeling of a costume party of sorts. There were those who had brought in small speakers, and were streaming music into the room. Looking around, Shirayuki and Reki were in a corner, and Haimaki, whose popularity was rising due to commercials by SoftBank, was sitting there as well. (...?) Come to think of it...what's with this zone here by the wall, partitioned off from the rest of the room by a screen? As I thought that and tried to have a look inside, the noise of rustling clothes and— "Sooo, what kind of guys are you into, Hayakawa-san?" "Hmmm, I'm...about that...probably somebody that's a bit dark..." "Who from our class? Come on, tell us!" —things like that could be heard from within, so I took a step back with a force that rivaled the me in Hysteria Mode. Is this...a changing room!? In the small gap at the foot of the screen, fallen skirts could be seen... These...these goddamn Butei girls, they don't even know the concept of shame! I get the fact there has to be a place where people can change from their uniforms into their costumes, but don't set up a changing room in this kinda place! It's just asking for trouble. I can guess from the level of business around, but tensions were high, maybe because we were gathered in a classroom at night? At this kind of time, I need to be more alert of girls' gossiping than ever. "Kinji, that isn't the best position." Just as I was wiping away my cold sweat, Mutou, in a fireman outfit, put his arm on my shoulder. "Over here. From this angle, if you look hard enough, the figure of the girls are thinly visible. Keep your focus. If you do this, you can delight in their silhouettes!" Mutou whispered that into my ear as he circled around the screen. "I-I'm not interested in that sort of thing, or rather, get to work!" I shook myself free, and made my escape towards Team Baskerville. But...what? Did he say silhouette? Use your focus on something else, won't you? Like studying. You failed modern literature, didn't you? "Um, Kin-chan. How far along are you on your uniform?" A female teacher—Shirayuki, wearing a white blouse with a tight thigh-length dark navy skirt, said. Cleaning up the space next to her, she cleared a space for me to sit. Her tone...and feeling, they all feel teacher-like. She's serious even when it comes to roleplaying. She was obeying the notice from Masters which said: "While wearing the costumes used for Ristoranted Masque inside the classroom, students have to act out their role for at least one hour after entering the classroom, to practice," wasn't she? "It's nearly done. Could you look at it after to check that there's nothing off?" "Of course. Hehe...I'm somewhat looking forward to it. What Kin-chan looks like as a patrolman." Shirayuki, wearing black-rimmed glasses, looked up to me and smiled...a teacher's costume really suits her. She's had a rather adult body from the beginning after all...she really seems like a new teacher. She's overflowing with motherly traits, so she feels more like an elementary school teacher. (About that...if Aria and Riko came, it'd really be like an elementary school, huh.) ...After glancing at Hiraga's back (also like an elementary school student), as she sat upright in a chair with Mutou's supply-type group, Carrier GA, sewing cloth embroidered with gold-thread....I sat down. And the police costume which I took out of the paper bag...was actually just something made nearly completed that I had bought. Coincidentally, buying costumes was something that was frowned upon, but because it wasn't against the rules, it's done a lot. People who make their costumes from scratch like Shirayuki are rare indeed. And the creation/retail of those clothes was handled by the girls of CVR. They, who close in on criminal groups through so-called 'seduction', also learn how to seduce the other sex through clothing, so they can make any sort of clothing without trouble. There are students who dress as males, so they take orders for male clothing as well. Because I really had no desire to go and directly negotiate with that squadron of beautiful girls, I ordered through a mail, just like buying it online, but...at this kind of time...Those damned girls stared at the ground as they overcharged me. However, though it's expensive, the clothing is real. There shouldn't be a problem with this. But, in regards to Ristorante Masque, it was written on a printout from Masters that: "It is forbidden for real things, such as stains and damages, to not be present." If one's uniform isn't approved, one is sent to the full course, so I rubbed the new uniform, giving it a sense of being worn, and I pulled on the badge, widening the pinhole, occupying myself with the fine details. "K-Kin-chan, what...what do you think of my teacher costume? Is there...anything strange?" Shirayuki, who was shaving away at the edge of the attendance clipboard with a file, turned to face this way and asked me a question, so... While trying not to look at that massive chest which stuck out— "—It suits you. You seem like an elementary school teacher." I answered her vaguely, looking at her out of the corner of my eye. With that, Shirayuki smiled a love-filled smile...apparently trying to hide it, she suddenly crouched down, as if she was kowtowing. And she was saying: "Tohyama-kun, this won't do...we're teacher and student...but, if we overcome that barrier...if it's a secret...i-it's fine, you know...?" What kind of barrier is Hotogi-sensei overcoming all by herself? I've no idea what she means. Or rather, when acting as a teacher, you really say 'Tohyama-kun', just like you should. I've been saying this from the morning of our opening ceremony, but keep doing that and please stop with 'Kin-chan'. (Well...) I got tired of working really quickly. I'm really bad at this kind of thing...this kind of simple work, that is. I had gotten a bit distracted... (Come to think of it, when it comes to being on campus at night—this is the first time since being sniper restricted by Reki.) While continuing to work, I looked Reki's way. "..." Reki, who was set to play a 'Researcher', was wearing a white coat above her uniform, was sitting, and was sewing together a light-green blouse. She was in the exact same position as she was when I entered. She hadn't moved even a millimeter. "..." Reki's the type of person to never get tired of simple tasks, huh. To do things that everybody doesn't like indifferently, and forever. I really wish she'd share some of that ability with me. —I took the sleeve of her blouse, looking at her handiwork and...woah. The stitching was accurate to the point where it looked like it was sewn by a machine. Her personality really shows when you make her do this kind of work. Reki's also extremely attentive when it comes to being a sniper. She's persistent in her sniper restriction, she hates firing recklessly, and she even modified her Dragunov so that she could reload unused bullets back into the magazine from the chamber. In front of the knees that very same Reki, the perfectionist...a pair of rimless glasses was prepared, almost like she was trying to imitate reality in a very...Reki-like manner. I took them in my hands and sat them on Reki's nose...and even then, she didn't move an inch. Hey, have a little bit of a reaction. So I thought to myself, when she looked up at me through the gap above the lenses of the glasses. Uu. This is...the exhibition of the technique the glasses (girl) loving Mutou had talked about, 'looking up while letting the glasses droop down'. He'd said something like 'The destructive power of that is seriously awesome,' but only now do I understand what he meant. What on Earth is this. I can feel the Hysteria bloodflow, even if just a little. When combined with Reki, it becomes a dangerous object. I should take it off. And I'll have to be alert against the glasses that Hotogi-sensei is wearing, as well as the pair that Jeanne wears occasionally. Haaah...glasses...that was truly unexpected. This world is filled with dangerous things. Dangerous for me, that is. As I was doing this and that, Riko, dressed as a cowboy, came and shouted "Good morning everyone!" Why would you say 'good morning'? It's 10:00 PM right now. So I thought, but asking Riko the meaning of her announcements is like asking a chimpanzee why it's making noise (an interesting but pointless exercise), so I decided not to. In any case it's probably some form of 1337speak or something. It seems like Riko's already finished with her costume— She was wearing a ten-gallon hat, and a blouse made of unbleached cloth came together in front of her chest, leaving her belly button completely exposed. She was also wearing leather boots and a leather vest, as well as a miniskirt made of denim, with strings of leather hanging from its hem like noodles. It was really detailed work. Rather, she had even changed her guns to antique-like revolvers, but would she be alright armed like that? Putting aside my uneasiness, Riko was grinning and standing in front of the door to the classroom— "C'mon, hurry up! You'll definitely be suuuuper popular! Cuteness is justice!" —and she was pulling on someone, who was beyond the door and couldn't be seen. "~~~~~~~~~~~~" The legs of that person, who seemed to be shouting at a pitch higher than that of a person's hearing range, were being dragged in and...they came into view. Accompanying red strap-shoes...were socks striped pink and white. There were even white frills attached to the upper edge of the socks. Sectioning peoples' clothing and memorising them: 'Dress Scan', was something that had become a habit through Inquesta. We'll definitely be accepting, so show it to us. Miss Elementary School Student. "I-I-I knew it! I DOOOOOOOOOON'T WAAAAAAAAANT TOOOOOOOOOO!" Aria, who was wearing a kids' size blouse with buttons on near the top of her left and right chest (this also had big frills on its lower hem,) and a skirt which was so small as to be stupid, was struggling against Riko with a force which threatened to dislocate her wrist joints. It seemed like she wasn't wearing the push-up bra she normally had on, and it was clearly an A...no, AA-size. There, the reality of her being an elementary school student is at its pinnacle. Aria-chan (8 years old) had finally become completely visible, and she was wearing a red satchel covered in pink. On the satchel's left side was a holder for a soprano recorder. The detail of the design. Riko made this costume. Probably. To guard against the possibility of any holes, I had done a week of image training of the Aria as a schoolgirl, and also practiced resisting laughter, but if I saw the squirming Aria any more, I'd burst out laughing, so— "Aria, give up. If you don't finish making the details of your costume, then Ranbyou'll drag you around town on her bike as punishment. In those clothes. He-Hem." At the end, the laughter which would have spelled my self-destruct leaked out, but I hid it with the 'coughing gesture' which I had mastered. After I said those words with a straight face, smoke started coming out of the top of Aria's head like a wire had short-circuited, and even as she continued looking down... She staggered over here like Koko — Meimei using drunken fist, and she tottered down, sitting cross-legged, next to me. In response to Aria, who had sat right next to me... For an instant I felt Shirayuki glare with eyes like blades, so I glanced at her, but...Shirayuki was smiling gently as always. S-Seems like that was just a hallucination or something, because of my tired eyes. I've probably been doing too much detail work. Rubbing my eyes and looking at Aria—a nametag with: 'Year 4 Class 2: Kanzaki Aria' written on it was stuck on the right side of her satchel. Her designation as being in 4th grade of elementary school once again hit the mark, and I once again had to fake a cough. "Hem...Autumn's a season where the air's just starting to dry up...Almost feels like I've caught a cold." My voice trembling with the laughter that was swelling up, I announced how it felt like I had a cold. Aria, who was already completely red, glared up at me as if to say: "If you dare laugh, I'll blow a hole in you." Even her cheeks were puffed out, she really is an elementary school student. "Hey! Aria-chan! The sewing box is over here! Aria-chan!" Aria grit her teeth and clutched at her skirt. Clenching both her hands with all her might...she must be trying to resist her frustration. "You...you must really want to say 'Aria-chan', but...!" An index finger made contact with the Aria's forehead, just as she was speaking in a voice dripping with venom. With a smile as warm as sunshine, Shirayuki-sensei poked her. "You can't do that, Aria-chan. Elementary school students can't talk with that kind of tone." She's talking about Masters' order, the one hour of 'acting out your costume'. "...Uguuu...!" "Right, and then, when we're lent tools, we have to say thank you, right?" Looking closely, the index finger that Shirayuki-san's putting between Aria's eyebrows...isn't its fingernail outstretched? I noticed only because Aria was sliding away from me like she was trying get away, but Shirayuki's putting an enormous amount of power into her finger. Aria, who had to act like an elementary school student because of the rules... "...I'll remember..." I was thinking that she had spoken with a voice which sound like it had been groaned out from the back of her throat... The muscles in her face twitched, her face forming an expression that looked like a saber-toothed tiger was forcing a smile. And as the smoke from the magma of the shame and rage that swirled inside her body spilled out of her mouth... "...Y-Yes! Fank you very much! Sensei!" She widened her camellia coloured eyes and shouted at Shirayuki. Twitch! The veins on Aria's forehead—did it really become that shape inside her?—stood out as a 'D'. "...!" To my eyes, it looked like the 'D' in 'Die'. Could it be that somewhere on Aria's body, her veins were standing out in shapes 'I' and 'E'? And when we put them together... G—G...God that's scary! The hell is this new system! At this killing intent, even the fearless armed Miko-san who's picking on Aria has pulled away. Riko the cowboy has even fallen backwards, and is crawling back. I secretly lifted up D-mode ON — Aria's pink skirt, inconspicuously checking that there weren't any guns in the holsters by her thighs. "A-Aria, there's no need to act. Let's just do our work. Alright?" Remembering that Aria had once boasted about how she had bested a grizzly bear with her bare hands, I desperately tried to cool down the nuclear reactor on the edge of meltdown. Damn it. Butei High is hell. Since this is a peaceful event, just making costumes, why does my lifespan have to be shortened like this? And you, Reki. When did you disappear like smoke along with Haimaki. Again. That goddamn intuition. Afterwards, Officer Tohyama's going to file a complaint and arrest you. At around 11:00 PM, everybody had finished their own costumes... We had decided that everyone going home would bring three desks from the back of the classroom and return them to their original place, so the scene inside the classroom gradually returned to normal. Professor Reki, the human watch, had also said 'It is time to sleep,' and had went home. Shirayuki-sensei went home to do student council work, and Aria-chan tottered home with an unsteady gait. (Alright...I should be just about done too.) Somehow...it feels like though he's young, this police officer has no motivation whatsoever. I had rented the S&W M360 which has recently been used by police from Amdo, but when I try holding it—it's light, and it's built durably. Quite a good gun. I quite like it. Looking around while in my police uniform, only a few people were left. And coincidentally, all of those people were girls. Ugh. It's about time for me to head off. ...But... The activity of the culture festival—'Ristorante Masque'...the preparations for it are just about finished. There were incidents, and it was pretty troublesome, but making preparations with everyone gathered like this...it wasn't boring. I'm in the second year of high school, so I can only experience preparing for a culture festival in high school once more. Thinking that, I felt myself settle into a slightly sentimental mood. (Though it isn't in my nature.) The remnants of Baskerville were I, who was slow and bad with his work, and—Riko the Cowboy, who apparently liked the atmosphere here or something and was reading Young Gangan. Mutou's team was only left with one person.A girl wearing a sparkling slim dress, and with limestone pasted to her phone...Ah. Is that Hiraga-san? She wasn't in her uniform, and her hair, which was normally always done up, was untied and had been pushed up, so for a moment I had no idea who that was. I'll take this opportunity. I'd asked Hiraga-san to do something for me, and there's something I've ordered from her, so I guess I'll talk to her a bit. "Hiraga-san." I squatted down next to her, still in my police uniform— "Ah, Officer Tohyama!" Spin. Hiraga-san turned back. "—!?" She had put on makeup so thick I couldn't even see her skin. "I'm Ayaya! Thank you for stopping by!" Thick foundation, eye shadow applied such that she looked like a panda...she was also wearing fake eyelashes, and so her eyes looked like kirins' eyes...what the hell is that? "Are you...a ghost?" "Officer Tohyama! This is a cover girl! You're pretty handsome, so it'll be cheap!" Hiraga-san opened a lottery slip with 'Charisma Cover Girl' written on it with both hands, and fluttered the heavy-looking eyelashes of both her eyes. Did she think that was a wink? Another fail... (Rather, for this girl to be a hostess...that shop's committing a crime, isn't it...) Hiraga-san's also bad at drawing lots. In an opposite manner to Aria. She had drawn a role which fitted herself not at all. It does seem like she really likes it though. "Waah! Ayaya's so cute!" In response to Riko, who had for some reason dived in (literally), cover girl Ayaya...was praised. "Ehehe. Welcome—! Crack open the champagne!!" Don Don Don Don Don Perignon—! Looking at Riko and Hiraga-san, who had started singing as they waved their hands around like they were cheering, I already felt like saying 'that's enough'. Hiraga-san's definitely going to receive some corporal punishment after this. Amuamidabutsu. "Ah...by the way, Hiraga-san, thanks for your work. You really helped clear up the debris of the...tank-like thing on Empty Island." I called out to her from the side, and Hiraga-san... "Officer! I'm the one who should be saying thank you. That stuff we salvaged make really good materials. Was it really alright for me to take everything?" "Yeah. It'd be pretty dangerous if that stuff was found. Well putting that aside, that thing that I had ordered..." I looked to the water, and Hiraga-san said "Aha! I'm half done!" and pulled from a fabulous Chanel handbag— "I finally sewed on the emblem tonight, which is why I was left here." —one black glove. Ooh. So it'll look like this. I put it on my right hand, and...it fit perfectly. As expected of Hiraga-san. 'The fabric portion is formed of TNK wire, so its structure is such that even if your hand takes an impact, the energy'll be dispersed. Until the second joint of the index and middle finger, the interior—is prepared with the superhard alloy carbonized tungsten cobalt coated with nitrated titanium. Its name is Python!" —It may be a glove, but it's an open fingered glove. All the fingertips are exposed, and for the pinky and ring finger, the entire finger is—the index finger and middle finger is slightly longer, going up to the second joint—bulletproof fabric also covers the glove up until the first joint. Half of the thumb is covered. It's slightly unbalanced, but it's fine. Just like I ordered. But, I had left the design to her, but...it's really too cool. It feels like it's futuristic, like it's from a sci-fi movie. There's a Butei High emblem on the back of the hand, and that looks like it's from an anime. (But, well...it's fine.) If I told her to do it again, she'd charge me extra. And it's not something I just show people either. This is—the open fingered glove I ordered after the battle with the Koko sisters. For the sake of protecting my fingers. Normally, gloves that contain metal like this—'slid knuckle', is constructed for use in hand to hand combat, but in my case, it was constructed to use 'Slash'. 'Slash' is a dangerous technique that uses the index fingers and middle fingers of both hands to enclose a bullet coming my way, changing its trajectory slightly, just so that it won't hit me— Before, I had done it with my bare hands and had learned my lesson, so I requested its design. Well...I'd like to be spared from vicious battles where I'm forced into a position where I'm made to need to use 'slash' though. 'Grenada' and 'Deen' haven't moved at all, but far east warfare...was that it? It seems like I'm being drawn into this and that, and because of that I don't know when and who will attack. Even the thought of being able to fight on par with those monsters with this is painful, but there's nothing for me to do but prepare in my own way. As much as I can within the limits of a normal high school student. "Ahh, with this—it's fine. There're no problems. Just that there's no point for this if I don't have both gloves. I'll be leaving the left hand to you." "Of course I'll make the left hand just as you ordered, but...when you get both, what'll you use it for?" "...Trade secret." I gave an answer that wasn't an answer to the charisma hostess-san who had asked. In any case, even if I told her, she wouldn't believe me. "By the way...why did you name the glove Python?" 'Officer Tohyama! Flex your hand, try opening and closing it!" Since Hiraga-san said to, I did as she said, and... The metal shell attached to the interior of the two fingers clicked together, making a pleasant sound. "Look! Your fingers look like a snake opening and closing its mouth!" I, who had been made to do something so stupid, was stupefied... Riko had seen my Python from the side, and her eyes started to shine. "That's soooooo cooooool! Super cool! Give it to Riko! Give it, give iiiiiiitt!" "H-Hey! Let go of my hand! It won't fit your hand!" 'Hey, Officer Tohyama. Once you get both gloves, what can they be used for? Tell me, tell me, tell meeee." Riko, who seemed to have taken a liking to the anime-like design of my gloves, and Hiraga-san, who was stubbornly continuing to ask, grabbed onto my sleeves from both sides. T-This is an impossible scene. An officer in uniform is getting entangled with a cowboy and a hostess. Even in Tarantino's films, which have a lot of absurd scenes, nothing like this ever happens. Rather, this is more like a scene from a comedy. In the changing corner, I changed into my school uniform from the police costume... "Kinji." Riko, who had changed before me, called out to me from beyond the screen. Seeing as she had called me 'Kinji' rather than "Ki-kun'...this was the 'Inner Riko'. "What is it?" "Are you going to make that a normal move? You're slowly leaving behind what it means to be human." ...That's just like Riko. Just by seeing Python, she knew its use. —She's talking about the move she saw just once at Tokyo station, 'Slash'. "Leaving humanity behind? If you're the one telling me that, I guess it's all over for me." I answered from the other side of the screen, and Riko chuckled— "Riko-chan, your friend's calling for you, you know? Someone with the same sort of clothes, kind of frilly and western. It seems like they aren't from this school." "Alriiight! Someone not from this school...?" A classmate from outside the classroom called her name, and Riko returned to 'Surface Riko' and answered. Just like that, Riko left the classroom... ... Mm...? Somehow, it seems like the girls are moving out of the classroom? Having finished changing, I exited the changing zone— Ah. Damn it. Fuck my life. There was no one left in the classroom, and there were still a few desks against the back. Those bastards. They gave up on cleaning up and went home. Are they telling me to do it? I don't know whose it is, but someone had forgotten the amplifier they brought in here. The MP3 player's also just lying there. It's fine because it's quiet piano music, but the sound was still on too. Seriously. There weren't any witnesses, so I thought I'd just head out too, but... If I don't clean up, I'll be lynched tomorrow when they go on the hunt for the culprit. The girls'll just come together on this one. If that happens, my internal report'll take a hit, and my plan to transfer to a normal school will also be affected. So, alone in the classroom in the middle of the night...I carried desks, with piano music in the background. "Just...a little bit more." I took a desk, and looked up— "?" Rustle . At the edge of the door, a pink string...or rather, Aria's twin tails were visible. She hid her head, but couldn't hide her tails. The hem of the skirt of the sailor uniform she had apparently changed into was also visible. She always tries to hide like that. Exhibiting the fine skills that belong to every S-rank Butei. "What're you doing, Aria?" I called out to her, and Aria started for a moment..then entered the classroom. I thought that she had gone straight home and went to sleep, but she came back? Did she forget something? "What am I doing? I don't really know, but...you weren't coming back." Aria dipped her head a bit, muttering: 'Reki's sleeping and Shirayuki's doing work...I couldn't connect to Riko's phone either." Afterward, she looked up at me, almost like she was peeking. "Then, maybe Kinji's still in the classroom...or so I thought, and you were here." "...? I don't really get it, but you're just in time. Help me out." "...I should be the one asking, why're you doing this all alone?" "Why? No idea. Help me out." Saying it twice, Aria walked over...with a small noise, she helped me take one. Now that I think about it, something like this happened during our summer vacation. Aria appeared when I was cleaning up. "Guess there's no helping it. The reason why I was worried was because of this." Aria sat on the desk that she had carried, and she looked at me, still carrying the remaining desks, with relieved eyes. It seems like she's in a good mood, but...you're just going to help me carry one desk? Well, it's better than nothing. The classroom returned to normal. Looking at the clock, the date was about to change. Finally, I went over to the amplifier that I had left, and I tried to switch off the sound— "Isn't...that fine just as it is?" Aria was looking at the window—and the veranda in the Year 2 Class A classroom. "Why? If we leave it on until morning, it'll be a waste of electricity." "That's not what I mean. Just...um. Let's take a break, is what I'm saying. You're slow." A break? You only took one desk. And though it's Friday, it's pretty late already. I want to go back and go to sleep, but... If I say something against my lady's will, I'll be sentenced to death. "...If that's what you meant, then say so." I swallowed my complaints and pulled out someone's chair, going to sit, but— With movements which suggested that she had just decided on something, Aria put her hand on the slide door leading to the veranda. "The veranda. The boys were in it all day, so I hadn't gone out. I'm going." Her back still towards me, Aria opened the door and stepped out onto the veranda. My master had just said 'I'm going,' so that means 'Come too, slave.' If I hang back, then the guns'll leave their holsters, so I also went out to the veranda... I looked over at Daiba, on the other side of Tokyo Bay, lights still on and sparkling. The observation vehicle in Bullet Town was still lit up, and it looked like thin oval lights from here. "...It's beautiful." "Yeah." It's the Daiba I've always seen, but this is probably the first time I've seen it from the classroom veranda and in the middle of the night. (Rather...) I noticed only after coming, but this veranda has a pretty good atmosphere. It'd be nice if I was a lone, but when with a girl...you want to take a break in this kind of romantic place? This is troubling for me, you know. "..." From the amplifier in the classroom, the piano music could be faintly heard—it mingled with the sounds of the surf of Tokyo Bay, and in contrast, highlighted the silence. It feels like a scene from a movie. It even felt like only Aria and I were floating in the middle of the darkness. Now, the feeling of it being only the two of us increased. This...this is awkward. Leaning on the handrail with her elbows, Aria's hands (it seems like her elbows didn't reach) went to the same handrail. I glanced in her direction, and... Aria was glancing this way at exactly the same time, so our eyes met. The timing the two of us took to avert our gazes was exactly the same. Ah...what is this. We're completely synchronized...that's a problem. It seemed like we thought the same way, and so things were becoming increasingly awkward. "... ..." U-Um. This is weird. Normally, Aria loves to talk, and there'd never be such an interruption in the conversation. It's strange. Glance... I looked Aria's way, and again, she looked at me. Our eyes met again, and once more, we averted our gazes simultaneously. Ahh...what the hell is this. This has become really troubling. In other words, um, we both...seem to be aware of each other . "... ... ..." The wind direction changed, and Aria's bittersweet gardenia scent reached me. Damn it. A topic. A topic. Isn't there anything? I had become panicked because of the feminine scent, and I couldn't think of anything. Can't a UFO or something fly pass? "Ahhhhhh, um. What's that?" — Point . Aria stretched her arms out, and pointed at the horizon. Seeing as the way she's talking seems to be pretty forced, it seems like she was looking for a topic as well. "Mm? Where?" I...also spoke a little forcedly, looking at the direction Aria was pointing. "Um, it looks like a super high tower. It's dark though." "Ahhh...that's the Sky Tree." "Sky Tree...?" Tilt . Aria looked over here with her camellia colored eyes. It seems like she doesn't know about it. "You don't know about the Sky Tree?" "What on Earth is that? It's weird English. I don't know it." Aria shook her head, her twin-tails shaking as well. "You...stop watching BBC all the time and watch the Japanese news too. Well, I may say that, but I don't really know much about it myself...but, I know that it's a radio tower. It's being built, so it's only finished up to the second observation platform." "Oh....?" Thinking about it, the Sky Tree...is pretty much done. According to the news, it's now 450m high. It seems like it's about 70% finished. When it's finished, will I...still be in Butei High? When it's finished, Aria will... For a while longer, the two of us stayed silent, looking at the faraway Sky Tree—finally, Aria opened her rose pink lips. "Today...well, I don't really want to think about that elementary school student costume...but it was fun. I had fun. Doing things like that to prepare for a culture festival, it was fun." "—Yeah. I also had fun. Well, it's finished though." "I wonder how many times I'll have a night like that in my life?" "In your life? A few times, right? Until now, there've been a few times." "No. There definitely won't be that many. This was my first time." "Your first...?" "In the London and Rome Butei High, I was an aria . I mostly cancelled this kind of work, and even if I did it, I did it alone. Actually, I was thinking about not going and doing my work alone, but...you...were here." "...I was?" "H-huh? That's not it, that's...Um, Riko. I was dragged here by Riko." "A-Ahh. Now that you mention it, that did happen. Well, whatever the case...coming here and working with everyone...wasn't it nice?" "T-That's right. That's why I want to treasure that time...this time..." I see. Aria wants memories of school life, even if she's in a school like this. Ever since she was small, she's been with adults, and was working at the London Butei division...so events like this, as a student, are fresh. She must've been happy. "...If only this day would continue on forever. When I wake up tomorrow, it'd be this morning....Taking lessons, eating lunch, preparing for the culture festival...that would continue." In response to Aria, who was jokingly talking about that science fiction-like scenario, I laughed softly. "And at night, I'd return to the classroom...I'd find you, and I'd carry one desk. Afterward, the two of us would go out onto the veranda—and do this..." Aria spoke, and looked up at me— I reflexively turned to face her, and when I looked into her face from such a close distance... Aria's eyes were smiling—Aah... —How do I say this? In any case, she was beautiful. I'd never be able to say it, but she was beautiful. I was enraptured by that sight, like I was being sucked in. "..." After coming this far...the strength of her eyes—a figure of speech like that doesn't quite fit. An artist with skills so amazing such as to be comparable to God created a beautiful girl who belonged to an ideal world. And she was given life, and started walking. I...felt that way. About Aria. (...?) Rather... Normally, she's cute enough as she is, but she looks even more beautiful than that tonight. Ah. She's—it's thin, but she's wearing makeup. Damn. What was that I was saying about God? "...Did you put on makeup? You weren't wearing any when making your costume." I said, and Aria— "!" —showed off her super blushing technique. She started a series of panicked gestures which looked like she was grabbing onto an invisible meteor shower of candy. "T-That's—that's, that's because, tonight's a date." "D-Date?" "—Eh!?" Aria's camellia colored eyes went completely round, and she stiffened. No, no, you shouldn't be saying 'Eh!?' right? You're the one who said it. I'm the one who should be going 'Eh!?' Anyways, this is just going out to the classroom veranda. I've never heard of a date with a total distance of 1 meter. "Th-that's not...what I mean by a d-date is—it's just a comparison!" She opened her mouth wide and shouted at me, so... "I-I got it. I understand. Don't open your mouth like that. I can see all the way inside." I tried to calm her down. What is it this time? She suddenly hid her mouth with both of her hands, looking this way just with her eyes. "...What's wrong, Aria?" "Nyothing." "Why're you suddenly talking like a cat." "...Don't stare so much. At my...um...next to my incisors..." Ah. Her canines? "What's wrong with your canines? Did they extend or something?" "..." Remembering the night that Aria had been bitten by a vampire, I asked seriously. "Huh? There's no way they'd extend, right? Are you an idiot? Um...it's a complex of mine. These teeth." "Why? They're like a cat's—and um, well...by common sense, they'd be cute, wouldn't they?" "Cu...cu-cute? You think so? Isn't that stupid?" "Um, that's why—I said 'by common sense'. As an extremely normal Japanese guy, it's normal to think that way." I spoke, a little redundantly, and Aria's expression looked like she was thinking... "In the Christian faith, that isn't so. The devils in religious paintings have this kind of teeth, so...they're made fun of as 'devil teeth'. It was gossiped about a lot in Rome Butei High." She was saying it sadly, so... "Then, stay in Japan forever." I said as consolation... Accompanying her specialty, the blushing technique, Aria also exhibited her petrification technique. Just by being told to 'Stay in Japan forever' by me...why did she turn to stone? Aria, who was creaking like a robot without enough oil, muttered in some English I didn't understand: "Why are you saying such proposal-like words so calmly?" "You really...ignored all the steps...!" Lifting the ban on showing her canines immediately, Aria glared up at me. Really...what've you been talking about this whole time, Aria-san... I feel like I've seen all of your human emotions at this point. "—You know. The truth is, there's something that I wanted to say to you!" "What is it..." "You're a boy who's really weird with his steps." Steps? Had I danced in front of Aria? "My father had said to 'be careful of boys who ignore the steps'...so after you did weird stuff to me in the PE warehouse, I was wary, but...nobles can't pass over the steps when it comes to that . We're not animals after all. T-That thing before...my neck...I mean..." Neck...? Ahh. The blood clot on her neck. Now that I think about it, Aria's convinced that that was me who did that. I don't really understand, but it seems that she's angry about that. "I'm sorry for hurting you." It would be weird to start talking about Hilda now, so I'll just say that. I made an expression which said: 'I'm sorry, I won't do it again,' and... Aria's expression grew slightly panicked. "Ah, no. You don't have to give in like that. It seems like I was drunk, so I don't really remember...I'm not really getting worked up about it." Please don't. It actually wasn't me. "Also, you had the resolve to do even something like that, so...I'll forgive you for that. It's forgiven. But! You have to follow the steps properly after this!" So, these steps have appeared again. I don't know what's allowed or expected of me according to these 'steps', but seeing as Aria's talking in a way that's masking a more direct expression...it seems like it's a term related to 'male-female relationships'. I know that much. Most likely...a normal guy would be able to understand the meaning behind Aria's words. After all, it's something that Aria can talk about, though she's bad with such things. —But, I... Because I hate Hysteria Mode, I avoided girls entirely. And extremely stubbornly too. I avoided them on purpose. For as long as I can remember. That's why...I can't really understand anything to do with 'boy-girl relationships.' Even though I'm being talked to about it, I don't understand, and I don't really understand what's interesting about the drama in romance. So, I... "..." Averted my eyes, feeling a little depressed. I'm sorry, Aria. It seems like you're talking about something earnestly, but... I don't understand what you mean. Even so, I feel like it would be rude to ask about and have her meticulously explain every detail about these 'steps'. After all, I'm in the wrong for being so naive as to not be able to understand, and it feels there's some sort of desperation in Aria's actions...so...I'll just play along for now. Even if I don't understand. "Yeah, I've got it. I'll be careful. I'll follow the steps properly. That should be fine, right?" "Ah...y-yeah. So, um, this. I-I was happy about your feelings, but..." Aria stuck her left hand out and let me see. "...?" "The ring. I'm not going to wear it yet." Ahh. The ring I gave her for her birthday, huh. It's your choice whether to put it on or not. "...Did you not like it? I'm sorry if you didn't. I don't have much sense in these things." "N-No! Nonono!" Aria shook her head at a speed where she looked like Ashura, with multiple heads. And looking at me again... "That's not it. It's just that I'm not wearing it yet . I-I'm not going to return it. I've already sent it to a Swiss bank. Carefully too." "It's fine if you don't give it back." I smiled wryly, and Aria blushed at my words— "But...but that ring was skipping steps. About a hundred of them. I didn't sleep and thought about it for three days, but in the end I concluded that it's way too early for us. So...I won't wear it yet. However...um, even so...you remembered my birthday really well." "That's...I am the leader of Baskerville. It's one of my duties to know about the members of my group." "'Duty'...? Then, do you know the birthdays of the other members? Shirayuki's or Riko's, or maybe Reki's?" "Ah...I don't know precisely." I spoke honestly, and Aria's expression relaxed into one that seemed to express: 'I've won'. Won what? And for a while after that, her eyes flickered, as if wondering whether or not to ask me something. And after... "...Hey, then...could I ask you something else? "That's fine. I don't really have anything to hide." Other than Hysteria Mode. "Um...er...Kinji. U-Until now...have you had a girlfriend?" Huh? Wh-what the hell?...she's continuing this hateful line of conversation. "No." "You're lying. After all you're pretty popular, aren't you?" "Like hell. My nickname's 'introvert', you know? Zero. Zero girlfriends. Don't ask about something that you don't even need to ask about." My mouth in a 'へ' shape like that of Star Wars' clone troopers, I answered, and— Aria slipped into a shy, loose smile. What? She's making fun of me. "What about you?" "Eh?" I fired off the same question, counterattacking— Since Aria is Aria, she frowned in a 'へ' like Darth Vader's. "—I've been saying this since the beginning. I've not had any romances with anybody. None. I was always thinking about Mama..." I see...it seems like I asked something bad. "Sorry. Just responding in kind—" "Th-That's alright. Mama's high court trial is next week, and she's definitely innocent. The prosecutor's also said that he won't appeal if she's innocent. Japan's laws are modified so that the verdict is announced on the same day, so Mama—can become free next week." "That's right. I know that she's innocent, but it was worth it working so hard, Aria." "Yes...so, with this...from now on, um...a little bit of that kind of thing ...I know I have a little bit of space to think about s-something like that...'Could I?' or s-so I w-was thinking, and just at that point, y-you...ri...riri...ring..." She tried once more, whispering, to return to talking about stuff like romance after talking about her mother...Aria had seemed strange to me since earlier... "Somehow...you're different from normal. Did you eat a peach bun you dropped on the floor?" Thinking that there might be something wrong with her body, I took the opportunity to change the topic and asked that question. "Nobles don't do that kind of thing! I'm not you!" Aria turned towards Daiba— "That's not it, from now on, Kinji and I...that's...w-what...? Rather, why am I only talking about this stuff? Since before..." "Don't ask me." Aria...there really is something strange about her tonight. Her nerves are probably strained from the shock of being forced to be an elementary school student. "...Shall we go home? It's become cold." "Y-Yeah..." We returned to the classroom, and—Aria took hold of the back of my uniform with her miniature hands. And before I turned around, she put her forehead against my back. "Then...let's say that with this, we've advanced a step." "A step..." "Yes. It was beyond just one door, and it was only for five minutes, but this...that we had tonight—it was the first date of my life. We advanced past that step. I've decided on that." ... Well, whatever Aria wants to think is up to her. "Alright, I'm heading back." 'That's right'— I'm not going to say that. After all, you're a little strange tonight. Strange, or rather... My intuition isn't great, but the Aria on the veranda...somehow, I felt that she was talking from the depths of her heart. I also thought that she couldn't do it very well. And it didn't seem like it was just because my ability to understand her was lacking. Not being able to phrase one's thoughts well. That happens often, but...normally, at that kind of time, people won't talk much. They want to speak, but they can't. They take that kind of attitude. But, it felt like the Aria just now was talking about her deep thoughts without being aware of it. It didn't feel like she was lying. But...the cover that Aria used to cover her feelings—the cover that everyone uses to hide their true thoughts...it felt like that had been removed. People that are drunk or are delirious with fever...speaking as a Butei, they are in a state where it's almost like they've been affected with a minor truth serum. Those kinds of people will accidentally spill out their true thoughts, things that they can't put into words, as incomprehensible expressions. You can't place any weight on anything that you're told while people are in that state So— I'll pretend that what took place on that veranda never happened. "You must've gotten chilly. I'll make you some hot coffee when we get home." Exiting to the hallway from the classroom with its lights off, I said those words while we walked side by side, illuminated by emergency lights— "Yeah." Next to me, Aria nodded once. "...When Kanae-san's released, let's celebrate with everyone. We'll have a drink at Club Estella in Daiba. I'll order a massive cake in advance. When we've finished eating it, we'll finish off with roasted espresso lungo doppio, which'll be far more delicious than my instant coffee." Her face, dimly lit up by the green emergency lights...looked so very happy. That's great, Aria. Looking at your smile, I honestly, from the bottom of my heart, think that way. Your mother will be innocent. Your wish will be granted. That moment will finally come next week. Really, truly...that's great. Aria. ### 005. 3rd Ammo - Silver-White ICBM ## 3rd Ammo: Silver-white ICBM "The accused, Kanzaki Kanae—is sentenced to 536 years of imprisonment." That verdict echoed within the 800th courtroom of the Tokyo high court. I, seated in the seats of the defense, couldn't believe my ears. The text which declared the postponement of the death sentence or life sentence wasn't spoken by the judge, so I had had a bad feeling, but...I can't believe it. Aria's mother, Kanzaki Kanae-san... ...was convicted. And there wasn't even a delay before its execution. It's a heavy sentence. Too heavy. "..." Sitting next to me and dressed in a suit, Riko looked over to the prosecutors with sharp eyes. Jeanne, who we had lost all communication with after Bandere, and Sayonaki Vlad, being held in a level 5 holding facility in Nagano, weren't present, but I had thought that we would definitely win this trial. —We lost. Completely. The sentence was reduced from the first trial, but still, this high court trial's a loss for the accused. Because, Kanae-san's actual life sentence hasn't changed. (That's not right...! Something like this is...!" Strange. This trial is strange. For some reason, there wasn't an audience, and there wasn't anybody from the mass media either— I even feel that there's something that we don't understand lurking at the back of this. "That's an unfair verdict!" Aria stood up, her chair scraping on the floor, and she shouted in a high-pitched voice. "This—Why!? I gathered so many testimonies, so much evidence—Why!? Mama is...Mama is innocent! Why!?" Aria, also dressed in a suit, tried to sprint over to the prosecution, but— The young female attorney, Renjou Kuroe, held on to her tight, keeping her back. "Don't raise a racket, Aria! You're giving a bad impression for the next trial! We'll appeal directly, so calm down!" —The next trial— If she's sentenced to life imprisonment, we'll no longer be able to overturn it. This trial has finally been driven into a corner. "Let go! Let go of me! I'm not angry at you! You're talented, and you did all you could! The one's that're strange are those people!" Aria wept as she pointed at the prosecutors and further, even the judge. "Do it over! Do it over again! I'll replace all of you and do it again! This is a—mockery! You've all conspired together to frame Mama...My Mama! This is a conspiracy!" "Stop it, Aria! There's still the supreme high court! This isn't definite!" Unable to say anything other than that, I also went to restrain Aria, but— Even when together with Renjou, who was a former Butei, we couldn't control her. Looking around, the security had taken out their handcuffs and were coming to surround Aria. This is bad. This is really bad. If Aria punches them and gets arrested here...! "—Aria. Please calm down." With that single quiet sentence, uttered from the seat of the accused— I knew that Aria had regained control of herself. Her gaze was turned towards her own mother— —Kanzaki Kanae-san. Aria had been struggling violently just a moment ago, but her eyes changed from rage to sadness...she just...she just looked at Kanae-san. —Please don't go. Please don't be apart from me— Her eyes seemed to be clinging onto those words. Wearing a grey suit and shaking her wavy hair, Kanae-san faced Aria... "Thank you, Aria. Your hard work...really made me happy. I can't believe that you had made I-U your enemy, that you had accomplished this much. You've grown a lot. For a parent, that's a joy beyond all other." ...and she was calm. More so than anybody else here. "Tohyama Kinji-san. I thank you too from the bottom of my heart. You've given Aria an amazing partner. I'm happy that I'm able to see that with my own eyes. But—" Kanae-san spoke up until that point— Erasing the expression on her face completely, she closed her beautiful eyes with those thick eyelashes. And her face formed the expression of...someone who had been made a scapegoat and was thinking about the person who had appointed her death...someone who wasn't here. "—I knew that things would turn out this way." She muttered. Apparently trying to comfort Aria, who was clutching the guns with Kanae-san's picture on them and continuing to cry, Renjou bundled us into her own Audi, and after spending some time in the parking lot... She started forward, as if chasing the vehicle carrying Kanae-san from the high court. She was thinking along the lines of...'Even if just a little, I'll let Aria be by Kanae-san's side', right? Aria, on a passenger's seat, was staring at the transport vehicle, which had gone through Roppongi Road, avoiding a traffic jam. "Mama..." Flicking a glance to the front mirror in response to that voice, I saw that Aria was...still crying. That's...that's right. In this trial, the defense was fought to win. For the sake of winning, Aria had literally risked her life, continuing to fight. For several years too. Throwing away her youth as a normal girl, she ran around the world, fighting with Riko and Jeanne, capturing Vlad, driving away Sherlock and Patra and gathering evidence. —In spite of that. Only Riko, Jeanne and Vlad's share was deducted from Kanae-san's sentence. The evidence of the defense concerning the other members' crimes wasn't enough. Their sentences were left behind. Why? I don't know. The case of the prosecution regarding Kanae-san's crimes seemed...even for an amateur like me, illogical. It was clear that their reasoning didn't stand. Even their evidence was ambiguous. —However, judgement was passed. ...What do we do now? Would it be fine if we arrested all the scattered remnants of I-U, including Patra and Hilda? And then would it be fine if we took a rope to their necks and dragged them to court, making them say that they were in the wrong? That's just a dream. Even if we could, something like that would take years. Renjou had bought us time, but there's no way we would make it in time for the Supreme High Court. The delay of a trial in Japan was improved through the enforcement of frequent new laws. No matter how hard we worked, within maybe three years...no, within two years, the supreme high court would judge, and Kanae-san's life sentence will be definite. ...While worrying about that, I looked at Riko, who was sitting next to me. Riko had closed her eyes earlier, seeming to be thinking about something. The car drove on, keeping up with the transport vehicle. It took a right at a reservoir intersection—entering Sotohori Road—and approached Kinnoushita. At that moment, at a place quite far away from the stop line of the traffic light... The transport vehicle stopped. "...?" Renjou took off her sunglasses and looked up the road. I had also noticed the irregularity. The traffic lights in front of us— (They're off...?) Neither red, yellow, or green were shining. They were off. The lights for pedestrians were also off, and people were milling around in front of zebra crossings, looking around at each other. "...What is it...?" Looking around, I saw that crowds of salarymen were pouring out of the buildings to the left and right, worry all over their faces. I noticed late because it was noon, but it's dark inside the cafe's and convenience stores on the ground floor. The lights on the billboards had also gone out. "A blackout?" Just as Renjou muttered those words, Riko opened her eyes wide, as if she was alerted of something. "...?" The next instant, my eyes— —took hold of something...irregular. Something black was spreading out from below the transport vehicle in front of us, which was currently stopped...and it was coming this way. It looked like it could have been a fuel leak, but that wasn't it. That was...a shadow...! The 'shadow' was stretching this way. I looked to the sky from the car window, but it didn't seem as if there were any helicopters or airships passing by. "...!" In the blink of an eye, the shadow enveloped the bottom of our car. That too was strange. The space outside the car remained bright. Though there's nothing above, there's still a shadow ...! —This is...! The instant the memory of a scene like this flashed into my mind—— "—!" A flash of light erupted, and following it was an overwhelming screeching of sparks, piercing my ears. Renjou's voice of surprise as well as Aria's shriek resonated in the car. I had thought that it was an explosive, but that wasn't it. This is—electricity. A high voltage electric current had just torn through our car. It gave rise to an impact which felt like we had been struck by lightning from below. "...!" The current seemed to have passed through the metal portions of the car—in other words, the exterior, leaving the interior unharmed. However, smoke as well as a choking sound was rising from the bonnet...not to mention the flames licking out from under the hood. Tens of liters of gasoline are held inside a vehicle. If it ignited, all of us— "Everyone, get out of the car! We're in danger!" Kicking the door open and getting outside, smoke was rising from the transport vehicle in front of us as well. All its tires had gone flat too. "Kanae-san—!" Just as Aria and I tried to sprint towards the transport vehicle— Golden sparks burst from the rear of the vehicle. "—Mama!" "Aria, wait! It's a trap!" Looking inside, the driver was hammering on the door. It seemed like he was trying to get out from the car, which had come to a stop, but was unable to. Could the door be broken? Or was something installed there and is keeping it closed? Having gotten onto the asphalt, I noticed that the strange shadow by my feet had disappeared. A series of unnatural movements from an unnatural 'shadow'— "Hilda...!" The reason I shouted her name— Was because I could see her. At some point in time, she had stood up on the car and now, she was twirling her frilly parasol— Giving off a decadent and, somehow, unlucky impression, a girl in gothic lolita. Having put herself forth as 'Grenada' during the Bandire, the most battle hungry of them all— And she was the vampire girl who bit Aria that night! "...Hilda! I've seen you in photos—but this is our first meeting, isn't it...!" Hilda sniffed at the sight of Aria, who had drawn her guns reflexively. And shaking her twin-tails, curls of golden hair hanging downwards, she looked the other way. "That's intolerable. How rude. I'm not really in the mood to fight, you know? I really hate the sunlight." Hilda pressed the handle of the parasol against her cheek, as if embracing it— "I say that, but I accidentally acted! Well, you just casually came out of Tamamo's barrier after all. And also..." Tapping the roof of the car with a stiletto heel made of black enamel, she indicated inside it. "This is your Mama, isn't it? I'll exterminate every one of Father's enemies, their families, their followers...I'll force them to extinction." "—Kinji, give support from the right side!" Aria shouted in her anime-like voice— Following her usual movement pattern, she sprinted straight towards Hilda. She ran with abandon, a reckless charge which made it seem like she had a jet engine strapped onto her. "...!" Without missing a beat, I drew my Beretta and ran towards Hilda's right...I see, it seems like her field of vision on this side is limited because of her parasol. The instant my and Aria's shadow stepped into the shadow of the transport vehicle... "—Mm." It seemed as if Hilda exerted herself slightly— "Uu—!" "Kyaaaaaaa!" Aria and I fell to the ground simultaneously. T-This is...! Her ability...!? It was like I had taken the shock of a 600~900 thousand volt stun gun. "As I was saying...don't show me yourselves like this...your blood running so high. I won't be able to hold myself back, will I? Ahh. I wonder if I should start feasting. Even Primo like you...it feels like I could." I tried...I tried to stand, but I couldn't. I'm staying conscious. That's another similarity with a stun-gun. Her ability—the current is impressive, but it doesn't seem as if she can raise the voltage. "...Fu-Fuck...!" In spite of that, pain is flashing through all my nerves, and I can't put any strength into my muscles. Even so, Aria hadn't let go of her guns, and her knees were quivering... "Hi...lda...!" Crawling inside the shadow, she clung to the license plate of the transport vehicle, which was still smoking. Her teeth clenched tight, she strained, but—she couldn't. Aria couldn't stand either. "...Ahh, I've had it. Aria, when I look at you...hunger just seems to well up. I remember your delicious flavour...I remember it well..." Hilda stepped down towards the trunk as if going down a set of stairs— Not even giving Aria's guns a thought, she crouched down. "I wonder if I'll have some accompaniment to my drink. The blood of that dying cockroach over there tastes like soured wine left in a thrown away bottle. On the other hand, your blood is like century old wine." By cockroach...does she mean me? I may ask that, but if this continues...I'm really the same as a dying cockroach. Only able to squirm on the ground...unable to do anything. I can't even put strength into a single finger. I can't even fire. "—Hilda!" A yell rang out— It belonged to Riko, who had exited from the car. Only able to turn my eyes in her direction, Riko was holding Walthers in her hands, and knives with the tails of her hair. "Get away...Hilda!" Even as she was holding two knives and two guns at the ready, Riko was trembling. Trembling so much that even I, looking from quite a ways away, could tell. She was stifling her terror, trying to bluff. That's what it felt like. Seeing her behaviour, I recalled the relationship between Riko and Vlad, who I had battled in June. When she was young—Riko was imprisoned. Imprisoned by the father of the girl standing before us, Hilda. Dracula Vlad. Seeing as they seemed to recognize each others faces, could it be that Riko and Hilda met during that period? "Aaah, the fourth. What fierce eyes. How cute." Hilda hugged herself, performing the gesture deliberately. "That's why I love you, fourth. If I'm the most high class of purebred dogs, you're a stray afflicted with rabies. But...you know, don't you? That you and I are friends." —As if Aria and I couldn't be seen, she spoke to Riko. "Currently, while father is absent, I am the master of the Dracula family. I won't shut you in a cage like father did. My marble room, my canopied bed of silk, my bathtub of pure gold...I'll lend it all to you. I don't mind leaving Koumeikan in Yokohama to you." Having said that, Hilda descended to the road. "Don't get any closer! Don't look down on me. Do you think that I'll be tricked by such worthless lies!?" —She grinned. At the sight of a screaming Riko, Hilda brought a finger to her mouth and grinned. "Look at my eyes, Riko. They aren't the eyes of someone who's telling lies, are they?" "..." Riko reflexively stared at Hilda's eyes—crimson irises only slightly filled with sparkling gold. Her breath seemed to leave her, as if she heard the words 'oh fuck' coming from her heart. "Alright. Put down your guns and knives. For the sake of our friendship. Do it while looking into my eyes...yes, like that. Do it while looking closely...slowly, slooowly..." "......!" Looking at her—Riko put her Walthers down, her hands trembling. She did the same for the knives in her hair... "Yes. It's fine now, fourth. Good girl. Listening to what I have to say, you're a good girl." Riko's body seemed to be moving contrary to her own will. Hilda, her stiletto heels clicking, approached Riko until she was right before Riko's eyes. Riko didn't fire. She just stared at Hilda in a daze. —She's done. It seems like she's been affected by some sort of hypnosis. This is getting ugly...none of us can fight anymore. Isn't whether we live or die...entirely up to Hilda...!? Hilda removed one of her bat earrings from her ear— "As proof of our friendship, I'll give you this." She attached it to Riko's ear. "...!" Riko withered, trembling, but even then, her eyes continued to glare at Hilda. Hilda faced her with a smile. Using that opening, I spasmed, trying to get a grip on my Beretta, but— "Gaaah...!" High voltage current once again tore through my hand. My body snapped backwards, leaving me facing upwards. With that, my hand was numb, and it couldn't move. All it did was twitch. "—If you're the most hideous litterbug to ever walk this earth, I'm the most beautiful Helena Morpho butterfly. Tohyama. You're forbidden from even turning your face this way." Hilda frowned and averted her crimson eyes away from me. This is impossible. I can't do anything. Faced with this witch, the me who isn't even in Hysteria Mode is really an existence comparable to that of an insect...! No, even if I was in Hysteria Mode...could I fight her? With this human stun-gun? Fuck, I don't want to d-die in a place like this... Will we be finished here...? So soon...!? —That moment— "...?" Hilda tilted her parasol, her gold twin-tails waving about. Her slender, dainty eyebrows creased, and she looked to the skies. It was hard for me to move even my eyeballs, but in my field of vision, restricted to the sky... —? What is that...? From beyond the skyscrapers, a silver light could be seen, high, high up in the sky. It wasn't a star. No star exists that can be seen during the day. "..." It was coming closer. That— I remember seeing that before...! It was one of the ICBMs that the members of EU had escaped on at the same time Sherlock had escaped on one. Modified and constructed, it was a transport...! The instant I realised this— With enough force to shake the ground, the silver-white ICBM pierced the road. It didn't explode. It stayed unmoving, like a slanted telephone booth. This really is a transport. As if to prove it—I could see a hatch on the side begin to open, releasing white smoke. "...?" Someone showed himself in the hatch— Aria, still lying on the floor, seemed to have locked gazes with him. "That was dangerous. You are...Aria, are you not? I knew when I first saw you." The sunlight at his back, he showed himself, stepping from the silver-white ICBM, on which 'Polaris 05' was written. A handsome boy wearing what seemed like the uniform of a foreign Butei High, a grey blazer. He was shining, like a prince who had come galloping on a white horse to save the princess. His glossy black hair was immaculate, and it gave off a slight shimmer. The boy stepped from the hatch to the floor. And as if protecting Aria, he faced Hilda, blocking her way. "Hilda. You have hurt the person whom, more than anyone else in this world, cannot be hurt." With a tone similar to the one I use while in Hysteria Mode (though a little higher pitched,) he spoke. Using his right hand, he drew a slender saber from a silver scabbard engraved with an emblem. At the sight of the saber, which sparkled like a gem in the sunlight, Hilda frowned, as if in discomfort. "I have three pieces of bad news for you. One, this is a Crux Edge I borrowed from the grand cathedral in Canterbury. Its core is Swedish steel, but the pure silver foil on the blade was shaved from a cross over 400 years old. The second..." Next, the gun the boy drew into his left hand was...a Sig Sauer P226R, nicknamed the SIG. It's supplied to governments, an elite automatic sidearm that England's SAS and America's SWAT like to use. It's expensive, but it's a masterpiece with high reliability. "Holy bullets. In addition, pure silver bullets that have been blessed by a Protestant church...something that you aren't used to." Bullets of silver. Those insanely expensive bullets, nicknamed 'Silvers'. They're probably also magically coated—(It isn't an area that I'm familiar with, but it seems like famous temples and churches bless them against evil.) "Third...I am angry. Hilda, I'm angry that you hurt Aria." His face stormy, the boy spoke. The sword and gun he was wielding was called 'Gun-Edge' in Assault. Even for Aru=Kata, it's relatively difficult, so it's a style that's died out, but if you're able to master its usage, it's useful in battle. I also use it occasionally; it's able to respond to both close distance and mid distance threats, leaving no openings. "...How hateful." Hilda opened a fan which used black ostrich feathers and hid her nose and mouth with it. "What a distasteful stench. When I think that it's the stink of silver..." Tch ...That seemed to be the sound of her teeth grinding. It looks like this boy's threats are working. "I am well aware of the impoliteness of nobles not following the protocol of a proper battle and launching a surprise attack, but...Dracula Hilda. I will bury you here." The boy faced Hilda with black eyes...eyes containing an earnest depth along with a tinge of blue. Dropping his hip a little, he stood ready, arms crossed over each other. "Aria, close your eyes. I don't want to show her blood to a lady." Having been told that, Aria remained silent, her camellia eyes staring blankly. Or rather, Gun-Edge boy, have you been ignoring me all along? That's intentional, isn't it? He hasn't even looked over here. "..." ...As the boy closed the distance between them, Hilda, who was clearly showing her distaste of the arms the boy was carrying, gestured towards the clear and sunny sky. "—If you would like to play with a lady, then think of the time and circumstance. Mannerless cur. Wanting to play on a day with such bad weather, at such a late time...did you think that the noble Lady Dracula would accept?" Hilda refused with some strange complaint, and...her feet in high heels, her shin, her knee... Like a melting amber statue, she sunk into the car's shadow. This too was something that I had seen on Empty Island. Starting from her feet, she disappeared, just like a magician. "Farewell, then. I'll hold myself back for today." Finally left with just her head and parasol, Hilda spoke to Aria, leaving those words behind her... And with that, she disappeared. A thud sounded, and I turned my head, finally able to move, towards it... Riko had sunk to the asphalt road. It felt like the threads of stress that had been stretched out had, along with the hypnosis, dissolved. "Are you alright, Aria?" The handsome boy spoke as he took Aria's shoulder, helping her to stand up... A little bit late, I also somehow managed to stand and stumble towards Aria. "...I can move. Let go of my shoulder." Aria, being prideful, turned towards the boy though her knees were still slightly trembling. The boy examined Aria from head to toe, as if checking on her condition. Realizing that she seemed to be fine, he brushed the dust off his shoulders and straightened his collar. "What about Mama...?" Because Aria looked towards the car, I looked as well... Apparently, Kanzaki Kanae-san had finally able to exit from the car. Supported on either side by bodyguards, she was looking this way with eyes that seemed to be filled with relief. By law, we aren't able to speak with her, but...she seems to be unhurt. Thank God. However— I looked between the ICBM that the boy had been riding and the boy himself. It doesn't seem as if he's an enemy, but who the hell is he? "Saying this after being saved is a little rude, but...are you a remnant of IU? What did you come here for?" I pointed towards the ICBM and spoke before the boy finally looked towards me. His eyes, black as obsidian, rested on me in a sharp gaze. I felt...something like hostility in that gaze. "Before asking others for their identity, give your own name first." "...I'm Tohyama Kinji." "I know. I saw a photo of you during my advance investigation." Don't ask me for my name then. "—I am L. L Watson." Hearing that name, Aria started, letting out a voice of surprise, and turned towards the boy. —Watson...? That name was...written in the Inquesta textbook. Yeah, he was the famous partner of Sherlock Holmes, Aria's great-grandfather and the leader of IU. It's the surname of the famous man, a former military doctor, who was Sherlock's lifelong partner. "Eh...!? Eh, the-then, you're, could you be...?" Aria's voice shook a little, but differently from before, when she was numb from the electric current... And whilst she spoke, she looked up at Watson. Watson, facing Aria with a small smile, nodded once— "That's right. I am Sir J.H. Watson's great-grandchild." This time, he turned to me, frowning. "Tohyama. You asked me what I came here for, but...do I need to give a reason?" Watson, who looked up at me with his tidy double-edged eyes, seemed displeased for some reason. "It's fine for you to say something like that, right? I don't know who you are." Becoming slightly irritated myself, I responded— Watson looked at Aria, and then at Kanae-san, standing further beyond. And— "I came to save my fiancé and mother-in-law. That's all." He said. ...? Not understanding him, I looked at Aria, and her eyes were wide and staring at Watson...She looked at me, and the expression of shock still on her face, she averted her eyes, like she was panicked. "...Fiancé?" Because of the atmosphere, which I couldn't really fathom, I asked Watson again. "I'm talking about Aria." Isn't it obvious? As if saying those words, Watson spoke without hesitation. And looking up at me, who was taller than him, he straightened, repeating what he said. "—Aria is my fiancé." Afterward, we explained the situation to the policemen that came running, and we saw off Kanae-san, who was once again put back onto the transport vehicle and sent to the detainment facility...and also, Hilda didn't seem to pursue us, so... We parted ways with Watson, who seemed to have something to talk about with the lawyer and therefore accompanied her to her home in Toranomon. Riko suddenly said that there was something she had to do, and she headed off to Nogizaka district. Left without a choice, Aria and I rode the train back home, just the two of us. During the train ride, Aria...didn't say a thing. I teased Aria a little bit, as she couldn't reach the handholds, but when I had just spoke one sentence to her, she started acting strangely, turning her face away from me, so she remained taciturn. This atmosphere...I can't ask any questions. About Watson. L Watson. Aria is his fiancé. If you look at historical manga...there are things like that among the nobility. Ever since the people in question were very young, their parents arbitrarily decided their spouses. Aria had someone like that too, or so it seems. Hmm...That's how it is. ...So, yeah. Those are pretty much my thoughts on the matter. I've heard about this during an Inquesta class; the Holmes and Watson family were initially, (stemming from their first generation) an intimate, single household. Both were granted the title of nobility, so in terms of family status, it's fitting as well. Isn't that alright? It's really fitting. A handsome boy and a beautiful girl. ...The air seems charged with these thoughts... Had I been unconsciously releasing this tension into the air? The moment we descended onto the Butei High station from the monorail, Aria grabbed my sleeve. "...Why're you so quiet?" Huh? I turned towards Aria, whose voice was subtly trembling. "Because you're quiet? When we got onto the Ginza-line, I tried talking to you once. You ignored it, so—" "Don't get angry. Listen to what I'm saying calmly." "Why is it that I have to be angry?" "Um, that person just now—" "I don't really care about Watson. He has nothing to do with me." In the end, I was forced to use the name 'Watson'. Leaving Aria at the platform, I descended the stairs ahead of her. Last month, at this landing...Aria had seen Reki and I and came looking for a fight...And now, Aria caught up to me here. "...You're doing this even though you were e-engaged to Reki?" She spoke to herself in a small voice. Aria misunderstanding things is something that happens all the time, it wasn't especially something to get angry about, but— No matter how much I tried to resist, I found myself growing annoyed. I turned, intending to give her what she had been looking for. "That thing with Reki was—" "Today was the first time I met him." Had she read my thoughts? Aria reined in her words, which came out a little strong. "Watson is...the fiancé that my grandmother decided on her own. That was something that I had only been told of once—and my grandmother was getting on in years, so there were often times where she would talk to me of reality mixed with her own fantasy. I didn't take her seriously, and to be honest, I had forgotten. About what she had said." "..." "It's true. I swear to God. I first met Watson today." Looking up at me and speaking sincerely, Aria seemed...somewhat desperate. "To expand a little, I didn't even know if he existed. I had heard a rumour of there being a heir to the Watson family, but...right now, that family is taking care of the organization Liberty Mason's high-level work. As long as Her Majesty the Queen doesn't give express permission, they can't show their real identity. Every one of them lives with a fake name, doing their work undercover—" Eyes like that of an abandoned dog, Aria spoke. I... (Why is she getting so desperate?) I felt myself getting angry for no reason I could think of. Isn't she making it feel like I've been shouting at her for having a fiancé? I've understood all along. I've understood that you will eventually disappear. I've understood that you live in the world of nobility. "...Kinji..." Which is why there's nothing that you need to give any excuses for. As Butei, you and I are just teamed up temporarily. In the end, you and I are different. In ability, in status, and in the world that we live in. Staying silent, I turned my back on Aria and walked down the stairs. The sound of footsteps following me—didn't appear. L. Watson Watson wrote his own name on the board in flowing cursive script— Kyaaa! Just by him doing that, the girls in class screamed in a high pitch voice. At the enthusiastic praise, the nervous homeroom teacher, Takamagahara Yutori, stepped away from the teaching platform. Smiling, Takamagahara-sensei said: "Alright then everyone! I'll be introducing a very special guest, a transfer student! Coming from Manchester Butei High, he's a reaaally cool exchange student!" So...there's no way, or so I thought, but it was true. (Watson...He transferred here...) I frowned, and beside me, Aria was trembling in shock... Once again, she stole a look at me. What is it with you? You've been like this since yesterday. Don't take that kind of attitude, where it feels like you're afraid to touch a sore point. Unlike you, it's not like I have any business with your private matters. It's not something that I should intrude in. "My name is L Watson. I'll be in your care." Watson spoke with a voice that was a little high for a guy, and he took a seat at one of the tables farthest to the back. Just as he took his seat, the bell that signaled the end to homeroom rang. Simultaneously, the girls crowded around Watson's seat, accompanied by cries of 'Waah!' or 'Kyaa!' They look like paparazzi crowding around a Johnny's-type idol. "What was your specialty class back at your old school!? Which one will you be in here!?" "I was in Assault at New York, Inquesta at Manchester, and Medica at Tokyo—I've come to give a final polish to my Butei skillset." Kyaa! The girls started getting excited again. It felt like all their eyes had become heart shaped. "You're like a prince!" "I'm not part of the royal family. I'm a viscount." Kyaaa! Kyaaa! They became even more excited. Looking at the girls, quite a few of their eyes had now become $ marks. "Your skin is so pretty! It's even more beautiful than a girl's!" "...Thank you." He smiled. The girls screamed with their high-pitched voices when they saw Watson smile, showing off his white teeth. In its aftermath, a few of them seemed to have become lightheaded, and they staggered around...they were supported by the girls from Medica and Ambulace. Thank God that Riko's taking a break. She loves these kinds of disturbances, so she has the habit of exacerbating the situation. (But...Watson's a pretty big deal.) If I was surrounded by that many girls...Just thinking about it makes me want to run away. I'd prefer being surrounded by armed criminals. Even so—Watson was perfectly calm. It feels like he doesn't care at all, confronted with a herd of girls. He's completely used to them. With the relaxed attitude that comes with being surrounded by friends, he's handling them well. Taking into account the fact that he's such a beautiful guy, he's in a completely different league. "What club are you joining, Watson-kun!?" "I don't have any plans." Hearing that answer, the colour of all the girls' eyes changed in an instant. "Join the soccer club! I'm starting as the manager soon!" 'Eh, how do you feel about the drama club...?" "Please come to the swimming club!" They started fighting over him with invites. "I'm sorry. I don't join club activities in any of the Butei Highs. Swimming is especially bad for me—" Watson smiled wryly, but the girls didn't back down so easily. They really want to become the transfer student's friend, don't they. He just happens to be handsome and a viscount as well. "You can't just be in the go-home club!" "That's right. Are you planning on napping on the roof together with Kinji?" Hey, swimming club people. I'm planning to eventually transfer out, so it's true that I'm not joining any club activities, but...don't mention my name. Or rather, were you watching me napping? Well, when Aria or Shirayuki are in a bad mood, I don't want to head back to my room, so I just sleep away the time. "But, if Watson-kun hangs around with Tohyama-kun...he'd get tainted...ah, won't I have a chance if that happens...?" The drama club girl whispered to herself. Tainted? What's that supposed to mean? "Tainted?" Apparently, Watson had felt something strange about the same phrase. He asked the girl about it. The girl glanced in my direction. Holding her hand up to her mouth in order to prevent her lips being read...she whispered something to Watson. Having listened to her, Watson looked in my direction, his face reddening— "...Wha...! Tohyama did tha...? H-How lewd...!" His thin eyebrows raised in anger, Watson glared this way. His face is pretty, so it doesn't really carry a lot of weight, but in any case..."Looking like that, Kinji's a womanizer. Kanzaki-san, Hotogi-san...there's many other victims too." That's what's been spreading around, right? That would be because, my involvement in those scandals is often talked about by the girls. But...to rebuttal her argument... - In the beginning, Aria stayed in my house to investigate Hysteria Mode's trigger. - Shirayuki got a key from Aria, and then she stayed in my house for reasons unknown to me. - Riko wanted to get close to Aria and I, intentionally approaching me and setting an example for Aria. - Reki proposed to me because of Wind-sama's orders. I don't even feel like defending myself one by one like this. Rather, I can't. There's too much confidential information, not to mention things that aren't clear to me either. Apparently, Watson had been told more tales of my legendary exploits, as unfounded and without proof though they were. "...Tohyama truly is a lady killer, huh. To have tempted so many...!" His face reddening even more, he was getting extremely flustered; it almost look liked he was about to blow his top. Men who've reached that kind of age shouldn't change their expressions so much just from hearing gossip. Or rather...normally, when boys hear from someone about my fictional female history, they normally admire me, saying: "What an awesome guy. I want to learn from him." I'm not sure why, but I speak from experience. (Well, whatever.) I'll just forget about Watson. He can think what he likes of me. Those stories aren't the truth. There's no point in talking about it; they're just rumours founded on misunderstandings. If Watson is a guy who takes stock in rumour without confirming its truth, I'd be devaluing myself as a man just by going up against him. Afterward, during the normal classes— Watson kept pace with us. No, that isn't quite it. It wasn't just that he was keeping pace with us. When he was pointed out by the teacher, he answered every question correctly. Of course he'd get all the English questions correct, being a native speaker like Aria, but he answered all questions correctly. Questions about math, biology...even Japanese history, which came after. Even ignoring the fact that Butei High's standard score is quite low, this was something that sparked the admiration of the entire class. In any case, Watson had just transferred today from a foreign Butei High school. "I studied a little in advance." Every time break came, he would say those words to the girls who would come praising him, a wry smile on his face...However, to be honest, he was more capable than me in all of the classes, where I was just about average. It isn't completely correct to say that someone is smart because they're good at calculation and memorization, but if he's able to remember so much from just a little studying, I have to admit how intelligent he is. His appearance is beautiful...in reality, he's a noble...now he's a genius too? That's why girls won't leave him alone. Afterward, I was waiting for the bus that would bring me from the normal section of the school to the section for the specializations...it didn't come. Normally, I'd ride on Aria's bike together with her and walk to Inquesta from Assault, but... When things are awkward, just like they are now, we don't move around together. It's nice not being around Aria all the time, but not having her bike is unexpectedly making things even more difficult for me. —Yesterday, Aria didn't come home to my room. I was a little worried, so I had Fuuma from Lezzad look for her. It turned out that, as a form of stress release, she was playing Daruma dropping (with peach buns) with her junior in the girl's dormitory. For some reason, Aria was in a really bad mood, so her Amica, Mamiya, was terrified. Really. Venting her feelings on those younger than her, treating her food as toys... (...She's a brat, just as ever...) I sighed softly. Just as I sighed, a black vehicle pulled up in front of the bus stop. It wasn't a bus. Its hazard lights were flashing, and...Wait, isn't this a Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet? It's a super high-class car; it can't be worth less than 1,000,000,000 yen. As I stood there shocked, the hood of the car automatically opened, storing itself in the back of the car. The 911 opened up completely, and I saw the person in the driver's seat. "So, it really is you, Tohyama." The boy who took off his sunglasses was...Watson. "The bus isn't coming. At the last intersection, the Assault students started brawling inside the bus. Ranbyou sprinted there and flew into a rage. She flipped the bus with her bare hands, so traffic's stopped for a while." ...Those bastards from the Die-Die Squad... I don't care how many of you are injured, but please stop causing trouble for the general public. Rather than that, Ranbyou...just being Ranbyou. Flipping buses with her bare hands... "Get in, Tohyama. You'd probably make it in time if you walked, but—I'll send you to Inquesta. There's some things that I want to speak to you about." —Saying that, Watson opened the door. I could feel that he was slightly uncertain. What could it be? Somehow, I feel uneasy being alone with him. It's not just that I can't stand him—Intuitively, instinctively, I feel danger. Nevertheless, the bus isn't coming. I guess I'll hold him to his word and get in. When I got in the car, the hood closed automatically, and Watson started the car, but... What could it be? I could smell a faint, cinnamon-like fragrance coming from Watson. Why would he have that kind of scent as a guy? Weird... "...Nice car." "There was a Carrera that was modified into a two-seater, so I bought it yesterday. In Japan, it's too much to handle if you don't have a small chassis." That's amazing. He changes the car he drives based on the country? If Mutou heard about this, he'd go crazy with envy. But really, this pitch-black Carrera suits Watson. It looks perfect when a beautiful guy with black hair rides in it. Our conversation didn't continue after that, and we sat in silence. As we were waiting at a traffic light, Watson glanced at me out of the corner of his eyes before he started hostilities. "—Looking like this, you're a womanizer, aren't you." So, you're really going to talk about that? "You were told that by the girls, huh." "I hate boys like you the most. Let alone your helplessness before Hilda, you...you treat g-girls...so loosely." Watson gripped the steering wheel a little tighter. Since he takes things so seriously, it seems that he's the type of guy who lets the blood rush to his head. Just the type of person I'm bad with. "So I told Aria to stop living in your room." "Thank God for that. It was causing a lot of trouble." I humphed, turning the other way. Watson did the same. "It looks like I just don't really get along with you." "It's not just that you don't really get along with me, you don't . I feel the same way." Afterward, as he stopped in front of Inquesta, Watson had an angry look on his face. "It's planned for Aria and I to formally marry when we both reach maturity, but...before that, I'm distancing Aria from you. It seems that she holds you with unusual regard." "Do whatever you want...Thanks for sending me here." I opened the door, getting out of the car... "Remember this. The partner most suited to Aria is me, not you. " Watson spoke those words in the same manner as a declaration of war. Bssssh—! Accompanying that sound, my butt hit the sport's halls court. The day after Watson had sent me to Inquesta, period 4... It was time for PE, and we were told to play volleyball, but— "...Ouch..." I was hit by an attack directly to my face. In other words, I had just taken one to the face. "Sorry Tohyama. Are you alright?" Kneeling on one knee further down the court, Watson, dressed in shorts, apologized. I—didn't answer, and made a rough gesture that meant "don't worry about it" before I stood up again. Rather than that, that attack just now... Weren't you looking at me, aiming for my face...? For a while afterward, we continued to score points and they continued to take points from us...after enough times to make people think it was an accident, it finally happened again. Watson's attack scored a hit right on the side of my head. Furthermore, the ball landed outside the court, making it our loss. Judging from the last one, I knew. The others didn't know, but this indeed was hostility . (That bastard...) Watson had scored half of their team's points in that game. He's an agile guy. His body's flexible, and he's skillful even in using little tricks. Including the one he used to smash me in the face. At a corner of the sports hall, the first year girls whose fourth period appeared to have been cancelled (and had been cheering for Watson ever since the beginning of the game) surrounded him. Watson brushed his hair up, a refreshing smile on his face as he talked to the girls. ...Like I thought, he's avoiding looking this way on purpose. What a transparent bastard. Afterward, during the lunch break, as I felt my irritation building at the fact that my nose was still aching and ear still throbbing, I noticed something extremely troubling. (Damn it...) I didn't have any money. I was shockingly devoid of money. This was due to the fact that recently, all I had been doing was work that I wasn't compensated for...and because despite that, I had been involved in a lot of battles, so I had been buying a lot of equipment. If all I'm doing is spending and I'm not getting any income, I'll run out of money. Borrowing that motorboat from Mutou's sister the night of Bandere was a serious hit to my wallet. When I asked her to put it on my tab...she flew into a rage, screamed "I'll run you over!" and came to collect my debt on her motorbike. (Once again, Shirayuki's taking part in her shrine's rituals, so she isn't here.) Guess I can't help it. I'll get my hands on a portion of the payment I gave to Hiraga-san when I ordered 'Orochi'. The portion that paid for the left hand glove. But I can't spend it frivolously. Even if I get a request from any civilian, I'll only be compensated next month. I'll have to make do with the cheapest thing, this bread roll. (Even though I'm hungry from just having had PE, all I have is this...?) I settled the bill, took some water from the self-service section and went to table. I opened the vinyl bag containing the bread...now I slightly understand how Fuuma, the girl in poverty, must feel. I set to eating my bread, completely alone... Ugh. Watson was walking towards me, carrying the tray for his meal. And when he saw my poor excuse of a meal, he smirked in a hateful manner. "...What is it." "Shall we eat together?" Despite the fact that he said that he didn't get along with me, Watson placed his tray on the table, smiling all the while. Rather...that's the steak plate isn't it, the most expensive dish in the cafeteria. It's a steak of Kobe beef. What's more, blanched Kobe beef. "Um, payment is made directly after purchase..." Lifting my head to face the direction that voice was coming from, the lady who manned the cash register was standing next to Watson. Looking at Watson, his eyes below long eyelashes were staring blankly up at the lady as she stood there holding her apron and fidgeting...it seemed that he thought that you were supposed to pay after. "I see, you pay immediately in Japan. Maybe because it isn't customary to leave a tip here?" Saying that, Watson opened the wallet he had taken out of his breast pocket. The lady and I startled simultaneously. 10000 yen notes were stuffed into the Louis Vuitton wallet to the point where it seemed like it was about to burst. "Just a moment. I'm still not used to the yen's currency conversion. Is this enough?" "Y-Yes. I'll bring the change immediately!" Having been handed a 10000 note, the lady left, extremely flustered. Watson looked at her go, a wry smile on his face...and with that, he turned towards me. And with elegant movements, so beautiful that my eyes stared in fascination, he crossed himself, giving thanks for the meal. Afterward, he cut into the steak, which was so soft it almost seemed that his knife sunk into it. Click ... Click . "Tohyama." "What is it." "Do you want some?" "..." I stayed silent. "I'm not giving you any." Then don't ask. Faced with Watson, who was taking his meal with graceful movements like those belonging to an actor...I silently stuffed my face with my bread. Watson watched me do that with lighthearted eyes that glittered triumphantly. This bastard. He really doesn't like me. "As far as I can see, it seems like you're having trouble with money." "Sorry about that." "For Butei, money is the lifeline which ties us to ammunition and equipment. If it's interrupted, any Butei would be weakened." "I know." What Watson was saying...was the truth. Even the first years at Butei High learn this. As opposed to the police or the Jieitai, who take care of their equipment using public funds, Butei have to think about their finances, which are always spent on equipment. "You even had some transactions with the Mutou siblings as well as Hiraga Aya." "...You looked into it, huh." Fundamentally, Butei run on money. Putting aside the 'work that I'm not getting any rewards from' that I've been spontaneously doing recently, when it comes to normal requests, Butei are told by Masters to take on requests in order to counterbalance the completion of a request instead of the payment or distribution of money that normally makes up the compensation, even within the student community. Furthermore, in this case, it isn't forbidden to 'save' money. Conversely, it isn't against the rules to suspend work when payments are delayed. In the world of Butei, such a severe and realistic side does exist. Even if one is a student. "I've found one of your weak points so soon." Watson's handsome face broke into a smile. I don't really know what—but something about him is dangerous for me. That's all I know. But, what is it...? That, I cannot see. At Butei High, even during the second semester, we have PE at the indoor pool once a month, but—the next day, if Watson sets something up for me again, I intend to counterattack. But unexpectedly, Watson was just watching the class. (Could it be that just like Aria, he can't swim?) Watson warmed up with the rest of boys of year 2 class A before he, dressed in a black long-sleeved shirt and pants, put on a pair of Chanel sunglasses...taking a pipe chair, he placed it next to a table after carefully dusting it off. He likes things to be neat. He sat down, knees spread in front of him, and afterward, with a manner that indicated that he had just noticed something...he folded his legs in panic. Just as I tilted my head to the side due to his strange movements— "Aalllright, you brats! Do 20 lengths of the pool! I'll shoot the people that slack off to death!" In exchange of a starting pistol, Ranbyou, who was next to Watson, fired an M600 'Elephant Killer' before disappearing. Ranbyou...really, it's impossible to take away her teaching qualifications because of that. Well, I was thankful at least that that violent teacher had disappeared, so we took the fact that she hadn't said whether we should be doing vertical or horizontal lengths as our argument, and quickly completed 20 horizontal lengths of the pool. After that, there was time left over, so it was time to relax while the devil was away. Everyone just swam as they liked, and it became a free time where we just chatted by the poolside. I...took a film magazine from the bundle of magazines that Mutou, foreseeing Ranbyou's abandonment of class, had taken out of his locker, and headed to borrow one of the pipe chairs sitting next to Watson. "...?" Looking at him...Watson's face was red as he stared at the boys fooling around in their swimsuits. (Has he caught a cold?) If so, then of course he'd abstain from going into the pool. When the earnest Shiranui, who had completed 34 horizontal lengths, equivalent to 20 vertical lengths, got out of the pool, Watson went 'Ah!' apparently surprised, and slid his chair back a little bit. "...Hey Watson. If you aren't feeling alright, you should go to Ambulace." Watson, having been spoken to by me, turned this way, looking at my chest and shoulders— His mouth trembled, going 'Wa, wa'...before he turned away. He didn't say anything, and he was red to the tips of his ears. Doesn't he have quite a serious fever? "Hey Kinji! All of AKB's in this one! Shiranui, you get over here too! Let's have a vote!" At the poolside, Mutou had without hesitation spread open a gravure magazine was gesturing at it. "It won't be much of a vote with just three people, will it?" Shiranui, who was handsome to the point where he was able to stand up to Watson, was a great guy to hang around with...so it seemed like he was pretty excited. "You guys...What do you gain by doing stuff like that?" I thought about refusing because of the sheer pointlessness of it, but I feared that I wouldn't be able to borrow magazines from Mutou if I acted indifferently. As one might expect, I won't go into Hysteria Mode from swimsuit gravure, so I guess I'll tag along. "Then between all of us, there're 5 votes. Hey Watson, you choose too." Mutou opened a can of coke and took a sip before spreading the magazine out on a plastic table... Watson, who had been purposely not looking in this direction to begin with, looked directly away. "I refuse. Don't spread that kind of book wide open in a public place." That kind of book, he said. These gravure photos? Even I'm fine with them. "C'mon, don't say that. If there's so many here, there's definitely at least one girl who you'll like. You'll think I'm tricking you, just take a look at all of 'em." Saying things that sounded like they were meant to draw customers to an indecent shop—Mutou, the upper half of his body naked, forcefully slipped his arm around Watson's shoulders, hugging him towards his body and showing him the photos. "—Kyaa!" Watson, whose cheek was pressed against Mutou's chest, let out a short scream. His sunglasses slid off, and his eyes, having become visible, had even become wet. It looks like blood has rushed to his head. It seems that as he was watching the pool, he was getting feverish. "Wha...what is it? That voice was like a girl's. Alright then, it's fine if you don't do it. Rather than that...doesn't it seem like you've gotten feverish? Look, have some coke. It's cold, so it feels good when you're hot." Mutou let go of Watson and stuck out the cola he had been drinking earlier, as if in some sort of apology. Watson took the can of cola that was pressed towards him in both hands. "B-But you—before, you..." "I only took a sip." "But, yo-your mouth touched it—" "What're you saying? We're both guys." Mutou said. Water from Mutou had gotten on Watson's sportswear earlier, so... "If you have a fever, it'll be bad if you get wet. You have to wipe it off." Shiranui grabbed a towel and was on the verge of wiping off the droplets of water from Watson's body, when— Watson sprang up, as if even the thought of it was horrible. He rammed into Shiranui, and for some reason, me as well. "I-I'm going back! I can't take any more!" Saying that with a voice so high-pitched that it seemed like it had changed, Watson ran in a strange zig-zag pattern (maybe because he was panicking?), getting out of the pool area. Like always...there's something strange in all of his movements. After school that day... I had to save on my spending on food, so I bought some canned field rations at a 50% discount—my wallet had become light enough that it felt like I could fly it like a kite, and with it in hand, I gave Hiraga-san a call. "Hello hello, what can Aya do for you?" "Hiraga-san, this is Tohyama. Um, this is about Orochi's left hand..." "Ah, that isn't finished yet. This week is a little..." "It's a little hard for me to say this, but...the payment for the bill will be a little late. I'll definitely pay next month, so could you finish it up according to the normal schedule? As always, I'm sorry, but I'd like to put it on my tab." "Mmm..." Hiraga-san made a noise that seemed to express that she was thinking, the sound of her flipping through schedules next to the mouth of the telephone came through. "Since Tohyama-kun is a regular, it would be OK under normal circumstances, but...this time...I'd like to postpone it." "Postpone it...is making it difficult?" "That's one reason, but the main reason is, I received an urgent request from Masters. Money was donated to the school, so they want me to fix all kinds of broken fixtures around the school." "A donation...?" "It seems that Watson-kun gave a whole lot of money!" Watson...? "It seems that the person who asked for Aya was Watson-kun too. So, this month, Ayaya is super busy! That's how it is!" Hiraga-san said, followed by a tired sigh. ...That bastard Watson. What does he mean to do by keeping Hiraga-san's hands full? Could it be that...this is also more of him harassing me? "...Hey, Hiraga-san." "Yes?" "I understand that the left hand portion of Orochi will be postponed. However...be careful of Watson." "Be careful?" "Something about him is strange. He's..." I thought about saying that he was harassing me in strange ways...but I have no proof. I'll just keep that particular aspect to myself. "??? What about him is strange?" "About that...um...just something." "I don't see anything strange about him. Watson's a nice person. Before, he came to Aya's place and ordered some other equipment. Teehee." That's...Hiraga-san's version of a delighted laugh. It's the way of laughing she uses when she makes massive profits because the other side of the transaction doesn't bargain even though she's overcharging them. "No, he moves strangely. When we were at the pool..." Having had Hiraga-san taken from me, I spoke unhappily— "Ahhh, could it be that ? Tohyama-kun is jealous? How cute—♪" With a cute voice, like that of a kindergartener, Hiraga-san started to say incomprehensible things. "J-Jealous?" "There's a rumour going around that before, Watson-kun was all alone with Aria-san in a cafe. There's also information concerning the fact that Tohyama-kun is living apart from Aria-san." Living apart? "Y-You're well informed...I didn't know about that thing with Watson and Aria." "Aya isn't popular, because she's so tiny. So one of Aya's interests is listening to the love stories of the popular people, so Aya feels like she's taking part of them." W-What a dark hobby. I, who's nicknamed the Introvert, can't really say anything though. "If I put those two pieces of information together...Tohyama-kun had Aria-san taken from him by Watson-kun and is jealous. Wahaa, it's like something from a manga!" "N-No. I'm just...Watson's just strange, so..." "Watson is a good person. He gave me a big piece of candy. Tohyama-kun, jealousy between men is disgraceful!" When I tried to repeat myself and say something against Watson, she hung up on me. It seems that at some point, Hiraga-san was won over to Watson's side. I've started to somewhat understand, but...it seems that Watson's laying the foundations necessary to seal my movements in places that I can't see. What's his aim? Rather than that...candy? He really knows what each of the girls like. One more thing on the list of things I don't like about him. —I figured out that Watson also has weaknesses. His luck in drawing lots. Transfer students decide their costumes for Ristorante Masque afterward, but the time frame is too short, so they aren't asked to make it themselves. In exchange, they only have one chance to draw. It seems that there's a rule that states that changes will not be recognized. Only things that could just be worn without any modifications were inside the box that a first year had brought during recess, but... Written on the lot that Watson opened up under the gaze of several classmates was— "Girl's Uniform (Butei High)" The worst one possible. Why? Because it's a girl's uniform. He's definitely going to be up for some corporal punishment. Other than me, who was thinking 'about time, you bastard' in my heart, tension was running high throughout the students of Class A. "..." Watson's manner gave off the feeling that he was thinking. "Deception is a part of strategy...If you don't want to be suspected...you should in turn, show your cards eagerly and willingly." He said something like a proverb in English. "...No way. I don't really want to do this, but...well, it seems like I'll be throttled by the teachers if I don't. Since I drew it myself, I'll do it. Should I change now?" So he said. And because of that, the class broke into an uproar. The girls were rushing into the toilet, jerseys in hand, saying things like: "You're welcome to use my uniform!" or "Please use mine!" "No, mine!" One section of the boys were preparing digital cameras while saying inexplicable things like: "We finally get to see the third boy-girl of our lives!" There was no need to change immediately, but nobody said that. Afterward, Watson, having borrowed a uniform from the girls, disappeared somewhere from the corridor, the uniform in hand. Everyone was waiting impatiently...when a panel was suddenly taken out from the ceiling, and Watson's voice rang out. "It's the costume that we've all been waiting for, so I'll be making my entrance a little bit of a surprise." From the hole in the ceiling, a girl dropped down to land standing on the podium. His SIG SAUER locked and loaded, Watson winked, his face smug. 'Waoah!' A strange cheer came from the boys. It seemed to be a voice that instantaneously mixed 'Woah!' with 'Wha...!?' It's not that I can't understand how they feel. If I actually got along with Watson, I might've even let my voice loose as well. —Watson was that cute. Not like Kana, who was so beautiful, too beautiful, to the point where it didn't feel real, but she was the epitome of the boyish girl, the girl who has a sense of closeness. Well, when comparing him to girls, he isn't the type to make mouths drop open like Riko or Aria, who turn heads just by walking into the room. After this had happened— Even the group of boys who had been resenting Watson, who had snatched all popularity amongst the girls, started to treat him nicely. Watson became the class favourite, and the number of his friends continued to increase. Not only did I not get along with Watson, I also didn't have many friends in the first place, so... Gradually, I found that there was nowhere for me inside the class. A few days later, Mutou was invited to a party at Watson's (of course, I wasn't invited.) He got to eat a lot of delicious food at Watson's massive room, located inside the dormitory...or so he was saying so happily, so—when I warned him, saying: 'Be careful of Watson,' he answered: 'Watson's a good guy, you know? I only understood it when he changed back then, but he's easy to like,' getting angry at me instead. (Even Mutou's been charmed by Watson...) Because I was bothered by it, I did a little searching and found out that the bulletproofed trike that I borrowed from time to time, Road Fox, had been loaned for an indefinite period by Watson. He has a goddamned car. He's clearly doing this to drag me down. What a dirty bastard. Trying to undermine me from the outside in like this... Nighttime came, and I sat alone on my room's sofa— I don't have any hobbies that I can really call hobbies, so I had completely disassembled my gun, maintaining it to pass the time. Right now, I'm broke. If my guns malfunction, I won't be able to have them repaired. (Aria's at the girl's dormitory and Shirayuki's at her shrine...I'm alone, huh...) Guns are normally made out of around 30~100 parts, but my Beretta and DE are modified, so they have more. So, when completely disassembled, it's as difficult as putting together plastic models. After checking the state of each part, the part has to be cleaned, and in that way, I could spend the time. I used a flannel cloth to apply oil to the inner parts of the gun, which I had almost finished maintaining. And as I did that, what I thought of without meaning to, was Watson. (I know that he doesn't like me because he declared it while in the car, but...) For some reason, Watson is trying to set up my fall. He pinpointed my weakness, targeting my lack of sociability and isolating me. Simultaneously, he used the attribute of Butei High students' mercantilism, their willingness only to work with money involved, depriving me of Hiraga-san and Mutou's help. However, I'm unable to save money and reclaim their aid. I was unable to resist his actions. Because of his strategy, little by little, I'm becoming alone. Well...ever since the Uraga Bay accident, I've been trying to put distance between myself and Butei High, and because of my level of success in doing so, I was nicknamed the Introvert...I'm used to loneliness. But, I can't take his method of doing things. That's what irks me. (I don't like using this way of talking about it, since it's sexist, but...that bastard Watson. He's using the dirty ways that women use despite being a man.) If he hates me, he should just come for a fight like a man. That's the path of all male high school students of Butei High...No, of all male high school students of Japan. And when that time comes, I'll take him on his offer. I understand that he'd want to monopolize Aria, who's an amazing Butei, but ostracizing me like this? Right now, as we're prepared for the battle with 'Grenada', this isn't a time where we should have divides like this. "That's a scary face, Ki-kun." Those words were whispered into my ear, and at that voice, which sounded like a bell had pealed ever so softly, I startled, turning around. And right next to me was Riko. "Riko...? You're always appearing like a ghost." "I tiptoed in~. I was thinking like, when'll I be noticed, though." Teehee. Laughing, Riko raised her head and plopped herself down on the revolving chair by the computer. She then rolled over here in her chair, coming to a stop beside me. In her modified uniform that she always wore, on one of her ears was a single earring that I knew I had seen before. "Oh, oh, Ki-kun. Are you maintaining your guns all lonely by yourself?" Riko placed her feet, covered with socks that were decorated with things like cherries, on the floor and spun left, then right, turning little by little. Because of that movement, her frilly skirt and soft, wavy hair floated through the air... Floating, floating... And a sweet scent like that of vanilla drifted towards me. I was still feeling rather dark, so I returned to checking my guns— "Ki-kun is all alone." "Don't say it twice. I don't need your sympathy." "Don't be hurt~. Riko doesn't mean to do anything like that." "Don't puff your cheek up like that. You look like a kid." "Ehehehe~." Completely uncaring about the aura about me which screamed 'Go away', Riko took two PSPs out of her pocket. And the 2 PSPs in her hands like two guns, she turned to the kitchen. Exactly at that moment, the microwave went 'ding'. "...?" "Here, Ki-kun. You were so into it that you didn't even hear the sound of the microwave spinning, huh." She was right. "...I've lost. It looks like I've been too on edge lately." "You seem to have finished with your maintenance, so play some games with Riko while we eat! Um, you know, Riko bought an autumn-limited set of chestnut rice. There was this special offer for couples where Riko could get a scratch card, so Riko bought two. Ki-kun, my boyfriend, can have one~." Saying this, Riko walked to the microwave, the big ribbon attached to her back of her modified uniform fluttering...Muttering 'owowowow', she took two convenience store lunchboxes from the microwave. "Boyfriend...? Well, I'll take it. I'm tired of eating rations." "Ki-kun, let's duel in Ace Combat! We can do it while eating! The loser gets a slap on the wrist~!" Riko brought the lunchboxes to the table in front of the sofa and sat herself down next to me with a thud while pushing a PSP towards me. Ah. Isn't this my PSP? When did she get it out? Rather than that...are you planning on eating at the sofa table? While gaming? (She's carefree as usual...) When Shirayuki, who's always going, "Your manners are horrible!' is gone, she immediately starts to do whatever she likes. It had been a long time, but I laughed. I laughed at Riko's disihibition. It may've been a little wry though. ...Therefore... Lying on the sofa all the while, we ate the chestnut rice, fired missiles at each other, ate warm pickled vegetables that were a little weird, fought a dogfight with a rule limiting us to machine guns only, and slapped each other on the wrist. I had some experience with this game, where we use modern fighters and have dogfights, but— Whenever Riko turned, she had a habit of leaning in the same direction, just like a kid. Furthermore, she was sitting directly to the right of me... "Gnnnnnngh! Alright, I've gotten behind you! Don't run away, Ki-kun! Kyahaha!" Ah, hey, don't turn to the left...! With enough momentum to knock me flat, Riko pressed her leaning body against me. Her smooth arms stuck closely to me, and her elastic thighs pressed into me through her skirt—Her sweet smelling chestnut brown hair w-was pressing against my face. My neck was being tickled by her ribbon and twintails, and it was really ticklish. It was like the right side of my body was melding into Riko. "H-Hey! Don't get in my way, I can't see my screen because of your hair!" "Take this! And that! Crash!" Riko was just innocently playing the game, so it wasn't really erotic at all. Because of that, I seemed to be alright when it came to Hysteria, but I couldn't fly like I wanted to. I couldn't shake off Riko's plane's pursuit. Aah...I'm out of respawns...I lost again. Drove into the ground, my F14 was crashed— "Alright! This is Riko's twelfth win! Ki-kun's won two and lost twelve~!" Out of energy, I slumped to my left... As I was lying there, Riko got all over me like I was a futon or hugging pillow. "Teeheehee! Ki-kun's weak~!" Several soft area's on Riko's body clung to mine, so— "H-Hey. Get off me..." As one might expect, this is bad. So I thought, trying to push Riko off me. Riko lifted her uppper body up like she was doing a push up. "Ah, Ki-kun. There's a piece of rice stuck to you~!" Looking at my face from point blank range, she really took a grain of rice from my mouth. And she ate it. "..." I was starting to get embarrassed when Riko's expression changed into one that showed: 'I've thought of something good~!' A smile on her face, she took a grain of rice from the lunchbox on the table... "Aaahhh, there's one stuck to Riko too~~" Sticking a grain of rice to her cheek, she looked up at me with teary eyes. ...In any case, she's going to say: "Take it and eat it. Use your mouth directly." right? "Ki-kun, take it and eat it♪ Maybe directly with your mouth?" Riko took a cute pose and said what I imagined she would've. I flicked the grain of rice off her cheek with my finger. "Myaah!" Riko squeezed her eyes into X shapes and rocked upwards— I caught the sight of her chest, holding a sense of weight that didn't match her diminutive body, bouncing up. Because of that movement, my face was, for an instant, obscured by two independent shadows. L-Like always...She has an outrageous body. That's the only part of her that really experienced a growth spurt. It's like a figure that takes the cuteness of Aria's miniatureness and the goodness' of Shirayuki's well-sized proportions. That's what I thought when I see Riko from up close again. "Mmm? Geez, where are you looking~? You pervert~~!" Riko thudded on my face happily, as I stared up at her in a daze. "H-Hey! The punishment was supposed to be a slap to the wrist, right? Don't hit my face!" Somehow able to crawl out from under Riko, I complained. "The rules have changed~! From now on, it doesn't matter how you hit!" She said something which was just an arbitrary decision of The Riko, so— Having gotten annoyed, I gave my all and at the end of a furious battle that made up the next game, I brought Riko down. And when she lost, she said, "I'm changing the rule change from just now again! Now it's back to what it used to be~!" running away. My full annoyance at Riko experienced a limit break and transformed into super annoyance...so I caught her, clutching her to my side and spanking her butt through her frilly skirt. Well, just slapping. ...When we had finished doing those kinds of stupid things, it had become really late. Looking at my watch, it was already midnight. We have school tomorrow, so we have to go to sleep soon. I took a shower, changed into my pajamas and returned to the living room... Still rolling around on the sofa, Riko rested her cheek on her hand and grinned up at me. "...What is it?" "Mmm. I'm tired." "I can't do anything even if you tell me." "Sooo tiiiirrreeeeed~!" Riko kicked her feet around. "Doooon't waaaant toooo sleeeeeep~!" "What're you telling me to do...?" With a spoiled voice like she had returned to being a baby, Riko rolled around. At the sight of her, I sighed deeply. "I want to talk." "About?" "Anything's fine~. I want to talk. Forever." "I refuse. I'm going to sleep." I opened the door to my bedroom... The bedroom was cold, so I thought of having some of warm air in the living room flow in and left it open. "But well...thanks for today." Sitting on my bed, the bottom right one of the two bunk beds in the room, I said to Riko that which I had been too embarrassed to say earlier. "You came because I've been depressed lately, right? I feel a little bit better now." Riko stayed silent for a moment. "...That's not all." She responded with a small voice...Feet hitting the floor, she exited the living room, apparently having entered the bathroom. I could hear the sound of the shower running. It seems that she wants to sleep here. I don't want her to, but...Riko came here because she was worried about me, so well, I guess I'll let her do as she wants. Rather, at some point in the time, the two bunk beds have been occupied as the following: Upper left = Aria, Bottom left = Riko, Upper right = Shirayuki, Bottom right = Me. Therefore, it's split between the four people that can come in and out of this place freely (3 of them are entering illegally.) Riko sleeps here whenever she wants, and it happens quite a lot. As for chasing her out, I can't refuse her right now. Thinking this, I turned on my side, falling asleep... I heard the sound of the electricity going off in the living room—and the room darkened. ...Footsteps sounding, Riko entered the bedroom and turned on the footlight... I heard the sound of her hand reaching my bed, so— "!?" I suddenly awoke. Looking back, Riko, in pajamas, was trying to sneak into the bottom right bed...in other words, my bed. "H-Hey! What is it? You're the bottom left one, right?" "Ah, I mixed it up♪ And now, the mix-up will continue!" Sticking her tongue out, she thumped her own head... Just like that, she got her knees on my bed. H-Hey. What on Earth is this. Even if I try to run, I can only enter and exit on the side that Riko's on. Gone into panic, I squeezed my body against the wall, trying to run away, but—conversely, that didn't go well. Rather, I had now given Riko enough space to get on the bed. And of course...Riko got on. What am I doing? That was a pretty good self-destruct. Wasn't that a movement which is just like saying: 'Get in'? "I-It's tight, so don't get in." ..."Nobody's here today." Riko spoke, her voice coming out husky and erotic... She wasn't wearing the loose smile she usually did, but her eyes were so very sad. —I-I'm suddenly caught in a massive disaster. I've been cornered in an instant. To get out of this bed, I have to get out from Riko's side. However, even if I try to get out with all I've got, I might be kept in with all she has...I'll be pushed down by the monstrous strength of her hair, which can move like a snake. What should I do? My head's completely blank. Terrifyingly, I couldn't even lift my body. But if we continue to stay silent like this, I don't know what'll happen to me. Just like Riko said, my wingmen that impede Riko from approaching me (Aria and Shirayuki) are gone. I can't just stay silent. She'll have her way with me. S-Say something, me! This is really bad, if I really don't say something, then— I panicked. "R-Riko. Your pajama's inside out." And so, I said something that I noticed then and there. No. Nonono. Kinji. That's not it. That's not what I should be berating her about! "Ah, you're right." Her large, double-folded eyes stared down at her own pajamas. Riko put her hands on the hem of her dress, and suddenly— She flipped it up! "—!" I just barely managed to roll over and turn my back to Riko. What I had been able to see for just an instant was Riko's bare boobs—about the bottom fourth of them. (D-Do girls...not wear underwear when they sleep!?) C-C-Ca-Ca...Not that, calm down, Kinji! This isn't the time to become terrified at having discovered this habit that girls have! Apparently, Riko had fixed her pajamas. I have to drive her away somehow. "Riko, you...um, get off. Normally, at this point...you'd be beaten up by Aria or Shirayuki, right? I'd most likely be beaten up as well, for some reason." Riko spoke to my back, a little bit of a laugh mixed into her words. "Riko is fine. It doesn't matter who Ki-kun likes. All the girls that like Ki-kun don't really feel like posers, so I'm a little annoyed, but...liking that , that means that Riko has a good eye for guys, right?" "Wh-What're you talking about?" "Riko is fine with it. When together with Riko...just like today, Ki-kun's always been gentle with me. Mmm...because of that, just like Yuki-chan said, Riko's probably suited to being someone's mistress." Once again, I could hear the sound of bed's springs squeaking behind my back. S-She turned on her side. Rather, what kind of conversations do you have with Shirayuki? "H-Hey. Don't spread the blanket out." "Eh? Isn't this fine? It's cold." Saying that, Riko took the back of the blanket that was draped onto my body and crawled inside it. "My hands have become cold." Her nose touched the back of my head...around my neck. Riko continued to whisper in a flirtatious voice— And she stuck her hands in the pockets stitched to the left and right of the stomach area of my pajamas. "...!" My body stiffened and Riko giggled. I've been driven into a corner. I've finally been embraced. "Riko, you know about—my condition, right?" As my final card to play, I somehow managed to act calm, warning her. "You're talking about HSS? Ki-kun calls it Hysteria Mode, right?" "That's right. Different from Kana, once I go into it, I can't control myself. Originally, it's something that we possess in order to protect women, to act cool, and — I'm only saying this considering the circumstances — to leave children behind." " I know ." Bringing her face close to my head, Riko whispered, the scent of shampoo accompanying her words. "Then—go back to your own bed." Really...in a situation like this, when I'm trying desperately to control my transformation into Hysteria, I can't even soften my tone. However, Riko didn't draw back. It's fine if I warn her of the worst that may come, right? Even if it's a little harsh? "What will you do if I go into Hysteria Mode...and attack you?" I told her as if it was a last warning. "When it happens, it will happen." Riko responded, completely calm. What a...You should think of yourself more preciously. Furthermore, I'm also involved in this. I'm begging you, so please accept my warning and back off. "But if you go into Hysteria Mode, it'll be a little bit troubling~. It feels like Riko's thoughts will all be seen through...every last one of them~. So—flirt with Riko until you're just about to, alright?" "That's why I'm saying that I don't have that kind of control..." "It's fiiiine~. I won't do anything weird." "You're already doing it!" I put my hands in my pockets, trying to take Riko's out. And at that moment. Riko grabbed my hands. And just like that, suddenly— (...?) Riko gripped my hands tightly. "Please...stay by my side..." A serious voice. I opened my eyes, which had been closed so tightly before. Riko is... (Riko is...crying?) I tried to turn back in reflex, but Riko pushed her face against my back, not allowing me to do so. "...Make Riko forget. Make Riko forget everything...Riko wants to forget...Everything from before...after seeing her, I remember it every night...Nightmares...Riko can't take it anymore..." "...Before...?" 'H-Hil...Even saying her name is horrible. At Romania...she...I..." Riko continued to cry into my back. For a while, as I lay there, listening to her sobs... I began to be able to read Riko's behaviour. —Hilda. The day before, she attacked us with a high voltage current...Riko was the only one she didn't attack. The batgirl of Grenada. She's the daughter of the person who confined Riko in Romania before. Dracula Vlad. That girl probably also...tormented Riko, right? And probably with the most extreme methods, having inherited her father's sadism. That trauma was probably relived when Riko saw Hilda. "Riko..." ...Having nightmares of painful memories...I can understand her feelings of wanting to...rely on someone. Before, when I had lost my family...I was in that stage of grief where all I wanted to do was cry against someone. So...having gone through the same thing together and being able to sympathise...well, it's not that I can do that. Doing something like this is fine...right? In response to Riko's crying, the Hysteria bloodflow died down. And turning around forcefully... "..." I took Riko's head, which she kept down, not wanting to show her tearful face. And I hugged her to my chest. Having done that.... As if the emotions that she had been holding back up till that point had broken through... Riko cried, her voice muffled by my chest. Normally, Riko is...lighthearted, and she puts on a strong front, but...from way before, she's had an emotionally unstable part of her. That's probably the manifestation of the wound she's received to her heart. (Hilda...) There's plenty of personal scores that I have to settle with you, but I really can't forgive you. After knowing this. The next time I meet you—I'll do something to break you. Just like I did to your father. "...When are you going to sleep until? You're going to be late." An anime voice, filled with astonishment. In the midst of the daylight, I lazily woke. "...Riko...?" Noticing that there was nobody in my arms, I muttered with a drowsy voice. "Like I thought, you were with Riko. No wonder your sleeping face was so happy." I woke up at the sound of Aria' s voice. Aria, dressed in her sailor uniform and carrying her schoolbag, was staring down at me, her hands at her hips. Just in case...it's impolite, but I flashed a glance at her chest...just confirming that it wasn't Riko in disguise. It was as small as they could go. It's the real Aria. Her eyes, which were already angry, grew angrier, and she slid her slender feet further apart, about 15% wider than the width of her shoulders, standing like a king. This is...a sign that she's angry. If I tell her that I was with Riko, I'll probably be subjected to hole dancing. "That's not it. I was alone..." "Please say that after wiping the lipstick away from your cheek." What? R-Riko... I rubbed my cheek, but—nothing was there. "That was a lie. You're really not suited to Inquesta." Damn it. She got me. Bloody Aria. You managed to pull that on me despite being weak against Inquesta's tricks yourself. Why're you getting so desperate for? "I passed by Riko below. And in the living room, there's two empty trays of the same meal, both eaten." As if showing me more evidence, Aria picked up a strand of long, wavy, chestnut brown hair from next to my pillow before discarding it. "Kinji. Why did you try to hide this from me?" The blood vessels on her temple standing out to form a 'D', Aria looked down on me. (G-God, that's terrifying...!) I'm completely at a loss here. "T-That's because you were asking with a face like a demon. Rather than that, is it fine for you to be here? You were told by Watson not to go to my room, right?" For the first time in a long while, I activated the super secret technique handed down through the Tohyama family: 'Reverse Blame'. "I-I...don't need to follow Watson's instructions." "You certainly followed them very well, seeing as you haven't come here recently." "That's—because after Watson came, you suddenly became seriously unhappy..." "Yeah, yeah. Everything's all my fault." Taking advantage of the fact that Aria had faltered a bit, I left my bed. Preparing to be fired on, I changed into my bulletproof uniform. "Rather than that...Kinji, why're you talking about Watson? It's still too early for me to talk about—he arbitrarily said that he'd even become my partner. That's why I'm saying, there's no need for you to stop caring and go running to Riko..." Her voice getting more and more soft and fragmented, Aria seemed to be making some kind of excuse. "What are you talking about? Watson's a nice guy. Isn't it fine for you to get along well with him?" "Are you listening? Why are you getting so angry? It's true that Watson's a nice person, but..." "It's fine. I'm not angry. Don't care about me." As I spoke those words, letting them pierce the air— Inside me, I felt the hazy thoughts that I had about Aria and Watson settle into place. Until now...As Aria's partner, I've been fighting against the criminals affiliated with I-U. But those battles were all very, very close. If I had taken even one step incorrectly, Aria and I would have died a long, long time ago. Our days were spent walking on a tightrope. And now, this time we're enfolded into the struggle between 'Deen' and 'Grenada'. However, I don't have much anti-ability battle experience. If I directly confront those monsters, I'd be completely helpless. Just like what had happened at Sotohori Way. On the other hand, Watson beat Hilda off with just a threat. He prepared expensive equipment to fight against a formidable foe, and he has the technical knowledge. In regards to the battles from now onward— Aria should team up with Watson. That's why, for the sake of Aria's safety...I probably started to treat Aria badly on purpose, even if I wasn't conscious of it, trying to distance myself from Aria. Also, in the first place—the two of them are 'Holmes and Watson'. They fit each other well. No matter what anybody thinks, they'd come to the same conclusion. "..." As if obeying what I had told her, 'don't care about me', Aria left the room, her footsteps sluggish. —I'll be going to school alone again. And though I'm going to class, I'll be alone. That would be the fault of my conflict with Watson. I've been completely undermined, from the outside in. But, if he's undermined me... That means that the bastard's moving. In the battles of times long past, once the fortress has been undermined... The next step is to attack the heart of the citadel. ### 006. 4th Ammo - 350m Altitude Tornado ## 4th Ammo: 350m Altitude Tornado After the Inquesta lesson, I started on the way home only after attending 'Strategy 1' in the Assault lecture hall. It had become quite late, so when I exited the building, it was already dark. Maybe it's because we're getting deeper into Autumn. Stepping on the fallen leaves from the trees by the road, I headed towards the bus stop... Several laughing girls exited from the backdoor of the Connect building, which was next to Assault. Each of them threw the brooms they were holding behind the Connect section, past a metal fence into the artificial forest beyond. What are they doing? "Nacchi, we'll be leaving the rest to you!" After shouting into the forest with their hands cupped around their mouths, the girls went towards the shopping district. Nacchi...? Somebody's nickname? "...Ah, y-yes..." I could only hear the sound of leaves, so I frowned and looked in the direction of the voice... It looked like someone was cleaning up the fallen leaves in the dim forest. That was... "Nakasorachi...?" I called out to her. The figure startled, clutching the broom to herself. Because of that movement, the garbage in which the fallen leaves were kept got caught on the broom...and it fell on its side, spilling its contents. "U-U-Um, that voice—To-Bo-Tohyama, Boy, Boyama-kun!" This disappointing way of talking...it really is Nakasorachi. She was plain, having completely blended into the forest, so I didn't notice. "Are you cleaning up by yourself? Weren't the people here just now up for cleaning duty?" It seemed that she had knocked over the bag because of me, so I entered the forest in order to fix it... "Y-Yes, but, um, I was asked to do it by the other people on duty, so..." Nakasorachi backed away from me, her legs twisted towards each other... Her back touched a tree, and she went 'Eek!', scaring herself. Leaving that aside...rather than being asked to do it, she was forced to do it, huh. (Really, those people...) The actual forest is pretty small, but the amount of fallen leaves have reached their peak, so cleaning them up is a pain. Forcing her to clean this up...that has to be bullying. In any case, even if I go home, there won't be anybody there, so I didn't have anything to do. "Lend me one of these." I picked up a broom and decided to help her gather up the leaves. Nakasorachi saw me. "Ah, ah! It's fine, really, it's fine...Hic, hic, hi~!" It seems like she started to hiccup. "It's fine, I'll help. Remember the first article of the Butei Charter?" "Yesh...Hic, th-thank yhou! Thank hyou!" Still clutching the broom, Nakasorachi bowed her head deeply, her long black hair swinging about. Your voice is way too loud. Why're you suddenly upping the atmosphere. In front of me, who was shying away, Nakasorachi leapt to the garbage bag and dropped into a crouch. She then started to stuff the spilled leaves into the bag. Well, she can really do it if she tries. Her dull movements from just a moment ago suddenly became sharp. I started sweeping up the leaves... "......Nnn....!" I averted my eyes from the full, plump thighs that were visible from the corner of Nakasorachi's skirt, as she squatted there vulnerably. L-Luckily it's dark around here. If it was bright, I would've seen farther in . Rather—if you're going to squat, squat with your knees together. "...? What's wrong with your eyes?" I, whose gaze had fled upwards, noticed that there were no glasses beneath the veil of Nakasorachi's long front hair. "Ah, ah, my glasses. That's um, during class, I was clumsy, and a ball, um, during PE, a volleyball, I was hit, my glasses, um, I was clumsy, um..." Just because I spoke to her, Nakasorachi started to talk in a way where she was rearranging the sentence order. Apparently, I've a companion in the 'ball to the face' team. "Rather, you're being...pretty polite? We're in the same year, so it's fine to speak casually." "G-guys, b-boys. I-I've, um...never really...talked...to boys before, so...just by reflex, I started, um, speaking politely. S-Sorry!" Nakasorachi dipped her head with such momentum that it looked like she was going to thrust her head into the bag containing the leaves. "A-Also, I-I, g-got carried away, a-and I-I've only seen, To-Tohyama-kun, during battle, through a camera image, so i-it's like, I'm able to meet a person, f-from a film, a drama...I'm suddenly, talking too much, w-when I'm spoken to, I-I get carried aw-aw-aw-awawa..." "Ahh...it's fine to speak politely. Alright, let's gather up the leaves that've fallen down." Starting Nakasorachi, who had stopped working, back up...We divided the work, with me gathering the fallen leaves with a broom, and Nakasorachi crouching down, picking them up in a dustpan and putting them in the bag. If I gave instructions, Nakasorachi would follow them properly, so the cleaning went on smoothly— "...This should be it, right? It's so dark I can't really tell." "Yes. T-The sound of the grass and leaves ru-ruru-rustl...ing has gone." Nakasorachi closed the mouth of the garbage bag, when... The sound of a car honking its horn at students who had exited Connect and were trying to cross the road rang out. "Eek!" Nakasorachi frightened at just that noise and leaped into the air, clutching onto my arm. (Uu...!) Th-That was dangerous. I obstructed her with the broom so it ended in an instant, but boobs that held a loose softness and were the size of volleyballs had pressed into me. For me, this held the same danger level as being pierced by a sharp blade. Nakasorachi's eyes seemed to have met mine, which were filled with tension. "Ah, ah, ee-eek!" She rammed into me with unexpected strength. Thanks to that, the back of my head smashed into a tree trunk. Ouch... "I-I-I-It's not what you think! T-The reason I grabbed your hand wa-was completely unrelated from the fact that our eyes met! I-I wasn't f-f-fantasizing about T-Tohyama-kun!" ...What is it this time... "I-I wasn't d-doing anything like f-fantasizing here! Nothing dirty! Nothing a-about the depths of the forest! I-In the shadows of the underbrush, where nobody's eyes could reach! I-I wasn't!" In the depths of the forest...? I have no idea what she's saying. "Ah, Nakasorachi. Please don't say anything right now." I said— "!" Nakasorachi stretched out her body like she had been subjected to a high voltage electric current. "T-T-T-T-That kind of forceful...! B-Butbut, we've finished cleaning, so I-I'll just lay something over the u-underbrush in advance! Please wait for a moment!" As if pushing a reset button, I lightly tapped her on the waist with my broom. "Hey. I'm finishing up. Speaking is forbidden until we finish. Alright?" I picked up the bag filled with fallen leaves, and Nakasorachi nodded again and again, one hand over her mouth. She tottered off to gather up the brooms. It looks like she's obeying what I told her, 'don't talk'. Rather...Nakasorachi's cowardly enough that she gets frightened from a car horn, yet she serves as a Butei. She's probably a rare type of person. At our school, at least. At the bus stop, I was waiting with Nakasorachi for the bus. "To-Tohyama-kun. Th-Thaou yonk, for, um, today." Thank you, maybe? "It's fine. All I did was help you a little for today." "T-This is the first time, so-somebody's, helped me li-like this, so...I-I don't have...friends, so, all I have is, J-Jeanne-san..." ...Jeanne. Now that she mentions her, what could she be doing? Ever since the Bandere, I've not seen hide nor hair of her—it's worrying. "...Don't you know where Jeanne is right now?" I asked, though I expected her to say no. "Right now? I-In my room, or rather, th-the room Jeanne-san and I are...sharing, i-in the, gi-girl's dormitory...I think?" "Eh?" "At one point last week, she called me to ask for something...She said that she was coming back that morning, that she'd been absent, from school. Because she was injured. Right now, she's in the room." Jeanne. She'd returned to Butei High? However, she said she was injured. That's worrying. I'll have to go meet her. However...Jeanne seems to be roommates with Nakasorachi. I don't know which room it is, so I'd like her to guide me there, but that, in short, is like telling this person, 'let's go into your room' so it looks like I'll have trouble bringing it up. If I don't say it a little carefully, I'll be made to do another sentence order quiz. "Nakasorachi, I've like to ask you for a favor..." "F-Favor, favor? Th-that's i-impossible, a fa-favor from a b-bo-bo-boy..." Suddenly this. "I-I'm the t-type of person th-that can't s-say no when as-asked a favor of! So, pl-please be gentle!" "That's convenient. I'd like—" "B-Before that, I-I have t-to change! B-boy, please let me change! Especially the bottom!" "I haven't said anything yet..." That was what the situation was like, so I needed the time from when we got on the bus till we got off the bus to communicate to her what I meant (and I only just managed to do it too), but... Somehow, I was able to go to Jeanne and Nakasorachi's room, located in the third girl's dormitory. Together with Nakasorachi, her knees shivering as her legs pressed together in an X shape, I ascended to her room. "Wow..." Inside the room, massive amounts of acoustic equipment were gathered, enough for me to let out my voice. Countless speakers and expensive looking amplifiers were piled up on a rack, surrounding a black desk with a semicircle. The soundproof walls were painted black, and headphones of every color were hanging from them like an electronics volume retailer. Not only did the entire scene look like the mixing room of a radio station, but in the room, there were even communication devices coming from every time period and every place imaginable, all lined up neatly. Not only computers and wireless devices used for processing, but there were around 50 types of handheld cellphones. The places the access lamps lead to blinked with lights, and in the midst of this room, which smelled of electronic devices...the only thing that resembled a girl's room was a miniature decorative plant, placed right by the window. Rather, that plant with two leaves...there's what looks like a small placard with 'Tohyama-kun' written on it standing there. Was there a plant like that? I was looking at the mini plant when Nakasorachi leaped into the air with a '!' and covered it with an empty box for headphones, hiding it. "I-I-It's not what you think! I-I do-don't talk to that plant at all! I-I'm not that l-lonely! Ah, also, there's nothing inside that small room over there! Things that I bought in preparation for unexpected circumstances, l-lewd underwear, alcohol, none of that is there!" "Um...I haven't come to raid your place. Rather than that, Jeanne is...?" "Jeanne-san is, that way." Nakasorachi turned her back on 'Tohyama-kun' and pointed at a door. That was the only door with a wood grain, having been decorated in an antique, western style. Needless to say, it was just like Jeanne. The door creaked as it opened, and when I stepped through it, it was bright. It does seem like she's here. I can't see her though... A mahogany desk. A light which looks like an ancient gas lamp. Somehow, it seems like the room is decorated with chic ornaments, just like an executive office of a high-tier business, or a politician's office. It's completely different from the Nakasorachi zone. As for the wooden bookcase...French and Japanese books that seemed like history books lined the shelves. (She's a scholar, huh...) I thought, taking out a book, and beyond the books bound with leather, there lay another row in...Mm...? There were comics for girls hidden inside. And a lot of them. Shoucomi, Margaret, Betsufure, Hanatoyume. Hehe. Jeanne reads stuff like this? I've found an unexpected side of her. So she keeps the girly part of her hidden inside . That's just like her. Rustle ... Rustle . Raising my head at the slight indication, there was another room further in. It seemed that Jeanne was inside there. That's right, this isn't the time to laugh. Jeanne. She chased 'Grenada', and it seems that she was injured, but—is she alright? (If she's heavily injured and is sleeping, I can't be noisy.) So I thought, opening the door silently...inside was a small room, long but thin, and it seemed like it was being used as a walk-in closet. But—what on Earth is this? Inside the room...frills, lace...red, white, pink, aquamarine...checkers, stripes, heart patterns...dresses like this were in rows, leading all the way inside. This...I was forcibly made to remember it by Riko, but...this is lolita fashion. And this closet was like a clothing store, and it had enough stocked here to resemble a wholesaler. (Did she get them from Riko...?) I thought, but the sizes of the clothes here were bigger than Riko's. These clothes are meant for someone far more slender. Just by walking, I parted the masses of lace and ribbons that brushed past my face and limbs, advancing through the lolita jungle... And she was there. In the innermost portion of the long, thin room, Jeanne stood before a full length mirror, bordered with Rococo style engravings. She was wearing the brand name waitress uniform that I had drawn the lot for as her proxy for Ristorante Masue. The uniform of 'At Home Cafeteria'. Standing there like a model, she looked at the mirror, an ecstatic smile on her face. Wearing a skirt with openings that drew attention to her tensed long, beautiful legs, she placed a hand on her hips... "Hehe. It really is nice." ... ... She placed a hand on her knee and leaned forward. Turning back subtly, she adjusted the big ribbon on her back before brushing a hand through her long, silver hair (which she had let down), letting it flutter through the air. What...is she doing? "Heh...That I would look so lovable...Hehe." ...I... Couldn't call out to her at all. She was doing a solo fashion show. Like a puma watching its prey, I peered out at my target from between the leaves of lace... Apparently satisfied, Jeanne adjusted her headband. "Hehe. To think that a day would come when I would be able to wear this boldly in front of everyone. The people at Informa will not have even thought that I owned something like this. Tohyama drew the best lot possible. He did well." She spoke to herself. And so, my voice leaked out. "Ahh..." Having heard my voice, the Witch of Silver Ice, Jeanne, froze. Her eyes meeting mine in the mirror, she stopped moving, as if her heart had stopped in that position. "Jeanne. First of all...You're doing pretty well, aren't you? Nakasorachi said that you were injured, so I was worried. Also, one more thing. What the hell is this? Are these all yours?" Walking into the solo fashion show from the forest of frills, I spoke... Finally moving, Jeanne covered her face with her pale, white fingers. "...This...This is the end..." Her skirt swaying, her body crumpled as her knees dropped to the floor, just like the heroine of a tragedy. "...What's the end?" "...Tohyama. You...You have seen that which cannot be seen. I cannot let you return alive." Tears in her eyes, Jeanne drew Durandal from her back. "H-Hey! You're armed even though you're wearing that...!?" Overreacting, almost like I had seen her naked, Jeanne held the scabbard in her hands. Panicking, I grabbed onto it. As if her hands were devoid of strength, Jeanne let her sword go immediately. "There...There is no-one who has seen this room. This is the secret garden that belongs to me and me only. I had been keeping this a secret from even Riko...!" Jeanne's eyes were brimming with tears, her hands trembling... And this time, a Cx100 greeted me from behind Jeanne's cocktail apron. "I-I got it. I'll keep it a secret. Between just the two of us. So please don't shoot." "...Do you promise? If you talk about this to anyone, I'll make you into a frozen gratin." "I promise. Or rather, humans can't become gratins." I said. Jeanne sighed, a sigh that spoke of melancholy itself. "...If I fired in a place like this, I would be making holes in all my clothes..." And she stowed her gun away. Holes in clothes are worth more than my life? Well...I was saved by that, so you have my thanks, western clothing. I sat on a leather sofa in the room that was more like an executive office, waiting for Jeanne. Jeanne had changed into her uniform and her cheeks flushed with pink, she brewed me some coffee, lips twisted into a pout. "I will say this now, but I myself know very well." Sitting down with her knees together, just like a lady, Jeanne spoke, her legs slanting forward. "Know what?" "That those kinds of clothes do not suit a girl like me." Really seeming as if she was embarrassed from the depths of her heart, Jeanne kept her head down but looked up at me. "Those dresses are lovely when girls like Riko, small in stature, wear them. It is decidedly so. However...I am rather tall and have been raised as a boy since I was very young. Therefore, by nature, it does not fit me. However, the more I thought of it...for some reason, I started to feel a sort of yearning for those dresses..." Ahh... Well, it's not like I can't understand. It's human nature to yearn strongly for that which we don't have. "And then, there was Riko's influence on me...though I knew that it did not suit me, I went to Harajuku, thinking to buy one dress...and after that, it became a habit of mine, and now, things are as you have just witnessed. Haha...I am a laughable girl, am I not? You can laugh if you want. Hahaha..." A broken laugh spilled from her lips... "N-No, I'm not going to laugh. I thought it was cute." The clothes were, that is. "...C-Cute...?" Were my words unexpected? Jeanne's ice blue eyes widened. "Mm? Y-Yeah." The clothes were cute. "What a strange person. You cannot have much sense about these things." Jeanne said, looking to the side...Facing the wall, her face looked like she was resisting the urge to smile from happiness. Th-Thank God. It seems like I made the right dialogue selection in the visual novel called life. It looks like I can finally get to the point. "By the way...Where did you go after Bandere?" "—I was keeping track of Grenada's movements the entire time." "What are they doing? I can't see any of their actions from here." "Everyone has returned to their respective territories and they are all looking for an opportune moment. The only person that acted immediately is Hilda herself. I also engaged with her. The truth is, I was heavily shocked." "Was that your injury? Where is it?" "You would not be able to infer this from my appearance, but the damage has remained in the tendons all over my body, and I cannot use my limbs with any strength. Thanks to that, it seems that I will be unable to participate in combat for half a month." ...So that's why even I could take her sword from her before. "Aria and I were also attacked by Hilda. We somehow managed to stay unharmed though." "I heard from Riko. But be at ease. After a month, she will be unable to remain in Tokyo. Tamamo is expanding the Barrier of Exorcism without stopping to rest. Hilda is already unable to approach the stretch of coast from the Tokyo Disneyland to Academy Island, Empty Island, Daiba, Shinagawa and Toyosu. The barrier is improvised, so it seems that it will only hold for one year, but Tamamo's Barrier of Exorcism is formidable." "Exorcism...Barrier? What the hell's that?" "Speaking simply, it creates a zone that monsters are unable to invade. There is no obstruction to human bodies, but if monsters enter the barrier...speaking in terms of humans, it would be like being bombarded by a neutron beam." "S-Some amazing things are starting, from below the surface." "It is not something that has just started now. In the first place, Tokyo, followed by Rome and Hong Kong, is a city with high magic rejection. Yamate line and the Central line outline the yin-yang of all things in potentia . It is well known that all magics weaken within it." It isn't well known at all, is it? I've been living in Tokyo for years and this is the first time I've heard about this gigantic SSR project. "...Which reminds me, what are we going to do, Jeanne? Should we talk to Aria about Grenada and Deen? I haven't said anything yet, just in case." "Indeed...let us stay silent until we are no longer able. Judging from her personality, she would go on the offensive if she found out. With Tamamo's barrier, this battle is one that is better fought defending." "I was thinking that too. What should we tell Shirayuki?" "Let us wait for Tamamo to decide. It would not be good for someone like you, inexperienced as you are in ability battles, to relay inaccurate information." "That's...true. The specialists should do what they feel is best." The moment I finished drinking my coffee... Jeanne's cellphone rang. "...It's Nakasorachi." "Nakasorachi? She's in the room right next to us." As I sat there wondering, Jeanne left me to myself and spoke on the phone for a while. "Yes...I understand. Wait a moment, Nakasorachi...Tohyama, stay in this room. If she sees you, Nakasorachi will be unable to carry out her function. Talk with her using this phone." "What is it? It seems that you asked Nakasorachi for something last week, but—what is it?" "Indeed. I am making her eavesdrop on the transfer student's conversations." "Transfer student?" "L Watson. I suspect him." "...!" —Watson— My eyes flew open in response to Jeanne's words. "It seems that you have also taken note of this, but his movements are unnatural. All his records have been wiped, but we know he is not a normal person. His second name is 'Vein'—a boy who was decorated for his capacity as a spy, and a capable one too, for the confidential organization Liberty Mason." "...He's..." "I hate people who work in such a reprehensible manner. And many of my supporters in the tennis club have switched over to Watson. That, I cannot take." Reprehensible...? Isn't eavesdropping reprehensible? Also, it feels like you're just retaliating because Watson took all the popularity amongst the girls, but...I won't be saying that. It's promising that Jeanne is on the anti-Watson brigade. "Tohyama, listen to this. It seems that he has made a move. He is alone and speaking with Aria." She said. I took the phone from Jeanne and hurriedly held it to my ear as Jeanne walked into the room with Nakasorachi. Peeking into Nakasorachi's room a little...I saw that the room was darkened, perhaps so she could concentrate. Nakasorachi was wearing a headset, and I could only see her face flicker in the green, yellow and blue lights that came blinking from the control panels of the communication and acoustic devices. On the display panel, audio ranges were divided up into alevel meters, and there were several tens of them lined up, increasing and decreasing rapidly. Beside her, Jeanne was also wearing a headset. She continued to look at the equalizer that Nakasorachi was operating. Looking closely, Nakasorachi's feet were stepping on countless pedals placed under her, making it look like she was playing an electronic organ. It was like she was swimming through a sea of sound. "—They are currently inside a shop. Daiba 191. The 3rd floor of Hotel Japan Airlines' continental restaurant — Terrace on the Bay. They have entered a personal room. The voices inside the room are comparatively clear." She was firm and clear, almost as if she was a completely different person. I could hear Nakasorachi's voice, like that of a female news announcer, ring out firm and elegant. She's different , only able to speaking normally through communication devices. "Did you bug a place like that...?" "—No. There is an EX-Unidirectional laser mike set up on the roof of the girl's dormitory gathering sound. If targeted at a surface location within a three kilometer radius, it can monitor the sound of the direction to which it is set." "T-Three kilometers...that's amazing. You can hear people talking inside a shop three kilometers away?" "—It is possible. The microphone amplifies the vibrations of the voices that reach the glass of the window...the conversation inside the room is audible. Redirecting." The power of science is amazing. A conversation in a private room of a restaurant in Daiba can be heard directly here. It's quite similar to ability. From my point of view, at least. "'...hen, wha...did they Menu say?'" Possibly because of the sheer distance, there was a little feedback mixed in with the audio, but... This anime voice that I could hear definitely belonged to Aria. "'...en I was in London, Menuette-san...said...ease take care...my older sister...'" "'...That girl...even though she's my sister, she looks at me from ab...so...'" "'Also...she said...the punishment game from that card game is still continuing.'" "'...She's the same as ever. It's disgusting. She's being rebellious...'" I switched between being able to hear Watson and Aria's voice. The line kept getting interrupted, but it seemed that they were talking about Aria's little sister. Rather, did she have one? Even though I've lived together with her for half a year, she never said anything to me about something as small as her sister's existence. Well...I also hid the existence of Brother, so I can't really say anything. She's probably the kind of sister that has characteristics that are hard to describe, or they don't get along or something. But even so...I'm feeling a strange displeasure at the fact that Aria and Watson are talking about a common topic that none but the two of them know. "—It seems that they are taking their seats. I can hear footsteps from Watson." Nakasorachi looked down, as if focusing. "—There is some strangeness in his footsteps. This is not beneficial information, but I will report it because it has been brought to my attention. Watson's body fat percentage is high. It seems to be 27%." Nakasorachi...you can know something like that from this feedback-filled sound? She really is a genius when you have her do audio investigations. All humans have good points. But, a body fat percentage of 27%? That's a lot. Even I, who's already stopped going to Assault, have 15%. Watson seems to be the kind of guy that hides his fat. "—Aria takes her seat. Watson takes his seat." "...but...what's the reason you're not coming back to England...I can have the ceremony by tomorrow, even..." "...It's too early for me to...think about..." "...Why are you hesitating? Do you have any other fiancés?" "..." "—Aria is silent." Nakasorachi's courteous explanation came through. "'What's wrong...are you engaged to someone else?'" "'...'" Watson repeated the same question and Aria remained silent... "—There is someone. Every time Aria hears the word 'engaged', her heart beats loudly. Her body is experiencing other reactions besides that. The reactions of a girl who has strong feelings for a boy." Nakasorachi declared. Is that so. Other than Watson...there's another fiancé? Aria being Aria, isn't she popular? She didn't tell me about that either though. "'Aria. It seems that your standing amongst the Holmes family is bad, but...if you marry me and enter the Watson family...your...also...the Watson family has succeeded with their finances, and now, we are more prosperous than the Holmes family...so...able...look back at them in scorn, you know? And your work won't be as something like a chief of a raid squad at the London Butei Division...but...if you become one of the Watsons...leadership...'" "'...'" Watson spoke and Aria remained silent... Irritation began to swell up inside me. "'...Also, the Watson family has...Japan's political, judiciary circles...your mother's sentence...'" "'...'" "—Aria's heartbeat has changed at the mention of 'Mother' and 'Sentence'. Starting to sweat." "'...so...even if it's just on record...how about it, Aria...'" "'...Let me think about it...'" Hey... Let me think about it? Are you talking about marrying Watson? "Nakasorachi. Um...is Aria serious? Um...about...marriage..." "She is serious. However, her tone...extrapolating from the memory of voice data of other girls the same age...her tone suggests that there is something that she is willing to sacrifice herself to protect." ...Are you serious? Aria. —Will you become Watson's?— (Aria!) At that moment. My body. — Thump — What... ...is this? — Thump — A heartbeat that seemed to sear into me shuddered through my body. Twice. Three times. It continued. That was what it was. Blood is rising to my head—a sensation that I was no longer able to think. It's similar to Hysteria Mode—but it's different. It felt like I was being ravaged by these violent emotions. —Steal her back...! A voice spoke those words...from my heart, the very center of my soul, from the depths...I could hear the voice. ( This is...!) I remember. My body has felt this before. This is the same thing that happened when Sherlock stole Aria from me at I-U. —Hysteria Berserk. One of the derivatives of Hysteria Mode that my brother told me about. Different from the ordinary Hysteria Mode, which 'protects' girls, this power is meant for 'stealing' them. The hostility that I feel towards other men in these situations opens this state up. A dark, dark key— "...Nn...!" I leaned against the wall, clutching my chest so hard it looked like I was going to tear my heart out. I...can no longer stop this flow of blood. It's true that Berserk is a...dangerous mode. One's battle ability is amplified by 1.7 times compared to normal Hysteria mode, but in exchange...all thoughts are focused upon aggression. To give an example, it's a double-edged blade...something like that? —But, who cares? I started to feel as if it didn't matter. It doesn't matter. Nothing matters. Conversely, I started to want to curse the cowardice I had been showing up till this point. Why did I leave Watson, who was approaching Aria, alone? Watson...this is a bad way of saying it, but...Watson, did you think I'd let you have my seat as Aria's partner? It's true that he's better than me at a lot of things. He'll be able to respond to the battles that are coming. His appearance is beautiful, his grades excellent, and he's wealthy. But, who cares about that ...!? Aria is my partner. If you're trying to snatch her from me, then... Fight me like a man, Watson. Don't do things like taking Aria from me by deceiving Aria with tricks of speech. I won't hand Aria over to people like that. —And Aria. I'm sorry. I won't be gentle with you this time. I'm going to steal you. Thinking about it, when I was forced to team up with Reki...you tried to do the same thing at the school train station. Allow me the privilege of stealing you back. "Tohyama, what's wrong?" Jeanne had come close to me at some point, and I grabbed her shoulder. I noticed that I had taken Jeanne's phone from my ear. Jeanne saw that my eyes had become sharper, sharper than normal, and sharper than my eyes in the normal Hysteria Mode...she tried to say something, so I pressed down on her mouth with my right hand. Immediately, I spun her around, hugging her head, wreathed in silver hair, to my chest— I brought Jeanne inside the room, to a place Nakasorachi could not see from her angle. "Uuu—!?" Reflected in the mirror was Jeanne, struggling while embraced by me... However, it seemed that she really couldn't exert any strength. She was at my discretion. Be careful for a while. Or you'll be subjected to these kinds of violent acts by the current me. "Jeanne." With the fingers of my left hand, I searched out a white ear from between the strands of hair the color of ice. I touched Jeanne's ear and she trembled at the contact... Therefore. "Don't make a noise." I softly whispered those words into her ear. Nakasorachi's wearing headphones and is concentrating on eavesdropping. Seeing as she won't come here even if she looks around at what's happening for a few seconds...it would seem that if we keep our voices to this level, she won't notice. Jeanne, reflected in the mirror, tried to move again, but I pulled her hips into mine with my left hand. "...!" Seeing herself in the mirror, my mouth by her ear, Jeanne's ice-blue eyes widened— Her cheeks and ears were gradually tinged with pink. So that she could continue to breathe, I moved my hand from her mouth—but even then, I placed my index finger over her rose-colored lips, continuing to gesture 'to her to 'keep quiet'... "—T-Tohyama...!" Jeanne responded with a soundless voice, apparently having read the atmosphere. "Butei should not feel lust just from hearing about male-female entanglements! Nakasorachi is in the next room, you realize? I do not claim to know, so I have no proof, b-but she is not able enough to hold back her scream, even if you try to calm her down. N-No, rather than that, HSS—" Jeanne spoke that far before I whispered into her ear again. "Correct." "Wh-Which of the things I said are correct?' "Currently, I am in HSS—Hysteria Mode. However, it seems that this is a modified form. I suddenly feel like going outside. I'll be borrowing your cellphone." "Going outside...?" "Continue to have Nakasorachi tell me the situation through the phone." Saying that, I released Jeanne and checked the magazines of my Beretta and DE. Jeanne nodded once before she slumped to the floor...was the sight of me in Berserk that shocking? Hey, me. What exactly are you doing? After this, Jeanne's definitely going to go ballistic on me, saying things like: "What do you mean by that!" I've only learned this now, but the me in Berserk is opposite from the me in HSS. I am rough with girls. I could even be called violent. Like a carnivore— I can only pray that I don't make these kinds of moves on Aria. Because, when predators savage each other, all involved with be covered with holes and soaked in blood. "—Watson as well as Aria are moving. There is a change in Aria's manner of walking. It seems that she's tottering, or in other words, stumbling about. They have moved into an elevator. Descending. The door is closing. Voice suspended—" Nakasorachi's voice, connecting to Jeanne's cellphone from the headsets linked over WLAN, continued on. By now, the tap had become just feedback to me, an amateur. From within that, Nakasorachi picked up faint sounds and told me Aria and Watson's movements. I returned to my room and picked up Python as well as some spare magazines. Better to have one hand than none. Because I could not get Mutou's help, I had no choice but to ride my own bike. The watch ticked over 22:00. The lights attached to the front fork of the bike illuminated the road flowing past me. I had tried cycling with all my might before, but the me in Hysteria Mode was able to output around 90 km/h on just a normal bike. If it's just Daiba, then there isn't that big a difference between this method of transportation and any others, right? So I thought, but... "—Voice has been recaptured through echoes off buildings. Watson and Aria are in a car. The car is a Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet. The soft cover is currently closed. Moving northeast on city highway 482." Watson was going out by car. Northwest...He intends to bring Aria somewhere, not returning to Butei High. However, there's no way I can race a Porsche with a bike. "—Watson is speaking to Aria. Aria is not responding. She seems to be sleeping." Sleeping...? "It's unnatural. Tell me how she's sleeping, Nakasorachi. It's probably quite difficult, but can you?" "—...Processing...consciousness levels are below JCSII-10. The sounds of the vital signs such as breathing or heart rate resemble the lowering of clarity that occurs with the application of anesthetics or drugs." That bastard Watson...! He did it this time. It seems that he slipped Aria a sleeping pill or the like at the restaurant. I don't know what he plans on doing, but I hope he tries hurting Aria just a little. Because I will return the pain completely. In the most violent manner possible—! (But...) Where does Watson plan on going? If I don't know, I'll be left behind, unable to chase him. Clicking my tongue in annoyance, I took the road under the monorail, heading to Daiba. At that moment. "—I can hear the sound of information being entered into the navigation systems of the car. The voice of the navigation system. Destination is...Sumida, Tokyo Oshiage 1-1-2." "Nice assist, Nakasorachi. I'll give you a kiss later." "—Please refrain from unregulated declarations." Haha. She paid attention to me. The me in Berserk and Nakasorachi, across the communication device. Both of us are in personalities completely different from our normal ones. "—Watson and Aria have reached the maximum range of audio capture. Voice was lost at the high-speed Metropolitan Shiodome Junction. Judging from the situation, I believe that you will be out of range—Be careful." We've finally reached the limit of Nakasorachi's ears, huh. But it's more than enough. She really saved me. Because if I know their destination, I can chase them. Wait for me, Watson. I'll wake Aria up and instead, put you to sleep. "—In a hospital bed, that is!" Looking at a map with my own phone, my destination...Oshiage 1-1-2, was... —The Tokyo Sky Tree. Its current site of construction. Wondering if this was really the place and looking around...Watson's Porsche was in a nearby parking lot. But there was no one in the car. Checking the heat of the muffler, I estimated that it had been 15 minute since the car had stopped. Using the light that I unclipped from my bicycle, I illuminated the ground of the construction site, the sandy floor visible through a metal fence...Ah, found it. The footprints of Butei High shoes. However, there wasn't a set for Aria. Watson walked while carrying the sleeping Aria, huh. (Why...did he bring Aria here...?) I looked up at the Sky Tree, about 7/10 done...It was tall. So tall that looking up at me made my neck hurt. I didn't realize it when I saw the Sky Tree with Aria from the classroom's veranda, but if you go to the bottom, the white pillars were terrifyingly huge. It was a massive structure, so huge that I couldn't even bring myself to understand that it was a tower. At the topmost part, the crane in the midst of building the second viewing platform...was enveloped by the darkness, becoming completely invisible. Looking even more closely, it was different from an ordinary tower in that the supporting pillars were all lined up in a light helix. (Is he...at the top of this?) I scaled the metal fence, chasing the footprints into the tower interior construction site. Because we were in the dead of the night, there was nobody. On top of that, there was hardly anything there at all—so my footsteps on the metal plates rang out into the air. Staying vigilant of the shadows of the signboards and heavy machinery inside the construction site, I would, from time to time, point my gun forward, going forth. "..." The footprints on top of the sandy metal boards had nearly become invisible... At its end, there stood a temporary work elevator. (...An elevator...) If I use it, I'll reveal the fact that I tracked them here. Like I care. The me currently, in Berserk, couldn't think of anything much more than attacking the enemy and stealing Aria. I inserted a skeleton key I took out from the Butei Handbook into the keyhole used for operation. The unstable elevator used a metal fence in place of a door. As I stood inside, it ascended. After riding the elevator up several floors, heading upwards, ever upwards, in the thick, white steel frame... I was pulled up to a height at which planes flew. —It's so tall. What amazing height. It may be because I'm looking upon it at nighttime, but Tokyo Bay, below me, looked like it could have come out of a photo of deep space. This is far taller than the rooftop battle on Landmark Tower, where we had fought with Vlad. This is far taller than the height we had flown at in the ANA600. After continuing in this way, the place I reached was— The first observation deck. I walked onto it, spotting a pillar on which '350m' was written. It was dark, but the light from the streets reflected up here, so I had become completely used to the darkness. The unfinished observation deck was in a state where the exposed concrete was just about hardening on the floor. It was extremely wide, and besides a few materials strewn around the corners, there was nothing. There were no sounds. All I could hear were the sounds of crows crowing in the distance, apparently from the top of the Sky Tree. There had not yet been glass erected between the pillars, which encircled the floor. A gust of wind blew through the gap, bringing with it a scent of...cinnamon. "...Aren't you good, Watson." I spoke to my opponent. Of whom I could neither see hide nor hair. He's here. He's close. "I've understood why you were undermining me at Butei High. You predicted that after snatching Aria, you would eventually face up against me...just like this." I spoke to the enveloping darkness, slipping Python onto my right hand. —In the end, the left hand part wasn't made in time. If I use Slash, I'll have to sacrifice my left fingers. There'll be nothing left for me after that. No matter how disadvantageous the situation, I can't use it more than once. In other words, I've been limited in my uses of this new, useful technique. Rather, it'd be fine to say that I've been completely blocked. "Up till now, I've been working together with my companions in order to overcome. I wouldn't have been able to make it through the battle with I-U without the teamwork with my allies. You focused on that...isolating me was your first step. You've been doing rather dirty things just for me, haven't you?" I didn't even have Mutou's support. I was 15 minutes slower than Watson in reaching this place. Anybody could do mostly anything with 15 minutes. Hide Aria, slip himself into the shadows, and wait for me to show an opening. Because I was forced to come by bike, the muscles in my legs were aching. In addition, I hadn't been eating well, so I was feeling lightheaded. He forced me to start this battle from a rather disadvantageous standpoint. "Get out here. Or do you plan to hide there like a little thief?" I felt the air around me grow tense. Like I thought, Watson seems to be the type who gets riled up easily. It seems that he's met my challenge. "...What have you come here for?" His voice rang out from the darkness to the front and left of me. He finally spoke. "...Do you need to ask?" I cocked my Beretta, replacing any answer I might have had with the noise it made. Fixing my eyes on the darkness, from whence the sound originated...I saw him. He was on the opposite side of the circular observation deck. Behind the materials, a vague shadow, shaped like a human, moved. 20 meters away. "I've come to steal Aria back." "I won't give her to you, Tohyama. If you leave now...I won't kill you." "Can't do that either, can I? I'm the leader of Team Baskerville. If a team member's taken out, it reflects badly on the leaders record...What did you do with Aria?" "I put her to sleep with drugs." "Is it really fine for you do that to your fiance?" "Fiance? Ah. That's just for show, like playing pretend." "Playing? I see..." He tricked Aria. I felt Berserk's malevolent blood flow grow one stage stronger. "—Aria's too much of an idiot to be my official partner. She needs instruction." "Well, if that's the case, I'll give you some instruction. Butei High style." ...From the heavens far above us, distant thunder rumbled. It was as if it was matching my Berserk feelings. "Tohyama." "What." "I'll say this now—In the UK, Butei are allowed to kill in self-defense. In addition, as I am a Butei of the royal court, I hold extraterritoriality. In short, even if I kill you here in Japan, I will not be taken in for any crime." I see, I see... ...Well, there are people like that in Japan. Government workers with a license to kill. My father was one. It seems that he never killed anyone in his lifetime, though. "That's a rather cheap threat, Watson. Pretty suitable for a person who's all talk." "I'll take those words as an acceptance to my challenge." "Take it if you like." I spat those words out. As I finished speaking, I could hear a small hiss coming from where Watson was standing. (—He's a doper .) That was the sound of a needle-less injector. If he's using it here, then it's most likely 'Nebula'. A stimulant for the central nervous system. It's forbidden in Japan, but it's a combat drug used in Assault that temporarily heightens your concentration and gives you the ability to see in the dark. From experience, dopers are...strong. They become resistant against terror and pain. "I'll tell you something nice." Apparently to buy time for the drug to take effect, Watson spoke out. "The reason I'm distancing Aria from you is to protect her." "Protect...?" "If she remains with 'Deen', she will definitely be killed." Is he talking about Far East Warfare? "Currently, five parts of the Golden Shell that protects Aria belong to 'Grenada', and two belong to 'Deen'. She is already exposed. To ensure her safety, I must first take her from the leader of Baskerville — you. You have misjudged the situation. No matter how one thinks about it, Aria should be affiliated with 'Grenada'...No. She must be." "Vein-san. During the Bandere, Liberty Mason's representative said that you would remain 'Neutral'." "Having looked at the situation, I have recommended that we ally ourselves with 'Grenada'. It is currently being discussed at our headquarters, the Grand Lodge. We will most likely reach a conclusion next week." "In that case, you're giving me the chance to strike a blow against the enemy pretty early." Saying that, I started to close the distance between us. If we talk much longer than this, he'll have the advantage with 'Nebula'. I'm aiming for an early conclusion. Watson's voice, half a laugh, sounded back at me as I approached him. "Do you think you can win? Overconfident Butei die young." "That's can't be true. You're alive, after all." ...My footsteps echoed through the empty observatory... Watson's figure became clearer. He was wearing a completely black bullet/bladeproof vest that blended into the darkness and his feet were clad in combat boots that seemed to be inlaid with steel. His back was protected by a cloak-like bulletproof coat...he's fully armored. On the other hand, all I'm wearing is Butei High's bulletproof uniform and I only have one of Python's hands. However, my Berserk self abandoned all thought of analyzing our respective battle strengths. No matter how disadvantageous the situation, I will bring him down. That's all there is to it. "What's wrong? I'm in range." I spoke those words softly as I stepped into gunfire distance. — Click — Watson had bought just enough time in order for the drug to run its course and he sprinted this way, his footsteps barely audible. (...He's fast.) Keeping his body low, Watson made his approach. He drew the bent blade of a kukri knife — doing this too, nearly noiselessly. The knife was also designed for nighttime use, its blade having been dyed black. Right in front of me, Watson suddenly changed his course in the manner of a '>' character, swinging his blade like he was flicking it past me. His aim was my right wrist. Looking at the trajectory, he wanted to cut my gun away along with my hand. "...!" I withdrew my finger from the Beretta's trigger, brushing aside the tip of the blade with my outstretched index finger. Python's carbonized tungsten cobalt alloy raised a shower of sparks, forcing the knife to slip by. I had withdrawn my finger in the spur of the moment, but now I see. Python can also be used in this manner. Also, I had found something out in that clash. Watson's sharp and his aim is precise, but... He doesn't have much strength. Having noticed this, I drew my butterfly knife into my left hand. "I should be the one saying that it's fine to run, Watson!" The screeching sound of metal pierced the air as I crashed my blade's other edge — the sword breaker — into his knife. And with that...I twisted his kukri's blade, bending the knife with brute force. "...I too am currently a student of Tokyo Butei High. Running from the enemy is against school rules, is it not?" Watson threw away the remains of his knife and flipped backwards, launching himself on one foot, his coat flying. In the midst of his back-flip, the lightning that flashed in the distance faintly and somehow, in a beautiful manner, outlined his figure. Just before he hit the ground, from out of his black sleeve, Watson pulled out a SIG SAUER P226R, a gun with the characteristics of a sleeve-gun, and immediately opened fire with it. Around one to two meters in front of me, all his bullets scattered everywhere. — Billiard Shot — And that's not all. In the state of Berserk I was currently in, I pulled off something else. I had mixed in one more shot that looked like it would miss. "Ahhhhhh!" Watson was shot in the back by my bullet, which had ricocheted off the pillar behind him. L-Shot. I borrowed the technique that Reki used while executing her manhunt on me...ricocheting a bullet off something to hit the enemy. Thinking to follow up, I aimed my Beretta, but... Watson fell forward and lay unmoving on the floor. ...Hey. Falling down from one hit? He's not good with getting hit, huh... "...Stand." My enraged blood in the Berserk state pulsed. And it had me shoot the floor directly next to Watson. However, Watson moved not an inch. Well...even if you're shot while wearing a vest, getting hit in the lungs means that you won't be able to breathe for a while. "..." He still...didn't move. Did I hit his sweet spot? Rather, if he dies because of me I'll be executed. Because of Butei's Treble-Punishment. "Hey." I approached him and grabbed him by the collar of his coat, just like a cat, and lifted him up. "...Uuu..." Watson groaned. Judging from his expression, he had fainted... W-What's with this guy? Um...I really don't want to admit this, but...Uh...well, it's the truth, so there's nothing else to do. I'll admit it. He had a cute face despite being a boy. That's really weird. Even though I was in Berserk, I was still weak against feminine things. Because of this, I faltered for a second, when... Watson's eyes with their pointed eyelashes suddenly flicked open. And he took a sharp breath with his deep red lips. (....Uu!) A sharp pain danced through my left eye. Panicking, I pushed Watson back, feeling my eyelid. (A needle...!?) He had it between his teeth. I was tricked... ...Drawing out the needle pierced through my eyelid, I saw that there was a fine opening at the tip of the needle, which was approximately one centimeter in length. A poison reservoir. My junior in Lezzad, Fuuma, had a similarly hollow needle made out of bamboo. My eyeball hadn't been hit, but as for the area between my eyelids to my temple...it had started to numb. Playing dead and then using poison. As one might expect from Vein-san. His methods are dirty. At that moment, Watson, who had disappeared to my left side — my blind spot — as I was pressing on my eye... Thundered two kicks directly into my stomach and face with his steel-inlaid combat boots. "—I'll acknowledge this, Tohyama. You're talented. Deflecting bullets with bullets, even using ricochets...It's not that I don't understand how Aria could get so caught up with you." Watson had once again opened up some distance between us. Pointing his SIG into the air, he swayed from left to right, as if to mock me. I put my knife away, drawing my DE in order to bluff and buy some time. But even so, I had to draw back. As if it weren't enough that my eyes were like this, he had scored direct hits to my liver and jaw. I was in agony. He had accurately hit the human body's weak points. I'll be lightheaded for a while, so if I don't rest until I recover, I won't be able to fight. "You would even be able to fight evenly with a top agent from Liberty Mason. However, it's a shame. I am one step further than that, the elite of the elite." He's still chattering on. Trying to buy time, isn't he. Time for the Nebula in his body and the poison in mine to run their respective courses. With every second, he gains the advantage and I become disadvantaged. "There wasn't much information about you, so it was expensive, but it's just like the data said. You seem to be a problem child of Butei High, but in terms of combat ability, especially close combat, you have talent far beyond the rest. I agree with what was written, that depending on the training, you would be able to reach an expertise the likes of Kana." ...Strangely, he had gathered some information about me. "You probably won't know about it since it's not an official statistics. On the SDA ranking, you're......Is it called Superhumans ranking in Japan? You're in the Top 100." Who, made this boring ranking...... Flurries, get back to the outer ring. I'm outrightly an E-class in Butei High. "…...So, is it working soon, Tohyama? It's already working for me here. The Watsons are doctors for many generations. Gaining advantage in combat by utilizing drugs--that's what we specialize in. Hehe." Adjusting his P226R......Watson walked towards me while laughing mockingly. I turned my nose up......adjusting my breathing......I'm out of ideas. Even if I can't see well with my left eye, I still have to fight. "Let's settle our battle with Aru-Kata. This battle--is for Aria!" Watson closed the distance with a flip. --*clank**clank*-- 1.5 seconds before standing in front of me, metallic sounds came from different parts of his body. Six penknife-like curved blades from his elbow, knee and boots. (--Full body weapons--) This is somehow similar to the equipment of a senpai who is training at the British Army Special Force. Seems like it's going to be a harsh battle. Including his gun, I'm going against 7 weapons. With only half an eye. *smack*! *smack**smack*! Watson's gun and mine are like blades dancing closely. He keeps moving at my left which is my blind spot. With these movements, he stopped me from pulling the trigger, overwhelming me by twisting my arm with his joints. It's as if he's fighting under normal lighting condition, he can still see the details even if he's in the dark, with "Nebula". My remaining bullets--are decreasing. Firing the last shot, while intending to reload instantly and reaching to the back of my uniform...... …...Hmm? "Are you looking for this?" Beretta--My magazine! Watson tossed it up into the air. (He stole it during the melee!) With my berserker's reflex arc, I prepared to tackle it-- *bang*!*clank*! Watson hit the magazine with his P226R, out of the tower. The Beretta can't be used anymore. Then, DE--! *ding*! Aiming that bastard's chest, the DE that created a loud noise--missed him. Watson dodged it by bending his body backwards with abnormal flexibility. Watson activated his armaments again when he leaped, stabbing towards my right eye with his elbow's curved blade using some kind of Muay Thai technique. I dodged it by backstepping, a few hairs dropped in front of my right eye. Dangerous. Next he aimed a kick between my thighs, I dodged it again by backstepping. The blades came at me numerous times, I dodged as usual-- As the magazine size of DE is only 8, the bullets will run out very soon. But the DE's magazine--is lost. It seems that it's also stolen from me. Too sly. Out of bullets. In order to swap to my knife, I retreated a few steps-- (Ugh......) Without noticing, I'd approached the edge of the observatory. It seems that Watson had cleverly backed me against the edge while fighting. Retreating further is impossible; behind me lay a drop of 350 meters. Thinking this, I reached for, and gave up on, my seax. It's gone. I can tell just from the feeling of weight on my back. I'd been too focused on his attacks; this realization comes too late. After stealing it, Watson has either stealthily held onto it or thrown it away. My butterfly knife is gone as well. He really went overboard with the stealing. --Is this the drawback to Hysteria Berserk? *Bang*! A P226R bullet flashed as it hit below the foot of the now weaponless me. "......Hmm!" At the edge of the observatory, I slid and fell. My waist, chest, and chin hit the concrete in succession......my hands barely gripping the edge, my body suspended in the air. (Don't look down! Immediately use the cable......) I used my right hand to adjust my belt......Da, damn, even that isn't here. He only cut off the buckle! I tried to find footing, but it's as if something is smeared onto it, it's really slippery. I can't go up. If I let go, the only thing I'll be seeing is.....the depths of Hell...... Watson approached me, still suspended in the air, and kicked away my right hand which had been gripping the edge. Twice, three times I put my right hand back, but-- Watson chuckled as he kicked my hand free once more, seemingly enjoying it. "I'll teach you something. As it stands, your mind is filled with nothing but the thought of attacking me. It's far too easy to see through." I gave up on my right hand, aiming instead to leverage my Hysteria Berserk to leap over with a single hand. But those black combat boots......calmly tread on my left hand. "Nonetheless, your performance has been rather outstanding. I'm left with my last bullet because of you. What I did with your magazine just now, I suppose it's a pity that the 9mm bullets are hit out of the tower." The force on my left hand is getting stronger. Getting stepped on by steel boots, the fingers on my left hand feel like they will break. "...nn!" The pain shot up my entire left arm. My right shoulder drooped, the edge now out of reach for my right hand. Endure......I have to endure! If my left hand slackens, it'll cause me to fall straight towards the ground. But, under these conditions......How do I climb up? "I'll lighten your burden, Tohyama. You don't have to worry about Aria's future anymore. I'll make Aria happy." --Aria. That moment when I heard her name-- In front of my eyes, it's as if everything is playing in slow motion. Watson raised one of his legs, readying a kick at my left hand-- "......Hmm!" In my mind-- Every muscle in my body moved with blinding speed--Ouka. (--!) The only place in contact with the Sky Tree is my left hand now. But, left wrist, left elbow, left shoulder, right shoulder, right elbow, right wrist--With these acceleration points, it'll work. If this were Normal Hysteria mode, it might not be doable-- Me in Hysteria Berserk, is all because of you, I've been driven to this extent by you. If I can use 1.7 times my normal strength--Then just let me solve this minor problem-- (--Just let me do this one small thing!) The moment when Watson's kick is going to connect with my hand- "--!" From my left arm to my right. Both my arms accelerate with the sudden burst of strength from Hysteria Berserk-- My right hand is like a claw--moving with subsonic speed. At the same time-- --*boom*! Watson's heel descends on my left hand, which immediately falls loose. In the air for just an instant, I closed my eyes in agony--and did not fall. (......Nice job, Berserk......) I looked up gingerly...... My current position lies below the observatory's edge--my Orochi-equipped right hand is pierced into the steel wall, with me still hanging in the air. I dug my fingers yet deeper into their holes, which are somehow similar to those on bowling balls. It's worthy of rejoicing. Now that's the 1.7 times of normal strength of Hysteria Berserk mode. Piercing a steel plate with just two fingers, even I find it unbelievable. I have to thank you, Berserker. "......" Watson, wanting to enjoy the sight of my falling figure, lowered his head to look-- As his obsidian eyes grew large, I ferociously grabbed his hair with my left hand. Even though my left hand is numb from pain, but-- It'll still grab him. "I also......have something to teach you! You are too overconfident. This leaves you full of openings!" "It hurts! Stop! Let go of my hair!" Like I care! It's life and death for me here. My left hand not losing hold of his wildly struggling body, I used both of my hands to climb up. It's all thanks to Watson who bent over to avoid falling with me, that I'm able to have a firm grasp. "Hoo......hoo......You bastard! You nearly died!" I, who had just climbed up, grappled with Watson-- *rumble**rumble*......The observatory has become a wrestling ring for kids. Rolling, we hit one another in the face and abdomen. "Oof!" Watson kicked me in the chest, starting by opening some distance between us...... He flipped single-handedly to the edge of the observatory where I was standing just previously--creating the distance for a gunfight. "*Pant*,*pant*,*pant*…..." I stood once more-- Seeing Watson crying while raising his P226R at me, I couldn't help but frown. "Tohyama......Yo, you......to a noble, and one who isn't married yet......Ah, no--You grabbed my hair, and hit me in the face......! You, I will not forgive you for insulting me in this way......!" --It's just one thing after another. Watson had been rather collected until now, but for some reason our wrestling just now had infuriated him. I nearly had a hole bored into my forehead. Now what......Kinji. I'm already bare-handed. --Escape? It's possible to do so with this distance. No matter how you look at it, I should be escaping under these circumstances. Escape first, then alter the situation...... (--No, I can't do that.....How could I escape!) Oi, Berserk me. Although I'm really thankful for just now--but it's still best if that kind of masculinity doesn't show itself. You're wrong here. But-- As expected, I can't do it. I still can't do it. If I were to withdraw now, that bastard may do something to Aria. Although I can't express it, but--she'll be taken away. Just this, I understand quite clearly. That's why-- "How can I......let you take Aria!" Although it's obviously wrong from a tactical point of view--But I will not withdraw. Thinking thoroughly, I have always been avoiding. Watson's and Aria's relationship...... That's why today-- I will not flee. ......I will not retreat a single step! Combining Berserk's compulsion and my determination--I stared into Watson's gun barrel. What he's aiming at, is my defenseless head. This is just like before. However, things right now are worse. Slash, Billiard Shot, Bite, Bullet Dodge--none of these can be used. I'm weaponless. If I faint from using teeth, I'll be finished by his blade. Even self-destructivelly altering the flight path of the bullet with my hand; my left hand is injured from being stepped on, so I can't do this. And yet-- It exists. A way to break through definitely exists. As long as I don't speak those words forbidden by Aria--"I can't do it". Right, that way......it's this! "Please aim properly, Watson." I said-- May. I remembered the fight in the underground warehouse. That was the first time, when I used the prototype of this move. --It's coming. This feat of Hysteria Berserk, I'll be doing it twice tonight. "No need to remind me. At this distance, I definitely will not miss!" Surrounded by spiraling columns, the Tokyo Sky Tree-- That is, Sky Tree, a real tree. Trees blossom. --Ouka. Unfortunately, the other name of the prototype of this move, is this. "--Spiraling--" I spoke the name of the new move. My left leg strode forward, and my right leg stretched backwards for balance. Enveloping my left shoulder with my right arm, an awkward posture-- Wrapping myself with my arm. I twisted my waist and my back to the utmost left. --Twisting my whole body to a large extent. This move requires adjusting my posture......in order to be the "reserve" of a certain seed. What's scary about this is-- Although my head is facing slightly leftwards......my neck faces rightwards, with my right eye which can still see Watson staring directly at him. I used my elbow to cover my mouth, my line of sight unperturbed. I will not look away from the gun barrel. "You're......trying to bluff me. That's outright sorrowful, Tohyama. I would never have thought that you'd want to die in such a deceitful stance." This move-- I'd lose my life if late 0.001 seconds, or off by 0.001 millimeters. My concentration has to be highly focused. Increased to the max. "--Amen--" With a prayer, the gun flashed-- The bullet flew at the middle of my forehead. "--!" I took a pose similar to Shirayuki’s quick blade draw “Scarlet Hotogi God”— Twisted to the limit, I unleashed every ounce into the “reserve”. It’s different from the linear “Ouka”, but the rotary force exhibits similar speed— The precise instant before the bullet is going to hit me. My right arm started to wave from left to right. The speed is——slightly slower than the speed of sound. This will suffice. It's not worth it if I hurt my arm breaking the speed barrier. The “Single Hand Edge Catching” that I used against Jeanne D’arc in the underground warehouse, with its horizontal sweep— *snap*! With my forefinger and middle finger equipped with “Orochi”, it’s possible for me to catch the bullet in 0.1 seconds. But of course, humans aren’t able to block a bullet with their hand. It’ll still fly between the fingers. But with rotational force, as with “Slash”, the bullet's flight path will be disturbed— “--!” *bang*! A spark exploded on the column behind me. I waved the back of my right arm as if I’m brandishing a whip, my pose looks like I’m sending the bullet away...... I took a deep breath. --“Spiraling”— A single-handed “Slash”. I can’t help but feel chills up my back after executing this move. This move can be regarded as a nightmare. I really don’t want to use it a second time. Allowing a bullet to pass within just a few millimeters of my right eye. If I wasn’t a Berserker, a move that requires such fantastical courage......Who’d use such a thing in battle. “......Now, both of us are out of bullets. What’re you going to do now? Still want to continue?” I turned my head and stared at Watson, who’s standing at the edge of the observatory, and inquired. “......Hmm?” He may have done some investigation on me beforehand, but he’s seen a couple of new moves. As we made eye contact, he looked as if a child being stared at by a giant— He pulled back. “Hey......! St, stupid! You’re going to fall!” Out of bullets, and being stared by me who may have more tricks up my sleeve, Watson went into a panic, losing grip of even where he was standing. “—Ah!” One of Watson’s feet trod out over the open air, seemingly about to fall; as his bulletproof uniform flashed— I took a head-slide pose (a baseball pose) and leapt towards the falling Watson. “……!” I leapt without thought for my own well-being, hugging tightly Watson’s ribs. I might have bumped my forehead, but——it’s a successful catch. “……!” From a distance close enough that our noses could touch, Watson, who I'm holding— Though pale-faced but a moment ago, turns suddenly red. “What......are you blushing for!” I slowly dragged Watson up. “Wh......why save me!” “—You’re asking this?” Facing Watson who’s still trying to act strong under such conditions, I couldn’t help but smile wryly. Watson who saw me with such an expression——Again he…… Revealed a puzzled expression. Just stop! Indeed, you may be considered the bishounen type……but for a man to reveal such an expression…… Man……huh? Hey, hey…… To a certain extent one may say that I raised Watson up, to first allow him to sit on the edge of the observatory......I turned his body around, now it looks like I’m hugging him from behind…… I'd completely grabbed his chest without realizing it……both of my hands gradually felt……this……this feeling is…… “……!” Hey, there's no way……? “……!” Watson who managed to get up can’t seem to stand, possibly due to the scare just now……The way he sits is like a mermaid princess, holding up only his upper body. Also, he’s looking at me with “deceitful, deceitful, deceitful” look. At the same time, he’s hugging his chest as if to hide something. ### 007. Epilogue - Go for the Next!! The Spiral Sky Tree -Tornado High- ## Epilogue: Go For The NEXT!! The Spiral Sky Tree -Tornado High- “C-Could you be a……”Cross-dressing Student”……” Stunned, I blurted out a Butei term. But Watson just looked down silently. --The so-called “Cross-dressing Student”, though a rarely used term……described a boy cross-dressing as a girl, or a girl cross-dressing as a boy in Butei High. In Butei High, there were one or two students each year who, in order to investigate a crime under special circumstances, received permission from the Masters to cross-dress as boys. From the looks of it……this fellow is a cross-dressing student. That being said, she had indeed acted strangely at times. She had never so much as glanced at any of the "cool" photos that Muto had brought, and that sense of danger I felt at first—I guess it was the instinct caused by Hysteria mode. To willingly wear a girl’s uniform during the “Cosplay Cafeteria” event, taking into account his personality……it must be one of his tactics. “The Art of War” that was taught during Inquesta classes did say that “All warfare is based on deception, the true may be false, the false may be true.” A so-called "All's fair in war" was nothing but an excellent criminal trick. It means that the culprit not only didn’t come up with an alibi, but showed that he knew the victim. Then, he acted in a calm demeanor in front of the Buteis and police. This way, the police will assume that “the culprit will not let himself become the target of the suspicion”, and assume this fellow as innocent. Watson, who has been faking his gender, had not overly resisted wearing the girl’s uniform……I guess it must have been to prevent others from discovering the fact that she was a girl cross-dressing as a guy. (This can’t be true……) Watson remained silent. But her silence meant that she acknowledged her identity as a girl. That mermaid was still sitting there, sobbing……sobbing…… Ah……she started crying. No man could cry the same way she did. She really was a girl. “Tohyama……why did you help me? Why did you help a person who intends to kill you……and who, at school, made you fall into a dangerous situation……why……” “……Go and ask the great person who established the nine Butei Laws.” “You must help a person in danger? ……Such……such a humiliation, I can’t stand it anymore……kill me! A Christian can’t commit suicide. It can be treated as an accident even if you kill me. You don’t have to obey the Butei Law!” “I ran out of bullets.” The lethargic me laid on the floor, spread out. “I have bullets. They’re down there at the column, I’ve even hidden some blessed silver bullets.” “Do you really wish that much to die? Also, wouldn’t you have beaten me if you had used them just now?” “I am not allowed to use those things on humans, although you’re half-human, half-demon……” Don’t speak such rude words so arbitrarily. That is to say……There are bullets left? If so, this time, I “won the battle, but lost the war”? “I’m a……noble. If I lose, those things before……” Watson wiped the tears at the corner of her eyes with the back of her hand, and spoke while looking at me who was lying on the floor. “Since I lost, I’ll bear all consequences willingly. I won’t resist, no matter what you do to me. Act as you please.” “You actually said such dangerous words. To the current me, you are just a girl.” I flipped over, my back towards Watson, and asked. I don’t even have the strength to get up and preach. “……But why are you cross-dressing as a boy?” “To get Aria to marry one of the Watsons. If Aria can marry me, she’ll become one of the Watsons. This is why I was raised as a boy.” “…………” In order to pull her into the family, is it? Coincidentally, the problem I’m facing now is the opposite. What instant karma. What happened to Aria finally happened to me. “The social responsibility of a noble — for the honor of the English nobles, not only do we need to succeed at the top of society……we also have to find a way to save the world while staying in the shadows. Where I am is a secret society where we aim for this practice.” A society that saves the world from its enemies without reward. Why does it sound like a place where heroes of justice gather? "But while the Watsons are carrying out these missions, we've been on the decline for about 30 years. Due to our glorious past achievements, the Watsons have always served as elites. Such a popular household......although we've gained success at the top of society, we couldn't gain support from the more important leaders. So......" "So they thought of using Aria?" "......Yes......the Holmes may not be a member of high society, but they are in support of our actions. That's why, in order to nurture future elite detectives......or Butei, the previous generation's lord, after finding out about Aria's birth, signed a secret agreement with the Holmes......which is to let me, who was going to be born in winter of the same year, be engaged to Aria. Of course, the Holmes didn't know that I was a girl. As high society doesn't allow adopted offspring to become successors, we were left with marriage. For the sake of the family......" ......It sounds like a case of family feud. I nearly lost my life due to this. That's really troublesome. "But......Tohyama. This is not the only thing. The danger I said just now that threatens Aria does exist. If you're not "Grenada"--if this continues, Aria......" Watson hesitated speaking further, while I stood up and spoke with an indifferent expression. "I may not have chosen to join "Deen" at first, but I'll become the target of "Deen" if I join the "Grenada" now. It'll be regarded as a betrayal, and I'll be frozen by Jeanne, or have a spell cast on me by Tamamo or Meiya." "But......Aria......" "--The way I see it, Aria and I are in the same boat. I can be considered as a forced partner. No matter who the opponent is. She'll defend if someone attacks. She'll get something back if it is taken away. With that as it is......I'll bring you to Aria." "You won't become "Grenada" no matter what? Regardless of how dangerous your position is?" "I'm already used to it." Watson looked at me while sitting on the floor-- Although the surroundings were dark, there was something glinting at the corner of her eye...... Her body was emitting a girlish aura and I suddenly had a bad feeling. "I understand......Tohyama, then I'll help you. As atonement. I'll also withdraw my suggestion of joining "Grenada", and suggest you join "Deen" instead." After speaking, Watson stood up with her face full of determination. Then......taking out two magazines from the back of the column, she said. "Aria is up there." I've no idea why, but she passed one of the magazines to me. Then I noticed that the bullets were not made of lead but instead made of silver, though the caliber is 9mm, so they are fully compatible with my weapon. "Why do you still have bullets?" "......I can't tell you. Just take them. I'll bring Aria here alone." Watson spoke with a sure tone. I can only take the bullets...... *tick*,*clap*...and load them into my weapon. At that moment...... "I envy you a lot." "Envy me?" "......Actually, I knew, ever since the first time I saw you and Aria together, that the most suitable partner for Aria is you. It's because my lifetime goal was to acquire Aria that I felt unhappy when I saw that scene. And I was really envious. That's why, in Butei High, I went overboard. I'm sorry." "If so, then just treat me to grilled beef next time. My revenge for food is strong." Mentioning that cafeteria issue, Watson chuckled. This is the first time I've seen it, as in, really the first time......Just like a girl, smiling brilliantly. She's actually......very cute. She has her own good points. "I guess I understand Aria's feelings." "What?" "This is why I envy you. As a girl......I know it." "What do you mean?" "--Aria, she likes you." ............ ............Ah? What kind of gibberish are you speaking. Aria fires at me an average of 7.5 rounds per day. “Impossible.” Watson raised her eyebrows and said. “I understand your feelings a little. That’s why I dare say that you like Aria too.” Again with this trick. Reki had also spoken such words before. Just how deeply is my relationship with Aria misunderstood? “Although it was an audacious guess, you’re completely wrong. Do you know how many times I have to fight with Aria each day......” Suddenly, just as I was about to finish my sentence, I noticed that the surroundings changed. …………………… The streetlights and other electrical appliances suddenly went out. Our surroundings plunged into darkness in an instant. The current scene looks like a power outage. Streetlights, signal lights, and even the lights of residential houses are out. “…………?” At that moment, the sky far above us suddenly lit up. What? A plane......? 450 meters from the Sky Tree. There was a blinding flash at the edge of the second observatory. “…………Watch out! High!” [Editor's note: If this doesn't make sense, it's because the original was given in English, like it mentions below.] Watson noticed the flash and warned me in English. The light fell! What in the world was that? That lamp-like radiance fell towards the ground quickly. No, that was no lamp! It was too huge. A gigantic ball of light of diameter approximately 2 meters flew towards my chest with blinding speed. “Tohyama......Hurry up and leave me!” *dong*! I was knocked aside. In front of my eyes— Nothing but white. “…………” She didn’t even have time to scream as Watson blocked the orb of white light with her body. The crackles of static electricity discharge are audible to my ear. Suddenly I felt a jolt of electricity run through my body. This is Hilda’s move! What happened!? It’s much more powerful than the one when we last met! “—Watson—!” Watson’s last shout burned itself into my memory. The surrounding air has become a flow, spiralling upward due to the high temperature caused by the lightning discharge. It was as if calling out to us—the air flow was drawing us upward—upward. —Like a tornado, ever upward. Go For The NEXT! ## 06. Volume 9 - Blue Flash -Spark Out- ( Full Text ) ### 001. Afterword Hey everyone, sorry I've made you wait! This coming April, the Hidan no Aria anime will finally begin! Mark the date with a reminder on your cellphone calendar! -Just as prescribed by the fifth article of the Butei Charter - move like the wind! The broadcast will appear on TBS, MBS, CBC, and BS-TBS. The production work has been done by the ever-trustworthy J.C. Staff. It's almost as if a group of S-ranked Buteis joined hands in battle. I, too, have just about never missed any of the storyboard meetings, exhausting myself to the utmost to convey the true personalities of the characters! For all those fans who took the effort to send us letters by QR code, don't worry, your passion has reached us! Anime aside, the world of Hidan no Aria continues to expand. Now, via a mobile game, readers can act out the roles of Butei High students in the new game "The Great Battle! Butei School - Hidan no Aria". Draw your weapon (cellphone), and prepare to do battle! Right now on FLYING DOG's homepage, you can access webcasts by the voice actors of Aria and Shirayuki. Connect now, and start listening right away! The ability to have something you enjoy right at your fingertips is truly one of the merits of the Internet. To be able to live at this time is truly too amazing! But let's not forget that reliable partner which has borne witness to history from time immemorial - paper; that Aria is every bit as active! The original work by yours truly, Hidan no Aria AA, volume one, is now on sale by YOUNG GANGAN COMICS. This is a story of Aria and her kouhais, their friendship, and their battles. It includes also struggles to control supernatural powers and still more actual weaponry! In the monthly COMIC ALIVE magazine, aside from the existing Hidan no Aria manga, we're introducing a new 4-koma serialization, "Hidan no Aria-chan". This series will introduce the carefree, happy, and relaxed daily life of the characters you love...smaller and cuter than ever. All of this comes from the final information pages which come after the afterword. All of this is only able to happen due to your constant support. And all of this will continue. With everyone's continued support, Aria will continue to proudly forge ahead! Forward, onward- let these words serve as my farewell! - Go For the Next! - March 2011 - Akumatsu Chuugaku ### 002. Epilogue: Go for the Next!! The G Bloodline October 31st in the middle of night, I submitted the school-transfer form to the Masters unscathed...the next day was Sunday. The cleaning up of the Cultural Festival is left to the first years, so I shopped around for civilian's quests in the Inquesta's PC room to pass the time. The problem of the hour is that I must solve my own financial problems. I must quickly do something for the left hand's 'Orochi' payment to Hiragai-san. And having that in mind I searched for some jobs...but there aren't any good ones. The only missions with high reward are all dangerous jobs. There was one job, being a bodyguard...but that is also no good. It's for protecting a princess from some big company. I can't have any more encounters with princesses. And so, as I was picky with requests, it is now evening, and I still haven't found any jobs. In the midst of not speaking to anyone for about a day, at night, at the Master's request board I finally got the job I was searching for. While looking at the printed paper in my hand, I returned to the boys' dorms― "......?" There was a trail of blood running down the corridor. Blood itself is not something rare in Butei High School, but the blood trail led towards the direction of my room . A little worried, I quickly rushed to the door— “……!” The silver wolf Haimaki was crouching in front of the door. “What happened……!” Haimaki was hurt badly. His silver hair was saturated with blood. To the panicking me, while trembling, Haimaki handed me the cellphone he was holding in his mouth. Those eyes looked as if he had just handed something important to someone he really trusted. If you look at the cellphone—it was Reki’s. The light-green waterproof cellphone was wet with blood. Although it was someone else’s cellphone, because of the situation, I opened it— “……!” I couldn’t understand at first what I was seeing. It seemed like the last thing the cellphone did was take a photo. At the bottom of the screen it asked “Do you want to save it?”— The picture showed— (Wha….what, is this……!) Silver and Black, Governments. The Japanese sword—Irokane Ayame. The silver Remington Double Derringer. And—a Dragunov sniper rifle. Aria, Shirayuki, Riko, and Reki’s weapons are piled up easily……! As I looked at that picture, appalled— --pipipippipipipipipi— The ringtone rung, from Reki’s cellphone. On the screen, it showed “Call from unknown number incoming”. I accepted the call with trembling fingers— “You finally picked up, you’re so slow!” I heard a low voice, and for a second, a man’s face was shown on the cellphone screen. A face covered with tribal-like war paint. (……This guy……) I remember seeing him. He is the guy from last month, present at the Bandire on the Empty Island—G-Ⅲ. He was the one that told everyone to bring someone strong over…the one that seemed to like fighting the most. --The cellphone's image shook. “H…Hey!” “Fourth, look. This is Tohyama Kinji.” G-Ⅲ’s voice was heard from outside the image, and in place was a person that had been handed the cellphone. “……?” The face— I caught my breath. She was a beautiful girl with sharp eyes. Her age is a little younger than mine. She wore goggles with a HUD (Heads Up Display), fashioned like red sunglasses, behind each ear she wore something that looked like a sensor. Her slender upper body is equipped with matte black body armor. There is a futuristic tactical blade on top, and there a few other blade-like weapons between her waist and back. But, what surprised me, is not just this mechanical, offensive equipment. Even though this is the first time I've seen her— I feel I know her. I know her……not that I had direct knowledge of her, but that I felt kinship with her; such feelings arose within me. This girl—is closely related to me. This difficult-to-describe feeling flowed all through me, even if this was my first time seeing her. Who……who is she exactly…… “—Wow, I like it. Compared to a photo, video is definitely better!” The girl who approached the screen joyfully had beautiful chestnut hair—that soft hair bouncing, her voice sounded terribly excited. “Who are you—you bastards!” I shouted at Reki’s handphone— “I’m G IV (G Fourth)—Call me by my product number, I have no name.” That maiden narrowed her black eyes and replied. G Fourth……? “What happened in that photo……? What did you guys do to Aria and the others?” “I didn’t know which one was Onii-chan’s girlfriend, so I finished them all.” ……? O-, Onii-chan……? “Those girls that approached Onii-chan—I’ve killed them all! If there are any others, I’ll have to kill them too. Onii-chan has to enter HSS mode by using me starting today—Wa, I actually said it. That’s so embarrassing……! I felt excited just by saying these words……! Oh no, I’m really impure!” Hahaha! The girl raised her head and laughed—my mind went blank. What, what, what. Just what on earth are you saying. I recalled the words she spoke, only then noticing, she keeps calling me “Onii-chan”. A younger sister, I don’t remember having one. We are the Tohyama brothers, there’s only Nii-san……and I. “What……are you guys actually?” I tried my best to calm myself down, and said these words. The screen shook again, G Third appeared once more—He looked at me, and with a scornful tone, he spoke. “No matter how many times I look I still find it hard to believe. Is he really the one who took Sherlock out?” “—Hey! Both of you……are IU remnants!? Answer me, what are you guys!” “Shut up! Do your worst! Fight!” From G Third, who only replied with these three sentences— The direction of the camera of the video phone suddenly changed. The view shows an empty theater, and the girl called G Fourth who spoke with me just now napping— Next to appear, is a stage showered with limelight. What appeared on the stage…… “………………!!” The girl that participated with me in a cheerful culture festival—Aria. The girl in charge of the pot during the Butei Pot event—Shirayuki. The girl who returned alive after battling Hilda, and gained her freedom—Riko. The girl who revealed her unexpected drawing talents, and was praised by the Masters—Reki. The four members of Team Baskerville, are covered in blood— They laid lifelessly on the floor, just like those piled weapons. ### 003. 1st Ammo - Spark Witch -Dracula Hilda- ## 1st Ammo: Spark Witch -Dracula Hilda- "--Watson!" Turbulent hot wind blew my hair into a mess, as I yelled over the sound of crackling electricity. Feeling the searing light fade away, I rubbed my eyes to clear my vision. "......." Having been struck by the lightning orb from above, Watson was sprawled on the floor of the First Observation Deck. I rushed over immediately, and saw that the black bulletproof jacket she was wearing was now spread open like a towel, the hood of her cloak covered her head, giving the appearance of a turtle which had retreated into its shell. "Are you all right.. Watson!" "... I.. I'm.. not. Ever since the encounter with that Demoness Hilda, I have always.. planned to strengthen the electrical protection of my gear... However, my apologies Tohyama.. I need.. to rest for a while..." Talking up till this point, Watson stopped moving. How did things come to this. I had pursued Watson, who had taken Aria with him and fled to the Sky Tree -- finally engaging him in a life & death duel for 23 minutes. Known as a superb first class fighter, his... no, her fighting skills were extraordinary. Even with my fighting capabilities 1.7 times stronger than that of HSS Normal while I was in HSS Berserker mode, I was subjected to a very tough battle. And despite her strength, even Watson-- In a single strike, lost consciousness in just 5 seconds. Unheard of and never seen before. A spherical lightning orb with a diameter of less than 2 meters... That was the appearance of the object that had hit her from above. It wouldn't be wrong to assume that this was an attack from Hilda. After all, the Bat-girl from Grenada had ambushed us half a month ago using high voltage electricity. Only this time the attack is much more powerful-- (If there was another shot now.....!) This is not good. Our movements are now thoroughly exposed to higher ground--the Second Observation Deck which has been taken over by Hilda. As the First Observation Deck we were on was still in its construction phase, other than steel beams, there was no ceiling to act as cover. (I need to hide Watson for now....) Carrying the unconscious Watson, I prepared to fall back from the area for now. However, whether due to an outage in the electricity supply or other reasons... The elevator did not respond when I pressed the button. Left with no choice, I could only take the staircase used for construction work to make my way down. Encountering a door on the way down, I kicked it open. Behind the door was a room full of water pipes that were stored messily. --Even though the space is very small, but it should be safe at least. After putting Watson down, I flipped open my phone to use it as a light source. ".......?" There was something strange on the screen of the phone. Black words on a white background displaying: "Error Code 961 Signal Interference". Even pressing the call button resulted in a 'Please Hold' tone from the phone, there was no way to make any calls. Sending messages was out of the question as well. "Hey, Watson, pull yourself together." Ignoring the situation, and using the phone screen as a source of light, I shook Watson who was seated and leaning against the wall---and she slowly regained consciousness. "..... Tohyama... Where.. Where is this place...?" "Relax, we are below the First Observation Deck. Around us are concrete walls." "Than... Thanks... Aria... Aria is on the Second Observation Deck, Hilda is there as well... Since I brought Aria here... I must bear the responsibility. So please, as someone who cares for Aria as well... Please...! Help her... save Aria.....!" "--Don't worry, my intention has always been to bring Aria back with me. The opponent has simply changed from you to Hilda, that's all." Upon hearing my words, relief showed in Watson's eyes-- Then, using both of her trembling hands, she handed me her sword. "This, this Holy Cross Sword, I'll pass it to you... use it well. You've seen it before, Hilda... loathes this." Looking at Watson who was straining just to speak, I furrowed my eyebrows. This sword... It's not the first time I've seen it right? Even though is seemed vaguely familiar, but I couldn't remember when it made an impression on me. "Is that so? You can't remember? When Hilda... Tohyama, remember the battle on Sotobori Dori ?" "Ahhh... that time you appeared and chased Hilda away, I remember now." "..... That's correct, however, I was actually putting on an act then--so as deceive everyone... Tohyama, just take the sword, normal weapons have no effect on Hilda." Of course--Hilda is the daughter of Vlad, and is a monster that possesses unlimited regenerative abilities. Even though I am not proficient in the use of weapons able to deal with the supernatural, now isn't the time to nit-pick over such matters. I took the silver sword, and Watson took out a concealed Saxon hunting knife, passing it to me as well. The Holy Cross Sword was very long, and the blade will slightly show under my jacket..... better to conceal it under my clothes. With the strap as a support, the sword won't drop off. Looking on as I accepted both items, Watson again passed me a small compressed-air type injector. "Nebula... a stimulant to the central nervous system. Under normal conditions it can increase concentration when injected into the body, and is a much stronger steroid compared to Latzo when one is losing consciousness. There's still one dose left." "Why don't you use it? My body is quite resistant to drugs. The paralysis drug you used on my eye previously--it wasn't very effective." "This.. having this readily available will just be somewhat reassuring," Watson shook her head, and looked up towards the ceiling. "Hilda... is a 'Spark Witch'. She is able to manipulate electricity, because of the genes from the African Knifefish .... it's a type of electric fish. This has given her body cells the ability to store electricity--which is also the biological ability to use electricity generated by the body. What's worse, is that she also possesses a supernatural ability which can be used in combination....." So in short it's a high level combination of a freak and an ability user? This is just downright unfortunate. "Her witchcraft---or ability, is being able to manipulate atoms using electricity. Simply put, to convert surrounding material into atoms, and attract or repel the atoms from there. Although this requires a vast amount of concentration, the effective radius is very small, and the rate of success is low, however... if combined with the ability to generate electricity, a positively charged lightning orb can be created..... Or she can dissolve the ground beneath her feet, and move herself around like a shadow." Truth be told I don't know if the explanation is truly accurate... Hilda may look as if she is able to move as a shadow, but in reality it was not an actual shadow, it's more like dissolving herself into a pool of muddy water. I expressed my own views to Watson. "Hilda is a very intelligent woman, I believe she will not rely solely on these abilities. She has the Suggestive Arts--an ancient form of hypnotism. This will render others to listen to your instructions, while forgetting everything else, it's pretty useful. This may be the reason why you do not remember much of the incident at Sotobori Dori." "Vampire, super powers and hypnotism. What a triple whammy, it's a goddamn Grand Slam ." Maybe it was to prevent myself from feeling demoralised any further, I used a term from Mahjong which Riko had taught me over the summer, flashing a bitter smile. Perhaps sensing my mood, Watson looked me straight in the eye. "Tohyama, indeed, Hilda is a very strong opponent, that is why I handed Aria over to Grenada. Maybe you have already noticed--I have made contact with Hilda before all this started. The incident at Sotobori Dori was simply an act between Hilda and myself in order to gain Aria's trust..... Even so, the Holy Cross Sword and Purified Silver Bullets I have given you will no doubt be a headache for her. This is why I handed them to you, as long as you are bent on declaring war against Grenada--" "I already had my suspicions to what you have just told me..... But you should stop worrying, I have no intention to back down, if I did, I'll lose the right to call myself the team leader of Team Baskerville." Looking at me jokingly make the remarks, Watson attempted to stand up. However, using all her strength, she could only lift her hips slightly. "Tohyama... I, I want to fight too....!" "There's no need. You can't even stand, plus cute girls shouldn't force themselves." Hearing me say 'cute'-- Bam. Watson fell back where she was sitting, in a state of shock. "Ah.. you said... cute..." She stammered while repeating what I said, staring at me as if in a trance. Was it that much of a shock? Ahhh. Watson has always been living with a male identity, and probably has never been treated as a girl, so the shock must have been due to this. Although I can understand her reaction, but-- Having came to the Sky Tree in HSS Berseker mode, I seemed to have activated my HSS normal mode while carrying Watson just now, so as of now I'm in a state where the 2 modes are interchanging. ..... Once I entered such a state, while I still be able to carry her so gently? The system of HSS modes is really troublesome. "--Do you know of anything else concerning Hilda?" Not sure if it was due to Hysteria mode, my concern for Aria grew. As it was more or less time to strike back, I stood up and carried the silver sword on my back. "If you are going by yourself.. it will be one against two, Tohyama." "Hilda never fully trusted me, so I have never seen the other person, but it appears there is definitely someone helping her, and that person is moving in the background tonight as well." "So there is another enemy. This is getting somewhat out of hand." Looking at me sigh, Watson said, "Do your best Tohyama, there is still a chance to win this. We, of Liberty Mason have always been battling such enemies, and have defeated them before." She was trying to encourage me with her words, really such an optimistic child. ".... Well, I'll just have to try my hand." Thank you, Watson. This will be enough. While in Hysteria mode, being able to obtain support from females is a huge encouragement. The strength of the foes no longer matter. Nevertheless, even if not in Hysteria mode--any hot-blooded male will be motivated to fight. I stealthily returned to the First Observation Deck.... The power outage on certain sections of the streets below were now brightly lit again. I have already realised that the power outage was due to Hilda tapping into the power supply to create the large lightning orb. That woman is really causing problems for everyone in her vicinity. (However... she hasn't attacked me yet.) I kept my guard on the Second Observation Deck 100 meters above, but it appears there isn't any light penetrating the cloud layer. No, there is, but the blurred light appears to be for illumination only. (That huge move...it should need some time for recovery. Or is she drawing me in closer to her trap?) Regardless of the situation, I have to press forward. Since power to the elevator has been restored, I might as well try my luck and use it to get up. But at this point.... The security camera at the entrance to the elevator made a slight noise as it adjusted its angle. "......." Numerous cameras have been installed in the Sky Tree, and I have been avoiding them while making my way here.... But this camera seems to be different from the others, it was a wide angle camera. In Hysteria mode, I discovered that there was hardly any dust on it. Probably installed as recently as yesterday or today. Hilda. Have you been planning to watch my fight with Watson from the very beginning? --Then, I shall have to charge you a very high fee for watching. (Every level on this tower has enemies, it's starting to feel like some old game.) Thinking of this, I resumed taking the elevator to proceed upstairs. Red flashing beacons installed to warn airplanes from crashing into the tower shone against the metal netting, imprinting square-shaped shadows on my face. Looking down, the view seems to be an aerial photograph taken by a man-made satellite. "......." Upon reaching a '435 meters' marking on a pillar, the elevator stopped. Getting off, I continued upwards on a sloping path constructed with metal bars and plates. Looking around, it seems that I am still inside the construction building. Steel bars were exposed from the walls, but at least there was a safety barrier formed by a metal alloy mesh and steel wires. A strong gust of wind blew past, and it felt like the whole tower was shaking. No, actually it was really shaking. Construction materials scattered around the place gave off creaking noises. Squeak. Squeak squeak. Suddenly, a different type of noise made me lift my head up-- "............!" Only to see the whole ceiling filled with bats. Apparently this place becomes a nest for bats at night. I'm guessing there are around 50 of them? Although each one is small in size, seeing such a large number hanging upside down together feels really disgusting. My gaze swept over the the bats, and I prepared to proceed up the path marked with 'Up to 450 meters'-- "--Kinji!" A seiyuu-like voice came from above my head. "......?!" Looking up, in the shadows of a steel beam-- "Aria...!" It's Aria. Her pink twin tails drifting in the wind, she was standing on a metal plate full of small holes. Good, nothing bad has happened to you. "Are you feeling all right? You were drugged by Watson...." "I'm fine. Although I slept enough while I was here.... overall I'm still alright. How about you? The fact you managed to reach here... you fought?" I quickly ran up the steps, while Aria hurriedly ran down, the sounds of our footsteps mingling together. "I didn't know if the one coming up will be you or Watson... I guess this means Watson lost. Watson she... Umm, it can't be helped, this is because the the deal with Hilda has fallen apart. You should have heard about this already?" Aria looked at me, seemingly knowing more about the details than I do. ".... Yeah. I understand the situation to a certain degree." "I see." Aria blinked her eyes, and-- Grabbed my sleeves, dragging me along with some force. "Come, let's negotiate with Hilda." "Negotiate? You and I, we.. killed Hilda's father. We're enemies, you think we can communicate with her through dialogue?" "We can. Hilda is much smarter than Vlad. She is wary of you, Kinji--you did manage to defeat my great grandfather Sherlock Holmes." "....I guess I'm being overestimated." "Kinji, only knowing how to fight does not make a real Butei. If we can reach an agreement, even if it doesn't help Deen in any way... We may still be able to work out a truce between Hilda and Baskerville." Saying this, Aria pulled my hand and ran up the stairs. Her guns were still visible beneath her skirt--not only both her guns, but Aria was carrying her Kodachi on her back as well. Didn't Hilda remove her weapons when she came here drugged? If that is truly the case--maybe we really can negotiate with Hilda. ".....?" Looking closely, Aria was... Wearing earrings. And just on one ear, a crudely-made black earring. It seems familiar.. where have I seen it before? Well, there's nothing much to say if this is one of Aria's interests, not that it's a good one. But why does the shape of that thing look like a bat? It--reminds me of Hilda's wings. This thing has such a hateful design. Every 100 meters above sea level, the air temperature decreases by 0.6 Degrees Celsius. In addition, it's presently night time. While the autumn wind on the ground level might feel chilly, but 450 meters up in the sky--the Second Observation Tower was simply freezing like winter. The Sky Tree reaches up to here, with nothing else above besides the sky. No stars could be seen in the sky from the end of the stairs. In place, were thick layers of clouds, moving smoothly along with the strong winds. Surrounding buildings could no longer be seen, giving me the sensation of being among the clouds. "......." Aria and I appraised the Second Observation Deck, which was much smaller than the First Observation Deck. There were numerous equipment at the sides, with a circular cement ground in the center. Dimly lit lights were positioned everywhere, randomly illuminating the ground. There was... no sign of Hilda. In contrast, there was something which appears to be an altar in the northern corner. No.. not an altar. It was something much larger than the usual ones.... a coffin. And a bier. The shiny black bier was decorated with bright red roses. The huge roses--are the new species named as 'Aria' by Vlad. And now, it has been collected in large quantities, almost burying the coffin itself. Surrounding the coffin, perhaps used in place of Baby's Breath, appears to be some ferns which have extended all the way to where our feet are. "Hilda... went through the trouble to prepare all these things. I fear she means to have us sleep inside once negotiations are over." Following Aria's line of sight, I saw 2 mahogany coffins, one large and one small, beside us-- Kinji Tohyama. Aria Holmes Kanzaki. Each name was engraved into a metal plate on a coffin. Perhaps for the sake of transportation, electrical cables were snaking around the 2 coffins. "...... To have been showered with her love, although I have never wanted it even once." Feeling a nauseating chill down my back, I kicked out at one of the coffins. Immediately, 'Sqeak!'-- Bats flew past my view, and... "-- The bier, is one's final resting place, even if it is only a few square meters, it is a space that does not allow intrusions of any kind. This is a heartfelt and priceless gift to you from a highborn vampire such as I." Sha sha... Sha sha sha.... From the luxurious shining black coffin in the northern corner, a weightless-looking umbrella appeared. Even though the coffin lid was still closed. (Hilda...!) Guru.. Gururu.. Her face hidden under the spinning umbrella, Hilda-- Appeared with both her legs standing on the sides of the coffin. Her face showing under the slant illumination of the lights. (Even though she's an enemy--she's really a beauty.) I had already knew this during our first encounter, but the realisation deepened in Hysteria mode. Her wax-like perfect white skin. Exotic yet alluring long red eyelashes. Full red lips. Golden ponytails completely curled at the ends. A beautifully shaped nose... With such a beautiful person wearing black gothic clothes, it was filled with a decadent, demonic-like charm--befitting one who is in fact, an actual demon. Layers of wrinkled frills, purely hand-made lace, black silk ribbons. Such extravagant accessories with such simple clothes, worn by Hilda with such indifference. "Ho ho, you seem to be entranced by me." Noticing my line of vision, she lifted her leg upwards in a provocative manner. Under her mini skirt filled with lace, beside the long stockings, there was a white eyeball tattoo.. It was like we were making eye contact with one another. Hugging tights with spider-web designs showed off her beautiful leg curves, and on her feet were shiny black enamel high heels-- "Well, it can't be helped, because I am simply too beautiful." The way I was looking at Hilda, instead of being entranced, I would say--it was on the verge of swallowing her. Even though I was standing off against her in Hysteria mode, I got a better understanding of her 'style'. "........" It was like the female version of a Demon King. Even the bier underneath her, gave me the impression that it was Hilda's throne. "If I were to say humans like you are nameless weeds--then vampires are the precious roses residing in a greenhouse. The heavens have given us vastly different markings. Look as much as you like, it's really just like a dog looking at the stars, we are the superior beings that you will never be able to reach--of course, as a member of the other sex, I too, have suffered from the aches and pangs of love. While you yearn for me, you can only see from afar, so I will at least grant you the right to look at me. Look, look, don't move your gaze away..." As she chuckled, she moved her red nail-polish finger tips to the side of her lips. --? ....What's the matter? Just as she said, I found myself unable to move my gaze away. "That's right, this is it Tohyama. Just like this, like a rooted tombstone that is almost covered completely by algae. Yes... just like this, listen to me, be a good boy, ho ho ho." .....! I've been hit... This is---the Suggestive Arts. Watson mentioned it before, it's a form of hypnotism. It was used on me the moment we met. My body... isn't responding....! "Sorry, Kinji." A seiyuu-like voice as if from an anime. It's Aria. She... took out a metal chain from underneath the coffin marked with her name. The chain made 'ga, ga' sounds as it was pulled towards me from a hole in the ground. "......?!" When Aria bent her waist over, her double guns which were hidden under her skirt could be seen. Under the influence of Hysteria mode, I noticed something odd about the angle of the holstered guns. (The center of gravity... seems to be different from usual...?) ---It was as if, the guns were not loaded with bullets at all. The instant I realised this. 'Clack'. Aria swiftly wrapped my head with the chain, and proceeded to lock it in place. (--Aria?) Even so, I was still unable to make any form of resistance. In my current state, I could see in the field of my vision, 'Pah pah'.....! "Ho ho ho!" The curled ends of Hilda's twin tails began exhibiting signs of light electrical discharge. She was holding in her hands a whip made of metal alloy with the appearance of snake scales-- "Unnn...!" And as she took in a breath. --'Crack'! The sound of electricity discharging-- "Guh!" I fell onto the ground beside the coffin with my name. I felt the electric current. Transferring from Hilda's whip to my neck--and the floor as well--through the metal chain. "Wo ho ho ho ho! Looks like the stuff I transported here specially for this occasion has really been put to good use." With her fingers pressing on the edge of her mouth, Hilda made a sharp laughter comparable to ultrasound. The incident at Sotobori Dori is repeating itself again. I gritted my teeth-- ...... Why! I looked at Aria and asked with my eyes. However, she just looked at me with indifference. "All beautiful roses have thorns--I have heard rumors Tohyama has a weakness for beautiful women, looks like it's true." Hilda held the whip tightly in both her hands, swinging it and hitting the ground-- She stepped onto the bier, with her high heels making a 'clack' sound. "--I never wanted to fight with Watson in the first place. That is why, Tohyama, I laid out a plan to have you fight her instead. Even though you're a fool, you do have impressive fighting skills--and as I predicted, you easily disposed of Watson who was holding on to Purified weapons. Although Watson lied to me as well before our battle, but-- Looks like she was tricked by Hilda as well. We are all a bunch of fools. So this is one of the way she fights her battles... Carrying out an 'Operation' to deal with us.... "This tower is named the 'Sky Tree'. You are like an aphid crawling up along the tree. Ho ho ho ho ho.... Tohyama, crawl all you want. As for me--being able to fly--" --Swish-- Bat-like wings sprouted from both sides of Hilda's back in an instant. The inhumanely large shadow completely covered me as I laid on the ground. Swish swish-- Fanning both wings several times, generating a down-lifting wind beneath her feet. The gust of wind scattered the roses beside the bier, revealing.... "...Aria..." There was actually another Aria lying under the roses. The Aria covered by flower petals was completely wrapped from head to toe, with a cloth stuffed into her mouth. With a skillful flick of her hand, Hilda curled the whip around Aria's ankles. Shuuu! With both her wings maintaining balance, she pulled back her hand and flung Aria out. "!" Being thrown across for nearly 10 meters-- Aria collided with the coffin with her name on it with a bang, dazed for the moment. ".....?" Looking closely, this Aria was wearing Butei High's uniform which has been modified with a sweet-Lolita style. This uniform should be-- "Hilda--is really wary of Kinji, it's true." The other Aria said softly as she looked at the Aria lying on the ground. The Aria who was standing lifted her hand to her jaw...'rustle'...and removed a think mask. The face under the mask... "I was still expecting something different to happen... but in the end you're too useless, Kinji." --Riko! "Riko.... What, are you doing here...?!" "....." Riko, who has switched uniforms with Aria, silently removed her colored contact lens and threw them away. "--Well done, Riko." Placing the whip behind her back, Hilda did not refer to Riko as "Fourth" like before. "Riko, you possess great talent in skill and abilities that even I do not have. I have high regard for this, and hence I have never treated you as a genetic container, but as a formal member of the Dracula family...an existence only second to mine." Saying this, she walked down the coffin, with her high heels click-clacking as she walked over. "......." In contrast, Riko... had a complicated expression on her face. Is she also under the influence of the 'Suggestive Arts'...? No, that's doesn't feel right. Riko should still have control over her own actions. Then why... why are you obeying her commands, Riko...! "And... you're really cute. Even though you used to despise me, but at the same time you look forward to be just like me right? Your contradicting emotions has given me such heartaches." Having walked over, Hilda caressed Riko's cheek with her pale white fingers. Like showing affection for a beloved doll. "I apologise Riko, my father has treated you like a dog in the past.. but that was never my true intention." Fingers with bright red nail polish started gently caressing Riko's face. Over and over... gently. "I know many things have happened between you and Tohyama, but you should forget all of it. Men are simply too boring. And even if he isn't killed by me, he will ultimately die in the hands of Grenada one day. So you have no need to feel any guilt." Hearing this, Riko seemed to be turning her head to look at me, but was immediately held in a tight embrace by Hilda. "Don't look back anymore. As you well know, this earring--" Hilda's pale fingertips brushed against the single bat-shaped earring Riko was wearing. "--is the proof of becoming an official vassal for the Dracula family. If you wish to remove it, you either have to cut off the whole ear, or wait for me to do so when I feel like it, otherwise, the snake venom within will seep into your wound--10 minutes and you will be dead. This is for punishing traitors, to make them pay for their crimes." Hilda--you witch....! "You are using this.. to control Riko..." With my hands finally being able to move slightly, I tried to lift myself up. It can't be done, even in Hysteria mode. "Ki-kun." Freeing herself from Hilda's grip, Riko addressed me. "Riko has been--thinking about alot of things. After wearing this." Thinking about alot of things......? "Riko has always been in a family of thieves. Not like Ki-kun and everybody else, I live in darkness...the same side as Vlad and Hilda. Unknowingly, I started walking towards the side where Ki-kun is. It's a wrong path that Riko has taken." Standing in between Hilda and me, Hilda looked down at me. "Hilda is the Darkness of Grenada, and born a witch. But... she has always been true to herself. Even after being captured and turned into a vampire by Vlad... she has fought alone, without backing from anyone. She is someone who can understand Riko better than Riko can." Riko.... "And Hilda has accepted me with her nobility spirit. The night we were making our costumes for the Cosplay Cafeteria...Riko went to meet Hilda, and made an agreement." Come to think of it, that night... After completing her costume, someone did call Riko out of the classroom. So it was then--contact was made with Hilda? "Even though we were at odds during that time--Riko was surprised. Because Hilda was very polite, and even proposed the terms for Riko to join Grenada. After the fight at Sotobori Dori, Riko talked to Hilda again. Even though I was already wearing the earring, and could only obey her.... but Riko proposed to Hilda to 'never call me Fourth if we are to work together', and Hilda--has never called Riko 'Fourth' ever since." Standing behind Riko and listening to her speech, Hilda's eyes narrowed, pleased with what she heard. While she was stroking Riko's head, and was about to say something-- --Uuuuu. A moan came from my side. "....Aria....?" I forciby turned my head which was partially paralysed to look, only to see the cloth stuffed in her mouth-- Being chewed on by her cat-like fangs, and about to be bitten in half. "---Fwuu ahh!" Taking in a deep breath, Aria seemed to have finally shaken off the effects of Watson's sedatives. With her large eyes with finely-defined eyelashes, she lifted her head and glared at Riko. "--Listen to me, Riko. I... don't intend to blame you, after all anyone will cherish their own life." Behind me in the shadows, Aria spoke in simple and plain words, "But, Riko, let me tell you something in my position as a noble. The so-called nobility spirit from Hilda is just a show she has put on for you. Although you seem pretty immersed in it, it's really just like rewarding you with candy so you'll be obedient. She looks down on you, and treats you like a child." Hilda's eyes--as if being exposed, suddenly became razor sharp. Aria, don't create any more unnecessary provocations. Especially when we are unable to move at all. "Since no one else will point it out, let me do it. Hilda is just using that murderous earring to make you her slave!" With Aria hitting right in the center of the sore spot, Hilda, "A human... in front of a superior vampire.. dares to make such statements in a grandiose tone...." She's... really pissed. "Vampires are not noble at all! Let me tell you--England has abolished slavery in 1833. You are behind by 150 years! Humans have already long moved on from slavery!" Hey, Aria. Haven't you been treating me as a slave ever since we met? "--And you, Riko!" Baring fangs comparable to a vampire at Riko. She leapt up from behind me despite being constricted. "Since you don't believe in Kinji, and laid a trap for him--then as Kinji's partner, I have a duty to fight you! Prepare yourself!" And as Aria was jumping up and down like a fish-- Shuu.. (This, this person...!) She seems to be escaping from her chains. Oh yes, I remember now. Back in September, just like when we were tied up in the Shinkansen, Aria was very skilled in getting out of her bonds. --It follows the principle of pulling a Green Foxtail which has been rolled into a ball from someone's hands. Noticing this, I immediately used my body to block Hilda's view. "I'm going to punish you, Riko. Because you are standing on Hilda's side now, nah!" Shuuu! Escaping from her chains, Aria immediately pulled out Watson's Holy Cross Sword from my back. "--!" Upon seeing the sword, Hilda seemed to reach for the whip on her waist. However, there's simply no time for her to retaliate. "Ya!" Wearing Riko's modified uniform, Aria leapt over me to attack Hilda, the ribbons on her chest fluttering in the wind. Just when the Holy Cross Sword in her small hand was stabbing towards Hilda like a comet-- Whoosh. Using both her wings and feet to push herself, Hilda slid backwards at the very last moment. She dodged, evading Aria's attack completely. Able to escape the seemingly unavoidable strike in an instant, Hilda is indeed able to recover instantaneously. "Bah, that is truly a bothersome thing you have there." Seeing Aria pull back the sword, Hilda flicked her wrist and attacked with the whip. Just as if looked like Aria and Hilda were locked in a stalemate-- "--!" Paaa! The whip from Hilda's hand made contact with the silver sword in Aria's hand. "Kyaaa!" High tension electrical current suddenly passed among the three parties, and Aria gave out a short cry. Even though she didn't loosen her grip, but to the current Aria-- "Lowly human--know your place!" Hilda successfully struck at the sword, causing it to fly in mid-air-- The train of her skirt flying in the wind, Hilda leapt up and kicked out with her heels. "--ahhh!" Backing down near to where I am, Aria seemed to be nearly paralysed by the electrocution. Losing her strength, she fell into a cross-legged sitting position in front of the coffin, no longer able to move. "How dare you use such filthy things against me....!" Using the whip to curl around the silver sword, Hilda then pulled her whip hand back over her head. Following that--like a catapult from the Middle Ages, she made a big arc with her hands, flinging the sword far away. I could only look on as the sword flew in a straight path out of the observation deck-- Looks like it's true, Hilda really despises that sword. But, the trump card is no longer in our hands now. Plus Aria, the only one with experience fighting Choutei is down for the count. Riko has joined the enemy, and will only watch from the sidelines. As for the me in Hysteria mode, I have been in this sorry state from the very beginning. (.....Godammnit....) 3 minutes.. No, just give me 2 more minutes. Is there no way to buy time? Just 2 more minutes and I can move my hands. If I can move my hands... there's still a chance...! "Such rats trying to go against the Night Hunter of Grenada.. it makes me sick. This joke has gone on far enough." --chi chi, chi chi chi chi... A strange sound of something being started made me raise my head, only to see Hilda standing a short distance away.... "--Aira, I have decided to bring forward my operation for you." She lifted a small chainsaw hidden among the ferns. Following which, she activated it. The chainsaw started making crunching noises as Hilda slowly closed in. This is like a bad scene from a horror movie...! "Hey, hey! Don't come over! What operation are you talking about!" "Why, it's to saw Aria's chest open in order to remove her heart. The human rib-cage can be surprisingly sturdy." Facing me as I was shouting, a frozen smile appeared on Hilda's pale face. Hilda reached the side of Aria, and 'shaaaa'-- Ripped apart the blouse of her sailor uniform in one motion. "All right, look closely now Aria, the Hidan in your heart, I'm going to......" Unable to make a sound because she was paralysed from the electric shock, Aria's chest and underwear were exposed. Having her bra with the poker pattern fully exposed, Aria-- Even though she could not speak, her face blushed red in an instant. And using all her body strength shifted her head to the side as a sign of resistance. But Hilda mercilessly pressed on to Aria's flat chest-- "Be at ease. I do fancy your appearance somewhat, and will not damage any other areas besides your chest, so as to leave your whole corpse for the coffin. So you should hand over your body to me without worries...." Fu. Fu. Hilda started panting excitedly-- Then slowly, slowly, inched the electric saw nearer and nearer to Aria's chest. Her eyes staring at the fearful expression showing on Aria's face. That Hilda...she's enjoying herself from human fear...! "Stop, Stop...!" My incessant shouting were simply an entertaining sideshow for Hilda. Ho... She bared her fangs, unable to conceal her joy. "Fantastic.. tonight is simply fantastic. Just thinking back of the exhilaration I am experiencing now, I'm afraid even after a year from now I will still be happy beyond measure. All right, Aria--now scream, please scream out loud, it will be like cute noises from a nightingale... ho ho ho, wo ho ho ho ho!" The blade of the saw finally made contact with Aria's underwear-- 'Sssss', scattering fibres of clothing. "--!" Aria's body jerked in response. Seeing this, 'Ahhh', Hilda gave out a coy sigh. With her face showing her to be fully immersed in sadistic pleasure, she tightened her body. "Excellent... that's very good Aria, that was simply incomparable.... Yes, that expression. More, show me more....!" Probably over-indulging on her feelings, Hilda's hands started trembling from the excitement-- "Just a little, a little bit more, yes, more, show me! Ahhhhh.... Yes! Yes!" 'Sss', 'Ssssssss'----! She ran the tip of the electric saw several times over Aria's underwear. "......Stop....I....hate...." Finally able to speak softly, Aria was still unable to resist at all. Hearing her voice, Hilda's breathing became more intense. "How is it? Are you terrified? You're terrified aren't you? Then say it out! Say it, quickly!" Speaking like a sadistic maniac, Hilda continued shifting the electric saw relentlessly. Sssssss--! Sometimes slowly, sometimes quickly. "How is it Aria?! You should say something! Ho ho, ho ho ho ho!" --Ssss, ssss--ssssssssss-- Ravaged to no end, the underwear was now worn to a thread--once it falls off... Hilda will most certainly harm the layer of skin below. Over. And over. Similarly after that, the tissues, and even the bone....! (Shit....move...!) Come on hands, move...! If I can move my hand, I can try to.... stop that... saw....! But, it won't move. There's still 1 minute to go... it can't be done still, I can't move my hands at all. "Hilda, is this really alright." Suddenly at this moment, Riko-- In a manner vastly different from the usual, started speaking in the tones she used when she was the "Butei Killer". "Aria is a rare host of the Hidan. If we kill her, progress on "The Study in Scarlet" will become exceedingly difficult." Above my head, Riko reached out her hand and grabbed the handle of the electric saw. Her... hand was trembling slightly. ".....!" As if in a trance, Hilda raised the corner of her eyes. Looking like a teenage girl whose dessert was taken away. "You--insolent girl!" Pah! A golden bolt of electricity flashed from Hilda's hand. "--Guuuuh!" Riko fell forward. And Hilda-- Stepped onto Riko's back with the thin and sharp stiletto of her heels. Then, a crashing sound-- With movements like a lunatic, she threw her saw onto the ground. "Riko! Didn't you.... see and understand what was going on? I was having the time of my life! Painstakingly... working towards it painstakingly, I almost could have gotten my high--but thanks to you, everything is ruined!" Grinding her gritted teeth, Hilda yelled out in an indignant, even tearful manner. It appears that... having someone interrupt her while she was torturing her prey is one of the unhappiest things that can happen to Hilda. --What the hell is she. Truly a real sadist. It's incomprehensible. "A..Aria is still of some value! Don't kill her...!" Riko--continued saying. It seems that the voltage Hilda used was much lower than when she was dealing with me and Aria. But, looking at Hilda's attitude now... it doesn't look like she stayed her hand on purpose. Observing this with my own eyes in Hysteria mode, I discovered something was amiss-- At this time, my hands were able to move slightly. Another 30 seconds....! "You actually said 'Don't kill Aria'.....? Did you not swear loyalty to me? I see, so that's how it is, you intend to betray me again?" Creak....! Applying force on her toes, Hilda ravaged Riko's back with the stilettos of her heels. "..........!" Riko was unable to free herself. But seeing how she was able to raise her head due to the pain, it seems that she wasn't completely immobilised. Completely uncharacteristic of Riko, with fear showing on her face, she silently took in Hilda's rage. Riko-- When she curled up on my bed that night, simply hearing Hilda's name frightened her. Although it looks as if she was trying to convince Hilda just now, but in actual fact... she was probably terrified. She's terrified of Hilda. Jittery, unable to disobey. Really. "Riko, I intended to have you tested tonight. To see if you are able to watch me kill Aria and Tohyama... but, you failed. Does this mean you wish to return to Baskerville? Huh? Huhhhh?" Creak... Creak...! "Ahhhh... Guuuuh!" Riko's voice was trembling due to pain and fear..... "Riko, you are indeed unfit to become my servant. You can only be a pet. You shall stay in my room as a toy for the rest of your life, I'll let you wear a collar and treat you with affection. So as to say, the next time you disobey me--I'll use the earring and kill you!" Hilda who was ravaging Riko's back with her heels, Bang! Stepped her heels onto an empty spot near Riko's head. "--Riko, beg for my forgiveness. Hmmmm, apologising is of no use now. You'll have to kiss my shoe while swearing your undying loyalty to me. You can only live on as my property." "Uuu.... Uuuuuuuu..." Her hands, in a posture seemingly to support and hold something, touched the heels in front of her eyes. With her face sticking on the concrete floor. Drip. Drip. The sound of water rang out. Those--Riko's tears... "..........!" Now-- I can finally move my right hand, and grab the drug in my pocket. Then, 'Phishhh'-- I plunged the needle into my left hand. Just as the trembling Riko was about to place her lips onto Hilda's shoe-- "Butei Charter No. 8." As I spoke, I gathered the collective consciousness of every part of my body. The beating of my heart, the circulation of my blood, all returning to normal as the effects of the drug spread. "The mission must be resolved completely." The deep sound of my voice made Hilda turn her head. Her large eyes brimming with tears, Riko turned her head as well to look at me. "Riko, when did it all start--the moment you started to place your trust in me? It was the moment you told me 'Save me'." Even though I was aware of the way I was talking, but-- My Hysteria mode seems to be skewed towards Normal mode now. Is it because the feeling of 'Aria is being taken away by another man' has faded? From the blood flow in my body, I would estimate--70% Normal mode, 30% Berserker mode--or thereabout. Even though Hilda is female, but I should be able to fight her using the momentum of Berserker mode. I'll just do it! "Tonight, let me finish the 'hidden part' of the mission Riko has requested of me." Looking at me still lying on the ground, Hilda laughingly mocked at me, "Ho ho ho--what are you planning to do, Tohyama? Use your body which can only sprawl on the floor like a dying earthworm?" For your first question, I will answer with words. As for the second question, I shall refute it with action." "....?" "I will, rescue Riko." Finished with my line, and still pretending to be unable to move-- Swish! I pushed myself up, and vaulted onto my feet. And immediately rushed towards Hilda with my posture lowered. "--!" Not believing that I was able to move, and that I would really use my actions to refute her statement, Hilda just stood there and stared. Using the opportunity, I rescued Riko, carrying her in my arms, princess-style. (--It'll be troublesome if I get electrocuted again.) Thinking about this, I considered where the high tension cables were located on the ground and the safety distance I have to keep-- I pulled away a distance of 6 meters away from Hilda. "......." In my arms, Riko... was curled up and trembling like a child freezing in cold weather. Her fear of Hilda had been deeply imprinted into her heart ever since she was a child, even now it was still binding Riko. What kind of cruel treatments did she suffer as a child...... From the looks of it, it's probably much worse than I can ever imagine. On the other hand, as I have quickly verified... Although Aria is still unable to cover herself with her underwear in pieces, and unable to speak, but-- "RIKO. PRIORITY. SAVE." She sent me the message to using the method of eye-blinking communication. You really are a kind-hearted child, Aria. You should just have a good rest now. --Leave the rest to me. "What is with this 'rescue Riko'? Tohyama, you really are a pushover. Riko is the wicked girl who set the trap to lure you into coming here not too long ago, remember?" Swish. Opening up her bat wings, she flapped her wings and lifted her feet up from the ground. Flying to a height of nearly 1 meter, she landed on the coffin with my name. "Riko betrayed me when pleaded with me to spare Aria's life. And to think not too long ago, she wore the earring and swore loyalty to me. Before that, she was a member of Team Baskerville. And again before that, she was in E.U. Even earlier than that, a dog that my father kept--she has been traversing between night and day so many times it's simply frightening, what an unsightly woman." Hearing what Hilda said, a trembling Riko shut her eyes tightly.... "It's true, Kinji..... I am a traitor... I betrayed you because I didn't want to die...." Riko started quivering and sobbing while in my arms. The earring on her ear gleaming for an instant. "Riko, you have to be re-educated, because such inconsistency and indecisiveness from you is simply hideous--" Using the coffin as a stepping stone-- Swish! Opening her wings up even more than just now, she flew up 3 meters, above the lights of the observation deck. ".....!" Her jumping ability left me gawking. "--The world, turns with the night as it's center--!" Moving with the wind, Hilda's gliding form cast a shadow on our heads. She did not flap her wings at all while up in the air. Judging from the shape, her wings seems to maintain flight in a different manner from birds. She could rise up 2~3 meters in the air, and cut across the sky like a snowmobile. Her mobility far exceeds that of humans. What a tough opponent. Hilda spread her wings like an airplane, stagnating in the air for a brief moment before starting to reduce her speed... Swish. With her mini skirt pressed down, the train of her extravagant skirt fluttering upwards-- She landed on the large black coffin filled with flowers. "The Dracula clan is the dark nobility of Grenada. Riko--unlike you, our hearts have never wavered, nor have we turned our backs on darkness. We, are never confused." Saying this, Hilda covered her mouth with a fan made of black ostrich feathers. "This is the dogma of our strength, which is why our bloodline is able to obtain the greatest power, and stand at the very top of all living things. Power, is determined by the sequence of all living things. The weak must obey the strong. This is the truth of life." Clack. Clack. The sounds of Hilda's heels could be clearly heard as she walked back and forth on the bier. "Humans are not spared from this reality as well. The weak can only suppress their will, and live under the bindings of the strong. Disobedience will only mean certain death. Riko, your earring is the symbol of such reality." Like a lecturer on a stage, Hilda continued speaking, "Vampires are realistic. We do not spout idealistic remarks like 'No bullying of the weak' like humans. That's right. It is too idealistic even for humans. Human societies do not show pity to the weak as well. They are either alienated or simply left to die slowly. Riko, that is why it is only natural for you to obey me. In this city there are millions of people obeying another person in order to survive--they are accepting the very same reality." Hilda pointed at the commotion under her feet with her fan. I glanced down, only to see the lights below-- Were being extinguished one by one.... "Accept reality--this will mean how you have the matured as a living thing. So Riko, there is nothing for you to cry about. If you are able to let go of your confusion and watch Tohyama and Aria die, you will have grown as an adult. Obeying the strong, accepting the truth--this is part of being an adult. So there's is no need for your tears any more." Covering her face with both hands, Riko was still sobbing. And looking at her from close distance-- I could no longer hold back, and chuckled at Lady Dracula who had been talking non-stop. "....Ha.... 'Power is everything'? This is just like some villain from an old shounen manga. Hilda, you are unable to recognise the strength of people, as a noble you are simply being disrespectful. You actually treat Riko as a weak child." "What did you say....?" Swish--Hilda's head turned back to look at me. In a laughing tone, I said, "I'm afraid you have only encountered weak people. As for me, be it good or bad--I have met many people who are really strong. Riko is one of them." ".....Kinji......?" Riko opened a little space between her fingers, showing her teary eyes. "Hilda, it's just like you said--humans often become lost. However, we live with this confusion, and look out for one another while we choose the correct path to take. It is because of this confusion, that we are called humans. Sometimes this confusion is worth laughing at. Honestly speaking, Riko is an idiot with directions and tone deaf... this is why I, will become her map." Like an elder brother looking at his sister, I looked at Riko in my arms with warm and gentle eyes. Looking directly into Riko's pupils, I asked with sincerity, "Riko, you--have always been shackled by Vlad and Hilda. It must have been a cruel, harsh and stubborn binding, right?" "......" Riko's wet eyes-- looking back at me. "Riko, is it okay to continue on like this? Is it fine to remain shackled like this?" Facing my direct question, Riko-- "....No...no more. I, I've had enough..." Tears started flowing from her big round eyes once again. Uncontrollably, she cried without pause. "....I want, I want to be free...!" ".....Good. Nicely said." Turning 180 degrees, I placed Riko down carefully. "Listening to your words is enough. It has already given me a reason to fight." Following which, I went down on one knee, and gently wiped the tears off her face. "I will defeat her, and remove this hateful earring for you--" I stood up once again, turning my head in Hilda's direction...... "--with the best of my abilities." Although it may be a little too late, I finally declared war against Hilda. "Lady Hilda Dracula. You are guilty of harming, imprisoning and kidnapping a minor, I will now arrest you." As I stared at Hilda-- Swish. She closed her fans, looking pleased as she looked at me. "Tohyama--nice eyes. You're a completely different person from when I last attacked that vehicle, it's pretty attractive. If it's the you now, I don't mind giving you an accessory for your personal use." "Being unable to accept a gift from a beautiful lady, I am really sorry--but, although I must decline becoming exclusively yours, but if it's the other way round, you can consider it after our fight. After all, I seemed to be known as a lady killer." "The other way round...?" Hilda looked as if she was considering something.... Following which, her porcelain white skin became tinged slightly red. Maybe she was thinking of going out on a date and holding hands with me or something. Just when she was furiously thinking of something to say, I intentionally smiled questioningly at her--momentarily causing her to be unable to speak, and blushing angrily in embarrassment. Ha.... It seems that there isn't much difference in treating her as one would treat a normal girl. Especially since she's a very self-centred girl. From her reaction, it seems she has very little experience, no, she has absolutely no experience in interacting with men. Well her father is the fearsome Vlad after all. I seriously doubt there were any chances of knowing any guys. "Ah.... Ri, Riko!" In a state of panic, Hilda shifted her conversation away from me to Riko-- "I am now, going to kill Tohyama immediately! Watch closely and learn!" You should not be choosing a path based on some fictional fantasy like freedom, but a path of being shackled to reality!" Slowly recovering her initial momentum, 'pa'... 'pa'... small balls of light started appearing around her. "'Lightning Orb'--I only used about 80% strength when I dealt with Watson. But, Tohyama, as for you, I shall show you the power of 100%. No, for the crime of making fun of me, I shall let you have a taste of 120%....!" A golden lightning orb the size of a Ping Pong ball started forming in front of Hilda's chest. Then its size slowly increased to that of a baseball--then a volleyball--its size was increasing with each passing second. --It's coming-- Making use of the city's power grid, this is her sure-kill technique. It's the very same ball of lightning that hit Watson. (.....The silver bullets.....) I have no weapon on my waist now, I left my Desert Eagle on the First Obeservation Deck after Watson threw the magazine away. Just the Beretta holstered at the side of my body. And this Beretta, will be the trump card in this fight with Hilda-- Loaded within were Purified Silver Bullets that Watson has given me. Since Hilda seemed to really despise the silver sword, the silver bullets should have the same effect. However, in order to shoot--the timing is of utmost importance. Because if she notices the gun, she will certainly go for it in a heartbeat. And if it turns into close-quarter combat, I will have to constantly guard against her electric shocks, placing me in a very disadvantageous position. So now I can only maintain a distance, and find an opportunity to open fire at Hilda. --Thinking like this, I hid the silver bullets. "Now.... 100%....! Good, it's almost done...!" Looking at the large ball of light which was now taller than Hilda, I discovered a decisive gap in Hilda's defense-- Thanks to my observation eye powers while in Hysteria mode. The very instant she launches an attack using electricity, she becomes exhausted. And just for that very moment, she will be defenseless. So--it will be possible to inflict serious wounds on her if I shoot a split second before she releases the lightning orb. Plus my shooting is blindingly fast-- Because from imitating Nii-san, I have mastered the 'Invisible Bullet'...! ".......!" Producing crackling sounds, the lightning orb is now more than 2 meters in diameter-- It is at least one times, no, two times larger than the one that hit Watson. Although I don't really understand the physical make-up of electric particles, but the density--seems to be very high for this thing. While my clothes may be bullet-proof, it offers no protection against electricity. If I get hit I will definitely die. But I have no fear. Because I will take Hilda out before it hits me. Hence, like an attempt to suppress any remaining traces of fear within me--I start to make tiny movements with my fingers. Invisible Bullet. To draw the gun in a blinding flash like drawing a sword. This is in preparation to act. (Ok, I'm ready for it at any time now--) The time-span when Hilda will be fully exhausted is only 0.5 seconds. That will be more that enough. Invisible Bullet, just needs only 1 shot to well and truly hit the opponent. Nothing else in this world can be compared to Hysteria mode. I will let Hilda personally experience that. In order not to miss the moment, I stared fixatedly at Hilda's beautiful face. "Tohyama. For a weakling who cannot choose between the darkness and the light, and a fool who mouths off fantasies, I'll have you die in your fantasy. Fantasies are but dreams, and dreams cannot turn into reality, it is a most foolish way of thinking. Humans like you whom are incapable of living in darkness--are nothing more than sinful creatures who think of darkness as a mere fantasy, and taint the beauty of the night--" Fuuuh. Taking in a deep breath, Hilda-- Forcefully released the golden lightning orb-- Now! (--Invisible Bullet--!) .....?! "--......?!" What--what is happening? Hands... I can't move my hands...! The paralysis from the previous electric shock has most certainly been removed. "--You really are a man who doesn't learn, Tohyama." Posing as if she was about to release the lightning orb, Hilda--suddenly smiled-- She spun the lightning orb in her hands, and move it above her head. "Silver bullets emanating the smell of cheap perfume, you think I haven't noticed? You kept your eyes on me while you were preparing to shoot. So--I used the Suggestive Arts on you." .....I'm finished.....! Searching for a defensive gap before the opponent strikes, looks like she has turned the tables on me using the same tactic. And with regard to trickery, this bat-girl is already a pro from the start. ......'Pah', 'Pah pah'... the crackling of electricity is getting louder...! "Like how science is moving forward, so too is magic. If I were to solely rely on my own body, it's simply a matter of time before I run out of energy. So I developed a method of exploiting energy obtained from the outside. Just like how a witch in the desert obtain power from the stars in the sky, I--make use of the electricity produced by humans. If based on the catergorisation method being used in the recent years, I can be considered among one of those able to use a second ability. The only difference, is that I have reached a level no humans can hope to match.... Ok, it's now at 120%.... Ahhhh, it's spoilt. Looks like it's still a bit difficult to manipulate." Saying this, Hilda began rebuilding the lightning orb. Even the skin on her body began producing short crackling sounds due to electricity. Her golden pupils, smiling--stared at me. (It's coming....!) Laughing and baring her fangs, Hilda-- "Tohyama, you have a very nice expression on your face now. It's simply divine....." Finally, she's beginning to use her strength. But at this time, Swish-- "--?" Drifting along with the wind-- Reflecting the light from the lightning orb, something like a ball of glass rose up from the ground. From my toes, it jumped to the side of the coffin Hilda was standing on. Flying along with the wind, is that.... a soap bubble? No, that's not it. Last month, I saw it on the Shinkansen--the Explosive Bubble--a vapor explosive.....! --BOOM!!!-- The sound from the explosion rocked the entire Second Observation Deck. The roses and ferns which decorated the bier were reduced to scattered petals dancing in the sky. "--?!" Wearing her heels, Hilda almost lost her balance. 'Pa pa', 'Pa'! This time the sound of electricity came from the side of the coffin--the thick electric cable hidden below the Japanese Creepers had been broken. And as my eyes were registering this scene, the lightning orb above Hilda's head-- --Whoosh-- Like an electric ball with its power cut, vanished without a trace. Managing to remain standing on the coffin after some effort, Hilda bared her fangs-- "Fourth.....!" She called out the name. Turning my head back, beside me... Standing there, holding on tightly to a tiny perfume bottle with her trembling fingers, was Riko. ### 004. 2nd Ammo - Magnificent Riko -Fii Bucuros Riko- ## 2nd Ammo: Magnificient Riko -Fii Bucuros Riko- "Ki-kun, back down~" Stepping forward, Riko threw away a one-time use bottle roughly the size of a pill. After shouting my name, she gradually stopped her shaking. Then, she started clapping her hands loudly and yelling. "Ah, that's right! Riko forgot! She actually forgot! Ki-kun and Aria are both Riko's prey! But, who's that girl? How could she be so ignorant and attempt to start a NTR path on her own! Hohohoho~!" Taking random little steps, Riko spun around in a circle. Now she's behaving just like her usual self, block-headed but brimming with the will to fight. Although looking at her now, it seems a bit like she's encouraging herself. "--That coffin is a transformer right?" Coming to a stop with her feet smacking down, Riko's eyes were serene as she faced Hilda. From what I can tell... Her expression seems to indicate she has made a important decision about something. "You can use electricity. However, this ability is copied from the genes of the African Knifefish . It's unable to discharge large amounts of electricity for long periods of time, at most--once or twice each time, then it will need some time to rest." "Fourth... How did you know..." "What's there to be surprised about? You can simply search the net for this basic knowledge--" Riko smiled brazenly at Hilda, who was furrowing her eyebrows. "This is why you normally restrain yourself from releasing electricity...and tap it from external sources instead. However, since the voltage of the electrical supply from external sources are very low, and your body can only process high voltage electricity, you'll need a large transformer." (....So that's how it is....) Just like how electronic products from other countries cannot directly use Japan's electrical power due to incompatible voltage ratings, and require a suitable transformer. And Hilda is no exception. That huge coffin, is a transformer used by Hilda to convert the city's electrical power supply for her attacks. Now, with the loss of that coffin, she's... "Hilda, there's no longer any electrical power supply you can use. Your body can no longer discharge electricity as well, because you have already used your own electricity on Aria and me. This also means that you have lost your ability to manipulate atoms, and you're no longer capable of converting yourself into a shadow to move freely around." Pulling on Aria's arms, who is still unable to move, Riko dragged her away from the mahogany coffin. Then she patted on her ears, and took out another mini-sized perfume bottle. Pressing on the nozzle-- Small bubbles floated in between my coffin and Aria's coffin, and boom. The explosion blew apart the cables connecting the two coffins. Sparks could be seen from arcing the severed cables, creating snapping sounds. "As expected, this is a battery bank. Hilda, after hearing what I said, you gave a 'I still have an ace up my sleeve' look at this coffin. You should know better--Riko is a thief whose expertise is finding what others want to hide." "I was too careless. To think... you still have more of such explosives with you..." Baring her fangs, Hilda gritted her teeth. Riko threw away the empty explosives bottle, and continued talking. "As everyone knows, 'The Butei Killer uses bombs'." These were the exact words she said to me on when she hijacked the ANA600-- Riko lifted her skirt up slightly, and made a curtsey at Hilda after displaying her superiority. (...Riko...) --Crack-- A bright red flower seemed to have bloomed on Riko's right ear-- That's fresh blood. The earring, which Hilda mentioned "will explode on my command", has cracked. Even though there were no injuries to other parts of the body besides the ear--I'm afraid that the snake venom has entered her body through the wound. A venom with enough poison to kill ten people...! "......." Riko remained in her slightly bowing position, the pain on her ear causing her to eyelids to twitch lightly. Her cute face, still tranquil as though nothing had happened. "Ki-kun, we'll have to say goodbye now. If I had known, the two of us should have had a farewell dinner." Riko's strong voice appeared to be abnormally serene. "Although there is only 10 minutes, but Riko has escaped from the control of those people and obtained her freedom. All thanks to Ki-kun's encouragement, Riko can go back to becoming the real Riko. So, even if it's only for 10 minutes... Ki-kun can see the real Riko, and that's enough." Before she finished her sentence... Large rain drops started falling from the gloomy sky. Patter, patter... Riko shook her head, as if trying to cut off the falling rain drops, drawing the swords on her back. Aria's twin Kodachi, which she took when disguising herself as Aria. "Hilda, I'm now going to finish something I've always wanted to do... I'm taking my revenge on you!" With blood still flowing on her right ear-- Riko loosened her hair down, like the Medusa from Greek mythology. "Fine by me, there's no harm in fighting you. For someone of your calibre, you're no match for me even if I'm unable to use electricity. You should feel honoured, because you're the first human to have fought twice with members of the Dracula family in a single lifetime." As if to counter Riko's hair, Hilda unfolded both her wings, and brought 1 leg forward. Using her toes, she hooked up--a golden trident. With three prongs as its front, the trident boasts a higher kill-rate than a normal spear. "However, Fourth, have you forgotten? Vampires have four Demon Entrails which can heal any wound in an instant, and the location of the Demon Entrails differ for each vampire--you don't know where mine are, and the ones you do know, are only the two on my leg?" "Riko...." Still unable to move due to the influence of the Suggestive Arts, I twisted my head to look-- Only to see Riko pulling the bolt of a gun, saying. "Don't worry, Riko still has Ki-kun." Raising my Beretta, she kissed it. Looks like she stole it from me even before she got up on her feet. "Purified Silver Bullets--you won't be able to heal from wounds caused by these right, Hilda?" ".... It just won't be instantaneous, and there's nothing to fear as long as it doesn't hit. Come, enemies of my father--pray for yourselves. Tonight, the three of you will die." Hilda got down from the coffin, raising the trident-- Riko drew the Saxon hunting knife from my back, and displayed the twin kodachi in her hair, as well as the gun and knife in her hands. --Double Knife Double Gun Riko-- Although the version in front of me is slightly different, but that form which caused untold suffering even for Aria gloomily surfaced in my mind. "Tonight only two people will die--and that includes you!" Riko suppressed the pain from the poison, and roared as she charged forward. At lightning speed, she got close to Hilda, swinging the twin Kodachi at her opponent using her hair-- Clang clang! Hilda blocked the attack using her trident. Following that, Riko started to spin her Kodachi like a windmill, an action physically impossible for human arms, hoping to use the technique to disarm Hilda of her trident. Clang! Also using a move which humans are unable to perform--Hilda used her wings to launch the trident into the air. Her corset now almost twisted to the opposite direction, bang! Just as one of Hilda feet (which was in heels) touched the ground-- "Hilda! You--have survived till now relying on your Demon Entrails!" Clang! The Beretta in Riko's hand spat fire, a Purifed Silver Bullet flying towards Hilda's right wing--hitting the base of the wing. With a loud bang, the wing membrane which was hit exhibited an unusually large, spreading wound. It was like being splashed with acid. "Guh...!" Hilda started to moan. her wounds not healing instantly like Vlad. "Just because you think nothing of being wounded, your movements are too slow! You're too conceited!" In the midst of Riko bellowing, Hilda managed to stablilise her body-- "You.. Fourth! You are nothing but my pet...! How dare you speak such nonsense!" Aiming for Riko's neck this time, Hilda swung her trident trident across horizontally... "Ahhaha!" Laughing, Riko spread open her legs back and forth, gracefully lowering her body and dodging the trident. Following that, spinning both her legs like a compass, whirling closer and closer to Hilda. This--taught to her by Koko, feet techniques from Chinese Kenpo. "--Hilda! Your skills at close combat sucks!" Edging closer and constraining Hilda with the twin Kodachi, and at the same time-- Having switched my Beretta to 3-round burst mode, continued firing at her right wing. The bullets seems to have caused serious wounds to the muscles, the battle-scarred right wing started to--hang downwards limply. Seeing this, Riko swung the Saxon hunting knife-- The severed right wing hanging in mid-air-- ".....!" Left with only one wing, Hilda retreated backwards unwillingly. But the silver bullets from the Beretta showed her no mercy, and upon hearing the impact sounds, the bullets have already pierced her left wing. "Ahhaha! Hilda! Hilda! What's the matter with you!?" Engaging in Aru=Kata has slowly forced Hilda into a dead end. Riko, using Aria's twin Kodachi, my gun and knife, was using all the skills she has learnt in E.U. and Butei High. Yes--this was a battle which Riko has staked her own life on. On one side was the "Butei Killer" who was holding nothing back, and on the other side was Hilda who was slowly running out of space to retreat-- Riko again swung the Saxon hunting knife out in front of her. The blade following the trajectory of the bullets, cutting off Hilda's left wing. Showing no hesitation in sacrificing her remaining wing-- Hilda stabbed out viciously with the trident, successfully snatching the Saxon hunting knife out of Riko's hand. "....You...filthy rat!" Hilda flung the hunting knife to a corner of the Second Observation Deck, however-- "Rat? Are you referring to yourself? A wing-less bat, aiyaya, how unimaginable, it's the same as a rat! Ah haha!" Not caring about the fact she was now left holding the twin Kodachi and a gun, Riko resumed her attack against Hilda who has lost her wings. Her Japanese sword tearing Hilda's skirt--stab! The tip of the blade entering the flank of Hilda. "Kuh....!" Something like red mist appeared from the wound, quickly healing it, but.... Fearing the bullets from the Beretta, Hilda started using the trident to defend against Riko's attack. Riko doesn't have much bullets left--if my guess is correct, there is still 1 round left--she was actively using the Kodachi now. "Ah hahahaha! Come on Hilda! Trample on me and kick me! Come on, it'll just be like old times!" She was searching whether there was any Eyeball tattoos on the skin where the clothes had been torn off, or where the wounds healed more slowly than usual-- Riko was looking for the positions of the Demon Entrails. "S... stop.. Stop it... Stop!" "Back then! I begged you as well! But you continued to kick me viciously like you didn't hear anything!" Riko continued to stubbornly use the twin Kodachi, slicing at Hilda who was finally losing her grip on the trident. Hilda curled into a ball, waving in the air desperately both hands with bright red fingernails, but still unable the fate of having her hands stabbed. I understand, there's no other way to find the positions of the Demon Entrails... But Riko's method of attacking, was cruel to the point it was unbearable to watch on. And she was laughing. (....Battle-crazed...) --The thought came to me, having not seen Riko's true nature for some time. Riko--she may seem easy-going, but in actual fact she is a young girl with an extremely large amount of pride. Viewing her figure from behind, it seems to me that she harbours an insane vengeance towards enemies who have wounded her pride. "....In--insolent girl! Get lost!" With injuries from stab wounds all all over her body, there was barely any clothes on Hilda except her underwear-- Squeezing out her last remaining strength--'zzzz'--'zzzz'.... She discharged electricity from her body, but it was so much weaker than before. "--whoa." Riko jumped back a step--and continued backing to our side. The rain was getting heavier, the raindrops slowing washing Hilda's blood off Riko's blades. "....Fourth... I'm absolutely not going to let you off..." Cursing Riko, Hilda hugged her own body tightly and stared viciously at her. That electricity--she's probably using her own life energy as a price to release it. Although the other party can no longer release lightning orbs, but now we can't get near her as well. Even though the wounds on Hilda's body were slowly healing, but it looks like healing will need more time when electricity is being released at the same time--all of a sudden, there was no activity from Hilda, who was holding the trident in her embrace. Perhaps she has only herself to blame for messing around with Aria's underwear earlier... Now her retribution has come, Hilda's exquisite underwear and tight pants has turned into pieces of cloth, a stocking suspender on one side has been severed, hanging loosely at the side of her leg. From the looks of it...Although Hilda's clothes are electricity-proof and fire-proof, it's not the cut-proof nor bullet-proof. "Ummm.. Kuh kuh..." Hilda was trying very hard to meld herself with the shadows on the ground--perhaps to hide, but was ultimately unsuccessful. This is great, seeing that this is a golden opportunity where she did not have enough electrical power, we have to act now if we want to defeat her...! "The eyeball tattoos, I've found all of them--but her skin was too white, so it took me alot of time." Riko said as she walked to my side. Her footsteps... there was some staggering. A very light stagger. It has been... 3 minutes since she started fighting. The poison from the earring that has entered her body--has started circulating. "Are you fine... Riko?" ".... Left and right thighs, just below the right breast, and below the belly button. The eyeball tattoos are concentrated around the thighs and stomach." The unlimited regenerative capabilities of a vampire, comes from something known as "Demon Entrails", an organ that humans do not possess. The most problematic thing about the Demon Entrails is that there are four of them, if one or two were destroyed, the other Demon Entrails can restore them swiftly. So, if you want to kill a vampire, all four Demon Entrails must be destroyed at the same time. The eyeball diagrams which looks like tattoos on Hilda's body, mark the position of the Demon Entrails, but-- "While I know the positions.... But what should we do, the Beretta only has 1 bullet left." A voice came out behind me suddenly. "Th.. there's still... two shots..." Aria, who had been unconscious after being electrocuted was finally awake, she walked to my side as she spoke. Then she hid under my shadow-- Removing 2 hair clips which looked like fingernails. "She conducted a body search on me, but didn't manage to find these." Following that, she broke open the hair-clips. Removing the bottom part of the hair-clip, a hole could be seen in it. And inside the hole, there was one .45 ACP bullet. "In the past, this was used to hide drugs... But after encountering several situations where I didn't have enough ammo, I have started hiding bullets within. Riko, pass me back my guns." Aria drew both of her guns from the side of Riko's thighs, and with one hand acting as a shield from the rain, her other hand loaded one bullet into the chamber of each gun. The silver and black M1911 pistols gleamed coldly as if brought back to life. "--Ki-kun, Aria, thank you both. But no need to worry, Riko has another way." "Another way...? Are you trying to say you still have other ways to kill Hilda...?" Hearing this, Riko's eyes became sharp as she nodded her head. "I had intended to use that method to perish together with her if I were at my wits end. But to use that method, her wings must be dealt with first, so she can't fly around rampantly." ....I see. That was why she went trigger-happy with the silver bullets. "But... how will you be able to do it by yourself? The Beretta should have only one round left?" Listening to Aria, Riko shook her head and answered. "The reason I kept this bullet, is meant to kill Hilda once she loses her Demon Entrails." The word "kill' made me crease my brow-- ".....?" At this time, I noticed the unusual reactions from Hilda from the corner of my eye. She has stripped off her torn and tattered Lolita-gothic clothes, leaving only her purple underwear on her body. Traces of electricity still covered her body, protecting her as she recovers her strength. But still... I have a bad feeling about this. --Her appearance-- Although her snow white skin made it difficult for people to see clearly, but there were definitely eyeball diagrams on her skin. One on each leg, one under the navel, and one below the right breast. I can see it, right now all her weak points are exposed. But, this instead-- Gave me a weird feeling that I can't really put into words. "--Wait, Riko." "If you are trying to persuade me to follow the Butei Law... I'm sorry, Ki-kun." "No, I feel... something amiss with Hilda's body. If you have some sort of plan, then--don't use it now no matter what, we'll think of another way to hit those four points to take her out." I held Riko by her shoulders, staring at her without looking away as I told her-- Seeing this, Riko blinked her eyes in confusion. "....All right, since you put it that way, I'll listen to you... But what do we do now? We have three guns, and just three bullets as well, if we intend to hit all four weak points... From the point of physics, it's impossible." "Sorry, my physics is terrible." My voice became drowned out by the sound of thunder which was getting closer than before. Aria seemed to have noticed this as well, she lifted her camellia eyes, scanning the skies around us like a small animal. If the sound of thunder really roars, Aria, who fears thunder, will become severely hampered, just like during our battle with Vlad. Attacking the four points at the same time--if we want to do it, we have to do it now. "Aria, I'll need your help when we attack. Use your guns to attack Hilda's right chest and lower abdomen. I know Assault's training involves not going for the vitals, so, can you do it?" "Yes, Yes." Speaking in a slightly more serious tone, I saw Aria nodding her head like a child. Because as long as I am in Hysteria mode, she normally listens to me. "Riko, you attack Hilda's right leg. The fourth point--I'll deal with it, although Riko, you feel this is impossble--but ever since ancient times, humans have achieved many seemingly impossible dreams. So let us perform for her, she looks down on humans, and it's time to pay the price." As I was saying this, I stood beside Riko. "Tonight, for Riko--I shall turn the impossible into possible." ".....for, Riko..." Riko raised her eyes to look at me, her gaze seemingly touched. She used the soft curls of her hair to raise the Beretta. "Understood, let's go, Ki-kun." "Good girl." I patted Riko lightly on the head, focusing the rest of my attention on Hilda. Having healed all her wounds except than her wings, Hilda was now holding her trident and advancing towards us. The electric current surrounding her wasn't large, but coming into contact will still cause a nasty shock. Suffice to say, using swords or knives were out of the question. We'll just have take to the fight relying on the insufficient number of bullets we have. "Shoot...the right, leg--" Riko suddenly reeled forward, but Aria caught her in time. "Riko, can you stand?! If not, you can lean on me for support when you open fire." "Haha.. Great grandfather must be cursing me in heaven.... Leaning on a lady from the Holmes family for support while fighting side by side..." "I'm not willing either, I don't want to fight side by side with a lady from the Lupin family." "Aria..." "What is it. All right, steady yourself." "The one I hate the most is still you, heheh..." "Oh, looks like we have very similar dispositions, me too, I hate you the most, haha." The two of them started talking to each other light-heartedly like two normal girls, following which-- Ka-chik, Ka-chik. Three guns pointed at Hilda at the same time. ".........!?" A nervous expression showed on Hilda's face for a brief moment, but-- "Oh... You've fallen short, with just three guns, what do you intend to do with me?" She started laughing as if a weight has been lifted off her shoulders. (I guess this what there mean by every cloud has a silver lining.) --If there are four guns now, Hilda might have fled long ago. If she escapes, we will come under attack again. By then, the Riko who's willing to perish together with Hilda... will no longer be around. "Let's go...! Wait for my signal--then shoot!" Yelling to the other two, I charged straight at Hilda-- Even though I boasted to the two girls beforehand... But in fact up till now, I still haven't thought of a way to hit all four vitals at the same time using three bullets. But charging out, that is enough for now. I'm now completely unarmed, without as much as a nail clipper on me. But I can succeed. I will succeed. No, I must succeed. People always tend to declare something as impossible at first glance. I will make it possible. In order to do this, I must first charge out with an unshakeable faith, a courage that is required from the very start. (--I'll just make things up on the go!) The instant Hilda aimed the trident at me, my brain under the influence of Hysteria mode gave me an excellent idea immediately-- I recalled how Hilda had wrapped her whip around the Holy Cross Sword before, and flung the sword away like a catapult from the Middle Ages. At this very moment, I see it. Like shining brightly--a way out. --This will be it! Side-stepping to the left in the rain, I avoided the pointed end of Hilda's trident. Then I swiftly circled 5 meters behind Hilda's back. Splashing the water on the surface of the ground, I twisted my body like a drifting racing car-- Focusing on the lower half of Hilda's body which was more toned then I imagined. "Riko! Aria! --Shoot!" Borrowing the momentum from my body twisting, I intend to use the single-handed version of 'Slash'--spiraling my entire body. Now, it's time for OFG to take center stage--I raised my right hand, which was fitted with the 'Python' glove over my head. --Bang Bang! Bang!-- --Aria, and Riko-- At the instant both of them fired the three bullets. Everything around me turned into slow motion--as if taken from a highly sensitive video camera. The Purified Silver Bullet is a bullet made of pure silver. Silver carries less weight than lead of the same size, it would be unable to fully withstand the explosive pressure from the gunpowder when fired from the gun. As such, the silver bullet fired from Riko's Beretta should travel slower than the speed of sound-- --Shick... Shick.... Shick-- Her bullet, almost matching the sonic speed of the .45 ACP bullets fired by Aria, hit Hilda at the same time. "--!" The flashes from the 3 shots turning Hilda into a silhouette-- Although the bullets penetrated below her right chest, lower abdomen and right leg, she was still standing at the same spot. It looks like she intends to rely on the Demonic Entrail in her left leg to salvage the situation. --At this time, the firing sounds from the three guns reached my ear at the speed of sound-- I can see Riko's silver bullet which has penetrated Hilda's right leg flying in my direction. Good, now it's my turn. Shifting my body to dodge the two bullets from Aria at the very last moment-- --zzzzzz--! Using two fingers on my right hand, clipping on to the silver bullet fired by Riko. The TNK fibre on 'Python' was generating massive amount of sparks. The sparks, made it seems as if I was holding a dazzling ball of fire in my hand. (--'Slingshot'--!) I didn't allow the bullet to pass through my fingers. Instead, with the premise of maintaining the speed of the bullet as much as possible, I changed its vector. In my fight with Watson, I changed it by 30 degrees. If 30 degrees is achievable-- Then 60 degrees, 90 degrees-- (--Even if it's 180 degrees, it can be done!) The bullet followed suit as I twisted my body 180 degrees--then, I released my fingers-- --Bam--!! Following a perfect trajectory, the bullet struck the left leg of Hilda from behind. --Not even 0.1 seconds has passed since the shots were first fired. The time it took the three bullets to hit the four vitals was faster than Hilda's speed of regeneration.... "....." Hit by four shots, Hilda's steps came to a abrupt stop. Then she turned her head to look behind, to see me still in the action of releasing the bullet. --Her face was filled with disbelief. Yes, you can't believe it. You actually lost to humans whom you've stepped on--not even in your dreams have you imagined such a thing happening. But now, this has become a fact. How does it feel, vampire of realism? "Des teapta-te roma ne..... din somnul cel de moarte...." Is this, a poem....? Hilda was speaking in Romanian... Maybe a curse... it's like reading a poem. "In care te-ada ncira..... barbari...dc....ti...ra...ni" Following that, Hilda knelt on the ground... her body leaning forward slightly. Finally, she lowered her head in the rain-- And no longer made any sound. Darkness of Grenada. Dracula Hilda-- Is no more. Father and daughter, died in the hands of the same 3-man team. ".....Riko...." Brought back to reality by the nervous tone of Aria's voice, I saw Riko leaning on Aria's shoulder with her head lowered. I rushed to their side, and dragged Riko over to where she had pointed... Near the flowers beside Hilda's coffin. Then I let her sit on the ground with her back resting on the coffin-- "....This is great, we succeeded....! Really, the both of you, should be happy..." Seeing the worry on our faces, she forced out a smile. But the smile couldn't hide the fact her body condition was spent. Hilda mentioned--the earring contained enough poison to kill 10 people. 7 minutes has passed since the earring blew up. (Gotta get her to a Hospital quickly...!) But getting down the Sky Tree, would take at least 5 minutes. Maybe Aria also realised... this, she just quietly kept herself at Riko's side. "Ki-kun, Aria, don't be sad. Riko... feels very good inside now." .....Riko.... "Riko... Riko has given everything for the fight... Giving everything... such matters, I have.... been through so many times... Since when, I began to fear death... Heheh..." Riko....! "Actually, I understood quite some time ago... why I didn't want to die... it's because... Ki-kun...I've met Ki-kun..." With tears brimming in her eyes, Riko forced an expression of happiness and reached out with her trembling hand... As for me, except for holding her hand, I couldn't do anything else-- And att this moment. --Flash--! The lightning was coming nearer and nearer, causing Aria to show increasing alarm. Riko eyes widened into circles, as she stared in astonishment. Not because of the thunder, but something behind me-- She was staring right at the place where Hilda had fallen. ".....?" I turned my head to take a look.... ....'sssssssss'.... As the roar of the thunder faded, a silhouette of a person stood up, holding the trident-- "Hohoho--how are you feeling, Fourth?" --Hilda....! Wh... what the hell is going on? The penetration wounds on her lower right chest and lower abdomen were completely healed. The penetration wounds on both legs caused by the silver bullet were healing very slowly, but... they were without a doubt gradually closing. "Why....?! We definitely hit all 4 Demon Entrails...!" Aria straightened her body, gnashing her teeth at the immortal Dracula Hilda. "Ah, not bad, you have such delightful expressions on your faces, especially--Riko. It's such a pity, since you were even prepared to give up your life for this fight.... Well, as you can see, I'm as good as new. So, what are your feelings now? Hohoho, it's too late for regrets, I'm going to skewer all of you together, that'll definitely be interesting." Hilda covered her mouth with the back of her hand as she laughed. Then she raised the trident, waving it in the direction of the storm clouds. "Originally the places where my Demon Entrails were located did not have any weird appearance, but unexpectedly, these digusting eyeball diagrams were marked onto them sometime after. So--not even letting my father know--I underwent surgery to change the positions of my Demon Entrails, hohoho, wo--hohohohoho!" In the midst of the ear-splitting laughter that was approaching ultrasound, the bats that had gathered at the floor below us swarmed up. Behind Hilda, was a mad scene of torrential rain and criss-crossing lightning. "--Take a guess, where are my Demon Entrails?" In the roar of thunder, Hilda puffed out her chest while wearing only her purple underwear. "Actually, I don't even know myself, it was intentional. Because if I knew, I might divulge the information to another person. Since the scars of the operation have completely vanished, and I--have silenced the surgeon. The answer is forever buried in the dark, and no one knows." .....! No wonder... she had the guts to brazenly show off her thighs from the very beginning. I finally understood-- The weird feeling I had earlier, was due to the fact she "didn't hide her eyeball diagrams". When Riko shredded her clothes, and she used her electricity to force Riko to back off--even with all 4 of the weak points revealed, she didn't show the slightest trace of worry. She wasn't afraid if anyone saw. Because under the eyeball diagrams, there were no Demon Entrails at all-- "Ahhh, the weather is simply too pleasant." Kaboom... Hilda appeared to be enjoying the sound of thunder which was very close. Aria began to cringe--and Riko, was simply staring contemptuously at Hilda. "Fourth, 121 years ago, at the incomplete Eiffel Tower--my father fought with your great grandfather--Arsene Lupin. It's such a coincidence that right now, the progenies of both sides are fighting on this incomplete tower..... Come to think of it, this tower isn't too bad, it's tall enough, so I like it very much, It's just that I never thought that the builders of the tallest tower in the world today will be the Oriental monkies." Hilda gazed lovingly at a cluster of storm clouds. "I have constantly been waiting for such fine weather, which is why, I even called Watson out tonight. Now, allow me to tell you... why the Dracula clan prefers to fight on the top of towers during nights with thunderstorm...." Finished speaking, Hilda lifted her head to look at the clouds-- As lightning drew a path across the sky,she raised the trident high above her head. "--!" The metal spear became a lightning rod, shining white rays of light from thick dark clouds focusing on its body-- KAKA--BOOM....! With the violent explosion of thunder, everything was enveloped in a flash of light. "Kyaaaaaaaa!" Aria screamed out in total panic. "--!" I hurriedly raised both arms to shield my face. After a while, I tried to open my eyes.... In front of me, the rain drops had been evaporated into steam by high temperature, creating a white mist. As the steam dissipated into the darkness, it enhanced a supernatural scene from another world. "--This is the third time throughout my life, that I have transformed into the Third stage, On the other side of the white fog-- Hilda was standing there, looking pleased. The electricity covering her body was not golden in colour like before. The electricity was bluish-white in colour, and appeared to be extremely strong, it's as though if you go anywhere near her, you will be reduced to nothing more than black coals. All that's left on her body were her underwear, heels, and torn and tattered tights which does not conduct electricity. The ribbons on her hair has long been reduced to ashes--her long golden hair waving savagely in the violent wind This is practically...a demon. It sure as hell doesn't look like it belongs to this world....! "My father was cursed by the Witch of the Sand-- and couldn't transform into his third form, he could only fight all of you in his second form. I hate the second form which causes the body to hideously expand, so I skipped it and directly entered the third form. All right, enough chatter, let's start playing." The bluish-white lightning was jumping non-stop all over the trident and Hilda's body. With a bang, she rested the trident on the ground-- The lightning skimmed across the concrete surface, causing spiderweb-like cracks. "If we say the first form takes after a human, and the second form takes after a demon--then the third form, takes after God. This is a miracle made into a reality by the Dracula Clan who are able to manipulate electricity and possesses unlimited regeneration. Yes, lightning itself is a miracle, and I was born with the ability to conduct electricity with ease. This is a sign of a God who can create lightning, and proof that I am destined to become close to God." Clack-'zzzzz'.... Clack-'zzzzz'.... Hilda slowly got nearer walking on her heels. As she pointed her trident, it generated a loud booming sound like a mortar being fired, damaging a corner of the coffin. Inside the coffin--thick plates of copper were twisted into a heap. Such... such terrifying power, it's even more extreme as compared to her father. "--So, I no longer require electricity from humans! Wohohohoho! Come, take a good look! Show me your fear and your tears! Beg for my forgiveness!" With her sadistic nature surging forth, Hilda, in order to make us experience terror-- Clang! Clang! She bent a steel support column at the edge of the Second Observation Deck by striking it with the trident. --Making use of this opportunity, I confirmed the condition of Aria and Riko. Aria--not good. Although from her eyes I could see she hasn't lost the will to fight, but the thunderclap just now has caused her to completely cower in fear. Riko.... can no longer fight. Besides leaning limply against the coffin on her back and staring at Hilda, she couldn't do anything else. "--Riko, no, Aria, lend me your sword." As the only one who could still fight, I drew one of the twin Kodachi from Riko's back. As there was no way to approach Hilda, whose body is surrounded by electricity-- "Hilda!" I could only throw out the sword like a dart, aiming for her foot which was on the edge of the Second Observation Deck. Swoosh--! The spinning blade cut into Hilda's Achilles. ".....!" But it was ineffective, as the wound vanished without a trace. I had hoped she would have fallen off the tower.... but there was no reaction at all. A bolt of lightning flashed by--Hilda lifted her face-- Showing her fangs, she started to smile. "I had initially planned to turn Aria into a specimen--sorry, it isn't possible now." Crackle... Crackle.... As Hilda raised the trident high up, bluish-white lightning started to surge at the tip. "In my third form--anything i touch, will be reduced to ashes--" Ball lightning....! A spherical ball of lightning started to form at the tip of the trident. No.... not right, the colour isn't right. This mass of ball lightning was emitting a dazzling deep blue light, and it seems the voltage is extremely high. Even the form is different. Overflowing with energy, it was emitting light in an unsteady manner, rather than calling it a ball, it's more like a group of stars. Even though we didn't come into direct contact with it, but the various types of metals on our bodies--watches, buttons, and the cellphones in our pockets all started to release very weak electrical currents. "This will be a reward to all of you for lasting so long against me. The secret art of the Dracula clan--'Lightning Star', I'll be using it to reduce all of you into coals, then I'll skewer it into a stick and present it to my father as a gift." ....What a tasteless gift. Holding back my tongue, I saw that Hilda was increasing the size of the ball lightning with each passing second. Since this is the case-- The only thing I can do now...is kamikaze. With my body in Hysteria mode, I will charge into Hilda at full strength, and in exchange for being reduced to coal by her lightning--push her off the tower. Really hot-blooded stuff. This is...the only way. What a pity. --No matter what, I must protect Aria and Riko. This is the Hysteria mode...no, this is my duty as a man. I silently drew out the last kodachi as a show of force. Just when I was about to step onto the coffin Hilda was standing on, shielding the two girls behind me-- "The persistence of human life, should be beautified with flowers... That was what my mother, said..." Riko's voice came behind me. (....?) I tilted the katana to its side, so that the shiny reflective surface of the blade showed Riko's reflection. Riko was hugging a large bouquet of flowers which was originally placed around the coffin. They were sunflowers, most suited for the cheerful and bubbly Riko. "So... Hilda, let me give you, this bouquet of flowers as a farewell..." Hilda turned her gaze onto Riko behind me. "Hoho.. to think Fourth still has such elegance, but please permit me to refuse. I hate sunflowers... it has such a disgusting appearance. I think you know as well, I like dark places the best." "Hoho.... Then for you who likes the dark, let me give you a Japanese idiom--'The shadow under the lamp' ..... No matter what may appear beside one's feet... normally, one would not be aware of it." The blade reflected the pleased smile on Riko. She slowly began removing sunflowers from the bouquet. "This thing can't be used too near and not too far, it requires the optimum distance..." Peeking out from the bouquet of flowers, was part of a gun's body-- --Winchester M1887. "Shotgun...." Beside Riko, Aria's eyes widened into circles. ....So that's it....! "Riko, you're--a genius!" I threw myself to the side of the coffin and flattened my body on the ground. With my 'disappearance', Hilda found herself staring down the business end of the gun-- Immediately drawing in a breath of cold air. "Hoho, this is a really suitable angle, Hilda, you're done for..." Aria supported Riko's trembling arm-- --BAM!!! The ear-splitting sound of the gunshot reverberated throughout the Second Observation Deck. Different from a normal gun or sniper rifle which shoots out only 1 round, the shotgun shell-- --'Pa'! Spread outwards into countless little pellets. Using my eyes in Hysteria mode I captured their numbers---more than a hundred, all micro-sized soft metal pellets. --'Pa pa pa pa'--!!! "--Waahhhh!" Covering a huge area of effect, none of the pellets missed their mark, hitting all parts of Hilda's body. That's right, using the shotgun-- We can attack her entire body, not needing to care where the Demon Entrails are! "Ahhhh... Guuhhh... Guhhhh...!" Struck by numerous pellets, Hilda stumbled and staggered onto one knee. At the same time, the blue-coloured 'Lightning Star' melted back into the spear--'sssssssss'! The electric currents flowed through Hilda's body, right to below her feet. "---Kyaaaaaaa---" In an instant, flames consumed Hilda's entire body. Normally, even if the skin was burnt, the wounds would have healed instantly, but now... Hilda was being incinerated by the high voltage electricity she was controlling. (...The unlimited regeneration has vanished...) So were all four Demon Entrails pierced by the shotgun pellets?! --Arghhhh....! Hilda screamed in extreme agony, then she fell off the black coffin. "Argh....! This.... this is a nightmare... a nightmare.... Im.. impossible...! I am a true vampire, to be defeated by these people.... impossible...!" Hilda has lost her wings, and couldn't turn into a shadow as well-- She was wriggling on the ground constantly, trying to get away from our side. But the flames have obscured her ability to tell direction, so in the end she was simply stuck in the same spot. Aria had taken out handcuffs in order to arrest Hilda... But soon, she realised she was unable to do anything to her. It's the same for me as well. The on-going scene was becoming too gruesome. I tried to help Hilda, but the huge flames prevented me for getting any closer. "Hilda... Not there, don't go over!" I yelled loudly at Hilda, as she moved towards the edge of the observation deck-- I don't know if she heard me while being burnt. Struggling in pain, Hilda's palm finally slipped carelessly from the edge-- "Ahhh..." From the flames, came the final cry-- ".....!" Not bearing to watch, I averted my gaze, Hilda's distancing cries were like a stabbing pain in my eardrums. The sound fell below 450m, and then below... Impact... ...Then... Everything was quiet. The only sound carried to our ears, was the pitter patter of rain hitting our bodies. (Hilda....) Although a wicked woman, she did live her life to the fullest, a proud and beautiful adversary.... Just that her ending was too tragic. Return to silence. Return to the darkness--where the bats rest. "Ki-kun...." It was Riko mumbling softly. "It was fortunate you told me not to use the shotgun just now... If it was used, Riko.... would have only aimed for Hilda's body and legs--and we would have lost. Then, she would have taken the shotgun, and everything would be finished..." Cradling the gun in the rain, Riko looked upwards at the sky. "....This time, Riko... has turned back, to the real Riko..." Her hollow pupils have lost focus. "Defeating Vlad and Hilda, regaining my... freedom. But in the end, I still couldn't defeat Ki-kun and Aria... heheh... not only that, we even fought side by side..." Riko's face was still full of delight... I knelt on one knee at her side, hugging her by the shoulders. "Okay.... that's enough Riko. The 'real you' changes as time changes. Right now, you are not alone. The Riko with companions to fight side by side with--that is the real Riko right now." "Ki-kun..." "Yes, Riko. Helping others is much more difficult than defeating others." In the midst of a thunderclap receding, Aria started to help Riko up. "This is why--I must save you." She threw a look at me, and we both helped Riko to her feet. "--Let's go Riko, hold on!" We started walking down the stairs. More than 10 minutes has passed since the earring exploded, and Riko was no longer responding to our voices-- But even so, we still continued calling out her name. ### 005. 3rd Ammo - Secret Rehabilitation -Boy Meets Girl- ## 3rd Ammo: Secret Rehabilitation -Boy Meets Girl- The following dawn after the two continuous battles with Watson and Hilda-- I woke up from a long bench in front of Butei Hospital's ICU. Seeing the clear blue skies outside the window, the rain seems to have stopped. (My whole body... hurts like hell...) When in Hysteria mode, I am able to perform tasks that far exceeds the limits of my body. Especially since I used Ouka, Slash and Mirror Shot, 3 skills in all last night. So it's pretty much expected that my entire body will be aching. I slowly sat up, and noticed that the light was still on for the "In Operation" sign above the ICU door. (Riko...) Feeling worried, I felt the urge to barge in to see... "Meow-chuu!" Sleeping on the long bench beside mine, Aria woke up like a kitten which had just sneezed. "Erm... Kinji... Where's Ri.. Riko?" Sitting up suddenly, Aria noticed the "In Operation" sign lit up in red light, and stopped talking. When Riko got to the First Observation Deck, her heart had already stopped beating. Leaving the resuscitation to Aria, I hurriedly took the now-functioning elevator down to the ground level... Using a public phone, I managed to get a helicopter from Logi, and help arrived 20 minutes later. Since there was a precedent case of someone being revived after the heart had stopped beating for 4 minutes, I cannot give up as well--using the phrases I learn in Assault to encourage myself as I made my way back to the observation deck-- --Watson was giving medical aid to Riko. Being a doctor, Watson made Riko consume a drug which she uses to fake "death" in order to escape, causing Riko to temporarily slip into a state of apparent death... She seems to have done the same for Hilda, who, had fallen from the Second Observation Deck to the First Observation Deck. Hilda had suffered extensive burn injuries, fallen from a height of over 100 meters... but she was still alive. She wasn't moving at all, and it wouldn't be much of a surprise if she died at any moment. Watson suggested sending both of them, whom are on the brink of death, back to Butei Hospital-- We borrowed Watson's Porsche, and sped back to Butei High in the dead of the night. Claiming to have gotten an International Driving Licence, Aria's driving was terrible. Maybe it was because she was worried about Riko, and the anxiety had affected her.... Just as I was recalling the events from the previous night--the light went out from the "In Operation" sign, In a fluster, Aria and myself entered the ICU which was filled with countless drugs and medical equipment. "Riko...." Aria spoke as she ran to Riko's hospital bed-- Riko was half sitting up on the bed. She seemed to be in a bit of a stupor... This is really great. Riko has been saved! "Riko! Riko! ...I thought you really died!" Wanting to pounce onto Riko, Aria was stopped by Watson. Looking around me, I discovered that there was no one else in the ICU besides our group. ".....So did you remove the poison in her body, Watson." "I couldn't have done it alone, but thanks to the assistance from Ambulace's Yatsuro-sensei, it was a success. She's really a genius. The deadly poison didn't even make her break a sweat." "Erin Yatsuro-sensei, she doesn't seem to be here....?" "I've asked her to leave for a moment. I have to speak with all of you about something." "Fuhhh--" Exhausted from working overnight, Watson took off the surgical mask and let out a deep breath. I walked to the side of the bed, trying to look at Riko's condition.... But Riko lowered her head, as if trying to avoid me. "Riko.....?" I thought she would be happy to have survived this... What's going on. We stayed silent like this for a while-- "Kinji... Aria... I'm... very ashamed." Riko was talking softly, using the "Dark Riko" way of speaking. "I obeyed Hilda's orders to trick Kinji. And I even stood by and almost did nothing when Aria was in peril. But both of you pushovers still.... forgave me. That time, I wanted to repay my debt of gratitude. So, during the explosive bubble attack.... I was determined to use my life to repay this debt. I really wanted to use my death as payment--but in the end I still shamelessly prolonged my feeble existence and survived..." Riko's voice was trembling from remorse. Hey.... Hey hey... Seriously, no matter when, her sense of pride is always so strong. "....Riko, you've been very brave." After hearing what Riko said, Aria... replied with a serious expression on her face. "I thought you would have definitely said something like 'I'm saved, thanks--', and then become evasive about matters concerning Hilda. But now, you've honestly told us what you were really thinking, you really are very brave." Aria's camellia eyes were looking straight at Riko-- Having slightly withdrawn back into herself, Riko looked back at Aria.... then with a bit of shyness shifted her gaze away. "Aria, Kinji.... I will definitely repay your kindness..." Her voice was still trembling... but this time, her words felt like it carried tears of joy. Hearing what Riko said, Aria suddenly felt embarrassed, and with a awkward look on her face, she whispered to me "Hey, you should say something too!".... "Ahhh--ermm... Yesterday's.... I was only concerned about fighting. As for something like repaying us or not, don't worry about it." "Is that all!" Aria angrily told me as I finished what I wanted to say. It, it can't be helped. I'm not in Hysteria mode now. I have no way of coming up with honeyed words to comfort girls on the verge of tears. The atmosphere was becoming awkward.... Because Aria kept staring at me, I had no choice but to say something. "Ahh--just to be prudent, I need to ask you something. Those guys.... do they have any more vampire comrades?" ".....Vlad's wife has died from an illness. They aren't like what you see in comics where they can bite people to increase their numbers, there's only the two of them." "I see, Then... you can breath a sigh of relief now. That's really great." The normal me can only talk about normal things like these. Listening to me, Riko slightly nodded her head as if agreeing. "Yes.... up till now, somewhere in my heart, Vlad and Hilda has always been confining me. Because I wanted to break free, I have always been fighting. But, when they were gone.... I became free.... But yet, I feel uneasy now...." "Uneasy?" "I was referring to what I should do from now on...." "What an extravagant worry. All you have to do is just be carefree like the Riko we always know." To me, discussing with girls about their worries is more challenging than taking the entrance exams to Tokyo University. Hence, the words I said were very neutral. But Riko seemed to like what I said... she started to chuckle. "Yeah. Like Riko... right." "Ah. That's to say 'Riko must be the real Riko'. This is the true meaning for you." "Uhn Uhn" Riko nodded her head, acknowledging the matter-of-fact words from the normal me. Her head was still lowered... although her cheeks seemed to be reddening. It's probably the after-effects of the poison, or it could be due to fever. It will be too pitiful if Riko has to continue listening to my poor speeches. Aria was telling me with her expression "Well done", so now is the time to retreat. "Well... take good care of yourself now." Just as we were about to move out of the room, Watson stopped us-- "Well, taking this opportunity while you all are re-establishing your close relationships, I have one thing to say." "One thing...?" "It's concerning Hilda." Ah, there were so many things going on, I forgot about this one. Hilda... What is it about? "I'll say this upfront, I'm both a Butei and a Doctor. Even if it's the enemy, once the battle is over, I do not make any discrimination among the wounded. I won't continue to harass them for beatings, and I do not differentiate between personalities, nationalities or types of humans when rendering medical aid. Types of humans..... Are vampires considered types of humans? Forget it. Hilda does have the appearance of a human anyway. "Anyway, I removed the shotgun pellets in Hilda's body just now--107 in all. Although her Demon Entrails were not functioning, but because of her amazing vitality, she has made it through the operation. Her body cannot move, there is no consciousness, and she requires a breathing apparatus to help her breathe.... But her life seems determined to live on. Although this is offensive for her, but I took a photo of her current condition." Saying this, Watson showed us the image of Hilda taken with a digital camera. Having her entire body burnt by flames, you can say Hilda got what she deserved from her own actions... She was bandaged like a mummy, and there was casts on her arms and legs which appeared to have suffered broken bones. It was really a pitiful sight. ...Then again, she's actually still alive while in this condition, no wonder she's a vampire. A Rosario was placed on her chest, and on closer inspection, I discovered that a seal "Anti Ki-Barai-Kekkai area" , was written on the surface. I'm not too sure of the details, but it seems the item was used to keep Hilda safe while she was in the magical barrier set up by Tamamo. "Just to add on, this is my first time stitching up Demon Entrails, so I was unable to perform it flawlessly... plus, I was forced to cut out several tissues within. But I won't be performing this surgery in vain, I swear to use them as research material to create a drug to inhibit the functions of Demon Entrails--a serum to hinder vampires!" Doctor Watson, you talk too much. What were you trying to tell us from the start. "However... since daybreak, her physical appearance has started to worsen. The main reason is due to insufficient blood. When I arrived here I ran some checks on Hilda's blood type. She has the Rhesus--River B blood type, a rare blood type which only 1 person in 1,700,000 people have. The only place in the world which stocks this blood type is the Blood Bank in Singapore, but getting it here will take 2 days. So.... I'm afraid Hilda might not live past today." ....Is that so.... Knowing that such a troublesome adversary is about to die... I had a sudden urge to save her. Thinking like this, maybe I'm really a pushover like Hilda said. "Can't we do anything about it?" Aria, an even greater pushover than me, asked Watson. "If there is someone with the same blood type here, she can still be saved..." Saying this, Watson, for some reason, looked over at Riko. "Her blood type is the same as mine. And because we have the same blood type, Vlad refuses to give me up." After a moment of silence, Riko closed her eyes and said without any expression on her face. (So that's how it is. This explains why Vlad was so stubbornly after Riko.) Actually, I have been puzzled by this for quite some time. If you are looking for humans who possesses superior genes, there's plenty of such people throughout the world. If you want the DNA, all you require is simply a strand of hair. But all Vlad wants to do is simply have Riko at his side--this mystery has finally been solved. To Vlad, Riko--possesses both superior genes and the same rare blood type as the vampires. Hence, having Riko equates to killing two birds with one stone. But Hilda seems to be unaware of this. "Actually... Riko Mine, I know your blood type. It was Yatsuro-sensei who told me. --As a doctor, no matter what kinds of villain, I cannot stand by idly and watch a person die. Life is precious." Hey. You've got some cheek saying that, Watson. You tried to kill me just yesterday. "But I won't force you to donate your blood, Riko. Winner takes all, and the loser submits... Although it is an unwritten rule that the defeated party in a war is to follow the wishes of the victor, but I hope Hilda doesn't have to obey this rule." Is there such a rule in war... Turning the topic aside, when Hilda recovers, will she be forcibly shoved to me? That violent Ojou-sama is extremely troublesome. She has already created problems for someone (me) once. "And, Hilda has been in E.U. to study for a period of time, perhaps if we can talk to her, she might be willing to testify in court for Kanae Kanzaki-san." Watson was nervously observing Riko's reactions... Staying silent for a while, Riko suddenly looked at Aria... Then, she extended her arm towards Watson. "--Ok. Will you draw my blood now?" As Aria was about to praise Riko, Riko blushed and averted her gaze. "This... this is nothing--it's not because I want to repay my debt of gratitude towards Aria. This, that's.... because there's no reason to let that person die. Riko will only kill those who must be killed. Since Ki-kun said 'there's no need to repay anything', then I'm really not going to do anything. I'll just be an affectionate thief!" Saying this, Riko swished her head to one side. That's good. It looks like the usual Riko now. "That's right. You're a great thief. Thanks for everything, Miss Phantom Thief." (This is spoken in french) Aria chuckled as she replied in french. Leaving instructions on other matters for Watson to carry out, she left the ICU with me. We started heading back to the Dorms under the brilliant sunrise. As both Aria and myself kept yawning non-stop due to lack of sleep, we occasionally bumped into each other while walking somewhat unsteadily. "I say, Riko... may be petite but she has a big heart. She did save Hilda in the end." "That kid is gentle by nature, and fragile when dealing with emotions. Although she very strict with herself, but she's gentle to other people." Aria, if you can notice such things, then you should learn something out of it. Especially the part on being "gentle to other people"! "Regardless, we've won our first battle. Even though not all our members were involved in the fight, it's still a victory for Team Baskerville." "You're right. Even though there were some heated friction within our team during the battle." "It's fine, even if there's friction, even if there's some displeasure within the team, but we will still fight as one when the situation calls for it. This the meaning of the team. With all that, the unity of our team will become even closer." Saying all these, Aria placed both hands on her hips, and looked up at me accusingly. "But we can never be too careless, Kinji. You fall prey very easily to Riko's charms. Riko still sees us as her opponents, and may still confront us with raised guns." Fall prey easily to her charms... Aria mentioned this out of the blue. But due to my past track records, I have no way refuting her words. What Aria said has some truth in it. Riko is a person who acts based on her feelings. She may have helped us last night, but who knows when she will start a fight with us again. "Ahh... Riko has been turning into our enemy and our friend for twice now. If there's a second time, then there will be a third. Although she may have helped us this time, once the third time comes... she'll be fighting us again." I said, as I walked and yawn at the same time. "If there's a fourth time, she'll be helping us then. Riko and the two of us are probably the type of people who get along better the more we fight." "Uhn. Maybe. So, can you do it? We'll be teammates with her from now on--" "Ah, of course I can. Even if there's someone we have to be cautious about among our companions, it isn't too bad. I can still tolerate this kind of things. Frenemies... I guess every high school student will have this kind of relationship with at least one person." "Uhn, maybe. That's remarkable, Kinji. Well done." "It's nothing, but usually, as long as the opponent doesn't have a gun, it's still safe even if it's an enemy." I patted on the Beretta at the waist with my hand. But my elbow collided with the shoulder of Aria who was so tired she was basically staggering ... Bump. Some cloth-like thing fell out from within Aria's blouse. "......?' Both of us looked besides our feet..... It was something cloth-like, or something made of cloth that had dropped on the ground. The cloth was full of holes, old and worn, with childish poker-card patterns printed on it. There were even a few strands of something like silk threads on the cloth. "--!" .......This, this is......! The thing destroyed by Hilda's chainsaw, Aria, Aria's br... bra!! Already torn and tattered into pieces, the bra was still forcibly being worn. And unfortunately due to my elbow, finally-- The bra resting on the flat chest could no longer persevere, dropping out of the blouse, resting in pieces (pun intended). Crackle crackle!!! A killing intent comparable to Hilda's electric shock was directed at me from Aria. ".....Kin....ji.....!! You, you, you....., pervert......!!!" I felt as if my mortified expression can already be used for my funeral's black and white portrait. With her face as red as a baboon's bottom, Aria was in a state of fury. "On this, this kind of road! In public! You still do such things to me!!" Swiftly and suddenly, like an eagle hunting a rabbit, Aria clutched the ragged bra, of which the padding could be clearly seen, in her hands.... ......Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr....... She's 10,000 times more terrifying than Hilda's lightning orb, with a killing intent super-heated like flowing magma. "No, no....! This, that.... you can't blame me! It should be Hilda's fault!" "It's useless to say anything now! --Windhole Cannon! Prepare for launch!" 'Guru'--'da da da'--! Aria ran in a reverse direction from me. The windhole this time... ah.... it's a new one! She still has some hidden "goods"! Once Aria reached a sufficient distance for her run-up, she turned around, looking extremely frightening. Then, 'da da da da da da', she charged towards me at a speed faster than the current World Record for sprinting--'Pa'!! "Fire--!!" 5 meters away from me, she twisted her body and jumped up. This is the windhole cannon--turning one's own body into a cannon ball, and then using your head to smash into the body of your opponent.....! And right now I'm simply a normal person. With no way of using 'Slingshot' to make Aria perform a U-turn, I simply stood there rooted to the spot. Like a real cannonball, Aria flew towards me in a spiraling fashion, with her head already right before my eyes. I could see the slow-motion replay of my death scene.... behind Aria, the Sky Tree which looked very small due to the distance, was hidden from view by her spiraling twin-tails. --To everyone in Ambulace. When Riko is discharged from ICU.... can I make the reservations to be next? Perhaps due to the effects of global warming, the typhoon season came and ended much earlier for this year. Thanks to this phenomenon, there were clear skies almost everyday for autumn this year, giving rise to a fair weather season with bountiful harvests of fruits. Several days later, I went to the cafeteria. It was stocked with melons, pears, peaches and all kinds of fruits. (What I'm missing now is money....) But right now, I get to to eat a big beef steak. When lessons ended, Watson invited me to the cafeteria and gave me a treat. She seemed to want to apologize for all the nasty things she said to me at the Sky Tree. What an honest guy. This is my first time having beef steak... and the ones prepared in the cafeteria were really good. Not having my lunch turned out to be a good thing. Well, like somebody said, a meal tastes best when you're starving. It's already 3pm, and there were hardly any students in the cafeteria. So it was very quiet, and the place had a relaxed atmosphere. "...You should eat something as well." I said to Watson who was sitting opposite myself, drinking only red tea. "I've already eaten during lunch." "As long as you feel fine.... It feels like I'm ill-treating you, having you drink only tea in front of such delicious food." "This is a habit of mine. You don't have to mind me. English nobles always adhere to tea time, even in times of war." "But Aria only drinks stuff when she feels like drinking." "....Aria belongs to the Holmes family, she's probably not very receptive towards nobility training." Watson was wearing the boy's uniform, elegantly sipping the red tea. "I know that your arranged marriage with Aria has been... annulled. Also, I've basically heard some basic things about the situation in the Watson family." "Wasn't she angry?" "She said 'So I guess that's that.'. She seems very much relieved." "That's really like Aria's style." I rested while drinking tea that was provided for free. "But, about that.... I'm a ...." Although no one else was around, a blushing Watson still looked around for confirmation, before saying softly "girl". "....I didn't say anything about this. I can't tell her. It's too embarrassing...." "I think that's the correct thing to do. She might become overly-confused and start shooting if you told her." After that, Watson started fidgeting and not saying anything..... So I changed the topic. "I guess Riko is fine now. She came to school today just like usual." "Sensei at Ambulace gave her a thorough examination. There were all sorts of detailed tests, so she has recovered completely. What's more worrying... is Hilda." "What happened. Did her appearance worsen?" "No. She has regained consciousness, and her body condition is slowly improving." "Then she threw a tantrum?" "Exactly the opposite. At first she got off the bed and tried to escape, and even bit the nurse, it was a real headache.... But after knowing she was saved because of Riko, she suddenly became obedient. She never speaks, and seems to be constantly thinking about something." "....Anyway, let me know if she escapes. This time I'm going after her in a tank." As I joked, I stood up from my seat. The events on the Sky Tree--including the power outage caused by Hilda, was labelled as the 'Lightning Incident' by news reports. Although the details given by the media was vague, it was probably because Aria was involved, and the Foreign Affairs Department stepped in once again. In preparation for the Cultural Festival, classes today were cut short. Besides the "Cosplay Cafeteria", I didn't have anything else to do. So after finishing my late lunch, I asked Watson for a lift back to the dorm. Having eaten my fill, I felt very energized. But as I was going back, there's nothing for me to expend my energy on. "Well.... Tohyama. Will a meal for lunch really be enough?" Watson asked while driving the car. "....What?" "Well.... You didn't do anything to me to get your revenge. Before this I used all sorts of dirty and cunning tricks to make your life miserable. So will this be enough?" "It's enough. You're a woman right. Exacting vengeance on women is not what a man does." Once I finished talking, Watson's face inexplicably started turning red. Did I answer wrongly? I really have no clue as to what kind of answers will be the right one for women. "But.... you still hate me right?" "It's nothing. Using energy on hatred and pain is a waste of life." I said as I yawned, adjusting the back of the passenger seat slightly down. Honestly speaking, I feel that things like taking revenge is just too troublesome. I'll leave to that the other me. This me will be taking a Hands Off policy. "No..... No, Tohyama. You need to take some form of revenge. Or I won't be able to let go." .....What a troublesome fellow..... "Ahh--... I only remember grudges arising from food, but that has been resolved today, so it's ok now." "No no! You have to make me pay for something else, until we can call it even!" Watson's face went red again, shaking her head side to side like a wave drum. Hmm. What a stubborn girl. But, you should stop fooling around now. When you move, I can smell a cinnamon-like scent. ".....What should I do then." I had no choice but to ask. "You can do whatever you want. You can tie me up and give me a beating. Stuff like that." ........ "Ahh--.... You.... don't happen to have a fetish, so you...?" "Fetish....? ......! You, you, what nonsense are you saying! You pervert! I, I, I have never thought of such shameless things! Never never!" "Are you trying to get me killed, don't take your hands off the steering wheel!" With the Porsche slightly weaving left and right, I felt that it was beginning to threaten my life..... I finally got Watson, who was crying out in a weird manner, to focus on driving the car. Watson stopped the car in a strange place. "Get out of the car!" I obeyed and got off the car.... Opposite the yellow leaves fluttering across the sky, I could see the Selective Arts Building. The building contained an art room, music room, calligraphy and such, all in one place. In a place like Butei High, where tastes for the arts have no connection whatsoever, there was no sign of anyone. It was a place almost perpetually free of human habitation. It's the same today, despite Watson inviting me here to this place. The hall of the building was empty. "What are we doing here." "Well... Tohyama, I may be the type of person who has become shameless from doing bad things... But actually... I have a request for you." "A request for me?" After making sneak glances around the empty building again, Watson tilted her head and said-- "I hope you can keep it a secret." Blushing, she brought her palms together, as if praying to me. "What secret." "I hope.... you won't tell anyone else about the fact that I'm a girl....!" With some effort, Watson raised her head to look at me, her eyes wet. So this is why she keeps forcing me to take revenge on her. In any case, she wants to use that as a form of payment to keep my mouth sealed. Then I should say it. After all, there's no civil agreement on 'calling it even'. (Even though I never intended to spread the information around....) But since she became so meek.... it made me felt like bullying her for a bit. "Hmm, what to do." The moment I struck a fake pose of thinking about it, Watson immediately straightened her back. Clasping both hands and bringing them up and down, she said "Please, please, please don't tell anyone! I will announce it to everyone in school eventually, but it's still too early for me now....! I'm not ready with my preparations to appear publicly as a girl." The panicking Watson... even the normal me understood. --Is really cute. So far until now, she's a type of girl that has never appeared around me. She looks just like a boy, and for a misogynist like me, is therefore a girl whom I can hold a proper conversation with. But.... this guy may turn out to be a surprisingly dangerous existence as well. "........" Becoming somewhat wrong-footed, I didn't say anything, so Watson's expression became even more grim. She suddenly turned around and left the hall, walking towards the Porsche parked along the side of the road. Then, after taking a large paper bag from the boot of the car, she ran back. "Hey, hey. Where are we going?" I asked, as Watson grabbed my wrist and forcefully dragged me to the Art Preparation Room on the 2nd floor in silence. Pulling me in along, Watson went inside the preparation room. The preparation room was filled with plaster figures used as models for sketching, and painting canvases of all sizes. The actual art room was empty. The curtains were drawn, so it was a bit dark... Click. Watson locked the door. "Hey....!" What's, what's up? Watson took off her jacket, removing her tie, she's taking off her clothes! Then-- With her back facing me, she even removed her belt and took off her shoes. "Look... look away!" Watson said. "--!" She pulled down her zip, and removed the pants in one breath! Because all this time I had treated her as a boy, I had gotten careless. My reactions were delayed. Although I swiftly turned away... but for an instant I saw it. Pure, pure white bloomers. Watson, why are you wearing bloomers there. Ah, no, that--I understand, due to the structure of your lower body, that's more suitable. But if you're disguising yourself then you should be more thorough! (Damn, Damn it....!) The image of her bottom enveloped by the pure white bloomers became seared into my mind. The smooth curves, symmetrical like a peach--the butt. That's definitely a body curvature only girls have. No no, Kinji--now isn't the time to be analyzing this! (I must get out of here quickly....!) Forcing myself to come back to my senses, I hurriedly ran towards the door. Whoosh! A matte black knife flew out from behind me, piercing straight into the door lock. That's dangerous! "--No running! The one who should.. should be running away is me!" "Then you should escape quickly! Watson, what are you planning to do!" 'Ka-chik Ka-chik' Twisting the door knob only created noise. Even though it was damaged, but I couldn't open it. Forming a prayer in my heart, I rested my forehead against the door, confirming my bloodflow. Not... not good. Danger. It's at amber alert now. The seared image was still playing in my mind, whatever it is, I have to forget about the underwear first--and force the beautiful thighs seen along with it out of my mind as well. Those legs well and truly belong to a girl. No wonder its a body with 27% body fat. Soft and tender, with a smooth and glossy feel, emitting the sparkle of moisture.... Her skin was sheer like silk, and smooth like milk. But.. But.....! Calm down Kinji. There's nothing extraordinary about thighs. If you think about it clearly, aren't the girls in Butei High always showing their thighs. There's nothing to be afraid of, there's nothing to be afraid of. Yes... nothing to be afraid of..... "Look at me, Tohyama!" Just as I was trying very hard to perform self suggestion, Watson had to call out to me. "--Don't be silly! I refuse!" "I'll attack you if you don't look at me!" "....!" Although I was on the verge of entering Hysteria mode--but I haven't changed yet. If we were to fight now, I'll definitely collapse from the first blow. "......." I fearfully turned my head while standing in front of the door. "......!" Bang! My back hit the door while trying to back away. Although Watson told me to look at her, but her back was still facing me-- She has already taken off her white shirt, and have undone the bandage-like cloth binding around her chest. The soft and delicate frame of her back increased yet another image into my mind. Her porcelain skin carried an air of nobility, vivid and brilliant like what you see in manga. "My father--had me raised and nurtured as a boy. When I was little, if any of my actions were feminine in any slightest way, I'd be punished severely." Watson described her past with her back facing me, while I had my mouth open and was tongue tied. "So I had to forget that I am a woman. But... starting from around 13, 14 years old.... every time I see novels or movies describing romance, I would project my own feelings and emotions into the female characters... Indeed, I'm still aware that I'm a woman." Rustle, rustle. Watson turned towards me, and from the paper bag beside her feet... Took out a pure white bra and placed it on her chest. "Uhn.... Uhn...." Perhaps being unaccustomed to this, she took quite long to secure the small hooks behind the bra. "... I carried a yearning for women clothes, and occasionally will hide from my father the fact that I wanted to pose girl-like actions in front of mirrors. But... I couldn't do it. Every time I tried to do it, the shadows from my youth would surface. I'm still very afraid. As for appearing in front of people in women clothes..." Finished wearing the bra, Watson "Sssss---", "Fuuu----"started taking in deep breaths-- She appeared to have her mind set on something as she walked towards me. ".......!" --A girl. --She's really a girl. Watson adjusted her bra cup carelessly, and as if I was trying to verify something, I looked at her--within that thin piece of cloth were her slightly protruding breasts. The shape was not too big and not too small, and well proportioned for both left and right breasts, the external appearance was a beautiful bowl shape. They weren't flat like Aria's, nor were they huge like Shirayuki's. It's a very suitable size for female high school students. Looking at it was like looking at a dazzling display of precious gems. From her breasts to her attractive navel, all the way down to the lower half of her body, there were no excess meat on her body. Her hands and legs were very long as well, and her body proportions were just right. She was like one of the sketch models in the art room. Allowing people to feel a healthy kind of beauty, and absolutely not have anyone feel odd or disgusted. Maybe because of this reason, even though I'm aware that I was dangerously on the verge of entering Hysteria mode, but it was nothing like the feeling of dread caused by Riko, Shirayuki and the others when they are forcing themselves on me. Furthermore, she had boyish short hair as well. It feels--like I can still control it. I must work hard....! "First time meeting you... I can say this right. This is the real me. I haven't stood in front of anyone as a girl. You're the first." Watson was extremely nervous herself, her skin--was slowing turning pink. But, even though you're very manly (but actually a woman) to show off your bra, but please don't come any closer. Very good. Just stop there. "If you want to tell everyone that I'm a woman--then I better become a woman as early as possible." ".....?" "The reason I am unable to show myself in front of people in women's clothes is due to psychological stress. So we can use shock therapy to overcome it. You'll have to do it. And I can repay you with these kinds of actions." "Shock therapy...? What's that." "It's... those.. things that you'll do to make me feel like I'm a woman. Those--things that will make me painfully aware that I'm a woman..... I, I'm a noble, so I can't show it directly.... You'll just have to do to me the things you usually do to girls.... do, do it!" ......? ............? I don't get it....! "This way, I will become aware. I will revert back to being a girl. For this.... I must personally experience that I'm a woman. So you... let me, become a woman!"" "You say become a woman.... but you have always been a woman!" "Haven't you been listening to a single word I said!?" "I heard! I've been listening, right in front of your eyes!" Wanting a quick and early release, I spoke in a rage-- Watson pressed her raspberry colour lips tightly, her expression becoming serious. "Tohyama.... Is it because you care about how I feel? It's.... all right. Although it's a bad time to say this now, but... that night, I felt... I, if it was you--I wouldn't mind. You can do it." Suddenly, Watson's voice was mixed with something very feminine--I started to back away. I... I can do what. The both of us once fought tooth and nail against each other. "Even if you don't know the details, I think you'll be able find out how relying on your natural instincts along the way. Leave the specific instructions to me, I've seen the medical books. Basic know-how is available there." Ri.... Ridiculous. The shock therapy to turn Watson into a girl, actually includes compensation for me. She seems to want me to do something which can kill two birds with one stone.... Judging from how she has been showing me so much skin and from her words--it seems to be some form of medical procedure--but am I a doctor? "So what now. Tohyama. As a man, are you scared?" "No, no. Rather than scared.... I don't get it. What is it you are trying to tell me?" "You.. you don't understand?! I've already done all this....!" Watson's indomitable eyes widened into circles from shock. "I've only allowed you, because it's you... to see me like this. Even so, you still have no idea?" "......" Watson looked at the speechless me in shock, she then sighed deeply. " 'Not eating meat already at the mouth is the shame of a man' . Japan seems to have this idiom as well.... But for you, not only do you not eat the meat already at your mouth, you're a man who doesn't even eat the meat being willingly fed to you by others. It seems that it's obvious your relationship with so many girls is in name only, and you've never made any progress with a single one of them." What a busybody. Is this guy sick? Why must I go out with girls and achieve progress with them! "If so, then we don't have to do shock therapy, let's switch to training." "Training....?" While I was still in the state of confusion, Watson changed the topic. "Yes. It's.... I'll use you for 'Woman Training'. I think you need 'Man Training' as well, so you can use me for the training. Fortunately we're friends of the opposite sex, so we can use each other for this training. That aside, until the training is over, you must keep the secret that I'm actually a girl. What do you say?" Whatever. I have no intention of telling anyone anyway.... Watson started taking out the sailor uniform for the "Cosplay Cafeteria". Excellent. She seems to be putting on the clothes. Please continue doing so! "Ye.. yeah. Let's begin the training." Whatever it is I'll just nod my head in agreement first, so she will continue putting clothes back on. "I brought the uniform along because I felt it could be of use during the shock therapy. Looks like my decision was correct." She started putting on her skirt. Very good. The biggest crisis of the day seems to be past me now. "From now on I'll occasionally carry out the 'Woman Training' and your 'Man Training' here. Although we're of the opposite sex, but we'll probably get along fine. But this will be a secret between the both of us." Watson suddenly extended her finger and pointed it at me.... As Watson is a bishoujo with an extremely boyish appearance, so once she wore her clothes properly--the urge to resist reduced substantially. It's just like what she said, she isn't like a girl--this includes the way she talks and her mannerisms. If this was a horse race to compare how womanly they are, then compared to Aria, who is at least 10 horses length behind Shirayuki and Riko, Watson is even further behind. With her looking like a bishounen wearing a sailor uniform, it made me felt calm like I was in the presence of another male. Maybe she's really the type among girls who I can best get along with-- In terms of safety for Hysteria mode. "Ah, regardless--I understand when you say we can get along. But, what's your so-called training." "Oh yes.... then Tohyama. Right now, this place shall be an open field in Spring time." "Huh?" What... is she talking about? "Look. The dandelions has bloomed. It's beautiful. Ah ha ha." Watson pointed at the floor as if acting. Was it me, or did her smile just now seemed very feminine. But it felt a bit childish though. "Is.. is there something wrong with you, Watson." I asked worriedly. BOP!! Watson swung a short hook at my lower jaw. "You're the one with a problem! This is character simulation! You should know this even if you're a Butei! Here I'm playing a girl, and you're supposed to be a boy interacting with the me playing a girl!" "Girls don't unreservedly throw such perfect short hooks! Plus, since I'm a boy, then--what am I supposed to do. You teach me." "Huh?!" "Don't 'huh' me. I have no problems with the character simulation, you demonstrate first." Character simulation--refers to having a few people act out different roles in a setting, of which the purpose is to be able to play out such scenarios when encountered in real life. To put bluntly, it's like a game. However, it's able to unexpectedly yield positive results when put into use before any infiltration missions to obtain evidence. As such, it has become a compulsory subject for Informa, CVR and so on in Butei High. "It's, that's.... well, it's to be able to naturally get closer as a man and woman." "I have no way of behaving naturally when alone with girls. How should we go about doing this? I can do the simulation, but you have to give me a direction." "Well, I've already said--you be the man, and interact with the me as a girl, and... love me." "Lo... love... this is insane..." "If you don't love me, I'll get angry!" Watson said with her face reddened. I can feel she's starting to get angry. What a hot-headed person. However, in the short time we've fought before, I could tell that she knows boxing. And her boxing skills are far beyond amateur level competitors. Even professional boxers can't let down their guard against her. In order not to infuriate her, I'll have to make up something on the spot. "Well.... let's not set it at an open field. It's too unexpected. It's difficult to simulate outdoor actions while in an actual indoor setting." "That's true. Then, then let's set this place as my room." "This is more like it, but I don't know the layout of your room." "A rough impression will do. There's a table here, and because there's only one dressing chair here, so when Grandmother comes over--it can't be helped, the two of us can only sit on the bed. This will be the bed. Tohyama, come, sit beside me." Watson sat on a stack of canvas sheets about 60 cm thick. "......" You.... really were raised as a boy. What setting is this. Although it's a character simulation, but there's actually a girl bringing a boy to her room, and both of them are sitting on the bed. She obviously hasn't realized the seriousness of the situation. "Well, it should be ok like this." But as I didn't want to be beaten up, I had no choice but to sit down. The canvas sheets made a poof sound as it was pressed down, it was really like sitting on an actual bed. Hearing the sound, Watson suddenly became somewhat alarmed. Through the sound, she seemed to start thinking about the present situation, and instantly realized there was something wrong with the setting. "......." Sitting with her legs slightly open, Watson hurriedly closed up her legs, using her hands to defensively grip the ends of her skirt. Holding on to the edge of the canvas sheet, she started becoming so rigid she couldn't speak... ".........." Without an opportunity to speak I became silent as well. This is getting bad again. ....It's too realistic. Although I don't have any practical experience with this kind of things, but when actually in a girl's room--if the boy and girl are in this situation, both of them will become quiet. "Toh... Tohyama. Say something! Something natural and manly." Watson, who was directing just now, looked to me for help now that she's in a predicament. I became very angry at her irresponsible way of acting. "... If you want me to act like a man, then you must talk like a girl as well!" I reminded Watson, who had not immersed herself fully into the character simulation since just now. "Li.. like a girl? Then I'll start with addressing myself in the fir... first person. If I say 'Atashi' . it'll be a bit too much." ".... I think I'll use 'boku' to address myself, there are some girls who do this." "Sit... sitting with a boy on... on a bed... just.. just like a girl...." Watson was mumbling, like trying to give hints to herself..... Even in the slight darkness of the room I could see she was completely red from head to toe. Drip, drip. She was starting to sweat. ".... Toh... Tohyama. You, you say something." Watson was still somewhat afraid. She was trembling lightly as she spoke using a girl's manner of speech-- Maybe it was due to her manner of speech, but I suddenly felt a girl has appeared. No, she's a girl in actual fact. (....Not good.....) I've said unnecessary things. Just thinking that she's a girl, I felt that she has become unusually cute. This is getting bad..... Even though I know we are doing character simulation, but now it seems that I'm really sitting on a bed with a girl. ".....Eve.. even if you ask me to say something, I don't really have much to talk about...." "Then, why did you come here, to my room...." "Why I came... you, you asked me to..." "I.. I did not! Don't put it in such a vulgar manner! It's embarrassing." Watson lowered her head, the fringe on her forehead moving slightly. I could smell a slight cinnamon scent from Watson whose eyes were now closed. (Not.. not good.....!) Regardless whether it's perfume or something else, it just smells too nice. As it isn't like the fragrance of Aria's gardenia scent, Shirayuki's sandalwood scent, Riko's vanilla scent and Reki's mint scent, so I got careless for the moment. Now I have unexpectedly breathed in large amounts of this fragrant scent. Ba-dum.... My blood flow was beginning to increase to dangerous levels. However, it was until now that I noticed--I have very low immunity towards the scent of girls. Maybe it's because my sense of smell is better than most people. Don't tell me I'm a dog. "It's.. it's still a bit early, no matter what... let's do it quickly!" I--I'm really--a HUGE IDIOT!! Why did I have to make a mistake here! Plus it's the lethal kind! As Watson seem to be having a hard time, and this place was very secluded, so I wanted to end this character simulation as soon as possible. Originally I wanted to say 'Let's go quickly".... but I actually said "Let's do it quickly" instead!! --Do what!? Raising her head with a questioning expression on her face, Watson's eyes just happened to meet my eyes while I was in a state of panic. Fwoosh!! Due to the both of us shifting our bodies in a fluster, the canvas sheets which were already stacked unsteadily collapsed backwards. "Kyaaaa!!" Shocked, Watson emitted a girl-like scream. "Oh.....!" Afraid that Watson will hit the large canvas sheets if she fell along with it, I extended my hand, to allow her to lower her body as I shielded her. "!" ".....!" How did things turn out this way....!? I was holding Watson's head, and she was hugging my body tightly. We had finally put the "procedures to take when about to fall" lessons learned in Assault to actual use. In the crook of my arm, Watson lifted her eyes and stared at me.... Watson..... "--Pffff--" I suddenly laughed out. You look so cute. Little kitten. " 'Do to me the things you usually do to girls'--Watson, you definitely said that just now." ".....! It's, it's fine. Even if we switch to shock therapy now....! I was raised as a boy, so I have a high tolerance level. You can do whatever you want..." "Then--so be it." Facing me who had changed drastically in the look in my eyes and my manner of speaking-- Watson closed both eyes shut, and as if in a dream, was mumbling "Together with a man, becoming a woman with a man..." Haha, you're really like a woman like this. Very womanly. "Ah, ah, I'm so nervous, so excited, my heart is going to jump out of my throat....! I'm becoming.... a girl... becoming.... Tohyama's.... woman!" I gently carried Watson up, whose words carried some fear in it. "Elle Watson. Allow me to teach you one thing." ".....?" Sitting back on the canvas sheets, Watson stared at me blankly with wide eyes. "The things usually done to girls--is to be gentle." Getting off the canvas sheets, I smiled as I told Watson. Imitating the western etiquette seen in movies--I knelt on one knee. "Although Elle has proposed an excellent invitation, but being rough on ladies whom are frightened is not allowed." Suddenly being addressed by her first name, Watson had a startled expression. I could almost hear the sound of her heart beating. Or to put it more accurately, I did hear it--using my ears in Hysteria mode. "How, how rude! I, I wasn't scared!" Being a bit rude, I looked at Watson's knees as she stood in front of me... They were shaking. I gave a wry smile. It's really too forced. "We shall end here today. Training needs to be carried out in stages. If we progress too fast, it won't be good for the bodies of both parties." "But, if it's like this, my compensation for you...." "Elle. You have to be more beautiful than the sculptures of goddesses in the arts room." "... You, you, all of a sudden, what... what are you saying....! Don't make fun of me...!" "Did I look like I was making fun of you? Elle is very beautiful." As I looked at Watson sincerely, her hands were pressing on her chest in shock. "Me, me... beau.. beautiful....!? This is the first time in my life someone has said that to me...." "Elle, you have let me seen your beautiful figure, so for my compensation--that alone will be sufficient." As if by accident, I touched Watson's shoulder. To calm her down further, I gently caressed her head. This--what's this beating sound coming from Watson's heart. Even in Hysteria mode, there are still many things regarding the female body that I don't understand. "And, I'm very happy you told me that 'I can do anything I want'--" While narrating praises is a natural instinct of mine, but the statement just now, was astonishing even for myself. "It's good... that.. you're hap.. happy. Then...." Watson was finally ending the training as well.... As she held the boy's uniform which she took off just now in her hands, I silently back-faced her. "To, today we shall end here. From now on when you have the desire, come look for me for practice. It doesn't matter if it's after school or during lessons. As long as it's a place with no one else around. If you feel up to it... we can proceed into shock therapy from training too." "Ok, ok" I agreed wryly until Watson was done talking. Once the mood started to ease slightly-- "Tohyama... in order not to ruin the mood just now, I've kept this matter towards the end.... The 'Far Eastern War'--" The term made my gaze sharpened instantly. --Far Eastern War Proceeding behind the back of the entire world--the invisible war between "Deen" and "Grenada". So this is what she wanted to talk about. "The battles from now on will only intensify. Because you chose 'Deen', you have chosen a path with a tough road ahead. Even if I want to go on the run..... I have already joined the battle. Because it's already a fact that I defeated Hilda who was in "Grenada". ".... I'm used to dealing with all sorts of problems." I hardened my resolve and answered. Hearing my words, Watson's hands, which were in the midst of putting the uniform back on, came to a pause. After a moment, she said: "Liberty Mason will take the side of "Deen". This is the Council's--decision. From now on I will be on your side as well." "It will be very dependable with you around." For a very long time I have always hoped to have a Butei from the medical faculty as a companion. That's because we get injured frequently. --Butei in the medical faculty are split into Ambulace and Medica, Tokyo Butei High has set up separate departments for Ambulace and Medica to carry out their own separate training. Ambulace focuses on coming up with treatments for wounded personnel admitted into Butei Hospital, and Medica carries out emergency aid and rescue at the scene of the incident... To make a comparison, students in Ambulace play the roles of doctors and nurses, while students in Medica play the roles of paramedics and first-aiders. Once a companion has fallen, even in situations with gun battles playing out, a medical Butei must rush to that person's side. As such, they are required to have high levels of fighting techniques--that's definitely nothing to nitpick about with Watson. It's just that.... "But the application for teams in Butei High has already ended. There will be some difficulties with Elle joining Team Baskerville. I guess you should know that the IADA follows their doctrine very strictly. Once a team has been formed, unless a member is KIA or resigns, resulting in a shortfall of numbers, we're not allowed to switch members. Although Elle can be employed as external support, but the fees for Medical Butei are quite substantial--" "--I have already received my fee." "......?" "I have collected Hilda's wings and tissues of Hilda's Demon Entrails. All first-rate materials in a demon's armament. As long as you give me these, I can sign a 1 year support contract with you. Those things which are useless to me, well, if Watson feels that it's alright... I can obtain invaluable strength. "Then we are in your hands. From now on you'll be the Medical Butei for Team Baskerville." "--It's a deal. Send me the Contract once it's marked with Baskerville's stamp. And.... while treating Hilda, I recovered an item. She was hiding it." Saying this, Watson poked me in the shoulder, I turned around-- Watson, already dressed in the male uniform, was holding a small box. She opened the box--inside was a small gemstone. It looks like a ruby... except it's dark red. "This is the crystallized 'Golden Shell'--one of the seven stars. Tamamo will be coming back very soon, so I think we can place this back in Aria's body then. --Golden Shell. It's used to block all contact between the Hihiirokane and the human heart. There's 2 in Aria's chest now, if we have 4 more..... Aria will become what Tamamo had said, no longer an existence that will bring forth terror. But, the 4 stars have been taken by "Grenada". I must get them back. No matter how-- ### 006. 4th Ammo - Cultural Festival Day 1 -Carnaval Via- ## 4th Ammo: Cultural Festival Day 1 -Carnaval Via- Another few days have passed--October 30th. Butei High's cultural festival for this year has started. Coming out from the dorm, you can see that the sidewalks of the Academy Island had become a pedestrian paradise, full of people from outside the school. Both sides of the roads were set up with all kinds of shops, even people from Assault and Dagula opened up to everyone else in a calm manner. (..... All the dangerous items have been stored underground.) During preparations for the cultural festival, there will be a massive clean up, adjustments will also be made for the decoration of the facilities. This is due to the fact that interviews will be taking place during the cultural festival, and to avoid leaving negative impressions on the parents of special elementary and middle school students with an interest in enrolling into Butei High, these preparations beforehand are absolutely necessary. Just that, all these troublesome work are the responsibility of the First Years. The internal ranking system in Butei High is as strict as those in the military. In Butei High, there are even words like these being spread around: First Years are slaves, Second Years are demons, Third Years are the Kings of Hell..... Last year, I had no choice but to constantly pick up empty cartridges in Assault as well. (The cultural festival lasts for two days.... The mission for this year is only the Cosplay Cafeteria for today, and tomorrow should be free activity.) Strolling in the school grounds, from a distance I could see promotional posters for the cultural festival pasted all over the place. These promotional posters were collected from students in Butei High. There were oil paintings, illustration-styled drawings, strong graphics created by computers.... more than several dozen of different styles. (Every one of them is pretty well done....) There are serial numbers marked on each promotional drawing, and observers can vote using their cellphones, appraising the promotional drawings through their votes. When the drawings were being collected, Jeanne immediately rushed over upon hearing the news, giving me quite a scare. "Even though I know I can win, but I should still draw one and participate." Although this is what Jeanne the artist said, her face was simply overflowing with the desire to create. "If you say you know you can win and still participate, then that's just too childish." Using such reasons, I managed to convince her not to participate in the competition--that was close! If Jeanne's horrific-beyond-imagination drawing was publicly displayed, the public might suffer mental trauma, and if things worsened we might even be sued in court. That's right. This is part of my job as a Butei--"To avert a disaster before it begins", dealing with the problem without anyone else knowing. (.... If I report this to the Masters, maybe I can get an academic credit?) As I thought about it seriously, I walked along the school grounds that were filled with a festive mood. In a warehouse belonging to Logi, children were gathered together, sitting on the pilot's seat in a helicopter. The Snipe's Airgun shooting corner and the SSR's Museum of Ancient History were attracting large crowds as well. The musical performed by CVR has been renowned for a very long time, with even professionals in the industry admitting to being inferior. On the day of the musical, long queues snaked before the ticketing booths. It was probably because CVR has quite a number of beautiful young girls, the absurdly highly-priced tickets were sold out in a flash. The cafeteria where students usually leave a mess all over after eating, was wiped clean for the "Cosplay Cafeteria" that will be held in the morning today. During the Cosplay Cafeteria, the training results of the students carrying out their missions to infiltrate and search for evidence would be clearly shown. As such, if successful, it seems that the Masters will give an "Outstanding" grade in the internal reports for the students involved in the activity. For a problem student like me who worries constantly about academic credits, this is a job worth doing seriously. But.... "Welcome!" A girl's voice came from outside. Ranbyou, who had come to check on the results of the cosplay, ordered me to work in the kitchen. "There's no police officer with such a gloomy look in his eyes." Waving her fists, she uttered her judgement--but I must disagree. Things like the look in one's eyes are due to what a person is born with, it can't be changed that easily. Ranbyou-san. Recently, as friends in Informa had told me... One day I will expose the fact that you registered an account for yourself on a social website for making friends, and even gave yourself an online name called "Ranran". And you still have the cheek to write that you like reading books in your personal information column. Besides books on gambling tips and gossip magazines, I've never seen you touch any other type of printed media. And you actually wrote down age as 18. If you look at the face alone, she's really beautiful, so there are actually victims who have been deceived by her attractive external appearance and dated the female gorilla. I must meet out the justice of heaven. ... Thinking about this, I was stirring the stewed vegetables in the pot, feeling very depressed. "The fire's too small!" Wearing a fireman uniform, Muto was mumbling as he fidgeted with the sides of the pot. Hearing this, Ranbyou shouted, "Firemen risk their lives in their work, how can there be such a chatty fellow!", and at the same time, kicked Muto almost 3 meters away. Speaking of which, doesn't the school already have kitchen staff in the first place? There's no need for everyone to change costumes in the first place at all. This school has very poor planning. With pent-up grudges and dissatisfaction in me, I spent another hour making stewed vegetables and pasta. Coming in for the afternoon shift, Hiraga who was a girl, was caught by Ranbyou with one hand and swung in a circle in mid-air. The angry looking Hiraga had her feet twisted in an impossible direction, her tendon had probably been injured by Ranbyou. Our violent teacher does not go easy on anyone, including girls. "What the hell, Hiraga--anyone is stronger than you, can you at least increase your height somewhat?" "Aiya, aiyaya!" As Ranbyou was saying such offensive words, she placed Hiraga into an empty pot, then looked around at me and Muto. "Come to think of it, two people will be enough for the kitchen. So, who goes to the mess hall...." While Muto was tugging away at Hiraga's shiny skirt to drag her out from the pot, I made use of the opportunity to open my mouth and talk. "Sensei, I, no, this Police Officer has deeply reflected on his past actions while in the kitchen, and will never be lazy again." Speaking softly to her, I intentionally added in Ranbyou's online name. Following my conversation, Ranbyou, who was facing in the direction of Muto suddenly froze. Like suddenly pressing a 'Pause' button, even her huge ponytail was frozen as well. "......." With her mouth in a 'へ' shape, Ranbyou turned her head around, sweat beads the size of beans forming on her forehead. Although there is no conclusive evidence, but.... Tohyama wouldn't have known my secret right....? Ranbyou's face reflected an anxious expression. This... this seems promising. Time to change topic, and probe her once more time. "Add.. adding on, this Officer has a 19 year elder brother. Although he's very strict, but he's very good looking." Drawing her attention with these words, Ranbyou, who had written in her self-introduction column "Types that I like: Strong, forceful types"--managed to maintain her dignity as a teacher, her mouth remaining in the shape of 'へ' without much change..... But, she seemed to be somewhat happy, the corners of her mouth slowly rising, finally forming the shape of a 'W'. Ranbyou was flashing a smile like a leopard . Mmm. Actually you did see my Nii-san before, just that, my Nii-san appeared in the form of a girl. "Then... Muto and Hiraga will be a team. It might be better to adjust the style of the people working together. Tohyama! Go to mess hall!" --This is great, even though I sacrificed Nii-san, but at least I got away from the female panther for now. Looking at me with a vacant expression on their faces, I bowed to Muto and Hiraga... Although it was somewhat dishonorable, but at least I successfully escaped from the kitchen. ....--When I walked into the hall with the posture of a police officer, the busy scene was like that of a hurricane. The tables and chairs of the Cosplay Cafeteria were set all the way to the courtyard, with second year students in various uniforms shuttling back and forth at all corners. "....Guh..." Managing the affairs in the mess hall, the girls will always be drawing a lot of attention. It was really an impossible situation. The costumes of the girls were resplendent, and an atmosphere of a cosplay coffee shop was pervading the mess hall. The male customers seemed to be very happy.... maybe because they still have no idea how fierce the girls of Butei High are. For the normal boys, they probably view this as a simple affair of being waited upon by service staff, being able to be served food by a cosplaying female high school student was already an enjoyable affair by itself. But, if those girls are hired by your competitors, they might end up sending you bullets and explosives instead. And those will be lighted. (.....Ignorance is bliss for these people....) As I thought about it, I delivered fried rice and cola all over the place, brushing shoulders with the people that I usually know. There's Shiranui wearing a pilot uniform, whose wish is to become an idol for middle-aged ladies. There's Nakasorachi, who was wearing the white lab coat of a chemist research facility staff and serving honeydew melon soda to the customers. Her clothes were in a disarray, with her soft breasts barely contained by her lacy clothes...... Not good, it seems like she can't really work on the job. Firstly, she should be wearing contact lens for her poor vision, but she's still bumping into walls. She was responsible for the taking, repeating and listing orders, but due to some reason, her face turned red when our eyes meet, resulting in her accidentally tripping over a foot. What's more baffling is, in the process of falling, the tray she was holding in her hands forcefully smacked into her own face. It seems to be all my fault, but it looks like she's really not suitable for this kind of work..... I helped Nakasorachi onto her feet, and thinking of letting her rest for a while, I brought her out of the mess hall. The straight path leading out from the mess hall was turned into a ramp using plywood, becoming an unobstructed route. ... Hey hey. Nakasorachi. I say, because you fell down just now, your super short mini-skirt has been lifted to dangerous heights. But, just as I was about to point this out, I suddenly developed a fearful panic of seeing her exposed well-developed thighs due to the fact that her clothes were in a mess, and as a result I couldn't say anything Wrapped up in my own fear, I brought Nakasorachi to a place which couldn't be seen from the mess hall... "Oto... Otoko-yama-kun ... As a wait... waitress, I'm always a failure... sorry! It's all my... my blunder, I'm a stupid, useless tort... tortoise. A tortoise will always be a tortoise!" She started smoothing the long bangs at her forehead and sobbing, and just like what she said, completely became negative about herself. For her, besides being a communications operator, she probably takes only types of work like being a librarian. Requiring her to become a waitress dressed up as a race queen is simply too challenging. I really wanted to push her into the kitchen so that a poor fireman could be rescued, but the male customers seemed to really fancy types like Nakasorachi, so I guess Ranbyou will never agree. As the Cosplay Cafeteria will be assessed by the Masters once the cultural festival is over-- And if the results of their assessment is not ideal, according to regulations, all student participants will be graded badly in their internal report. So, if a black sheep appears, then my grades will be implicated as well. Looks like I must act. "It's alright. Don't let Ranbyou see you, rest for a while. I'll deal with the work." Thinking and looking out for her, I led Nakasorachi towards the direction of the lounge.... "Ai ai! It's no wonder you're Ki-kun the Flagship Architect! You're now taking on the Nakasorachi route!" Wearing the costume which she had wanted, turning into a "Western Gun-slinger", the extremely late but highly-regarded-by-Ranbyou Riko was walking towards us. Riko certainly looked the part of an American from those times, using her thumb and pointing at us. Truly accomplished acting. After being discharged from the hospital, Riko returned to school as usual. Her attitude towards us remained the same as well... as if the battle on the Sky Tree never took place. Although Riko only knows how to create problems, but without her around, things get kind of lonely. Honestly speaking, I'm really happy she has returned in good health.... "Ki-kun is really an accomplished skirt-chaser, Riko is relieved." "Speak properly, and speaking of which you've been skipping too many classes. Nakasorachi can't be a waitress now, so we'll continue with her work." "OK! But she looks like she's pretty scheming, would it be all right if I leave you alone with her? Woah--woah--could this be an act by a baka-girl?" As Riko snickered, she pointed grudgingly at Nakasorachi's skirt. "Mine.. Mine-san. This.. this... isn't what it looks like. I did not have that kind of intention! But... but if this can make Tohyama-kun.... have a better impression of me... But.. but that's too blatant as well!" Jumping away from beside me, Nakasorachi hurriedly adjusted her super mini-skirt which was lifted high up. Nakasorachi. If you had really noticed, why didn't you adjust your skirt before this. Luckily I kept looking up with my eyes. or it'd have been dangerous. "But Ki-kun, you should still start with the Aria route first. Riko supports Ki-kun and Aria. So you and Riko including this girl should just maintain a physical relationship. Bang~" "....Huh....?" Riko closed her eyes to a slit, and mimicked a shot at me with her index finger.... .....POOOOOOOOOOOM..... Following a waft of light gardenia scent, came a magma-like aura from behind me.... "........" The scenery before my eyes suddenly turned upside down. A big 180 degrees turn. In the Up-Down direction. An unknown hand had grabbed my belt and shirt, turning me entirely around. "You--lecherous Kinji! What's a phy.. physical relationship! Not only Riko, but even that communications operation kid as well.... You.. what have you done! Have you really been working as a waiter!?" The judgement has been passed-- The one holding me from behind in an awkward head-down position, was Aria in her elementary school student outfit. "No.... I didn't do anyth--!" "Ah ah?" Aria emitted a sound like that of an anxious lion cub, and with a 'swoosh', stopped momentarily in mid-air while holding onto me. "--Windhole Trap!" BANG!!! Along with my police cap, my entire head up to my lower jaw was buried in the plywood ramp. Fortunately the plywood was very thin, allowing me to escape from the brink of death... Using a finishing move on me while I was in a difficult position, this was adding insult to injury. Woah woah! A fourth year elementary school girl performing a pile-driver on a police officer! This scene can only be seen in Butei High! Toh.. Toh.. Toh-chan! Yama-chan! Look... looking at it in reverse, it looks like you've been on a guillotine! It's Riko and Nakasorachi.... The muffled sounds of their voices came from above the plywood. With my head finally plucked out, I lay suffering on the ground and looked upwards-- ".....!" This time it has turned into a situation where I was down-slope and looking up at Aria's short skirt. I'm now caught in a position of a pervert whom should be arrested by the police in the first place. "--!" Above that slender leg which looks like it still belongs to an elementary school student--sh.. shit! This is a bad angle! I lowered my head by a centimeter, having witnessed the scene, I felt that my blood flow seemed to have almost changed into Hysteria mode. "You... you...! Even in this situation...!" Even Aria seemed to feel that I was thinking "So lucky, I actually saw it (laughs)", the veins on her temple showing. "Woah woah! Aria just turned eight! You've seen everything!" "--Fourth year elementary school students are ten years old!" "Aiya! It's really the Battle of Waterloo! Ki-kun, lower your head!" Bam! Riko jumped up forcefully-- "Swoosh!" Wearing her cowboy jeans, she aimed for my back and sat down. Pressed down by her body weight, my head lowered. Look carefully Riko. If you look properly, I have already gotten used to Hysteria mode long ago. This is for the battles with "Grenada" from now on. (Should I fight.....!) If I enter Hysteria mode now, a tragedy will definitely occur before I achieve victory. Now that the three of us are alone in the lounge which hardly anyone comes by, the moment Hysteria mode gets activated will be certainly be an earth shaking event. If that's the case, the innocent Nakasorachi will become a victim as well. I took a defensive approach-- Lowering my head, trying my best not to look between Aria's legs. But using the concept of riding a camel on its back, Riko used both her hands on my lower jaw to forcefully lift it up. Not.. not bad. You've let me witnessed the variety of Chinese martial arts techniques. This time, with Aria in the "full exposure" angle-- "--Windhole Memory Destroyer!" --She brought her foot down hard. (--!) God has appeared. In the gap where Aria has lifted her shoe up, a miraculous angle that could have only been due to the protection of gods appeared-- From my line of sight, only the bottom of the skirt could be seen--in the gap between her legs. --Fantastic. This can be settled without having to enter Hysteria mode.... Dear God. Perhaps I will be going to where you are very soon, and I will thank you again then. After receiving Aria's windhole attack, I only lost consciousness for 3 minutes. I couldn't help but give thanks to my own endurance. Once I adjusted my police cap, I returned to my work post as a waiter. But thinking about it in detail, my endurance was largely due to the training from Aria's brutal violence. I take back my thanks. "Hi, all students. Come this way!" Shirayuki, dressed as a female teacher was speaking gently to a group of elementary school students and guiding them. The children were making a din near the entrance of the Cosplay Cafeteria, becoming a nuisance to the other customers. Responsible for being the cashier, Aria wanted to be their guide, but was taken as a playmate instead. In the end her pony tails were caught and she fell to the ground. As the shop manager, Shirayuki hurried over to resolve the situation. (.....She's really well-trained in the methods to handle little children...) The elementary school students who were standing all over the place just a while ago, quickly became obedient, lining up to take their seats. It's no wonder she's the eldest of six sisters, one look and you can tell she'll definitely become a dutiful wife and loving mother in the future. After helping them with their orders, Shirayuki came into the backyard from the mess hall. "There's a lot of customers, so let's raise our spirits! AI AI YO!" Shirayuki said to the tired group of cosplayers-- Everyone seemed to be spurred on, raising their fists and shouting "YO--!" Even though she was still expressionless, but Doctor Reki (Ph.D.) did the same thing as well. This is the first time I've seen her like this. Following that, Shirayuki started giving instructions of the measures to take to handle the different situation for each and every table, making everyone's work a lot easier. This is the true messiah. "I see you have very good leadership capabilities...." I said in a sigh to Shirayuki, who was writing down the priority list for the work to be done. Might as well let her replace me as the leader for Baskerville, I've lost all confidence. "No....." Hearing my words, Shirayuki-sensei hurriedly adjusted her eye-glasses. "My student council work has been lagging behind, I'll have to rush for that." Following that, with a wonderful smile on her face, she walked towards me and helped me adjust my rank badge and tie. "For the Butei, many are not good at work involving receiving customers. The Masters will deduct points because of this... Thanks to you, the situation has more or less been redeemed somewhat." "....I... I was praised by Kin-chan..." With an entranced expression showing on her face, Shirayuki's cheeks turned red instantly... "I will work hard so I can be your helper. And also for those children who are unable to help at all. Ok, you can go now. Be safe." Shirayuki adjusted my police cap, and when she mentioned "children", she looked at Aria. 'Chey'--Taking a break and drinking honeydew melon soda, Aria, with a straw in her mouth, clicked her tongue in reply to Shirayuki's gaze. Not only that, Aira was biting her straw and shooting glances at me at the same time. Wh.. why are you emanating killing intent from your body. Behaving differently from usual, she was looking at me with a bit of anxiety. If you got something to say, say it. It's completely not like Aria's style. "Look look, it's time for Aria to go for school. Did you forget anything?" Shirayuki was somewhat delightedly speaking in a motherly tone. "No, I'm going off" Aria threw out a reply and walked out. Then she ran back into the hall and viciously stepped on my foot. What.. what the hell was that. Why did you get angry just because I praised Shirayuki. And the act of physical punishment was so despicable. I felt her anger this time was different compared to previously. Don't tell me there's new software installed in her brain? Uninstall it immediately! After that, Aria kept having a weird look on her, like she wanted to speak but stopped herself, giving me a stare every now and then.... With some difficulty, I managed to endure till 5pm. Finally, I can change shifts. Taking out the new phone I bought a few days ago, there was a message from Watson--No training for today? Recalling my antics when I entered Hysteria mode in front of her, I chose the splendor of ignoring the message. Even without that factor, I'm dead beat from doing a bunch of stuff that I've never done before--not only did I have to address myself as "this police officer", I even had to bow after the customers made their orders. I should just quickly go home and just eat something, take a shower, and sleep like a dead log. As I was lifting my leg to return to the preparation room-- "Tohyama." From the fourth preparation room, which was so small and cramp it could hardly be counted as a room, came a call for me, and it was done with the door closed. "Jeanne?" "It's me, come in here for a second." "You're wearing clothes right?" I asked Jeanne, who seemed unwilling to open the door for some reason. "Are you stupid, of course I'm wearing clothes, but.... about this set of clothes, I want to discuss it with you." Her reply caused me to have some doubts, so I entered the changing room. In the changing room, Jeanne was wearing the "family cafe" type of frilly female waitress uniform..... She was sitting on a metal-pipe chair, her body sprawled on top of the table. On top of her head was a hair-band that was reminiscent of what a maid would wear, and I could see her ears under her shimmering silver hair..... For some reason, her ears were red. "What's the matter, you should be on the evening shift." "Yes." Still sprawled on the table, Jeanne's voice transmitted from her arm on the table. "Then it's about time for you to get going." "I know that!" "Then get going quickly. You really like this set of clothes right." This is because the clothes were Jeanne's own, and she made an effort to bring it out. --I know, I accidentally saw it before. "Ye.. Yes. But I still....once I think about appearing in front of everyone, I'll feel embarrassed." "It can't be helped. This is the way things are, even I felt embarrassed too." "Don't put me in the same league as you!" Jeanne swiftly lifted her head, her whole face blushing red like Aria. As Jeanne is 100% white Caucasian, so putting it more accurately, her face was pink. Judging from her expression, it seems that while facing me, she's harboring some negative emotions with no outlet to let it out, so in order not to become some sort of snack-- "I get it, I get it. Then why did you call me into the changing room." I said to Jeanne to pacify her. "Tell me your opinions! You have seen me like this before. What do you think of it." "I already told you back then. It's really cute! You don't have to worry." "Really?" "It's the truth. A police officer doesn't lie." "Then say it again." "Say what." "Say that I'm cute! I've no confidence in myself. When I... I wear the clothes alone, I feel that it isn't too bad. And this is the set of clothes that I like the most. I've always wanted to try being a waitress for once. But, this.... girls of my height wearing clothes like this will be made out as some kind of joke. Everyone will certainly make sarcastic remarks." I finally understood... Jeanne is the type who does what she likes in private, but becomes very reserved in public. When alone by herself, she is becomes broad-minded enough to start a fashion show, but once she faced me, who has seen her in those clothes, she'll feel very embarrassed. "That's not going to happen. Have some confidence! You're very cute, come, let's go." "You don't sound convincing at all!" Jeanne stood up, waving her featherlight sleeves. What a troublesome girl as well. Just as I was starting to feel a bit tired, Jeanne leaned over with a 'pleading for help' look on her face . Her featherlight skirt brushing against me. "Actually... it seems that the kohais from the tennis club will be coming to see me. What should I do." Ah..... So that's how it is. --Butei High is a school with some.. no, with a lot of feudalism. The seniors must be strict with the juniors, and must more or less put on some airs in front of them. This way, the relationship between the seniors and the juniors will be evident. This is necessary in order to ensure success during investigations and battles. Such similar culture exists in the Police and the Self Defense Force as well. Hence, Jeanne was even more afraid of being laughed at by her juniors. "No one will make a joke out of you. If there are really any first years who dare to make fun of you, I'll help you teach them a lesson. Look, there's only 15 minutes left!" I looked at my watch-- Jeanne also looked at her shiny watch, which was adorned with precious stones, worn on the underside of her wrist. "Un, un un, it's already this time now." "Don't panic. This isn't like Jeanne at all. There won't be any problems. This police officer guarantees it. Let's go!" I patted her on the shoulder to motivate her, but-- Crinkle, crinkle. Upon patting her, numerous tiny ice crystals flew out from her body. What's that. Looks like diamond dust. It's like some sort of mechanism which appears when she's agitated. This is a new discovery. "--Tohyama. I wore these clothes only because of the lot that I drew, so you'll be responsible. If I become a joke, then prepare to be turned into a human hoarfrost !" Although Jeanne said that, she still didn't want to leave the room on her own. "What are you saying. And what, on earth is a human hoarfrost" "It's hoarfrost made up of a human. Can't you understand simple words? Are you stupid?" ".... I've always been stupid. I was stupid to come here and listen to you. Get going. Come on, follow me." Saying this, I finally managed to drag Jeanne forcefully out from the changing room-- "Jeanne-sempai!" "Jeanne-sempai!" "Sorry to have kept you waiting!" We just barely walked out of the changing room, and 4, 5 first-year girls jumped out in front of the door. They seemed to have gathered here after hearing Jeanne's voice, it looks like they're Jeanne's juniors in the tennis club. "Ah!" It seems that Jeanne haven't mentally prepared herself yet, freezing on the spot and turning into a human hoarfrost herself I shifted my gaze to the first years, and was about to say "First years, if you dare to make fun of her, I'll arrest the whole lot of you!"-- "IYAAA---!!! SO CUTE!!!!" But the first year girls were screaming away with their eyes fixated on Jeanne. IYAAA!!! IYAAA!!! SO CUTE!!! SO CUTE!!! The girls were so caught up in a rapturous frenzy they totally ignored my existence, surrounding Jeanne who was dressed as a waitress. "Cu... cu.. cute....?" Jeanne's rose red lips were trembling slightly as she said. The girls were still obsessively screaming cute. "Ah, this... this--was because of drawing lots, I had no choice but to wear these clothes--I know I'm not really suitable for it, and...!" Jeanne clumsily blurted. But her juniors were still heaping praises and saying "No way! Sempai is so cute!!" "Jeanne-sempai looks good in anything she wears!! So cute!!" "Sempai is a goddess!! So cute!!" "Un... Un un.....!" Jeanne.... Her gaze started drifting as she became shy. Her reaction caused the first year girls to yell cute again. But... besides "cute", don't you all have other words of description you can use? Looking at first year students talking excitedly and crowding towards the side of the window-- (Come to think of it, Jeanne is really well respected-- ) I felt somewhat touched inside. Shirayuki is the same as well, she seems to possess some sort of attributes that causes the kohais to respect her. This is quite important for Butei who will eventually have subordinates. During the end of term after our second year, there will be a grading for "Leadership capabilities. Suitability as a government official"... Jeanne will definitely score full marks for this. Although she looks extremely cold-blooded, she will never bully her kohais, or give out impossible tasks to them. Plus she's also a beautiful girl liked by both guys and girls, although she's a bit slow-witted by nature, but she's a jack-of-all-trades... Even among students of the same year, she's a very reliable person. Before this I heard of rumors like this--Jeanne's popularity among the first years started in the tennis club, and was slowly spreading towards Informa, Connect, Repier, Inquesta and other places. Presently, Watson has the slight advantage for now, but if the trends continue on like this, Jeanne would definitely get the upper hand. (Jeanne seems to have some sort of strength to attract people towards her.... perhaps a genetic inheritance from her ancestor....) Just to add on, Aria is very well-respected by the first years in Assault as well, but this was due to her personal ability, and not her personality. She's pretty strict on kohais. And Riko. There's no need to mention her. She's the type who'll end up playing with the kohais. There's no need to elaborate on Reki as well. From now on, I'll use Jeanna and Shirayuki as a positive example, while the others will be deemed as bad examples. As for me, I have not much of popularity, Within the kohais, only Fuma knows about me. (Anyway.... looks like I won't be turned into a human hoarfrost.) Just as I started to relax myself-- Trouble appeared. Jeanne was on cloud nine after being flattered by her kohais, all sorts of emotions surging within her. "...." Wearing her graceful skirt, she leapt out from the window. "Hey! Hey...." Although this was the first floor and no injuries will be sustained, but if a deserter (people who are absent without valid reason) appears, there will be a negative impact on the Cosplay Cafeteria. If so... the Masters will judge us as incompetent, and everyone will be deemed responsible and slammed viciously by Ranbyou. I reckon the impact can result in internal organs being puked out from the mouth. Of course, this involves me as well. I rushed to the side of the window, only to see Jeanne's hands covering her fiery red cheeks, running swiftly towards the center courtyard. As she wasn't paying attention to the road in front of her, in no time at all, she bumped into a scarecrow on the field growing herbs. "Sempai! Where are you going?" "Please let me take a photo!" "Are you heading for the Cosplay Cafeteria?" I ditched the first years behind, who crowded at the window side within moments. Using the emergency exit, I ran out towards the center courtyard, in pursuit of Jeanne. As I realized that this problem involves my internal organs, my tracking skills increased tremendously as well. Very quickly, I found Jeanne's hiding place. She had left one of her lacy leather shoes behind near a small storage room in the center courtyard. Don't tell me you're Cinderella. Like a real police officer relentlessly pursuing a criminal, I pressed my face lightly against the wooden wall. Jeanne was sitting on a wooden chair, and I could see one side of her face from here. "Ho ho, ho ho ho....." Both hands pressed onto her burning cheeks, I have never seen such a cute expression on her face. Acting just like how other girls of her age should act, the smile overflowing from her face even infected a bystander like me with bliss. "..... It's really such a joy!" Jeanne usually makes people feel like she's a Hollywood actress, always with an uptight look on her face. So her expression now could be considered to be truly refreshing. It even feels like it's the first time I'm getting to know her true self. ".... Cute, I'm cute! As a waitress, I'm very cute...." Jeanne lowered her head, immersing in every single moment the bliss which belongs only to her. A beautiful lace ribbon was tied on her silver hair. And so she simply sat there, straightening both her legs, swinging it back and forth lightly. (.......) For some reason, I suddenly felt that I shouldn't continue peeping on her like this. Her breasts, which were contoured on her clothes, were starting to shake continuously along with her swinging legs, making me feel that the scene was becoming very dangerous. "Well from the looks of it, she probably won't run away from here...." I smiled wryly and turned around with my back facing the wooden shed. Watson is like this as well.... Maybe it's because of the reason that as a descendant of the heroine Jeanne D'Arc and that she was adopted, Jeanne always felt she wasn't "girly" enough somewhere. But girls will be girls. She was probably always fretting over how to show her feminine side. The Cosplay Cafeteria was just the thing to help Jeanne fulfill this wish, and show her that what she thought about herself was always wrong. Perhaps she will eventually start showing the side of herself which she has been hiding, little by little. Through meaningless activities, the school is a place that lets its students grow continuously, Or at least it's a place that gives you the chance to grow. "Of course, if it's a normal school.... there should be much more chances like this." I looked at my watch, in another 7 to 8 minutes, Jeanne will have to take over the shift. Jeanne. I'll just let her enjoy her happiness here for a while longer. Then the waitress job which she has been looking forward to for some time will have to start. You must work hard! When you first came to Butei High, you didn't even know what flavored drinks were. Finally changing into my Butei High uniform, I started walking back in the glow of the sunset. The buses have stopped operating during the cultural festival. So I had to walk back to the dorm. "Tohyama....." From an abandoned building used for battle training, came a voice calling out for me. As this was like a real war zone, all I could see was a chaotic mess. So it was covered up by plastic canvas sheets, and was out of bounds, but.... That voice, I seem to have heard it somewhere before. It's that fox girl, in reality a fox spirit, and a comrade in "Deen". I think her name was Tamamo. "Tamamo, you're back. But why today of all days." As I replied, I lifted a blue plastic canvas sheet and walked into the abandoned building. The exposed concrete on the first floor were full of bullet markings. Dust particles in the building danced in the air as a gust of wind blew in from a broken window. Sunlight streaming in from all corners shone onto the dust particles like a spotlight. "Today is naught the day of Tomobiki (友引), tis a fine day for making many friends." Stepping on the ground strewn with broken glass and bullet shells, I walked further in, towards where Tamamo's voice came from. "Let me tell you, the television crews are here today. If you get caught by them and get broadcasted on air as 'Rare Animal Caught', I won't do anything to help." Chatting with her, I lifted my head and found her standing on top of a steel beam laid on its side and hanging high up in the air. She was wearing a mini version of Butei High's sailor uniform. "I hath no wish to hath these ears of mine pulled and examined with intrigue and amusement. Hence, I came wearing the uniform of students here." Tamamo said, while standing within a beam of light. She was wearing a small uniform cap with a wave-shaped hem, and there were actually something shaped like two fox ears poking upwards at the top of the cap. Hey, is this really alright. "Yes, Tohyama. I hath heard you brought defeat to Hilda. Well done!" Swish! Tamamo leapt off the steel beam with animal-like movements. With her movements, I saw her tail which was hidden under her skirt. So there is still no way to make the tail vanish. But if I told her this, she'll definitely get angry. So I chose to remain silent. "You know pretty much. Who told you?" "Tis the head of Liberty Mason who told me. Whilst discussing the problem of what comes under the jurisdiction of "Deen", it was proposed not to proceed with the extermination of the prisoner in the Demon Barrier--Hilda." Liberty Mason...... I see. After I defeated Hilda, Watson must have contacted them immediately and reported the facts. With a bright look on my face for unraveling the truth, Tamamo gradually approached me, and suddenly extended both hands in front of me. "What are you doing? I don't have any malt candy." "No. Tis for thou to carry me." "Carry you? You're not a little kid...." "As there is no deity palanquin, I canst only lower my expectations and hath thou carry me. Tis an honour for thou. Be quick about it, and carry me around for sight-seeing. Or dost it matter naught that thou suffers retribution." Tamamo stood tip-toed, and patted at my nose. Well, no matter what, this guy is still considered a god... of sorts. If I really get struck by retribution, and my luck worsens, then my life will really be in a sorry state. But when I reached both my hands under her armpits, and tried to carry her up... "I say, you're quite heavy to carry. Should be at least 20 kilos and above. How heavy are you exactly?" "Thou dares to asks my weight, does thou not know tis a forbidden number to ask of goddesses or even all women." Using both hands, Tamamo hugged my neck tightly with no intention of letting go. "Then you should at least change your form from a second year elementary schooler to a baby." Hearing what I said, Tamamo used both her legs to start climbing onto my body. "Aiya, thou should stop complaining. Think of something quickly. Good fortune will come from carrying a deity. Haha!" Using both hands to support Tamamo's bottom, who was rubbing herself excitedly against my body, I lifted her up.... No matter what, I finally managed to carry this deity. "I'll die from exhaustion if I carry you all over the place like this." I said to Tamamo's face which was directly in front of my eyes. Tamamo looked very happy, her face filled with innocence. Looking close-up at her big round eyes, it seemed to have aroused my so-called fatherly instincts. If there weren't any fox ears or tail, her appearance will easily make her a target for abduction. "Why, thou seems verily interested in me. Art thou smitten with me." Tamamo laughingly said to me, who was staring fixedly at her. "Don't talk nonsense. The age difference is too big." "791 years counts for naught much. Tis naught a thing impossible in a world of transformation." "That's not what I mean. You're saying it in reverse, reverse." "Reverse? Guh, the Tohyama Samurai of before frequently says things I do not understand as well." Saying things which people don't understand, that should be you right. I think my ancestors-sama must have gotten more than just a few headaches because of her. For some reason, the fates of our family and Tamamo appears to be closely intertwined. I sighed inwardly, and started to tease Tamamo. "Hiraga from Amdo was around this area for quite some time just now, we're screwed now." "It'll definitely be snatched away if it's discovered. Once that girl sees something sweet, even the color of her eyes changes." "Here, here. Let's hide here and eat... ah, Kinji...." The voices of girls came from the entrance of the abandoned building. The 3 girls were holding in their hands gigantic crêpes which were probably some sort of freebie. They opened their big mouths in shock at seeing me carrying Tamamo. "Ab... ab.. abduction...." "To actually bring such a small girl to this place...." "It must be an abduction. We have to report this immediately to the Masters and Children Welfare Services." Oi..... My luck didn't turn for the better at all. I'm obviously already carrying a deity. On closer inspection, I noticed that the 3 people were my classmates in school. Yelling "This is so dangerous!", they took out cellphones from the pockets of their skirt. "No, it's not like that." I hurriedly put Tamamo down, trying to explain the situation clearly. This will definitely be a bad thing once it involves Informa and the Butei triple punishment. "Thi.... this is a child who lost her way." I declared, well aware of the fact that I'll have to start a gun fight if all else fails. "A child who lost her way?" With a confused look on her face, Tamamo lifted her head to look at me. "Yes. A child who lost her way." Tamamo seemed to sense the effort I was putting in for this. "No, I mean ye... ye... yes." She seemed to have understood the present situation, following up on my words. Just that her acting skills were really terrible. In doubt, the girls said, "A child who lost her way? "Doesn't look like it." "It just feels like she's been tamed." The girls seemed to have completely believed the opinion that I have abducted a little girl. "Adding on, isn't she wearing a Butei High intern uniform? There's no possibility she's a kid who lost her way." That girl is well and truly a student from Inquesta. Damn it, don't use your deductive reasoning skills in a place like this. "That, well.... she really lost her way, than she was sent to me. She's my cousin." "Uhn, yes. I wanted to see onii-chan." Said Tamamo as she hugged my waist tightly. "How can Kinji's cousin look so cute!" "This has nothing to do with the face. Hey, let's go. It's really great to be able to see onii-chan." I clumsily played along with Tamamo's act. "Uhn, let's go. Onii-chan won't let you become lost again." I held Tamamo's little hand which was waving in the air, finally managing to escape from the abandoned building. I didn't know whether those girls believed what we said, the sounds of their discussion coming from the back. "So that's how it is. Oh yeah, the cat-ears cap that little girl was wearing was really cute." "It seemed to be moving." "Maybe it's fitted with actuators." Apparently Tamamo's cat-ears cap has turned into their next discussion topic. Just that it isn't cat ears, but fox ears. And they're real. Wiping the cold sweat on my forehead, I spoke to Tamamo. "Tamamo, I can bring you anywhere you want to go, but can you change your form?" I feebly supported my hands on my knees, pleading with Tamamo. A second year high school student walking around with a little girl. even if it wasn't those people just now, other people might report me as well. "Uhn, thou's physical strength will not be capable of carrying me around and move freely." "Then we have a deal." "So it shalt be done." Once Tamamo was done talking, white smoke suddenly appeared at her feet. "......." I looked over.... And found that Tamamo's figure had vanished, and there was now a Temari beside my feet. Oh yeah, she can change into these things. "Hey. Carry me and go." With the ball speaking, I bent over to pick her up. It's very light, about the same weight as a normal ball. "You should have changed into this form from the start. Come to think of it, how does Tamamo do it." "Tis the jitsu for emptiness transformation. Thou would understand naught even if I explained it." Opening up the conversation with a condescending tone, the ball continued speaking. "First, 'Mustard Particle'. Tis a singular point that possesses an extremely strong gravitational pull. These points are very tiny, but everywhere around us. Each and every one of these points are connected to one another. Using the 'Heavenly Streams of Fox Lightning', attractive and repulsive forces are applied to these bonds, manipulating the bonds into a shape of a tube. With 'Matter Fog', these are passed through my small body. The ends of the tube have a space of 'Emptiness', which exists on this space as well. The ball is placed in this space, and is used to replace my illusionary little girl form. Once the 'seal' is recited in my mind, these steps can be achieved in mere moments. Tis a matter which occurs in a blink of an eye." "I'm sorry, I completely don't understand what that means." "Using thou's terms, tis manipulating a wormhole." ".... I don't know what this is as well." Come to think of it, you don't even know what panties are, but you actually know about a wormhole. "Tohyama, thou art lacking in learning. Tis to say, although I'm here, but I'm not here as well. From the perspective of reality, if the ball is destroyed, I'll lose 'Mustard Particles', and have no way of returning from 'Emptiness'. Because the ball is me now, hence thou must be careful, and then even more so. So this is the so-called magical transformation. Whatever. (But this is really something. Be it Hilda or this guy...) These non-human races have existed since eons ago, but their techniques are far more advanced than the forefront advancements of our science. Although I don't know the specifics about wormholes, but mankind only knows that it 'possibly exists'. Even Hilda's Electric Charged Particles are only being researched by scientists in research facilities. But they are already able to make use of it. If these are the kind of freaks in "Grenada" I have to fight with from now on.... Then it'll be like fighting people whom are from 100 years in the future. But... I suddenly thought of a phrase taught during a lesson in school. Combat. In this field, mankind has combined their intelligence and outstanding capabilities. Not to self-boast, but mankind has progressed till now from recurring wars. This is why the advances in this field far outpace the rest. Aria's Colt Government was produced in 1911, about 100 years ago from now. Humans have not made any improvements to it since then. That is to say humans have produced combat tech 100 years ago. Then how many years has it been since the first person used Hysteria mode. Now in a position with no choices left, the only thing I can do is try. As Tamamo ordered me to "Take me to where Shirayuki is", I called up Shirayuki to say hi. After her work at the Cosplay Cafeteria ended, Shirayuki went to the Supernatural Searching Research (SSR in short). Seems to be for self-study, no wonder she's an honors student. "I really don't like it much here...." Reaching the SSR building, I felt a lost of interest due to the appearance of the building. Firstly, the entrance was a vermillion gateway, it was like a tunnel directly linking to the building. Looking around the entrance, there was a statue of Chinese Guardian Lion on the right hand side, and a statue of Sphinx on the left hand side. The surroundings were full of Totem poles, Buddha statues, Moai statues, lanterns and what-nots on display. Although there were Japanese barrier-sealing ropes hanging above my head, but hanging in front of me wasn't large Japanese bells, but rather something like the yellow copper bells in a prayer room...... In front of me was a written message. --"Those with no business here are prohibited from entering the SSR"-- It was on a lookout board. I can't think of having any business in this kind of place. This is a research department for super powers and magical abilities. A lair of secret arts. And a place I can't stand the most. "Why does thou hath such a grim look. The surrounding atmosphere seems pretty nice." The Tamamo-ball said. "It looks like the gods are about to start an argument. You're considered a deity of sorts. Looking at the scene in front of you, don't you think it's some sacrilege." "Times now are no longer of the old. But the truth each god seeks tis the same. And since telling humans to 'get along well', what manner will become of us if the gods starts fighting amongst ourselves." "I see...." Well, since she put it that way, then it no longer matters. Pushing the large entrance door decorated with colorful stained glass, I entered the SSR. The decorations in the hall still made me broke out in cold sweat. In order to allow the students to pray here, the spacious hall were dotted with a few seat-cushions and chairs. The walls to the half-dome roof were full of ancient religious drawings. This is truly a world I cannot comprehend. What's going on in the minds of these SSR people. There was even a Wooden Fish placed on top of a pipe organ. A sign with "Anyone fighting will be shot to death -- From Masters" stuck beside an Aztec Calendar is the only thing here I understand. "......so to say the Roswell Incident..." ".....through similar magic the mysterious links can be....." "....It's really tasty, the fried and smoked red..." I can hear the conversations of students situated in a corner of the hall. There were all sorts of clothes they were wearing. One girl was dressed like a Tengu, but it was not a spear she carried on her back, but a bow and demon-slaying arrows instead. A turban on the head, and speaking in Wheel Hatha yoga pose, that one must be a foreign exchange student from India. That guy holding a sutra in his hand and eating some dry-fried food, was actually wearing a cassock. "Looketh, everyone gets along very well." Tamamo-ball exposed the tip of her tail, pointed at the students and said. Besides sighing, there wasn't anything replay I could come up with. I carried Tamamo up the stairs with heavy steps. As the number of students in SSR are very few, the second floor and above have only units of single rooms. On reaching the fifth floor, I knocked loudly on the door to a room with the name "Hotogi Shirayuki" written on an Ema shaped wooden sign. "Coming, coming!" Shirayuki's voice came from inside the room, following the patter of footsteps, came the sound of the door being unlocked. When the door just opened, I could see a sliding door adorned with pentagrams, samurai helms, and the Hotogi family crest through the opening slit. When the door was fully opened.... "Welcome, Kin-chan." Greeting me politely, Shirayuki came out to receive me, dressed in her Miko garb. There was a 3-way mirror left slightly ajar in the room, could it be because she was putting on make-up just now? (Actually there's no need to go through so much preparation just to greet me....) Upon seeing the gloomy look on my face. Shirayuki's eyes instantly teared up as she said, "Ahh.... Kin-chan doesn't like these Miko clothes very much. I always wear these clothes in SSR, so.... I'll go change immediately, please wait for a while." Once she finished talking, she was about to close the sliding door. "It's fine, I have something to discuss with you." I said, as I pressed against the sliding door with my hand, took out my shoes and walked into the room. Inside was a Japanese-style room with 10 tatami mats laid on the floor, on top of a painted rack was a statue of Dharma Buddha. In 6 bamboo tubes laid alongside one another, each had a windmill made by her younger sisters. I appraised the room, which was the complete embodiment of a Japanese-style room. "Hotogi Shirayuki, thou hast grown up as well." The ball I was holding suddenly moved onto the floor. White smoke emitted from the floor, and in less than a second Tamamo returned to her original form. "Ah!" Shirayuki yelped in shock as she looked at the grinning Tamamo. "Ta...Ta... Tamamo-sama!" Swoosh! Shirayuki dived onto the tatami mat. The Miko garb's skirt fluttered in the air, coming to a pause at the time she knelt down. "It has been a long time since paying my respects, I didn't know you were coming. I'm deeply sorry that I have prepared nothing!" Shirayuki was like an employee who saw a supervisor on a surprise visit. Holding a windmill in her hand, Tamamo slowly walked towards her. "Thine bad habit of apologizing constantly hath changed naught. Come, lift up your face." Making Shirayuki raise her upper body, it seems Tamamo wanted to squirm in between Shirayuki's knees and chest. Ah, Tamamo actually grabbed Shirayuki's breast. You lusting fox. Then, Tamamo turned her back towards Shirayuki and sat onto her knees. "Tamamo-sama has not changed as well...." "Shirayuki, thou hast finally gotten used to a mixed school. How goes your zither practice, can you ride a bicycle now?" "Really, please do not talk about the things of my childhood." Looking at them happily conversing away..... So the both of them really knew each other from the start. Sitting cross-legged at the Japanese-style low table in the room, I drank the green tea prepared by Shirayuki. "No matter what, tis a good thing that the Tohyama Samurai and Hotogi Miko are of the same age." Tamamo pointed a finger at me and spoke. "So how is it, Shirayuki. Hast thou been done giving birth to children for this guy?" PFFFTT! I spat out the tea in my mouth in one breath. Being asked that question by Tamamo with the tone of "What did you have for dinner last night?", Shirayuki's body softened gradually like an octopus. Replying at Tamamo's ear side. "I.. I.. I can do it at any time..." But why are you looking at me and saying that. Looking at the speechless me, Shirayuki suddenly buried her face into Tamamo's head. ".... What should we do hubby, our daughter says she wants a little brother or sister..." Tamamo muttered softly, as her finger drew the "の" symbol on the tatami mat. Listening up to here, even my face started turning red. "Shi.. Shirayuki. Lift your face up. Don't bother about Tamamo's irrelevant remarks." "Yes, yes. Father of the child. Let's do our best! How many, no, how many dozens of kids should we have?" "Don't look at me with your eyes glowing like that. And who's this father of the child. Tamamo, stop saying useless things and quickly get to the point." I said with some anxiety. Straightening her tail, Tamamo replied "Yes yes", and came to the side of the low table. Shirayuki appeared at my side in an instant, and sat beside me. Even if I avoid her, she'll just continue to stick to me. So I just gave up, and the both of us sat facing Tamamo. Following that, Tamamo.... She first spoke to Shirayuki about the "Far Eastern War" which has already begun. And the incident with me getting involved in the war as the leader of Baskerville. She also mentioned my battle with Hilda, and how I finally won. Shirayuki listened calmly from the start till the end. As expected from an armed Miko. Some of the technical terms that appeared and was used during this period of time, which I didn't really understand, she seemed to understand them as well. ".... Anti-demon barriers have been set up in all the harbours within the city. If any demon barge in, the Shikigami will inform me, and I will proceed to attack it using seals." "Since this is the case, then we can consider the matters that will come next." Under the premise of joining in the war, she spoke about numerous related topics. "Hey, Shirayuki. Getting involved into this war, are you not afraid?" "No. I have heard about the "Battle" in the Hotogi. And through my divination, I have known long ago that these things will continue to occur within the next few years." You're really optimistic. After my fight with Hilda, I discovered that this will be a tough battle." I said, as if trying to confirm Shirayuki's determination. Shirayuki gave a light smile. It was a very peaceful, long-standing Shirayuki-type of smile. "The Hotogi Miko are protective Mikos. We have always fought for the sake of protecting. The chaos in the country, wars, and the few "Battles" encountered, protecting is what we always, and always will do. And..." Shirayuki's expression hardened. In an instant, as if re-affirming what she has already set her decision on, spoke hesitantly. "I will burn out all the ashes that lands on Kin-chan, no matter who that person is." She lightly touched Irokane Ayame's ruby-colored sheath at her waist as she spoke. The term 'burn out all the ashes' is a contradiction by itself. No matter, since she means to join us just like always. "Oh right, Tamamo. Although it's a bit late to ask this question now... what's the aim of starting this so-called war in the first place? Even though Jeanna said it's for 'needs, fighting for something-something..." "Tis like what Jeanne hath said. Fighting for something thou needs. Carrying out the redistribution of power. Tis is the intent of the war." "Then what are all of you fighting over?" "Tis the same as all other wars, things being fought over changes with time. Last time, twas fighting over precious swords, holy grails and so on. And now, tis for Irokane. Tis the best treasure of all. Although twas never cared much for til now, but the world's greatest genius Sherlock found the method to harness its power." Sherlock.... Come to think of it, that guy did describe Irokane as "The Core of the Supernatural World". So this is the thing that Deen and Grenada are going all-out to obtain. "Things being fought over changes with time....." I seem to understand somewhat now. Using the outside world as an example, in the past, no one paid any attention to the Wulan Mountain Mine. But once the method of exploiting it became known to the world, everyone started scrambling for it blindly. Hence, causing a war to break out. "Tis not only treasures. Excellent soldiers are targets to fight over as well. Tis why, since ancient times, defeated soldiers are incorporated into one's own flag. Defeated soldiers will also initiate switching sides to the enemy so as not to get killed." "Oh....." This is similar to Jeanne's "Betrayal is OK", and Watson's "The defeated party is the surbodinate of the enemy". Thinking like this, I seem to have an understanding on the system for the "Battle". "Then.... what will it take to end the war?" "Total annihilation or surrender. Tis either Deen or Grenada's soldiers gets wiped out, or all the soldiers of one side choose to surrender. Conditional surrender is recognised as well." This seems to be the same as wars of the outside world. I glaced sideways at Shirayuki, and noticed that she had a face which indicated she already knew everything. "Shirayuki, some problems hath surfaced but recently." Tamamo straightened her seiza position, speaking to Shirayuki. "Aria's 'Seven Stars of the Scarlet Shell' has been damaged, and the fragments hath been taken by Grenada." "........" This was the first time that Shirayuki became shocked at something Tamamo said. "I met Watson just now, as proof of alliance. I demanded this. Counting this piece, Deen now hast 3 pieces of the golden shell." Tamamo took out a gem which looked like a ruby. That's the crystallized form of a piece of the golden shell which shields the Hidan. Maintaining her seiza, Shirayuki moved backwards, then bowed deeply. "Our deepest apologies, if only the Hotogi Miko could have made the Golden Shell sturdier in the past, this would have never..." "Tis not the fault of the Hotogi, you are so few, to hath done this is already remarkable." "However, the Irokane Ayame which was bonded to me was taken away by Patra a while ago. As such, the Hidan...." Just as Shirayuki spoke till this point-- Tamamo's gaze suddenly became sharp like never before. "Shirayuki, stop speaking. Coincidentally Tohyama is here as well. Hotogi and Tohyama can share the workload and help one another." ".....What are you talking about. What's happened with the Irokane Ayame?" "Don't ask. The hihi-irokane bonds to the human heart. And love is an extremely difficult portion to master. The more you know, the more your heart becomes confused. Humans are unable to master their internal feelings." "?" "From the past, the Hotogi Miko whom are deeply connected to the Irokane, are able to be aqcuainted with the Tohyama Samurai till now, tis because the Tohyama family is a clan that fights with the heart. Thou should consider carefully what this means. Does thou naught hath matters which thou does not wish to tell Hotogi?" The hihi-irokane obviously loves "Love" and "War", just now Tamamo.... Only spoke about the part on love. "Things which I do not want to tell Hotogi..." She seems to know about the hereditary power passed on from generation to generation in the Tohyama family. (Hysteria mode is definitely linked to our emotional state with members of the opposite sex, but so what?) ... I feel the atmosphere becoming a bit weird now. The supernatural and topics on romance are the 2 boundaries where I'm the worst at. If Tamamo mentions about Hysteria mode at this time, things will become problematic for me, best to remain silent for now. "In order to successfully resolve this issue, the cooperation between Tohyama and Shirayuki is of utmost importance. So the both of you must get along well." Drinking her tea, a contented-looking Tamamo looked at Shirayuki who answered with a loud "Yes". "Not to worry, no matter what happens, I'll always be at your sides." With a somewhat frozen smile, Tamamo looked in my direction. "Be at your sides..." When we were fighting Hilda, why weren't you around. Although setting up the barriers is definitely a busy task.... "As for Aria, I will speak with her soon. The golden shell must be retrieved. To err on the side of caution, I'll also perform a preliminary diagnosis on the progress of the deitification into the Scarlet Blazing God." "... Is Aria fine?" I asked somewhat worriedly. "Tis should be fine for the time being. Thou should worry naught. As long as Grenada is defeated, and all the golden shells are retrieved, there will not be any problems." Since the expert has said her piece, then I have no objections as well. But regardless... I don't really know about Aria's condition yet, so it's not so good I worry about it now. Aria still seems to be pretty spirited, so my worries may really be groundless fears. "........" I suddenly noticed that while I was speaking to Tamamo about Aria, Shirayuki seemed to be intentionally withholding her comments and listening at the sides. Tamamo, for some reason, did not even glance at Shirayuki. It feels as if the both of them have a premonition about something, but didn't wish to say anything. I furrowed my brows. I don't know why, but my mind suddenly recalled what Tamamo once told me. --About 700 years ago, someone transformed into the Scarlet Blazing God. That person turned into a monster, and started wars.... Before it was finally killed by the Tohyama Samurai and Hotogi Miko..... ### 007. 5th Ammo - Cultural Festival Day 2 -Carnaval Finale- ## 5th Ammo: Cultural Festival Day 2 -Carnaval Finale- Leaving Tamamo and Shirayuki behind at SSR, I went back to my room--there was the scent of gardenia in the room. Aria is in the room then. Walking past the corridor... The curtains of the changing area to the bathroom was drawn, and the sound of a hairdryer could be heard within. Looks like she went straight into the bathroom after coming back. "I'm back." As Aria staying here has become a fact, so to say.... "Ah, Kinji? Wai.. Wait, if you dare open the curtain I'll shoot you dead. I'm covered with a towel now." ... Looks like there's no need to say anything. Who the hell wants to open it. A pandora box containing a naked girl and weapons. But... in the past, when I came back to such situations, Aria would always start firing intimidation shots without waiting for any explanation, yet now, it's simply verbal threats only. (Really.... Aria's attitude towards me has softened somewhat recently.) I guess this can be considered a good thing. "Kinji." "What is it?" "Today's a tiring day, so we'll just rest... what are you doing tomorrow. There's no more work for you right." "I'm not doing anything, so I'll just swing by the cultural festival and walk around." "Me too, I don't have any work tomorrow, before noon." "Then you can go walk around the cultural festival as well." "......" .....Eh? Why is Aria keeping quiet? "....Why are you so quiet?" "Ah, didn't I already mention.... I'll be free tomorrow as well until noon. I'll only have something on in the afternoon." She repeated what she just said. "....What should I do before noon?" Aria intentionally asked the question out loudly, switching off the hairdryer. Following that, there were rustling noises, probably changing clothes. "What should I DO?" Shit... she seems to sound a bit angry. If I don't give some suggestions, it's likely I'm gonna get shot by her. Even with the curtain drawn, Aria is still capable to accurately hitting her target. "--You can walk around the places you feel like going. I heard Muto's younger sister opened a Takoyaki stall, and it's selling like hotcakes." I cautiously offered my own opinion... ".... I say, is your ability to talk only at the elementary school level?" Drawing the curtain open and walking out, Aria was wearing her sailor uniform and staring at me as she spoke. "Wha.. what are you trying to say." Aren't you at an elementary school level yourself, in terms of body height. "Then I'll say it, aren't you going to the cultural festival tomorrow to walk around? By chance, coincidentally, accidentally, I'll be free all the way until noon... so, I can accompany you too! You're really hopeless!" According to my interpretation of the speech patterns in Aria Language, which I have finally figured out recently-- The meaning of her words were "I order you to go with me." Simply put, she wants company. Alright, I'll go along, since I'll be free anyway. "Then... do me a favor, please go with me." The way of replying is very important as well. To Aria ojou-sama.... using the "I'm taking the initiative to ask you" type of speaking is key to survival. I glanced at the edges of her skirt, and as expected, the guns were there, just like usual. "Alright alright, then I'll accompany you and we can go together. I really don't know what to do with you." Aria's voice feels significantly cheerful. Her expression has softened as well, and the killing intent has dissipated... Well done, my Aria Remote Control. It was done so beautifully, I couldn't help but admire myself. "If I leave Kinji alone, you'll definitely cause trouble, and it'll be terrible if you got lost. I'll just have to be your guardian for the time being, so you should thank me quickly! Visiting the cultural festival at 9 in the morning tomorrow, ok, it's entered into my schedule." .... I'll become lost? (I'll see ghosts first before I get lost in my own school, and, whichever way you look at it, the guardian should be me.) Although there's a lot of things to rebut... But, Aria seemed pretty happy as she entered the schedule into her new pearl-white handphone. The only thing was, her "A good chance has arrived" type of excitement made me feel somewhat uneasy..... After all, Aria has always been using her petite body frame to endure the cruelties of fate. Since it's rare to have a short period of time for free activity, I'll just accompany her. This day, the other members of Baskerville didn't come to the room, so Aria and I watched television and chatted away. .... Then, we enjoyed a very rare leisurely dinner. After dinner, around 10pm in the evening-- The phone in the room rang. I picked up the handset, and found that Tamamo had called. "Tell Aria to take the call", she said over the phone..... Hence, I called Aria over to the phone, and looking at her seriously, said, "Aria, I have something to say first... I have something to do with this call." ".....?" "Actually I should have told you sooner, but, regarding this matter, I'm no different from any other amateur.... I may not be able to explain this to you accurately, so, I'll let the expert do it." "Expert?" "It's someone with links to Shirayuki and Jeanne. It's an important matter for you, so listen to this calmly." Done speaking, I passed the handset to her-- After saying "This is Kanzaki Aria", the conversation started. I stood by the side and watched in silence... Although Aria looked visibly shocked several times, but she appeared calm from the beginning till the end.... The phone call ended in a very short time. *Click* Aria placed the handset back.... Closing her camellia eyes, she was deep in her thoughts for a while. "Aria..." "--Never mind, Kinji. Your assessment was correct. This matter--is definitely not in your area of expertise." Aria shook her head lightly. She headed towards the door. "But I've always had this feeling. Koko, Hilda, Watson, all turning up one after another, there must be some inside story to all these." "Where are you going?" "I'm going to speak with Tamamo in private. We'll be meeting at the sports center where the cultural festival is held at night. Kinji... We'll talk tomorrow. About the things from now on." "Alright." Tamamo probably meant everything. About the Far Eastern War, Golden Shell, and the Scarlet Blazing God-- Be careful Aria. The next morning, at 8.30am-- I arrived at the outdoor swimming pool where I met Aria yesterday. The Masters had instructed "To prevent mingling, meeting places that comes immediate to mind are not allowed to be used.", so I decided to use this place as the meeting location... Aria hasn't arrived yet. The meeting time was supposed to be at 9am. But, when we went to the festival at Ueno during the summer holidays, Aria strictly ordered me to arrive 30 minutes early, saying that she'll let me have a taste of windhole giant volcano or windhole active volcano as punishment if I made her wait. So, bored out of my skull, I could only wait at the diving platform of the second lane..... Under the blue autumn sky, staring blankly at the swimming pool, waiting for Aria. Last night, Aria didn't come back.... She called back in the night, saying that after speaking with Tamamo, she's meeting Shirayuki to get specific details--furthermore, she also has some matter which she needed help from her female kōhai, so she'll be sleeping over at the girls dorm. --She sounded the same as usual. Even though she heard so many things, but she didn't appear to be in a state of confusion. No, maybe it's like what she said--on some level, she felt it through her intuition. "Kinji." Aria appeared--much earlier than I expected. Aria was pacing along under the autumn sunlight... She sat beside me, on the diving platform of the first lane. .....? The sailor uniform she usually wears looks new. "Did you iron it? Your clothes." "Ah, yeah." "You actually know how to iron your clothes. Didn't you almost cause a fire last time you used the iron in my room?" ".... Because I don't know how, so I asked Mamiya to help me iron the clothes." Ah, so she asked her Battle-kōhai Mamiya for help. --Butei High has this Amica System, whereby a senior will provide guidance to a junior on a one-to-one basis. To put it in another way, it's like a teacher-student relationship between 2 consenting parties, this relationship is called Battle-brothers between guys, and Battle-sisters among girls, putting them together, it's called the Amica System. This is a really long-winded explanation. "--But Kinji, why are you here so early?" "Why I'm so early... You came early as well, the cultural festival only starts at 9am." "Ah, well... I, I asked first, so you have to answer me first." For some reason, Aria's face started turning red.... If I answer with "It's all because you threatened me in the past", she'll definitely be unhappy. "I just... happened to arrive early, there's no other meaning." "Ah, I happen to be the same, there's no other meaning, really no other meaning at all. It's not because I can be alone with Kinji that I came early, so you better don't be mistaken." Aria puffed her non-existent chest proudly as she spoke--but, isn't the front half of your reply copied from mine. I lowered my head to look at my watch--it's 8.45am now. There's still some time. "By the way, you've seen it right?" "--Are you referring to Tamamo?" Sweeping her gaze at me, Aria asked. "Yes, so how was it?" "It's nothing much, or rather, after knowing so much, I felt a peace of mind." Her twin-tails drifting with the wind--Aria definitely looked very calm. Just like usual. That's really impressive. I totally lost it during the Bandire. "So what did you talk about?" "Oh, the Far Eastern War, Baskerville joining the war, Deen and Grenada, although I have no recollection of seeing Hilda during the Bandire... but, it seems that it was because the Suggestive Arts was used on me, and also, the golden shell being taken by force... Although I only have a hazy impression, but one of them has been placed back in my left chest... so, I believed it. As of now, the Hidan in my chest has only 3 fragments of the golden shell with it. --I've also heard, if we leave it like this, a dangerous event will occur." "The danger you are referring to...." "I wasn't told the details. Do you know what it is?" I.... nodded. ".... Wanna know?" "It's ok if you don't say, I can tell from your expression, there's still a fair bit of time, perhaps measured in years." Aria, with her sharp intuition that even Sherlock Holmes had to admit defeat to-- Correctly guessed her symptoms. ".... You're really calm, after hearing such major news." "Don't underestimate me, Butei are frequently on the battlefield. Afraid of being injured or dying in the line of duty, is as good as not doing your job. Don't tell me--if it were you in my situation, you'll become spineless." Aria looked at me sharply with her gaze. I shook my head, so, Aria stood up at the first lane of the swimming pool with her hands on her hips. "--The targets are 4 members of Grenada. Patra, Shokatsu, Katze Grasse and Havi. But Kinji, as my mother's next trial will be the final sentencing... so there's a need to arrest Patra, the leader of EU's Ignatius. Shokatsu's organization, Ranban, has dealings with EU, and has a member from the remnants of EU." Aria began describing the situation of each enemy. "The woman, Katze Grasse, is EU's OB , she's in the Witch Company , which is an infamous spying and terrorist organisation. The women are all hired by Libya, Iran, North Korea for high fees. As for that girl, Havi, I'm not too sure about her.... but since she's related to Grenada, there's a need to thoroughly investigate her." "....In other words, they're all enemies you need to defeat in the first place." "Yes, so it doesn't matter if there's a time limit. Or should I say, I don't need that much time. Before mother's final sentencing--March next year, I will succeed." Speaking with the usual vigor and drive, Aria suddenly-- Swung her pink ponytails, turning her head to look at me. "Kinji, what are you going to do?" "Shirayuki and Tamamo are allies, Reki and Ranban have their connection, you are aware of Riko's intent to fight, she doesn't want me or Kinji to be killed by other enemies, But, thinking about it carefully.... you're just dragged into this mess Kinji, there's no need for you to participate in the battle." Being asked by Aria in all seriousness, I-- "... This is Butei Charter 8 as well." The moment I decided to answer, I confirmed what I knew long ago about my own situation. "The mission must be resolved completed, since I interfered with EU, I got myself implicated into the Far Eastern War. Regarding this, you reap what you sow, this is the principle of a Butei." Even before considering this, there's the humane principle as well. If we compare this to a fire disaster.... because we tried to put out EU's flames, the sparks created spread the fire further. After all, the reason of putting out the fires is not enough by itself. "Like what you said, there's no need for me to be involved... but I have already planted the seeds of hate, Jeanne has told me this as well. After all, the one who defeated Sherlock--your great grandfather--and destroyed his EU is me. Patra and the rest of the gang must be aiming for my head. Just like how Hilda came seeking revenge for Vlad, who knows when Koko's accomplices will attack me." That's right, the fire was not put out completely--remnants of EU still remain. They have received the fuel named as Grenada, and intend to revive the powerful flames. From the looks of it, it's just that I haven't been attacked yet, but returning to a normal life is no longer possible. "I'm just a normal high school student. In order to turn this into reality, these guys are obstacles, If I return to school without resolving everything, it could bring trouble to other students." I said everything in one breath-- "Kinji...." As if obtaining a dependable comrade, Aria displayed a joyful expression. I'm only E-ranked, so I can't be counted as a dependable comrade. (And, perhaps Aria found it hard to say it out....) But I understood when Aria became involved with EU, and when Riko got into trouble. --I can't let myself sit out for this one. I can't leave the people fighting those freaks, super-humans and monsters on their own... and moreover, they're girls. I must protect them, after all, I am a man. This isn't for the sake of garnering their affections, or trying to get their gratitude, but it's out of public morals, the men must protect the women. .... Seriously, I can only blame myself to be born in the sex with no benefits. Just that-- "The deadline is March next year.... to resolve everything before Kanae-san's final sentencing. It'll be alright if we can do that." "Un, yeah." I looked seriously at Aria, she nodded her head. "Starting from April, I'll be going to a normal school. So, the Far Eastern War--will be my retirement battle as a Butei." Listening to my declaration.... Aria didn't nod her head. She wanted to say something, but stopped herself and turned her head to one side. "Aria, I've told you this when I met you..." I hesitated, and was about to voice out my wish to transfer out from Butei High. Aria hurriedly extended her hand to stop me. "I understand, so please don't say anymore." ".... Do you really understand?" I asked with some doubt. Aria hugged her arms, raised her eyebrows and answered. "Yes, although I can't accept this. Once you encounter a situation, you'll display world-class bravery.... You obviously possess such talents, but wish to retire... this is one point I'm unable to accept. Kinji, things like talent, are like platinum cards in life, and you actually want to throw it away on your own accord--" "No matter how good the card is, it's just a piece of useless paper when there's no need for it." "But..." "We've already talked till this point, do you still need me to repeat myself? It looks like my intent hasn't been properly transmitted to you." I sat back down at the second lane of the pool, Aria, however-- Lightly dusted off her skirt, and leapt down from the diving platform of the first lane. "Ah, what a pity, it's time." Saying this, Aria pointed at the clock tower--it's already 9am. "Let's not bother about this, listen carefully, I...." "--The cultural festival has started, it's time for the activities to commence. Aren't the two of us supposed to be resting for today?" "Yes, but...." "We need to change our moods when resting, if we're always wound up so tightly, it's only a matter of time before the mental strain breaks us. If that happens, we won't be able to make accurate decisions." Looks like Aria doesn't want to talk about the topic of me switching schools.... But, not talking about it doesn't mean not understanding. "In other words, for a Butei, resting is a type of work as well. Let's not talk about those things anymore, for now we'll just relax ourselves. I need a change of mood as well, having an argument with someone you like before going for a date isn't good." ......? Aria... did you just.... Did you just say something very weird? I probably heard wrongly. "Da... Date?" I repeated Aria's words-- Maybe Aria had unconsciously spoken those words. Listening to me repeat them, her whole face turned red immediately. "Ah, I, I... just.... said those words?" Blushing, Aria started stammering-- And facing her, I must have been blushing as well. Bastard. In stark contrast to the red faces, were completely blank minds. Just before the word "date", there seems to be another word which had even more of an impact, but as Aria's slip of the tongue was too stimulating, all my memory flew out into the clouds. But if our reaction to this problem is overly delayed, it'll make the both of us even more awkward, turning the day into a mess. So, even though my mind was in a complete mess, I still nodded my head. "No, never, never, never never never!" Never never! Baring her little fangs, Aria entered full denial mode. Whoosh whoosh! Her hands started waving like a windmill. "--Today is a holiday, a holiday is a holiday." It feels like she's saying really weird stuff, but I nodded my head anyway. "Yea.. yeah, a holiday is a holiday." "Yes, that's it, a holiday is a holiday!" Reaching an agreement that "a holiday is a holiday", we left the swimming pool. That girl Aria, why did she suddenly pitch such a foul ball at me. In my mind--appeared a scene of Aria falling down on a baseball field after failing to catch a ball, and she just happened to fall into a hole which, for some unknown reason, was on the baseball field. Unlike a vanishing baseball, the one vanishing was Aria instead. Aria and I continued walking along.... While I was recalling what Aria said just now, her mood switched rapidly. Walking in the Academy Island grounds, she was gradually getting excited. It looks like Aria has never seen a Japanese school festival. "Kinji, what's that? And what's this? What are those girls queuing in line for?" Everything in front of her eyes generated a large amount of interest for her. As her follower, I could only provide explanations like "This is a shop selling gun magazine clips, it's total rubbish for Butei High, but can still be sold to people from outside", "These are pirated merchandise of Rilakkuma ", "It's a beauty contest for men, Shiranui is really standing out". I'm so exhausted. And, Aria was moving randomly in all directions, all according to her whim. "I say, do you have some direction you wanna go?" I asked. "Nope." She immediately replied. She has no objective, but she's still so happy. I wonder why this is so. (....I'd rather participate in some activities....) Just as I thought about it, I found a place to go. Ambulace and Repier had organised a "Morgue of Horrors and Friends". Butei High running a morgue, that's really bad for business. And, who are these friends you are referring to? There's just too many tsukkomi here... (--But, from now on we do have to fight the freaks in Grenada.) Perhaps this could be some form of mental training for people to get used to fighting monsters. With that thought in my mind, I called out to Aria, whose reaction to the Morgue of Horrors was unusually mild and was just about to leave. "Hey, Aria." "..... Wha... what is it?" "Let's go in." I said, as I pointed at the bio-hazard signboard for the "Horror House"..... "Are.. are you stupid? Thinking of going to that kiddie place?" Aria glared at me for a moment, and then just sat on the ground. "Are you afraid?" "I'm n... not... not afraid at all!" "That's good, than let's go in." "Ah!" "Didn't you say you weren't scared?" "--Of.. of course not!" Saying this, Aria was contemplating running away at the same time. Well, it's necessary for Aria to undergo this kind of training. After all, she's the type who had a frightened look on her face after seeing just the external appearance of the Koumeikan mansion in Yokohama. A Butei must have good resistance when going after unusual targets, Aria, prepare yourself! I bought 2 tickets, lifted up the black curtain and entered into the auditorium on the first floor of Repier's building...... Woah, it's pitch black. Time to switch on the pen torchlight handed out at the entrance. Switching on the torch, I saw bloodstains all over the floor at my feet. "Iyaa!" .. Aria suddenly screamed. "Don't... don't stick to me, aren't you used to seeing real blood?" "That... that isn't purposely splashed with the intention of scaring people, stupid!" ....*Patter patter patter* Arguing irrationally, Aria did not even look at the stretchers strewn all over the place and the damaged operating table, directly breaking into a light run and moving ahead. "Hey Aria, you're walking too fast!" "I don't want to waste time in this place! You walk faster as well so we can get out of this place quickly!" It seems.... Aria intends to express anger to cover her fear. (...On another level of meaning, I started to feel scared as well...) As I was contemplating this-- Suddenly, Aria halted her steps. I caught up to her and used the torch to shine ahead. I could see terror written all over her face. "There's somebody." "Of course there is, it's the guy in charge of scaring people." "You walk in front." "Alright alright." I was just about to take a step--beep beep--an alarm sounded. Red lights started flashing. "Kyaaa! Waaaahh!" Aria tried to escape towards her side, but bounced off the wall. Why is she in such a panic. Looking closer, I saw that there was a stretcher in front, and on top of the stretcher was a body bag. There was something in the body bag. ".... Tha.. that bag, there's a dead person in it." "You idiot, that's just a First Year tasked with scaring people." "So to say, it's still alive?" "How do you scare people if you're dead? Hey, don't whip out your gun, that will really result in a dead person." "This is for just in case." "Just in case of what. Give me the gun." "Nnnnononono, what if it's really a monster?" "How is that possible, I'm just beside you, give me the gun quickly." "Uuuuuu...." Aria started crying as she handed the gun to me. Then, she hid behind me and pushed me in the direction of the body bag. Hey hey, don't use me as a shield. And to think you're the Demon Butei who scares humans, scatters spirits, and make children cry, Aria The Quadra. As I was thinking of that... "Wooooo..." As expected. A First Year dressed up as a zombie crawled out from the body bag. Woah, thanks for your hard work. "Look, it's just like I said." I laughed bitterly at Aria who was hiding behind me. "--WAAHHHHHHH!" Seeing the zombie from behind me, Aria was so scared her twin tails shot straight up. Following that, bam, *sprints*! She pushed me away, and ran off panicked. All the while screaming.... This is totally you scaring yourself. Aria.... Just how much do you fear the supernatural. Come to think of it, it won't be too long before you have to fight with the real deal. Since the past till now, horror houses all follow the same model. To let people walk on a path for some time where nothing will happen, and once they let down their guard, the sudden use of light and sound to scare them. Aria, who was scared time and again, repeatedly said "Wha.. what. That wasn't scary at all, hu hu hu" and "KYAAAA!!" And like this, we passed through the first floor, and headed towards the second floor which had been decorated as a hospital. "It.. it's ending soon right?" "No... we've only walked one-third of it." "So long! Think of a solution for me quickly." "It's no use telling me." As I comforted Aria, whose twin tails were standing vertically upwards, I walked into the classroom. "Thi.. this won't do, this place won't do, you have to protect me properly!" ....To actually want someone to "protect" you inside a horror house. It's really unheard of. --Seeing the bloody palm prints on the door, Aria's camellia eyes widened into circles in fear as she hugged my elbow tightly. Then she lowered her head, and went into a total no-look mode. (I really don't know what to do with you...) If it's like this, won't I be like some sort of guide dog dragging Aria along. Entering the classroom, just as the first year dressed as a zombie nurse saw us.... ".....?" The path we came from just now, in a direction which was out of the way... came some sort of sound. I immediately halted my steps, Aria was trembling non-stop. "What... what is it Kinji, what is it, what is it?" "It's nothing, I seem to have heard some sound.... it's like a strange crying sound." "Hhhhhhhoooow can you betray me as well!" "Betray?" "Scary things! You're not allowed to say it out!" She's really still frightened. "Hmm--it sounds like the crying of a child, Aria, you wait here for me." Because it doesn't sound like a recording, so I was very concerned. "--Wait, don't leave me alone here!" "It can't be helped, it's possible someone is lost." Leaving Aria behind, I returned to the corridor. Suddenly, *ka-chk*. Seems like someone was in charge of closing the door. Aria was now locked in the hospital. "Iyaaaaaaaaaa! Open the door! Open the door quickly! Open the door! Open up for me! Open up the door for me this instant!" Aria was yelling out in an exaggerated anime-like voice, pounding on the door forcefully.... We should call the first years to give you training to overcome your fear. And since you usually use "training" as an excuse to kick, beat and even ride me like a horse. --I'll let you have a slight taste of what I'm going through. Along the corridor, there could be, no, there really was someone who had gotten lost. It was a 6 year old girl. "Mama, where are you?" Hearing her talk, I went forward to make some enquiries. She seemed to have taken the wrong path, and was separated from her mother. This is really pitiful. As I was thinking, Aria smashed opened the hospital door with a low head-butt. She started crying and administering punches and kicks to me at the same time. There's no helping it, I could only cut the training short, bringing Aria and the little girl out using the emergency exit. As I was explaining the situation to the First Year who was attending to me... the mother of the little girl appeared. She seemed to have thought that her daughter would be coming out about now as well, so she was searching for her daughter in the vicinity of Repier. "Mama!" The little girl flew straight into her mother's embrace. Under the urging of her mother, the little girl bowed her head at us in thanks. "Big brother, big sister, thank you both." "This is really a relief, don't get separated from your mother now!" Aria squatted down, comforting the little girl with the tone of an older sister. Looks like Aria has decided to pretend her disgraceful behavior just now has never happened. "Un, that's right, big sister." "What is it?" "Big sister, you like big brother very much right." The little girl said as she pointed at me.... Aria froze. "Wh... what makes you say that." "Because, to beat is to show affection, to scold is to show love." "Ah, I... I just.... It's because Kinji is an idiot, so there is a need to carry out educational guidance..." The little girl patted the stammering Aria on the shoulder-- "Do your best k!" Saying this, the little girl then left. Watching the little girl leave.... Aria's face was blushing red, her entire body petrified. The joke made by the little kid.... seemed to caused Aria to be thinking about something. Let's not talk about that first... Anyways, her violent actions towards me should stop now. Really well done, little girl. Thanks to her, I no longer have to join the "Morgue of Horror and Friends", I'm really grateful. After that, Aria started complaining "This is all your fault, you made me really hungry." I wanted to eat something as well, so..... We decided to visit the legendary super hot-selling Takoyaki shop, which was located around the Logi building. "Delicious Takoyaki! C'mon take a look and try it!" ... I heard a familiar voice, which was mixed with a Kansai accent. The source of the sound came from the "Takoyaki Queen" stall, set up near the car-park. Passing through door curtains which was printed with strange drawings of wheels drawn to look like Takoyaki.... "Ah, Tohyama Kinji." "You, add in a "sempai" when addressing your senior." Muto Takaki. Logi first year, with a name that sounds like a vehicle braking, but a fearless racing fanatic-- She was looking at me with her beautiful face that doesn't look anything like she's Muto's younger sister. (The only similarity she has with Muto... probably the height.) Takaki was only in the first year of high school, and she's almost 170cm tall. As she was working on the side as a race queen, she's somewhat famous on the Suzuka Circuit and Fuji Expressway. "Kinji, what's this?" Aria, who can never become a race queen, poked half her head over the counter (due to her height, she could only show half of her head) to get a better look at the stall. "It's Takoyaki." "But the thing being cooked looks like a ball, it should be called Boruyaki instead!" "There's no such name. Don't you even know what Takoyaki is. Alright then, let me do the talking." Muto (sis), who has an interest in making mini 4WD, said mockingly, "Don'cha know what a Takoyaki is? Really, you Tokyoites... should just be run over!" Then, shaking her tea-coloured ponytail which was almost blonde, she moved closer. Just a quick explanation, the Muto siblings have a speech pattern which uses "Run you over!" and such. "Well, so how many do you wanna buy? Since ya brought a girl, ya have to be more generous." Takaki, you... actually use such a contemptuous tone on a customer, who's also your sempai as well. Muto that guy too, you should teach your sister properly. Since the both of you are vehicle otakus. "Give me 8 then." "Ahhh--?" Takaki furrowed her pretty brow, bending over at her waist and looked up at me. ".... 12 then." "Ah ah--? Just be run over--!" Saying that, she started smiling and moved her face closer. Hey hey! Pretty girls shouldn't move their faces so close, won't this cause guys to be unable to resist? Speaking of which, if I cannot control myself against Muto's sister--it's as good as turning the gun on myself. "I... I understand, give me 20. Hurry up." "Thanks for yer patronage! No wonder yer Tohyama-sempai! Yer display of generosity, I will let my big brother know!" Making a pose from her other profession, her waist shaking slight and blowing a kiss, Takaki skillfully placed the Takoyaki into a paper box. So this is it.... that girl Takaki has been using this method to increase her sales. "Lovely Charm Takoyaki Stall", truly a vixen in the business world. Speaking of which, what do I do with my predicament. I bought 20 Takoyakis, I'll be stuffed to death. We sat on some chairs on the side to start eating, Aria had bought 2 bottles of Perrier water from somewhere else. I have always been thinking... Why does Aria frequently consume carbonated drinks? From what she said herself, "This is common practice in Europe when eating oily food.", but with respect to non-fruity carbonated drinks, I always felt weird. But, although it's only 2 people eating, water is essential in order to vanquish 20 Takoyakis. I opened a Perrier bottle and said, "Each one gets 10, equality for boys and girls." When I finished speaking, Aria looked at the box, and twitched her nose, sniffing at the food. Just to add, perhaps it was a habit from Takakai's family, the Takoyaki were to be eaten as how it was made. There was no dark sauce, not even seaweed or tuna flakes. But there were massive amounts of onions and chilli sauce. "This isn't a problem, but what kind of food is this." "Didn't I already say it was Takoyaki." "WHERE. IS. THE. OCTOPUS!" This is pissing me off.... "It's inside, and already cut." Do you need me to explain to such a detail. (Speaking of which... Before this, Aria doesn't even know what cotton candy is at her age.) People who have international marriages are really something. I skewered a Takoyaki. "Taste it, instead of explaining, try it for yourself." I presented it to Aria. *Gulp* She ate it without hesitation. It feels like... I'm feeding a small kitten. *Chew, chew*..... "Ah, it's delicious..." This is great. If it wasn't up to her taste, I'd have to deal with the remaining 19. Aria skewered one as well, bringing it up... *pa*-- The soft "Queen Takoyaki" slipped from the skewer, dropping back into the box. ".... I can't skewer it up." "Stick it into the piece of octopus inside." "Are you an idiot? I'm not an ability user, how would I know where the octopus is." "True.... then use your intuition." As I said that, Aria poked another one. .... It still dropped. ......GRRRRRRRRR....... Shit, a dangerous signal was emitting from Aria's throat. "Ca.. calm down Aria. Use 2 sticks like a chopstick. It shouldn't be a problem if you clip it up lightly." "Uu--like this? Ah--...ah, this is really working." Come on... come on, Takoyaki. Don't break. or else I'll become the punching bag again. *sss... sssssss....* "--It's clipped up! Look! The onions are on top as well!" "Very good very good, nicely done....!" You didn't break, such strength, Takoyaki! On the surface it looked as if I was praising Aria, but actually I was praising the Takoyaki. "Then, open your mouth!" "?" "Sai 'arrrrrrr'....." (Spoken in English using Japanese pronunciation) "..........?" "Say ah....." (Spoken in English) As the pronunciation changed to proper English, I finally understood. This is the English version of "Open your mouth!". .... Speaking of which, Why make me perform such an embarrassing action, it's not as if it's Shirayuki or Riko. Aria was totally unconcerned with my embarrassment, sending the Takoyaki to my mouth with a super cute smile. (.... Was it because I fed her just now? If that's the case, I'm really asking for it.) After I confirmed that there was no one I know around me-- I made a decision, and ate the Takoyaki Aria was feeding me with the speed of lightning. It's really delicious. Although it's already delicious in the first place.... But, defeated by Aria's "Open your mouth!" attack, I felt the tastiness of the Takoyaki went up by several points. It just feels like.... Aria has been behaving strangely recently. "Then, next is my turn." For some unknown reason, there's now a rule of feeding one another. Aria was behaving excitedly like a kid playing games in kindergarten, chewing on the Takoyaki I fed her. Everytime Aria fed the Takoyaki to me, I felt so nervous that I didn't even know whether I was full or not... When I realised, the big box of Takoyaki had been finished by the both of us. "It's really delicious, I should praise you for this." Drinking her Perrier water, Aria took out something like a lipstick from the pocket of her skirt. Then, she turned her back towards me and started applying it. I looked at the cover she placed on the chair... the word 'Dior' was on it. "What are you applying?" "Lip gloss. I don't use lipstick, though Jeanne does." Lip gloss?? Lipstick? Is there a difference? "You.... go out to buy cosmetics too?" A pint-sized Butei armed with guns shopping in a cosmetic store? Thinking of this scenario, I had to keep myself from laughing out. "I don't go out to buy. A personal fashion consultant and make-up artist are hired to the company, and everything is custom-made for me." To her, this is probably no big deal right? To say it in such a matter-of-fact way... that's really something. I guess this is what nobility are like. That's right..... Aria is still a girl. So she'll be very conscious about her make-up as well. "How much to make one?" "Your heart won't be able to take it if I told you." Saying that, Aria placed the cover back on the lip gloss, and put it back into her pocket. Listening to her.... I became acutely aware of her lips, which looking closely, were shining and reflecting light. I see, lip gloss and lipstick are indeed different things. I became silent, and looked at Aria's lips.... "Wha... what is it? I didn't apply it on because I was expecting anything, it's because I just ate something, and the autumn winds in Japan are dryer. I didn't have any sort of strange expectations alright!" Aria folded her arms and turned her head away as she spoke. Then-- "To.. today is really memorable. How about you, Kinji?" She suddenly looked at me... her face was blushing as she asked. "Ah? Yeah, a cultural festival has to be memorable to people." "I wasn't talking about this, I meant 'being together with me'." ..... Again with the strange way of asking questions. But truthfully speaking, I had a great time today. Because , when I'm with Aria, it's the same as being with my guy friends, there's no feeling of restriction. Although there are occasional things that make my face blush or heart race, but basically she isn't like a girl. Her child-like appearance makes her look more like my younger sister (although in actual fact I don't have a younger sister), the atmosphere was very relaxing. "--It's alright, I don't feel tired when I'm with you." Even though there are all sorts of danger. I'll keep this sentence to myself. Following my short and simple reply--Aria.... Ho ho.... Suddenly laughed in a shy manner. "Me.. me too. I'm very happy, except for the haunted house. You're really not bad." "I don't know what you're praising me for...." "It's an evaluation for today. Yes.... since it's not often I'm in a good mood, I'll promote you as a servant, starting from now on." Can Ojou-sama please explain to me what's the bloody difference between a slave and a servant. But... it feels really strange, for Aria to actually praise me. Usually I'll just be Aria's personal punching bag. Being praised by her like this, I felt uneasy instead. "How do I say this... Recently, you've changed somewhat." As I felt awkward, I turned my head away to the side. Aria became silent for a while, wiping her hands on her skirt. I glanced at her from the corner of my eye, and noticed she was holding out her little finger. "Of course I'll change. You, made the little finger...." "?" "You're really weird.... You're a weird person too." Saying that, Aria lowered her head. I could only remain silent as well. After a while, Aria stole a glance at me, and asked. "Then, which me is better? For Kinji, the me before? Or the me right now?" ".... Both are good, you're still you." After replying, I placed my hands on the back of my head-- The both of us continued to sit on the chairs in silence. As the conversation has ended, I raised my head, looking at the clear autumn skies and feeling the autumn wind blowing on my face..... Ding.... Dong.... Ding.... Dong.... The sound of the tolling bell came from the direction of Odabai. It was from the church of Hotel Nikko. Due to the direction of the wind, the sound could be heard in Academy Island. "Oh, it's a wedding." I said with some emphasis. "--Pfffff." Aria was drinking the Perrier water, and suddenly shouted "Wuuaahhhhhhh" like she choked on the water. Following that, she replaced the cap on the Perrier bottle, and started smoothing her hair in a flustered manner. This is what she looks like when she's unable to calm down. "Speaking of which, Aria. what are you doing in the afternoon?" "Ah, the afternoon? The afternoon... the afternoon I'll be going to Assault to check on the activities of the female juniors. Didn't the Masters put up a notice to say 'Sempais are to verify the activities of their juniors. If there appears to be inadequate preparation, guidance must be given.' !" "It's good to look after others, but that's not compulsory! When I heard the notice I simply thought that it's for people who want to go, I don't really care." "It's.. it's fine. We'll end here today. The book did say 'Too much bindings will result in displeasure'." Aria said some strange stuff as she stood up--throwing the bottle into the trash can. (Bindings... was it referring to me?) Recently, didn't you still use ropes to bind me and throw me into the sea for stealing your peach buns. And that's after shooting me. "Then.. then bye, Kinji. See you again at the fireworks meet in the evening. If you don't turn up, be prepared to be blasted with holes." As Aria said these terrifying words, she politely left the place like an obedient girl. Suddenly, she seemed to recall something, and adjusted her skirt to hide the gun holsters. This action.... it's the first time I've seen it. That girl would actually be embarrassed because her guns were showing. Afterwards, I met up with Muto (brother), and walked around the Cultural Festival with Shiranui, who placed second in the men's beauty contest. Last year my schedule was packed to the brim with work. Finally this year I have one day of rest... When Muto and Shiranui went to the CVR ball, which was an activity full of girls, I took the opportunity to slack off. I can say that up till now, today was the most perfect day I've had for all this while. The Cultural Festival successfully came to a close at 7pm in the evening as there was no festival at night..... --So, from now on, it's time for the terrifying "Fireworks Meet". On the final day of the Cultural Festival, Butei High has a tradition of having each team prepare and eat their own "Butei Pot". For this, the sports hall was opened to everyone in the evening, and members of Team Baskerville were to gather there. At this time, everyone was to bring their own ingredients, but... The type of ingredients brought by each member of the team was determined by whether you have drawn "Hit" or "Miss". Following the outcome, I was responsible for "Hit". As such, I gave normal pork meat to Shirayuki, who was overall-in-charge of the pot. To add on, Shirayuki was the other one responsible for "Hit". This reassured me greatly. But... the ones who drawn "Miss" were Aria and Reki. Members responsible for "Miss" were to hand over "ingredients that one does not normally put into a hotpot" to the pot IC. This is a rule for the Butei Pot. (.....I hope it won't become a problem with those two.....) Aria has very little knowledge on the hotpot of Japanese culture, while Reki lives a life devoid of culture. What creative ideas the two extremists can come up with, just thinking about it gave me a headache. Also, in teams where there are an odd number of members, there will be one person in charge of the "seasoning", and that's Riko. I guess this can be considered fortunate. If that girl whose mind is filled with fantasies ended up in charge of "Miss" ingredients, she might even bring a can of Surströmming . ("Water tossing", "Butei Pot".... who is supposed to benefit from these crazy ideas...) As I thought about it, I walked into the sports hall with heavy footsteps--it was already quite noisy with all the people inside. Many of the teams have started eating from their Butei Pot, and beside some of the seated students, there were several people lying on the ground foaming at their mouth, receiving treatment from Medica students equipped with first aid boxes. Dammit, what's the point of this activity. "Ki-kun, over here!" Sitting like a mermaid on a picnic cloth, Riko was beaming as she called out to me. Very much enjoying herself from this sort of ridiculous activities, Riko was tapping on the hotpot with her chopsticks while humming a tune. Just to mention, the hotpot being used is a "dedicated hotpot for Butei Pot". It was a negative type of inheritance passed down from our seniors, from each generation to the next. It's basically a pot made of clay. But, the cover of the pot was shaped like a bowler hat. On top of the bowler-hat cover, there was a small flap that could be opened up... The design was such that even if the flap was opened, you wouldn't know what food you had taken until it's completely out of the flap. Putting it in another way, even in a brightly lit place, it's still able to create a 'dark' hotpot, it's an artifact that emanates demonic aura. Besides Riko--Aria was sitting cross-legged on the picnic cloth, Reki was sitting in a squat position, Haimaki was sitting on top as well, and-- "It's being cooked now, Kin-chan, thank you for the meat." The only one sitting in seiza was the IC, Shirayuki, who was adjusting the fire of the stove. Wearing an apron around her school uniform, Shirayuki opened up a space for me, so I sat beside her. "Cone-------pepper-----" Suddenly, like Doraemon whipping out a secret tool, Riko started yelling! --She started stuffing alot of chili into the flap! "Wah!" "Kya!" "...." Aria and Shirayuki stared with wide eyes, while Reki looked on silently at the pot. "You... you.... what did you add inside! This will turn it into spicy hotpot!" Seeing that Riko was still thinking of adding more chili, I started shouting. "But Riko loves to eat spicy stuff. Cone----pepper----!" Riko said loudly. And added in some more--! The cone pepper, simply put, is a type of chili. A single one would have made the hotpot unbearable, and she actually put in twenty pieces. Is she trying to kill us? ".... Kin-chan, the person in charge of the seasoning can put anything she wants, this is the rule. But at least we will die together." Shirayuki said, as she took out an expensive-looking embroidered handkerchief to dab her tears. "There's no need to follow this type of rule! Riko... if you put one more inside, I'll execute you! Aria, Reki, remove your safety catches!" As the team leader, I will no longer tolerate further acts of violence. We removed the safety off our weapons together. "Hurmp, let's make it slightly sweeter then." Saying that, Riko took out a pack from a bear-shaped bag, opened it, and poured everything into the hotpot with a whoosh! .... Art.. artificial sweetener...! That's the artificial sweetener which is 4 times sweeter than normal sugar. Simply put, it's like pouring in 2 kilograms of white sugar. (I wonder what other hellish stuff has been added into the pot when I wasn't around.) The seasoning alone for the hotpot was already enough to make me uneasy, this is the first time in my life I encountered such a situation. ...........Buruburuburu.... The hotpot was giving off a weird smell, and emitting purple gas, this hotpot.... "Hee hee, it looks really delicious, the taste will top everything else in the world..." Seeing Riko taking out a packet of seasoning sauce, "Shirayuki, is it done, I think it should be cooked right?" I hurriedly prompted Shirayuki to hurry up. "Un, I think it's done, although I'm not really sure myself when it can be considered done...." "Ok, then--let's hope this cultural festival will end smoothly, with no one dying..." As the leader, I hurriedly gave the speech to begin the feast-- "Alright! Then Aria, taste it!" "Shi... Shirayuki, the overall-in-charge should start first." "Ehh... Then Reki, how about you give it a try?" "Riko should be the one to start eating first." The girls ignored my speech, and started to push the task to each other. My existence... is really pathetic... "Then, let's have Ki-kun go first!" "That's right, let the leader start first!" "Kin-chan, I'm sorry, but.. but, there's normal food inside as well, so..." "Kinji, do your best!" You guys.... But, as it's four against one, there's nothing I could do. After all, the girls were pretending to display their weapons accidentally. --There's no choice. I'll just have to suck it up and do it. "....The sakura, falls with the wind, drifting, scattering..." Singing a tune to bid farewell to the world, I held the thought "If I die you all won't be able to live much longer too" to comfort myself, and went first. Holding a bowl.... with my hands trembling.... I brought up the food... *pa*! ....Pea.... Peach.... .....Peach bun....!? Like a corpse, the peach bun surfaced. Aria, this must be your handiwork! Maybe you would have liked this, but the filling has already been exposed from the melted skin of the bun. Have you ever thought what the taste would be like? "To be considerate of others before you act", do elementary school students in foreign countries not learn about this? And... on top of the peach bun, what... what the hell is that thing? On top there was a half-melted thing, which should have originally been some brown-coloured rectangular object. (What.. what is this....? Is this wheat bran...?) Transferring the thing to my bowl, I picked up my chopsticks, the apprehension in my heart greater than when I was attacking E.U. "......" "......" "......" "......" Including Haimaki, everyone was looking at me as I placed the "wheat bran" lookalike-thingy in my mouth.... "Guh.... Ah..." --That girl Reki! You actually put wafers into the pot.....! And it's cheese flavored. The thick cheese flavor mixed with the seafood soup, resulted in an indescribable taste. However, by a remarkable stroke of fortune, the chili was neutralized by the artificial sweetener. It's practically a miracle. Putting aside the food, at least no one will die from drinking the soup. Using whatever determination I had, I finished the peach bun saturated with soup--mission accomplished. Also, as there was an each-person-a-scoop rule, the girls started playing rock-paper-scissors to decide who's next. The first was Aria. "....Wah...." She scooped up something black, a mass of black stuff. "Reki! This is your doing isn't it?" After an interrogation by a furious Aria sitting on top of Reki, that thing appears to be blueberries which Snipe uses for the purpose of improving their eyesight. This explains the purple gases emitting from the soup. Aria forced the thing into her mouth unwillingly, gulping down milk from a cup in her hands to wash everything down. "Uhhh.. May the heavens protect me, may the heavens protect me...Uhhh..." Shirayuki started to pray. Maybe because her behavior was usually prim and proper, she scooped up a cooked egg. As Shirayuki was shedding tears of joy, Riko, who was sitting beside her scooped up... "Woah, Reki!" It's flour noodle... But, artificial sweeteners had crystallized and enveloped the noodles, turning it shiny. How did this happen.... I was very shocked. Riko said "It's delicious", and calmly ate the flour noodle. Don't you find the flour noodles strange at all, and your sense of taste as well. After Riko, was Reki. With the usual expressionless look on her face, she stirred the ladle up and down... *whisk!* "....!" Sitting beside her, I broke out into a cold sweat seeing what she had scooped up, a full ladle of chili. "......" Reki placed the chili into a bowl..... Breaking apart the chopsticks--with a gleam in both her eyes-- *whisk* *swallow, swallow* She really ate the chili. In a calm and collected manner as usual. *whisk*.... swallow*, *whisk.... swallow, swallow*. She ate all of the remaining chili as well, like she was eating fries. "...Are.. are you alright...?" I asked worriedly. Reki nodded her head slightly. Her eyes were devoid of emotion, and showed no signs of distress. (....This is too ridiculous...) ....Afterwards.... The disgusting traditional activity had ended, and all the demonic ingredients were removed from the pot, so that everyone can slowly enjoy it. As they say, the pet follows the image of its master, Haimaki actually started to eat the ingredients happily as well. Isn't this cruelty to animals? --At this time, Shirayuki said, "Well, I'll remove the foam." Using this as an excuse to change the entire soup..... After she used a cloth to sanitize the pot for a new lease of life, the normal hotpot can begin. I can finally feel at ease. "Shirayuki, there should still be some food left." "Un, the pork meat from Kin-chan.... there's still cabbage and mizuna, carrots, mushrooms, spring onions, gobō ..... ah, and slices of Yonezawa beef." "Un.... that's great." "We can still make something decent." Like confirming weapons and equipment, Aria and I made a thorough inspection of the food, gave out orders, and Shirayuki started cooking. Just like that-- The members of Baskerville crowded around the hotpot once again. At this time, Riko... "--This meat is painstakingly prepared by Riko for herself!" *Pa!* Palmed in the eye, the beef I had picked up was snatched away in mid-air above the pot. "That hurts... Isn't it the same whoever prepared the meat! I haven't eaten any meat yet!" "From now one, this is Riko's territory, Ki-kun is forbidden to enter!" Saying that, Riko decided on her own to use stalks of spring onions to draw out a boundary. Then, she ate the boundary as well, leaving me with no idea how to react. Looking at Riko eating the meat with gusto, I was starting to panic. I asked Shirayuki to pass me some meat... under the watchful eyes of the everyone else, I picked up a piece.... "Arrwooo!" "Woah?!" This time, the ambushing party was Haimaki, who snatched the meat from the side. You-- Normally you eat all sorts of junk, why on earth do you have to eat my Yonezawa beef today! "Give it back!" "Arrwooo!" . With my anxiety pushed to the breaking point, I no longer cared about what others might think of me. I tried to snatch the food back from Haimaki's mouth, but was ultimately no match for an animal, and the fight ended with me being bitten a few times. I say, Reki, don't just sit there in a daze, help me! Aren't you the owner! As I turned my head back for help, I saw that while I was fighting with Haimaki over food, she was-- "Japanese beef is really the best in the world!" "....." Aria and Reki were both eating the Yonezawa beef first. Aria, who was scared of burning her tongue, kept blowing at her food, so she was eating slower... But, what made things worse was that Reki had activated her infamous "non-stop eating" mode. Why does it have to activate now, stop... please stop. "Kin... Kin-chan, there's still some meat!" Shirayuki told me as she picked up a cooked piece of beef, but, "This beef was cooked in Riko's territory! Ho ho!" With lightning speed, Riko extended her chopsticks and snatched the beef away. "Hey! That's so rude! I picked it for Kin-chan!" Even though Shirayuki tried to use the pot cover as a shield to defend-- Riko used Aru=Kata with chopsticks in both hands to snatch away the meat. "Kyaa, meat! The meat picked for Kin-chan!" "Haha, it's really tasty! Thanks Shirayuki!" That girl Riko....! Finally, all the Yonezawa meat were wiped out...! But.... the battle isn't over,,, there was still pork meat. "You guys--this is brought by me, at least let me eat a bit." Displaying a seriousness which I do not usually have, I drew out my DE (Desert Eagle) as a further threat. As I have been having some money problems.... After Watson treated me to the steak that one time, I practically didn't have a good meal with any meat. If I don't eat some now, I don't know when will be the next time I get the chance to eat meat. Seeing how determined I was, the girls toned down a little as well--in order to combat Riko, Shirayuki used some mizuna to set up a boundary, designating that area as my rented zone to cook the pork for me. Thanks to her assistance... I can finally eat meat. Even if it's just pork. "This is great, Kin-chan can finally get to eat Kin-chan's meat." "Don't put it in such a disgusting way..." "Here, please enjoy." I put out my bowl towards Shirayuki who was handing the meat to me.... ".... Ah, it feels so warm when having hotpot." For some reason, Shirayuki started to use her hand to fan her chest at this time. "..........." While receiving the meat.... Within Shirayuki's apron, at the chest area of her sailor uniform.... (Bla... Black....!) It's exposed! I can see your "competition" underwear. "......!" Feeling the excited rush of blood flow in my nose, I quickly took the meat and turned my back. Re-adjusting my sitting position, I heard a soft dissatisfied sound of "Chey!" coming from behind me...... Just then, *thump*, *thump*, the sound of combat boots approaching from the side-- "Guh...?" I'm actually floating in mid-air. Like a kitten being wrung at the neck, I was lifted up. Single-handedly lifting me who weighs 60 kilos, and sitting in the space I was forced to vacate was.... "Ran... Ranbyou... sensei." "--The cosplay cafeteria was given pretty good evaluations by the customers. Profit margins were higher than last year, all of you have done well." Taking my bowl by force, Ranbyou helped herself and picked up the chopsticks, eating and chatting at the same time. (My, my meat is all gone... I didn't even manage to get a single bite.) This is, reality. The lion cub, raging bull, mountain cat, hawk, silver wolf, and now with the addition of a female leopard coming over to fight for food, a weak human like me stands no chance whatsoever. Speaking of which, is Butei High an Animal Kingdom? "--And Reki, the poster you drew for the cultural festival has been awarded first place by the public vote. There's a prize to be presented to you, so come get it from the staff room later." ...Ah? Under the stares of everyone in Baskerville.... Reki nodded silently at Ranbyou. "Reki... you can draw as well?" I was thoroughly stunned. Reki nodded her head. "The posters collected were not enough, so all the posters from students who could draw were used. Recently I made a drawing with 'Dreams' as its theme, and it was used to make up numbers." "Dreams....? Reki, what did you draw?" Aria, who was rarely shocked, had widened her eyes. "--I drew the Dream Demon from the legends of my birthplace." Patting Reki who answered in an emotionless manner, Ranbyou spoke. "Reki's drawing was fantastic. Take a look for yourself." Saying that, she showed us a photo of Reki's drawing she had taken using her handphone's camera.... The girls were all stunned. Being thrown outside the picnic mat and unable to get a first hand look at the picture, I looked over towards Ranbyou's phone.... "Whoa...." --The phone display showed an extremely realistic drawing which looked like it was drawn by H R Giger . Although the thing showed in the painting was a strange combination between some sort of animal and bird bones, but the drawing was certainly very well drawn. That type of creature may not exist in reality, but it was drawn so realistically like a photograph. "This is really awesome... you really drew this?" Hearing my question, Reki nodded her head slightly. ....Such artistic talent. In Baskerville--Shirayuki was skilled at ink drawing, Riko was also able to draw shōjo manga-like illustrations. But Reki was on a completely different level. There won't be any problems with turning into a professional artist right? With such brutal capabilities. Constantly maintaining their guns with care, tirelessly carrying out slight adjustments, being able to remain highly focused when ambushing a target--many snipers are good at drawing. I've heard of such rumors... But, it looks like the rumors are true, and Reki is such an example. "......" As if not hearing the praises from everyone, Reki herself was behaving calmly. But, her talent was really unexpected. I say... you should just quit being a sniper and switch jobs to become an artist instead! That's what I felt from the bottom of my heart. And this kind of work contributes to the world as well. --Switch your job, quickly. (Just like myself.... who will be transferring to a normal school.) As I thought of this, I looked at Aria and the girls surrounding Reki and heaping praises on her. In actual fact, I.... Was planning to hand in my application to the Masters to transfer from Butei High to a normal high school. If I want to transfer school by April next year, I'll have to hand in the application before the deadline of October 31st, which is before midnight today. Considering the fact that I may change my mind, I had even submitted an application to extend the deadline..... But, it looks like my decision hasn't changed. This kind of life, will only result in death and destruction one day. (So--there's still about half a year's time. Half a year from now, I won't be able to be like this anymore... leaving this group of people behind. By then, it'll really be....) As I thought about all these, I looked on at my comrades who had crowded together.... In the first half of the year, I had-- Discovered a new side to everyone, just like the Reki right now. Sometimes on the battlefield, sometimes, in everyday life like this. And not just from the members of Baskerville. But also from Jeanne, Watson, and myself--discovering many new things. (Well, not counting the parts on shooting and slashing at each other. Discovering all these things... it's really nice, and it's the same for Butei High too.) As I was not good at dealing with girls, it caused me some grief... But, having lived with eveyone for some time, I could feel that all of them were my true comrades. Even if I'll only be staying here for half a year, but before I leave--Team Baskerville is to me, Still a wonderful place to call my own. Here, there are comrades who can help each other out. --So, I want to protect them. In the remaining half a year that I'm in Butei High, I'll protect them with my all. To protect this place I call my own, to protect the important comrades in front of me. (After all, I am still the leader of Team Baskerville.) As these thoughts ran through my mind, I gazed serenely at Aria, Shirayuki, Riko and Reki. ### 008. Epilogue - Go For The NEXT!! The G Bloodlines ## Epilogue: Go for the Next!! The G Bloodline October 31st in the middle of night, I submitted the school-transfer form to the Masters unscathed...the next day was Sunday. The cleaning up of the Cultural Festival is left to the first years, so I shopped around for civilian's quests in the Inquesta's PC room to pass the time. The problem of the hour is that I must solve my own financial problems. I must quickly do something for the left hand's 'Orochi' payment to Hiragai-san. And having that in mind I searched for some jobs...but there aren't any good ones. The only missions with high reward are all dangerous jobs. There was one job, being a bodyguard...but that is also no good. It's for protecting a princess from some big company. I can't have any more encounters with princesses. And so, as I was picky with requests, it is now evening, and I still haven't found any jobs. In the midst of not speaking to anyone for about a day, at night, at the Master's request board I finally got the job I was searching for. While looking at the printed paper in my hand, I returned to the boys' dorms― "......?" There was a trail of blood running down the corridor. Blood itself is not something rare in Butei High School, but the blood trail led towards the direction of my room . A little worried, I quickly rushed to the door— “……!” The silver wolf Haimaki was crouching in front of the door. “What happened……!” Haimaki was hurt badly. His silver hair was saturated with blood. To the panicking me, while trembling, Haimaki handed me the cellphone he was holding in his mouth. Those eyes looked as if he had just handed something important to someone he really trusted. If you look at the cellphone—it was Reki’s. The light-green waterproof cellphone was wet with blood. Although it was someone else’s cellphone, because of the situation, I opened it— “……!” I couldn’t understand at first what I was seeing. It seemed like the last thing the cellphone did was take a photo. At the bottom of the screen it asked “Do you want to save it?”— The picture showed— (Wha….what, is this……!) Silver and Black, Governments. The Japanese sword—Irokane Ayame. The silver Remington Double Derringer. And—a Dragunov sniper rifle. Aria, Shirayuki, Riko, and Reki’s weapons are piled up easily……! As I looked at that picture, appalled— --pipipippipipipipipi— The ringtone rung, from Reki’s cellphone. On the screen, it showed “Call from unknown number incoming”. I accepted the call with trembling fingers— “You finally picked up, you’re so slow!” I heard a low voice, and for a second, a man’s face was shown on the cellphone screen. A face covered with tribal-like war paint. (……This guy……) I remember seeing him. He is the guy from last month, present at the Bandire on the Empty Island—G-Ⅲ. He was the one that told everyone to bring someone strong over…the one that seemed to like fighting the most. --The cellphone's image shook. “H…Hey!” “Fourth, look. This is Tohyama Kinji.” G-Ⅲ’s voice was heard from outside the image, and in place was a person that had been handed the cellphone. “……?” The face— I caught my breath. She was a beautiful girl with sharp eyes. Her age is a little younger than mine. She wore goggles with a HUD (Heads Up Display), fashioned like red sunglasses, behind each ear she wore something that looked like a sensor. Her slender upper body is equipped with matte black body armor. There is a futuristic tactical blade on top, and there a few other blade-like weapons between her waist and back. But, what surprised me, is not just this mechanical, offensive equipment. Even though this is the first time I've seen her— I feel I know her. I know her……not that I had direct knowledge of her, but that I felt kinship with her; such feelings arose within me. This girl—is closely related to me. This difficult-to-describe feeling flowed all through me, even if this was my first time seeing her. Who……who is she exactly…… “—Wow, I like it. Compared to a photo, video is definitely better!” The girl who approached the screen joyfully had beautiful chestnut hair—that soft hair bouncing, her voice sounded terribly excited. “Who are you—you bastards!” I shouted at Reki’s handphone— “I’m G IV (G Fourth)—Call me by my product number, I have no name.” That maiden narrowed her black eyes and replied. G Fourth……? “What happened in that photo……? What did you guys do to Aria and the others?” “I didn’t know which one was Onii-chan’s girlfriend, so I finished them all.” ……? O-, Onii-chan……? “Those girls that approached Onii-chan—I’ve killed them all! If there are any others, I’ll have to kill them too. Onii-chan has to enter HSS mode by using me starting today—Wa, I actually said it. That’s so embarrassing……! I felt excited just by saying these words……! Oh no, I’m really impure!” Hahaha! The girl raised her head and laughed—my mind went blank. What, what, what. Just what on earth are you saying. I recalled the words she spoke, only then noticing, she keeps calling me “Onii-chan”. A younger sister, I don’t remember having one. We are the Tohyama brothers, there’s only Nii-san……and I. “What……are you guys actually?” I tried my best to calm myself down, and said these words. The screen shook again, G Third appeared once more—He looked at me, and with a scornful tone, he spoke. “No matter how many times I look I still find it hard to believe. Is he really the one who took Sherlock out?” “—Hey! Both of you……are IU remnants!? Answer me, what are you guys!” “Shut up! Do your worst! Fight!” From G Third, who only replied with these three sentences— The direction of the camera of the video phone suddenly changed. The view shows an empty theater, and the girl called G Fourth who spoke with me just now napping— Next to appear, is a stage showered with limelight. What appeared on the stage…… “………………!!” The girl that participated with me in a cheerful culture festival—Aria. The girl in charge of the pot during the Butei Pot event—Shirayuki. The girl who returned alive after battling Hilda, and gained her freedom—Riko. The girl who revealed her unexpected drawing talents, and was praised by the Masters—Reki. The four members of Team Baskerville, are covered in blood— They laid lifelessly on the floor, just like those piled weapons. ## 07. Volume 10 - Bipolar Taboo -Arcanum Duo- ( Full Text ) ### 001. Afterword Thank you for the excellent ratings for the 'Hidan no Aria' anime! I am Akamatsu. However, during scenes such as changing clothes, a luminous Unidentified Mysterious Animal (UMA) known as “Skyfish” flew just in front of the camera. This caused the good scenes to be blurred… That’s regrettable! Actually, the anime will have a Blu-ray version and a DVD version! In these versions, those “Skyfish” have been driven away by the UMA hunting team of the SSR, making the pictures look very clear! Please purchase these discs and watch those cute and handsome scenes and activate your Hysteria Mode. Then, you can recall those scenes! This is how you can become a true Aria fan! And to those people who proclaim that they are already Aria fans, Do you know about “AA”? In fact, in the “Aria the Scarlet Ammo” series… lies another story that takes place in the same timeline as this current series. The story is called “Aria the Scarlet Ammo AA” (Young GANGAN has already launched two volumes). AA is co-starred by four Butei from Butei High. From its appearance, it looks like a clichéd work of mischievous girls… But after all, the setting is set in Butei High. The contents do not just include fighting, melee or shooting, it also has scenes of girls possessing supernatural powers. It is a manga with basic Aria-type scenes. The story is interrelated with the current light novels, so characters like Aria and Kinji will appear. You can also find character backgrounds that never made their way into the light novels. In the production team, Kobuichi-sensei will be responsible for character design, Tachibana Shogako-sensei, who is awesome at fighting and beauty scenes, will take charge of the illustrations, while the plot will be written by me. These works are currently being serialized in Young GANGAN, hence people who are waiting for new volumes of the light novels can read the manga in the meantime. Ah~ this makes me feel so happy! Other than the light novels and the anime, there are still many other interesting works that are expanding the Aria universe. Those readers who haven’t gotten the AA experience, be sure to read it to explore the Aria universe… At the same time, if you find that the tenth volume is not enough for you, please wait for the next volume! Here, I shall give you a hint – something big is going to happen to Kinji! July 2011 – Akamatsu Chuugaku Illustrator’s Note Congratulations on the release of the tenth volume! Aria has finally reached its tenth volume! The girl on the cover page is Shirayuki. This is my first time drawing her with a M60, it really took a lot of hard work. If I can use my diligence to make it look very nice, that would be really good. A new character has appeared in the series, people really can’t take their eyes off her! For the anime, it should stop airing by the time this volume gets published. It’s very interesting to watch the characters in the action-packed anime. ### 002. Epilogue: Go for the Next!! Impromptu Sisters -Belt Link- The following morning, I woke up early after being disturbed by the flickering sunlight shining through the window. Rubbing my eyes, I put on my shirt and pants before making my way into the living room. The sight of Kaname on the balcony, dressed in her uniform, greeted my eyes. Several gulls had gathered around her, though not because she was feeding them. Rather, she was frolicking with them cheerfully. A blue sky and a blue ocean. White clouds and white birds. And...a beautiful young girl with a blossoming smile, radiant under the morning light. ...What a picturesque scene. She almost seemed to sparkle vividly, and I found myself enchanted by the sight. "Morning, Kaname." As I walked out onto the balcony- Kaname softly spoke to the gulls, about to take flight at my disturbance, "It's alright. There's nothing to be afraid of here." As if they understood her words, the gulls changed their minds and continued to prowl the balcony. "...You can talk to birds?" "Nope. It's just a feeling." With the sound of crashing waves coming from behind her, Kaname turned to me with a bitter smile on her face. It looks like she's calmed down. Just like that, the two of us were bathed in the light of the morning sun. "I'd thought...that Onii-chan didn't really know how to say no to anyone. I never would have guessed you were such a strong-willed person." "...What's that?" "To be honest, I don't have any memories of yesterday starting from when things started to get heated. However, I've checked myself, and it seems you didn't do a thing to me." She forgot what happened yesterday? "-After I entered Hysteria Mode, it was almost as if my brain switched over to another personality entirely. Although the effects appear to differ from person to person, but for me, the switch was pretty absolute." Her explanation reminded me of Nii-san. Once Nii-san enters Hysteria Mode, he truly becomes Kana, both body and soul. Once in that state, even if I were to call him "Nii-san", he wouldn't know I was addressing him. It seems Kaname's Hysteria Mode carries similar side-effects. That said, once he reverted back to his normal state, he retained all memories of his time as Kana. Subsequently, any time I brought up something related to Kana, he'd turn completely red before proceeding to give me a beating. Kaname's case, however, seems to be even more inconvenient, as even now her memories of that time remain indistinct. "...Onii-chan, forgive me." Kaname's face filled with shame as she looked out at the ocean. Her blue eyes seemed lifeless and broken, as if she'd given up on everything. "You probably think I'm gross, right? Someone like me just appearing out of nowhere, and saying over and over that I like you." -Her beautiful face broke out in a twisted smile, bitter with self-loathing. "Yesterday, as I experienced HSS for the first time in my life, though it lasted some few tens of minutes, years of thoughts seemed to run through my mind. As I pondered these things, I came to a realization. I...was never needed by Onii-chan." "Kaname..." "I...well, I had not the slightest understanding of how love truly worked. That's why I foolishly believed that if I just got rid of all the other girls, that if I had you all to myself...then you'd love me. I'd thought that as long as I could enter Hysteria Mode at will, as long as I could fulfill the duty GIII appointed to me, then I'd never have to see Los Alamos again. I was that desperate." -Los Alamos- That's the place Watson had mentioned previously... The research institute where GIII and GIV - Kaname - had been born and grown up in. "The 'Los Alamos Elite Plan'...do you know of it, Onii-chan?" "A little. I've looked a little into your past, after all. Its goal is to use science to create gifted individuals, right? If I remember correctly, they were called something like 'man-made geniuses'." "That's just the name they used for appearance's sake. The real goal of Los Alamos was to create human weapons, the latest form of ultimate weapons." "...Ultimate weapons...?" "Humans with superhuman fighting abilities, each one capable of fighting a large force singlehandedly. The idea was to create a vast number of these individuals, and loose them on enemy countries to repeatedly and endlessly wreak havoc, assassinate VIPs, and thus bring about the destruction of those nations. This is the truth behind the so-called 'man-made geniuses': they are living weapons in all but name." Destroy...countries...? America, have you gone mad? I know you love war, but this is too much. From Watson's description, were that GIII, who earned an R-rank designation, to take things seriously, it'd be enough to destroy a small country. But a hundred of him? A thousand? Perhaps even a large country would fall to ruin before them. That seems to be America's new form of suicidal terrorist tactics. "The politics of nuclear disarmament and a reduction in defense spending have resulted in America seeking new angles in weapons research. The resulting research diverged into 92 different schemes, of which the Los Alamos Elite Plan is but one among many." Kaname lightly swung her foot in the air, before continuing. "I am the fourth of the G series, a line of genetically modified individuals in accordance with that plan, naught but a weapon, a product. From the very first moment I can remember, I already held a knife in my hands. The training we underwent made the war you see in movies seem but a passing amusement, but for me, such things were simply a part of daily life. Things that were deemed inhumane to perform on 'humans' were carried out time and again on we 'things'. Day in, and day out." I thought back to the words Kaname had spoken back in the Logi parking structure, " This kind of attack is something I've already experienced hundreds of times before during training. " "It's from that kind of place...that you escaped?" "It was III who offered me freedom, along with others like us. All of those who escaped had been labeled as defective products, either to be 'discarded' elsewhere or brought back for 'repair'." Discarded...repaired... At these words which weren't normally used in the context of describing people, I furrowed my brow. "With III at our head, we struggled desperately and prevailed. Because I was still growing, I couldn't do a thing to help. Nevertheless, because I carried within me the potential that HSS bears, the potential to become a warrior of standing, III did not abandon me." "HSS...Hysteria Mode..." "I've long dreamed of learning how to unlock the potential hidden with my HSS genes, of showing their worth. If I can't do that, then as far as III is concerned, I have no worth. Those without value are not allowed to continue under his protection. Such is his way." "..." "I already know far too much concerning III. If he finds out I, too, am a worthless existence...then it won't be long before he comes to claim my life. And I...won't try to stop him. There's no way I'd oppose someone so much stronger than me, it'd be simply irrational." "That GIII, back in the Shinagawa Geofront, did he not declare himself a Butei? What's more, he's said he will not kill." At my words, Kaname laughed lightly. "-You don't understand; I'm not a person. Anyway, even if he doesn't kill me...if he abandons me, then there's nothing I can do to escape from those who America will send. At long last, I'll be sent back to the institute to be 'repaired'...This, I always feared...And yet..." Once more, Kaname showed forth a twisted smile. "And yet, in the end, I never became strong. You saw it clearly yesterday, didn't you, Onii-chan? My HSS is the kind that turns you weak...From the standpoint of one whose sole purpose behind creation was the notion that HSS would make me strong, I'm a complete and utter failure. With nothing left to 'fix', that leaves only 'discarding', right?" "Discarding...you mentioned that word earlier, don't tell me...?" "-It means I'll be killed. If they feel money's a concern, it'll probably be poison gas or something similar." "Hey, hey..." "Don't look like that. This is fate." As I watched Kaname, who stood before me, gaze out across the ocean as she simultaneously ridiculed herself while forcing a smile- -I... Felt a deep-seated fury flare up within the depths of my heart. Though I felt that her situation was indeed pitiful, nevertheless, my feelings of rage far outweighed any feelings of sympathy. Tsuzuri-sensei of Masters had previously commented that my personality was such that I tried to maintain my distance from others. That's why I normally wasn't the kind of person to get angry on behalf of others. And yet...as I looked at Kaname, I couldn't help but have my emotions be stirred up. Because...when I look at her, all I see is myself- Forced into battle, time and again, and all because of this thrice-cursed "Hysteria Mode" ability. "Kaname." Hearing the deep emotion in my voice as I called out to her, she spun around. "Before...when I gave you a name, were you not so happy that you broke into tears? Was that not because you did not believe yourself to be some sort of human weapon?" "That...was because I wanted to believe it, wanted to dream that sweet dream. But reality isn't so forgiving. I was born in a research institute, and so it is my fate to be a tool of the military..." "Where you were born is meaningless! There's no way in hell something as stupid as that determines a person's destiny!" Right now, I am decidedly not under the influence of Hysteria Mode, and so I find myself unable to speak to girls in that gentle, considerate tone. Nonetheless, I think that... ...right now, this is what's needed. I'm going to bare my thoughts, and give it to her straight. "What we mean by 'person'...is someone who, by their own strength, with their own hands, scraps that bullshit we call fate! From what you've just said - whether it be the stuff about that research institute or helping III - aren't you the one throwing your life in the hands of others!? Look at you! You're, um...beautiful, smart, athletic! Someone like you has no need for someone like GIII to save you, you can save yourself!" "I can't do it by myself. Someone like me with neither nationality nor even human rights needs to be protected by someone. And if I want someone to help to me, then I need to be of value to them. The only one who's ever recognized my worth is III. Even though even that turned out to be a lie..." "-You've got it all backwards!" As I scolded Kaname, my voice took on a tone increasingly like my brother's, when he'd reprimand me. "Backwards...?" "If you want others to acknowledge, you first have to acknowledge yourself! That's the first thing about being a person! Anyway, you're wrong about one thing... I acknowledge you. Did I not just praise you? Did I not just say you were smart and your athleticism's a sight to see? I wasn't just saying it; I really meant it, from the bottom of my heart." At my screaming, Kaname's round eyes grew larger. "-I think you also know, but I had a kouhai check up on you. Although, to be honest, I already knew - you're an amazing person. You're not just openly welcomed by the first years, you know what the second years call us? 'Brilliant sister, moronic brother'." Having carelessly spoken something I'd rather have had remained hidden, I gave a small cough before continuing. "...Although of course it's nice to have someone to rely on, don't think for a second you can't go on without it. That's what we call becoming 'dependent'. It doesn't matter who, everyone has things they have to overcome on their own, and for you, this is it." As I spoke, the feeling she gave off, of someone I couldn't leave alone, reminded me of Reki. I don't think it's even something she's doing intentionally...but, without a doubt, including those she's mimicked before - Aria, Shirayuki, and Riko, now her repertoire even includes Reki's distinctive traits. Just how many of my weak spots does this girl need to hit before she's satisfied? "I think what Onii-chan's said is right...but still-" Kaname seemed to nod slightly before lowering her head, mumbling quietly, as her body trembled lightly. Her fragile appearance was reminiscent of an orphan with nowhere to turn, and no one to turn to. As if worrying, the seagulls all turned to watch her. "...I don't get it. If I leave III, then where am I supposed to go...? Why was I born? Just who...am I...?" Covering her face in those snow white hands... She began to softly weep. This was finally an action appropriate for her age, befitting a junior high school girl. Seriously... This girl just loved to cry. No, actually I should be the one in the wrong here, as the one who made her cry. Since I was speaking to a girl younger than me, perhaps I shouldn't have spoken quite so harshly? Man, I'm just not any good when it comes to talking to women. ...Thinking quietly to myself, and scratching my head in embarrassment... I saw Kaname's eyes, peeking through the cracks in her fingers, slowly turn to me. "..." Through this small action, her thoughts were conveyed to me, and I more or less understood what it was she wanted to say. Sigh...there's no two ways about this. I had, after all, made her cry on more than one occasion already. Maybe this would serve as my atonement. An apology was a small enough thing for me to do, and moreover, the right thing to do. "Until you find your answer, just stay by my side." Even though I felt like I was a bit of a victim of circumstance here- But, the fact of the matter was, I had no defense against a girl's tears. That time with Aria stood as a perfect example. These few days, I'd learned the lesson anew from my time with Kaname. When it comes to women, I have three weaknesses: tears, fragrance, and...and, er, what was it? Oh, right, thighs. I'd better watch out for them in the future. As I was lost in thought- "Onii-chan...Onii-chan...!" Kaname suddenly grabbed me in a hug. Even though the position we now found overselves in was exactly like the one in the locker room previously...things couldn't be more different. She couldn't be more different. She'd become, in truth, a pure, innocent, and fragile maiden. Her virtuous innocence, having come at a time when my mind was fraught with impure thoughts, filled me with shame, and my cheeks flushed in embarrassment. "The circumstances behind your Hysteria Mode will die with me. To be honest, even the existence of my own Hysteria Mode I've long kept hidden from everyone. That's why, this will be our little secret, okay?" "Our little secret..." Kaname gleefully repeated my words, nodding her head with an "Nn, nn", while never lifting her head, buried in my chest, so much as an inch. She certainly seems to enjoy clinging to me like this... As I lightly patted her on the back to help her calm down, she wept tears of joy- "...Onii-chan...is really such a kind person. Onii-chan, and only Onii-chan, will never reject me. I, I..." Her heart touched, Kaname raised her head to look at me, and seeing my cheeks red... Her cheeks reddened as well. ...Uh oh. It seems like that strange switch of hers has just been flipped on... "-Onii-chan." "Hmm? Why don't you let go of me? Let's head back in and eat breakfast, alright?" "I know...my feelings are one-sided. But, I beg you, let me just say this once more, do this once more." There it is. Kaname-sama's prided conversational skill. Anytime she says "just this once", a red flag is waved in my mind. Although I haven't the slightest clue what it is she wants to say, or do, but still, I'd better end this conversation as soon as possible. Just as I was about to cut her off by saying "Well, then let's hurry and-", she instead interrupted me, saying, "-I honestly, sincerely love you, Onii-chan." After she spoke, she tilted her head slightly, and- Just like Aria, stretched forward, and with a speed surpassing Aria's- Kissed me on the lips. "...!" Given the present atmosphere, the last thing I wanted to do was push her away, so I waited a few seconds before- We parted lips. I quickly covered my mouth as if to say, "okay, that's it." Seeing my reaction, Kaname laughed lightly, and said, "Onii-chan, you're so red! So cute!" As if no longer able to stand the sight of this flirtatious couple, one after another, the gulls took wing into the morning sky. Their flapping wings sounded an applause. Their snow-white feathers danced in the air. (Oh...that's right. This time also...) I realized that this time as well, Hysteria Mode had failed to show itself. Even though it wasn't the case that I couldn't do so because of her... But still, it wasn't an easy thing. Harder than for anyone else, anyway. Even for a girl as cute as she was. It looked to be the same for Kaname. It seems things need to reach a certain degree before anything happens. Just what is the root of this phenomenon? As I sunk deep into my thoughts, pondering this mystery- My train of thought was cut short by a loud burst of metallic sound, almost like the coiling of a gigantic spring. "Iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit wasn't just once, but twiiiiiiiiiice!" -Uooooooooooooooooh-! A fierce sound, like the bellowing of a crazed bull pierced through the air like a siren. A mysterious wind blew towards the balcony from inside. "...!" I, I forgot...! Although I was the one who'd called her over, but because of the stuff with Kaname, I'd completely forgotten- Forgotten that Kaname aside, there was still another, yet one more who would break out into a murderous rage at the drop of a hat! Almost like a robot whose rusting joints hadn't been oiled in ages, I slowly turned my head around. Sure enough... "...Shira-, Shirayuki!" Shirayuki, wearing a terrifying expression not unlike that of a fierce Nio statue , stood in the living room. It, it was a person wholly unlike the Shirayuki I'd called to Odaiba. Needless to say, it was Kuroyuki who'd appeared. As if the menacing, dark aura pouring out from her weren't threatening enough... Far more threatening was watching Shirayuki, dressed in her school uniform, easily wielding her M60 machine gun with a single hand, and taking aim at both Kaname and I. "To go so far as to do it with Kin-chan-sama twice ! That's more than me! How envious!" Sprouting from the side of her M60's belt feed near her back, was a glittering bandolier of 7.62mm NATO rounds arrayed in a metallic, split-link belt, unwinding like a scroll. In an effort to avoid jamming, the ribbon-like bandolier was laid out horizontally across her other arm, flowed over to her feet, where it lay coiled in several loops, continued past her white socks...and into her skirt. Just...just how many bul-, no, hundreds of bullets is that!? (-!) At that moment- From by my side- A second dark and murderous aura began to flow forth. "...Hey, Two-Face." Still clinging to me, Kaname stared daggers at Shirayuki. "Are you trying to steal Onii-chan from me?" This, this one's changed too! This is that horrifying, knife-wielding Kaname! From among the three personalities she has, her channel's been flipped to number two- the most formidable Kaname-san. "-That's what I want to say! Even if you are my younger sister, once you violate family rules, then it's time for punishment! Punishment, punishment, I say!" That notwithstanding, even in this crazy circumstances, Shirayuki still seems to have remained every bit the Butei. From what she just said, it seems she's carrying out my request, and is fully engaged in her role as my "other sister". "Stop interrupting me and Onii-chan! It's time for you to go, Onee-chan!" As if to stand guard over me, Kaname jumped in front of me, her bangs swaying. Suddenly catching sight of a rather odd shadow, I turned my head- And saw an X-shaped strip of cloth, floating in the air. Its blade-like edges capable of serving as a bulletproof shield, it hovered dangerously in the air behind us. My house always seems to erupt in war. Shirayuki and Kaname, these temporary sisters, glared at one another with outrage evident in their expressions. "Onee-chan, you've already lost to me once already. Don't tell me you think you can win? That's just too irrational." "Kaname, you still have much to learn. You should check the concentration of Riri particles at least once a night." "What can I say? At night, Onii-chan-sama doesn't give me an~y time to rest~" Kaname revealed an impish grin as she mimicked Shirayuki's double honorific style. "What did you say!? D....D....D-...!" The barrel of her M60 trembled as Shirayuki, shrieking enigmatically- Appeared to have something awaken deep within her, as her eyes opened wide with a seemingly audible snap! . Holy crap, that's scary. Her cherry red lips were held open, mouth agape and twitching...Ugh, I should have known better than to read her lips. Shirayuki-san was continuously mouthing "I'll. Kill. You.", although in her extreme rage, no sounds left her mouth. "Kaname! In this world, there are things that siblings can do, and things they can never do! What are you, some kind of animal!?" And waving around a machine gun like a madman in someone else's house is a thing you "can do", Shirayuki!? "A...a duel! As long as it's a duel, even accidental deaths are okay! What matters here is, in order to ensure the stability of the Tohyama house, and to afterwards guarantee the peace of our everyday lives, this duel is unavoidable!" Bandolier in hand, Shirayuki's mouth seemed almost to spit fire as she screamed. "Ka, kakakaka, KANAME! I CHALLENGE YOU TO A DUEL! As Kin-chan-sama's fiancée, I challenge you to a duel!" Huh...? (Fi...fiancée?) Uh...Shirayuki-san? I'm very grateful that you were willing to accept my request, and pretend to be a member of my family... But uh...is it just me or has the SETTING COMPLETELY CHANGED!? Go For The Next! ### 003. 1st Ammo - Descent of the Hawk -Crimson Geo- ## 1st Ammo: Descent of the Hawk -Crimson Geo- What happened? Displayed on the screen of the phone was Aria, Shirayuki, Riko and Reki. All four of them were covered in blood and collapsed on the floor. Only I, who stood here, remained safe. All my teammates in Baskerville had actually been...wiped out! (How can this be......!) Up till now, I've been going through every difficulty by protecting or being protected by my teammates in Baskerville. In that time, they've become my irreplaceable friends. But just as I decided that I'd protect them with all my might..something like this suddenly happened! My finger started to tremble as I depressed the multi-task function on the phone, so I could try to record the video call. Unfortunately, Reki’s phone, which Haimaki brought to me, was a different model than mine. I could not activate the recording, and it would inevitably take me some time. I started to ask questions to stall for time. "Hey! What's happening!? Where are you guys!?" Despite my cries, the man who called himself GIII didn't respond to my question, simply saying: "I'm killing one every hour, starting now." The girl beside him, who was called GIV, didn't say anything either. I had already expected this. Before, when I asked him what kind of person he was, he simply answered with three simple phrases: "Shut up. Come here. Fight me." However-- (If he just hangs up right here, this is going to be really bad......!) I have to get some useful information out of them. Why are they doing this, where are they, what weapons do they have, anything! If I have no clues whatsoever, then there's nothing for me to do but sit here and resign myself to this fate. At that moment, a finger encased in a gauntlet of metal and bulletproof fiber, appeared on the screen, as if mocking the anxious me. Not good, it's GIII's finger. He wants to end the call! "Wait a moment! How did you guys......just the two of you, manage to take down Aria and the others!" "Huh? That's not how it went." GIII smiled disdainfully. “How many people were there, then?!?” "It was only one person, IV." One person......!? He said IV......could he mean GIV? Which is to say, the girl who proclaimed herself to be my little sister, wiped out Aria and the others by herself!? Impossible--. He's probably lying. I fear that even I, in Hysteria mode, wouldn't be able to escape from Baskerville's four girls, let alone fight them. "I-If you're going to lie, then at least say something plausible! That's completely impossible!" -----BEEP----- Just as I finished shouting into the phone......the call ended. The call I had just received was from an unknown number. I couldn't call back even if I wanted to. (......What should I do......?!) --Beep, Beep, Beep-- As I stood there pale---the cellphone in my hand let out a prompting tone, devoid of emotion. It seems that I had received a mail. This is Reki's cellphone, but it's an emergency right now, so there's no time to think about privacy. I hurriedly opened the reception box—only to see that I had received a video message. The sender’s phone number was a jumble of numbers, and there was no subject to the e-mail, nor was there anything to explain the video. (To get this right now would mean......that it's from GIII and his allies......!) I immediately opened the video-- Apparently, this video wasn't recorded using a hand-held video camera. From the degree of wavering of the image, it was probably filmed with some kind of goggle-mounted camera. Which means that this is from the point of view of one of those two. The image's definition was pretty high. It was also very clear. As for the time, it was probably filmed not long after sunset. There was also some audio output. The place was...an urban area. On the roof? No, there seems to be something posted on the wall. Where the heck is this place? If I want to save Aria and the others, I need to confirm the location first......! I concentrated on the screen, examining the video, and saw a curved driveway about a hundred meters away from the camera. All the buildings and the countless neon lamps were all arc-shaped——and they outlined a large circular form, which led me to deduce that they were on the inner side of the circle. Practically, it looked almost exactly like the Roman coliseum I had learned about in world history class—a replica that had been drastically changed with modern science. Then, the lens pointed towards the sky, and I saw what looked like the night sky, but encircled by a huge circle. I understood—this was probably underground. A funnel-shape was dug in the ground, and inside was a city. (This is......a geofront......!) A geofront, the generic term for a city way below the ground. The location on the screen is probably the "Shinagawa River geofront". It's also the only geofront in all of Japan that Haimaki could have returned from. As I became aware of this, the scene changed——the lens pointed towards the ground. An uninterrupted pale green light came from beneath the person filming. It seemed that the person was standing on an S-shaped neon lamp. Thereafter, the lens turned aside, and someone's figure appeared on screen. Standing slightly to the side of the huge O-shaped neon lamp was a young girl——the aforementioned GIV. The girl's entire body was covered by armor- like black, frosty protective gear. She was wearing semitransparent protective glasses, and the words “USLA-GIV” were printed on her left shoulder. A surprisingly long sword compared to her height —about 150 centimetres— was attached to her back at an oblique angle. This sword, at first glance, seemed like a katana combined with a broadsword, but it was different. Between the sword's edge and back, a shiny fluorescent blue could be seen. It gave off the feeling that this was no ordinary sword. The maiden suddenly said: "—— Sword beats gun ." The words that came from the standing figure......shocked me into silence. Judging from her appearance, this girl was 1 or 2 years younger than me. Her height and weight matched with this age. Despite this, she gave me a feeling, a supernatural feeling——she was an existence that possessed an attractive power... Aaah......, I understand......! I understand perfectly. I'm really familiar with this kind of atmosphere. Very familiar indeed. (——Kana......!) This girl......I couldn't help but think that she looked a lot like her. As soon as this idea came into my mind, I even thought that the huge sword strapped to her back looked like Kana's huge scythe Scorpio. ——Bzz, bzz— At that moment, some kind of equipment that resembled cat ears suddenly slid backwards from the two sides of her head, moving to the actual places that cat ears would be. It was most likely a paraboloid oriented-object that was supposed to collect aural information. It seemed that she was using it to search for something. Her short hair slightly floating in the wind, GIV jumped down from the neon light and into the void below. The one filming ——GIII, followed her and jumped down. As the both of them got gradually further from the letters SONY they were standing on just a moment ago—— Dong! A sound resounded loudly. Immediately following was the image of a round hole in the sidewalk, with GIV landing on the ground and GIII following close behind. On the screen, GIV, who drew her broadsword mid-air, calmly walked outside. On the lane beside, what looked like illegal drugs and guns dealers scattered away in panic. (This......how can this be possible......!) Judging by the amount of time those two took while falling; they just jumped fifteen meters. No, twenty meters! How did they fall from such distance without a parachute or rope? On the screen, walking between the lined-up cars, shouting: "Hey—laying a hand on my brother? How dare you!?", GIV——grabbed the hair of a girl, and dragged her out from inside a car. (......It's Reki......!) Reki was holding by her bosom a sniper lens, and its lid was opened. She seemed to have just tried to snipe the people, GIV included, on the neon lamp as she hid inside a car. At that moment, a loud wild roar resounded, and springing out from beneath the car, Haimaki charged towards GIV, roaring. "Aha." GIV opened her eyes behind her protective goggles in excitement and let Reki go. With a punch far exceeding human limits, she sent Haimaki flying. "......!" Looking at Haimaki as he was demolished and sent flying, howling in pain and terror, I closed both of my eyes in reflex, though I knew that he was currently by my side. There was a speeding car that had smashed into his body. And after the terrifying crunch, Haimaki collided with the car directly behind. ——Bam! I heard a sharp clang of metal, making me open my eyes again. I saw Reki, who had attached a bayonet to her SVD, clashing with GIV. Even though Reki's face was emotionless, she was just as fast as and even sharper than Aria in combat. "Really, Onii-san, what good do you see in this mute girl." While dodging Reki’s blow, GIV swung her broadsword, which clanged as it past Reki's bayonet. This is…! Reki’s bayonet had been removed from the rifle. No, it was chopped off! The steel bayonet was effortlessly chopped off by GIV. “Maybe it's because she's young and vigorous?” GIV kicked Reki behind a vending machine before quickly walking in her direction. Circling around the vending machine once, she swung her sword at the machine, and the lights went off. Having been sliced through diagonally, the top part of the vending machine slid down before crashing onto Reki's body. "OK, the first one's been disposed of. Goodbye." In the lower section of the vending machine——the cans as well as the plastic bottles that had been cleanly cut in two spilled their contents, the liquor. (......Reki......to think that she'd lost so easily......!) Before I had recovered from my shock, I saw the scene change immediately——and was surprised once again, drawing a sharp intake of icy air. On the screen, GIV was running on the streets downtown as the sounds of Petronels' gunshots rang out around her......an unknown object was floating in front of her. It was a pearl-coloured rectangle-shaped cloth-like object that was going as fast as GIV. These two pieces of slender cloth, whose edges were white, crossed with each other to form an X, and spun like the helix of a windmill in the air as it sped forward. (......what was that......!?) Bam, Bang, Bam—— The clothes that were flying in the air collided with something formless in the air, twisting about in midair. "——I found it! It's the one Onii-san loves the most!" The camera lens pointed towards the voice. The person who had spoken was using the skywalk as cover, but the one shooting this way was—— (Aria......!) Now I understand. That piece of cloth——seems to be blocking Aria's bullets automatically. At the same time, it flies and protects GIV like a shield. Now that I look at it better, it looks like it is made out of bulletproof fiber. But, I've actually never seen anything like this. “Who are you? At least let me put it on the newspaper!” Aria inserted a new round of ammunition into the Government before charging up the stairs that led to the bridge. She probably did this to force the X shaped cloth away, opening up a clear line of fire on GIV. “Tricks like that won't work! It's time to end this!” GIV yelled as she darted past the X shaped white cloth. Slashing in a downwards angle —as if cutting a cake— she sliced off the stairs of the bridge. Aria fell with the く shaped stairs—GIV used the back of her broadsword to bang against the stairs in mid air for a second, and then let it fall onto Aria’s head. The cloth that was flying in the air added to the pile of debris by hitting the traffic light so easily it was as if it hit a cardboard box. “Aria!!” Even though this was just a video, and Aria’s silhouette already disappeared from view, I still could not help screaming for Aria. The flying piece of cloth that GIV controlled was actually not a flying shield. It had this glow, just like the broadsword, so it must be an attack and defense weapon! “OK, This one is the second one…” GIV moved the video camera to the floor, where a sewer had been opened in half… and from the inside, a hand reached out and grabbed GIV by the ankle. That hand— It is a Senior High School Inquesta bullet-proof sleeve that is made to be as light as a feather. (That’s Riko!) As soon as I realized who that was, a banging noise came from the sewer. Another hand came out with a P99 and faced GIV, who was violently trying to release the hand that was holding onto her ankle. Baah! Baaah! Went the P99, but all of the bullets were all deflected by GIV's protective gear and produced harmless little sparks. Even though the bullets seemed to pass through the small hole in the black protective gear, it did not. GIV swayed a bit, but otherwise she was unharmed. Her entire body, except her head, was covered in bullet-proof fibers. “Now there is only one left.” GIV took out a US Army M67 hand grenade, pulled off the plug, and threw the grenade into the sewer in a baseball-like position. It struck Riko, who gave out a cry and after a moment, the grenade exploded. “...!” My forehead started to cover with cold sweat as the screen changed into another scene. This time it was at the school campus garden and you could make out GIV’s and Shirayuki’s silhouette. A lamp on the side had already been chopped off, and the parked vehicle next to it was wreaked *wrecked? —no, sliced in half. Looks like the fight had already started a while ago. Shirayuki was still walking away from GIV until— Pa! Five red feather bullets were thrown into the air. Then from the back of her uniform she grabbed a wooden racket-like board and yelled, “Pentadirectional Feathers of the Scarlet Inferno!” and then using her left hand, swung the racket creating a kakaka noise. The feather bullets fell one after another—Bang! Bang! Three bullets caught on fire after such intense power towards it, and flew toward GIV. But the other two bullets seemed to not get the effect the other three did and just fell to the floor. “~Wow~ So courageous! So adorable! I understand why you are liked by brother now, after all, you are also beautiful.” GIV completely ignore the three fiery bullets flying in her direction and pounced onto Shirayuki. “Ah!” “But—You know, tonight’s golden glass is really strong and I don’t think you little girls are strong enough to handle it! This is just a real~ly unlucky day for all of you!” GIV sat on Shirayuki’s body that laid on the floor and using force, tried to yank Irokane Ayame out of her hand. “Oy. Hand it over.” “No… you cannot! Stop! This is not something you people can take! The Irokane will--” “Just let me borrow it!” Even though from this view – GIII’s angle—I can’t really tell exactly what is going on, but suddenly a loud yell came from GIV and it looks like she used her own broadsword to..beat Shirayuki’s face. Shirayuki could not resist the pain and loosened her grip on her left hand releasing the racket [instead of the sword]. Bang! Bang! “Hurry up! Let. Go! Stop resisting! I am not going to break it! Kukuku! Teeehee!” GIV laughed as she continued to slash and bash her sword. Even though Shirayuki was using her arms to protect herself, however, it seemed hopeless against the enemy who was riding on her body. Finally, the sword was taken by GIV and the video—ended. “Ughhh….” My head became very blank, but, but, now is not the time to be confused. “Aria….Shirayuki…..Riko..Reki….” Baskerville’s team of four has been overthrown, by the small lady who calls herself GIV. All of them are now in the enemy’s hands, GIII and GIV and to make matters worse, I had never seen these types of enemies until today. It’s like they are experts in terrorist weaponry rather than spying, and they could also be like Jeanne but with a different sort of witch-like ability. Based on the video, GIII and GIV must be… (Science!) It was probably “Neue Ange", the users of advanced weapons. --A portion of the Butei, (and indeed, some criminals,) are able to acquire new materials and techniques even while they're being developed in scientific institutes, and they can do this before companies, before conjurers...probably before God. Whether by spending colossal amounts of money or by stealing them, they'll get their hands on them. These Butei and criminals will then weaponise their materials or technology, using it to crush all those who use outdated weaponry. That is why they are called cutting-edge technological arms. They have not been tested, so the risk is really high.... but if they manage to succeed, they will beat all general weapons easily. Just like how Aria and the girls were beaten. They are no ordinary swordsmen, and from their overpowered strength, it makes it really obvious. They are definitely using high-class technology. Being against those type of enemies, even Hysteria Mode cannot beat them. Even if someone were to advance and try to defeat them, they will definitely be beaten into a sorry state. (No, even though it is like this..!) GIII-- That chap already said it before, they will be killing one every hour. Now five minutes had already passed. Now is not the time to stand here and do nothing! -- Slap! In order for me not to be so scared, I slapped myself on the cheek. Now that I wasn't shivering as much, I could call Medica's Watson. In this type of situation, the wounded should be put in first priority, so we must get Medica to be ready on the move. “Kinji?” I promptly explained everything that has happened to Watson, sentence by sentence. I even passed her some information that even I haven’t figured out yet. As soon as I finished talking, I also sent her the video that they (GIII and GIV) had sent. Watson was at first at a loss for words but she still managed to say something back to me. “I-I-I understand, after I analyze the video I will figure out a strategy. You should hurry up and get your equipment ready and in ten minutes, meet me at the vehicles section’s sixth garage. Together let’s find Aria and the rest and save them!” She relied on her nature [to never to lose to men] and bravely replied to me in this way. I tucked my Beretta, Desert Eagle and spare magazines into my bulletproof uniform, putting a short knife in my pocket and lastly, sheathed Scramasax on my back. Then I pulled Haimaki, who was injured, into my room and told him, “Haimaki. You did well. I am going to rescue your master now.” Without locking my door, I walked out of my room and then called Soumiya Tsugumi from Ambulace to give Haimaki treatment in advance. Then I hurried to the rendezvous as fast as possible. When I got there, Watson was just leaving the garage with a 911 Carrera Cabriolet and yelled to me, “Kinji! Hurry and get on!” Watson was simultaneously using her left hand on the steering wheel and her right hand to activate the emergency lights. According to the law, we did not need to sound the sirens. After I entered the car, Watson stepped on the accelerator. “Our destination is the Shinagawa River geofront. Aria and the others should be at…” Just as Watson was in mid-sentence, the intercom crackled to life. “Watson, this is Jeanne. Is Tohyama there?” Jeanne said with an irritable, yet calm voice. Watson had probably contacted Jeanne to analyse the image in the video. “Yes, we just assembled. Where are you?” “I’m at Akihabara. I was originally at the audio store that belonged to Nakasorachi’s family before Watson contacted me. I’m currently using Nakasorachi’s radio to communicate with you.” “Can you come now? Watson and I are rushing to the Shinagawa River geofront, however two people is not enough. We need more people –” “No, we will not be preparing reinforcements.” “What? Why not!” “The enemy’s skills are higher than that of Aria and the others, thus taking more people there would only increase the number of casualties. That is the meaning of the video.” Apparently, that seems to be it. I was too impatient and hence I couldn’t think of anything. However, those two guys sent that video to me on purpose. The meaning was “Fighting with us would be a waste of energy,” right? As the car sped across Odaiba, I clenched my teeth. “We must not agitate the enemy. Since the enemy has two people on their side, we must not bring more than two.” “That… I know. But, what should we do now?” “Negotiating to rescue Aria and the rest is our main priority. They attacked the members of Team Baskerville to lure you out. Hence, you need to find out their motive, and then negotiate with them.” Rescuing and negotiating. Although these are not tasks that I'm an expert in, this is the only way out in this situation. Of course, these guys are not like the enemies I've had before. These opponents are really formidable. “This is Nakasorachi here,” said a fluent and clear voice that resembled that of a news reporter. This was the second-year Connect student who often helped me, Misaki Nakasorachi. “Through the sound of the video, the location has been identified. It should be 1-7-32, Shinagawa geofront Area 7. Specifically, it is the Aqua Theater on the seventh floor of the building.” “That is rather lucky; the car can travel directly to the building.” Hearing the information gathered by Nakasorachi, Watson entered the location into the GPS of the car. After that, she stepped on the accelerator, driving the 911 Carrera Cabriolet through the Metropolitan Expressway. After the Shinagawa geofront was built during the Japanese economic bubble, because of the fact that they could not raise the wages of employees, they left a large conical hole in the ground and put the project on hold. This was similar to the past Academy Island and Empty Island. It is a legacy of the collapse of the third economic sector. Although later on, they used the reason of “redevelopment” to build a city, however… “This place looks just like Brooklyn. This reminds me of the things that happened in New York Butei High,” said Watson, who was looking out of the window. Just as she said, this place was full of open spaces, abandoned buildings and underpasses left behind by interrupted excavations. This area was the place with the poorest public order in the capital. As we traveled along the spiral driveway down the road, custom shop signs and neon lights that looked like glistening mosquito lights could be seen everywhere. Nearly half of the signs were not in Japanese. After all, a feature of this underground city was that criminals were difficult to detect and they could escape easily, hence it seemed that a lot of criminals from all over Asia had come to this place. Also, because there were hackers and illegal radio theft dens, there were illegal radio waves everywhere. These radio waves were dubbed “Radio Typhoon.” The large electronic billboard which showed the smoke index had already been blackened by the emissions of the underground city. Groundwater and waste disposal systems did not seem to be efficient, and it seemed unhygienic everywhere. Watson drove the car through the Shinagawa geofront– “We’ve arrived, they are on the seventh floor.” And parked the car in front of a building. The building stood beside lights that were illuminating the sky. The outdoor decoration was totally different from the scene we saw before. “Let’s go.” To me, who was gripping the bolt of my gun – “Avoid being too agitated, Tohyama. We must react calmly,” advised Watson, who clearly had an aggressive personality. It seemed that the building was closed today, so the main entrance had been locked. Watson and I worked together and used a rope to climb to the balcony on the second floor. Because I did not know the lighting conditions in the Aqua Theater, I closed my left eye to let it be accustomed to the darkness. Then, I used the stairs to climb to the eighth floor. “It’s here. Go in,” said Watson in a soft voice when we were near the entrance of the theater. Because there was no way to use a blinking signal, she could only use a soft voice. The guiding lights at the emergency exit shone a yellow-green light on our face. We tried our best not to make a sound as we gently pushed the heavy door. In the Aqua Theater, except for the ceiling above the stage, the auditorium was open-air. Because the lights from the other buildings and neon lights were shining, the theater was not completely dark. However, as the main lighting in the theater was turned off, the room was only dimly lit. We opened our left eyes that were already accustomed to the darkness – Looking at the stage, we saw Aria and the others like they were in the video. They were all lying on the floor, comatose. Also… there was nobody else around. There wasn’t a single noise. Watson and I went up the stage, running towards the four girls. “Aria, Shirayuki… Riko, Reki…! Hey…!” “Tohyama, don’t be flustered. I’ll diagnose them, you shall be in charge of guarding the perimeter,” said Watson, before starting to check their condition. Hence, all I could do was to look around, protecting everyone. “It seems that all four of them are still alive.” Just as Watson said that – “They won’t die,” replied someone who was at the front of the audience. “Washington Columbia Special Zone Act Article 5509D, Law Article 8807 – For Butei licenses obtained in Washington, DC. Regardless of any circumstances, Butei cannot kill people. –Well, I can still kill if I want to.” That sound was full of vigor. “Ugh…!” Turning my head towards the audience, I saw a person in the centre of the second row– A place where I had already checked – The person in the video, GIII, was there. GIII put his leg-protective gear that looked like boots against the back of the seat in front of him, as he read a book. He was not alerted and did not even look at me, who was holding a gun in my hand. “Beware, Tohyama! Who knows whether someone else is in the vicinity!” Just as Watson was speaking and grabbing hold of her SIG P226R, “Are you talking about me?” This time, it was from above– The sound came from somewhere around the stage lights. “…!” GIV…! It was the protagonist in the video just now, the girl who defeated Aria and the others by herself. On the matte black protective gear, blue fluorescent lights could be seen. “Who, who are you? GIII, according to what you said just now – are you an American Butei?” “I feel honoured. Far East Warfare– We intend to play this little game with you.” Watson was on alert towards GIII, while I kept a close watch on GIV. After GIV showed me an enthusiastic face, she moved the probe which looked like cat ears that was on her head. “Ah…” Just like the soft sound made by her, fluttering… The hair behind her neck slowly became dishevelled. It seemed that as long the device worn on her head is activated, a cooling fan behind her neck would release air. “…Not bad…” As if she couldn’t see anything other than me, GIV concentrated on me with her eyes. Her smile, revealing intoxication, trembled, as if unable to extricate herself in ecstasy. She looked like she was a beast who just saw her prey in front of her. “IV, take off the mask. Tohyama Kinji’s moves should be like mine, so don’t record it.” After GIII said this, GIV nodded – Using smooth movements, GIV took off the head mounted display that looked like red sunglasses. In the gloom, I saw her face – “…Ooh…” It was a girl so beautiful that people could stop breathing just by seeing her. Overall, she had a childish look. Her youthful look hinted that she was about fourteen to fifteen years old. Her confident eyes radiated with vigor. She had black eyes… no, it’s a little bit of dark blue. Her nose was firm, while her pink lips looked adorable. But– the expression on her face as she looked at me seemed to be full of burning desire. Her face gave a mature impression as she seemed to stare through me. “IV, if it’s this guy — you should be able to enter, right?” “Yes, yes! So, can I try it?” “Go ahead.” After GIII and GIV finished their conversation – “——!” GIV descended like an eagle. —Towards me. “Tohyama!” Just as Watson exclaimed, I rolled away, avoiding GIV’s legs. The floor where GIV landed was destroyed. Just as I was about to fire my Beretta– “I’ve been looking forward to seeing you, Onii-chan!” GIV’s kick hit my right knee. “Argh!” I fell onto the stage floor– Unable to stand up. Her protective gear appeared to be made of Duralumin aluminum alloy, but her leg muscles were extremely strong. Thanks to my training in Assault, my bones were still alright, however my ligament may have been hurt. “Stand up. Hey, stand up. I will not use a monomolecular shock blade nor a fiber shield. I will not kill you, so stand up. Let’s play.” GIV revealed a smile that gave me an impression of blooming flowers as she walked in front of me. And– Bang! The moment I removed my leg from its original position, the floor where my leg had been was destroyed by her. “There’s no need to act weak, Onii-chan.” “What, what are you saying…! What do you mean by “act”…!” GIV maintained her smile, but still approached me with stiff eyes. “How can my Onii-chan be weak?” “I, I don’t have a sister like you!” I raised my Beretta, but GIV only gave me a wry smile. She isn’t afraid of guns, she totally isn’t. Just as I was going to pull the trigger – “Enough, IV.” GIII, who had been observing the stage and ignoring Watson who was pointing a gun at him, stood up. “Tsk, I originally thought that I would be able to say it in fury!” Said GIII to himself as he scratched his head. (Fury…?) “Eh? Has it ended?” GIV stared at GIII and I. “Correct, I have already understood. There’s no value in fighting with this guy.” “No, III! I still want to have a fight with Onii-chan. I want to understand Onii-chan, let us get to know each other more.” GIV said, pointing a finger at me. Then, she grabbed the knife at her chest– “IV–! You dare to disobey my commands!” GII’s roar resounded throughout the theater. In a moment, Watson's and my eyes widened. “Ooh…!” With this, the momentum– I know. This one, I know. This murderous look that resembled a ghost and a dragon…! This is like when Nii-san is not Kana – known as the “Ghost of Silence” – (Dad…!) Before the Butei system in Japan was implemented, the person who worked directly under the Ministry of Justice and was an armed prosecutor and died… my father, Tohyama Golden Cross…! Being roared at by GIII, GIV trembled constantly…! That reaction by GIV had never been shown, neither when she was attacking me nor in the video… It was obvious– fear. That was an expression of fright. “…Yes, sorry! I’m, I’m only, slightly…playing, playing too much. That’s all. S-sorry…! Looking at GIII, GIV moved backwards, her face sweating, knees trembling continuously. (… Her attention is away from me…!) At the moment I was aware of this, I relied on my habits trained in Assault and took action. By reflex, I pointed my Beretta at GIV – At that point in time, “Stop, Tohyama! Don’t attack!” Watson grabbed my hand and pulled me, who could not exert force on my right leg, onto the floor. “You saw the fear in that girl’s expression, didn’t you…! That guy is stronger than the girl who defeated the entire Baskerville by herself!” “Constrain yourself, Tohyama! The current situation is like what Jeanne said! Those two people can just kill us! If that happens, even rescuing Aria and the others would be impossible!” “…Ugh…!” Watson was absolutely correct. If we were to attack, we would lose. More importantly, we still need to rescue Aria and the others. Attacking would be a bad option. But…! When I’m against GIII and GIV – I don’t know why, but I seem to feel enraged and agitated. “I know, Tohyama Kinji.” GIII turned his back-protective gear that wrote USLA-GIII towards us and prepared to leave the theater by himself. “Ssss… Ssss…” He disappeared slowly. He seemed to become less opaque, just like how he did at the Far East Warfare conference. “Light camouflage…! It has already been improved to the point where it has practical applications…!” said Watson, cold sweat streaming down her face. “Tohyama Kinji, you seem furious at us. But unconsciously, you think “Ah, I can be exempted from a fight”, hence you are even more furious. Am I right?” “What are you talking about…?” “Why don’t you try opening fire? I’m sure you can still see where I am.” GIII, who was about to become fully transparent, kicked the heavy door of the theater. “IV, if Kinji has not awakened to Regalmente, you need to let him become accustomed to HSS. Come back after both of you are accustomed to HSS. From this time onwards, our combat plan is switched to γ (Gamma). After you two have become a strong pair, I will contact you.” GIII said a lot of confusing things about HSS… About Hysteria Mode. After that, just as he finished speaking – His figure had disappeared. He had disappeared. He was there just a moment ago…! After GIII disappeared – GIV slowly paced past us in small steps… Starting by walking towards Aria and the others who were lying on the floor, she then revealed an innocent and lovely smile. “I’ve called for the car. Take the worms that harassed Onii-chan to the hospital.” GIV, who revealed a smile, seemed to have lost her killing intent. Even so, I still couldn’t put down my guard. “I’m…I’m not your brother. How am I supposed to trust you…!” I pressed my right knee which had been kicked by GIV as I glared at the broadsword on her back. “Nn… Then so be it.” Ssss– Vapour-like particles were ejected from her protective gear. Then, all of her equipment, including the broadsword, fell onto the floor. The only gear left on her body were- shoes that resembled ski boots– and a black form-fitting suit. The form-fitting suit was as thin as a pair of stockings. It was made of the latest bulletproof fibers, and made GIV’s immature body curves look obvious. Her waist line could be clearly seen, and as I looked closely… I... I realized she wasn’t wearing…! I was utterly petrified. “…Aaah! Don’t, don’t look, Tohyama!” *Chk* Watson used both of her hands to cover my face, including my eyes. Good, good one, Watson! “Erm, Tohyama – Do you have a sister…?” “N-no. I’m very sure I don’t! It was that person who proclaimed it herself!” After strong denial, I wriggled out of Watson’s grasp. Trying not to look at the direction of GIV, I kneeled beside Aria and the others. “Hmm, let’s take them away. Bring them to that place called “Butei Hospital”, is that ok?” After GIV said that, she carried Aria and Reki on her shoulders. It seems like… that kid is serious… about saving the four girls that she defeated. I carried Shirayuki on my back– “… Their condition isn’t too serious,” whispered Watson, who was carrying Riko on her back. “III has ordered me to do something tonight, so I have to separate from Onii-chan.” GIV seemed to have heard what Watson said, and winked cutely at us. “You seem to strictly follow GIII’s commands, is he stronger than you?” GIV glanced at Watson who seemed to be interrogating her. Then– She answered the question, which Watson and I hoped the answer to it would be “No”. “Yup, he is much stronger than I am. And I- will definitely not defy people who are stronger than me.” At the entrance of the building, there was a black Hummer jeep. Standing next to it was a man wearing a suit. As he bowed, we could see his pure white hair. “Lady IV, you have performed well.” The man raised his head, showing his twisted expression. He looked as if he could not straighten his back and was hunching over. Although he was a Caucasian who just entered old age, his hunch was probably not caused by his age, but a disorder in his nervous system. “Thank you, Angus. What about III?” GIV threw Aria and Reki into the car that the man opened, then the man… Angus, talked with a strong tone. “Sir Tohyama and… that man, are you going back in that car? We are going to bring the ladies to Butei Hospital,” said the man, showing a smile. Thus– Watson turned towards GIV and the old man. “I understand that you already have no intention to fight, but that doesn’t mean that we trust you. GIV shall sit in my car. Tohyama shall sit in the other car. Although I thought of calling Logi for a car, if there was an accident on the journey, we would be implicated. Moreover, we need to bring Aria and the others to the hospital as fast as possible. Just as Watson said, as hostages of the unarmed GIV, it would be better to travel in two cars. After seeing me nod, Watson searched the old man for suspicious items. Watching this scene, GIV laughed gently. “How unreasonable. Angus will definitely never bring a weapon.” “Don’t be long-winded. Come, ride my Porsche. Let me remind you, my Porsche has an explosive function, so remember to not do anything suspicious.” “Nah, don’t worry. Come to think of it… Watson, your face is really cute, just like a girl’s.” Without a reason, GIV glared at Watson’s cute face. “ –! Y-y-y-you’re too rude! I am a male! Let me emphasize that, I am a male! I. Am. A. Male!” Hey, hey, Watson. Don’t blush when you are denying that. You really will give her a hint. Also, did you just say that your Porsche has an explosive function? I will never ride it again. *Sigh* “In the future, is it that I will have to kill Onii-chan’s male friends? It feels like both of you are compatible. How do you put it… It’s like a double man team.” “You… you, what kind of weird things are you thinking? Are you perverted?” said Watson, whose face was within spitting distance of GIV. Let’s not talk about her. After I carried Riko and Shirayuki into the Hummer, I sat on the sparkling clean leather seat of the car. The old Angus limped towards the car and got into the driver’s seat… I still couldn’t trust him, so I couldn’t help but glance at him. “Please do not worry, Sir Tohyama. I am merely Sir III’s butler.” He twisted his neck to look forward – The Hummer, which looked like a military vehicle, made its way to Butei Hospital. Angus’ skill in driving seemed to be a notch higher than any driver in the world. As we traveled towards Academy Island, the old man’s driving was as if he was chauffeuring nobility; careful and well-behaved, complying with the road laws. I secretly glanced at his face… Although his eyelids were twitching and looked distorted, he seemed like a tamed herbivorous animal. (He doesn’t look like a bad guy…) He self-proclaimed to be GIII’s butler. That being the case, if I said anything, he would convey it to GIII. I wonder if that would cause trouble for me. Thus, I was silent throughout the journey. After we successfully arrived at Butei Hospital, we brought Aria and the others into the hospital. Watson, who had a British physician's licence, told me not to put our guard down. After that, she went into the hospital. Angus merely bowed in respect, and then drove the Hummer away. I ended up with GIV, who was standing beside me for no specific reason. Looking closely, GIV was wearing a long body coat. That looked familiar, it was probably Watson’s. “We can now be alone together, Onii-chan.” After GIV said that, she looked up at me with inexplicably intoxicated eyes. After our eyes met, she narrowed her eyes happily. That action really resembled those of a fourteen to fifteen year old girl. As the evening breeze blew, the sweet scent of caramel came from her hair. “Don’t come too close to me… Also, I don’t have a sister.” “There is, isn’t she here?” “I told you not to come so close!” “–Fine, since Onii-chan says so, it’s ok to be separate for a night. After all, I do have many things to prepare.” “…Prepare? What do you need to prepare?” “It’s. A. Secret.” Facing me, who had a look of suspicion, GIV gave me a playful wink. Then, she turned her back to me and walked away. ### 004. 2nd Ammo - Deen Conference ## 2nd Ammo: Deen Conference Late that night, I received a notification from Watson. Her inspections had revealed no major injuries to Aria and the others. Having been struck both by debris and the concussive blast of a grenade, and yet suffering only minor injuries, the girls' stubborn vitality was truly worthy of the name Baskerville. Despite being left at a loss for words, I nonetheless heaved a sigh of relief. Nevertheless, erring on the side of safety, those four were to be interned at Butei hospitals for a week. Haimaki, who had been twice hit by cars, faced a similar situation. The following day- Without leaving me sufficient time for recovery, Jeanne contacted me, saying, "In light of the GIII and GIV incident, we're convening a gathering of Deen." Adding to that, after school today, the Halloween celebration begins (I'd heard that because of the break at the end of October, the festival had been changed to today). Masters had directed that all students leaving campus must be appropriately dressed. Simply speaking, we were to dress up as ghouls and goblins and the like. Even though I was hardly in the mood to play along, if one of our horrifying teachers caught me in my uniform, I'd be beaten 'til I nigh looked the part. That being the case, meeting aside, I'd find myself in the hospital if I wasn't careful. Consequently, I'd better at least borrow a hermit's robe and hood from Amdo, dressing up as an obake before attending the meeting. The meeting place was the family restaurant Roxi, and in its shaded outdoor terrace- Deen's members had already assembled. Though I'd walked here without difficulty, my knee, which had been given a painful kick by GIV, continued to throb. Because of the need to change clothing, I'd been running slightly behind schedule, but my knee had kept me from running, and I found myself unable to make our 3 o'clock meeting time, arriving just a little late at the appointed place. "Sorry I'm late. In case you couldn't tell, it's me." I announced myself, the sole remaining representative of Baskerville. Face nearly covered by my hood, I ordered a cup of Oolong tea before approaching the round table. "You're late, Tohyama. Normally, you're already gloomy enough, but to go so far as to wear such drab garments..." Jeanne d'Arc of IU's Daio Nomad turned to me, coffee cup in hand. Under her right eye was a brilliant, snowflake-shaped sticker, on her head, a pointy black hat, and in her hand, a star-tipped wand. In short, a witch. Hey, since she's a real witch, what's the point in dressing up as one? Why don't you try a little creativity every now and then? "One of Tohyama, thou hast encountered some difficulty. Dost thine knee trouble thee?" The one with even less of an imagination would be- Bending her exposed tail into a "?", Tamamo inquired this of me. She wore a hakama, disguising herself as a fox spirit. You might also say she hadn't bothered to disguise herself at all, as she was a fox spirit to begin with. Just how relaxed can you be? Even though she normally wears a hat to hide her ears, they're now in plain sight for all to see; is that really okay? The only thing she's really done is to stick three black lines as whiskers on each cheek, but having done a poor job, the mere act of her turning has already resulted in the casualty of a single whisker. On the other hand, the Liberty Mason representative Watson... "Tohyama, the same goes for me. In case you couldn't tell, it's me." She'd raced down a completely different path of mistaken creativity, having taken a Jack-o'-lantern -a real, hollowed-out pumpkin- for a mask, covering her head in this manner. ...Wearing something like that, isn't the pumpkin smell hard to bear? From the neck down, she wore something like a white raincoat. This was undoubtedly a costume that would leave one clueless as to her true identity. Until she opened her mouth to speak, I had had no idea it was her. "Oh my, everyone. What ominous appearances, though I must admit, quite cute indeed, hehe." Hearing this light laughter, I turned to look at the laptop resting upon the tabletop. On the screen was Meiya, apparently employing some Skype-like video functionality to take part in the meeting. She was the envoy from the Vatican in this "Far East Warfare," and also a junior of Kana during her time as an exchange student at Rome's Butei High. Meiya looked at the dubious-looking crowd that was us, revealing a smile as if she was a caretaker at a nursery. How utterly irritating. Looking carefully, the window behind Meiya showed darkness, affirming the difference in time between our two locations. "Disregarding the wait, let's begin our meeting. Yesterday, four members of the group belonging to Deen, Baskerville, including also a member of Ulus, were attacked and beaten by the supposedly 'unaffiliated' GIII and his subordinate GIV." Jeanne skillfully began to explain the situation. She almost seemed to be the leader of the group, or perhaps a capable cabinet member. "Yesterday, on the road home, I asked GIV for her reasons. Apparently the reason they fought in the Shinagawa River geofront was simply because they'd discovered Reki's presence. Reki included, before being ambushed, neither Aria nor any of the others had ever encountered GIII's group before. In brief, it was completely a surprise attack," Watson-the-human-pumpkin added, "Even if they're lacking in numbers, this kind of sneak attack is still hard to countenance." Jeanne's blue eyes blinked, and she shifted her legs beneath her hard tulle and satin panier. "They seem to think nothing of contemptible, shameful tactics, an ideology where the ends justify the means." Without appearing to recall what things she had done previously, Watson-the-pumpkin spoke thusly. "What should we do now? GIII and GIV are currently operating separately. Should we seize this opportunity?" As I cut to the heart of the matter- Hmm...? What? Everyone seems to have averted their gaze, including even Meiya on the computer screen. What's going on with you guys? "..." The only response came from Tamamo, who closed both eyes, sipped her melon soda, and spoke, "I understand thou art disturbed on behalf of thine companions, but despair not, little one. I ask thee, one of Tohyama, canst thou obtain victory?" She opened her eyes, exposing a penetrating, inhuman perception. "That's..." "Now, from what Watson hast shared, those young ladies of Baskerville could do but naught against GIV. Their leader - GIII - is yet greater still. If thou still believest thou canst win, then share thine plan." Tamamo's tail arched, pressing lightly against the back of the chair. I could only stutter. "...Er, when it comes to specifics...I can't really think of anything on the spot..." "One of Tohyama, stand not upon custom. In 'Warfare', no matter the time, regardless of who has challenged whom, all is permitted. Though such a tactic may be vile indeed, they have nonetheless committed no sin." "You mean we shouldn't retaliate?! Our companions have been ambushed by despicable means!" Though I frowned in heated emotion, "Ambush? How was it an ambush? This is war." Tamamo casually replied as she had before. "What...!?" "This thing called war is even so. It is utterly and altogether different from the spirit of fair competition in sports. Once more, war is not a mere scuffle. From times long past, reconciliation has only come after blood-soaked struggle." Tamamo spoke, staring at me all the while, leaving me without rejoinder. This...contemptible fox. While looking like an elementary school student, she dares to talk back to a high school student. "One of Tohyama, canst thou not understand this one point? Why there remains but one member left of Baskerville? This is their message to us, 'We are strong,' even going so far as to leave a messenger - GIV." "But they're the enemy! Are you fine with letting the enemy run free?" "Enemy? Then I ask thee, hast GIV bared enmity before thee? Didst she not cast off her armor and lay down her weapons? They have not as of yet shown true hostility towards Deen, instead giving room for negotiation. We must not, of ourselves, make ruin of this opportunity." "That's...hmm, that's not wrong..." "Moreover, it seems the weapon they employ is 'science,' truly a peculiar existence." Yours is the peculiar existence! Nearly blurting this out, I instead swallowed my reply. "The disciples of science and us -witches and spirits- a hard battle indeed. Worse, currently Ririirokane's particles are particularly dense." Tamamo's puffed her cheeks unhappily. "Ririirokane...?" I remember, it ought to be a kind of Irokane located in Reki's homeland. Before, when the three Koko sisters of Ranban had seized control of the Shinkansen, I'd heard something like "its anger has scattered invisible particles, rendering the ability of all the ability users in the world unstable." Is this related to that? Jeanne turned her head to look at me, whose knowledge only skimmed the surface. "Though this might be difficult to grasp, but Ririirokane looses particles that disturb the abilities of ability users. It's similar to how metallic chaff can render radar ineffectual, except only causing complications...the range of its effect is very broad." "How broad?" "Sufficient to cover a third of the Earth's surface area. At the time of the cultural festival, it again intensified. Japan now falls within its realm of influence." Jeanne had declared this a hard thing to grasp, as it most certainly was. A phenomenon that disturbed supernatural abilities on a global scale? Speaking from the perspective of someone without supernatural ability, the scope of this was almost beyond belief, like something from science fiction or fantasy. In any case, thinking back on the video we saw yesterday, Shirayuki's badminton-like kidoujutsu had certainly failed her. If a similar phenomenon presented itself before Tamamo or Jeanne, then Deen's fighting strength would decrease dramatically. "Spoken differently, current conditions naught but troublesome. Were we to engage in battle, perchance it is we who face destruction." "So what do you suggest we do, Tamamo?" "We entice them." "What?" "First GIII, and then GIV - we shall entice them to join Deen." "What're you...saying?" "In 'Warfare', persuading a powerful 'neutral' or 'unaffiliated' party to join is most advantageous. This is no different from true war." "Stop playing around! How do you plan on convincing people like that to join us?" "The methods of persuasion are not limited to just dialogue. From time immemorial, money, power, sex, and more have been used to achieve this goal. There have even been times when those seeking these benefits have loudly proclaimed their neutrality. There is a terribly rude saying which goes, 'If you wish to catch a fox, use aburaage.' If we can but discover what it is GIV desires, perchance she may yet join us in Deen." What she likes? As I tilted my head in thought, Watson raised her pumpkin head. "Tohyama, regarding this, there's something we need to discuss." "What's up?" "Well, that GIV girl, yesterday in the car, talked over and over about how happy she was to finally meet you. To be honest, it was to the point where even I started to feel embarrassed. In other words, she seems to like you a lot." "And your point is? You want me to sneak up on her?" "No, no. What I mean is, to put it simply, Romeo." "Romeo?" I just about upturned my cup of Oolong. This Romeo was a Butei term, referring to male seduction. In order to deal with women difficult to overcome through direct conflict, they would instead send attractive men to get close to them... And via seduction, get the opponent to either change sides or give up classified information. The level of difficulty surpassed that of normal seduction, and Tokyo Butei High offered no courses in this specialization. Actually, if I remembered correctly, with the exception of Berlin and Bangkok, no Butei schools "anywhere" taught this. It goes without saying that I haven't the least clue how to go about doing such a thing. Because of my HSS-ridden physiology, I've never so much as glanced at titillating material. In any event, throwing this kind of thing at me, you're not that normal either, are you, Watson? "Cut the crap, pumpkin head. Baskerville's been attacked and directly victimized by GIV. Even setting that aside, with regards to that dangerous individual-" "Do you have any other ideas? This is all we're left with. Anyway, even if you don't look the part, in reality, you're quite proficient at tempting women, right? If we count, starting from Aria, there's Shirayuki, Riko, Reki, and who knows who else." After Watson had finished speaking, her voice biting with sarcasm, the others...Um, about that... Why are you all looking at me? It's almost like you're looking at a habitual offender. "Wow. That many, huh? You are truly Kana's brother; you seem most popular." Hey Meiya, mind not using that awe-inspired tone of respect here? In a plea for help, I turned to Jeanne, only to find a similar aura of complete misunderstanding in her eyes as she said, "Go get 'em." "That's how it is. One of Tohyama, we entrust this task to thee." "That's how...wait a moment, what do you mean 'That's how it is'! What do you want from me!" "Go forth and befriend GIV. Care well for her, and bringest her into Deen. Peradventure, this will determine the life or death of this group. Labor most diligently!" Tamamo sipped the last of her melon soda, and spoke these words. Irritated beyond endurance, I gripped the table's edge, and prepared to use the technique which had been passed down by my grandfather, namely «Table Flip». "Tohyama-san, at dusk, I- sorry, it should be late last night for you - also saw the video of GIV's attack." Meiya's sweet, light-hearted voice interrupted my plans. "I feel she's a very dangerous opponent to approach directly. Accordingly, we must first set about obtaining permission from the Paladins, in order to arrange for the manufacture and distribution of support supplies and the like." "Support supplies?" I asked the laptop that I had originally planned on flipping along with the table. "Correct. I think even if we can't fight to win, we can at least safeguard ourselves." "This is good, one of Tohyama." "Good luck, Tohyama. When this is all over, make sure to report back with all the juicy details." "Tohyama, I leave the rest to you. I need to return to care for Aria and the others." Looking at Meiya, Tamamo, Jeanne, and Watson delivering their lines one at a time, as if in a play... (Tch, these bastards...) Undoubtedly, they'd all planned this before my arrival. It seems from the start, they'd already decided to make handling GIV my responsibility. Damn it! Ah, it really makes me wholeheartedly regret being even just a little late. Never again will I be late. In fact, now that I think about it, wasn't the reason why I ran into Aria and had to experience such trying times because I was late and missed the bus? After being tricked by everyone, or rather, after having the meeting proceed exactly as they had planned... As a parting shot, I'd flipped Tamamo along with the donation box she carried on her back end-over-end, crying "What good luck, give me that back", taking back the 10 yen coin I had previously thrown in. As everyone simultaneously decried my childishness, I turned and headed for the hospital. Aria, Shirayuki, Riko, and Reki, just how are they doing? I gave a call to Soumiya, in charge of treating Haimaki, telling her, "This Butei dog is Reki's, so settle any questions of cost with her," to which she responded that he was no dog, but a wolf. I ignored what she said, instead continuing to ask after the condition of the four. It seems they're doing well, and are close to regaining consciousness. (Let's set aside what we talked about at the meeting for the moment; visiting the injured comes first.) Accordingly, I bought a few peach buns and Calorie Mates, and rode the elevator to the third floor of the A-wing where they were. rustle ... rustle rustle ... (...?) rustle rustle rustle ... On the hallway floor... rustle rustle ...a metal tray was moving. It's abundantly clear there's no one here, but the tray was moving nonetheless. Under normal circumstances, this sight would frighten someone near to death- Unfortunately, it's sad to say I've already grown accustomed to seeing such an unnatural scene. My only reaction was mild surprise, and an offhanded "So this kind of thing exists too...", before casually watching the tray. The tray was a polished, shiny bronze, covered in etchings of thorny vines and spiders...even though it was pretty terrifying, it was likely an antique. The objects placed upon it seemed to be a paper carton of strawberry milk, a box of Pocky, and a croissant. It's all cheap stuff! Wait a moment, this is all stuff Riko loves. (Hmm...?) Underneath the tray seems to be a shadow just a mite larger than the tray itself. This is definitely also out of the norm. I finally grasped its true nature. "Hilda?" Hearing my question, the tray suddenly froze. It ever so slowly turned in my direction (oh, I didn't realize that way was facing front), before returning to face its original direction, and slid helter-skelter at full speed down the hall. Moving at a pace similar to that of a person running, it turned the corner. Since Aria and the others were in the same direction, I followed along behind the tray. As expected, I saw Hilda. She'd planned on escaping down the stairs only to realize she couldn't take the stairs while hiding in the shadow of the tray. She emerged from said shadow just in time for me to arrive. From the way things look, this seemed to be the case. She traveled down one flight of stairs, before stopping in place. What was particularly confusing was what she did next. Hilda, wearing a nurse's outfit, with her back to the wall, flicked open an ostrich feather fan, and covered her face. What...What to say about this? "Hey." I called out to her. "..." She pretended not to hear. "Hey, Hilda." "...Who, who did you ask for? Haven't you got the wrong person?" "Like there's anyone else strange enough to carry an ostrich feather fan? Are you feeling better?" Hearing this, bang! Hilda closed her fan. "Oh, if it isn't Tohyama?" She's pretending like she just noticed... "What a coincidence, meeting here. I just came up these stairs." What's the point in lying? A glance was all it took to tell how flustered she was, but that didn't stop Hilda from putting on a cool expression and turning to face me, her shoes clicking against the floor. She was wearing a pair of white, high-heeled shoes. (Actually, why is she dressed up as a nurse? It's pretty unbelievable, not to mention what kind of nurse wears high-heels?) As I pondered this, frowning in the direction of Hilda's feet, she had the mistaken impression that I was staring at the tray at her feet, leading to... "What's this? How, how unexpected. To have fallen here, completely by chance. A tray, it seems?" Her cheeks blushing, she rattled off a load of nonsense. This girl's ability to leave someone utterly mystified is no less than that of Aria's. (...?) I pondered for a moment. This Spark Witch, the vampire Hilda had fought with Aria, Riko, and I last month, and suffered injuries grievous to the point of near-death, before being sent to this hospital. At the time, she'd nearly died from massive blood loss, but thankfully, Riko's donated blood was able to save her life. (And now, this tray seems to be full of things that Riko likes, and moreover, for her to be delivering it so sneakily...) Is it because this time it's Riko's turn to stay in the hospital that she's taken the opportunity to show her appreciation? But to so vigorously protest "the one delivering this tray is absolutely not me", it seems like "thanking Riko" is quite an embarrassing thing for her? That would be why she's dressed up as a nurse (even though her skill in disguises is pitiful), in order to allow her to move about unnoticed. "What 'fallen here', you *brought* this here. To give to Riko." I signified the tray, at which point Hilda realized the gig was up. Her entire face turned red as she blushed. Her skin color is naturally white, perhaps she's originally Caucasian? In any case, because of this, the fact that her face was now all pink stood out all the more. "Not, not a chance!" "Moreover, aren't these all things that Riko likes?" "-Tohyama! Seeing as these have been discarded here, they don't belong to anyone anymore. You should pick them up." I was only just teasing, but her frown filled me with fear. God forbid because of this she attack me with electricity or her ball lightning. "Alright. I'm picking it up." Taking the tray in my hands, I prepared to hand it back to her. Except she wasn't willing to take it from me, instead turning her face from me with great gusto. "Just make it so that that's stuff you bought." "Why? Can't you just bring them to her yourself? Honestly, you're so roundabout." "Stop talking so much and do as I asked. Right now, you're the only servant I can rely on." "At what point did I become your servant?" "This too, give this to her as well." From who knows where, Hilda fished out a black, garbage-looking thing which she placed on the tray. It looked like a piece of charcoal, a thin wire running through it shaped like an S. "What's this?" "Roast salamander." "Gross!" "-This rude servant! This is a reward bestowed by Countess Dracula, just what do you take it for!" Snap! She rapped me on the head with her fan. "That is the cure-all medicine I spent all night preparing. Give that to Riko." "You just exposed yourself as having prepared this for Riko, you know?" "Uuuu-!" Seeing Hilda's eyes grow large, I couldn't help but sigh. Unbelievable. Aria is the same. So is Watson. Don't tell me it's a rule that aristocrats must all be this bad at expressing themselves? "Toh-, Tohyama. Don't misunderstand. It's because- because I had no choice. In compliance with the rules of 'Warfare', as a captive noble, I have no choice in the matter. Don't get the wrong idea." "And that's why I've been saying, if you want to apologize to Riko, just do it." "Uhh, if the opportunity arises, we'll see." Failing to reject the notion of her apologizing, she doesn't seem to have realized that she has again misspoken. This girl...From Informa's perspective, she's undoubtedly an E-class. No, actually, she should be even worse than that, perhaps even the rarely-seen F-class? "What do you mean 'if the opportunity arises'? Who knows when that will be? Why don't I keep you company, and we'll go together?" "No can do. I...still can't face her. To be honest, I want to go, but, right now, it's still..." Hilda shook her head like a willful child. Her twin drill pigtails, like Aria's, shook like a rattle drum. Due to their spring-like structure, however, shaking her head results in far more extended motion as compared to Aria. This reached the point where Hilda extended her hands to hold her hair in place. "-Returning to the topic at hand, Baskerville was really beaten quite savagely." Having recovered her usual stern demeanor, she changed the topic. "It doesn't matter who the opponent is- If the team that previously defeated me loses, this disgrace reflects upon me as well. Tohyama, the ones who did this, you want to deal with them thoroughly, yes?" What to say, this really seems to fit Hilda's style, this way of forcing things down other's throats. "At the moment, because of the issue with Ririirokane, I'm hardly in peak condition. Notwithstanding, given some time to recover- If Riko faces any danger, contact me immediately. I will flay and skewer whoever it is." Having finished what she had to say, she turned, and heels clicking all the way, descended the stairs. As she exited- From the back of her uniform, I saw two holes appear, through which a pair of tiny black wings extended. It seems the wings that Riko had severed have started growing once more. Since today was Halloween, no one thought twice about her "costume", but I simply thought, ah, she really isn't human. Looking carefully, around her neck she still carries the cross that Watson placed there. A vampire that wears a cross...reality and the movies sure are different. "From dusk until dawn- leave things to me. If it's you, and I'm in a good mood, it's not like I couldn't lend a hand." At this double negative that Hilda threw out as she exited the stairwell back into the hall, I couldn't help but sigh. Suddenly, from where the stairway broke line-of-sight to the hall- (Riko...!) I saw a forehead, arm, and thigh, covered in bandages, leaning against the wall. She'd tied her sawed-off shotgun, the Winchester M1887, to her back with a belt. From here, her profile was visible, her gaze directed this way. "...Did you hear that?" "Yes." "Then take all of this. It's what Hilda brought for you." I handed the tray to Riko. She glanced at its contents: strawberry milk, Pocky, roast salamander, etc., before dusting herself off, grabbing the hem of her skirt with one hand like a bag, and filling it with the items atop the tray. "And what do you think, Riko? It seems Hilda wants to get along with you." "What a load of garbage. She's killed me once before, like that's something so easily forgiven." Her mouth said one thing, her hands another. How very Riko-like. What she said, however, is valid. Reconciliation after intensely striving against one another is not such an easy thing. This I truly understand, since my feelings regarding GIV are similar. That said... "Hadn't you tried to shoot me in the head before? In April, during the airplane hijacking. At that time, if I hadn't split your bullet with my knife, right now my name would be engraved on the Butei High Memorial Wall." "Stop whining, Kinji. I only fired because I knew that Hystekin could handle anything." Riko forcefully bit down on the straw for her milk, glaring at me all the while. Hystekin? Oh, I see. In short, Kinji in Hysteria Mode. Riko, who would use nicknames even for something like this, was actually eating the roasted salamander, alternating bites with gulps of her strawberry milk. Looks like she's not the least bit skeptical of the food being poisoned. In many ways, it seems she's quite confident in Hilda's pride as a noble. "That girl Hilda sure is free. She's already brought stuff a few times already, but always unseen. So strange." Riko spoke while stealing a glance in my direction. What do you want me to say? "Um...Well, why don't you both cool off a bit?" "..." "Anyway, she's basically admitted she's now a part of Deen. We are now participating in 'Warfare', which, for all intents and purposes, might as well be a real war. Even if she's that kind of person, but with that kind of power at her disposal, why not use her well? I'm not going to go so far as to demand you become the best of friends, but at the very least, please don't quarrel for no reason, ok?" I copied what Tamamo had said to me, and after contradicting myself with my own words- Riko turned around, back towards me, noisily finishing her strawberry milk with a slurp , before nodding her head once. She then spun back around to face me, and full of pretense, saluted. "Don't let it trouble you anymore, Kii-kun. Riko will now lead you to the girls' room, A-Wing, room 303!" "Just gonna skip past what we were talking about before, huh." "Ayaya is here too!" "Ayaya...? Oh, Hiraga-san? What for?" "Fufufu. It's a surprise." A surprise...? I've got a bad feeling about this. When all is said and done, Riko's "surprises" have never been something I've been happy to see. Riko pulled me, full of trepidation, towards Room 303... "...!" First, the silhouette of a wolf entered my peripheral vision. Laying on the white hospital bed was the Lone Wolf girl, accompanied by a real wolf. She wore her normal uniform, on her head a headset, but also a pair of wolf ears. Haimaki's appearance was unchanged. In Reki's hand was a half-eaten Calorie Mate, on her face, the usual blank expression. Aside from a few bandages on her thighs, she didn't seem to have any other external injuries. For the time being, I felt relieved. "Uhuhuhu. No matter how many times I see it, it's still as cute as ever Rekyu! Your costume is adorable!" Riko threw out a real tongue-twister as she grabbed Reki in a hug. There's no way Reki thought of wearing those ears on her own... This was probably the result of Riko assisting Reki, who had likely put no thought into a costume. "Look, look, Kii-kun. There's even a tail!" From underneath Reki's skirt, Riko pulled out a fake wolf tail. Reki, of course, gave no reaction whatsoever, but her skirt had been lifted to the point it was almost dangerous- "The important thing here is, that is, where'd this come from?" I frantically turned my gaze to look at the large sniper rifle beside the bed. If at all possible, I wanted to avoid looking at that thing- a Barrett M82. It was a long range sniper rifle used even in the war in Iraq. "I purchased it from Amdo's Hiraga-san." "Why on earth would you buy such a crazy thing?" "In order to oppose the enemy encountered yesterday," Reki replied in an emotionless tone. Even so, this is a formidable sniper rifle which employs 12.7x99mm rounds, you know? Even being grazed by a shot could kill someone; a direct hit would probably blow them to pieces. "This is an anti-materiel rifle. Is it not forbidden by international law?" (...) She didn't bother to reply. Nor did she nod. She simply focused her gaze on me. ...She's serious. "Fufufu. If you read the terms carefully, it never specifies that 50 caliber rounds aren't allowed, Kii-kun." In response to Riko, whom, harboring evil intent, squinted her double eyelids, "That's not the main issue here. That would be Butei Law, Article 9. To be honest, Riko, that shotgun of yours is also not something a Butei should have. In a situation where you absolutely cannot kill, there's no way to fire that gun." I spoke for a bit longer. The result- From Riko and Reki both, pa . They handed me a sheet of A4 sized paper each. "What is this?" It was a firearms permit from the Ministry of Public Security firearms inspection division. ...Unexpectedly, they have permission! And both of them! "This is impossible. These have got to be fake!" "Ayaya's work is without flaw. Nothing is imposssible!" Pulling back the hospital bed curtains as she made her appearance was Amdo's Hiraga-san. Those clothes she's wearing ought to be her Halloween costume, I believe? She wore a pumpkin-colored shirt, a black mantle, with pumpkin-shaped shorts or trousers. Her hair was even held in place with mini-pumpkin ties. Such a cute child. "Beginning just this month, Ayaya is willing to act as a surrogate for all firearm applications! Fuhahaha!" ...You're laughing like you won the lottery there, Hiraga-san. My guess is...about 80 percent of that business is probably helping people obtain permission to use illegal firearms. Of course, that's where the money is. "What perfect timing Tohyama-kun. Come! Here's the left part of 'Orochi'!" I took the glove from her. A few days earlier, I'd borrowed money from my grandparents in Sugamo to pay Hiraga-san with. In short, I'd bought on credit. I still needed to find a way to pay them back as soon as possible. "Ooh. Thank you very much." Um, Hiraga-san. You didn't just pull this Orochi out of those pumpkin pants, did you? "Speaking of which, Tohyama-kun, didn't you ask before about a wire anchor?" "Yeah, that's right. Did you find one?" I'd run into Hiraga-san a few days prior in the cafeteria, and had raised the question. Having learned my lesson from the fight with Watson, where I'd nearly fallen to my death, I'd asked if she'd find me a safety cable that could be hidden. "Here, this is a prototype. Though I can't make any guarantees, this is still a pretty revolutionary design!" Again from within her pumpkin pants, Hiraga-san pulled something out. I sure hope there are pockets in there... She'd handed me a small vinyl, ziplock bag, within which were bullets, but definitely no wires? "They seem to be 9mm Lugers?" "Though the speed is slow, but yep! This is an anchor wire which you fire from a gun «Anchor»!" "A wire you fire from a gun...?" "Exactly. As this bullet exits the muzzle, it splits into two, a pellet that resists air and another that shoots forward. As the former encounters the air, its mechanism will activate, trapping it within the gun barrel for around two seconds. At the same time, the latter flies forward, adhering to the target point with carbon particles." Hiraga-san explained the construction of the bullet while wildly gesticulating like a small child. "And? Why does this work as a wire anchor?" "Between the two halves is a diphase liquid aramid fiber. When the halves separate, they create a long filament, like pulling taffy." So, in other words, firing this bullet creates a length of chemical fiber to the target point? "There shouldn't be any problems with tensile strength, right?" "A width of a single micron can support a weight of two tenths of a ton. Even if it become as slender as a string of pulled natto, it should be just fine. Liquid aramid fiber is a creation of Kyoto Synthetics, though the combination with the bullet is an Ayaya original, patent pending." Patent pending...Hiraga-san really knows how to earn money. She might just become a millionaire in the future. "In order to grasp the timing, why don't you fire a few practice rounds? The air resistant pellet's been covered with a paint that releases light in reaction to pressure. After you've fired, just follow the blue light. Its advised range is 25 meters or less, at 50 meters, the filament risks snapping." In the midst of Hiraga-san's explanation- "Kin-chan...?" "Shi, Shirayuki?" From my side Shirayuki appeared, dressed in an angel getup - though with her navel exposed. On her back were two mini-wings, and a matching miniskirt; from top to bottom, the only thing that wasn't "mini" was that chest of hers, which threatened to spill out of her tubetop. Atop the white ribbon she normally wore on her head, was a golden angel's halo made of wire. Though it looked pretty foolish... What kind of costume was this? Like hell there are such sexy angels in Heaven. If there are, then it'd be hell anyway, at least for me. Shirayuki adopted an embarrassed, feminine pose, "This, this set of Halloween clothes was prepared by Riko. Um..." Those twin peaks just about to burst out of their nylon coverings... Were quickly covered by the gun she held in hand. Nononono. What you need to cover first is not your chest! I take that back, cover them both up! As I was about to blurt this out for both my and Shirayuki's sakes- I saw that which had not been seen for some time, Shirayuki's huge M60 machine gun, and was struck dumb. The M60 - America's favorite general purpose machine gun. Even though it was referred to in the same vein as guns like the Uzi, but in truth, they were worlds apart. This gun was intended for use in war! Though its design was a bit dated given its age, but usage in the Vietnam War ranged not just from infantry but even to helicopters. It's the gun which has caused the single most bloodshed in the world. Pushing Riko, who'd shouted "Yuki-chan is a true angel!", madly snapping photos left and right, to the side, "Shirayuki, it's not me who's telling you not to use that. It's the law!" "But Hiraga-san helped me get my permit. In any case, Irokane Ayame's been stolen..." Covering the lower half of her face with her machine gun, her eyes seemed to repeat, "But, but..." Up to this point, it could still be considered quite adorable. Unfortunately... "...Furthermore, that whore..." Her eyes, piercing, narrowed like shamshirs, making me doubt my own eyes. What, what kind of expression is this? Her voice has even lowered a full octave. "Wh-whore? Do you mean the one who attacked you...GIV?" "-That person is strange! As we fought, she kept saying over and over that she is the existence closest to Kin-chan! Completely incomprehensible, isn't it? Absolutely inconceivable, right? Kin-chan? AhahahaHAHAHAHAHA- Simply insanity, isn't it?!" Shirayuki's eyes glazed over, as she gripped her machine gun and loosed a wild, mad laughter. Just which gate is this angel guarding? The unimaginable one here is you! "Hey, Reki Hehi , Shirayuki Hirafuki , Riko Hiko , look, look hook, hook . That Fedex package just now was «Pastel»." All of a sudden, a voice, half muffled by a peach bun, drifted over... This time, making her appearance was, of course, Aria, a pair of twin swallowtail butterfly wings springing forth from her back. "-ehh, Kinji? What's wrong with you! If you're going to come, it's the least you can do to let us know first!" Trading stares with me, Aria frantically straightened her clothes. She seemed to be dressed as a fairy, not unlike Disney's Tinkerbell, though her dress was pink instead. Riko probably made the decision in order to match her hair. It was almost like watching dress-up in a kindergarten, the look well suited the tiny Aria. Still... (...Even though this is a hospital, she's still wearing her guns...) From between the teeth of her sawtooth-edged skirt, her large Government pistols revealed themselves. This kind of fighting fairy, my guess is Walt Disney wouldn't approve? Her fellow fairies would undoubtedly pelt her with sticks and stones. On another note, this fairy girl's chest seems to be even flatter than normal. Since her dress is strapless, it seems the pushup bra she normally relies on is not an option. (...Still, what to make of this...) All of you, to be willing to room with Riko, you have only yourself to blame. I'm sure Riko simply took full advantage of Halloween as an excuse to dress everyone up as dolls. As I was ruminating on Riko being the perpetrator of these events, I noticed a cardboard box aside her shotgun on the bed... I could see at least an obake and a mahou shoujo outfit, which had been haphazardly thrown aside. It seems many different outfits had been tried on since this morning. It seems she'd already had her fill of Halloween, at least as far as dressing up by herself goes. What a free spirit this girl was. "You seem lively enough, Aria. I'm not going to say my concern on your behalf was wasted, since I knew beforehand that about 70 percent of the norm was more than enough." "What are you talking about? Like you could do anything that skillful." Pretending as if she had no ulterior motive, Aria folded her arms, hiding her chest from view. "More importantly, Kinji. Have you received «Cocktail» yet? By the way, my set's name is «Pastel»." "Cocktail? Pastel? What on earth are you talking about?" Seeing my frown, Aria handed me what appeared to be a crayon box. "« DALM Butei Bullet magazine ». We just received a care package from the Vatican. Because your 9mm Lugers are so small, producing them will require more time." Aria spoke as she opened the box before her... Contained within were what almost did seem to be crayons - .45 ACP bullets of every color. Engraved below the coat of arms of the Vatican - « The Key of Saint Peter The Keys of Heaven » - were some words in Italian that I was unable to decipher. Regardless, if they were as required by international law, I nonetheless knew what they read - DAL (Detective Armed Lethal), or Butei bullets. The so-called Butei bullets were specialized bullets with added functionality. Looking carefully, in addition to the bullets I'd used on the IU in the battle with Sherlock, grenade bullets, there were armor piercing and fragmentation bullets, as well as scatter shot, in addition to other lethal weaponry. Even included were the bullet types used in the battle between Reki and Koko - flash, cannon, smoke grenade, and flare - as well as other non-lethal bullets of every kind imaginable. It seems «Pastel» referred to these sets of Butei bullets. These must be those support supplies Meiya had mentioned earlier. This is simply ridiculous, sending this kind of thing as a care package to a hospitalized patient. Can't you guys send snacks or fruit or those sorts of things? "Those Italian gun makers sure know what they're doing. It really makes me want to do a study abroad at least once." Amdo's Hiraga-san seemed enthralled by those bullets. I just remembered, aren't Butei bullets prohibitively expensive? To casually send these over, the Catholic Church sure isn't lacking for money, is it? "That reminds me, all of you...loading up on ammo, applying for weapons permits, this is a hospital! Can't you just rest, like normal?" After I chided those assembled- "This is training camp. Always being the one attacked is no fun." "The existence closest to Kin-chan has to be me! That kind of woman is no good, no good at all!" "Fufufu. This kind of girls' gathering is just way too fun. Riko can hardly contain herself." "Buteis always return an eye for a eye." If I were to sum up Aria, Shirayuki, Riko, and Reki's arguments- Simply put, due to having been thoroughly trounced by GIV, under the direction of Aria's aggression, Shirayuki's nonsensical wrath, Riko's desire for fun, and Reki's sense of professional duty- The four had joined hands to seek retribution. (...This is bad...) For the time being, regardless of my feelings on the matter, Deen's group decision had been to bring GIII and GIV into the fold. Unfortunately the four in front of me are just itching for a fight. "Kinji, you help too. I've also ordered a jetpack from Hiraga-san." "I can't take this anymore. Ugh. Aria, come over here for a bit." In order to discuss things seriously, I grabbed the vice-captain of Baskerville, our little fairy, by her wings, and pulled her off to the side. I closed the curtain with a clang , "Wh, wh, what's going on here? What do you think you're doing? Everyone's here!" Aria frantically muttered something I couldn't understand. "Aria. I know how the defeat by GIV has all of you feeling pretty discontent. Truth be told, if it were up to me, I'd like to go after them as well. That notwithstanding, as opponents, they're just too much for us. Consequently, just now, Jeanne, and Watson, and..." "Kinji. The fact that our enemies are strong is something I understand very well. That's why we're having this training camp!" Saying this, Aria climbed onto the bed like a young child, and reaching her hand through a crack in the curtain, pulled a letter over. (...Ugh...) Just...just now, when Aria had climbed onto the bed, her bottom facing me... From beneath the miniskirt of this wondrous fairy pose... Pink bloomers, completely exposed. Fortunately, since their color matched her clothes, my brain seemed to register it as just a part of the rest of her clothes. Aria's actions seemed to show she thought similarly, so I didn't experience any problems with a sudden rise in blood pressure. Even still, how horrid. Just too cute! Even if only on the outside, this girl was just too cute. "Look here. This is the letter from the Vatican. Although it's written in Italian, but this part reads, 'One DALM set to Tohyama Kinji under the name «Cocktail».' My guess is they must have sent them pretty soon after. You didn't happen to sell them because you didn't have any money?" "Like...like hell!" "Why are you looking away? Look into my eyes and repeat that!" "Ignore that for a moment! As leader of this Baskerville team, I'm ordering you not to fight with GIII and GIV. I have no idea why it is they've decided to join this 'Far East Warfare', but at this time, they're neither Deen nor Grenada. That's why, this is the decision of Tamamo and the others- we are to convince GIII and GIV to join us in Deen." "-What kind of crap are you spewing? That girl ambushed us!" Thump! Aria bared her canines and stomped on the ground. Her swallowtail butterfly wings clapped as she raged. Mutiny! "They're the enemy! It's so completely obvious! If I can't open holes in their bodies, how am I supposed to calm myself down? And then you say you even want them to join us? Fool! Moron! Just how stupid can you get, idiot Kinji!" "Hey! Ow! Stop that! Don't always resort to violence!" Retreating from Aria, whose wings continued to clap, as she chased me with chained hits, I fell backwards onto the bed- "Wah!" "Yah!" At that moment, Riko and Shirayuki's yelps of surprise came from the other side of the curtain. I'd been thinking they'd been too quiet... "-?" Aria and I ran out from behind the curtains, quickly taking in the room environment. What we found in the entrance to the room was- "GIV...!" That girl, standing there! GIV wore a Butei High sailor uniform as if nothing was out of the ordinary, giving off a completely different impression from the armor/underwear combination from before. Now she completely looks the part of a normal, female middle-school student. "Like a moth to the flame! Get her, Yuki-chan! Rekyu!" "Exactly right! Kin-chan, get back. Ricochets could be dangerous." "..." grumble grumble grumble Riko raised her shotgun, Shirayuki, her machine gun, and Reki, her sniper rifle- From three different directions, muzzles all turned to point at GIV. "Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat's going on here?! If you're going to open fire, please wait until Ayaya's not in the room!" Hiraga-san dove for dear life underneath the bed, tearfully crying out- and to be honest, I want to do the same. GIV, on the other hand- As if completely unaware of the guns pointing right at her, displayed a blinding smile, so much like the bloom of fresh flowers. Towards me. Her expression seemed so radiant as to even banish the thick aura of bloodlust which permeated the air. In a flash, the space around her seemed to instead radiate life, carefree innocence, and purity. A smile that stole away not only the desire to fight from the four around her, but nay, even their very souls. GIV's demeanor, which seemed to all present to be that of an innocent young girl, led even Aria to reconsider whether or not to holster her weapons, as she took a quick step in my direction. "I've finally found you, Onii-chan. Let's go, I'm hungry." Grabbing my arm tightly, she forcefully leaned her weight against me. To an outsider, we'd look like terribly close siblings, or even lovers. "Ki, Kii-kun? What's the meaning of this...? Onii-chan...?" "It, it, it can't be. Ki, Ki, Ki, Kin-chan's...imo....Kimouto? Imo, imouto-san?" Though Riko and Shirayuki were utterly and thoroughly shocked, mouths agape, but without a doubt, the one who experienced the greatest shock by far was me. "Not, not a chance! Like I have a little sister! Ever since yesterday, just saying whatever you want!" I desperately denied her claim, which only made her grab me all the tighter, burying my arm in her chest. (Uwah...!) As I fell under the spell of the soft feeling enveloping my arms- GIV flipped around in front of me- "-!" In order to understand what had just happened to me, I froze for a few seconds. Just now, my lips had been touched by something soft, like the petals of a flower. From GIV's chestnut, bob cut hair... A sweet, caramel-like smell drifted deeply into my nostrils. "-So that's a kiss...However, just that isn't enough," GIV murmured as she released my lips. (...!) Nya~ Aria let out an anime-ish sound. Hiiii! Shirayuki loosed a shriek. Uooooh! Riko panted excitedly. Reki...'s companion, Haimaki, growled in surprise. As these sounds mixed together- (What...what just happened...!?) I just about had a heart attack, and not just because of what had just happened with GIV. Even in the face of all that had just happened, my blood pressure hadn't budged an inch. I was shocked. What just happened...shouldn't it clearly have triggered Hysteria Mode? In the past, whether it was Aria, Shirayuki, Riko, or Reki, the same response had happened each and every time. But even after coming into direct contact with this girl in front of me- I was decidedly not in Hysteria Mode. I clearly needed to speak more with this girl, beautiful as a gemstone. "Now I see...I'd always thought it strange, why would you help speak on behalf of your enemy?" ... SNARL ... Hearing the familiar howl of a small lioness, I timidly turned around. "...KINJI! Are you turning on us!?" "...Huh...?" I confusedly glanced around as GIV continued to tightly cling to my arm. Aria's face flushed red, her camellia irises hung wide, and her pink twin-tails trembled. I'd originally thought Shirayuki had perished straight away, but she lay on the white hospital bed, where she'd fainted. Riko wore a bitter smile full of ill intent, and the look in Reki's eyes could freeze a man cold. "Whether or not she's truly your sister, it doesn't change the fact that she's the Achilles heel responsible for your betrayal!" The fairy which had quickly transformed into a crimson demon drew her gun, and took aim at me. "Wha, what Achilles heel!" "-Women! You, you ass! You and, and, and, that woman! Did that! And then you betrayed us!" Aaaaaaa! Aria screamed and shouted euphemisms I couldn't decipher, as she grew angrier and angrier. This girl...she's already grouped GIV and I together as enemies! "How horrible, Kii-kun! This is really too impressive. One moment you're all kissy-kissy and then the next you're angry, and then all of a sudden she's your little sister? What kind of eroge is this! Even Riko can't help but be attracted too." Riko placed her forefingers over her head like horns, sputtering nonsense all the while, a sweat drop on her forehead. In spite of her libertine views, for Riko to have had this sort of reaction- It seemed the act of kissing a self-proclaimed younger sister on the lips had lowered my standing in Baskerville, already at rock bottom, to being buried somewhere deep within the Earth. This time, it doesn't matter what I say, it doesn't seem either Aria or Riko will listen to a word I say. Having thought through to this point, I realized I needed reinforcements. "Oi, Reki. Give me a hand, would you? These two have been so pushy-" "I'm not too sure what's going on, but I currently have no desire to speak with Kinji-san." Ev, even Reki...! She finally decides to show her human side now of all times!? (...ugh...) Aria, Riko, Reki, and even Shirayuki - who, lying collapsed on the bed, had forced her eyes open - stared daggers at GIV (and me!), emanating a murderous aura. I hope this is all just one big misunderstanding but- Everyone's guns...doesn't it look like they're leaning more in my direction? (No, no way!) If things continue down this path...worst comes to worst, I may find myself riddled with holes. Me and GIV both. "Just wait a second and I'll explain!" As I screamed for dear life, I shoved GIV from behind, preparing to make my exit. Right as we reached the door, suddenly- GIV spun around to face the Baskerville girls. She wore an expression which had taken a full 180 from the smile she'd shown me, just indescribably contemptuous. "Oi, Runt. Two-Face. Fraud. Mute. I'm not sure what kind of romantic comedy you guys had going on here with Onii-chan, but..." Carrying on with a tone not only utterly lacking in femininity, but one completely crass and masculine- "Little sisters are best. Nothing comes between a brother and his younger sister. These sibling bonds are absolute, completely unlike any other relationship with girls." She wielded her words like a machete, ruthlessly cutting down the competition. ...Um...What? It seemed as if I wasn't the only one who wanted to ask that question. Aria and the other girls were similarly speechless. "I've already looked through Onii-chan's room." "Hey, just when did you..." "You guys' stuff is all over the place! My sense of smell is very acute, just by the scent I can tell." Smell...? What are you, a bloodhound? "You guys...You've all lived in his room, haven't you! Living with girls who aren't family, this is unforgivable! Only those who share the same blood can live together, so that means you're all out! I'm going to help Onii-chan turn over a new leaf." Having spoken her piece, "BAM!" As if trying to break the door in half, GIV kicked the door shut. This can't be true, right? There's no way that just happened. There's just one thing I know for sure, the one thing that's been driving me insane. GIV. Is. Not. My. Sister! For starters, our hair colors are different. This is a judgment method every first year Inquesta student learns: her natural hair color is clearly chestnut, as a quick glance at her eyebrows and eyelashes will reveal. Her skin color is also slightly more pale than my own. Although at first glance her eyes seem black, but careful inspection exposes patches of blue. Finally, her bone structure is much better than mine. (But still...Aria and those guys...) Why is everyone so simple!? Easily falling for GIV's mad ramblings. What's more, this and every other time, all my protests went in one ear, and out the other. (...That's why I've always said, women are honestly...) This deeply-rooted frustration with women- Accompanied by ancient grudges bubbled forth from deep within my heart. When in junior high, because girls had discovered my HSS-plagued physique, I'd been sorely taken advantage of. Just like back then, the second I'd return to normal and stand up for myself, they'd gang up on me. Girls are far more likely than guys to break out into mass hysteria the second something happens. Afterwards, they'd all focus their vitriol on me. All of my past experiences were like this. Though people would probably say this was just the difference between men and women, it didn't change the fact that I was a victim. Adding on, all of this definitely played a role in my devoted apathy- and Butei High was no different. Girls were always talking behind my back: "Oh, he's so gloomy", "What a waste of talent", "What a womanizer", etc. I'm always getting screwed over by women. Maybe they hate my personality. No, I should say that it's likely the case. After all is said and done, there's more than enough evidence to attest to that. "And? Where do you think you're going?" As I left the hospital for the bus station to make my way home- There was GIV, doing the exact same thing, following me as if it were the most normal thing in the world. "Because I'm your little sister." Saying this, she tried to lock arms with me. "You were never my sister to begin with!" As I roughly brushed her away, she looked at me, pain obvious in her eyes as they pled, "Why? Why act like this?" Failing, she sneakily and tremblingly tried to hold my hand. As I slapped her hand away with a pa! , she revealed the disgruntled expression of a child who'd failed to have her way. "Why are you angry, Onii-chan? Cheer up. Hurray, hurray, Onii-chan!" Her poor mood was quickly replaced by vim and vigor as she tried to raise my spirits. She waved my sleeve, forcing herself to be strong in an effort to help me. What on Earth is she doing? "Look here. Just look at what you've done, asking me why I'm angry..." "What I've done? What do you mean?" "Not even the least bit of self-awareness, great. First you attack all of the girls from Baskerville. Then you say all that stuff that's tantamount to declaring war. This is all because of you calling yourself my little sister that they've pushed me away. Even though I'm supposed to be the team leader, now I'm all alone." "You're not alone, Onii-chan. From now on, I'll always be there for you. At a place closer to Onii-chan than anyone. Because I'm your sister, because I'm family. That's why there's no reason to be lonely." GIV replied, raising her adorable face to look at me. That baby face was innocent and guileless to the point it made one doubt whether or not what had transpired between her and the other girls was just a misunderstanding. "I never said it was because I was lonely! It's because every time Aria misunderstands something, she goes on a rampage. Because every time, for God knows what reason, Shirayuki loses control. Riko just has to join in and add fuel to the fire each and every time. And Reki, she's always got to look at things in that strange way of hers. Having to deal with all of them all at once, what do you expect me to do from now on!?" After hearing me finish my rant- GIV appeared utterly mortified. "Onii-chan, give me a moment." Saying this, her skirt fluttered as she twirled and headed straight back to the hospital. I was struck with a sense of foreboding, so I grabbed her wrist and called for her to stop. "What do you think you're doing going back there?" "You're always talking about those girls. As long as they're still around, you're going to keep worrying about them. That's why I definitely need to kill them. All of them. Give me five minutes or so, and we should be good." "Kill, kill them- What the hell are you saying!?" I used force in an attempt to pull her back towards me- "But but-" GIV's large eyes brimmed with tears. "...!" She's not faking. She, for some unknown reason, is really crying because of some deep-seated resentment. At Aria and the others. "Because all you do is talk about them! If they're no longer around, then you'll finally pay attention to me!" (...!...) Honestly, what is wrong with this girl?! "Onii-chan is just too magnanimous- to show compassion even to those harpies. It's because of them that I still haven't had a chance to feel Onii-chan's affection! If they were to all disappear, I alone would enjoy Onii-chan's love!" As she sobbed, she screamed, like a little child throwing a tantrum. I grabbed her close, brow furrowed and said, "The important thing here is I'm. Not. Your. Brother!" "NO! Onii-chan is Onii-chan!" I'm at my wit's end. There's just no way to communicate with this girl. "That's why Onii-chan has to live with only me! Love only me! If not, I'll crush all the members of Baskerville!" "-!" This girl is bad news. Even compared to Aria, she's bad news. She's insane. There's no way I can let her run wild. "-Stop! Don't look for them anymore!" From the beginning, I've not been a person who gets stirred up very easily- But that notwithstanding, my face, reflected on the nearby convenience store window, could only be described as furious. Just like when my brother used to scold me. "..." GIV... Puffed her cheeks muuu , and glared at me, eyes full of tears. "...Fine, let's compromise. Promise me one thing?" "...What?" "I can stay at Onii-chan's side?" At this proposed condition, I responded- "...Do whatever you want." GIV, having heard my answer, wiped her eyes dry with the back of her hand and then smiled once more. Her cuteness seemed straight out of a shoujo manga, complete with flowers blooming in the background. "-Can you promise me one more thing?" "Did you not say 'one thing'?" At my response, she turned again in the direction of the hospital. Left with no other choice, I spoke, "Fine, fine. What is it you want me to promise you?" "Buy me some caramel candy." ...Huh? At my puzzled expression, GIV raised her hand and pointed at the convenience store. As the topic suddenly changed from killing people, I was floored for a brief moment. Even so, if something this small was all it took to ensure the wellbeing of Aria and the other girls, then so be it. I brought GIV into the store with me, and purchased some caramel candies for her. "...Here you go." I peeled the Famimart seal off the candy, and handed them to her. Like a small cat being fed, in a flash, she seized the candy. Tearing open the bag, she carefully pulled out a piece, and opened the wrapping paper with a fingernail, exactly like a young child. No, in truth, she is a young child. She has to be what, two, three years younger than me? "Here, one for Onii-chan." Smiling innocently, she handed me a piece. Despite not really wanting it, I popped the candy in my mouth, and prepared to board the bus. Because of the large number of students on board, I let go of GIV's hand, but not my sense of caution. She, however, didn't so much as glance back in the direction of the hospital. It seems because I've promised to obey her conditions, she's willing to listen to me. (Honestly, what an enigmatic person...) I turned to board the bus. GIV, who it seemed had never taken the bus before, timidly followed me on. There were still quite a few passengers, so GIV and I grabbed the rail, rocking as the bus shook. Given GIV's strange aversion to other male students, I was forced to accompany her where she stood, near the rear bus door, surrounded by female students. And speaking of the other students... It's readily apparent GIV is the center of attention. Well, it's not like I can't understand. GIV is, after all, dressed in a Butei High sailor uniform. Even though she was still a middle-school student, and thus not an actual member of Butei High, the fact that no one knew this, combined with her singular beauty, inevitably resulted in such a development. The problem lay in her company. I couldn't help but hear. As luck would have it, also seated on the bus were the second year girls Takane, Hayakawa, and Anesaki, the three from Connect who had always swiftly and extensively spread gossip behind my back. They whispered among themselves, "Looks like the playboy's switched girls again." "This time it's a middle-school student?" "It seems our earlier misgivings were well warranted." You guys sure are close. And what earlier misgivings? "Hey, GIV." I whispered to her ever so quietly. She tilted her head [?], clearly puzzled, as she lent me her ear. "Why are you wearing the Butei High uniform? Doesn't this ruin your chances of people believing you're a transfer student?" "All the Baskerville girls wear this, so I thought Onii-chan liked these kinds of clothes." She laughed as she raised her head to look at me. "Still, a transfer student. That idea's not half bad, Onii-chan. Mm. It's decided. I'll study at this school as well. Since I'm Onii-chan's little sister, I really should study up a little on Japanese culture." And then uttered those words. Talk about sticking your foot in your mouth. I'd shot myself in the foot this time, what transfer student. She'll really do it. I'm not sure how she'll do it, but she's motivated if nothing else. chitter-chatter ... (...Hmm?) chitter-chatter chitter-chatter There seemed to be a small commotion. "Onii-chan?" "Did she just say 'Onii-chan'?" "There's no way Kinji's little sister would be that cute." "The situation seems to still be unclear." "But she definitely just said 'Onii-chan.'" "Is she really his sister?" This is the worst. Those...idiots...! Despite never registering a thing during class, and yet they seemed to have heard everything more than clearly enough just now. "Hey, listen to me. This is, um, well, it's complicated. There's more to the story." I was so flustered I didn't even know what I was saying anymore. "Um, are you Tohyama-kun's little sister?" Completely disregarding my existence, Connect's Takane went straight to the source. "That's right. I'm his younger sister." GIV's smile was blindingly pure. (...She said it...!) Whaaaaaaat! The bus erupted into chaos. Everyone jumped out of their seats, and swarmed us like so many bees. "Hey, stop pushing...!" In order to protect that slender form, I pressed my hand against the bus door, with her in between. GIV was so surprised by my actions that she simply froze. "Can, can I ask what's the matter? I'm just like any other little sister, after all." Though she was still quite stunned, it didn't stop her from deliberately emphasizing the words "little sister", throwing the girls in the back of the bus into an uproar. The boys in front also made a racket, click click click , as they wildly snapped photos. Of course this included Takane and the other two as they completed the change into full interviewing frenzy. "How old are you?" "14. I'm two years younger than Onii-chan." "Kinji's younger sister is. So. Cute." "I think Onii-chan's pretty dashing himself." "Your skin's so white! Almost like a mix." "That's because half my DNA is of Caucasian descent." "...? And? What are your interests?" "Major League Baseball." "Favorite phrase?" "Immoral." Anyway, GIV. Using such polite language when in public? How pretentious. In more ways than one, she's seized the initiative. Tohyama Kinji has a younger sister. At this moment in time, it's become the truth. All of this seemed to be going as planned for GIV. As she was answering questions, she subtly and repeatedly interwove "Onii-chan" and "little sister" into her responses. "-And what's your name?" At this point, a girl threw out this question. "Tohyama Gefo-" I quickly covered her mouth as she nearly blurted out her real name. -This idiot! Tohyama GIV is such a weird name! At least make it "GIV Tohyama". No, I take that back, the problem isn't with the order in the first place! The real problem here is that the brother's name is clearly 100% Japanese, but the younger sister's name most decidedly isn't! This just makes an already inexplicable situation even more incomprehensible! "Tohyama-kun! Why won't you let her answer!?" "Exactly right! Kinji, her name! What's her name?!" "We need to write it in the school paper. Hurry up and let her speak!" As the bus just about began to riot, I racked my non-Hysteria Mode brain like my life depended on it. "Uh...Um...Her name is...Uh..." I need to think of a name that fits! The Tohyama siblings' names are 金一 Kinichi and 金次 Kinji , so a "金" is necessary. 金子 Kinko ? No, that's way too weird, like something from a hundred years ago. Think, think!, Kinji. Looking at this from a different perspective, how about 金 Kana , the kun'yomi reading? But Kana is my older brother's name, so let's change that a little. What to change, though? Well, she's a girl, so how about adding the character for 女 girl ? - 金女 Kaname . Not bad, at least it's a person's name now. "Her, uh, her name is- Tohyama Kaname!" "Ehh?" Looking at me in surprise, I immediately hid GIV's expression from view with my hand. "Tohyama Kaname!" "Kaname-chan!" "So cute!" "Kaname!" "Kaname!" Calls of "Kaname!" filled the bus as it made its rounds around the campus island. I felt their twisted stares on me. What...what have I gotten myself into? Fairly leaping off the bus at the next stop, I found myself at Logi's multi-story parking structure. Looking around, I saw nary a soul in sight. No, wait, there seems to be someone. A tall kouhai from Assault, holding a revolver, a S&W M....29, or maybe a 329 or 629, laying asleep on a bench. She's covered in dirt. My guess is she lost a fight, and after laying down to rest for a moment, fell asleep. Her magnum revolver is out in the open, rather than holstered where it should be...truly a careless individual. But, seeing as she's asleep, I don't think she'll be able to hear to us speak. Having thus decided, I had GIV stand in front of me. "Seriously, just what is it you want? After what you just did, that whole crowd-" As I started to admonish her- She suddenly hugged me. -The smell of a young girl wafted over. With her sticking this closely to me, I felt the softness of her still immature breasts pressed against me. With my senses of smell and touch under attack at the same time, I was left stunned. "...Kaname...My name is...Kaname..." Burying herself in my chest, her tearful voice wavered. Unlike her tears of frustration earlier, these seemed to be tears of joy. What a strikingly emotional girl. "Kaname...it's a name, isn't it? A person's name?" "No kidding. It's not like you left me any choice but to pick one." "My name...Onii-chan gave me a name. I'm so happy...so happy..." "What, what's wrong with you now? What're you crying for?" "Because I'm too happy." "Happy? What for?" "A name. A real name. I've never had one before. Onii-chan...gave me a name. This is the first time...I've ever been treated like a person. It's too much. It's just like I'd dreamed...My Onii-chan is such a kindhearted person." "...huh?" Just as I was about to call her GIV once more, I felt strongly... that I shouldn't use that name anymore. I'm not sure why, but that's just how it feels. (This sucks. Just what is going on...?) In an effort to clear the raging emotions within, I shook my head forcefully. Just from the sight of her tears, I'm this shaken up? Women's tears...what the heck is up with that? Thanks to them, I've been vexed beyond reason. No matter how many tears this girl sheds, I won't be moved. This girl, there's no way she's my sister. "I...I helped you choose a name only because I was left with no choice back there!" Like Hell I have a little sister. "You were never my sister. I-" "-Nn, it's fine. I know Onii-chan won't acknowledge me, because...until now, I've already been rejected so many times. So yes, I know." She looked at me, eyes brimming with tears, voice choked with sobs. As if deeply wounded by my words just now, her eyebrows drooped sadly. But just as before, she nevertheless laughed bravely. As if to cry, "Say whatever you want to say, just don't hate me." "Ah...no..." Why? I know just how dangerous this girl is...but why? Why can't I treat her with indifference? Is it because she's a girl? Because she's younger than me? I can't allow myself to do anything that would truly hurt her. "Still...I beg you...just promise me one thing?" "...What...?" "Please call me 'Kaname' from now on. Don't use that serial number anymore. Even if only when we're alone, that's enough." What to say to that? Because of what had transpired, the name "Kaname" has already spread throughout school. If I continued to call her "GIV", it's possible an already complicated situation would take a turn for the worse. "...I understand." "...!" GIV- Kaname, just from my willingness to do this one thing- Gave a glowing smile brimming with joy, her body trembling. As if to directly feel that happiness, she rubbed her forehead against me. "Onii-chan. I'm Kaname. My name is Kaname. Kaname. My name is Kaname." Voice still choked, she continued to repeat her name over and over. Is it really something to be that happy about? It's something I literally spent about five seconds thinking up. If I'd known it was going to be like this, I'd have put more effort into it. Seeing her raise her head to look at me, very much like a cat being petted, I couldn't help but feel a slight regret- "...!" From the hand of my kouhai, lying on the bench- The pistol slipped off her body, and fell towards the ground. "!" Kaname- Sprinting faster than humanly possible, she spun in that direction, diving with arms before her. - Bang! The pistol, having hit the floor, accidentally went off. Right as I heard the sound of the gunshot- Kaname's back suddenly crashed into my chest. "...!" ...A bullet suddenly dropped to the floor at her feet. "Uh...wha? Hey, are you alright!?" Reacting to the loud and abrupt noise, my kouhai suddenly awoke. "If I was anyone else, you'd be facing a murder charge right now, and at the very least, life in prison. Take that safety-less revolver of yours, and empty its chamber. If you leave now, I won't say a word." Hearing GIV speak thusly, The first year bowed her head repeatedly as if kowtowing before an empress, frantically picking up her S&W which had rolled away, and exited the scene in a hurry. "Onii-chan, you're not hurt, are you? I'm sorry, I ran into you." Kaname turned around, holding the chest of her sailor uniform where she'd been hit. There's no way it doesn't hurt. Even if her uniform is made of bulletproof material, it was still a .44 magnum bullet that hit her, and it didn't just graze her either. That kind of impact force, if unlucky, can easily break a rib or two. It could even be fatal. "I'm the one who should be asking you that!" "I'm alright. After all, I'm wearing these kinds of clothes. In any case, an attack by a .44 caliber is something I've experienced hundreds of times already during training." "Training...? More importantly, how did you know it was coming? Your back was turned when the pistol went off." "In Onii-chan's eyes, I saw the reflection of that girl's gun falling. I saw the muzzle pointed in this direction, and that the hammer would strike the ground. Furthermore, that gun looked very old and very dangerous." From...from the reflection in my eyes? She saw all that? And in such detail. This alone was surprising enough, but what really surprised me was something else entirely. This girl had very clearly- Just used her own body as a shield- For me. Far from trying to take credit for doing as much, she even ignored her own injuries, first worrying on my behalf. From the depths of her heart, Kaname really wanted to protect me. An iron resolve which willingly took sacrifice in return for my wellbeing as a more than even trade. -Deep within my heart, my feelings towards the existence called Kaname grew increasingly more and more muddled. Kaname. Just who on Earth are you? ### 005. 3rd Ammo - Secret of the Deep Blue -Deep Blue- ## 3rd Ammo: Secret of the Deep Blue -Deep Blue- After I brought my self-proclaimed and publicly recognised sister, Tohyama Kaname back to my dorm – “…?” Because Shirayuki has been busy with the Cultural Festival, my room should be in a deep mess… But right now, it seemed to be quite organized and clean. No, it’s overly clean. Firstly, except for my shoes, there were no other shoes in the shoe cabinet. Also, the living room and mini-room were also different. Aria’s heart-shaped pillow, Shirayuki’s clothes cabinet, Riko’s games – they were all gone. But… my stuff still remained. It feels like I’ve gone back to the time before Aria moved into my dorm. “Hey, erm… Kaname, didn’t you say just now, something about trespassing in my room…” I asked. While the suspect who was in the washroom replied… “This place is a Tohyama home, so Tohyama Kaname coming into this place should be no problem. After all, family members can go into family residences anytime they like.” Then, she rinsed her mouth noisily. Looking closely, the toothbrush cup that Kaname was holding matched my toothbrush cup. Where did she get that? This way, it already looked like we were siblings with a good relationship. “Why do I feel like there are many things that have disappeared…” “I sent all the stuff with their scent to the hospital,” said Kaname with a look of displeasure. “You did this kind of thing again…” “The pillow with Aria’s smell, I sent it out after tearing it. Also, I either cut or creased Shirayuki’s black lingerie and Riko’s games before sending them out. It was really tedious.” “…” “It should have already reached the hospital, I think? Pink-hair and the others will probably get a huge fright after opening the parcel. Hehe, I feel like jumping for joy just thinking about it.” Kaname said with a dark expression and gloomy smile – an icy chill ran down my spine. How can there be such a sinister girl? This is unmatchable even by the dark side of Shirayuki when bullying Aria. As an elder, I should warn her, right? “Kaname, let me tell you.” “Hm?” While I scratched my head and put on an angry expression, Kaname seemed to have “Yes, what happened?” written on her face. She seemed to not know about whether she did something wrong. “Erm… I know you don’t really like Aria and the others, but your approach is too nasty. For example, you took advantage of the fact that nobody was at home and destroyed other people’s things.” “…Eh, why are you angry?” “Although there was no other choice, but since you self-proclaim to be one of the Tohyamas, you must not do such despicable things from now on. Got it?” Using a tone that could make people stop retorting… Kaname looked up at me with an aghast expression, then nodded her head. 'Hm…? How come she nodded at me that easily?' “I-I know. Then, I will try my best to learn what are “despicable things”, and I will not do these things from this day onwards.” For some reason, it feels like she is afraid of being hated by me. Even her body was trembling slightly. “B-but – I also have something to warn Onii-chan!” After Kaname shook her head like she was trying to revive her emotions, she used her eyes that had a strong will to look at me. “…What is it?” “Onii-chan’s taste of women is horrendous! A shorty, one that fakes purity, a fake fairy, a mute girl – I can’t believe Onii-chan keeps those weird and wacky things!” Looking at her furious expression, I felt like recoiling. What do you mean by “keep”? Are you treating them like pets? At least they are humans, right? *sigh* Given those four derogatory remarks, I could already see who she was refering to, so I’m not one to talk. “Listen. Onii-chan is the best male in the world, but in this regard, Onii-chan is not conscious enough. You need to change your attitude of “As long it’s a girl, there’s no difference”. Those women are to~tally not worth Onii-chan’s love. That’s. Too. Un. Reason. Able!” Said Kaname, entering her preaching mode as she pointed at me with her index finger. Looks like she is angry at the fact that Aria was residing in my dorm. Well, I do agree on that part. After all, I do feel helpless at the fact that they live in my dorm. “ – Even that kind of woman wants to be Onii-chan’s girlfriend, that is simply inexcusable. Let’s say, all the women here are not allowed to do so. So, promise me one thing.” “What is it?” “Promise me not to touch or even worse, hug any girl other than me.” “What promise, I never ever wanted to touch or hug any girl! Who would do that kind of thing!” “Then promise me, swear to me, that you will not touch any woman other than me.” “Yes, I swear!” “If I see any woman trying to stick with my Onii-chan, I will assassinate her!” “Hey, hey! To start, don’t keep talking about killing people. If you want to be by my side, then no matter what happens, don’t do anything violent, ok?” I emphasized. Kaname stared at me… And nodded earnestly again. It feels like she really is my sister. “…” Just when I was suspecting whether she really understood that and started glaring hard at her – “…Ah…” Kaname looked up at my eyes which were staring at her, without blinking her eyes… …Uwa… Blushed inexplicably. “Onii, Onii-chan…” “What is it now?” After being asked by me, Kaname was happy and bashful as she revealed a shy smile before bowing her head. “So, so handsome.” “What?” “So hand. That sharp expression just now, made my heart skip a beat. A-and, the thought that we will be living together by ourselves just… just makes me feel like exploding. I don’t know, if it will be possible this time?” “…?” “Oh no.” “What oh no?” “Really like.” “Hey, hey…” “Like. Like. I like you a lot. What do I do?” Kaname looked downwards. Her face, the back of her neck, and even her head was redder than a beetroot. Looks like her face is all red, and I’m talking about the intense kind of red. Although I hope that isn’t true, but according to the atmosphere, the words she uttered just now was definitely 100% sincere. “I-I think that’s a bit contradicting of you.” “Why?” “Although I don’t admit it, but you self-proclaim to be my sister, right?” “It isn’t self-proclamation, it is true.” Said Kaname, who looked up with her blushing face. “…Since you say so, then isn’t talking about liking me too strange?” “Eh? Why?” “Why are you showing a face of sincere puzzlement? Is there a sister in this world that admits to liking her brother?” “? ? ?” Because it seemed that Kaname didn’t understand what I was saying, thus… “I mean, there would be a problem with blood-related people saying that.” I had to resort to carefully explaining to her about this general common sense that even made me feel ashamed by just talking about it. “Blood relations are only a small problem.” “You mean a huge problem! Go and study about the laws in Japan!” “That’s my line. Although marriage is forbidden, love is still legitimate!” Damn… a lawless is actually talking to me about the law. Just when I had nothing to say after her rebuttal – “Onii-chan! Like, like, like, I really like! Like, like…” Taking hold of the opportunity, Kaname leaned on my body while acting like a spoilt kitten. It feels as if she is in a trance. Am I a silver vine? “No, don’t cling onto me! Also, more importantly, what is good about me that is worthy of being liked?” I used a puzzled expression to look at this beautiful yet strange girl. And all she did was to maintain her terrifying state… “Yeah, yeah, there are lots of them – For examples, your looks…" “My looks? I think you better visit the optometrist. In the eyes of most girls, my looks are that of a gloomy person, you know?” “There’s no such thing, you’re handsome.” From Kaname’s eyes, I could see that she was serious. “How can I be handsome. I –” Kaname interrupted me in mid-sentence and hugged my body tightly. Then, she used her hand to stroke my back gently. It-it tickles! What kind of trick is this, I am getting goosebumps! “Oh, and… I also like your gentle personality. Onii-chan is extremely gentle to me, and even bought milk candy for me.” “Come on, are you a child that has been abducted with candy? That thing is only worth 105 yen.” “The price doesn’t matter. I still have the candy wrapping. I shall write today’s date on it, then keep it for my lifetime.” “…” Just now, my words, “what is good about me that is worthy of being liked”, seemed to have become a landmine – This ended up in Kaname saying stuff about what she likes about me. Endless praises came out of her mouth, causing me to have goosebumps. She was talking about it to the extent that it looked as if she was worshipping the gods. Even when I was sick of her praises and went to brew coffee, she tagged along, her mouth full of praises. It seemed that Kaname’s world was overflowing with love, and no obstacle could stop her. This woman really isn’t normal in any bit. She actually turned out to be so fond of me… Looks like I shouldn’t advise her to go to the optometrist, but instead the psychiatrist. Although Kaname promised me to restrain herself from committing violent acts, I just couldn’t trust her. If I were to evict her, there is no guarantee that she will not do anything violent, and she would probably start a comprehensive war with Aria. So… It looks like my last resort is to let this strange girl, Kaname stay in my room. Moreover, Kaname is a subordinate of GIII. To Deen, she can be regarded as a guest. (Although they gave me a bullshit task of “Romeo”…”) I once heard from Shiranui that a “Romeo” task is different from “Honey Trap” in the way that “Romeo” doesn’t start with using the body to lure the other party. Instead, it was to let the other party have a good impression of you. However, when I look at it, the first step probably has been completed, I’m sure? After all, since the start, Kaname had already had a good impression of me. But what do I do next… I don’t know, neither did I want to know. Thus, I escaped reality by reading books and watched DVDs. Unconsciously, time flew by and it was already nighttime. By the way, throughout this whole period of time, Kaname was like a small duck who recognized a wrong mother duck. She kept on following me, even to the extent that she followed me to the washroom. This also remained the same when I was watching TV on the sofa. As I watched the TV programmes, she sat beside me, grinning. A normal man would probably be happy if there was such a beauty beside him, right? But now the situation was happening to me. Because she really made me feel uneasy, when it was evening, I warned her sternly to move away. In the end, she stood behind the kitchen curtain, revealing only half of her body and face. Then, she looked at me for a full two hours. Because that made me feel peculiar, I said angrily, “Don’t do that either.” – And she went into the kitchen. “…” It felt like if I went to look at her, I would have lost some kind of battle, hence I decided to continue watching TV. *Chk* – *Chk* –… (…?) There seemed to be a weird noise coming from the kitchen. *Chk* – *Chk* – *Chk* –… After thirty seconds, I finally admitted defeat and turned to look, “Uh!” I couldn’t help but to make a sound. K-Kaname… she was actually sharpening my kitchen knife. And she was wearing a sailor uniform with a fluttery skirt (she apparently took Riko’s for her own use). “What…what are you doing?” “Preparing to cook dishes, Onii-chan.” – I’m not your onii-chan. Since things have become like this, it would be foolish to emphasize this fact with her. Although I think I was losing in patience to her, but never mind. “This is a good kitchen knife.” Kaname grabbed the knife and showed it to me, smiling. How do I put it…When Kaname… is holding a sharp object… her expression seems to have a unique sense of terror. Who knows, she may just like sharp objects like her broadsword. It feels as if she has changed, her eyes were slightly stiff. “Erm…I heard that that knife was a branded one from Seki, please don’t break it. It belongs to Shirayuki.” “I know that, I could determine from the smell. But since it’s something useful, I confiscated it. This skirt was also confiscated.” After Kaname used her index finger to twirl the kitchen knife, she inversed her hand, taking the knife and putting in on the chopping block. “We are a family of two, so let the little sister be responsible for cooking. From today onwards, I will personally make fresh and hot food for Onii-chan to eat.” “What… dishes don’t fit with your image, right? Why do you want to do this?” “I want to replace Hotogi Shirayuki.” “…?” “Kanzaki Aria, Hotogi Shirayuki and Mine Riko. They obviously aren’t our family, yet they reside in this dorm. Which means, those women have good skills, right? So what I want to do is to take up all the responsibilities and acquire their skills so that they will have no use. Hm, it’s very reasonable, right?” After exposing her devilish smile – She equipped a pair of crimson-colored sunglasses. I have seen… that thing before. That was what she was wearing when she was fighting with Aria and the others. “What’s that? That isn’t a weapon, right?” “The Tella Net Assist System – Um, how should I put it. It is something like a integration of a cell phone, Internet, broadcast and military radio? It is a high-dimensional intelligence interface. Basically, this thing can read my brainwave patterns, then shows the things that are recommended based on the patterns.” “It shows, huh… but… why don’t I see it?” “You can’t see it from the front as this monitor is made of an optical multilayer screen. Above, there is a layer of translucent liquid crystal film. Necessary information will be continuously displayed at the top. It feels like the thoughts of the brain are directly connected with the network.” “I have never even heard of such thing. Which company came up with it?” “It isn’t for sale. Because it is still in testing, so it should be expensive. One of this would probably take about twenty to thirty million U.S. dollars. Only the Pentagon and Los Alamos uses it. To me, it is my cell phone.” Twenty to thirty million U.S. dollars…? One U.S. dollar is about eighty Japanese yen. So that is – a cell phone that costs about 2.2 billion yen! Just as my eyes were open wide in amazement, Kaname opened a PC Game box that was on the table …That box, it seems familiar. Isn’t that the game that I bought for Riko as payment for the information about Aria – The so-called “gal-game” thing? “My Sister is a Goth Lolita”? “Hey, that thing is…” “A game. That is also one of the things that I confiscated from Mine Riko. I confiscated it because that fake fairy learnt how to make Onii-chan like her from this game.” Kaname used a device similar to tweezers to grip the disc from the box. Then, the disc started to rotate. Looks like she was using the device to read the information in the disc, then used the thing called “Tella Net Assist” to investigate the contents. “Especially this one, because it’s based on the theme of a younger sister’s love story. In order to let Onii-chan like me, I will try hard.” “Don’t learn that kind of stuff! Moreover, that thing is R-rated – In short, you shouldn't access those stuff at your age.” “Hm, looks like it’s better to make simple food.” Kaname turned a deaf ear to me and put the disc and device on the table – “Also, having the sister cooking dishes is the correct option. According to the contents, the relationship of the brother and sister is supposed to be improved through daily life. And, when making dishes – I must do this?” As she said that, she crouched slightly, pointing her buttocks at me. From her back, it was possible to catch a glimpse of her apron… Below the ribbon on her back, a pair of white thighs revealed themselves below the skirt. As Kaname prepared the things she needed for cooking, her skirt would float according to her motion. It was a very tempting sight indeed. If it was a normal man… he would not help but want to touch it and thus preventing her from making dishes, right? It would definitely be irresistible. “Before finishing the dishes, the cute little sister needs to do this – exposing her back to the unsuspecting brother. Onii-chan, how does it feel? Are you in the least interested in Kaname’s thighs?” “No, don’t say those disgusting things.” “Just as the game starts, there isn’t a problem with touching it, you know? There also an option for “Lifting the skirt up from behind”.” Kaname turned her head to look at me in such a manner that it looked like she was trying to read my thought. “Are you an idiot, the only option I will choose is “Ignore”.” Kaname muttered, “Onii-chan is so unreasonable~”, before opening the refrigerator and looking at the stuff inside – “Mm, since there are these ingredients in the refrigerator, we’ll make curry.” She probably used that Tella NA thing to check out what dishes she could make with the ingredients. Wow, the things used to do with something worth a few hundred million yen are actually gaming and reading recipes. I’m sure the developer in the Pentagon or elsewhere would cry if he or she heard of this. “I’m done, Onii-chan!” I walked into the living room after hearing Kaname’s lively call. She… actually made curry. Although it smells supposedly nice, I still didn’t lower my guard. Only after I swapped our plates did I take my seat. “How hateful, I obviously won’t poison it.” After Kaname smiled bitterly, she sat across me happily. The curry looked really ordinary, so I tasted a bit… Of course, it tasted ordinary. Sigh, after all, no matter who cooks curry, it would taste nice. Looking up, Kaname was eating the curry slowly. “This kind of thing really makes me happy.” “Is that like, the lines of the game?” “Course not. The game is only for reference. This is my true feelings. I’m extra happy now.” “What’s there to be happy about?” “This is home, and this is family… something like that. Because this is the first time I’ve done this.” “Done what? You mean eating at home?” “Yup. Especially the point that I’m not consuming nutritional supplements, but instead, real food. It’s really tasty. Ah, it’s a bit weird to praise my own self, hehehe. So, Onii-chan, how does it taste? Is it nice?” “Yeah, it’s nice.” Because this really tasted not bad, I gave her a natural reply. But as a result, she gave me a shy expression – She looked at me, ate a bit of curry, looked at me again and ate a bit of curry. She repeated this process, looking happily. A person who can get so happy just by eating curry at home… This is the first time I’ve ever seen someone like that. “You do have your own home, right?” Because I was hoping she would go home ASAP, I asked her that question – “No, I don’t have a home. Even though I have somewhere to live, that isn’t really a home.” Replied Kaname, whose face expressed a little sadness. Somehow… it feels like she is running away from home. “To me, this is my first home. This place belongs to Onii-chan and I – a home of the Tohyamas. Only family members can live here. And talking about family, only Onii-chan and I are included. So, at home, I have Onii-chan exclusively to me. This is the privilege of being a sister!” “…” Just because she had been playing house with me for this period of time, Kaname seemed to already be in ecstasy. But… the incredible thing is… Perhaps because I had always eaten stuff from convenience stores or luxurious dishes made by Shirayuki, this ordinary dinner at home… seems to give me a good feeling. It reminds me of how I enjoyed dinner with my family when I was young. Even the taste seemed to resemble the taste of the food back then. The next morning, I was awakened by Kaname’s “Sister Alarm Clock”, in which she used a spoon to hit a pan to wake me up. After that, I ate the toast and fried egg that she prepared for me. This time, I didn’t swap our plates. Looking closer, it seemed that Kaname had woken up really early to finish the housework. The house had become extremely clean, while our clothes were being hung out on the balcony. Her diligence seemed to match that of Shirayuki’s. Then, the two of us took the bus. I was shot curious looks by the Butei High students. Soon, Kaname alighted at Masters. Although it’s unsafe to let her go off herself… but at least, we had made an agreement. Also, I am, after all, a Butei. In addition to her agreement, I also prepared some preventive measures. However, it isn’t too perfect. (But will it be that easy for that girl to transfer into this school?) I thought about this throughout the general subjects… Because it was lunchtime, I stood up and started walking to the school canteen. “Well… can you help me call my Onii-chan? My name is Tohyama Kaname.” It was the voice of Kaname, from the rear of the classroom. “…Ah!” I turned my head. Indeed, Kaname was standing there, wearing a sailor uniform… She came… she came to my classroom! The girls started shouting “So cute!” before touching Kaname’s head, while the boys began to stir at the sight of Kaname. “Hey, hey…! Why are you here?” I walked towards the rear in panic. Then, the boys followed me. What, what are you doing, guys? “Seriously! Onii-chan, you forgot to bring your lunch!” Her tone hardened as she saw me, totally different from what she was when she entered the classroom; gracious and kind-looking. It really looked like she was my little sister. Then, plop! She gave me a small basket filled with sandwiches. Although I took the basket, I didn’t remember anything about preparing a lunch. What is she planning to do? “She appeared! The rumoured sister!” “Wow, she really exists!” “Super cute!” “I can’t believe it’s Kinji’s sister!” Of course you won’t believe it, because even I don’t. “Kinji, to what extent do you have to be a winner in life!” “He actually has such a beautiful sister!” “How enviable!” The boys started to knock my head and kick me. “Stop, why do I have to get hit!” Even if there was a beautiful sister, the brother shouldn’t have anything to be happy about! No, after all, I’m just a novice brother (this is what Kaname claimed, though), so I’m not so sure. I pushed Muto, who was shouting “Exchange your sister with mine!” away, before pointing my Desert Eagle to ward off the other boys. Then, I pushed Kaname to the corridor. After that, I endured the pain in my right knee and ran up the stairs, pulling Kaname into a deserted locker room and locked the door. “…Oh!” Then I noticed… what Kaname did just now was one of her tricks. This girl, trying to make sure I admit that she’s my little sister, had “Kinji’s little sister” engraved in the minds of the people. Just now, she used a trick, acting out a scene of “the daily life of Kinji and Kaname”. … Unbelievable. She was obviously younger than me, but yet had a really smart brain. “Hey, Kaname! Don’t come to the second year classroom!” “Mm, I won’t go anymore.” Her smiling face proved my theory – she only needed to make sure that people know I have a little sister. That was probably done, I’m sure? “But… it feels really exciting to meet in the school. Originally, I could have Onii-chan exclusively to me, but now, it seems that I have to be more secretive in school. This feels terrific. I’m sure many girls who have a crush on Onii-chan now feel unwilling, right? Hehe. There’s a feeling of superiority.” Looking at Kaname talking shyly, with her hands holding her cheeks – I was just going to lecture her on her actions, “I heard a lot about Onii-chan, from my friends and senpais. “What…?” “Many people said, Onii-chan used to be a powerful Assault Butei. Many Assault Butei have good impressions of Onii-chan. Indeed, Onii-chan is really strong. Although your cold personality hasn’t really changed.” She actually… went to investigate about such unnecessary matters. “My past doesn’t have anything to do with you, right?” “I just wanted to know more about things regarding Onii-chan. Ah, and…” Kaname revealed a naughty smile. “During morning break, a boy I didn’t know – brought me to a deserted place.” “What…?” “Then, he gave me a letter. I guess it’s a love letter?” Ooh… it’s that kind of topic. There’s actually someone that quick? “…” Because it was a topic I wasn’t good at, I was silent. Seeing this, Kaname took out an envelope from her skirt pocket. “Um, what should I do? Can I treat him as a boyfriend for practice?” As she said that, she took out the letter and gave it to me – I thought for a while and decided to confirm the contents of the letter. Where did this idiot come from? He only judged by Kaname’s looks. Does he know how dangerous she is? Kaname too. She was the one who warned me not to touch other women – “…?” When I opened the letter – “That was a lie, Onii-chan. Are you jealous?” I actually saw this written neatly on the paper – Hence, I looked up and prepared to launch a fist at Kaname, but trying to stop me from doing that, she hugged me tightly. “Kaname… Can you not do this kind of inexplicable pranks?” “Hehe! This is to confirm Onii-chan’s love. Seeing how unhappy Onii-chan was for me, I’m really glad. Onii-chan has started to love me, no, he has already loved me.” Kaname was full of joy as she looked at me, intoxicated with slightly stiff eyes. “N-no way. It’s just that if there’s a guy who wants to be close to you, that guy would be in constant danger –” “Hehe! Don’t worry, Onii-chan, there’s no need to be jealous. Even if I am really wooed by someone, I will definitely not talk to the other guy. That’s because I hate boys. Onii-chan too, I heard that you are one who hates women.” For some reason, Kaname seemed to be happy at the fact that I hated women – “We really are alike,” said Kaname. “…I guess so.” After all, when we were on the bus the previous day, she seemed to be avoiding the boys. When I agreed with her on this point – “After all, we are siblings.” Kaname gave me a blissful and intoxicated smile – “Ah, what do I do? I’m too happy. My “like trigger” has been activated. I can’t go back to the classroom.” “What is a “like trigger”…Don’t be long-winded, just go back to class, even though I don’t know which class you are in.” “Onii-chan, Onii-chan – Accept my request, hug.” “Hug?” “I meant, hug me tightly.” “Why!” “Because I want to. So, please, hug me tightly. Tight~ly. That way, I can go back obediently,” said Kaname enthusiastically, with her face on my chest. Her arm was also clutching my back. If this goes on, even I can’t go back. If this can make her go back, just hug her. “…” To be safe, I made sure that the door was locked and nobody was around, then – *hug* I hugged Kaname, in a style for comforting little children. “Ah…ah…Onii-chan…Onii, Onii-chan…” Said Kaname, whom was being embraced by me, in a sweet voice. A teardrop trickled down her cheek and fell to her feet. She…she actually cried in joy. How do I put it… she really is a child with an unstable mood. Perhaps every girl at her age is like her. “Hey, hey… are you ok?” Kaname raised her head, revealing an idle expression. “No-nothing. I can’t take it anymore, can’t, stifle it. I, I can’t stop!” From her tearful eyes, I could tell that she seemed to be unable to restrain some kind of desire. She used to have a doll-like look and was polite to the classmates… But now, she seemed to give out a different atmosphere. Judging from what she said just now, she was probably too excited because of meeting in school, I’m sure? “Onii-chan, for to-today, I won’t have anymore requests, So –” Said Kaname, who seemed to be full of pleasure… She was even panting, giving out a caramel scent. “Please, please, kiss me – Kissing me is enough –” Hey, hey…! What do you think you’re doing! This is called pushing your luck too far, right? What a tough girl. Just because I gave way a little, she starts to pressure me. “Stop bullshitting, I thought we were siblings to you!” “That’s why. So, it’s possible…Please, Onii-chan, kiss me…” Kaname was already speechless. Then, she parted her lips slightly, in a way that resembled sleep… she closed her eyes. This action… even I knew what it meant. Kaname was waiting for me. Waiting for me, to… do that. “…Mm…” Kaname continued to hold my body tightly. If this goes on, I can’t go back. And this situation would continue. Should I struggle to get away? No, that won’t work. She was better than Aria and the others in fighting, and I wasn’t even in Hysteria Mode. I was currently the useless Normal Mode Kinji. And since just now – Kaname had been making me do things like that, if I reject her, she would feel too shameful, right? If she becomes violent because of that… I would have no possibility of defeating her. (What, what should I do…!) Also – everything that Kaname requests for me to do was everything I considered taboo. But, to think about why I hated these things… it was because I was avoiding Hysteria Mode. (… The blood flow…) Previously, when I hugged her, I had already realized it. Indeed – even if I got into such a situation, my body still wasn’t excited; it was neutral. Although I don’t know why, it was very hard to go into Hysteria Mode because of Kaname. Who knows, there might even be no chance of going into Hysteria Mode. After all, she is a rather immature girl. Also, when I was kissed by Kaname in Aria’s hospital ward, I was left unscathed. There’s actually someone like that who exists… This kind of thing… for my future, there shouldn’t be a problem with checking this. … I had no other alternative. In life, there are times where we have to overcome obstacles – Nii-san told me that once. Hence, I… whispered into Kaname’s ears. “Ka-Kaname, after I do it, you must be obedient and let me go, ok?” After I said that, Kaname nodded. “I…I won’t do anymore of such things, are you ok with that?” Kaname nodded. “Also, don’t tell anyone else, ok?” *nod* She nodded thrice. Hence, I – with a sacrificing mood – “ – Nn –” I obliged Kaname. And kissed her. At that moment, Kaname was – probably too excited as her body was constantly shaking. From her elastic-feeling lips, warmness went into my mouth. (…) But, as I expected… it was the same as last time. There was totally no strange feeling. It was like in European or American movies where foreigners gave greeting kisses; there was only a close feeling. Hysteria Mode didn’t occur. When I was surprised over this matter – “…Nn! …Nn…!” A fuzzy sound came from Kaname’s throat as her arms moved to the back of my head. Hey, hey! Don’t apply so much force on my head, how long are you intending to kiss me! I should have agreed on how long the process was. “Pwah! That’s too long!” Feeling uncomfortable in breathing, I pushed Kaname’s head backwards – Our lips parted as I panted heavily. In my mouth… there was a sweet taste, similar to caramel. I guess Kaname ate a bit just now? “… Hah, hah… Terrific, it’s terrific… Being kissed by the person you like, it’s actually, actually so… hah… Awesome… awesome… awesome…” Kaname, who was still embracing me tightly, revealed a seemingly painful expression as she panted heavily – “Hey, hey, Kaname, you can’t even speak clearly now, you know? Let me go now.” “Phew, phew, that’s, that’s true, even, even my heart is going to stop – And, now I know. I can, I definitely can. This is possible, just a bit more, just a bit more and…” “What are you talking about, hey, calm down.” After I comforted Kaname, Kaname released her arms – “Thank…thanks… Onii-chan, thanks… thanks for embracing me voluntarily, and kissing me…like this, it really…feels like we’ve become lovers…” She talked about some gibberish things in a soft voice. Her tears dripped endlessly as if it was unstoppable due to being too touched. She was so excited that I felt she was going to become dangerous… Hence I really need to make her calm down. “… Kaname, you obviously are strong, but yet you are such a crybaby. Why are you crying?” “Because, because Onii-chan, has accepted me, and loved, loved me. So I, I’m now, really blissful…really blissful…blissful… I’m totally filled with bliss…” I couldn’t stand it anymore, so I used my hand to wipe her tears – But Kaname grabbed my hand with her feverish hand. “Onii-chan, mine, is only mine, Onii-chan… Thank you, thank you for loving me…From this time onwards, you must continue to love me…” Speaking these stuff intoxicatedly… her attitude, how do I put it… Even I, the person who was totally unknown to the thing called love, understood. This was really – the actions of a girl in love. And, that kiss just now, had changed the relationship between Kaname and I into “lovers” – And now, facing the person she was supposed to “date”, she had already started to feel shy. Looks like the bliss from having her dream come true is already making her so happy that it was impossible for her to extricate herself. Sigh, even though this is what Kaname self-proclaimed… … But, how do I put it? I have an uneasy feeling. Although it wasn’t a battle scene, I still had a bad feeling. Kaname also stopped her actions – In the end, since that time till now, I hadn’t even seen her appear. Because Aria and the others were in the hospital, I finally experienced a normal day without hearing a gunshot. Even so, according to the Butei Charter Article Section 7, “Be ready with pessimism. Act with optimism”, I need to think of the worst situation possible and not take the matter lightly. Hence – I should go and check on the “Preventive Measure”. “Fuuma. Hey, where are you?” I called the name of the “Preventive Measure” softly, while walking towards a park at the edge of Academy Island. Yesterday, I… ordered my junior – Fuuma Hina to monitor Kaname, who said she was going to transfer into Butei High. And I also told her to meet at this park… But as I scanned my surroundings, I couldn’t even see a hint where Fuuma was. It was autumn and dusk had fallen earlier, so my surroundings were dimly lit. All I could hear was… only the sound of insects. (Could it be that, because the surveillance had been found out… Fuuma had been attacked by Kaname?) I looked suspicious as I took my phone to dial for – (…?) There seems to be a sounding bell, somewhere in the bamboo forest. It seems to be Enka. This is… Night Sakura by Sakamoto Fuyumi. Previously, Fuuma and I had went to a Karaoke box for an internship, and she sang this song proudly. Because she sang it so nicely, I still remember it. When I was heading into the forest – “Master.” In the bamboo forest, the bamboo shoot beside my foot talked. In a Fuuma-like voice. Fumma, you… when were you reborn into a bamboo shoot? Or is it that you used Tamamo’s shapeshifting trick to become a bamboo shoot? When did you learn it? “…What are you doing?” “This is the art of earth camouflage. Because Master told me to be careful not to reveal myself.” Looks like the truth was much simpler than I thought. She merely dug a hole in the ground and hid in it. And that bamboo shoot was a tube for breathing. (There should be a better way to hide…) I heard that Fuuma was the descendant of a famous ninja, so she came in handy for espionage. But as everyone could see, her performance in other aspects was not on par with other people, hence she was assessed as a B-ranked Butei. Although I am obviously worse than her at the point that I have useless juniors, but for some reason, Fuuma seems to respect me a lot. Hence, as long I tell her “This is a kind of practice”, she will do anything for me, so I guess that’s a virtue. Also because of this, I treat her as my sister. Now let’s not talk about how weird “A high school male student talking to a bamboo shoot” is, “So? What have you found out?” I asked the bamboo shoot beside my foot. “Yes. As Master said, she has transferred into this school this morning. Because she is only fourteen, she entered Class 1C as an intern. Thankfully, she is coincidentally in the same class as your disciple Fuuma. As I heard from the Masters, she seems to have come from the US Butei Agency.” US… Butei Agency…? Looking at it again, Kaname and GIII seemed to have “US” printed on their protective gear, and Kaname also talked about the Tella NA in US Dollars. The United States, huh. Looks like things aren’t what I thought them to be. “How is she in class?” “Awe-inspiring style, bright in academics while good in sports, just like a model student. I heard that she had completed Satellite Communications in Massachusetts Institute of Technology at the age of twelve.” “Really?” “It seems so.” Not just in fighting… but good in academics? It couldn’t be seen from her actions at home. “What about others? Like the evaluation by her classmates, or has she been prone to bullying or hate, that kind of thing?” “All the students think of her as awesome. She is courteous and thoughtful, hence she is well-liked by all.” Well-liked…? Kaname… that girl. She really knows how to behave in public. “However, she is only close to the girls. She seems to keep a distance from the boys.” “Oh… I thought so. So? What does she usually talk about with the girls?” “She keeps on praising her onii-chan – which is you, Master. Because she is really good with speech, hence Master now has better evaluation by the people in 1C.” B-better evaluation… please, stop it. “For example, in last month’s survey, fifty percent of the girls know about Master’s nickname “Gloomy”. Everyone used to think that Master was a beast –” Hey, Fuuma, do you really respect me? Can you not do that kind of pointless surveys? “But now, the girls in 1C are now interested in Master, and even your disciple Fuuma was asked a difficult question, “Is Hina dating Tohyama-senpai”. What do you think about that, Master?” “My thoughts don’t matter.” “What do you think about that, Master?” “Didn’t I just say that? My thoughts don’t matter. But, about Kaname –” I sighed. “For now… there’s no problem, right? She’s unpredictable.” Since Kaname showed that kind of attitude… Looks like she isn’t going to harm the other students. I’m relieved. Who knows, Kaname might actually have an obedient nature, and she isn’t acting as a good girl. “Also, she mentioned something about her rules in life, like “No acts of violence towards others” and “No disobeying stronger people because it’s simply unreasonable”.” This was our promise – and what Kaname once said. This was information that I already knew. “…Ok, I understand. We shall conclude this investigation, thank you for this.” “To be able to be at Master’s service, your disciple is honoured.” After the bamboo shoot finished speaking, I was just about to leave – “…Master.” But I was called by the bamboo shoot. “What do you want?” “Um… I’m deeply ashamed. Actually, there is a drawback with this camouflage…” “Drawback?” “Which is, one cannot climb out” “…Are you kidding me…” This fellow really is useless. Originally, I was going to leave her there, but I still decided to help her. Then, I grabbed the bamboo pole… “It’ll be ok once I pull this out, right?” “Indeed. This way, I will be able to stretch out my hand and climb out.” “Then I’ll pull it out now?” “I’ll be grateful.” After our mini-conversation, I pulled it hard. But, this really was… buried firmly. It was like a real bamboo shoot. What the hell? Why do I have to pull out a bamboo shoot in autumn? Moreover, I’m using my bare hands. Pull…pull…pull…! After I tried to pull hard a few times… Pop! I finally pulled out the bamboo shoot. Below, a Fuuma wrapped in a plastic bag was revealed. The structure was actually that simple! Ka…sha…ka…sha… Fuuma, with her back facing me, came out from the plastic bag like a butterfly after metamorphosis; jumping out of the bag… – Bam! “Uh, ah!” I was hit by Fuuma’s back and went a few steps backward, towards the direction of the bamboo shoots. Then, my body pressed against the bamboo, as if using the bamboo as a slingshot – And then bounced back towards Fuuma. “Get, get out of the way!” “–!” “?” Sha! I accidentally pushed Fuuma from her back and fell. “…!” And the final posture we landed in was – Fuuma’s limbs were lying on the floor, while my body was lying on hers. It was probably because of a habit from Assault that I supported Fuuma’s body by hugging her body which was clad in a sailor uniform. It, it feels like it was I who threw myself on Fuuma…! And beneath us, there was a sheet of plastic. Coincidentally. “–You, youyouyouyou! What is this, Master!” Fuuma, with her limbs on the ground, was extremely surprised. She turned her head, and saw that my face was just at the back of her neck – Resulting in her body freezing. (Oh… Oh no…!) This is bad…! Even if it had been an unexpected situation, this accident could still make me guilty of sexual harassment, and I wouldn’t be able to deny it. According to Butei High regulations, Fuuma was my Amica – in other words, something like my disciple. If something like sexual harassment happened between Amica, the punishment would be much more serious. Because, to the judge, this would be considered as a despicable act of abuse. I heard that the Masters’ corporal punishment was just nothing compared to the punishment for this crime. The punishment from Butei High Masters was extremely strict, and even people who have seen it will never believe that Japan was a country ruled by law. It could last till about three days and three nights, and one would face such serious violent punishment that one would yell “Just kill me!” almost every half a minute. It was that scary. Although I’m not sure if it’s good or bad, I didn’t enter Hysteria Mode, but to prevent myself from facing those charges, I racked my mind for a solution. How am I going to survive this ordeal…! “Mas-master… ah…?” Ah. This is not good. Fuuma, she – started to have a shy voice. “May I ask what, what, what does this mean…? If, if I do this with Master without being married… Your disciple, your disciple will get scolded by her parents!” This was obviously a representative of Fuuma’s doubt…! My brain…! (…Quick, think of a solution!) If I keep silent, this situation will become worse. Anything is ok, just say something! “This, this, this is, practice!” I just had to blurt that out. “Prac-practice…? Why was that so sudden…!” “Bu-Butei need to be able to go against any kind of sudden situation!” I had no other alternative… Since I had already said it, I had to continue lying. Although in a sense, it had already become a big wrong. “What, what, what kind of practice is this! Your dis-disciple has never heard of this move!” “No, this is, this is a practice to perfect a posture.” “This, this posture? B-but, this really looks like, that, that, men and women –” “Don’t be long-winded! At least, this can exercise the muscles. Start to do push-ups and stuff like that.” “W-w-w-w-we actually have to do those up-and-down moves?” “Don’t panic! What’s wrong with up-and-down moves! I’m saying, this is, this can make you overcome your weakness of panicking; it’s kind of killing two birds with one stone.” “Your disciple’s… weakness…!” “Since long ago, when you were training with me for unarmed combat, you had always been unfocused. If that happens in real combat, you will have to face defeat. So from today onwards, no matter what I do, don’t lose your focus!” “Your, your disciple has understood.” What? She understood that easily? I was only making some random excuses… but Fuuma accepted that so easily. It’s, it’s really good, I’m lucky that my “disciple” was an idiot. “In-indeed – this can make me concentrate better than combat practice. Master is very smart.” “Not bad, huh?” “Um…so, your, your disciple is going to budge. Master, please be lenient.” Fuuma looked downwards shyly… then according to my instructions, she did random sorts of push-ups. Together with her movements, I followed suit. However, it seemed that carrying me on her back was too tough, “…Hmp! Hah! Hoo! Hmp!...” Fuuma’s panting seemed to get a bit hasty. She looked like it was tough. But, she really is a descendant of a ninja, she could still endure it. Ah… Anyone who saw a boy and a girl close together secretively at night would definitely misunderstand. So Fuuma was scared of these “up-and-down moves” because of this? I guess we should change a position. Hence, I moved my hands to Fuuma’s waist and propped my upper body. When Fuuma saw that I had changed my position, “…Is, is this, real-really practice? Master?” She was uncertain of the new position and uttered those words. I could feel a sense of shyness from her words. I guess so. After all, if I were Fuuma, I would be frightened. However, I could not do anything else. After all, I needed to make sure Fuuma didn’t misunderstand, so that I would not be killed! “Yes, it really is!” “I-I understand.” This girl understood again, huh. It’s a bit lucky that she has me as her Amica. From her appearance, it was obvious that she would grow up to become a beauty. If she had a malicious Amica, who knows what danger she would face. I mean, as long anyone tells her to do something weird and calls it “practice”, she would definitely oblige, right? Well, it is similar to the current situation. Just that I’m not malicious. (Looks like I really need to help her watch out, so that she would not be scammed…) Just like this, after five minutes – “Very good! Like that, your concentration and muscular endurance have improved. Practice stops here, you can go back now.” I said irresponsibly, sending Fuuma off. Before leaving, she said, “I sincerely thank Master for this practice”, making me feel guilty of what I did just now… (F-finally, I survived this ordeal…) When I sighed, …Rustle! Snipsnipsnip… Snap!... “…?” There was a noise coming from the forest. Does that mean… we had been seen…? But, looking from here, the direction of the forest was unclear due to the darkness. So to say, my current location should be unclear as well, right? Don’t tell me there are other couples here? Just to be safe, I readied my gun and crept towards the direction of the noise… … Nobody. “…?” However, something was strange. There was some bamboo that had been destroyed. And… there were traces of gnawing and breaking made by hands. There’s even blood. The gnawing traces were by a human, and it was by a relatively petite person. It was probably by a female. But what is that person doing? Don’t tell me she’s trying to eat bamboo? It’s not like she’s a panda. ... There was now completely no noise other than the sounds of insects. ### 006. 4th Ammo - Three Roads of Immorality -Three Outs- ## 4th Ammo: Three Roads of Immorality -Three Outs- After school the following day- Due to Kaname's constant nagging that I go to the movies with her, to the point of even physically pulling me, some mysterious anxiety plaguing her, I was left with no alternative but to follow her to Odaiba. As we arrived in Odaiba, I made my way to the theater box office to purchase two tickets for an action film, when Kaname unexpectedly produced two previously-purchased tickets for a romance film. Simply throwing them away would be too much of a waste, so I was forced to escort my self-proclaimed little sister as we sat side-by-side in that dim theater, and watch some sickeningly sweet romance film which I couldn't care less about. Worse, at each and every plot point which saw the male and female characters stuck together, Kaname would grab my hand. Even when I rebuffed her efforts, she'd simply reach out once more. I resigned myself to the torturous fate of "holding hands during a movie". That girl kept rubbing the back of my hand with her fingers. Just what on Earth is she up to? As the movie finally drew to a close- "That was so good-!" "...Well, the story was alright, I guess." We headed to the McDonald's next door for a cup of coffee and a brief rest. I was constantly worried that Kaname would, like the other day in the locker room, flip some weird switch and once again enter that mode so much like an animal in heat. In any case, it looks like today things are just fine. "Especially that sunset scene. I wonder how they shot it?" "It doesn't look like they used a rail. My guess is they took a helicopter shot at low-altitudes. Those birds seemed to be CG, though." "Ah? No way!" "It was a clever use of backlighting for shadows. Still, that scene was pretty skillfully done. By suddenly thrusting a setting unrelated to the story at the viewer, they completely changed the mood. It's a good trick." "Ohh. That's right, the second I saw that scenery, I definitely felt a lot more relaxed. That natural scenery sure was beautiful." As I chatted with Kaname, whom it seemed loved movies... I discovered some of my sentiments were shared by her. On an impulse, I shifted the topic to action movies. Delighted not one bit less, she continued the discussion. Even thrillers and comedies, her feelings were exactly the same as mine. How surprising. ...To be honest, for a girl to share my interests like this; this is a first for me. After all, considering the animal movies Aria likes, Shirayuki's favorite hard-to-understand old man films, or those artistic films requiring a peculiar sense of aesthetics that Riko watches, the girls of Baskerville sure have some strange tastes. Reki, of course, has never watched a movie before. ...But back to the topic at hand... Back there in the theater, when she held my hand, and waved hers in excitement, I could see the numerous bandages she wore. When I asked her about them, "Ah. This is...because yesterday I made a present for Onii-chan, but I used too much strength, and pricked myself." "A present?" "That would be this! Here." Having thus spoken, Kaname...reached into her Butei High designated bulletproof backpack, and pulled out a paper bag with the word "LOVE" written in large red letters. At first I mistakenly thought that label was printed, but remarkably, it was entirely handwritten. Just the bag itself was terrifying enough, but that didn't stop Kaname from handing it to me, her expression exclaiming "Open it! Open it!" Without any other choice, I ripped the heart sticker sealing the bag closed (which the sticker, I should note, also seemed to be handmade), and kacha kacha pulled out what was contained within. "..." It's a handmade... Plush... Me. It's deformed, sure, but without a doubt, it's me. Attached to its left breast is a label: "Onii-chan". "It was my first time doing something like this, so it was hard fought." Even though Kaname cutely stuck her tongue out...but, but this thing...is moist with blood. Signs that it's been vigorously washed were apparent as well, isn't this just like something from the set of a horror movie!? Even though she mentioned pricking herself, but for there to be this much blood, no matter how I look at it, wasn't she badly hurt before she even started? "...?" With great consternation, I removed the "Kinji doll" completely from the bag. That leaves... Attached to the right hand of the Kinji doll is a "Kaname doll". The hands of the two dolls are connected by a red string, tying them together, as if to say, "No matter who tries, no matter what happens, nothing will ever separate them". "Onii-chan, do you like it?" How on Earth could I like it? This kind of bloodstained doll! Are you trying to pick a fight!? I was this close to blurting out these three lines... But Kaname looked at me, eyes pleading "Praise me, praise me", as she laughed brightly. With the atmosphere the way it is, she might just kill herself if I say something wrong. She seems to hold me on quite the pedestal. Nevertheless, if I praise her too much, next time it might just be a full-size doll of me. With a full-size doll of her to match, of course. Accordingly, I responded weakly. "Um, yeah. Sure." After answering, I returned the two dolls to their heart-covered bag with trembling hands. "So anyway. What's the occasion?" "Celebrating our becoming lovers." "...Huh?" "Well, Onii-chan, you've hugged me, kissed me, brought me to your home in secret, talked to me publicly at school; both in public and in private you've showered me with your love. You even promised me you won't meet with any other girls or love any other girls." "..."' Um, I'm pretty sure what we agreed on was pretty different from what she just said. "-Onii-chan. Haven't I dutifully kept our promise?" Right as I was about to throw the dolls away, Kaname painstakingly smiled and asked me this. "Hmm?" "I've been keeping our promise. I haven't done anything violent to anyone. That's why Onii-chan also hasn't met with any other girls or embraced any other girls, right?" Confronted with her candid smile and question- yesterday's incident with Fuuma flashed through my mind. But in any event, it's not like this happened anywhere near her, so it's not like I have any responsibility to report on it, right? No matter how you look at it, it was out of my control anyway. "Right." Hearing my response, "Hmm?" Kaname continued to stare at me, her face not having so much as twitched the entire time. "You know me, I've been quite friendly with my classmates. Haven't killed a single one. Don't worry, Onii-chan." "Isn't that obvious?" Why emphasize that? "That thing before with Onii-chan, I was happy, you know." "What thing?" "When you protected me, back on the bus." ...? Ohh. She means that time when we returned from the Butei hospital, when everyone crowded around, and I helped hold people back. It's quite surprising she still remembers. Even describing it as "protecting", how exaggerated. "That's why, I'll protect Onii-chan too. From shrewish women. If there are ever any sluttish women calling you to strange places to do strange things, make sure to let me know. There's no point in worrying about things alone." Truth be told, my utmost wish right now is that someone would save me - from you. "Today I wanted to confirm something." "Which is?" "Whether or not Onii-chan truly loves me. But Onii-chan was willing to go on a date with me, so I finally understood. I am loved by Onii-chan. When we were watching the movie, Onii-chan was willing to accept my hand - just like those dolls. I'm so happy. I can't help but want to cry out that if we could go on like this forever, it would be so wonderful. That's how I honestly feel." "...For...forever..." "I'll always love Onii-chan, and Onii-chan will also love me. Our mutual love will last for all eternity." Her subtle gaze seemed to be aimed at the bag with the dolls. Laughing lightly, she gently stroked her wounded hand. Several days later, I received a call from Watson informing me that Aria and the others had been released from the hospital. They were originally a rather rowdy bunch; my guess is, the reason they hadn't left the hospital until now is that "training camp" or whatever of theirs. Even though Watson had already assisted me in explaining to them that the reason I was caring for Kaname was the strategy decided upon by Deen, but what Kaname had done in front of them was still easily misunderstood. Under the status quo, if I were to run into Aria and the others in the course of normal school duties... It'd be bad for my health no matter how I think about it. Particularly Aria. If I'm not careful, she might just open fire instead of saying hello. That being the case, I'd better start by humoring the good master. Giving a call to my master, she responded with a command, "I also have something to say to you, come on over". When I inquired as to her current whereabouts- "I'm on top of the SSR building." She answered thusly. (Supernatural Searching Research?) Ugh. I've got a bad feeling about this. Pretty soon, I'm bound to have ulcers. I arrived at the SSR building I sorely did not want to see, climbed the mystifying stairway that had totem poles for handrails, passed through the magician-painted doors, and exited on the rooftop. Under the light of the setting sun, I saw Aria, eyes closed, a complicated expression on her face, sitting in the lotus position. Standing next to her, an SSR third year sempai, Tokitou Juria. On the fence around us were seated a handful of seagulls. "..." Even more foreign looking than the quarter Aria was the half, Tokitou-sempai. She extended her pale white fingers, resting her hand on Aria's head. As if able to see me, Sempai turned those pale blue eyes whose pupils could be clearly seen to face me. "Uh. I'm a second year, Tohyama, a classmate of Kanzaki Aria over there." "Please, be calm." Tokitou-sempai coldly responded. She was SSR's chief representative- she'd already received her recommendation to begin study next year in Russia, in the parapsychology program reportedly begun by the Soviets. The impression she gave was of someone strikingly clever, and her grades were excellent. But for various reasons, she had always been estranged from her fellow students. "Ah! Kinji." Aria finally noticed my presence and opened her eyes. Look, you. Would it kill you not to sit in the lotus position with a skirt on? The scenery underneath that short skirt was thankfully hidden by shadows, but if weren't for that backlighting, I'd have already struck out. "Pay attention. Focus your mind." Having been commanded by Sempai in a low voice wholly unsuited for a girl, Aria once again closed her eyes as if meditating. ...It sure is strange. That Aria, listening so obediently? I stood silently off the side for some time. I heard some sort of ear-piercing sound, probably from a far off jet or something similar. "...Kanzaki. What was already bad has become worse. Your frontal lobe center's begun to emit Fmθ (frontal midline theta) brain waves. Just because the boy you like has appeared in front of you is no reason to lose focus." "Wh, what?" Her head raised, Aria's canines were bared. Blushing so red that it could be clearly seen even in the sunset, she blinked in surprise. She faced me, turned back to face Sempai, and then looked once more at me, her gaping mouth distorted into an amoeba-like shape. That's an expression Aria only wears when she's literally stunned speechless. "-Your dream is to be held by that person?" Hearing Sempai say this- Kaboom! Aria's blushing face hit an entirely new level. The way her face turns red is just like Hilda's three-stage transformation. (Held by...me?) The hell does that mean? Well, I've definitely held her in a bridal carry before, even if that was while in Hysteria Mode. When we spar, I frequently grab a hold of her to practice throws. Not that I've ever succeeded; she's always either counter-thrown me, or bit me, or even poked me in the eyes. "~!" Aria thump! thump! thump! bounced around while maintaining lotus position, in an attempt to vent her aggression (though seemingly without uttering a word). Tokitou-sempai, in the meantime, "Even though your outer appearance is decidedly that of a young child, but the things you think about are quite precocious; even I can't help but be embarrassed. Wait until you're a little older to think about those sorts of things. If you do those kinds of things with that delicate body of yours, you might just break," Told Aria with a reluctant sigh. "Wait! No! There's no way I would! Wrong! You're wrong! You're completely mistaken! Absolutely mistaken! That's, that's WRONG!" Aria finally spoke. Retreating a step, she waved her arms and stamped her feet like a child throwing a tantrum, denying Tokitou-sempai's assertion in wild abandon. This was the reason for Tokitou-sempai's social isolation. From the time she was small, Tokitou-sempai has always had ESP; in her homeland of Russia, she'd previously appeared on TV, her expertise the ability known as scanometry. This was the ability to read brain waves through the medium of touch, and from those, interpret one's thoughts. If what she saw she perceived as having potentially adverse consequences (even if only slightly so), she'd made it a habit of warning the person in question. Sempai seemed to regard this as a sort of a guiding tenet for her life. Unfortunately, just like Aria was doing currently- I'd heard that each and every person who'd been read had taken immediate offense, protesting with great umbrage that they'd never had such thoughts. Because of this, she'd quickly become a hated individual. Besides SSR, Sempai had no place to call home, truly a solitary and lonely existence. "-Then, let's call it a day, Kanzaki. Ever since Tohyama arrived, you've been completely distracted, to the point that I can no longer see a thing. Even if I've been able to grasp your alpha waves using your sigma rhythms as a base, there's no way to recover from that minimal mu curve. Simply put, this is otherwise the condition of one who is pre-occupied." "No! That, that... NO! NO WAY!" Trying to rise from where she'd been throwing a tantrum, thud! Aria instead tripped, falling over backwards and planting headfirst. Just what has her so freaked out? To the point of falling over in such terrifying fashion. It seems even the gulls atop the fence are flabbergasted at Aria's antics. "Listen up, Kanzaki. The metier you seek isn't something you achieve through sheer force of will. It comes when you truly regard your target as part of your own body, the feeling you're aiming for should be as natural as moving an arm or a leg." "Like a part of your body, huh. Then what do I do if it is a part of my body?" "That just makes things simpler. The kidoujutsu used by the second-year Hotogi applies similar methods in physical enhancement techniques." "So um, this body part. What if, for example, it were something like hair?" "Hair? Hmm. Well, for hair like yours, let me see. Perhaps imagine it as having grown two extra arms, or maybe wings; that sort of image. The greater your ability to picture it in your mind, the better. A more conventional method might be to look at pictures of an angel or Buddha and practice that way." "I, I see. In that case, I shouldn't have any problems imagining it. I just need to remember either Riko or Hilda, which should be plenty." "?" "It's nothing. I was just talking to myself." "...One other thing. Eat whatever it is you like. Right now, you're like a budding flower; there's no way to tell what exactly it is that will cause that flower to blossom. Anyway, whether it be the first type, or perhaps even a mix of the fourth type ESP, use of one's ability - intentional or otherwise - will take something out of you. Afterwards, you'll notice a craving for those nutrients. So, how is it? Anything you want to eat in particular?" "Mm. Peach buns." Hey, look here, you. That's what you want all the time anyway isn't it? "Peach buns is it? Kanzaki, you must be quite the sugar fiend." Tokitou-sempai, having so spoken, turned to face the door to the rooftop, in other words, where I was standing. Her twin, pale-blue eyes, pupils like black spots, zeroed in on me like a pair of leveled guns. "You. Move. I won't think it rude. Though I will not, or rather, have no desire to, look in on the heart of a man, if I accidentally bump into you, because you haven't created proper distance, and you mistakenly think I tried to look, then I will not be pleased." Hearing Tokitou-sempai's words, I carefully steered clear of her, and approached Aria. No matter how precise Tokitou-sempai's powers were...I couldn't help but pity her. With the way things were for her, even daily life must be terribly inconvenient. Just as Tokitou-sempai exited the roof, leaving me alone- "Theeeeeeeeere's something I need to say first! Everything Sempai said just now, it's all wrong, alright? There's NO way I would think something so shameful! From the moment I was born, I've never once thought anything like that! It's wrong, WRONG!" I walked over to Aria's side, who was screaming over and over "Wrong! Wrong!" From the start, it's not like I was worried about what kinds of things she was thinking. What's important isn't that. "-Hey. Aria. What was that just now?" "Practice for telekinesis, though it's not like it worked." ...As I thought... Taking advantage of when I wasn't around to do the one thing I most dreaded! Striking, slashing, shooting; this girl who could just about open a store in offensive techniques was now trying to add psychic powers to her repertoire. I've counted before, the number of times she's opened fire on me is incontrovertibly more than the enemies we've faced. For her to master another superfluous weapon is of great concern to my continued wellbeing. Please don't learn something like that. Regrettably, I'm quite clear; even if I tell her this, there's no way she'll just stop. "Please don't learn something like that." "Even if you say that, I'm not going to just stop. You should be quite clear on this, no?" Upon hearing the conversation play out exactly the way I imagined, I couldn't help but be discouraged. All I can do is to prepare myself. Maybe I ought to go take the picture they'll use in my funeral portrait. "Why do you want to waste time and energy learning something like that?" "I'm not telling you." Tossing her head aside in response, I asked Aria more directly. "Is this in order to revenge yourself against Kaname?" "...Kamome?" Aria, having seemingly misunderstood, turned to look at the seagulls on the fence around us. "Not kamome, Kaname. In short, GIV." Hearing my response, Aria sharpened her already jagged gaze, her piercing glare focused on me. "Oh? You've even helped her choose a Japanese name. How kind. Seems like you like her, that middle-school student, you lolicon!" Bam! She abruptly stomped on my foot. "That, THAT HURTS! It's not like I had a choice! She'd already gone around calling herself my sister, even transferring to this school! If I'd let her call herself GIV..." "-I'll tell you what I told Watson: that tramp ambushed us, put us in the hospital! She's clearly an enemy! AN. ENEMY. And yet, still you people...!" Aria glared at me with her camellia-colored eyes, her personal grudge evident in her gaze. "Listen to me, Aria. Kaname was sent by GIII as an emissary of sorts. After she attacked you, she laid down her arms- even helped carry you all to the hospital! Right now, they still haven't chosen sides; they belong to neither Grenada nor Deen. If we want to persuade them to join- Ow! OW! That hurts! Stop it, stop hitting me!" Bam! Bam! Thump! Thump! "Shut up, shut UP, SHUT UP ! You traitor!" I grabbed hold of her head, and held her back; her tiny arms, swinging, hit only air. Like this, by relying on the difference in our arm lengths, I could keep her punches from connecting. Having sealed her fists with this completely conventional method, pouting, she puffed her cheeks like a blowfish. "Hmph! Forget it. You clearly just love that girl, and Watson and the others are scared witless. Continuing this conversation will just lead us in circles, so I'm not going to bother repeating myself. We'll do what we think is right; who cares what you guys do." "You only talk, never listen..." "That's you!" At this anime-sounding retort from Aria, we traded glares. "Changing topics, where's that girl staying now?" "My room. With the way things have developed, I've been left responsible for keeping an eye on her." "I knew it~" Aria stuck out her lower lip, mood bad to the extreme. "GIV...Kaname, you called her? Kan-a-me-chan~ As long as that suuuuper cute little sister of yours is to be found at your place, you can be sure I won't! There's not a chance in Hell that I'll share a room with an enemy!" "Do you have to be so cutting? It's not like that was your place to begin with, anyway. It's not like I feel all that safe having to live together with her either, you know? It's to the point where I've considered asking one of you girls to be a bodyguard-" Before I could finish what I was saying, all of a sudden one of the seagulls flap flap took flight. These gulls from the Tokyo Bay are larger than normal, and subsequently, the sounds made as they flap their wings is also louder than normal. Both Aria and I reflexively turned to look. It was almost as if it had sensed something bad was about to occur, and consequently, had beat a hasty retreat. Don't tell me...the weather's going to take a turn for the worse? "Kinji!" Aria grabbed hold of my ear, and pulled my head back around to face her. "You, you...don't tell me you did some, something weird to that girl?" Flushed red, Aria bared her canines. "Wha...huh?" "If you've really done something, forget opening holes- be careful that the British Air Force doesn't blow the entire male dorms to smithereens!" "Are you trying to start a war?! Listen, Aria-" "Bu, bu, BUT, didn't you guys ki, ki, kiss!? You lech! You're seriously something; at that level, forget shameful, it's almost admirable! This damn womanizer!" This time Aria used her legs to engage in a lower, middle, and upper attack combo. Ouch, it really friggin' hurts! This girl, because her hands have been rendered useless, has begun to kick without mercy. "Like I had anything to do with that! She's the one who kissed me; you were there!" "Even Riko couldn't help but exclaim 'To touch even his little sister, Kii-kun is seriously a human ditching humanity'!" What do you mean "a human ditching humanity"? Riko's words sure are hard to understand. "What do you have to say for yourself!? You've, you've even kissed me! And Shirayuki, Riko, even Reki! Honestly! This kissing bandit! Don't tell me you've kissed your sister again since then!?" "Bam!" "Bam!" Aria began to stamp on the floor with great strength, intimidating me. I- "Well, that's..." This is bad. After that, it's true that we kissed. But that was because I'd been grabbed so tightly by Kaname that I couldn't move, couldn't escape what came next. It's not like I'd had any impure feelings about it either. That said, it's not like I was completely blameless...but still, there should be room to defend myself. In order to avoid having to deal with a roundhouse kick from Aria, or having her "open" holes in me, I'd better explain. "Listen. If we're talking about whether or not it happened, well, it happened. But still! You, who grew up in England, should understand, that was just-" "You...YOU! Come on here! You guys have only known each other for one week...just how far have things gotten between you!?" "Let me speak! Stop always interrupting!" "And...and with your own sister!" Aria stabbed a finger in my direction, her posture loosening. I shouted in response, "Listen to me! Kaname, she was never my sister to begin with! You're not the only one who's being driven half-mad by that self-proclaimed little sister!" Right as I said that, - Boom! From near the large radiator installed on the rooftop, a burst of noise erupted. - Pasha! This time, the remaining seagulls all took flight in a hurry. "-Iyaa!" Causing Aria to scream as she jumped at me. With her barreling into me, I fell backwards, crashing into the rooftop fence. (...What was that sound just now...?) I looked in the direction the sound had originated form. There didn't seem to be anything strange about that old-fashioned radiator though; even after several moments had passed, nothing changed. I guess something inside it must have broken down? "Hey, Aria. Let go of me already." With Aria in front of me, and the fence behind, I couldn't budge an inch. But still she buried her head in my chest, refusing to release her grip. This situation reminded me of the one with Kaname, except that Aria was holding on much more tightly. "...wrong..." Aria seemed to be muttering to herself as she whispered, "...I'm the one who's wrong. Kinji sent me that ring on my birthday, clearly showing how he feels...but I didn't know how to respond...I'm the one at fault here..." "Aria?" Because she kept mumbling to herself, I lowered my head and sneaked a peek at her face. Her face seemed to undergone a transformation, and she raised her head to answer my questioning gaze. Her face showed her steely resolve. Stifling her anger, she looked at me with uncertainty in her eyes. "...That girl...really isn't your sister?" "Why are you so suspicious of that?" At my less-than-joyful rejoinder, she again spoke, "Kinji, do you remember...Do you remember the fight with Jeanne, in that underground warehouse?" "...?" "At that time...you told me, 'As long as I live, I will trust you.'" "Oh...yeah...I remember." Even though I said it under the influence of Hysteria Mode, but still, it's embarrassing enough to want to die. "Wait a moment. Why would you bring that up all of a sudden?" "Because what I have no evidence to support what I'm about to say; it's purely my intuition." "Intuition...?" "I feel that...between Kinji and that girl...exists some kind of unbreakable bond. This feeling is the same as the one I felt back then from Kana. Even though I'm still not sure I'm entirely convinced about the thing with that beautiful sempai, that is, your brother?, but to be honest, according to my intuition, it feels right. And right now, what I feel is similar, if you ask me. That is to say, that girl, GIV, or Kaname, whatever...I think she might really be your sister." Even though I wanted to reject her words with a laugh... But...I couldn't. Even though the impression given by the textbooks in Inquesta classes is so far apart as to sometimes forget who she really is- The Kanzaki H. Aria standing in front of me at this moment is without a doubt the flesh and blood of the one-and-only Sherlock Holmes. When it came to the Sherlock who I'd battled on the IU, it was assuredly his nearly supernatural deductive ability that had brought him reputation and fame, but in all honesty, his intuitive prowess was no less impressive. From that point on, I've been more than clear on one thing. Aria has, without a doubt, inherited that intuition of his. And that Aria has just told me...that Kaname might really be my sister. "With that said, however, the relationship between you and Kana seems different from that of you and Kaname. I'm not quite sure how to explain this clearly, but...if I was to make an analogy, if I were to draw the relationship between you and Kana, you two would be one large and one small version of the same shape, similar, but not identical." Mm...I think I more or less understand. After all, my brother really embodies the idealized form of my abilities. "When it comes to you and Kaname, on the other hand; you two feel like two comma shapes, like Yin and Yang, only showing their true shape when placed together. That's how it seems to me." Two shapes, incomplete on their own, which only achieve their true form when combined together. I guess that's how she sees the relationship between Kaname and I? It definitely isn't the clearest explanation, but still, what she said... Truly has no basis, and yet carries quite the persuasive power. I consequently entered a deep state of contemplation, pondering her words, until Aria grabbed me by my lapels. "...Do you like her?" "Don't waste my time with that crap. How could that even be possible?" "Then..." "...?" "Then...let's just stay like this for a moment." Aria held me, once more lowering her head and burying her forehead in my chest. The atmosphere made it hard to refuse, so I looked to the heavens, trying my best to avoid the fragrantly sweet smell of cape jasmine which wafted over from her body. The seagulls rode the air currents in the evening sky as they spiraled higher and higher. "I...think I need to be a little bit clearer too." "...Clearer?" Having heard only bits of her mumbling, I asked for clarification. "Lo, lo, lower your head! Un, un, until I can reach it with my face!" She uttered forth the strangest command. "Why? I don't want to. Your head..." Almost blurting out, "Has an aroma that'll land me in Hysteria Mode if I'm careless", I swallowed my words and raised my head even higher. "Er, that is, it doesn't matter who, no one wants their face stuck to someone else's head, right?" "...Stop whining! Look down, down!" Though her tone sounded almost like that of a drill sergeant calling, "Right, FACE!", by now, my pride was on the line. I stubbornly kept my head held high. "..." The silence continued unabated for a short time, before... "Then...Kin, Kinji." When Aria called out, her voice shaking, I lowered my gaze, but only my eyes. Unexpectedly, her whole body was trembling. What's going on here? Even though her head's lowered enough that I can't see clearly, she seems to be blushing. From her neck to the tips of her ears, she's thoroughly red. "Um, then, then...Your, your..." "...?" "Your shoelace is undone?" Reacting to Aria's strange question, as if stiffly read from a script, I couldn't help but look down in response. At that precise instant, Aria closed her eyes, straightened her back, and stepped forward. "...!" That blushing face, that tiny mouth...pressed down on my lips. Without warning, Aria seemed to have become intensely feverish, the boiling heat of her body passing through her lips to me...This is... (A kiss...) I was kissed...? My brain only just made the connection. By the time I came to this realization, Aria had already flipped around with her back to me, pigtails drifting along. And swiftly bolted for the rooftop door like racing the 100 meter. "ARIA!" Just what is this supposed to mean? I prepared to follow after her, but she dashed through the door like a bullet, hands clutched to her chest, as she disappeared down the other edge of the stairwell. I didn't have the slightest hope of catching her at that speed. In any case, because of the injury to my right knee, it's not like I could run anyway. "..." I held my hand to my lips, confirming the beating of my heart. Aria hadn't opened her eyes to confirm the location of my mouth, instead her clumsy kiss had seen our faces crash one against another, our teeth clacking as they collided...man, it friggin' hurts. Even though the pain had slowed the feeling for a moment... Here it comes. That familiar flow of blood. - Hysteria Mode - As expected, if it's Aria, it'll appear. Quite easily too, and intensely. My mind turned crystal-clear, my entire brain seemed to awake, and quite discernibly, I felt my senses sharpen. Moreover, something like a sixth sense made itself known...and reported. - An ominous feeling. Back then, that sound that scared away all the seagulls...I had better double check what caused it. Was it really just a simple accident? As I deliberated on the matter, I unconsciously drew my weapon. I kept an eye out for anything suspicious as I circled around to the other side of the air conditioner. "..." But forget a person, not so much as a kitten appeared. That said, there was one thing that stuck out as being rather odd. Though the neat design of the manufactured fence ought to be laid out in a regular rhombus pattern, in this case, irregularities appeared all over. Large rhombuses, small rhombuses, even triangles... It looked as if some unknown person had distorted the shape of the fence time and time again with their bare hands. Although this irregularity was clearly the work of a person, neither hide nor hair could be found of this mysterious stranger. It's not like pranks like these were all that uncommon; I, myself, had done similar things when younger...but still, the sheer number of distortions was definitely out of the ordinary. Approximately 50 different places had been twisted beyond repair...it was no ordinary mind that was responsible for this. "..." My Hysteria Mode-enhanced perception also noted something else as out-of-the-ordinary. Here where I stood, below my feet, beneath my shadow, something was strange. I knelt down on a single knee, and touched the cement floor. The floor was clearly irregular...strike that; rather, the floor itself was, for the most part, as expected, had clearly been left scored in places. Though my immediate thought was that some sort of tool had left these scars, I don't think that's the case. My fear is that this...was the work of a person; the scars carved into the cement floor by their nails with horrifying strength. Seeing the slivers lying atop the floor, I guessed this to have occurred quite recently. It probably happened sometime between when Aria and I kissed and when she had left- repeatedly and endlessly gripping - and scoring - the cement with their hands. (Wait...is this writing? Letters, it looks like.) "T...r...a...i..." With my shadow in the way, the letters were hard to make out. I moved a little, allowing the setting sun to shine blood-red on the ground, illuminating the words before me. The words scrawled into the ground weren't just on the ground...they were etched into the wall as well. "Traitor" "Traitor" "Traitor" "Traitor" "Traitor" (What the hell is this?) My blood ran cold. Who? Who could be responsible for such a thing, so much like a dark ritual to invoke a curse? Well, then again... This was, after all, the SSR building, a veritable Pandora's Box of strange types from whom such behavior would come as no great surprise. Likely a result of that scene, straight out of a horror movie, the effects of my Hysteria Mode dissipated faster than normal. Returning to the dorms, I found Kaname watching a satellite broadcast of a baseball match. The announcer spoke in English, so it seemed she was watching an MLB playoff game? "Ugh...two outs. How unreasonable, almost like gutting someone with a kitchen knife." In response to her whispered, incomprehensible comments, "Hey, I'm home." As I greeted her, Kaname's entire face seemed to smile as she turned to face me. "Ah, Onii-chan. Welcome back. Dinner's already ready." Looking more closely, the glass tabletop was littered with caramel candy wrappers. Of the same kind as those I had previously bought for her at the convenience store. She seemed to have gone on some sort of binge...was the game really that boring? "Oi, Kaname. We still haven't had dinner yet, don't fill up on that sort of thing." "Eh? Why?" "What do you mean 'why'? Because it's bad for you. And to eat so many!" I spoke as I took off my coat, and turned to look at her- Only to find her, once again, with tears filling her eyes. "Wha, what is it this time?" "I'm so happy. Love can truly be found here. This just goes to show, I really am the best; after all, I am the youngest. Onii-chan's love for me is definitely deeper than it is for anyone else." Kaname not only seemed to be speaking to herself, but seemed even to have drawn some inane conclusion on her own. "You, just how in the world did you come to 'that' conclusion?" "Because Onii-chan is worried about my health." Kaname, having made a mountain of this minuscule molehill, Began to rub her fingers against the back of the sofa. Her fingers were now completely covered in Band-Aids; this time, her entire fingertips having been injured. "Hey, what's up with your fingers?" "Oh, um, this is, well..." Diverting her gaze from me slightly, she replied, "When...when I was cooking, I was a little careless." "Can you really hurt yourself that badly just cooking? Are you alright?" "Nn. Don't worry. Ehehe, I'm fine, I'm fine." Kaname showed a bashful expression, waving her hands in embarrassment. Honestly, I can't decide if she's amazing or just clumsy. Afterwards... Immediately upon returning home, the scent had given away that tonight's dinner was again curry. Every two or three days, Kaname would again make curry. "Do you really like curry that much?" I asked, as we ate together. "I don't dislike it." "Only that much? Then why cook it every couple days? Not to mention, each time the taste is the same." "Mm. That's because the first time I made it Onii-chan said it was delicious." "Just, just because of that? I'm amazed you even remember." "As long as it's Onii-chan, whatever you say, whatever you do; I remember everything." Kaname looked down at the plate of curry with a wistful expression. "When you told me that, I was so happy...so every time since I've used the same ingredients and the same sauce, in order to reproduce that same flavor, without differing by so much as a gram." She nonchalantly said something pretty outrageous. "Not even a gram different? Surely you're not serious?" "I'm the kind of person who never forgets anything." She lowered her head, her eyes peeking through her bangs as she watched my eyes. That gaze...seen through the shadow of her hair seemed almost a glare. Why glare at me? Then again, she is quite the moody child. It's pointless trying to interpret her every action. I replied with a simple "Oh, is that so," before continuing to eat my decidedly delicious curry once more. When it came to normal subjects, the level of instruction at Butei High was rather low by comparison. It's possible it was because, as rumored, "that kind" of mind was predominant among Butei High students. However, the more likely explanation was simply that, as compared to the "well-rounded" nature preferred among normal students, "excellence in a specific expertise" gave a Butei High student the better chance of becoming a truly top-quality Butei. As a result, placing emphasis where emphasis was due had naturally given rise to the current way of things. This being the case, one who was immersed in the Butei High curriculum for the entirety of their three years became quite the abnormal person, making such training a one-way trip. As an example, take Aria or Reki. While both are top-rated Buteis, put either of them to work in a normal company as OLs , and they'd surely make a mess of things. Thus, it was for the sake of growing up as a normal adult that I so desperately wanted to switch schools. (For the time being, let's put everything else aside, and at least work hard at these normal classes.) Just as I'd finally motivated myself to take this English class seriously... - Don! ~roll~ ~roll~ Almost as if intended to disturb my concentration, something flew from behind me and rolled onto my desk. "?" I picked up what looked to be a wad of paper. It looked to have been treated with an alkaline solution, a technique Butei often used to pass confidential information to one another. I carefully straightened out the paper. "Discovered 3's true identity. Come to the art equipment room at 1700 hours for debriefing. P.S. At the same time, how about some rehabilitation? L. Watson" Having read the contents of the paper, I turned to Watson, who frowned in disgust, her face appearing to protest, "Moron! Look forward!" When Watson had lobbed the paper my way, Aria had been blowing her nose, while Riko was fast asleep...It seemed neither of them had noticed our interaction. But seriously, Watson. Did you really need to communicate with this thing? Couldn't you have just sent me a text, like a normal person? As I entered the dimly-lit art equipment room, with its curtains drawn, I complained to Watson as I had planned, to which she responded that I'd promised to ignore all texts from her. She seemed a bit disagreeable. I could tell from the way she struck my foot with a paper bag enclosing a female school uniform. This bastard. While in public, she puts up the facade of a dignified honor student, but the second we're alone, she's like a mischievous brat. What was with that just now? I've always felt like her interactions with me were rather perfunctory, almost like putting on a show. Damn her, looking down on people like that. "As long as the contents include the words 'rehabilitation', you always pretend you haven't seen a thing." Watson's cheeks flushed slightly in anger. Well, it's not like there isn't something to what she said... Watson had relentlessly sent me invitations for rehabilitation, and I had just as consistently completely ignored them. The so-called "rehabilitation" referred to her dressing up once more as a girl. Watson, who had entered Butei High as a cross-dressing student, was training in preparation for confessing her true gender and her inevitable return to society. According to Watson, this was also to serve as training for me, who she described as having insufficient understanding of the opposite gender, giving me the opportunity to increase my familiarity with those of the feminine persuasion. And what exactly did that entail? The two of us locked in a room, as Watson would simultaneously conduct her training to become more feminine while I sought to "become more manly". Simply put, it saw the two of us engaging in a low-level roleplay; in other words, we played house. Even though we're clearly second years in high school already. The important point, if you ask me, was- There was no way I wanted to be caught alone with a girl (Watson) in a small, dark room like this one. Hence my desperate attempts to avoid her messages at all costs. Can't you take a hint, Watson? What made things worse was the nigh-obsessed attitude she seemed to take towards these things. Ever since she'd realized that I'd been ignoring her messages, she'd tried every method imaginable to stubbornly force me to come. Take this time, for example, where she'd intentionally paired up her invitation with a matter of actual importance. In just such a manner, I'd found myself coerced into attending some five, six "rehabilitation" sessions. "I know you can't wait to get started with the rehabilitation, but first, fill me in. The '3' written on that paper just now- that was referring to GIII, yes?" "Indeed. You're going to join me for rehabilitation in just a sec, right? I've been waiting for this for so long." Having reminded me again of the fate that awaited me, she reached her hand into her backpack and pulled out a single page of A4 paper. "Though I'm still unclear regarding the one who lives with you, GIV, that is, Kaname, but I believe I've been able to ascertain the true identity of GIII." "You found out from contacts in Informa?" "No. The name seemed familiar to me, so I visited the Liberty Mason Grand Lodge in London. As I was looking through the American group's 'Non-friendly party list', in the section for 'Agents having received, but rejected, an invitation from Liberty Mason' I found GIII's name. He seems to be quite the big-shot in American Butei circles. Furthermore, his detailed information was all classified at the 'Secret B' level." "A big-shot?" "Yeah, famous to the point that we pulled his data pretty much instantaneously. Here's part of what we found." Watson pulled out a photo. I saw a man who looked just like GIII. Although he wore a black suit and black sunglasses, it was, without a doubt, GIII. "Huh...hey, wait, this...It can't be...?" What had astounded me wasn't GIII, though. Rather it was the man next to him, about to enter a black Rolls-Royce. This person...was the 44th President of the United States of America...Barack Obama. From where GIII stood relative to the President in the picture, he seemed to be employed in an escort or bodyguard capacity. "This is the real thing. He's originally an American Butei, but more than that, he's not just an S-rank either, but a rank higher- an R-rank." "R-rank...?" "You haven't heard of it? Among the Butei in Japan exists another R-rank, so I figured you'd heard of it. This rank really exists, and there are only seven Butei in the entire world who have been bestowed with this rating. Since they nearly all serve heads of state or royalty exclusively, they've taken the first letter of the word 'Royal' to serve as their rank name, hence 'R-rank'." An existence superior even to S-ranks...R-ranked Buteis. Further, there are only seven of them in the whole world...just how crazy are these guys? Even if we look at S-ranked Buteis, there are only 712 of them in the entire world. "An S-ranked Butei can singlehandedly deal with a company of soldiers. An R-rank, on the other hand, can fight an entire battalion . If it's small enough, then just one of these individuals could suppress an entire country." "My God. Next time, pass on sharing all the gory details, please. I more or less understand what kind of nightmarish existence GIII is now. This is ridiculous...how can someone like that even exist?" Seeing me grow weak at the knees, Watson continued to flip through the information recorded in English. "Even though the data is still somewhat unclear, GIII's genius seems to be man-made, that is to say, his abilities appear to be artificially enhanced." "Man-made...genius...? What the hell are you talking about?" -Wait, hadn't I heard this before? Watson seemed to have more or less figured out what was on my mind, so she nodded. "IU- after the second World War, the submarine IU definitely disappeared, but the plans for its creation were handed over to the United Nations by the Germans. Ever since then, the Americans have been plumbing its depths for research. Their results came in the form of the 'Los Alamos Elite', a plan to artificially create superhumans with science." They seem to have inherited the IU philosophy. Although, as compared to the superstitious IU, they seemed to have tackled the problem with a scientific approach. "The thing is, successful results of the Los Alamos Elite program are quite few. Or rather, zero." "Zero? Is GIII not a success?" "Well, at first he was most definitely considered a success. Even at an institution like Los Alamos, his rate of learning was such that it was only a matter of time before the positions of teacher and student between him and the staff had swapped. When it comes to athletic ability, though unofficial, I've heard he's broken countless Olympic records. The clincher is- he did all this while only a teenager." "Then isn't that a huge success? He even became the personal bodyguard for the President, an elite among elites." "Up to here, yes. Unfortunately, at some point afterwards, things changed." "...Things changed?" "The notes say he went mad. When he escaped from the laboratory where he was raised, with his bare hands, he crippled every member of the entire unit stationed there." An entire unit...with his bare hands...? Just how strong is this guy? And he's insane, to boot. This is no joke. "Afterwards, the American government sanctioned a hit on him, and they didn't just send one assassin. But even though these were the best, the vast majority of them couldn't catch so much as his scent. Those that did manage to find him never returned." "...They were killed?" "No. They became his subordinates. GIII has a real aura of leadership about him, a real charisma. Some minor differences aside, it's just like you." "Please don't talk about us like we're the same. I'm nothing like that." Tsuzuri-sensei had said the same thing before. For whatever reason, people seem to occasionally make this mistake. It's not like I even have that many friends, after all. "-The driver who brought us back from the Shinagawa geofront is another individual who was turned by GIII. With the way things were, it was like sending assassins after GIII only served to increase the size of his group. The American government came to this realization, and called off the hit. They've since switched to negotiations instead, which are yet ongoing." A "man-made genius" that even the American government can't handle... A monster like that, there's no way he would ever lose to a group with mediocre grades like ours. It looks like Tamamo and the others were right...crossing swords with someone like that is definitely not a good idea. Having finally understood what we were up against, I was at last able to accept this point. "GIV, Kaname, appears to have been another artificial superhuman who fled with GIII as he escaped the lab. It's just that since she escaped without ever having entered society as he had, there don't seem to be any records of her existence." Oi. It's not like I hadn't figured out that much on my own. I mean, look at their names! "...Why would guys like that want to take part in this 'Far East Warfare'?" "That I'm still unclear on. We're looking into it." "..." "Ok, now the debriefing is over. Let's get started on the rehabilitation." "..." "We're starting the re~ha~bi~li~ta~tion, yes?" Watson showed an expression like that of a small dog whose master had refused to play ball. "Ah, right." I, who had gotten lost in a train of thought, quickly raised my head. Whatever...she'd done her part, so I might as well obediently play along. I can keep her company for today, I guess. "Ahem. The setting for today's 'play' is this: I'm a female club manager, and you're a member of the selfsame club. The scenario as well as the script are recorded in the notebook." "Aren't you going way overboard with this? And please, for the love of God, say the full name - 'role play'; 'play' sounds weird." My protest seemed to go in one ear and out the other. "What kind of club should it be Tohyama? How does an old-fashioned equestrian club sound?" "How is that old-fashioned? Anyway, who cares what kind it is, just hurry up and begin." "Ok. Then, Tohyama, go and face the door. I'm going to change." Shortly after speaking, Watson reached into her paper bag and pulled out a school uniform. From behind me... ~rustle~ ~rustle~ ...came the sounds of Watson taking off her clothes. Because she'd violently compelled me to watch before, I knew that beneath her male clothing, only her bottom half was covered by female underwear. That means that, right now, that..."that" is completely exposed? So fair it seemed to glow in the light of the setting sun, that ... (This, this is bad!) Strange memories threatened to bubble forth from deep within my memory. If I was to enter the so-called "Recall Hysteria", that is to say, if I was to enter Hysteria Mode all on my own at these memories, then I'd have played quite the fool. I need to think of something else, distract myself. Even if this is completely stupid, let's look for stains on the door or through the keyhole. Doing so, I noticed something strange about this terribly ordinary door. (...Hmm?) Some sort of light seemed to come in through the keyhole, and looked almost to waver... Moreover- I could have sworn I heard someone gritting their teeth in anger on the other side of the door. (Don't tell me there's someone on the other side...?) I knelt down, and peeked through the keyhole into the hallway. Though the hole was, of course, quite small, and thus I couldn't get a clear picture of the whole hallway... But I at least could see what was immediately in front of me, and there didn't appear to be anyone in front of the door. That sound must have been made by someone passing by. Be that as it may, what I had heard was no illusion. Maybe it was best to end this rehabilitation session as soon as possible? "Are you done changing?" I inquired of Watson. "Not, not yet. When I was putting on my neckerchief, the hook for my bra came loose. This is such bad luck." Is the play-by-play really necessary!? "...Ok, I'm good. Man, when you wear a skirt, the wind keeps blowing in. This just feels so weird." Finally hearing the words I'd been waiting for, I turned my head - as if playing Red Light, Green Light - to see Watson, dressed up like a girl in her sailor uniform. Although, to be accurate, she was a girl to begin with, so the real "dress-up" is when she pretends to be a guy normally. Sadly, the opposite impression seems well engraved into my mind. (On another note...when I look carefully...she really is a girl, isn't she?) The slender lines of her legs give off a healthy feeling; for them to always be hidden by pants really is a shame. "...What do you think you're staring at, Tohyama? Oh wait! No, never mind, it's ok! Look to your heart's content. I am, after all, a girl. There's no way I can allow something this small to throw me off. I know even if you normally don't show it, deep down, you're still fond of me." "What the hell?" "That's how the script goes." Watson answered me as she stabbed the notebook with her finger. "What do you mean 'that's how it goes'? You're the one who wrote this! Why would you write something like that?" "What, what's wrong with that? What I write is my decision!" Having thus responded, Watson's legs shifted into what appeared to be a boxing stance. If she were to hit me, I don't know that I could let it go, although, in this situation, it was probably best to just lower my head and go along with the flow. "...And then? What's the plan for today?" "Well, let's start just like we've done before, with small steps." The term "small steps" referred to a technique from psychology designed for overcoming one's phobias. It involved increasing exposure to one's fear step by step, little by little. In Watson's case, she'd set as her goal the ability to have others see her as a girl without feeling nervous or anxious. The first step was for us to converse normally from within a distance of a meter, afterwards narrowing the distance to 75cm, 50cm, 30cm, and so forth. "Our previous record saw our shoes separated by five centimeters. Today, I'd like to close that gap entirely. If we can achieve that, then that'd be extraordinary." And just what part of that is extraordinary? You know, forget it, whatever makes her happy. Whatever it takes to end this even a second earlier. "Alright, then come on over." "Nn. Don't run, ok? Er, wait, that's not it- Then, please just stay where you are, Tohyama...kun." Just one sentence spoken like a girl was enough to make her blush... Saying that, she proceeded to walk towards me as if amidst a minefield, careful step following careful step. Her pink skirt lightly swayed... Upon closer inspection, she seemed to have even swapped out her shoes for the brown ones designated for female students. "...Here, here I come, Tohyama-kun." I waited quietly as she slowly closed the gap between us, stopping just in front of me. And then, as if steeling her resolve, she took one final step forward. Finally, her shoes made contact with mines, or rather, could even be said to be slightly atop of mine. "..." Watson was shorter than me, so her head only came up to my chin. Together with the slight warmth of body heat, a slight fragrance of cinnamon floated gently from her short hair. (...) This is what makes Watson dangerous. Because she normally feels like a guy, the second she displays her feminine side like this... The feeling of disparity makes you particularly aware of how cute she is. As an example, take Riko in comparison. Because Riko is the kind of girl who gives off a heightened sense of femininity, the second she appears before me, I'm on guard. Having thus prepared myself, even when she closes in on me, I'm able to handle it. In this way, my body will naturally protect itself in a way that makes it non-trivial to fall into Hysteria Mode. Although, I have to say, this approach is pretty sad. When it comes to Watson, however, my body makes no such instinctive preparations. Since the way she normally acts is, for all intents and purposes, just like a guy, I can't help but let down my guard around here. And the second she does something truly girl-like- I find myself in my current situation, my blood pressure having jumped to the brink of danger in a flash. "...Tohyama, kun. How are you? The horses are looking quite good today, too." As I wordlessly waited, Watson coyly greeted me. The demure aura she produced once again reminded me she was a girl. Ugh. Unlike the coquettish and unreserved Riko, the feeling Watson gave off seemed much more appropriate for a girl her age. Calm down, keep it cool Kinji. I'd already fallen into Hysteria Mode here once before, no need to make that mistake again. "Er, you alright there Watson? This 'is' pretty close." "I'm alright. I even think it's quite, quite comfortable! Oh, and uh, I've told you before. When I'm dressed like this, you're to call me 'Elle'." "Uh, yeah. Sorry about that, Elle." "I sure hope everything will go well today. I'll do my best." "As will I." Do my best not to enter Hysteria Mode that is. I thought to myself that I'd better take a deep breath, calm myself down a little, when just as I inhaled- Crap. I'd achieved the opposite effect. Inhaling deeply had only served to fill my lungs and nostrils with the sweet aroma emanating from Watson. What the heck was I thinking? Thanks to having self-destructed, I found myself 'just' on the edge of falling into Hysteria Mode. "Alright then. Today, I'll do it, Tohyama." "Do what?" "Rest easy." "Huh?" "It's only on the cheek. Not, not, not the lips! Let's leave that for next time!" "That's why I'm asking you-" Right as I was about to repeat my question, Watson's face, flush to the tips of her ears, suddenly raised her head- And lightly placed her lips on my cheek. -...! This must be what they mean when they say that things come in threes. First Kaname, then Aria, and now, the real curveball, Watson, had kissed me. That makes it three on the month already. When did I become such a celebrity? "...!" "I, I did it!" Watson seemed wholeheartedly ecstatic as she bounded towards me. Her soft arms, chest, waist- her entire body stuck to me like glue. She really is a girl. "I did it, Tohyama! Counting on you for rehabilitation was the right decision after all. Only after actually doing it do I now understand. How, hmm, how do I describe this...It's really something that fills you with joy. Without a doubt, this is a necessary step on my path to becoming a girl. Ok, let's give it another go, or rather, several." Saying that, she again pecked me on the cheek...and not just a few times. "Stop, stop! Once is more than enough!" "I want, I want more. Tohyama, I like...I like you- that's how the setting goes. That's the only reason." What the hell kind of club is this? Whatever happened to the horses!? Unlike the sexy, mature ambiance of Riko and Shirayuki, Watson felt more like a young girl...which for some reason, only served to make her seem all the cuter. Consequently, I embraced Watson, having entered into Mezza Hysteria- Which, though mild, was yet indisputably Hysteria Mode. -At that moment. My slightly enhanced senses picked up a sound- ~scritch~ ~scritch~ ~scritch~ I once again the sound of gritted teeth, gnashing in anger, drifted over from the other side of the door. Looking through the keyhole, I met someone's gaze! "-Wait, WAIT! Elle!" "Tohyama, Tohyama." "Not that! I know you're excited by the results of your rehabilitation, but I need you to calm down." "...?" Picking up Watson in a bridal carry, I let her down behind the statue of Venus. Stealthily placing myself at her side, I stole a glance at the pair of eyes on the other side of the door, which continued to peek through the keyhole. Furthermore, the "scritching" sound had continued without ceasing, which I could only hear as the sound of teeth gritted in extreme irritation. Though I desperately hoped that the other person had not been able to grasp the situation through the small keyhole, I had no expectation that what they had seen would lead to them to think that they'd witnessed anything but a lover's tryst. Turning to Watson, a blank look on her face, I quietly whispered in her ear- "There's someone watching! Let's end our rehabilitation for today, hurry up and change back." "-What, what are you saying?" Watson had abruptly turned so red I wouldn't have been surprised to see steam expelled from atop her head. She proceeded to frantically extract her male clothes from within the paper bag. "Hurry! I need to confirm the situation in the hallway." "Toh, Tohyama! Help me! I'm shaking so hard I can't change on my own!" In response to her voice, trying its hardest not to cry, without allowing myself the slightest glance of her flesh- I pulled her shirt from the bag. As Watson slowly removed her top in a panic, arms and legs trembling, I turned my head, and again assessed the situation on the other side of the door. Whoever it was had seemed to realize we'd noticed their presence, as their prying glance had disappeared from the keyhole. My ears also picked up the sound of someone sprinting down the hallway. They seemed to have made a precipitous retreat. (That rat...) No matter how you look at it, normally when you'd run into a guy-girl pair in a place where no one ought to be... You'd mind your own business, and pretending you hadn't seen a thing, quietly leave. Though I didn't have the opportunity to explain our situation more fully, the two of us were, indisputably, both afflicted individuals, and that we might transcend our impairments, were undergoing rehabilitation. And yet someone had had the nerve to snoop! "We'd better get out of here, Watson. Whoever it was is now gone, but if they went to grab someone else, this could be trouble." "Ah, mm." As Watson seemed to have finished changing- I stuffed her skirt into the bag, and taking her hand, charged towards the door, which I opened without delay. At which point, Watson refused to move a step further. "What's the matter? We need to leave now ." "Wait, wait a moment, Tohyama. My lapels need to be fixed." Watson fixed the lapels of her coat with her left hand. Looking further, it seemed only part of her shirt was tucked into her pants, quite the sloppy look. Whatever, I had no time to look after her. Thinking thusly, I roughly pulled Watson out of the art equipment room with me. "Eh? Tohyama-kun and...Watson-kun?" When who did we chance upon, but our classmate whom had just ascended the stairway- Assault's pretty-boy, Shiranui. Shiranui's eyes nearly popped out of his head in shock. In his hands were copper plates used for etching; it seemed he'd been asked by the art teacher to help carry things? Having caught sight of Shiranui, Watson instinctively covered her chest, which, unlike Aria, was only flat by reason of having been bound by a sarashi. With the way she was dressed, a glance was all it would take for anyone to realize that she'd only just put on her clothes, and in a hurry at that. Seeing me struck absolutely speechless, and the nearly-frightened-to-tears Watson hiding behind my back, Shiranui- "Um..." His face showed he dearly wanted to ask, "What in God's name happened here?" but didn't know how. "..." My face frozen like a plaster bust, I frantically tapped my Hysteria Mode-enhanced mind for assistance. The voyeur from before had fled the scene, so it probably wasn't Shiranui. (But this current situation is no less dangerous!) Within my brain- An image of Shiranui-meijin facing off against Tohyama-ryuou in a shogi match floated to the surface. On the board, Shiranui's ferocious offensive has begun. Against the attack of Shiranui, Tohyama must defend. I turned to Watson for aid, but her forehead was glued to my back, her head buried against me. It looks like this girl, upon falling into a panic, has the tendency to shut down like the power's been cut, leaving everything to others to fix. How cunning. (Looking at this objectively, our situation's not good. SO NOT GOOD!) What Shiranui has seen is as follows: In the supposedly empty optional-class building, from within the confines of the art equipment room... Those who are definitely not participating in any art classes, or alternatively, those who have no valid reason to be here at this time - Watson and I - were seen. Furthermore, it looks like within that same room, Watson had removed his clothes. To continue the shogi analogy, my rook's already been captured by his bishop. No, in reality, with the situation being that I'd been seen hiding in the art equipment room with a "girl who'd taken off her clothes, engaged in some unknown activity", I should actually say that I was behind a hundred, no, a thousand moves. Though I couldn't reject this situation strongly enough, if this incident were taken as a guy-girl rendezvous, then that'd be one thing. The by-far larger problem was- Shiranui doesn't know Watson's a girl. Instead, he thinks she's a guy. In other words, from Shiranui's perspective- Watson (a guy) and I had just exited the art equipment room where "he'd taken off his clothes as part of some unknown activity". (Doesn't that make check?!) In my shogi-filled mind, both my gold and silver generals had already been captured. Watson's good looks were well known throughout the school. During the Ristorante Mask activity, many male students had lost their minds over her sailor uniform-clad appearance. That is to say, she was a guy well beloved by other male students (although she was actually a girl). And who was the first to raise his hand against her, but the notorious playboy - me. In other words, Tohyama Kinji, this second year high school student, had already grown tired of toying with women, and had decided to give pretty boys a taste. -That's probably pretty much what Shiranui's thinking right now? In my mind, both my knight and lance had just disappeared. Adding fuel to the fire was the fact that Watson and I were holding hands, and could thus be seen to have quite the mutual affection. Because Watson's clothes were also disheveled, one might surmise that our relationship had gone quite far. At last, the entirety of my pawn force vanished from atop the game board. (I, I need to defend myself-) Even if all that remained was my king, with his forces scattered in disarray, the ever disgraceful Tohyama-ryuou's slightly Hysteria Mode-enhanced mind made one final play: "Because I was considering taking up art next year, I thought I'd try my hand at a sketch. Watson here agreed to be my model." This is too forced, isn't it? Regrettably, because I was only partially in Hysteria Mode, this was the best I could come up with. Even though I'd come up with a similar excuse that time with Fuuma, she'd only fallen for it because she was an idiot. Shiranui, on the other hand, was quite bright. There was no way this was going to cut it. Nonetheless, if I didn't do something , I'd lose by simply running out of time. Hurry- hurry my mouth! Say something! Real men need guts; who cares what it is, just try! "Shi, Shiranui! Listen to me! The reason why I'm here with another guy-" As I opened my mouth at last, Shiranui extended a hand as if to say, "You don't need to say another word." Then, speaking in that gentlemanly manner only possible for such a rare Butei specimen as he, "Don't worry about it. This isn't the kind of thing the public ever needs to know. My lips are sealed, I promise." He then gave a stiff, awkward smile. From that warm and gentle smile, belying the terrible misunderstanding that lay behind it, shone the kindness of that heart as wide as the ocean, openly accepting the two who had tasted of the forbidden fruit. Not that he was able to completely hide his shock, his fingers trembling. Within my mind, I saw Tohyama-ryuou's complete and utter destruction, whom, with nowhere left to retreat, could only bow his head and accept defeat. "Toh, Tohyama, let's go." Having spoken not a word until this moment, Watson pushed me from behind. Taking me, whose mind had flooded completely with white, out of the optional-classes building. ### 007. 5th Ammo - Surprise Rose ## 5th Ammo: Surprise Rose As we made our way back to my dorm in Watson's Porsche, an awkward silence filled the car. The atmosphere was pretty much what you'd expect from a situation where a lovers' tryst had been discovered by a peer. By the way, Watson had made a speedy recovery, and in an attempt to comfort me, offered the following words, "Don't worry about it, Shiranui gave us his word he wouldn't say a thing." Well, on that point, we're agreed. Shiranui's not the type to run his mouth. The problem is...just how am I supposed to face him now? He's one of my few friends, or rather, without him, doesn't that only leave Mutou? What's more, the next time Shiranui sees Mutou and I together, in all likelihood, he'd think some unnecessary thoughts. Haha. Inwardly mocking myself, I exited the car in front of the dorms. Though falling five times while making my way up to my room on the fifth floor, I, at last, found myself at the entrance to my room. Kaname was nowhere to be found, likely having left to buy one thing or another. I lifelessly crawled across the floor, making my way to the sofa, where I fiddled with my Beretta and brooded dangerously to myself, "With this, I could end things whenever I wanted..." My heart heavy, my mind seemed to want to escape reality, instead seeking solace in sleep. Perhaps what I was experiencing were the aftereffects of Mezza Hysteria? Lethargy, after all, was quite common once the effects of Hysteria Mode had passed. -Well, even though it's only 6 PM, let's rest for a bit. Just keeping my eyes open is an effort... ...That's three outs... ... CHOP! CHOP! CHOP! ... I awoke to the sound of people talking and what seemed to be a knife cutting something on a chopping board. (...?) Raising my head to peek in the direction of the kitchen, I caught sight of Kaname, who had already returned. Judging by the smell of curry in the air, it seemed she was making dinner. It was now...7 o' clock? It looked like I'd been asleep for an hour or so. "...Ah, Onii-chan. I'm sorry, did I wake you?" Kaname showed me an apologetic smile as she placed sliced carrots into a salad. "Don't worry about it. It's my fault for falling asleep at such an odd hour." It might have been because I was better rested, but my condition felt improved. As I picked myself up- Kaname laid her knife atop the cutting board, washed her hands, and raced to my side. She plopped herself down next to me, giggling as she watched me, smiling from ear to ear. "...What?" "Can we chat for a bit? This time is reserved for conversing with your cute little sister." "Cute little sister? According to you?" "I've sniffed out every corner of this room with Onii-chan's scent." "Please don't ignore me, and especially not to say something that weird." "About that...Onii-chan doesn't have any naughty books? I couldn't find even one." What...what the hell? What's with the strange question from out of left field? I'm about ready to drop here, have mercy on me. "None." Who the heck would buy something so terrifying? Why on Earth would I plant a Hysteria Mode land-mine for myself? "-But that's strange, Onii-chan." "The strange one here is you, alright? Why would you look for something like that, anyway?" "I was trying to figure out Onii-chan's preferences. I can't find a common theme among the girls I've seen so far." "That would be because I don't have any. Why would I have preferences for something I can't stand to begin with?" "But, but~" Kaname tugged at my sleeve like a spoiled child. "I want to know what kinds of things excite Onii-chan. That way I can become the kind of little sister that suits Onii-chan's preferences." "Why do you have to become anything? Please try and keep things within reason." As I waved my hands to shoo Kaname away- She simply revealed a puzzled expression, pulling one leg up on the sofa, and turned to look at me. This movement completely bared her white thighs from under her miniskirt. (...Ugh...) Although it seemed Hysteria Mode was unlikely to react to Kaname, I nonetheless guardedly averted my gaze. It was probably a result of our topic of conversation, but I quickly realized that I had little immunity against thighs. The subtle fragrance of women and their thighs - these two things were undeniably a danger to me. "This isn't the time to hold back, Onii-chan. When a rare delicacy finds itself in front of you, not helping yourself is simply too irrational!" "Delicacy...?" This time I was the one with a look of puzzlement. Kaname stuck out her index finger, adopting a look that said, "Listen, listen~" "A brother and sister, separated at birth, suddenly reunited. The brother is a high school student, the sister, in junior high. What's more, the sister is utterly adorable." "...?" "After being reunited, the two live alone under the same roof. From the photos and videos she's seen, the brother completely matches the sister's preferences. When they finally meet, the sister falls for him deeply, so deeply she can't help herself." "...?...?" "A situation like this, what is it if not a rare delicacy? In « My Sister Goth», that's how it's always been regarded. That's why 'helping yourself' is only appropriate-" "-That! Though I'm still not quite clear on things, but that kind of thing only happens in those games Riko plays or manga! Something like that could only happen in a world gone mad." "That's not right, Onii-chan. It's happened in reality, and right before you, too." Having taken my response as a rejection of her, she protested strongly. "If I were to describe this in game terms, we're already in the last stage, Onii-chan. The common route's already over, the affection levels on both sides are at their max. All the various odds and ends of the plot have already been resolved, and you've entered the Kaname route. Even so, Onii-chan's been running all over, and you haven't done a thing to me. If things go on like this, you'll get a bad end, you know!" Saying this, Kaname grabbed my hand- And pulled them towards her chest. Ignoring my instinctive attempt to pull away, she deliberately placed my hand atop her breast. "Just look...My body's just burning up. That's why, Onii-chan, you can do to me what it is guys always want to do. I just know it'll be good." "That's sick! You've been saying over and over you're my sister, so why would you mention something like, like that !" I immediately brushed off her hand, to which Kaname- Gave a smile as if about to reveal her hidden trump card. "Because that way Onii-chan and I can become an Arcanum Duo . It theoretically exists, you know - the strongest brother-sister combo in the world." "Strongest...brother and sister...?" "With the ability to trigger one another's HSS, the two of us would become an unrivaled, invincible team." "Wait just a sec. When you say HSS- are you talking about Hysteria Mode?" "Hysteria Mode? Is that what you call HSS, Onii-chan? Then yes, within my body exists the gene carrying the ability to enter HSS, that is, Hysteria Mode." "Wha...what?" "Because I'm your sister." ... "-That said, I've never actually entered HSS before, so truth be told, I'd always worried about whether I really could. But after meeting Onii-chan, I'm sure now. I definitely can. The two of us can undoubtedly become this world's strongest pair." Having spoken this far, Kaname looked as if about to drop another bomb on me. "Onii-chan is currently a participant in the 'Far East Warfare'. If Onii-chan was willing to enter HSS with me, then I'd be more than willing to help you out. As long as the two of us can enter HSS at will, no matter who the opponent is, they'd not stand a ghost of a chance. Whatever it is Onii-chan wants, or needs, you'd need only stick out your hand and grab it, no?" -How is it? Not a bad offer, right? Kaname squinted her eyes, her expression alone sufficient for me to hear the unspoken question. Thoughts of the Karagane Golden Shell rose unbidden. More than half of those red stones had fallen into Grenada's grasp, and if we failed to retrieve them, it would spell Aria's doom. "But uh, well, you see, the catalyst of Hysteria Mode is sex- er sorry, it's love . You know, that kind of thing. An upstanding person wouldn't engage in something like that so casually. Even if you're male and female, you still shouldn't try to force these things." Kaname laughed, interrupting my half-mumbled response. "That's exactly right. It's not like we think love is a joke either. Love is no game; it's for war." With this, I finally understood. I faintly realized just why it was she pestered me so. If I posed a simple hypothesis, then this strange situation suddenly began to make sense. Though I wasn't entirely ready to follow that theory; nevertheless... Supposing things were as Kaname had said, and we were truly siblings- Then this girl just might be capable of Hysteria Mode, even if I had never heard so much as a whisper about a female version before. What's more, her normal abilities had proven more than sufficient to suppress Aria and the others. More specifically, she, via some unknown method - perhaps even the Los Alamos Elite plan that Watson had mentioned? - had had her physical abilities enhanced. Even though she'd since escaped, from the looks of things, it seemed they still hadn't completely severed their relationship with America. What worried me was this- It occurred to me that Kaname's preoccupation with attaining Hysteria Mode was for the goal of further enhancing her abilities. The problem was, Kaname had yet to enter said state. It seemed she shared a distaste for men no less intense than my distaste for women. I'm not sure what it is that has her so set on me, but regardless, she seems to have taken a fancy to me. For this reason, she's chosen me to help her enter Hysteria Mode, and has grown close to me- Because I'm the only one in this world who can help her obtain the strength she seeks, the partner who can help her enter Hysteria Mode. Furthermore, it looks like she plans on forming a team with me, becoming a pair who stands above all. This, putting aside whether or not it's true for a moment, poses a danger in more ways than one. Suddenly my train of thought was interrupted by Kaname, who leaned in against me. That unparalleled ability to seize the opportunity was reminiscent of Riko. "Those with HSS have superlative fighting abilities, but this is countered by a weakness to the opposite sex of equal degree. Because of this condition, the other gender will never understand us, especially during this youthful period where sexual excitement occurs easily enough." "Um, well..." Facing me, who'd been left speechless by her words, Kaname's eyes, the color of the deep ocean, raised to meet mine. "Even if someone else likes you, it'd only be a superficial feeling for the Hysteria Mode you, and not the real you. This misunderstanding inevitably becomes the foundation for mistaken feelings. In other words, in this world, there will never be a girl who could ever truly understand you, and thus truly love you. I am the sole exception, as one who bears the same cross." She spoke in an alluring tone: were we not the same after all? Was it not thus natural for us to lick one another's wounds, to find comfort in one another? "Only if Onii-chan continues to be with me can you truly experience love. Even though you've said over and over that this is something wrong, something strange, but in truth, isn't it just the opposite? I am the only person who can truly have a normal relationship with Onii-chan, the only one who could ever be Onii-chan's true love." Having thus spoken, Kaname pulled something out: a « My Sister Goth» box. "Even though Onii-chan loves me, it seems you're still not ready to talk about it yet. That's why you're resisting this, but it's okay, we can talk later. Right now, I can't wait any longer. For the moment, you just need to do this one thing with me...yeah, just this...is enough." She flipped over the « My Sister Goth» package. (...!) Because I've never felt any particular reason to, this is the first time I've taken a good look at it. On the back of the box, in stark contrast to the intentionally cute designs drawn on its front, is what can only be described as an extremely provocative image. "What, what the hell are you saying! What do you mean 'you just need to do this one thing with me'! Have you completely lost your mind!?" I desperately looked away from the anime-ish illustrations. "Onii-chan, you're the one who's not making any sense here. Ethics are just a headache to anyone with HSS. Let me say something - love is not the catalyst for Hysteria Mode. As long as people have the desire to do so, they can easily separate these two things. Love on one hand, that on the other. So you see, there's no problem here." Kaname expounded upon a topic I had intentionally never before considered. "Because Onii-chan is a guy, you've probably had to fight hard against your natural sex drive. Spending everyday having to suppress those urges, it's been hard, hasn't it? But there's no need to worry about that anymore. Just think of me as a toy. That's how I see it anyway." "What, what do you mean 'toy'...?" "I am Onii-chan's plaything." As she said this, she suddenly pressed against me, all her soft parts, from top to bottom, glued against my body. Her body language simply shouted, "This is it." "That is to say, even if you were to consider this as mutual exploitation, I wouldn't mind. Even if the order's been reversed, there've definitely been cases before where love has sprouted from such actions- such things are recorded in the TellaNA system." From the body of the gently smiling Kaname, came the sweet fragrance of caramel. Her skill at speaking and her beguiling movements reminded me of Riko. At the same time I finally came to appreciate something else, Kaname's intellect. Kaname had previously declared to me that she'd acquire all the skills of Aria, Shirayuki, and Riko, who I 'loved'. Though in her own unique way, it now occurred to me that she'd matched Aria's unyielding strength, Shirayuki's spirit of devotion, and Riko's feminine coquettishness. And all that in order to better appeal to me. This girl had completely captured the distinctive features of those three, and that simply by analyzing the various things they'd left in the room - their books, and games, and such - and then modified them in order to match her own style. Even though she had the assistance of that TellaNA intelligence interface, but to come this far in two weeks was simply beyond words. Taking this into consideration, even though she seemed like quite the strange individual, er, was quite the strange individual- It doesn't look like the name "man-made genius" is just for show. She was undeniably brilliant. -This is bad. People like her are dangerous, because they know how to hide their intelligence. They understand well how to use words to lay siege to their opponent, and thus engaging in conversation with them can be dangerous...or so we'd been taught in Inquesta classes. -I needed to end this conversation ASAP, even if it meant drastic measures. I can't allow her to keep leading me by the nose. If things took a turn for the worse, then things would end up like they did in that locker room, and she'd do something strange once more. "...!" I shook myself vigorously, in an effort to pry Kaname loose. "Aaa!" Exclaiming in surprise, Kaname dropped to the sofa, and tried to get up. I made ready my escape. (Now then...no, wait.) It wasn't just because she wanted to become stronger that she sought to use me to enter Hysteria Mode. Nor was it simply because she liked me that she'd approached me like this. No, something else was making her anxious. Though she had obviously not spoken a word about this, but I could more or less understand what was happening deep within a girl's heart. This was the first time I'd ever experienced this. Even if I hadn't heard a word of explanation, but I still intuitively understood. I'm not sure how, whether it was because of some similarity in the way we act or speak or what, but I can tell what it is she feels within her heart. And I can also tell that...from the bottom of her heart...she really likes me so much it's abnormal. -But...forgive me. "...Kaname, I don't know who you are, or what your purpose is, but none of that matters to me. Hysteria Mode, if you ask me, is an accident waiting to happen. If I could, I'd discard it without a second thought. Accordingly, I have no particular desire to familiarize myself with it, especially to the point of discarding all morality like you suggest. And you, value yourself more; don't abuse yourself like this." As I spoke, I thought to myself that it might be best if I slept over at Mutou's tonight. After I turned to head down the hallway, I came to the sudden realization that my pistol wasn't in my belt, where I expected, and as I again turned to retrieve it- "-Onii-chan is being so unreasonable-" I heard Kaname mutter under her breath. She flipped around and dashed into the kitchen, where she ferociously grabbed hold of a kitchen knife. "-Oi!" As I shouted in dismay, she moved to cut me off, blocking my path to the hallway. In the darkness of the unlit hallway, her eyes gleamed. She's not budging an inch! "Onii-chan, that's three outs, and three outs calls for a change." Kaname's pupils are dilated, her teeth gritted. -What, what's going on here? What's with the violent outburst? This sudden change in personality is almost like two different people. Is it because she's decided that further debate is futile and more extreme measures are now warranted? No, I don't think that's all there is to it. I've always felt like Kaname's constantly repressing something... And because our conversation was not resolved to her satisfaction, her patience had finally given way. "That reminds me, Onii-chan." From within the darkness of the hallway, Kaname's voice came forth, as well as the quiet sound of her bare feet advancing across the wood floor. Hidden in the shadows, I could just make out her face, her frozen smile cold as death. That expression was as different as could be from the beguiling smile she'd shown earlier, filling me instead with spine-chilling horror. "What...what is it?" "Onii-chan, you haven't broken your promise with me, have you?" "Pro, promise?" Oh... Is she referring to the promise she extracted from me when I demanded that she not attack without reason: "Promise me, that you will neither touch nor embrace another girl." That's what she's talking about, right? "-As long as Onii-chan is honest in his confession, then for each betrayal I will punish you but once. If you try and hide things from me, however, I will stab you ten times over for each lie. Now, Onii-chan, how many times have you broken your promise?" ~step~ ~step~ Kaname continued to walk towards me, gripping her knife with both hands. As Kaname stepped into the light of the living room, the sharpened point of her knife was first to cross the threshold. "Go ahead and say it. C'mon, just tell me." It seems she plans to thrust straight forward. Under the fluorescent light of the room, the knife flashed dangerously- and aimed directly at my throat. The distance, about four meters. Given her abilities, this was already within her Killing Range. I needed to do something, and quickly, or I might meet my end. (-My gun...!) It wasn't holstered, so it must be behind me, by the sofa. If it wasn't there, however...if Kaname had already hidden it...No, I had no way to be sure, and turning my head to look would be suicidal. Such a careless mistake might see her knife embedded in the back of my skull. ...That being the case, the only weapon at my disposal was the butterfly knife in my pocket. But if the motion of me pulling it out were to set her off, I could well find her flying at me. Moreover, back in the Shinagawa Geofront, all she'd needed handle Aria, Shirayuki, and Reki was a blade. It was possible her weapon hid some secret, but that aside, her physical abilities were more than dangerous enough already. My current situation was way too disadvantageous. It seemed, at best, all I could hope for was to block the blade. In brief, my best chances of survival lay in attempting to placate her. "The, the promise. I've kept it." As I tried to convince her, I retreated backwards ever so slowly. "You've also been doing your best to keep your end, right? That's why there's no need for this. Hurry up and put that away." I broke out into a cold sweat. "Onii-chan, you're hiding something from me." ~STEP~ Kaname closed the distance between us. "Onii-chan, you've hidden three things from me, so I guess I'll stab you 30 times?" Having finally stepped fully into the light...this time she wore no expression at all- Almost like a robot about to carry out its programmed routine. "St, stop...!" "I have no desire to hurt someone I love, but because Onii-chan lied, I have no choice. Love requires sacrifice, and sacrifice, Onii-chan, hurts ." It's, it's no use. This wasn't a situation I could negotiate my way out of from the start. She's completely gone over the edge. And yet- On the other hand, this might be my only chance. Those are the eyes of a predator. The eyes of a mind having lost all reason. I could hear a soft -pant- -pant- as well. When someone's in such a state, their abilities decrease. Even if their strength increases, their precision is reduced drastically. Furthermore, what Kaname holds in her hands is not really a weapon, but rather a simple kitchen knife. There's nothing I can do but pray for luck, and gamble with her. "Put the knife down!" As I threatened her, I pulled my butterfly knife out. Flipping out the blade in an instant, "-Why!?" I caught the blade of Kaname, who howled as she flew at me, with my own. CLANG! As our blade edges clashed, sparks flew. Fortunately, the many hundreds of times I'd practiced during my time in Assault the previous year came in handy, and I caught her blade between the grooves of my knife. Twisting my blade viciously, I snapped the blade of her knife clean off. -But it seemed, Kaname had never intended on relying on the knife to begin with. "Why won't Onii-chan understand!?" - BANG! "Uoh!" I...I was just shot! Even if I was wearing my bulletproof uniform, I was still shot at close range. Worse, she'd simultaneously kicked my right knee, which hadn't quite healed. Looking closely, she had my Beretta. -From the beginning, she'd only used the knife as a distraction, planning from the start to seal my movements with the gun. In front of Kaname, so much more resourceful than I, I fell, sprawled across the floor. "I've always been upfront with Onii-chan! Whatever you wanted, I accepted! And yet Onii-chan is still like this!" Kaname held her finger over the trigger, as she howled into the empty air. Both her eyes and her lips were swollen in anger, and she seemed primed to open fire at any moment. Relying on my unhurt leg and my arms, I desperately pulled backwards. The entrance to the hallway was already blocked by Kaname, so that route had been sealed. (The...balcony...) I need to crawl my way there, then man up and make the jump, escaping into the sea. That's my only hope. In order to avoid revealing my plan, I glanced at the mirror to reaffirm the balcony as a viable escape plan. What I saw was... Something I'd last seen in the video of the Shinagawa Geofront engagement- A floating X-shaped strip of cloth, flitting this way and that like a dragonfly. That was Kaname's armament which simultaneously handled offense and defense. It seems she's had it simply hover over the male dorms this entire time. That piece of cloth hovered just outside of the balcony, almost as if warning me against entry. Kaname faced me down, whom had nowhere left to run. "-Did you really think you could escape?" Slanting her eyes, she smiled. Her gaze reminded me of a hunter staring down wounded prey. "You were really trying to run just now, weren't you, Onii-chan? Such disobedient feet you have. Even though you love me so much, why would your feet try to betray you like that? Oh, that's right. It's because you can still walk, isn't it?" Kaname raised her bare leg and viciously stomped on my injured knee. "Onii-chan, I saw it all, you know? Fuuma Hina, Kanzaki Aria, and...this was really too careless of me, I could never have imagined Elle Watson was also a girl? How absurd." "..." Memories of the past few days bubbled forth from within my mind. When I ran into Fuuma- In the bamboo grove nearby, we'd found the bamboo broken and in general disarray. The kiss with Aria on the rooftop- The word "TRAITOR" etched all around the air conditioning radiator. The eyes glaring at us through the keyhole as Watson and I engaged in rehabilitation. That was all... (That damn stalker!) Those were all traces of Kaname, stalking me...! "Hey, Onii-chan, tell me what needs to happen here. Be honest...should I break your legs? If I do that, then you won't be able to walk anymore, let alone leave your room." Almost as if playing a piano, her toes gently caressed my knee. "Oh, I know, why don't we do this? Onii-chan can just stay on the sofa forever, and don't worry, I'll take care of everything." She...she wants to make me a prisoner in my own home!? Kaname revealed a bright expression completely at odds with the terrifying words coming out of her mouth. "Afterwards, I'll just force Onii-chan to fall into Hysteria Mode. Good, sounds like a plan. If I do it like this, you'll understand, won't you, Onii-chan?" Kaname gradually raised her leg, preparing to plunge it down with great force! "...!" This is bad...! From the look in her eyes, it didn't seem she planned to stop with just my right knee. And if that wasn't enough to calm her down, then perhaps even my arms... If that were to happen, then I'd really be up a creek without a paddle. I broke out in a cold sweat due to the pain, and out of sheer desperation, "Kaname! ...I...I get it already! I'll, I'll try to do what you've asked!" I groaned as I covered my knee with my hands. " TRY ...?" "That's right! Whatever you want, whenever you want, it's ok! I'll accept you!" Truth be told, even though she was an amazingly beautiful girl...but as I thought of the highly provocative imagery I'd seen on the back of that box actually occurring to me, I just about fainted. Then again, compared to becoming Kaname's prisoner, with her holding power over my life and death, this was definitely still preferable. Beggars can't be choosers, after all. Moreover, this path carried the possibility of seeing Kaname leave my side eventually. "Onii-chan..." Having heard my answer, Kaname seemed to lose all strength. Nor did she finish her attack on my knee, instead returning her foot to the wood floor once more. "I'm so happy Onii-chan finally understands. As expected, Onii-chan is a kind and tender person: willing to understand me, willing to accept me, willing to love me. This just makes me so happy." Kaname stared off into space, mumbling to herself. Picking my words carefully, I continued, "However, if I'm unable to enter Hysteria Mode as you predict, then you need to give this up. You've said that your hope is to see the two of us in Hysteria Mode, fighting together, right? Well, a weapon that can't be relied on is no weapon at all. If such a thing were to fail in the midst of a real battle, we'd be in unwarranted danger." -From my experience, Kaname is not a trigger for my Hysteria Mode. Thinking back to that time in the locker room, even with such a high degree of contact between us, Hysteria Mode had failed to activate. Taking that as reference, I was fairly confident I could withstand anything she could throw at me. If things continued down their present course, Kaname would probably end up leaving, wouldn't she? In other words, in order to see her eventually leaving me, I'd have to first allow her to get closer. To put it succinctly, I'd lose the battle, but win the war. "Well, if you put it like that...ok. Alright, I get it. I'll do my best to make Onii-chan enter HSS, and with an intensity you've never experienced before!" Kaname seems to be quite motivated, clenching her fist and breathing excitedly. Hrm. It seems I've instead kindled her fighting spirit. Well, it's not like this wasn't a last resort. I didn't have any way of dealing with her rampage in any case. "..." I wiped the sweat from my forehead, and pulled my injured knee towards me. "-Onii-chan." At which point, Kaname, almost as if switching masks, broke out in the most adorable smile. She gave off an aura of utter normality, as if her violent outbreak was just an illusion. Bending down, she laid the Beretta on the floor. She then extended her arm, slender, as befitted her age, to me, before cheerfully pulling me to my feet. "Then, let's eat. The curry's already ready." -Kaname's style of wielding blades was highly reminiscent of a soldier's. In short, she fights to kill. (If by some chance, she really tries to attack me...) Even if she doesn't intend it, the possibility of my death isn't zero. That girl loses all semblance of reason once she loses it, and the resulting lack of precision might just be enough. Incidentally, after we'd finished dinner, Kaname had suddenly declared "I need to review something really quick", before grabbing « My Sister Goth» and disappearing into her room. I spent the night in trepidation, but she never reappeared. Before heading off to bed, I figured it best if I tried to figure out what exactly the deal was with this « My Sister Goth» game. A quick Internet search revealed images of a younger sister binding her older brother with chains, whipping him and the like, which I dared not investigate further. The hell is this game? If Kaname had been using this game as reference, then it looks like until now, I'd been making all the wrong choices. That being the case, once she finally decided to make her move, I hadn't the slightest clue what was actually going to happen. It was possible those two circumstances I had just seen would happen to me. (I need to act quickly to protect myself...!) In this manner, the day passed. As Saturday morning dawned, I seized upon Kaname's carelessness to make my escape, making my way to Odaiba Seaside Park. Before me lay the ocean, behind me a vast lawn. Amidst the scenic landscape, I found a bench upon which to wait for a certain someone. In my hand I held something which hardly suited me - a bouquet of roses. They were wrapped in paper, however, so I wasn't embarrassed about the image I gave off. -So why was I sitting here, holding these roses? Well, it's a bit complicated. Today's meeting had a certain purpose. I was here to rendezvous with a bodyguard. Kaname had clearly made an exception to the rule of individuals allowed to live with me, that is, family. And so I thought: If I had someone superbly strong became a family member, able to enter and leave my place as they desired- Then even if Kaname tried to do something horrifying to me, they could rescue me from what would inevitably be a tragic ending. Taking the members of Deen as a starting point, I began to compile a mental list of the strongest members. Unfortunately, the majority of them were unable to pass as a member of my family. I mean, after all, whether you were counting by ethnicity or by appearance, I was 100% Japanese. In that respect, Aria, Riko, and Watson were out of the picture. Jeanne, well, she was never in the picture to begin with. Reki was a descendant of the Genji, but there's no way her acting abilities would hold up. Tamamo would have been optimal - if I had a pair of fox ears growing out of my head, that is. That left only- Shirayuki. She was, like me, quite distinctively Japanese. Since we were childhood friends, I think she could pass as a half-sister of mine. When it comes to her last name...hmm, how about she was adopted into the Hotogi family to serve as a miko, but she's now returning to the Tohyama household? So for the moment, she'll be "Tohyama Shirayuki", a member of my family. Even then, it's not like I don't understand that this setting is terribly, incredibly forced... (...But it's not like I have any other choice!) Moreover- Today was November 14th, coincidentally Shirayuki's birthday. Even though I'd completely forgotten about it, but this morning Konayuki had sent a lacquered chest all the way from the Hotogi Shrine in Aomori. I'd given her a call in protest only to have her announce it was a gift for her sister's birthday. She told me: "Because Onee-sama is rarely home, rather than cause the Post Office an inconvenience, I decided to send it to Tohyama-sama instead. Please do me a favor and give it to her for me." Having been treated like a gofer, I snarled back, "Did you ever consider whether it was an inconvenience to me !?" and hung up the phone. Although truth be told, I ought to feel rather fortunate. In order to coax Shirayuki into acting as a member of my family, I'd planned on celebrating her birthday with her. Because of all that'd happened with Kaname recently, she'd been quite distant. The problem was, after celebrating Aria's birthday, I've not done anything similar since, so I'm rather lacking in confidence. I'd subsequently given a call to the Girl's Customer Support Center - Jeanne. She'd answered me in a stern voice, saying, "Flowers. There's not a girl in this world who wouldn't be happy to receive flowers. It's pretty much a law of nature." And so, first thing in the morning, I'd set out to a part of Academy Island where I'd never previously set foot, the flower shop, and purchased a bouquet of roses. When it came to flowers, I only knew about chrysanthemums and tulips, but the florist had confidently recommended to me: "If you're going to give a gift to a girl, it has to be roses." And that's why I'm sitting here, holding roses, and waiting for Shirayuki. The florist lady had told me, "It's gotta be a surprise", and had thus wrapped the roses in a huge piece of paper. The problem was, I had no idea what was an appropriate time to pull them out in order to constitute a surprise. Whatever, forget it. It's just Shirayuki anyway. But man, these flowers are huge. Since I didn't know the first thing about flowers, I'd thrown the last of my savings into this. They really were heavy though; if I'd known earlier, I'd have only bought half. As I sat, musing over the morning's happenings, I slowly massaged my knee. (It really hurts still...Sure hope the ligament's not injured...) Since I'd dealt with Kaname's tantrum more or less, walking wasn't a problem... But because I only had the vaguest memory of Assault's lessons on how to wrap a joint injury, it still rather hurt. (Might as well just get rid of this makeshift brace. This probably isn't the time to be stingy, I really should go pay Ambulace a visit.) Having run a little low on patience, I rolled up my pant leg, and ripped the dressing off. Rubbing my knee a bit, I returned to the bench. "Kin, Kin-chan, good morning." It seemed Shirayuki had come from the direction of the lawn. As she met my gaze, she gave an embarrassed smile. Coming over to the bench, she held down the fluttering skirt of her sailor uniform with her hand. "-I mentioned this on the phone, but you're sure no one followed you?" "Nn, nn. Yeah, I double-checked the whole way here." Shirayuki nodded vigorously as I again checked our surroundings. Kaname doesn't seem to take stalking me lightly, so you can never be too sure. This was in accordance with something I'd learned in Inquesta previously: If you have a rendezvous to make, and you can't be sure you're not being followed, try to meet in a space where it's easy to fully assess your surroundings. Because this was a wide open space without so much as a shadow to hide in, I was able to ensure there was no one following us. That said, there still existed the possibility of long range surveillance. For that reason, we'd probably best get indoors as soon as possible. "Um, about that. Kin-chan said you had something important to talk about. What was it?" "It's not something we can talk about here. Let's head somewhere else first. Let's see..." Saying that, I glanced around quickly, flowers in hand. At the far end of the lawn, I could make out the recently annexed white chapel of a Nikko Hotel. Good, we'll head there. Even Kaname wouldn't dare ambush someone in a sacred place like that, right? "Let's make our way to that church." I rose, only to have my knee scream in pain. I guess my decision to discard the bandage was poorly made after all. Nonetheless, it wasn't yet at the point where I couldn't walk. We'd better move. "O-ok. Kin-chan, eh? That's..." Shirayuki glanced at the package in my hand, voice rising in anticipation. Oi oi oi. Don't tell me the surprise is ruined already. Looking closely, I can see a few stems sticking out. Ms. Florist, would it have killed you to have wrapped these a bit better? As was the norm for a church, the chapel was open to all, though with nary a soul in sight. Natural light poured in through the skylight, and reflected off the white walls, filling the room with warmth and light. What a comforting place. "Ooh. How pretty. It's so romantic." Shirayuki took in her surroundings with a look of enchantment evident on her face. At first I'd been worried at the prospect of bringing a miko into a Christian church, but it seems my fears were groundless. It seems that Shirayuki had no difficulty keeping the two separate. Then again, if she wasn't capable of at least this much, then there's no way she'd have been able to make it in the madhouse that was SSR. Although even I felt like I was overdoing it, but standing near the door, or rather, a keyhole, reminded me of bad memories, so I walked down the aisle, deeper into the chapel. Shirayuki reverently followed behind me. "Everytime I'm with Kin-chan, my heart seems to skip a beat." Shirayuki laughed with her hands on her cheeks, twisting her body this way and that. Skip a beat? Is it because of all the danger we've faced together? Does that mean she has presentiments of battle from merely being around me? Well, I guess that way of thinking isn't wrong, Shirayuki. "-I guess it's going to be like this everyday from today on. I should prepare myself." "From today on...? Everyday...? What, what do you mean?" Shirayuki responded strangely to my use of "everyday", so I instead pulled her with me, one step at a time, up the stairs. "...!" My knee chose this point to start throbbing again. Man, that decision to rip off the dressing was really a bad idea. -Against my will, I fell to one knee. About to tumble to the floor, I quickly grasped Shirayuki's hand. It's probably too late for this to be a pleasant surprise, but what the heck, why don't I give her the flowers now. I subsequently tore the wrapping paper, revealing the crimson red roses within. "-Kin, Kin-chan?" "Happy Birthday, Shirayuki. There's more, but let me first say this- what I'm about to say, you're free to accept or reject as you wish." From the skylight above, a pillar of light shone down, lavishing radiance directly upon me and Shirayuki, still in shock. Shining above Shirayuki's lustrous black hair was a beam of resplendent light, like the halo of an angel. "But before you say anything, remember this. Far from coming to me easily, I agonized over this, but my answer is still the same- You're it. If you turn me down, there's no one else. If it's not you, then it's no one." My knee throbbed once more. I'd better wrap this up as soon as possible, and head over to Ambulace for a rest. That does it for the prologue, let's leave the details for another time. Forget beating around the bush, I'm just going to cut to the point here. Doing my utmost to maintain my kneeling posture, I raised my head to look at Shirayuki and asked, "-Shirayuki. Won't you please become Tohyama Shirayuki?" As I spoke- ~GONG~ ~GONG~ The church bells rang. They're announcing the time, I guess? That's just perfect. Even if someone happened to be eavesdropping, the bells would have covered things up just fine. At this unexpected turn of good fortune, I couldn't help but grin. Shirayuki's limpid eyes shone bright- "Yes!" Eh? Surprisingly she agreed without further ado. Man, just how submissive can you be? I haven't even explained all the details yet. Speaking of which... What's the deal with her expression? -It's the face of someone who has at last realized their life's desire- Clutching the roses to her chest, she seems moved beyond words. "In other words, from today on, we're family. So please live with me once more. I know preparations will take some time, but I'm willing to wait." "...Ok!...Kin-chan-sama...Kin-chan...sama!" Did the light get into her eyes or something? Shirayuki bowed her head, burying it amidst her flowers. "I understand, even if it's Shirayuki, it's still not an easy thing to so readily become a member of my family." This was, after all, a task which combined bodyguard duties with undercover work. For this kind of thing, I, who had spent half a year in Inquesta was probably better suited to the task. Well, I guess I'll take the lead, then. Let me let her know. "It's ok. Just leave it all to me. All you need to do is follow." Ignoring the pain in my knee, I made an effort to stand. "Alright...Aah, Kin-chan, thank you. From the time we were small, I, I've always been waiting for this exact moment to come." ...? "But it came so suddenly...! This is the greatest day of my life!" Shirayuki...san? Shirayuki gripped her flowers with both hands, raising her head to the heavens as if beckoning. Was accepting my request really something that would make a person that happy? "...Kin-chan-sama...Let this day forever be celebrated as a national holiday. It's a holiday, a holiday." What, what the hell? It feels almost like a host of angels are surrounding her, blowing their trumpets in celebration. Don't tell me she actually summoned something? You sure can't take mikos lightly, I guess. I rubbed my eyes and double-checked that it had just been my imagination before beginning my explanation. "So anyway, recently my continued wellbeing has been threatened by Kaname...GIV. Even though she pretends to be a docile, obedient child at school, but the second the two of us are alone, it becomes obvious her mind turns a little, you know. I mean, just from the way she calls herself my little sister you can tell how far gone she is." "Holiday~" "Did you hear a word of what I just said?" You know, I've been feeling like Shirayuki's eyes are kinda unfocused here. She reminds me of a cat that's just been run through the shower, just frozen in complete shock. "Hey, listen up." "Whee!" "Counting by age, you'd be Kaname's older sister. In that girl's mind, she's my younger sister. That is to say, please don't fight, alright?" "It's~a~holiday! I've gained another younger sister!" "One more thing. It seems to Kaname, as long as they're family, living together is ok. I want to make use of that point, and have you join my family. Please always stay by my side- Uh, hello? Shirayuki?" She...she fainted! While still holding on to her flowers, and even while still standing, she fainted! What's more, the expression on her face makes it seem like she's died and gone to Heaven! With a bodyguard like this, will I really be alright? We haven't even started, and I'm already feeling a little less safe. Well, it's not like I had anyone else to rely on in the first place. Just this once, I'm in your care, Shirayuki. Carrying her on my back, I'd made my way back to the bus stop before Shirayuki came to. She then proceeded to make the strangest comment, "You know, Kin-chan, I'm 100% OK with it, but from the viewpoint of the law..." I yelled back, "Stop worrying about that!" and forcibly pulled her along. Slightly worried about her lifeless state, I saw her off at the bus stop before making my way to Ambulance. I returned home after they finished tending to my knee, making it home at about 7 PM. As I rode the elevator, I thumbed off the safety on my Beretta, reloaded to capacity, as well as sharpened the edge on my butterfly knife. To a third party, I probably looked like I was about to enter a war-torn battlefield. I was really just heading home. "...I'm back." I opened the door, and stepped inside. Though the living room light was lit, I saw no sign of Kaname. Where did she run off to this time? Right as I had that thought, I heard sounds from the direction of the kitchen. Making my way down the hallway, I noticed something fishy. The wooden floor was littered with drops of water. What's going on here? Confused, I made my way into the kitchen- Only to crash into Kaname. "...!" "..." Popsicle in mouth, Kaname appeared thoroughly astounded. She was dressed in striped underwear... ...but only on her bottom half. From the looks of things, she'd just finished a bath, and after drying her hair, had wandered over to the fridge to grab a popsicle. Geez, even if this is your house, isn't this still a bit unrestrained? The worst part was, I'd chosen this exact moment to come home. "...I'm...I'm sorry!" When you think about it, this was really the fault of the person who'd so carelessly wandered out in her underwear, but that didn't stop me from stammering out an apology. Though thankfully the ends of the towel wrapped around her neck hung down, miraculously hiding her breasts from view- But still...the subtle curves of her immature chest...were seen by me... As I reflexively dropped my gaze, what filled my view instead were her panties. What the hell kind of underwear is this? It doesn't cover anything! I mean, I know that girls' bodies are smaller, but still, this is too much! Don't tell me this is the rumored T-back that Riko had previously mentioned. - thump! Deep within me, that familiar feeling of blood flowing began. Hey! Hey! Listen here, inner me! How dare you choose a moment like this to pull this kind of stunt!? What happened to all the trust I placed in you back when I was facing down Kaname? This is bull; she's just a junior student, and my self-proclaimed little sister to boot! The hell do you think you're doing, reacting to her- Even though I've never thought of her as such, but...on the off chance she is my sister- And I fall into Hysteria because of her- This would be the greatest failing of my entire life! Last month, Riko told me I was becoming less and less like a human. Now I was about to make that come true, in a completely different way! I was falling down the path of a beast, no less. -Hehe. Having lost my mind to panic, Kaname's laugh startled me. "...It doesn't matter how much you think about it, Onii-chan. What the brain and the body want are two different things." Naked from top to bottom, Kaname advanced towards me, one step at a time. Madly scrambling, crawling to my bedroom for dear life, I frantically yanked out one of my shirts. "Hur-, hurry up and cover yourself up! Maybe you think it's okay because you consider us siblings, but still, as a girl, you're too unguarded!" Trying with all my might to avoid the slightest glance of her body, I waved my shirt in her direction- -Which she grabbed. ~rustle~ ~rustle~ I guess she put it on? "..." I cautiously turned my head. (...!) I... Had made a terrible mistake. Crap. Kaname stood there, wearing my shirt, her thin, thin underwear covering her bottom half. ...For some reason, that only made her all the more seductive. THE HELL IS THIS!? How on earth is it that putting on more clothes made things more provocative than wearing just about nothing at all!? Kaname drew one step closer. "Don't worry about it so much, Onii-chan. Or rather, there's no need to think about anything at all." As if to box me in, she stood with her back to the door, and gradually advanced. I finally realized one very important fact: This...was the bedroom. Even though the closet had drawn me here, finding myself trapped in this location, I only had myself to blame. At last, Kaname- Barely clothed, leaned into my chest. Keep, keep a grip, Kinji...! This is quite possibly the greatest trial of my endurance in my entire life. If I can't hold on, the two of us might pass the point of no return! "Isis and Osiris were brother and sister. So were Izanagi and Izanami. In Sweden, marriage law only forbids those marriages where blood relations exist on both sides of the family. In other words, as long as only one parent is shared, then brothers and sisters can marry." "-What the hell are you saying!?" "You're restraining yourself, aren't you, Onii-chan? I understand - that feeling in the pit of your stomach, the blood, beginning to flow...That's why, as I said, the possibility is certainly there." Kaname gazed at me with those beautiful eyes- "I'm begging you, Onii-chan- Hold me tight..." She stared straight into my soul, and pleaded with me. What, what're the two of us doing ? If this was a normal household, then our parents, discovering their children engaged in some shady activities would punish us with a stiff warning...but in this house, it was just the two of us. There was no one to stop us. No, wait, that's not right. Wasn't it for this exact reason that I'd picked myself up a bodyguard just earlier? "-Kaname! Starting from today, I have another half-sister coming to live with us." "-eh? That's-" "The reason you're staying here is because you're family, right? That's why, if there's another family member, you have no choice but to accept it. The rules that you made yourself, you must abide by!" Having worked myself up, I spoke in a flurry. The problem was, would she believe it? Even though I was anxious as could be within, Kaname didn't laugh. Far from it; she seems to have taken my words at face value. Contemplating my words- She slowly nodded her head. "-Then let's speed things up a bit. There's no time like the present." "Er, huh?" Right as my words left my mouth- Kaname grabbed my sleeve and pulled me in the direction of the closet. In order to stop her, I shifted my center of gravity, and struggled to the side- Employing what appeared to be judo, Kaname caught hold of my tie and jacket, and pulled me once more in her direction. Dragging me with her own body, she deliberately fell back onto the bed. "...!" Kaname lay on the bed- With me, pressing down on her. That technique just now was way too showy. "..." The way things look, it's almost like I pushed Kaname down. Kaname lay on her back, eyes gazing at me. It's here. The moment has finally arrived. "Onii-chan, before things go too far, there's something I want to tell you. Afterwards, you have to forget it, and never speak a word of it ever again. What I'm about to say...comes from the bottom of my heart, but is also against our rules." Her eyes took on a serious expression I had never seen before. "Wh, what is it?" "You know, I...never really cared about combat. All of this...was for the sake of this moment. As long as I could live to experience this, then it's enough. That's because Onii-chan, you're my first love...and also my last." Kaname's sea blue eyes fluttered... As if about to sink into the deepest, darkest depths of the sea, she stood on the shore, and bared her heart to me. "Kaname..." You... Why are your eyes so filled with sorrow? For what purpose is it- For what possible reason could the young, adorable you- Shed tears like this? All while putting up a strong, smiling front? "Onii-chan." As Kaname's slender arm encircled me- -I finally understood. Having gradually switched into Hysteria Mode, I finally understood what it was with Kaname. Kaname, she...will inevitably... "Onii...chan..." Kaname softly closed her eyes. As if resolving herself to cross some line deep within her, she took a deep breath. "I...won't let Onii-chan turn back. I, already cannot turn back. Just this once is enough, please treat me as a woman...!" She forced those resolve-filled eyes open once more. At that moment, before my eyes, I saw her cast off her child self. Kaname...seems to have resolved herself. It seems at this moment, she is no longer an artificially enhanced warrior, no longer my younger sister, but just a girl with an iron resolve. Discarding all thought, and crossing the boundaries of the relationship we'd had until now... In order for us to understand one another, she implored of me. And I- Finally comprehending what I had been musing over, I spoke as if to accept her. "...You seem nervous." Relying on the half of me which was now in the grip of Hysteria Mode, I murmured to her. "Of course. But don't mind me, Onii-chan. Hold me." "If that's how it is, then just relax. If you're this stiff, then there's nothing we can do, right?" Supporting myself with one elbow on the bed, I pressed in close to Kaname, and gently caressed her cheek and hair with my other arm. Remembering that Kaname had mentioned she was fond of my looks, I supported her head with my hands, allowing her to look directly at me. "Aaah..." Kaname, seemingly having misunderstood my actions as finally agreeing to her demands, let out a voice both joyous and demure. "Aah, Onii-chan...Onii-chan is looking at only me. And I am only looking at Onii-chan." Kaname's slim arm wrapped around my back. Her deep blue eyes were moved to tears. "Wha, what is this...? This feeling...! From within my heart, my core, my center...From deep within, something's happening. I'm scared...I'm scared, Onii-chan." At last, it's begun. For the first time since her birth, Kaname's experiencing Hysteria Mode. From this intimate distance, I watched Kaname's body, trembling without ceasing, and reflected on what was about to occur. Kaname had always sought after, and dreamed about, using me to enter Hysteria Mode. That dream...was about to be realized. Unfortunately...it might not be what she was expecting. If my guess is correct, the second Kaname's dream comes to fruition- She will know despair. So much so that afterwards, she will likely wish to disappear from the face of this Earth. If that truly happens to be the case, then the various weapons in this room are a danger...though admittedly, this thinking might be a tad overprotective. Thinking thusly, I reached my hand to my Beretta. As part of the same motion- My finger gently drew a line from Kaname's shoulder down her slender curves to her lower back. It seems she misunderstood what I was doing, because she closed her eyes, and revealed an expression of mixed excitement and unease. My finger drew ever so slowly down, Until it neared her hips. "-Ah!" Her moist eyes, half-closed, snapped open in surprise. Followed by which, "...!" Pulling back her arm which had been wrapped around me, she placed it against my chest. It's as I thought. Placing her arm against my chest... She pushed, as if to reject me. "No...no...no~" "..." Testing my theory, I leaned in even further. "No...! -Brothers and sisters, this kind of thing...no!" ... ~drip~ ... ~drip~ ... Kaname spoke as if to contradict everything she'd said until now- While making the most lovable, most adorable expression yet, eyes overflowing with tears. Her previously formidable strength was all but gone as she tried to push me away. She was fighting back with all the strength of a cute little animal, and it seemed the slightest effort was all it would take to subdue her. Her knees, near my legs, trembled, inspiring pity, as she tried to lock her legs. She's...scared. This is no act. There's no way an act could reach such a degree. She's...changed. (As expected...) As I lifted myself up, Kaname turned completely red, wiping her tears from her eyes with her hands... As she continued to sob. Her trembling, her fear - her every action evoked a primal male instinct to conquer, an extraordinary feeling of absolute loveliness. The current Kaname was utterly incomparable to the her up until now. She exuded a charm that would drive men mad. If it was any other man before her, I imagine his mind would be all but lost to thoughts of her. However... "...Put on your clothes, Kaname." I sat up and tidied up my clothes. For the time being, I'm not going to worry about whether or not she's my sister- But there's one thing I've come to realize. And it's due to that realization that I haven't raised a hand against her. Kaname's current condition is that of Hysteria Mode- -the female version. If take my own experiences with Hysteria Mode as analogous, then it all makes sense. Even though saying this myself is pretty humiliating, but when I enter Hysteria Mode, I become "irresistible" to women in every way. Whether it be my protectiveness or the way I speak, my every action tugs at their heartstrings. Using this as a metaphor, the female Hysteria Mode enacts exactly the opposite change in body and mind. One will become such that men cannot help but want to protect you, and in this way, ensnare their hearts and minds. ...For example, the current Kaname. (It's likely that that's not all there is to it either.) Kaname, still trembling, sat up and looked at me with tear-filled eyes. Looking at her, I inferred the existence of another change that had come upon her. The male Hysteria Mode grants unparalleled strength. The central nervous system is primed for operation, and holding nothing back, one's full potential is unleashed. But this is all for the purpose of protecting women. Looking at Kaname, however, it seems that the female version has the reverse effect. It's a change which instead incites a feeling in men that they must do whatever it takes to protect her. Hysteria Mode: men fight, and women are protected, with the result being that the enemy is taken down and the women escape unscathed. From the evolutionary viewpoint of multiplying and protecting offspring, such a scheme only makes sense. I stood up, and exited the bedroom. In my heart, I murmured- -Kaname. The way things look, it seems you've failed. It doesn't look like a male-female HSS pair produces two superhumans...just one. The so-called "Arcanum Duo" you described to me earlier seems to be purely hypothetical. Given how hard it is for Kaname to trigger my Hysteria Mode, it seems only logical when it ends sooner than normal. As for Kaname, she doesn't seem willing to leave the room, as I can still hear her sobs from within. "..." Slightly worried, I glanced toward the bedroom, peeking through a crack in the doorway. Leaving the door purposely ajar like that is just too sly. Not only does it give off the impression that it'd be a minor thing to enter, but any time you'd pass by, you'd be struck by the desire to look in. Through the slit in the doorway, I could faintly see Kaname huddled on the bed, her knees clutched to her chest, as she silently cried. This scene was again one that left you feeling unable to leave her alone. I didn't think it likely that this was intentional on Kaname's part, but rather that Hysteria Mode was drawing out her full feminine potential. (Forcibly drawing someone in...before suddenly becoming weak and delicate at the critical juncture...) It's not like I had room to talk, but...female Hysteria Mode sure played dirty. If it was someone unfamiliar with the nature of Hysteria Mode, they'd likely find themselves unavoidably feeling pity for her, and thus enter the room. After entering and seeking to comfort her, without noticing, things would probably pass the point of no return. Normal Kaname, violent Kaname, and now Hysteria Mode Kaname. Almost like two, no, three separate personalities. Although this feeling was slightly different from the empathy of a fellow sufferer... As one who also bore the curse that was Hysteria Mode, I could well understand how distraught she must be. It wasn't until later that night, around 9 PM or so, that Kaname finally left the room. She had changed into the uniform I'd left for her by the door. She didn't speak a word. It looked as if the realization of the true nature of her Hysteria Mode had sunk in, and her lifeless eyes appeared devoid of spirit. It seemed that her Hysteria Mode had since ended. Perhaps the female Hysteria Mode lasts a lot longer than the male one? Or maybe it's simply that it's harder to distinguish when its effects have faded. "...You hungry?" At my attempt to make conversation- She slowly nodded her head, the look of utter dismay never leaving her face, her eyes never meeting mine. "Go ahead and eat. Although, saying that is kinda weird, since you made the curry after all." Speaking to her as gently as possible, I went back into the kitchen. I filled a plate with the reheated curry, and the two of us walked back to the dinner table... And ate in complete silence. Kaname's thoughts still seemed to be in disarray. I'd probably best let her think things through for a bit. When all is said and done, this wasn't exactly the kind of situation that called for chatter, and I had no plans on reminding her of the futility of what had just happened. Nonetheless, at this point in time, it was vital that I not leave her alone. At the very least, when it came to the little things in life that she so looked forward to, such as eating together like this...it was the least I could do to keep her company. I'll wait for her to speak when she's ready. (...) This feeling reminded me of when I was young. I'd get into a heated argument with my schoolmates over some tiny thing or another, which would break out into a fight. Later, on the way home, I'd fall into a disheartened silence like she's going through right now. At those times, Nii-san would do what I'm doing right now. Never staring, he'd just eat along with me silently, never prying for details. He'd simply allow me to act as we did everyday. This simple act...filled my heart with peace. It let me know that I still had family, I still had a place to call home. In that home, I had a brother who would lovingly forgive everything. Recalling those memories was enough to move me to tears, such was the strength of that feeling of comfort. As I sat there, accompanying Kaname, who continued to eat her curry in silence- I remembered- That time I spent with Nii-san...it was curry too. ### 008. Epilogue - Go for the Next!! Impromptu Sisters -Belt Link- ## Epilogue: Go for the Next!! Impromptu Sisters -Belt Link- The following morning, I woke up early after being disturbed by the flickering sunlight shining through the window. Rubbing my eyes, I put on my shirt and pants before making my way into the living room. The sight of Kaname on the balcony, dressed in her uniform, greeted my eyes. Several gulls had gathered around her, though not because she was feeding them. Rather, she was frolicking with them cheerfully. A blue sky and a blue ocean. White clouds and white birds. And...a beautiful young girl with a blossoming smile, radiant under the morning light. ...What a picturesque scene. She almost seemed to sparkle vividly, and I found myself enchanted by the sight. "Morning, Kaname." As I walked out onto the balcony- Kaname softly spoke to the gulls, about to take flight at my disturbance, "It's alright. There's nothing to be afraid of here." As if they understood her words, the gulls changed their minds and continued to prowl the balcony. "...You can talk to birds?" "Nope. It's just a feeling." With the sound of crashing waves coming from behind her, Kaname turned to me with a bitter smile on her face. It looks like she's calmed down. Just like that, the two of us were bathed in the light of the morning sun. "I'd thought...that Onii-chan didn't really know how to say no to anyone. I never would have guessed you were such a strong-willed person." "...What's that?" "To be honest, I don't have any memories of yesterday starting from when things started to get heated. However, I've checked myself, and it seems you didn't do a thing to me." She forgot what happened yesterday? "-After I entered Hysteria Mode, it was almost as if my brain switched over to another personality entirely. Although the effects appear to differ from person to person, but for me, the switch was pretty absolute." Her explanation reminded me of Nii-san. Once Nii-san enters Hysteria Mode, he truly becomes Kana, both body and soul. Once in that state, even if I were to call him "Nii-san", he wouldn't know I was addressing him. It seems Kaname's Hysteria Mode carries similar side-effects. That said, once he reverted back to his normal state, he retained all memories of his time as Kana. Subsequently, any time I brought up something related to Kana, he'd turn completely red before proceeding to give me a beating. Kaname's case, however, seems to be even more inconvenient, as even now her memories of that time remain indistinct. "...Onii-chan, forgive me." Kaname's face filled with shame as she looked out at the ocean. Her blue eyes seemed lifeless and broken, as if she'd given up on everything. "You probably think I'm gross, right? Someone like me just appearing out of nowhere, and saying over and over that I like you." -Her beautiful face broke out in a twisted smile, bitter with self-loathing. "Yesterday, as I experienced HSS for the first time in my life, though it lasted some few tens of minutes, years of thoughts seemed to run through my mind. As I pondered these things, I came to a realization. I...was never needed by Onii-chan." "Kaname..." "I...well, I had not the slightest understanding of how love truly worked. That's why I foolishly believed that if I just got rid of all the other girls, that if I had you all to myself...then you'd love me. I'd thought that as long as I could enter Hysteria Mode at will, as long as I could fulfill the duty GIII appointed to me, then I'd never have to see Los Alamos again. I was that desperate." -Los Alamos- That's the place Watson had mentioned previously... The research institute where GIII and GIV - Kaname - had been born and grown up in. "The 'Los Alamos Elite Plan'...do you know of it, Onii-chan?" "A little. I've looked a little into your past, after all. Its goal is to use science to create gifted individuals, right? If I remember correctly, they were called something like 'man-made geniuses'." "That's just the name they used for appearance's sake. The real goal of Los Alamos was to create human weapons, the latest form of ultimate weapons." "...Ultimate weapons...?" "Humans with superhuman fighting abilities, each one capable of fighting a large force singlehandedly. The idea was to create a vast number of these individuals, and loose them on enemy countries to repeatedly and endlessly wreak havoc, assassinate VIPs, and thus bring about the destruction of those nations. This is the truth behind the so-called 'man-made geniuses': they are living weapons in all but name." Destroy...countries...? America, have you gone mad? I know you love war, but this is too much. From Watson's description, were that GIII, who earned an R-rank designation, to take things seriously, it'd be enough to destroy a small country. But a hundred of him? A thousand? Perhaps even a large country would fall to ruin before them. That seems to be America's new form of suicidal terrorist tactics. "The politics of nuclear disarmament and a reduction in defense spending have resulted in America seeking new angles in weapons research. The resulting research diverged into 92 different schemes, of which the Los Alamos Elite Plan is but one among many." Kaname lightly swung her foot in the air, before continuing. "I am the fourth of the G series, a line of genetically modified individuals in accordance with that plan, naught but a weapon, a product. From the very first moment I can remember, I already held a knife in my hands. The training we underwent made the war you see in movies seem but a passing amusement, but for me, such things were simply a part of daily life. Things that were deemed inhumane to perform on 'humans' were carried out time and again on we 'things'. Day in, and day out." I thought back to the words Kaname had spoken back in the Logi parking structure, " This kind of attack is something I've already experienced hundreds of times before during training. " "It's from that kind of place...that you escaped?" "It was III who offered me freedom, along with others like us. All of those who escaped had been labeled as defective products, either to be 'discarded' elsewhere or brought back for 'repair'." Discarded...repaired... At these words which weren't normally used in the context of describing people, I furrowed my brow. "With III at our head, we struggled desperately and prevailed. Because I was still growing, I couldn't do a thing to help. Nevertheless, because I carried within me the potential that HSS bears, the potential to become a warrior of standing, III did not abandon me." "HSS...Hysteria Mode..." "I've long dreamed of learning how to unlock the potential hidden with my HSS genes, of showing their worth. If I can't do that, then as far as III is concerned, I have no worth. Those without value are not allowed to continue under his protection. Such is his way." "..." "I already know far too much concerning III. If he finds out I, too, am a worthless existence...then it won't be long before he comes to claim my life. And I...won't try to stop him. There's no way I'd oppose someone so much stronger than me, it'd be simply irrational." "That GIII, back in the Shinagawa Geofront, did he not declare himself a Butei? What's more, he's said he will not kill." At my words, Kaname laughed lightly. "-You don't understand; I'm not a person. Anyway, even if he doesn't kill me...if he abandons me, then there's nothing I can do to escape from those who America will send. At long last, I'll be sent back to the institute to be 'repaired'...This, I always feared...And yet..." Once more, Kaname showed forth a twisted smile. "And yet, in the end, I never became strong. You saw it clearly yesterday, didn't you, Onii-chan? My HSS is the kind that turns you weak...From the standpoint of one whose sole purpose behind creation was the notion that HSS would make me strong, I'm a complete and utter failure. With nothing left to 'fix', that leaves only 'discarding', right?" "Discarding...you mentioned that word earlier, don't tell me...?" "-It means I'll be killed. If they feel money's a concern, it'll probably be poison gas or something similar." "Hey, hey..." "Don't look like that. This is fate." As I watched Kaname, who stood before me, gaze out across the ocean as she simultaneously ridiculed herself while forcing a smile- -I... Felt a deep-seated fury flare up within the depths of my heart. Though I felt that her situation was indeed pitiful, nevertheless, my feelings of rage far outweighed any feelings of sympathy. Tsuzuri-sensei of Masters had previously commented that my personality was such that I tried to maintain my distance from others. That's why I normally wasn't the kind of person to get angry on behalf of others. And yet...as I looked at Kaname, I couldn't help but have my emotions be stirred up. Because...when I look at her, all I see is myself- Forced into battle, time and again, and all because of this thrice-cursed "Hysteria Mode" ability. "Kaname." Hearing the deep emotion in my voice as I called out to her, she spun around. "Before...when I gave you a name, were you not so happy that you broke into tears? Was that not because you did not believe yourself to be some sort of human weapon?" "That...was because I wanted to believe it, wanted to dream that sweet dream. But reality isn't so forgiving. I was born in a research institute, and so it is my fate to be a tool of the military..." "Where you were born is meaningless! There's no way in hell something as stupid as that determines a person's destiny!" Right now, I am decidedly not under the influence of Hysteria Mode, and so I find myself unable to speak to girls in that gentle, considerate tone. Nonetheless, I think that... ...right now, this is what's needed. I'm going to bare my thoughts, and give it to her straight. "What we mean by 'person'...is someone who, by their own strength, with their own hands, scraps that bullshit we call fate! From what you've just said - whether it be the stuff about that research institute or helping III - aren't you the one throwing your life in the hands of others!? Look at you! You're, um...beautiful, smart, athletic! Someone like you has no need for someone like GIII to save you, you can save yourself!" "I can't do it by myself. Someone like me with neither nationality nor even human rights needs to be protected by someone. And if I want someone to help to me, then I need to be of value to them. The only one who's ever recognized my worth is III. Even though even that turned out to be a lie..." "-You've got it all backwards!" As I scolded Kaname, my voice took on a tone increasingly like my brother's, when he'd reprimand me. "Backwards...?" "If you want others to acknowledge, you first have to acknowledge yourself! That's the first thing about being a person! Anyway, you're wrong about one thing... I acknowledge you. Did I not just praise you? Did I not just say you were smart and your athleticism's a sight to see? I wasn't just saying it; I really meant it, from the bottom of my heart." At my screaming, Kaname's round eyes grew larger. "-I think you also know, but I had a kouhai check up on you. Although, to be honest, I already knew - you're an amazing person. You're not just openly welcomed by the first years, you know what the second years call us? 'Brilliant sister, moronic brother'." Having carelessly spoken something I'd rather have had remained hidden, I gave a small cough before continuing. "...Although of course it's nice to have someone to rely on, don't think for a second you can't go on without it. That's what we call becoming 'dependent'. It doesn't matter who, everyone has things they have to overcome on their own, and for you, this is it." As I spoke, the feeling she gave off, of someone I couldn't leave alone, reminded me of Reki. I don't think it's even something she's doing intentionally...but, without a doubt, including those she's mimicked before - Aria, Shirayuki, and Riko, now her repertoire even includes Reki's distinctive traits. Just how many of my weak spots does this girl need to hit before she's satisfied? "I think what Onii-chan's said is right...but still-" Kaname seemed to nod slightly before lowering her head, mumbling quietly, as her body trembled lightly. Her fragile appearance was reminiscent of an orphan with nowhere to turn, and no one to turn to. As if worrying, the seagulls all turned to watch her. "...I don't get it. If I leave III, then where am I supposed to go...? Why was I born? Just who...am I...?" Covering her face in those snow white hands... She began to softly weep. This was finally an action appropriate for her age, befitting a junior high school girl. Seriously... This girl just loved to cry. No, actually I should be the one in the wrong here, as the one who made her cry. Since I was speaking to a girl younger than me, perhaps I shouldn't have spoken quite so harshly? Man, I'm just not any good when it comes to talking to women. ...Thinking quietly to myself, and scratching my head in embarrassment... I saw Kaname's eyes, peeking through the cracks in her fingers, slowly turn to me. "..." Through this small action, her thoughts were conveyed to me, and I more or less understood what it was she wanted to say. Sigh...there's no two ways about this. I had, after all, made her cry on more than one occasion already. Maybe this would serve as my atonement. An apology was a small enough thing for me to do, and moreover, the right thing to do. "Until you find your answer, just stay by my side." Even though I felt like I was a bit of a victim of circumstance here- But, the fact of the matter was, I had no defense against a girl's tears. That time with Aria stood as a perfect example. These few days, I'd learned the lesson anew from my time with Kaname. When it comes to women, I have three weaknesses: tears, fragrance, and...and, er, what was it? Oh, right, thighs. I'd better watch out for them in the future. As I was lost in thought- "Onii-chan...Onii-chan...!" Kaname suddenly grabbed me in a hug. Even though the position we now found overselves in was exactly like the one in the locker room previously...things couldn't be more different. She couldn't be more different. She'd become, in truth, a pure, innocent, and fragile maiden. Her virtuous innocence, having come at a time when my mind was fraught with impure thoughts, filled me with shame, and my cheeks flushed in embarrassment. "The circumstances behind your Hysteria Mode will die with me. To be honest, even the existence of my own Hysteria Mode I've long kept hidden from everyone. That's why, this will be our little secret, okay?" "Our little secret..." Kaname gleefully repeated my words, nodding her head with an "Nn, nn", while never lifting her head, buried in my chest, so much as an inch. She certainly seems to enjoy clinging to me like this... As I lightly patted her on the back to help her calm down, she wept tears of joy- "...Onii-chan...is really such a kind person. Onii-chan, and only Onii-chan, will never reject me. I, I..." Her heart touched, Kaname raised her head to look at me, and seeing my cheeks red... Her cheeks reddened as well. ...Uh oh. It seems like that strange switch of hers has just been flipped on... "-Onii-chan." "Hmm? Why don't you let go of me? Let's head back in and eat breakfast, alright?" "I know...my feelings are one-sided. But, I beg you, let me just say this once more, do this once more." There it is. Kaname-sama's prided conversational skill. Anytime she says "just this once", a red flag is waved in my mind. Although I haven't the slightest clue what it is she wants to say, or do, but still, I'd better end this conversation as soon as possible. Just as I was about to cut her off by saying "Well, then let's hurry and-", she instead interrupted me, saying, "-I honestly, sincerely love you, Onii-chan." After she spoke, she tilted her head slightly, and- Just like Aria, stretched forward, and with a speed surpassing Aria's- Kissed me on the lips. "...!" Given the present atmosphere, the last thing I wanted to do was push her away, so I waited a few seconds before- We parted lips. I quickly covered my mouth as if to say, "okay, that's it." Seeing my reaction, Kaname laughed lightly, and said, "Onii-chan, you're so red! So cute!" As if no longer able to stand the sight of this flirtatious couple, one after another, the gulls took wing into the morning sky. Their flapping wings sounded an applause. Their snow-white feathers danced in the air. (Oh...that's right. This time also...) I realized that this time as well, Hysteria Mode had failed to show itself. Even though it wasn't the case that I couldn't do so because of her... But still, it wasn't an easy thing. Harder than for anyone else, anyway. Even for a girl as cute as she was. It looked to be the same for Kaname. It seems things need to reach a certain degree before anything happens. Just what is the root of this phenomenon? As I sunk deep into my thoughts, pondering this mystery- My train of thought was cut short by a loud burst of metallic sound, almost like the coiling of a gigantic spring. "Iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit wasn't just once, but twiiiiiiiiiice!" -Uooooooooooooooooh-! A fierce sound, like the bellowing of a crazed bull pierced through the air like a siren. A mysterious wind blew towards the balcony from inside. "...!" I, I forgot...! Although I was the one who'd called her over, but because of the stuff with Kaname, I'd completely forgotten- Forgotten that Kaname aside, there was still another, yet one more who would break out into a murderous rage at the drop of a hat! Almost like a robot whose rusting joints hadn't been oiled in ages, I slowly turned my head around. Sure enough... "...Shira-, Shirayuki!" Shirayuki, wearing a terrifying expression not unlike that of a fierce Nio statue , stood in the living room. It, it was a person wholly unlike the Shirayuki I'd called to Odaiba. Needless to say, it was Kuroyuki who'd appeared. As if the menacing, dark aura pouring out from her weren't threatening enough... Far more threatening was watching Shirayuki, dressed in her school uniform, easily wielding her M60 machine gun with a single hand, and taking aim at both Kaname and I. "To go so far as to do it with Kin-chan-sama twice ! That's more than me! How envious!" Sprouting from the side of her M60's belt feed near her back, was a glittering bandolier of 7.62mm NATO rounds arrayed in a metallic, split-link belt, unwinding like a scroll. In an effort to avoid jamming, the ribbon-like bandolier was laid out horizontally across her other arm, flowed over to her feet, where it lay coiled in several loops, continued past her white socks...and into her skirt. Just...just how many bul-, no, hundreds of bullets is that!? (-!) At that moment- From by my side- A second dark and murderous aura began to flow forth. "...Hey, Two-Face." Still clinging to me, Kaname stared daggers at Shirayuki. "Are you trying to steal Onii-chan from me?" This, this one's changed too! This is that horrifying, knife-wielding Kaname! From among the three personalities she has, her channel's been flipped to number two- the most formidable Kaname-san. "-That's what I want to say! Even if you are my younger sister, once you violate family rules, then it's time for punishment! Punishment, punishment, I say!" That notwithstanding, even in this crazy circumstances, Shirayuki still seems to have remained every bit the Butei. From what she just said, it seems she's carrying out my request, and is fully engaged in her role as my "other sister". "Stop interrupting me and Onii-chan! It's time for you to go, Onee-chan!" As if to stand guard over me, Kaname jumped in front of me, her bangs swaying. Suddenly catching sight of a rather odd shadow, I turned my head- And saw an X-shaped strip of cloth, floating in the air. Its blade-like edges capable of serving as a bulletproof shield, it hovered dangerously in the air behind us. My house always seems to erupt in war. Shirayuki and Kaname, these temporary sisters, glared at one another with outrage evident in their expressions. "Onee-chan, you've already lost to me once already. Don't tell me you think you can win? That's just too irrational." "Kaname, you still have much to learn. You should check the concentration of Riri particles at least once a night." "What can I say? At night, Onii-chan-sama doesn't give me an~y time to rest~" Kaname revealed an impish grin as she mimicked Shirayuki's double honorific style. "What did you say!? D....D....D-...!" The barrel of her M60 trembled as Shirayuki, shrieking enigmatically- Appeared to have something awaken deep within her, as her eyes opened wide with a seemingly audible snap! . Holy crap, that's scary. Her cherry red lips were held open, mouth agape and twitching...Ugh, I should have known better than to read her lips. Shirayuki-san was continuously mouthing "I'll. Kill. You.", although in her extreme rage, no sounds left her mouth. "Kaname! In this world, there are things that siblings can do, and things they can never do! What are you, some kind of animal!?" And waving around a machine gun like a madman in someone else's house is a thing you "can do", Shirayuki!? "A...a duel! As long as it's a duel, even accidental deaths are okay! What matters here is, in order to ensure the stability of the Tohyama house, and to afterwards guarantee the peace of our everyday lives, this duel is unavoidable!" Bandolier in hand, Shirayuki's mouth seemed almost to spit fire as she screamed. "Ka, kakakaka, KANAME! I CHALLENGE YOU TO A DUEL! As Kin-chan-sama's fiancée, I challenge you to a duel!" Huh...? (Fi...fiancée?) Uh...Shirayuki-san? I'm very grateful that you were willing to accept my request, and pretend to be a member of my family... But uh...is it just me or has the SETTING COMPLETELY CHANGED!? Go For The Next! - ↑ Nio statue ## 08. Volume 11 - G Bloodline -Collateral Bros- - PDF ### 001. 1st Ammo - Lumberjack -Night of Revenge- One Autumn afternoon... "Man, the Texas burger is great!" "I guess?" "And it's 10 times better when you eat it with the person you like!" "..." Kaname and I were eating hamburgers at a MacDonald's in Daiba; we were seated under the deep blue sky, on a trendy terrace. There were a lot of couples eating here. Understandable, as it was new, and quite pretty. Kaname was acting cute, and she certainly looked the part. We were just a high school girl and a high school boy on a date. No ordinary person that knew the truth would be able to look her in the eye without a shiver running down their spine. "The weather's great! Totally fitting for our wonderful sibling date~!" Tohyama Kaname. Self-proclaimed little sister. She's a danger to society. She could be perfectly fine one second, but once the flip is switched, she's blowing up pedestrian walkways, hurling grenades around, swinging kitchen knives about...like a roaring flame, too hot to touch. She could destroy the whole district by herself in half an hour. What the hell's a 'sibling date' anyway? Please don't spout out such terribly thought out jargon so loudly...And I don't get it, who eats hamburgers with a caramel latte? When you go to MacDonald's, you get a coke. In Jeanne's words, that is one of the laws of this world. Autumn's the season for war...or so they say, I thought to myself. Sipping the cola, I felt what remained of my appetite slipping away. I hadn't even taken a bite of my burger, I was too far into the depths of my melancholy, thinking about what had happened the other day. The trauma of the incident was the cause of my languor. Shirayuki and Kaname had had a showdown in my room. "W-We must have a duel! Fatal accidents may occur during a duel! We must have it! The stability of the Tohyama family, and by extension the safety of Japan hinges upon it!" Shirayuki stormed into my room, and finding Kaname there, she screamed a challenge before unleashing a hail of bullets at Kaname, who was dancing and dodging around the room, laughing all the while. In that moment, Shirayuki looked like Lucifer, come forth to issue judgement. After all, her guns, M60s, were full-auto machine guns. Bullets just kept flying and flying. In the end, the gun overheated so much that the shear mechanism failed, causing bullets to fly out without end. The guns had heat fins, but such things were meaningless in the face of Shirayuki's raging trigger fingers. She kept firing till the guns ran dry, their metallic bodies bent and twisted from thermal expansion. When they at last fell silent, Shirayuki tossed them aside. "This was just a taste. My formal challenge will come later, and I shall not touch you beforehand. Take the time to enjoy what remains of your life." Spitting those words out, Shirayuki left. ... How fitting of the student council president of Butei High. Being sprayed at by machine guns constitutes a 'taste'. Though I was near my wits' end with terror the next day, Shirayuki still interacted me just as she always had: gentle, docile, and sweet. When Kaname was around, she came to my room, saying: "Oh, this is terrible..." before restoring it to its original condition. But all the while, I was thinking: You were the one who did this, Shirayuki. Don't you remember? It's like you're schizophrenic. That wasn't the only thing. After that, she would still come over to do housework, smiling all the while, but...I caught a glimpse of her staring Kaname's toothbrush and laundry, her face twisted into an expression of rage, looking almost like a Hannya mask. And she would leave traces of her housework behind. Upon seeing those traces, Kaname would, despite whatever cheerful attitude or smiles she came back with, take on the same expression that I had seen on Shirayuki. Faced with this, I had only one thought: This is terrifying... In view of how nice these two normally acted towards me, it made their sudden transformation all the more shocking. This couldn't be good for my heart. It reminded me of the head twisting scene in "The Exorcist". But this time there were two demons...I'd even prefer Aria's violence to this. As fast as she blows her top, the following period of terror ends just as swiftly. These thoughts assailed me as I took a pill with my coke. Suddenly, the sparrows sitting in the corner of the terrace startled, chirping noisily, and flew away. "Huh?" I let slip. S-She's here! Mounting the escalator up the terrace, feet stomping on the metal... "..." At first, I saw only the white ribbons streaming from her hair, but she soon appeared, in her bullet-proof uniformed glory. It was Shirayuki. She gave me a graceful bow, but when she turned to Kaname, I knew why the sparrows had flown away. They were fleeing from the killing intent pouring from her smiling face. Kaname was waving at her, a smile also on her lips. I could just about hear the 'Hi~!' she would have said, but instead, all I could feel was anger, emanating from her body like electricity. The negative aura surrounding the two had completely decimated the atmosphere. What a waste of a clear blue autumn sky. I stood between them. I was the one who had called them out. Now I sat there, looking between the two of them like the referee of a wrestling match. "Good day, Kin-chan. Oops!" She stumbled as she stepped off the escalator, but managed not to fall. As clumsy as ever, I suppose. "Well, now that we're all gathered here...you should order something as well, Shirayuki. Maybe a hamburger." "Okay." Shirayuki clapped her hands. After a moment, she looked around, the question mark clear on her face. The three of us sat there in silence, before I realised...that was the gesture to summon a waiter at the school cafeteria. Come to think of it, Shirayuki doesn't really leave the shrine except to go to school. She's never come to a MacDonald's before, has she? Well, I guess I'll have to go with her to order something. But seriously, calling for a waiter in a MacDonald's? There's got to be a limit to how out of touch you can be. How sheltered are you, Shirayuki? That was a winning entrant in the Sheltered Maiden Olympics. As for why I had called the two of them here...the reason that Shirayuki had challenged Kaname to a duel was because Aria, Riko, and Reki, having been taken by surprise by Kaname before, were plotting their revenge. To that end, they had thrown their hats into Shirayuki's ring. With Shirayuki at the vanguard, the Baskerville girls were poised on the edge of an all-out conflict with Tohyama Kaname. If I just left them to have it out, who knows what kind of war would arise? If that happened, Butei High might just go under. So I decided to be the mediator. I had prepared a negotiation table, so this conflict could be resolved without bloodshed. The reason this was a MacDonald's table was because of the large number of bystanders. Even Shirayuki and Kaname would hesitate to bring out the machine guns or knives in this kind of situation. Teriyaki meal on a tray, Shirayuki followed me, spellbound expression on her face. "Alright, sit down here, Shirayuki. Before we begin, take note. We are outside Butei High. Shooting, stabbing, slashing, or other violence of any kind just because you feel like it is expressly forbidden. You too, Kaname." The fact that I had to say this was depressing, but still...just in case. I sat myself facing Kaname. The two of them sat there, arrayed in front of me, They smiled at each other, faces frozen like noh masks. ...My stomach hurt. "Has to be the death penalty." Kaname decided to start things off the worst way they could. "When you returned from buying a hamburger with my brother, there were hearts just flying from your innocent little face." Kaname was gnawing at her straw, and smoke was...coming from her mouth? Was the straw melting from the heat of friction? What the hell? That jaw strength...That's like a crocodile's or shark's level. On the other hand, Shirayuki was daintily taking bites from her Teriyaki meal. "I guess that being a concubine means that every petty little thing is of the utmost importance." And there she goes, issuing a challenge of her own. But wait...concubine? What makes you think that you're my wife? This was definitely not the mood to point that out, though. I have to get through this negotiation peacefully. "Don't start this conversation looking for a fight. We're here to resolve this conflict, not cause another." "Kaname. The true wife holds the power. That is a fact. I will not back down." "What idiocy are you spouting? As the little sister, I'm the strongest here. I'm not backing down either." Yep. This won't work. Well, time to work out an escape route, then. "The wife!" "The little sister, duh!" Shirayuki and Kaname had each taken hold of one of my arms, and they were pulling. I...I had experienced this before with Aria and Riko. If this just goes on, I'm going to be split in two! An image of my body, split perfectly in two from head to toe, meandered into my mind. "I did some investigating. And I found that you were registered as an American Butei, Kaname." "Mmmm, those records weren't erased yet, huh? Well, what about it?" They glared at each other. "You are a Butei. I am a Butei. Butei should not fight each other, if not at a client's behest. Therefore, Team Baskerville has decided: they shall have their revenge through a representative, in accordance to Butei High's rules for dueling." "Hey! What are they deciding without me!? I'm the leader!" "I am that representative. This was a unanimous decision." A unanimous decision that I wasn't part of! Kaname smirked viciously in response. At Butei High, the unofficial directive, taken straight from the Masters was this: "Duels between students should not occur, in accordance to our official rules." Which is to say, just have them if you want. Anything as dangerous as a duel is, as a matter of course, banned in this country. However, our school, in which danger is an everyday occurrence, chooses to close an eye. Naturally, whatever happens during a duel won't ever go official. If you went crying to the police, saying that you were hurt in a duel, you'd just be laughed at. "You really are an idiot. Don't you know which of us is stronger?" "This is my challenge. Do you accept?" You could just about see the sparks in the air as they locked gazes. Suddenly, Kaname released her hold on my arm. "Sure. I accept. And I'll return this too. After all, I'm done analysing it." Just as her sentence trailed off, something dropped from the sky. It fell at a perfect timing, unnoticed by those around us. Letting go of my arm, Shirayuki caught it. It was a Japanese blade, sheathed in a scarlet scabbard. Irokaneayame! I looked to the sky, and about thirty meters above me an X-shaped piece of cloth fluttered, spinning like the blades of a helicopter. It was the weapon that had blocked Aria's bullets, and sliced through a pedestrian crossing like it was paper. Kaname had probably kept it there, just in case a fight broke out. That's your primary weapon, right? Fighting you when I've already taken it from you would be pretty cowardly ." "Cowardly? I never thought that I would hear that from you, of all people." Shirayuki laughed, hand daintily covering her mouth. Kaname continued to stare at her. "I learned it recently. Kinji told me 'not to do anything cowardly'. So I won't. Unlike what you're doing now." As she said this, a MacDonald's waitress walked by. Kaname reached out and grabbed her ass. Letting out an exclamation, the silver-haired waitress spun around, a visor obscuring her facial features, but... "J-Jeanne!? What're you doing here?" It was Jeanne d'Arc. Former IU agent, now a second year in the Informa division. Her ice-blue eyes opened wide, shocked at having been found. "Goshhh, so prettyy! You're so vulnerable to beautiful girls, Kinji." Kaname's eyes were burning holes into Jeanne. "Hotogi Shirayuki. The 'Witch of Infernos', seducing my brother. And helping her, the 'Witch of Diamond Dust'. Looks like it's time for a witch-hunt. Two on one seems about right to me. I wouldn't even call it a handicap." Kaname declared cockily. Shirayuki looked down, her fringe dropping to cover her eyes. But they still shone from its shadow. "Two on one...I wonder about that." Oh God. What's going to happen to my peaceful afternoon at MacDonald's? I looked around. T-They're here. All of them are here, dressed as part-time waitresses. Aria was frying french fries in the kitchen, the shape of her gun clearly visible beneath her skirt. Riko was cheerfully manning the cashier, despite not having been there before. Reki was mopping the floor in the corner of the terrace. I could even see Haimaki hidden in the shadows of the shrubbery. We were completely surrounded. "Kinji, I'm so scared~ They're bullying me~" Kaname clung to me, but her words were clearly in monotone. Looking where she's grabbing me though...I'm her hostage. "Aren't you the one who started it? You did something that made everyone hate you." I knew that I didn't hold any value as a hostage. Not like the Baskerville girls cared at all about how much I was hurt. Not wanting to be blown to bits, I tried to tear myself away from Kaname. "Whaaat?" Kaname let go of me suddenly. "You guys are such idiots! You just don't learn. I'll turn you into hamburgers!" She roared at the Baskerville girls (and Jeanne.) A dangerous smile was still hovering on Shirayuki's lips. "Everything will be okay, Kin-chan. We will not entrap you now. That comes later. We only called everyone here just in case Kaname went berserk here...after all, she is just so unreasonable. Teehee." "H-Haha, I see. Thank you very much." I was so terrified that I ended up thanking her. Shirayuki seemed to have prepared for battle, just like Kaname. "I came here to inform you of how our upcoming duel will be conducted. I wonder if you can figure out just how we are going to take care of you? It resembles your current situation." Shirayuki asked, almost like she was teasing Kaname with a quiz. Kaname frowned, seemingly puzzled. "...!" I frowned as well. But unlike Kaname, I frowned because I knew what Shirayuki meant. "You don't mean, the Lumberjack...?" "Yes, Kin-chan. As astute as ever. We have not had a chance to welcome our new arrival from America, so we thought to use a method well suited to you." Shirayuki smirked. Though her name meant 'white snow', she seemed a lot more like 'black ice', uncaring and deadly. Switching back to her gentle 'Shirayuki' expression, she turned towards me. The Lumberjack...! When I first enrolled into Butei High, I had experienced an unarmed version with a certain someone , which is why I was familiar. In summary, it was one of the toughest forms of duels, notorious in Butei High. It was a variation of a duel format used by lumberjacks in America. This fit with what Shirayuki had said. The best way to describe it is 'simple'. A number of Butei, in bulletproof equipment would stand in a circle, known as the ring . The ring would surround the duel participants, leaving them no way to escape. The duel only ends when one side admits defeat, or is rendered unable to move. Those were the basic rules. However, there were some additional rules to be aware of. If any of the duelists were to try to exit the ring, the Butei making up the ring were free to attack the duelist. Duelists that suffered this fate would be pushed back to the centre of the ring, and once again fall victim to the other duelist's attacks. This would continue, being pushed back and forth and attacked from all sides until the victim had suffered injuries that brought them to the brink of death. Not only could you not escape, even a small retrograde was not allowed. It was a hellish variation. As if that were not enough, the Butei making up the ring did not have to be neutral. They could be your allies, or your enemies. If you aren't popular, you can count on the ring being full of enemies. These rules will make things seriously dangerous for Kaname...! Obviously, your enemies would not shoot each other, even if you pushed them out of the ring. The most they would do is shove them back in. On the other hand, if you were shoved out...you'd be showered with bullets. Because of these draconian rules, the Lumberjack was often banned. In this fight, Kaname will have no allies. Seeing as she started it, I can only see this going one way...they're gonna gang up on her. "Lumberjacking doesn't happen any more. Maybe when Butei High was first founded, but...there were too many accidents . It's way too brutal. Definitely not something girls should do. You need to stop this." I said, displeasure written on my face. "Don't stop us, Kin-chan. There are times when girls need to fight!" Shirayuki pleaded, shaking her head. Her long black hair fluttered behind her. "This is a sacred battle. I am fighting because I love you! In order to maintain the peace of the Kin-chan country, the Shirayuki country has already declared war on the Kaname country!" She spouted some nonsensical lines about the Shirayuki country's strategy. "Er..." Despite being ladylike most of the time, she could be even more belligerent than Aria now and then. "Who cares? Let's do it. Any rules regarding camerata ?" Kaname continued to take bites out of her hamburger, the picture of calm. She could almost have been asking if Shirayuki would like milk in her coffee. And I was trying to help her too... "They will be in play. If you have any friends, feel free to bring them." Shirayuki smiled darkly. She seemed to take the fact that Kaname had accepted her challenge as a message from heaven, telling her it was alright to beat Kaname to a pulp. That was why she was giving some relatively friendly advice, I guess. Camerata were basically seconds, but they could only help once. Traditionally, their role was to stop a fight from going on too long. When the victor was certain, and everything after that was just overkill, they would force their way into the ring to admit defeat. But from my experience, that usually goes down the drain once the fight starts. "That's not what I mean. I won't need one. You will. I'm going to brutalise you, beat you until you won't even be able to pronounce 'I lose,' so you're gonna need someone to say it for you." Kaname, being Kaname, returned the smile. She crumpled the wrapper of her finished Texas burger, and threw it into the bin with the force of a shotgun slug. She was standing there the next night. Illuminated by the moon, Kaname stood firmly on the on the second section of the school grounds. This was where the duel was set to occur. Strapped to her back was a naked blade, as tall as she was. Fluorescent blue gleamed from its ridges and coulisses. This was no ordinary sword. This was the technologically advanced weapon that Kaname had used when she attacked the Baskervilles, Sonic a mono-filament vibrosword . My grades in Physics and Chemistry are terrible, so I'm no expert, but according to Kaname, the blade is formed of stretched out wires, only one atom thick, which spin like a chainsaw. Those wires are formed of carbon compounds, and look like a jigsaw lattice when observed under an electron microscope. They rate a 10 on the Mohs scale. In layman terms', the sword like a diamond chainsaw. That's my interpretation, at least. "There is nothing this cannot cut." Kaname boasted. Shirayuki said the same thing about half a year ago, but Kaname's explanation does seem more convincing than her occult ramblings. Before I sank deeper into my thoughts, I saw them. Jeanne and Shirayuki leading, the rest of the girls behind, their heavy footfalls crushed the gravel, making an unpleasant grinding noise. Oh man...I can't help but regret following Kaname because I was worried. Shirayuki was in her miko attire, with a forehead protector to boot. Her sleeves were held up by a tasuki , a sash meant for that purpose. She was holding a scarlet scabbard. Within lay Irokaneayame. This was the Hotogi mikos' traditional battle attire. She hard worn it when she came to kill Aria in April. The others were dressed in their bulletproof uniforms, but Jeanne had Durandal on her hip, Aria had guns sitting visible just beneath her skirt, and Riko was hugging a M1887 shotgun and giggling. They were all reeaaalllly pumped up. "You guys are so slooow. I'm so tired of waiting." Kaname shouted to them, slashing her thumb across her throat. "The plastic miko, the westerner, the midget, and the fake cutie...eh? Aren't we missing one? Where's the mime?" She counted each of them, pointing at them one by one, and noticed that Reki was missing. Wait...the westerner? Oh, probably Jeanne. "She's already aiming at you." Aria answered, twintails streaming in the wind. So, they're acknowledging their nicknames. "She's the outer ring. You can't run. Reki's sniping success rate is above 99%...and I've never seen her miss. The 1% was due to a misfire." Well, I was the one behind that misfire. Without my influence, she's 100%. " Sigh ...I'll say this again, but just stop. I get how you feel, having been victims of Kaname's surprise attack, but this is just too childish. Can't you think of a more sustainable solution?" I tried to convince them from my position as the leader of the Baskervilles, but Aria glared at me like a cowboy from a Western. "Looks like not coming to the Assault division has made you some kind of pacifistic idiot, Kinji. This is what being a Butei is all about. Problems should be solved by shooting them in the face with lead." And now she's talking like a cowboy. But with an anime voice. "Yeah? This isn't a solution, this is just reciprocation. You come here all lined up, in full battle order, just to take on one person. It's like you're holding a grudge about something else as well." I glared back at Aria, and her blush switch flipped on. "I-It's not like I'm trying to take you back from Kaname or anything!" Aria's face grew panicked; it seemed like she was wondering why she had just said that. (I didn't get it either, it seemed pretty unrelated.) After a moment, her face snapped back to seriousness, and she drew her silver-white M1911. "These rounds are pastel loaded. Don't think that this will go the way it did when we last met." Pastel rounds were Detective Armed Lethal DAL rounds received from the Vatican. She had probably brought them after seeing that .45ACP rounds had no effect on Kaname. "Did you think that that was the problem? How naive~" Kaname smirked at Aria, but...don't be mistaken, Kaname. You might not have thought about before, considering your overwhelming strength, but the difference in power between people who are caught unawares and those who have made proper preparations are on several orders of magnitude. And with a Butei of Aria's level as your opponent, one slip will cost you your life. Do you understand? "You've been keeping Ki-kun to yourself all this time, Kaname~. We're all undergoing a yandere transformation!" Riko had gotten an especially weird nickname from Kaname. She was now making finger horns above her head, somehow still dexterously holding on to her shotgun at the same time. Lowering her hands, she worked the pump-action of her shotgun. "When you run, please come to me~ Won't you play with Riko? Teehee." It's always possible to avoid a handguns' bullets. Even amateurs can dodge out of the line of fire. After all, bullets fly in what amounts to a straight line, and it's possible to trace that line with the naked eye. However, a shotgun's bullets are undodgeable. The shot will spread out, catching the target with a bulk of the bullets. What's more, Riko's carrying a sawed-off. Not only does that make the shotgun easier to conceal, it increases the shotgun's spread. It's not a gun that I would ever want to face, even if I was in Hysteria Mode. "Hehehe. Isn't this nostalgic, Ki-kun? We're having another Lumberjack!" Riko smiled at me, and I noticed something. She had two shadows. Hilda's with her? Well, she probably just came for fun. I thought of Hilda's devilish appearance. "Have you finished praying, Kaname?" Jeanne said coolly, unsheathing Durandal. "I am Shirayuki's camerata. While I will be part of the ring, I will interfere but once." Her hair was tied up in a triple-braided bun. Ready for battle as well, I see. "I didn't think you'd be a part of this brutality too." I muttered, and Jeanne's ice-blue eyes glared at me. "The reason I must act now is because of your incompetence, Tohyama." "Why's it my fault now?" "We gave you the order to bring Kaname over to Deen using the method we discussed." The method we discussed...? Oh. She wants me to be Kaname's Romeo ? Like hell. Who would do that to their little sister? Even if its a self-proclaimed little sister. "Look where we are now. You failed." "Failure or success isn't the issue. You just blurted out what you wanted me to do, I didn't agree to anything." "I was not a victim of her surprise attacks, so I considered myself rather neutral towards her. That is why I continued to stifle the Baskerville's girls complaints, explaining to them that you were placating Kaname using that method. I even drew them a concept image." Wait...! What did you do, Jeanne!? "But despite that their relationship with Kaname did not improve..." "Like hell it would! Especially after being told about such an idiotic plan!" "Therefore, I came to the conclusion that we needed a new way to bring her in. We will make her surrender in a duel. Jeanne (what an idiot!) swung her estoc towards Kaname, who seemed totally confused by our conversation. The blade gleamed blue in the moonlight. "And more than anything, I am doing this because Kaname called me a coward at the burger shop." Burger shop? What, the MacDonald's? Well, you really were just sneaking around. All of you were. "I am not a coward. I will show her how I fight, fair and square. Losing to a junior is considered dishonorable in Butei High anyway. I could not turn my back and run from one, no matter what." Despite saying that, you ran away from your juniors during the Ristorante Masque, when they found you in a waitress cosplay, didn't you? Ah, fuck it. There's too many things to lecture her on, I'm just not in the mood. "Whatever, whatever. Are we counting your battles in Far East Warfare?" Kaname stuck her tongue out at Jeanne. Shirayuki, who had been silent till now (which made her all the more scary,) strode forward, her red geta scraping against the gravel. "Kin-chan, please get back. Azure particulate concentration is 0% tonight." Azure particles. Falling like rain from time to time, they were known for their ability to jam special abilities. If there were none tonight...then Shirayuki could use her full strength. That's hugely different from last time, when she couldn't touch Kaname at all. Kaname. You're in serious trouble this time. "Well, the ring has been formed. Let us reconfirm the rules." Shirayuki drew her sword. I only noticed it when she mentioned it, but the others had backed off at some point. Only Shirayuki, Jeanne and Kaname were nearby now. To prevent friendly fire, Aria and Riko were standing apart from each other, firing lines off by at least 60 degrees. The last corner of the triangle they formed was Haimaki, lying in wait in the shadow of the gym storage shed. He was wearing a full set of tactical body armour. Though not present, it's safe to say that Reki was taking charge of that angle. They've come up with a thorough battle plan, huh... The ring of a Lumberjack can only be made up of less than 10 Butei, but there are no rules as to their placement. The ring that the Baskerville girls had formed was perfect. It was a layer of concentric circles, centred on the area where we stood. First of all, their duelist was Shirayuki, wielding a Japanese blade. Jeanne, the other fighter most versed with close combat, formed the closest circle. Even if Kaname managed to escape the inner circle, the gun savant Aria would cut off her line of escape, while Riko's shotgun suppressed a whole area. The intermediate circle was inescapable. And if by some miracle, Kaname was able to get out, there's no running from Reki's absolute radius. After all even after going into Hysteria Mode, I was unable to run. "Kaname, you can't do this. There's no way you don't understand the purpose behind these concentric circles. This is their killing ground. You'll never be able to run." Feeling a little nervous about the fact that I was also in the midst of that circle, I warned Kaname using Assault concepts I knew she would understand. But nevertheless, the smile never left Kaname's face. "I won't blame you for anything. Just apologise, and surrender. I'll take care of the aftermath. I'll somehow convince these guys, so please...don't you know how much danger you're in?" I said, the gravity of the situation apparent from my expression. "Don't be dumb, Kinji. A dinosaur doesn't back down from an ant. And really, there's no need to provide such a large ring, girls." Kaname said. ...? Kaname started skipping, skirt flapping in the wind, like she was an elementary schooler playing hopscotch. Her toes dug into the ground, outlining a circle with a five meter radius. Shirayuki, Jeanne and I were all standing inside this circle. "I'll fight you without leaving this circle. We'll call it my loss if I even stick my little finger out." Hearing this, Shirayuki frowned. Kaname brandished Sonic, its tip pointing towards the moon. "Viva el cutting edge neu Schneide . This blade is leagues ahead of your rusting weapons. This is the newest of the new. A soldier armed with this could fight evenly with a T10 Main Battle Tank. Don't you agree, Kinji?" She turned to me, a cute smile on her face. It was like seeing a flower bloom, yet...maybe it was because I had spent a long time together with her, but I understood how she really felt. Instinctively, Kaname's feelings came across to me. She was bluffing. Kaname was alone. She didn't even have a camerata. The Baskervilles were using enhanced weaponry this time around, and they'd obviously done some investigation on LL concentrations. They were the ones who had picked the date of the duel, after all. And now that they had taken such a perfect formation, Kaname must have been feeling the pressure. I could feel her fear. I didn't want to, but I could. Ah, dammit. I guess I'll have to. "Aria." Even at this distance I could tell that Aria was furious. A D-shaped blood vessel was popping out of her forehead. "The cocktails sent to me weren't 9mms. They sent me .50AEs." I drew my desert eagle, showing it to all around. "You can't stop us, Kinji." "I've given up on that. You can go ahead and fight till you're satisfied. But what you're doing now? This bullying? I hate it more than anything else." "We aren't bullying her~ We're taking care of her!" Riko shouted over, hands cupped around her mouth. "Looks the same to me." "What are you doing, Tohyama?" "I'll be Kaname's camerata." I explained to Jeanne, always slow on the uptake, shooting Kaname a glance. Her hands were clasped to her chest, and she was staring at me, eyes wide with shock. When her eyes met mine, she blushed a little, and averted her gaze. I didn't really understand her reaction, but I took it to mean that she had no objections. Seeing Kaname's expression, Shirayuki was grinding her teeth. She seemed like she was about to speak, but hadn't said anything yet, so I took the opportunity to get things rolling. "Let's go over the rules one more time. This duel will end when either participants admits defeat, or is unable to move. There are no technical knock-outs, even if your limbs go flying. There are no draws. There is no escape. If you run, the ring will send you back to the middle. They can use any method to do so, whether a hard shove or a face full of lead." This reminds me of my days in the Assault division. Maybe not Aria, but this is just like Butei High, and I mean that in the worst possible way. "Camerata may help out only once, whether it's to prevent the duel from reaching a stalemate, the death of any participant, or for any other reason. After that one instance, they may no longer interfere." "Yeah, yeah, we all learned the same rules. Is that it?" Aria seemed a bit happy to see me motivated. She just loves to fight. "Yeah." I nodded. "Then let's begin." Aria said to the two duelists, drawing her black M1911. Shirayuki and Kaname locked eyes, but neither of them made a move. Only the participants could decide when the Lumberjack would start. That was their unassailable privilege. They would begin when they both felt the time was right. It was reminiscent of a fight between wild beasts, or a duel between samurai. We could only wait for time to pass. ... Shirayuki took her stance, her sword completely silent as it swung upwards. The blade was nearly complete vertical, and the hilt of the sword was nearly touching her right cheek. She was taking one of five basic kendo stances, the eight-directions . It was rarely used in modern kendo, being more of a traditional stance. However, Shirayuki used it often, preferring it for its efficient movements since she used it in conjunction with her Hotogi arts. What's your battle plan, Shirayuki? Kaname's sword can cut through any metal. Even a named sword like Irokaneayame isn't an exception. " razor sharp I cannot cut what I do not touch ..." Kaname muttered, taking her own stance. She pulled her right foot back, standing nearly perpendicular to Shirayuki. Taking hold of its hilt with two hands, she pulled the hilt back to her face, pointing the swordtip straight at Shirayuki. Kaname held it there steadily, parallel to the ground. I had no idea what stance she was taking. That said, it's not likely that you'd seen any of Kaname's techniques in an instruction manual. All I could tell is that it was a fairly active stance. But instinctively, I knew what function that stance served. That stance lacked any kind of guard. And Kaname didn't need to defend, thanks to Sonic's mono-filament edge. Kaname had probably come up with it herself. It was only feasible to use if you held that blade. "..." They were polar opposites, Shirayuki holding her sword vertically, and Kaname laterally. The air was thick with tension, making it difficult to breathe. Nobody dared to utter a word. Even the crickets had fallen silent. The two duelists' auras were clashing, spilling into the surrounding air... A fallen leaf flew between them, propelled by a gust of wind. In that instant, Kaname pounced. Christ, she's good. She made her move right when the withered leaf had blocked Shirayuki's vision. "... scarlet flame Flame Wall !" Shirayuki had to defend. She pulled her right hand away from her sword, swinging it to the side in a wide arc. A wall of fire, nearly two meters tall, sprang up in front of Shirayuki. Woah...! Even though I was quite a distance away, I felt a dangerous amount of heat radiating from the flames. That wasn't any ordinary fire. Those tongues of flame were white-hot. Looks like Shirayuki wasn't lying when she said that the azure particulate concentration was 0%. Without the particles around to interfere with her abilities, she's like a human flamethrower. Kaname pierced the inferno with her blade, but her body did not follow. She braked, dashing to the left instead. Shirayuki also appeared from the other side of the fire wall, her long black hair flying every which way. I had seen her use this attack when she fought against Jeanne. She was holding Irokaneayame with her right hand, much like an athlete would carry the Olympic torch. Not a bad comparsion, as its blade was wreathed in swirling flame. "Hotogi Art - Butterfly Scarlet Mirror !" Nobody would be able to follow the sword with the naked eye. But the trajectory of the flame surrounding the sword was clear. The blaze split backwards as the blade was swung downwards then upwards in a V-shape, spreading out like the wings of a butterfly. This was Sasaki Kojirou's Swallow Reversal Tsubame-gaeshi , except one-handed. However, she had swung Irokaneayame only to scorch Kaname's sword. Shirayuki was trying not to touch Sonic, knowing that if she did, Irokaneayame would be sliced apart. "Heh." Kaname laughed, seemingly confident in her victory. She swung her sword back, also blindingly fast, and did a backflip, putting some distance between her and Shirayuki. The fluorescent blue light gleaming from her blade traced a beautiful arc in the air. "That was close." "Not bad, Kaname." Aria and Riko said. They seemed to have clearly caught what had happened in the previous exchange. "..." Remaining silent, Shirayuki assumed yet another of the five stances, the middle . Her hilt was lowered to her hips and the tip of the sword pointed directly at Kaname's head. But... The sash holding up her scarlet hakama was slightly cut, and a long incision had been made on the left side of her white kimono, all the way to her underwear, leaving her undershirt exposed. In that instant, Kaname had struck at Shirayuki twice, once at her abdomen and once at her chest. Kaname landed with the skill of a gymnast. "Sheesh, one more millimeter and Sonic would have tasted your blood." She happily assumed her stance again. This time though, she kept Sonic's blade further away from her cheek, leaving her stance a little more open. "Hmph, Trying to heat my up my sword so much that I'd let go?" Sonic was glowing red with heat. There was no way I'd be able to keep hold of any metal that hot. So, Shirayuki hadn't been aimlessly using her Hotogi arts...she was trying to heat Sonic up so much that Kaname had to drop it. "What a shame. Both this sword and I have gone through heat tolerance tests, time and time again. Even if you heat us up, our performance won't change. It's over." She looked at Shirayuki like a hawk at its pray, and her right foot crushed against the gravel. "Jeez, you won't be able to sew your limbs back on once if you suffer such horrific burns to the cross-section, y'know? But, you reap what you sow, right?" As Kaname was trying to intimidate her, Shirayuki sheathed her sword, lowering her stance. She was preparing to iai . Scarlet Hotogi God! No...you shouldn't do that, Shirayuki...! It takes time to build up enough energy to execute her secret technique - Scarlet Hotogi God. There was no way Kaname would allow her that time. Even if she managed to pull it off, the path of her blade is simple to predict. If Kaname can meet her, blade to blade, she'll cut Irokaneayame, along with Shirayuki, in two. I wouldn't put it past her. Could it be that knowing that...Shirayuki wanted to sacrifice herself to kill Kaname? "Witch of infernos...burn in your own flame!" Brandishing Sonic, which glowed red-hot, Kaname hurtled forward, kicking the ground underneath her. She shot at Shirayuki like a cannonball. "You are done, Kaname." Shirayuki started at Kaname from below her fringe, and from behind her... Jeanne!! Shirayuki's cameratara sprinted forth. Wielding Durandal by her hip, Jeanne was hiding its blade with her body. "Woooow! It's a jet stream attack!" Riko was getting hyped up, spouting out a phrase I had never heard before. The words had scarcely left Riko's lips when Jeanne leaped gracefully over Shirayuki, brandishing Durandal before her. "... ice flower of Orleans fleur de la glace d'Orleans ..." Jeanne chanted softly, and Durandal shined with a blinding electric blue. Diamond dust, tiny particles of ice, glittered around her. Seeing this, Kaname decided she didn't want to take Jeanne head on. She impaled the ground with Sonic, braking as hard as she could, and the blue light, falling just beyond her, froze the ground solid. The subzero temperatures, unaffected by Azure-irokane , spread quickly into Kaname's sword. "...!" Sonic was frozen solid, and the ground beneath Kaname was rapidly freezing as well. Not wanting to be frozen to the floor, Kaname jumped, not releasing her grip on ehr sword. Just one hand on the pommel, she managed to rely on her superhuman athleticism to remain upright. It looked like she was giving some kind of circus performance. Ice was slowly creeping up Sonic's blade, but because it had been so hot before, it only made it up to the handguard before stopping its advance. Kaname, doing a one-handed handstand on her sword, was unharmed. "Sheesh, you used your camerata? Sorry, she looked so useless that I totally forgot that she existed. But it's too bad, it turns out that she was just as useless as I thought!" Kaname coiled her body like a spring before suddenly releasing that tension. The momentum of her uncoiling sent her, and her sword, flying over Jeanne. Sonic, still frozen like a crystal, was aimed directly at Shirayuki. Kaname was attacking her from above. "Hotogi Art...secret technique...Scarlet Hotogi God!" Shirayuki, who had been building up energy all the while, met Kaname's attack with a rush of flame. Shearing through the flames like they were air, Sonic rushed to meet Irokaneayame head on. "...!" Kaname seemed to have noticed something, but it was too late. Sonic clashed with Irokaneayame, and with the sound of breaking glass, it shattered. As it faded away, a dull thud shook the air. As Kaname fell, Shirayuki's sword, clear of flames, sunk into Kaname. She used the back of her sword! I managed to catch it as Shirayuki had struck Kaname's abdomen with the back of her sword. Hitting the ground, Kaname rolled thrice before coming to a stop, on her hands and knees. She looked up. "Haaa....haaa...." Tears in her eyes, Kaname tried to gather the fragments of her blade. However, they were red hot again, and her hands recoiled back. "No way...no way...neu Schneide...there's no way...!" Kaname was too shocked to figure out what had happened, but for once I had an idea. No matter how high-tech it was, Sonic was still made of metal. When metal is heated and cooled and heated and cooled enough times, it becomes brittle. Even Japan's railroads, arguably the most durable in the world, will snap as the metal expands and contracts due to sudden changes in temperature. When such ridiculous amounts of heat and frigidity are applied, the effects are instantaneous. This was the cause for the scene unfolding before us. "Cherry blossoms are the avatar of transience. There is naught else that bears comparison. They bloom, then scatter. That is the way of the world." Her eyes shut, Shirayuki recited a line from an ancient Japanese poem, sheathing Irokaneayame into its scarlet scabbard. I think that was from the anthology, New Collection of Poems Ancient and Modern. Written by Tokudaiji Sanesada. No idea honestly, my grades in ancient literature suck. "Looks like we have a winner." Aria span her M1991s before keeping them in the holsters beneath her skirt. You didn't do anything, why do you look so proud? I knelt besides Kaname. "Kaname, it's over. The 'newest weapons' will be invented again and again, like cherry blossoms springing into bloom, but there are no blossoms that do not scatter. That sword scattered tonight. That's all it is." I dissected the poem Shirayuki had recited, explaining to Kaname how it applied to this situation. If you could see the basis for comparison, then it was really simple to understand, but maybe it was too simple, because Kaname didn't seem to understand. Looking up at me, Kaname still seemed unable to face reality. Her weapon - the strongest, the newest - the cutting edge was broken. "Uwaaaaah!" She stood up, having completely broken down, and made to attack Shirayuki with her fists. That's way more fitting of a middle school student. Just in case, Shirayuki assumed a defensive stance. Assuming my role as camerata, I showed Shirayuki my open palm. My desert eagle was dangling from my index finger, which was inserted into the trigger guard. A gesture commonly used by Butei and the American police, it showed that I had no intention of shooting. It was a gesture of surrender. Stopping Kaname's protests with my other hand, I flicked my gaze downwards, urging her to look down. Below us was the circle that Kaname had drawn with her toes, saying that it was her loss if she stuck even a little finger out. And one of Kaname's feet lay outside. It had been Shirayuki's intention to push her out of the circle by smashing her with the hilt of the sword. "Abide by your word." I said sternly. Tears welled up in Kaname's eyes, but she resisted. She resisted. She resisted. But finally... "Uwaaah...Uwaaaaaaaaaaaah!" She started crying, in a very middle school student-like way. I guess she couldn't bear to be shamed so badly in front of me. What should I do though? She won't stop crying. "Ohh, you made her cry, you made her cry~ I'm going to tell the teachers!" Riko came skipping over, running circles around Shirayuki and I. Goddammit, Riko. Weren't you the first to approve of beating Kaname up? ...At least the heavy mood was lifted a bit. It felt like I was in a warzone just now. And to be fair, I can see on Riko's face that she thinks that they've picked on Kaname enough. I guess she could tell that the mood sucked, and tried to lighten things up a little. She has great social skills, unlike Aria and I. We just sort of looked at each other, completely at a loss. Haimaki walked over and licked Kaname on the cheek, like he was trying to comfort her. Even a dog is more sociable than Aria and I. On the other hand, Haimaki's owner, who ranked even lower than Aria and I on the social skills scale, climbed down from the sakura tree at the edge of the school grounds, Dragunov rifle on her shoulder. Reki was closer than I thought. "Kaname, you have great skill. I only just noticed that you launched a counterattack. If I had been slightly off, I would have been cut down." Jeanne said, squatting next to Kaname. I-I can see everything! I looked away quickly. She didn't seem to care, but Jeanne's bulletproof uniform had suffered a long vertical cut, and had completely split open. She didn't seem injured, but her bra straps were completely exposed. That, and her porcelain white skin. H-How do bras work anyway? Aria's bras had hooks at the front, which I can understand, but...how can the clasp be on the back? "As strong as expected. I would accept no less of Kin-chan's little sister." Shirayuki had secured the damaged side of her Miko kimono with a safety pin she had managed to produce. She was now smiling gently at Kaname, who was still sobbing. Kaname remained silent, but she heard the phrase 'Kin-chan's little sister' loud and clear, and she nodded in response. Alright, I'd had enough of that. "Don't praise her like that. Being strong or weak has no meaning off of Academy Island." I told Jeanne and Shirayuki off, and the tension finally bled away. Right after, the demon of vengeance, Aria, spoke to me. "Coffee, Kinji." I had a feeling that Aria would challenge me to a Lumberjack if I took too long, so I had to get Mutou to come over with some, apologising to him because it was so late. I couldn't tell him that we were having a duel, so I told him that I was watching the moon. And that there were girls. He told me that he'd be here in 5, but didn't have anything but can coffee. I asked Aria as politely as I could if it was okay with her, and was met with this reply: "You're useless. Your future worries me." She proceeded to criticise me, starting with this comment. I couldn't bear to listen, but it wasn't like I had a choice. After she was finished, she called one of her juniors in Assault to get her some. This lazy noble sure is used to delegating her work. In the end, Mutou really managed to arrive in five minutes, carrying Akari Mamiya - Aria's amica - in his minivan. Mamiya was the thorough type, and had brought 10 different coffee pots with her, each with a different blend. And so, a lie became the truth. We really did watch the moon that night. Coincidentally, Mamiya was shorter and flatter than Aria. The rarely found high school student with a kindergartner's body. Her hair was short, and done up in twintails, making her seem even more childish. Her neurons must be wired weirdly, because she has abnormal levels of respect for Aria, and does whatever she says without objection. "It's getting late, so please stay away from Aria-senpai...or just stay away from all girls, Tohyama-senpai." For some reason, she sees me as an enemy though. Definitely one of the girls I would not want to run into on the street. But seriously, only Butei would believe that we were gathered here to watch the moon. I'm glad that you're enjoying being by Aria's side and pouring her coffee, but don't you think it's weird that it smells like there was a forest fire here? "..." Feeling excluded because of Mamiya, I excused myself from the ring of girls and sat down on the ground. I had some coffee, but it was kinda watery. Mutou had gone to buy some dango suitable for moon-watching. I hoped that he would be back soon. Kaname had lowered the cloth-like weapon, magnetically propelled fiber-shield P-Fibre , to the floor. She had had it hovering above during the fight. Sitting down next to it, she seemed to be indicating that the rest should join her. So that's what they did. Using the cloth as a picnic sheet, they started their girls' night out. I looked over, worried about how Kaname was doing...she was drinking a caramel macchiato. I guess she had finally calmed down. I guess it was getting pretty late, 'cause I saw Mamiya hugging her knees and dozing off. "Why didn't you use this tonight, Kaname?" Aria, who had suffered so much from the weapon before, asked. "...'Cause Shirayuki only used one weapon. This wasn't like the first time. This was a duel, not a fight. So I thought that I should use only one weapon as well. It would be cowardly if I was the only one to use multiple swords." Kaname glanced at Shirayuki before she spoke. Well, I guess she had mentioned it before at the MacDonald's. She was just abiding by what I had said: "There are no cowards in the Tohyama clan." "...Yes, I suppose so." Hearing this, Shirayuki seemed to look at Kaname in a new light, her animosity forgotten. She took a fragment of the broken Sonic, which now resembled a silver crystal, and wrapped it in a Japanese cloth before passing it to Kaname. "A sword is a warrior's soul. I could feel it in your blade. It was proud and noble. It was beautiful." "Shirayuki..." Accepting the fragment, Kaname gazed up at Shirayuki with eyes of respect. It was almost like they were really sisters. "...Kinda like how you tell your opponent your name after a fight, yeah?" I turned to look behind, where the yakuza movie line had come from. Mutou, plate of dango in hand, had returned. Passing the plate to Shirayuki, he sat down beside me. "You just held a Lumberjack, right?" I guess he knew from the start. "Don't tell anyone, alright? Even if they turn a blind eye, the Masters have been pretty annoying recently." "I won't dude. I support it after all." Speaking with a bit of innuendo, Mutou and I ate the rest of the dango. "Hehehe, makes you think back, doesn't it Kinji?" "Don't laugh like that, it's weirding me out." "You're laughing too, bud." The truth is, Mutou was the one who I had had an unarmed Lumberjack with, right after I enrolled. Why is it that happened again? I'm pretty sure that Mutou was triggered by something that Shirayuki had said. I underestimated him since he was in Logi, but the difference in build made it a tough battle. He was pretty good at a lot of throw. The force of his T-Bone suplex made my head spin. That's something I could do without experiencing again. We fought till we were both about to drop, having been pushed back into the centre time after time. The ring was made up of Shiranui and Riko, but I forgot which one of us won. I don't know why, but Mutou and I started hanging out after that. Doesn't really make sense to become friends after fighting, but...I guess that's how relationships work in Butei High. Everything is so clumsy and dated. It was decided that we would continue our after-duel talk some other time. Shirayuki and Aria went back to their own rooms, and Kaname and I went back to mine. We walked home, under the streetlights and listening to the cicadas chirping. "Kinji." Kaname, walking beside me, spoke first. "Yeah?" "Thank you for being my camerata...my ally. When you said that you'd be my camerata, I was...really happy." "You lost because of me though?" I decided to be the first to voice it. When Jeanne had used la fleur de la glace d'Orleans, Kaname could have completely dodged it if she had pulled out her blade earlier. She didn't because I was directly behind her...she thought to slow the spread of the ice with her blade, which was extremely hot. This was why Sonic was completely frozen, resulting in its brittleness. It was Kaname's mistake to fight so Jeanne's line of fire could affect the two of us, but if I hadn't volunteered to be her camerata, there might have been a very different conclusion. "No. A little sister protecting her brother is...it's natural. It's natural for someone to protect their family." Kaname shook her head, her hair swaying left and right. When I heard that, I had the feeling that Kaname could be my real... "..." I stopped, looking down at her. Kaname had stopped walking as well, and her ocean-blue eyes were staring up at me. Like a real little sister, looking up at her brother. ### 002. 2nd Ammo - Sports Festival -La Lissa- Chapter 2: Sports Festival–The Brawl [Begin Text] Arcanum Duo 1 and Lumberjack, having tasted defeat in both–and in so short a time–, Kaname’s malicious attitude has disappeared completely. She has come to realise that her value was not only as a weapon. Being defeated in the duel has shaken her self-confidence, and it seems that she is now living the life of a normal high school girl. Unfortunately, there is nothing normal about this school. Even the many advanced blades she boasted of, have not been seen. This is… Well, of course it’s wonderful. It’s Aria– who will draw her guns in a fight over the television channel–, and Riko– who lays landmines as a prank– that are the problem. From now on, Kaname should live a peaceful life like any normal civilian. It’s something I want for her, from the bottom of my heart. Especially because, at her age, she can still re-adjust to a normal life. Something in Kaname’s attitude towards me has changed, and she has been acting very strange. It appears that– considering her claim that we are sibling–, she has put an appropriate distance between us. She no longer clings to me like Riko, and I consider myself saved from this peril. But, despite this, I’m still her ‘Onii-chan’ that needs to be taken care of. Sometimes she does inexplicable things like hiding and watching me– just staring. It seems like the type of situation in the Shoujo manga that Jeanne likes to read: ‘I’m in love! But since it’s my older brother, I can’t show my true feelings…’ And in not wanting to go home, I’m ‘immovable as a mountain’ 2 , but compared to: ‘Since you have been with other girls, I’ll stab you 30 times with a kitchen knife…’ 3 …that she said a few days ago, this is infinitely better, so I humbly endure it. At least I plan to, but if I’m careless… On a day that Kaname wasn’t home, for some reason I found myself making an inverted Teru-teru Bouzu 4 (The kind with the head down), when I received a strange report by telephone from someone completely unexpected… 「Hello, Master-de gozaru. 5 」 「I told you to stop calling me that.」 It was a call from Hina Fuuma… 「Lately, my Master’s younger sister has been actively making friends with all of the first-year girls-de gozaru.」 That was the report I received. 「That’s good, isn’t it? And normal for girls her age.」 Unlike me, it seems that Kaname was always a popular person. Of course, that was with her ‘Innocent Kaname’ persona. 「Actually, there is a girl with whom she has recently become especially close-de gozaru.」 「That’s good too, right? Who is it- ‘de gozaru’ ?」 Since everything seemed to be fine, I started losing interest in listening, so I reached out to write the characters: へ の も の へ on the face of my Teru-teru Bouzu 6 with a marker when… 「It is Lady Mamiya Akari-de gozaru.」 Hearing that, my hand froze. 「…Aria’s Amica ?」 「The same.」 I had a bad feeling about this… Digging further into the matter and asking questions, it seems that among first-years she is one of the most promising students. Although the details are classified, she is also involved in some important affair. Around the time when E-Ranked Mamiya became Aria’s Amica — when addressing certain person with an S-rank–, said: ‘Working with you is great, but– as an E-Rank Butei– I wonder if it was Fate that brought us together?’ …among other irritating phrases. And asking what they were doing together… 「The details are unclear, however, it appears they are allied in a conspiracy to keep my Master away from Kanzaki-senpai.」 She answered. Keep me and Aria…? That would be a wonderful thing! If I don’t stay away from Aria, this pursuit– using her Governments and the horn-like hair ornaments she started wearing at the beginning of the month–, and real-life bull-fight will never end. This is something that I could only ask for! 「For now, watch both of them. If anything strange happens, report back.」 「As you wish.」 And with this, the call ended. Shaking my head, I dropped heavily on the sofa. In anything related to the first-years, I leave just about everything to Fuuma– maybe too much, but it’s fine. I’m very busy… Ok, maybe not so much, but I have to learn how to manage people sooner or later. Moreover, I can’t let myself be distracted by these things. Right now, there is already something much, much more worrying to occupy my brain. Tomorrow, Sunday, at Butei High the Sports Festival (also known as ‘ La Rissa ‘ {The Brawl}) will be held– a hellish event. I’m begging. Let there be a huge storm tomorrow! And I hung my completed inverted Teru-teru Bouzu on the curtain rod. ***************************************** Sunday morning dawned, without a single cloud on that absolutely beautiful day… All of us Butei High students are ranged in parallel ranks in Arena No.1. It’s for our annual athletic meet– the Sports Festival. Since students are regularly absent– on investigations or raids– there are no pre-qualifiers. At 5:00 A.M. on the day appointed, we have to assemble, and our ‘wonderful teachers’, hold us at gunpoint as we rehearse our assigned parts. And then suddenly, the show begins. Damn, I’m tired! I’m about to fall asleep standing up. 「We, the competitors, swear to respect the laws that govern us as Butei, and to participate fully until the end of the competition! 」 And so a bland “Athlete’s oath” was delivered by Urara Takachiho– a notable first-year. The student body divided into Red and White Teams, and prepared for the competition. On their hips and backs there was not a single knife, grenade, handgun, rifle, or machine gun. We are all disarmed. This is an extremely unlikely scenario at the Butei High, because school policy states: ‘All students must carry a gun and a knife at all times while inside the facility.’ It’s time for the first competition to begin– “Shooting Baskets” Sometimes after a failed match-making, Ranbyou orders the students of ASSAULT: “Students will compete in groups of two. Each will have to to load their gun, and the slowest one will get shot.” This time, we aren’t shooting bullets. We are only throwing balls into small baskets suspended 3 metres above the ground. 7 And as for the reason that our sports meet is so peaceful… 「Well… All of the students are quite fit, aren’t they?」 「Yes, and with this fine weather and cloudless sky, they will be able to work up a healthy sweat!」 The ones having this discussion are from the Metropolitan Board of Education– the Vice-Director of the Tokyo Board of Education and the Chief Supervisor of Educational Guidance are on inspection. That is to say, they came to monitor us. The reason is that the last Sports Festival hosted Ancient Roman gladiator games, barefoot races, and was jam packed with other extremely dangerous events. Students were injured, one after another, and in short it was a brawling festival. Despite this, the deranged students at this school thought it was a lot of fun, but rumours of it reached the ears of the Tokyo Metropolitan Governor and he was livid, and surveillance was subsequently instituted. Just one foolish move here could lead to the closure of Butei High! In a frenzy MASTERS issued an urgent statement: ‘During the sports festival, and while you are present in Arena No.1, you will play the part of innocent and smiling high school students. Gunfire or any other kind of violent action, will be strictly and severely punished.’ These were their instructions. By “strictly and severely punished” , they basically mean a full course of planned punishment, and so we are all ‘Shooting Baskets’ with strange, forced smiles on our faces. 「Aw, Come on…! It won’t go in!」 Even on our White Team … Aya Hiraga of AMDO is participating with a completely natural, innocent smile, offering comfort for our troubled hearts. She usually modifies weapons with her small hands, but the general lack of coordination she is displaying makes me worry about the next order I place with her. Wearing a tracksuit was optional, so Hiraga is wearing shorts. But as she enjoys herself, her resemblance to an elementary school-girl at the park makes her look all the more childish. This kind of competition suits her all too well. 「Umph…!」 *Sparkle* *Sparkle* Her silver hair shining and full, lustrous locks flowing uselessly behind her as she throws the ball is… Jeanne. Because she is so beautiful, with her artificial smile she looks like a movie star, but she is wearing bloomers so outdated that they look more like panties. On the whole it is evidence of utter stupidity, and is drawing the embarrassed gaze of the boys nearby. On the other hand, what is most unsettling is… The presence of the the senior students–the third-years who are also ‘Shooting Baskets’. They receive more requests from governments and private individuals for long-term jobs, and under the guise of a short period of study abroad, they are hired to respond to a lot of incidents around the world. Because of this, they aren’t often seen at Butei High. But even so… No matter who you look at, they all have an awesome presence. All of them have their own personality quirks– probably two or three–and seem very hard to please. Also, compared to the other grades, they are the ones best at pretending to be ordinary high-school students, but their aura is quite different. It’s something that can be concealed from an ordinary person, but as fellow Butei, we’ve noticed. As a rule, third-years never shows their full power to a junior student. It is also unwise to show it to other third-years. They are well-used to hiding their claws. As the number of real-combat job requests increase, the professional rivalry between fellow Butei and the possibility of meeting as enemies also increase. Getting a job also means gaining experience. Because of this, close friendships are ended, and practical experience gained, lethal assassination techniques, and special skills are closely guarded secrets. As a result, they may seem like regular students on the outside, but on the inside they are more terrifying than the Yakuza. To be more precise, they radiate the aura of a ‘professional’. Slaves in the first year, demons in the second, and Kings of the Underworld in the third… In short, the King of the Underworld doesn’t flaunt their kanabou at mere demons 8 . Uff! I never thought that just shooting baskets would make me sweat so much… Beads of cold sweat ran down my back. *********************************************** Then the traditional part of the Sports Festival wrapped up quickly… Throughout the school, various kinds of ‘Individual competitions’ are being held. separately in several of the Butei High sports facilities. It is a clever ploy to impress the Metropolitan BoE bigwigs and ensure additional funding, all without letting the students out of the teachers’ supervision. Because I didn’t want to participate in an ‘Individual competition’, I volunteered to be the head score-keeper, but… as I went to pick up the score-sheets from the MASTERS tent, I was embarrassed to find Ranbyou and Tsuzuri in an altered state. They had changed their normal maniacal ‘GAHAHA!’ laughter, to the more casual and refined ‘hohoho’ type, eating sweet bean jelly and sipping green tea with the over-the-hill BoE members. They look just like two beautiful female teachers. This two-faced acting is almost too much. One day, that pair of ‘beautiful teachers’ somehow acquired a huge barrel of sake, opened it, and in a drunken rage, destroyed the inner docking clamps for the artificial island, causing the whole of Academy Island to shift 0.8 degrees south…. I wonder if I should snitch on them… After that, they stabilised the island’s pitch using its ballast tanks, but their heads would probably roll if the incident was reported. But in return, my head would roll. With that almost 2 meter long zanbato, that Ranbyou usually carries on her back. *********************************************** The ‘Individual competitions’ are held in the second half of the first part of the Sports Festival, and everyone, regardless of their skill, has been assigned an event by MASTERS. So I don’t have the foggiest idea who is participating in what competition. First, I cycled over to where they were holding an obstacle course… *Tap!* *Tap!* *Tap!* 「Ahh…! AHHHH…!」 A girl tried to jump the high jump bar, but her legs tangled. Her head sticking out of the vaulting box and wearing a gym shorts was Shirayuki. The other participants had already reached the goal, and she was the only one that had not made it half-way. What I mean is that she got stuck on every single obstacles–eyes filled with tears of despair. But Shirayuki has always been clumsy. 「Hotogi-san is doing her best!」 「She’s the ultimate example of it!」 「Jump higher!」 She was being cheered the guys standing nearby. Why is that? I don’t get the impression that the are making fun of her, but encouraging her from the bottom of their hearts. 「Umh… Uhh… This… foot? What…? W-wha…!」 Next, to be struggled through was a net, and sure enough she was quickly entangled. Shirayuki serves as the captain of the women’s volleyball club and is wearing her uniform. Your volleyball team, can it even play properly? For me, this is one of the 7 mysteries of Butei High. *********************************************** Next, I headed to the tennis courts… 「Senpai, please use my towel!」 「No, mine!」 「Mine too!」 「Use mine!」 There was a group of first-year girls engaged in a shoving match, and in the middle of them them I found Jeanne. 「To-Tohyama! Help me!」 While shouting a variation of her usual “ Follow me “, she stretched her hand out of the knot of girls, but…Sorry. I can’t rescue you. To enter that circle of girls with very short tennis skirts would be suicide. Surely ‘that’ problem would become an issue, so you have to figure something out yourself. 「Isn’t is great to be popular? If only you were this popular with boys it’d be perfect.」 Saying that, I diligently recorded the scores from board hung on the fence. Oh! Jeanne got first place, huh? Second is Takachiho of ASSAULT, and third is Naruse of CVR. *Fwsh!* *Fwsh!* Turning my head at the sound, I saw that they had been having a badminton doubles match on the next court over. In the closest pair, one of the players was… Reki! She wore a polo shirt and Spandex shorts under her skirt–clearly everything was borrowed. 「…」 *Whizz!* The shuttlecock flew through the air towards her side, and like a broken pitching-machine, Reki swung her racquet and missed. She swung vertically. Thus, the one-sided game, ended with the defeat of Reki’s team. Reki’s partner–who seemed to belong to the women’s badminton club– collapsed onto the court and began crying. It’s not your fault. Even if Ojizo-sama 9 helped, and her partner was a badminton world champion, a decent match is impossible. 「Oi Reki! This is an assignment from MASTERS, no… Show a bit more spirit!」 「…」 While writing down the scores, I scolded Reki a little bit, but she did not respond. Although she is wearing a skirt, she sat against the fence off to the side, hugging her knees and unmoving like a statue. 「…?」 I sensed something a little strange in Reki. By the look in her eyes, she seems to be making a joke of this event– looking like she is running some kind of pre-programmmed simulation in this sham of a sporting event. But… Reki has always been strange, so she can basically do whatever she wants. *********************************************** After that, some girls were being pushed in a hand cart for some kind of unknown event, and I was surprised that the Mutou siblings were taking it very seriously. 「Since it has wheels,the pride of LOGI is at stake!”」 Wearing spandex shorts and mimicking my role as score collector, Kaname joined me. Since it was my job, I entered the area where the last individual competition was being held– the Extreme Sports Competition. In a vacant area, several curved ramps had been erected here and there. Some were set Standing behind one… 「Unh!」 Hearing a familiar a well-known anime voice, I looked up, and there was Aria, wearing inline skates and doing jumping into the clear blue sky. She was wearing gym shorts, child-sized pads on her knees and elbows, and a helmet with holes carefully drilled for her twin-tails. Landing on a curved ramp, she spun and continued to make successive jumps, and while still in the air… she came horizontal and spun round and round, twirling like a corkscrew. As her long twin-tails spun around her like a double-helix, cheers soared from the students who were spectators. Incredible…! And then on the next jump, she lifted the tips of her skate, twisted her body while turning a somersault, landing a perfect ‘Flat Spin 540°’ , successfully preforming several consecutive high-level tricks. And while still in the air, she calmly winked an eye at the younger girls. Wow… of all the Butei I know, she is the most coordinated. And after having seen how it is with Reki and Shirayuki, I am more convinced. Besides… Despite the bad impressions I have of her, right now… because I can’t describe it, I can’t help but say that… Right now, she looks… very cute. It’s quite clear. From the first day I met Aria, thoughts like that have popped into my head. Her social status is that of a genuine aristocrat, and she also has a talent for learning languages. Why has heavens granted her two or three blessings? 10 Especially since they haven’t given me anything. All I got was this annoying physical condition–Hysteria Mode. But then again… her height, quick-temper, and inability to swim are a few of her flaws. One of her major flaws, one that is especially notable is her forgetfulness about certain situations where she has overdone something and become angry. In the summer festival, she tried Takoyaki 11 but in the autumn had completely forgotten, and explaining it all a second time was a real hassle. And recalling such things, my gaze followed Aria until… *Pinch* 「Ouch…!」 Kaname, who had just caught up with me, pulled on my cheek. 「What are you watching that has you so fascinated, Onii-chan?」 「I-I’m not fascinated! And why are you so angry? Your cheeks are puffed out like a chipmunk with its mouth stuffed full of food.」 「Nooo reeeeason…」 *Humph!* Kaname whirled away and pressing down hard, began copying the results of the BMX Free-style event on the score-sheet. *Crunch* She was pressing so hard, it seemed that her point would break with the force of each stroke. 「Ah, Kinji. Are you… both trying to skip out on the Sports Festival? You siblings are alike.」 Seeming to notice our presence, Aria glided over smoothly, wearing a pair of inline skates, she looked like a pond skater skimming the water’s surface. 「Well, the first part … it’s just a charade, so it’s alright to skip, don’t you think?」 「Even this acting can be a warm-up for the second part! 」 「Shh! Don’t talk so carelessly about Part Two. If anyone from the MoE hears you, the MASTERS will crush you to a pulp!」 I started scanning the area, but there were no signs of our evil teachers. 「So … Kinji. W-What was ‘that’ all about?」 Aria asked, turning away as she drank a sports drink from a plastic bottle. 「What was ‘what’?」 「You were watching me with a stupid-Kinji look on your face, weren’t you?」 「Don’t call me that. And wait… You noticed?」 「How could I not notice? You were staring at me.You didn’t take your eyes off me for a second. 」 「S-Staring…? Ah… well, it’s not like I wasn’t watching, but…」 I didn’t finish and my answer trailed off as a lump rose into my throat. At that explanation Aria’s face turned red. Instinctively, I prepared myself to dodge a hail of bullets, but right now, she is unarmed. I’m safe. In any case, she doesn’t seem particularly angry. Her tense lips have softened somewhat. The look on her face… it’s like she’s half embarrassed and half happy. I am only able to arrive at these figures because of my previous experiences with Aria. I was staring at her… so it’s not I don’t understand the fact that she is embarrassed… but I don’t know why she’s happy. So, intrigued, I frowned and Kaname, also scowled. She seems to have understood the meaning behind Aria’s expression perfectly, and became angry. Pointing at Aria’s face, I was just about to ask Kaname about it when… 「… What are you gong to do now? You’re already done collecting scores, right?」 Aria asked. 「Huh? No, not yet. I still need to get the results of one other event.」 「Oh yeah! Wｈere!?」 She’s in a bad mood. 「Buildering 12 : It’s an event a lot like rock climbing, but you have to climb a building instead. It’s near SNIPE because it is the tallest building in the school. They’re the only ones I haven’t marked down yet. On the roof…」 「The r-roof…!」 Ah…! Damn it! Aria’s camellia coloured eyes became as round as saucers, and seeing this, I hastily covered my mouth., but it was too late. Lately, the word ‘roof’ is not one that should be said in front of Aria. And right now, I just said it twice…! 「R-r-ro-roof…!」 「S-sorry, Aria… Forget what I said! I’m so sorry!」 「Ro-ro-r-f-ro-of-oof…!」 Th-This is… A silver lining! She’s ‘lagging’! Whenever time Aria has heard ‘that word’ she has exhibited a number of reactions, but this one is particularly safe. As it stands now, she’ll be out of order for a little while. It is a ‘reaction bonus’. A few days ago–when I didn’t know that this forbidden word could cause a disaster–, I irritated Aria by asking: “Why do you get so angry whenever you hear the word ‘roof’? What’s wrong with a ‘roof’? A ‘roof’. What is it? It’s a ‘roof’!”. After saying it how many times, Aria finally burst into tears, screamed at me in English, so drew her swords and guns, and ended up shooting in all directions while running around the room, and took a swan dive from my apartment into Tokyo Bay. She stole my signature move. That is her most dangerous reaction,’Berserk’. I had always known that she was strange, but I thought she had finally gone insane… She was floundering on the water’s surface, so I rescued her with a fishing rod as she said: “That time, I don’t know why I did it. It was a mistake! So it doesn’t count!” Having fished her out, she summarily began to pummel, but the violent mermaid had finally said it. Apparently Aria talking about what happened that time… Every time she remembers the kiss that she gave me on the roof of SSR, it triggers hysterics. Of course, I don’t have a clue why she did it, either. No ideas on how to heal her mental scars (?) immediately leap to my mind. While Aria getting upset and harassing me about something she did herself is unreasonable, for the time being, by being careful not to say ‘that’ word, I’ve managed to get along with her. For now… 「Aria. Hey, are you okay?」 I shook the paralysed Aria and shook her a little. 「I-I’m Fi’m.」 Fully flushed, she was still suffering the effects of mental shock. 「…」 What are the two of us going to do? From hereon out? As we shared the silence, and our eyes locked in utter confusion… *Priiii!* Sounding a whistle that was probably used in the competitions, Aria’s Amica , Mamiya, with her small body and short legs, came running… But what the hell…? Her two short twin-tails bristling, she was shaking her fists angrily. 「Tohyama-senpai! Please step away from Aria-senpai! Kaname-chan, give me a hand!」 「Right! That is out! 13 」 Taking advantage of the fact that Aria was still wearing her inline skates, Mamiya took a hold of Aria from behind, turning her around, pushing her like she was carting something away on a hand truck. Meanwhile, Kaname clutched at my waist and started dragging me off toward the SNIPE building. Oh… So this is the ‘alliance to keep me away from Aria’ that Fuuma told me about! But what about us? Putting my physical safety as a priority, I should welcome such a separation from Aria, but… Why are you two working so hard? Particularly that ‘mini-Aria’, Mamiya Akari. Thanks to what I saw Konayuki do about Shirayuki and myself, I understand perfectly because Mamiya sees Aria in the same way. But, looking at it another way, if we prioritize Aria’s mental and physical health, couldn’t this be dangerous? But as things stand…to me this is all happening an incomprehensible world, so I can’t do anything but let them have their way. ************************************** Finding out what a terrible Amica she had, Aria is probably having a hard time at a place where we wouldn’t be allowed to see each other, and I sympathised with her… I went to the INFORMA tent to deliver the score-sheet results. Here, some first-years were faced with a mountain of forms just like mine, and I noted the current score: Red Team: 865 points. White Team: 856 points So, the winner will be decided in the very last event called the “Hundred Runners’ Relay”. The “formal” winner, that is… Heaving a big sigh, I went to Arena #1 where the entire student body had assembled once again; only this time, a 400 metre wide track was left open. Each team (Red and White) has 50 relay-runners, chosen at random, who had to run the entire track, but…Since I wasn’t picked, I’m just a spectator. In the end, the only competition that I participated was “Shooting Baskets”, but that’s just fine by me. 「Ready!」 *Bang!* At the sound of the starting gun, the vast majority of students remained calm, but… 「Eek!」 Only one, a girl from the Red Team on the inside track, tripped and knocked over the backstop. Sweat pouring off her, she fell on her butt as she refused to stand… It’s… Nakasorachi?! Of all the competitions, she was chosen to participate in the relay-race. That girl has terrible luck. A second-year attached to CONNECT, Misaki Nakasorachi, with her long bangs hanging down in front of her eyes, she glanced nervously in every direction. Watching the previous runner come around, she fell again, but this time forward. While in that position on all-fours, she realised that her turn was coming… 「Hyaaa!」 Not even taking the time to stand, she entered the track in that position and started crawling on all-fours. Under her shirt, her generous chest, rocked from side to side with each step. Maybe it was divine prank or a trick of Fate, but from my position I could see it clearly… Her bra was made of raw white and very plain. But it’s having the opposite effect! I just hope she isn’t thinking about running the whole r ace on all fours… Just as we all were beginning to worry about that, somehow Nakasorachi managed to stand up. With legs trembling like a newborn fawn, received the baton from the previous runner and took over. You’ve got to be kidding me! Nakasorachi began to run, but with legs so bent, they seemed to form the letter ‘X’. 「Hi, hah, hah, hah… Ho!」 In the end, she managed to run at a speed of about 10 kph, panting hard, but the long red ribbon that was tied on her head barely moved. That is… Amazing! Nakasorachi is displaying a unique lack of physical aptitude. She fell down… and again… she has yet fallen. In the 400 metres of track separating her from where she handed the baton off to Watson, she fell a total of eight times. I’ve always wondered… It’s a real mystery how you c an be a proper Butei. ****************************** As a result, the Sports Festival ended with the upset of the Red Team and their sudden defeat. Needless to say it, Nakasorachi had defeated her own team. With the applause of all the students, we marked the sham ending of this whole charade… If only our Sports Festival ended with the First Part, it would be just like a normal high school… None of the students were particularly tired, but we did some cool-down exercises anyway. We were split into pairs of boys or girls, but I have been paired with Watson who is pretending to be a boy at school…and it was extremely uncomfortable. Watson began to fluster, caught up in a panic. It got to the point that Shiranui was ‘watching’ us with with concern. I just wanted to disappear. Meanwhile, from the MASTERS’ tent… 「My.. What a startling last-minute victory!」 「It was, wasn’t it? It was a wonderful sports festival.」 Surrounded by what appeared to be the ‘real’ Ranbyou、 Tsuzuri, and the former actress Ruri Yuuki-sensei from CVR, the Chief Supervisor and Vice-Director of the MoE Committee were in high spirits. But if you look carefully at the desk, the green tea they had been drinking have turned into cans of beer. When both were a little tipsy, with an angelic smile, Irin Yadokoro from AMBULANCE presented each with a box of expensive cakes, and they left Butei High practically walking on air, however… Damn it…! Bureaucrats! Butei have always used the same old trick when dealing with spineless characters– beautiful women, alcohol, bribes… and they are left completely fooled. Even a pacifist like me pities them. Being a sports festival with the name ‘La Rissa’ , which in Italian means ‘The Brawl’, I should realize that there hasn’t been a ‘Kibasen’ 14 ! ‘Kibasen’… Just the word is enough to bring back memories, and cause my stomach hurt. It’s one of the competitions that will take place in the ‘far from normal’ Part Two of the Sports Festival. ************************************************* While taking a pill for my stomach 15 in the open water fountain… 「Tooyama 16 .」 Carrying a red safety cone in her arms, Watson approached. 「If this is for your ‘rehabilitation’ I won’t do it. Just think about the time and place. If Shiranui sees us again…」 「But I haven’t said anything! We’ll save rehabilitation for next time. Rather, a while ago… using the cool-down exercises as an excuse, you took advantage of the opportunity to touch me in strange places, didn’t you? On my.. h-here… and here…」 「Don’t get so worked up over nothing! Who would want to touch you there, anyway!」 「The way you say it is so rude!」 「You’re a pain, seriously…」 As we talked, Watson signaled the message ‘3’ by blinking, so we are now pretending to help collect the last of the equipment used in the competitions. With these things in hand, the two of us left for the gym storage warehouse while taking extreme care that no one saw us. 「Well, what happened? Have you found Third–G-3?」 Inside the dark warehouse, poles and urethane mats for the high jump had been piled up and we sat down. 「Nothing yet. Even our own British Security Service, MI5, has been unable to locate him. G-3 is an expert at ‘disappearance’ and that includes concealing his movements, communications, and all all of his footprints, and of course not being detected by any visual surveillance.」 「Oh, right… I’ve seen him do that twice. So that’s how it is, huh?」 So he can’t be tracked…huh? 「But what he cannot hide is his past. Look at this.」 From behind her back Watson, extracted several sheets of A4 paper and handed them to me. Watson, did you put these there before the festival started, and have they been there ever since? I thought that I felt something crinkling when we did back-to-back stretches just a minute ago. 「I can’t read it. It’s written in English.」 I said, thrusting the lightly cinnamon scented paper back. 「You should study more, Tooyama.」 With a feminine sigh Watson… *Plop!* …sat her anything but masculine, round buttocks down next to me. Ugh… Damn! My stupid sense of smell has been activated. Maybe because she’s sweated a bit in the Sports Festival, but… Watson exudes a faint scent. I can sense her female pheromones, even though she is dressed as a boy. Hey, Watson! How is it that despite giving off this sweet, feminine scent, you haven’t been outed as a girl? Your thighs are practically exposed in those shorts, and I’m not sure if I’d call words ‘healthy’ or ‘seductive’. 「Tooyama, why are you looking at my legs? You’re positively indecent!」 Speaking of ‘indecent’, Watson blew a raspberry at me while turning the page. 「I-I’m not looking! Who would want to!」 「You are so rude.」 After exchanging the same troublesome banter again… Watson put on a serious expression and stared at me with eyes, that if you look closely, are also quite feminine. 「These documents contain the information that you wanted Liberty Mason to hand over, and as members of DEEN, we want to ask the leader of Team Baskerville…you, what we should do if we encounter G-3… In other words, we want to hear your opinion.」 「My two cents aren’t even worth that much. What do the documents say?」 「Well, first they say that ‘G-3 is not a criminal ‘–at least not according to the British Government.」 「What…? Not… a criminal? He used Kaname to attack Aria and the girls. What is he then?」 「If seen from your individual point-of-view, he looks like a criminal, doesn’t he? But when viewed as a whole, he can also be seen as a good person.」 「…?」 Seeing my blank look of confusion, Watson indicated a certain part of the paper. 「Take this here for example. After his escape from Los Alamos, G-3 began to destroy terrorist groups, pirates, human traffickers, and other dangerous armed groups around the world, saving innocent people. However, he never took a penny in exchange. Naturally, believing that there was something underhanded about it, but after investigators made an exhaustive search, they came up with nothing. We conclude that the most prominent factor in all of his armed raids was that they were all done for ‘free charity’.」 「That kind of charity is dangerous!」 Saying that, I crossed my arms. Although it doesn’t match your ill-mannered appearance, G-3… with your clichéd speaking style, are trying to be a ‘champion of justice’? But if that’s the case, why did you attack us? Or is it perhaps that myself, Aria, Shirayuki, Riko, and Reki are an ‘dangerous armed group’ to him? Although, when I think about the Baskerville girls aggressive personalities, I can’t fully deny it. It’s sad, really… 「That type of mysterious phantom has been around for ever. By use of armed force,they will self-righteously save the powerless–in most cases,disregarding the law.」 I had said, and as for my thoughts… The idea of American comic book heroes and Period Drama Samurai had come to mind. Following that analogy, there was one person in particular that sprang to mind… but I was had just shaken my head to dismiss the idea, when… 「Your sister also uses this M.O., right?」 Watson said bluntly. My sister… Who actually is my older brother, but… yes, Kana does work similarly. In her actions as a Butei, she hasn’t accepted a penny from poor people. But really, that’s not something to be commended. Doing things like that negatively impacted fair payment, prices, and things like vested interest in the industry as a whole. When she has done this too much, there have also been complaints brought before the Butei Council, but Kana just blew them off. She just says, “Well, just give me an onigiri as a reward.”, and she really has saved the relatives of poor family members from entrenched criminals for a single onigiri. 「G-3 and Kana, in spite of greatly differing personalities, both act like mysterious phantoms. You seem to respect and admire Kana lot, so that may be the reason why you don’t want to admit it.」 …Watson continued. Although I couldn’t say it, I partially agree. I’ve been vaguely aware of it from the beginning. Although it is scattered, G-3, Kaname, Kana…. and finally I, all share a partial similarities in our personalities. 「When G-3’s target and the US or England’s national interest align, it seems that they put out a job request offering payment in weapons, equipment maintenance, and other kinds of sponsorship rewards. ‘You can’t put chains on a wild beast, but the helpful animal will be fed. ‘ as the saying goes. It could also be said that they derive their morality of their actions from the hidden agendas of major world powers. Well then, after those arguments… What do you think about G-3, is he good or bad?」 Having heard the facts from Watson, and taking a few moments to consider… 「My opinion is simple…」 It was very simple and easy to express. 「Things like good and bad are dependent on time and circumstance. It’s like when two people are fighting. Which one of them is right? The answer is different, depending on which side you are looking from. This is something that even middle-school students can understand.」 「Does that mean that you see him as neither good nor bad?」 「Exactly, however… he is an outlaw.」 Now that I had spoken clearly, Watson stared earnestly into my eyes. 「If he appears in Japan again and breaks the law, we will arrest him. That is all. That is a Butei’s job, after all.」 Hearing what I just said, Watson nodded agreement. 「And what about Far East Warfare?」 Now that you mention it, I didn’t answer that part of it, but my mind was already made up a long time ago. 「Tamamo said, “We have to find a way to win G-3 over into DEEN” . It’s not that I don’t know which strategy we should take, but it depends on how negotiations go… if he agrees to talks, and accepts our terms.」 「And if he doesn’t…」 「We would have no choice but to respond with violence as well. Although the Cao Cao sisters and Aria think that I’m a lazy, peaceful idiot, this amateur negotiator has a limit, and the Japanese brain is not a flower garden.」 Just as I finished saying those acid words… *Clatter!* 「You can’t win, Onii-chan…」 Surprised, Watson and I turned toward what had been knocked over, and from inside the vaulting box that had saved Aria’s and my lives back in April… 「Ka-Kaname!?」 Suddenly she appeared, rather, she had always been there. She came to a resolution after hearing our unpleasant conversation. Her mouth gaping, Watson hid in my shadow, while hoping to go unnoticed… Wearing Lycra shorts, Kaname sat down on the vaulting box. 「Third is very strong. He’s a complete Genion. He’s no longer human.」 Since she had heard the entire conversation, it can’t be helped… and Kaname’s eyes were earnest. That being the case, I turned my attention to Kaname for the moment. 「G-3…He’s a failed prototype, isn’t he? We were able to find that out much. Besides, if he isn’t human, what is he?」 「He’s a superhuman.」 *Creak!* Kaname said, as the vaulting box made a noise. 「He’s not an enemy that you can fight and win– even with HSS or ESP. And… fighting against someone who is stronger than yourself is extremely illogical, Onii-chan.」 I’ve heard such threatening words from Kaname countless times every day until now, but… because of what happened at Shinagawa, I can’t laugh it off… He’s strong. Very strong. I could feel it. A Butei that can’t gauge his and his opponent’s respective fighting power doesn’t lead a long life. 「Onii-chan, don’t fight Third. He is very strong and his cause is just. He has two wishes… and I want to support both.」 「He has… two wishes?」 Her eyes took on the colour of the deep-sea, as if something sad had suddenly drifted by. My question had touched a nerve. 「The first: keep the teachings of Professor Sara who was in charge of our training– Fight to save the weak from the bad men who oppress them. By a display of greater strength, he will become a deterrent to conflict. He believes in this raison d’être for a “Universal Soldier” 17 .」 「But, isn’t he is the person that might kill you?」 「If you were close to him, you’d understand. Besides that, I don’t want to weigh him down. So, it’s fine if I am sacrificed–If it is for Third and Professor Sara’s ideals. That was what I swore when I started following him.」 Saying that, Kaname’s voice was full of fierce loyalty. This is… a very bad thing. It’s at a level where she doesn’t cherish her own life, and such loyalty is not something that can be easily dissolved. Being willing to give up her life… she won’t even flinch from death. That kind of loyalty is more like a religious faith. 「Moreover, since the escape from Los Alamos, he has saved my life countless times. All of his followers are ready to die for him.」 Kaname said while placing her hand on her chest… 「Do you love him?」 Watson, who had been silent, asked Kaname a question that only another girl could ask, but Kaname shook her head… 「It’s not that kind of relationship. Besides… G-3 only loves one woman.」 「Who is this woman?」 If an enemy has a ‘significant other’, that’s something we can use… So, following the natural reflex of a Butei, Watson started asking questions. 「I just told you– the one in charge of our education, Professor Sara. When Third was 14, she transferred from the Harvard School of Medicine, and the only… she was the only person at the research station who showed him any kindness. She believed that Genions could be a deterrent to conflict.」 Saying this, Kaname pulled out her brand new Butei Handbook and took a photograph from inside. In it a Caucasian woman wearing a white lab coat and a gentle smile appeared. If a painter saw her, he could only fail to capture her beauty in a painting. She seemed to be a woman about 20 years old, but her eyes reflected the purity of a girl. Kaname, having met her personally, was absently staring at the photograph. 「Where is she now? Is it possible that she is still at Los Alamos?」 Watson asked, probing. 「She… is no longer in this world…」 Kaname answerded. 「One day, something happened during Third’s training, and she died in the research laboratory. He thought that he was responsible… and from then on, he was like another person. The escape from Los Alamos occurred the very next month.」 Hearing that… Watson’s face flushed in deep embarrassment. 「I’m sorry. Accept my apologies. About you private affairs… I think I pried more than I should have.」 Even though she had answered the questions that Watson asked… I think that Kaname also told us these other things, wanting us to understand G-3’s actions. So that we could avoid a conflict. 「You said that G-3 has two wishes. What’s the second?」 Right now, Kaname is willing to talk to us a little about him. I think this is my change to ask some questions…. The answer I got was not merely ‘important’, but ‘vital’ to the matter at hand. 「Obtain the power of Irokane.」 Irokane! The same metal that Sherlock Holmes was investigating at IU? Borrowing Sherlock’s words… ‘It bestows upon the holder a mysterious power that makes all other ESP powers look like child’s play…’ So that’s what you were looking for, G-3. 「Once I asked Third about the effects of Irokane… You know that he’s really done his homework, right? But one ceases to function normally. That used to scare me, but… ever since I’ve met you Onii-chan, I can understand it perfectly.」 「Since… you met me?」 「For people in love… those feelings are absolute, and because it is a just cause… I want to help Third. I want to give him Irokane . For the love he felt.」 Kaname gave a that slightly baffling remark. 「So Onii-chan, don’t fight Third. He is strong…his cause is just. Fighting him is completely illogical. You understand…? Right?」 Kaname delivered that last line with a quavering voice… She has sworn loyalty to G-3, and that seems to be the reason why she pities him. She doesn’t want G-3…and me– the Onii-chan she idolises– to fight. Right now, I think the wants that with all her heart. G-3… What do you plan to do with Irokane? So the reason we were attacked is also related to that. It is also within Aria’s body, but not even surgery could extract it because it is too close to her heart. So it’s regrettable for Kaname but… he’s definitely someone that I don’t seem to be able to along with. 「Humans are ‘completely illogical’, Kaname. I don’t want to face a superhuman, but, depending upon his actions, I could have no choice but to fight him–regardless of the outcome.」 I left the possibility for confrontation open in my response… …! The tension in the gym storage shed suddenly rose . 「So that’s how it is…」 Kaname muttered with her head down, then shot Watson a pointed glare. 「What are you going to do, Kaname?」 「If that’s the case, then a small, unfortunate accident may occur, Onii-chan. First, I’ll incapacitate Watson so you can’t enter Hysteria Mode. As for you, Onii-chan, I’ll break your arms and legs so that you can’t fight, but don’t worry, Onii-chan. I’ll take good care of you and nurse you back to health.」 Wearing sneakers and standing on the warehouse floor… Kaname curled the fingers of both her hands into claws. 「…」 She was going to shred Watson with her bare hands.was unarmed. Watson… meeting Kaname’s gaze, made a decision. From her mouth… *Ping!* Hearing the noise and looking back a small folding knife with a blade of less than two centimetres fell onto the mats and gripping it in her fingers, Watson prepared to fight. 「H-Hey… hold it!」 Glaring sharply, I tried to check Watson. Somehow, she had managed to hide a sharp object all day, despite today’s restrictions that made it a violation of school regulations. Where did he keep it? The handle is wet… Probably inside her mouth. As expected from the “Full-body Weapon”– the Western Ninja. 「I don’t want to do this. G-Fourth… Kaname Tooyama, you’re a key strategic figure in DEEN. I don’t want to hurt you. But everything has an order of precedence. In this situation, my own personal safety takes priority over yours!」 The moment she handed down this logical conclusion, Watson also implied that I should fight too. While the two of them were staring each other down … I reached into my pocket and readied the secret anti-Kaname weapon that I carry for situations like this. Just then, with almost providential timing, we heard the campus’ Public Address system. 「This is a message for all students. Please prepare immediately for ‘phase 0-2’ 18 」 I was unable to picture her earlier ignominy… Nakasorachi’s voice was beautiful. Seizing the opportunity… 「That is enough! We don’t have to settle this here and now. Look. We have to get back to the Sports Festival. That’s our top priority. If we are late, Ranbyou will beat the hell out of us so badly that we’ll be in no condition to fight.」 I said this, trying to smooth things over. Watson hid his knife in his mouth again, muttering: “But…” ; and when Kaname opened her mouth to say “But…” , I tossed the secret weapon, or rather, the caramel candy into her mouth with a plop. 「Ommmii-chmamm, mmhmmh…」 Kaname replied, while she began munching on the sweet… It seems that the caramel candy has suddenly become more important than the fight. For some reason, she has an abnormal love for caramel. With a tired sigh, I grabbed Kaname–who now had a placid expression on her face–by both shoulders, and steered here away… I had managed to separated them, and we crowded out of the gym storage shed. Thank goodness… That was close, but somehow, I managed to get out of it– alive and without a scratch. The use of such a technique has proven effective on occasions that Aria has been chasing me, and I’ve used her peach buns as a decoys and escaped. For teaching me the importance of applying human experience practically, I owe you a small debt of gratitude, Aria. ********************************************* The second part of the sports festival, began at 5:00 pm. This is a way to turn the tables on the MoE, because government employees don’t work after 5.00 P.M. After the VIPs had gone home, the second part could really begin. To stop the student complaints that were piling regarding the supervised athletics, several events were organised to get them fired up and allow them blow off some steam: the boys’ competition, ‘ Sabage with real bullets’ 19 and the girls’: ‘Water- Kibasen’ 20 — event names that make me want to cry. As in Part One, both competitions will go on without changing the grouping of Red and White teams. The Team that wins each competition receives ten thousand points. What exactly was the point of the half-assed kind of scoring I recorded a little while ago? 「All boys participating in Sabage with real bullets, report to your designated starting locations, please.」 I know it’s not Nakasorachi’s fault, but I really hate announcers. In the boy’s competition, ‘ Sabage with real bullets’, the name says it all. is a free-for-all battle that’s practically a war. Unlike those games played with airguns, no matter how many times you get shot because of our bullet-proof school uniforms, you can keep fighting. Only when a participant’s back touches the floor are they disqualified. The idea being that the supplementary use of martial arts will allow you to to disqualify your opponents faster, and the event quickly becomes close quarters combat fest. In the first part there were bare-handed fights, Aru-Kata 21 matches, and other kinds of tournaments held through the school, but in the secret second part, they were all rolled into one event. 「Likewise, all girls participating in the Water- Kibasen , report to your designated pool, please.」 The girl’s competition, Water- Kibasen underwent a similar violent fusion. At first, Kibasen was a Butei High competition where punching or kicking, as well as the choice of any weapon, was allowed. The reason why monitoring of the sports festival had been instituted, was because this competition turned out so many injured students. The Sports Festival also used to include winter swimming tournaments, but this was also banned, arguing that it was a form of child abuse. The result of the combination of these two banned competitions was no less than Water- Kibasen . In this competition, girls in swimsuits combine in a pool to form a ‘cavalry unit’ while madly scrambling to collect their opponents headbands. Even imagining such an event is dangerous for me… And I, of all people, have orders from MASTERS to be a ‘Second’. As you would naturally expect, even in Butei High, boys and girls’ swimming classes are held separately however… in Water- Kibasen , each team must have a Second, and there is a rule that allows them to conscript someone to be their strategist. Because of that, the Baskerville girls were all asking me, “You’ll be our Second, right?” . 「Kinji, do you have a fever or something? There isn’t a single girl in ASSAULT that doesn’t want to fight.」 「If Kin-chan is our strategist, then I’ll be able to participate and maybe show off my good points…」 「No, no, no !!! I want to play, play, plaaaaay! Riko really loves this kind thing!」 「Everyone else if going to fight, so I will fight too.」 They’re all blood-thirsty, and no one was willing to resign. I wonder what would happen if I called MASTERS, probably something like this… 「What a stupid thing to call for! If that’s case, then just do it!」 Ranbyou, would just give me a direct order like that. Best case scenario, I’d be sent to the ‘ Sabage with real bullets’… At least there I could have asked Shiranui to hit me gently, losing on purpose and being able to retire quickly. Since I could not use the girl’s locker room for obvious reasons, I changed into my bathing suit in a storage closet next door… The first and second-years’ Water- Kibasen would take place together in the huge pool, and as I timidly made my way to the poolside I heard… 「Wah, The Womanizer came just like the rumors said.」 「Watson’s alright, but this Womanizer is disgusting.」 「A new page on the exploits of the Womanizer!」 A group of second-year girls in swimwear, glared at me as if they were looking at a pest. Damn it… It’s not as if I like being here! Ugh… In the vast area off to the side of the pool, and as far the eye could see, there were girls, girls everywhere. And besides that, all of them were wearing one or two swimsuits. They weren’t really too far from being completely naked. It was like being in a beautiful flower garden. But for someone like me who is allergic to such ‘flowers’, it already has we wanting to run, so I’m cowering with my back against the wall. futilely trying to keep as far away from them as possible. In order to not hyster-ise, I needed to stimulate some other sense… Preparing for just this kind of emergency, a few days ago I memorized the menu of a Chinese restaurant, “The New Fortress” where Fuuma works, and I recited it from memory. (…Bái tāngmiàn, Málà miàn, Mántou…) 22 Argh … How I would really love a pillbox where I could hide… 「Alright, you lot! Start warming-up!」 Wearing a competition swimsuit for the competition, Ranbyou held a whistle in her mouth… Forming up in front of the pool, or, in other words, with their back to me, all of the girls… 「Bend forward!」 *Prrii!* *Prrii!* *Prrii!* What kind of dangerous position are you putting yourselves into… and all at once? And just when I had reached the Qīngjiāo Rou sī! 23 , I was getting too excited! Thanks to the spectacle before my eyes, I lost focus, so, clenching my teeth, I had to start over again from the ‘P’ in Pídàn 24 . 「Emh … Are you okay, Tooyama? Why are you making that angry demon face and muttering? There’s a strange sweat covering your body.」 「Táo bāo, Mángguǒ bùdīng 25 , Watson!?」 I asked Watson, who passed by chance, wearing a sweatshirt… I grabbed her to stop her from leaving, placing her as a barrier between my field of vision and the girls as they did their warm ups. Just a few minutes ago, she had done something similar with Kaname, hiding behind me, so I took this opportunity to have her return the favor. Watson is a transfer student… who moved to Buitei High and is pretending to be a boy–an exchange student with a secret. She has an obvious reason, more critical than mine, to avoid participating in Water- Kibasen , but because of arrangements he made with MASTERS, right now, her job is to provide First-aid, so that saved her from having to wear a swimsuit. 「That great, stand right there for a moment… Stay close to me」 「What? Ah… Oh.. OK, I get it, Tooyama…」 Bending my legs and stooping slightly forward to match his height, I laid my forehead Watson’s back, protecting me from the compromising Achilles tendon stretch the girls preformed with splayed legs. Completely unlike me– whom they treat with contempt–, Watson is very popular among the girls. I have no idea why they treat such a dashing “guy” differently than me. Could it be that appearance defines a person? Still, as time passes, all of the girls show their disdain for me. At last, it seems they have finished their warm-ups, so… Slowly, I peered around the side of Watson’s waist and looked toward the rest area beside the pool. 「…」 A-All right. It looks like they are now only standing normally. That’s not good either, but… it seems that I have successfully escaped this dangerous situation, where all the girls flex their bodies, showing off all sorts of startling poses. But in this situation it is impossible to know when an accident may occur. And so, trying to mentally prepare myself for whatever might happen… 「Tohyama-kun, in Water- Kibasen no live ammunition is used, but firearms are allowed, so you can use this.」 INQUESTIA division, the investigative division of Butei High, the licensed professor, Takamagahara-sense, handed me the object she was carrying. That thing is… It’s a Ballistic Shield 26 , one commonly used by Japanese SAT groups 27 . 「Oh! Thank you very much!」 The spirit of Butei High seizing me, I deftly took the excessively heavy shield, and carried it toward the rest area of the pool, dropped it on the ground making a loud noise, and kneeling on one knee, nimbly hid my body behind it. Right then, she was an angel! 28 It’s a good thing I learned the proper use of such a shield in ASSAULT. With this, as long as I remain in this position, it is possible to completely limit my field of vision. I only have to look out the view slit towards the pool when necessary. From now on, hidden behind it, I am like a turtle in its shell. At that moment, it occurred to me to try looking out the window.. 「If a girl’s swimsuit slipped, you’d be embarrassed, right? Just make sure to return the shield to AMDO.」 On the other side of the shield Takamagahara-sensei looked through the view slit and winked. The act of straightening her back and turning to the right… Due to their large mass, her chest that seemed ready to escape her flowered bikini, lagged behind her movement by approximately 0.5 seconds as she rotated, and I saw her not only large, but round hips at point-blank range… *Ba-dump!* The rush of blood flow reached dangerous levels. Hey, Kinji! Get a grip! I know you’re a little weak with older women, but going into Hysteria Mode would be no joke. Rather, Sensei… I thought you were an angel when you were actually a demon! Your clothes make you look like the slender type, I had no idea…. ********************************** Putting aside my flustered state, there was time set aside for pre-game strategy meetings by the pool… The girls began to gather and discuss the formation of the ‘horses’, and ‘rider’. Each cavalry unit 29 consists of members of an official Team 30 or club, but because there are only four Baskerville girls, they are just enough to form a unit. Those four… found me still behind my bullet-proof shield… Oh…! Through the shield’s window I spotted Aria, and for some unknown reason, seeing her wearing that bikini, caused my blood pressure to rise instantly. I deliberately tried to reduce my field of vision by squinting my eyelids but… 「You look like a pervert. You’ve had a weird look on your face ever since we started, so stop it.」 Slightly flustered, Aria, hand on her hip, had forbidden me from even doing that. But thanks to that, I was able to admire her nice, small figure without having to hide it. She came dressed in a two-piece bikini, decorated with a narrow strip of lace hanging from the top and another wrapped around her waist. It was a light camellia colour, rather the fabric itself was so light– so thin–, it seemed transparent in certain places, leaving little to the imagination. A show as wonderful as it was terrifying. 「I’ll open a wind-hole in you if stare! You are also forbidden to open your eyes!」 So what exactly am I allowed to do? Rather… Why are you in such a bad mood, Aria? Is it because you don’t know how to swim? *Bang!* Because of her bare-footed soccer kick, now before me on the other side of my shield… 「 Kin-chan, I-I’m a little embarrassed to do this but…since it’s for Kin-chan, I resolved to wear it! 」 Witha jerk, the window now turned to completely face Shirayuki… Whaaaa! Bent over, my eyes almost popped out of their sockets, to see what I thought at that moment was her fully nude body, but that was because bikini she wore covered the bare minimum area. It was one of those so-called micro-bikinis. In Butei High, choice of swimwear is elective, but there’s been some kind of mistake if you think bikini is ‘for me’ . It’s the exact opposite! As I stood there quivering and stunned… 「What do you think, Kin-chan-sama? Do you like it….? Or maybe it’s indecent? Do you hate it? Yes, you hate it! I-I’ll change right away!」 And that said, she started pulling at her bikini straps, Shirayuki started drawing closer to my shield window. 「It’s fine! It’s fine! Quit bowing!」 Changing the position of my shield, I proceeded to seek emergency shelter in the other direction…but the shelter did not prove to be a safe place either. Now I was facing Riko. 「That’s not right, is it? Ki-kun is into more exciting things, aren’t you? Check out this classic school swimsuit!.」 Posing in front of the shield while smiling playfully, was Riko… As expected of her, she is wearing an out-dated swimsuit, you can only find in certain types of games. In short, it was a navy blue one-piece. As the the fabric covered a larger area, leaving comparatively less skin exposed, at a glance it was a safe design for me. On her chest, she had stitched a rectangle of white cloth with, ‘2-A Mine Riko’, written in hiragana 31 …. and bellow her navel… what’s that? A mechanism to release water accumulating in the swimsuit, I guess? The swimsuit had an opening just large enough for a hand to slide up under, constructed like a very short skirt. Those thoughts being sightly erotic, I tried not to think about it. 「My, my… noticed the water release, did you? You’re a real gentleman, aren’t you?.」 Riko said, as she pulled on the flap to expose her navel. 「H-h-hey… wait, don’t do that!」 「Hmm?」 Seeing me so nervous, Riko tugged more. Taking a peek at the top made Aria flush red, but it was connected to the bottom of her swimsuit and she started pulling it open… 「Hold it right there!」 I can’t retreat, so instead I moved forward and… *Bam!* With a push from my shield, Riko tumbled backwards splaying her long legs. Serves you right! Dragging my shield back and away from Riko, now entering my field of vision was… 「…」 Giving me a cold glare that said ‘idiots will be idiots’, Reki appeared wearing a swimsuit. She also wore a bikini that was almost the same shade–between blue and green–as her hair. Reki’s figure was in greater proportion than Aria and in lesser proportion than Riko… but it still had the attraction of a real girl. For instance–although I would never do something like this of my own accord– if I got the public pool with Riko or Shirayuki, all of the guys would think: ‘She’s out of his league’ , and I’d be thrown out with a *Thunk*. If their truly horrible personalities were ever exposed, howecer, they would not be nearly as popular as their appearances would suggest. And if I went with Aria, I’d be afraid that someone would report me to the police, saying: ‘There is a suspicious person in pool showing an elementary student around’. 「…」 None of that would happen with Reki… For some reason, I wouldn’t feel strange taking a girl like her to the pool. She looks like she could be my age, or maybe a year younger– a regular girl. While pondering it, I began to fantasize about what it would it be like if the two of us went to the pool, when… 「Wha-Wha-What, Kinji? Now it’s Reki? You’re practically ogling!」 *Bam!* Going around the the side to get behind my shield, Aria kicked me in the butt. 「N-no! I just thought that, looking at her, she looks normal, so…」 「Oooooh Really…! Like…! a…! Normal…! girl…! You…! sure…! took…! your…! sweet time…! Comparing…!」 Suddenly exploding for some reason, Aria delivered a kick at each, so I turned to put the shield between us. Aren’t you underestimating it a little? This shield is ‘Made in Japan’. Its ballistic protection level is NIJ-III+ 32 , it’s imitation platinum can even repel rifle fire, making it is one of the most impenetrable shields in the world. 「Stupid Kinji…! likes…! normal …! girls…!」 *Bam!* *Whap!* *Thud!* *Boom!* W-wait… Seriously? I-it is bending! My NIJ-III+ shield is impenetrable! The bulletproof shield, is actually being dented by kicks. How exaggerated is this superhuman kicking power? 「I’m not saying that! I know that she’s not normal at all– a mysterious, pseudo-assassin sniper girl that keeps a pet wolf.」 I had not finished speaking, when I received another kick in the butt… …Reki, had kicked me in the butt too. Is this what they call bullying? Can I cry? In the end, time ran out and our supposed tactical meeting played out like a group comedy routine. Still wondering why in the world they asked me be their Second… 「Do your best! Don’t kill anyone.」 Giving this stupid tactical directive, I watched Sir Aria mount her steed ‘Shira-Ri-Re’, and saw them off. Taking advantage of the fact that Aria was lightest– and the only one of the four who cannot swim–, she was ‘mounted’ on top while Shirayuki, Riko and Reki formed the ‘horse’. I’ll explain… This Kibasen has the same rules as those conducted in normal schools. To use Baskerville as an example–, whether you snatch the white band that Aria is wearing on her head, she falls from her horse, or the horse collapses; they will be disqualified and counted as a defeated cavalry unit. Following these simple rules, you must destroy the opposing team. The battle takes place in the pool, while wearing elective swimsuits, with a water depth of one metre. Blows given with the hands and feet are allowed. Also … 「Use of bullets is restricted to non-lethal ammunition: sticky and slippery bullets. The magazines are scattered on the bottom of the pool, retrieve and use them. First-years, immerse yourselves! Next, Second-years, immerse yourselves!」 The only unusual rule is that weapons are allowed; a special rule in the style of Butei High. The order given by Ranbyou, using the steps, the girls began to descend into the pool, which was about to turn into another Omaha Beach. 33 Shouting, “Kyaa, it’s cold!” , The girls entered the water– their cries both shrill and hard on the ears. Umh … Uhh?… This is… great! With them now in the water, the girls that made up the horse were covered by water and could not be seen clearly. Although the rider was still completely visible, this is a definite improvement for me. These girls show almost no embarrassment, so the effect of my presence continues to lessen. They also seem to be ignoring the fact that I am here, so that is certainly another point in my favour. Experience shows that the more embarrassed a girl acts, the easier it is for me hyster-ise by accident. *Boom!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bam…!* In another competition outside, I could heat the sound of gunfire. The hellish ‘ Sabage with real bullets’ has begun, but here in the pool, I am also in my own personal hell, Kibasen in water. It’s hell on earth; hell in the water– truly, a faithful picture of Normandy. 「Both armies: ATTACK! OPEN FIRE! KILL YOUR ENEMY!」 Excited by the sound of gunfire, Ranbyou happily raised her M500, and firing it at the ceiling, gave the signal for the start of the competition. Unfortunately, it is because of people like her that wars will never entirely disappear from the Earth. 「Ah, Wha-!, Whaa-! *gurgle*」 *Splash!* The cavalry formed by the fragile girls of CONNECT and INFORMA came together, and Nakasorachi’s unit went down… before the fight even started. Sinking in the water, the only evidence left behind was the headband she had been wearing that now floated on top of the water. Ignoring Nakasorachi’s cavalry unit, who had already perished, the Red Team, began a splashing charge against the White Team. *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Waaa!* As the sounds of war cries and gunfire blended, the battle began. Knocking a rider off their horse with non-lethal ammunition, gluing two horses together with sticky bullets, or crumbling them with slippery bullets, the entire area was laid waste. This is a cavalry battle– with all that label entails. 「Hojotoho! Hojotoho! Heiaha!…!」 With the accompanying music of The Ride of the Valkyries 34 , The reserve troops began singing in chorus from the rear. The girls from CVR, whose main weapon is sex appeal, did their part. Practically useless in a fight, they planned to raise the fighting spirit of their comrades with their singing. U-uwa…! I stole a small glance through the window shield, but immediately withdrew my gaze. CVR consists of only the most beautiful girls and, of course, their cavalry is made up of them… but wearing swimsuits. Watching them is too dangerous for me. 「Wahahahaha! Our army is unstoppable!」 Hearing an anime-like voice that was not Aria’s, I turned towards the section of the pool it had come from and where also the clear superiority of the Red Team was evident. With bullets, they drove the White Team before them, herding them into a corner of the pool where they were surrounded and, one by one, shot down. That coordinated attack…! Seeing them, there was no doubt they were the members of the Anime Association. Despite not being an official school club, this group has enough power to overcome the barriers of age and grade, and that is not something that can be taken lightly. The one who just shouted was their president, Tomomi Kanetsuki. Posing as a child, her specialty is to infiltrate and gather information. She is a second-year attached to LEZZAD. 「Come on, Tohyama-kun! Be a proper Second!」 Takamagahara-sensei yelled, forming a megaphone with her hands. 「B-Butei Law, Article 1: Believe in your friends and help them…」 Hidden behind the shield, I gave a directive that could possibly be construed as an order. Peeking through the small window, I saw… 「Grrr… You… I’ll open a wind-hole…! huh? Ammo! Ammo! 35 I need bullets now!」 The White team had fallen into a significant numerical disadvantage. To make matters worse, Aria found herself surrounded by three units of second-year girls and out of bullets. Yelling, she mixed in some English words. That’s a bad habit you have whenever you get nervous. Aria raised her back, in other words, she held her head low, so that her headband became hard to grab. A rider from ASSAULT attacked the unarmed Aria, while a rider from SNIPE opened fire, and another from LEZZAD pulled on her swimsuit, trying to upset her balance. 「Hey…!」 Suddenly, just as the rider from ASSAULT was about to take Aria’s white headband… From behind the enemy, a hidden rider from the White Team emerged from the water and snatched her red headband instead. …Kaname! The rider who had just appeared was Kaname– a first-year. And to think she just beaten a second-year. That is a great feat! Kaname–in her modern school swimsuit that covered her chest–, took 2 magazines and saying nothing, tossed them to Aria. 「Now for the other one!」 She jumped towards the rider from LEZZAD and snatched the headband– another amazing feat. And if that were not enough, she used the enemy horse as a stepping stool to jump back onto her own horse, but… The rider from SNIPE– equipped with an M-1500 Heavy Barrel Howa rifle, had predicted this. Kaname turned around and immediately braced herself, using both arms to protect heｒ eyes. Then… 「And so the tables are turned!」 *Pum!* *Pum!* *Splotch!* *Splotch!* Using the magazines Kaname had given her, Aria quickly reloaded her guns with slippery bullets and shot the enemy horse. *Slick!* *Slick!* *Slip!* *Splash!* 「Kyaa!」 As her horse crumbled, the sniper took careful aim as she slid, and just as she fired… *Pum!* *Clang!* Aria hit the rifle barrel with her slippery bullets, allowing a sufficient angle for the ricochet to miss Kaname and causing the shot to graze her wrist. 「Uh… Thanks, Aria. You saved me.」 「You saved me as well. Thanks Kaname.」 「Well… There’s still work to be done, right?」 「That’s what it looks like.」 Aria and Kaname were back to back– opposite sides of the same coin. Meanwhile, two enemy units had begun to stealthily surround them, drawing closer and taking up positions to cover each other as they set their attack positions. 「If you fall off first, you have to buy me a whole box of caramel candy, Aria.」 「And if you fall off first, you have to treat me to a tower of peach buns.」 Seeing both of them grinning broadly as they laughed, my eyes widened. That is like… …the harmony between me and Aria. That’s not to say that our dispositions or feelings coincide at all. Aria and I have opinions that will never agree, but when we fight together, there is a spirit of harmony between us. It’s not something that can be explained by logic– the secret of this unity. We synchronize as a perfect duo, Aria and I, and now, Kaname and Aria. Gradually the siege closed in around Aria and Kaname. Meanwhile, outside the lines… 「Follow me!」 Jeanne, taking command of the abandoned troops, led a charge of the White Team Cavalry as they attacked with in a “V” formation– an inverted variation of the crescent moon. This is a formation that is used when you are outnumbered to concentrate all your offensive power onto a single point of the enemy’s ranks and shred them to pieces. The design of Jeanne’s swimsuit was so old that I wanted to call out, asking what kind of store would even sell such a thing. It was a white bathing suit, a so-called “high-cut leg” 36 With a huge scarlet rose emblazoned on it. Wielding a CZ-100 pistol she led the charge with great enthusiasm as if she were the first Jeanne D’Arc. 「We are a small army, but do fear! Our army has the blessing of Heaven!」 Wow… She is in high, fighting spirit. With a confident expression, she struck a dramatic pose and held it for about 1-3 seconds. Rather… Jeanne, maybe you’re trying to imitate your world famous ancestor? But you do know that you are only involved in a ridiculous Water- Kibasen , right? Don’t forget that, at least. ************************************** Thanks to Jeanne’s inspiration, the first-year girls increased their battle power… The Water- Kibasen ended with the fall of Kanetsuki’s horse, as she shouted ‘It was not in vain…’. 37 The Red Team was completely annihilated– The White Team was victorious. During the melee, Riko surreptitiously used her twin-tails to tug on the enemy’s swimsuits. Is that even allowed? Well… I couldn’t care less. Soon after, Ranbyou received a report that the ‘ Sabage with real bullets’ had also been won by the White Team. Adding it to the points earned in Part One, the total score was: 20,886 vs. 865 points, so the White Team had won both halves. At the side of the pool, the girls from the White Team cheered, but hidden behind the shield, I can only hear their voices. Personally. I don’t care, but for Aria, who is obsessed with victory and defeat… Fortunately her good mood was not spoiled by the outcome. As for me hiding behind the shield, just when I thought I could retire, the girls from the Red Team found me and began to vent their frustrations on me, yelling: “Good for nothing “, “Womanizer” , “Closet Pervert” … among other kind and pleasant things that were lost in the confusion. Now it is becoming clear– I’m their punching bag. Oh well, do whatever you want, just don’t start shooting. In the end, I went to return my shield– which proved to be somewhat of an empty protection–, to AMDO, carrying it in my numb arm. Thus my sports festival, both the First and Second Part, came to an end. The worst part though is that tomorrow all the jealous guys will be congratulating me for being a part of the Water- Kibasen and asking endless questions about it. This festival held nothing good. Truly… Not a single thing. *********************************************** MASTERS gave students who were a part of the victorious White team, each, a dozen bullets as a prize. Just enough to fill a magazine. It is such a ridiculous amount that would take less than five seconds for Aria, in a bad mood, to fire off at my pathetic self for some non-existent reason such as, “I don’t like the look in your eyes.” or something like that. Furthermore, the awarded bullets are of low quality. The bullets I received were 9mm Wolf WPA-MC 38 . The distribution company is based in the US, but the ammunition is manufactured in Russia, and that is not encouraging. Their price is 14-15 yen, even pencils that they give out as prizes in normal schools are more expensive. The casings aren’t even brass–they’re steel… Already disgusted, I noticed that they were a little rusty. So that was it… These bullets were in stuck in storage for a long time, and today they saw a golden opportunity to get rid of them. As if anyone could use this junk! Bullets have an expiry too! Weren’t you the ones that taught us that!? ************************************ As the official ammunition disposal procedure is a pain, I buried the bullets in the ground、and headed to a convenience store for some food. **************************************** In a normal school, there are meal breaks, but at Butei High… 「Only an Italian army eats between each battle! 39 」 It was an absurd rationale that Ranbyou extracted from her ‘Theories on Child-Abuse’, so meals had to be postponed until after the sports festival. I’d just like ask one question: Since when did Butei High become a military training ground? Since we were free to choose where we ate, most students changed back into their school uniform and ate their bentos wherever they wanted. Post-battle clean-up and repairs from the ‘ Sabage with real bullets’ hadn’t been carried out, so there were empty shell casings everywhere and the lingering scent of gunpowder. Anyway…. Hunger is the best seasoning in the world. If you have an empty stomach, no matter what you eat, it will be delicious. While remembering that proverb that my brother used to recite, I went to buy some food… 「Huh?… Nothing?」 The shelf where they should be bentos is empty. Not one noriben, instant ramen, not even onigiri… Everything is gone. It seems that the convenience store makes their own food and, while I was burying my bullets, the students from the festival bought it all. Now they were sold out. If I go back to the to the school cafeteria, there is sure to be a long so line, I’ll die of starvation. There is no other choice… I’ll have to ask the Baskerville girls to share some of their bentos with me. If I beg a little bit from the four of them, I can gather enough to make a portion for myself. So I took out my mobile and called Aria. 「Hey, Aria. Where are you? Will you honour Butei Law: Article #1 and give me some food.」 To communicate my request for a supply of food. 「Don’t abuse Butei Law, Mr. Hyena. We are at the decommissioned vehicle lot: section 14, Kaname is here too.」 It seems that Kaname is with the Baskerville girls. A little worried about Kaname, I headed for the decommissioned vehicle lot at a brisk pace. This is the place where ASSAULT and SNIPE hold counter-terror exercises and is also dotted by wrecked vehicles used by LOGI for something like stunt-driver training. I guess they’re eating somewhere in there. I wandered around a bit, until… 「Oh!」 In front of an old-style Volkswagen Transporter, painted white and indigo–top and bottom–, facing the open door was Haimaki. It was a motor-home, and peering in, I saw the spacious interior. 「Ah! Onii-chan!」 Holding a caramel walnut muffin, Kaname is sitting in one of the rear seats. On the movable seats– which I assume were the cleanest– Kaname, Aria, Shirayuki, Riko, and Reki were sitting in a circle. They had already changed into their sailor suit school uniforms, and the food that was my goal, was in my sights. 「Even though I’m the leader, you left me out again!?」 While I let that complaint hang… I sat down… Huh? Why did you leave me the low seat? 40 Next to the well-bred Shirayuki there was an empty seat, so I sat down there. 「You were digging a hole next to the road and acting strangely, so I didn’t say anything.」 「Welcome back, honey.」 「*giggle* Hee hee! A little later Riko-rin will sit on Ki-kun’s lap!」 And Reki, who was eating a Calorie Mate, gave me a passing glance in silence. Completely ignoring the reactions of those four, I began to analyse the atmosphere between Kaname and the girls of Baskerville, and so far, there isn’t a hint of conflict. They seem to be… getting along. It seems that because of their mutual support in the Sports Festival, something like a feminine bond of friendship has developed between them. Riko is friendly with everyone. Reki is friendly with no one– but that’s normal… Aria is sitting next to Kaname. And Shirayuki, taking a handkerchief, was dabbing around Kaname’s mouth. Well, Shirayuki was also putting on an air that said: ‘Kin-chan, look, look how far my great tolerance extends!’ , so I found that typical type of expression a little irritating but… They have been completely captivated by you, Kaname It may be that Kaname possesses an unusual ability to fascinate individuals. Even me, I came because I was anxious about her. 「Kinji, you have a face that says Kaname and us eating at the same table is a miracle.」 Using her amazing sense of intuition, Aria said this, narrowing her eyes and grinning like a cat. 「Yeah, something like that. Since your relationship until now consisted of crossing swords or pointing guns at each other.」 「Heh heh… But wasn’t it that way with all of us?」 「Yeah, that’s true.」 「Furthermore, that surprise attack is in the past. The Lumberjack issue has also been settled. That means that our quarrel is over.」 So quick to forgive, Aria. Shouldn’t that work for me, too? It took 5 months in Shirayuki’s case, and six in Riko’s, but you still keep complaining about me, saying: “You’re a horrible lady-killer.” So it appears that the girls’ relationship has taken a turn for the better. At least in that respect, it means that we have settled one problem. 「By the way, you’ve found a nice spot in the midst of the lot’s general disorder.」 「Kaname brought us here to tell us about herself.」 Riko, like Aria, was also eating a burger and fries, and she looked over at Kaname, then me. 「…About herself?」 I asked. 「Kaname is a Genion who escaped the Los Alamos research labs, a human weapon.」 Aria said that, and I was a slightly taken aback. So they talked… about her origins. This a matter that concerned Aria and others, and , as the leader of Baskerville, Watson entrusted the task of disclosure to me, but, since it was part of Kaname’s private life, I never told them about it. I turned to Kaname, looking at her deep ocean-blue eyes, and they seemed to say: “I didn’t tell them about HSS or anything awkward. Don’t worry.” 「And… What do you think about it?」 「We thought, “So what?” . It doesn’t change anything. No matter where a person comes from, for us, Kaname has always been Kaname. Besides that– nothing.」 *Chomp!* Taking a huge bite of her burger, Aria responded dismissively. Shirayuki, Riko, and Reki’s eyes bore an expression of agreement. 「Her denial: “I’m not human!” , was the only thing we did not agree with. She was raised with that conviction, but after you scolded her and showed her the value of life, she made a fresh start. Someone with that kind of determination is nothing but human.」 Aria delivered that typical vague, take-charge kind of speech. How many times have I said it… This girl… In cases like these, Aria is a great person– despite her small size. Hearing Aria’s words, Kaname hung her head as tears filled her eyes. She said something too– wanting to meet the Baskerville girls half-way, I guess. 「First… I have not told you the most important thing. What you don’t know about that ambush…」 Her head still held low, Kaname said weakly. Turning towards us and lifting her head, Kaname paused silently for a moment, then… 「…Please forgive me…!」 She blurted it out. You’ve apologized properly. That’s very admirable, Kaname. In life, it’s not as if apologising will fix everything, but people who live un-apologetically complicate relationships with other people and, to a greater or lesser extent, leave behind an uncomfortable feeling in their wake. 「…」 Such an apology from former enemy being a rare development, Aria and the girls didn’t know how to react. As if seeking to support each other, they began exchanging glances. 「On our side too, we’re sorry for dragging you into something as immature as a Lumberjack.」 Just as I thought, in such a situation you can rely on Shirayuki. The oldest of seven sisters, she is good at dealing with people who are younger. 「In fact, today, we brought you a small reconciliation gift.」 In one swoop, Shirayuki produced a wrapped gift. 「This is something that Kin-chan has. I also have one, but I made it for myself… Aria also has one like it. It was Aria who came up with the idea.」 「You don’t need to say something like that!」 Sitting next to Shirayuki, Aria turned red. Kaname took the small package. 「…For me…?」 Kaname mumbled, opened the small bag… 「…?」 The thing she took out of the bag was hard to describe. It was soft in the hands, and when she turned it, I could tell it was a plush mobile strap… I spotted what appeared to be a head. 「It’s a Leopon! But handmade. We each made a part of it, so it is a new sub-species– Leopon-Chimera! Riko-rin made the body… ROAR!!! Hee, hee…! Quiet now…!」 And as Riko bellowed again, she crushed one of her wrists against the roof of the Volkswagen, and with a noise she fainted in agony. Aria and I have one (and now I find out that Shirayuki also has one). We got them as a prize from the UFO Catch 41 . It is a cat-like stuffed animal. What the girls made was a copy of that Leopon. 「I made the head, Aria the tail, and Reki made the legs.」 Shirayuki finished explaining, and Kaname took another look at her Leopon-Chimera. The head that Shirayuki made was feminine and very well done. The body Riko made was a gaudy patchwork of frills that had been sewn together. Ignoring the original model and doing whatever she wanted is just what I expected of her. The legs Reki made were outrageously realistic, and the cat-like hind legs even had reverse-joints. It’s as if they were taken from an expertly done taxidermy. The effect was sickening. The tail was made from the wick of an alcohol lamp and looked like a simple piece of white string with a piece of rolled cloth sewn onto the frayed end. Moreover, it was also evident from the haphazard stitching that this was probably the first thing they had ever sewn in their life. More precisely… At least use a thread colour that almost matches the material, Aria! These are just your favorite colours. On the whole, it’s poorly constructed. In the first place, each of them has contributed way too much for any kind of collaboration, and looking at the final product, it’s a disaster. But… But, their work was full of spirit. Each of the four, had poured their soul into the task. That idea was conveyed in the blink of an eye. Thick-headed as I am– I understood. And I knew Kaname understood as well. There was no confusion. Even I, who am not remotely crafty, noticed from the first moment I saw him. And I’m sure the feelings of all four were conveyed to Kaname. *Jingle!* A small bell sewn on her Leopon’s neck rang. Kaname, completely happy, hugged her beloved Leopon-Chimera tight. At that moment, the tears of happiness that had welled up earlier, began falling in large drops. 「Girls… Th-Thank you…」 And she began to cry profusely. She has never had friends like this. You could say that she has had partners or colleagues as ‘friends’, but these people in front of her don’t care about profit or loss– these are true friends… And the fact that she gained four of them at once, has touched Kaname. Because of that, she is shedding tears of happiness, as is to be expected of a normal, cute young girl. 「Hey, Ki-kun! That girl is cute. C’mon help a buddy out! She is so cute! I wouldn’t mind having her as my little sister!」 Aria reached out and gathered Kaname to her chest, as Riko dropped a Mutou-esque line… Hey… the wrist you hit just a moment ago was the one that was twisted in an unnatural way. Are you sure you’re okay? 「Hey Kaname… Don’t cry. Butei shouldn’t cry so easily.」 As always, her mood swings are drastic. I tried to say something helpful to Kaname, but I just said what I was thinking. Right now I think that her tears are a good thing. ….*Growl!*… And as if someone had poured a bucket of cold water on it, the mood was ruined by the sound of my stomach. All this time, I had forgotten that my stomach was empty. I had originally come here for food. 「Uh… I can eat anytime…」 After I said that, the modest Shirayuki who had not opened her bento box until I arrived, spread a paper napkin in front of my knees with an angelic smile on her face. I wonder what you will give me? Seeing the excitement on my face, Aria glared at me. *Plop!* She took the pickles off of her hamburger, (I’m guessing she doesn’t like them) and threw them on my napkin. You! How often have I asked you for a favour?… Do you think a human can live on pickles? But of course, I couldn’t complain… For one thing, on a normal day she can hit a punching machine with 100kg of force. 「Kin-chan, here. I made this. I used the freshest ingredients I could find.」 While saying this, Shirayuki, moving her hands gracefully, took from the basket… Oh, sandwiches! It’s not that they are just convenient to prepare. There was Roast Beef, Smoked Salmon, American Club, BLT, Margarine and Tsubuan, and many more types in abundance. 「Oh! Yuki-chan, you really can cook anything!」 Even the self-proclaimed ‘Sandwich Expert’ Riko’s discriminating tastes are satisfied, and she began leaning closer. 「If a woman cannot cook, she cannot be a good wife. Greeting her husband with delicious food every day as he comes home from work, that is the duty of the ideal wife 42 .」 Elated by her ‘victory’, Shirayuki started smiling, but, feeling singled out by her words, Aria replied… 「*Humph*… Cooking is what maids are for. *Chomp!*」 Turning away and crossed her arms, she stuffed her cheeks with a huge bite of her burger. Now that I look closely… What is that? A burger stuck between two peach buns. Would that be a… peach bun-burger? Does that even exist!? Apparently it does, because there it is. 「In marriage, each party is independent, and they just eat what and whenever they like. That is how adults act. Although for anniversaries, holidays and Christmas dinner they might make something special.」 Voicing those undisguisedly Western-born idea… What… Miss Aria? Why are you beaming victoriously back at Shirayuki? They both had an exaggerated expression of: ‘Victory is mine!’ on their faces, and having exchanged their respective opinions on the proper husband and wife dynamic, regarded each other with a look that said: ‘Poor loser.’ . 「Aria, I hope that someday you will find someone to love you.」 *Smile* 「And you keep trying to find one that doesn’t see your true nature, Shirayuki.」 *Fiendish Grin* But… what the hell…? For some reason, beads of sweat ran down my forehead. In this conflict, it seems that there has been some kind of ‘double victory’ 43 . But for me, as an outsider, it’s just another thing I will never understand about the female world. ************************************** A little later … Aria and Reki had some work to do, Shirayuki had some Student Council business, and Riko was going to watch a live-broadcast on Youtube 44 , so they each left separately. In the now almost empty Volkswagen Bus, were only Kaname and I. The autumn sun fell as fast as a bucket dropped in a well, and darkness closed in around us. I’m reading my Butei Notebook by the LED’s hanging from the roof the van. Riko stole some of the sandwiches, but in exchange gave me a bento made to look like an anime character that I didn’t recognise. Reki gave me a Calorie Mate to eat as well. Thanks to them I was saved from hunger, and now I’m lying across the long, bench-like van seat. Without even thinking about it, I began watching the stars through the window. And amidst the gentle buzzing of the insects… Resting her head next to mine and forming a letter “L” with our bodies, Kaname was lying across another seat. 「Onii-chan, when you came here… you were a little upset.」 「I was worried when I heard that you were with Aria and the girls.」 Now that I think back on it… Why was that? I was so concerned about Kaname, I even forgot my hunger. 「Onii-chan, you were… worried about me…」 Kaname mumbled. She was happy for some reason, and embarrassed, I turned a little red. 「It was good that you could open up to everyone. Shirayuki was doting on you.」 Since ending of Lumberjack, Shirayuki has been softening towards Kaname… almost kind. It was a little surprising. 「Shirayuki Onee-chan is very insightful, isn’t she?」 Deftly reversing our roles, Kaname rolled over and raised herself onto an elbow as she turned towards me. 「Insightful?」 「Before you arrived, she said, ‘I’m sure.’ 」 「Of what?」 「That we are brother and sister.」 「…」 Shirayuki says she can ‘see people’ … Just by looking at a person’s photograph, she has the ability to guess their true origins and character. It works on the basis of affinity between her and the target, and it doesn’t matter whether or not she can see the person. She can’t do it all the time, but when she can, her success rate is amazingly high. That Shirayuki was the one who said it… 「You… are not my little sister. No matter who says I will not accept it. It has to be an aberration 45 and I won’t believe it.」 In a bad mood, I said that, and Kaname nodded with a bitter laugh of resignation. 「Heh. I am very happy… to have two Tsundere brothers.」 While saying something I didn’t understand, she turned, and we were both looking outside through the window. It really seems like we are two sibling with free-time, just hanging out in this pleasant environment as time slips by… *Jingle!* The sound of a bell broke the silence. Casting a glance over to Kaname, she was hugging the Leopon-Chimera that the Baskerville girls had given her and started nodding off. 「Hey, Kaname. Don’t fall asleep, go home if you want to go to bed.」 I repositioned myself on the seat, and Kaname shook her head. 「Let me stay… a little longer. Right now, I’m remembering …」 「Remembering what?」 「Everything that happened just now… the time I spent with everyone… and with my Onii-chan…」 For some reason, Kaname has a very happy look on her face and is looking at me without saying anything. 「For today, and from now on, you make your life whatever you want it to be. The girls are experts at finding easy meals. If you want, you could eat with them tomorrow. If you do, I’ll be there too.」 「Tomorrow too…?」 Kaname embraced her Leopon-Chimera and the bell rang again. *Jingle!* 「Onii-chan.」 「Yeah?」 「This what they call a dream, right?」 「Even if I wanted it to be, it’s reality.」 「But life is fun… and beautiful… and so is the world… Heh… heh… I didn’t know that…」 She spoke the second half of this sentence sleepily, so I gently laid my hand on her head. I had forgotten. In this school, where guns are drawn in the course of a casual conversation and we have to fight all the time, I had completely forgotten that there were some who still appreciated the blessing of an ordinary, peaceful day. I live for those kinds days. So starting tomorrow, I’ll be sure to enjoy them to the fullest. And if my self-proclaimed younger sister chooses to tag along, then I’ll gladly shoulder that responsibility. 「Life…」 Kaname mumbled that word, already sound asleep… With no other option, I have to carry my responsibilities home…literally. 「Mmm… Onii-chan, tomorrow… everyone… we’ll do something… together…?」 On my back, Kaname was talking in her sleep… Shirayuki didn’t say it, but it seemed like we really were a family. Well… Anyway… if I went along with it… like playing a game of pretend… It would be alright. For an ordinary day… Friends and family are an essential part. [End Text] ******************************************************************** NEXT CHAPTER… ******************************************************************** 1. ‘Di-pole (older) brother and (younger) sister’ in Kanji. It’s an especially fitting name because ‘dipoles’ are (usually) a pair focal points of electromagnetic charges that are equal and opposite in charge, and thus effect, and Kinji and Kaname’s HSS act like polar opposite personalities. In case anyone forgot, ‘Arcanum duo’ refers to the theoretically perfect system that Kaname thought to gain by partnering with Kinji, where they would be able to activate each others’ HSS. 2. This is a reference to a passage from Sun Tzu. The translation for this phrase of advice is given as: (Be as) ‘Swift as the Wind, Silent as the Forest, Fierce like the Fire, and Immovable as the Mountain.’ 3. In Volume 10, Kaname made Kinji agree not to be with another girl, and in return she would not resort to violence. She also promised punishment in multiples of 10 if he lied about breaking their deal. Kinji ended up, accidentally, breaking their promise 3 times, and tried to hide it from Kaname, so she threatened the appropriate number of punishments: 30. –AGlingua 4. Teru-Teru Bozu , a charm used to ask for good weather, and when inverted to ask for rain. It is a piece of fabric wrapped around a round object that looks like a paper ghost doll. 5. Fuuma is speaking an archaic form of Japanese characteristic of ninjas. the ‘-de gozaru’ suffix denotes humility and servitude, and I couldn’t find a better way to express it, especially because Kiniji specifically mocks it later. 6. Henohenomoheji 7. This section is a pun. The game they are playing is ‘Tamaire’ (玉入れ) lit. ‘Throwing balls’. It’s a game where students compete to throw a number of small, soft balls into a basket suspended on a pole. In Japanese, the word for ‘ball'(玉) and ‘bullet’ (弾) share the same reading ‘tama’ (たま). To make it work in English, I made a similar pun on the word ‘shooting’– Anon-san 8. In the Japanese mythology the ‘Oni’ (鬼) or ‘demons’ are the underlings of Enma (閻魔) , one of the rulers of the Underworld. A kanabou is long metal club similar to a mace. The sense is that the third-years already have an overwhelming advantage. 9. O-Jizou is a Buddhist monk who took upon himself the education and teaching of every living creature to reach enlightenment. Presumably this requires a saintly (Oh, look a pun!) amount of patience. 10. This makes reference to a Japanese proverb that loosely translates to ‘Heaven does no grant two blessings’. It basically means that no one person ‘has it all’ so to speak, and that we all have our flaws. 11. Takoyaki A Japanese food made of wheat flour, octopus, and other ingredients rolled into a ball. 12. Buildering. 13. I assume this is a baseball reference. It should mean something like ‘bad’ or ‘no good’. 14. Kibasen , ‘Cavalry War’, 騎馬戦 in the original. A popular game school-yard game, similar to the pool game ‘Chicken-Fight’, but played in a field. 15. “ Ohta Isan ” in the original. Kinji is taking another naturopathic drug for upset stomachs. 16. Watson is English, so s/he speaks Japanese with a foreign accent. In the original this is highlighted by the use of katakana. S/He doubles the length of the first o-vowel sound in the Tohyama name (Romanised: T o-u -ya-ma), when in fact, it should only be slightly lengthened. 17. Basically ‘super soldier’. In Marvel Comic terms, think the program that created Captain America. 18. “Second Part” in kanji. Nakasorachi said “maru-ni” (lit. “0-2”) in katakana. It’s military jargon where individual digits in a number are fully pronounced. 19. Part of the name is Sabage –short for ‘survival game’. It is the name for Airsoft in Japan. The other part, means ‘live ammunition’, so it basically means an Airsoft match with real bullets. 20. One part of the name is Kibasen . Combined with the other part, it basically means ‘ Kibasen in water’. 21. A type of combat between opponents equipped with bullet-proof clothing, and thus bullets become blunt force weapons rather than piercing. 22. Chinese Food. In order: “White Noodle Soup, Spicy Noodles, Steamed Bread” 23. Chinese food. “Pork with Green Peppers” 24. Chinese food. “Preserved Eggs” 25. Chinese food. “Stuffed Peach Bun” also known as “Birthday Bun”. 26. Lit. “Extra-large Bulletproof Shield” in Kanji. 27. Acronym for “Special Assault Team” in English (Lit.”Special Assault Force”) Similar to American SWAT. In kanji it says “Special Forces of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police.” 28. Actually ‘Buhhda in Hell’ , but I made a more familiar reference. 29. The unit consists of a ‘rider’ and their ‘horse’ composed of three people, for a total of four people. 30. Lit. “Team”. As used in Vol. 7 of the novel. Butei students form ‘Teams’ and register with MASTERS. It is English in the original to make it clear what it is talking about. 31. Riko’s name is usually written in Kanji, however in ‘certain kinds of games’, this swimsuit is a fetish item. 32. Acronym for ‘National Institute of Justice’. A sub-department of The United States Department of Justice, responsible for R&D as well as evaluating and improving equipment and procedures used in the criminal justice system and law enforcement. ‘NIJ-III’ is a standard of ballistic protection that is supposed to stop all but specially-made armour-piercing rounds. 33. A location of one of the Normandy Landings. Kinji makes this reference clear later. 34. “Ritt der Walküren” is an opera piece written by Richard Wagner. The previous sentence is the battle cry of the Valkyries. Heard around the 1,25 mark here if anyone is interested. 35. These last few words are in English. 36. A one-piece swimsuit style, popular in the 1960’s. 37. What Kanetsuki actually shouted was やらせはぜんぞ(Yarasehazenzo), the final words of Dozle Zabi from the anime Mobile Suite Gundam. 38. WOLF Performance Ammunition- Military Classic. A sporting ammunition with a polymer-coated steel cartridge manufactured in Russia. 39. During the worst parts of the invasion of Africa in World War II, the Axis’ Folglore (Lightning) Division–composed of both Italians and Germans–, is said to have lived off of the provisions of enemy soldiers, so they had to eat on the spot after a battle. 40. This has to do with Japanese table etiquette. A Kamiza , or ‘high’ seat, would be like a seat of honour. Usually the person with the most seniority or leader sits here. A ‘low’ seat would be just the opposite. It has nothing to do, necessarily, with the seat’s elevation. 41. A crane game. 42. ‘Yamato Nadeshiko’ in the original. An expression that refers to the ideal Japanese woman. 43. This is in English. 44. Nico-nico Douga (Literally: Smile Videos!) in the original. It is a website very similar to YouTube.– Anon-san 45. The word used here could be correctly translated for meaning as ‘mistake’, but there is a metaphor running throughout this section. It hinges on the Kanji for ‘sight’ and ‘to see’, so in order to carry the meaning over, I went with a term from the scientific field of Optics that means, ‘The failure of light rays to converge at one focus because of limitations or defects in a lens or mirror’.– Anon-san ****************************************** Full Credit and much thanks to the Staff of Twin Dragons Light Novels: Thunder , Darkhellsing , and Esteban108 , for permission to use their translation. ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### 003. 3rd Ammo - Farewell, G-4th -The End of G-4th- The next day was a school-holiday, so… because I am a diligent student, I went to the library to do some serious studying. However, Riko was there, and she gushed: „ÄåLet’s find some H-books! Come on, let’s look together!„Äç I tried not to be pulled into such a dirty, non-school event. So Riko brought several books of female nudes and medical texts, chasing me from around the library, and so my morning was wasted. Finally, she got tired and went home, but at noon Mutou (a.k.a The Idiot) showed up. „ÄåI am a treasure hunter, and I could use your help with something.„Äç Spouting nonsense like that, it was practically the same scene as this morning with Riko. As a result, my visit to the library was like a game of ‘Metal Gear Solid’, and was spent running and hiding. Having completely lost my motivation, I returned to my apartment that afternoon, staggering with fatigue… Oh! Something smells good in here… Having worked up an appetite, I went straight into the kitchen where there was a pot of curry already prepared. This is a treasure! Kaname’s curry is delicious. Did she change some of the herbs? But she isn’t here. It seems that she’s out somewhere. Well, the first-year ‘interns’ are used for all kinds of chores. They’ve probably been drafted to do the clean-up from the Sabage with real bullets. On the table, Kaname’s handiwork: ‘Onii-chan Plush’ + ‘Kaname Plush’ were placed. She gave them to me a few days ago, and apparently she discovered them inside the bullet-proof closet where I had discarded them. Having lost all intention of studying, I decided to watch some television while eating curry, but as soon as I had eaten, and because of the increased blood flow to my stomach 1 , I became tired. „ÄåThere is no greater pleasure in the world than sleep…„Äç And so, while mumbling my grandfather’s favourite phrase, I went to my bedroom, and flopping onto my bed, I laid down. Then… Riko was straddling me, forcing me to look at Goya’s ‘The Naked Maja’ that had somehow become ‘The Naked Aria’ so, I woke from that horrible nightmare and jumped to my feet. Concerned that I might hysterise in my sleep, I checked my pulse… I… I’m fine… „Äå*sigh*„Äç With that sigh of relief, I reached the bathroom. It seems that Kaname hasn’t returned. The charger for her HMD 2 has moved, so she came back at least once and went back out again but… the leftover curry hasn’t been touched. Thinking that I might have some messages, I checked my mobile. …? What’s this? The signal reception is turned off! Instead, a status is displayed: „ÄåStandalone Mode„Äç. The mobile connexion is cut off. It is a mode where you are unable to receive either calls or messages. I never use that setting. ‘Someone’ changed it. I tapped through the menu to disable Standalone Mode, when… I received voice-mails and messages from Jeanne, Shirayuki, and the others, along with several from other numbers. As I was about to check the contents of the messages, I received a call from an unknown number. I answered it out of reflex. „ÄåTohyama? Not answering your telephone was a little worrying. Gird yourself for battle quickly!„Äç That voice… It’s Tamamo. „ÄåGird? You mean put on combat gear? Why?„Äç „Äå’Why’s’ and explanations are unnecessary! Begin!„Äç „Äå…!?„Äç I had a bad feeling about this… „ÄåMine Shikigami 3 have reported. G-Third has returned to Tokyo.„Äç Tamamo had spoken the words I did not want to hear. „ÄåThe location is East-South-East of the Shinagawa Thermal Power Station. Shirayuki and Jeanne are at the Ebara Temple nearby. You must hurry there! Is G-Fourth–Kaname– with you?„Äç „ÄåNo…She isn’t.„Äç „ÄåThat is very unfortunate…„Äç Worried, Tamamo was silent a moment. „ÄåThat G-3! He has great battle-luck. While we are scattered and our defences spread thin, he turns up. I sense that it will be a hard-fought battle… „Äç Agitated, she fell deep into thought. For Tamamo, good luck is required in all important matters. Now it seems she is holding her in her hands. „ÄåIn any case, I have to go too. What about the others?„Äç „ÄåRiko and Reki are already underway. Aria is at that place called AMDO and moving at high speed. Watson called me a moment ago, and he has set out and is on his way to your apartment.„Äç Having rapidly summarised the situation, the intercom doorbell rang. Watson was here. Wearing the same equipment from the day of our battle at the SkyTree, he arrived to help, and with my gun, bullet-proof uniform, a magazine, and my right and left hand Orochi 4 , we flew out of the boy’s dormitory. In front of the building, Watson’s Porsche 911 was parked. It had a revolving red emergency-vehicle light attached to the canopy. „ÄåWhat now, Tooyama?„ÄÄIt appears that G-3 is on the opposite bank from Butei High, near the Thermal Power Station.„Äç Watson asked as he jumped into the driver’s seat and started the car. By ‘What now’, I guess he’s asking about logistics. „ÄåGoing by sea would difficult. We don’t have a boat ready, and the coastal route is full of bridges and flood gates that might dead-end.„Äç „ÄåAnd as for going by car…. Unfortunately the Tokyo Harbor Tunnel is under repair. Crossing on foot, let alone by car, is impossible. We’ll„ÄÄhave to take the highway and turn off at Shibaura. But that will take twenty minutes!„Äç Damn it! It’s because it’s almost the end of the year. This is the annual ‘Seasonal Road Maintenance’. The only direct route is by air, but getting something like a helicopter would take even more time. „ÄåThere’s no time to hesitate. We’ll take the car. Go!„Äç As I jumped into the passenger seat, I turned off the handbrake and shouted at Watson to drive. „Äå*Sniff*… Tooyama, what did you eat today?„Äç I heard this sudden question, and Watson leaned over while driving, confusion on his face. „ÄåNothing special. Just some of Kaname’s curry…„Äç „ÄåIt’s faint, but the smell… your breath smells of Valerian. It is a sleeping drug, and its smell can be masked when mixed with other herbs. You’ve taken quite a lot. Hadn’t you noticed?„Äç Watson is also a doctor, so for him to to say that… I gasped with realisation. Now that I think about it, today’s curry smelled and tasted a little different than usual.„ÄÄKaname is usually very particular: ‘I will make the curry exactly the same way that you liked so much.’ What does this mean… Kaname? I immediately tried to call Kaname with my mobile, but of course, she never answered. Did you go… to where G-3 is?„ÄÄWhat are you planning to do? Kaname…! Inside the car, there is„ÄÄa dual-use monitor for a SatNav. The screen also had a video-conference call function linked to Jeanne and was transmitting a video feed from the mobile that she had cleverly placed in the chest pocket of her school uniform. We turned left, towards the Rainbow Bridge entrance and… Damn it…! The road is jammed. For now, we can only monitor the situation on the screen. The monitor and tied-in onboard speakers were of such high quality, we were hearing Jeanne’s voice so clearly that it was like we were there with her. „ÄåTohyama, Watson. I don’t have my headset 5 , so I’m using„ÄÄmy mobile’s earpiece with speaker-phone turned on. They may hear any loud noises you make, so please be advised.„Äç Maybe it was because she was so close, but Jeanne’s voice was tense. On the monitor, and carrying Irokaneayame, Shirayuki’s profile was displayed as she stole a glance at the situation. They are operating as a two man unit– a wise choice. Jeanne and Shirayuki are moving past the hexagonal prism shaped cooling tower, erected south of the Shinagawa Thermal Power Station. Beyond them, I see a natural gas tanker in Tokyo Bay. Meanwhile, Riko, Reki, and finally Aria were connected to the feed in ‘Audio-only’ mode. „ÄåUgh…„Äç In unison, we all groaned, with hint of surprise in our voices. It’s him… His grim face was painted as if he were wearing sunglasses, and he also wore an HMD. That awesome presence… there can be no mistake. Striking a bold pose, it’s G-3– standing on top of the water! Judging by his balanced posture, he seems to be standing on something, but I can’t see what it is. Whatever it is, it’s probably invisible. He is wearing an outrageous jet black helmet, several pieces of armour, and a matching black coat that is fluttering in the wind. Both coat and armor were trimmed with gold and gold thread. Remembering the day of the Bandire 6 — G-3 is as flashy as ever. He is angry with someone on the shore, and his attention is turned towards what appears to be a public park. G-3 is talking to someone on the lawn. It’s Kaname…! In addition to her HMD, she is also wearing body armor. On both hips she is wearing two swords, and crossed on her back are two more– in all, she has four Neue Ange blades. This is the most heavily armed I have seen her. And to make matters worse… „ÄåWha…?!„Äç As Jeanne emitted a gasp, words failed me, and my eyes widened in shock. I couldn’t speak. I couldn’t do anything but stare in astonishment. That person took everyone’s breath away. They caught every eye, because of their angelic beauty. In the corner of a shipping yard, a crane on the border of land and sea soared into the sky. They were wearing a bulletproof brown long-coat and high-laced combat boots. Ka…Kana! Kana sat on the crane arm. And judging by the distance of her position… She is not on Kaname’s side, but rather on G-3’s! G-3 was gone for a while, in order to meet Kana?! Her braided chestnut hair fell to her waist and swayed in the sea breeze. Regardless of the fact it was only on a screen, her unchanged beauty left us breathless and made us forget our enemy. But Kana is not only beautiful. She can enter Hysteria Mode at will, and„ÄÄis infinitely more skilled in using that super-human power. While it is true that on one occasion I beat my ‘Nii-chan’ in Hysteria mode, I could never win against ‘Kana’. If we were to fight, I am not confident of victory. Kana is a very special case. It’s likely that she has discovered how to use higher form of Hysteria Mode that I don’t know about, and is on an entirely different level. Moreover, the battle at IU seems to have brought her skills to maturity, and now there is a certain aura about her. „Äå…„Äç With her long lashes, Kana sat bathed in the twilight haze… but she is only observing the scene below. On the screen… Jeanne, despite her trembling, moved closer to the three„ÄÄprincipals. „ÄåI will now set the camera to wide angle mode. Pray the fortunes of war favour us.„Äç From her Butei handbook„ÄÅ she pulled out a fish-eye lens and attached it to her mobile’s camera. Then she set her mobile on a tree branch. At first the image was stretched and warped, but the monitor’s auto-detect function corrected it, creating a panoramic video. All of them were now displayed on the screen: Kaname, G-3 , Kana, plus Shirayuki and Jeanne, so we were able to grasp the entire situation.„ÄÄThen Watson began operating the equalizer,„ÄÄcleaning up the audio and from the speakers… „ÄåThird,„ÄÄwe don’t need to kill them. Baskerville… DEEN, they aren’t the enemy.„Äç …Kaname’s voice was heard. I got the impression that Kaname was trying to persuade G-3. It also appears that Jeanne and Shirayuki have been detected, and are talking about what they should do. „ÄåFourth, it’s an order!„Äç G-3 snapped. At that moment, Shirayuki showed herself to support Kaname. „ÄåG-3, in addition to Kaname… we have just learned of your emissaries to the Six-Tailed Kitsune, Tamamo-sama, and the Hotogi clan gives you the same answer. We will not hand over our, ‘Irokane and everything to do with it’, to you.„Äç It seems that G-3 was in private communication with members of DEEN, and that seems to be the connexion where the Hotogi mikos are concerned. Enough, Shirayuki…! That man is dangerous. Don’t say anything to provoke him! Meanwhile, we had just made it to the south end of the Rainbow Bridge, tires squealing as they turned. We have finally made it to the half-way point of our journey. We are ten minutes out. Taking the current situation into account, and concluding that we should temporarily retreat, I… „ÄåJeanne! Take Shirayuki and Kaname, and get out of there!„Äç I screamed at the mic beneath the monitor, and as a result, my voice blasted from the mobile’s speaker. On the screen, recognising that voice, Kaname turned her head. „Äå…Onii-chan…?!„Äç This was unexpected. She probably wanted to keep me from being involved, so her plan was to put me to sleep. I guess I’m awake sooner than she thought. Your didn’t do enough research, Kaname. Pharmaceuticals have almost no effect on me. „ÄåI… Baskerville… isn’t the enemy, Third…„Äç Flustered Kaname tried to speak, but… „ÄåFourth! Are you going to follow my order!?„Äç „ÄåKaname! Get out of there!„Äç G-3 and I shouted at the same time. Our voices overlapped, as Kaname cringed away. Then straightening, with knees trembling… she drug her feet as she walked. Making a right about-face, Kaname made her way to G-3’s side. Her face– an expression of wide-eyed panic. „ÄåKaname …„Äç I understand perfectly. It’s like watching myself. Kaname, I’m sure… Whenever my brother gave me an order, I had exactly the same reaction. I couldn’t defy him, because he was so much stronger than me. No matter what, his orders had to be carried out. I had to obey. „ÄåI have to… Someone stronger than me…„Äç Her voice, like her shaking hands, trembled… „Äå… I absolutely can’t disobey… because it is completely illogical…!„Äç Crossing both arms, she drew the swords that were on both her hips. This is bad… This is very bad…! Looking down at Jeanne and Shirayuki, Kaname’s face… was becoming a sharp glare. Kaname’s personality is being replaced. Taking control is the old personality from when we first met– that of G-Fourth! „ÄåI owe him a debt. He was the one that helped me escape Los Alamos…„Äç Repeating those reasons to herself, Kaname began to radiate her fighting spirit. Lowering her stance, I saw her concentrate strength into her legs. „ÄåDo you intend to fight? That blade will not work against us.„Äç Sensing Kaname’s fighting spirit, Jeanne and Shirayuki, each drew their swords and stood shoulder to shoulder, the same way as the night of the Lumberjack, taking up the same position for the ‘tag-team’ technique that destroyed Sonic. „ÄåKaname, surrender! You can‚Äôt beat us. That’s something you should have realised just recently.„Äç Shirayuki said, joining in, but Kaname … „ÄåThat was a Duel; This is War.„Äç To her right, and left, a blue fluorescent line glowed on her katanas as she grasped their hilts. „ÄåThe one that you were able to destroy was only one of thirteen types of Neue Ange swords!„Äç *Swish!* From under Kaname’s foot, grass and dirt flew and scattered. Thanks to her exo-skeleton’s assistance Kaname closed distance with girls in a superhuman leap, unsheathing her blades mid-air… No… „ÄåArc Edge 7 …!„Äç Drawing those things that cannot be called swords… but rather light-sabers 8 . Drawn from their sheaths, they were a glittering metre long, as Kaname attacked Jeanne and Shirayuki from above, and they spread out to avoid the light-saber… *Whoosh!* As she landed, her shining blades gouged a hole in the ground. Molten lava and white fumes immediately rose and filled the crater she had made. What… That’s…! It was like a scene from a movie. Her swords looked like the fictional weapons from Star Wars– only more powerful. There is no possible way to safely receive such an attack. Just one touch would slice a person in half… no… rather, disintegrate them. Kaname stowed her light-sabers, and only the grips in the scabbards on her hips remained. „Äå…Jeanne!„Äç „ÄåUnderstood.„Äç Eyes wide, I watched as Shirayuki and Jeanne exchanged their respective blades for magic. Shirayuki began„ÄÄtracing symbols in the air with her hands, and diamond dust began dancing around Jeanne. Observing Kaname’s attack, G-3 gave a snort of disdain. „ÄåJust as I thought. You’re broken, Fourth.„Äç „ÄåIt’s not like that, Third. I’m holding back my weapon’s full power. Compared to yours, mine’s reaction rate is slower.„ÄÄBoot-up takes longer.„ÄÄIf I don’t wait for full deployment, the ‘multi-faceted crystal’ will fuse.„Äç „ÄåNo, the problem is with you !„Äç G-3 growled, like a lion– the king of the animals. Turning around, Kaname could only gasp wordlessly. „ÄåFourth, you can’t fool me. Your attack was only half intended to kill, and the other half to let them escape.„Äç „Äå…That’s not it…! I…!„Äç Shaking her shoulder-length hair sideways, Kaname tried to clamour an excuse. „ÄåYou’re damaged, and stooping to the level of a mere human!„Äç „ÄåNo, no, no!„Äç Holding her head in her hands, Kaname dug her nails into her scalp, as if to rid herself of the alternate personality in her head. „ÄåFourth! Remember who you are! You are a weapon, and this is war… Move!„Äç I see now. G-3 is trying to ‘fix’ Kaname– trying to turn her back into G-4. Without attacking himself, that bastard is trying to make Kaname do it.„ÄÄHis plan is to ‘fix’ Kaname by reverting her personality. „ÄåWhy…? Why did it have to become a War…?„Äç Hiding her face, Kaname… *Shine!* Spreading her arms wide, she drew the twin swords that were fastened on her back. They looked like executioner’s swords that were used in the Middle Ages to behead those sentenced to death, but the double-edged blades’ fullers were carved hollow. With the ‘U’ shaped tip… she pointed them at Shirayuki and Jeanne to check their advance, as they stood ready with fire and ice. „ÄåI… I’m… sick of war!„Äç *Whoosh!* Following a high-pitch noise, blue light surged from the swords’ hilts.„ÄÄRunning swiftly down the edges of the blades and converging at their tips, the light shot out, without a hint of recoil. „Äå…!„Äç Speeding on, as if they had been fired from a rifle, the bullets of light, flew toward Shirayuki and Jeanne… Jeanne made a motion to ward the bullet of light with her sword, but it was not something that could be deflected. Because she was anxiously preoccupied about what would happen to Jeanne, Shirayuki’s response lagged, and she was unable to make any kind of move to defend herself. In the next instant, light-bullets gave off a sound like a rocket-launcher strike (and compared to the size of the bullet, the explosion was on an entirely unbelievable scale) that made me burst into a shout. „ÄåShirayuki…! Jeanne…!„Äç As if they had been hit by a train, they were sent flying left and right. Shirayuki bounced off the ground and collapsed, and Jeanne disappeared from the screen. „ÄåShirayuki…!„Äç I watched the screen anxiously… Underneath Shirayuki’s bullet-proof uniform, it seems that she had been wearing chain-maille as a precaution, and now it was in ruins. Then I saw her move and stir slightly. She wasn’t insta-killed, but it looks like she has been gravely injured. She can’t keep fighting. She needs help now! Sheathing her swords on her back, Kaname„ÄÄturned towards G-Third, her expression seeming to„ÄÄsay: ‘That’s enough, right?’ . But his response was… „ÄåWhat are you stopping for? Do you want me to finish it?„Äç By ‘finish’, he means ‘kill’. Stop it… Just stop it! I screamed this uselessly inside my head. Kaname lifted her sorrowful, tear-stained face. Strapped to her leg was a knife-shaped object– that must be an advanced blade, too. Drawing it… „ÄåA weapon has to fight… Even if they don’t want to, they must…„Äç *Step!* *Step!* Crossing the scorched earth, she moved toward Shirayuki. Silently observing the situation, G-3 chuckled softly with a smug, satisfied smile on his face… „ÄåG-3, rather than just worrying about others, why don’t you spare a thought for yourself?„Äç Kana shouted from atop the crane. And in the next instant, *BAAANG!* From the on-board speakers came a thunderous noise. It was the sound of a gunshot from someone who is connected to the video-conference in ‘audio-only’ mode. After a few seconds… *BANG* From beside of G-3’s head, orange sparks flew, and a concealing dust cloud rose from the ground. Wha-… What was that?! „ÄåThe bullet has been deflected. Reason: unknown.„Äç I realised that the voice from the on-board speakers was Reki’s. The loud noise was the sound of a shot from a large calibre sniper rifle– the Barrett M82.„ÄÄThe barrel of the M82 is no less than 29 inches long. Its gross weight is over 14kg, and it is almost as long as Reki is tall. Carrying such an impractical weapon, she has secured the ‘base’ of Academy Island 9 , and accurately sniped G-3 in Shinagawa at long-range. The dust cloud was caused by the impact of the bullet, which possesses more power and is of a larger calibre than a Dragunov. But if so, why did she miss? I can’t believe Reki failed. Those ‘sparks’ that exploded near G-3… somehow, he blocked the bullet. The Barrett is an anti-material rifle, with rounds powerful enough to pierce armoured plate, and yet he deflected it… with ease…! „Äå…!„Äç Then, high above G-3– from the arm of the crane… Riko…! Some time ago, Riko must have sneaked up behind G-3, and now she is diving toward him.„ÄÄIn her hand was the same tactical knife that she used in the April hijacking when she tried to kill Aria. She is targeting his head– the only place that is unprotected. From what I have seen, Reki and Riko…„ÄÄIt seems that they are trying to take out G-3– the boss– first. If they succeed, then Kaname will no longer have to follow his orders. That’s their plan. They are using the same strategy, and it looks like it’s going to work. G-3 is still watching Kaname; he hasn’t even looked up toward the falling Riko. But … „Äå’Worry’? About things like this…?„Äç And after he said that… *Smack!* Just as Riko was about to reach G-3, he sent her flying like a baseball. Fresh blood spattering, there was a splash, and a without cry, she fell into the sea. This time I saw what happened. G-3 swatted a hand, effortlessly deflecting her, all without even glancing in her direction… It’s useless… We can’t beat him! We have just sped onto Goshiki Bridge 10 . Our ETA is 5 minutes. With Neue Ange blade in hand, Kaname stepped up near to Shirayuki. What should we do? „ÄåHuh… What is that? Tooyama!?„Äç As we reached Big Kounan Bridge 11 , Watson screamed, but he was not watching the monitor, but looking outside the window. Then, pushing my hair back, I turned and looked high and to the right. „Äå…?!„Äç In the sky… I could see a light, high above the container yard. A star… No, it’s too close. It’s too slow to be a missile, and it doesn’t seem to be any kind of aeroplane either– it’s much smaller. The small light soared over the Shinagawa Thermal Power Station. „ÄåIn war ‘anything goes’… And I was created for war…„Äç On the monitor, Kaname raised her knife, and when I looked back at the screen… „ÄåHeh. If ‘anything goes’, then take this!„Äç From the on-board speakers we heard a seiyuu-like voice, and in rapid succession.. *Bang!* *Bang!* „Äå…!?„Äç At an angle that left Shirayuki protected, something swooped in towards Kaname. Two bullets detonated with an explosive sound, engulfing Kaname in a shower of orange sparks. What I’ve just seen was… Incendiary Ammo…! Bis-hydroxyl Aluminium and Naphtha: exploiting the extreme oxidising nature of these chemicals and their ability to burn at high temperatures, they were incredibly small Napalm bombs. These were just one of many kinds of Butei bullets. This was an air-raid. *Tumble* *Tumble* Rolling, Kaname has escaped the flames and smoke, and is now looking up into the sky. She is probably seeing the same light we had seen in the sky just moments ago. The hand that had held the knife seconds before was empty. The Butei bullets have knocked it away. „ÄåAria…?!„Äç Retracting the canopy of his Porsche convertible… His short hair whipping in the wind, Watson looked up into the sky. Looking in the same direction, now it can be seen with the naked eye– the true shape of the light we saw moments ago. „ÄåAria… Is that you!?„Äç With a single layer of white, tasset-like plates flaring from the the back and sides of her bullet-proof uniform skirt… It’s Aria! The contraption was divided into seven variable wings, and below each of them the flames of a jet engine glowed.„ÄÄFrom what I’ve seen of their shape and articulation… they’re a cross between compact, high-output rocket thrusters and stabiliser planes. These ‘wings’ attached to her waist allow her to fly. „ÄåWha-? You’re flying! When did you get that ?!„Äç Seeing Aria flying as if it were the most natural thing in the world, I couldn’t help blurting this out. „ÄåThis is a ‘Hover Skirt’! It was delivered a little while ago, so I thought that I’d see what it can do. Kinji, stop dragging your feet and get over here!„Äç As she said that … *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* Firing Incendiary, Exploding, and Fragmenting bullets, Aria was raining an endless hail of Butei bullets onto Kaname. The sound of gunfire coming from the speakers could now be heard directly as well. Rather, it sounded like a real war! On the screen, I saw Aria shoot armour-piercing rounds at the hollow, double-edged blades that had brought down Jeanne and Shirayuki, knocking them to the ground and damaging them. With her Barrett M82, Reki targeted and finally destroyed them. That reminds me… Tamamo said: ‘Aria is at that place called AMDO’ This is what„ÄÄAria had ordered while she was in the hospital, and she had gone to pick up her ‘rocket booster’– to Hiraga’s. If you think about it, her inventions are a lot like ‘Neue Ange’. Hiraga is an inventor who creates new, unimaginable weapons one after another, regardless of their reliability. Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth, and technology against technology– In a truly Aria-esque manner, she prepared to face G-3 and his allies head-on.„ÄÄTransformed into a human attack-helicopter, I watched her, dumbfounded. „ÄåAll of you, I have rescued Riko. Concentrate on bringing the enemy down.„Äç Using what had to be Riko’s connection, a voice flowed from the speakers. That voice… „ÄåHilda…?„Äç In the corner of the screen, the shapes of countless bats had merged– forming something like a black net– and is pulling Riko from the water. „ÄåHilda, I„ÄÄneed you. Hurry and save Shirayuki and Jeanne too!„Äç I said that but she answered, „ÄåHo ho! Fool! I do not wish to! Who would follow the orders of an uncouth man like you?„Äç I still don’t know if she is an ally or enemy. „ÄåThis…! This is an emergency, and you’re babbling about…„Äç „ÄåLet me, Tooyama.„Äç I was screaming in anger, but covering my mouth with his hand, Watson… „ÄåSorry for asking you to do something you can’t do, Hilda. Although it’s gone down a lot, the setting sun is still a problem for you, right?„Äç While driving, Watson said in a louder voice. „Äå What!? „Äç Flying into a sudden rage, she raised her voice as well and… „ÄåWatson, I believe that I told you this a long time ago. If I have a parasol, the sunlight is nothing to fear. I have even picnicked at a graveyard in the middle of the day!„Äç „ÄåThat’s alright, don’t push yourself too hard– it’s fine. It was thoughtless of Tooyama to ask.„ÄÄIt’s impossible for you– rescuing Shirayuki and Jeanne.„Äç „ÄåWatson! You insolent, insolent wretch! You„ÄÄare speaking to a noble– the daughter of Count Dracula, herself…!„Äç *Click!* Watson disconnected Riko’s line to stop Hilda’s piercing shout. „ÄåH-Hey, Watson!„Äç „ÄåDon’t worry… Now she will definitely rescue Shirayuki and Jeanne.„Äç Speaking with such confidence, Watson urged me to look back at the monitor, and… *Flap!* *Flap!* *Flap!* With an almost angry motion, countless shapes of bats slipped underneath Shirayuki, and dragging her along, carried her away. Hilda really rescued them– even though it didn’t take her even a second to reject my request. „ÄåShe isn’t strong enough to fight yet, but we can leave the rescue to her. However, we definitely have to praise her afterwards.„Äç Now that I think about it, Watson was in contact with Hilda before we met her. The more time you spend with someone, the better you know how to deal with them, right? Opening my eyes wide at this unexpected side of Killer-Hilda, I looked back at the center of the screen… Kaname and Aria are still fighting, and Aria clearly has the upper-hand. She is firing Butei bullets unsparingly, applying a brute force approach to the problem. „Äå*Grunt*…!„Äç With sticky bullets„ÄÄsealing both of her ‘Arc Edge’ blades on her hips, Kaname… *Whoosh!* Raising both arms and turning to face the sky, she moved her arms like she was presenting something. Then, from the white smoke that rose from the power plant’s smokestack– something flew out of the white sheet-like sky. Spinning as it flew, it was her cloth-like ‘X’-shaped cutting weapon. The„ÄÄvery same offense/defense flying weapon that had defeated Aria, P-FIBER…. But this time there were two of them, and they closed in on Aria from the left and right, to attack from both sides. „ÄåThe same trick won’t work twice!„Äç From her twin Governments, Aria fired two shots. Not at the fabric-like blades, but at Kaname herself. Then… *Shine* *Zoom* Each bullet gave off a burst of light like two tiny suns. Blinding„ÄÄFlares! Despite that, Kaname leaned over, unmoving, but the glow has managed to blind her. With a somersault, Aria nimbly avoided the X-shaped cloth, and it was unable to cope with her sudden evasion. Out of Kaname’s control, the two blade-like sheets collided mid-air, slicing each other in half. Delivering the coup de grace, Aria shot sticky bullets to tangle them together completely. Th-That movement just now…!? Watching the falling cloth-blades, just now… I saw Aria flare her twin-tails to slow herself like an aeroplane.„ÄÄThat was not a flutter in the wind… That was … „ÄåHa Ha!„Äç Watching Aria, G-3 laughed happily. „ÄåI was able to see a hint of the ‘Hidan no Aria’. Kana, your ‘Cognis’ 12 , as always, was truly amazing!„Äç „ÄåMy Cognis is incomplete. I wasn’t able to reach that level of reasoning.„Äç ‘Hidan no Aria’ , ‘Cognis’ … Kana and G-3 were using the same made-up terms Sherlock used when we were at IU. Why? What are those two talking about? But now isn’t the time to think about it. „ÄåI’m out of Butei bullets. And I only have 30 seconds worth of fuel. Kinji, how long will it take for you get here?„Äç Aria’s whispering voice came from the car speakers. „ÄåNot long, It’ll be another… Hold out for another three minutes.„Äç „ÄåOK. I’ll arrest Kaname. You really wouldn’t be able to do it because she’s your sweeeeet little sister, right?„Äç Remarking this somewhat sarcastically, Aria left behind her a vapour trail like a jet engine contrail and came in for a landing. Then, while suddenly accelerating… *Whoosh* Pulling her two Japanese swords from behind her back, she lunged at Kaname. „ÄåKaname!„Äç „ÄåAria!„Äç Reaching out and clasping her hands… from her armour, a ring of light spread. It was like the light of Arc Edge, expanding in a circle and looking like a buzz saw. „ÄåUwaaaa!„Äç With a shout, she lunged at as Aria as she swooped down, and with a flying leap she received a slashing attack to her body armour, even as she split the side of Aria’s flying unit open. „ÄåUgh!„Äç Losing her balance, Aria made an emergency landing, but with a skillful twist, she turned to face Kaname. Then– perhaps because ‘Arc Edge’ was not designed for long-term use–, after confirming that it was no longer active… Using her functioning rear propellers, Aria launched herself at Kaname. Ever since I met Aria, it’s always seemed like she had rocket boosters– charging in hard and fast–, but this time, equipped with real rocket boosters, she rushed at Kaname, not giving her the time to draw her next weapon, pushing for a hand-to-hand battle. „ÄåTooyama! From here, run!„Äç Finally, Watson and I arrived on the scene, and ran to the south side of the power plant that was turning into a battle-ground. At the power plant itself… In the shadow of the plant’s smokestack Riko, Shirayuki, and Jeanne were piled together. They were in no condition to stand. „Äå…Girls…!„Äç Seeing this scene, my mind immediately went back. It’s exactly the same as that time– the first time G-3 and Kaname attacked. Once again… I wasn’t in time to be of help. „ÄåTooyama, I’ll take care of the wounded. You back-up Aria!„Äç With a first-aid kit from MEDICA, Watson ran that way. Grinding my teeth and drawing my Beretta, I headed towards the open space the led to the sea. While running…. „ÄåAria, are you alright…!„Äç Wounded in the battle against Kaname, Aria had sagged to her knees. I saw Kaname start as I arrived, and some P-FIBER extended from behind her back– two sheets on a side. They were probably folded up and stored inside her body-armour. It looked like Kaname had 4 tails. „ÄåAria, are you okay?„Äç Threatening Kaname with my Beretta, I moved into a position to guard Aria… „ÄåI’m not finished yet! Watch out, that body-armour is assisting„ÄÄKaname’s hand-to-hand fighting. Each blow packs a punch! That cloth blocks„ÄÄmy attacks automatically, and it’s hard to get one in.„ÄÄEven though Reki has been giving me cover-fire, I still can’t get through.„Äç With a hiss of steam, Aria ejected from her Hover Skirt. I guess there isn’t any fuel left, so it had only become dead-weight. Now Aria tried to take up a Baritsu 13 stance… but it was no good– her injuries were too great. Moments ago, Aria had the battle-power and mobility of a fighter jet. If only it had lasted a little longer– then we might have been able to win. But now she is out of fuel and her wounds are very serious. We can’t do anything but retreat. „ÄåKaname …!„Äç The truth is, she’s amazing — You’re amazing. The first time, you single-handedly brought about the crushing defeat of Baskerville. The second time, you’ve cornered us now. And besides Kaname there, further away G-3 remains unharmed. This is far beyond my ability to handle. However… …We can still win. „Äå…Kana! What are you doing up there? Get down and help me fight!„Äç I yelled at Kana who was sitting on top of the crane wearing her long-coat. If Kana was on our side, we might be able to turn things around. I planned to use her as our trump card, but… „ÄåKinji, I only came to observe one of the battles of FEW.„Äç In the fading twilight, Kana stood… unmoving. „ÄåBesides that, I’m ‘Neutral’… I have no obligation to fight anyone.„Äç She blinked her gemstone eyes once and… „ÄåHowever G-3, you have made Baskerville your enemy. In this war, when someone is defeated… they are either killed or become their enemy’s subordinate. To see that those conventions are followed was also one of the reasons I came here today.„Äç And so saying, she fell silent. In reply… „ÄåI don’t care about that… Ha ha! Finally, all of the ‘G-bloodline’ are gathered together!„Äç Standing above the sea, G-3’s voice boomed. „ÄåStill, I’ll kill that worthless guy. There’s something strange between Kinji and Fourth.„Äç Then, crossing the invisible barge he stood on, he started walking towards me. ‘G-bloodlines’…? That’s a strange phrase, but I’ll have to think about it later. Since I couldn’t convince Kana, I’m out of battle-options. It’s time to flee. Taking Aria, Kaname, and everyone else… „ÄåOi! Don’t you run away.„Äç As if reading my thoughts, G-3 said this, drawing closer with each step… I felt a terrible air of menace emanating from G-3. He still hasn’t moved a muscle to make any preparations to fight. H-he’s strong! Even so… This guy… I understand that much about him. It seem that even behind me, Aria felt it too, and I heard her swallow her saliva with an audible gulp. „ÄåKinji, you idiot, what kind of ideas did you put into Fourth’s head? She says that she knows how… but now, of all things, she insists that she can’t enter HSS.„Äç Hearing our conversation, Kaname turned a flustered look towards G-3… And then facing me again, started panicking. Kaname… „ÄåBesides that… I don’t know what kind of warm welcome they gave her, but she won’t finish off those girls either.„Äç Standing behind the petrified Kaname, G-3…. *Bam* With a matte-black metal boot, he kicked Kaname in the back. „ÄåAh!„Äç *Thud!* Having fallen immediately to her hands and knees without resistance, he said to Kaname… „ÄåOi Fourth! You’ve stopped when you could have crushed her. All this time you’ve had the enemy on the run. But now it’s not too late. Finish it!„Äç G-3 barked, making it an order. Pulling her arms and legs in like a turtle, Kaname groaned. Meanwhile… several places of her armour glowed with an intensifying fluorescent blue light. „ÄåOnii-chan… Forgive me… someone that is stronger than me… I absolutely cannot defy them… That would be, That would be ill-… illogical, so… Forgive me, Forgive me, Forgive me…„Äç With a trembling voice, how many times was she going to apologise to me? Again, Kaname was trying drawing another advanced blade from somewhere. Even though she did her best. Even though she gave it everything she had.„ÄÄEven though she doesn’t want to fight… G-3…! Even in this situation, you still keep pushing her…! „Äå…Kaname! You don’t have to fight! Just stop, don’t take orders from someone like that.„Äç I yelled this boldly, as I pointed„ÄÄmy Beretta at G-3. „ÄåHe is deceiving, and only want to use you! I don’t know why you feel so indebted to him… Don’t you see that he only saved you to make you a tool for his own designs! You don’t have to pretend to be strong anymore. That guy… You don’t have to rely on people like G-3, because I’ll always be there for you!„Äç „ÄåYou sure talk a lot, don’t you Kinji? Oi, Fourth, shut this guy up too.„Äç Pointing a thumb at me, G-3 said this… „Äå…Don’t…„Äç Kaname, having laid face-down on the ground, muttered something, but it was said in a low, trembling voice so we couldn’t hear it well. „ÄåWhat was that, Fourth?„Äç „ÄåDon’t call me that.„Äç This time she spoke in a clear voice. Kaname stood up from the ground. „ÄåDON’T CALL ME THAT NAAAAME!!„Äç And turning toward G-3… *Clank!* *Clank!* *Clank* *Clank!* Like a kind of shell being cracked, Kaname’s body-armour opened in several places. On the inside tiny nozzles were ranged in lines. *WHOOOOSH!* And with that, her jet engines flamed to life. „ÄåRaaaaahh!„Äç With explosive force, Kaname launched herself at G-3. Enveloped by blasting hot wind, Kaname and G-3 clashed… …And closing distance, they missed each other. „ÄåKaname…!„Äç Hidden inside her armor, was what I suppose is a disposable solid-fuel rocket engine. The flames have already died down. With unfathomable explosive force, I saw Kaname dart forward in a ramming attack from point-blank range with her insta-kill equipment… and using that she only managed to rush past G-3 behind his back. As more and more fumes rose, Kaname staggered a few steps… „ÄåHuh…?„Äç Not understanding what had just happened, Kaname turned and looked back. „Äå…„Äç G-3, remained silent. He had not moved a single step from where he stood. It looked like Kaname had simply brushed passed G-3. But from the fingers of his metallic bullet-proof fiber gloves… *Plop!* *Plop!* …fell drops of blood. „ÄåHa Ha!… I…I was completely illogical…„Äç With a forced smile, Kaname turned towards me… Her chest armour was split low in the middle.„ÄÄI saw that in her black skin-suit… there was a deep gash. „ÄåKaname!!„Äç I heard Aria scream behind me. I couldn’t see anything… With his bare hands, G-3 had just opened a hole in Kaname’s chest. „ÄåFourth. Are you going to waste what little life you have left?„Äç As G3 faced the other direction, Kaname replied… „ÄåIf it’s a waste…„Äç As dark blood trickled from her mouth… *Shing!* Reaching both of her gauntleted hands inside her armour, Kaname drew two blades. „Äå…Then I’m going to waste it all!„Äç Again, Kaname launched herself at G-3 but… *Thud!* She was thrown right back more than ten meters. Totally shattering her blades, guards and all, the pieces scattered like glass. I couldn’t see that one either… G-3’s attack.. it’s too fast! It’s impossible for the eye to follow…! „Äå…You’re a fool, Fourth. I always knew that you were just weak.„Äç G-3 said in a low growl without turning back. „ÄåKaname!!„Äç The scene being too much for her to bear, finally able to stand Aria ran from behind me to Kaname, even though they had just been fighting. Then, Kaname having collapsed onto her back, Aria lifted the upper half of her body and cradled her in her arms. Following her example and unable to think straight, I rushed to Kaname’s side ignoring G-3. „ÄåKaname…! Kaname…!„Äç Both of us holding her in our arms… Her face was covered in blood, and she was staring off into the distance. „Äå…Now I think… I know why… I wanted to be close to you… Onii-chan…„Äç She mumbled deliriously. „ÄåI…„ÄÄwanted to believe… that I was human … so I was looking for a family… a human brother.„Äç „ÄåKaname, don’t speak! You’re making the bleeding worse!„Äç Applying pressure with her hand to the wound in Kaname’s chest, Aria was removing the remnants of her destroyed armour. „ÄåNow… I know the reason… why I defied Third too. More than Third’s wishes… I wanted to protect you, Onii-chan„Äç „ÄåKaname …!„Äç I also put pressure on the wound but… the blood won’t stop! I… can’t help her! „ÄåAhaha…„ÄÄYou didn’t say it… today. Remember whenever I called you ‘Onii-chan’… and every time you’d say … ‘You’re not my little sister’? You said it over and over… and each time I heard it… it hurt so much I really thought that I’d die, but… you didn’t say it today…„Äç Running out of strength, Kaname was able to smile. „ÄåKaname…!„Äç Kaname. Argh! Why„ÄÄdidn’t I realise it until just now! By my denial, I was only hurting her. Why did I do that…?! Mere regret could not conjure this emotion rising within me… It rose up from the bottom of my heart. My heart ached as if it were bleeding. „ÄåI am your sister… that will never change… so… I couldn’t show you how much I loved you. These feelings, I couldn’t let anyone know… so… I used them to give me strength to fight. Even against someone stronger than me–against Third…„Äç As if to chide herself, Kaname gave another brief smile…. „ÄåI’m…human…and your sister. By doing such illogical things… I became human. At the very end… „Äç Tears fell from Kaname’s eyes, and from inside her armour… There had been some kind of charm, and it had fallen into the pool of blood. It’s hideous … It’s similar to the hand-stitched ‘Onii-chan Plush’ matching set that I have. It was a little smaller than the stitched ‘Kaname Plush’ she sowed for me… It was the hand-made felt Leopon-Chimera she had received from Aria and the girls after the Sports Festival. „ÄåKaname… This isn’t the end. It’s not that bad!„Äç Tears in her camellia-coloured eyes, Aria spoke words of comfort, and Kaname replied… „ÄåAria, thank-you too…„Äç Kaname said„ÄÄin voice that was barely a whisper. „ÄåComing to this school, spending time with everyone everyday… even fighting… it wasn’t all bad. In the end though… I made a complete mess of things…„Äç „ÄåKaname…!„Äç Kaname began to squint their eyes like she was sleepy… Finally, gathering what was left of her strength, she wrung out these words. „ÄåThird is… only a weapon… Onii-chan… please… don’t fight… run away…„Äç Kaname…! Kaname’s breathing had already become erratic, but I replied… „ÄåKaname. I’m sorry, but I can’t honour that request.„Äç I said, loud and clear. Looking at her face, covered in blood, I continued. „ÄåThere isn’t a brother that can forgive someone who hurt his younger sister.„Äç I told her that. Hearing those words… tears spilled from her narrowing eyelids… *Drop* *Drop* One after another they fell,„ÄÄmixing with the blood and running down her cheek. „ÄåOnii-chan… you told me not to cry… so I decided not to, but…„Äç With a laugh and a small smile… As if the final thread had been cut, Kaname collapsed. Kaname… „ÄåKanameee…!„Äç Hearing Aria’s scream… I turned around and stood up. With his back still facing us… I glared at G-3 I understand… I feel a strange rush of blood to the inner core of my body, and realisation dawns.„ÄÄI’m different from my cowering self. A dangerous feeling was overflowing. It was… Rage. He had hurt Kaname, used her like he might use a hand or foot, and in the end, threw her away like some thing . Rage towards that man… „Äå…„Äç He had to have sensed my gaze. Expressionless, G-3 turned his head to look back. „ÄåNow do you know why I was waiting? For you to become that !„Äç What G-3 said…„ÄÄAlthough not completely, I understand.„ÄÄThis boiling„ÄÄfeeling… is„ÄÄsome kind of Hysteria Mode.„ÄÄI’m becoming hystericised .„ÄÄIt’s similar to Berserker Hysteria Mode, but stronger. It feels vastly more powerful. „ÄåCome, Kinji.„Äç *Swish* With a flutter, G-3’s coat flapped… Without a glance towards Kaname, G-3 walked towards the sea. „ÄåAre you sure? Now that I’ve become “that”, I’m not in the mood to be pleasant.„Äç Although I can’t explain the details to Aria… right now the state of the current “me” is different from normal Hysteria Mode and is 1.7 times stronger than Berserker. It is obviously a more powerful level. And besides, my enemy is a man. „ÄåKinji…„Äç Still hugging Kaname, Aria looked up at me… Sensing this new, dangerous side of me… she watched with a puzzled expression. Ah yes, I understand. Now the current “me” has seen the whole picture and knows the reason my brother… and late father both just snapped sometimes, radiating a blood-lust that was impossible to ignore. „ÄåI-I also…„Äç That she would also fight was what Aria was trying to say, but I held her back with a glance. „ÄåI’ll take care of it. It’s revenge for my sister.„Äç „Äå…*Gasp*…„Äç Looking at me like as if I had become a different person, Aria was speechless. Then, she tried to say something…. but since she was unable to, instead… „ÄåKinji…„Äç „Äå…„Äç Without answering, I turned my back toward Aria… „ÄåDon’t die. Please…„Äç She said, imploring me in a tremulous voice. Doing so, Aria seems very feminine. ****************************************** NEXT CHAPTER… ****************************************** 1. In order to better absorb the nutrients in food, there is an increase of blood flow to the digestive system after one eats. While it doesn’t totally deplete the rest of the body of blood supply, some medical researchers believe that it can lead to fatigue. 2. Acronym for ‘Head-Mounted Display’. Kaname’s augmented reality goggles. 3. Shikigami are invoked or conjured spirits that are said to serve the conjurer in various ways– mainly in tracking and surveillance. General Note: Tamamo speaks an archaic Japanese. If rendered literally, it would make no sense, so I’ll throw in a couple of ‘thee’s’, ‘thou’s’, and the like to indicate this. 4. Gauntlets that Kinji had specially made to deflect bullets with his hands. 5. Jeanne is talking about military-grade hardware that usually has a dedicated laser or satellite connection and a throat-mic for stealth. 6. Lit. “Proclamation” or “Declaration” in Italian. A traditional meeting between two opposing factions. It reads as something like “War Council” in Kanji. It was the meeting in Volume 8 where the factions ‘Deen’ and ‘Grenada’ were decided for Far Eastern Warfare. 7. ‘Single Lighting Ring/Band Slice’ in Kanji. 8. Yes it actually says this. The literal kanji say ‘blade of light’, and Star Wars is referenced, so the parallel is obviously meant to be drawn. 9. The author is referencing a children’s game, ‘Jintori/Jindori’, which is similar to capture-the-flag. In order to win, you have to occupy/capture the ‘base’ of opposing team while keeping the other team out of your own. Reki is covering her ‘base’ on Academy Island, and attacking G-3 in Shinagawa. 10. Lit. ‘Five Colour Bridge’. 11. Lit. ‘Great South Harbour Bridge.’ 12. ‘To gain knowledge’ or ‘to reason’ in Latin. ‘Predictive Reasoning’, in Kanji– specifically carrying the meaning ‘precognition by means of logical reasoning’. 13. A mis-spelling of ‘Bartitsu’, immortalised by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in his Sherlock Holmes stories. It was the martial art form Holmes used. ******************************************* Map of Kinji and Watson’s Route ******************************************* Full Credit and much thanks to the Staff of Twin Dragons Light Novels: Thunder , Darkhellsing , and Esteban108 , for permission to use their translation. ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### 004. 4th Ammo - The G Bloodlines -Collateral Bros- G-3 was walking on top of the sea once more. Beneath his feet… As I drew closer, I finally understood. Some kind of bridge, transparent like glass, was laid across the waves. It seemed like an optical illusion to the eye, but the bridge was real and tangible. I began to cross it. Taking a few steps forward, I felt the ground beneath my feet change and found it quite stable. This is almost like the deck… of an invisible ship?… that I found my self standing on. 「Oi, Kinji. That’s ‘Hysteria King Mode’… It comes from entering ‘Berserker mode’ many times.」 Turning around towards me, G-3 announced in a low voice. King? 「From our observations, it’s similar to a situation where male animals form a herd with a lot of females. ‘King’s HSS’… It manifests when the male’s women are destroyed.」 「…That’s why you did it! The same thing. Twice.」 It was only the Baskerville girls that were attacked a few days ago at the Shinagawa Geofront… and then here again today. In both cases he hurt girls I had a relationship with, one after the other. That’s why he did this 「That’s right Kinji! This was all for your benefit! Ha ha ha!」 Pointing to the mainland that had been turned into a war-zone, G-3 was sneering at me. Caught up in this provocation, I wanted to attack immediately but… I didn’t. The increased blood flow of Hysteria Mode was coursing through my head, but… G-3’s attack on Kaname just now… I couldn’t even guess his real motive. G-3 is hiding something. A lot of things. But I’ll let someone else figure it out later. Everything he’s done so far has been a lie, anyway. 「Historically, it’s been assumed that this is the strongest form of HSS. However, the exact details are vague, and I don’t fully understand them. According to our estimates from the US Army, the acceleration of the central nervous system activity is about… 30 times 1.2, so that would be about 36 times, right?」 Craning his head, G-3 turned to look at me. Something about his words are strange. If their numbers are accurate, that would mean ‘Beserker’ is actually stronger. Interrupting my calculations… 「Please stop, Third-sama.」 After a slight buzzing noise, the figure of a person wearing something like a raincoat materialised next to G-3. There wasn’t anyone there a moment ago, and he filled the empty space suddenly. And not just him. Around us, a group of two… plus three more people wearing the same kind of coat now were standing there. I was surrounded before I knew what had happened! Checking his surroundings first, G-3 quipped: 「Hey, Kinji. That isn’t the first time you’ve seen ‘Photo-refractive Camouflage’ 1 , is it? The Galleon also uses it.」 With a loud *thunk*, he stomped on the invisible deck of the ship. 「The day is unpropitious. To join battle with that kind of strange man is something we should not do.」 Beside G-3, the speaker removed what looked like a hood. A young boy, or maybe it was a beautiful young girl–I couldn’t tell which– spoke. Ah… On his head, like Tamamo… he had a pair of pointed Kitsune ears . Although I don’t know a lot about non-humans, it seems that G-3 has an ally of the same race as Tamamo. 「Superstitious as ever, eh, Tsukumo?」 Apparently his name was ‘Tsukumo’, and patting him on the head, G-3 said… 「All of you, get back to the Yokosuka base. Be on 24-hour alert.」 He gave his orders to the people surrounding us. The group surrounding us were… a motley crew–to say the least. There was a white-haired man with surgical scars on his head and neck. With a bullet scar on his cheek, filling the role of strongman, was burly Caucasian man stood over two meters tall. With bandages wrapped around his head, covering almost half his face– a tall, thin dark-skinned man. With mismatching eye colours, a silver-haired young girl. And the man who drove us in a Hummer from the Shinagawa Geofront to Butei High the other day, the old man Angus is also here. So they’re all under G-3’s command, huh? All of them… are radiating an aura that tells me that these are no ordinary people. Although not G-3’s level, each of them probably possess a considerable amount of battle power. Except the girl and old Angus, of course. 「You musn’t! You musn’t!!!」 Apparently worried about G-3 , Tsukumo desperately pleaded. 「 I’m going to put Kinji to the test. Didn’t we already go over this? Man up, Tsukumo!」 「I am a woman!」 With a sigh, Tsukumo shook her bristling chestnut-brown hair, and following… 「But in the unlikely event that you were hurt…」 「There is no need for you to stoop to perform such a task… 」 「Allow me do it…」 G-3’s underlings clamoured. 「Hey, you lot! Are you insinuating that I might lose?!」 A razor-sharp glint in his eye, G-3 roared with an eardrum splitting roar. Hearing his voice… *Whoosh* In unison, all of his subordinates, in that instant, hurriedly snapped to attention. Even Tsukumo, who was panicking just moment ago stood with her hand in salute. This concern for G-3, and their response to his leadership that I witnessed… It seems that all of those under his command are extremely loyal to him. And as I maintained a constant state of vigilance… They all saluted G-3 and crossed the deck in order disembark to the mainland. Last of all, Tsukumo stubbornly remained, and turning her tail towards me… departed. Now, only G-3 and I are standing here. 「Book of Sirach, chapter 42, verse 19: “He declareth the things that are past, and for-to come, and revealeth the steps of hidden things.” 2 I don’t want either of you to have any regrets. For your own sakes.」 Hearing Kana’s voice from on top of the crane, I turned to look that way but when I turned to look that way… she was gone. Although I didn’t grasp the full meaning of her words, but apparently she didn’t really intend to help anyone. It doesn’t matter. Don’t let anyone else interfere. I’ll defeat him myself. 「Come, Kinji.」 G-3 turned his back toward me and fiddled with something near his feet as he kicked if. A manhole access appeared nearby, leading inside… and inside a ladder protruded from the opening, going down beneath the water’s surface. You want me to ‘come’? Inside this vehicle… That’s fine. He wants to get me alone and then work me over. That way there will be greater psychological damage. I followed him through the hole in the illusion, and after entering the ship began to rumble and started moving. My HSS kicked in, and I understand the situation. From the inertia I could tell that we weren’t moving forward, back, left, or right… Up? Since he had already closed the entry hatch and there wasn’t a window, I couldn’t check visually, but… We are definitely rising. Not soundlessly, but very quietly. So it’s a seaplane… And it’s also a VTOL (Vertical Take-off and Landing). They had landed between the Thermal Power Station and the natural gas tanker… probably because they were stealing fuel. The long hallway inside the plane was lit by LEDs. It is a large vehicle. From the sound of water passing underneath the body of the plane… it is about 20 metres long and upwards of 50 metres wide. Its profile… is a ‘ flying wing ‘. It is shaped like a giant boomerang, utilising only the main wing to fly. A giant version of Nazi Germany’s Horten Ho229 … No… something else… Rather the American B-2 Spirit bomber. Fitting every definition of the word ‘stealth plane’, this plane and the B-2 are as alike as two peas in a pod. As I combat-loaded 3 the bullets I had been carrying… 「So this is one of the US military’s toys.」 I said, probing. And.. 「It’s a next-gen stealth aircraft prototype. Its code-name is ‘Galleon’ — the most undetectable aircraft in the world. Although, because of the production costs it can’t be mass produced. Ah, relax. No pilot or anyone else that could interfere is aboard. We’re flying a pre-selected path on autopilot.」 G-3 replied calmly, as if he were chatting with a friend. ‘Galleon’ . This… is not the first time that I have heard that name. At the Shinagawa Geofront G-3’s subordinate, the old man Angus, mentioned it. 「It’s incredibly quiet for a VTOL!」 「How many times are you going to be surprised seeing the same thing! Just like P-FIBER, this aircraft uses a ‘Dean drive’ 4. 」 P-FIBER. The same as what Kaname was using– those ‘flying blades’… Those cutting edge scientific weapons spring to mind. Moreover, it possesses optical stealth technology that makes it completely invisible in daylight. I think the fact that it is undetectable by radar goes without saying. Surely, this aircraft is the epitome of Neue Ange . ******************************************* At that moment… 「We are a little overweight.」 For some reason, saying that out loud so that I could hear, G-3 kicked opened one of the doors inside the plane. 「Yes, we are overweight.」 「Why did you say it twice?」 「Shaddup!」 Inside the room he had just entered… Disorderly piles of banknotes were stacked in plastic bags. Shouting ‘Hey!’, G-3 opened a hatch on the floor. As if it were an air-raid, G-3 scattered the money, throwing it out of the plane. Looking through the hatch myself, I saw that the Galleon had already risen 50 metres off the ground, and G-3’s anxious followers gazing up as bundles of notes rained down upon them. Then G-3 dropped a box with a picture of of gold ingots, and it hit Tsukumo on the head, knocking her over and causing G-3 to laugh. 「Alright, now we’re light.」 He said aloud again. And while turning his gaze away from where I stood bewildered… he returned to the hall. Following him into the aircraft bay which originally held the Cluster Bombs, compact B-61 Thermonuclear Warheads, or modified JDAM Bombs, but now it was filled with… Paintings…? Realistic religious imagery, Impressionist and Cubist colour oil paintings,; avant-garde contemporary modern art, and many other kinds of art adorned the room. Pierrot Dolls in gaudy clothing and huge speakers scattered here and there throughout the room. It looked like an art gallery… no, like an art gallery and audio room combined. 「What is this place? It’s not an armory; it’s a junk closet!」 「What do you think of this, Kinji. This is a Pablo Picasso.」 And saying that, G-3 hooked his thumb indicating one of the paintings. And G-3… What this? The blood-thirst radiating from him had been strong from the beginning… but since we entered this room it’s become stronger. 「Is that… Hysteria Mode?」 I accidentally gasped aloud, and G-3 smiled and laughed . 「Ah, so that’s your name for HSS.」 He hasn’t denied it. Thinking back to Kaname’s old name–G-4–, that name shows some kind of relation between them, and I vaguely expected that this guy has Hysteria Mode. He’s using it right now. But… There isn’t a trigger here…? With that realisation, I searched for a female figure amidst the art, but… 「Not that, Kinji. For a number of reasons in my past, women don’t do anything for me.」 While scratching the back of his head, G-3 said redundantly. 「So, how did you do it?.」 「You know what they say: ‘The brain is like a black box’, right, Kinji?」 G-3 laughed, as with each passing second, the aura of his Hysteria Mode grew stronger. 「The trigger for HSS is β endorphins. There isn’t only one way to produce them.」 *Boom!* A loud noise echoed through the body of the plane, sending vibrations through the hold–music being blasted at full volume. It was electronically generated music with vocals. It part of the recent musical craze that everyone is listening to. Reki listens to it too; it’s ‘Ibiza Trance’ 5 . Filling the room, the music instantly transformed it into a dance club atmosphere. 「In my case, Kinji. Beauty –being moved by Art causes a rush of β endorphins. Whether an object or sound, until it bores me, I can use it as a trigger.」 I listened… and I couldn’t even smile at G-3 explanation. Although I have very little interest in such things, a long time ago I read about it on the internet. The reason some men and women go to clubs, art galleries, the cinema, and the like together… Is to use music and the fine arts to enter a mental state of rapture similar to the trance-like ecstasy of sexual arousal. Is he intentionally using them to induce Hysteria Mode? If I had to say, it has to be some kind of Pictophillia or Agalmatophillia . 6 Well, when you limit the context to hysteria talking mode, something kinky like that would be handy in gaining a victory. It certainly gives him a wide degree of freedom broader than Kana or Vlad. With the feeling that he was baring his white teeth like fangs… G-3 pulled out a small box. 「Normally, it would be enough for someone to simply set foot in here, but against you I have to use this trick.」 He pulled a piece of square red paper about 1 cm large from the box, and put it inside his mouth. 「What was that?」 「This is the product of the most cutting-edge technology: Neurotransmitter accelerating cocktail. It would scare you to find out what is in it. Los Alamos stopped using it when they discovered that it could lead to death.」 Radiating from him… his blood-thirst… reaching another level, increased even more. Vlad, my older brother Kinichi, Sherlock … Compared to Hysteria Mode user I have fought so far, he is perhaps the most formidable enemy. I have the feeling of being locked in the same room as a magical monster. But my Hysteria Mode is very different also. Using this new King Mode… or “King’s HSS”– whatever you call it–, I will defeat him. 「I think that’s enough talk. Come on up, mate.」 And after saying that, G-3 started up an interior spiral staircase. The stairs led to a small hatch in the ceiling that he opened… leading outside… to the top of the aeroplane. Apparently G-3 wants to continue the fight on top of the wings, and exiting through the hatch… The sun has set, and the moon shines white through the gaps in the the clouds. As for the weather… there are scattered clouds. Because of my current state, I can vaguely make out the Galleon’s shape. As I deduced from the sound, is exactly like the B-2 Spirit bomber, but the composite materials are completely different. The surface of the aeroplane is like a ultra high-definition display, and a view of the Tokyo nightscape below us is being displayed as night camouflage. Photo-refractive Camouflage… able to become all but invisible and copy any colour and pattern. Looking like some kind of flying chameleon, judging by the pitch and yaw of the aeroplane and what I can see of its ailerons and wings, the Galleon is flying in a gentle arc and we are apparently ascending in order to rise above the clouds. Our current altitude is about 400 meters. We are cruising comfortably, at a speed of approximately 100 km/h. To develop a large aeroplane that can fly stably at such a low speed– as you’d expect of America! Moreover, it is almost completely silent. I suppose that it’s an aeroplane that differs in traditional flight mechanics, implementing a combination propulsion system that limits the use of jet engines. I don’t see any contrails either. It probably uses a system with some drying chemical, the same way the B-2 does. Standing near the nose, 20 metres away, G-3… 「This place is large enough, isn’t it?」 Turning towards me, G-3 raised his arms, spreading them to indicate the entire sky. Paying attention to the air flow, I could tell that the slightly inclined surface of the wings has leveled out. If I were somehow caught up in the swirling vortex of air generated by the wings, I would be instantly sucked in by the vacuum of air. 「No, It’s me and you. Even the sky is too small. It’s time for your exit, G-3. 7 」 That was… a Hysteria Mode induced response. It surprised even me. This means that the blood flow from the core of my body has already been circulated throughout my entire body. But before I fight, I want to confirm something. When he did that… 「…By the way, you’re really kind. I didn’t expect that..」 Hearing my remark, G-3 pursed his eyebrows with a roared 「Whaaat?!」. 「You let her escape, didn’t you? Kaname, that is. You didn’t kill her.」 And with that, I cut straight to the heart of the matter… G-3 remained silent and only glared at me. It was not a denial. As I had thought, my guess was correct. 「After I went into Hysteria Mode I started thinking back, and in the middle of my recollection, I finally understood. Your attack inflicted an injury that was just shy of fatal. Besides that, Watson was there, and Kana who also holds a medical licence. Kaname has a 100-to-1 chance survival.」 「…」 「From Kaname’s words and behavior, you deduced that true effect Hysteria Mode has on women. Because of that, you concluded that she would be a loose cannon in your operation, and decided to exclude her from your organisation. By inflicting pain and mental shock upon Kaname, you wanted to foster rebellion while destroying her loyalty to you.」 With the superior mental powers of Hysteria Mode… in the care G-3 took for Kaname, the image of Reki’s attempted suicide in Tokyo Station is being superimposed onto this scene as I remember it. 「Life is worthless if not devoted to our leader.」 –Such loyalty will last a lifetime unless a sufficient psychological shock is experienced. Since her attempted suicide, Reki has stopped listening to the illusory 「Orders of the Wind」, but with Kaname feelings, something more was needed… They could only be separated if he killed her himself. 「It wasn’t just Kaname’s loyalty you had to worry about, but it had to hold up to to all outside observation, didn’t it? It had to appear as real as possible. Overall, your acting was quite superb, and the channeling of blood-lust into your attack was flawless .」 「…You can think whatever you want.」 He said as he interrupted me, but under his HMD, his face… was red. As I thought, I’ve hit the mark. And his secret exposed, G-3 is embarrassed. Which isn’t like him at all. 「There’s one more thing I want to say. Is that alright, G-3 ?」 「…What?」 「You’re not absolutely sure that you can win.」 「That’s crazy-talk.」 「That is why you chased your comrades away–to avoid exposing them to danger. And so they could continue to make a living for themselves, even if they lost you–the one they call their leader–, you handed over all the money.」 A little while ago, G-3 threw that cash to his subordinates– that’s how it was. All of these deductions were able to be made thanks to Hysteria Mode but… Somehow, I can well understand his actions. They are the same as those he took toward Kaname. 「There’s been a huge misunderstanding, Kinji. I w-…」 A little flustered, G-3 tried to deny it, but I continued… 「Relax. No one else figured out your true intentions. Except me, of course.」 Waiting for the right time, I spoke and interrupted him. Hiding his true feelings and having them guessed so straightforwardly, G-3… He paused for a moment, and seemed to consider how to deny it, but it looks that he couldn’t come up with anything. He could only turn red and stand there, gawping… What is this? I’ve only just come to understand his personality. In short– he’s Tsundere– as Riko would say. One the surface he looks like a tyrant, but he actually has a kind personality. In fact you could say he is soft-hearted. Scowling at me, his feelings were revealed, and he crossed his arms. 「Great guess! But… there’s one thing that your way off on. I didn’t chase them away because you might win– there’s no way you will kill me.」 「So, why then?」 「My body. It won’t last much longer. It’s like Fourth’s.」 「…What?」 「It goes without saying that while you’re living, laughing, and enjoying life, you could die at any moment. But for us… we have a ‘Life Limiter’ that Los Alamos built into our DNA to prevent treason. It’s some kind of compound known only to them, and if we don’t take it regularly, we can’t live in the long-term. That’s how it is with the Genion.」 G-3 said, as if he were talking about someone else’s problem. 「In Fourth’s case, its a kind of Furano polymer and we have confirmed that the polymer compound found in soft candies is a good enough substitute. But my ‘Life Limiter’ is still unidentified.」 So… that’s it, huh? The reason Kaname was always, without fail, eating some kind of sweet. What… cruel words ! Disgust is building up inside of me–Hatred for Los Alamos! 「Well, then…. When we’re above the clouds and out of reach, whether they are exploding bullets, incendiary bullets, blinding bullets or whatever, they won’t be seen from below. Use them all you want. Oh, yeah, one more thing…」 Slowly clearing the cumulus clouds, the Galleon rose… G-3 looked up into the dark azure night sky dark blue, and in defiance of his previous words, put on a bold smile. 「You did it Kinji! You’re a celebrity too!」 「Celebrity?」 「This battle is being watched by the U.S. Military’s KH-14 spy satellite 8 .」 「Seriously?」 「Neue Ange is developed there. They want to collect all the information they can on ‘human weapons’. That includes my battle with you. Whoops! It’s too late to hide that stupid look on your face. Misty’s state-of-the-art Enhanced Imaging System technology is able to analyse a single square centimeter of area.」 Americans… You have to be insane. 「Huh…」 I turned toward the starry sky, and in their direction… showed then my raised middle finger. G-3 barked and exploded into laughed 「HA HA HA…! Now I see… So that’s it.」 「What’s ‘it’?」 「Well… During your battle with Sherlock on IU, I heard that he was laughing. It puzzled me, but now I get it. You’re an idiot. But you’re funny. I’m sure of it now.」 ‘During my battle with Sherlock on IU’… How does he know about that? And in such detail? 「You have an impressive information network. Are you sure you aren’t my fan?」 「Don’t say such disgusting things. Rather, Butei Officer Kinji Tohyama, are you sure you want to do this?」 「Do what?」 「Fight me. You are E-Rank, I am R-Rank. It’s obvious what the result will be.」 「The ‘R’ comes long after the ‘E’ in the alphabet.」 I replied while drawing my Desert Eagle in response. G-3 , laughed again and… *Clang!* From the armour storage on his right leg, he drew a gun. A Heckler & Koch USP Match model 9 . That would be a gun I would not like to fight against. It’s power comes from the calibre, and it’s accuracy is high. The gun has a rail fitting at the bottom of the frame and is equipped with an integrated recoil compensator. The magazine is double column and the number of bullets it can carry is greater. But still… 「I thought that you’d pull out a ray gun, but here you are packing a regular gun.」 「Because this isn’t my main weapon. Just a toy, to rock you to sleep.」 Then from the armour on his back, G-3 also drew a large, heaving looking knife. However, it doesn’t look like the Neue Ange that Kaname used. It was made of the same cemented carbide material as the Orochi gloves I was wearing and looked like a normal tactical knife. As a result, G-3 and I… interestingly enough, both of us had a gun and knife. Evaluating our situation and opponent, we reached the same conclusion–without any kind of mutual agreement. 「We think alike, eh, Kinji?」 「Despite ourselves, so it would seem.」 「There’s something I want you to show me first. What you call: ‘Billiards’.」 「Seriously… You know a lot about me. And my fight with Sherlock.」 「Before Bandire, I bought the information from the leader of I.U.’s remnant war party, Ignatius Nomad. Because I had a grudge with you.」 「A grudge…?」 「The subjugation of Sherlock, and the extermination of I.U…. That was my job, and you just up and snatched it. Do you know, Kinji? In the US, stealing another person’s job is a crime.」 「In Japan we call that ‘hatred born of a misunderstanding’. Nevertheless, the outcome was unfortunate. I regret stealing another’s prey.」 And with a sigh, *Click!* I cocked my Desert Eagle. The Desert Eagle is both a double and single-action gun. In combat all one has to do is pull the trigger and it will shoot in semi-auto double-action mode, but by manually cocking the hammer, a trigger pull is limited to firing in single-action mode. In single action, it takes less force and time to pull the trigger and is suited to making more accurate shots. Accurate shooting… In other words, as an apology for stealing his prey, I’ll indulge his request. I will repel his bullets with mine, using ‘Billiards’ . Seemingly understanding, G-3 smile and laughed. 「Good Kinji! That’s a good fellow. But how are you going to do it? My USP holds 13 bullets. Your DE has 8. You can’t deal with all of them…」 「…I’ll manage somehow」 As we talked… Rising to an altitude of almost 600 meters, we locked eyes as we stood atop the Galleon’s wings. 「Should we start? Both of us… only came here to fight!」 His USP set on Full-Auto, and the muzzle-flashes blurring into one… 13 identical .45 ACP calibre bullets bore down on me. …Perfect. Per your request, I’ll show you… ‘Billiards’..! Using only that technique, I will meet your attack with with my DE. Cannon! 10 . *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* Our bullets sparked as they intercepted each other between us. All of them scattered in every directions, and the smoke that issued from the barrel of our guns drifted over the back of the plane. 「…!」 Half surprised, G-3 bore a happy expression. 「…」 Silently, I was standing… unharmed. How to repel 13 bullets with only 8? That’s simple. Just like a ‘Cannon Shot’ in the real game of Billiards, I used 1 of my bullets to strike upwards of 2 of my opponent’s, diverting their angle. Of course, if I hit my opponent’s bullets, my own bullet’s trajectory will change, and I calculated that beforehand. In short, this is a ‘2-Chain Billiards’. Of the 8 bullets, I used 5 of them that way, and 8 + 5, gives a total of 13 bullets I was able to block. Normally this would be impossible, but with this Hysteria Mode– in King Mode–, I can chain up to 4 or 5 shots with one shot. So shoot 30 or 50 bullets at me. You’ll only be wasting ammunition, G-3 . Then… A startlingly important distinction suddenly occurred to me. …I’ve got it! The reason this Hysteria King Mode is so powerful… I was able to preform a self-analysis on the ‘Cannon’ I did, and right now, the neurotransmitter levels coursing through my brain… is approximately 75 times the normal amount. That would be 2.5 times the strength of normal Hysteria Mode. I calculated regressively from the experience. Then I understood. G-3 had said that King Mode increases normal Hysteria mode by 1.2 times. That’s most likely correct. But there’s more to it. …King Mode works exponentially … Shirayuki, Jeanne, Riko, Aria and Kaname, they were defeated in front of me, one after another… Apparently I recognised them as ‘part of my herd’ and King Mode was manifested 5 times over. That’s 1.2 times raised to the fifth power–approximately 2.5 times. If the effect of normal Hysteria Mode is 30 times, it yields a result of 75 times normal acceleration. This number fits perfectly with my experience. G-3… doesn’t know that it works this way. He only knows that it will manifest if he hurts several women… but he doesn’t have a full understanding of King Mode. And when a human being doesn’t understand something properly, they don’t know how to deal with it correctly. 「Done already, G-3 ?」 My mind is… cool and collected. King Mode is different than Berserker. It is a form of Hysteria Mode with silent rage. With what I have now… I can win. G-3 twirled his large knife once in his hand and closed in menacingly. So that’s how you want to play? Fine… While drawing my DE from it’s holster, I opened my butterfly knife and… his black and gold coat flapping in the wind, crashed into him. With a loud *Clang* our knives crossed creating a shower of sparks, and my arm started feeling strange, so I tried to check on it. In the blink of an eye, G-3 had changed grip on his gun and using it as a blunt object, struck my left shoulder. With a *Crack!* A strange noise issued from my body. My left shoulder… has been dislocated. With a strong shove of his knife, he forced me back and… caught up in the air currents swirling around the wings, I slipped backwards. …! In that instant, I tried to regain balance and hold my ground; but thanks to the Photo-refractive Camouflage, I missed the edge of the wing and stepped into empty space. So that was his plan when he pushed me. We’re above the clouds. Our altitude is about 800 meters. We’re higher than when I fought Hilda at the SkyTree, so… I’ll fall. Is that it? …Of course not. Come on Kinji! *Bam!* I tried to think of a way to survive, and in almost the very same instant I shot my Beretta. With my right hand index finger in the trigger guard, the rest of my fingers clutched a luminous blue material. It was the test sample that Hiraga-san had given me a few days ago– Anchor 11 . From the barrel of the gun to the point of impact, a modified bullet stretched out a diphase liquid Aramid cable. Knowing that we were going to be on a plane, it looks like I made the right decision when I loaded my gun. The tip of the wire stretched out and fixed itself to the underside of the Galleon , optically camouflaged with the night sky. Grasping the blue-green luminous object, I found that it had become the tail-end of a wire suspended mid-air. Now a line has been stretched between the Galleon and my hand. Using it like a trapeze, I swung toward the front of the Galleon with a pendulum motion. In King-Mode… I can see the eddies of the air currents moving around the the wings of the aircraft. It’s only a matter of concentration. I boarded the plane using the air currents swirling around the nose, and looking back, my gaze met G-3’s. And then … *Bam!* Still being carried by air currents, I landed on my left shoulder on the right wing of the Galleon , and a *Crunch* could be heard coming from my body. 「Gahahaha! That must have hurt!」 Appreciating what I had just done, G-3 clapped happily on the left wing of the plane. What I just did was relocate a dislocated joint in the middle of a battle. The Tohyama Family technique of falling from a horse to relocate a joint has been passed down for generation, though my older brother taught me to use it falling from a car, I’m pretty sure that I’m the first to use it on a stealth bomber. Ouch… I knew this would hurt. I narrowed my eyebrows slightly. It wasn’t my shoulder that hurt. I’m used to pain from my days in ASSAULT. My head hurt, and the pain radiated from my spine. Probably a side-effect of Hysteria King-Mode. The manifestation of a 75 times acceleration of normal the brain and the body’s nervous system isn’t maintainable. If this Hysteria Mode got any stronger, it would probably cause a total physical breakdown. 「Looks like you had a good anchor cable, Kinji.」 「It came from here at Butei High. The inventor of the Japanese version of Neue Ange.」 As we reached the flowing clouds… from several places on the wing, black smoke was going up and threaded its way toward the back of the plane. It seems that some of our stray bullets have damaged the aeroplane. How fragile is this thing! They had so much confidence that it would never be detected, so it has no armour. 「Shall we continue?」 As the Galleon broke through the top of the clouds, I turned to face G-3… Narrowing my focus to a single target besides his left arm, I began to think about how I could decisively end this battle with one trump attack. I guess he realised where I was looking, because G-3 held up his left arm and motioned for me to stop. 「 Before that, Kinji. With your first Billiard attack you didn’t need to hold back so much!」 With keen insight, he penetrated to the truth. 「…That’s an artificial arm, right?」 From the start, I had a slightly uncomfortable feeling, but… only just when he struck me could I confirm it. From his left shoulder down he does not have a natural arm. Instead, there is a high fidelity Bio-electric prosthesis. Receiving faint nerve signals allows him to move it at will. At a glance, it is indistinguishable from a real arm. 「I don’t want your stupid pity! That really pisses me off so much, I’m going to rip your arm off. Learn to read the room, you insensitive bastard!」 That sounds like something Aria says a lot. You Tsunderes may say that; but if you have something to tell me, just open up your mouth and say it! My intuition is terrible, and I’m not an ESPer like Tokitou-senpai. 「Don’t you think it would be better if we stopped?」 Even as I thought it was pointless, I heard his answer. 「This King-mode… it far exceeds all other Hysteria Mode variants. As I am now, I am a like child when put next to you. You must see the huge gap between us. An elite Butei should be able to distinguish the difference in fighting power between his enemy and himself.」 「…」 「I am a Japanese Butei. I don’t want to kill you in order to win but… but it might happen if you make a stupid move. Didn’t you say that the time remaining in your life was short? Don’t waste it here.」 「Ha! If it’s a waste, then come on and waste it!」 G-3 answered, his breath… coming out white like a snowy mountain. Mine was also. Our current height probably approaching 1000 meters. How far do you plan to ascend? If we assume that the ground temperature is 8 ° C, the temperature of this place should be 1.5 ° C. Oxygen concentration has also dropped by 12%. There’s also the ongoing damage to my nervous system due to Hysteria King-Mode, and considering the speed with which we are ascending… If I can’t end this quickly, all of these things become dangerous in several ways. 「What should we do? If we keep going like this, we’ll end up in outer space, Brother.」 His long coat–which was apparently thermo-regulated– flapping in the wind, G-3 asked, sneering at my school uniform. 「Before that we’re going to make a splashdown landing. And besides,we’re not brothers. Kaname says the same thing.」 As we re-entered the clouds, a dense fog of water vapour surrounded the plane… 「 You don’t get it? Your investigative skills suck, Kinji.」 G-3 answered in disgust and… *rub* *rub* wiped his face… He is removing his face paint. Suddenly, the Galleon broke through the clouds into clear sky, and illuminated by moonlight, he stood on top of the plane wing… …?! Once G 3 removed his HMD, his face could be seen clearly visible. Until now obscured by his HMD and facepaint, his unpainted face was now seen… That face … It looks like… It definitely looks like… me .. .! It doesn’t reach the level of twins, but rather the likeness between brothers. It is not a disguise. With King-mode’s enhanced visual perception, I know that. That is his natural face. 「I’m you, Kinji.」 His long bangs flapping wildly in the wind, G-3 let out a laugh. 「How… do you..?」 「Konza Tohyama. Nationality: Japanese . Former-Armed Prosecutor under the direct supervision of the Minister of Justice. Intelligence, physical training–on the whole: Excellent. Special Skills: What is known as HSS. His favourite game: Shougi, wasn’t it?」 G-3…Why do you… 「In 1989,he was ranked #8 in the S.D.A. 12 It was then that the US Department of Defence put him on a list of people that it was key not to antagonise.」 It is… my father’s profile that he’s reciting. Including both public and private information. 「When Los Alamos saw the list, he had been assigned the code-name “Golden Cross 13 “–abbreviated ‘ G ‘– and a top secret military development project… managed to successfully obtain a tissue sample.」 「…!」 「Hey Kinji, your face changed colour. Didn’t you know this? That’s right, your old man’s genes were selected as the most important chromosomes, and combining them with other other superior genetic specimens already collected… the final products of myself and Fourth were created. You couldn’t even dig up that much?」 The other day, in the art room, Watson had said something about that… Genions were artificially created in an American Research Facility as part of scientific experiments. It wasn’t only how they were raised, but it went so far as science having a hand in their lives up to and including conception. Well, such a thing isn’t strange in and of itself, and it’s not particularly rare in the world but something like this… it goes too far. Creating a super-human this way in order to militarise them and using used my father’s DNA without his permission…! 「I have inherited 50% of Konza Tohyama’s genes with a strong genetic dominance as the third of the G-Series. However, in the Genion Series, any children born to your father and mother would inherit the greatest percentage of genes, and numbers in the sequence were skipped because of the children already born. Tohyama Konza already had an eldest son and their second son– you– was already on the way. That’s why I was called Third. In fact, it seems like you and I were born at about the same time.」 「So then… was it you… or me… that was born first?」 「Who cares which way it was? Whichever way it is, you can’t change the fact that we are related by blood.」 “Related by blood.” “The G-bloodline”. Those are the words G-3 used a while ago… G–i.e., inheritance of my father’s genes, in Kana, myself, G-3, and Kaname… In that case, it means that, together, the four of us are all genetic siblings. And it also means that by calling me “Onii-chan” … Kaname wasn’t wrong. Meanwhile, as I stared in blank astonishment… 「Alright, brother. Until now, I’ve just been biding my time. Now I know your acceleration factor is… somewhere about 75 times, right? That is amazing but… with an acceleration of 100 times, I would easily be able to crush you. Although I’ve gone beyond 60 times…I’ll do it!!!」 Settling his HMD back on his head, G-3 put another small, red piece of paper into his mouth… Two… Three, even. Those are his neurotransmitter accelerates… The drug he uses in order to strengthen his Hysteria Mode. 100 times…?! Are you planning to boost the effects of Hysteria Mode to an acceleration of 100 times with this drug? Don’t do that! Except for the neo-cortex, Hysteria Mode puts a huge strain on the whole body’s nervous system. Even fighting at an acceleration of 75 times, I’ve reached my breaking point limit and can hardly stand it … An 100-fold acceleration could cost you your life…! Like a drug-user, G-3 closed his eyes, and with a *crack*, twisted his neck to one side … 「The world is …」 Contrary to my expectation, his voice was calm and even–the kind of voice that would make you believe that it was a superhuman speaking– and he began his speech, 「… caught up in the trend towards regulated disarmament. In the midst of such circumstances, there will be those who will try to develop all kinds of super-weapons, and these weapons will eventually lead to humanity’s self-destruction. So which super-weapon is it that would not cause self-extinction?」 His killing aura… is becoming stronger… and stronger…! Like the increasing fury of a typhoon… but at the eye is calm and unaffected…! 「The answer is the human body. While striving to create a post-nuclear world, the US is trying to develop a super-weapon of equal power–Universal Soldiers … and I am the prototype…!」 Unconsciously… I took a single step backward. I’m outmatched…? Even in King-Mode? 「In order to become a deterrent to conflict, Universal Soldiers must be perfect. Undefeated by any threat. Including the exceptionally strong. Now, I will prove that I can defeat an enemy with HSS. Making her wish come true…!」 I get it. Now I completely understand. He is stronger than me now. Looking at me, his eyes reflecting moonlight… there is nothing human about him. So… that is a super-human…! Hurry! He is getting stronger. Seeing this, I won’t be able to bring him down if his Hysteria Mode becomes any stronger! Again, clouds swept over the Galleon , and within the drifting fog composed of water vapour… Whipping out my DE, I ejected the empty magazine, reloading almost simultaneously, and… *Bang! I fired an Invisible Bullet aiming to graze his head. In imitation of Reki, I aimed for the unarmoured part of his head, intending to deliver an abrasion to his skull and end things at a blow. 「HaHaHaHa!」 Laughing loudly, while from around him… *Whoosh!* With a sound of a cut air, clouds of water vapour were blown away from him like a mini-explosion had occured. 「…!」 I saw it. Just now… having folded his arms earlier, while opening them he seized my bullet in the fingers of his right hand, slowing it down and grasping it with his left-hand fingers, deflected it as I watched. That technique..! At Tokyo Station I had devised a way to deflect the covert sniping of the eldest Cao Cao sister… my Slash … this is just like it! 「Suprised? So you can do it too? Something like Blast 14 .」 So… that’s what G-3 calls Slash . A while ago, he had protected himself from Reki’s sniping. But… such a technique is only acquired in actual combat when you are engaged in life-and-death struggles. Apparently he, like me, has lived through harsh days, battling against fierce and formidable enemies. However… My DE had been modded with a selector switch, and I changed it to the 3-bullet burst position. …Slash can’t handle several bullets in rapid-fire! Because they were the same technique, I also knew it’s shortcomings, so I fired a burst of three bullets… G-3 rounded out his mouth and let out a mocking *Phew* as my three bullets rushed toward him–two of them following the same line–, and he shifted his fighting knife to his left hand. *Cla-clang!* From the knife edge, two metallic clanks and two went up. Two bullets were cut in half and each dispersed into a ‘Y’ shaped path. That… was how I had protected myself from Riko’s bullets on Flight ANA-600– Split . With that he deflected two bullets at once. The remaining bullet he dealt with using his right hand… *Twist!* To- tornado…! He’d used The technique I devised in the fight against Watson as well–diverting a bullet with only on hand… Effortlessly. What’s more, It was an advanced version. His body remained almost motionless, only his arm moved as he executed it. Without having had any effect, I watched the .50AE bullets vanish into the clouds… 「Those were Chop and Coil … If you want, I can show you something like Billiard that I call Cracker ?」 G-3 laughed carelessly, as he spoke. Against G-3… bullets are useless…! This… is really effective–emotionally, speaking. Have all the enemies I have faced until now felt that same despair? I guess that’s Karma for you. 「I already said it, right? Those things are toys! To people like us…」 Giving the wing a kick, G-3 discarded his USP and knife behind him into an empty space … 「Now we can have some fun!」 *Clack!* Underfoot the floor gave way and the internal launcher was exposed … A short-range Air-to Air-Stinger missile! *Whoosh!* Amidst a blinding light and smoke it was fired without any warning behind the Galleon . And leaving behind a tail of smoke, the missile began curve around the clouds slowly as if to make a U-turn. Moving steadily it began accelerating as it moved away… It’s … It’s fast …! It’s useless. It’s impossible to dodge! That was a FIM-92C Stinger missile. It’s top speed exceeds Mach 2. It’s not something that a human being can avoid. Even myself, in King-mode. Furthermore, it’s too late to intercept it with my Desert Eagle as well… I’d receive fatal wounds from the flying shrapnel at this range and distance. 「What the hell are you doing?! The Galleon won’t survive this!」 「Why do I care? Better watch out! What are you going to do, Kinji? HaHaHaHa!」 Laughing as I screamed at him… G-3 was guiding the missile. It’s not an IR or UV guidance system. I can’t use anything as a decoy to divert it. Is it a proximity fuze? Impact fuze? Time-delay fuze? No, I don’t have the time to think about it. The missile is already creeping closer and closer…! 「Shit!」 Suddenly an idea hit me, as for the method,well… I couldn’t be sure that it would keep the Galleon safe . It was a 50-50 chance . But I’m out of options. It’s risky, but it’s all I’ve got. It’s now or never if I don’t want to die! 「Gaaaaaahhh!」 Tossing my gun, I sighted the missile and beginning to run towards it… Kicking out in order to remain parallel to the wing, I jumped. Then I raised both my fists as the missile came flying in… *Bam!* I put everything I had into a Double Slash Hammer. The missile’s trajectory was altered to point obliquely downward and flew by just passing below my stomach… But it wasn’t enough, a missile is not the same as a bullet. There are several types of fuzes, If it is the normal proximity type, it will explode as it approaches it’s target. If that happens, I’ll be covered in shrapnel from the missile’s body and die on the spot. So… one more hit! 「..!」 While in the air, I crashed into the the missile with a no-look kick. It easily opened a hole in the unamoured wing, plunging it’s way into the plane’s interior. How about that…! If I had to give it a name, it would be a “Full-body Slash”– Slash II 15 …! The Galleon was like a paper plane. The thickness of the wings was less than a single meter. If I divert the missile with my Slash II as it accelerates, it should penetrate the wing… *Boom!* 「..!」 As I landed on the wing, I heard a rumbling sound and a sudden vibration shook the plane. It… didn’t have enough time. It was only a matter of milliseconds. I’d lost my 50-50 bet. Burying itself inside the main wing, the FM-92C Stinger missile exploded while inside . *Fwoosh!* Flames went up from the back of the right wing… The black smoke flowed, like blood trailing from a wound. Catching my Desert Eagle that I had thrown up a few moments ago, I was… speechless. 「Gahahaha! Very good, Kinji! I knew that you’re a genius!」 The fact that the fuel tank had not been impacted was the one silver lining, but… it’s no good… we will crash! 「Sword beats guns. Fist beats sword…!」 Carrying neither gun nor knife, G-3 began walking from the right wing toward the centre. Furrowing his eyebrows, to me he said… 「Now do you understand, Kinji? These are our main weapons!」 G-3 clenched his fist and showed it to me. Now I remember… I heard from Watson that when he escaped from Los Alamos he had annihilated a group of armed soldiers empty-handed. Well, that’s entirely possible. Being a Genion, able to entering Hysteria Mode at will, and furthermore, if he possessed all of the techniques that I know, it would be easy. 「…」 Because that would be admitting that I myself was superhuman, I did not want to think about it, however… G-3’s words were correct. Any bladed object is ineffective against me. I stopped Jeanne’s sword with two-finger edge catching, and was even able to dodge Sherlock’s strikes. Guns are ineffective against me. How many times was I able to block, divert, and even turn back whatever my enemies hurled at me as I defended myself. Just now I had proved it. Hysteria Mode users can even defend themselves against a missile attack. If two fellow Hysteria Mode users fight… …It always end up this way, doesn’t it? I re-holstered my DE, going bare-handed. I didn’t draw my knife either. Both would just be a waste of time. The blaze burning inside the right wing was spreading from the tip across the top of the wing. It’s only a matter of time before the whole thing burns. Maybe five minutes, maximum. In less than five minutes I have to defeat G-3 and find a way to safely descend from an altitude of 1000 meters. So I have no time to waste. We’ll fight bare-handed. Until the bitter end. If we only compare our respective Hysteria Mode acceleration factors, G-3’s is 100 times and mine is 75 times. On a fundamental level there seems to be a large discrepancy between our relative Stats. I’m at a huge disadvantage. Winning would be… difficult. But the only way to survive is to beat him–I have to face him. Things being difficult, I began to keep time… second by second, each only brought me closer to annihilation. This was much better than giving into the urge to rush him in a kamikaze-style attack. Doing nothing was still better than that, and I can face him here. But then there is Aria’s saying: “Difficult” does not mean “Impossible.” If it’s not “Impossible”, then that means it’s “Possible”. Although it may seem like splitting hairs, I for one firmly believe it’s true, and I’ll prove it. That’s why I’m going to fight. Even this powerful enemy…! With the fire behind me… I walked toward the center fuselage–toward G-3. G-3 was also walking towards me. Beneath our feet, the Photo-refractive camouflage had begun to fail, displaying flickering images of the clouds below us. Drifting above us, the scattered clouds formed a thin fog. Around us, there were clouds that stretched on into high heaven faint golden flashes could be seen. They were different from the Cumulus clouds we had been passed through until now. As proof that we had reached high-altitude, Cumulonimbus clouds began to appear. The faint glow… Lightning. Rather than lose stability because of the fire, the Galleon was actually climbing faster . Our altitude must have exceeded 1500 meters. The ambient temperature was below freezing. On our black hair, Tiny ice crystals from the surrounding clouds clung to our black hair turning it ashen grey. Both atmospheric pressure and oxygen concentration had dropped 20%. In a valley of thunder clouds, between fire and water, in low air pressure and oxygen… Under these hellish conditions, a brother’s quarrel will be settled with fists. Good grief! What the hell is going on with my life? Give me a break! 「I’ll give you one last chance at survival, Kinji. Kneel right here, and say that you will be my follower. In my group we also have girls, and they can all be yours. They’re non-human and brats, but they aren’t so bad to look at. I don’t think there’s a better deal for someone with HSS.」 「You’re kidding me. Throwing in any kind of women makes it a bad deal. You should have done your research.」 I said throwing his own words back at him… 「Things being what they are, you are a indispensably capable person. I intend to beat you without killing you, but I might make a mistake. Your life isn’t so cheap; don’t waste it, Kinji.」 He threw my words back at me also. 「If it’s a waste, then come and waste it!」 As if we were repeating our own words to ourselves… we drew closer to each other. I to him, and him to me. 「You will kneel… coughing blood and in tears. And then you will bring me the 『Hidan no Aria』!」 「『Hidan no Aria』…?」 Hear those words again, I paused in my tracks. 「What’s that face for? As the nearest person to it, I know that there’s no way you don’t know about it. Fame follows Irokane. The ancients thought that a goddess had appeared and made a huge fuss over it.」 「Goddess? How can that tiny ravenous glutton be a goddess?」 「..You really don’t know …? Ah… I get it… Necessary information has been hidden from you.. at least partially.」 Realising he was the only one that understood, G-3 stopped his advance. 「Alright… I’ll tell you a little about it. The 『Hidan no Aria』 was predicted by the Scarlet Irokane research– Hyper-ESP. Super-humans with god-like powers on an entirely different level than ESPers.」 The look in his eyes as he spoke… It was like a fanatic religion preaching faith in some god. 「The manifestation of a fraction of that power far exceeded the powers observed by modern ESP science has already been confirmed. You saw it too, right? 『Portal of Heavenly Scarlet Light』– The ability to manipulate space-time .」 The ability to manipulate space-time… Indeed, I’ve witnessed it. That time at IU, when Sherlock used it to shoot a bullet of Hihiirokane into the Aria from three years ago. 「What a pity, G-3. That time it worked because she pulled it off together with Sherlock. You might have thought of using me as a hostage against her, but it’s ultimately fruitless.」 「She can pull it off by herself, and she already has. Here’s an example — remember those pyramid scraps that mysteriously floated to Japan a few years back?」 Listening to him, I easily recalled it under the influence of Hysteria King-Mode. Indeed… something like that had happened. I’d looked through the related data back when I took the 『Odaiba Pyramid bodyguard job』 with Aria. Supposedly, the Odaiba Pyramid was built from the design of that floating pyramid wreckage. 「…Yeah… but what does that old stuff have to do with anything.」 「That’s Patra’s pyramid. When Aria blasted it with 『Scarlet Heaven 』, it was sent to the past.」 「What…!?」 「If you don’t believe me, go find those fragments and do your own radiometric dating. That’s what I did.」 Hearing such outrageous words– my eyes widened in shock. That time I only saw the top of the pyramid 『disappearing』… but in reality, it was actually sent to the past…? 「I need the power to control space-time. To that end, I need your help. Of course, I need your subordination first.」 「Why… do you need me?」 「Ah… I can’t say that.」 His eyebrow twitching while he scratched his chin, G-3 didn’t answer. 「Then I’ll ask something else. What do want that power for? Don’t tell me you want to change history like in some cliche sci-fi novel?」 「–What good would answering do for me?」 His earlier rough manner and jokes all disappeared. I stayed silent for a while to pressure him for a response, but he didn’t say a word. … Something… was hidden deep in his eyes. Something like sadness… like a longing for someone… I recalled G-3’s past, trying to figure out the answer. And my brain, under the influence of Hysteria King-Mode… let me understand. Let me thoroughly understand. G-3, wanted to interfere in the past. His intentions, had to do with what was said back in the warehouse on the day of the Sports Festival. G-3 — had a loved one. When he was in Los Alamos, the sole beauty who had treated him gently. And that person… passed away in an incident during G-3’s training. G-3 was in pain, and blamed himself for her death– 「–You, want to revive Doctor Sarah…!」 「You really do your homework, don’t you? …At least when it comes to something like this…」 As if I had touched on a taboo subject, he replied in a low voice. As expected, he wanted to revive the person he loved – to use Aria’s power, to change the past…! 「You should give up on this sort of thing. It’s not that I don’t understand your feelings, but this is against the laws of nature.」 「As if I’d care about that. I’d go against God if I needed to.」 G-3 held a deep, deep… sincere love for doctor Sarah, I could feel that from his sorrowful eyes. Even if he died, he still probably wouldn’t yield one step. For love, he wouldn’t even hesitate to go against God. For love, he’s even thinking about controlling and using gods. It’s not that I don’t sympathise, but your plan…. I must stop it here. I am that goddess’ slave, after all. Firmly renewing my determination, I advanced towards G-3I. Just then, a part of the Galleon’s right wing snapped off with a loud sound. The plane began to list to the right from the changes in the aerodynamic lift. G-3– he stood there unmoving– eyes closed, facing upward into the sky like he was praying. So that’s it… He chose to fight me in the air– 「Sarah… watch me . The Genion you dreamed of, a perfect existence…」 –so he could get closer to the heaven that his loved one was in…! 「I will obtain 『Hidan no Aria』– obtain her, and then I will turn back time. If it’s her, I can do it… I will be able to revive you…!」 G-3, at a loss, having thrown everything away– from the sloping left wing, he charged towards me with his right fist tightly clenched. –*Bam*! I clashed fists with G-3, sparks literally flying, erupting from my Orochi and his own gauntlet. G-3 had the advantage in terms of strength. Pushed back by his blow, I somersaulted to lessen its impact, 「——!」 –seizing the opportunity to dodge G-3’s instant explosive follow-up kick that seemed to come out of nowhere. From his leg in the air –*whoosh*– came an explosive videogame-like sound effect. This is the sound of the surrounding air compressing due to the force of his kick. What kind of strength is this, for him to have reached the limits of subsonic speed? 「!」 No, that was a feint– G-3’s other knee shot upwards, and the left arm I used to the utmost to defend against it was smashed away. Immediately, while my body was sent spinning from the impact, I took the chance to sweep my right leg upward, aiming for G-3’s jaw. But my right knee instead collided with his left elbow which he raised to block my kick. How fast, what a reaction speed he has. The difference between me and him is like racing an electric bike against an F-1 car. G-3’s leg swept down, hitting my left leg with a sound like lightning. …Heavy…! I tried to offset the damage done by withdrawing my leg at the moment of impact, but it was no use. His attacks were extremely heavy, and letting out explosive sounds. This speed – this power, so 100 times Hysteria Mode is this strong, huh? Having no choice but to roll backwards, I continued retreating. But the right wing was already a sea of flames. There was no escape. It was as if the inside of the wing was already filled with flames. The surroundings were below freezing, yet it was scorching hot below like a frying pan. 「…!」 Hu…! It looks like the flames had already spread to the front of the plane. And the lower part of the Galleon was already burnt until it started falling apart. I could already see the art G-3 kept, burning up and falling scattered into the sea of clouds. The plane is disintegrating midair… there’s no time left…! Looking at me who was enduring injuries to both my arms and legs and had a sea of flames behind me, G-3 laughed. 「So you can still stand after eating 4 of my attacks. You can feel proud, Kinji. No one else has ever received a second blow. I killed them all with one strike.」 「Those attacks were just tickles. Now it’s my turn to strike back」 Bluffing, I distributed my weight evenly on both legs… positioned my arms as if I was about to push someone in front of me. I also placed my balance completely in the centre of my body. –This stance, was the Tohyama family’s 『Zetsurou』 16 Using an application of Aikido, my entire body revolved–a technique that used the power of the opponent’s attack and returned it to them in a counterattack. No matter who the opponent was, as long as they attacked me, they would be counterattacked as if they hit a revolving door–struck back with a blow as heavy as their own attack. The stronger the enemy the stronger I was, a skill that that borrowed strength to counterattack. Without Hysteria Mode such a powerful technique would be impossible– a secret of the Tohyama family who killed anyone who witnessed it, but at this point there was no other way. Ancestors, please don’t blame me. The rule that all witnesses must be killed, ends with my generation. But, G-3… it was evident he already saw through to what this purely defensive stance meant. 「I don’t want to drag out this fight too long either. I’ll use 『Meteor』to tear you to shreds and finish this」 G-3 said as he pointed his left elbow towards me– He slanted his whole body, his waist and head held low, right leg placed behind, and right fist held up high. It was similar to the posture used for the sprint in the ancient Olympics… a stance meant to gain speed, I saw through his initial movement. That’s– Ou, 『 Ouka 』 …! There’s no mistaking it. Although the positioning was completely different from my own Ouka, but this–was a posture where all the muscles and bones in the body move simultaneously, releasing a supersonic attack. This , this really is beyond expectations. It’s definitely too much for 『Zetsurou』. It’s like he said– forget my arm– my entire body would be pierced through. 『Zetsurou』– the revolving door–, he intends to completely destroy it. 「…!」 What to do, Kinji– An idea flashed through my mind, but will it work? No, even if I did pull it off– –It’s no good. It can’t be that easy to win. He’s at 100 times Hysteria Mode, and I’m at 75 times Hysteria Mode. But… there’s no other way…! 「–Sarah, look at me. I am the strongest. A perfect weapon.」 *Cough* — Congealing on the floor having come from G-3’s mouth… …Blood…? I saw blood. G-3 coughed up blood. Even though he apparently didn’t even have a scratch on him. This was probably the Life Limiter– the system we had just discussed that was corroding his body. Perhaps, the 100 times Hysteria Mode also added additional strain to his nervous system. Seeing that I noticed, G-3–coughing with blood flying out of his mouth– held up his left index finger and waved it at me. 「This is something that’s been happening a lot recently. There’s no need to worry. For one more attack… I can hold it together.」 The next instant, with eyes wide G-3– –Whoosh! With a force greater than a missile, he lowered his body and charged toward me. His right fist had already reached supersonic speed and– just like the a meteor’s tail, it left a conical trail of vapour behind…! In the exact instant his fist came into contact with my right leg 『Kikka』 17 — 『 Zetsurou 』 — 『 Ouka 』 ! I shifted my centre of mass forward and leapt– in midair, all the muscles in my body moved as one. Borrowing the force of his 『Meteor』, and channeling it into my leg’s 『Ouka』– and returning it! –Wham—-! In midair, I struck G-3’s shoulder with a roundhouse kick. 「–Uwah—–!!」 The golden-edged black armour on his shoulder was shattered into flying fragments. His shoulder suffered the force of his own 『Meteor』. The force of the attack was further transferred to G-3’s legs, and even his leg armour was broken. 「…!」 I, I did it…! My legs…I-I’m still standing, although I’m shaking, my leg didn’t break at all. So 75 times Hysteria Mode, can actually do something like that. Just now– I first received the force of his blow. Then, in the split-second before my body could endure said force without breaking, I used Ouka in the opposite direction . If I had to give it a name, it would be 『Kikka』. This is a second, speed-reducing defence form of 『Ouka』. This was an entirely new technique, named after the orange blossoms that appear after cherry blossoms bloom. Next, I used 『Zetsurou』 and switched from defense to offense– Just as my roundhouse kick was about to land, I re-accelerated with『Ouka』to further add to its speed. –The non self-injurious, subsonic version of『Ouka』that I created by chance during the battle with Watson at the Skytree. 18 Hysteria King-mode has really proved itself… To think that in an instant, I could pull off such a complex skill, and furthermore, that last-ditch counterattack completely reversed the tables, leading to my victory. But… not everything went smoothly. Being somewhat reckless, my leg was injured to a similarly considerable extent. Even so a partially self-injurious『Ouka』was enough. 「…Ugh…!」 Likewise, the Genion before me wasn’t beaten with just one attack. Clutching his injured right shoulder, he was was forced to fall back a step. Falling to his knees on the left wing, G-3 uncontrollably coughed up yet another mouthful of blood. He has… already hit his limit. 「Let’s stop here，G-3…!」 The entire right wing was already engulfed in flames. Already, it was falling into ruin, crumbling as it were disintegrating. Forced forward by the flying sparks, I could only limp– as if I were chasing him, towards the fuselage. 「I can see that you can’t fight anymore, and my leg is also no good. This battle is a draw」 「Bullshit…*cough*! Ugh…」 G-3 coughed up… even more blood. Even though he used his hand to block it, his mouth was already covered in blood. As expected, 100 times Hysteria Mode was too much to endure. 「Now’s not the time to act tough! The Galleon’s already about to…!」 As I pointed to the wing, the front of the plane that was aflame–*rumble*–exploded like a oil tanker, setting blazing flames alight. The fuel tank over there had ignited……! 「Uwoh……！」 The scorching flames crackled and swirled; the hot wind chasing me, I ran to the left wing. That moment, G-3… knees trembling, stood. Such willpower. He had received my 『Ouka』 just moments earlier. But to think that he was on one knee for just about ten seconds…and stood up again! 「…Sarah, look at me. Am I not perfect? Something like this is nothing」 No, this isn’t willpower at all. G-3–only knows battle. He can only express himself through battle. And right now, he is trying to to express himself. To the one he loves. Who… is no longer in this world…! 「G-3, you are not perfect at all! You should understand that yourself!」 「No, I am the perfect–*cough*! Universal Soldier! This…this is Sarah’s dream– As a weapon, I, have to be perfect!」 「Kicked by me until you cough up blood, and calling a woman’s name in the end, how is that perfect! You’re not perfect! Wake up! Humans aren’t perfect!」 「Human… you say? I haven’t fallen that far!」 「You’ve already fallen! You’ve– always felt that you were human. That’s why, you wanted to meet……you came back to meet us right!? To meet me, and Kana……! 「…!」 Perhaps he didn’t even realise it himself; when G-3 heard my words, he made an astonished expression. The fire had already spread to the fuselage behind me. The entire Galleon had become a fireball. Its Photo-refractive Camouflage had broken-down, exposing the glossy black surface of the left wing. 「–Why is it, Kinji?」 「What do you mean?」 「Why is it that you’re on that side, and I’m on this one」 Understanding that there was no time left before the Galleon crashed, G-3 laughed at himself… 「I, really wanted to be you. I wanted the fate that chose you and not me when we were born. I wanted to live that shitty, ordinary life you had…」 G-3, as if he were about to shake hands, stretched out his right arm. 「Come, Kinji. You still have moves you haven’t used yet, right? Just like me–a trump card」 Understanding what he was about to do, I said… 「If I use that you’ll regret it. In that, I’ve only ever lost to my Nii-san」 「I’ve never lost in that to anyone–not even to Fourth」 So it’s the same for all of us– our family’s trump card. 「…」 G-3 and I, hooked the arms we used to hurt each other with together. Our bodies had already reached the limit… and the plane below us was about to crash. This is the end. But, looking at him from this distance… he really does look like me. G-3 who also seemed to be thinking the same thing, let out a bitter laugh. I… and G-3 –like mirror images– leaned our heads backwards. Our arms and legs full of injuries from battle… we were going to use what was left– our heads. *Sigh* To think that, people who possess the same genes, even our trump card is exactly the same. –*Crash*——!!! Like two bulls, G-3 and I gathered all our strength and head-butted each other. 「Stubborn Bastard… what kind of rock do you have for a head…!」 「Aren’t you talking about yourself…!?」 And then–the second collision! –*Crash*——-!!! Now I can see, G-3 is clearly shaking now. Haha! Looks like I have the advantage. It’s going almost completely my way. –*Crash*——-!!! The third was the finishing blow 「Hahaha……Hahahahaha……」 Laughing, G-3 fell on his back, as if I had knocked him down. *thump*… below me, he lay sprawled like a ‘大’ character. 「..It isn’t the time or place for laughing, you know…」 I said as I got up, but now… all I could do was laugh as well. Fire had spread to the left wing. There’s already nowhere to escape. And it was impossible to take back control of the aircraft, no matter how you look at it. An emergency water landing was also impossible. Meanwhile, the fuselage was burning up bit by bit. 「–Don’t make such a sad face, Kinji」 G-3 said this and…*crack* *crack*, tore open the destroyed portion of his back armour. And with a rattle, and placed something next to me. 「Although it’s a small one, it’s enough for one person to descend」 Inside his back armour was–probably made of cutting-edge synthetic fibres– a small size parachute peeked out. 「…What will you do?」 「I said don’t make that kind of face. I–will just go to where that person is」 On the burning left wing… G-3I laid like a 大 character, unmoving. He… wants to die here in the sky. 「What are you saying…!」 Just as I reached out to grab G-3’s left hand and pull him up–the left wing must have been more damaged than it appeared–the wing collapsed, and he fell through! 「——!」 Lying on my stomach at the very edge of the wing, I finally managed to stop G-3 from falling. As they fell, the Galleon’s fragments created small puffs of mist as they hit the clouds far below. Looking at this distance… our altitude seems to be about 2000 metres. But to the clouds, it may only be a hundred. With me holding on to his left arm hanging mid-air–G-3 twisted his bloody mouth into a bitter laugh. 「Kinji. Let go.」 「Come up…!」 「That’s enough. Nii-san」 「…!」 My body surrounded by the hot wind, I widened my eyes in response to his words. He’s my… 「Ah… I’m so happy. Before I die, I was able to see the face of my Nii-san」 …Younger brother…! If it’s like that then… I can’t let go…! 「As the older brother… how could I, sacrifice my younger brother…!」 At my words, G-3 laughed again. 「The younger brother, can’t sacrifice his older brother either」 *click*… With that sound, The left arm-armour I was holding–separated from G-3’s body. 「——!」 Along with debris from the Galleon’s, his body gradually became smaller and smaller… disappearing into the clouds. 「G-3! G-3!」 Why. Why did you have to do this– I still have a lot of things I want to say to you. I wanted to be together with you, as brothers… and live! 「You stupid bast–a–rd!!!!!!!!!!!」 Amidst the swirling flame and cloud, my scream– –only echoed. (End Text) End of Chapter 4 **************************************************** EPILOGUE… **************************************************** 1. This is the kanji reading. The katakana says: ‘meta-materila ghillie (suit)’– Anon-san 2. The quote comes from the Book of Sirach . I replaced the text with an English version. Here is what it says in Japanese: ‘The Lord reveals the past and the future, and bring what was hidden out into the light’.– Anon-san 3. This is an armed forces technique to reload the gun without taking your eyes of the target or breaking stance. Here is a demonstration. 4. This was a little tricky to translate, because it is a coined term. The kanji say: ‘Chaotic angle particle lift’ (角動揚力粒子). The katakana say: Dean-Bit (デイーン・ビット）. After a few hours research, I think it means a Dean Drive. A Dean Drive is a type of fictional reaction-less drive that does not require propellant to work. A Dean Drive is supposed to use rotary motion from a self contained system to generate uni-directional force for propulsion. This description seems to fit the Kanji meaning. 5. Link . Trance music itself seems to have a fast tempo to get people excited then it slowly fades out. Maybe it works like a drug for G-3– getting him on a ‘high’ then bringing him ‘down’ again?– AGlingua 6. Para-sexual desires that grant sexual satisfaction from fantasies concerning visual media or statuesque figures, respectively. 7. This is a theatre term for a stage exit in case this is unclear. 8. ’KH’ or ‘Key Hole’ (Code-named ‘Misty’) is the designation for a series of US reconnaissance satellites that incorporate stealth technology. Most agree that the series in current use reaches KH-13. KH-14 is the fictional(?)successor to the KH-13. 9. Link . Apparently a great gun for accuracy and target tracking with follow-up shots. 10. The Katakana say ‘Cannon’, but the Kanji read: ‘chain/linked shooting’. Also known as ‘carom’– shortened from Carombole Billiards. The the term means that the cue ball hits two other balls in one shot– the aim of the game. 11. The Kanji read ‘Fiber bullet’. 12. In the original the expanded acronym was given as “Skilled Detective Armed”. I decided to keep it in acronym form because it doesn’t make much sense in English. 13. The “Cross” here refers to an intersection (Like streets or something crossing and connecting) or a genetic cross-pairing. In light of things revealed later in the text, it could be read “Golden Stud”, but we didn’t like that too much… LOL! 14. The kanji for “Blast” is almost identical to those used for Kinji’s “Slash” , substituting the kanji “dispel” or “drive away” in Blast for the “divert” used in Slash . The same goes for all subsequent technique names. 15. “Guided missile diversion” in Kanji. 16. ‘Absolute Prison’ in Kanji. 17. Similar in name to Kinji’s Ouka (Cherry Blossom) this is named ‘Orange Blossom’. 18. What Kinji seems to have done is to accelerate backwards with a reverse ‘Ouka’–re-named ‘Kikka’–to lessen the relative speed between himself and G-3, allowing him to use ‘Zetsurou’ to turn G-3’s Meteor back on himself, and then use a less powerful ‘Ouka’ to add additional force to his kick. **************************************************** Full Credit and much thanks to the Staff of Twin Dragons Light Novels: Thunder , Darkhellsing , and Esteban108 , for permission to use their translation as a source. Special Thanks to our new Team Members: Jialat and Frozzendeth , without whom this would still be stuck in translation limbo. ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### 005. Epilogue - Go for the Next!!! (Begin Text) 「——That bastard G-3!」 A FedEx package with the sender’s name, 『Angus, Friend of Deen』, arrived at my home where I was recuperating… When I moved to play back the DVD that came in the envelope, I inadvertently banged my leg on the table, and since it was the leg that I used Zetsurou with, I writhed in agony as I hugged my leg. On the TV, flying a sport kite on the paradisical beach… 『Hahaha. How’s this Aniki? Not too bad, eh?』 …was G-3, who seems to have gotten a new artificial arm. On the white sand, his female followers were playing beach volley ball in their swimsuits. Angus was the one who was probably filming as G-3 flew his Oodako 1 kite in his black coat…I could tell at a glance it was the gold-threaded overcoat he had worn on the Galleon. That bastard! He shows me a face like he was going to die– then changes his mind as he falls. It seems that his coat must be made of the same P-Fiber that Kaname had, and he glided to safety like a paper aeroplane. As for me, after landing in the water with the parachute, I was adrift in Sagami Bay for 24 hours. I also unluckily ran into a shark in the early morning and had to chase it away with my DE. With great difficulty, I was rescued by a fishing boat and, finally reaching Kotsubo harbour, managed to get into contact with Butei High and they said I was 『 on my own responsibility』, so in the end I took the JR Yokosuka line back into Tokyo. Out of my own pocket, of course. Of course, midterm examinations at Butei High started the next day. I did sit properly for all of them– although they were all flunks. Up until Phys. Ed., I used pencil-roulette. And that jerk, to think you’re so leisurely and carefree… running off to the Caribbean for a holiday. 「Shit, Shit!」 Even my half-price bento rattled as I hit the table. Seeming to realise this video message was intended for me, The fox-eared girl, Tsukumo, ran in front of the camera lens and stuck her tongue out at me before the scene ended. Then, the next scene was a luxurious restaurant– 「Kana. Take care of that good-for-nothing brother Kinji for me. I can’t be bothered anymore.」 Wearing magnificent clothes like a celebrity, G-3 was stuffing his face with a 5 cm thick beefsteak and drinking red wine. …It seems like this video message was also sent to Kana. 「Third-sama. Shouldn’t this have been sent to Kana alone?」 「It would be troublesome if Kinji Tohyama attacked. Your injuries haven’t completely recovered yet.」 Wearing evening dresses, the worried Tsukumo and the others said as much– 「Shut up! My fighting spirit will heal these wounds!」 ….He’s putting on his fake-tyrant image. He’s just the same as ever… 「Oi, are you watching, Aniki? A stupid E-Rank Butei like you dared to call a Genion a 「stupid bastard」. That’s insulting Sarah’s research. It made me so angry that I forgot about dying. And I’ll say this right now–I don’t think I lost to you. That was a draw, I’ll be coming to Tokyo to play with you later.』 Please don’t. 「I’ll still be coming even if you don’t want me to. We’ll play for the 「Hidan no Aria」 and fight again next time.」 …That bastard. Even if it’s on video, you shouldn’t point your fork at people. 「–Basically, I’m telling you the case is closed. Also… take good care of Kaname」 The video ended with those words. 「…」 Just now… … he said it. Not G-4, but 『Kaname』. Seriously… I suddenly realised that my reflection in the now-darkened TV screen… was unexpectedly smiling. If only bitterly. Nii-san, Kaname, and now G-3… these siblings of mine… why are they all so difficult to deal with. Seriously. Although, I guess if you asked them, they’d probably say I’m the same too. ************************************************************** In Butei High, the first four periods of the day are regular classes, but from the fifth period onward are specialised subject classes. In between them is a break period for moving between buildings and lunch. With the fatigue of the battle with G-3 and midterm examinations following each other, tired in both body and mind, I……decided to nap for a bit before heading over to Inquesta and slumped over my desk. Glossing over the noisy Riko and Mutou, when all signs of life disappeared from the classroom… 「Kinji.」 …*Fwhoosh!* Hearing Aria’s anime voice, I reflexively sat upright. Of course, this isn’t because I have any good feelings towards Aria, but the last 8 times I was busted pretending to sleep, my chair was tossed along with me in a Dory Funk Junior-esque belly-to-back suplex. Furthermore, on two of those occasions I was thrown out of the classroom window entirely. 「What is it? I’m tired」 As I pushed Aria aside, too late I realised she already had grabbed the back my chair… and that Aria and I were the only ones left in the classroom. Furthermore, the classroom door had been locked from the inside. Did Aria do that? 「I was waiting for everyone to leave. If Riko were here, it would be troublesome later.」 「What?」 「I wanted to praise you. For the fight with G-3. It must have been hard.」 During my return journey, I called the vice-leader of Baskerville, Aria, from the Zushi station platform and told her about what had happened in the sky. Of course, leaving out everything about Hysteria Mode and Irokane. 「I heard from Watson, G-3 is an R-ranked Butei」 「He was half sick. I just got lucky that time」 「Even so. It’s a really impressive victory.」 「He only called it a draw.」 「Didn’t Assault teach you? Victory in a battle isn’t determined by acknowledgement. but instead by the changes in the situation around you after the battle. You beat G-3 back–you succeeded in repelling him by force. It’s a clear victory.」 With a slight noise, Aria sat down at my desk with a grin, smiling an adorable cat-like smile. 「T-Then winning and losing don’t mean anything! Call it whatever you want!」 Caught off-guard, I hurriedly turned my head to the side. Don’t panic. Aria is talking to me while smiling happily. Impossible. 「The damage Baskerville suffered is not too serious–I had light injuries. Riko had a nosebleed. Shirayuki and Jeanne need 3 days to recover.」 You are all incredibly tough. Especially Riko. Taking a nasty attack from G-3, and ending up with a nosebleed. 「So, I’m going to give you a reward. From today onwards, with every victory earned, the reward will increase accordingly. So what would you like first?」 The top of my head firmly grasped, I had no choice, but was forced to face Aria… Confronted directly, I was unable to speak. The other day, I said something or other about 『making juice』, and she crushed an apple, single-handed. This girl… 「Then let me sleep five more minutes.」 「What do you want? Alright, time’s up. Please tell me what you’d like.」 What is this–in-your-face kind of reward? And what’s more, my earnest request was being completely ignored? Well then, I could use some ammunition. 「I won’t cover any personal expenses.」 My wish was canceled. 「I don’t need anything. Even if you gave me something, I wouldn’t have a place to put it.」 「Did you see me bring a wrapped present? Besides things, what else… I could… give… that…t-to y-you!?」 Aria’s breathing… became rapid. It’s like a cat getting excited when it sees it’s favourite food. Just what is going on inside her head? 「But, but only to the necessary extent. This place is as good as any. So hurry up! Desertion in the face of the enemy is against school rules!」 From Aria whose face was drawing close towards me– Some kind of female hormones were being secreted, that had a very womanly aura. 「–In the sky–」 Her jasmine fragranced lips kept getting closer to my face as she spoke softly in her anime voice. 「Reki watched. She said she saw the flaming aircraft–when she said it exploded at the end… I, didn’t cry.」 Aria– 「Because I believed that Kinji would definitely live and come back.」 … Ah, Oi! What are you doing. Why did you close your eyes. With me in the empty classroom. Hugging my head. And m-my mouth and her’s are coming closer…! Why? I don’t know why. I really don’t know why I have closed my eyes– –The next instant, 「Now that’s out!」 *Clang*! Above us, one of the ceiling boards shifted open, and a uniformed Kaname stretched her feet downward. Her legs coiling around Aria’s neck and, hands on the edge of the ceiling tile exerting all of her strength as if doing a chin-up, Kaname pulled Aria upwards. 「Urk!」 Her neck locked between Kaname’s thighs and calves, suspended in midair, it was like Aria was being… h-hanged. Kaname gave this a name, 『Figure-4 Hanging Tree』 2 was it…!? Kaname, this technique is beyond belief. It seems this little sister of mine is also an inventor of new techniques. 「Hu~ That was dangerous, Onii-chan. It’s no good if you’re not careful you know? I think Aria is the type that turns into a wild animal if she crosses that line.」 「W-Wha?」 Her legs still wrapped around Aria’s neck, Kaname said with a smile– After suffering G-3’s attack, as I expected, she was saved by Kana. She was also nursed by Watson later, and treated with Shirayuki’s supernatural abilities… So now, as you can see, she’s alive and kicking– to the extent that not even a scar was left behind. You could say G-3’s goal that I pointed out midair, had been accomplished. Kaname had also believed it, and I didn’t tell her about G-3. And according to Watson’s investigation, even though the USA had been monitoring, the official report states 『There was a falling-out between G-4 and G-3 and G-4 was killed. 』. Watson upon receiving this news, reached out to her Liberty Mason superiors and successfully prevented further investigation into this sanctioned cover-up. All in all, it turned out quite well. As for the secret leaking out… there’s no helping it. If it happens; it happens. But I will protect her. No matter who my opponent is. Although it’s only half, we truly are siblings. 「Well, that’s that, Onii-chan. I still need to dispose of Aria with decisively compulsive force.」 Happily dragging the limp Aria with her back into the ceiling in a flash, Kaname gave me a wink as she replaced the ceiling tile. Kaname. Speaking of which, when you were still G-4… And you talked with me for the first time, by video on Reki’s cell phone, you winked like that too. But right now, you look much better than back then. Although, there’s not much difference. As for you, Aria. I never figured out what that in-your-face reward was just now, but, you should listen to your own words. You’ve been forcibly repelled by Kaname, so should that count as a loss? *********************************************************************** Then, something happened that changed my perpetually miserable life. After Inquesta lessons, the bespectacled beauty Yutori Takamagahara-sensei beckoned for me… she made me wait with her until the other students had left the lecture hall. After that incident with Kaname, I couldn’t help but watch the ceiling. 「Tohyama-kun. I have received an important message, come with me to MASTERS.」 As Takamagahara-sensei said this, she adjusted my tie for me. Summoned… to MASTERS? This is not good. It’s one of the three most dangerous places at Tokyo Butei High. But why would I be called there? Were my test scores that bad? No, I can’t imagine that our lazy teachers have already finished grading the tests. Ah. I get it! This must be like that time in my first year when they drew names for ‘Quests’. 3 I’ll be appreciative. This gives me the opportunity to earn some extra credits. While running a mental calculation, I began making myself presentable as Takamagahara-sensei led me along… and, finally. we entered MASTERS. It’s really been a long since I visited MASTERS. This should be the first time in 5 months since Aria forced me to sneak in. Getting into the elevator–going up… …Eh… the fifth floor? That’s even higher than the teachers’ offices. I haven’t been there before. While pondering this, Takamagahara-sensei and I reached the fifth floor lobby. There, Ranbyou-sensei met us while wearing a business suit… 「–Reki?」 I said aloud. Her sailor-suit scarf tidily arranged, Reki was also there. 「…」 Silent as usual, Reki just looked at me. …? Yutori Takamagahara-sensei is the homeroom teacher of class 2-A, and I’m in class 2-A. As for Ranbyou, she is class 2-C’s homeroom teacher. And Reki–is in class 2-C. So it seems that the homeroom teachers have brought their respective students here. 「So this term, it’s these 2?」 「So it seems. The two of them are good children, so it is regrettable, but it can’t be helped, I suppose.」 The teachers spoke such words–and glancing at the clock, their expressions were becoming strained. –What’s going on? This is my first time seeing you guys like this! To think the Hong Kong Mafia daughter, Ranbyou, would be nervous… is this a joke? And you, Takamagahara-sensei. I heard that before you were rendered unable to fight by a sniper bullet to the head, you were known as the feared mercenary 「Bloody Yutori」. So why are you nervous? 「Uh… why am I here?」 I now belatedly asked, and Takamagahara-sensei turned toward me. 「Oh, yes. Right now, the two of you have been granted a meeting with the headmaster」 –Headmaster? We’re… going to meet headmaster Takeru Midorimatsu? 「Let’s go! It’s time. Butei should be punctual!」 Ranbyou said, gently ushering Reki and me to walk down the fifth floor corridor… stopping in front of the door with the nameplate reading 『Headmaster’s Office』. Made of a slightly rich wood… but it was an extremely ordinary door. The headmaster was surely inside. Thinking about it, I was nervous as well. The only one who could remain calm, was Reki who was just standing there stupidly stiff. Ranbyou and Takamagahara-sensei exchanged glances, then nodded in agreement. 「Midorimatsu-san, sorry for the disturbance. This is Takamagahara. I have brought this semester’s 2 students to you.」 Through the door, we heard… 「Yes, Yes. Come in」 An ordinary… nondescript male voice replied. With a *click*, the door opened… Inside, common houseplants and the headmaster’s desk adorned the office. 「Very good, very good. Good to see you. I am Midorimatsu」 Smiling kindly at his desk, I couldn’t decide if it was an ‘older brother’ or ‘kindly uncle’ kind of face. This person–is the headmaster? I should have seen him at each the opening and closing ceremonies of every year, so his face should be familiar… I can’t remember this person. I can’t pin down even a vague impression of this person. None of his features stand out. And this, is exactly why he is well known and feared in Butei society. His nickname– 「The Transparent Man」. But, he’s not like G-3 who uses optical technology to disappear. It’s completely different, utilising psychological techniques… He… has the ability to not be remembered by people. You see him, but you don’t. You can’t remember. Unaware. You will overlook him entirely. Because he simply doesn’t have any features. I don’t understand how it works, but one idea is that his manner, movements, voice, and even physical height and weight are that of the average Japanese person’s–so no matter how many times you see him, it is impossible to remember. Even if someone asked 「What kind of person is he?」, one could only answer 「Uhh… he’s a man……」 and end there. In other words, if this man targets you, you’re dead. No matter where you met him, he wouldn’t be noticed. He would be overlooked. Unstoppable. Even if someone said he was targeting you, you wouldn’t be able to sense him. So… once you met Midorimatsu, you’d know were already finished. That’s just how it is. I can’t imagine why such a dangerous person became headmaster, but that is exactly the kind of person that the headmster of Butei High is. 「I am Kinji Tohyama.」 「I am Reki.」 In MASTERS, no matter what office you entered it was required to report your name. Reki and I did so…… 「Yes, yes. Then we have an important announcement for you.」 His voice was flat, expressionless, as Midorimatsu, indifferently, calmly went on– 「Class 2-A, number 23, Kinji Tohyama-Kun. Class 2-C, number 35, Reki-san. At the end of the month, you two–will be expelled from Tokyo Butei High.」 Go For The NEXT!!! (End Text) **************************************************** EPUB/PDF Download **************************************************** 1. Traditional Japanese large square kites . 2. This name refers to the shape of the numeral ‘4’ made when Kaname tucks her legs under Aria’s neck, leaving Aria hanging vertically underneath. 3. ‘Quests’ in Katakana. The name for ‘contracts’ or ‘jobs’ accepted by Butei. **************************************************** Special Thanks to our new Team Members: Jialat and Frozzendeth , without whom this volume would still be stuck in translation limbo. ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ## 09. Volume 12 - Snowfall Upon a Wolfhound - Fall Oblige - ### 001. 1st Ammo - As if Into Thin Air - Like Vanish- Volume 12 Chapter One is here! Expect Chapter Two soon-ish. We seem to be nearing the end of translation. but editing takes it’s own time. Enjoy! Edit: How do I keep forgetting to put in the illustrations! All fixed now! Volume 12: Snowfall upon a Wolfhound–Fall Oblige Chapter 1: Like Vanishing into Thin Air [Begin text] I felt like I was ambushed. I just heard it was an „Äéimportant announcement„Äè and followed Takamagahara-sensei to the headmaster’s office… and the headmaster himself had personally handed down the sentence. –Expulsion. –this certainly was an important announcement. Upon hearing these words, I forgot Butei High’s rule against „Äéasking teachers to repeat themselves„Äè and my lips voiced the words: „ÄåI’m… being expelled?„Äç I looked at the two teachers standing on the side, Yutori Takamagahara and Ranbyou, as our expulsion was announced and Reki remained mute. Headmaster Midorimatsu nodded his head mechanically, „ÄåYes, yes, that is correct. However, this is not due to any problems with your behaviour, so I hope there won’t be any misunderstandings on that point.„Äç Continuing with a voice that lacked any individuality… „ÄåBoth of you have filed school transfer requests twice. The first time, your applications were rejected on the basis of incomplete paperwork, but that was not actually the case. Frankly, this is the usual way we process such requests. It takes into account the possibility of forgery, and until they re-apply, it gives the student the opportunity to reconsider, as is our hope.„Äç As I recall, I did resubmit my transfer request. But… rather than being surprised at MASTERS tricks– I was even more surprised that Reki had also applied for a transfer. „ÄåReki, you…„Äç I cast a glance at Reki who stood stock still by my side. Reki turned towards me… „ÄåKinji, as I have said before, I am yours . The loyalty of the Ulus is eternal. I will be with you wherever you go and be the person who will live and die with you.„Äç As if she weren’t in front of the headmaster, Reki talked in her usual manner. Misunderstanding, Takamagahara-sensei blushed with an „ÄéOh, my!„Äè, and Ranbyou raised an eyebrow… Come to think of it, it did indeed feel like Reki had said something like that before. She had already made up her mind– even if I leave school, Reki will follow me. „Äå–Transferring from Butei High to a normal school is extremely difficult.„Äç Headmaster Midorimatsu showed no reaction toward Reki’s words and said: „ÄåNormally,students should all transfer schools at the end of March… but done that way, all the accepting schools flood the Metropolitan Board of Education’s office with complaints. They say that students from Butei High are poor in their studies, lacking social education, and have high drop-out rates from their institutions. Butei High is, thus, now in danger of a shut-down. Academia just does not yet have a proper understanding of Butei High at all.„Äç Well… no, I think they actually do have a proper understanding. That is: this school is full of weirdos. „ÄåTherefore, this matter of transferring schools has been changed to a method where a small number of students are transferred at fixed intervals over time, and in secret. But right now, students would be leaving before the April weapons registration renewal. No matter if they plan to keep their weapons or not… those students will be ostracised for merely holding the licence. And if the other school knows that the student is transferring from Butei High, they will hardly be allowed entry.„Äç I wasn’t as if I couldn’t understand the concerns of normal schools, but this was… discrimination. „ÄåHowever– we have to thank the Ministry of Education for the provisions of the Protection of Personal Information: Article No. 8. Transfers cannot be done, but students can be accepted… Students that have been expelled are not required to give notice of „Äéwhich High School they previously attended„Äè. Although this requires the use of a little expenditure and some private exchange with fellow headmasters, it can be done, however. Depending on their morals…„Äç So using the pretext of the law, cash is being used to squeeze us into other schools. But I could understand why, since the headmaster said if it isn’t done this way, Butei High students wouldn’t be able to transfer school. It seems like I really don’t have enough experience on this point. Just then, headmaster Midorimatsu somewhat abruptly turned to the side. „ÄåRight… Takamagahara-sensei, Ran-sensei. In Toshima, there’s a pretty good school called East Ikebukuro High, right?„Äç „ÄåIndeed.„Äç „ÄåYes.„Äç „Äå….Now then, we were a little off-topic just now, so let us return to the issue at hand.„Äç The headmaster said, and once again turned back to us… It seems that he already contacted that other school. This is an order to me and Reki to go to that school on our own, as students unaffiliated with Butei High. Then, suddenly… „ÄåPlease retract that decision.„Äç With a tone as mechanical as the headmaster’s, Reki suddenly spoke up. „ÄåKinji applied to transfer schools, not to be expelled. Please follow Kinji’s wishes and let him transfer. Also, the timing is different. Not the end of this month, please follow Kinji’s wishes and change it to the end of March next year„Äç Hey, Reki…! Didn’t you listen to what the headmaster just said? Also, you keep going „ÄéKinji this„Äè, „ÄéKinji that„Äè. Why is it that for me you would go against the teachers? No,of course, what Reki said was sound logic. But this is Butei High. Furthermore, the MASTERS are angry. You can’t use logic in such a place. „Äå–Reki! A little brat like you daring to talk back to MASTERS! You have some nerve!„Äç The irrational response by Ranbyou was immediate, her large ponytail swaying as she raised her voice. „ÄåReki-san. Students who want to transfer must first drop out 1 here, and are required to re-take an entrance exam for another school.„Äç Takamagahara-sensei said gently, admonishing Reki. „ÄåThose are all the school authorities’ problems. They have nothing to do with Kinji.„Äç Yet, still standing straight, Reki, without a quiver…*Shin*…released her killing intent..! Just because things did not go as I would like, you plan challenge the t-teachers? Reki. Beside me who was panicking, Ranbyou’s killing intent suddenly grew terrifying–Takamagahara also gave off a different feeling. Th-this is bad……! Now, even a small thing could suddenly push us past the point of no return. Following my pre-battle routine, I immediately analysed the fighting strength in the room. As I said, their side is led by Ranbyou, Reki didn’t have her Dragunov sniper rifle, and I didn’t bring any pistol ammo. I could hardly beat this person. Because this Ranbyou-sensei is not only a beast that can single-handedly subdue Aria, but is also quite familiar with my fighting style from my days in Assault. There’s also Takamagahara-sensei, although I haven’t seen her fight before, but this feeling is…. also… very dangerous…! Come to think of it, she’s able to be in the same room as the two ‘Guardians of Heaven’ 2 Ranbyou and Tsuzuri and come out unharmed every day, so she’s absolutely not a normal person. There is her to deal with as well. But–the most dangerous of all was headmaster Midorimatsu…! Th-this…can’t be happening… A sensation I’ve never felt before made my face immediately pale. The surrounding killing intent was clearly intense, yet with a laughing „ÄåHaha, this won’t do.„Äçthe headmaster’s killing intent, no, his presence…. is disappearing!? No, that’s not right. It’s becoming „Äé undetectable„Äè . If it was just „Äédisappearing„Äè, there were still ways to respond. Because then it would be enough just to to keep a vigilant eye on all of your surroundings. But if it’s „Äéundetectable„Äè, your conscious mind would be in disorder, leaving you full of openings. And now, I was: „ÄéIs he there now? Or is he not there?„Äè I couldn’t even figure that out…! I-I really don’t want to fight. No, it wouldn’t even be a fight. In a situation like this, even in Hysteria Mode, I wouldn’t be able to. Ranbyou and Takamagahara noticed the change in the headmaster, and also began to worry. They were not angry at Reki, and were instead guarding against the possibility that the headmaster might recklessly attack Reki and me…! W-what should I do! Reki had unflinchingly challenged the headmaster– If that powder keg was set off, we wouldn’t leave the headmaster’s office in one piece. No, our very lives were in danger. Butei indeed are obliged not to kill. But in reality, as long as you’re not found out, you can do as you wish. But here in MASTERS, our school’s teachers were very good at handling the police. There are even rumours that they have killed one or two students and called it an accident. The next instant, feeling the killing intent of Reki, Ranbyou, and Takamagahara filling the room–I took a chance. „Äå–Reki, stop it!„Äç I shouted loudly. Normally making the first move, I ought to have stirred up the hornet’s nest, but… „Äå…„Äç I-It didn’t happen. Neither bullets or weapons appeared. Then, following my order Reki…just like turning off a switch, Reki returned to normal, and Ranbyou and Takamagahara also followed suit and withdrew their killing intent. Th-thank goodness…I got lucky. Just now, I gambled everything on the common sense that „Äéteachers wouldn’t kill students„Äè and acted based on that. And the teachers… let us go this time. Just like the „Äébrats„Äè Ranbyou had called us, we presumed upon our teachers good graces. „ÄåM-my apologies. We will follow what the headmaster has said, and drop-out of school. Reki, that’s fine with you, right?„Äç Reki… gave a nod of her head. Now Reki is back to her regular self, but thinking about just now… I had the feeling that this normal Reki is subtly different than the Reki of a few moments ago. Just now. That standoff had clearly been Reki’s fault, and she had asked for it. Although I know that Reki is an unusually reckless person, but just now, it was to such an extent that I gave up analysing the situation. Reki. Your fighting ability is indeed very high. But you have to gauge your strengths in actual combat. Isn’t that what you taught me? So why then did you flare up against the teachers just because they did not follow my requests? Your calmness is supposed to be your strong point. That said… she will follow me. Even to a new school. I let out a deep sigh of relief. „ÄåAh, this isn’t right of me. When I see such unpolished diamonds….I can’t help but want to smash them to pieces.„Äç As he said that, I realised that I could once again perceive the source of that voice, headmaster Midorimatsu. Our eyes meeting… „Äå–Stop her a bit sooner next time. Isn’t she your woman?„Äç As if it was a farewell gift, he had showed me his true nature for 5 seconds and saying… „ÄåNow then, any questions?„Äç He once more looked like an average Japanese person, and I couldn’t tell what was going on behind his inscrutable smile. Question: Headmaster, why did you decide to become a school teacher. ************************************************************************ The headmaster soon afterwards flatly transmitted his orders to us: -To avoid criminal retaliation, it is not recommended that you turn in your Butei license or get rid of your weaponry immediately after dropping out. -Treat this as having accepted a long-term classified mission from MASTERS, and conceal the fact that you have dropped out of school. -Put your affairs in order, and leave as if you had vanished without a trace. We were told such. That is why there would occasionally be students who left on long-term assignments and never come back. I had speculated that they were earning work-study credits, stationed overseas, or had already found employment, but… it looks like they must also have dropped-out and transferred schools. ************************************************************************ There weren’t a few days left till the month ended, I casually turned over my routine jobs to Fuuma, bequeathed the Toyota 2000-GT model car that he had been bugging me for since forever to Mutou, glumly paid my debts to Hiraga-san, and hastily settled my business. But from what I see, it looks like Reki has done nothing. All the same, she accompanied me as I tried to leave the impression with the members of Baskerville that I was „Äégoing on a secret mission„Äè. Thus passed November 29th at Butei High, and the evening of the last Sunday of the month. We went to Riko, who loved to pry into everything first–to girls’ dormitory No.2–where Riko had pretended to be Aria and tricked me into entering– and as what was originally a 3-person apartment No.1011 opened… Uh… what’s going on? There was a female scent being given off and another strange smell. Something volatile. A pile of shoes in the entryway, „ÄåLeaving school for a classified mission next month.„Äçcame the soft explanation. „ÄåKi-kun and Reks working together? The „ÄéGolden Duo„Äè from first year is making a comeback!„Äç said Riko as she reached the middle of the room, her grimy hands holding rubberised tape and walking shakily. Just what is she doing? Don’t tell me she’s manufacturing illegal chemical weapons? Entering to inspect the already occupied room… ……? In the middle of the room three tables were put together, Jeanne sat at one of them, and at the other…sat a petite, long-haired, gloomy girl with black hair whom I didn’t recognise.They were all silently drawing something. That is….ah, so it’s a manga manuscript! It’s the first time I’ve seen the real thing. And the smell that filled the room, seems to have come from the correction fluids and colourings they used. „ÄåWhat are you guys doing?„Äç Squatting near the reference material spread out on the couch, Riko flopped herself down atop my knees. „ÄåHelping. Uh… winter is coming…„Äç „ÄåWinter? It’s winter right now. Here, I even brought back the games I borrowed. Let go of my leg!„Äç When the Riko had crawled her soft body up, I brushed her off, but she didn’t even seem to care. Just then, a shadow carrying a silver plate with Yunker 3 on it slipped out from the kitchen and moved beside the couch, „ÄåTo……Tohyama!„Äç With a start, Jeanne–who for some reason had tears in her eyes–suddenly looked up toward me. It seems that she had just noticed my presence. She has amazing powers of concentration. When it comes to drawing manga. „ÄåHelp me, Riko and Momoko won’t let me draw at all. Forget characters, they’re not even letting me do backgrounds! I’ve done enough framing and spot filling 4 …! Oh, Mon Dieu…„Äç Seeming to be as exhausted as Riko, Jeanne leaned against the sofa like some tragic heroine. „Äå–You two, break down after just two nights?„Äç The doll-like Japanese girl dressed in a school uniform said to Riko and Jeanne from her desk. Although she was cute…those emotionless eyes were still on the manuscript. She didn’t glance my way at all. And on her left hand–she wore a glove. Although it was covered with a ribbon, my intuition told me something bad was definitely hidden inside. „ÄåWho’s that?„Äç I asked Jeanne in a quiet voice. „ÄåShe’s our schoolmate who was originally from IU. A poison expert nicknamed „ÄéDevil Scorpion„Äè„Äç „ÄåWait a minute..!„Äç „ÄåNo need to worry. Right now she’s a friend, no, a teacher. She’s very good at drawing manga. If it gets a good distribution, it will add quite a bit to the war chest funds. So help us sell them as well. Follow me to the West Annex 5 !„Äç Jeanne said that, assuming I would be staying at Butei High… Instead, this reminded me that the opposite was true–I was deliberately transferring schools. From now on, it might not be possible to meet up everyone from Butei High. „ÄåEh, sorry but, Reki and I have a secret mission…„Äç Things being how they were, I didn’t want to get too involved with the dangerous person that came from IU and made my apologies to excuse myself… „ÄåSecret mission? Is it the same one as Nui-Nui’s?„Äç Riko asked as she turned her large lidded eyes toward me. Does she mean Shiranui…? „ÄåEh? No. it’s different.„Äç I answered laconically. Well, knowing Shiranui, he probably received a real mission. After all, he’s an ASSAULT honour student. ****************************************************************** Utterly exhausted, Riko blew a kiss from the window, and I inadvertently let out a wry smile when…*tug*, Reki silently urged me on with a tug on my sleeve. Then reaching the greenhouses in front of Girls’ Dormitory No.1… „ÄåCongratulations on your new mission! Work hard, Kin-chan!„Äç Shirayuki greeted me with words like that, and began straightening my necktie as if she were my wife. Being Head Gardener , it seems that Shirayuki uses her butterfly familiars to help out, and they had just watered the flowers… and the camellia flowers behind her really suited her. Even when wearing a sailor uniform, the ideal woman and Japanese flowers pair quite well. Truly, now that I’m seeing her from up close, I realised that no matter how many times I see her, no matter how you look at it, she is as expected… a beauty. On the whole, she has a wonderful personality. Mostly… „Äå…„Äç For a few heartbeats, I stood and silently gazed at her in a trance. To this childhood friend before me, besides girls (which for some reason she would go crazy if I brought up) and Hysteria Mode, I can’t recall ever hiding anything from her… and I felt a little guilty. It being an order, I truly cannot tell you the truth. But this definitely isn’t some final farewell. Forgive me. Even though I am transferring schools, if something happens, I will definitely hurry back. After all, I will have to hold on to my Butei license for a while. My heart full of thoughts like this, I quietly gazed into Shirayuki’s eyes. „Äå…Kin-chan…„Äç Shirayuki’s voice was like a strawberry Daifuku 6 dusted with sugar, sweetly calling out my name, and the eyes behind her straight-cut bangs, were also gazing back at me. Then, she gave what looked like a shy smile, her gaze tilting downwards…. turning away. Facing Reki who had been watching us with a bored stare, she shot an expression that seemed to say „ÄéYou saw the depth of our bond!„Äè –*Bzzz**Bzzz*. As Shirayuki and Reki’s eyes met it looked like sparks went up just then, like an optical illusion… And Shirayuki deliberately turned to face me once again with a beaming smile. Apparently that „Äédeath at a glance battle„Äè had been decided as an „Äéab initio victory„Äè. At least when it came to Shirayuki. „ÄåYour number of concubines is limited to two. And, thanks to my „Äésamurai’s mercy„Äè, your younger sister does not enter into the accounting.„Äç She said with a smile, although I don’t completely understand the meaning behind „Äé don’t put bananas in your snacks„Äè and other such statements…but she’s already on quite good terms with Kaname now. Perhaps their feelings coincided, no, their personalities seemed to be very similar. I even remember Aria saying it was something like „Äémisery loving company„Äè. Right… Shirayuki, about half a year earlier on that artificial beach, you said „ÄéKin-chan will disappear from where he is now„Äè. Looks like your predication was really spot on. ************************************************************************ At night, walking past the Sakura tree that Aria and I were thrown into during the April bike bombing incident—now having neither flowers nor leaves—-Reki and I went to the cafe Ville de Chute 7 at the T-junction. Since this place catered to schoolgirls, I usually kept a respectful distance…but Aria seemed to be here. I noticed her in an instant. That head of scarlet hair was conspicuous no matter how you looked at it, and she was talking to someone. Reki and I stood beside her table, „ÄåAh, Tohyama Kinji……Senpai„Äç Mamiya is here. The first year schoolgirl Aria was talking to was the Amica Aria was training. Also, that slight pause in her speech just now perfectly represents how she truly thinks of me– addressing me without honorifics–, but today I will graciously overlook it. „ÄåSo? When are you coming back?„Äç Not even waiting for me to open my mouth, Aria seemed to have already heard everything about my secret mission from Riko and greeted me with such a sentence… *Sip* *Sip* An espresso in one hand, and playing it cool, she acted like she was my boss. Pfft! How funny. As long as she was in front of her junior, Aria would act with a completely different personality than usual, because she had a bad habit of acting the „Äécapable woman„Äè. Although this brat usually opened fire before opening her mouth, by my calculations, with her junior here, the probability of her shooting was 57%, and even if she did open fire, the bullet count would decrease a substantial 41%. Although her accuracy would also increase. I also knew that this topic would anger her, so beforehand I prepared the „Äéuse Reki as a shield and run plan„Äè that would not work in this case, but surprisingly, everything was alright. „ÄåThe length of the job is also a secret. But, it will be long-term.„Äç Hearing this, it seemed that Mamiya finally understood I was going to carry out an outside school mission, and she couldn’t hide the happy expression on her face. But I will also forgive her for this. Thanks to you and Reki being here, I have escaped the jaws of death. „ÄåAlthough we’re partners, I never wanted to tie you down. You also seem to be lacking some credits. But, if the enemy moves I will call you.„Äç Enemy… she should be talking about the members of Grenada. „ÄåUnderstood.„Äç At the very least, I will be fighting with you until March. That will end our agreement. „ÄåAria, your finger…„Äç Buteis have a custom especially for partners parting ways– What I asked Aria to do was twine index fingers with me. Transferring schools is a parting of ways, and this counts as a small hint. „ÄåWhat’s this? Are you going somewhere dangerous?„Äç But twining fingers often meant that one of the partners involved was going somewhere from which they might not come back… Aria, who appears to have misunderstood, didn’t extend her hand. „ÄåIt is, in a certain sense… but where I’m going is safe. It just seemed right to twine fingers before this mission.„Äç „ÄåI won’t do it. It would be bad luck„Äç „ÄåDidn’t we do this before?„Äç „ÄåI don’t remember.„Äç With a twist, Aria turned away brusquely, her long, elegant twin-tails flowing. As always, you suffer from amnesia whenever you get worked up. „ÄåYou did. The last day of summer vacation, on the roof of INQUESTA before…„Äç Thanks to our combined stubbornness, in the middle of our argument I had done it… I had reminded Aria of her trauma from the time she decided to kiss me, and I had said the forbidden word „Äéroof„Äè. I turned pale, and suddenly… Aria’s blush-o-meter soared. Quivering… „ÄåR-roo!„Äç Trembling, her cute anime-like voice quavered. B-bad, this is bad…. This is her „Äéfull meltdown mode„Äè that annihilates everything in its path, and it will happen in 5 seconds…! I turned toward my human-shield Reki… but she wasn’t there! She had already exited the cafe and was peering back at us through the gap between bulletproof doors that had almost swung closed. That’s some ability to sense imminent danger, Reki! „ÄåMamiya! Hold down Aria’s guns!„Äç „ÄåR-right!?„Äç As Mamiya clamped down on Aria’s legs with a confused expression on her face, I forcibly took Aria’s small hand and… *Squeeze* …twined fingers. Now for my escape! Run, Run Kinji! In imitation of Reki, I made an all-out dash toward the bulletproof doors, hurling myself outside the shop with a yell. Mt. Aria had erupted with a rumbling roar behind us, accompanied by Mamiya’s shriek. Having to risk your life to say farewell… That’s Aria H. Kanzaki for you. Rather, please reset your system to freak out less often over a simple word, Aria. Seriously… ************************************************************ The last day of November, 5.00 in the afternoon. Reki and I returned to MASTERS and were formally expelled from Tokyo Butei High. In accordance with our orders to vanish, we spent our last few days as normally as possible, but this was the end. Unconsciously, life at Butei High had become normal for me, but now that status quo was going to be broken. It was half personal reasons and half adult circumstances that it was so easily destroyed. So today I bid farewell to these school buildings… Thinking that, I swept my eyes over the INQUESTA building and ASSAULT further on, and I experienced a strange feeling of loss. Goodbye classmates I have fought with until the brink of death. Even though they are strange, deep down they really are good people. Farewell cafeteria. Your unappetising food was passably edible. Finally, like a bird about to take wing and vanish without a trace… I made a thorough spring cleaning of my apartment in Boy’s Dormitory No. 3. Although it was sudden, farewell. That should take care of everything. ************************************************************ With the cold sea-breeze in my face, and my few belongings in hands… I was standing on the Futoukita platform at Academy Island’s northernmost point. Reki and Haimaki stood beside me. Come to think of it, Reki and I met here for the first time for the Tokyo Butei High entrance examinations. Only this time, instead of coming, the two of us are leaving. Fate is strange, isn’t it? Since the monorail was empty, we sat in a car meant to accommodate 4 people. Having placed the suitcase that held her disassembled sniper rifle on her knees, Reki seemed… Why are you a little happy? This was not her everyday blank expression– empty as a clear sky– as she looked at me. As if I was looking at the wind turbines on „ÄéEmpty Island„Äè 8 … „ÄåSay Reki… What do you plan to do about your name? In Butei High everything is ridiculous anyway, so you could go without having a family name, but that won’t work in a normal school.„Äç I rasied the topic. „ÄåWhat about Tohyama? I could be your sister.„Äç „ÄåKnock it off. I’ve gotten too many sisters lately. Pick your own alias.„Äç „ÄåPlease choose one for me.„Äç „ÄåI already said no.„Äç „ÄåYada then.„Äç „ÄéYada„Äè 9 … How lazy can she be? So in the end, I did end up picking her name, but that’s alright. It doesn’t really matter. „ÄåNow about somewhere to stay… Today we have the hotel that Edogawa-sensei from LOGI booked for us, but where do you plan to live after tommorrow?„Äç I had already made plans to go back to my parent’s home in Sugamo, but Reki had not told me her new address. „Äå…„Äç *Stare* Reki is staring at me. No way… You can’t come to my house, Yada-san. „Äå…„Äç Well… it’s not that I gave into the silent pressure or anything, but I guess it would be for the best. We’ve already divided Baskerville’s fighting strength. If the time came, it would be dangerous for us to separate further. We got off the monorail at Daiba Station, where they were just starting to decorate for Christmas. Turning our backs towards Butei High. „ÄåLet’s go Reki.„Äç In response to my low voice, Reki nodded– and the first snow of the season began to fall. After that, we continued to the appointed exam hall… The school we were transferring to was affiliated with a gap-school 10 , and only the two of us were taking the entrance exam. I don’t think that I scored particularly well– especially in the interview. I was downright nervous. I felt that in my future prospects, I might not be able to get a job, but I saw that Reki passed the interview answering „Äéyes„Äè and „Äéno„Äè to every question, so it must have been due to our Headmaster’s connections. Was this some kind of parting gift from Butei High? So arriving at my small single hotel room, I sprawled myself across the bed. Thinking about everyone I left behind… Ever since my brother disappeared, I have wanted to leave Butei High. Although the reason changed over time, the desire never did. This is the realisation of that desire. I no longer have a dangerous job with risk of daily injury. In the end, there is no one like my brother to blame me. I no longer have to pray that I will become a deadly statistic one day in training. A normal high school… I wonder what kind of place it is. I’m looking forward to finding out. Since grade school, I have not had the opportunity to attend a regular school. I once infiltrated one as part of an investigation, but that was a school for the high-class elite. Of course I had seen them in news documentaries and dramas, but that was like watching the Koshien Game 11 through a key-hole. A normal school… it really seems like a dreamy things… somewhere fun–and overflowing with hope. The kind of place where everyone laughs and plays sports, people form clubs around their interests, hang out with friends, dress fashionably, freak out over music, and study hard, all to become productive members of society and take their place among a fine body of scholars. A normal school was a good thing that seemed like a dream-world. The world praises one’s high school days as „ÄéThe height of one’s youth„Äè. Y-youth, huh? That was something I had given up on enjoying, but now it’s possible for me from now on. I may not know what I can do, but I will definitely be able to enjoy it. Embarrassed to be grinning like an idiot, I pulled the sheets entirely over my head. This is fun… I am having fun. At last my spring has come. Even though it is winter outside. (End Chapter One….) ************************************************************ 1. In Japanese the word for ‘expel’ is the same as ‘drop-out’. This caused a headache to translate, but I used word that seemed most appropriate in context. 2. The word used to describe Ranbyou and Tsuzuri is one that refers to two Bhuddist deities that act as gate-keepers to heaven. Some temples have them carved into the door posts. I don’t know their right names or much about them as the articles I did find about them were in Chinese. 3. Yunker is a Japanese energy shot with a lot of vitamins and herbs mixed in. 4. Spot-filling is work done by assistants filling in the outlines that the actual artist drew with solid colours. Basically, she’s colouring in the lines the others have drawn. 5. The West Annex is the name of a convention center where Comiket is held. 6. Kind of sweet bun. 7. The name of the cafe is a joke. The name means ‘place/city of the fall’ in French. It gets its significance from the prior line that reminds us Kinji and Aria both *ha* ‘fell’ here. 8. The abandoned platform island near Butei High’s Academy Island. 9. ‘yada’ (Short form of iya da) is slang for ‘no’. Reki took Kinji’s refusal and changed it to sound like a real Japanese last name. 10. Actual term ‘Yubikou’ A school that high school graduates go to to improve test scores for entrance to university. Students at these schools (called ronins) usually take a year off after to study at this kind of school so that they can improve their scores and get into better universities. They take a gap-year, hence my coinage of ‘gap-school’. 11. The annual national Japanese high school baseball championship games are held here. It’s a huge event with 49 teams delegated from the whole country. ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ### 002. 2nd Ammo - Kinji, the Mediocre Person Hello all! Chapter Two is here! As a reminder, our chief editor is taking a break, so please, PLEASE! Do point out any mistakes you find. Enjoy! (Begin Text) December 1st. From today, I am a normal person. No matter where I go, I am an ordinary high school student attending this normal school. Without her sniper rifle or Haimaki trailing behind her, having taken off her usual headphones because they violate school rules, and wearing a blazer made of normal cloth, Reki looked surprisingly fresh… This is something I have to get used to as soon as possible. This is our first time attending East Ikebukuro High, and it really does seem like an ordinary school–it’s normal. Wonderful! Unlike the buildings at Butei High that looked like some kind of secret base. I don’t like the fact that it’s a co-ed school, but I can’t ask for too much. My heart pounding, I changed into my indoor shoes and entered the school… Just now, I began to search with my eyes for a pillar to use as cover out of habit, but that is no longer necessary. Students were joking around in the hallway, and there was not a trace of the smell of gunpowder. There’s a sense in the air that none of them are thinking about tactics or special skills. The people I see here don’t think about things like „Äéwho they will team-up with to survive„Äè. This is the peaceful world I’ve always wanted…! I’ve done it! After so long, I’ve finally made it. Finally, my dream has come true! Eyes sparkling, without gun or knife, I entered the teacher’s staff room… I was assigned to class 2-2 and Reki was assigned to class 2-1 so we were separated. The homeroom teacher in charge of my class–based on the what I could gather by reading the lips of the others students’ conversation as they passed in front of me–is the Phys. Ed. teacher nicknamed „ÄéGori„Äè 1 . Although he does seem healthy and fit, he is different from my last Phys. Ed. teacher who could flip a bus over single-handed. He seems like an ordinary middle-aged man. Then… With a noise, Gori opened the sliding door and entered the noisy classroom. „ÄåWe’ll start homeroom when you’re quiet… Today we have a transfer student to introduce.„Äç Like a school drama, Gori said this and took a piece of chalk… „ÄéKinji Tohyama„Äè Like a drama, he wrote out my name on the blackboard. My new classmates eyes were all turned toward me… „ÄåIf you have any questions, you can raise your hand later. Now then, why don’t you introduce yourself, Tohyama.„Äç He said that, and I… „ÄåY-yes. Uh… I’m Kinji Tohyama. I look forward to getting along well.„Äç In Butei High, it was pounded into our heads that when in front of a large group of people, one should not reveal too much about yourself. Falling back into this habit, I gave my name that was written on the blackboard behind me… and that was all. But apparently in a normal school, that was not enough, and hands shot up quickly. Before my expression could change… „ÄåShow us a neat trick!„Äç A boy said. It seems that no matter where I go, people are always asking me to do absurd things like that. However, I’m in trouble… The ‘normal me’–apart from the tricks that I can do opening and closing my butterfly knife that Shirayuki raves about–is pretty unexciting. Bringing a knife to school would be a violation of the rules anyway. „ÄåI’m not very good at things like that…„Äç I said as I looked away. „ÄåDo you have any hobbies?„Äç „ÄåNothing in particular… Watching television and movies, I guess…„Äç „ÄåAny special talents?„Äç „ÄåSpecial talents… not really.„Äç And so it went on, and I was unable to give any kind of interesting reply. So everyone thought I was boring. So I’m a boring person… but I already knew that. *************************************************************** As homeroom ended, Gori said: „ÄåIf there’s anything about the school that Tohyama doesn’t know, please show him.„Äç Gori addressed this to the classmate sitting next to me and left me in their charge. The person he had designated walked over to my seat near the window in the back of the room and turned to face me. The girl turned around with a smiling face. „ÄåAlthough Sensei already said it, if you have any questions, please ask me. I’m Moe Mochizuki. I’m one of the class representatives. Since there is a Mochizuki in another class, please call me Moe.„Äç The way she was talking, I could tell that she is trying to be kind because of the self-introducution that I flubbed so spectacularly. And she’s cute. It doesn’t make sense that she would be talking like this to me. „ÄåIs there anything you want to know now?„Äç Her light brown, smooth hair was cut in a light bob, and going by her eyebrows, that is her natural colour. Her large, double lidded eyes were gentle. Her complexion was fair, her height 158 cm, and although perhaps not to the degree of Shirayuki or Nakasorachi, she has a buxom figure. As an old habit from INQUESTA, I analysed each part of her appearance. „ÄåNo… Not right now.„Äç I couldn’t carry on a conversation with her. Ordinarily, girls were something I avoided like the plague… but how to say it? She seems like a good, normal girl. She could never be friends with a person like me– tainted by guns and knives. At Butei High, everyone–boy or girl–are all oddballs, so no matter what I said, I played the straight man. I was so firmly entrenched in that role, that it made it hard to talk to this normal girl. In addition to Moe, until the short class break ended, a few boys addressed me, but for similar reason, I could not carry on a decent conversation. They all became bored and saying… „ÄåWell, if you’re doing anything fun, call me.„Äç …leaving me with that, they were gone. ************************************************************ The lessons in a normal school are quite difficult. Now I am fully realising how lacking the academics at Butei High were, so I’ll have to work hard. From now on Calculus formulae and equations will definitely be more useful to me than knowledge about guns or the art of tailing. As I told myself that, I heard the teacher’s voice as I read from my Ancient Literature textbook. „ÄéAt the end of the East Road, as one who had been born and raised inland…„Äè *Click* Smith and Wesson M19 Combat Magnum–4 inch model! From off to the side behind me, I thought I heard the sound of a cocking hammer being set… I snapped my head around, but it was just the sound of a classmate shutting their metal pencil box. S-so similar! Since such things were linked to many cases of accidental shootings, at Butei High we were told to curb such noises. This is… no good. Several people are staring at me with „Äå?„Äç looks on their faces. Even my neighbor Moe. „Äå…„Äç Unconsciously, I had moved my hand to where I used to carry my Beretta, but it was no longer there, so I withdrew my hand from inside my jacket and tried to act like nothing was wrong as I returned it to the desk and resumed the staring context with my textbook. The *Clack* of a desk and chair scraping the floor, the *Pop* of a marker being uncapped, and the distant *Ra-ta-tat-tat* of power tools sounded like a Jericho 941 pistol being cocked, the pin of a MK-3A2 concussion grenade being pulled, and the rapid fire of an MP5-A4 sub-machine gun, respectively. Out of reflex, I reacted by raising my guard…Trying to keep still and control the irrational body movements, a strange sweat broke out on my forehead. Relax Kinji. These are everyday sounds. You are a normal high school student. A bullet isn’t going to come flying out of nowhere. Don’t worry, everything is fine. Focus on the lesson. At lunch time, I thought to check in on how Reki was doing… But due to those noises, I am completely exhausted. It feels like the exhaustion that comes after finishing a battle in ASSAULT, so I went to the cafeteria and bought a sweet bun and some milk that I washed it down with as I sat at my desk. „Äå…„Äç Since making conversation isn’t my forte, I kept quiet and listened to the conversation going on around me. The topics were surprising: Television Idol gossip. The latest fad diet. Which McDonald’s hamburger they liked best. How to hide their mobiles from the teachers during class. Bad-mouthing some classmate whose suspension had just been lifted. –All frivolous topics. They spoke of nothing else. Well, such conversation went on at Butei High. Such idle chatter was encouraged. Such talk, however, was merely garnish for professional communication between colleagues. The main topics were weapons, money, jobs, and fights. Our futures, how we would live, no, how we would make a living–that was the real issue. We earnestly discussed those things because they were vital to our survival. But here there is no talk of jobs. If there is, it is only to the extent of getting a part-time job to earn some extra cash. On the surface, it seem like they don’t think any of what they are saying is of much importance. It’s like a garden of idle chatter. For that reason, I soon felt like I couldn’t enter their circle. How can I say it…? It all seemed so childish, and it seemed like they had all been sheltered from the real world. Like they were in their own little, isolated miniature garden world. As I realised this outlook on the world was not one to which I could acclimate myself… from the side of the room, Class Representative Moe looked at me with with a little concern. ********************************************************************** In the end, I couldn’t talk to anyone after all, and I went home after school. …I’m exhausted. Even though I only sat quietly. Apparently at Moe’s prompting, a group of guys invited me out to Karaoke, but I declined on the excuse that I was tired. I’m an idiot. I fell into a bout of self-loathing as class ended. Without my gun, I feel like my balance is off, and I went downstairs. The bulletin board on the wall had a sign „ÄéTo prevent the Flu, gargle with salt-water„Äè posted on it like the symbol of the school’s peace and harmony. There were no „ÄéDo not illegally modify your weapons!„Äè posters or savage things like „ÄéSevere punishment has been decided for the person who bugged the MASTER’s night-duty room„Äè or „ÄéBig sale of surplus US Military equipment!„Äè on hand bills. It feels like some kind of parallel universe… it has to be… „Äå…!„Äç I sensed someone had crept up behind me and moving my body out of conditioned reflex, I whirled around. *Fwip* I aimed a preemptive blade-like strike with my arm at their windpipe… „Äå…!„Äç Suprised, I stopped cold. The breeze created as I raised my arm to strike… gently ruffled Moe Mochizuki’s soft hair, causing a few strands to flutter. „Äå…? …?„Äç Moe was holding her school bag in both hands in front of her and stood there blinking for a while. Luckily, I recovered first and quickly offered an excuse. „ÄåS-sorry. There was a fly, and I just… swatted it.„Äç I offered an apology. „ÄåTohyama-kun, what clubs were you in at your last school?„Äç I transferred at a strange time, so she was probably curious about the mysterious transfer student. Moe asked this as we were changing shoes. „ÄåWell…really, I didn’t participate in many.„Äç „ÄåSo is there anything that you want to know about?„Äç Moe must be super curious. No, she must be feeling the responsibility of a class representative. She must have noticed the air of loneliness around me and want to do something about it as soon as possible. Gori pushed that job onto her after all. I just want to get out of here, because I’m tired, but… I feel bad about almost snapping that small neck of hers, so I’ll walk with her for a bit. „ÄåAs for me. I’m in the Housekeeping Club. We don’t have any boys, but… T-Tohyama-kun, how do you feel about cooking?„Äç Huh? Was that an invitation? But why did she stutter when she called my name and turn away, dropping her gaze to the ground? Her soft white cheeks tinged slightly red. In the normal world, does inviting someone to your club require so much bravery? „ÄåIt’s an all girl club, so it might be a little… awkward.„Äç „ÄåOh, yeah… T-that’s right!„Äç Moe said as her bushy eyebrows began to droop bashfully. *Whoosh* A wintry gust of wind blew and *Fwish* …! The wind lifted her plaid skirt up a bit to touch her ordinary blazer, and I looked away. „ÄåN-no! That wind! It caught me by surprise!„Äç At Butei High, all of the girls show off their legs year-round, but even though the wind had only uncovered a little, Moe was embarrassed. I had turned a little red too. How.. soft her thighs looked. They weren’t fat in any sense of the word, but the muscle-to-fat ratio of the girls at Butei High was totally different. How to say it… they were nicely rounded, and because of that, they struck a new chord of interest. …Oi! Why are you thinking about such weird things, Kinji!? At Butei High…you couldn’t exactly say that I didn’t cause any trouble… but that’s not the reason I was expelled! The headmaster himself signed off on it! But if I caused a problem (For example: Hysteria Mode) and was expelled from this normal school, I wouldn’t have anywhere else to go! I absolutely cannot let down my guard. Even here. Girls are dangerous. At least for me… ************************************************************************************** As I exited the school gate with Moe, a girl who was truly dangerous in several ways, Reki, was spaced-out and waiting for me. On her school bag, where normal girls would hang a stuffed animal… she had attached her dismounted sniper rifle scope. Well… It’s not like the average person would recognise it, so it’s fine, I guess. At her side, Haimaki was sitting like a stone lion temple guardian. Apparently unable to do without them, Reki wore her headphones, and after hurling a pointed glance at Moe, she shot me a silent reproach with her eyes. What was that for? „ÄåHow did it go, Reki?„Äç „ÄåNothing in particular. And you, Kinji-san?„Äç „ÄåThe same.„Äç And so the meaningless conversation between „ÄéSilence„Äè–Reki–and „ÄéGloom„Äè–me–ended after 5 seconds. Although I’m completely tired out… Reki is calm and composed. She seems not to understand the meaning of fatigue. She must have some kind of mental hardening against tiredness. As expected of a sniper. Reki then cast another sullen glare in Moe’s direction. „ÄåAh, umm… See you later, Tohyama-kun!„Äç Making a disappointed face for some reason, Moe hurried away. ************************************************************************** As Reki and I walked side-by-side, the other students on their way home were casting furtive glances after us. Is it so unusual for two people to walk together? That’s Basic Safety 101. There are some things in the normal world that I don’t get it at all. Leaving school, we reach Meiji Street. „ÄåYou’re quick with your hands. As I thought.„Äç Oddly, Reki began the conversation, giving me the same reproachful glare as she did before. „ÄåAre you misunderstanding what just happened with Moe? She chose to follow me on her own, that’s all.„Äç I answered, but Reki gave no sign. She’s pretending not to hear anything she doesn’t like. „ÄåBesides that… Were you able to make any friends? It seems to be impossible for me.„Äç „ÄåI was.„Äç Surprised, I asked her about it, and apparently all of the girls in her class think she is so adorably cute that she is already quite popular. She was like a small, quiet, lovable pet. Already loved by her fellow school girls, she has been accepted into the Art Club. Apparently my social skills are worse than Reki’s…! Leaving me amazed, Reki trotted away from my side to a set of coin-operated lockers in the corner of a side street, and took out a suitcase from a vertical locker. It was her old friend–her Dragunov rifle. „ÄåYou… shouldn’t keep something like that in such a place. And you shouldn’t have brought Haimaki either. Leave him at home. It would be a big problem if he bit someone. Don’t carry around any guns or blades. It’s against school rules anyway.„Äç Feeling that the case was heavy, I hefted it onto my back with one hand, resting it in my shoulder as I spoke. „ÄåUnderstood, but…„Äç „ÄåBut what?„Äç „ÄåPlease be alert. I sense several people affiliated with The Wind. It might be a coincidence, but they are not far.„Äç She said „ÄéThe Wind„Äè. That was still stuck in Reki’s head? Well, I’ll return the favour and not hear anything I don’t want to. I worked hard to quit that school and become a normal person. Words like that harboured nothing good. If it isn’t going to do me any good, I’m not going to get involved. Right now, the most important things to me are my grades and relationships at school. ************************************************************************ From now on, I will live in my parent’s home, a little way away from the JR Sugamo station. The distance between my home and East Ikebukuro High is barely walkable. I wonder if they chose this school at Butei High because they knew that? Skirting the commercial district, we came to the residential area full of old stand-alone houses. In an alleyway some kids were playing catch, a policeman was patrolling on his bicycle, and feral cats steered clear of each other… Rounding a tobacconist on the corner, going past a lumber shop, and walking a bit further on, we came to a traditional Japanese house– the Tohyama Family residence. Although old, it was pretty large. It’s been a while, hasn’t it, since I’ve been home? Going toward the door and rounding a corner… „ÄåOi! Gramps! I’m done sweeping the path. Teach me a secret technique.„Äç Saying that, a guy dressed like a Rock singer went into my house… T-that was… G… 3…! No… it can’t be… What’s going on…? Doubting my own eyes, I rubbed my eyelids. „ÄåDon’t you know how to be a good neighbor!?„Äç Dressed in a kimono with a short traditional Japanese coat over it, stood my grandfather– Magane Tohyama. With a *Thwack* he struck G-3 on the head with his wooden getas, knocking him back out onto the path. „ÄåYou didn’t sweep the path between us and our three neighbors! Next time I’ll hit you with my fists!„Äç His all-white hair in a crew-cut, as my doddering grandfather „ÄéTsked„Äè, the savage G-3… …Meekly picked up the broom. But the one straddling the fence, reaching out with a pole to knock down the persimmons… „ÄåOoh! This one is the colour of caramel!„Äç Wearing a Butei High sailor suit uniform… Ka-Kaname! *Slump* Thoroughly exhausted, I did not merely hang my head, but sank to my knees. „ÄåY-you… Why are you here…?„Äç Before greeting my grandfather, my lips voiced the extremely obvious question. „ÄåOh… Aniki! That’s my line. I’m doing a home-stay.„Äç „ÄåOnii-chan, you’re so illogical. A granddaughter doesn’t need a reason to visit her grandfather, does she? Ah, but relax. We didn’t say anything to Aria and the others. We wouldn’t want to ruin our little family reunion, would we?„Äç My younger brother and sister answered in a boldly American-style. G-3 was monitoring me. He probably had tapped the U.S. Military’s ECHELON spy satellite he had told me about, borrowed it to track me down and then blabbed to Kaname who joined him. It seems that after their huge fight and estrangement… they had looked back on things and made up afterward. Maybe, no… definitely, it was because of me.. This… goes beyond all expectations… I doubt anyone could have predicted this. The former political bodyguard–the Genion, G-3, sweeping up a path in Sugamo. Still straddling the fence, Kaname gave me a wink, and with a sigh, I stood up… Keeping an eye on G-3, I walked up to the door with Reki, and to my grandfather I said… „Äå…I’m home.„Äç Just that. „ÄåYes… It’s good to have you back.„Äç My grandfather… smiled happily. For that alone, I felt like it had been right to come home. But then my grandfather… „ÄåEh…? Is this pretty little thing yours ?„Äç A lecherous glint in his eye, raising his pinky 2 as he happily surveyed Reki’s face. „ÄåNo, she came for her own reasons, but…„Äç „ÄåHmm… The young girls are nice. E-hee-hee! She smells like mint, so I’ll call her Mint-chan.„Äç My grandfather was smelling Reki’s scent with the pointlessly sharp sense of smell that I’ve inherited when… „ÄåOh, Kinji. Welcome home. That’s a cute girl, isn’t she?„Äç *Boooom!* Unnoticed, Setsu Tohyama had appeared–My grandmother–gave my grandfather a very strong short-punch 3 . With a „ÄéHrngh!„Äè that could not be called a proper exclamation, my grandfather was blown across the street with a *Thud* and *Crack*… into a concrete block wall, sending blocks tumbling with the impact as the wall was broken. Th-that was… Cl-„ÄéClear Fall Water„Äè…! That is the first time I’ve seen it. It’s a Tohyama Family secret technique. That was unexpected. The power–the force behind it– in application, the amount of weight behind the blow it decides its velocity. In boxing, the force of a punch is limited to „Äéthe amount of weight that can be carried in one arm„Äè but with „ÄéClear Fall Water„Äè „Äéno body weight is left unused„Äè With that, what would such a blow become? Using almost no movement, a very strong short-punch can generate a massive amount of force. Just now, it was like my grandfather had been hit by a car. In the Chinese art Kempo there are techniques known as „ÄéInstant Strikes„Äè that resemble this technique, but „ÄéClear Fall Water„Äè takes this to another level. It looks like a punch, but actually, it’s a technique that employs the whole body. It’s something my Nii-san taught me when he explained that an 8 gram, 9mm bullet has so much power because of it’s velocity–light, but fast. „ÄéClear Fall Water„Äè is the opposite–slow, but heavy. My grandmother’s weight is 40 kg– 5,000 times more than a bullet. If you concentrate that into a fist for one punch, you’d only have to use a little speed. Well, I understand the theory behind the technique, but….. With theory alone, you couldn’t kill a fly. Thanks to my grandfather’s noble sacrifice, I finally had a front-row seat to catch how it was put into action. I wonder if I can pull it off in Hysteria Mode… „ÄåOi, Gramps! You’re making more work for me!„Äç G-3’s angry voice was carried to us on the wind, as my grandmother… „ÄåCome along, Kinji. There are bouquets of „ÄéGolden Flowers„Äè inside. You too Mint-chan.„Äç Replacing both hands behind her hunched back, she strolled back into the house like nothing had happened. Grandmother… It seems that hearing I was coming home, she went out and bought them. Bouquets. When I was little, I liked those flowers, and apparently she still thinks I do. Rather, no matter how much time passes, in my grandparents’ minds, I will always be a little kid. ******************************************************************************************************** „ÄåWell, I never knew that Konza had other children out there…„Äç „ÄåI don’t think that Dad even knew, himself. Since Nii-san is alive, that makes us a family of 4 siblings.„Äç I talked with my grandfather sitting at the kotatsu eating the sweet buns my grandmother had brought. By the way, he was totally unhurt. I could tell when he was faking it. Being on the receiving end of Aria’s daily domestic violence has only increased my stamina. In short, Hysteria Mode is easily triggered by angry women, so at least there are some positive side effects. My family are the carriers of this strange power. By the way, before grandmother married into the Tohyama family (For some reason I was never told the full story), it seems that she belonged to a militant family. As a result, the Tohyama family wast able to perfect their martial arts to a considerable degree. …I can only hope this is not a bad influence on Kaname. The rooms in this house, starting with grandfather’s, are traditional Japanese rooms. Above the sliding doors of the room were some photographs of grandfather from his time in the army. On one of the walls of the room there is an alcove where a hanging scroll is displayed, beneath which grandmother’s floral arrangements are placed. Somehow they remind me of the way Shirayuki does hers. They probably studied the same school’s style. „Äå…„Äç By the way, Mint-chan–also known as Reki– was sitting formally with her knees under the kotatsu like a statue. She sat quietly like a life-sized doll. Reki gave off a feeling of discomfort as she sat , listening to us discuss private family matters without stirring… „ÄåWell, looks like it will be a dead track this weekend.„Äç Grandfather is a bone doctor 4 -cum-gambler with few patients left that somehow manages to make a living, and he is looking over a horse racing paper. Thinking I would bring up the real reason I had come home I said… „ÄåGrandfather, about school…„Äç Over the phone I had only given a brief summary, but grandfather’s white crew cut was still in his paper. „ÄåWell there’s not much to say about it. Schools are like trains. You can transfer or even not get on. Konza came back crying when he was bullied. Even my grades were only third-rate. School doesn’t suit a Tohyama man.„Äç The conversation ended with such understanding and tolerance! And I never knew that my Dad, nicknamed „ÄéDemon Prosecutor„Äè was such a cry-baby. While those thoughts passed through my mind, Reki who had been silent for a long while, stood up. „ÄåWhere are you going?„Äç „ÄåThe restroom.„Äç „ÄåUh… We have a traditional style toilet. Is that okay?„Äç Just in case, I warned her. She nodded. Just as Reki’s footsteps faded into the distance… Grandfather put down his racing paper and red pencil. „Äå…A sniper, isn’t she?„Äç He whispered. It felt like a switch had been flipped in my grandfather’s brain. „ÄåThat’s right. You picked up on it quickly.„Äç „ÄåI knew a while ago, I could smell the gunpowder.„Äç So back then, he wasn’t just harassing Reki. „ÄåShe has a pretty face, but I’ve never liked dealing with snipers. Too hard to handle in a fight.„Äç „ÄåAgreed.„Äç Once, I was completely defeated by one–by Reki. „ÄåSo… Did G-3 and Kaname tell you anything about themselves?„Äç I thought that I would have to explain, but… „ÄåThey didn’t tell me anything. If they had given me some made-up story, I would have seen through it right away. They are part of the family. And they are well-trained. The older brother’s main weapon is his fists, and the sister’s is the katana, right?„Äç „ÄåYou picked up a lot… Just by looking?„Äç „ÄåI see a lot about you too, Kinji.„Äç He praised me with a smile of approval. „ÄåYour face has become more manly. You’ve struggled your way through many battles and gone beyond the point of life and death.„Äç „Äå…Well, that’s true in a lot of ways.„Äç I gave a bitter laugh. „ÄåFinally, you laughed. Since you’ve gotten here, you hadn’t laughed.„Äç My grandfather had noticed even that, and he laughed too. To tell the truth… even though everyone at school likes to talk about comedians and celebrities, it’s this kind of conversation that relaxes me. I feel like I can be myself. But I will become an ordinary person. I’ve come this far with that goal in mind. So I really shouldn’t get too worked up about such conversations. „ÄåAnyway, Kinji. You should be turning 18 this year. It’s about time you learned… „ÄéSpring Waterwheel„Äè„Äç „ÄåEh? Spring waterwheel? What’s that?„Äç I asked, puzzled. Making sure grandmother was busy in the kitchen grandfather said… „ÄåThis is the number one secret of the Tohyama family. It’s a secret technique, yes a secret technique…„Äç Lowering his voice while folding his newspaper, he took a safe out from deep within a closet. Honestly, I knew that I should start living my life without thinking about fighting techniques anymore, but…… It was kept secret even from Grandmother–and the technique is kept hidden in a safe? Just what was it? My curiosity couldn’t help being piqued. The safe made a grinding sound on the floor, and grandfather opened it with a *click* „ÄåThis is the „ÄéSpring Waterwheel„Äè that my grandfather developed from woodcuts. It evolved into the art of photography by yours truly. It took me a long time just to put it together, but I have been adding to the collection even before the war!„Äç What he took out from the safe, was a great number of…… ….Clippings from g-gravure magazines and swimsuit photobooks–whole pages of them…! „ÄåLook, doesn’t this girl’s figure resemble that Hotogi girl? Ooheehee! Here is a western girl, and here is the Loli-series. Classifying them like this is the key to the spring waterwheel. After all, a man’s taste in women will often shift and change or regress with time. And so to anticipate this–classify and preserve the photo-books, and cycle through various kinds of women according to your mood. Just like a spinning waterwheel!„Äç What the heck! This is embarrassing… Speaking of it, I had completely forgotten. Grandfather was a total gravure idol addict. He’s already at this age, and he’s still active..! „ÄåWhen you put them away for a while and then look at them again, they acquire a fresh flavour. Even if you think you’re tired of it, you mustn’t ever throw one away!„Äç Gravure photos that had been carefully selected over the past few decades–such a dream-like sight was spread out on the tatami. „ÄåStop it… put them away!„Äç Though I had no interest in it or knew anything about it, but this kind of thing–w-when it was laid out to admire like this, there was a „Äécompulsion to appreciate„Äè kind of feeling, that was even more dangerous! „ÄåKinji, you’re reaching the age where you can boldly purchase adult goods. Recently there also have been cartoons you can choose from, your generation has even called it the „Äé2D„Äè treasure trove. Kinji! You must let your own „ÄéSpring Waterwheel„Äè grow and evolve, and always carry it with you in digital form!„Äç „ÄåNo way I’m doing that!„Äç I accidentally glanced at the girl who did indeed look a bit like Shirayuki, wearing a swimsuit and in a suggestive pose, and couldn’t help but be thoroughly panicked. „ÄåBoy! Don’t look away! Tohyamas freely „Äétransform„Äè 5 and become men!„Äç This „Äétransformation„Äè is an old name for Hysteria Mode. But because it sounded like „Äépervert„Äè, nobody liked it, so it was given another name. Grandfather however, always boldly uses that name. „ÄåAlthough young girls aren’t bad, women really have to be over twenty for me. Look at this! Ooheehee.„Äç Grandfather said such while spreading the great number of photographs on the floor like playing cards…… Some people will never change. No matter how much time passes… ************************************************************* As for school–even after a few days, still nothing has changed. The end of the second semester is almost here. The groups of guys have already been formed, and I wasn’t in any of them. Because of that, there wasn’t anyone I really talked to on any given day. And ever since Moe saw me leaving school with Reki, I sense a strangely aloof attitude in her. I didn’t talk to anyone today either… The high school on which I had pinned my hopes and dreams–had now become a mentally bitter place. Lunch break in particular, was especially difficult. After all I couldn’t just stare at people, but I didn’t want to be like Reki and just blankly stare into space either. So I ended up reading the ingredients list on my empty pastry bag a good number of times. Just what am I doing? So, today I planned to find somewhere besides the classroom to pass the time– Wandering around school for a while, I realised that no matter where, there were always groups students around. If I joined them, yet just sat there and said nothing, it would be too strange. There’s nowhere I fit in… Back in Butei High, Tsuzuri always said I was „Äéasocial„Äè and now that fact is quite clear. Wandering around like this, I finally found an unclaimed spot–under the shadow of the roof’s water tower. So I sat myself down there. Lunch break still has thirty more minutes. Just what should I do? Come to think of it, in the mail that Riko sent me, when Aria was in elementary school in London she truly didn’t have a single friend…. so it seems she had a dark history of pretending to sleep in order to pass the time during breaks. I’ll try it. I’ll also conveniently be able to get some sleep. Just as I was thinking these resigned thoughts… My sanctuary–the rooftop, had been invaded by someone. Although I couldn’t see them from where I was sitting, judging from the footsteps and voices,they should be a few female students. „ÄåTohyama, well…„Äç Hm? It sounds like they are talking about me! Would it be better if I left this place? But, if I move from here, they’ll notice. It’s not like I can hop the railing and rappel down. Since they haven’t noticed me… I’ll just stay and really pretend to sleep. „ÄåI’ve heard that he has a terrifying jagged scar on his arm. I heard the boys said they saw it during Phys Ed.„Äç „ÄåHow scary! Was he caught up in some machinery?„Äç „ÄåI’ve always felt that that guy must be hiding something.„Äç Scar? Oh, when I was fighting with Sherlock the self-inflicted damage from the Ouka shock-wave left behind a scar. Is that so strange? At Butei High, about the only the students without scars were the girls in CVR. That said, could you please not use someone’s physical appearances as a topic for conversation? If they were someone sensitive, they would feel hurt. But……it looks like everyone is secretly talking about me. It isn’t just the girls, and even the boys were talking behind my back too. ****************** After school was also a hard time to bear for a loner like me. When walking through school in order to go home, I would always see the figures of other students. Everyone looked really happy. I don’t understand what they were so happy just walking around, but I definitely got that feeling . The people in clubs, they exercised and sweat. The exceptionally studious ones left with their friends to cram school. Only I had nothing to do. Since tonight there would be no ASSAULT operations to join, or requests for rescue that would have me jump on one of LOGI’s four-wheel drive vehicles. Even if I wanted to do some target practice to unwind, I no longer needed to. I had nothing at all. So… this is a regular school, huh… This place is exactly how I imagined it would be. The reason I couldn’t fit in was my asocial personality. However, besides this unbearable feeling– Every day, nothing happened , nothing at all. It was actually very irksome. You mean tomorrow, and the day after that, will all be like today…forever…? Is this what the normal world is like? This was the kind of world I want. Therefore, I should be feeling happy right now. But, then why am I feeling so restless? …This place, is too empty…. No, the empty one was actually me. If not a Butei, I was nothing. What remained was a hollow shell. I now painfully understood this. Compared to the suffering I’m going through now, even the plane jacking incident was more relaxing. Thinking about the plane jacking… What were Aria and Riko doing right now? Shirayuki as well. Have they been given any jobs, exposed some scandal? I hope they haven’t been in any danger. While I was worrying about my companions, as I reached near the school gate– …? I think I heard someone arguing. It came from the corner of the school grounds, near the bicycle parking area. There were the belligerent voices of two boys….and the voice of a girl. Seems like the girl was being bothered by the guys. „Äå……„Äç Although my attention was arrested in that direction due to old habits, I immediately decided to leave school quickly. In this place what was most important in life was to not be too conspicuous. To avoid causing problems. If I was caught up in some fight and use something I picked up at Butei High… I would be suspended, or maybe even expelled. After all in a normal school, things like violent acts were a serious crime. „Äå–You aren’t allowed to ride a motorbike to school…! The noise will bother people…!„Äç „ÄåBother people? What did you say!?„Äç „ÄåWe don’t go to school! We’re suspended!„Äç …I clicked my tongue. The voice of that girl–was Moe Mochizuki, the girl who sat next to me. Sizing it up, Moe had no fighting ability. None, zilch, nada. The boys sounded very agitated. Were they about to get violent? Dammit….What should I do! I–although I decided to merely observe the situation, I couldn’t help but walk towards the bicycle parking area. There, I saw a mess of knocked down bicycles…… „ÄåFujikibayashi-kun, Asao-kun, at least put back the bicycles you knocked over…„Äç Moe said this while lifting her own bicycle. „ÄåAlrighty~ then, Mochizuki, since you were so rude to me, you get a heavy fine. 100,000 yen 6 . Fork it over or you’ll get it!„Äç The bright gold-haired skinny guy with a pair of small tinted glasses and a bunch of earrings on, flashed a common switchblade that could be bought out of mail order magazine. Judging by Moe’s line of sight, that should be Fujikibayashi. „ÄåHey, it’s a bother to other people, huh? You pick them up then, Miss Class Representative! „Äç Throwing a fried chicken bone onto the ground as he said this, the contrastingly plump one–by process of elimination–must be Asao. His hair in a close cropped, doughnut-like shape, with rattling chains hanging from the edges of his uniform, he carried a metal bat. Near the two of them who wore tattered East Ikebukuro High uniforms…. What was that? It had a high windshield, a non-muffling stove-pipe muffler, and was covered in stickers. Originally it was a Kawasaki Zephyr, but it had been modified so many times that the performance of the bike had suffered. If Mutou had seen it, he would have been angry. I could tell at a glance that these weren’t real thugs… they were 100% amateurs… but even that is dangerous. Out of all these things I noticed, I was focused on one thing. Fujikibayashi. That punk was pointing the glittering knife at Moe. It’s no threat to me, but if he were to miss– there’s the danger that he might stab Moe or himself. Although I don’t know what exactly he meant by „ÄéYou’ll get it„Äè, since he drew it out, he plans to use it somehow, and I don’t see him putting it away any time soon. I can tell that he would be child’s play for me. His grip is that of a complete amateur, but… It is precisely because he is an amateur that something might happen. I’ve read incident reports where someone pulled out a knife in order to threaten someone and then went berserk and started stabbing people. Just as Fujikibayashi grabbed the scared Moe’s collar, and licked his knife with his long tongue– Bastard! There’s really no helping it. „Äå…Hey.„Äç I reluctantly showed myself. Right then… now how do I resolve this situation peacefully? „Äå…To, Tohyama-kun….„Äç Ah– Looking at me with suddenly teary eyes, Moe went ahead and blabbed my name. „ÄåHuh? Who the hell do you think you are? Tough-guy?„Äç Holding the knife, Fujikibayashi wrinkled his eyebrows to the limit, and glared at me while tilting his head. „ÄåEh–I guess so. Put that shiny thing away.„Äç I spoke with as level a tone as possible. But… „ÄåThis none of your business! To even suggest something to me, you’re still ten billion light years too early!„Äç H-he suddenly snapped. Why? Also, aren’t light years units of distance? Looks like he’s a bit thick in the head. Although, with my grades, I have no grounds to say that. „ÄåEh–? Another one showed up. Although I’ve never seen her before, she’s wearing our school uniform.„Äç Hearing Asao’s rough voice, I turned my head to look– Asao was using his fat hand to grab a hold of someone’s head and drag them by their hair. And that person whose hair he had grabbed and lifted with a single hand was… Reki…! That, that girl… It seems that she guessed I had stuck out my neck and gotten into some trouble, so she came over here. „ÄåS-stop! Those two just transferred to our school recently, don’t be so rough with them!„Äç M-Moe… you even blabbed our entire life stories so easily… But the problem now has become even more troublesome. Reki, expressionless as always had allowed herself to be caught completely unarmed on my orders. And she was originally from SNIPE, so she also never learned hand-to-hand combat. At times like this, Haimaki would be truly handy, but he had been left at my grandparents’ house. „ÄåBOOYAH–! More girls!„Äç Boo…yah…? I can see you just wanted to shout that, Fujikibayashi. But, that’s good. This time his knife has turned away from Moe to Reki. Even though it’s pretty far… I’ll make my move now. „ÄåI said to put that away.„Äç I said such, walking within the distance where Fujikibayashi could stab me. „Äå–Oh?„Äç Originally, I planned to grab his arm when he tried to stab me–but it seems Fujikibayashi doesn’t have the guts to stab someone–he even let the knife tip point slowly backwards. Dammit, an amateur would totally do something so unexpected. So I moved closer and pretended to grapple with Fujikibayashi… „ÄåWhoa!„Äç Keeping a perfect margin of safety so no one would be stabbed, I kept control and pointed his knife hand toward Asao. As expected, Asao got scared seeing the knife pointed at him–and released his grip on Reki. He even dropped the metal bat he was holding, freaking out. „Äå…„Äç Then Reki… picked up the bat in her small hands. What are you planning to do to these amateurs? I could only use blink signals to tell Reki to „Äéescape„Äè, letting her abscond with the bat… The knife I had already taken, and letting it fall to the ground, I kicked it into a drainage pipe. So now… „Äå–Oi! You won’t get off so easy!„Äç „ÄåA brat like you, I’ll kill you with a single punch!„Äç Now it should be alright if I let the noisy Fujikibayashi and Asao punch and kick me as they please, right? That said… although they were punching and kicking me, I didn’t feel under attack at all. Instead of „Äå*Boom!* *Thud!*„Äç it was more like „Äå*Slap!* *Poof!*„Äç. Firstly, their posture was way too sloppy, and their transfer of body-weight inadequate. The way they punched and kicked was even more disappointing. I had to be careful not to let them sprain their wrists or ankles as they hit me, and that was extremely difficult. „ÄåS-s-stop!!!„Äç Witnessing this farce, Moe still cried out desperately. I wanted to burst out a with laugh, but since that wouldn’t be too good, I held it in. „ÄåHah, hah… now…„Äç „ÄåHuff, huff… Learned your lesson yet?„Äç Eh…don’t tell me…you’re out of breath already? Not even three minutes have passed… But, these two really did look exhausted, and it was from trying to beat someone up. „ÄåYeah. I understand. I’m sorry about that.„Äç I replied… Crap. I should have pretended to get beaten up a bit more, if I don’t these two won’t be satisfied and leave. After all, there are girls watching. „ÄåTake this! This move’ll kill ya!„Äç Fujikibayashi slowly turned his back toward me and made some distance between us…Oh, is he planning to get some running distance? Dragging his feet, he ran towards me, planning to give me a flying kick. So taking on the role-of-a-lifetime act, I had to be careful not to hurt myself while managing to make trick my opponent into thinking he had „Äéfinished it„Äè– –*Wham!* I let him kick me. Then I pretended to be knocked backwards. Using the knocked down bicycles to cushion my fall, I crashed with a *Whoom!* „Äå…Uu…„Äç I even especially included sound effects. It may have been a little over-the-top with the moaning, but the message was clear–I’ve lost. Since my loss to Hilda at Sotobori, this was my most obvious defeat. Thinking about it, I couldn’t help but want to laugh again, but I have to restrain myself. „ÄåFujikibayashi! Asao!–You’re suspended! What are you doing!?„Äç Just then, from the staff room came Gori’s loud voice. He must have been watching what was going on from the beginning through the window. So it turns out he was waiting until Fujikibayashi and Asao were tired out before doing anything? As expected of a working adult. He is truly wise in the ways of the world. „Äå….Asao, let’s scram. Oi, Tohyama, you’ll regret this. Just you wait, we’ll make you pay!„Äç With great difficulty, the puffing Fujikibayashi started up the heavily modded motorcycle with difficulty and left with tottering Asao. You’ll regret this…huh? In Butei High, that phrase–originating from mercenary jargon–signified a deep affection for someone. It meant: Live until we can meet again. I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly inside, and when I opened my eyes…I saw Gori scowl as he closed the window turning back toward his desk. „ÄåA-are you alright? Tohyama-kun! Tohyama-kun……Tohyama-kun! Tohyama-kun–!„Äç Suddenly released from the tension, Moe fell down and clung to me like a victim rescued from a snowy mountain, repeatedly calling my name. That said, why are you crying about… what happened just now…? Although I was thinking that, unfortunately, I had to keep up the act. After all, if a normal person had just been beaten up, they would be in pain, and it would appear strange if I appeared to be fine. „ÄåAh, ouch!…It really hurts.„Äç H-how’s that? I should stagger a bit for good measure. Moe said „ÄåLet’s go to the infirmary!„Äç and was going to lend me a shoulder, but I picked up my bag and made an excuse about going home. And like that, it was settled. –That said… although it was no big deal… I felt a little happy. So it turns out a regular school also has lively people. Although they were suspended. No no no, Kinji, if you get interested in that kind of stuff, you’re finished. If they were just a bit stronger, it could have at least counted as a massage. I was thinking this while letting the sobbing Moe calm down– and after we said our goodbyes… „Äå……Hey, Aniki. Want me to ‘take care’ of those two?„Äç Just then, my younger brother who was concealed in his his photo-refractive camouflage coat, whispered into my ear. „ÄåIdiot, cut it out! No matter what, they’re still human. Don’t kill people.„Äç I warned him, pretending I was talking to myself. As a matter of fact he had been there for a while. He had arrived in the middle of the scene, but because the meaning of it was so uncertain, he had merely observed from the nearby wall. „ÄåI don’t get you at all, you’re so strange, Aniki. What the hell were you doing?„Äç „ÄåFine, I’ll explain it to you. It’s called student life, and if you mess it up, I’ll end you.„Äç „ÄåHumph. What the hell is that?„Äç „ÄåOh, and from now on stop following me. I’ve never heard of a younger sibling being overprotective of an older brother.„Äç „ÄåBy the way, let me make it perfectly clear that I haven’t been following you because you haven’t been lively lately. It’s something else.„Äç „ÄåWhy is it that you tsunderes always manage to blurt out the truth while rambling on?„Äç I asked and… *Step* *Step* *Step* *Step* *Whoosh!* G-3 easily jumped and cleared the wall to the outside of the school. His steps more amateur-ish than Asao or Fujikibayashi’s. I suddenly realised there were a lot of footprints on the ground. They wanted to be real tough guys, but they only managed to worry about themselves. Later– I joined Reki who was still holding the metal bat and attracting a lot of stares, in front of the school gates, and throwing it away, we walked home side-by-side. After that… I got the impression that Reki was walking somewhat closer to me than usual. „Äå…Thank-you for what you did.„Äç Reki suddenly thanked me. Reki never thanks anyone. This is rare. „ÄåWhat for?„Äç „ÄåKinji-san saved me.„Äç „ÄåO-oh! You don’t have to thank me for that. It couldn’t even be called a fight.„Äç „ÄåNo, that’s not it. You want to hide your past identity. I understand that. But even so, you faced the danger that it might come to light– and you fought to protect me.„Äç Well… That is kind of what happened. „ÄåAh…Moe Mochizuki was there too.„Äç Suddenly Reki looked up and shot me a sidelong glance that looked a bit angry. Despite the fact that she just thanked me. What’s this? It’s a little scary. (End Text) ************************************************** 1. Short for ‘gorilla’. 2. This somewhat sexist gesture is used by men to indicate or ask if a girl is another man’s girlfriend, lover, or wife. Kind of a bro-code to see if she is ‘taken’. 3. Seems to refer to a superpowered one-inch punch. 4. A ‘bone doctor’ is a Japanese non-professional medical profession that treats minor injuries and can set broken bones. These ‘doctors’ also integrate some primitive chiropractic care and massage into their treatments along with some folk medicine. Kind of like first-aid crossed with a witch-doctor. There is no set literature for bone doctors to study, so the treatments beyond simple care can vary widely. I know traditional dojos would usually have one on hand to set the students broken bones and treat injuries in place of a certified doctor. 5. The word is ‘hentai’ It uses different characters (change-body/form rather than strange/twisted-person) but uses the same pronunciation. 6. 100,000 yen is, ~830‚Ǩ, and just shy of 900 USD. ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ### 003. 3rd Ammo - Moe Mochizuki Hello all! Chapter Three is finished!–With less mistakes! LOL! Chapter Four is a wee bit longer, but a good portion is already done. After that though, Five is a monster of a chapter, so I don’t know when it will be out. Click to join our e-mail list or follow us on WP to get the latest updates! When you’re done reading, head over to the Discord to discuss the chapter or report any errors. Enjoy! (Begin Text) The next day, as I took my seat in class… 「To-Tohyama-kun. About yesterday…」 Before lessons began, Moe started talking to me. 「Yesterday?」 「Uhm… at the bicycle parking… uhm」 Oh, she’s talking about when I was beaten up. At Butei High, it was pretty much a daily occurrence (especially from Aria) and I learned to live with it, so I had already forgotten. But it’s not something that happens in a normal school. 「…」 Her large eyes brimming with tears, Moe looked at me with an expression of profound gratitude. W-what should I say at a time like this? I can’t say 『It was fun!』–that would be too weird. Unable to find the right words, Moe and I continued in nervous silence. And then class began… Ultimately, It looked like I had ignored Moe. I have since accustomed myself to the noises of everyday life, but as for my studies… I can’t seem to find my bearings. They don’t match the speed of the slowest student, so the lessons I don’t understand just keep moving on. So when they are talking about something I don’t understand… I get sleepy. In practicality, this happens several times, and Moe wakes me with the back of her mechanical pencil. It was cute the way she would look out for me, each time giving me a smile and a silent 『Hey!』, doing something that cute… for some reason I didn’t understand. At last, at lunch that day I had no appetite because of the stress of a lesson I didn’t understand… I couldn’t fight the drowsiness any longer and slumped completely over my desk. In the end, I’m really becoming like the elementary school Aria. ************************************************************* After school, since Reki had Art Club, I went home alone. That girl is good at sketching. I wonder if she can paint too? Since the atmosphere of school is oppressive, in order to restore my mental balance… I headed to the East Ikebukuro Central Park to sit on a bench and kill some time. This little park’s slice of the urban landscape barely had any visitors, and it was a great out-of-the-way place to be alone. I could watch the falling leaves dance in the air, with only nature for a companion. As I thought these old, retired man thoughts… 「Bianca, don’t do that.」 I heard a soft, but troubled voice. Ugh… It was Moe’s voice. What is she doing here? Turning around I saw her walking a beautifully silky Collie, or rather… it was walking her. The unhappy Moe was wearing a coat and a long skirt, and we had meet by chance like one of those stupid setups from a drama. Immediately I thought about running away. 「T-Tohyama-kun!?」 Her double-lidded eyes opening wide, Moe turned around in surprise. Her face said: 『It’s a miracle!』. Certainly in a large metropolitan area, the chances of meeting someone you know are rather slim, so it might seem like a miracle. Certainly it was one I did not wish to happen. Bringing her large dog with her, Moe walked over. 「…You live near here?」 It was a natural question, and one I couldn’t help but ask. 「Yup.」 「Well, I guess it’s not really such a miracle after all.」 I said. 「So you thought so too. But it’s still a little bit like a miracle, don’t you think?」 Moe said with a smile that would charm the world. 「Oh, so To-Tohyama-kun, wait here one moment. Bianca, sit! Sit! S-I-T!」 And not waiting for a response, Moe left Bianca in front of my bench as she dashed off toward Sunshine City with the *Ta* *Ta* *Ta* of her footsteps and the little woolen balls on the edge of her scarf trailing behind her. 「…」 I thought that this would be a good opportunity to escape… but there are a lot of cars in the area. I have to watch Bianca and make sure she doesn’t run away, so I can only wait. *Ta* *Ta* *Ta* Running in a way that belied a lack of fine motor skills, Moe returned carrying two McDonald’s bags. 「Here, this is for you.」 「…?」 「…」 「You didn’t eat anything for lunch today. I’ll eat with you.」 Moe said as she handed me the warm paper bag. I surely didn’t eat anything today. She noticed that… Well, she does sit next to me. And true to that description, *plop* she sat beside me on the bench. Sitting in a park, eating McDonald’s… Come to think of it, when I met Aria, we ate together like this, but this time the circumstances are totally different. Back then she made me treat her then punched me, the savage. This time I am the one being treated, and heaven and earth would crumble if this angelic girl could punch anyone. The smell of the food in the bag was intended to awaken human appetite, and my hunger swiftly returned. 「I’ll gladly accept it. Thank-you.」 I opened my bag and then Moe opened hers. So she will not eat before me? This is a girl who has been raised with noble manners. That real aristocrat Aria would just open it and begin to eat as soon as she got it. I guess birth and manners aren’t necessarily connected. We ate a little, then looking across at me with an apologetic face, Moe spoke. 「About yesterday… I’m sorry for leaving. Afterwards, I started worrying about you so I went back to school, but Yada-san was standing by the gate holding a bat and scowling, so I went back home.」 Yada-san? Oh, She means Reki. I forgot her last name, even though I had given it to her, but no matter what, Reki will be Reki. Why would Reki scowl at this person who couldn’t hurt a fly? 「I… to think there are those who will punch, kick, or be violent… I can’t believe there are such people.」 Moe puffed out her soft cheeks. Thinking about it, I lost the fight yesterday (or so it seemed). I think this is her way of saying she was worried about me. 「Yeah, what’s it good for anyway?」 Although I, a Butei, am the living embodiment of violence–I matched her opinon… I had already finished eating, so I wiped the grease off my hands with a napkin. If my hand slipped on the trigger and I missed a shot… No, I shouldn’t be worrying about things like this. I don’t carry a gun. 「You eat quickly. You must have been hungry.」 Moe said giggling with a smile… That gets me. That warm smile of hers is really too cute. That smile was 100% sure to make anyone happy. 「While eating–」 『–The risk of attack is high, and your hands are occupied so you should eat quickly』 I almost said, but I choked it back. So. Eating quickly is yet another Butei habit, I’ll have to stop. After that, a short time passed in silence. 「Erhm, Tohyama-kun. Last night… I was worried after I went home… Because I didn’t thank you properly… So, if there’s anything I can do… please let me show my gratitude.」 Wow! What a proper thing to say! Reki thanked me one minute and the next shot me a death glare. But 『thanks』… Watson forced her own kind of 『thanks』 on me, and for Butei, fighting in a battle like yesterday (If it could be called that.) incurred a certain obligation that was repaid in money or goods used to complete other jobs. But I don’t what kinds of thing a normal person should ask for. 「Well then, how about this food from McDonald’s?」 That could count as 『money or goods』. It cost several hundred yen. That seems like a fair price for that charade. 「Well…」 Moe’s expression looked disappointed. What is this…? When she said that she wanted to thank me, did she mean something else? This probably isn’t a trap… so… As I pondered this silently, Moe glanced over at me and caught my eye. 「Uhm… Sorry for asking, but… To-Tohyama-kun… are you and Yada-san together?」 Huh? How did you come to that conclusion? 「Not at all.」 I replied, and Moe abruptly turned her face away… and making a triumphant face… squeezing her teriyaki burger and making a victory pose. I didn’t understand the meaning of this series of actions, but one thing is for sure… This girl lives in a world that is the complete opposite of the Butei world. She even thinks that talking to and warning punks enough times will get them to change their ways. Although she isn’t quite the absolute pacifist that I am, I get the feeling that she is an angel from Heaven sent into this world. The way she acts is full of opportunities to be taken advantage of… but she is a good girl. And cute too. I was thinking this and… *Ponk!* An acorn fell from somewhere and hit my head. But there are no trees nearby. 「…?」 I thought it was some brat from the park, but looking around there was no one in range. Who could have done it? To sneak up and snipe a Butei without a giving sign of their presence. Having finished her hamburger, Moe sipped her small iced coffee as she said… 「I don’t have a boyfriend… A-although I do dream about having one…」 Moe stole another glance at me. What’s this? Why does this girl always talk about things that I’m not good at talking about. 「You shouldn’t have a problem with that.」 I said what I honestly thought, but for some reason, Moe looked disappointed. Well… Maybe I should encourage her a bit more. 「…I hope you find someone soon.」 I said, and Moe lowered her soft bob cut head in embarrassment. 「You too…」 Alright… That’s settled. 「To-Tohyama-kun, do you have someone like that?」 「I’m alright for now.」 –because I have this incurable disease, Hysteria Mode. 「Your defence is strong…」 Moe broke her gaze and turned back to the coffee in her hand. Did she see through me when I was attacked yesterday…? As I was taken a little aback, Moe’s face lit up. 「How are you studies? Are the lessons very different from your previous school?」 Extremely different. 「Hard. To be honest, I can’t really keep up.」 To be honest, my grades are a real problem. Hearing the truth, Moe made an 『I did it!』 expression. 「Well… I go to a cram school, and on the recent national New School Exams I placed 89th.」 What a coincidence! Recently, I asked Watson about the national S.D.A. rankings–commonly known as the superhuman ranking–and when I stopped being human, I was given the rank of 89th in Asia. But 89th in the National Exams is amazing. Moe must be smart. 「Then would you like me to teach you one of these days? My best subject is Modern Japanese.」 As Moe said that… …! …What’s that? I feel someone watching me. Who is it? It’s not someone in any honest line of work. Maybe a Butei. 「S-so?」 I heard Moe’s answer and.. 「Yeah.」 I gave a vague answer as I scanned the surroundings. My sixth sense had been triggered, but apparently the other person had noticed and erased all trace of their presence. They’re good… This guy is a first-class professional. 「A-alright then. Please give me your mail address!」 Across from me, Moe took out her mobile that was decorated with a strap made of clear beads. If I move unnaturally, that will be more dangerous. I have to act natural. So I exchanged contact info with Moe with the infrared… Overly happy, Moe left with Bianca, and I watched her go… The one who was watching me seems to have gone, so I left as well. Since someone was following me, I decided to go home by a different route, making a detour. Just to be safe, I boarded a metro bus to try and lose my tail. 「…」 But as soon as I got on, I came face-to-face with my pursuer. He was sitting in a two person seat, and I greeted him with a broad grin. He tapped his fingers on the empty seat beside him, but even if he didn’t I would have sat down. 「What are you wearing, Shiranui?」 I grumbled to Shiranui who was sitting on the seat next to me and wearing an East Ikebukuro High uniform. His skills must have gotten better. That display just now was amazing. If he had a sniper rifle, I would have been shot. 「Is this a good place to talk? You make the call.」 That male beauty smiled at me. That is the captivating look that always makes me angry. 「Not really. There are other passengers.」 And depending on how things go, it might come to fists. ********************************************************* We got off in front of the Municipal Art Museum and–still smiling, Shiranui suggested we talk inside. I wasn’t really interested in seeing the Venetian Exhibit, but we went in together… Inside, there were many pieces of stained glass on display at the front… In a corner, there were pink shell cameos to rival the ones in Aria’s guns, and Shiranui stopped. There’s no one around. 「You sure took the long way around. If you have something to say, just say it.」 Pretending to look at the cameos, I broke the ice sullenly. 「You must really be bored at that school. I’ve been here since last week. I’ve infiltrated for an investigation. And you didn’t even notice!」 Shiranui said as he lightly poked my blazer. I only half turned, but he still has that smile on his face. As always, no matter what he does, he always looks cool. 「–What investigation?」 「How about an info swap? What are you doing, Tohyama?」 「…… 」 「Kidding~! Trade secret: It’s best to keep you client’s info confidential.」 Shiranui flashed another smile. I could strangle him. 「There’s always been a part of you that’s arrogant. You’re really cut out to be a Butei.」 「You flatter me!」 「How is it going for you at that school? It must be hard for you to get along?」 When there is a person who doesn’t want to talk about themselves, you should get the chatting. Then they might let something slip. It’s a technique I learned at INQUESTA, but I don’t know if it will work on him. 「Alright. I manage. But the girls… are a little troublesome. They keep wanting to talk with me, but I’m not that good with girls.」 「I always thought it was strange how similar we were, but even in that we’re equally bad.」 「Tohyama-kun, I never thought that you’d say such a thing!」 「I won’t beat you because I don’t feel like it.」 「Haha! I’m saved. But, Tohyama, this might be your last chance with a normal girl.」 「…What do you mean?」 「Just that, Tohyama-kun!」 He’s smiling for some reason. Dammit, Shiranui has always liked to talk. He’s a mysterious sort of guy. 「Just that it might be nice if you got in touch with Kanzaki-san once in a while. She seems to be taking it out on the Kouhai 1 . I feel bad.」 As is to be expected of a good man. He cares about his juniors. Rather, this is because Aria can’t vent her frustrations on me anymore. 「That’s all I wanted to say.」 「That’s it!?」 「That’s right. Oh, and about later… Tohyama, I don’t want to get in the way of your job, so if you see me at school, I want you to talk to me casually.」 「You too.」 Well, I guess the world is a small place after all. Such things happen from time to time. As people I know from Butei High move from place to place for jobs, there is a chance they might meet while working the same job. Fortunately this isn’t a real job–so I probably won’t have to fight Shiranui. I wouldn’t want to fight my friend anyway, because he’s one of the best in ASSAULT, unlike me the drop-out. Ever since I transferred out of ASSAULT, I’ve felt that Shiranui and I have become steadily more different. At Butei High, there are a lot of people who bulk up on extra muscle, and I can tell he’s done the same by the way he moves. If I had to fight without Hysteria Mode, there’s a 70% chance I would be subdued. But I don’t have to worry about those calculations anymore. I’ve quit Butei High. 「Even though it might be a breach of contract, I’ll tell you. I probably won’t have to fight you.」 「I’m relieved to hear it. I want to remain friends as well. 」 That was a little bit of a lie, since what I said made it sound like I had a job at East Ikebukuro– As for Shiranui… He left before me, going out the back of the Museum and waving his hand goodbye. So flashy… I can’t ever get a read on him. He hasn’t changed. The world makes allowances for good looking guys. Life is so unfair. ********************************************* Although I wanted to do a bit of studying that night…. Kaname roped me into playing Shogi with her. Endlessly… Gran had taught her the rules, but for someone who just learned, she’s ridiculously good. She’s already made me resign 9 times. 「Onii-chan, that move was illogical. I’ll fork your Rook and put your King in check, then I’ll take your Rook with my Bishop 2 .」 「Ugh…」 What could I, a high school drop-out, do to fight back against a Genion who had already finished university? What’s more, she’s sitting seiza 3 in her usual sailor suit uniform and short skirt. Her exposed thighs are right in front of me and for some reason, there’s a gap between her knees. 4 「What’s that matter? are you sweating, Onii-chan?」 Since it’s embarrassing to notice, when Kaname moves and I catch sight of a strange bit of cloth, I get nervous and then she strikes. It has to be some kind of off-board tactic. But I’d have to hyster-ise in order to win, and if I did that with my little sister,–if Arcanum Duo was activated—it would bring about the collapse of my family. If my grandfather ever found out what had triggered my Hysteria Mode, he’d certainly disown me. I’d have to forsake civilisation and elope with Kaname. My life would be over. 「…I give up, you win.」 「Heh heh heh! That’s 10 games in a row! Oh! You have a call coming in, Onii-chan.」 Kaname pointed to my mobile on the cushion beside me. Yes! I can use this as an excuse to quit Shogi. Or so I thought, but it was only a text message… I’ll pretend it’s a phone call. 「Rght then, go take a bath and get to bed. It’s late.」 「Alri~ght…」 Kaname raised a hand and began clearing up. I left Kaname’s room and went back to my own. I changed into my pyjamas and turned out the lights, intending to go to sleep… Then I remembered my mobile… Well, I could at least call. Shiranui asked me to. So I dialed Aria. 「Kinji?」 Her voice was overly happy. 「Aria, you shouldn’t bully your juniors, you know.」 「Wha-? Who told you that?」 「My source’s life isn’t that cheap.」 「Their life isn’t in danger, so tell me. I mean… things haven’t been fun since you left… Ah…! It’s n-not like that means anything! I-I-I don’t like you or anything… Th-that’s n-not wh-what I m-meant! No~o…!!! I’ll open a wind hole! In your ugly face!」 Wha! It seems I’m an expert in making Aria lose her cool. Now she’s yelling. She was in a good mood when she answered the phone. Ugly…? I know my face is gloomy, but still… 「Hey, why are you making calls in the middle of a job anyway? What if if was intercepted? Japanese communications are pretty secure, but the room or mobile might be bugged. Did you think of that? Your pretty stupid for a Butei. In the first place… *Blah* *Blah* *Nag* *Nag*」 That’s Aria for you… I sighed. For some reason I felt relieved even though I was being scolded, but at least I was able to make sure she was safe. At least it seems I don’t have to worry about her. Even so, that crack about my face riled me, so after she had gone on ranting for about 30 minutes… 「Okay then. The latest weather forecast calls for snow. Snow clouds can show up anytime with lightning. The people who live in Japanese thunderclouds will steal your belly button, so make sure you cover it! 5 」 「Huh? Hold on! Really?」 Right. She heard about lightning and panicked. Retrieving the mobile she had dropped, her voice was louder again. Now for my counter-strike. 「You’ve heard about them, right? Everybody knows. By the way, if they steal your belly button, you’ll turn into a reptile.」 「But I wear my sailor suit– Do you think my belly button will be uncovered!? Wait! What should I do if a thunderstorm suddenly appears? Tell me a good way to protect…」 *Click* I ended the call. Heh heh heh! Now have a dream where you turn into a lizard. Then when Mamiya or someone chases you, cut off the tail that sticks out from your skirt and run away. Huh… I have an unread message. I got it after the game of Shogi. Checking–it was from Moe. 『I’m glad we talked today. Have a good night!』 She wrote. If I damage the relationship between me and the girl who sits next to me in school, life will only become more difficult, so… 『Good night.』 I replied. Less than a minute later, there was a response. 『Would it be alright to message you tomorrow?』 Came the question. 『That’s fine』 I answered. It’d be a pain if she was a message fiend like Shirayuki, but that’s silly. Moe is a good girl. Now that I’m thinking about it, the day I gave Shirayuki my mail address, I was shocked to suddenly receive 100 messages. On top of that, if they were put into a book, they would have taken up more than two whole pages. The next day I scolded her, but still the experience makes me shiver. Now that I think about it… it’s sort of embarrassing. We aren’t working a job or fighting together, but I have this girl’s mail address in my mobile. And I’m letting us talk about trivial things back and forth like we’re close friends. Even though there’s no reason for us to be talking. *************************************************** Although I thought that, Moe didn’t seem to think so. After school the next day, Moe sent another text. I had just given her a casual OK at the park yesterday, but it looks like Moe really is willing to help me with my homework– I’ve been invited to her house on Saturday. The biggest problem I currently faced was that I couldn’t keep up with the lessons. Although transfer students keep the credits they have already earned , the normal lessons I had taken in Butei High were not really very similar. If things went on like this, it would be hard for me to transfer schools, and I might have to drop out again. Although having a girl for a teacher is not a good thing… I can’t be picky. I’ll ask her to teach me. So, on the chilly Saturday morning– As I left my house… *Ponk!* I was hit again on the head by an acorn again. I looked up and saw a tree in the courtyard, but acorns don’t fall from persimmon trees. 「…?」 This is like a petty paranormal event. But, I’ve already seen enough things like this from the people of IU that I don’t want to see anymore. This small a thing can’t scare me. Alright, let’s go study. So I headed to the address Moe sent me. That has to be it. We agreed to meet at 10.00… 5 minutes before that, I saw it–a house that could not be called anything but normal. But with a modern flair. Although it was small, I got the feeling it was expensive. 「…Ah! Tohyama-kun!」 Standing out in the cold, breathing into her numb hands to warm them… Moe was waiting. Seeing me, her face lit up brightly. 「Sorry to keep you waiting.」 「No, no it’s fine, I just got here myself.」 Moe waved her hands rapidly in denial… But she must have been waiting at least 15 or more minutes because her nose is already red with cold. Why did she lie? Besides that, there is something strange about Moe’s behaviour. On top, she wore a knit yarn cardigan that covered everything except her cold fingertips. Underneath it she wore a thin pink and white blouse with a short skirt that seemed too thin for winter. She wore a long skirt when we met in the park, and her hair seems a little different. Her bangs are a little larger. 「Even if it’s only for a little while, a girl shouldn’t be out in the cold. You’ll catch a cold.」 At that, Moe blushed, and I got the impression she was nervous. 「This is the first time I’ve invited a boy to my house… but I’ll be fine. Don’t worry about me. I’ve never missed a day since Kindergarten for a cold.」 She tried like a child to keep up the pretense, but she couldn’t hide the fact she had been waiting for a while. I had always thought of her like she was from distant planet, but thanks to this, I feel a little closer to her. ***************************************************** Adjusting her nylons along the way, Moe led me into the house. Inside, everything was normal… and not a whiff of gunpowder. There were no food or sweet wrappers that Riko had let fall strewn across the floor–unlike my old apartment, it was very neat and clean. Since it was quite mild inside, Moe took off her cardigan. Underneath, her blouse was short sleeved so her soft skinned arms could be seen. 「Tohyama-kun, we have sandwiches, so if you’re hungry just say so, alright? We have cake too.」 After she said that, I looked over to the dining room table and there was a plate full of wrapped home-made sandwiches. As expected from someone in the Housekeeping Club. She’s very good. 「Say, I didn’t know about it but… My mother and father went out on a trip today… They took our pet Bianca with them when they left, so there’s no one else here. B-but that’s fine. 」 …? That’s a little weird… Usually you know in advance if your family is taking a trip. She knew quite well that her parents wouldn’t be here… She’s only pretending she didn’t know. I can tell because she is a very honest person. But since we are only going to be studying, it will be alright. No problem. Hmm… from what you said, I’m guessing you don’t know? So I’ll tell you. 「Well… there is someone here. Inside that closet, Saki-san… your little sister.」 Thanks to my old INQUESTA habits, I noticed her as soon as I entered the room. I thought it looked like she was playing a game of hide-and-seek. 「Ehh~!」 Moe raised her voice in surprise. 「–Busted! But how did you even know my name, huh?」 Saying that the closet opened… Moe’s small black twin-tailed little sister came out. How did I know your name…? It’s written on your nameplate. Your parent’s names, 『Moe』, and 『Saki』. I was in INQUESTA so long that I developed this habit of making this check upon entering a house. Unlike her sister Moe, Saki had an impish sort of look to go along with her cute face… She seemed to be a first-year in middle school, and she rushed over to me. 「Hmmm. A little gloomy, but he’s good-looking. Now I get it, so this is the type of guy you like!」 Saying that with a wide smirk, she looked up at me. 「Saki, why you..!」 Wha-? That was unexpected. Moe is angry. Although compared to Aria it’s a ratio of 2000:1, she hit Saki. 「Saki, you dummy! Dummy, Dummy! I told you to go out and play today. 」 *Whomp* *Whomp* *Whish!* *Whish!* Moe chased Saki around, pummeling her with both hands repeatedly, sometimes missing and catching nothing but air. 「You were so obviously trying to get everyone out of the house. you couldn’t fool my great detective skills. I don’t think Mama and Papa caught on, though. I don’t know what kind of love advice you got, but how could I not notice when you took out your favourite make-up and wore a short skirt even though it’s cold outside?」 Saki has very good reflexes. As she continued to tease Moe, she jumped over the sofa, but running after her Moe thudded into it and fell over. 「♪Big sister has a boyfriend!♪ ♪Big sister has a boyfriend!♪ ♪Big sister has a boyfriend!♪」 I finally understood that Saki was under a similar misunderstanding as Reki as she sang this made-up song. Retreating to a safe-zone behind me, Saki giggled and peeked out at Moe. Frozen in embarrassment, Moe’s eyes met mine… 「Dummy! Saki you dummy! Don’t say such strange things in front of Tohyama-kun…! Please…!」 O-Oh… Turning red, Moe began to cry and tried to hide her face with both hands. She gone too far. Despite the fact that this is her house, I shot a look over my shoulder at Saki. 「S-Sorry… I’ll be going out.」 It looks like Saki is a good girl after all, and she pulled a trench coat out of the closet… Walking over to her older sister, she began stroking her hair and whispered in her ear. Responding to something I couldn’t catch, Moe nodded. 「Since you don’t want me to say anything to Papa or Mama, give me 500 yen.」 Moe paid the bribe. Now that she had paid, she wants everyone out of the house, and Moe began pushing Saki bodily toward the hall. Then Moe made some kind of scratching motion with her hand at the back of her blouse. What was that? It wasn’t any kind of signal… 「O~oh! Since you’re wearing your best clothes, you had to fix your bra! It’s not the kind you normally wear. You must really like this guy! It’s the expensive, cute one…」 Saki whispered impishly, (Not that I heard, but I read her lips), but that was a mistake. Moe delivered another hammer punch that sent Saki’s whole body sprawling. Saki pulled on her sneakers. For some reason, she peeked under Moe’s skirt. 「This matches what you have on top. Big Sis you’re really fired up!」 Whispering inaudibly again, this time Moe responded with a kick… Totally exhausted, Moe’s kick managed to hit at just the right angle, and she finally forced Saki outside. ******************************************************** Moe’s room was on the second floor, so she led me upstairs… 「I-I’m sorry. My little sister is a mystery novel-geek, so sometimes she likes to ‘investigate’ me, even though I’ve told her not to.」 She said, but I wish you’d stop wearing mini-skirts. It puts me in all kinds of trouble when I have to climb the stairs behind you. Having survived the ordeal of climbing the stairs, we came to a door that had a plaque with 『Moe』 written on it in a fairy-tale script. Opening the door… We entered Moe’s room. Alright, finally. A place where I can study to my heart’s content. And it even comes with a teacher. Inside there was an almost murderous level of feminine sweetness and smells, but I’ll deal with it. So this is a girl’s room… On the bookshelves were volumes like 『A Christmas Carol』, 『Wuthering Heights』, and other girlish literature. There were also cooking, knitting, and over there, gardening books. By the bay window there was a music box and a stuffed teddy bear. I’ve never seen this kind of room… except in a drama. So they actually exist in this world–Places like this, overflowing with feminine kindness and charm. There was a neatly organised desk, but apparently we won’t be using it. In the centre of the small room there was a small round table. Around it…there were two 『し』-shaped handmade cushions that only intensified the feminine atmosphere. 「Then we’ll get started right away…」 I sat on one of the cushions and pulled out my notebook from my full bag… For some reason, Moe’s hands were shaking. Down on all fours, she silently rummaged for something on the lower shelf of her bookcase and pulled out a huge photo album. 「..?」 「Uh-Uhm… Before we study… Can we look at this for a bit?」 She said coming up beside me. Moe came up close and sat seiza on her cushion next to me. Wha-What is this? Y-you’re so close… Her bust was spreading her blouse open and h-her breasts… were huge! They’re almost on the same level as Shirayuki…! So white and perfectly round… The resemblance is uncanny… If drew an analogy with warships, Watson and Reki are light cruisers, Kaname and Jeanne are heavy cruisers, and Riko is a battleship. Someone in Shirayuki’s size class would be a dreadnought. By the way, Aria is a rubber life raft. No matter how you look at it, this body has no discipline and is truly weak. Just like a soft tank 6 ! Thinking that and unable to decide between the warship or tank analogy, inside my body… *Ka-thump* This is bad. Hysteria Mode’s blood flow began! Flustered, I looked down… but now I saw the thin skirt Moe was wearing even though it was winter. Sitting seiza next to me, I could almost see to the top of her white th-thighs! 「…Ugh…」 This is really bad. My gaze darted up and down, taking in her entire figure, and Moe became embarrassed. But in spite of that, Moe did not fix her opening blouse or the short shirt that was moving upward. If you’re so embarrassed… Then don’t sit next to me while dressed like that! Getting a little angry, fortunately my blood flow stabilised. But then… 「W-w-well this is me in elementary school…」 Saying that, Moe flipped through the album and every time she turned a page our arms brushed each other sending a nervous shock through my body. At a Sports Day rolling giant balls, singing a song at an Arts Festival, scenes from her elementary school life– Moe sparkled with nostalgia, but because I was so worried about going into Hysteria Mode, I couldn’t focus on the pictures. If it happened, come on, Kinji, if you went Hysteria Mode here… With this girl that her parents obviously love so much to take such pictures, this person who sits next to me and volunteered to help teach a bad student, this angelic Moe… I would never be able to face her ever again. If that happened my guilty conscience would force me to pick up a gun again–in order to shoot myself in the head. Elementary School… Elementary School… My older brother beating combat techniques into my head, my father making me smuggle guns, remembering my pitiful childhood… surviving such things, I could definitely overcome this. But after she was done with the album… 「…」 Moe was still quietly sitting next to me. I had come to study, but this looks like something else. Can it be that in a normal school an invitation to 『Come over to my house and study』… has some other meaning? Are you thinking about what you should do next to accomplish the next part of your plan? After what seemed to be an enormous struggle… 「T-Tohyama-kun, should we play Othello? I’m not very good at the game, and my younger sister always beats me.」 She said suddenly stuttering again. Only pretending to leave, and having crept back into the house and almost noiselessly hiding in the hall, Saki was peeking through the narrowly cracked door to the room. Turning, I could read her lips in the mirror that was in the room saying: 『Hurry up already!』 I agreed. I wanted to hurry up and get to studying. ***************************************************************** A little later, snow began falling outside the window. Of course, there was no thunder. 「T-Tohyama-kun, what kind of girl do you like…?」 Moe brought up something I wasn’t good at talking about so I danced around it, and we moved on to talk about films since we seemed to share the same tastes… Eating sandwiches, we fell into deep conversation and talked on and on. Eventually her younger sister who had the makings of a Butei investigator, grew disgusted and silently withdrew… In the end it was no good as a study session, as it grew dark outside. As soon as I realised I told Moe but… 「Uh… Tohyama-kun? Would you like some dinner? Saki might have come back…but Mother and Father won’t be back until t-tommorow night.」 For some reason, she boldly tried to get me to stay. No no, this won’t do. Moe angrily told Saki to leave. With the intention that she would not come back anytime soon. That would leave the two of us alone for the night… Is this an invitation to stay the night? That would be out of the question. Before long, it will be that time of day when society frowns upon a man staying at a girl’s house. How did we get side-tracked from studying, and what does she want from me…? I stayed until it got dark, but unfortunately I never understood it. 「N-No. It looks like the snow is stopping… I should go.」 「…I would rather it didn’t stop…」 Moe drooped her head and mumbled to herself. For some reason she said this loud enough for me to hear. 「Today was fun. We should…」 I broke off without saying 『we should do this again』. She probably won’t help me study next time either. 「Yeah… See you later. You should come over again.」 As if she blamed herself, Moe started crying for some reason. Her lips forming the words 『I’m not attractive enough』. No, Moe, you are attractive. I don’t understand why you are asking yourself that. There must be some kind of misunderstanding. I must have given her that idea. It’s because I lack common knowledge about how girls think. And because of that, I’ve hurt Moe. It was an accident. But now I feel that even if she invites me again, I shouldn’t come back here. 「Let me give you some cookies. I baked them this morning.」 「Oh. Thank-you.」 We talked as we went downstairs and she wrapped the cookies in a paper bag and gave them to me as a present– Opening the outside door… 「Oh, wait! Let me take you to Meiji Street so that you don’t get lost.」 Saying that which revealed her boundless kindness, Moe pulled on her cardigan. And then *Squeeze* Wearing a happy face as if we had agreed to do so, Moe clutched my hand. Our fingers interlacing in the so-called 『lover’s hold』 7 . –Then. 「Kinji-san knows the way home. He doesn’t need to be shown the way.」 Hearing that, Moe and I were startled and turned to face the voice. 「Reki…!」 Reki was standing in front of the door. The snow that had just fallen had melted and completely soaked her. 「He knows the way, doesn’t he?」 Reki turned to me for validation. Then walking up to meet us, with her shiveringly cold hand… grasped both mine and Moe’s wrists and began to separate our hands. Surprisingly, Moe glaring at Reki, held on to my hand more tightly so that we would not be separated… but I let go. I then grasped both of Reki’s shoulders with my hands and, as I had suspected, she was thoroughly chilled. 「What… are you doing? You’ve been here the whole time?」 「Do not worry. My homeland is beset by the wasting frost 8 . I am accustomed to the cold.」 「That’s not the problem! We’re going home!」 If we don’t get you into a bath and warm you up, forget a cold, you’ll have pneumonia. Going on a little further, I noticed a passing taxi cab and ran out to flag it down… The taxi-driver made all sorts of excuses, so I turned back toward Moe’s house and heard… 「I’ll give you a warning. Please do not pursue a relationship with Kinji-san.」 「Yada-san, don’t butt in. Everyone says that you’re Tohyama-kun’s girlfriend, but… I know you’re not. I know what you really are…a stalker… Tohyama-kun’s stalker!」 「Please do as I ask. I’m saying it for your own personal safety.」 「What!? What are you saying? Could you possibly be threatening me?」 「It is not that at all. You are mistaken. You… don’t have the skills required to stand by Kinji-san’s side. I only came to say this: What you are doing is suicide.」 「You’re crazy, Yada-san!」 Reki with her bleak expression and Moe with her puffed out cheeks were arguing in front of the doorway. What is happening to you Reki…? and you too Moe…? ***************************************************************** Although the distance between here and home was within the single-rate 9 I couldn’t have Reki walk in this cold. Worried about her, I spread my jacket out and had Reki sit on it inside the taxi. 「Is that what she gave you?」 Reki asked in a calm, unwavering voice. 「…That’s it. But I don’t have any reason to think it’s a wire, tap, or ‘P’. 10 」 Because the taxi driver was there, we used a code we learned at Butei High, and I opened the paper bag and took out a cookie… I unwrapped the pink ribbon from the bag and opened it. Upon opening it, tucked inside were chocolate chip cookies wrapped in cellophane and… and an envelope with the character design sold at Sanrio Shops. 11 「『From Moe Mochizuki』… What’s this…?」 Inside the small envelope was a letter written with some kind of pink ball-point pen. The characters were a bit round, but still even so they were steady and well organised. 『To Tohyama-kun: I apologise that I sent this letter so secretly.』…? With her ridiculously acute eyesight, I could tell that across from me, Reki was reading the letter as well… 『Since the first time I saw you, every time we meet I get the feeling that you are becoming important to me. 』 Reading that cryptic opening… *Whipsh* Reki snatched away the letter. 「I am confiscating this.」 「Oi Reki! You can’t just snatch other people’s letters! What made you so mad?」 「I am not angry.」 「Yes you are!」 「…」 This is like our conversation in Kyoto. Well, it looks like Reki is being stubborn, and the letter has nothing to do with studying. It came in a funny envelope, so I don’t think the contents are anything to worry about. If it were important she would have said it with her mouth. All we did was talk anyway. Oh well, it can’t be helped. I think I should give up on getting it back. *********************************************************************** As soon as we got home, Reki got into the bath. My grandfather is meeting with his old war buddies and grandmother went with him. G-Third went out to the hardware store for some unknown reason, so the house is empty. Even Kaname is gone. She recently joined a Shogi Club and was given the nickname 『The Prodigy of Sugamo』 because of her increasing record of undefeated victories. It seem that she is becoming quite the accomplished professional player. Because of that, I am reading a magazine in my room while sipping tea. 「I must speak with you.」 Reki slid open the bathroom screen and I spit out my tea. 「Wai..!! *cough* *cough* *cough* Why are you dressed like that!?」 Coughing, I whirled and took an Ukemi 12 fall, retreating to a corner of the room Reki was… Only wearing one of my shirts for some reason. No, actually not just a shirt. Because the top two buttons were unfastened, I could glimpse underneath. It looks like… she is wearing one of her usual, plain cotton sets of underwear. Sitting seiza inside my room, the sleeves of the shirt reached down to her fingers as she slid the screen door shut. 「I concluded that coming in just underwear would be inappropriate, so I borrowed this. I don’t have any normal clothes, and our bulletproof uniform might give away our cover as transfer students. My gym clothes are left at school and my pyjamas are in the laundry and have to dry.」 It’s a reasonable explanation… but why did you show up like that? I have this condition Hysteria Mode that follows no kind of logic. The shirt covered her upper half, but it only reached down to a centimetre below her crotch and her round legs were bare down to her toes. Reki’s fawn-like legs were moderately toned like Mint-chan’s beautifully long legs. 13 Unfortunately, this brain of mine is losing the power of logical reason. I’d better leave. As I thought that… *Ponk!* An acorn hit me between the eyebrows. 「Ouch!」 「Kinji-san, I will also warn you.」 In Reki’s hand was a Y-shaped slingshot. Even the Russian Spetsnatz Special Forces use them, a military grade slingshot. So it looks like she’s the one who’s been pelting me with acorns recently. Sitting seiza on her small rump next to me, from a small cloth bag… She took her next missile and placing it into the leather pouch, Reki said… 「Please do not pursue a relationship with Moe Mochizuki.」 *Stretch* *Whoosh!* *Ponk!* She hit me with an acorn in the exact same spot between my eyebrows. 「Oi, cut it out! That slingshot isn’t a toy! What if you hit me in the eye!?」 「I am aiming between your eyebrows. At this distance, I will not miss. It’s fine. You should not mingle with Moe-san. Doing so may accidental result in her death.」 *Ponk!* She is hitting me in the same spot! 「『M-mingle』, you say… What does that mean?」 「The Ulus have a saying: 『A wolf cannot become a dog.』」 *Ponk!* 「Even though you have a wolf for a Butei dog.」 「 And 『A dog can never become a wolf.』」 *Ponk!* Before I finished speaking, I’ve been hit by an acorn bullet…! 「Wolves and dogs can 『cross』. They can even have offspring. But–」 『C-cross』…so that’s what she was talking about? What nonsense…! 14 「A wolf is always a wolf, but a dog can never go back to being a dog. If it follows a wolf away from the safety of human habitation–and migrates to the cruel forest, the dog, carrying its innate weaknesses, will exhaust its life.」 *Ponk!* Then, having learned the technique from my grandfather, I flipped over the tea table improvising a shield. Then, preparing for ricochets, I retreated to a corner of the room and watched the acorn sniper in the reflection of the window. Putting down her slingshot, Reki said… 「So a wolf should only spend time with another wolf.」 *Step* *Step* Exposing her legs up to her crotch with each step. Reki put down her slingshot, then like she was opening a door, gripped the tea table. *Grip* Sitting down in a huff, Reki matched the height of her gaze to mine. 「…」 Just like children pretending to have a secret base– Hardening my own self-made fortress, I eventually let Reki inside the barrier. Reki had just come from the bath and the scent of soap– unless I am mistaken, there is a faint scent of mint peculiar to Reki. The look I saw in her amber coloured eyes is not simply one of reproof, but one of sympathy. 「Kinji-san, you ordered the old me 『not to kill people.』 Because of that, I can’t shut my eyes to the crime you are about to commit–that is why I oppose this relationship between you and Moe-san. To make up for it, right here, right now, if you want to use me, I don’t mind. 」 Saying something difficult… 「But I’ve noticed that you are working hard to integrate into society. And something like this is necessary for you, so…」 Sometime during that statement, Reki turned a smiling face toward me… It’s not something that a person who didn’t know Reki would catch, just a slight change of expression but… that was a gentle smiling face. Then lowering her cute voice. 「–Hurray, Hurray, for Kinji-san.」 Saying that, Reki poked her fingertips slightly out of the long sleeves of the shirt in her tiny grip, and waved both of them slightly back and forth. She is most likely thinking 『Is this how you cheer someone on?』 and Reki, in her own way, has put a lot of thought into it… That’s right… Reki, you are supporting me. Even someone as dumb as me, in that moment, finally grasped the meaning of Reki’s actions. Reki… she is only keeping the old promise she made to me, and I shouldn’t be surprised. Even though the rest of Baskerville laughed at my wish to 『become a normal person』– Reki decided to respect my choice. No matter how isolated I become, no matter what I decide to do, Reki will follow me. Not because someone else wants her to, but because she wants to. I still don’t understand this whole fuss over Moe… But I understand that Reki is selflessly devoted to me. All this time, I’ve had a good friend. I am sure of it. I was so struck by her honest heart, that I wanted to hug her right there, but… considering the part of her body that is forming the vertical part of the Y shape, please forgive me. I can’t. (End Text) ************************************************** 1. Kouhai = juniors. Students younger or less experienced. Opposite of ‘Senpai’, but never used a form of address. 2. In Shogi, pieces move similarly to Chess pieces, so I used that terminology. ‘Forking’ is a strategy where a piece is moved such that in the next turn it can take two different pieces. Since the opponent only has one move, they must choose which they want to lose. 3. Formal sitting posture where you kneel on your knees and sit on the ankles 4. In a skirt, it’s obvious what this means, but what’s more, it’s bad etiquette for women to spread their knees while sitting seiza. 5. Popular story to scare children. Raijin, thunder beasts, will steal kids belly buttons if they aren’t covered during thunderstorms. 6. This is a reference to a short cartoon series that depicted the misadventures an unamoured tank who lacked any kind of will to fight. 7. Apparently it’s considered romantic or a sign of romance for couples to interlock fingers. Lots of sappy emotionalism attached to it.. 8. Reki is from Mongolia. There is a Mongolian word ‘dzud’ that describes the sudden onset of extended periods of frost that kills plants and drastically reduces forage-able land. 9. In Japan the initial fare covers the first 2km ( the exact figure varies by region) of the trip, afterwards you have to pay additional charges depending on the distance. Long story short, it’s not far. 10. Kanji say ‘wire tap’, ‘bug’, and ‘poison’. 11. The shop chain that owns the rights to Hello Kitty. 12. Ukemi (recieving) is Aikido training that teaches the practitioner how to absorb and minimise harm from a fall or throw. It can be a roll or break-fall. Video: 13. Reference to Tokyo Mew Mew Character of the same name 14. The joke here is that the word for ‘mingle’ can mean ‘be friendly’ or, ya know, have sex… O.O ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ### 004. 4th Ammo - Kikuyo Kagataka Well here it is. A long time in coming, we here at Silvered Tongue hope you enjoy the new release. (Side note: This chapter had a bunch of cultural references in it. Just comment if something is unclear.) As a brief reminder, this volume is divided into 5 chapters, so there’s still one more chapter and the Epilogue to finish out the translation of our second volume. And, as always, let the typo finding games begin… Chapter 4: Kikuyo Kagataka (Begin Text) Grandfather, Grandmother, me, G-3, Kaname, and lastly the free-loader Reki– When we all eat dinner together, it’s pretty lively. Although the faces have changed a lot, it’s like the days when my parents and older brother filled out the number. The men sat cross-legged and the women sat in seiza around the low table, in the tatami floored living room. Sitting while holding her knees like in gym class was Reki’s default, but Grandmother had taught her to sit in seiza. „ÄåNow Kaname! You must learn to eat fish more neatly, it’s an insult to the fisherman! Don’t spill your rice! There are 88 gods in each grain! 1 „Äç Grandfather was giving a lecture on Japanese manners, but he was having fun doing it. He likes it when things are lively. Almost every recipe in my Grandmother’s repertoire is ethnic Japanese. Tonight it’s Pacific saury grilled with salt, root vegetable broth, followed by cooked rice, and miso soup with clam. What was on the table was extremely common fare, the typical scene of a Japanese dinner, but… „ÄåSo Aniki, you’ve stopped being a Butei!? Now you can kill in self-defence! That’s great!„Äç Saying that, G-3 loudly chomped down on his clams. While still awkward with her chopsticks, Kaname noisily munched her fish. These two American born Genions. By the way G-3, this irresponsible habit of changing your hairstyle everyday is something you should stop. You’ll go bald. Your daily choice of clothes is also strange, are you Lady Gaga or something? Having had to forsake her unbalanced diet of Calorie Mate bars ever since coming to my house, seated beside me was Reki who was able to intimidate even S-Rank Butei — A sniper able to hit a pocket-size book at a range of 2 kilometres. Oh, and outside, taking care of the food scraps and recently growing a little plump, was Haimaki, former underling of Vlad, the Count Dracula. All of those here some kind of unique prodigies. Every one. „ÄåSeconds.„Äç Completely ignoring G-3’s recent remark, I held out my now empty rice bowl. Since it would be wrong to make my Grandmother do all of the work, my family has this rule that the person sitting nearest to the container of rice is in charge of serving it. So while G-3 grumbled „ÄéAm I your mother?„Äè, he served the rice. And over by my grandfather… *Bzzzz* Attracted by the smell of fish, one of the last flies of the season flew in. Well, we are on the first floor, so there’s no helping it.– As I was thinking that.– *Catch* A-amazing! My grandfather caught the fly. With his chopsticks. Just like Miyamoto Musashi! 2 My grandfather is matching the speed of his chopsticks to the flying fly and the holding them lightly between the chopsticks. That is how he is catching flies on the fly. „ÄåEven an insect has a soul.„Äç Saying that, my grandfather, having not killed the fly, released it outside… then went to wash his chopsticks in the kitchen… G-3 and Kaname were astonished. The only one not surprised was Reki, munching her own food– „ÄåKinzou, would you like more grated daikon?„Äç My grandmother asked smiling with drooping eyelids. Huh…? Kinzou…? Who’s that? „Äå…Yeah.„Äç G-3 answered, turning a little red. With a look of „Äå?„Äç on my face, Kaname said: „ÄåSince Grandmother kept calling him Chi-Sando and other things by mistake, she gave him a Japanese name, okay?„Äç While giving that explanation, Kaname grinned at G-3. Kinzou, G-3: Golden Cross the Third. Isn’t that just a literal translation? 3 But it seems that the name doesn’t suit the person himself, so knowing that, he glared at me and Reki. „ÄåAniki, you too Reki. Don’t you call me that. G-3 is fine.„Äç „ÄåGot it, Kinzou.„Äç „ÄåUnderstood, Kinzou-san„Äç „ÄåKinzou!„Äç That last bit was Kaname. „ÄåYou guys…!„Äç Saying that, G-3 was about to snap, but… He saw Grandfather had returned to the living room, and he quieted down. Does this guy have respect for the elderly, or something? ***************************************************************************************** After dinner, in order to brush up on conversation topics I could talk about with my classmates, I watched all kinds of TV shows and dramas. But watching TV with a set purpose became boring rather quickly, so I stopped partway through. If it were Riko, she could probably do it… Thinking that, when I thought that I had to go to school tomorrow, it made me depressed. Ever since I was invited to her house, my lifeline Moe for some reason would say: „ÄéI’m sorry. I’m sorry. Just forget about that letter.„Äè and look like she was about to cry. And every time I try to get closer to her, Reki would pelt me with acorns. Why do I even go to that school? I don’t understand any of the lessons, so there’s no point. I’ve already skipped school and shut myself up in my room, but… Lately, I haven’t been sleeping well. Maybe my nerves are overactive because of the lack of daily fights, leading to some kind of insomnia. I wonder if it’s some kind of–breakdown? I feel like my mind, while relaxed, is slowly rotting away. Why…? Even with this peace… With this daily peace, I shouldn’t have anything to complain about… In the middle of this peace, my mind has reached a critical point. I wonder if all those people who quit being a Butei have had the same thoughts? Thinking about that, Headmaster Midorimatsu said something like that, didn’t he? „ÄéStudents from Butei High are poor in their studies, lacking in social education, and have high drop-out rates.„Äè So it seems like I all but, fit that typical case. No! No! No! Stop it Kinji! Standing up, I put on my haori 4 and went out onto the veranda to clear my head in the night air. I need to hang in there. To become a normal person like Moe. What do I have to do? Speaking of her… Moe… I thought about her. She said she was attending a cram school. There should be classes for under-achieving students like me. I’m a little unsure about my future finances, but if I sell off all my equipment from my time at Butei High, that should be enough. It should even be enough to pay for a major gap-school. 5 If studying became fun, maybe school would become a little more enjoyable as well. School is a place to learn, after all. Pondering that new idea– „Äå…?„Äç In a corner of my family’s quite large garden, a light shone… What is G-3 doing? He is steadily digging up the ground with a US Army issue shovel. Perhaps because he had been at it for a while and become hot, he wasn’t wearing anything except a mountain camouflage shirt on his brawny torso, even though he is usually flashy with his clothes. Putting on a pair of slip-on shoes, I approached the suspiciously acting G-3 and called to him. „ÄåOi! Kinzou, you can’t just go digging holes in people’s gardens.„Äç „ÄåI’ll kill you! Rather, if it’s your family’s garden, it’s my family’s garden too!„Äç „ÄåWho are you, Giant? 6 „Äç Examining the materials G-3 had stacked there– He had all of the supplies to construct a greenhouse. And tomato seeds…? „ÄåWhat are you doing?„Äç „ÄåAre you so thick that you can’t tell by looking, Aniki? After preparing and improving the soil, I’m going to raise vegetables. I’ve mobilised all of my subordinates and accelerated the growth cycle by selective breeding, but it’s a local product. A product of Kumamoto, a „ÄéGondou Farms Salted Tomato„Äè. See for yourself.„Äç Saying that, he handed me something… it was a small tomato. It was a beautiful specimen and nibbling it, even though it had „Äésalt„Äè in the name, it was sweet. It was good. „ÄåWe only just discovered this. This species of tomato synthesises natural fructose and Lycopene organic compounds that, undergoing an unexpected side-reaction, produce another chemical compound– It neutralises my „ÄéLife Limiter„Äè. So I want to plant them in fields all over the world, so that I can eat them for the rest of my life.„Äç Speaking of that… G-3’s creators at Los Alamos had introduced a congenital defect into his body in order to prevent rebellion. That inhuman method required G-3 to ingest some kind of secret compound at regular intervals or it would adversely affect his vital functions. He has identified that chemical. That’s wonderful, isn’t it? „ÄåAnd so you became a farmer, huh? You have it rough too.„Äç „ÄåIf you are going to pity me, at least give me a hand. Well… water, salt, vitamins, are all things that humans need to keep living, humans need a lot of things. In my case, I only need one more. „Äç Working briskly, G-3 finished constructing the greenhouse and began skillfully planting the seeds… I don’t need to say it… but it was as to be expected of a Genion. „ÄåFrom the results of selective breeding, a strain of potato can also be cultivated. Gramps will be taking care of that.„Äç Saying that, he once again confirmed his attachment to Grandfather. „ÄåBy the way, you are always so calm in front of Grandfather. I thought you were the egocentric type.„Äç Saying that while eating a tomato, I ventured a probe. „ÄåHe is a living legend. It’s my way of showing proper respect to a „ÄéDie hard„Äè„Äç „Äå„ÄéDie Hard„Äè? The film?„Äç „ÄåAniki, please… you should learn more English. „ÄéDie hard„Äè, it means someone who is hard to kill. It will be on a test.„Äç „ÄåI’m sure it won’t.„Äç „ÄåDo you at least know that Japan was at war with the US a long time ago?„Äç „ÄåOf course I know that!„Äç „Äå„ÄéDie hard„Äè was a special designation used by the US Army after World War II to classify those „ÄéUn-killable Soldiers„Äè of former enemy nations that would require special measures to deal with in case war broke out again– To be more precise, those soldiers whom it would cost an enormous amount of personnel and expenses to kill. The US have not been negligent in life-long surveillance of these people. 3 of them are living in Japan, 2 in Germany, 2 in Russia, and 1 in Iraq. So Aniki… even though you are his grandchild, you seriously don’t know the heroic exploits of Magane Tohyama?„Äç Asking that, G-3 looked disappointed. „ÄåGrandfather never liked talking about the war.„Äç „ÄåYou don’t show him enough respect. I’ll tell you.„Äç Finishing the first phase of his farm-work, G-3… Started telling my Grandfather’s story. Grandfather was an ensign in the old Imperial Japanese Navy. A Zero fighter pilot. While near the Aleutian Archipelago in the North Pacific, he encountered heave anti-aircraft fire from US forces and was unable to return to his ship, so he crashed in the frozen waters… After that, he somehow managed to swim and cross back into what once was Japanese territory–a small, snow-covered island, Blesk Island 7 — Unluckily, two days later, US forces landed 300 troops on the island, but he was able–single-handedly–to hold them back. Thanks to his efforts, 100 military and civilian personnel on the island were able to be evacuated safely. But because of the number of serious wounds he suffered in that battle, it was not until after the war that he was able to stand on his own feet once more. „ÄéBecause of injuries sustained in the crash, he was hospitalised until the end of the war„Äè „ÄéHe had lost sight of his comrades in a fog„Äè… Those were the vague things that I had heard from him, and how I wished those stories were actually true…! What are you doing, Grandfather…! Of course something like that would have an effect on the US! The one in my family that is the most abnormal is Grandfather. And now, he is in his room, lazing around on his bed and farting while reading horse racing magazines. ****************************************************** I’ll never be free from my extraordinarily gifted family if I don’t become a responsible adult. First of all, I have to be able to keep up in school. Following my thoughts from the other day, I went to check out a gap-school on Meiji Dori Street called „ÄéKawai Cram School„Äè. It’s impressive that a cram school takes up the entire 9-storey building! This is an unknown world for me. „ÄåI mean, why did you come with me!„Äç „ÄåI am just walking the same way as you.„Äç Being as uncommunicative as ever, Reki stayed by my side and we entered the top floor conference room together to get the necessary information, but… although I can’t say anything about other people, it was very surreal. To see a genius sniper at a cram school. Now then, which courses should I take…? I looked through the pamphlet they had given me, and as we went back to get on the elevator… „Äå?„Äç W-what’s this? It seems that students on this floor had finished their classes, and they got into the elevator with us. As they crowded in, I looked up from the pamphlet and saw a girl. And another girl. They were all girls. They were also wearing East Ikebukuro High School uniforms, and what more, they were all in the same year as us! What is with these people! Why are they all trying to get onto the same elevator with Reki and me? „ÄåWe are the „ÄéTransfer Student Couple’s Support Club„Äè!„Äç „ÄåNow then, we’re getting tired of watching the two of you! When are the two of you going to get closer?„Äç „ÄåCome on! Get closer already!„Äç As the girls said those things us, they created a very strange situation…. As for this „ÄéSupport Club„Äè–this group has the same poor-sounding naming sense as Riko. „ÄåH-hey! Reki and I–„Äç I started to explain, but… „ÄåNo way! I knew he calls her by her first name~!„Äç „ÄåAnd Yada-san calls Tohyama-kun, „ÄéKinji-san„Äè, doesn’t she~!„Äç By talking, I only managed to excite them even more. W-what is this…? In a normal school, is it wrong for guys and girls to call each other by their first names? The group only became more disorganised and pushy, and all the girls started shoving. First they all crowed around Reki, and then started pushing us together. Because we were in a small elevator, they was nowhere to run… I was unable to resist the girls… and now facing each other, Reki and I were forced up against each other. „ÄåNow! Tohyama-kun and Yada-san, show a little courage! „Äç Saying that, the girls grabbed my right and left arms– making it look like I was hugging Reki. W-what do you want me to do…! Classes were over and the floor was empty, and they had someone keeping the elevator open by repeatedly pressing the „ÄéOpen Door„Äè button. These girls, they saw us coming into the cram school and worked out this plan. „Äå…Ugh…„Äç Like a game of Oshikura Manju 8 , they kept pushing on R-Reki’s back–but pulled on my arms so that it looked like I was holding her in a tight embrace. „Äå…„Äç Then, they took the expressionless Reki’s hands and placed them around my back. Now it really looks like we are embracing each other! Me and Yada-san. But Reki’s chest, more than Aria’s but less than Watson’s, in terms of safety… that is… R-Reki… h-have they gotten bigger!? As I noticed this… *Ka-thump* It happened. The throb of Hysteria Mode. It even happened under these strange conditions…! „ÄåChuu!„Äç „ÄåChu~u!„Äç „ÄåChuu!!!„Äç „ÄåChuu! Chuu!„Äç „ÄåChuu!„Äç What are you… a swarm of mice…!? 9 Reki and I had been surrounded by girl mice. If I don’t do something about these pushy pack of squeakers, we won’t be able to go home. Also– If they keep pushing Reki’s chest up against me, things will get dangerous. For Reki and for them. If I go into Hysteria Mode, I will probably start moving supersonically. Hurting everyone. „ÄåR-Reki, look up and pull your chest in…!„Äç Thinking that I was „Äégetting ready to kiss her„Äè, the girls squealed. But that was not what I had in mind. It was a stop-gap body re-positioning measure meant to relax the crushing pressure that had us glued chest to chest. That was my formulated plan, but for some reason when I communicated it Reki… She did not look up at me. She buried her head against my chest and remained there fixedly. „ÄåWhat are you doing, Reki? Do what I said!„Äç The girl mice got excited all over when I instructed Reki again– Reki turned her head slightly to the side… …peeking out. Looking at me with upturned eyes. Apparently she is under the impression I am going to kiss her in front of all these people, and her face… …is embarrassed. I’ve also noticed a slight change in Reki’s expression. I’ve noticed faint hints of emotion have been sprouting inside of Reki ever since the school trip… this is embarrassment. Reki, embarrassed is… C-cute. Combined with her usual lack of expression, i-it’s destructive power… *Ka-thump* *Sigh*… I–made a wry smile. Reki, Reki. Really… she is a cute girl too, isn’t she? But I already knew that, didn’t I? You really are sweet. I knew it from the time we met. Not recognising a girl’s secret love is a sin. A sin against the entire world. As a reward for triggering my Hysteria mode by showing me that embarrassed face– Reki, I want to kiss you passionately hundreds of times until you lose all feeling, but… „Äå…I understand all of you girls’ feelings.„Äç I said, sensing the flow of energy throughout the group of girls that surrounded us– Raising my index fingers and excusing myself, I stroked the girls’ sleeves using only my fingertips. Their bodies tensed, and they all stood straighter as if they had snapped to attention. „ÄåW-what?„Äç „Äå?„Äç „ÄåW-what’s this…„Äç „ÄåHuh…?„Äç The girls started looking around at each other… With Hysteria Mode, it is possible to lead some to move as you wish and maintain total control just like in Aikido. It is possible to make them assume almost any position. Using their own power. „ÄåThe feelings of all women alike should be respected. Who here–shares Reki’s feelings? If there anyone like that, would you please raise your hand?„Äç Gathering Reki in my right arm, I shot a sharp look at each of the girls as I gave a smile– *Poof* *Poof* *P-P-Poof* *Po~of* They all turned bright red. Standing stiff in shock with their mouths hanging open. Hmph… It seems that these little mischievous mice have calmed down. One girl had started to raise her hand, but I turned and stopped her with a kind smile. You’re Ichi-san, if I’m not mistaken. You shouldn’t sell yourself so cheaply. Then… Drawing Reki’s head closer with my right hand, I brought my lips close to her ear. Because my brain in Hysteria Mode has altogether too much redundant memory and perceptivity… I realised that these girls were not the only ones following us . „Äå–There is an enemy not far off, and you cannot fight a close-quarters battle. We will retreat separately and go home.„Äç I said. „Äå……„Äç Having come to the same conclusion that I did, Reki moved her hands nervously, grabbing my blazer. „Äå… Do you think your lord is so weak? Or, Reki, are you the kind to deny me the pleasure of the night? Ah, if that is it, I am somewhat anxious for our future together.„Äç Closing my eyes, I whispered these words closely into Reki’s ear. „Äå……„Äç At the words „Äéour future together„Äè, Reki gave a small response–showing that she held a feeling of expectation. *Whish* *Whish* She shook her head from side to side. Alright, she seems to have given permission. „ÄåRest, Reki. I am glad you came with me.„Äç Releasing her from my arm, I exited the elevator alone. As the door closed, the one in charge of keeping the door open, lifted her hand slightly from the button– As the door closed, I winked them a goodbye. Judging from the sound, It seems that several of the girls fainted inside the elevator. Some of them even had nosebleeds. It seems that my gaze was much too stimulating for those innocent girls. Then–the first half of the Ulus proverb that Reki had shared popped into my head– „ÄéA wolf cannot become a dog.„Äè Echoing in my mind. Like a bad omen. **************************************************************** Putting plenty of space behind me, I took the stairs to the first floor– Going out the front door of the building onto the night scene of Meiji Street, I began walking along the sidewalk. And beside the guard railing– „ÄåTohyama–! Cough up the dough–!„Äç „ÄåYa better not have forgotten!„Äç Sure enough, it was Fujkibayashi and Asao riding that modded motorbike and waiting to ambush me. Fujikibayashi wore cheap brass knuckles on his fingers, and Asao carried a metal bat. In the surrounding area, there were many students going home after cram school. The troublesome thing is that there are East Ikebukuro High students among them. There are too many spectators, but… whatever, they make no difference. Although I’m in Hysteria Mode this time, what I need to do is the same. The scene is „ÄéThe two strong delinquents abusing me with violence„Äè Act No. 2. I need to buy a little time so Reki won’t be dragged into this. „ÄåThis is dangerous! It looks like there is going to be a fight.„Äç The girls said as they began clearing the area… „ÄåLike to butt in on other people’s business, do ya!?.„Äç Fujikibayashi said as he grabbed me by the shoulders. While I pretended to let him show off his strength… I took a knee from Asao and doubled over. Because his angle was off, it felt like he had only brushed by me, but I made it look like it hurt. After that, my mischievous side came out– Carefully guided their attacks, I made Asao hit Fujikibayashi and Fujikibayashi hit Asao. Of course, they attacked without using their weapons. Teary-eyed from the friendly fire, the two of them couldn’t go more than 3 minutes without losing their breath… That’s… a little dangerous. Something by the side of the road had caught my attention. An illegally blacked-out Toyota Century with even the passenger and driver’s side windows tinted a smoky colour so that you couldn’t see inside. That kind of car… I know who it is. A yakuza car. From the beginning, the car had been parked on the side of the road a a little ways away watching this charade, and I noticed… they were moving closer. …Stopping near us, the rear window of the Century opened slightly. „ÄåThat’s enough, you two.„Äç Not even having imagined that a yakuza would come up behind them, Fujikibayashi and Asao– turned white as a sheet. „ÄåThat gentleman is different.„Äç It seems that female voice was talking about me… and I paled slightly myself. It was only because I was in Hysteria Mode that I could hear what was said. It was mature and slightly husky… That voice was… dangerous… Very dangerous. But a voice, different from the first said: „ÄåLemme take care of it!„Äç The passenger window rolled down, an arm stuck out, and a well-built man emerged. He wore leather rock star trousers. Close cropped gold hair. And earrings in his ears. Even though it was winter, he wore a black tank top, probably to show off the tattoos that covered his arms. I’ve seen this man before… in a magazine article. The International Boxing Federation’s former Pan-Pacific light-heavyweight champion, Leon Izawa. Half South American Columbian–dark-skinned and muscled– he is decidedly un-Japanese in appearance. I heard that he was once the leader of a biker-gang 10 in Kanto, but after leaving boxing he became a yakuza henchman. Things had very obviously become dangerous… The cram-school students that had lined up and surrounded us to watch the fight began whispered nervously. „Äå–Don’t worry. It seems that they are after me.„Äç I said to the thoroughly frightened Fujikibayashi and Asao so that wouldn’t panic, as I turned around with a beaming smile… „ÄåOi! What are you lookin’ at!.„Äç Leon cracked his knuckles as he approached, grabbed me by the neck, and held me up to his face. Then he squinted his intimidatingly, and peered at my face– „ÄåAh~! The brat is strong.„Äç If you know that, then stop chattering. If I were to lift my arm just a little bit right now, you would bite your tongue and be in very bad spot. But… That ability to accurately see through and gauge his opponent’s fighting strength isn’t fake. He is halfway between a professional and amateur– he’s a semi-professional. „ÄåI think you had better stop.„Äç I warned him, but– „ÄåDon’t worry ’bout me, I’m strong too!„Äç *Wham!* Leon threw a heavy body blow. Since we were so close, it’s power was only about half, but this is what a real punch should be like. He let go of my neck… it was useless to pretend to stagger, so I reacted normally and put some room between us. If he were on Fujikibayashi and Asao’s level, I could have fooled him… But I can’t fool this guy. It looks like I can’t help it. So that the rubbernecking students aren’t caught up in this, I can’t just run away. …Dammit! And I had tried so hard to become a normal person… Inside, my simmering anger boiled over. In front of everyone… you are making me show my true colours. But now I’m desperate. I’ll think about the excuse later. A hidden camera show, or something. Gathering my resolve, I calmed myself, as if I were becoming a different person. „ÄåHey you!„Äç Yelled Leon, skillfully transferring his weight and closing the gap between us. *Pa!* Sending out a jab, but it was no good. He was a boxer. Things like kicks, grappling, submissions, throws, and how to use things around you and the ground in fight are things you don’t know. If you are going to fight hand-to-hand, these are things you should know, like how to head-butt and bite. You are ignorant of the body’s vital points. After all, your style is a sport. So, I’m sorry, but I don’t plan on standing around and jabbing at each other. *Pa!* *Pa!* Leon threw a solid left hook and a right body blow, but– „ÄåLeon, on your left! The police are coming!„Äç I shouted while Leon was carrying out his punches, and surprised, he jerked his head left. Having anticipated that movement, before he could move back… *Pa!* I struck his jaw with the heel of my hand. „Äå–Ugh…„Äç Stunned by the blow, Leon staggered as he stood to his feet and retreated sluggishly. Of course the police aren’t coming. It was a bluff. He had been tricked by something so simple. But Leon was still fired up, so… „ÄåThis is how you use a sign post!„Äç Running lightly and jumping, I jumped at a the pole of a „ÄéNo Parking„Äè sign and folded my body in– –*Boom!* Like some kind of wall-jump, expanding my arms, legs, and back at the same time, I drove both my feet into Leon’s face. Doing that, I deliver more force than any boxer could pack into a punch. Saying „ÄéWow!„Äè the students watching sent up a cheer. „ÄåAghhh!„Äç Upsetting a rubbish bin by the roadside in grand style, Leon fell backwards…*Thump!*…! Striking the back of his head on the asphalt. Hey now! Don’t you even know ukemi!? 11 „ÄåOoogh…!„Äç With a nauseous face, Leon writhed in pain. From his perspective, the world must be spinning. As a boxer, he would never have received a blow to the back of the head. The rules don’t allow it and protect him. But in actual hand-to-hand combat, you go for the most vital points first. „Äå…Ughhhh…„Äç Leaning on the guard rail, Leon was able to raise his upper body. But it looked like he was unable to stand, and he remained seated. Glaring at me resentfully. Dangerously. With me looking down at Leon– It was obvious that victory had been decided, and seeing that, the students raised a loud cheer. „ÄåShit…!„Äç Realising that his boxing skills weren’t getting him anywhere, he reached behind his back– In the back of his leather trousers, from which he drew a gun he had hidden there. „Äå…You really should stop.„Äç I had already noticed it and gave Leon a scowl. Bringing a weapon into the fight makes it interesting, but I think it makes things dangerous for my opponent. „ÄåS-Scared are ya?„Äç Misinterpreting my statement, Leon sneered with a grin… and I grabbed the grip of the pistol. „ÄåNo. It’s been hard for me to hold back.„Äç And in response to my words– Leon furrowed his eyebrows. There was at least the possibility that he knew what I had said was not a lie. But because a yakuza cannot show his back, he pushed on regardless. „Äå–Die!!!„Äç Not giving up, he pulled out an automatic pistol–a Makarov PM, and pointed it at me. Shrieks immediately sounded from the surroundings. The students screamed „ÄåIt’s a gun!„Äç and fled like a bunch of baby spiders. And as I saw Leon’s arm muscles tensing to take action, I had already begun to move– Leon was left-handed, and as soon as he drew his gun, I move to his left side and grabbed the back of his gun in my right hand while jamming my finger in between the cocking hammer– now he won’t be able to shoot. Next, I restrained Leon’s left superficial flexor muscle, rendering him unable to grasp a gun. At the same time, I released the magazine and pulled the slide back, ejecting the bullet from the chamber so now the cocking hammer would strike only empty air… …There you go! If we couldn’t do that in under 5 seconds, Ranbyou would beat us to a pulp. How many hundreds of times did I do it in ASSAULT, and I got caught up in the moment and „Äécleaned up„Äè… In front of everyone. –Watching me do that, Leon clicked his tongue. „ÄåYou… you’re a professional.„Äç „ÄåEhhh? What do you mean?„Äç Having a spare magazine, as he loaded it into his gun, I… Felt a strangely exhilarating feeling. As if what had been bothering me every day until now was a lie. This fight was child’s-play for me, but was it because I held a gun again? „ÄåYou did tell me that I should give up.„Äç Leon ran his fingers lightly through his closely cropped hair– I had been glancing back into a corner of my field of vision ever since this bad situation started, and I sighed. –Moe was there. In the crowd of students watching. Moe is on the inside of the glass front of the Kawai Cram School, and standing there… Looking at me with an expression of „ÄåWhat did I just see happen?„Äç. Moe did say that she went to a cram school… and it looks like it’s this one. This just isn’t my day. Seeing me stop and look at her like that, it is obvious that we have some kind of relation. The yakuza are good at spotting things like that. What might happen if they figure out that you are connected to me. But… I can’t just tell her to get out of here. Then they’d be sure to find out. „ÄåYou there–! Hey–! What are you doing-!„Äç Although I was bluffing a while ago, now there were police running toward us. I thought the people at the cram school were ignoring the incident, but it seems that someone had reported it. But because there was a lot of foot traffic in the area, the officers were having a hard time pushing their way through the crowd. Then from the backseat of the Century… „ÄåI must thank you for giving that show-boating idiot his medicine.„Äç Wearing a modern cut kimono meant for casual wear, with flowers arranged in her long, glossy dyed brown hair, a female yakuza stepped out. Although there’s something slightly off in the look of her eyes, she is a beautiful woman, no, a beautiful girl. Even though she has a mature look, she can’t be more than 16. „Äå…I’m not a doctor.„Äç I know this beauty. I recognised when I heard her voice– Kikuyo Kagataka: Daughter of the organised Kagataka Family syndicate. „ÄåTohyama. Let’s go on a date. The ‘you’ right now can’t refuse, am I right?„Äç Saying that, she obviously knows me too. The two of us have met before. Although it’s an impossible fate. „Äå…„Äç It looks like she won’t simply allow me to leave. And in Hysteria Mode, it’s hard to ignore womanly wiles. „ÄåAlright. Let’s go. If you were to make too much ‘noise’ though, Kikuyo, it would cost a lot to keep your shady business hidden, you know.„Äç Grumbling slightly as the driver of the Century pointed an Uzi at me from the slightly cracked door, I… got in the back seat with Kikuyo. „ÄåK-Kikuyo-san, me too…„Äç Still holding his aching head, Leon tried to get in as well, but Kikuyo… „ÄåDeal with it. You’re a man aren’t you? The cops are coming. Better start moving.„Äç Leaving him with those words, Kikuyo slammed the car door shut. ************************************************************************** It sees that Kikuyo is good at eluding the police. She doesn’t seem worried about being caught. „ÄåIf you wanted to invite me on a date, don’t you think you could have avoided all this elaborate fuss?„Äç „ÄåI thought that if I made it look like a kidnapping, it would make things easier for you, Tohyama.„Äç Taking advantage of the fact that the car was rounding a corner, Kikuyo used the side mirror– to look back. At Moe. I knew she’d figure it out. Moe had gotten the cram school students to shelter back inside the building…. But after I had gotten into the car, she came back out onto the sidewalk and started looking around. It was obvious. She was looking for me. „ÄåIs she yours?„Äç Kikuyo asked, annoyed, raising her pinky finger. „ÄåI don’t know her.„Äç „ÄåTohyama, whenever you are protecting a girl, you always use the same line.„Äç In response to my words, Kikuyo adopted a tired look and slouched back. If I remember, this scent is Hypnotic Poison 12 — I really don’t like perfumes, but… this one I don’t mind. And Kikuyo knows this. Outside the window, crosswalks, vending machines, and signs and billboards for the local nightlife meant to entice the passerby streamed past. As the car moved down the street, the local pimps bowed their heads in acknowledgement, I noticed. This is getting complicated… Leaning against my shoulder and humming… „ÄåTo the office, Fifth Family Head?„Äç The largely built chauffeur with the scar in his face asked Kikuyo. „ÄåNo, to „ÄéThe Ruby„Äè. All the executives will meet us there.„Äç Just like I remember, she turned her head slightly to the side while giving this order. That sulky gesture was unexpectedly cute, and it only strengthened my Hysteria Mode. „ÄåNice car.„Äç I said as I pulled myself away from Kikuyo’s body, pretending to look around at the inside of the car. In reality, the Century really is a luxury car. I noticed that when I got in. „ÄåWant it?„Äç „Äå…… I’ll pass. But I think I misjudged you, I thought you liked Mercedes?„Äç „ÄåI do have one, but only for fun. It would be a problem if a foreign car broke down at the wrong moment. Even the American Mafia prefer Japanese cars. But if you want it, Tohyama, you can have it– even the Benz.„Äç Kikuyo…Whenever I admire something she has, she always asks: „ÄéWant it?„Äè without fail. „Äå–But Kikuyo, how did you find me?„Äç I said evasively as the nightlife of Shinobazu street rolled past the windows, smiling as I changed the subject. „ÄåFu fu! You shouldn’t underestimate the yakuza intelligence network. Some low-ranking members know Fujikibayashi and Asao. They were bragging about their fight, and so it eventually reached my ears.„Äç Kikuyo explained the trick behind how she found me, and the chauffeur rummaged in his pocket for a mobile and then turned to look at me in the rear-view mirror. „ÄåSir, what should we do with Leon? We’ve caught him, but… To get to the point, do you think a finger or…?„Äç „ÄåO-Oi! Let him go. Where I come… came from, those kind of fights happen every 5 minutes.„Äç „ÄåYes, sir. Understood.„Äç These people are dangerous. Knowing things before the police, and moving faster. Thinking about how I had saved Leon here, I shook my head… „ÄåI knew about your father’s ‘job’, but it looks like you’ve inherited it.„Äç „ÄåMy predecessor was killed. Internal dispute. Now I’m the boss.„Äç Kikuyo– When I went to Kanagawa Middle School– an affiliate of Butei High– she had figured out Hysteria Mode, and at every possible turn, used me as her personal „Äéally of justice„Äè. She had plans to join LEZZAD with her connexions to the criminal underworld, but in the middle of training she dropped out. She said that she had to transfer so quickly for family reasons–in the end, it seems it really was something like that. „ÄåFu fu! I’m so happy. My hero will eat dinner with me tonight.„Äç Saying that, the look in Kikuyo’s narrowed eyes suggested a maturity beyond her actual age… The inside of the car had been softly well-lit, but we now stopped in front of a restaurant with a flashy signboard. *************************************************************************************** The „ÄéRuby„Äè was very selective and only served members and their guests. Or so it would seem… the restaurant has a basement that gives off a mysterious vibe that reaches the upper floors, and everything is owned by Kikuyo. Only authorised people can enter– it’s what you might call a yakuza building . „Äå…„Äç Like its name, the interior was richly decked with red colour and gold undertones– and, of course, you could only get in with a reservation. The waitresses wore Chinese dresses with skirts so short that you could almost see their underwear, while the hostesses wore long multi-coloured strapless dresses and greeted the guests with a smile… Without exception, there were all beauties. What is this place, the Palace of the Dragon King? 13 But the only water here was a goldfish tank with a dangerous notice that said: „ÄéThere is no poison in the food. But if you are mistrustful, you may put the food in the tank and see for yourself.„Äè As expected, it is that kind of place. Walking inside, my eyebrow rose slightly… „ÄåThis kind of place doesn’t suit you? Want some sushi?„Äç Her long kimono fluttering like a goldfish’s fins, the princess of this palace asked as she walked like a model down a runway. „ÄåNo, the smell of old and new gunpowder relaxes me, but…I think there are a few too many girls.„Äç „ÄåOi! All of you can leave.„Äç I only grumbled a few words, but Kikuyo ordered all of those beauties out at once. Reaching the back of the room, we entered a large, expensively decorated private room– Inside, there was a huge table that dominated the room, covered with more food than you could eat and expensive bottles of sake arranged neatly in rows. Just like the offer of the car we had ridden in, this show of generosity is the yakuza way of showing honour and welcome. Refusing it would be like rejecting them. Well, compared to the Benz this is a mere trifle… Thinking that, I noticed everyone looking at me like I was a long-awaited guest– They all wore matching gold badges marking them all out as the executives of the Kagataka Family and they were all seated at the table. Hey! This is scary. It’s about 3 times scarier than going to MASTERS at Butei High. „Äå…„Äç Sitting down, I looked around. Once I did so, everyone looked back at me. Then, in unison, they all gave an „ÄéAh, yes.„Äè as a token of acceptance. Don’t be so quick to accept me. Is this because a yakuza can know a person by just looking at them? In Butei terms this was we call „Äéthe ablitiy to compare strength between yourself and others„Äè.– in short, the ability to determine whether an opponent is stronger or weaker than you, quickly and accurately. They would be also be doing the same. The yakuza feed upon the weak, if only they did not have that habit of currying favour with the strong… The reason I am not arrogant of this fact is that, worst case scenario, they may decide to kill me. For real. It is for that reason that Butei infiltration and investigations of the families are so difficult. Such things are usually left to a specialist. „Äå…See? I told you he was good, didn’t I?„Äç Sitting next to me, the fifth family head, Kikuyo, said smiling at the room. „ÄåYes. This guest has a fine look. He looks like someone who has crossed over the point of life and death several times.„Äç Kikuyo’s bodyguard and erstwhile chauffeur said the same thing as my grandfather. „ÄåHa! This boy looks more frightening than a yakuza.„Äç A handsome man in a pinstripe suit that looked like a club host said with a laugh as he folded his hands behind his head. The way he jested lightly , would have attracted any girl and make her light-headed. „ÄåYes, he might have a face like a potato, but he is strong.„Äç Said the man with the shaved head that Kikuyo had introduced as an ex-wrestler. I could just make out a tattoo on his neck. „ÄåSo that is how it is. That there is such a child, proves the world is a large place.„Äç Said the tall man who seemed to be the brain of the family operation, and who looked like a first-class trade company businessman. A Tokyo Law School graduate. They are all looking at me with interest– but it seems they understand. They had learned from Leon’s mistake… They knew that if it came to it, I could defeat them all in under a minute. Well, it would be better if things went on without a problem. If I were to try my strength again, the number of victims would only increase. „ÄåTohyama, something to drink?„Äç Kikuyo said as she grabbed a bottle of brandy from the table. „ÄåI don’t drink sake. I’m underage.„Äç „ÄåHmph.„Äç Taking out a pipe and placing it between her lips, Kikuyo held the red pipe in her mouth between her red painted lips– Immediately, the executive who looked like a host sitting next to her lit it. „Äå… I don’t get many chances to use it. It’s a DuPont lighter.„Äç Giving Kikuyo a wry smile, „ÄåYou know, you shouldn’t smoke.„Äç And immediately, Kikuyo passed the pipe to the host sitting next to her– and picking up a cup of water on the table *Splash!* Put out the cigarillo that the Tokyo Law Graduate was already smoking. „ÄåAlright, he doesn’t like the smoke.„Äç Getting mad at someone for something you do yourself. This reminds me of Aria trying to shift the blame to someone else. What had just happened made me very uncomfortable, but putting that aside– „Äå–That’s not all that I don’t like.„Äç I glanced around at the group, and then looked at Kikuyo. Realising that I didn’t like the group of executives, Kikuyo said: „ÄåAll of you can leave.„Äç Perhaps because tonight was only meant as a formal introduction, the executives all rose from their seats. But the fact they left without a complaint… surprised me. ****************************************************************** „Äå… Tohyama, how do I look? Since middle-school… haven’t I become a beauty?„Äç When the two of us were alone, Kikuyo… Up until now she had acted in a mature manner, but now she became quite shy. „Äå–I can’t deny the truth.„Äç I answered as she hid her face as the current me thought: „ÄåI can’t get enough of this!„Äç And with an expressive look, „ÄåMy mom was an actress, you know. Canadian. They tell me that I look more and more like her.„Äç „ÄåIt must be true. That’s why your hair is such a light colour, although I never heard anyone in middle-school mention it.„Äç „ÄåThat’s because I never talked to any else about my parents.„Äç Kikuyo turned red and reached for a Lychee fruit. I don’t… no…I think I’d better eat some of this feast. For a normal person, eating with a yakuza would be a problem, but for Butei it’s a different case. It’s a well established rule of custom. Besides, my Butei licence hasn’t expired yet… My grandfather would beat me if I let good food go to waste, so I took a piece of shark fin in my chopsticks. This is… wonderfully delicious! The chef must be very talented and have used the best ingredients. There is no poison in it, but such wonderful food could well become a danger for the one eating it. „ÄåSo, as compensation for your trouble earlier, will this be enough?„Äç Kikuyo took out a suit case and opened it to reveal 30 million yen in notes packed inside… „ÄåIt’s fine, the food is enough.„Äç I refused, but I could certainly use one or two of those stacks. A luxury car, fancy restaurant, and now money– Giving such expensive gifts is like advertising for the yakuza. They show off the number of expensive things they have to important people and companies to prove how well their business is doing and to serve as an open bribe, since they can’t put out flashy signs and billboards. All of the executives were wearing Versace suits and diamond studded Rolexes. It might have looked like an act, but it wasn’t to show off their poor taste, but rather to prove that they „Äéappreciated the finer things in life„Äè. All things considered, the message from Kikuyo’s group was clear– meant to convey that they were prosperous. „ÄåThe modern yakuza don’t like to stand out, now do they?„Äç Taking a bit of Peking Duck, I probed the matter further… „ÄåWe are old-fashioned.„Äç …Something in Kikuyo’s eyes told me she was hiding something. Should I investigate further to use up some time? It doesn’t look like they’ll let me leave after eating just one dish. „ÄåSo what does your family do now?„Äç „ÄåUfu-fu, well what do you think? Drugs, protection, debt collection… we do all kinds of illegal trade. We even have food stalls at festivals! „Äç „ÄåDon’t be coy. I at least want to know where the money for this food I’m eating came from.„Äç My face became serious, and as Kikuyo filled my glass with Oolong tea… „ÄåChina.„Äç She said in a voice that did not seem to be lying. …Now I see! The Chinese restaurant should have been a hint. So this has been the point this entire night. „ÄåIn the industry, the foreign trade has always been a co-operation between the old families and their supporter organisations, and the Kagataka family was originally one of these supporting organisations. So we never had access to the kind of big jobs that a larger organisation did. Besides that… ever since I took over as the head of the family, we have been ignored in the domestic trade as well.„Äç So… now I see. Unlike in the movies, the real underworld is controlled by men. Having met the executives, I understood that there was no one among them capable of leading the family business, so Kikuyo had inherited the job– and she was at a disadvantage. „ÄåDo you know? Japanese goods are popular in foreign markets, and not just cars and anime. The yakuza too. No matter the country, the mafia welcome us.„Äç I did know that. Internationally, in the criminal underworld, deep pockets translates to power. The yakuza still hold that power because they are rich in Japanese yen. „ÄåSo, in order to turn things around in one go, we have allied ourselves with one of the big Chinese organisations. Now, we draw our funds from the Macao Casino region where we have invested. So, of course, it’s entirely legal. You can relax and enjoy the food.„Äç Looking like a global investing businesswoman, Kikuyo shot me a seductive sidelong glance. „ÄåWho have you partnered with? If it’s the Chinese Mafia, I know a few names.„Äç „ÄåIt’s an armed group with a lot of strength. I think they will suit you. We should meet with them. The Chinese executives just happen to be in Japan right now. It seems they are in the middle of clearing up some kind of international dispute, and I’m sure they would like to meet with a superman like you.„Äç Kikuyo said, omitting the name of the organisation. This anonymity must be a sticking point with the Chinese. So they have to be a suitably large organisation. Knock on wood, I’ll have to tread carefully. 14 „ÄåI think I have to pass. I don’t speak Chinese, and I’m not a superman.„Äç „ÄåYou can’t fool me, I know you. Our line of work requires fighting spirit. We need strong people.„Äç „Äå… So you want me to join your family?„Äç „ÄåThat’s right! Let’s share a cup of sake, then we’ll be step-brother and sister 15 .„Äç She answered, completely oblivious to the situation… and I could only smile bitterly. „ÄåI already have a little sister.„Äç „ÄåYou do? Is she a Butei too?„Äç „ÄåYes. But I didn’t know about her until recently.„Äç „ÄåIf that’s the case, then she can join too. The yakuza are always looking for qualified people, even defected Butei. Ex-military, police, and the like, they all have a place with the yakuza. The executive board is unanimous in this decision.„Äç „ÄåT-the board…„Äç „ÄåTohyama, you could become the most famous yakuza in Japan…no, the world. Your name would go down in history, like Al Capone. And with me… as your… first wife… j-just kidding about that part!„Äç Although she says that she is kidding, I can tell from the look in her eye that she isn’t– „Äå– I don’t want to be a yakuza.„Äç I said that after eating her food, but I had to be perfectly clear. I recalled the special pains I have taken to desperately become a normal person. Becoming a famous criminal, is not something I can do. „ÄåS…so that’s how it is? I’m sorry. Master Kou will be so disappointed…„Äç Saying that…. Kikuyo made a small mistake let a name slip out. –Kou. That must be the name of one of the Chinese executives. Kikuyo seems to have caught her own mistake… And since I had refused the sake, in the end, our conversation had stalled. „ÄåWell then, I think we’ll leave it for tonight…„Äç She said, and I anticipated words that would allow me to excuse myself– But she changed the topic which until now had been business talk that had seemed a bit mature for her, and Kikuyo said: „Äå–Remember the old days?„Äç As she began to reminisce. Still in Hysteria Mode, it would make me feel bad to leave abruptly. Of course, Kikuyo knows that all too well, so that’s why she changed the subject. Aware of that, she poured out some jasmine tea. „ÄåYes…I remember.„Äç „ÄåIn middle school, when I learned about your condition… I made you do many, many things. I’m sorry. But is it possible… to leave all that in the past?„Äç I heard Kikuyo whisper in a low, sorrowful voice. Since complaining about such things is not the manly thing to do: „ÄåIt really wasn’t that serious– I can’t hold a lady’s mistakes against her.„Äç It was all so firmly in the past, that I really let it go. How many times had I been bullied by girls? If I were to write down every little thing that Aria and Riko did to me, I’d be drowning in a sea a notebooks. Besides, holding on to grudges is a waste of your life. You should just forget about it. Kikuyo had apologised. „ÄåOh…!„Äç Responding to my Hysteria Mode induced words, her face became a mix of happiness and embarrassment… unable to calm herself, Kikuyo rearranged her legs underneath her short kimono. …Ugh… This is bad. My Hysteria Mode just got stronger all at once. Resituating herself, Kikuyo exposed her legs so that her upper legs up to the thigh were exposed through the slit down the front… What I could see had caught my attention. I remembered that Tamamo had said that underwear was not worn with kimonos– „Äå…Back then, I was bullied too.„Äç As Kikuyo said that, I thought back to those memories and tried to find refuge in them. Calming my mind. Although Kikuyo has always had a twisted view of the world, for some strange reason she was always our middle-school’s most popular girl… she was very popular with the boys and very disliked by the girls in the school. Kanagawa was a Butei High affiliate, and needless to say, it was meant to help train and shape future Butei. For Kikuyo, her connections to the underworld were a great asset, but the yakuza are fundamentally seen as the natural enemy of Butei. And Kikuyo’s parents were yakuza. That was enough to find fault with– and the girls bullied Kikuyo for it. …And for that, there was no reason not to sympathise with her. Children can’t choose their parents. „ÄåI remember. The time that the bullies cut my bathing suit, and you got even with them.„Äç „ÄåI remember too.„Äç That was where it all started. Some of the mean girls played a trick on Kikuyo by messing with her bathing suit. They had secretly cut up Kikuyo’s bathing suit and stitched it back together with water-soluble thread so it would come apart after Kikuyo got into the water. The swimming classes were separated by gender, but ending up half-naked and unable to go home, Kikuyo ran back and hid herself in the shower room and cried until nightfall. Then, by chance, I was the one assigned to clean-up duty, and I found her… Yes, and what happened next, I would rather not recall. Returning with a spare uniform, Kikuyo changed, and I stayed with her, gently soothing and comforting her until she stopped crying– I understood her feelings and using the power of Hysteria Mode on those girls… Of course, I didn’t hit them, but I got them to agree to do what I wanted. They all lined up in a row and apologised to Kikuyo, but all of them, Kikuyo included, were Butei in the making. They all began their own investigation of me, and soon after the rebellion occurred… Not long after, I became the useful „Äéally of justice„Äè „ÄåBut you might not remember this. Even when you weren’t like you are now, you defended me.„Äç Huh…? Suddenly turning red… Kikuyo said something surprising. Could that be true…? Seeing my confused expression, she continued. „ÄåThat time when someone stole the money from the classroom lock-box. Everyone acted as if I had stolen it. Everyone… except you.„Äç A~ah! My family has a saying: „ÄéDon’t forget what has been done for you, forget what you have done for others„Äè so I had intentionally forgotten it. „ÄåAh, yes. now I remember.„Äç I’m sure that I was the normal me at that time. Despite the fact that they were Butei-in-training, they were all too ready to heartlessly jump to a conclusion so I shouted the protest: „ÄåNo one has any proof, now do they!„Äç So they let Kikuyo go, and the real culprit was found out later. Come to think of it… Kikuyo didn’t use my Hysteria Mode against me after that. „ÄåAfter that, well… I… to you…„Äç „Äå?„Äç Kikuyo began to stammer and look away, then looked up to me from where she was sitting. After a brief silence– „Äå…tried to give you a lo- love le- love letter… I wrote it many times, but… every time, I tore it up. I made you do all of these things, and my guilt wouldn’t let me give it to you.„Äç This… This had become a dangerous topic. One with a completely different danger than the previous one. „ÄåTohyama. If anyone asks if you have eaten my family’s food today– I will deny it.„Äç Kikuyo laid her hand on my arm, while her face showed the she had come to her second point. „ÄåIn return, y… you will be my boyfriend .„Äç „ÄåWh-what?„Äç „ÄåYou’ve left Butei High, right? If it was some kind of investigation, you wouldn’t be going to that cram school without a gun. We’re a bunch of drop-outs, so let’s go out together!„Äç Kikuyo began pulling on the hand that was still on my arm. I have to find some way to escape using Hysteria Mode, but Kikuyo knows very well how it works. Riko can deftly manipulate me the same way, so I have to be careful. „ÄåWell no, you see I…„Äç Trying to find words to reject her that won’t hurt her, Kikuyo spoke up. „ÄåYou don’t get it, do you? I’m threatening you, Tohyama!„Äç I knew it… Kikuyo, you really are a bad person. „ÄåIf I spread your secret, you won’t be able to go to a normal school, will you?„Äç Without using her fists, she struck me where it hurt the most, and she struck without hesitation. She had probably been planning this all along. „Äå…„Äç Keeping quiet, Kikuyo’s smile said „ÄéI win„Äè. „ÄåI would have preferred not to have to have had to use this threat, but, you see, our statuses are quite different.„Äç „ÄåIf that’s what you think, then raise your own status and ask again.„Äç „ÄåThat’s… just like you…„Äç *Squeeze!* Kikuyo hugged me with all her strength. Clinging to me, I felt my Hysteria Mode intensify. Ever since middle-school, Kikuyo has been attractive. Because of her home-life, she has always seemed more mature. Now she has this sex appeal unlike any other high school girl. This is not something I could have with Aria who looks like an elementary student. While pondering about how increasingly flustered my Hysteria Mode was making me… „ÄåI wanted to see you again… I want to see you again! My very own, ally of justice. So when I saw you from the car, I knew it was a miracle that I had met you again…!„Äç My heart pounding, Kikuyo said this with moistened eyes. If this were the normal me, I would shake off her arm and dash through the nearest window to escape, but… In Hysteria Mode, I can’t. Because it would hurt a girl. This is bad…! Because the room had no bed or sofa, I had completely lowered my guard. And because my opponent was a yakuza, I was on the lookout for armed dangers and so left a gap in my awareness. I neglected to prepare myself for that kind of danger. And she had exploited it. Kikuyo must have taken great care in planning this out. This is just as elaborate as one of Riko’s plots. „ÄåIn the car, I managed to stay calm, but– all the while my heart was throbbing. Now… I can’t think about anything except you, Tohyama…„Äç I can’t hurt her– What can I say? There is something. There is this „ÄéCountermeasure„Äè that my older brother, when he called himself Kana, taught to me. Even though things have gone this far, it’s still a 50-50 bet. If I lose, I will have to join her family. Right in this chair. „ÄåNow then… Kikuyo, can I ask you a question?„Äç Now I have no choice but to cross that bridge. Come on… Kikuyo! „ÄåWhat is it?„Äç „ÄåAfter we’re going out… What do you want me to do to you, Kikuyo? „Äç I said with a tender smile, as I gazed into her slightly glazed eyes. „ÄåEh? T-That… no… something like… I can’t say it.„Äç Alright…! Blushing red for all she was worth, she tried to hide it, but the words stuck in her throat. „ÄåWhat is it? Won’t you tell me, Kikuyo? Come now… Kikuyo.„Äç It’s the same technique I used on Aria as a distraction while we were on the jet-ski,„ÄéWoodpecker„Äè. It’s how to deal with a question that is difficult to answer– If asked a question that you can’t answer, in order to prevail, you should reply with another question that the other party cannot readily answer. This purposeful cycle takes advantage of increased natural female shyness. This is a technique that keeps you from having to answer. In order to increase the odds of success, I used this during the train-jacking on Shirayuki and added „ÄéCharming Call„Äè. In short, it’s a kind of hypnosis. „Äå…T-Tohyama thinks about something like that… I could, but…„Äç She had fallen right into my trap and was squirming helplessly– Gently, like plucking a flower, I took Kikuyo’s hands, and… separated us from each other. We had crossed it, somehow. Although it was a dangerous bridge. And Kikuyo… *squeeze!* …sat in her chair, pulled her legs in close, bowed her head, and made herself into a ball. Her blush reached down to her neck. You are definitely imagining all sorts of things right now. For that, I am sorry. The fever successfully drawn out, I began to stroke and caress her head… „ÄåWell then, I must be going.„Äç With that declaration of victory, I stood up from my chair. Kikuyo was still sitting in that gym class pose, hugging her knees. I doesn’t look like she is going to follow me. Were my caresses so gentle that she fell asleep? „Äå–Can I ask you something, Tohyama?„Äç She had not fallen asleep. „ÄåWhat’s that?„Äç I said as I exited the luxuriously furnished room. „ÄåYou had this dead fish-face when you were going into the cram school, but during the yakuza meeting you were lively.„Äç „Äå…„Äç That was… I can’t deny it. I am perfectly comfortable in the underground world of crime. There is much more to dazzle the eye there than in a dull school. –While turning her face, Kikuyo said: „ÄåI won’t say anything about that school, but an ex-Butei will never be able to integrate into normal society except on the lowest level. After leaving that school, it’s better to become a yakuza. If you have any conditions, we can discuss what it would take to bring you on board…„Äç She still hasn’t given on getting me to join her family. „ÄåI’m sorry. Negotiate is the very thing I can’t do. I would betray the yakuza.„Äç „ÄåThat’s just what you’ve done! Betrayed Butei High in order to go down into normal society.„Äç …She hit me where it really hurts. That not something I can deny. I– –can only be silent and retreat. As I opened the large wooden door with the exquisitely carved Phoenix on it… „ÄåYou know it, right? I’m not very patient.„Äç Kikuyo’s voice said. Turning slightly with her head laid down… Her arms still clasping her knees, from the gap between her bangs she glared at me. Some of the boys liked it because „Äéit gave them the chills„Äè , it was the sharp look when Kikuyo was resentful. „Äå…I know.„Äç „ÄåSo you know I’m not good at losing.„Äç „ÄåI know that too.„Äç „ÄåReally, that is all there is to it. But here’s something you don’t know.„Äç „ÄåAh?„Äç „ÄåI just realised it myself.„Äç With a *Whoosh!* Kikuyo threw something sharp and pointed– Drawing a card from inside her sleeve, she threw it like a shuriken. With a solid *Thunk*, it stuck into the door right before my eyes. Since I knew she didn’t intend to hit me, I didn’t move to avoid it, but it cut one or two strands of my hair in its path. „Äå…?„Äç Looking at it, it was a platinum credit card. With the corners’ edges sharpened like knives.. „Äå–The PIN is 1111. Compensation for your trouble today, so use it as much as you want.„Äç „ÄåI told you I didn’t want it. Don’t you know? I don’t like pushy girls very much.„Äç „ÄåWell, then I guess… I won’t be pushy. Tohyama… have a good night.„Äç Grasping her knees and hiding her face, Kikuyo waved goodbye. And now, to finish my escape… but… It was all due to the power of Hysteria Mode. I tried hard to become a normal person, and despite the fact that I had achieved it to some extent–Hysteria Mode will play some role in my life. I escaped Butei High, I escaped Kikuyo… I can’t escape myself. I am who I am. I can’t run forever. No, I absolutely cannot run away. Because I am me. If I could, what would I do? I… I… (END OF CHAPTER) ***************************************************** 1. The kanji for ‘rice’ can be seen as a composite of all the kanji for the number 88 ÂÖ´+ÂçÅ+ÂÖ´ = Á±≥ ((8×10)+ 8 = 88). Basically, there is a lot of work that goes into it, and it should be appreciated, not greedily eaten. 2. Famous swordsman and wandering samurai reputed in tales to have sat down and intimidated his enemies by idly catching a flies with chopsticks. 3. The Kanji for the name Kinzou are the ones for ‘Gold’ and ‘Three’ 4. Traditional Japanese short formal coat. Kinji’s family wear traditional Japanese clothing at home. 5. ‘Gap-school’ is a term I made up. There are special school in Japan to help students who take a year off before starting university to improve test scores and get into better schools 6. Doraemon reference to the oversized bully character in the animated series. 7. Seems to be a fictional island, but in Russian, ‘blesk’ means ‘bright’ or ‘dazzling’. 8. A game where children sit on the ground with the backs facing each other and try to stand by pushing their backs together. 9. The Japanese onomatopoeia for mouse squeaks is identical to the one for kissing sounds. 10. ‘Bousouzoku’ in the original–Organised groups of young people under 20 that ride heavily modified motorbikes and drive recklessly or disrupt traffic for thrills. Asao and Fujikibayashi are wannabe Bousouzoku. 11. As previously stated, Ukemi is martial arts training to fall safely and minimise damage. 12. A famous Dior perfume apparently. 13. Japanese Mythological Palace located at the bottom of the sea. 14. Actually Kinji says ‘Kuwabara Kuwabara’. It’s a folk charm to ward of misfortune. 15. Seems to be a ritual connected to joining the yakuza. The prospetive member drinks from the same cup of sake as the one admitting them to the group. ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ### 005. 5th Ammo - Enlightening Emptiness Thanks: Well here it is. The end of Volume 12, but not the end of the arc, or even close to the end of this series! Thanks to all those who follow us and have patiently waited for us to finish the volume. We recently passed the 100 follower mark, and that is a tremendous accomplishment knowing just how obscure this site used to be. We couldn’t have done it without you! If you haven’t followed us yet, just one click will keep you up-to-date with the latest happenings and releases on the site via e-mail notification. Do it! As always, things moved much slower on this chapter than we had hoped. Please believe me that it is just as frustrating for us trying to get the chapter done as fast as we want to as it is for you to wait for it to be finished. We appreciate your patience and hope the chapter is well worth the wait! The Release and Future Plans: Afterword was short and is included in this release, but Illustrator notes weren’t because it was a generic plug for the next volume. If you really, really want it, let me know and I’ll get to it. Chapters seem to be getting longer and longer (70+ pages at last look), so expect some good content, but a bit longer wait between than previous volumes (~40 pages). (Sorry!) üò¶ My first priority is TL’ing Volume 13 and everything else is currently on hold. Final proofing edits for the ‘Volume 12’ tab and PDF release will delayed unless some kind soul wants to take another look over the text, proof it, and put it together for us. Shoot us an e-mail on the ‘Contact’ page if you are interested in helping out. I have a Word Doc file of Vol 12 that can be used. There’s a Proofer and PDF designer credit in it for anyone who completes job. We can probably give you a fancy title for the Discord Channel too in case that motivates anyone… Anywho… On to the actual chapter!!! Chapter 5: Enlightening Emptiness (BEGIN TEXT) Walking back home late that night, the effects of Hysteria Mode wore off… With the tension released, I sprawled out on all fours. Ashamed of my actions, I crawled along the streets I-I shuddered at how badly I had made a mess of things. Snubbing the yakuza’s hospitality like that, and patting the head of their leader. Just what the hell were you thinking… Hysterised me!? When I am in Hysteria mode, this sense of an alternate reality builds up, so that when I look back on everything I do it feels like waking up from a dream. In reality, I was able to successfully defeat Count Dracula, infiltrate a crowded nuclear submarine with only a gun and blade, and knock down a missile with my bare hands while in that state. I wish it could all be just a dream. But that is the kind of ending I hate the most. The god in charge of my story wouldn’t write such an ending. I left Butei High in order to become a normal person… But 10 days later, I am drinking tea with the yakuza! Kikuyo is sure to follow me around. Sooner or later, she will appear again. What can I do? Now with Hysteria Mode dispersed, I can’t think of anything. To top it all off, I am more useless than usual. After entering Hysteria Mode, I always become drowsy and sluggish. I’ll take a day off from school tomorrow… But I can’t do what I did in INQUESTA and buy Riko a game to mimic my voice and answer roll call for me. I haven’t been good with attendance at that school anyway. I really should go. First of all, I should show my unconquerable warrior spirit by standing up… And like a newborn foal, I stood wobbling… „ÄåEven if you crawl, I won’t throw you any money, Tohyama.„Äç From the top of a lamp post, I heard a preschool-like voice. Looking up at the owner of the voice– *Whoosh!* I hastily averted my eyes. I don’t want to see them. „ÄåDo not act as if you do not wish to see me!„Äç With a pounce, her short miniskirt flipped completely up (I didn’t see but I guessed), landing in front of me was– Tamamo. The girl-shaped fox. Or maybe it is the fox-shaped girl. C-come on… give me a break…! I’m trying to become a responsible citizen. „ÄåWhy have you stirred outside the exorcism barrier 1 ? Since days of old, you Tohyama warriors have been unpredictable.„Äç I drooped my head… and since it could not be avoided, I raised it again to look Tamamo straight in the eyes. One of the reasons I had looked away was the fact that although Tamamo was dressed like a preschooler, she was wearing a short miniskirt. I didn’t see it for myself, but shouldn’t her tail be lifting the skirt, fully exposing her underwear? „ÄåHow is this? With these garments I look like a normal maiden, do I not?„Äç With a spin, she twirled a 360 in place. I was worried– but thanks to the difference in our respective heights, I did not see anything dangerous. Thank goodness. „ÄåMaiden, you say… Even though you are 800 years old…„Äç She was wearing a cap with ears, but inside it her real ears were waggling and her tail shaking–although there is the slightest chance that someone would overlook that, it’s still strange. Tamamo is pretending to be a kindergartner, but she looks to be about 7 or 8 years old. That means she would have had to repeat kindergarten. But it looks like I might have to repeat a year of high school, so I don’t have any room to speak. I should buy clothes for her so that she would blend in with society better… but if I, a high-school boy, were to buy clothes for a little girl, I’d probably be reported. A policeman would mark me out as a suspected child abductor. I’m not interested in picking up any more labels, so I should steer clear. I know that much. „ÄåSo, what are you doing here?„Äç She asked, staring blankly up at me with her rounded fox eyes… „Äå…I really don’t know.„Äç I answered truthfully. *********************************************************************** She wore an temple offertory box on her back like a kindergartner’s backpack, following me as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Thinking about it, it must look like I am escorting an elementary school girl to some kind of X-rated cosplay. It is late at night after all. And so, avoiding the glances of strangers, we sneaked back to my house… Reki’s shoes were in the genkan. It seems that she made it home safely after we separated at the cram school. „ÄåTohyama. We ought to conduct a purification ceremony. Your unhappiness may be due to possession of an evil spirit. We should exorcise it.„Äç You can exorcise an evil spirit. You can’t exorcise yourself. That’s physically impossible. 2 „ÄåOi! Hold on…!„Äç If my grandfather found out that I brought an elementary school girl to my house, he’d line up the firing squad without waiting for a court-martial– With quick steps, Tamamo passed down the corridor toward the bathroom By ‘purification’, did you mean take a bath…!? Yes, now I recall that Konayuki used those Shinto religious terms as well. And so, before telling Reki what had happened after we left the cram school– I ended up following Tamamo directly into the bathroom. „ÄåThese modern clothes are so difficult to remove.„Äç „Äå…*Gasp!*…„Äç Grunting with the effort, Tamamo was…„ÄÄalready half naked…! She was wearing a pair of underwear that looked like it had been stolen from that little brat Aya Hiraga’s wardrobe, but then with a *Swish!*… Sh-she’s…! completely naked…! If my grandfather or grandmother were to discover this, I’d be in for a full course of corporal punishment. –Run! As I intended to back up the corridor from the changing room we were in… „ÄåHey! Stop wasting time. Can you not see that I require someone to help me bathe?„Äç „ÄåDon’t be so loud…!„Äç Although I could sense that everyone is asleep for the night, if someone were to wake up… it would be “The End of Kinji”…! S-so I can’t help it. I will have to take part in this coerced bathing event as well. Goddammit! Out of the frying pan and into the fire. Today has been an unlucky day unlike any other. There have been altogether too many unlucky days. And so I began to undress sullenly. „ÄåTohyama, place me upon thy shoulders. I want to use that new bar of soap.„Äç Jumping up and down while her tail swished from side to side, stretching her washboard squid body while trying to reach the milk-based soap on the top shelf. „ÄåI think that’s the family’s soap… For you, the dog shampoo they use for Haimaki should be good enough.„Äç Despite my grumbling, I grabbed the soap. As if I would put a naked elementary schoolgirl on my shoulders. Besides when it comes to hygienics, doing that before a bath is questionable. B-but… does she really expect me to wash her? Just now this mini-person said that she needed someone to help her bathe. Although I don’t go for younger girls, when it comes to Hysteria Mode I’m fine, but if she wants me to wash her naked body, I can’t express the same confidence. She might be tiny, but Tamamo does have a feminine form…! This situation might be more dangerous than when I ate with the yakuza… what should I do..!? What is the god in charge of my story thinking? Is he an idiot? It would be a problem if this naked elementary school girl made a fuss.¬†More dangerous than being abducted by the yakuza. And with the testimony of three Butei, my guilt would be a foregone conclusion. As for school, I’d spend the rest of my time in a reform school. If I get into the bath with her I’m in for hell, and if I leave I’m in for hell…! All at once, as I covered myself with a towel, the sliding, frosted glass door to the bath slid open… Huh…? I saw a wall of steam in front of me. I was grateful because now Tamamo was obscured. „Äå… „Äç It seems that someone left the hot water tap running. Ah, what a waste! Our bath is large, but it isn’t a public bath. „Äå… „Äç I tried to escape reality but… „Äå–It appears that I shouldn’t have wasted the time worrying about you after all.„Äç From beyond the steam, I was accosted by Reki’s angry voice. Since her presence was almost imperceptible, I did not notice until after entering the bath, but… Why… what is she doing here…!? „ÄåOh, so the Azure Maiden Reki is here as well.„Äç Tamamo said something baffling as she waved her tail like a fan to disperse the steam– Seeing me enter the bath with a young girl as if it were the most natural thing in the world, I saw Reki’s mouth compress into a tight ‘„Å∏’ shape… Reki was already in the bath tub. And of course, Mint-chan Yada was stark naked as well…! Her shoulders were slightly reddened by the bath water, and her figure was adorned by glistening water droplets from the bath. I really need to get out of here. But there’s Tamamo. If I were to leave and she made a loud fuss, I would start my life a convicted felon. So even though I am not in Hysteria Mode, I set my brain to the task of figuring out how 3 people can bathe in on bath. Then it hit me. H-hurry Kinji! With how fast you had that flash of inspiration, you might have hysterised already…! Snatching the bath bucket from Tamamo’s hands– *Whoosh!* *Swish! Swish!* Using the ‘High-speed bathing’ technique that I had devised a while ago in case Shirayuki or Riko tried to force their way into my bath, I bathed myself in an instant. I covered myself with soap from head to toe, and probably because of the strange movements that accompanied this technique, Tamamo and Reki drew back, giving me some space– Washing my hair quickly, I turned toward the tub– „ÄåR-Reki. Get out here and bathe Tamamo.„Äç Eyes shut, I carefully entered the tub with my back turned. Then, as you might expect of this inconsiderate behaviour, or because she was angry that I had brought the naked Tamamo into the bath… As we passed, Reki struck my undefended head, but… She didn’t put too much force behind it. She used her hands in this gentle way as if to say: „ÄéI’m glad you’re safe.„Äè Ever since we dropped out, I’ve noticed that Reki’s actions have become more and more human. Sure, she’s still as expressionless as ever, but now… Probably because she is used to washing animals, Reki is scrubbing Tamamo down. Behind the screen of steam she is skillfully bathing her. But as she was shampooing her tail… „ÄåAs I thought, Tohyama! Not only the Himiko, but the Rimiko is also your woman!„Äç 3 Remarking that to me, where should I begin to correct her? „ÄåWho is this ‘Rimiko’?„Äç „ÄåThat refers to me.„Äç Said Reki. „ÄåI sort of gathered that, but… are you a miko?„Äç „ÄåIn my homeland, I performed the duties of what is known in Japan as a ‘miko’. I have excused myself from that role, but the Wind has put my intention to resign on hold.„Äç The…Wind… I had thought that the idea of ‘The Wind’ was all in Reki’s head, but… It seems to have something to do with Irokane. Specifically the Ririirokane. But this is a topic I don’t like to deal with, so to avoid getting involved, I won’t ask any more questions. „ÄåHimiko, Rumiko, Rimiko, these are the three types of Irokane mikos.„Äç 4 Ms. Rumiko, please don’t appear! Shirayuki and Reki are quite enough to deal with! Please don’t show up! Don’t even think about it! „Äå… In short, Shirayuki and Reki are similarly mikos. But the kind of Irokane that they are linked with differs.„Äç „ÄåAugh! I give up. If you are going to keep talking, talk about something else!„Äç My spirit has already been worn down by my unfortunate encounter with Leon. Talk like that will completely exhaust my mental strength, and I’ll faint and drown in the bathtub. „ÄåHmm… Perhaps it is as you say, and the only thing the Tohyama are suited to is battle.„Äç If that’s the case, then don’t make me help you bathe. „ÄåAs for another topic… Oh, that’s right! Far East Warfare. The last battle between DEEN and GRENEDA.„Äç Enough already! My HP has already hit zero! „ÄåI’ve had a telegram from Europe. Meiya of the Vatican sallied forth to attack Katze, the Witch of Cursed Water. But without decisive victory–They both retreated to their own bases, and afterward Liberty Mason’s exorcists traveled to Berlin from London to capture the weakened Katze. They should be searching for her as we speak.„Äç Saying that, she sketched out the military positions like pieces on a game-board. A game like that including a map of Europe would sell well. I continued to listen to Tamamo as if it were someone else’s problem that I was hearing. „ÄåSooner or later our forces in Europe will be depleted, and they will send to Tokyo for reinforcements.„Äç Tamamo glanced at me. „Äå…Don’t look at me. I won’t go. I absolutely won’t do something like going overseas.„Äç But, even as I give an absolute refusal… for some reason I have this jinx that makes my refusal into a reality. So I shouldn’t say any more. Besides, there’s the Karagane– if we don’t recover the thing that housed the Hidan that Sherlock shot into Aria from the members of GRENEDA within the next few years–won’t Aria become the calamitous Scarlet Goddess? Even so, such talk seems like a fantasy. But if Aria’s level of brutal violence were drastically increased, she might just split the globe in a fight with me over the television channel. For the sake of everyone in the world, that is something that must be avoided. „ÄåWell, when it come to the matter of Sherlock shooting Aria with the Hidan, I was a part of that… So I will have to do something about the Karagane.„Äç „ÄåWhen it comes to the Karagane, I have sensed that one piece has crossed back into Japan from Shanghai. Probably with Rampan.„Äç Ugh… It turns out the board-game was not someone else’s problem… „Äå…There’s something I’m a little nervous about, Tamamo. Your detection ability, does GRENEDA have anyone that has an ability like it?„Äç „ÄåEveryone has the ability. Even in a dark room, you can sense that someone is in the room with you, can’t you? Birds, fish, animals, and even humans have this powerful ability. My kind has only developed it to an extraordinary degree.„Äç „ÄåThen, if GRENEDA has someone with supernatural powers like yours… Wouldn’t they be aware of our own movements?„Äç „ÄåIt’s probably safe to think so. The enemy’s last movement was probably prompted by the Baskerville General stirring outside of the exorcism barrier. „Äç I’m… a general? I’d rather be demoted to private. But in any case I’m just a single piece in „ÄéFar East Warfare„Äè–this game of superhumans with Asia as its map. *Sigh*… I want to become a normal human quickly… But, as I thought, there really is no way for me to become an ordinary person. Not even here. ****************************************************************************** After that, Tamamo slipped on some soap and fell into the bathtub in a stereotypical performance that is impossible to describe–even in modern light novels–, fainted, and sank to the bottom of the tub. Not wanting to know what kind of curse would fall upon my family if a god died under our roof, Reki and I lifted her out together. I didn’t know which part of her I had grabbed, but I realised it was her tail… I should consider the fact that Tamamo’s back was turned toward me as the drop of happiness in my misfortune. Just thinking if it had been the front makes my spine freeze. If I has hysterised because of Tamamo, I would have had to commit seppuku with the Scientific Swordswoman Kaname to behead me afterward. Returning alive from that life-and-death bath, it was about midnight. I-I’m exhausted… I crashed onto my futon with a flop. A bath is supposed to be relaxing… but now I’m somehow more exhausted than before. But bathing with two girls and managing not to hysterise, I want to praise my own powers of endurance. The fact that „Äéimmediately after hysterising it is harder to hysterise again„Äè could be said to be a positive side effect. „ÄåSo, when are you leaving?„Äç I asked Tamamo who was wearing a sailor suit uniform that the Butei High interns wore and gulping down milk from the carton she held in both hands — plundered from my family’s refrigerator — as she sat seiza on my futon. „ÄåUhmm… I plan to stay for a while. I’m going to haunt you and be your personal bodyguard.„Äç She answered, with her breath smelling of milk. ‘Haunt me’, you’ve already been doing that. „ÄåWell, maybe as a ball…„Äç I said, voicing my thoughts… But carrying a Japanese ball doesn’t fit my character. It’s not like I fit in at school, anyway. But if I start carrying something strange like that, no one will come near me. „Äå… No, not that, if you want me to carry you around, you’ll have to become something inconspicuous.„Äç „ÄåSomething inconspicuous? Hmmm…„Äç Saying that, Tamamo’s tail bent into a ‘?’ shape as she considered it, and I finally went off to sleep. Lately I’ve had trouble with insomnia, but after hysterising, I slept much more soundly. This too is a drop of happiness in the midst of my misfortune. …but tomorrow… How will I face them at school? My classmates saw me: The fight in front of the cram school. There were many eyewitnesses who saw how I dealt with Leon before the the police arrived. There are too many mouths to keep quiet. And Moe saw everything. Now… everyone will be afraid of me, hate me. That’s for sure. Until now, it seemed like they ignored me, but now things will be difficult. Tomorrow, how am I supposed to go on at school…? ****************************************************************************** „ÄåKinji-san‚Ķ If you don’t get up now, you are going to be late‚Ķ„Äç Reki, the human alarm clock was waking me up…. For some reason, my futon in nice and warm. „Äå?„Äç Thinking about what it could be… Th-this is… peeling back the blankets, it was just as I thought–Tamamo was sleeping soundly. And she was using me as a body pillow. Reki immediately stiffened with a sour expression, while at the same time: „Äå…That’s my Aniki for you. He doesn’t discriminate and no game is too big. I respect that. G-3 said as he read the family scrolls on the walls. „ÄåN-no, this isn’t a kidnapping or anything…!„Äç I tried to explain, while Tamamo stirred with a mewing sound and pawed at me. „ÄåThis is a god, a real one. Even more powerful than our Tsukumo. You’ve had a god working for you this whole time?„Äç G-god you say. If she’s a god, then I’m becoming an atheist. „ÄåAs for her working for me… Ow-ow-wow-ow! Oi, what are you trying to do Tamamo!?„Äç „ÄåInarizushi.„Äç 5 Saying that while half asleep, Tamamo had begun chewing on my hand so that I had to beat her in order to get her to let go. W-what sharp teeth you have, Tamamo! They’re as sharp as Aria’s. ****************************************************************************** In the end, because of having to deal with a sniper, god, and Genion, I was a little late that morning. When I get to school–my seat will still be there, won’t it? Because the students had seen me act violently, they might begin agitating for my expulsion by taking away my desk. Worried, I peeked into the classroom from the corridor, and it seems that Homeroom has already started. My desk is still there, but… my neighbor Moe, is absent. She has broken her record of perfect attendance that she has held since kindergarten. But this isn’t the time to be worrying about someone else… So, timidly… „Äå…Sorry I’m late.„Äç I quietly opened the sliding door at the back of the classroom, and slipped in.. As soon as I set foot in the classroom, everyone turned to look at me. And in unison, „ÄåWaaaaaah!„Äç But it wasn’t a cry of fear. They were cheering me with smiles on their faces. The entire class. As soon as they saw me. „Äå…? ? ?„Äç As I stood there without a clue as to what was happening, first the athletic boys stood up– They crowded around me energetically, as if they wanted to hoist me onto their shoulders. „ÄåTohyama, I can’t believe it! Is it true that you beat up a big bruiser yesterday!?„Äç They said, their eyes all a-sparkle. „ÄåN-no, I just got lucky… I’m really clumsy. My body just sort of moved, and the other guy had already fallen down.„Äç „ÄåBut I saw it, and it didn’t look like that to me! Were you boxing?„Äç That was my opponent. „ÄåI’ve never seen anything like it! Do you come from a family of ninjas, or something?„Äç That’s my Amica Fuuma. „ÄåNo, you see.. I… that…„Äç From all sides, the excitement grew until I was assaulted with a barrage of question, and before I knew it, I was also surrounded by girls noisily showering me with adulation. In this too unexpected situation, all I could do was look around me like a cornered crook. In other words, Homeroom was interrupted because of me… Thinking that, I turned toward the teacher’s desk where Gori was watching the scene, and his expression said: „ÄéYes, it’s fine, go on.„Äè Seeing that, I finally understood… …Ah… So that’s it. Everyone was tired of these ordinary, boring days– I was not the only one at this school. Everyone else was tired of it. Where nothing ever happened, and there was unbroken peace, they were starved for excitement. And then, I had beaten back the obviously ruffianly looking Leon– Or opened a wind-hole, as Aria would say. ****************************************************************************** Afterwards, during class breaks, my classmates kept asking me things like: „ÄåYou must be really strong, right?„Äç „ÄåTohyama, that guy must have been a washed-up boxer!„Äç „ÄåWhat style do you practice?„Äç To which I replied, respectively: „ÄåNot really.„Äç „ÄåI knew that.„Äç „ÄåNone in particular.„Äç I tried to say as little as possible in response, but my popularity could only increase from there. Forget breaks, during the lunch period there was another Tohyama-mania craze as the boys and girls from neighboring classes invaded our classroom… A-at this rate, It will be hard for me to stay at this school, but for a wholly different reason… So holding my head, and being unable to even leave the classroom– A tall lanky student unexpectedly appeared. „ÄåC’moooon! Don’cha see y’all only buggin’ ‘im!„Äç With this horribly enunciated rebuke, he dispersed the students that held me under house arrest. And over there shooing everyone away…. was Asao, wearing his uniform properly, That must mean that the thin student is Fujikibayashi? I didn’t recognise him because his hair is dyed black „ÄåS’all right, Kinji. Everyone in this lot is definitely gonna want to bug you today.„Äç „ÄåYou should leave quickly.„Äç I thought that both Fujikibayashi and Asao hated me, but for some reason I don’t understand, they are helping me– „ÄåY-yes, you really saved me.„Äç I thanked them honestly, and with those two acting as guards, I escaped the classroom. ************************************************************************** –As expected of a bunch of yankees 6 , the knew of a good place to hide. I hadn’t noticed it, but up above the roof, on top of the big school clock there was another rooftop. No one comes here. Going up a concealed service ladder, I was finally able to pause to take a breath. The view was pretty good, and I gazed out over downtown Ikekuburo… „ÄåPlease, let what happened between us be water under the bridge. I’m sorry.„Äç „ÄåSorry!„Äç Side-by-side, Fujikibayashi and Asao bowed. I can’t really remember you hurting me, so you don’t need to apologise… Or so I was thinking, but they are men bowing their heads, so… „ÄåUnderstood.„Äç I merely replied. At that, they seemed relieved and sitting in seiza looked up to me smiling. It’s a look of expectation.. It’s as if they expected to hear me chew them out. „Äå… Weren’t the two of you suspended?„Äç „ÄåWe’re done finished.„Äç ‘Done finished’?…It seems that Fujikibayashi has more trouble with Japanese than I do. It reminds me of Shirayuki’s „ÄéKin-chan-sama„Äè using two honorifics. „ÄåWe is in the same class.„Äç ‘We is’?… Whatever. „ÄåTo tell the truth, we wanted to stop coming to school, but… Kinji-san is here, so we kept coming.„Äç Asao said in a low voice, to which I replied with a „ÄéHuh?„Äè… „ÄåWe told Gori, and it made him happy.„Äç Fujikibayashi said smiling. Ahh… So that’s why he didn’t ask too many questions about my violent encounter off school grounds. Gori-sensei. So that’s it. Keeping students from dropping out of your class can only be good for your career. „ÄåSo you are going to come to school… then what are your plans afterwards?„Äç I asked, just for reference– „ÄåKinji-san, just like you are going to attend a cram school and work hard… I am going to study hard too. I want to become a doctor. That’ll make me popular.„Äç „ÄåI’m gonna take over my pop’s fishing business. But my mama says I gotta finish high school.„Äç Huuuuh…? These hooligans have their futures better planned than I do. „ÄåBut really Kinji-san, yesterday was super totally unbelievable! Leon might be an old East Ikekuburo student, but he’s a real pain as a person, right?„Äç Even though we were classmates, Fujikibayashi had used honorifics in order to start sucking up to me. „ÄåThat might be true…„Äç I said that, but Leon–had climbed up onto the roof…! He was wearing an old school uniform, and apparently he tailed Fujikibayashi and Asao and sneaked into his old school. In order to find me. Fujikibayashi and Asao’s faces turned as red as tomatoes, and even I was a little surprised– „Äå–I’m not giving you a revenge match, Leon. How did things go with the Kagataka Family?„Äç „ÄåThey kicked me out. I’m fine though.„Äç Just in case, I looked him over…he didn’t look particularly injured. Aside from the bandage over his nose from my kick. „ÄåI’m here on orders from the Family, but even so.. I’m sorry. Please forgive me…!„Äç In a louder voice than Asao had used, dropped and bowed on the spot. Ah! I get it. He had tracked me down in fear, and came to make his apology. I should be the one apologising though. In our fight… I vented all of my stress on you. „ÄåThat’s enough, it’s really not necessary. If you don’t pick a fight with me, I won’t raise a hand against you. Live your life the way you want to.„Äç Slightly embarrassed, I unilaterally ended the conversation. Then he stayed quiet for a while… He was different than Fujikibayashi and Asao, and he studied me with his semi-pro eye. „Äå… Are you sure that you’re simply human?„Äç „ÄåI’m not very sure, but I hope to be one.„Äç „ÄåLet me be your little brother!„Äç This… again…? „ÄåI told Kikuyo the same thing: I have enough younger brothers.„Äç I said harshly. „ÄåI’m not used to the kind of ‘games’ you play. I’m just an amateur. If you want to be delinquents, then do whatever you want. Fight if you want to. if you get suspended or arrested because of it, it’s your life. But don’t drag me into it.„Äç I took the opportunity to look at Fujikibayashi and Asao and turn them down as I said this… And one by one, they all nodded. They looked a little disappointed, and I felt a small twinge of guilt. As a rule, I dislike those kind of ‘problem children’ that act out but… I couldn’t help but feel a little sympathy for them. I was a problem child too at my old school. But this is no good. I have to clearly sever our ties here. I have no intention of becoming an outlaw. „ÄåI want to pass my days in this school normally. I tried to peacefully integrate into society and live a tranquil life. So I don’t want to be bothered by your problems. Got it?„Äç I repeated myself, and Fujikibayashi and Asao both nodded at the same time. They must be good friends. But… Leon looked like he had something that he wanted to say, but he swallowed his words. And his close cropped head nodded agreement. Then I began to feel something– *Grrrrrr!* The grave tone of the scene was ruined by the sound rumbling from my stomach. At lunch today, everyone had rained a hail of questions on me, and because of that, I hadn’t eaten anything. „ÄåYou’re hungry! Be right back!„Äç Fujikibayashi’s face suddenly lit up, and he decided to be the errand boy and run to buy something to eat… Before I could say „ÄéNo thanks„Äè, he had already dashed off and disappeared. ********************************************************** Haa… but if I left now I would only be mobbed by everyone again. So I just ate while waiting for my classmates to either leave for home or go to their clubs. Fujikibayashi ran to the nearby Yoshinoya 7 location, and bought a big bowl of gyudon, a cup of miso soup, and a lot of soft-boiled eggs. As the smell of Yoshinoya gyudon is like that of McDonald’s, having a scent that could stimulate anyone’s appetite… Seeing me receive this food, it seemed like Asao and Leon did not want to be outdone and without missing a beat, they also left, and after a while– They offered me a tribute out of a travel bag. A T-Tokkoufuku…! 8 I’m holding a gaudy Bousouzoku-style coat. And on its white back, „ÄéIn all Heaven and Earth, I alone am worthy of honour „Äè 9 had been embroidered, but… they messed up on one character. „ÄåKinji-san this is so perfect for you!„Äç „ÄåWe want you to wear it. Although they have broken up, this is from my old gang, the legendary–„Äç Asao and Leon began explaining the origins of the coat. They apparently didn’t hear what I had just said, and as I was quivering with rage so that I was about to snap the chopsticks that came with the food… *Tap!* *Tap!* *Tap!* *Tap!* *Tap!* *Tap!* There was a tapping on my shoulder. But I couldn’t see the hand responsible. G-G-3! I told you not to follow me…! But this guy doesn’t listen to anything I tell him to do. But what’s this? English Morse Code? „ÄéNice coat. Can I have it…?„Äè You like things like that? But loud, flashy things must be G-3’s style. Pretending to scratch my shoulder, I tapped a message in Japanese on my younger brother’s hand in reply: „ÄéDon’t follow me again, Kinzou.„Äè as I said aloud: „ÄåI won’t wear it, but my younger brother will love it.„Äç I have to get out of here soon… But checking, there were still a lot of students at school. With a sigh, I sat down again, and Asao took out a beer can and started drinking. „ÄåOi! You shouldn’t drink alcohol!„Äç „ÄåIt’s no big deal. The can might say that it’s harmful to minors, but..„Äç „ÄåThat’s not what I’m worried about. I’m talking about your control. In a fight, alcohol… will hurt your response time.„Äç Caught up in the Butei-esque atmosphere… I slipped and said that. Asao looked happy at my teacher-like reprimand and closed the can– Now Fujikibayashi and Leon were looking at me in obvious expectancy. They were hoping I’d give them some other advice like what I had just said. I still can’t leave, so there’s no help for it. I’ll kill some time chatting with these guys. Rather, I couldn’t help but say something to them. The secret of my level of experience was already out, so I’ll give these three a few tips on personal safety. With a slightly serious expression, I turned to face them. „ÄåFrom now on… Fujikinayashi, you should stop wearing your earrings.„Äç „ÄåHuh? Too flashy?„Äç „ÄåNo, but when you grapple with someone, they are going to be ripped out. That was what I was taught.„Äç His eyes glistening at my frank advice, Fujikibayashi took out his earrings. „Äå…Leon. You have the bad habit of hanging your arm outside the car window like you did yesterday. „Äç „ÄåHmmm?„Äç „ÄåFix it. You’re going to break an arm.„Äç I said several thing like this that Ranbyou had taught to us… …Checking back every now and again until the number of students had thinned out. „ÄåFrom here on out– There is nothing between us. There’s nothing good that can come out of it. By thy way, Leon…„Äç Standing up, I turned to look back at Leon– I gave him one final heartfelt warning. „ÄåThat Makarov. Was it the Family’s or yours?„Äç „Äå…It’s mine.„Äç „ÄåHave you looked it over?„Äç „ÄåNo…„Äç „ÄåIt was full of dirt and debris from being fired. Forget a disassembly, it looked like it had not received even normal maintenance. When you pointed the gun at me, your posture was sloppy. How can you carry a gun when you don’t know how to aim, fire, or care for it?„Äç „Äå…„Äç „ÄåI gave it back to you that time, but someone who carries a gun has a certain duty. They accept the moral responsibility that at some point in time, it might be necessary to use it. If you draw a weapon needlessly, it will cause everyone around to panic. That is what happened yesterday. If you take it without necessity, not only your enemy, but there’s the chance that everyone carrying one nearby could also draw theirs. It could be me. Or maybe some policeman. And let me tell you, a policeman will shoot to kill. Between a rookie who drew his gun without thinking, and a professional trained to use it–Think hard about which one is more likely to survive.„Äç „Äå…„Äç „ÄåYou should understand this. An amateur should not be carrying a gun. The only one who should be carrying a gun is someone whose job requires them to do so. The American law that is slowly lifting the ban on the sale of old weapons is wrong. Nowadays, you can get a used Saturday Night Special for 7,000 yen 10 . Your gun goes for about 30,000. 11 And if you go flashing your gun around recklessly,– it will be a double suicide. For you and your gun.„Äç It looks like if you really took the time to speak honestly, he would understand… Leon remained silent, listening to my frank words. „ÄåAsk yourself, is you life worth so little to you? If you’ve given up on being a yakuza, you should get rid of it.„Äç I concluded my speech. „Äå…I understand. I’ll take it to a collection point tonight and get rid of it.„Äç Leon said, seeming to have taken what I said to heart. He’s not talking about using a vise to destroy it, but rather disposing of it in the official manner… But I had handled it by illegally disposing of the bullet prize from the Sports Festival a while ago by burying them. What does that say about me? ******************************************************* The next morning, Tamamo used her powers of transformation to turn into a „ÄéRoad Safety Amulet„Äè. I took her to school, wearing it under my shirt. I thought she had been quietly keeping watch or sleeping in her own „Äédimension„Äè, but she had plundered my Nintendo DS and had been idling the entire time. Such a care-free god… Grumbling about this NEET god, I avoided everyone as they left the few scattered school buildings and slipped away– In the sunset, I picked up Reki wearing her poker face in front of the school gate and headed home. „ÄåWe’re home…!„Äç As we arrived home, G-3 was putting the last few touches on his constructed greenhouse. In the sitting room, Kaname is sitting in front of my late father’s shogi board, reading a book written by Shogi Master Habu. My grandmother was playing the koto in the living room… That song… is the same one Shirayuki plays, isn’t it? Well, it is a well-known song, I guess. Out from under the eye of my grandmother, my grandfather is reading. He’s put a cover on it, but judging from his grinning face, it’s one of his precious French Shoin books. 12 Giving this ordinary scene a sideways glance, I entered the six tatami room that was mine. „Äå…„Äç *Swish!* *Swish!* My room is separated from the next where Reki stays by only a sliding screen. Because the noise of Reki changing out of her uniform is too exciting, I left my room and went out onto the porch to pass the time in watching the glistening snow that was still falling from the sky. The sun is already low in the sky. Well, how to say it…? Today was a hard day at school, I’m being haunted by a fox spirit, and there are several strange things going on at my house– Despite that, I get the feeling that I am becoming an ordinary person. But I also feel like there is something that can destroy this sense of peace. I’m thinking of something Kana told me: When people leave behind their old norm—they have new experiences and learn from them. By doing that, they will establish a new norm. …That’s how I feel. I wouldn’t have had these experiences if I hadn’t left Butei High. I learned a lot there that I couldn’t elsewhere. But–what Kana said had a continuation: But if a person isn’t where they need to be, they will never fit in. …I watch the snow for little while and pondered this… „ÄåKinji-san, it is almost time for dinner.„Äç I had no idea how long she had stood there, Reki pointed this out to me– Lately Reki has taken to wearing her Butei High sailor suit around the house. *************************************************************** The family and boarder all together, we ate a bountiful meal… afterwards, since even the strangest of pets must be vaccinated, Reki took Haimaki for his inoculations– Since night time was the only time that such business could operate, Reki took him to a certain veterinary in Nerima. Since there were several kinds of inoculations, Reki and Haimaki had been going there twice a week. As for me… Despite lecturing Leon about it, I myself wasn’t maintaining my Beretta at all. So I thought I should check it once in awhile, and took out the gun from the cabinet…eh? Someone had actually cleaned and serviced it. It was a modified gun, yet the maintenance was done perfectly. There were even fresh traces of lubricating oil. …? Turning it over in my non-Hysteria Mode brain… My mobile suddenly began playing „ÄéHana no Uchi ni„Äè 13 . I picked up, but the number was strange to me. „Äå…Hello?„Äç I spoke a single word– „Äå–It’s just awful, Tohyama. Using your henchman like that.„Äç The voice answered with a suppressed smile. It was Kikuyo. It seems like she got my number from somewhere. „Äå…What do you mean?„Äç I had a bad feeling about this, so I listened instead of hanging up… „ÄåHmmm. I see. It was nothing. I was checking.„Äç „Äå…?„Äç „ÄåChanging topics– I had a little chat with Moe Mochizuki and asked what she is to you.„Äç –! That must be why Moe was absent today, even though she had perfect attendance. It was Kikuyo…! „Äå…You kidnapped her, didn’t you?„Äç „ÄåDon’t say something so scandalous. I just wanted to invite you back to my table again, but when I started talking in the cafe she freaked out! I thought she was a quiet girl, but she has guts! So I had her stay until she calms down.„Äç „Äå…!„Äç Now she’s done it. She’s taken a hostage. „ÄåBut back to the topic of your henchmen. Leon tailed us with Asao and Fujikibayashi to the shop where Moe and I were going to have tea. And then, as my people were trying to calm Moe down–those three idiots just burst in!„Äç „ÄåWhat…?!„Äç „ÄåFufufu! I had to protect myself. But no matter what, the three of them wouldn’t give up your name. No matter how we asked–they only said that it was someone , and Moe had nothing to do with their friend, and I should let Moe go so that they could live a peaceful life.„Äç Until now Kikuyo had mixed in laughter with her words… „Äå–The yakuza can’t let that go. The four of them are your people. How are you going to pay for this?„Äç Now her true colours were exposed as Kikuyo’s voice became cold and serious. „ÄåYou haven’t killed them?„Äç „ÄåOf course not. They’re alive. For now.„Äç „ÄåI want proof.„Äç „ÄåI thought you’d say that. –Here, Moe. It’s your unrequited love.„Äç Kikuyo’s voice sounded slightly farther away… Sounds of a struggle, and then a muffled voice… „ÄåTohyama-kun, don’t come…„Äç After saying that, Moe was gagged again… I’m sure that was Moe’s voice, and I paled. „Äå…Tohyama. Let me tell you two facts: First, over 8,000 people are reported missing every year. Second, the yakuza know places where something can be buried and no one ever find it.„Äç „ÄåThreats… they’ve always been your specialty.„Äç „ÄåWhat now? You’re making me feel bad. They’re just facts. You can find them written in books.„Äç She’s an ex-Butei, and an ex-member of LEZZAD. That makes her hard to deal with, There’s a well-known saying around Butei High: ASSAULT is weak against LEZZAD. If you want a historical comparison, it’s like the relationship between the samurai and ninjas. The samurai were stronger. They carried good swords, and were excellent swordsmen. They had good food and, via hard training, strong bodies. And since they lived in fortified castles, their defence was perfect. Anyone who wanted to kill them–for whatever reason– was unable to. Attacking head-on. But if they were attacked from behind , they could be killed. That’s what the ninja did. A ninja never fought like a warrior in a spectacular way. They would creep in close unnoticed, use long-ranged weapons, attack while their enemy was sleeping, use poison, and any method that could be called ‘sneaky’. But they never thought it was shameful. They only cared about winning, and this was practically the opposite of rigid discipline. This way how Kikuyo had been trained–as an intelligence gathering operative, this was how she worked. Such people regularly take hostages. Even the „ÄéWestern Ninja„Äè Watson was able to kidnap Aria. And although the tactics were only slightly different, I’ve been played the same way. A Butei from ASSAULT falling into a cliche trap. ****************************************************************** „Äå–So, how about another date? Moe is anxious to see you as well–„Äç Leaving me with those words, Kikuyo ended the call and sent a map to my e-mail, whose address she had probably gotten from Moe’s mobile. It was Kikuyo… the Head of the Family’s, main residence. „ÄéCome if you want the hostages released.„Äè — that was her message. Those were her final words. I can’t help but go. If I don’t go, Moe and the others’ lives will be in danger. The yakuza don’t think twice about killing. Kikuyo said that they were experts at making people disappear. If anyone in the organisation is accused of a crime, arrested, indicted, and receives a prison sentence they earn praise and promotion. These despicable people, that’s practically the opposite of what normal people would think of a criminal. But the blame here… Is completely mine. In order to buy time for Reki to escape, I had messed around with Leon in front of Kikuyo’s eyes. I went into Hysteria Mode and that was a huge mistake. Everything is my fault–and I shouldn’t drag anyone else into it. Even my family that is living their everyday life. I can’t destroy it. Their peaceful, everyday life. So I have to take care of it myself. Reki’s absence in taking care of Haimaki might just be a drop of happiness in a sea of misfortune. But… Reluctantly, I donned my bulletproof Butei High school uniform and holstered my Beretta but– I’m still me, without the influence of Hysteria Mode. What can the normal ‘me’ do? In Kikuyo’s main residence, the executives and their henchmen are sure to be there. If can’t fake Hysteria Mode because Kikuyo is used to seeing me in that state, and I won’t be able to fool her sharp gaze. If a fight broke out, even the normal ‘me’ can deal with a bunch of small-time thugs, but these are professionals. …In the end, this won’t be settled by talking. Thinking that, I slipped out into the dark street without a word to anyone–a light snow had fallen. ******************************************************** White breath puffing, I hurried to Kikuyo’s grand mansion in West Ikebukuro. This has turned into an infiltration . When crossing enemy’s defensive lines, Butei call it an „ÄéInfiltration„Äè. The word has its origin in the kind of circles Kikuyo runs in, and it’s jargon for the disputes between rival families. On full-alert, I peeked around the corner at a huge, extravagant Japanese style door… „Äå…Leon! Fujikibayashi! Asao…!„Äç Tattered and bloody, they were collapsed rather than leaning, against the side of a wall. Panicked, I rushed over and knelt by them, and when I reached them… it was horrible. The three of them had been pummeled mercilessly until their faces were monstrous. It… doesn’t look like they were able to put up any kind of a fight, and they were beaten and left here. „ÄåWhy did you fight them…? Against the yakuza…?„Äç As I hurriedly looked them over to make sure they didn’t have any broken bones or ruptured organs… „ÄåKi…Kinji-san…sorry…„Äç With his nose broken and good looks spoiled, Fujikibayashi tried to apologise. „ÄåE-even though we promised not to drag you into this… we ended up dragging you in anyway…„Äç T-that promise– You did all of this in order to keep you promise to me? You didn’t have to keep that promise in this kind of emergency. „ÄåYou said that you wanted to pass the time going to school normally… So we tried to get Moe Mochizuki back from the Family to honour that promise so K-Kinji-san could live his life, but… we’re s-sorry…„Äç Asao said weakly, his thick right arm was broken. That will take a month in order to recover. …Because I tried and failed to forcibly make a normal life for myself at that school, these guys… tried to fix it themselves. Because I had said „ÄéDon’t drag me into it „Äè. Coughing violently and showering the snow with thin streaks of blood, Leon said– „ÄåI-it’s alright..!„Äç Alarmed, I turned toward him. „ÄåI went in bare-handed. Because of our promise. I didn’t pack any heat.„Äç Despite his tattered and worn out appearance…Leon showed a boastful smile. Wh-what the hell…! What are you guys planning on doing? Keeping that promise to the letter? They had done all of this for me …! „ÄåWhy did you fight… until something like this happened?! If you had given my name, called for me… something like this would never have happened…!„Äç In my eyes, tears I couldn’t explain began to well up. „ÄåFujikibayashi, Asao, Leon…! You don’t owe me anything! We only fought and afterwards ate on the roof. There’s nothing between us…!„Äç „Äå–Not true!„Äç Despite his battered appearance, Leon put on a renewed face. Fujikibayashi and Asao… laughed weakly. „ÄåAt school, everyone looked away from us. But you looked at me and Asao and faced us head-on„Äç „ÄåKi-Kinji-san, you took us seriously… Heh Heh… That actually made us glad.„Äç Fujikibayashi, Asao…! „Äå…So we just wanted to take your wishes seriously, that’s all.„Äç Leon…! So that’s it…! The three of them… had been isolated and lonely. Shunned and ignored at school and by society, they had nowhere to belong. I understand how painful that can be. I’ve experienced it as well. I faced them head-on, and even though it has only been a short while, it’s like we have become friends. They had done this for only that reason… „ÄåB-but in the end, we… only managed to cause you trouble… Making you come out someplace like this… W-we’re really sorry…„Äç „ÄåHehe… Scum will always be scum, and that’s us. A place like this is right for trash like us… Hehe…„Äç „ÄåPeople like us… you just shouldn’t have anything to do with… People like us… The world looks at us like worms.„Äç To Fujikibayash, Asao, and Leon I replied… „ÄåThey’re wrong…!„Äç Rising, I glared at the entrance to the Kagataka Family’s home. „ÄåYou fought. To help Moe, to help me. You fought fearlessly to help someone else. That’s not something anyone can do!„Äç I don’t know any words other than Butei words. So I spoke to them as if they were injured comrades. „ÄåYou aren’t worms. You are human. Falling while fighting for someone else with all your might is something you should be proud of. It’s human. And if anyone says anything different– They’re asking for a beating…!„Äç It’s me. I should be the one apologising. I have power, and you, without power, fought my battle for me. I can’t let that go. –A person carrying a gun, has a responsibility. I’m ashamed that I had the nerve to say that to Leon on the rooftop that day. Not just with guns. Anyone who holds power has a responsibility. A responsibility to fight for those without power. I had made them my scapegoats… and I was too stupid to see it until now. They made me realise this for the the first time since leaving Butei High. „Äå–Kaname.„Äç I raised my voice and addressed myself to the street corner behind me… „ÄåAha! You got me!„Äç Saying that, Kaname appeared in her school uniform and skipped toward me. „ÄåHello! I’m the cute little sister that takes care of her Onii-chan from ‘Good Morning’ until ‘Good Night’.„Äç She offered a phrase similar to something that Shirayuki would have said. „ÄåYou didn’t think that you could tail a person on a snowy day, did you? Even though you stepped in my footprints, I heard the sound of your footfalls.„Äç „ÄåI knew that you had noticed me, but you didn’t tell me to go away.„Äç „ÄåIf I had, you would have followed me anyway.„Äç „ÄåI guess so. Hee hee!.„Äç „ÄåBut this is far enough. I’ll make these yakuza pay each of us to settle this fight. They have only increased my determination to do so.„Äç „ÄåHuh? Let me do something. I won’t tell Reki, Third, or anyone.„Äç „ÄåWell… You can get these three to a hospital for me. Also… Thanks for taking care of my Beretta„Äç „ÄåThanks are illogical. That’s what a little sister is supposed to do.„Äç Saying that, Kaname winked at me in an adorable manner– I was only half sure, but it seems that she was the one who serviced my gun so scrupulously. Reki won’t touch anyone else’s gun without permission, G-3 treats his guns like toys, and Grandfather and Grandmother have always taught me: „ÄéYou should take care of your own things.„Äè So, by process of elimination I reached this conclusion: Kaname had been the one to service my gun. I owe her. But now– My present state of mind. Is that from my time at Butei High. I have the feeling that I have reverted. Anger at the Kagataka Family is filling my chest, but I am still calm. Even though this situation occurred, rather than rage, my head is cool and collected. The worrying thought of stepping into a life-and-death situation is merely a pleasant notion. –I’m not a respectable person. „ÄåBut… Will you really be alright alone? It doesn’t look like you are in HSS.„Äç „ÄåI’ll figure something out.„Äç „ÄåWell… I believe in you.„Äç Kaname and I had this conversation as she lent Leon a shoulder– „ÄåMoe is inside, right?„Äç I asked Leon a question. „ÄåY-yeah…„Äç He nodded. Let’s go. The mission: save Moe. Number of enemies: Unknown. Their weapons: Unconfirmed. Forget King or Berserk, I wasn’t even in normal Hysteria Mode, I was simply me. This job is going to be difficult. But isn’t it always? It’s the sort of steep path that I’m used to walking. ********************************************************* „ÄåGood evening.„Äç Despite it’s old-fashioned design, the door was automatic and slid open… Neatly dressed in her updated Kimono, Kikuyo greeted me. „ÄåI’m sorry Tohyama. But it looks like I’m the type of girl that bothers the people I love.„Äç „ÄåI’m not in the mood to listen to your jokes. Is it this way…?„Äç The snow had accumulated in the spacious Japanese garden, and walking through it we passed a koi pond with fish that must have cost several million yen apiece. We entered the house’s genkan. As we walked I had seen a line of Ferraris in the garage, a huge Harley-Davidson motorbike, and a motorboat sitting on a trailer. „ÄåFu Fu! Your face, Tohyama, is lively like I thought.„Äç Entering the genkan that was larger than my entire room, Kikuyo covered her mouth with the long sleeves of her kimono. Thinking she has her prey caught in her web, she looks pleased with herself. „ÄåWhere’s Moe?„Äç „ÄåReally now. You’re already talking about another girl. This way. That girl really has a bad temper, don’t you think?„Äç Whirling away in a huff, Kikuyo turned and started down a corridor. The walls of the corridor were an aquarium made of a huge tank embedded into the wall and had large fish swimming in it. Following her down the hall, she led me into a room that was probably over 100 square metres. „Äå… „Äç The walls of the room were covered with amazing oil paintings, and off to the side of the support pillars there were celadon vases with the image of Asura, and a glass table with a lamp. These treasure would have cost several million yen. There wasn’t even a trace of continuity in style, but the yakuza don’t trouble themselves about such things. They hoard pieces of art in their mansions in case the police freeze their financial assets. Because real estate and art are assets that can be liquidated easily. But these things are not what should be noticed. Instead, the yakuza scattered throughout the room should be observed. First, the ones I know–the executives… The lanky Todai Graduate was sitting on the sofa wearing a suit. In addition, like dependant children that have yet to leave home, five yakuza wearing black suits were standing by the door– Holding assault rifles. Five AK-47’s…? That must have been hard to pull off. Adopted by the former Soviet Union, they are now mass-produced in China–and it isn’t the best gun. It’s accuracy is low, and it has design flaws. But putting that aside, it is an assault rifle, and, of course, it can fire automatic bursts. And despite the fact that its comparatively larger and more powerful 7.62 mm bullets reduces its loading capacity, it still carries more bullets than my pistol. It’s firepower is not something the normal me can deal with. Although it also has the reputation of rusting easily and the rifling wearing down, it won’t fail easily. It is a weapon designed with War in mind, and a reliable gun. „Äå…Gunrunning?„Äç As a Butei, I foolishly pointed out the obvious. Riko’s would be easier to get into the country, but assault rifles– they would be a lot harder to get through inspection. One or two, I could understand, but a full set like this… There’s no way that they could be registered, and they have to come from the black market– contraband guns . All of them. With connexions to China, Kikuyo has an easy route for gun smuggling– „ÄåI just haven’t gotten around to registering them yet.„Äç Her silly answer implied I was correct. „ÄåSo they don’t work?„Äç „ÄåWant to find out…?„Äç 14 The Todai Graduate burst into laughter at our exchange, as off to the side– „Äå…Tohyama-kun…!„Äç The executive that looked like a host pushed Moe ahead of him into the room. „ÄåMoe…!„Äç I rushed over to her and saw that her two thumbs had been tied together behind her back. This is the simplest, but most effective way to immobilise someone’s hands. Perhaps because she was so flustered, but Moe crashed into me and fell in a heap– „ÄåThey haven’t done anything bad to you, have they?„Äç I asked, bending down on one knee to meet her eyes and calm her. „ÄåN-no…They haven’t done anything to me, but…„Äç Suddenly she looked angry. „ÄåFujikibayashi and the rest are at a hospital. They’ll be fine. They aren’t going to die.„Äç At my words, Moe’s face became calm again…Kikuyo said „ÄéOf course they are!„Äè, sulkily pouting. „Äå–Kikuyo, you have illegally detained a minor; that’s kidnapping.„Äç „ÄåWhat if we were just playing with a string and she got tangled in it?„Äç Now that we had come to the crux of the issue–I turned and glared angrily at Kikuyo. „ÄåW-well… she started it by grabbing ahold of me…!„Äç Because she did not want me to hate her, Kikuyo bowed her head, looked up, and began explaining. „ÄåWe were in a coffee shop chatting, and I might have exaggerated our relationship a little… and she starts yelling „ÄéLiar! Liar! Liar! Liaaaar!„Äè. In front of my own people!„Äç Kikuyo explained as Moe shot an angry glare in her direction. „ÄåT-That’s because you started to say all th-those perverted things!„Äç ..W-what? Kikuyo, just what did you tell Moe? „Äå–Some of it was true. It happened a long time ago, but still…„Äç Kikuyo puffed out her flat chest– Moe paled instantly… Ahhh… and turned toward me… In reality, it was a long time ago when Kikuyo and a group of girls trapped me in the school infirmary, or the science lab and made me go into Hysteria Mode… I-I couldn’t help but look away. Whereupon Moe turned back to glare at Kikuyo. She looked like she wanted to launch herself at Kikuyo again–the Evil Boss Woman. I didn’t know Moe could be so… s-scary. There seems to be something other than a personal grudge between the two of them. And it clearly involves me. I can only feel increasingly responsible for the whole situation… But as I thought about it– *Creak!* The Todai Graduate stood up from the sofa. He ordered: „ÄéTie them up„Äè… and this time Moe and my hands were tied behind us with a longer cord. Smiling, the Host took my gun and knife. Of course it’s as I thought, and they won’t just let me go. Up til now, everything had gone as I had expected, and now–I’ll be negotiating with Kikuyo. I still have something she wants. Myself. Kikuyo grabbed Moe, but she really was interested in me. Kikuyo must want me to do something for her, and now we’ve come to the part where I listen to her demands… „ÄåMiss, are you carrying a gun?„Äç The Todai Graduate asked Kikuyo. „ÄåHm? No.„Äç She answered, and suddenly behind her– *Whoosh!* The Host grabbed her. „Äå –!?„Äç Furrowing her eyebrows, Kikuyo looked around, and the Todai Graduate was smiling wickedly. Then the yakuza–tied Kikuyo’s hands like ours as she looked around her. With a *Thud!* Kikuyo was forced to sit down next to me. „ÄåY-You…!„Äç Finally, the Todai Graduate and Host broke into a laugh as she glared. Hair falling across her face, she was unable to brush it away. „ÄåSorry Miss. You haven’t been the Boss ever since you brought that boy here.„Äç –A coup d’etat…!? Th…this is bad! I didn’t count on something like this happening. With this, the possibility of negotiating a release with Kikuyo is gone. „ÄåDon’t say you didn’t know! A girl, a brat as the Boss… How much they laughed at us!„ÄÄAh… How hard it has been for all of us!„Äç „ÄåBut now then, Miss, you haven’t been totally useless. Because of you the police didn’t take us so seriously… You predecessor was a powerful man. As his daughter you even got a lot of the old jobs. But we don’t need those anymore.„Äç The Todai Graduate lit a cigar and blew the smoke into Kikuyo’s face. „ÄåWe’ve got a profitable connexion to China now.„Äç „ÄåAnd you were the one who did all the hard work for us!„Äç They roared with laughter–but it wasn’t just them. All of the executives must approve of this rebellion. Or maybe they were forced , if they didn’t. If I think back… all the signs were there… Even at that restaurant in Sengoku, Ruby– I felt the tension in the room. Neither the Todai Graduate whose cigar she threw water on, or the Host who she made put away his kiseru 15 –didn’t show even the slightest hint of anger. They simply complied . As if they were hiding something. Even when she ordered them to leave the two of us alone… everyone left quickly without an argument. Just now, I was only concerned with assessing the possibility of physical attack and didn’t give thought to the potential danger to Kikuyo. I let my guard down. Even though I am a professional. I missed it. In other words… I’m not the most important thing to them here. Kikuyo is. They had planned better than I had. „ÄåAnd finally, Miss… even though it was on a whim, you lured in this dangerous boy–Tohyama-kun. If it were just us, we wouldn’t have been able to capture him. Yes, Master Kou will be pleased!„Äç That’s what the Chinese wanted–me to fight for them. „ÄåKinji Tohyama-ku~n. You know what this means~? After this, you’re going to be sold to the Hong Kong Mafia! You can brag to your friends that you went for a lot!„Äç Back when I was eating with Kikuyo, my Hysteria Mode was fixed on Kikuyo, a woman, so I– Didn’t notice their suspicious action at Ruby. I neglected what I should have guarded against…and now I’m reaping what I sowed… What the heck was I doing!? In trying to become a normal person, I only caused honest people trouble…! „ÄåAnd because Japan has such an Omake 16 culture, we’ll include you two pretty things free.„Äç „ÄåBefore that, we’ll take our time and have our fun with you, Miss.„Äç The Host said licking his lips with his pierced tongue… Kikyuo… …turned away… and sniffled… … and began to cry. *Drip!* *Drip!* Large tears fell to the floor. She looked like a normal girl. I can’t say that she doesn’t have her faults, but… I feel sorry for her. But what should I do now? No matter where I look, I’m in a tough spot. Should I cooperate with them and go to Hong Kong on the condition that they let the „Äéfree bonuses„Äè go? Just then– „ÄåOi, Aniki!„Äç A disembodied voice resounded through the room. The yakuza all startled to attention, and the executives and members started looking all around the room. I looked up and around the room as well. „ÄåI-I didn’t know you were there, G-3! So you followed me again!?„Äç I said to the owner of the voice. „ÄåAniki, you were only focused on Kaname. You have to consider that you might have a double-tail!„Äç Still invisible, G-3 replied somewhat peeved– *Snatch!* And he picked up the wide-eyed Kikuyo who still sobbing loudly. It looked like Kikuyo has suddenly risen into the air. She floated through the air at a walking pace… The yakuza and Moe were only able to stare at Kikuyo, completely dumbfounded. „ÄåHow did you follow me, anyway. For later reference.„Äç „ÄåI walked on top of power lines.„Äç „ÄåI won’t be able to use that at all… and why did you take care of Kikuyo first?„Äç As I spoke to my invisible younger brother, G-3– Was already cutting the cords around my wrists. I’m free to move. For now. „ÄåBecause this is pretty . Take it off. It’s a little cold, and my Aniki wants to get moving.„Äç Saying that– G-3 carried Kikuyo to the window, cut the cords binding her, and took the obi of her kimono… …W-why are you untying it? There was a rustle of clothing. „ÄåH-Hey…what are you doing… N-no…!„Äç Blushing with an embarrassed red, in the middle of the air– Kikuyo left behind her modern-style kimono- — Falling, she turned round and round like a scroll. And f-from her direction…! „ÄåKyaaaaaa‚Ķ!„Äç „Äå…Waah!„Äç With a *Thud!*, Kikuyo fell on top of me. It was a deep red, expensive embroidered transparent kind– It was surprised by how adult-like it was and how little the fabric of the lingerie covered. My heart almost burst in surprise at the sight. — *Thump!* — But I have a very strong heart. And Kikuyo knows it, so I don’t want to think about why she wore that today– To me, lingerie is a weapon. And I’m weak against red. And white. And black. In addition to these three colours, I have recently found out that I am weak against yellow. …Now that I think about it, it’s any colour. Have I no shame? „ÄåN-No~‚Ķ!„Äç Some aerial version of the classic ‘Wicked Magistrate and the Town Girl‚Äô 17 had taken place, leaving her in her underwear, Kikuyo covered her body and chest with her hands, trying to cover the important bits. But there’s no way you can cover your whole body with only your hands. „ÄåHuh? Thank goodness… the cords have been cut. And yours too Tohyama-kun!„Äç Because Moe could not read the situation and blurted that out, I can’t pretend not to move any longer. I stood up– *Bzzzz!* *Bzzzz!* With the sound of flickering lights… G-3 materialised… How should I respond to this…! „ÄåThis is quality Nishijin weave 18 . Look at it, Aniki! This is some kind of amazing marigold pattern, don’t you think?„Äç Photo-refractive Camouflage de-activated, G-3 was sporting Kikuyo’s pretty kimono, an innocent smile on his face… Wearing his sunglasses-like HMD, and on top of his usual armour he was wearing the coat that Leon and the rest of them had given to me. Come to speak of it, that coat seems to suit him. Well just for today… I can forgive you. Wear it and fight. What happens from now on will be like revenge for what they did to Leon and the rest of them, so go wild. Kikuyo could only watch G-3 and the men that had until now been her henchmen. Her shoulders began trembling, so I… „Äå…Kikuyo, I was right about what I said before, wasn’t I?„Äç I smiled while softly re-arranging her dishevelled hair. „ÄåYou can’t trust the yakuza.„Äç I gave her a wink and… she blushed red, but seemed to understand . I have become your Hero of Justice. The yakuza finally turned their attention back to me and, „ÄåYouu…!„Äç „ÄåBrat…!„Äç „ÄåWhich family do you belong to…!?„Äç –*Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* Pointing at G-3, a thunderous roar spouted from the assault rifles, but… *Cla-cla-clang!* *Cla-clang!* The bullets could not penetrate his jet-black armour. On his side… *Thrum!* *Ching!* Using „ÄéCoil„Äè — a technique similar to my„ÄÄ„ÄéTornado„Äè — reversed the AK-47 bullets, intercepting them one after another. Precisely diverting them to strike the base of the trigger and magazine stock, he rendered them unusable. Bullets, G-3 can deal with. Assault rifles too. Precisely diverting them to strike the base of the trigger and magazine stock, he rendered them unusable. „ÄåYou’ve changed , G-3!„Äç „ÄåIt’d be rude not to! There’s Renoir, Jingdezhen pottery, Tankei, and Emile Galle!„Äç G-3 said, smiling as he pointed out the painting, vases, buddha, and lamp in the room. Smashing through the door and the surrounding wall, I saw him come through the window and drop into the garden. But he has seen the artwork in the room and changed. We are both carriers of this un-manageable condition. „ÄåYou changed for that girl, Aniki?„Äç „ÄåYeah. It was kind of like fire being applied to an old ember„Äç I said… While protecting Kikuyo and Moe, I led them into the garden, away from the room that was filled with the smell of gunpowder. Snow had fallen, and I searched for a way out of the garden–there’s a gate. First things first, I have to get the girls away from her. „Äå–You guys are mafia. Don’t tell me that’s all you got. C’mout and fight! Just like my Aniki, I won’t kill you!„Äç Tossing Kikuyo’s clothes over a pine branch, G-3 began indulging his hobby of hunting criminals around the world. As I thought when we first met, my younger brother’s speech is rough. In which case, how are the yakuza supposed to understand him? Starting tomorrow, I’m going to make him start a Japanese language course. „ÄåK-Kill them! There’s only two!„Äç Even though he graduated from Todai, he didn’t seem to have learned his lesson, and as the lanky executive shouted to his henchmen… *Rumble!* *Rumble!* Like the final showdown of a samurai film, they just kept streaming out. On the whole, they all looked fierce. Holding shotguns and machine guns in their hands– 50 men entered the garden. I could tell from how they positioned themselves that they were not very well-trained, but there were a lot of them. I already have my hands full trying to protect Kikuyo and Moe. It can’t be helped. Just then I noticed that we had one more ally — I need their help. With the noise of G-3’s one-sided war on the yakuza behind me, I… „Äå…Uh, we’re in a tight spot. But Moe, Kikuyo. You see that star over there. Please pray and ask „ÄéPlease help me.„Äè„Äç Smiling, I hugged Moe and Kikuyo’s shoulders with both arms– Both my cheeks pressed close to theirs. I pointed out a single star glimmering in the sky. „ÄåBecause beautiful girls’ prayers are able to reach the stars.„Äç „Äå –!?„Äç Although they have different personalities, they are both girls with a girl’s heart. To each one of them I whispered „ÄåCome on.„Äç and „ÄåPray.„Äç respectively. *Poooof!* They each blushed red. Even here, even now. Haha! They are cute, aren’t they. „Äå….S-Star…Help…! Please help Tohyama-kun, n-no matter what happens to me.„Äç As she said her prayer, I glanced at Moe by accident. As I am now, I understand. Part of you is a schemer. But in the future, I don’t want you to develop that part of yourself too much. I’m weak against such womanly wiles. „ÄåM-me too… whatever happens to me is fine. B-but Tohyama…help him. S-Star…? Star…!.„Äç Kikuyo said as if competing with Moe. I must have misunderstood. I thought you were a mature girl, but– You did grow up with a complicated home-life, and it was all just a mask. Squeezing their eyes tightly shut as they prayed, I saw their faces in profile and got the sense that they were young and innocent. Then, I noticed that the star I had pointed out began steadily coming closer. „ÄåNow then, the star-goddess–Quadra is coming!„Äç Wha? Even as I spoke it I heard it. „ÄåStupid Kinji~!!!„Äç That anime-like goddess’ voice. Even this far away, she saw us. — Aria . What I had pointed out was not a star, but an invention created by Aya Hiraga-san… a Hover Skirt–a flight unit in which Aria H. Kanzaki now soared. Aaaah. In the end, it looks like my escape plan has been discovered. Carrying her trademark pair of Governments, and with the full moon behind her, Aria– „ÄåI’ve missed you, Kinji…*Grind!* *Grind!*„Äç Grinding her canines, she glared down at me with her camelia coloured eyes. „ÄåYou missed me? What a coincidence!„Äç „ÄåWhat do you mean by that!„Äç „ÄåI’ve missed you too, Aria.„Äç But before I could wink at her… *Bam!* *Bam!* *Bam!* *Bam!* Peppering the spacious garden from the air with her Government’s, her golden shell casings littered the snow. Her angry .45 ACP bullets knocked the guns out of the yakuza’s hands who had pointed them toward the sky. As expected of someone who studied at the Butei Institute in Rome. She is experienced with anti-Mafia tactics. Nimbly dodging her enemies’ bullets mid-air, she skillfully destroyed their shotguns, assault rifles, sub-machineguns, and other weapons in order of greatest threat first. Whirling in the sky, and sometimes crossing both her arms, Aria fired non-stop destroying the enemies’ firepower. Twirling her guns around her fingers, she stowed her pistols in the space provided inside her Hover Skirt–and storing them in the holsters beneath her skirt, she descended with her two swords drawn. She cast an angry look at me with my arms around Moe and Kikuyo. „ÄåNow then, Aria. Who was it that told you?„Äç „ÄåAn anonymous phone call, but the agent who read it seemed to be reading a pre-written message.„Äç So the person who told on me… They like to plan things in minute detail, huh? Yes, but who was it? „ÄåSpeaking of you, Kinji, what have you been doing!„Äç „ÄåJust a little social field trip.„Äç „ÄåSocial field trip… huh?„Äç An astonished look on her face, Aria looked around at the yakuza surrounding us. „ÄåSo you’ve been a normal civilian this whole time?„Äç „ÄåThat’s right.„Äç „ÄåSo does that mean you got yourself a normal girlfriend?.„Äç Suddenly very angry for some reason, Aria turned a murderous glare toward Moe and Kikuyo- Letting go of them, I raised both my hands in the air in the western gesture meaning: „ÄåOh well…„Äç. „Äå–If I did something like that, wouldn’t that leave you all alone?„Äç Hearing me say that, Aria made some incomprehensible noises of „ÄåHu- Whah!„Äç. She also used here super-blush technique, and started flailing her arms in denial, and dropped her swords. I caught them, and helped her grasp them firmly– „ÄåA-anyway! G-3! It looks like he’s on your side. What is this!?„Äç Ah, she avoided the subject. And my line of sight. „ÄåIt’s complicated, but for now we’re working together…„Äç I explained– Aria said „ÄåHmm…„Äç and in typical Aria fashion, accepted my brash younger brother as an ally. „ÄåWell, there are a lot of them, so let’s finish cleaning up. This is getting interesting!„Äç With those belligerent words… Aria paused with an „ÄåOh!„Äç like she had just remembered something and looked up at me. „ÄåKinji. We’ll talk about your fee later. It’s a Butei’s job to protect innocent civilians , anyway.„Äç In spite of everything, you’re still happy to see me, Aria– –Sliding another magazine into her guns, she gave a wink and turned back to the fray. It was the kind of wink you could admire for an hour. „ÄåBut for old time’s sake, I’ll cut you a deal.„Äç ******************************************************* Feeling sorry, I made G-3 return the kimono he had taken, and took Moe and Kikuyo to shelter on the other side of the gate– Although the level of danger posed by the enemies was low, still in Hysteria Mode, I returned to the garden to protect Aria. But G-3 and Aria had taken care of almost all of the yakuza already. They were in a pitiful state and I smiled at them as Aria was tying their legs together with some cable as their destroyed guns and bent or broken blades littered the garden. In front of the mansion… Next to the Todai Graduate that had fallen foaming at the mouth was the Host who had apparently been hiding until now…. „ÄåW-who the heck are you…! I-I’m the second in command here! Don’t you know what that means!„Äç Knees knocking together, he stood shakily, threatening Aria and G-3. With what he had taken from me– my own gun. But they were far from intimidated. „ÄåThat’s your Beretta, isn’t it? Why did you let him take it from you?„Äç „ÄåI didn’t want to wreck it. Because you’re poor after all.„Äç] They both had a look on their face that said „ÄéI’ve got this„Äè as they spoke to me. G-3 was so relaxed that he started cleaning out his ears with a pinky. „ÄåGet back–! I won’t kill you, but get back!!!„Äç] The Host screamed incoherently… He started waving the gun around without locking on to a specific target. Aria and G-3 at least seem to understand– it would be bad if I were shot, „ÄåSure. We’ll leave. As soon as you return what you’ve borrowed.„Äç Not wanting to lose my gun, I made this compromise and walked toward the Host– then it happened. …I sensed that something bad happened behind me. I turned back. Moe and Kikuyo were there. What the…? Then as if answering my own question– „Äå–D-Don’t shoot Tohyama-kun!„Äç She had worked her way around the garden and stepped out of shadow of the shrubs. In her hands… …a gun… An automatic pistol. A Browning Hi-Power. A Belgian made pistol. Sturdy, but relatively light-weight. But most of all it had a double-sized magazine and a slim grip that made it easy for Asian hands to hold. In Japan, it is a popular weapon for women. Moe… her hands are quivering and her stance is bad. But she could still shoot because the safety has been taken off. It must be Kikuyo’s. She must have hidden it somewhere in the garden. Panicking, the Host aimed his gun at Moe… „ÄåThat girl is a bona fide civilian. Don’t you dare point your gun at her! The Family doesn’t hurt civilians. Have you forgotten that?„Äç Saying that, Kikuyo– Kicking up snow with each step, walked up behind me. Then standing in front of me blocking my left side and spread her empty hands. „ÄåIf you want to shoot someone, shoot me. That should make Master Kou happy.„Äç „ÄåStop it…Moe…Kikuyo! Why didn’t you run!?„Äç I shouted at them… „ÄåB-Because I wanted to do something like that pink-haired girl too… to protect you!„Äç Giving Aria a jealous glance, she gripped the gun in both hands. The second half of Reki’s proverb came to mind–„ÄéA dog cannot become a wolf „Äè– like a flash-back. Stop Moe! Don’t pull that trigger. You are just like that collie of yours, a good dog. Don’t cross over into this world of wolves– especially not for my sake. You’re just a girl. You couldn’t survive in that world. So don’t shoot. You mustn’t shoot…! „Äå–This is my fault, Tohyama. The Chinese are not so forgiving. These idiots are going to want to make excuses for everything that has happened, and they need a scapegoat to hang it on their neck.„Äç „Äå…Kikuyo…„Äç „ÄåSo, Tohyama. Moe isn’t the only one that wants to protect you, I do too. Even though all I’ve ever caused you was trouble, you still protected me… That made me happy. So I– I want to be your Hero, and repay what I owe to you.„Äç With her back facing me, Kikuyo’s voice is calm. The voice of someone ready to die. Kikuyo… wants to die in order to apologise to me. For all the times she has used me–from middle school until now. Moe. Kikuyo. You are both facing very different sorts of crisis– „ÄåKikuyoooo!. …Damn youuu!„Äç Judging that the likelihood of Moe’s bullet hitting him was low, the Host turned the Beretta gun toward Kikuyo. Lining up the bead in the rear sights, he took aim at her head. Are you… really going to shoot an unarmed girl? The very one who provided for you until now…!? „Äå…!„Äç This is– A multiple-line-of-fire scenario. A difficult situation when multiple with guns have several people in their line of fire making it difficult to make a move. Following the ironclad rule in such a case, Aria and G-3 froze. But this executive will shoot Kikuyo. We only have a few seconds left. „Äå–Raaaaaaaa!„Äç The Host screamed and began to pull the trigger. What should I do? How can I stop this…!? Right now, I don’t have a gun or a knife. It’s too late for me to shield Kikuyo with my own body. I began racking my brain, poring over all my experiences looking for a solution, and then– Immediately, I blinked the signal „ÄéB„Äè for Browning to G-3. And in no more time than it took to blink an eye, I gave Aria a look that said „ÄéI believe in you „Äè and in the next moment, almost simultaneously– *Bam!* *Bam!* *Bam!* *Bam!* *Bam!* From each direction, 5 guns flashed. The Host’s gun roared, and in reflexive response, Moe pulled the trigger of her Browning. Aria’s silver and black Governments fired, and G-3 shot an Invisible Bullet from his HK USP. At that instant, My world began moving in slow-motion– Beginning with the one furthest away, Moe’s bullet that was headed toward the Host’s stomach was intercepted by G-3 Cracker… what I call Billiard, and deflected. Next, Aria’s twin bullets pierced first the Host’s and Moe’s sleeves… grazing both their hands, and cleverly causing them to drop their guns. Then I saw the red-hot 9mm Parabellum bullet getting closer. His aim was good. As it is, the bullet will strike Kikuyo in the forehead dead-centre. –*Gasp!*… Kikuyo is on my left side–shielding my heart. In such a position, I can’t just push her out of the way with my left arm. In that split-second, I only moved my empty right hand. I can’t just reach past Kikuyo’s shoulder and deflect the bullet with one hand. I could only slightly alter its trajectory, and it would hit her in the eye. In this position executing Tornado would be impossible. I can’t protect her with any technique I have used before now. So I– In order to protect her, I hugged Kikuyo close with my left arm and with my right–! „Äå…„Äç Everything around me– Became silent. Everyone was staring at me with a look of shock. The Host and Moe who had dropped their guns, and Aria and G-3 who had already fired. Kikuyo had closed her eyes at the last minute in order to meet death… realising that my left arm had pulled her close, with a start, she looked up at my face from point-blank range. „Äå…„Äç I did it. In my heart, I was afraid that I wouldn’t be able to pull it off in time. Doing something like this, it’s not like that time with Riko, but I’ve become a superhuman. Goodbye humanity. And this time… there are a lot of witnesses. I had to laugh at myself… „Äå–Hot! This bullet is hot!„Äç I caught the bullet , and dropped it in the snow at my feet. –Zero. 19 In principle, the technique is simple. In a short period of time, I match the speed of the bullet with my arm… Then catch it. I got the idea from my Grandfather catching flies with his chopsticks and reduced the energy of the bullet to zero. It’s a technique that requires the whole body to move the arm together in a direction opposite of Ouka, stopping the bullet and it’s rotation with Kitsuka. And since the arm is moving supersonically, the amount of force transferred from the bullet to the hand in reduced. At most, it will be moving at 100 kph, not faster than baseball pitcher can throw a ball, and so catching the 8 g bullet is not much different. As for generating the energy in the arm movement… I copied what I saw my Grandmother do with Clear Fall Water, and used it in reverse to cancel out the force of the bullet. So, there are traces of slippage by my feet where I pushed back. As a result– At a glance though, it should look like I just raised my arm and caught the speeding bullet. Of course Kikuyo and I are unharmed. The heat of the combusted gunpowder burnt the palm of my hand. But, hey, getting away with a blister is nothing. „ÄåThat’s something even I’ve never done!„Äç With a little one inch punch, G-3 sent the Host flying into the next room, recovered my Beretta, and returned it to me. „ÄåThat was my first time as well.„Äç G-3, who couldn’t shoot a woman, dealt with the Browning’s bullet… With her twin guns, Aria took care of the rest. They both made a snap decision. As always, Aria never fails to surprise. She must have guessed my intent from the direction G-3 pointed his gun. As expected of Holmes the 4th. „ÄåHow did you do it, Aniki? Can I shoot you now? If I saw it again, I’m sure I’d be able to do it, then you can shoot me!„Äç „ÄåI’m not going to play ‘catch’ with you.„Äç –Guns… are like women. Or so the adult Butei say. If you don’t bond with them they’ll sulk and get into a bad state. Everyday, I have been running away from fights, neglecting my Beretta. Careless of how well it had served me. So… This was my girl’s revenge, huh? I gave a wry smile as I returned my gun to its holster. But Beretta mine. I understand your anger about how I have treated you. Forgive me. What kind of a host have I been? But I will never neglect you again. While thinking those very Host-esque thoughts, to the guy who has to soothe even his own gun in Hysteria mode, Aria said… „ÄåThat face. In the short time that I haven’t seen you… have you grown up a bit?„Äç I had to laugh at the Gun-girl who came up to me, and who seemed to speak for my Beretta. That was an insightful question… Aria seems to understand. Here, outside of Butei High… They made me realise what kind of person I am. Embarrassed at how clueless I had been I said: „ÄåBy the way, Aria, my parent’s house is nearby. If you want, we can go back there and I can introduce you to my family–„Äç I gave a light-hearted rebuttal… I don’t know what she thought, but she gave a short „ÄåEh!„Äç and hurried to stand much straighter than necessary. She hastily began straightening her bangs. „Äå–Maybe later. We can’t exactly call this matter settled.„Äç Looking toward Kikuyo’s mansion… We couldn’t see it from where we were standing, but we looked up toward where the roof should be. — It’s there. And this time, it’s higher– the real deal . Until now, they had been able to conceal their presence well, but as things settled down over here… the signs became much more noticeable. G-3 had noticed it as well, and we all turned to face the same way. He’ll follow us regardless. „ÄåAria, the two girls… get Moe and Kikuyo to a safe place. Apparently, I’m so irresistible that I would only lure them back here.„Äç „ÄåHmm… Moe and Kikuyo, is it? Alright then, but afterwards you have some questions to answer. Th-then we’ll go to your house. S-so that you can introduce me properly. I’ll put it in my planner. We’ll go for real.„Äç From the strange look on her face, I couldn’t tell if she was mad or happy– „ÄåT-Tohyama-kun… W-why did you do such a dangerous thing…?„Äç „ÄåT-Tohyama…„Äç Trembling as she walked, Moe was taking care of Kikuyo who was still in shock. Aria is a woman as well. She wouldn’t actually hurt them. I answered Moe’s question bluntly. „ÄåBecause I want to give those cowardly little birdies a little surprise.„Äç I told her in a whisper, concealing the truth a little… Then I faced them with more serious expression. „ÄåNow is the time for all good girls to head home. I don’t want to see you pick up a gun again either. Your hands are too beautiful to be holding such a thing. But the hands of a goddess are beautiful as well.„Äç I answered Moe– embedding a hidden message for Aria. How was that? Understand me? Goddess? At that word a question mark appeared on Aria’s face, and I turned a smile toward her– „ÄåOi Aniki! That’s enough. They’re laughing at you over there.„Äç Still looking toward the rooftop, G-3 raised a angry voice. Standing next to my little brother who apparently wanted more attention… After checking to see that Aria and the girls had made it to safety, we headed up to the roof– To the real enemies on the roof I said: „ÄåYou’re there right? You want to play?„Äç After a short silence… „Äå–Shi..„Äç 20 Chinese? So, I thought. But from their answer, it seems they understand Japanese. „ÄåIt appears that you were interested in me, but I have absolutely no desire to have anything to do with you.„Äç There was no answer to my demand. It would be a problem if they showed up at my house or at school after this. So I will blow them off right here. „ÄåLet’s go G-3.„Äç „ÄåYeah– We’ll make make ’em realise they don’t want to mess with us!„Äç Now that I had officially asked for his help, G-3 looked happy. Returning to the Mansion grounds, we entered a room with Chinese decor that had apparently been prepared for them… There were signs that someone had eaten peaches and bananas and there was leftover liver. Judging from the table setting, there are three of them. Using the ladder, G-3 and I climbed to the roof– With the melting snow under the moonlight, we came out onto a large tiled roof. As I had predicted– there were three of them. „Äå… „Äç Two of them I recognised. The first, I could hardly forget, Coco. She was the first that Reki and I had crossed paths with, and her sisters Paonyan and Juju. They were supposed to be sentenced to confinement in Nagano Prison. Did she escape alone? But I don’t recall any of them wearing glasses. A black-haired version of Aria, she looked a little cute in her Qing Dynasty dress, but standing next to Coco… „ÄåI’m delighted to have met you again, Kinji Tohyama-san. G-3-san.„Äç The thin figure with round glasses bowed a respectful greeting to us. I remember him too. He wore a plastered smile, and bleow his rounded glasses it was impossible to tell if his thinly slitted eyes were open or closed. He wore the classically spectacular embroidered clothes of an Imperial Han court civil official. He is the ambassador from, Rampan that showed us the day we met on Empty Island for „ÄéBandire„Äè… I’m sure it’s him, Seigen Shokatsu. Kikuyo’s connexion to a major Chinese player–was Rampan. The world really is a small place after all… …but, That’s someone I don’t want to mess with… Furrowing my eyebrows–I regarded the third person present for the first time. With straight black hair that reached almost down to her feet, I saw a girl who appeared to be a 5th year Primary schoolgirl. Wearing a cutoff Nagoya Butei Girl’s school sailor suit– The girls at that school boast „ÄéI will never be shot „Äè so they wear a special uniform that has been trimmed short everywhere. The inseams and chest seams are only 1 cm long. Forget her navel, this outrageous uniform leaves her entire abdomen exposed. A gentle night wind ruffled her clothes, and it is obvious that she isn’t wearing any underwear underneath so that 1-3 cm of her bare breasts were fleeting exposed. Her slender tanned arms showed from inside her short sleeves. But from this person that I don’t want to mess with… It’s not because of her overly exposed state. The incident in the bath with Tamamo proved that, and I’m not a Lolicon either. –I sensed something by instinct. She is not human . Only something that has taken the form of a girl. Like Tamamo. Also… there’s the thin orange tail. Her crimson-coloured eyes permanently opened wide, she wore a blank expression on her face. But it wasn’t the same kind of expressionless look as Reki. It was a look that inspired an impression of ethereal omniscience. In comparison to the seemingly endless feeling of perception… I don’t sense any murderous intent. She is simply standing there, observing. With G-3 and I in Hysteria Mode, we could easily take care of her. „ÄåHmph… So that brat is Rampan’s rep for Far East Warfare, huh?„Äç G-3 must have noticed the girl as well. We have both been drawn into the dark side of the international conflict– Far East Warfare. In order to prevent an all-out war and large-scale destruction, rules were established that battles between the strongest representatives from each of the involved parties would settle the matter. „ÄåYes, that is correct, but…„Äç No sooner did Shokatsu’s reply confirm that she was Rampan’s representative than– *Crunch!* *Crunch!* „ÄåI’ve switched from „ÄéNeutral„Äè to „ÄéDEEN„Äè. So I have a reason to fight you!„Äç Crushing roof tiles underfoot, G-3 advanced. He’s wanted to fight since the beginning and that’s why he followed me– „ÄåH-halt Tohyama! Dost thou want to fight a Buddha!„Äç The quivering voice came from inside my shirt. It was Tamamo’s voice coming from the charm hanging around my neck that she had transformed herself into. I stopped and stood still. „Äå What exactly would I be fighting?„Äç „ÄåT-that form is Kou. She is on par with the Japanese Fenghuang 21 , chief among the shapeshifters. In India, canonised as The Fighting Buddha, the genuine… „Äç „ÄåI don’t see any of that. You have to be mistaken.„Äç Tamamo is always nervous whenever we face off with a mysterious enemy. So I started moving forward again. „ÄåWhat you are planning almost amounts to an insurrection! You would make every shapeshifter in China your enemy!„Äç Because she was being noisy, I took out the charm to throw it away, but with a *Poof!* Tamamo materialised clinging to my legs. „Äå–Against Kou, guns and blades have no effect! Halt, both of you!„Äç Because Tamamo was so desperately frantic, I stopped, but cutting across in front of me– „ÄåHa Ha! Guns? Blades? I’ve never counted on any of those things! We use our supersonic fists!„Äç Still laughing, G3 clenched his right fist… *Intimidate!* Lowering his posture G-3 set his feet in the stance for „ÄéMeteor„Äè– his version of my „ÄéOuka„Äè. He was facing Kou, and Tamamo called out to Rampan’s warrior. –At this point, G-3 will win. That’s how I see it. But what…? Coco and Shokatsu are looking somewhat flustered. „ÄåIt’s alright if I kill a pagan god!„Äç As a Christian, G-3 spoke angrily as if carrying out one of the Church’s threats… and advanced on his enemy Kou… but above him… Wh-what is that? Small specks of golden light appeared. Their number steadily increased. Swirling around, they formed a golden ring about 20 cm across. That floating ring of light reminds me of the paintings of religious icons, angels, and gods– „ÄåG-Golden Ring Crown 22 …! –Kou! I implore you to stop!„Äç Tamamo shrieked. In the very next instant… *Flash!* „Äå –!?„Äç The area was bathed in red light. But there was no sound. From Kou’s eye, a line of laser light flashed out and struck G-3 in the chest. It had all taken a tenth of a second. „Äå…!?„Äç And with just that– G-3 crumpled on the spot without a sound. His eyes wide in shock, G-3 had the expression of someone who hadn’t the slightest clue of what had happened. Then his pupils dilated…! From his mouth… blood came…! From the amount streaming out, I could tell at a glance that it was fatal. „ÄåG-G-3!„Äç What just happened…! It was only some kind of light. Did something hit you? No that wasn’t it. Bullets bounce off of your scientifically engineered armour like popcorn. „Äå–Ru raada fuoru, oru?„Äç Kou tilted her head– And began mumbling in some unintelligible language. Red light in her eye, she turned to face me. Coco and Shokatsu seemed to be dumb-struck by the spectacle. Rampan itself– can’t even control this mysterious girl. Even though I was in Hysteria Mode, it took me several seconds to understand what had happened. „ÄåWe must flee, Tohyama! We cannot help G-3! That was the Compliant Rod 23 … A laser beam! Even I cannot ward against it!„Äç –A laser…!? That’s impossible! That’s what Kou shot from her eye!? And I couldn’t even pick up on her bloodlust…! An attack at the speed of light. And even if I could have predicted her, even a knife wielded at the speed of sound would not have worked. There is absolutely no way to defend against it! G-3 and I could only take on enemies with bullets that moved at the speed of sound. „ÄåW-What the hell…? She’s…!„Äç I want to immediately rush to G-3’s aid, but I can’t move forward. Kou’s red eye is now fixed on me . Tamamo bared her canines and shrieked at me: „Äå–I told you! Kou is the Fighting Buddha– Sun Wukong !„Äç Go For The NEXT!!! (END OF CHAPTER) Afterword: Hello! Thanks for waiting! I am the person who has happily written, of course, the novel, the side stories, and the source material for the manga and 4-Koma–Akamatsu. Right now the 12th volume of the „ÄéHidan no Aria„Äè novel, 6th of the „ÄéHidan no Aria„Äè manga, 4th of „ÄéHidan no Aria AA„Äè and the 4-Koma are all for sale at the same time! It’s an Aria Festival! I’m not an author that just writes, but I also read and enjoy the story too. I was so excited and entertained that it awakened some new kind of Hysteria Mode! Fuooooo! Now for the Q&A corner! Q: Akamatsu-sensei, of all the characters, which one do you like best? This question was not asked by one, but several readers. This question might be the number one questions authors are asked. Thank-you for the question! And the answer is–„ÄéI love all my characters equally!„Äè I think this is the best possible answer, as it won’t hurt any character’s feelings. But I think that such an answer might disappoint some of my readers. So if forced, I’d say „ÄéTakachiho Urara„Äè is my favorite. Huh!! Who’s that!?– You might be thinking. She’s introduced in the beginning Author’s notes of the AA manga, you should read it! The 3rd volume is coming out soon! Takachiho is, what we would call AN Ojou-sama– a high-handed beauty. A first-year student at Butei Institute, and Aria’s Kouhai. She uses the Ruger Super RedHawk with .454 calibre bullets and is a good shot. She is beautiful enough to be recruited by CVR and she has many other good points… but she is very proud, has a hard time making friends, and tries to solve problems with the power of money. I love writing characters with many good points and flaws. Even though I’m the one writing them, I think it’s fun and awfully human to wonder how they will grow. As a matter of fact, she has already appeared in the original novels, so please look for her! Well, Hidan no Aria has finally reached it’s 12th volume. In this volume, Kinji– like all the characters– have grown little-by-little, and if my readers so too, that would make me very happy! A certain day in May 2012 Akamatsu Chuugaku (END OF TEXT) ****************************** 1. Made-up word meaning demon-banish-boundary. 2. The meaning here is that Kinji thinks he, or his Hysteria Mode is the issue, and he can’t exorcise or get rid of part of himself. 3. The words here are ‘Scarlet miko’ and ‘Azure miko’, obviously referring to Shirayuki and Reki, respectively 4. Rumiko and Rimiko have to do with similar blue-green colours (Japanese often makes no distinction between blue and green). Maybe Reki has an evil twin!! Haha! 5. Sushi wrapped in fried tofu 6. Word refers to a style of delinquents popular in to 70 and 80’s. No relation to American yankees. 7. A Japanese fast food chain. 8. Kind of long coat with writing on the back worn by bosouzoku and yankee delinquents. 9. The original phrase is a saying of Buddha. The original intent was that of humility because Buddha recognised that he was connected to all life, thus he was everything. It is mistakenly used as an egotistical statement of superiority by some. 10. About 57 Euro, 50 British Pounds, and 63 USD. 11. About 243 Euro, 213 British Pounds, and 270 USD. 12. An erotic novel publishing house. 13. Ending theme for a TV series about fictional Tohyama Kin– an Edo period samurai and administrator that helped the common people. 14. In Japan, gun laws are crazy strict. It is almost impossible to own a gun other than a hunting rifle. The only exception to this rule are old guns for collectors. The stipulation being that the antiques are non-functional. The implication is that she imported them as non-functioning antiques. 15. That long stemmed smoking pipe that you always see Japanese people smoking in historical settings. 16. Omake is used as an anime and manga fandom term to mean ‘extra or bonus’–usually free stuff bundled with books, DVD’s, or BD’s. 17. This is a cultural reference to a common semi-comical caricature of government corruption. As the story goes, an evil magistrate lures a town girl close and unties her obi and spins her out of her clothes. 18. Famous high-quality textile specially made since the Heian period. Expensive $$$. 19. Kanji Say ‘Bullet Grip’. 20. ‘Yes’, in Chinese. 21. Chinese Pheonix. A terrifying bird that is often associated with Yin– the complement of Yang that is associated with the Chinese Dragon. 22. Seems to refer to the golden rings on ends of the magical shape-shifting staff owned by Sun Wukong in legends. It could change size and shape based on the wielder’s wishes but weighed ~8000 kilos. 23. Explicit mention of Sun Wukong’s rod. ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ## 10. Volume 13 - Counterattacked Kowloon -Kowloon Reverse- ### 001. 1st Ammo - Dry Eyes Chapter 1: Lumberjack–Night of Vengeance One autumn afternoon… 「The Texan burgers are delicious! Right, Onii-chan?」 「They’re about the same as usual.」 「But if you eat them with the person you love, they are 10 times more delicious!」 「…」 Out in the open, under the blue sky, Kaname and I are eating hamburgers at a McDonald’s in Odaiba. Because it is an elegant new building near the countryside, it is one of the more popular date sites. In fact, to anyone who does not know the chilling truth, Kaname seems like a normal school girl– average. At first glance, the scene alone would suggest that she was no more than a pretty middle-schooler with a beautiful smile on an after-school date. So it would seem… 「Mmmm… What a perfect day! Perfect weather for a date with my perfect brother, Onii-chan.」 She is my self-proclaimed ‘little sister’, Kaname Tohyama. When she switches to her aggressive ‘personality channel’ 1 , she is able to destroy footbridges, throw grenades, or threaten me with a kitchen knife– just to get me to do something. She just might be able to destroy Odaiba in about 30 minutes. She is a very dangerous girl. And what the hell do you mean by ‘date with my brother’!? Don’t say such improper things so loudly, Kaname! Also, I don’t understand how someone could eat hamburgers, while drinking a Caramel-latte– McDonalds has soda. As Jeanne might say: ‘ I guess this is how it’s done in the world. ‘ or something like that, as I mumble something about my own rules. Well, they say: ‘ Autumn is the season of cravings 2 ‘… I am sipping my soda, but I have little appetite. I’m nibbling on a burger, completely immersed in ‘Gloom Mode’, not eating enough to break into a rave review. I’ve been traumatised ever since the stand-off between Kaname and Shirayuki that occurred in my apartment. 「I-I challenge you to a duel! In that case, any accidental deaths would be acceptable! To ensure the stability of the Tohyama household, and allow peace to reign in the ‘Land of the Rising Sun’, we must fight this match to a final conclusion!」 Bursting into my apartment, Shirayuki found Kaname, and after shouting this ‘declaration of war’, began firing the gun she was carrying. Kaname laughed cheekily and ran around the room, dodging the hail of bullets that Shirayuki– a demonic glare on her face– unleashed. The weapon was an M60, a machine gun capable of full-automatic bursts. The bullets showered the room like drops of water from a sprinkler. In the end, the barrel of the M60 overheated and started to ‘cook off’ 3 . Even though it was equipped with heat dispersal equipment, Shirayuki’s furious assault overcame the safety features. She fired her gun tirelessly, with no intention to stop until she had exhausted all her bullets, but when the barrel was finally warped by the heat, precluding its use, she detached it and let it fall to the floor. 「That was just the beginning. You will receive a formal challenge to a duel later, so enjoy what little time you have left.」 Shirayuki said this as parting shot, then left. But… The next day, (After shooting hundreds of bullets, as if it were a proper sort of greeting) while I tried to get over the shock, Student Council President Shirayuki, returned to visit, as always, resuming the appearance of a pure, peaceful, and overwhelmingly kind girl. Kaname was not in the apartment. 「Oh my! What has happened here?」 She entered, and diligently set about repairing my mostly destroyed room. It was not long until it was perfectly rearranged, but… Shirayuki… You were the one who made this mess. Remember…? It was as if she were suffering from dissociative identity disorder. Shortly afterwards, she was smilingly cleaning of the house, but when she passed near Kaname’s clothes or toothbrush, her expression changed to one full of rage and jealousy, as if she wanted to destroy them with a glance. Finally, when Shirayuki had finished, she left the whole house a testament to her hard work. When Kaname returned she was smiling happily, but sensing who was responsible, she shot the same look of rabid jealousy at Shirayuki’s handiwork. Hey, I have to deal with this every day. I can sum it up two words: It’s scary… Thinking back, it was easier to endure Aria’s violent nature. She resorted to direct physical attacks, but in contrast I spent less time fearing for my life. Both of them usually show affection in their own way, but this diametric change of personality… It’s like opening a Jack-in-the-box and no good for my heart. It’s a change as exaggerated as Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, complicating everything and multiplying my problems by two. I was taking some heart medicine 4 with my soda, when… *Chirp!* *Chirp!* Suddenly, the sparrows on the terrace took flight in fear. 「Oh…!」 I gasped. She’s here! 「…」 With a white ribbon atop her head, Shirayuki, dressed in her bulletproof school uniform, was there to greet me with a pleasant smile; but when she turned to Kaname, she began to radiate a murderous aura that frightened the sparrows off the terrace. Kaname meanwhile seemed to say ‘ Hi! ‘, and waved at Shirayuki. But her expression… False and hidden feelings filled the room with an air of seething anger. The dark auras emanating from both of them ended up spoiling the clear blue, autumn sky. I had invited them both out to eat, and now began to watch them in the same way a professional wrestling referee might eye the competitors. 「Good afternoon, Kin-chan… Ah!」 *Trip!* Shirayuki, missing her step, lost her balance, and stumbled, but somehow avoiding falling on the floor. As always, she seems to have bad reflexes. 「Looks like we’re all here. Shirayuki, you can order a burger or something.」 I said, as we sat at our table. 「Okay.」 Shirayuki raised her hands and… *Clap!* *Clap!* She clasped her hands after clapping… but soon after, a ‘?’ symbol appeared over her head, and she started looking from side to side. For a moment, the three of us sat at the table silently. Then I realised. What Shirayuki had done was the way to call the waitresses in a traditional Japanese inn …I think… Ah, that’s right. She lives in a temple and has hardly gone anywhere except school… She probably hasn’t been to a McDonald’s. There’s no other choice… I’ll have to help her order. On the other hand, believing that McDonalds will offer as much care as an inn… I think there should be a limit on how clueless a person can be. How secluded is that temple? That’s some medal-worthy, Olympic-class cluelessness. If you are wondering why I invited them to this place, it is because of the duel that Shirayuki had challenged Kaname to. This was precipitated by Kaname’s surprise attack on the Baskerville girls. Now she, Aria, Riko, and Reki as well, were seeking revenge. With Shirayuki as their representative, the ‘army’ of Baskerville girls and Kaname are in a situation where a single spark could ignite a powder keg of conflict. This battle would become a huge war, large enough to threaten the security of Butei High, or even cause it to sink 5 . Before that happens, it’s my job to play UN and mediate between the two sides. So, in order to solve this peacefully, I tried to establish formal negotiations. That’s why I chose a table at this restaurant. It is naturally crowded with civilians, so with Kaname and Shirayuki– all too ready to to wield a machine gun or kitchen knife–, there would be many potential witnesses. At the moment, I found myself carrying a teriyaki burger on a tray and headed to our table while Shirayuki followed me spell-bound. 「So then… Shirayuki, sit there. Listen up. We’re outside Butei High, so put aside your personal issues. No guns, knives, or fuss. Fighting is strictly prohibited. Kaname, the same goes for you too.」 Feeling more hopeless as I spoke each word, as I watched both, I sat Shirayuki in front Kaname. From both sides, Shirayuki and Kaname were giving fake smiles so stiff, you would have thought they were wearing Noh theatre masques. Umh… Ugghh… My stomach hurt. This is no good. 「Okay, now for the death sentence.」 Without warning, Kaname said the worst thing possible. 「A moment ago, when Onii-chan was buying a burger, this fake girl 6 had hearts fluttering around her head.」 She said this while biting her straw, then her mouth began to smoke… This heat was produced by friction… Now the straw was melting! What is this huge jaw strength! It rivals the bite force of an alligator or a shark. Across from her, Shirayuki was eating her teriyaki burger quietly as she sipped her drink with a confident smile. 「It must be hard to not be the favourite wife, so it is impossible for you to be calm!」 From this corner, too, came the most provocative words possible. And what do you mean by ‘favourite wife’? Well, it’s normal for you to say such nonsense 7 , but this is not remotely the right time to do so! I have to do something soon to negotiate this peacefully. 「Don’t get so hostile. The whole reason for this meeting was for the two of you to reconcile.」 「Kaname, the favourite wife is the strongest. In this world, it is destined to be so, and I will not give one inch.」 「What an illogical thing to say! Younger sisters are stronger, and I won’t give in either.」 Ugh, this is impossible. Seeing that from the beginning, neither had the slightest intention of listening, I started thinking about my escape route, but suddenly from both sides. 「The favourite wife!」 「Obviously, younger sisters!」 *Thump!* *Thump!* Shirayuki and Kaname, each grabbed me at the same time. Both of my arms and are now engaged in a tug-o’-war as they grapple and pull for their respective side. I remember long ago, I got caught in a similar disagreement between Riko and Aria, literally being in the middle of the discussion. Divide everything exactly in half and give each of them a part… of my pictures. That thought crossed my mind. 「Kaname, I’ve done a bit of research and you are registered as a Butei in the US. Although, I could not find anything else.」 「*Humph* That data hasn’t been deleted… So? What about it? 」 They glared at each other defiantly. 「Then you’re a Butei, as well. As fellow Butei, the rules do not allowed us to fight each other, except in the course of fulfilling a contract. For that reason, we of Baskerville have decided to challenge you to a re-match 8 to fight our official representative. The match will take place according to the strict rules of Butei High.」 「H-Hey! Don’t decide anything without talking to me, your Team leader! 」 「…And after we consulted together, I was chosen as the official representative.」 Obviously that ‘we’ did not include myself. 「Heeh.」 Kaname made a puzzled expression, but it gradually changed into a belligerent smile. In Butei High, the first of the unwritten rules from MASTERS states: ‘Avoid frequent dueling. But, in all cases, please adhere to a fair set of rules.’ In other words– duels are allowed. They are illegal in Japan, but at this bloody school, they have been tolerated up to a point. Because of the laws, no matter what happens, no lawsuits can be filed, and if someone cried to the police: ‘ I was injured in a duel! ‘ They’d immediately become the laughingstock of the school. 「Onee-chan, You really are completely illogical. You still don’t understand which one of us is stronger, yet? 」 「That was an official acceptance, right?」 *Bzz!* *Bzz!* *Bzz!* Sparks flew like an omen of a great fight. After a few seconds, Kaname finally released my arm. 「Obviously. Then, Onee-chan, I guess it is time that I returned ‘this’ . I’ve already finished my analysis.」 At that instant, perfectly calculated so that the people around us didn’t notice, something fell from the sky. *Catch!* Letting go of my other arm, Shirayuki, grasped the object from the air. It was sheathed in a scarlet case, a Japanese katana. 「Irokaneayame!」 When I looked up, an ‘X’ shaped piece of cloth was twirling approximately thirty metres above us. It was the same equipment Kaname had used a few days ago to block Aria’s bullets and slice through a foot bridge. It looked like a floating Bamboo-copter. It seems that Kaname, looking ahead, had made prior preparations in case something happened. 「Onee-chan, this katana is your main weapon, right? It would be unfair if we fought before I returned it.」 「Unfair? I did not expect someone like you to use that word…」 Shirayuki laughed derisively, covering her mouth with her hand, while Kaname answered without looking up. 「After our last ‘meeting’ Onii-chan scolded me, saying, ‘ Don’t do “cowardly things”‘ . I took this lesson to heart. You should too… don’t do anything cowardly… Like this!」 And, just as a waitress passed near our table, Kaname grabbed her butt. 「*Kyaa!*」 The girl cried, while her beautiful silver hair swayed through the air. With a visor on her head that was intended to conceal her identity, turning to our table was… 「J-Jeanne?! What are you doing here? 」 Former member of IU, and now fully integrated into INFORMA, a second-year student at Butei High: Jeanne D’Arc. And turning towards Jeanne, whose cover was blown, Kaname opened her blue eyes wide in apparent amazement. 「Wow! So beautiful! Onii-chan, you really can’t resist a pretty girl, huh? 」 Kaname said, hanging her head. 「First Onii-chan woos, Shirayuki Hotogi: ‘The Blazing Fire Witch’ and now Jeanne D’Arc, ‘The Silver Ice Witch’. It makes me want to start a ‘witch hunt’. Two on one is no disadvantage.」 Kaname proudly boasted. Head lowered, from the shadow of her straight-cut bangs, Shirayuki’s eyes gleamed. 「Did you think there would just be two of us?」 Wh-What is happening in this peaceful setting… A McDonald’s in the afternoon…? I began to scan the area… Yes, unfortunately. They’re all here! Dressed as part-time restaurant workers. In the kitchen, with the distinct shape of guns hidden under her skirt, Aria is frying potatoes. At the cash, and thoroughly enjoying the situation, is Riko– she wasn’t there a minute ago. Aloof, and on the edge of the terrace, Reki is cleaning the floor with a mop. And if we look in the shadow of the pot nearby, Haimaki is is partially visible. We are being surrounded, completely. 「Waah! Onii-chan, I’m afraid. Everyone is bullying me.」 While Kaname uttered that phrase lifelessly, she pounced, hugging me close. Taking advantage of this position, she surreptitiously grabbed and pinned my arms. Kaname has made me a hostage. 「This is really all your fault, Kaname. Why do you do things to make everyone hate you?」 To make matters worse, I am aware that my value as a hostage is virtually nil. It’s pathetic. There is nowhere for me to go. Then I started to separate from Kaname. 「Just kidding!」 Kaname said, quickly releasing me. 「All of you are totally unreasonable! It seems you haven’t learnt your lesson yet. This time, I’ll pound you into hamburger meat!」 Kaname shouted, threatening the Baskerville girls (+Jeanne). While I could only laugh and reflect on my horrible luck. Then Shirayuki said, 「Don’t worry Kin-chan, we won’t attack now. We’ll take care of it later. Kaname lacks all common-sense and could lose control at any time. That’s why I called the others. Ufu, ufufufu.」 「Is that so…?」 Because I was a little scared, I slipped into keigo 9 . It seems that she too, had also made preparations for this meeting. 「This is advance notice of the form of duel we have chosen. Kaname, given the current situation, can you guess how you will be ‘loved’? 10 」 Kaname heard Shirayuki’s question that seemed like it was taken straight out of a school exam, and and her eyebrows drew together in puzzlement. 「…!」 I also grimaced, but my eyebrows moved up–the opposite of Kaname–, because unlike her, I knew the answer. 「L-Lumberjack!?」 「As expected of Kin-chan, that’s right! Considering that Kaname is from America, we have chosen a form of duel that originated in her own country.」 Smiling, Shirayuki changed her ‘dark’ 11 expression to a sweet one as she turned towards me. Lumberjack…! Right after I enrolled in this school, I fought another guy, bare-handed, in that kind of duel. That is how I know what it is. At Butei High, it is the ‘house specialty’ and is also considered one of the most difficult and dangerous types of duels. As Shirayuki said, it is derived from a form of dueling common among American Lumberjacks, with a few changes. The official rules seem simple– and they really are. First, all participants must wear bullet-proof equipment. Next, the Butei involved spread out to form a ‘Ring’ 12 of Butei (To be referred to as ‘Loggers’), and this ‘Ring’ encloses the dueling ground. Lastly, contestants must fight within the Ring, and are prohibited from leaving it. The duel ends when one side admits defeat, or if one party is judged to have reached a point where outside assistance is required. Those are the only rules, but these rules have additional clauses: If any of the contestants leave the Ring before the end of the match, the ’Loggers’ may attack freely, taking any action necessary to return them to the ring. If the contestant returns to the ring, their opponent is able to attack them once more. Thus, between retreat and return to the ring, the duelists slowly take damage, and eventually you will find them fighting on the brink of death, with quite serious injuries. In short, running away is stupid. It’s a hellish system that beats you– even in retreat. Additionally, it is not required that the ‘Loggers’ who form the Ring are neutral. The Ring is comprised of allies and enemies alike. This means that if you are generally disliked, the Ring will be full of your enemies. That is the most dangerous rule for Kaname! Of course, your opponent will not be attacked by their friends, so even if you force them out of the ring, they will be allowed to return unmolested. Conversely, if you are cornered and forced out of the ring, you will be greeted with a merciless hail of bullets. Due to that rule, Lumberjack shares many similarities with government regulation and penalties. In this situation, Kaname has no allies, and as a result of her unilateral hostility, it is all-against-one. 「Girls, Lumberjack is an old fad. Even though in was created at Butei High, accidents are too common. It is a savage game and not something that girls should be involved in. Stop this.」 I frowned as I said those words, and Shirayuki replied… 「Don’t try to stop us Kin-chan. There are times where even girls must fight!」 Her long, silky black hair swayed as she shook her head in gesture of denial. 「This is a Holy War–a conflict ignited by love for Kin-chan! One in which the objective to secure the sovereignty of a country called ‘Kin-chan’, inevitably leads another country,’Shirayuki’, to declare war on the nation ‘Kaname’.」 An incomprehensible and contradictory National Strategy for ‘Shirayuki’. 「That’s…!」 Although Shirayuki usually has a quiet and gentle nature, there are times that she can be just as belligerent as Aria. 「No problems here. I’ll do it. What about Kamerad 13 ?」 Kaname replied quietly as she ate the rest of her burger. As calmly as if she’d just asked: ‘ Do you take milk with your coffee? ‘, replying in a care-free manner. Even though I had gone to so much trouble to put out a lifeboat. 「It is allowed. Do you have some friends that you’d like to bring?」 Taking her silence as acceptance, Shirayuki concluded … 「Well then… This will be a legal ‘Kaname-do over’ 14 …」 Looking on and smiling with her dark-side activated, she offered that ‘kind’ advice. I’ll explain the details of Kamerad . Kamerad is a right that the Loggers have: ‘A person permitted to provide direct assistance to a contender, once, in the course of the duel’ To prevent the duel from reaching a stalemate, it is customary to choose a person to step in when the victor has obviously been determined, and also to prevent overkill from happening by separating the contenders when a loss has been determined. However, from my experience, once the duel actually starts, these niceties matter very little. 「I wasn’t asking for myself– I will not require any assistance. I was talking about you, Onee-chan. Why, I’ll crush you until you can’t even concede your own defeat. So you’ll need someone else to do it for you then, right?」 Kaname replied as she mirrored Shirayuki’s devilish grin. What a disaster… After finishing her Texan burger, Kaname made a pellet from the wrapper and… Whoosh! Threw it strongly, like a Slug Shot 15 and succeeded in making the rubbish can. *********************************** On the following night, under the moonlight… The agreed place for the match was Arena #2 16 , ASSAULT Division’s Gym. Kaname was there, wearing her bulletproof school uniform, striking a daunting pose. On her back she carried a large, unsheathed katana almost as tall as she was. Between the ridge and groove 17 , a fluorescent blue light shone. It is no ordinary blade. This is the same weapon she used to ambush Team Baskerville– cutting-edge weapons technology: a mono-molecular vibration sword. For someone who has below average grades in Physics and Chemistry, this is something I don’t understand, so here is how Kaname explained it: According to her, the edge of the blade has a wire a few molecules wide that revolves like a power saw. The wire is made up of a chain of carbon atoms only visible through a microscope, yet it possesses a hardness of 10 Mohs 18 . From my perspective, it would be something like a chainsaw with tiny diamond teeth. 「With that, there is almost nothing you can’t cut through.」 After she said that, subconsciously, I began favouring Kaname. Half a year ago I remember having a similar conversation with Shirayuki, but when compared to the idea of a supernatural source for her powers… Kaname’s explanation seems much more believable. I was pondering that when Shirayuki, led by Jeanne, arrived on the scene, kicking up sand with each step as they approached. Aria and Riko followed, and now all of the concerned parties had arrived. What’s this? As I would gain nothing by regretting it later, and since Kaname had me concerned, I ended up attending the duel. Shirayuki came dressed in her family’s traditional gold-trimmed Miko attire; but also wore a white headband that tied behind her head. Her sleeves were secured behind her back, and in one hand she carried Irokaneayame, sheathed in a red lacquered scabbard. Yes, that’s the same dress she wore in April, when she confronted Aria in a similar situation: the battle dress of the Hotogi family. The others wore their bulletproof school uniforms, but Jeanne brought the legendary sword Durandal, fastened to her waist. Aria, as usual, carried her twin guns strapped to her legs under her skirt, moving with her and occasionally revealing some ‘Gun-chira’ 19 . And finally, Riko came smiling; hugging her beloved M1887 shotgun. All were ready, willing, and determined to participate in the duel. Kaname greeted them thus: 「Girls, you are so late. I got tired of waiting.」 Saying this, Kaname drew her thumb across her throat in an earnest motion. 「Let’s see … Fake girl 20 , The Diva 21 , Shorty, The Flirt 22 . Huh? What about The Loner? 」 Kaname indicated each girl as she spoke, except Reki. I guess that makes Jeanne ‘The Diva’. 「She already has you in her sights.」 Aria exclaimed angrily while shaking her twin tails. Apparently, all four are quite aware that their nicknames have some degree of accuracy. 「This Arena constitutes the Ring. You cannot escape. Reki’s accuracy is 99%. I’ve never seen her fail, except once, and that time it was a misfire.」 And just for the record, that misfire was my doing, so it’s still 100%. 「Girls, I’ll say it again: ‘Stop this.’ It’s not that I don’t understand how you feel–being the victims of a surprise attack–, but this is childish. Come up with a better way to resolve your differences.」 As leader of Baskerville, I tried to say something sensible, but like it was straight out of a Western, my deputy shot me an angry look. 「You’re an absolute pacifist who won’t go anywhere near ASSAULT, but Kinji… this is our reality as Butei. Problems are solved by personally getting out there and fighting– with gun in hand and lead.」 Aria spoke those words, fit for a gunman from an old Western… but in her seiyuu-like voice. 「Even so, you’re only trying to get even. By that logic, Kaname is the perfect Butei! What other reason do you have for a grudge?」 I returned her angry stare and as I glared back, Aria’s face suddenly flushed red. 「It’s not like I am doing this to steal you back from Kaname, or anything like that!」 When she noticed that she said something out of character, she made an embarrassed face, as if to say ‘ What am I saying? ‘, then composing herself, she drew her twin silver Governments. 「By the way, this weapon now has ‘PASTEL’ inside, unlike the last time she ambushed us.」 ‘PASTEL’, are the Butei bullets that were provided by the Vatican. She believes Kaname took advantage of the fact that she only had normal .45ACP bullets then, and Kaname seemed to understand what she implied… 「Did you think that was the problem? How naïve can you be! 」 Kaname scoffed… You’re wrong Kaname. This time is different. You boast of your superior strength, and you’re too proud to consider it… but, when people carry out a carefully planned surprise attack, their battle power actually increases many times. And if you want to face a Butei of Aria’s class… Underestimating her would be fatal. You understand that, right? 「Kanamee has been monopolizing Ki-kun lately, so we are all in ‘yandere mode’…」 Giving Kaname a subtle 23 nickname, with shotgun in hand, Riko made the gesture of horns with her fingers… *Kachin!* She pumped her shotgun and primed it for the next shot. As anyone who has gone up against a Shotgun knows… That sound… it’s so awe-inspiring. It will always cause a unique feeling of fear. 「If you find the need to escape, come with me. We’ll have some fun! Kufufu.」 It is common knowledge that, under certain conditions, it is possible to dodge bullets fired from a gun. When the unlikely opportunity presents itself, it is simply a matter of evasion. Bullets only trace straight paths, therefore it is not totally impossible to deduce the trajectory of the shot from the conditions in which it was fired. But the shot from a shotgun is impossible to dodge. The shells contain several projectiles that disperse over a large area. They are designed to hit the enemy, without targeting a specific point. Also, Riko’s shotgun is sawed-off– a shotgun whose barrel has been cut down to size. This is not only a way to help hide the gun, but to also to increase the spread of projectiles and the area of dispersal. Being honest, even for the ‘ me ‘ in Hysteria Mode, shotguns are a not weapon I’d like to face. 「Heh Heh Heh. Lumberjack… How nostalgic, right Ki-kun?」 Turning towards me while smiling… near Riko’s feet… there are two shadows! I guess Hilda came too. Well, in her case, she could have followed unannounced. Just when I was beginning to imagine Hilda’s fiendish figure… 「Kaname, have you said your prayers?」 *Shiing!* A clear sound rang out as Jeanne unsheathed Durandal. 「I’ll be Shirayuki’s Kamerad . In addition, I will also fulfill my duty as part of the Ring, though I might have to interfere directly.」 Jeanne warned as she finished putting her hair up into braids and tied them atop her head. That hairstyle is a sign that she has gone into battle-mode. Her too? 「And I thought you wouldn’t participate in such a barbaric thing.」 I said, making sure that only she could hear me. She turned, and with her blue eyes, glared angrily. 「The only reason I must participate, is because you are useless, Tohyama.」 「Now it’s my fault?」 「A few days ago, I told you to bring Kaname over to DEEN ‘ in a certain way ‘?」 What ‘ way ‘? Oh…! She’s talking about Romeo 24 . That was crazy! As if it were going to do it! Let alone with someone who calls themselves my ‘ little sister ‘! 「And by the look of the current situation– You have failed.」 「Success. Failure. Labels are meaningless! It was a plan that you tried to force on me– regardless of my opinion or consent.」 「As I was not attacked by Kaname directly, in the beginning I stayed neutral in their case. That is why is that I approached the girls of Baskerville. I patiently explained the details of what you had to do to win Kaname. I even made drawings to help them imagine those situations…」 Wait…? What did you do, Jeanne?! 「Still, the relationship between them has not improved at all…」 「What did you expect? Discussing such a plan, even though I never planned to go through with it!」 「The current situation demands that my original plan be altered, and we must now use this obscure duel to assimilate Kaname.」 I glared at her, but despite everything I said, Airhead-Jeanne had an expression of ‘?’ on her face… She raised her estoc, displaying it for Kaname to see, as it reflected a bluish sheen in the moonlight. 「More importantly… This girl called me ‘ cowardly ‘, when we were at the hamburger shop.」 Hamburger shop…? Do you mean McDonalds’? You were practically moving on tip-toe and sneaking around that day– all of you were. 「I am neither a coward nor unfair, and through fair combat, I will teach her that lesson. Furthermore, in Butei High being defeated by a junior student is a matter of disgrace. No matter what, I cannot show my back in retreat to a junior student.」 It seems she doesn’t remember the day of the Cosplay Cafeteria when her fans among the junior students found her cosplaying as a waitress, and she fled with all her might. Argh, damn it! I could point out so much that is wrong with that statement, but my words just seem to vanish. 「Yeah, whatever you say… A clash of Far East Warfare or whatever you want to call it. Nnn.」 And Kaname stuck out her tongue at Jeanne. Shirayuki, who had hitherto remained disturbingly quiet, began to approach, revealing red hanao with their getas on her feet, sand crunching beneath them. 「Kin-chan, stay back, because tonight there are no Ririi Particles 25 .」 Ririi Particles… I think they are invisible particles that fall like rain and cause the disruption of Extra-Sensory Powers, like a ‘Stealth Jammer’ 26 . If these particles have not fallen today, that means Shirayuki can fight at full-power, without restraint– unlike previously. Kaname, this time things are different and especially dangerous. 「The Ring is ready, and all that’s left is to go over the rules.」 Shirayuki remarked casually and drew her katana. Suddenly, only Jeanne and Shirayuki were near me, with Kaname standing a little farther away. Aria and Riko– in order to avoid friendly fire– had retreated to a middle distance with an angular separation of 60 degrees between them. Separated by another 60 degrees, I glimpsed Haimaki by gym storage shed, wearing bullet-proof vest. I guess Reki is in charge of that area. These girls actually took the time to come up with a plan. Although there is a clause that restricts the number of Loggers in the ring to a single digit number, there are no restrictions on the distribution of the participants. The girls of Baskerville, taking our position as the centre, have positioned themselves in concentric rings. When you think of it that way, their current positioning makes sense. First, one of the duelists– and carrying a Japanese katana–, was Shirayuki, who would confront Kaname with a close range weapon. The next closest to the battle after Shirayuki– and no less skilled in the art of the sword– is Jeanne, the swordswoman. If Kaname could somehow slip past them, she would be in the gun-prodigy Aria’s firing line at medium range, while also facing Riko and her shotgun. Kaname cannot escape the mid-range circle. Even if she miraculously did, it would be impossible to escape Reki’s ‘Magic Trigger’. With all this in place, even the ‘ me ‘ in Hysteria Mode could not escape. 「Kaname, this is too dangerous. The trap they have devised is ‘Concentric Encirclement’, and you know what that means, right? This is a ‘Kill-zone’. There is no way out!」 From inside of the deadly rings, I tried, desperately, to warn her. But, as usual, she just laughed without a care. 「Just admit you were in the wrong and apologize. I’ll take care of the rest and find some way to make it right. You should have at least an inkling of the immense danger you are in!」 She answered matter-of-factually… 「That is completely illogical, Onii-chan. A dinosaur isn’t scared of a bunch of ants. Onee-chan, actually, there really is no need for such a large Ring…」 Her short school uniform skirt fluttered as she hopped on one foot like an elementary school girl playing hopscotch in the park. Dragging her shoe through the sand, she drew a circle about 10 metres in diameter with the tip of her shoe. Inside were Shirayuki and I– with Jeanne located behind Shirayuki. 「I will agree to fight without leaving this circle. If I put one finger out of it, I lose, OK?」 Shirayuki, stretched her eyebrows in an expression of honest surprise. Meanwhile, Kaname grasped Sonic 27 and raised it to the moon. 「Hail Neue Ange! 28 This katana is totally different from your old fashioned weapons. One of these has the battle-power to rival a ‘Type 10 Tank’ 29 . The best woman and weapon is the latest one. Right, Onii-chan?」 A broad smile spreading across on her face, Kaname turned toward me, but… In the same moment– perhaps because I had lived with her for so long– I understood her true feelings. It transcended reason, but somehow, her true emotions were transmitted to me. Kaname’s actions… …were nothing more than a bluff. At this moment… she is completely alone. Neither does she have a Kamerad . As if that were not enough, the Baskerville girls are solidifying their positions. Having done her research, she also knows the Ririi Particles levels. Furthermore, their flawless positioning must undoubtedly be a strong pressure. That small, scared heart has told me everything… And I understand… So I… Damn! What else can I do…? 「Aria.」 Even from far away, I could clearly see the veins on her forehead bulging as I spoke. 「The bullets in my ‘COCKTAIL’ were not 9mm. They were .50AE.」 Taking my Desert Eagle in my hand, I drew it for all to see. 「There’s no use trying to stop us, Kinji.」 「Fine. I won’t. Do whatever you want. But this type of bullying is the thing I hate the most in this world.」 「It’s not bullying. It’s ‘love’.」 Cupping her hands, Riko shouted. 「There is no difference!」 I snapped back. 「What do you mean to do with that weapon, Tohyama?」 「I am telling you that I will be Kaname’s Kamerad .」 And as I explained this to Jeanne, who looked as clueless as ever, I glanced over at Kaname… Clenching a small fist, she laid it across her chest, looking at me with an expression of surprise, but when our eyes met, her cheeks flushed and she immediately turned away. What kind of reaction is that? Well, since there are no objections, I guess it doesn’t matter. Shirayuki began to grinding her teeth and just when she was about to say something to Kaname, I spoke forcefully, advancing the duel. 「Alright everyone, let’s go over the rules. The duel did not will end until one of the contestants admits defeat. Before that, nothing will be counted as a win. There is no draw. Running away is not allowed. If someone tries to flee, the Loggers may take any action to return them to the Ring.」 This reminds me of my days in ASSAULT. It’s not just Aria, but without a doubt, this is how this school operates… That’s a bad thing. 「The Kamerad exists to prevent the duel from reaching a deadlock, or to prevent the death of one of the contenders. They are authorized to provide assistance to their ally only once. After that, no more interference is permitted.」 「Yeah, yeah… The rules are the same as the ones we know? Anything else?」 Seeing me completely stuck in the role of a Butei, Aria is somewhat happy. She is as blood-thirsty as ever. 「That’s it.」 I agreed with a small nod. 「So it’s high time we begin, you two.」 Aria said to Kaname and Shirayuki, while drawing her black Government. Shirayuki and Kaname stared at each other, but neither one made the first move. In Lumberjack, the start of the duel is decided by the contenders. This is something no one can change and is the exclusive right of both parties. To begin, they synched their breathing. It was like a battle between two wild beasts, or a close-quarters confrontation between samurai. The only thing that moved in the arena was time, and it passed quietly. Without a sound, Shirayuki moved her sword and took up her stance. She placed the blade almost perpendicular and lifted the hilt to her right cheek– that is the stance called Hassou 31 . In modern Kendo matches, it is a stance rarely used. It is a rather old position, but as a Hotogi witch, Shirayuki uses this stance to avoid wasting energy needlessly. Still, Shirayuki… How will you fight this time? Kaname’s sword can cut through any kind of metal. Even the legendary blade Irokaneayame is probably no exception. 「Razor Sharp 32 .」 Kaname whispered, taking up her stance. Drawing her right foot back, she turned to face Shirayuki almost completely sideways. She held her katana horizontally to the ground and raised it to head-level. Grasping the hilt with both hands, she and drew it far back, leaving her flank wide open in a bold stance. That stance… I’ve never seen anything like it. You wouldn’t find record of it anywhere, but somehow, I understand it intuitively. It focuses on contacting the opponent’s blade, ignoring defence. Completely disregarding it. Taking full advantage of Sonic’s enormous cutting power, Kaname can do that. Carrying such a weapon also says something about Kaname’s personality. 「…」 Shirayuki wields her katana perpendicularly; Kaname wields hers horizontally. The two girls, who are opposed, even in stance and fighting style, radiate an atmosphere of great tension. No one said a word. Even the sounds of the insects have stopped. Their fighting spirits are locked together, as waves of energy began to sweep across the sand. Then… *Appear!* A fallen leaf carried on the wind crossed the space between them, and at that moment, Kaname launched her attack. Well done. Choosing the exact moment when the dry leaf blocked Shirayuki’s line of sight, Kaname made her first move. 「 Hihomura Kosakabe 33 」 Unable to recieve the attack directly, Shirayuki withdrew her right hand from the hilt of her katana and swept it across the horizon. Invoked by that motion, a flaming wall, like a folding screen, rose up 2 metres in front of her. Whoa! Even where I was standing apart, the intense heat being emitted was at dangerous levels. That is no ordinary flame. It is a raging inferno, burning at a frighteningly high temperature. ‘Tonight there are no Ririi particles.’ Now I understand Shirayuki’s warning. Without the ‘Inhibitory Particles’, she can use her full power– she is a human flamethrower. Despite that, Kaname moved to pierce the flaming wall with her katana, but at the last second, she checked her rush and sprang to the left. Reaching the edge of the wall of fire, she swept Sonic around, and with waving hair, Shirayuki also appeared on the left side. I remember seeing this position in her fight with Jeanne. Holding her sword in her right hand, she raised her sword overhead like a torch in a one-handed Dai-jodan 34 . Already, swirling flames were enveloping the blade and coiling around it. 「Hotogi Sacred Art, Hinokagabi Kochou 35 」 She swung her katana at a speed the eye could not follow. What I could see was only the after-image of the flame, shaped like a flapping butterfly, as the cuts formed ‘V’ pattern. Was that a one-handed version of Ganryu’s ‘Tsubame Gaeshi’ 36 ? However, she is only trying to scorch Kaname’s blade. Shirayuki knows that Irokaneayame shouldn’t touch Sonic. If they were to do so, Irokaneayame would certainly be cut. 「…Aha!」 Kaname, assuming sure victory, laughed. Like Shirayuki, the movement of her sword could not be followed with the eye as she moved in to attack. Kaname gathered her legs into her torso, and somersaulted backward to close distance with Shirayuki. From the blade of her sword a blue fluorescent light shone, leaving a ghostly after-image as it twirled through the air. 「Whoa! That was close.」 「Yeah, she’s really going all out, that Kana-mee.」 Carrying on such a conversation, Riko and Aria were commenting as if they had seen, in detail, what had happened in that blur of movement. 「…」 Silently, Shirayuki took up a new position: Seigan 37 , and from her crimson hakama… *Flutter!* Part of it had been cut, and now fell. Moreover, there was another cut in the the pure white robes, exposing the Hadajuban 38 she wore beneath. In the blink of an eye, Kaname had targeted Shirayuki’s abdomen, directing two thrusts to her chest. Landing with the grace of a professional gymnast, Kaname said… 「In both attacks, you’ve saved yourself by the skin of your teeth, Onee-chan.」 Enjoying the moment, Kaname reset her stance with a flourish, but this time, she held the blade away from her cheek, causing her posture to seem somewhat forced. 「Humph… So your plan was to heat Sonic until I could no longer hold it, huh?」 The moment she said that, I finally noticed the blade of her katana was glowing red like a hot iron. If it were me, it would definitely be too hot to hold. So the flame-spouting Hotogi Arts that Shirayuki was using were not random at all– they were intended to transfer the heat to Kaname’s sword. That seem to be the best way to deal with such a troublesome advanced weapon. 「It’s a shame. We have conducted ten heat tolerance tests. Both on the katana, as well as myself! Even if the temperature climbs, my performance will not change. Onee-chan, it’s over.」 Looking like of a bird of prey about to capture its meal, she drew her right foot through the sand as it grated underfoot. 「It’s always best to cauterize an amputation immediately, isn’t it. Since even with surgery, they might not be able to re-attach what was lost…? Like an arm or a leg. Well, you asked for it…」 After hearing that terrifying threat from Kaname, Shirayuki took her sword, returned it to its sheath, and lowered herself into an Iaido 39 stance. Is that Hihihotogikami 40 ? No! That would be the worst thing to do… Shirayuki…! Swallowing my saliva, I watched. Secret Art Hihihotogikami is a movement that requires time to gather power, and Kaname will not give her that time. Even if she was able to unleash her attack, it’s not hard to imagine what would happen. Irokaneyame would be cut as soon as it met Kaname’s blade. And Shirayuki is behind it. That can’t be her plan. Or… knowing that before hand, did she choose that technique to ensure mutual death and keep her pride as a Hotogi? Shirayuki…! 「Crimson Fire Witch, burn in your own flames!」 Blade glowing red, Kaname set her stance… *Thud!* Kicking off explosively, she burst forward suddenly like a cannonball at attack speed. 「Kaname, it is already over.」 From between her straight-cut bangs, Shirayuki intently stared at Kaname, and coming up behind Shirayuki… Jeanne! Shirayuki’s Kamerad , Jeanne, moved in. With the Holy Sword Durandal, she took up a stance called “Waki” 41 hiding it behind her body. 「Ooh! That’s ‘Jet Stream Attack’ 42 !」 Riko cheered –using words I didn’t understand–, as Jeanne gracefully lept over Shirayuki and brandished Durandal. 「Fleur de Glace d’Orleans 43 」 Having calmly recited the name of her skill, the sword shone with a blue-white light. Delicate diamond dust sparkled around Jeanne. Seeing the attack and thinking that it was dangerous to receive directly, Kaname desperately buried her katana in the ground to stop herself, observing that wherever the blue light fell the ground froze instantly. Because of the absence of blue Irokane particles, the super-cooling effect spread to where Kaname’s katana was planted in the ground. 「…!」 *Crack!* *Crack!* *Crack!* With that sound, Sonic was encased in ice. Kaname’s feet weren’t frozen to the ground yet, so… 「Haa!」 Boasting superhuman strength and agility, she preformed a handstand. Her sword now caught in the frozen ground, Kaname seized the hilt in one hand and, using it as a fulcrum, swung herself up over her katana– just like a circus performer! Starting at the sword’s point, the silver ice climbed higher, and the blade that had been bright red in the beginning was covered up to the guard by ice before it stopped. Above it, in a one-handed handstand, Kaname remained uninjured. 「*Humph*… You used your Kamerad . Sorry, I forgot about the small fry!」 From the handstand, Kaname lowered her body… *Fwip!* 「But how unfortunate! It was a futile attack!」 Using her body weight, she pried her katana free, springing forward in the same motion. Soaring over Jeanne, with ice crystals still clinging to Sonic, Kaname’s target is… Shirayuki. Kaname is going to swoop down and attack from above. 「From the Style of the Divine Servants 44 … Sacred Art…」 Shirayuki, who until now had been accumulating power, faced Kaname’s attack. 「… Hihihotogikami !」 *Whoosh!* A whirlwind of fire soared into the sky, to meet Kaname mid-air, but regardless, Kaname slashed her way through the raging inferno, and continued her attack– intent on severing Irokaneayame. 「…!」 As if she had realised something, the expression on Kaname’s face changed, and in the next moment… *Shatter* With a sound like breaking glass… Irokaneayame met Sonic, shattering it into pieces. A dull thud followed. As Kaname fell, Shirayuki extinguished the flames of her previous attack and struck a blow with her katana. That was the sound I heard. Th-That’s the back of the sword…! Shirayuki gave Kaname a light tap on the torso with the blunt side of her katana. Kaname fell to the ground, rolling several times before sitting up on all fours and looking up. 「Ah… Wha-…」 Tear-filled eyes opened wide, Kaname moved to gather up the broken fragments of Sonic, but.. once again heated red-hot, her hand drew back instinctively. 「No way… No way… This is Neue Ange… This is completely… wrong!」 Overcome by shock, Kaname is confused… but in my case, I’ve figured out the trick. More or less… However advanced the technology, Kaname’s katana was still made of metal, and metal, when heated, cooled, heated again–and so on–, becomes very brittle. Even the strongest Japanese steel rails, undergoing radical temperature shifts, have fractured due to repeated expansion and contraction. For this reason, after being violently subjected to the extreme temperatures of fire and ice… the effect was immediate. One only has to look in order to see the result. 「Cherry blossoms, that cannot be called anything but fleeting, blossom to scatter away in this miserable world!」 45 Closing her eyes with their long lashes, Shirayuki recited, as she returned the inscribed blade Irokaneayame to it’s red lacquered sheath. It was from the Shin Kokin Wakashu, an ancient poem by Sanesada Tokudaiji, I believe… Although, coming from someone who always gets bad marks in Classical Literature, this information is unreliable. 46 「Victory has been decided.」 While twirling her guns and stowing them in her skirt holsters, Aria spoke. You have this habit of not contributing anything, yet you can still put on that triumphant face. I knelt next to Kaname… 「Kaname. We’ve come to the end. The most modern weapons appear one after another, blooming like cherry blossoms. But there is no cherry blossom that isn’t scattered by the wind. Your katana was set free tonight– that’s all.」 Using the poem Shirayuki had just recited, I tried to comfort Kaname. My meaning was very easily grasped, but because it was so simple, Kaname didn’t have to do much guess-work. But the expression in her upturned gaze… is rather that she has yet to accept reality. The newest, most powerful weapon… That cutting-edge blade, has been destroyed. That made Kaname feel as if what happened had called her own existence into question. 「H-…HAAAA!」 And just like a middle-schooler, she lost her temper and tried to punch Shirayuki, who moved into a defensive stance. Fulfilling my role as Kamerad , I raised one hand toward Shirayuki and, hanging my Desert Eagle on my index finger by the trigger guard, let the gun dangle. This is a signal that Butei and American police use that means ‘I’m not going to shoot.’ — a gesture of surrender. After that, I stopped Kaname’s with my other arm and signaled with my eyes for her to look down. Where I had pointed was the thing she drawn with her toe at the beginning of the duel, saying: “…If I leave the circle, then I lose, OK?” One of Kaname’s feet is outside that circle. Rather, Shirayuki’s reversed blow had intentionally pushed her out. And now her leg was sticking out. 「You said it yourself, didn’t you? Honour your own rule!」 I had spoken in a kind of harsh tone, so Kaname… 「*Sniff*, *Sniiifff*…」 Her eyes filled with tears, and she tried to contain them, but then… 「W… Wa… WAAAAAAAH!」 And crying just like the middle-schooler she was, she was now sobbing uncontrollably. She can’t stand being humiliated in front of me. But… What can I do! It doesn’t look like she plans to stop crying. 「♪He made her cry!♪ ♪He made her cry!♪ ♪I’ll tell the teachers!♪」 While saying this, Riko zoomed by and started running in circles around us. Riko, you hypocrite… Weren’t you one of the ones who wanted to ‘temper’ 47 Kaname? But… Thanks to such ‘help’, the atmosphere of bloodlust and battle, has been dispelled. How to say it…? Riko’s face seemed to say: ‘That was enough, right? More than this would be bullying, so we should stop.’ It seems that Riko had read the unbearable atmosphere… and purposely started to joke around in order to lighten the mood. As a result the tense atmosphere was disappearing. That girl has great communication skills. As for the two of us with meagre social skills… Aria and I could only exchange glances with the expression of ‘ What can I do?’ writ on our faces, but… Then Haimaki trotted up and licked her cheek, gently comforting her. Apparently, both Aria’s and my own social skills are less than a dog’s. Although, holding by far the lowest ranking in communication skills, was Haimaki’s owner, who shouldered her Druganov and was descending from a cherry tree planted near the sports arena. You were surprisingly close, Reki. 「Kaname, as we crossed swords, I have to say, your technique was impressive. I did not notice your instantaneous counter-attack until just now. If I had moved even slightly, I would have been struck.」 Saying that, Jeanne crouched as she stood next to Kaname, and her back… Is completely exposed! Panicking, I turned away quickly. Remaining completely calm, a large section has been cut– from top to bottom– out of her bulletproof uniform. She is unhurt, but now that girl is showing off her bra strap– white, like her porcelain skin. B-but… How do they fasten those, I wonder? Girls’ bras usually come with clips on the back, so Aria wearing ones with hooks in the front isn’t hard to understand, but… Thinking such thoughts, my brain began to overheat as I pondered this thing that would forever be a mystery to guys everywhere… from somewhere inside her torn Miko clothes, Shirayuki produced safety pins, and rearranged her clothes. 「As I thought, you are very strong– as expected from Kin-chan’s little sister.」 Shirayuki told the dejected Kaname, with the expression of a kind and gentle older sister. Kaname, on the brink of tears, silently accepted the title ‘Kin-chan’s little sister’, without a word, nodding her assent. Quickly tiring of such a scene, I said: 「Don’t encourage her. Whether you are strong or weak in a fight, outside the Island it’s meaningless.」 The tension having completely dissipated, I scolded Shirayuki and Jeanne with a wry smile. Moments later, Miss Control-Freak Aria-sama, told me… 「Kinji, I want coffee.」 If I took too much time, Aria could challenge me to a Lumberjack, so while thinking how unfortunate it was that it was late, I called Mutou to ask for some delivery. Since I could not say anything about the duel, I said: ‘I was out moon-viewing. 48 By the way, the girls are here too.’ , to which he replied, ‘Give me five minutes!’ , but it seems that there is no coffee to be had. So I asked Aria: ‘What do you suggest we do?’ , still using keigo. 「Well, you’re useless, aren’t you? I worry about your future.」 Questioning whether I was up to the task, Aria contacted her junior from Assault to prepare coffee. Really, people don’t like to be ordered about like slaves, Miss Lazy Noble. But her Amica 49 , Mamiya Akari, showed up in Mutou’s truck, exactly five minutes later, with ten kinds of coffee, so my lie became reality– We really are having a midnight moon-viewing. Incidentally, Mamiya is a little shorter than Aria, and also has a flatter chest. It is a rare thing for high-school girls to have such a childish body. Her hair is done up in short twin-tails that make her look like a kid. That girl must have some kind of short in the wiring of her brain, but she has this strange sort of respect for Aria that this little disciple will recklessly obey any order she is given, but… 「Tohyama-sempai, it’s very late. What I mean to say is that you have to sit separately from Aria-sempai, rather… move away from all the girls, please.」 With such a remark, she split us up. Why is she eying me like I’m the enemy? It’s not like I try to be left alone with girls. Come on, Mamiya! Look around at the spot chosen for this ‘moon-viewing’. What would a Butei think about this? Monopolising Aria as you sit next to her as you serve coffee with a smile on your face, that burnt smell in the air should at least make you a little suspicious. 「…」 Getting the cold-shoulder from Mamiya, I’m sitting on the ground, far away from the girls. Would you please give me some coffee? Even if it is twice-brewed. Anyone? Mutou went to go buy some moon-dumplings. I wonder if he’ll be back soon… The girls and Kaname are sitting on the cloth-like weapon,’P-FIBER’ 50 that had been suspended in the air and now spread itself out on the ground. Sitting on the edge quietly, Kaname’s expression seemed say: ‘You can sit on it.’ , so all the girls sat on the substitute ‘picnic blanket’, and I got the impression that it was a girl’s-only sort of gathering. Concerned about Kaname, I glanced over to where she was gulping a Caramel Macchiato and finally calming down. Maybe because it was so late, Mamiya was sitting, hugging her legs. And having chosen this moment to nod off… 「On second thought, why didn’t you use this tonight?」 Aria asked about the P-Fiber that had sealed her fate, and Kaname, after stealing a glance at Shirayuki, replied: 「It was because Shirayuki Onee-chan only fights with a single blade. Unlike the last time, this was a fair duel–not war–, so I thought I should only use a single blade, too. If I used more weapons, then it would be cowardly.」 Ah, that’s right. At McDonald’s, Kaname said much the same thing. A few days ago, I said: ‘If you want to call yourself a Tohyama, then don’t do cowardly things.’ Since that day, she has faithfully kept her promise. 「Yeah… That’s true…」 Hearing that, Shirayuki, who had regarded her as an enemy, re-assessed her opinion. Taking a silver crystal-like fragment of Sonic, she wrapped in a small blanket with a pink flower pattern and handed it to Kaname. 「The katana is the warrior’s spirit. Your katana conveyed feelings of a noble soul. It was beautiful.」 「Onee-chan…」 Meekly accepting it, Kaname looked up at Shirayuki with something like admiration. In this setting, they really looked like they were sisters. 「That must be what they mean by ‘brotherhood after a battle!’」 51 Turning around at that line taken straight from a Yakuza movie, carrying a plate of dumplings, Mutou had returned. After handing over the plate to Shirayuki, he came over and plopped himself down next to me and… 「This was a Lumberjack, wasn’t it?」 From the beginning, it seems that he had known– Somehow…. 「Don’t even think about informing on us. Even though it’s not technically against the rules, MASTERS has been a little fussy lately.」 「My lips are sealed. For starters, I’m in favour of such things.」 Imparting a hidden meaning to his words that only we would understand, he grabbed a handful of dumplings that the girls had left for us. 「Heh heh heh. Brings back memories, eh Kinji?」 「Don’t laugh so strangely!」 「But you are laughing too, aren’t you!」 As a matter of fact… Right immediately after I had enrolled in this school, Mutou was the guy who challenged me to a bare-handed Lumberjack. The reason? If I remember correctly, it had to do with something I had said about Shirayuki, and he picked a fight with me over it. Underestimating him by only taking into account the physical difference between us, I soon found myself caught up in a tough fight. He had quite a surprising number of various grappling skills, and his specialty Exployder 52 had enough power to leave your eyes spinning in your head. It is something that I never want to experience again or it might kill me. On that occasion, Riko and Shiranui were the ‘Ring’, and I lost track of how many times they returned us to the ring, and we kept fighting until we both were exhausted and completely battered. Who was the winner? I’ve already forgotten. Then, for some reason, Mutou and I started hanging out. Becoming friends after a fight… Although it doesn’t seem to make any sense, this is the extreme way in which we at Butei High build relationships with each other– an obsolete and inefficient method at that. Having decided to leave the discussion of the duel for another day… Shirayuki, Aria, and the rest each returned to their respective apartments, while Kaname and I went back to my apartment… Back home. Beneath street lights, and while the insects buzzed, we were walking and… 「Onii-chan.」 Kaname broke the silence. 「Yeah?」 「For being my Kamerad…and taking my side… thanks. When you said that you’d be my Kamerad … it made me very… happy…」 「But it was my fault that you lost.」 At the very least, I think that I had to point it out. When Jeanne used “Ice Flower of Orleans” , Kaname could have withdrawn her katana and escaped by jumping. But since I was behind her, she decided to halt the freezing effect using her superheated blade at close range. Because of that, Sonic was completely frozen, compromising its internal structure and making it become brittle. Although of course, the fact that I was in the way when Jeanne attacked, was Kaname’s mistake, but if I hadn’t decided to be her Kamerad , there might have been a very different outcome. 「It was nothing. Little sisters protect their older brothers… human beings protect their family, since it’s the natural thing to do.」 Saying that, Kaname’s bangs swayed she shook her head from side to side. When I heard those words… I felt as if Kaname really was my younger sister. 「…」 I stopped and looked down at Kaname. She also paused at exactly the same moment, looking up at me with those deep sea-blue eyes. Just like real younger sister would look up at their older brother. **************************************************** NEXT CHAPTER… **************************************************** 1. 1. Normal 2. Aggressive (Aggro) 3. Weak 2. Kanji: 天高く馬肥ゆる秋 (Tentakaku uma koyuru aki) ‘High sky and fat horses in autumn.’ in kanji. An idiomatic way to describe the fall. It indicates that autumn wonderful time because the sky is clear and blue (high) and because of the good weather, everyone has more appetite and is happy because of the harvest. 3. A phenomenon where bullets are ignited by the residual heat of the gun after firing. 4. ‘Kyushin capsule’ in the original, a popular naturopathic remedy thought to treat some heart ailments. 5. Butei High is built on an artificial floating island so it is not unlike a huge boat. 6. ‘Kamatoto’ (蒲魚) in the original. A woman who feigns ignorance, naïveté, or purity. Kaname is either saying that Shirayuki is acting helpless on purpose, or that she is not really such pure, reserved girl as she seems to act. Either meaning seems to fit her. *laughs* — Anon-san 7. Interesting factoid: The word here is ‘tsukko’ from which ‘tsukkomi’ is derived. — Anon-san 8. The furingana say ‘revenge’ in katakana, and the kanji say something like ‘battle of retribution’.– Anon-san 9. Polite and formal speaking style typically reserved for speaking with one’s superiors or strangers of unknown rank. Up until now they have been speaking casually.– Anon-san 10. The word here is ‘Kawaigaru’ (可愛がる). Normally it means ‘to be loved’, but in an ironic sense, it can also mean ‘to be teased/bullied’. Shirayuki is playing off this ironic ambiguity, as Riko will later.– Anon-san 11. The word Kinji uses here is a pun on the name ‘Shirayuki’, which means ‘White Snow’. The word he uses is ‘Kurayuki’ or ‘Black Snow’.– Anon-san 12. The kanji used is (円)”circle” but the shape is not necessarily circular; only such that all possible escape routes are sealed. This fact is more apparent in the original because the next instance give the word in katakana to distinguish it. 13. ‘Comrade’ in German. In WWII in was shouted by German soldiers to surrender. The kanji say: ‘help-assistance person’. 14G. The last part of this phrase especially difficult to render into natural sounding English, and it took about an hour of collaboration for us to even get this far. In the original, there is a 3 word compound. The first part means: ‘licensed’, ‘legal’, or ‘officially allowed’; the second is Kaname’s name; and the last is Japanese slang that means ‘to beat severely’. The first part seems to carry an implication that there is some kind of legal immunity being given out. It is becoming legal due to some abnormal circumstances. The Kanji for this word literally translate: ‘The Heavens give honorable excuse’ or something like that. For the last part, I’ve chosen a British, Aussie, and Kiwi slang term to represent the Japanese, but for the rest of the world, it could be translated ‘beat the snot out of’, ‘FUBAR’, or ‘beat the living daylights out of’. So it means that any kind of beating they give Kaname will be within the law, and no repercussions can be visited upon the Baskerville girls.– Anon-san and AGlingua 15. A gaming term from Final Fantasy XI. It is a long range attack with quintuple damage, but low accuracy. 16. Arena #2 is the same arena used in the contests described in Volume 3. 17. The actual terms here are ‘Shinogi’ (鎬) and ‘Hi’ (樋). Here is a diagram. –Anon-san 18. A scale invented by the German geologist Friedrich Mohs to comparatively measure the hardness of materials. A 10 would be the hardness of diamonds. 19. Mutou coined term. It refers to the fact that, when walking, the girls’ mini-skirts expose their gun holsters. It is derived from the Japanese expression ‘Panchira’ which indicates that a women’s panties are showing. 20. The word here is Kamatoto (蒲魚). The same Kaname used earlier to describe Shirayuki. It means a woman who feigns ignorance or innocence. 21. “ Takarazuka ” in the original, An all female school of acting and performing arts. 22. Burikko (ぶりっ子) in the original. A girl who act cute and pretends to be helpless to get attention. 23. Okay, Anon-san has set me straight. What is actually going on here has to do with Riko’s peculiar manner of speech. She has a habit of stretching out words, so here she is holding out the last sound ‘e’ in Kaname for longer than usual. So she is giving Kaname a more subtle nickname than those she has given to others. 24. (色仕掛け), literally, ‘seduction’. Jeanne’s order was given in Volume 10. 25. Ririikane, the blue-green Irokane that has the ability to nullify the powers of other Irokane users. 26. Literally: ‘Inhibitory ESP Particles’. ‘Stealth’ is an Japanese word refering to ESP users. –AGlingua 27. “ Single Molecule Vibration Katana ” in kanji.‘Sonic’ is given as the Katakana reading. 28. This is the Katakana reading. I’ve read elsewhere that ‘Neue Ange’ it is meant to be German, meaning ‘new arrival’. The Kanji say: ‘Cutting-edge Weapons Technology, Banzai!’ 29. Type 10 ( Hitomaru-shiki Sensha ) A high-tech Japanese battle tank currently in service in the JSDF. 30. While was Aria sent a package of Butei Bullets marked ‘PASTEL’, Kinji was sent one marked ‘COCKTAIL’. 31. Hassou stance . 32. It is English written in katakana. The accompanying kanji say something like: “Everything it touches, it severs” 33. ‘Blazing Wall of Scarlet Flame’ in kanji. 34. Dai-joudan stance 35. Something like: ‘Bright Scarlet Butterfly Aid’ in kanji. 36. Koujiro Sasaki (Ganryu’s real name), was a famous swordsman in Japanese folklore. He invented and perfected the technique ‘Tsubame Gaeshi’, the ‘Swallow Counter’ alternatively translated as ‘Swallow Reversal’. It is said that it was a technique that struck two cuts with the katana so quickly that it was like a swallow descending, turning, and then flying up again. 37. Chu-dan stance 38. Tunic of thin breathable fabric that is used as underwear when wearing a kimono. 39. Iaido is an artistic style of swordsmanship, that emphasises perfection of form in drawing, striking, then returning the blade to the sheath (saya). 40. ‘Scarlet Hotogi God’ in kanji. 41. Waki . Another Kendo stance. 42. This is a reference to Mobile Suit Gundam. In that anime, the heroes lined up and conducted a highly powerful, syncronised attack called ‘Jet Stream Attack’. 43. “Ice Flower of Orleans” in French and kanji. 44. This was a particularly tricky bit as it is a coined term. The kanji here read: ‘hotogisoutenryuu’. As some of you may notice, it incorporates the name of the Hotogi in the name. The kanji for ‘Hotogi’ mean something like ‘votaries of celestial’. The last part incorporates the kanji for ‘to attend/entertain’; ‘Heaven’; and ‘school/style’. So Shirayuki is invoking the lineage of the technique– supposedly wielded by those who attend Heaven/the Gods directly. By the by, ‘Sacred Art’ is more accurately translated ‘hidden technique’ or ‘secret teaching’– the most powerful techniques only taught to few who fully master an art/style–, but I left it for the sake of consistency. So the whole thought here is that this is one of the most powerful techniques from an already impressive art, and it is being invoked by a master of that art. 45. Okay, this is some ancient Japanese poetry. Not being a poet, or particularly well-versed in ancient Japanese, I cannot do any kind of justice to the poem, so here is only a best guess and attempt. Consulting contemporary Japanese commentary, the main idea seems to be that when things reach their goal of perfection, degeneration sets in almost immediately, so that perfection seldom lasts more than an instant. Some believe that the poem is also drawing an unspoken parallel to the transitory nature of people and their accomplishments. 46. Kinji is correct. It is one of the poems of Tokudaiji Sanesada. No. 141 of Book 2 of the Shin Kokin Wakashū . It is a common poem to study in Classical Japanese Literature because it is written in ancient Japanese. Link to the original 47. This was originally a blacksmithing term. It refers specifically to the process of strengthening the metal of a sword during forging by heating, hammering, and quenching. More modernly, it is used a a term to describe the development of deep discipline and pain tolerance that one would expect a soldier to undergo during intensive training. 48. This refers to the Japanese tradition of ‘Jugoya’, usually held in September, where people view the full moon and celebrate the harvest. It was imported from China, and incorporates special foods and rituals.– Anon-san 49. Lit. “Friend” in Italian: ‘Battle Sister’ in kanji. It the name given to the Senpai-Kouhai sponsorship system at Butei High. When a Senpai takes on an Amica, they are responsible to mentor them, and the junior is expected to show some kind of deference in exchange. 50. Lit. “Ultra-thin Electro-magnetic Propulsion Shield” in kanji. 51. A Japanese proverb. (喧嘩の後の兄弟名乗り) The meaning is obvious, it says that after a fight people can reconcile and be close friends. Literally: ‘Become (in name) siblings after a quarrel’ in kanji. 52. A professional wrestling technique in which the contestant lifts their opponent and throws them to the floor. A type of ‘ Suplex Specifically the T-bone suplex — AGlingua Full Credit and much thanks to the Staff of Twin Dragons Light Novels: Thunder , Darkhellsing , and Esteban108 , for permission to use their translation. ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### 002. 2nd Ammo - OZONE -Bridgehead- Chapter 2: Sports Festival–The Brawl [Begin Text] Arcanum Duo 1 and Lumberjack, having tasted defeat in both–and in so short a time–, Kaname’s malicious attitude has disappeared completely. She has come to realise that her value was not only as a weapon. Being defeated in the duel has shaken her self-confidence, and it seems that she is now living the life of a normal high school girl. Unfortunately, there is nothing normal about this school. Even the many advanced blades she boasted of, have not been seen. This is… Well, of course it’s wonderful. It’s Aria– who will draw her guns in a fight over the television channel–, and Riko– who lays landmines as a prank– that are the problem. From now on, Kaname should live a peaceful life like any normal civilian. It’s something I want for her, from the bottom of my heart. Especially because, at her age, she can still re-adjust to a normal life. Something in Kaname’s attitude towards me has changed, and she has been acting very strange. It appears that– considering her claim that we are sibling–, she has put an appropriate distance between us. She no longer clings to me like Riko, and I consider myself saved from this peril. But, despite this, I’m still her ‘Onii-chan’ that needs to be taken care of. Sometimes she does inexplicable things like hiding and watching me– just staring. It seems like the type of situation in the Shoujo manga that Jeanne likes to read: ‘I’m in love! But since it’s my older brother, I can’t show my true feelings…’ And in not wanting to go home, I’m ‘immovable as a mountain’ 2 , but compared to: ‘Since you have been with other girls, I’ll stab you 30 times with a kitchen knife…’ 3 …that she said a few days ago, this is infinitely better, so I humbly endure it. At least I plan to, but if I’m careless… On a day that Kaname wasn’t home, for some reason I found myself making an inverted Teru-teru Bouzu 4 (The kind with the head down), when I received a strange report by telephone from someone completely unexpected… 「Hello, Master-de gozaru. 5 」 「I told you to stop calling me that.」 It was a call from Hina Fuuma… 「Lately, my Master’s younger sister has been actively making friends with all of the first-year girls-de gozaru.」 That was the report I received. 「That’s good, isn’t it? And normal for girls her age.」 Unlike me, it seems that Kaname was always a popular person. Of course, that was with her ‘Innocent Kaname’ persona. 「Actually, there is a girl with whom she has recently become especially close-de gozaru.」 「That’s good too, right? Who is it- ‘de gozaru’ ?」 Since everything seemed to be fine, I started losing interest in listening, so I reached out to write the characters: へ の も の へ on the face of my Teru-teru Bouzu 6 with a marker when… 「It is Lady Mamiya Akari-de gozaru.」 Hearing that, my hand froze. 「…Aria’s Amica ?」 「The same.」 I had a bad feeling about this… Digging further into the matter and asking questions, it seems that among first-years she is one of the most promising students. Although the details are classified, she is also involved in some important affair. Around the time when E-Ranked Mamiya became Aria’s Amica — when addressing certain person with an S-rank–, said: ‘Working with you is great, but– as an E-Rank Butei– I wonder if it was Fate that brought us together?’ …among other irritating phrases. And asking what they were doing together… 「The details are unclear, however, it appears they are allied in a conspiracy to keep my Master away from Kanzaki-senpai.」 She answered. Keep me and Aria…? That would be a wonderful thing! If I don’t stay away from Aria, this pursuit– using her Governments and the horn-like hair ornaments she started wearing at the beginning of the month–, and real-life bull-fight will never end. This is something that I could only ask for! 「For now, watch both of them. If anything strange happens, report back.」 「As you wish.」 And with this, the call ended. Shaking my head, I dropped heavily on the sofa. In anything related to the first-years, I leave just about everything to Fuuma– maybe too much, but it’s fine. I’m very busy… Ok, maybe not so much, but I have to learn how to manage people sooner or later. Moreover, I can’t let myself be distracted by these things. Right now, there is already something much, much more worrying to occupy my brain. Tomorrow, Sunday, at Butei High the Sports Festival (also known as ‘ La Rissa ‘ {The Brawl}) will be held– a hellish event. I’m begging. Let there be a huge storm tomorrow! And I hung my completed inverted Teru-teru Bouzu on the curtain rod. ***************************************** Sunday morning dawned, without a single cloud on that absolutely beautiful day… All of us Butei High students are ranged in parallel ranks in Arena No.1. It’s for our annual athletic meet– the Sports Festival. Since students are regularly absent– on investigations or raids– there are no pre-qualifiers. At 5:00 A.M. on the day appointed, we have to assemble, and our ‘wonderful teachers’, hold us at gunpoint as we rehearse our assigned parts. And then suddenly, the show begins. Damn, I’m tired! I’m about to fall asleep standing up. 「We, the competitors, swear to respect the laws that govern us as Butei, and to participate fully until the end of the competition! 」 And so a bland “Athlete’s oath” was delivered by Urara Takachiho– a notable first-year. The student body divided into Red and White Teams, and prepared for the competition. On their hips and backs there was not a single knife, grenade, handgun, rifle, or machine gun. We are all disarmed. This is an extremely unlikely scenario at the Butei High, because school policy states: ‘All students must carry a gun and a knife at all times while inside the facility.’ It’s time for the first competition to begin– “Shooting Baskets” Sometimes after a failed match-making, Ranbyou orders the students of ASSAULT: “Students will compete in groups of two. Each will have to to load their gun, and the slowest one will get shot.” This time, we aren’t shooting bullets. We are only throwing balls into small baskets suspended 3 metres above the ground. 7 And as for the reason that our sports meet is so peaceful… 「Well… All of the students are quite fit, aren’t they?」 「Yes, and with this fine weather and cloudless sky, they will be able to work up a healthy sweat!」 The ones having this discussion are from the Metropolitan Board of Education– the Vice-Director of the Tokyo Board of Education and the Chief Supervisor of Educational Guidance are on inspection. That is to say, they came to monitor us. The reason is that the last Sports Festival hosted Ancient Roman gladiator games, barefoot races, and was jam packed with other extremely dangerous events. Students were injured, one after another, and in short it was a brawling festival. Despite this, the deranged students at this school thought it was a lot of fun, but rumours of it reached the ears of the Tokyo Metropolitan Governor and he was livid, and surveillance was subsequently instituted. Just one foolish move here could lead to the closure of Butei High! In a frenzy MASTERS issued an urgent statement: ‘During the sports festival, and while you are present in Arena No.1, you will play the part of innocent and smiling high school students. Gunfire or any other kind of violent action, will be strictly and severely punished.’ These were their instructions. By “strictly and severely punished” , they basically mean a full course of planned punishment, and so we are all ‘Shooting Baskets’ with strange, forced smiles on our faces. 「Aw, Come on…! It won’t go in!」 Even on our White Team … Aya Hiraga of AMDO is participating with a completely natural, innocent smile, offering comfort for our troubled hearts. She usually modifies weapons with her small hands, but the general lack of coordination she is displaying makes me worry about the next order I place with her. Wearing a tracksuit was optional, so Hiraga is wearing shorts. But as she enjoys herself, her resemblance to an elementary school-girl at the park makes her look all the more childish. This kind of competition suits her all too well. 「Umph…!」 *Sparkle* *Sparkle* Her silver hair shining and full, lustrous locks flowing uselessly behind her as she throws the ball is… Jeanne. Because she is so beautiful, with her artificial smile she looks like a movie star, but she is wearing bloomers so outdated that they look more like panties. On the whole it is evidence of utter stupidity, and is drawing the embarrassed gaze of the boys nearby. On the other hand, what is most unsettling is… The presence of the the senior students–the third-years who are also ‘Shooting Baskets’. They receive more requests from governments and private individuals for long-term jobs, and under the guise of a short period of study abroad, they are hired to respond to a lot of incidents around the world. Because of this, they aren’t often seen at Butei High. But even so… No matter who you look at, they all have an awesome presence. All of them have their own personality quirks– probably two or three–and seem very hard to please. Also, compared to the other grades, they are the ones best at pretending to be ordinary high-school students, but their aura is quite different. It’s something that can be concealed from an ordinary person, but as fellow Butei, we’ve noticed. As a rule, third-years never shows their full power to a junior student. It is also unwise to show it to other third-years. They are well-used to hiding their claws. As the number of real-combat job requests increase, the professional rivalry between fellow Butei and the possibility of meeting as enemies also increase. Getting a job also means gaining experience. Because of this, close friendships are ended, and practical experience gained, lethal assassination techniques, and special skills are closely guarded secrets. As a result, they may seem like regular students on the outside, but on the inside they are more terrifying than the Yakuza. To be more precise, they radiate the aura of a ‘professional’. Slaves in the first year, demons in the second, and Kings of the Underworld in the third… In short, the King of the Underworld doesn’t flaunt their kanabou at mere demons 8 . Uff! I never thought that just shooting baskets would make me sweat so much… Beads of cold sweat ran down my back. *********************************************** Then the traditional part of the Sports Festival wrapped up quickly… Throughout the school, various kinds of ‘Individual competitions’ are being held. separately in several of the Butei High sports facilities. It is a clever ploy to impress the Metropolitan BoE bigwigs and ensure additional funding, all without letting the students out of the teachers’ supervision. Because I didn’t want to participate in an ‘Individual competition’, I volunteered to be the head score-keeper, but… as I went to pick up the score-sheets from the MASTERS tent, I was embarrassed to find Ranbyou and Tsuzuri in an altered state. They had changed their normal maniacal ‘GAHAHA!’ laughter, to the more casual and refined ‘hohoho’ type, eating sweet bean jelly and sipping green tea with the over-the-hill BoE members. They look just like two beautiful female teachers. This two-faced acting is almost too much. One day, that pair of ‘beautiful teachers’ somehow acquired a huge barrel of sake, opened it, and in a drunken rage, destroyed the inner docking clamps for the artificial island, causing the whole of Academy Island to shift 0.8 degrees south…. I wonder if I should snitch on them… After that, they stabilised the island’s pitch using its ballast tanks, but their heads would probably roll if the incident was reported. But in return, my head would roll. With that almost 2 meter long zanbato, that Ranbyou usually carries on her back. *********************************************** The ‘Individual competitions’ are held in the second half of the first part of the Sports Festival, and everyone, regardless of their skill, has been assigned an event by MASTERS. So I don’t have the foggiest idea who is participating in what competition. First, I cycled over to where they were holding an obstacle course… *Tap!* *Tap!* *Tap!* 「Ahh…! AHHHH…!」 A girl tried to jump the high jump bar, but her legs tangled. Her head sticking out of the vaulting box and wearing a gym shorts was Shirayuki. The other participants had already reached the goal, and she was the only one that had not made it half-way. What I mean is that she got stuck on every single obstacles–eyes filled with tears of despair. But Shirayuki has always been clumsy. 「Hotogi-san is doing her best!」 「She’s the ultimate example of it!」 「Jump higher!」 She was being cheered the guys standing nearby. Why is that? I don’t get the impression that the are making fun of her, but encouraging her from the bottom of their hearts. 「Umh… Uhh… This… foot? What…? W-wha…!」 Next, to be struggled through was a net, and sure enough she was quickly entangled. Shirayuki serves as the captain of the women’s volleyball club and is wearing her uniform. Your volleyball team, can it even play properly? For me, this is one of the 7 mysteries of Butei High. *********************************************** Next, I headed to the tennis courts… 「Senpai, please use my towel!」 「No, mine!」 「Mine too!」 「Use mine!」 There was a group of first-year girls engaged in a shoving match, and in the middle of them them I found Jeanne. 「To-Tohyama! Help me!」 While shouting a variation of her usual “ Follow me “, she stretched her hand out of the knot of girls, but…Sorry. I can’t rescue you. To enter that circle of girls with very short tennis skirts would be suicide. Surely ‘that’ problem would become an issue, so you have to figure something out yourself. 「Isn’t is great to be popular? If only you were this popular with boys it’d be perfect.」 Saying that, I diligently recorded the scores from board hung on the fence. Oh! Jeanne got first place, huh? Second is Takachiho of ASSAULT, and third is Naruse of CVR. *Fwsh!* *Fwsh!* Turning my head at the sound, I saw that they had been having a badminton doubles match on the next court over. In the closest pair, one of the players was… Reki! She wore a polo shirt and Spandex shorts under her skirt–clearly everything was borrowed. 「…」 *Whizz!* The shuttlecock flew through the air towards her side, and like a broken pitching-machine, Reki swung her racquet and missed. She swung vertically. Thus, the one-sided game, ended with the defeat of Reki’s team. Reki’s partner–who seemed to belong to the women’s badminton club– collapsed onto the court and began crying. It’s not your fault. Even if Ojizo-sama 9 helped, and her partner was a badminton world champion, a decent match is impossible. 「Oi Reki! This is an assignment from MASTERS, no… Show a bit more spirit!」 「…」 While writing down the scores, I scolded Reki a little bit, but she did not respond. Although she is wearing a skirt, she sat against the fence off to the side, hugging her knees and unmoving like a statue. 「…?」 I sensed something a little strange in Reki. By the look in her eyes, she seems to be making a joke of this event– looking like she is running some kind of pre-programmmed simulation in this sham of a sporting event. But… Reki has always been strange, so she can basically do whatever she wants. *********************************************** After that, some girls were being pushed in a hand cart for some kind of unknown event, and I was surprised that the Mutou siblings were taking it very seriously. 「Since it has wheels,the pride of LOGI is at stake!”」 Wearing spandex shorts and mimicking my role as score collector, Kaname joined me. Since it was my job, I entered the area where the last individual competition was being held– the Extreme Sports Competition. In a vacant area, several curved ramps had been erected here and there. Some were set Standing behind one… 「Unh!」 Hearing a familiar a well-known anime voice, I looked up, and there was Aria, wearing inline skates and doing jumping into the clear blue sky. She was wearing gym shorts, child-sized pads on her knees and elbows, and a helmet with holes carefully drilled for her twin-tails. Landing on a curved ramp, she spun and continued to make successive jumps, and while still in the air… she came horizontal and spun round and round, twirling like a corkscrew. As her long twin-tails spun around her like a double-helix, cheers soared from the students who were spectators. Incredible…! And then on the next jump, she lifted the tips of her skate, twisted her body while turning a somersault, landing a perfect ‘Flat Spin 540°’ , successfully preforming several consecutive high-level tricks. And while still in the air, she calmly winked an eye at the younger girls. Wow… of all the Butei I know, she is the most coordinated. And after having seen how it is with Reki and Shirayuki, I am more convinced. Besides… Despite the bad impressions I have of her, right now… because I can’t describe it, I can’t help but say that… Right now, she looks… very cute. It’s quite clear. From the first day I met Aria, thoughts like that have popped into my head. Her social status is that of a genuine aristocrat, and she also has a talent for learning languages. Why has heavens granted her two or three blessings? 10 Especially since they haven’t given me anything. All I got was this annoying physical condition–Hysteria Mode. But then again… her height, quick-temper, and inability to swim are a few of her flaws. One of her major flaws, one that is especially notable is her forgetfulness about certain situations where she has overdone something and become angry. In the summer festival, she tried Takoyaki 11 but in the autumn had completely forgotten, and explaining it all a second time was a real hassle. And recalling such things, my gaze followed Aria until… *Pinch* 「Ouch…!」 Kaname, who had just caught up with me, pulled on my cheek. 「What are you watching that has you so fascinated, Onii-chan?」 「I-I’m not fascinated! And why are you so angry? Your cheeks are puffed out like a chipmunk with its mouth stuffed full of food.」 「Nooo reeeeason…」 *Humph!* Kaname whirled away and pressing down hard, began copying the results of the BMX Free-style event on the score-sheet. *Crunch* She was pressing so hard, it seemed that her point would break with the force of each stroke. 「Ah, Kinji. Are you… both trying to skip out on the Sports Festival? You siblings are alike.」 Seeming to notice our presence, Aria glided over smoothly, wearing a pair of inline skates, she looked like a pond skater skimming the water’s surface. 「Well, the first part … it’s just a charade, so it’s alright to skip, don’t you think?」 「Even this acting can be a warm-up for the second part! 」 「Shh! Don’t talk so carelessly about Part Two. If anyone from the MoE hears you, the MASTERS will crush you to a pulp!」 I started scanning the area, but there were no signs of our evil teachers. 「So … Kinji. W-What was ‘that’ all about?」 Aria asked, turning away as she drank a sports drink from a plastic bottle. 「What was ‘what’?」 「You were watching me with a stupid-Kinji look on your face, weren’t you?」 「Don’t call me that. And wait… You noticed?」 「How could I not notice? You were staring at me.You didn’t take your eyes off me for a second. 」 「S-Staring…? Ah… well, it’s not like I wasn’t watching, but…」 I didn’t finish and my answer trailed off as a lump rose into my throat. At that explanation Aria’s face turned red. Instinctively, I prepared myself to dodge a hail of bullets, but right now, she is unarmed. I’m safe. In any case, she doesn’t seem particularly angry. Her tense lips have softened somewhat. The look on her face… it’s like she’s half embarrassed and half happy. I am only able to arrive at these figures because of my previous experiences with Aria. I was staring at her… so it’s not I don’t understand the fact that she is embarrassed… but I don’t know why she’s happy. So, intrigued, I frowned and Kaname, also scowled. She seems to have understood the meaning behind Aria’s expression perfectly, and became angry. Pointing at Aria’s face, I was just about to ask Kaname about it when… 「… What are you gong to do now? You’re already done collecting scores, right?」 Aria asked. 「Huh? No, not yet. I still need to get the results of one other event.」 「Oh yeah! Wｈere!?」 She’s in a bad mood. 「Buildering 12 : It’s an event a lot like rock climbing, but you have to climb a building instead. It’s near SNIPE because it is the tallest building in the school. They’re the only ones I haven’t marked down yet. On the roof…」 「The r-roof…!」 Ah…! Damn it! Aria’s camellia coloured eyes became as round as saucers, and seeing this, I hastily covered my mouth., but it was too late. Lately, the word ‘roof’ is not one that should be said in front of Aria. And right now, I just said it twice…! 「R-r-ro-roof…!」 「S-sorry, Aria… Forget what I said! I’m so sorry!」 「Ro-ro-r-f-ro-of-oof…!」 Th-This is… A silver lining! She’s ‘lagging’! Whenever time Aria has heard ‘that word’ she has exhibited a number of reactions, but this one is particularly safe. As it stands now, she’ll be out of order for a little while. It is a ‘reaction bonus’. A few days ago–when I didn’t know that this forbidden word could cause a disaster–, I irritated Aria by asking: “Why do you get so angry whenever you hear the word ‘roof’? What’s wrong with a ‘roof’? A ‘roof’. What is it? It’s a ‘roof’!”. After saying it how many times, Aria finally burst into tears, screamed at me in English, so drew her swords and guns, and ended up shooting in all directions while running around the room, and took a swan dive from my apartment into Tokyo Bay. She stole my signature move. That is her most dangerous reaction,’Berserk’. I had always known that she was strange, but I thought she had finally gone insane… She was floundering on the water’s surface, so I rescued her with a fishing rod as she said: “That time, I don’t know why I did it. It was a mistake! So it doesn’t count!” Having fished her out, she summarily began to pummel, but the violent mermaid had finally said it. Apparently Aria talking about what happened that time… Every time she remembers the kiss that she gave me on the roof of SSR, it triggers hysterics. Of course, I don’t have a clue why she did it, either. No ideas on how to heal her mental scars (?) immediately leap to my mind. While Aria getting upset and harassing me about something she did herself is unreasonable, for the time being, by being careful not to say ‘that’ word, I’ve managed to get along with her. For now… 「Aria. Hey, are you okay?」 I shook the paralysed Aria and shook her a little. 「I-I’m Fi’m.」 Fully flushed, she was still suffering the effects of mental shock. 「…」 What are the two of us going to do? From hereon out? As we shared the silence, and our eyes locked in utter confusion… *Priiii!* Sounding a whistle that was probably used in the competitions, Aria’s Amica , Mamiya, with her small body and short legs, came running… But what the hell…? Her two short twin-tails bristling, she was shaking her fists angrily. 「Tohyama-senpai! Please step away from Aria-senpai! Kaname-chan, give me a hand!」 「Right! That is out! 13 」 Taking advantage of the fact that Aria was still wearing her inline skates, Mamiya took a hold of Aria from behind, turning her around, pushing her like she was carting something away on a hand truck. Meanwhile, Kaname clutched at my waist and started dragging me off toward the SNIPE building. Oh… So this is the ‘alliance to keep me away from Aria’ that Fuuma told me about! But what about us? Putting my physical safety as a priority, I should welcome such a separation from Aria, but… Why are you two working so hard? Particularly that ‘mini-Aria’, Mamiya Akari. Thanks to what I saw Konayuki do about Shirayuki and myself, I understand perfectly because Mamiya sees Aria in the same way. But, looking at it another way, if we prioritize Aria’s mental and physical health, couldn’t this be dangerous? But as things stand…to me this is all happening an incomprehensible world, so I can’t do anything but let them have their way. ************************************** Finding out what a terrible Amica she had, Aria is probably having a hard time at a place where we wouldn’t be allowed to see each other, and I sympathised with her… I went to the INFORMA tent to deliver the score-sheet results. Here, some first-years were faced with a mountain of forms just like mine, and I noted the current score: Red Team: 865 points. White Team: 856 points So, the winner will be decided in the very last event called the “Hundred Runners’ Relay”. The “formal” winner, that is… Heaving a big sigh, I went to Arena #1 where the entire student body had assembled once again; only this time, a 400 metre wide track was left open. Each team (Red and White) has 50 relay-runners, chosen at random, who had to run the entire track, but…Since I wasn’t picked, I’m just a spectator. In the end, the only competition that I participated was “Shooting Baskets”, but that’s just fine by me. 「Ready!」 *Bang!* At the sound of the starting gun, the vast majority of students remained calm, but… 「Eek!」 Only one, a girl from the Red Team on the inside track, tripped and knocked over the backstop. Sweat pouring off her, she fell on her butt as she refused to stand… It’s… Nakasorachi?! Of all the competitions, she was chosen to participate in the relay-race. That girl has terrible luck. A second-year attached to CONNECT, Misaki Nakasorachi, with her long bangs hanging down in front of her eyes, she glanced nervously in every direction. Watching the previous runner come around, she fell again, but this time forward. While in that position on all-fours, she realised that her turn was coming… 「Hyaaa!」 Not even taking the time to stand, she entered the track in that position and started crawling on all-fours. Under her shirt, her generous chest, rocked from side to side with each step. Maybe it was divine prank or a trick of Fate, but from my position I could see it clearly… Her bra was made of raw white and very plain. But it’s having the opposite effect! I just hope she isn’t thinking about running the whole r ace on all fours… Just as we all were beginning to worry about that, somehow Nakasorachi managed to stand up. With legs trembling like a newborn fawn, received the baton from the previous runner and took over. You’ve got to be kidding me! Nakasorachi began to run, but with legs so bent, they seemed to form the letter ‘X’. 「Hi, hah, hah, hah… Ho!」 In the end, she managed to run at a speed of about 10 kph, panting hard, but the long red ribbon that was tied on her head barely moved. That is… Amazing! Nakasorachi is displaying a unique lack of physical aptitude. She fell down… and again… she has yet fallen. In the 400 metres of track separating her from where she handed the baton off to Watson, she fell a total of eight times. I’ve always wondered… It’s a real mystery how you c an be a proper Butei. ****************************** As a result, the Sports Festival ended with the upset of the Red Team and their sudden defeat. Needless to say it, Nakasorachi had defeated her own team. With the applause of all the students, we marked the sham ending of this whole charade… If only our Sports Festival ended with the First Part, it would be just like a normal high school… None of the students were particularly tired, but we did some cool-down exercises anyway. We were split into pairs of boys or girls, but I have been paired with Watson who is pretending to be a boy at school…and it was extremely uncomfortable. Watson began to fluster, caught up in a panic. It got to the point that Shiranui was ‘watching’ us with with concern. I just wanted to disappear. Meanwhile, from the MASTERS’ tent… 「My.. What a startling last-minute victory!」 「It was, wasn’t it? It was a wonderful sports festival.」 Surrounded by what appeared to be the ‘real’ Ranbyou、 Tsuzuri, and the former actress Ruri Yuuki-sensei from CVR, the Chief Supervisor and Vice-Director of the MoE Committee were in high spirits. But if you look carefully at the desk, the green tea they had been drinking have turned into cans of beer. When both were a little tipsy, with an angelic smile, Irin Yadokoro from AMBULANCE presented each with a box of expensive cakes, and they left Butei High practically walking on air, however… Damn it…! Bureaucrats! Butei have always used the same old trick when dealing with spineless characters– beautiful women, alcohol, bribes… and they are left completely fooled. Even a pacifist like me pities them. Being a sports festival with the name ‘La Rissa’ , which in Italian means ‘The Brawl’, I should realize that there hasn’t been a ‘Kibasen’ 14 ! ‘Kibasen’… Just the word is enough to bring back memories, and cause my stomach hurt. It’s one of the competitions that will take place in the ‘far from normal’ Part Two of the Sports Festival. ************************************************* While taking a pill for my stomach 15 in the open water fountain… 「Tooyama 16 .」 Carrying a red safety cone in her arms, Watson approached. 「If this is for your ‘rehabilitation’ I won’t do it. Just think about the time and place. If Shiranui sees us again…」 「But I haven’t said anything! We’ll save rehabilitation for next time. Rather, a while ago… using the cool-down exercises as an excuse, you took advantage of the opportunity to touch me in strange places, didn’t you? On my.. h-here… and here…」 「Don’t get so worked up over nothing! Who would want to touch you there, anyway!」 「The way you say it is so rude!」 「You’re a pain, seriously…」 As we talked, Watson signaled the message ‘3’ by blinking, so we are now pretending to help collect the last of the equipment used in the competitions. With these things in hand, the two of us left for the gym storage warehouse while taking extreme care that no one saw us. 「Well, what happened? Have you found Third–G-3?」 Inside the dark warehouse, poles and urethane mats for the high jump had been piled up and we sat down. 「Nothing yet. Even our own British Security Service, MI5, has been unable to locate him. G-3 is an expert at ‘disappearance’ and that includes concealing his movements, communications, and all all of his footprints, and of course not being detected by any visual surveillance.」 「Oh, right… I’ve seen him do that twice. So that’s how it is, huh?」 So he can’t be tracked…huh? 「But what he cannot hide is his past. Look at this.」 From behind her back Watson, extracted several sheets of A4 paper and handed them to me. Watson, did you put these there before the festival started, and have they been there ever since? I thought that I felt something crinkling when we did back-to-back stretches just a minute ago. 「I can’t read it. It’s written in English.」 I said, thrusting the lightly cinnamon scented paper back. 「You should study more, Tooyama.」 With a feminine sigh Watson… *Plop!* …sat her anything but masculine, round buttocks down next to me. Ugh… Damn! My stupid sense of smell has been activated. Maybe because she’s sweated a bit in the Sports Festival, but… Watson exudes a faint scent. I can sense her female pheromones, even though she is dressed as a boy. Hey, Watson! How is it that despite giving off this sweet, feminine scent, you haven’t been outed as a girl? Your thighs are practically exposed in those shorts, and I’m not sure if I’d call words ‘healthy’ or ‘seductive’. 「Tooyama, why are you looking at my legs? You’re positively indecent!」 Speaking of ‘indecent’, Watson blew a raspberry at me while turning the page. 「I-I’m not looking! Who would want to!」 「You are so rude.」 After exchanging the same troublesome banter again… Watson put on a serious expression and stared at me with eyes, that if you look closely, are also quite feminine. 「These documents contain the information that you wanted Liberty Mason to hand over, and as members of DEEN, we want to ask the leader of Team Baskerville…you, what we should do if we encounter G-3… In other words, we want to hear your opinion.」 「My two cents aren’t even worth that much. What do the documents say?」 「Well, first they say that ‘G-3 is not a criminal ‘–at least not according to the British Government.」 「What…? Not… a criminal? He used Kaname to attack Aria and the girls. What is he then?」 「If seen from your individual point-of-view, he looks like a criminal, doesn’t he? But when viewed as a whole, he can also be seen as a good person.」 「…?」 Seeing my blank look of confusion, Watson indicated a certain part of the paper. 「Take this here for example. After his escape from Los Alamos, G-3 began to destroy terrorist groups, pirates, human traffickers, and other dangerous armed groups around the world, saving innocent people. However, he never took a penny in exchange. Naturally, believing that there was something underhanded about it, but after investigators made an exhaustive search, they came up with nothing. We conclude that the most prominent factor in all of his armed raids was that they were all done for ‘free charity’.」 「That kind of charity is dangerous!」 Saying that, I crossed my arms. Although it doesn’t match your ill-mannered appearance, G-3… with your clichéd speaking style, are trying to be a ‘champion of justice’? But if that’s the case, why did you attack us? Or is it perhaps that myself, Aria, Shirayuki, Riko, and Reki are an ‘dangerous armed group’ to him? Although, when I think about the Baskerville girls aggressive personalities, I can’t fully deny it. It’s sad, really… 「That type of mysterious phantom has been around for ever. By use of armed force,they will self-righteously save the powerless–in most cases,disregarding the law.」 I had said, and as for my thoughts… The idea of American comic book heroes and Period Drama Samurai had come to mind. Following that analogy, there was one person in particular that sprang to mind… but I was had just shaken my head to dismiss the idea, when… 「Your sister also uses this M.O., right?」 Watson said bluntly. My sister… Who actually is my older brother, but… yes, Kana does work similarly. In her actions as a Butei, she hasn’t accepted a penny from poor people. But really, that’s not something to be commended. Doing things like that negatively impacted fair payment, prices, and things like vested interest in the industry as a whole. When she has done this too much, there have also been complaints brought before the Butei Council, but Kana just blew them off. She just says, “Well, just give me an onigiri as a reward.”, and she really has saved the relatives of poor family members from entrenched criminals for a single onigiri. 「G-3 and Kana, in spite of greatly differing personalities, both act like mysterious phantoms. You seem to respect and admire Kana lot, so that may be the reason why you don’t want to admit it.」 …Watson continued. Although I couldn’t say it, I partially agree. I’ve been vaguely aware of it from the beginning. Although it is scattered, G-3, Kaname, Kana…. and finally I, all share a partial similarities in our personalities. 「When G-3’s target and the US or England’s national interest align, it seems that they put out a job request offering payment in weapons, equipment maintenance, and other kinds of sponsorship rewards. ‘You can’t put chains on a wild beast, but the helpful animal will be fed. ‘ as the saying goes. It could also be said that they derive their morality of their actions from the hidden agendas of major world powers. Well then, after those arguments… What do you think about G-3, is he good or bad?」 Having heard the facts from Watson, and taking a few moments to consider… 「My opinion is simple…」 It was very simple and easy to express. 「Things like good and bad are dependent on time and circumstance. It’s like when two people are fighting. Which one of them is right? The answer is different, depending on which side you are looking from. This is something that even middle-school students can understand.」 「Does that mean that you see him as neither good nor bad?」 「Exactly, however… he is an outlaw.」 Now that I had spoken clearly, Watson stared earnestly into my eyes. 「If he appears in Japan again and breaks the law, we will arrest him. That is all. That is a Butei’s job, after all.」 Hearing what I just said, Watson nodded agreement. 「And what about Far East Warfare?」 Now that you mention it, I didn’t answer that part of it, but my mind was already made up a long time ago. 「Tamamo said, “We have to find a way to win G-3 over into DEEN” . It’s not that I don’t know which strategy we should take, but it depends on how negotiations go… if he agrees to talks, and accepts our terms.」 「And if he doesn’t…」 「We would have no choice but to respond with violence as well. Although the Cao Cao sisters and Aria think that I’m a lazy, peaceful idiot, this amateur negotiator has a limit, and the Japanese brain is not a flower garden.」 Just as I finished saying those acid words… *Clatter!* 「You can’t win, Onii-chan…」 Surprised, Watson and I turned toward what had been knocked over, and from inside the vaulting box that had saved Aria’s and my lives back in April… 「Ka-Kaname!?」 Suddenly she appeared, rather, she had always been there. She came to a resolution after hearing our unpleasant conversation. Her mouth gaping, Watson hid in my shadow, while hoping to go unnoticed… Wearing Lycra shorts, Kaname sat down on the vaulting box. 「Third is very strong. He’s a complete Genion. He’s no longer human.」 Since she had heard the entire conversation, it can’t be helped… and Kaname’s eyes were earnest. That being the case, I turned my attention to Kaname for the moment. 「G-3…He’s a failed prototype, isn’t he? We were able to find that out much. Besides, if he isn’t human, what is he?」 「He’s a superhuman.」 *Creak!* Kaname said, as the vaulting box made a noise. 「He’s not an enemy that you can fight and win– even with HSS or ESP. And… fighting against someone who is stronger than yourself is extremely illogical, Onii-chan.」 I’ve heard such threatening words from Kaname countless times every day until now, but… because of what happened at Shinagawa, I can’t laugh it off… He’s strong. Very strong. I could feel it. A Butei that can’t gauge his and his opponent’s respective fighting power doesn’t lead a long life. 「Onii-chan, don’t fight Third. He is very strong and his cause is just. He has two wishes… and I want to support both.」 「He has… two wishes?」 Her eyes took on the colour of the deep-sea, as if something sad had suddenly drifted by. My question had touched a nerve. 「The first: keep the teachings of Professor Sara who was in charge of our training– Fight to save the weak from the bad men who oppress them. By a display of greater strength, he will become a deterrent to conflict. He believes in this raison d’être for a “Universal Soldier” 17 .」 「But, isn’t he is the person that might kill you?」 「If you were close to him, you’d understand. Besides that, I don’t want to weigh him down. So, it’s fine if I am sacrificed–If it is for Third and Professor Sara’s ideals. That was what I swore when I started following him.」 Saying that, Kaname’s voice was full of fierce loyalty. This is… a very bad thing. It’s at a level where she doesn’t cherish her own life, and such loyalty is not something that can be easily dissolved. Being willing to give up her life… she won’t even flinch from death. That kind of loyalty is more like a religious faith. 「Moreover, since the escape from Los Alamos, he has saved my life countless times. All of his followers are ready to die for him.」 Kaname said while placing her hand on her chest… 「Do you love him?」 Watson, who had been silent, asked Kaname a question that only another girl could ask, but Kaname shook her head… 「It’s not that kind of relationship. Besides… G-3 only loves one woman.」 「Who is this woman?」 If an enemy has a ‘significant other’, that’s something we can use… So, following the natural reflex of a Butei, Watson started asking questions. 「I just told you– the one in charge of our education, Professor Sara. When Third was 14, she transferred from the Harvard School of Medicine, and the only… she was the only person at the research station who showed him any kindness. She believed that Genions could be a deterrent to conflict.」 Saying this, Kaname pulled out her brand new Butei Handbook and took a photograph from inside. In it a Caucasian woman wearing a white lab coat and a gentle smile appeared. If a painter saw her, he could only fail to capture her beauty in a painting. She seemed to be a woman about 20 years old, but her eyes reflected the purity of a girl. Kaname, having met her personally, was absently staring at the photograph. 「Where is she now? Is it possible that she is still at Los Alamos?」 Watson asked, probing. 「She… is no longer in this world…」 Kaname answerded. 「One day, something happened during Third’s training, and she died in the research laboratory. He thought that he was responsible… and from then on, he was like another person. The escape from Los Alamos occurred the very next month.」 Hearing that… Watson’s face flushed in deep embarrassment. 「I’m sorry. Accept my apologies. About you private affairs… I think I pried more than I should have.」 Even though she had answered the questions that Watson asked… I think that Kaname also told us these other things, wanting us to understand G-3’s actions. So that we could avoid a conflict. 「You said that G-3 has two wishes. What’s the second?」 Right now, Kaname is willing to talk to us a little about him. I think this is my change to ask some questions…. The answer I got was not merely ‘important’, but ‘vital’ to the matter at hand. 「Obtain the power of Irokane.」 Irokane! The same metal that Sherlock Holmes was investigating at IU? Borrowing Sherlock’s words… ‘It bestows upon the holder a mysterious power that makes all other ESP powers look like child’s play…’ So that’s what you were looking for, G-3. 「Once I asked Third about the effects of Irokane… You know that he’s really done his homework, right? But one ceases to function normally. That used to scare me, but… ever since I’ve met you Onii-chan, I can understand it perfectly.」 「Since… you met me?」 「For people in love… those feelings are absolute, and because it is a just cause… I want to help Third. I want to give him Irokane . For the love he felt.」 Kaname gave a that slightly baffling remark. 「So Onii-chan, don’t fight Third. He is strong…his cause is just. Fighting him is completely illogical. You understand…? Right?」 Kaname delivered that last line with a quavering voice… She has sworn loyalty to G-3, and that seems to be the reason why she pities him. She doesn’t want G-3…and me– the Onii-chan she idolises– to fight. Right now, I think the wants that with all her heart. G-3… What do you plan to do with Irokane? So the reason we were attacked is also related to that. It is also within Aria’s body, but not even surgery could extract it because it is too close to her heart. So it’s regrettable for Kaname but… he’s definitely someone that I don’t seem to be able to along with. 「Humans are ‘completely illogical’, Kaname. I don’t want to face a superhuman, but, depending upon his actions, I could have no choice but to fight him–regardless of the outcome.」 I left the possibility for confrontation open in my response… …! The tension in the gym storage shed suddenly rose . 「So that’s how it is…」 Kaname muttered with her head down, then shot Watson a pointed glare. 「What are you going to do, Kaname?」 「If that’s the case, then a small, unfortunate accident may occur, Onii-chan. First, I’ll incapacitate Watson so you can’t enter Hysteria Mode. As for you, Onii-chan, I’ll break your arms and legs so that you can’t fight, but don’t worry, Onii-chan. I’ll take good care of you and nurse you back to health.」 Wearing sneakers and standing on the warehouse floor… Kaname curled the fingers of both her hands into claws. 「…」 She was going to shred Watson with her bare hands.was unarmed. Watson… meeting Kaname’s gaze, made a decision. From her mouth… *Ping!* Hearing the noise and looking back a small folding knife with a blade of less than two centimetres fell onto the mats and gripping it in her fingers, Watson prepared to fight. 「H-Hey… hold it!」 Glaring sharply, I tried to check Watson. Somehow, she had managed to hide a sharp object all day, despite today’s restrictions that made it a violation of school regulations. Where did he keep it? The handle is wet… Probably inside her mouth. As expected from the “Full-body Weapon”– the Western Ninja. 「I don’t want to do this. G-Fourth… Kaname Tooyama, you’re a key strategic figure in DEEN. I don’t want to hurt you. But everything has an order of precedence. In this situation, my own personal safety takes priority over yours!」 The moment she handed down this logical conclusion, Watson also implied that I should fight too. While the two of them were staring each other down … I reached into my pocket and readied the secret anti-Kaname weapon that I carry for situations like this. Just then, with almost providential timing, we heard the campus’ Public Address system. 「This is a message for all students. Please prepare immediately for ‘phase 0-2’ 18 」 I was unable to picture her earlier ignominy… Nakasorachi’s voice was beautiful. Seizing the opportunity… 「That is enough! We don’t have to settle this here and now. Look. We have to get back to the Sports Festival. That’s our top priority. If we are late, Ranbyou will beat the hell out of us so badly that we’ll be in no condition to fight.」 I said this, trying to smooth things over. Watson hid his knife in his mouth again, muttering: “But…” ; and when Kaname opened her mouth to say “But…” , I tossed the secret weapon, or rather, the caramel candy into her mouth with a plop. 「Ommmii-chmamm, mmhmmh…」 Kaname replied, while she began munching on the sweet… It seems that the caramel candy has suddenly become more important than the fight. For some reason, she has an abnormal love for caramel. With a tired sigh, I grabbed Kaname–who now had a placid expression on her face–by both shoulders, and steered here away… I had managed to separated them, and we crowded out of the gym storage shed. Thank goodness… That was close, but somehow, I managed to get out of it– alive and without a scratch. The use of such a technique has proven effective on occasions that Aria has been chasing me, and I’ve used her peach buns as a decoys and escaped. For teaching me the importance of applying human experience practically, I owe you a small debt of gratitude, Aria. ********************************************* The second part of the sports festival, began at 5:00 pm. This is a way to turn the tables on the MoE, because government employees don’t work after 5.00 P.M. After the VIPs had gone home, the second part could really begin. To stop the student complaints that were piling regarding the supervised athletics, several events were organised to get them fired up and allow them blow off some steam: the boys’ competition, ‘ Sabage with real bullets’ 19 and the girls’: ‘Water- Kibasen’ 20 — event names that make me want to cry. As in Part One, both competitions will go on without changing the grouping of Red and White teams. The Team that wins each competition receives ten thousand points. What exactly was the point of the half-assed kind of scoring I recorded a little while ago? 「All boys participating in Sabage with real bullets, report to your designated starting locations, please.」 I know it’s not Nakasorachi’s fault, but I really hate announcers. In the boy’s competition, ‘ Sabage with real bullets’, the name says it all. is a free-for-all battle that’s practically a war. Unlike those games played with airguns, no matter how many times you get shot because of our bullet-proof school uniforms, you can keep fighting. Only when a participant’s back touches the floor are they disqualified. The idea being that the supplementary use of martial arts will allow you to to disqualify your opponents faster, and the event quickly becomes close quarters combat fest. In the first part there were bare-handed fights, Aru-Kata 21 matches, and other kinds of tournaments held through the school, but in the secret second part, they were all rolled into one event. 「Likewise, all girls participating in the Water- Kibasen , report to your designated pool, please.」 The girl’s competition, Water- Kibasen underwent a similar violent fusion. At first, Kibasen was a Butei High competition where punching or kicking, as well as the choice of any weapon, was allowed. The reason why monitoring of the sports festival had been instituted, was because this competition turned out so many injured students. The Sports Festival also used to include winter swimming tournaments, but this was also banned, arguing that it was a form of child abuse. The result of the combination of these two banned competitions was no less than Water- Kibasen . In this competition, girls in swimsuits combine in a pool to form a ‘cavalry unit’ while madly scrambling to collect their opponents headbands. Even imagining such an event is dangerous for me… And I, of all people, have orders from MASTERS to be a ‘Second’. As you would naturally expect, even in Butei High, boys and girls’ swimming classes are held separately however… in Water- Kibasen , each team must have a Second, and there is a rule that allows them to conscript someone to be their strategist. Because of that, the Baskerville girls were all asking me, “You’ll be our Second, right?” . 「Kinji, do you have a fever or something? There isn’t a single girl in ASSAULT that doesn’t want to fight.」 「If Kin-chan is our strategist, then I’ll be able to participate and maybe show off my good points…」 「No, no, no !!! I want to play, play, plaaaaay! Riko really loves this kind thing!」 「Everyone else if going to fight, so I will fight too.」 They’re all blood-thirsty, and no one was willing to resign. I wonder what would happen if I called MASTERS, probably something like this… 「What a stupid thing to call for! If that’s case, then just do it!」 Ranbyou, would just give me a direct order like that. Best case scenario, I’d be sent to the ‘ Sabage with real bullets’… At least there I could have asked Shiranui to hit me gently, losing on purpose and being able to retire quickly. Since I could not use the girl’s locker room for obvious reasons, I changed into my bathing suit in a storage closet next door… The first and second-years’ Water- Kibasen would take place together in the huge pool, and as I timidly made my way to the poolside I heard… 「Wah, The Womanizer came just like the rumors said.」 「Watson’s alright, but this Womanizer is disgusting.」 「A new page on the exploits of the Womanizer!」 A group of second-year girls in swimwear, glared at me as if they were looking at a pest. Damn it… It’s not as if I like being here! Ugh… In the vast area off to the side of the pool, and as far the eye could see, there were girls, girls everywhere. And besides that, all of them were wearing one or two swimsuits. They weren’t really too far from being completely naked. It was like being in a beautiful flower garden. But for someone like me who is allergic to such ‘flowers’, it already has we wanting to run, so I’m cowering with my back against the wall. futilely trying to keep as far away from them as possible. In order to not hyster-ise, I needed to stimulate some other sense… Preparing for just this kind of emergency, a few days ago I memorized the menu of a Chinese restaurant, “The New Fortress” where Fuuma works, and I recited it from memory. (…Bái tāngmiàn, Málà miàn, Mántou…) 22 Argh … How I would really love a pillbox where I could hide… 「Alright, you lot! Start warming-up!」 Wearing a competition swimsuit for the competition, Ranbyou held a whistle in her mouth… Forming up in front of the pool, or, in other words, with their back to me, all of the girls… 「Bend forward!」 *Prrii!* *Prrii!* *Prrii!* What kind of dangerous position are you putting yourselves into… and all at once? And just when I had reached the Qīngjiāo Rou sī! 23 , I was getting too excited! Thanks to the spectacle before my eyes, I lost focus, so, clenching my teeth, I had to start over again from the ‘P’ in Pídàn 24 . 「Emh … Are you okay, Tooyama? Why are you making that angry demon face and muttering? There’s a strange sweat covering your body.」 「Táo bāo, Mángguǒ bùdīng 25 , Watson!?」 I asked Watson, who passed by chance, wearing a sweatshirt… I grabbed her to stop her from leaving, placing her as a barrier between my field of vision and the girls as they did their warm ups. Just a few minutes ago, she had done something similar with Kaname, hiding behind me, so I took this opportunity to have her return the favor. Watson is a transfer student… who moved to Buitei High and is pretending to be a boy–an exchange student with a secret. She has an obvious reason, more critical than mine, to avoid participating in Water- Kibasen , but because of arrangements he made with MASTERS, right now, her job is to provide First-aid, so that saved her from having to wear a swimsuit. 「That great, stand right there for a moment… Stay close to me」 「What? Ah… Oh.. OK, I get it, Tooyama…」 Bending my legs and stooping slightly forward to match his height, I laid my forehead Watson’s back, protecting me from the compromising Achilles tendon stretch the girls preformed with splayed legs. Completely unlike me– whom they treat with contempt–, Watson is very popular among the girls. I have no idea why they treat such a dashing “guy” differently than me. Could it be that appearance defines a person? Still, as time passes, all of the girls show their disdain for me. At last, it seems they have finished their warm-ups, so… Slowly, I peered around the side of Watson’s waist and looked toward the rest area beside the pool. 「…」 A-All right. It looks like they are now only standing normally. That’s not good either, but… it seems that I have successfully escaped this dangerous situation, where all the girls flex their bodies, showing off all sorts of startling poses. But in this situation it is impossible to know when an accident may occur. And so, trying to mentally prepare myself for whatever might happen… 「Tohyama-kun, in Water- Kibasen no live ammunition is used, but firearms are allowed, so you can use this.」 INQUESTIA division, the investigative division of Butei High, the licensed professor, Takamagahara-sense, handed me the object she was carrying. That thing is… It’s a Ballistic Shield 26 , one commonly used by Japanese SAT groups 27 . 「Oh! Thank you very much!」 The spirit of Butei High seizing me, I deftly took the excessively heavy shield, and carried it toward the rest area of the pool, dropped it on the ground making a loud noise, and kneeling on one knee, nimbly hid my body behind it. Right then, she was an angel! 28 It’s a good thing I learned the proper use of such a shield in ASSAULT. With this, as long as I remain in this position, it is possible to completely limit my field of vision. I only have to look out the view slit towards the pool when necessary. From now on, hidden behind it, I am like a turtle in its shell. At that moment, it occurred to me to try looking out the window.. 「If a girl’s swimsuit slipped, you’d be embarrassed, right? Just make sure to return the shield to AMDO.」 On the other side of the shield Takamagahara-sensei looked through the view slit and winked. The act of straightening her back and turning to the right… Due to their large mass, her chest that seemed ready to escape her flowered bikini, lagged behind her movement by approximately 0.5 seconds as she rotated, and I saw her not only large, but round hips at point-blank range… *Ba-dump!* The rush of blood flow reached dangerous levels. Hey, Kinji! Get a grip! I know you’re a little weak with older women, but going into Hysteria Mode would be no joke. Rather, Sensei… I thought you were an angel when you were actually a demon! Your clothes make you look like the slender type, I had no idea…. ********************************** Putting aside my flustered state, there was time set aside for pre-game strategy meetings by the pool… The girls began to gather and discuss the formation of the ‘horses’, and ‘rider’. Each cavalry unit 29 consists of members of an official Team 30 or club, but because there are only four Baskerville girls, they are just enough to form a unit. Those four… found me still behind my bullet-proof shield… Oh…! Through the shield’s window I spotted Aria, and for some unknown reason, seeing her wearing that bikini, caused my blood pressure to rise instantly. I deliberately tried to reduce my field of vision by squinting my eyelids but… 「You look like a pervert. You’ve had a weird look on your face ever since we started, so stop it.」 Slightly flustered, Aria, hand on her hip, had forbidden me from even doing that. But thanks to that, I was able to admire her nice, small figure without having to hide it. She came dressed in a two-piece bikini, decorated with a narrow strip of lace hanging from the top and another wrapped around her waist. It was a light camellia colour, rather the fabric itself was so light– so thin–, it seemed transparent in certain places, leaving little to the imagination. A show as wonderful as it was terrifying. 「I’ll open a wind-hole in you if stare! You are also forbidden to open your eyes!」 So what exactly am I allowed to do? Rather… Why are you in such a bad mood, Aria? Is it because you don’t know how to swim? *Bang!* Because of her bare-footed soccer kick, now before me on the other side of my shield… 「 Kin-chan, I-I’m a little embarrassed to do this but…since it’s for Kin-chan, I resolved to wear it! 」 Witha jerk, the window now turned to completely face Shirayuki… Whaaaa! Bent over, my eyes almost popped out of their sockets, to see what I thought at that moment was her fully nude body, but that was because bikini she wore covered the bare minimum area. It was one of those so-called micro-bikinis. In Butei High, choice of swimwear is elective, but there’s been some kind of mistake if you think bikini is ‘for me’ . It’s the exact opposite! As I stood there quivering and stunned… 「What do you think, Kin-chan-sama? Do you like it….? Or maybe it’s indecent? Do you hate it? Yes, you hate it! I-I’ll change right away!」 And that said, she started pulling at her bikini straps, Shirayuki started drawing closer to my shield window. 「It’s fine! It’s fine! Quit bowing!」 Changing the position of my shield, I proceeded to seek emergency shelter in the other direction…but the shelter did not prove to be a safe place either. Now I was facing Riko. 「That’s not right, is it? Ki-kun is into more exciting things, aren’t you? Check out this classic school swimsuit!.」 Posing in front of the shield while smiling playfully, was Riko… As expected of her, she is wearing an out-dated swimsuit, you can only find in certain types of games. In short, it was a navy blue one-piece. As the the fabric covered a larger area, leaving comparatively less skin exposed, at a glance it was a safe design for me. On her chest, she had stitched a rectangle of white cloth with, ‘2-A Mine Riko’, written in hiragana 31 …. and bellow her navel… what’s that? A mechanism to release water accumulating in the swimsuit, I guess? The swimsuit had an opening just large enough for a hand to slide up under, constructed like a very short skirt. Those thoughts being sightly erotic, I tried not to think about it. 「My, my… noticed the water release, did you? You’re a real gentleman, aren’t you?.」 Riko said, as she pulled on the flap to expose her navel. 「H-h-hey… wait, don’t do that!」 「Hmm?」 Seeing me so nervous, Riko tugged more. Taking a peek at the top made Aria flush red, but it was connected to the bottom of her swimsuit and she started pulling it open… 「Hold it right there!」 I can’t retreat, so instead I moved forward and… *Bam!* With a push from my shield, Riko tumbled backwards splaying her long legs. Serves you right! Dragging my shield back and away from Riko, now entering my field of vision was… 「…」 Giving me a cold glare that said ‘idiots will be idiots’, Reki appeared wearing a swimsuit. She also wore a bikini that was almost the same shade–between blue and green–as her hair. Reki’s figure was in greater proportion than Aria and in lesser proportion than Riko… but it still had the attraction of a real girl. For instance–although I would never do something like this of my own accord– if I got the public pool with Riko or Shirayuki, all of the guys would think: ‘She’s out of his league’ , and I’d be thrown out with a *Thunk*. If their truly horrible personalities were ever exposed, howecer, they would not be nearly as popular as their appearances would suggest. And if I went with Aria, I’d be afraid that someone would report me to the police, saying: ‘There is a suspicious person in pool showing an elementary student around’. 「…」 None of that would happen with Reki… For some reason, I wouldn’t feel strange taking a girl like her to the pool. She looks like she could be my age, or maybe a year younger– a regular girl. While pondering it, I began to fantasize about what it would it be like if the two of us went to the pool, when… 「Wha-Wha-What, Kinji? Now it’s Reki? You’re practically ogling!」 *Bam!* Going around the the side to get behind my shield, Aria kicked me in the butt. 「N-no! I just thought that, looking at her, she looks normal, so…」 「Oooooh Really…! Like…! a…! Normal…! girl…! You…! sure…! took…! your…! sweet time…! Comparing…!」 Suddenly exploding for some reason, Aria delivered a kick at each, so I turned to put the shield between us. Aren’t you underestimating it a little? This shield is ‘Made in Japan’. Its ballistic protection level is NIJ-III+ 32 , it’s imitation platinum can even repel rifle fire, making it is one of the most impenetrable shields in the world. 「Stupid Kinji…! likes…! normal …! girls…!」 *Bam!* *Whap!* *Thud!* *Boom!* W-wait… Seriously? I-it is bending! My NIJ-III+ shield is impenetrable! The bulletproof shield, is actually being dented by kicks. How exaggerated is this superhuman kicking power? 「I’m not saying that! I know that she’s not normal at all– a mysterious, pseudo-assassin sniper girl that keeps a pet wolf.」 I had not finished speaking, when I received another kick in the butt… …Reki, had kicked me in the butt too. Is this what they call bullying? Can I cry? In the end, time ran out and our supposed tactical meeting played out like a group comedy routine. Still wondering why in the world they asked me be their Second… 「Do your best! Don’t kill anyone.」 Giving this stupid tactical directive, I watched Sir Aria mount her steed ‘Shira-Ri-Re’, and saw them off. Taking advantage of the fact that Aria was lightest– and the only one of the four who cannot swim–, she was ‘mounted’ on top while Shirayuki, Riko and Reki formed the ‘horse’. I’ll explain… This Kibasen has the same rules as those conducted in normal schools. To use Baskerville as an example–, whether you snatch the white band that Aria is wearing on her head, she falls from her horse, or the horse collapses; they will be disqualified and counted as a defeated cavalry unit. Following these simple rules, you must destroy the opposing team. The battle takes place in the pool, while wearing elective swimsuits, with a water depth of one metre. Blows given with the hands and feet are allowed. Also … 「Use of bullets is restricted to non-lethal ammunition: sticky and slippery bullets. The magazines are scattered on the bottom of the pool, retrieve and use them. First-years, immerse yourselves! Next, Second-years, immerse yourselves!」 The only unusual rule is that weapons are allowed; a special rule in the style of Butei High. The order given by Ranbyou, using the steps, the girls began to descend into the pool, which was about to turn into another Omaha Beach. 33 Shouting, “Kyaa, it’s cold!” , The girls entered the water– their cries both shrill and hard on the ears. Umh … Uhh?… This is… great! With them now in the water, the girls that made up the horse were covered by water and could not be seen clearly. Although the rider was still completely visible, this is a definite improvement for me. These girls show almost no embarrassment, so the effect of my presence continues to lessen. They also seem to be ignoring the fact that I am here, so that is certainly another point in my favour. Experience shows that the more embarrassed a girl acts, the easier it is for me hyster-ise by accident. *Boom!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bam…!* In another competition outside, I could heat the sound of gunfire. The hellish ‘ Sabage with real bullets’ has begun, but here in the pool, I am also in my own personal hell, Kibasen in water. It’s hell on earth; hell in the water– truly, a faithful picture of Normandy. 「Both armies: ATTACK! OPEN FIRE! KILL YOUR ENEMY!」 Excited by the sound of gunfire, Ranbyou happily raised her M500, and firing it at the ceiling, gave the signal for the start of the competition. Unfortunately, it is because of people like her that wars will never entirely disappear from the Earth. 「Ah, Wha-!, Whaa-! *gurgle*」 *Splash!* The cavalry formed by the fragile girls of CONNECT and INFORMA came together, and Nakasorachi’s unit went down… before the fight even started. Sinking in the water, the only evidence left behind was the headband she had been wearing that now floated on top of the water. Ignoring Nakasorachi’s cavalry unit, who had already perished, the Red Team, began a splashing charge against the White Team. *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Waaa!* As the sounds of war cries and gunfire blended, the battle began. Knocking a rider off their horse with non-lethal ammunition, gluing two horses together with sticky bullets, or crumbling them with slippery bullets, the entire area was laid waste. This is a cavalry battle– with all that label entails. 「Hojotoho! Hojotoho! Heiaha!…!」 With the accompanying music of The Ride of the Valkyries 34 , The reserve troops began singing in chorus from the rear. The girls from CVR, whose main weapon is sex appeal, did their part. Practically useless in a fight, they planned to raise the fighting spirit of their comrades with their singing. U-uwa…! I stole a small glance through the window shield, but immediately withdrew my gaze. CVR consists of only the most beautiful girls and, of course, their cavalry is made up of them… but wearing swimsuits. Watching them is too dangerous for me. 「Wahahahaha! Our army is unstoppable!」 Hearing an anime-like voice that was not Aria’s, I turned towards the section of the pool it had come from and where also the clear superiority of the Red Team was evident. With bullets, they drove the White Team before them, herding them into a corner of the pool where they were surrounded and, one by one, shot down. That coordinated attack…! Seeing them, there was no doubt they were the members of the Anime Association. Despite not being an official school club, this group has enough power to overcome the barriers of age and grade, and that is not something that can be taken lightly. The one who just shouted was their president, Tomomi Kanetsuki. Posing as a child, her specialty is to infiltrate and gather information. She is a second-year attached to LEZZAD. 「Come on, Tohyama-kun! Be a proper Second!」 Takamagahara-sensei yelled, forming a megaphone with her hands. 「B-Butei Law, Article 1: Believe in your friends and help them…」 Hidden behind the shield, I gave a directive that could possibly be construed as an order. Peeking through the small window, I saw… 「Grrr… You… I’ll open a wind-hole…! huh? Ammo! Ammo! 35 I need bullets now!」 The White team had fallen into a significant numerical disadvantage. To make matters worse, Aria found herself surrounded by three units of second-year girls and out of bullets. Yelling, she mixed in some English words. That’s a bad habit you have whenever you get nervous. Aria raised her back, in other words, she held her head low, so that her headband became hard to grab. A rider from ASSAULT attacked the unarmed Aria, while a rider from SNIPE opened fire, and another from LEZZAD pulled on her swimsuit, trying to upset her balance. 「Hey…!」 Suddenly, just as the rider from ASSAULT was about to take Aria’s white headband… From behind the enemy, a hidden rider from the White Team emerged from the water and snatched her red headband instead. …Kaname! The rider who had just appeared was Kaname– a first-year. And to think she just beaten a second-year. That is a great feat! Kaname–in her modern school swimsuit that covered her chest–, took 2 magazines and saying nothing, tossed them to Aria. 「Now for the other one!」 She jumped towards the rider from LEZZAD and snatched the headband– another amazing feat. And if that were not enough, she used the enemy horse as a stepping stool to jump back onto her own horse, but… The rider from SNIPE– equipped with an M-1500 Heavy Barrel Howa rifle, had predicted this. Kaname turned around and immediately braced herself, using both arms to protect heｒ eyes. Then… 「And so the tables are turned!」 *Pum!* *Pum!* *Splotch!* *Splotch!* Using the magazines Kaname had given her, Aria quickly reloaded her guns with slippery bullets and shot the enemy horse. *Slick!* *Slick!* *Slip!* *Splash!* 「Kyaa!」 As her horse crumbled, the sniper took careful aim as she slid, and just as she fired… *Pum!* *Clang!* Aria hit the rifle barrel with her slippery bullets, allowing a sufficient angle for the ricochet to miss Kaname and causing the shot to graze her wrist. 「Uh… Thanks, Aria. You saved me.」 「You saved me as well. Thanks Kaname.」 「Well… There’s still work to be done, right?」 「That’s what it looks like.」 Aria and Kaname were back to back– opposite sides of the same coin. Meanwhile, two enemy units had begun to stealthily surround them, drawing closer and taking up positions to cover each other as they set their attack positions. 「If you fall off first, you have to buy me a whole box of caramel candy, Aria.」 「And if you fall off first, you have to treat me to a tower of peach buns.」 Seeing both of them grinning broadly as they laughed, my eyes widened. That is like… …the harmony between me and Aria. That’s not to say that our dispositions or feelings coincide at all. Aria and I have opinions that will never agree, but when we fight together, there is a spirit of harmony between us. It’s not something that can be explained by logic– the secret of this unity. We synchronize as a perfect duo, Aria and I, and now, Kaname and Aria. Gradually the siege closed in around Aria and Kaname. Meanwhile, outside the lines… 「Follow me!」 Jeanne, taking command of the abandoned troops, led a charge of the White Team Cavalry as they attacked with in a “V” formation– an inverted variation of the crescent moon. This is a formation that is used when you are outnumbered to concentrate all your offensive power onto a single point of the enemy’s ranks and shred them to pieces. The design of Jeanne’s swimsuit was so old that I wanted to call out, asking what kind of store would even sell such a thing. It was a white bathing suit, a so-called “high-cut leg” 36 With a huge scarlet rose emblazoned on it. Wielding a CZ-100 pistol she led the charge with great enthusiasm as if she were the first Jeanne D’Arc. 「We are a small army, but do fear! Our army has the blessing of Heaven!」 Wow… She is in high, fighting spirit. With a confident expression, she struck a dramatic pose and held it for about 1-3 seconds. Rather… Jeanne, maybe you’re trying to imitate your world famous ancestor? But you do know that you are only involved in a ridiculous Water- Kibasen , right? Don’t forget that, at least. ************************************** Thanks to Jeanne’s inspiration, the first-year girls increased their battle power… The Water- Kibasen ended with the fall of Kanetsuki’s horse, as she shouted ‘It was not in vain…’. 37 The Red Team was completely annihilated– The White Team was victorious. During the melee, Riko surreptitiously used her twin-tails to tug on the enemy’s swimsuits. Is that even allowed? Well… I couldn’t care less. Soon after, Ranbyou received a report that the ‘ Sabage with real bullets’ had also been won by the White Team. Adding it to the points earned in Part One, the total score was: 20,886 vs. 865 points, so the White Team had won both halves. At the side of the pool, the girls from the White Team cheered, but hidden behind the shield, I can only hear their voices. Personally. I don’t care, but for Aria, who is obsessed with victory and defeat… Fortunately her good mood was not spoiled by the outcome. As for me hiding behind the shield, just when I thought I could retire, the girls from the Red Team found me and began to vent their frustrations on me, yelling: “Good for nothing “, “Womanizer” , “Closet Pervert” … among other kind and pleasant things that were lost in the confusion. Now it is becoming clear– I’m their punching bag. Oh well, do whatever you want, just don’t start shooting. In the end, I went to return my shield– which proved to be somewhat of an empty protection–, to AMDO, carrying it in my numb arm. Thus my sports festival, both the First and Second Part, came to an end. The worst part though is that tomorrow all the jealous guys will be congratulating me for being a part of the Water- Kibasen and asking endless questions about it. This festival held nothing good. Truly… Not a single thing. *********************************************** MASTERS gave students who were a part of the victorious White team, each, a dozen bullets as a prize. Just enough to fill a magazine. It is such a ridiculous amount that would take less than five seconds for Aria, in a bad mood, to fire off at my pathetic self for some non-existent reason such as, “I don’t like the look in your eyes.” or something like that. Furthermore, the awarded bullets are of low quality. The bullets I received were 9mm Wolf WPA-MC 38 . The distribution company is based in the US, but the ammunition is manufactured in Russia, and that is not encouraging. Their price is 14-15 yen, even pencils that they give out as prizes in normal schools are more expensive. The casings aren’t even brass–they’re steel… Already disgusted, I noticed that they were a little rusty. So that was it… These bullets were in stuck in storage for a long time, and today they saw a golden opportunity to get rid of them. As if anyone could use this junk! Bullets have an expiry too! Weren’t you the ones that taught us that!? ************************************ As the official ammunition disposal procedure is a pain, I buried the bullets in the ground、and headed to a convenience store for some food. **************************************** In a normal school, there are meal breaks, but at Butei High… 「Only an Italian army eats between each battle! 39 」 It was an absurd rationale that Ranbyou extracted from her ‘Theories on Child-Abuse’, so meals had to be postponed until after the sports festival. I’d just like ask one question: Since when did Butei High become a military training ground? Since we were free to choose where we ate, most students changed back into their school uniform and ate their bentos wherever they wanted. Post-battle clean-up and repairs from the ‘ Sabage with real bullets’ hadn’t been carried out, so there were empty shell casings everywhere and the lingering scent of gunpowder. Anyway…. Hunger is the best seasoning in the world. If you have an empty stomach, no matter what you eat, it will be delicious. While remembering that proverb that my brother used to recite, I went to buy some food… 「Huh?… Nothing?」 The shelf where they should be bentos is empty. Not one noriben, instant ramen, not even onigiri… Everything is gone. It seems that the convenience store makes their own food and, while I was burying my bullets, the students from the festival bought it all. Now they were sold out. If I go back to the to the school cafeteria, there is sure to be a long so line, I’ll die of starvation. There is no other choice… I’ll have to ask the Baskerville girls to share some of their bentos with me. If I beg a little bit from the four of them, I can gather enough to make a portion for myself. So I took out my mobile and called Aria. 「Hey, Aria. Where are you? Will you honour Butei Law: Article #1 and give me some food.」 To communicate my request for a supply of food. 「Don’t abuse Butei Law, Mr. Hyena. We are at the decommissioned vehicle lot: section 14, Kaname is here too.」 It seems that Kaname is with the Baskerville girls. A little worried about Kaname, I headed for the decommissioned vehicle lot at a brisk pace. This is the place where ASSAULT and SNIPE hold counter-terror exercises and is also dotted by wrecked vehicles used by LOGI for something like stunt-driver training. I guess they’re eating somewhere in there. I wandered around a bit, until… 「Oh!」 In front of an old-style Volkswagen Transporter, painted white and indigo–top and bottom–, facing the open door was Haimaki. It was a motor-home, and peering in, I saw the spacious interior. 「Ah! Onii-chan!」 Holding a caramel walnut muffin, Kaname is sitting in one of the rear seats. On the movable seats– which I assume were the cleanest– Kaname, Aria, Shirayuki, Riko, and Reki were sitting in a circle. They had already changed into their sailor suit school uniforms, and the food that was my goal, was in my sights. 「Even though I’m the leader, you left me out again!?」 While I let that complaint hang… I sat down… Huh? Why did you leave me the low seat? 40 Next to the well-bred Shirayuki there was an empty seat, so I sat down there. 「You were digging a hole next to the road and acting strangely, so I didn’t say anything.」 「Welcome back, honey.」 「*giggle* Hee hee! A little later Riko-rin will sit on Ki-kun’s lap!」 And Reki, who was eating a Calorie Mate, gave me a passing glance in silence. Completely ignoring the reactions of those four, I began to analyse the atmosphere between Kaname and the girls of Baskerville, and so far, there isn’t a hint of conflict. They seem to be… getting along. It seems that because of their mutual support in the Sports Festival, something like a feminine bond of friendship has developed between them. Riko is friendly with everyone. Reki is friendly with no one– but that’s normal… Aria is sitting next to Kaname. And Shirayuki, taking a handkerchief, was dabbing around Kaname’s mouth. Well, Shirayuki was also putting on an air that said: ‘Kin-chan, look, look how far my great tolerance extends!’ , so I found that typical type of expression a little irritating but… They have been completely captivated by you, Kaname It may be that Kaname possesses an unusual ability to fascinate individuals. Even me, I came because I was anxious about her. 「Kinji, you have a face that says Kaname and us eating at the same table is a miracle.」 Using her amazing sense of intuition, Aria said this, narrowing her eyes and grinning like a cat. 「Yeah, something like that. Since your relationship until now consisted of crossing swords or pointing guns at each other.」 「Heh heh… But wasn’t it that way with all of us?」 「Yeah, that’s true.」 「Furthermore, that surprise attack is in the past. The Lumberjack issue has also been settled. That means that our quarrel is over.」 So quick to forgive, Aria. Shouldn’t that work for me, too? It took 5 months in Shirayuki’s case, and six in Riko’s, but you still keep complaining about me, saying: “You’re a horrible lady-killer.” So it appears that the girls’ relationship has taken a turn for the better. At least in that respect, it means that we have settled one problem. 「By the way, you’ve found a nice spot in the midst of the lot’s general disorder.」 「Kaname brought us here to tell us about herself.」 Riko, like Aria, was also eating a burger and fries, and she looked over at Kaname, then me. 「…About herself?」 I asked. 「Kaname is a Genion who escaped the Los Alamos research labs, a human weapon.」 Aria said that, and I was a slightly taken aback. So they talked… about her origins. This a matter that concerned Aria and others, and , as the leader of Baskerville, Watson entrusted the task of disclosure to me, but, since it was part of Kaname’s private life, I never told them about it. I turned to Kaname, looking at her deep ocean-blue eyes, and they seemed to say: “I didn’t tell them about HSS or anything awkward. Don’t worry.” 「And… What do you think about it?」 「We thought, “So what?” . It doesn’t change anything. No matter where a person comes from, for us, Kaname has always been Kaname. Besides that– nothing.」 *Chomp!* Taking a huge bite of her burger, Aria responded dismissively. Shirayuki, Riko, and Reki’s eyes bore an expression of agreement. 「Her denial: “I’m not human!” , was the only thing we did not agree with. She was raised with that conviction, but after you scolded her and showed her the value of life, she made a fresh start. Someone with that kind of determination is nothing but human.」 Aria delivered that typical vague, take-charge kind of speech. How many times have I said it… This girl… In cases like these, Aria is a great person– despite her small size. Hearing Aria’s words, Kaname hung her head as tears filled her eyes. She said something too– wanting to meet the Baskerville girls half-way, I guess. 「First… I have not told you the most important thing. What you don’t know about that ambush…」 Her head still held low, Kaname said weakly. Turning towards us and lifting her head, Kaname paused silently for a moment, then… 「…Please forgive me…!」 She blurted it out. You’ve apologized properly. That’s very admirable, Kaname. In life, it’s not as if apologising will fix everything, but people who live un-apologetically complicate relationships with other people and, to a greater or lesser extent, leave behind an uncomfortable feeling in their wake. 「…」 Such an apology from former enemy being a rare development, Aria and the girls didn’t know how to react. As if seeking to support each other, they began exchanging glances. 「On our side too, we’re sorry for dragging you into something as immature as a Lumberjack.」 Just as I thought, in such a situation you can rely on Shirayuki. The oldest of seven sisters, she is good at dealing with people who are younger. 「In fact, today, we brought you a small reconciliation gift.」 In one swoop, Shirayuki produced a wrapped gift. 「This is something that Kin-chan has. I also have one, but I made it for myself… Aria also has one like it. It was Aria who came up with the idea.」 「You don’t need to say something like that!」 Sitting next to Shirayuki, Aria turned red. Kaname took the small package. 「…For me…?」 Kaname mumbled, opened the small bag… 「…?」 The thing she took out of the bag was hard to describe. It was soft in the hands, and when she turned it, I could tell it was a plush mobile strap… I spotted what appeared to be a head. 「It’s a Leopon! But handmade. We each made a part of it, so it is a new sub-species– Leopon-Chimera! Riko-rin made the body… ROAR!!! Hee, hee…! Quiet now…!」 And as Riko bellowed again, she crushed one of her wrists against the roof of the Volkswagen, and with a noise she fainted in agony. Aria and I have one (and now I find out that Shirayuki also has one). We got them as a prize from the UFO Catch 41 . It is a cat-like stuffed animal. What the girls made was a copy of that Leopon. 「I made the head, Aria the tail, and Reki made the legs.」 Shirayuki finished explaining, and Kaname took another look at her Leopon-Chimera. The head that Shirayuki made was feminine and very well done. The body Riko made was a gaudy patchwork of frills that had been sewn together. Ignoring the original model and doing whatever she wanted is just what I expected of her. The legs Reki made were outrageously realistic, and the cat-like hind legs even had reverse-joints. It’s as if they were taken from an expertly done taxidermy. The effect was sickening. The tail was made from the wick of an alcohol lamp and looked like a simple piece of white string with a piece of rolled cloth sewn onto the frayed end. Moreover, it was also evident from the haphazard stitching that this was probably the first thing they had ever sewn in their life. More precisely… At least use a thread colour that almost matches the material, Aria! These are just your favorite colours. On the whole, it’s poorly constructed. In the first place, each of them has contributed way too much for any kind of collaboration, and looking at the final product, it’s a disaster. But… But, their work was full of spirit. Each of the four, had poured their soul into the task. That idea was conveyed in the blink of an eye. Thick-headed as I am– I understood. And I knew Kaname understood as well. There was no confusion. Even I, who am not remotely crafty, noticed from the first moment I saw him. And I’m sure the feelings of all four were conveyed to Kaname. *Jingle!* A small bell sewn on her Leopon’s neck rang. Kaname, completely happy, hugged her beloved Leopon-Chimera tight. At that moment, the tears of happiness that had welled up earlier, began falling in large drops. 「Girls… Th-Thank you…」 And she began to cry profusely. She has never had friends like this. You could say that she has had partners or colleagues as ‘friends’, but these people in front of her don’t care about profit or loss– these are true friends… And the fact that she gained four of them at once, has touched Kaname. Because of that, she is shedding tears of happiness, as is to be expected of a normal, cute young girl. 「Hey, Ki-kun! That girl is cute. C’mon help a buddy out! She is so cute! I wouldn’t mind having her as my little sister!」 Aria reached out and gathered Kaname to her chest, as Riko dropped a Mutou-esque line… Hey… the wrist you hit just a moment ago was the one that was twisted in an unnatural way. Are you sure you’re okay? 「Hey Kaname… Don’t cry. Butei shouldn’t cry so easily.」 As always, her mood swings are drastic. I tried to say something helpful to Kaname, but I just said what I was thinking. Right now I think that her tears are a good thing. ….*Growl!*… And as if someone had poured a bucket of cold water on it, the mood was ruined by the sound of my stomach. All this time, I had forgotten that my stomach was empty. I had originally come here for food. 「Uh… I can eat anytime…」 After I said that, the modest Shirayuki who had not opened her bento box until I arrived, spread a paper napkin in front of my knees with an angelic smile on her face. I wonder what you will give me? Seeing the excitement on my face, Aria glared at me. *Plop!* She took the pickles off of her hamburger, (I’m guessing she doesn’t like them) and threw them on my napkin. You! How often have I asked you for a favour?… Do you think a human can live on pickles? But of course, I couldn’t complain… For one thing, on a normal day she can hit a punching machine with 100kg of force. 「Kin-chan, here. I made this. I used the freshest ingredients I could find.」 While saying this, Shirayuki, moving her hands gracefully, took from the basket… Oh, sandwiches! It’s not that they are just convenient to prepare. There was Roast Beef, Smoked Salmon, American Club, BLT, Margarine and Tsubuan, and many more types in abundance. 「Oh! Yuki-chan, you really can cook anything!」 Even the self-proclaimed ‘Sandwich Expert’ Riko’s discriminating tastes are satisfied, and she began leaning closer. 「If a woman cannot cook, she cannot be a good wife. Greeting her husband with delicious food every day as he comes home from work, that is the duty of the ideal wife 42 .」 Elated by her ‘victory’, Shirayuki started smiling, but, feeling singled out by her words, Aria replied… 「*Humph*… Cooking is what maids are for. *Chomp!*」 Turning away and crossed her arms, she stuffed her cheeks with a huge bite of her burger. Now that I look closely… What is that? A burger stuck between two peach buns. Would that be a… peach bun-burger? Does that even exist!? Apparently it does, because there it is. 「In marriage, each party is independent, and they just eat what and whenever they like. That is how adults act. Although for anniversaries, holidays and Christmas dinner they might make something special.」 Voicing those undisguisedly Western-born idea… What… Miss Aria? Why are you beaming victoriously back at Shirayuki? They both had an exaggerated expression of: ‘Victory is mine!’ on their faces, and having exchanged their respective opinions on the proper husband and wife dynamic, regarded each other with a look that said: ‘Poor loser.’ . 「Aria, I hope that someday you will find someone to love you.」 *Smile* 「And you keep trying to find one that doesn’t see your true nature, Shirayuki.」 *Fiendish Grin* But… what the hell…? For some reason, beads of sweat ran down my forehead. In this conflict, it seems that there has been some kind of ‘double victory’ 43 . But for me, as an outsider, it’s just another thing I will never understand about the female world. ************************************** A little later … Aria and Reki had some work to do, Shirayuki had some Student Council business, and Riko was going to watch a live-broadcast on Youtube 44 , so they each left separately. In the now almost empty Volkswagen Bus, were only Kaname and I. The autumn sun fell as fast as a bucket dropped in a well, and darkness closed in around us. I’m reading my Butei Notebook by the LED’s hanging from the roof the van. Riko stole some of the sandwiches, but in exchange gave me a bento made to look like an anime character that I didn’t recognise. Reki gave me a Calorie Mate to eat as well. Thanks to them I was saved from hunger, and now I’m lying across the long, bench-like van seat. Without even thinking about it, I began watching the stars through the window. And amidst the gentle buzzing of the insects… Resting her head next to mine and forming a letter “L” with our bodies, Kaname was lying across another seat. 「Onii-chan, when you came here… you were a little upset.」 「I was worried when I heard that you were with Aria and the girls.」 Now that I think back on it… Why was that? I was so concerned about Kaname, I even forgot my hunger. 「Onii-chan, you were… worried about me…」 Kaname mumbled. She was happy for some reason, and embarrassed, I turned a little red. 「It was good that you could open up to everyone. Shirayuki was doting on you.」 Since ending of Lumberjack, Shirayuki has been softening towards Kaname… almost kind. It was a little surprising. 「Shirayuki Onee-chan is very insightful, isn’t she?」 Deftly reversing our roles, Kaname rolled over and raised herself onto an elbow as she turned towards me. 「Insightful?」 「Before you arrived, she said, ‘I’m sure.’ 」 「Of what?」 「That we are brother and sister.」 「…」 Shirayuki says she can ‘see people’ … Just by looking at a person’s photograph, she has the ability to guess their true origins and character. It works on the basis of affinity between her and the target, and it doesn’t matter whether or not she can see the person. She can’t do it all the time, but when she can, her success rate is amazingly high. That Shirayuki was the one who said it… 「You… are not my little sister. No matter who says I will not accept it. It has to be an aberration 45 and I won’t believe it.」 In a bad mood, I said that, and Kaname nodded with a bitter laugh of resignation. 「Heh. I am very happy… to have two Tsundere brothers.」 While saying something I didn’t understand, she turned, and we were both looking outside through the window. It really seems like we are two sibling with free-time, just hanging out in this pleasant environment as time slips by… *Jingle!* The sound of a bell broke the silence. Casting a glance over to Kaname, she was hugging the Leopon-Chimera that the Baskerville girls had given her and started nodding off. 「Hey, Kaname. Don’t fall asleep, go home if you want to go to bed.」 I repositioned myself on the seat, and Kaname shook her head. 「Let me stay… a little longer. Right now, I’m remembering …」 「Remembering what?」 「Everything that happened just now… the time I spent with everyone… and with my Onii-chan…」 For some reason, Kaname has a very happy look on her face and is looking at me without saying anything. 「For today, and from now on, you make your life whatever you want it to be. The girls are experts at finding easy meals. If you want, you could eat with them tomorrow. If you do, I’ll be there too.」 「Tomorrow too…?」 Kaname embraced her Leopon-Chimera and the bell rang again. *Jingle!* 「Onii-chan.」 「Yeah?」 「This what they call a dream, right?」 「Even if I wanted it to be, it’s reality.」 「But life is fun… and beautiful… and so is the world… Heh… heh… I didn’t know that…」 She spoke the second half of this sentence sleepily, so I gently laid my hand on her head. I had forgotten. In this school, where guns are drawn in the course of a casual conversation and we have to fight all the time, I had completely forgotten that there were some who still appreciated the blessing of an ordinary, peaceful day. I live for those kinds days. So starting tomorrow, I’ll be sure to enjoy them to the fullest. And if my self-proclaimed younger sister chooses to tag along, then I’ll gladly shoulder that responsibility. 「Life…」 Kaname mumbled that word, already sound asleep… With no other option, I have to carry my responsibilities home…literally. 「Mmm… Onii-chan, tomorrow… everyone… we’ll do something… together…?」 On my back, Kaname was talking in her sleep… Shirayuki didn’t say it, but it seemed like we really were a family. Well… Anyway… if I went along with it… like playing a game of pretend… It would be alright. For an ordinary day… Friends and family are an essential part. [End Text] ******************************************************************** NEXT CHAPTER… ******************************************************************** 1. ‘Di-pole (older) brother and (younger) sister’ in Kanji. It’s an especially fitting name because ‘dipoles’ are (usually) a pair focal points of electromagnetic charges that are equal and opposite in charge, and thus effect, and Kinji and Kaname’s HSS act like polar opposite personalities. In case anyone forgot, ‘Arcanum duo’ refers to the theoretically perfect system that Kaname thought to gain by partnering with Kinji, where they would be able to activate each others’ HSS. 2. This is a reference to a passage from Sun Tzu. The translation for this phrase of advice is given as: (Be as) ‘Swift as the Wind, Silent as the Forest, Fierce like the Fire, and Immovable as the Mountain.’ 3. In Volume 10, Kaname made Kinji agree not to be with another girl, and in return she would not resort to violence. She also promised punishment in multiples of 10 if he lied about breaking their deal. Kinji ended up, accidentally, breaking their promise 3 times, and tried to hide it from Kaname, so she threatened the appropriate number of punishments: 30. –AGlingua 4. Teru-Teru Bozu , a charm used to ask for good weather, and when inverted to ask for rain. It is a piece of fabric wrapped around a round object that looks like a paper ghost doll. 5. Fuuma is speaking an archaic form of Japanese characteristic of ninjas. the ‘-de gozaru’ suffix denotes humility and servitude, and I couldn’t find a better way to express it, especially because Kiniji specifically mocks it later. 6. Henohenomoheji 7. This section is a pun. The game they are playing is ‘Tamaire’ (玉入れ) lit. ‘Throwing balls’. It’s a game where students compete to throw a number of small, soft balls into a basket suspended on a pole. In Japanese, the word for ‘ball'(玉) and ‘bullet’ (弾) share the same reading ‘tama’ (たま). To make it work in English, I made a similar pun on the word ‘shooting’– Anon-san 8. In the Japanese mythology the ‘Oni’ (鬼) or ‘demons’ are the underlings of Enma (閻魔) , one of the rulers of the Underworld. A kanabou is long metal club similar to a mace. The sense is that the third-years already have an overwhelming advantage. 9. O-Jizou is a Buddhist monk who took upon himself the education and teaching of every living creature to reach enlightenment. Presumably this requires a saintly (Oh, look a pun!) amount of patience. 10. This makes reference to a Japanese proverb that loosely translates to ‘Heaven does no grant two blessings’. It basically means that no one person ‘has it all’ so to speak, and that we all have our flaws. 11. Takoyaki A Japanese food made of wheat flour, octopus, and other ingredients rolled into a ball. 12. Buildering. 13. I assume this is a baseball reference. It should mean something like ‘bad’ or ‘no good’. 14. Kibasen , ‘Cavalry War’, 騎馬戦 in the original. A popular game school-yard game, similar to the pool game ‘Chicken-Fight’, but played in a field. 15. “ Ohta Isan ” in the original. Kinji is taking another naturopathic drug for upset stomachs. 16. Watson is English, so s/he speaks Japanese with a foreign accent. In the original this is highlighted by the use of katakana. S/He doubles the length of the first o-vowel sound in the Tohyama name (Romanised: T o-u -ya-ma), when in fact, it should only be slightly lengthened. 17. Basically ‘super soldier’. In Marvel Comic terms, think the program that created Captain America. 18. “Second Part” in kanji. Nakasorachi said “maru-ni” (lit. “0-2”) in katakana. It’s military jargon where individual digits in a number are fully pronounced. 19. Part of the name is Sabage –short for ‘survival game’. It is the name for Airsoft in Japan. The other part, means ‘live ammunition’, so it basically means an Airsoft match with real bullets. 20. One part of the name is Kibasen . Combined with the other part, it basically means ‘ Kibasen in water’. 21. A type of combat between opponents equipped with bullet-proof clothing, and thus bullets become blunt force weapons rather than piercing. 22. Chinese Food. In order: “White Noodle Soup, Spicy Noodles, Steamed Bread” 23. Chinese food. “Pork with Green Peppers” 24. Chinese food. “Preserved Eggs” 25. Chinese food. “Stuffed Peach Bun” also known as “Birthday Bun”. 26. Lit. “Extra-large Bulletproof Shield” in Kanji. 27. Acronym for “Special Assault Team” in English (Lit.”Special Assault Force”) Similar to American SWAT. In kanji it says “Special Forces of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police.” 28. Actually ‘Buhhda in Hell’ , but I made a more familiar reference. 29. The unit consists of a ‘rider’ and their ‘horse’ composed of three people, for a total of four people. 30. Lit. “Team”. As used in Vol. 7 of the novel. Butei students form ‘Teams’ and register with MASTERS. It is English in the original to make it clear what it is talking about. 31. Riko’s name is usually written in Kanji, however in ‘certain kinds of games’, this swimsuit is a fetish item. 32. Acronym for ‘National Institute of Justice’. A sub-department of The United States Department of Justice, responsible for R&D as well as evaluating and improving equipment and procedures used in the criminal justice system and law enforcement. ‘NIJ-III’ is a standard of ballistic protection that is supposed to stop all but specially-made armour-piercing rounds. 33. A location of one of the Normandy Landings. Kinji makes this reference clear later. 34. “Ritt der Walküren” is an opera piece written by Richard Wagner. The previous sentence is the battle cry of the Valkyries. Heard around the 1,25 mark here if anyone is interested. 35. These last few words are in English. 36. A one-piece swimsuit style, popular in the 1960’s. 37. What Kanetsuki actually shouted was やらせはぜんぞ(Yarasehazenzo), the final words of Dozle Zabi from the anime Mobile Suite Gundam. 38. WOLF Performance Ammunition- Military Classic. A sporting ammunition with a polymer-coated steel cartridge manufactured in Russia. 39. During the worst parts of the invasion of Africa in World War II, the Axis’ Folglore (Lightning) Division–composed of both Italians and Germans–, is said to have lived off of the provisions of enemy soldiers, so they had to eat on the spot after a battle. 40. This has to do with Japanese table etiquette. A Kamiza , or ‘high’ seat, would be like a seat of honour. Usually the person with the most seniority or leader sits here. A ‘low’ seat would be just the opposite. It has nothing to do, necessarily, with the seat’s elevation. 41. A crane game. 42. ‘Yamato Nadeshiko’ in the original. An expression that refers to the ideal Japanese woman. 43. This is in English. 44. Nico-nico Douga (Literally: Smile Videos!) in the original. It is a website very similar to YouTube.– Anon-san 45. The word used here could be correctly translated for meaning as ‘mistake’, but there is a metaphor running throughout this section. It hinges on the Kanji for ‘sight’ and ‘to see’, so in order to carry the meaning over, I went with a term from the scientific field of Optics that means, ‘The failure of light rays to converge at one focus because of limitations or defects in a lens or mirror’.– Anon-san ****************************************** Full Credit and much thanks to the Staff of Twin Dragons Light Novels: Thunder , Darkhellsing , and Esteban108 , for permission to use their translation. ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### 003. 3rd Ammo - Kou/Son -Double Cast- The next day was a school-holiday, so… because I am a diligent student, I went to the library to do some serious studying. However, Riko was there, and she gushed: „ÄåLet’s find some H-books! Come on, let’s look together!„Äç I tried not to be pulled into such a dirty, non-school event. So Riko brought several books of female nudes and medical texts, chasing me from around the library, and so my morning was wasted. Finally, she got tired and went home, but at noon Mutou (a.k.a The Idiot) showed up. „ÄåI am a treasure hunter, and I could use your help with something.„Äç Spouting nonsense like that, it was practically the same scene as this morning with Riko. As a result, my visit to the library was like a game of ‘Metal Gear Solid’, and was spent running and hiding. Having completely lost my motivation, I returned to my apartment that afternoon, staggering with fatigue… Oh! Something smells good in here… Having worked up an appetite, I went straight into the kitchen where there was a pot of curry already prepared. This is a treasure! Kaname’s curry is delicious. Did she change some of the herbs? But she isn’t here. It seems that she’s out somewhere. Well, the first-year ‘interns’ are used for all kinds of chores. They’ve probably been drafted to do the clean-up from the Sabage with real bullets. On the table, Kaname’s handiwork: ‘Onii-chan Plush’ + ‘Kaname Plush’ were placed. She gave them to me a few days ago, and apparently she discovered them inside the bullet-proof closet where I had discarded them. Having lost all intention of studying, I decided to watch some television while eating curry, but as soon as I had eaten, and because of the increased blood flow to my stomach 1 , I became tired. „ÄåThere is no greater pleasure in the world than sleep…„Äç And so, while mumbling my grandfather’s favourite phrase, I went to my bedroom, and flopping onto my bed, I laid down. Then… Riko was straddling me, forcing me to look at Goya’s ‘The Naked Maja’ that had somehow become ‘The Naked Aria’ so, I woke from that horrible nightmare and jumped to my feet. Concerned that I might hysterise in my sleep, I checked my pulse… I… I’m fine… „Äå*sigh*„Äç With that sigh of relief, I reached the bathroom. It seems that Kaname hasn’t returned. The charger for her HMD 2 has moved, so she came back at least once and went back out again but… the leftover curry hasn’t been touched. Thinking that I might have some messages, I checked my mobile. …? What’s this? The signal reception is turned off! Instead, a status is displayed: „ÄåStandalone Mode„Äç. The mobile connexion is cut off. It is a mode where you are unable to receive either calls or messages. I never use that setting. ‘Someone’ changed it. I tapped through the menu to disable Standalone Mode, when… I received voice-mails and messages from Jeanne, Shirayuki, and the others, along with several from other numbers. As I was about to check the contents of the messages, I received a call from an unknown number. I answered it out of reflex. „ÄåTohyama? Not answering your telephone was a little worrying. Gird yourself for battle quickly!„Äç That voice… It’s Tamamo. „ÄåGird? You mean put on combat gear? Why?„Äç „Äå’Why’s’ and explanations are unnecessary! Begin!„Äç „Äå…!?„Äç I had a bad feeling about this… „ÄåMine Shikigami 3 have reported. G-Third has returned to Tokyo.„Äç Tamamo had spoken the words I did not want to hear. „ÄåThe location is East-South-East of the Shinagawa Thermal Power Station. Shirayuki and Jeanne are at the Ebara Temple nearby. You must hurry there! Is G-Fourth–Kaname– with you?„Äç „ÄåNo…She isn’t.„Äç „ÄåThat is very unfortunate…„Äç Worried, Tamamo was silent a moment. „ÄåThat G-3! He has great battle-luck. While we are scattered and our defences spread thin, he turns up. I sense that it will be a hard-fought battle… „Äç Agitated, she fell deep into thought. For Tamamo, good luck is required in all important matters. Now it seems she is holding her in her hands. „ÄåIn any case, I have to go too. What about the others?„Äç „ÄåRiko and Reki are already underway. Aria is at that place called AMDO and moving at high speed. Watson called me a moment ago, and he has set out and is on his way to your apartment.„Äç Having rapidly summarised the situation, the intercom doorbell rang. Watson was here. Wearing the same equipment from the day of our battle at the SkyTree, he arrived to help, and with my gun, bullet-proof uniform, a magazine, and my right and left hand Orochi 4 , we flew out of the boy’s dormitory. In front of the building, Watson’s Porsche 911 was parked. It had a revolving red emergency-vehicle light attached to the canopy. „ÄåWhat now, Tooyama?„ÄÄIt appears that G-3 is on the opposite bank from Butei High, near the Thermal Power Station.„Äç Watson asked as he jumped into the driver’s seat and started the car. By ‘What now’, I guess he’s asking about logistics. „ÄåGoing by sea would difficult. We don’t have a boat ready, and the coastal route is full of bridges and flood gates that might dead-end.„Äç „ÄåAnd as for going by car…. Unfortunately the Tokyo Harbor Tunnel is under repair. Crossing on foot, let alone by car, is impossible. We’ll„ÄÄhave to take the highway and turn off at Shibaura. But that will take twenty minutes!„Äç Damn it! It’s because it’s almost the end of the year. This is the annual ‘Seasonal Road Maintenance’. The only direct route is by air, but getting something like a helicopter would take even more time. „ÄåThere’s no time to hesitate. We’ll take the car. Go!„Äç As I jumped into the passenger seat, I turned off the handbrake and shouted at Watson to drive. „Äå*Sniff*… Tooyama, what did you eat today?„Äç I heard this sudden question, and Watson leaned over while driving, confusion on his face. „ÄåNothing special. Just some of Kaname’s curry…„Äç „ÄåIt’s faint, but the smell… your breath smells of Valerian. It is a sleeping drug, and its smell can be masked when mixed with other herbs. You’ve taken quite a lot. Hadn’t you noticed?„Äç Watson is also a doctor, so for him to to say that… I gasped with realisation. Now that I think about it, today’s curry smelled and tasted a little different than usual.„ÄÄKaname is usually very particular: ‘I will make the curry exactly the same way that you liked so much.’ What does this mean… Kaname? I immediately tried to call Kaname with my mobile, but of course, she never answered. Did you go… to where G-3 is?„ÄÄWhat are you planning to do? Kaname…! Inside the car, there is„ÄÄa dual-use monitor for a SatNav. The screen also had a video-conference call function linked to Jeanne and was transmitting a video feed from the mobile that she had cleverly placed in the chest pocket of her school uniform. We turned left, towards the Rainbow Bridge entrance and… Damn it…! The road is jammed. For now, we can only monitor the situation on the screen. The monitor and tied-in onboard speakers were of such high quality, we were hearing Jeanne’s voice so clearly that it was like we were there with her. „ÄåTohyama, Watson. I don’t have my headset 5 , so I’m using„ÄÄmy mobile’s earpiece with speaker-phone turned on. They may hear any loud noises you make, so please be advised.„Äç Maybe it was because she was so close, but Jeanne’s voice was tense. On the monitor, and carrying Irokaneayame, Shirayuki’s profile was displayed as she stole a glance at the situation. They are operating as a two man unit– a wise choice. Jeanne and Shirayuki are moving past the hexagonal prism shaped cooling tower, erected south of the Shinagawa Thermal Power Station. Beyond them, I see a natural gas tanker in Tokyo Bay. Meanwhile, Riko, Reki, and finally Aria were connected to the feed in ‘Audio-only’ mode. „ÄåUgh…„Äç In unison, we all groaned, with hint of surprise in our voices. It’s him… His grim face was painted as if he were wearing sunglasses, and he also wore an HMD. That awesome presence… there can be no mistake. Striking a bold pose, it’s G-3– standing on top of the water! Judging by his balanced posture, he seems to be standing on something, but I can’t see what it is. Whatever it is, it’s probably invisible. He is wearing an outrageous jet black helmet, several pieces of armour, and a matching black coat that is fluttering in the wind. Both coat and armor were trimmed with gold and gold thread. Remembering the day of the Bandire 6 — G-3 is as flashy as ever. He is angry with someone on the shore, and his attention is turned towards what appears to be a public park. G-3 is talking to someone on the lawn. It’s Kaname…! In addition to her HMD, she is also wearing body armor. On both hips she is wearing two swords, and crossed on her back are two more– in all, she has four Neue Ange blades. This is the most heavily armed I have seen her. And to make matters worse… „ÄåWha…?!„Äç As Jeanne emitted a gasp, words failed me, and my eyes widened in shock. I couldn’t speak. I couldn’t do anything but stare in astonishment. That person took everyone’s breath away. They caught every eye, because of their angelic beauty. In the corner of a shipping yard, a crane on the border of land and sea soared into the sky. They were wearing a bulletproof brown long-coat and high-laced combat boots. Ka…Kana! Kana sat on the crane arm. And judging by the distance of her position… She is not on Kaname’s side, but rather on G-3’s! G-3 was gone for a while, in order to meet Kana?! Her braided chestnut hair fell to her waist and swayed in the sea breeze. Regardless of the fact it was only on a screen, her unchanged beauty left us breathless and made us forget our enemy. But Kana is not only beautiful. She can enter Hysteria Mode at will, and„ÄÄis infinitely more skilled in using that super-human power. While it is true that on one occasion I beat my ‘Nii-chan’ in Hysteria mode, I could never win against ‘Kana’. If we were to fight, I am not confident of victory. Kana is a very special case. It’s likely that she has discovered how to use higher form of Hysteria Mode that I don’t know about, and is on an entirely different level. Moreover, the battle at IU seems to have brought her skills to maturity, and now there is a certain aura about her. „Äå…„Äç With her long lashes, Kana sat bathed in the twilight haze… but she is only observing the scene below. On the screen… Jeanne, despite her trembling, moved closer to the three„ÄÄprincipals. „ÄåI will now set the camera to wide angle mode. Pray the fortunes of war favour us.„Äç From her Butei handbook„ÄÅ she pulled out a fish-eye lens and attached it to her mobile’s camera. Then she set her mobile on a tree branch. At first the image was stretched and warped, but the monitor’s auto-detect function corrected it, creating a panoramic video. All of them were now displayed on the screen: Kaname, G-3 , Kana, plus Shirayuki and Jeanne, so we were able to grasp the entire situation.„ÄÄThen Watson began operating the equalizer,„ÄÄcleaning up the audio and from the speakers… „ÄåThird,„ÄÄwe don’t need to kill them. Baskerville… DEEN, they aren’t the enemy.„Äç …Kaname’s voice was heard. I got the impression that Kaname was trying to persuade G-3. It also appears that Jeanne and Shirayuki have been detected, and are talking about what they should do. „ÄåFourth, it’s an order!„Äç G-3 snapped. At that moment, Shirayuki showed herself to support Kaname. „ÄåG-3, in addition to Kaname… we have just learned of your emissaries to the Six-Tailed Kitsune, Tamamo-sama, and the Hotogi clan gives you the same answer. We will not hand over our, ‘Irokane and everything to do with it’, to you.„Äç It seems that G-3 was in private communication with members of DEEN, and that seems to be the connexion where the Hotogi mikos are concerned. Enough, Shirayuki…! That man is dangerous. Don’t say anything to provoke him! Meanwhile, we had just made it to the south end of the Rainbow Bridge, tires squealing as they turned. We have finally made it to the half-way point of our journey. We are ten minutes out. Taking the current situation into account, and concluding that we should temporarily retreat, I… „ÄåJeanne! Take Shirayuki and Kaname, and get out of there!„Äç I screamed at the mic beneath the monitor, and as a result, my voice blasted from the mobile’s speaker. On the screen, recognising that voice, Kaname turned her head. „Äå…Onii-chan…?!„Äç This was unexpected. She probably wanted to keep me from being involved, so her plan was to put me to sleep. I guess I’m awake sooner than she thought. Your didn’t do enough research, Kaname. Pharmaceuticals have almost no effect on me. „ÄåI… Baskerville… isn’t the enemy, Third…„Äç Flustered Kaname tried to speak, but… „ÄåFourth! Are you going to follow my order!?„Äç „ÄåKaname! Get out of there!„Äç G-3 and I shouted at the same time. Our voices overlapped, as Kaname cringed away. Then straightening, with knees trembling… she drug her feet as she walked. Making a right about-face, Kaname made her way to G-3’s side. Her face– an expression of wide-eyed panic. „ÄåKaname …„Äç I understand perfectly. It’s like watching myself. Kaname, I’m sure… Whenever my brother gave me an order, I had exactly the same reaction. I couldn’t defy him, because he was so much stronger than me. No matter what, his orders had to be carried out. I had to obey. „ÄåI have to… Someone stronger than me…„Äç Her voice, like her shaking hands, trembled… „Äå… I absolutely can’t disobey… because it is completely illogical…!„Äç Crossing both arms, she drew the swords that were on both her hips. This is bad… This is very bad…! Looking down at Jeanne and Shirayuki, Kaname’s face… was becoming a sharp glare. Kaname’s personality is being replaced. Taking control is the old personality from when we first met– that of G-Fourth! „ÄåI owe him a debt. He was the one that helped me escape Los Alamos…„Äç Repeating those reasons to herself, Kaname began to radiate her fighting spirit. Lowering her stance, I saw her concentrate strength into her legs. „ÄåDo you intend to fight? That blade will not work against us.„Äç Sensing Kaname’s fighting spirit, Jeanne and Shirayuki, each drew their swords and stood shoulder to shoulder, the same way as the night of the Lumberjack, taking up the same position for the ‘tag-team’ technique that destroyed Sonic. „ÄåKaname, surrender! You can‚Äôt beat us. That’s something you should have realised just recently.„Äç Shirayuki said, joining in, but Kaname … „ÄåThat was a Duel; This is War.„Äç To her right, and left, a blue fluorescent line glowed on her katanas as she grasped their hilts. „ÄåThe one that you were able to destroy was only one of thirteen types of Neue Ange swords!„Äç *Swish!* From under Kaname’s foot, grass and dirt flew and scattered. Thanks to her exo-skeleton’s assistance Kaname closed distance with girls in a superhuman leap, unsheathing her blades mid-air… No… „ÄåArc Edge 7 …!„Äç Drawing those things that cannot be called swords… but rather light-sabers 8 . Drawn from their sheaths, they were a glittering metre long, as Kaname attacked Jeanne and Shirayuki from above, and they spread out to avoid the light-saber… *Whoosh!* As she landed, her shining blades gouged a hole in the ground. Molten lava and white fumes immediately rose and filled the crater she had made. What… That’s…! It was like a scene from a movie. Her swords looked like the fictional weapons from Star Wars– only more powerful. There is no possible way to safely receive such an attack. Just one touch would slice a person in half… no… rather, disintegrate them. Kaname stowed her light-sabers, and only the grips in the scabbards on her hips remained. „Äå…Jeanne!„Äç „ÄåUnderstood.„Äç Eyes wide, I watched as Shirayuki and Jeanne exchanged their respective blades for magic. Shirayuki began„ÄÄtracing symbols in the air with her hands, and diamond dust began dancing around Jeanne. Observing Kaname’s attack, G-3 gave a snort of disdain. „ÄåJust as I thought. You’re broken, Fourth.„Äç „ÄåIt’s not like that, Third. I’m holding back my weapon’s full power. Compared to yours, mine’s reaction rate is slower.„ÄÄBoot-up takes longer.„ÄÄIf I don’t wait for full deployment, the ‘multi-faceted crystal’ will fuse.„Äç „ÄåNo, the problem is with you !„Äç G-3 growled, like a lion– the king of the animals. Turning around, Kaname could only gasp wordlessly. „ÄåFourth, you can’t fool me. Your attack was only half intended to kill, and the other half to let them escape.„Äç „Äå…That’s not it…! I…!„Äç Shaking her shoulder-length hair sideways, Kaname tried to clamour an excuse. „ÄåYou’re damaged, and stooping to the level of a mere human!„Äç „ÄåNo, no, no!„Äç Holding her head in her hands, Kaname dug her nails into her scalp, as if to rid herself of the alternate personality in her head. „ÄåFourth! Remember who you are! You are a weapon, and this is war… Move!„Äç I see now. G-3 is trying to ‘fix’ Kaname– trying to turn her back into G-4. Without attacking himself, that bastard is trying to make Kaname do it.„ÄÄHis plan is to ‘fix’ Kaname by reverting her personality. „ÄåWhy…? Why did it have to become a War…?„Äç Hiding her face, Kaname… *Shine!* Spreading her arms wide, she drew the twin swords that were fastened on her back. They looked like executioner’s swords that were used in the Middle Ages to behead those sentenced to death, but the double-edged blades’ fullers were carved hollow. With the ‘U’ shaped tip… she pointed them at Shirayuki and Jeanne to check their advance, as they stood ready with fire and ice. „ÄåI… I’m… sick of war!„Äç *Whoosh!* Following a high-pitch noise, blue light surged from the swords’ hilts.„ÄÄRunning swiftly down the edges of the blades and converging at their tips, the light shot out, without a hint of recoil. „Äå…!„Äç Speeding on, as if they had been fired from a rifle, the bullets of light, flew toward Shirayuki and Jeanne… Jeanne made a motion to ward the bullet of light with her sword, but it was not something that could be deflected. Because she was anxiously preoccupied about what would happen to Jeanne, Shirayuki’s response lagged, and she was unable to make any kind of move to defend herself. In the next instant, light-bullets gave off a sound like a rocket-launcher strike (and compared to the size of the bullet, the explosion was on an entirely unbelievable scale) that made me burst into a shout. „ÄåShirayuki…! Jeanne…!„Äç As if they had been hit by a train, they were sent flying left and right. Shirayuki bounced off the ground and collapsed, and Jeanne disappeared from the screen. „ÄåShirayuki…!„Äç I watched the screen anxiously… Underneath Shirayuki’s bullet-proof uniform, it seems that she had been wearing chain-maille as a precaution, and now it was in ruins. Then I saw her move and stir slightly. She wasn’t insta-killed, but it looks like she has been gravely injured. She can’t keep fighting. She needs help now! Sheathing her swords on her back, Kaname„ÄÄturned towards G-Third, her expression seeming to„ÄÄsay: ‘That’s enough, right?’ . But his response was… „ÄåWhat are you stopping for? Do you want me to finish it?„Äç By ‘finish’, he means ‘kill’. Stop it… Just stop it! I screamed this uselessly inside my head. Kaname lifted her sorrowful, tear-stained face. Strapped to her leg was a knife-shaped object– that must be an advanced blade, too. Drawing it… „ÄåA weapon has to fight… Even if they don’t want to, they must…„Äç *Step!* *Step!* Crossing the scorched earth, she moved toward Shirayuki. Silently observing the situation, G-3 chuckled softly with a smug, satisfied smile on his face… „ÄåG-3, rather than just worrying about others, why don’t you spare a thought for yourself?„Äç Kana shouted from atop the crane. And in the next instant, *BAAANG!* From the on-board speakers came a thunderous noise. It was the sound of a gunshot from someone who is connected to the video-conference in ‘audio-only’ mode. After a few seconds… *BANG* From beside of G-3’s head, orange sparks flew, and a concealing dust cloud rose from the ground. Wha-… What was that?! „ÄåThe bullet has been deflected. Reason: unknown.„Äç I realised that the voice from the on-board speakers was Reki’s. The loud noise was the sound of a shot from a large calibre sniper rifle– the Barrett M82.„ÄÄThe barrel of the M82 is no less than 29 inches long. Its gross weight is over 14kg, and it is almost as long as Reki is tall. Carrying such an impractical weapon, she has secured the ‘base’ of Academy Island 9 , and accurately sniped G-3 in Shinagawa at long-range. The dust cloud was caused by the impact of the bullet, which possesses more power and is of a larger calibre than a Dragunov. But if so, why did she miss? I can’t believe Reki failed. Those ‘sparks’ that exploded near G-3… somehow, he blocked the bullet. The Barrett is an anti-material rifle, with rounds powerful enough to pierce armoured plate, and yet he deflected it… with ease…! „Äå…!„Äç Then, high above G-3– from the arm of the crane… Riko…! Some time ago, Riko must have sneaked up behind G-3, and now she is diving toward him.„ÄÄIn her hand was the same tactical knife that she used in the April hijacking when she tried to kill Aria. She is targeting his head– the only place that is unprotected. From what I have seen, Reki and Riko…„ÄÄIt seems that they are trying to take out G-3– the boss– first. If they succeed, then Kaname will no longer have to follow his orders. That’s their plan. They are using the same strategy, and it looks like it’s going to work. G-3 is still watching Kaname; he hasn’t even looked up toward the falling Riko. But … „Äå’Worry’? About things like this…?„Äç And after he said that… *Smack!* Just as Riko was about to reach G-3, he sent her flying like a baseball. Fresh blood spattering, there was a splash, and a without cry, she fell into the sea. This time I saw what happened. G-3 swatted a hand, effortlessly deflecting her, all without even glancing in her direction… It’s useless… We can’t beat him! We have just sped onto Goshiki Bridge 10 . Our ETA is 5 minutes. With Neue Ange blade in hand, Kaname stepped up near to Shirayuki. What should we do? „ÄåHuh… What is that? Tooyama!?„Äç As we reached Big Kounan Bridge 11 , Watson screamed, but he was not watching the monitor, but looking outside the window. Then, pushing my hair back, I turned and looked high and to the right. „Äå…?!„Äç In the sky… I could see a light, high above the container yard. A star… No, it’s too close. It’s too slow to be a missile, and it doesn’t seem to be any kind of aeroplane either– it’s much smaller. The small light soared over the Shinagawa Thermal Power Station. „ÄåIn war ‘anything goes’… And I was created for war…„Äç On the monitor, Kaname raised her knife, and when I looked back at the screen… „ÄåHeh. If ‘anything goes’, then take this!„Äç From the on-board speakers we heard a seiyuu-like voice, and in rapid succession.. *Bang!* *Bang!* „Äå…!?„Äç At an angle that left Shirayuki protected, something swooped in towards Kaname. Two bullets detonated with an explosive sound, engulfing Kaname in a shower of orange sparks. What I’ve just seen was… Incendiary Ammo…! Bis-hydroxyl Aluminium and Naphtha: exploiting the extreme oxidising nature of these chemicals and their ability to burn at high temperatures, they were incredibly small Napalm bombs. These were just one of many kinds of Butei bullets. This was an air-raid. *Tumble* *Tumble* Rolling, Kaname has escaped the flames and smoke, and is now looking up into the sky. She is probably seeing the same light we had seen in the sky just moments ago. The hand that had held the knife seconds before was empty. The Butei bullets have knocked it away. „ÄåAria…?!„Äç Retracting the canopy of his Porsche convertible… His short hair whipping in the wind, Watson looked up into the sky. Looking in the same direction, now it can be seen with the naked eye– the true shape of the light we saw moments ago. „ÄåAria… Is that you!?„Äç With a single layer of white, tasset-like plates flaring from the the back and sides of her bullet-proof uniform skirt… It’s Aria! The contraption was divided into seven variable wings, and below each of them the flames of a jet engine glowed.„ÄÄFrom what I’ve seen of their shape and articulation… they’re a cross between compact, high-output rocket thrusters and stabiliser planes. These ‘wings’ attached to her waist allow her to fly. „ÄåWha-? You’re flying! When did you get that ?!„Äç Seeing Aria flying as if it were the most natural thing in the world, I couldn’t help blurting this out. „ÄåThis is a ‘Hover Skirt’! It was delivered a little while ago, so I thought that I’d see what it can do. Kinji, stop dragging your feet and get over here!„Äç As she said that … *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* Firing Incendiary, Exploding, and Fragmenting bullets, Aria was raining an endless hail of Butei bullets onto Kaname. The sound of gunfire coming from the speakers could now be heard directly as well. Rather, it sounded like a real war! On the screen, I saw Aria shoot armour-piercing rounds at the hollow, double-edged blades that had brought down Jeanne and Shirayuki, knocking them to the ground and damaging them. With her Barrett M82, Reki targeted and finally destroyed them. That reminds me… Tamamo said: ‘Aria is at that place called AMDO’ This is what„ÄÄAria had ordered while she was in the hospital, and she had gone to pick up her ‘rocket booster’– to Hiraga’s. If you think about it, her inventions are a lot like ‘Neue Ange’. Hiraga is an inventor who creates new, unimaginable weapons one after another, regardless of their reliability. Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth, and technology against technology– In a truly Aria-esque manner, she prepared to face G-3 and his allies head-on.„ÄÄTransformed into a human attack-helicopter, I watched her, dumbfounded. „ÄåAll of you, I have rescued Riko. Concentrate on bringing the enemy down.„Äç Using what had to be Riko’s connection, a voice flowed from the speakers. That voice… „ÄåHilda…?„Äç In the corner of the screen, the shapes of countless bats had merged– forming something like a black net– and is pulling Riko from the water. „ÄåHilda, I„ÄÄneed you. Hurry and save Shirayuki and Jeanne too!„Äç I said that but she answered, „ÄåHo ho! Fool! I do not wish to! Who would follow the orders of an uncouth man like you?„Äç I still don’t know if she is an ally or enemy. „ÄåThis…! This is an emergency, and you’re babbling about…„Äç „ÄåLet me, Tooyama.„Äç I was screaming in anger, but covering my mouth with his hand, Watson… „ÄåSorry for asking you to do something you can’t do, Hilda. Although it’s gone down a lot, the setting sun is still a problem for you, right?„Äç While driving, Watson said in a louder voice. „Äå What!? „Äç Flying into a sudden rage, she raised her voice as well and… „ÄåWatson, I believe that I told you this a long time ago. If I have a parasol, the sunlight is nothing to fear. I have even picnicked at a graveyard in the middle of the day!„Äç „ÄåThat’s alright, don’t push yourself too hard– it’s fine. It was thoughtless of Tooyama to ask.„ÄÄIt’s impossible for you– rescuing Shirayuki and Jeanne.„Äç „ÄåWatson! You insolent, insolent wretch! You„ÄÄare speaking to a noble– the daughter of Count Dracula, herself…!„Äç *Click!* Watson disconnected Riko’s line to stop Hilda’s piercing shout. „ÄåH-Hey, Watson!„Äç „ÄåDon’t worry… Now she will definitely rescue Shirayuki and Jeanne.„Äç Speaking with such confidence, Watson urged me to look back at the monitor, and… *Flap!* *Flap!* *Flap!* With an almost angry motion, countless shapes of bats slipped underneath Shirayuki, and dragging her along, carried her away. Hilda really rescued them– even though it didn’t take her even a second to reject my request. „ÄåShe isn’t strong enough to fight yet, but we can leave the rescue to her. However, we definitely have to praise her afterwards.„Äç Now that I think about it, Watson was in contact with Hilda before we met her. The more time you spend with someone, the better you know how to deal with them, right? Opening my eyes wide at this unexpected side of Killer-Hilda, I looked back at the center of the screen… Kaname and Aria are still fighting, and Aria clearly has the upper-hand. She is firing Butei bullets unsparingly, applying a brute force approach to the problem. „Äå*Grunt*…!„Äç With sticky bullets„ÄÄsealing both of her ‘Arc Edge’ blades on her hips, Kaname… *Whoosh!* Raising both arms and turning to face the sky, she moved her arms like she was presenting something. Then, from the white smoke that rose from the power plant’s smokestack– something flew out of the white sheet-like sky. Spinning as it flew, it was her cloth-like ‘X’-shaped cutting weapon. The„ÄÄvery same offense/defense flying weapon that had defeated Aria, P-FIBER…. But this time there were two of them, and they closed in on Aria from the left and right, to attack from both sides. „ÄåThe same trick won’t work twice!„Äç From her twin Governments, Aria fired two shots. Not at the fabric-like blades, but at Kaname herself. Then… *Shine* *Zoom* Each bullet gave off a burst of light like two tiny suns. Blinding„ÄÄFlares! Despite that, Kaname leaned over, unmoving, but the glow has managed to blind her. With a somersault, Aria nimbly avoided the X-shaped cloth, and it was unable to cope with her sudden evasion. Out of Kaname’s control, the two blade-like sheets collided mid-air, slicing each other in half. Delivering the coup de grace, Aria shot sticky bullets to tangle them together completely. Th-That movement just now…!? Watching the falling cloth-blades, just now… I saw Aria flare her twin-tails to slow herself like an aeroplane.„ÄÄThat was not a flutter in the wind… That was … „ÄåHa Ha!„Äç Watching Aria, G-3 laughed happily. „ÄåI was able to see a hint of the ‘Hidan no Aria’. Kana, your ‘Cognis’ 12 , as always, was truly amazing!„Äç „ÄåMy Cognis is incomplete. I wasn’t able to reach that level of reasoning.„Äç ‘Hidan no Aria’ , ‘Cognis’ … Kana and G-3 were using the same made-up terms Sherlock used when we were at IU. Why? What are those two talking about? But now isn’t the time to think about it. „ÄåI’m out of Butei bullets. And I only have 30 seconds worth of fuel. Kinji, how long will it take for you get here?„Äç Aria’s whispering voice came from the car speakers. „ÄåNot long, It’ll be another… Hold out for another three minutes.„Äç „ÄåOK. I’ll arrest Kaname. You really wouldn’t be able to do it because she’s your sweeeeet little sister, right?„Äç Remarking this somewhat sarcastically, Aria left behind her a vapour trail like a jet engine contrail and came in for a landing. Then, while suddenly accelerating… *Whoosh* Pulling her two Japanese swords from behind her back, she lunged at Kaname. „ÄåKaname!„Äç „ÄåAria!„Äç Reaching out and clasping her hands… from her armour, a ring of light spread. It was like the light of Arc Edge, expanding in a circle and looking like a buzz saw. „ÄåUwaaaa!„Äç With a shout, she lunged at as Aria as she swooped down, and with a flying leap she received a slashing attack to her body armour, even as she split the side of Aria’s flying unit open. „ÄåUgh!„Äç Losing her balance, Aria made an emergency landing, but with a skillful twist, she turned to face Kaname. Then– perhaps because ‘Arc Edge’ was not designed for long-term use–, after confirming that it was no longer active… Using her functioning rear propellers, Aria launched herself at Kaname. Ever since I met Aria, it’s always seemed like she had rocket boosters– charging in hard and fast–, but this time, equipped with real rocket boosters, she rushed at Kaname, not giving her the time to draw her next weapon, pushing for a hand-to-hand battle. „ÄåTooyama! From here, run!„Äç Finally, Watson and I arrived on the scene, and ran to the south side of the power plant that was turning into a battle-ground. At the power plant itself… In the shadow of the plant’s smokestack Riko, Shirayuki, and Jeanne were piled together. They were in no condition to stand. „Äå…Girls…!„Äç Seeing this scene, my mind immediately went back. It’s exactly the same as that time– the first time G-3 and Kaname attacked. Once again… I wasn’t in time to be of help. „ÄåTooyama, I’ll take care of the wounded. You back-up Aria!„Äç With a first-aid kit from MEDICA, Watson ran that way. Grinding my teeth and drawing my Beretta, I headed towards the open space the led to the sea. While running…. „ÄåAria, are you alright…!„Äç Wounded in the battle against Kaname, Aria had sagged to her knees. I saw Kaname start as I arrived, and some P-FIBER extended from behind her back– two sheets on a side. They were probably folded up and stored inside her body-armour. It looked like Kaname had 4 tails. „ÄåAria, are you okay?„Äç Threatening Kaname with my Beretta, I moved into a position to guard Aria… „ÄåI’m not finished yet! Watch out, that body-armour is assisting„ÄÄKaname’s hand-to-hand fighting. Each blow packs a punch! That cloth blocks„ÄÄmy attacks automatically, and it’s hard to get one in.„ÄÄEven though Reki has been giving me cover-fire, I still can’t get through.„Äç With a hiss of steam, Aria ejected from her Hover Skirt. I guess there isn’t any fuel left, so it had only become dead-weight. Now Aria tried to take up a Baritsu 13 stance… but it was no good– her injuries were too great. Moments ago, Aria had the battle-power and mobility of a fighter jet. If only it had lasted a little longer– then we might have been able to win. But now she is out of fuel and her wounds are very serious. We can’t do anything but retreat. „ÄåKaname …!„Äç The truth is, she’s amazing — You’re amazing. The first time, you single-handedly brought about the crushing defeat of Baskerville. The second time, you’ve cornered us now. And besides Kaname there, further away G-3 remains unharmed. This is far beyond my ability to handle. However… …We can still win. „Äå…Kana! What are you doing up there? Get down and help me fight!„Äç I yelled at Kana who was sitting on top of the crane wearing her long-coat. If Kana was on our side, we might be able to turn things around. I planned to use her as our trump card, but… „ÄåKinji, I only came to observe one of the battles of FEW.„Äç In the fading twilight, Kana stood… unmoving. „ÄåBesides that, I’m ‘Neutral’… I have no obligation to fight anyone.„Äç She blinked her gemstone eyes once and… „ÄåHowever G-3, you have made Baskerville your enemy. In this war, when someone is defeated… they are either killed or become their enemy’s subordinate. To see that those conventions are followed was also one of the reasons I came here today.„Äç And so saying, she fell silent. In reply… „ÄåI don’t care about that… Ha ha! Finally, all of the ‘G-bloodline’ are gathered together!„Äç Standing above the sea, G-3’s voice boomed. „ÄåStill, I’ll kill that worthless guy. There’s something strange between Kinji and Fourth.„Äç Then, crossing the invisible barge he stood on, he started walking towards me. ‘G-bloodlines’…? That’s a strange phrase, but I’ll have to think about it later. Since I couldn’t convince Kana, I’m out of battle-options. It’s time to flee. Taking Aria, Kaname, and everyone else… „ÄåOi! Don’t you run away.„Äç As if reading my thoughts, G-3 said this, drawing closer with each step… I felt a terrible air of menace emanating from G-3. He still hasn’t moved a muscle to make any preparations to fight. H-he’s strong! Even so… This guy… I understand that much about him. It seem that even behind me, Aria felt it too, and I heard her swallow her saliva with an audible gulp. „ÄåKinji, you idiot, what kind of ideas did you put into Fourth’s head? She says that she knows how… but now, of all things, she insists that she can’t enter HSS.„Äç Hearing our conversation, Kaname turned a flustered look towards G-3… And then facing me again, started panicking. Kaname… „ÄåBesides that… I don’t know what kind of warm welcome they gave her, but she won’t finish off those girls either.„Äç Standing behind the petrified Kaname, G-3…. *Bam* With a matte-black metal boot, he kicked Kaname in the back. „ÄåAh!„Äç *Thud!* Having fallen immediately to her hands and knees without resistance, he said to Kaname… „ÄåOi Fourth! You’ve stopped when you could have crushed her. All this time you’ve had the enemy on the run. But now it’s not too late. Finish it!„Äç G-3 barked, making it an order. Pulling her arms and legs in like a turtle, Kaname groaned. Meanwhile… several places of her armour glowed with an intensifying fluorescent blue light. „ÄåOnii-chan… Forgive me… someone that is stronger than me… I absolutely cannot defy them… That would be, That would be ill-… illogical, so… Forgive me, Forgive me, Forgive me…„Äç With a trembling voice, how many times was she going to apologise to me? Again, Kaname was trying drawing another advanced blade from somewhere. Even though she did her best. Even though she gave it everything she had.„ÄÄEven though she doesn’t want to fight… G-3…! Even in this situation, you still keep pushing her…! „Äå…Kaname! You don’t have to fight! Just stop, don’t take orders from someone like that.„Äç I yelled this boldly, as I pointed„ÄÄmy Beretta at G-3. „ÄåHe is deceiving, and only want to use you! I don’t know why you feel so indebted to him… Don’t you see that he only saved you to make you a tool for his own designs! You don’t have to pretend to be strong anymore. That guy… You don’t have to rely on people like G-3, because I’ll always be there for you!„Äç „ÄåYou sure talk a lot, don’t you Kinji? Oi, Fourth, shut this guy up too.„Äç Pointing a thumb at me, G-3 said this… „Äå…Don’t…„Äç Kaname, having laid face-down on the ground, muttered something, but it was said in a low, trembling voice so we couldn’t hear it well. „ÄåWhat was that, Fourth?„Äç „ÄåDon’t call me that.„Äç This time she spoke in a clear voice. Kaname stood up from the ground. „ÄåDON’T CALL ME THAT NAAAAME!!„Äç And turning toward G-3… *Clank!* *Clank!* *Clank* *Clank!* Like a kind of shell being cracked, Kaname’s body-armour opened in several places. On the inside tiny nozzles were ranged in lines. *WHOOOOSH!* And with that, her jet engines flamed to life. „ÄåRaaaaahh!„Äç With explosive force, Kaname launched herself at G-3. Enveloped by blasting hot wind, Kaname and G-3 clashed… …And closing distance, they missed each other. „ÄåKaname…!„Äç Hidden inside her armor, was what I suppose is a disposable solid-fuel rocket engine. The flames have already died down. With unfathomable explosive force, I saw Kaname dart forward in a ramming attack from point-blank range with her insta-kill equipment… and using that she only managed to rush past G-3 behind his back. As more and more fumes rose, Kaname staggered a few steps… „ÄåHuh…?„Äç Not understanding what had just happened, Kaname turned and looked back. „Äå…„Äç G-3, remained silent. He had not moved a single step from where he stood. It looked like Kaname had simply brushed passed G-3. But from the fingers of his metallic bullet-proof fiber gloves… *Plop!* *Plop!* …fell drops of blood. „ÄåHa Ha!… I…I was completely illogical…„Äç With a forced smile, Kaname turned towards me… Her chest armour was split low in the middle.„ÄÄI saw that in her black skin-suit… there was a deep gash. „ÄåKaname!!„Äç I heard Aria scream behind me. I couldn’t see anything… With his bare hands, G-3 had just opened a hole in Kaname’s chest. „ÄåFourth. Are you going to waste what little life you have left?„Äç As G3 faced the other direction, Kaname replied… „ÄåIf it’s a waste…„Äç As dark blood trickled from her mouth… *Shing!* Reaching both of her gauntleted hands inside her armour, Kaname drew two blades. „Äå…Then I’m going to waste it all!„Äç Again, Kaname launched herself at G-3 but… *Thud!* She was thrown right back more than ten meters. Totally shattering her blades, guards and all, the pieces scattered like glass. I couldn’t see that one either… G-3’s attack.. it’s too fast! It’s impossible for the eye to follow…! „Äå…You’re a fool, Fourth. I always knew that you were just weak.„Äç G-3 said in a low growl without turning back. „ÄåKaname!!„Äç The scene being too much for her to bear, finally able to stand Aria ran from behind me to Kaname, even though they had just been fighting. Then, Kaname having collapsed onto her back, Aria lifted the upper half of her body and cradled her in her arms. Following her example and unable to think straight, I rushed to Kaname’s side ignoring G-3. „ÄåKaname…! Kaname…!„Äç Both of us holding her in our arms… Her face was covered in blood, and she was staring off into the distance. „Äå…Now I think… I know why… I wanted to be close to you… Onii-chan…„Äç She mumbled deliriously. „ÄåI…„ÄÄwanted to believe… that I was human … so I was looking for a family… a human brother.„Äç „ÄåKaname, don’t speak! You’re making the bleeding worse!„Äç Applying pressure with her hand to the wound in Kaname’s chest, Aria was removing the remnants of her destroyed armour. „ÄåNow… I know the reason… why I defied Third too. More than Third’s wishes… I wanted to protect you, Onii-chan„Äç „ÄåKaname …!„Äç I also put pressure on the wound but… the blood won’t stop! I… can’t help her! „ÄåAhaha…„ÄÄYou didn’t say it… today. Remember whenever I called you ‘Onii-chan’… and every time you’d say … ‘You’re not my little sister’? You said it over and over… and each time I heard it… it hurt so much I really thought that I’d die, but… you didn’t say it today…„Äç Running out of strength, Kaname was able to smile. „ÄåKaname…!„Äç Kaname. Argh! Why„ÄÄdidn’t I realise it until just now! By my denial, I was only hurting her. Why did I do that…?! Mere regret could not conjure this emotion rising within me… It rose up from the bottom of my heart. My heart ached as if it were bleeding. „ÄåI am your sister… that will never change… so… I couldn’t show you how much I loved you. These feelings, I couldn’t let anyone know… so… I used them to give me strength to fight. Even against someone stronger than me–against Third…„Äç As if to chide herself, Kaname gave another brief smile…. „ÄåI’m…human…and your sister. By doing such illogical things… I became human. At the very end… „Äç Tears fell from Kaname’s eyes, and from inside her armour… There had been some kind of charm, and it had fallen into the pool of blood. It’s hideous … It’s similar to the hand-stitched ‘Onii-chan Plush’ matching set that I have. It was a little smaller than the stitched ‘Kaname Plush’ she sowed for me… It was the hand-made felt Leopon-Chimera she had received from Aria and the girls after the Sports Festival. „ÄåKaname… This isn’t the end. It’s not that bad!„Äç Tears in her camellia-coloured eyes, Aria spoke words of comfort, and Kaname replied… „ÄåAria, thank-you too…„Äç Kaname said„ÄÄin voice that was barely a whisper. „ÄåComing to this school, spending time with everyone everyday… even fighting… it wasn’t all bad. In the end though… I made a complete mess of things…„Äç „ÄåKaname…!„Äç Kaname began to squint their eyes like she was sleepy… Finally, gathering what was left of her strength, she wrung out these words. „ÄåThird is… only a weapon… Onii-chan… please… don’t fight… run away…„Äç Kaname…! Kaname’s breathing had already become erratic, but I replied… „ÄåKaname. I’m sorry, but I can’t honour that request.„Äç I said, loud and clear. Looking at her face, covered in blood, I continued. „ÄåThere isn’t a brother that can forgive someone who hurt his younger sister.„Äç I told her that. Hearing those words… tears spilled from her narrowing eyelids… *Drop* *Drop* One after another they fell,„ÄÄmixing with the blood and running down her cheek. „ÄåOnii-chan… you told me not to cry… so I decided not to, but…„Äç With a laugh and a small smile… As if the final thread had been cut, Kaname collapsed. Kaname… „ÄåKanameee…!„Äç Hearing Aria’s scream… I turned around and stood up. With his back still facing us… I glared at G-3 I understand… I feel a strange rush of blood to the inner core of my body, and realisation dawns.„ÄÄI’m different from my cowering self. A dangerous feeling was overflowing. It was… Rage. He had hurt Kaname, used her like he might use a hand or foot, and in the end, threw her away like some thing . Rage towards that man… „Äå…„Äç He had to have sensed my gaze. Expressionless, G-3 turned his head to look back. „ÄåNow do you know why I was waiting? For you to become that !„Äç What G-3 said…„ÄÄAlthough not completely, I understand.„ÄÄThis boiling„ÄÄfeeling… is„ÄÄsome kind of Hysteria Mode.„ÄÄI’m becoming hystericised .„ÄÄIt’s similar to Berserker Hysteria Mode, but stronger. It feels vastly more powerful. „ÄåCome, Kinji.„Äç *Swish* With a flutter, G-3’s coat flapped… Without a glance towards Kaname, G-3 walked towards the sea. „ÄåAre you sure? Now that I’ve become “that”, I’m not in the mood to be pleasant.„Äç Although I can’t explain the details to Aria… right now the state of the current “me” is different from normal Hysteria Mode and is 1.7 times stronger than Berserker. It is obviously a more powerful level. And besides, my enemy is a man. „ÄåKinji…„Äç Still hugging Kaname, Aria looked up at me… Sensing this new, dangerous side of me… she watched with a puzzled expression. Ah yes, I understand. Now the current “me” has seen the whole picture and knows the reason my brother… and late father both just snapped sometimes, radiating a blood-lust that was impossible to ignore. „ÄåI-I also…„Äç That she would also fight was what Aria was trying to say, but I held her back with a glance. „ÄåI’ll take care of it. It’s revenge for my sister.„Äç „Äå…*Gasp*…„Äç Looking at me like as if I had become a different person, Aria was speechless. Then, she tried to say something…. but since she was unable to, instead… „ÄåKinji…„Äç „Äå…„Äç Without answering, I turned my back toward Aria… „ÄåDon’t die. Please…„Äç She said, imploring me in a tremulous voice. Doing so, Aria seems very feminine. ****************************************** NEXT CHAPTER… ****************************************** 1. In order to better absorb the nutrients in food, there is an increase of blood flow to the digestive system after one eats. While it doesn’t totally deplete the rest of the body of blood supply, some medical researchers believe that it can lead to fatigue. 2. Acronym for ‘Head-Mounted Display’. Kaname’s augmented reality goggles. 3. Shikigami are invoked or conjured spirits that are said to serve the conjurer in various ways– mainly in tracking and surveillance. General Note: Tamamo speaks an archaic Japanese. If rendered literally, it would make no sense, so I’ll throw in a couple of ‘thee’s’, ‘thou’s’, and the like to indicate this. 4. Gauntlets that Kinji had specially made to deflect bullets with his hands. 5. Jeanne is talking about military-grade hardware that usually has a dedicated laser or satellite connection and a throat-mic for stealth. 6. Lit. “Proclamation” or “Declaration” in Italian. A traditional meeting between two opposing factions. It reads as something like “War Council” in Kanji. It was the meeting in Volume 8 where the factions ‘Deen’ and ‘Grenada’ were decided for Far Eastern Warfare. 7. ‘Single Lighting Ring/Band Slice’ in Kanji. 8. Yes it actually says this. The literal kanji say ‘blade of light’, and Star Wars is referenced, so the parallel is obviously meant to be drawn. 9. The author is referencing a children’s game, ‘Jintori/Jindori’, which is similar to capture-the-flag. In order to win, you have to occupy/capture the ‘base’ of opposing team while keeping the other team out of your own. Reki is covering her ‘base’ on Academy Island, and attacking G-3 in Shinagawa. 10. Lit. ‘Five Colour Bridge’. 11. Lit. ‘Great South Harbour Bridge.’ 12. ‘To gain knowledge’ or ‘to reason’ in Latin. ‘Predictive Reasoning’, in Kanji– specifically carrying the meaning ‘precognition by means of logical reasoning’. 13. A mis-spelling of ‘Bartitsu’, immortalised by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in his Sherlock Holmes stories. It was the martial art form Holmes used. ******************************************* Map of Kinji and Watson’s Route ******************************************* Full Credit and much thanks to the Staff of Twin Dragons Light Novels: Thunder , Darkhellsing , and Esteban108 , for permission to use their translation. ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### 004. 4th Ammo - Kowloon's Monkey King -Kowloon Monk- G-3 was walking on top of the sea once more. Beneath his feet… As I drew closer, I finally understood. Some kind of bridge, transparent like glass, was laid across the waves. It seemed like an optical illusion to the eye, but the bridge was real and tangible. I began to cross it. Taking a few steps forward, I felt the ground beneath my feet change and found it quite stable. This is almost like the deck… of an invisible ship?… that I found my self standing on. 「Oi, Kinji. That’s ‘Hysteria King Mode’… It comes from entering ‘Berserker mode’ many times.」 Turning around towards me, G-3 announced in a low voice. King? 「From our observations, it’s similar to a situation where male animals form a herd with a lot of females. ‘King’s HSS’… It manifests when the male’s women are destroyed.」 「…That’s why you did it! The same thing. Twice.」 It was only the Baskerville girls that were attacked a few days ago at the Shinagawa Geofront… and then here again today. In both cases he hurt girls I had a relationship with, one after the other. That’s why he did this 「That’s right Kinji! This was all for your benefit! Ha ha ha!」 Pointing to the mainland that had been turned into a war-zone, G-3 was sneering at me. Caught up in this provocation, I wanted to attack immediately but… I didn’t. The increased blood flow of Hysteria Mode was coursing through my head, but… G-3’s attack on Kaname just now… I couldn’t even guess his real motive. G-3 is hiding something. A lot of things. But I’ll let someone else figure it out later. Everything he’s done so far has been a lie, anyway. 「Historically, it’s been assumed that this is the strongest form of HSS. However, the exact details are vague, and I don’t fully understand them. According to our estimates from the US Army, the acceleration of the central nervous system activity is about… 30 times 1.2, so that would be about 36 times, right?」 Craning his head, G-3 turned to look at me. Something about his words are strange. If their numbers are accurate, that would mean ‘Beserker’ is actually stronger. Interrupting my calculations… 「Please stop, Third-sama.」 After a slight buzzing noise, the figure of a person wearing something like a raincoat materialised next to G-3. There wasn’t anyone there a moment ago, and he filled the empty space suddenly. And not just him. Around us, a group of two… plus three more people wearing the same kind of coat now were standing there. I was surrounded before I knew what had happened! Checking his surroundings first, G-3 quipped: 「Hey, Kinji. That isn’t the first time you’ve seen ‘Photo-refractive Camouflage’ 1 , is it? The Galleon also uses it.」 With a loud *thunk*, he stomped on the invisible deck of the ship. 「The day is unpropitious. To join battle with that kind of strange man is something we should not do.」 Beside G-3, the speaker removed what looked like a hood. A young boy, or maybe it was a beautiful young girl–I couldn’t tell which– spoke. Ah… On his head, like Tamamo… he had a pair of pointed Kitsune ears . Although I don’t know a lot about non-humans, it seems that G-3 has an ally of the same race as Tamamo. 「Superstitious as ever, eh, Tsukumo?」 Apparently his name was ‘Tsukumo’, and patting him on the head, G-3 said… 「All of you, get back to the Yokosuka base. Be on 24-hour alert.」 He gave his orders to the people surrounding us. The group surrounding us were… a motley crew–to say the least. There was a white-haired man with surgical scars on his head and neck. With a bullet scar on his cheek, filling the role of strongman, was burly Caucasian man stood over two meters tall. With bandages wrapped around his head, covering almost half his face– a tall, thin dark-skinned man. With mismatching eye colours, a silver-haired young girl. And the man who drove us in a Hummer from the Shinagawa Geofront to Butei High the other day, the old man Angus is also here. So they’re all under G-3’s command, huh? All of them… are radiating an aura that tells me that these are no ordinary people. Although not G-3’s level, each of them probably possess a considerable amount of battle power. Except the girl and old Angus, of course. 「You musn’t! You musn’t!!!」 Apparently worried about G-3 , Tsukumo desperately pleaded. 「 I’m going to put Kinji to the test. Didn’t we already go over this? Man up, Tsukumo!」 「I am a woman!」 With a sigh, Tsukumo shook her bristling chestnut-brown hair, and following… 「But in the unlikely event that you were hurt…」 「There is no need for you to stoop to perform such a task… 」 「Allow me do it…」 G-3’s underlings clamoured. 「Hey, you lot! Are you insinuating that I might lose?!」 A razor-sharp glint in his eye, G-3 roared with an eardrum splitting roar. Hearing his voice… *Whoosh* In unison, all of his subordinates, in that instant, hurriedly snapped to attention. Even Tsukumo, who was panicking just moment ago stood with her hand in salute. This concern for G-3, and their response to his leadership that I witnessed… It seems that all of those under his command are extremely loyal to him. And as I maintained a constant state of vigilance… They all saluted G-3 and crossed the deck in order disembark to the mainland. Last of all, Tsukumo stubbornly remained, and turning her tail towards me… departed. Now, only G-3 and I are standing here. 「Book of Sirach, chapter 42, verse 19: “He declareth the things that are past, and for-to come, and revealeth the steps of hidden things.” 2 I don’t want either of you to have any regrets. For your own sakes.」 Hearing Kana’s voice from on top of the crane, I turned to look that way but when I turned to look that way… she was gone. Although I didn’t grasp the full meaning of her words, but apparently she didn’t really intend to help anyone. It doesn’t matter. Don’t let anyone else interfere. I’ll defeat him myself. 「Come, Kinji.」 G-3 turned his back toward me and fiddled with something near his feet as he kicked if. A manhole access appeared nearby, leading inside… and inside a ladder protruded from the opening, going down beneath the water’s surface. You want me to ‘come’? Inside this vehicle… That’s fine. He wants to get me alone and then work me over. That way there will be greater psychological damage. I followed him through the hole in the illusion, and after entering the ship began to rumble and started moving. My HSS kicked in, and I understand the situation. From the inertia I could tell that we weren’t moving forward, back, left, or right… Up? Since he had already closed the entry hatch and there wasn’t a window, I couldn’t check visually, but… We are definitely rising. Not soundlessly, but very quietly. So it’s a seaplane… And it’s also a VTOL (Vertical Take-off and Landing). They had landed between the Thermal Power Station and the natural gas tanker… probably because they were stealing fuel. The long hallway inside the plane was lit by LEDs. It is a large vehicle. From the sound of water passing underneath the body of the plane… it is about 20 metres long and upwards of 50 metres wide. Its profile… is a ‘ flying wing ‘. It is shaped like a giant boomerang, utilising only the main wing to fly. A giant version of Nazi Germany’s Horten Ho229 … No… something else… Rather the American B-2 Spirit bomber. Fitting every definition of the word ‘stealth plane’, this plane and the B-2 are as alike as two peas in a pod. As I combat-loaded 3 the bullets I had been carrying… 「So this is one of the US military’s toys.」 I said, probing. And.. 「It’s a next-gen stealth aircraft prototype. Its code-name is ‘Galleon’ — the most undetectable aircraft in the world. Although, because of the production costs it can’t be mass produced. Ah, relax. No pilot or anyone else that could interfere is aboard. We’re flying a pre-selected path on autopilot.」 G-3 replied calmly, as if he were chatting with a friend. ‘Galleon’ . This… is not the first time that I have heard that name. At the Shinagawa Geofront G-3’s subordinate, the old man Angus, mentioned it. 「It’s incredibly quiet for a VTOL!」 「How many times are you going to be surprised seeing the same thing! Just like P-FIBER, this aircraft uses a ‘Dean drive’ 4. 」 P-FIBER. The same as what Kaname was using– those ‘flying blades’… Those cutting edge scientific weapons spring to mind. Moreover, it possesses optical stealth technology that makes it completely invisible in daylight. I think the fact that it is undetectable by radar goes without saying. Surely, this aircraft is the epitome of Neue Ange . ******************************************* At that moment… 「We are a little overweight.」 For some reason, saying that out loud so that I could hear, G-3 kicked opened one of the doors inside the plane. 「Yes, we are overweight.」 「Why did you say it twice?」 「Shaddup!」 Inside the room he had just entered… Disorderly piles of banknotes were stacked in plastic bags. Shouting ‘Hey!’, G-3 opened a hatch on the floor. As if it were an air-raid, G-3 scattered the money, throwing it out of the plane. Looking through the hatch myself, I saw that the Galleon had already risen 50 metres off the ground, and G-3’s anxious followers gazing up as bundles of notes rained down upon them. Then G-3 dropped a box with a picture of of gold ingots, and it hit Tsukumo on the head, knocking her over and causing G-3 to laugh. 「Alright, now we’re light.」 He said aloud again. And while turning his gaze away from where I stood bewildered… he returned to the hall. Following him into the aircraft bay which originally held the Cluster Bombs, compact B-61 Thermonuclear Warheads, or modified JDAM Bombs, but now it was filled with… Paintings…? Realistic religious imagery, Impressionist and Cubist colour oil paintings,; avant-garde contemporary modern art, and many other kinds of art adorned the room. Pierrot Dolls in gaudy clothing and huge speakers scattered here and there throughout the room. It looked like an art gallery… no, like an art gallery and audio room combined. 「What is this place? It’s not an armory; it’s a junk closet!」 「What do you think of this, Kinji. This is a Pablo Picasso.」 And saying that, G-3 hooked his thumb indicating one of the paintings. And G-3… What this? The blood-thirst radiating from him had been strong from the beginning… but since we entered this room it’s become stronger. 「Is that… Hysteria Mode?」 I accidentally gasped aloud, and G-3 smiled and laughed . 「Ah, so that’s your name for HSS.」 He hasn’t denied it. Thinking back to Kaname’s old name–G-4–, that name shows some kind of relation between them, and I vaguely expected that this guy has Hysteria Mode. He’s using it right now. But… There isn’t a trigger here…? With that realisation, I searched for a female figure amidst the art, but… 「Not that, Kinji. For a number of reasons in my past, women don’t do anything for me.」 While scratching the back of his head, G-3 said redundantly. 「So, how did you do it?.」 「You know what they say: ‘The brain is like a black box’, right, Kinji?」 G-3 laughed, as with each passing second, the aura of his Hysteria Mode grew stronger. 「The trigger for HSS is β endorphins. There isn’t only one way to produce them.」 *Boom!* A loud noise echoed through the body of the plane, sending vibrations through the hold–music being blasted at full volume. It was electronically generated music with vocals. It part of the recent musical craze that everyone is listening to. Reki listens to it too; it’s ‘Ibiza Trance’ 5 . Filling the room, the music instantly transformed it into a dance club atmosphere. 「In my case, Kinji. Beauty –being moved by Art causes a rush of β endorphins. Whether an object or sound, until it bores me, I can use it as a trigger.」 I listened… and I couldn’t even smile at G-3 explanation. Although I have very little interest in such things, a long time ago I read about it on the internet. The reason some men and women go to clubs, art galleries, the cinema, and the like together… Is to use music and the fine arts to enter a mental state of rapture similar to the trance-like ecstasy of sexual arousal. Is he intentionally using them to induce Hysteria Mode? If I had to say, it has to be some kind of Pictophillia or Agalmatophillia . 6 Well, when you limit the context to hysteria talking mode, something kinky like that would be handy in gaining a victory. It certainly gives him a wide degree of freedom broader than Kana or Vlad. With the feeling that he was baring his white teeth like fangs… G-3 pulled out a small box. 「Normally, it would be enough for someone to simply set foot in here, but against you I have to use this trick.」 He pulled a piece of square red paper about 1 cm large from the box, and put it inside his mouth. 「What was that?」 「This is the product of the most cutting-edge technology: Neurotransmitter accelerating cocktail. It would scare you to find out what is in it. Los Alamos stopped using it when they discovered that it could lead to death.」 Radiating from him… his blood-thirst… reaching another level, increased even more. Vlad, my older brother Kinichi, Sherlock … Compared to Hysteria Mode user I have fought so far, he is perhaps the most formidable enemy. I have the feeling of being locked in the same room as a magical monster. But my Hysteria Mode is very different also. Using this new King Mode… or “King’s HSS”– whatever you call it–, I will defeat him. 「I think that’s enough talk. Come on up, mate.」 And after saying that, G-3 started up an interior spiral staircase. The stairs led to a small hatch in the ceiling that he opened… leading outside… to the top of the aeroplane. Apparently G-3 wants to continue the fight on top of the wings, and exiting through the hatch… The sun has set, and the moon shines white through the gaps in the the clouds. As for the weather… there are scattered clouds. Because of my current state, I can vaguely make out the Galleon’s shape. As I deduced from the sound, is exactly like the B-2 Spirit bomber, but the composite materials are completely different. The surface of the aeroplane is like a ultra high-definition display, and a view of the Tokyo nightscape below us is being displayed as night camouflage. Photo-refractive Camouflage… able to become all but invisible and copy any colour and pattern. Looking like some kind of flying chameleon, judging by the pitch and yaw of the aeroplane and what I can see of its ailerons and wings, the Galleon is flying in a gentle arc and we are apparently ascending in order to rise above the clouds. Our current altitude is about 400 meters. We are cruising comfortably, at a speed of approximately 100 km/h. To develop a large aeroplane that can fly stably at such a low speed– as you’d expect of America! Moreover, it is almost completely silent. I suppose that it’s an aeroplane that differs in traditional flight mechanics, implementing a combination propulsion system that limits the use of jet engines. I don’t see any contrails either. It probably uses a system with some drying chemical, the same way the B-2 does. Standing near the nose, 20 metres away, G-3… 「This place is large enough, isn’t it?」 Turning towards me, G-3 raised his arms, spreading them to indicate the entire sky. Paying attention to the air flow, I could tell that the slightly inclined surface of the wings has leveled out. If I were somehow caught up in the swirling vortex of air generated by the wings, I would be instantly sucked in by the vacuum of air. 「No, It’s me and you. Even the sky is too small. It’s time for your exit, G-3. 7 」 That was… a Hysteria Mode induced response. It surprised even me. This means that the blood flow from the core of my body has already been circulated throughout my entire body. But before I fight, I want to confirm something. When he did that… 「…By the way, you’re really kind. I didn’t expect that..」 Hearing my remark, G-3 pursed his eyebrows with a roared 「Whaaat?!」. 「You let her escape, didn’t you? Kaname, that is. You didn’t kill her.」 And with that, I cut straight to the heart of the matter… G-3 remained silent and only glared at me. It was not a denial. As I had thought, my guess was correct. 「After I went into Hysteria Mode I started thinking back, and in the middle of my recollection, I finally understood. Your attack inflicted an injury that was just shy of fatal. Besides that, Watson was there, and Kana who also holds a medical licence. Kaname has a 100-to-1 chance survival.」 「…」 「From Kaname’s words and behavior, you deduced that true effect Hysteria Mode has on women. Because of that, you concluded that she would be a loose cannon in your operation, and decided to exclude her from your organisation. By inflicting pain and mental shock upon Kaname, you wanted to foster rebellion while destroying her loyalty to you.」 With the superior mental powers of Hysteria Mode… in the care G-3 took for Kaname, the image of Reki’s attempted suicide in Tokyo Station is being superimposed onto this scene as I remember it. 「Life is worthless if not devoted to our leader.」 –Such loyalty will last a lifetime unless a sufficient psychological shock is experienced. Since her attempted suicide, Reki has stopped listening to the illusory 「Orders of the Wind」, but with Kaname feelings, something more was needed… They could only be separated if he killed her himself. 「It wasn’t just Kaname’s loyalty you had to worry about, but it had to hold up to to all outside observation, didn’t it? It had to appear as real as possible. Overall, your acting was quite superb, and the channeling of blood-lust into your attack was flawless .」 「…You can think whatever you want.」 He said as he interrupted me, but under his HMD, his face… was red. As I thought, I’ve hit the mark. And his secret exposed, G-3 is embarrassed. Which isn’t like him at all. 「There’s one more thing I want to say. Is that alright, G-3 ?」 「…What?」 「You’re not absolutely sure that you can win.」 「That’s crazy-talk.」 「That is why you chased your comrades away–to avoid exposing them to danger. And so they could continue to make a living for themselves, even if they lost you–the one they call their leader–, you handed over all the money.」 A little while ago, G-3 threw that cash to his subordinates– that’s how it was. All of these deductions were able to be made thanks to Hysteria Mode but… Somehow, I can well understand his actions. They are the same as those he took toward Kaname. 「There’s been a huge misunderstanding, Kinji. I w-…」 A little flustered, G-3 tried to deny it, but I continued… 「Relax. No one else figured out your true intentions. Except me, of course.」 Waiting for the right time, I spoke and interrupted him. Hiding his true feelings and having them guessed so straightforwardly, G-3… He paused for a moment, and seemed to consider how to deny it, but it looks that he couldn’t come up with anything. He could only turn red and stand there, gawping… What is this? I’ve only just come to understand his personality. In short– he’s Tsundere– as Riko would say. One the surface he looks like a tyrant, but he actually has a kind personality. In fact you could say he is soft-hearted. Scowling at me, his feelings were revealed, and he crossed his arms. 「Great guess! But… there’s one thing that your way off on. I didn’t chase them away because you might win– there’s no way you will kill me.」 「So, why then?」 「My body. It won’t last much longer. It’s like Fourth’s.」 「…What?」 「It goes without saying that while you’re living, laughing, and enjoying life, you could die at any moment. But for us… we have a ‘Life Limiter’ that Los Alamos built into our DNA to prevent treason. It’s some kind of compound known only to them, and if we don’t take it regularly, we can’t live in the long-term. That’s how it is with the Genion.」 G-3 said, as if he were talking about someone else’s problem. 「In Fourth’s case, its a kind of Furano polymer and we have confirmed that the polymer compound found in soft candies is a good enough substitute. But my ‘Life Limiter’ is still unidentified.」 So… that’s it, huh? The reason Kaname was always, without fail, eating some kind of sweet. What… cruel words ! Disgust is building up inside of me–Hatred for Los Alamos! 「Well, then…. When we’re above the clouds and out of reach, whether they are exploding bullets, incendiary bullets, blinding bullets or whatever, they won’t be seen from below. Use them all you want. Oh, yeah, one more thing…」 Slowly clearing the cumulus clouds, the Galleon rose… G-3 looked up into the dark azure night sky dark blue, and in defiance of his previous words, put on a bold smile. 「You did it Kinji! You’re a celebrity too!」 「Celebrity?」 「This battle is being watched by the U.S. Military’s KH-14 spy satellite 8 .」 「Seriously?」 「Neue Ange is developed there. They want to collect all the information they can on ‘human weapons’. That includes my battle with you. Whoops! It’s too late to hide that stupid look on your face. Misty’s state-of-the-art Enhanced Imaging System technology is able to analyse a single square centimeter of area.」 Americans… You have to be insane. 「Huh…」 I turned toward the starry sky, and in their direction… showed then my raised middle finger. G-3 barked and exploded into laughed 「HA HA HA…! Now I see… So that’s it.」 「What’s ‘it’?」 「Well… During your battle with Sherlock on IU, I heard that he was laughing. It puzzled me, but now I get it. You’re an idiot. But you’re funny. I’m sure of it now.」 ‘During my battle with Sherlock on IU’… How does he know about that? And in such detail? 「You have an impressive information network. Are you sure you aren’t my fan?」 「Don’t say such disgusting things. Rather, Butei Officer Kinji Tohyama, are you sure you want to do this?」 「Do what?」 「Fight me. You are E-Rank, I am R-Rank. It’s obvious what the result will be.」 「The ‘R’ comes long after the ‘E’ in the alphabet.」 I replied while drawing my Desert Eagle in response. G-3 , laughed again and… *Clang!* From the armour storage on his right leg, he drew a gun. A Heckler & Koch USP Match model 9 . That would be a gun I would not like to fight against. It’s power comes from the calibre, and it’s accuracy is high. The gun has a rail fitting at the bottom of the frame and is equipped with an integrated recoil compensator. The magazine is double column and the number of bullets it can carry is greater. But still… 「I thought that you’d pull out a ray gun, but here you are packing a regular gun.」 「Because this isn’t my main weapon. Just a toy, to rock you to sleep.」 Then from the armour on his back, G-3 also drew a large, heaving looking knife. However, it doesn’t look like the Neue Ange that Kaname used. It was made of the same cemented carbide material as the Orochi gloves I was wearing and looked like a normal tactical knife. As a result, G-3 and I… interestingly enough, both of us had a gun and knife. Evaluating our situation and opponent, we reached the same conclusion–without any kind of mutual agreement. 「We think alike, eh, Kinji?」 「Despite ourselves, so it would seem.」 「There’s something I want you to show me first. What you call: ‘Billiards’.」 「Seriously… You know a lot about me. And my fight with Sherlock.」 「Before Bandire, I bought the information from the leader of I.U.’s remnant war party, Ignatius Nomad. Because I had a grudge with you.」 「A grudge…?」 「The subjugation of Sherlock, and the extermination of I.U…. That was my job, and you just up and snatched it. Do you know, Kinji? In the US, stealing another person’s job is a crime.」 「In Japan we call that ‘hatred born of a misunderstanding’. Nevertheless, the outcome was unfortunate. I regret stealing another’s prey.」 And with a sigh, *Click!* I cocked my Desert Eagle. The Desert Eagle is both a double and single-action gun. In combat all one has to do is pull the trigger and it will shoot in semi-auto double-action mode, but by manually cocking the hammer, a trigger pull is limited to firing in single-action mode. In single action, it takes less force and time to pull the trigger and is suited to making more accurate shots. Accurate shooting… In other words, as an apology for stealing his prey, I’ll indulge his request. I will repel his bullets with mine, using ‘Billiards’ . Seemingly understanding, G-3 smile and laughed. 「Good Kinji! That’s a good fellow. But how are you going to do it? My USP holds 13 bullets. Your DE has 8. You can’t deal with all of them…」 「…I’ll manage somehow」 As we talked… Rising to an altitude of almost 600 meters, we locked eyes as we stood atop the Galleon’s wings. 「Should we start? Both of us… only came here to fight!」 His USP set on Full-Auto, and the muzzle-flashes blurring into one… 13 identical .45 ACP calibre bullets bore down on me. …Perfect. Per your request, I’ll show you… ‘Billiards’..! Using only that technique, I will meet your attack with with my DE. Cannon! 10 . *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* Our bullets sparked as they intercepted each other between us. All of them scattered in every directions, and the smoke that issued from the barrel of our guns drifted over the back of the plane. 「…!」 Half surprised, G-3 bore a happy expression. 「…」 Silently, I was standing… unharmed. How to repel 13 bullets with only 8? That’s simple. Just like a ‘Cannon Shot’ in the real game of Billiards, I used 1 of my bullets to strike upwards of 2 of my opponent’s, diverting their angle. Of course, if I hit my opponent’s bullets, my own bullet’s trajectory will change, and I calculated that beforehand. In short, this is a ‘2-Chain Billiards’. Of the 8 bullets, I used 5 of them that way, and 8 + 5, gives a total of 13 bullets I was able to block. Normally this would be impossible, but with this Hysteria Mode– in King Mode–, I can chain up to 4 or 5 shots with one shot. So shoot 30 or 50 bullets at me. You’ll only be wasting ammunition, G-3 . Then… A startlingly important distinction suddenly occurred to me. …I’ve got it! The reason this Hysteria King Mode is so powerful… I was able to preform a self-analysis on the ‘Cannon’ I did, and right now, the neurotransmitter levels coursing through my brain… is approximately 75 times the normal amount. That would be 2.5 times the strength of normal Hysteria Mode. I calculated regressively from the experience. Then I understood. G-3 had said that King Mode increases normal Hysteria mode by 1.2 times. That’s most likely correct. But there’s more to it. …King Mode works exponentially … Shirayuki, Jeanne, Riko, Aria and Kaname, they were defeated in front of me, one after another… Apparently I recognised them as ‘part of my herd’ and King Mode was manifested 5 times over. That’s 1.2 times raised to the fifth power–approximately 2.5 times. If the effect of normal Hysteria Mode is 30 times, it yields a result of 75 times normal acceleration. This number fits perfectly with my experience. G-3… doesn’t know that it works this way. He only knows that it will manifest if he hurts several women… but he doesn’t have a full understanding of King Mode. And when a human being doesn’t understand something properly, they don’t know how to deal with it correctly. 「Done already, G-3 ?」 My mind is… cool and collected. King Mode is different than Berserker. It is a form of Hysteria Mode with silent rage. With what I have now… I can win. G-3 twirled his large knife once in his hand and closed in menacingly. So that’s how you want to play? Fine… While drawing my DE from it’s holster, I opened my butterfly knife and… his black and gold coat flapping in the wind, crashed into him. With a loud *Clang* our knives crossed creating a shower of sparks, and my arm started feeling strange, so I tried to check on it. In the blink of an eye, G-3 had changed grip on his gun and using it as a blunt object, struck my left shoulder. With a *Crack!* A strange noise issued from my body. My left shoulder… has been dislocated. With a strong shove of his knife, he forced me back and… caught up in the air currents swirling around the wings, I slipped backwards. …! In that instant, I tried to regain balance and hold my ground; but thanks to the Photo-refractive Camouflage, I missed the edge of the wing and stepped into empty space. So that was his plan when he pushed me. We’re above the clouds. Our altitude is about 800 meters. We’re higher than when I fought Hilda at the SkyTree, so… I’ll fall. Is that it? …Of course not. Come on Kinji! *Bam!* I tried to think of a way to survive, and in almost the very same instant I shot my Beretta. With my right hand index finger in the trigger guard, the rest of my fingers clutched a luminous blue material. It was the test sample that Hiraga-san had given me a few days ago– Anchor 11 . From the barrel of the gun to the point of impact, a modified bullet stretched out a diphase liquid Aramid cable. Knowing that we were going to be on a plane, it looks like I made the right decision when I loaded my gun. The tip of the wire stretched out and fixed itself to the underside of the Galleon , optically camouflaged with the night sky. Grasping the blue-green luminous object, I found that it had become the tail-end of a wire suspended mid-air. Now a line has been stretched between the Galleon and my hand. Using it like a trapeze, I swung toward the front of the Galleon with a pendulum motion. In King-Mode… I can see the eddies of the air currents moving around the the wings of the aircraft. It’s only a matter of concentration. I boarded the plane using the air currents swirling around the nose, and looking back, my gaze met G-3’s. And then … *Bam!* Still being carried by air currents, I landed on my left shoulder on the right wing of the Galleon , and a *Crunch* could be heard coming from my body. 「Gahahaha! That must have hurt!」 Appreciating what I had just done, G-3 clapped happily on the left wing of the plane. What I just did was relocate a dislocated joint in the middle of a battle. The Tohyama Family technique of falling from a horse to relocate a joint has been passed down for generation, though my older brother taught me to use it falling from a car, I’m pretty sure that I’m the first to use it on a stealth bomber. Ouch… I knew this would hurt. I narrowed my eyebrows slightly. It wasn’t my shoulder that hurt. I’m used to pain from my days in ASSAULT. My head hurt, and the pain radiated from my spine. Probably a side-effect of Hysteria King-Mode. The manifestation of a 75 times acceleration of normal the brain and the body’s nervous system isn’t maintainable. If this Hysteria Mode got any stronger, it would probably cause a total physical breakdown. 「Looks like you had a good anchor cable, Kinji.」 「It came from here at Butei High. The inventor of the Japanese version of Neue Ange.」 As we reached the flowing clouds… from several places on the wing, black smoke was going up and threaded its way toward the back of the plane. It seems that some of our stray bullets have damaged the aeroplane. How fragile is this thing! They had so much confidence that it would never be detected, so it has no armour. 「Shall we continue?」 As the Galleon broke through the top of the clouds, I turned to face G-3… Narrowing my focus to a single target besides his left arm, I began to think about how I could decisively end this battle with one trump attack. I guess he realised where I was looking, because G-3 held up his left arm and motioned for me to stop. 「 Before that, Kinji. With your first Billiard attack you didn’t need to hold back so much!」 With keen insight, he penetrated to the truth. 「…That’s an artificial arm, right?」 From the start, I had a slightly uncomfortable feeling, but… only just when he struck me could I confirm it. From his left shoulder down he does not have a natural arm. Instead, there is a high fidelity Bio-electric prosthesis. Receiving faint nerve signals allows him to move it at will. At a glance, it is indistinguishable from a real arm. 「I don’t want your stupid pity! That really pisses me off so much, I’m going to rip your arm off. Learn to read the room, you insensitive bastard!」 That sounds like something Aria says a lot. You Tsunderes may say that; but if you have something to tell me, just open up your mouth and say it! My intuition is terrible, and I’m not an ESPer like Tokitou-senpai. 「Don’t you think it would be better if we stopped?」 Even as I thought it was pointless, I heard his answer. 「This King-mode… it far exceeds all other Hysteria Mode variants. As I am now, I am a like child when put next to you. You must see the huge gap between us. An elite Butei should be able to distinguish the difference in fighting power between his enemy and himself.」 「…」 「I am a Japanese Butei. I don’t want to kill you in order to win but… but it might happen if you make a stupid move. Didn’t you say that the time remaining in your life was short? Don’t waste it here.」 「Ha! If it’s a waste, then come on and waste it!」 G-3 answered, his breath… coming out white like a snowy mountain. Mine was also. Our current height probably approaching 1000 meters. How far do you plan to ascend? If we assume that the ground temperature is 8 ° C, the temperature of this place should be 1.5 ° C. Oxygen concentration has also dropped by 12%. There’s also the ongoing damage to my nervous system due to Hysteria King-Mode, and considering the speed with which we are ascending… If I can’t end this quickly, all of these things become dangerous in several ways. 「What should we do? If we keep going like this, we’ll end up in outer space, Brother.」 His long coat–which was apparently thermo-regulated– flapping in the wind, G-3 asked, sneering at my school uniform. 「Before that we’re going to make a splashdown landing. And besides,we’re not brothers. Kaname says the same thing.」 As we re-entered the clouds, a dense fog of water vapour surrounded the plane… 「 You don’t get it? Your investigative skills suck, Kinji.」 G-3 answered in disgust and… *rub* *rub* wiped his face… He is removing his face paint. Suddenly, the Galleon broke through the clouds into clear sky, and illuminated by moonlight, he stood on top of the plane wing… …?! Once G 3 removed his HMD, his face could be seen clearly visible. Until now obscured by his HMD and facepaint, his unpainted face was now seen… That face … It looks like… It definitely looks like… me .. .! It doesn’t reach the level of twins, but rather the likeness between brothers. It is not a disguise. With King-mode’s enhanced visual perception, I know that. That is his natural face. 「I’m you, Kinji.」 His long bangs flapping wildly in the wind, G-3 let out a laugh. 「How… do you..?」 「Konza Tohyama. Nationality: Japanese . Former-Armed Prosecutor under the direct supervision of the Minister of Justice. Intelligence, physical training–on the whole: Excellent. Special Skills: What is known as HSS. His favourite game: Shougi, wasn’t it?」 G-3…Why do you… 「In 1989,he was ranked #8 in the S.D.A. 12 It was then that the US Department of Defence put him on a list of people that it was key not to antagonise.」 It is… my father’s profile that he’s reciting. Including both public and private information. 「When Los Alamos saw the list, he had been assigned the code-name “Golden Cross 13 “–abbreviated ‘ G ‘– and a top secret military development project… managed to successfully obtain a tissue sample.」 「…!」 「Hey Kinji, your face changed colour. Didn’t you know this? That’s right, your old man’s genes were selected as the most important chromosomes, and combining them with other other superior genetic specimens already collected… the final products of myself and Fourth were created. You couldn’t even dig up that much?」 The other day, in the art room, Watson had said something about that… Genions were artificially created in an American Research Facility as part of scientific experiments. It wasn’t only how they were raised, but it went so far as science having a hand in their lives up to and including conception. Well, such a thing isn’t strange in and of itself, and it’s not particularly rare in the world but something like this… it goes too far. Creating a super-human this way in order to militarise them and using used my father’s DNA without his permission…! 「I have inherited 50% of Konza Tohyama’s genes with a strong genetic dominance as the third of the G-Series. However, in the Genion Series, any children born to your father and mother would inherit the greatest percentage of genes, and numbers in the sequence were skipped because of the children already born. Tohyama Konza already had an eldest son and their second son– you– was already on the way. That’s why I was called Third. In fact, it seems like you and I were born at about the same time.」 「So then… was it you… or me… that was born first?」 「Who cares which way it was? Whichever way it is, you can’t change the fact that we are related by blood.」 “Related by blood.” “The G-bloodline”. Those are the words G-3 used a while ago… G–i.e., inheritance of my father’s genes, in Kana, myself, G-3, and Kaname… In that case, it means that, together, the four of us are all genetic siblings. And it also means that by calling me “Onii-chan” … Kaname wasn’t wrong. Meanwhile, as I stared in blank astonishment… 「Alright, brother. Until now, I’ve just been biding my time. Now I know your acceleration factor is… somewhere about 75 times, right? That is amazing but… with an acceleration of 100 times, I would easily be able to crush you. Although I’ve gone beyond 60 times…I’ll do it!!!」 Settling his HMD back on his head, G-3 put another small, red piece of paper into his mouth… Two… Three, even. Those are his neurotransmitter accelerates… The drug he uses in order to strengthen his Hysteria Mode. 100 times…?! Are you planning to boost the effects of Hysteria Mode to an acceleration of 100 times with this drug? Don’t do that! Except for the neo-cortex, Hysteria Mode puts a huge strain on the whole body’s nervous system. Even fighting at an acceleration of 75 times, I’ve reached my breaking point limit and can hardly stand it … An 100-fold acceleration could cost you your life…! Like a drug-user, G-3 closed his eyes, and with a *crack*, twisted his neck to one side … 「The world is …」 Contrary to my expectation, his voice was calm and even–the kind of voice that would make you believe that it was a superhuman speaking– and he began his speech, 「… caught up in the trend towards regulated disarmament. In the midst of such circumstances, there will be those who will try to develop all kinds of super-weapons, and these weapons will eventually lead to humanity’s self-destruction. So which super-weapon is it that would not cause self-extinction?」 His killing aura… is becoming stronger… and stronger…! Like the increasing fury of a typhoon… but at the eye is calm and unaffected…! 「The answer is the human body. While striving to create a post-nuclear world, the US is trying to develop a super-weapon of equal power–Universal Soldiers … and I am the prototype…!」 Unconsciously… I took a single step backward. I’m outmatched…? Even in King-Mode? 「In order to become a deterrent to conflict, Universal Soldiers must be perfect. Undefeated by any threat. Including the exceptionally strong. Now, I will prove that I can defeat an enemy with HSS. Making her wish come true…!」 I get it. Now I completely understand. He is stronger than me now. Looking at me, his eyes reflecting moonlight… there is nothing human about him. So… that is a super-human…! Hurry! He is getting stronger. Seeing this, I won’t be able to bring him down if his Hysteria Mode becomes any stronger! Again, clouds swept over the Galleon , and within the drifting fog composed of water vapour… Whipping out my DE, I ejected the empty magazine, reloading almost simultaneously, and… *Bang! I fired an Invisible Bullet aiming to graze his head. In imitation of Reki, I aimed for the unarmoured part of his head, intending to deliver an abrasion to his skull and end things at a blow. 「HaHaHaHa!」 Laughing loudly, while from around him… *Whoosh!* With a sound of a cut air, clouds of water vapour were blown away from him like a mini-explosion had occured. 「…!」 I saw it. Just now… having folded his arms earlier, while opening them he seized my bullet in the fingers of his right hand, slowing it down and grasping it with his left-hand fingers, deflected it as I watched. That technique..! At Tokyo Station I had devised a way to deflect the covert sniping of the eldest Cao Cao sister… my Slash … this is just like it! 「Suprised? So you can do it too? Something like Blast 14 .」 So… that’s what G-3 calls Slash . A while ago, he had protected himself from Reki’s sniping. But… such a technique is only acquired in actual combat when you are engaged in life-and-death struggles. Apparently he, like me, has lived through harsh days, battling against fierce and formidable enemies. However… My DE had been modded with a selector switch, and I changed it to the 3-bullet burst position. …Slash can’t handle several bullets in rapid-fire! Because they were the same technique, I also knew it’s shortcomings, so I fired a burst of three bullets… G-3 rounded out his mouth and let out a mocking *Phew* as my three bullets rushed toward him–two of them following the same line–, and he shifted his fighting knife to his left hand. *Cla-clang!* From the knife edge, two metallic clanks and two went up. Two bullets were cut in half and each dispersed into a ‘Y’ shaped path. That… was how I had protected myself from Riko’s bullets on Flight ANA-600– Split . With that he deflected two bullets at once. The remaining bullet he dealt with using his right hand… *Twist!* To- tornado…! He’d used The technique I devised in the fight against Watson as well–diverting a bullet with only on hand… Effortlessly. What’s more, It was an advanced version. His body remained almost motionless, only his arm moved as he executed it. Without having had any effect, I watched the .50AE bullets vanish into the clouds… 「Those were Chop and Coil … If you want, I can show you something like Billiard that I call Cracker ?」 G-3 laughed carelessly, as he spoke. Against G-3… bullets are useless…! This… is really effective–emotionally, speaking. Have all the enemies I have faced until now felt that same despair? I guess that’s Karma for you. 「I already said it, right? Those things are toys! To people like us…」 Giving the wing a kick, G-3 discarded his USP and knife behind him into an empty space … 「Now we can have some fun!」 *Clack!* Underfoot the floor gave way and the internal launcher was exposed … A short-range Air-to Air-Stinger missile! *Whoosh!* Amidst a blinding light and smoke it was fired without any warning behind the Galleon . And leaving behind a tail of smoke, the missile began curve around the clouds slowly as if to make a U-turn. Moving steadily it began accelerating as it moved away… It’s … It’s fast …! It’s useless. It’s impossible to dodge! That was a FIM-92C Stinger missile. It’s top speed exceeds Mach 2. It’s not something that a human being can avoid. Even myself, in King-mode. Furthermore, it’s too late to intercept it with my Desert Eagle as well… I’d receive fatal wounds from the flying shrapnel at this range and distance. 「What the hell are you doing?! The Galleon won’t survive this!」 「Why do I care? Better watch out! What are you going to do, Kinji? HaHaHaHa!」 Laughing as I screamed at him… G-3 was guiding the missile. It’s not an IR or UV guidance system. I can’t use anything as a decoy to divert it. Is it a proximity fuze? Impact fuze? Time-delay fuze? No, I don’t have the time to think about it. The missile is already creeping closer and closer…! 「Shit!」 Suddenly an idea hit me, as for the method,well… I couldn’t be sure that it would keep the Galleon safe . It was a 50-50 chance . But I’m out of options. It’s risky, but it’s all I’ve got. It’s now or never if I don’t want to die! 「Gaaaaaahhh!」 Tossing my gun, I sighted the missile and beginning to run towards it… Kicking out in order to remain parallel to the wing, I jumped. Then I raised both my fists as the missile came flying in… *Bam!* I put everything I had into a Double Slash Hammer. The missile’s trajectory was altered to point obliquely downward and flew by just passing below my stomach… But it wasn’t enough, a missile is not the same as a bullet. There are several types of fuzes, If it is the normal proximity type, it will explode as it approaches it’s target. If that happens, I’ll be covered in shrapnel from the missile’s body and die on the spot. So… one more hit! 「..!」 While in the air, I crashed into the the missile with a no-look kick. It easily opened a hole in the unamoured wing, plunging it’s way into the plane’s interior. How about that…! If I had to give it a name, it would be a “Full-body Slash”– Slash II 15 …! The Galleon was like a paper plane. The thickness of the wings was less than a single meter. If I divert the missile with my Slash II as it accelerates, it should penetrate the wing… *Boom!* 「..!」 As I landed on the wing, I heard a rumbling sound and a sudden vibration shook the plane. It… didn’t have enough time. It was only a matter of milliseconds. I’d lost my 50-50 bet. Burying itself inside the main wing, the FM-92C Stinger missile exploded while inside . *Fwoosh!* Flames went up from the back of the right wing… The black smoke flowed, like blood trailing from a wound. Catching my Desert Eagle that I had thrown up a few moments ago, I was… speechless. 「Gahahaha! Very good, Kinji! I knew that you’re a genius!」 The fact that the fuel tank had not been impacted was the one silver lining, but… it’s no good… we will crash! 「Sword beats guns. Fist beats sword…!」 Carrying neither gun nor knife, G-3 began walking from the right wing toward the centre. Furrowing his eyebrows, to me he said… 「Now do you understand, Kinji? These are our main weapons!」 G-3 clenched his fist and showed it to me. Now I remember… I heard from Watson that when he escaped from Los Alamos he had annihilated a group of armed soldiers empty-handed. Well, that’s entirely possible. Being a Genion, able to entering Hysteria Mode at will, and furthermore, if he possessed all of the techniques that I know, it would be easy. 「…」 Because that would be admitting that I myself was superhuman, I did not want to think about it, however… G-3’s words were correct. Any bladed object is ineffective against me. I stopped Jeanne’s sword with two-finger edge catching, and was even able to dodge Sherlock’s strikes. Guns are ineffective against me. How many times was I able to block, divert, and even turn back whatever my enemies hurled at me as I defended myself. Just now I had proved it. Hysteria Mode users can even defend themselves against a missile attack. If two fellow Hysteria Mode users fight… …It always end up this way, doesn’t it? I re-holstered my DE, going bare-handed. I didn’t draw my knife either. Both would just be a waste of time. The blaze burning inside the right wing was spreading from the tip across the top of the wing. It’s only a matter of time before the whole thing burns. Maybe five minutes, maximum. In less than five minutes I have to defeat G-3 and find a way to safely descend from an altitude of 1000 meters. So I have no time to waste. We’ll fight bare-handed. Until the bitter end. If we only compare our respective Hysteria Mode acceleration factors, G-3’s is 100 times and mine is 75 times. On a fundamental level there seems to be a large discrepancy between our relative Stats. I’m at a huge disadvantage. Winning would be… difficult. But the only way to survive is to beat him–I have to face him. Things being difficult, I began to keep time… second by second, each only brought me closer to annihilation. This was much better than giving into the urge to rush him in a kamikaze-style attack. Doing nothing was still better than that, and I can face him here. But then there is Aria’s saying: “Difficult” does not mean “Impossible.” If it’s not “Impossible”, then that means it’s “Possible”. Although it may seem like splitting hairs, I for one firmly believe it’s true, and I’ll prove it. That’s why I’m going to fight. Even this powerful enemy…! With the fire behind me… I walked toward the center fuselage–toward G-3. G-3 was also walking towards me. Beneath our feet, the Photo-refractive camouflage had begun to fail, displaying flickering images of the clouds below us. Drifting above us, the scattered clouds formed a thin fog. Around us, there were clouds that stretched on into high heaven faint golden flashes could be seen. They were different from the Cumulus clouds we had been passed through until now. As proof that we had reached high-altitude, Cumulonimbus clouds began to appear. The faint glow… Lightning. Rather than lose stability because of the fire, the Galleon was actually climbing faster . Our altitude must have exceeded 1500 meters. The ambient temperature was below freezing. On our black hair, Tiny ice crystals from the surrounding clouds clung to our black hair turning it ashen grey. Both atmospheric pressure and oxygen concentration had dropped 20%. In a valley of thunder clouds, between fire and water, in low air pressure and oxygen… Under these hellish conditions, a brother’s quarrel will be settled with fists. Good grief! What the hell is going on with my life? Give me a break! 「I’ll give you one last chance at survival, Kinji. Kneel right here, and say that you will be my follower. In my group we also have girls, and they can all be yours. They’re non-human and brats, but they aren’t so bad to look at. I don’t think there’s a better deal for someone with HSS.」 「You’re kidding me. Throwing in any kind of women makes it a bad deal. You should have done your research.」 I said throwing his own words back at him… 「Things being what they are, you are a indispensably capable person. I intend to beat you without killing you, but I might make a mistake. Your life isn’t so cheap; don’t waste it, Kinji.」 He threw my words back at me also. 「If it’s a waste, then come and waste it!」 As if we were repeating our own words to ourselves… we drew closer to each other. I to him, and him to me. 「You will kneel… coughing blood and in tears. And then you will bring me the 『Hidan no Aria』!」 「『Hidan no Aria』…?」 Hear those words again, I paused in my tracks. 「What’s that face for? As the nearest person to it, I know that there’s no way you don’t know about it. Fame follows Irokane. The ancients thought that a goddess had appeared and made a huge fuss over it.」 「Goddess? How can that tiny ravenous glutton be a goddess?」 「..You really don’t know …? Ah… I get it… Necessary information has been hidden from you.. at least partially.」 Realising he was the only one that understood, G-3 stopped his advance. 「Alright… I’ll tell you a little about it. The 『Hidan no Aria』 was predicted by the Scarlet Irokane research– Hyper-ESP. Super-humans with god-like powers on an entirely different level than ESPers.」 The look in his eyes as he spoke… It was like a fanatic religion preaching faith in some god. 「The manifestation of a fraction of that power far exceeded the powers observed by modern ESP science has already been confirmed. You saw it too, right? 『Portal of Heavenly Scarlet Light』– The ability to manipulate space-time .」 The ability to manipulate space-time… Indeed, I’ve witnessed it. That time at IU, when Sherlock used it to shoot a bullet of Hihiirokane into the Aria from three years ago. 「What a pity, G-3. That time it worked because she pulled it off together with Sherlock. You might have thought of using me as a hostage against her, but it’s ultimately fruitless.」 「She can pull it off by herself, and she already has. Here’s an example — remember those pyramid scraps that mysteriously floated to Japan a few years back?」 Listening to him, I easily recalled it under the influence of Hysteria King-Mode. Indeed… something like that had happened. I’d looked through the related data back when I took the 『Odaiba Pyramid bodyguard job』 with Aria. Supposedly, the Odaiba Pyramid was built from the design of that floating pyramid wreckage. 「…Yeah… but what does that old stuff have to do with anything.」 「That’s Patra’s pyramid. When Aria blasted it with 『Scarlet Heaven 』, it was sent to the past.」 「What…!?」 「If you don’t believe me, go find those fragments and do your own radiometric dating. That’s what I did.」 Hearing such outrageous words– my eyes widened in shock. That time I only saw the top of the pyramid 『disappearing』… but in reality, it was actually sent to the past…? 「I need the power to control space-time. To that end, I need your help. Of course, I need your subordination first.」 「Why… do you need me?」 「Ah… I can’t say that.」 His eyebrow twitching while he scratched his chin, G-3 didn’t answer. 「Then I’ll ask something else. What do want that power for? Don’t tell me you want to change history like in some cliche sci-fi novel?」 「–What good would answering do for me?」 His earlier rough manner and jokes all disappeared. I stayed silent for a while to pressure him for a response, but he didn’t say a word. … Something… was hidden deep in his eyes. Something like sadness… like a longing for someone… I recalled G-3’s past, trying to figure out the answer. And my brain, under the influence of Hysteria King-Mode… let me understand. Let me thoroughly understand. G-3, wanted to interfere in the past. His intentions, had to do with what was said back in the warehouse on the day of the Sports Festival. G-3 — had a loved one. When he was in Los Alamos, the sole beauty who had treated him gently. And that person… passed away in an incident during G-3’s training. G-3 was in pain, and blamed himself for her death– 「–You, want to revive Doctor Sarah…!」 「You really do your homework, don’t you? …At least when it comes to something like this…」 As if I had touched on a taboo subject, he replied in a low voice. As expected, he wanted to revive the person he loved – to use Aria’s power, to change the past…! 「You should give up on this sort of thing. It’s not that I don’t understand your feelings, but this is against the laws of nature.」 「As if I’d care about that. I’d go against God if I needed to.」 G-3 held a deep, deep… sincere love for doctor Sarah, I could feel that from his sorrowful eyes. Even if he died, he still probably wouldn’t yield one step. For love, he wouldn’t even hesitate to go against God. For love, he’s even thinking about controlling and using gods. It’s not that I don’t sympathise, but your plan…. I must stop it here. I am that goddess’ slave, after all. Firmly renewing my determination, I advanced towards G-3I. Just then, a part of the Galleon’s right wing snapped off with a loud sound. The plane began to list to the right from the changes in the aerodynamic lift. G-3– he stood there unmoving– eyes closed, facing upward into the sky like he was praying. So that’s it… He chose to fight me in the air– 「Sarah… watch me . The Genion you dreamed of, a perfect existence…」 –so he could get closer to the heaven that his loved one was in…! 「I will obtain 『Hidan no Aria』– obtain her, and then I will turn back time. If it’s her, I can do it… I will be able to revive you…!」 G-3, at a loss, having thrown everything away– from the sloping left wing, he charged towards me with his right fist tightly clenched. –*Bam*! I clashed fists with G-3, sparks literally flying, erupting from my Orochi and his own gauntlet. G-3 had the advantage in terms of strength. Pushed back by his blow, I somersaulted to lessen its impact, 「——!」 –seizing the opportunity to dodge G-3’s instant explosive follow-up kick that seemed to come out of nowhere. From his leg in the air –*whoosh*– came an explosive videogame-like sound effect. This is the sound of the surrounding air compressing due to the force of his kick. What kind of strength is this, for him to have reached the limits of subsonic speed? 「!」 No, that was a feint– G-3’s other knee shot upwards, and the left arm I used to the utmost to defend against it was smashed away. Immediately, while my body was sent spinning from the impact, I took the chance to sweep my right leg upward, aiming for G-3’s jaw. But my right knee instead collided with his left elbow which he raised to block my kick. How fast, what a reaction speed he has. The difference between me and him is like racing an electric bike against an F-1 car. G-3’s leg swept down, hitting my left leg with a sound like lightning. …Heavy…! I tried to offset the damage done by withdrawing my leg at the moment of impact, but it was no use. His attacks were extremely heavy, and letting out explosive sounds. This speed – this power, so 100 times Hysteria Mode is this strong, huh? Having no choice but to roll backwards, I continued retreating. But the right wing was already a sea of flames. There was no escape. It was as if the inside of the wing was already filled with flames. The surroundings were below freezing, yet it was scorching hot below like a frying pan. 「…!」 Hu…! It looks like the flames had already spread to the front of the plane. And the lower part of the Galleon was already burnt until it started falling apart. I could already see the art G-3 kept, burning up and falling scattered into the sea of clouds. The plane is disintegrating midair… there’s no time left…! Looking at me who was enduring injuries to both my arms and legs and had a sea of flames behind me, G-3 laughed. 「So you can still stand after eating 4 of my attacks. You can feel proud, Kinji. No one else has ever received a second blow. I killed them all with one strike.」 「Those attacks were just tickles. Now it’s my turn to strike back」 Bluffing, I distributed my weight evenly on both legs… positioned my arms as if I was about to push someone in front of me. I also placed my balance completely in the centre of my body. –This stance, was the Tohyama family’s 『Zetsurou』 16 Using an application of Aikido, my entire body revolved–a technique that used the power of the opponent’s attack and returned it to them in a counterattack. No matter who the opponent was, as long as they attacked me, they would be counterattacked as if they hit a revolving door–struck back with a blow as heavy as their own attack. The stronger the enemy the stronger I was, a skill that that borrowed strength to counterattack. Without Hysteria Mode such a powerful technique would be impossible– a secret of the Tohyama family who killed anyone who witnessed it, but at this point there was no other way. Ancestors, please don’t blame me. The rule that all witnesses must be killed, ends with my generation. But, G-3… it was evident he already saw through to what this purely defensive stance meant. 「I don’t want to drag out this fight too long either. I’ll use 『Meteor』to tear you to shreds and finish this」 G-3 said as he pointed his left elbow towards me– He slanted his whole body, his waist and head held low, right leg placed behind, and right fist held up high. It was similar to the posture used for the sprint in the ancient Olympics… a stance meant to gain speed, I saw through his initial movement. That’s– Ou, 『 Ouka 』 …! There’s no mistaking it. Although the positioning was completely different from my own Ouka, but this–was a posture where all the muscles and bones in the body move simultaneously, releasing a supersonic attack. This , this really is beyond expectations. It’s definitely too much for 『Zetsurou』. It’s like he said– forget my arm– my entire body would be pierced through. 『Zetsurou』– the revolving door–, he intends to completely destroy it. 「…!」 What to do, Kinji– An idea flashed through my mind, but will it work? No, even if I did pull it off– –It’s no good. It can’t be that easy to win. He’s at 100 times Hysteria Mode, and I’m at 75 times Hysteria Mode. But… there’s no other way…! 「–Sarah, look at me. I am the strongest. A perfect weapon.」 *Cough* — Congealing on the floor having come from G-3’s mouth… …Blood…? I saw blood. G-3 coughed up blood. Even though he apparently didn’t even have a scratch on him. This was probably the Life Limiter– the system we had just discussed that was corroding his body. Perhaps, the 100 times Hysteria Mode also added additional strain to his nervous system. Seeing that I noticed, G-3–coughing with blood flying out of his mouth– held up his left index finger and waved it at me. 「This is something that’s been happening a lot recently. There’s no need to worry. For one more attack… I can hold it together.」 The next instant, with eyes wide G-3– –Whoosh! With a force greater than a missile, he lowered his body and charged toward me. His right fist had already reached supersonic speed and– just like the a meteor’s tail, it left a conical trail of vapour behind…! In the exact instant his fist came into contact with my right leg 『Kikka』 17 — 『 Zetsurou 』 — 『 Ouka 』 ! I shifted my centre of mass forward and leapt– in midair, all the muscles in my body moved as one. Borrowing the force of his 『Meteor』, and channeling it into my leg’s 『Ouka』– and returning it! –Wham—-! In midair, I struck G-3’s shoulder with a roundhouse kick. 「–Uwah—–!!」 The golden-edged black armour on his shoulder was shattered into flying fragments. His shoulder suffered the force of his own 『Meteor』. The force of the attack was further transferred to G-3’s legs, and even his leg armour was broken. 「…!」 I, I did it…! My legs…I-I’m still standing, although I’m shaking, my leg didn’t break at all. So 75 times Hysteria Mode, can actually do something like that. Just now– I first received the force of his blow. Then, in the split-second before my body could endure said force without breaking, I used Ouka in the opposite direction . If I had to give it a name, it would be 『Kikka』. This is a second, speed-reducing defence form of 『Ouka』. This was an entirely new technique, named after the orange blossoms that appear after cherry blossoms bloom. Next, I used 『Zetsurou』 and switched from defense to offense– Just as my roundhouse kick was about to land, I re-accelerated with『Ouka』to further add to its speed. –The non self-injurious, subsonic version of『Ouka』that I created by chance during the battle with Watson at the Skytree. 18 Hysteria King-mode has really proved itself… To think that in an instant, I could pull off such a complex skill, and furthermore, that last-ditch counterattack completely reversed the tables, leading to my victory. But… not everything went smoothly. Being somewhat reckless, my leg was injured to a similarly considerable extent. Even so a partially self-injurious『Ouka』was enough. 「…Ugh…!」 Likewise, the Genion before me wasn’t beaten with just one attack. Clutching his injured right shoulder, he was was forced to fall back a step. Falling to his knees on the left wing, G-3 uncontrollably coughed up yet another mouthful of blood. He has… already hit his limit. 「Let’s stop here，G-3…!」 The entire right wing was already engulfed in flames. Already, it was falling into ruin, crumbling as it were disintegrating. Forced forward by the flying sparks, I could only limp– as if I were chasing him, towards the fuselage. 「I can see that you can’t fight anymore, and my leg is also no good. This battle is a draw」 「Bullshit…*cough*! Ugh…」 G-3 coughed up… even more blood. Even though he used his hand to block it, his mouth was already covered in blood. As expected, 100 times Hysteria Mode was too much to endure. 「Now’s not the time to act tough! The Galleon’s already about to…!」 As I pointed to the wing, the front of the plane that was aflame–*rumble*–exploded like a oil tanker, setting blazing flames alight. The fuel tank over there had ignited……! 「Uwoh……！」 The scorching flames crackled and swirled; the hot wind chasing me, I ran to the left wing. That moment, G-3… knees trembling, stood. Such willpower. He had received my 『Ouka』 just moments earlier. But to think that he was on one knee for just about ten seconds…and stood up again! 「…Sarah, look at me. Am I not perfect? Something like this is nothing」 No, this isn’t willpower at all. G-3–only knows battle. He can only express himself through battle. And right now, he is trying to to express himself. To the one he loves. Who… is no longer in this world…! 「G-3, you are not perfect at all! You should understand that yourself!」 「No, I am the perfect–*cough*! Universal Soldier! This…this is Sarah’s dream– As a weapon, I, have to be perfect!」 「Kicked by me until you cough up blood, and calling a woman’s name in the end, how is that perfect! You’re not perfect! Wake up! Humans aren’t perfect!」 「Human… you say? I haven’t fallen that far!」 「You’ve already fallen! You’ve– always felt that you were human. That’s why, you wanted to meet……you came back to meet us right!? To meet me, and Kana……! 「…!」 Perhaps he didn’t even realise it himself; when G-3 heard my words, he made an astonished expression. The fire had already spread to the fuselage behind me. The entire Galleon had become a fireball. Its Photo-refractive Camouflage had broken-down, exposing the glossy black surface of the left wing. 「–Why is it, Kinji?」 「What do you mean?」 「Why is it that you’re on that side, and I’m on this one」 Understanding that there was no time left before the Galleon crashed, G-3 laughed at himself… 「I, really wanted to be you. I wanted the fate that chose you and not me when we were born. I wanted to live that shitty, ordinary life you had…」 G-3, as if he were about to shake hands, stretched out his right arm. 「Come, Kinji. You still have moves you haven’t used yet, right? Just like me–a trump card」 Understanding what he was about to do, I said… 「If I use that you’ll regret it. In that, I’ve only ever lost to my Nii-san」 「I’ve never lost in that to anyone–not even to Fourth」 So it’s the same for all of us– our family’s trump card. 「…」 G-3 and I, hooked the arms we used to hurt each other with together. Our bodies had already reached the limit… and the plane below us was about to crash. This is the end. But, looking at him from this distance… he really does look like me. G-3 who also seemed to be thinking the same thing, let out a bitter laugh. I… and G-3 –like mirror images– leaned our heads backwards. Our arms and legs full of injuries from battle… we were going to use what was left– our heads. *Sigh* To think that, people who possess the same genes, even our trump card is exactly the same. –*Crash*——!!! Like two bulls, G-3 and I gathered all our strength and head-butted each other. 「Stubborn Bastard… what kind of rock do you have for a head…!」 「Aren’t you talking about yourself…!?」 And then–the second collision! –*Crash*——-!!! Now I can see, G-3 is clearly shaking now. Haha! Looks like I have the advantage. It’s going almost completely my way. –*Crash*——-!!! The third was the finishing blow 「Hahaha……Hahahahaha……」 Laughing, G-3 fell on his back, as if I had knocked him down. *thump*… below me, he lay sprawled like a ‘大’ character. 「..It isn’t the time or place for laughing, you know…」 I said as I got up, but now… all I could do was laugh as well. Fire had spread to the left wing. There’s already nowhere to escape. And it was impossible to take back control of the aircraft, no matter how you look at it. An emergency water landing was also impossible. Meanwhile, the fuselage was burning up bit by bit. 「–Don’t make such a sad face, Kinji」 G-3 said this and…*crack* *crack*, tore open the destroyed portion of his back armour. And with a rattle, and placed something next to me. 「Although it’s a small one, it’s enough for one person to descend」 Inside his back armour was–probably made of cutting-edge synthetic fibres– a small size parachute peeked out. 「…What will you do?」 「I said don’t make that kind of face. I–will just go to where that person is」 On the burning left wing… G-3I laid like a 大 character, unmoving. He… wants to die here in the sky. 「What are you saying…!」 Just as I reached out to grab G-3’s left hand and pull him up–the left wing must have been more damaged than it appeared–the wing collapsed, and he fell through! 「——!」 Lying on my stomach at the very edge of the wing, I finally managed to stop G-3 from falling. As they fell, the Galleon’s fragments created small puffs of mist as they hit the clouds far below. Looking at this distance… our altitude seems to be about 2000 metres. But to the clouds, it may only be a hundred. With me holding on to his left arm hanging mid-air–G-3 twisted his bloody mouth into a bitter laugh. 「Kinji. Let go.」 「Come up…!」 「That’s enough. Nii-san」 「…!」 My body surrounded by the hot wind, I widened my eyes in response to his words. He’s my… 「Ah… I’m so happy. Before I die, I was able to see the face of my Nii-san」 …Younger brother…! If it’s like that then… I can’t let go…! 「As the older brother… how could I, sacrifice my younger brother…!」 At my words, G-3 laughed again. 「The younger brother, can’t sacrifice his older brother either」 *click*… With that sound, The left arm-armour I was holding–separated from G-3’s body. 「——!」 Along with debris from the Galleon’s, his body gradually became smaller and smaller… disappearing into the clouds. 「G-3! G-3!」 Why. Why did you have to do this– I still have a lot of things I want to say to you. I wanted to be together with you, as brothers… and live! 「You stupid bast–a–rd!!!!!!!!!!!」 Amidst the swirling flame and cloud, my scream– –only echoed. (End Text) End of Chapter 4 **************************************************** EPILOGUE… **************************************************** 1. This is the kanji reading. The katakana says: ‘meta-materila ghillie (suit)’– Anon-san 2. The quote comes from the Book of Sirach . I replaced the text with an English version. Here is what it says in Japanese: ‘The Lord reveals the past and the future, and bring what was hidden out into the light’.– Anon-san 3. This is an armed forces technique to reload the gun without taking your eyes of the target or breaking stance. Here is a demonstration. 4. This was a little tricky to translate, because it is a coined term. The kanji say: ‘Chaotic angle particle lift’ (角動揚力粒子). The katakana say: Dean-Bit (デイーン・ビット）. After a few hours research, I think it means a Dean Drive. A Dean Drive is a type of fictional reaction-less drive that does not require propellant to work. A Dean Drive is supposed to use rotary motion from a self contained system to generate uni-directional force for propulsion. This description seems to fit the Kanji meaning. 5. Link . Trance music itself seems to have a fast tempo to get people excited then it slowly fades out. Maybe it works like a drug for G-3– getting him on a ‘high’ then bringing him ‘down’ again?– AGlingua 6. Para-sexual desires that grant sexual satisfaction from fantasies concerning visual media or statuesque figures, respectively. 7. This is a theatre term for a stage exit in case this is unclear. 8. ’KH’ or ‘Key Hole’ (Code-named ‘Misty’) is the designation for a series of US reconnaissance satellites that incorporate stealth technology. Most agree that the series in current use reaches KH-13. KH-14 is the fictional(?)successor to the KH-13. 9. Link . Apparently a great gun for accuracy and target tracking with follow-up shots. 10. The Katakana say ‘Cannon’, but the Kanji read: ‘chain/linked shooting’. Also known as ‘carom’– shortened from Carombole Billiards. The the term means that the cue ball hits two other balls in one shot– the aim of the game. 11. The Kanji read ‘Fiber bullet’. 12. In the original the expanded acronym was given as “Skilled Detective Armed”. I decided to keep it in acronym form because it doesn’t make much sense in English. 13. The “Cross” here refers to an intersection (Like streets or something crossing and connecting) or a genetic cross-pairing. In light of things revealed later in the text, it could be read “Golden Stud”, but we didn’t like that too much… LOL! 14. The kanji for “Blast” is almost identical to those used for Kinji’s “Slash” , substituting the kanji “dispel” or “drive away” in Blast for the “divert” used in Slash . The same goes for all subsequent technique names. 15. “Guided missile diversion” in Kanji. 16. ‘Absolute Prison’ in Kanji. 17. Similar in name to Kinji’s Ouka (Cherry Blossom) this is named ‘Orange Blossom’. 18. What Kinji seems to have done is to accelerate backwards with a reverse ‘Ouka’–re-named ‘Kikka’–to lessen the relative speed between himself and G-3, allowing him to use ‘Zetsurou’ to turn G-3’s Meteor back on himself, and then use a less powerful ‘Ouka’ to add additional force to his kick. **************************************************** Full Credit and much thanks to the Staff of Twin Dragons Light Novels: Thunder , Darkhellsing , and Esteban108 , for permission to use their translation as a source. Special Thanks to our new Team Members: Jialat and Frozzendeth , without whom this would still be stuck in translation limbo. ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### 005. 5th Ammo - The Dancing Hong Kong Tram -Dance Outrage- [BEGIN TEXT] The first sign to skim past was a wide『Tenkorou Ltd.』sign hanging at chest height– Son back-flipped and I ducked to avoid it. Taking advantage of the instant my field of view was obstructed, Son– *Pa!* Crossed the 9 metres from the front to the back of the tram in a single leap. It looked like wire-work, because it covered a distance that common sense dictated was impossible. The instant she landed, Son struck, *Bam!* and kicked up toward the sky in a Kung Fu movement. –Zetsurou! Even with all these people watching me, I turned my body into a revolving door and received her attack with the Tohyama family secret technique. Using the densest part of my body–absorbing the power of her bare heeled kick– And that instant, I switched from defence to offense. –*Ba!* Using Son’s kick, I kicked myself back into a somersault– A move that even G-3 at 100 times acceleration is Hysteria Mode couldn’t track, and capturing– 「–Eh!」 Son noticed and responded. Crossing her arms over her chest and abdomen, she cut the power of my attack in half, dispersing it with her arms. She took damage, but it was minor. W-what reflexes! I am fighting a non-human after all. It seems my prison is not so ‘absolute’ 1 . Because of the shaking of the tram, my balance wasn’t centred. But that’s just self-consolation talking because I didn’t want to believe my secret technique had been seen through. 「–!」 Pushed back to the front of the tram by the force of my attack, Son looked slightly surprised. She must have never expected that a human was capable of such a thing, forcing her to fall back on the defensive for a moment. –*Lick!* Licking her lips, her mouth formed into a grinning smile. 「…Not bad, Tohyama. You’re full of surprises.」 With seeming perfect assurance of the knowledge of what was behind her, Son leapt up over the approaching signboard– Twisting her body on the other side she struck, and kicked the sign toward me. As I turned to dodge the flying Coca-Cola sign, Son jumped off the tram and pushed off the side of the building in a kick– *Bam!* –! Barely sidestepping, the flying kick grazed past my hair. With a *Pa!*, Son caught herself with her toes, balancing on another sign and leapt back toward me. Turning her whole body into a projectile, she tried to collide with me. I tried to catch her and perform a throw– But her body had an unnatural lift that allowed her to escape my grasp. She caught herself on another overhead sign board and hung from an iron bar by her tail. Then she dropped down, trying to shred my body with another barefoot kick. What’s with this 3-D battle? It’s like a gymnastics exhibition! 「–Spinning Ax–!」 Landing in a handstand, she supported herself on crossed hands– Uncrossing her arms, she spun herself around. In less than one second, she unleashed a three part attack with her right foot, left foot, and tail directed at my abdomen. It was devastating. If I hadn’t dodged it at the last possible moment, I would have been cut in half. Backing up to the edge of the roof to create some distance, I: 「…Son. Uh… Do you think you could hold back a bit? Your skirt and blouse are very short after all.」 I asked while trying to hide the cold sweat that had broken out– Rotating in her handstand, she arched herself backward onto her feet like a gymnast and faced me with a grin. Like Tamamo had done, she shaped her tail into a『?』shape. 「Tohyama, you certainly… don’t think of my body as a woman’s? This body stopped developing at the age of 10. Look, it’s a child’s!」 Son turned her buttocks toward me and slapped them to show me. Then turning only her head back, made an akanbe face at me. Just like a primary schooler teasing a highschooler. 「…What about that, Tohyama?」 「Even though you say that…」 Her behaviour though… Is that of a woman, and it stirs up male feelings. Is this what you’d call: The body of a child and the mind of an adult? 2 It’s applicable to Son. It must be like a shorter, older woman… Yeah, that fits. I don’t dislike them, after all. Normally, I wouldn’t like talking about such things, but… right now, I need some reasons to buy time. The girls of CVR use their gender– And I will do the same thing. 「…Men have an unreasoning reaction to female affection. You may have heard from Koko but my performance in battle depends on it.」 「Well then how is it going? What’s your reaction to me?」 「Not bad. You might be my type.」 The tram has been moving for 2, maybe 3 minutes.. 「…Your taste makes me bit nervous, but I’m happy to be treated as a woman. In all 2000 years of life, I’ve never even been slightly wanted.」 As her skirt ruffled in the wind, Son looked pleased. 「…but are you sure you really want someone like me?」 She looked down at her non-existent chest and the line of her legs. She was a girl that, until now, had never been wanted, yet yearned for love… But now, meeting a man who told her he liked her as she was, she had an expression of disbelief as she trembled. 「–Women are women from the day they are born. They are the flowers that adorn the world. It is a basic human instinct to cherish them, so my older brother… er… older sister… er, brother taught me. So I love you.」 While I whispered these half understood sweet nothings– I was secretly operating my mobile in the hand held behind my back. 「…I-I’m warning you! Older women are scary if you play with our feelings. I’ll give you the cruelest torture in all China then finish you off with the Nyoibou.」 Son blushed an appropriate shade of red to match the colour of the terribly bloody statement. 「Now that we’ve reached this point…let me introduce you to my other, lovable flowers– My girlfriends.」 「Cheating already!?」 「It’s part of life.」 As I said that… Because of my response, Son finally realised I was using my mobile behind my back. 「–Hey, Tohyama– Don’t call your friends. You want more dead bodies?」 But I had already been given enough time to make the call. 「Son, you should have listened when I warned you about fighting in those scandalous clothes… Because of that, my blood flow has increased– I’ve gotten stronger.」 I sense it in my core, alongside a feeling of heat. At the start, my Hysteria Mode was confused by the moral quandary presented by Son’s childish appearance, but… now that I know she is older, the obstacle has suddenly been removed. I do have a preference for older women, after all. 「Now then, I’ll give you a fun fact about Japanese culture. Japanese love their mobiles. So much that we can do anything while using them.」 「Anything? Alright, then I’ll attack you again. That way you’ll need to use both hands.」 「Come on. Check out my hands-free style.」 I was already connected to Shirayuki, so I tossed my mobile through the gap between billboards– Son rushed me and using both feet and legs, began a flurry of blows. *Bam!* *Pow!* Whomp!* One heavy blow after another. But my Kikka worked admirably. 2 or 3 times, I was also able to use Zetsurou and turn her attack back on her, and she frowned at the inexplicable technique. While fighting Son Goku and dodging groups of hanging signs– 「Hello? Shirayuki?」 *Bounce!* *Bounce!* My mobile fell from the sky, and keepie-uppie-ing it, I spoke to Shirayuki. 『Kin-chan?』 「I met an enemy. They’re harassing me right now.」 『Eeeeh!?』 Son aimed a roundhouse at my head, and I ducked– I rolled my head back around to continue speaking normally. With my Hysteria Mode reasoning, I then said: 「Turn onto Hennessy Road from Admiralty Road, then follow the tram tracks.」 The ICC looks down on Hong Kong, providing a bird’s eye view. Combine that with her memory of the GPS map I showed her yesterday, Shirayuki should be able to follow the route. Shirayuki is in the Wan Chai area looking for Rampan, and this tram is headed in that direction. I planned to meet up from the start when I planned my escape. The tram was rumbling right along, all I needed was time, and at the end we’d get there. 「–Haaa!」 Son cried as she unleashed a kick that almost completely exposed her backside– Sensing the beginning of her movement and seizing the initiative, I executed a one-inch punch taken from Chinese Martial Arts,『Clear Fall Water』. *Whomp!* With a loud noise of impact, I cancelled out the force of her kick– Again, Son’s eyes widened in shock. In the meantime, my mobile shifted to the crook of my left arm. 「Please call Riko and Reki. My hands are a bit tied up at the moment.」 『Right! Just one minute! We’ll be there soon!』 Shirayuki’s shout… was loud enough I didn’t need my enhanced sense of hearing to understand it, and with my right hand *Clack!* I closed my mobile on my left elbow and *Slip!* put it in my pocket. I took the opportunity to wink at Son, and with a happy look on her face, she shuddered in excitement or fear. If I had to say it looked more like arousal. She likes strong men– I guess this acrobatic performance counts as a show of strength. Does this girl have some weird fetish? But it’s not like I have room to talk… Glancing around… I saw that another double-decker tram was approaching in the opposite lane. The operator had already noticed the fight, and was staring wide-eyed. I’m sorry. Drawing my gun– 「By the way, Son, I don’t think you’ve paid for your ticket. You really should step off. However, since it would be hard to do so here, I’ll get off first… you’ll have to excuse me for not allowing the lady to go first.」 Saying that, I paused for a second, no, I concentrated intently on my aim and… *Bang!* I shot at the bumper of the oncoming tram. With a *Fwing!* the bullet ricocheted into the first floor of our tram. With a *Ching!*, I heard the bullet ricochet again inside the car, then…. *Click!* From memory, I recalled the layout of the operations panel and grazed the brake lever, bringing the tram to a halt. –Blind L L 3 With my increased sense of spatial awareness, I could use a shooting technique to hit something with a ricochet without having to see the target. This is the first time I’ve done so. 「Now for scene 3– let’s move to indoor combat. Please follow me, Miss Heroine.」 Decelerating, from the tram car continued to move forward under inertia– I leapt onto the roof of the passing tramcar. The from the tram car, I ducked into a department store through a window. Seeing me use the passing car as a stepping stone… 「Hee hee! I thought you’d never ask!」 Son flashed a smile and *Whoosh!* Stepping onto the tramcar, she vaulted across the space. ******************************************************************************* Backing further into the building, I found that I had entered a third floor department store– Whoops…! Well, this was unfortunate, now wasn’t it? The area forbidden to men, the mythical El Dorado– The women’s lingerie department. Countless articles with designs more risque than Japanese styles stood out. Underwear in all colours stretched in every direction, making me dizzy. From the luxurious carpet underfoot and the exquisite feminine design, it must have been a higher class shop. Reacting to the high school boy that had backed into the shop through the window… The clerks and the Hong Kong beauties that were shopping there stared at me with wide eyes. 「…Hello. Pardon the intrusion.」 Since I couldn’t communicate with words, for the time being, I flashed them a smile. The thing I most wanted to say, but couldn’t was:『Leave, it’s dangerous here』– But a shot toward the window that Son was about to enter conveyed the thought eloquently. At the *Bang!* of my gun, the universal female scream of *Kyaa!* went up and they all hastily cleared the floor. Even those in the changing rooms ran out while still in their underwear. Please forgive me. After all, every film has at least one risque scene, so I hope that one day you can look back and laugh at this. Having easily dodged my shot at that range, Son said: 「So you really are a pervert, like the rumours say, huh? Entering the most inappropriate shop possible!」 Son blushed angrily as she said this, perhaps having a complex about such lingerie that with her body she could never use. 「…It’s probably not very convincing, but I have to speak the truth. This was absolutely not my choice!」 Remembering I had said the same thing before, I had to smile bitterly– Barefoot Son rushed forward, and with gun and fist, I took up a position to meet her for an Aru Kata fight. As she ran, Son knocked over a coat rack, took the tubular pole, and with a *Whump!* turned toward me back first. She sprung up covering a lot of ground, with knees flexed and vaulted forward. 「–!」 With such speed and agility, even with her bold attack, I still lacked the time to pull the trigger. With a *Whoosh!*, she swung the steel rod and I moved out of the way, falling backward over a full table of underwear. The moment her feet touched the floor, Son struck, kicking the table up into the air– Son jumped up on top of the table, and using the steel rod like a man-catcher, tried to pin me to the floor. –Clever. Son is skilled with a staff. Perhaps that is why the Nyoibou laser and the staff were mistaken for each other far back into history? Still pinned to the floor– I kicked at the table Son stood on, breaking the legs, taking her balance, and free myself. Falling from the table, Son rolled a carpet on floor. 「–Ha!」 As she began to stand, Son aimed a blow with the pole toward my head– At the same time, I pulled with all my strength on the carpet underneath her with a wink. With a *Swish!* 「Kyaa!」 With both feet high in the air, Son fell on her butt dramatically. With a crash, the pole she held fell impacted the ground next me, narrowly missing. Ha ha! Until now you’ve been fighting like a demon, but you’re still a small girl. You don’t weigh much after all. A smile rose to my face, then– 「–?」 I noticed that there was still one woman on the floor that had not sought refuge. On the other side of the lingerie shop, near the sweets at the tills… A young clerk with braided hair was doing something. The girl who looked like she could be AMBULANCE’s Tsugumi Soumiya’s older sister then: 「…!…」 From underneath the clear acrylic display case she took out a hidden Liuyedao– What in Japanese would be called a Seiryuutou 4 …! But from her expression, it doesn’t look like she plans to use it to defend herself. While trembling, she made eye contact with Son. –Now I understand. She must be one of the many members or Rampan scattered throughout downtown Hong Kong. 「Kou-sama! Please use this!」 *Swoosh!* The woman with the Seiryuutou was not far away, so I reached out– But using the pole, Son reached out and snagged the sword by the red tassel that dangled off of it. Then Son cast aside the pole with a clatter. 「–Hee Hee! Since you’ve come all the way to China, I thought I’d let you try a bit of everything.」 In an expert display of skill she swung the sword around her, even passing it behind her back. Hearing a noise, I turned back to look at the girl from earlier… 「–Haa, Haa…!」 In her tight skirt and high heels, she hardly seemed fit to fight in a melee, but despite that she brandished Shanjiegan–also known as nunchucks. But I can tell she is a complete beginner. Her every move is slow. 「Shaa!」 She tried to imitate Bruce Lee’ famous stance, catching the one end of the nunchucks under her arm, but *Bonk!* Missing, she hit herself on the back. 「Awaa!」 And collapsed. She tried to do something, but this happened. In every Hong Kong Kung Fu film, there’s always a Sammo Han Kimpo-esque 5 role responsible for the comedy. Son and I watch silently for a while… The woman had discarded her nunchucks and was making a staggering escape, leaving her back totally exposed. …Without having done anything, it seems this member of Rampan was defeated. 「Uh…well… Sorry about that. It seems the Shanjiegan have been cancelled.」 「Well, in that case, can I use them instead?」 「Can you!?」 「At school… in ASSAULT I had a 3 hour course in nunchucks and triple staff. The instructor was from Hong Kong.」 Speaking those glib words, I picked up the nunchucks. Taking the oak ends in each of my hands, I held them across my body– But it was just for show. 「Well then. To make up for my colleague’s disgraceful display, I’ll give you that favour, Tohyama.」 Amidst the scattered lingerie, strewn like a field of flowers, Son plopped down on her side as if watching television with the Seiryuutou still grasped in one hand. 「Now don’t you run away. I’d be disgraced.」 Son said, looking relaxed. 「Don’t worry. In Japan we have a saying:『It’s a man’s shame to not eat the meal set before him.』It wouldn’t be cool to abandon the woman in front of me.」 Given this chance… *Whoosh!* Closing the distance… Taking a page out of Son’s book, I leapt up and struck low. Nunchucks have more power than their appearance would suggest. With the centrifugal force generated, the end of the rod would move and impact faster than a staff. 「–Hee hee!」 But my attack was met by her blade. Rotating her whole body like a roulette wheel as she laid on the ground, she calmly deflected my attack and counterattacked, swinging her blade in attempt to sever my ankles. –But I anticipated the movement. At a glance, she might seem defenceless, but it was part of a Chinese martial art– Diquan 6 . This set of martial arts techniques was developed to attack a standing enemy from a position on the ground and requires many long hours of diligent study. Thank goodness I was aware of it. It truly was no loss to have learned this lesson so well from ASSAULT’s ‘Die die’ group. It seems Son had mastered this unusual fighting style– I dodged the lightning kick she unleashed from the ground. 「…!」 Then taking advantage of my inexperience with the nunchucks, *Cling!* She struck out with her sword at the weapon’s weak point–the chain–destroying it. Now all I held were two wooden sticks–and having anticipated this situation–with a *Clack!* I caught and trapped her sword between them. Then I slammed the side of the blade against my knees with all my strength. *Crack!* –I snapped it. In contrast to Japanese swords that are painstakingly forged layer by layer, Chinese blades are mass produced by casting. Beautifully engraved and decorated with a tassel, without being forged they are very brittle. This was my plan when I picked up the nunchucks– But having seemingly anticipated things even further Son: 「–Die!」 Grabbing the tip of the sword from out of the air, she immediately hurled it at me like a shuriken. 「–Augh!」 Having little experience dodging object thrown from beneath me, my dodging maneuver was quite exaggerated. Taking advantage of that opening, Son reached up and grabbed the lapels of my blazer with the toes of both feet, using them as nimbly as if they were hands. Then with superhuman leg strength– Pulled herself close and wrapped her legs around me. 「–!」 With a *Thud!* I fell with both my arms wrapped around Son’s back… and Son’s legs still wrapped around my waist. Locked in unarmed combat, she tried to take a guard position, but… since a girl was doing it… it was a maddeningly embarrassing situation I never would have dreamed of otherwise. Mounted on top, Son looked very pleased as she squeezed her legs tighter in a very unlady-like manouvre, drawing my head in closer. 「Is this what they call the ‘Daishuki Hold’ 7 ?」 「How the heck do you know Japanese words that even I don’t know, Son!?」 Lifting my upper torso away from her, I immediately tried to drive down with a shoulder attack. 「Hee hee!」 Pushing up off the floor with her tail, Son flew up past my waist… Then she clamped down on my right arm and locked out my elbow. Sliding her body up in a upside-down cross legged position, she used her thighs and crotch to envelop my head. It was a Triangle Choke, no– It was too shallow. The original technique was meant to cut off the carotid artery, but she is gripping my head. Additionally, in this somewhat embarrassing position, my mouth and nose are blocked by Son’s crotch. 「Tohyama. You are a fairly entertaining man, but no more than ‘fairly’. My Dulou Jian Jian Jao 8 is the perfect end for you. I hate weak men. Your insufficient intuition and inability to devise countermeasures disappoints me. How about I finish you? Right here? 」 …!? *Squeeze!*…! *Squeeze!*…! No, this is different. It isn’t a Triangle Choke or some other textbook technique. It’s probably some kind of secret Chinese Kempo technique. Swiftly immobilise your opponent’s arm, cut off their breathing with your crotch– Then finally, crush their head…! 「Die in this lingerie shop, like the Womaniser you are, with your brains scattered beneath a skirt, Tohyama.」 Ordinarily, such a hold wouldn’t be a problem. There are any number of ways to escape. But that assumes that your opponent is human. Son’s leg strength is superhuman. I-I can’t escape Son’s thighs! *Squeeze!* *Squeeze!*… I could hear my cranial plates grating against each other… 「Three, twoooo, one!」 Just as she was about to pour all her strength into her legs: *Clang!* –Accompanied by the rattle of chains, the lock on my arm was released. 「–!」 Thanks to that, I was able to extract my head from between her legs. –That was close! If I had stayed there for one more second, my head would have split like a watermelon. Looking up, I saw chains with a counterweight on the end wrapped around Son’s neck– The chains extended from the third floor shop to the stairs near a flower shop across the street. Holding the end of the chain attached to the sword steel forged sickle: 「Wh-what kind of… enviable, shameless things are you doing with Kin-chan…!」 It was my ally Shirayuki–or at least I hoped she was my ally–the light having drained from her eyes at the sight of Son and me in such an compromising position. 「Sh-Shirayuki! You saved me! We were fighting, but you might not have seen that before we got into that complicated situation…」 As I stuttered an explanation, from on top of me as she unwound the counter-weighted chain from her arm– –Son also looked toward Shirayuki. 「Is she your mistress? What a real Japanese beauty!」 In one instant, she said the most dangerous word…! No!!! 「M-m-mistress..!? Is that what you think of meeeeeeeee–!!!」 *Thunk!* Shirayuki sent the sickle thudding into the floor. *Rustle!* She drew out a long, looong ammunition belt from her uniform with a *Ka-Ching!* Then, as if she had given birth to it, a piece of iron appeared in the space between her feet– It unfolded and reshaped itself into an M-60 machine gun! 「!」 Son and I, entangled in a forest of lingerie, scattered! With strangely coordinated timing, we dodged right and left– I dove into a nearby pharmacy, and Son sought cover behind the till in the women’s clothing section. 「–Wa~sshoi! Wa~sshoi!」 Leaving aside the fact that she was using a traditional festival chant, with each『Wa~sshoi』, Shirayuki hitched up her sleeves with a 100 bullet ammunition belt– *Chung!* She snapped up the M-60 in a spring-loaded action like a Monster Hunter Gunlance. With a *Ka-Chunk!*, She loaded the first bullet on the chain into machine gun. 「Diviiiiiiiine Puuuuuuunishmeeeeeeeeent!!!」 –*Tatatatatatatatatatatatatata!* A storm of 7.62×51mm NATO bullets burst into the shop interior as the Hong Kong action film changed into a Hollywood war film. It seems that seeing Son and me in such a posture was enough for her to switch over to Kuroyuki. 「Ahahahaha!!! Those kinds of enviable, shameless things! It’s fine, isn’t it fine! Even though you didn’t want to do them with me! Isn’t that right! Isn’t that right, Kin-chan!」 Ripping off the melody from『Doreamon’s Song』and『Hey Moomin!』, Shirayuki swung the M60, laughing as Son dodged here and there. *Ping!* *Ping!* *Ping!* *Ping!* *Ping!* Five mannequins’ heads in a row were hit one after another and shattered on the floor. The barrage reached a liquor shop and its sake bottles and wine sprayed liquid like blood from a wound. Crap… how many HKD in damages is this going to be? 「Ahaha! Ahahahahahahahaha–!」 Scattering brass shell casings around, Shirayuki laughed loudly amidst the blooming mist of shattering debris. 「–Tee Hee! As I thought, your woman is amazing!」 Son shouted as she trampled the broken mannequins. Leaping toward the chandelier above the women’s department till, Son knocked it down with clawed hands and kicked it toward Shirayuki– And it shattered with a crash…! 「Sh-Shirayuki..!」 Just as I worried about her being buried under an avalanche of bouquets from the flower shop shelves–*Pop!* An M60 barrel stuck out of the small mountain of flowers. Then *Tatatatatatatata!* Shirayuki unleashed a barrage even as she lay prone. You’re a stubborn woman, Shirayuki…! 「What a stubborn woman!」 It seems Son had the same thought I did, to which: 「A woman should be persistent!」 Shirayuki screeched from her fortress of flowers… *Clang!*… *Click!* *Click!* *Click!* The firestorm stopped. Standing up from where I had lain facedown in the pharmacy…*Whoosh!* Shirayuki had also come to her feet– Emerging from the mountain of flowers with a katana in hand. 「Kin-chan–Son is a monkey–not human! What I do form now on is monkey extermination, not murder. Fufufu–Oh Divine Thunderbolt! Cleanse and Purify! 9 –Die!」 *Whoosh!* *Whoosh!* Shirayuki raised Irokaneayame into a hassou stance above the pile of flowers. Sh-she plans to kill her! In Kuroyuki-mode, she might actually do it. Her overwhelming desire was filling the air. But– I had learned something in my battle with Son. We should not deal with Son by killing her. 「W-wait, Shirayuki…! Son is–」 Even as I felt it was useless, I tried to persuade her. 「Die! Die! Monkey extermination! Monkey extermination! Exterminate, Hotogi miko!」 She showed me it was as useless as I thought. Son, for her part–will have surely picked up on her murderous intent and will want to fight her. Turning toward them in order to find some way of mediating between them… –Son was frozen in shock. 「Ahh…The girl who wields the Irokane blade…If she has harnessed its power… this must be the Himiko! Ayee!」 Beads of sweat broke out on her forehead as she mumbled these strange words and edged back. Until now she had been belligerent, but now she harboured doubts about her own fighting ability. By no means had she lost the will to fight, but her face showed that she was now cautious about a battle with Shirayuki. …? As I furrowed my eyebrows at this new state of affairs– *Beeeep!* *Beeep!* *Beep!* *Beep!* *Beep!* *Beeep!*– *Beeep!* *Beep!* *Beep!* *Beep!* From down in front of the shop came the intermittent sound of a car horn. That noise that sounded like someone was playing with the horn– was Morse Code. Translating it inside my head…『Riko Riko-rin-rin』… it said. A girl who could further complicate the situation had arrived. But this could be my chance. Riko is sounding the horn from the driver’s seat, and it could be an excellent means of escape. The 30 minutes I had promised Son are almost up, so– we should retreat. For now. But… Shirayuki will not stop. 「Shirayuki, that’s enough! Retreat! Son might use her Nyoibou…!」 As I ran toward her, I tried once more to persuade her. 「Kin-chan step aside, if you don’t I can’t kill her! I have been prepared to die since the beginning!」 She was in the same state as the time she came to my room to kill Aria, I stepped in front of her and– –*Clap!* I clapped my hands in front of her face to disorient her. Then I scooped her up in my arms. 「–Shirayuki. God would never forgive me if allowed you to die before our love had blossomed.」 Still holding her sword, I quickly used『Kotou』 10 whispering into her ear… All at once, Shirayuki was enchanted. Kuroyuki was changing back to Shirayuki as she looked up to me from my arms. 「Come now, smile. It grieves me to see you trembling in rage. But the one who can always soothe my grief is you– Shirayuki. So won’t you smile for me?」 If this were a film, the audience would have been put off by that cheesy line, but Shirayuki thinks everything about me is amazing. Her devotion to me is as fanatical as that for a film star whose film she would go see no matter how bad it was. Then… 「–Yes!」 Waaah…! It’s scary just how quickly she completely reversed expression. Now she was smiling brightly at me from inside my arms. I have grown rather skilled at controlling her, despite the fact we have reached the point of a paired comedy act 11 . I gave a wry smile, still carrying her in my arms– And I rushed over to the window where I had heard Riko honking the horn. 「Oi– Tohyama!」 Son shouted at my back. But the 30 minutes had passed. I’ve spent enough time playing with you. An extension would be expensive, don’t you know? I wanted to make a cool exit without looking back. Then– –During our battle, I’ve come to understand you, Son. Understand what kind of person you are. If only in part. Hysteria Mode’s original purpose was to leave behind offspring. But for those offspring to appear, a woman must accept a man unconditionally, with all her heart. So… while in Hysteria Mode, I am sensitive to girls’ true feelings. I am able to see deep, deep into their true feelings– That is their heart. Son– You are not yourself. You are not here right now. Your true self–is far away from Kou’s body that someone far away is controlling like a puppet. It wasn’t Koko, Shokatsu, or Patra; it’s someone else. The real person behind Son–the one whose heart I should be accepting–is somewhere else. I understood that…and I saw what I had to do for her. It was not to fight her. –But save her. Expel Son so that only Kou remains. Obviously, I’m nothing like a psychiatrist, and I don’t know what exactly should be done. But the two of us were destined to become each other’s enemy and fight. The difficult situation seems impossible to solve. Even so, rest assured. I am『The Enabler』, and as my nickname says, I’ve made many impossible things possible. Now I will take up this challenge in order to save you. Why would I save my opponent–You might ask? There are three reasons: 1. Because you are a girl– 2. I am a man. And 3. Saving women is a man’s responsibility. Isn’t it? [END TEXT] ************************************************************************* EPILOGUE… ************************************************************************* 1. Zetsurou is written in kanji as ‘Absolute prison’. 2. Detective Conan Reference. 3. The name refers to the shape of the trajectory of the bullet, zig-zagging in two ‘L-shaped’ segments as it ricochets. 4. A type of Chinese sword with a heavy tip similar to a saber or cutlass. 5. Semi-famous martial arts film instructor, trainer, and stuntman. 6. Chinese for ‘Ground Fist’. A set of techniques meant for use when the practitioner is lying on the ground. ‘Chitouken’ in Japanese. 7. Seems to be a corruption of: ‘Daisuki’, so it should be meaning something like ‘Lover’s Embrace’. 8. Means ‘Skull Leg Shears’ in Chinese. 9. Rough translation of a Buddhist mantra invoking some kind of war deity or aspect. 10. ‘Charming Call’ in kanji. 11. ‘Manzai’ in the original. A traditional style of stand-up comedy in Japanese culture, which usually involves two performers (manzaishi)—a straight man and a funny man— trading jokes at great speed. Most of the jokes revolve around mutual misunderstandings, double-talk, puns and other verbal gags– Wikipedia ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### 006. Epilogue - Go for the Next!!! Go For The NEXT!!! Zed Acht–Z8 (BEGIN TEXT) In order to facilitate our immediate escape, I moved toward the window– Once there, an unexpected sight met my eyes. It looks like the wall of the shop across the street is under construction… The whole wall in front of me was covered in assembled scaffolding. It reaches from the ground all the way up to the top floor. In Japan it would be made of steel, but here in Hong Kong, it is entirely constructed of bamboo. I think I saw something like this in a film. In this area, safety concerns are somewhat sacrificed for the advantages of low-cost bamboo allowing for rapid building construction. 「Kii-Kuun! Over here, over here! Look! Look! Riko bought a car for you! It was on the side of the road and they took a cheque for it! Kufufu!」 Clambering up the bamboo jungle gym-like structure, Riko winked at me. Underneath, she had parked a slightly square-ish 1968 Cadillac Deville. The instant I heard the horn, I guessed it was that kind of car. However, I never thought it would be such an outlandish pastel aqua. But it was Riko who got the car, after all. The ancient fly-top convertible design is slow but sturdy. As an emergency acquisition, it’s a good job. 「Shirayuki, can you get down?」 「Yes!」 Standing on the scaffolding, Shirayuki sheathed her sword, and I stepped out onto the bamboo myself– Closing the window behind me, we both started down the scaffolding, then there was a *Crash!* Son had kicked the window–frame and all–out onto the bamboo scaffold 「Tohyama! Hahaha! We’ve come this far, so let’s finish the game!」 She sprang nimbly downward, and her movements were undoubtedly faster than ours. It was a race between human and monkey. In an instant, Son caught up with us and stretched out her hand– 「Haaaa!」 Shirayuki drove in towards Son with a Flying Cross Chop… and missed. 「Waah!」 She struck the scaffolding and there was a *Snap!* The pliable bamboo flexed downward against the force of her suicide attack. 「Wha- Yuki-chan!?」 Unfortunately Riko was directly beneath Shirayuki, and she collided with Shirayuki’s wide, child-bearing hips at full speed. Shirayuki cleverly managed to grasp a bamboo pillar, but Riko continued downwards, bouncing off the bamboo poles over and over again like a pinball. As she fell I heard a succession of「Oof!」「Gaaf!」「Hrgh」「Oogh!」sounds punctuated with a *Splat!* She landed face-first on the sidewalk, but since it’s Riko, she must be fine. On her side, without a word of apology to Riko, Shirayuki clung to the bamboo pillar like a pole vaulter that had missed her target. As she did so… *Creak!*… The bamboo bent under her body weight until it almost brushed the roadway. With the bamboo in an inverted U-shape, Shirayuki touched down on the ground and simultaneously there was a *Snap!* as a 5 metre long section of the pole broke off. Shirayuki seized it like a bamboo spear and said: 「Kin-chan, I’ll cover you! Too!」 Son was closing in on me again, and Shirayuki struck from below. The bamboo spear is surprisingly effective. 「–Kii!?」 Stabbing out quickly, she kept Son’s feet and tail occupied– With her movement restricted, the relative distance between Son and I widened. A-Amazing! Shirayuki’s bamboo spear is working where a machine gun had failed. Shirayuki, have you thought about switching your main weapon to a bamboo spear? Thanks to that, I touched down on the ground. As I reached the pavement, Riko was fine as I expected. Getting ready to leave, she was heading toward the Cadillac’s driver’s seat– dashing along the street and using other parked cars as stepping stones. Recognising my Hysterised state, she slid into the backseat. 「Ki-kun!」 「What!?」 「It’s really Son Goku, isn’t it!?」 「Yea!」 「That’s fantastic!」 「What’s that!?」 「Goku-chan’s panties are red and yellow striped! They’re patriotic! That’s interesting! Riko wants some too!」 「–How can you say something like that now!?」 Starting the engine, I kicked open the passenger door across from me– It was my first time using an automatic transmission, but I put it into D gear and jammed on the accelerator, causing the tires to screech instead of the horn. The car surged forward, and I jerked the wheel to the side in a feint manoeuvre while downshifting and slamming on the brakes– The huge frame shook as it spun, and inertia carried it through a 180 turn. The passenger side door flew open exactly where Shirayuki stood. 「Shirayuki, get in!」 「–Right!」 Shirayuki slid into the passenger seat, jumping into the car with the agility of a girl skipping rope. Jerking the steering wheel back the other way, we started off with a「Wahoo!」from Riko crying out in excitement at the execution of this series of stunt-like manoeuvres from the backseat. Unfazed, from Shirayuki in the passenger seat came: 「Kin-chan is so cool…!」 She was enraptured by my aggressive driving. Both girls have guts. –If we head toward Sheung Wan we run the risk of meeting Koko and her Saracen. Considering that fact, I turned east toward the Eastern Corridor Highway that ran along the coast. Flooring the accelerator– I glanced back at my rear view mirror, and Son had already reached the ground. Observing the countless number of cars coming and going, she broke into an animalistic run on all fours. …This can’t be! By my eye, she’s making about 100 KPH. That’s the speed of a puma! Mid run, Son leapt up on top of a red convertible–a BMW Z8– grabbed the driver by the scruff of the neck like a cat, and tossed them into another car through the window. How violent! Son slid into the beige leather seat and revved the engine. With all 8 cylinders firing, the engine roared steadily as she began pursuing us. –A Z8…! It was the same kind of super car used by James Bond. It’s one of the best pursuit vehicles. It’s different than my large American Cadillac Deville with a top speed of 100 KPH and 2000 RPM in forward and reverse gears. The speedometer on this car tops out at 120 KPH, but the Z-8’s reaches 160 KPH. With only 500 metres between us, she’ll catch up in less than a minute. Son kept getting closer– Riko leaned far backwards, head first, over the trunk of the Deville. 「Kufufu!」 Then she reached out with her Walther P99 in both hands. *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* Muzzle flash flared with each shot. The 9 mm parabellum bullets gave off a *Clang!* sound as each of them hit the other car’s tires. But it doesn’t seem to be causing it any trouble. Son’s Z8’s engine reach a higher pitch as she accelerated further. 「I knew it!」 I understood Riko’s remark. When Son was watching the passing cars, she was actually looking for one with bulletproof tires. As our two convertibles started a high speed chase, and furthermore exchanged gunfire– the other normal cars on the road pulled off to the side. They weren’t idiots like the people in films that get in the way. 「Tee hee hee!」 At Riko’s laugh, I looked back again at the mirror– Son’s Z8 was only 50 metres away, and she had a large can in her hand, holding it up for her to see. –It was an oil can. You’re well prepared. 「Haha!」 In the backseat of the Cadillac, Riko had already opened the can and there was a *Glug!* sound. The oil spread out in front of the Z8 from the back of the Cadillac. Seeing that, Son– *Vrooom!* accelerated further. Then there was a *Screeech!* as the tires skid, and the car drifted forward under inertia. Looking at the driver’s seat– 「…!」 What we saw– struck all of us speechless in amazement. Her cut-off sailor suit flapped in the wind as she stood. But she wasn’t in the driver’s seat. She stood barefoot– on the top edge of the windshield and steering wheel. Son spun the car, making slight steering adjustments with her right foot–controlling both speed and direction of the skid. Son turned her gaze toward us. d– Our velocities matched, she maintained a constant speed. Displaying such superhuman skill, Son brought the Z8 up next to the Cadillac. Now we’re almost side by side. From the window of a building ahead, I saw a member of Rampan– although he looked like an ordinary office worker in a suit– toss a rod-shaped object. –It flew through the air like a javelin, *Whoosh!* Son caught it as she drove the car and held it behind her back. ****************************************************** Looking like a Japanese halberd–Green Dragon Crescent Blade, the legendary Chinese weapon. It had a long shaft and a wide blade engraved with blazing fire emblems. Her long black hair fluttered in the wind as she stood atop the Z8– This girl looked exactly like a war goddess, well-befitting the name of Kowloon Monk. 「–In the ancient days of China, during the Three Kingdoms period–」 Grinning, Son raised the weapon above her head…*Sparkle!* *Sparkle!*… Grains of golden light glimmered around us. Son’s head looked as if it was surrounded by a halo. It was what Tamamo had called Golden Ring Crown. Then from her right eye– …! –Ah, Son… No, Kou… Those tears are for me. Although the other half-owner of your body will not allow you to do anything– You were able to cry tears that were red like blood from one eye. 「Ryofu, Chouhi, Chou’un, Kan’u, Kakouton– These were fabled warriors and commanders like you, great men!」 Inside, Kou must be suffering. It must be great if she is willing to end her life. –But I will help you somehow. It seems that I『make girls cry』, so it’s my responsibility to dry their tears. 「Thanks to you, I was able to recall such times, Kinji Tohyama.」 She smiled as she gazed fixed her gaze on me with her glowing right eye. There’s no question. It’s the same light as that night. Nyoibou–the laser beam attack at the speed of light…! With each second, her eyes glowed brighter. –Redder, and redder, and redder, and redder, and redder–! Go For The Next!!! AUTHOR’S NOTES How are you? It’s the guy who blew out his birthday candles with an electric fan, Akamatsu! This 13th volume begins the Overseas Adventure series, If I had to say whether this was the ‘beginning’ or ‘ending’ 1 , I’d say this is the beginning! The ‘end’ comes in volume 14– but before my next Hidan no Aria work comes the collection of short stories, Cast Off Table, bundled exclusively with the anime BD/DVD set for winter release. Cast Off Table is an event for Kinji and co. that takes place over summer break (and that Riko half-forced everyone to play) where the loser has to take off their clothes. It’s chock full of sexy pictures that aren’t included in the main series, and I can promise you this is a fan must-have item. So while waiting for the next volume, why don’t you pick it up, huh? … …It’s not like I haven’t figured out a way to deal with a laser, or anything! … …Waaaaaugh! Why did I come up with such a tough one!? I’m an idiot! No, no, everything’s fine. Volume 14 will come out as soon as I think of something, so don’t worry. If I can’t think of anything, I’ll just borrow one of Kinji’s last-ditch techniques! I have two announcements. First, Kobuichi-san’s art book『Hidan no Aria Illustrations Kobuichi art works』releases today! It will include pin-ups and exquisite artwork. I had the honour of contributing a short story where Kinji explains his special moves. Secondly, next month, on the 10th of September, my publisher, Dengeki Bunko, is scheduled to publish my new novel! The novel is called『Yagate Maken no Alicebell』, and the illustrations are by Uruu Gekka-san, who is well known for his work on『Oniai』. It is a story of action on great scale and romantic comedy that unfolds in the same world as Hidan no Aria. I really hope that Alicebell gets along well with Aria. Finally, for the thanks. To all those who at the time of writing this novel helped me get information about Hong Kong, and everyone at the Ritz Carlton who showed me that hidden room and that cooperated with MF Bunko J Editorial Department and the kind folks at Tong Li Publishing Group Limited who helped me. An auspicious day in August 2012 Akamatsu Chuugaku (END VOLUME 13) ******************************************** EPUB/PDF Download ******************************************** 1 Two-part books (or when they are split into two volumes for sake of publishing) in Japan are marked with characters (上) and (下), the first meaning ‘top/beginning’ and the last ‘bottom/end’. Basically he is saying this is a new start for the series and not a sign it is coming to an end. ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ## 11. Volume 14 - Uninvited Sea Mist -Aquamarine Kreuz- ### 001. 1st Ammo- Enable & Quadler -Dragon and Phoenix- Chapter 1: Lumberjack–Night of Vengeance One autumn afternoon… 「The Texan burgers are delicious! Right, Onii-chan?」 「They’re about the same as usual.」 「But if you eat them with the person you love, they are 10 times more delicious!」 「…」 Out in the open, under the blue sky, Kaname and I are eating hamburgers at a McDonald’s in Odaiba. Because it is an elegant new building near the countryside, it is one of the more popular date sites. In fact, to anyone who does not know the chilling truth, Kaname seems like a normal school girl– average. At first glance, the scene alone would suggest that she was no more than a pretty middle-schooler with a beautiful smile on an after-school date. So it would seem… 「Mmmm… What a perfect day! Perfect weather for a date with my perfect brother, Onii-chan.」 She is my self-proclaimed ‘little sister’, Kaname Tohyama. When she switches to her aggressive ‘personality channel’ 1 , she is able to destroy footbridges, throw grenades, or threaten me with a kitchen knife– just to get me to do something. She just might be able to destroy Odaiba in about 30 minutes. She is a very dangerous girl. And what the hell do you mean by ‘date with my brother’!? Don’t say such improper things so loudly, Kaname! Also, I don’t understand how someone could eat hamburgers, while drinking a Caramel-latte– McDonalds has soda. As Jeanne might say: ‘ I guess this is how it’s done in the world. ‘ or something like that, as I mumble something about my own rules. Well, they say: ‘ Autumn is the season of cravings 2 ‘… I am sipping my soda, but I have little appetite. I’m nibbling on a burger, completely immersed in ‘Gloom Mode’, not eating enough to break into a rave review. I’ve been traumatised ever since the stand-off between Kaname and Shirayuki that occurred in my apartment. 「I-I challenge you to a duel! In that case, any accidental deaths would be acceptable! To ensure the stability of the Tohyama household, and allow peace to reign in the ‘Land of the Rising Sun’, we must fight this match to a final conclusion!」 Bursting into my apartment, Shirayuki found Kaname, and after shouting this ‘declaration of war’, began firing the gun she was carrying. Kaname laughed cheekily and ran around the room, dodging the hail of bullets that Shirayuki– a demonic glare on her face– unleashed. The weapon was an M60, a machine gun capable of full-automatic bursts. The bullets showered the room like drops of water from a sprinkler. In the end, the barrel of the M60 overheated and started to ‘cook off’ 3 . Even though it was equipped with heat dispersal equipment, Shirayuki’s furious assault overcame the safety features. She fired her gun tirelessly, with no intention to stop until she had exhausted all her bullets, but when the barrel was finally warped by the heat, precluding its use, she detached it and let it fall to the floor. 「That was just the beginning. You will receive a formal challenge to a duel later, so enjoy what little time you have left.」 Shirayuki said this as parting shot, then left. But… The next day, (After shooting hundreds of bullets, as if it were a proper sort of greeting) while I tried to get over the shock, Student Council President Shirayuki, returned to visit, as always, resuming the appearance of a pure, peaceful, and overwhelmingly kind girl. Kaname was not in the apartment. 「Oh my! What has happened here?」 She entered, and diligently set about repairing my mostly destroyed room. It was not long until it was perfectly rearranged, but… Shirayuki… You were the one who made this mess. Remember…? It was as if she were suffering from dissociative identity disorder. Shortly afterwards, she was smilingly cleaning of the house, but when she passed near Kaname’s clothes or toothbrush, her expression changed to one full of rage and jealousy, as if she wanted to destroy them with a glance. Finally, when Shirayuki had finished, she left the whole house a testament to her hard work. When Kaname returned she was smiling happily, but sensing who was responsible, she shot the same look of rabid jealousy at Shirayuki’s handiwork. Hey, I have to deal with this every day. I can sum it up two words: It’s scary… Thinking back, it was easier to endure Aria’s violent nature. She resorted to direct physical attacks, but in contrast I spent less time fearing for my life. Both of them usually show affection in their own way, but this diametric change of personality… It’s like opening a Jack-in-the-box and no good for my heart. It’s a change as exaggerated as Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, complicating everything and multiplying my problems by two. I was taking some heart medicine 4 with my soda, when… *Chirp!* *Chirp!* Suddenly, the sparrows on the terrace took flight in fear. 「Oh…!」 I gasped. She’s here! 「…」 With a white ribbon atop her head, Shirayuki, dressed in her bulletproof school uniform, was there to greet me with a pleasant smile; but when she turned to Kaname, she began to radiate a murderous aura that frightened the sparrows off the terrace. Kaname meanwhile seemed to say ‘ Hi! ‘, and waved at Shirayuki. But her expression… False and hidden feelings filled the room with an air of seething anger. The dark auras emanating from both of them ended up spoiling the clear blue, autumn sky. I had invited them both out to eat, and now began to watch them in the same way a professional wrestling referee might eye the competitors. 「Good afternoon, Kin-chan… Ah!」 *Trip!* Shirayuki, missing her step, lost her balance, and stumbled, but somehow avoiding falling on the floor. As always, she seems to have bad reflexes. 「Looks like we’re all here. Shirayuki, you can order a burger or something.」 I said, as we sat at our table. 「Okay.」 Shirayuki raised her hands and… *Clap!* *Clap!* She clasped her hands after clapping… but soon after, a ‘?’ symbol appeared over her head, and she started looking from side to side. For a moment, the three of us sat at the table silently. Then I realised. What Shirayuki had done was the way to call the waitresses in a traditional Japanese inn …I think… Ah, that’s right. She lives in a temple and has hardly gone anywhere except school… She probably hasn’t been to a McDonald’s. There’s no other choice… I’ll have to help her order. On the other hand, believing that McDonalds will offer as much care as an inn… I think there should be a limit on how clueless a person can be. How secluded is that temple? That’s some medal-worthy, Olympic-class cluelessness. If you are wondering why I invited them to this place, it is because of the duel that Shirayuki had challenged Kaname to. This was precipitated by Kaname’s surprise attack on the Baskerville girls. Now she, Aria, Riko, and Reki as well, were seeking revenge. With Shirayuki as their representative, the ‘army’ of Baskerville girls and Kaname are in a situation where a single spark could ignite a powder keg of conflict. This battle would become a huge war, large enough to threaten the security of Butei High, or even cause it to sink 5 . Before that happens, it’s my job to play UN and mediate between the two sides. So, in order to solve this peacefully, I tried to establish formal negotiations. That’s why I chose a table at this restaurant. It is naturally crowded with civilians, so with Kaname and Shirayuki– all too ready to to wield a machine gun or kitchen knife–, there would be many potential witnesses. At the moment, I found myself carrying a teriyaki burger on a tray and headed to our table while Shirayuki followed me spell-bound. 「So then… Shirayuki, sit there. Listen up. We’re outside Butei High, so put aside your personal issues. No guns, knives, or fuss. Fighting is strictly prohibited. Kaname, the same goes for you too.」 Feeling more hopeless as I spoke each word, as I watched both, I sat Shirayuki in front Kaname. From both sides, Shirayuki and Kaname were giving fake smiles so stiff, you would have thought they were wearing Noh theatre masques. Umh… Ugghh… My stomach hurt. This is no good. 「Okay, now for the death sentence.」 Without warning, Kaname said the worst thing possible. 「A moment ago, when Onii-chan was buying a burger, this fake girl 6 had hearts fluttering around her head.」 She said this while biting her straw, then her mouth began to smoke… This heat was produced by friction… Now the straw was melting! What is this huge jaw strength! It rivals the bite force of an alligator or a shark. Across from her, Shirayuki was eating her teriyaki burger quietly as she sipped her drink with a confident smile. 「It must be hard to not be the favourite wife, so it is impossible for you to be calm!」 From this corner, too, came the most provocative words possible. And what do you mean by ‘favourite wife’? Well, it’s normal for you to say such nonsense 7 , but this is not remotely the right time to do so! I have to do something soon to negotiate this peacefully. 「Don’t get so hostile. The whole reason for this meeting was for the two of you to reconcile.」 「Kaname, the favourite wife is the strongest. In this world, it is destined to be so, and I will not give one inch.」 「What an illogical thing to say! Younger sisters are stronger, and I won’t give in either.」 Ugh, this is impossible. Seeing that from the beginning, neither had the slightest intention of listening, I started thinking about my escape route, but suddenly from both sides. 「The favourite wife!」 「Obviously, younger sisters!」 *Thump!* *Thump!* Shirayuki and Kaname, each grabbed me at the same time. Both of my arms and are now engaged in a tug-o’-war as they grapple and pull for their respective side. I remember long ago, I got caught in a similar disagreement between Riko and Aria, literally being in the middle of the discussion. Divide everything exactly in half and give each of them a part… of my pictures. That thought crossed my mind. 「Kaname, I’ve done a bit of research and you are registered as a Butei in the US. Although, I could not find anything else.」 「*Humph* That data hasn’t been deleted… So? What about it? 」 They glared at each other defiantly. 「Then you’re a Butei, as well. As fellow Butei, the rules do not allowed us to fight each other, except in the course of fulfilling a contract. For that reason, we of Baskerville have decided to challenge you to a re-match 8 to fight our official representative. The match will take place according to the strict rules of Butei High.」 「H-Hey! Don’t decide anything without talking to me, your Team leader! 」 「…And after we consulted together, I was chosen as the official representative.」 Obviously that ‘we’ did not include myself. 「Heeh.」 Kaname made a puzzled expression, but it gradually changed into a belligerent smile. In Butei High, the first of the unwritten rules from MASTERS states: ‘Avoid frequent dueling. But, in all cases, please adhere to a fair set of rules.’ In other words– duels are allowed. They are illegal in Japan, but at this bloody school, they have been tolerated up to a point. Because of the laws, no matter what happens, no lawsuits can be filed, and if someone cried to the police: ‘ I was injured in a duel! ‘ They’d immediately become the laughingstock of the school. 「Onee-chan, You really are completely illogical. You still don’t understand which one of us is stronger, yet? 」 「That was an official acceptance, right?」 *Bzz!* *Bzz!* *Bzz!* Sparks flew like an omen of a great fight. After a few seconds, Kaname finally released my arm. 「Obviously. Then, Onee-chan, I guess it is time that I returned ‘this’ . I’ve already finished my analysis.」 At that instant, perfectly calculated so that the people around us didn’t notice, something fell from the sky. *Catch!* Letting go of my other arm, Shirayuki, grasped the object from the air. It was sheathed in a scarlet case, a Japanese katana. 「Irokaneayame!」 When I looked up, an ‘X’ shaped piece of cloth was twirling approximately thirty metres above us. It was the same equipment Kaname had used a few days ago to block Aria’s bullets and slice through a foot bridge. It looked like a floating Bamboo-copter. It seems that Kaname, looking ahead, had made prior preparations in case something happened. 「Onee-chan, this katana is your main weapon, right? It would be unfair if we fought before I returned it.」 「Unfair? I did not expect someone like you to use that word…」 Shirayuki laughed derisively, covering her mouth with her hand, while Kaname answered without looking up. 「After our last ‘meeting’ Onii-chan scolded me, saying, ‘ Don’t do “cowardly things”‘ . I took this lesson to heart. You should too… don’t do anything cowardly… Like this!」 And, just as a waitress passed near our table, Kaname grabbed her butt. 「*Kyaa!*」 The girl cried, while her beautiful silver hair swayed through the air. With a visor on her head that was intended to conceal her identity, turning to our table was… 「J-Jeanne?! What are you doing here? 」 Former member of IU, and now fully integrated into INFORMA, a second-year student at Butei High: Jeanne D’Arc. And turning towards Jeanne, whose cover was blown, Kaname opened her blue eyes wide in apparent amazement. 「Wow! So beautiful! Onii-chan, you really can’t resist a pretty girl, huh? 」 Kaname said, hanging her head. 「First Onii-chan woos, Shirayuki Hotogi: ‘The Blazing Fire Witch’ and now Jeanne D’Arc, ‘The Silver Ice Witch’. It makes me want to start a ‘witch hunt’. Two on one is no disadvantage.」 Kaname proudly boasted. Head lowered, from the shadow of her straight-cut bangs, Shirayuki’s eyes gleamed. 「Did you think there would just be two of us?」 Wh-What is happening in this peaceful setting… A McDonald’s in the afternoon…? I began to scan the area… Yes, unfortunately. They’re all here! Dressed as part-time restaurant workers. In the kitchen, with the distinct shape of guns hidden under her skirt, Aria is frying potatoes. At the cash, and thoroughly enjoying the situation, is Riko– she wasn’t there a minute ago. Aloof, and on the edge of the terrace, Reki is cleaning the floor with a mop. And if we look in the shadow of the pot nearby, Haimaki is is partially visible. We are being surrounded, completely. 「Waah! Onii-chan, I’m afraid. Everyone is bullying me.」 While Kaname uttered that phrase lifelessly, she pounced, hugging me close. Taking advantage of this position, she surreptitiously grabbed and pinned my arms. Kaname has made me a hostage. 「This is really all your fault, Kaname. Why do you do things to make everyone hate you?」 To make matters worse, I am aware that my value as a hostage is virtually nil. It’s pathetic. There is nowhere for me to go. Then I started to separate from Kaname. 「Just kidding!」 Kaname said, quickly releasing me. 「All of you are totally unreasonable! It seems you haven’t learnt your lesson yet. This time, I’ll pound you into hamburger meat!」 Kaname shouted, threatening the Baskerville girls (+Jeanne). While I could only laugh and reflect on my horrible luck. Then Shirayuki said, 「Don’t worry Kin-chan, we won’t attack now. We’ll take care of it later. Kaname lacks all common-sense and could lose control at any time. That’s why I called the others. Ufu, ufufufu.」 「Is that so…?」 Because I was a little scared, I slipped into keigo 9 . It seems that she too, had also made preparations for this meeting. 「This is advance notice of the form of duel we have chosen. Kaname, given the current situation, can you guess how you will be ‘loved’? 10 」 Kaname heard Shirayuki’s question that seemed like it was taken straight out of a school exam, and and her eyebrows drew together in puzzlement. 「…!」 I also grimaced, but my eyebrows moved up–the opposite of Kaname–, because unlike her, I knew the answer. 「L-Lumberjack!?」 「As expected of Kin-chan, that’s right! Considering that Kaname is from America, we have chosen a form of duel that originated in her own country.」 Smiling, Shirayuki changed her ‘dark’ 11 expression to a sweet one as she turned towards me. Lumberjack…! Right after I enrolled in this school, I fought another guy, bare-handed, in that kind of duel. That is how I know what it is. At Butei High, it is the ‘house specialty’ and is also considered one of the most difficult and dangerous types of duels. As Shirayuki said, it is derived from a form of dueling common among American Lumberjacks, with a few changes. The official rules seem simple– and they really are. First, all participants must wear bullet-proof equipment. Next, the Butei involved spread out to form a ‘Ring’ 12 of Butei (To be referred to as ‘Loggers’), and this ‘Ring’ encloses the dueling ground. Lastly, contestants must fight within the Ring, and are prohibited from leaving it. The duel ends when one side admits defeat, or if one party is judged to have reached a point where outside assistance is required. Those are the only rules, but these rules have additional clauses: If any of the contestants leave the Ring before the end of the match, the ’Loggers’ may attack freely, taking any action necessary to return them to the ring. If the contestant returns to the ring, their opponent is able to attack them once more. Thus, between retreat and return to the ring, the duelists slowly take damage, and eventually you will find them fighting on the brink of death, with quite serious injuries. In short, running away is stupid. It’s a hellish system that beats you– even in retreat. Additionally, it is not required that the ‘Loggers’ who form the Ring are neutral. The Ring is comprised of allies and enemies alike. This means that if you are generally disliked, the Ring will be full of your enemies. That is the most dangerous rule for Kaname! Of course, your opponent will not be attacked by their friends, so even if you force them out of the ring, they will be allowed to return unmolested. Conversely, if you are cornered and forced out of the ring, you will be greeted with a merciless hail of bullets. Due to that rule, Lumberjack shares many similarities with government regulation and penalties. In this situation, Kaname has no allies, and as a result of her unilateral hostility, it is all-against-one. 「Girls, Lumberjack is an old fad. Even though in was created at Butei High, accidents are too common. It is a savage game and not something that girls should be involved in. Stop this.」 I frowned as I said those words, and Shirayuki replied… 「Don’t try to stop us Kin-chan. There are times where even girls must fight!」 Her long, silky black hair swayed as she shook her head in gesture of denial. 「This is a Holy War–a conflict ignited by love for Kin-chan! One in which the objective to secure the sovereignty of a country called ‘Kin-chan’, inevitably leads another country,’Shirayuki’, to declare war on the nation ‘Kaname’.」 An incomprehensible and contradictory National Strategy for ‘Shirayuki’. 「That’s…!」 Although Shirayuki usually has a quiet and gentle nature, there are times that she can be just as belligerent as Aria. 「No problems here. I’ll do it. What about Kamerad 13 ?」 Kaname replied quietly as she ate the rest of her burger. As calmly as if she’d just asked: ‘ Do you take milk with your coffee? ‘, replying in a care-free manner. Even though I had gone to so much trouble to put out a lifeboat. 「It is allowed. Do you have some friends that you’d like to bring?」 Taking her silence as acceptance, Shirayuki concluded … 「Well then… This will be a legal ‘Kaname-do over’ 14 …」 Looking on and smiling with her dark-side activated, she offered that ‘kind’ advice. I’ll explain the details of Kamerad . Kamerad is a right that the Loggers have: ‘A person permitted to provide direct assistance to a contender, once, in the course of the duel’ To prevent the duel from reaching a stalemate, it is customary to choose a person to step in when the victor has obviously been determined, and also to prevent overkill from happening by separating the contenders when a loss has been determined. However, from my experience, once the duel actually starts, these niceties matter very little. 「I wasn’t asking for myself– I will not require any assistance. I was talking about you, Onee-chan. Why, I’ll crush you until you can’t even concede your own defeat. So you’ll need someone else to do it for you then, right?」 Kaname replied as she mirrored Shirayuki’s devilish grin. What a disaster… After finishing her Texan burger, Kaname made a pellet from the wrapper and… Whoosh! Threw it strongly, like a Slug Shot 15 and succeeded in making the rubbish can. *********************************** On the following night, under the moonlight… The agreed place for the match was Arena #2 16 , ASSAULT Division’s Gym. Kaname was there, wearing her bulletproof school uniform, striking a daunting pose. On her back she carried a large, unsheathed katana almost as tall as she was. Between the ridge and groove 17 , a fluorescent blue light shone. It is no ordinary blade. This is the same weapon she used to ambush Team Baskerville– cutting-edge weapons technology: a mono-molecular vibration sword. For someone who has below average grades in Physics and Chemistry, this is something I don’t understand, so here is how Kaname explained it: According to her, the edge of the blade has a wire a few molecules wide that revolves like a power saw. The wire is made up of a chain of carbon atoms only visible through a microscope, yet it possesses a hardness of 10 Mohs 18 . From my perspective, it would be something like a chainsaw with tiny diamond teeth. 「With that, there is almost nothing you can’t cut through.」 After she said that, subconsciously, I began favouring Kaname. Half a year ago I remember having a similar conversation with Shirayuki, but when compared to the idea of a supernatural source for her powers… Kaname’s explanation seems much more believable. I was pondering that when Shirayuki, led by Jeanne, arrived on the scene, kicking up sand with each step as they approached. Aria and Riko followed, and now all of the concerned parties had arrived. What’s this? As I would gain nothing by regretting it later, and since Kaname had me concerned, I ended up attending the duel. Shirayuki came dressed in her family’s traditional gold-trimmed Miko attire; but also wore a white headband that tied behind her head. Her sleeves were secured behind her back, and in one hand she carried Irokaneayame, sheathed in a red lacquered scabbard. Yes, that’s the same dress she wore in April, when she confronted Aria in a similar situation: the battle dress of the Hotogi family. The others wore their bulletproof school uniforms, but Jeanne brought the legendary sword Durandal, fastened to her waist. Aria, as usual, carried her twin guns strapped to her legs under her skirt, moving with her and occasionally revealing some ‘Gun-chira’ 19 . And finally, Riko came smiling; hugging her beloved M1887 shotgun. All were ready, willing, and determined to participate in the duel. Kaname greeted them thus: 「Girls, you are so late. I got tired of waiting.」 Saying this, Kaname drew her thumb across her throat in an earnest motion. 「Let’s see … Fake girl 20 , The Diva 21 , Shorty, The Flirt 22 . Huh? What about The Loner? 」 Kaname indicated each girl as she spoke, except Reki. I guess that makes Jeanne ‘The Diva’. 「She already has you in her sights.」 Aria exclaimed angrily while shaking her twin tails. Apparently, all four are quite aware that their nicknames have some degree of accuracy. 「This Arena constitutes the Ring. You cannot escape. Reki’s accuracy is 99%. I’ve never seen her fail, except once, and that time it was a misfire.」 And just for the record, that misfire was my doing, so it’s still 100%. 「Girls, I’ll say it again: ‘Stop this.’ It’s not that I don’t understand how you feel–being the victims of a surprise attack–, but this is childish. Come up with a better way to resolve your differences.」 As leader of Baskerville, I tried to say something sensible, but like it was straight out of a Western, my deputy shot me an angry look. 「You’re an absolute pacifist who won’t go anywhere near ASSAULT, but Kinji… this is our reality as Butei. Problems are solved by personally getting out there and fighting– with gun in hand and lead.」 Aria spoke those words, fit for a gunman from an old Western… but in her seiyuu-like voice. 「Even so, you’re only trying to get even. By that logic, Kaname is the perfect Butei! What other reason do you have for a grudge?」 I returned her angry stare and as I glared back, Aria’s face suddenly flushed red. 「It’s not like I am doing this to steal you back from Kaname, or anything like that!」 When she noticed that she said something out of character, she made an embarrassed face, as if to say ‘ What am I saying? ‘, then composing herself, she drew her twin silver Governments. 「By the way, this weapon now has ‘PASTEL’ inside, unlike the last time she ambushed us.」 ‘PASTEL’, are the Butei bullets that were provided by the Vatican. She believes Kaname took advantage of the fact that she only had normal .45ACP bullets then, and Kaname seemed to understand what she implied… 「Did you think that was the problem? How naïve can you be! 」 Kaname scoffed… You’re wrong Kaname. This time is different. You boast of your superior strength, and you’re too proud to consider it… but, when people carry out a carefully planned surprise attack, their battle power actually increases many times. And if you want to face a Butei of Aria’s class… Underestimating her would be fatal. You understand that, right? 「Kanamee has been monopolizing Ki-kun lately, so we are all in ‘yandere mode’…」 Giving Kaname a subtle 23 nickname, with shotgun in hand, Riko made the gesture of horns with her fingers… *Kachin!* She pumped her shotgun and primed it for the next shot. As anyone who has gone up against a Shotgun knows… That sound… it’s so awe-inspiring. It will always cause a unique feeling of fear. 「If you find the need to escape, come with me. We’ll have some fun! Kufufu.」 It is common knowledge that, under certain conditions, it is possible to dodge bullets fired from a gun. When the unlikely opportunity presents itself, it is simply a matter of evasion. Bullets only trace straight paths, therefore it is not totally impossible to deduce the trajectory of the shot from the conditions in which it was fired. But the shot from a shotgun is impossible to dodge. The shells contain several projectiles that disperse over a large area. They are designed to hit the enemy, without targeting a specific point. Also, Riko’s shotgun is sawed-off– a shotgun whose barrel has been cut down to size. This is not only a way to help hide the gun, but to also to increase the spread of projectiles and the area of dispersal. Being honest, even for the ‘ me ‘ in Hysteria Mode, shotguns are a not weapon I’d like to face. 「Heh Heh Heh. Lumberjack… How nostalgic, right Ki-kun?」 Turning towards me while smiling… near Riko’s feet… there are two shadows! I guess Hilda came too. Well, in her case, she could have followed unannounced. Just when I was beginning to imagine Hilda’s fiendish figure… 「Kaname, have you said your prayers?」 *Shiing!* A clear sound rang out as Jeanne unsheathed Durandal. 「I’ll be Shirayuki’s Kamerad . In addition, I will also fulfill my duty as part of the Ring, though I might have to interfere directly.」 Jeanne warned as she finished putting her hair up into braids and tied them atop her head. That hairstyle is a sign that she has gone into battle-mode. Her too? 「And I thought you wouldn’t participate in such a barbaric thing.」 I said, making sure that only she could hear me. She turned, and with her blue eyes, glared angrily. 「The only reason I must participate, is because you are useless, Tohyama.」 「Now it’s my fault?」 「A few days ago, I told you to bring Kaname over to DEEN ‘ in a certain way ‘?」 What ‘ way ‘? Oh…! She’s talking about Romeo 24 . That was crazy! As if it were going to do it! Let alone with someone who calls themselves my ‘ little sister ‘! 「And by the look of the current situation– You have failed.」 「Success. Failure. Labels are meaningless! It was a plan that you tried to force on me– regardless of my opinion or consent.」 「As I was not attacked by Kaname directly, in the beginning I stayed neutral in their case. That is why is that I approached the girls of Baskerville. I patiently explained the details of what you had to do to win Kaname. I even made drawings to help them imagine those situations…」 Wait…? What did you do, Jeanne?! 「Still, the relationship between them has not improved at all…」 「What did you expect? Discussing such a plan, even though I never planned to go through with it!」 「The current situation demands that my original plan be altered, and we must now use this obscure duel to assimilate Kaname.」 I glared at her, but despite everything I said, Airhead-Jeanne had an expression of ‘?’ on her face… She raised her estoc, displaying it for Kaname to see, as it reflected a bluish sheen in the moonlight. 「More importantly… This girl called me ‘ cowardly ‘, when we were at the hamburger shop.」 Hamburger shop…? Do you mean McDonalds’? You were practically moving on tip-toe and sneaking around that day– all of you were. 「I am neither a coward nor unfair, and through fair combat, I will teach her that lesson. Furthermore, in Butei High being defeated by a junior student is a matter of disgrace. No matter what, I cannot show my back in retreat to a junior student.」 It seems she doesn’t remember the day of the Cosplay Cafeteria when her fans among the junior students found her cosplaying as a waitress, and she fled with all her might. Argh, damn it! I could point out so much that is wrong with that statement, but my words just seem to vanish. 「Yeah, whatever you say… A clash of Far East Warfare or whatever you want to call it. Nnn.」 And Kaname stuck out her tongue at Jeanne. Shirayuki, who had hitherto remained disturbingly quiet, began to approach, revealing red hanao with their getas on her feet, sand crunching beneath them. 「Kin-chan, stay back, because tonight there are no Ririi Particles 25 .」 Ririi Particles… I think they are invisible particles that fall like rain and cause the disruption of Extra-Sensory Powers, like a ‘Stealth Jammer’ 26 . If these particles have not fallen today, that means Shirayuki can fight at full-power, without restraint– unlike previously. Kaname, this time things are different and especially dangerous. 「The Ring is ready, and all that’s left is to go over the rules.」 Shirayuki remarked casually and drew her katana. Suddenly, only Jeanne and Shirayuki were near me, with Kaname standing a little farther away. Aria and Riko– in order to avoid friendly fire– had retreated to a middle distance with an angular separation of 60 degrees between them. Separated by another 60 degrees, I glimpsed Haimaki by gym storage shed, wearing bullet-proof vest. I guess Reki is in charge of that area. These girls actually took the time to come up with a plan. Although there is a clause that restricts the number of Loggers in the ring to a single digit number, there are no restrictions on the distribution of the participants. The girls of Baskerville, taking our position as the centre, have positioned themselves in concentric rings. When you think of it that way, their current positioning makes sense. First, one of the duelists– and carrying a Japanese katana–, was Shirayuki, who would confront Kaname with a close range weapon. The next closest to the battle after Shirayuki– and no less skilled in the art of the sword– is Jeanne, the swordswoman. If Kaname could somehow slip past them, she would be in the gun-prodigy Aria’s firing line at medium range, while also facing Riko and her shotgun. Kaname cannot escape the mid-range circle. Even if she miraculously did, it would be impossible to escape Reki’s ‘Magic Trigger’. With all this in place, even the ‘ me ‘ in Hysteria Mode could not escape. 「Kaname, this is too dangerous. The trap they have devised is ‘Concentric Encirclement’, and you know what that means, right? This is a ‘Kill-zone’. There is no way out!」 From inside of the deadly rings, I tried, desperately, to warn her. But, as usual, she just laughed without a care. 「Just admit you were in the wrong and apologize. I’ll take care of the rest and find some way to make it right. You should have at least an inkling of the immense danger you are in!」 She answered matter-of-factually… 「That is completely illogical, Onii-chan. A dinosaur isn’t scared of a bunch of ants. Onee-chan, actually, there really is no need for such a large Ring…」 Her short school uniform skirt fluttered as she hopped on one foot like an elementary school girl playing hopscotch in the park. Dragging her shoe through the sand, she drew a circle about 10 metres in diameter with the tip of her shoe. Inside were Shirayuki and I– with Jeanne located behind Shirayuki. 「I will agree to fight without leaving this circle. If I put one finger out of it, I lose, OK?」 Shirayuki, stretched her eyebrows in an expression of honest surprise. Meanwhile, Kaname grasped Sonic 27 and raised it to the moon. 「Hail Neue Ange! 28 This katana is totally different from your old fashioned weapons. One of these has the battle-power to rival a ‘Type 10 Tank’ 29 . The best woman and weapon is the latest one. Right, Onii-chan?」 A broad smile spreading across on her face, Kaname turned toward me, but… In the same moment– perhaps because I had lived with her for so long– I understood her true feelings. It transcended reason, but somehow, her true emotions were transmitted to me. Kaname’s actions… …were nothing more than a bluff. At this moment… she is completely alone. Neither does she have a Kamerad . As if that were not enough, the Baskerville girls are solidifying their positions. Having done her research, she also knows the Ririi Particles levels. Furthermore, their flawless positioning must undoubtedly be a strong pressure. That small, scared heart has told me everything… And I understand… So I… Damn! What else can I do…? 「Aria.」 Even from far away, I could clearly see the veins on her forehead bulging as I spoke. 「The bullets in my ‘COCKTAIL’ were not 9mm. They were .50AE.」 Taking my Desert Eagle in my hand, I drew it for all to see. 「There’s no use trying to stop us, Kinji.」 「Fine. I won’t. Do whatever you want. But this type of bullying is the thing I hate the most in this world.」 「It’s not bullying. It’s ‘love’.」 Cupping her hands, Riko shouted. 「There is no difference!」 I snapped back. 「What do you mean to do with that weapon, Tohyama?」 「I am telling you that I will be Kaname’s Kamerad .」 And as I explained this to Jeanne, who looked as clueless as ever, I glanced over at Kaname… Clenching a small fist, she laid it across her chest, looking at me with an expression of surprise, but when our eyes met, her cheeks flushed and she immediately turned away. What kind of reaction is that? Well, since there are no objections, I guess it doesn’t matter. Shirayuki began to grinding her teeth and just when she was about to say something to Kaname, I spoke forcefully, advancing the duel. 「Alright everyone, let’s go over the rules. The duel did not will end until one of the contestants admits defeat. Before that, nothing will be counted as a win. There is no draw. Running away is not allowed. If someone tries to flee, the Loggers may take any action to return them to the Ring.」 This reminds me of my days in ASSAULT. It’s not just Aria, but without a doubt, this is how this school operates… That’s a bad thing. 「The Kamerad exists to prevent the duel from reaching a deadlock, or to prevent the death of one of the contenders. They are authorized to provide assistance to their ally only once. After that, no more interference is permitted.」 「Yeah, yeah… The rules are the same as the ones we know? Anything else?」 Seeing me completely stuck in the role of a Butei, Aria is somewhat happy. She is as blood-thirsty as ever. 「That’s it.」 I agreed with a small nod. 「So it’s high time we begin, you two.」 Aria said to Kaname and Shirayuki, while drawing her black Government. Shirayuki and Kaname stared at each other, but neither one made the first move. In Lumberjack, the start of the duel is decided by the contenders. This is something no one can change and is the exclusive right of both parties. To begin, they synched their breathing. It was like a battle between two wild beasts, or a close-quarters confrontation between samurai. The only thing that moved in the arena was time, and it passed quietly. Without a sound, Shirayuki moved her sword and took up her stance. She placed the blade almost perpendicular and lifted the hilt to her right cheek– that is the stance called Hassou 31 . In modern Kendo matches, it is a stance rarely used. It is a rather old position, but as a Hotogi witch, Shirayuki uses this stance to avoid wasting energy needlessly. Still, Shirayuki… How will you fight this time? Kaname’s sword can cut through any kind of metal. Even the legendary blade Irokaneayame is probably no exception. 「Razor Sharp 32 .」 Kaname whispered, taking up her stance. Drawing her right foot back, she turned to face Shirayuki almost completely sideways. She held her katana horizontally to the ground and raised it to head-level. Grasping the hilt with both hands, she and drew it far back, leaving her flank wide open in a bold stance. That stance… I’ve never seen anything like it. You wouldn’t find record of it anywhere, but somehow, I understand it intuitively. It focuses on contacting the opponent’s blade, ignoring defence. Completely disregarding it. Taking full advantage of Sonic’s enormous cutting power, Kaname can do that. Carrying such a weapon also says something about Kaname’s personality. 「…」 Shirayuki wields her katana perpendicularly; Kaname wields hers horizontally. The two girls, who are opposed, even in stance and fighting style, radiate an atmosphere of great tension. No one said a word. Even the sounds of the insects have stopped. Their fighting spirits are locked together, as waves of energy began to sweep across the sand. Then… *Appear!* A fallen leaf carried on the wind crossed the space between them, and at that moment, Kaname launched her attack. Well done. Choosing the exact moment when the dry leaf blocked Shirayuki’s line of sight, Kaname made her first move. 「 Hihomura Kosakabe 33 」 Unable to recieve the attack directly, Shirayuki withdrew her right hand from the hilt of her katana and swept it across the horizon. Invoked by that motion, a flaming wall, like a folding screen, rose up 2 metres in front of her. Whoa! Even where I was standing apart, the intense heat being emitted was at dangerous levels. That is no ordinary flame. It is a raging inferno, burning at a frighteningly high temperature. ‘Tonight there are no Ririi particles.’ Now I understand Shirayuki’s warning. Without the ‘Inhibitory Particles’, she can use her full power– she is a human flamethrower. Despite that, Kaname moved to pierce the flaming wall with her katana, but at the last second, she checked her rush and sprang to the left. Reaching the edge of the wall of fire, she swept Sonic around, and with waving hair, Shirayuki also appeared on the left side. I remember seeing this position in her fight with Jeanne. Holding her sword in her right hand, she raised her sword overhead like a torch in a one-handed Dai-jodan 34 . Already, swirling flames were enveloping the blade and coiling around it. 「Hotogi Sacred Art, Hinokagabi Kochou 35 」 She swung her katana at a speed the eye could not follow. What I could see was only the after-image of the flame, shaped like a flapping butterfly, as the cuts formed ‘V’ pattern. Was that a one-handed version of Ganryu’s ‘Tsubame Gaeshi’ 36 ? However, she is only trying to scorch Kaname’s blade. Shirayuki knows that Irokaneayame shouldn’t touch Sonic. If they were to do so, Irokaneayame would certainly be cut. 「…Aha!」 Kaname, assuming sure victory, laughed. Like Shirayuki, the movement of her sword could not be followed with the eye as she moved in to attack. Kaname gathered her legs into her torso, and somersaulted backward to close distance with Shirayuki. From the blade of her sword a blue fluorescent light shone, leaving a ghostly after-image as it twirled through the air. 「Whoa! That was close.」 「Yeah, she’s really going all out, that Kana-mee.」 Carrying on such a conversation, Riko and Aria were commenting as if they had seen, in detail, what had happened in that blur of movement. 「…」 Silently, Shirayuki took up a new position: Seigan 37 , and from her crimson hakama… *Flutter!* Part of it had been cut, and now fell. Moreover, there was another cut in the the pure white robes, exposing the Hadajuban 38 she wore beneath. In the blink of an eye, Kaname had targeted Shirayuki’s abdomen, directing two thrusts to her chest. Landing with the grace of a professional gymnast, Kaname said… 「In both attacks, you’ve saved yourself by the skin of your teeth, Onee-chan.」 Enjoying the moment, Kaname reset her stance with a flourish, but this time, she held the blade away from her cheek, causing her posture to seem somewhat forced. 「Humph… So your plan was to heat Sonic until I could no longer hold it, huh?」 The moment she said that, I finally noticed the blade of her katana was glowing red like a hot iron. If it were me, it would definitely be too hot to hold. So the flame-spouting Hotogi Arts that Shirayuki was using were not random at all– they were intended to transfer the heat to Kaname’s sword. That seem to be the best way to deal with such a troublesome advanced weapon. 「It’s a shame. We have conducted ten heat tolerance tests. Both on the katana, as well as myself! Even if the temperature climbs, my performance will not change. Onee-chan, it’s over.」 Looking like of a bird of prey about to capture its meal, she drew her right foot through the sand as it grated underfoot. 「It’s always best to cauterize an amputation immediately, isn’t it. Since even with surgery, they might not be able to re-attach what was lost…? Like an arm or a leg. Well, you asked for it…」 After hearing that terrifying threat from Kaname, Shirayuki took her sword, returned it to its sheath, and lowered herself into an Iaido 39 stance. Is that Hihihotogikami 40 ? No! That would be the worst thing to do… Shirayuki…! Swallowing my saliva, I watched. Secret Art Hihihotogikami is a movement that requires time to gather power, and Kaname will not give her that time. Even if she was able to unleash her attack, it’s not hard to imagine what would happen. Irokaneyame would be cut as soon as it met Kaname’s blade. And Shirayuki is behind it. That can’t be her plan. Or… knowing that before hand, did she choose that technique to ensure mutual death and keep her pride as a Hotogi? Shirayuki…! 「Crimson Fire Witch, burn in your own flames!」 Blade glowing red, Kaname set her stance… *Thud!* Kicking off explosively, she burst forward suddenly like a cannonball at attack speed. 「Kaname, it is already over.」 From between her straight-cut bangs, Shirayuki intently stared at Kaname, and coming up behind Shirayuki… Jeanne! Shirayuki’s Kamerad , Jeanne, moved in. With the Holy Sword Durandal, she took up a stance called “Waki” 41 hiding it behind her body. 「Ooh! That’s ‘Jet Stream Attack’ 42 !」 Riko cheered –using words I didn’t understand–, as Jeanne gracefully lept over Shirayuki and brandished Durandal. 「Fleur de Glace d’Orleans 43 」 Having calmly recited the name of her skill, the sword shone with a blue-white light. Delicate diamond dust sparkled around Jeanne. Seeing the attack and thinking that it was dangerous to receive directly, Kaname desperately buried her katana in the ground to stop herself, observing that wherever the blue light fell the ground froze instantly. Because of the absence of blue Irokane particles, the super-cooling effect spread to where Kaname’s katana was planted in the ground. 「…!」 *Crack!* *Crack!* *Crack!* With that sound, Sonic was encased in ice. Kaname’s feet weren’t frozen to the ground yet, so… 「Haa!」 Boasting superhuman strength and agility, she preformed a handstand. Her sword now caught in the frozen ground, Kaname seized the hilt in one hand and, using it as a fulcrum, swung herself up over her katana– just like a circus performer! Starting at the sword’s point, the silver ice climbed higher, and the blade that had been bright red in the beginning was covered up to the guard by ice before it stopped. Above it, in a one-handed handstand, Kaname remained uninjured. 「*Humph*… You used your Kamerad . Sorry, I forgot about the small fry!」 From the handstand, Kaname lowered her body… *Fwip!* 「But how unfortunate! It was a futile attack!」 Using her body weight, she pried her katana free, springing forward in the same motion. Soaring over Jeanne, with ice crystals still clinging to Sonic, Kaname’s target is… Shirayuki. Kaname is going to swoop down and attack from above. 「From the Style of the Divine Servants 44 … Sacred Art…」 Shirayuki, who until now had been accumulating power, faced Kaname’s attack. 「… Hihihotogikami !」 *Whoosh!* A whirlwind of fire soared into the sky, to meet Kaname mid-air, but regardless, Kaname slashed her way through the raging inferno, and continued her attack– intent on severing Irokaneayame. 「…!」 As if she had realised something, the expression on Kaname’s face changed, and in the next moment… *Shatter* With a sound like breaking glass… Irokaneayame met Sonic, shattering it into pieces. A dull thud followed. As Kaname fell, Shirayuki extinguished the flames of her previous attack and struck a blow with her katana. That was the sound I heard. Th-That’s the back of the sword…! Shirayuki gave Kaname a light tap on the torso with the blunt side of her katana. Kaname fell to the ground, rolling several times before sitting up on all fours and looking up. 「Ah… Wha-…」 Tear-filled eyes opened wide, Kaname moved to gather up the broken fragments of Sonic, but.. once again heated red-hot, her hand drew back instinctively. 「No way… No way… This is Neue Ange… This is completely… wrong!」 Overcome by shock, Kaname is confused… but in my case, I’ve figured out the trick. More or less… However advanced the technology, Kaname’s katana was still made of metal, and metal, when heated, cooled, heated again–and so on–, becomes very brittle. Even the strongest Japanese steel rails, undergoing radical temperature shifts, have fractured due to repeated expansion and contraction. For this reason, after being violently subjected to the extreme temperatures of fire and ice… the effect was immediate. One only has to look in order to see the result. 「Cherry blossoms, that cannot be called anything but fleeting, blossom to scatter away in this miserable world!」 45 Closing her eyes with their long lashes, Shirayuki recited, as she returned the inscribed blade Irokaneayame to it’s red lacquered sheath. It was from the Shin Kokin Wakashu, an ancient poem by Sanesada Tokudaiji, I believe… Although, coming from someone who always gets bad marks in Classical Literature, this information is unreliable. 46 「Victory has been decided.」 While twirling her guns and stowing them in her skirt holsters, Aria spoke. You have this habit of not contributing anything, yet you can still put on that triumphant face. I knelt next to Kaname… 「Kaname. We’ve come to the end. The most modern weapons appear one after another, blooming like cherry blossoms. But there is no cherry blossom that isn’t scattered by the wind. Your katana was set free tonight– that’s all.」 Using the poem Shirayuki had just recited, I tried to comfort Kaname. My meaning was very easily grasped, but because it was so simple, Kaname didn’t have to do much guess-work. But the expression in her upturned gaze… is rather that she has yet to accept reality. The newest, most powerful weapon… That cutting-edge blade, has been destroyed. That made Kaname feel as if what happened had called her own existence into question. 「H-…HAAAA!」 And just like a middle-schooler, she lost her temper and tried to punch Shirayuki, who moved into a defensive stance. Fulfilling my role as Kamerad , I raised one hand toward Shirayuki and, hanging my Desert Eagle on my index finger by the trigger guard, let the gun dangle. This is a signal that Butei and American police use that means ‘I’m not going to shoot.’ — a gesture of surrender. After that, I stopped Kaname’s with my other arm and signaled with my eyes for her to look down. Where I had pointed was the thing she drawn with her toe at the beginning of the duel, saying: “…If I leave the circle, then I lose, OK?” One of Kaname’s feet is outside that circle. Rather, Shirayuki’s reversed blow had intentionally pushed her out. And now her leg was sticking out. 「You said it yourself, didn’t you? Honour your own rule!」 I had spoken in a kind of harsh tone, so Kaname… 「*Sniff*, *Sniiifff*…」 Her eyes filled with tears, and she tried to contain them, but then… 「W… Wa… WAAAAAAAH!」 And crying just like the middle-schooler she was, she was now sobbing uncontrollably. She can’t stand being humiliated in front of me. But… What can I do! It doesn’t look like she plans to stop crying. 「♪He made her cry!♪ ♪He made her cry!♪ ♪I’ll tell the teachers!♪」 While saying this, Riko zoomed by and started running in circles around us. Riko, you hypocrite… Weren’t you one of the ones who wanted to ‘temper’ 47 Kaname? But… Thanks to such ‘help’, the atmosphere of bloodlust and battle, has been dispelled. How to say it…? Riko’s face seemed to say: ‘That was enough, right? More than this would be bullying, so we should stop.’ It seems that Riko had read the unbearable atmosphere… and purposely started to joke around in order to lighten the mood. As a result the tense atmosphere was disappearing. That girl has great communication skills. As for the two of us with meagre social skills… Aria and I could only exchange glances with the expression of ‘ What can I do?’ writ on our faces, but… Then Haimaki trotted up and licked her cheek, gently comforting her. Apparently, both Aria’s and my own social skills are less than a dog’s. Although, holding by far the lowest ranking in communication skills, was Haimaki’s owner, who shouldered her Druganov and was descending from a cherry tree planted near the sports arena. You were surprisingly close, Reki. 「Kaname, as we crossed swords, I have to say, your technique was impressive. I did not notice your instantaneous counter-attack until just now. If I had moved even slightly, I would have been struck.」 Saying that, Jeanne crouched as she stood next to Kaname, and her back… Is completely exposed! Panicking, I turned away quickly. Remaining completely calm, a large section has been cut– from top to bottom– out of her bulletproof uniform. She is unhurt, but now that girl is showing off her bra strap– white, like her porcelain skin. B-but… How do they fasten those, I wonder? Girls’ bras usually come with clips on the back, so Aria wearing ones with hooks in the front isn’t hard to understand, but… Thinking such thoughts, my brain began to overheat as I pondered this thing that would forever be a mystery to guys everywhere… from somewhere inside her torn Miko clothes, Shirayuki produced safety pins, and rearranged her clothes. 「As I thought, you are very strong– as expected from Kin-chan’s little sister.」 Shirayuki told the dejected Kaname, with the expression of a kind and gentle older sister. Kaname, on the brink of tears, silently accepted the title ‘Kin-chan’s little sister’, without a word, nodding her assent. Quickly tiring of such a scene, I said: 「Don’t encourage her. Whether you are strong or weak in a fight, outside the Island it’s meaningless.」 The tension having completely dissipated, I scolded Shirayuki and Jeanne with a wry smile. Moments later, Miss Control-Freak Aria-sama, told me… 「Kinji, I want coffee.」 If I took too much time, Aria could challenge me to a Lumberjack, so while thinking how unfortunate it was that it was late, I called Mutou to ask for some delivery. Since I could not say anything about the duel, I said: ‘I was out moon-viewing. 48 By the way, the girls are here too.’ , to which he replied, ‘Give me five minutes!’ , but it seems that there is no coffee to be had. So I asked Aria: ‘What do you suggest we do?’ , still using keigo. 「Well, you’re useless, aren’t you? I worry about your future.」 Questioning whether I was up to the task, Aria contacted her junior from Assault to prepare coffee. Really, people don’t like to be ordered about like slaves, Miss Lazy Noble. But her Amica 49 , Mamiya Akari, showed up in Mutou’s truck, exactly five minutes later, with ten kinds of coffee, so my lie became reality– We really are having a midnight moon-viewing. Incidentally, Mamiya is a little shorter than Aria, and also has a flatter chest. It is a rare thing for high-school girls to have such a childish body. Her hair is done up in short twin-tails that make her look like a kid. That girl must have some kind of short in the wiring of her brain, but she has this strange sort of respect for Aria that this little disciple will recklessly obey any order she is given, but… 「Tohyama-sempai, it’s very late. What I mean to say is that you have to sit separately from Aria-sempai, rather… move away from all the girls, please.」 With such a remark, she split us up. Why is she eying me like I’m the enemy? It’s not like I try to be left alone with girls. Come on, Mamiya! Look around at the spot chosen for this ‘moon-viewing’. What would a Butei think about this? Monopolising Aria as you sit next to her as you serve coffee with a smile on your face, that burnt smell in the air should at least make you a little suspicious. 「…」 Getting the cold-shoulder from Mamiya, I’m sitting on the ground, far away from the girls. Would you please give me some coffee? Even if it is twice-brewed. Anyone? Mutou went to go buy some moon-dumplings. I wonder if he’ll be back soon… The girls and Kaname are sitting on the cloth-like weapon,’P-FIBER’ 50 that had been suspended in the air and now spread itself out on the ground. Sitting on the edge quietly, Kaname’s expression seemed say: ‘You can sit on it.’ , so all the girls sat on the substitute ‘picnic blanket’, and I got the impression that it was a girl’s-only sort of gathering. Concerned about Kaname, I glanced over to where she was gulping a Caramel Macchiato and finally calming down. Maybe because it was so late, Mamiya was sitting, hugging her legs. And having chosen this moment to nod off… 「On second thought, why didn’t you use this tonight?」 Aria asked about the P-Fiber that had sealed her fate, and Kaname, after stealing a glance at Shirayuki, replied: 「It was because Shirayuki Onee-chan only fights with a single blade. Unlike the last time, this was a fair duel–not war–, so I thought I should only use a single blade, too. If I used more weapons, then it would be cowardly.」 Ah, that’s right. At McDonald’s, Kaname said much the same thing. A few days ago, I said: ‘If you want to call yourself a Tohyama, then don’t do cowardly things.’ Since that day, she has faithfully kept her promise. 「Yeah… That’s true…」 Hearing that, Shirayuki, who had regarded her as an enemy, re-assessed her opinion. Taking a silver crystal-like fragment of Sonic, she wrapped in a small blanket with a pink flower pattern and handed it to Kaname. 「The katana is the warrior’s spirit. Your katana conveyed feelings of a noble soul. It was beautiful.」 「Onee-chan…」 Meekly accepting it, Kaname looked up at Shirayuki with something like admiration. In this setting, they really looked like they were sisters. 「That must be what they mean by ‘brotherhood after a battle!’」 51 Turning around at that line taken straight from a Yakuza movie, carrying a plate of dumplings, Mutou had returned. After handing over the plate to Shirayuki, he came over and plopped himself down next to me and… 「This was a Lumberjack, wasn’t it?」 From the beginning, it seems that he had known– Somehow…. 「Don’t even think about informing on us. Even though it’s not technically against the rules, MASTERS has been a little fussy lately.」 「My lips are sealed. For starters, I’m in favour of such things.」 Imparting a hidden meaning to his words that only we would understand, he grabbed a handful of dumplings that the girls had left for us. 「Heh heh heh. Brings back memories, eh Kinji?」 「Don’t laugh so strangely!」 「But you are laughing too, aren’t you!」 As a matter of fact… Right immediately after I had enrolled in this school, Mutou was the guy who challenged me to a bare-handed Lumberjack. The reason? If I remember correctly, it had to do with something I had said about Shirayuki, and he picked a fight with me over it. Underestimating him by only taking into account the physical difference between us, I soon found myself caught up in a tough fight. He had quite a surprising number of various grappling skills, and his specialty Exployder 52 had enough power to leave your eyes spinning in your head. It is something that I never want to experience again or it might kill me. On that occasion, Riko and Shiranui were the ‘Ring’, and I lost track of how many times they returned us to the ring, and we kept fighting until we both were exhausted and completely battered. Who was the winner? I’ve already forgotten. Then, for some reason, Mutou and I started hanging out. Becoming friends after a fight… Although it doesn’t seem to make any sense, this is the extreme way in which we at Butei High build relationships with each other– an obsolete and inefficient method at that. Having decided to leave the discussion of the duel for another day… Shirayuki, Aria, and the rest each returned to their respective apartments, while Kaname and I went back to my apartment… Back home. Beneath street lights, and while the insects buzzed, we were walking and… 「Onii-chan.」 Kaname broke the silence. 「Yeah?」 「For being my Kamerad…and taking my side… thanks. When you said that you’d be my Kamerad … it made me very… happy…」 「But it was my fault that you lost.」 At the very least, I think that I had to point it out. When Jeanne used “Ice Flower of Orleans” , Kaname could have withdrawn her katana and escaped by jumping. But since I was behind her, she decided to halt the freezing effect using her superheated blade at close range. Because of that, Sonic was completely frozen, compromising its internal structure and making it become brittle. Although of course, the fact that I was in the way when Jeanne attacked, was Kaname’s mistake, but if I hadn’t decided to be her Kamerad , there might have been a very different outcome. 「It was nothing. Little sisters protect their older brothers… human beings protect their family, since it’s the natural thing to do.」 Saying that, Kaname’s bangs swayed she shook her head from side to side. When I heard those words… I felt as if Kaname really was my younger sister. 「…」 I stopped and looked down at Kaname. She also paused at exactly the same moment, looking up at me with those deep sea-blue eyes. Just like real younger sister would look up at their older brother. **************************************************** NEXT CHAPTER… **************************************************** 1. 1. Normal 2. Aggressive (Aggro) 3. Weak 2. Kanji: 天高く馬肥ゆる秋 (Tentakaku uma koyuru aki) ‘High sky and fat horses in autumn.’ in kanji. An idiomatic way to describe the fall. It indicates that autumn wonderful time because the sky is clear and blue (high) and because of the good weather, everyone has more appetite and is happy because of the harvest. 3. A phenomenon where bullets are ignited by the residual heat of the gun after firing. 4. ‘Kyushin capsule’ in the original, a popular naturopathic remedy thought to treat some heart ailments. 5. Butei High is built on an artificial floating island so it is not unlike a huge boat. 6. ‘Kamatoto’ (蒲魚) in the original. A woman who feigns ignorance, naïveté, or purity. Kaname is either saying that Shirayuki is acting helpless on purpose, or that she is not really such pure, reserved girl as she seems to act. Either meaning seems to fit her. *laughs* — Anon-san 7. Interesting factoid: The word here is ‘tsukko’ from which ‘tsukkomi’ is derived. — Anon-san 8. The furingana say ‘revenge’ in katakana, and the kanji say something like ‘battle of retribution’.– Anon-san 9. Polite and formal speaking style typically reserved for speaking with one’s superiors or strangers of unknown rank. Up until now they have been speaking casually.– Anon-san 10. The word here is ‘Kawaigaru’ (可愛がる). Normally it means ‘to be loved’, but in an ironic sense, it can also mean ‘to be teased/bullied’. Shirayuki is playing off this ironic ambiguity, as Riko will later.– Anon-san 11. The word Kinji uses here is a pun on the name ‘Shirayuki’, which means ‘White Snow’. The word he uses is ‘Kurayuki’ or ‘Black Snow’.– Anon-san 12. The kanji used is (円)”circle” but the shape is not necessarily circular; only such that all possible escape routes are sealed. This fact is more apparent in the original because the next instance give the word in katakana to distinguish it. 13. ‘Comrade’ in German. In WWII in was shouted by German soldiers to surrender. The kanji say: ‘help-assistance person’. 14G. The last part of this phrase especially difficult to render into natural sounding English, and it took about an hour of collaboration for us to even get this far. In the original, there is a 3 word compound. The first part means: ‘licensed’, ‘legal’, or ‘officially allowed’; the second is Kaname’s name; and the last is Japanese slang that means ‘to beat severely’. The first part seems to carry an implication that there is some kind of legal immunity being given out. It is becoming legal due to some abnormal circumstances. The Kanji for this word literally translate: ‘The Heavens give honorable excuse’ or something like that. For the last part, I’ve chosen a British, Aussie, and Kiwi slang term to represent the Japanese, but for the rest of the world, it could be translated ‘beat the snot out of’, ‘FUBAR’, or ‘beat the living daylights out of’. So it means that any kind of beating they give Kaname will be within the law, and no repercussions can be visited upon the Baskerville girls.– Anon-san and AGlingua 15. A gaming term from Final Fantasy XI. It is a long range attack with quintuple damage, but low accuracy. 16. Arena #2 is the same arena used in the contests described in Volume 3. 17. The actual terms here are ‘Shinogi’ (鎬) and ‘Hi’ (樋). Here is a diagram. –Anon-san 18. A scale invented by the German geologist Friedrich Mohs to comparatively measure the hardness of materials. A 10 would be the hardness of diamonds. 19. Mutou coined term. It refers to the fact that, when walking, the girls’ mini-skirts expose their gun holsters. It is derived from the Japanese expression ‘Panchira’ which indicates that a women’s panties are showing. 20. The word here is Kamatoto (蒲魚). The same Kaname used earlier to describe Shirayuki. It means a woman who feigns ignorance or innocence. 21. “ Takarazuka ” in the original, An all female school of acting and performing arts. 22. Burikko (ぶりっ子) in the original. A girl who act cute and pretends to be helpless to get attention. 23. Okay, Anon-san has set me straight. What is actually going on here has to do with Riko’s peculiar manner of speech. She has a habit of stretching out words, so here she is holding out the last sound ‘e’ in Kaname for longer than usual. So she is giving Kaname a more subtle nickname than those she has given to others. 24. (色仕掛け), literally, ‘seduction’. Jeanne’s order was given in Volume 10. 25. Ririikane, the blue-green Irokane that has the ability to nullify the powers of other Irokane users. 26. Literally: ‘Inhibitory ESP Particles’. ‘Stealth’ is an Japanese word refering to ESP users. –AGlingua 27. “ Single Molecule Vibration Katana ” in kanji.‘Sonic’ is given as the Katakana reading. 28. This is the Katakana reading. I’ve read elsewhere that ‘Neue Ange’ it is meant to be German, meaning ‘new arrival’. The Kanji say: ‘Cutting-edge Weapons Technology, Banzai!’ 29. Type 10 ( Hitomaru-shiki Sensha ) A high-tech Japanese battle tank currently in service in the JSDF. 30. While was Aria sent a package of Butei Bullets marked ‘PASTEL’, Kinji was sent one marked ‘COCKTAIL’. 31. Hassou stance . 32. It is English written in katakana. The accompanying kanji say something like: “Everything it touches, it severs” 33. ‘Blazing Wall of Scarlet Flame’ in kanji. 34. Dai-joudan stance 35. Something like: ‘Bright Scarlet Butterfly Aid’ in kanji. 36. Koujiro Sasaki (Ganryu’s real name), was a famous swordsman in Japanese folklore. He invented and perfected the technique ‘Tsubame Gaeshi’, the ‘Swallow Counter’ alternatively translated as ‘Swallow Reversal’. It is said that it was a technique that struck two cuts with the katana so quickly that it was like a swallow descending, turning, and then flying up again. 37. Chu-dan stance 38. Tunic of thin breathable fabric that is used as underwear when wearing a kimono. 39. Iaido is an artistic style of swordsmanship, that emphasises perfection of form in drawing, striking, then returning the blade to the sheath (saya). 40. ‘Scarlet Hotogi God’ in kanji. 41. Waki . Another Kendo stance. 42. This is a reference to Mobile Suit Gundam. In that anime, the heroes lined up and conducted a highly powerful, syncronised attack called ‘Jet Stream Attack’. 43. “Ice Flower of Orleans” in French and kanji. 44. This was a particularly tricky bit as it is a coined term. The kanji here read: ‘hotogisoutenryuu’. As some of you may notice, it incorporates the name of the Hotogi in the name. The kanji for ‘Hotogi’ mean something like ‘votaries of celestial’. The last part incorporates the kanji for ‘to attend/entertain’; ‘Heaven’; and ‘school/style’. So Shirayuki is invoking the lineage of the technique– supposedly wielded by those who attend Heaven/the Gods directly. By the by, ‘Sacred Art’ is more accurately translated ‘hidden technique’ or ‘secret teaching’– the most powerful techniques only taught to few who fully master an art/style–, but I left it for the sake of consistency. So the whole thought here is that this is one of the most powerful techniques from an already impressive art, and it is being invoked by a master of that art. 45. Okay, this is some ancient Japanese poetry. Not being a poet, or particularly well-versed in ancient Japanese, I cannot do any kind of justice to the poem, so here is only a best guess and attempt. Consulting contemporary Japanese commentary, the main idea seems to be that when things reach their goal of perfection, degeneration sets in almost immediately, so that perfection seldom lasts more than an instant. Some believe that the poem is also drawing an unspoken parallel to the transitory nature of people and their accomplishments. 46. Kinji is correct. It is one of the poems of Tokudaiji Sanesada. No. 141 of Book 2 of the Shin Kokin Wakashū . It is a common poem to study in Classical Japanese Literature because it is written in ancient Japanese. Link to the original 47. This was originally a blacksmithing term. It refers specifically to the process of strengthening the metal of a sword during forging by heating, hammering, and quenching. More modernly, it is used a a term to describe the development of deep discipline and pain tolerance that one would expect a soldier to undergo during intensive training. 48. This refers to the Japanese tradition of ‘Jugoya’, usually held in September, where people view the full moon and celebrate the harvest. It was imported from China, and incorporates special foods and rituals.– Anon-san 49. Lit. “Friend” in Italian: ‘Battle Sister’ in kanji. It the name given to the Senpai-Kouhai sponsorship system at Butei High. When a Senpai takes on an Amica, they are responsible to mentor them, and the junior is expected to show some kind of deference in exchange. 50. Lit. “Ultra-thin Electro-magnetic Propulsion Shield” in kanji. 51. A Japanese proverb. (喧嘩の後の兄弟名乗り) The meaning is obvious, it says that after a fight people can reconcile and be close friends. Literally: ‘Become (in name) siblings after a quarrel’ in kanji. 52. A professional wrestling technique in which the contestant lifts their opponent and throws them to the floor. A type of ‘ Suplex Specifically the T-bone suplex — AGlingua Full Credit and much thanks to the Staff of Twin Dragons Light Novels: Thunder , Darkhellsing , and Esteban108 , for permission to use their translation. ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### 002. 2nd Ammo- Ranban Castle Chapter 2: Sports Festival–The Brawl [Begin Text] Arcanum Duo 1 and Lumberjack, having tasted defeat in both–and in so short a time–, Kaname’s malicious attitude has disappeared completely. She has come to realise that her value was not only as a weapon. Being defeated in the duel has shaken her self-confidence, and it seems that she is now living the life of a normal high school girl. Unfortunately, there is nothing normal about this school. Even the many advanced blades she boasted of, have not been seen. This is… Well, of course it’s wonderful. It’s Aria– who will draw her guns in a fight over the television channel–, and Riko– who lays landmines as a prank– that are the problem. From now on, Kaname should live a peaceful life like any normal civilian. It’s something I want for her, from the bottom of my heart. Especially because, at her age, she can still re-adjust to a normal life. Something in Kaname’s attitude towards me has changed, and she has been acting very strange. It appears that– considering her claim that we are sibling–, she has put an appropriate distance between us. She no longer clings to me like Riko, and I consider myself saved from this peril. But, despite this, I’m still her ‘Onii-chan’ that needs to be taken care of. Sometimes she does inexplicable things like hiding and watching me– just staring. It seems like the type of situation in the Shoujo manga that Jeanne likes to read: ‘I’m in love! But since it’s my older brother, I can’t show my true feelings…’ And in not wanting to go home, I’m ‘immovable as a mountain’ 2 , but compared to: ‘Since you have been with other girls, I’ll stab you 30 times with a kitchen knife…’ 3 …that she said a few days ago, this is infinitely better, so I humbly endure it. At least I plan to, but if I’m careless… On a day that Kaname wasn’t home, for some reason I found myself making an inverted Teru-teru Bouzu 4 (The kind with the head down), when I received a strange report by telephone from someone completely unexpected… 「Hello, Master-de gozaru. 5 」 「I told you to stop calling me that.」 It was a call from Hina Fuuma… 「Lately, my Master’s younger sister has been actively making friends with all of the first-year girls-de gozaru.」 That was the report I received. 「That’s good, isn’t it? And normal for girls her age.」 Unlike me, it seems that Kaname was always a popular person. Of course, that was with her ‘Innocent Kaname’ persona. 「Actually, there is a girl with whom she has recently become especially close-de gozaru.」 「That’s good too, right? Who is it- ‘de gozaru’ ?」 Since everything seemed to be fine, I started losing interest in listening, so I reached out to write the characters: へ の も の へ on the face of my Teru-teru Bouzu 6 with a marker when… 「It is Lady Mamiya Akari-de gozaru.」 Hearing that, my hand froze. 「…Aria’s Amica ?」 「The same.」 I had a bad feeling about this… Digging further into the matter and asking questions, it seems that among first-years she is one of the most promising students. Although the details are classified, she is also involved in some important affair. Around the time when E-Ranked Mamiya became Aria’s Amica — when addressing certain person with an S-rank–, said: ‘Working with you is great, but– as an E-Rank Butei– I wonder if it was Fate that brought us together?’ …among other irritating phrases. And asking what they were doing together… 「The details are unclear, however, it appears they are allied in a conspiracy to keep my Master away from Kanzaki-senpai.」 She answered. Keep me and Aria…? That would be a wonderful thing! If I don’t stay away from Aria, this pursuit– using her Governments and the horn-like hair ornaments she started wearing at the beginning of the month–, and real-life bull-fight will never end. This is something that I could only ask for! 「For now, watch both of them. If anything strange happens, report back.」 「As you wish.」 And with this, the call ended. Shaking my head, I dropped heavily on the sofa. In anything related to the first-years, I leave just about everything to Fuuma– maybe too much, but it’s fine. I’m very busy… Ok, maybe not so much, but I have to learn how to manage people sooner or later. Moreover, I can’t let myself be distracted by these things. Right now, there is already something much, much more worrying to occupy my brain. Tomorrow, Sunday, at Butei High the Sports Festival (also known as ‘ La Rissa ‘ {The Brawl}) will be held– a hellish event. I’m begging. Let there be a huge storm tomorrow! And I hung my completed inverted Teru-teru Bouzu on the curtain rod. ***************************************** Sunday morning dawned, without a single cloud on that absolutely beautiful day… All of us Butei High students are ranged in parallel ranks in Arena No.1. It’s for our annual athletic meet– the Sports Festival. Since students are regularly absent– on investigations or raids– there are no pre-qualifiers. At 5:00 A.M. on the day appointed, we have to assemble, and our ‘wonderful teachers’, hold us at gunpoint as we rehearse our assigned parts. And then suddenly, the show begins. Damn, I’m tired! I’m about to fall asleep standing up. 「We, the competitors, swear to respect the laws that govern us as Butei, and to participate fully until the end of the competition! 」 And so a bland “Athlete’s oath” was delivered by Urara Takachiho– a notable first-year. The student body divided into Red and White Teams, and prepared for the competition. On their hips and backs there was not a single knife, grenade, handgun, rifle, or machine gun. We are all disarmed. This is an extremely unlikely scenario at the Butei High, because school policy states: ‘All students must carry a gun and a knife at all times while inside the facility.’ It’s time for the first competition to begin– “Shooting Baskets” Sometimes after a failed match-making, Ranbyou orders the students of ASSAULT: “Students will compete in groups of two. Each will have to to load their gun, and the slowest one will get shot.” This time, we aren’t shooting bullets. We are only throwing balls into small baskets suspended 3 metres above the ground. 7 And as for the reason that our sports meet is so peaceful… 「Well… All of the students are quite fit, aren’t they?」 「Yes, and with this fine weather and cloudless sky, they will be able to work up a healthy sweat!」 The ones having this discussion are from the Metropolitan Board of Education– the Vice-Director of the Tokyo Board of Education and the Chief Supervisor of Educational Guidance are on inspection. That is to say, they came to monitor us. The reason is that the last Sports Festival hosted Ancient Roman gladiator games, barefoot races, and was jam packed with other extremely dangerous events. Students were injured, one after another, and in short it was a brawling festival. Despite this, the deranged students at this school thought it was a lot of fun, but rumours of it reached the ears of the Tokyo Metropolitan Governor and he was livid, and surveillance was subsequently instituted. Just one foolish move here could lead to the closure of Butei High! In a frenzy MASTERS issued an urgent statement: ‘During the sports festival, and while you are present in Arena No.1, you will play the part of innocent and smiling high school students. Gunfire or any other kind of violent action, will be strictly and severely punished.’ These were their instructions. By “strictly and severely punished” , they basically mean a full course of planned punishment, and so we are all ‘Shooting Baskets’ with strange, forced smiles on our faces. 「Aw, Come on…! It won’t go in!」 Even on our White Team … Aya Hiraga of AMDO is participating with a completely natural, innocent smile, offering comfort for our troubled hearts. She usually modifies weapons with her small hands, but the general lack of coordination she is displaying makes me worry about the next order I place with her. Wearing a tracksuit was optional, so Hiraga is wearing shorts. But as she enjoys herself, her resemblance to an elementary school-girl at the park makes her look all the more childish. This kind of competition suits her all too well. 「Umph…!」 *Sparkle* *Sparkle* Her silver hair shining and full, lustrous locks flowing uselessly behind her as she throws the ball is… Jeanne. Because she is so beautiful, with her artificial smile she looks like a movie star, but she is wearing bloomers so outdated that they look more like panties. On the whole it is evidence of utter stupidity, and is drawing the embarrassed gaze of the boys nearby. On the other hand, what is most unsettling is… The presence of the the senior students–the third-years who are also ‘Shooting Baskets’. They receive more requests from governments and private individuals for long-term jobs, and under the guise of a short period of study abroad, they are hired to respond to a lot of incidents around the world. Because of this, they aren’t often seen at Butei High. But even so… No matter who you look at, they all have an awesome presence. All of them have their own personality quirks– probably two or three–and seem very hard to please. Also, compared to the other grades, they are the ones best at pretending to be ordinary high-school students, but their aura is quite different. It’s something that can be concealed from an ordinary person, but as fellow Butei, we’ve noticed. As a rule, third-years never shows their full power to a junior student. It is also unwise to show it to other third-years. They are well-used to hiding their claws. As the number of real-combat job requests increase, the professional rivalry between fellow Butei and the possibility of meeting as enemies also increase. Getting a job also means gaining experience. Because of this, close friendships are ended, and practical experience gained, lethal assassination techniques, and special skills are closely guarded secrets. As a result, they may seem like regular students on the outside, but on the inside they are more terrifying than the Yakuza. To be more precise, they radiate the aura of a ‘professional’. Slaves in the first year, demons in the second, and Kings of the Underworld in the third… In short, the King of the Underworld doesn’t flaunt their kanabou at mere demons 8 . Uff! I never thought that just shooting baskets would make me sweat so much… Beads of cold sweat ran down my back. *********************************************** Then the traditional part of the Sports Festival wrapped up quickly… Throughout the school, various kinds of ‘Individual competitions’ are being held. separately in several of the Butei High sports facilities. It is a clever ploy to impress the Metropolitan BoE bigwigs and ensure additional funding, all without letting the students out of the teachers’ supervision. Because I didn’t want to participate in an ‘Individual competition’, I volunteered to be the head score-keeper, but… as I went to pick up the score-sheets from the MASTERS tent, I was embarrassed to find Ranbyou and Tsuzuri in an altered state. They had changed their normal maniacal ‘GAHAHA!’ laughter, to the more casual and refined ‘hohoho’ type, eating sweet bean jelly and sipping green tea with the over-the-hill BoE members. They look just like two beautiful female teachers. This two-faced acting is almost too much. One day, that pair of ‘beautiful teachers’ somehow acquired a huge barrel of sake, opened it, and in a drunken rage, destroyed the inner docking clamps for the artificial island, causing the whole of Academy Island to shift 0.8 degrees south…. I wonder if I should snitch on them… After that, they stabilised the island’s pitch using its ballast tanks, but their heads would probably roll if the incident was reported. But in return, my head would roll. With that almost 2 meter long zanbato, that Ranbyou usually carries on her back. *********************************************** The ‘Individual competitions’ are held in the second half of the first part of the Sports Festival, and everyone, regardless of their skill, has been assigned an event by MASTERS. So I don’t have the foggiest idea who is participating in what competition. First, I cycled over to where they were holding an obstacle course… *Tap!* *Tap!* *Tap!* 「Ahh…! AHHHH…!」 A girl tried to jump the high jump bar, but her legs tangled. Her head sticking out of the vaulting box and wearing a gym shorts was Shirayuki. The other participants had already reached the goal, and she was the only one that had not made it half-way. What I mean is that she got stuck on every single obstacles–eyes filled with tears of despair. But Shirayuki has always been clumsy. 「Hotogi-san is doing her best!」 「She’s the ultimate example of it!」 「Jump higher!」 She was being cheered the guys standing nearby. Why is that? I don’t get the impression that the are making fun of her, but encouraging her from the bottom of their hearts. 「Umh… Uhh… This… foot? What…? W-wha…!」 Next, to be struggled through was a net, and sure enough she was quickly entangled. Shirayuki serves as the captain of the women’s volleyball club and is wearing her uniform. Your volleyball team, can it even play properly? For me, this is one of the 7 mysteries of Butei High. *********************************************** Next, I headed to the tennis courts… 「Senpai, please use my towel!」 「No, mine!」 「Mine too!」 「Use mine!」 There was a group of first-year girls engaged in a shoving match, and in the middle of them them I found Jeanne. 「To-Tohyama! Help me!」 While shouting a variation of her usual “ Follow me “, she stretched her hand out of the knot of girls, but…Sorry. I can’t rescue you. To enter that circle of girls with very short tennis skirts would be suicide. Surely ‘that’ problem would become an issue, so you have to figure something out yourself. 「Isn’t is great to be popular? If only you were this popular with boys it’d be perfect.」 Saying that, I diligently recorded the scores from board hung on the fence. Oh! Jeanne got first place, huh? Second is Takachiho of ASSAULT, and third is Naruse of CVR. *Fwsh!* *Fwsh!* Turning my head at the sound, I saw that they had been having a badminton doubles match on the next court over. In the closest pair, one of the players was… Reki! She wore a polo shirt and Spandex shorts under her skirt–clearly everything was borrowed. 「…」 *Whizz!* The shuttlecock flew through the air towards her side, and like a broken pitching-machine, Reki swung her racquet and missed. She swung vertically. Thus, the one-sided game, ended with the defeat of Reki’s team. Reki’s partner–who seemed to belong to the women’s badminton club– collapsed onto the court and began crying. It’s not your fault. Even if Ojizo-sama 9 helped, and her partner was a badminton world champion, a decent match is impossible. 「Oi Reki! This is an assignment from MASTERS, no… Show a bit more spirit!」 「…」 While writing down the scores, I scolded Reki a little bit, but she did not respond. Although she is wearing a skirt, she sat against the fence off to the side, hugging her knees and unmoving like a statue. 「…?」 I sensed something a little strange in Reki. By the look in her eyes, she seems to be making a joke of this event– looking like she is running some kind of pre-programmmed simulation in this sham of a sporting event. But… Reki has always been strange, so she can basically do whatever she wants. *********************************************** After that, some girls were being pushed in a hand cart for some kind of unknown event, and I was surprised that the Mutou siblings were taking it very seriously. 「Since it has wheels,the pride of LOGI is at stake!”」 Wearing spandex shorts and mimicking my role as score collector, Kaname joined me. Since it was my job, I entered the area where the last individual competition was being held– the Extreme Sports Competition. In a vacant area, several curved ramps had been erected here and there. Some were set Standing behind one… 「Unh!」 Hearing a familiar a well-known anime voice, I looked up, and there was Aria, wearing inline skates and doing jumping into the clear blue sky. She was wearing gym shorts, child-sized pads on her knees and elbows, and a helmet with holes carefully drilled for her twin-tails. Landing on a curved ramp, she spun and continued to make successive jumps, and while still in the air… she came horizontal and spun round and round, twirling like a corkscrew. As her long twin-tails spun around her like a double-helix, cheers soared from the students who were spectators. Incredible…! And then on the next jump, she lifted the tips of her skate, twisted her body while turning a somersault, landing a perfect ‘Flat Spin 540°’ , successfully preforming several consecutive high-level tricks. And while still in the air, she calmly winked an eye at the younger girls. Wow… of all the Butei I know, she is the most coordinated. And after having seen how it is with Reki and Shirayuki, I am more convinced. Besides… Despite the bad impressions I have of her, right now… because I can’t describe it, I can’t help but say that… Right now, she looks… very cute. It’s quite clear. From the first day I met Aria, thoughts like that have popped into my head. Her social status is that of a genuine aristocrat, and she also has a talent for learning languages. Why has heavens granted her two or three blessings? 10 Especially since they haven’t given me anything. All I got was this annoying physical condition–Hysteria Mode. But then again… her height, quick-temper, and inability to swim are a few of her flaws. One of her major flaws, one that is especially notable is her forgetfulness about certain situations where she has overdone something and become angry. In the summer festival, she tried Takoyaki 11 but in the autumn had completely forgotten, and explaining it all a second time was a real hassle. And recalling such things, my gaze followed Aria until… *Pinch* 「Ouch…!」 Kaname, who had just caught up with me, pulled on my cheek. 「What are you watching that has you so fascinated, Onii-chan?」 「I-I’m not fascinated! And why are you so angry? Your cheeks are puffed out like a chipmunk with its mouth stuffed full of food.」 「Nooo reeeeason…」 *Humph!* Kaname whirled away and pressing down hard, began copying the results of the BMX Free-style event on the score-sheet. *Crunch* She was pressing so hard, it seemed that her point would break with the force of each stroke. 「Ah, Kinji. Are you… both trying to skip out on the Sports Festival? You siblings are alike.」 Seeming to notice our presence, Aria glided over smoothly, wearing a pair of inline skates, she looked like a pond skater skimming the water’s surface. 「Well, the first part … it’s just a charade, so it’s alright to skip, don’t you think?」 「Even this acting can be a warm-up for the second part! 」 「Shh! Don’t talk so carelessly about Part Two. If anyone from the MoE hears you, the MASTERS will crush you to a pulp!」 I started scanning the area, but there were no signs of our evil teachers. 「So … Kinji. W-What was ‘that’ all about?」 Aria asked, turning away as she drank a sports drink from a plastic bottle. 「What was ‘what’?」 「You were watching me with a stupid-Kinji look on your face, weren’t you?」 「Don’t call me that. And wait… You noticed?」 「How could I not notice? You were staring at me.You didn’t take your eyes off me for a second. 」 「S-Staring…? Ah… well, it’s not like I wasn’t watching, but…」 I didn’t finish and my answer trailed off as a lump rose into my throat. At that explanation Aria’s face turned red. Instinctively, I prepared myself to dodge a hail of bullets, but right now, she is unarmed. I’m safe. In any case, she doesn’t seem particularly angry. Her tense lips have softened somewhat. The look on her face… it’s like she’s half embarrassed and half happy. I am only able to arrive at these figures because of my previous experiences with Aria. I was staring at her… so it’s not I don’t understand the fact that she is embarrassed… but I don’t know why she’s happy. So, intrigued, I frowned and Kaname, also scowled. She seems to have understood the meaning behind Aria’s expression perfectly, and became angry. Pointing at Aria’s face, I was just about to ask Kaname about it when… 「… What are you gong to do now? You’re already done collecting scores, right?」 Aria asked. 「Huh? No, not yet. I still need to get the results of one other event.」 「Oh yeah! Wｈere!?」 She’s in a bad mood. 「Buildering 12 : It’s an event a lot like rock climbing, but you have to climb a building instead. It’s near SNIPE because it is the tallest building in the school. They’re the only ones I haven’t marked down yet. On the roof…」 「The r-roof…!」 Ah…! Damn it! Aria’s camellia coloured eyes became as round as saucers, and seeing this, I hastily covered my mouth., but it was too late. Lately, the word ‘roof’ is not one that should be said in front of Aria. And right now, I just said it twice…! 「R-r-ro-roof…!」 「S-sorry, Aria… Forget what I said! I’m so sorry!」 「Ro-ro-r-f-ro-of-oof…!」 Th-This is… A silver lining! She’s ‘lagging’! Whenever time Aria has heard ‘that word’ she has exhibited a number of reactions, but this one is particularly safe. As it stands now, she’ll be out of order for a little while. It is a ‘reaction bonus’. A few days ago–when I didn’t know that this forbidden word could cause a disaster–, I irritated Aria by asking: “Why do you get so angry whenever you hear the word ‘roof’? What’s wrong with a ‘roof’? A ‘roof’. What is it? It’s a ‘roof’!”. After saying it how many times, Aria finally burst into tears, screamed at me in English, so drew her swords and guns, and ended up shooting in all directions while running around the room, and took a swan dive from my apartment into Tokyo Bay. She stole my signature move. That is her most dangerous reaction,’Berserk’. I had always known that she was strange, but I thought she had finally gone insane… She was floundering on the water’s surface, so I rescued her with a fishing rod as she said: “That time, I don’t know why I did it. It was a mistake! So it doesn’t count!” Having fished her out, she summarily began to pummel, but the violent mermaid had finally said it. Apparently Aria talking about what happened that time… Every time she remembers the kiss that she gave me on the roof of SSR, it triggers hysterics. Of course, I don’t have a clue why she did it, either. No ideas on how to heal her mental scars (?) immediately leap to my mind. While Aria getting upset and harassing me about something she did herself is unreasonable, for the time being, by being careful not to say ‘that’ word, I’ve managed to get along with her. For now… 「Aria. Hey, are you okay?」 I shook the paralysed Aria and shook her a little. 「I-I’m Fi’m.」 Fully flushed, she was still suffering the effects of mental shock. 「…」 What are the two of us going to do? From hereon out? As we shared the silence, and our eyes locked in utter confusion… *Priiii!* Sounding a whistle that was probably used in the competitions, Aria’s Amica , Mamiya, with her small body and short legs, came running… But what the hell…? Her two short twin-tails bristling, she was shaking her fists angrily. 「Tohyama-senpai! Please step away from Aria-senpai! Kaname-chan, give me a hand!」 「Right! That is out! 13 」 Taking advantage of the fact that Aria was still wearing her inline skates, Mamiya took a hold of Aria from behind, turning her around, pushing her like she was carting something away on a hand truck. Meanwhile, Kaname clutched at my waist and started dragging me off toward the SNIPE building. Oh… So this is the ‘alliance to keep me away from Aria’ that Fuuma told me about! But what about us? Putting my physical safety as a priority, I should welcome such a separation from Aria, but… Why are you two working so hard? Particularly that ‘mini-Aria’, Mamiya Akari. Thanks to what I saw Konayuki do about Shirayuki and myself, I understand perfectly because Mamiya sees Aria in the same way. But, looking at it another way, if we prioritize Aria’s mental and physical health, couldn’t this be dangerous? But as things stand…to me this is all happening an incomprehensible world, so I can’t do anything but let them have their way. ************************************** Finding out what a terrible Amica she had, Aria is probably having a hard time at a place where we wouldn’t be allowed to see each other, and I sympathised with her… I went to the INFORMA tent to deliver the score-sheet results. Here, some first-years were faced with a mountain of forms just like mine, and I noted the current score: Red Team: 865 points. White Team: 856 points So, the winner will be decided in the very last event called the “Hundred Runners’ Relay”. The “formal” winner, that is… Heaving a big sigh, I went to Arena #1 where the entire student body had assembled once again; only this time, a 400 metre wide track was left open. Each team (Red and White) has 50 relay-runners, chosen at random, who had to run the entire track, but…Since I wasn’t picked, I’m just a spectator. In the end, the only competition that I participated was “Shooting Baskets”, but that’s just fine by me. 「Ready!」 *Bang!* At the sound of the starting gun, the vast majority of students remained calm, but… 「Eek!」 Only one, a girl from the Red Team on the inside track, tripped and knocked over the backstop. Sweat pouring off her, she fell on her butt as she refused to stand… It’s… Nakasorachi?! Of all the competitions, she was chosen to participate in the relay-race. That girl has terrible luck. A second-year attached to CONNECT, Misaki Nakasorachi, with her long bangs hanging down in front of her eyes, she glanced nervously in every direction. Watching the previous runner come around, she fell again, but this time forward. While in that position on all-fours, she realised that her turn was coming… 「Hyaaa!」 Not even taking the time to stand, she entered the track in that position and started crawling on all-fours. Under her shirt, her generous chest, rocked from side to side with each step. Maybe it was divine prank or a trick of Fate, but from my position I could see it clearly… Her bra was made of raw white and very plain. But it’s having the opposite effect! I just hope she isn’t thinking about running the whole r ace on all fours… Just as we all were beginning to worry about that, somehow Nakasorachi managed to stand up. With legs trembling like a newborn fawn, received the baton from the previous runner and took over. You’ve got to be kidding me! Nakasorachi began to run, but with legs so bent, they seemed to form the letter ‘X’. 「Hi, hah, hah, hah… Ho!」 In the end, she managed to run at a speed of about 10 kph, panting hard, but the long red ribbon that was tied on her head barely moved. That is… Amazing! Nakasorachi is displaying a unique lack of physical aptitude. She fell down… and again… she has yet fallen. In the 400 metres of track separating her from where she handed the baton off to Watson, she fell a total of eight times. I’ve always wondered… It’s a real mystery how you c an be a proper Butei. ****************************** As a result, the Sports Festival ended with the upset of the Red Team and their sudden defeat. Needless to say it, Nakasorachi had defeated her own team. With the applause of all the students, we marked the sham ending of this whole charade… If only our Sports Festival ended with the First Part, it would be just like a normal high school… None of the students were particularly tired, but we did some cool-down exercises anyway. We were split into pairs of boys or girls, but I have been paired with Watson who is pretending to be a boy at school…and it was extremely uncomfortable. Watson began to fluster, caught up in a panic. It got to the point that Shiranui was ‘watching’ us with with concern. I just wanted to disappear. Meanwhile, from the MASTERS’ tent… 「My.. What a startling last-minute victory!」 「It was, wasn’t it? It was a wonderful sports festival.」 Surrounded by what appeared to be the ‘real’ Ranbyou、 Tsuzuri, and the former actress Ruri Yuuki-sensei from CVR, the Chief Supervisor and Vice-Director of the MoE Committee were in high spirits. But if you look carefully at the desk, the green tea they had been drinking have turned into cans of beer. When both were a little tipsy, with an angelic smile, Irin Yadokoro from AMBULANCE presented each with a box of expensive cakes, and they left Butei High practically walking on air, however… Damn it…! Bureaucrats! Butei have always used the same old trick when dealing with spineless characters– beautiful women, alcohol, bribes… and they are left completely fooled. Even a pacifist like me pities them. Being a sports festival with the name ‘La Rissa’ , which in Italian means ‘The Brawl’, I should realize that there hasn’t been a ‘Kibasen’ 14 ! ‘Kibasen’… Just the word is enough to bring back memories, and cause my stomach hurt. It’s one of the competitions that will take place in the ‘far from normal’ Part Two of the Sports Festival. ************************************************* While taking a pill for my stomach 15 in the open water fountain… 「Tooyama 16 .」 Carrying a red safety cone in her arms, Watson approached. 「If this is for your ‘rehabilitation’ I won’t do it. Just think about the time and place. If Shiranui sees us again…」 「But I haven’t said anything! We’ll save rehabilitation for next time. Rather, a while ago… using the cool-down exercises as an excuse, you took advantage of the opportunity to touch me in strange places, didn’t you? On my.. h-here… and here…」 「Don’t get so worked up over nothing! Who would want to touch you there, anyway!」 「The way you say it is so rude!」 「You’re a pain, seriously…」 As we talked, Watson signaled the message ‘3’ by blinking, so we are now pretending to help collect the last of the equipment used in the competitions. With these things in hand, the two of us left for the gym storage warehouse while taking extreme care that no one saw us. 「Well, what happened? Have you found Third–G-3?」 Inside the dark warehouse, poles and urethane mats for the high jump had been piled up and we sat down. 「Nothing yet. Even our own British Security Service, MI5, has been unable to locate him. G-3 is an expert at ‘disappearance’ and that includes concealing his movements, communications, and all all of his footprints, and of course not being detected by any visual surveillance.」 「Oh, right… I’ve seen him do that twice. So that’s how it is, huh?」 So he can’t be tracked…huh? 「But what he cannot hide is his past. Look at this.」 From behind her back Watson, extracted several sheets of A4 paper and handed them to me. Watson, did you put these there before the festival started, and have they been there ever since? I thought that I felt something crinkling when we did back-to-back stretches just a minute ago. 「I can’t read it. It’s written in English.」 I said, thrusting the lightly cinnamon scented paper back. 「You should study more, Tooyama.」 With a feminine sigh Watson… *Plop!* …sat her anything but masculine, round buttocks down next to me. Ugh… Damn! My stupid sense of smell has been activated. Maybe because she’s sweated a bit in the Sports Festival, but… Watson exudes a faint scent. I can sense her female pheromones, even though she is dressed as a boy. Hey, Watson! How is it that despite giving off this sweet, feminine scent, you haven’t been outed as a girl? Your thighs are practically exposed in those shorts, and I’m not sure if I’d call words ‘healthy’ or ‘seductive’. 「Tooyama, why are you looking at my legs? You’re positively indecent!」 Speaking of ‘indecent’, Watson blew a raspberry at me while turning the page. 「I-I’m not looking! Who would want to!」 「You are so rude.」 After exchanging the same troublesome banter again… Watson put on a serious expression and stared at me with eyes, that if you look closely, are also quite feminine. 「These documents contain the information that you wanted Liberty Mason to hand over, and as members of DEEN, we want to ask the leader of Team Baskerville…you, what we should do if we encounter G-3… In other words, we want to hear your opinion.」 「My two cents aren’t even worth that much. What do the documents say?」 「Well, first they say that ‘G-3 is not a criminal ‘–at least not according to the British Government.」 「What…? Not… a criminal? He used Kaname to attack Aria and the girls. What is he then?」 「If seen from your individual point-of-view, he looks like a criminal, doesn’t he? But when viewed as a whole, he can also be seen as a good person.」 「…?」 Seeing my blank look of confusion, Watson indicated a certain part of the paper. 「Take this here for example. After his escape from Los Alamos, G-3 began to destroy terrorist groups, pirates, human traffickers, and other dangerous armed groups around the world, saving innocent people. However, he never took a penny in exchange. Naturally, believing that there was something underhanded about it, but after investigators made an exhaustive search, they came up with nothing. We conclude that the most prominent factor in all of his armed raids was that they were all done for ‘free charity’.」 「That kind of charity is dangerous!」 Saying that, I crossed my arms. Although it doesn’t match your ill-mannered appearance, G-3… with your clichéd speaking style, are trying to be a ‘champion of justice’? But if that’s the case, why did you attack us? Or is it perhaps that myself, Aria, Shirayuki, Riko, and Reki are an ‘dangerous armed group’ to him? Although, when I think about the Baskerville girls aggressive personalities, I can’t fully deny it. It’s sad, really… 「That type of mysterious phantom has been around for ever. By use of armed force,they will self-righteously save the powerless–in most cases,disregarding the law.」 I had said, and as for my thoughts… The idea of American comic book heroes and Period Drama Samurai had come to mind. Following that analogy, there was one person in particular that sprang to mind… but I was had just shaken my head to dismiss the idea, when… 「Your sister also uses this M.O., right?」 Watson said bluntly. My sister… Who actually is my older brother, but… yes, Kana does work similarly. In her actions as a Butei, she hasn’t accepted a penny from poor people. But really, that’s not something to be commended. Doing things like that negatively impacted fair payment, prices, and things like vested interest in the industry as a whole. When she has done this too much, there have also been complaints brought before the Butei Council, but Kana just blew them off. She just says, “Well, just give me an onigiri as a reward.”, and she really has saved the relatives of poor family members from entrenched criminals for a single onigiri. 「G-3 and Kana, in spite of greatly differing personalities, both act like mysterious phantoms. You seem to respect and admire Kana lot, so that may be the reason why you don’t want to admit it.」 …Watson continued. Although I couldn’t say it, I partially agree. I’ve been vaguely aware of it from the beginning. Although it is scattered, G-3, Kaname, Kana…. and finally I, all share a partial similarities in our personalities. 「When G-3’s target and the US or England’s national interest align, it seems that they put out a job request offering payment in weapons, equipment maintenance, and other kinds of sponsorship rewards. ‘You can’t put chains on a wild beast, but the helpful animal will be fed. ‘ as the saying goes. It could also be said that they derive their morality of their actions from the hidden agendas of major world powers. Well then, after those arguments… What do you think about G-3, is he good or bad?」 Having heard the facts from Watson, and taking a few moments to consider… 「My opinion is simple…」 It was very simple and easy to express. 「Things like good and bad are dependent on time and circumstance. It’s like when two people are fighting. Which one of them is right? The answer is different, depending on which side you are looking from. This is something that even middle-school students can understand.」 「Does that mean that you see him as neither good nor bad?」 「Exactly, however… he is an outlaw.」 Now that I had spoken clearly, Watson stared earnestly into my eyes. 「If he appears in Japan again and breaks the law, we will arrest him. That is all. That is a Butei’s job, after all.」 Hearing what I just said, Watson nodded agreement. 「And what about Far East Warfare?」 Now that you mention it, I didn’t answer that part of it, but my mind was already made up a long time ago. 「Tamamo said, “We have to find a way to win G-3 over into DEEN” . It’s not that I don’t know which strategy we should take, but it depends on how negotiations go… if he agrees to talks, and accepts our terms.」 「And if he doesn’t…」 「We would have no choice but to respond with violence as well. Although the Cao Cao sisters and Aria think that I’m a lazy, peaceful idiot, this amateur negotiator has a limit, and the Japanese brain is not a flower garden.」 Just as I finished saying those acid words… *Clatter!* 「You can’t win, Onii-chan…」 Surprised, Watson and I turned toward what had been knocked over, and from inside the vaulting box that had saved Aria’s and my lives back in April… 「Ka-Kaname!?」 Suddenly she appeared, rather, she had always been there. She came to a resolution after hearing our unpleasant conversation. Her mouth gaping, Watson hid in my shadow, while hoping to go unnoticed… Wearing Lycra shorts, Kaname sat down on the vaulting box. 「Third is very strong. He’s a complete Genion. He’s no longer human.」 Since she had heard the entire conversation, it can’t be helped… and Kaname’s eyes were earnest. That being the case, I turned my attention to Kaname for the moment. 「G-3…He’s a failed prototype, isn’t he? We were able to find that out much. Besides, if he isn’t human, what is he?」 「He’s a superhuman.」 *Creak!* Kaname said, as the vaulting box made a noise. 「He’s not an enemy that you can fight and win– even with HSS or ESP. And… fighting against someone who is stronger than yourself is extremely illogical, Onii-chan.」 I’ve heard such threatening words from Kaname countless times every day until now, but… because of what happened at Shinagawa, I can’t laugh it off… He’s strong. Very strong. I could feel it. A Butei that can’t gauge his and his opponent’s respective fighting power doesn’t lead a long life. 「Onii-chan, don’t fight Third. He is very strong and his cause is just. He has two wishes… and I want to support both.」 「He has… two wishes?」 Her eyes took on the colour of the deep-sea, as if something sad had suddenly drifted by. My question had touched a nerve. 「The first: keep the teachings of Professor Sara who was in charge of our training– Fight to save the weak from the bad men who oppress them. By a display of greater strength, he will become a deterrent to conflict. He believes in this raison d’être for a “Universal Soldier” 17 .」 「But, isn’t he is the person that might kill you?」 「If you were close to him, you’d understand. Besides that, I don’t want to weigh him down. So, it’s fine if I am sacrificed–If it is for Third and Professor Sara’s ideals. That was what I swore when I started following him.」 Saying that, Kaname’s voice was full of fierce loyalty. This is… a very bad thing. It’s at a level where she doesn’t cherish her own life, and such loyalty is not something that can be easily dissolved. Being willing to give up her life… she won’t even flinch from death. That kind of loyalty is more like a religious faith. 「Moreover, since the escape from Los Alamos, he has saved my life countless times. All of his followers are ready to die for him.」 Kaname said while placing her hand on her chest… 「Do you love him?」 Watson, who had been silent, asked Kaname a question that only another girl could ask, but Kaname shook her head… 「It’s not that kind of relationship. Besides… G-3 only loves one woman.」 「Who is this woman?」 If an enemy has a ‘significant other’, that’s something we can use… So, following the natural reflex of a Butei, Watson started asking questions. 「I just told you– the one in charge of our education, Professor Sara. When Third was 14, she transferred from the Harvard School of Medicine, and the only… she was the only person at the research station who showed him any kindness. She believed that Genions could be a deterrent to conflict.」 Saying this, Kaname pulled out her brand new Butei Handbook and took a photograph from inside. In it a Caucasian woman wearing a white lab coat and a gentle smile appeared. If a painter saw her, he could only fail to capture her beauty in a painting. She seemed to be a woman about 20 years old, but her eyes reflected the purity of a girl. Kaname, having met her personally, was absently staring at the photograph. 「Where is she now? Is it possible that she is still at Los Alamos?」 Watson asked, probing. 「She… is no longer in this world…」 Kaname answerded. 「One day, something happened during Third’s training, and she died in the research laboratory. He thought that he was responsible… and from then on, he was like another person. The escape from Los Alamos occurred the very next month.」 Hearing that… Watson’s face flushed in deep embarrassment. 「I’m sorry. Accept my apologies. About you private affairs… I think I pried more than I should have.」 Even though she had answered the questions that Watson asked… I think that Kaname also told us these other things, wanting us to understand G-3’s actions. So that we could avoid a conflict. 「You said that G-3 has two wishes. What’s the second?」 Right now, Kaname is willing to talk to us a little about him. I think this is my change to ask some questions…. The answer I got was not merely ‘important’, but ‘vital’ to the matter at hand. 「Obtain the power of Irokane.」 Irokane! The same metal that Sherlock Holmes was investigating at IU? Borrowing Sherlock’s words… ‘It bestows upon the holder a mysterious power that makes all other ESP powers look like child’s play…’ So that’s what you were looking for, G-3. 「Once I asked Third about the effects of Irokane… You know that he’s really done his homework, right? But one ceases to function normally. That used to scare me, but… ever since I’ve met you Onii-chan, I can understand it perfectly.」 「Since… you met me?」 「For people in love… those feelings are absolute, and because it is a just cause… I want to help Third. I want to give him Irokane . For the love he felt.」 Kaname gave a that slightly baffling remark. 「So Onii-chan, don’t fight Third. He is strong…his cause is just. Fighting him is completely illogical. You understand…? Right?」 Kaname delivered that last line with a quavering voice… She has sworn loyalty to G-3, and that seems to be the reason why she pities him. She doesn’t want G-3…and me– the Onii-chan she idolises– to fight. Right now, I think the wants that with all her heart. G-3… What do you plan to do with Irokane? So the reason we were attacked is also related to that. It is also within Aria’s body, but not even surgery could extract it because it is too close to her heart. So it’s regrettable for Kaname but… he’s definitely someone that I don’t seem to be able to along with. 「Humans are ‘completely illogical’, Kaname. I don’t want to face a superhuman, but, depending upon his actions, I could have no choice but to fight him–regardless of the outcome.」 I left the possibility for confrontation open in my response… …! The tension in the gym storage shed suddenly rose . 「So that’s how it is…」 Kaname muttered with her head down, then shot Watson a pointed glare. 「What are you going to do, Kaname?」 「If that’s the case, then a small, unfortunate accident may occur, Onii-chan. First, I’ll incapacitate Watson so you can’t enter Hysteria Mode. As for you, Onii-chan, I’ll break your arms and legs so that you can’t fight, but don’t worry, Onii-chan. I’ll take good care of you and nurse you back to health.」 Wearing sneakers and standing on the warehouse floor… Kaname curled the fingers of both her hands into claws. 「…」 She was going to shred Watson with her bare hands.was unarmed. Watson… meeting Kaname’s gaze, made a decision. From her mouth… *Ping!* Hearing the noise and looking back a small folding knife with a blade of less than two centimetres fell onto the mats and gripping it in her fingers, Watson prepared to fight. 「H-Hey… hold it!」 Glaring sharply, I tried to check Watson. Somehow, she had managed to hide a sharp object all day, despite today’s restrictions that made it a violation of school regulations. Where did he keep it? The handle is wet… Probably inside her mouth. As expected from the “Full-body Weapon”– the Western Ninja. 「I don’t want to do this. G-Fourth… Kaname Tooyama, you’re a key strategic figure in DEEN. I don’t want to hurt you. But everything has an order of precedence. In this situation, my own personal safety takes priority over yours!」 The moment she handed down this logical conclusion, Watson also implied that I should fight too. While the two of them were staring each other down … I reached into my pocket and readied the secret anti-Kaname weapon that I carry for situations like this. Just then, with almost providential timing, we heard the campus’ Public Address system. 「This is a message for all students. Please prepare immediately for ‘phase 0-2’ 18 」 I was unable to picture her earlier ignominy… Nakasorachi’s voice was beautiful. Seizing the opportunity… 「That is enough! We don’t have to settle this here and now. Look. We have to get back to the Sports Festival. That’s our top priority. If we are late, Ranbyou will beat the hell out of us so badly that we’ll be in no condition to fight.」 I said this, trying to smooth things over. Watson hid his knife in his mouth again, muttering: “But…” ; and when Kaname opened her mouth to say “But…” , I tossed the secret weapon, or rather, the caramel candy into her mouth with a plop. 「Ommmii-chmamm, mmhmmh…」 Kaname replied, while she began munching on the sweet… It seems that the caramel candy has suddenly become more important than the fight. For some reason, she has an abnormal love for caramel. With a tired sigh, I grabbed Kaname–who now had a placid expression on her face–by both shoulders, and steered here away… I had managed to separated them, and we crowded out of the gym storage shed. Thank goodness… That was close, but somehow, I managed to get out of it– alive and without a scratch. The use of such a technique has proven effective on occasions that Aria has been chasing me, and I’ve used her peach buns as a decoys and escaped. For teaching me the importance of applying human experience practically, I owe you a small debt of gratitude, Aria. ********************************************* The second part of the sports festival, began at 5:00 pm. This is a way to turn the tables on the MoE, because government employees don’t work after 5.00 P.M. After the VIPs had gone home, the second part could really begin. To stop the student complaints that were piling regarding the supervised athletics, several events were organised to get them fired up and allow them blow off some steam: the boys’ competition, ‘ Sabage with real bullets’ 19 and the girls’: ‘Water- Kibasen’ 20 — event names that make me want to cry. As in Part One, both competitions will go on without changing the grouping of Red and White teams. The Team that wins each competition receives ten thousand points. What exactly was the point of the half-assed kind of scoring I recorded a little while ago? 「All boys participating in Sabage with real bullets, report to your designated starting locations, please.」 I know it’s not Nakasorachi’s fault, but I really hate announcers. In the boy’s competition, ‘ Sabage with real bullets’, the name says it all. is a free-for-all battle that’s practically a war. Unlike those games played with airguns, no matter how many times you get shot because of our bullet-proof school uniforms, you can keep fighting. Only when a participant’s back touches the floor are they disqualified. The idea being that the supplementary use of martial arts will allow you to to disqualify your opponents faster, and the event quickly becomes close quarters combat fest. In the first part there were bare-handed fights, Aru-Kata 21 matches, and other kinds of tournaments held through the school, but in the secret second part, they were all rolled into one event. 「Likewise, all girls participating in the Water- Kibasen , report to your designated pool, please.」 The girl’s competition, Water- Kibasen underwent a similar violent fusion. At first, Kibasen was a Butei High competition where punching or kicking, as well as the choice of any weapon, was allowed. The reason why monitoring of the sports festival had been instituted, was because this competition turned out so many injured students. The Sports Festival also used to include winter swimming tournaments, but this was also banned, arguing that it was a form of child abuse. The result of the combination of these two banned competitions was no less than Water- Kibasen . In this competition, girls in swimsuits combine in a pool to form a ‘cavalry unit’ while madly scrambling to collect their opponents headbands. Even imagining such an event is dangerous for me… And I, of all people, have orders from MASTERS to be a ‘Second’. As you would naturally expect, even in Butei High, boys and girls’ swimming classes are held separately however… in Water- Kibasen , each team must have a Second, and there is a rule that allows them to conscript someone to be their strategist. Because of that, the Baskerville girls were all asking me, “You’ll be our Second, right?” . 「Kinji, do you have a fever or something? There isn’t a single girl in ASSAULT that doesn’t want to fight.」 「If Kin-chan is our strategist, then I’ll be able to participate and maybe show off my good points…」 「No, no, no !!! I want to play, play, plaaaaay! Riko really loves this kind thing!」 「Everyone else if going to fight, so I will fight too.」 They’re all blood-thirsty, and no one was willing to resign. I wonder what would happen if I called MASTERS, probably something like this… 「What a stupid thing to call for! If that’s case, then just do it!」 Ranbyou, would just give me a direct order like that. Best case scenario, I’d be sent to the ‘ Sabage with real bullets’… At least there I could have asked Shiranui to hit me gently, losing on purpose and being able to retire quickly. Since I could not use the girl’s locker room for obvious reasons, I changed into my bathing suit in a storage closet next door… The first and second-years’ Water- Kibasen would take place together in the huge pool, and as I timidly made my way to the poolside I heard… 「Wah, The Womanizer came just like the rumors said.」 「Watson’s alright, but this Womanizer is disgusting.」 「A new page on the exploits of the Womanizer!」 A group of second-year girls in swimwear, glared at me as if they were looking at a pest. Damn it… It’s not as if I like being here! Ugh… In the vast area off to the side of the pool, and as far the eye could see, there were girls, girls everywhere. And besides that, all of them were wearing one or two swimsuits. They weren’t really too far from being completely naked. It was like being in a beautiful flower garden. But for someone like me who is allergic to such ‘flowers’, it already has we wanting to run, so I’m cowering with my back against the wall. futilely trying to keep as far away from them as possible. In order to not hyster-ise, I needed to stimulate some other sense… Preparing for just this kind of emergency, a few days ago I memorized the menu of a Chinese restaurant, “The New Fortress” where Fuuma works, and I recited it from memory. (…Bái tāngmiàn, Málà miàn, Mántou…) 22 Argh … How I would really love a pillbox where I could hide… 「Alright, you lot! Start warming-up!」 Wearing a competition swimsuit for the competition, Ranbyou held a whistle in her mouth… Forming up in front of the pool, or, in other words, with their back to me, all of the girls… 「Bend forward!」 *Prrii!* *Prrii!* *Prrii!* What kind of dangerous position are you putting yourselves into… and all at once? And just when I had reached the Qīngjiāo Rou sī! 23 , I was getting too excited! Thanks to the spectacle before my eyes, I lost focus, so, clenching my teeth, I had to start over again from the ‘P’ in Pídàn 24 . 「Emh … Are you okay, Tooyama? Why are you making that angry demon face and muttering? There’s a strange sweat covering your body.」 「Táo bāo, Mángguǒ bùdīng 25 , Watson!?」 I asked Watson, who passed by chance, wearing a sweatshirt… I grabbed her to stop her from leaving, placing her as a barrier between my field of vision and the girls as they did their warm ups. Just a few minutes ago, she had done something similar with Kaname, hiding behind me, so I took this opportunity to have her return the favor. Watson is a transfer student… who moved to Buitei High and is pretending to be a boy–an exchange student with a secret. She has an obvious reason, more critical than mine, to avoid participating in Water- Kibasen , but because of arrangements he made with MASTERS, right now, her job is to provide First-aid, so that saved her from having to wear a swimsuit. 「That great, stand right there for a moment… Stay close to me」 「What? Ah… Oh.. OK, I get it, Tooyama…」 Bending my legs and stooping slightly forward to match his height, I laid my forehead Watson’s back, protecting me from the compromising Achilles tendon stretch the girls preformed with splayed legs. Completely unlike me– whom they treat with contempt–, Watson is very popular among the girls. I have no idea why they treat such a dashing “guy” differently than me. Could it be that appearance defines a person? Still, as time passes, all of the girls show their disdain for me. At last, it seems they have finished their warm-ups, so… Slowly, I peered around the side of Watson’s waist and looked toward the rest area beside the pool. 「…」 A-All right. It looks like they are now only standing normally. That’s not good either, but… it seems that I have successfully escaped this dangerous situation, where all the girls flex their bodies, showing off all sorts of startling poses. But in this situation it is impossible to know when an accident may occur. And so, trying to mentally prepare myself for whatever might happen… 「Tohyama-kun, in Water- Kibasen no live ammunition is used, but firearms are allowed, so you can use this.」 INQUESTIA division, the investigative division of Butei High, the licensed professor, Takamagahara-sense, handed me the object she was carrying. That thing is… It’s a Ballistic Shield 26 , one commonly used by Japanese SAT groups 27 . 「Oh! Thank you very much!」 The spirit of Butei High seizing me, I deftly took the excessively heavy shield, and carried it toward the rest area of the pool, dropped it on the ground making a loud noise, and kneeling on one knee, nimbly hid my body behind it. Right then, she was an angel! 28 It’s a good thing I learned the proper use of such a shield in ASSAULT. With this, as long as I remain in this position, it is possible to completely limit my field of vision. I only have to look out the view slit towards the pool when necessary. From now on, hidden behind it, I am like a turtle in its shell. At that moment, it occurred to me to try looking out the window.. 「If a girl’s swimsuit slipped, you’d be embarrassed, right? Just make sure to return the shield to AMDO.」 On the other side of the shield Takamagahara-sensei looked through the view slit and winked. The act of straightening her back and turning to the right… Due to their large mass, her chest that seemed ready to escape her flowered bikini, lagged behind her movement by approximately 0.5 seconds as she rotated, and I saw her not only large, but round hips at point-blank range… *Ba-dump!* The rush of blood flow reached dangerous levels. Hey, Kinji! Get a grip! I know you’re a little weak with older women, but going into Hysteria Mode would be no joke. Rather, Sensei… I thought you were an angel when you were actually a demon! Your clothes make you look like the slender type, I had no idea…. ********************************** Putting aside my flustered state, there was time set aside for pre-game strategy meetings by the pool… The girls began to gather and discuss the formation of the ‘horses’, and ‘rider’. Each cavalry unit 29 consists of members of an official Team 30 or club, but because there are only four Baskerville girls, they are just enough to form a unit. Those four… found me still behind my bullet-proof shield… Oh…! Through the shield’s window I spotted Aria, and for some unknown reason, seeing her wearing that bikini, caused my blood pressure to rise instantly. I deliberately tried to reduce my field of vision by squinting my eyelids but… 「You look like a pervert. You’ve had a weird look on your face ever since we started, so stop it.」 Slightly flustered, Aria, hand on her hip, had forbidden me from even doing that. But thanks to that, I was able to admire her nice, small figure without having to hide it. She came dressed in a two-piece bikini, decorated with a narrow strip of lace hanging from the top and another wrapped around her waist. It was a light camellia colour, rather the fabric itself was so light– so thin–, it seemed transparent in certain places, leaving little to the imagination. A show as wonderful as it was terrifying. 「I’ll open a wind-hole in you if stare! You are also forbidden to open your eyes!」 So what exactly am I allowed to do? Rather… Why are you in such a bad mood, Aria? Is it because you don’t know how to swim? *Bang!* Because of her bare-footed soccer kick, now before me on the other side of my shield… 「 Kin-chan, I-I’m a little embarrassed to do this but…since it’s for Kin-chan, I resolved to wear it! 」 Witha jerk, the window now turned to completely face Shirayuki… Whaaaa! Bent over, my eyes almost popped out of their sockets, to see what I thought at that moment was her fully nude body, but that was because bikini she wore covered the bare minimum area. It was one of those so-called micro-bikinis. In Butei High, choice of swimwear is elective, but there’s been some kind of mistake if you think bikini is ‘for me’ . It’s the exact opposite! As I stood there quivering and stunned… 「What do you think, Kin-chan-sama? Do you like it….? Or maybe it’s indecent? Do you hate it? Yes, you hate it! I-I’ll change right away!」 And that said, she started pulling at her bikini straps, Shirayuki started drawing closer to my shield window. 「It’s fine! It’s fine! Quit bowing!」 Changing the position of my shield, I proceeded to seek emergency shelter in the other direction…but the shelter did not prove to be a safe place either. Now I was facing Riko. 「That’s not right, is it? Ki-kun is into more exciting things, aren’t you? Check out this classic school swimsuit!.」 Posing in front of the shield while smiling playfully, was Riko… As expected of her, she is wearing an out-dated swimsuit, you can only find in certain types of games. In short, it was a navy blue one-piece. As the the fabric covered a larger area, leaving comparatively less skin exposed, at a glance it was a safe design for me. On her chest, she had stitched a rectangle of white cloth with, ‘2-A Mine Riko’, written in hiragana 31 …. and bellow her navel… what’s that? A mechanism to release water accumulating in the swimsuit, I guess? The swimsuit had an opening just large enough for a hand to slide up under, constructed like a very short skirt. Those thoughts being sightly erotic, I tried not to think about it. 「My, my… noticed the water release, did you? You’re a real gentleman, aren’t you?.」 Riko said, as she pulled on the flap to expose her navel. 「H-h-hey… wait, don’t do that!」 「Hmm?」 Seeing me so nervous, Riko tugged more. Taking a peek at the top made Aria flush red, but it was connected to the bottom of her swimsuit and she started pulling it open… 「Hold it right there!」 I can’t retreat, so instead I moved forward and… *Bam!* With a push from my shield, Riko tumbled backwards splaying her long legs. Serves you right! Dragging my shield back and away from Riko, now entering my field of vision was… 「…」 Giving me a cold glare that said ‘idiots will be idiots’, Reki appeared wearing a swimsuit. She also wore a bikini that was almost the same shade–between blue and green–as her hair. Reki’s figure was in greater proportion than Aria and in lesser proportion than Riko… but it still had the attraction of a real girl. For instance–although I would never do something like this of my own accord– if I got the public pool with Riko or Shirayuki, all of the guys would think: ‘She’s out of his league’ , and I’d be thrown out with a *Thunk*. If their truly horrible personalities were ever exposed, howecer, they would not be nearly as popular as their appearances would suggest. And if I went with Aria, I’d be afraid that someone would report me to the police, saying: ‘There is a suspicious person in pool showing an elementary student around’. 「…」 None of that would happen with Reki… For some reason, I wouldn’t feel strange taking a girl like her to the pool. She looks like she could be my age, or maybe a year younger– a regular girl. While pondering it, I began to fantasize about what it would it be like if the two of us went to the pool, when… 「Wha-Wha-What, Kinji? Now it’s Reki? You’re practically ogling!」 *Bam!* Going around the the side to get behind my shield, Aria kicked me in the butt. 「N-no! I just thought that, looking at her, she looks normal, so…」 「Oooooh Really…! Like…! a…! Normal…! girl…! You…! sure…! took…! your…! sweet time…! Comparing…!」 Suddenly exploding for some reason, Aria delivered a kick at each, so I turned to put the shield between us. Aren’t you underestimating it a little? This shield is ‘Made in Japan’. Its ballistic protection level is NIJ-III+ 32 , it’s imitation platinum can even repel rifle fire, making it is one of the most impenetrable shields in the world. 「Stupid Kinji…! likes…! normal …! girls…!」 *Bam!* *Whap!* *Thud!* *Boom!* W-wait… Seriously? I-it is bending! My NIJ-III+ shield is impenetrable! The bulletproof shield, is actually being dented by kicks. How exaggerated is this superhuman kicking power? 「I’m not saying that! I know that she’s not normal at all– a mysterious, pseudo-assassin sniper girl that keeps a pet wolf.」 I had not finished speaking, when I received another kick in the butt… …Reki, had kicked me in the butt too. Is this what they call bullying? Can I cry? In the end, time ran out and our supposed tactical meeting played out like a group comedy routine. Still wondering why in the world they asked me be their Second… 「Do your best! Don’t kill anyone.」 Giving this stupid tactical directive, I watched Sir Aria mount her steed ‘Shira-Ri-Re’, and saw them off. Taking advantage of the fact that Aria was lightest– and the only one of the four who cannot swim–, she was ‘mounted’ on top while Shirayuki, Riko and Reki formed the ‘horse’. I’ll explain… This Kibasen has the same rules as those conducted in normal schools. To use Baskerville as an example–, whether you snatch the white band that Aria is wearing on her head, she falls from her horse, or the horse collapses; they will be disqualified and counted as a defeated cavalry unit. Following these simple rules, you must destroy the opposing team. The battle takes place in the pool, while wearing elective swimsuits, with a water depth of one metre. Blows given with the hands and feet are allowed. Also … 「Use of bullets is restricted to non-lethal ammunition: sticky and slippery bullets. The magazines are scattered on the bottom of the pool, retrieve and use them. First-years, immerse yourselves! Next, Second-years, immerse yourselves!」 The only unusual rule is that weapons are allowed; a special rule in the style of Butei High. The order given by Ranbyou, using the steps, the girls began to descend into the pool, which was about to turn into another Omaha Beach. 33 Shouting, “Kyaa, it’s cold!” , The girls entered the water– their cries both shrill and hard on the ears. Umh … Uhh?… This is… great! With them now in the water, the girls that made up the horse were covered by water and could not be seen clearly. Although the rider was still completely visible, this is a definite improvement for me. These girls show almost no embarrassment, so the effect of my presence continues to lessen. They also seem to be ignoring the fact that I am here, so that is certainly another point in my favour. Experience shows that the more embarrassed a girl acts, the easier it is for me hyster-ise by accident. *Boom!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bam…!* In another competition outside, I could heat the sound of gunfire. The hellish ‘ Sabage with real bullets’ has begun, but here in the pool, I am also in my own personal hell, Kibasen in water. It’s hell on earth; hell in the water– truly, a faithful picture of Normandy. 「Both armies: ATTACK! OPEN FIRE! KILL YOUR ENEMY!」 Excited by the sound of gunfire, Ranbyou happily raised her M500, and firing it at the ceiling, gave the signal for the start of the competition. Unfortunately, it is because of people like her that wars will never entirely disappear from the Earth. 「Ah, Wha-!, Whaa-! *gurgle*」 *Splash!* The cavalry formed by the fragile girls of CONNECT and INFORMA came together, and Nakasorachi’s unit went down… before the fight even started. Sinking in the water, the only evidence left behind was the headband she had been wearing that now floated on top of the water. Ignoring Nakasorachi’s cavalry unit, who had already perished, the Red Team, began a splashing charge against the White Team. *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Waaa!* As the sounds of war cries and gunfire blended, the battle began. Knocking a rider off their horse with non-lethal ammunition, gluing two horses together with sticky bullets, or crumbling them with slippery bullets, the entire area was laid waste. This is a cavalry battle– with all that label entails. 「Hojotoho! Hojotoho! Heiaha!…!」 With the accompanying music of The Ride of the Valkyries 34 , The reserve troops began singing in chorus from the rear. The girls from CVR, whose main weapon is sex appeal, did their part. Practically useless in a fight, they planned to raise the fighting spirit of their comrades with their singing. U-uwa…! I stole a small glance through the window shield, but immediately withdrew my gaze. CVR consists of only the most beautiful girls and, of course, their cavalry is made up of them… but wearing swimsuits. Watching them is too dangerous for me. 「Wahahahaha! Our army is unstoppable!」 Hearing an anime-like voice that was not Aria’s, I turned towards the section of the pool it had come from and where also the clear superiority of the Red Team was evident. With bullets, they drove the White Team before them, herding them into a corner of the pool where they were surrounded and, one by one, shot down. That coordinated attack…! Seeing them, there was no doubt they were the members of the Anime Association. Despite not being an official school club, this group has enough power to overcome the barriers of age and grade, and that is not something that can be taken lightly. The one who just shouted was their president, Tomomi Kanetsuki. Posing as a child, her specialty is to infiltrate and gather information. She is a second-year attached to LEZZAD. 「Come on, Tohyama-kun! Be a proper Second!」 Takamagahara-sensei yelled, forming a megaphone with her hands. 「B-Butei Law, Article 1: Believe in your friends and help them…」 Hidden behind the shield, I gave a directive that could possibly be construed as an order. Peeking through the small window, I saw… 「Grrr… You… I’ll open a wind-hole…! huh? Ammo! Ammo! 35 I need bullets now!」 The White team had fallen into a significant numerical disadvantage. To make matters worse, Aria found herself surrounded by three units of second-year girls and out of bullets. Yelling, she mixed in some English words. That’s a bad habit you have whenever you get nervous. Aria raised her back, in other words, she held her head low, so that her headband became hard to grab. A rider from ASSAULT attacked the unarmed Aria, while a rider from SNIPE opened fire, and another from LEZZAD pulled on her swimsuit, trying to upset her balance. 「Hey…!」 Suddenly, just as the rider from ASSAULT was about to take Aria’s white headband… From behind the enemy, a hidden rider from the White Team emerged from the water and snatched her red headband instead. …Kaname! The rider who had just appeared was Kaname– a first-year. And to think she just beaten a second-year. That is a great feat! Kaname–in her modern school swimsuit that covered her chest–, took 2 magazines and saying nothing, tossed them to Aria. 「Now for the other one!」 She jumped towards the rider from LEZZAD and snatched the headband– another amazing feat. And if that were not enough, she used the enemy horse as a stepping stool to jump back onto her own horse, but… The rider from SNIPE– equipped with an M-1500 Heavy Barrel Howa rifle, had predicted this. Kaname turned around and immediately braced herself, using both arms to protect heｒ eyes. Then… 「And so the tables are turned!」 *Pum!* *Pum!* *Splotch!* *Splotch!* Using the magazines Kaname had given her, Aria quickly reloaded her guns with slippery bullets and shot the enemy horse. *Slick!* *Slick!* *Slip!* *Splash!* 「Kyaa!」 As her horse crumbled, the sniper took careful aim as she slid, and just as she fired… *Pum!* *Clang!* Aria hit the rifle barrel with her slippery bullets, allowing a sufficient angle for the ricochet to miss Kaname and causing the shot to graze her wrist. 「Uh… Thanks, Aria. You saved me.」 「You saved me as well. Thanks Kaname.」 「Well… There’s still work to be done, right?」 「That’s what it looks like.」 Aria and Kaname were back to back– opposite sides of the same coin. Meanwhile, two enemy units had begun to stealthily surround them, drawing closer and taking up positions to cover each other as they set their attack positions. 「If you fall off first, you have to buy me a whole box of caramel candy, Aria.」 「And if you fall off first, you have to treat me to a tower of peach buns.」 Seeing both of them grinning broadly as they laughed, my eyes widened. That is like… …the harmony between me and Aria. That’s not to say that our dispositions or feelings coincide at all. Aria and I have opinions that will never agree, but when we fight together, there is a spirit of harmony between us. It’s not something that can be explained by logic– the secret of this unity. We synchronize as a perfect duo, Aria and I, and now, Kaname and Aria. Gradually the siege closed in around Aria and Kaname. Meanwhile, outside the lines… 「Follow me!」 Jeanne, taking command of the abandoned troops, led a charge of the White Team Cavalry as they attacked with in a “V” formation– an inverted variation of the crescent moon. This is a formation that is used when you are outnumbered to concentrate all your offensive power onto a single point of the enemy’s ranks and shred them to pieces. The design of Jeanne’s swimsuit was so old that I wanted to call out, asking what kind of store would even sell such a thing. It was a white bathing suit, a so-called “high-cut leg” 36 With a huge scarlet rose emblazoned on it. Wielding a CZ-100 pistol she led the charge with great enthusiasm as if she were the first Jeanne D’Arc. 「We are a small army, but do fear! Our army has the blessing of Heaven!」 Wow… She is in high, fighting spirit. With a confident expression, she struck a dramatic pose and held it for about 1-3 seconds. Rather… Jeanne, maybe you’re trying to imitate your world famous ancestor? But you do know that you are only involved in a ridiculous Water- Kibasen , right? Don’t forget that, at least. ************************************** Thanks to Jeanne’s inspiration, the first-year girls increased their battle power… The Water- Kibasen ended with the fall of Kanetsuki’s horse, as she shouted ‘It was not in vain…’. 37 The Red Team was completely annihilated– The White Team was victorious. During the melee, Riko surreptitiously used her twin-tails to tug on the enemy’s swimsuits. Is that even allowed? Well… I couldn’t care less. Soon after, Ranbyou received a report that the ‘ Sabage with real bullets’ had also been won by the White Team. Adding it to the points earned in Part One, the total score was: 20,886 vs. 865 points, so the White Team had won both halves. At the side of the pool, the girls from the White Team cheered, but hidden behind the shield, I can only hear their voices. Personally. I don’t care, but for Aria, who is obsessed with victory and defeat… Fortunately her good mood was not spoiled by the outcome. As for me hiding behind the shield, just when I thought I could retire, the girls from the Red Team found me and began to vent their frustrations on me, yelling: “Good for nothing “, “Womanizer” , “Closet Pervert” … among other kind and pleasant things that were lost in the confusion. Now it is becoming clear– I’m their punching bag. Oh well, do whatever you want, just don’t start shooting. In the end, I went to return my shield– which proved to be somewhat of an empty protection–, to AMDO, carrying it in my numb arm. Thus my sports festival, both the First and Second Part, came to an end. The worst part though is that tomorrow all the jealous guys will be congratulating me for being a part of the Water- Kibasen and asking endless questions about it. This festival held nothing good. Truly… Not a single thing. *********************************************** MASTERS gave students who were a part of the victorious White team, each, a dozen bullets as a prize. Just enough to fill a magazine. It is such a ridiculous amount that would take less than five seconds for Aria, in a bad mood, to fire off at my pathetic self for some non-existent reason such as, “I don’t like the look in your eyes.” or something like that. Furthermore, the awarded bullets are of low quality. The bullets I received were 9mm Wolf WPA-MC 38 . The distribution company is based in the US, but the ammunition is manufactured in Russia, and that is not encouraging. Their price is 14-15 yen, even pencils that they give out as prizes in normal schools are more expensive. The casings aren’t even brass–they’re steel… Already disgusted, I noticed that they were a little rusty. So that was it… These bullets were in stuck in storage for a long time, and today they saw a golden opportunity to get rid of them. As if anyone could use this junk! Bullets have an expiry too! Weren’t you the ones that taught us that!? ************************************ As the official ammunition disposal procedure is a pain, I buried the bullets in the ground、and headed to a convenience store for some food. **************************************** In a normal school, there are meal breaks, but at Butei High… 「Only an Italian army eats between each battle! 39 」 It was an absurd rationale that Ranbyou extracted from her ‘Theories on Child-Abuse’, so meals had to be postponed until after the sports festival. I’d just like ask one question: Since when did Butei High become a military training ground? Since we were free to choose where we ate, most students changed back into their school uniform and ate their bentos wherever they wanted. Post-battle clean-up and repairs from the ‘ Sabage with real bullets’ hadn’t been carried out, so there were empty shell casings everywhere and the lingering scent of gunpowder. Anyway…. Hunger is the best seasoning in the world. If you have an empty stomach, no matter what you eat, it will be delicious. While remembering that proverb that my brother used to recite, I went to buy some food… 「Huh?… Nothing?」 The shelf where they should be bentos is empty. Not one noriben, instant ramen, not even onigiri… Everything is gone. It seems that the convenience store makes their own food and, while I was burying my bullets, the students from the festival bought it all. Now they were sold out. If I go back to the to the school cafeteria, there is sure to be a long so line, I’ll die of starvation. There is no other choice… I’ll have to ask the Baskerville girls to share some of their bentos with me. If I beg a little bit from the four of them, I can gather enough to make a portion for myself. So I took out my mobile and called Aria. 「Hey, Aria. Where are you? Will you honour Butei Law: Article #1 and give me some food.」 To communicate my request for a supply of food. 「Don’t abuse Butei Law, Mr. Hyena. We are at the decommissioned vehicle lot: section 14, Kaname is here too.」 It seems that Kaname is with the Baskerville girls. A little worried about Kaname, I headed for the decommissioned vehicle lot at a brisk pace. This is the place where ASSAULT and SNIPE hold counter-terror exercises and is also dotted by wrecked vehicles used by LOGI for something like stunt-driver training. I guess they’re eating somewhere in there. I wandered around a bit, until… 「Oh!」 In front of an old-style Volkswagen Transporter, painted white and indigo–top and bottom–, facing the open door was Haimaki. It was a motor-home, and peering in, I saw the spacious interior. 「Ah! Onii-chan!」 Holding a caramel walnut muffin, Kaname is sitting in one of the rear seats. On the movable seats– which I assume were the cleanest– Kaname, Aria, Shirayuki, Riko, and Reki were sitting in a circle. They had already changed into their sailor suit school uniforms, and the food that was my goal, was in my sights. 「Even though I’m the leader, you left me out again!?」 While I let that complaint hang… I sat down… Huh? Why did you leave me the low seat? 40 Next to the well-bred Shirayuki there was an empty seat, so I sat down there. 「You were digging a hole next to the road and acting strangely, so I didn’t say anything.」 「Welcome back, honey.」 「*giggle* Hee hee! A little later Riko-rin will sit on Ki-kun’s lap!」 And Reki, who was eating a Calorie Mate, gave me a passing glance in silence. Completely ignoring the reactions of those four, I began to analyse the atmosphere between Kaname and the girls of Baskerville, and so far, there isn’t a hint of conflict. They seem to be… getting along. It seems that because of their mutual support in the Sports Festival, something like a feminine bond of friendship has developed between them. Riko is friendly with everyone. Reki is friendly with no one– but that’s normal… Aria is sitting next to Kaname. And Shirayuki, taking a handkerchief, was dabbing around Kaname’s mouth. Well, Shirayuki was also putting on an air that said: ‘Kin-chan, look, look how far my great tolerance extends!’ , so I found that typical type of expression a little irritating but… They have been completely captivated by you, Kaname It may be that Kaname possesses an unusual ability to fascinate individuals. Even me, I came because I was anxious about her. 「Kinji, you have a face that says Kaname and us eating at the same table is a miracle.」 Using her amazing sense of intuition, Aria said this, narrowing her eyes and grinning like a cat. 「Yeah, something like that. Since your relationship until now consisted of crossing swords or pointing guns at each other.」 「Heh heh… But wasn’t it that way with all of us?」 「Yeah, that’s true.」 「Furthermore, that surprise attack is in the past. The Lumberjack issue has also been settled. That means that our quarrel is over.」 So quick to forgive, Aria. Shouldn’t that work for me, too? It took 5 months in Shirayuki’s case, and six in Riko’s, but you still keep complaining about me, saying: “You’re a horrible lady-killer.” So it appears that the girls’ relationship has taken a turn for the better. At least in that respect, it means that we have settled one problem. 「By the way, you’ve found a nice spot in the midst of the lot’s general disorder.」 「Kaname brought us here to tell us about herself.」 Riko, like Aria, was also eating a burger and fries, and she looked over at Kaname, then me. 「…About herself?」 I asked. 「Kaname is a Genion who escaped the Los Alamos research labs, a human weapon.」 Aria said that, and I was a slightly taken aback. So they talked… about her origins. This a matter that concerned Aria and others, and , as the leader of Baskerville, Watson entrusted the task of disclosure to me, but, since it was part of Kaname’s private life, I never told them about it. I turned to Kaname, looking at her deep ocean-blue eyes, and they seemed to say: “I didn’t tell them about HSS or anything awkward. Don’t worry.” 「And… What do you think about it?」 「We thought, “So what?” . It doesn’t change anything. No matter where a person comes from, for us, Kaname has always been Kaname. Besides that– nothing.」 *Chomp!* Taking a huge bite of her burger, Aria responded dismissively. Shirayuki, Riko, and Reki’s eyes bore an expression of agreement. 「Her denial: “I’m not human!” , was the only thing we did not agree with. She was raised with that conviction, but after you scolded her and showed her the value of life, she made a fresh start. Someone with that kind of determination is nothing but human.」 Aria delivered that typical vague, take-charge kind of speech. How many times have I said it… This girl… In cases like these, Aria is a great person– despite her small size. Hearing Aria’s words, Kaname hung her head as tears filled her eyes. She said something too– wanting to meet the Baskerville girls half-way, I guess. 「First… I have not told you the most important thing. What you don’t know about that ambush…」 Her head still held low, Kaname said weakly. Turning towards us and lifting her head, Kaname paused silently for a moment, then… 「…Please forgive me…!」 She blurted it out. You’ve apologized properly. That’s very admirable, Kaname. In life, it’s not as if apologising will fix everything, but people who live un-apologetically complicate relationships with other people and, to a greater or lesser extent, leave behind an uncomfortable feeling in their wake. 「…」 Such an apology from former enemy being a rare development, Aria and the girls didn’t know how to react. As if seeking to support each other, they began exchanging glances. 「On our side too, we’re sorry for dragging you into something as immature as a Lumberjack.」 Just as I thought, in such a situation you can rely on Shirayuki. The oldest of seven sisters, she is good at dealing with people who are younger. 「In fact, today, we brought you a small reconciliation gift.」 In one swoop, Shirayuki produced a wrapped gift. 「This is something that Kin-chan has. I also have one, but I made it for myself… Aria also has one like it. It was Aria who came up with the idea.」 「You don’t need to say something like that!」 Sitting next to Shirayuki, Aria turned red. Kaname took the small package. 「…For me…?」 Kaname mumbled, opened the small bag… 「…?」 The thing she took out of the bag was hard to describe. It was soft in the hands, and when she turned it, I could tell it was a plush mobile strap… I spotted what appeared to be a head. 「It’s a Leopon! But handmade. We each made a part of it, so it is a new sub-species– Leopon-Chimera! Riko-rin made the body… ROAR!!! Hee, hee…! Quiet now…!」 And as Riko bellowed again, she crushed one of her wrists against the roof of the Volkswagen, and with a noise she fainted in agony. Aria and I have one (and now I find out that Shirayuki also has one). We got them as a prize from the UFO Catch 41 . It is a cat-like stuffed animal. What the girls made was a copy of that Leopon. 「I made the head, Aria the tail, and Reki made the legs.」 Shirayuki finished explaining, and Kaname took another look at her Leopon-Chimera. The head that Shirayuki made was feminine and very well done. The body Riko made was a gaudy patchwork of frills that had been sewn together. Ignoring the original model and doing whatever she wanted is just what I expected of her. The legs Reki made were outrageously realistic, and the cat-like hind legs even had reverse-joints. It’s as if they were taken from an expertly done taxidermy. The effect was sickening. The tail was made from the wick of an alcohol lamp and looked like a simple piece of white string with a piece of rolled cloth sewn onto the frayed end. Moreover, it was also evident from the haphazard stitching that this was probably the first thing they had ever sewn in their life. More precisely… At least use a thread colour that almost matches the material, Aria! These are just your favorite colours. On the whole, it’s poorly constructed. In the first place, each of them has contributed way too much for any kind of collaboration, and looking at the final product, it’s a disaster. But… But, their work was full of spirit. Each of the four, had poured their soul into the task. That idea was conveyed in the blink of an eye. Thick-headed as I am– I understood. And I knew Kaname understood as well. There was no confusion. Even I, who am not remotely crafty, noticed from the first moment I saw him. And I’m sure the feelings of all four were conveyed to Kaname. *Jingle!* A small bell sewn on her Leopon’s neck rang. Kaname, completely happy, hugged her beloved Leopon-Chimera tight. At that moment, the tears of happiness that had welled up earlier, began falling in large drops. 「Girls… Th-Thank you…」 And she began to cry profusely. She has never had friends like this. You could say that she has had partners or colleagues as ‘friends’, but these people in front of her don’t care about profit or loss– these are true friends… And the fact that she gained four of them at once, has touched Kaname. Because of that, she is shedding tears of happiness, as is to be expected of a normal, cute young girl. 「Hey, Ki-kun! That girl is cute. C’mon help a buddy out! She is so cute! I wouldn’t mind having her as my little sister!」 Aria reached out and gathered Kaname to her chest, as Riko dropped a Mutou-esque line… Hey… the wrist you hit just a moment ago was the one that was twisted in an unnatural way. Are you sure you’re okay? 「Hey Kaname… Don’t cry. Butei shouldn’t cry so easily.」 As always, her mood swings are drastic. I tried to say something helpful to Kaname, but I just said what I was thinking. Right now I think that her tears are a good thing. ….*Growl!*… And as if someone had poured a bucket of cold water on it, the mood was ruined by the sound of my stomach. All this time, I had forgotten that my stomach was empty. I had originally come here for food. 「Uh… I can eat anytime…」 After I said that, the modest Shirayuki who had not opened her bento box until I arrived, spread a paper napkin in front of my knees with an angelic smile on her face. I wonder what you will give me? Seeing the excitement on my face, Aria glared at me. *Plop!* She took the pickles off of her hamburger, (I’m guessing she doesn’t like them) and threw them on my napkin. You! How often have I asked you for a favour?… Do you think a human can live on pickles? But of course, I couldn’t complain… For one thing, on a normal day she can hit a punching machine with 100kg of force. 「Kin-chan, here. I made this. I used the freshest ingredients I could find.」 While saying this, Shirayuki, moving her hands gracefully, took from the basket… Oh, sandwiches! It’s not that they are just convenient to prepare. There was Roast Beef, Smoked Salmon, American Club, BLT, Margarine and Tsubuan, and many more types in abundance. 「Oh! Yuki-chan, you really can cook anything!」 Even the self-proclaimed ‘Sandwich Expert’ Riko’s discriminating tastes are satisfied, and she began leaning closer. 「If a woman cannot cook, she cannot be a good wife. Greeting her husband with delicious food every day as he comes home from work, that is the duty of the ideal wife 42 .」 Elated by her ‘victory’, Shirayuki started smiling, but, feeling singled out by her words, Aria replied… 「*Humph*… Cooking is what maids are for. *Chomp!*」 Turning away and crossed her arms, she stuffed her cheeks with a huge bite of her burger. Now that I look closely… What is that? A burger stuck between two peach buns. Would that be a… peach bun-burger? Does that even exist!? Apparently it does, because there it is. 「In marriage, each party is independent, and they just eat what and whenever they like. That is how adults act. Although for anniversaries, holidays and Christmas dinner they might make something special.」 Voicing those undisguisedly Western-born idea… What… Miss Aria? Why are you beaming victoriously back at Shirayuki? They both had an exaggerated expression of: ‘Victory is mine!’ on their faces, and having exchanged their respective opinions on the proper husband and wife dynamic, regarded each other with a look that said: ‘Poor loser.’ . 「Aria, I hope that someday you will find someone to love you.」 *Smile* 「And you keep trying to find one that doesn’t see your true nature, Shirayuki.」 *Fiendish Grin* But… what the hell…? For some reason, beads of sweat ran down my forehead. In this conflict, it seems that there has been some kind of ‘double victory’ 43 . But for me, as an outsider, it’s just another thing I will never understand about the female world. ************************************** A little later … Aria and Reki had some work to do, Shirayuki had some Student Council business, and Riko was going to watch a live-broadcast on Youtube 44 , so they each left separately. In the now almost empty Volkswagen Bus, were only Kaname and I. The autumn sun fell as fast as a bucket dropped in a well, and darkness closed in around us. I’m reading my Butei Notebook by the LED’s hanging from the roof the van. Riko stole some of the sandwiches, but in exchange gave me a bento made to look like an anime character that I didn’t recognise. Reki gave me a Calorie Mate to eat as well. Thanks to them I was saved from hunger, and now I’m lying across the long, bench-like van seat. Without even thinking about it, I began watching the stars through the window. And amidst the gentle buzzing of the insects… Resting her head next to mine and forming a letter “L” with our bodies, Kaname was lying across another seat. 「Onii-chan, when you came here… you were a little upset.」 「I was worried when I heard that you were with Aria and the girls.」 Now that I think back on it… Why was that? I was so concerned about Kaname, I even forgot my hunger. 「Onii-chan, you were… worried about me…」 Kaname mumbled. She was happy for some reason, and embarrassed, I turned a little red. 「It was good that you could open up to everyone. Shirayuki was doting on you.」 Since ending of Lumberjack, Shirayuki has been softening towards Kaname… almost kind. It was a little surprising. 「Shirayuki Onee-chan is very insightful, isn’t she?」 Deftly reversing our roles, Kaname rolled over and raised herself onto an elbow as she turned towards me. 「Insightful?」 「Before you arrived, she said, ‘I’m sure.’ 」 「Of what?」 「That we are brother and sister.」 「…」 Shirayuki says she can ‘see people’ … Just by looking at a person’s photograph, she has the ability to guess their true origins and character. It works on the basis of affinity between her and the target, and it doesn’t matter whether or not she can see the person. She can’t do it all the time, but when she can, her success rate is amazingly high. That Shirayuki was the one who said it… 「You… are not my little sister. No matter who says I will not accept it. It has to be an aberration 45 and I won’t believe it.」 In a bad mood, I said that, and Kaname nodded with a bitter laugh of resignation. 「Heh. I am very happy… to have two Tsundere brothers.」 While saying something I didn’t understand, she turned, and we were both looking outside through the window. It really seems like we are two sibling with free-time, just hanging out in this pleasant environment as time slips by… *Jingle!* The sound of a bell broke the silence. Casting a glance over to Kaname, she was hugging the Leopon-Chimera that the Baskerville girls had given her and started nodding off. 「Hey, Kaname. Don’t fall asleep, go home if you want to go to bed.」 I repositioned myself on the seat, and Kaname shook her head. 「Let me stay… a little longer. Right now, I’m remembering …」 「Remembering what?」 「Everything that happened just now… the time I spent with everyone… and with my Onii-chan…」 For some reason, Kaname has a very happy look on her face and is looking at me without saying anything. 「For today, and from now on, you make your life whatever you want it to be. The girls are experts at finding easy meals. If you want, you could eat with them tomorrow. If you do, I’ll be there too.」 「Tomorrow too…?」 Kaname embraced her Leopon-Chimera and the bell rang again. *Jingle!* 「Onii-chan.」 「Yeah?」 「This what they call a dream, right?」 「Even if I wanted it to be, it’s reality.」 「But life is fun… and beautiful… and so is the world… Heh… heh… I didn’t know that…」 She spoke the second half of this sentence sleepily, so I gently laid my hand on her head. I had forgotten. In this school, where guns are drawn in the course of a casual conversation and we have to fight all the time, I had completely forgotten that there were some who still appreciated the blessing of an ordinary, peaceful day. I live for those kinds days. So starting tomorrow, I’ll be sure to enjoy them to the fullest. And if my self-proclaimed younger sister chooses to tag along, then I’ll gladly shoulder that responsibility. 「Life…」 Kaname mumbled that word, already sound asleep… With no other option, I have to carry my responsibilities home…literally. 「Mmm… Onii-chan, tomorrow… everyone… we’ll do something… together…?」 On my back, Kaname was talking in her sleep… Shirayuki didn’t say it, but it seemed like we really were a family. Well… Anyway… if I went along with it… like playing a game of pretend… It would be alright. For an ordinary day… Friends and family are an essential part. [End Text] ******************************************************************** NEXT CHAPTER… ******************************************************************** 1. ‘Di-pole (older) brother and (younger) sister’ in Kanji. It’s an especially fitting name because ‘dipoles’ are (usually) a pair focal points of electromagnetic charges that are equal and opposite in charge, and thus effect, and Kinji and Kaname’s HSS act like polar opposite personalities. In case anyone forgot, ‘Arcanum duo’ refers to the theoretically perfect system that Kaname thought to gain by partnering with Kinji, where they would be able to activate each others’ HSS. 2. This is a reference to a passage from Sun Tzu. The translation for this phrase of advice is given as: (Be as) ‘Swift as the Wind, Silent as the Forest, Fierce like the Fire, and Immovable as the Mountain.’ 3. In Volume 10, Kaname made Kinji agree not to be with another girl, and in return she would not resort to violence. She also promised punishment in multiples of 10 if he lied about breaking their deal. Kinji ended up, accidentally, breaking their promise 3 times, and tried to hide it from Kaname, so she threatened the appropriate number of punishments: 30. –AGlingua 4. Teru-Teru Bozu , a charm used to ask for good weather, and when inverted to ask for rain. It is a piece of fabric wrapped around a round object that looks like a paper ghost doll. 5. Fuuma is speaking an archaic form of Japanese characteristic of ninjas. the ‘-de gozaru’ suffix denotes humility and servitude, and I couldn’t find a better way to express it, especially because Kiniji specifically mocks it later. 6. Henohenomoheji 7. This section is a pun. The game they are playing is ‘Tamaire’ (玉入れ) lit. ‘Throwing balls’. It’s a game where students compete to throw a number of small, soft balls into a basket suspended on a pole. In Japanese, the word for ‘ball'(玉) and ‘bullet’ (弾) share the same reading ‘tama’ (たま). To make it work in English, I made a similar pun on the word ‘shooting’– Anon-san 8. In the Japanese mythology the ‘Oni’ (鬼) or ‘demons’ are the underlings of Enma (閻魔) , one of the rulers of the Underworld. A kanabou is long metal club similar to a mace. The sense is that the third-years already have an overwhelming advantage. 9. O-Jizou is a Buddhist monk who took upon himself the education and teaching of every living creature to reach enlightenment. Presumably this requires a saintly (Oh, look a pun!) amount of patience. 10. This makes reference to a Japanese proverb that loosely translates to ‘Heaven does no grant two blessings’. It basically means that no one person ‘has it all’ so to speak, and that we all have our flaws. 11. Takoyaki A Japanese food made of wheat flour, octopus, and other ingredients rolled into a ball. 12. Buildering. 13. I assume this is a baseball reference. It should mean something like ‘bad’ or ‘no good’. 14. Kibasen , ‘Cavalry War’, 騎馬戦 in the original. A popular game school-yard game, similar to the pool game ‘Chicken-Fight’, but played in a field. 15. “ Ohta Isan ” in the original. Kinji is taking another naturopathic drug for upset stomachs. 16. Watson is English, so s/he speaks Japanese with a foreign accent. In the original this is highlighted by the use of katakana. S/He doubles the length of the first o-vowel sound in the Tohyama name (Romanised: T o-u -ya-ma), when in fact, it should only be slightly lengthened. 17. Basically ‘super soldier’. In Marvel Comic terms, think the program that created Captain America. 18. “Second Part” in kanji. Nakasorachi said “maru-ni” (lit. “0-2”) in katakana. It’s military jargon where individual digits in a number are fully pronounced. 19. Part of the name is Sabage –short for ‘survival game’. It is the name for Airsoft in Japan. The other part, means ‘live ammunition’, so it basically means an Airsoft match with real bullets. 20. One part of the name is Kibasen . Combined with the other part, it basically means ‘ Kibasen in water’. 21. A type of combat between opponents equipped with bullet-proof clothing, and thus bullets become blunt force weapons rather than piercing. 22. Chinese Food. In order: “White Noodle Soup, Spicy Noodles, Steamed Bread” 23. Chinese food. “Pork with Green Peppers” 24. Chinese food. “Preserved Eggs” 25. Chinese food. “Stuffed Peach Bun” also known as “Birthday Bun”. 26. Lit. “Extra-large Bulletproof Shield” in Kanji. 27. Acronym for “Special Assault Team” in English (Lit.”Special Assault Force”) Similar to American SWAT. In kanji it says “Special Forces of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police.” 28. Actually ‘Buhhda in Hell’ , but I made a more familiar reference. 29. The unit consists of a ‘rider’ and their ‘horse’ composed of three people, for a total of four people. 30. Lit. “Team”. As used in Vol. 7 of the novel. Butei students form ‘Teams’ and register with MASTERS. It is English in the original to make it clear what it is talking about. 31. Riko’s name is usually written in Kanji, however in ‘certain kinds of games’, this swimsuit is a fetish item. 32. Acronym for ‘National Institute of Justice’. A sub-department of The United States Department of Justice, responsible for R&D as well as evaluating and improving equipment and procedures used in the criminal justice system and law enforcement. ‘NIJ-III’ is a standard of ballistic protection that is supposed to stop all but specially-made armour-piercing rounds. 33. A location of one of the Normandy Landings. Kinji makes this reference clear later. 34. “Ritt der Walküren” is an opera piece written by Richard Wagner. The previous sentence is the battle cry of the Valkyries. Heard around the 1,25 mark here if anyone is interested. 35. These last few words are in English. 36. A one-piece swimsuit style, popular in the 1960’s. 37. What Kanetsuki actually shouted was やらせはぜんぞ(Yarasehazenzo), the final words of Dozle Zabi from the anime Mobile Suite Gundam. 38. WOLF Performance Ammunition- Military Classic. A sporting ammunition with a polymer-coated steel cartridge manufactured in Russia. 39. During the worst parts of the invasion of Africa in World War II, the Axis’ Folglore (Lightning) Division–composed of both Italians and Germans–, is said to have lived off of the provisions of enemy soldiers, so they had to eat on the spot after a battle. 40. This has to do with Japanese table etiquette. A Kamiza , or ‘high’ seat, would be like a seat of honour. Usually the person with the most seniority or leader sits here. A ‘low’ seat would be just the opposite. It has nothing to do, necessarily, with the seat’s elevation. 41. A crane game. 42. ‘Yamato Nadeshiko’ in the original. An expression that refers to the ideal Japanese woman. 43. This is in English. 44. Nico-nico Douga (Literally: Smile Videos!) in the original. It is a website very similar to YouTube.– Anon-san 45. The word used here could be correctly translated for meaning as ‘mistake’, but there is a metaphor running throughout this section. It hinges on the Kanji for ‘sight’ and ‘to see’, so in order to carry the meaning over, I went with a term from the scientific field of Optics that means, ‘The failure of light rays to converge at one focus because of limitations or defects in a lens or mirror’.– Anon-san ****************************************** Full Credit and much thanks to the Staff of Twin Dragons Light Novels: Thunder , Darkhellsing , and Esteban108 , for permission to use their translation. ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### 003. 3rd Ammo- Dragon Road -Death Game- The next day was a school-holiday, so… because I am a diligent student, I went to the library to do some serious studying. However, Riko was there, and she gushed: „ÄåLet’s find some H-books! Come on, let’s look together!„Äç I tried not to be pulled into such a dirty, non-school event. So Riko brought several books of female nudes and medical texts, chasing me from around the library, and so my morning was wasted. Finally, she got tired and went home, but at noon Mutou (a.k.a The Idiot) showed up. „ÄåI am a treasure hunter, and I could use your help with something.„Äç Spouting nonsense like that, it was practically the same scene as this morning with Riko. As a result, my visit to the library was like a game of ‘Metal Gear Solid’, and was spent running and hiding. Having completely lost my motivation, I returned to my apartment that afternoon, staggering with fatigue… Oh! Something smells good in here… Having worked up an appetite, I went straight into the kitchen where there was a pot of curry already prepared. This is a treasure! Kaname’s curry is delicious. Did she change some of the herbs? But she isn’t here. It seems that she’s out somewhere. Well, the first-year ‘interns’ are used for all kinds of chores. They’ve probably been drafted to do the clean-up from the Sabage with real bullets. On the table, Kaname’s handiwork: ‘Onii-chan Plush’ + ‘Kaname Plush’ were placed. She gave them to me a few days ago, and apparently she discovered them inside the bullet-proof closet where I had discarded them. Having lost all intention of studying, I decided to watch some television while eating curry, but as soon as I had eaten, and because of the increased blood flow to my stomach 1 , I became tired. „ÄåThere is no greater pleasure in the world than sleep…„Äç And so, while mumbling my grandfather’s favourite phrase, I went to my bedroom, and flopping onto my bed, I laid down. Then… Riko was straddling me, forcing me to look at Goya’s ‘The Naked Maja’ that had somehow become ‘The Naked Aria’ so, I woke from that horrible nightmare and jumped to my feet. Concerned that I might hysterise in my sleep, I checked my pulse… I… I’m fine… „Äå*sigh*„Äç With that sigh of relief, I reached the bathroom. It seems that Kaname hasn’t returned. The charger for her HMD 2 has moved, so she came back at least once and went back out again but… the leftover curry hasn’t been touched. Thinking that I might have some messages, I checked my mobile. …? What’s this? The signal reception is turned off! Instead, a status is displayed: „ÄåStandalone Mode„Äç. The mobile connexion is cut off. It is a mode where you are unable to receive either calls or messages. I never use that setting. ‘Someone’ changed it. I tapped through the menu to disable Standalone Mode, when… I received voice-mails and messages from Jeanne, Shirayuki, and the others, along with several from other numbers. As I was about to check the contents of the messages, I received a call from an unknown number. I answered it out of reflex. „ÄåTohyama? Not answering your telephone was a little worrying. Gird yourself for battle quickly!„Äç That voice… It’s Tamamo. „ÄåGird? You mean put on combat gear? Why?„Äç „Äå’Why’s’ and explanations are unnecessary! Begin!„Äç „Äå…!?„Äç I had a bad feeling about this… „ÄåMine Shikigami 3 have reported. G-Third has returned to Tokyo.„Äç Tamamo had spoken the words I did not want to hear. „ÄåThe location is East-South-East of the Shinagawa Thermal Power Station. Shirayuki and Jeanne are at the Ebara Temple nearby. You must hurry there! Is G-Fourth–Kaname– with you?„Äç „ÄåNo…She isn’t.„Äç „ÄåThat is very unfortunate…„Äç Worried, Tamamo was silent a moment. „ÄåThat G-3! He has great battle-luck. While we are scattered and our defences spread thin, he turns up. I sense that it will be a hard-fought battle… „Äç Agitated, she fell deep into thought. For Tamamo, good luck is required in all important matters. Now it seems she is holding her in her hands. „ÄåIn any case, I have to go too. What about the others?„Äç „ÄåRiko and Reki are already underway. Aria is at that place called AMDO and moving at high speed. Watson called me a moment ago, and he has set out and is on his way to your apartment.„Äç Having rapidly summarised the situation, the intercom doorbell rang. Watson was here. Wearing the same equipment from the day of our battle at the SkyTree, he arrived to help, and with my gun, bullet-proof uniform, a magazine, and my right and left hand Orochi 4 , we flew out of the boy’s dormitory. In front of the building, Watson’s Porsche 911 was parked. It had a revolving red emergency-vehicle light attached to the canopy. „ÄåWhat now, Tooyama?„ÄÄIt appears that G-3 is on the opposite bank from Butei High, near the Thermal Power Station.„Äç Watson asked as he jumped into the driver’s seat and started the car. By ‘What now’, I guess he’s asking about logistics. „ÄåGoing by sea would difficult. We don’t have a boat ready, and the coastal route is full of bridges and flood gates that might dead-end.„Äç „ÄåAnd as for going by car…. Unfortunately the Tokyo Harbor Tunnel is under repair. Crossing on foot, let alone by car, is impossible. We’ll„ÄÄhave to take the highway and turn off at Shibaura. But that will take twenty minutes!„Äç Damn it! It’s because it’s almost the end of the year. This is the annual ‘Seasonal Road Maintenance’. The only direct route is by air, but getting something like a helicopter would take even more time. „ÄåThere’s no time to hesitate. We’ll take the car. Go!„Äç As I jumped into the passenger seat, I turned off the handbrake and shouted at Watson to drive. „Äå*Sniff*… Tooyama, what did you eat today?„Äç I heard this sudden question, and Watson leaned over while driving, confusion on his face. „ÄåNothing special. Just some of Kaname’s curry…„Äç „ÄåIt’s faint, but the smell… your breath smells of Valerian. It is a sleeping drug, and its smell can be masked when mixed with other herbs. You’ve taken quite a lot. Hadn’t you noticed?„Äç Watson is also a doctor, so for him to to say that… I gasped with realisation. Now that I think about it, today’s curry smelled and tasted a little different than usual.„ÄÄKaname is usually very particular: ‘I will make the curry exactly the same way that you liked so much.’ What does this mean… Kaname? I immediately tried to call Kaname with my mobile, but of course, she never answered. Did you go… to where G-3 is?„ÄÄWhat are you planning to do? Kaname…! Inside the car, there is„ÄÄa dual-use monitor for a SatNav. The screen also had a video-conference call function linked to Jeanne and was transmitting a video feed from the mobile that she had cleverly placed in the chest pocket of her school uniform. We turned left, towards the Rainbow Bridge entrance and… Damn it…! The road is jammed. For now, we can only monitor the situation on the screen. The monitor and tied-in onboard speakers were of such high quality, we were hearing Jeanne’s voice so clearly that it was like we were there with her. „ÄåTohyama, Watson. I don’t have my headset 5 , so I’m using„ÄÄmy mobile’s earpiece with speaker-phone turned on. They may hear any loud noises you make, so please be advised.„Äç Maybe it was because she was so close, but Jeanne’s voice was tense. On the monitor, and carrying Irokaneayame, Shirayuki’s profile was displayed as she stole a glance at the situation. They are operating as a two man unit– a wise choice. Jeanne and Shirayuki are moving past the hexagonal prism shaped cooling tower, erected south of the Shinagawa Thermal Power Station. Beyond them, I see a natural gas tanker in Tokyo Bay. Meanwhile, Riko, Reki, and finally Aria were connected to the feed in ‘Audio-only’ mode. „ÄåUgh…„Äç In unison, we all groaned, with hint of surprise in our voices. It’s him… His grim face was painted as if he were wearing sunglasses, and he also wore an HMD. That awesome presence… there can be no mistake. Striking a bold pose, it’s G-3– standing on top of the water! Judging by his balanced posture, he seems to be standing on something, but I can’t see what it is. Whatever it is, it’s probably invisible. He is wearing an outrageous jet black helmet, several pieces of armour, and a matching black coat that is fluttering in the wind. Both coat and armor were trimmed with gold and gold thread. Remembering the day of the Bandire 6 — G-3 is as flashy as ever. He is angry with someone on the shore, and his attention is turned towards what appears to be a public park. G-3 is talking to someone on the lawn. It’s Kaname…! In addition to her HMD, she is also wearing body armor. On both hips she is wearing two swords, and crossed on her back are two more– in all, she has four Neue Ange blades. This is the most heavily armed I have seen her. And to make matters worse… „ÄåWha…?!„Äç As Jeanne emitted a gasp, words failed me, and my eyes widened in shock. I couldn’t speak. I couldn’t do anything but stare in astonishment. That person took everyone’s breath away. They caught every eye, because of their angelic beauty. In the corner of a shipping yard, a crane on the border of land and sea soared into the sky. They were wearing a bulletproof brown long-coat and high-laced combat boots. Ka…Kana! Kana sat on the crane arm. And judging by the distance of her position… She is not on Kaname’s side, but rather on G-3’s! G-3 was gone for a while, in order to meet Kana?! Her braided chestnut hair fell to her waist and swayed in the sea breeze. Regardless of the fact it was only on a screen, her unchanged beauty left us breathless and made us forget our enemy. But Kana is not only beautiful. She can enter Hysteria Mode at will, and„ÄÄis infinitely more skilled in using that super-human power. While it is true that on one occasion I beat my ‘Nii-chan’ in Hysteria mode, I could never win against ‘Kana’. If we were to fight, I am not confident of victory. Kana is a very special case. It’s likely that she has discovered how to use higher form of Hysteria Mode that I don’t know about, and is on an entirely different level. Moreover, the battle at IU seems to have brought her skills to maturity, and now there is a certain aura about her. „Äå…„Äç With her long lashes, Kana sat bathed in the twilight haze… but she is only observing the scene below. On the screen… Jeanne, despite her trembling, moved closer to the three„ÄÄprincipals. „ÄåI will now set the camera to wide angle mode. Pray the fortunes of war favour us.„Äç From her Butei handbook„ÄÅ she pulled out a fish-eye lens and attached it to her mobile’s camera. Then she set her mobile on a tree branch. At first the image was stretched and warped, but the monitor’s auto-detect function corrected it, creating a panoramic video. All of them were now displayed on the screen: Kaname, G-3 , Kana, plus Shirayuki and Jeanne, so we were able to grasp the entire situation.„ÄÄThen Watson began operating the equalizer,„ÄÄcleaning up the audio and from the speakers… „ÄåThird,„ÄÄwe don’t need to kill them. Baskerville… DEEN, they aren’t the enemy.„Äç …Kaname’s voice was heard. I got the impression that Kaname was trying to persuade G-3. It also appears that Jeanne and Shirayuki have been detected, and are talking about what they should do. „ÄåFourth, it’s an order!„Äç G-3 snapped. At that moment, Shirayuki showed herself to support Kaname. „ÄåG-3, in addition to Kaname… we have just learned of your emissaries to the Six-Tailed Kitsune, Tamamo-sama, and the Hotogi clan gives you the same answer. We will not hand over our, ‘Irokane and everything to do with it’, to you.„Äç It seems that G-3 was in private communication with members of DEEN, and that seems to be the connexion where the Hotogi mikos are concerned. Enough, Shirayuki…! That man is dangerous. Don’t say anything to provoke him! Meanwhile, we had just made it to the south end of the Rainbow Bridge, tires squealing as they turned. We have finally made it to the half-way point of our journey. We are ten minutes out. Taking the current situation into account, and concluding that we should temporarily retreat, I… „ÄåJeanne! Take Shirayuki and Kaname, and get out of there!„Äç I screamed at the mic beneath the monitor, and as a result, my voice blasted from the mobile’s speaker. On the screen, recognising that voice, Kaname turned her head. „Äå…Onii-chan…?!„Äç This was unexpected. She probably wanted to keep me from being involved, so her plan was to put me to sleep. I guess I’m awake sooner than she thought. Your didn’t do enough research, Kaname. Pharmaceuticals have almost no effect on me. „ÄåI… Baskerville… isn’t the enemy, Third…„Äç Flustered Kaname tried to speak, but… „ÄåFourth! Are you going to follow my order!?„Äç „ÄåKaname! Get out of there!„Äç G-3 and I shouted at the same time. Our voices overlapped, as Kaname cringed away. Then straightening, with knees trembling… she drug her feet as she walked. Making a right about-face, Kaname made her way to G-3’s side. Her face– an expression of wide-eyed panic. „ÄåKaname …„Äç I understand perfectly. It’s like watching myself. Kaname, I’m sure… Whenever my brother gave me an order, I had exactly the same reaction. I couldn’t defy him, because he was so much stronger than me. No matter what, his orders had to be carried out. I had to obey. „ÄåI have to… Someone stronger than me…„Äç Her voice, like her shaking hands, trembled… „Äå… I absolutely can’t disobey… because it is completely illogical…!„Äç Crossing both arms, she drew the swords that were on both her hips. This is bad… This is very bad…! Looking down at Jeanne and Shirayuki, Kaname’s face… was becoming a sharp glare. Kaname’s personality is being replaced. Taking control is the old personality from when we first met– that of G-Fourth! „ÄåI owe him a debt. He was the one that helped me escape Los Alamos…„Äç Repeating those reasons to herself, Kaname began to radiate her fighting spirit. Lowering her stance, I saw her concentrate strength into her legs. „ÄåDo you intend to fight? That blade will not work against us.„Äç Sensing Kaname’s fighting spirit, Jeanne and Shirayuki, each drew their swords and stood shoulder to shoulder, the same way as the night of the Lumberjack, taking up the same position for the ‘tag-team’ technique that destroyed Sonic. „ÄåKaname, surrender! You can‚Äôt beat us. That’s something you should have realised just recently.„Äç Shirayuki said, joining in, but Kaname … „ÄåThat was a Duel; This is War.„Äç To her right, and left, a blue fluorescent line glowed on her katanas as she grasped their hilts. „ÄåThe one that you were able to destroy was only one of thirteen types of Neue Ange swords!„Äç *Swish!* From under Kaname’s foot, grass and dirt flew and scattered. Thanks to her exo-skeleton’s assistance Kaname closed distance with girls in a superhuman leap, unsheathing her blades mid-air… No… „ÄåArc Edge 7 …!„Äç Drawing those things that cannot be called swords… but rather light-sabers 8 . Drawn from their sheaths, they were a glittering metre long, as Kaname attacked Jeanne and Shirayuki from above, and they spread out to avoid the light-saber… *Whoosh!* As she landed, her shining blades gouged a hole in the ground. Molten lava and white fumes immediately rose and filled the crater she had made. What… That’s…! It was like a scene from a movie. Her swords looked like the fictional weapons from Star Wars– only more powerful. There is no possible way to safely receive such an attack. Just one touch would slice a person in half… no… rather, disintegrate them. Kaname stowed her light-sabers, and only the grips in the scabbards on her hips remained. „Äå…Jeanne!„Äç „ÄåUnderstood.„Äç Eyes wide, I watched as Shirayuki and Jeanne exchanged their respective blades for magic. Shirayuki began„ÄÄtracing symbols in the air with her hands, and diamond dust began dancing around Jeanne. Observing Kaname’s attack, G-3 gave a snort of disdain. „ÄåJust as I thought. You’re broken, Fourth.„Äç „ÄåIt’s not like that, Third. I’m holding back my weapon’s full power. Compared to yours, mine’s reaction rate is slower.„ÄÄBoot-up takes longer.„ÄÄIf I don’t wait for full deployment, the ‘multi-faceted crystal’ will fuse.„Äç „ÄåNo, the problem is with you !„Äç G-3 growled, like a lion– the king of the animals. Turning around, Kaname could only gasp wordlessly. „ÄåFourth, you can’t fool me. Your attack was only half intended to kill, and the other half to let them escape.„Äç „Äå…That’s not it…! I…!„Äç Shaking her shoulder-length hair sideways, Kaname tried to clamour an excuse. „ÄåYou’re damaged, and stooping to the level of a mere human!„Äç „ÄåNo, no, no!„Äç Holding her head in her hands, Kaname dug her nails into her scalp, as if to rid herself of the alternate personality in her head. „ÄåFourth! Remember who you are! You are a weapon, and this is war… Move!„Äç I see now. G-3 is trying to ‘fix’ Kaname– trying to turn her back into G-4. Without attacking himself, that bastard is trying to make Kaname do it.„ÄÄHis plan is to ‘fix’ Kaname by reverting her personality. „ÄåWhy…? Why did it have to become a War…?„Äç Hiding her face, Kaname… *Shine!* Spreading her arms wide, she drew the twin swords that were fastened on her back. They looked like executioner’s swords that were used in the Middle Ages to behead those sentenced to death, but the double-edged blades’ fullers were carved hollow. With the ‘U’ shaped tip… she pointed them at Shirayuki and Jeanne to check their advance, as they stood ready with fire and ice. „ÄåI… I’m… sick of war!„Äç *Whoosh!* Following a high-pitch noise, blue light surged from the swords’ hilts.„ÄÄRunning swiftly down the edges of the blades and converging at their tips, the light shot out, without a hint of recoil. „Äå…!„Äç Speeding on, as if they had been fired from a rifle, the bullets of light, flew toward Shirayuki and Jeanne… Jeanne made a motion to ward the bullet of light with her sword, but it was not something that could be deflected. Because she was anxiously preoccupied about what would happen to Jeanne, Shirayuki’s response lagged, and she was unable to make any kind of move to defend herself. In the next instant, light-bullets gave off a sound like a rocket-launcher strike (and compared to the size of the bullet, the explosion was on an entirely unbelievable scale) that made me burst into a shout. „ÄåShirayuki…! Jeanne…!„Äç As if they had been hit by a train, they were sent flying left and right. Shirayuki bounced off the ground and collapsed, and Jeanne disappeared from the screen. „ÄåShirayuki…!„Äç I watched the screen anxiously… Underneath Shirayuki’s bullet-proof uniform, it seems that she had been wearing chain-maille as a precaution, and now it was in ruins. Then I saw her move and stir slightly. She wasn’t insta-killed, but it looks like she has been gravely injured. She can’t keep fighting. She needs help now! Sheathing her swords on her back, Kaname„ÄÄturned towards G-Third, her expression seeming to„ÄÄsay: ‘That’s enough, right?’ . But his response was… „ÄåWhat are you stopping for? Do you want me to finish it?„Äç By ‘finish’, he means ‘kill’. Stop it… Just stop it! I screamed this uselessly inside my head. Kaname lifted her sorrowful, tear-stained face. Strapped to her leg was a knife-shaped object– that must be an advanced blade, too. Drawing it… „ÄåA weapon has to fight… Even if they don’t want to, they must…„Äç *Step!* *Step!* Crossing the scorched earth, she moved toward Shirayuki. Silently observing the situation, G-3 chuckled softly with a smug, satisfied smile on his face… „ÄåG-3, rather than just worrying about others, why don’t you spare a thought for yourself?„Äç Kana shouted from atop the crane. And in the next instant, *BAAANG!* From the on-board speakers came a thunderous noise. It was the sound of a gunshot from someone who is connected to the video-conference in ‘audio-only’ mode. After a few seconds… *BANG* From beside of G-3’s head, orange sparks flew, and a concealing dust cloud rose from the ground. Wha-… What was that?! „ÄåThe bullet has been deflected. Reason: unknown.„Äç I realised that the voice from the on-board speakers was Reki’s. The loud noise was the sound of a shot from a large calibre sniper rifle– the Barrett M82.„ÄÄThe barrel of the M82 is no less than 29 inches long. Its gross weight is over 14kg, and it is almost as long as Reki is tall. Carrying such an impractical weapon, she has secured the ‘base’ of Academy Island 9 , and accurately sniped G-3 in Shinagawa at long-range. The dust cloud was caused by the impact of the bullet, which possesses more power and is of a larger calibre than a Dragunov. But if so, why did she miss? I can’t believe Reki failed. Those ‘sparks’ that exploded near G-3… somehow, he blocked the bullet. The Barrett is an anti-material rifle, with rounds powerful enough to pierce armoured plate, and yet he deflected it… with ease…! „Äå…!„Äç Then, high above G-3– from the arm of the crane… Riko…! Some time ago, Riko must have sneaked up behind G-3, and now she is diving toward him.„ÄÄIn her hand was the same tactical knife that she used in the April hijacking when she tried to kill Aria. She is targeting his head– the only place that is unprotected. From what I have seen, Reki and Riko…„ÄÄIt seems that they are trying to take out G-3– the boss– first. If they succeed, then Kaname will no longer have to follow his orders. That’s their plan. They are using the same strategy, and it looks like it’s going to work. G-3 is still watching Kaname; he hasn’t even looked up toward the falling Riko. But … „Äå’Worry’? About things like this…?„Äç And after he said that… *Smack!* Just as Riko was about to reach G-3, he sent her flying like a baseball. Fresh blood spattering, there was a splash, and a without cry, she fell into the sea. This time I saw what happened. G-3 swatted a hand, effortlessly deflecting her, all without even glancing in her direction… It’s useless… We can’t beat him! We have just sped onto Goshiki Bridge 10 . Our ETA is 5 minutes. With Neue Ange blade in hand, Kaname stepped up near to Shirayuki. What should we do? „ÄåHuh… What is that? Tooyama!?„Äç As we reached Big Kounan Bridge 11 , Watson screamed, but he was not watching the monitor, but looking outside the window. Then, pushing my hair back, I turned and looked high and to the right. „Äå…?!„Äç In the sky… I could see a light, high above the container yard. A star… No, it’s too close. It’s too slow to be a missile, and it doesn’t seem to be any kind of aeroplane either– it’s much smaller. The small light soared over the Shinagawa Thermal Power Station. „ÄåIn war ‘anything goes’… And I was created for war…„Äç On the monitor, Kaname raised her knife, and when I looked back at the screen… „ÄåHeh. If ‘anything goes’, then take this!„Äç From the on-board speakers we heard a seiyuu-like voice, and in rapid succession.. *Bang!* *Bang!* „Äå…!?„Äç At an angle that left Shirayuki protected, something swooped in towards Kaname. Two bullets detonated with an explosive sound, engulfing Kaname in a shower of orange sparks. What I’ve just seen was… Incendiary Ammo…! Bis-hydroxyl Aluminium and Naphtha: exploiting the extreme oxidising nature of these chemicals and their ability to burn at high temperatures, they were incredibly small Napalm bombs. These were just one of many kinds of Butei bullets. This was an air-raid. *Tumble* *Tumble* Rolling, Kaname has escaped the flames and smoke, and is now looking up into the sky. She is probably seeing the same light we had seen in the sky just moments ago. The hand that had held the knife seconds before was empty. The Butei bullets have knocked it away. „ÄåAria…?!„Äç Retracting the canopy of his Porsche convertible… His short hair whipping in the wind, Watson looked up into the sky. Looking in the same direction, now it can be seen with the naked eye– the true shape of the light we saw moments ago. „ÄåAria… Is that you!?„Äç With a single layer of white, tasset-like plates flaring from the the back and sides of her bullet-proof uniform skirt… It’s Aria! The contraption was divided into seven variable wings, and below each of them the flames of a jet engine glowed.„ÄÄFrom what I’ve seen of their shape and articulation… they’re a cross between compact, high-output rocket thrusters and stabiliser planes. These ‘wings’ attached to her waist allow her to fly. „ÄåWha-? You’re flying! When did you get that ?!„Äç Seeing Aria flying as if it were the most natural thing in the world, I couldn’t help blurting this out. „ÄåThis is a ‘Hover Skirt’! It was delivered a little while ago, so I thought that I’d see what it can do. Kinji, stop dragging your feet and get over here!„Äç As she said that … *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* Firing Incendiary, Exploding, and Fragmenting bullets, Aria was raining an endless hail of Butei bullets onto Kaname. The sound of gunfire coming from the speakers could now be heard directly as well. Rather, it sounded like a real war! On the screen, I saw Aria shoot armour-piercing rounds at the hollow, double-edged blades that had brought down Jeanne and Shirayuki, knocking them to the ground and damaging them. With her Barrett M82, Reki targeted and finally destroyed them. That reminds me… Tamamo said: ‘Aria is at that place called AMDO’ This is what„ÄÄAria had ordered while she was in the hospital, and she had gone to pick up her ‘rocket booster’– to Hiraga’s. If you think about it, her inventions are a lot like ‘Neue Ange’. Hiraga is an inventor who creates new, unimaginable weapons one after another, regardless of their reliability. Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth, and technology against technology– In a truly Aria-esque manner, she prepared to face G-3 and his allies head-on.„ÄÄTransformed into a human attack-helicopter, I watched her, dumbfounded. „ÄåAll of you, I have rescued Riko. Concentrate on bringing the enemy down.„Äç Using what had to be Riko’s connection, a voice flowed from the speakers. That voice… „ÄåHilda…?„Äç In the corner of the screen, the shapes of countless bats had merged– forming something like a black net– and is pulling Riko from the water. „ÄåHilda, I„ÄÄneed you. Hurry and save Shirayuki and Jeanne too!„Äç I said that but she answered, „ÄåHo ho! Fool! I do not wish to! Who would follow the orders of an uncouth man like you?„Äç I still don’t know if she is an ally or enemy. „ÄåThis…! This is an emergency, and you’re babbling about…„Äç „ÄåLet me, Tooyama.„Äç I was screaming in anger, but covering my mouth with his hand, Watson… „ÄåSorry for asking you to do something you can’t do, Hilda. Although it’s gone down a lot, the setting sun is still a problem for you, right?„Äç While driving, Watson said in a louder voice. „Äå What!? „Äç Flying into a sudden rage, she raised her voice as well and… „ÄåWatson, I believe that I told you this a long time ago. If I have a parasol, the sunlight is nothing to fear. I have even picnicked at a graveyard in the middle of the day!„Äç „ÄåThat’s alright, don’t push yourself too hard– it’s fine. It was thoughtless of Tooyama to ask.„ÄÄIt’s impossible for you– rescuing Shirayuki and Jeanne.„Äç „ÄåWatson! You insolent, insolent wretch! You„ÄÄare speaking to a noble– the daughter of Count Dracula, herself…!„Äç *Click!* Watson disconnected Riko’s line to stop Hilda’s piercing shout. „ÄåH-Hey, Watson!„Äç „ÄåDon’t worry… Now she will definitely rescue Shirayuki and Jeanne.„Äç Speaking with such confidence, Watson urged me to look back at the monitor, and… *Flap!* *Flap!* *Flap!* With an almost angry motion, countless shapes of bats slipped underneath Shirayuki, and dragging her along, carried her away. Hilda really rescued them– even though it didn’t take her even a second to reject my request. „ÄåShe isn’t strong enough to fight yet, but we can leave the rescue to her. However, we definitely have to praise her afterwards.„Äç Now that I think about it, Watson was in contact with Hilda before we met her. The more time you spend with someone, the better you know how to deal with them, right? Opening my eyes wide at this unexpected side of Killer-Hilda, I looked back at the center of the screen… Kaname and Aria are still fighting, and Aria clearly has the upper-hand. She is firing Butei bullets unsparingly, applying a brute force approach to the problem. „Äå*Grunt*…!„Äç With sticky bullets„ÄÄsealing both of her ‘Arc Edge’ blades on her hips, Kaname… *Whoosh!* Raising both arms and turning to face the sky, she moved her arms like she was presenting something. Then, from the white smoke that rose from the power plant’s smokestack– something flew out of the white sheet-like sky. Spinning as it flew, it was her cloth-like ‘X’-shaped cutting weapon. The„ÄÄvery same offense/defense flying weapon that had defeated Aria, P-FIBER…. But this time there were two of them, and they closed in on Aria from the left and right, to attack from both sides. „ÄåThe same trick won’t work twice!„Äç From her twin Governments, Aria fired two shots. Not at the fabric-like blades, but at Kaname herself. Then… *Shine* *Zoom* Each bullet gave off a burst of light like two tiny suns. Blinding„ÄÄFlares! Despite that, Kaname leaned over, unmoving, but the glow has managed to blind her. With a somersault, Aria nimbly avoided the X-shaped cloth, and it was unable to cope with her sudden evasion. Out of Kaname’s control, the two blade-like sheets collided mid-air, slicing each other in half. Delivering the coup de grace, Aria shot sticky bullets to tangle them together completely. Th-That movement just now…!? Watching the falling cloth-blades, just now… I saw Aria flare her twin-tails to slow herself like an aeroplane.„ÄÄThat was not a flutter in the wind… That was … „ÄåHa Ha!„Äç Watching Aria, G-3 laughed happily. „ÄåI was able to see a hint of the ‘Hidan no Aria’. Kana, your ‘Cognis’ 12 , as always, was truly amazing!„Äç „ÄåMy Cognis is incomplete. I wasn’t able to reach that level of reasoning.„Äç ‘Hidan no Aria’ , ‘Cognis’ … Kana and G-3 were using the same made-up terms Sherlock used when we were at IU. Why? What are those two talking about? But now isn’t the time to think about it. „ÄåI’m out of Butei bullets. And I only have 30 seconds worth of fuel. Kinji, how long will it take for you get here?„Äç Aria’s whispering voice came from the car speakers. „ÄåNot long, It’ll be another… Hold out for another three minutes.„Äç „ÄåOK. I’ll arrest Kaname. You really wouldn’t be able to do it because she’s your sweeeeet little sister, right?„Äç Remarking this somewhat sarcastically, Aria left behind her a vapour trail like a jet engine contrail and came in for a landing. Then, while suddenly accelerating… *Whoosh* Pulling her two Japanese swords from behind her back, she lunged at Kaname. „ÄåKaname!„Äç „ÄåAria!„Äç Reaching out and clasping her hands… from her armour, a ring of light spread. It was like the light of Arc Edge, expanding in a circle and looking like a buzz saw. „ÄåUwaaaa!„Äç With a shout, she lunged at as Aria as she swooped down, and with a flying leap she received a slashing attack to her body armour, even as she split the side of Aria’s flying unit open. „ÄåUgh!„Äç Losing her balance, Aria made an emergency landing, but with a skillful twist, she turned to face Kaname. Then– perhaps because ‘Arc Edge’ was not designed for long-term use–, after confirming that it was no longer active… Using her functioning rear propellers, Aria launched herself at Kaname. Ever since I met Aria, it’s always seemed like she had rocket boosters– charging in hard and fast–, but this time, equipped with real rocket boosters, she rushed at Kaname, not giving her the time to draw her next weapon, pushing for a hand-to-hand battle. „ÄåTooyama! From here, run!„Äç Finally, Watson and I arrived on the scene, and ran to the south side of the power plant that was turning into a battle-ground. At the power plant itself… In the shadow of the plant’s smokestack Riko, Shirayuki, and Jeanne were piled together. They were in no condition to stand. „Äå…Girls…!„Äç Seeing this scene, my mind immediately went back. It’s exactly the same as that time– the first time G-3 and Kaname attacked. Once again… I wasn’t in time to be of help. „ÄåTooyama, I’ll take care of the wounded. You back-up Aria!„Äç With a first-aid kit from MEDICA, Watson ran that way. Grinding my teeth and drawing my Beretta, I headed towards the open space the led to the sea. While running…. „ÄåAria, are you alright…!„Äç Wounded in the battle against Kaname, Aria had sagged to her knees. I saw Kaname start as I arrived, and some P-FIBER extended from behind her back– two sheets on a side. They were probably folded up and stored inside her body-armour. It looked like Kaname had 4 tails. „ÄåAria, are you okay?„Äç Threatening Kaname with my Beretta, I moved into a position to guard Aria… „ÄåI’m not finished yet! Watch out, that body-armour is assisting„ÄÄKaname’s hand-to-hand fighting. Each blow packs a punch! That cloth blocks„ÄÄmy attacks automatically, and it’s hard to get one in.„ÄÄEven though Reki has been giving me cover-fire, I still can’t get through.„Äç With a hiss of steam, Aria ejected from her Hover Skirt. I guess there isn’t any fuel left, so it had only become dead-weight. Now Aria tried to take up a Baritsu 13 stance… but it was no good– her injuries were too great. Moments ago, Aria had the battle-power and mobility of a fighter jet. If only it had lasted a little longer– then we might have been able to win. But now she is out of fuel and her wounds are very serious. We can’t do anything but retreat. „ÄåKaname …!„Äç The truth is, she’s amazing — You’re amazing. The first time, you single-handedly brought about the crushing defeat of Baskerville. The second time, you’ve cornered us now. And besides Kaname there, further away G-3 remains unharmed. This is far beyond my ability to handle. However… …We can still win. „Äå…Kana! What are you doing up there? Get down and help me fight!„Äç I yelled at Kana who was sitting on top of the crane wearing her long-coat. If Kana was on our side, we might be able to turn things around. I planned to use her as our trump card, but… „ÄåKinji, I only came to observe one of the battles of FEW.„Äç In the fading twilight, Kana stood… unmoving. „ÄåBesides that, I’m ‘Neutral’… I have no obligation to fight anyone.„Äç She blinked her gemstone eyes once and… „ÄåHowever G-3, you have made Baskerville your enemy. In this war, when someone is defeated… they are either killed or become their enemy’s subordinate. To see that those conventions are followed was also one of the reasons I came here today.„Äç And so saying, she fell silent. In reply… „ÄåI don’t care about that… Ha ha! Finally, all of the ‘G-bloodline’ are gathered together!„Äç Standing above the sea, G-3’s voice boomed. „ÄåStill, I’ll kill that worthless guy. There’s something strange between Kinji and Fourth.„Äç Then, crossing the invisible barge he stood on, he started walking towards me. ‘G-bloodlines’…? That’s a strange phrase, but I’ll have to think about it later. Since I couldn’t convince Kana, I’m out of battle-options. It’s time to flee. Taking Aria, Kaname, and everyone else… „ÄåOi! Don’t you run away.„Äç As if reading my thoughts, G-3 said this, drawing closer with each step… I felt a terrible air of menace emanating from G-3. He still hasn’t moved a muscle to make any preparations to fight. H-he’s strong! Even so… This guy… I understand that much about him. It seem that even behind me, Aria felt it too, and I heard her swallow her saliva with an audible gulp. „ÄåKinji, you idiot, what kind of ideas did you put into Fourth’s head? She says that she knows how… but now, of all things, she insists that she can’t enter HSS.„Äç Hearing our conversation, Kaname turned a flustered look towards G-3… And then facing me again, started panicking. Kaname… „ÄåBesides that… I don’t know what kind of warm welcome they gave her, but she won’t finish off those girls either.„Äç Standing behind the petrified Kaname, G-3…. *Bam* With a matte-black metal boot, he kicked Kaname in the back. „ÄåAh!„Äç *Thud!* Having fallen immediately to her hands and knees without resistance, he said to Kaname… „ÄåOi Fourth! You’ve stopped when you could have crushed her. All this time you’ve had the enemy on the run. But now it’s not too late. Finish it!„Äç G-3 barked, making it an order. Pulling her arms and legs in like a turtle, Kaname groaned. Meanwhile… several places of her armour glowed with an intensifying fluorescent blue light. „ÄåOnii-chan… Forgive me… someone that is stronger than me… I absolutely cannot defy them… That would be, That would be ill-… illogical, so… Forgive me, Forgive me, Forgive me…„Äç With a trembling voice, how many times was she going to apologise to me? Again, Kaname was trying drawing another advanced blade from somewhere. Even though she did her best. Even though she gave it everything she had.„ÄÄEven though she doesn’t want to fight… G-3…! Even in this situation, you still keep pushing her…! „Äå…Kaname! You don’t have to fight! Just stop, don’t take orders from someone like that.„Äç I yelled this boldly, as I pointed„ÄÄmy Beretta at G-3. „ÄåHe is deceiving, and only want to use you! I don’t know why you feel so indebted to him… Don’t you see that he only saved you to make you a tool for his own designs! You don’t have to pretend to be strong anymore. That guy… You don’t have to rely on people like G-3, because I’ll always be there for you!„Äç „ÄåYou sure talk a lot, don’t you Kinji? Oi, Fourth, shut this guy up too.„Äç Pointing a thumb at me, G-3 said this… „Äå…Don’t…„Äç Kaname, having laid face-down on the ground, muttered something, but it was said in a low, trembling voice so we couldn’t hear it well. „ÄåWhat was that, Fourth?„Äç „ÄåDon’t call me that.„Äç This time she spoke in a clear voice. Kaname stood up from the ground. „ÄåDON’T CALL ME THAT NAAAAME!!„Äç And turning toward G-3… *Clank!* *Clank!* *Clank* *Clank!* Like a kind of shell being cracked, Kaname’s body-armour opened in several places. On the inside tiny nozzles were ranged in lines. *WHOOOOSH!* And with that, her jet engines flamed to life. „ÄåRaaaaahh!„Äç With explosive force, Kaname launched herself at G-3. Enveloped by blasting hot wind, Kaname and G-3 clashed… …And closing distance, they missed each other. „ÄåKaname…!„Äç Hidden inside her armor, was what I suppose is a disposable solid-fuel rocket engine. The flames have already died down. With unfathomable explosive force, I saw Kaname dart forward in a ramming attack from point-blank range with her insta-kill equipment… and using that she only managed to rush past G-3 behind his back. As more and more fumes rose, Kaname staggered a few steps… „ÄåHuh…?„Äç Not understanding what had just happened, Kaname turned and looked back. „Äå…„Äç G-3, remained silent. He had not moved a single step from where he stood. It looked like Kaname had simply brushed passed G-3. But from the fingers of his metallic bullet-proof fiber gloves… *Plop!* *Plop!* …fell drops of blood. „ÄåHa Ha!… I…I was completely illogical…„Äç With a forced smile, Kaname turned towards me… Her chest armour was split low in the middle.„ÄÄI saw that in her black skin-suit… there was a deep gash. „ÄåKaname!!„Äç I heard Aria scream behind me. I couldn’t see anything… With his bare hands, G-3 had just opened a hole in Kaname’s chest. „ÄåFourth. Are you going to waste what little life you have left?„Äç As G3 faced the other direction, Kaname replied… „ÄåIf it’s a waste…„Äç As dark blood trickled from her mouth… *Shing!* Reaching both of her gauntleted hands inside her armour, Kaname drew two blades. „Äå…Then I’m going to waste it all!„Äç Again, Kaname launched herself at G-3 but… *Thud!* She was thrown right back more than ten meters. Totally shattering her blades, guards and all, the pieces scattered like glass. I couldn’t see that one either… G-3’s attack.. it’s too fast! It’s impossible for the eye to follow…! „Äå…You’re a fool, Fourth. I always knew that you were just weak.„Äç G-3 said in a low growl without turning back. „ÄåKaname!!„Äç The scene being too much for her to bear, finally able to stand Aria ran from behind me to Kaname, even though they had just been fighting. Then, Kaname having collapsed onto her back, Aria lifted the upper half of her body and cradled her in her arms. Following her example and unable to think straight, I rushed to Kaname’s side ignoring G-3. „ÄåKaname…! Kaname…!„Äç Both of us holding her in our arms… Her face was covered in blood, and she was staring off into the distance. „Äå…Now I think… I know why… I wanted to be close to you… Onii-chan…„Äç She mumbled deliriously. „ÄåI…„ÄÄwanted to believe… that I was human … so I was looking for a family… a human brother.„Äç „ÄåKaname, don’t speak! You’re making the bleeding worse!„Äç Applying pressure with her hand to the wound in Kaname’s chest, Aria was removing the remnants of her destroyed armour. „ÄåNow… I know the reason… why I defied Third too. More than Third’s wishes… I wanted to protect you, Onii-chan„Äç „ÄåKaname …!„Äç I also put pressure on the wound but… the blood won’t stop! I… can’t help her! „ÄåAhaha…„ÄÄYou didn’t say it… today. Remember whenever I called you ‘Onii-chan’… and every time you’d say … ‘You’re not my little sister’? You said it over and over… and each time I heard it… it hurt so much I really thought that I’d die, but… you didn’t say it today…„Äç Running out of strength, Kaname was able to smile. „ÄåKaname…!„Äç Kaname. Argh! Why„ÄÄdidn’t I realise it until just now! By my denial, I was only hurting her. Why did I do that…?! Mere regret could not conjure this emotion rising within me… It rose up from the bottom of my heart. My heart ached as if it were bleeding. „ÄåI am your sister… that will never change… so… I couldn’t show you how much I loved you. These feelings, I couldn’t let anyone know… so… I used them to give me strength to fight. Even against someone stronger than me–against Third…„Äç As if to chide herself, Kaname gave another brief smile…. „ÄåI’m…human…and your sister. By doing such illogical things… I became human. At the very end… „Äç Tears fell from Kaname’s eyes, and from inside her armour… There had been some kind of charm, and it had fallen into the pool of blood. It’s hideous … It’s similar to the hand-stitched ‘Onii-chan Plush’ matching set that I have. It was a little smaller than the stitched ‘Kaname Plush’ she sowed for me… It was the hand-made felt Leopon-Chimera she had received from Aria and the girls after the Sports Festival. „ÄåKaname… This isn’t the end. It’s not that bad!„Äç Tears in her camellia-coloured eyes, Aria spoke words of comfort, and Kaname replied… „ÄåAria, thank-you too…„Äç Kaname said„ÄÄin voice that was barely a whisper. „ÄåComing to this school, spending time with everyone everyday… even fighting… it wasn’t all bad. In the end though… I made a complete mess of things…„Äç „ÄåKaname…!„Äç Kaname began to squint their eyes like she was sleepy… Finally, gathering what was left of her strength, she wrung out these words. „ÄåThird is… only a weapon… Onii-chan… please… don’t fight… run away…„Äç Kaname…! Kaname’s breathing had already become erratic, but I replied… „ÄåKaname. I’m sorry, but I can’t honour that request.„Äç I said, loud and clear. Looking at her face, covered in blood, I continued. „ÄåThere isn’t a brother that can forgive someone who hurt his younger sister.„Äç I told her that. Hearing those words… tears spilled from her narrowing eyelids… *Drop* *Drop* One after another they fell,„ÄÄmixing with the blood and running down her cheek. „ÄåOnii-chan… you told me not to cry… so I decided not to, but…„Äç With a laugh and a small smile… As if the final thread had been cut, Kaname collapsed. Kaname… „ÄåKanameee…!„Äç Hearing Aria’s scream… I turned around and stood up. With his back still facing us… I glared at G-3 I understand… I feel a strange rush of blood to the inner core of my body, and realisation dawns.„ÄÄI’m different from my cowering self. A dangerous feeling was overflowing. It was… Rage. He had hurt Kaname, used her like he might use a hand or foot, and in the end, threw her away like some thing . Rage towards that man… „Äå…„Äç He had to have sensed my gaze. Expressionless, G-3 turned his head to look back. „ÄåNow do you know why I was waiting? For you to become that !„Äç What G-3 said…„ÄÄAlthough not completely, I understand.„ÄÄThis boiling„ÄÄfeeling… is„ÄÄsome kind of Hysteria Mode.„ÄÄI’m becoming hystericised .„ÄÄIt’s similar to Berserker Hysteria Mode, but stronger. It feels vastly more powerful. „ÄåCome, Kinji.„Äç *Swish* With a flutter, G-3’s coat flapped… Without a glance towards Kaname, G-3 walked towards the sea. „ÄåAre you sure? Now that I’ve become “that”, I’m not in the mood to be pleasant.„Äç Although I can’t explain the details to Aria… right now the state of the current “me” is different from normal Hysteria Mode and is 1.7 times stronger than Berserker. It is obviously a more powerful level. And besides, my enemy is a man. „ÄåKinji…„Äç Still hugging Kaname, Aria looked up at me… Sensing this new, dangerous side of me… she watched with a puzzled expression. Ah yes, I understand. Now the current “me” has seen the whole picture and knows the reason my brother… and late father both just snapped sometimes, radiating a blood-lust that was impossible to ignore. „ÄåI-I also…„Äç That she would also fight was what Aria was trying to say, but I held her back with a glance. „ÄåI’ll take care of it. It’s revenge for my sister.„Äç „Äå…*Gasp*…„Äç Looking at me like as if I had become a different person, Aria was speechless. Then, she tried to say something…. but since she was unable to, instead… „ÄåKinji…„Äç „Äå…„Äç Without answering, I turned my back toward Aria… „ÄåDon’t die. Please…„Äç She said, imploring me in a tremulous voice. Doing so, Aria seems very feminine. ****************************************** NEXT CHAPTER… ****************************************** 1. In order to better absorb the nutrients in food, there is an increase of blood flow to the digestive system after one eats. While it doesn’t totally deplete the rest of the body of blood supply, some medical researchers believe that it can lead to fatigue. 2. Acronym for ‘Head-Mounted Display’. Kaname’s augmented reality goggles. 3. Shikigami are invoked or conjured spirits that are said to serve the conjurer in various ways– mainly in tracking and surveillance. General Note: Tamamo speaks an archaic Japanese. If rendered literally, it would make no sense, so I’ll throw in a couple of ‘thee’s’, ‘thou’s’, and the like to indicate this. 4. Gauntlets that Kinji had specially made to deflect bullets with his hands. 5. Jeanne is talking about military-grade hardware that usually has a dedicated laser or satellite connection and a throat-mic for stealth. 6. Lit. “Proclamation” or “Declaration” in Italian. A traditional meeting between two opposing factions. It reads as something like “War Council” in Kanji. It was the meeting in Volume 8 where the factions ‘Deen’ and ‘Grenada’ were decided for Far Eastern Warfare. 7. ‘Single Lighting Ring/Band Slice’ in Kanji. 8. Yes it actually says this. The literal kanji say ‘blade of light’, and Star Wars is referenced, so the parallel is obviously meant to be drawn. 9. The author is referencing a children’s game, ‘Jintori/Jindori’, which is similar to capture-the-flag. In order to win, you have to occupy/capture the ‘base’ of opposing team while keeping the other team out of your own. Reki is covering her ‘base’ on Academy Island, and attacking G-3 in Shinagawa. 10. Lit. ‘Five Colour Bridge’. 11. Lit. ‘Great South Harbour Bridge.’ 12. ‘To gain knowledge’ or ‘to reason’ in Latin. ‘Predictive Reasoning’, in Kanji– specifically carrying the meaning ‘precognition by means of logical reasoning’. 13. A mis-spelling of ‘Bartitsu’, immortalised by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in his Sherlock Holmes stories. It was the martial art form Holmes used. ******************************************* Map of Kinji and Watson’s Route ******************************************* Full Credit and much thanks to the Staff of Twin Dragons Light Novels: Thunder , Darkhellsing , and Esteban108 , for permission to use their translation. ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### 004. 4th Ammo- The End of Contradiction -In those beautiful pupils, reflect only me- G-3 was walking on top of the sea once more. Beneath his feet… As I drew closer, I finally understood. Some kind of bridge, transparent like glass, was laid across the waves. It seemed like an optical illusion to the eye, but the bridge was real and tangible. I began to cross it. Taking a few steps forward, I felt the ground beneath my feet change and found it quite stable. This is almost like the deck… of an invisible ship?… that I found my self standing on. 「Oi, Kinji. That’s ‘Hysteria King Mode’… It comes from entering ‘Berserker mode’ many times.」 Turning around towards me, G-3 announced in a low voice. King? 「From our observations, it’s similar to a situation where male animals form a herd with a lot of females. ‘King’s HSS’… It manifests when the male’s women are destroyed.」 「…That’s why you did it! The same thing. Twice.」 It was only the Baskerville girls that were attacked a few days ago at the Shinagawa Geofront… and then here again today. In both cases he hurt girls I had a relationship with, one after the other. That’s why he did this 「That’s right Kinji! This was all for your benefit! Ha ha ha!」 Pointing to the mainland that had been turned into a war-zone, G-3 was sneering at me. Caught up in this provocation, I wanted to attack immediately but… I didn’t. The increased blood flow of Hysteria Mode was coursing through my head, but… G-3’s attack on Kaname just now… I couldn’t even guess his real motive. G-3 is hiding something. A lot of things. But I’ll let someone else figure it out later. Everything he’s done so far has been a lie, anyway. 「Historically, it’s been assumed that this is the strongest form of HSS. However, the exact details are vague, and I don’t fully understand them. According to our estimates from the US Army, the acceleration of the central nervous system activity is about… 30 times 1.2, so that would be about 36 times, right?」 Craning his head, G-3 turned to look at me. Something about his words are strange. If their numbers are accurate, that would mean ‘Beserker’ is actually stronger. Interrupting my calculations… 「Please stop, Third-sama.」 After a slight buzzing noise, the figure of a person wearing something like a raincoat materialised next to G-3. There wasn’t anyone there a moment ago, and he filled the empty space suddenly. And not just him. Around us, a group of two… plus three more people wearing the same kind of coat now were standing there. I was surrounded before I knew what had happened! Checking his surroundings first, G-3 quipped: 「Hey, Kinji. That isn’t the first time you’ve seen ‘Photo-refractive Camouflage’ 1 , is it? The Galleon also uses it.」 With a loud *thunk*, he stomped on the invisible deck of the ship. 「The day is unpropitious. To join battle with that kind of strange man is something we should not do.」 Beside G-3, the speaker removed what looked like a hood. A young boy, or maybe it was a beautiful young girl–I couldn’t tell which– spoke. Ah… On his head, like Tamamo… he had a pair of pointed Kitsune ears . Although I don’t know a lot about non-humans, it seems that G-3 has an ally of the same race as Tamamo. 「Superstitious as ever, eh, Tsukumo?」 Apparently his name was ‘Tsukumo’, and patting him on the head, G-3 said… 「All of you, get back to the Yokosuka base. Be on 24-hour alert.」 He gave his orders to the people surrounding us. The group surrounding us were… a motley crew–to say the least. There was a white-haired man with surgical scars on his head and neck. With a bullet scar on his cheek, filling the role of strongman, was burly Caucasian man stood over two meters tall. With bandages wrapped around his head, covering almost half his face– a tall, thin dark-skinned man. With mismatching eye colours, a silver-haired young girl. And the man who drove us in a Hummer from the Shinagawa Geofront to Butei High the other day, the old man Angus is also here. So they’re all under G-3’s command, huh? All of them… are radiating an aura that tells me that these are no ordinary people. Although not G-3’s level, each of them probably possess a considerable amount of battle power. Except the girl and old Angus, of course. 「You musn’t! You musn’t!!!」 Apparently worried about G-3 , Tsukumo desperately pleaded. 「 I’m going to put Kinji to the test. Didn’t we already go over this? Man up, Tsukumo!」 「I am a woman!」 With a sigh, Tsukumo shook her bristling chestnut-brown hair, and following… 「But in the unlikely event that you were hurt…」 「There is no need for you to stoop to perform such a task… 」 「Allow me do it…」 G-3’s underlings clamoured. 「Hey, you lot! Are you insinuating that I might lose?!」 A razor-sharp glint in his eye, G-3 roared with an eardrum splitting roar. Hearing his voice… *Whoosh* In unison, all of his subordinates, in that instant, hurriedly snapped to attention. Even Tsukumo, who was panicking just moment ago stood with her hand in salute. This concern for G-3, and their response to his leadership that I witnessed… It seems that all of those under his command are extremely loyal to him. And as I maintained a constant state of vigilance… They all saluted G-3 and crossed the deck in order disembark to the mainland. Last of all, Tsukumo stubbornly remained, and turning her tail towards me… departed. Now, only G-3 and I are standing here. 「Book of Sirach, chapter 42, verse 19: “He declareth the things that are past, and for-to come, and revealeth the steps of hidden things.” 2 I don’t want either of you to have any regrets. For your own sakes.」 Hearing Kana’s voice from on top of the crane, I turned to look that way but when I turned to look that way… she was gone. Although I didn’t grasp the full meaning of her words, but apparently she didn’t really intend to help anyone. It doesn’t matter. Don’t let anyone else interfere. I’ll defeat him myself. 「Come, Kinji.」 G-3 turned his back toward me and fiddled with something near his feet as he kicked if. A manhole access appeared nearby, leading inside… and inside a ladder protruded from the opening, going down beneath the water’s surface. You want me to ‘come’? Inside this vehicle… That’s fine. He wants to get me alone and then work me over. That way there will be greater psychological damage. I followed him through the hole in the illusion, and after entering the ship began to rumble and started moving. My HSS kicked in, and I understand the situation. From the inertia I could tell that we weren’t moving forward, back, left, or right… Up? Since he had already closed the entry hatch and there wasn’t a window, I couldn’t check visually, but… We are definitely rising. Not soundlessly, but very quietly. So it’s a seaplane… And it’s also a VTOL (Vertical Take-off and Landing). They had landed between the Thermal Power Station and the natural gas tanker… probably because they were stealing fuel. The long hallway inside the plane was lit by LEDs. It is a large vehicle. From the sound of water passing underneath the body of the plane… it is about 20 metres long and upwards of 50 metres wide. Its profile… is a ‘ flying wing ‘. It is shaped like a giant boomerang, utilising only the main wing to fly. A giant version of Nazi Germany’s Horten Ho229 … No… something else… Rather the American B-2 Spirit bomber. Fitting every definition of the word ‘stealth plane’, this plane and the B-2 are as alike as two peas in a pod. As I combat-loaded 3 the bullets I had been carrying… 「So this is one of the US military’s toys.」 I said, probing. And.. 「It’s a next-gen stealth aircraft prototype. Its code-name is ‘Galleon’ — the most undetectable aircraft in the world. Although, because of the production costs it can’t be mass produced. Ah, relax. No pilot or anyone else that could interfere is aboard. We’re flying a pre-selected path on autopilot.」 G-3 replied calmly, as if he were chatting with a friend. ‘Galleon’ . This… is not the first time that I have heard that name. At the Shinagawa Geofront G-3’s subordinate, the old man Angus, mentioned it. 「It’s incredibly quiet for a VTOL!」 「How many times are you going to be surprised seeing the same thing! Just like P-FIBER, this aircraft uses a ‘Dean drive’ 4. 」 P-FIBER. The same as what Kaname was using– those ‘flying blades’… Those cutting edge scientific weapons spring to mind. Moreover, it possesses optical stealth technology that makes it completely invisible in daylight. I think the fact that it is undetectable by radar goes without saying. Surely, this aircraft is the epitome of Neue Ange . ******************************************* At that moment… 「We are a little overweight.」 For some reason, saying that out loud so that I could hear, G-3 kicked opened one of the doors inside the plane. 「Yes, we are overweight.」 「Why did you say it twice?」 「Shaddup!」 Inside the room he had just entered… Disorderly piles of banknotes were stacked in plastic bags. Shouting ‘Hey!’, G-3 opened a hatch on the floor. As if it were an air-raid, G-3 scattered the money, throwing it out of the plane. Looking through the hatch myself, I saw that the Galleon had already risen 50 metres off the ground, and G-3’s anxious followers gazing up as bundles of notes rained down upon them. Then G-3 dropped a box with a picture of of gold ingots, and it hit Tsukumo on the head, knocking her over and causing G-3 to laugh. 「Alright, now we’re light.」 He said aloud again. And while turning his gaze away from where I stood bewildered… he returned to the hall. Following him into the aircraft bay which originally held the Cluster Bombs, compact B-61 Thermonuclear Warheads, or modified JDAM Bombs, but now it was filled with… Paintings…? Realistic religious imagery, Impressionist and Cubist colour oil paintings,; avant-garde contemporary modern art, and many other kinds of art adorned the room. Pierrot Dolls in gaudy clothing and huge speakers scattered here and there throughout the room. It looked like an art gallery… no, like an art gallery and audio room combined. 「What is this place? It’s not an armory; it’s a junk closet!」 「What do you think of this, Kinji. This is a Pablo Picasso.」 And saying that, G-3 hooked his thumb indicating one of the paintings. And G-3… What this? The blood-thirst radiating from him had been strong from the beginning… but since we entered this room it’s become stronger. 「Is that… Hysteria Mode?」 I accidentally gasped aloud, and G-3 smiled and laughed . 「Ah, so that’s your name for HSS.」 He hasn’t denied it. Thinking back to Kaname’s old name–G-4–, that name shows some kind of relation between them, and I vaguely expected that this guy has Hysteria Mode. He’s using it right now. But… There isn’t a trigger here…? With that realisation, I searched for a female figure amidst the art, but… 「Not that, Kinji. For a number of reasons in my past, women don’t do anything for me.」 While scratching the back of his head, G-3 said redundantly. 「So, how did you do it?.」 「You know what they say: ‘The brain is like a black box’, right, Kinji?」 G-3 laughed, as with each passing second, the aura of his Hysteria Mode grew stronger. 「The trigger for HSS is β endorphins. There isn’t only one way to produce them.」 *Boom!* A loud noise echoed through the body of the plane, sending vibrations through the hold–music being blasted at full volume. It was electronically generated music with vocals. It part of the recent musical craze that everyone is listening to. Reki listens to it too; it’s ‘Ibiza Trance’ 5 . Filling the room, the music instantly transformed it into a dance club atmosphere. 「In my case, Kinji. Beauty –being moved by Art causes a rush of β endorphins. Whether an object or sound, until it bores me, I can use it as a trigger.」 I listened… and I couldn’t even smile at G-3 explanation. Although I have very little interest in such things, a long time ago I read about it on the internet. The reason some men and women go to clubs, art galleries, the cinema, and the like together… Is to use music and the fine arts to enter a mental state of rapture similar to the trance-like ecstasy of sexual arousal. Is he intentionally using them to induce Hysteria Mode? If I had to say, it has to be some kind of Pictophillia or Agalmatophillia . 6 Well, when you limit the context to hysteria talking mode, something kinky like that would be handy in gaining a victory. It certainly gives him a wide degree of freedom broader than Kana or Vlad. With the feeling that he was baring his white teeth like fangs… G-3 pulled out a small box. 「Normally, it would be enough for someone to simply set foot in here, but against you I have to use this trick.」 He pulled a piece of square red paper about 1 cm large from the box, and put it inside his mouth. 「What was that?」 「This is the product of the most cutting-edge technology: Neurotransmitter accelerating cocktail. It would scare you to find out what is in it. Los Alamos stopped using it when they discovered that it could lead to death.」 Radiating from him… his blood-thirst… reaching another level, increased even more. Vlad, my older brother Kinichi, Sherlock … Compared to Hysteria Mode user I have fought so far, he is perhaps the most formidable enemy. I have the feeling of being locked in the same room as a magical monster. But my Hysteria Mode is very different also. Using this new King Mode… or “King’s HSS”– whatever you call it–, I will defeat him. 「I think that’s enough talk. Come on up, mate.」 And after saying that, G-3 started up an interior spiral staircase. The stairs led to a small hatch in the ceiling that he opened… leading outside… to the top of the aeroplane. Apparently G-3 wants to continue the fight on top of the wings, and exiting through the hatch… The sun has set, and the moon shines white through the gaps in the the clouds. As for the weather… there are scattered clouds. Because of my current state, I can vaguely make out the Galleon’s shape. As I deduced from the sound, is exactly like the B-2 Spirit bomber, but the composite materials are completely different. The surface of the aeroplane is like a ultra high-definition display, and a view of the Tokyo nightscape below us is being displayed as night camouflage. Photo-refractive Camouflage… able to become all but invisible and copy any colour and pattern. Looking like some kind of flying chameleon, judging by the pitch and yaw of the aeroplane and what I can see of its ailerons and wings, the Galleon is flying in a gentle arc and we are apparently ascending in order to rise above the clouds. Our current altitude is about 400 meters. We are cruising comfortably, at a speed of approximately 100 km/h. To develop a large aeroplane that can fly stably at such a low speed– as you’d expect of America! Moreover, it is almost completely silent. I suppose that it’s an aeroplane that differs in traditional flight mechanics, implementing a combination propulsion system that limits the use of jet engines. I don’t see any contrails either. It probably uses a system with some drying chemical, the same way the B-2 does. Standing near the nose, 20 metres away, G-3… 「This place is large enough, isn’t it?」 Turning towards me, G-3 raised his arms, spreading them to indicate the entire sky. Paying attention to the air flow, I could tell that the slightly inclined surface of the wings has leveled out. If I were somehow caught up in the swirling vortex of air generated by the wings, I would be instantly sucked in by the vacuum of air. 「No, It’s me and you. Even the sky is too small. It’s time for your exit, G-3. 7 」 That was… a Hysteria Mode induced response. It surprised even me. This means that the blood flow from the core of my body has already been circulated throughout my entire body. But before I fight, I want to confirm something. When he did that… 「…By the way, you’re really kind. I didn’t expect that..」 Hearing my remark, G-3 pursed his eyebrows with a roared 「Whaaat?!」. 「You let her escape, didn’t you? Kaname, that is. You didn’t kill her.」 And with that, I cut straight to the heart of the matter… G-3 remained silent and only glared at me. It was not a denial. As I had thought, my guess was correct. 「After I went into Hysteria Mode I started thinking back, and in the middle of my recollection, I finally understood. Your attack inflicted an injury that was just shy of fatal. Besides that, Watson was there, and Kana who also holds a medical licence. Kaname has a 100-to-1 chance survival.」 「…」 「From Kaname’s words and behavior, you deduced that true effect Hysteria Mode has on women. Because of that, you concluded that she would be a loose cannon in your operation, and decided to exclude her from your organisation. By inflicting pain and mental shock upon Kaname, you wanted to foster rebellion while destroying her loyalty to you.」 With the superior mental powers of Hysteria Mode… in the care G-3 took for Kaname, the image of Reki’s attempted suicide in Tokyo Station is being superimposed onto this scene as I remember it. 「Life is worthless if not devoted to our leader.」 –Such loyalty will last a lifetime unless a sufficient psychological shock is experienced. Since her attempted suicide, Reki has stopped listening to the illusory 「Orders of the Wind」, but with Kaname feelings, something more was needed… They could only be separated if he killed her himself. 「It wasn’t just Kaname’s loyalty you had to worry about, but it had to hold up to to all outside observation, didn’t it? It had to appear as real as possible. Overall, your acting was quite superb, and the channeling of blood-lust into your attack was flawless .」 「…You can think whatever you want.」 He said as he interrupted me, but under his HMD, his face… was red. As I thought, I’ve hit the mark. And his secret exposed, G-3 is embarrassed. Which isn’t like him at all. 「There’s one more thing I want to say. Is that alright, G-3 ?」 「…What?」 「You’re not absolutely sure that you can win.」 「That’s crazy-talk.」 「That is why you chased your comrades away–to avoid exposing them to danger. And so they could continue to make a living for themselves, even if they lost you–the one they call their leader–, you handed over all the money.」 A little while ago, G-3 threw that cash to his subordinates– that’s how it was. All of these deductions were able to be made thanks to Hysteria Mode but… Somehow, I can well understand his actions. They are the same as those he took toward Kaname. 「There’s been a huge misunderstanding, Kinji. I w-…」 A little flustered, G-3 tried to deny it, but I continued… 「Relax. No one else figured out your true intentions. Except me, of course.」 Waiting for the right time, I spoke and interrupted him. Hiding his true feelings and having them guessed so straightforwardly, G-3… He paused for a moment, and seemed to consider how to deny it, but it looks that he couldn’t come up with anything. He could only turn red and stand there, gawping… What is this? I’ve only just come to understand his personality. In short– he’s Tsundere– as Riko would say. One the surface he looks like a tyrant, but he actually has a kind personality. In fact you could say he is soft-hearted. Scowling at me, his feelings were revealed, and he crossed his arms. 「Great guess! But… there’s one thing that your way off on. I didn’t chase them away because you might win– there’s no way you will kill me.」 「So, why then?」 「My body. It won’t last much longer. It’s like Fourth’s.」 「…What?」 「It goes without saying that while you’re living, laughing, and enjoying life, you could die at any moment. But for us… we have a ‘Life Limiter’ that Los Alamos built into our DNA to prevent treason. It’s some kind of compound known only to them, and if we don’t take it regularly, we can’t live in the long-term. That’s how it is with the Genion.」 G-3 said, as if he were talking about someone else’s problem. 「In Fourth’s case, its a kind of Furano polymer and we have confirmed that the polymer compound found in soft candies is a good enough substitute. But my ‘Life Limiter’ is still unidentified.」 So… that’s it, huh? The reason Kaname was always, without fail, eating some kind of sweet. What… cruel words ! Disgust is building up inside of me–Hatred for Los Alamos! 「Well, then…. When we’re above the clouds and out of reach, whether they are exploding bullets, incendiary bullets, blinding bullets or whatever, they won’t be seen from below. Use them all you want. Oh, yeah, one more thing…」 Slowly clearing the cumulus clouds, the Galleon rose… G-3 looked up into the dark azure night sky dark blue, and in defiance of his previous words, put on a bold smile. 「You did it Kinji! You’re a celebrity too!」 「Celebrity?」 「This battle is being watched by the U.S. Military’s KH-14 spy satellite 8 .」 「Seriously?」 「Neue Ange is developed there. They want to collect all the information they can on ‘human weapons’. That includes my battle with you. Whoops! It’s too late to hide that stupid look on your face. Misty’s state-of-the-art Enhanced Imaging System technology is able to analyse a single square centimeter of area.」 Americans… You have to be insane. 「Huh…」 I turned toward the starry sky, and in their direction… showed then my raised middle finger. G-3 barked and exploded into laughed 「HA HA HA…! Now I see… So that’s it.」 「What’s ‘it’?」 「Well… During your battle with Sherlock on IU, I heard that he was laughing. It puzzled me, but now I get it. You’re an idiot. But you’re funny. I’m sure of it now.」 ‘During my battle with Sherlock on IU’… How does he know about that? And in such detail? 「You have an impressive information network. Are you sure you aren’t my fan?」 「Don’t say such disgusting things. Rather, Butei Officer Kinji Tohyama, are you sure you want to do this?」 「Do what?」 「Fight me. You are E-Rank, I am R-Rank. It’s obvious what the result will be.」 「The ‘R’ comes long after the ‘E’ in the alphabet.」 I replied while drawing my Desert Eagle in response. G-3 , laughed again and… *Clang!* From the armour storage on his right leg, he drew a gun. A Heckler & Koch USP Match model 9 . That would be a gun I would not like to fight against. It’s power comes from the calibre, and it’s accuracy is high. The gun has a rail fitting at the bottom of the frame and is equipped with an integrated recoil compensator. The magazine is double column and the number of bullets it can carry is greater. But still… 「I thought that you’d pull out a ray gun, but here you are packing a regular gun.」 「Because this isn’t my main weapon. Just a toy, to rock you to sleep.」 Then from the armour on his back, G-3 also drew a large, heaving looking knife. However, it doesn’t look like the Neue Ange that Kaname used. It was made of the same cemented carbide material as the Orochi gloves I was wearing and looked like a normal tactical knife. As a result, G-3 and I… interestingly enough, both of us had a gun and knife. Evaluating our situation and opponent, we reached the same conclusion–without any kind of mutual agreement. 「We think alike, eh, Kinji?」 「Despite ourselves, so it would seem.」 「There’s something I want you to show me first. What you call: ‘Billiards’.」 「Seriously… You know a lot about me. And my fight with Sherlock.」 「Before Bandire, I bought the information from the leader of I.U.’s remnant war party, Ignatius Nomad. Because I had a grudge with you.」 「A grudge…?」 「The subjugation of Sherlock, and the extermination of I.U…. That was my job, and you just up and snatched it. Do you know, Kinji? In the US, stealing another person’s job is a crime.」 「In Japan we call that ‘hatred born of a misunderstanding’. Nevertheless, the outcome was unfortunate. I regret stealing another’s prey.」 And with a sigh, *Click!* I cocked my Desert Eagle. The Desert Eagle is both a double and single-action gun. In combat all one has to do is pull the trigger and it will shoot in semi-auto double-action mode, but by manually cocking the hammer, a trigger pull is limited to firing in single-action mode. In single action, it takes less force and time to pull the trigger and is suited to making more accurate shots. Accurate shooting… In other words, as an apology for stealing his prey, I’ll indulge his request. I will repel his bullets with mine, using ‘Billiards’ . Seemingly understanding, G-3 smile and laughed. 「Good Kinji! That’s a good fellow. But how are you going to do it? My USP holds 13 bullets. Your DE has 8. You can’t deal with all of them…」 「…I’ll manage somehow」 As we talked… Rising to an altitude of almost 600 meters, we locked eyes as we stood atop the Galleon’s wings. 「Should we start? Both of us… only came here to fight!」 His USP set on Full-Auto, and the muzzle-flashes blurring into one… 13 identical .45 ACP calibre bullets bore down on me. …Perfect. Per your request, I’ll show you… ‘Billiards’..! Using only that technique, I will meet your attack with with my DE. Cannon! 10 . *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* Our bullets sparked as they intercepted each other between us. All of them scattered in every directions, and the smoke that issued from the barrel of our guns drifted over the back of the plane. 「…!」 Half surprised, G-3 bore a happy expression. 「…」 Silently, I was standing… unharmed. How to repel 13 bullets with only 8? That’s simple. Just like a ‘Cannon Shot’ in the real game of Billiards, I used 1 of my bullets to strike upwards of 2 of my opponent’s, diverting their angle. Of course, if I hit my opponent’s bullets, my own bullet’s trajectory will change, and I calculated that beforehand. In short, this is a ‘2-Chain Billiards’. Of the 8 bullets, I used 5 of them that way, and 8 + 5, gives a total of 13 bullets I was able to block. Normally this would be impossible, but with this Hysteria Mode– in King Mode–, I can chain up to 4 or 5 shots with one shot. So shoot 30 or 50 bullets at me. You’ll only be wasting ammunition, G-3 . Then… A startlingly important distinction suddenly occurred to me. …I’ve got it! The reason this Hysteria King Mode is so powerful… I was able to preform a self-analysis on the ‘Cannon’ I did, and right now, the neurotransmitter levels coursing through my brain… is approximately 75 times the normal amount. That would be 2.5 times the strength of normal Hysteria Mode. I calculated regressively from the experience. Then I understood. G-3 had said that King Mode increases normal Hysteria mode by 1.2 times. That’s most likely correct. But there’s more to it. …King Mode works exponentially … Shirayuki, Jeanne, Riko, Aria and Kaname, they were defeated in front of me, one after another… Apparently I recognised them as ‘part of my herd’ and King Mode was manifested 5 times over. That’s 1.2 times raised to the fifth power–approximately 2.5 times. If the effect of normal Hysteria Mode is 30 times, it yields a result of 75 times normal acceleration. This number fits perfectly with my experience. G-3… doesn’t know that it works this way. He only knows that it will manifest if he hurts several women… but he doesn’t have a full understanding of King Mode. And when a human being doesn’t understand something properly, they don’t know how to deal with it correctly. 「Done already, G-3 ?」 My mind is… cool and collected. King Mode is different than Berserker. It is a form of Hysteria Mode with silent rage. With what I have now… I can win. G-3 twirled his large knife once in his hand and closed in menacingly. So that’s how you want to play? Fine… While drawing my DE from it’s holster, I opened my butterfly knife and… his black and gold coat flapping in the wind, crashed into him. With a loud *Clang* our knives crossed creating a shower of sparks, and my arm started feeling strange, so I tried to check on it. In the blink of an eye, G-3 had changed grip on his gun and using it as a blunt object, struck my left shoulder. With a *Crack!* A strange noise issued from my body. My left shoulder… has been dislocated. With a strong shove of his knife, he forced me back and… caught up in the air currents swirling around the wings, I slipped backwards. …! In that instant, I tried to regain balance and hold my ground; but thanks to the Photo-refractive Camouflage, I missed the edge of the wing and stepped into empty space. So that was his plan when he pushed me. We’re above the clouds. Our altitude is about 800 meters. We’re higher than when I fought Hilda at the SkyTree, so… I’ll fall. Is that it? …Of course not. Come on Kinji! *Bam!* I tried to think of a way to survive, and in almost the very same instant I shot my Beretta. With my right hand index finger in the trigger guard, the rest of my fingers clutched a luminous blue material. It was the test sample that Hiraga-san had given me a few days ago– Anchor 11 . From the barrel of the gun to the point of impact, a modified bullet stretched out a diphase liquid Aramid cable. Knowing that we were going to be on a plane, it looks like I made the right decision when I loaded my gun. The tip of the wire stretched out and fixed itself to the underside of the Galleon , optically camouflaged with the night sky. Grasping the blue-green luminous object, I found that it had become the tail-end of a wire suspended mid-air. Now a line has been stretched between the Galleon and my hand. Using it like a trapeze, I swung toward the front of the Galleon with a pendulum motion. In King-Mode… I can see the eddies of the air currents moving around the the wings of the aircraft. It’s only a matter of concentration. I boarded the plane using the air currents swirling around the nose, and looking back, my gaze met G-3’s. And then … *Bam!* Still being carried by air currents, I landed on my left shoulder on the right wing of the Galleon , and a *Crunch* could be heard coming from my body. 「Gahahaha! That must have hurt!」 Appreciating what I had just done, G-3 clapped happily on the left wing of the plane. What I just did was relocate a dislocated joint in the middle of a battle. The Tohyama Family technique of falling from a horse to relocate a joint has been passed down for generation, though my older brother taught me to use it falling from a car, I’m pretty sure that I’m the first to use it on a stealth bomber. Ouch… I knew this would hurt. I narrowed my eyebrows slightly. It wasn’t my shoulder that hurt. I’m used to pain from my days in ASSAULT. My head hurt, and the pain radiated from my spine. Probably a side-effect of Hysteria King-Mode. The manifestation of a 75 times acceleration of normal the brain and the body’s nervous system isn’t maintainable. If this Hysteria Mode got any stronger, it would probably cause a total physical breakdown. 「Looks like you had a good anchor cable, Kinji.」 「It came from here at Butei High. The inventor of the Japanese version of Neue Ange.」 As we reached the flowing clouds… from several places on the wing, black smoke was going up and threaded its way toward the back of the plane. It seems that some of our stray bullets have damaged the aeroplane. How fragile is this thing! They had so much confidence that it would never be detected, so it has no armour. 「Shall we continue?」 As the Galleon broke through the top of the clouds, I turned to face G-3… Narrowing my focus to a single target besides his left arm, I began to think about how I could decisively end this battle with one trump attack. I guess he realised where I was looking, because G-3 held up his left arm and motioned for me to stop. 「 Before that, Kinji. With your first Billiard attack you didn’t need to hold back so much!」 With keen insight, he penetrated to the truth. 「…That’s an artificial arm, right?」 From the start, I had a slightly uncomfortable feeling, but… only just when he struck me could I confirm it. From his left shoulder down he does not have a natural arm. Instead, there is a high fidelity Bio-electric prosthesis. Receiving faint nerve signals allows him to move it at will. At a glance, it is indistinguishable from a real arm. 「I don’t want your stupid pity! That really pisses me off so much, I’m going to rip your arm off. Learn to read the room, you insensitive bastard!」 That sounds like something Aria says a lot. You Tsunderes may say that; but if you have something to tell me, just open up your mouth and say it! My intuition is terrible, and I’m not an ESPer like Tokitou-senpai. 「Don’t you think it would be better if we stopped?」 Even as I thought it was pointless, I heard his answer. 「This King-mode… it far exceeds all other Hysteria Mode variants. As I am now, I am a like child when put next to you. You must see the huge gap between us. An elite Butei should be able to distinguish the difference in fighting power between his enemy and himself.」 「…」 「I am a Japanese Butei. I don’t want to kill you in order to win but… but it might happen if you make a stupid move. Didn’t you say that the time remaining in your life was short? Don’t waste it here.」 「Ha! If it’s a waste, then come on and waste it!」 G-3 answered, his breath… coming out white like a snowy mountain. Mine was also. Our current height probably approaching 1000 meters. How far do you plan to ascend? If we assume that the ground temperature is 8 ° C, the temperature of this place should be 1.5 ° C. Oxygen concentration has also dropped by 12%. There’s also the ongoing damage to my nervous system due to Hysteria King-Mode, and considering the speed with which we are ascending… If I can’t end this quickly, all of these things become dangerous in several ways. 「What should we do? If we keep going like this, we’ll end up in outer space, Brother.」 His long coat–which was apparently thermo-regulated– flapping in the wind, G-3 asked, sneering at my school uniform. 「Before that we’re going to make a splashdown landing. And besides,we’re not brothers. Kaname says the same thing.」 As we re-entered the clouds, a dense fog of water vapour surrounded the plane… 「 You don’t get it? Your investigative skills suck, Kinji.」 G-3 answered in disgust and… *rub* *rub* wiped his face… He is removing his face paint. Suddenly, the Galleon broke through the clouds into clear sky, and illuminated by moonlight, he stood on top of the plane wing… …?! Once G 3 removed his HMD, his face could be seen clearly visible. Until now obscured by his HMD and facepaint, his unpainted face was now seen… That face … It looks like… It definitely looks like… me .. .! It doesn’t reach the level of twins, but rather the likeness between brothers. It is not a disguise. With King-mode’s enhanced visual perception, I know that. That is his natural face. 「I’m you, Kinji.」 His long bangs flapping wildly in the wind, G-3 let out a laugh. 「How… do you..?」 「Konza Tohyama. Nationality: Japanese . Former-Armed Prosecutor under the direct supervision of the Minister of Justice. Intelligence, physical training–on the whole: Excellent. Special Skills: What is known as HSS. His favourite game: Shougi, wasn’t it?」 G-3…Why do you… 「In 1989,he was ranked #8 in the S.D.A. 12 It was then that the US Department of Defence put him on a list of people that it was key not to antagonise.」 It is… my father’s profile that he’s reciting. Including both public and private information. 「When Los Alamos saw the list, he had been assigned the code-name “Golden Cross 13 “–abbreviated ‘ G ‘– and a top secret military development project… managed to successfully obtain a tissue sample.」 「…!」 「Hey Kinji, your face changed colour. Didn’t you know this? That’s right, your old man’s genes were selected as the most important chromosomes, and combining them with other other superior genetic specimens already collected… the final products of myself and Fourth were created. You couldn’t even dig up that much?」 The other day, in the art room, Watson had said something about that… Genions were artificially created in an American Research Facility as part of scientific experiments. It wasn’t only how they were raised, but it went so far as science having a hand in their lives up to and including conception. Well, such a thing isn’t strange in and of itself, and it’s not particularly rare in the world but something like this… it goes too far. Creating a super-human this way in order to militarise them and using used my father’s DNA without his permission…! 「I have inherited 50% of Konza Tohyama’s genes with a strong genetic dominance as the third of the G-Series. However, in the Genion Series, any children born to your father and mother would inherit the greatest percentage of genes, and numbers in the sequence were skipped because of the children already born. Tohyama Konza already had an eldest son and their second son– you– was already on the way. That’s why I was called Third. In fact, it seems like you and I were born at about the same time.」 「So then… was it you… or me… that was born first?」 「Who cares which way it was? Whichever way it is, you can’t change the fact that we are related by blood.」 “Related by blood.” “The G-bloodline”. Those are the words G-3 used a while ago… G–i.e., inheritance of my father’s genes, in Kana, myself, G-3, and Kaname… In that case, it means that, together, the four of us are all genetic siblings. And it also means that by calling me “Onii-chan” … Kaname wasn’t wrong. Meanwhile, as I stared in blank astonishment… 「Alright, brother. Until now, I’ve just been biding my time. Now I know your acceleration factor is… somewhere about 75 times, right? That is amazing but… with an acceleration of 100 times, I would easily be able to crush you. Although I’ve gone beyond 60 times…I’ll do it!!!」 Settling his HMD back on his head, G-3 put another small, red piece of paper into his mouth… Two… Three, even. Those are his neurotransmitter accelerates… The drug he uses in order to strengthen his Hysteria Mode. 100 times…?! Are you planning to boost the effects of Hysteria Mode to an acceleration of 100 times with this drug? Don’t do that! Except for the neo-cortex, Hysteria Mode puts a huge strain on the whole body’s nervous system. Even fighting at an acceleration of 75 times, I’ve reached my breaking point limit and can hardly stand it … An 100-fold acceleration could cost you your life…! Like a drug-user, G-3 closed his eyes, and with a *crack*, twisted his neck to one side … 「The world is …」 Contrary to my expectation, his voice was calm and even–the kind of voice that would make you believe that it was a superhuman speaking– and he began his speech, 「… caught up in the trend towards regulated disarmament. In the midst of such circumstances, there will be those who will try to develop all kinds of super-weapons, and these weapons will eventually lead to humanity’s self-destruction. So which super-weapon is it that would not cause self-extinction?」 His killing aura… is becoming stronger… and stronger…! Like the increasing fury of a typhoon… but at the eye is calm and unaffected…! 「The answer is the human body. While striving to create a post-nuclear world, the US is trying to develop a super-weapon of equal power–Universal Soldiers … and I am the prototype…!」 Unconsciously… I took a single step backward. I’m outmatched…? Even in King-Mode? 「In order to become a deterrent to conflict, Universal Soldiers must be perfect. Undefeated by any threat. Including the exceptionally strong. Now, I will prove that I can defeat an enemy with HSS. Making her wish come true…!」 I get it. Now I completely understand. He is stronger than me now. Looking at me, his eyes reflecting moonlight… there is nothing human about him. So… that is a super-human…! Hurry! He is getting stronger. Seeing this, I won’t be able to bring him down if his Hysteria Mode becomes any stronger! Again, clouds swept over the Galleon , and within the drifting fog composed of water vapour… Whipping out my DE, I ejected the empty magazine, reloading almost simultaneously, and… *Bang! I fired an Invisible Bullet aiming to graze his head. In imitation of Reki, I aimed for the unarmoured part of his head, intending to deliver an abrasion to his skull and end things at a blow. 「HaHaHaHa!」 Laughing loudly, while from around him… *Whoosh!* With a sound of a cut air, clouds of water vapour were blown away from him like a mini-explosion had occured. 「…!」 I saw it. Just now… having folded his arms earlier, while opening them he seized my bullet in the fingers of his right hand, slowing it down and grasping it with his left-hand fingers, deflected it as I watched. That technique..! At Tokyo Station I had devised a way to deflect the covert sniping of the eldest Cao Cao sister… my Slash … this is just like it! 「Suprised? So you can do it too? Something like Blast 14 .」 So… that’s what G-3 calls Slash . A while ago, he had protected himself from Reki’s sniping. But… such a technique is only acquired in actual combat when you are engaged in life-and-death struggles. Apparently he, like me, has lived through harsh days, battling against fierce and formidable enemies. However… My DE had been modded with a selector switch, and I changed it to the 3-bullet burst position. …Slash can’t handle several bullets in rapid-fire! Because they were the same technique, I also knew it’s shortcomings, so I fired a burst of three bullets… G-3 rounded out his mouth and let out a mocking *Phew* as my three bullets rushed toward him–two of them following the same line–, and he shifted his fighting knife to his left hand. *Cla-clang!* From the knife edge, two metallic clanks and two went up. Two bullets were cut in half and each dispersed into a ‘Y’ shaped path. That… was how I had protected myself from Riko’s bullets on Flight ANA-600– Split . With that he deflected two bullets at once. The remaining bullet he dealt with using his right hand… *Twist!* To- tornado…! He’d used The technique I devised in the fight against Watson as well–diverting a bullet with only on hand… Effortlessly. What’s more, It was an advanced version. His body remained almost motionless, only his arm moved as he executed it. Without having had any effect, I watched the .50AE bullets vanish into the clouds… 「Those were Chop and Coil … If you want, I can show you something like Billiard that I call Cracker ?」 G-3 laughed carelessly, as he spoke. Against G-3… bullets are useless…! This… is really effective–emotionally, speaking. Have all the enemies I have faced until now felt that same despair? I guess that’s Karma for you. 「I already said it, right? Those things are toys! To people like us…」 Giving the wing a kick, G-3 discarded his USP and knife behind him into an empty space … 「Now we can have some fun!」 *Clack!* Underfoot the floor gave way and the internal launcher was exposed … A short-range Air-to Air-Stinger missile! *Whoosh!* Amidst a blinding light and smoke it was fired without any warning behind the Galleon . And leaving behind a tail of smoke, the missile began curve around the clouds slowly as if to make a U-turn. Moving steadily it began accelerating as it moved away… It’s … It’s fast …! It’s useless. It’s impossible to dodge! That was a FIM-92C Stinger missile. It’s top speed exceeds Mach 2. It’s not something that a human being can avoid. Even myself, in King-mode. Furthermore, it’s too late to intercept it with my Desert Eagle as well… I’d receive fatal wounds from the flying shrapnel at this range and distance. 「What the hell are you doing?! The Galleon won’t survive this!」 「Why do I care? Better watch out! What are you going to do, Kinji? HaHaHaHa!」 Laughing as I screamed at him… G-3 was guiding the missile. It’s not an IR or UV guidance system. I can’t use anything as a decoy to divert it. Is it a proximity fuze? Impact fuze? Time-delay fuze? No, I don’t have the time to think about it. The missile is already creeping closer and closer…! 「Shit!」 Suddenly an idea hit me, as for the method,well… I couldn’t be sure that it would keep the Galleon safe . It was a 50-50 chance . But I’m out of options. It’s risky, but it’s all I’ve got. It’s now or never if I don’t want to die! 「Gaaaaaahhh!」 Tossing my gun, I sighted the missile and beginning to run towards it… Kicking out in order to remain parallel to the wing, I jumped. Then I raised both my fists as the missile came flying in… *Bam!* I put everything I had into a Double Slash Hammer. The missile’s trajectory was altered to point obliquely downward and flew by just passing below my stomach… But it wasn’t enough, a missile is not the same as a bullet. There are several types of fuzes, If it is the normal proximity type, it will explode as it approaches it’s target. If that happens, I’ll be covered in shrapnel from the missile’s body and die on the spot. So… one more hit! 「..!」 While in the air, I crashed into the the missile with a no-look kick. It easily opened a hole in the unamoured wing, plunging it’s way into the plane’s interior. How about that…! If I had to give it a name, it would be a “Full-body Slash”– Slash II 15 …! The Galleon was like a paper plane. The thickness of the wings was less than a single meter. If I divert the missile with my Slash II as it accelerates, it should penetrate the wing… *Boom!* 「..!」 As I landed on the wing, I heard a rumbling sound and a sudden vibration shook the plane. It… didn’t have enough time. It was only a matter of milliseconds. I’d lost my 50-50 bet. Burying itself inside the main wing, the FM-92C Stinger missile exploded while inside . *Fwoosh!* Flames went up from the back of the right wing… The black smoke flowed, like blood trailing from a wound. Catching my Desert Eagle that I had thrown up a few moments ago, I was… speechless. 「Gahahaha! Very good, Kinji! I knew that you’re a genius!」 The fact that the fuel tank had not been impacted was the one silver lining, but… it’s no good… we will crash! 「Sword beats guns. Fist beats sword…!」 Carrying neither gun nor knife, G-3 began walking from the right wing toward the centre. Furrowing his eyebrows, to me he said… 「Now do you understand, Kinji? These are our main weapons!」 G-3 clenched his fist and showed it to me. Now I remember… I heard from Watson that when he escaped from Los Alamos he had annihilated a group of armed soldiers empty-handed. Well, that’s entirely possible. Being a Genion, able to entering Hysteria Mode at will, and furthermore, if he possessed all of the techniques that I know, it would be easy. 「…」 Because that would be admitting that I myself was superhuman, I did not want to think about it, however… G-3’s words were correct. Any bladed object is ineffective against me. I stopped Jeanne’s sword with two-finger edge catching, and was even able to dodge Sherlock’s strikes. Guns are ineffective against me. How many times was I able to block, divert, and even turn back whatever my enemies hurled at me as I defended myself. Just now I had proved it. Hysteria Mode users can even defend themselves against a missile attack. If two fellow Hysteria Mode users fight… …It always end up this way, doesn’t it? I re-holstered my DE, going bare-handed. I didn’t draw my knife either. Both would just be a waste of time. The blaze burning inside the right wing was spreading from the tip across the top of the wing. It’s only a matter of time before the whole thing burns. Maybe five minutes, maximum. In less than five minutes I have to defeat G-3 and find a way to safely descend from an altitude of 1000 meters. So I have no time to waste. We’ll fight bare-handed. Until the bitter end. If we only compare our respective Hysteria Mode acceleration factors, G-3’s is 100 times and mine is 75 times. On a fundamental level there seems to be a large discrepancy between our relative Stats. I’m at a huge disadvantage. Winning would be… difficult. But the only way to survive is to beat him–I have to face him. Things being difficult, I began to keep time… second by second, each only brought me closer to annihilation. This was much better than giving into the urge to rush him in a kamikaze-style attack. Doing nothing was still better than that, and I can face him here. But then there is Aria’s saying: “Difficult” does not mean “Impossible.” If it’s not “Impossible”, then that means it’s “Possible”. Although it may seem like splitting hairs, I for one firmly believe it’s true, and I’ll prove it. That’s why I’m going to fight. Even this powerful enemy…! With the fire behind me… I walked toward the center fuselage–toward G-3. G-3 was also walking towards me. Beneath our feet, the Photo-refractive camouflage had begun to fail, displaying flickering images of the clouds below us. Drifting above us, the scattered clouds formed a thin fog. Around us, there were clouds that stretched on into high heaven faint golden flashes could be seen. They were different from the Cumulus clouds we had been passed through until now. As proof that we had reached high-altitude, Cumulonimbus clouds began to appear. The faint glow… Lightning. Rather than lose stability because of the fire, the Galleon was actually climbing faster . Our altitude must have exceeded 1500 meters. The ambient temperature was below freezing. On our black hair, Tiny ice crystals from the surrounding clouds clung to our black hair turning it ashen grey. Both atmospheric pressure and oxygen concentration had dropped 20%. In a valley of thunder clouds, between fire and water, in low air pressure and oxygen… Under these hellish conditions, a brother’s quarrel will be settled with fists. Good grief! What the hell is going on with my life? Give me a break! 「I’ll give you one last chance at survival, Kinji. Kneel right here, and say that you will be my follower. In my group we also have girls, and they can all be yours. They’re non-human and brats, but they aren’t so bad to look at. I don’t think there’s a better deal for someone with HSS.」 「You’re kidding me. Throwing in any kind of women makes it a bad deal. You should have done your research.」 I said throwing his own words back at him… 「Things being what they are, you are a indispensably capable person. I intend to beat you without killing you, but I might make a mistake. Your life isn’t so cheap; don’t waste it, Kinji.」 He threw my words back at me also. 「If it’s a waste, then come and waste it!」 As if we were repeating our own words to ourselves… we drew closer to each other. I to him, and him to me. 「You will kneel… coughing blood and in tears. And then you will bring me the 『Hidan no Aria』!」 「『Hidan no Aria』…?」 Hear those words again, I paused in my tracks. 「What’s that face for? As the nearest person to it, I know that there’s no way you don’t know about it. Fame follows Irokane. The ancients thought that a goddess had appeared and made a huge fuss over it.」 「Goddess? How can that tiny ravenous glutton be a goddess?」 「..You really don’t know …? Ah… I get it… Necessary information has been hidden from you.. at least partially.」 Realising he was the only one that understood, G-3 stopped his advance. 「Alright… I’ll tell you a little about it. The 『Hidan no Aria』 was predicted by the Scarlet Irokane research– Hyper-ESP. Super-humans with god-like powers on an entirely different level than ESPers.」 The look in his eyes as he spoke… It was like a fanatic religion preaching faith in some god. 「The manifestation of a fraction of that power far exceeded the powers observed by modern ESP science has already been confirmed. You saw it too, right? 『Portal of Heavenly Scarlet Light』– The ability to manipulate space-time .」 The ability to manipulate space-time… Indeed, I’ve witnessed it. That time at IU, when Sherlock used it to shoot a bullet of Hihiirokane into the Aria from three years ago. 「What a pity, G-3. That time it worked because she pulled it off together with Sherlock. You might have thought of using me as a hostage against her, but it’s ultimately fruitless.」 「She can pull it off by herself, and she already has. Here’s an example — remember those pyramid scraps that mysteriously floated to Japan a few years back?」 Listening to him, I easily recalled it under the influence of Hysteria King-Mode. Indeed… something like that had happened. I’d looked through the related data back when I took the 『Odaiba Pyramid bodyguard job』 with Aria. Supposedly, the Odaiba Pyramid was built from the design of that floating pyramid wreckage. 「…Yeah… but what does that old stuff have to do with anything.」 「That’s Patra’s pyramid. When Aria blasted it with 『Scarlet Heaven 』, it was sent to the past.」 「What…!?」 「If you don’t believe me, go find those fragments and do your own radiometric dating. That’s what I did.」 Hearing such outrageous words– my eyes widened in shock. That time I only saw the top of the pyramid 『disappearing』… but in reality, it was actually sent to the past…? 「I need the power to control space-time. To that end, I need your help. Of course, I need your subordination first.」 「Why… do you need me?」 「Ah… I can’t say that.」 His eyebrow twitching while he scratched his chin, G-3 didn’t answer. 「Then I’ll ask something else. What do want that power for? Don’t tell me you want to change history like in some cliche sci-fi novel?」 「–What good would answering do for me?」 His earlier rough manner and jokes all disappeared. I stayed silent for a while to pressure him for a response, but he didn’t say a word. … Something… was hidden deep in his eyes. Something like sadness… like a longing for someone… I recalled G-3’s past, trying to figure out the answer. And my brain, under the influence of Hysteria King-Mode… let me understand. Let me thoroughly understand. G-3, wanted to interfere in the past. His intentions, had to do with what was said back in the warehouse on the day of the Sports Festival. G-3 — had a loved one. When he was in Los Alamos, the sole beauty who had treated him gently. And that person… passed away in an incident during G-3’s training. G-3 was in pain, and blamed himself for her death– 「–You, want to revive Doctor Sarah…!」 「You really do your homework, don’t you? …At least when it comes to something like this…」 As if I had touched on a taboo subject, he replied in a low voice. As expected, he wanted to revive the person he loved – to use Aria’s power, to change the past…! 「You should give up on this sort of thing. It’s not that I don’t understand your feelings, but this is against the laws of nature.」 「As if I’d care about that. I’d go against God if I needed to.」 G-3 held a deep, deep… sincere love for doctor Sarah, I could feel that from his sorrowful eyes. Even if he died, he still probably wouldn’t yield one step. For love, he wouldn’t even hesitate to go against God. For love, he’s even thinking about controlling and using gods. It’s not that I don’t sympathise, but your plan…. I must stop it here. I am that goddess’ slave, after all. Firmly renewing my determination, I advanced towards G-3I. Just then, a part of the Galleon’s right wing snapped off with a loud sound. The plane began to list to the right from the changes in the aerodynamic lift. G-3– he stood there unmoving– eyes closed, facing upward into the sky like he was praying. So that’s it… He chose to fight me in the air– 「Sarah… watch me . The Genion you dreamed of, a perfect existence…」 –so he could get closer to the heaven that his loved one was in…! 「I will obtain 『Hidan no Aria』– obtain her, and then I will turn back time. If it’s her, I can do it… I will be able to revive you…!」 G-3, at a loss, having thrown everything away– from the sloping left wing, he charged towards me with his right fist tightly clenched. –*Bam*! I clashed fists with G-3, sparks literally flying, erupting from my Orochi and his own gauntlet. G-3 had the advantage in terms of strength. Pushed back by his blow, I somersaulted to lessen its impact, 「——!」 –seizing the opportunity to dodge G-3’s instant explosive follow-up kick that seemed to come out of nowhere. From his leg in the air –*whoosh*– came an explosive videogame-like sound effect. This is the sound of the surrounding air compressing due to the force of his kick. What kind of strength is this, for him to have reached the limits of subsonic speed? 「!」 No, that was a feint– G-3’s other knee shot upwards, and the left arm I used to the utmost to defend against it was smashed away. Immediately, while my body was sent spinning from the impact, I took the chance to sweep my right leg upward, aiming for G-3’s jaw. But my right knee instead collided with his left elbow which he raised to block my kick. How fast, what a reaction speed he has. The difference between me and him is like racing an electric bike against an F-1 car. G-3’s leg swept down, hitting my left leg with a sound like lightning. …Heavy…! I tried to offset the damage done by withdrawing my leg at the moment of impact, but it was no use. His attacks were extremely heavy, and letting out explosive sounds. This speed – this power, so 100 times Hysteria Mode is this strong, huh? Having no choice but to roll backwards, I continued retreating. But the right wing was already a sea of flames. There was no escape. It was as if the inside of the wing was already filled with flames. The surroundings were below freezing, yet it was scorching hot below like a frying pan. 「…!」 Hu…! It looks like the flames had already spread to the front of the plane. And the lower part of the Galleon was already burnt until it started falling apart. I could already see the art G-3 kept, burning up and falling scattered into the sea of clouds. The plane is disintegrating midair… there’s no time left…! Looking at me who was enduring injuries to both my arms and legs and had a sea of flames behind me, G-3 laughed. 「So you can still stand after eating 4 of my attacks. You can feel proud, Kinji. No one else has ever received a second blow. I killed them all with one strike.」 「Those attacks were just tickles. Now it’s my turn to strike back」 Bluffing, I distributed my weight evenly on both legs… positioned my arms as if I was about to push someone in front of me. I also placed my balance completely in the centre of my body. –This stance, was the Tohyama family’s 『Zetsurou』 16 Using an application of Aikido, my entire body revolved–a technique that used the power of the opponent’s attack and returned it to them in a counterattack. No matter who the opponent was, as long as they attacked me, they would be counterattacked as if they hit a revolving door–struck back with a blow as heavy as their own attack. The stronger the enemy the stronger I was, a skill that that borrowed strength to counterattack. Without Hysteria Mode such a powerful technique would be impossible– a secret of the Tohyama family who killed anyone who witnessed it, but at this point there was no other way. Ancestors, please don’t blame me. The rule that all witnesses must be killed, ends with my generation. But, G-3… it was evident he already saw through to what this purely defensive stance meant. 「I don’t want to drag out this fight too long either. I’ll use 『Meteor』to tear you to shreds and finish this」 G-3 said as he pointed his left elbow towards me– He slanted his whole body, his waist and head held low, right leg placed behind, and right fist held up high. It was similar to the posture used for the sprint in the ancient Olympics… a stance meant to gain speed, I saw through his initial movement. That’s– Ou, 『 Ouka 』 …! There’s no mistaking it. Although the positioning was completely different from my own Ouka, but this–was a posture where all the muscles and bones in the body move simultaneously, releasing a supersonic attack. This , this really is beyond expectations. It’s definitely too much for 『Zetsurou』. It’s like he said– forget my arm– my entire body would be pierced through. 『Zetsurou』– the revolving door–, he intends to completely destroy it. 「…!」 What to do, Kinji– An idea flashed through my mind, but will it work? No, even if I did pull it off– –It’s no good. It can’t be that easy to win. He’s at 100 times Hysteria Mode, and I’m at 75 times Hysteria Mode. But… there’s no other way…! 「–Sarah, look at me. I am the strongest. A perfect weapon.」 *Cough* — Congealing on the floor having come from G-3’s mouth… …Blood…? I saw blood. G-3 coughed up blood. Even though he apparently didn’t even have a scratch on him. This was probably the Life Limiter– the system we had just discussed that was corroding his body. Perhaps, the 100 times Hysteria Mode also added additional strain to his nervous system. Seeing that I noticed, G-3–coughing with blood flying out of his mouth– held up his left index finger and waved it at me. 「This is something that’s been happening a lot recently. There’s no need to worry. For one more attack… I can hold it together.」 The next instant, with eyes wide G-3– –Whoosh! With a force greater than a missile, he lowered his body and charged toward me. His right fist had already reached supersonic speed and– just like the a meteor’s tail, it left a conical trail of vapour behind…! In the exact instant his fist came into contact with my right leg 『Kikka』 17 — 『 Zetsurou 』 — 『 Ouka 』 ! I shifted my centre of mass forward and leapt– in midair, all the muscles in my body moved as one. Borrowing the force of his 『Meteor』, and channeling it into my leg’s 『Ouka』– and returning it! –Wham—-! In midair, I struck G-3’s shoulder with a roundhouse kick. 「–Uwah—–!!」 The golden-edged black armour on his shoulder was shattered into flying fragments. His shoulder suffered the force of his own 『Meteor』. The force of the attack was further transferred to G-3’s legs, and even his leg armour was broken. 「…!」 I, I did it…! My legs…I-I’m still standing, although I’m shaking, my leg didn’t break at all. So 75 times Hysteria Mode, can actually do something like that. Just now– I first received the force of his blow. Then, in the split-second before my body could endure said force without breaking, I used Ouka in the opposite direction . If I had to give it a name, it would be 『Kikka』. This is a second, speed-reducing defence form of 『Ouka』. This was an entirely new technique, named after the orange blossoms that appear after cherry blossoms bloom. Next, I used 『Zetsurou』 and switched from defense to offense– Just as my roundhouse kick was about to land, I re-accelerated with『Ouka』to further add to its speed. –The non self-injurious, subsonic version of『Ouka』that I created by chance during the battle with Watson at the Skytree. 18 Hysteria King-mode has really proved itself… To think that in an instant, I could pull off such a complex skill, and furthermore, that last-ditch counterattack completely reversed the tables, leading to my victory. But… not everything went smoothly. Being somewhat reckless, my leg was injured to a similarly considerable extent. Even so a partially self-injurious『Ouka』was enough. 「…Ugh…!」 Likewise, the Genion before me wasn’t beaten with just one attack. Clutching his injured right shoulder, he was was forced to fall back a step. Falling to his knees on the left wing, G-3 uncontrollably coughed up yet another mouthful of blood. He has… already hit his limit. 「Let’s stop here，G-3…!」 The entire right wing was already engulfed in flames. Already, it was falling into ruin, crumbling as it were disintegrating. Forced forward by the flying sparks, I could only limp– as if I were chasing him, towards the fuselage. 「I can see that you can’t fight anymore, and my leg is also no good. This battle is a draw」 「Bullshit…*cough*! Ugh…」 G-3 coughed up… even more blood. Even though he used his hand to block it, his mouth was already covered in blood. As expected, 100 times Hysteria Mode was too much to endure. 「Now’s not the time to act tough! The Galleon’s already about to…!」 As I pointed to the wing, the front of the plane that was aflame–*rumble*–exploded like a oil tanker, setting blazing flames alight. The fuel tank over there had ignited……! 「Uwoh……！」 The scorching flames crackled and swirled; the hot wind chasing me, I ran to the left wing. That moment, G-3… knees trembling, stood. Such willpower. He had received my 『Ouka』 just moments earlier. But to think that he was on one knee for just about ten seconds…and stood up again! 「…Sarah, look at me. Am I not perfect? Something like this is nothing」 No, this isn’t willpower at all. G-3–only knows battle. He can only express himself through battle. And right now, he is trying to to express himself. To the one he loves. Who… is no longer in this world…! 「G-3, you are not perfect at all! You should understand that yourself!」 「No, I am the perfect–*cough*! Universal Soldier! This…this is Sarah’s dream– As a weapon, I, have to be perfect!」 「Kicked by me until you cough up blood, and calling a woman’s name in the end, how is that perfect! You’re not perfect! Wake up! Humans aren’t perfect!」 「Human… you say? I haven’t fallen that far!」 「You’ve already fallen! You’ve– always felt that you were human. That’s why, you wanted to meet……you came back to meet us right!? To meet me, and Kana……! 「…!」 Perhaps he didn’t even realise it himself; when G-3 heard my words, he made an astonished expression. The fire had already spread to the fuselage behind me. The entire Galleon had become a fireball. Its Photo-refractive Camouflage had broken-down, exposing the glossy black surface of the left wing. 「–Why is it, Kinji?」 「What do you mean?」 「Why is it that you’re on that side, and I’m on this one」 Understanding that there was no time left before the Galleon crashed, G-3 laughed at himself… 「I, really wanted to be you. I wanted the fate that chose you and not me when we were born. I wanted to live that shitty, ordinary life you had…」 G-3, as if he were about to shake hands, stretched out his right arm. 「Come, Kinji. You still have moves you haven’t used yet, right? Just like me–a trump card」 Understanding what he was about to do, I said… 「If I use that you’ll regret it. In that, I’ve only ever lost to my Nii-san」 「I’ve never lost in that to anyone–not even to Fourth」 So it’s the same for all of us– our family’s trump card. 「…」 G-3 and I, hooked the arms we used to hurt each other with together. Our bodies had already reached the limit… and the plane below us was about to crash. This is the end. But, looking at him from this distance… he really does look like me. G-3 who also seemed to be thinking the same thing, let out a bitter laugh. I… and G-3 –like mirror images– leaned our heads backwards. Our arms and legs full of injuries from battle… we were going to use what was left– our heads. *Sigh* To think that, people who possess the same genes, even our trump card is exactly the same. –*Crash*——!!! Like two bulls, G-3 and I gathered all our strength and head-butted each other. 「Stubborn Bastard… what kind of rock do you have for a head…!」 「Aren’t you talking about yourself…!?」 And then–the second collision! –*Crash*——-!!! Now I can see, G-3 is clearly shaking now. Haha! Looks like I have the advantage. It’s going almost completely my way. –*Crash*——-!!! The third was the finishing blow 「Hahaha……Hahahahaha……」 Laughing, G-3 fell on his back, as if I had knocked him down. *thump*… below me, he lay sprawled like a ‘大’ character. 「..It isn’t the time or place for laughing, you know…」 I said as I got up, but now… all I could do was laugh as well. Fire had spread to the left wing. There’s already nowhere to escape. And it was impossible to take back control of the aircraft, no matter how you look at it. An emergency water landing was also impossible. Meanwhile, the fuselage was burning up bit by bit. 「–Don’t make such a sad face, Kinji」 G-3 said this and…*crack* *crack*, tore open the destroyed portion of his back armour. And with a rattle, and placed something next to me. 「Although it’s a small one, it’s enough for one person to descend」 Inside his back armour was–probably made of cutting-edge synthetic fibres– a small size parachute peeked out. 「…What will you do?」 「I said don’t make that kind of face. I–will just go to where that person is」 On the burning left wing… G-3I laid like a 大 character, unmoving. He… wants to die here in the sky. 「What are you saying…!」 Just as I reached out to grab G-3’s left hand and pull him up–the left wing must have been more damaged than it appeared–the wing collapsed, and he fell through! 「——!」 Lying on my stomach at the very edge of the wing, I finally managed to stop G-3 from falling. As they fell, the Galleon’s fragments created small puffs of mist as they hit the clouds far below. Looking at this distance… our altitude seems to be about 2000 metres. But to the clouds, it may only be a hundred. With me holding on to his left arm hanging mid-air–G-3 twisted his bloody mouth into a bitter laugh. 「Kinji. Let go.」 「Come up…!」 「That’s enough. Nii-san」 「…!」 My body surrounded by the hot wind, I widened my eyes in response to his words. He’s my… 「Ah… I’m so happy. Before I die, I was able to see the face of my Nii-san」 …Younger brother…! If it’s like that then… I can’t let go…! 「As the older brother… how could I, sacrifice my younger brother…!」 At my words, G-3 laughed again. 「The younger brother, can’t sacrifice his older brother either」 *click*… With that sound, The left arm-armour I was holding–separated from G-3’s body. 「——!」 Along with debris from the Galleon’s, his body gradually became smaller and smaller… disappearing into the clouds. 「G-3! G-3!」 Why. Why did you have to do this– I still have a lot of things I want to say to you. I wanted to be together with you, as brothers… and live! 「You stupid bast–a–rd!!!!!!!!!!!」 Amidst the swirling flame and cloud, my scream– –only echoed. (End Text) End of Chapter 4 **************************************************** EPILOGUE… **************************************************** 1. This is the kanji reading. The katakana says: ‘meta-materila ghillie (suit)’– Anon-san 2. The quote comes from the Book of Sirach . I replaced the text with an English version. Here is what it says in Japanese: ‘The Lord reveals the past and the future, and bring what was hidden out into the light’.– Anon-san 3. This is an armed forces technique to reload the gun without taking your eyes of the target or breaking stance. Here is a demonstration. 4. This was a little tricky to translate, because it is a coined term. The kanji say: ‘Chaotic angle particle lift’ (角動揚力粒子). The katakana say: Dean-Bit (デイーン・ビット）. After a few hours research, I think it means a Dean Drive. A Dean Drive is a type of fictional reaction-less drive that does not require propellant to work. A Dean Drive is supposed to use rotary motion from a self contained system to generate uni-directional force for propulsion. This description seems to fit the Kanji meaning. 5. Link . Trance music itself seems to have a fast tempo to get people excited then it slowly fades out. Maybe it works like a drug for G-3– getting him on a ‘high’ then bringing him ‘down’ again?– AGlingua 6. Para-sexual desires that grant sexual satisfaction from fantasies concerning visual media or statuesque figures, respectively. 7. This is a theatre term for a stage exit in case this is unclear. 8. ’KH’ or ‘Key Hole’ (Code-named ‘Misty’) is the designation for a series of US reconnaissance satellites that incorporate stealth technology. Most agree that the series in current use reaches KH-13. KH-14 is the fictional(?)successor to the KH-13. 9. Link . Apparently a great gun for accuracy and target tracking with follow-up shots. 10. The Katakana say ‘Cannon’, but the Kanji read: ‘chain/linked shooting’. Also known as ‘carom’– shortened from Carombole Billiards. The the term means that the cue ball hits two other balls in one shot– the aim of the game. 11. The Kanji read ‘Fiber bullet’. 12. In the original the expanded acronym was given as “Skilled Detective Armed”. I decided to keep it in acronym form because it doesn’t make much sense in English. 13. The “Cross” here refers to an intersection (Like streets or something crossing and connecting) or a genetic cross-pairing. In light of things revealed later in the text, it could be read “Golden Stud”, but we didn’t like that too much… LOL! 14. The kanji for “Blast” is almost identical to those used for Kinji’s “Slash” , substituting the kanji “dispel” or “drive away” in Blast for the “divert” used in Slash . The same goes for all subsequent technique names. 15. “Guided missile diversion” in Kanji. 16. ‘Absolute Prison’ in Kanji. 17. Similar in name to Kinji’s Ouka (Cherry Blossom) this is named ‘Orange Blossom’. 18. What Kinji seems to have done is to accelerate backwards with a reverse ‘Ouka’–re-named ‘Kikka’–to lessen the relative speed between himself and G-3, allowing him to use ‘Zetsurou’ to turn G-3’s Meteor back on himself, and then use a less powerful ‘Ouka’ to add additional force to his kick. **************************************************** Full Credit and much thanks to the Staff of Twin Dragons Light Novels: Thunder , Darkhellsing , and Esteban108 , for permission to use their translation as a source. Special Thanks to our new Team Members: Jialat and Frozzendeth , without whom this would still be stuck in translation limbo. ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### 005. 5th Ammo- Aquamarine Kruez -Uninvited Sea Mist- Chapter Five: Unbidden Ocean Mist– Aquamarine Kruez Under the swastika–or more precisely the rotated swastika– as if paying homage to it, was another flag. It had a red and white shield, and in the centre a rampant black lion figure. 「Katze…! That’s Regiment Hex’s flag!」 Riko said in an honestly flustered voice upon seeing it. –Katze– Thanks to the mental powers of Hysteria Mode I recalled with my eidetic memory that she was the one dressed as a witch who shot at Vatican’s representative, Meiya. There is another cross also drawn on her eye-patch. I must not forget. She was the first to declare for GRENEDA, Katze Glacé. 「Katze? Katze Glacé? And that flag…?」 At the name, Aria’s face turned grim. 「That’s right. Katze is an I.U. dropout like me. Unlike my own departure, however, she voluntarily left to re-enlist in Regiment Hex.」 Katze Glacé. Regiment Hex. I heard about them a while ago from Aria. They are… a notorious terrorist organisation. Classed as a『rogue state』by the United States, they are expensive guns-for-hire committing crimes all over the world. 「–Shortly after the World War, survivors of Nazi Germany from Regiment Hex fled to I.U. They were originally organised by Heinrich Himmler as part of the Ahnenerbe’s psychic forces. Katze is their 9th commanding officer, taking the name『Witch of the Cursed Water』」 A former I.U. classmate, but now no longer a friend– Riko informed us about Katze and Regiment Hex. 「Well then, she’s flying like a summer insect to a flame! She’ll get a few wind holes! …Mama’s 8-year sentence for false charges is a crime from her time at I.U.!」 Entirely disregarding the range between us and the tanker, Aria drew her twin guns… and I followed suit, drawing my Desert Eagle. Then, together with Aria, we pointed 3 guns at the same target– Aiming at『something』that suddenly appeared above the golden dragon sculpture perched on top of the roof’s ridge line. Then… …Wh-what?… This is… All of us experienced a warning, turned to see what it was, and our eyes widened in surprise. It looked soft and squishy, like some kind of gelatinous thing on top of the statue. It was no larger than half a metre with bit of white to it, but it was mostly clear. In shape, it was like a propped-up body pillow, and it wobbled unsteadily. An eerie mist exuded from its top, with a hiss like vaporised steam– 「…Cursed water…! It creates an artificial phantom… it’s advanced magic. Nobody get too close. It isn’t poison or acid, but if you’re unfortunate enough to touch it, it will capture your head and face and drown you.」 Shirayuki shared from her supernatural studies as we all watched. It’s a demonic existence. I’m… not very good fighting enemies from that realm. As the water vapour dissipated. 「Mwahahahaha…!」 The figure of a laughing girl appeared through the cursed water– 「That slimy bastard!」 「–!」 Slightly startled by Riko, a jumpy Aria fired. The bullet hit the water but slowed to a stop before reaching its target. Witnessing that, I relaxed the aim of my DE, seeing it was worse than useless. 「Either of you shooting is pointless. The real body behind the cursed water is somewhere else. You could call it just a speaker, meant only to talk.」 Well versed in the paranormal, Shirayuki calmly restrained Aria and the rest… Further downwind where the cursed water was dispersing, even Jinyan lowered her perfume bottle. So, the cursed water is like… a pale 3D projection of the girl behind it. At a glance, I understood– I knew who this witch was. …There was no doubt. This is Katze Glacé. GRENEDA’s Regiment Hex ambassador. She wore a wide, black pointed hat, and had a large bird perched on her shoulder. Her jet-black robe fluttered in the wind, showing that this was a 3D broadcast and her real body must be far away, just as Shirayuki had said. She had all the quintessential marks of a witch, but… there was one thing about her that wasn’t common to witches. Her right eye was covered with a dark red eye-patch. On it a swastika was emblazoned. With a lopsided grin, Katze flared her velvet robe— She brought her right arm up smartly to level with her chest 「– Sieg heil! 」 It was done abruptly. The Nazi salute, performed with even the fingers rigid. Having lived in Europe for a long time, Aria and Riko made an annoyed face… Seeing that movement, I took the opportunity to study the uniform beneath the robe. It was a proper Nazi uniform in impeccable order. It feels like a cosplay that is in poor taste. That being the case–the military uniform also indicates the wearer’s history, rank, and affiliation. Even if it was not obvious from the colour, there can be no mistake… It’s a variant of the SS Helferinnen uniform with a miniskirt. The black SS uniforms were familiar from films– but this was not the Allgemeine SS uniform. Firstly, for example, instead of the skull badge on a regulation cap, she wore a witch’s hat. On her right lapel, was an SS runic pin. On her left, 4 stars with two lines, signifying a Lt. Colonel. 1 She must be very experienced to be a regimental commander. But I didn’t see a cuff title indicating her troop affiliation. At her neck hung the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross​. The year of award on it… 2007? That wasn’t during a war, and wasn’t that practically yesterday? –I dare say, when it comes to Regiment Hex… Their existence as a shadow force must have been a military secret within Nazi Germany. And they did not come to light in the post-war era. You occasionally see such groups all around the world, using the same arms and tactics. Even today, in the professional world, I sometimes hear about the things that the successors to such a group are doing. Even I.U. is one of these groups. 「–Attention! Ladies and gentlemen!」 Katze shook her black bobbed hair, regarding us with her red left eye… 「O~i! Are you having fun? Fighting is so fun!」 Even her… she’s some kind of battle enthusiast like Son and Riko. To my sullen face, Katze smiled, took out a Luger P08, and pointed with it to tanker. 「You have trembled like cowards behind your purification barrier, Baskerville! Now I declare war upon you! I will also kill the traitor Hilda. Hong Kong’s anti-magic barrier was strong, but this tanker sets an entirely new stage!」 It seems like… Katze is going to use the tanker for some kind of attack. I don’t think that tanker is only carrying petroleum. 「Regardless of scale, war is struggle for the balance of power between many factions. In FEW, in the west there’s DEEN’s Liberty Mason, and in the east GRENEDA’s Rampan. That structural balance must not be destroyed. Yet Rampan was defeated! As for the traitors– this is their punishment! Total annihilation! There were always too many people in this city.」 The city…? Does Katze plan to use that ship to massacre the entire city of Hong Kong? That’s something I can’t let happen– … …–! 「I wanted to drop bombs from a zeppelin, don’t you know? But you made me so angry!『A good terrorist spares no time or money in order to inflict a heavy blow upon the enemy.』But I didn’t have the time or budget to build it, so I hijacked this tanker to come and exterminate you all cheaply! Harumph! 」 It was like this witch Katze was『getting angry at a soccer coach over a strategy decision』and grumbling of trifling matters…*Squelch!* From the sleeves of her robe, a gelatinous substance dripped down. 「Alright, I’m going to do it! Bu no matter where I go, we’ll fight in hell! Oi! Kinji Tohyama, Shirayuki Hotogi!」 …Huh? She called us by name as she melted. The two pure Japanese. 「Next time I won’t fight without Italy! Ehehe!」 In the Second World War… was she talking about the triple alliance of Japan, Germany, and Italy? Isn’t that anachronism a bit much? Laughing maniacally, Katze’s cursed water form melted into a soupy mess… It finally turned into water and dripped down from the golden dragon sculpture. Hearing Riko scoff and make a tutting sound, I turned to face her– 「While I was at I.U…. the Koko taught me about explosives and Katze taught me hijacking. It’s theoretically very possible that she hijacked this tanker…! She definitely has the capability and it fits her M.O., so she will do what she said.」 Pale-faced, Riko scowled at the swastika hanging on the tanker. 「… It’s a Singaporean vessel, the Shima Hari. Gross cargo capacity: 150,000 tonnes, probably all oil. It’s definitely been hijacked. It didn’t enter the strait voluntarily.」 Taking a pair of glasses from her sleeve, Jinyan put her hand flat across her brow and told us what she saw. it appears she gained the information from Butei High’s LOGI. 「What can she do with a hijacked tanker? If you hit the docks and blow it up, at best you’d set fire to a few blocks of buildings. But the fire could be put out, soon enough. Katze said she would destroy all of Hong Kong, though.」 I asked Aria and Riko, but it was Riko who answered. 「You don’t blow up a city with a hijacked tanker.」 I came to the same conclusion in Hysteria Mode… and she began to explain what the most efficient way to use a tanker to launch an attack on an enemy position was. 「We’ve seen oil spills on the news. Perhaps she is going to create a spill on purpose in Hong Kong . The crude is less dense than water and would quickly spread to fill the bay. It’s a warm climate, and 150,000 tonnes of oil would be extremely volatile. If the concentration of gas exceeds 1.3%, then the air becomes a fuse . Any small flame on land would set it off, and the entire bay would ignite all at once. The flames would consume all of the oxygen in the air, suffocating the entire city with carbon monoxide poisoning, and killing them all. It’s based on the Nazis concept of a『vacuum bomb』 and was one of their ideas for a weapon of mass destruction.」 Everyone on the rooftop was struck silent by Riko’s words. –Turning Victoria Bay into a sea of flames. –Turning Hong Kong into a dead town. If everything happened like she said… that one tanker would truly produce a hellscape 「…That’s a supersized version of a primitive thermobaric weapon. We have to get over there, Kinji.」 Breaking her silence, Aria drew her guns and made this bold statement. But a sudden assault on a sea-jacked vessel ignores all practical theory. 「–Hold on, Aria. I don’t want to provoke her. Our enemy is a hijacker. We can’t shoot at the tanker.」 I said as I holstered my own weapon… 「Katze wants her plan to succeed, so she won’t blow it right away. She wants to ensure the oil is spread in the most efficient manner… so she’ll have wait until the current carries the tanker to the ideal position first. To say it another way, there is a time limit until her plan is put into effect.」 From her own intuitive process, Aria stated a logic principle. As expected, Aria is familiar with terrorist actions from her time with the British Butei Agency. Well… it can’t be helped. I suppose we’re going. 「–Shokatsu, alert the Hong Kong Coast Guard.」 I said, as I grumbled internally at Jinyan who had gone white as a sheet. Well that’s poetic justice for you. It’s like the time the Koko attacked the shinkansen, but this time we are the ones attacking only the scale has suddenly become much larger. Compared to Riko’s hijacking, this is cute. 「…My my. Regiment Hex has acted quickly. Friends one day, and enemies the next, as the saying goes.」 Shokatsu said as he took out a mobile– Katze had acted quickly. Her attack came right after things with Rampan were settled. She must have predicted that Rampan would lose in the fight with Baskerville and made advance preparations for the assault. That girl is scary. At any rate, I’m familiar with hijackings. I’ve been bicycle-jacked, bus-jacked, aeroplane-jacked, and train-jacked– Now, even when I’m overseas, of course I’m caught up in a tanker-jacking I should go to a shrine and have my relationship with hijackings severed. I seem to have this unfortunate love affair with them. 「…She’s there! Kin-chan. On the tanker… there’s a great power aboard the Shima Hari. A witch. It has to be Katze Glacé. And there’s one more person…it’s… Patra?」 Her fringed bangs facing the tanker, Shirayuki spoke with eyes closed. As a person with supernatural powers, she must have some way to detect demons. In the fight onboard the Annbelle, she could sense Patra’s presence. It was the same with the Koko during the skinkansen-jacking. In order to secure total victory and secure a route of retreat, Katze is aboard the tanker. I couldn’t see them, but I glared at the tanker. Pulling together what I recalled from the bird’s eye view of Hong Kong from the ICC and the sightseeing GPS map on Shirayuki’s mobile… I tried to estimate the amount of time until the tanker reached its destination. The tanker was making smooth progress across the Tathong Channel and would coast through the entrance to Victoria Bay via Lei Yue Mun. It would enter the metropolitan area of Hong Kong like a poison pill. The wind is still westerly, and I can see that the ocean current is flowing gently from east to west. Thinking if the volatilised crude oil was released into Victoria Bay and carries by the wind… without doubt, the entire area between the Kowloon Peninsula and Hong Kong Island up to the western end would be blanketed. Considering the tanker’s current speed– we have roughly 30 minutes. In that time, we must: get to the tanker from Rampan Castle, stop and arrest some female supernatural terrorists, prevent the petroleum discharge, and keep the tanker from impacting the jetty and secure it… That’s pretty tight for 30 minutes. According to Aria’s intuitive deduction, we must act quickly. Every second is precious. 「–First, we need a fast boat! We need to get to the Shima Hari as fast as possible!」 Aria cried in an anime-like voice, no doubt coming to the same conclusion as me. But, as soon as I confirmed the time limit… even with our experience… 「It’s no good, Aria. There’s no way we can go by boat.」 Her small hands clutched to her chest, Shirayuki looked at the ocean nearby. Following her example, I looked at the surrounding ocean, and I saw that both the castle and the boats surrounding it were being gradually swept out to sea. The waves were pushing us further away. But only those near us. 「This… it has to be Katze’s doing. She’s clogging the sea route with the waves. Katze–the Witch of Cursed Water, must have the ability to manipulate all kinds of liquids. Any boat would definitely be sunk en route.」 At Shirayuki’s words, Aria and I exchanged frustrated looks. Manipulation of liquid… that’s what this Witch of the Cursed Water is doing. This time, though, the cursed water is crude oil. What should we do to handle this? We can’t get there by air because Aria’s YHS is out of commission. 「–Jinyan. Do you have some kind of helicopter?」 I asked her as she impatiently pressed down on the communication device. 「Rampan Castle doesn’t have a hewiport. But I called in a seapwane. It will be here in 8 minutes.」 …That’s no good. By the time we board the tanker, we’ll be out of time. As I made a troubled face, 「…Tohyama. You wish to reach that tanker?」 I heard Kou say as she looked up at me in her cut-off sailor suit. 「We don’t have any way to get there in such a short time.」 「I have a method that will get you there. It will not take any time at all.」 Saying that… Kou began looking over mine and Aria’s bodies. As if gauging our sizes. 「What? How can you do that?」 Aria asked. 「–The Somersault Cloud.」 Kou spoke a name from The Journey to the West every bit as famous as the Nyoibou. 「In scientific terms, it uses a wormhole to effect a series of physical copies through topological space 2 . In the modern Western study of magic, they would call this Imaginary Jump. The Somersault Cloud– is, in essence, a teleportation technique.」 In reality, the truth is stranger than fiction. Son had said it could『go anywhere in an instant』, and the truth behind the cloud depicted in picture books was a teleportation technique. Even Hysteria Mode could not understand the theory behind that kind of movement… but, exchanging a glance with Shirayuki, she nodded stiffly with an expression that said:『I think you should be alright』. …I’ll risk it. Although I don’t like it, I’m getting used to the supernatural phenomena. At any rate, there’s no time. If I hesitate here, we’ll all die for lack of oxygen anyway. 「So you can get us to the Shima Hari?」 I confirmed with Kou, and Aria’s determined face told me she had made up her own mind. 「Yup. As long as I can see it.」 She urged me to look, and I saw that the Shima Hari would soon be hidden behind Hong Kong Island as it sailed past Lei Yue Mun. The bow of the ship had already disappeared. 「But like the Nyoibou, it can’t be used more than once a day. it will be a one-way trip, and you’ll have to find your own way back. The carrying capacity is also limited. I can take about 2 people. Form what I can tell, Tohyama and Aria-san just meet the limit.」 –Only 2 people can go? Ideally, I would like to send the supernatural specialist Shirayuki, but it can’t be helped that she is over the limit. Ah! Sometimes the gods are cruel. Shirayuki. I really hate the fact that your figure is more voluptuous than Aria’s. I considered sending Aria and Shirayuki, but if it come to negotiations with Katze and Patra… my ability to wheedle women will be indispensable, even if I do say so myself. So, it’s me and Aria. We’ll have to bet on Holmes the 4th and her partner’s powers of cooperation. Besides, in the fight on the Annbelle… Shirayuki was a match for Patra’s power and Aria was defeated. From my own personal experience, it might be easier to bluff than negotiate with Patra. 「Understood. Aria and I will go. Jinyan will bring Shirayuki in the seaplane before anyone else. Riko will try to get in contact with someone in Carrier GA. They should be somewhere in Hong Kong.」 As I gave these separate orders, Kou stepped close and wrapped her arms around Aria and me. We’re out of time. The front half of the tanker is already hidden behind Hong Kong Island. 「….I’m coming, Somersault Cloud is coming…」 Without any more time to explain, Kou wrapped her arms around our waists and closed her eyes. Then… she chanted those words in a childish voice. Then, a few seconds later… *Sparkle!* *Sparkle!* *Sparkle!* Several small grains of gold appeared in front of Kou’s chest. Shirayuki seemed to understand it. It was some kind of ESP. The light wavered and the gold dust moved together like specks on the wind. They collected themselves in a halo shape whose diameter expanded rapidly. There were 2 dots of light, 4, then 8– 128, 256– popping into existence as they doubled in number. Then in a flash, our surroundings were hidden… bathed in light. It was just like being in a shining cloud. I couldn’t open my eyelids because of the light… but I felt Kou’s hand slip away from my waist. The sound of Kou’s voice reciting the magic words sounded like it was coming from further and further away– Beneath me, I heard the sound of waves, and beside me the sound of something moving. Then my golden surrounding changed to red, blue, yellow, violet, and white… many different colours. Then the brightness subsided. We were once more underneath the starry sky and surrounded by many colours. 「…?」 Squinting my dazzled eyes, I looked around– Next to me, Aria was looking around just like I was. There was no one on the other side. Kou was gone. A distant light shone at our feet, and instead of Rampan Castle’s roof, it was glittering anti-rust coated steel. Enough steel sheets to cover a number of school playgrounds stretched out, and a short distance away, an innumerable number of pipes protruded from the roof of a factory-like structure. Further away, there was a small crane and a hole for manhole cover to the oil could be seen… More surprisingly… I understood that we were on the deck of the Shima Hari, far away from Rampan Castle. You did it, Kou! And so easily too! This…『Teleportation』, did you call it? It was an amazing experience. I didn’t even feel anything. Just some dazzling light. 「…That was a first. Teleportation.」 Aria said to me as she exhaled and turned her camellia eyes toward me. Huh? Aria doesn’t look surprised. 「This was a first for me. However, I did see an enemy use it against me in Moscow.」 Come to think of it… she did tell me something like that. Back at the end of summer break, after she helped me clean out the INQUESTA building. 「Still, you should be a little more surprised. We’re human, aren’t we?」 「What are you saying? Well… I guess it was a little surprising that it took less than a minute.」 I give up. I just wanted Aria to react like a normal girl. 「How about this, Kinji? Wow! That was so amazing!」 She said, as she clasped her hands together, standing on top of a thin knee-high pipe– suppressing a giggle, she peered around. Just now she looked like she did when I gave her the Christmas Tree. 「–The view is everything you could wish for.」 Told that, I looked around… The Shima Hari was slipping into Victoria Bay–between the Kowloon Peninsula and Hong Kong Island where the coast boasts numerous buildings that tower into the night sky. All the colours I had seen on our way here were the city lights of Hong Kong. The colourful downtown business building lights would never suit Japanese taste. I saw them when we flew in–each building vying with its neighbours to illuminate the dark night. All the condominiums where I was rescued in North Point shone with a homey feel. Kowloon shone gaudily with 5-star hotels. Neon signs with international business names sparkled. Dome-shaped building were illuminated. The entire surface of the building shone. There in the background was the ICC where Aria and I fought. All of it was reflected on the surface of the water, doubling the brightness. They shone like a casket of jewels. In the face of this dynamic beauty… I was at a loss for words. –The million dollar nightscape– This is it. I finally saw it, Dad. However, I never imagined that I would see it like this. 「Usually it’s seen from one side or the other, but seeing both sides of Victoria Bay at the same time makes it a 2 million dollar nightscape.」 I heard Aria say that cute thing. 「It’s reflected in your eyes as well. It more than doubles the price, it’s priceless.」 「What a stupid thing to say. I was only pointing it out so that you could look at it and raise morale. 」 Aria grit her teeth. Then she slanted her shapely eyebrows and was suddenly all business. *Click!* *Click!* She drew her two guns with her small hands, even though we are on an oil tanker… but it’s alright. The deck has been reinforced in areas to be bulletproof as a measure against pirates. I couldn’t afford the luxury of enjoying the situation either. Tonight, I will dual wield my Beretta and Desert Eagle. In number — our opponents are many. 「I will protect it. This is one of the largest economic metropolises in Asia.」 「I will defend it as well. Although needy, they seemed quite happy.」 Aria said as she faced the downtown Kowloon high rises, and I faced Hong Kong Island– as we were passing through the waters near North Point– and back to back, we covered each other’s blind spots. Accepting the good with the bad, it accepted the poison pill that was the tanker. The million dollar nightscape– with its countless number of individual lights, stood for the individuals who lived their lives and had their own dreams and smiling faces. I must defend them. 「『Launch out into the world.』This is what Butei Article 9 means, huh?」 「I would prefer a more peaceful launch.」 As we spoke… suddenly around us… Patra’s dog-headed sand figures that looked like the depictions of the god Anubis appeared Most likely posted to guard the deck, they now streamed from the low building at the stern that seemed to be some kind of living quarters, and suddenly we were surrounded. This time wearing dark green clothing, the sand figures took up position at a cautious distance. Looking closely, I saw they were Nazi field uniforms. I wonder if this was Katze’s doing? Giving off the impression of Nazi ghosts, the sand figures seemed to have upgraded their weapons since the last time at the Pyramidion in Odaiba last summer. Where previously they wielded one axe, they now held two and sported a gun holster on their waists. Is that a military Mauser? Toward the stern, a huge swastika flag fluttered. Friends one day, and enemies the next, as Shokatusu said, and it was a fact the even my grandfather was once in league with her party. But today, I will oppose her. She is my next enemy… Looking up at the swastika flag, I furrowed my brow. Well… with my track record of fights with all kinds of enemies, I guess I was bound to fight this group sooner or later. *Grip!* As we stood back to back, Aria pulled my left arm behind my back… And looked at my watch. This isn’t like her. After she released my hand, I looked at my watch as well. As I did, I saw that the time displayed was exactly midnight– 「Merry Christmas, Kinji.」 –It’s December 25th. You say that while holding a gun? Well, it looks like this is our Christmas. Oh well. I’ve never really had a ‘merry’ Christmas as far as I can recall. I can add this year to that list as well. 「It has been an honour to welcome the holiday with you–Merry Christmas, Aria」 Go For The Next!!! ****************************************************** AFTERWORD ****************************************************** Notes: 1. WWII is a private interest of mine, so I just so happen to know that her actual rank is Obersturmbannführer. What is given in the rough equivalent. 2. In normal speak, I believe she is using a wormhole that exploits a theoretical topological concept of the ‘connected-ness’ of all space to ‘move’ from one point to another. Or you can just call it magic… These are pretty academic terms, even in the Japanese, and considering the younger audience the novel is aimed at, don’t feel bad if you don’t understand it. It’s meant to go over your head and be technobabble. It gave me trouble rendering into proper English as well… ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### 006. Afterword Hello! It’s Akamatsu! Just a note to tell you that we’ve released the collection of short stories『Cast Off Table』between this volume and the previous one! By the way… this afterword contains spoilers! If you have not yet read the novel, please be careful. Now then… The last two volumes, 13 and 14, were set in Hong Kong. At the time of writing, I actually visited Hong Kong… Writing about it made me want to visit again *laughs*. I visited twice years ago, and the first time, I stopped there on my way back home from the UK. Since it was a while ago, my memories of that time are a bit hazy… but I do remember the million dollar nightscape shining like a string of pearls. But the real view is really is like the multi-coloured casket of jewels Kinji saw. I was only a boy at the time, and I suppose in the time it takes to become an adult a city can change drastically. In any case, it is beautiful. It is how it is. There were somethings that I wanted to write into the novel that I just couldn’t. Like the famous Hangzhou restaurant’s specialty crab flour noodles. It was amazingly delicious! It was a luxurious dish made of 4 Chinese mitten crab pastes and serving of noodles. I was surprised by it a second time when I saw the price! –For a cup of noodles with sauce, it was about 4,000 Yen…! But the taste was really worth the price, so I thought I’d write about it in the novel! But in the end, I didn’t even do so… Kinji ended up never getting the chance to eat it. So, instead, I decided to write about it here. Actually though… During the Rampan and Baskerville’s Imperial Feast, Kinji saw Shirayuki eating some『noodles with sauce』, and that was the crab flour noodles. We can only hope that Shirayuki will make it for him. In this last 14th volume the remnants of Nazi Germany declare war on Kinji and Co. Facing Kinji, the enemy leader is unsurprisingly a tiny girl. This tiny brat has certainly worked her way deep into Kinji’s psyche without raising a finger. I mean Aria of course! And so until next time–let’s meet again in the bookstore when I long for the deep sea and light blue colour. A certain day in April 2013. Akamatsu Chuugaku ****************************************** EPUB/PDF Download ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ## 12. Volume 15 - Enable and Diamond Dust -Constellation- ### 001. Bullet 1: Vacuum Bomb — Shima Hari (BEGIN CHAPTER) Hidan no Aria Volume 15: Enable and Silver Ice–Constellation Chapter 1: Vacuum Bomb — Shima Hari –It’s Christmas. Ordinarily, it’s a day to watch the hijinks on TV and eat cake. Despite that, the five of us are engaged in a firefight atop a gloomy tanker. All around us, there are dog-, bird-, and crocodile-headed sand people — straight out of Egyptian depictions. Where the heck did I go wrong in my life? 「No sooner than we settle things with Rampan, this happens. I wonder if both of us will make it back alive.」 「Don’t be stupid! Now, watch my back.」 That mistake was Aria. With a small *Thump!*, she pressed her small back against mine. –We were back-to-back. It was a tactic for covering all blind spots when completely surrounded. Holding ancient firearms and axes, the golems advanced on the upper deck to attack us. With the strong evening breeze blowing across the sea, they carefully clambered over the exposed piping. There were quite a number of golems. Between 40 and 50. But… they were weak. Their movements were ponderous, and it seems unlikely that their intelligence was much above the level of insects. What’s more, they were made of ordinary yellow sand, Back when we fought in the casino, the black sand golems were much stronger. Even their form is sloppy. They are covered by their Nazi field uniforms, and I suppose that its purposeful to conceal their flaws. 「–Aria, these guys are definitely stalling. We have to get out of here quickly.」 This large super tanker, the Shima Hari, had been sea-jacked. A mirrored Hakenkreuz fluttered at the stern–the symbol of the remnant of Nazi Germany’s armed forces, Katze’s Regiment Hex. Also known as『The Witch of Cursed Water』, Katze is planning to use this tanker in a terrorist attack. She will dump 150,000 tonnes of crude oil into the harbour and burn it, using up all the oxygen in the bay. It’s a modified form of a Nazi WMD, a『vacuum bomb』. In order to stop it, we boarded the ship like commandos. The tanker is headed for west end of Victoria Bay that divides Hong Kong into North and South. Given current cruise speed, we have 20 minutes. 「Kinji, look at that building! Katze and Patra are on the roof.」 Aria pointed with her gun at the small, building-like structure at the stern of the ship. 「What are you thinking?」 「They’re the ones in charge here–the real power. To a certain extent, the golems’ operation is autonomous, but the pipeline presents a blind spot. It’s like they need a bird’s eye view of us.」 「…So, with a bird’s eye view, you’re saying that they are the ones giving them orders?」 「Yes, that’s what I mean.」 I arrived at the same conclusion after Aria’s superb sense of intuition had already reasoned it out, and she continued– 「There may be more to it than that. The golems defending the area around the building are definitely stronger.」 Without waiting, I shot several golems in succession, creating an opening. Aria and I then raced toward the stern. On both sides of us, we could see the colourful nightscape of Hong Kong and Kowloon sparkling. Already far out into the bay, the tanker continued careening recklessly as the traffic of an uncountable number of boats became disorganised. Glancing to port– That looks like a highway– It looks familiar. It was the Eastern Highway where Son and our car chase had unfolded. The tanker was already passing by North Point. It was the relaxed downtown area where Yuan’s house was located. ******************************************************* A tanker is no ordinary ship. It’s a massive, megafloat-like ship that’s like a poor version of an aircraft carrier. The Shima Hari has about a hectare of surface area, and a 5-storey building stands at the extreme stern end. And at the entrance to the building– From behind sandbags, two golems fired a Nazi-era MG-42 belt-fed machine gun. However, the range was extreme, so the bullets dispersed widely. 「If you can’t aim properly, then you shouldn’t even use it!」 With a dumbfounded expression, Aria shot both of them with her twin pistols, and we left piles of sand behind us as we leapt over an Anubis-headed soldier to breach the structure. Once inside the building… it had the appearance of a modest economy hotel. During the long trip transporting crude oil, this must be where the sailors live. There were no signs of golems in the rough interior of the building. There was also a set of stairs. It appears that they are not using high enough grade golems that are capable of acting outside the field of view. I remember Jeanne telling me that Hong Kong was a city with strong anti-magic properties. So even here, it appears that Katze’s ally, The Sand Witch, has trouble using magic. Reaching the top floor, Aria kicked open the door that looked like it led to the pilothouse– High precision GPS, ECDIS navigation, and AIS ship identification equipment were ranged about the spacious room’s interior. In skin-baring, Egyptian clothes stood Patra… Opposite her, wearing an all-covering, black Nazi uniform was Katze Glacé. 「–The sea is pleasant, is it not? It remembers me of my time in I.U.」 Merely raising an eyebrow at the guns pointed her direction, Patra twirled a crystal ball within her fingers. 「Back in I.U., I told Riko and Koko:『If you do a hijacking, I want to come along as well』. I don’t think they took me seriously. But now, everyone is here–just as I predicted.」 Turning toward the captain’s chair. Katze lounged out casually and grinned beneath her black witch’s hat. 「Katze, Patra. Who tipped you off? You moved much too quickly.」 Aria greeted them thus, with silver and black Governments pointed at each of them, respectively. With a sneer, Katze narrowed her eyes in such a manner that the eye patch couldn’t completely hide. Despite all that had happened previously, at Aria’s current statement, I turned back to look at her in surprise. Do you mean to say… that there’s a spy among us, Aria? 「You were in Western Europe. Even if Rampan contacted you, it’s much too soon for you to have mobilised. You definitely didn’t have enough time to prepare such a large-scale assault.」 As soon as Aria said that, my Hysteria Mode brain started estimating how long Katze would need to get ready for such an offensive–It was definitely a bit premature. Moreover, Katze had said that she disliked the method of attack. There is definitely no way that they could have heard about Baskerville’s spearhead attack on Hong Kong beforehand, so there definitely wasn’t enough time. 「I asked Riko, Patra, but what’s your horoscope’s accuracy? About 5%?」 「…71% And I devote myself to it most diligently every day.」 Patra easily defeated Aria’s statement… However, even with a 70% chance that two enemy generals would appear in Hong Kong, Greneda wouldn’t bestir itself. In other words–we have a leak. They must have had some more certain intelligence before we reached Hong Kong. 「So, Aria-chan. Would you believe me if I said,『Someone told me』and kept going on and on about it?」 「I don’t believe you, Nazi. So, talk. Kinji, you take Patra. I’ll take Katze. You are both in violation of the Subversive Activities Prevention Act, in addition to infliction of maritime property damage, your various violent actions, violation of the Navigation Act… and, uh… all those other things, so you’re under arrest.」 You still had a bit more room to negotiate, Aria… I thought that, but this is how things are, and it’s unavoidable. There’s no more time. At the same moment, Aria and I both turned to the right- – –*Bam!* *Ba-ba-bam!* Firing through the window curtains on that side of the room and toward the outside veranda. With a crackling sound, the glass shattered. On the other side of the simple curtains separated to the sides, and the movement of someone dodging the shots was evident. It was the real Katze and Patra. My Hysteria Mode’s perception had picked up on the fact earlier that these were detailed sand dolls and cursed water apparitions. So Katze had merely pretended that it was impossible for her to produce a full colour water figure, when she had shown us one in monochrome. Clever girl. As for Patra, she was concentrating on making this sand figure… That’s why the rest of the sand golems were misshapen. Pitching forward as it collapsed, the Sand Patra spilled out with a rustle. It appeared to be made of star sand, and a part of it formed a small dust storm that flew toward Aria. 「–!」 In order to not ruin her eyes, Aria flinched away, turning to take the blow on the back. She then fired a rapid burst of .45ACP bullets at the curtains. But from the other side– *Kachin!* *Kachin!* *Kachin!* On the veranda, the real Patra used a small buckler made of sand and orbiting around her to stop the bullets. 「Hohoho! As I would expect from Sir Sherlock’s relative. However, you are already cursed by the sand.」 Drawing the back of her hand across her red lips, Patra laughed cheerfully. 「…?」 From Aria–who had taken the blast of sand on her back–something like smoke was rising from her whole body. This is–what I saw on the Annabelle! Patra’s magic to remove all water from the human body…! 「…Uhn…? Ha…Haa…!」 「Aria!!!」 Tongue hanging out like a dog and panting harshly, Aria collapsed, and I tried to rescue her. Next to her on the veranda, carrying a clear plastic bottle of mineral water, stood Katze …That’s it! Removing the bottle from her mouth in an instant, she turned, and the water gushed toward me–*Bashhurt!* Aiming at my chest, water shot from Katze’s mouth like a water gun in an attack that I just barely dodged. Grazing my bulletproof uniform, the dart of water shredded it and opened a hole in the wall behind it. Even the steel girder in the middle of the wall was shaved off like cheese. This was the water gun that Sherlock shot at me–a technique to shoot a super high jet of water. Its range is extremely short, but due to its greater mass, its penetrating power is greater than a rifle. It would even be able to cut through solid objects. Considering that fact, it’s close to a laser attack. Even though I managed to dodge it, it totally wrecked my balance… I avoided collapsing, but I lost my firing posture and couldn’t help falling to one knee. 「Whaaat! Did you already know?」 Grumbling, Katze cast aside the plastic bottle and drew a gold-plated Luger P08. Then pointing the muzzle toward me, she stepped into the room with Patra. 「…Since I.U., I’ve done some『brushing up』.」 I bluffed– But I wouldn’t be able to save Aria in time. Grasping one of Aria’s twin-tails, Patra forced Aria to stand… 「Aria…!」 Due to the nature of Hysteria Mode to prioritise the safety of girls, unfortunately I was stopped in my tracks. While I was completely open, Katze rushed over toward me. As I was on one knee, she thrust the muzzle forward a short distance from my head. 「Hey! Didn’t it all work out like I said, Patra? Making all those sand soldiers cannon fodder and just tossing them out there wasn’t so hard, now was it?」 「True. There were not an abundant number of Riri particles to contend with tonight, so you were correct.」 The two witches that had cornered both Aria and I said to each other. Steam continued to rise from Aria’s body as she gritted her teeth… Determined at all costs not to lose hold of her guns. 「Oiii! Aria! Just let go of those guns. You like this guy, don’t you?」 At Katze’s words, Aria’s eyes narrowed in bitterness… 「Th… that’s… ri… dicul… ous…」 I wanted to say something, but I was unable to. 「Alright then. Then I’ll execute him. You want me to do it?」 Hearing each of those things, Aria’s trigger finger began to quiver, and she started to move to relinquish her guns. –No, you can’t, Aria! You can’t let go of your guns. If you relinquish you weapons, she’ll just shoot me anyway. Even if she does end up shooting me, you have to keep fighting. 「–Aria.」 With the gun still pointed at my head, I looked Aria straight in the eyes. 「It will be alright. I won’t die. Neither will you. I… can’t stop being a Butei, and someday I will be a regular Butei. And you will save your mother, Kanae-san. The two of us still have things we have to do. So, we can’t die yet. You can’t die.」 What spouted from my mouth was pure sentimentality–devoid of all logical reason. I couldn’t forget how back in April, during Riko’s hijacking of flight ANA 600, I had given up and Aria had encouraged me. This time, it’s my turn to encourage her. Don’t throw your guns away, Aria. Hearing my words, Katze and Patra exchanged glances– Seeming to remember the hijacking, Aria tightened her grip on her guns. Yes, Aria. That’s it. Even though you can’t raise a gun, this is good. As long as the will to fight is there, the possibility for victory exists. 「–Patra. I won’t let you have Aria.」 At my words, Aria turned red… Patra stared, clearly puzzled… Katze’s eyebrows furrowed, and she forcibly thrust the muzzle of the gun forward. 「Humph!『I won’t let you have Aria』? Do you have a crush? Are you trying to do her some kind of favour? How about I give you a bullet for a Christmas present? Such sappy lovers were sent off to the internment camps! If I shoot you now, a bullet will put an end to such talk!」 Eyebrows arched, Katze put more strength into her trigger finger. 「Yes, if she shoots you in the head, you shall die, Kinji Tohyama.」 Patra intoned, tilting her small neck and causing her golden necklace to jingle. 「I’ve heard the rumours about you stopping bullets with your bare hands. But even you can’t do it at point-blank range , can you?」 Katze said, her cheeks spreading into a grin–Raising and thrusting out the hand without the gun at an upward angle, she performed a Nazi salute. 「 Seig Heil! 」 –Then pulled the trigger. In that instant– Point-blank range? Not at all. My world came to an almost standstill. In Hysteria Mode, everything became『super slow』– My sense of time immediately stretched out, experiencing the world like a super high-speed camera…and I came up with a new technique. A short while ago, I used『Contradiction』to defend myself against Son’s laser–And I consciously drew upon those same principles. Now then, Katze…You said it was point-blank range, but that is not the case. Even if the muzzle is pushed up against my head, the distance between the bullet and myself is not zero. Inside the gun, before firing, the bullet has to be chambered, and there is a small distance between chamber and muzzle. There is a moment of time before the bullet leaves the barrel– Kitsuka, Clear Fall Water– Zetsurou–Ouka,Ouka! There are 26 bones between my cervical vertebrae and tailbone. Wrapped around them are the erector spinae, splenius capitis, and minor rhomboid muscles, and I can use them all together to moved my head in the same direction as the bullet at a speed of about 1,100 KPH. This total muscle coordination technique, like a reverse Ouka, formed a deceleration defence, Ouka + Clear Fall Water from a standstill. In order to avoid self-inflicted injury from the shockwave, I limited the speed to a subsonic level– at a speed of 125 KPH, even if it draws blood, the bullet will not penetrate my skull. This is not the end, Katze. From one knee, I back-flipped in a wheel-like motion, turning my enemy’s attack back on them with Zetsurou. Kicking out my right leg at full speed with Ouka–I pushed my torso in a backward loop in a subsonic kick. With a *Fwipsh!*, I kicked Katze’s golden gun. I pulled off a 360 degree somersault, and just as my brain was about to collide with the inside of my skull, I shot out my left leg with Ouka straight into the floor. The shock of impact matched the movement of my skull to my brain–completely avoiding the onset of a concussion. In the very next moment, my sense of time returned, and the sound of my impact with Katze’s hand and the floor reached my ears at about the same time. Pieces of the Luger P08 scattered, embedding themselves in the ceiling and cracks in the concrete floor spread out from underneath my foot. The bullet grazed my head, smashing the window behind me and flying off into empty space. To the outsider, however– It looks like I was shot and fell backwards. At least for the first half of the technique. But for the second half, somehow after being shot in the head, the window behind me shattered, the pieces of Katze’s gun spattered against the ceiling, and landed a back-flip… in some inexplicable event. Then… 「…?」 With both hands now raised in salute, Katze said: 「…Huh?」 Patra sighed, and the captured Aria gasped. 「…!」 Making a confused face, and not understanding what happened. It worked out well, but to be honest, I don’t completely understand it myself. 「Ah… Katze. I believe that we can agree, we shouldn’t use guns on an oil tanker.」 I said as I stood, grinning wryly with streams of blood flowing from my head down both sides of my nose… Good, nothing is broken. Nothing fractured either. Being hard-headed was a good thing. The amount of blood looks bad, but a scalp wound will bleed dramatically. However, it’s not as bad as it looks. Cradling her right hand, Katze stepped back to where Patra stood. 「Tch! I knew this would happen!」 「I expected something of the kind.」 Uhh… wasn’t my superhuman performance a reason for you to want to stop fighting? If you’re not even a bit surprised, what was the point in doing it? In that moment, there was a *Whoosh!* sound– Patra’s hand that had been restraining Aria, moved toward the window where something had flown in. As soon as the hand moved away from Aria, the steam that had been rising from her body suddenly ceased. I’m very bad with ESP powers, but I could tell just by looking. The thing that had flown in was counteracting the curse. A swirling black object had slipped into the room through the window and then back out… A bat–? With a gasp, Aria collapsed next to me–heaving air in and out. She was normalising her breathing. Her dried-out twin-tails spread out slightly, and she looked like she was parched… It looked like she was in a serious condition. Our enemies, however, had retreated to the veranda– Instead of paying attention us, Katze and Patra were watching carefully outside the windows. As soon as Aria and I looked up… 「…!」 Mixed with the dark night sky, a swarm of black bats approached. They floated like a black storm could. What was most notable about it, however, was that suspended from the swarm… 「–Kin-chan! I’ve come to help you!」 Riding on small trapeze swing seat, was Shirayuki. Like and early 80’s 1 Magical Girl anime, she demonstrated a horrible new way to fly. How did you get here from Rampan Castle? Aren’t you a bit embarrassed? Rushing forward with the swarm of bats, Shirayuki smoothed down the front of her skirt– with her hand pressing down her skirt, she blew into the room. Then rolling across the floor, she set her feet, standing between us and Katze and Patra. 「–Kin-chan, which one hurt you?」 Anger causing her voice to rise, she drew her sword with a hiss. From behind her school uniform, she drew Irokaneayame. Next to her, the bats coalesced… 「Now then, I wonder which one of you I shall impale.」 Before my eyes, Hilda appeared, carrying a trident. Of all the people left at Rampan Castle, they sent in the two most powerful ESPers first. The Fire Witch and Lightning Witch–against–The Witch of Cursed Water and the Sand Witch. Four witches squared off in the Shima Hari’s captain’s cabin, it was like the opening scene of some Horror flick…. But what had already happened was that the sand was being stirred up inside the room. 「A smokescreen…? Are they planning to escape?」 Choking out the words, Aria said, 「Idiot. It’s a change in tactics. I’m oxygen deprived, but I’m not dying.」 「Hohoho! There is not much time left.」 The fog and sand swirled, becoming thicker and thicker, concealing Katze and Patra from sight. Finally, the entire room was hidden and– *Flap!* *Flap!* *Flap!* With fully restored wings, Hilda blew away all the fog and sand– But Katze and Patra had already escaped from the veranda. Having formed a paper aeroplane-like glider out of sand, they were already 100 metres away at the starboard deck railing below. There, two Anubis guards were standing by with something carried on a palanquin between their shoulders… …A torpedo…!? No, I remember now. Back when she was a part of I.U., Jeanne used the same kind of thing called Orcus–a supercavitation torpedo–and this looks like a modified version of it, a mini-sub. There were 2 of such craft there. Are they planning to use that to escape from Hong Kong? And from the tanker–because after exploding, it will become an oxygen-less hell. 「You’re awfully quick to run away, aren’t you!」 While reloading both of her guns’ magazines with a *Ka-chick!* *Ka-chick!*, Aria rushed out on to the veranda. *Bang!* *Bang!* *Ba-ba-bang!* Despite the fact that they are out of range, she unleashed a furious volley of .45ACP bullets. From her two differently coloured guns, she fired 14 bullets–*Click!* *Click!* *Click!* *Click!* With a violent metallic sound, one of the Orcus’ propellers were destroyed. Seeing that, Katze and Patra became flustered, but they quickly adapted to the situation. One of the Anubis guards then lifted Patra up to the other Orcus, then did the same to Katze who also entered…*Poof!* Using the Anubis guard’s body as a sacrifice, a smokescreen went up. Then there was a *Splash!* On the other side of the smokescreen, the Orcus that they had so desperately defended made a sound as it entered the ocean. 「…!」 Aria ground her teeth in what looked like an unconscious manner, but it’s not like there was no way that they both couldn’t be crammed into the Orcus. Back when Shirayuki and I rode in one, however, it was extremely cramped. 「Oh, right! Depth charges! Somebody get me depth charges!」 *Tap!* *Tap!* Aria paced the veranda deck while talking like an English warship captain frustrated with a U-Boat, stamping hard in her unique manner. …Well, we can’t follow them now. We’ve missed our chance to catch them. Shaking my head, and holstering my Beretta… I looked up to the sky, where the sound of a propeller could be heard. Stepping out on to the veranda, I saw it was a hydroplane. It was coming from the direction of Rampan Castle. In order to avoid the exhaust from the tanker, it was at quite a considerable altitude–*Pa-Poof!* A parachute unfurled into the night sky. 4 of them. With my Hysteria Mode augmented eyesight, I could tell that it was Riko, Reki, Kou, and even the glasses-wearing Koko–Jinyan. …Of course, you appear when you can’t help against the enemy. I’m grateful for the reinforcements, but when Shirayuki’s group arrived– Aria had already been defeated, and I’d been shot. As for Riko and her group, they arrived after Katze and Patra had escaped. We came against them too slowly, and one at a time. Katze and Patra are more used to fighting than us. ***************************************** The Golems still defended the deck, so Riko landed on the roof of the residency building. As Shirayuki treated my head wound, our reinforcements converged at the pilot house– 「The current was running against us, so we couldn’t come by boat, so we took a hydroplane from the Tathong Channel. We planned to arrive 5 minutes earlier, but maybe we were a tee~nsy bit late. Ki-kun, are you okay?」 She asked regretfully, taking in our condition and observing the state of the ship. 「I’m fine… What about Kou? I don’t see her.」 I asked as I looked around, seeing only Riko, Reki, and Jinyan. 「Kou landed on the deck. The sand gowems were twying to enter the building. She went to stawp them.」 Jinyan prompted, and looking outside the window toward the deck– In front of the building, Kou brandished Green Dragon Crescent Blade and mowed down the golems one by one. Even though Patra is a considerable distance away, she must be able to control their movements pretty well by concentrating hard enough. Their movement were pretty well coordinated, and they were thronging the residence building. 「Kou…!」 I was worried for her, but with a– 「Uwaaaaa!!」 I heard Kou raise a courageous voice while her cut-off sailor suit fluttered. She has the power not only to defend the building, but even to force them back. 「Don’t get the wong idea! Kou and I are not fighting onwy for you! We’re fighting for Hong Kong too! First things first, we hawve to twy to get the ship under contwol!」 Jinyan shrieked at us– Leaving Kou to defend the building, she took the role of going around to examine the several pieces of steerage machinery. –Kou! You always had low confidence in yourself and were timid and thought you couldn’t do anything even if you tried. You’re actually just as strong as Son. That has to be the case. Up until recently, Son was a formidable enemy of mine… but you both share the same heart. Anything Son can do, you can do. All you need is a bit of courage. And it was for everyone else’s sake that you mustered up this courage, wasn’t it, Kou? **************************************************************** The steering machinery were just about totally destroyed, but that didn’t stop Jinyan from trying– Meanwhile, the rest of us headed out onto the deck to help Kou wipe out the rest of the golems. Finally, our enemies were reduced to sand and fluttering Nazi military uniforms. With all the skull badges scattered about, the ship now had the aura of a ghost ship. Puffing, Kou leant on Shirayuki and Reki’s shoulder.– 「–Stawping the ship doewsn’t look like it will be easy to do. Eqwuipment has been stwategically destwoyed evewywhere.」 Not just in the pilot house, but down to the 5th deck–Jinyan glumly informed us after inspecting the Engine Room. The tanker is just past the middle of Victoria Bay. We have about 10 minutes left. 「Well, I didn’t think it would be that easy to stop, but we can’t just leave. There’s no way all the people in Hong Kong can evacuate. So, anyone have any ideas?」 Stowing her guns, Aria asked everyone, perspiration standing out on her forehead. Afterwards, as Riko looked out across the broad deck– 「Back in I.U., I took lessons from Katze. She’ll use explosives to vent the crude oil. Putting explosives along the bottom of the tank, along with cracks a few metres long–after detonation, the whole ship will split under the tanker’s own weight and water pressure from below. It will break in half, just like a raw egg’s shell.」 「If that happens, then won’t the tanker explode?」 Aria asked, but Riko shook her head from side to side. 「In order to prevent that, she’ll have only used special directional charges. I feel like she probably used a bunch of claymores facing down. Placing them on the bottom of the cargo tank, she would perforate the bilge and ballast tanks while also limiting the explosion to the seawater side to a minimum level. This way, the seawater will immediately extinguish any fire and prevent a huge explosion.」 These terrorists, coming up with such plans– It’s ingenious, and they are quite clever. That’s… pretty hard to deal with. even with my Hysteria Mode enhanced intelligence, I didn’t have a clear idea on what to do. 「But with only 10 minutes– Searching this huge ship to find the placed explosives and taking them off the bottom of the crude tank… It’d be like an unbeatable level!」 Riko said, biting her lip while the bomb expert–Jinyan spun around. She took one of her black twin-tails in hand, put her mouth close to it, and said something in Chinese. It seems there must be some kind of communication equipment in her hair. Then– 「–The expwosives will be set off by the weaction of the tanker impawcting the shore. Rampan can extend that pewiod of time!」 Looking back out over the sea, she said something else into her communicator. Looking where Jinyan’s gaze was directed–on the ocean behind the tanker… I could see a light. Out of the darkness, a speed boat appeared, following close behind the tanker. But no, it wasn’t just one boat. Across the waves, I saw 2, 3 lights… that quickly multiplied to 10, then 20. They were all boats. Countless ships, racing across the waves after the runaway tanker. Rampan’s fleet followed from the Eastern side of Victoria Bay. Thanks to Katze’s escape, it appears that ocean currents returned to normal. Tall cruisers, Coast Guard cutters, small ferries, freighters in the process of dumping their cargo, and fishing vessels… one after another, in order of speed capability, they began to catch up. The first to pull even with the tanker was a speed boat, and from its deck– 「–Kinji-san! We have come to help as well!」 Shokatsu…! He shouted through a megaphone. While his Imperial Court robes whipped wildly in the wind, Shokatsu gave us a bow, before turning to face the flotilla. He then issued an order in Chinese. Closing in on the tanker, first one ship, then another began throwing large, home-made hooks attached to ropes. Then, after 2 or three misses, they attached to our ship– then decelerated and began to drop back. Then with a sudden *Fwap!*, the line lengthened and went taunt. With a group of only several to several hundred tonne craft them, they were attempting to pull a gigantic 150,000 tonne tanker back from crashing into the west shore of Victoria Bay. Each ship’s power was almost miniscule, but their numbers steadily grew. Within two minutes, their number exceeded 50. Looking out, I also saw the other 3 Koko sisters in their own motorboats–folding fans spread out, giving direction and managing the boats. 「– Maa ngai gik baai daai zoeng! 」 With Shokatsu encouraging them–from the numerous vessels, Uoooooo!!!! –A battle cry was raised. With his power… Shokatsu was able to mobilise hundreds of people at once. He was even able to manage the position and course of each of the scattered tiny boats. This isn’t even a straightforward tug-of-war; the slightest error will capsize the boats. Even so, these hundreds and thousands of people were being managed to great effect. And the one able to control these thousands was Shokatsu. At his command, they came for him. The power of thousands. He is the very model of Charisma. 「–What did you shout, Shokatsu?」 「『Ants can defeat Elephants』!」 Ah! I understand. Because ant have large numbers, they can beat an elephant. That makes us– A giant elephant whose back they are biting. And these attackers have long, sharp pincers. *************************************************************** The tanker slowed due to Rampan’s human wave tactics… but even they couldn’t make up for the incomparable size difference. The tanker is still on its way toward the west shore. 「I say we’re making abouwt 21 knots. We hawve 19 minutes, Kinchi. Then we’ll hit the northwest end of Wictoria Bay–just abouwt at the foot of the ICC.」 Jinyan recalculated the time limit as we ran down the middle of the deck, our footsteps tapping. As she kept up with me, we found Shirayuki and Hilda with both their hands clasped, seemingly aimlessly pacing the deck with sweat standing out on their foreheads. Aria, Riko, Reki, and Kou watched… 「–They’re searching, right?. Using ESP… to determine the location of the explosives.」 I asked abruptly. Reki nodded. Shirayuki and Hilda’s hands were clenched. They moved in the same direction–taking the same number of steps. Somehow or other, I was able to figure that out. This is… something like『table-tipping』. 「–Here. Below us. Or thereabout…」 Shirayuki said with intense concentration, opening her eyes and staggering to lean on Reki for support. 「On the fourth central cargo tank.」 Hilda said, similarly dizzy as Riko leant her a shoulder. According to Jinyan, the ship is a grid of crude oil tanks numbered from 1 through 7 and divided into three sections–starboard, centre, and port tanks. In preparation, Katze and Patra opened the partitions so that when the ship’s bilge is fractured, all the crude will spill out… The explosives were laid dead centre. 「Thanks, Shirayuki and Hilda, but how are we supposed to find something submerged within the crude oil?」 I asked glancing at my watch, as everyone exchanged glances. Until refined, petroleum has a low degree of transparency, and crude oil is like muddy black water. We wouldn’t be able to see anything underneath the surface, much less at the bottom. 「We could dive in some kind of diving suit and look for it.」 Kou suggested– 「An oxygen tank regwiwator wouldn’t work too well under cwude oil.」 Jinyan answered with a shake of her head. 「Then how are we supposed to find it? Even Kinji probably couldn’t do a free dive.」 Aria, drop that『probably』. I categorically refuse. My skin would melt. I turned to glare at Aria. 「–What about uwsing that?」 Jinyan pointed at the Orcus whose propeller Aria had recently destroyed. ***************************************** Originally, the Orcus was developed for comings and goings from I.U.– so naturally being familiar with its construction, Jinyan knew that the danger due to the crude oil was almost none existent. Behind the Orcus, the tanker had a jib crane with a hook… and the Orcus was raised and hoisted with it. Opening the hatch, Jinyan boarded it to check the electronics worked– 「The Orcus haws a small, rowbot awm. You can uwse that to grawb the expwosives.」 I heard that difficult thing, but there’s no time to hesitate. We’ve already used about 10 minutes to prepare. 「I’m sorry to say, but we do not know the exact location of the explosives. We can only detect『that it is somewhere below here』. You will have to search around a bit.」 As everyone looked on anxiously, Hilda stated frankly to Jinyan– 「…So, we’ll hawve to feel awound with the awm. It’s unavoiwdable. So, move as fawst as I can.」 Jinyan grimaced as she replied. 「That’s…」 Aria groaned hopelessly. …Impossible. Starting with the kind of information like『It’s somewhere around here』, won’t it be like searching for a needle in the desert? Until now, we’ve all been able to work together to get back home alive– But we can’t all stick together going forward. –But…I can’t keep relying on everyone. The one who can pull this off is the man who makes the impossible, possible– 「I’ll drive, Jinyan. I want to try something. I have an idea.」 –It’s up to me. There isn’t any time left. Glancing at my watch, there are about 8 minutes left. Placing my hand on the Orcus’ hatch, I swung a foot up and stepped inside without a word. Seated behind Jinyan, we were in a position like two people riding on a motorbike. Inside… There was a book in German, and a pocket watch with a swastika on it that appear to be part of Katze’s personal belongings. The second Orcus looks like it’s Katze’s. My upper body sticking out of the cramped space, I felt Jinyan’s back pressed against mine–*Ka-chick!* Trying to close the hatch, Jinyan stood up in front of me. *Squish!* 「…!」 I grabbed hold of something. Jinyan’s smallish butt. A cheek in either hand…! S-so soft…! 「Wh-wh-what are you gwabbing at a time like this!? You’re suppowse to gwab the expwosives, not my butt!」 Whipping around, Jinyan delivered a backwards kick to my chest–She was wearing hakama-like trousers, though, so the important parts were covered. Thankfully. The kick did hurt though. 「What the heck are you doing, Stupid-Kinji? You don’t have much time!」 「Kin-chan…?」 「Oooooh! That’s Ki-kun for you! No matter when, you always manage to seize the opportunity, you lucky bastard!」 「…」 Aria struck me on the head with a double *Thump!* with the back of both her swords, then as a final blow, the stock of a Dragunov whacked me on the top of a head like a Whac-A-Mole as I sat inside the vehicle. Wh-what just happened intensified my Hysteria mode… but you didn’t have to hit me on the head! Although Shirayuki did treat me, I was just shot. **************************************************** Our final gambit in this tanker-jacking–removing the explosives. Heading toward the Orcus, myself from Baskerville and Jinyan from Rampan boarded it. In order to protect all of the people of Hong Kong, in both name and in actuality, distinctions of friend and enemy have disappeared. …*Ka-click!*… As soon as the Orcus’ hatch closed, it instantly became dark and a camera view of the outside displayed on the interior wall. Sensibly, the entire front section was made to look like it was made of glass. Outside, the west side of Victoria Bay and the ICC building stood out. If we crash into that, it will be the end of the story. Jinyan put up a timer on the display indicating how much time was left until detonation– there’s 6 minutes 52 seconds left. 「Hawf-Sky Monitor, functioning. Pwease open the oil tank hatch.」 In a voice with some heat directed towards me , Jinyan passed me the internal intercom. 『Roger. Opening now!』 Aria’s anime voice came back over the intercom. On the monitor, Aria, Shirayuki, Reki, and Kou worked together to turn and open the valve– It was shaped like a large man-hole cover, and they opened the fourth, central tank. As soon as they opened the huge cover, they all moved away as fast as they could. Inside the tanker, it’s filled with toxic, volatile petroleum and inert gases. 「From here on, open flames are prohibited.」 『I know that, you lecher!』 Why are you accusing me of doing something like that now, Aria? 『Riko, activate the hoist winch!』 Aria shouted at the crane overhead– With a rumbling sound, Riko lifted the Orcus. Jinyan and I are in our seats and facing downwards. Then, careful not the hit the edges, the crane carefully and slowly lowered the Orcus into the tank. Although it was covered in paint, the Orcus was made of metal. If it were to hit, then sparks would fly–there would be a sudden flash– then *Boom!* 「–!」 All of a sudden, Jinyan, myself, and everyone else gasped. The wind had gusted and pushed the Orcus to hit the opened oil tank’s cover. That was exceptionally hard. But… w-we’re alright. There doesn’t appear to have been any sparks. Even so… Jinyan stared at one portion of the screen, licking her lips. There, an indicator was getting smaller, one number at a time. 「Is something wrong?」 「Something is wong. But we hawve to keep going anyway.」 「Great.」 As we had this conversation… In the Orcus, Jinyan and I entered the pitch black oil tank where any human would quickly be overcome by the noxious gases and pass out. 『Jinyan, are you alright? The airtight seal isn’t broken, is it?』 Aria asked, but Jinyan…didn’t answer. 「The air is great.」 I answered for her. No matter what, we have to keep going. Further into this cursed water. With an oily slurp, the tip of the Orcus broke the surface of the oil. Maintaining its viscosity as we sank, there was a peculiar pressure exerted on the entire shell of the craft. 「It’s very… sticky. I wonder if we’ll sink all the way to the bottom?」 「The Shima Hari was cawing Indonesian Minas field oil. It’s pawaffin based cwude with a high viscosity, while the specific gwavity is low. Thewe’s almost no wesitance. Don’t worry.」 Jinyan explained as we continued to be lowered. Even with lights on, our field of view was limited to 30 cm. An inside the oil… it was hot. The oil probably retained the heat from the extraction process. It was probably about 25 degrees. *Creak!*… At a strange noise from the hull, I furrowed my brow– 「In owder to acheive speed, the Owcus sacwificed pwessure wesistance. Uwsually, the fwame is covewed in evapowated seawater, and it cwuises at a shawow depths. It was never intened to diwve deep.」 「What kind of pressure was it designed for?」 「2 atmowsphewes.」 「What are we at now?」 「2.3 atmowsphewes. Nowmally, the tanker will maintaiwn the density of the cwude oil, but undouwtedly the pwessure regwulator has been shut off in owder to help dispewse the oil. As we diwve, the pwessure will only increase.」 With a *Thud!*… several times, the Orcus collided with the reinforcement struts on the inside of the oil tank. Each time it happened an overwhelming chill gripped my insides, but finally… with a *Ka-Thunk!*…the Orcus finally returned to the original angle as when we boarded. We reached the bottom of the tank. 「…」 But we could hardly see anything. At the very least, we couldn’t see the explosives from what was visible. There was a little more than 5 minutes remaining to detonation. Operating the manufacturing robot arm extending from the tip of the Orcus, Jinyan began groping around in the darkness… but it appears that there’s no response. 「Kinchi, what should we do…?」 I wanted to answer, but when I tried– I had this strange, choking feeling. I don’t think that it’s likely due to the heat. My vision began to swim. Rubbing my eyes, I noticed my breath becoming heavy…and Jinyan said: 「Wight now, insiwde the Orcus.. there isn’t any oxygen! Back when it was shot… That… ha!…must hawve… ha!… been when it bwoke!」 Is that… the reason for the choking? In exchange for its incredible abilities, it is quite a fragile vehicle. My consciousness was hazy– but I pressed my right hand, right ear, and right hand to the inside of the Orcus. Then with my left hand… *Bam!* Bam!* Bam!*… I struck the inner wall in a regular pattern like a submarine’s sonar. I concentrated on the echo… I strained all my nerves in Hysteria Mode, pouring all my focus into my sense of hearing. Aria, Shirayuki, Hilda, Riko, Reki, Kou, Shokatsu, and Rampan– They all have formed a relay chain leading to coming home alive. And the anchoring member… that is my role…! 「Kin..chi…」 Jinyan spoke faintly, due to the lack of oxygen. With a *Drip!* *Drip!*, beads of sweat from the heat dropped from my forehead. The explosives– they’ve got to be here. They’re definitely somewhere around here. I believe in Shirayuki and Hilda. The echoes… were indistinct. But maybe… 「Back on the right side… Jinyan. at five o’ clock… Put the arm there. Just do it…!」 Holding my breath, I whispered close into Jinyan’s ear. Fading in and out of consciousness… even while unable to see the monitor… Jinyan operated the grasping arm, moving it through the crude oil. She mustered the last of her strength. But even so, the tip of the arm just waved through empty space. There’s only 3 minutes left until detonation…! It no good. We can’t go back now; the explosion would happen while we are being pulled out. …It has to be here…! I squeezed my eyes shut for a moment. With the robotic arm stretched out to its full reach– suddenly…. there was a *Clang!*…and contact. There was something on the bottom of the tank. Even though we couldn’t see it. …Is it magnetic…? It was magnetic. The explosives were definitely attached to the bottom of the tank with magnets. The magnets had caught the robot arm. 「G-grab it, Jinyan!」 I managed to choke out those words, but Jinyan– had already fainted. Trying to imitate what I had seen her do, I placed my hand over hers and gripped the control yoke– 「…!」 Do I have the explosives? I’m not sure. There’s no way to tell for sure. 「Up…!!!」 I managed to gasp into the microphone– as I fainted in a wave of nausea. — —- I felt like… someone was holding me… Something smelled awfully nice. I wouldn’t use these words, but it was a beautiful scent. It was the scent of Gardenia flowers– 「…A…Aria…?」 「You’re awake! Take deep breaths.」 Upon opening my eyes, I found myself face up with my head resting in Aria’s lap. Reki was holding a pump-style oxygen respirator to my mouth. In the Orcus, I couldn’t feel the breeze– Now I’m on the deck of the ship, under the night sky. And standing near everyone else was a large guy… 「Tankers are great, huh, Kinji! Of all boats, they’re my favourite!」 …Mu-Mutou…? He had come on the same Caravan II trip as us, LOGI’s Mutou Gouki– With a Butei High blazer draped over a shoulder, he surveyed the deck happily. 「…!」 Panicking, I raised my upper body and saw Jinyan further up the deck. As she suddenly collapsed with her eyes rolling back, Kou applied an oxygen mask. Noticing that I had sat up, however, she took out and spread feminine looking fan with a『Cao』character written on it from her sleeve and flourished it. The lid to the oil tank was already closed, but above it– The Orcus and explosive dangled like linked sausages from the crane. It seems that the robot arm was stronger than I thought, the tip of it having wrenched the explosives free–but they appeared to have been cleaned off because it looked like it was covered in water instead of oil. Sitting on a constructed bamboo scaffolding with a dismantled detonator taken from the long tubular explosives in one hand and flashing a peace sign with the other– was AMDO’s Hiraga-san…! 「H-how did you get here…Mutou?」 「You called me. We got a call in the eating house, and it didn’t even take 5 minutes to get a car from the Hong Kong Yakuza and drive over. All of a sudden there was a tanker there. You owe me for the shumai. Oh, Ansai and Katori got the engines stopped. By the way, we’re still inching forward. We’re still moving forward under inertia. We might hit just a little bit.」 Holding the mobile that was used to contact him in hand, Mutou grinned. The shoreline was very close. We were close enough to pick out the individual windows in the 118-storey ICC building. If I had to guess… the Shima Hari had slowed but was still moving forward at a rate between 1-2 knots. There’s no way to avoid collision with the shore. 「What’s that face for? This tanker is about as sturdy as a warship. The front edge is about the only thing that will collapse inward. It won’t sink, you know.」 Mutou said this as the ship continued ploughing forward… *Boom!*…! That sound came from the bow of the ship. Splinters burst up into the sky from the bow because Rampan’s members had figured out the spot where it would hit and threw all kinds of wood down to cushion the blow. Trees bobbed up like ocean buoys . 「–We’re docked! That wasn’t so bad.」 Mutou said from one knee– …*Cre~ak!*… A deep sound reverberated through the ship’s hull. It was… like a slight tremor. Aria and the rest looked nervous and almost lost their footing due to the jolt. The collision was not enough to destroy the hull, though. As for the tanker– –It finally came to a rest, stopped by Hong Kong itself. ************************************************** A ladder was extended from the docked ship… And a bunch of Hong Kong police and officials bustled onboard. I expected there to be a misunderstanding and to be arrested, but instead they bowed to us from the ladder. Shokatsu must have gotten in contact with the police. It looks like Rampan has members within the police force. Several dozen police officers bowed to the 5 of us from Baskerville as we climbed down to Kowloon– Raising a victory cry, all the people of Hong Kong cheered us. The tanker had now come to a complete halt. What comes after… I’ll leave it to Mutou’s group, the police, and harbour officials. Mutou looked happy… but I don’t want to ride on a tanker again. Right now, I want to take care of my stomach. Thinking back, I haven’t eaten anything since noon. 「–Tohyama-san. Things appear to have worked out well.」 Turning toward the voice, I saw Shokatsu had also come ashore. The Koko sisters too. 「Thank-you, Shokatsu. It was all due to the extra time that your direction of the fleet gave us.」 「By no means! I did nothing. Be that as it may, you are definitely not an ordinary person, Tohyama-san.」 Eyes sparkling at Shokatsu’s praise, next to me Shirayuki nodded deeply in agreement. 「…I said it back on the North Point highway. I’m just a high school student.」 As I said that, Riko burst into laughter. From Riko’s shadow cast by the street lamps… even Hilda raised a hand to her mouth and smiled. –*Plop!* *Pl–pl-plop!* The Koko sisters who I couldn’t tell apart from each other, lined up in a row in front of Baskerville– All together, they knelt on the spot. Then striking their opposite palm with a fist, they gave a Chinese warrior style salute. 「 Shei shei– shei shei. Thank-you, Kinchi. Thank-you, Awia.」 What appeared to be a teary-eyed Jinyan lowered her head to Aria and me. Meimei to Shirayuki, Paonyan to Riko, and Juujuu to Reki– they each bowed their heads deeply. As each of them spoke, Aria said… 「Kinji.」 While everyone’s attention was diverted from me, she stepped close and stretched up on tiptoe to whisper in my ear. 「…Thank-you. For having my back on the tanker.」 Back to back. We began the fight during the tanker-jacking in that position. Alright. The one thing that I want to do right now is treat this rich girl Aria to an extravagant meal. What about… my Hysteria Mode? Is this an after effect? I get the feeling… that just a bit of it is left. In what might have been the last bit, a pick-up line was wrung out. 「Your thanks are unnecessary. My reason for living– is to protect Aria. I want to protect you after this as well. Always…」 「…Kyaa!…」 Standing beside and looking up at me, Aria’s anime voice escaped her throat. I pressed in closer. Aria suddenly blushed red. Then being slightly pushy, I said– 「–So after this, go on a date with me.」 「Wh-wha!?」 「Didn’t we make a promise? To have a meal together at the ICC? Although we are about 3 days late.」 I said with a wink–and as her camellia eyes widened into perfect circles… Aria gulped several times. I am just doing as I was told, like I always do. She had already made dinner reservations. So that settled it–right? With a gurgle, my stomach growled just then… Huh. I wonder if that line was a bit much being abroad. ************************************************ Why the heck am I next to the same sumo wrestler again…!? It appears that the wrestler was booked on the same return flight, and my body was contorted like a woodwork mosaic. 2 This Economy Class seat is more cramped than the Orcus. In the end, we got back to the ICC’s top floor, where the bar restaurant OZONE was located– But the elegant meal that I wanted to share with Aria didn’t happen. First, the members of Baskerville arrived. Then the upper level executives of Rampan… to say nothing of the swarms of organisational members that showed up. After that, the 4 members of Carrier GA. Why are all these people here? It seemed like the rumour of a runaway tanker had spread throughout Hong Kong, and we were generously allowed to eat at the lavish Ritz Carlton– however, that news reached us only second-hand because everyone wanted to eat. Before I noticed, it turned into a high-spirited party. It was the first time I’d been to a Christmas Party. Shirayuki hovered by my side the whole time, singing my praises, which made Aria mad when she saw it, and Riko and the Koko sisters caused a ruckus by twirling and dancing an AKB48 3 routine. Apparently knowing how to play the piano, Shokatsu provided the accompanying music. Reki was the only one who was quiet, sitting on the terrace hugging her knees and staring off into the starry sky. Having consumed copious amounts of Shaoxing wine and performing an original striptease called『Run-over Ondo』 4 that would be an embarrassment to Japan if it came to light, was Mutou acting like an idiot with Hiraga-san and Kazumi Katori Next to them, Anzai was decimating the food on the sushi train and piling up such a stack of plates that it astonished the waiter. Well… it looks like Hong Kong wants to make a lively end to our last night here. That has to be a good thing. After that, I returned to my small, humid business hotel… then waking up after collapsing like a log, I realised I had to catch the bus to the airport. Up until the very end, I wasn’t able to eat authentic ramen. But that’s fine, I guess. Just like my father bequeathed the million dollar nightscape to me– If I ever have a child, I’ll bequeath them Hong Kong ramen. 「Bwahaha! Look, Aria, they have food too! It’s all you can eat moon cakes!」 The one being loud and disruptive up in First Class… was Riko. After the party, she had stayed up all night and headed over to Macau… She stayed in the casino until the morning and made a killing. Seemingly wanting to enjoy herself right up until the last minute, I was worried that she might miss the aeroplane. Back at the boarding gate she had shown us a casino brochure, and the image of their mascot was a girl in a kimono. I think that she resembled someone from a crime syndicate that I had recent dealings with: the former head of the now defunct Kagataka Family, Kikuyo Kagataka-chan. Speaking of Kikuyo, she had said that she had invested in a Macau casino. The wide world is actually a small place. Due to Rampan’s influence, all news of the tanker-jacking was suppressed… and news of a runaway tanker was reported instead. I couldn’t read the Chinese newspaper very well, but I picked out the kanji for『Japanese Butei played a very active role』written there. I’m sure it something unfortunate that Mutou would have written. My companions’ power was enough to defeat Rampan… And not only that, but to also push Katze and Patra back… And so, the curtain fell on the success of my first trip abroad. I can call it that, can’t I? But– it was already too late. An issue has already manifested. Our internal problem. [END] ************************************************ 1. Actual term is ‘Showa era’ (1926-1989) 2. Original is Yosegi, a type of Japanese woodworking style popular in the Edo period. 3. Japanese idol group that does synchronised dancing routines. 4. ‘Ondo’ is a style of Japanese folk music often performed at cultural festivals. You can Google for some examples. ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### 002. Bullet 2: Enable and Diamond Dust — Constellation Chapter 2: Enable and Diamond Dust–Constellation [START TEXT] On the morning of December 26th, I returned to a severely cold Japan– Shirayuki left Haneda to perform the New Year’s Shinto Ceremony at the Hotogi Shrine in Aomori, Aria had made prior arrangement with her lawyer in Liancheng County to take her from Shimbashi to Toranomon, Riko had plans to attend a comic festival in Daiba, so everyone split off in their own direction. Everyone has a lot of stamina… Only Reki and I stuck together and picked up Haimaki from the underclassman that Reki had left him with and headed back to our normal Butei High routine. Afterwards, I was exhausted and collapsed on my bed and fell asleep. The next morning– despite the fact that we didn’t have any regularly scheduled classes, I headed to MASTERS accompanied by Reki. At the end of each term, all kinds of assorted important information is posted on the MASTERS’ bulletin board. Especially a list of student notices and a summary of those with insufficient academic credits that need to be addressed. Back during the first term, I got a insufficient credit notice, so I just wanted to check and make sure everything was okay… good. My name wasn’t on it. Most of my credits from East Ikebukuro High must have transferred. Huh…? I suddenly noticed something on the student notice list,『Jeanne D’Arc, 2nd year, Class B, Special Topic, (INFORMA)』… It was Jeanne’s name! She must have gotten a notice. What could have happened with her? Well, I’m sure it will all work out. Then I started looking at the rankings for the results of the General Studies final examination that we took back before Caravan II. 2nd year… Tohyama… Tohyama… I looked for my name. 126th… just above average? Resolving a hijacking incident, a one-on-one battle on a nuclear submarine, beating the heck out of an American human weapon, disbanding a Japanese and Hong Kong branch of the yakuza, and yet–my grades were barely above average. But this is a stunning accomplishment. Until now, I have been firmly below average. When compared with Butei High, the classwork at East Ikebukuro was higher level. In particular, my Maths grade has increased. And yet, my mood didn’t really improve. In terms of scholastic ability, Butei High is on the lower end, so I’m still below the general average. Especially in Health and Physical Education. I just barely avoided a failing grade. My usual bad habit was to read the question and twirl my pencil around to guess the answer, but this time I don’t think that I relied all that much on my pencil. Afterwards…I looked to check who were in the top ranks in order to see who I could ask for help studying. In the den of idiots that is Butei High, the majority of smart people are from CONNECT and MEDICA. However, I had few friends there, so I looked at the top of the ASSAULT rankings. Ranked 11th overall was Ryou Shiranui. In the top 10 and ranked higher, I had a few acquaintances. Watson-kun-chan was 9th. A regular member of the best 3, Shirayuki Hotogi, was ranked 2nd this time. Who was in 1st place this term–? I checked the name, just out of curiosity. 『1st place, Moe Mochizuki』…! ************************************************************* I didn’t see that, just now…! To escape reality, I took Reki with me out the MASTERS door, intending to shut myself up in the gaming arcade. Then we crossed the street to the plaza across the street– There, some girls were playing two base baseball 1 with a fake hand grenade and a second-hand RPG-7 launcher. 2 These idiots… You shouldn’t be so physically active in Butei High’s short skirts! It’s a problem for people with my condition. What’s more, doing that in front of MASTERS is pretty reckless. If a home run breaks a window, you’ll get a bullet in exchange for your ball! At least a magnum bullet, at worst an anti-tank rocket. Ever since I was born, the worst possible things have happened while I was watching… *Fwack!* The stupid girls hit a foul ball that flew away from me. –! It’s… going to hit another girl who was standing by the front gate. If it was a Butei High student– then due to the routinely grueling training that they undergo, they’d be able to dodge flying objects and other dangerous things, but this girl didn’t move out of the way. She didn’t even try to catch it, but held her hands close to her mouth, breathing on them to warm them. She didn’t even notice. It was a fake hand grenade filled with sand, and it didn’t have that much power behind it… but it’s still made of metal. It has a pin too. If it hits at the wrong angle, it could stick her with it and cause a serious injury. I– ran the short distance, and *Plop!* Caught the metal ball. 「Oh! So~rry!」 The idiot girl from the softball club apologised from a distance… I should be mad at them, but I’m not. In the first place, they’re Butei, so they’re idiots, and these girls only prove that general rule. I’ll allow for the idiocy. But this kind of carelessness is no good. You’ll lose your life like this, as a Butei. Turning to the clueless girl, 「Oi! You! Butei should pay more attention!」 As I scolded her…*Twist!* Seeming not to have understood my admonition, the girl with the bob cut turned, her fluffy hair flaring slightly.–and the girl– 「…Tohyama-kun!」 Her soft, double-lidded eyes spread wide… her face lit up. The girl wore a well-fitted Butei High sailor suit– 「…M…Moe, Mochizuki…!」 In shock at the hard reality suddenly thrust before me, I spoke the girl’s full name. 「I’m so happy! You remembered!」 For some reason, I got the feeling that Reki was ignoring her… Did you ambush me here? Is that what happened? That makes me the careless one. Just then–*Screech!*… A Toyota Century ran up the street to the side entrance of MASTERS. Splashing Moe with a bit of water from a puddle, from the car, 「–Apologies, Miss.」 The one who said that was a familiar skinhead man as he stepped out of the car. Wearing a purple round neck T-shirt and a thick 18 karat necklace, a black haori, and a tattoo at the base of his neck… A visible tattoo. He’s a yakuza. This guy…! He was one of the executives of the defunct Kagataka Family. The former pro-wrestler was not at the family mansion when the others executed their coup d’etat. Considering his fighting strength and his absence at that time, I thought that he must have been truly loyal to the former family head, Kikuyo Kagataka– From the backseat of the Century, 「Thank-you for your efforts, Tohyama…」 And… Kikuyo Kagataka… stepped out. She was once more clothed in a Butei High sailor suit. Wha!? Kikuyo…! 「Shouldn’t you have a different reaction for me than Moe?」 She said while winding a Bulgari scarf around her neck, and leaned slightly to the side. The other person standing directly in front of me and looking me in the eye, took my right hand in both of his and gave it a firm shake– 「Thank-you for taking care of that business in Hong Kong. Tohyama Nii-chan… what you did for Miss… what you did…」 『We were very fortunate to be able to count on you』, was what the yakuza seemed to say as he bowed his smooth head deeply. Shaking off his hands, I turned, reluctantly, toward Kikuyo… 「… Special topics course.」 Again, I heard something I didn’t want to. I prayed it was not a part of INQUESTA. Kikuyo addressed me, but then averted her gaze, looking very happy. 「– It’s a dual enrollment in LEZZAD and DAGULA. I’ll be around for a while. Call me if you have a job.」 Kikuyo… is becoming Tsuzuri’s student? Wah! That’s just too scary! It’s improbable that such a good girl as Moe and such a bad girl, who was a former yakuza family head, as Kikuyo would both be in Butei High. But Butei High is full of oddballs, and these are just some new oddballs. It’s probably because of me. When I turned toward Kikuyo, Moe puffed out her soft cheeks– 「Tohyama-kun! I joined AMBULANCE! And the brass band club!」 She excitedly told me about how she had been reborn as a Butei. 「Well, Kikuyo originally attended a Butei High affiliated middle school… But why in the world would such an ordinary person like you, Moe, come to such a trashy school…?」 Concerned about Moe’s position, I made a detesting face– 「That’s right! Even I said that such an immature woman has no place here.」 Turning a purely malicious glare toward Moe, Kikuyo put on the airs of a fellow Butei. 「B-but! If I left Kikuyo-chan alone with Tohyama-kun she might do indecent things, I wanted to stay with Tohyama-kun too, and Mama and Papa supported me, saying『Go after what you want, Moe.』, and Saki was happy too…」 After taking some time to list her personal justifications with upturned eyes, 「Then there’s Kikuyo-chan, who followed you here like a stalker! Like she likes you, or something!」 「I-idiot! It’s not like that! I came so that I wouldn’t lose to a respectable member of society like you!」 They were fighting about something. Rather, Moe… Did you just call a former yakuza family head ‘chan’…? Then, skillfully diverting the issue away from her own situation, she said something else that drew Kikuyo in. I get the feeling that this is well-suited to being a Butei. 「Hump! I even have Tohyama’s second button!」 With a voice one tone lower than that she used to speak to me, Moe took a provocative attitude toward Kikuyo… 「Hmm…」 *Rip!* Without warning, Kikuyo plucked the second button off of my uniform. 「Oh look! I have one too!」 「Cheater! Kikuyo-chan, you’re a cheater!」 「In LEZZAD, that’s a compliment. Moe, it’s not too late for you to run back to your nest. Even Tohyama said so. Just so you know, whenever I set my eyes on my prey, I always get it. 」 「Heh! So do I.」 「… I thought we felt the same way.」 「It appears so.」 Sullenly glaring at each other, there was this strange feeling of mutuality that felt like something out a short comedy act. What is this? Seriously, what is this…!? ***************************************************************** Immediately after returning to the country, I had spot of girl trouble that depressed me, and this was also followed up by a message from Watson. It was an invitation to a rehabilitation session. The message had a bomb and fork emoji. The『bomb fork』is a threat that if I refuse, she’ll make me eat a hand grenade. I have to go. It looks like the idiot has officially reserved ASSAULT training room Sigma. Training room Sigma is a mock-up of a cute female pop idol’s room. Ever since we were caught in the Fine Arts room by Kaname and Shiranui, I don’t know how she has the nerve to reserve such an obviously feminine room. Even now, Watson is still pretending to be male. Rather, what kind of training are 2 guys going to have in a training room mock-up of a girl’s room? What’s more you’re wearing a sailor suit. Needless to say, it will look like we’re 2 perverts, going into a room that looks like something Kyary Pamyu Pamyu 3 would use… Taking the role of a cute girl with a bob cut (even though she is actually a girl) , Watson was sipping tea and perusing a guide to Asakusa romantic sights to pass the time. 「Tooyama. I’m sorry, but my room is… messy.」 Using her usual ‘boku’ pronoun, Watson still has been active very feminine lately. From her expression, I got the feeling that I was being taken advantage of, as she blinked rapidly. 「You’re room isn’t messy is it? That’s not the reason you reserved this room.」 「You don’t know anything about rehabilitation, Tooyama. I don’t think that that is something you should say to a girl.」 Responding with some sharpness, Watson made a fist and spoke these few frightening words. Watson holds an amateur boxing certification. 「Well… I think you’ve had enough rehabilitation. I’m tired.」 「That’s alright. I’ll just have to have you meet me earlier then.」 She smiled broadly with her cute face… Why are you so cute? Weren’t you raised as a boy? Embarrassed, I avoided sitting next to Watson on the sofa by taking a seat in the chair by the writing desk– 「Say…Watson, can I ask you something? Something about England?」 I asked something casually that I had been wondering since before we got back to Japan. 「About England? Sure, are you trying to expand your horizons?」 「It’s not something that grand. Just some gossip. What I mean to say… back on I.U., Sherlock had sword he call a Scramasax. He called it the『Treasure of the British Empire』… do you know what it was called?」 「I do. You took the blade from Sherlock, didn’t you? It’s called『Excaliburn』. In Japan it would be called『Excalibur』; it’s a sword that is a national treasure.」 「…」 「Currently, I am working with MI6– Secret Intelligence Services, to determine Sherlock’s location.」 「……」 「However, as for myself… I don’t care for the Intelligence Services. Particularly the 00 series, whose intelligence gathering methods are quite violent, and who will kill their enemies quite readily unless they are British.」 「……….」 「However, ever since the collapse of I.U, I have been ignoring their question concerning Excalibur’s whereabouts. They’ve been relentless about it. So you should be careful that they don’t find out that you’ve been using it. So don’t let it get broken or destroyed. If that were to get out, James Bond would come and kill you.」 …Crap…! It’s been turned into a Christmas tree! I just left the Scramasax that used to be Excalibur on the roof of Rampan Castle. Or maybe it got blown off and fell into the ocean. It would be really bad for this to get out. The 00 series are the strongest agents in the world. It’s rumoured that they’re even too much for Japan’s Public Division 0’s Armed Prosecutors to handle. Even Hysteria Mode might not be enough. I have to make sure that doesn’t happen. I’ll play dumb my entire life. You have to feign ignorance your whole life, Kinji. 「Why is your face grey, Tooyama?」 「It’s getting grey.」 「Huh?」 「I-I… should get going soon. It’s getting late. I shouldn’t be in a girl’s room so late.」 Trying to escape before words failed me, I burst out with this made-up excuse as I stood to my feet– 「Tooyama, before you go, there’s one thing I want to say.」 「If it’s about the Scramasax, I don’t know anything!」 「It’s not about that! It’s about Katze.」 With that name, Watson stopped me from leaving. Katze Glacé. She challenged us in Hong Kong, GRENEDA’s Witch– Katze Glacé, a remnant of Nazi Germany. 「I hear from Aria…Katze lost easily to Rampan quickly. However, I don’t think it was that simple. From the timing and scale of her attack, I can show that her plans were simply premature.」 「… What is it you’re trying to say?」 「It’s something I don’t want to say. Someone might have leaked our plans.」 Aria– she said something like that as well. Back on the Shima Hari. So Holmes and Watson share the same suspicion, huh? 「Katze’s Regiment Hex, like the Vatican and Tamamo, are well versed in battle. They are also not fussy when it comes to doing whatever it takes to win. They may be attacking our weak point.」 「… I don’t like doubting my friends.」 「This isn’t about what you do or do not like. You’ve had a lot of victories. But those victories have made you conceited. Your enemies have taken advantage of the most simple, but effective means of employing a『spy』.」 The one who was also known as the Western Ninja, the highly decorated Liberty Mason operative, awarded for their experience, Watson– gave me a sharp look. 「FEW is an armed conflict. In this conflict, we are at a dangerous point where the balance of power has been destroyed. Assassination, betrayal, spying, these are things we must be prepared for.」 「The one who employs such petty tactics will eventually lose in the end. That’s how the world works.」 As I made it clear that I would not doubt my friends, Watson looked at me, clearly annoyed. Then, with a *Creak!*… she stood up from the sofa. 「Fine. So you’ll understand, I’ll explain it to you in terms of game.」 Then she walked over towards me and stood by the feminine writing desk. There was a cinnamon scent, and as she stood next to me…Watson drew out a piece of stationary and made something that looked like game cards. 「These cards stands for fighting strength.」 Using scissors and a felt tip pen, she drew Aria, Shirayuki and Riko… Katze and Patra’s faces on them and wrote a number on them, to represent their strength. They were quite a simply done caricatures, but I could easily tell who was who. Watson, you have the knack for art. She then took the deck and distributed all the members of DEEN and GRENEDA to their respective locations and strongholds… 「It’s quite advantageous for DEEN.」 「But what would happen if any of these cards changed sides? Riko, is a simple example.」 Taking Riko’s card, she placed in on GRENEDA’s side. That’d be bad! However… by moving the cards, Watson illustrated the danger. If Riko double-crossed us, then the considerably powerful Hilda would go over as well. Aria and I would then have two very dangerous enemies on our hands. Then if Katze and Patra advanced again to flank us… No good! 「Aria and you are weak to magic.」 Our number of allies had dwindled. But she was not finished– 「And Riko knows Jeanne’s techniques from her time at I.U. too. How unfortunate.」 That number dropped further. And so with merely one betrayal, Tokyo was put to a full rout. 「A traitor will definitely start by destroying one of their enemies. It will be a surprise attack..」 Taking Riko’s card, she turned Shirayuki’s card over, perhaps signifying death or merely inability to fight. 「And so Tokyo is practically annihilated. In that case, the Koko sisters and Kou will have to come.」 And that means that Hong Kong’s fighting strength… will be practically nonexistent. 「What would you do if Habi, LOO, or some other enemy attacked? There is the possibility that there is someone unknown with a greater amount of power. Regiment Hex isn’t just one person. They are all『Battle Witches』. Witches specialising in fighting. There are an unspecified number of potential players in FEW, and there are other war witches besides Katze that we may come in contact with. What if the number of enemy cards increase?」 「…」 「I’m only using the worst case to point out your conceit, and that whether it happens next month or next week, this is the reality.」 Having a falling out, betrayal… how many times have those happened in the past? With Riko, twice. Shirayuki, Aria, and Riko against Kaname. Even Aria and I had a real disagreement on I.U. Even Watson, originally, was an enemy. That’s to say nothing of Hilda and Rampan. I thought that we were all unified… but that kind of thinking may have been too shallow. As I remained silent, Watson’s fully feminine scent was fully noticeable– 「If someone does something strange, you have to be suspicious」 She whispered into my ear. I couldn’t even nod my head– but in my heart, I agreed. Someone does something strange…huh? But on the face of it, everyone is an eccentric. Especially Aria who will shoot for the offence of asking about Momoman「Aren’t they just Anmon 4 in a different shape?」She is the number one danger in my daily life. *************************************************************** –A traitor– The thought nauseated me as the second semester wound to an end… Headed out to my parents’ home in Sugamo for the New Year’s, my spirits lifted a little. Everyone in Baskerville was busy, so I arrived at the JR Line Sugamo station accompanied by the only one who was free, Reki, or Mint-chan Yada. The reason I took Reki with me– it was because it was going to be cold during the New Year Holiday break. I guessed that she was going to spend the time in her empty concrete room, and my grandfather and grandmother had taken a liking to her. I told her「Come」, and she said,「Ok」, agreeing readily. As we walked through a residential area, we saw people had already put up holiday decorations, and looking toward the children chasing after a soccer ball in the alleyway… 「…?」 There was an impossible car parked in a spot with metered parking! It had a futuristic, streamlined shape like a supercar. Putting a 100 yen coin into the meter, wearing a biker jacket… G-G-3…! Running into my younger brother making his end of the year visit to our parents’ home and sporting a Demon Kogure 5 hairstyle, I was struck dumb. 「Ooooniiiii-chaaaaan!」 With a *Thump!* and a *Squeeze!*, I was clung to from behind. Pressed up against my back, I could feel firm and elastic breasts– 「Ka-! Kaname…?」 「It was soooo easy to sneak up behind you! That’s noooo good, you know!」 Kaname then turned a beaming face up toward me. It appears the Tohyama house will be crowded for the holidays. 「Yo, Aniki! The other day…」 Noticing me, G-3 tramped over after finishing putting coins into the meter… he came over and slapped a hand on my shoulder. Then with a grin, he said, 「You beat Son to death for me, didn’t ya? Thanks!」 He gave this dangerous thanks. I’d just arrived in Sugamo, so I hadn’t told him… 「I didn’t… she’s actually harmless. I beat her laser, and she’s not your enemy anymore.」 I said slightly tired, and G-3 grinned broadly. He smiled, looking glad from the bottom of his heart. I wonder why my little brother seemed so happy. I’m guessing that『something』was the fact that a Tohyama『defeated the real Son Goku』. 「Actually, Kinzou, is that your car?」 「It’s a Koenigsegg Agera. It’s going to be revealed at the Geneva Motor Show in March next year. I bought the prototype.」 「That car is… a 100 million yen? What if you hit a light post?」 「If that happens, then I’ll just buy another.」 Wha! You’re treating a luxury car like a bicycle. Why did God give me a brother with such a disparity of wealth between us? ************************************************************ In the Tohyama household, it’s customary to make preparations for New Year’s a little early, then do nothing and just pass the time on New Year’s Eve. It was a precaution started by the Tohyama Family founder Kenshirou Tohyama because incidents are apt to occur around the New Year’s. Already having settled into my parent’s home, G-3 and Kaname were already making preparations under my grandfather’s direction. Kaname made a whole bunch of trips back and forth on her bicycle to buy all kinds of high quality foodstuffs. She was able to tell good fish from the bad, and her high-level skills shone through. In cleaning the toilets, bath, and other areas where water was involved, Kinzou proved surprisingly apt. He’s a tough guy who can just keep going if only he eats an infinite supply of tomatoes. The freeloader Reki proved skilled at sweeping and vacuuming the tatami mats. Even Haimaki weeded the garden. Using his mouth. He’s just a generally useful character. …And I took the easy jobs like feeding goldfish and beating out the futons, using my energy-saving technique to contribute to the spring cleaning. This year wasn’t so bad! But it was almost as if divine punishment struck later that night– My grandmother made steamed rice for mochi to eat during the New Year’s holiday… and G-3 pounded them with a mallet. That muscular monster put then into a mould and hit them, utilising the multi-century time-honoured method of a mortar. That was his job. And the only job left was that of the mortar tender kneading the mochi, which I did. These roles were written in the mouldy scroll containing the Tohyama Family Code, and I got stuck with that job. 6 News of my Beretta scholarship had leaked to my family via Kaname, who heard it from Tamamo, and they outrageously forced me to buy a mortar. I don’t even know if I can resell it. To think so would be optimistic. I bought it, of course, and it was expensive! There was no way I even dreamed that I would be using my Beretta scholarship to buy a mortar. Dammit! ************************************************** After spring cleaning was over, 「Paradise, sweet paradise…」 Breathing that out like an old man, I was soaking away my fatigue in the wooden tub that was pride of the Tohyama Family when– …*Sl-lide!*… I heard the sound of the bathhouse door opening. That was one syllable too much. There was someone on the other side of the frosted glass taking off a Butei High sailor suit uniform. What’s happening… Is this some kind of girl intruder event? It seems that my usual bad luck with girls is constantly in effect. However, due to that fact, I didn’t panic. The main principle behind the 5th Butei Article is taking initiative to win. I accordance with that, I immediately tried to escape! Then, I tried to open the window at the back of the bathhouse… H-huh? It won’t open! On the outside of the window, an X-shaped, cloth-like object was stuck, blocking it. Th-this is… P-Fiber, one of Kaname’s scientific blades…! Oh no! Loss of initiative has led to defeat…! *Slide!* 「Oniiichaaaan!」 She’s here! She came in! Kaname was smiling! Despite that I am used to this sort of behaviour to some degree from Shirayuki and Reki, the fact that this person is my sister– there is a certain level of urgency that is not comparable. What’s more, Kaname grew up in America. Without hiding her chest with her arms, she completely exposed everything. 「–Wh-why did you come here!」 Her feet tap-tapping on the slatted wooden floor… it goes without saying, she was stark naked. Despite the fact that she was young, she was in that crucial stage where a child’s body is becoming a woman’s. Also, even though she was still developing, the roundness of her breasts and buttocks were clearly very feminine. Her cherubic innocence was refreshing and pure, but she still distinctly possessed a woman’s body. What further corrupted that image was the fact she was my younger sister… That certainly had a huge influence on the morality of the situation…! If the important bits hadn’t been covered by the steam, suicide by handgun in Hysteria Mode was definitely an option. But even if I had shot myself in the head, I wouldn’t have died. That was already demonstrated yesterday when Katze shot me. 「Say, is there a girl’s scent on your body?」 「H-huh?」 「So I’ll wash it off and replace it with my own.」 Ignoring all the objections I wanted to make to Kaname’s first and last statements–*Plop!* Immediately acting to hide the important bits, I just barely made it in time… and I knelt on one knee in the bath to submerge my lower body. 「Besides, shouldn’t family members get along well together in the bath? Hmm?」 Kaname had already walked up right in front of me with the expert gait of a Kendo master. My sister was at the front gate, and a scientific blade at the back. 7 Although my younger sister is really a beautiful girl, why does she have to have such a vexing thought process…!? 「That may be, but an older brother in high school and a younger sister in middle school shouldn’t be there together. It’s basic common sense!」 「This is beyond common sense. So, Onii-chan, will you hold me?」 Kaname entered the bath with both arms spread wide. No!!! I won’t hug you!!! Hide your breasts!!!, is what I wanted to say, but there’s no way that a normal person can with against a Genion in a battle of persuasion… so before she would hug me, 「Waa!」 She cried as I clapped my hands in front of her face. 8 With no room on her left or right, her one leg caught on the edge of the tub and as her feet slipped– in my slightly hysterised state, I was able to suss out the escape route, –Hidden Forest! I used the Tohyama Family secret technique to slither beneath the enemy and upset their footing and get behind Kaname. 『Twisting my body to creep over the edge of the bathtub and pass under my younger sister’s thigh』is how I would describe what I did. Then I snatched up my clothes, and like a shinkansen– exiting the bath, I blitz through to the changing room, to the corridor, and reached my room. For Kaname, in that instant she blinked, some sort of unknown technique would have occurred… and it would seem as if I had suddenly disappeared from before her eyes. Kaname. At its root, the Tohyama Family techniques are not something that someone can take you by the hand and teach. They are something that you must learn by imitation. If you let this opportunity slip by– Then you still have a long way to go and are not aware enough to be a member of the Tohyama Family. ********************************************************* And so, in accordance with the usual nonsense, I awoke on New Year’s Eve to the very unpleasant『Sister Alarm』of a bullet striking a frying pan in close proximity to my ear. Today’s a holiday. Seeing as I hadn’t had to engage in close combat for quite a while, I planned to pass the day peacefully… Reki and Grandma were sitting at a kotatsu drinking tea, Kinzou was in the greenhouse with Grandpa digging up tubers, and Kaname was giving Haimaki a ride on her P-Fiber and making him fly. This was how the Tohyama family was going to end the year… We’d watch the 60th NHK New Year’s singing contest 9 while eating New Year’s soba. 10 「This New Year’s is lively.」 「Isn’t it, now?」 My grandparents remarked leisurely. Even so… everyone gathered to eat together is quite a sight to behold. A former presidential bodyguard, human weapon, and an S-ranked sniper, all sat around a low table, eating soba and watching the singing contest–all on the living room tatami in this little bungalow in Sugamo. I wonder what Nii-chan is doing… I thought that as I blew on my soba to cool it. 「Oooh…!」 Looking at the television, G-3 was impressed by Yukiko Kobayashi’s giant robot-like costume. He is capable of being stirred by the aesthetics of things, and he bears the singular trait that both the arts and Fine Arts can trigger his Hysteria Mode. Right now, I get the feeling that he is hysterising. Yukiko Kobayashi has you really worked up, Kinzou. 「Yum! Onii-chan, if you’re not going to eat your shrimp, then I will!」 「Hey now!」 Mercilessly stealing the shrimp tempura that I was saving for later, Kaname took my favourite homemade dish that my grandmother made. Reki ate in her usual endless manner, devouring bowl after bowl of soba. After that the ‘Out with the old, in with the new’ program 11 started… With too much free time on her hands, Kaname glommed on to me, causing all kinds of problems. Reki, meanwhile, glared at her somewhat sharply for some reason. G-3, meanwhile was taking huge mouthfuls out of a tomato– 「Kaname, if you could, you’d do the same things with your Onii-chan that his girlfriend would. Haha! 」 G-3 said, mixing in a lecherous grin. Oh, now there’s a dangerous topic now, isn’t it… No sooner had I thought that, than Kaname was staring into my eyes a second later. 「Hm? Girlfriend? A little sister is all you need, isn’t that right?」 My spine froze at her all too serious reply. 「But Moe-san and Kikuyo-san have recently come back into Kinji-san’s life.」 Reki, you…! Although you haven’t said much the entire time we’ve been here, why are you tattling on me now!? 「I knew it! Moe Mochizuki and Kikuyo Kagataka? I thought I smelled something the first day you got here. What do you have to say, Onii-chan?」 *Whoomph!* Still smiling, Kaname elbowed me in the ribs, fracturing them. What’s more, from the way she called out their full names, I get the feeling that she’s carried out a secret investigation on both of them. 「Tch! They’ve probably come to try and steal Onii-chan from me…」 「I’m sure I don’t know what you are talking about…」 Somewhat frightened by my little sister, I used a more respectful tone, and it was with such an unintentionally unfortunate feeling that the new year came. Farewell. To the good and the bad… rather the bad and the bad, of the previous year. ******************************************************* We heard the 108 bell tolls at Kougan-ji Temple. 12 At the beginning of the day, it’s our tradition to go around say『Happy New Year』to everyone at midnight before going to bed. However, it appeared that my grandfather intended to hold a one-man meeting of the Gravure Appreciation Society now that my grandmother was headed to go to bed, so he left for a separate storage room, carrying the erotic book. I changed into my pyjamas, and as I ran around trying to escape from Kaname who wanted to sleep together… It was just after New Year’s, and I came across G-3 in the living room wearing BDU’s– he also wore a biker jacket and was putting on matte black body armour. 「…Kinzou, It’s the dead of night. Where are you going?」 「I was contacted by the CIA. I’ve got to go– I’m headed to Area 51—part of Edwards Air Force Base.」 「Where is that?」 「Southern Nevada state」 「Where is Nevada?」 G-3 answered me angrily. 「It’s one of the military bases in the 50 states! Don’t you know that! I learned about it in kindergarten!」 He roared, but kindergartens that teach such things don’t exist in this country. Probably. 「Unlike my Aniki, I’m a popular person who’s done all kinds of work here and there. This is something that might impact your near future. So I’m going to check it out first.」 「.. I don’t really understand, and I don’t know what the US military might do. Be careful.」 「You too, Aniki! You’re fighting against Nazi survivors, right?」 「Yeah. They’re called Regiment Hex. I have enemies all over too. After the surprise attack in Hong Kong, the enemy disappeared into hiding. But you don’t have to lend a hand this time, alright? This time, they’re my enemy.」 — I had difficulty lying to him, but… Whenever G-3 and I tag-team, there’s always the risk that he’ll try to show something off to me, and make a mistake. Back with Son, he came this close to dying, and it’s an ironclad Butei rule that when a big mistake happens, the pair shouldn’t be so quick to work together shortly afterwards. 「.. Groups with Nazi heritage exists in Europe, naturally, but also in South America, the Middle East, Africa, and all over the world. However, their overall coordination is not great. The NSDP disbanded a long time ago, and Hitler is gone. So each group has a tendency to remain scattered.」 Likely bearing the same rule in mind, G-3 only briefly conveyed the intelligence. Then while rubbing the back of his head in a gesture similar to my own… 「However, whichever Nazi survivor you fight, they may seem small and insignificant, but if you underestimate them–you’ll find your feet swept out from under you and the tables turned. It’s the same with Al-Qaeda. Falling into traps, even the US Special Forces survival rate is only about 50%. You’ll be careful, right?」 Urging me to vigilance, he clapped me on the shoulder with his artificial left arm. ******************************************************* When I got up on New Year’s Day, G-3 was already gone… Kaname was wearing a set of fine clothes apparently brought by the underlings that came to meet with G-3, and Grandmother had done up her hair. It was a kimono with a spring pattern of white and peach-coloured camellia flowers and cherry blossoms, giving an overall childish impression. In a nightingale in the snow pattern–which she had apparently prepared beforehand, Reki was wearing a smart outfit. We had made plans for our first shrine visit at the end of the year… however, my grandfather had stayed up all night in the storage room and caught a cold, so my grandmother postponed her visit in order to go with him. And so, I found myself taking Kaname and Reki. I was wearing a new uniform for the first time. Hikawa Shrine is patronised by Butei, so we headed to Ueno on the Yamanote Line… at the station, Reki said that she had something to do and disappeared for a bit. This was where I met Aria on the day of the Summer Festival near the giant panda, and Kaname and I waited a while for Reki. On New Year’s Day, the morning air was bracing–and in her flashy new kimono, my younger sister no doubt stood out as very pretty. Giving off the aura of a beautiful girl to be admired, her attractive looks gave no hint of a single thorn. Her chestnut hair and deep-sea coloured eyes suited her kimono quite well. Kaname twirled beside me. Feeling my eyes resting on her, she turned to face me. 「Japanese winters are cold, aren’t they, Onii-chan?」 Then she clung to my arm with a smile. I felt a *Squish!* on my arm, and the sensation of Kaname’s water pillow-like breasts– It is a Hysteria Mode hazard unique to kimono that you do not have to wear underwear with them. Crap! 「H-hey! Let go! It’s weird for brothers and sisters to interlock arms.」 The passersby were mistaking our relationship as brother and sister for that of a couple and grinning…and so, embarrassed, I shook Kaname off. Unperturbed, however Kaname kept smiling. 「Onii-cha~n, that’s illogical. Big brothers and little sisters are the smallest social unit. They share the same blood, and are a man and woman, so them being together is the most natural thing. After all, historically–」 –She babbled on such amazing nonsense. Finally, with one finger extended, she arrived at the well-reasoned conclusion that『Older brothers and younger sisters should love each other』 After listening for some minutes… it seemed, to make some sense, it feels somewhat logical? Should I go and put Kaname in my family register right now? 13 Just then I noticed–I know what this is. It’s mentalism. In short, brain-washing, mind control. This girl has the nerve to use it on her own brother. I can’t give this Genion any openings. Shocked back to reality– 「Happy New Year, Kinji.」 「I wish you a Happy New Year, Kin-chan. Please have a good year.」 「Yahoo, Ki-kun! Happy Ne~w Year!」 「…」 Before I realised it, Aria, Shirayuki, Riko, and Reki has showed up. Like Reki, they were each dressed in their best kimonos. It seems Reki made plans in advance to meet up for the first shrine visit of the year. 「Shirayuki had to come from the Hotogi shrine in a jet helicopter. Makieda-san was difficult.」 Shaking her head from side to side in exasperation, Aria’s kimono was red, white, and pink cherry patterned in a modern style. The kimono was unexpectedly flattering to her Western figure, but this was a fact that was proven with Aria (who was 3/4 Japanese) at the summer festival. But at a glance, it looks like she is on her way to one of the 7-5-3 shrine visits. 14 「So, Kin-chan, I’d be glad… to visit the shrine with you.」 Turning red as she stood beside me, Shirayuki’s kimono was patterned with snow crystals, cranes, the seven Buddhist treasures, small mallets, and cloves in a classical style. They were arranged in a lucky pattern. As expected of a Classical Japanese beauty. In that kimono, she was extremely sexy… and I started turning red. Between Aria and Shirayuki, they both present a problem. Befitting the first visit of the year to a shrine, they were immaculately dressed. 「Hey! Look, look, Ki-kun! It’s the year of the tiger, so look! Tiger!」 But then there was Riko. That girl was just hopeless. She was wearing some kind of Lolita kimono. Slapping her obi, there was some kind of tiger character embroidered on it. The bottom of her kimono ended at miniskirt length and was frilled. Moreover, she had side hoops the swelled the skirt, striped tights, and was wearing thick soled shoes. However… as someone who is wearing a bulletproof uniform, I have no room to say anything about proper clothing. So I’ll let it pass. It suits her, anyway. *************************************************************** Although Hikawa shrine was relatively out of the way, it was in a good location. While lining up in front of the shrine for 5 minutes… 「You bow twice, clap twice, then bow once. What is more important than the etiquette, though is your heart.」 While being instructed by the teacher Shirayuki, the six people of Baskerville + Kaname followed along and began to pay their respects. The girls rang the large bell and tosses coins into the large offertory box… with their eyes closed, they all made earnest requests. I don’t know what they were asking for, but it was cute to watch. Well, should I make a request? As a Butei, luck is important… Alright then. I’ll splurge on an offering. I boldly took out a 500 Yen coin from my wallet. But… the offertory box is a bit far. In the lineup, I had been pushed to the far right end due to the egoism of the Baskerville girls. 500 Yen is a lot to lose and, it cannot be recovered if it misses the box. At this angle, I feel like it would bounce off the slats. How inconvenient. Thinking that, looking in front me to the right side of the main offertory box… there were loops of red and white cord and two smaller offering boxes. Then I’ll just put it in there. Alright, I’ll just put it in. Ring the bell at the end, put the offering in, and clap hands– …Uh, please help with my girl problems. And if you are related to Tamamo the kitsune who is haunting me, please exorcise her. I made my request from the bottom of my heart, as Shirayuki had said, then slightly off to the side of the shrine… 「So, I’ll take what you have for me now, Kinji」 「…?」 Aria held out both her empty hands. Shirayuki did so as well nervously, Riko gleefully, Reki unconsciously, and Kaname did so smilingly. They held out their hands out in a『I’ll take it now』pose. 「What do you mean?」 「It’s called a New Year’s gift, I think? In Japan, it’s customary to give a present for New Year’s, isn’t it?」 You girls…! Now that I pay more attention to it, they must have conspired together, and in the sleeves of their fine kimonos I can see part of handguns and a sniper rifle peeking out. They clearly demonstrated their intention to shoot first and pressed this arrogant scheme– 「Uh, well, about Kin-chan’s gift, I will also…. Ta…Tama…Tamamo-sama!?」 Shirayuki’s words were diverted mid-sentence. Her eyes wide, everyone then turned around–dressed like a miko and raising the bamboo curtain, Tamamo exited the front of the shrine. The fox girl’s tail was hidden under the red hakama, and she tried to hide her ears underneath ornate hairpiece jewellery.. 「–I believed that it was thine voice I heard, milord Tohyama. Truly tis been too long since our last meeting.」 「Why are you here now…!? You, of all people…」 She showed up right after I just prayed for her exorcism. That’s not an answer to prayer at all! 「I heard from Reki that you all were making your first shrine visit. By the by, how is that part-time job? I do hope you have put aside enough for piety’s sake.」 And saying that…she took the small offertory box that I had just put my 500 Yen into… With a clatter, she put her arms through the two red and white loops on the offertory box and hoisted it up like a backpack. 「Tamamo, I came to pay my respects at this shrine. I made a small contribution. Put it back!」 I rushed over to Tamamo, and caught her by the ankle as she attempted to turn the offertory box upside down– 「Ha!」 With a *Boing!*, Tamamo sprung up and hit me over the head with the box. She scored a direct hit on the wound left by Katze’s bullet, so it hurt quite a lot. It was also quite heavy. It was quite a brazen thing she thought she could get away with, having the nerve to make a fortune by leeching off shrines. Landing above my fallen body, her single toothed getas clacked. 「Everyone. I hath taken up residence in the portal to this shrine, therefore thou mayest consult me.」 She said. *********************************************************** What do you mean by ‘taking up residence’, Tamamo? Do you think you’re some kind of VIP? However, within her own shrine, Tamamo was quite influential, so we allowed her to borrow the shrine grounds. Sitting at the head of the room and kneeling on a fancy cushion, we arranged ourselves in a circle facing Tamamo. 「–So, I gather that the subjugation of Rampan in Hong Kong was quite the ordeal.」 Who the hell do you think you are? 「From what I know, right now FEW…in Europe is proceeding quite well for GRENEDA. Patra and the witches led by Katze hath resorted to the contemptible measure of hiring two mercenaries to destroy the power balance. They hail from Asia, but from Rampan we learned that they are Japanese. Their true identity is still unclear.」 「The mercenaries–『Bewitching Blade』and『Demon Sword』?」 I had heard their names from Kaname’s phone call, and Tamamo nodded. 「They dost appear to be a man and woman who doth move according to their own fancies. Their fighting power is considerably high. They rarely show themselves in battle, but we hath been operating under the assumption that there are 2 of them… and they hath been able to keep the Vatican and Liberty Mason’s operations in check. That situation is what Patra and Katze hath taken advantage of.」 「What kind of people are they? I would like a bit more news.」 Aria asked, making a face like she had a bad feeling about this. 「Bewitching Blade is an ordinary soldier and Demon Blade is an ESP user. Bewitching Blade wields a katana and gun, and by all reports, is a man that is a skilled melee fighter similar to the Tohyama siblings. Demon Sword wields some unknown magical power and excels at long-range combat–she is a very dangerous witch.」 A normal fighter and ESP user. Short-range and long-range. It seems that they work together to cover for each other. 「That’s troublesome, isn’t it? I’ve never even seen or heard of these guys.」 Riko cocked her head out the side in puzzlement. 「Even so, their appearance is worrying. Their appearance is strange in the fact that DEEN was not aware of their existence. In short we doth not know where these 2 dark horses came from. These two shouldst surely not be engaged lightly. Perhaps even Baskerville wouldst be annihilated. We shouldst aim to isolate them from the group and engage them separately as a group.」 Tamamo said… evaluating our respective fighting strength conservatively. But could these two really annihilate Baskerville? That’s a bit hard to imagine. 「Now in regards to DEEN and GRENEDA’s struggle to capture bases, the situation doth proceed in much the same manner. In the southeast– there we have Germany and Egypt deploying their forces, while in the west-northwest DEEN’s forces in the Netherlands and UK are being driven off. In Italy, the Vatican hath been cut off and are suing for reinforcement.」 My grades in geography were poor, so I began to fidget, wondering where each country was located, but the general idea was that we were losing, and they were asking for help. 「But if we hurried and send a bunch of people– we will end up short of hands and Tokyo and Hong Kong will fall. That must be GRENEDA’s aim. So we should send a few people and have a flashy battle. That way, we shall lure out GRENEDA’s champions.」 The tactic Tamamo mentioned… are similar to standard Butei tactics. Rampage Decoy– or『Roughneck Decoy』as it is nicknamed. Applied to this case, in essence, it calls for Baskerville in Tokyo and Rampan in Hong Kong to stay where they are and solidify their positions. Then, to send a small number of reinforcements to the deadlocked Europe as『War Decoys』who will stand out. Those decoys have the job of raising havoc on the front lines, and while showing off their power, pretend to have actually come to their allies’ aid. Firstly, DEEN’s troops in Europe will be grateful for the help. Moreover, GRENEDA will get the wrong impression that「We are running short of men」, and when they dispatch the remainder of their forces… the forces that have remained in Hong Kong and Tokyo will surround them and turn the tables. 「We must have a European attack party, and a Tokyo defense party, and our aim must be for their head: Katze, Patra, Bewitching Blade, and Demon Sword. It is also whispered that Bewitching Blade and Demon Sword love each other. If we could capture one party, it may make eliminating the other a simpler matter.」 Concluding that truly brutal strategy, Tamamo, on the whole… received general agreement. Katze and Patra especially must be apprehended. Right now, I have a lot of reasons to fight. First, there’s the tanker-jacking where I was recently shot. Those 2 are also the criminals who falsified the charges against Kanae-san. Moreover– they hold pieces of Aria’s karagane. Of the remaining 3, they hold 2. Speaking of karagane… I haven’t given the one I have to Tamamo. 「I understand you strategy. But… there is one tiny thing I would like to add.」 I took out the karagane that Shokatsu had given me from my uniform pocket and gave it to Tamamo. 「Ah, so thou hast recovered one piece? Then Aria shall stay. I will replace it within her bosom.」 Saying that, Aria snapped alert and nodded earnestly– 「I want to say something to everyone… There’s no way Son was a Scarlet Goddess.」 Aria shook her head. 「To be precise she was『a defective Scarlet Goddess』. Her hair and eyes remained black.」 I said, glancing at Aria’s strawberry blonde twin-tails. 「Even if the original colour is dark, the change in colour due to the introduction of Irokane should be noticeable. Sherlock said as much.」 Tamamo explained. Hearing that… I turned toward Reki. 「What was the original colour of your hair? Was it blonde?」 「It was silver grey.」 That was unexpected. I tried to picture a silver haired Reki… and yeah, it was a good colour for her. She’d match Haimaki even more. If I had to give it a name, I’d call it Normal Reki/Snow Reki. And if Aria’s hair was originally blonde, does that mean I should I call her Cherry Blossom Aria/Gold Aria? ********************************************************** On New Year’s Day– while it was still Butei High winter vacation, I returned for some independent target practice in ASSAULT. That evening, I checked the『Weapons For Sale Bulletin Board』in front of the ASSAULT building. With the loss of my Scramasax… I lost not only a longsword, but also a defensive item. I had always worn it on the back of my bulletproof uniform, and it had protected me from blows and attacks from the rear. There were always those who were hurting for money around New Year’s, so I was hoping there would be quite a few lucky finds… As I stared at the boards– *Grab!* I was grabbed by the scruff of my neck. Craning my head around… ASSAULT’s PE teacher, Ranbyou frowned at me. Standing next to her blinking and applauding was INQUESTA’s Yutori Takamagahara-sensei. 「Is this a reprimand, or praise?」 I asked the two female teachers, 「I wonder…?」 Takamagahara said with a smiling face. 「Come!」 Ranbyou barked, looking just about ready to blow her top. What is with this new pattern of behaviour? For some reason, it’s making me nervous. ********************************************************** As a light snow fell from the night sky, I was dragged by my neck– to the 5th floor office of the headmaster in the MASTERS building. 「Headmaster Midorimatsu. Pardon us, but it is Takamagahara. We’ve brought Kinji-kun.」 「Yes, yes, please come in.」 Hearing the male voice from inside, Takamagahara opened the door and stepped in. 「Yes, thank-you.」 Sitting behind the same mahogany desk where we had discussed the issue of me dropping out was Headmaster Midorimatsu… Or was it? I get the feeling that it was him, but something feels different. I can’t really remember that much about him–『The Real Invisible Man』Headmaster Midorimatsu 「First of all, let me congratulate you,『Enable』. You have been given your second name. In the 5 years since this school’s official opening, the International Butei Federation has historically only recognised 14 of our students. You are the second in as many years to achieve that accomplishment. You have been assigned a non-standard Chinese kanji to go along with it. Please commit it to memory.」 Speaking briskly, he showed me the character『哿』written on a water soluble piece of paper. Being assigned an official second name is an honour… but why the heck was it a non-standard kanji!? Aria’s Quadra is made up of standard kanji, so why does the IADA have the taste of a middle schooler? 「Your track record of making what was until now impossible, possible– that essence is summed up nicely in this one character. Without being embarrassed by your second name, we expect you to do even greater things from now on. Moreover, Class A seems to be turning out quite a few second names, so I have approved a special bonus for Takamagahara-sensei. Afterwards, please take this seal down to accounting.」 In response, Takamagahara raised her hands in a banzai! gesture. I guess that must have been why she looked so happy. 「Now then– from here on, there is less good news.」 Is this the reason for Ranbyou’s sullen behavior? Glancing at the official papers that had been spread on the desk when we had entered the room… I saw that some of them were from America and China. One bulky folder bore the Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom. 「You are a particularly unusual student, aren’t you? The assessment of your abilities is undetermined. You have good points and bad points, and your good points are immensely good, but your bad points are immensely bad. Above all else– the worst is that you have attracted foreign eyes.」 Midorimatsu shuffled some papers on the desk. 「From Italy, it’s all positive, but from America and China… and especially England, it’s extremely negative. Just recently, you were added to the list of dangerous people, you know.」 Oh… they must have gotten a complaint from people that disagreed with me. I knew it would happen eventually. While deep down I wanted to stand up to it defiantly, since I was in the headmaster’s office, I took on a contrite expression. 「That is all fine. I’ve dealt with 2 or 3 problem children in my time. Helping such interesting student’s grow is the real pleasure of being a teacher. However, your type makes me want to give up teaching.」 Ouch! My type. Are there that many like me? 「… As it is, formal complaints from foreign governments are hard to ignore. And, to be honest, it couldn’t come at a worse time. The Office of Butei is trying to strengthen its ties with the National Safety Commission, and we are like dogs and monkeys with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs which is a part of the Public Safety division. The enemy of my ally is the enemy, so in recent years the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has declined to shield the Office of Butei.」 More or less… somehow… I understand what Midorimatsu is driving at. He’s trying to explain Butei High’s fundamental policy of non-interference whenever a student gets in trouble too often. It causes trouble for ASSAULT and INQUESTA as well… and it’s a bigger problem the stronger the Butei is. Therefore there is some limit. Although I’ve kept a low profile at school, I’ve been dragged into all kinds of underworld dealings. 「For those reasons, I am truly sorry– Kinji Tohyama-kun. Butei High must punish you.」 –Punishment. It’s become necessary due to external pressure. 「Am I being suspended?」 I asked about my punishment, but Midorimatsu shook his head from side to side. 「You are being removed from Team Baskerville. There has been a serious complaint lodged against you by England .」 …! –So that’s what it was! I felt like I had been sniped from long range. To quickly explain what was going in behind the scenes, Midorimatsu had added the word『England』– In order to bring their precious S-Ranked Butei back home, they took her away from me. Ever since the April hijacking of flight ANA 600, the English Butei Office had tried to use politics to do so. The cowards. The English Butei Office, the English Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Japanese Butei Office, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Tokyo Butei High… they had been talking, and it had taken them 9 months to land this long-range attack. Just like G-3 and Son’s fight, they wanted me dead. On top of that, America had demonstrated their disapproval of G-3’s association with me, but I can’t do anything about that. As for China– regardless of my relationship with Hong Kong Rampan, the area was administered from Shanghai. Unsurprisingly, their complaints overlap… And as for Butei High, facing international pressure–especially from the sour England– had to issue some kind of『punishment』against me. –So they are trying to separate Aria and I, huh…? With this punishment they’d be able to claim to China and America『See, we have punished Kinji Tohyama.』It was fascinating, and thinking about it from the perspective of Butei High, quite a clever trick. As I was thinking that, Midorimatsu continued… adding something surprising. 「However, Tohyama-kun, due to your anti-social tendencies, if you were alone in your studies you would become truly isolated. If that happened, you wouldn’t be able to grow, so how about we find you another Team?」 「… Another… Team?」 No way! I don’t want to be put with people I don’t know. Seeing my eyebrows immediately furrow like the true unsociable person I am– Midorimatsu continued. 「I’ll explain this at length with your new Team Leader. It’s a Team of especially difficult problem children, and you’ll join them as an auditor. Ah, yes, here is the document. That is all.」 With a *Plop!* he passed an A4 envelope with the Butei High logo on it to me. Then tidying up the other documents, he shuffled papers around and moved on to attend to other business. 「Uh.. Excuse me…」 Still holding the papers about my new Team in hand, I addressed Midorimatsu– 「– The headmaster said『That is all』, so everything is explained, Tohyama-kun. Now, let’s go.」 Takamagahara-sensei urged and immediately led me outside of the headmasters office. Behind us, Ranbyou watching our backs us and keeping alert. Behind– I’m already forgetting about him, but it seems that these two don’t want to disturb the temper of the most dangerous person in all Butei High–Headmaster Takeru Midorimatsu. I’ve heard rumours in middle school that Takamagahara wandered Kosovo, Macedonia, and Afghanistan doing all kinds of jobs until her fateful meeting with the Precious Orchid– the Hong Kong yakuza’s Ranbyou who remained on guard. All this against the man who looked like an ordinary office worker you’d see on the train, Headmaster Midorimatsu. It looks like… they don’t dare defy him. I should do the same. Finally reaching the elevator with bulletproof doors, it appeared that the tension in the air evaporated, and Ranbyou said, 「If you’re getting money, then you need to treat me at the host club, Yutori!」 Grabbing Takamagahara-sensei’s large breasts, she tried to extort her– Meanwhile, turning my back on them, I cautiously opened the envelope, I quickly ran my eyes over the document… trying to find the name of the troublesome Team where I was being placed…『Constellation』…? I think I recall from somewhere that the Team Leader is Jeanne D’Arc. Jeanne, huh? It was a small mercy that it was a Team I was acquainted with, but I wonder what they did? Now that I think about it, I did get a call from her the other day. On first impressions… I have a bad feeling about this year. ********************************************************* Of course, I still fully intended to continue to take part in FEW as『a former member of Baskerville』. However, I would take part in academics as『a member of Constellation』. I wonder if this will hurt my ability to work with Aria and the rest… But that’s not all there is to it. Before Baskerville was formed, myself, Aria, Shirayuki, Riko, and Reki had each fought and moving past that, finally formed a cohesive Team. Like rain helps to gather dirt, our bonds became stronger, and with each member’s high power except me , it really was a very good team. Now when I’m removed from the roster, I wonder how much that will hurt Aria? She was so fixated on the International Butei Federation listing, but my name will be scrubbed from even there. It will be hard to tell them. Especially Aria. If I don’t tell her though, it will be like pressing a switch to make her angry. She’ll say something like: I’ll open a wind hole in you for this new year! I’m depressed… Since coming back to Japan, why have I only had problems? ************************************************************* It was several hours after I had received the Headmasters notice of personnel change. Jeanne and I had an emergency Team Constellation executive meeting. For some reason, Jeanne chose the family restaurant『Roxy』, and as I entered the restaurant, 「Tohyama. Over here…」 In a truly apologetic manner, the dispirited Jeanne made a slight gesture to beckon me over. She was wearing black stockings underneath her Butei High sailor suit uniform skirt. So the Diamond Dust Witch was cold on this snowy day. 「What happened, Jeanne?」 I selected a drink from the drink bar, the moved to sit across the table from her… 「I lost my credits for Caravan II.」 Jeanne’s cheeks flushed as she averted her ice blue eyes. She always looks me in the eyes when we talk, but this time she is embarrassed to look my way. Seeing that I had walked into some kind of situation, I really felt bad for her. Even so… she really is a beautiful girl. Just as always. With a good face and a good figure, to all external appearances, she’s flawless. Like a film actress or a carved sculpture. …Personally though, this beautiful girl is not right for me. 「As it is, we all have to repeat the class…」 「So you lost credit for the field trip. You just get to go again to get the credit, isn’t that like a bonus?」 「You were short on credits this term too and will have to repeat a class, so don’t act so superior.」 Jeanne’s blue eyes stared daggers at me as she huffed. Jeanne had made the switch from apologetic, to venting her anger. And when a girl needs to vent her anger, she might use guns or swords. I have plenty of experience of Aria in this situation, so with a sigh, I switched tacks. There’s not use in blaming Jeanne. 「Why did you lose credit for Caravan II?」 「I left something behind. In Japan.」 Jeanne bit her finger a bit as her eyes dropped to her coffee cup. 「What did you forget?.」 「Constellation Vice-Leader, Nakasorachi, and Members Shimaisago and Kyougoku.」 「Wai.. You forgot people? Hold on, I saw the roster in MASTERS… and it didn’t list everyone from Constellation, just you. W-what happened?」 「I’ll explain it with drawings, Tohyama.」 「No, that’s alright. Just tell me.」 「We were supposed to meet at Changi International Airport in Singapore. I arrived alone, and no matter how long I waited, they never showed up. Nakasorachi lost her luggage on the way to the airport, Shima missed the plane, and Kyougoku was absent for mental health reasons. Because of that, MASTERS gave me another test.」 Even with her explanation… I don’t understand. What the heck is this!? According to the rules, the number of excusable absences is limited to one per Team. With 3 absences, of course they’d be disqualified. But it’s unheard of for them to set a class trip as an additional exam. 「… Are you going to Singapore again?」 「No. The travel agency that’s partnered with Butei High can only get tickets to Singapore for December… However, there were extra tickets where the third-year’s trip, Caravan V, was going, so I was ordered to go along to Europe. Even though the curriculum is meant for third-years.」 「Europe, huh? That’s really dangerous for you. Especially as a member of DEEN.」 「– On the contrary, it’s the place where I can do the most good. The Vatican, Liberty Mason, and the other survivors of I.U. have been calling for help. I can turn this catastrophe to good purpose, Tohyama.」 Jeanne looked up, and there was a gleam in her eye. She had embraced the order to take the higher level work of Caravan V. 「I already discussed this with Tamamo. We will be pressing forward to the front lines in Europe, cutting our way into Paris. Don’t worry. France is my home country, so we’ll have the geographical advantage.」 For me… this has been one catastrophe turning into another catastrophe. This is Tamamo’s strategy of Rampage Decoy– or『Roughneck Decoy』 And I’m the one stuck as the decoy. You’ve already decided that by yourself. Well… I’ve already been abroad before, so you can’t say that I’m not use to it or don’t have the courage. At any rate, it’s my duty to take charge of DEEN and I must get back Aria’s karagane. I can’t leave the job I should do to others. So.. somewhat half-heartedly, I said: 「Alright, I’ll go with you.」 I said to Jeanne, who didn’t seem confident that she could perform the role of decoy by herself… and hearing my words, she answered 「Thank-you, Tohyama. I believe that we will meet Nazis in Paris, three generations in the Jeanne D’Arc family ago… My great-grandmother fought as a resistance fighter, so I think they are my fated enemies. You have my deepest thanks for your valour and willingness to go into battle.」 My grandfather was an ally of Germany back then, though. But yesterday’s friends are today’s enemies. Weren’t Shokatsu and I able to come to a clear resolution? Just to survive for that day? ********************************************************* It was January 5th, but the feeling of the new year hadn’t passed. The former Leader of Baskerville, now Auditor of Constellation– I took the through service from the Yokosuka Line to the Sobu Line and arrived at the 2nd passenger terminal of the Narita Airport. As the Auditor, I arrived significantly earlier than the flight departure… Our meeting place this time was a domestic location, in the international departure waiting area– the Narita International Airport Starbucks. And upon arriving, I met with the dimwit Constellation’s heavyweight, Misaki Nakasorachi. She had a huge suitcase sticking up from the seat opposite her and was earnestly reading a book titled『21 Habits for Highly Effective Conversation.』Her bangs are covering her glasses, so I have no idea how she can see. With a coffee in one hand I walked up, 「Morning. So you’re wearing glasses today?」 As soon as I had said that, Nakasorachi jerked her head up and closed her book with *Clap!*, then looked as if she scared herself with the noise. She was wearing a uniform skirt and, for some reason, she hid the book under her large buttocks. Then, 「Ah! G-g-g-m-m-m-ing, Mr. Auditor!」 That was probably supposed to be『Good morning, Mr. Auditor.』It looks like she didn’t take much away from that book. Then her long black hair rustled as she gave a deep bow. Then her glasses slipped off, and Nakasorachi panicked again. This is Team Constellation’s Vice-Leader… I had been anxious about this from the very beginning. — Misaki Nakasorachi is a CONNECT operator. However, because of her crippling social anxiety, she is unable to face people. Despite that, she is able to use communications equipment and articulate like a professional announcer, so I have to call her a strange girl. 「Waaah waaah, a man, a guy, To-yma-kun! D# y$ n% h&e # %t???」 Standing at rigid attention, she looked at me, agitatedly mumbling something unintelligible. 「Huh?」 「N-n-n-n-othing! I-I-I w-w-w-was t-t-talking to m-m-m-myself, s-s-so p-p-p-please d-d-d-don’t mind m-m-me. S-s-s-s-sorry! Th-the b-b-b-bench is e-e-e-empty!」 Still fumbling for words, Nakasorachi removed her luggage from the seat across from her. Then, *Chick!* Her ridiculously large suitcase opened, and a whole bunch of clothes, books, headphones, and a gun! fell out. H-h-how pathetic…! 「O-o-oi! These guns could be a problem!」 I said as I picked up a gun from beneath one of Nakasorachi’s nightshirts… H-hey! It’s heavy! What is this!? …A C-Colt Anaconda…! It’s a .44 magnum that looks like an oversized pistol meant to kill bears and water buffalo in a single shot. What’s more, this is the largest 8-inch barrel model! It’s so heavy. So why are you carrying it, Nakasorachi. 「You… can shoot such an strange gun?」 Because we were in an airport, I wrapped it up in the shirt and handed it back to her. 「I-I-I’ve never shot it.」 Huh!? 「Then why do you have it…!?」 「W-w-well, I’m scared of guns… so I don’t know much about them, and when I tries to look them up, I got scared, so I ended up not knowing anything at all. But the school rules require me to carry one, and the man at the gun shop recommended th-this one. I bought it because it was 30% off and not expensive…」 Nakasorachi stammered as she clutched the bundle of her unfashionable underwear. Ah! So it appears that they took advantage of her ignorance and weak will in order to clear out their inventory. Now that I look more closely, it’s one of the early Anaconda models with one of those problematic barrels. 15 But wait, you said you were afraid of guns. Did you never think that maybe you weren’t suited to being a Butei? Even so… Nakasorachi has a full figure. As a girl, though, she probably doesn’t want to hear about her weight. She has the right build to shoot this large calibre gun, though. There is a certain pipsqueak I know who uses two large guns though, so I shouldn’t be too critical… I thought that, as I watched Nakasorachi unintentionally expose her plump thighs as she returned the avalanche of items back to her suitcase. 「Is that a pocket knife?」 「It’s a higonokmi 16 . I have it because we’re required to carry a knife.」 「That gun and blade combination don’t suit you… And what is this red string?」 「A hair tie, cat’s cradle is my hobby.」 … A high school student’s hobby is cat’s cradle… Rather, with this conversation, no one nearby will look at us. When I went to throw some rubbish in the bin, I felt eyes staring at my back, but when I turned around, they started and dropped their gaze. I guess we are pretty suspicious. Nakasorachi had finished packing her luggage, but there was still time left until the meeting time… 「Let’s do something. How about cat’s cradle?」 Still having down time after finishing her coffee, Nakasorachi asked this question, pulling out a red string… Fitting action to the words, she carefully worked to make something. 「F-Five storey pagoda.」 17 A five storey pagoda…! That’s amazing! 「You’re good at this.」 I said what I was thinking, and Nakasorachi blushed red… …With a nervous laugh, she gave an awkward, crooked smile… I felt kind of guilty… but it was kind of cute. This girl is attractive. As that happened– 「Tohyama, Nakasorachi, good morning.」 「Hello, Tohyama.」 Jeanne showed up with a bunch of suitcases that appeared to contain her armour, and standing next to her in a handbra pose was… Watson? Watson-kun-chan is here? 「Why are you here, Watson?」 「Well, that’s a fine way to say hello? I’m Kyougoku’s proxy…」 Watson grabbed my shoulder and tapped out a message to me with her finger. What she said was『T-A-M-A-M-O F-E-W』–So Tamamo sent her as reinforcements in FEW? Tamamo… don’t you think that these aren’t enough people? One of them is me. Watson is from England, so her in-depth knowledge of Europe should come in handy in this struggle. She’s well qualified. 「Proxy, you say? Kyougoku, huh…? From LEZZAD, right? What happened to her?」 I asked Constellation’s Leader, Jeanne. 「She has always taken correspondence courses, and when she tried to leave her house after half a year, she panicked, hyperventilated, and had to be hospitalised. This time we have a full number of people going.」 「…」 Now that we’re at the airport, I can’t drop out now… I’m stuck having to go on the trip. Each of them bear part of the blame for having to repeat the course. So, none of the remaining members of Constellation were allowed to be in charge. As the Auditor, I was the one responsible to make sure everyone was present prior to departure. 「Alright, let’s go. Be careful!」 As I gave that order, Jeanne snapped to her feet, Watson did the same beside her, and Nakasorachi fell down for some reason, her suitcase spilling open once more. Even if it were only a shinai, I’d like to hit that undisciplined butt, but I don’t have one. 「Count off!」 I order to prevent disaster, I wanted to confirm the number of people. 「One.」 「Two.」 「Th-three!」 「Fo~ur!」 Huh? I heard a voice that wasn’t Jeanne, Watson, or Nakasorachi. The extra speaker was a girl. But I didn’t see anyone, so I titled my head in confusion… Craning my neck, I saw a French girl’s face peek out from behind Watson. 「Toot~!」 Approximating a klaxon noise with her mouth, she appeared… With light, fluffy mocha colour hair, the girl looked up at me with big, round eyes. I’d guess she’s about… 135 cm tall. Forget Aria, she was even shorter than Mamiya. On her back was a backpack that an elementary schooler might use. There was a huge bow about 20 cm large on her pink patent leather shoes. Then… there were her clothes. It was a pile of pink and while frills. On her head was a huge bow bigger than her head,. More were attached to the cuffs of her sleeves and the hem of her skirt–which was covered by an apron–, and she also wore white knee-high socks covered with pink heart patterns. And, connecting her apron straps was a sailor collar… 「Mr. Auditor-sama, this is the first time we’ve met. My name is Shimaisago-chan! As I thought, she’s a Butei…and a member of Constellation too..! I looked her over to make sure, but I could just make out the vestiges of a Butei High girl’s uniform from the clothes. Buried in the folds of her puffed, strawberry-like sleeves was the school insignia. It must be some kind of reworked uniform, and it’s on the level of Riko’s. Almost nothing remains of the original pattern. 「Why do you look so shocked, Tohyama? She’s an A-Rank Butei from LOGI. Among the second-years, she’s widely seen as Gouki Mutou’s rival. The star of Constellation. 」 「You’re kidding me! Her legs are too short to reach the accelerator! Or is possible to be an A-Rank in LOGI with a tricycle? 」 I fell into an ASSAULT member’s manner of speech… but Shima… with tears already forming in her eyes… made a choked sob and looked ready to burst into tears. What a weakling. Having made a girl cry, Jeanne huffed at me– 「It’s alright, don’t cry, don’t cry. I’m sorry. I… shouldn’t have said that. I apologise… Let’s get going. Nobody get lost! 」 As I did not want to become flaked potatoes, I humoured Shima until she stopped crying, Then, everyone lined up, and we went through the departure gate… The information screen said that flight JAL 405 to Paris was departing at gate 63, so I headed that way… *Tap!* *Ta-tap!* Hearing footsteps behind me, I looked back and saw Jeanne, Watson, and Nakasorachi, but at the end where Shima should have been, there was no one. Someone’s already deserted! Paling, I looked around and spotted her. Running in her patent leather shoes, she was running full speed towards a window next to an entirely different gate. Then, climbing up onto the frame, she plastered herself against the glass. What is she doing? 「O-Oi, Shima! Didn’t I just say not to wander off!?」 Running over, I suppressed the urge to grab her by the shoulders and shake her to make her pay more attention… 「Mr. Auditor-sama, please look! It’s the biggest plane in the world, and Airbus A380! At full capacity is can carry 853 people, and it’s max take-off weight is 560 tonnes. It has two floors, like a flying hotel. Ah… it’s perfect! And so big…!」 Her eyes as big as an anime characters, her cheeks flushed. Speaking of manga, I got the impression that hearts were fluttering around her head. 「Ha ha ha! Shima loves busses, trains, aeroplanes, and any kind of large vehicle. I don’t know what she loves the most. Maybe an Aegis-class cruiser?」 The unruffled Team Leader Jeanne laughingly explained from beside me. 「That’s not true! It’s the nuclear powered aircraft carriers! Kyaa~!」 As if speaking of some unrequited love, Shima covered both her cheeks with her hands. Her facial expression and actions perfectly matched those of a young girl in love. So… although very small, Shima loves huge machines, huh? What a tragic hobby for a high school girl to have. Although, that must make her a very popular person in LOGI. 「Shi-Shima. We have the make-up test, keep that in mind! We have to get to gate 63, now! Do you want to repeat the class if we miss our flight?」 「Ah… What a beautiful high bypass ratio turbofan. It’s the only 4-engine, wide-body aircraft in the world… My heart won’t stop throbbing… I can smell the oil…!」 「–That’s it! You can write it a love letter later!」 Used to dealing with pipsqueaks, right then I grabbed the collar of her extremely heavily customised uniform. 「P-please let me go~! A picture, please at least let me take a picture!!!」 Using Ranbyou’s cat-grab technique, I then dragged her through the departure gate to Paris as she howled. On the way, Nakasorachi’s suitcase opened twice. …Dammit! Why did I have to be put on such a Team? The airhead staff officer Jeanne, undisciplined Nakasorachi, the hikikomori Kyougoku, and the crybaby Shima. The Baskerville girls were a troublesome lot, but when it came down to it, they took orders– I could count on them as Butei. I don’t feel an ounce of that with these guys. I can’t trust anyone. Constellation might have fine team name, but it’s just full of good for nothing junk. Working with people like this, you could lose your life… *********************************************************** Upon reaching gate 63, Shima finally seemed to give up, and– Why are Aria, Shirayuki, Riko and Reki were here…!? The four Baskerville girls spotted us, and came over. It looks like they got my painstakingly crafted message… 「We’re here… to see you off. That’s why we came.」 Aria said, not at all angry, but rather genuinely timidly. greeting me with a sigh. 「Riko wanted to make it a surprise, and the airport allowed us to come to boarding gate. We got the message you sent from MASTERS. You’ve really been removed from Baskerville, haven’t you?」 「Kin-chan… No matter if you’re fired or not, I’ll still work just as hard. I’ll prove it!」 「Surprise, Ki-kun! You work hard on your new Team, OK?」 They were each coming to grips with it in their own way, I felt. This was… heavy…! It seems that they all sat around and talked to each other and decided not to get mad. That’s what it looks like. As soon as I looked away, Shima made a dash for the window, and Nakasorachi chased after her… Of all those involved with FEW, only Reki stepped forward… 「No matter what Team you are on, I will be your strength. We of the Ulus, no matter what, no matter how long, will always be on your side.」 Being close and looking up at me as she said that– Aria and Riko had to hold Shirayuki back. 「Leave Tokyo to us! If Bewitching Blade or Demon Sword show up, we’ll show them what for! Fu fu!」 「You be sure and save Europe, alright? And Kinji… I’ll be working on your behalf to get you back on Baskerville.」 Aria said, pointing up slightly. Up. She means the authorities… she’s going to try to negotiation with the Anglo-Sino Ministries of Foreign Affairs. 「… Thank-you. I owe you for that. I’m completely helpless in this case.」 「This is a favour. But I’ve lost track of how many favours we’ve done for each other.」 In response to my honest thanks, Aria grinned showing her canines. 「Jeanne, you work hard too! Here, Ayaya made this or you as a farewell gift! Be sure to spread the『cuteness』of Japan in Paris!」 Standing on tiptoe, Riko *Plopped!* something on her head. She placed a white, fluffy haired nekomimi headband on her head. It was thick and looked heavy, and appeared to be a directional listening device… but why make it that shape, Hiraga-san? 「Then, Meow! Meow! Meow!」 Jeanne’s former comrade from I.U. said as she arranged the directional nekomimi… They must be good friends. 「Meow?」 Jeanne made a cat noise as she swatted playfully with her hands. C-Cute…! She made such a drastic change from her usually serious self. For me, that nekomimi is a dangerous thing. I hope she has enough discretion to use that dangerous carry-on item sparingly. ***************************************************** Flight JAL 405 smoothly completed a turn over the same Tokyo Bay that I often divided down into– I’m leaving Japan again so soon. I thought as I sat in my window seat, but I couldn’t get too sentimental about it because Shima pushed herself up against my window. She excitedly watched the jet wing’s slight changes in shape, but the way her breathing became ragged was disturbing. Next to Shima sat Nakasorachi who did not seem to like flying, who quickly had to reach for an airsick bag and would have to wait a bit before eating the in-flight meal. She looks like the kind of kid that couldn’t finish eating lunch during the lunch break. This time, the jet was headed against the rotation of the Earth, so we kept flying on and on westward, chasing the Sun. That means that the Sun outside the window had already set, bringing night to Japan, causing me to lose my innate sense of time. Night and day soon lost meaning– 「I’m sorry… for this, Tohyama. Tamamo said you weren’t used to being overseas.」 Laying a hand on my shoulder from the Economy seat beside me, Jeanne apologised. Even back at Roxy, she was apologetic. She must feel responsible. The beautiful girl across from me, saying something so embarrassing, I averted my eyes… 「Don’t worry about it. You heard what Reki said, and with Mochizuki from AMBULANCE and Kagataka from LEZZAD chasing after me… being in Japan is a bit complicated.」 I said, trying to give her peace of mind. In response, Jeanne giggled and gave a cute smile– Then she narrowed her lashed eyes bewitchingly. Then with Shima and Nakasorachi in front and Watson behind, she drew her rose coloured lips close to my ear. 「Then I guess you’re running away with me, huh? Eloping, even.」 She whispered something far more adult and seductive than her own age. 「What…?」 I spun towards her. 「Fu fu! Good night, Tohyama.」 Jeanne narrowed her eyes suggestively again, then drew up a blanket over herself. Then, closing her ice blue eyes– she calmly fell asleep. …She didn’t say:『Just Kidding!』 The sleeping Jeanne wasn’t even slightly embarrassed, and I just stared at this beautiful girl straight out of a film. Jeanne is beautiful, in any case… Having someone who likes you is only natural, but I’m a bit worried knowing it’s a girl. But this is the first time I’m going to my partner Aria’s birthplace of Europe. With Jeanne. I always thought I’d be going there with Aria. My life is just full of surprises. Actually, that might be true for everyone. [END] ********************************************************* 1. Children’s game played like baseball but with 2 bases instead of 3. 2. RPG-7 3. Japanese idol, model, and blogger. 4. Sweet bun with Anko (sweet red bean paste) filling 5. Japanese musician, entertainer, journalist and sumo commentator. He is the front man of the heavy metal band Seikima-II, and is known for always working entirely in character. –Wikipedia 6. Google ‘traditional mochi making’ and you’ll see a video. Kinji is the guy who has to stick his hand into the mortar bowl and constantly shift the mochi around without getting hit by the mallet wielder (Kinzou) 7. Reference to a Japanese proverb: ‘A Tiger at the Front Gate, a Wolf at the Back’, same meaning as ‘Between a rock and a hard place’. 8. Original word ‘nekodamashi’ refers to a purportedly unconventional sumo technique of clapping hands in front of an opponent’s face to make them blink and gain a slight advantage. 9. Dhaku_Uta_Gassen 10. Apparently there’s some special noodle dish they eat on New Year’s. 11. No direct translation for this, but it’s an annual NHK program airing on New Year’s. This part specifically airs the ceremonies at several prominent shrines around Japan with minimal news commentary and predictions for the new year in the lead up to midnight where an official greeting is made by the broadcasters to wish everyone a Happy New Year. 12. Tradition to ring a bell 108 times to welcome the new year to symbolize the 108 human sins in Buddhist belief, and to get rid of the 108 worldly desires regarding sense and feeling in every Japanese citizen. –Wikipedia 13. In Japan, couples are legally married when they update their koseki (a legal document registration cards listing family, births, deaths, adoptions, marriage, divorce, etc… required to be kept by Japanese law) 14. 7,5, and 3 are lucky numbers in Japan, so it’s important for parents to get their children to visit the shrine at these ages. 15. Early models of the Anaconda had problems with accuracy, and later modification were made to the barrel design to drastically improve accuracy 16. A Higonokami is a type of folding pocket knife native to Japan. The knife has no locking system, but is a friction folder, using the friction of the swivel and/or the pressure of the user’s hand on a protruding tang to prevent the knife from folding during use. –Wikipedia 17. Pattern in cat’s cradle. Fun how-to vid ! ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### 003. Bullet 3: Masquerade Ball — Masquerade [BEGIN TEXT] Chapter: 3 Masquerade Ball–Masquerade At the 15 minutes advance landing announcement, my eyes fluttered open, and looking out the window– I saw the countryside stretching out below us, divided up like a puzzle with criss-crossing paths. We must be over France, and that’s what I’m seeing. The sloping ground below looks somewhat orange. There must be a lot of red clay in the soil. Then at 1500 Central European Time, flight JAL405 landed at Charles de Gaulle Airport. Taking a step out into the cold outside the plane, I was met with a faintly sweet flower-like aroma. It smelled like Palmolive detergent. it must just be how this place smells. Finishing my Immigration Check, I got the French stamp on my passport– Then exiting the Arrival Gate, I met up again with the rest of Constellation by the electronic Philips sign showing an image of Cézanne’s『The Card Players』 「When it comes to Caravan V, where possible, we will split up into at least 2 groups and carry out separate tasks. Seeing as we’ve been pushed ahead a year, 2 groups is just enough. There will be Jeanne’s group of me and Jeanne heading to Paris, and Nakasorachi’s group, consisting of Nakasorachi, Shima, and Watson going to Brussels.」 I said, according to the plan Jeanne, Watson, and I had discussed earlier. Our tactics were primarily devised by Jeanne– First, keep Nakasorachi and Shima who were unconnected to FEW from getting drawn in by getting them away from the front lines in Paris. Also, if Jeanne and I come across any members of GRENEDA and have to withdraw, then there’s already a refuge prepared in Brussels. The capital of Belgium, Brussels, is situated north of Paris and is a safe town currently under DEEN’s influence. And with MEDICA’s Watson there as a defensive garrison, our defence is complete. Then as the one who didn’t even pack a change of clothes in my suitcase… In my role as Constellation’s auditor, I reviewed the rules. 「On the trip you can do whatever you want. Go sight see and take pictures. No one can make you do anything. However, you should think ahead and realise that this isn’t just an opportunity to play around. The world is becoming more and more connected each year. Butei should be no exception. One of these days, we’ll probably have to come to Europe again for work. If you spend all your time here as a tourist, you’ll lose your life if you have to fight here in the future. Nothing good will come of it when you’re invited back. So that isn’t the case, you should try to learn as much as you can, even if you end up wandering around. This trip is a journey of learning. That is all.」 I said, because it was written in the Auditor’s Manual… 「Y-yes.」 「Oka~y!」 Nakasorachi answered first, her face betraying her trepidation at being out of the country for the first time, as Shima smiled warmly without a care in the world. I get the feeling that neither of them heard any of my instructions. That’s Constellation for you. 「Tohyama.」 Watson, who was arranging her hair that had become slightly dried out during the long flight, approached me for a private word. 「As I said before, if a problem comes up, just run north. A car or train will see you from Paris to Brussels quickly. If we’ve already surrendered, then go on to Amsterdam, then London after that. Each leg shouldn’t take you more than a few hours. Bear it in mind that in Europe, going from country to country is like going from prefecture to prefecture in Japan. 」 It was a relatively simple explanation, but, 「Don’t talk about running away. On the contrary, I’ll take back Spain and Germany.」 Being somewhat keyed up by traveling overseas, I answered somewhat eagerly. 「I’m glad to see you so positive, but don’t be careless. Europe is different than Asia, and GRENEDA holds the upper hand.」 Even now, Watson stubbornly refused to relax her vigilance– 「Jeanne. Please take care of Tohyama.」 Saying that, she led Nakasorachi and Shima away. ******************************************************** From the airport, guided by Jeanne, we took the Réseau Express Régional towards Paris. I took a Keisei Skyliner-esque train with Jeanne and arrived at Gare du Nord Station… and was surprised. Despite the fact that the station was crowded with travellers and was one of the main entryways to Paris, it was dim, dingy, cold, and I spotted a few questionable people sprinkled throughout the crowd. Homeless people and drug addicts hung around the walls and armed guards in camouflage and carrying FAMAS bullpup machine guns patrolled the area. Public safety must be bad… So, this is the fabled 『 City of Flowers 』 Paris… Jeanne was walking beside me, so I couldn’t say that, but I felt somewhat disillusioned. However, the darkness perfectly matched my gloomy mood. I had gotten used to dirty places in Hong Kong. Dealing with places with poor levels of public safety is part of the job, so it wasn’t an issue. Besides… the hotels here are probably cheap. So, it might suit me just fine. 「Say, Jeanne. I should probably start looking for a hotel around here.」 Jeanne, who had been walking with her suitcase, stopped in her tracks and said, 「Please, save yourself the needless expense. This area isn’t very good either. Stay in my room.」 She said completely straight-faced… 「What are you saying? You’re a girl!」 「Yes. Is there a problem with that?」 「Well, no, it’s…」 Flustered, I suddenly had trouble speaking Japanese. As I scratched the back of my head, Jeanne laughed. 「Fufu! Are you, scared of staying with a witch?」 「No, I’m used to Shirayuki, but…」 「Then follow me. There are a bunch of pickpockets around the station.」 With the matter still undecided… Jeanne walked over toward a taxi stand. And with no other alternative in sight, I followed. Eventually, we entered a taxicab, and Jeanne said, 「 Galerie des Arcades. 76 Avenue Champs-Elysées, sil vous plait. 」 And I was startled by the way she addressed the driver in perfectly fluent French. In Paris… although it’s only 5 PM, it’s already getting dark. That’s to be expected because it’s located at a higher latitude than Sapporo. Even so, it probably wasn’t so cold, thanks to the mild westerly winds As the taxi made its way into the heart of downtown Paris– Gradually, the neighbourhoods became more and more resplendent. Even the stores and restaurants became more high-class. Just like Hong Kong, Paris has a large social disparity. As had that thought, I noticed something– I was now in the Paris I had seen in films. Large avenues ran through the city, with sculptures dotted here and there and magnificent stone building crammed together. Their milky white walls were the theme that tied them all together and gave a sense of unity. Each of these building probably has some kind of historical value. Rather, they all are probably 100 or 200 years old. Paris, unlike Tokyo, hasn’t seen the ravages of war and destruction of earthquakes. Perhaps at Jeanne’s request, the driver made a small detour to take the scenic route. 「Tohyama.」 Jeanne tapped me lightly on the shoulder– Pointing through the window at the corner of a plaza, there was a statue of an imposing golden female knight. I didn’t need any explanation. This was France’s national heroine, Jeanne D’Arc. Jeanne looked at me with a wry smile and smug look. In response to her extremely self-satisfied look, I returned a smile. 「Paris doesn’t have any high rises, you know, Tohyama.」 「It… definitely appears so. The tallest seems to be about 10 storeys.」 「We have historically restricted the number of tall buildings by law in order to preserve the natural landscape.」 I see. So much like a piece of art, the town itself was carefully planned out. That must be why it is so fascinating. 「There is only one tall building.」 Jeanne said as she pointed with her finger– And there was the flood-lit Eiffel Tower, gleaming golden with the moon beside it in the night sky. ***************************************************************** Despite the fact that I had just lectured everyone, I was completely caught up in the role of a tourist– The taxi headed down Paris’ main road, Champs-Élysées​ which was decorated for New Years’. It was like Tokyo’s Omotesandou, a broad avenue lined with all kinds of high-class brand stores. People were bustling down the glittering street happily. But once we stepped out of the taxi to stand in the cold street… from a distance it looks beautiful, but the street and trees are dirty. This town is covered in rubbish. From this sight, the opposite of the highest Japanese ideal of hygiene is demonstrated. 「Let’s go, Tohyama.」 Jeanne said, and turned toward one of the building facing out on to the Champs-Élysées– and it led to short, stone arcade where an old horse drawn carriage would have passed. Our suitcases rolled down the beautifully geometrically patterned tiled ground as we walked. Antique shops and accessory shops, shoe stores, boutiques, and cafes… all these shops were ranged beside each other, and at the corner there was a door with an automatic lock. It appeared to lead to the upper floor– which appeared to be a rental apartment block. Once Jeanne entered a code, the door opened, then we got on to an elevator with gilded edges… but this elevator is completely different from an elevator in Japan. First, the outer doors were opened by hand , and when we entered to choose our floor– Jeanne selected the third floor (which including the rez-de-chaussee 1 would be the fourth in Japan)– and once chosen, and the inner door closed by hand, the system finally began to move. Then stepping out onto the third floor… as they would call it in Europe, we stepped out into a dimly lit corridor that had a flowery smell. 「Here.」 Jeanne pulled a key from her long wallet and moved to open the room numbered 303b that appeared to be hers… 「Is this really alright?」 「This room in the 8th arrondissement is my personal property, so do not fear being an imposition. My family home is in the 16th arrondissement.」 「No, that’s not what I meant… It’s what I said about coming here about a boy staying in a girl’s room who lives alone. Well, that’s…」 「With the exception of members of my family, this will be the first time a man has been here. But que sera sera .」 –With a *Click!*, Jeanne opened the door. The last bit was not in Japanese, so I didn’t understand exactly what she meant. Run! That was how I felt, summed up in a single word. I’ve been in Reki, Aria, and Riko’s rooms, but that was in the girl’s dormitory, which in itself felt like it crossed a line. But this time it’s where I’ll be staying. Of course, there are no other students, and no former female JSDF dormitory parent. It will truly just be the two of us living under one roof. My stomach aches. But… I… … I was tired. Really tired. What’s more, it was 6 PM in the winter in Paris, but in Japan that was 2 AM. Even though I had taken a nap during the flight, the jet lag made my stomach ache unbearable. I was fine in Hong Kong since it was only 1 hour behind, but Paris being 8 hours behind is more severe. –There’s no help for it. I’ll stay the night. It would be hard to find a hotel now, and this area is expensive. 「…Thanks for hosting me.」 For those reasons, I followed Jeanne into her room– I-I’m here. And there’s the good smell unique to girls’ rooms. She must be gone most of the time, but the scent of her pheromones must linger. It was like the smell of green grass, fresh and invigorating… an exclusively female scent. In an instant my eyes snapped open. The good smell made me worry about it being too much for my Hysteria Mode. The electricity came on with a crackle, and still wearing her shoes, Jeanne entered– it was a living room with indigo blue wallpaper. The floor was dark brown wood. It was a fashionable room straight out of a French film, very mature. I entered without taking off my shoes… but it didn’t seem right. I looked around the entryway, wanting to take them off, but the place for shoes was lined with Jeanne’s boots and pumps. There didn’t appear to be any space for my shoes. 「… I don’t have many high heels. They are hard to move in. As a Butei, I must be ready for anything.」 I thought that I should complement the room, but before I could say anything– 「No, that’s not it. I hate them. I’m tall, and I don’t want to look any taller in heels.」 Jeanne frowned as she placed her suitcase along the wall. 「… That’s not surprising. I thought the ideal for French girls was a petite silhouette, right? Dressed up smartly in a Chanel suit or something…」 「It depends on what time you are talking about, Tohyama. Right now, Riko and Aria have the『cute』figure that is in vogue among Parisiennes.」 Jeanne huffed about her height as she adjusted the thermostat. She was sulking. Suddenly, I felt that I had made a mistake in my choice of conversation topics, but… No matter what Jeanne said, I don’t think she’s that tall. I don’t think she’s even 165 cm. But she must have some kind of complex about it. I could also bring up the time before when she wore a maid cafe costume in her secret room in the girl’s dormitory. 「…」 In order to avoid saying anything more to make her upset, I kept my mouth zipped as I surveyed the room. It appears that Jeanne is a bookworm from the bookshelves of books in French, and the desk with a candle and reading glasses. The living room was very chic, but… the power of feminine fashion in the bedroom was prominent, and somewhat girlish. This place demonstrates the dual nature of Jeanne’s hobbies. On a Rococo style dresser that Riko would love, all kinds of cosmetics and accessories were piled. I get the sense that they aren’t kept in any kind of order. I didn’t miss the fact that on the glass shelf where a crystal and rosary were placed– there was a ring with the design of the『伊』character surrounded by the letter『U』. 2 That’s probably I.U’s class ring. Originally… Jeanne was a member of I.U. She was… an enemy. I remember being caught up in Jeanne’s trap and having to fight while protecting Shirayuki… 「Coming from Japan to Europe, the time difference will make you feel like you are staying up to all hours. Drink some coffee and it will wake you up. I’m used to it, so I’ll be alright.」 Jeanne’s voice came suddenly from the kitchen. Pretending I didn’t see the ring, I said, 「Well… when I get back to Japan, it’ll feel like I’m always getting up early. That’s rough. I hate getting up early.」 I tried to deflect with small talk as we moved to the table– 「Do you believe that we will return?」 Jeanne asked, narrowing her ice blue eyes and staring directly at me. 「…?」 Putting a sugar cube into my double espresso from the saucer that came with it, I furrowed my eyebrows. Will we get back…? What do you mean? I think it’s a joke, but I don’t get it. 「Fufu! I’ll play a song to welcome you.」 Looking happy for some reason, Jeanne gave me a sidelong glance as she strolled over toward the upright piano by the wall… Sitting on the piano bench, she began to play–『Joan of Arc at the Stake』 That’s the song that Jeanne was playing when I met her again at Butei High. I remember the piece from then. Somehow… I feel that she’s seen through me. I listened to the elegant piano melody… … Huh? The timing of the music slowed slightly. Looking over at Jeanne… She began nodding off. Despite what she had said, she was falling asleep. Suddenly, her head drooped, and she fell asleep…! This is the first time I’ve ever seen this! Someone falling asleep while playing the piano. 「O-oi! Jeanne!」 She slumped suddenly, and I caught her back to hold her up… 「Mmmmmnnn.」 Jeanne let out a slightly ridiculous sound. Extremely tired, her eyes weren’t fixed on any one thing. 「 Voulez-vous… sortir pour prendre… le repas…? 」 「Oi! Speak Japanese!」 「… Eat… Let’s eat, Tohyama. It will help a bit in staying awake.」 Pushing herself to her feet using both arms, Jeanne then staggered toward her closet. Eat…? Isn’t this a strange time to get hungry since the in-flight meal. It wasn’t very good. Maybe that’s why she wants to get something to eat? I wrestled with that question, gulping down coffee as I waited for Jeanne to change. After she was done, Jeanne put a coat and muffler on over her sailor suit uniform… then, going into the bedroom she bent on one knee in front of the dresser, and taking a perfume bottle, she sprayed it lightly inside her skirt. 「What was that?」 「Devienne No. 6. Eau de Regere.」 「So what’s that is Japanese?」 「It can’t be put into Japanese. In English, it would be called Eau de Cologne. It’s a light perfume.」 As she approached, I could smell the fresh feminine scent… 「Why did you put on something like that?」 I asked, turning slightly red and complaining. Thereupon, Jeanne pulled up her muffler and cutely burying her chin into it as she said, 「My grandmother taught me. When she turned 20, she did it whenever meeting a man.『You never known when a man will take his chance with a girl』, she said. That’s just how it is for French girls.」 Saying this, her white cheeks mysteriously blushed slightly. I understand a girl wanting to smell nice, but a man taking his chance…? What does that mean? I have no idea at all. ******************************************************* From the first floor of the jewellery box-like arcade, we exited on to the Champs-Élysées… 「Tohyama, you have a chance.」 Jeanne whispered softly, as she poked my arm with her small handbag. 「Chance? What do you mean?」 「Chance to carry my bag.」 「Carry your bag yourself.」 「Let me teach you. When a man and woman walk together, it is a man’s duty and honour to carry the woman’s bag .」 With a *Squeeze!* she forced her goat leather bag on me. What the heck!? It’s not even heavy at all! You should have carried it! I thought as I held her bag, and Jeanne looked from beside me, narrowing her eyes in satisfaction. Then, suddenly, while grinning, she entwined her arm with mine. 「Wh-what!? Let go!」 「It’s fine, it’s fine! Quite the opposite, a man and woman walking together at night being so distant would be strange.」 I don’t particularly know what is normal and what would be strange… Jeanne was surprisingly insistent. But I was tired and shaking free would take energy that I didn’t have. So, I left our arm linked–and I thought a bit about when Kaname had done this on New Years’… We walked down the Champs-Élysées, next to a row of horse chestnut trees in the evening. 「Over there is Louis Vuitton flagship store. The store is more popular in Japan than it is in France. Across the way is Renault’s showroom. There’s a McDonalds.」 As a local, Jeanne was excitedly pointing out and explaining this and that to me. In actuality, the Champs-Élysées was long, broad, and the fashions were not limited to French brands. Even the flagship of Aria’s favourite Chan Dior, was located on a nearby corner. 「It has everything, doesn’t it?」 As I admired the sight, Jeanne continued to look smug. She looked up from beside me happily. This cheerful disposition… It’s somewhat different than her usually tense expression. She’s probably able to relax now that she is in her home country. Rather, this Jeanne–seems like the real Jeanne. I get that feeling for some reason. But personally, this is a problem. She’s acting cute, and that’s an emergency. I suddenly became aware that as our arms remained twined, my elbows… occasionally struck her surprisingly soft, perfectly sized, well-formed… portion of her body that couldn’t be anything else. It’s hitting them! Don’t you notice my elbow touching you breasts! You air-headed girl! As a matter of course, the main street was full of flashy restaurants catering to tourists– 「Do you want to eat here?」 「I don’t like that kind of noisy place.」 Jeanne asked, and I replied as we strolled a bit further down the street and turned a corner. Just by turning off the street, it became significantly quieter… Here was restaurant that wasn’t too decorated, but it appeared neat and elegant. On the stone wall, there was a silver plaque with 4 stars. As we walked the streets of Paris and the night wore on, it appeared that the shops were closing up for the night– but when Jeanne walked into the dining hall of a restaurant attached to an antique looking hotel, an Onee-san maid jumped in surprise. Then after Jeanne spoke 2 or 3 words in French… a small, plump, older man with a『ハ』shaped moustache and wearing gold rimmed spectacles and a three-piece suit appeared from behind the host’s desk. This well-dressed Super Mario character appeared to be the manager. He appeared to be flustered and seeing Jeanne, his eyes opened in an expression of『 O Mon Dieu! 』 Then contrary to his sophisticated appearance– –*Kneel!* Keeping a respectful distance from Jeanne, he took 2 steps back and knelt gracefully. With one hand on his chest and tears in his eyes, he looked up toward Jeanne and spoke some words of greeting. I don’t know that much about French culture, but I understood the significance of this scene at a glance. From all appearances, it looks like the manager is part of what would be called a samurai family in Japan– namely, a soldier descendant of knights. As he remained in this grand posture to greet Jeanne, I figured he must be a descendant of the first Jeanne D’Arc’s attendant. This respect for her… nowadays, must be passed down in secret. Standing to his feet, the manager and Jeanne carried on a conversation in French about me that I didn’t understand, using the words『Monsieur Tohyama』and『samurai』… then he grinned. His whole face lit up in a smile, and he led us into the restaurant attached to the hotel. ************************************************** Each of our seats were comfortable and came with silver tableware laid on top of white tablecloths– 「It looks like you pulled some of your connections… this is a nice restaurant. Is that really okay? I don’t know the table etiquette.」 「Don’t worry. Just use your own country’s etiquette and eat with confidence. We French have historically had a respect for culture. They have already been instructed to provide you with chopsticks.」 We had this conversation before a breadbasket was carried over. Then the manager carried over and deftly opened a bottle of wine. Then after Jeanne inspected the scent, he poured it. Being entertained with wine… I don’t want to just drink it. I’m not eager for a repeat of Hong Kong. 「This is just a light course.」 Jeanne said about the very well-chosen white wine– We were served a coin-shaped appetiser of crushed tomato, cheese, and caviar, accompanied by a seafood dish with salmon, spinach, and asparagus cream sauce. My chopsticks were metal, and I was able to use them well. I was grateful for that, because I wasn’t able to use the butter knife-like fish knife well. Then a domed meat dish appeared… what kind of meat is this? I can’t tell by the taste. 「Jeanne, what is this?」 「Rabbit, wrapped in herbs and cooked.」 「Rabbit…?」 This was the first time I had eaten it, and as I pondered that fact, 「Don’t you know what a rabbit is. It’s an animal that looks like this.」 Wiping her mouth with a napkin, she raised her hand above her head and pantomimed rabbit ears. C-cute! She did that, seriously thinking I didn’t know what it was. ***************************************************** 「… Now for the battle. What should we do?」 I asked once the meal was mostly concluded… The Diamond Dust Witch answered absently as she savoured the taste of cold sherbet, 「First, I will contact our comrade in DEEN, Meiya.」 She mentioned the slightly nostalgic name. Meiya– the alcohol guzzling Onee-san from the Vatican. Her personality was distant, but she wore and brandished a huge sword. She was a beautiful woman with large breasts, and because she was older, she was more attractive to me personally… 「Meiya is the『Saint of Celebratory Light』. The enemy calls her『The Witch of Celebratory Light』. As you are unfamiliar with ESP powers, I will give the abbreviated explanation that she is a『very lucky』female warrior.」 That’s an incredibly abridged explanation! I’d like a bit better explanation of her tendencies and tactics. Seeing my expression, Jeanne said– 「Luck is the oldest area of magical study… More recently, the continuing study has become one of the most important. However, it is also one of the most dangerous.」 「Dangerous?」 「The nature of luck is balance. What I mean is that luck is made up of『good things and bad things happening』. All of Meiya’s Catholic Church sacred arts are tied to the improvement her luck in combat, but because of that, somewhere else her luck must worsen.」 Hmmm. I think I kind of understand…. If she wants to increase her luck in a fight, in exchange, her luck in something else will decrease. That definitely could be dangerous. A battle is not simply all about fighting. 「What I mean is that neither good luck nor bad are absolutes. Luck is a probability. Even if you could raise your good luck to 99%, you would still experience 1% bad luck. The converse is also true.」 I see. I wonder how Meiya manages such a thing? However, I wouldn’t understand anything else I heard about magic. 「Do you know where Katze and her allies are? Have you found Regiment Hex’s secret base?」 I switched topics from our ally to the enemy that had slipped into Hong Kong. 「We have discovered a few locations, but they were each temporary bases. What DEEN is searching for now is Regiment Hex’s『Armoury』– their weapons depot.」 「Armoury…? What kinds of weapons do they have?」 「Guns, of course; tanks and cruise missiles are likely.」 「If they have such things, shouldn’t finding them be easy?」 「Even so, we haven’t been able to locate them. They are undoubtedly concealed in an unconventional location.」 Unconventional location…? Like the ocean? Something like I.U. But there can’t be a huge U-boat. 「The trouble with Katze and her allies is that while calling themselves Regiment Hex, they do not solely rely upon magic. They are also quite skilled with modern weapons. If we could discover and assault their armoury, the European front would become considerably simpler to manage.」 From what I know… magic is considerably unreliable. So, it appears they have avoided relying on it and struck a balance of『Magic』+『Weapons』. On the other side, from what I have heard, it seems that the Vatican relies completely on magic. From what I’ve learned about Liberty Mason by observing Watson, it seems that they lean toward covert use of conventional weapons. … That’s the reason why the European front has been such an entrenched battle. It seems that they have burnt their fingers, when it comes to Regiment Hex. ************************************************************* After Jeanne forced the manager who had refused payment to accept her money… We both exited onto the side street off of Champs-Élysées that had become cold enough for water to freeze and began talking. 「According to Liberty Mason’s intelligence, Katze is currently in Paris. She typically is headquartered in Strasbourg, but she doesn’t appear to be in Paris for any strategic reason…」 「No strategic reason? What could it be? But– if we happened to come across her while she is alone, we might have the opportunity to arrest her.」 「Paris is vast. We have almost no chance of locating her, even with all the power of surveillance available to Liberty Mason. With all that, they could not locate her. However, if we do come across her, we should strike swiftly.」 Liberty Mason is a famous secret society with members all over Europe. I’ve known that name for a long time. In order to become a member, you have to come from a good family with assets or have some kind of special skills, and in that respect, they differ from Rampan– but there were still a lot of them. If you could leverage that power, you could use it to do all kinds of things in Europe. As our breaths puffed white, we fell silent for a moment and we turned onto another side street… 「… Huh? Where does this street go? We aren’t going straight home?」 I asked Jeanne as I began to walk in the opposite direction. Then Jeanne twined her arm in mine once more and squeezed. 「Tonight has been somewhat enjoyable. Let’s walk a bit longer, Tohyama.」 When she spoke of tactical matters, Jeanne had adopted a calm manner, but now her expression softened suddenly into one of girlish enjoyment. … I wonder if it might be the effect of the wine? But I don’t think she drank that much. So, as she suggested, we walked down the side street until it joined the main street– 「…!」 — It was a triumphal arch. The Arc de Triomphe, built to commemorate the victories of Napoléon Bonaparte… I could see the famous Parisian landmark. 50 metres high and well-lit, the gate’s milky white surface glittered, giving off a grand majestic image. 「All streets lead toward the arch, Tohyama.」 Seeing my amazement, Jeanne commented, looking happy once more. Then rearranging her muffler, 「Let’s do that, Tohyama.」 She pointed at a small 12 metre diameter pond down a street that circled the triumphal arch. It seems that they used part of the wide street to make a small skating rink. Simply mark off the perimeter, fill it with water, and the cold of winter will freeze it solid. Safety was likely a concern, but that didn’t seem to bother the children who slid along happily. Adults and tourists hesitated, content merely to watch… I accompanied Jeanne, and she payed a few Euros to the Onee-san in charge. 「O-oi!.」 「This rink is only open at night. Let’s skate!」 Narrowing her eyes in girlish pleasure, Jeanne smiled carrying skates in her hands. Changing her shoes, she pushed out onto the ice rink… 「…Ach!」 It had been a while since I had skated, so I was a bit unsteady. 「Ha!」 Jeanne stepped through the entrance to the rink and took my hand to steady me. Our breaths turning white, Jeanne and I skated among the cute kids of Paris– skating around the edge of the rink, and sometimes in an S shape. Several times we linked hands to avoid falling. … It was actually a lot of fun. When I had to stop suddenly to avoid bumping into a child, a natural smile formed on my face. 「That was close.」 「Fufu!」 Jeanne and I exchanged smiles– Then she skated up to a short distance away from me and she spun. She executed a graceful turn, the tip of one skate slightly piercing the surface of the ice. Then after her professional ice skater performance, she spun, made a graceful movement with her hand, and bowed– Her hand, raised into the starry sky, gestured toward the arch. 「 Bienvenue en France. 」 The Diamond Dust Witch on a skating rink. Just like one of those Parisian statues. Jeanne was like a beautiful angel. Then as if Jeanne had wanted to deck the scene in diamond dust– snow began to fall upon Paris. Ha! It was just the cold. It might even accumulate tomorrow. ******************************************************** Returning to Jeanne’s room in the light snow, I borrowed her partitioned bathroom before heading to bed. There was curtain that could be drawn across the tub and the water fell from above for a hot shower… But… how are you supposed to soak in the tub? As hot water filled the tub, I crossed my arms. This tub is longer than those in the Butei High units, but also shallower. The water only reached knee height. I don’t want to be cold after turning off the hot water, but… how am I supposed to do that…? I stepped into the coffin-like tub and laid myself out to submerge myself in the water. I wanted to submerge myself up to the shoulders, but by doing that my knees could not help but stuck out above the surface. Is that intentional? If you don’t do that, you can’t get in. This bathtub is a mystery. 「…」 But… even so, the sense of security gained from the hot water made me begin to nod off… …*Click!*… 「–Tohyama. Where did you go?」 Jeanne’s voice…! My eyes widened, despite the fact that I was going to fall asleep. Rather, it seemed that Jeanne was in the bathroom! From the other side of curtain, I couldn’t see. Perhaps unable to see my silhouette on the curtain, Jeanne– *Fwish!* 「…!」 She opened the curtain! Although this time it was Jeanne, it was usually Shirayuki– It had been 8 months since this kind of reversed gender situation had happened! Although I was a man and had been seen naked, I did not raise my voice to scream… Flustered, I shifted my upper body to hide the important bits. On the other side, Jeanne, did not respond like Shirayuki– 「Fufu!」 With a giggle, she smiled. She seemed amused at seeing my panic. 「Wh…what? Don’t laugh. When Japanese people take a bath, they lie in the tub.」 「In France we have an old saying. Soaking in hot water shortens your life.」 「The Japanese have the greatest life expectancy. Rather, close the curtain!」 Turning red, I panickingly ordered because my hands were unusable for a certain reason… 「It is necessary to be naked in a bathroom. It is nothing to be ashamed of.」 G-get out of here! That’s Western logic. But trying to make that point here is illogical! 「– It’s still embarrassing!」 In desperation, without attempting to conceal anything, I closed the curtain. ******************************************************* Afterwards, Jeanne walked out of the bathroom and back into the room recklessly wearing a thin set of underwear. It seems that she has no reservations about being seen naked after bathing. I weathered the shock of being able to see through the ultra-thin lace by shear effort and a steel will– Regardless… all I want to do now is go to sleep. Good grief, Jeanne! Don’t you know that if I hysterise, then you’ll be the one in trouble…? Well, Jeanne’s room seems designed for single occupancy. I suspected, but this was the first time I checked with my eyes… there is only one bed. So, I will sleep on the floor. The sofa in the living room is too small to sleep on. I carefully peeked into the bedroom to check, and Jeanne was already in her pyjamas… 「Well then, goodnight. It’s been a long day, literally. I’ll sleep on the floor.」 I said… Jeanne undid her long silver hair. 「?」 Lying on her stomach, she closed the music box she had open and looked back at me quizzically. 「You won’t get any rest that way, Tohyama. Sleep in the bed.」 「But there’s only one. What will you do?」 「I’ll sleep here too. We can both sleep in it.」 Jeanne… You… Do you understand what you’re saying? We aren’t little kids. Do you really mean to suggest that a man and woman sleep in the same bed? As I wondered that… Jeanne tapped the cream coloured bed… It did look awfully soft, and comfortable to sleep in. Well… Jeanne is an air-head, so maybe she doesn’t understand the significance of a man and woman sleeping together in the same bed. If that’s the case, then this is totally unlike the time Riko sneaked into the dormitory bunk beds. After all, it would allow me to sleep above the floor where dirty shoes have been worn… Exhausted, I didn’t say another word– I compromised and sat on the bed. Wow! I was really soft like a cloud. With a *Click!* Jeanne turned off the light besides the bed, and I laid on my side, putting my back to Jeanne… *Whoomf!* As I expected, it smelled like Jeanne. It was a good scent, but the fact that it was clearly feminine was troubling. But since I’m tired, there’s nothing that can stop me going to sleep. Then as I pulled up the blanket…*Rustle!*,*Rustle!*… 「…」 Jeanne shifted behind me for some reason. Almost like she was sitting up. With a rustle of sheets, I heard the blankets move– but it was fine. In my tired state, I didn’t give it another thought. And after falling asleep, I turned my back to Jeanne would lay again. Goodnight, Jeanne. … …… … Rest well… Then I felt something incredibly softer than the bed– the sensation of her breast pushed up against my back. Jeanne was hugging me from behind! 「Oi, Jeanne!」 Confused, I grabbed for Jeanne’s arm and felt bare skin. What about the pyjamas you were wearing? Did you just take them off? I tried to sit up, but because Jeanne was clinging to me, I couldn’t. Reaching behind me, I felt a smooth depression. This is Jeanne’s waist. She is wearing lace underwear– 「Why aren’t you wearing anything!」 「I’m wearing Chanel No. 19.」 I don’t care if you’re wearing perfume! Since I was in a back-mounting position, I tried to apply practical martial arts theory to grab her wrist to remove her arms– but she anticipated that. Jeanne used her gentle, slightly cold fingers and grasped the palms of my hands. Almost playfully, she intertwined our fingers in the dark… Covering the back of my hand with her palm, Jeanne held my hand in this strange manner– 「Fufu!」 –She laughed an adult-like laugh into my collar. She acted like an older girl that had cornered a younger boy– irritating me– I tried to break free with sheer strength, but her vast knowledge of fencing raised her grappling skills quite high. Then, using her advantage she twisted her arm and shoulder to roll me over. Then I– ended up in the middle of the bed on my back. Jeanne’s posture was like that of a knight riding a warhorse as she straddled me. But as the horse, I was face up. In the moonlight coming from the window, Jeanne’s silver hair and lily-white skin stood out, shining mysteriously. Her pale white skin showed through the delicately thin lace underwear. Decorated with silver thread, both her white breasts glittered. Not too big and not too small, they formed perfect hemispheres. With a narrow waist, she could boast of a perfect figure with a small, cute bellybutton a bit higher. She was slender without seeming delicate, and her limbs were like an antelope’s. And right now, I am the closest person in the world to all of them. It seems that has happened until now was part of Jeanne’s plan… and the eyes that looked down at me said『You understand』even as I thought『I don’t understand at all』. *Thump!* *Thump!* — My heart wouldn’t stop pounding– It was happening. Because of this beautiful woman. The blood flowing to my core boiled hot like the Sun. The European debut of Hysteria Mode. 「– Are you frightened, Tohyama?」 Jeanne whispered as she touched a cool hand to my chest. 「…Relax. I am frightened as well. This is my first time with a man like this. However… I have heard it rumoured that you are quite experienced. So, I will leave the rest to you.」 My Hysteria Mode fuelled brain– made a sudden realisation– I finally understood what Jeanne was thinking… And it was a mistake. I stretched a hand up and ran my fingers through her silver hair. Then… I cradled her well-shaped ear. It had become hot. I had to check. Jeanne, you are very brave. However– 「Please explain.」 「We are a man and woman. What explanation is necessary?」 The two of us going on a date in this gorgeous town, sharing a romantic meal, then coming back and pressing our bodies together under one roof… Everything had been part of Jeanne’s plan to lead up to this intimate moment. Even to the extent of me raising my hand. But… Jeanne, you don’t really want this, do you? This affection for me doesn’t reach all the way to the top. Jeanne is a member of Constellation–a member of the survivors of I.U. She’s not a member of Baskerville. Until now, there has been a firm line separating our respective positions. But now– Due to her own mistake, I’ve been shipped off to the front lines in her home country. I believe this has to be an apology . Jeanne has a strong sense of personal responsibility, and she created this weakness so… 「… You’re trying to make up for things, aren’t you? That’s what this is about.」 「That is correct. I couldn’t say it, but DEEN holds an inferior position in Europe We are fighting a rear-guard action. This time, the chances that you and I will die are quite high. I drew you into this hopeless situation, so I have to make up for it.」 The situation was as Jeanne had said. I tried not to think about it, but we really were surrounded on all sides. This night may be the last night the two of us are alive. 「…I understand. Then there is something I want to ask you to do as well.」 I said, and Jeanne nodded in response– Without a word, she draped her body over mine. It was an adult action. I made a small, bitter smile… and pulled her back and head close. 「I only want one thing, Jeanne. Don’t pretend to be strong.」 At those words– Jeanne raised her head slightly, and she peeked up at my face as we were so close our noses brushed each other. Her beautiful ice blue eyes were like pools where diamond dust spirits lived. 「No, there’s one more thing. It’s not good for a girl to be so cold.」 Saying that, I pulled up the down coverlet that had slipped off to cover us both. Jeanne was an awfully proud girl. She might have wanted to appear to be in earnest, but she was actually pretending. In reality, she was pretty easy to understand and a bit air-headed… but at the heart of it, she was just a girl. And this girl– as a descendant of knights, lives in an underworld awash in blood. That… must be something that is hard to bear. No matter how you spend your life. 「Jeanne. If you become tired of carrying that burden… don’t hesitate, you can share it with me.」 This time, I drew Jeanne’s ear close to my mouth and whispered… Jeanne’s blue eyes misted slightly as they fixed themselves on me. For the first time, those eyes reflected Jeanne’ own weakness. The real Jeanne– 「–『It is a man’s duty and honour to carry a woman’s bag』isn’t it?」 As I repeated her own words back to her, Jeanne said… 「…Too…yama…」 Those blue eyes, now red, shed drops of tears. Tears running down her face, Jeanne lowered her head…and pressing her head into my chest– she wept softly. Somehow, that was a relief. 「…Tohyama. I have a request.」 「A request?」 「You had two for me!」 Jeanne said in a somewhat spoiled manner as she tightened her embrace slightly. Then averting her eyes– 「… There is something that I have wanted to be called. Even when I was a little girl, I was never treated as a woman.」 「What do you want to be called?」 「『Young lady』…」 3 –Oh. I’m sorry Jeanne. You are more mysterious than anyone I know, and I failed to pick up on the fact– I missed it even though I am in Hysteria Mode. You must have carried this desire within you for the last 8 months. 「I will remember.」 「Do not look down on me. I have an excellent memory.」 「Ha ha!『You really are an amazingly intelligent young lady.』」 「…!」 I spoke the same words I had used when we had fought in the underground storage area last May. Hearing them, Jeanne started… and clutched her hands to her chest in delight. Back then, I had thought that Jeanne was embarrassed… but she was actually happy. In the middle of a battle, this strong-willed woman had been treated like a young lady. This girl really is a young lady. You said something similar some time ago, but a man doesn’t need a reason to fight to protect a woman. I am here, and you shouldn’t feel responsible. And so, without anything left to talk about– We fell into a peaceful sleep, still holding on to each other. …*Chirp!* *Chirp!*… In Paris, awaking to the sound of sparrow song… Jeanne was not in the bed. In the aftermath of Hysteria Mode, my head was clear– Last night, I was able to side-step Jeanne, but I also remember a bunch of embarrassing things I said. I want to die. Ugh! I hate myself.『It’s not good for a girl to be so cold.』Such stupidity! The girls of Baskerville should never get a hold of any evidence of what happened. In a gloomy mood, I changed clothes and entered the living room… Jeanne stood at the window in the morning sun– *Whoosh!* *Whoosh!* Like a dance, Jeanne swung the legendary blade Durandal. It’s not combat practice, but rather a『sword dance』–an exercise to refresh the feeling of weight and the sense of the length of the blade as part of a fully-fledged knight’s training. In Japanese swordsmanship, it is like a kata, daily training that not even a master would neglect. Although I rarely do so myself. 「Good Morning, Tohyama.」 Jeanne turned to face me, wearing a white blouse and green checked skirt– these normal clothes look a bit like a Japanese high school girls’ uniform. I haven’t seen her in anything besides a Butei High sailor suit and waitress cosplay, so this is new. These must be what Jeanne usually wears. Even the way Jeanne has put up her hair is a bit different and cute. 「Have you been training all morning? You must be tired.」 「I enjoy training.」 We tried to speak with each other as if the events of last night hadn’t occurred… 「…」 Ah… this is no good. Things between us are awkward and difficult. This awkwardness is confirmation that we both distinctly recall the events of last night and are embarrassed. Bringing it up again would be rude. That dangerous sequence of events must not be repeated. I want last night to be quickly forgotten and for things to return to normal. Sensing my desire, Jeanne stopped twirling her sword and returned it to its sheath– 「–The sword is the pride of a knight. I wonder if it is the same for a samurai’s katana?」 She tried to reconnect us with a neutral topic. 「It is. A katana is a warrior’s soul… or so they say.」 My words failed halfway through as I remembered what my『Contradiction』had done to the scramasax. My life is full of things I’d rather forget. When I went into the bathroom to wash my face, in the clothes dryer… Jeanne’s pyjamas and mine were entwined. I was thankful that I had done the washing, but it was a bit embarrassing. 「Have some breakfast. I bought all kinds of things at the market.」 Jeanne said, peeking her head slightly into the bathroom and smiling. 「Sorry, I’ll eat.」 In an uncomfortable, newlywed-like atmosphere, Jeanne and I sat together at the table… *Munch!* *Munch!* Jeanne cut a baguette with a bread knife. 「Do not worry. Baguette is cheap. By law, it cannot exceed a fixed price. It is so that the poor will not starve.」 「Huh. Kind of like a French version of welfare?」 We carried on this conversation as I ate a lettuce and meat paste sandwich and drank hot coffee to wake up. With coffee in hand, the two of us headed out onto the cold balcony… no more snow had fallen, and last night’s snow had accumulated. 「Tohyama, you are kind.」 –Jeanne said, giving me a wry smile. It seems that my desire didn’t make it through to her. She’s bringing up last night. 「… Not really. It was a tricky spot.」 「I don’t know what will happen tonight. But I am resolved to it.」 Because it seemed that she was going to launch into a full review, I wanted to change the topic somehow– I desperately looked around for something else to bring up. And because Jeanne’s grey hair was sparkling like silver, I said… 「Your hair. Is pretty.」 I said as I looked at her. I planned to cleverly segue to discuss shampoo, but Jeanne *Snatch!* She grabbed a hold of her own hair in her hand…??? Huh?? … What? Why are you blushing? With your white skin, it’s easy to tell. 「Why did you compliment me at such an odd time? You seem considerably skilled at this. You must be a natural born Lothario.」 「W-why do you say that? I just said what I thought about what I saw.」 「That… is what I mean!」 Setting the coffee cup down on the bronze table, Jeanne gathered a bit of the snow accumulated on the handrail… *Crunch!* With a mischievous smile she hit me with a snowball. 「You’re… cold!」 I gathered up snow from the table, and with flick of my wrist, threw the mini-snowball I made. *Dodge!* Jeanne avoided it. 「Ha-ha!」 I saw that the second projectile she had made was already on its way toward my head. Ouch! It’s hard! You’re using your ESP power! Then Jeanne and I… had a small snowball fight on the balcony. Actually, we had a real snowball fight. I was up against the Diamond Dust Witch, alone. What was I thinking? But… it was fun. Jeanne had fun. Surprisingly, she did not seem to tire of it. This display of innocence so different from her usually composed self was interesting. Even her natural air-headedness– seemed to have fallen away. This was the first time we really spent time together. ************************************************** That night, after 7 o’clock… 「– I’ve been in contact with Meiya. She wants us to come meet her at the Palais Garnier.」 Jeanne announced as she took an indigo dress out of the closet. 「Garnier… an opera house?」 I said while looking at my mobile. 「Opera house is the common name for the opera. Palais Garnier is different. You should change.」 Jeanne passed me a white tuxedo in a vinyl garment bag. 「A tuxedo…?」 「No, it is a smoking jacket.」 Jeanne pointed out my mistake but… Why do you have these clothes? When I put it on in the living room, it was a bit large. There was something that bothered me a little, though. With its size, Jeanne couldn’t have used it to disguise herself as a man. They’re probably someone else’s clothes… I spared a glance toward the bedroom– Jeanne was there carefully applying makeup before going to the Palais Jeanne was now putting on earrings. It seems rather rude to bring up something so trivial, but I’ve been given a hand-me-down tuxedo to wear… Regardless, these are good clothes. Even someone as ignorant of fashion as me can tell that. I never thought that I’d be caught wearing a black tuxedo, but–this one is white. It looks good. I don’t know anything about girl’s clothes, but these are some good-looking guys clothes, Wearing a tight dress, Jeanne said, 「I bought this in the antique gallery below. It is for you.」 She tossed me a plain white mask that hides everything above the nose. It looks like something the mysterious Phantom lurking in the theatre in the『The Phantom of the Opera』would wear. 「Do I really have to wear something like this?」 「Yes. It is a masquerade ball.」 After finishing changing and putting on makeup, Jeanne entered the living room– she was like an elegant cover model straight from an adult fashion magazine, and different from Aria’s cover appearance. No matter what she wears, a beautiful woman is a beautiful woman, but the style and arrangement of her clothes are flawless. 「Riko kindly gave this to me. So… how does it look?」 Jeanne wore a large cat face mask covering her eyes, along with the cat ears that Riko had given her when we left Japan. She was cat-Jeanne, or『Meow-nne 』(as Riko would say.) While straightening my necktie, Jeanne said, 「Like us, Meow-a might have a tail as meow-ll. The meow-squerade ball is a good way to throw them meow-ll off at meow-nce.」 「Right… uhh…」 「Hiding meow-r face, meeting up with your allies while eluding meow-r enemies, then slipping away in a car. We meow-ll use this Cold War spy technique at the medieval French meow-squerade ball.」 「Uh, I understand why we’re using a masquerade ball. But why are you talking like a cat?」 「Do you not wish me to? I thought you would enjoy it.」 Slightly peeved, Cat-Jeanne hit my chest lightly… Putting on my mask, I had to confess that I did just a bit. I understand. This masquerade ball is like a cosplay event… meant to allow people to meet while hiding their identity. I’ve learned something new. ************************************************************* The opera house– It was even more fantastic than the triumphal arch we passed yesterday and a veritable chalk white palace. It was in a neo-baroque style… and it looked like it was a huge decorated cake. On the roof were golden statues of the godly patrons of Art, and the outer wall were crowded with carvings. It was hard to find a place that wasn’t decorated. France lacks wabi-sabi culture. 4 Using her connections at the hotel from yesterday, Jeanne called a limousine, and we both stepped out– We entered the palace entrance through a small iron side door in the that looked a bit like a secret entrance. The place was usually a tourist trap, but today it was reserved for the masquerade ball. The furniture inside was antique, and the space was dim and cramped… … this all seems suspicious. Everyone inside was dressed in elegant clothing, and a mysterious mood wafted from the droves of people milling about. Everyone is wearing a mask, so I am a bit wary of them. Well, Jeanne and I are as well… Although it was called a ball, there wasn’t any dancing. Rather, it seems like a place to meet and talk in secret. There were women there in conspicuously elaborate dresses who moved like performers. A woman was talking pleasantly with an athlete that she could not freely meet in public, and it appeared to be a lover’s tryst. A sunburnt man who could not entirely rid himself of the scent of gunpowder was probably an Italian Mafioso from Corsica. He was probably here for some kind of drug deal. As for everyone else… there was an IT business professional, a politician, a soldier, a female entertainer… They were all here. This place seems to have a very un-stratified atmosphere. These people are carrying on all kinds of shady underground business. In Japan, it would be a high-class traditional restaurant and a meeting of high-level executives– here it’s just a lot more people. French society seems to be flexible enough to tolerate this to a certain degree. Thinking about that, this masquerade ball sees like a place where anyone can be reasonably comfortable. 「–Meow.」 I heard Jeanne make a cat noise… She showed me a stuffed horse toy. 「What’s that?」 「A cat with a horse is an amusing sign. Meiya will be a dog with a cow.」 「I don’t think that it’s very funny…. , but what you’re saying is we have to find『the girl wearing a dog mask and carrying a cow plush』?」 「Let us split up for a bit to look around. There are more people here than expected. We will rendezvous again in 5 minutes.」 Saying that, Jeanne set off into the small, bustling round hall while wearing the high heels she expressed dislike for. Alright then… I suppose I’ll head toward the next floor. I headed up the fancy staircase– Light shone from a crystal chandelier the size of a compact car onto the extremely beautiful pure white marble grand staircase. It was amazing! The building was shaped like a five-level horseshoe. Such scenes are not limited to fairy tale books. From the stairs that had become a place to converse, I looked out in amazement– 「 Oh, Pardon! 」 As I stood in the crowded place, a drunken scholarly looking person bumped into me. Then the masked man… *Clink!* I heard something strike on object my breast pocket. 「–?」 Something metal was in my tuxedo breast pocket. It was probably in there from before Jeanne had given it to me. From being a Butei, I’ve picked up the habit of checking for explosives… so I took it out… it was a silver-plated pendant. The kind that has pictures inside. 「…」 It’s probably something the last person who wore it left behind. Thinking that as a climbed the grand white marble staircase… I tried to open it. Inside, there was a time picture of what appeared to be a picture of a 14 year-old Jeanne from before her time at I.U– with 3 older white males, and she was riding double with one of them on a white horse. In this picture…the two of them look happy. Sincerely happy. Then man in the picture had good looks that would put an actor to shame. … Perhaps an old lover? I can’t tell, but I get that impression. Such a tasteless action… Due to the nature of the job, Butei are private people. However, we have the ability to pry into someone’s past. In an actual investigation there are no shortage of things to pry into, and I know how unpleasant such a thing is to the subject. So, especially when it comes to fellow Butei– unless they are hostile, there’s a rule that their past is a private affair that will not be investigated. What’s more, this involves a member of the opposite sex. Speaking of myself, I know how delicate an issue it can be. So… why am I doing this? Was I caught up in the suspicious mood on the masquerade? So, I’ll pretend not to have seen it. I won’t tell anyone about it. Even Jeanne. 「…」 But even so… Something weighed on my chest. Just like that, the comfortable mood of the masquerade ball was lost. When I got to the top of the stairs, there was an antique carpet laid out in the hall… As I searched for Meiya under the masks, my eyes halted at the sight of something. The bar. There, many different colours of alcohol were being poured into separate glasses. Alcohol., huh…? I had a bad experience in Hong Kong, but I wonder if I should have a little. It’s free, after all. The colourful cocktails sparked under the chandelier light. Just the sight of it was pleasant and having a drink might raise my spirits. Besides, France is country where it’s OK to drink after you’re 16. And as I approached– The current bartender was producing red, blue, and yellow cocktails in bulk, and using both hands… *Grab!* *Slup!* *Clack* *Slup!* *Slup!* *Clack!* Clack!* A woman had just taken 5, no 10, drinks in rapid succession. Wh-who is this woman? She’s putting down alcohol like Wanko soba. 5 People had gathered and were chattering about this person’s drinking ability. But… from beneath her dress there was a dog’s tail… And as I leaned over to see if she had a horse plush… 「Haaa! Delicious!」 *Brrrm!* Turning towards the onlookers, she showed off her breasts that were the size of small melons–*Ba-dong!* Immediately, they captured my attention. 「…!」 Bouncing with such vigour as I had only dreamed of, I fell back to sit on floor. 「…Hmm? Oh… now what do we have here? Tooyama-san! It’s been a long time!」 I squinted, looking past the dog mask that covered everything above her nose… Clutching a cow plush toy to her udder-like bosom, it was Meiya. Meiya Romano. The 18 year-old half Japanese, half Italian. An exorcist from Vatican City, part of Rome Butei High Canossa– what would be considered an S-Rank fifth-year student in Tokyo Butei High. Formerly one of Kana’s juniors. Gentle in appearance, this fighting Onee-san had been the first to announce that she would join DEEN at Bandire. Since then, she has led the fight against Regiment Hex and held her own, previously proving her prowess by fighting Hilda and cutting off her head. According to Jeanne, she apparently has the ability to affect the fortunes of war. 「I have been troubled by all kinds of thoughts… But I thought, if only you could come, and now you are actually here. Oh, thank God!」 Absentmindedly, Meiya crossed herself. Well, at the very least. now that I’m here, that’s one more thing in our favour. At least I’ve managed to rendezvous with allies. Her blond hair waving freely, dog-Meiya gave me a hand and pulled me to my feet. 「It has been a while, hasn’t it?」 Because she was, more or less, my senior, I answered respectfully… 「What’s this? Such formality. Please, just talk to me like a normal friend.」 Meiya said, narrowing her eyes as her long lashes stuck out from behind the mask. 「O-oh… alright.」 However… Meiya’s blood vessels stood out from her white skin. Her shoulders were bare, and her large breasts stood out in her dress. Below her waist, her buttocks stuck out prominently. She is very sexy. Despite the fact that she is part of the church. 「Tooyama-san, you took down Rampan last month. You are one of Japan’s mighty samurai. Now that you are here, it will surely breathe new life into the European front. Now then… let’s do our best to exterminate the few pests from GRENEDA!」 Meiya pumped her hands in a Japanese ‘heave-ho’ gesture, and… *Thunk!’ From somewhere behind her, she pulled out a huge sword and it fell to the floor. Thankfully she left it in its sheath. It would be a problem if it damaged the expensive carpet. As for the sword… we’re okay. Everyone around us thinks it’s a cosplay prop and is laughing. That is just like you… treating your human enemies like insects… Is that really okay? She is certainly my ally, after all. Then I realised. She had been drinking alcohol, and that meant she was charged with magical power. Jeanne and I formed a hastily constructed team and adding someone else to increase our fighting strength–surely wasn’t a bad idea at all. I tried to pick up the sword off the floor, but… What is this sword? It’s super heavy. It’s a lot heavier than it looks. Is it made of depleted uranium or something? Holding the sword, I staggered under the weight… trying to hand it back to Meiya… –*Clang!* *Trip!*… As I tried to pick it up Meiya… stooped down…! Then I found myself unable to breath, my nose–not being covered by the mask– ended up buried in Meiya’s breasts that would put a Holstein cow to shame. What do I do now!? 「Oh my…!」 Meiya clapped both hands to her cheeks, looking delighted for some reason… it was what Riko would call a serendipitously naughty situation. Is this due to Meiya’s effect on good luck? No, it can’t be. Something like this has the danger of setting off my Hysteria Mode. This is the pinnacle of unluckiness…! Did she just bring me bad luck!? Feeling entertained, the French people around us began whistling and catcalling. In the middle of the uproar– *Clonk!* *Clonk!* *Clonk!* 「Tohyama! People are watching, what are you doing? … Meiya? Is that you?」 It appears that when I didn’t show up after five minutes, Jeanne started looking for me in her high heels, mask, and cat ears. It looks like she used her cat ears sound collector to do it. 「Yes. Is that your voice, Jeanne? I’m so glad we found each other.」 「Were you attacked by Tohyama?」 「About that… He suddenly hurled himself at my chest, and I just didn’t know what to do…」 While rearranging the front of her dress and feigning ignorance, Meiya didn’t exactly deny it. 「Th-that’s not it! Her sword–」 I began to explain, but already Jeanne had her arms crossed and was not listening… 「This man has the bad habit of suddenly assaulting women on occasions. Back in Tokyo while we were doing surveillance work, he suddenly assaulted me. This was when I was still weak from the wounds I suffered from Hilda.」 I-I remember that, Jeanne… If I’m not wrong, that was when Watson kidnapped Aria and Nakasorachi was conducting audio surveillance– I was in Hysteria Mode Berserk and treated Jeanne roughly. 「So he does this to everyone? I’ve always had this idea…!」 For some reason, Meiya’s eyes sparkled as she looked at me. What kind of ideas did you get from Jeanne’s explanation? However, thanks to Jeanne’s interruption, my blood flow levels fell below the level required for hysterising– Then Jeanne took a few steps. Heel clicking, she went to lean on the bar and ordered a dry martini. Underneath her mask, the corners of her mouth were turned down into a perfect frown. She seemed angry. And… I get the feeling that she’s angry about something besides my mistake in not meeting back up with her. She took the cocktail in her hand and gulped it down in agitation. 「O-oi, Jeanne. Let me explain. What happened just now was a complete accident. To be honest, I don’t know what you’re mad about. It’s strange for a Butei to drink.」 「…I am not angry.」 「Yes you are! Something’s come between us–」 「It is nothing.」 Cat-Jeanne avoided the topic, denying the truth. Then, with glinting ice blue eyes, she looked at her own and Meiya’s chest. Then turning back at me– *Boosh!* She threw the horse plush at me. Gasping, the onlooking French people made sounds of amusement. Almost as if they were watching an opera. It appears that they understand what is going on, while I, one of the involved parties, do not understand. What is this? Will someone explain it to me? Why is Jeanne mad? If possible, can you do so in Japanese? 「Wh-what is going on? What are you…」 「Look into your heart. No. In your case, asking is pointless. By the way, Tohyama. The best way to train a horse– is with a whip.」 From somewhere within her dress, she pulled out a whip that she was carrying for some reason…! 「In the West, in some countries we use a whip to punish children.」 Another display of European culture. Aria employs the Japanese method of striking with fists! 「…I will have you reflect upon each girl you have defrauded and use pain to reinforce the punishment of your misdeeds. Tohyama. You have insulted both myself and Meiya. An insult must be answered according the rules of chivalry.」 With a *Snap!* *Snap!*, Jeanne snapped the short whip as she said this incomprehensible statement– It looked like a real whip. The spectators buzzed in excitement at the scene out of an S&M show, but I pushed them aside– Of The 36 Stratagems, none can match retreat! 6 I dashed away as fast as I could! And I still don’t know why she is angry. But there was a *Clack* *Clack* *Clack* Jeanne chased after me in her heels. Perhaps she was using the cat ear sound collector to track the sound of my footsteps. 「Tooyama-sa~n! Jeanne-sa~n! You two give it your best!」 Waving that damned heavy sword in one hand, Meiya. called out in encouragement. You really are an absurd person! I knew it! ************************************************************* I wondered if I could run out to large balcony and jump into the Seine– but below, there was only stone pavement. There was only one door leading back inside the palace. It was a dead-end. Catching up to me Jeanne, 「–Hmph!」 She wielded the whip in earnest, and I used my slightly hysterical reflexes to dodge it. It missed by a paper’s thin margin, and the tip slipped into the handkerchief pocket on my chest— then flew back between the palace’s white pillars. Then it pulled the photograph pendant out– and it clattered to the ground. It rolled across the ground and came to rest by Jeanne’s feet. 「–!」 And her hand froze. For a moment, an expression of curiosity overtook her face… then Jeanne picked it up… then, holding it in her hands, crossed her arms and clutched it to herself. 「Was that it, Tohyama?」 「…?」 Huh? For some reason, her voice sound like her mood had improved slightly. 「Men are simple creatures to understand. You threw yourself at Meiya out of jealousy.」 I definitely didn’t do that, but… The tiger Jeanne has become a cat once more, so I’ll go along with that story. If I bring up the photograph pendant from the tuxedo’s pocket… it looks like I might be able to get through this. 「… Did you, live with this man?」 I broke the Butei taboo… but it seemed like she had good memories of falling in love, and they calmed her down. 「You will never meet him. He is my older brother, Pierre.」 With a *Click!*, Jeanne opened the pendant– 「My mother divorced and remarried twice, so we have different fathers.」 … That additional qualification… didn’t make her meaning very clear. Because I didn’t have anything to say to that, I gestured toward the balcony. Jeanne wanted to explain things, and she came to stand calmly beside me. 「My family is exclusively matrilineal. And so, after my older brother came of age… he was disowned. I despise this custom of separating family!」 … So that’s it. They must have been close. Jeanne’s older brother was handsome. 「Is Pierre-san… your older brother, doing well? Do the two of you talk?」 I have a younger brother and sister from a different mother– so I asked out of sympathy. 「Yes. Pierre married a Swiss man who is an art dealer in the Netherlands. They are living happily in Cannes. He is an avant-garde painter and quite successful.」 Jeanne grinned and laughed as she spoke about her brother. I see. That’s good. She must have thought I was jealous of the money he’s gained from his creative occupation. ……… That’s no good though! I tried to ignore the second half of what she said after hearing the first. Should you really be sharing such important information about your brother!? I don’t think so. We’re overseas. So Japanese logic doesn’t always apply. I learned this in Hong Kong, so I couldn’t act surprised. Well… Jeanne is unusually popular with the girls… perhaps she takes after her brother. Perhaps even, if her atrocious drawings were shown in the right venue, she’d be hailed as an artistic genius? Surprisingly… Jeanne and I had quite a bit in common. Although knight and warriors are different, they both inherit the responsibility to fight for justice and honour. Siblings can be difficult. Especially if they are of a different gender, race, nationality, or appearance– We both carry a similar fate. Jeanne and I. Because that is the case… I want to help her even more on this European front. Not out of pity, but rather camaraderie. ******************************************************* 1. In France, the ‘first floor’ is the floor above ground level. The ground level floor is called the ‘rez-de-chaussee’ and is seen as an entryway, and not counted in the count of floors. 2. There appears to be another amalgamation of Japanese and German culture. The reading of the kanji here would be romanised as ‘I’, so this is I.U., I’m pretty sure. Also, the Kanji is used in the name of Italy. 3. Original word if ‘Ojou-san’. Closest meaning I can come up with is ‘respectable, well-bred young woman’. It is a bit pretentious to use in casual conversation and is often used sarcastically as a derogatory term, but it fits Jeanne’s personality well. 4. Wabi-sabi 5. Specific style of noodles with the traditional experience where you quickly eat your noodles and then get your bowl immediately refilled in constant repetition. 6. Kinji is making reference to a Chinese essay on political, social, and military strategy often referred to as The 36 Stratagems and a historical utterance by a general. Read HERE under Origin. ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### 004. Bullet 4: Dangerous High Road — Graf Zeppelin [BEGIN TEXT] Chapter 4: Dangerous High Road — Graf Zeppelin The Louvre, a former French castle, was the largest art gallery in the world. The exterior was just as elaborately decorated as the Palais Garnier from last night but sparkling in the morning sun– it could be seen that it was much, much larger. From what could be seen through the windows. the interior was opulent. As was to be expected of a palace. 「Let’s enter through the Porte des Lions . It is an out-of-the-way entrance unknown to tourists, so we will not have to queue up to get inside.」 Meiya and I were guided inside by the casually attired Jeanne who wore the ordinary looking high school girl’s uniform. Why were the 3 members of DEEN here, you may ask…? Meiya had shown up that morning at Jeanne’s apartment and insisted that we come. In accordance with the divine messenger who governs the fortunes of war, we did so. My associations with ESP users have definitely increased, to the point that the Hotogi Miko might say I was『patronising』them. That is not something that I can ignore. The situation could turn at any moment, but I counted on Meiya’s power of blessing–we went anyway. But… why are you doing that…? We stalked through the luxurious interior, Jeanne on my right arm and Meiya on my left. Every now and again, Jeanne would shoot a sharp glance toward Meiya, who returned a pleasant smile. … What the hell!? Even for Japan, her clothes are comfortably loose and flowing. Tightly clasping my arm, her overwhelming fruit-like flesh, large milk balls–that is to say, her huge breasts– sandwiched my arm. This is the third time this month that I’ve been in such a Breast Hell. For such instances, I’ve memorised all the prime numbers up to 100, and I began to recite them like a mantra in order to endure it and avoid accidentally hysterising. But does this situation… possibly have something to do with the fortunes of war? I wonder if this is the repayment due in exchange for my little scene with the legendary scramasax. The person in question–Meiya–meanwhile, chattered, completely caught up the tourist experience. 「59, 61, 67, 71… S-should we go this way…?」 「Yes. As for what may follow, we must depend on the Lord’s guidance. One never knows what might happen.」 「Well, seeing as we have come all the way to Paris, we should at least see the Mona Lisa.」 I, Meiya, and Jeanne said, respectively– the more knowledgeable Jeanne pointing things out as we walked. The Winged Victory of Samothrace , the Venus de Milo , then we saw Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece, the smiling Mona Lisa . We spent three hours doing this and walking around, but… nothing happened. The Louvre certainly has an inexhaustible supply of things to see. No matter where you looked, there was a piece of art. It was already lunch time, but we haven’t even seen a third of what was on display– Are we going to pass the entire day like this…? Is that really alright? As Butei, the number of opportunities we get to see works of art are few and far between. In REPIER, they are practically non-existent. So, taking advantage of this opportunity to cover it for the rest of my life… … ……? …!? Am I seeing things? There in the corner, listening to a lecturer on Ancient Greek sculpture… there was what appeared to be a group of French schoolgirls on a class trip. And amidst the group of young ladies was a small girl with a face that I seemed to recall. There, on the other side of Myron’s white Discobolus statue was the small girl I was watching. 「Oi, Jeanne, Meiya. Is that…?」 At my prompting, they both looked away from the Aphrodite of Knidos . As the girls moved to the next hall, they saw the person I was looking at– 「…!」 We all gasped and looked at each other. Then we looked back at the girls. Wearing a skirt and jumper combo, the tiny girl excitedly taking down notes in a notebook… K-Katze Glacé…! –It was Regiment Hex’s Katze Glacé. What are the odds on that! I thought that it had to be a case of mistaken identity, but there’s no way that the three of us could have made the same mistake. But the hair, height, and face were Katze’s. Most convincing of all, however, she wore an eye-patch over her right eye. Instead of a swastika, however, it had a flower design on it. 「Meiya, this is a great service you have done.」 Jeanne said in a low voice. 「Is this… a result of your power, Meiya?」 「I’d like to say so… but it’s really impossible to say for sure. Meeting your bitter enemy is a coincidence that is certainly uncommon– but this is a typical result of my『Luck Reinforcement』.」 Meiya’s eyebrows slanted upward as she scowled at Katze… but we shouldn’t start a fight right at this moment. 「Could either of you use you magic to suddenly capture her? Change her into a frog, or something?」 「Tohyama. With your meagre knowledge of magic, you should not speak of it. It is painful to hear. Right now, magic is of no use to us.」 「Today, the Ririirokane particles are dense, so it’s a bad day for magic. However, that pest will be under the same restrictions. Luck Fortification– however the divine blessing of God is not subject to the influence of irokane… but dangerous all the same.」 「If you can’t use magic… then we can use force! Meeting her like this is a one in a million year chance.」 I reached my hand inside my jacket to my shoulder holster– 「Stop, Tohyama! This is an art gallery. There are a lot of civilians here!」 「As much as I want to exterminate this pest, let’s follow her. We could kill them all one by one, but if we find their den, we might be able to round up the entire lot of cockroaches at once.」 Jeanne and Meiya stepped closed and restrained my arm. Their den… Regiment Hex’s headquarters, their『armoury』? Until now– we haven’t been able to determine how many fighting witches there are, and if we take Katze down here, we won’t know where the next opponent might come from. What’s more, we won’t gain the benefit of locating their secret base. Alright, to avoid damaging the irreplaceable pieces of art, I’ll change my mind and follow her instead. 「…」 Following her into the hall of Roman Art, Katze continued to eagerly take down notes from the teacher’s talk. She seems… very studious. I suppose that’s about right. By age, she should be a student. At least in the normal course of events. However, by appearance, Katze is worse than the rest of the students on the trip. While the rest had finished taking notes and began posing for photographs, she was the only one still furiously taking notes on the art. Then, not noticing the group of Chinese that bustled in behind her… bumping into her, her writing implements were knocked out of her hands to the floor. Flustered, Katze moved to pick up and gather her pen case and notebook, but… No one in her class moved to help her. It… doesn’t look like she has any friends. …She must be all alone. On her own home ground, Jeanne looked up from searching the young girl’s uniform on her mobile… 「That is Strousbourg’s Foret Noire Girl’s School’s uniform. It is a commuter school for young ladies. It is well known for both high educational values and tuition.」 She whispered to me. Eh…? Despite the fact that you’re a terrorist, you do the unlikely thing of commuting back and forth, Katze? ******************************************************** Due to the high concentration of Ririirokane, the use of magic to track her wasn’t very effective… So, putting the tailing skills I had practiced in INQUESTA to good use, I kept her in sight as I followed. Meiya left to secure a car to track her when she left the building. In the meantime, when it started to get dark, the Foret Noire students–they appeared to receive some kind of instructions from their teacher before they broke up into groups. The seemed excited by what they planned to buy in Paris, then they formed groups with people they liked and left. But… Katze was left alone by the entryway. Then, looking around to make sure everyone was gone… 「Tch!」 She withdrew a Marlboro cigarette from her pocket and lit it smoothly, puffing on it. 「It looks like she is killing time, but… what is she actually doing?」 Jeanne wondered, suspicious, to which I replied: 「Who knows?」 From my experience of being alone at East Ikebukuro High, I understood. If your classmates see you doing something alone, it’s embarrassing. Such are the secrets of a loner. After a sufficient amount of time had passed since everyone left, Katze took out a mobile and called someone. Unaware that she was being followed, she went to the Louvre’s courtyard and descended a staircase leading underground. Then, while Jeanne called Meiya… Katze went down to the underground car park that stank of exhaust fumes and walked over to a row of tour busses. Reaching them, Katze boarded a khaki coloured vehicle– …An Sd.Kfz. 2 …! It was a scaled down version of the motorbike with one front wheel and two tank treads in place of the rear wheels once mass-produced by former Nazi Germany. As expected, it lacked a swastika… but it had the white shield on red background with the rough figure of a black cat emblazoned on its side. It appears Katze has switched from schoolgirl to leader of Regiment Hex… Wearing googles and a helmet, Katze started up the Sd.Kfz. 2 accompanied with a noise like a tractor and pulled out–then right at that moment… Disguised in sunglasses, Meiya pulled into a separate entrance to the car park in a deep crimson Alfa Romeo Giulia Spint GTA. I was a bit irritated that it was such a conspicuous car, but there’s no helping it. We followed after Katze. ******************************************************** The Sd.Kfz. 2 seemed unable to top 50 KPH, and as it was an even more conspicuous vehicle, it was easier to follow. Following Katze in our Alfa Romeo, we left the retro, downtown area of Paris and headed southeast, and leaving the residential suburbs behind… we reached the rural countryside. Katze appeared to be headed directly southeast. Because our vehicle was faster, we kept our distance and several times stopped on the side of the road to take a visual sighting as we followed her. Then… borrowing the opera glasses Meiya kept between her breasts, Jeanne said: 「Coubert Airfield. She’s gone inside.」 She confirmed Katze’s destination. There was a fence surrounding the small airfield. The runway was too short for anything other than a Cessna to land, and it appeared to be a place for balloons and blimps to come and go. And in one corner… there it was. With Regiment Hex’s emblem on it, there was a hard-sided blimp of the type uncommon nowadays. Overall, the silver-grey airship looked like a 70-metre long version of the Hindenburg. Borrowing the opera glasses, I took a look for myself… From the airship, there appeared two small blonde girls in a tight-skirted military uniform who clicked their heels and saluted Katze. They seem to be her subordinates. In this secluded airfield, there was a huge Nazi presence. They even have weapons. Alighting from her Sd.Kfz. 2, Katze entered the airship’s large gondola… Then stepping over to an immaculately white tablecloth, a small dark-skinned girl approached and served a salad and seafood dish that she began to eat. She was still wearing her school uniform but had changed her eyepatch to the one with the swastika. The other girls inside the airship cabin wore Walther P-38’s. Altogether, there were 10 of them. At the back of the gondola, there was an opening to a storage hanger where Katze’s Sd.Kfz. 2 was stowed. It looks like they are getting ready to take off. 「From what I saw of the storage bay… they have the ingredients for chemical weapons. They must have bought them here in Paris. They’ve got to be planning an attack on Rome.」 「…What should we do? If they take off, we won’t be able to follow them!」 「If only I had a rocket launcher.」 As Meiya and I hurriedly passed the opera glasses back and forth, Jeanne put on glasses before saying: 「Over there. The hatch where the Sd.Kfz. 2 was stored. It is not particularly well-made, so we could sneak aboard.」 She said as she looked toward me. She regarded me with a tactician’s eye, looking like a military commander. 「We can infiltrate, Tooyama-san.」 Meiya also looked at me. Wh-what is it? I saw it. 「If we’re going, you should go. Isn’t is ‘Ladies first’?」 But Jeanne shook her head at me. 「Although the Ririirokane is dense, it will not always be so. If the particles disperse after we infiltrate, then there is the concern of the fellow witch Katze detecting us.」 「That airship is entirely unable to make a direct flight to Rome. Won’t it have to stop at least once at a Swiss or German base.」 「If our luck holds out, this is our chance to discover the location of their armoury, Tohyama.」 The two of them explained in tandem why I should be the one to go. 「If that is where you end up, please call us and we will be there in a short time.」 Then Meiya pulled a cereal bar out from between her cleavage. Is that supposed to be lunch? Oh… dammit! This is a pain. But having found the enemy ship thanks to Meiya’s ability, it would be a shame to let them slip out from under our noses. Besides, I can’t just overlook the ingredients for chemical weapons. It would be bad if they used them to make gas weapons to use against Rome. Stopping such violence is one of a Butei’s jobs. On top of all that… while enjoying Meiya’s good luck, there’s a chance that once at their base, I may be able to find out the location and recover some of Aria’s karagane. Discovering Katze was such good fortune. As the engines reached full power, the airship’s mooring cables began to rise. I don’t think that there’s much time left before take-off. 「…As soon I think it’s getting dangerous, I’m pulling out. I’ll bill you for any transportation costs.」 I reluctantly left them with those words– As I stepped out of the Alfa Romeo. ******************************************************** Dodging through the blind spot of tents and storage containers on the airstrip, then, taking a chance, I dashed over to the airship. Luckily it appears that I haven’t been noticed… equally luckily, the hatch at the back of the gondola was able to be opened by hand. Thanks to Meiya, I was able to get inside. The propeller began turning, and the silver air ship began to rise– Having infiltrated the dark hanger, I closed the hatch quietly behind me. 「…」 In the airtight storage area, the Sd.Kfz. 2 was covered in a grey, vinyl sheet… and there were lockers ranged in rows. Almost all the lockers had a number lock on them, but I opened one that looked like it was meant for emergencies. Inside, it was filled with a bunch of simple parachutes. Taking one, I hid under the Sd.Kfz. 2’s vinyl sheet. I’ll stay onboard for part of the way… Determining the enemy’s position, inflicting sabotage, then running away would be a great coup. Taking a taxi back will cost hundreds of Euros, but it’s fine as long as I get back. I’ll take the ride back to『The Arc De Triomphe』. Jeanne and Meiya can squawk over the bill. Thinking to let them know that I had successfully infiltrated, I took out my mobile… but my service faded as we rapidly moved out or range. Because they use the same informational infrastructure, my GPS stopped working as well. Weak radio waves at high altitudes– we’re higher than the radio towers. Katze and her followers… then put on an LP record and began to sing happily. The song is Wagner’s『Die Walkure』. It was Hitler’s favourite piece of music. ******************************************************** The Sd.Kfz. 2 was still giving off heat, so it was warm underneath the sheet… and since I was trying to keep my breathing shallow to keep quiet, I became tired. The ship shook in the wind, but rather than keep me awake, the cradle-like motion lulled me to sleep. The airship swayed for about 3 hours as I dozed… No sooner than Meiya was gone, my usual bad luck asserted itself. …! Inside the hanger… a light came on. Someone had entered from the crew area. I peeked out through a gap in the sheet… 「 I am going to change. If the ship shakes, you’ll be executed. 」 Saying something in German to someone behind her, Katze entered. On her shoulder rode a large crow. Then, opening her locker, she took out a black Nazi uniform and *Flap!!* *Flap!* It flew over the Sd.Kfz. 2 cover–that is to say, over top of me. Then coming to a rest atop the locker door, …! She suddenly began taking off her school uniform…! It appears that they use this area as a locker room as well. And that’s her locker. Maddeningly, it occurred right in front of my very eyes– Katze’s lacking and still developing physique was exposed in front of me. Using all my willpower, I concentrated on her back, unsettled as she fastened the straps of her bra to hold her tiny breasts. I saw them since she turned to the side while dressing, and their small size matched her childish face. They were about the size of Hiraga-san’s. Entirely unaware of my gaze, Katze took no heed as she fitted them into the bra cups. They made a meagre swell in the red lace underwear. Even though she’s a middle school age of less than 150 cm and possess the corresponding figure, she’s wearing such a sexy thing. That disparity, however, was lost on my Hysteria Mode. The fine adult red underwear and slight hips caused my blood pressure to soar outrageously. That is to say, it did me no favours in this situation. I had to watch to monitor my enemy’s movements, but not knowing I was there, she had just started changing clothes normally. It was almost as if I was peeping. Actually, I was peeping. Sometimes, I used to go with Mutou when he tried to peek and confirm the girls’ measurements, but this… was way more dangerous for my Hysteria Mode…! –*Ka-thump!*… It happened…! It just happened. Should I stop looking? But I can’t do that. But I also realised that doing nothing would be life threatening. So, I fought my rising blood pressure as I continued to watch Katze’s striptease– From her ride on the Sd.Kfz. 2, her underwear had ridden up, and she used her short fingers to fix it… once in place, she put on the black witch’s hat that appeared to be Regiment Hex’s field cap. Then she began inspecting herself in the mirror inside her locker door. She must think herself cute, and she put on a manufactured innocent smile. No, she was actually cute. Much more than she had any right to be. As I thought, the barbarous Katze, when alone could be kind of cute… But if I think that about an enemy, it would corrupt me and the danger of hysterising doubly. It’s an awful shame that she’s 100 times cuter now, isn’t it? No, that the opposite of what I should be thinking! As I was pondering my terrible marks in Japanese– there was a rumble. A sudden gust of wind rocked the airship, causing Katze to stagger. Then there was a *Splat!* The small buttocks in red lace underwear then landed on top of my face where I had been looking out…! 「 Idiot! I told you not to shake! 」 Katze shouted at the crew in German– 「–!?」 She began feeling about with her hand. C-crap! As you might expect, sitting on me was not very comfortable, and she began to feel my face through the cover. Then there was a sudden fluttering. The crow took off from the locker– And pecked me right in the eye! 「Ouch!」 I let out a cry. 「–To-Tohyama!?」 I’ve been found out…! Magnificently so. What’s more… I don’t know where in the sky I am. You might think that terribly reckless, but it was Jeanne’s strategy. That worthless strategist. Katze leapt away from the Sd.Kfz. 2– From the locker, she pulled out a similar golden P08 Luger to the one I had destroyed on the Shima Hari. Well, there’s not much else I can do at this point. Drawing my Beretta, I showed myself from underneath the cover– 「The walls have ears, and the windows have eyes, Katze. Especially for a girl that has reached a certain age, she must be careful of the gazes of men.」 Despite the fact that I had been peeping, I remarked that『peeping was bad』in the smooth tones of Hysteria Mode. 「How did you get aboard the Graf Zeppelin NT? How stupid are you?」 「It is as you say, but it was not part of my own strategy.」 「Forced march?」 「Something like that.」 「I can empathise. Such things happened in a war time Nazi Germany.」 Using her fingers to whistle, Katze then shouted in German– –The crew bustled in. There were several girls, all wearing Nazi uniforms. Seeing me with a gun in my hand, she must have told them that there was an intruder. Then a few of them quickly rushed to place their bodies in front of Katze, shielding her. As for my Hysteria Mode– It was fairly strong. Due to my earlier peeping. I didn’t want to admit it, but this girl’s questionably thin body… Was the reason I had gone into full Hysteria Mode. 「Now then, what shall I do?」 Katze said, half to herself– 「In accordance with the ‘Hex’ part of Regiment Hex– it is a unit of girls. Our own brand of military discipline called『 Anderhaft 』 1 universally applied, excludes all men. You must leave. Immediately .」 Standing in the gondola while it was mid-air, Katze gave off a sadistic smile. As for her followers… one by one, they drew black Luger P38’s. From the way they held their guns, I could tell they were no amateurs. They are soldiers with military training. Now, with the odds 10 to 1… Butei Regulation 9 makes fighting difficult. Then there’s Hysteria Mode. Due to its constitution, it makes me hesitant to fight against girls. I will have to solve this problem with words. Even if it’s in Japanese, my meaning will come across. I thought that, but then the enemy that wouldn’t understand any words– the crow, flapped its wings. He dive-bombed me. Brandishing his talons, I saw they were light purple– –Those talons are poisoned. I perceived that with my Hysteria Mode enhanced sense of vision and fell back toward the hatch. *Bang!* Katze fired, grazing my bulletproof uniform. *Bang!* *Ba-bang!* With a dry sound, some of the other girls fired with quite good aim. *Clang!* *Cl-clang!* Sparks flying from the hatch in the floor, I reluctantly shot back–‘ No matter where I turn, all around me, I am surrounded by bottles of poisonous chemical, so I was hesitant to fight here. The crow was large and quick, almost daring. It was wary of my gun but seemed unafraid. Truly, the most difficult thing to deal with… is this crow. This killer bird must have received a lot of training. There’s nothing I can do about it. It’s not a habit of mine to hurt animals– girls, even less so. Like Katze had said, I have to get out . Tucking into a roll, I kicked open the hatch at the back of the hanger where I had entered. Then air rushed into the storage bay, confusing Katze’s followers. and as she shouted at them– I pulled myself up onto one of the airship’s rear suspension points, escaping both the crow and the line of fire. ******************************************************** The Graf Zeppelin NT was already flying a night cruise in the post sunset sky. The exterior was made of cloth stretched over a frame, and I climbed up a ladder on the side– I reached the top that was covered in solar cells and looked down below to check. But I had absolutely no idea where we were. With my bad luck, there were only clouds beneath me. This high up in the winter, the temperature was below freezing. Perhaps because the route had to cross over mountains, our altitude was over 6,000 metres. I felt short of breath. I remembered the time I had ridden on the optical stealth bomber, Galleon, but this time I was on a much lower tech vehicle… Upon a second look at the silver fabric, however, I could tell that it was synthetic–bulletproof fibre. Feeling the framing, it appeared to be formed of carbon fibre, strong but lightweight. Although its design was classical, the Graf Zeppelin NT was constructed with all the latest in scientific progress. But even so, it was still an airship. It can only make a speed of about 80-90 KPH. The air currents swirled furiously, but in Hysteria Mode, I didn’t waver. Now then, I recently pilfered this… Standing atop the centre of the airship, I took out the parachute I had hidden behind my back– Then, with a *Flap!* *Flap!* The large crow appeared…! Using all its strength to fly alongside the airship, it ripped the parachute from my hand. I avoided the poison claws by the skin of my teeth, but as for the parachute– I had let go of it. The bag containing the parachute fell, and slid down the sloping side of the airship, and I watched it tumble down to disappear amidst the clouds. That crow! That was what he wanted. Clever bastard. Reluctantly, I let off a warning shot to scare him off– and the airship in the night sky entered a cloud. Hampered by the fog, my field of vision was obstructed, and I lost sight of the crow. Clicking my tongue in annoyance, I turned toward the back of the ship, where at the edge of sight– Katze appeared, making her way through the fog. She was about 30 metres away. It appears that the commanding officer herself has come after me, following me up onto the airship. She’s just as bloodthirsty as Aria. 「Wahaha! You did well, Edgar!」 Katze stood, wearing a Nazi uniform and a parachute on her back… talking to Edgar, the crow that had come to rest on her one arm, while she took hold of a lifeline wire in the other. Then, Oh, yes. With how strong the wind is, the 1 cm long skirt will not hang down as she walks. Even in the gloom, the red cloth stood out. My Hysteria Mode slightly intensifying, I said– 「It’s a good airship. Now as well as then, the Nazis are the best scientists.」 For the time being, I complimented her in return for all the things I had seen. 「It was so expensive though, so I don’t want to wreck it. The cost estimate for another didn’t go down at all.」 She had already said something to that effect. In Hong Kong. 「Speaking of Hong Kong– I owe you something. You shot me in the head, after hijacking the tanker.」 Then in response to my grumbling– 「You are famous, after all, and I still don’t know what it was you did. I’ve never seen anything like it.」 Famous, huh? That’s not good. Someone, whether inside or outside school, has been selling my information. 「Now that the topic has come up… I heard something from an old Abwehr officer. 2 After Bandire– didn’t you invite Meiya back to your room? Did something good happen? Something involving those indecently sized breasts?」 「You know all too well. There was never been anything between us. For now.」 Intending no disrespect to Meiya, I did not deny it too firmly– Katze’s face then was entirely filled with rage. 「I… hate nothing more than the sight of men and women flirting! No matter how much milk you gain from those breasts, you should leave Meiya alone. Associating with her will only worsen your luck! I also declare that a woman is not merely her breasts.」 Saying something unintelligible, nevertheless I understood that Katze disliked Meiya. And at the end there, it seems that she has a problem with breasts… she must have a complex about them. 「I am not of a mind to associate with women, but I will tuck your advice away in my brain for later use. Even so, however– my luck is bad. It would frighten you If I told you just how abysmal it is.」 「That’s a good way of thinking. Now then, Tohyama. Before I carry out your sentence of falling, I have one question to ask. Is『Kinji Tohyama』your real name?」 「What would you do with it if I said it was?」 「I like to memorise then names of the enemies I kill. They’re fun to remember.」 Uh-huh. You are an S-rank after all. 「I wonder about that. Every time I remember a fight, I wonder『Did I really have to fight?』」 I gave Katze a small wink to stop her in her tracks– Then I drew my DE in my right hand and my butterfly knife in my left. Seeing me do that, Katze attached the lifeline wire to her belt. With her right hand she took the Luger P38 from her waist, and in her left she had a diamond encrusted dagger with a carved mulberry hilt. Then, with a cheery face, she said: 「I seem to have forgotten about 1940 for a moment.」 –*Bang!* *Bang!* Her words seeming to tear up the Tripartite Pact between Italy, Germany, and Japan, she suddenly began shooting. I narrowly dodged them– Katze. You are coming at me with a gun and blade? Then I will stand up and face you. I will show you the strength of the Japanese people that Hitler looked down upon! I wonder if Katze has practiced fighting atop the airship. Even with the slope, she is stepping easily between frames as she comes closer. Edgar took flight as well. But– I was in Hysteria Mode. Thanks to the fact that she did not care that her skirt flipped up as she raised her legs as she ran, despite the cold, my blood flow never slackened. This petite girl really is cute. *Bang!* From my familiar Desert Eagle came a sound like a distant cannon’s roar– and for the first time, Edgar faltered. Discerning the difference between a crow and an eagle, the clever fellow wheeled about in the air to escape. 「Edgar, come back! This guy, I–」 I sprang toward Katze, intending to catch her dagger in a sword break lock with my butterfly knife– But Katze turned and did something unpleasant. Switching her hold on the blade, she changed to an underhanded grip and slashed to cut at my neck. But it was slow, and I simply evaded it. 「If it is an important blade, is it really okay to not use it?」 –*Snick!* Stopping the point of my knife short of Katze’s chest, I cut the harness of her parachute. Then, with the same pickpocket technique I had previously used on the day I met Aria– I stole the parachute from her in passing. I’m not as good at it as Watson, but once my enemy became so angry, I decided on this plan. Using the skin of the airship as a trampoline, I put some distance between myself and Katze– 「Sorry.」 Because I had taken something off of a girl’s body, I felt that I had to apologise. 「Uh…」 I was evidently her superior in close combat, and Katze groaned. 「Hey now. Isn’t is frightening since you lost this? Let’s go inside. I’ll even get off like you want. You might want to get some extra clothes. Even I’m getting cold.」 I warned her, wearing the parachute on my back– 「Do… you think I’m weaker than you? You’re scared, aren’t you?」 「You’re still so arrogant?」 「I slipped! Uh… um, that’s why I was slow! I’m not scared at all!」 Katze severed the lifeline with her dagger. Such a proud girl…! She’s a German version of Aria. 「Your legs are shaking, Katze.」 「I-it’s the cold. Jack Frost has always given the armoured division trouble.」 Heh. She’s an obstinate one. But you can’t so anything else, can you? I want to stay a bit longer and take care of you, but I really should be going. I don’t know where I am, but I must beg your leave. Then, stowing my weapons, I stepped toward the side of the airship– 「–Are you running away?」 Believing that I was retreating, Katze lunged at me…! Without taking the time to ponder the danger, Edgar dove headlong into suicidal dive with her master. With the two of them against me, I lost my balance and still struggling with Katze– We tumbled off the top and down the side of the airship. While holding Katze close so that she didn’t fall, I grasped a part of the airship’s framework skeleton with the other– 「This is all your fault, Tohyama…!」 Katze– tried to make a grab for my parachute. From inside the gondola, I heard the voices of the girls cheering Katze on. 「… Now… Why don’t I just take this then?」 With my one hand grasping the airship frame, and the other occupied holding Katze, she unclasped the fastener on the parachute. Then– 「Idiot! Fall into Hell alone!」 Grabbing a hold of the side of the airship herself, Katze pulled on the strap on the parachute. But after having taken the parachute from me, her hands, numbed with cold, had slowly begun to slip and lost their grip on the frame. 「Waa!」 She let out a cry– And Katze fell. The parachute was just barely left hanging on my shoulder. Katze had no such luxury. Violating Regulation 9 would be something I’d regret– 「–!」 So, I immediately kicked off the airship and dove into the sky. Shrieks of despair went up from the girls inside the gondola– But they were lost in an instant. They were now far above me, and I secured the parachute harness to my back as I chased after Katze. I need to catch up… Just a bit further! I don’t know how high up we are, but in any case, a woman cannot be abandoned. Head down, I continued to plunge further. I passed the witch’s hat the Katze must have lost. Then I saw Katze, the expression on her face frozen in sheer wonder. A little more… A little more and I can reach Katze with my hand…! –I caught up with Katze amidst the fog like clouds. 「That’s… mine!」 Hey…! Despite the fact that I had come to save her, Katze still tried to snatch the unopened parachute. Then, in shock–I ended up taking it off myself and put in on her back. This… stupid girl…! As I held on to Katze. I angrily reached up to deploy the parachute. But because of the air pressure, I wasn’t able to do what I wanted to. When I grabbed Katze’s belt, she kicked me, and in that instant, I lost my hold. 「– Sieg Heil! 」 The rush of wind stretching her smile further Katze pulled the cord. Thinking she had only saved herself, the parachute opened. I was in free fall, and she was right above me. –However… I came to an abrupt halt. 「Urk!」 From fairly close by in mid-air, I heard Katze exclaim. The shock was transmitted to my pelvis via my belt. The same must have happened to Katze. A moment earlier, I had connected my belt to Katze’s with a wire. Katze dangled beneath the open parachute, and I hung below her, arresting my fall. In the thick cloud cover, I scrambled up the wire and grabbed on. 「–Sorry. Don’t worry, I can’t see anything above me.」 I held on to Katze’s slender legs. My right hand on her right leg, and left hand on her left leg, I resisted Katze’s determined efforts to shake me off. 「H-hey! What are you doing, grabbing a girl’s legs!」 Katze yelled as I dangled beneath her, but the next moment– *Ka-thunk!* *Slide!* 「–!」 「…!」 I had thought that we were still pretty high up, but we crashed into the ground at high speed. If it had been flat, it would have been instant death, but the ground slanted down, and we slipped down. As tumbled down violently, I became aware of ice being thrown up all around me. What the…! *R-r-r-r-roll!*… *R-r-r-r-roll!*… *R-r-r-r-roll!*… …Then… After sliding tens of metres… I came to a stop, face down. Maintaining a shaky hold on consciousness, I cracked open my eyelids– the night was black as pitch– but I was on a blueish white slope, canted at a considerably angle… Then I flopped myself over. Whew…! Heaving a sigh, it came out white. I’m in a very cold place. Wh-where…? Am I…? The slope was covered in a lot of white things that were made of ice. The faint reflection of the Moon off the clouds caused a slightly blue reflection– it’s a glacier. I collected the wire and carabineer that had disconnected upon landing and taking my mobile from my pocket… Although it wasn’t broken, it wouldn’t work either. It’s too high up here too. Straining my eyes gazing out into the cold fog, I faintly made out a glittering mountain ridgeline. The mountains… huh… One problem came up after another. Taking care to slip down, I pushed myself up…good. Nothing seems broken. Of course, due to the impact, my whole body hurt and bruised, but compared to Ranbyou’s hazing, it was nothing. Rather, in the dark it’s cold enough to freeze. The mountains seem to reach up into the clouds, so I’m quite literally ‘caught up in the air’. It’s not a place to aimlessly wander about. In despair, I searched for the warm glow of a mountain hut– But of course, I had no such good fortune… but a bit further away, Katze lay sprawled, still connected to the parachute strewn across the ice. 「…」 Ice crunching under foot, I walked over– I expected to find her dead, but when I checked and looked her over, she was alive. This girl is tough. But that’s to be expected from a soldier in FEW. 「Katze!」 「…Uh…n…」 Stirred by my voice, Katze’s eyes fluttered… 「If you lie here, you’ll catch cold!」 Because of the cold, my Hysteria Mode had vanished, and I didn’t use a particularly gentle tone. –It’s good that we survived the fall, but we’ve still got a life-threatening crisis on our hands. Katze is wearing her mini-skirt Nazi uniform, and I have my Butei High uniform. They don’t exactly offer much protection against the cold. If we stay out in the wind, we’ll freeze to death. So… I caught hold of the parachute cord and pulled it close as a shield against the wind. Then I covered myself and Katze with it. Doing that— I formed a makeshift tent. Since it was on the airship, it was fireproof, but it’s insulating properties were negligible. Since there was a lot of it, I was able to not only cover us with it, but also wad it thickly underneath us. In the darkness of the makeshift tent, Katze bolted upright suddenly. She lit an LED light attached to the bottom of a lighter. 「…」 The two of us sat cross-legged opposite each other… without a frame to the tent, the cloth draped over our heads. It was about as big as a rubber life raft, no, rather about the size of a sleeping bag. We stared at each other for a while, but despite the near proximity, we said nothing– 「Tohyama. Just now… why did you save me? Are you an idiot?」 Katze asked, frowning. I had chased after Katze when she had fallen without a parachute… She must be asking why I jumped off the zeppelin. 「I was just following Butei Law. Even in France, A Butei is forbidden to kill.」 I answered brusquely, and Katze remained silent. 「… Where do you think we are?」 This time, I asked Katze a question. 「… Where are we?」 「The Western Alps. We were headed to Torino, and we must have fallen out onto Mont Blanc」 … Mont Blanc… From what I know, this is the worst possible location. Mont Blanc is one of the largest mountains in Europe, separating France from Italy. The altitude, if I recall correctly, is about 4800 metres. That’s why our time in freefall was so short. Neither Katze nor I had anything further to say concerning the situation. Stuck on Mont Blanc, midwinter, without climbing boots, a pickaxe, let alone a tent or winter clothes… That was the situation. Coming back alive was hopeless. 「…」 But sitting here, saying nothing, only made the gloomy feeling worse. I wanted to do something to break this mood. We should talk about something to distract ourselves from the cold. But I felt that there was nothing to say. But after a long period of silence… 「Katze, are you a student in a normal school?」 I recalled seeing Katze in the Louvre art gallery, and Katze appeared to realise what I was talking about. 「Tch!」 She clicked her tongue– 「Can’t you talk to people?」 I quipped as she seemed at a loss for words. I held no malice for my reticent enemy, despite the fact that she had stolen my parachute and tried to kill me… so when Katze wasn’t looking… *Grab!* I caught her close under my arm in a headlock. Her small, attractive face registered total shock. 「–Ow ow ow-ow-ow! Let me go! Let me go! Let… me… go…!」 Katze shouted, as I employed the simple, but painful technique. For no particular reason, Ranbyou had done it to me often, so I understand the sharp pain. But perhaps because of the cold, Katze did not put much behind her words of protest. Feeling bad… I let her go. 「…Hmph…!」 Calm once more after rearranging her black hair… 「–Take that!」 In a flurry, Katze grappled with me, unmindful of her miniskirt, moving to immobilise me with a full body lock. 「Ow! Ow! Ow! Let go! Let go! Let go!」 This time, it was my turn to say those words. This is a ground version of the Grapevine Stretch! 3 And this Nazi witch is applying it fully…! ******************************************************** Even so, the cobbled together tent exceeded its makeshift nature… As the night wore on, it became colder and colder. Even sealed in the fireproof fabric, we sat shivering as our body temperature fell–This is no good. Inside the tent, it dropped below freezing and felt like it was 5 or 10 degrees below. Mont Blanc is no joke. Japanese winters are cold. By comparison, the New Years’ I spent as child in Aomori– when I visited the Hotogi Shrine and the snow just kept piling up was trifling. While fighting off the drowsiness brought on by cold… 2 AM passed. … *Pachin!* Something struck the outside of our makeshift tent. …? I thought it might be ice, but it was a softer sound. It can’t possibly be a human knocking, can it? That’s what I thought. A faint hope rising in my chest– I peeked out from under the parachute. Outside was an unbroken panorama of snow and completely engulfed in silence… but no one was there. Instead… 「…!」 Wings covered in frost, making it look like a sort of heron, a crow swooped down to land nearby on the icy slope. Edgar…! It’s the large crow that Katze keeps as a pet. It followed Katze when she fell from the airship and must have flown around until it found us. Even in the moonlight, it must have been hard to do. Half dead in the cold… *Hop!* *Hop!* *Flop!* With the last of its strength it hobbled over and then jumped and lay sprawled on the ground next to where I was watching it. It had tried to kill me with its poisoned talons, and it was a killer Nazi bird, but… I can’t hurt an animal. It must have come, anxious about what had become of Katze, and I admire its loyalty. So, I brought Edgar inside the makeshift tent. I took the frozen Edgar… and wrapped it up in the folds of the parachute. 「… Edgar, your master is still alive. Oi, Katze… there’s someone here that would be glad to see you.」 I said, as I held it out to her– Just a bit ago, Katze was curled like a cat, restless in her sleep and shivering… But now she wasn’t shivering anymore. She wasn’t moving at all. This… isn’t an effect of the cold. Her strength has simply run out. 「Oi, Oi!」 I raised my voice, but she didn’t answer. From her expression, I could tell she was unconscious. Even her runny nose had frozen. Touching her cheeks, I shuddered at how cold they were. This is bad. She’s almost frozen to death. 「…!」 As a final resort, I pulled the unresponsive Katze close– As I sat there, I draped myself over her like a mantle, using my own body heat to warm her. I also took the opportunity to put Edgar under the back of my jacket. But… I could do this for 1 hour, maybe 2… Then an indescribable drowsiness would overtake me. Before the night is over, I’ll lose consciousness as well. Laying down to sleep and dying on a snowy mountain isn’t merely superstition. Usually, human beings can’t sleep if it is too cold, but… it you lay down in the cold, it can sap your strength to the point where you never wake back up. The cold will weaken the natural thermoregulation that occurs when you sleep, and when it is worn out, internal body temperature will continue to fall until it results in death…! ******************************************************** … …… 「…!」 I opened my eyes. Th-thank goodness! Although I carelessly drifted off to sleep, it appears I just managed to avoid death. I saw light filtering through the cloth of the makeshift tent. It was warmer too. After I lost consciousness, the Sun must have risen and saved me. Edgar was still at my back, but Katze was gone. Having survived the night, it appears she went out. I shifted to look at my watch, but *Yank!* Both my wrists… were handcuffed. They have a swastika on them. Katze! Why the heck were you carrying something like this…!? Shifting around as best as I could… I made my way outside– Dazzling. The unobstructed Sun shone down, making everything sparkle. The dry wind was cold on my skin, but you could probably get a sunburn. Squinting my eyes, I looked around at the surroundings– but there was only the glacier and black boulders like ice-covered pyramids. At my feet a faint, white mist like dry ice streamed by. It looks like the heat of the sunlight is melting the ice, causing the evaporation. Below the sea of clouds… nothing man-made could be seen. 「 Guten morgen , Tohyama. You are a prisoner of war. Please accept it and don’t give me any trouble.」 Turing toward the voice behind me… Katze stood with her Luger P08 in her hand, grinning. She was smiling. She looked fairly well, but… this girl is awefully ungrateful. Springing something like this on me. However, her tone of voice is somewhat softer. Upon waking, she found herself being held by me to keep her warm… and that appears to be the reason for her slight softening. Even so, her manner of action is unchanged. Even handcuffed, I think I can still reach my Beretta… but holding it in my hand, I can tell by the weight. The bullets have been removed. From my DE too. 「Your bullets have slid fa~ar down the glacier. I’ll take the guns later, but for now you can carry them because they are heavy.」 「Hmph…! Go ahead and shoot while we’re on the mountain! You’ll cause an avalanche and kill us both!」 I said as I turned my back… intending to make my exit. 「Italy is that way, Tohyama. It’s a long way to human civilisation, and there’s a checkpoint. You don’t have your passport, do you?」 Katze said, and I turned back to look at her. Now that she mentions it, I did leave it back in Jeanne’s apartment. Holstering her gun, Katze looked at her watch while as she took her bearings off the Sun. 「Which way should I go then?」 「On the French side of the mountain is a town called Chamonix. I’m taking a path the avoids the border patrol. Visiting a checkpoint is a bit dangerous for me.」 Apparently unable to determine an accurate direct, Katze clutched her own hair while reorienting her watch… It appears the she knows some outlaw paths. I wonder if she is telling me about it as thanks for last night? Even I know… although we’re enemies, it’s foolish to try to walk down this harsh mountain alone. So, I went with Katze… and side by side, little by little, we descended the glacier. 「Oh. Come to think of it, Katze. He’s not a prisoner, so I’ll return him to you.」 Remembering the crow behind my back, I shifted my shoulders and rummaged about… Even with my hands in handcuffs, I was able to take him out and pass him over to Katze. Then– 「…? …! Edgar!」 Unwrapping him, her eyes widened in surprise as she cried out and hugged him to her chest. Then, her whole face beaming– 「Thank goodness…! I thought I’d never see you again, Edgar! Thank goodness…!」 Then… she began to sob… tears of joy. Katze’s face was different from her usual expression– she looked like an ordinary cute girl. 「…」 No matter what flag she carries, she is still human, I suppose. But she gave me no words of thanks. 「Ahaha! Edgar, when we get back, I’ll feed you a pretzel. Ahaha! Thank goodness! Thank goodness!」 She clasped Edgar in both hands as cried in happiness– *Tap!* *Tap!* She spun, stepping something that looked like a waltz. 「Oi, Oi, Katze!」 Thinking she might slip and fall, as soon as I raised my voice– It happened. 「–Wah!」 Katze cried out and suddenly disappeared. She must have fallen down. 「–Katze!?」 Thinking it might have been a cliff, I rushed over in a panic… Near where Katze had vanished, there was a 1 metre wide crevasse in the ice. Because of the fog swirling around our feet, it was hard to see… this crack in the ice…! It was a huge crack in the depression of the glacier. Katze had fallen into one of these natural pitfalls. It was probably 10 metres deep, and the icy walls were dark… Still holding Edgar, Katze had gotten stuck about 4 metres down. 「A-are you alright!?」 「Tsk…!」 Katze tried to climb up but slid back down the icy walls of the crevasse. She couldn’t get out. Her movements actually made her gradually slide a bit further down. I pulled out the wire from my belt… but what the heck!? The belt winch was broken. It couldn’t pull out any further than a hand’s breadth before it retracted. In such a situation, I’d usually use both hands to pull it out winding it around my hand and elbow, but… Due to Katze’s handcuffs, I can’t do that. 「–Katze, give me the key so I can take of these handcuffs! If you do that, I can use the wire…」 「No! You’re my prisoner, and don’t forget it!」 Even from below the ice, she remained obstinate– slipping further. She fell tens more centimetres. 「I understand that! I won’t run away! I promise! Give me the key!」 「…」 Katze remained silent as she slid further. Continuing to fall, her face bore a worried expression. Then she took a key out from her chest pocket, put it Edgar’s mouth, and he flapped his wings, flying up. Taking the key from Edgar, I hastily removed the handcuffs– Laying down at the edge of the crevasse, I anchored myself as best as I could and let down the wire. Then, once I saw that Katze had connected it to her own belt. Carefully, slowly, I began pulling her up. By the look of it, she doesn’t seem to weigh much. I should be able to do this…! In this manner, Katze soon neared the top edge of the crack, then I said: 「… Your hand…!」 I stretched out my hand. Katze took a firm hold of my hand in hers… It was small and soft. Then once she was up, she walked past me near the edge of the crevasse– She picked up the handcuffs that I had just dropped. Then she tossed them into the total darkness of the crevasse. ******************************************************** Afterwards, as we descended the mountain… Katze was unusually quiet and subdued. I wonder if she’s embarrassed at having been saved by an enemy? She also made no attempt to try and restrain me again. However, because I made a promise to not run away, I was walking alongside Katze. Trudging over the pale-blue hills of ice, we leant an occasional hand to help each other. We continued like this for what, 4 or 5 hours? Then, where there was previously only ice, some exposed rock began to appear…. …That’s… The weather had changed, and what the concealing cloud had hidden… became visible. Signs of human habitation that I had not seen for quite a while. 「–A metal tower! It’s part of an electrical power line!」 With her hand raised to her brow, Katze spoke for the first time in a while. Her voice was… cheery. 「It’s still pretty far away…」 「Don’t complain, Tohyama. We’ll follow it to Chamonix. It’s a town that mountain climbers visit, and it has a hotel. We can get some hot soup there too.」 「Soup? That doesn’t sound half bad.」 The two of us exchanged smiles– Then, remembering that we were enemies, Katze turned away in a huff. But because she had mentioned soup, her stomach growled… *Grrr!* *Grr!*… With what appears to be the universal sign of a girl’s embarrassment, Katze’s face turned red… She… must be hungry too. Since I hadn’t eaten for an entire day, I sat down on a rock about as high as my waist and took out the extra cereal bar that Meiya gave me. As soon as I had taken out food, Katze’s eye instantly locked in on it… 「Do you want some? Otherwise, I’ll eat it all.」 Raising her voice as she turned redder, Katze said: 「Do you want me to accept the charity of an enemy!? I’m the proud commander of Regiment Hex!」 But as she said that… *Grrr!* Her stomach growled as well. 「…」 Without a word, I peeled the wrapper from the cereal bar and broke off half. Then I held it out to Katze. With an angry expressing, she approached and with a sudden movement… took it. She’s probably going to eat it. Contrary to what she had said, the proud commander ate greedily. Turning her back to me, she ate it all at once… or so I thought, but she broke off a piece and fed it to Edgar. It was a kind action. However, the cereal bar… wasn’t enough. It did little to help the feeling of our empty stomachs. But where our mouths had been dry, they now watered. Despite that, my throat felt dry, I wanted milk, or at least water,– but there wasn’t any to be had. I’ve heard stories from several people about eating snow dangerously lowering body temperature. As I thought that… Katze took out a metal flask with a swastika on it from her chest pocket. Perhaps wanting to make her chest look bigger was the reason she kept it in her chest pocket. 「What’s that? A pipe bomb?」 「Not quite, it’s just a canteen. I’m the Witch of Cursed Water– It’s the water I originally planned to use as a weapon in case of an emergency. It’s not good to eat cereal without water, so I’ll use it as drinking water.」 With a *Glug!* *Glug!*, she gulped the water. 「Hmm?」 She held the canteen out toward me. Without looking my way. Are you… offering it to me? You are using this precious water that is a weapon for you. Are you giving it to me in return for the food I gave you? Katze… although an enemy, is a proud enemy. 「…」 Without saying anything, I took it and slowly drank the exact half that was left in it. This mountain… with Mother Nature against us, the distinction of enemy and ally are lost. We will continue to help each other get down the mountain. Returning the flask, Katze said… 「–I am a Germanic Frenchwoman.」 As she stared out over the French mountains, she began what sounded like a soliloquy. 「During the Great War, on the border of Germany and France– The witches of Regiment Hex entered the battle of Strasbourg, risking their lives to fight to bring glory to the Fatherland. Strasbourg was originally built on German land. Reaching far back into history, the fighting witches have always been German.」 As she said this, she made a bitter smile– 「However, more recently, it has become part of France. The result of the war ended the territorial dispute. The descendant of those who fought and shed their blood to protect the Fatherland have been exiled to France. They even removed the swastika graffiti from the windows of the houses. Heh heh! There’s nothing left.」 Seeing her profile as she gave a self-deprecating laugh, reminded me of the time I saw her in the Louvre art museum– I recall seeing her mixed in with the French girls. 「At least until Director Everita reached out a hand to me. She collected the persecuted German fighting witches like me and gave us a place to fight. The Director was scary when she was angry, but she was actually a very good person. And an incredibly beautiful woman.」 It seems that she can’t maintain her identity due to persecution but can’t fight back publicly… A mere shadow of what they once were, is that why they became terrorists? Katze seems to want me to understand her plight… But I can’t support their actions I am a Butei. Terrorists are my enemies. I’m not like the US military that immediately steps in and kills wrongdoers, I will apprehend them by force in accordance with Butei Law. There may be some kind of pitiable reason behind it, but such extenuating circumstances are for a court of law to consider. That is a line that must never be abandoned. At least when it comes to us. But, well, that would make me a cold-hearted monster wouldn’t it? So, I won’t say anything. –After all, that’s only polite to the proud Witch of Cursed Water who shared her precious water with me, isn’t it? [END] ******************************************************** 1. Archaic German for ‘other half’ or ‘another way’. Kanji say, ‘Falling in love with the opposite sex sin’. It implies that under this system, falling in love with the opposite sex is ‘wrong’. 2. Abwehr was the intelligence branch of the Reich for the Reichswehr and Wehrmacht 3. ( 卍固め ) The swastika symbol in the name bears no relation to Nazis but could have affected the author’s choice here. a visual pun, as it were… ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### 005. Bullet 5: The Singing Tiger of the Iron Cross — Panzerlied + Go For the NEXT!!! + Author Notes + Illustrator Notes So… I kinda said a while ago that we’d release Chapters 4 and 5 together… Kinda felt guilty about that, so here it is… Epilogue and Author Notes are included, so this finishes off the volume. Enjoy, and thanks for reading and for all the great suggestions for improvement and typo fixes left in the Discord. Join us, if you haven’t already! Onward to Volume 16! Chapter 5: The Singing Tiger of the Iron Cross — Panzerlied [START] That night, I arrived in a battered state at the town of Chamonix… It appeared to be a tourist spot with an amalgamation of French and Swiss culture. Katze tottered into an old, German-speaking hotel, and we were shown to a third-storey room that did not seem to be rented to ordinary guests. The interior was decorated in a pure German-style with a mounted deer head, grandfather clock, and all other kinds of old-fashioned items. On the wall hung a portrait of Bismarck wearing a spiked helmet. I see that this place we are staying might just be a little overzealously pro-German. They weren’t even surprised at Katze’s clothes! Afterwards we gorged ourselves on cheese fondue and gulped down soup in the dining room, then relaxed in front of the hotel’s fireplace. Thank goodness we just made it… and we’re alive. Katze had already placed a call to get in touch with her supporters. She had already confiscated my mobile. She appears to be delighted with the novel Japanese style… taking it out periodically and playing with the Tetris app. Outside the window was a jaw-droppingly gorgeous night sky. If I want to run away, now would be the time, but… Katze had already declared that I was a prisoner of war. That being the case, I will definitely be taken somewhere. It is also more than likely that we will join Katze’s subordinates at the„ÄéArmoury„Äèwhere they have stored their weapons and supplies and where they will regroup after this aborted advance. For that reason, I will eat this poison dish set before me. By pretending to be cooperative, I will find out their position. Running away with tail between legs while being hard-pressed by ab enemy is a violation if school rules. So, making up my mind, I resolved to begin by being cordial– Turning toward the mud-stained face of Katze beside me on the sofa: „ÄåOi Katze, that’s spoiling your cute face,„Äç I said something I might say to a primary schoolgirl as I wiped her face clean with a handkerchief. Then Katze– „ÄåC…cu-cute…? M-me? D-d-don’t say something like that!„Äç Matching Aria’s skill in suddenly blushing a deep red, *Slap!* She slapped me across the face with her hand. For some reason… my actions had the opposite of the intended effect. It seems to be a universally proven fact that I am simply not good handling girls. After this little scene played out, we returned to the room and Katze locked the door… Then with Edgar keeping watch, she headed toward the bed and was soon snoring loudly. This girl wasn’t as conscientious as Jeanne, so this time I ended up sleeping on the floor. But that’s alright. I’ll take the chance to sleep when I can. If I don’t take the chance to recover, I won‚Äôt be able to determine the enemy’s location, much less escape afterwards. I began dozing off… until several hours had passed. Hearing the steady rhythmic thud of combat boots, I opened my eyes. By the noise… there are 5 of them. Waking up afterwards, Katze hurriedly adjusted her collar into place–and as the door opened, „Äå– Heil! „Äç „Äå Sieg Heil! „Äç Apparently, some girls had arrived to rescue her, and they gave a brisk Nazi salute. Then, with a cry of joy, they crowded around her. All of a sudden, they seemed like a bunch of normal girls. And, in a typical girlish action, they all cast sour looks in my direction… It appears that Katze takes good care of her juniors, and she spoke to each, giving them a smile and hug. The girls also appear to care for Katze as well. This must be one of her good traits… But would all of you that appear to be witches-in-training, please stop glowering at me like that? None of you have taken your eyes off of me. **************************************************** The next morning, we were riding in a military transport truck– I rode with Katze and the rest down the westward side of the mountain from Chamonix that was placed halfway up the slope of the Alps. From there, we changed over to a train and continued heading west. For some reason, we didn’t use the airship. It was probably my fault that the invasion of Italy was halted, and everyone was retreating back to wherever their bases were located for the time being. Well, I guess you can say that the one thing I’ve done is hobble the enemy’s advance at the outset. Then, after spending an entire half day like this– It became evening, and I was blindfolded and taken out of the truck. Then I was seated backwards on some kind of strange vehicle. It sounded like a motorbike… it must be an SdKfz 2. I must be on the back. The SdKfz 2 is one of the few types of vehicles able to form a motorcade and proceed on bad roads where conventional motor vehicles are unable to do so. Then…. we drove onto a path that undulated like a barge. I could smell water. But it wasn’t salty. We must be crossing a lake. Then we pulled out onto a cobblestone street, and after a short distance, we all stopped. „ÄåNow then, Tohyama. You can get off.„Äç Once Katze removed the blindfold– I saw an old stone fortress. We were in the carriageway entrance. Trucks could pass easily through this short tunnel-like archway that continued through to the main structure. On either side of the tunnel there hung Nazi Germany banners… and inside, waiting to greet Katze were a bunch of girls standing abreast at rigid attention. Then from inside the main building– „Äå…!„Äç I’m used to seeing incredible things, but this completely staggered me when I saw it. — A Tiger I…! The prized vehicle of Nazi Germany, the world-famous heavy tank. It must have been kept in storage until now. In its day, it’s 88mm main gun caused the Allied forces to tremble. Although its boxy shape is not modern, its armour is strong enough to shrug off main tank gun shots. Its turret number is 132. Used on the Tunisian front, it was a light sand colour. Even so, it’s a tank…! (How the heck were you able to hold onto something so conspicuous…!? At first glance, I knew it was the genuine article, but I still held out a last sliver of hope as it approached… but as I looked up at it, it was the real thing. It wasn’t a poor imitation. It even looks like it’s operable! „Äå…!?„Äç Then I noticed that there were other tanks nearby. An English Mark VIII Cromwell, a former Soviet Union T-34 medium tank, and an American M4 medium tank. All tanks from the Second World War. There was even a Japanese Type-95 Ha-Go light tank. I had a feeling that I had been outwitted as I turned away from surveying the line-up of tanks– „Äå Mus√©e de la Guerre √âcole. „Äç Mus√©e… in English, that means ‘museum’…Then an advert caught my eye. „ÄéRide in a tank! You can even aim the main gun!„Äèa nearby brochure proclaimed. Then I understood. This is– A military museum. It appears that they run this place as a real museum. In other words, the museum is a camouflage, and it also serves… as Katze’s„ÄéArmoury„Äè…! That’s how it is. That’s how these terrorists think. Handled this way, they can just leave their weapons scattered about in the open. Although it was taboo in Europe, this way the large swastika banner could hang peacefully. „ÄåOi!„Äç I turned around because Katze tapped me on the shoulder– She was holding out her hand, palm up. Does she want some kind of New Years’ gift? „Äå… What, Katze?„Äç „ÄåThe admission fee. It’s 8 Euro.„Äç „Äå… You want me to pay?„Äç „ÄåCome on, now! It’s for the ticket. There’s a commemorative stamp that comes with it too.„Äç Feeling extorted, I fished out a 10 Euro note and got the ticket with a swastika mark on the back. I received my 2 Euro in change… but what am I going to do with this ticket? „Äå… This ticket. Won’t you be arrested if you take this ticket out in any city in Europe?„Äç „ÄåThat’s right. It is merely proof that Nazi Germany is feared, even to this day. Being feared for a hundred and the next thousand years is an honour for a witch! Heh heh!„Äç Katze laughed, relaxing as we entered her own domain. But I couldn’t relax. That is to say, inside the castle. It played the part of a museum well. The Tiger I’s were placed centrally in such a way to capture the attention of visitors and make them want to pay the admission. Inside, I spared a quick glance to a V-1 missile. … Well, when I look at it. I guess I paid as well. Oh! Mutou has a model of a Jagdpanther too! If he were here, he’d go crazy. Although, if he had, I’m pretty sure he would have chattered on at great length, expounding from his vast store of personal knowledge. ************************************************** Naturally, I didn’t get a tour, but instead I was taken to the fortress’ cellar– It was a dim and every large space, that I would guess was Regiment Hex’s command centre. Oh my. It really was quite scary. It felt just like a witch’s hideout. Hating anything to do with horror, Aria would put her hover skirt on full blast and run out of here. Upon reaching the command centre… first of all, they lit the candles on the quartz skull-shaped candle sticks placed all around the room. On the wall was a chart famous in the Western magic tradition, that even I recognised– Sephirot, the Tree of Life, and two portraits of what appeared to be Nazi-era high-ranking male and female officers hung respectfully next to it. The man seemed somewhat familiar… but I was having trouble remembering who it was. Up past the carpet on the floor, staring out from the darkness at me–the golden eyes of a panther regarded me. A magnificent chandelier cast prismatic light throughout the interior of the room and onto a long narrow black oak table. On both sides of the table stood a bunch of girls in Nazi uniforms and witch‚Äôs hats. Including Katze who had replaced her own hat, there were six of them. Further back, though, there was another person who looked different… Each of the rest were cute, but this woman was beautiful, and she wore a terribly tight micro-mini skirt. All these people… gave the impression of being very capable. It felt very different than when I was surrounded by Katze’s friends. Judging by the lapel pins, none of them are ranked lower than field officer– so this must be a witches’ board of directors meeting, I guess? Most conspicuous of all, sitting at the head of the table– in the seat furthest away was a woman of about 20, looking down at everyone with blue eyes. She was the only one who in place of a witch’s hat wore a typical Nazi cap instead. On her collar– on both sides were a set of 3 oak leaves without any stars– a major-general. 1 So this is what a general looks like, huh? The beautiful woman tossed her single length blonde hair. She wore deep crimson lipstick to match. She was pleasingly tall and slender, but unfortunately the sharp look in her eye was frightening. If you’re that type of guy that is inclined toward the sadistic, it might be enough to make you weep tears of joy. –This woman. „Äå Heil! „Äç Giving the typical informal salute, each of the 6 girl witches, including Katze, did so before taking a seat. I’m getting tired of seeing that Nazi salute. It was only novel at first. „Äå Jetzt … As we have a guest, we will speak Japanese.„Äç The major general in charge instructed. „ÄåFrom the western French provincial division of Regiment Hex– Regimental Commander, Katze Glac√©, reporting in. Operation Purple was interrupted. During the course of operations, I took a prisoner of war. Based upon military procedure, the regiment dealt with him as we saw fit.„Äç Katze reported crisply, treating me as spoils of war. „ÄåThank-you for your hard work. And your personal contribution to Regiment Hex’s role in FEW. The report was unnecessary; however, I believe that if it came to the F√ºhrer’s ears, he would be pleased.„Äç The major general concluded in a loud voice swelling with pride. Then she turned toward me with narrowed eyes. „ÄåTohyama-shi. I am one Everita Estelle. Caretaker of these children– serving the role a director. Japan and Germany are close allies, and so I welcome you. Your great country has produced such fine minds as Tougou Heichirou, Hideyo Noguchi, and Kenji Miyazawa. I honour you.„Äç 2 What kind of context are you talking about? It’s like this girl has slipped back 70 years. „Äå… That oil painting. It’s Hitler, isn’t it?„Äç I pointed to the painting hanging behind her… „ÄåYour knowledge of history is lacking, Tohyama-shi. Regiment Hex is not under F√ºhrer Hitler’s command, but rather one of his subordinates. The great founding witch of the past, Battle Storm Witch Illmeria Estelle, reported directly to director Himmler. She was my great-grandmother. Her husband was the second captain of I.U., Gert Estelle.„Äç An old I.U. captain… and she is their descendant? This woman–Everita. Now I remember, on I.U. a portrait of the previous captains depicted a Nazi German officer that was entombed onboard. Is she that man’s great-grandchild? What’s more… based on bits and pieces of what director Everita said– She was the overseer in charge of dispatching personnel from what appears to be the headquarters of the modern-day remnants of Nazi Germany. With the ability to dispose of prisoners captured in war as they see fit, and a report being unnecessary… If I were to compare it to a corporation, Regiment Hex is like a holding company, and I’ve been brought here as window dressing for upper management. The F√ºhrer would then be the parent company’s chairman. That would make Katze the president of one of the many subsidiary companies. G-3 had said it so much that it began to get old… There are many strong, successful groups in the world with Nazi German heritage. Regiment Hex is merely one of them. By report, each organisation’s actions are loosely connected, and the links between fellow Nazi affiliate companies are weak. Even so… these witches.. are from many disparate ethnicities… There were several eye and skin tones, and on top of that multi-coloured hair that looked like it came from a magic-based anime. There were those of Germanic heritage like director Everita, Eastern European Slavs, Nordic Scandinavians, South American Latinas, and Turkish. Modern-day adherence to the principle of racial discrimination that was the ideal of the Third Reich… seems not to be in effect. Well, I suppose that if you hold to those belief in the modern era, you won’t be able to recruit the most capable people. As the head of a fighting force, Katze would only run into a lack of human resources. Fascism… no, all ideologies, become out-dated. Organisations have to change with the ways of the world. Traditional uniforms impart a sense of unity to scattered members of an organisation, accomplishing this by the use of mere fashion. Externally, it also serves as a sort of camouflage. If you’re mistaken for someone else, you might get swept off your feet like the US Military does. Sensing that I was thinking these kinds of thoughts, Everita expanded on the history of Regiment Hex. „Äå–Our magical ability is hereditary, and we are the descendant of the fighting witches for whom- ever since the Middle Ages–fighting has been their reason for living. In the last war, the witches have cast off their connection to Germany and have joined hands. Regiment Hex is an elite force that has inherited this legacy.„Äç … Speaking of Butei, aren’t they a close-knit group of gun-lovers? Especially the S-Ranks. „ÄåAs for the girls of Regiment Hex– they lack all morals. All they want to do is fight. Just having money and battlefield to fight on is enough. Even in the attack on Hong Kong, there was a certain influential American hoping to make inroads into China… Since our interests aligned, we made a small monetary contribution.„Äç Although we managed to stop the„Äévacuum bomb„Äè– You were still able to scare the Chinese authorities. Unfortunately, it was a partial success. That act of terror was also an attack on me and my friends. „ÄåIncompetent Nazi ghost who don’t do anything but fight, and wander around looking for a reason to start a battle… Doesn’t that just make you terrorists? Is that really what you’ve been reduced to? Maybe that’s not something you want to do.„Äç As I took that hard-line stance, Everita looked a bit tired. „ÄåTohyama-shi. Pay very close attention to my words. In Shogi, a captured piece, may be turned it into an ally… however, are you familiar with the game of chess?„Äç Chess pieces– enemy pieces, when captured cannot be resurrected. They are simply killed. … If that’s their plan, then I think it’s about time. I’ve grasped something of their movements and identified the location of their arms depot. I ought to start looking for an escape. „ÄåIf you want to say something, just say it. Are you going to kill me?„Äç „ÄåHo ho! Honey, even after being entertained by Rampan, you refused to switch sides– We lack the budget to entertain guests. So, what should be do?„Äç „ÄåI don’t want to be entertained. I don’t drink beer.„Äç It wasn’t as if I had walked in without a plan. But outside of Hysteria Mode, my normal brain had come up with this plan… I would„Äéact as if I were in Hysteria Mode„Äèand pretend to be significantly stronger than I actually was. For better or worse, it appears that I am pretty well known in the underworld. In other words, I was desperately trying to bluff my way through it– „ÄåSo, are you going to yield? If you don’t have a white flag, I can let you use my garter.„Äç „ÄåIs that what you think? I was thinking just the opposite. I was going to allow Regiment Hex to surrender and return Aria’s karagane. Even unarmed, I’ll let you know that I can turn all 7 of you into sausages.„Äç In that remark, I made a fatal mistake. As I began to speak, Everita raised her eyebrows, and answering as if she hadn’t heard what I had said– „Äå–Execution then. Now is the time you should cry and beg for your life, you dolt.„Äç In Aria’s hasty manner, she pronounced a death sentence. … Crap! My bluff failed spectacularly…! I’ve underestimated my female opponent…! Actually, I want to snap„ÄéI don’t want your underwear!„Äè, director. Although I’m smiling, veins are bulging on my forehead. It looks like a mini swastika. As I turned pale, which was not a part of my bluff–*Swish!* Katze raised a hand. „ÄåI-I would like to say something, if I may. Everita-sama.„Äç „ÄåOh? What is it, Katze?„Äç „ÄåTohyama is a reliable person. As a member of a formerly allied nation, we should accept him as an ally.„Äç Katze said, and even from behind, I can see the sweat breaking out on her forehead. This appears to be a militaristic group. And she appears to be sticking her neck out to voice an objection to a superior officer. „ÄåKatze. Do you need to be punished for betrayal? Do you know what the penalty is? Should I torture you?„Äç „ÄåT-this man saved my Edgar.„Äç „Äå…What? What is this? Explain in detail.„Äç She said, leaning back into her chair– Katze told the story of the disaster on Mount Blanc, and how I had returned her large crow. Hearing that story… director Everita began to lean forward as she heard it. „Äå… Oh…„Äç Looking up and shutting her eyes… *Drip!* A tear trickled from her closed eyes. Then she took out a red handkerchief and quickly dabbed away her tears to avoid ruining her make-up. For some reason… she seems… moved. Even though all I had done was help and return a crow. It seems that, at the moment, Everita is impressed… „Äå…Now. That’s how it is. If you weren’t an enemy, it would be a tale worthy of the Iron Cross. For a witch, their familiar is a second life. For Tohyama’s rescue, instead of a medal, we will bestow a pardon.„Äç *Sniff!* *Sniff!*, She blew her nose into her handkerchief. This girl… must be easily moved to tears. „ÄåTherefore, his sentence is amended. You demonstrated kindness to a terrorist. Although he is not my type, you are here, Rosanna. Please carry out the procedure.„Äç Everita ordered one of the heretofore silent and timid looking witches wearing glasses– „ÄåUnderstood. Seig heil! „Äç She suddenly looked very excited, and her braids bobbed energetically as she saluted. Then she muttered things like:„ÄåOperate, operate, I’ll turn you into a beautiful woman. Fu fu fu!„Äç Operation… Huh? What are you planning to do to me? I’m scared. It’s like a mysterious villain from Kamen Rider. I’m used to being a little afraid all the time thanks mainly to Aria , but this is seriously frightening. Pleased to see me trembling, Everita stood briskly to her feet. „Äå–Ho ho ho! Who is the smartest in the world?„Äç She asked, and the 6 girls stood to their feet–and in unison: „ÄåEverita-sama!„Äç They chorused. „ÄåWho is the most beautiful in the world?„Äç „ÄåEverita-sama!„Äç „ÄåThat is all! Dismissed!„Äç For some unknown reason, it appears that the war council is over… It appears that Everita does not intend to have me killed. However, it seems that more problems are still to come. *********************************************** Handcuffed again, I was confined in a small room on the first floor… sitting on the bed, it became dark. Now’s the time to make my getaway. And I know what I have to do. The window was small, but my head would fit through it. The Tohyama Family secret technique,„ÄéKotsukokuki„Äè 3 — it allows me to consciously dislocate and break bones, and if I did it to every bone in my body, I’d be able to escape. Although the pain would make me want to die. The iron grill on the window would also require a headbutt. As I pondered this final escape plan… –*Click!* A uniformed Katze opened the door to the room knocking. With a slightly strained expression, she suddenly flushed red in embarrassment and closed the door… Some people on the outside of the door pushed it, creating a small gap. Katze didn’t seem to have noticed, but through the crack… I saw that there was a group of witches sneakily peering into the room. I was unsure of what was going on. „Äå…For what you did, thank-you.„Äç I’m guessing from her tale about Edgar, she came to express her thanks. „ÄåA German witch always pays her debts. On the mountain… that is… th-thanks for keeping me warm. But now we’re even. The disgrace of being helped by a POW is erased.„Äç Still red-faced, Katze, *Plop!* She sat down on the bed beside me. Ridiculously close. The scent of some kind of shampoo and soap is present. Katze is giving off a slightly feminine scent. „ÄåThere’s more to why I helped you with director Everita. If we killed you, there would be a violent counter-attack–„ÄÄyou’re known as„ÄéThe Cursed Man„Äè. At least within GRENEDA.„Äç … My disliked epithets just seem to multiply.„ÄéEnable„Äèis much better. Screwing up her face, Katze casually moved closed and resituated herself… she slid closer toward me. Then she took a flask from her breast pocket and took a gulp. „ÄåTohyama. You should take a drink too.„Äç Red up to her ears, Katze passed it over… The alcohol seems to have already had an effect. „ÄåDidn’t Hitler say that alcohol is poisonous water?„Äç „ÄåY-you’re making me nervous. Stop nit-picking.„Äç She said as she took out a cigarette. She was a bad girl after all. Her hands shook for some reason, and unable to strike a flame with her lighter, she let it fall with a sunken expression on her face– „ÄåThere’s a way to stop it… the operation to turn you into a witch, I mean. Everita-sama loves all witches’ familiars. Edgar has also agreed to concede his position. As a cursed man, you already have the proper makings.„Äç „ÄåI don’t understand everything that you said… but if you can stop the operation, I’d be grateful.„Äç „ÄåAlright. Then we will pledge ourselves to each other. Only once in a lifetime can a witch do this with a human male. Even Everita-sama’s cougar was the result of such an act. Turning an animal or bird into a familiar is a girl’s test.„Äç –*Squish!* Then, she thrust her face forward–and closed her eyes. Suddenly, Katze… k-kissed me…! What’s going on!? „ÄåHrng… oi…! Hold it… What are you trying to do!?„Äç I tried to escape, but the bed was pressed up against the wall, and Katze– crawled closer on hands and knees. „ÄåYou know.„Äç „ÄåNo I don’t…!„Äç „ÄåEveryone in the hallway is straining their ears to listen in, but I’ll let it go. That’s just life.„Äç Removing her necktie, starting at the top– Katze undid the buttons to her black uniform, one by one. ********************************************* I-i-it seems that she isn’t going to stop at a mere kiss…! „ÄåJust sit there quietly. It will all be over very soon.„Äç With a *Whoomph!*, she pulled the front of her shirt wide open, and although larger than Aria’s, they were small– Her breasts were covered in bright red lace underwear and pressed into my face, C-crap! There’s a good, good smell…! Now, I understood all too well the meaning behind her actions– She intends to take advantage of me against my will. I remember Shirayuki, Riko, and Jeanne all tried to do the same. I consciously chose to forget such occurrences. „ÄåIt’s a rule in my family. You are b-bonded with the one who saves your life…„Äç With Katze’s chest pushed up against my face—I’m having a problem talking– Seeming to have already given in to this voice and child-like body, my heart… …*Ka-thump!*… Beat wildly inside my chest. „Äå…?„Äç Katze sat up. Her breasts lost contact with my body. Then, with a look of utter confusion, she pulled the edges of her jacket close. I understood the reason. –It was cold. The temperature inside the room had suddenly dropped. Then the air began to sparkle… Diamond dust fluttered about the room. Looking over my shoulder, I saw that the wall around the window had frozen over. The ice there was spreading with a crackling sound. The cold had spread into the room from there. I’ve… seen this before. Back in May, in the underground storage area. I was told its Japanese name later on by the user themself . „Äé Ice Flower of Orleans „Äè…! Sitting up on the bed with Katze, I looked outside the window– There, sitting lightly atop a motorbike with a sidecar was, „Äå… Jeanne…!„Äç It was the Diamond Dust Witch Jeanne with a communication device in her ear. „ÄåW…we’re under attack! It’s Jeanne d’Arc!„Äç Katze shouted in Japanese, and the witches peeking through the cracked door made a commotion. It seems she had stolen it from a storage area and started the engine–and the sound of it faded. From the sound of rattling pebbles thrown up, I thought that she was turning to escape. Then, there was a rustling sound… From inside the sidecar, she brandished Meiya’s huge sword and pointed it in our direction. Then with the large sword in place like a knight’s lance, the engine roared…! She charged with the motorbike. Then with the genuine appearance of a female knight, Jeanne… –*Vroooom!* Then as the engine whined, the large iron sword struck and ripped through the wall that had already been weakened by the cold. The bike’s front wheel pushed its way into the room. Shards of the shattered stone wall with the window scattered and blasted throughout the room. …That was ridiculously dangerous…! Then Jeanne, who had skewered the wall with a sword that was too heavy for me, hefted it up. Using both hands, she stabbed it through the back of the side car’s body, and the weight canted it backwards. „ÄåTohyama. Follow me!„Äç With the gaping hole in the wall, there was no need for me to break or dislocate my own bones– Giving a shout of triumph, with my Hysteria Mode augmented speed, I dashed into the sidecar. Having been hit on the head by a fragment of the wall resulting from Jeanne’s charge, Katze sat on the ground with the legs spread wide. With small crow chicks cheeping as they circled her head, she sat in a total daze. Seeming to have enjoyed peeping through the door just as much as the rest, director Everita sprang into the room with an automatic pistol held high… In the same instant, Jeanne displayed masterful control of the motor bike, throttling into a turn in order to avoid Everita’s line of fire. Accelerating down the stony path, she had already secured our retreat with ice– heading out onto the lake. ************************************************************ Using magic– Jeanne melted the bridge of ice behind us as the motor bike raced across it. Thus, even if the SdKfz 2 wanted to follow, they couldn’t. There was a barge spanning the lake, but our escape route stretched out in a totally different direction. „ÄåWhat’s the concentration of Riri particles, Jeanne? It looks like you can use magic…„Äç „ÄåAt this moment it is weak, like entering the eye of a storm, but it is still strong. It probably will not actually clear up until after tomorrow. So, I do not want to use any more magic if I can help it.„Äç Such conditions will also apply to the enemy, so they won’t be able to follow us by riding brooms through the air. There also won’t be any flying fireballs or lightning called down upon us. „ÄåI wondered if I could get close enough to launch such a powerful magic attack without being noticed, but I was lucky. It seems the witches were all very focused on something else. Something like a romantic affair, for instance.„Äç „Äå… I’ll explained later.„Äç Unable to use magic, I wonder what kinds of weapons the enemy will take up? But you can use whatever weapons you want. I’m in Hysteria Mode– — I saw a sudden flash of light from the wall of the castle in the motor bike’s side mirror– „ÄåDuck, Jeanne!„Äç –*Flash!* –*Whoooosh!*… *Whoom!!*…! An artillery shell flew past us at Mach 2. Like a thunderbolt’s clap of thunder, the boom lagged slightly behind the flash. Then there was a huge splash–! On our left, the surface of the lake erupted into a huge geyser, reaching up high into the air. –*Boom!* Buffeted by the shock of air and water, I saw Jeanne try to control the motor bike– and taking the huge sword in hand, I used it as a makeshift ballast stabiliser to avoid tumbling over. „ÄåThat was an 8.8 cm shell…!„Äç Seeming to have deduced that from the ruffling of her silver-grey hair, Jeanne put on the accelerator again. The two of us looked in the motor bike mirrors– *Rumble!* *Rumble!* *Rumble!*… Oh… I did say„Äéwhatever weapons„Äèyou have, but… That’s a bit troublesome. But that’s about par for the course for me. I knew it would happen sooner or later. With a rattling noise… the sound of caterpillar tracks came from the castle gate. It was the fierce tiger of the Iron Cross. Exiting the castle. The archfiend of heavy tanks. –The Tiger I…! That’s pretty reckless of you, Regiment Hex…! Firing the first shot makes sense if you think about a tank from that era. As for the second shot– –*Flash!*– –*Whoooosh!*… *Thud!!*…–! This time it struck on the opposite right side. The motor bike came close to overturning once more, but thanks to the extra weight of the sidecar, it just barely managed to keep on course. „ÄåThey hit on both side of us, and must be adjusting their angle. They might hit us with the next shot.„Äç „ÄåA motor bike is a small target, so hitting us will be hard.„Äç „ÄåIt is a small mercy that they are not using fragmentation shells. It looks like they only have armour piercing munitions.„Äç About to enter the woods after crossing the lake– the motorbike suddenly accelerated. The very next instant: –*Boooooom!*–! The third shot impacted the lakeshore directly behind us, kicking up an innumerable number of stones behind us– With a popping sound, the rear tyre of the motor bike was punctured. The wheel instantly deflated. With a scuffing noise, Jeanne rolled safely away from the sliding motor bike, and with the huge sword in my hands, I leapt from the sidecar. For now… we’ll have to run the short distance to the forest. The Tiger did not have enough time to reload for another shot before that. Brushing off the dirt from the dust cloud, Jeanne stood unruffled. She then passed me a communication device to put in my own ear. „ÄåOur allies are providing directions. Let us meet up with them.„Äç „ÄéFor now, please run. The target is approximately 170 metres away.„Äè It was Nakasorachi’s voice. She gave us an accurate situation report via the communications device. „ÄéPlease hurry up! Tiger is going around the lake!„Äè That voice… was Constellation’s… Shima-chan…! Did she come to help too? Regardless, we dashed into the woods… „ÄåMy apologies, Tohyama, for bothering you with this rescue operation. You seemed to be getting on quite well with Katze as I intruded.„Äç Jeanne remarked with somewhat of an edge to her voice. „ÄåSpeaking of which, you found me pretty quickly. Uh… how did you do that?„Äç I asked, trying the change the topic. „ÄåWe are near the border of Luxembourg and Belgium in the area near the Luxembourg Ecole. When you had been out of contact for a long time, I asked Nakasorachi to look for you. I also reached out to a descendant of the first Jeanne d’Arc at LUXGSM and was able to deduce your location from your mobile phone data.„Äç From my mobile phone… Even if you aren’t making a phone call, you are still connected to the signal tower via radio waves. In other words, as long as it is powered, it is possible to trace the phone. Katze… she found my Japanese mobile interesting, must not have turned it off, and that backfired on her. However, in order to use the network to perform a trace– you need the cooperation of the carrier. Nakasorachi and Jeanne must have managed it between them… –Doing all that because I had been captured by the enemy. As Constellation’s auditor, until now… I had only looked down on this Team. Even though they were my friends. I had written them off. I thought that this team was just a pile of junk. Why… why didn’t I trust them? I reflected on the fact that they had rescued me. Reflected deeply. It was in Butei Article 1: Believe in your comrades and help them– Reminding myself of that fact, Jeanne and I entered the woods. ************************************************ Slipping into the woods to hide, we waited inside of the forest– …And so did the heavy tank …! Although the Tiger looked small from a distance, it was the real thing and only idling. However– Jeanne rushed over to something she had prepared to aid us beforehand. „ÄåI was able to find a car, but I walked from the border… Fortunately, I was able to acquire this tank from their armoury. Their guard was nodding off, and chloroform made the task simple. I wanted the B1 tank, but this was the only one that I could get running quickly.„Äç Jeanne said by way of explanation, and… She indicated a former Imperial Japanese Army Ha-Go light tank. It was about the size of an automobile and carried 3 people. It’s guns and armour were toys in comparison to the Tiger, but it was a real tank that had scattered enemies left and right during the Malayan Campaign. It seldom broke down and could handle the worst roads. If we want to cross the wide-open space in front of us while being chased by the Tiger, it is obviously more reliable than a regular car would be under fire. „ÄåMeiya and Watson are also involved in this rescue operation. They are on stand-by with Nakasorachi in Belgium. It appears that the Luxembourg civil officials are sympathetic to Katze and her group, and they allow her to do as she pleases inside the country. In Belgium, however– they are fugitives from justice. If we can just cross the border, the Tiger will be unable to follow us.„Äç Meiya– is she supporting us? In any case, the fortunes of war have blessed us in that we were able to steal both the motor bike and tank. „ÄåHurry up and get in! Let’s go!„Äç Popping up from the front hatch of the tank with a ribbon on her head–as I thought, was Shimaisago from LOGI. Have you been riding inside ever since it was taken from the armoury? Although small, it was large enough. It was a real Ha-Go tank, after all. Stepping up onto the tread roller, Jeanne and I clambered up the side of the tank and each took up a machine gunner’s position inside. „ÄåAre we ready to go, Shima-chan? Full speed ahead!„Äç „ÄåGot it!„Äç If I recall correctly, in the Ha-Go tank, the main gunner also serves as the commander… So I stuck my head out from the turret and issued the order to the driver, Shima-chan– *Vroooom!* Although small in size, the tank roared to life, kicking up dirt as it rolled forward. Despite the off-road conditions, we headed west– with the Belgian border as our target, the speed of the antique tank was considerable. The vehicle is in good condition. It’s also faster than the Tiger. As we dashed across the moonlit wasteland in the tank– „ÄåLook at me! Look at me! I’m so big! So powerful! Ahahaha!„Äç I heard Shima-chan’s laughter that was just as loud as the diesel engine. She seems excited for some reason… but that’s only to be expected of Mutou’s rival. She’s driving it like it‚Äôs a shrine. Just don’t start hanging your clothes inside or I’ll be worried. „Äé–I have been able to intercept the enemy communications. Patching in now.„Äè Nakasorachi’s voice came from where she apparently waited at the Belgian border– „Äé Advance! Advance! Fire! Fire! Fire! „Äè Hearing director Everita’s voice in my ear, blood rush to my head. The major general herself was aboard, literally the tiger cub inside the Tiger. Rounding the lake rapidly, the Tiger rolled over several trees and, *Boom!* Firing its 88 mm gun, we zig-zagged the Ha-Go to dodge it. Under the moonlight– was this a German-Japanese tank battle? This is like a falling out among Axis powers. My apologies to all the soldiers’ spirits that we have upset. „ÄéTake better aim!„Äè „ÄéPlease let go of my neck, Everita-sama.„Äè I heard Katze voice. It appears she is onboard the tank as well. You really are clever. As the moon was obscured for a moment, they fired the turret-mounted machine gun to determine our location– „ÄåNow that we’re being shot at, this is a lot less fun.„Äç I grumbled as I bent down, and Shima-chan said… „ÄåThere were replica cartridges, but there were also three 37 mm armour piercing rounds. The first is loaded!„Äç I was thankful for that statement. While giving directions to Shima-chan, I turned the manual hand crank to swivel the turret. 180 degrees– pointing it back at the Pursuing Tiger I. Pointing their guns at the Ha-Go as it flees, the Tiger has made a commotion– „ÄåTarget: Tiger I. Light: Insufficient…. I need the moon to come back Range: Would you call it 800 metres?„Äç Artillery ballistics weren’t something covered in an ASSUALT classroom, but I’m in Hysteria Mode. Concentrating intensely, I made a very minute correction to the angle of the barrel using the sight mounted at my shoulder–then fired–! –*Boom!* Following the roar and recoil, the armour piercing shell described a parabola– It scored a direct hit on the body of the Tiger with a *Ka-Clank!* With an anticlimactic metallic clank, the shell ricocheted off the heavy tank armour. A triumphant laugh came from the Tiger. „Äå… Loading the next shell.„Äç I thought as much. This„Äélight tank„Äèis better suited to supporting an infantry battle than one between tanks. That solid„Äéheavy tank„Äèwas designed to fight other tanks. Just one hit from that 88 mm gun, and it would be over for us. On our side, however, the shell will be deflected no matter where it strikes. I could blame it on the range, but at anything greater than 10 metres, the 37 mm shells are ineffective. It’s like a scrawny kid trading slaps with a Makuuchi. 4 The next bullet struck close by with a heavy thumping impact. It rocked the Ha-Go slightly. „ÄåThe accuracy of their firing is increasing. It’s getting dangerous.„Äç I said, to which the response came: „Äå… I can sense it. The enemy– are employing magic as well to improve their accuracy. Tohyama, the next shot will land.„Äç „ÄåWha! Can’t you stop it? The border river is right there!„Äç Jeanne and Shima replied, respectively. Synthesising both opinions– I put our chances at 50-50. But we are moving faster. We are leaving the Tiger gradually behind. We were approaching Belgium on an out of the way path, and what’s more, across open ground… Unfortunately, it appears that a river also marks the national boundary between Luxembourg and Belgium. If we can avoid one more shot–we can get away. With that thought in mind, I reloaded the less than 2 kg shell… then, a strange thing occurred. „Äå–!„Äç From the direction of the museum– it flew over the devastated forest making a strange sound. „Äå…V…1…!„Äç V-1– the cruise missile developed by Nazi Germany was airborne! Obliquely behind us, it was headed our way! At such close range, even a moving target can be accurately pin-pointed– Is this an original design V-1? It might be an improved model with a remote guidance system. If I remember correctly, the warhead carries 85 tonnes of mixed explosives. If we were to be hit by such a thing, we’d be blasted into tiny pieces. The Ha-Go. And Us. I made a snap decision– „Äå…!„Äç –*Boom!* Taking instant aim, I fired the 37mm shell. Toward the V-1 missile. But I was too soon–and the shell barely grazed it– However, its trajectory was slightly altered… *BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!* It landed behind and to the right of the Ha-Go, and a bright crimson red fire exploded. We escaped a direct hit, but the shock wave and concussion of the blast was transmitted through the earth and the Ha-Go began to slide–! I heard the screams of Jeanne and Shima from within the tank as the 7-tonne body spun… turning almost 180 degrees. To face the Tiger. „ÄåThat’s…a~lmost it!„Äç Shima began counter rotating– doing her best to compensate, at last, she managed to reorient the vehicle in reverse. I think she plans to cross the river while in reverse. But it seems the V-1 damaged the tank treads…and it’s too late! This is bad. If we can’t move, we will be hit if the Tiger fires its 88 mm main gun. There’s no escaping it. The enemy has had enough time to reload, and they will not need a second shot… one will be just enough to finish it. As long as they do it before we cross the border. I ground my teeth as I heard– „ÄåJeanne d’Arc! You I.U. drop-out! Burn in the flames of Hell! They suit you!„Äç From a megaphone, Katze and the rest of Regiment Hex… sang in chorus. What the heck!? You’re devoting your whole mind to singing a song to slander someone– Thinking that, I looked down at Jeanne in the machine gunner station… Her ice blue eyes… were spread wide, „Äå… I-I…„Äç Fortunately, she had gripped the machine gun mounted at the front of the Ha-Go and held on… but now she stared in bewilderment. What should we do? This situation is strange. Flustered, I heard a voice in my ear: „ÄéD-don’t listen to the witches’ song! It is their„ÄåFear Song„Äç, and they used it demoralise enemy troops and then incite civil disruption. Magic users will be affected!„Äè Meiya’s flustered voice came through the communication device. „ÄåJeanne.. cover your ears! They’re after you!„Äç After hearing my shout, Jeanne– Seemingly engulfed in by the technique, she began to shake. „ÄåThat’s right, Tohyama. I… I am a girl who goes around making schemes. In truth… it is because I am weak. The truth is that I am ashamed to be with you because I am so weak… So, I… I…„Äç Jeanne was so entirely cursed that tears formed in her eyes. „Äå…!„Äç I don’t have any kind of ani-magic technique to counter this– As the Tiger pulled closer to us to increase their accuracy, it slowed… then turned its main gun toward us. The range is 400 metres. They are going to fire. The 88 mm shell is certain death. While hurriedly turning the turret that wasn’t even equipped with a gun of half that calibre– „Äå–Jeanne„Äç I shouted in a loud voice, trying to drown out their song. That song was robbing her of her courage– And right now, courage is what Jeanne needs most. That’s it. I have to encourage her–Jeanne, the Diamond Dust Witch. I have to do it. I have to push through. In a flash of Hysteria Mode, the method came to me– I have to overcome that annoying Tiger’s main gun…! „ÄåJeanne, are you going to let them keep saying that? Chivalry demands an equal response for an insult.„Äç „Äå…Tohyama…„Äç „ÄéAs this world changes, knights of Peace gather together with new emotion beneath the emblem of a holy prayer!„Äè Meiya sang from the communication device– I would guess that it was a song to oppose the witches’ curse. „ÄåI…I…„Äç A look of strength returned to Jeanne’s eyes. Good, just little more. „Äå—Shima, stop. We’re going to fight the Tiger one on one.„Äç „ÄåWh… what are you saying? Tohyama-san! If you shoot, won’t it just bounce off again?„Äç „ÄåIt’s fine, so stop. They have insulted my Jeanne. That is something I cannot allow. What’s more– we’ve done enough running, don’t you think so, Jeanne!?„Äç Jeanne’s heart was being stolen by an enemy, and I was getting a slightly berserker feeling–as the commander of the tank, I shouted a high-handed order. Shima, overpowered, swallowed. and with a *Cla-long!* *Cla-long!* The reversing tank… Came to a stop. Now the Ha-Go faced the approaching Tiger. It was a direct confrontation. „ÄåDo not worry. An artillery battle is battle of mathematics. My mathematics scores have improved somewhat since Ikebukuro High.„Äç „Äå…?„Äç Teary-eyed, Shima trembled, and the ribbon on top of her head looked up at me… Good, all interfering vehicle oscillations have stopped. Thanks to that fact, Jeanne’s machine gun muzzle, which had been pointing every which way– came to rest somewhat in the direction of the Tiger’s gun turret. That was good. In front and to the right of us. black smoke from the V-1 was rising. Just like my anger. Coming to a stop directly in front of us, the Tiger– „Äé–Halt!„Äè It stopped. The range was 200 metres. Looking out from the tank, it was short range. Then, the 88 mm gun– Fixed it’s aim directly toward us. I took stock of the barrel’s trajectory. There was no doubt that it was would hit squarely on top of the front armour plate, blasting and scattering us to pieces. …If you are going to scatter us, then come on and do it…! I– closed my eyes. Then with my Hysteria Mode increased sense of hearing, I deduced the enemy position from the sounds transmitted to my communication device. If I concentrate, I can even hear the sounds of breathing and heartbeats. Doing that, I formed a mental image of the interior of the Tiger. Then, I attempted to predict the exact moment that they would fire. Then 0.001 seconds later. I felt it. Their killing intent. I moved in that instant. Like a kendo master. Slowly opening my eyes, I altered the 377 mmm gun’s direction– I pressed my shoulder against the pad on the sight. Then I took aim. Not at the Tiger, but a point in the empty sky . The Ha-Go light tank has a peculiar gun mounting structure. The gunner is able to adjust the muzzle up, down, left, and right, and it also has a„Äéshoulder rest sight„Äè. It is a very intuitive mechanism, and well suited to Hysteria Mode. Thanks to that… I can do this…! Then, using my knee, I gently pressed Jeanne’s shoulder to make a slight correction to the machine gun’s orientation. Jeanne, you have had some experiences where you were not confident in yourself before. That time at the school festival’s Cosplay Cafe and dragging me into the European Front of FEW. The enemy that has known you since your time in I.U. is taking advantage of that fact to dishearten you with this song. Under this curse, you may or may not be able to pull the trigger at the most crucial moment. But there’s Butei Law, Article 1 Believe in you comrades and help them. I believe in you. I will stop doubting my friends. Believe in me and overcome that cursed song… I believe you will pull that trigger. If you want to know why, it’s because you really are a strong girl. You made that much painfully clear to me in Butei High’s underground storage area last May. Now… I heard it… the sound of Everita’s intake of breath! „Äå–Fire, Jeanne!„Äç „Äé–Fire!„Äè Following our shouts, Jeanne’s machine gun, the Tiger’s main gun, and the Ha-Go’s gun– –In Hysteria Mode’s perception, the world slowed to a stop– They fired almost simultaneously, but there was a definite sequence . In a line, several of Jeanne’s machine gun bullets flew out into the air. They approached the 88 mm shell that was describing a parabola while spinning. Then seeing that their trajectories were aligned, I fired the 37 mm armour piercing shell. My shell followed behind Jeanne’s spaced line of bullets– As each of them contacted one by one, they sent up innumerable sparks into the night sky. –Like a constellation. As the machine gun bullets contacted, I made the final minute adjustments with the shoulder mounted sight and– *Clang!* The 37 mm shell collided with the bottom of the 88 mm shell, delivering a counterstrike uppercut. The flow of time resumed– –*Ka-shing!* The 37 mm shell ricocheted off the 88 mm shell and flew off into space over our heads like a meteor– –*Ka-thump!* It impacted the ground near the border, sending up a violent shockwave and a cloud of dust. … I did it! Billiard with a cannon shell– If I had to name it, I’d call it Patriot. It was an excellent technique, if I do say so myself. It is impossible to knock back an 88 mm shell with a less powerful 37 mm shell, but it is possible to hit and divert its trajectory. That is what I did. Having the aid of the machine gun made this technique possible for the first time. The muzzle velocity of the shell, compared to the bullets, was greater and could not be altered. So, in the end, I compensated for the lag by having the machine gun fire first. As I did that– „ÄåTo-Tohyama…just now…„Äç The beautiful machine gunner looked up at me with wide ice blue eyes. „ÄåAmazing–Jeanne! You really are a strong girl. If I had been alone in this, the tank would be our coffin. Merci. „Äç With an exclamation of surprise coming from the girls over the communications device, I praised Jeanne. „ÄåW-we did it, didn’t we…?„Äç Hearing my words, Shima’s jaw dropped with a gasp. „ÄåThe mathematics were simple. This was a strategic shift of tactics, Shima. The condition for victory was not the destruction of the enemy vehicle. Merely reaching Belgium. Don’t you approve of me not destroying such a national treasure?„Äç „ÄåI do! I do! Tiger-san and I can go on a date and make memories I will remember my whole life! –Aaah!„Äç Executing a magnificent counter rotation manoeuvre and headed toward the border river again. Inside the rattling and slightly swaying tank, Jeanne… said nothing. „Äå…„Äç I felt her take the back of my hand and press it to her lips. It was as if the first-generation Jeanne d’Arc had appeared like an angel to perform a miracle. ******************************************* The river was barely a metre wide… and we crossed it. Seeming to have given up the chase, the Tiger stopped on the opposite side. Due to the squawking and hysterical screeching that came from director Everita, I had to take off the communication device. Now within Belgium, a quiet one-way road stretched out in front of us… The tank began operating erratically, and before long smoke began coming up from the radiator. –There wasn’t a fence at the national border, and we only knew that we had changed countries because of a road sign. On the road, Meiya and Nakasorachi came out to meet us as Watson sat inside a Volkswagen bus, gripping the steering wheel. Then, upon boarding the bus… „ÄåWe’ll drive through the night to reach the capital city of Brussels. Unfortunately, a party of the I.U. remnant warkhawks spearheaded by Patra have invaded Paris. They routed the resident DEEN forces who fled north. As of now, Brussels is just barely under DEEN’s control, but… soon the allied and enemy fronts will clash.„Äç Watson whispered to me as the bus pulled onto the highway. I delayed Regiment Hex’s advance into Italy, and I confirmed their location… But those tactical victories were fruitless… In the big picture we are losing ground. And continuing to do so. [END] ********************************************** [START GO FOR THE NEXT] Go For The NEXT!!! The next day, the Volkswagen bus reached Brussels. It was a French-speaking area but much smaller than Paris. The buildings were all 3-4 storey in Western-style and packed closely in rows with their walls touching each other. Looking up from the street at the narrow sliver of sky, it was slightly oppressive. As I stared at this scene like that out of a Western fairy-tail… Nakasorachi and Shima are boarding a bus at Brussels-Central railway station to return home. Somewhat concerned for their safety, Watson led them to visit the CONNECT and LOGI departments at Brussels Butei High. That should fulfil the requirements of the school trip. Even so… Now these two unrelated people will not be dragged into our personal fight in FEW. I’m relieved. In any case, thank-you. Nakasorachi. Shima. Without being asked, you lent me your aid in a dangerous military operation. When I expressed my thanks: „ÄåIt’…n…thing.„Äç „ÄåIt’s only natural to help your friends on your Team!„Äç They each answered, respectively… They reminded me once more that we were a Team. –Remaining in Brussels were Jeanne, Meiya, Watson, and I. The members of DEEN. We entered Liberty Mason’s breath-taking hotel in the centre of the town… Watson, who was passing for a guy, and myself, and the girls Meiya and Jeanne each checked into 2 separate rooms. The exterior of the hotel… looked like something out of a fairy-tale, but inside it was a strictly modern hotel. Thankfully, we can rest here. This is a good place to rest for bit. With that in mind, after replenishing my stock of bullets from Watson’s supply, I laid down on the ned and passed out cold… …When I opened my eyes, it was already night. Wah! I slept for 12 hours. I guess I’m like Kana. On the other twin bed, Watson was sleeping blissfully. Oh, man! Her sleeping face is cute! Thank goodness my Hysteria Mode had worn off. In that condition, I might have pulled her adorable cheeks. That could have been a problem. „Äå…„Äç Leaving Watson to sleep in the room… I thought to head over to the restaurant attached to the hotel for some food and left the room. Upon reaching the lobby… „ÄåTohyama.„Äç Jeanne came from the direction of the restroom. „ÄåOh, Jeanne. Good Morning… that’s not right, is it? Have you had dinner yet?„Äç „Äå…No, not yet.„Äç „ÄåWell, you treated me in Paris. I guess it’s my turn. That way we’re even.„Äç I said this unusually generous statement after entering the restaurant and confirming that it was inexpensive… to which Jeanne responded with a slightly troubled expression. „ÄåIf that is the case, then I want to go out. Follow me.„Äç With those few words, she ushered me out of the hotel. Crap… I’ve brought this upon myself, haven’t I? What am I going to do if she takes me to an expensive restaurant? I don’t even have any Euro. ****************************************************** Brussels was further north that Paris and it was cool… but walking by the road it wasn’t so cold. This was because the large buildings were ranged side-by-side and had tall walls. This kind of cramped architecture is best to ward off the cold. While thinking these thoughts, I followed Jeanne down the cobbled night-time street… The alleys were darker and filthier than the streets in Japan as we came to what appeared to be the business district. Perhaps in some nostalgic taste, the roads were still lit by gas lamps. Although it was a business district, there were few people on the street, and it was rather quiet… For someone who has been called ‘gloomy’, I can’t really say anything, though. Since night had already fallen, many of the shops had already closed for the day… But there was an extravagant looking theatre open on the corner of a street. The signboard said:„ÄéL’Opera„Äè– and from the Palais Garnier, I had learned the only French I could read, and I could tell that it said,„ÄéOpera house„Äè. „ÄåI thought only the Palais Garnier was an opera house?„Äç „ÄåAll operatic theatres are opera houses.„Äç „ÄåAh, I didn’t pick up on that in Paris.„Äç Other than this brief exchange… Jeanne and I only spoke a few words. All of tonight–rather, ever since leaving the hotel– Jeanne hasn’t said a word. Is she mad at me again? Jeanne must intend to increase her self-confidence while in Luxembourg, but a woman’s heart is like an autumn sky. Like a cat’s eye, a girl’s emotions are subject to fickle changes. Just like Aria. Saying such a thing, however, would be stepping on a landmine, and furthermore, I’m the type inclined to actively avoid talking with girls… so I walked along with Jeanne silently. As she turned the corner by the opera house– „Äå… Tohyama, I’m sorry! „Äç As she disappeared around the corner, she shouted this in a tearful voice for some reason. …Sorry? „ÄåWhat do you mean?„Äç I asked as I followed her round the corner– –But she was gone. Jeanne had vanished like smoke. „Äå…Jeanne?„Äç I looked all around as I walked down the street… –**I gave you my music, made your song take wing, and now how you’ve repaid me, denied me and betrayed me**– The orchestral music and choir song from„ÄéThe Phantom of the Opera„Äèfiltered out from the Brussels opera house. The building must not be soundproofed very well. Then as the song reached its crescendo– –*Boom!* *Crash!* The sound of impact almost coinciding with the report, the street directly in front of me was blasted. „Äå…!„Äç Just now… it felt as if my eardrums were going to burst from the sound of the shot but from the way the street was smashed, it wasn’t a bullet from a gun… It was probably… something meant to take down a bear or water buffalo with twice the power of a 44 Magnum– It was a .454 Casull. The hollow point cap of the bullet sparkled in the crushed cobblestones in front of me. If it struck a human head or abdomen, it would send a mangled mess of flesh flying. „Äå…„Äç A bead of sweat rolled down my forehead. The shot– came from behind, above, and short range. An enemy is here but then why would Jeanne lead me to such a place? I don’t understand. But I couldn‚Äôt move beyond that thought. My brain refused to work beyond that point. At the moment, I was operating on poorly grasped instinct– reacting to the fact of someone shooting at me. The first bullet had stopped me in my tracks. I can’t make the wrong move now. If I panic, I’ll be shot for sure. –This killing intent–…! Feeling almost strong enough to warp space, the feeling came from behind me, and up at an angle. …That’s where they are! What’s more, they’re the type that wants to avoid a confrontation. The feeling was different than a person with ESP or a monster. It was also different than the sword masters Kaname and Sherlock who were able to restrain their killing intent. If I had to describe it, I would say that it possessed a different quality. Like a being many times removed from humanity. That was the enemy I faced. „Äå…„Äç In order to see what the enemy looked like, I slowly turned around, and as I did so… I gulped down the saliva in my mouth as I raised my eyes to where the shot had come from. Then, atop an old-fashioned gas lamp 5 metres tall, there was– A man, completely robed in black, sitting with one knee up. His hair was– black. His face– was covered in the opposite way an opera masque would, the black fabric collar of his coat tied together to conceal it. Like a ninja. ********************************** His pitch-black boots were covered in silver buckles. As he stretched out his leg, I saw a jet-black long coat. Two belts crisscrossed the coat in in an X pattern connected to the belt at his waist. From his belt hung a shotgun. A Winchester M1887. It is a shortened barrel style that is regulated in Japan. The guard was also cut off, and it looked a gun that would be very useful in combat. Gripped in the fingerless gloves he wore on both hands, was a Taurus Raging Bull. It was an 8.375-inch barrel model. That’s what must have fire the Casull bullet. But the danger from this guy– isn’t from his gun. Crisscrossed on his back were two Japanese swords in black sheaths. Those are the danger. From experience, I could tell intuitively that he was dangerous, but could not define exactly what it was. „Äå…„Äç He appeared to be about the same age as me, and a bit more solidly built, but he… looked at me without speaking. Despite the fact that half his face was hidden… he was obviously Asian. This completely black figure seemed to be all of one colour– Except for his right eye. The pupil of his right eye– shone crimson like Son‚Äôs. But it probably wasn’t a laser It’s a darker and deeper shade. It gave me a bad feeling… Then a moment, later, as I looked into his eyes, I understood. These are the eyes… of someone that has killed people. „Äå…Are you… some kind of… advance force for GRENEDA?„Äç Uneasy with the silent tension, I spoke– „ÄåI am not.„Äç Was the reply. His Japanese was fluent, and the enunciation clear. He must be Japanese. Alright. I can’t act scared. That wasn’t so bad. Let’s talk a bit more. At this rate, I might be able to figure out heat is going on. „ÄåYou… have a bit of a problem. It looks like you’re a chuunibyou. At least that’s what Riko would say.„Äç No sooner had the words left my mouth… „ÄåRiko Mine is not here.„Äç He answered, the cloth muffling his voice. I see. Wasn’t this in one of our preliminary investigations? That confirmed it. This is — „ÄéBewitching Blade„Äè One of the pair of mercenaries hired by GRENEDA. There’s no mistake. „ÄåYou use such a huge gun. What’s more, you use hollow points. I can’t stand for that. I want to see your permit for those.„Äç I said, acting like a Butei… „ÄåSuch foolish talk annoys me. I’ve already determined it.„Äç „ÄåDetermined it…? What do you mean?„Äç „ÄåThere are a lot of variables. There are about 65 in order to obtain 100% certainty.„Äç „ÄåWhat are you trying to figure out?„Äç „ÄåHow to kill you.„Äç How to… kill me…? I furrowed my eyebrows as I looked up at the entirely black„ÄéBewitching Blade„Äè– He looked up at the narrow slit of night sky of Brussels. „Äå– It’s a beautiful moon. It will be the last you will see. Look well.„Äç Then, replacing his gun in his black leather hip holster, I watched him– draw those two dangerous blades. Then he dropped his gaze back down toward me. He was ready to fight. „ÄåNo matter how long it takes, I want to understand. Let’s talk.„Äç With a ring of steel, he drew his swords from their sheaths– „ÄåWe will start at 50%. I’ll give you 3 minutes.„Äç „Äå3 minutes…. What do you mean!?„Äç –What is this…!? „ÄåAfter 3 minutes, you are already dead.„Äç 5 –Who they heck is this guy…!? Go For the Next!!! [END GO FOR THE NEXT] ***************************************************** [START AUTHOR NOTES] Hey there! Climbing Mount Blanc by cable car , it’s Akamatsu! Right now, volume 15 of the novel, 8 of the comic, and 6 Hidan no Aria AA are all out. As per usual, the summer is an Aria-fest! I’ll happily strike the festival drum! Now then, lets return to spend lots of time in the„ÄéHidan no Aria Q&A Corner.„Äè „ÄéQ: What kinds of Kinji’s Hysteria Mode are there?„Äè A: Hysteria Mode has been around since the first volume. As a matter of fact, it’s Kinji’s own made-up word for the medical curiosity condition known as Hysteria Savant Syndrome. Kinji not only experiences the usual„ÄéNormale„Äè, but in the course of the story, there are a few sub-types. The first was shown by Kana/Kinichi when he was close to death,„ÄéAgonizante„Äè. When a girl is being taken away,„ÄéBerse„Äèappears and it is 1.7 times more powerful than normal Hysteria Mode, but it’s total mental focus on attacking is a double-edged blade. Once Berse has been experienced several times,„ÄéRegalmente„Äèappears for the girls he recognises as part of his herd and is 1.2 times more powerful than the ordinary variety. In Cast Off Table, Kinji used„ÄéWiseman„Äèwhich is a sort of after-effect… Instead of increasing fighting strength, it makes him unable to be excited by women, but it’s hard to pull off. As for you readers– won’t you all please pray that Kinji isn’t cornered to the point he has to use Agonizante or Regalmente. At least, those are my feeling on the matter! ************************************** After this there are spoilers for the main story… In this volume we are introduced to the mysterious man,„ÄéBewitching Blade„Äè. He is a crossover protagonist from one of my other works publish by Dengeki Bunko„ÄéYagate Maken no Alicebell„Äè(which already has 3 volumes published.) He is a difficult enemy to deal with and he caught Kinji in an ambush– but Butei have to deal with these things all the time. Before that happened though, I‚Äôm sure that (the Kinji of the future) would definitely like to buy„ÄéYagate Maken no Alicebell’s Assortment of Heroines„Äèplanned to go on sale next month. Please be sure to check it out! Now then, until next time– May we meet before long in a Parisian bookshop. A certain day in August 2014. Akamatsu Chuugaku [END AUTHOR NOTES] ********************************************** [START ILLUSTRATOR NOTES] This time Son-chan was on the cover! How did you like it? Kinji is really popular with ladies, isn‚Äôt he! Popular Kinji. I thought about drawing Katze, but in Hidan no Aria there are a lot of bobbed hair and straight-banged girls, so do you think that’s Akamatsu-sensei’s type? I’ll have to ask him sometime. See you next time! [END OF ILLUSTRATOR NOTES] ************************************************ 1. Brigadef√ºhrer, in German. 2. These people are early 20th century (1900’s) Japanese cultural icons. An admiral, medical researcher, and poet, respectively. 3. ‘Bone Control’ in Japanese/ 4. Makuuchi or makunouchi, is the top division of the six divisions of professional sumo. Its size is fixed at 42 wrestlers, ordered into five ranks according to their ability as defined by their performance in previous tournaments.–Wikipedia 5. YES! this is *that* (in)famous line! Not sure if it is intentional or not, but I found it hilarious! ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ## 13. Volume 16 - The Werewolf of Star Fortress -Gévaudan- ### 001. Bullet 1:Dark Grey Challenger — Challenger X And we are finally cracking Volume 16! Who would have guessed that a few short years ago? As you read this, I am probably working on Chapter 3, and you can expect Chapter 2 next weekend. In the meantime, enjoy! Volume 16: Heavenly Wolf of the Star Fortress ‚Äî G√©vaudan Chapter One: Dark Grey Challenger ‚Äî Challenger X [START] Volume 16 Chapter One– Dark Grey Challenger– Challenger X *Whish!*… *Creak!* *Creak!*…! Drawing his sword atop the gas lamp, from Bewitching Blade’s body– There came a sound like creaking rubber. With this strange sound, his body swelled like a pro wrestler– gaining size and covering the Brussels night sky. But that was not all. From his long coat came a black flame-like aura. His figure was assimilated into the darkness, such that only his blazing scarlet gaze fixed on me remained. What is this guy…!? I don‚Äôt really understand ESP users’ powers, but this is distinct from Patra and Hilda’s. The pressure emanating from Bewitching Blade is different from anything else I have experienced. That is to say, he is a mysterious person…! „ÄåTonight, you shall sleep in Hell.„Äç Saying that, I saw Bewitching Blade make a cutting motion across his throat with his thumb. Then with his dully gleaming grey blades– he took up a stance with them crossed in an X-shape. In this side alley, the secret criminal Bewitching Blade radiated an incredible bloodlust. As for myself… I want to run away as fast as possible. But that is impossible. I’m not even in Hysteria Mode. As soon as I turn my back, he’d swoop in, sever my neck, and decapitate me. That being the case– Butei Law, Article 5: First action is the essence of certain victory…! –*Bang!* I quick-drew my Beretta and fired a shot behind me, aiming in his general direction. Disturbing his balance and giving me a chance to escape. At least, that was what I intended… –*Whipsh!* *Clang!*– I heard those ill-boding sounds in rapid succession. Then I saw it happened before my very eyes. Bewitching Blade moved his sword before I fired– and swatted down the bullet with the guard. The bullet impacted the gas lamp at his feet. That was probably… no, it definitely had to be a coincidence, right? Bewitching Blade deliberately made it darker. That was a trick, for sure. What I can do with bullets, he can do with swords. „Äå…„Äç Because he purposefully made it darker, that must mean that he has some kind of ability to see in the dark. That’s another point against me. Should I fight here or not? But Bewitching Blade, you… only have two swords! But that isn’t discouraging him in slightest! At that instant, I thumbed the selector switch on my gun to change over to„Äé3 bullet burst„Äèmode.*Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!*…! *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* The muzzle flashed, and while moving backwards I shot two sets of 3 bullets for a total of 6, using his glowing scarlet eye as a reference point. Respecting Article 9, I aimed somewhat lower. The supersonic 9 mm parabellum bullets all hit their marks perfectly– But afterwards they merely gave off a mere thudding sound. I intended to knock him off the gas lamp, but his upper torso only swayed slightly. Nothing happened, even though I hit him…!? Does he have a shock dispersing bulletproof long coat? Even so, it shouldn’t be able to cancel out the shock completely. If I had to guess… The black aura spreading out from the coat is some kind of magical ability that protects him. Following that, his right eye shone out of the darkness– „Äå…?„Äç By straining, I could understand this strange occurrence. I don’t think that he took damage, but for some reason it appeared that his gaze was fixed somewhere out into space. Almost as if he was absent-mindedly pondering something for a brief moment. — Although differing from my original plan, this was surely the opening I had wanted. I have to run…! The moment I kicked off the street– Bewitching Blade turned the way I was running, looking ahead of me . The ability to deflect bullets with a sword was impressive, but how did you know? Do you have some kind of ability to predict my actions? –*Whoosh!*– Black from head to toe, Bewitching Blade– disappeared from the gas lamp, kicking off with a noise and twirling his body like a whirlwind mid-air before landing. 10 metres in front of where I was running. „Äå…!„Äç „Äå–Piercing Fang!„Äç I heard Bewitching Blade shout, and the next instant– *Whoom!* Sweeping his blade sideways, a loud rushing sound went up before I could make any noise– I was knocked back several metres. A shower of splintered cobblestones rained down on my face. Then with a *Crunch!* *Crunch!* sound… Bewitching Blade walked through the circular impact crater in the street. „ÄåDo not worry. At this range Piercing Fang wouldn’t even kill a fly.„Äç I saw a faint mist of white steam rising and twining with his blades. …Th-that’s…„ÄéOuka„Äè…? It looked like an improved version of Ouka, a kind of improved supersonic slashing attack. This one was performed at middle range. I didn’t receive a direct hit only because the shockwave blew me back…! „ÄåH…rng…!„Äç While coughing up blood… I fainted dramatically. Lying face-down, I feigned distress by clutching my stomach– Then I took out a Butei bullet concealed inside an inner pocket of my uniform. I was able to distinguish the smoke bullet by sense of touch. Then I detonated it manually– „Äå–Sending up a smokescreen will only hinder your movements.„Äç What… He already knew!? His statement– had two layers of meaning. It wasn’t just the fact that could see through the smokescreen. He had also meant,„ÄéI can see you moving in the smokescreen„Äè. He must be able to see. Able to see in the dark, he must have something like radar to see in the smoke. No, when he followed my movement earlier, it was something beyond mere radar. Fighter jets come equipped with radar Fire Control Systems that have the ability to predict the location of enemy craft. I got the feeling– Bewitching Blade can track me with something beyond the naked eye. It has to be his right eye…! Occasionally… Bewitching Blade fixed his gaze out into empty space for a moment. It was a movement similar to Kaname and G-3’s use of their HMD units. He was looking at something outside his normal field of view. If that’s the case, then he might be wearing some kind of contact lens display. If I were to smash his right eye– he might just lose the ability altogether. At first glance, I had no idea how I should set about defeating his twin sharp blades and paranormal coat… but I can start with his eye. I concocted a plan to deal with his eye. I can’t hold back in crushing one of his eyes. He’s a man that has come to take my life. Almost as if he had read my intentions–*Whooph!* He knocked me down with a kick to the stomach from his black boots. „Äå–!„Äç My body rebounding off the brick wall, I was launched 2 metres into the air and– *Shing!* Holding them in an X shape, Bewitching Blade pressed both backs of his swords against my neck… as I hung suspended there. „ÄåG…ack…!„Äç It was… a pro wrestling technique reverse neck choke…! Using swords. I can’t move at all…! „Äå–Blade Shears. If you try to grab them to escape, your fingers will be severed. They are as sharp as a razor.„Äç While saying that Bewitching Blade scrutinised me. Is he… looking at my face… to make sure of who I am…? Then, after a few moments passed– *Ring!* *Ring!* *Ring!*– A scarlet light glowed from his sword guards as a bell like noise sounded. Almost as if it were some kind of signal, Bewitching Blade’s bloodlust… Dissipated completely. „Äå…You are a body double, aren’t you? You might be able to match his appearance, but it is impossible to fake his incredible strength.„Äç –*Clang!* Removing the blades from my keck and allowing them to clatter to the ground, Bewitching Blade– Somehow or other seems to think I’m a body double, as he stood in an aggressive posture. Let’s… go along with it. If he wants to think I’m an idiot, I’ll fake it. It’s unfortunate, but it means that I won’t have to fight under such adverse conditions. „ÄåWhy…are you after Tohyama…?„Äç Collapsed on the ground, I feigned to ask. „ÄåSelf-defence. I am out to take his life. If I kill him now, it will be easier than trying to do so later…„Äç Self-defence…? I don’t remember ever setting eyes on this strange person before! What does he mean…? Killing me now… will be easier than doing it later…? „ÄåTell the real Tohyama this–„ÄéYou have done enough„Äè. In particular, you should never have gotten involved with Rampan.„Äç From within the concealing hood, he continued to say strange things– Is he someone connected to Rampan? I get the feeling, though, that he isn’t a member. Furrowing my eyebrows, I looked down toward the sword guards that were ringing… Blinking in time with the sound, the tempo quickened. Hearing it, with a *Swish!*, Bewitching Blade flourished he swords in a graceful arc before returning them to their scabbards. Then the noise ceased, and all around us… became quiet. „Äå–You had better hurry and tell the real Tohyama, Fake-Kinji. You are going to die soon…„Äç He said, turning his back toward me as I looked up from the ground. „ÄåI’m going to… die soon? Are you putting a curse on me?„Äç „ÄåNot at all. I am merely informing you– you have the look of death about you. You will die within a month. It is 100% certain. You had best tidy up your affairs.„Äç He left me with those words like a shinigami– And his silver buckled boots crunched the fragments of cobblestone as he departed. „Äå…Who are you…?„Äç Finally managing to raise my upper body, I asked his back– „Äå–Just an ordinary high school student. Though I attend a bit of a strange and rough school.„Äç 1 Leaving me with my own line… he disappeared into the darkness. … I will… definitely tell him. That is to say, the me in Hysteria Mode . –About your mistake just now. In Hysteria Mode, however… In Hysteria Mode, I would definitely kill you. Your seemingly overwhelming fighting strength is underdeveloped . I’ve evaluated your level of experience– And it is obvious that, compared to me, you have little. Butei and mercenaries, as people involved in combat, hide their strengths and weaknesses from their enemies as they become veterans. If discovered, it would become a huge disadvantage in another encounter. But Bewitching Blade was entirely unable to do so. It would not be an exaggeration to say that he was wide open. To start with, there was the crimson right eye I noticed at the start of the fight. But above all, there was the timing–Bewitching Blade retreated quickly. I got the impression that from start to finish he was rushing things along. From the time he drew his blades to the moment the guards beeped was two minutes… then he made the error of mistaking me for an imposter. By 2 minutes and 30 seconds– the guards were beeping more rapidly, and he was already moving to conclude the encounter. It was so obvious. That is to say– Just like an ESP user, he ran out of fuel. What he had said about„Äå3 minutes„Äçat the beginning was probably as long as he could fight. You should watch what you say, Ultraman! 2 Understanding that, I am able to put a plan into effect. It depends on age and condition, but– By comparison, I can maintain Hysteria Mode for 30 minutes to an hour. I see you, Bewitching Blade. I’ve committed your voice and face to memory… at least the upper half. It’s a Tohyama family rule. If you are going to shoot, then you must shoot– if you draw a bow, you must release it. If it were Aria shooting, I wouldn’t be able to fire back, but you are a man. If you’re after me, I’ll fire back. Perhaps not immediately, but sometime afterwards I will return the favour. –That is to say I have a grudge against you. However… there is one fortunate thing that I took away from our meeting tonight… Like me, this high school student has also stopped being human. That much is apparent, you bastard. ************************************************************* More than the full brunt of his„ÄéPiercing Fang„Äè, more than his„ÄéBlade Shears„Äèmenacing my carotid artery… I suffered the most serious damage from Bewitching Blade’s strange toe kick. Weighing 65 kg including equipment, I was launched 2 metres into the air. The silver lining in the story is the fact that, due to my prone position, my stomach cushioned the blow so that my spine was not fractured by the kick– but it left a sharp pain behind. It was as if someone had guided his kick and told him to„Äékick here„Äèbecause he landed a direct blow on my spleen and kidney. There will probably be blood in my urine. Wiping my hand across my mouth, I stood to my feet… What about Jeanne…? Having been led to Bewitching Blade, I looked around for her… But coming to the end of the crooked alley, I found it was dead-end. Despite the fact that it was dark due to the broken gas lamp, and I could not see well… I could tell that it was empty. No one was there at all. Underfoot was a mixture of sand and rubbish. If this some kind of drift? …I haven’t told anyone about my encounter with Bewitching Blade. Gritting my teeth at the pain, I pulled my mobile out of my pocket… but his Piercing Fang had destroyed it. Did he know where it was? Did that scarlet eye have X-ray vision? With the operatic solo escaping from the opera house at my back, I stumbled back onto the picturesque main road. I had barely taken a few steps when pain flared in my left side. I wanted to go the hospital immediately. But I‚Äôm not familiar with Belgium. If I can’t reunite with my friends, I can’t get to a hospital either. Then, there was a… *Thud!* …Ouch…! An ordinary girl running down the street collided with me as she passed by. Of all the places, she hit my left side that had been kicked. You…! Since I didn’t speak French, I couldn’t complain, so I just scowled– And the girl that bumped into me rushed off without so much as an apology. A scarf hiding her blonde hair, she was carrying a huge armful of clothing as she ran down the road. Behind her, she left traces of blood on the road. She appears to be injured. She’s… probably a thief or something. But right now, I’m in no condition to chase after a cat burglar. So, turning my back on her, I hurried back to the hotel to meet up with Watson and the rest. ***************************************************************************************************** On my way back, it became apparent that Bewitching Blade was not the only member of GRENEDA to launch an attack. …A… fire…!? Rounding a corner, I saw black smoke billowing from the area where were staying. Hastily staggering over– Dammit! They got it! The hotel where we were checked in was engulfed in flames, and several fire engines had gathered. Someone had leaked our location– a spy within DEEN. Meiya stood in the street holding a fire extinguisher, but it’s extinguishing agent was completely exhausted. „ÄåTooyama!„Äç Noticing that my clothes were slightly dirty from my fight, a somewhat soot-covered Watson rushed over. „ÄåSo it happened to you too? We were attacked. Someone fired a panzerfuast at us. 3 I was able to chase them off by firing out the window, but I couldn’t follow. I couldn’t make out who it was. We turned our attention putting out the fire first–„Äç Watson had barely finished explaining what had happened when I asked: „Äå– What about Jeanne?„Äç I wanted to check that first, but Watson shook her head. „ÄåI haven’t seen her. But her passport was left behind with yours. Maybe she’s been kidnapped? Or…„Äç Watson stopped herself, but– „ÄéOr maybe Jeanne is a traitor and the kidnapping is a ruse.„Äè Was what she didn’t say. –DEEN has a„Äétraitor„Äèhiding in our midst. But that isn’t something to be brought up lightly. Those kinds of suspicions can erode team unity. Especially the neo-Constellation team formed hastily this very month consisting of Jeanne, Watson, and myself. Unlike Baskerville, it could split up all to easily. This being the case— the Team’s fighting strength has been halved, no, rather it will be reduced to a third of the original amount. If that happened, and Constellation broke apart under the pressure of its role on the European Front… It could result in our total annihilation and a complete upset in FEW. I’m certain Watson understand that. So, with that in mind– Although she closed her mouth , I could see she was considerably distrustful of the absent Jeanne. I couldn’t say anything bad about Jeanne either. While pondering that fact, my side hadn’t hurt… In order to escape the flames and smoke, I walked back toward Meiya. Fortunately, the fire was unlikely to spread. The fire company had almost completely put the fire out. There were few other guests staying at the hotel, and it appeared that everyone was safe. „ÄåOur enemy… seems to have retreated.„Äç Discarding her depleted fire extinguisher in a rubbish heap, Meiya brushed at the singed corners of her robes. Then, hands clasped in front of her chest, Meiya turned toward us– „ÄåAs I have said before, I do not doubt Jeanne-san.„Äç She suddenly brought up a dangerous topic. What was left unsaid was:„ÄéTohyama-san and Watson-san might doubt her.„ÄèBut with all that has happened, thinking so can’t be helped. But… regarding DEEN’s traitor… Even Meiya has to be aware of it. „ÄåThe divine protection of my„ÄéLuck Enhancement„Äèis not only strengthened by faith in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, but also in our allies. If we begin to doubt our allies, it will diminish it’s power considerably.„Äç Crossing herself in front of her huge, melon-like breasts– Meiya made it clear that she did not mean to consider the thought or speak of it. That kind of refusal to think logically must be the blind faith of a religious zealot… If it’s only limited to tonight, then it’s not an issue. Meiya is neutral. For the sake of DEEN’s unity, it helps that she has clearly articulated her position. Even so– „ÄåTooyama, your clothes are awfully dirty… Someone attacked you, didn’t they?„Äç Watson was already suspicious of Jeanne. If she finds out that Jeanne had taken me out, her suspicions will be confirmed. I can’t allow that fact to be discovered, or it will cause a problem– I can’t give any weight to Watson’s suspicions. Determining that, I said: „Äå…„ÄéBewitching Blade„Äèis the one who attacked me. I can’t even explain how I escaped alive.„Äç Starting off with this keyword, I distracted the two of them from to topic of Jeanne by sharing this information. My words seemed to have the intended effect– „Äå…!„Äç Meiya was the first to react, opening her long-lashed eyes wide, and Watson jolted slightly in surprise. *************************************************************** Afterwards, in the dead of night, we headed out toward our new destination– Leaving the area near Bruxelles-Central Station, we headed onto Diamond Street and an upscale neighbourhood. Travelling down between the tightly packed rows of buildings on either side… they were all constructed of gorgeous orange brick that Watson explained was laid by the„ÄéBrussels Mason’s Guild„Äè. Then from an intercom on one of them: „ÄéC„Äè „Äå Carbunculus .„Äç „ÄéP„Äè „Äå Persona grata. „Äç „ÄéA„Äè „Äå Apicius .„Äç „ÄéZ„Äè „Äå Zeno .„Äç The aforementioned exchange of Latin passphrases was conducted. Then… there was an electric *Bzzt!* and a *Click!* as we heard the black door unlock. „ÄåNow then, hurry.„Äç Watson leading the way, we entered the building– There was a hall with impressive marble slabs covering the floor. While Watson was talking about the different specimens of amethyst displayed on the wall, a hidden door on another wall opened… and from inside: „Äå Gosh, Mr. Watson, are you alright? „Äç A tall ordinary looking man in a khaki sheepskin coat appeared, carrying a later in his hand. I remember this 20-year-old looking man. Last year, at the Bandire of Empty Island, he participated as Liberty Mason’s ambassador. With his almond shaped eyes, long nose, and sharp features, he looked like a film star. „Äå I’m okay, Kaiser. „Äç Walking up to Watson, the man — his name seeming to be Kaiser– looked Watson up and down. He seems awfully worried. „ÄåNow then Kaiser, please speak Japanese from now on. His English isn’t that good.„Äç Watson said, indicating myself. „ÄåUnderstood, Watson-kun. Your safety is paramount.„Äç Accompanying the statement with a nod… he turned his dark blue eyes toward. „ÄåI’ve seen your picture. You are Kinji Tooyama. Please be at ease. You are in one of Liberty Mason’s hidden lodges.„Äç … For some reason he added a -kun honorific to Watson’s name, but not to mine. „ÄåIntroductions. This is Kaiser. Liberty Mason’s Exorciser 4 , and my senpai.„Äç Despite the fact that he had just been introduced, he continued to look happily at Watson. Hmm… this good-looking guy seems to have a bias favourable only to Watson. It might be due to the fact that Watson works under him, but I get the impression that it goes beyond that in Watson’s case. „ÄåFriends– please allow us to deal with the fire department and police. We have many members in both, but is that Meiya Romano I see over there?„Äç Kaiser said, at last turning to face us, but from further inside… „ÄåMeiya-san? Is Meiya-san visiting with us as well?„Äç A beautiful mid-20’s girl with long blonde hair covered with a white lace veil appeared. Although they had more gold embroidery than Meiya’s clothing, she was clearly wearing the pure white vestments of a priest. She must be a nun from the Vatican. I got the impression that she had a smaller figure and more docile manner than Meiya. Thrusting out a white cane, she did not turn to look at us. She must be visually impaired. „ÄåLoretta-sama…! It is a pleasure to meet such a high-ranking Bishop exorcist. We suffered a surprise attack tonight, and unable to retaliate, and were routed. Please dispense divine punishment upon me.„Äç „ÄåUnthinkable. If anyone should receive divine punishment, it should be I. Because of my lack of fighting strength, it is sad to say, but I have left the front lines to you for too long.„Äç Seeming to feel indebted to her fellow sister Meiya– Loretta-san drew near and embraced her a sign of affection. This action Meiya returned in the Italian style. Incidentally, Loretta-san’s breasts rivalled even Meiya‚Äôs. The sight of 4 breasts being squished together in such a manner… was somehow terrifying to behold. When you consider that both participants are members of the Church, it seems somewhat immoral. In Hysteria Mode, it is something I should avoid. „ÄåEven so, Loretta-sama, such a dangerous place as this– is not fit for one such as yourself. The church in this city… no, the entire city of Brussels is unsafe. You should escape to St. Nicholas’ Church in northern Amsterdam. Bewitching Blade is here in Brussels!„Äç In a panic, Meiya warned Loretta-san. Hearing the words„ÄéBewitching Blade„Äè, Kaiser turned around in shock. But– Loretta-san who stood only a few steps away from Meiya was unfazed. „ÄåDo not be anxious, Meiya. This problem is unable to be compared to the conflict of 86 years ago. Above all, the Vatican in Rome is still unscathed.„Äç If I may be so bold to say so, I can tell at a glance the Loretta-san lacks all fighting ability. however– Her resolute voice encouraged, not only Meiya, but myself. This woman gives off the impression of a reliable senior. She and Meiya must have the same relationship as that between Tamamo and Baskerville. But she gives the sense of being a trillion times more reliable. It appeared, however, that Kaiser felt the need to interject a scathing remark. „ÄåSo as long as the Vatican is safe, it’s fine to lose France and the Benelux countries?„Äç Angered, he cut Loretta-san off. „ÄåThat is not what I said. Not at all. We are here, with you Protestants, and–well, I will not go so far as to call it heresy, but we have proven our willingness to stand alongside you.„Äç „ÄåSo you have said, you Catholic fundamentalists.„Äç Still maintaining a placid expression, Loretta-san responded to the belligerent Kaiser… Religious differences are the reason that the Vatican and Liberty Mason have been able to work smoothly together. Despite being in the middle of a war, there is internal strife. It is like the former Japanese army and navy. That’s it… the reason that the European operation is bogged down. When the argument switched over to English midway, I reached down to feel my left side… It was swollen, hurt, and warm to the touch. ********************************************************************************** Seated close by the fireplace and seated in chairs, we convened an urgent discussion about DEEN’s military position in Europe. Due to the complexities involved in the national communications companies and networks, it is highly unlikely that that intelligence can be conveyed from Europe to Japan or Hong Kong. „ÄåIntelligence regarding DEEN… was leaked?„Äç „ÄåDoes that mean there is a spy?„Äç As a natural matter of course, conversation turned toward that topic, and Loretta-san, Kaiser, and Watson picked at it. „ÄåI am convinced that there is a traitor, Our movements and locations have been leaked to GRENEDA.„Äç „ÄåThen do they know that we are here?„Äç „Äå… I do not believe so. There were no indications we were followed.„Äç „Äå–When was the last time Jeanne was seen?„Äç Kaiser quickly latched on to that part of Watson’s story. He’s a sharp fellow. If Jeanne leaked our whereabouts, then going missing afterwards, she would not be able to give any more information to GRENEDA. In other words, the current situation does not contradict Watson’s initial premise. „Äå… The last time I saw her was when we were given our rooms at the hotel.„Äç „ÄåI… was staying in the same room as her, and I saw her a short while before the attack. Jeanne said,„ÄéI’m going out for a bit„Äèthen left.„Äç Watson and Meiya gave their accounts, then Kaiser turned slitted eyes toward me– „Äå–Kinji. When did you last see Jeanne?„Äç …So, it’s come. Is this where our fates diverge? Jeanne and mine? They already know that Jeanne and I went out together to eat… I don’t want to doubt. I want to stop doubting my friends… I made up my mind to do so when I was rescued by Constellation. But let’s pose the hypothetical. If Jeanne were the traitor, telling the truth here would put Jeanne in danger. From what I heard from Tamamo, Bewitching Blade doesn’t exactly move exactly as GRENEDA might wish him to. He didn’t kill me based upon his own personal misunderstanding. From GRENEDA’s point of view, that would have been a mistake. I wonder if I should boast about it a bit. If I used the fact that he was so close to me, I wonder what kind of punishment GRENEDA might levy upon him. If that is the case–then Jeanne might be killed to serve as a scapegoat. …Besides… There might be more than one traitor. If it became known that„ÄéJeanne was the traitor that leaked information from DEEN„Äè, then at that point her usefulness would be at an end. They would definitely dispose of her. In that case, I have to let DEEN know that„ÄéJeanne is not a traitor and has been kidnapped by GRENEDA„Äèand stick to that line. However… I can only think of one way to do that. But it would be a considerably bad move on my part. That is to say– I must shoulder the blame . If I said„ÄéKinji Tohyama is the traitor„Äèthen immediate attention would be diverted away from Jeanne. DEEN would naturally assume„ÄéJeanne was led by Kinji to where GRENEDA lay in wait.„ÄèAlthough the opposite case was true. „Äå…„Äç As I remained silent, the pain in my head mingled with perspiration. To tell the truth, I’m doing this to protect Jeanne… From the beginning, I was willing to bear no small amount of blame. So, I dared greatly to hide the injury to my side. I will turn the story of Bewitching Blade’s attack into a farce in order to save the rest of DEEN. It’s activities unknown to the world, Liberty Mason appears to be an organisation operating on similar principles to Butei High’s LEZZAD. Those guys are definitely skilled at interrogation. If cross-examined– The truth of the matter that I had been led by Jeanne would likely come out. „ÄåWhy are you silent?„Äç Kaiser asked as I remained silent. Whatever I say is bad. If I make a bold-faced lie, due to his interrogation skills, he will see through it immediately. „ÄåI haven’t heard anything from you– but Kinji. There are two things I need to know. First, how did you come to arrive at the scene of the fire. Second, we know you are„ÄéThe man who makes the impossible, possible„Äè, but we also know the strength of Bewitching Blade. How did you survive his attack?„Äç Here also… I shouldn’t open my mouth. While I was not in Hysteria Mode, Bewitching Blade thought I was a body double. That is something I am unable to explain. Hysteria mode is my trump card. Since I don’t know if there is a spy or not, I can’t reveal. „Äå…Tohyama-san…?„Äç Anxiously, Meiya turned to look at me. Although she could not see, Loretta-san also turned to face me. „ÄåKinji. I will ask once more. How did you escape Bewitching Blade? From what has been said prior and considering the current circumstances– you must certainly understand that it is necessary to confirm your innocence. As members of DEEN in Europe, we have received intelligence about Asia from Tamamo, but with you being constantly involved in a combat role, we haven’t been able obtain such. That is to say, it hasn‚Äôt been easy to obtain information on the latest state of events.„Äç Kaiser’s tone and expression became harsher. This is… a coercive interrogation technique. Although illegal, police and Butei occasionally employ it. In short, when they have a suspicious person in custody, the typical method is to pile one threat on top of another or multiple lies until the person says„ÄåI’m sorry. It was me„Äç, and they extract a confession in this manner. Even if scared and confused, the innocent person will be unable to lie, while the guilty person will. It’s a perfectly logical technique, but a cruel one. However, in my case, it’s a fortuitous occurrence. If I were to become agitated, it would go along with my plan to shoulder the guilt. While thinking that– „ÄåKaiser! You are rushing to conclusions much too hastily! Until now Tooyama has continually risked his life to fight as a member of DEEN!„Äç Unexpectedly so, Watson-kun-chan became agitated. „ÄåIf there is a traitor, and out search for them results in a falling out, that would be exactly what GRENEDA wants! We should follow proper protocol to first determine if there is a traitor first–!„Äç ******************************************************** As Watson yelped this, pressuring Kaiser, he quickly lost the sharpness in his manner… „ÄåW-Watson-kun! I was… just… asking Kinji… to make sure.„Äç His expression became considerably weaker. Although distinctly gloomy, his face was still red. Rather… Kaiser… not only thinks of himself as Watson’s subordinate but seems to be in love as well. Despite that, it appears that he tries to keep an abnormal sense of distance between them so that Watson will not notice. From the beginning I thought that he was particularly deferential to Watson. Well… that’s how it is. In actuality Watson is a girl, but in Liberty Mason she passes as a boy. As a natural consequence of understanding the strangeness of these emotions, Kaiser wants to conceal them. But he is unskilled at doing so, and the deception is obvious. Even someone like me with a superhuman ability to be thick-headed understands this. But in light of the fact that Watson is actually a girl, Kaiser’s feelings are perfectly normal. Ugh… This is getting complicated… Setting my own situation aside, I felt sympathy for this irritatingly handsome man, Kaiser. „ÄåYou’ve always had a bad habit of digging into your friends’ lives, Kaiser.„Äç For her part, though pretending to be a beautiful boy, Watson was by no means a boy herself (no matter how she pretended) and did not understand the tragedy that had occurred. Unlike Kaiser, she held nothing back. „ÄåDigging? Me…?„Äç „ÄåRight after the first time we met, you asked the London lodge for my photograph, didn’t you? I happened to see it in your pass case when we rode on the subway. As the one under scrutiny, it doesn’t feel good.„Äç Arms folded and eyebrows raised, Watson scowled as Kaiser’s eyes widened– „Äå…!„Äç His slitted eyes wide open, Kaiser was at a loss for words. He probably got that photo as a part of his private investigation… I thought as much, but Kaiser was unable to say anything, and instead: „ÄåW-Watson-kun! That is not what is the most important right now. It’s–Tohyama! His testimony.„Äç Once more, the topic of contention shifted. It seemed a bit like he was taking out his anger on me. „ÄåKinji. Just as the word ‘match pump’ suggests, the one most active in a situation is the one responsible for stirring up the trouble. 5 I’ll be blunt. Did you sell Jeanne out to GRENEDA? „Äç He asked such a rude thing– Beyond putting pressure on me, it made everyone else anxious as well. In terms of guns, Kaiser had put his hand on the trigger. „Äå…So that’s what you think?„Äç The other party was a man, and those words left my mouth… and I felt him put strength behind his words. But that is alright. I can’t be sure of the real reason for Jeanne’s actions back then. There might have been some kind of mistake. So– I will protect her right now. I’ve already settled that point in my own mind. Butei Law, Article 1– Believe in your comrades and help them. Believe. That is beautiful word to hear. Almost like there was a bargain sale on trust, I was spouting the word„Äébelieve„Äè,„Äébelieve„Äè, like something out of a manga. But by nature, trust is an action that is accompanied by a high cost. My Onii-chan told me–If you trust, you have to be prepared for betrayal. Even so… Right now, I will not doubt my friends. Right here, right now in Belgium. At the very least, we should try to catch up with Jeanne as soon as possible. We should hear the explanation from Jeanne herself. No matter what the truth of the matter is, if we fall out without checking the facts… even if we win the battle, we’ve still lost. It’s all the more true if we lose the fight. Then, after I glared at him in silence for a moment, Kaiser– „Äå…Watson. Follow my lead.„Äç Returning my glare, he lowered his voice. *Click!*– A small sound went up from near Kaiser’s pinkie finger. I couldn’t see it, but ten to one, it was a bladed weapon. Form where he was looking… it was pointed at my carotid artery. From what I can tell from his appearance, he appears to be an expert assassin. „ÄåStop, Kaiser…!„Äç „ÄåPlease desist, Kaiser. Do not doubt your comrades further.„Äç Watson and Loretta-san said, but their words did not reach the battle-ready Kaiser. –He’s going to take care of the traitor right here. He’s made up his mind. But wary of my reputation as„ÄéEnable„Äèto turn the tables on him, he did not move right away. I get the sense that he is looking for an opportunity for a one hit, instant win. An ordinary high school student would be spooked and killed on the spot but being shot at by Aria every day at Butei High has trained me well. I wouldn‚Äôt even be terribly scared of one or two professional hitmen. I owe that all to Aria-san. However, as for what I am able to do while not in Hysteria Mode– „ÄåAlright then, Kaiser, and you too Meiya. Pay attention. You asked two questions, and I will give you two answers. First, Watson is a girl. And another thing. Kana is a man.„Äç –I intended to suddenly disclose information to shock them It was a crude technique, but interjecting with all their strength– „Äå What!? „Äç „ÄåH-h-huh!?„Äç „ÄåT-T-T-T-Tooyama! I-i-i–it’s not true! It’s not true, Kaiser! I’m a b-b-b-b-boy!„Äç „ÄåKana-san? You don’t say?„Äç Kaiser, Meiya, Watson, and Loretta-san responded–each of them froze up, leapt to their feet in surprise, completely lost their composure, and retreated within themselves to ponder the matter at their leisure, respectively. With a smug look on my face I pulled on one of my jacket buttons with my left hand, and reached into the jacket with my right… I missed my chance to use the smoke bullet against Bewitching Blade, but now I triggered it manually. –*Poof!* Opening my jacket, a white smoke of about the same density as air spread throughout the room–„Äå Gosh!! „Äç Kaiser cursed, but was too late. I got these from someone connected to the Vatican, these expensive Italian-made Butei bullets. Their performance is guaranteed. In an instant the room was filled with smoke. Next, I shattered the window by shooting through the curtains and pretended to escape that way… but I actually made my way quietly to the door and disappeared. This is a trick I would use whenever Aria would blow up in anger in my room. Huh, that’s two times in one day I’ve had to thank Aria. That’s a first ever for me. [END] ************************************************ 1. This is pretty much what Kinji said during his ‘I want to be normal’ phase. 2. Famous quote from Ultraman series. 3. Anti-tank missile with a high explosive warhead. Able to be fired by a single person. 4. Kanji say, ‘Massacre-Witch-soldier’. I’d TL it as ‘witch-killer’. 5. Word refers to a person who makes trouble just to gain credit for solving it. ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ### 002. Bullet 2:I.U.’s Coward — Lisa Avé du Ang Not late, thanks to DXL1 from the Discord! Special shout-out to them as well for all their hard work updating the fan Wikia! Be sure to check it out if you haven’t! On to the chapter! Chapter 2: [START] Not knowing my right from my left in Brussels, I ran to disappear in the dark of the residential area. Now that I’ve run away, there’s no other conclusion to be made than that I am a spy. In other words, all members of DEEN will be pursuing me. Is this what they call…『poetic justice』? Many people. Tracking one person down. To arrest and capture them. Until now, that was what I had been doing to my enemies. What I had done to other people had come back to me. From being the pursuer, I had become the pursued. But as I was running– Was Jeanne really a traitor? If not, then who is? I have to find out the truth. Here in Belgium where I don’t understand the language, without a friend to interpret, and I am alone. This is like a brutally difficult game, a super dreadnought class punishingly hard game. But this is real life. This might be the hardest thing I’ve ever faced. 「…」 My breath puffing white, I came to an intersection where the signal colours were subtly different from those in Japan… and I looked all around. With cars passing by and the figures of people in the distance, I see enemies all around. In actuality, Liberty Mason has members all over Europe. Although they lacked the numbers of Rampan, their surveillance capabilities are on par. First, I have to find a place to hide myself. But where… which way should I go? Right now, I am DEEN’s enemy, in addition to being an enemy of GRENEDA from the beginning. Until now, Brussels was home territory, but suddenly it became enemy territory. In that case, would GRENEDA’s territory be safer? As I thought that– I ran toward the place that DEEN was least likely to go. The place GRENEDA had just attacked, the hotel where we had stayed temporarily. Turning the corner of a brick building, I peeked out at the scene of the fire… The fire extinguished, there were several firefighters on the flooded road, taking off their helmets and chatting in French. I had already seen it, but there was a fire engine with a 4WD Unimog RW1 base. But their tyres were oversized, and the ride clearance was huge. From observation, I could tell that the firefighters were ordinary people and full of openings… …So please give me a short ride. With silent footsteps, I crept closer and slipped underneath the engine. After I had remained hidden for a while, the firefighters loitered around a bit longer– then the engine motor fired up and the Unimog started off. Clinging to the underside, I was carried along. I took『Remora』classes in my first year at Butei High. It’s something that good boys and girls should not try to imitate. It was an emergency vehicle, so the fire engine was making considerable speed. But what’s this? Logi’s Edogawa-sensei made us do all kinds of car stunts and cling to the underside of trucks. Compared to that, this is a picnic. But after we had gone a short distance– Glancing to the side of the road, I could vaguely make out blue and red flashing lights. It’s a patrol car. From underneath the car, I couldn’t see very clearly, but the tyres were next to us. –It’s an inspection. An inspection would be dangerous for me. A chill pierced my heart. But, as you might expect, the engine didn’t stop, and merely slowed and sailed through the checkpoint. That was good.『Hiding inside an official vehicle』is a classic escape technique. Looking back, it’s hard to believe that the inspection was meant to catch me– and if I had used a taxi for transportation, I would have been discovered. That being the case, Liberty Mason might be after me. No, make that probably. Like Rampan, they have a lot of members in the police force as Kaiser had said. Conversely, since the inspection didn’t turn me up–Kaiser and the rest are more likely to come to the incorrect conclusion that I fled on foot. It has been 12 minutes since I escaped. Within that time, the distance I could make on foot is limited to 1 km. However, the fire engine has already travelled 3 km, and we are 2km away in a straight line. That is to say, outside of DEEN’s police dragnet. ******************************************** Just to be sure, let’s ride a bit further… When the engine stopped at a railway crossing, I dropped to the road. 「…」 Unlike the clustered high-rises of Tokyo, this area seemed more like a business district. In the mid-winter night, there were few people on the street corners… Before long, Liberty Mason will start canvassing the area on foot. It’s a good thing because there will be few eyewitness reports. An Asian person stands out in Europe. This is a classic technique– Creeping into a parking lot… using my butterfly knife as a lever, I pried open the manhole cover that had ribbon festooned coat of arms engraved on it. It had a peculiarly dry smell and warmth… it was used to lay subterranean communications cables. That’s good fortune. I had resigned myself to using sewage tunnels, but this might be due to sharing in Meiya’s increase of luck. ********************************************** It was a brickwork tunnel that seems to have been formerly used as a sewer… It was relatively large, so it was easy to move through. It was a bit dark, but not pitch black. The upkeep seemed to be adequate, only 2 or 3 of the lights were out, and there was emergency lighting as well. Since it was originally a sewer, that means it must be connected to the river and the ocean. It appeared to avoid the heavily populated areas, and the tunnel headed in the direction of the Atlantic. That being said… it was like walking down a hall. Running and hiding. That as well is thanks to Aria. With that thought in mind, I perceived the ground beneath my feet sloping downward as I walked– …! I came to a halt. Ahead, past some crumbling brick and around a corner, there are signs of human presence. I couldn’t see them past the corner, but they were very close. I saw them underneath an emergency light, sitting in the shadows. It was a woman. A cable worker… but she didn’t seem like the type. I don’t think she noticed me, but I think she’s one of the pursuer’s sent out by Liberty Mason– They must have predicted my escape route. That being the case, if I don’t take her hostage, I won’t make it back to the surface alive. Firstly, I have to be sure she hasn’t spotted me. Carefully, I drew my Beretta… with my killing intent… Then extracting a small mirror from my Butei handbook, I peered around the corner. Then– …? The ordinary woman wore a blood-stained blouse as she slouched against the wall, and she was treating her wounds Her injury was on the left side of her torso. Just like mine. But hers was bleeding and more serious. There was what appeared to be stolen medical supplies near her, along with clothes and wigs… and I recognized one of the items. The clothes, after my encounter with Bewitching Blade, a girl had bumped into me carrying them. Thinking back and taking another look, there was no doubt that this was the same girl. Even her injury matches. 「Nn…」 With a small cry, she was stitching up her wound that had been pulled together with surgical tape– She was a typical Norther European. Her naturally blonde hair seemed to give off its own light. Her skin was pale, and her eyes emerald. Peeking out from within her blouse, thin white lace underwear enveloped her large breasts. As for her age, she seemed to be as old as I was. But something else caused me to forget her outward beauty– Atop a handkerchief placed the stone floor, there were two bullets. Had she surgically removed the lodged bullets from the wound and sewed them up herself…!? Besides merely carrying guns, armed personnel are not amateurs when it comes to gunshot wounds. That is to say, they are able to provide emergency trauma medical care. In general, however, it is provided to someone else, whether a friend that has been shot, or if you have been shot by a criminal. But removing a bullet from your own body isn’t a feat that even S-Rank MEDICA students are taught, Even so, this woman seems to have done just that. The seemingly stolen equipment she used was crude. And there was no anaesthesia. However…as might be expected, the treatment was incomplete. From the amount of blood, the wound is deep. Major blood vessels and organs must have suffered damage. If she doesn’t get more professional treatment at a medical institution, her life is in jeopardy. …!? Mistrusting my eyes once more, I looked back at the extracted bullets and from the calibre and shining solid silver, they were like those used by Watson. Back during the attack on the hotel, Watson fired at the attacker. This person then– …GRENEDA…! She must be the assassin that attacked the hotel. Being injured, she took the underground tunnels to escape Then, having spent her strength, she stopped for brief spell to tend her injuries… or so it seemed. Despite being weak, she was clearly conscious. She was now sorting through and choosing from the stolen clothes and wigs. She must intend to disguise herself to escape from DEEN’s territory. Properly speaking, apprehending her and hauling her back to DEEN would be meritorious service, but… right now, I am a fugitive from them myself. What’s more she is an enemy combatant. I don’t know what kind of weapons or magic she possesses, and I’m still not sure I didn’t suffer any internal injury from Bewitching Blade’s attack. At this moment– I should quietly creep away while still unnoticed. As soon as I took a step backwards… *Squeak!* I seem to have stepped upon a rat on the ground, and it cried out and running along the wall– 「Uwah…!」 Crap! Since I don’t see too many rats in Daiba, I cried out…! 「–!」 From her shadow on the wall, I could see her square off. I’ve been discovered…! –Dammit! Running away in this narrow passage would mean turning my back and presenting a target. In this situation, there’s no way to avoid fighting with GRENEDA…! Clicking my tongue in annoyance, I unwillingly sprang around the corner and pointed my gun at the girl. 「–Don’t move!」 I didn’t know if she would understand me or not, but I added a threatening tone to my sharp order– 「…! Kinji … Kinji Tohyama…!」 As I thought, as a member of GRENEDA, she was thrown into a crazed panic when she noticed me. Then… 「P-please…! Don’t kill me…!」 She said in fluent Japanese… Is she… begging for her life? That’s what happened. Then she prostrated herself on the spot. With both hands open and stretched out in front of her in abject submission to prove that she didn’t have anything in her hands. …? What is this…? She doesn’t even have a gun. This was the situation upon my first time meeting her. Her long blonde hair quivering, she turned up a pretty face to look at me, 「Please don’t hurt me anymore..!」 Sobbing, with tears moistening her eyes, she looked up timidly from the ground. ************************************* In her eyes, there was no intent to fight to speak of, much less any indication of a surprise attack. Something like this… was something that I never expected to happen. 「…Didn’t we pass by each other? Are you GRENEDA’s instigator?」 For the time being, I carried on the conversation with my gun turned her direction. 「I’m Lisa. Lisa Avé du Ang. A member of the war hawk faction of I.U.’s survivors and representative fighter for GRENEDA.」 This normal looking girl called herself Lisa, hands folded as if in supplication as she looked at me. On the middle finger of her right hand there was a school ring with a『伊』kanji surrounded with a horseshoe-shaped ‘U’. …Is this a joke? If she’s an I.U. warhawk, then she’s part of a hyper-aggressive group plotting to take over the world. If that’s the case, I would naturally assume that she would be belligerent… but she is cowardly. In that case, it is only natural that she would be fluent in Japanese. Japanese and German were the common languages in I.U. 「If you’re planning to surrender, show all your weapons.」 「I do not have any weapons.」 …Huh? My eyebrows rising in surprise, I looked Lisa over… She certainly wouldn’t be able to hide any weapons inside her open blouse. There also wasn’t any kind of bulge indicating a gun or explosives in her long skirt. 「You attacked our hotel, but you’re saying that you don’t have any weapons. Did you leave them with your friends?」 「I only had the one anti-tank shell that I fired. I don’t have any friends either. I was instructed to fight alone.」 Hold it…! Do you normally go to attack an enemy base with only one explosive? But Lisa gives no indication that she is lying. In short… does that mean that she is a sacrificial pawn, a type of suicide bomber? The main target of this attack was me– and the one tasked with bringing me down was Bewitching Blade. Lisa was tasked to distract and isolate me from the other members of DEEN so that Bewitching Blade could attack. If Lisa were killed after launching a surprise attack, that would be fine by them. Such a strategy was not devoid of logic. It was a heartless plan, though. 「I… Lisa was always a reckless fighter and has been seriously hurt many times. Because of that… I couldn’t stay with the others in GRENEDA. So Lisa was trying to escape.」 Trying to escape, you say? 「So I’m asking you. Please– let me come over to your side of DEEN. Lisa cannot go anywhere from here.」 B-before even fighting… she’s officially surrendered. This is truly the first time this has happened. In the record of all my battles. 「You should have asked 30 minutes ago.」 With a sigh of resignation, I lowered my gun. 「Right now, I am running from DEEN myself.」 「Eh!?」 Her emerald pupils widening, Lisa’s voice rose. Rather, it was her eyes. Just like a normal person would. 「You are running away too?」 「No. They suspect me of being a traitor.」 「Oh… so that’s how it is… That’s unfortunate. Urk!」 Hanging her head, she bent over and clutched her wounds. Her gunshot wounds… must be painful. Even so, Watson didn’t hesitate to shoot her. A woman. Even though she’s a woman as well. She was shot twice. Aren’t you ready to die? English Butei are allowed extraterritoriality in cases of homicide, and so they can kill, right? I respect that determination. But from the trail of bloodstains on the floor of the tunnel– GRENEDA will be able to discover Lisa’s trail. Blood contains a whole bunch of useful information. Lisa’s blood type is one of the things that could be discovered, and from the degree of clotting, how long it had been since she passed. GRENEDA will definitely not overlook something like that. If that’s the case… then by being here, I am also in danger. I silently returned my gun to its holster– 「…」 Turning away from Lisa as she hung her head in pain, I turned to go back where I came from. The tunnels were not a straight path and branched off in several direction, so I could escape that way. So, I turned my back on Lisa and rounded the corner… I walked by the illumination of the emergency lights. I was abandoning the pathetic woman– Lisa had seen me. She seemed grateful that I didn’t kill her to keep her quiet. …Running away… In all the fighting schools, it is the most serious crime. In the armed forces, it is usually punishable by death. In her current state, Lisa is unable to move… –She will probably be discovered by GRENEDA before long. When discovered, she will be killed. The tunnel is dark, dingy, and cold. No, before that, she might die. Her injuries are serious. … But Lisa is a part of GRENEDA. GRENEDA is the enemy. I know that. –She’ll remember me. She knows who I am… Dammit… For some reason I went back. Past the corner to where Lisa was. 「…!?」 Startled by the sounds of footsteps, Lisa was surprised that I had come back after I had left. It was extremely surprising. Even to myself. I was surprised how soft-hearted I was. She played a supporting role to Bewitching Blade who just tried to kill me. What’s more, GRENEDA was closing in. What am I doing? 「I-it’s… not like I wanted to help you, or anything. I-it’s just… if you die because I ignored you when you were dying, I’d have trouble sleeping later. A good night’s sleep is important.」 So, while affecting an Aria-esque opening– I took out a single disposable pain-killer injection from my Butei handbook and set it on Lisa’s lap. 「…Th-this… makes me happy… but what about your own injuries…?」 In accordance with her expected medical knowledge, Lisa quickly diagnosed my injury and looked to my side. That was it. That was how it was. The reason I wanted to help her. Doctors and nurses should be kept alive. I don’t know why I am doing this when I am injured myself and running from DEEN. Isn’t this just an especially pathetic and naive emotional response? 「You should use it yourself. I’m a man, so I’ll be alright. There are only 15 mg, so you can’t use it again.」 In actuality, the blow to my abdomen from Bewitching Blade hurt… A young man using a painkiller for himself would be ridiculous in ASSAULT. So, I’ll give it to someone else. That being the case, Lisa seemed greatly affected by it… holding the medication in her hand, she looked up at me with sparkling eyes. 「 You are… Lisa’s hero. 」 1 She said in some foreign language. 「What…?」 「U-uh, nothing… Th-thank you very much!」 Prostrating herself multiple times, she hung her head in the Japanese style as she applied the pain-killer– I selected a suitable blouse and skirt, then a coat, long-haired wig, and black rimmed glasses from the clothes Lisa had brought here. Then I held them out to her as I turned my back– 「I won’t look, so hurry up and change.」 Saying that, I used the large coat as a wrapping sheet and tucked the rest of the clothes and wigs inside. If we leave them behind, then it will be concluded that『Lisa is disguised』. It will be a pain, but we’ll have to get rid of them somewhere else. After a brief moment, 「…I-I’m changed.」 As she said that, I looked back at her… good. She really does look like an Office Lady. She looks entirely different than she did before. 「Alright, let’s go. Your injury might give you some trouble, but it will be better than being discovered by GRENEDA.」 Taking Lisa’s hand to carry her on my back since she couldn’t stand– 「Ah…!」 Even though it’s a crisis, Lisa still made a sound of embarrassment. It’s as if you’ve never been touched by a man or something. Please stop. That’s such a maidenly reaction. 「…I’m unfamiliar with Europe. And I can’t read the signs to get on a bus or some other mode of transport. So you’ll have to guide me. I want to escape DEEN alive.」 「Y…yes.」 Saying that… I helped a member of I.U.’s survivors that tried to kill me before, and members of both DEEN and GRENEDA were forced together. But Lisa… that is to say, her breasts… Despite her delicate frame, they were especially soft as they pressed up against my back. She had no muscle to speak of and was ridiculously soft. Like a water-filled pillow. Exactly like that. Carrying Aria piggy-back did not prepare me for this contact (because there was nothing to speak of to contact). Carrying a woman on you back is a dangerous act. **************************************************** As I walked through the tunnel, I asked Lisa about her wound– 「Thanks to the medicine I took, it doesn’t hurt. I think it will be healed in about 2 or 3 days.」 She responded from behind me. 「Lodged bullet wounds don’t heal in 2 days.」 「I… that is, Lisa heals very quickly. It’s not the near infinite rejuvenation of Dracula Vlad who was defeated by Tohyama-sama, but it’s definitely quicker than the ordinary person. It will heal without any complications of inner abdominal conglutination or a scar.」 「Are you a witch?」 「Not quite… it is more of a personal quirk.」 It’s a quirk that is hard to believe, but then again, I also have one as well. Having witnessed Vlad’s superior version of rapid regeneration, why should I be surprised by this fact? I see. That’s why she is being used so recklessly in battle. If shot or stabbed, she’d be relatively fine, so she makes a convenient sacrificial pawn. Recently the sentiment seems to be「It’s Kinji, so it’ll be fine」whenever matters of life and death have come up, so I empathise with her… 「–Tohyama-sama. Let’s go up here.」 Lisa said abruptly, pointing out a shaft above us. 「Here? Aren’t we still in the city?」 「Yes. I believe we are directly beneath Schaerbeek station. As I consider it… I believe it would be best to leave Brussels by rail.」 「An electric train? Where do you plan to go?」 「In a case such as ours, when troops are massing on the front… things are complicated in the area totally under either of their control, and we are safer hiding in the empty space outside their territory.」 In that case… 「If we go south, GRENEDA is in control, and if we go north, DEEN is in control– Of these two, DEEN is currently in control of Brussels. If Tohyama-sama is suspected of collaboration with GRENEDA, all the routes to GRENEDA controlled France will be monitored.」 Hey… this girl… She has a good head on her shoulders. What she had said was perfectly logical. I had a bit of a question, but I’ll keep quiet and listen a bit longer. 「From GRENEDA’s point of view, Tohyama-sama is an enemy. Helping Lisa escape will obviously lead to further disaffection. Even if you manage to evade DEEN’s surveillance and hide in France, if we are discovered by GRENEDA, we will be killed. Tohyama’s escape, after all, is suspicious… and it cast doubt upon him. But, if while hiding in the Netherlands, Tohyama-san could determine who the real traitor was– and Lisa doesn’t have any idea who that might be– then it is possible that you can clear up the misunderstanding. Moreover, at that point in time, Lisa will willingly surrender to DEEN as well.」 「Looking forward… do you think that the two of us can survive in the Netherlands?」 「Yes. Above all things, it is Lisa’s home country. Being intimately familiar with the geography and culture, we can hide from anyone.」 …Settling the argument with a single deciding blow, she was a good talker. I was biding my time as I listened to her talk, but there was no need to convince me. I get the impression that this truly smart girl has suggested the best course of action. Despite the fact that the habit of calling herself by her own name is kind of stupid. 「…I understand you so far. But going into the station to get on a train will expose us to the eyes of many people. Asian people like me will stand out. Liberty Mason will definitely find out about it and be able to track us.」 「I have considered that. So you will have to disguise yourself, please.」 On her own back, Lisa carried to bundle of clothes wrapped up in a coat. 「But there are only women’s clothes here.」 「If you disguise yourself as a woman, you’ll be able to evade the notice of DEEN.」 「I don’t like that plan.」 「I understand your dislike. But the beginning is the most dangerous part of the plan for Tohyama-sama to escape from Brussels.」 Talking about losing my own life, Lisa whispered earnestly into my ear. 「…I know that… but…」 「Please weigh your life against the embarrassment, and please reconsider which is more important.」 –Oh goodness. This girl Lisa really does have a honeyed tongue. ********************************************** A cold wind blew through Schaerbeek station– There were no station attendants or ticket gates. I considered taking a free ride, but apparently Lisa did not. The effects of the painkiller had worn off and she was unable to walk, so I purchased tickets from a dirty touch-panel ticket machine. But since I could not choose solely based upon fare like the Japanese system, I was afraid of making a mistake when it came to destination, class, and discount rates, it took me some time. Furthermore, in order to prevent misuse, you have to input the time you entered the station on a stamp machine yourself. While I did that, 2 or 3 other passengers passed by… one was a female police officer on a bicycle that passed by… Each one of them, I imagined they were agents of Liberty Mason. –It would be terrible if we were discovered… The large tickets in hand, I lent a shoulder to Lisa and helped her to the platform. Come quickly, come quickly, I prayed as we waited for the train… but it didn’t come. This late at night, there aren’t a lot of people around, are there. Despite the fact that it’s dangerous, we can’t easily hide ourselves. The old-fashioned split-flap display fluttered and showed that the international train headed to Amsterdam was behind the ETA by『±10 minutes』. Just now with a flapping noise it changed to『±15 minutes』. Dammit! Why is the train late? 「Tohyama-sama. Please don’t look at the clock or timetable any more than you need to. It is suspicious. In Europe, it is common for trains to be late. It won’t come any faster–」 「The Japanese Shinkansen operators apologise for a delay of 8 seconds. Damn you Europeans and your sloppy ways…!」 Trying to contain my agitation, I stood in the cold wind… Then, finally, the train came. It was dirty, muddied yellow vehicle with a front that looked like a mis-shapen dog nose that hadn’t been washed for an entire year. Can it really make it all the way to the Netherlands? However… inside the night train, the interior was very barebones. Trying to make our escape, we were saved. There were 1st class and 2nd class tickets, but there wasn’t anyone in 2nd class yet. Lisa had me buy 2nd class tickets. Luckily. Thinking that– 「This late at night, public order is bad, so a lot of people buy 1st class tickets to avoid having their things stolen. Since we do not want to be seen by many people, we will take 2nd class. Please bear with it.」 It seems that this has all gone according to Lisa’s plan. I couldn’t have done such a thing. This is what I’d expect from a local. Lisa pushed a button to open the automatic doors, and we entered the dirty, high-power electric train… 「…」 We took a seat at the back of the deserted 2nd class compartment. First of all, we have to get away from Brussels that is full of enemies. I took a breath then… I looked at my reflection in the window…Ugh! It was distorted. By tears. With a sigh, Lisa sunk down into the seat across from me– 「All things considered… you make a perfect woman, Tohyama-sama. You are awfully beautiful. You have real talent.」 Grinning, she turned a smile toward my transformed feminine figure. In another situation, I might think that face was cute. She is also a very beautiful woman. …I want to die… I hung my head in shame– I was using a wig from the bundle of women’s clothes Lisa was carrying as a disguise. According to Lisa, I looked like a beautiful Persian woman. The underlying theme of the disguise was black to match my hair colour, and our cover was that I was a rich woman from the Middle East who had emigrated 3 years prior. Lisa’s role was her secretary. When Lisa had finished helping me dress, she made all kinds of ooh’s and ah’s, and I could see why. I looked like some kind of knock-off black-haired Maetel. 2 It appears that I was no less capable than my Onii-chan. Blood tells, it would seem. 「What fake names should we use?」 Lisa asked. 「I’ll leave it to you. Think of something to suit to the black Maetel image.」 I answered brusquely and… *Cl-lunk!*… The train started to move. For a while, we fell silent and turned our faces into the train as we passed through the suburban areas… 「Brussels was a source of sorrow for both of us. At least that is how it looks to Lisa…」 With a downcast expression, she answered in a lifeless voice. 「…As for me, it seems like just desserts. GRENEDA– they are just a bunch of bad guys.」 「GRENEDA are a bunch of bad guys, you say?」 「That’s obvious!」 「If you ask Lisa, Lisa would say the opposite.」 「It’s the opposite of that. GRENEDA are the bad guys, and DEEN are the good guys.」 「Then why are you running away from DEEN, Tohyama-sama…?」 「That’s simple. I am running from the good guys, so the bad… uh… Well… that is to say…」 Damn she’s sharp. But, as for my place in the situation… I have to make her understand the difference. Carried to a logical extreme, from a squabble of children to world wars, Manicheanism doesn’t discriminate which side is good and which is evil. In any quarrel, you will natural assume that you are the right side. For generations, the Tohyama Family have been called champions of justice… Now, as their descendant, I bear the name of a traitor. 「…」 I hung my head in silence– 「…But, Tohyama-sama. To Lisa, you are a good guy. Without considering the risk to yourself, you rescued me from the grips of death.」 Lisa placed her hand under my coat and rested it softly on my knee. But then her face– quickly froze. …? Lisa glanced up at the door at the front of the car, and following her gaze… An ordinary looking plump, male train conductor in a dark blue uniform was making his way over toward us. 「–It is a ticket inspection. Lisa will handle it, so please pretend to be asleep.」 Lisa whispered as she sat up, and the conductor lumbered over– With a small nod, she handed over the two tickets. I was caught off guard. In European railways there aren’t ticket gates, but ticket inspections instead, it would seem… I slouched my head forwards so that my face was not visible… through half-closed eyes, I stole a peek through the wig, pretending to be asleep until he passed by. After checking the tickets, the conductor punched a hole in them and– 「What about her? Is she not feeling well?」 I didn’t know what they were saying because it was in French, but I assumed it was about me. 「Not at all. Please do not be concerned. She is sleeping.」 Holding up both index fingers, she waved them back and forth in a negative gesture. 「The next station is a domestic station in the Netherlands. Will she be able to show her passport then?」 Crap…! I just heard the word ‘passport’. By all outward appearances, I was a foreign national, so crossing national borders, naturally they would like to confirm my identity. It would be a problem if they say my Japanese passport. A cold sweat then broke out on my forehead as I just recalled the Beretta I was carrying– 「She is not merely ‘that woman’, as you say. You are not arbitrarily judging a person’s nationality by their appearance, are you? She is a Dutchwoman who, for the last 3 years, has been the COO of Belmont B.V. As an extraordinarily thrifty person, she has chosen a second-class ticket in order to save the burden of expense on her subordinates in the company. I will not allow you to wake her so rudely for such a purpose.」 Lisa chattered on fluently… this time not in French. Was it Dutch…? Seeming to understand, the conductor replied: 「Well then…please accept my deepest apologies. Please have a safe trip.」 Nodding several times, he answered in a low voice as he moved on. …Thank goodness! Somehow, we got past it. After enough time had passed since the conductor left, 「…You saved me. I owe you a debt. What did you say?」 I asked– and Lisa repeated what had been said word-for-word, supplying a Japanese translation. She has an incredible memory. 「…So that was how it was? His aggressive tone gave me chills.」 「From his name plate, I could tell that he was Dutch. In the Netherlands, Whites, Blacks, Arab–among other races coexists and racism is a crime. Once I had that strong position to work from, I could seize the initiative.」 「…I see. But why did you make me out to be such a stingy person?」 「In the Netherlands, stinginess is a good thing. Taking pains to save money in order to give to those in need is considered by the culture to be a virtue. We were already riding in second class– so I used that fact to make him think that you were Dutch.」 To do that in a moment… is a display of quick-wittedness. That’s huge, Lisa. And that is not all. Lisa’s tone was slightly hysterical, playing the role of what in Japanese we call a『bellyaching bleater』. She even managed to convince the conductor. 「You’re smart.」 I said, and to my small bit of praise, 「Wha-wha… That’s… ridiculous!」 Lisa’s white cheeks flushed pink, and she began fanning herself with her hand. Her tone was different from that which she used with the conductor–crossing both her hands in front of her chest, she made a negative gesture that a Japanese girl would. As the other party, I am Japanese. Possessing extensive knowledge, the clever Lisa rose a bit in my estimation… Although we are not friends, as members of DEEN and GRENEDA, we were able to work together, and I would like to see if she has any other helpful abilities. 「Besides intelligence, what other skills do you possess? You were a part of I.U., so what kind of fighting ability do you have? It’s not close combat, so is it vehicle operation, communications, missile engineering–?」 I asked, and Lisa… Once more, she dropped her eyes in shame. 「Nothing like that… Instead of any kind of fighting ability, Lisa… is an accountant…」 「Accounting?」 「Lisa was I.U.’s accountant. Negotiating prices for fuel and weapons; purchasing equipment and food; and managing stock and inventory.」 An accountant…. huh… What the hell!? No matter her intelligence, there is a huge gap in her fighting ability. If I were running from someone strong like Vlad or Patra, combining strength with intelligence would result in a higher degree of safety. 「Besides that… is there anything else you can do?」 「I can act as a nurse or pharmacist. But I am not a doctor like Vlad Sayonaki-san, so there is a limit to my abilities.」 I had an expectation from the surgery I had seen her conduct on herself, but it must be tempered… Trusting her own rapid healing ability, she was able to conduct the absurd procedure. 「Anything else?」 「As for other things, there’s still my main scope of work… In I.U. and GRENEDA, Lisa always did the cooking and washing. I originally attended an Amsterdam maid school.」 Accounting. Nursing. Maid work. Nothing else– that is to say no fighting skills, martial arts, sword skill, gun skills, or magic– not a single one, and Lisa looked up at me apologetically in silence… I had no words to say either. Armed forces have non-combat personnel to cook, play music, and do clerical work… Lisa was connected to I.U. and GRENEDA for those sorts of purposes. 「Then why are you a member of I.U.’s warhawks…?」 「When I.U. came to the North Sea, I received an invitation. My ancestor… seemed to be a strong person.」 「But you aren’t. Why did you stay with an armed group? Were you held captive?」 「Not at all. It was my own choice to stay with I.U… I wanted to meet someone on that warship. I wanted to serve them, a hero-sama…」 「…Hero-sama?」 「In my family– for generations, the women of the Avé du Ang Family have each had a hero-sama… serving a warrior and remaining unscathed during times of war. There have been all kinds of warriors that have been served loyally, and they have acted as valuable allies… By doing so, they have received affection, protection, and have survived.」 「That’s… a complicated way to live.」 「Summarised easily into Japanese, my family have decided to be『useful women』.」 「…」 「But the I.U. warhawk party had so many women in it and there did not appear to be any hero-sama that Lisa should serve. Even though my grandmother and mother had such a person… for some reason, no such person had materialised for Lisa, so Lisa could only cry in her bed aboard the warship.」 Lisa, that’s… It’s not an area I am very familiar with, but I think that’s what they call『Prince Charming Syndrome』. Such people believe that somehow, someway, someone is destined to appear, and they have to wait for them. It seems that this belief has been passed down through generations of this family. 「If you’re crying so much then you should change the way you lived your life. Cast aside the Showa era Shoujo manga way of thinking… You were already at I.U., you could, for example, have reversed the roles and become a female hero that would fight and protect a man.」 I said in complaint to Lisa who lacked all fighting abilities, to which she replied– 「Impossible. Lisa does not want to fight at all. I definitely, definitely, don’t want to be hurt.」 She insisted stubbornly, touching the clothes atop her wounds. ************************************************** Taking turns napping, Lisa and I rode along as the train made its way northward across the flat country. Night has not yet fallen. Occasionally, looking along the tracks, I could see orange coloured lamps shining here and there. According to the well-informed Lisa, orange coloured light is readily noticeable to the human eye without much illumination and so saves energy costs. Japanese roadway lights are white, but that’s a matter of taste. 「When will we arrive in the Netherlands, do you think?」 I muttered to Lisa as we changed shifts napping– 「We are already there. We crossed the national border some time ago, about when the conductor-san passed through.」 「…? But where are the tulips and windmills?」 I pressed my face against the windows and searched the pre-dawn landscape, to which Lisa chuckled softly and gave an adorable smile. 「It is winter, Tohyama-sama. If it were spring, then the tulip fields would stretch out to the horizon. What is more, Tohyama-sama’s mental image is perhaps a bit outdated–『Windmills』are old-fashioned and there are practically none within the Netherlands.」 「I-I see.」 「But now–Look on the other side of those woods! There is a modern-day windmill.」 Lisa moved her pretty face toward the window, and staring out cheek to cheek, I felt nervous for a brief moment– On the horizon was a propeller shaped electric windmill, and I gave wry grin. It was a familiar sight and of the same type as the ones on Empty Island in Daiba. I let out a sigh. 「Have you always used windmills in the Netherlands for power generation?」 「You might say that. Windmills have been in the country since the 2nd century.」 「Well, um… Did you use them for flour milling?」 「Windmills were used for flour milling, but they had the more important role of『expanding our borders』.」 「Expanding borders…? Windmills?」 「『God created the Earth, but the Dutch created the Netherlands』is a Dutch proverb. We Dutch have built hundreds of kilometres of levees, and drained seawater using the power of tens of thousands of windmills over centuries to uncover more land. This land is below sea-level.」 While boasting of her own country, Lisa smiled beautifully. The Netherlands– she seems happy to be returning home. Looking out once more, I could see that this country was maintained by a man-made drainage system. Looking left and right through both sets of windows, I couldn’t see a single mountain in sight. Like the reclaimed land of Daiba, there was nothing to stop the wind from blowing where it willed. –I see. The Netherlands is a country created by windmills. You should try to visit. Travel broadens one’s horizons. Even if running away. ************************************************ We finally reached a latitude even further north than Hokkaido, and at 8 A.M. it was still pitch black– Lisa and I reached the safety of the Netherlands largest city of Amsterdam. Descending and coming to eye-level with the yellow train I had nicknamed『Dog-nose』, we entered the unfamiliar Amsterdam Centraal station, and I didn’t know my right from my left– but I followed the local Lisa who did not lose her way. Exiting the brickwork station, we started down a slightly uneven cobblestone path. The weather was overcast. The temperature… had to be below 0 degrees Celsius. My left side had to put up with the cold. Like Brussels, the town was full of building that looked like something out of a fairy-tale, packed together and crowded around the streets– but each of them was larger than those in Belgium. I suspected something was wrong, but that concern was quickly resolved upon seeing the people headed to work. The people were huge. According to Lisa, the average height in the country is the largest in the world, with men at 184 cm and women at 171 cm. If Aria came here, forget elementary student, they might think she was a kindergartener. It’s a country of giants. 「…Not only the town, but the people are large as well.」 We walked along the street identical to the『Beautiful but Dirty』city of Paris–and as we did so, Lisa’s breathe puffed white in the air as she muttered, 「Yes. But we should not stay here long… The rail system is a key point of city infrastructure where both weapons and medical supplies can be easily introduced. We should make a short visit to resupply.」 I had become tired, but it seemed Lisa had thoroughly planned out our escape route. Walking a short way east of the station, we entered a cramped street that probably had some historical significance– At one of the corners, there was a black door with a weather worn sculpture on it that swung open easily. I wouldn’t have noticed it with a passing glance, but inside was a reception area. It appeared to be an out of the way but simplistic hotel. After a brief conversation at the front desk, Lisa said: 「I will collect and purchase the supplies we need now. There is a lot of foot traffic during the day, so you should rest.」 And she handed me the key for room 201… Parting from Lisa for the first time, I took an old-fashioned elevator to the second floor– which in Japan would be the third floor. 「…」 Shutting the door with an auto-lock behind me, first of all, I felt as if I had experienced a huge sigh of relief. Those in DEEN believe that I am unfamiliar with the lay of the land in Europe– but I quickly escaped to another city to a hotel known to an acquaintance. That is to say, I am avoiding public attention. For several reasons, I don’t want to be seen by anyone. When I went to make sure the curtains were closed… …! I looked outside the window. Below there was a narrow, muddy canal where swans glid smoothly, patrolling the surface of the water– But across the canal, on the first floor of the fairy-tale like building with a row of eaves– With several red lamps arranged on the exterior, there was a line of glass-fronted openings… Behind each glass pane, there was a beautiful Onee-san beckoning and blowing kisses to the men that were walking by. Instead of wearing clothing, they were each clad merely in different coloured revealing underwear. Even someone like me– I could understand the situation with half a brain. There was also a glass door that had the curtains tightly shut, and as for what fairy-tale adventure was going on in that invisible room– I did not want to imagine! If it were Mutou, he’d happily gaze toward that place. Hurriedly shutting the curtains– I stripped off the wig and women’s coat… then I flopped onto the bed. This was another reason to not want to stay long. Come to think about it, besides tulips and windmills, I do know one other thing about the Netherlands. Mutou told me about it a long time ago. In this country, many things are legal that are illegal in other countries. Narcotics, euthanasia, same-sex marriage, among other things. Truly– ever since Hong Kong, I have been surprised travelling abroad. *************************************************** Lisa bought a Burger King Double Whopper, and we ate them in the hotel– 「Tohyama-sama. The colour of your face has not been too well for a while now. Are your injuries troubling you? Do you want any of the pain-killers that Lisa has?」 As we sat across from each other at a small round table, Lisa peered into my face with concern. Incidentally, Lisa had placed her burger on a plate from the room and was eating it with a knife and fork. Such good manners. 「…I have a constitution such that drugs aren’t terribly effective. But please don’t worry.」 The swelling of my side was painful, but not as much as the frightening place across the street. But should I talk about something like that with a girl like Lisa? No, I can’t. Still flustered, I murmured this question inside my head 「Then do you want to buy hemp at one of the nearby coffee shop?」 「Hemp? What is that?」 「Cannabis. It’s a natural drug.」 「No way!」 Drugs are drugs, but this is a narcotic. At my sharp tone– Lisa was shocked. That’s right. We aren’t in Japan. Hong Kong was a learning experience, but it didn’t cover everything overseas. 「..Sorry. In my country, that’s illegal. And I haven’t done anything. Earlier or now. I owe you an open apology, you bought yesterday’s tickets, and today you purchased medicine, food, ammunition, and covered the price of this room.」 Finishing our respective meals, I took out my wallet and handed over about 300 Euros. Ah! Now I have practically no money left. That is because I was short on funds from the start. Due to my idiot younger brother breaking the millstone. 「No, no, you have more than repaid me. Tohyama-sama saved Lisa’s life.」 「I’ve tallied things up until now. If I hadn’t met you, I might be dead in Brussels by about this time. I won’t feel right if we don’t square accounts.」 I pressed the Euro notes upon Lisa… 「I-I understand. If that’s the case–」 Lisa took out her own wallet with an embroidered golden wolf and make change… …Oi! She gave me 152 Euros back. It’s less than half the amount I had roughed out. That’s pretty cheap, isn’t it? 「Oi, Lisa! You don’t have to hold back, tell me what it really cost. I might be a poor Butei, but taking money from people like this would make me a good-for-nothing, wouldn’t it?」 I tried to press the bills upon her once more… 「N-no, it truly did not cost this much.」 「That is what a lot of people say, but they are upset at the end.」 「L-Lisa was able to buy the same items at a rock-bottom price by going directly to the supplier. You can find a drug with the same effectiveness at a lower price if you look for it. Negotiating with the supplier, you can get up to a 70% discount. I even purchased the hamburgers as part of a reduced-price meal set.」 Relapsing into old habits, Lisa chattered on, feeling the need to itemise the expenses. In light of that… she really did manage to buy everything cheaply. From the tickets to bullets. We actually got onto the train, and the medicine wasn’t counterfeit. On the receipt for the 9mm parabellum bullets I had asked for, there was a seller’s note– it was a calculation to reduce the price to a third of the original. 「…Are you sure that you’re an ordinary human? I’m sorry for what I said. I apologise. I understand now.」 Embarrassed about fussing over money… I bowed my head low to apologise in the Japanese style. Whereupon Lisa flushed red and began waving her hands wildly. 「It was nothing, please raise your head.」 She said in a fluster. 「Everyone is surprised once… But you are not a good maid if you cannot shop well. On I.U. I purchased nuclear fuel at 80% discount. When the Koko came to sell weapons, they looked at me with a mean face.」 With a laugh, Lisa couldn’t help but smile… I also gave a small smile. The disgusted face of the Koko sisters immediately popped into my mind. Regardless, with all these things, Lisa has proven to be a valuable ally. Didn’t she say on the train that she didn’t have any fighting ability? She is an excellent logistical aid. With the same outlay for equipment– she has increased the number of bullets I can shoot by a factor of 3. [END] ************************************************ 1. Dutch in the original: Bent u van Lisa een held. 2. Character from Galaxy Express 999 ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ### 003. Bullet 3:The End of Retreat — Bourtange Another chapter as we move toward the end of the volume… Halfway (approximately) there by both page count and chapter numbers, but the next two chapters have a normal ~50 text page count compared to the 88 pages of text that we got for this one. So I guess enjoy the longer release. Many thanks again to all who have stepped up to help catch typos and mistakes while Frozzen has been busy. It’s really helped a whole lot! Just thought I should give you another huge THANK-YOU, and please, post any errors you find in the #translation-stuff channel on the Discord. Onward…. Chapter 3: The End of Retreat — Bourtange [START] We departed from the Amsterdam Centraal Station upon which the exterior of Tokyo Station is modelled– We then spent half the day taking train and bus connections before arriving at the rural town of Bourtange. As the sun was setting in the 4 PM cloudy sky, 「Lisa came to this small town on an elementary school trip. It is a place that DEEN is not very likely to find. Liberty Mason is an urban-type secret society, so they will not have a network in this country town.」 The gunshot wound to her abdomen seeming healed, Lisa explained cheerfully. 「This town has a moat… isn’t that a bit strange?」 「Viewed from above, it has the shape of a star. When the invader Napoleon Bonaparte launched a furious assault in the 18th century, as one of the Netherlands’ strongest fortified cities, this town was able to withstand it.」 A fortified city– I see. Is that why Lisa chose this place to hide? This town was built for war, so if you look closely, the streets are arranged for ease of hiding and movement. As we crossed the drawbridge and entered the star-shaped city– The surrounding countryside was also depopulated and covered with ruins unlike the Japanese countryside. It looked to be well-ordered. At the centre of the town there was the glistening steeple of a church, and we entered a brick tile roofed cafe– 「There are several vacant buildings, but Lisa will choose a residence. Tohyama-sama, please wait here for a bit.」 Leaving me with those words, Lisa stepped out into the cold. (She’s… such a hard worker, isn’t she?) In a seat inside the shop, I order a cappuccino by pointing to it on the menu and poured its warmth into my stomach. Still disguised as a woman, I had to be careful to not speak to the shop attendant. When my Onii-san becomes Kana, his voice changes completely, and Riko has that amazing voice-changing skill. As I absent-mindedly pondered the slight relief gained from this town… Three elderly patrons exited the store carrying coffee cups and ash trays. Why go outside into the cold? 「…?」 Peeking out through the wood frame window, I saw the elderly smiling happily as they looked at the western sky and sat at a bronze table. The madder red setting sun showed through breaks in the thick clouds. The clerk at the counter began to say something in Dutch, then switched to English– I didn’t really understand what they said, but I was able to catch the words,「 Dutch weather 」. It appears that in the winter, the Netherlands are a heavily clouded country. So, whenever there are brief periods of sunshine, everyone hurries to enjoy the sunlight. At least, that was the feeling I got. So I headed outside too– The temperature had definitely risen slightly, and the sun felt good on my skin. (I’m safe in this little town, so I wonder if I should look around a bit?) It’s a small town after all. So Lisa shouldn’t be worried about losing me. *************************************************** Bourtange is a sleepy little town… All the brickwork houses gave an impression of something from the Middle Ages, each of them with cute, elaborate designs that looked like something out of a Western fairy-tale. Even I, who had no interest in architecture, enjoyed the sight. Form what Lisa said on the train, out of clothing, food, and architecture, Dutch culture seems to value『architecture』the most. That much is very evident. I continued to bask in the light of the setting sun–and within the line of the surrounding moat and overlooking an arrow-shaped bulwark–there was a small wooden windmill that perfectly matched my mental picture. It was small and old, but perfectly functional. It was clear that it was well taken care of. As I moved closer to observe it, I saw that it had several cogs and chains all around it such that it could be controlled relative to the wind direction and desired rotational speed. It was a much more precise machine than I had imagined. 「I thought that you would come this way.」 As I inspected the windmill, a voice in Japanese came from behind me… Lisa had spoken. 「Ah! I am sorry for wandering off. It appears I wanted to walk in the sunlight like a Dutchman.」 If I turned back, I would see the distant afterglow of the setting sun behind her– A flutter of leaves danced in the air. It wasn’t just one or two. But several flew off into the west in a line. 「Huh… what are those?」 Furrowing her brows, I urged Lisa to look as the western sky… 「Ah. Those are spotted butterflies– migrating butterflies. When winter comes, they cross the sea to the United Kingdom. Many of them are exhausted by the cold, but some of them survive… When spring comes, the next generation returns to the Netherlands.」 She happily explained the sight in her native country. Then, turning her back to the windmill again, she smiled at me. 「–I have hired a house. Lisa also has enough funds on hands for us to stay for a month. I am sure that Tohyama-sama will definitely like it.」 Lisa said. From her smiling face, she surely did well in the rental negotiations. However, thinking it wrong to simply live there for free– 「That must be very expensive, right? And there are living expense on top of the rent.」 Meeting Lisa half-way, I handed over almost all of the money I had left. 「Th-this…is a lot!」 「Please take it. Think about it. While I am disguised, I won’t be able to go shopping very easily, will I? We might be safe in this little town, but we are still running from DEEN and GRENEDA. If we don’t complement each other’s strengths, there is no way we’ll be able to get out of this alive.」 As I said that, Lisa’s emerald colour eyes widened as they looked at me. 「So, that being the case–shouldn’t we split the work and you take care of the things that don’t require fighting skills, and I will take care of the fighting So I will be borrowing your power… and I can only act like a bodyguard for now. I’m sorry.」 I fumbled for words, and Lisa… huh? For some reason, she looked shocked. And she turned red. Then she seemed to be stirred by some deep, passionate feeling. What the hell? This kind of behaviour from a girl… where have I seen it before…? Oh, I remember! It was when I put the ring I got for Aria on her left ring finger. And when I asked to hire Shirayuki with a bunch of roses. Afterwards, both of them started acting strangely, as if they found themselves over their head in a fountain of water and were about to swoon, and I waited with bated breath for the response– 「…This must be part of Sir Sherlock’s Cognis…」 Lisa unexpectedly muttered about her prior time in I.U. Cognis. That was Sherlock’s unique ability. Deductive skills elevated to the level of precognition. Shortly after my eyebrows furrowed at that word, 「Tohyama-sama. There is something Lisa must say before we go home」 *Clap!*… Lisa pressed both her hands together in front of her round chest and dropped her head in supplication. 「–Please, become my master.」 Wh-what? Master? What the heck!? Aria said,『Become my slave!』, once before, and I stood blinking in silence at the unexpected request. 「I was troubled when I did not meet my fated hero-sama in I.U…. Sir Sherlock gave me advice. This is what Sir said: The one I would serve will come from the east. He would have a bit of an evil look in his eyes, be brusque in his manner, a womaniser…」 Oi, Sherlock! 「Sir also foresaw the moment I would meet my fated partner with Cognis.『When you see the migrating butterflies in the sky』. That is now. I have happened upon my destined hero-sama.」 Well… I’m not exactly an amazing hero or anything, but rather a poor student ranked in the bottom half of my school… Even if I were to explain that in great detail here, Lisa has her mind made up that I am some kind of『Prince Charming』–and, deeply moved, tears stood out from her eyes. But I couldn’t bring myself to make the immediate reply of「You’re wrong, stupid!」. 「So, Tohyama-sama. Will you please be Lisa’s master? Please let me serve you as a maid.」 This, this… is a first for me. Lisa has never seen me in Hysteria Mode. While running from DEEN, I’ve been normal, and she hasn’t know me as anything other than an ordinary high school student. She has this wild, delusional dream and her blind acceptance of Sherlock’s Cognis has led her far off the mark… That means she doesn’t see my usual careless self. Aria was the first girl to decide that I had some ability–but that is when I am Hysteria Mode. It isn’t the real me. The real me is curt with women, unable to make a living, and a useless man. But Lisa the Maid seemed content with such a useless man… 「Just now, I believe that Master spoke of the division of labour. Cooking, washing, and cleaning are things that Lisa can do. I will do anything that Master wishes. In exchange… please use your gun and blade such that Lisa does not have to fight or be injured. Please save Lisa from the things that would hurt her.」 She made this plea, already calling me her master. Well… that is the division of labour I suggested, and I don’t see any reason to refuse. 「That was more or less what I planned to do. Fighting to protect a woman is a man’s duty, after all.」 It’s a relationship that isn’t common between men and women today, but it is the one that exists between me and Lisa. I went along with what she had said– Overcome by emotion *Drip!*… *Drip!* Great drops of tears fell. Tears of passion accumulates in her wide eyes and spilled out one by one. Then, with palms together, she raised her head to look at me– 「Kinji Tohyama-sama. Lisa’s master. Lisa will cheer you up like a little sister. Care for you like an older sister. Try to be like a mother. Lisa will care for each of her master’s daily needs. Heedless of her status as a maid, she will do her best to be a member of your own family. So whenever you are with Lisa, please relax and feel as at home as among your family. Form this moment forth, all of myself to the tips of my toes is property of my master.」 She made this oath in Japanese. and it seemed as if the words were long rehearsed. But she said ‘property’. It seems that I am never meant to question her loyalty. The sincerity was truly moving. I went with the flow, but there is most likely a problem with Lisa’s personality. I mean it in a different sense than Aria and Riko… That is to say, I see the problematic nature of either a Reki or Shirayuki. But Lisa and I have no escape from here. We are at the end of retreat. I can’t help but accept her offer. There aren’t any more that the two of us, so we should try to accept what the other wants as much as possible, If the master and maid relationship is enough to keep us together and survive, it’s settled. First, I have to recover from the injuries dealt by Bewitching Blade, then find the traitor that has eluded DEEN, all before being discovered myself. Here– in Bourtange. *************************************************** Guided by Lisa, we reached an old-fashioned, but large and beautiful house– From above, it looked like a square with a courtyard, and it was a rectangular brick tenement. 「Oh my, two beautiful ladies! I wonder if they are married?」 「Not at all. I serve her myself. That is to say… She has a slight disability and words are difficult for her, so if you have any business with her, please contact me.」 「Yes, yes, that is alright.」 Lisa spoke to the grandmotherly landlady in her cream white carpeted living room. It was in Dutch, so I did not understand, and I remained silent as I was told to by Lisa. But this grandmother is huge. She is about as tall as Mutou. But when I think about the average Dutchwoman’s height, it isn’t at all that strange… It is just shocking to see how much bigger she is than myself in person. 「For now, we will take a month-long lease…」 Lisa signed the move-in agreement. With her maid school trained handwriting, she signed a false name with an elegant signature. At the end, in order to prevent forgery, she added a small dog-like sketch. It was a cute girlish touch. The contract had the grandmotherly landlady’s ladybug-like family crest on it and, and Lisa took a lantern in hand… 「This place secure for the moment, right?」 「Yes, Thank-you for all you’ve done.」 Lisa said as she turned back to me after pressing her ear to the door to confirm that the landlady had gone. As our eyes met, my eyes dropped toward the black boots on her feet. 「Well, there is something that bothers me, how do you Europeans wear shoes into the house? When you visit a country, you follow the customs of that country, but it’s still psychologically jarring. Please take them off. 」 I said while taking off my own shoes– 「Yes. Master.」 Lisa answered smilingly like a maid. She knelt on the matt spread in the entryway and began taking them off. She took off her black boots and stood looking back at me in her black stockings. Take off your shoes in the house. That is the first order I gave to my maid as her employer. 「Tomorrow, I will go purchase slippers. I do not know what kind of colours and patterns you like, but Master could come with me–」 「No, I will not go. I don’t want to stand out, and it would be a bad thing if my disguise were discovered in public, I will leave the shopping to you. I do not have any preference in colour.」 I said as I removed the annoying wig– 「Yes, Master,」 Lisa answered with a smile. It seemed that, as a maid, she was happy to follow the order of her master. 「As a rule, I will not go outside.」 「Yes, Master,」 So– on the first day, I became a hikikomori master… I then looked around the room I hadn’t yet swept carefully. Everything was sized for Dutch people, and it was a large room. Besides a hall, living room, dining room, kitchen, and bedroom, there were two small rooms, a bath and washroom. It was a bit old-fashioned, but it came fully furnished with furniture and tableware. Oil paintings were on the wall, and the cupboards were decorated with bronze decorations and probably contained towels, bedsheets, and blankets. 「What do you think? About the room, I mean.」 Lisa asked as I inspected the syphon coffee maker. 「Excellent.」 I answered and returned to the where there were houseplants placed and looked out over the town at night. On the other side of the withered trees, I looked at the angular fortifications on the moat… It’s a bad view. It wasn’t like the red-light district in Amsterdam, and thought it was a good place, personally. (So this is our hiding place, huh…?) As I expected of Lisa. She gets full marks. The brick tenement house blends nicely into the town, and it is unlikely to attract any kind of unusual attention. I have to move from here– as soon as my wounds heal, in order to prove my own innocence. A rural town like this is perfect, was the thought that came to mind… I should think about tomorrow. 「–Master. Is this one alright?」 「What?」 「That painting… I do not think it is that good. May I take it down?」 Lisa said about a glass covered framed living room portrait of a full moon in the night sky over a meadow. From her expression, I can tell that she doesn’t like the picture of the full moon that much for some strange reason. 「Ah, if you like.」 Unlike G-3, my taste in art is poor. With my permission, Lisa hurriedly took the picture down… Returning to the living room, she shot meet glancing shy, embarrassed smiles. 「…What is it?」 「Oh!…My apologies. I was just glad… that you became my master. And now this is the first time I’ve lived under a roof with a man. That is all…」 Under a roof with a man… Why does that make her happy? I hold it as a basic rule that living with the opposite sex is troublesome. 「As a maid?」 I asked half-heartedly. 「The Avé du Ang family do not serve two masters. We only served but one man our entire lives. Once we choose a side, we are committed for life.」 What she said… was heavy. But, well, I didn’t want to say anything to spoil her good mood. Should I ignore it? 「Master. You are my hero-sama. All the days after days you have fought as a samurai must have weighed upon you. But in this house, Lisa will take especial care to tenderly nurse you to health.」 She said, eyes sparkling like a new employee full of energy upon entering a new workplace. These feelings were awakened in the maid. **************************************************** It was originally meant to sleep two people, but I woke up alone lying in the large bed the next morning– The sound of bells from a church caused me to open my eyes. Lisa slept in a smaller bedroom… It appears she had gotten up early, already gone shopping, and she was humming a tune in the kitchen making breakfast. Outside the bedroom door when I had changed, there was a pair of brown slippers that I put on before heading over and lowering myself into the sofa in the living room. 「Oh! Good morning, Master.」 Lisa said as she pattered over in pink frilly slippers to greet me with a bow in the Japanese style. Her blonde hair flowed, glistening in the light coming from the clear morning sky. 「Ah, morning.」 「There is a Japanese proverb『You can’t fight on an empty stomach』. Therefore, I have prepared a delicious feast for you.」 A smile blossoming like a flower on her face, Lisa returned to the kitchen– Then, in short order, she ferried one dish after another to the dining room. 「This morning I have prepared traditional Dutch fare. If it is not to your liking, please do not hesitate to tell me so.」 Arranged next to each other on the table in front of me… There was a fresh salad and herring sashimi. There was also cheese, roast beef, and fried egg on bread like some kind of『bread chirashizushi 1 』– a Dutch open-faced sandwich. Like a round cake. 「And afterwards, there is fruit for dessert.」 With that, Lisa took her own seat, but… unlike Shirayuki, she hasn’t made an excessive amount, and that gives me a favourable impression. I get the feeling that she has considered the proper amount of food. Then the two of us ate the Dutch cuisine– It wasn’t refined like French food, lacked the familiarity of Italian food, but it was simply good fare. To start with, the bread and cheese are delicious. I don’t know what other kinds of bread and cheese I have been eating my entire life. Of all the gourmet Japanese food, the Dutch bread and cheese outstrips them all. Thinking on that, I ate in silence, 「Is… is the flavour alright?」 Lisa timidly asked. 「Uh-huh, it’s good,」 I answered, and Lisa clasped her hands in pleasure. It was a smile of happiness. The impression she gave off just now was familiar… like Shirayuki’s. However, I didn’t get the impression that there was any other self-serving motivation behind it other than my well-being…. There was nothing else. This breakfast was completely genuine. So… 「It was the same in France that bread was a staple. Don’t you eat rice.」 「We do. However, instead of Japanese rice, American rice is more common. My apologies…」 Lisa said while serving me another portion of salad from the bowl– She leaned her upper body over the table. Due to that, her breasts could be seen through the gap in her loose blouse (…Wh-wha…!) About half of them were visible. H-huge! These are Shirayuki-class. Seeing her white, frilly underwear just now was troubling for my Hysteria Mode. Noticing where I was looking, or perhaps not, Lisa re-seated herself in her chair and rearranged her blouse– 「Fu fu! Master has all the qualifications of a master.」 「Wh-what does that mean?」 「No matter what you say, I feel that I must take care of it. If I do not, I will become worried.」 Ah… I feel like Shirayuki said something like this earlier. But speaking of the attributes I have displayed, rather than of a master, I have my position had been that of a slave. And hers that of a queen. Eating fruit for dessert afterwards, we drank post-meal coffee… 「Speaking of which, Katze-sama held a conference with her subordinates in GRENEDA concerning Tohyama-sama– The discusses nothing but Master… May I ask you something about it?」 「Yeah… What is it?」 「Master fell 2000 metres from Regiment Hex’s airship. So how did you survive? Did you fly by some chance?」 「That is not true. Did someone see me sprout wings? Immediately after my struggle with Katze, I opened a parachute, then I fell onto the slopes of Mount Blanc. If it had been a flat plane, I would have died, but I was able to slide on the slope. Thus, the force of impact was halved.」 「Oh… The fortunes of war favour you. As Lisa would expect of her master.」 「If I were truly fortunate, I wouldn’t be running from DEEN right now. Let’s talk about something else. I’m alright for the time being, but I don’t really want to remember a time that I almost died.」 「M-my apologies.」 With a choked noise, Lisa hung her head as she apologised and clutched slightly at the blouse at her chest. It was exposed. My eyes were instinctually drawn to the open gap. Embarrassingly so. 「On a different topic… What about my clothes and appearance?」 Slightly ashamed of herself, Lisa was talking about clothes, and not her blouse. 「What is Master’s preference for a woman’s appearance?」 「A-appearance? I don’t have any. Why do you ask?」 「Lisa wants to meet Master’s preference. If you say lose weight, I’ll lose weight. If you say to fill out, I will fill out. I will change my hair to Master’s favourite style and wear clothes that please him. In the house, I will work in my underwear, or naked if instructed– Please tell me whatever you want me to do.」 「Wh-what kind of stupid things are saying!?」 「I am discussing how I should serve you.」 Lisa deadpanned. From her face, it didn’t appear as if she would give up. 「Hmm… there isn’t anything specific. To start with, I am a man, and you are a woman–」 –Hold it right there. If I finish that sentence, I don’t want her to try to follow it by getting a sex change. 「Well… Uh… You should worry about your own clothes. That is my order.」 「Yes, Master. Thinking for myself, I shall wear a maid uniform.」 I see. I see that she had a contingency case already prepared. As for this『order』, I’ll get over the difficulties with Hysteria Mode somehow. At least when it comes to Lisa. This situation– it would seem that she might be the easiest person to live with. At least when it comes to girls. ******************************************************* That afternoon, Lisa went out shopping again… Without even taking my measurements, she brought back clothes that fit me perfectly, and a large amount of cloth for her own use. If someone were to ask, I’d say that they were probably bulletproof. Retiring to her own room, she deftly began making clothes. Humming while doing so, it appears that she enjoys it. After changing my clothes… I sat on the sofa to watch television and recuperate. There were local broadcast stations but being a small country with a population of about 16 million, many rely upon foreign broadcasters. That fact was reflected in the German, Turkish, British, and American broadcasts. Of course, there were no programs in Japanese. So, as a final resort, I tuned into a Eurosport cable broadcast. The dialogue there doesn’t matter very much. What was showing now was a soccer game– a goodwill match between Italy and the Netherlands. If Shiranui was here, he would be overjoyed. He’s an expert on European sports. (O-on the Netherlands bench sat Keisuke Honda.) It had been a while since I had seen another Japanese person, so I watched to see what he would do… 「Master, my apologies for interrupting your hobby.」 Lisa broke in to address me– 「Wha..! What are you…!? Is that from school?」 I let loose this volley of questions upon turning around. The clothes that Lisa made herself was covered in frills with a French Maid lacy headdress. She also wore a pristine white apron. Until now, everything had fallen within my range of expectations, but… This design was a short sailor suit uniform with modified collar. Moreover, it was dark red. That is to say, it was an amalgamation of a Butei High girl’s uniform and French Maid outfit, a Sailor Maid uniform. What obsession. 「Yes. I incorporated Tokyo Butei High’s girl’s uniform design into my usual clothes. But… it is a bit embarrassing. The sailor suit and French Maid are traditional Japanese cosplays. The Butei High skirt is short, though…」 Lisa grimaced as she pinched the hem of the skirt– On each of her left and right thighs there was a ring of dainty white lace twining around them, and I spared then a brief glance. Leg holsters? ******************************** 「U-under… the skirt. What are the loops of lace tied around your legs?」 I asked, indicating the lace that was too weak to bear the weight of any weapons– 「These are cat garters. They are decorative accessories to wear underneath a skirt when you are not wearing stockings to avoid having bare legs. Do you like them?」 All of a sudden, Lisa tried to pinch up her short red French Maid skirt. 「–No, that’s alright!」 It seems that she might have made the especially for her master, but I hurriedly stopped her… What are they for, anyway? I don’t know what practical reason there is for the existence of such underwear. Why would you even want to decorate the unseen area under the skirt? What’s more, I already have trauma from the lacy material at the Nazi secret base. Right now, I should probably just try to ignore whatever is under Lisa’s skirts. 「I specifically chose a maid’s clothing design… Do you like it? If it is not to your liking, I can remake it.」 I heard Lisa ask, but my own thought as she stood in her French Maid costume looking at me and smiling was… …Cute. Although it was an adaptation of sailor suit, it was fundamentally cute. Even someone as ignorant as myself knew about the clothes that the perfectly ordinary Lisa was wearing. One time before, Riko forced me to go into a Maid shop in Akihabara, and the maids there felt like they were cosplaying… At Koumeikan Mansion, Aria wore such a cute outfit, but with her figure, she looked more like an animated mascot. In this case, Lisa is a totally ordinary beautiful girl wearing a French Maid uniform– It doesn’t feel like a cosplay. It feels perfectly natural. Conversely, the sailor suit elements were just conspicuous enough to add a bit of accent to the overall appearance. However, her almost entirely exposed legs were the last things that I needed to see… 「..It suits you. But please make the skirt longer.」 I collected my thoughts and briefly summarised my opinion. Lisa had already attended a maid school, so her movements were graceful. The clothes suited her as well. She gave the impression of a true maid. 「–Thank goodness! I will lengthen the skirts in the three changes of clothes that I have already made, and I will carry out my duties in these clothes from now on.」 Looking genuinely delighted, Lisa clapped both of her hands to her cheeks in delight. Every inch a maid, she was a beautiful girl. I looked back at her again. This beautiful girl wearing cute clothing lack flaws. She was perfect. However, when it comes to Hysteria Mode, that presents a problem. At that moment, my anti-girl threat level increased from level 2 (caution) to level 3 (alertness). 「By the way, switching topics… I have an Italian bank card. I couldn’t use it until now, but I should be able to use it in the Netherlands.」 Once we had dealt with the matter of clothing, I took out my wallet and handed over the card I got from the Japanese branch of the Beretta company– 「Yes, this is a UniCredit Group Bank Card and it should be able to be used in any country within the EU.」 After quickly confirming that fact, Lisa tried to return it to me, but I pushed it back towards her. 「Every month, I am able to withdraw funds from a company account. In Japan they called it a scholarship, but in the West, it would be called a no-interest student loan. Two weeks after withdrawing the money, the entire sum is remitted to an overseas Japanese account, but before that it can be withdrawn in Euro. The next deposit will happen soon, so please go to the teller directly so no electronic record will be left behind. The PIN is 1111.」 「Understood.」 「Once you have the money… after buying any necessities, put the remainder toward out living expenses. Take some spending money for yourself, if you like. Be sensible about it, though.」 My real motivation here was to delegate all management of household expenses and avoid the troublesome matter of converting currency– 「Master…Th-this…」 Holding the card in hand, Lisa her eyebrows seemed to sag in in bewilderment at the trust placed in her. 「You said that we should split the work. Accounting is within your skillset, so I will entrust everything to do with finances to you. That is my order.」 After I said that, Lisa clutched the card to the chest of her French Maid uniform– 「…Yes …Master!」 Moved to tears once more, she lowered her head. ******************************************************************************** As a genuine maid, Lisa enjoys housework. In the morning, she cleaned the inside of the house earnestly until it sparkled, and in the afternoon, she went to the Albert Heijn grocer and bought high quality foodstuffs cheaply. I had absently requested『some kind of candy』and she brought back some Werther’s Originals that corresponded quite well to some familiar Japanese candy. When I didn’t follow my master’s order to『Buy Momoman』and only purchased anman, I was on the receiving end of a Baritsu throw, and my status as a gofer was not unlike Kou’s plight if she couldn’t find egg noodles to buy. A high-class gopher. In accordance with her oath the other day, Lisa bought all kinds of daily necessities– Because of that, I could devote myself to recovering from the wounds dealt by Bewitching Blade. The bruise on my side was an ominous black, and it was red and swollen. That means that it is mending. But that evening… After the dinner that Lisa had prepared… I found myself with an incredible amount of time on my hands. The television was unintelligible, my mobile was destroyed, and I couldn’t connect to the Internet in case the signal was traced back to us. For those reasons, I decided to lay down earlier than usual– Anticipating this need, Lisa had already made up the bed. When I exited the bath, the lights in the room were already turned down in order to create a comfortable place to sleep. 「Here are your pyjamas. Due to your injuries… it is of the utmost importance that you rest.」 Lisa stood in the bedroom wearing her sailor maid uniform with the skirts she had lengthened in accordance with my direction and indicated a set of white pyjamas that had been folded and placed on the bed. 「O-oh! Thanks.」 Clothed merely in a bath towel, I retreated back into the bathroom… but Lisa followed and stopped just short of the door between the bedroom and bathroom. Then, unable to meet my eyes, she leaned in awkwardly, only exposing her upper half. Cheeks blushing pink, she said: 「…I can warm your bed after your wounds are healed. You are free to use me…」 She said in a low voice while averting her eyes, and turning on the spot— *Tap!* *Tap!* *Tap!* I heard the patter of her slippers as she fled the small room. ‘Warm my bed?’… what is that? I think it’s Japanese, but I don’t understand the meaning. 2 It’s very troubling to not know what she meant by that. But as a Japanese person, asking a Dutchwoman the meaning of Japanese word is embarrassing. So, I will pretend I understood and keep quiet in response. So, saying nothing, I changed into the pyjamas the Lisa had folded and placed atop the bed… then I laid down to sleep in the large bed. Then I looked out the window into the night. This is the bedroom. It is positioned so that no one can see anyone inside from any angle. Occasionally a beautiful star would peek out through a rift in the clouds. (Beautiful, cute, smart, good at housework… are those words that could apply to my maid?) In the kinds of games that Riko plays, having a maid is a good thing– That part actually matches the reality. At the current moment, I can’t say that Lisa has any flaws. Rather, she has a lot of good points. I have borne personal witness to the effects of these virtues. But as for a role in combat–she is on the level of a girl, no, actually lower. I came to understand that fact shortly after spending time with her, and her body and every movement testified to her specialised『domestic』disposition. Allowing me to approach her in the underground tunnels demonstrated her lack of caution. (I said we should split the work… and following that plan, I have to deal with all the fighting.) Tiring of staring into the night sky, I turned and picked up the memo pad at the side of the bed… I pondered this as I did some kind of origami. ********************************************************** The next morning, I was roused once more by the church bells– (…?) The bells seemed more lively than the day before, and all traces of people in the tenement was gone. I carefully looked out across the courtyard at the other windows… but there was truly no one there. Only the Siamese cat kept by the landlady was in the courtyard. (Where is everyone? Is there some kind of event?) With that strange thought in mind, I changed and headed into the living room… There Lisa had left behind a note stating『I have gone out shopping. I will return at 9 o’clock.』 So, I sat down with the tools that I had borrowed from the landlord yesterday, via Lisa– I intended to fix the belt wire winch that had broken from overuse in my fall into the sky above Mount Blanc. Before 9 o’clock came, the church bell began ringing loudly again– So when I went out into the courtyard to take in some air, I used some discarded bricks, dirt, and metal cans to construct a makeshift target for shooting practice. Then, at a range of 7 meters… I shot my Beretta, timing them so that the report was lost in the sound of the bells. The 9mm bullets all hit their mark– I shoot target practice every day, so missing is not such an issue for me. Just like Jeanne’s sword dance, it is important to not forget the weight and shape of the gun, or the sensation of drawing and firing. When you are fighting in a life or death situation, an error of even 0.1 second of 1 millimetre is unacceptable. In order to meet that standard, I cannot rely on any other gunman– just myself. I can only trust this feeling. And if I don’t shoot for several days, this feeling will be blunted. Humans too, like guns… they change slightly with every shot. The act of shooting is an analogue-to-analogue relationship. That is to say, this is as much training for me as for my Beretta– No good. I’m slipping. If Ranbyou saw this display, she’d beat me for it. It is clearly evident that it is a result of my injury. When the wound on my abdomen heals, my skills should return. Thanks to the ability to hide here, I should be able to have that time. (Well, at least that is my hope…) After my last shot hit the can– *Clap!* *Clap!* *Clap!* I turned to face the sound of clapping. 「–Master was amazing! Amazing, master! Incredible!」 Saying the same thing twice in a different order, the sailor maid stood within the courtyard. The French maid uniform rustled slightly in the Dutch breeze. The lingering scent of gunpowder was replaced by Lisa’s sweet maple syrup scent– There was also an underlying hint of palm olive detergent. 「Master must not fail in his gun practice! As expected. You are amazing! Mooi! 」 Lisa said, looking delighted at the target I had used for practice. Her eyes sparkling as she saw me as her own personal hero, she mixed in a few Dutch words such as『 mooi 3 』. 「Not at all… I was just practicing in my spare time. Let’s talk for a bit about something else.」 I said, embarrassed by the level of praise as I returned the gun to my shoulder holster. 「I would be delighted to talk with my master. I would like to speak with Master for however long you wish.」 「…So, what should we talk about then…? Ah! I know! Where is everyone this morning?」 「Today is Sunday, so everyone has gone to church. They will return at lunch.」 Huh? So that’s it? That is to say, Christians must worship every week on Sunday, don’t they? That must be a hassle. 「Is it alright for you to not go?」 「Yes. I do not believe in God.」 「–Westerners can say such things directly, can’t they. Even I am a bit of a stranger to religion. My family has a long history of deep Shinto and Buddhist beliefs, and even I cannot say such a thing.」 Lisa listened to my answer while smiling… but there was not much material for conversation. I can never think of anything to talk about with a girl. I always lose my nerve with a beautiful girl. With other guys though, I can talk with no problem. Choked for words to speak– 「–Well. That is to say…to change the topic. This was at your bedside.」 Sensing the heavy silence, Lisa interjected at just the right moment. I really can’t read the room. With Riko, I would remain silent as she prattled on about some strange game or anime that I didn’t know about, and with Shirayuki she would just sit in bashful silence. The same for Nakasorachi. 「Did you make this windmill?」 Lisa asked as she held out something in her hand… I had made it when I couldn’t sleep, a windmill out of memo pad paper. Originally it was going to be a crane, but I had forgotten how to do it– so it ended up as a windmill. 「O-oh! I made it.」 「–(Mooi)! You made a paper windmill… My master is very skilled! Master, may Lisa have this?」 Lisa asked, holding the origami windmill in both hands with eyes wide. 「Sure, if you want it.」 I replied, and Lisa looked delighted from the bottom of her heart. 「Thank-you so much! This gift from master– I will treasure it my whole life.」 For some reason… she really seemed truly delighted. With something like this. I wonder if this was what made her a true Dutchwoman. All this because of a windmill. *************************************************************** One night several days later, my wounds had mostly healed– It was strange, but Lisa hadn’t returned from going out shopping yet. It wasn’t a problem if she stopped somewhere along the way, but it only took a few days for me to figure out that she was the kind of girl who would return home exactly when she said that she was going to be home. This tardiness is worrying. What’s more, I am alone in a foreign country… that is to say… … It’s lonely. It is eerily quiet. I had already given my Beretta a complete servicing overhaul, and I had long ago fixed my belt winch. It’s not exactly right for me to be waiting for a girl to come home, but what I want right now is someone to talk to. I wanted to see Lisa. It wasn’t just something that I wanted, but something that made me want it. Every now and again I would peek out at the street through the gap in the curtains to see if she had come back yet– There. She was there. Lisa was there. The sailor maid, on the street directly in front of the tenement. But she was shielding her face with her hands and crying. The reason was readily apparent. There was a large fat boy that looked like a neighbourhood bully ringleader in a group of other boys, egging on a huge dog at her. Interestingly enough, the dog merely crouched in front of her, despite the kicks it received. There were 4 or 5 of the brats, and they are teasing the cowardly Lisa, relentlessly tormenting her. (That is to say, Lisa… unable to fight, even if it were a child or dog, how was she a representative soldier for GRENEDA?) Kou had the excuse of being like dogs and monkeys, but it seems that there are quite a few people in DEEN who will run from dogs. In the future, I might just have to send Haimaki out to fight in my place. I could not stand idly by. The leader of the pack was standing with a pail full of water and was threatening to dump it over Lisa. It is midwinter and undoubtedly cold. 「…」 I gave the black wig and coat hanging on the coat rack a sidelong glance. I really don’t like going out in that disguise… Besides that, it doesn’t look like it will turn into anything life threatening, but… (Butei Law: Article 2. The contract with your client must absolutely be fulfilled.) My promise to protect her is a sort of contract. It’s bothersome… but should I go? With a proper weapon? ********************************************************************** Then having become a black Maetel, I left the house– With Lisa crying, the agitated dog was sure to bite. I then began running toward the unfortunate situation. (…!?) In an instant, the dog turned away from Lisa– and I stamped on the ground and spun around 180 degrees. I tugged on the fat boy holding the dog, and surprised, he lost his grip on the dog. Huh. For some reason, the dog panicked and ran away. Was it something that the cornered Lisa did…? But with the other children shouting and bullying her, Lisa still could only cry. 「…」 Then, walking toward where they stood– *Fwish!* Then with the sweets… I scattered the Werther’s Originals that I had gotten the other day. Sweets are children’s favourite treat the world over. As soon as the brats saw them, they sent up a cheer of joy and scrambled to be the first to gather them up. At that same moment, hearing the commotion from inside the brick tenement, the large grandmotherly landlady came out with a broom– then shouting something scolding in Dutch, she drove away them away. In that opening, I helped the shaking Lisa to her feet… and we were able to make it back inside the building safely. As soon the door closed, 「*Sniff!* *Sniff!*… Thank-you so much, Master. Truly, thank-you. Lisa is a bad maid, troubling master so…」 「Don’t worry about it. You aren’t hurt anywhere?」 「Correct. But… I know that even though master does not like going out looking like this…. for Lisa…. for Lisa…」 Tears welled up and fell from her eyes as she looked up at me and apologised from the depths of her heart. 「It’s fine. I don’t like this disguise… but I did say back then that I would protect you– that was our arrangement. But what were they teasing you about?」 I asked as I took of the coat– 「They must have thought that my clothes were sailor’s clothes…『It’s a sailor without a sea!』, they laughed.」 The sailor maid Lisa explained as she gripped the V-neck of her clothes. (Aah…!) In modern Japan it is a girl’s uniform, but originally the sailor suit was a naval uniform. The stand-up collar on the accompanying boy’s uniform was originally an army uniform. 「… Well if that is the case, it’s better if you don’t wear it.」 「No, Lisa will not run away. Lisa is proud to wear the clothes that Master said that he『likes』. What’s more, the landlady just put up a sign saying,『Children who make fun of the navy are not allowed』、so it is better if I wear it from now on…」 Lisa told me as she dabbed the tears from her eyes with her pale fingers. Even me… I made fun of Butei High’s red sailor suit, and I really have to stop. 「If they bully you again, I’ll chase them off. I will protect you. That’s a promise」 I said again in order to soothe Lisa. At that, Lisa seemed utterly happy– –*Squish!*, she hugged me. 「O-Oi…!」 H-how soft… No, how good smelling. Her hair, her body, her scent was every inch womanly. –Th-this is bad! We are only in a temporary Master-Servant relationship. But that means that my Hysteria Mode…! 「Master. Lisa’s master. I will tell you the whole truth. All the while that dog was barking at me– I could only cry out『Master! Master!』inside my heart. But then Master truly did appear to save Lisa… Lisa, Lisa though it was like a dream. I was truly, truly happy. Lisa is truly the luckiest…!」 Finally at peace, Lisa still did not let go of me. (But really all I did was chase away some kids…) Why are you thanking me for that? When it comes to me– as far as Lisa is concerned, it doesn’t have to go as far as being a battle for her to be satisfied that I had fulfilled my promise to save her. 「Master… Master…」 Before I had a chance to react, Lisa began rubbing her cheeks against my chest like a cat. If this were a manga, she’d have hearts fluttering around her head. I feel like she is taking advantage of this situations. 「Alright, Alright! You’re unexpectedly clingy.」 I said, turning my shoulder slightly to pull away… 「…Yes. Lisa… really is a needy child. Lisa is a bad maid who will presume upon master whenever she can. Please forgive me. Master…」 She suddenly became serious. Any normal man might be glad of such dependency in a maid. B-but this is troubling. For me, at least. Goodness! ****************************************************************** –As lay in bed… *Creak!*… There was a sound like someone climbing atop the bed– What? Who? Lisa? But strangely, I could not move. Am I tied up? 「You are the real deal, aren’t you, Kinji Tohyama?」 I heard muttered from underneath a hood… (A man’s voice.) That voice… (–Bewitching Blade– A night raid!) As soon as I realised that, the very next instant. –*Thump!*– A cold feeling slipped into my chest without any resistance. I’d been stabbed. My bulletproof pyjamas had no resistance to a knife. My heart. It had been pierced. I’d been killed…! 「–Aaaaaah!」 With a snap, I sat bolt upright… The bedroom was dark and quiet. There was no one on the other side of the white bed. A dream… that was all it was. I rubbed my chest and no knife had pierced it. (…Dammit!) That nightmare… it must have been the manifestation of my latent fear about the possibility of Bewitching Blade attacking. For sure, he is incredibly strong. He appears to be one or two ranks above any of the enemies I’ve faced in DEEN or GRENEDA. —But Bewitching Blade. I still wasn’t entirely defeated. You have your twin swords, glowing red right eye, and coat– I have Hysteria Mode. Brussels was a misfire, meeting you again when that happens… Let’s fight again. I guarantee you’ll like me better in Hysteria Mode. I’ll strip that chuunibyou-esque coat off you and give it to Riko or Kinzou. With a hand on their side…. *Tap!* *Tap!* *Tap!* 「–Master? Please excuse me!」 No doubt hearing my not very quiet voice, Lisa rushed into the bedroom. 「…!」 Lisa appeared wearing thin white negligee that let me see her underwear– the instant that misfortune occurred, my treacherous mind fortunately did not succumb to an outbreak of Hysteria Mode. Perspiration standing out cold on my forehead, I said nothing– 「Master, your face is so pale…! Are you choking? Do your injuries pain you? Here, take some medicine–」 「–Don’t worry. It was just… a dream.」 As I motioned for Lisa to go back, my hand struck the bed frame… Damn. This is pathetic. My hands are shaking. Perhaps guessing from that act that I was troubled, Lisa said– 「…I am sorry… Master.」 This time the bed really did creak, and she came up beside me. 「It must have been an awfully scary dream.」 Then coming right up next to my knee– She gently wrapped her soft white arms around my head. ********************************************** 「…」 *Sigh!*… The sweet scent of maple syrup smells good. It’s Lisa’s smell. The subtle aroma has an amazingly calming effect. The trembling in my hands… stopped. 「But now everything is alright. Master will have Lisa. Forever and ever…」 Usually, with a girl clinging to me like this– I would push them away, not wanting to go into Hysteria Mode. But this time… I didn’t. Lisa is a woman with a soothing disposition and gentle embrace… It’s an amazing ability. This feeling. Rather than Hysteria Mode, I feel calm and collected. It is somewhat nostalgic– that’s what it is– 「…Lisa, forever will be by Master’s side…」 A very long time ago, something like this happened– Then, in the next moment, I fell into a peaceful sleep, and a warm feeling overtook me. ************************************************************************* After that, my injuries improved day by day. Lisa had been out buying and running over hill and dale to collect ingredients for some Dutch version of Chinese Herbal medicine. –This morning, 「Master. Today there is a festival in town… If it is agreeable to you, may I have some time off to visit?」 She said while fidgeting uncharacteristically. Thinking it a shame that Lisa worked above and beyond everyday… 「Oh. Yes. It is good to stretch you wings every once and a while.」 She seemed to be very excited. Having received my permission, Lisa prepared lunch in advance– then she began to cheerfully prepare herself for the festival. Coming out from her own room… (…Eh…) Lisa had borrowed a set of national clothing from the landlady and changed out of her usual sailor maid uniform. It was traditional woman’s dress typically reserved for the warmer northern climes with puffed sleeves and a long skirt. It was made of fluttering black cloth with decorative white cloth and colourful embroidery. I’ve only seen it in『A Dog of Flanders』so when Lisa wears it, it looks like cosplay, but… It’s somehow indescribably alluring. Even though it’s a lot of clothing. I think it’s the chest. Below the chest of the blouse, there was a tight-fitting corset, causing her chest to swell and become emphasised. Overall, Lisa was slender, but her chest was large, and all of her good points were being showcased. This is a problem. 「Master. How does Lisa look?」 Lisa, transformed into the perfect Dutch beauty, asked smiling as she spread out her skirts. She must be excited to go to the festival. 「O-oh! It’s cute.」 In order to avoid falling into talking about her breasts, I only gave a few words in reply– 「–Ufufu! The landlady even took good care of these… they fit me, so she let me borrow them.」 Raising her skirt a bit, she showed off a colourful pair of wooden clogs. 「Now then, I will return around 5 o’clock.」 「Ah. Have fun!」 「I have left an afternoon snack in the kitchen cupboard…」 Lisa smiled and walked towards door– But she topped a few feet from it looking somewhat reluctant. Might she want me… to go with her? To the festival. But Lisa knows I don’t want to go out in the black-haired Maetel disguise. She doesn’t want to pressure me into going, so she went by herself. Going over to the window, I looked down into the street… Lisa walked normally in the clip-clopping shoes that would appear to be difficult to walk in from a Japanese perspective. There has to be a knack to walking in them. I guess they are like Japanese getas in that way. *Whoosh!*… Was that a homing pigeon? A dove with a cross on its golden collar flew over the street–and Lisa looked back. Our eyes met, and it must have looked like I was seeing her off, so she smiled. Shyly, she gave a small wave… then she disappeared around the corner. ….As for myself, I plopped myself down onto the living room sofa– The house quiet one more, I did not turn on the Sports Pay station again to pass the time. Once more… I am alone. On the western edge of Eurasia– that is to say, the extreme end of the Earth and the western-most portion of the Netherlands I can’t reach out to anyone in DEEN, and the communication system is suspect, so I can’t call anyone in Japan or Hong Kong. I don’t know the language, so I can’t talk with anyone local either. This is something that I don’t think it possible to ever experience in Japan. I’ve found a loneliness even deeper than that I experienced at Ikebukuro High. (This loneliness… I hate it.) 1,2,3 hours… I must have passed them in a daze… Thinking about Lisa, the only person I could talk to. The beautiful, kind girl in the cure maid costume, the smart and hardworking Lisa. Always smiling as she served me, and occasionally acting a bit spoiled. (Lisa… I want to see her.) The thought came to me suddenly and a wry smile rose to my face. Why do I want to see her? Even though she is a girl? I thought about the other day, and how I depended on her. Me, the misogynist, Kinji Tohyama. ****************************************************************************** The sun peeked through the clouds at 2:30, and I — I stepped outside into the cold wearing the black-haired Maetel disguise. That is to say… Lisa isn’t the only needy one, it would appear. If I write a report about the Dutch festival for Caravan V, then maybe I might get some extra school credit due the unusual nature of the event? (So I’ll go look around for just little bit.) With that thought in mind, I walked through the cold town… I quickly came upon the festival grounds. Because it was a small town, the sounds of cheerful music were audible. The townspeople had gathered around the windmill and were warming themselves with spiced wine and had their hands full of skewered meat similar to yakitori. In front of the windmill, Lisa stood in her national dress… and other Dutch girls in similar dress were standing and dancing in a line. With a *Clap!* *Tap!* *Tap!*. *Tap!* *Tap!*, they set a brisk pace with the wooden clogs on the stone cobbles. But the clothing that covered their breasts was a bit concerning… It was cute though. Lisa looked an ordinary country girl. They danced happily, smiling and not minding the cold at all. In the crowd on the other side of the dancing line of girls… there was a cardboard body, broom handle tusked, and melon rind skinned creature… it was a handmade monster, with two boys underneath in charge of performing something like a Lion Dance with a shuffling gait. It appeared to be a huge wolf-like monster. 「 Wolf! Wolf–! 」 Some children shouted some kind of warning, and the dancing girls scattered and hid inside the windmill in an obviously rehearsed manner. One of the girls took a dramatic fall and was left behind, and the monster body covered her… She disappeared inside. I suppose the meaning must be that she was eaten. Hidden within the windmill, the Lisa and the rest of the girls made a theatrically surprised expression of『How terrible!』. But Lisa… her role seems awfully stilted. Despite her cleverness, it appears her acting ability is poor. Wondering if the story would end on a depressing note, one of the dancing girls left the safety of the windmill– Stroking the roughly made Dutch monster, she held it in her arms, and… kissed it on the head. Then the monster became gentle. It seems that the conclusion was that『The monster’s heart was opened by the power of love』. It now seems that the dance is over… As a foreigner, I don’t understand the details very well. But it’s the same for festivals in rural Japan, foreigners won’t understand it very well either. Folding my arms, Lisa said– 「–Eh! Master…!?」 Suddenly noticing me. I raised a finger to my lips, signalling her『Don’t speak in Japanese』in response– The two of us went to the other side of the windmill to sit on bench… declining spiced wine, I held a cola in one hand as we talked quietly. 「I-I did not believe Master would come. I was caught off guard.」 Like the first time she saw me, her cheeks were flushed, but she looked happy that I had come. 「In the dance– what was that monster that appeared in the middle of it?」 I asked for my report, and Lisa answered. 「It was…」 She made an unusual grim face as she hesitated. 「『The Beast of Gévaudan』– Sirius, a werewolf– there are several names in Japanese for the vampires’ rivals in beastly legends. It has the power to control all other animals and is the king of beasts. It first appeared in 8th century Western Europe and laid waste to many towns and villages…」 「Vampires, you say? Like Vlad? Are you saying it’s a monster like that?」 「V-Vlad-sama… he was different. The werewolf has much more beautiful golden fur. Here are some contemporary French artists’ depictions.」 Lisa explained with her finger on the shoulder of the monster wolf… Thanks to this, I should be able to write detailed report. I really might earn some extra credits. ************************************************************ 「Master, did you know? A rumour about the most beautiful girl in all of Groningen Province started when we moved to Bourtange.」 Lisa said one night several days later when my wound was almost entirely healed. 「…Most beautiful girl in all of Groningen Province?」 For me, that kind of news is one the same level as hearing that a serial killer has moved. 「Which city did she moved to?」 「This one.」 Lisa said, allowing a smile to slip onto her face. Ah, I see. 「… Is it you? I don’t really know.」 I said as I slurped some lentil soup. 「Tsk! Not me. It’s Master in disguise, Miss Cromaetel」 *Whoopsh!* I spewed soup from my mouth. 「Wha-What the heck! Cromaetel…?」 「When you came to the festival, all the gentlemen were captivated by your disguise. They asked for your name, so I replied with the alias you had come up with previously. Cromaetel– they were entranced by the exotic name.」 Might this alias be the alias『Kuro Maetel』I carelessly let slip on the train? 4 But, captivated, you say? Gentlemen, you have committed an irreparable crime. No, I am the one who has done so. 「…My apologies…」 In her mind, Lisa must be proud of her master’s reputation no matter how strange it may be . 「Not only is she considered to be the most beautiful, but the fact that she does not allow anyone into her rooms imparts an air of mystery that is the secret to her popularity. What is more, Master’s charisma aids this as well. As your maid, I am proud, and even the girls have begun to talk. Ufufu!」 As expected of my poor public reputation as a second-year. Even coming here to the western side of Eurasia, my propensity for misfortune is in full effect. (But this is quite the opposite problem…) I came here to hide and sequester myself, but despite my disguise, I am gaining notoriety. Originally, except in ASSAULT the common response to my name was『Tohyama, who?』 I was infinitely depressed by this fact– Even so, my Onii-san has the same ability. It really is an unnecessary talent. Because of that, a disguise accomplishes the opposite, making me stand out But it doesn’t put me in Hysteria Mode. It doesn’t go that far. If I hysterised by looking into a mirror, that would be the point where I’d kill myself with my gun… but since that was proven to be ineffective on the Shima Hari, I’d have to commit seppuku. If that didn’t work Bewitching Blade could do it. ********************************************************************* Due to the shock of the Cromaetel affair, no food passed my throat… The resulting loss of energy allowed a virus to infiltrate, and I caught a cold. (Curse this sick feeling…) As Lisa headed into the bathroom for a bath, I gave her a vague response… Tormented by a headache, I lay on the living room sofa. Even with central heating, I was still cold. Thinking I should go to bed early, as soon as Lisa came out, I took a hot shower in the shallow bathtub– soaking in the coffin-like tub as I learned to do in Paris. As soon as I got out of the hot water, I went to lie down… But it was no use. Despite the bath, my thoughts became hazy. No sooner than I had realised that, the heat evaporated from my body. Even submerged in the hot water, my body shivered. If I try to get up. I’ll fall. I couldn’t even stand. (For cold medicine… I don’t even have special strength Kakkanto…) Without that wonder drug, there is nothing I can do. As I sat silently in the bath– 「…Master?」 I heard Lisa’s voice on the other side of the bathroom door, but I couldn’t reply. The temperature reached its peak. It must have been 8.5 degrees… no, perhaps 9 degrees… ********************************************** … ……. 「………?」 Opening my eyes, I found myself on top of the huge bed in my bedroom. Light streamed in and fell on both sides of the bed. By the intensity, it was near twilight. I tried to sit up to examine my state… but fell back down. Even my headache was gone, and my temperature felt normal. My fever had dissipated, and it appeared to have been the kind of cold that you get over easily. But…. I’m totally naked. (Did Lisa carry me hear from the bathtub?) Thank goodness. I didn’t faint and die there. No matter if you can catch a sword blade or grab bullets, there’s no way for a person to escape death by drowning. Thanks, Lisa. I turned and smiled at her unexpectedly cherubic sleeping face. Ha ha! She wears a frilly headdress even when she sleeps! (…!…) S-she’s here! Here! With me! On the bed. Right next to me. On top of that, I’m naked! What the heck!? 「…L-Lisa…?」 Her lower half was enclosed by a fluffy feather blanket, but her upper half, pressed up against me was fully exposed. Bearing a close resemblance to Jeanne, respectable, with clear, soft white skin– With a rustle, she stirred. Then her long lashed, sharing the same colour as her blonde hair, fluttered open… 「Mm… Thank goodness…」 H-huh, what? What do you mean by『thank goodness』? No way, n-no way…! I don’t remember anything that happened! 「–You’re awake. When you lost consciousness in the bath, Lisa, Lisa’s heart almost stopped in fright. But… now you have recovered, thank goodness…」 「S-so that’s what you meant? Thank goodness.」 「?」 「W-what I mean is, why… are you here!?」 Even with my flustered statement, Lisa was able to understand– 「In the Netherlands, a wife does this to cure her husband’s fever. When you have a fever, nothing should be applied the skin hotter or colder than human body temperature.」 Despite the fact that she could not completely hide her entire chest, she held her arm across the front– Thankfully, it covered enough. G-getting up, Lisa knelt…! Slipping down, her white body to waist was exposed to my sight. But the gods of the Netherlands must be on my side. Lisa’s lower half was covered in white lace underwear, attached to her usual cat garters. Now the full mystery of cat garters was revealed– Just below her navel, there was very short white, frilly skirt, that would shock the girls at Nagoya Butei High– 10 cm below her crotch. Not even 3 cm long, there was nothing for 5 cm below her navel. The thin fabric of the underwear was entirely see-through, so I don’t really understand the purpose of the skirt. What purpose does it even serve? Her skin was clearly visible through it, At the waistband area of the skirt, there were two frilled straps–and probably two in the back– running down to the garter belts–then running down her thighs. What were originally meant to hold knee high stockings in place on top of her thighs were connected to the elastic bands of the garters by frilly strips of cloth. I see. With the bands twined around her legs like scrunchies, without stockings the garter belt hooks dangle loosely, and this prevents it. …A substitution! Without that skirt however, what was inside would be open to full-view–that is to say, without it, the underwear would bare all. Isn’t this the kind of sexy underwear that adult women use to seduce men? That is to say, with this grater belt not serving its purpose to hold up stockings, this must mean the gods of the Netherlands are allies of my enemies. (Lisa, you…! You kept such a straight face serving me while wearing such things…!) What they heck did you buy before coming to live with me? My temperature rising for a completely different critical reason– 「G-go to sleep.」 I said, looking at the television, intending to put on a Eurosport game and avert my eyes from Lisa. 「U-understood.」 Lisa said, lying flat and doubling my problems. Are you planning on sleeping here, Lisa-san? But from the old CRT Phillips television… Huh? Instead of the cheers of sports fans, I heard seductive heavy breathing. Reflected on the screen… 「…!…」 In an instant, I saw it! Why does this country think that it is alright to show naked man and woman entwined on the public airwaves!? 「Master… such indecent things… why did you put it on at a time like this…?」 Gathering the blanket up to hide the lower half of her face, Lisa stared at the screen like a truly perverted girl. Then due to some emotion, colour rose into her cheeks, turning them pink, but she showed no sign of unfamiliarity with the adult oriented display. It seems that it is part of the Dutch culture to broadcast adult films late at night. (Th-that’s a bit too free… don’t you think!?) Experiencing this culture shock, with quivering hands, I attempted to change the channel, but– Ah! My hand slipped, and I increased the volume instead! Don’t the man and woman on screen look like a maid and her master? At least from their clothes. This is awkward! Nothing could be more awkward than this…! 「But I am glad. It is proof that Master is full of life. Your fever is gone…」 Despite having managed to turn the television off, it was too late. A wanton look on her face, Lisa caressed my shoulder with a hand. The sweet, syrupy smell of her breath was overpowering– Was she excited by the sight of the woman who had just been on the screen!? 「Your wounds are almost completely healed as well.」 Lisa said as she ran a hand across my skin… moving from shoulder to chest, then to my side. Her hands still placed there; she slipped her lower half underneath the blanket with me– 「–Wha! Stop it! Wh-where are you touching…!」 Travel is meant to bring you in contact with other people, but there are some places I don’t want touching other people! 「If you sweat a bit more, I believe that you will recover from your cold faster…so… I will attend you tonight. I have only read in books how to do so however, so I may make mistakes–please forgive me.」 Saying that– she used the strange Japanese word ‘attend’ that I did not understand…! 「…Please excuse me.」 Raising the blanket, she began to stick her head underneath., 「I-If you need to apologise, then you should stop! This isn’t a maid’s job!」 「As Master’s mistress, she should sleep with him– That is a duty of the Avé du Ang maid. By sleeping together, I am able to serve your body. That is how all my family has collected the bloodlines of heroes…」 Pulling my convalescent body closer, Lisa snuggled closer. 「Even though you usually say things like that, I have to turn you down right here! You are my maid, so listen to what I say…!」 I pulled away from Lisa, parting us unlike the picture that had just been on the screen. 「Master. Until now I have presented a neat and tidy appearance to you, but that was a deception. Please forgive me. I am not the maid that I have represented myself to be, but another of Master’s possessions. But there is one thing I want besides to serve my hero-sama–」 「…S-st-stop…!…」 「–I wish to be blessed with a child… This has been my only wish that I have prayed for countless times. Every night, in the adjoining room… I have acted as a shameful maid…!」 –*Do-kun!*– 「Every day I have shown Master a smiling face… but the whole time I have harboured these thoughts. I wanted to be with Master as soon as possible–every day, all day– it was frightening. Disgraceful. I know that Master has refused me. But please grant Lisa’s request! Please…」 With a *Drip!* *Drip!*– hot drops of water hit the top of the sheets. I didn’t have to ask. They were Lisa’s tears. She knew she had been rejected by me… and now all she is crying. I don’t know what to do now. Until now, Lisa has diligently taken care of my daily needs every day with a cute and charming display… but all that was surely meant for this moment. For generations, Lisa’s ancestors have added the genes of heroes to their DNA. They have done so differently than Vlad. They attach themselves to strong people, and receive their affection, and bequeath it to their children. 「…Master…」 As for Hysteria Mode– I have just barely avoided it. I’m at 99 percent. I can still turn back. Turn back! Turn back, Kinji! — I had already realised it. Her desire to perpetuate this hereditary system, is not the only desire Lisa had concealed. There is another, more dangerous secret that she is hiding. Hidden behind her words. But I still don’t know what it is. But– If I am overcome by Lisa here, there is no going back. Back in May when I was serving as Shirayuki’s bodyguard, Aria pointed something out… it is not in the best interest for a Butei and a client to develop a deep relationship . Such illicit liaisons impair judgement and undermine good decision-making… it’s textbook. But in actuality, that is not the only reason. Men and women caught up in their passions will occasionally prioritise one thing over all else. Moved by emotion, it is a simple matter for people to become criminals. That being the case– the『something』Lisa is hiding may be harmful. If true, that would make our dangerous state as fugitives more perilous. Lisa overcoming me here may have result in other consequences. So– I have to hold back. Lisa has floored the accelerator, but I have to step on the brake. I cannot remain silent and allow it to happen. I have to deal with it this way. Then, after several minutes had passed in silence– Lisa flopped herself down. Spreading her honey coloured hair, she laid herself out upon the bed and pressed her face into the pillow… Raising her voice, she sobbed. Her white back that reminded me of the Greek sculptures I had seen in the Louvre quivered all the while. This… I wonder if it was it wrong of me to reject her advances…? It seemed cowardly of me. A woman sobbing next to a man. No matter the reason, Lisa is ashamed, so I– 「…Lisa.」 Feeling pathetic, I raised my voice. With tears still on her eyes, Lisa raised her head from the pillow to look up at me– For just a moment–I was swayed by emotion–but I cannot give in. I cannot concede. Please forgive me, Lisa. 「I owe you my thanks. I would not be alive now, except for you. However… for certain reasons, I cannot fulfil your request. One of those reasons are constitutional, and it makes unable to do so.」 「…Is it HSS?」 –She knows about it…? Riko, Vlad, Patra and Sherlock did, so it must be well-known within I.U. due to my Onii-san. 「…That’s right. You can certainly count on me for many things, but HSS is the one thing I do not want to have. Especially when it comes to girls. Even now, I’m at the water’s edge.」 As I said those final words– For some reason, Lisa’s crying face looked just a bit happier. Then raising her upper body from off the pillow she listened to me. 「『This me』and『that me』are like different people. I can’t refuse to accept responsibility for what ‘that me’ does… I can’t allow that wrong. I don’t want to do something wrong because of my constitution. So… I’m sorry. Forgive me.」 Full of sincerity, I apologised for what had just happened– 「Master. You have been forthright with me… You have my deepest thanks. Lisa is relieved.」 「Relieved?」 「Lisa was worried it might have been something else. That as a woman– Master had no feeling toward Lisa. That because Lisa and Master’s skin and eyes are different colours, or because we exchanged gunfire when I was member of GRENEDA… that you did not find me attractive.」 「What are you saying? Lisa– of course you are beautiful. Perish that terrible thought.」 Wha!? That line. Unnoticed, I had hysterised. I wonder if it had slowly overtaken me. Perhaps I failed to notice. Now that Lisa is alright, can I retire? Being under this blanket is a problem. I would much rather trade gunfire than participate in this kind of exchange. Deploying my secret weapon, I spoke tenderly to Lisa– Her face that had once been buried in the pillow now looked up and her emerald eyes looked back at me… 「Lisa, Lisa… now more than ever loves her Master…」 Leaving me with that somewhat risky line, she quietly raised herself up. Then with a bow, she stepped down from the bed and donned a negligee that she appeared to have folded and placed behind her. Afterwards, she knelt down beside the bed and sat in a properly Japanese mannered seiza… then prostrated herself in a bow. 「–Please excuse this evening’s debauched behaviour. Even though it was brazen. Please keep Lisa by your side from now on. Allow Lisa to serve her hero-sama as an Avé du Ang woman should. Lisa wants to be Master’s maid forever and ever.」 Lisa desperately pleaded, and Hysteria Mode having made me soft toward girls– So I, 「Lisa, raise your head.」 And after urging her to do so– 「I am a bad man, but not bad enough to take away the place where a girl belongs. And a maid belongs… next to her master. Wouldn’t you say?」 Where until now she had wept in the depths of despair, now her joy catapulted her into the heavens as she smiled– –I made that reckless statement. But that is a nice smile. I am hopeless in Hysteria Mode. Coming to full revelation– I realised that the injuries I had gotten from Bewitching Blade had almost completely healed, and I had been able to overcome this night’s trouble. All due to Hysteria Mode. (… In other words, I can’t keep relying on others like I have until now.) I can’t rely upon my allies in DEEN, and I have to increase the number of things I can do by myself. To that end, I have to use this forbidden move. I can do it as I am now. –『Cuckoo』. It is a memory fixation technique to carry over what I learn in Hysteria Mode outside of it. As a matter of fact, everyone remembers everything that they have observed. However, recalling that information requires a specific key to unlock. That key is able to be artificially created. Using a unique『keyword』such as a pun is a common trick. As for Cuckoo– In Hysteria Mode gives me full access without having to rely on a key and acts a master key to my own memories. And now, the situation allows me to『recall things easily』. With that being the case, and a surplus of keys–it can be used in non-Hysteria Mode. 『If you have the key, you can remember』–according to my Onii-san, with the power of Hysteria Mode it is possible to expand the human cerebrum almost infinitely. The brain is a vast supercomputer with unknown potential. Even Aria, with her forgetful brain can easily speak 17 languages. That could be said to be proof of the brains unlimited potential. (But as for me, including Japanese… I only have real facility with two languages.) In the dark of the night… sitting on the living room sofa, I placed my right index and middle finger on my forehead– I waited until I was in what is called a『developmental fever 5 』– then I pushed my levels of concentration further, and further… for the first time in my life attempting『Cuckoo』. While doing so, I was perfectly motionless. To an observer, it might look like meditation. Cuckoo does not add to the amount of knowledge you possess as if studying, but rather fixes information already within your memory. So I sat down earnestly to remember. Remembering and making keys. First, I will master my junior high English in 10 minutes, then my high school English in another 10. Then I will draw from my hobbies and pastimes– All the Western films I watched with Japanese subtitles. (I’m lucky that I was an American film fan.) I remember originally thinking that I might be able to pull off the over the top Hollywood action sequences myself in Hysteria Mode– but it turned out to have been useful in quite a different manner. Phrase by phrase, word by word, I recalled the entire film’s dialogue and memorised it. The next thing I memorised… the chattering conversation of the movie extras. From what I heard, I should have a pretty complete knowledge of English– After forming those keys, I still had a few minutes left to Hysteria Mode. I decided to make use of the final minutes. I also remember well watching Italian Mafia films and learned Italian too. But it was probably on a child’s level. With that, Hysteria Mode was expended… With a sigh and deep intake of breath, I laid flat across the sofa. I’m exhausted. As expected. I won’t know unless some kind of test comes up tomorrow, but I will probably be able to speak and understand English. Incidentally, one of my ancestors developed『Cuckoo』as a mantra for meditation– It made the monks extremely angry and they put a taboo on the Tohyama Family’s use. As for how I knew about it, back in primary school when I was playing ball in the garden with my Onii-san, we broken a statue of Jizo that sat in the corner–taking out a scroll we found inside, it had it written on it. My Onii-san and I were the only two to read it, and we took care of the evidence by using Krazy Glue to fix the statue.『Use anywhere within the boundaries of the Land of the Rising Sun is expressly forbidden』, it said, but I wonder if it’s alright since I’m not in Japan? How about it, ancestor? The next morning– I was overcome by crushing embarrassment, but Lisa appeared in her usual French maid costume. 「Master. Good morning. I will have a delicious breakfast prepared shortly.」 She said, accompanying her words with her usual smiling face. It appears that in light of her duties as a maid, she does not want to bring up last night’s incident. But… your smile is a bit strained. Then as we ate Dutch open-face sandwiches at the dining room table… 「Th-the sky is quite clear this morning.」 「I-it might cloud over by noon.」 Afterwards, conversation faltered. I stole a glance at Lisa, and by accident of timing she had stolen a glance back at me and our eyes met for an instant. But in that moment, she looked away. … Is this the『morning after the mistake』they talk about? (Something to talk about… anything… something…) Looking outside the window, I saw a magpie with what looked like a white collar sitting on a branch, singing. and I suddenly remembered something. That’s it. I should talk about that. 「Oi, oi, Lisa.」 「Y-yes!」 「I-I want to ask you something. It’s been bothering me. Uh… can you speak English?」 「English, you say? Yes, 90 percent of all Dutch can.」 「What an amazing country… But will you talk for a bit?」 「Well, er… Do you usually speak English?」 「–(Babe absolutely. Fire away.)」 Ah, it just slipped out. My first time speaking English. It was a bit awkward, but it was Laura Linney’s line from『Love Actually』. Lisa stared at me a bit bewildered as I delivered the line in the same inflection as the Emmy award winning actress. 「 Hey… Master! You speak English. 」 「 There’s nothing to it. 」 「H-how did you learn so quickly?」 「 Why does the sun come up, or are the stars just pinholes in the curtain of night? Who knows? 」 I said, quoting different films. The first was Milla Jovovich’s line from『Resident Evil: Apocalypse』and the last was Sean Connery’s line from the old masterpiece『Highlander』. But the latter I seem to recall Aria using. She must have seen it too. 「Y-you really can speak it! But the way you speak it is a bit affected, like from a play…」 「 You ain’t heard nothin’ yet — Let’s speak English for a bit. I crammed last night and need to practise」 I began with the first words I had ever learned, borrowed from the historical film『The Jazz Singer』. Responding to my gaga, Lisa said, 「Yes, Master!」 At last, she regained her usual charming manner and smiling face. After eating breakfast, I moved to the sofa… Now I can understand ABC news without having to watch the screen. Then I started thinking. Last night, as my Hysteria Mode evaporated, I realise something– –Who DEEN’s traitor really was. As for being 100 percent certain who it was… (I cannot claim that.) But it was my deduction while in Hysteria Mode. There was someone who was 20 percent a traitor, and someone who was 80 percent a traitor… Together, they served the role of a spy. That is likely the case. The gambit they are using–I have to expose and put a stop to it. Just as soon as I make a full recovery. The time to leave is coming soon. They’ve made their debut. Neither a part of DEEN nor GRENEDA, these two third parties. [END] ************************************************ 1. A dish served in a box or bowl where various ingredients are sprinkled over rice. 2. This is an uncommon Japanese word for a man asking a woman to share his bed. It can also mean, keep vigil (e.g. Like a nurse at a patient’s bed). These words are always *just* ambiguous enough in the original to give Kinji’s clueless-ness some veneer of believability. 3. Roughly the same as the Japanese ‘sugoi’. 4. In case this is unclear, it means ‘Black (haired) Maetel, and Cromaetel is a bad anglicisation. 5. Apparently a state where you have a fever and after it passes you become smarter or more enlightened. ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ### 004. Bullet 4:Demon Blade in The Typhoon Chapter 4 is here. Just a short reminder, this volume has 6 chapters, and we still have ~90 pages of text left. Not much to say here, but that I am really pushing to get this volume completed by the end of September. After that, I will likely be more busy with Uni. Last note: jorgelotr was the one who noticed the anagram referenced in my last semi-spoilery update post. Full Credit to them for the observation. jorgelotr has also mentioned that the ‘Star Fortress’ part of the volume may reference the shape of the fortified city of Bourtange where Kinji is located. I think this is very probable, and will loabour under that assumption unless anything comes up on the later volumes. Thanks, jorgelotr! Onward! Chapter 4: Demon Blade Within the Typhoon [START] Since Bourtange was originally a fortified city, the buildings overlook the streets in order to make it easier to intercept invaders, and that fact stands out. Due to that, I would hear about any new arrivals to the town– so I asked Lisa about the people I had seen. 「Master, I believe that a choir is arriving at the church today.」 Lisa reported after returning from shopping in the falling light morning snow. In terms of Christianity, the Netherlands have a 3 to 2 ration of Catholics to Protestants, and the church here in town is Catholic. And the head of the Catholic faith… is the Vatican. And right now, I am at odds with Meiya from DEEN. Bearing that in mind, I continued to watch the group on the road to the church through a gap in the curtains– There were 3 black classic Fiat Tipo 509’s A rumble of engines rising from the motorcade, 10 nuns in matching white vestments entered the church. Each of them carried an instrument case but did not wear a veil, exposing their blonde hair. They were young. Probably about my age or younger. …? From the way they walk, I can tell that their gazes are flickering back and forth, assessing possible cover before entering the church… If this were Butei High, I’d get the impression that these were ASSAULT or LEZZAD students. The size of their instrument cases is suspicious as well. By size and apparent weight, I’d guess that they carried something other than musical instruments. This is no ordinary choir. Those thoughts passing through my mind, I continued to watch them through the lightly falling snow– 「…!」 Taller, with a larger chest than the other nuns, and with more gold embroidery to her white robes… Meiya was the last to exit the vehicles. Then moving out as if to greet her, with a *Flap!* *Flap!*– The dove with the golden collar that I had seen at the festival came to rest on the back of Meiya’s hand. Crap…! I’ve seen this before. Shirayuki with her Hotogi butterflies, Patra with her scarabs, Katze with her crow… these witch all seem to have their own『familiar』. Adopting some kind of insect or bird as their subordinate, via sorcery they employ them to scout, spy, or boost their attacks. That dove wasn’t just some kind of carrier pigeon. It was Meiya’s familiar…! But then the people with Meiya– I saw them carrying food, documents, and a desktop PC into the church. But I didn’t get the impression that they are planning to search the immediate area. Rather, that they are using this fortified city as a base to search a broader area. In any case… It appears that the dove is not as sophisticated a familiar as Edgar and was only able to communicate『This is the area』to Meiya. Even so, it is probably a coincidence the eyes and ears of the Vatican have led them to this area and a result of Meiya’s good luck skill. That luck enhancement… makes it hard on her enemies. Being discovered here by Meiya is a definite risk. If it came to a battle, I would certainly be defeated. She is accompanied by 10 people– corresponding to 2 platoons. And I get the feeling they are under her command. To oppose that, there is one of me whose Hysteria Mode had long worn off. Rather, only a portion of 1 person. Due to my unfortunate promise, I cannot fight without the handicap of protecting Lisa. Despite the fact that Lisa intends to surrender, Meiya is one of the most radical elements of DEEN. Declaring GRENEDA pests, she took Hilda’s head, and at Bandire her battle-loving personality called for taking drastic action against Katze. Even if the former member of GRENEDA Lisa raised a white flag, I’m not entirely sure that she would accept it. If Lisa were attacked, I would have to fight Meiya. At this moment– I do not want to fight with Meiya. Finding out who the traitor is and stopping the leak of information from DEEN is my first priority. The chief culprit is still out there. I have to get out of here! Making that determination, I immediately check my wound. It’s swollen and hurt if you press on it. But it’s not enough to hinder movement. It’s not a complete recovery, but if I get an opportunity– I should be able to deflect an attack. That thought in mind… I looked around the large, comfortable room. Farewell, Bourtange. These days… were peaceful, living day to day with Lisa. Reciting that in my mind–Lisa was still happily making lunch in the kitchen, and I said: 「Pack up, Lisa. The choir is part of DEEN’s combat forces.」 I ordered, changing the mood. *************************************************** Despite having had the time to accumulate, the snow had barely covered the old cobblestones. Up until this moment, Bourtange has done a good job of keeping us safe– In addition to being easy to see people entering, it is also easy for people to escape unseen. Then, in my Cromaetel disguise, I pulled along Lisa who was disguised as a glasses-wearing businesswoman behind me as I walked at a brisk pace– rushing to the town’s only exit and entrance, a drawbridge crossing a deep moat. Then… …What? A lot of people were gathered on and around the drawbridge. This is bad… Did Meiya and her group find out about our preparation to flee, and gather here? How? Due to the difference in elevation, I could see… and I quickly understood the reason. A child was drowning. The moat had begun to freeze over with bits of ice floating here and there. From on top of the bridge, an elderly couple that appeared to be his parents called the child’s name. 「Franz…! Franz…!」 Taking a look at, it appeared to be the chubby neighbourhood bully that egged the dog on to tease Lisa earlier. On the bridge were fresh tyre marks. He must have been messing about near the guardrail and an approaching motorbike must have sent him over the rail. Observing from a distance, by comparison, we stood out… So, in order to blend in with the crowd of onlookers, Lisa and I moved toward the bridge. Then… …! The nuns must have come to the bridge to see if they could help the drowning Franz in some way. With everyone on the bridge–Lisa and I might be able to slip past even Meiya. No one is paying attention to me. They are all concerned for the drowning boy. Looking back from the other side of the moat, the sisters found it difficult to help Franz and they could not swim in their robes. There were other Dutch on the bridge too. There was a man who tried to jump in, but he was stopped by others. The reason was easy to understand after a brief glance at the moat. The moat was built for warfare, and it was wide and deep. It was constructed with a cliff-like slope such that once an enemy fell in, they would not be able to escape If he had jumped in, he would not have been able to get back out and only increase the number of drowning people. What’s more, Franz’s foot must have been caught in his motor bike, spraining his ankle and making him unable to swim. From his frantic movements, his strength is failing. A far distance from bridge, he repeatedly sunk and rose above the surface of the water. Lisa– Wiped tears from beneath her glasses. With how it is, it would be difficult to save him. This must be fate. What’s more… we… can’t help him. You have no luck, do you Franz? Meiya will discover us, won’t she? We have to leave so that I can prove my own innocence. Cross the bridge, leave the town, I took the first step. …!… Oi! My feet! I’ve gone through a lot of trouble– All to leave Bourtange. Why am I turning back toward the bridge? Now I’m running for some reason! Running the wrong way. Meiya and her group are distracted by Franz, I should escape. 「S-stop please, Master! You will die if you go…!」 Lisa panicked behind me. Kinji. Are you really like that? Pretending to be an ally of justice? I looked totally uncool in my Cromaetel disguise. Did I want DEEN to think of me as『a good person』? No– that wasn’t it. There is no such thing as good or bad people. Just like DEEN and GRENEDA. I learned that in Brussels. Allies of justice do not exist in this world. I learned that a long time ago. In the first place, nothing like justice exists. Well, how should I say it? A person has their path– their moral principle– do such things exist? Justice is a more ambiguous moral principle, but some things are more moral than others. Right now, I should follow my own path, abandon the boy and leave the town, but I can’t. That is the simple truth. In from of Meiya and the rest– I must leap into the frozen moat. That was the simple truth. 「No, Master! A sludge has collected at the bottom of the moat, and once caught in it, you will be unable to get out again!」 In order to hide the true meaning of her words, Lisa shouted in English– 「If you ignore a dying man, it will keep you awake at night. A good night’s sleep is important.」 I said the same thing as when I rescued Lisa in the underground tunnels, but this time in English. 「Lisa. This is my final command as your master. You must run. I wish you all the best luck.」 Saying that, I forced my wallet with what little funds remained into Lisa’s hands–several Dutchmen tried to stop me, but in a flurry of movement– using my ASSAULT training, I swept clear of them. 「…Master…!」 Lisa shouted at my back, and I leapt in. Still wearing my Cromaetel disguise. *Splash!* I submerged myself fully into the moat’s water–but it was almost frozen. If I hadn’t warmed up with my sprint, I would have died from my heart stopping. I jumped in still wearing my coat and wig, and fully clothed swimming was a drill on ASSAULT. Paddling over, I swam to the drowning Franz. 「 Heeeelp …!」 「Hold on!」 I grabbed Franz underneath the arms, and although he had taken in quite a bit of water, it probably wasn’t enough to be fatal. However, because of the water his clothes had absorbed, he felt a lot heavier. Holding on to Franz and swimming clothed is impossible. 「 Swim toward the wall! 」 「 Come on–! 」 Everyone from the town, and even the sisters who didn’t recognise me– encouraged us with loud voices. Struggling to swim, I checked the drawbridge, but Lisa wasn’t there. Good. She must have listened to what I said and run. Keeping Franz’s head above the water, I swam toward the wall– With a *Fwish!*, I kicked out my foot, but… something had a hold of my foot and tangled it. –The sludge. A clayey mud must have trapped my foot. Franz’s injured foot wasn’t the only reason he couldn’t swim. Franz’s feet were also caught in the mud. Crap! Struggling and kicking however entangles my feet even more. I’m trying to swim… but I can’t! Trapped stationary in the freezing water, the cold began to set in dangerously. *Rumble!* *Rumble!* *Rumble!* … the sound of a large motor approached the bridge… then with a *Whoosh!– From the guardrail, a woman leapt. She had the perfect form of a professional diver. Was she Muslim? Her head was wrapped up, and bangs concealed her eyes, but she looked young. But her clothes were like those of an old punk rocker with a black leather jacket and trousers. The girl made her way over to me with a butterfly stroke and grabbed Franz. Then things seemed to improve– both of our feet caught in the mud were freed as if by magic. Now…! After that, I– along with the woman’s help, pulled Franz to the wall of the moat. My feet no longer encumbered by the mud, I could swim properly– and finally reached the wall. But now that we are at the edge, it didn’t appear to be a simple matter to get up out of. Along with a 70-degree slope, the face was also covered with rows of rust iron spikes pointing downward. This must be what are known as anti-ninja countermeasures. What’s more, the surface undulated, making it impossible to climb up unless ropes or chains were dangled down from above. This is the deadly moat that completely defeated Napoleon’s armies. I don’t see any kind of way to scale it. 「…」 As we both supported Franz, even the girl with the scarf… Seemingly lacking a method how to get out of the moat, her lipstick covered lips pulled down into a frown. The longer the three of us stay here, the more the icy water will leach away our heat and sap our strength–I had that thought. 「Master!」 From beside us , there was a voice– 「!?」 Turning my head… With a *Squeak!* *Squeak!*, an old-fashioned copper sheet rowboat approached… …Lisa…! Our eyes met through her black-rimmed glasses. On the prow of the boat… was an engraving of the careful collector landlady’s ladybug shaped family coat of arms. She even had something like this!? Taking care that my wig didn’t come off, I got up into the boat… Then each of us took one of Franz’s arms and pulled. The woman with the scarf pushed his butt from behind, and he came up into the boat. Franz, you are really pretty heavy. You seem to have the ability to gain weight. If you come to Japan in the future, you might be able to earn a living as a sumo wrestler. He lay face-up in the boat, gasping for breath… but if he has the energy to do that, he seems fine… Then I sat and faced Lisa. 「… I told you to run.」 Lisa received the scolding of her master with a grin. 「I did run. But then I came back. So I really didn’t disobey your instructions. Now then, let’s get out of here.」 Twisting the truth with a smile on her face, she pointed toward the bridge. There, the city residents had cut off a firehose and dangled down from the bridge. Then emerging last from the water– 「…」 The woman with the scarf silently came up into the boat. Then… I had a chance to have a good look at the brave woman’s clothing. Her black leather coat was studded with gold rivets. There were gold rings on her fingers. She even had a necklace in the shape an ancient ♀ symbol. Even that was gold. They all gleamed… and were probably 24 karat. Is she really a rich Arab or a celebrity? Her scarf completely hid her face. She wiped her hands on her snakeskin belt. 「…」 Tying up her wet scarf, she turned her back toward me… Her not saying a word, Lisa and my eyes met for a moment, then… *Squeak!* *Squeak!* The two of us sculled the oars and returned to the bridge amidst cheers and applause. ************************************************************ After each of us had been pulled up to the bridge one by one–Franz’s grandparents hugged me and expressed their gratitude over and over again. But that over there could be a bad thing… The nuns are chattering among themselves, praising me and coming this way. I whispered to Lisa, 「Tell them that I『didn’t expect to have to swim on such short notice, but I’ll be alright』.」 Now the everything was over, I moved to leave– The water made my wig more apt to slip, and as Franz’s grandmother ran her hands through it, it shifted slightly. 「…!」 Hurrying back with a change of clothes in hand, the Dutch let me pass– Thoroughly drenched, I rushed back just as hurriedly as we had attempted to leave the town. The nuns probably noticed us. Responding to everyone’s applause with a small wave, I looked to see what the nuns were doing… … I just made it in time… It’s alright. They looked after me in amazement but weren’t following. They may not have discovered my identity… or the fact that I was pretending to be a girl. They didn’t recognise me as Kinji Tohyama. At the very least, they aren’t sure. Lisa and I broke out of the ring of people on the bridge– and at that moment: 「…Tohyama-san?」 At a distance, I clearly heard Meiya’s voice– I flinched as my name was called. Flinching– I turned to look back. Crap! Dammmit…! Turning back, our eyes met for a moment, and Meiya’s eyebrows furrowed in an expression of『I thought so』. I had proved her suspicion in turning in response to hearing my name…Then Meiya’s ultramarine eyes went wide in surprise. In short, everything clicked into place. As soon as she called my name. What’s more, I’m completely trapped. I had proven the fact that Cromaetel was Kinji for her myself. –I’ve been discovered. Run! As soon as I began to run…*Grip!* There was someone else who was shocked at Meiya’s astonished『Tohyama-san?』 It was the woman with the scarf and leather clothed from earlier. Like a reaction comic 1 , she fell pinned beneath the Harley Davidson as she looked my way. Why? Caught off guard by the sound, Lisa turned toward the scarf woman. Losing her balance, Lisa fell backwards onto her butt. Wha-What’s with this? This chain of surprised reactions. 「Pa-Patra-sama…?」 In response to her words– It was my own turn to have trouble standing. Outed as a former member of GRENEDA, the scarf fell away from the woman in the leather outfit… It really was Patra!? So that must be the reason that I thought the mud magically let go of my feet. It really was magic acting on the mud. Well, Patra is the『Sand Witch』after all. A while ago, back in Daiba she did say that swimming was her forte. It all makes sense. 「Lisa. I used astrology to find you… with only a small difference in time between myself and Meiya’s discovery. But what was this behaviour on the boat– your face was surely lively with Kinji Tooyama. I cannot remember you ever smiling once in I.U.」 Running her fingers through her bobbed hair to put in order– Patra disguised herself to infiltrate the Netherlands to track down the deserter Lisa. However, prepared for the possibility of being discovered by Meiya, she started up her motorbike. Making their way through the crowd, Meiya and the nuns were making their way toward us– 「Kinji Tooyama. It appears… that you are being pursued by DEEN. I can scatter these children if you wish to escape.」 Patra said in a condescending tone. 「There’s yourself to consider too, Patra. Sneaking into DEEN’s territory, you were discovered, weren’t you? But… you are much too kind to me. I must think better of you for it. 」 I answered, discarding that abominable wig and coat for my bulletproof uniform. 「I-I– just happened to want to swim, that is all!」 Blushing red in response to my words, Patra shouted these bluffing words. 「Even so, it does seem that the rumours of discord amidst DEEN’s ranks were correct. Hohohoho!」 Saying that while smiling, Patra– *Kiss!* *Kiss!* With fingers outstretched, she blew 2 or 3 kisses toward the moat. After that, the surface began to tremble slightly… slithering up the stone wall, several animals appeared… C-cobras…? The sham figures were probably constructed from the mud at the bottom of the moat, but they moved exactly like real snakes. The cobras made their way onto the bridge, and everyone there began to panic as they slipped underfoot– Gathering around the Harley they stood their bodies up. I was wondering what they would do next, but then something began to slither. Patra’s belt– what I thought was a snakeskin was actually a real snake, and it dropped to the ground and slithered among the other forgeries. I didn’t know which one was the real cobra, then… *Whoosh!* The snakes spread out. 「…!…」 I kicked at the cobra near my feet, but if it happened to be the real one, that’s dangerous. Lisa held on the me, sobbing, so there was no way to run. 「Hohoho! Lisa, I will overlook this blunder. Bring Kinji to the dragon’s port.」 Patra left us with those words, then made a swift movement. Straddling the motor bike, the engine roared. Now that I come think of it, it was probably Patra that ran Franz off the edge of the bridge. The tyre marks seem to match. The cobras infested the drawbridge, and the Dutch there scattered like a swarm of baby spiders– With girlish shrieks, the sisters dashed here and there like mad. But in the midst of the chaos, *Ka-shing!* Like a shout to bring someone to their senses, a heavy metallic sound rang. 「Do not fear, my sisters! This is a witch’s trickery! To anyone who shrinks back before the witch, I will dispense divine punishment! Physically!」 She spoke in Italian–about 30% of which I understood–then there was a *Whoosh!* At the end of the line of nuns, Meiya’s usual oversized sword cut through the air. Rather than aiming it at Patra or us, she was aiming to intimidate her subordinates. Then the nervous nuns… With perspiration standing out on their foreheads, stopped running from the cobras– *Jingle!* With a sound of bells, they drew thin double-edged blades from inside their robes. Then there was the whisper of blades. And they turned their sword in unison toward Patra. From their coordinated movements, I could tell that this manoeuvre was well-practised. These are nuns, after all. In Japan, they would be something like warrior monks, and if I had to name the, they would be sister soldiers. 「That is the『Sand Witch』Patra! If we exterminate her, Canossa will give us 20 credits, and that means we can take half a year off! Adonai Melek Namen!」 Despite having worked together with the Diamond Dust Witch until recently, she recited some kind of Catholic mantra with a fixed gaze– Honestly, I get the feeling that she just wants to hunt down anyone with the title of witch. 「–You dare to attack me? The Vatican often boast of things it cannot accomplish. Hohoho!」 With a *Twang!*, Patra spun her bike and something like shots flew toward us from her body–*Whoosh!* Her rings and rivets transformed into golden bullets, spreading out from her like a shotgun blast. Directed toward the nuns. With a rush, the small highspeed bullets flew toward the nuns without having been fired from a gun, knocking them down. But that was all a smokescreen. As for the real attraction… Her necklace coalesced into a baseball sized metal orb. Then it flew at Meiya’s head– 「–Dispenses divine punishment–!」 *Shiiiiiiiing!* With a loud, piercing metallic screech, Meiya swung the long sword on her should like a bat and swatted it back. It looked like the Yankees Robinson Cano taking a swing. The batted ball flew past Patra and struck the edge of the wooden bridge rail, destroying it and sending up a shower of splinters. Wh-what strength you have, Meiya! You’re like a human piece of artillery. As expected, Patra merely inclined her head, and Lisa fell once more onto her butt– 「…Hump! So you dodged that, huh?」 Casting an eye over her fallen sisters, Meiya tutted Seeming to have no intention of reengaging, Patra slammed down on the accelerator… and the motorbike sped off. Then springing into a bag located by the rear wheel with a leap, the real cobra jumped in. It appears to be well trained. I thought that I should make my escape as well, however– both my feet are tangled by the cobras formed from the mud. Damn you Patra! You left me as a present so that Meiya wouldn’t chase after you, didn’t you? The sister soldiers’ robes appeared to be bulletproof, and they appeared uninjured. The slow-footed Lisa hadn’t even run, firmly determined to stand by my side– –Lisa and I were caught by Meiya and the Vatican. ************************************************************************* We were taken by the nuns into the church in the centre of the town. The nuns were armed. They also had Meiya who was on the same level as Patra, Katze, and Hilda. Naturally, I want to break out and escape. But I Couldn’t take Lisa with me. So… For now, I’ll wait and see how thing go. For one thing, Meiya hasn’t attacked us yet. Having captured us, the nuns still held on to their weapons. There must still be room to negotiate here. We entered the transept and– dazzling multicoloured stained glass windows and elaborate painted scenes filled our entire field of vision. On the well-used altar at the end, no more than candles served as offering… it was just like an ancient Japanese Shinto shrine. This is different 「… Marvellous, isn’t it? The church.」 I said as we went down the aisle, wanting to gauge Meiya’s level of anxiety– 「Yes. I will have to show you St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. This is a rustic church.」 She responded with a gentle laugh. As I suspected… even though her face is a bit tense, she doesn’t see me as a hostile threat. Afterwards, Lisa and I were taken to a small cellar room– under the supervision of the sister soldiers, we were given warm clothes, warm soup, bread, and coffee to go along with it. After being confined for a while… Having seemingly combed her hair and rested for a bit, Meiya appeared once more and cleared the room of nuns. Then immediately after closing the door– 「Tohyama-san..! Thank goodness we’ve met again…! Thank God…」 Tears stood out suddenly in her eyes, then *Squish!* She hugged me with all her strength as I sat in a chair. H- O-oi…! She had done it so suddenly that I didn’t have the chance to avoid her, but n-now– Meiya’s nuclear carrier class abundant breasts were pressed into my face. Through her white robes. Shirayuki had battleship class breasts, I believe Nakasorachi exceeds that classification, but there was an overwhelming volume here… and what’s more, there was a sweet sugar milk scent wafting from her…! What’s more, Meiya is one year older than me. It is one year, but that still means she is older! For some reason, it is a verifiable fact that my Hysteria Mode is weaker to older women. *************************************** That is to say, let me go. I’m suffocating…! Then as if Christ had heard my prayer, suddenly Meiya released me– …*Glare!*… Wh-what…? Sitting well-manneredly diagonally across from me, Lisa gave a horribly intense glare. Directed at Meiya. 「–Sister-sama, you have huge breasts, don’t you?」 Seemingly irritated for some reason, Lisa put on an unusually sullen expression– 「Eh? Well, yeah… their weight just makes my shoulders stiff.」 Meiya replied with a wry smile. Despite Lisa’s expression, her reply was amicable. 「–Please do not let those nuns back into the room. The food they brought in earlier was not to Master’s liking. I am here to care for his daily needs. There is no need for anyone else needs to care for him.」 Her pride as a maid injured, Lisa puffed out her cheeks. Fluffing her sleek blonde hair, she whirled to face away. 「Understood… My apologies. I seem to have unwittingly offended you. But now… Tohyama-san. Can we speak for a moment?」 Bowing to Lisa, Meiya took my hand to lead me out of the room– After making eye contact to tell Lisa『Don’t move』… I stood from my seat. ********************************************************************* Going down the church aisle, there was an old wooden booth with check-patterned carvings on it. I couldn’t see inside, but it looked like a wooden telephone booth. Meiya order the rest of the nuns out of the room, then I entered it from one side. It could barely fit 2 or 3 people inside, and the booth was dark and cramped– In the middle there was a partition made of olive brown wood. It was a bit like a police detention visiting room. I sat on the chair inside, and Meiya entered the opposite side. Uh… This seems dangerous. This confined space. As soon as Meiya entered, the scent of milk filled the space. Thanks to the difference between Western and Japanese eating and bathing habits, Japanese are more aware of body odour, and it could be an issue– depending on the source, that is. In this case, the scent wafted up from the beautiful older woman who had thrust her breasts into my face and made me aware of the opposite sex… As a natural consequence the stirrings of Hysteria Mode in my body increased, creating another issue entirely. As I worked to reduce my Hysteria Mode by counting prime numbers, on the other side of the partition that I couldn’t see through, Meiya said– 「I’m sorry for the cramped space. This is a confession booth. It is intended to be used by Christians after baptism to confess their sins to a member of the clergy. Anything you say here, I swear by God will not be revealed.」 「..You mean it’s confidential? Can I really trust that?」 「For example, even if someone confessed to a murder in this room, a nun will not reveal it to anyone– not talk to the police or leave any kind of record. This is an absolute religious rule. So please, tell me anything that you would like say now.」 As Meiya shifted to take up an attentive posture, her womanly scent tickled the inside of my nose– After a brief moment of silence, I took advantage of her offer to listen. 「…Did Jeanne come back to DEEN?」 「No.」 「Do you suspect me and Jeanne?」 「Here, I can only speak the truth, so I cannot remain silent. I will answer the question truthfully. I do not suspect you.」 「…」 「As I told you before, I am a believer. Be believing, I gain the divine protection of God. I do not doubt any of my allies.」 I see. –Meiya. Thank you. You are one of the traitors. You have just confirmed that for me once more. I was half hysterised when you hugged me, in this cramped room I am 80% there, and thanks to that I am sure, but… Meiya is only one part of the traitor problem. She is only about 20% responsible. But now is not the time to dig into the details. Rather– I am 80% sure that I can stop the leak of information. 「… Tohyama-san.」 Meiya broke in on an entirely different track than my train of thought– From within the depths of her cleavage, she extracted a quartered A4 size paper. She then passed it to me through a crevice below the wooden lattice. 「I believe that Tohyama-san should leave Brussels. I will work in secret to prove your innocence. However, Liberty Mason suspects you. Unfortunately, the Vatican has followed suit.」 Opening the paper she had given to me– It was a KLM airline electronic ticket. It has already been reserved, and there are instruction written on it explaining how to obtain a boarding pass using the barcode. The destination was– John F. Kennedy Airport. New York. 「I came to help you. You should use this ticket to leave Europe for a while I spoke on the phone with Tamamo-san at the beginning of the year, and I heard the G-3-san is in America. He will certainly give you refuge.」 So this would take me out the European operation– Meiya might truly suspect that I am a traitor. I’m dancing on the palm of her hand, and that is a bit frustrating… As long as Liberty Mason is my enemy, chances of victory in Europe are slim. I should retreat for a while. Returning with American and Japanese allies of DEEN would be helpful. Coming to that conclusion– 「I owe you for this, Meiya. I have one more request, however… I will ask for one more ticket. For Lisa to come with me… she is a deserter from GRENEDA.」 「Ah! I am surprised… I have already thought of Tohyama-san’s native wife.」 「N-native wife? I don’t even have an actual wife, so how could you have already considered a native wife?」 「Because when it comes to Tohyama-san, you can always count on him to take every chance with women that comes along– Don’t you know that’s what everyone thinks?」 「『When it comes to Tohyama-san』When has that ever happened?」 「All the time.」 「How can you say something like that while smiling? I–」 As I was saying that there was a *Knock!* *Knock!* There was a sharp knock on the confessional booth door. Meiya leaned over and cracked the door behind her slightly– 「What is it? I told you not to disturb us. Do you want to be horse-slapped 3 times as divine punishment?」 She scolded the terrified sister soldier. In Italian. She seems pretty strict with her subordinates. 「H-here. It’s an urgent telephone call. From『above』.」 Shrinking back in fear, the sister soldier proffered a mobile phone to Meiya, 「…」 The Catholic Church is a completely hierarchical, and it appears the Meiya cannot defy her superiors–So she exited the narrow booth… Leaving me, she left to take the call. A while later… the call drug on. It was in Italian, but I caught the words『him』and『airport』several times. They seemed to be talking about me. Were they trying to arrange another ticket…? I tried to listen in on Meiya’s conversation. 「–Bringing up something like excommunication is a bit much, is it not? You say that, but– I know all too well that no one can defy it. But if that is how it is to be… Please do not order me to fight. It is a grave tactical error. Toh… do you know his second name? He is strong. If I fought him while protecting my subordinates, the odds that I would win or lose are even.」 I was able to make out 30%, but due to my limited knowledge of Italian, I was able to make out the sense of what was being said– Thanks to Meiya’s clear voice, I was able to pick out words here and there… however… This was a dangerous conversation. Meiya fighting me. That was what they were talking about. 「What’s more, his role as DEEN’s representative soldier has made him into a sworn friend. I like him. Toh… I do not want to fight him.」 As Meiya spoke into the phone, she made a face at what the other side was saying. 「So… I will take him to the airport. Adonai Melek Namen.」 With that, Meiya ended the call– Gripping the phone tensely, Meiya passed the phone back to the nun. She had acted as an ally toward me, but now I feel that she has become an enemy. Peeking through the gap, I could surely escape. But how far could Lisa make it? With those thoughts passing through my brain… Meiya did not return to the confession booth. Turning her back toward me, she remained silent. While inside, she cannot tell a lie. She must not want to risk opening her mouth and making a mistake. …If that’s the case, let me confirm something. Stepping out of the booth into the nave– I addressed her back. 「Meiya. I have to ask you one thing. You…. must know that someone in DEEN is leaking information to GRENEDA, right?」 Hearing my voice, Meiya did not turn around… but she answered with a voice full of emotion. 「I am a believer. Even if I suspect, I cannot doubt. I must have faith.」 That’s the reason… That is the reason that no one knows who exactly the traitor is. With regards to Meiya, this is something well known in the courts of law– a sub-type of『Unintentional Consequences』.『Committing a crime without knowledge』, unknowingly aiding and abetting, or overlooking a crime. In Meiya’s case, the reason for her complicity is unusual… Her beliefs have caused the harm. Even while able to confess that「something is suspicious」, knowing that her words will be heard by the traitor, she still shared intelligence with her allies. Meiya cannot distrust anyone. –Believing. That is a good thing, but dangerous. Believing in Jeanne led me into the debacle with the members of DEEN. Meiya is completely defenceless against this danger. In order to gain the divine blessings of her『Luck Enhancement』, she must continue to be defenceless. Because of that– according to her own words, she is a kind of religious fanatic–despite harbouring no ill intentions, she became an accomplice, leaking intelligence to the traitor form the front lines. But who is the actual traitor? Why would they pass along information to GRENEDA? Why did Jeanne lead me to Bewitching Blade? These questions had no clear answers… The conclusion of this matter is still a long way off. 「Tohyama-san, you have always been a very perceptive ally. I know what you want me to say. I understand that much. However, I cannot stop believing. The moment I stop… all the recoil from the blessing of my Luck Enhancement will be visited upon me. If that happens… I would not be able to avoid death.」 Meiya said as she turned toward me. 「–Will you fight me, Tohyama-san?」 Her eyes held a certain degree– of fixed determination. I don’t know if I can win, but if it comes to fighting, I will fight. That was what the meaning behind look in her eyes. 「If I attack, the source of the issue will be resolved, and our successes on the European Front may rally.」 …*Shing!*… Form Meiya– a bloodthirsty aura was released. 1, 2 seconds passed in silence… The situation the nave felt like a powder keg. 「…」 Now… in that instant it became a one on one encounter. Like that night in Brussels, but different. But this time I was almost in Hysteria Mode. And– I had my gun. Meiya’s subordinates hadn’t disarmed me. What should I do? What are you going to do, Kinji? A cold sweat stood out on my forehead– Then… …*Crack!*…*Crack!**Crack!*… The stained glass cracked. What? The entirety of the stone church… felt as if it was moving. The shaking became worse. Feeling the tremors, Meiya broke off her confrontational gaze from me to look around. Then it wasn’t any of Meiya’s magic. 「Earthquake…?」 「Explosion…?」 As Japanese and European, we both voiced the thing that came first to mind in unison– somehow differing. While trembling, the sister soldiers looked outside through the windows. Outside was a strange sight. –There was a strong wind. Outside the church in the city of Bourtange– a hurricane like wind blew. The shaking was due to the wind. In any case, the Netherlands don’t have earthquakes, after all. And amidst the wind–*Whoosh! –An arrow? Something like that sped by outside the window. *Thunk!*…! Simultaneously with a roar, the whole church shook in an explosion. 「…This wind… 『Sarah’s typhoon』…!」 Meiya paled, and there was a *Ka-thump!* From the back of her robes, a large sword thudded onto the church floor. Falling on her right side, she gripped it in her right hand– but her target was not me. It was outside. 「 Invasione! 」 「 Invasione–! 」 The sister soldiers cried unanimously, pointing at the window. Outside, an arrow rode the wind and turned like a guided missile. It was tipped with high-explosives, and was like a small-scale missile– *Thump!* *Thud!* *Whish!*… One after another, the arrows struck the church wall, demolishing it.’ From the size and power, it was powdered titanium explosive. It was a cutting-edge explosive with 190% the power of TNT. 「To-Tohyama-san. Outside… you must escape! GRENEDA is attacking!」 Shattered from the shock, multi-coloured sharp fragments of the stained glass blew about the chapel. …GRENEDA…! Hearing that, I drew my Beretta– I turned toward the stairs leading to the cellar where Lisa was, but a tapestry from off the wall had fallen and covered it entirely. Because our enemy was conducting a bombing raid, it would appear that the basement was the safest place to be. 「…Lisa! Hide there! It will be alright. I will protect you!」 I shouted at the frightened Lisa from the church aisle… 「Yes, Master…!」 Came the reply. Then, holding her large sword, Meiya called out and assembled the sister soldiers– 「Meiya, how can I『escape』? I don’t know what you think, but I will fight as a member of DEEN. Fight alongside me.」 I said with a wry smile as I looked at my matte silver Beretta. Then, trusting me, Meiya turned and gave me a nod. ************************************************************************ Stepping across the rubble of the destroyed front door, I stepped outside warily– *Bang!* *Ba-ba-ba-bang!* From both sides of the alleyway in front of me came the sounds of bullets being fired in what seemed to be a crossfire of 9mm bullets firing at us. 「*Gasp!*」 「Hrngh…!」 –*Clang!* *Cl-cl-cl-clang!* Repelling the bullets fired at us, Meiya used her large sword like a shield to protect the nuns following behind. Meiya and I retreated a step or two– 「Those bullets… were Walther P38s. There were also MG42s and Luger P08s. It’s Katze and her group.」 「She must have come with Patra. I am sorry that I failed to shoot her.」 Her large breasts bouncing, Meiya crossed herself– With damned GRENEDA in front of us, she would fight with me. 「–Tohyama-san. Across the street… on top of the windmill’s blade. Observe the girl in the grey blazer with light blue ribbon.」 Meiya said, passing me military binoculars that she had gotten from the sister soldiers. Looking where she had indicated, I checked the top of the windmill… Then, fixed in position like a crucifix, on the tip of the windmill blade– A bored looking 12-year-old girl stood. Although I had an oblique angle, I got the impression of a care-free, beautiful girl. Overlooking the town, she scowled with her cobalt coloured eyes. Her long silver hair was straight. A peacock feather stuck out of her wide-brimmed stylish hat. More uniquely… in her left hand she carried a longbow taller than she was. Even the arrows carried in her quiver were fletched with peacock feathers. An archer? ********************************************************* ************************************************ 「That is『Typhoon Sarah』. A single glance into her eyes tells you that she is a bad girl, and Sarah Hood is a part of the warhawks of I.U.’s survivors. Descended from Robin Hood, she is a Scottish witch.」 Meiya said, increasing the tension in the air. So, what you’re saying is that Sarah is a tough opponent to deal with. In the midst of the gale, her long hair was curiously still. Even the feather in her hat remained motionless. Where she stood must be the eye of the typhoon. This windstorm, which could also be called a『typhoon』was summoned by this girl. What a neighbourhood nuisance she must be. 「This… Sarah Hood that has appeared. She must be one of the more capable members of GRENEDA?」 Robin Hood was a 13th century gentleman thief who made his base in Sherwood Forest, stealing riches from the nobles and dispensing it to the poor. At some point after that, he must have crossed bloodlines with a witch. However, her bow is able to strike from further away than the Nazi girl’s gun. I must add a postscript to Kaname’s『A sword is stronger than a gun.』 A bow has a longer range than is commonly thought. An English long bow from the Middle Ages has a range of 150 metres. That is considerably farther than the average handgun. Due to its simple construction, it is highly reliable, and lacking the noise of a gunshot is very discreet. As proved recently, it is a very effective weapon for a surprise attack. Having been used by humans since pre-history, if I underestimate it, I’ll be turned into a hedgehog. I have to give it careful thought. 「–Able to manipulate the wind, Sarah is a bow master able to shoot her enemies at angles and ranges defying common sense. But unable to communicate with people, even GRENEDA finds her difficult to employ… she is rarely sent to the front lines, but rather is held back as a sort of trump card.」 So she is GRENEDA’s Reki, huh? At least that is what it looks like. The fact that Ace-chan was in the Netherlands… might be a result of the intelligence on DEEN’s internal strife supplied by their spy to redeploy her. 「What is Sarah’s effective range?」 「Her skill cannot be conceptualised within the ordinary practice of archery. She manipulates the wind to carry her arrows wherever she wishes. From nock to target, she is able to strike at a distance of 2km.」 2 km with an arrow? That isn’t human. With Bewitching Blade and Sarah, there must have been a bargain sale on superhumans. 「Snipers are a problem. I’ll have to deal with Sarah first. Even if we get past the windmill–we’ll only give Patra and Katze an opening to attack. The wind is stopping us, but let’s break through the middle. If I run up a back alley and you run up another on the other side, we can flank Sarah. Then we can attack the windmill from 2 sides in a pincer movement.」 I said, cocking my Beretta– 「Understood. Good luck, Tohyama-san.」 Meiya crossed herself and hefted her large sword. Then, 「Holy maidens! Until we take the heads of the 3 witches of wind, sand, and cursed water for the Vatican, I will not allow any to retreat a single step!」 She gave the rousing order to the following sister soldiers, pointer her large sword toward the outside like a lance. With a unified shout of acknowledgment, from beneath their robes… they each extracted polished silver swords with the Vatican’s coat of arms and the keys of St. Peter on them, along with a small shield. 「The Lord is my sword and my shield! Melted from the bells of the basilica of San Carlo al Corso, cast in the same mould as the holy blades of the Crusades, with silver shaved from the crucifix of the Santa Maria sopra Minerva, and polished by the Shroud of Turin with holy water– there is no witch that our holy cross-bell swords cannot annihilate. We will dispense divine wrath! Follow me–!」 Yelling a shrill cry of encouragement to her followers, Meiya jumped out into the gale as the vanguard– With a war cry, the sister soldiers followed suit by drawing their swords. But… they were only equipped with sword and shield! H-how antiquated are you…!? As the only one with a projectile weapon, I was quickly left behind– En masse, they charged after Meiya to assault the windmill, and Katze’s underlings sprinkled throughout the town unleashed a storm of 9mm bullets. *Clang!* *Clang!* Cl-clang!* Following each other in rapid succession, the clash of bullets on metal shields was audible. *Thump!* *Thump!* *Thud!* One after another, the nuns were knocked down by bullets striking their bulletproof robes. Even so– Meiya and the rest paid no heed to this and continued their reckless charge. It was like watching an Imperial Japanese Army bayonet charge. Kaname and G-3’s Neue Ange are the extreme exceptions. Typically a sword is no match for a gun. Even a child understands that. Even so, the Vatican is proud of their own traditional style and continues to fight with it. Are you planning to push the European Front of FEW like this…!? In dumb amazement, I could not move and fell behind– In accordance with the plan of attack, I rushed out into the rushing wind of the alleyway and headed toward the windmill. With the Nazi girls all firing at me, I used Mirror to destroy some of their guns. Then with a *Whoosh!*– an arrow came flying down the alley headed toward me. It was a nickel-copper arrow, fletched with peacock feathers. Bow and arrow… Typhoon Sarah…! Using Billiard– Although I tried to shoot it, what seemed like a prescient gust of wind shifted its flightpath–somehow raising it to avoid the bullet–! I am dead. Or so I thought in that moment. Luckily the arrow was disturbed, and the fletching just grazed me, flying on past me–*Whoosh!* Brushing past my cheek, the arrow disappeared behind me. 「…!」 The sudden sharp pain, no, the shock of the event caused my eyes to open wide. Billiard… had been defeated. Suddenly upon the first encounter. I hadn’t been aiming at the fletching. The fact that the arrow hadn’t skewered me through the cheek was merely due to luck. It was probably due to Meiya’s luck enhancement. In a very real way, it was defeated. Billiard, that is. If it were a one-on-one battle, I could do it. But Typhoon Sarah– that archer girl’s arrows are not limited to describing simple parabolas. By controlling the surrounding air upon which it rides, it is entirely possible to alter its course like a missile. But… now that I understand that, I can deal with it. Sarah-chan. To all appearances, you are a sixth-year primary schooler or a first-year middle schooler, but you are trying to kill a high schooler. Once I arrest you, I’ll spank your bottom. Using Ouka. ************************************** Swords over there. Arrows over here. It’s like a scene from a European Middle Ages battle in this part of Bourtange– Meiya and I with her 5 remaining soldier nuns were preparing to flank the windmill from both sides. In the immediate surroundings, there seemed impossibly to be a lack of any wind, and standing atop the windmill blade, Sarah… 「…」 She stood, without turning to look at us, nocking an arrow, or saying anything. Then appearing on the right and left blades of the windmill– 「Hohoho! Kinji Tooyama, now… Achoo!」 A sneeze from the cold she caught from her recent swim in the moat interrupted her words, as Patra stood there in the good clothes that she had turned into a swimsuit– 「Yo, Tohyama! Weren’t you out of DEEN? Isn’t that how it was when we met?」 With Edgar riding on her shoulder, the uniformed Katze grinned and laughed as they each sat down. At this range, Sarah won’t be fighting anymore. But even so, my mind was unsettled. 「Patra, I’m sorry.」 My Hysteria Mode still somewhat in effect, I used『Invisible bullet』– With a *Bang!*, I fired at the chains secured to the ground and preventing the windmill from turning. Then with creaking noises… the four blades of the windmill… began to spin to the right, sinking beneath Patra’s feet. Underneath– Meiya stood at the base of the windmill with her large sword, ready to defeat the witches Patra, Sarah, and Katze in their turn as it revolved. But– 「Hehehe! Patra, you are heavier than I am!」 Dangling her feet over the edge as she laughed, Katze 「Ugh! I am of greater stature than you! Ho now, Kinji Tooyama! D-do you hear what insolence is directed at the supreme ruler… disgraceful!」 Patra screamed, and Sarah regarded both of them with a sigh… These members of GRENEDA are not at all anxious. Almost as if they never expected to have to fight us– 「–…!」 I turned to look behind me. There was something I did not comprehend. What? Something very… powerful was heading toward us. Bewitching Blade…? No, this was different. Something similarly matched in power. Meiya seemed to have noticed as well– and seeing the opportunity to kill three of GRENEDA’s witched come to nothing, she quickly put her back to the windmill. Then taking up our positions facing the church, we looked out. 「…Demon, Sword…!」 Gritting out those words and understanding our defeat, looking ahead, Meiya– She saw it, about 170 metres away, in front of the cross on the church’s roof. A Japanese, high school girl…? The setting sun at her back, the girl seemed to be only about a year younger than me. The wind violently lashed her white sailor suit and her red and green checked skirt. A thin red ribbon bound her hair– in black twin tails shorter than Aria’s. *************************************** Both her slanted eyes give the impression of a strong will and prideful disposition. Due to her small stature, she looked cute, but her large round breasts and the curve of her legs beneath her short skirt gave off an impression of sensuality beyond her apparent age. 『Demon Sword』… huh? This is– The Demon Sword, hired alongside Bewitching Blade by GRENEDA…!? Compared to the mental picture I got from my encounter with Bewitching Blade…. the actuality was quite different. I imagined someone more like Hilda. Even the swords she carried differed from my expectation. No, can they actually be called swords? It was certainly an edged blade, but it’s shape… was circular and just under 2 metres in diameter. It was a weapon with a sharp outer perimeter. Like the rings of Saturn, the girl remained inside like a swimming ring or hula hoop. Above the rotating circular blade– The sinking sunlight slanted down collecting on the blade, and the golden light began swirl. Orbiting Demon Sword’s torso like natural satellites. 「–Hohoho! Kinji Tohyama, you should observe veeery carefully, for several reasons.」 「Yo, samurai girl, Alicebell! I wonder juuust what colour Meiya’s underwear is! 」 Patra looked on with a lewd narrowed gaze for some reason, while Katze clapped her hands happily, and Sarah sighed again. Then…. the sister soldiers with Meiya…all at once became frightened. Is it a ranged attack? Taking up a high position at distance is what a sniper would do. Because of that, there is nothing we can do to counter it…! In the next moment–*Poof!* Soundlessly, a bullet of light shot out from Demon Sword’s rotating ring blade. Heading toward–Meiya. It was obviously some kind of ESP, and since it was the first time I had seen it, there was no way for me to counter it…! Then the shell of light flew toward Meiya– Scoring a direct hit. 「–Kyaaaaa!」 The golden light burst on Meiya’s body, shining from inside out… Then it exploded in shifting rainbow colours. Then due to its power, her white robes split open with a *Rip!* from the inside– …! As I watched, Meiya was stripped down to her underwear. Her lace trimmed silk underwear and embroidered white rose trimmed knee high stockings were exposed… 「Ah…Aaah…!」 Her whole body losing all strength, her face fell–*Thump!*… Collapsing and totally unable to stand, Meiya looked up from where she had fallen. With a *Thud!*, her large sword hit the ground…*Snap!*… with a weak sound, fragments of shattered metal scattered. …Meiya. The one who had taken Hilda’s head and rivalled Katze… Meiya… was defeated. In just one shot. No, that’s ridiculous. Meiya’s luck enhancement has to protect her. She has some kind of cheat ability to increase the fortunes of war. Was her divine protection nullified …!? By Demon Sword’s light bullet…!? Amidst the disorder in front of me, seeing their leader struck down, the sister soldiers acted– Surrounding her in her underwear and putting their backs to her, they formed a configuration like Oshikuramanjuu. Then knelling on one knee, they arranged their key inscribed swords facing outwards like a tortoise shell. From the blades of the rotating windmill– there was a *Thud!* *Thump!* and another *Thud!*– 「You should surrender Kinji Tooyama. Or would you like to be stripped as well?」 「…Patra-nee, you are so indecent. Don’t be stupid.」 「Demon Sword–Alicebell is magic Neue Ange. She is a『witch-hunting witch』that uses some kind of unknown magic to deal with ESP users. Even that annoying Meiya was taken care of in a single blow.」 Patra had been the first to speak as the three witches descended to the ground. Demon Sword… It appeared that Alicebell was her name. She appeared to be Japanese, but it could have been something else. The sister soldiers squatted around Meiya who was unable to stand, trembling and shaking… those girls are hardly in a state to continue fighting. Processing the situation in Hysteria Mode– I am alone… and the responsibility is heavy. I might be able to handle them individually, but all 4 at once was impossible. Even in Hysteria Mode. To start with, my win-loss record against witches isn’t that great. I defeated them all, but each time I had help from my friends. As for defeating an ESP user by myself… frankly, I think it impossible. And my current Hysteria Mode Berserker status might lead me into some kind of suicidal attack, whereas normal Hysteria Mode would be best in this case. For now– I can’t do anything by surrender. For Meiya and the rest’s safety. ************************************************************************* After that, the windstorm that had been shaking the town suddenly stopped… Disarming me and the sister soldiers, Katze forced the girls into revealing Lisa’s location, threatening to:「Strip you too.」 After a short time, the Nazi girls returned with Lisa, and storing her blade somewhere, Alicebell and the rest gather in front of the windmill. With a dignified manner, Alicebell stepped in front of me– 「…You are young, Kinji Tohyama. There is always a storm raging whenever we meet, isn’t there?」 Speaking those baffling words, she stared at me with a firm expression in her slanted eyes. 「You must have me confused with someone else. I’ve never met you.」 This girl called me young for some reason, even though she’s younger than I am. But… that look in Alicebell’s eyes. It is strange. It definitely looks like she knows me. 「You and Aria H. Kanzaki– are like a gold ring that warps the branches of time. Because of you in particular, the fate of Rampan has been altered, and we were required to restore the balance. Please do not meddle any more with that organisation from now on.」 I did not understand the meaning of those S-rank words… In any case, it looks like Tamamo’s investigation missed something. Demon Sword and Bewitching Blade are definitely connected to Rampan. Last month in Hong Kong, Rampan was defeated by DEEN. Even so, judging from their hostility, they may have been hired by Shanghai Rampan. 「…If you don’t want me involved, why don’t you kill me.」 「Doing so would not solve anything. After all, if you were killed, you’d come back to life, wouldn’t you?」 That was unexpected. Superhuman humans are still human. But just in case she really decides to kill me, I won’t say anything more to dig my own grave. 「But…Bewitching Blade must be a lucky guy, huh? To have such a cute girlfriend.」 My Hysteria Mode exhausting itself with those words, I diverted the conversation, and Alicebell… …*Blush!* Blushing hard enough that steam seemed to pour from her head like a volcanic eruption, she appeared to steal and use Aria’s rapid blush technique. 「G-g-g-g-girlfriend!? With Seiji-kun!? No, no, absolutely not! A-a-as if anyone would ever be that panty thief’s girlfriend!」 Becoming just as panicked as Aria, she began waving her arms wildly. If it were Aria here, she’d be stamping her feet and shaking her fists up and down like some kind of monkey dance. She whirled away from me in anger, and the expression on her face was hard to describe. She was clearly angered by my use of the word ‘girlfriend’, but she also seemed to be holding back a smile. …Hm. What a strange girl. But speaking of Bewitching Blade, did this strange girl call him a panty thief? What was that about? Even with such skill, she might be a terrible person. By all outward appearances she is exceptionally cute, and I can’t say with absolute certainty that such things are totally impossible…. or as Konayuki might say, she might be unclean. But just now Demon Sword had let something slip. Bewitching Blade’s name appears to be『Seiji』. Good. When I get back home, I’ll run an identity check and ambush him in Narita. Then, after arresting him, I’ll take possession of his twin blades. They’ll do in place of my scramasax. 「『Enable』… I do not want to meet again if possible, but I must leave you like this. –So, until next time.」 Leaving open the possibility that we may meet again with these cryptic words– Alicebell turned her back toward me and took her leave. [END] ************************************************ 1. A theatrical role where comedy is induced by overblown reactions to situations. ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ### 005. Bullet 5:Kinji Tohyama Will Die Twice Heyo! Chapter Five is here! Hopefully Six will follow soon! At 35 pages, it should be faster. Hopefully… Chapter 5: Kinji Tohyama Will Die Twice [START] Myself, Lisa, and a blanket-covered Meiya and the sister soldiers were packed offed into a hanger… A silver-grey rigid frame Graf Zeppelin NT airship floated in the Dutch sky. With the exception of Alicebell, all of the members of GRENEDA in Bourtange boarded. Completely captured, as members of DEEN we were, in yakuza terminology taken to the『office』. GRENEDA’s that is. Facing the setting sun, toward the west– –We were heading toward the Atlantic. In the gondola, Katze’s subordinates were happily singing her praises. As for herself, her expression seemed to say that defeating myself and Meiya was nothing. It seems that Katze is well-liked among the Nazi girls. It cannot be denied that she is a capable witch, but there is something else that makes her likeable. Even Director Everita likes her. My Hysteria Mode completely dissipated; I asked the inattentive Katze: 「Oi, Katze, these handcuffs are too tight. Can you adjust them?」 I said, raising the swastika marked handcuffs to the bulkhead window… 「Deal with it, Japanese boy.」 As expected, she saw through it. Even the crow Edgar’s cry seemed to call me an idiot. They must be angry. 「…」 Lisa sat next to me with her knees pulled up, a downcast look in her eyes… Ever since being captured by GRENEDA, she had been quiet and subdued. Until now she must have occupied a very low position within GRENEDA. She must have lost the will to escape, to say nothing of the will to fight. 「Oi, Lisa, don’t make that face. You are an important part of GRENEDA. You’ll join back up with them and everything will be alright.」 She addressed Katze through the door window, 「Ka-Katze-sama! My Master… Tohyama-sama, what will happen to him?」 Lisa asked trembling. Hm. I’m interested to hear that myself. For my own reference. 「He’ll be executed, of course!」 …Right. 「–At least that is the recommended sentence. I definitely want him to become my familiar. I will vote against it in the GRENEDA tribunal. This time around, I’m an associate judge, and I have 1 vote.」 Katze said with a bright red apple in her hand. 「…A tribunal? That’s awfully modern for GRENEDA. But as for this GRENEDA tribunal… what exactly does an associate judge do?」 I groped for the answer. 「The judge has to power to vote and carry out the sentence, and the associate judges can only vote. In Tohyama’s trial, Director Everita is the only judge, and Patra and I are associate judges. It will be decided by majority vote.」 Katze explained, ticking off the number of people on her fingers. 「Majority rules with 4 votes? What happens if it’s 2 against 2?」 「In that case, the『Irreversible Priority』rule exists to resolve the issue. Irreversible sentences like death cannot be carried out. If I can gain 2 votes, you will avoid death–and become my familiar. I’ve just come from laying the groundwork with Patra.」 「You brought Patra into this?」 「Kinichi is your older brother, isn’t he?」 With a *Crunch!*, I heard Katze take a sudden large bite out of the apple. 「O-oh!」 「Let’s just call it『a good chance to gain a favour from your older brother』.」 「…?」 「The other day I sneaked into Patra’s hotel room in Paris to scout it out. Inside she had made a sand pit, and in the sand, she had written『Kinichi Tooyama』. She was blushing and doing love fortune-telling. For real!」 Patra… must like Nii-san. Even after seeing him as Kana. What an extraordinary woman. But even so– I don’t know if it would be by shooting or hanging, but I’m grateful that she is against capital punishment. If a beautiful Egyptian woman with exposed skin becomes my sister-in-law because of that… I don’t mind, and I’m prepared to accept that as an unavoidable measure. *************************************************** Now exiting from the landed Zeppelin– With Walthers in our backs, we were taken out. Sand streaming beneath our feet, it was like a cold beach. Tall rock cliffs surrounded the sand and a river ran into the sea. Slightly upstream, there was a waterfall, forming a curtain of water. It looks like it would be some kind of private beach in the summer, but… Somehow it felt artificial. Upon closer inspection, the river was artificial too and looked like a canal. With those thoughts in mind, from inside the waterfall… easing its way through the incessant deluge of the waterfall… A black miniature submarine appeared on the river. …So they have something like that. Regiment Hex. It was a Nazi German U-boat– But it wasn’t an open water type-7 that sunk English warships. It was a type-23 small ship designed for coastal waters. At the chimney-shaped sail, amidst the black sailor-suited Regiment Hex witches stood Director Everita in her black uniform. Then after exchanging the customary,「 Seig Heil! 」greeting with Katze, we were quickly herded below deck. In the red interior lighting, Director Everita stood holding a horsewhip despite not riding a horse– 「–Welcome to『Dragon Harbour』, Tohyama-shi. This is your final destination.」 A sadistic cast to her narrowed eyes beneath the brim of her military cap, she grinned at me with bright red lipsticked lips. The U-boat made its way briefly out into the ocean, then made a U-turn and returned to the canal disguised as a river. Then passing through the waterfall, we came to an abrupt halt. Within the waterfall, we were taken up to the top deck– 「Huh…!?」 Looking around at the surroundings, Lisa let out an exclamation of surprise. 『Dragon Harbour』was a grotto hidden behind the screen of the waterfall and artificially carved out of the rock. As the name would suggest, on the interior wall there was a huge fossil of a carnivorous allosaurus exposed. It was imposing. The interior of the cavern had electricity, and light bulbs were arranged randomly on the cliff face. There, on the illuminated water’s surface, GRENEDA’s『office』was anchored– 「… A Nao de la China…」 A large sailing vessel from the Age of Exploration that crossed the open ocean. Mutou told me about them. They were trading ships, also called Acapulco Galleons. Its crumbling exterior made it look like a ghost ship, but it looked real enough… It appears to have been refurbished recently with electricity, and the windows were well-lit. At anchor, one of its sails were lowered, and the Jolly Roger was dyed into it, signifying the meaning『If you resist, you will die』. It was a realistic depiction of a human skull with 2 crossed femurs below it in the famous crest. It was the symbol of the pirates that were the common enemy of all humanity. That ship… perhaps it was captured by some Middle Ages pirate. This harbour must have been an original pirate hideout. Due some twist of fate, did it become one of GRENEDA’s secret bases. ************************************************* Taking a barge from the U-boat, we crossed over to the ship and rode an elevator up to the deck– in order to prevent fire, it was covered in ceramic tile. It appears that the ship has been fixed in place and is used as a residence. Entering the ship, the inside was decorated like an extravagant hotel. But such gaudy style was in poor taste. Rather, with the old armour, wine cases, candelabra style lamps, why do you have a skeleton in full antique dress uniform sitting in an old-fashioned chair? It seemed to scare Lisa. It might be some kind of memorial to a famous pirate. On our way down a passageway Ah, a Japanese sword… I saw a small sword in its sheath hanging on the wall. I never expected to see a Japanese sword this far West. Due to a lack of care, its hilt was rusty… the accompanying plate read『Bestowed in the twelfth year of the Taishou Era by the great Tamamo』in Japanese script. That means that Tamamo left it here? Come to think of it, Tamamo did say that in the last war she did fight for GRENEDA. So GRENEDA must have had that base since then. Even in the Netherlands where I thought DEEN had them suppressed, GRENEDA had a strong base like this? **************************************************** From the upper deck a large dining room 2 levels down was visible, and a pleasant scent wafted up. There were a lot of all kinds of dishes, jumbled together on a large table… and all of us prisoners from DEEN were seated at one corner of it. Apparently, it was time to eat. Dashing over to the table with her arms spread like an airplane, Katze said: 「Well, I’m hungry! Bourtange was too far!」 Suddenly she stabbed a fish meunière with a fork and began to wolf it down. 「See here, Katze. You didn’t wash your hands before eating.」 Director Everita said, taking her own seat and spooning mashed potatoes into her own mouth. 「That is correct. If you do not begin to act a bit more ladylike with men, they will never come closer. You will never be a bride that way.」 Patra said, taking her own generous helping of fava bean korokke, and digging in. 「…A man. ridiculous!」 Wearing a Hanetsuki hat Sarah was eating a large pile of exclusively steamed broccoli. There was also one more present, a large woman who appeared to be a guard… I couldn’t see her past the mountain of onigiri, but she took onigiri in her hand and ate them one after another. Every now and then her huge, ogre-like hands were visible. That is to say… it appeared as if these members of GRENEDA ate only what they liked. A horribly unbalanced diet. Their knowledge of nutrition is lacking. Besides that, above the table, the crow Edgar pecked at a pretzel, and at Everita’s feet a black panther gnawed on a lamb chop. I’m curious. how is having animals in the dining room by any means sanitary? But… this scene… Nazi girls clanged about the kitchen making food, and Anubis soldiers, taking the place of waitstaff, ferried dishes back and forth. It looked like a full-dress banquet with Katze, Everita, Patra, Sarah, and the other large girl eating ravenously. Were Hilda and Coco here before? With GRENEDA? In my mind– I saw Hilda putting down a tower a rare steak and red wine, and Coco eating tamago noodles near her at the table. Yeah… this seems to be a school for bad girls. By chance, GRENEDA seems to be exclusively made up of girls. Then I remembered the male Bewitching Blade– He is the only one, including Demon Sword. But that is fine. It’s like being surrounded by Z-Fighters. Then… To say nothing of the taste, there were probably going to be enough leftovers to feed us. 「–Lisa, come here. Here’s a bunch of your favourite Oliebol.」 Katze said, taking Lisa by the shoulder and leading her to the table. 「That’s right, Lisa. You are the strongest girl in GRENEDA. That corner doesn’t suit you.」 Director Everita said, making a gesture of welcome. While glancing back at me nervously, she moved timidly to join the ranks of GRENEDA. 「Even in I.U., you could have been Sherlock’s successor– Before I withdrew, you were Vlad’s rival, and your fame rose alongside Aria’s. Such a skilled woman must not be allowed to waste away in the countryside.」 Patra and Sarah urged Lisa to eat certain foods, and it felt as if they were forcing her to re-join GRENEDA. But all that kindness was superficial, and it looked like a scene from an izakaya in Japan. Timidly, she was forced to join them in their banquet of lies. If she refuses, she will be punished. Seeming to understand that, the half-sobbing Lisa must join the circle. They definitely want Lisa to use her skills of housekeeping and accounting and resume her old duties. But what Everita and Patra just said– About Lisa… the strongest in GRENEDA…. being Vlad’s rival…? That can’t be. They must be flattering her. In reality, Lisa… cannot defy them… and she is munching on hole-less oliebol whilst crying. It is her usual blubbering, cowardly self. Then, 「…This is Brocken. Everyone here is your friend, so please calm down.」 Eating mashed potatoes, Everita looked down at the black panther familiar. Seemingly named Brocken, the black panther hidden beneath the table seemed to prostrate itself as if bowing to someone. Even Edgar spread his wings and hunkered down on Katze’s shoulder. For some reason… I get the feeling that they are scared of someone here. It’s almost as if there were a lion in the room to make the nervous. I don’t know what the feeling is. I’m just as scared as everyone else. In terms of fighting power and Hysteria Mode. –Someone apart from me spoke. 「Hah? Thou are Tohyama, art thou not?」 Speaking ancient Japanese– I heard a husky voice. Turning around, I faced the owner of the voice… the huge woman hidden by the onigiri mountain. She had eaten the mountain down, so now I could see her. She wore red, green, and yellow African patterned clothes… with Sanskrit characters and something like the Oda Family Camellia crest…? They were frayed for some unknown reason, but it was embroidered on her kimono. Behind her, leaning against the wall, there was a large metal rod of mixed African and Japanese design leaning… From where she sat cross-legged atop her chair, her golden eyes met mine. 「–……!」 In that instant, my whole body froze stiff. It was like the feeling I got from Vlad and Hilda, but this was far stronger. …Wha-what are you…!? –Strong. Stronger than anyone here. Including myself, of course. Extraordinarily so…! The power of a battleship crammed into a girl’s body. That was the impression I got. 「–I am called Yen. The Devil King of the Sixth Heaven and Habi-sama’s envoy. Tohyama. Thou must have come from Japan.」 Danger. Danger. That was all my instincts told me. I wasn’t even in Hysteria Mode. That girl isn’t human. I understand that much. A horn stood out from her brown-haired head. She called herself Yen, but I could tell『something』… just by looking at her. She is a natural enemy of men. –She’s an『oni』…! 「What sort of country is Japan today? Don’t worry. I’ll let you answer.」 Pouring liquor into a plain vermilion sake cup, the girl who called herself Yen asked huskily. But, overawed by her power, the words stuck in my throat. Even breathing became difficult. Like a good gun or blade, as a strong thing, she possessed a particular beauty. Without omitting anything said above, she was–beautiful. Large and muscled, even covered in scars, among the other girls from GRENEDA, she had a different sort of beauty. Something that seemed divine. Yes, this person seemed closer to being a god than human. At least halfway between god and human. I wonder… what strength they have hidden? GRENEDA… No. That is not right. In Europe, GRENEDA cannot win. But with this person here. I can’t win. 「No, Yen. There is no need to frighten Tohyama-shi. We are at the end of the campaign, so there is no need to become angry.」 Everita said to Yen, to which she grumbled– 「You can’t end something that never started.」 –*Swish!* A knife– decorated in African style but shaped like a Japanese dagger– then she set on the table, carving a slice of meat from a leg of deer. Then she carried it to her mouth. Opening her mouth, her canines… weren’t canines at all. They were fangs even more distinct than Hilda’s. Familiarising herself with GRENDA, Yen glanced around… and it seems that she can control the on/off nature of her overwhelming presence. Then standing to her feet, she lumbered out of the room. Her height, if you include her horn, was just under 190 cm. Far taller than me. Mopping that sweat from my forehead… a hopeless feeling overcame me and as to eating… no, it was impossible. An oni. Probably a real one. Seeing that totally dangerous scene, I lost all appetite. Afterwards, I turned to listen to Everita and Patra’s conversation at the table… They were discussing GRENDA『post-FEW』. GRENEDA had overwhelmed DEEN in Europe and expanded its already large sphere of influence– They had also stolen a large portion of treasure, intelligence, and capable people from the Vatican and Liberty Mason. And so, having removed the ones standing in their way of moving easily through the criminal underworld… they were considering a way to bring about an end to FEW. Hilda and Rampan being defeated on the Asian Front was an unexpected development, so things there appeared to be moving toward a truce– or so it appeared from their talk. And now… –The apparent winners are preparing a final decisive blow to make sure of their victory. 「Amsterdam is cloudy. But it should clear up tomorrow.」 「Kaiser and Watson are in Amsterdam. Liberty Mason are always one… no, two steps behind. Hohoho!」 「Well, the improved V-2 should be ready tomorrow. That should be fun.」 Sarah, Everita, and Patra spoke together in English…. V-2…!? Perspiration broke out on my forehead again. The V-2 was developed by Nazi Germany and was such an advanced rocket that it is hard to believe that it was created more than 70 years ago. With a maximum speed of 5760 kph, a striking range of 300 km, and a warhead packed with a tonne of explosives… during the war more than 3000 were fired, leaving London in ruins. That is, a ballistic missile. In addition to Bewitching Blade, Demon Sword, and now Yen, do you have such things, GRENEDA? From what they are saying, it looks like their plan is to destroy Liberty Mason with their V-2. The V-2 bombing sends a clear message that『it’s pointless to retreat to London』. With that threat looming in the background, it is even more favourable to negotiating a truce. If that is the case, then in the future, I.U.’s warhawks, Regiment Hex, and now the strange Yen and her group will hold sway in Europe. But I don’t say that it isn’t an issue if the Vatican and Liberty Mason are in power… I have to stop this. Not only as a member of DEEN, but as a Butei. DEEN and GRENEDA forces in Europe originally kept each other from acting too rashly, striking just the right power balance. As I pondered this… *Step!* *Step!* With her peacock feather adorned hanetsuki hat– 『Typhoon Sara』who had attacked me in Bourtange walked up to me. Then staring… she looked into my face. 「What?」 「…」 …She merely stared at me. Staring at a person’s face. That’s rude, you brat. It’s not like I have a face like a beautiful girl that can be appreciated, you know! 「…Don’t you dare say『If you’ll follow me, I’ll give you half the world』! 1 」 「Don’t be absurd. Dead people can’t rule the world.」 「?」 「Just now, I was『reading your face』like a palm. It’s a foolish face, but it is patently clear.」 「What is patently clear?」 「The look of death.」 …Look of death…you say? 「I am able to tell if someone will die within the next 7 days. You will die tomorrow. That is certain.」 Sarah stated as flatly as Reki without any inflection– 「Bewitching Blade already said as much. You must be fond of cheap threats.」 I said with a sniff and glared at her. ************************************************* After the meal, Lisa remained behind with those from GRENEDA… Separated from Meiya and the rest Katze said: 「I’ll take you to see someone you’ll like.」 And she took me to a lower deck. Then entering a room with hieroglyph covered carpet– 「…!」 There, wearing on silver amour was Jeanne …! Turning a bold smile toward me, she stood. 「『I apologize Tohyama』… Haha! You are looking well. Haha! Hoho!」 Unable to stand it, she held her sides and broke into laughter… No, that’s not it. She looked like she was smiling. But it was fake. It was perfect, but this was something else…! 「Patra…!?」 「Bingo!」 Patra’s voice replied, and the fake Jeanne– From the skin on her face with a rustle… small particles of dust-like sand and an almost imperceptible mist of steam fell away. 「This is Cursed Water make-up that I created with Patra. Unlike Riko’s special effects make-up, it is not merely applied to the face. It is able to be applied to the whole body and change the colour of your skin and enable you to alter your features however you like. It’s the make-up of dreams without requiring cosmetic surgery. As you would expect, it can’t make you taller, but thankfully Patra is taller.」 Revealing the secret of the trick, Katze high-fived Patra who still wore Jeanne’s armour. Then the one who led me the corner where Bewitching Blade that night in Bourtange… It was Patra! Thinking back now.– she explained the fact that『l’Opera』meant『opera house』and did not merely refer the Palais Garnier– but she had done so twice. She explained it before I met Bewitching Blade, and the second time… she spoke as if she didn’t remember explaining it in Paris. I had even gone so far as to praise her memory by saying,『You really are an amazingly intelligent young lady』while in Hysteria Mode. …I guess I deserve this. Once before, Jeanne had used Riko’s make-up and used her voice-changing technique… and transformed herself into Shirayuki to infiltrate Butei High. Now Patra had done the same. But since Patra in wearing Jeanne’s armour– 「…I want to see the real Jeanne.」 I said in a voice trembling with rage as I scowled at them. 「I’ll let you see her if you don’t say anything about it. This ship is falling apart, and the stateroom is one of the few rooms sturdy enough to use as a cell. You and Jeanne will share a room. The two of you won’t do anything weird, right?」 Adding the unnecessary warning, Katze pointed her twin sparkling gold Lugers at me again. I knew it–she was captured. ************************************************* 「Alright? Someone will come check on you every once and a while.」 Opening a door with a small iron grilled window, Katze kicked me in the butt… The lower gundeck of the tri-level ship had been partitioned off, and it appeared this room was part of the gun platform. The floor was made of bare planks and the room seemed to be spacious– 「Tohyama…!」 Jeanne…! … Wh-wh-why are you wearing those clothes that look like a sheer wedding dress!? ********************************* ********************************* I-I-I can see through it! Under the dress. Your underwear… it looks like a white bathing suit. 「A-are you okay, Jeanne?」 The first words out of my mouth were serious… but her underwear looked like something someone from one of Riko’s games would wear, and pushed up her breasts making them bounce, and causing me to fluster again. Looking at her, I could see that her arms were bound behind her back, and a braid of imitation wild roses twined over and under her breasts. Because of that, the sheer cloth was stretched, and her breasts were heavily emphasised. GRENEDA, your skill at tying people up is lacking. 「It was my own fault that I was captured, Tohyama. I thought to save money in Brussels by doing laundry at a coin operated laundry in the evening, and Regiment Hex took advantage of that mistake. There was a witch hidden in each of the laundry machines. There were 6 machines for a total of 6 witches.」 That must have been about the time that Bewitching Blade tried to kill me… 「As soon as I shut the machine on my right, the left opened, and when I closed the one above me, a witch appeared from the one below, and I was unable to deal with them all. I put the washing on my head and used both my arms and legs to hold them closed, but I couldn’t handle them all…!」 The tale of how she fought Katze’s followers with her underwear and nightshirt atop her head unfolded… But, yeah, this is the real Jeanne. This airheaded-ness can’t be faked. Just listening to her makes me feel better. 「6 against 1, I was defeated due to my own error. Please punish me, Tohyama. Whip me.」 With tears in her eyes, Jeanne pressed nearer to me in her sheer dress– 「I don’t have such a thing, and even if I did, I can’t with my hands like this.」 I said raising my hands to show her the reverse swastika marked handcuffs I wore. 「I won’t hit you either. The Team that falls out when someone makes a mistake is the worst of the worst. You should try to avoid it, but making mistakes is human. What is most important is how you recover once you’ve recognised a mistake.」 I said, repeating Ranbyou’s words, and Jeanne looked up at me with a heart-rending look of admiration… even in prisoned, all was not settled. Then, sitting next to Jeanne against the wall, I told her about what had happened until now. From the suspicion of a traitor, to my time hiding in the back country with Lisa in the Netherlands– I told her everything… 「Lisa? What did you do while you lived together? How did you get food? Did you share a bedroom?」 The excitement of our reunion having been replaced, the former I.U. member sulked. Pouting for some reason, she pressed for details of my time with Lisa. 「I-it was nothing exceptional, just a quiet sort of life.」 If I were open and let the wrong thing slip at this moment, it could ruin the moment– 「…Speaking of which, why are you dressed like that?」 Here I employed my secret technique, Slash III. 2 Recently, Aria saw through it and hit me with a Gov-ham (an abbreviation of Government Hammer, where she holds the slide of her gun and hits me with the grip) between the eyes, while shouting,『You can’t try and change the subject so easily!』– but Jeanne is naive. Thanks to the success of my secret technique… 「These are the clothes of a sacrifice.」 「Sacrifice?」 「Have you met『Typhoon Sara』? Did she use her special ability against you?」 「Yeah, she did. It was incredible.」 「Originally, Sarah was I.U.’s forecasting soldier. She has the ability of『Macroscopic Intelligence』 and she is able to predict natural events in a broad manner. She is also able to determine when humans and animals are near death…」 As she said that, I recalled Sarah’s words about a『look of death』. 「–How accurate is it? Is it like Patra’s fake fortune-telling?」 「No, it is absolutely certain. I’ve never seen her be mistaken.」 …Is that right. 「Sara made a prediction. Soon afterwards,『The Beast of Gévaudan』appeared.」 「The Beast of Gévaudan…?」 「Do you know about it…?」 Lisa had told me about it at the festival in Bourtange, but now Jeanne seemed to pout– 「I’ve heard a bit about it. But I don’t have any details. What is it, actually?」 I said, asking for details– 「A monster.」 M-monster… that word instantly gave me a bad feeling that it was something I didn’t want to fight. Definitively so. Absolutely not! 「What… kind of monster? Like Godzilla or King Kong?」 I voiced my initial thoughts, taking a shot in the dark– 「Closer to the latter.」 –Close to King Kong, you say! 「Instead of an ape, it looks like a wolf. When it devastated 18th century Western Europe it was called『The King of Beasts』, and according to traditional folklore, it could be appeased by offering it a French maiden–and that is what they intend to do. I am the intended sacrifice. But don’t worry. The legend is flawed. I know because I heard it from my grandmother: if the beast is male, you offer a woman, and if it is female, you offer a man. Therefore, the probability of me being eaten is 0%.」 With a laugh, Jeanne put on a smug look, but… Aren’t the odds closer to 50%? That is to say, if it is female, won’t I be offered up as bait!? 「Well, all that is a matter of luck… but it would seem that the effect of Meiya who shielded us with luck have been blown away by Sarah’s special ability. Bearing the label of traitors, we are both here to serve as monster bait, but the instant that we’ve exhausted our usefulness, they’ll kill us.」 「Form what you’ve told me of the traitor… You must think that I’ve been hiding, don’t you?」 Jeanne always followed my line of thought–and she wanted to say something. 「I have not have anything to do here, so I’ve been thinking about their true identity. And I’ve reached a conclusion.」 「…Actually, I have too. I didn’t have anything to do in Bourtange.」 「Did you? Even with Lisa there?」 「What are you trying to say? We should stop this navel gazing」 I said, making the『leave it』gesture with my still shackled hands. 「Navel? Why are you talking about navels? Are you interested in my navel? Why?」 Saying that, Jeanne looked down at her stomach in her revealing outfit. 「What are you saying!? I’m not talking about anything that complicated! I’m saying that we should move away from this side topic and put the subject of Lisa aside!」 「You should have said so from the beginning. You really are a dunce.」 「Ugh… So… s-setting that aside, let’s consider who the traitor is. It would be bad for us if we suspected different people, so『on three』, we’ll name out prime suspect. If you think we’ll say different names, we’ll keep our mouths closed.」 「You should have said so from the beginning. You really are a dunce.」 Grasping my meaning all at once– Jeanne moved in order to see my lips more clearly. Moving our faces closers. Closer, and closer. Why do all Westerners like Aria seem to lack all sense of proper distance? 「One. Two…」 Jeanne’s rosy lips moved… 「「The Vatican」」 Jeanne and I chorused. Seeing that she did not say a person’s name, I could tell that Jeanne understand the trick as well. 「The Vatican has systematically passed information from DEEN to GRENEDA. The exact reason is unclear, but it’s hard to say that they are complete traitors– I would say that this is 80% of a betrayal.」 I said, to which, Jeanne replied: 「Meiya would definitely not have known about it, so she acted as the Vatican desired. Acting in that manner she dutifully carried out her orders to『fight GRENEDA』. There was no way that she could have doubted anyone.」 Jeanne Continued. 「Therefore–Meiya would have continued to report on the European Front, and the information shared by Tamamo and the Asian allies would also be passed along. That is a 20% betrayal.」 「Put together, this arrangement served the function of a spy. It would also be hard for us here on the front to detect.」 Jeanne arrived at the same conclusion I did in Hysteria Mode. I would make a small correction, though. I would like to take the『self-styled』part out of Jeanne’s title of『self-styled tactician』. Gradually. 「–Allow me to make a slight correction.」 Into our conversation— Suddenly, a voice came from outside the door. Jeanne and I both turned toward the metal grille on the door, but there was no recognition on Jeanne’s face…but I did. I met them in Brussels, at Liberty Mason’s hidden lodge. With beautiful, long blonde, a Vatican nun with gold embroidered white robes. Her unseeing eyes turned toward us– 「Loretta-san. Is that you?」 Loretta answered me. 「At the time of Bandire, I entrusted Meiya with a message… The Vatican has no desire for war. Regardless of whether DEEN or GRENEDA prevails, we have no wish to be completely destroyed– Thus, we needed some manner of insurance.」 Does that mean they were『on no side』? From the very start. They were… thinking about the post-war era before the war began. Showing a friendly face to both sides, they intend to make it easier for themselves. As expected of a nation that betrayed its allies at the end of the second World War in order to be on the winning side. An in order to hide it, they– had not choice but to send the fanatic Meiya to the front to enhance their luck. I really must say, it was well done. Their strategy. 「Thank-you for protecting me when Kaiser wanted to kill me.」 I replied with mingled sarcasm– 「We desire to minimise the amount of casualties. On both sides.」 「You’ve certainly talked yourself up.」 「You do not understand. And so… I will use my one vote…. I will vote for your death.」 「…What?」 「GRENEDA tribunal has 4 members. I have already been granted voting rights, so there are 5 votes. Everita, Yen, and myself– we have a majority and will decide your death.」 So that’s why you came? 「I wished for you to know.」 Leaving me with those words, Loretta… left with her white cane tapping the floor. I became angry. I was angry… but whether it was『Loretta and Meiya’s fault』was a difficult matter. A devout person operates on different principles than other humans. That is common sense in this world. If partnering with a religious person, a Butei must consider it. Even so, I paid it no mind. I trusted a nun and member of the clergy without reservation– And that was my own mistake. ********************************************************* My death sentence was confirmed in tribunal that night and to be carried out the next morning. Forget an attorney, as the accused, I wasn’t even called in! It was an instantly decided case. The results were 3 to 2. Katze and Patra opposing. I should thank them. Jeanne and Lisa’s sentences were also decided,『Sacrifice to the Beast of Gévaudan』which was death, and『Acquittal and re-education』, respectively. That’s pretty sloppy isn’t it? The only choices are death or acquittal! Jeanne was taken into another room in order to apply make-up, but after that… perhaps thinking I would take the opportunity to escape, the one who came to pronounce my sentence was Yen. The large woman oni. 「Kinji Tohyama. If you are a soldier, be courageous. If you wish it, I will lend you a small knife.」 Stepping into the room, Yen spoke those words and offered me a knife… 「I’m not a soldier. I’m a Butei. Isn’t that the knife you just used to cut up the deer leg? If I use that to cut my stomach, all kinds of things will get inside.」 Even if I took such an unwieldy blade, there was no way I could fight a true-to-life oni. So I refused the offer. 「Are you fearful of lockjaw before death? As was the case with Ishida Mitsunari. Wahaha!」 Yen laughed a masculine laugh–*Squeeze!* Whoa! Without a second thought, she lifted me up in her arms. This is what they call the ‘princess carry’. I’ve done it several times myself, but this is the first time it’s been done to me. Why does it feel like I am being dominated? She hasn’t suddenly fallen in love, has she? Looking up at her nearby, Yen looked like a good-looking guy. Even though she is a woman. In that state, I was taken out onto the deck from the passageway, and from the deck to the Type 23 submarine where Director Everita waited. Finally, entering the ship… but the one who might be my ally, Katze, was absent. 「–Katze is not here. That child merely served to vote as an associate judge. She does not have the need-to-know of the final disposition, but you may be gladdened to know that she thought that she owed you some debt.」 Everita loosed a sadistic smile– and she seemed to have some diabolical scheme. 「Now then, Tohyama-shi. You must be veeery nervous about your manner of execution. Will you want a blindfold?」 「I do not need one.」 「I thought as much.」 「… Will it be death by shooting?」 「No. You wouldn’t die if shot.」 The submarine passed slowly under the waterfall, then immediately after surfaced… 「If you have a will, you can leave it with me.」 Everita said, wearing the sword Durandal that she had seized from Jeanne on her left hip– I also noticed that she wore my Beretta alongside it. 「I don’t have a will, however… you have my knife and Desert Eagle. They were a present from my brother and a memento of my father. If you have the chance– you’ll give them to Kana, won’t you? I think you know, but Kana is my sibling.」 As soon as I said,『memento of my father』, Everita made a pained expression. Then, 「Understood, Tohyama-shi. I have seen a photograph of Kana-joshi, Katze met her at Bandire. I swear by the swastika to do so.」 Can you swear by such bad things? As we carried on this conversation, we went up through the deck hatch, and looking over where we had come from, several Nazi girls were getting something in a round steel frame ready on the launch pad near the water’s edge– 「V-2…」 The Nazi Germany’s prized ballistic rocket glistened with a faint, ghostly light in the moonlight 「To be more precise, it is an updated version of the V-2. It has been modified to be piloted in order to make up for its low accuracy and provide a certain kill. What do you think? Is this a fitting epitaph for your long series of battle?」 The black uniformed Everita pointed out the V-2 with a black leather gloved hand. 「You are『The Cursed Man』who returns strong retribution to the one who tries to kill you. Therefore, I have decided not to kill you by my own hand. Can you see the cell on the launchpad? First , we will drown you in it at high tide.」 「『First』…?」 「Kinji Tohyama will die twice. Beginning with water, and then by fire. Just to be sure, we will kill you once at high tide, and once with the V-2. After drowning in the cage, the combined kerosene, liquid oxygen, and solid rocket fuel jet from under the V-2 will reach 3000 degrees– evaporating the seawater. 」 Everita slapped a riding crop against my chest that she has seemingly taken from Jeanne… It appears that they don’t think that I’ll die if I’m only killed once. Well, thinking about it now, it can’t be helped can it? This must be some kind of just desserts. Heaving a sigh next to me, Everita drew a cigarette case from her breast pocket. Then, 「These are the last moments of your life. I’m not Japanese, but I’m sorry.」 3 She took out a gold ringed Sobranie Black Filter cigarette. …Moment by moment, things are becoming more real. I don’t smoke tobacco, but I took it and pretended. I might gain one or two minutes from it. In the Netherlands, smoking is legal from age 16, and as soon as I’m in that cage, I won’t be able to move hand or foot. 「This is unexpectedly kind.」 My hands handcuffed, I held it in my mouth… 「It’s a custom. From the great war.」 Everita deftly struck a match, as if lighting a cigarette for a friend. Unskilfully, I slowly breathed in the tobacco smoke–watching the V-2 from atop the waves. It was 14 metres tall and 3.56 across…? At least that was what it appeared to be. Its body was covered in a checkerboard painted pattern that made it easy to check its angle and trajectory prior to launch. Its efficient, retro beech nut shape gave it a sense of aesthetics. 「You said it was piloted. Who is riding it? You?」 「Of course not. Katze is.」 Everita said while smoking her own Sobranie with a small smile. 「When it comes to you, that child’s Anderehaft is in question. That is what sets Regiment Hex apart. I also told her it is a chance to make up for her loss at the Musée de la Guerre École.」 They don’t know what her feelings toward me are, so they are making her participate in killing me, huh? Such unrivalled cruelty is only to be expected of the descendants of Nazis. 「…What will happen to Katze? Isn’t that dangerous?」 「It is not a suicide weapon, so don’t worry. It will only be manned until it reaches its peak at sub-orbital altitude, and before it enters free fall, it is designed so that the pilot ejects.」 「Where is it going to hit? With a pilot in that size rocket, the amount of combustible fuel is reduced, and it will become a short-range missile. Even with stealth technology, if it flies far it may be shot down by enemy troops.」 「Insightful. The target is domestic within the Netherlands. Liberty Mason’s lodge in Amsterdam. Kaiser and Watson will be there tomorrow morning.」 GRENEDA must have gotten that intelligence from the Vatican… Are they planning to destroy Liberty Mason and the last bastion of DEEN in Europe with this V-2? But it is not only the fuel that is reduced by having it piloted. But there’s something else. I have to confirm it. 「–What is the warhead?」 「Well, don’t you know?」 Everita narrowed her slanted eyes. A small, but deadly warhead… There are only a few such things. What’s more I surmise that they had to purchase the ingredients in Paris– 「A chemical warhead?」 「See, you do know! Cyanide concentrate– combined with the moisture in the air, it becomes harmless, it is easy to disperse, and the area of effect can be limited to a square block. The mean lethal dose is 0.4 mg per kilogram– within a radius of 50 metres of impact, the lethality rate is 100%. Even with an autopsy, the effects of this versatile weapon are hard to distinguish from carbon monoxide poisoning. It was originally an American weapon, but the formula was leaked onto the internet and we grabbed it from there. 」 「…!」 It’s not just Jeanne and I that have the shinigami’s sickle at our necks. Watson and the rest of them are in danger as well. But I don’t have any way to strike back. The female oni Yen stood behind me with arms folded… In the light of the full moon, the silhouette of a pod of whales swam peacefully of the coast. But even so– Butei Charter, Article 10: Never give up. A Butei never, ever gives up. –I mustered enough of my courage. The last piece of Sobranie ash fell to the sand of the Dutch beach. ********************************************************* The ocean soaked the steel cage throughout the night, reaching my waist, stomach, then chest– Gradually, the winter seawater chilled my body. The water is already almost at the top of the cage. It is becoming deeper than my height. By pulling myself up, I am able to breathe. The night passed with a light rain that made me unable to sleep, and dawn was already approaching– Yen, Sarah, Regiment Hex members, and Everita brought Lisa to the sandy beach… the Loretta from the Vatican appeared. Everyone surrounded me. They must have come to see the combined V-2 launch and my execution. In defiance, I did not shiver in the freezing water that reached up to my neck… I saw some SdKfz 2’s stopped at the water’s edge. Alighting from the back seat was Katze in a black pressure suit. She crossed over to the temporary scaffolding on the launchpad, seemingly paying no heed to the fact that I was directly below. 「Chic, isn’t it? It’s the same design as uniforms from the time of the great war, designed by Chanel.」 Katze said, smiling at and turning the eye without the eye patch toward me while showing off the coat of arm on the back to her followers. The chequered exterior of the V-2 was covered in a light frost. During the war, the fuel was liquid ethanol, but it appears to be kerosene and liquid oxygen–it looks like they have finished fuelling. 「It’s raining a bit. Isn’t the chemical warhead vulnerable to water? Is it alright?」 「Don’t worry. According to Sarah-sama’s forecast, the skies over Amsterdam are clear.」 Katze raised her eyes to the dark clouded sky, and spoke to her subordinates in German… 『If we lose contact before launch, I’ll kill Jeanne』,Everita threated, while I listened silently. As the scattered showers intensified, Katze climbed into the hatch at the top of the V-2. At that point, the tide swelled, and I couldn’t breathe without looking up. Then the waves began to lap over and cover my face. Now I couldn’t breathe no matter how hard I tried. Gradually, I began taking in seawater. This is bad. –Dammit! As it was– I would drown just like Everita had said. Then after the V-2 cooked me, there wouldn’t even be a body left behind. An electric megaphone in her hand, Everita said– 「–Observational reports are in. Launch angle is within acceptable limits. Bad weather withstanding, it presents no obstacle to launch. Launch will commence in 7 minutes. Abort is impossible going forward– Sieg Heil !」 She announced to everyone… in Japanese so that I more than anyone else could follow along as well. 「–6 minutes, 50 seconds!」 Counting down in apparent 10 second intervals, white smoke began to pour from the V-2’s jet nozzle. But before fire erupted from the jet-black nozzle, according to Everita’s plan– I would be dead. With each breath I took in more seawater. 「6 minutes, 40 seconds! …6 minutes, 30 seconds…!」 Dammit…! I… I have to do something…! Strength left my body due to. the pain– Then… 「H-hey, Lisa, stop! What are you doing?」 Her countdown sequence interrupted, Everita shouted. Laying my head sideways, I looked toward the beach– Lisa…? With Everita focused on the V-2, Lisa managed to shake off the hands that held her. With the sound of ringing steel, she snatched Durandal and my Beretta from where Everita wore them on her hip. Then, leaving the members of GRENEDA behind her frozen in shock– she ran across the beach with sword and gun in her arms, kicking up sand. Running… towards me…! Some of Everita’s followers made as if to follow, but the V-2 was about to launch. If they dallied too long, they’d be engulfed in the wash of the jet flame. Lisa… had been waiting for that exact moment. At this time, they can’t reach me. Splashing through the seawater, she pushed her way towards me– 「…L-Lisa! Stop, don’t come closer! Why…why did you come!?」 I shouted through the gap in the iron bars, interrupted several times by the waves. Crying, half of her fear for me Lisa said– 「–If I abandon Master, I will have bad dreams afterwards. A good night’s rest is important.」 Lisa repeated what I had said before in Beligium, as she forced a desperate smile. Lisa…! But in a situation like this– your death is not certain. This situation is like the one in the underground storage area in Butei High with Shirayuki. But in order to rescue her that time– I had my trump card, Hysteria Mode. But Lisa, you… can’t even fight…! 「Master, please take these weapons. Master is『Enable』. I’m sure that’s enough…!」 Lisa pushed Durandal and my Beretta through the bars of the cage. But in the water, I couldn’t take hold of them. Both of them sank to the bottom of the cage. No, Lisa. No matter what you believe, I am not a hero. The truth is I’m weak and just… just a normal highschool student. Even if I put on a bold face and recited Butei Charter, Article 10… The truth was that I had given up. In the deepest core of my being. Over on the beach, I heard the members of GRENEDA arguing through the megaphone. Although outraged by Lisa’s actions– they can’t stop the launch now. The V-2 will launch within 4 minutes. It will take them a while to come and recapture Lisa, and it isn’t certain that they will be able to return to a safe distance. Therefore, as『Enable』and without a chance to survive, I wanted to tell Lisa a way to escape. 「Run, Lisa! You… don’t need to be burned up too!」 「It is a maid’s duty to lay down her life for her master.」 Frantically clinging to the top of the cage. Lisa hands shaking with fear as she searched for a break that didn’t exist. Her white blouse soaked, above her back– in a few moments, a 3,000-degree flame will spurt out from the jet-black nozzle of the V-2. That’s fine, but– Lisa had to leave this place! 「No! You have to live! That… is your duty!」 For the first time, I took the role of master seriously–and as I drowned, I gave Lisa that order. From the bottom of my heart. Hearing that, Lisa, as a maid, took notice and responded in earnest… Her blue eyes filled with tears that began to spill over. 「Lisa…Lisa was truly happy to serve Tohyama-sama.」 Behind her– The V-2’s jet nozzle began to glow orange. –Lisa– Betrayed GRENEDA a second time. Mustering her courage, she turned her back on GRENEDA again. But this time her crying is different than the time she broke down as she ran away into the subterranean tunnels. She isn’t running away. Lisa is standing up to them. Her own weak self, against a might organisation. Alone. It wasn’t something she hadn’t done until now. Summoning her courage. –She had made up her mind, for me, her master. 「… I wish to speak frankly. At first, I relied on you to survive in the tunnels of Brussels. But when we ran away together… Master smiled in Amsterdam. But when you were with me, and praised me, only then did I smile. But– that as then. Then, you were Lisa’s Master…」 –*Ka-thunk!*– I heard a small noise… Lisa’s words had come to an unwilling end, and something stuck out from her back. Immediately I understood what the noise was. Lisa knew as well. 「…Master. Thanks to you, Lisa will always be happy…」 Then she draped over the almost completely submerged cage– One arm sticking through the bars as she fell. –A peacock feathered arrow stuck straight out from her back. Piercing deep through her heart. It was– Typhoon Sarah’s arrow. ************************************** 「Lisa…!」 I caught a hold of her arm, and something fell out. I grabbed it from the water, and I knew what it was. I had given it to her in Bourtange… the origami windmill. 『Thanks to you』…? Me… I hadn’t done anything. I just chased away those kids, didn’t I? But you showed so much devotion… even coming this far… I was now in the water. The cage was totally covered. I couldn’t breathe. Looking up toward the water’s surface, past Lisa, the jet flames were about to start–A confused Katze watched us. –I, no, we were here. Underwater. Is it our destiny to sink here, burn out, and disappear? In the water, I grasped the unmoving Lisa’s arm and grit my teeth. I— Still can’t be a proper master. I need to do my part and that means『fighting』, but I can’t even do that. Having a maid, means that I have to live up to my role as a master. Butei Charter, Article 2. The contract with your client must absolutely be fulfilled–『Absolutely』means『even if you die』. As far as contracts go, for Butei, agreements are weighty things. –Can I give up? Is that an option? I don’t want to. Contrary to my wishes, my vision began to blur. The oxygen levels in my blood were falling, and strength was leaving my entire body. I couldn’t even hold on to Lisa’s arm anymore. I kept my mouth shut desperately, but I gained no more strength. Then, water flowed into my airway as I exhaled. I began to feel hollow. Heavy. My whole body felt heavy. My eyelids felt 10 times heavier. I couldn’t help closing my eyes. …This, Tohyama cherry tree… My heartbeat grew faint. I understood it. Slowing, weakening, and becoming even slower– …If it, scatters… –Then– My heartbeat stopped. Just like the Bewitching Blade, Seiji and Typhoon Sarah said…. — I died. [END] ************************************************** 1. Line from Dragon Quest. You meet the dragon lord who offers you half the world if you don’t fight him. If you accept, he kills you. You have to choose to fight and beat him to win. 2. Kanji say: ‘topic aversion’. Slash means ‘/’, which can mean a logical ‘OR’. Basically, he is switching topics. 3. She says, ‘gomenasai’ here. ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ### 006. Bullet 6:Love From The Stratosphere—Stratosphillia + Afterword + Illustrator Notes Here’s the end of Volume 16. Not quite at the end of the arc, but we are gettign close. Regardless, I am glad I got it done before classes started. Going forward, things will definitely slow down. So, if you want proof I’m not dead or have not given up on the series, the best way to keep in touch is the Discord server linked in the sidebar. I usually respond pretty quickly to stuff posted there, and notifications come straight through to me. In the meantime, enjoy this volume finale. Chapter 6: Love from the Stratosphere– Stratosphillia [START] S-C-A-T-T-E-R I-T! –This is– …Hysteria Mode…? That’s what it is. No doubt. It happened. It happened! That’s it exactly. That is– Hysteria Agonizante. It was the form of「Death Hysteria Mode」 that manifested when Sherlock shot my Nii-san through the heart. Drowning, then going into cardiac arrest, I would have died. For humans, on the heart becomes non-responsive, brain death occurs mere minutes later. At the moment of death, my own DNA played its own trump card. Even if the body dies, the soul does not give up. It will reject death. Hysteria Mode–! 「…!…」 I snapped to consciousness with 30 times the normal amount of neurotransmitters. Nothing around me had changed, but I can move! If only for an instant. But only for a brief moment. Even if I used Ouka to smash and break the cage open, I wouldn’t be able to slip out. Generally speaking, if the body dies, even in Hysteria mode, in that moment, all movement ceases. But now is not the time to hesitate. Therefore– It is my body, after all. My heart. I’ll ask you–please work again. You have worked hard for me for 17 years, and you’ve had a break… but that is long enough! –Using this new technique! I didn’t know if I could, but I was able to. At the instant of my death, I put the self-resuscitation technique that I had devised in that moment. An underwater Ouka resuscitation– –A fate reversal–!! I struck my right chest and the left side of my back with my hands at the same time– Two subsonic blows combined to impart an impact shock of about Mach 2 to my heart. –*Ring!*–! This wasn’t as simple as a cardiac massage and defibrillation. The heart knocks against the ribs like a bouncy ball, violently restarting a heartbeat and forcing new coursing blood to pump through it. With a *Thump-ity Thump!*, my heart restarted, the muscle pulsed, and my eyelids fluttered open under the waves. My body hadn’t even taken any damage. This sudden reversal was an application of G-3’s『Organ Through』. Rather, it was the opposite. Striking below the breastbone, the shock is communicated to the heart through the costal cartilage. I should destroy the metal cage with Ouka without another delay– Cocking my arm, I brought it back to my shoulder. But– it wasn’t necessary. The cage was broken. No, the cage was already destroyed. Lisa’s arm that had fallen through the bars as I died… with a creaking sound… What the heck…!? 「–I, hate God…」 Whose… voice is that? Lisa, is that you? Underwater, the water distorted the voice, but it was Lisa’s. But Sarah’s arrow killed you. 「You gave me this power, God…」 At that moment, Lisa’s arm had transformed into a white animalistic arm. Swelling and stretching, she changed into some kind of beasts that I had never seen in any kind of story book. Expanding inside the steel bars–*Snap!* The welded joints popped. While gazing upward, I picked up the Beretta and Durandal at my feet, fastened them at my waist, then grabbed a hold of the split bars. Then clambering out of the cage, I vomited out the seawater I had taken in. After a violent coughing spell– I took a large breath. I-I need a few minutes. To catch my breath. I had just died. 『–Launch in one minute–!』 Flustered, Everita continued her hysteric countdown. She must intend to destroy both of us with the unstoppable launch of the V-2. The rain began to downpour. Amidst the roar of the large droplets hitting the sea, I strained through the monochrome scene… In front of my eyes, stood Lisa where she shouldn’t have been. 「…Li, sa…」 She was already much larger than me– 「Master… Please leave Lisa…! I-I…!」 Lisa said, mid-transition between human and wolf– 「…The Beast… of Gévaudan…!」 In agony, she stared at the Moon that shone on the horizon through a rift in the clouds. The transformation… steadily continued. Becoming a huge wolf. It looked like something that I had seen before. At the Yokohama Landmark Tower. And the Tokyo SkyTree. It was just like Vlad and Hilda’s metamorphosis…! Lisa’s was Vlad’s rival–what I had heard on the Acapulco Galleon immediately came back to mind. 「…The Warhawks… knew about Lisa’s inherited power. That must be why she has such a high rank in I.U. But… there was something they did not know. To trigger Lisa’s transformation, there are two keys… Of the two, the one that they did not know was…『Agonizante』…」 –The heavenly wolf, The Beast of Gévaudan– Lisa had inherited the fabled legendary beast’s blood of her family that has assimilated the DNA of many strong persons. This metamorphosis must mean that Gévaudan is related to Vlad and Patra. Back with Vlad, his transformation was triggered by Beta-Endorphins, and Lisa must be the same– and it was likely triggered by the same near-death experience that I had experienced. But– was it that GRENEDA had forced her into a dilemma to bring out her fighting ability? If that is the case, they must have been doing to determine what the conditions to trigger her transformation into a mythical beast were. 「…The final thing required to change Lisa into the heavenly wolf is the full moon. The reflected sunlight with the infrared portion of the spectrum attenuated… striking the retina… is that last key…!」 Lisa hated being hurt; she hated the picture of the full moon in Bourtange, and every animal from the dog, black panther, and crow were strangely afraid of her–The Beast of Gévaudan. Lisa had told me about it at the festival. Several prior incidents flashed through my mind, one after another, in Hysteria Mode Agonizante. 「–Th-thirty seconds!」 Everita called out in distress as Lisa’s height–no, her length grew to 5 metres. 「…Now Lisa can see it. The full moon. Before long, Lisa will lose all reason and kill and devour her allies… No one can control Lisa when she turns into The Beast of Gévaudan…!」 「Lisa…!」 「…I don’t want to do it. But if it’s for Master… I will surely exchange my life to displace this weapon above us. Now then, please run. Right now… there are only 10 seconds remaining…! Run far away from Lisa…!」 Transforming in a large golden wolf, Lisa– The last vestiges of humanity in her eyes… spilled tears, and she spoke no more words. A second later, the large golden wolf’s expression turned feral. Exactly like a mythical beast. 『–10 seconds!』 But… Run…? …I can’t do that. Lisa. I am your master. When I became your master, you set laid out a condition, didn’t you? –『Please save Lisa from the things that would hurt her』you said. So I will save you. From GRENEDA’s clutches. And not only that– And also from the blood of The Beast of Gévaudan that torments you…! Through my whole body– No longer Agonizante, but Berserker and Regalamente began pulsing. Something was being taken away, by GRENEDA and The Beast of Gévaudan. You can’t take Lisa…! At that moment– 『– Ignition! Full burn–!』 A wreath of flame began to swirl under the V-2 overhead–and jetted out! And I– coincidentally with the transformed Lisa, looked up. In that instant, an orange flame stretched down from the nozzle– There was nowhere to run. The water directly beneath the V-2 was no good. The weight of the V-2 was 12.5 tonnes. Until the mass has lifted off, everything 3 metres below the engine will be vaporised, burning through to the sand bar below. But– –*Bang!* Drawing Durandal, I kicked off with Ouka–seeing the flame at the same time, Lisa made a decision based on animalistic instinct– Kicking off the cage that appeared to serve the purpose of a thrust deflection plate, we flew away on opposite sides. –Directly above, toward the V-2’s shell… The kerosene and liquid oxygen combined to form a hybrid fuel, forming a scarlet flame that reach downward. In an instant, the water directly beneath vaporised in an explosion of steam. Caught up in the shock, I was buffeted by the wind– *Screech!* I used Durandal and Lisa dug her claws into the shell of the V-2. Recalling Everita’s words at launch, GRENEDA might have known that incurring a deadly wound by trying to save me might be a key to trigger her transformation to 『The Beast of Gévaudan』. Wanting to burn me to death and simultaneously trigger the transformation, but the flames were a moment too late. As I hung from the sword the pierced the frozen surface of the V-2, I saw Lisa through the curtain of steam– *Creak* *Cr-creak!*… Her claws grasping the steel plates firmly anchoring her large body in place. Those emerald colour eyes– The glared at me through the vapour. Those eyes were no longer human. They are the eyes of a mythical beast whose eyes see everything that moves as an enemy. 「…Lisa…!」 As we both clung to the V-2… *Rumble!* *R-rumble!*… the rocket rose slowly. Ice peeled away from the surface, exposing the original chequered pattern once more. Smoke engulfed the entire body as a raging hellfire burned below…! Lisa and I were alive, and we could see the members of GRENEDA panicking on the beach– Sarah had drawn her bow, but Everita and the witches of Regiment Hex had pinned her down. The V-2 rocket intended to bring about an end to DEEN was GRENDA’s pride and joy. It was fitted with a chemical warhead and piloted by Katze. There was no way that they were going to let it be shot down. Looking down– I saw that we were leaving GRENEDA behind as the rocket rose. The rocket reached an altitude equal to its own height and steadily continued accelerating. However, due to the unexpected weight, its flight trajectory was already inclined. Toward the sea. 「–!」 *Boom!* , a destructive sound went up. I instinctively flinched from the sound that came from a black part of the V-2’s body. The V-2 began a gentle spin, as Lisa’s knife-like claws stretched around, attempting to turn me into mincemeat. The arrow that was in her back was gone, and from the wound a thin red smoke wafted up. It looked just like the time I had shot Vlad. Lisa recovers rapidly from wounds and disease, and in order to support rapid regeneration– she must have a demon’s organ. In her human form, it does not seem to be terribly effective, but her mythical beast form had accelerated its function. Releasing while she tried to knock me off that that this was my last chance to jump down– I dug Durandal once more into a white part of the V-2’s exterior. The surface of the V-2 was covered in black and white checks. I clung to a white part, Lisa to a black–as we faced each other. Pushing its way through the incessant downpour, the V-2 continued to accelerate with no sign of slowing. So it’s like that too…! I haven’t forgotten. The time at I.U. that I rode on the exterior of an in-flight ICBM to follow Sherlock. Following Aria. Like that time with Aria, Lisa cannot get off either. The situation is the same– but this time is much more difficult. In comparison, Aria saw me as an ally, and Lisa sees me as an enemy. The V-2 launched amidst chaos– From the start, we had deviated from the originally planned course. Katze must be panicking inside. But this rocket is a ballistic missile. You can’t just stop it like a car. Now that the engine has been lit, there is no other option but to fly. By feeling, right now– we just passed 100 kph. By eye, I’d call our altitude 80 metres. As tall as a skyscraper. There’s no jumping off. And we are only rising higher. Only higher. On this altered trajectory. –*Roooar!*– With a roar, Lisa swiped at me with her claws 2, 3 times. Dodging each attack– each time Lisa struck the surface of the V-2 she impaired its performance. This isn’t good. I have to dodge…! Ripping through the air with turbulence, we continued upward toward the clouds–and I furrowed my eyebrows. If she continued to strike the rocket body, she’d destroy it. If we crash with the chemical warhead attached, it will all be over at once. For me, Lisa, and everyone, including Katze. Lisa reared a clawed limb backward, aiming to smash the place where Katze had boarded the rocket– 「–Stop it, Lisa!」 I fired 3 shots with my Beretta to graze her claws. The claws are the tips of her fingers. In humans and animals, there are a concentration of nerves at the tips of the fingers. If hurt, a sharp pain travels up the arm. That’s why when it comes to large animals, the accepted practice is to aim for the eyes, then the claws. Lisa observed my line of fire and moved her forelimb deftly to avoid the 3 shots. Then without killing any of the momentum, from the other side of the V-2– Then in the next moment, she reached around the opposite side of the rocket to swipe at my back. 「–!」 Then using Durandal as a fulcrum, I make a Cleat Water Fall-fuelled back kick– Unable to strike a woman in the face, I kicked her arm back at the shoulder. Atop the gentling spinning V-2, Lisa has the balance of an animal– In Hysteria Mode, an aerial dogfight out of film unfolded. Amidst the violent air currents, even the smallest mistaken movement will result in a fall. This fight will demand the utmost concentration and efforts of Hysteria Mode. –*Whoom!*– There was a shock like breaking through the surface of water from below. Absorbed in the fight, I noticed a moment later that we had risen to the level of the clouds. Suddenly, we were surrounded by thick, black clouds– the pressure of the vapour struck Lisa and me, jolting us. *Ratatatata!* A loud rattling sound went up from several places on the V-2. Accompanied with a shrill creak, several pieces of the partially destroyed shell peeled of the body of the rocket like puzzle pieces. Asbestos filler scattering, the bare internals of the rocket and liquid oxygen tank were exposed– I caught a brief look at a pipe running from a tank containing hydrogen peroxide or something that was burning with a small flame. No good, I don’t want to fight here… rather than that…! To lead Lisa around, I began scaling the side of the rocket– using hand and foot holds on the damaged exterior, I used the unbreakable legendary blade, Durandal, to stab into the rocket shell amid the howling wind– Climbing up slowly in a spiral pattern. With a *Whoosh!*, we broke through into moonlight. The ridiculously heavy rain stopped, and the air that had been damp until now, suddenly dried. We were above the clouds. We had just past 1 km in altitude. And the V-2 was still accelerating. Our speed was now 500 kph. Twice the speed of a shinkansen. Continuing on the slanted trajectory, we were headed toward the sea in the west. The eastern sky at daybreak was tinged with indigo, giving the illusion of being in outer space. –*Roooar!*– With a howling scream Lisa readied her claws– Using my Beretta at long-range, and then a knee strike and side kick with Ouka and Clear Fall Water at close range, I redirected them. To dismantle the it– the warhead at the tip of the V-2. At the tip of the cone of the V-2 that looked like a star– the shell was being peeled away according to my plan. Using the claws Lisa aimed at me. Our altitude… is much higher than the time with the ICBM from I.U. We must have passed 800 kph. Breathing is becoming impossible, Reaching this final state– I can see it. The warhead. With only a glimpse of it, my Hysteria Mode understood its construction. The air temperature was falling, and a liquid that ran on my skin and Lisa’s hair began to freeze white. It began to run down toward the lower half of the structure, stretching out… clearly the source of the flame inside was not the fuel injector. Due to the destruction that had been wrought, hybrid fuel was leaking and burning orange– no, a tail of golden light stretched out behind the V-2. The tail grew longer by the second. …! Looking down, a sea of clouds was far below. We were at a high altitude, looking over the clouds that covered the entire Netherlands. By eye, it looked like 9 km. We were already higher than Mt. Everest. We had already reached the troposphere– before long, if things continue, we’ll reach the stratosphere. The V-2 is a weapon that climbs to 90 km and drops into enemy territory at Mach 2. It was the first object in all of human history to reach outer space. Despite being partially destroyed, it continued to accelerate and climb. Before long, if I don’t do anything… we’ll truly reach outer space…! –!– I no longer heard Lisa roaring. We were caught between heaven and earth– and the air had become so thing as to not carry sound very well. Our speed was… 1,000 kph…! The V-2 rocket was already faster than a speeding bullet– On its surface… Lisa’s movements were sluggish. I was also unable to move. The two of us clung on with all our might. The whole body of the rocket that had frozen over began to crackle and heat up. At these high speeds, the friction between the rocket body and the air began to heat things up. …No…more…! The unburnt fuel the leaked from the tanks created a streaking tail of golden light that only grew longer. It seemed we would really reach outer space– –Before I knew it, we had levelled off. Due to Lisa’s damage, the V-2 must have reached the apex of its trajectory at a lower sub-orbital altitude. Amidst the sub-sonic gale, I– Had already stabbed Durandal into the tip of the rocket. Then, leaving it to vibrate, I let it destroy the dispersal mechanism for the chemical warhead. Afterwards, I thrust my flattened fingers with Ouka as I had done when I had fallen in my battle with Watson at the SkyTree. 2, then 3 times. Recalling the bomb defusal in Hong Kong, I was resolved to disarm it– In actuality– The chemical warhead containing the cyanide concentrate loosened and slipped free of the V-2. Fighting the wind pressure that pushed my neck downwards, I looked back– The small glass containers of the chemical agent spread out like a line of grapes and fell into the trailing tail of fire, burning up. Any residue would fall here, far from land– and through the torrential rains, into the sea. It’s fortunate that water will neutralise the chemical agent. To start with… I had been able to halt GRENEDA’s attack. I was able to save DEEN. As for saving myself– I could think of no possible way. …Then… I– –spoke, although I didn’t know if I could be heard or not. This powerless girl idolises me as her master– Although now she had the form of a large mythical beast, it was Lisa who clung to the V-2. 「…It’s okay, Lisa. It will be alright…」 Lisa–her emerald coloured eyes glared back at me. Her fighting instinct worn out; I edged my way closer across the surface of the V-2. 「Even I… can’t do anything.」 Beyond my voice… I spoke my heart. At the brink of supersonic speed, my words fell far behind. In order to disarm the warhead, I drew my Beretta, and the air friction caused flames to flare up around my left hand. Lisa bared a fang at me. –*Shing!*– Pain like several bladed objects stabbed into my left arm– 「No one will betray you anymore, Lisa. Now then… let my hand go.」 Lisa had bitten down… And just as she was about to eat my left arm…. … Just like that, she stopped. This movement–transformed into a beast, her instincts didn’t realise that killing me would do nothing to save her. But I want to believe. That my heart reached Lisa– Reached whatever humanity was left inside of her. Lisa… Before long, a smile reached my eyes, and Lisa stared back– Then… my arm was released from her mouth. Her actions were gentle, almost as if some of her humanity had returned. 「…Alright. You’re a good girl, Lisa. Now… let’s go back. To your home country.」 The sound of my gunshots faded, as I shot a rapid-fire series of bullets. I hit the fins of the V-2 to alter its level flightpath–rotating the control surface the alter its angle. Because of the non-ideal fuel mixture, the golden tail stretching out behind the V-2 began to shorten, and we began to slow down, tipping toward the sea of clouds below. Illuminated by moonlight because of the change in angle, Lisa’s concealed figure gradually became visible again. A mythical beast, a large golden wolf– She was beautiful. 「You’re beautiful, Lisa.」 As I muttered that– With a *Whoosh!*, we cut through the surface of the clouds. As we descended, we crossed through a layer of water vapour like those depicted in illustrations of Heaven. With each second, the clouds thickened, obscuring the illumination of the moonlight–nearby, though, the sky was golden– turned that colour by the hybrid fuel still leaking from the V-2 and stretching out many times longer than the rocket itself. Then the pattering sound of raindrops blended with the howl of wind– We dropped into the torrential downpour below the clouds. Our downward angle had already exceeded 30 degrees. Assisted by gravity, the V-2 began to accelerate once more in its dive. –*Cl-lang!* *Cl-lang!* *Cl-lang!*–! I shot the rudder control again with my Beretta. Then the V-2 turned and began flying east… Through the downpour and darkness, no shoreline was in sight. We were in the sky over the Atlantic. The V-2 will not reach it. Land, that is. There’s no way to avoid a splashdown crash. As for where we should go… I was going to change course for GRENEDA’s secret hide-out, Dragon Harbour, but now I don’t know. Even with m Hysteria Mode can’t see a way. Like a golden shooting star, the V-2 began pointing down. It also began to pick up speed. Approaching supersonic speeds again. If the V-2 continues to fall… it will smash into pieces. Along with me, Lisa, and Katze. As that occurred– …Awooooo–…! It was Lisa–the king of beasts, The Beast of Gévaudan! Is the air even dense enough to carry the sound…? She raised a cry. Twice. Then a third time. Coincident with the roar, there was a popping sound. A black plated portion on the upper half of the V-2 separated from it– a capsule shaped object with a seat inside rushed into the air. Seeming to have finally given up on the attack, Katze activated her emergency escape mechanism. Rather, I’m quite surprised that she hasn’t given up until now. Looking through the hatch at Katze, she was seated in a position almost hugging her knees– she was frantically pulling back on the control stick. Then with a *Whoopsh!*…! A parachute unfurled from the capsule and into the air… whereupon Lisa grabbed my shoulder in her mouth. Then pushing off from the V-2, she leapt from the V-2 toward the capsule Katze was piloting. 「…!」 Durandal did not come away from the V-2– If the V-2 were likened to a living creature, Lisa has a habit of lunging for the viscera. Holding me in her mouth, Lisa clung to the capsule with *Screech!* of her claws…! Then separating from the rocket, we tumbled into the sky. 「…!」 I looked into the capsule and Katze’s non-eyepatched eye widened in shock. Then as our eyes met, I winked to her in greeting. …*Flap!* *Flap!* *Flap!* …! In the torrential rain, 3 swastika marked parachutes unfurled. Then, the V-2 that was the source of our nightmarish experience fell away below us. With a rush or air, a vapour cone formed around it. It appeared to have reaches supersonic speeds in its fall. But gauging our relative velocities in that moment by eye– Even with the parachute, we were falling at a dangerous rate. Because of Lisa’s and my extra weight, we weren’t slowing. In that case… I’m not certain about Lisa, but Katze and I will surely die from the impact of a splashdown. This is gravity– with the entire earth as you enemy, even Hysteria Mode can’t fight against it. Gritting my teeth, I fixed my eyes on the black surface of the water… From below the surface… –*Blub!* Blub!*…! Something terribly large rose up. It was like the time I had seen I.U., but this was smaller than that… Oi…! Oi! Oi! Is this for real! …A whale…!? The largest animal in the world, a blue whale, was breaching– Jumping up from the water’s surface. Coming up to meet us. Then dodging the V-2 it surged its gargantuan body, farther and farther out of the water–*Whoosh!*–! Still carrying me in her mouth, Lisa dropped from the capsule onto it. Then– without a seeming second though, she arced through the air to land on the whale’s torso. Slipping down it exactly like a playground slide. 「–…!」 *Swish!*–! It was still coated in seawater– Then we began to fall downward with the whale at a slower rate as Lisa slid at angle. Past the fins, toward the tail, winding around across its body– Still carried in the mouth, I hit the water, sending up a spray of foam. …This…! I had told Lisa about that in Bourtange… it About the time and what had happened when I had fallen from the zeppelin airship with Katze. I had fallen at a slant rather than straight down. Lisa must have remembered how I had managed to escape death from the fall. Then with animals nearby– she used the whale to accomplish a safe splashdown. In her role as『the king of beasts』. That must mean– Lisa regained some of her humanity. Because she was able to remember my story. At the festival in Bourtange I had seen how to open the human heart of The Beast of Gévaudan… it was a bit embarrassing to recall, but I probably just proved in the sky a while ago. 「–Haa!」 Still in Lisa’s mouth, we popped back up from underneath the ocean… Then after being released, I dog-paddled over to Lisa, grabbed a hold of her fur, and pulled myself up on to her back. Suddenly released from our combined weight, Katze’s capsule– was just able to fall without being destroyed. Seemingly have been designed for a water landing, it bobbed back up above the surface a short distance away amidst the waves stirred up by the whale. The sky was heavily clouded, but there was practically no rain. It appears that the clouds bearing the heavy rain have moved toward the west, carried by the winds. With the wind blowing, Lisa dog-paddled over to Katze’s capsule with me still riding on her back. Then looking into the bobbing capsule… *Grrrrr!* Lisa growled. A cold sweat standing out on her body, I saw Katze through the window… she was shouting something. Reading her lips, she said:『What the heck are you doing!?』 Sorry. Even I don’t know. –Inspecting it, the hatch to the capsule was smashed and couldn’t be opened from the inside. Even so, it appeared to be airtight and no water was coming in. Since it was designed to fly at high altitude, it probably has its own oxygen system. 『…Y-you messed it up…』 Katze grumbles as she sat cross-legged in the capsule, looking up at us. However, it doesn’t appear that the capsule is equipped with any motive controls. Looking it over, there isn’t even an engine. It seems that the capsule can only drift. We fortunately managed to survive our fall from the sky, but now… our problem was the loss of directions. Even Lisa surveyed her surroundings, seeming to ponder which direction the shore lay. But then… 「…?」 My Hysteria Mode picked up on something strange. In the sky. I don’t know where the Moon or Sun are, but underneath the clouds that dimly shone with light from those celestial bodies… fluttering… there were no trees but, something like leaves were dancing in the wind. Not just 1, not 2. Innumerable numbers of them flew through the air. Those aren’t leaves… butterflies…? They were butterflies. *************************** *************************** Underneath the clouds, a huge number of butterflies flew in a stunning line, carried by the strong wind. These… Are the migratory butterflies I had seen with Lisa in Bourtange. This is the season they cross the English Channel from the Netherlands to the distant U.K. That means– they are flying toward the U.K. And where they are flying from–is the Netherlands. Now I knew it. Thanks to the butterflies. I had a general idea of directions…! 「Lisa. Over there. There is your home country.」 As soon as I pointed, Lisa set her front paws on Katze’s capsule like a paddleboard, and with her rear legs began to dog paddle. But the movement wasn’t very efficient. We had a rough idea which way the shore was, but there is no land in sight… it is at least 10 km away. Using Lisa’s power alone, it would be difficult to reach at this speed. If she reverts back to her original form en route, things will become even more difficult. If it’s not one thing, it’s another, and I furrowed my eyebrows in concentration– …? The tides shifted. They began flowing unnaturally toward the shore… peeking into the capsule… Katze had her eyes shut and was making motions in the air with her hands Even someone as ignorant of supernatural research as I understood. Katze, The Witch of Cursed Water, was manipulating the water. We had shown her the direction, and she was guiding the intact capsule to shore. Using the ocean currents to do so. 「–Lisa. You know where we are headed, right?『Dragon Harbour』. That’s where Katze probably wants to go.」 I said, stroking Lisa’s pointed ear. 「Your master will not run away.」 My friends are on the other side of the dark sea. We both share the stigma of being branded a traitor and caught by enemies that were our friends. 「 I’ll be back –I’ll save, Jeanne. If my maid helps me.」 Along with that famous line from a film– I recited Butei Charter: Article 1 in my heart. –Believe in your comrades and help them. I will do that. I mean it this time. Go For The Next!!! [END] AFTERWORD: …*Ding!* *Dong!* *Ding!* *Dong!*… With those bells! And this time of year! It’s time for Akamatsu Santa! Right now, the 16th volume of the light novel and the 9th of the comic, and the 7th of Hidan no Aria AA are all for sale! What’s more, in the 7th volume of AA Kaname makes her debut… There is also an illustration of Kinzou/G-3 that is not included in the main series. This is a must-see! I just checked, and the 2nd, 5th, 8th, 11th, Cast Off Table. and the 16th book from the series have all been published at Christmas for the last 6 years. Back in the 5th year of primary school, when asked『What do you want to be when you grow up?』, I should have written 『Santa Claus』if I wanted to be prophetic. Looking back at all the books I have written in the last 6 years, when asked『What job do you want to have in the future?』, I wrote『Warrior』(What the heck, 6th year me!?), so I tried to be more macho back then. Maybe that was due to influence of『Dragon Quest』. I get the feeling that ‘job’ reminded the young me of ‘classes’ inside a game, so that’s why I did it. Now then, speaking of games, I have wonderful news…! Next year, Namco Bandai is planning to sell『Super Heroine Chronicle』 In this game, heroines from across all genres and RPGs are gathered to fight. But this game includes heroines from Hidan no Aria! I had general oversight and ensured that the girls from the series moved well and were very cute. Of course, all the voice actresses’ voices were included! Oh, it made me so happy! It will come out for PlayStation and PlayStation Vita on February 6th, 2014. For more details, please check the official game website. This year I worked hard dual-wielding guns in『Gunslinger Stratos』and trying to get my waifu in『Aikatsu』– I plan to have lots of fun at the arcade next year too! …I-Is that alright? I only game『1 hour every day』because I have to work hard on y manuscripts. Until next time that the tulips bloom in the Netherlands– I’ll see you again in the bookstore. A certain day in December 2014, Akamatsu Chuugaku ILLUS NOTE: **I’m so glad that a lot of new characters made an appearance this time! It would make me very happy if you enjoyed them. See you in the next volume! ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ## 14. Volume 17 - Recitation of the Scarlet Ammo -Recitativo- ### 001. Bullet 1: Geveduan and Enable On to a new volume! Have some free time over the holiday break, and I’m hoping to get 2 chapters out before I head back to lectures. We shall see how that term looks for TL’ing when it starts… In the meantime, enjoy this early Christmas present! Volume 17: Hidan’s Recitative–Recitativo Chapter One: Geveduan and Enable [BEGIN TEXT] A flock of migrating butterflies– It was just as Sherlock’s Cognis had predicted for Lisa and me. 「That’s some brilliant deduction, Sherlock.」 I sent off this compliment of my former formidable opponent toward the sky. This is the second time that Lisa and I have witnessed this sight. The first time was in front of the windmill just before our flight from Bourtange. Before I had seen her form as『The Beast of Gévaudan』or she had seen me in Hysteria Mode, when we formed our Master-Servant contract– we saw the migrating butterflies. And today we saw them again. Now we had both seen each other’s true form. And in one fateful instant, aggression had gone out the window. Throwing a leg over Lisa’s large, golden wolf form that was dog paddling west– 「It’s『Dragon Harbour』. I see it, Lisa and Katze.」 Snatched back from the brink of death, my Hysteria Mode Agonizante’s improved eyesight picked out the enemy line on the wild Dutch coast and pointed toward it. Using the tip of her nose, Lisa nudged the V-2 escape capsule across the ocean current while the Witch of Cursed Water, Katze, inside it manipulated the ocean current with a waggle of her finger. Half submerged in the water; Lisa began swimming toward the land. High in the sky, the sun shone faintly through the clouds, outlining the V-2 launch site where there was not a single trace of any person. Stealthily, we crept closer toward the secret GRENEDA base hidden in the cleft behind the waterfall… Inside there was chaos. I saw Nazi uniformed girls running around, seeming to lack any kind of direction. Naturally, they would have Everita’s leadership, but now she is boarding her U-boat. It appears that having observed the V-2’s crash, they are intending to mount a mission to retrieve Katze… who is currently cupping both her hands like a megaphone and shouting『I’m Here–! Enemy attack!』However, due to the airtight nature of the high-altitude capsule, she was entirely inaudible to anyone outside. Katze kicked and screamed inside the capsule, but the hatch distorted by Lisa did not open. She picked up a communication device receiver, then angrily hurled against the wall–apparently having broken in the crash. Such a predictable child. I don’t see Yen or Sarah… I don’t want to make any bad moves. Looking up at the large ship that was GRENEDA’s stronghold, I heard the clack of Patra’s heels on the upper deck and read her lips as she said:『Bring Jeanne here.』 Behind Patra, a rope hung down from the rear mast, and a loop was tied A gallows . 「Patra thinks Lisa–『The Beast of Gévaudan』is dead, so it’s pointless to keep the sacrificial Jeanne alive. Come on. We have to hurry.」 I whispered into Lisa’s ears as she curled up, hidden behind a rock, but– The effects of the sudden decompression and pressurisation in such a short span at high altitude without a pressure suit had no small effect on my circulatory and respiratory. My body was numb, and breathing was difficult… forcing myself wouldn’t be smart. 「–In order to do that, we’ll have to trick them in order to split their strength. Lisa, you have to do as I say.」 The legendary sword Durandal in hand, I mounted Lisa once more. Resolved to show myself to GRENEDA. 「I suffered a painful experience in Hong Kong at the hands of GRENEDA due to a『ship』. I want to pay them back for that. To start with, you’ll jump up onto the prow, alright?」 I ordered Lisa– and she sprang up, leaving the capsule with the harmless Katze inside. Kicking off the rock, she leapt up onto the figurehead shaped like a sea serpent. It was one smooth, and swift movement. 「…! –Now, attack!!」 「It’s Gévaudan and Enable!」 I appeared like something from the film『Princess Mononoke』, and the Nazi girls on the deck shrieked. Terrified of her huge form, one by one, they all fled the ship. It was like a rout… It appeared that all of them were maids dedicated to taking care of GRENEDA’s fighters; personal belongings Good. The young girls ran away and escaped. Involving small fry is against the rules of FEW. 「–H-Hey! Deserters will be sentenced to death by firing squad!!」 Everita shouted as she looked at the girls diving into the water below her and leaning over the railing on the conning tower of the U-Boat to fire a warning shot– she leaned too far and tumbled into the water herself. Then, unable to swim, she began to shrilly cry「Help! Help me!」as she bobbed up and down in the water. What is this? Well, putting those engaged in comedy aside… let’s continue with our own tactics. 「Lisa, cross the rigging that runs from the front of the ship to the back.」 I said as I slapped her back, and Lisa took several rapid steps– *Tap!* *Tap!* Springing from the figurehead to the forecastle, several large ropes ran down from the rigging and moored the Acapulco Galleon to the wall of the grotto. Lisa skilfully balanced in the rigging on her four paws, as if balancing on a tightrope, as I reached down and severed each of the lines with Durandal, saying「Next!」after each one. Lisa cross quickly from one rope to another… *Grr!*… and the entire huge body of the ship quivered. Inside『Dragon Harbour』there was a sluggish current of groundwater. The ship was carried along by it– With all the retaining ropes cut, the ship began to drift slowly. Heading toward the waterfall curtain across from it. 「… Tooyama, Kinji…!」 Looking down at Patra as we jumped above the spanker sail, I gave her a wink– 「–Dig right here, Lisa!」 Jumping down onto the poop deck, Lisa shredded the planks with her claws. I already knew where Jeanne was. It appeared that she intended to take advantage of the mayhem outside free herself–one of the cannon ports on the stern of the ship was frozen from the inside. With that as a marker, Lisa ripped and burrowed into the wooden structure… Finally, she reached the gun deck where Jeanne had originally been imprisoned 「… Tohyama!」 It appeared the Jeanne couldn’t twist off her anti-ESP handcuffs, so I got off Lisa’s back and severed them with Durandal– 「That…that’s『The Beast of Gévaudan』…!」 I handed over Durandal to her as she stood with wide sapphire eyes. 「That’s right. But fortunately, this child is also a girl.」 「I see, so does that mean that you have tamed her? As expected of the gigolo Tohyama.」 「Uh, from that scary expression on your face, it looks like you think you understand, but really that’s not it at all… She shouldn’t eat you. That’s limited to the opposite sex isn’t it?」 As I gave a wry smile, Jeanne– She embraced her beloved possession, Durandal, twice, no, three times. 「 Merci , Tohyama… you saved me.」 「You don’t need to thank me. You saved me at the Musée de la Guerre École 」 Sensing the approach of an enemy, I drew my Beretta and remounted Lisa’s back. Looking up, with a *Riiip!* Jeanne tore the skirt of her sacrificial dress intentionally. She must have done it in order to increase her mobility to fight, but it gave me a brief glimpse of her porcelain white thighs–adding fuel to the fire of my Hysteria Mode. 「This is the formation of the chivalric order of Jeanne D’Arc, isn’t it? One leader and one knight. 「Fufu! That’s right. I guess that makes me the knight.」 Jeanne quipped, putting her hair up in a braid to signify she was ready to fight, much like she had done in the underground storage area. Launching myself up onto the deck– There, Patra waited for us, dressed in a swimsuit-like costume and a sparkling golden cobra crown. Goodness, she seems like a veritable amazon! But with Jeanne and The Beast of Gévaudan behind me, I didn’t retreat a step. With the moorings of the large ship unfastened, it moved slowly toward the curtain of the waterfall. Swaying slightly, the footing wasn’t so good. 「–Tohyama, leave this to me.」 With ice crackling as it covered the Durandal’s blade, Jeanne advanced. Single combat between her and her fellow female knight– at least that was the impression I got as the Nazi uniformed girls who took refuge on the U-Boat shouted encouragement to Patra. 「Understood. I’ll take care of the rest.」 Looking down at us from the yard arm of the bonadventure mast was Typhoon Sarah … I sensed her faint bloodlust and urged Lisa to turn around. Jeanne and Patra are both very proud girls. I don’t want to get caught up in a duel with a longbow, but I owe Sarah a grudge as she is the one who defeated my『Billiard』. I’m not good with snipers, but she is my opponent. 「Patra, back in I.U. you were my senior, but I won’t hold back. This is a battle of Far East War. Surely you cannot refuse.」 「–Quite naturally. I have always detested you of Daio. With the passing of the late Sherlock, I am free to chastise you properly. However, I shall not kill you. You could not serve of my Medjay, but despite your weakness, you should be capable of fulfilling the duties of a slave」 –『The Diamond Dust Witch』versus『The Sand Witch』– There isn’t any sand around Patra like there usually is, but her crown and necklace transformed into a curved scimitar. A solid golden sword seemed insufficient to face the legendary sword Durandal, but even with that handicap– of the witches, Patra is the one with the greater presence. There isn’t any pyramid-shaped structure nearby, but she is pulling quite a bit of magical power from somewhere. Overawed by Patra, I told Jeanne… 「Jeanne, you are not the same person as when you were in I.U. By fighting us and then Katze, you’ve certainly improved. Show that to Patra. I’ll be watching you.」 Leaving her with that, I cocked the hammer of my Beretta and leapt up with Lisa. Toward Sarah. ************************************************* The descendant of Robin Hood, Sarah, the witch able to control the wind– Lisa leapt up onto the mast, landing with a *Plop!* Seeing no defence, Lisa simply pursued. Defying the sheer momentum of a beast of prey, with a *Tap!* *Tap!*, Sarah bounded lightly from the yard arm toward the lookout. Like the two S poles of a magnet, Sarah seemed to be repelled and keep her distance from Lisa… and I understand the trick. Sarah is manipulating the wind, keeping something like an air cushion between herself and Lisa. Each time she does it, she holds down her feathered hat to keep it from flying off– but the frenzied flapping of her chequered miniskirt is clear evidence of the fact. Lisa’s claws and fangs and catching nothing but air, but Sarah cannot do anything but run. Sarah is an archer. Without giving her distance, she doesn’t have the time to nock an arrow, but bullets are not easily affected by the wind– –*Bang!* I fired my gun, trying to get a lead on Sarah, but she had already loosed an arrow. With only a slight manipulation, it intercepted my bullet– *Clang!* 『Billiard』…! She had turned that fateful technique back on me. Even using a bow. My opponent is a girl, and that makes me a bit nervous– Despite the fact that we are chasing Sarah toward the prow, she seems a bit too eager. Besides that, the swordfight between Jeanne and Patra unfolding below is diverting my attention. *Whoom!*– Something shot up from within the forecastle aimed at Lisa. –Artillery!? In my position as a rider, I couldn’t see what it was, but from the shock I felt pass through Lisa, it appeared to be some kind of artillery fire coming up from directly beneath. With a howl, Lisa roared– –and sh-shrank mid-air. 「…Lisa!」 Beneath, Lisa began to return to human form before my eyes, and I used my hands and feet to perform a shock-absorbing technique, Kikka, to push away from the collapsing forecastle. 「A…ooh… I-I apologise, Master…」 Clutching her abdomen, Lisa spoke in human speech– smoke went up from her golden body hair, and the front of her body… became bare skin. Her back from her butt down remained hairy, and she still had her tail. Her flowing blonde hair stream out from between pointed ears. It was like something from the anime and manga that Riko likes, a dog-girl. Thanks to her Gévaudan form, she was able to survive the attack, but from the looks of it, the damage was severe… As she concealed herself with a curtain from the rubble, I looked around. It wasn’t artillery. Though I would have preferred that. 「There was a snake and an oni in Europe… I knew that. The snake, Patra’s cobra is here. I guess I guess I don’t have to wonder where the oni is.」 Saying that as I stood up and looked back over my shoulder– I turned and scowled at the person who had just felled the Beast of Gévaudan with a kanabou that looked to weigh approximately 100 kg. Large, brawny, and wearing an African-style colourful kimono… there was a female oni. –Yen. Huge. Both Ranbyou-sensei from LOGI and Kazumi Katori are bigger than me, but she is much larger than either of them. Her height is somewhere near 2 metres. At the edge of my field of view, Sarah stirred slightly… Her chequered skirt fluttered as she set herself down onto the deck of the U-Boat. Now I see. I thought that Lisa had been running away from the start, but now I realise that she had been leading us to Yen. Sarah had tricked me again. *Drip!*…*Drip!* *Drip!*….*Drip!* *Drip!* *Drip!* Carried along by the current, the tip of the ship began to enter the waterfall curtain. 「M-master…!」 The upper part of her body was hidden by the curtain, but her visible dog ears evinced worry– 「Yen, Lisa can’t fight any more. As her master, neither can I. But I can’t ask you to overlook both of us, can I? However, since there isn’t anyone else, I will be your opponent.」 For my part, I was worried about Lisa as I made this request to Yen. Hearing that, she tilted her head in a confused expression–looking handsome despite the fact that she was a woman… 「Tohyama. Wouldst thou take care to tread upon a specific insect before thee, or wouldst thou tread upon everything alike?」 From her words, I got the impression that she had lost in interest in Lisa particularly. As for the result, she seems willing to overlook Lisa… But she is wrong. She is treating Lisa as an insect. But because she brought Lisa down, I entered Hysteria Mode King Mode. It won’t help me to get too angry. *Whooosh!* The line of water falling into the ship began drawing closer to us. 「We’re headed to the open sea.」 「That is correct.」 「Then let’s start our bout on the other side of the waterfall. ‘Out with the oni’, as they say, so that would apply to yourself as well, I would assume?」 1 「Ever since I have known the samurai Tohyama, thou hast said incomprehensible things.」 She said seriously while sluggishly moving her kanabou about… resting it lightly upon her shoulder like a large metal pipe. 「I wanted to ask you this before… You aren’t human, are you?」 「Indeed. Although I may appear as such.」 「Please excuse the rude question, but are you a woman?」 「Indeed. I am not hermaphroditic」 I did not understand some of what she said, but… when it comes to Hysteria Mode, it is important to know whether or not she is a woman. I don’t know whether or not an oni and a human can have offspring, but not knowing… I can’t let myself think too hard on it. Given the fact that Yen can be seen as a woman, I have to fight her, holding in my heart that she is an oni. …*Whooosh!*… Standing on the starboard and port sides of the ruins of the forecastle, respectively, the waterfall washed over myself and Yen. Then as the curtain of water hid us from each other’s sight– I was already pointing my Beretta at Yen. 「Now then, let’s start this oni extermination.」 With a wink–*Bang!* Without so much a flinching from the muzzle flash of my gun, Yen– *Snatch!* With a small noise, she snatched up the bullet with the hand that didn’t hold her kanabou. 「Hm. It appears that there hath not been much improvement since the days of matchlocks.」 Still dripping wet, Yen pinched the bullet between her fingers and examined it… Just now, she used something like my Zero, but based on a different principle, to stop my bullet. She couldn’t have decelerated it entirely by hand! 「… How did you stop it? The bullet.」 I asked for clarification as drops of water fell from my bangs… 「Hm? It came at me quickly, and I grasped it in my hand.」 She replied with serious face and an answer that did not clarify anything at all. Uh… Was it that natural for you, Yen? Or is it that you aren’t that intelligent? At any rate, it appears that my gun is worse than useless. That does it for that. 「All over the world, people say that there is no such thing as onis… but that appears to be untrue. In my life, I’ve met 3.」 「Oh? On what occasion and with whom have you had these encounters?」 「As an original member of GRENEDA, shouldn’t you know, Yen? I fought Vlad in Yokohama, and the vampire Hilda in Oshiage. Vampires are onis, right?」 「Nay. Such talk is foolishness.」 Yen’s mouth turned down slightly. 「Onis are more clever than most, stronger than beasts, and are the ultimate beings of all living things. Those are just vampire bats unworthy to be called onis.」 … I see. If Hilda heard such a thing, she would be angry. But what she said– Coming from Yen, it sounded convincing. She’s strong. Even though she’d not as big as Vlad, or as flashy as Hilda. This is raw, unmingled power–this oni walking toward me. That is the situation. Analysing the combat potential of this unknown enemy is difficult, but it is a good assumption that she is strong. Just how strong is unclear. In reality, she was able to knock Lisa and myself from the sky in a single blow. I’m dead, even if I make a tiny mistake. Even with Hysteria Mode a cold sweat broke out on my forehead, hopefully the drops of water from the waterfall will hide that… 「An oni… Yen, you are Habi’s associate, correct? So, do I understand correctly that this is a battle of representatives in FEW?」 I spoke to gain time while seeking to clarify the procedural implications of this fight. Without answering my question, Yen held the palm of her hand toward me. 「A human shouldst not address Habi-sama without honorifics . Thou shouldst apologise.」 「Even if it is a request from a woman… generally, I do not do so for my enemies. It would feel like a betrayal.」 「… An affront to Habi-sama is an offense against the Heavens. Therefore, to thou, Tohyama, I will–bestow divine punishment!」 Her eyes literally changing to glow red as she glared at me… Yen seemed to be greatly enraged by my words. Right now… my time is up. I haven’t come up with a way, but I will have to before long. Oni-san, I’m more than willing to do so. I’ve already launched my pre-emptive strike. Yen, last October on Empty Island, I saw that you were Habi’s subordinate… and that your loyalty was strong. That was about all the gossip I could gather. 「You presume too much. I will lay you low, Tohyama.」 Clenching her hands tight… Yen… Slowly took up a stance. But that stance is not found anywhere within human martial arts. Her kanabou hung down in a waki stance. But it was on the left side of her body. The posture was meant to conceal the weapon behind the body, but when brandished– It was a stance with unfathomable power behind it that would launch me high into the sky. Of course, if the kanabou landed a direct hit, then my body would be destroyed and scattered in pieces in the air. In contrast to the kanabou held low, her right hand was held wide, like a brown bear claw. Almost as if she intended to rip me to shreds with her claws. This isn’t any human form of hand-to-hand combat. That wasn’t all within her stance that didn’t fit within human expectations, there was also her『head posture』and『facial posture』. While scowling at me, her face was turned down and across from me, the two horns that sprouted from the centre and left side of her forehead were turned toward me and showing her fangs like a sulking child. It looked like she was going to attack and gore me with her horns and bite me with her fangs… that was the entirety of her stance. –Human strength combined with the strength of a large predator. Is that the essence of an oni? At least that is my understanding. 「… Understood. Due to my capture by GRENEDA, I suffered from a lack of exercise, but I just finished my calisthenics on the V-2.」 Compared to an oni, I am still human, so my stance has my left hand open and a gun in my right hand. Both my feet are in a defensive posture, and my centre of balance is slightly to the rear. I learned the Tohyama family style from my father, the Butei style from Ranbyou, I was able to imitate Aria’s Baritsu and mix them all together to form my own style’s posture. If it had a particular characteristic, it would be setup for a counter… the intent to『Follow-up』as it were. 「…Mine kanabou, Kongourokkaku, 2 has the power of a thousand men– See it for yourself!」 In the next instant, facing a literal oni with the power of a single man, I took a step forward. –*Bang!*– Making as if I wasn’t going to use my gun– I fired an『Invisible Bullet』. If I gave no sign that I was going to use my gun, I thought that she wouldn’t be able to catch it… but this was an oni. Raising the kanabou. It was easily blocked with a *Clang!*. Then from the kanabou– *Whooooooooosh!* A whirlpool from the space distorted by the explosive power flew toward me. It was like a larger scale of my Ouka, a supersonic attack…! But the swing speed of the kanabou wasn’t at the speed of sound, and my eye could follow it. For just an instant, Yen corkscrewed the kanabou about its long axis at rapid speed, bringing the spines covering its surface up to supersonic speed. At the explosive sound, Lisa lowered her head 「–!」 I crossed both my arms in front of my face as the debris was kicked up. Large pieces of rubble were blown off of the forecastle… It appears that onis have mid-range attacks. The shockwave released from the kanabou was like a tornado, in effect, a scaled version of Bewitching Blade’s Sakuga. Raising my head for an instant– 「–!」 I realised Yen was at point-blank range. From her posture, I deduced the kanabou’s trajectory and laid down as if to crawl. *Whooooom!*– With that noise, a whirled shockwave came off of the hexagonal kanabou and ripped the sail off of the bowsprit. The kill-zone of the shockwave attack is limited to the area directly before it. If you think of it like a flamethrower, it isn’t impossible to predict. On the downswing, I immediately pushed off with both arms and legs to evade it. Flying through the air, the kanabou impacted on side of the forecastle with full force, causing the entirety of the magnificent 3000 tonne Nao de la China vessel to rock. 「…!…」 Out of necessity, I used Ouka to leap diagonally up toward the bow mast– Even Jeanne and Patra, engaged in their own fight on the deck, were startled by the sound of Yen’s attack. I wanted to flash the girls a smile, but I didn’t have that time. Yen was pursuing me like a whirlwind. –She’s fast…! Kicking off the mast, I could only escape to the yard from which the sail hung. Yen– she is stronger than Vlad and faster than Aria. That is my opponent. No matter how hysterised I am, I can’t sumo wrestle an elephant, or chase a cheetah and win. So, I will have to use my wits. 「–Rousing!」 Flourishing her fighting spirit in a husky cry, Yen stretched out her kanabou, Kongourokkaku– In response, I nimbly bounded away with a *Whish!* Then I alighted down onto the spined surface of the hexagonal prism. Now she can’t corkscrew it in a scaled Sakuga. Even if you did, I could oppose it by kicking in the opposite direction with Ouka, right? 「Fuhaha!」 Laughing, Yen met my smiling face. *Whoosh!* Using the force behind Yen’s swing, I sailed back up to the yards. Because the harbour was as a protective bunker for the U-Boat, the masts of the sailing boat were constituted of several collapsible sections. The large mast was made of oak and copper… If Yen fractures on of the ship seams, it will sink quite easily. Yen is one the enemies that tried to kill me by drowning. Let her experience drowning for herself. –With this true motive in mind, I climbed to the fore royal yard… My opponent spun around easily and leapt up toward me. From the deck to the top yard, the distance was more than 40 metres. The ship was swept down the narrow canal-like waterway and out to the Atlantic. The rising sun peeked out between the clouds, and the winds were in lull where the landward breeze was shifting to a sea breeze. 10 metres from the end of the yard, Yen crossed the distance toward me as I looked out over the land– 「–Man hath but 50 years on Earth–」 3 … Whereupon she began to spin. Without any warning. She spread her hands out in place of a folding fan with her kanabou in hand. 「In the Fifth Heaven, ’tis but a phantasm of dreams, and nothing there doth not perish.」 This… is graceful and beautiful… Enraptured, I lost track of all strategy. This is–the Atsumori. Fifty years’ time in the human world isn’t anything but a fleeting dream in the Heavens–that is the meaning of the lyrics accompanying her movement, and it is part of an old Japanese dance. She is dancing in the middle of the duel. Yen is… such an alluring woman. Even with her rugged build. 「…Why do you not come down? Instead, you retreat higher and higher. You should come down– If thou hidest in the ship, it would be battle of lurking and hiding.」 The dancing Yen shouldered her kanabou as she spoke with a grave expression. 「It is due to a small issue within my own constitution.」 I answered while applauding her dancing. However, that was not the reason I had in mind for not adopting Yen’s strategy… I did not want to descend because I knew that she was not wearing any underwear beneath her kimono. The hem of her clothes was ridiculously short, such that looking up at her was an absolute no-go. Yen, can’t you wear tiger fur underwear next time? 「What’s more, I couldn’t bring myself to harm a beautiful woman’s skin I have done as much as I could until now, but I will wrestle you to the ground gently. Please do not worry.」 「Thou hast accomplished naught, so do not boast over such small victory.」 Yen looked at me as if disgusted– 「Couldn’t I tell you the same thing? Why don’t you come at me seriously?」 This time I asked Yen a question. To which Yen made an expression of『Don’t you understand?』with widened eyes. 「I doth not possess the leave of Habi-sama to fight.」 Standing up straight, she held up a palm in front of her, as if to halt me. 「Young warrior from Yamato, I hath acted hastily– until now. Be still now, Tohyama. We still hath time.」 Turning around and looking behind… underneath the low hanging clouds, just skimming the water… …A bird? No, it was a white airplane flying directly north-northeast. But spotting the plane– its fuselage was shaped like a boat. It was a flying boat, capable of taking off and landing on the water’s surface. In order to prevent the engines from contacting the water, it had gull wings… If I had to give it a name, I would call it『Chayka』 4 , but there’s no doubt that it was a Be-12. *Sploooosh!*… Pushing its way through the water with a noise and splashing down, Chayka’s still rotating propellers allowed it to taxi on the water as well. What appeared to be rocket launchers and depth charges were mounted under the wings, and the entire craft lack any military insignia… instead, an amethyst family crest was depicted. That–it looks like something I remember seeing in Brussels at Liberty Mason’s hidden lodge. Coming alongside the ship, a hatch on the flying boat opened and a hook attached to a wire drove into the side– Using an electric pulley, it pulled in close to the gun port that Jeanne had frozen over– Kaiser…! Liberty Mason’s representative fighter, with whom I failed to reach an agreement in Brussels, stormed aboard. If you cared to look, you’d see Watson in an identical coat, crossing to the upper deck. On the upper deck, having exhausted her strength Jeanne was propping herself up with Durandal. With her back toward Jeanne, Patra was stuck with her feet frozen in place… Watson pointed a Sig Sauer-P226 at her and she raised both hands. Liberty Mason– The must have detected the V-2 launch on radar or something. Immediately afterwards, they must have rushed to the launch site from Amsterdam. The fact that they were able to arrange the use of the flying boat must speak well of their organisational capacity. 「For Far East Warfare—the days of idle revelry hasteneth to a close. Tis my duty to watch over the fate of this war… We shall meet again after a time.」 Yen turned her back toward me. 「However, there is but one seasoned veteran with a body capable of matching oni in these current days. That is something of which to boast.」 Half turning back, she gave me a cool, but unnerving smile. A single body… That was what she said, but even guns are ineffective. 「A final question, Tohyama. Who art thou?」 Diving from the mast into the ocean, Yen took her leave, but I didn’t want her to get away– 「I’m only a high school student. I am a bit below average and attending a rough school.」 –I didn’t want to lose sight of her, but I have to let her go. If she were serious, everything would have gone to pieces, but now it appears that Kaiser has cornered someone else on the ship… They are trying to throw them self from the ship. Standing on the fore royal yard in front, far below me on the hull– A woman in a white robe was fumbling at a gun port, about plunge herself into the sea. It was Loretta-san, the exorcist bishop from the Vatican who switched sides from DEEN to GRENEDA and used Meiya. She must have been hiding aboard and delayed her own escape. Being blind and in such ungainly clothing, she might tumble into the ocean– No, that was her plan. Clutching a crucifix in front of her large bosom and reciting a scripture… With a *Whoosh!*, her robes flared out in the air as she jumped, but I had jumped just a few moments earlier to catch her. When I jumped off, I attached my belt wire to the hull of the ship, and now I hung suspended… As she frantically glanced around in confusion with sightless eyes, I planted a small kiss on her cheek. 「Kyaa…!」 Stiffening with a jolt, she curled her body up spoke into her ear. 「What was is that Christ said?『Love thine enemy』, was it? Loving is my specialty.」 Softly, oh so softly, I whispered… Kaiser’s upper body stuck out of the gun port, holding a gun in one hand and saying: 「 Hi, Long time no see. 」 Giving me a brittle smile. This casual manner is a good sign. ******************************************************** Afterwards, several more『gulls』splashed down… Originally Soviet anti-submarine patrol craft, they pinned down Everita’s U-Boat at the mouth of the river as it tried to make its escape. Sarah had disappeared before anyone noticed, Watson had Katze captured in the V-2 capsule, and The Battle of Dragon Harbour turned into a surprise victory for DEEN. I crossed over and knocked on the conning tower of the U-Boat. 「I thought so… you truly are a『cursed man』…!」 A swastika-shaped vein bulging on her forehead, Everita held out a white flag made from one of her underlings’ undergarments. As the leader, she must protect those behind her. 「No, it’s『Enable』.」 Everita really is a powerful woman. I didn’t kill Sherlock, G-3, or even Son, and this wouldn’t be the first time. Onboard the flying boat as it headed to Amsterdam, I made my proper apologies to Kaiser for what happened in Brussels… I pilfered an enemy dress from Dragon Harbour for Lisa to wear, and now she slept softly like a log with her head in my lap. 5 That afternoon we arrived in Amsterdam and was guided to Liberty Mason’s lodge–Set free since Dragon Harbour, Loretta-san was prostrate before Meiya, but they told me, somewhat embarrassingly: 「Don’t worry about it. You’ve also had a similar situation in your own organisation」 …To be honest, this whole difficult situation was due to my own stupidity. Wasn’t I a problem child that they worried about in Butei High? A Butei that falls into enemy traps easily lack attentiveness, awareness, and is seen as one who brings danger to his teammates. Students lose trust in them, and they receive corporal punishment from the teachers. Rather, the one who can catch the enemy in a trap is trusted and praised in a real fight. What I mean is… I have to be more careful. This European expedition is a lesson. I need to learn from it. I died once, and that’s an expensive lesson. Liberty Mason’s Lodge– it was about a 15-minute drive from the Grand Centraal Station where I went with Lisa the other day, at the top floor of the World Trade Building close to the port. It was designed to display the architectural prowess of the Netherlands, a beautiful emerald-coloured building with a lattice of windowpanes. Next, Lisa returned with a vast supply of food from Albert Heijn and cooked oversized Dutch portions of food in the lodge kitchen. If you feed the defeated Patra, Everita, and Katze, they’ll just eat. I had eaten my way to the run raisin ice cream desert. 「…I have just been in contact with the Vatican. I will be transferred to the San Francesco monastery in Sicily. This is the final time that I shall see you, Tohyama-san…」 Loretta-san reported in a whisper after the meal. 「Sicily? I’ve seen it in『The Godfather』, but it was a beautiful island.」 At my wits end due to the older girl sitting beside me, and because my Hysteria Mode had run its course… I could only give such a boring farewell. The Vatican is going to abandon her like a lizard’s tail into exile. In order to save face for DEEN and GRENEDA and ensure the result of FEW– was Loretta-san being forced to take the blame after she had accomplished her task? Well, that’s the ugly side of a corporation… In Japanese companies, involuntary demotions are an everyday occurrence. In short, you have absolutely no luck. That might be why she employed a luck strengthening fighter, Meiya. Jeanne says that Luck and Misfortune exist in some kind of balance. ****************************************************** DEEN escorted the captured members of GRENEDA from『Dragon Harbour』to Amsterdam, but of the executive class– there was only Patra, Everita, and Katze. As GRENEDA’s representatives in Europe, they have requested cease-fire negotiations with DEEN… and Liberty Mason has accepted. The reality approaches a complete victory of FEW for DEEN, making this a de factor post-war discussions. Still at large, there remained several representative soldiers: Yen, Habi, and Sarah. Post cease-fire, the mercenary duo of Demon Sword and Bewitching blade would respect the outcome of the war. But I’ll leave these hard conversations to the adults, Kaiser and Everita. I don’t really have a head for anything except fighting, so I’ll take a break here. The soldier’s work is over, and now it’s time for the politicians to take over. The very top of the WTC, the 27th floor opened up into a terrace. The terrace had a good view… because of the elevation, I could see the entire Dutch countryside, already darkened due to the fact that 4 o’clock had already passed. The view was unobstructed due to the country’s lack of mountains. Then after a sigh– 「Oi, Tohyama.」 Katze, who also appeared to have nothing to do with anything but fighting, approached with Edgar on her shoulder. 「..Is everything alright with the cease-fire negotiations? It’s been a while.」 「I’m not very good at such complex talks. As Everita-sama said, having too many mouths can be a disadvantage, so she told me to leave my seat. I was prepared to be executed by firing squad, but now she seems to have reconsidered.」 While saying that, Katze made a slightly embarrassed face… 「Instead, it seems that Regiment Hex will be transferred between several DEEN military bases under some conditions.」 She was sorry for her comrades. That’s why Everita was the one surrendering. For Katze? Even if they are cold-blooded Nazi leaders, they are still children. Thinking back to the German ethno-hotel in Chamonix and the Musée de la Guerre, Katze was well-liked by everyone. Does that mean that she is trying to save Katze’s popularity? That’s an easily enviable position. My popularity is non-existent. Then, in the Netherlands, where snow is almost unheard of… stray flakes of snow began to fall. 「 –Oh, the weather outside is frightful–But the fire is so delightful– 」 Looking up, Katze began to sing Vaugh Monroe’s Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow! But it was in the language hostile to the Nazi party, English. What’s the meaning of the song? Is the message『I surrender』without saying those words? It was both a cute and fitting declaration from my worthy opponent Katze. 「 It doesn’t show signs of stopping– 」 「(And I brought some corn for popping–」 It played at the end of the English film『Die Hard』, and I had already used『Cuckoo』to memorise to words, so I joined in singing with Katze. Now we faced each other smiling. Katze. If you think about it, we’ve been through a lot together. The Hong Kong tanker and the fall from the Zeppelin NT. Working together to reach Chamonix from Mount Blanc, the fight at the Musée de la Guerre, and the V-2. This song is one for a reluctant parting on a snowy day– This is a particularly good way for each of us, whose only skill is fighting, to reach our own cease-fire. 「「 Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!– 」」 Ending in different octaves, the song came to a close… Smiling cutely, Katze looked up at me. 「So, what will you do after this, Tohyama?」 「I plan to go back to Japan before long. I still have classes in school.」 「Oh…」 「What are you going to do?」 I asked what the representative soldier planned to do with herself in the post-war period… 「Water just flows, Tohyama.」 Trusting herself to the flow of events. That’s the impression I got from her answer. Well, I do much the same. 「Ah, now then… As part of the negotiations, I’ll return this.」 Saying that… Katze removed something from her eyepatch, that was actually an accessory case– –Aria’s Karagane. Taking it out, she handed it over. Karagane was the shell of the『Hidan』that Sherlock fired into Aria while at I.U. It is an ESP shield to prevent one’s personality from being taken over by Hihiirokane. There were originally 7, and some of them were stolen by GRENEDA and only 4 remain… Now I was able to reclaim the 5th. I should be able to get one more back from Patra. I thought I lost it in the fall to Mount Blanc. 「Depending on what happens, we may cross paths again. Japan is an old ally after all!」 Saying this, she replaced her eyepatch… From the look in her eyes, it seems that she hasn’t entirely given up on her plan to transform me into her familiar. However, a definitive refusal her would be uncouth. Instead, I remained silent as the light snow fell and blew about upon Amsterdam. ************************************** A few days later, I stood in the Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. I was in front of the Philips signboard and the same picture of Cezanne’s『People Playing Cards』as in the Paris Airport on the day I arrived in Europe… Sitting on a bench, I waited for KLM flight 861 to Narita. This is one of Europe’s largest airport, but I didn’t lose my way and found my departure gate. That was due to the familiarity with airports gained in Haneda, Narita, Hong Kong, and Paris. I might even be able to make my way in and out of a country by myself. Jeanne and Watson remained behind to finish up the cease-fire negotiations, but– 「Master, please have these Nissin cup noodles. Japanese cup noodles are very popular as snacks in the Netherlands.」 The maid, Lisa, said while offering me a cup of noodles and a plastic fork. Lisa was now wearing a sailor suit uniform and happily sitting beside me with a smile on her face… Now she’s coming. To Japan. For some reason I don’t understand, she was foisted upon me as a condition of the cease-fire. According to Kaiser, it is a time-honoured tradition to take some convenient people like Lisa as a sort of spoils of war as part of a post-war settlement. What’s more, Lisa had always wanted to come with me. But I couldn’t do anything about it, and as the one on the receiving end of this exchange were entirely ignored by everyone else in DEEN. Didn’t I contribute to this victory? However… she might have come anyway. Lisa, that is. I don’t even really have a reason to push her away. I also showed her around the various places within the shopping district-like interior of the airport, and this was a perfectly suited support role for someone like me who leads a rough life… …That was the case here. But there is one more person like this. And they are in Japan. Obviously, my childhood friend, Shirayuki Hotogi-san. I still don’t know quite where or why, but she has some kind of switch where she becomes a fierce berserker god, scarier than Yen–an unpredictable ideal Japanese beauty swinging a katana around. In such a case, everything around me suffers harm, and the girl (and myself by getting involved in it) play out in a predictable manner. Empirically, it has been shown that Lisa is capable of the same violent national level emergency as that of the volcanic Mt. Shirayuki, as confirmed and meticulously detailed by Tohyama Observatory. Yup. I’m dead. Because I’m with Lisa. This is checkmate. But I am the man who makes the impossible, possible. What is a checkmate? Even in shogi, if you are checkmated there is always something you can do besides upsetting the board. I did it with Kaname, after all. I’ll think about my Shirayuki countermeasures afterwards. Tohyama Charter: Article 2–『Worry about hard problems later.』 If it comes to the Third Great War of My Dorm, Lisa can turn into Gévaudan, and she just might be able to handle it herself. Yes, leave it for others to take care of. I should make that Article 3 of the Tohyama Charter. 「Master, it will be time to board soon. We should board.」 I slurped up the last of the cup noodle broth, and Lisa handed over a handkerchief to wipe around my mouth… My European campaign has come to a close. 2 people were shown playing cards in Cezanne’s『People Playing Cards』behind me as I stood up– I was a part of DEEN, and Lisa was a part of GRENEDA. Watson had likened FEW to a card game, but even since the Taisho Era, before she was a child, DEEN and GRENEDA had been involved in some kind of『war』. Is it still the same 86 years later? Taking this wry laugh as a final remembrance of the Netherlands, I boarded KLM flight to take off into the blue sky. Farewell war-torn Europe. I have a feeling that I will be coming back again, but next time please be a little gentler. [END] ************************************************** 1. Reference to Satsubun, the Japanese bean throwing festival. At this festival, certain people dress up as onis, and whenever they try to enter a house or room, children throw beans at them, shouting ‘out with the oni, in with good fortune’. This is supposedly supposed to bring good luck, and the shout is what Kinji is referencing. 2. Literally: Adamantine Hexagon 3. A saying attributed to Oda Nobunaga. Supposedly said to a general who said that the odds in a battle were too great. MEaning is to the effect of ‘Carpe diem’ 4. Russian for ‘seagull’. 5. Original says ‘sleep like mud’. It is reference to a yokai that lives in the sea. It’s name is the same Kanji for ‘mud’, and when it leaves the water, it slows down to the point of immobility. ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ### 002. Bullet 2: Butei Sqaudmate Association ― Camerata Yo! Late, but Chapter 2 is complete! Small note on the title of the chapter: The first part of the title is actually a single word for a club or veteran’s association for former military comrades who served in the same unit. They form an association to keep up the connections between fellow soldiers. No direct translation in English. Enjoy! Chapter 2: Butei Sqaudmate Association ―― Camerata [START] As part of their reparations, GRENEDA gave me my return flight ticket for free, but… rather than the 2 million Yen Super Executive Class Ticket Aria booked to go to London, it was for a narrow Economy Class seat. Still experiencing the after effect of Hysteria Mode, I slept away the return flight solidly. As I slept, Lisa sat in the seat beside me. 「…When the distant horizon vanishes as you rest your heart in the deep darkness of night… The air flows silently above and across the distant sea of clouds… Telling the endless story of the workings of the universe… 」 Feeling like she was reading from a children’s picture book, she recited a beautiful Japanese poem that she had memorised… 1 Able to relax, she rubbed my chest in time with the beating of my heart. This is the first time since meeting Aria last April that I have felt so calm. Thanks to the western winds, it took less time than the flight out–but it was still 11 hours. Flying toward the Sun, KLM flight 861 crossed one time zone after another, leaving the Netherlands at 2 o’clock and arriving the next morning in Narita. How the time conversions work is something that my mediocre brain doesn’t comprehend very well. First things first, I have to adjust my watch to match JST. Relieved to see Japan again after such a long time, we left Narita on the Keisei Skyliner and entered the urban centre of Tokyo… Lisa’s eyes sparkled! Gazing out through the train windows at the ramshackle city of Tokyo, her emerald colour eyes widened in awe. Looking over, I saw her clasp her hands emotionally in front of the large chest of her sailor maid uniform. From birth, I lacked social skills and the ability to keep up conversation with girls, nevertheless, with the spare time afforded on the train ride… 「…Oh… Is this new to you? The Netherlands must have several skyscrapers」 I brought up this topic to which she replied 「But, Master, there are so many buildings…! What’s more, the city reaches out to the horizon. What a large town! Mooi! Mooi! Heel Mooi! 2 」 Lisa’s sparkling emerald eyes turned to me as she repeated the word『 Mooi! 』over and over. Then ended with the superlative version of the word. 「You never came here when you were in I.U.? To Tokyo?」 「We did come into the coastal waters, but I was in charge of the housekeeping duties. So I never came ashore.」 Huh? Tokyo is one of the largest cities on the world. It is a major metropolitan era. I never thought about it, but to foreigner, it must be surprising. Then while rattling along with our suitcases to transfer to an electric train at Nippori… 「Ah, is it rush hour? I forgot because of the jetlag.」 Thanks to the peak commuting time, the JR Yamamote platform was crowded with commuters. 「…!….!?…!」 Lisa saw it, and all the colour drained from her eyes. Her pale hand clutched my sleeve. 「Master, we must hurry! All these people are crowding into the train. If we don’t hurry, there might not be another one until tomorrow!」 「No, they follow each other 2 minutes.」 「…???」 Watching the jostling office workers Tetris-ing themselves into the train cars–Lisa was confused. Deviating slightly from the posted timetable, the next train arrived 3 minutes later… Because it was crowded and we were carrying suitcases, Lisa and I made our apologies as we boarded. 『–Due to inspection of rolling stock, trains will be delayed. We apologise for the inconvenience.』 Hearing the announcement from the internal PA, Lisa made a confused face… 「D-delay, they say? Didn’t the following train came quite quickly…?」 「No, didn’t you notice the delay? It was 1 minute late.」 「O-one minute…!?」 This conversation happened as we got off at Shimbashi station, and Lisa who comes from the Netherlands who runs an irresponsible national rail system and couldn’t hide her shock. While making the transfer the Yurikamome Line, my throat became dry, so we stopped off at the Bellmart… 「Welcome!」 With a bob of her head, an older girl who was a part-time worker in the shop bowed to us. 「A pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am called Lisa Ave Du Ang.」 Pinching her long skirts to raise them and making a slight bow and curtsey, Lisa greeted the worker. The worker gave a slight smile, and another worker and a grandmother smiled and giggled slightly. 「O-oi! It’s alright to not return the greeting of a convenience store worker, it’s normal.」 「No? But is it not only polite to incline your head…?」 At once understanding her strange behaviour was due to her being a foreigner 「It is fine, dear guest. In Japan they say,『The customer is God』.」 The grandmother explained while smiling. Hearing that answer, Lisa pressed both hands together in front of her large chest… 「 Mooi…! Such… such… a country with devotion to service! So punctual, mannered, and beautiful without any rubbish spread about…!」 Greatly moved, her eyes sparkled once more. As a natural born European maid, the Japanese cultural values of things like hospitality, time management, propriety, and hygiene… these appear to have touched her on a fundamental level. With tears standing out from her double-lidded eyes in pleasure, Lisa said: 「–Master. Lisa wishes to live and have her bones buried in this country. Right here. In my master’s homeland of Japan!」 S-she just announced that she wanted permanent residence in Japan… in a Bellmart! For some reason, all the store employees began clapping, and with my face burning, I pushed Lisa ahead of me out of the store. Because my maid had cause a bit of fuss, I made an apology– and quickly purchased a Suica card. 「M-master, I have to pay for the mineral water.」 Taking out a wallet with a golden wolf design on it. 「I-it’s alright. It’s an electronic payment method, understand?」 「… Mooi …! What an advanced country…!」 Lisa. the wallet… I didn’t notice in Amsterdam, but it was a hint at your true nature, wasn’t it? I’m so careless. ************************************************** Afterwards on the Yurikamome Line, Lisa asked: 「Master, where are the ninjas?」 Tellingly proving the extent of her knowledge about Japan, to which I replied. 「There are no such anachronous things. At least, that is what I want to say, but then there is my junior. You’ll meet her soon enough.」 I responded with a tired expression… In Daiba, we took the Tokyo coastal monorail that was originally planned to run from Haneda Airport, to Ukishimacho Station… then walked from there. To Tokyo Butei High Boy’s Dormitory No. 3. …It’s nice to have a place to come back to. I don’t know if I want to go on another trip… I tried to escape reality in a hard-core manner, but still failed to do so! And Lisa is standing next to me and smiling! I didn’t want to think or ask about it, but Lisa gave the impression that:『Naturally, a maid will live with her master. It does not even bear mentioning』 And that is what happened. In each of the rooms in my boy’s dormitory there were several kings of beasts–each a member of Baskerville. Unfortunately, it will be like that time with Kaname, another Lumberjack. Without anyone to consult about this predicament, I rode up in the lift with Lisa… so, out of necessity, I held a war council with Little Kinji (a fictional construct within my own mind). The instant the door opens, the second that pink, black, yellow, or pale blue is seen, dive into the room. In order to avoid an unexpected hail of bullets, dash quickly into the washroom to wash my hands, then leap quickly into the bulletproof cabinet. In order to perfectly safeguard my life–I devised this strategy. …With a cold sweat on my hand… And opened it. I’m Kinji Tohyama, player on the National Bullet Football Team. It’s time for kick-off! Despite the built-up momentum, I carefully opened the door with the key… and… with Lisa behind me, I entered the room… and… 「It’s a miracle…!」 I didn’t hear any voices. Not a single one. In fear, I quickly checked Shirayuki’s room… and in the small room that she had chosen for herself: 『Kin-chan-sama, thanks for all your hard work in the European Campaign. I received a message from the Hotogi and had to return home. I’ll be back as soon as I can.–Shirayuki.』 I found this handwritten note. With an expression similar to Keisuke Honda​’s 3 , I looked back at Lisa and wished I had sunglasses to hide the tears of relief in my eyes. But… this note was slightly unnerving. As my childhood friend, I’ve gotten a bunch of notes from her, but– usually she tells me when she’ll be back, leaves a kuzumochi in the refrigerator, and a bit more detail. I don’t want to speak ill of someone’s family home, but the keyword ‘Hotogi’ is a bit dangerous. If Shirayuki is in some kind of trouble… she must want to take care of it herself… But even so… The fact is that the Third or Fourth Great Dormitory War will not break out. We headed to the living room to enjoy the splendorous tranquillity. 「Uh, Master? May I ask an unrelated question… about your family…?」 Lisa asked using a set phrase. 「You might already know, but Kana– my older sister, is my older brother. Then there’s my idiot half-brother and younger sister who calls me Onii-chan. I don’t have any parents. But my grandparents are well.」 Giving her that explanation, Lisa shook her blonde hair and lowered her head. 「l-I’m sorry. It appears that I’ve asked about a difficult topic.」 「lt’s alright.」 Plopping myself down on the sofa, the fatigue of traveling overcame me– 「…?.」 Lisa began snuffling. *Sniff!* *Sniff!* Lisa began making dog-like motions as she sniffed the air. Then she looked up… I looked up at the ceiling as well, then there was a *Creak!* and a *Crack!* A small trapdoor in the ceiling opened, then there was a *Thump!* *Thump!* *Thump!* Something fell! Above me, first Aria then Riko tumbled, and looking up Reki was sitting there. My opponents on the National Bullet Football Team appeared from such a strange place… The peace of the nation of Kinji was short-lived…! 「No! We were planning to surprise Ki-kun! But on the contrary, we were the ones who were surprised! You got the super-low drop rate character Lisa to come back with you, you lecher!」 Riko said while jabbing me in the stomach with her elbow. 「Riko-sama, it is a pleasure to see you again.」 As schoolmates in I.U., they must have become close. 「Right, have you filled the role of a mistress yet? Riko is getting a little impatient.」 Saying something I didn’t understand, nevertheless it appears that Riko understands that Lisa possesses all kinds of useful skills and is welcoming her. Sitting on the couch next to Aria and Reki, I said: 「H-hey I’m back…!」 I said with a smile on my face… 「Aria H. Kanzaki-sama. Reki-sama. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am called Lisa Ave du Ang.」 Lisa said reservedly. Pinching her skirts, she made a small bow. Seeing that courteous action one might expect in a temple or shrine– 「Hmph! Kinji, are you hiring a maid?」 Pointing a thumb at Lisa for emphasis, Aria narrowed her eyes to determine if she was a maid or not. 「…Something like that, I guess.」 I answered as I sat cross-legged on the floor. 「I asked Riko when we were above the ceiling, but she is a former member of I.U. and GRENEDA, isn’t she? Changing former enemies into allies seems to be your specialty. Is that it?」 Aria smoothed her long twin-tails with the back of her hands, rearranging them. With both leg holsters exposed, she crossed her legs and looked up at Lisa. Thank goodness. She appears to intuitively perceive Lisa’s usefulness and bear a favourable impression of her. 「The room is a bit messy because of Riko. Please take care of it.」 「Yes! Gladly!」 In response to Aria assigning her a task, Lisa pressed her hands together happily. No, Aria is just used to directing people with flick of her chin, like always. She uses people as easily as she breathes. Although I am hesitant to use people myself, I want to follow her example here. Even Lisa detected the power dynamic between me and Aria and assumed a submissive attitude. Catering to Aria’s whims had a direct like to the guarantee of my personal security. This girl must have some supernatural level of skill to read the room. Reki showed her usual lack of expression to both of us, but she seems to understand that Lisa isn’t a bad person. 「…Kinji-san, welcome home.」 Leaving me with those words, she trotted off. She then disappeared into her own room that she had claimed on her own accord . The inscrutable girl gave me one last, brief glimpse as if to make sure that I was alright, and I followed her, somewhat uneasy… Entering her room, there was an easel supporting a large canvas. 「…Is this a Fine Arts assignment?」 「Yes.」 Reki was wearing an apron to prevent her uniform from getting dirtied, and she was taking a Fine Arts class as an elective. *********************************************** It was a hyper realistic portrait of a bird and plant in the style of the Swiss painter Giger, and it was a bit frightening, her painting… 「It’s… really good, your painting, that is.」 It wasn’t just good. It was incredible. It was an acrylic done in a dull. green monotone with intricate subtleties of shading. The superior powers of concentration of an S-Rank sniper imparted a delicate touch and attention to detail that an average person like me couldn’t begin to understand. 「It’s beyond the class of a high school student. People will pay money for it, but this will fetch a high price. You have talent. If you want, I could be your dealer. You could sell it.」 Pretending to be an art dealer and intending to take a commission on the sale, I showered praise upon it… Picking up a spray gun, Reki held it up in front of the canvas. 「… I’m still painting.」 She said in her usual uninflected voice– But with the brief glimpse I caught as she looked my way, she turned slightly red. Then, turning back to look at the canvas, 「Are you going to leave soon?」 The mood draining from the situation, as she kept her blank expression. What’s this? Are you embarrassed? You, Reki? Alright then. I’ll do the opposite, and watch you paint. *Stare!* 「…」 Hahaha! What are you going to do Reki-kun? I might be acting shamefully. But I’m also happy. I want to watch these human emotions develop in Reki. Ever since the flight to Hong Kong I’ve kept my eyes on her. 「…」 …*Shrink!* Her completely red face lowered, she painted, the brush swishing across the canvas. As I watched this Mint-chan. thinking how cute she was, 「 Mooi! Amazing! Reki-sama is a genius! The Heavens have blessed you twice!」 Entering Reki’s room, Lisa joined in and reinforced my bullying. 「It’s super- mooi! Oi, Lisa, how much do you think this would sell for?」 「I would only be speculating, and you would need a professional appraiser, but the current market value for a painting like this would be somewhere near €60,000– that’s about 8 million Yen.」 Using her business acumen, Lisa spoke. 「Well!」 Then she suddenly discovered the silver wolf Haimaki gnawing a bone in the corner of the room. 「What a cute wolf, you are! Does Reki-sama keep him as a pet?」 Then raising his head to an alert position to look at the smiling Lisa, Haimaki rolled over. Laying down on the spot, he presented his belly in a gesture of total submission. It appears that he knows Lisa’s true identity as the King of Beasts–it must be animal instinct. 「That is correct. He is named Haimaki. Lisa-san, please take Haimaki for a walk.」 Still using her paintbrush, she named her beloved large grey wolf and made a request of Lisa. It appears that I won’t be able to use Lisa’s help anymore. 「Yes! Gladly! Haimaki-san, this way, please. Let’s walk around outside for a bit.」 His name called, Haimaki stood up. The he dashed over to Lisa. It was like a king summoning a soldier. I saw something like this before, but other than Vlad, no other human besides Reki has been able to tame him. No way, Lisa… You are the amazing one. Along with the true savage beast and the savage beasts of Baskerville who have made their lair in my room… you’ve managed to fit right in. Without even having to fight a battle like Kaname. As a pacifist nation, the nation of Kinji should seek formal alliance and a close working relationship with the country of Lisa. ************************************************************************* Having left walking Haimaki to Lisa, I took my suitcases back to my room… Throwing myself down onto the bed to recover from my fatigue, I began reading manga. Riko keeps the back issues of the magazines under the bed, and because of the publication delay, I wasn’t able to read and catch up while abroad. While reading something in Young Gangan… 「Who is that in the picture? She’s beautiful.」 「Wha! Who is that ? An actress or something?」 「…She is beautiful.」 Lisa had just returned, and there was some commotion nearby in the corridor. What? I got up to look into the living room from the hall…. Lisa had apparently hung some kind of framed picture in the hall. 「She gained a lot of popularity in the Netherlands. Lisa is her fan too!」 Smiling, she indicated the large photograph to Aria and the rest. 「….Oi! Don’t hang picture of things like beautiful women in my house!」 A picture of a beautiful woman is like a hellscape to me. That being the case, I went to take it down… but as I got closer… …!… 「Ho-,Y-…! Huh, th-…! Why, Lisa, where did that picture…!?」 Like a Showa era manga, my eyes bugged out in shocked surprise. Th-this is Cromaetel-san’s picture, isn’t it! 「The men in Bourtange uploaded it to a Facebook group they created.」 The Cromaetel in the photo was me, sitting in a Bourtange cafe and was taken without my knowledge. This an infringement of my Rights of Publicity, you Dutchmen! *********************************************** 「Kinji, why are you so upset?」 Wah! She has good intuition. I’ve been picked up by Aria’s radar. 「Have you met her? She’s can’t be your girl, is she?」 「No, no, no! We’ve definitely, absolutely never met in person.」 I raised both my hands and shook them in denial. 「…Hmm?」 Aria crossed her arms and tilted her head. Incidentally, this interjection is one that Aria uses when she can’t answer a question. As expected of Holmes the 4th, she cannot tell that Cromaetel = Kinji. 「T-take it away, Lisa! Don’t decorate the house with pictures of women.」 I scolded my maid, as she smiled all the while. 「Master, isn’t this a good representation?」 What she meant was ‘Isn’t this a picture of a woman?’, or something like that. 「It is said that the practice of decorating homes with pictures of beautiful people and landscapes is a good one that improves the happiness of homes in Europe. There is also data to suggest that the presence of beautiful pictures in the home reduces the number of quarrels between residents.」 What, this… are you getting angry? Has being surrounded by Aria and the rest irritated you, or something? I get the impression that you’ve picked out their sore spots. Is this how a maid acts with her master? ********************************************************************************* After getting rid of the Cromaetel photo somehow… Lisa cleaned the apartment until it sparkled. 「Japanese cuisine is not my specialty.」 But she cooked a normal dinner using only the ingredients that were already in the refrigerator. Yellowtail and daikon in soy sauce, cheese chikuwa, mushroom rice, tofu and snow pea tamago, and clam miso soup. Then in response: 「As expected of a maid. It’s delicious.」 「Lisa, another round, plea~se!」 「…」 She has been well received by Aria, Riko, and Reki. Having just returned home, I am overjoyed to have a Japanese meal. 「You don’t have to cook Japanese food exclusively. Japanese people eat all kinds of food. Just so the seasonings are in the Japanese style… Oi, Riko, that’s my cheese chikuwa!」 Using both hands to pry open Riko’s mouth, I reclaimed my chukuwa that Riko had decided to take for herself– 「But Lisa, do you know where you are? Are you going to attend Butei High?」 Aria asked as she ate rice in a small bowl. 「Yes. As part of my reparations from my time in GRENEDA, from here on I will stand by my master’s side in Japan–in addition to my travel expenses, my tuition is also taken care of. I have already completed the entrance exams on the internets.」 Oi! This is the first time I’m hearing of it. 「Master, even in school, I am committed to supplying full service. Please rest assured, my work as a maid and my own studies are completely compatible.」 Some way or other… It seems that『The Beast of Gévaudan』of GRENEDA that I saw, aimlessly wandering about post-conflict Europe was not something desirable. Is that why she had been found a place in Japan and was foisted upon me? The cease-fire negotiations between the residual forces in Europe are progressing… but they weren’t entrusted to me. 「Ki-kun, while you were away I saved the INQUESTA homework you missed! However, Riko’s notes are paid premium content, you’ll have to pay to see them~!」 That’s right… I need to catch back up on my classwork. Not just manga. 「I’ll pay, show them to me later. Talk to Lisa about the price.」 Aria gave a slight smile at my words. 「Kinji, you come back, and now you have such a love of learning, don’t you?」 「Don’t look so shocked. That’s rude. I’m going to put in the work to study to become a proper adult. Well, enough to become a normal, ordinary security guard or bouncer.」 「You’re saying that again, Ki-kun? What about what Coco said:『Kinchi cannot be an ordinary person.』You’re even ranked 71st in the Asian SDA rankings–」 「La~~~~La~~~~~!」 There was the troublesome American ratings association, Moody’s, and as soon as I heard it, I covered my ears in order to avoid that information. I didn’t ask to hear that I was ranked 89th last year. I also closed my eyes so that I didn’t read lips…a few seconds later… 「…」 I opened my eyes halfway to check if Riko had fallen silent or not… then I took my fingers out of my ears. 「That is to say that there are 70 more Butei in Asia less human than you are.」 Aria added the last bit of unnecessary information–71st! I didn’t ask! How did the number get lower? And because it’s based on informal data, I can’t put in a claim against it…! 「Ki-kun’s standard of ordinary is a statistical『deviance』, Fufufu!」 Riko laughed sadistically as she traced the Kanji in the air with her finger. Should I cry? …then… Aria and Reki took a post-meal coffee and left together. It appears that there is some kind of VIP room in Aria’s room in the girl’s dormitory where they are participating as members of DEEN in the cease-fire negotiations via telephone. Those two are close. 2 terms before the Team was formed, they fought, but we were close friends before that. I didn’t think that I would be the first one to be excluded from Team Baskerville… With that thought in mind, I checked the files of INQUESTA homework that I had gotten from Riko on my PC… Riko took a Nintendo DS in her hand, then flopped down on the sofa. I setup my laptop on the table across from the sofa, and Riko’s frilly skirt was visible to me at a very dangerous angel. 「… By the way, Riko. What have you been doing lately?」 I asked, averting my gaze from the cute cherry decorated socks she wore. After Riko defeated Hilda, she seemed uncertain as to her future. In the aftermath of war and the cease-fire, I was worried that she would wander off into a life of crime in her free time. She was originally a criminal. 「Riko can’t do anything too flashy for a bit. Right now, because Ki-kun was cold to Rampan, they are targeting Riko and trying to recruit her aggressively. So whenever Riko tries to do something, they put pressure on my allies.」 As I thought… She’s been already been in contact with Rampan and the Chinese Yakuza. This naughty girl put on a smile. 「Rampan… you were originally on good terms with them. Will you take subordinates from them?」 I probed– 「No way! They don’t have anyone suited to Riko. I don’t want to cheat on Ki-kun, Aria, or Rekyu, I wouldn’t be able to see you again. Besides, I have a backlog of critically acclaimed games and anime to catch up on!」 With that, Riko showed me her characteristic smile and flashed the Pokémon game on her screen at me. …. I don’t have to worry about her. She is a raging otaku in her free time. Looking closely at my laptop… is this Kabosu soft serve ice cream? I also saw purchase adverts saying things like『Pure Innocence』and『New Features』that appeared to part of a 15 and up game that was purchased and downloaded without my knowledge. Miss Information Thief, do you treat knowing someone’s passwords so casually? Then while changing my logon password from『kinjikinji』to『kinjikinjikinji』… Lisa appeared. 「Master, Riko-sama, I have another serving of coffee.」 I had a weak American, while Riko had a somewhat stronger cafe ristretto with cream, both prepared to our respective likings. 「Lisa, Lisa, say『Eh!』」 While receiving her coffee, Riko made some demand of Lisa, and as I looked back… 「Eh!」 Clenching her fist, Lisa gave a small shout. Then all at once… Behind the headdress that Lisa had chosen to wear inside, two dog ears appeared. Then looking down near her hips a tail appeared. *********************************************** What, you can make them appear with an『Eh!』? That embroidered wallet of yours is too much of a hint at your true nature as the Beast of Gévaudan…! With a backwards glance to where I had slumped in the chair Riko said: 「Waahh! So cute!」 And she embraced Lisa tightly. Then afterwards, she began indoctrinating her on all kinds of Japanese things… Good grief, it’s no use. I’ve been overcome by a strange urge to study. Maybe I should try to put on headphones and listen to music while I do it? By the time the noisy Riko had finished, I looked at the clock and it was 10 o’clock. In the end, I wasn’t able to concentrate to study at all… Reluctantly I started to draw water for a bath. After observing these strange developments, Lisa retracted her dog ears… 「Uh, Master? That is some awfully hot water you are drawing… Are you planning to boil some kind of large fish?」 「What are you saying? This is a bath. Japanese people use it. You only have to prepare it once. The temperature is just about right.」 I checked the temperature coming from the tap with my hand, then I took off my tie and walked into the bathroom, then Lisa followed and timidly tested the water for herself… 「D-do you really get into this? Japanese people must deal with heat very well.」 As she said that, she used her left hand to undo the buttons of her blouse. 「You get used to it, I guess. To tell you the truth, I’m frustrated by what you call a『bathtub』. The hot water spreads out and cools too quickly to be useful.」 「Usually tubs aren’t meant to keep water hot–they are meant to keep water from a shower from spreading to the floor. In the West, when one speaks of bathing, they mean a shower.」 Lisa said with a smile as she removed her headdress… 「That really is a cultural difference… Hey! Why are you taking your clothes off!?」 Then as if going along with a gag, I was snapped back to the reality of the larger situation. Lisa had already taken off her blouse and now held it in front of her chest. The saving grace of the situation was that her chest area was still covered, but the cord of her underwear on her shoulders– the pure white straps were visible! 「Should I have kept my headdress on? M-my apologies.」 Lisa gave out an apology as she replaced her frilly maid’s headdress. 「N-O-! I get in first. You go after!」 「???」 While in a befuddled state, I pushed her out of the bathroom. Shutting the bathroom door with a *Click!*, I let out a sigh, undressed and left my clothes outside, then finally began to enjoy the Japanese bath I hadn’t had in a long time. Even this unit bathtub brought me happiness. It was a normal bath. In Europe I wasn’t able to submerge myself in hot water, and now I understand what a blessing it truly is. Taking a bath opens up blood vessels, releases stiffness throughout the whole body, and is recommended practice for Butei. What’s more, when fully submerged in hot water, the body only feels about 10% of its natural weight due to buoyancy effects. This allows the muscles and joints to rest and allows the brain, which it always managing them, time to relax. Bathing is the one ultimate restorative for both mind and body. 「…Master? Shall I wash your back for you?」 The culture boasted by Japan should be spread throughout the world. … What now!? Because I was relaxing, my response lagged for a moment. Lisa! She’s on the other side of the frosted glass…! 「I know that your orders were『after』, and I apologize for my lateness. I was preparing new soap and peach leaf lotion–」 Th-the bath door opened! And the hazily visible body was, except for the headdress she wore, was co-com-completely naked… It was in the bath, so that much was obvious. Due to this bath, my blood vessels had already opened and blood flow had increased! The risk of hysterising is even greater in this state! Although she was an individual with a very pure personality, the situation was very H as Lisa entered the bathroom, and I made an Ouka dash towards the door. Then punching the door open from the inside– 「I said『after』, and that means after I leave! You can wash your own back!」 「B-but a short time ago, Riko-sama said that women in Japan do this… that they offer to wash their master’s body with their own body…!」 Lisa had come in so boldly, that’s why– When I was wearing headphones, Riko took the chance to whisper her lies. That idiot! I’ll get you for this! You just wait…! I’ll just wait until I get a copy of your notes! ******************************************** A good while after the bath… I was no longer terrified of another invasion by Lisa after having shut her out. She made up both beds in the set of bunks in the bedroom, and I changed into my pyjamas and crawled into the lower right to sleep. The others had been seized by the Baka-villes (The idiots of Baskerville), and from their feminine scent, I could tell that they hadn’t gone to bed yet. 「…」 However, in spite of the night wearing on… I couldn’t sleep. Due to jet lag. Going from Europe to Japan, you can’t sleep at night. Your body gets accustomed to Central European Time even if it’s dark outside. The same thing happened in reverse where I was ridiculously tired at Jeanne’s apartment… Even so, I have to go to school tomorrow. If you have to wake up very early, it’s common sense that you should sleep. Even if you don’t sleep, if a human lies on their side without doing anything else, they can rest their body about 70%. Not doing anything, just laying quiet. …*Knock!* *Knock!* *Creak!*… 「Master. Please accept my affection.」 … quiet, that’s what I want to do… but what’s that…! You said something like「affection」, and that is the strange word Shirayuki used in AMBULANCE. Upon closer inspection, it is probably an NG word for me! 「…」 But Lisa is already putting it into practice. So I defaulted to my signature move of feigning sleep. If she thinks I’m asleep, I’m counting on her loyalty as a maid being high enough to not wake me. Although these were the tactics I employed as Lisa entered the bedroom… The blanket on top of me moved in a particularly dangerous manner. Good, she is just replacing it, thinking I rolled over in my sleep. As I thought that *Bzz!* *Bzz!* *Bzz!* . My mobile began playing the melody of Ryoutarou Sugi’s『Cooling Feelings』. 「…!」 My plans to feign sleep interrupted–I couldn’t help but jump to my feet. I have this song set to play as a warning whenever someone dangerous in my contacts calls. Looking to see who it was– it was Ranbyou! If I ignore it, I don’t know if this violent teacher will kill me with that M500 elephant gun of hers and her zanbato or not! 「Y-yes! I have been expecting your call. This is Tohyama.」 Lisa was surprised and flustered when I took out my mobile… 『Ah? Oh, I thought that this was Tosaki, whoopsie.』 And with that, the call ended. Ranbyou…! Your misdial couldn’t have come at a worse time…! I don’t think that you’re even sorry, you gorilla girl! I have never hated someone more in my entire life…! As I crushed my mobile in my hand in anger for being exposed, Lisa said 「Master, as I expected, you were unable to sleep. It common to be unable to sleep the first day upon returning due to the difference in time. Lisa will offer to give you a full body massage so that you can relax and sleep deeply.」 The tension in the air increased in one whole bound as Lisa laid out her proposal. With a *Squeak!*, she laid a hand on my bed…! Looking at her, she has the same appearance as that in Bourtange–a light white negligee that was almost perfectly transparent. Then, while gracefully raising her thigh onto the bed, she exposed her final secret weapon, the cat garter–! 「M-massage, no way! 2, 3, 5, 7, 11…!」 「Master. Lisa… is so happy to have come to Master’s homeland. So terribly glad that my heart is beating faster.」 Quivering, my mobile slipped from my hand– Lisa reached out her white fingers and squeezed. Soft like marshmallows, with a scent of maple syrup, her b-b-breast made contact… the left tip. With a face from one of Kazuo Umezu’s manga 4 , Lisa had me backed up against the wall– I had allowed the space for a misunderstanding, so now with a *Creak!* she climbed onto the bed. Stop it! This is just like the time Riko infiltrated! I was supposed to learn from that! 「After the massage, I will take my time to attend you throughout the night… That way you will sleep soundly, paying no mind to the time difference.」 「C-certainly I’ll be tired after Hysteria Mode– b-but that isn’t what I want! To be honest I don’t know what to do about it! That’s it! As a matter of fact, I haven’t read my health textbook in a long while…!」 「I may be somewhat presumptuous, but Lisa has studied. It was illustrated in books… and I saw it on the late-night Dutch television…」 Lisa’s upper half drooped over me as she sat on the bed– Then as a clincher, a subtle but sweet Western confectionary scent wafted from her hair– No good. I’ll just be pushed out of bounds as in a sumo match…! Bearing that in mind, Jonidan 5 Kinji said: 「B-but if I go into Hysteria Mode! Then I won’t be able to sleep at all!– A lack of sleep would cause me problems, so don’t put me in Hysteria Mode! A maid should listen to her master!」 Then demonstrating what her understanding of my『orders』were, Lisa: 「U-understood… Then in order to not cause you to enter HSS, I will change clothes in order to sleep alongside you. Please allow me a moment.」 Then exiting the room for a moment… Upon returning she wore a long-sleeve, full length trouser pyjama set with a small golden wolf print. 「H-how are these pyjamas?」 In order to show that there wasn’t anything dubious about the pyjamas, she spun cutely around next to my bed while holding her own pillow. 「…Th-that, those are… much better than before…」 「I am relieved. Thank goodness.」 Then as if it were the most natural thing in the world, she climbed up onto my bed… this is our compromise. If I run her off, then I run the risk of her coming back and sneaking back in later. That being the case, it is much better to have her wear normal pyjamas. Rather than letting her to her own devices, I’ll keep her where I can watch her. That is the base principle of dangerous goods management. Even further, I ran a test to see how well this girl sitting cross-legged in front of me was listening to her master’s orders. 「Hand.」 「Yes.」 I extended my hand, palm up, and Lisa placed the first and second joints of her hands curling into mine. 「Lay down.」 「Woof!」 With a rustle of her spreading blonde hair, she took up a prone position. …Good. This is alright. Come to think of it, Shirayuki did something similar before. It was a harrowing experience where I was confined by her chain and sickle, but Lisa is a docile maid without any combat skills. She doesn’t even have the grappling or horse-riding skills of Jeanne. 「Alright, now sleep!」 「Yes… Master. Let’s sleep well together…」 For some reason she said that in a distracted way. Putting my back toward Lisa next to me, she first covered me with the blanket than crawled under herself. 「…」 We laid silently for dozens of seconds… Then I came to realise that allowing Lisa into the bed in her pyjamas was a poor choice. That is to say… it was too immediate an experience–too real. Sharing a bed with a maid was an impossible abstract experience, but this was having a girl in pyjamas sleeping next to me. Somehow this feels more like a real boy and girl together… to tell the truth… the heat coming off Lisa after her bath… well, that’s fine. It’s the increased blood flow of HSS that’s the problem. –I knew I should have kicked her out! Thinking that, I looked over at Lisa…*Zzz!* *Zzz!*… She’s… sleeping. Speaking of Lisa, she didn’t sleep on the airplane. That must have been like staying up all night, then all day after that. At least to Lisa’s internal clock. Being next to me allows her to sleep with total peace of mind– That relief makes me smile. That warm feeling siphoned off the troubling blood flow. …Good night, Lisa. It would be rude to say this of this absurd school, but… welcome to Japan. ********************************************** The dawn after the night of my narrow escape from death… Sill incredibly tired, I got up at 7 and put on the shirt and blazer that Lisa had starched and ironed and put out. Accompanying me with a happy face, I reluctantly allowed her to sit sideways behind me on my bicycle–taking care that her long skirts did not catch in the wheels. Almost the entirety of the Artificial Island is private road owned by Butei High. So, with two people riding, it wasn’t necessary to detour. That is to say… Lisa, do you intend to go to school in that sailor suit maid uniform? Headdress and all? However, it is acceptable to wear a modified uniform. That is to say, the long skirt provides a high level of defence that the teachers might commend. The stupid, idiotic, and dumb girls at this school have taken the uniform mini skirt and transformed it into a mini-miniskirt. By doing so, they decreased the amount of bulletproof area in a sad custom that is a foolish boast of their fighting ability. It is my earnest wish that the entire evil fad dies out, starting with Lisa. 「Which specialty department are you going to join?」 「MASTERS made a recommendation, so I will join AMBULANCE.」 Thank goodness! It’s not INQUESTA! MASTERS did their job for once. Lisa did have a background with training as a nurse. That’s the same department as Moe Mochizuki, isn’t it…? Remembering the fact that Moe had transferred in to Butei High caused a bit of a frown to cross my face, but I checked on the Butei High internet and both Moe and Kikuyo Kagataka were in a separate class, 2-B. But there was a spot of unhappiness in that good news. The unhappiness was that she was placed in the same class as me, Aria, and Riko, class A. The whole class is excited for this transfer student that transferred in oddly with only 3 terms remaining– 「I am Lisa Ave du Ang. I am a second year in class A in AMBULANCE and hope to be of service. In addition, I have been appointed as a member of the Student Health Committee by Takamagahara-sensei. There are only 3 terms left, but I hope to work well with you all.」 Lisa introduced herself in fluent Japanese with a small bow of her head, and a slight pinching and lifting of her skirts. After witnessing this gesture, the boys and girls in the class surged into a climax of shouts of: 「No waaaaaay! So cuuute!!」 「Here, over here! A question! Lisa-san, when is your birthday and what are your 3 sizes!?」 Yutori Takamagahara-sensei was supposed to be presiding over the meeting, but she was totally ignoring us, so the idiot Mana Takane from CONNECT raised his hand and asked that sexually harassing question. In response, overflowing with her spirit of service, the maid replied: 「August 2nd and 90, 58, 83.」 She answered with a smile…but why would you ask a girl about her 3 sizes? But this was good. They all seem to have accepted her. Lisa isn’t like a certain person who would pull out her Governments as part of her self-introduction. Now I just have to hope that the good girl Lisa isn’t corrupted by the bad influences of the stupid girls here. That is my job as her master. ************************************************ That weekend–Watson and Jeanne finalised the details of the cease-fire and returned. Upon returning, Watson was excited and communicated that she was eager to resume her rehabilitation. She sent me a bomb fork emoji (meaning that she’ll make me eat a bomb if I refuse) in a text message. This『rehabilitation』is for Watson, a cross-dressed student who is unused to relating to boys as a girl… Due to my Hysteria Mode, I am typically brusque with girls, so it was intended as mutual roleplay to accustom us to interacting with ordinary boys and girls. In short, it was an embarrassing way to play house… Watson derived some benefit from the exercise and when together, she acted more girlish. However, because of that, my own condition worsened. So much that I want to stop. However, because it is not easy to eat a bomb, I met Watson at the northern monorail station on Saturday morning. 「Where do you want to do the rehabilitation today?」 I asked, to which she replied: 「An onsen.」 「You’re kidding! That’s a huge leap in content! An office worker and office lady don’t have any reason to do that! It’s immoral! Probably!」 I turned red as I voiced my objection. 「W-why are you so surprised Tooyama? We’re going to an osen theme park in Daiba. Y-you didn’t happen to think that we’d be bathing together, did you? You are so lewd!」 The short-tempered Watson gave me 10 short hook punches as thanks, and dragged me the Odaiba Odeo-Onse-Monogatari, a large public bathing facility. Once there, the interior of the bath house was like something out of a period drama– Actually, it was nice. Firstly, it was large, and you can stretch put your limbs in the bath. Besides, the peril of a woman intruding into the men’s bath is nil. Because of Lisa, I can’t get into the bath at home without worrying, but now I see that a public bath may be the way to deal with it. It’s close to Butei High, so I’ll make use of it from now on. If careless, I might see a naked little girl that came with her father… but that’s alright. I won’t hysterise at that. I’m used to naked little girls because of Tamamo. –After that we headed to a downtown food court decorated like Edo… Watson was dressed as a town girl wearing a yukata with an ox cart wheel crest on it, and I was dressed as a lean ronin in a kimono as we had a light snack and talked. Here it is required that guests rent traditional clothes, and it is also convenient for disguising your true identity. But the British Watson-kun-chan sitting across from me… Surprisingly the yukata suits her well. Watson’s brunette hair and yukata is fairly natural. But the clothes also suit me as well. I’m confident that I could play an extra in a period drama. The role of an itinerant gambler, for example. I am Japanese, after all. Speaking of myself, Tamamo said that I was a member of a long-lived line–she said they were『Tohyama warriors』 Thinking that, I pinched a vinagered rice tuna seaweed wrap in a pair of chopsticks. 「Things in Brussels became difficult because of you.」 Eating a pine sushi set, 6 the affluent Watson opened the conversation with a complaint. Ah, she must be talking about when I revealed the fact that『Watson is a girl』at the Liberty Mason lodge. I should apologise. 「Sorry.」 「Somehow I managed to convince him that it was something you had made up, but now Kaiser harbours some suspicions that I am a girl.」 It’s not just a feeling, it’s the truth. 「…Is he coming on to you?」 Yes! I might just be able to pawn off one of the girls causing me trouble on someone else…! I asked with that feeble hope in mind. 「No, instead Kaiser is avoiding me a little.」 「…?」 From this strange account, it seems that when it comes to dealing with emotions, the suave assassin Kaiser– is not very good, and I folded my arms. Kaiser was interested in Watson when he thought that she was a handsome boy. But now that he has the impression that she might be a beautiful girl, he has become colder. If you think about this calmly and logically… …Well… That’s just fine. They like each other. 「Now about the cease-fire in FEW.」 Shaking slightly, Watson cut to the main issue at hand. 「You coming to Europe had a great effect. GRENDA complained that『If you fight a guy that doesn’t die even when killed, you’ll definitely lose. That’s unfair.』」 「…」 「Formerly, DEEN and GRENEDA were united by the appearance of I.U, and while on your watch they won’t start fighting again. You are now classified as part of I.U. That being the case. both DEEN and GRENEDA want a rematch, so be careful of assassination attempts, alright?」 「…」 Be careful? What the heck! A miserable high school student has to be careful of assassination attempts! Reaping the seeds I had sown made my stomach hurt. Much like the ship I.U. itself, I am being vastly overestimated. I was even the one who broke up I.U. It’s like I’ve been dancing in Sherlock’s palm I can’t help but think that has been the case, even though I don’t want to– 「–Bewitching Blade. And Demon Sword, what about them?」 Following the flow on conversation, I asked about Seiji, Bewitching Blade, who tried to assassinate me and his partner Alicebell. I still owe those two a debt. I look forward to repaying that pair very soon. Butei possess a strong sense of duty. 「Their current whereabouts are unknown. Even to GRENEDA.」 「…Roger. If you receive any information on it, please pass it along to me. No matter how trivial.」 Afterwards… The negotiations of a cease-fire between DEEN and GRENEDA wasn’t all that Watson had to share, but also the post-war hegemony of DEEN over Europe– GRENEDA is spread throughout all Europe, and for one thing, the Vatican’s position is weak. In other words, Liberty Mason is the only one over there on the winning side. That’s a bit worrying… 「…Well, at least the cease-fire is settled.」 I stated my primary schooler level opinion– but Watson shook her head slightly from side to side. 「No, that is just a part of a complicated situation.」 「…Complicated?」 「Habi and her followers failed to reach an agreement with the rest of GRENEDA. We have also been unable to contact Typhoon Sarah. Neither of them were involved in the cease-fire negotiations.」 「Have they run away?」 「I wish they ran away. This unfortunate photo was taken 3 days ago.」 Watson extracted her mobile from her sleeve to show me a picture on the screen. The photo was taken in the immigration lobby of Narita airport… 「…!…」 Struck speechless, in the photo was Yen–carrying the demon girl Habi that I had seen on Empty Island last year. Around them were some people that appeared to be working with them. They were all disguised in Western clothing and wearing hats, and I didn’t recognise anyone else… 「GRENEDA’s surrender was not unconditional, but rather the cease-fire came with several stipulations. DEEN held out in the negotiations, but in the end, we had to concede something. One of them was the removal of Tamamo’s『Purification Barrier』around Tokyo. Tamamo has already done this–that is it.」 With that, Watson shut her mobile. 「…It’s not over, is it? Well you got it–information on these demons from GRENEDA, right?」 「Yeah. But you have to understand the nature of this thing. This is a real conflict and unlike those in manga or games it doesn’t have a clean ending. Dangerous things can still happen afterwards .」 Urging caution, Watson started at me with wide eyes. 「Did you know that the Indonesian National Revolution occurred shortly following the Second World War? After Japan’s defeat, The Netherlands and Great Britain launched a military invasion of Indonesia in order to recolonise them– they sided with the Indonesian forces fighting for independence and they fought the former Imperial Japanese forces. They actually became independent. The remnant of Nazi forces became Palestinian guerrilla fighters and fought against Israel after the war. Both forces were not only terrorists and militia, but strong, well-trained military forces who fought to survive… Everyone who took them on had their hands burned.」 Watson recited a bit of the history of a Japanese forced retreat… I understand what she meant to say. The FEW cease-fire was negotiated. But enough of a conflict still simmered. If we couldn’t extinguish the embers of conflict, then the fear of conflict reigniting existed. This is something we had already seen with a part of I.U. These people… Clearly, it would have been better for us if we were operating under clear rules when opposing them. I don’t know when or what they are going to do. I don’t even know who they are. That’s the risk you run when you go out into the big leagues. After communicating that, Watson asked for my opinion– 「What do you think Habi and the rest will do?」 To which I replied: 「If a member of DEEN is attacked by a member of GRENEDA after the cease-fire, it will constitute a violation of the terms. Under the right circumstances–any hostile act would be illegal and require a fight.」 I returned an answer slightly antagonistic toward the demons. Because… Habi had stolen it. The final piece of Aria’s karagane. Aria will be fine once I recover the stolen one. Butei Charter: Article 8『A mission is not ‘accomplished’ until it is completely finished.』 If the person carrying it is coming to Japan, then they are like a summer insect flying to a fire. However, my enemies are far too strong to be called insects… As I ate the rest of the vinagared rice and tuna seaweed wrap, I voiced this complaint in my mind. Even so I– I would like to see if those demons will wager their lives to enter a forge glowing with red iron? ************************************************************ The next day, which was Sunday… After such a long time, my schedule was safe. –『Camerata』 It was something like a small alumni meeting for Butei that you had worked together with to close cases. In my first year, I had worked together with Mutou, Shiranui, and Hiraga-san. We planned this a long time ago. This habit of continuing and strengthening relationships with fellow Butei was encouraged by MASTERS, and you could submit an official budget for it. Hiraga-san had already done so and gotten funds for food and drink. She’s definitely skimming off the top. I had worked with Riko back then to get intelligence from INQUESTA, so she had the right to attend, but Wonder Con was going on, so she couldn’t come. The meeting was planned, and I headed toward Shiranui’s room, number 301 on the third floor of the boy’s dormitory… I heard Mutou’s boisterous laugh inside. 「Come on in, Tohyama-kun.」 Without mentioning my tardiness, Shiranui ushered me inside– He was just as much a mild-mannered handsome guy as ever. A good guy. The entryway was almost entirely taken up with a box the size of a vaulting horse… I’m guessing Hiraga-san brought it. 「Hey Kinji, you’re late!」 「Butei should be punctual!」 Seated at the clean living room table, the huge framed Mutou and the tiny Hiraga-san sitting on a chair cushion on the floor both interjected. Everyone appeared to be present, and Shiranui passed out food prepared with a woman’s tender care. Serving ladies first, Hiraga-san said: 「Shiranui-kun took Home Economics as a free elective. I peeked into the class the other day and all the girls were giggling!」 Holding a spoon in each hand and wearing a bib like a toddler, she teased Shiranui. *********************************************** Shiranui returned a tight smile and shook his head before returning to the cooking… he had quite a lot of popular skills. He’s a mysterious guy without the faintest hint of gossip of any romantic adventures. ************************************************************ After eating, for the Camerata… we each took a piece of Shiranui’s homemade carrot cake. Mutou and Hiraga-san gabbed some coffee and sat on the sofa talking, while Shiranui and I broke off. Friends with whom you can share your daily frustrations are really a blessing. I have a lot of comrades, but I only have 3 friends. Shiranui and Mutou especially, are valuable friends that I don’t have to worry about bringing up sexy actresses. But, 「Shiranui, what are you doing for university? Are you going on to Butei University?」 「Who knows? It’s such a long time away that I don’t want to think about it.」 「…You went to a normal junior high school. What kind of student were you?」 「Who knows? It was such a long time ago that I forget.」 Yeah. Shiranui is just as strange and private individual. Whenever I try to probe a little, he deflects the question with a smile. Even so… There’s one thing I know. Shiranui has 2 kinds of smiles. The one he shows girls and that makes them giggle, and the one he’s showing now… the one he had when he shot an armed bank robber. That’s it. It was the first case that we got involved in at the beginning of the first term of our first year. Under the supervision of a third-year, we formed a team to infiltrate the local bank branch where the perpetrators had barricaded themselves–Shiranui and I. I was not in Hysteria Mode, and we were conducting a real raid, but– Shiranui entered the building just as calmly as if entering a friend’s hose–armed with his fully automatic USAS-12 shotgun, he located the leader and shot him in the left and right legs without saying a word. All while wearing a cool smile. Even now, I still remember shuddering at what Shiranui might be thinking at that moment while I restrained the rest of the perpetrators at gunpoint. Because of that Shiranui is known at Butei High as『Old Hand』 7 . Someone who shot a gun before entering school. To Shiranui, shooting someone was no more difficult than tossing a piece of rubbish into a bin. He didn’t come from an affiliate school and didn’t have internship experience or any yakuza connections like Kikuyo… this mystery wrapped up in an enigma. But prying into the past is only to be expected. What I did now was fine but prying too far isn’t a good thing for a Butei. I regret doing so with Jeanne at the Palais Garnier. Being able to smile without giving off bloodlust– To me, that’s terrifying. I don’t want to know the depths of this man’s story. 「By the way, I’m sorry. The promise we made back in first year… I broke it.」 Changing the topic, I told Shiranui about what had been bothering me for a long time. Back in my first year in ASSAULT… I defeated an instructor during the entrance examination, I was occasionally seen in Hysteria Mode and while everyone praised me, they were a bit afraid. Working well with Shiranui softened his impression of me. Then, looking toward the future we promised『In 2 years, we’ll form a Team together』– 「In the end, I didn’t communicate well enough at the end of last year to form a Team with you. I didn’t apologise properly to you… and I’ve been worrying about it since. I’m sorry.」 「It can’t be helped. Back then, you were sinking into despair over your older brother.」 「Oh, you might have heard from Riko… But my Nii-san is alive.」 「I know. I’m glad. But it’s a bit late now. Kanzaki-san had already claimed you as her partner.」 「Before I met Aria, I thought that I would form a Team with you. But right now, MASTERS has order me to be the auditor for Jeanne’s Team. I was indecisive, and I’m embarrassed.」 I told him that. 「That’s alright, you can pay me back for it. If I let your great talent get away, I don’t know why I’m at Butei High.」 「?」 「In the breach of the terms of a loan… I want to ask you to postpone one of your loans. Last year you paid me back for one in that summer vacation soccer game–I want to postpone the other repayment. Is an indefinite deferment alright?」 Shiranui said in a light tone… That’s a bit vague. Shiranui might even forget. 「Fine. Indefinite deferment 」 「Thanks. 」 Shiranui smiled then… gave a strange laugh. …I wonder if I just stepped on a landmine? Tilting my head *Whoomf!* with breakneck speed– Muto got up from the sofa and grabbed me. Heavy! Big! Hot! 「Nrg! Mutou…!」 「Oi, Kinji! Where’d Shirayuki-san go? Haven’t seen her lately.」 「Why are you asking me?」 「Such a typical Kinji answer. You grew up together. right? You should know. I’ll run you over.」 「…She went back to her family shrine. Probably for some kind of festival.」 「So that’s it. I was worried that she was sick or something.」 Mutou said that, picked up his left-over cake, then made a face as if he remembered something– 「Now that you mention it, there’s Shirayuki-san’s Amica. She reminds me of her as a first-year.」 「I’ve seen her. Her name’s Sasaki. She gets along well with Aria’s Amica」 「I found something else out. Her parents are armed prosecutors.」 「Oh… you still have the detailed information on girls. I didn’t know that.」 「It would be awkward if they worked against you.」 「Work against me? Do you mean they might try to『persuade』me or something–?」 「I don’t mean it in the general sense, rather in the sense understood in ASSAULT. Ever since you became Aria’s partner, Mamiya has been envious of you, so if she forms some kind of alliance with Sasaki, they might come after you.」 …Is that so…huh? Akari Mamiya and Kaname have already entered into some strange alliance, and over the past year her abilities have steadily grown to a respectable level. Being under the teaching of the daughter of an armed prosecutor explains the improvement in such a short period of time. That must be it. …What a headache. When I’m away from school, even more enemies pop up. 「Tohyama-kun’s father was an armed prosecutor too!」 Hiraga-san said as she dove in to snatch the leftovers of Mutou’s carrot cake. 「I think Tohyama-kun would be good at that! Armed prosecutors are so cool!」 Are you planning on forcing me into buying your weapon service? 「…There’s no way. Being a regular Butei is dangerous enough.」 I grumbled to Hiraga-san who stuffed her mouth with cake and whose cheeks puffed out like a chipmunk. In order to become an Armed Prosecutor– In general, it requires a record of high academic achievement. In Japan, they must have graduated from the law school of Tokyo University or Kyoto University at least; or Waseda or Keio Universities. Abroad, they must have graduated from a highly prestigious American Bar Association accredited law school or equivalent institution with high marks. After passing the bar exam, they must take the National Civil Servant Examination to become a prosecutor–and then only the top candidates from the elite are invited to interview. What follows is a practical examination commonly known as『The Armed Investigator Exam』, a famously difficult obstacle. 1,2, 3 rounds of nightmarish testing are conducted to test not only stamina and intelligence, of course, but also willpower, insightfulness, leadership– but most of all fighting ability– in a comprehensive manner. It isn’t uncommon for a large number of applicants to be eliminated in the first round of testing (The failure rate in the first round being 96%), and in a single year for no one to successfully pass each examination. It’s a banner year when just a few pass the test. But that isn’t the end of it. Afterwards, the Public Prosecutor’s office conducts a crushing final examination. Although not disclosed, ideology, faith, parentage, and even physical appearance is considered. Personal history, even clear back to primary school, is heavily scrutinised, and if even a single cavity discovered in the physical examination it’s over. If you can pass that– then the Prime Minister publicly appoints them to office, and they receive a certification from the Emperor. Then you’re an Armed Prosecutor. As you can see, the state will not license an extra-judicial official who wouldn’t kill someone… In reality, it’s said that Armed Prosecutors are only slightly less skilled than ESPers. There’s no way I could do that. But my father–despite it not appearing to be as severe at the time, managed to pass it. That’s impressive, and I respect the accomplishment. However, 27% of Armed Prosecutors fail to reach retirement age. That’s not simple turnover, but rather a mortality rate. My father was one of those killed in the line of duty. This a because the Armed Prosecutor holds a position that stands up to national crises that the ordinary police officer and private sector Butei would find difficult, and even the JSDF can’t solve. Despite that fact, being an Armed Prosecutor isn’t lucrative. They’re still a civil servant, after all. If they swapped their profession to an Armed Attorney, they’d be able to make a lot more. 「No way, Kinji. Your reflexive ability varies, your grades are bad, your face is depressed, and you have a bad reputation among your juniors. But then again, with that luck of yours, you never really know!」 I didn’t know if Mutou was trying to run me down or encourage me…but there was no malice there. Everything Mutou had said was accurate. Being an Armed Prosecutor was an outrageous goal, so I should focus all the more on becoming a『regular Butei』. That effort should show in my studies. Making that determination, I raised my head– Because we had gotten warm chasing each other around, Mutou undid the last button on his shirt, and the words『I LIKE Enka』written on the red T-shirt underneath stood out. 「What the heck is that, Mutou?」 「It’s cool. It’s part of my new fashion. I got it for Valenti–」 –With a *Click!*, Mutou shut his mouth– Hiraga-san and I both froze. Still smiling, a cold sweat broke out on Shiranui’s forehead. 「…Sorry, it slipped out…!」 A cold sweat dripping from his brow, he looked around up at the ceiling and out the window to make sure Chan Wu-sensei wasn’t there… I-It…looks like no one heard. 「–Be careful Mutou! Saying something like『that』is dangerous!」 I cautioned him in a low voice. We could be pulled into MASTERS office for a terrifying experience just for uttering its name… Valentine’s Day, that is. It all started in the past when the Gorilla Woman (Gori-wo for short) Ranbyou gifted a box of chocolates to a bookshop employee she liked– Completely terrified, he quit the shop and vanished without a trace. The venting of her rage was not merely confined to the students in ASSAULT, but also to Valentine’s Day itself, and afterward she instituted a school-wide total ban. She used the forced logic that consuming high calorie chocolate was bad for physical conditioning. She also applied the same restriction to White Day–if word of this violation leaked out, we would be in for corporal punishment. Occasionally exchange and transfer students unaware of this rule inadvertently let it slip in February and suffer the consequences of a beating from Ranbyou. For a brief moment silence fell upon our Camerata… 「B-by the way, Hiraga-san, you’ve finally settled on studying abroad? Haven’t you?」 Reaping the seeds that he had sown himself, Mutou returned the topic back to the future. 「Y-yeah! Next term Ayaya’s going to the Washington D.C Butei High’s AMDO!」 Hiraga-san fixed the mood with her cheerful news. 「We already had a send-off party at the factory. From Washington, I’ll be headed to Los Alamos to serve as an R&D technician.」 Hiraga-san showed us a picture on her mobile of a banner that read:『Good Luck Aya-chan!』with her older brothers cheering in front of a small country factory whilst hoisting her on their shoulders… Los Alamos… that NG word just came out. Kaname told me earlier, but they gather geniuses from around the world in a crowded room to develop all kinds of weapons. I can see why Hiraga-san would be involved with them. That’s how it is. 「I’ve ordered quite a few products from America, so I’m not worried!! I’ve got this!」 With a *Clap!* Hiraga-san struck her own Aria-class flat chest… displaying her commercial spirit. 「Speaking about going abroad. Toh~yama got an Italian scholarship, right?」 Why does Hiraga-san know that… Pre-empting my question, the arms dealer’s eyes turned to € signs as she took out a sheaf of papers from within her skirt. Ugh! You Butei High girls have got to stop doing things like this. 「Before Ayaya goes abroad, she’s having an equipment clearing out sale! You should use your scholarship to buy a set! What do you wa~nt? Hu~h?」 Maintaining an innocent smile, she held out the sheets of paper that had her signature triple columnar format with a picture of the item next to its name, then a descriptive note. There was an angled slash through the regular prices, and a sale price with a 20-30% discount listed instead. She gave me my own sheet, and this is definitely a bargain. Alright, I should definitely take the chance to replenish my supplies. FEW has decreased my stock. 「…What is this『Orochi-Kai』? I thought Orochi was glove armour…?」 「It’s hand armour that extends up over the back of the hand, covering the forearm. The cobalt-titanium ratio in the alloy has also been improved, increasing its durability. In order to maintain discretion, the forearm armour can be folded down inside.」 Oh, if that is how it is… then maybe the Oukas that I reduced to subsonic speed could be increased to supersonic. If I had armour for my forearms, I could use them as a shield. I should buy it. 「What is this『Airbag Bullet』…?」 「It’s literally what it sounds like: a bullet that deploys an airbag upon impact. It’s a flattened globe shaped like a manjuu bun with a major axis diameter of 1 metre and 0.8 metres on the short side. It’s made of ultra-strong silicone resin only 7 micrometres thick but is able to withstand an instantaneous shock load of 38.5 tonnes. 」 That’s impressive. If you fire one into another automobile before a collision, no one will get hurt. I’ll buy it. 「Might I also recommend the『Cam Button』– it is good for candid photography. It is indistinguishable from the second button on a boy’s uniform, but it is able to store internal video! It is an incredible product with a hole-less magic mirror system, an internal power supply, and it is able to back up its files via radio connection to a satellite via the internet to the cloud. It would certainly be convenient for Tohyama-kun and Mutou-kun’s hobby of peeping on girls.」 Apparently, I haven’t lived down my prior mistakes, and I said: 「That was a misunderstanding.」 I’ll buy this too. It might be useful at some point. 「But Hiraga-san is a girl too. How can you sell such a gadget??」 Mutou might buy it for a nefarious purpose… 「Ayaya doesn’t have much to peep on, so I’m not really a target for peeping.」 She flashed me a V sign, but Hiraga-san, you really don’t understand boys. There are boys in the world who like figures like yours. But it would be an issue if she stops selling to me. So I kept quiet. In addition, there were many other conceptual products as well like『Spike』with claws in the soles,『Anchor』that stretch a chemical wire from the muzzle to the point of impact– Thinking ‘I might be able to use this’ I decided to buy them all. I also decided on the『Multi-bar』, a swiss army type bar, then I turned back suddenly– 「Oh, I have a trustee now. They will submit the order later.」 And then I folded up the order form. I am naturally bad at purchasing things. I’ll tell Lisa and leave the negotiations for a lower price to her. 「…What about the container in the entryway? What’s that? Are you going to show that?」 Since the Camerata was going so well, I asked Hiraga-san. 「That’s–『YHS/02』, the new and improved Hover Skirt that Aria-san ordered. Its ascent power has been increased, but the flight time is still an issue.」 Hiraga-san skipped over to the entryway and opened the Sci-Fi style container that housed Aria’s personal flight unit. Oh! The curved fins on the new Hov-Skirt are pretty cool. I could tell that the design had matured. The colour was pink gold–the same as the previous one that broke. 「Aria-san promised to come here and pick it up.」 As soon as Hiraga-san said that, there was a *Knock!* *Knock!* That must be Aria. I took Shiranui’s place and opened the door. 「Ah, Kinji, you’re here. Hey, Hiraga-san. But… if you’re caught staying too late hanging out in the boy’s dormitory, won’t you get a beating from the dormitory supervisor?」 I put my things on the highest shelf as she said that. Then squatting in the entryway like a child with Camellia eyes wide, she inspected the YHS. 「You unpacked it. Hmm…hmm… yes, this is good.」 Aria gave the impression of someone checking over a newly delivered luxury automobile– 「Yeah. I like it. Kinji, put it back in the case.」 Smiling sweetly, Aria order me like a slave. Narrowing my eyes and clenching my jaw and feeling awfully weak, my heart thumped, and I turned a bit red. Ah, crap! Why am I getting worked up? I haven’t seen Aria since Europe, and was I missing her? What the heck, me!? 「N-no. I’m taking an officially sanctioned break, and as you might say: it’s a party. I’m not taking orders.」 I didn’t want to look submissive to Aria in front of my friends… 「Don’t dawdle, hop to it!」 An aristocrat to the end, she lifted her chin, so I move to search for the ignition button on the Hover Skirt to eject Aria from the room… 「Kinji, fighting with your girlfriend again?」 Shiranui gave a broad grin. 「Y-yo…. girlfriend…!?」 Aria continued to say cute thing like that– trailing off without finishing her sentence. For some reason, hearing Shiranui’s words, I glanced briefly over at Aria. After that, Aria unfortunately glanced over at me, and as our eyes met, we both ended up blushing red. What is this mood? 「K-Kinji, hurry up, alright…?」 Upset at being so brazenly called the girlfriend of her slave, Aria began miming the motions of Otedama 8 . Panicking and losing her temper, I saw her start pretending to play Otedama. S-so quickly. Nowadays people juggle 3 or 4 at a time. 「O–…?」 Then with a strange anime like noise… she raised a hand. Then she clenched it. In front of the meagre swelling of her chest that enabled the front of her sailor suit to be distinguished from the back. 「Wh-Wha-…?」 Teetering, Aria moved toward me… a strange sweat broke out on her forehead. 「–What’s this?」 As soon as I noticed something strange, I looked into Aria’s face. 「I… I’m alright. It’s happened before. It’s one of my attacks… Huh…?」 Aria’s gaze was unsteady. This is not good. Aria herself seems surprised how quickly the attack came on–but is this some kind of arrythmia? 「–Aria?」 I shouted as I caught and held her up–but there was no response. She’s fainted. But her eyes are still open. 「…Kanzaki-san!? What do we do? Her pulse–」 「It’s alright. I haven’t observed any bradycardia or rising pulse. But she is still conscious…. Aria! Can you hear me!?」 「Kanzaki-san!?」 Shiranui and I called her name, but Aria seemed to not comprehend. I twisted her finger to cause pain, but I didn’t see any response to push me away. It looks just like her attack at Rampan Castle, but that time she didn’t lose consciousness. With the pain she experienced in her chest that time, I wasn’t very certain if it was a haemorrhagic stroke, or a brain haemorrhage. What the hell am I supposed to do, Aria–? 「Mutou-kun, Kanzaki needs first aid! Hiraga-san, call AMBULANCE–!」 Shiranui gave instruction, and I kept calling Aria’s name. –Aria! Aria! Aria!– ********* ********* Losing consciousness for unknown reasons, she was transferred from AMBULANCE to Butei Hospital for subsequent recovery… but she needed more complete testing and examination, so she was transferred late that night to a Tokyo Institute of Medical Science affiliated hospital. ******* ******* –Then she was admitted and hospitalised. [END] ********************************* 1. The first few lines of the famous radio program ‘Jet Stream’ sponsored by Tokyo Air and hosted by Tatsuyo Shiro. 2. From previous volumes: ‘mooi’ is the Dutch equivalent to the Japanese ‘sugoi’. 3. Japanese footballer. Popular, I guess… 4. Japanese Manga-ka known in the horror genre 5. Ranking within sumo wrestling. Kind of like sporting leagues or weight classes in boxing: LINK 6. Apparently some expensive food… 7. Actual name means ‘From before’, but that didn’t quite fit in English 8. A traditional children’s game similar to juggling. ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ### 003. Bullet 3: Ninjas Have Time to Spare Well, you can thank Corona-Chan for this update. Had a week added to Spring Break and shaved off of the next term. Madness! Anyway… Enjoy the release! Already got Chapter 4 formatted, just got to TL it, but that chapter is about 20% longer. We shall see… Chapter 3: Ninjas Have Time to Spare [START TEXT] Aria was hospitalised in an Institute of Medicine in Shirokanedai in Minato ward– A large, 8-storey building. Being surrounded by a thick grove of trees gave it an air of exclusivity. I tried to pay a hospital visit… but when I got to the front desk, I couldn’t even get close after being told:„ÄåNo Visitors„Äç. While pretending to shop in the first-floor convenience store, I checked the location of the elevators and the stairwells– I can get up to the 7th floor patient rooms, but… I didn’t go because I had a strange feeling . From what I had heard, Aria’s first-year Amica, Akari Mamiya, who respects her to an extraordinary degree, had rushed to the medical institute before me… After being refused at the front desk, she tried to angrily storm past, but was thrown out by some suited women. Both of them were Caucasian. When they threw her out, Mamiya got a chance to snatch one of their lapel pins that was in the shape of the broken circle of the insignia of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. –So the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is involved. It appears the VIP Miss Aria was being forced to rest. The women Mamiya had seen were likely military attaches. Without the cooperation of the Tokyo British embassy, even a Butei could not gain entrance. At least–not by ordinary means I will come again, but I will need to infiltrate . That being the case, it would not be good if they knew my face. Reasoning that out, I returned to Butei High… I reached out to Riko and said„ÄéI need you to do something for me. Off the record.„Äè, toward that end. In the cafeteria after classes, I waited in the cool breeze, drinking coffee. With a flutter, a leaf was carried past on the wind. „Äå–Hina Fuuma, at your service.„Äç My Amica appeared from somewhere on one knee with her hair in a ponytail. A descendant of ninjas, I thought to ask my junior in LEZZAD for advice on how to infiltrate the hospital… „ÄåI am pleased to serve the role of your teacher once more. I will devote myself entirely to this purpose–„Äç „ÄåYour greeting is acceptable, raise your head and stand.„Äç Although I cannot see inside because I was looking down, she was kneeling on a short skirt. She wore something like a scarf that concealed her mouth and the bottom of her face… but from her features, I could tell that she will be a beautiful woman in the future. Like a girl from a shojou manga that could be described by the line„ÄåHuh…? You’re surprisingly cute!„Äç, I was never more on guard. „Äå–My infiltration was foiled, the medical institute, especially the 7th floor upon which Lady Aria’s room is located was under close guard. A cohort of 4 Anglo and Japanese guards were permanently stationed there.„Äç Gathering her legs beneath her and standing, Fuuma delivered her report straight away. „Äå4, you say? If that’s the case, then covering each other’s blind spots, getting past them would be difficult.„Äç That being the case, it would be hard to sneak in. How then do I get in? „ÄåThere is another curious matter. Despite the fact that she must have regained consciousness, she has not reach out to anyone. Add the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ curiously hasty intervention, it gives the impression of one under house arrest. Otherwise she would have reached out herself…„Äç …So, they must be kidnapping her. The London Butei Bureau has wanted to take advantage of Aria’s criminal hunting skill from the start–maybe they want the„ÄéHolmes„Äèname to strike fear into every criminal’s heart. Notwithstanding the disposition of Kanae Kanzaki’s trial, perhaps they though that having such an asset rooted in one place would be a national loss. „ÄåAs you say. If I might make the humble suggestion that you take no rash action. If the enemy is alerted, then they might strengthen the defences around Lady Aria by moving her to an even more impregnable location.„Äç „ÄåYou’re right, but then what do I do?„Äç „ÄåNinjas have time to spare where guards do not. In contrast to the infiltrators who can bide their time until the moment is right, guards must be constantly vigilant. Given enough time, even the best guards will become tired, creating an opening. When that happens–waiting hidden inside the hospital, you could take advantage of the opening.„Äç „ÄåAn ambush strategy, Lurking ,… huh? But if I stayed inside the hospital all the time, they would suspect something. Unless you are suggesting that I disguise myself as a doctor or something?„Äç „ÄåNay. If I may be so bold, but your manner is too haphazard, and not at all in keeping with that of a doctor.„Äç That’s pretty rude, you know, „ÄåWell then, what do you suggest?„Äç I asked and folded my arms, and taking on a pensive expression, Fuuma replied– „Äå–A convenience store clerk!„Äç …What…? There was a Convenience 9 inside the first floor of the medical institute. It was patronised almost exclusively by patients and visitors. According to Fuuma’s research, a male clerk had recently left, and they were looking to hire a part-time worker. Fuuma’s plan was to use the convenience store as a hideout… After hearing the plan in detail, it was clearly a good idea. On top of that, due to privacy protection laws, part-time workers’ personal information and details cannot be shared with anyone. My real identity would not be disclosed to the hospital. That being the case–I will take Fuuma’s suggestion and work part-time at the convenience store, waiting for my chance. Then, whether Aria is hospitalised or being isolated, I will get in contact with her. But Fuuma also had a warning for me… When it comes to Aria, I tend to act rashly. As her partner, it is only natural and to be expected, but in this case would be a grave mistake. So I will have to try to keep my head. The actual act of infiltration is child’s play, though. I have already infiltrated an elite high school as a student and an IT company as the company president’s butler. This is only a convenience store worker. For an ordinary high school student, the job should be easy. –And using the black rimmed glasses Fuuma had already obtained as a minimal disguise… I became the prefect image of a total loser. It fit me well. The glasses, that is. A few days later, I headed toward the Convenience 9, alone… Before entering, I thought to myself that the interior was a bit disorganised. The merchandise was displayed haphazardly, and it looked like the store hadn’t been cleaned thoroughly. The worker must have done just what was easily visible. Upon telling them that I was here for an interview, I was taken into the back and seated in a folding chair… So this is what it’s like on the other side of the register. This part of the store serves as a storage area. This being my first time in the backroom of a convenience store, my interest was stirred– The store manager across from me looked over my CV but seemed entirely disinterested. With a long ovular face, flashy clothes, and younger than I would have expected, the manager Kowada said: „ÄåHmm… a guy, huh…„Äç Despite the fact that we were in a medical building, he was smoking as he grumbled to himself. He looked awfully bored. But when a university age girl came in and said:„ÄåBoss~! The dragon-type is out~!„Äçand showed him the mobile game on her screen, he smiled and said:„ÄåOh! Just wait one moment„Äçand showed a kinder expression. „ÄåTokyo Bu… High? Don’t know that one. So you’re a highschooler?„Äç „ÄåY-yes.„Äç Thank goodness. I didn’t know how extensive the background check would be, so I wrote everything done correctly. However, it appears that he is going to ignore it. Or, rather… is it actually that you can’t read the character ‘tei’ in Butei, Mr. Manager? „ÄåYa ever done any other part-time kind of work? Got any retail experience?„Äç „ÄåI’ve done security and investigative work… but no retail experience.„Äç „ÄåHuh. Well, you look strong enough… And the OFC has been nagging me lately… 1 „Äç The manager Kowada went on mixing in retail jargon–then he asked me which days and hours I was available during the week. Because I intended to stake out the hospital, I told the manager that I could come in for the evening until midnight shift every day, and that appeared to make a good impression with him. „ÄåWell then, come in for the shift tomorrow. You have to be here 10 minutes early, no exceptions, to take over the store, got it? While you’re in training you get three-quarter pay.„Äç Tamping out his cigarette, he hired me. It’s a lucky thing the labour laws were revised to allow highschoolers to work part-time job until late at night. *************************************************** Layering my borrowed uniform over my Butei High bulletproof uniform, I showed up to work at„ÄéConvenience 9„Äèthe next day– First, the more senior part-time worker taught me the store phrases, how to label and price the merchandise, how to stock and display the merchandise, how to bag the customers’ purchases, and how to sweep and clean the store. But then– After showing me so many things on the first day in such a rapid succession… I found myself unable to remember them all. What’s more, I was only given one brief explanation of each of them. And because my normal memory „ÄåUh… the handheld terminal… is that what it’s called? Where is it stored?„Äç „ÄåEh? I just told you.„Äç Just tell me! That is what I want to say, but the manager left to goof off in the back and left my training to the female university student, so of course it suffered. But if I get upset, I’ll miss even more from the inadequate explanation that I do get. I can’t even learn if I don’t get even a poor explanation, though, so I said: „ÄåW-well… could you tell me again…?„Äç I said in a strained, low voice. „ÄåYou’re a big boy aren’t you? Think about it for a minute!„Äç But…you say to think about it, but I’ve never done anything like this before, so I can’t even begin to guess. Giving up, I began to look around the register area and open each of the drawers one by one. In order to prevent the accidental discharge of a gun that might be in a drawer, I picked up the habit of starting to open a drawer slowly at Butei High– but the other part-timer yelled at me. „ÄåImbecile!„Äç Snatching the portable terminal up quickly, she slammed it into the charger that was hidden on one of the shelves. „ÄåSorry…„Äç I said in a barely audible voice. Having shown me how to do several tasks, it seems like the female university student worker was going to take a break. I heard the shrill cries of the other part-timers saying things like: „ÄåFun!„Äç „ÄåSuper Fun!„Äç She was drawn into the managers popular back room. That is to say… except for the manager, all the workers are beautiful female university students in heavy make-up, discounting their personalities. From what I observed during the interview, this must be the manager’s thing… but, personally, it’s a bit inconvenient. It might be a bit harder than I thought. Working in a convenience store, that is… However, I did not have any time to waste– I began putting things in order and straightening things inside the store, cleaning the floor while being mindful of the customers, paying attention and being at the register before them, collecting payment for their late-night magazine purchases… averting my eyes from the adult themed ones… arranging the display case– I began to notice a pattern in the work, repeating the same tasks. Whenever I was there, the other workers barely did any work. Pushing all kinds of work onto me, they all played with the manager. It was like Nakasorachi forcing the sweeping of the CONNECT building onto me. It was like some kind of horrible sweatshop. Now I understand. They treated the male part-timer before me this way too, and that was why he quit. But I am the one who gave them the opening to exploit me. When I’m in front of them, I’m so scared of going into Hysteria Mode– I can’t even meet their eyes, and I start fumbling for words. Even with female customers, my strained and nervous behaviour is patently obvious. As a result, they easily drew the conclusion that I was„Äåa timid person„Äç. Because of that, I was isolated, and that is a good way to make someone do something. Now, and later, making me do their work as well. Things, however, would be absolutely hopeless if my Hysteria Mode acted up. My chronic condition causes all sorts of problems with interpersonal communication. Unfortunately, there is no way to cure myself from Hysteria Mode. If I get a normal job in the future… It will be like this, won’t it? I won’t be able to work freely in a normal job, will I…? Dammit. Why are their tears in my eyes? I can’t cry at work! Especially not a customer service job! I– can’t get fired. I have to stay. I haven’t gotten my chance to find the opening in my enemy’s defences… to get to Aria. Hang in there. Hang in there, Kinji. I have to look objectively at putting up with this job. There isn’t a job that exists that doesn’t come with some kind of pain. There are things in the world that are harder than others. But that should not be a discouragement. Right now, I have to hold onto this job…! *************************************** My shift is strange in the fact that I am the only one that arrives early, and I am the only one that ends up staying late. The„Äåmargin„Äçbetween my shift and the next has been growing each day. Today, I worked more than 30 minutes of unpaid overtime. What’s more, the female university student working the shift prior isn’t the kind of person to do a proper shift hand-over. It seemed that she had always pushed her work onto someone else and never did any of her own. In such trying circumstances, I took advantage of Fuuma’s extensive experience working as a part-timer by calling her to ask questions… Until now, I’d always managed to get my work done. Because of that, I had some free time to look around and ascertain a few facts– This Convenience 9 is a franchise store, so it has a franchisee owner, and that owner is a doctor here in the medical institute. That owner is the manager Kowada’s father. In short, the manager is the doctor’s dissipate son who, due to his personal connection, was left in charge of the store. It makes sense that he’s a rich kid when you factor in his latest model iPhone and 500,000 Yen watch. 2 Despite that, the manager was a cheapskate, and he hasn’t raised my hourly rate after 80 hours spent in ‘training’. He pretends that he’s just forgotten, but he might be skimming the extra off the top of my pay. The miser. However, when his father, the physician, came in to visit, I took special care that he didn’t get a good look at my face, however… When the owner came in, he entirely failed to check over the sales numbers, the presentation of the merchandise, or the general demeanour of the workers. Instead, he came in with a smiling face to discuss his recent purchase of a Celsior with his dissipate son. 3 …You can’t help but think the best of your child, but in the end, this is going to make him a terrible person if you keep raising him this way. Well, actually he is now, isn’t he…? Whenever there was work that he didn’t want to do, or helping the customers was too much for him… he would completely stop working and retreat into the back and play UNO with the female university student workers. „ÄåThe last round was a penalty round! Now for your tickling punishment! Take that, and that, and that!„Äç He said things like that so casually… touching people so boldly. He’s got to be popular. If he was a normal guy, they’d call it sexual harassment and wouldn‚Äôt find it so funny, but far from being angry the female students seemed to enjoy it. Due to my own condition, I am not the slightest bit envious… but the manager must really be well-liked. It was all because he was rich that they liked him. They say that attractive men are not well-liked–but from my experience, I would beg to differ. Old Kansai travelling storytellers used to tell the tales that without„Äécharred newt„Äè 4 a man well-liked by women was:„Äå1.Fashionable„Äç, „ÄåÔºí. Handsome„Äç, „Äå3. Rich„Äç, „Äå4. Skilled in their craft„Äç, „Äå5. Hardworking„Äç, „Äå6. Pure of heart and mind„Äç, „Äå7. Well spoken„Äç, „Äå8. Strong„Äç, „Äå9. Courageous„Äçand„Äå10. Of good reputation„Äç The manager had number 3 going for him. Number 10 was hardly my own personal strength, although in Hysteria Mode number 7 was spotlighted. One of these that is going to send me straight to hell… When I recall the things I said while hysterised, I end up making myself depressed– „ÄåOi! Tohyama! Go buy me some cigs! Ma Me Li’s! Same as last time!„Äç „ÄåO-okay!„Äç By using me as a gofer, it gives me the chance to scout the medical institute. Because we are in a medical building, the convenience store doesn’t sell cigarettes, so a store outside has a monopoly on that. Usually it would be difficult to send a minor to buy such a thing, but the old, senile granny who runs the shop outside just sells them to anyone. I got used to being a gofer for Ranbyou, so I rushed out as fast as I could and made sure I grabbed the (Ma)rlboro (Me)nthol (Li)ghts– Using the bit of free time I gained by running, I scouted out the stairwell inside the institute that led to the upstairs treatment rooms. It was 10 o’clock. All the outpatients had long since left. There was no chance of running into anyone. But…making my way carefully up to the fourth floor, I suddenly stopped. –Someone is there. Somehow, the training I received at Butei High had trained my senses… Due to some kind of acquired skill, I understood why. Above me, there were 4 professionals . If I took another step, they would be sure to sense me. I still haven’t gotten the chance to learn anything… Reluctantly, I retreated, taking extreme care not to make any noise–then I returned to the convenience store. „ÄåTook you long enough!„Äç The manager Kowada shouted, kicking my leg from the folding chair where he sat. „Äå…Sorry…„Äç Snatching the proffered cigarette package away from me, his attitude said:„ÄéGet back to work!„Äè Returning to the centre of the group of girls, he resumed talking about the snowboarding trip he was going to take. This is Kowada’s little kingdom… I’ve heard the expression ‘king of the hill’, but this is a real example. In society, people like that get along pretty well. Pretty often too. People like me with bad points are left out and get to be someone else’s gofer until they’re a grandfather. If someone like me heads out into society and gets a normal job, will that be what it’s like? I should learn from this depiction of the sad reality… Adjusting the black-rimmed glasses I wore simply as a disguise, I went back to stocking the sake that was selling well due to the cold weather. ******************************************** For in-patients and hospital staff, the Convenience 9 was pretty much a 24-hour operation… But as it wears on towards midnight, the number of customers taper off. I’ve already dealt with deliveries, stocked the inventory, swept up, cooked the fired chicken and manjuu… so now there isn’t anything to be done. However, a customer occasionally walks in, so I have to keep standing at the register without a break. That is pretty hard. Mentally, that is. It’s so slow… It’s like the times where Aria shoots her guns, Shirayuki and Kaname brandish knives, and Riko lobs grenades–like when I hide in the bulletproof closet until the storm whipped up by those girls passes by–that is exactly the feeling I am getting right now. But at least there I could use my mobile to browse a cinema news site or message with Mutou. I can’t do anything like that here in the workplace. Even though the female university student workers play on their mobiles when no customers are around. When the manager and girls emerged from the backroom to get some hot water for their soup cups… The Convenience 9 could be said to be anything but quiet– –Then an unlooked-for customer entered the store. Their right hand was inside the pocket of the hoodie they wore, and they chewed some gum as they swaggered into the store… it was about half past 2 AM and she was a petite girl. She was beautiful with egg-yolk coloured hair with large slitted eyes that drew attention to her. The roots of her dyed blonde hair showed her hair’s natural colouring, a rich caramel. All at once the nickname given to her by the granny running the shop outside came to mind,„ÄéYa-chan„Äè. But I didn’t use it now–she was a habitual shoplifter . „ÄåWelcome to the store!„Äç She was on the store’s blacklist, but a customer is a customer, so I turned toward her with a smile and polite greeting. But she ignored me and pulled out something with a *Click!* It was a switchblade from her pocket, and the sound was the locking mechanism. From the sound, I could tell it was the same kind the Fujikibayashi bought online. From the way it is hanging, it seems that her left arm is broken, and she has returned to her bad habit of theft… The female workers and manager then retreated to the backroom, giving the impression of„ÄéLet’s leave it to Tohyama„Äè. It’s not a big deal, it looks like they just don’t want to deal with a difficult customer. But there was a moment when I could no longer hear them slurping ramen. They must have been taking still photos from the security cameras to serve as evidence of Ya-chan’s crime. But Ya-chan is good. There is no way the cameras can catch the instant she swipes the goods. Incidentally, the thing she steals most often is plum flavoured chewing gum. That seems to be her favourite, and the damage only totals up to 600 Yen. The store has a policy in the event of an escaping shoplifter– Throw an anti-theft colour ball to leave coloured paint on their clothes and shoes so they can’t play dumb when they are arrested. It was written in the store manual. But even if the camera catches her this time… I’ll be the one who has to clean up the coloured paint, won’t I? So I decided to handle it with what was written on the previous page of the manual. Casually walking around the store to deter shoplifting. I followed her as she browsed the magazines, looked longingly at the ice cream in the walk-in freezers, and opened and shut the refrigerators full of canned coffee and juice… I always kept a fixed distance from her while completing some kind of work in the store. She is small, so she is able to pick up on subtle cues– „Äå…Augh…! What is it with you! Wherever I go, you’re always in my way!„Äç Ya-chan suddenly grabbed me by the collar of my work uniform as I was mopping the floor. She seems to be the kind of rascal that lashes out in anger because she can’t leave the hospital. This is dangerous. But not for me, for you. For example, the collars of the Butei High blazers come equipped with needles in case you are grabbed by the lapel. If someone grabs you by the collar, they’ll get stung. In order to prevent hurting others, I removed them. „ÄåOh… My apologies. Please excuse me.„Äç A forced smile on my face, I kowtowed to this younger person. But rather than deescalate the situation, this seemed to make her even angrier. „ÄåWhat’s with the attitude? Pickin’ a fight? Huh? Wanna have a go?„Äç This is really weird… you’ve got to be some kind of amateur, right? Isn’t it better to attack before the other guy gets the chance to respond? At least, that is what I think. „ÄåMy apologies…„Äç „ÄåYou know who I am? My boyfriend’s in the Yakuza!„Äç Oh! What a coincidence, I know people in the Yakuza. I’m stalked by their former leader. With that thought in mind, I didn’t give any kind of worried reaction. She definitely said that just to try to rattle me. But seeing that she hadn’t provoked any kind of response, she grimaced in annoyance. But… Weren’t you just intently reading the women’s magazine with the headline„ÄéNo Experience? A must-see for all ages! What do you do to get a boyfriend?„ÄèYou were even taking notes on you mobile. If you’re going to lie, at least make it more believable. „ÄåYou wanna go!? Call the cops! I’ll take ya, I’ll bury you! How ’bout that! Where’s all that big talk gonna go when you get trashed by a girl!? Ya get me!?„Äç Ya-chan spat out (what was at least intended to be) cutting words. „ÄåUhhh? I don’t really understand.„Äç I answered, genuinely confused. „ÄåEh!?„Äç Then with a scowl, she let go of my collar, almost as if she was tired of holding on to it. The she raised a thin eyebrow. „ÄåYa see this? I broke it in a fight.„Äç She then raised her left arm, proud of the injury for some reason… From the bit of the abrasion scab that stuck out of the bandages, I could tell that she probably got it from riding a bicycle. From the way her arm hung, I could tell that it was probably due to a low-speed collision and green fracture. By the way her fingers moved, it was probably mostly healed. If this were Butei High, she’s have already been long since deemed to be healed and returned to ASSAULT for grappling training. Normal people have a tendency to exaggerate. „ÄåThat must have been terrible. A fight, really… just terrible. You’re scary.„Äç I stumbled through this stupid ad-libbed response, but having seemingly bought my lie, Ya-chan snorted and smiled. When she smiled though, she looked like a normal, innocent, cute middle schooler. Caught slightly off-guard– *Pfft!* Ya-chan spit the gum she had been chewing out onto the floor and left without buying anything. „ÄåC-come again…!„Äç Ah, I’ll have to clean this. Well, it’s better than coloured paint, I guess. ************************************************* Afterwards, I was planning to take my break and eat the bento I had brought with me– „ÄåWhat’s taking you so long eating! Get back on the register!„Äç It seemed that having me, a guy, take a break nearby irritated Kowada because it reduced the number of girls around him due to one of them having to stand in for me at the register, so he kicked over my bento. Despite the fact that I had just seen how cowardly he had been when it came to the delinquent middleschooler, Ya-chan, he was full of bluster now. I just dealt with Ya-chan and helped the store out. A little praise would be nice. Speaking of my break, it’s an hour long, isn’t it? It hasn’t even been 15 minutes! Thinking that– „Äå–Sorry. I’ll go back.„Äç I zipped back up the zipper on the Convenience 9 store uniform and went back to the shop floor. The fried rice bento that I had bought from the store was now scattered across the floor. „ÄåClean that up!„Äç I didn’t even have to be told by the female university student. I haven’t done anything else today. But, at least here it is… safe and secure… Anti-social guys like me should probably be grateful for such workplaces. I’ll get plenty of money next month from Beretta. I should be glad to be able to earn some money in the meanwhile. Even if pay is skimmed off the top. ************************************* Afterwards, I took the chance to scope out the upper floors, but– The pros from the English embassy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs still didn’t present any kind of opening. They were on constant, 24-hour alert, ready to counter any potential intruders. But ninjas have time to spare where guards do not… In a protracted engagement, I hold the advantage. No matter how good the other side is, they will eventually give me an opening. I just need to use it when it appears. I can’t rush it; I have to bide my time. I worked and waited for my chance– Late the next night, Ya-chan came back to the store. It looked like it was going to be the decisive match between Kinji Tohyama versus the middle school shoplifting girl. If you can scatter my cherry blossoms, then come and scatter them! I thought, but I only had a mop to hand as a weapon. But then, after working very hard to gain my attention, she pushed merchandise off the shelf in the next aisle over from where I was mopping. „ÄåKyahaha! Oops–!„Äç Then she would sprint away laughing as she short skirt fluttered. After that she made complaints like: „ÄåHey! You didn’t gimme my change!„Äç Among other things. She also spilled her Fanta on purpose, hit me with her empty drink cans as she pretended to toss them away, and all other kinds of bullying. „ÄåYou’re too slow at cleaning up. You should quit, quit! You really should!„Äç Ya-chan repeated these kinds of things over and over… She couldn’t blow off her own steam by shoplifting while I was here, so that’s why she wants me to quit. What’s more, even though she didn’t buy anything, I had to stand behind the register. „ÄåI’m telling ya, it’s the best thing for society. A worthless person like you should just quit, ya know, for society.„Äç Caught between the register and the backroom, she unleashed a constant barrage of verbal insults. There aren’t any other customers in the shop right now, so I guess it’s fine… This kid seems like she is pretending to care more than she actually does about society. Like she’s some kind of ‘justice’. But that’s also a symptom of chuunibyou-ism. It’s part of the process of human development. „ÄåThe ward mayor and the chief of police are friends of mine. I could have you fired, just like that!„Äç „Äå…„Äç I put on a forced smile behind my black rimmed glasses, and… …!… When my eyes suddenly bulged in shock, Ya-chan must have thought: „ÄéI finally got him scared!„Äè Then she gave a self-satisfied smirk… What had really surprised me, however–was behind Ya-chan’s blonde dye job whose roots were beginning to show– It was on the other side of the convenience store’s automatic doors. I hoped I was seeing things. I hoped it was some kind of optical illusion. But the heartless door opened– and the girls were lit in the dazzling late-night fluorescent lights of the convenience store. –Son of a bitch…I wasn’t mistaken…! …Yen…! Walking into the convenience store disguised as normal humans were 3 onis– They’re here… but why!? I know I had heard from Watson that they had arrived in Japan, but I never expected them to show up here so suddenly… this was something I did not expect. Yen’s costume began with the black leather boots that thudded every time she took a step, leather trousers, and a leather jacket that covered her in black from head to toe. Her large chest– spread out into a tank top, and her hair was the same deep brown She was wearing sunglasses and a black leather hat skewed to the left that made her horns look like hat ornaments. Behind her… the wicked shape of her kanabou, Kongourokkaku, hung on her back, gleaming darkly with a grey light. Carrying someone in her right arm wearing a frilly primary school uniform… Habi…! The tiny, superhuman oni. It’s been a while since the last time I saw her during the Bandire on Empty Island. Next to Yen was one more person–It was the first time I had ever seen them, but the short horn poking out from between her forelocks told me that she was an oni–a slender, beautiful woman. She wore a navy blue, knee-length skirt with a sailor suit uniforms, but the young female oni’s expression was more expressionless, harder and colder than Yen or Habi’s. At her waist, not only the grip, but also the sheath of her sword was coated in leather, and the whole thing up to the hilt was covered in leather wrappings, a kawatsutusmi–commonly known as a demon blade. 5 But why are they here…!? At a complete loss for words, my eyes met Habi’s and she smiled back… her whole face suddenly broke into a grin. „Äå–Any naughty children around here? Ahahaha!„Äç The glass panes of the automatic doors quivered at the loud„Äénamahage„Äè-like shout. 6 Jumping at the sound of the voice, Ya-chan finally noticed the existence of the oni behind her. Being so clearly armed and giving off the impression that„Äéthey are not engaged in any kind of respectable business, much less being very human,„Äè, Ya-chan’s black-rooted blonde dyed hair stood on end in fright… Looking behind her, her legs went weak, and she slumped to sit on the floor. Her back was pressed up against the counter,„ÄåG-get out„Äç,she whispered in a quavering voice that failed along with her spirit, but– She didn’t stir; all her strength having left her body. Added to that, likely drawn out by Habi’s shout, the shop manager and the female university part-timers came out of the back room onto the sales floor. Dammit! If the onis go crazy here… we’re done for. I’m only in my normal state, but even then, I’d have to try to protect everyone and get them out of here. That would be absolutely impossible. Her eyes searching for something from behind her sunglasses, Yen lumbered heavily over toward me– She moved to give the frozen Ya-chan a light kick to push her out of the way. But– I realised something. Yen has no concept of her own strength. She might not mean to, but wherever she is stepping she is sending out seismic waves. I don’t even think she is aware of it. Yen, stop! A kick from you is fatal–this is only a normal girl. „Äå–!„Äç Without thinking, I vaulted over the register counter–grabbed the hood of Ya-chan’s hoodie and dragged her along. Then as Ya-chan and I knocked into an endcap display rack, Yen’s foot sailed through the air, colliding with something. –*Whoosh!* Yen’s foot grazed the edge of the register counter, and the entire thing exploded into a million pieces, with stainless steel parts flying in all directions from the hole she had made. Dammit! This woman is a bulldozer…! Taking this extremely rash action despite the fact the I was not in Hysteria Mode, my heart rate and breathing rate spiked as I did my best to settle them. Then, brushing off the Frisk mints that has rained down on us from the destroyed shelving–thanks to Ya-chan clinging to me in horror, I noticed that I was somewhat hysterised. No offence, but she’s not exactly my type, so this has got to be The Suspension Bridge Effect, right? When the heart rate of the human body increases, the brain mistakes the pounding in the chest to be due to the opposite sex. Trembling and crying… Ya-chan howled in fear–My first priority is getting this young girl out of here, but I can’t predict what the onis will do next, and I don’t want to do the wrong thing. I need to calm down and assess the situation for now. As my hysterised brain had expected, upon seeing the anything-but-human kick that Yen delivered, the other employees in the shop quickly descended into a panicked state. The female students shrieked and tried to escape the shop. But the other onis were still walking around, so they couldn’t escape, and they screamed again. Stop screaming. If you scream, you are going to attract their attention…! Dammit! Why… why can‚Äôt they just hide quietly…!? The pandemonium inside the shop reached a fever pitch. „ÄåB-boss! This is insane! Totally insane!„Äç „ÄåL-let go of me! You idiots!„Äç His brown hair ruffled, the female students clung to the manager, but he kicked his favourite girl to shake her off and try to escape himself. However, in doing so, it appeared that he sprained his own ankle, and he collapsed in the spot. Entirely ignoring the human chaos around her… Yen went over to where the sake was stocked and picked up the one-cup Ouzeki Sake. 1, 2, 3, no all of them. Then she dumped them all into Habi’s lap as she still carried her in her arms. Then they picked out the sake and shouchuu. What’s more… I think they took all of it, leaving only the ill-named devil’s brew behind. After that, Yen took all the whiskey and brandy without bothering to look through it and handed it over to Habi. As for the other one, the slender oni headed to where the rice was stocked and pillaged all of the onigiri, but– Yen walked over, still carrying Habi, and grabbed the onigiri that was too high to reach… then I saw them all give a slight smile. Thank goodness… they aren’t here to start a fight… at least that how it looks. But they still came to this hospital specifically– Maybe they are here for me, or Aria? But they just crashed into my workplace unannounced, so I’m not exactly inclined to greet them with a smiling face. „ÄåWhy dost humans hoard such necessities–rather than distribute them to those who hath need of them? Doth they all suffer from the same neurosis?„Äç Looking around the shop, Yen tilted her head, asking me this question without so much as a greeting. I ignored the rude questions… Then taking off the glasses that had become twisted when I saved Ya-chan, I cast them aside to reveal my true face. Then with the look of a warrior in my eyes, I replied: „Äå–Yo, Yen. You came to Japan the minute the Purification Barrier was down, right? Setsubun just ended. I wonder if those two things were pretty scary for you?„Äç I probed, adopting a slightly antagonistic position. Back in Dragon Harbour, I couldn‚Äôt pin down what her motives were–so I took this chance to hazard another guess. „ÄåAnd you were so sweet. You could have chased me down and killed me now, but you didn’t.„Äç I said casually while moving to a place in the store from which I could protect everyone… In response, Yen tilted her head again, then said: „ÄåTohyama. When thou takest honey from a beehive dost thou kill every single bee flying in the vicinity?„Äç She repeated the same line that she had spoken in the Netherlands in a husky voice. „ÄåRice and sake. We hath merely come to glean them. Those are the two products of humanity we hath use for. Of old times, we hath become addicted to those two articles. By producing rice and sake, thou humans doth serve us–thus we let thee live. Like a beekeeper keeps bees.„Äç To onis, we humans… really are like insects. And now I learned one more thing. They are not here after me. Even with provocation, they didn’t come after me. In that case… perhaps Aria? The situation is getting more serious. „ÄåYen-nee-sama. That warrior. May I toy with him?„Äç The oni in the sailor suit beside Yen asked, indicating me. „ÄåDo what thou wilt, Tsubaki.„Äç Yen replied, and the oni that she had called Tsubaki… all of a sudden unleashed a torrent of bloodlust. The atmosphere– became sharp. She was ready for an insta-kill manoeuvre. I felt as if a sword was held to my throat. I can’t even guess what Tsubaki’s ability level was… She called Yen her older sister, so she was somewhere less powerful than Yen. In that case, I’ll act under the assumption that she is just as strong. That being that case– If she acts of violently here, then innocent bystanders will be caught up in the fight. They’ll be ripped into a thousand shreds like paper. That thought crossed my mind before Tsubaki had made her move, so, somewhat reluctantly: „ÄåOutside the shop.„Äç I drew my Beretta from the waistband holder that I had kept it in all along beneath my Convenience 9 uniform. I cocked the hammer as a threat, and at the sound of the *Click!*– the female university students saw my gun, and realising that is was real, they shrieked loudly once more. Stunned speechless, the manager turned pale, and Ya-chan’s eyes bulged. I’ll apologise to them for concealing my true character later. „ÄåIn cases like this, there is typically a duty to first fire a warning shot, but you do not adhere to Butei Law: Article 2. 7 Or even Article 9 for that matter. For you, it’s like crushing an insect.„Äç Having just treated humans as insects, I turned that sentiment right back on her. Inside the shop– the shelves and low ceiling will catch swords, and guns have an advantage. By clearly displaying my gun, Tsubaki should know that she is at a disadvantage here. That being the case, it should prevent the normal people here from being dragged into the situation. „Äå–Onis belong outside. Leave the shop.„Äç Standing up, I had already chambered one of the PIERCE bullets given to me last year by the Vatican. Even if she manages to grab the bullet, even an oni’s hand will have to take some kind of damage. Having taken aim easily at the oni’s forehead, I made my threat– „ÄåWarrior of Musashi. 8 If thou dost grovel like a cockroach, I will eat your heart quickly so thou wilt not suffer. Else, I will leave thee alive and merely consume thine limbs. Make thine choice.„Äç Even with a gun pointed at her… Tsubaki returned her own threat. From her tone and composed manner, it is clear that she is not bluffing. However, she has made no move to draw her blade. She has merely stood there in a ready position. This is unlike Yen on the Nao de China, and she seems entirely bent on an encounter… …Is a bare-handed oni stronger than a human with a gun. „ÄåThou wilt not apologise? Very well, then I shall cut thee off first below the knees. It is an unfortunate thing. Thou won’t even be able to perceive it. They will be gone before thou hast had a chance to observe it.„Äç Saying such things, the dark sailor suited oni– –*Whoosh!*– –Vanished. „Äå!„Äç In that instant the world slowed around me. *Bam!* Then the cases of Frisk mints on the ground by my feet exploded and went flying. Those were footprints. In front of me– I saw space itself warp and a pale figure moving. It was Tsubaki. It wasn’t invisibility or teleportation.–It was super speed–! The possibility of launching my own high-speed attack largely removed, I had to act based on the sensation of her fangs grazing my knee. –Kikka–! Pushing off with both my feet at a subsonic speed, I leapt into the air As part of the motion, I ended upside down and shot out my left handblade with Ouka– Then as Tsubaki slipped past– *Bang!*– I fired my Beretta with my right. –*Tap!*– Sticking the landing after she was clear, she appeared once more to the side of me, In accordance with the Law of Inertia, her long dark hair and long skirt fluttered violently, and her large breasts regained their original position… In her hand, she does not hold a sword, but rather… „ÄåHumph! I had time for a yawn before your bullet even reached me.„Äç She held my bullet pinched between her finger. …Acting as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Even though I shot from point-blank range. What’s more, it was a PIERCE bullet, so that probably means that she didn’t just grasp it tightly like Yen. In grabbing my bullet, Tsubaki must have accelerated to the same speed as the bullet and grabbed it. Even the Butei bullets were defeated… But that might just be due to her high-speed ability, and one should not despair that all oni are capable of catching bullets. My firing position was bad, anyway. This was the first time I’ve shot while somersaulting and upside down. When Tsubaki moved, Yen also tracked her with her eyes, but then from her arms… „ÄåYen, Tsubaki. I wanna eat.„Äç Tugging on the chest of Yen’s leather jacket, Habi asked for some food. „ÄåHabi-sama, please wait a moment. There is a detestable warrior here at the moment.„Äç Tsubaki responded, meaning me. „ÄåWanna eat. E~at! Eat, eat, eat, eat, e~~~at!!!„Äç She began to clamour loudly. In a ridiculously loud voice. Really, this defies all common sense. It’s just like a child fussing. Hurriedly removing her sunglasses, Yen responded: „ÄåN-now, now…„Äç Uncharacteristically flustered, she began to soother Habi. But… „ÄåWa~aaaaaugh! I hate you! Really hate you~!„Äç Seated in Yen’s arms, Habi began to squirm. Paying no heed to the fact that she was wearing a skirt, she began to act like a spoiled child, flailing her arms and legs Being told by Habi that she was„Äéhated„Äè, Yen…*Whoosh!*… I could almost hear as the spirit was knocked out of her, and her eyes went white in shock like something out of„ÄéGlass Mask„Äè 9 „ÄåOh, uh! Habi-sama. Please settle yourself. I have onigiri here.„Äç Tossing aside the bullet that she had caught and pinching up her long skirt, Tsubaki rushed over to Habi, completely neglecting me. Then shortly after, she raised the basket full of onigiri that she had pilfered from the island rack and presented them to Habi. Somehow… for them… Habi is a very important person. From that, I get the impression that Yen, Tsubaki, and Habi are like a married couple with a child. Despite Yen being a woman. Can’t you handle a crying child…? Thanks to that, the battle was postponed… After Habi gets her food, the chances of them attacking me again are not low. Being of an entirely different species, Tsubaki and Yen’s thought patterns are hard to discern. I won’t be able to stop the fight or get them to the respond to negotiations to make these onis in front of me to just leave. They are part of DEEN– yet, despite that, they do not acknowledge the properly negotiated ceasefire. What’s more, Habi holds the last piece of Aria’s karagane. If I can get that back, Aria will not become the Scarlet Goddess. Despite the fact that they seem hard to intimidate, I… „ÄåThe subordinates are the subordinates, and the master is the master.„Äç Changing tactics and trying to lure them outside, I sneered in contempt at the one they held in high regards as I retreated. Moving toward the exit. Addressing the child they treasured proved to be exceptionally effective… „ÄåThou darest to make a mockery of our esteemed master? Such a thing shall not remain unanswered.„Äç Baring her fangs as if to fulfill her threat of eating my legs, the mother in this little family structure, Tsubaki, scowled back at me once more. Sword shaking in her hand she took step after step towards me. Good. I’ll be able to lure at least one of them outside. Yen and Habi in the store will come out and help if I hurt Tsubaki. Walking backwards, the automatic doors behind me opened, and Tsubaki– *Whoosh!* –disappeared again. Then in the next instant I heard: „Äå–Hold, Tsubaki~!„Äç Like a thunderbolt, that voice reverberated across the sales floor, and with a *Poof!* Tsubaki who had vanished reappeared back where she was originally. Yen’s sharp rebuke caused Tsubaki’s body to stiffen, and I followed her eyes that continued to move to see what had caught her attention… There was a whiff of a scent originating from behind me. One that was entirely unforgettable– The scent of gardenias. „Äå–Aria?„Äç I turned around and saw Aria there, wearing a Butei High sailor suit in an imposing stance. **************************** **************************** –Seeing Aria, Yen checked Tsubaki. But why did her voice sound slightly panicked…? Raising one eyebrow at my convenience store uniform and gun. Aria surveyed the scene. „ÄåI had a premonition that when I came I’d find you here, Kinji.„Äç She opened in her anime-like voice. Aria’s chest drew attention. Noise came from it, despite the fact that there was nothing there to make it. „Äå–What about the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ surveillance?„Äç „ÄåI gave them the slip. They were only worried about watching things on the outside of the room, so it was easy enough to do from inside. What the heck are you doing?„Äç „ÄåJust a bit of part-time work.„Äç „ÄåWha?„Äç Now we had become the comedic quarrelling couple. „Äå–Fou~nd you~!„Äç From Yen’s arms, Habi pointed and sang out as if she was the seeker in a game of hide-and-go-seek while pointing at Aria. They were here for Aria like I expected. Confirming that, I moved to protect Aria by placing her behind me, but– The one in question, began lumbering forward to stand beside me. Then she glared. Giving a demon-like glare to the oni inside the shop, she crossed here arms. „ÄåYou said that you are part of GRENEDA, you African onis? If your bored, I’ll lend you my chest.„Äç 10 How can you lend *anything* from your chest…? That thought crossed my mind, but I clamped my mouth shut to prevent myself from saying it aloud. „ÄåLend your chest?„Äç Hearing a voice from behind us, Aria and I both swivelled our heads around– At some point, Tsubaki had circled around. „ÄåDo that, and you will end up bankrupt.„Äç Tsubaki said, thrusting her own breasts of considerable size forward, her words setting a flamethrower to dynamite. Then Tsubaki slipped up to Aria and flipped up her blouse– „Äå–?„Äç Looking down, Aria’s twin tails stood straight out in shocked surprised, a-as her card suit patterned bra… was completely exposed– and it happened! Oi! „Äå…!„Äç Distracted entirely in the moment, I was reminded of what had happened during Aria’s dramatic rescue back in April. Her blouse had unfortunately gotten stuck on something, and rode up all the way, *Fwish!* Smoothing down her blouse with both hands, Aria grabbed both of her guns. „Äå~~~~~!„Äç *Cr-creak!* *Creak!* *Cr-creak!* Gripping her guns tightly, Aria’s entire face turned crimson in anger, from her chin, to her cheeks, to her forehead. *Sproing!* A D-shaped blood vessel literally popped out of her forehead, and I was seriously worried about the amount of blood rushing to her head… „ÄåStill the same, Yen-nee-sama.„Äç „ÄåHmm. It appears we were slightly premature.„Äç Tsubaki and Yen exchanged these words in front of us. „ÄåKay, we saw it! Yen, Tsubaki, let’s go! Scarlet Goddess will get here eventually. Can’t get her now!„Äç Still cradled in Yen’s arms, Habi gave orders in cryptic Japanese. „ÄåThose hair ornaments become you, Aria.„Äç Tsubaki, outside the store said, and appeared ready to attack– Inside the store Yen still, carrying Habi, shifted. She and Tsubaki were positioned to attack us in the entrance way from both sides. I turned to face Yen, and, still enraged at Tsubaki, Aria faced her, pressing her back against mine. „ÄåBack to back. Just like the Hong Kong tanker jacking, huh, Aria?„Äç „ÄåKinji, I’m going to open a wind hole in them!„Äç Aria’s actions only strengthened my unexpected lapse into Hysteria Mode–then the moment I squared up with Yen, and Aria with Tsubaki– Then, without prior arrangement and just like the time on the shinkansen jacking with Aria and Reki, we swapped places. Like a revolving door. To me– that was what it felt like. Somewhat. Even without any surprises, this fight is going to be close. *Tap!* *Tap!* I heard Yen barrelling like a rocket towards Aria behind me as I fired my modified Beretta at Tsubaki. Without grabbing my bullets, Tsubaki dodged– instinctively cutting an arc toward my right outside my arm and drawing closer, as I expected her to do. However, her steps were unhurried, like a girl skipping in a meadow. Paying no heed to the rain of bullets, she moved in a care-free fashion. Clicking her tongue as the slide on my gun locked back, Tsubaki approached from the right of the open shop door– *Pa!**Pa!* *Pa!* *Pa!* *Pa!* *Pa!* *Pa!* Her hands cut through the air with small explosive sounds, pouring one attack on after another. It looks like an unusual Tiger Fist Chinese Kempo style that employed the nails at the ends of her fingertips. But for Tsubaki– a blow from an oni using this technique is easily distinguishable from a human employing the strategy to blind or scratch their opponent. Her nails will tear flesh and her flat palm will break bones. It’s an edged hammer that inflicts damage wherever it happens to land. It causes more damage than my earlier fully automatic barrage. I warded off her attacks with a series of Kikkas–wherever one of those hits landed, it would rip flesh away, and the placement of her attacks are random. They’re hard to read. Checking the interior of the shop in my peripheral view, I saw the manager, female students, and Ya-chan… They were struck speechless as the number of blows I traded with Tsubaki increased and the seemingly impossible explosive sounds were heard. I’d like to take a moment to give them a wink to reassure them, but I’m currently in a situation where even the slightest moment’s distraction could be fatal. I’m sorry, but I can’t relax my serious expression. As for Aria– She spun, cat-like, in a somersault and landed atop the shelf of crisps. Vaulting over the enormous Yen, she squatted on the register counter Then, transforming into a human gun battery, *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* Guarding the shop workers behind her, she unleashed a hail of .45ACP bullets. „ÄåOh!„Äç Still in Yen’s arms, Habi either grabbed or dodged the bullets at subsonic speed– but she was definitely moving back toward the automatic door. In order to protect the civilians inside the store–Aria tried to drive the enemy outside. Despite her anger, as a Butei, it appeared that we both had the same thought. As Aria fired at Yen, her firing line sent stray bullets straying close to Tsubaki and me. Typically, such a thing is discouraged in order to prevent accidental friendly fire– but with Aria’s and my power of cooperation, such a thing is possible. This gun prodigy was able to simultaneously avoid hitting her partner while also using her bullets to keep Tsubaki’s movements in check. As all this was going on, with a small *Boing!*, Habi got down out of Yen’s arms– Sake and onigiri held in the front part of her skirts, she skipped past Tsubaki and out the shop’s exit. As she ran: „ÄåTsubaki. Right now, it’s just a normal girly, and if you keep playing with the Scarlet Goddess’ doll and the warrior Tohyama, something unexpected might happen. Your master commands you to go!„Äç Aria drew her swords after having exhausted her bullets, and Yen followed after her leaving the store. Seeing that– Tsubaki also left, albeit grudgingly. With Yen chasing after Habi, and Tsubaki following Yen, the onis left the hospital. At the present moment, I’ve succeeded in protecting he civilians and Aria from the onis… –Now we have to pursue them! It was in a manner different than I expected, but I was finally reunited with Aria. It appears that the expression of my happiness in the reunion is fated to be a smile in the midst of a battle. So now, I rushed over to Aria and gave a tight smile. „ÄåCome on, Aria. I think you know but they have the critical piece of karagane, Let’s be the„Äéoni„Äènow.„Äç Reloading my gun with the magazine I had concealed in the cuffs of my trousers: „ÄåIf we do that, then which one of us is the oni?„Äç 11 A large grin split Aria’s face, revealing her canines. With a *Plop!*, she hopped down from the counter. We’re back together: Holmes the 4th and her slave. „ÄåOh… Uh…?„Äç Hearing that sound, I turned and saw Kowada still trembling behind the register. Having already seen me without my typical glasses, fighting an oni, and now with a gun in my hand–he was at a loss for words. „ÄåSorry, Boss. I forgot to return change to a customer, so I’ll go and give it to them. May I leave the store? Can we say that my work is for the day is done after I do that?„Äç „Äå..Y-yeah… sure…„Äç Tears and nervous beads of sweat on his face, he bobbed his head, a normal, pitiful human being… I was still an employee. And an employee must take care of their customers. Not only the karagane on Empty Island, but also in this shop– far from simple theft and shoplifting, their crimes rise to the level of burglary and armed robbery. Dripping with sweat, I righted the display rack for the canned sake and onigiri. This cannot be tolerated. I burned with anger, just like my pink, dual wielding partner– But, before leaving the shop, I addressed Ya-chan who looked up at me from where she was seated by the magazine rack: „ÄåOnis come for children that are up too late.„Äç I left her with a line my grandmother used back at home. *Bing-Bong!* *Bing-Bong!*… „ÄéThank-you very much!„Äè Was heard from the automatic doors– Taking off my convenience store uniform, I resumed my Butei High uniform. –Now then, for my oni customers. I still owe you some repayment. {END TEXT] ********************************* 1. OFC: Operation Field Counsellor, a special role within the structure of 7-11. (If you haven’t figured it out ‘Convenience 9 is a parody of 7-11) The OFC’s are assigned at a rate of 1-7 per 8 stores in a region and are a data and policy collection, management team communicating corporate policy to their assigned store managers and relaying market data from the store level to their district manager bosses to bring up in regional managerial meetings. 2. Approximately 4,900 USD or 3,500 Euro 3. A luxury Lexus LS sedan, branded initially in Japan as Toyota Celsior because the Toyota name is more widely known. Lexus is the luxury car division of Toyota. 4. Old superstition held that a charred newt had powers to create a love potion 5. Had to do some research on this. This is an older type of longsword predating the conventional katana many think of. It has a slightly greater length and curvature, is encased in a wooded case, and wrapped in leather to protect it from humidity while in storage, rather than a conventional sheath. Fun fact: It got its name ‘demon blade’ because supposedly a warlord/emperor or ruler was having terrible nightmares. So, he commissioned a famous swordsmith for a blade that could kill this demon that was haunting him. He designed this type of new blade and told the important guy to keep it close and it would cut down the demon in his dreams. One way or another, he somehow sliced a lampstand in half with it, and when they looked inside the cut stand, they saw these little structures that looked like demon horns. This fantastical event gave it the name, demon sword. 6. Namahage are oni in Japanese folklore, and at the New Year’s festival on the Oga Peninsula of Akita Prefecture men dress up as them and go around admonishing small children to be good and not lazy. 7. Literally no idea why he mentions Article 2. This could be one of those annoying things lost in the BT TL of the first 10 volumes Article 9 makes sense 8. Old prefecture region of Japan that encompasses the location of his family home. 9. A Japanese Shojou Manga. Link to a pic of the shocked expression in the manga 10. The literal meaning of the idiom is left here to set up the boob joke. Apparently, this is a sumo term for when higher ranked wrestlers agree to train with lower ranked wrestlers, and they hold back in order to help them train. So, Aria is saying she’ll fight them, even though they are on a lower level and she looks down on them. 11. In Japan, the person who is ‘It’ in the game of tag is called ‘the oni’. Obvious double meaning here. Kinji like to pull out the puns in HSS it seems. Aria is furthering the joke. ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ### 004. Bullet 4: Empress of Nakajima Another week, another chapter… We shall see what time I will have as my uni classes shift to virtual online forums. Enjoy! Chapter 4: Empress of Nakajima [START] Outside of the hospital, I checked my weapon and Lisa had luckily purchased supplies from Hiraga for my fight with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In addition, I also contacted Riko about the matter we had previously discussed and said: 「You’re almost up.」 It was almost 2300. In addition, it was also cold outside, and a fog hung over Tokyo. On the Medical Institute campus there was a grove of trees like a public park– From there something like a long white cable stretched up into the foggy night sky. Although the fog made it hard to see, looking up into the sky… a new moon and full moon… 2 moons…? 「Kinji, it’s just a feeling, but I’m sure they are up on that moon. They might have gone up this white tether. I need to go get something. Wait here for 3 minutes.」 Aria indicated the full moon, then her pink twin tails fluttered as she left. Because of the fog, it was impossible to see the entire stretch of cable, but it was likely that the supernatural onis were there on the moon. It’s like something out of『Jack and the Beanstalk』reaching to the top of the clouds, and it seemed that The Island of Onis really existed 1 , so I wasn’t surprised. In any case, if they climbed the cable. I ran toward the low end of the cable where it was buried in the ground and I clicked my tongue. Looking at where it was fastened to the ground, it was impossible to unfasten. Thinking that I would sever it– It was something that Aria had told me about, a space elevator used for space exploration constructed of Kevlar fibre reinforced polyethylene. A special tool would be needed to sever it. The cable stretched up into the sky for who knew how far– Based on the structure, if I cut it, following them would be impossible. So we will have to follow. However, I could not see them because of the fog… How exactly they climbed the tether, I am not sure, but they must have done so in a hurry. As for me, facing the tether– I had no tools to scale it. Even in Hysteria Mode, I couldn’t move my hands and feet fast enough to get up. Furrowing my eyebrows, from behind me– –*Whiiiiir!*–*Whoom!*–! Something impacted my back, then my movement vector simultaneously changed abruptly from horizontal to a disorienting vertical. From the feeling, my speed had already crossed 8 kph. I knew what had tackled me from the scent of gardenias… 「Hiraga-san created a new version of the YHS. She came to the hospital the other day to collect payment– They turned her away, but she left the package in the care of the hospital. Let’s get up there. Kinji, go ahead and fasten the waist harness.」 We tore upward through the fog, with the hover skirt Aria had donned. With Aria carrying me with arms wrapped around me from behind, we ran parallel to tether, rising higher and higher. You’re planning to head toward the moon right now, aren’t you? As expected, my master’s is not overly restricted by the rules of common sense. This is a far cry from my idea of ascending the tether like a Ranger. 「We’ll only be able to get up there once. Because the YHS is only designed for one person, it’s hybrid fuel will run out soon. I don’t know when I’ll have another attack, so I’ll get you to the moon, but after that, I’ll have to trust you.」 Not『leave it to you』but『trust you』– that was how Aria expressed her confidence in me… pleased and in Hysteria Mode, I replied: 「I like it when you’re forceful. Understood. The land of the oni must definitely be on the other side of the moon. There has got to be a lot of accumulated stolen goods over there, so I’ll be fine by myself.」 Rising at a furious rate as the wind whipped my bangs wildly, I half turned and smiled back. Afterwards: 「What stupid things are you saying!? Look up there Stupid Kinji–your target is coming up–!」 Turning entirely red and looking very cute, Aria rapped me lightly on the head. In accordance with her order, however, I looked up– and I saw it. Carrying Habi and Tsubaki in her arms, it was Yen. With Tsubaki holding on to her boots, Yen was barefoot… and somehow, she grasped the tether with her toes, as we flew overhead like a rocket. Using both feet, she covered large distances at great speed. Doing so nonchalantly. What kind of suction power is this!? Do you have a nuclear power plant inside, or something? Then as we continued to ascend and continued to draw closer, the full moon grew larger and filled our field of view. –What was at the other end of the tether glittered and revealed its true quality– A huge, white balloon. A bright light shone out from inside of it, and it was almost entirely spherical… paper… like it was covered all over in washi paper. 「What… is that…?」 It wasn’t entirely impossible that Aria didn’t know what it was. Is this a…『fire balloon』…? I found it hard to accept just then but looking it over–that was definitely what it was. It was a balloon bomber something developed by the former Imperial Japanese Army to be deployed against the United States– commonly known as fire balloons. But this was even bigger. The fire balloons were huge balloon weapons with incendiary bombs dangling from them capable of rising into the troposphere, then being carried by the Jet Stream until they reached the US and drop their payload. It looks like a cute commercial advertisement balloon, but even today, this historically first ICBM, holds the all-time record for weapons range. The tether went up into the fire balloon through a wick-like opening. That was where Yen and the rest hurried to and disappeared. From there, another wire glittered and reached even higher–a smaller balloon with a strobing light floated there. What’s that…? Some kind of sign? 「Kinji, that’s a sky buoy! Aircraft at 9 o’clock–! This was their plan all along!」 Aria shouted as we rose up past the fire balloon and pointed at something somewhere between the border between fog and clouds. Over there was… Mixed in with the furious sound of the wind, there was a distinct approaching rumble of a large engine. As it got closer, the low sound became louder and the vibrations resonated in my lower abdomen. I saw an airplane. It was distant, but it was there. HUGE…! 「Kinji, it’s huge…! What is it? A B-36? Hmm… it’s not a silhouette I am familiar with…!」 Seeing it amidst the swirling clouds and fog… Aria had no idea what it was. It has fixed, straight wings, 6 engines, and judging it by eye, it was longer than G-3’s Galleon…! That’s what this is…! 「…It’s a fugaku…!」 「Fugaku?」 I thought that there was no way it could be, but this was another former Imperial Japanese Army research project, abandoned in the middle of development, the extra-large strategic bomber, the Nakajima G10N Fugaku. It was an unconventional military aircraft, planned to be much larger than the B-29 that tormented Japan in those days. Now directly facing me, it was getting closer. Bearing an alternate name for Japan’s greatest mountain, Mt. Fuji, the Fugaku– 45 metres long, with a 65-metre wingspan, a 20,000-kilo bomb bay capacity, and a cruising range of approximately 20,000 kilometres. This insanely large weapon was capable of going half-way around the globe without stopping. Originally planned to take off from Japan–then cross the Atlantic and North America to bomb a major industrial or populated area in the United States such as Pittsburgh, Detroit, or New York–then land in allied Nazi territory. Then after being refuelled and re-armed with a full complement of bombs, it would bomb either English territory in India, China, or the USSR and returning to Japan… At least those were the nightmarish plans for the incredible trans-global bombing run. Those technical requirements rival that of the modern B-52, but those specs were too much for the industrial base of contemporary Japan. What’s more, the individual cost was a problem, and the end of the war came too quickly to manufacture it… 「It seems in following these thieves, we’ve discovered something more dangerous. We’ll need to look into this.」 It is not widely known, but『briefly landing in Germany』had deeper implications… Back then, Germany’s technical knowledge had almost reached the level capable of producing a new type of bomb –the ultimate goal was to load them with atomic bombs. I’ll have to actually look into it and see if there is anything peculiar onboard. 「Aria, get me to that plane. Can you do it?」 「…I can. But if I do, I expect you to come back alright.」 「Quite naturally so. I want to see you again. I will always come back. There is no woman to whom I would make such a promise–Except Aria.」 「Id-!」 ‘Idiot’ was probably what she wanted to say, but the noise of the wind and engine drowned out her voice– Hanging down from the fugaku, there was a parachute shaped web of netting–all over its surface were hooks– it completely enclosed the blinking balloon. Holding on to the wires attached to that balloon, Yen and the rest were swept away from the fire balloon. Wh-what the heck? Is that form of transport even possible? It would snap a human body in half. 「Kinji, 15 more seconds! Then I’m out of fuel!」 Entering the turbulence caused by the fugaku, Aria attempted an approach of the wing. The distance was– approximately 20 metres. 「Thank-you, Aria. I’ll see you later.」 Separating myself from the YHS harness by detaching the carabineer clip, I fired an Anchor bullet from my gun. Adding a lead to anticipate the movement, I aimed for the edge of the right wing. With a thickness of 1 micrometre and a tensile strength of 200 kilograms, the diploid phase aramid fibre spread out as if flew through the air, pulling me away from Aria– and caught up in the winds, I was pulled along by the wire. Then– taking an intense roll, I landed on the surface of the wing. Deploying the talons from my Spike, I prevented myself from falling…then, looking behind me, I saw Aria and her descending with the Union Jack patterned parachute deployed from her YHS. The personnel from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are probably tracking us from the ground, so I’ll have to trust her ability to take care of herself. …However… The more I look at it, the more I am surprised by this gigantic bomber. The propellers span was 5 metres in diameter. There were 3 side-by-side on either side for a total of 6, and there is nothing more spectacular. It was a veritable flying iron castle. However, I experienced a small feeling of uneasiness… the wings were thick like the Soviet K-7. Although they were about the same length as the original fugaku, but this wing’s thickness was greater than the historically recorded values. It appears that they have substituted this century’s most advanced materials into the design. The wing’s surface was also coated in carbon composite, imparting considerable stealth ability. …They are flying in the clouds so that they cannot be detected by optical means. I couldn’t see the edge of the wing due to the fog– I looked for the Yen or the rest, but there was no sign of them. They must have gone inside. If that’s the case, then I should create an opening for myself to enter… however, I soon realised that was unnecessary. There was an entrance hatch in the middle of the wing. The hatch didn’t even have a lock that required a key. Turning the simple lever-operated mechanism, the hatch opened, and a gout of heavy, warm air from inside struck me. Probably not worried about intruders, they didn’t think any kind of lock was necessary. Easily entering, I found myself in the main wing cavity of the fugaku…in some kind of passageway. The floor was covered in fur pelts. Inside, the pressure was stabilised and heated. I’m grateful for this. At the start, the passageway didn’t allow movement through it without stooping, but the ceiling gradually became higher until I could stand without bending over. I could now stand erect. What was most surprising, though, was the fact that there was a door in the wall–that is to say that the wings were intended to house individual rooms. I thought that it might be room to control or maintain each of the engines… but this is actually a living space. This really is like a flying base. It’s very surprising. Beretta in hand, I advanced further into the wing… 「…Scheduled report… fugaku 23XX… en route in flight to Kii no kuni…」 A woman in a small cubicle that appeared to be an instrument control room–probably an oni– said, her voice leaking out from the room. Does she mean Kiikuni? The fugaku is headed east. We probably aren’t headed toward Mie Prefecture… If I rush in recklessly, I’ll definitely be surrounded by onis. I don’t even know how many onis with the same fighting power of Yen and Tsubaki there are. I should start by hiding for a little while and observe their movements… Thinking that, there were two rooms across from each other that seemed to be empty in the passageway–and after a moment’s hesitation–trusting to luck, I tried the door on the right. However, my skill for misfortune activated at that moment. Also lacking a lock or key, the door opened up to a 3-tatami mat sized room… 「…!…」 Huh? Wha-! Why are you here? 「…!」 Giving absolutely no sign of their presence…eating boiled broccoli, wide azure eyes stared back at me. Typhoon Sarah! Wearing a Japanese girls high school uniform and a chequered skirt– she was sitting on the floor with a deep bowl in her lap…! She was the descendant of Robin Hood from a lineage of witches and a member of the remnants of GRENEDA. She cheatingly combined the skill of archery and the power to control the winds–she can also deflect bullets that are fired and make the impact wherever she wants. A truly formidable opponent. But now her peacock feather fletched arrow in her quiver are set by the door, that is, next to me. Her bow was also disassembled and seemed to be stored in chequered patterned case. Taking stock of the situation in an instant, my body moved instinctively– 「Kyaa….!」 Putting my hand over her mouth to stifle any further cries and pressing my gun to the temple of her silver-haired head, I grabbed her from behind. 「I owe you a debt from the Netherlands, so please do not hold this against me. I believe that you are a clever girl, so I believe you understand that you should be quiet.」 I whispered closely into her ear, and Sarah replied: 「…The man fated to die. Kinji…」 She groaned with slightly more emotion than Reki, but with very little inflection. 「Don’t call me that. I did actually die, but I survived. What are you going to do?」 Taking the role of the villain, I asked her. Shaking her head from side to side, she looked back at me over her shoulder. 「Because FEW is completed, I sought new employment.」 Merely human with a gun pressed to her head, she answered meekly. Well, I had a gun put to my head, but I was still shot. 「I see. So you summoned these storm clouds and fog, didn’t you?」 「Correct.」 The fact being that the onis are not capable of long-distance combat, I can see the reason that they would hire an archer… 「Why are you working for them as a mercenary?」 「Gold.」 While glaring at me her azure eyes, she delivered this simple response. That is the case, but from being so close to the girl, I noticed something… it smelled good. Her hair that is. It smelled like lime. Was fuelling my Hysteria Mode a bit more? 「I know it is a bit rude to ask, but Sarah… are you having money trouble?」 Seizing upon the thread of opportunity to win her over, I inquired a bit further. 「Not at all. No matter how much money you gain, it will never be enough.」 「Ah… That is a noble sentiment. They do say that the person who is content with what they have is rich indeed…」 「Earning money to give to the poor is the calling of the Hood family. My fight will not end until there are no more poor. I am a professional. I do not inquire into the ideology of my employers. The most I take in payment is one pound, and it is my job to shoot nobles and clergy. You are a warrior. It must be the same for you.」 「…So that’s how it is…」 I was going to pontificate, but I was shut up in an instant by someone 5 years younger than me. In Hysteria Mode, I was just as weak as ever with girls. 「Supposing, for argument’s sake, that I were to pay you more; would you follow me? As for payment, I suppose Aria would pay, but I would have to ask her to make sure. How much have you been paid?」 「I do not believe in money. Only 24k gold bullion. I have been paid 60 kilograms.」 「6-60 kilograms…!? That’s 200 million Yen. 2 That’s about what an elite soccer player makes… That’s a bit high, don’t you think…?」 「You ignore world market. If I were to agree, I would be ruined. Even if you offered me 70 kilograms, I do not accept double-agent contracts. Reputation is more important than gold. I will not betray my client.」 「..My younger brother is a farmer. What if he raised a field of more premium broccoli than you could ever eat?」 Sarah stiffened. 「I will not betray my client.」 「Did you just have to think about it?」 「I cannot confirm the truth of your statement. I do not believe words. I only believe what I have seen for myself.」 I see… from her series of statements… Sarah has her own particular brand of professionalism. She’s stubborn. There are many kinds of snipers. It would seem that this girl cannot be converted to be an ally. 「Aren’t you the only one that was hired?」 「…」 「Answer me.」 「Yes.」 Thank goodness. If Bewitching Blade and Demon Sword were here too, I’d think I have a problem. 「–Kinji. You can release me.」 「What do you mean?」 「I have not received official orders to shoot you. I am a professional. I will do nothing without orders.」 Yen said the same thing at Dragon Harbour. Their business-like manners must let them get on well. Sarah and the onis, that is. 「If you cannot trust me, then, I am sorry, but I have no choice but to return the favour. I cannot trust you.」 I settled my gun against Sarah’s silver hair, then I– …this is a problem. If I let her go, she might open the distance between us. Her bow is formidable. It might be hard to use inside the plane, but this representative soldier has overturned common sense. Because of that, immediately, I– Keeping my gut trained on Sarah, I reach out toward her chequered patterned case and with a *Click!* *Click!* opened it. Inside, sure enough, was her disassembled longbow… It was a simple design of a bare bow without a rim for each side, and I picked up the rims. 3 「Wh…what are you doing?」 Seeing what I had done, Sarah’s face, already very pale, drained of blood, and her azure eyes widened. 「Eh? Getting rid of them.」 Disposing of you enemy’s weapons to disarm them is an obvious thing to do, but when I gave this normal answer… 「Uwaaaaa!」 Sarah was moved to tears, despite being held at gunpoint. Then *Pom!* *Pom!* *Pom!* 「Give it back! Give it back!」 Now red, she pummelled my chest repeatedly, but her punches had about 1/1000th the power of Aria’s. ******************************** Although she had been entirely cool and collected up until now, now she was frantic. The bow must really be very important to her. For some reason… I’m feeling… very bad. 「Oh, then we’ll do this. They are disposable and you can make more.」 The crying Sarah had become very pitiable, and I replaced the part of her bow in its case and took all of the arrows from her quiver. Then Sarah…*Grrrr!*… Her face regained its original ‘へ’ shape, and she muttered the single sound to express her dissatisfaction… Opening the narrow window in the room slightly, I threw the arrows outside to get rid of them and ignored her. 「Now then, I have something else that you can do for me, if that is alright with you.」 Saying that and turning around, Sarah’s face registered shock–then flattened herself against the wall. 「I-If you try to do anything weird, I will bite..」 「That’s not it at all. I’m going to make you a hostage. Come on.」 Even if I take a mercenary as a hostage, the onis might just cut us down… but it will be better than not having one. With that plan in mind, I motioned her with my gun to raise her hands– Her clothes didn’t look bulletproof, and she cried out「Kya!」when I pushed my gun into her back. Then… 「Oh yeah. Won’t you tell me one more thing?」 「What?」 「Does the shadow of death still hang over me?」 I asked, and Sarah replied– 「Because you have been mean, I will not tell you.」 Shaking her silver hair, she turned half around and pulled an akanbee at me. ************************************************************************* Having acquired a hostage, we moved through the passage in the wing… A door leading from the wins to the main fuselage of the fugaku stood before us. The door was decorated with metal chasing–but the design was peculiar. Although the engraved oni was done in a Japanese Edo period woodblock style, the colouring and background was vaguely African. But this was a door to Hell. The oni are over there. On the other side. The sounds of laughter leaked out, and it had the same feeling of approaching the cage of a dangerous animal. I’ve only ever had instruction in the practical theory of conducting a raid, but following it, I should enter the room with a load shout, using Sarah as a shield, and take stock of the enemies’ situation starting with number of enemies, weapons, and their respective positions… that’s it. It was hard to picture the layout of the fuselage interior, but holding several possibilities in my mind– I kicked in the door as hard as I could, shoved Sarah in front of me, then jumped in. 「–Don…!」 I meant to say, ‘Don’t move!’, but *Squish!*…! My face sunk into something soft, making a noise. What’s this…? My gun in my right hand, I closed my left hand around something as I pushed away– 「…!」 Th-th-this is a breast…! A woman’s breast! What’s more, it is huge…! Pushing my head off of it, I saw the tall figure of a female oni– 「?」 …Like I thought…! Yen gazed down at me with a curious expression…! For some reason, she was wearing a blue trimmed white sailor suit blouse. In my left hand, I was still gripping her right breast tightly. But, despite the rude action, I now know for certain that she was a woman. Despite how heavily muscled her body was, her breasts were soft. No matter how flat, having held Aria’s, a woman’s breasts are, above all things, always soft. 「…Tohyama?」 「S-sorry!」 Flustered and in shock, I stepped away from Yen, but… before I had realised it, Sarah was gone. In the room where Sarah had escaped– Approximately half the fugaku’s fuselage was taken up by a large banquet hall. There were no partitions until the cockpit section, and only a few columns to support the structural integrity. Underfoot, there was a colourful African style woven reed matting in green, yellow, and red. 「T-T-Tohyama…! Y-you bastard…What kind of envi-… no rude things are you doing to Yen-nee-sama…!?」 Rising to protect Sarah, scowling at me with bloodshot eyes–Tsubaki stood. Still wearing the same dark sailor suit uniform, her shoulders trembling in anger for some reason, she bared her fangs. Still in contact with me, Yen-nee-sama… 「It is Tohyama! This is Tohyama, is it not? I saw him hanging like an unusually large tasset from Aria who was in flight… I could never, ever have expected him to board the fugaku. This is truly incredible! Wahaha!」 Slapping me vigorously on the shoulder… she laughed. I thought that she was angry, but it seems that she is in a good mood. I understood the reason very quickly. She reeked of alcohol. The entire room does. There are several gold-leafed leather seating cushions scattered around the room, around them one-cup Ouzeki sake containers and Daigoro cartons were scattered. There were also huge vermillion sake drinking cups. Those are things that Yen and the other onis must have drunk and discarded. Tsubaki had a whiskey decanter under her arm, and as for the others– there was one more oni inside of a large earthenware pot with only half of her head and glasses showing… On the rim of the pot, there sat a bottle of brandy. Were you having a drinking party… all of you? In the two-seater cockpit, the twin pilot and co-pilot looked like middle school girls wearing short skirts turned around and had sake bottles held in their mouths. How awful! This fugaku is being operated while under the influence. And further back– was Habi. The tiny oni was set on a large demon lord-esque throne located near the tail section. Waited upon by other oni serving the role of court ladies, the primary school looking oni wore a sailor suit uniform and lay on her back guzzling from a Daigijjou casked sake bottle… Behind her there was an axe and a huge globe emblazoned on the back of the chair. Piercing and sticking out from the globe were two different flags– On one was the stylised character「無」– within a Japanese family crest…? It looked like a cross-section of a melon. But it wasn’t an ordinary cross-sectional crest, it was a five-segment version. It was a bit strange. 4 「Our Lady’s taste in clothing is refined. It is her favourite clothing to walk the streets of Japan in guise as a student, and she hath bestowed this garb upon us. However… thou hast done so from the outset.」 Grinning, Yen studied my clothes at point-blank range. 「..Y-Yen-nee-sama! Please do not… draw your countenance near to such a man as this. Thou shalt be polluted.」 Nervous for some reason, Tsubaki called me polluting. How rude. Truly the minds of these oni are inscrutable… The whole party having drunk alcohol were pretty relaxed. They don’t seem to want to surround me. What’s more, with all of them and only one of me, firing my gun isn’t a good idea. I learned as a result of my preliminary trials in the Netherlands and the convenience store, if I clash directly with Yen for the third time and Tsubaki for the second, with the odds of 3 against 1, I will lose. If I were to split them up, the chances of winning rise to about 22%, but together the odds paint a desperate picture. What’s more there are other oni around, and their leader Habi cannot be neglected. Although small, it would be a painful experience to make light of her as Son has experienced for herself. And so, aiming to preserve this amicable mood, I said– 「Habi. I came to scold you a bit.」 –I tried to open negotiations for the important item they possessed that I could not retrieve by force. 「Huh?」 I was suspicious that my meaning was not clear, and Habi-chan… I saw her scratch her reddish bronze hair that had fresh flowers arranged in it. She was drunk. 「It’s unacceptable. Stripping something from a woman’s body then running away.」 「Whatcha mean? Habi doesn’t get it.」 It seems that she didn’t understand. Her Japanese isn’t that good. 「I mean Aria’s karagane. Do you remember? It was October 1st last year, in Tokyo, on Empty Island that you stole it from Aria.」 「Hmm.」 Looking up and across, she touched a finger to her cherry pink lips in a pondering gesture… 「Oh!」 It seems she remembers. Smiling and exposing her fangs, she turned toward me. 「Good, Habi. Aria is mine. That means that any part of Aria is mine as well. So you’ve stolen something from me.」 I said to establish a position of equality in the negotiations– With a *Shing!* a katana with a bluish temper line was drawn. It happened too fast for me to have noticed. 「Despite the fact that this is a on open banquet, he presumes much. You are in the presence of Habi, the Demon Lord of the Sixth Heaven. Show the proper respect.」 In that moment, Tsubaki– drew her sword and positioning herself between myself and Yen. But this kind of threat is an everyday occurrence at Butei High. I wasn’t unbalanced by it. Demon Lord of the whatsit? That sounds like some kind of grandiose, self-styled title from a bousouzoku gang. 「So then, Kinji. What are you going to do?」 Habi urged me again. 「Take back the karagane.」 I put forward my first demand. Then…the court ladies who had been fanning Habi and massaging her limbs stiffened. Although they did not seem to be fighting types like Yen or Tsubaki… Each of them moved to shield Habi with their bodies. 「Tohyama. It is within Habi-sama, in her Onifukuro 5 . By your words, do you mean to say that you will harm Habi-sama?」 Yen lowered her voice, and all her good humour departed… Something important just happened, but I can just leave this instant. Yen had just given me some valuable information. So the karagane was inside Habi, huh? I will push a little further. Even if I do not gain anything now, if I keep pushing the negotiation, I might just get closer to the heart of the matter that I can use. 「Onifukuro, Ikebukuro, I don’t know, but spit it out. It’s not food!」 I told the demon lord in front of me– 「–Habi-sama. Order me to subjugate him. His behaviour is intolerable.」 Like a student tattling to her teacher, Tsubaki implored Habi. 「Ah! Then Yen, fight. I don’t wanna see Tsubaki fight. That wouldn’t be fun for Habi.」 Habi issued that order, nominating Yen instead of Tsubaki. 「–As you will.」 Yen responded shortly, and her drunken mood disappeared. 「Yen-nee-sama…」 「Tsubaki, move back. If you were to fight Tohyama, you might be somewhat hurt. I do not wish to see that come to pass.」 Yen said and turned her good-looking face toward Tsubaki. Then Tsubaki who had been trying to cut me down until now, seemingly entranced by Yen… replaced her sword, and moved quickly to kneel by the wall. As I thought, Yen holds a higher ranked position, and she listened to what Yen said. 「Yes! Yes! Yen, fight! Take Tohyama’s head. I wanna use it for a sake cup. Ahaha!」 Habi clapped her hands and stamped her feet to spur Yen on. The closer I look at Habi… She would be a difficult opponent to deal with. Riko and Jeanne, Vlad and Hilda, Patra, Sherlock, the Koko sisters, G-3… Each of them were different, from completely different cultures and species. They can’t read my thoughts. My ultimate, overarching goal is simply to reclaim the karagane… Ordinary methods will not suffice to reclaim it. But now I have to deal with Yen in front of Habi. It is also a way to punish the principal offender in the robbery of the convenience store. Thankfully, by facing them each individually, I have the opportunity to reduce their fighting strength. What I do after defeating Yen–depends on what happens. 「–Whoever falls from the fugaku loses!」 Declaring a devilish rule, Habi the oni declared happily. There is no plan here. If I lose, my skull will be emptied. That would be a problem. 「Understood. I accept. But if I win, you will return the karagane.」 Even if I do win, I don’t know if it will be easy to get back, but it seemed the best thing to put forward in this unilaterally disadvantaged situation– Then, having kept an appropriate distance from me the whole time, Yen turned to face me, and I looked up at her– Feeling like a character in a fighting game, surprisingly, the sailor suit uniform suited her well– She’s huge. I think that, no matter how many times I’ve seen her. Including her horns, she’s 190 cm tall. 「–If thine wish is strong, it shall come to pass. Power is the only thing in the world that mattered.」 Yen asserted bluntly, knowing that I wanted the karagane back more than anything. Is she an advocate of absolute power? I have held the opposite to be true against Hilda, but this seems to be the general rule among the oni. Yen glared down at me, and I glared back. It is staring challenge– –Oh! She’s scary. I would expect that of an oni. As if suddenly coming to some realisation, Yen raised an eyebrow. 「If I had to say that you reminded me of someone, it would be a provincial governor of Settsu… No, you are truly like him. Like two peas in a pod.」 6 「Provincial governor?」 「My ancestor, Sakanomu-sama, 7 was rival to Lord Yorimitsu of the Seiwa Genji 8 Yes… you are like him. Couldst thou be a distant relation to Lord Tohyama Kinshirou Kagemoto? 9 」 「…Oh, do you think Kagemoto could be my ancestor?」 「Wahaha! Indeed. Lord Katou must have delivered Lord Yorimitsu’s secret child to Lord Yoriyoshi for protection, it would appear.」 10 Yen had some kind of fixation on this one person… She just said『Lord Katou』… She must mean the general Katou Minamoto, the Tohyama Family ancestor from Kamakura in the Heian Period. I know the Minamoto clan fought for Genji, but is she saying that they were actually related? 「Yorimitsu warred against Sakanomu-sama and those who did not bow to the Yamato Emperor, and thou hast subjugated Dracuria and the Kowloon Monkey King. 11 Although separated by a thousand year, the fate is the same. Truly the twinings of fate are strange.」 With a ring… Yen laughed– 「It starts with 2 parent, then becomes 4 grandparents. Then 8, 16, 32, 64– the number of ancestors grows exponentially. Going back a thousand years, the number becomes astronomical. I can’t help it if someone in that number was an enemy of your ancestors. What do you want me to say?」 「No. It is not so much a matter of words, as revenge. Right, everyone?」 Yen addressed the rest of the oni, and– 「Aye!」 「Yes!」 They cried, striking their sake bottles on tables and stamping their feet, causing a ruckus. It seems that I’ve been cast as the villain in this scenario. Even Sarah booed me from where she stood. That was probably unrelated, though. 「–We oni come of varied stock, and unlike humans, we do not account marriage into determining our relatives. Therefore, no one considers any one in particular to be their parent. We consider all those who came before to be parents, and all those who come after, children. In human terms, if someone fights our mutual parents, they are our fated enemy.」 「Well… I would like to ask then, for simply biologically academic purposes, how do the oni leave behind offspring? I see that you are all women here…」 「All red oni are born female. At 18, onis are considered adults, but after 18 years they do not change much over a long period of time until their later years. Only the oni particularly skilled in battle are able to change their sex and leave behind many children before dying.」 …I-Incredible! A protogynous species, huh? I have seen that kind of survival strategy applied in a few instances before. I remember classes about it in fish like the wrasse, parrotfish, and sand smelt. Looking at them, they might be a specialised branch of humanity… Logically, it is a powerful strategy. According to what was said earlier, only the ones with high fighting ability are able to become male and leave behind offspring. This would ensure that only the strong genes carrying those traits were passed on, and after a number of cycles– the later generations would only continue to grow stronger. I realised that this system only allowed for families full of strong members. I cannot be certain that the Sakanomu was Yen’s actual ancestor, because with such long-lived creatures in a promiscuous culture– when you don’t know who exactly your parent is, you respect all of your ancestors. If they were truly killed by Yorimitsu, then they would see this confrontation between their descendants, in human terms, as a『fated trans-generational confrontation』. That is their culture. 「Under the ancient system of reckoning ages I was 5 years old, when I saw Lord Yorimitsu strike down Sakanomu-sama from the shade of a tree.」 With a *Whish!* Yen closed in– The range was practically nil. Then she threw out her chest, set her hands on her hips, squared shoulders, and set her feet apart in a bold stance. 「Lord Yorimitsu used two seldom-seen secret techniques to kill Sakanomu-sama.」 「Well, that makes it not seldom-seen, doesn’t it? If you saw it, and he left you alone.」 Practically looking straight up, I continued to hold my gaze on Yen. 「Nay. Catching Lord Yorimitsu’s technique by observation–was not possible for a child to understand.」 Huh. Even though he’s a superhuman that kills onis, Yorimitsu was once a child himself. So he let an oni child go, huh? Thanks to that, centuries later, she became my huge problem. 「Having my life spared by a human has let me lead a lifetime of shame. Tonight, I will purge that shame.」 Her kanabou–Kongourokkaku was not in her hand. It was abandoned near the spot that she had been sitting and drinking. After surveying the area, I said: 「Oi, Yen! Hurry up!」 Drinking sake, Habi egged her on– 「As you wish.」 Returning those few words Yen 「–『Rakshasha』」 12 No sooner had she said that–*Whooooomph!*– From a dead stop, she struck an open palm strike. She struck the dead centre of my chest with her palm with enough force to cave it in. This was the first time she had ever given me a sign of a serious attack . My Kikka lacked some of the speed necessary to avoid it–I– –Uff–! –I realised that for a brief moment, my heart stopped. –My lungs did as well. Heart and lungs stopping simultaneously. But after that one blow, I am still standing. … It would be sudden cardiac death …! …!… –*Thump!*– Then using『Kaiten』 13 , I made a make-shift defibrillator– …!… 「–Huff!…huff, huff…」 While falling backwards a step, I used the same technique that I had used in the Netherlands when I died to restart my heartbeat. Then my breathing returned to normal. Th-that was dangerous. In that instant, I died. Just then… It was a on the receiving end of a one-hit kill technique. Some children die suddenly during baseball proactive after being struck in the chest with a ball, because if a human chest is struck with a non-penetrating strike at a particular angle, range, and power–and the resultant shock causes a fatal heart arrhythmia to develop due to『concussive shock to the heart』suddenly stopping it. –『Rakshasha』is a thrust attack that intentionally causes this effect. Then as the excess energy dissipates throughout the abdomen, the lungs stop functioning. Stated simply it is『a technique that stops your opponent’s cardiopulmonary system』. It may look quite rough, but it actually requires considerable skill–it’s a literal insta-kill technique. But this wasn’t the first time I had died. If hit by an insta-kill technique though, there is no chance to be revived. Like a video game character, each time you are hit by it, it’s a Game Over. However, likening myself to a video game character out of necessity, it was something I hated… But I realised that I had developed into Hysteria Mode Agonizante. Yen. You have killed your opponent. But if you keep killing me, I’ll only become stronger. So you really shouldn’t kill me anymore. Seeing me revive, Yen’s eyes went wide, and after having stepped back, I now advanced– 「–Rakshasha–!」 My Hysteria Mode enhanced vision having fully understood the technique, I returned the imitated attack. Without providing any warning. –*Thump!*– I lashed out with my right palm, striking Yen’s breastbone, aiming the attack at reaching her heart… The feeling though. It was entirely different than striking human flesh. The hardness and weight were like that of striking a mammoth tyre like those on the gigantic mining trucks used to haul ore. An oni’s muscular fibres must be more densely pack than a human’s. Despite the fact that their breasts are so soft. As I struck, it seemed that my strike was ineffective because Yen’s muscular armour protected her heart and lungs from being stopped– 「–Hmm…!」 In order to avoid vomiting the alcohol from her stomach, Yen tightened her mouth into a straight line and stepped back… 1 step, then 2. Seeing that: 「Waa!」 「Yen-nee-sama!」 The other oni in the plane shouted–except for Habi who was laughing–and there was a surprised gasp. Tsubaki stood, covering both her hands with a scream. It would appear to be an unusual thing to see truly Yen pressed back. 「What’s so surprising? Everyone gets pushed back.」 While glaring at Yen, I replied to the other oni who seemed unreasonably upset– My Rakshasha was ineffective. Far from causing cardiopulmonary arrest, she didn’t even lose her wind. Stamping her foot and settling her balance, Yen… 「You can do it, huh?」 「You can as well.」 We exchanged this brief conversation. 「…That Rakshasa, it was one of the techniques that Lord Yorimitsu used to slay Sakanomu-sama. Was it passed down to you?」 「No, I didn’t learn it. I guess that means I’m not a descendant of that person then, right?」 I had retreated one step, and Yen had retreated two after I had stolen that technique to try to finish the fight, but… This was what had happened. Yen took up a stance once more and was full of energy. The other oni moved to ready themselves to support her. It cannot be used against a human enemy, so that technique is useless. To comply with Butei Law. In any case, I’ll badger you until you show me another technique I can use to win. 「–My next Rakshasa, will kill you. I just need to adjust the power behind it.」 I bluffed about using Rakshasha to take Yen down, but… in response to that threat: 「I do not fear death. There are many oni in hell.」 The threat was no threat at all. 「I see. Well then, I’m sorry. That was a bluff. I do not wish to harm a woman.」 「In truth, I do not enjoy the destruction of life. Despite the fact that it is the duty of oni to increase the numbers in hell. However, you are a different case. If your name were added to the Roster of the Dead, it would please those others here.」 14 Ah! It appears that they are head-hunters for hell that is simply another world. 15 From the start, Yen’s expression had been dark, but now, even darker, Yen– 「Now then… What was settled in the sea, let us do so in the heavens…!」 Then picking up her kanabou, Kongourokkaku, she held it at her right side. She also splayed the claws on her left hand, opened that arm wide, pointed her horns at me, and raised her lips, baring her fangs. Taking up that stance so far form anything in a human martial art– Ready to rip with her claws, bite with her fangs, and thrust with her horns, it was an oni melee combat stance. As for me, I pulled my ace Desert Eagle from my shoulder holster. My automatic pistol that was returned from GRENEDA as a result of the ceasefire was loaded with my most powerful normal a .50AE ammunition. Hiraga-san had modified the 7-round double-action/single-action to shoot in full auto. Coincidentally nicknamed『The Demon Prosecutor』– This cheat gun was a memento from my father. However, my opponent in herself was a cheat, being an oni. Just as if a gun would be used by a hunter to fight an elephant or brown bear, I did not feel it unfair to use a gun against Yen, an『oni with a kanabou』. –*Pa!* Putting a dent into the floor as she pushed off, Yen flew forward– *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* I met her mid-air with the roar of a volley of .50AE bullets. Using her kanabou to block them or dodging them entirely, none of them touched her. The bullets ricocheting like a pinball within the plane, I took aim at the unbalanced Yen– –*Whoosh!* I gave an African influenced unarmed martial art capoeira helicopter kick–a technique aimed to cause the most damage to the human body, it is a kick carried out from a one-handed handstand. It is an attack meant to drive straight into the enemy’s power–but–it was no good. We have a discrepancy in body weight, but more than anything, I am outmatched in muscle. In much the same way, no matter how clean your technique, you can’t defeat a tiger with the same kick you’d use with a cat. There is a difference in physicality between humans and oni. A large calibre bullet gave me the best chance… but in the end, it came to nothing. With a *Snick!* like the closing of a large hand tool, Yen bit down toward my leg. Barely missing me, I dodged, but if she had, it would have obliterated my shin bone. Then with a *Whipsh!*, she tossed her head like a raging bull–this time using her horns. However, the target was the same leg. Fundamentally less agile than me in Hysteria Mode, is Yen trying to restrict my movements? However, in dodging, I still had to land within reach of Yen’s arms and legs. 「Fuhaha! I will devour thine warrior flesh!」 Then she followed up with another bite–! *Screech!* *Clang!* *Whoosh!* *Bang!* Using Lion-dance like movements, she followed up with a series of bites and pickaxe-like swings of her horns and sharp claws…! I was reduced to a one-sided evasion of the attacks, each of the 4 would have doubtlessly been a fatal blow. I realised that Yen had gone outside the regular bounds of unarmed combat, proactively employing her unique oni specific techniques. She still hadn’t used her kanabou that would require a large sweeping motion. Is she trying to pin me down and set me up for a finishing below? Even if I had accurately read Yen’s strategy– Dodge, retreat, and dodging again was all that I could do. I couldn’t grasp her timing to attack. –The eyes…! Out of desperation, I launched a spear hand attack with my right hand aiming for her eyes, but it was ineffective– in order to protect against Yen’s horn attack on my carotid artery, I had to turn my right arm in front of me. With a *Clang!* I reflexively caught Yen’s arm with my right– *Cruuuuuunch!* –Crap…! She bit it…! When a person uses a martial arts technique in the moment, they are calling upon their muscle memory. However, my memory does not contain experience facing an oni. Accordingly–I made the mistake of meeting an onis arm with my own. 「…!」 「…?」 Biting down on the Orochi-kai armour within my sleeve, Yen expression seemed to indicate that she realised『Is there armour inside?』…but regardless of that revelation *Creeeeak!*…! She clamped down on my arm with the biting force of an alligator. Although it was sintered nitrous titanium tungsten-cobalt carbide–she continued to bite down. Yen’s jaw was certainly capable of producing equivalent force to an industrial machinery. If this continues, it is only a matter of time until it is completely crushed. I won’t be using this hand anytime soon– But before I could use my other hand, Yen forestalled me. 「…!」 She quickly grabbed my left hand. She dug into my left hand Orochi with her claws. *Creak!* *Creak!* *Creak!* …. from those noises, I knew that Yen was capable of pulverising cobalt alloys. This is bad…! Using a combination of biting and her left-hand claws, Yen had both my arms trapped– –Leaving her right arm completely free. Kongourokkaku was in that hand… Dammit!–It’s coming! *WHOOOOOOM!* With a roar like the Tiger I 88mm cannon, she unleashed her kanabou– I couldn’t even see it sweeping up from the bottom of my field of view, but it flew out with all her strength behind it. Knocking me back. 「–!」 With the sound of rending metal, I experienced a change in pressure–*Whoosh* Suddenly, I was lying face-down–clinging onto dark green sheets of steel. My breathing– suddenly became laboured. Suddenly, I became aware of a huge propeller rotating with thunderous roar right next to me. Being hit with a kanabou like a baseball bat, I had been knocked through the wall of the airframe, and I was now on top on the right wing. My arms, my arms… w-were fine. My Orochi-kai were shredded, but my arms were still whole. Disoriented, it took me a few seconds to realise this– Shaking violently, the wing was curved like a large boat hull. It seemed like it was trying to shake me off. …!… With the additional airflow created by the propellers added to the slope– I began sliding down the wing. Rolling like a glass marble at an Obon Festival, but thankfully, the fugaku wings were large…so I was able to stop my fall with the spikes in my shoes without tumbling off. The oni pilots flew a violent course, they steered the plane into a violent stall, pitching the fuselage at a steep angle. The wings bowed a lot, *Creak!*… *Cr-cr-creak!*… strained noises came from several locations along them. But we are in the clouds. Both the ground and stars are invisible. My ear canals were subjected to strange pressures, making my sense of balance precarious. However… In the sky– I became used to being there on G-3’s Galleon and Katze’s zeppelin. I should make Yen come out here…! While I clung on, stuck to the wing, in accordance with this plan of mine… *Screech!* Yen stepped out, barefoot and using her claws. She punctured holes in the wing as she crossed it. 「Truly, I am surprised. My Rakshasha did not kill you, neither did Kongourokkaku.」 No, I did die! And right now, I’m about to die again! I wanted to say that, but I didn’t want to get hit with another Rakshasha or kanabou, so I just gave a forced smile. Stabbing each toe into the wing, she crossed it, step-by-step– Inside the plane, I saw the figures of the other onis with eager expressions cheering Yen on. Habi alone, with a sake bottle in hand was grinning as she watched. 「However, you are merely human. Your reaction confirms that you are all bark and no bite. How disappointing.」 「Is that what you think? I’m sorry then. I held back. You are somewhat like a woman enemy.」 Buffeted by the wind, I stood and began walking up the slope of the wing. 「Oh…Is that how it is?」 Yen chuckled slightly… 「Holding anything back is pointless. Come at me with your full power!」 Yen brandished Kongourokkaku as if preparing to hit a homerun. Well, I cannot make this a contest of strength, but… But from now on, it will be a contest of wit and skill. As can be seen from her fighting style and words–Yen is overconfident. And to be honest, the fault is one of a naively honest personality. That being the case, the gaps in her technique will be easy to see. Considering the situation, I formulated a simple plan…Wanting more distance between us, I reloaded my Desert Eagle while firing and retreated toward the wingtip. Stopping the bullets with her kanabou and hand, Yen was kept in place… Intending to move straight back, I was pushed on a diagonal by the flow of air. Good. I have enough distance. Then I…*Tap!* *Tap!* Pushing my left knee forward, I pulled the bitten right leg backwards. Holding both fists at centre level and putting my right fist back deep as if to hide it, my empty left hand was forward. I ended up with my body bent forward and my eyes fixed on Yen– It was the ancient sprinting posture, the one G-3 took up in order to demonstrate『Meteor』. That is, the ready position for『Ouka』. My Orochi-kai were partially ruined, but they could handle one Ouka. Yen seemed to grasp that the posture was one for a charging attack, but… She could never imagine what I would do in the next instant. Furrowing my eyebrows, I looked down toward the nose of the aircraft. I looked away from Yen, on purpose. But there is nothing there. Just a whirling swirl of clouds. Unless you were Mutou or Aria, you would be caught up in the line of sight… 「…?」 The simple Yen was caught up easily. Entrapped by me and where my gaze was pointed. I inserted myself into that opening–*Whoosh!* The forearm armour of my right hand Orochi-kai flew forward– *Thrum!* The entire right wing trembled as I began my dash and Ouka began to pick up speed. The large wing provides enough of an approach distance. Reaching a supersonic speed, this can be called a proper Ouka strike. Realising that she had been tricked, Yen turned back in surprised, but she could not avoid it. Having begun I could not stop the Ouka. I was moving to strike along a straight line. Hysteria mode united my skeletomuscular system, linking them together into the sprint, and there was no way I could stop myself. Realising that there was no time to dodge and no time to counter-attack– Yen then moved her kanabou into a boujutsu stance. 16 There was nothing else she could do. In the space of a fraction of a second–I took in the entire situation. Did she… regain her balance? Yen settled her body and centred her centre of gravity. That stance– –Zetsurou–!? I don’t even need to ask. That must have been the other seldom-seen technique that Yorimitsu used to strike down Sakanomu… The counter『Zetsurou』passed down through the Tohyama Family. No good! This is just like the situation as the one on top of the Galleon’s wing– I am replicating G-3’s role. At that time, G-3 struck with Meteor, and I returned it back on him with Zetsurou. But now I am on the other side and the one in his place using Ouka. I have generated my own power for Zetsurou to use to kill myself. But there is no way I can stop it! I can’t stop Ouka! What should I do–!? –Ouka– My arm held out in front and armoured Orochi-kai fingers extended *Whish!* Droplets of water scattered from the vapour cone like cherry petals at the end of their life– *Claaaaaang!* My Orochi-kai collided with Yen’s Kongourokkaku sending up a shower of sparks, and a flash of light like the Sun sparked in the space between us. With a *Craaaaaaack!*, my Ouka shaved a layer off Kongourokkaku then cut through it– passing by on the left. Her golden pillar coloured eyes glowed like a blast furnace…then in Hysteria Mode, I watch in super slow motion as Yen spun. Like a revolving door. …It was Zetsurou after all…! Spinning 90 degrees–she turned sideways while moving gracefully like a dancer and discarding the destroyed Kongourokkaku. She floated lightly mid-air. Turning 120 degrees–I understand. She is accumulating enough power in her right leg to reverse the attack–! She plans to spin 180 degrees in the air and drive back in with a reverse flying roundhouse kick. A rolling kickboxing attack harnessing the entire power of Ouka drew near. This was an Ouka kick . There was no way to dodge. It would absolutely hit. All the power in her entire body… was about to hit somewhere. Absolutely . Turning 150 degrees. her right foot began to extend in a kicking motion, and I trace its path. It was aimed at my head. The upper third. If struck there, it will shave off the top, sending my brain flying. Yen seems to want to shave off the top of my head. To use as a sake cup. 「–!」 Turning 180 degrees. In the next instant, Yen’s large foot would impact my skull– –『Zetsurou』–! I reversed Yen’s Zetsurou with Zetsurou Receiving the strike to my head, I channelled that energy from a flying backflip into– a somersault kick–! In that space of time, Yen had already turned 300 degrees and was almost directly in front of me. –Yen. The original power of Ouka was mine. And I turned it back on her. –*Whoooooooooooooooooooom!*– Continuing my kick upward, I fractured one of Yen’s horns that had cause me a continual series of problems. I mixed in a bit of a sub-sonic Kikka. This Zetsurou reversal with Zetsurou was a double counter technique. If I had to give it a name, it would be『Zekka』. Starting with Ouka and ending with Kikka, using the Ouka to destroy the enemy–my new technique. 「–Ah!–」 Exclaiming, Yen bent far back, and blood spurted from the hard skin fold covering the base of the horn– Pushed back from the force of the impact, Yen moved away from me…for the first time, she went down. Clutching her head in intense pain, Yen rolled down the wing of the fugaku, pushed by the air current kicked up by the huge propellers. Then bouncing off the flap: 「Yen-nee-sama–!」 Leaning out from the fuselage of the airplane, Tsubaki cried out then fell. Outside the fugaku. I also fell down the wing, but catching myself– 「–Yen, grab on!」 *Bang!* In an instant I quick drew my gun, combat loaded an ANCHOR bullet, and shot it toward the falling Yen. The next second, she caught hold of it. The tough synthetic wire spread out as the bullet followed after her. Then they met. Eyes wide as she floated in the empty space behind the wing, Yen realised it was a lifeline… a grasped it. However… 「–Humph!」 Yen yanked on it vigorously. Almost like a tug-of-war. Do you want us to die together? Are you trying to kill me as well? Yen– Totally unprepared for that movement, the grip of my shoe spikes in the wings were lost… …! Suddenly I fell. Tumbling from the fugaku wing. 「Fuahaha… Hahahahaha–!」 Yen laughed boisterously as she kept a hold of the bullet strand, and I lost my grip and fell. The air flowed over me, coiling around as we fell, twisting and turning as if in a washing machine. Amidst the flow of air and darkness–I lost sight of Yen. She was carried off somewhere else. 「–…!」 Beneath me, I could see Tokyo. Judging from the flight time I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that we flew over Chiba and the Pacific, then in that absurd manoeuvre intended to shake me off, we must have doubled back. In total free fall, I could feel myself accelerating. By the sensation of speed, I could tell when I reached stable terminal velocity at 200 KPH– Back when I fell from the ICBM with Aria, I had reached this same speed…! Adopting a skydiving posture… I aimed myself for Bunkyou Ward and, caught by the wind, I loaded my Beretta again. Then–as is being expanded in Google Maps, the late-night Korakuen Gardens drew closer– Completely comfortable in falling, I fired my gun held beside my waist with a *Bang!* It was a good thing that I had bought some of Hiraga-san’s homemade airbag bullets. As I was just above the ground, the bullet struck some kind of structure I couldn’t identify, and *Whoosh!* A 1 metre diameter and 0.8 metre high air bag instantly inflated, and my body hit it with a *Thump!* then *Wham!* 「OUCH…!」 It was made of super-high strength silicone resin… and it was said to be able to take up to 38 tonnes of force, but it was a bit over hyped. My entire body actually slammed into the ground. I’m submitting a complaint after this. However, thanks to that, I didn’t end up dead… Shakily, I came to my feet. 「–Kyaa!」 I heard high-pitch female shrikes coming from all directions. 「…!」 Looking around, what is this? It was strangely humid, warm, and n-n-naked… A world of naked women’s flesh surrounded me. I thought I had died and woken up in heaven–no, for Hysteria Mode, I had fallen into hell! Somehow that strange thought crept into my mind. Shrieking, the group of female office workers scattered like a group of baby spiders. The floodlight lit surroundings revealed both large a small baths. This is… a LaQua spa…! A kind of large bath house and spa affiliated with Korakuen Gardens. Somehow, I had managed to fall into the open-air baths. My usual bad luck had somehow asserted itself. That is to say, this bath house was a recent addition. Taking a deep breath to calm myself, something hit me with a *Thwack!* on top of my head. A grossly fat OL hit me over the head with a bathing tub then ran off. ************************************************************************* As expected, Yen escaped harm even after falling from the sky. Even though I lost sight of her, I heard the sounds of an impact some distance to the south… Scrambling over the open-air bath wall in a desperate escape, I headed toward the Tokyo Dome City attractions. Feigning ignorance, I flashed my Butei license and entered the park after hours… Intending to offer up a prayer for her if I found her corpse, I looked for Yen. Nearing the area where playground equipment stood, I discovered a small crater– In the centre of it was Yen, arms folded and staring into the sky. Probably watching the flying fugaku. Uh… I don’t see any kind of parachute, but… she seems to have pulled off a normal landing. Well, I guess that means I didn’t have to save her when she fell from the fugaku wing. Everything worked out alright in the end, though. I would have probably been beaten to a pulp by some the onis left on the plane, anyway. 「–The person who falls from the fugaku loses. That was Habi’s rule, right Yen? Both of us fell though, so I guess we should call this a draw, huh?」 I said that, and Yen turned to face me. She had lost one of her horns on her head, but her mood was not hostile. 「You are… an incredibly stalwart man. While men such as thou remain, The Land of the Sun shall be at peace.」 She said to me in a tone carrying slight admiration. Of all things in the world– Yen had said that power was the only thing that mattered and having fought her to a draw in a contest of strength, she appears to be acknowledging me as an equal. 「Yen. That technique you just used. It was Zetsurou, wasn’t it?」 「It is as you say. It was one of the techniques used by Lord Yorimitsu upon Sakanomu-sama.」 …Hmmm, then maybe he was my ancestor after all. Yorimitsu, that is. Rakshasha must have been a technique sealed at some time in the past, or maybe my Nii-san knew of it. From eavesdropping on my Grandfather and Grandmother, I knew something my Nii-san didn’t– 100 Tohyama Family secret techniques were passed down to my father, and he passed them on to his children based on their personality… 48 offensive techniques had been taught to my brother, and 52 defensive countering techniques were taught to me. 「By the way… did you fall on purpose, Yen? Did you know that I would jump off and follow you to try and save you?」 I proposed my theory, but Yen remained silent. However, that was not a denial. 「I don’t want to make you angry by asking, but when I reversed the Zetsurou– You must have considered the possibility of being defeated. In that case, then your protégée still on the fugaku would be in danger.」 「…」 「By taking me out of bounds and forcing a draw, they would be safe. That is my theory. How close am I?」 I gave her a wink and Yen, who had already stopped the blood flow from her broken horn replied: 「…If that is what you think. You can believe what you wish.」 While picking the scab, she did not deny it, as I thought. 「Well, they do say that even an oni can be moved to tears, huh?」 Slapping Yen on the shoulder– Embarrassed at having her surprisingly caring nature for her comrades exposed, Yen turned her face away. Then she stood and walked away. Then walking lightly toward the garden entrance on the footpath toward Hakusan Avenue… with me walking alongside her. 「What are you going to do now?」 I asked. 「Go to Ki no Kuni. I’ll swim. No need for concern. I have heard reports that there are some of my tribe there.」 Yen replied. I didn’t really understand where Kii no Kuni was, but… If she’s going to swim to some island country, then that’s where I have to give up following. For now, I’m going to have to give up on the attack. With no real grasp on the workings of modern society, if I left Yen alone, she’d probably rob or mug someone again– So I accompanied her in the dark and bought some onigiri and sake from a 7-11 for her. When the part-timer working the late shift at the shop saw Yen and I… he must have assumed I was the younger boyfriend of some kind of female pro wrestler, and he sold me the sake. 「–Why do you give to one you faced in battle? Do not be worried. I shall not sate my hunger with thine flesh.」 Yen said as she took the plastic bag from me. 「Just eat if you are hungry. The fight is over, and now there are no friends or foes. Or is it that in the world of oni, a man giving a woman a gift has some other meaning?」 My Hysteria Mode boosted by the experience in the spa, I said this with a smile to conceal my true intentions. 「…」 「I am not trying to bribe you, and you don’t have to answer if you don’t want to, but– I want the karagane that Habi possesses If I leave is alone, Aria will become the Scarlet Goddess.」 「I would not find that objectionable.」 「…I see. Then we have an irreconcilable difference of opinion.」 「So it would seem」 I learned one more thing. The oni want Aria to become the Scarlet Goddess. However, I do not know why. That must be why they came to Japan uninvited; they must thought it had already happened. That being the case– the time for negotiation is over. We will have no choice but to fight. Yen and I. Then the peculiar Habi as well. 「It is getting pretty late to show a woman around, and I have some matters to attend to–So I will take my leave for the night. I did have one final question, however… Between Habi and yourself, which is stronger?」 Pretending to have suddenly remembered something, I attempted to elicit one more bit of intel from the rustic Yen. But when she turned her back on the Tokyo Dome and faced me with her beautiful face… It was not the answer I had hoped for. 「What a foolish question. In the entire world–an oni’s rank is determined by power. Placed above me, Habi-sama is inevitably stronger than I. Even if there were seven of me opposed to her, it would be no matter for Habi-sama.」 She’s… 7 times more powerful than Yen? Realising how unfathomably strong she was–I was depressed. To say that there are no such things as oni in the world would be a bold-faced lie. In my world, there are nothing but onis. And they are terribly strong [END] ********************************* 1. Onigashima (Megishima) in the original. 2. 1.86 million USD and 1.69 million Euro 3. Apparently collapsible bows are a thing in archery. The bear bow is the handle and thick part in the centre that is pretty straight. The rims are the mostly curved parts on either end, and they connect to the bear bow. 4. Visual Link 5. Demon Pouch. Assuming it’s some kind of internal storage It’s a made-up word. 6. Settsu is an old province encompassing Oosaka and Hyogo 7. Oni are typically named after vices. Literal meaning, ‘Drunkard’. 8. Well-known member of the Minamoto clan who did a lot of their dirty work but due to the peril involved, gained a lot of notoriety and fame. 9. This is the ancient formal court name of Tohyama no Kin-san, the crusader of justice who fought corruption in the government in Japanese tales. 10. This is all Sengoku Era warriors and generals. Don’t try to follow it. 11. Dracuria is the Japanese Kanji name for Hilda. 12. Man-eating devils in Hindu-Buddhist mythology. 13. Literally, Change the World, or Rotate the Heavens. Kind of means ‘Spin’ 14. Book listing those who are dead, curated by Enma Dai, ruler of the underworld. 15. YES! Hell == Isekai is what the OG text said! LOLOLOLOLOLOLLOLOOL! 16. Boujutsu is the style of techniques relating to the use of a staff (bou) ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ### 005. Bullet 5: The Nogizaka Incident ― Disclosure + Afterword + Illustrator Notes And finally, we will get the conclusion of Volume 17. I’m done with uni, so hopefully I might be able to settle into a kind of steady TL schedule once I get the job situation figured out. The 6 months hiatuses should be a thing of the past. We shall see… In the mean time, enjoy! Chapter Five: The Nogizaka Incident ― Disclosure [START] It struck midnight, turning into February 3rd– I took a taxi back to Butei High, planning to charge the cab fare back to Aria. In the first place, however, Aria and I were not supposed to meet up again. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had probably bugged her mobile, and my Hysteria Mode had dissipated… And so I headed to a place where she was likely to show up. After all, she had escaped from the hospital by herself, so she wasn’t likely to be caught by anyone chasing her. In all likelihood, she probably was already there waiting for me to catch up. I made a brief stop by Men’s Dormitory No. 3 at Butei High… I stole quietly into my own room to replenish my stock of bullets. Doing so, I did not wake Lisa who was sleeping in the lower bunk– Kneeling on the bed beside her, I looked at her beautiful sleeping face. Then I spoke to her in my mind. …Lisa. I am sorry for bringing you to Japan so recently, for this might just be our goodbye. I’ve been told that I will come back to life, even if I die, but that overstates the matter. If my brains are blown out or my heart is eaten, then I will naturally not come back. This time, my opponent might just do that. That oni. The chief of the oni clan, Habi, is extremely strong. I may be strong enough to bring things barely to a stalemate. What is more, this is a battle in Far East Warfare. It is in defiance of the cease-fire. I cannot even call upon the friendly powers in DEEN. But I cannot let this go. Aria’s hidan– I could not protect her from Sherlock firing it. The entire reason that Aria is so close to transforming into the Blazing Scarlet Goddess is because of my own failure and inadequacy back on I.U. So I must take responsibility for it. Recovering Aria’s karagane will stop the advent of the Blazing Scarlet Goddess. At some point, the hidan itself will have to be managed. That is what I am going to do. Shirayuki isn’t here right now… but I will entrust this matter to her family. Bequeathing my intentions, I left the bedroom, then the apartment. I set the roughly sketched-out last will that I had written in the taxi cab beside Lisa’s pillow. At Butei High, in the case of sudden death, they provide some small insurance and bereavement payment, and in the case that this were to occur, I set aside the money to repay my Beretta scholarship… among other mundane provisions. On the cold winter’s night, I walked toward the old, dusty bicycle storage racks where I had previously been bicycle-jacked. Glancing across to the area lit by cheap, fluorescent lights, a small smile crept on to my face. This wretched place was where everything had started. Somehow, it seemed appropriate for someone like me. That morning, Riko’s Segways had chased me down the street, but now as I walked down the street… I entered the greenhouse below Women’s Dormitory No, 1. Within, there was an illuminated rose garden– We had met here… it was where Aria had revealed to me her second family name of『Holmes』. The pink twin-tailed girl. 「…」 I stood next to her without saying anything– 「I thought you’d come here.」 She said, arms folded as she gazed at a rose. 「Well, we’ve known each other for a while. It must be what they call ‘mutual understanding’. 1 」 With Hysteria Mode gone, my usually brusque, unappealing tone manifested in my answer. 「Here is where I– This is where I decided that you would be my partner.」 Aria said, still looking at the flower… 「That is why I decided to part here.」 She announced clearly. ******************************************* 「Part…?」 My eyebrows furrowed at the surprising statement… From her trademark pink twin-tails– Aria removed her horn-like hair ornaments with a rustle. Despite being a glamorous high school girl, I had always thought that she had hidden spare bullets or some other dangerous object stowed inside… but now I was proven wrong. Beneath each of them was a smaller horn nestled inside like a matroyska doll. 「Only you would understand how important this is. I haven’t shown them to anyone else.」 「…?」 Taking up both of my hands, Aria slipped her hair ornaments into them… and this led my thoughts in a particular direction. They… can’t be removed, can they!? 「…!…」 They were attached to Aria’s head. No, it was something else. They had grown on her head. Just like those oni… they were horns…! At a loss for words, my eyes widened, and a sigh escaped Aria. 「It wasn’t just because of the attacks… the reason I fought with all the adults. I don’t really understand it, but it looks terrible. These horns. Fufu! You’re scared of me too, right? You think it’s awful and you hate me, don’t you…?」 With a forced smile, Aria looked up at me– tiny tears standing out in her eyes. Why did these small horns grown on Aria’s head, and what does it mean? I… don’t understand. It was definitely a shock. Rather– When Aria said adults , she meant the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the British Embassy. This must be the reason for her isolation. It was shocking. This slightly supernatural phenomenon. 「I just had a thought… When you sleep, doesn’t the pillow get in the way?」 Although it was evening, I answered with a dim-witted expression on my face. 2 「Huh?」 「If the fact that I noticed surprises you, I can’t go on as your partner! You… haven’t been sleeping well.」 If Aria suffers from a lack of sleep, it has the side-effect of increasing the amount of bullets she sends my way, so I pressed the point. 「I… I usually sleep with my pillow beneath me, face-down.」 The conversation having taken a surprising turn, Aria answered somewhat disjointedly. Now that I think about it, that’s right. I’ve seen it myself a few times. Because Aria has no breasts to speak of, she can sleep quite comfortably face-down. However, one time Riko had noticed this and teased Aria about it, then was on the receiving end of a brain buster out of the 5th story window into Tokyo Bay, I then answered with a「Really!!?」, pretending not to know. 「So… anyway, Kinji. This is a problem with my body. I don’t really know what it is, how it happened, or what to do, but I’ll deal with it myself. If you… want to step back, that’s fine. I won’t complain.」 Replacing her hair ornaments, Aria turned back to face me in the rose garden, tears in her eyes. Standing sideways; saying nothing. …Seeing Aria take this uncharacteristic attitude made me angry. 「 You … This isn’t you. If I said something like that, you’d be squaring up to face me down, wouldn’t you?」 I said somewhat belligerently. But Aria– eyes still moist, said nothing. Although she usually telling me what to do, she didn’t even issue a single order… 「…」 The silence lingered on. And so, I stood next to Aria, observing the rose garden… In order to allow her to express her true feelings more freely, I spoke in English. 「 Aria, be honest. 」 Taking it from a film, I utilised the correct pronunciation– With tears still in her eyes, Aria trembled slightly. Then when I saw her look up at me as I stood beside her, she said: 「– Help me… 」 Tears accompanied her words. 「 Kinji, I need you…! 」 With a cry, she buried herself into my chest– It was cute. As expected, Aria was upfront about her feelings. Back on I.U., I remember her telling me『I need you』that summer too– 「Alright. I’ll take that as an official contract. As such, I will naturally collect payment. However, because we are acquainted, I will do it at a discount.」 Aria said something like that when she helped me in the dispute with the yakuza this winter. Head bobbing, Aria’s pink twin-tails rubbed against my chest as she nodded… 「…But you… It’s embarrassing to ask now, but why… why would you get wrapped up in this for me…?」 Face still red as she embraced me, Aria looked up at me. 「…I’m unlikable, selfish, and have a childish figure…」 Self-aware, isn’t she? 「It can’t be helped. I’m your–」 「…?」 「Uh, I, er… that is… I decided back in April on top of the women’s dormitory. It’s a bit embarrassing to say now, but…」 Having said something I didn’t completely understand myself, I fumbled with my words–but still spoke the truth. 「As an ally of justice, I cannot allow such injustice. Also… as your friend, how can I let something like this happen?」 I said this, and Aria… Her beautiful camellia eyes–still tear-streaked and sparkling–she looked up at me. But still remained silent. S…say something! This is embarrassing! 「Oh, and as for that… for such an unlikable, selfish, and childishly figured person with a twisted sense of casual violence, there isn’t anyone in the world suited to deal with you. At least… except for me.」 Unable to stand the silence, I continued speaking, and despite her shift to a murderous expression in the middle of my statement, by the end she looked moved. 「Thank-you…. thank-you, Kinji… I don’t know if I can do anything… but I will do anything I can do to show my gratitude…」 「Ah… well, you could register with the Asian SDA rankings. I would be grateful if my ranking decreased by one.」 Thinking about the words『I will do anything』for any length of time was dangerous–and I pulled myself away from her. 「In any case.. don’t worry, Aria. Actually, you probably aren’t able to relax… but I’m with you. I’ll always be with you.」 After saying that, I turned my back toward her, but she clung to my back, and I smiled slightly. However, Aria. You’ve been a bit careless. 「..Now then. As a Butei, I’m not that good at spying. Until now, I’ve pretended not to notice, but tell me all you know about this. — Tamamo !」 Ever since leaving the men’s dormitory, I’ve had a tail tagging along, now hidden within a hyacinth flower pot– the random appearance of a kemari 3 was the tip-off. Having been discovered by me… in a puff of white smoke, her true form manifested– it was Tamamo, as I expected. In Far East Warfare, the kitsune that looked like a young girl had served as an advisor to DEEN. She appeared to be a primary-schooler and her brown, fur covered ears stood up as she wore a short-skirted kimono, single-toothed getas, and carried a brilliant scarlet parasol. I also failed to miss the blade in the red lacquered sheath at her back–matched to her size, it was a short katana that she wore. In her role as a commanding general, she had never gone armed. 「…!…」 As if entirely flustered at not noticing the kemari spying upon us, Aria separated from me… As for myself, I deactivated the safety on my gun. With the ceasefire in Far East Warfare in place, there was no 100% guarantee that Tamamo was an ally. What’s more, her expression was grim. It held an unprecedented sharpness. 「–We must subjugate the threat, Tohyama. Hasten hither! When the karagane from Katze and Patra wast returned, I harboured mine doubts… Even now, the link to the Blazing Scarlet Goddess is complete.」 She said, breaking the silence– 「These horns art evidence that the union of Aria and the Hihiirokane is concluded. As for its speed– replacing the karagane when in an unprotected state doth naught but hasten the advent of the Scarlet Goddess. Such wast not known to me. It would also not be well to have Hilda strip them again. If stripped twice or thrice, the shells wouldst break. If even one was destroyed, the conclusion would be upon us at once.」 The kitsune’s gaze toward Aria was sorrowful. 「Aria is already lost.」 The very next moment, Tamamo looked toward me, as if to call me to her side– Then resettling her gaze on Aria again, she drew her sword with a hiss of steel. 「–Tohyama. The Hotogi miko is not present, yet thou and I must subdue Aria. Before the Blazing Scarlet Goddess appears.」 「Wait, Tamamo…!」 I took half a step to shield Aria. I rested my hand on my gun so that Tamamo would see it. 「I cannot halt. This matter requires haste. With that hair, to say nothing of horns, I was much too inattentive.」 「Hair? Horns? What do you mean? Do you think Aria… will turn into an oni?」 「Nay. The red oni are the ancient progeny of the Scarlet Goddess. Due to the fact that the traits of Hihiirokane are acquired after the transformation of the body, they art not hereditary– They art a long-lived race, yet the only thing that seems to be inherited is their colour. That is the reason for their red hair.」 Then Tamamo– Began gauging the distance between us. But until I stop defending Aria, I do not think that she will take action. 「As for the hair–When Kou transformed into Son, similar such horns appeared within her hair. When the Hihiirokane’s conditions art fulfilled and formest a connection with a maiden’s heart, a mysterious and invisible power is emitted from two places upon her head. If the Hihiirokane is compatible with the heart, then horns materialise. If their disposition doth not match, then naught but the hair is transformed. It would appear that the Hihiirokane has a predilection for Aria’s heart.」 Those words… are somewhat like those spoken on I.U. by Sherlock. In order to awaken the hidan– to form a connection with the heart, their personality must be passionate and prideful, and, for some reason, childish. That describes Aria to a tee. But what does this mean? My mind is already made up. –I am on Aria’s side. I’m not even in Hysteria Mode, but I’ve made my own determination. Even if Tamamo tries to kill me along with Aria, my answer is one and the same. 「–Tamamo. I’ll only say it one more time. Wait. This issue is my fault. So I will do whatever is necessary. I will definitely recover the karagane from Habi–rescuing Aria.」 Restricting Aria from saying anything herself, I made this declaration to Tamamo. The light in her eyes showing the true deep bestial character of her soul, Tamamo met my eyes… 「I… shalt not slay thee, warrior Tohyama. I shall stay mine hand. I can but wait until late springtime. In terms of calendar reckoning, that is the last day of the third month. Until March 31st– then the advent of the Scarlet Goddess wilt surely occur.」 *Grip*… She released her grip on the haft of her blade. 「Until that time hath elapsed, I shall grant respite. Once the Hotogi miko and I hath assembled, we shalt strike thee together.」 With these dangerous words, for the time being at least… I have been granted a postponement. Thank goodness my opponent was willing to stop and communicate in good faith. 「Tohyama. Habi is a member of GRENEDA for the purposes of Far East Warfare. Challenging her as a member of DEEN–in accordance with the terms of the『ceasefire』is forbidden as it wouldst be perceived as a transgression by the members of DEEN. I am able to turn a blind eye, but I cannot render thee aid. It is the same with the rest of DEEN. Art those terms acceptable?」 「…Yes, that was my intention from the beginning.」 I nodded and Tamamo… puffed out a sigh… and all the tension in her expression faded. 「Truly, the Tohyama warriors of old have always said such things. Is not the sanction of the members of GRENEDA in defiance of the terms of the ceasefire sufficient? Goodness!」 「That… I am sorry for. I’ve caused you trouble.」 「You may render your penance later. Understood? Mere monetary offering will not suffice, an aburaage enough to cover a tatami is required.」 With a *Ka-ching!*, Tamamo shook the offertory box she wore on her back at me… with her back facing me, she seemed hesitant to speak– 「Ah… Thou hast a Hotogi miko of similar age, and the Rimiko, so bearing that in mind… I do not believe you shouldst do the same with the childishly bodied Aria…」 Having heard that, no doubt conscious of her own body, I had to restrain Aria once more as a vein on her forehead bulged. 「Perhaps it wouldst be better to say it the opposite way because thou art curiously unmindful… It wouldst be a grave error were such a thing to occur. Nay. I shalt be more clear to avoid any confusion. Thou shouldst not share a bedchamber with Aria. 」 Leaving us with those incomprehensible words, Tamamo shouted「Kyaa」– Leaping up… she disappeared into the smoke rising into the sky. 「…?」 Due to Tamamo’s archaic phrasing, neither Aria nor I understood Tamamo’s warning very well. It was something about us being together, but… well, it should be fine. It wouldn’t do to get too worked up over it. 「–I didn’t think it could be dealt with using just the right words, Kinji. I thought it would come to a fight.」 Behind me, Aria had drawn one of her pistols and now re-holstered it beneath her skirt. 「But in the end… it’s just the two of us going to fight.」 「Wasn’t it like that in the beginning? We’re just going back to where we started.」 I said, indicating the place where we stood– With a giggle, Aria laughed. 「That’s right, isn’t it? Let’s go then. The 2 of us exterminating oni.」 「Yeah. Two people going alone. We’re like Momotaro!」 「You should know that old story, Kinji! Momotaro had a dog, monkey, and pheasant for companions, didn’t he?」 Aria said, confidently ticking them off on her fingers, and I gave a short laugh. 「I guess I don’t know it that well, huh? Well, I guess you’re Momotaro this time because of the pink colour 4 … That makes Lisa the dog and Kou the monkey, huh? I don’t know what I am.」 「Kinji! Your name has ‘ki’ and ‘ji’ in it! 5 」 With such idle chatter passing between us, we exited the greenhouse. Led by Momotaro, the pheasant and the rest of the odd band troop together to exterminate the ogres–in the unknown land of Kinokuni. In any case, it seems we had taken our first step. Slightly past Sports Arena 2 was the place I had been bicycle-jacked… I could see the cherry tree that Aria and I had grazed as she used a para-glider to pluck me off of the bicycle. Despite the fact that is was February, the heat emitted from the nearby cafeteria caused it to blossom. It was an unseasonal evening flowering of cherry blossoms… By the time I’ve saved Aria and the real time of cherry blossoms comes– I hope that my crazy life takes a turn for the somewhat normal. ****************************************************************** At 1 AM late that night… we came to another place full of memories but off-limits to Butei, Akihabara. From the outside, it would look like Aria had escaped from house arrest. Retrieving the karagane from the oni while being hunted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was bound to be difficult. As a countermeasure that both Aria and I were unfamiliar with… we entered the maid cafe known as the Cozy Cafeteria… 「Soooo cuuute! Soooo cuuute!」 Having been rented out privately and its hours of operation drastically extended, all sorts of hijinks were occurring inside the shop. In the middle of the shop another Aria stood in addition to the one with me wearing a sailor suit uniform and with her– Embarrassingly, there was a half-naked maid on top of the table playing a strip version of rock-paper-scissors. Around them were a bunch of drunk maids and amidst the bustling crowd was Hilda, wearing her usual Gothic Lolita dress. 「Hohoho! Soon you will not have even your socks left, Maid!」 Sipping honey wine, it was the nocturnal Hilda… thoroughly enjoying the maid cafe. She was munching on some kind of snack. Those aren’t button cell batteries, are they? What kind of digestive tract does this electric woman have? Being uninformed, I came to the conclusion that a maid cafe was really some kind of shady cabaret. I was trying to suppress a headache, and Aria was shocked… 「Welcome back, Tohyama. Aria appears to have arrived safely as well.」 Wearing her own Cozy Cafe uniform and a heart-shaped name tag that read:『Jeanne』in katakana, Jeanne made her own appearance. Carrying a snowflake shaped tray under one arm, it looked like she was enjoying the admiration of the other waitresses. 「Yeah, let’s start by dragging that idiot Riko down here…」 I said, pointing to the fake Aria who was stripping the skirt off a maid. 「Oh! Ki-kun, c’mere! C’mere! Fufufu!」 With a *Spriong!*, the fake Aria with braided hair, Riko, took a dive off the table. She landed in front of me and the real Aria like a gymnast, arms spread out in a Y-shape. Clapping both hands together and taking a bow she said: 「I, Riko Mine, have received a request from Ki-kun! He and Aria are going on some kind of oni hunting mission, right? In the meantime, Riko will take Aria’s place in the hospital.」 「Ri-Riko…?」 Aria seemed to have finally understood why Riko had perfectly imitated her appearance, and Riko chuckled and laughed. 「Conversely,『disguised as Riko, Aria will be free to move about』, see? Give me about 9 hours, and I can make the Ministry of Foreign Affairs buy the deception. In the meantime, don’t do anything to attract attention, alright? Afterwards, with Riko in place at the hospital, Aria will be free to come and go.」 Such was the true nature of the phantom intelligence thief–as she spoke in a perfect imitation of Aria’s voice. This body double mission… it was well-suited for Riko who had been inactive to avoid Rampan’s canvass. With that in mind, I asked Riko to do it– but this was amazing! Taking on the form of Aria, she would fool even a pro. What’s more, Riko has Hilda. With Dracuria as back-up, I can rest at ease. 「I see. In return– Kinji claimed I was paying, didn’t he? However, given my circumstances, I will pay the asking price.」 A sharp tone in her voice, Aria pulled out her wallet in a matter-of-fact manner… 「I will not accept payment. This will pay back the debt of saving me at the Sky Tree.」 The fake Aria balled her fists. Then crossed her arms in a perfect imitation of Aria’s mannerisms as she declared this. 「Is this what you call thief’s honour? If you want something, tell me. I’d regret it later if I didn’t pay you fairly.」 「Owing a debt to a member of the Holmes Family is a disgrace. It is the Lupin Family custom to avoid such and to return something stolen to its owner later.」 Seeing how proud Riko is, there is no room to bring such a matter up. However… Aria didn’t bring it up, and seemed like the kind of person to understand. 「Buuuut Aria could pay for this place, right? I mean, it’s not a reward; it’s an expense!」 She thrust the clipboard with the bill receipt for reserving the entire cafe for the night toward Aria. In actuality, it was a reward though. At the sight of a 1 followed by 6 zeros, I paled. 「…Goodness. You lack all restraint.」 Merely raising one eyebrow slightly, Aria took out her black Amex Centurion Card– a card above Gold and even higher than Platinum, and turned the black card over to Riko. 「I understand. I will accept the repayment of that loan respectfully. You and I have exchanged genuine favours. As Holmes and Lupin, we have both returned to the starting line. I will engrave the memory within my chest.」 Aria placed her hand on her hip, and Riko spread her hands as she bowed. 「Ooooh! How will you engrave it on your chest if you can’t find it?」 No sooner had she said that, than 0.1 seconds later Aria drew her blades clear of their sheaths. *Hiss!* *Whomp!* *Thump!* *Thump!* Leaping onto Riko’s back, she began pummeling her. 「Wai-! Aria! You’ll mess up the make-up! Aria!!!」 Observing this surreal Aria-on-Aria fight… I turned my back on them–no telling how long they would be at it–and exchanged amused smiles with Jeanne. Well, perhaps that just means that they get along. Even those on the closest of terms quarrel. Afterwards, Aria and Riko retreated to the kitchen to perfect the disguise by swapping underwear, and once they could no longer hear us, I said: 「So, Jeanne. Have you seen the video?」 By changing the topic, I was able to divert my brain’s imagination. On the Fugaku– The『Reflex Camera』I had bought from Hiraga-san, commonly known as a peep cam, had been running. What’s more, in the fight with Yen, I had discarded it and left it on the plane. The button camera video was being uploaded to the internet via satellite connection, and I had called Jeanne in INFORMA to ask her to analyse it– 「Yes, I have just finished downloading it. Your hobby of peeping has proved useful in this case. Thanks to that, I have been able to confirm something very interesting.」 Although it contained a slight misunderstanding, Jeanne’s answers are typically reliable. 「It appears someone found your camera, but it is still active. It is currently in someone’s pocket but pitch black.」 Jeanne walked over, the skirts of the waitress uniform meant to show off her beautiful long legs in knee socks fluttering– withdrawing an Archos netbook from her school bag and opening it. Placing the mini-PC on the table, the image on the screen appeared to be almost from my point-of-view… and the playback began from the point when my face was pressed against Yen’s breasts. Why did you start there? 「Here. That oni. I recognise this one. By picture and report only, however.」 Pausing the video and using a pretty finger to indicate, Jeanne pointed to an oni with only the top half of their head protruding from an earthenware bowl… one with glasses. 「In the pictures I’ve seen, she’s only been in the pot, so I don’t know what she looks like entirely, but… the name is Kon. 6 In medieval Japanese times, she was a sword and gunsmith, as well as one of I.U.’s formative members.」 「One of I.U.’s first members….?」 「Immediately at the end of the war, during the tenure of the second generation captain of I.U., Gilbert Stach, she enrolled as a weapons technician. Kon’s weapons engineering was literal wizardry. I.U. had many blueprints for unfinished weapons as a legacy, and she decided to develop them by herself. The Shinden 7 fighter plane she created became the contemporary vice-captain’s favourite, and there are still pictures of it.」 Shinden– The rear-winged interceptor developed by the former Japanese Imperial Army to counter the B-29? That oni in the bowl probably was the one who constructed the Fugaku. What a pain! But what I had learned was no great aid to our efforts at oni extermination– Slightly sobered, I turned to face Jeanne who wore a stern expression as she continued explaining. 「In recent years, Kon has been supplanted by the Koko, but continued to make long stays at I.U. Because of that, there are many records left behind… As is common with the genius type, it is in her personality to ignore social status and class. She drew up incredible plans, one after another, and when drawing would refuse the summons of colleagues, captain, and royalty, sleeping for years at a time. It is said that she would rouse herself for but one person.」 「One person…? Who?」 「–Sherlock Holmes.」 …That name came up here? It takes genius to know genius–it might have been some kind of shared empathy. Between Kon and Sherlock. But Sherlock… that is the name of a man who has disappeared. Right now, I’m seeing what Habi, the leader of the oni, said would happen. In all likelihood. 「I will continue to monitor the video feed, and if I find out anything, I will contact you. May the fortunes of war go with you, Tohyama.」 Jeanne announced in a slightly brooding tone–then she handed over two fresh mobiles on clean contracts, purchased by a shell corporation for my and Aria’s use. ****************************************************************** Afterwards, Aria emerged from the restroom– 「Oi, Riko!」 I called, beckoning the imitation Aria over. 「Fu! Ki-kun, you can finally tell the difference between Aria and Ariko, huh?」 Ariko…? Is Aria + Riko = Ariko? 「Well, you tricked me a whole bunch of times. Besides, you just gave me a reason to. Just now, you and Aria began a give-and-take relationship, I might want to take advantage of that myself.」 「Huh!? I see. Stealing a favour from Ki-kun would be a worthwhile pursuit.」 「Then we’ll have to figure out the repayment right now.. How much is it? I have to see what I’m indebted for.」 Before she could try to jack up the price, I started to negotiate with a sharp expression. 「Eh, when Ki-kun gets back you’ll start going out with Riko .」 It was Aria’s face, but Riko’s voice that spoke a delivered the condition. She didn’t ask for money, so I made a mental thumbs-up. 「Alright, I understand.」 I agreed, whereupon Riko: 「Huh?」 Riko’s usually relaxed expression hardened. Then… droplets of sweat broke out with a forced smile. 「Uh, Ki-kun, you get what this means? Instead of Aria or Yuki-chan, you’ll be going out with Riko? For real.」 Like a certain LDP Party chairman and a war correspondent, she carefully inquired to make sure it was not a slip of the tongue. 「Yeah. I understand what you meant. What’s more, it’s a promise. A man cannot go back on his word.」 After all, if it’s going out with her like we did at Comiket, it’s no big deal. Compared to paying 1 million Yen, this is no problem. Upon my acceptance of the contract, Riko’s eyes sparkled– 「Oh, uh… uh, well, Riko will do her best! And do my best tomorrow get caught on purpose! Taking Aria’s place! Heave-ho!」 Both fists clenched tightly, she seemed ready to go. Even if her face was completely red. She must have mastered Aria’s rapid blush technique. 「Do your best, okay? –I’m looking forward to it. I’ll always come back.」 Paying such lip-service, I then greeted Aria who emerged from the restroom and came to stand by my seat. –What Aria and I are trying to do is to exterminate oni in defiance of the ceasefire. As part of DEEN, direct aid from Riko, Jeanne, and Hilda may be forbidden… but if they provide backup support, Tamamo would be able to make a case to GRENEDA even if it were discovered. Even nowadays, with the boring JSDF, the collective right to self-defence is recognised. **************************************************************** It was the dead of night when even the plants were sleeping– Aria and I walked along the entirely deserted main street of Akihabara. 「This is good for us to prevent anyone following us. But now what should we do?」 Aria addressed me as her breath puffed white. 「I’ve thought about it, and back in Baskerville, I realised something– Friends are important. After all, I have to rely on someone first.」 「Who will you rely on?」 「Anyone involved with FEW is out, and I don’t want to drag the people at school into this. So I’ll go to my family first. Tomorrow we’ll go together to my parent’s home.」 「Eh!?」 「What’s that?」 「Uh, er…. Kinji’s… parent’s home?」 「Why are you making such a scared expression? Don’t worry, it’s not as far as your parents’. It’s in Sugamo. Riko’s deception will take about a day to complete, so we can hide there until then. It’s already late today, rather, it’s already tomorrow. The date is… Ugh! So confusing. What I mean is, on the 14th, at noon, we should meet back up at the south entrance to Sugamo station. That gives you enough time to make whatever arrangements you have to, and we would stick out together–so we should split up for the night.」 「R-right!」 Aria said in a strangely polite tone as she left– Afterwards, she hailed a taxi and headed down the main street. According to a message I received later, she headed to Toranomon to her lawyer’s condominium– spending the time discussing her mother, Kanae Kanzaki’s trial. I see, then if that’s the case, she’s safe. She’s an armed lawyer and ex-Butei. Like Sarah, Bewitching Blade, or Demon Sword, if you’re paying them, you can trust them. ******************************************************************** February 14th was a clear day, without a single cloud in the sky. I didn’t really want my family to be seen by strangers, but… well, what about Aria? I spent the night in a capsule hotel, and at noon went to the south entrance of Sugamo station– she was there. Seemingly bored, Aria was fidgeting and playing with her twin-tails. She looked like a proper miss 8 , wearing a long-sleeved dress and wearing a pochette that looked both childish and expensive… for some reason looking formally dressed. The skirts of the dress were even longer than usual. 「We’re only going to my house, but you’re pretty dressed up.」 I said, as Aria turned her head to face me– 「You’re late! I’ve been waiting 30 minutes, and I should put a wind-hole in you!」 With a growl, she bared her canines in a fine sort of aggressive greeting. With the sunlight and being from the United Kingdom, she was resistant to the cold and did not wear a coat… but did you really wait 30 minutes? 「I tried to choose the correct clothes. I had my Amica lend them to me and drop them off. What’s with that look? It’s an evil look. Do you want to say you don’t like them?」 「I inherited the look. No, it’s cute. The look of a proper miss suits you especially well. In the first place, you are a proper miss.」 So saying, Aria turned red– 「What? Between my uniform and casual clothes, which one do you prefer?」 She asked a tiresome question. 「Both are fine. You’re still you.」 I gave a half-hearted response. 「Actually, Aria, did you sleep well? You have dark circles under your eyes.」 「Oh… N-not really, we stayed up late talking about mama’s trial. We were preparing something, and my chest swelled so much with hope that I didn’t sleep, that’s all it was!」 So that’s it. But if Aria’s chest swells, won’t the shops selling padding be in trouble? I thought this, but did not say it, my anti-Aria crisis management skill coming into play and warning me. 「Hey, the other day at the yakuza mansion–You promised to take me to your parent’s home. You’re keeping that promise. That’s admirable, Kinji. That speaks well of you.」 Standing on her tiptoes and smiling, Aria patted my shoulder, but… Speaking of that, I did make that promise. At the Kagataka Family mansion. But why is Aria so delighted by the prospect? I have no idea. **************************************************************** Accompanied by Aria, we passed through the downtown area, past a dilapidated tobacconist and a lumber dealer– walking through a residential area built in the Showa Era, we saw a sign『Magane Tohyama』–reaching the Japanese-style house my grandfather lived in. We went to enter at the side, and I slid open the sliding screen door on the Sazae-san-like house 9 , but… Aria was hesitating to enter, playing with her twin-tails. She didn’t want to go inside. 「What is it? We’re here.」 「Uh, well…」 With an uncharacteristically uncertain expression on her face, Aria hesitated upon entering. 「What are you doing!? My grandfather is classified as a dangerous person of interest by the US, but he is a reasonably safe man. Don’t worry.」 「Th-that’s not it! Hyaaa!」 Seizing Aria’s hand in mine, I dragged her along, her double-lidded eyes going wide in panic. What is with you? Did you eat some momoman you picked up off the floor that made you act strangely? Hearing my voice– *Whoosh!* My white-haired crew-cut grandfather opened the door, wearing the traditional clothes of a kimono and short coat. 「Oh. You’re back Kinji.」 「Ah, yes. I’m back.」 My grandfather and I exchanged these short greetings, while beside me– — Aria… *Rustle!* Pinching and spreading the pale pink skirts of her dress, tucking her right leg slightly behind her left leg and planting the toes. Wearing an unusually mature expression, she closed her eyes and bowed her head. The gesture displayed a deep respect for my grandfather–no explanation was necessary. It seems that an English Lady knows all sorts of official greetings appropriate for a first meeting. 「Greetings. It is an honour to meet you. I am Aria Kanzaki-Holmes.」 Aria introduced herself in a lovely anime-like voice, but… It is extremely unusual for her to introduce herself to someone as『Holmes』. This is the first time I’ve seen her do it. 「Oh, what a cute little doll-like girl, she is. Cold, isn’t it? Hurry inside, please.」 Grandfather ushered her in gently—glancing briefly into her pochette. I already knew, but he probably noticed that there was a gun magazine inside. As expected, not much gets past ex-military personnel. After that, he showed Aria into the living room– Despite the fact that Aria would usually bark:「My usual espresso! You have 30 seconds!」, she was now helping my grandmother brew tea. She was acting like a teacher’s pet. What the heck… Why is she doing this? Did someone set up some kind of magical barrier in Sugamo to make Aria act meekly? Then my grandfather and grandmother brought out a kotatsu to have a literal teatime chat– 「I am in the same class at Tokyo Butei High as Kin… Tohyama-kun, and we are classmates. Kin… Tohyama-kun always treats me well.」 Introducing herself and giving all the appropriate responses, Aria carried on polite conversation, even going so far as to call me『Tohyama-kun』. But a rash began to break out. Then… Aria desperately tried to gain my grandfather and grandmothers favour, but as soon as they stood up and left–*Whish!* she withdrew her legs from underneath the kotatsu. For some reason, sweat broke out on her forehead and began to run down her face. 「What is it? Is the room too warm?」 「…Ungh… Agh…」 A groan was the only response to my inquiry that I received, and I saw the legs inside Aria’s knee-socks trembling… She shifted from kneeling to sitting with her knees tucked up. 「Are you sick? You were just acting very oddly.」 「…N-numb… they’re just numb….!」 Hearing Aria’s bitter reply, the answer hit me. Caucasians’ legs have slightly different skeletal structure than Asians, so they do not do well in squatting or kneeling postures. Aria is quarter Asian and looks Japanese, but in the end she is English. After a long period of time kneeling, the legs become numb. She should have relaxed and shifted her legs while sitting. Why didn’t she do that? 「A Butei must not lose mobility. This is a blunder, Aria.」 This is the Tohyama Family residence; that is my home. The men’s dormitory is also my home, but there I can’t do anything to Aria, and this is the one-in-a-thousand chance for me to release my normally pent up frustration. And so I stood… my shadow looming over Aria. How scary! 「Wh-what? What are you doing?」 Beads of sweat trickling down her face, Aria looked up at me– Sure enough, she picked up a negative vibe, but she could not move. My victory is assured. 「I’ll massage them to restore circulation.」 Stooping over Aria, I gripped her calves. 「Hrng~~~~!」 As a guest in someone else’s house, she did not want to raise her voice, or was not able to do so, with not only her legs being numb, but her whole body trembling in agony. Both eyes squeezed tightly closed, she clawed at the air, unable to do anything with any kind of strength. Then I gripped the other calf above the sock. 「~~~~Urg~~~~!」 Incredible! Incredible, Mr. Muska! 10 I am winning against Aria! 「Stop, stop, stop, Kinji…! I-I’ll die…!」 「No one ever died from kneeling and their legs going numb. It’s what you get for not paying attention as a Butei, let your body learn this lesson well.」 Enjoying myself all too much, I laughed at Aria’s panic. Being able to overcome the cruel superwoman that usually oppresses me is an incredible feeling. Even if you tell me to, I can’t stop. As I massaged her toes and ankles, Aria kicked me in the forehead reactively whilst making quiet, high-pitched whines of agony. Then she crawled across the tatami, as if to escape, ha ha ha! Where are you going? This is an 8 tatami room. 「Take that!」 When I tried to grab Aria’s right foot again–*Whoosh!* 「…I am better now. Thank-you for the massage, Tohyama-kun. As thanks, I’ll show you this Baritsu technique.」 Ah… my… fingers…! With her socked feet, she skillfully entwined them with her toes…! Using her toes to apply some kind of a joint-lock on my fingers….!? Just how versatile are these Baritsu techniques!? 「Wai..!」 Turning pale, there was a *Creak!* from my right hand. Using her other leg, she applied more pressure. Using both her right and left feet, she held the fingers of my right hand in a vise-like hold… *Crack!* *Pop!* *Creak!* 「Wai..! Aria! Owowowowow! You’re killing me…!」 「No one ever died from broken fingers! Hmph! Ha!」 With a yelp, my fingers were bent in different directions, each of them in an unnatural direction. Her earlier subservience had thrown me off-guard! Aria is still Aria after all! *************************************************************** …Because it was my own home, I couldn’t start shooting or grappling, even if I wanted to. So, I reset each of them using a passed-down Tohyama Family technique. Some of them still looked strange to me, but that could just be me, so I’ll let it go. Opening the sliding screen with my NSFW viewing hand– 「Don’t do anything to attract attention for the rest of the day. I’m just going to laze about, myself.」 I told Aria who was looking curiously at the hanging scrolls and painted screens, heading toward my 6-tatami room. In this battle, I might actually die… Then I opened my cluttered storage closet full of my personal effects– I separated out the pennant and carved wooden bear that G-3 wanted and the shogi board and 3 silver angels that Kaname wanted into a cardboard box. 「What are you doing, Kinji?」 With my grandparents not present, she had gone back to addressing me casually as she came inside from the verandah. 「Dividing up mementos between my siblings. I don’t want my idiot younger brother and younger sister fighting over my junk if I die. So in order to prevent that, I’ve initiated this peacekeeping operation.」 And if I live to come back, I won’t give it to them. 「Hmph… Wow, that’s a mess! You really should organise your closet.」 「Shut up. This isn’t even a closet. It’s a storage closet.」 11 「Well, there’s no helping it. I’ll give you a hand tidying up.」 It happened again. Aria became docile inside the Tohyama Family Home. She took on the role that Shirayuki and Kaname usually took, despite the fact that she left the『tidying up』of her own room to her Amica, Mamiya. Even doing so with a wink. As a matter of practicality, my storage closet had accumulated all kinds of junk since primary school. It will probably take a long while to tidy, so I probably should accept the help. 「Oh, thanks.」 With Aria’s help… everything was organised in under a half hour. Passing the time, I thought that Aria was fairly peaceful… 「Hey? So you like this, Kinij? Huh… I thought so…」 Grumbling something strange, I turned to look her way– …!…!….! I saw her placing a book on a pile on the floor, furrowing her eyebrows into a frown…! G-Grandfather must have hidden his own Hysteria Mode fuel『Spring Water Wheel』, that is, his swimsuit gravure photography magazines! That’s it! 「N-n-n-no! That’s not mine! It’s my grandfather’s–」 Ignoring my objection with a snort, she tied up the stack of magazines with a vinyl cord. Oddly enough, there was a magazine woman with a kimono held closed by a straw rope at the top. 「Come on, blaming other people is terrible, isn’t it?」 Aria regarded me like a caterpillar. 「No, that’s really not how it is at all…!」 I said– 「…?」 I heard the sound of my grandparents’ footsteps in the corridor. It seems like they are going out somewhere. Seeming to realise that we were going to be left alone in the house, that must have been why Aria got excited about the photographic magazines… I went out into the hall. 「Grandfather, where are you going?」 I asked my grandfather as my grandmother helped him put on an old leather jacket. 「Kinichi’s house. After waiting such a long time, that idiot calls and says he has something important to tell us.」 「…Nii-san is in Japan? I heard he was dead, but he’s alive… Could that be what he has to say?」 「Dying and coming back to life is a normal thing for Tohyama men. It has to be something else.」 Stop it! You’re treating life and death like a snack. What the heck am I saying? ********************************************************************** Aria was strangely panicked, and I knew that I would become a domestic violence victim if we were left alone in the house together. That being the case, we went together with my grandparents to Nogizaka. We took my grandfather’s old, rattling, first-generation Daruma Celica that I had no idea how it still ran, going through Gokokuji, Edogawabashi… We took Tokyo Municipal Highway 413, arriving at my Nii-san’s apartment near the Nogi Kaiken 12 This was where my Nii-san had lived before he had died in the line of duty. My grandfather and grandmother said that they wanted to visit the Nogi shrine, so Aria and I went ahead together. Speaking of my Nii-san, there are a few things I want to talk to him about. He was a phantom, so I had to catch him… I didn’t know the next time we’d be able to talk. The price of real estate in the area was pretty high, and my brother’s condominium was tastefully retro, but… the travel agency on the first floor had gone out of business… In its place there was a precious metal dealer with a pyramid logo and banner that read『Gold and Platinum Bought and Sold Here』. Rather than spend his money, it seems he has invested it–it must be due to the changing times. I smelled some kind of cooking spice in the corridor, and ringing the first floor intercom for room 101… *Ching!* *Ching!* *Ching!*… Some kind of small cymbals sounded from inside? What was that? –*Click!* The door opened, and we were greeted. 「Ki~n~i~chi~!」 Holding a ladle in one hand, wearing an apron, and spreading her arms wide with a smile covering her entire face– 「…P-Patra…!?」 It was the beautiful Egyptian woman, the member of I.U. and representative soldier for GRENEDA that we had fought. At her feet, a band of several small golden dust figures stood striking cymbals in what seemed to be a welcome. What the hell!? Patra caught me in an embrace full of happiness, but then with a sudden jolt, stopped… 「You art Kinji Tohyama? I mistook your similar aura. I was in error. Correct it.」 Her expression becoming angry, and wearing a platinum ring on her fourth finger, *Whomp!*. Struck me in the head. One of the last people we expected to see, both Aria and I were at a total loss. 「We’re siblings, so I can’t fix it.」 I said, to which she replied: 「Correct your birth!」 Whoa! She’s in a bad mood. Her black bobbed hair whipped through the air as she spun around to the right. Then her tight miniskirt on her high waist swayed as she went back inside. 「W-why are you in Kin-, Nii-san’s home, Patra?」 Aria and I followed her inside his apartment– 「We live together.」 「…!」 The shocking announcement caused me to lose my balance as I entered the room. Aria, as well, flushed a bright red and steam began rising from the top of her head. 「Thine timing, at the least, is convenient. Will thou assist me in preparing the table, Aria and Kinji?」 This time she narrowed her eyes as she smiled, while tilting her head slightly in a coaxing manner… it was a manipulative action but essentially friendly. Still half in shock, she passed us expensive plates and silver spoons that did not appear to see much use from a cupboard. Enough for 6 people. 「…Did you cook a meal? You do know you don’t have to use this kind of fancy tableware? It seems like you already know, but I came with my grandfather and grandmother.」 「The elderly are worthy of respect. They harbour the wisdom of a greater life experience.」 Speaking in a manner much more appropriate for the elderly, herself, it didn’t look like Patra had just gotten here. In any case, it seemed she had been living here with my Nii-san for some time. That means… after meeting her on I.U. and all the twists and turns that followed… does that mean that ever since we stopped fighting, they have lived here together? Katze had said that Patra had liked my Nii-san for quite a while. Aria pointed toward Patra who was humming to herself in the kitchen as she peeked into the oven. 「…The gold dealer’s shop below us is probably Patra’s shop, Kinji. Did you really not know? Was it really a surprise?」 Aria asked in a whisper as we arranged the plates on the table. 「No, I didn’t know at all, but… It really looks so…」 「Doesn’t Patra over there seem a bit friendlier? Love must really have changed her. Or maybe it was your brother.」 Acting more or less like a girl in this case, Aria said with a smile. Even though I was only the sibling here, I was embarrassed. 「I don’t really know.」 I answered, turning back to set out the spoons. **************************************************************** With dinner preparations almost complete, the former enemies, Aria and Patra, headed out onto the balcony overlooking the garden. They may be talking about the trial. Having taken off the apron, Patra is just the right height to be able to accomplish the troublesome act of resting her breasts on the railing– Aria attempted to imitate her, but she is not tall enough, and slipped off, knocking her chin on the hand rail. The force of the impact scattered the contents of her pochette over the ground a half-storey below. People shouldn’t attempt to put on airs. After that happened– The door opened, and my Nii-san returned. 「Nii-san.」 Turning to look at him, he hung his long, bulletproof coat on a coat hanger… 「Kinji, you’ve come. It’s been a while.」 Still taking his own time, he took out his Butei Handbook from his vest and laid in a desk. I noticed that he wore a ring on the fourth finger of his left hand to match Patra’s. 「Nii-san, rings get in the way when you shoot a gun. Don’t forget to take it off the next time you become Kana .」 I meant to make small talk, but– The very next instant *Wham!* He punched me as his face erupted in anger. 「–Kana’s name!」 Crap…! It slipped…! 「To me!? You say that!? Here!? Just blurting it out!?」 Straddling me in a fit of rage, he pummeled me over and over. I hadn’t seen him for a while, so I’d forgotten! When my brother enters Hysteria Mode, he transforms into Kana, and it is extremely embarrassing for him. So whenever he hears her name, he flies into a rage…! Flushed a bright red, my Nii-san rained blow after blow upon me, looking for all the world like a red oni. 3 times scarier than Yen and 10 times more than Aria, this is bad! Nii-san, turn back into Kana! Spend your whole life like that, if possible! Rescuing my life: 「Welcome home, Kinichi!」 Patra hugged him from the side. I crawled away to hide beneath the table. 「I do so love Kana. Be her once more.」 Clinging tightly to his side, Patra rubbed her cheek against his in a catlike motion. It would appear… that in order to soften the effect of her own misandry, Patra has used Kana to overcome her dislike and become closer to men. But my Nii-san, not meeting Patra’s gaze said: 「Kinji, you bastard! You talked to the Vatican!!」 He was angry that while I ran from Kaiser and his men in Brussels, I had exposed the fact that『Kana is a man』and he drew his Colt SAA revolver. *Click!* 「Last week I received a letter from the nuns! They were anxious about my health…! Kinji!!」 As it was the norm that my brother would shoot me, I used the evasive skills pounded into me by Aria to run away. –Then, coming upon this chaotic scene… My grandfather and grandmother entered the room. My Nii-san fired one of his cylindrical bullets at me, and smelling the gunpowder, my grandfather had rushed in… with a quick motion, he grabbed him by the vest– With a *Whomp!* he struck him quickly across the face with a closed fist. 「You stupid grandchild! Last year about this time we heard that you had died in a marine accident… You caused us no end of grief! It would have been better if you had died, you ungrateful child!」 Releasing his hold of his vest, my grandfather turned his back on my brother and folded his arms… 「…Grandfather. I’m sorry.」 Wiping away the blood from his nose with the back of his hand, my Nii-san apologised. 「G-Grandfather, you can’t say that!」 Despite it having been a long time since last seeing him, he said such a cruel thing, and when I turned to face him… my grandfather was… crying. The number of lines on his face multiplying, he cried tears of joy as his face contorted. Aria, Patra, and my grandmother understood the situation… and gave slight smiles. 「….」 That’s right. Thinking his grandchild was dead, then finding out he was alive, he couldn’t help be anything but happy. Seeing his tear-stained face, he quickly turned away from me… 「So what is this important thing you have to tell us? I didn’t even get to watch the Diamond S horse race today of all days!」 He asked, thundering angrily.. To which the response was: 「… I-I got engaged. I was married abroad.」 –! 「Eh!?」 I was shocked. 「What? You hadn’t figured that out?」 Aria said to me. 「W-what?」 「Goodness, were you truly unaware?」 Looking back, a similar exchange was occurring between my grandfather and grandmother. Running a hand through her black, bobbed hair, Patra shifted nervously to stand close beside my Nii-san… and once more, tears of joy welled up in my grandfather’s eyes. 「Kinichi. You… In addition to being alive, suddenly appear with a beautiful bride…! And I came here in this old, worn-out jacket, today of all days!」 With a smiling face, he thundered angrily again. ***************************************************************** Creamy pea soup, and baked fish in herb oil, and fried rice in macaroni– Patra’s Egyptian cuisine was well received by everyone, and since it was the first time I had eaten it, it was new and exciting. Grandfather seemed especially taken with the date liquor, and in a good mood he set himself to drink it… I liked it somewhat myself. After eating, my grandparents called a driving service and left… Aria and Patra were washing up–I said to my Nii-san:「Let’s talk for a bit.」and led him on to the balcony. There were a lot of things that I wanted to talk about. My Nii-san and I, siblings that hadn’t seen each other for a long time, put on our coats and headed out to be alone on the balcony. 「….Congratulations on your marriage. I’m sure she’ll make you happy.」 「Thanks. Ever since I.U. we’ve been together on and off.」 A little embarrassed, he let his masque slip a bit. Last summer in Daiba must have been a bit of a lover’s quarrel. Between Nii-san and Patra. 「The Daiba Pyramidion sun boat– Do you remember that, Nii-san?」 I asked probing, skirting the topic of Kana, but my Nii-san nodded his head calmly. 「Back then you said『Hidan no Aria』– I finally understand what you meant. Well, G-3 taught me a lot about it.」 「… I also learned of Sherlock’s『A Study in Scarlet』. Using the Hidan no Aria but stopping the take-over of the heart by the Blazing Scarlet Goddess via Hihiirokane– and allowing Aria to use the power of the hidan freely.」 My Nii-san– Deeming me a fellow Butei, he gave me a brief biographical sketch. 「The『Hidan no Aria』is a hyper-stealth power far surpassing the traditional powers of stealth with the ability to change the world. The one unlocking that power could defeat anyone, gain immortality, transcend time and space, as well as raise the dead. Sherlock Holmes was only able to partially do so. That man was able to gain immortality without the Hihiirokane taking over his heart.」 My Nii-san’s words added to what my Hysteria Mode had already surmised. 「Hong Kong’s Son in a different matter. The Nyoibou and Somersault Cloud are but a few of the powers of Hihiirokane, as Son’s heart is but half taken over. She became a Blazing Scarlet Goddess due to someone else’s meddling, so as you say, her powers are incomplete.」 Nii-san showed that he knew about Son with a nod– 「Whenever a god appears, there will always be someone who tries to control it. Rampan used Patra’s Key to force the compatibility between her heart and the Hihiirokane so that she would be overcome by the Blazing Scarlet Goddess. However, it’s ability to restore her original mind was flawed.」 「Shirayuki’s Irokaneayame was another tool to control the Hihiirokane, wasn’t it?」 「Correct. It has the power to render Hihiirokane completely inert, like a nuclear control rod. The cursed bullet that Patra shot at Aria in Daiba was gilt in metal taken from Irokaneayame. Back then, Aria was not only cursed into a state of suspended animation, but it also halted the action of her irokane.」 「But… It started working again. The technique Aria used after waking up on the Annabelle was one of the Blazing Scarlet Goddess’, wasn’t it? She blasted the top of the pyramid on top of Patra’s ship away, sending it into the past… That doesn’t seem like something any ordinary stealth user could do. On top of the Kagataka Family’s mansion… Well, when they used Patra’s key to summon the Blazing Scarlet Goddess, her『awakened』form looked a lot like Aria back then.」 「Correct. Back then– When you touched Aria, you stirred the Blazing Scarlet Goddess greatly. It even temporarily overcame the power of Irokaneayame and the karagane.」 「 I did…?」 I tried to fathom the meaning of these words. Much about the『Hidan no Aria』had been clarified, but there were still some points I didn’t fully comprehend. 「Do I need to explain the kiss of a prince awakening a princess?」 My Nii-san said with a snort and a cool expression– 「Stop messing about. Honestly…. It might go against Article 6, and it’s embarrassing to ask, but… please just tell me. I’ve thought about this in Hysteria Mode, but I haven’t been able to make heads or tails of this point. What do I have to do with Aria being taken over by the Blazing Scarlet Goddess?」 「…Youth.」 In response to my plea, he only gave me a slight smile. There is something in Aria’s and my relationship that affects Hihiirokane, but… everyone involved with it is so cryptic. Even Sherlock said:『For the sake of your future relationship, I will omit the details』. Tamamo said something similar, and seemed to be holding something back. 「…How is Shirayuki?」 Ultimately, he didn’t tell me anything, but asked this suddenly– 「Huh? Oh, she went home to the Hotogi shrine to visit her family.」 I replied, and Nii-san’s eyebrows furrowed slightly. Then, although there wasn’t anyone else on the balcony with us, he continued in a whisper. 「I’ll answer half of your question. We are fated to be caught up with Hihiirokane because of our connection to the Hotogi mikos. In ancient times, the Hotogi researched the control of Hihiirokane. You are likely aware, but the one in ancient China who oversaw the operation that transformed Kou into Son was a Hotogi miko. The Himiko recorded in history textbooks was able to wield a great amount of the power of irokane. 13 」 「The Hotogi…」 「3 years ago, the same『premonition』– regarding the future came to several Hotogi miko. 『To save their mother from a crisis, someone compatible with Hihiirokane and who may bring about a great calamity will come to Japan』. With frequent divinations, the Hotogi miko were able to determine with high accuracy that the compatible one would appear in Tokyo Butei High.」 「…!」 「The Hotogi predicted Aria’s arrival. I cannot say much, but the Hotogi Shrine is closely allied to the Imperial Household. Using the influence of the government agency, they were able to effect the dispatch of a Hotogi miko to monitor the situation via a seemingly legitimate entrance to Butei High. That person was Shirayuki. The eldest daughter of the Hotogi would not ordinarily take on such a dangerous role without proper training– but she was worried for her sisters, and so volunteered herself.」 The Hotogi’s protected miko, the『caged bird』that was Shirayuki… Was that why she came to Tokyo unlike the other Hotogi miko? 「Although they had their suspicions that Aria was that compatible person, I believe it took a while to confirm. In any case, with the Tohayam Family’s role as the guardians of the Hotogi Shrine–when you reunited with Shirayuki, there was no way that you were not fated to become involved with Aria.」 Fate– My Nii-san is a fatalist, but I do feel as if what he says is correct. 「Concerning the『Hidan no Aria』– that is all I know.」 「Thanks… It’s plenty. You’ve helped.」 「Now then, Kinji. I have something to say about myself. I’m going to start easing into retirement. The chief warrior of the Tohyama Family– from now on, that’s you.」 「Retirement…?」 「The Tohyama Family’s HSS is triggered by sexual excitation, and the alteration of personality comes with the strengthened nerve function. It’s only my personal theory, but I believe that love is inseparable from sex.」 Love… sex… My flight instincts began to kick in, but I couldn’t because I wanted to hear about my Nii-san’s retirement. 「In what are called loved-based marriages, the couple’s emotions will eventually go beyond love. In the beginning, the taste of love is sweet like nectar, then it becomes bitter like lemonade, sooner or later, like water, fundamentally changing its essence. Love is something cool and calm, unlike what triggers Hysteria Mode.」 Lemonade… It’s incredible that he’s able to say something like that with a straight face. 「Marriage is a milestone of retirement for Hysteria Mode. As a man, I have scruples about being aroused by many different women. I’ve devised a way to stimulate myself at will, but that is a bit of a grey zone.」 「Power… That’s what it’s about, isn’t it? So you’ve decided on Patra.」 「That isn’t all of it. As a man gains more experience in life, his power to become aroused weakens. Aging is another factor that inhibits arousal. That is to say, with each passing year, we become weaker.」 My Nii-san said this with a smiling face, but his message was grave. Arousal was arousal. However… his theory was not one without some intuitive sense. Kissing scenes in a movie that would set me off in a panic a short while ago, I can now calmly fast forward. Marriage would probably be the peak at which our strength as warriors would begin to decline. My Nii-san said:『ease into retirement』due to his decline in sexual excitement– Whether I like it or not, sooner or later, it will happen to me as well. 「I understand. But Nii-san, don’t just give up. Grandfather and Father must have been able to find some way, and G-3 uses art and music.」 Responding with a forced smile, Nii-san laughed in reply– Then, without a word, he went back inside. Left alone on the balcony, I considered my Nii-san’s words… *Crunch!* Dead leaves crunched. There was just under 1 meter of space below the balcony. 「…?」 Absorbed in our previous conversation, neither I nor my Nii-san had noticed, but there must have been some kind of stray cat. That thought in mind, I leaned my body out over the balcony to look– —! Strawberry blonde twin-tails — that’s what I saw. 「…A-Aria…!?」 Startled by my voice, the figure I suddenly darted out from under the balcony. Running out into the darkness of the garden, I saw their back… and my blood froze. It was Aria. Aria heard us. What we had been talking about. …! Aria had dropped the contents of her pochette in the garden. After washing up, she must have gone to collect them. Added to the fact that she ran… this is bad…! Now Aria has found out my secret! …About Hysteria Mode! *************************************************************** Without a moment’s delay, I leapt of the balcony into the condominium’s garden–in pursuit of Aria. What am I going to do? What should I do? Aria knows. The quirk that my Hysteria Mode is triggered before a fight by sexual arousal. And how many times did it happen because of Aria…! With nothing but confusion in my head, my whole body was covered in an unpleasant sweat. My vision of the world warped. I felt sick. 「…!」 A bit of snow had fallen a little while ago, and some still remained in this shaded courtyard– The footsteps left by Aria’s escape were easily seen. Nii-san’s condominium was next to the Nogi Shrine… And they led onto its grounds. To the Chouzuya. To the far side of the large stone basin collecting water for visitors to cleanse their hands and mouths. Hidden alongside the basin was Aria. Aria…! Out of breath and having caught up, I saw her face look up at me from the other side of the water basin– Her eyes meeting mine. They said:『…I’m embarrassed…!』 Her usually brave expression… was flushed red and becoming redder and redder in even more embarrassing than usual. Ah, what should I do? What should I say? I didn’t even know. 「…What are you doing over there?」 Pale-faced, I couldn’t do anything but ask this naive question. 「…I remembered. Inside the vaulting box.」 That… It was the first time I entered Hysteria Mode due to Aria, wasn’t it? Riko’s self-driven UZIs had chased us there, and I had been saved by Aria– I had indecently touched Aria’s breasts and gone into Hysteria Mode. Immediately afterwards, I shot bullets down the muzzles of the UZIs. What’s more, I had done it 7 times in full-auto. Seeing that superhuman technique, Aria supposed that there was『some kind of power』laying dormant in my body… And after a long time of searching, she chose me to be her partner. Up until now, she had never imagined that the power was triggered by sexual arousal. 「…」 After the two of us remained quiet for a moment… I took the ladle from the stone basin and washed my hands and mouth with a bit of water. However, I didn’t imagine that I could purify myself with such an act. 「…」 Finally, Aria stood and did the same. As you would expect of a noble, her manners are impeccable upon visiting a shrine. With the basin between us, she hung her head in disappointment, then… I raised mine once more. 「…Should we go?」 「…Y-yeah.」 Even if we couldn’t exchange glances, we could exchange words. And embarrassed by even that… We walked through the shrine together at night. But it was uneasy. 「…All things considered, you’re a pervert. Over such a childish figure like mine…」 Augh… She heard everything. I had already prepared myself for this, but the reality of the situation being thrust upon me caused me to pale once more. But it’s time to respond. There is nothing else to do. 「…Figure had nothing to do with it.」 「Eh! Then why!?」 「Well, it’s because it was y-you.」 「…!」 The two of us were walking side by side, but we didn’t exactly know where we were going. Both of us were looking somewhat downwards… so we couldn’t see each other’s faces. We were still embarrassed. 「You’re cute.」 「…!…」 「Oh, uh, I mean, that’s what everyone says…」 I said this deception, but– I changed my mind No, that’s not it. I had said what I really thought. 「I think so too. Since the first time we met.」 It was cold, but then it wasn’t. When embarrassed, humans begin giving off heat. Aria began radiating heat like an electric heater. In the sparsely lit shrine, the starlight illuminated the path before our feet. It was awfully quiet. 「…Cold?」 「…Yeah.」 「Want to go back?」 「Let’s walk a bit further. Let’s give your brother and Patra some time together.」 Aria said something sensible. Can you share even 1/1000th of the trouble your little brother is in? No… this may be Aria’s way of making time to talk with me. If it weren’t just the two of us, we wouldn’t be able to talk about it. Perhaps trying to escape reality, I thought about what Aria and I might find my Nii-san and Patra doing if we headed back… The instant I thought about it, a strange tension and set of circumstances came to mind. There was no escaping it. My stomach clenched. Leaving Aria now would be no use. It was a fact that I been aroused by her. 「Aria.」 「…」 I stopped myself, and Aria took one more step then looked back at me. Although she had spoken calmly, her eyes told me as much as her mouth did– her heart was actually pounding in her chest in excitement. I saw her tighten and clench her right hand over her chest, seeming want to hold it in. 「How much did you hear?」 「From the point about your brother’s retirement. I was there to pick up what I dropped… I wasn’t meaning to eavesdrop, but…」 So she heard everything about Hysteria Mode then? 「Back at the end of summer vacation– On top of the INFORMA building, I meant to tell you everything about Hysteria Mode. I was interrupted by Reki, and after that I just kept putting it off. It’s not right to so now, but… please let me apologise. I’m sorry.」 In response to my sincerely bowed head…Aria said: 「…I didn’t notice. Never. Maybe my intuition just isn’t that good.」 I took out my hands and turned the backs of them toward her to show I wouldn’t shoot. 「…Are you disgusted?」 「Just a bit surprised.」 Aria raised her head to look at me– Her face said she had accepted it. 「I don’t even know what it’s like for a boy. It isn’t a bad feeling is it?」 In fact, it was an altogether uncharacteristic expression on her face. I don’t think it was a happy one, but… Perhaps realising her face had gone a little slack, she raised a slanted pink eyebrow. 「B-but! I won’t let you do that in order to use it! If it’s an accident, then I’ll let you off with a few bullets.」 「…I would prefer no『bullets』…」 「After this, if you become ‘that’ you, I’ll know you’re thinking about that. If it’s an inappropriate situation, I won’t hold back any bullets!」 You’re going to shoot me either way, aren’t you? 「Please don’t shoot me. This… is a problem for me too.」 I said with a miserable expression on my face. 「S-sorry. You’re right. You probably don’t want to be like this either.」 To face this serious matter, Aria adopted a serious and humble tone. 「So, from here on– Do you want to be partners? Having this condition as a Butei carries more than a little risk.」 「That’s right, Kinji. You’re stupid, have a strange fighting style, a dunce, and to top it all off, you’re a peerless womaniser, aren’t you? You really are a disgusting Butei.」 「Y-you didn’t have to say all of that.」 「–There isn’t anyone in the entire world that could be your partner. That is… except me. So… I have to thank you. I’ll drive you hard.」 In return for what I had said when I left Butei High… I get the feeling that was why she said that. 「You’re my Watson. Even if my Watson is strange… we’re the 21st century Holmes and Watson. I’ve decided, and once decided it cannot change for life. So don’t make such a glum face!」 Aria ordered, taking the role of master and jabbing her finger under my nose. Though small in body, she had a large presence. 「…Can I ask one more thing about that?」 「What?」 「You… Between ‘that’ me and ‘this’ me, which do you like better?」 「I like both. You are you, after all.」 She said, repeating the words I had said in Sugamo. Always repeating back what has been said is something a child does. 「Well then, let’s pinky-swear. Sealing our contract as partners again. Kinji is Aria’s partner, no matter what. Aria is Kinji’s partner, no matter what. Alright?」 Aria stuck her finger out– I was so relieved that I had to turn away to hide the tears of joy that welled up in my eyes. 「Isn’t that a bit childish? Twined fingers are unlucky.」 I said, sniffing my nose… in order to cover up my tears. 「But, well, I can deal with a child. Even though I’m an adult.」 I said, wrapping my pinky around hers. 「I worked with others without you in Europe. But I trust you 100% with my back–Aria. Only you.」 「Me too. I worry when you aren’t here. I trust you 100% with my back–Kinji. Only you.」 Saying that, several seconds passed that felt like an eternity, and our pinky promise ended– Then Aria fished something out of her pochette. 「Now, as a symbol of our partnership, here’s a present.」 In my hand that still floated in the air from the pinky promise, something was crammed. I was handed something in a girlish wrapping that looked like sweets. ******************************************* 「Today is Valentine’s Day. Here are some chocolate momoman. It wasn’t that I stayed up all night to make them. I’m short on sleep for another reason entirely.」 Aria made that non-confession… As an international student, there is no way she knows. This is a violation of Butei High rules. 「…You made this?」 「What’s with the weird face?」 「Oh! Uh, i-it’s not weird. It’s happy! Thanks!」 「Yes, yes. An honest Kinji is the best Kinji.」 Aria looked up at me with a grinning face… I never expected her to give me something. It’s surprising. But eating it is taking my life into my hands. Aria’s cooking is terrible– 「Eat up!」 「…!…」 「What’s with the troubled face? If you don’t eat it, I will.」 –Because I couldn’t endanger the life of my partner… Like a bomb disposal technician, I carefully extracted some of the contents. It really is chocolate momoman…! It did look to be chocolate covered, and it had the shape of a momoman, but it was impossible to say exactly what it was by just looking at it– With a quivering hand, I carried it to my mouth… The outside was smooth, but the inside had a gritty texture… the bean paste inside also contained chocolate. The source of the chocolate seemed to be chocolate bars. From the taste, I think she mixed in aluminium foil when she made it. –Terrible! 「Is it good?」 「Well.. I have to say the taste is so-so.」 I concealed my true thoughts with a contrived response, but apparently that wasn’t good enough– *Grip!* With a smile plastered on her face, Aria grabbed my lower jaw. 「Is it good? By the way, I can crush billiard balls in my hands.」 「It’s delicious! I knew that right away!」 「Why the tears?」 「I’ve never tasted something so delicious in my life, and my life has been lacking all this time…!」 「Ehehe!」 I summoned up this favourite desperate reply, and with a *Whoosh!* Aria released and did not crush my jaw–her face slackening into a dreamy expression. Then, while the thought『I wonder if it’s okay to eat this much aluminium foil?』passed through my head as I ate the chocolate momoman: 「I’m glad. It’s against the school rules, so I thought you wouldn’t accept it. But you did!」 …She knew. About the Butei High ban on Valentine’s Day. 「Next month… I’ll break the rule, so wait another month.」 I said while covering my mouth with my hand–and Aria’s face lit up like a star. Dammit, she’s adorable. She can get away with just about anything. 「…Now, let’s go back soon.」 Thinking my Nii-can’s apartment had to have some kind of gastrointestinal medicine, I subtly urged Aria– 「Yeah. We left without any explanation. Hey, speaking of which, yesterday you spoke English. You had a very strong Southern American accent.」 Aria said as we continued walking across the shrine’s grounds. 「Uh, oh! I learned in Europe.」 Despite using my Hysteria Mode cheat to do so, I answered honestly as we continued along. 「Well, then you can come to England. I’ve been to your parent’s home, so next time you can visit London.」 「You want me to visit the Holmes Family’s home?」 「…Well. You did give me a ring for my birthday.」 Why did she say this now? 「Well… I did get some experience in Europe. Let’s go.」 「Then it’s settled. Hey, I… think I made a good impression at your house.」 「I think so. It was a good act. On the other hand, I made quite the unfavourable impression.」 「Yeah. I was able to fully relax.」 Aria saw me beaten by my Nii-san and my Nii-san beaten by my grandfather, so of course she was the favourite. 「Aria, aren’t you able to relax in your own home?」 「…My home is not very comfortable. I haven’t talked about it, but I– have a younger sister, Minuet. She’s a pure-bred Englishwoman, unlike me.」 I knew that she had a younger sister from the wiretap I had on the communications between Watson and Aria… They must have different mothers. 「Minuet inherited my great-grandfather’s deductive abilities. Even the Queen has sought this prodigy’s counsel… She’s cute, but she has a warped personality.」 From Aria’s words and the complicated expression on her face, I got the sense that she loved her sister but was somewhat envious. 「Because of that, I think that Minuet will be the official heir of the Holmes Family. I won’t be stripped of my noble peerage, but for the rest of my life, the rest of the family will treat me like『I don’t exist』. Sorry, I… don’t like talking about it.」 「It’s fine. It was a secret, after all. Don’t worry about it. I don’t even care.」 To be honest, I didn’t really care about Aria’s position in the Holmes Family. So I was able to answer calmly. 「…Thanks, Kinji. But I don’t think this is something you can understand without seeing it for yourself. So I want you to come to England. I want you to understand. Everything about me…」 Aria said, somewhat unsteadily– Saying something that she couldn’t until now, Aria’s face cleared. Then with a *Tap!* *Tap!* She took a few steps, then came to stand a short ways ahead of me. 「Today was a happy day. I’m happy that I got to meet Kinji’s family. I’m happy that you revealed your secret. I’m happy that you made that promise with me. I’m happy that you ate my chocolates. Today… was the happiest day of my life so far.」 Speaking with her back turned to me, her words were like those from a fairy tale– Having come to a stop with her back toward me, she looked up for a moment into the sky. It was like she was… giving me the time to do something… But, I– Didn’t know what Aria wanted me to do. 「…」 The silence wrapped around us– With a *Whoosh!* a shooting star fell through the Winter’s sky. As if that were some kind of signal, Aria looked at her watch– 「Let’s go back.」 We began walking down the deserted path once more. Aria. I– Because of my condition, I’ve always avoided girls… but honestly… I don’t know what I should do. But. But I regret it. But I will not run. I have to do this for you now…! Unable to control this feeling, I chased after Aria– –Embracing her as soon as I got close. 「Aria.」 「Wait. Let me say something.」 Because of the 28 cm height difference, as I continued to hold her from behind… 「Until now, I’ve used violence, but now I want to change. I want you to believe me.」 …Hanging her head, she continued… 「It’s about you and me.」 Turning around in my arms to face me. 「–I like–」 …No. …It can be…! 「……you, Tohyama.」 This isn’t Aria! Before I knew it, Aria’s eyes were drained of light and glassy like a doll’s– These signs reached a familiar peak intensity. 「–Hahahahahaha! You are surprising! I expected to be awakened in war, but I was awakened in love!」 Until now, it has been Aria. But this was– 「–Blazing Scarlet Goddess…!」 The same soul living within Son–now possessed Aria. After slipping out of my arms, her expression and motions were those of an entirely different person. …She had been possessed. Aria’s heart has been taken over by the Blazing Scarlet Goddess! Why! What should I do…! This happened even though Tamamo said it would likely take longer. With a rustle, Aria shook her head and twin-tails from side to side–No, it was the Blazing Scarlet Goddess–regaining corporeal form again, she looked up into the sky. 「It’s been a while, Tohyama. I had to try several times, but it was hard to overtake this heart without breaking it. You’ve seen Aria blurt out the truth during some of her attacks, right? Those were my failed attempts to ignite the smoulder of love, but now the results of my efforts have manifested.」 With a grin on her face, it was the purest form– of unadulterated evil in that smile. Stop it…! Stop it! Aria doesn’t smile like that…! 「This is good. Good. Love is good. Awakening love summons me to consciousness. Especially when someone loses the one they love… Back on the Annabelle, Aria was entirely convinced that you had died, and that moment of admitted love was the greatest awakening! I must thank you for that, Tohyama!」 The Blazing Scarlet Goddess stood in front of me as I quivered with rage–*Whoosh!* Kicking off the ground with a *Whoomph!* She kicked off into the empty air and flew upwards. Then–she landed in a squatting position on the shrine’s large stone torii. With the new moon behind her, the Blazing Scarlet Goddess wore Aria’s form… 「Hahahaha! This woman’s body is the perfect manifestation of me. Absolutely perfect. Oi, Tohyama, prostrate yourself and worship. I can use aaaaall of them now! The Nyoibou, the Koyomi Kagami, and as many others as I like!」 Perhaps to ease her movements, she split Aria’s skirt, and her voice– It was Aria’s anime-like voice, but it was the same speech pattern as that Son had stolen from me. My mind was reeling. Irokane is like nuclear fuel for magic. The Blazing Scarlet Goddess’ declaration was that she had an inexhaustible stock of magical techniques at her disposal. 「Ah! It seems that I have to explain it to you carefully because you’re an idiot. Aria likes you. She wants you.」 In this way… That is not how I wanted to hear it. It was the Blazing Scarlet Goddess who had said it. It wasn’t Aria. 「Hihiirokane is one for everything. It is also everything in one. That being the case, this is my ideal…!」 Calling that out, all around her– The branches on the trees reaching out on both sides of the torii rustled. With a *Crack!* *Crack!* the branches and leaves burst without anything touching them. With a *Whipsh!*, Aria’s tattered skirt fluttered As if in zero-G space, the gravel within the torii beneath her began to rattle. Then it began to float. It all started with a slight earthquake. The Goddess’ body filling with fighting power, even the stars began to waver in my sight. 「Let’s start! The war! Love and War– Love is the flipside of War. This world is dull and uninteresting. Dullness is evil. War destroys this evil in a divine feat of justice. You are an ally of justice, Tohyama. Follow me. Awakened, I will spread War throughout the world–! I am very good at starting wars. In terms of diplomacy, let’s make it Japan against the world. If I start killing all the weak humans like the The War of the Three Kingdoms China, the Sengoku Period of Japan, and the Dark Ages of Europe– I will gather all the superhumans from around the world. Then you and I will fight all of those bright stars of superhumans! They will burn! It will be fun! We will open wind-holes of War in the dull world! Hahahahahaha!」 A scarlet aura gathering around her, the Blazing Scarlet Goddess bared Aria’s canines in her laughter– Her pink twintails spread out wide on both sides of her. They looked like wings. The overall figure was non-humanoid. I thought back to when Son had done it, and it was awfully beautiful. Gods bear that name for a reason. Facing that I– –*Ka-thump!*– I felt the gradual rush of blood to my core. I was transforming. Into another person. 「–It’s normal for girls to have different expressions.」 I started in Hysteria Mode– looking up into the Blazing Scarlet Goddess’ face. 「I don’t think that will happen. The way you treat war is outrageous. On top of that– there has been some misunderstanding. I am not an ally of justice.」 「Oh, then whose ally are you?」 Right now… It is unusually clear. My position, that is. 「Aria’s.」 It was familiar. The form of Hysteria Mode, that is– Aria– The Blazing Scarlet Goddess has stolen her away, so it was Hysteria Berserk. Then because Aria had been stolen away yet again, I entered Hysteria Regalamento– Hysteria King Mode. Hybridising them. Making it stronger. The blood flow. If that’s a god, then I am a king. God versus King– It will not be enough for this opponent. The Blazing Scarlet Goddess. 「Give Aria back!」 Then– In the evening air, I stood up to face her. Go For The Next!!! [END] Atogaki:(Afterword) Hello! I cut my hair but no one in my family noticed! It’s Akamatsu! In the 17th volume quite a lot has happened to Kinji– In the course of the story, Kinji has used all kinds of techniques like『Zetsurou』,『Clear Fall Water』,『Kotou』, and『Hidden Forest』that were passed down through the Tohyama Family. However, the techniques used by Kinishi and Kinji are not the same, and Clear Fall Water was not taught to him by his father because the transmission of techniques to members of subsequent generations is somewhat irregular. The reason for this is that the Tohyama Family has imposed a limit such that parents may only pass down a maximum of 100 techniques to their children. For his part, Kinji is an inventor and collector of incredible techniques, so if he exceeds 100 techniques– in that case, he would have to seal or discard the excess when passing them on to the next generation. What’s more, Kinji’s father only taught about half of his 100 techniques to Kinichi and Kinji, respectively. This method of passing down techniques is a regressive Tohyama Family practice… It is meant to curb those with the peculiar condition of Hysteria Mode from becoming altogether too strong. This ensures a diversity and disparity of skills between each member of each generation, such that in the case of any one of them turning to evil, they would be able to be subjugated by an technique unknown to them. Kinji himself is disgusted by this, but his family adheres to the principles of an ally of justice– In accordance with that philosophy, the mandate that blood must stand ready to purge blood has been handed down. I don’t know what else to write about it, but it’s scary! Now then, changing topics– In this journey『Hidan no Aria』has reached a total sales number of 5 million copies! The comic and anime adaptations『Hidan no Aria AA』and『Hidan no Aria-chan』spin-offs have been made, translated, and reached several places in Asia, including Taiwan, Thailand, South Korea, and China. Countless figurines have been made and sold, and the game『Super Heroine Chronicle』has been released in gaming machines… When I first started writing the story, I could never have imagined how far Aria would reach into the world. I wonder how much further we can go! The previous volume’s wrap-around band teased a『 New Project 』…! All this has been thanks to the everyone in the editorial staff and above all to the reader. I want to bring this volume to an end with a sincere thanks from the bottom of my heart. Thank-you very much. Next time– There will be a flash of dazzling light like the sun when Kinji and Yen meet. A certain day in April, 2014 Akamatsu Chuugaku ILLUS NOTES: Well, it’s been a while since I had to draw so much of Aria, and it was great! It was also fun to draw characters we haven’t seen in a while! See you in the next volume! ********************************* 1. Ishin-denshin 2. Original expression is ‘lamp post in the daytime’ to refer to a slow-witted person. This is a pun. 3. This is the ‘ball’ from the ancient Japanese courtier game that Tamamo sometimes transforms into. 4. Momotaro is a Japanese folk tale adventure often translated ‘Peach Boy’. Peaches are pink-ish. 5. Pheasant in Japanese is ‘kiji’ 6. Literally *pot’. Oni in Japanese folklore have descriptive names like that. ‘Sloth’, ‘Drunkard’, ‘Coward’, and so on are also common and indicative of character traits. 7. Shinden 8. Ojou-sama in the original. Thought, I’d try a new way of TLing it. Basically means a well-to-do and proper lady, usually with some money. Expected to be polite and graceful. Like a proper ‘lady’ but specifically young. 9. Popular comic strip character. Apparently lives in a classical Japanese house. 10. Ghibli reference to Laputa: Castle in the Sky. 11. Apparently a ‘closet’ is a tall, shallow storage space primarily for clothes and ‘storage closet’ is a deeper storage space with shelves meant for storing other objects, especially larger ones. 12. Famous Venue and Meeting Hall in Roppongi LINK 13. This ‘Himiko’ is not the same ‘Hi-‘ prefix to miko as Hihiirokane that is used to refer to Shirayuki. This is a reference to an obscure, legendary shaman queen in ancient Japanese history. ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ## 15. Volume 18 - Military Rule of the Star-Spangled Banner -Trans-Am- ### 001. Bullet 1: Scarlet Goddess ― Heroine-jacking Hello all! Another day, another volume! Here’s the explosive start to Volume 18! Hidan no Aria Volume 18: Star-Spangled Martial Law ―― Trans-Am Chapter 1: Scarlet Goddess ― Heroine-jacking [START TEXT] 「–At this moment, we stand at a turning point of Fate.」 It was Aria’s face– But it was the Blazing Scarlet Goddess, not Aria, who said it. 「And you are witness to it, Tohyama.」 The anime-like voice resounded from atop the Nogi Shrine’s torii. As for known techniques at her disposal… she has an insta-kill laser and Imaginary Jump 1 . She could also use the Hiten Hyoumen to transport matter through space and time. Added to that, her body is Aria’s That means that if we were to fight– I would have to defeat her without hurting her. Even if I could do that, the Scarlet Goddess’ real body, who is controlling Aria remotely is still unhurt. The defensive power of this paranormal enemy transcends all other defensive strategies– Thinking back, it all started with a bicycle-jacking, then a tanker jacking… But I never imagined there would be an Aria-jacking…! To face this threat, I had nothing but a gun and a knife. The Scarlet Goddess’ fighting spirit reached up into the sky, causing all of the trees and the ground to tremble– A dully glinting rhinoceros beetle shot off like an arrow into the winter sky. I was reminded of the night where I was attacked by Bewitching Blade, saw a mouse run away, and wanted to escape myself–but in Hysteria King Mode, I just barely managed to hold my ground. 「Ever since Hong Kong, I’ve been idle. We’re free tonight, so let’s stretch our wings a bit.」 While a savage smile was on her face, the scarlet aura around the hijacked Aria–twined itself around her twin-tails with a *Whoosh!*. They spread out wide. Their lifting power causing her to float lightly above the torii. The power of flight– I remember Aria using it to escape from falling from the ICBM after the battle at I.U. …? This raised a question in my mind. The fact was that both Aria and Kou were only able to use a part of irokane’s power consciously. There is only one other girl who can do that. Riko. According to Sherlock, Riko’s rosary contains a different alloy of irokane than hihiirokane. But despite retaining constant ownership, she never displayed any ill-effects or signs of possession. In theory, as a hyper-Stealth existence– Riko is closer to the ideal of the『Hidan no Aria』. It’s effect is all but unnoticeable, but Riko has mastered irokane . How did that occur? Even with Hysteria Mode, I was not able to deduce an answer– INQUESTA says that if there is any doubt remaining, there are any number of ways for you to fail. In this case, it seems like a maze with no escape. It seems like a perfectly locked room, but there is a slight breeze. There is a hole somewhere. In this battle– I have to find that hole. Let’s go! 「Tohyama. I want to use you in battle. So killing you would be bad. I know that. I know that, but I want to fight. You might last a few minutes, or a few seconds, but you would put up a fierce fight. You– when I think about the pleasure of a『real battle』, I can’t hold myself back.」 And there’s another thing. This enemy has no recourse. Drawing out a theory from observation, the Blazing Scarlet Goddess is governed by emotion. She constantly pursues the gratification of Love and War, disliking boredom. Even with transcendent ability, the spirit is human-like. Added to that, the power ebbs and flows. After possessing someone, in particular, after a period of『idleness』, she is not at full power. –Despite bearing the name of a goddess, she is not a flawless being. It looks like I am going to have to fight a super-powered ESPer. It’s not my exact specialty, but I have fought and arrested a number of ESPers in the recent past. –I’ll do that. This night will be the same too. Making the impossible; possible, as Enable. 「So, Tohyama. for just a little while… let me flirt with danger. I’m at my limit, but I will hold back my full power.」 「You don’t have to hold back. As Riko said, self-denial is bad for the body. Just don’t do anything to hurt Aria.」 I don’t know how I am going to fight, but I will figure it out as we fight. It will be the same as always. Seizing the opportunity to pre-emptively seize the initiative with an invisible flash bullet– I moved in a split second. 「Kinji–」 The Scarlet Goddess always called me ‘Tohyama’, but she used my name. It was Aria’s voice. Aria was calling out to me. 「–I love you.」 …! I knew it was the Scarlet Goddess was impersonating Aria, but even so– My Hysteria Mode was rattled, causing my Invisible Bullet to miss. The flash bullet was deflected slightly and exploded behind her. White fireworks illuminated the space behind the Scarlet Goddess. 「–Haha! Hahahaha! Love blossoms like a flower–!」 The possessed Aria stepped forward into the air in front of the torii. Her small body flew, no, skipped through the air. With a *Crack!* Cr-crack!* there was a slight flash of rainbow coloured light beneath her feet. Stepping out with her pumps, it was like some kind of invisible, cube-shaped stepping stones were materialising. The Scarlet Goddess descended with a bounding motion as her haor-wings swayed– –My heart was captivated and she was beautiful . With the refined expression of an actress, and the elegance and grace of a dancer. She performed those movements with Aria’s lovely figure. Back when Son crossed the sea of girls by stepping on their hands like lily pads in Hong Kong, her glamorous actions captivated me. But this time, the Scarlet Goddess is doing it with her own power. 『The Gods dwell in beauty and splendour』my Nii-san said a long time ago… Possessing a beautiful girl, the Scarlet Goddess flaunted the glamour of a beauty that resides only in gods. As if held back from moving, I watched her descend through the light shining behind her– Overcome by this impossible sight, I couldn’t move. I boasted Hysteria King Mode, but a king is a human, after all. Before a god, they are all merely human. I have fully realised that. I have witnessed it for myself. –*Bang!*– The sound of a gunshot snapped me back to reality from my reverie. With a *Crack!*, silver light sparked beneath the possessed Aria’s feet, causing a slight loss of balance. 「…!?」 The report was that of a .45 Long Colt bullet. The gun was a Colt SAA– A Peacemaker– 「John chapter 1, verse 51… Ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.」 …Kana…! 「–It seems that Holy bullets are effective. Now, then Scarlet Goddess-san. This is a place where gods are worshipped. I wonder if one more is just too many?」 Kana rushed over without a delay, wearing a casual vertically striped jumper and jeans– ascending the stone steps leading up the back of the torii that the Scarlet Goddess had descended. On an ivory-white leather gun belt strapped diagonally across her waist, rows of silver-tipped bullets glinted. As she pitched forward to catch her balance on another invisible cube–another original Invisible Bullet rang out with a *Bang!*. 「Wah!」 The Goddess was forced to fly down and landed a short distance from me. 「Nii-s… Kana, you came.」 Standing 2m to my left Kana–my Nii-san in Hysteria Mode had come to save me, but… My Nii-san’s transformation takes some time. He braided his long hair and changed clothes, among other things, and it had to be before Aria transformed into the Scarlet Goddess. That means that my Nii-san had already become Kana. Why? 「–It has been a while since last we met upon the sea, Scarlet Goddess. The woman who intrudes upon mine own amusement.」 In addition, Patra also appeared there. My Nii-san’s fiancee. A descendant of one of the Three Most Beautiful Women in the World: Cleopatra, she is a beautiful woman in her own right… She made a disproportionately sullen expression. All of a sudden, it hit me that my Nii-san had probably asked her to come and became Kana at some point. It seems that they were playing some kind of adult game I don’t fully understand, but, in any case, thanks to that, I’ve been saved. The rhinoceros beetle that escaped the earlier rustling of the trees was probably hers– and the scarab-like beetle came to a complete rest atop her ring. Her familiar likely informed her of what was happening. 「–Kinji. I will use all my power. Please retreat.」 Taking a step forward to take nominal control over the situation–the quick-draw gunman, Kana, said adding another beautiful face besides Aria’s and Patra’s. 「I cannot. There is another issue entirely at play. I absolutely cannot leave.」 「I wonder, Kinji… is this your rebellious phase?」 With a slightly puzzled expression, Kana said this, tilting her head like a small bird. There was no tension in the motion. 「It’s nothing like rebellion. You might have… seen me just a bit overwhelmed just now, but I can fight. I’ve gained half your strength in the last year.」 That being the case– Kana had tried to kill Aria once before. This time, she might want to end the situation by killing her. Just like Tamamo. 「…I understand, Kinji. But the Scarlet Goddess is a lot for you to deal with. I will not kill her. Instead, please get her within 177.7 cm of my centre of gravity. Do not worry about what it is that you are worrying over. I am a Butei, after all.」 Seeming to see through my intentions entirely, Kana promised not to kill her– 「…Understood.」 –I will trust her for that. Well, she appears to be an older sister–but is actually an older brother–,and an older brother is an older brother after all. He has decided to trust his younger brother. Trusting me, my Nii-san allowed me to join the battle line, and trusting him, we began to formulate a battle plan. 「However, Kinji, you can’t fight bare-handed. Why haven’t you drawn your gun? Guns are the pinnacle of man-made melee weapons. The Tohyama are also uniquely gifted to use them to their full advantage, aren’t we?」 「Well, G-3 said the opposite a while ago.」 Kana urged me to draw my gun… but I was afraid that the Scarlet Goddess might say something strange while impersonating Aria and make me misfire again. However, I refused. 「Then we’ll meet in the middle. I’ll leave protecting my front to you.」 Saying that– Kana shook her long brown braid– Several pieces of blue metal, dark as midnight, fell from it. In shape, it consisted of 25 pieces arranged like an accordion blade 2 up to its tip– like the tail of a scorpion. A chromium alloy that Kana uses when serious. –*Whipsh!*– With a flourish, Kana took up a low guard position. In a movement almost too quick for the eye to follow, a milk crown 3 made of sand with Kana at the centre was stirred up. With a radius extending 1.777 metres, this『ring』, more accurately termed a『sphere』is Kana’s killing range. It enjoys a reach much greater than my knife and can attack from any angle. With the scythe able to be used as a baton, Kana’s attacking range is almost perfectly globular. Unlike a sword which attempts to cut the enemy in a planar attack range, everything that enters the sphere of influence is either『caught by the balded edge』or『sent flying by the back side』– this weapon, Scorpio, integrates both offense and defence. That must mean–Kana is challenging the Scarlet Goddess to close-quarters combat. That is a bit of a surprising choice. But even now, my Nii-san… is making a very casual suggestion that I use my butterfly knife. As a general rule, I have inferred that my knife is not an ordinary bladed implement. I recall it had a supernatural reaction on the Annabelle and Rampan Castle, and it is not unlikely to be related to irokane. How exactly it works is unclear, but it seem to be part of Kana’s strategy. This knife fight. (In any case, against the Scarlet Goddess, guns, blades, and bare hands are not likely to make a large difference.) With a metallic ring, I drew my knife into my hand– This is the first time since the time on the armoured deck of I.U. that the Tohyama brothers… or is it siblings, stood together? 「Two Tohyama warriors? It is an impressive sight. But what will you do? You can’t kill my body.」 Looking back at us, the Scarlet Goddess struck Aria’s flat chest with both hands in a sneer. 「True. But we could cut off one or two limbs. We are merely human, so we might be『a bit overzealous』. I have a technique that is a bit–radical.」 Grinning while giving that response, Kana spoke ominously of some offensive technique. 「What’s more, Scarlet Goddess-san. When I am fighting for Kinji… I am not gentle.」 *Nudge!*… Holding Scorpio in a low guard, Kana– Closed the distance by a centimetre while speaking. I understood that the power of Hysteria Mode had pervaded her entire body. But unlike the power that burns like fire in me, it was rising like the tide. Her posture was relaxed, but from her hard expression you would not mistake the fact that she stood on a battlefield…but you can see that her powers of concentration were rising with every moment. Her face– it was so beautiful that it seemed everything around her had gone still. Her style as well was far and away better than any woman on Earth. Despite being made-up and not actually a woman, she was unreasonably beautiful–and it seemed that the Scarlet Goddess was losing ground in the domination of the atmosphere. The Gods dwell in beauty. This is a personification of that statement, and she is not inferior to a god. –Now then, about Aria– She’s been entirely possessed now, but I’ve been fighting the Scarlet Goddess ever since I.U. By a curious set of coincidences, all the players here are well-known to me. Only the deceased Sherlock and Shirayuki are absent… 「I will bring the Scarlet Goddess in. Within 177.7 cm, Kana.」 「Please.」 177.7 cm– that is, within the range of Scorpio. It means that before urging me to fight with knives, Kana already had a plan to take down the Scarlet Goddess with her scythe. She plans to apply her scythe to Aria’s neck like a shinigami, taking the body hostage, is that it? 「–Oi, Scarlet Goddess! I’ve changed my mind a bit on something. Aria is always bullying me. And if I defend myself, it gets 100 times worse. But right now, Aria isn’t herself, so I’ll repay it tit-for-tat. But I won’t kill you…!」 With a final bluff *Whoosh!*– I rushed forward and to the right. At exactly the same instant, Kana ran forward and to the left, while Patra remained behind, completely surrounding the Scarlet Goddess. –My responsibility was offense. In an instant, Kana and I reached a position for a pincer attack on the Scarlet Goddess, then we pivoted and drew the guns we had said that we wouldn’t use and closed in on our enemy. In response, the possessed Aria– 「Oh, how exciting ! This is just what I wanted!」 Voicing genuine pleasure, she blew us a kiss. I raised my gun, intending to shoot the space beneath her feet like Nii-san had if she retreated– I pointed it at the slightly distorted cube of space behind her that was about 30 cm on a side. The cube cast no shadow beneath it, but inside of it there was another dark cube. I understand it intuitively. That interior darkness is a shadow. A solid shadow. It defies common sense, but that cube’s shadow is solid . I had a bad feeling… but a case of nerves never killed even a mouse. Wondering what it was– I drew closer to the strange cube, kicking off to reach the Scarlet Goddess. 「Do not touch it, Kinji Tooyama! That is a tetradimension cube and a trap to annihilate anything that damages it.」 Patra warned, and I leapt over it just in time. As I passed by it, I fired a 9mm bullet… and a smaller, black bullet–no, a solid shadow of a bullet appeared within it. *Clap!* *Clap!* *Clap!* The Scarlet Goddess clapped her hands and more of the impossible shapes appeared around her. They appeared on Kana’s side, one after another. 4, 8, then 16, the cubes filled up the space, there apparently being no limit to her supply. They are probably something that Aria shouldn’t touch accidentally. 「Haha! Good, Tohyama! Just like back on I,U,– this is an Aru=kata battle. Guns are Aria’s trademark, after all.」 Gliding past those annoying cubes, she finally closed distance with me– From her torn skirt, the possessed Aria drew both her guns. Then, in the next moment, the arrangement of cubes shifted with a *Poof!* They surrounded Aria and I like a fighting ring. I was bewildered by the manoeuvre that ignored traditional notions of distance and movement, but I couldn’t freeze. They are like landmines floating in the sky. 「Now then, shoot! Keep shooting, Tohyama!」 *Bang!* *Bang!* *Ba-Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* Like that other day, Aria and my arms interlaced, and our Beretta and Governments began a point-blank exchange of fire. 「–Uoooooo!」 Using my guns to pin her down, I tried to push her toward Kana who would use a blade on Aria’s body. Trying to use it on Aria’s hair clips covering her horn and trying to sever them. She was using her twin-tails to fly, and I tried desperately to push her within 177.7 cm radius. As the fight progressed, I began to lose room to move gradually. …? There was something strange about the Scarlet Goddess’ shooting, as the close-quarters fight progressed. Her blood-lust was affected, and she shot her bullets at widely scattered targets. All about us, the cubes continued teleporting like some kind of strange art. The cubes began collecting and storing the stray bullets inside like watermelon seeds. Why are they doing that? As soon as I noticed that: 「Now then, Tohyama, what if I do this?」 –*Po-po-po-po-poof!* All of the cubes simultaneously changed position, then all the bullets from the very first one I fired rushed toward me from all directions. In spite of being trapped and held still, they seem to have retained their kinetic energy. Some of the bullets passed close to Aria, but none of them struck her– 「–!」 The Beretta Kinji Model was converted for fully automatic firing, and I used all of my remaining bullets to meet them with Cannon. But for those I couldn’t intercept, I needed to dodge. The enemy barrage was thinner in Kana’s direction. Without any indication as to how the cubes were teleporting, I high-jumped through the air and a hail of bullets to tumble next to Kana. 「…!」 But that was a failure. In more than one way. Firstly, even with Hysteria King Mode– I was unable to manoeuvre the Scarlet Goddess within Kana’s range. Then there was our position. Right now, we are no longer in position for a pincer attack, but the Scarlet Goddess, me, and Kana are all arranged in a straight line . The Scarlet Goddess saw that, and I began to worry– 「Right then, let’s wrap this up, shall we?」 Using both of Aria’s hands, she raised them to『properly distance』 4 . Then she turned toward us. This is… a laser …! It was an angle and distance ranging posture. Supporting my theory, the pupil of Aria’s eye began to glow scarlet red. –It’s coming…! She wants to take out me and Kana in one shot. She has captured both of us again, while only taking it half seriously. We probably won’t survive if she hits us in the abdomen. A cold sweat crept down my neck, and with a *Swish!* of air, the back of the sickle was hurriedly pressed against it– for some other reason that you would think, pulling me back. In my place, Kana stood in front of me. 「Kana…!」 Her expression betrayed no small sense of worry, and she held the scythe directly in front of her body, aligned with Aria’s right eye. Seeing that position– I knew that she had the same idea I did and wanted to do the same thing I had done with the scramasax to counter the laser. However– there is no guarantee that Aria’s laser shares the same qualities as Son’s. What’s more, as a mitigating factor, part of the scythe’s interior is hollow. It’s dangerous…! 「Haha! Kana, you are a beautiful woman. Regardless of man or woman, I will take the entire world captive by Love. So… now as a symbol of my Love–I will engrave it upon your face!」 With a sneer on her face, the light in the possessed Aria’s right eye intensified. The light was brighter than Son’s. It is definitely more powerful than Son’s…! 「Kinji. This might be the last thing I teach you. No matter the enemy, they will always be defenceless at the moment of attack. If you attack then, you can defeat them. Please remember that.」 ….No, Kana! From my recollection of the fight with Son, the light had just about reached the same level, and taking her huge scythe– she drew it across her body. 「I will make up for the loss in Hong Kong here, Tohyama.」 It seems the Scarlet Goddess knows she can shoot through it, and there is no sign of aborting fire. The light grew noticeably stronger–there is no way she can stop firing now. No matter who she shoots at, they will be hit. In the beginning she was aiming at me. I should get out from behind Kana, and she can shoot only me. I don’t have anyway to stop the Scarlet Goddess. But Kana might. Kana needs to survive. In tenths of a second, I came to that conclusion and rushed out from behind Kana–positioning myself to protect the major organs in my torso from being shot, imitating G-3’s Organ Through. –*Whoom!*– The scarlet laser cut through the darkness– –Heading straight toward me. As I predicted it would. …! In Hysteria Mode, my vision of the world became ultra slow– I expected to be hit at any moment but wasn’t. The laser beam didn’t travel straight as I thought it would–but rather started to curve. About 3 m ahead of me. It sloped down and to the right, striking the ground. 「…!」 Floating in the space in front of me– there was a『lens』with a 1 m radius. But it was ephemeral. It was likely an ESP construct. On the other side, I saw space warp in a similar but distinct technique from Hiten Hyoumon. After the 0.1 seconds of laser fire ended, my sense of time returned back to normal… 「…Some kind of『Gravity lens』? So that puppet mistress decided to butt in?」 Amidst the hot air created by the laser, the Scarlet Goddess scowled at the one behind Kana and I as we stood bewildered. Patra stood there– Perspiration standing out in the midwinter air, eyebrows furrowed, and with ragged breath, she stood with both hands extended before her. It seems Patra used some kind of ESP technique to protect Kana. However, this technique seems to have taken an order of magnitude greater power than any other technique and exhausted her in one go. 「–I’ll kill this trifling person!」 Like a child who had their game taken away from them– The relative calm that Scarlet Goddess had expressed until now was lost, and small, golden grains of light appeared all around her. I remembered seeing that back in Hong Kong. Kou used Imaginary Jump back during the tanker-jacking…! But Kou seemed to require a considerable amount of concentration, but the possessed Aria seemed to do it off-hand. At the same time, she drew her jet black Government and drew a circle in the air in front of the muzzle of the gun. What is she going to do this time? 「…!」 A small sandstorm blew up the sand in front of the torii and Patra, forming a number of small shields of Amenhotep in floating in the space in front of here. 5, then 10, then more formed to shield her– –*BANG!*– The sound of gunshots completely differing from normal gunshots and seemingly at Mach 3 or 4 rang out–the bullets reaching a speed impossible for .45ACP bullets. It all happened so quickly that neither I nor my Nii-san had time to fire a shot. With a *Papapapapa!*, they impacted the shields, and on the other side there was a *Bam!*– A bullet impacted Patra’s forehead…! 「–!」 Without making a sound, she fell directly in front of Kana who had turned to look– –*Poof!*– Completely ignoring distance, the Scarlet Goddess appeared in front of Kana. She had teleported! In her hands, she held an unsheathed short sword in an underhanded grip. Raising it over head, her intended target was clear–to slice her face from forehead to jaw. 「–Kana!」 In that moment– Kana retreated, seemingly fumbling to strike back. Kana was not paying attention to Patra. She was pretending to in order to draw the Scarlet Goddess in. It worked. In that moment–! 「Uoooo!」 Without a moment’s hesitation, I fired. Angling to shoot the back of Aria’s head. All of my words and the way I have fought to not kill Aria have led up to this moment. I was confident in this. The Scarlet Goddess has also definitely worked to avoid killing me. Because Aria’s body is such an ideal vessel for possession, in the same way she also cannot harm Aria’s body. And so, for that one instant alone, I can dictate with certainty what Aria would do. And my prediction–was right on target. 「–Oh!?!」 Raising a sound of surprise in her anime-like voice, the Scarlet Goddess bent forward and craned her neck around to look. She was already within the 177.7 cm range of Kana who had her large scythe at the ready–The Scarlet Goddess tried to escape, but was hindered from doing so. The next moment– –*Whoom!*– Kana’s Scorpio sliced through the air. No, it was something else. Rather, the rear of the blade lightly grazed Aria with a great amount of force behind it. It transmitted shock to Aria’s head. Taking most of the force, the Scarlet Goddess said: 「O….oh…! Oh!」 Staggering backwards… she fell to sit on the ground with a *Thud!* Her eyes opened wide, and both her legs were spread on the ground. 「…Sorry. I might have been a bit strong. I guess I was a bit angry myself.」 In the background, looking past Kana, the irritating cubes began to fade. 「Th-this is a human body after all, I guess. I-if this were Kou’s body, she would be unable to survive this.」 The Scarlet Goddess… articulated with some difficulty. I had seen countless hand-to-hand combat drills and practice in ASSAULT. A concussive counter-strike to the head affect the ability to stand. 「The accuracy of her deductive powers of Cognis are about 50-50–and even when possessed, she relies on the body’s nervous system.」 「Well, that can’t really can’t be helped.」 The possessed Aria responded–and her eyes rolled back, then there was a *Thump!* and rustle of gravel She sprawled out on the ground. Then all at once, her scarlet aura faded and dissipated. 「…She well shot through the forehead of mine avatar. Reki struck the same place in Daiba. Kinji, thrust your knife toward the Scarlet Goddess. Haste!」 Grumbling that, Patra appeared from behind a large tree… She wore a coat on her shoulders and a tight mini-skirt. As I thought, the Patra that was shot in the forehead was a sand construct… and it was already being dispersed by the wind. Kana knew that as well and pulled off a bluff. 「L-like this…?」 I said, bringing my reddish coloured knife close to Aria’s body as requested by Patra… …It glowed scarlet. 「…Ugh…Oh…. Stop it, i-it hurts, Kinji…ah…hrng…!」 When the light hit the Scarlet Goddess, she pretended to be Aria and writhed in pain. It hurt my heart to do it, but that trick wouldn’t work. As soon as the knife approached the possessed Aria’s heart– 「–Now!」 With a *Snap!*, she raised her upper body and bit down on the blade. Even Patra and Kana were surprised and pried her away from the knife… 「Y-you did well this time. Haha! But you won’t be able to use this again! S-see you later, Kinji… We’ll meet before long…」 Leaving us with those words, the Scarlet Goddess– Now Aria, fainted. Her brilliant scarlet aura faded to nothing… and I caught Aria’s body and held it in front of me as she collapsed… 「Now then… she will hurt an awful lot… but it will be Aria .」 Finally calling her『Aria』, Kana let out a large sigh. *********************************************************** I carried Aria back to my Nii-san’s Nogizaki condominium– One of the first things Patra did was to change Aria’s ripped skirt through whose gaps a trump-patterned article of clothing could be seen. Afterwards, I laid her on the sofa as she slept in REM sleep, muttering「Momoman…」as she tried to eat a cushion. My Hysteria Mode had dissipated now that I knew Aria was herself again. The Scarlet Goddess had run away. She hadn’t been able to predict Kana’s trick before. Despite being called a god–she was a coward. She might be worthy of the battle prowess she claims, but her personality is hardly that of a god. She’s an over-powered but cowardly ESP user. As I watched Aria intently as she lay on the sofa, I heard… 「You held up well, Kinji. In an incredibly difficult situation. I expect as much of my younger brother.」 Kana said, spontaneously, patting and stroking my head. It seems off. To say something like that right after a clash of superhumans. However, it is preferable to my Nii-san, Kinichi, trying to shoot me upon entering his apartment. 「But now that the Scarlet Goddess has awakened… You cannot continue your relationship with Aria.」 Kana then puffed out a sigh– and I hung my head in disbelief. 「You’ve done more than you realise, Kinji. Don’t you see that it would be bad if you stayed with Aria? If you do that, the Scarlet Goddess will appear again.」 「…That wouldn’t happen just because of me…」 I protested, turning red, but Kana ignored it. Kana was talking as if Aria and I had done shameless things together. All things considered, though, we had only risen to the level of receiving chocolates to commemorate our partnership. 「If it’s only about crossing the line of『Love』, we should be fine for the time being. But unless Aria breaks the Butei Charter and kills someone, there is only the slightest stimulus of『War』to please the Scarlet Goddess.」 「But Aria… She might have to fight such a battle, won’t she…?」 「There is no absolute guarantee. I don’t want to restrain Aria herself, and I don’t want to kill her unless she asks:『Kill me』. I don’t know about anyone else, but Butei Law, Article 4 says Butei are self-reliant. Unless I am asked, I don’t want to interfere–but whatever happens, I think Aria should deal with the Scarlet Goddess herself.」 Kana expressed her somewhat risky opinion… However, it’s preferable to Tamamo who declared that she would become an enemy upon the expiration of a time limit. While there are other options available besides killing Aria, I should avoid asking her for help in the future. That being the case– 「…I am unable to restore that blade. Henceforth, it shall function as an ordinary blade.」 Patra said as she examined my butterfly knife on a table, then folded it and returned it to me. 「Kana… what did you give me? I was told that the knife was important… but I’ve always had it.」 I showed the knife to Kana who winced a bit and forced a laugh. 「Ahaha! That thing is a thing given to the Tohyama Family by the Hotogi Shrine a long time ago, a remounted aikuchi 5 irokane-killer. In resonance with hihiirokane, it somewhat reduces it’s power. If it’s small or weak in effect, it can stop its effect entirely. It’s an amulet to prevent Hihihiirokane related disasters. Sherlock wanted it, but until he died– I planned to leave it with you to hide it.」 「I knew it had something to do with irokane… Rather, you wanted me to have it because of its powers as a charm. Because I was going to be involved with irokane related disasters.」 Thinking back, when he gave it to me, I noticed the red plating and thought it was to prevent reflections… Recently, I had begun to doubt that. 「The Hihiirokane presence in the surrounding area is too large. Sherlock, Son, and Aria… they all had a large enough mass that cannot be suppressed without something on the level of Irokaneayame.」 「Irokaneayame– Does Shirayuki’s sword have something to do with this?」 「It is made from the left over material from the creation of Irokaneayame and was forged in a more primitive process. Rather than the unlimited number of uses that Irokaneayame enjoys, with each use, it’s power weakens–In the end, it’s disposable, first-generation irokane jammer. That is to say, in contrast with the artificial irokane of Irokaneayame that is harmless no matter how long you carry it… the irokane-killer has a ti~ny bit of real irokane–」 「Wha-?」 Shocked, I dropped the butterfly knife. In summary, that mean th-this is a knife made of irokane alloy? What a dangerous thing to give to your younger brother, Kana! 「I-It’s fine. It only takes a microscopic amount to irokane to effect the human body, but you’ll definitely be fine.」 「…What do you mean?」 「You’re a Butei and a woman-hater when it comes to love, so you’re resistant to its effect. You were always an emotionally detached child, so the irokane has nothing to work on.」 「…」 She said that, and I was at a loss for words. I’m a Butei prohibited from killing, and what’s more, emotionally detached from love– Does that mean Kana counted on my incompatibility with love when leaving it in my care? 「However, the irokane-killer is unable to be employed again. The Scarlet Goddess channeled all of her power into it, satisfying the resonance at once.」 Patra said, and opening the knife grip―― Sure enough, I saw that the colour had been drained from the blade. It had become a normal steel dagger. …It would appear that this disposable weapon has been used up, huh? By the Scarlet Goddess. 「That’s about it… All that Patra and I know about irokane. Sherlock probably didn’t know much more. This is all that was learned from『A Study in Scarlet』as a way to save Aria… but nothing was found.」 Kana said as I turned to look back at the sleeping Aria– 「If you want to fight for Aria, we need to rely on someone who knows more about irokane. Someone who knows more than me– I know of 2 such people.」 Kana said, and Patra gave her a slightly surprised look. 「There’s nothing else to be done, Patra. Unless we want an advent of the Scarlet Goddess in front of the Supreme Court. Kinji is already 17. He’s about to the point when he will have to face adults.」 「…The Supreme Court…? What? What are you saying, Kana?」 I furrowed my brows and turned to face her– 「Is that alright, Kinji? No matter what you say and I hear, I can’t turn back.」 –Until now, Kana had never looked directly at me… But now that he looked at me, he validated that he saw me as a man. 「What are you talking about, Kana? I will not turn back now. Who and where are these people?」 「One of them is in London. They are the world’s current, preeminent armchair detective, Minuet Holmes.」 「…」 Aria’s sister? 「The other is Kanae Kanzaki. Kanae learned about it from Minuet. Either party has yet to break their silence. I believe that getting either of them to talk would be a Herculean task…」 Aria’s mother, Kanae-san, knows? About irokane? 「If you want to save Aria, I suggest you start by meeting Kanae Kanzaki. If you tell her about transforming into the Scarlet Goddess, she probably won’t play dumb. Now then….by…. the… way…」 Dodging an entire barrage of questions that I had asked, Kana swiftly changed the topic– 「This jumper was expensive. It was a Pal’las Palace limited edition. It was much my favourite.」 She switched topics in her usual breezy manner. Using her beautiful hand to sweep across the vertically-striped jumper across the large breasts whose underlying structure I neither knew nor wanted to know of. 「This happened when I decided to fight that person to help Aria… I got dressed in a hurry to fight in these clothes and they got a bit frayed here.」 The soft tone in her voice that she had up until now in the conversation had vanished– 「…S-sorry.」 Realising that there was nothing to be gained by questioning Kana further, I just simply apologised. Then she showed me the frayed hole on the side of the jumper. 「It’s frayed, yeah?」 It seems strange that my older sister (actually my brother) would feel this way, not depressed enough to commit suicide or despair, but willing to throw themself into a world war with the Scarlet Goddess– 「U-understood. I’ll pay you back for it.」 I responded by saying what Kana wanted me to say. Kana isn’t greedy, but she won’t refuse a payment for helping another Butei. 「Wonderful!. Now then, I have a request. Can I meet Cromaetel-san ?」 –Wha! Literally springing straight up from the sofa– 「Kinji Tooyama, why would you not want to transform yourself into beautiful woman? Become her once more, I am sure she, Kana, and I would be the best of friends.」 …Patra…! I didn’t even tell anyone except my Nii-san=Kana, but now she exposed my embarrassing secret! 「I can’t do it! I’ll never do it! Never!」 I shouted as Kana and Patra loomed ominously over the sofa. Their eyes glittered like two predators with their favourite meal before them…! 「As an Onee-san, I’ve always wanted an imouto!」 「You have Kaname!」 「Kaname is cute, but Cromaetel is beautiful, and there is always room for dessert! So now then, I must insist! Come on, Kinji!」 「I have garments that I can lend to you. Now then, change for me! Fuhihi!」 N-no! And now–! Kana casually restrained me, as Patra placed a long-haired wig on my head, working together as a perverted couple– m-maybe it was something they used in their adult sort of games. But cross-dressing as a sibling, then becoming close friends is a bit much! Then, ah, oh, the black-haired wig was placed on my head. It’s coming! The countdown to Cromaetel’s arrival in Japan is ticking down.! 「…S-s-stop it…!」 Did my cries reached the heavens–? 「…n-… sto-… no…Croma-….hrngh…!」 Kana was still embracing me– And now, *Zzz!* *Zzz!*… she began snoring. Th-thank goodness! Saved by a hair’s breadth– Kana’s long period of post-Hysteria Mode sleep had arrived. I was impatient for it, I knew it was close. I looked like the Kana-Cromaetel sister team-up she wanted was not going to happen, and even Patra seemed to lose enthusiasm for the Cromaetel transformation… Aria opened here eyes with an expression of「?」upon seeing the wig on my head. D-don’t look at it, Aria…! This is the afterlife…! [END TEXT] ********************************* 1. Kanji say ‘teleportation-existence-within-field-of-view’. Also known as Somersault Cloud. 2. Accordion blade 3. Milk crown 4. This is a trick that school children use to distance themselves when they arrange themselves in ranks for assemblies. LINK 5. A kind of ‘tanto’ (knife) with the blade guard at the top of the hilt is flush with any sheath it is placed in. (i.e. without a hand guard) ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ### 002. Bullet 2: Maybe ― Maybe And here is Chapter 2! Bunch of good lore in this chapter and the set up for the entire next arc! Might be worth a second read to catch the details. Spent a bunch of time on it trying to reconcile it with stuff that happened before. Please point out anything that doesn’t seem to match up, and I’ll try to get it straight. Onward! Chapter 2: Maybe ― Maybe [START TEXT] As an Auditor, I had some relationship with Team Constellation. So, when I went to meet with Aria’s mother, Kanae Kanzaki… instead of asking Mutou, I had LOGI’s Shimaisago drive me to Chiba in a car. I gave Aria an outline of what happened that night (except for the matter of Love and Cromatael)–then she immediately set up an emergency meeting with Kanae-san for the next evening– 「…I’m recognised as the eldest marriageable daughter of the Holmes Family, but since Mama divorced Father, she is single by choice.」 Aria disclosed such personal information as we entered the Shinjuku Police Station detention interview room. 「So if you start thinking something weird about Mama and change into that state, I’ll open a wind-hole in you, got it?」 After receiving the order to『not hysterise』, we waited a short time… Then the cream coloured steel doors opened– On the opposite side of the acrylic glass– She appeared. She was sentenced by the High Court to 536 years. Under what amounted to a life sentence, it was Kanae-san. A barrette held back the slight wave of her long, glamourous hair. Her onyx black eyes were kind. With long, dark lashes edging them. She had the same porcelain white skin as Aria– 「It has been a while. Kinji Tohyama-san. Please help my Aria.」 Kanae-san. Why are you here? I know how you got here, but why? Your trial was strange. The prosecution made wildly incoherent claims. Even ignoring Aria risking her own life to clear her, the sentence was harsh. I trust Aria unconditionally, so I believe that the charges are 100% false. But as for the various charges themselves– there has to be some kind of motivation behind them–and that is why Kanae-san is here. Even if the charges were a bogus postscript addition, that would mean someone meddled in the legal process to put her here, wouldn’t it? She is a part of something. We don’t know what it is, though– 「Why are you staring at my Mama!? I just warned you about this!」 「–Ouch!」 Aria suddenly grabbed my ear and started pulling as I yelped. 「Now Aria. What violence. And against your friend.」 With a surprised expression, Kanae-san scolded Aria like a kindergarten teacher. 「Mama… this wallflower is Japan’s premier Lothario. I am merely training him to not have such strange thoughts about you.」 「Well then. Why would that upset an old lady like me? Ara. Ara ara. Even if that were the case, it would be alright. I wouldn’t want to upset the healthy development of a normal high school boy.」 In response to Aria’s absurd assertion, Kanae-san flushed slightly red and placed both hands on her cheeks as she shook her body from side to side. Happy to be treated as a woman after such a long time, the large breasts on her upper body, totally unlike Aria’s, shook slightly in the action. Kanae-san is d-definitely a beautiful woman to look at, but… is she the classic classmate’s mother? She is about twice my age, but such a thing happening one of Riko’s games can definitely… definitely cannot be said to have no effect. It won’t have an effect on me. Will it? No, this isn’t what we came here to talk about today. Visiting hours are short, so let’s get straight to the point. I have to steer us back from the distraction caused by Aria. So then, 「Kanae-san. It might be hard for Aria to say,–so I will. She was recently restored, but yesterday, Aria briefly transformed into the Scarlet Goddess.」 I brought up the topic we had to talk about. The very next instant– 「–!」 The airy manner that she had until now evaporated in an instant. The look in her eyes transformed into that of a different person entirely, and it became entirely silent for a moment– Then she looked at Aria, then me. Then, 「–Children become independent. Although it makes me happy, it is a lonely feeling.」 She muttered, and committed the vaguely sexual act… of taking a deep sigh. At the same time, she reached a hand behind her head to unfasten her barrette, and her unbound, wavy hair came forward to surround her face. It was probably so that the observers seated on stools in the corner of the room wouldn’t be able to read her lips. Through the small holes in the acrylic plate separating us– She casually leaned forward and began speaking in a low, rapid voice. 「Kinji-san. I am sorry. I didn’t think you would cut to the chase so directly. I see you are very perceptive.」 As a general matter of law, according to Article 39 of the Revised Criminal Practice Code, you can talk about anything during an interview, and it cannot be recorded. This is the fundamental right of the accused. But if the contents of discussion are regarding planning their escape or destruction of evidence, they may be restricted on a case-by-case basis. Putting it plainly, any kind of alarming conversation may be stopped. Knowing that, Aria and I kept an eye on the observers as we listened to Kanae-san speak. 「I can only give you hints, like a mystery detective novel… Visiting hours are short, so I can only give you answers to questions. We may be interrupted in the middle, but I will tell you what I can. Still, I do not know how much you two know. So, in order to not waste any time, please ask your questions. What do you want to know?」 The Aria that was here– was actually disguised as Riko. Riko had taken her place and had been spreading disinformation to the authorities. If it reached the Tokyo Metro Police, the observers would be more lax. No orders for close supervision would have been issued. We should have some time to get some answers. 「Mama–」 She leaned forward to say something, but I stopped her. You can’t make a scene, Aria. Attracting attention would be bad. As she feigned calm while becoming emotional, I took her place– 「Kanae-san, are you really innocent?」 I asked. We should ask as much as possible. 「–Yes.」 「Then why are you still in custody? Why hasn’t your life sentence been rescinded?」 「I know about the true nature of irokane that Minuet has deduced. I know it, and the higher ups know that I know. They want to know it as well. I have remained silent. I was arrested because of that. The life sentence was recommended instead of the death penalty, hoping that I would talk. They framed me for I.U.’s crimes, hoping I’d tell the higher ups in the government about irokane.」 Kanae-san said, coding in the word『higher ups』– The idiot Aria started looking up at the ceiling, but she actually meant someone capable of manipulating the justice system. A powerful person who sneers at the blatant lie of the separation of powers we are told about in textbooks– that is what she means. The fact that she doesn’t give their name tells me that Kanae-san doesn’t know who they are, so it would be a waste of time trying to take them down. 「Why are you keeping quiet?」 「For Aria. If I started talking, they would kill her. You know of the Armed Prosecutors and Division 0.」 Armed Prosecutors–Armed Public Prosecutor. Division 0 — Public Division 0. The den of superhumans that neither Aria nor I had the power to touch. Was Kanae-san being quiet to protect her from them? But I think I understand a little. Their influence is restricted to Japan. They couldn’t torture Aria in front of her to make Kanae-san talk, because she is an English noble. But if they knew the truth about irokane– they might just ignore political propriety and kill her. They’d probably be able to justify it to the British authorities, so Kane-san remained silent.. …It was dangerous. This conversation. Aria’s safety was like the Sword of Damocles– hanging on naught but a thin thread. Aria and I were both at a loss for words… 「Hurry and ask your questions. They are getting suspicious. If they are alarmed, this will probably be the last time we can meet.」 Kanae-san said, and I took notice of the observers. They had been sitting, but now they were standing. They looked at the clock, then in our direction. They didn’t hear what had been said, but from our tense faces, they might infer that the conversation was illicit. 「–W-what should we do? Tell me… how to save Aria from becoming the Scarlet Goddess.」 After all the preamble, I asked for the scoop, the question I most wanted answered– With a flash of teeth, Kanae smiled. 「In order to answer that, I have to ask you something, Aria. What is the most important thing to you?」 「Most important…?」 Aria was about to cry, hearing that this was likely the last visit, but Kanae-san continued– 「Do you like Kinji-san?」 –She asked, her former lightness of mood returning. W-why are you asking that now…? It seems like it came out of nowhere, Kanae-san… 「W-w-w-e-e-l-l-l 」 Her whole body blushing and turning red in an instant, Aria began glitching. 「Say it. The Scarlet Goddess won’t be pleased by the mere words. It’s alright Now, say it.『I like him』.」 And Aria… *Sproing!*… her twin-tails bristling in embarrassment, 「I l-l-li-li-ke him.」 …! 「Say it again.」 「I like him!」 Eyes screwed shut, her anime voice squeaked as she exclaimed this, What the heck! 「Ufufu!」 Narrowing her eyes as she laughed, she looked at me as I remained silent and turned red– 「M-Mama, I only said it because you told me to say it!」 Aria growled, baring her canines as if to snap at me. 「Parents can see through their children’s lies. I know the truth. Aria, you really do like this person. So…」 Kanae-san gently shut her eyes… 「–You have to separate.」 She announced flatly. 「Love will invoke the Scarlet Goddess, so in order to seal her away… you must distance yourself from the one you like. There is no other choice. You should not meet with Kinji anymore. What’s more– you need to forget. About him.」 Kanae-san– Last year in April, when Aria and I went to meet her… the very first thing she asked about was our relationship. She was surprised that she brought a boy with her. That confirmed it. Aria had awakened to love in my arms, hadn’t she? 「You are an aria. To say it another way– you must return to being alone. If you do link up with anyone, only do so with someone of the same sex. Because you are an『aria』… I didn’t want to say it, but– you must not fall in love .」 「….」 Ever since April when we agreed to be partners, we had always fought together, but now Aria was ordered to separate from me… And in response, she was at a loss for words. Her expression wavered violently–but despair was clearly written upon her face. 「Kanae-san….」 Unable to hide my own trembling, I had to ask. Checking my wristwatch, I saw we had less than 3 minutes remaining in our meeting. Kanae-san might want it to end, but it couldn’t. Aria and me. I only knew that would be bad. Even someone as thickheaded as me knew that…! 「–That isn’t good enough! Even if we do that…. Aria will still be cursed by the Scarlet Goddess, just like now!」 「…Kinji-san. Even if you are a young man, you must be reasonable.」 「No! Aria– Look at what you’ve done to Aria! That isn’t good enough! You’re a parent! What parent would do this to their child! I asked a question! I Want to hear your answer! I want to know how to fight the Scarlet Goddess; not how to run away! The Scarlet Goddess–」 「There is no way. The Scarlet Goddess cannot be reasoned with on human terms.」 As I pushed on, Kanae-san quickly cut me off. Next to me, I noticed that Aria had begun to cry– 「But, but– If the Scarlet Goddess can’t be trusted… Maybe there’s another god that will listen. Then if we talked to that that god, asked them–!」 Pressing myself against the acrylic plate, I didn’t even know what I was saying. Then as soon as I pressed closer–Kanae-san’s eyes widened– 「…Ask… a god…?」 Her expression told me that she had thought of something. 「Yes, Kinji-san! That is it! I can’t tell you how, but Minuet would certainly know! It would be『A Study in Sapphire』and 『A Study in Turquoise』–」 A new idea rapidly taking shape in her mind, her eyes were full of earnestness. At that moment, the observers– 「Kanzaki. Meeting is over.」 –Were we out of time? No, it can’t be. They must have deemed the conversation was illicit and ordered an end to it. Ignoring them, Kanae-san began speaking rapidly. 「There are 3 kinds of irokane: hihiirokane, ruruirokane, and ririirokane. If there is a Scarlet Goddess with control over hihiirokane, there might be a Sapphire Goddess and Turquoise Goddess! If those gods exist, then there might be a way to make requests of them. Kinji-san, you have given me a new idea.」 She drew closer. 「Kanzaki, stop talking.」 An observer grabbed her arm, but Kanae-san pulled away– 「Aria. Return to London and meet with Minuet. The child has not spoken to me, but she must have come to some conclusion. You must extract it from her. Kinji-san, you must split off from Aria and search for ruruirokane and ririirokane. With Minuet’s help– together, you might be able to find some thread of a clue about the gods of irokane.」 「Kanzaki!」 The observer twisted Kanae-san’s arm. 「–Mama!!」 「Aria…! Do as I said about Kinji! You might be apart for a while, but you will only be running for a short time! In the end, you’ll have to face it…! Do not do it for me; do it for yourself…!」 She was forced through the door and out into the corridor– 「Mama! Mama! Mama!!」 Aria shouted. Just like that day. 「–Fight it, Aria–!」 Then her voice finally followed her figure in disappearance. Beyond the door, and beyond our reach. ******************************************************* As we rode in the elevator down to the underground parking lot where Shima from LOGI waited, Aria had her eyes shut and was stand-offish. She was suppressing her roiling emotions and pondering what Kanae-san had said. 「…I’ve been thinking a bit about what Mama said.」 Reaching the second sub-level and exiting the elevator, she opened her eyes, and they were full of a strong determination. She was looking my way, but I doubt she saw me. 「Don’t hesitate, Aria. Right now, it’s what could be called your ‘soul’ that is in danger. You should do what Kanae-san said.」 As a man, I tried to vocalise what Aria had difficulty saying. I still didn’t understand all this talk about awakening to love, but… if she’s in danger of the advent of the Scarlet Goddess, then we should split up. –Aria and I should separate. That means the dissolution of our partnership. It’s a punch in the gut to lose a friend that you can count on 100%, but this is to save Aria. 「From here on, we should split up. You should go back to England and meet with Minuet. If there aren’t any other ideas, I don’t have any objections to doing as Kanae said.」 I said as my stomach clenched– 「Kinji. I’m not a puppet that does everything my mother says!」 Aria said, shooting me a harsh look. Her expression looked a bit more mature. 「All the same, I should go and hear what Minuet has to say. Your older brother brought her up, but it will be hard to get『anything』out of Menu.」 Aria crossed her arms, apparently calling Minuet, ‘Menu’, for short. 「So I will have to make her talk… I don’t want you to come with me. Like you said, we should split up. Mama said s-something about love, but– Menu is a dangerous girl. If you don’t get along you’ll be killed by talking with her.」 「Killed by talking…?」 「Minuet has an unusually developed mind. But that makes her eccentric. Her ability to『influence people』is the best in the world. Using Cognitive Psychology, she employs her own brand of mentalism, half the time for her own amusement–by simply talking to her, she can change the other person’s thought, behaviour, and sometimes personality. Just to pass the time.」 A dangerous eccentric, that was the gist of Aria’s description, but… As far as sisters go, that sounds pretty accurate for a little sister. 「If she doesn’t like the person she’s talking to, she’ll weave the idea of wanting to kill themselves into the conversation. It won’t happen immediately, but in a few days’ time… they suddenly commit suicide. Minuet is able to do that kind of thing. However, there are certain personalities more or less affected by Menu’s instigation. I am entirely unaffected, but–9 times out of 10, she’d beat you, hands-down. You’d be carried away by the cajoling of a cute girl.」 –Rude. I thought, but I couldn’t argue when I thought back when my own little sister cajoled me to put her into my family register. 「Well.. I understand. I’ll leave Minuet to you. I’m… weak against ESP, and wouldn’t be able to learn anything… I’ll look for rururirokane and ririirokane.」 I said , and Aria nodded– 「In order to help Mama, I learned that the trial had no effect. If she was arrested because of irokane, we’ll have to get to the bottom of it in order to save her. We’ll have to make some kind of frontal assault. There’s no other way.」 She indicated her own chest with her small hand– in which a small part of irokane was buried as she furrowed her eyebrows. **************************************************************** Shimaisago was in the driver’s seat of a Mini-Cooper, dozing under a pile of fluttering frills and ribbons, as we returned… I said「Hey!」and her head stirred and rose up under a huge bow as Aria slid into the backseat. 「–Mish Aria.」 We heard a slightly lisping anime-like voice, similar to Aria’s…*Squish!* The little pipsqueak girl that must have been hiding somewhere in the parking lot waiting, entered the vehicle. She squeezed herself into the backseat of the car, definitely designed for only 2 people.. For some reason, the elementary school girl had thick eyebrows, and wore unfashionable glasses and a trench coat. Including Shima, there were three tiny girls packed into the narrow space with me.. Any other man might cry tears of joy at such a situation, but it was a distressing problem for me. 「–Who are you?」 She knew Aria’s name, so I asked warily– 「Minishtry of Foreign Affairs, European Offish Shecretary Nori Zenigata. Oi, lolita girl! Take ush to Kasumigaseki!」 1 The short girl with short braids bounced up and *Slap!* *Slap!* Taking the extra material in the left sleeve of her coat due to her short stature, she slapped Shima over the head. Furrowing my eyebrows, If I look at her lapel closely–there was a brand new diplomatic badge attached there. N-no way! This person is an adult!? Really! –*Clink!*– From the folds of Zenigata’s right sleeve that hid about 70% of her hand, there was a small, metallic sound. It… wasn’t a gun, but it was definitely some kind of weapon. 「–You’re a lolita yourself, Lolita-san!」 *Uuun!* Shima stuck out her tongue to express her displeasure– 「H-how do you know my nickname inshide the Ministry? Actually, it’s fine, but get the car moving quickly! Refushe, and I’ll tattle to the Butei Offishe secretary. I’ll shee you fired, and out on you ear.」 Not only her voice, but also her manner of speaking was forced into a childish pattern. 「Now then, Mish Aria. Pleashe come with me, for a bit. The British embashy and the MInishtry of Foreign Affairsh’ parliamentary delegate have requeshted to shee you. We’ve done all kindsh of work to hush it up until now, but now the two of you should come with me quietly.」 At that statement, I hoped that the disguised Aria would play dumb… 「Zenigata… you’ve found me! You’re the worst!」 Like a bug found in a low-class residence *Grip!* Aria struck instantly. Suddenly, she had both hands wrapped around Zenigata’s neck. D….don’t do that! That just proves that you are the person she’s looking for! 「I-I-I knew it wash Mish Aria! Y-you don’t have a shtrage shadow the changes shape, th-that’sh how I k-knew! 」 The million Yen spent to secure Riko’s cooperation had come to naught. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has found us out…! 「Actually, I meant to ashk if you would come to Kasumigaseki!? I’m in a really tough shpot! If eyesh linger too long on me, they’ll realishe I’m a traitor!」 From what I gathered from this conversation, this pipsqueak of an adult… was the person in a position of authority at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that Aria had been able to manipulate until now. But now she wants to bring Aria back in and place her under house arrest. 「T-thish ish a a direct order from the parliamentary delegate, and if you don’t come with me, I’m in for a huge chewing out from the Minishter!」 「You’re always being chewed out, so you’ll be fine, you worthless piece of trash!」 *Whoosh!* Whooooooom!* Aria struck a blow to Zenigata’s abdomen whose force carried through to her back. Y-yeah… The tyrannical ways of Aria are terrifying to behold. I’m usually the object of such acts, but seeing it objectively really drives the point home. 「What’s more, Zenigata! You’ve been slacking in getting Kinji back onto Baskerville!」 「Civil shervants are bushy! E-even the besht world-clash onesh like me! I’ve been buried under a ton of bushy work and haven’t had time to look at it yet!」 …busy work… 「On top of that, there have been a lot of others thingsh I’ve had to take care of! That’s why I washn’t in contact!」 It seems that Zenigata is the one who put out the fires concerning our dispute with the Kagataka Family… But in the current situation, she is no longer an ally. That being the case– 「–I’ll help you, Aria!」 Reaching across Aria to grab Zenigata’s leg, we pushed her out of the Mini-Cooper, wheelbarrow style. 「I didn’t know that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs took elementary school interns, but you probably shouldn’t pick a fight with Butei.」 「Wh-wha…! I’m 24! I’m older than you!」 「Lies!」 「It’sh not a lie!」 After that… Zenigata shouted: 「Final confirmashon!」 Her small hands grabbed hold of Aria’s breasts. 「I knew it was Mish Aria! No matter how much Riko Mine tries, she can’t make them this small!」 The next instant! 「–RAARGH」 Raising an angry cry that a beautiful girl should never raise, Aria unleashed a shoulder tackle that had enough power to pulverise a small car. Zenigata tumbled from the car, and seeing that Shima shouted:「We’re going!」and suddenly pulled the car away. 「Please hurry Shima! There are other professionals besides her.」 Aria shouted, her voice mingling with the squeal of tyres. The fact that no one but Zenigata had approached probably meant that the news that Aria was in Shinjuku had only recently come to light. The Tokyo Metro Police must have contacted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs during our interview with Kanae-san. In that case, Aria was right to urge speed. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs hadn’t yet organised. Now was the time to run and hide. The Institute for Medical Science must have been tipped off that the one one they had was a phony. If we were surrounded now, we’d be caught like rats in a bag. 「Here we go–!」 With her thick-soled bright red enamel boots to compensate for her lack of height, Shima stomped down on the accelerator– 「Wait Wai~~t! Mish Aria~~!」 *Fwap!* *Fwap!* *Fwap!* Still clinging to the open door, Zenigata’s clothes whipped in the air…! What a gutsy girl…! 「How stubborn.」 「Bye bye, Onee-san!」 Tag-teaming with Aria, we finally managed to kick her loose– Shima drifted the Mini-Cooper, clearing the other parked cars by millimetres. Glancing in the rear-view mirror, I saw Zenigata furrow her thick eyebrows, then stand up and begin chasing after us. Then, stepping on the hem of her own coat, she promptly fell flat on her face. It was because she was so small. Look and learn, Aria. ******************************************************* Taking 2 hits from Aria that, individually, would knock out a grizzly bear, Zenigata still stood and must possess an inhuman amount of stamina. Now I see why she was chosen to keep watch over Aria. 「I think we’re done. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is now our enemy. They were a useful ally while it lasted.」 As we came above ground, the corners of Aria’s mouth turned down into a frown. 「Zenigata is in the wrong here. It is only natural for someone to resist arrest by someone without the powers of arrest.」 「She’s probably a career bureaucrat. She doesn’t seem like one to follow that logic.」 Government officials– The further up the ladder one climbs, the more administrative leeway they gain. As part of the upper echelons of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, they could be a useful friend if the police ever intervened. With such protection, you could do just about anything, like a sort of outlaw–with someone inside the government. Having someone dangerous turn into an enemy is about par for the course for me though… For now, it would be best to run away. Getting stuck inside the car in a metropolitan traffic jam would be bad, especially in Shinjuku. Leaving the car to go on foot might let us cover more ground. But despite my worry, Shima took the Mini-Cooper down a series of small streets and we made rapid progress. We were headed south at full speed, passing Shinjuku Gyo-en and Yoyogi Station– Following a screech of tyres, we heard the high pitch whine of a single cylinder engine. 「–Mish Aria–!」 A Honda Monkey mini-bike with a seat height of only 66 cm rushed out from the intersection behind us. Riding it was the 130 cm mini-adult, Nori Zenigata. Performing a hook turn on the Monkey, I saw that it has a blue diplomatic plate with a『外―』prefix . The tiny rider on a small motorbike reminded me of a circus bear on a bicycle–*Cla-link!* *Shing!* While chasing after the Mini-Cooper, she held a mass of chain in her left hand and twirled it, then threw something. Her baby-ish braids whipped up. –*Whoom!* There was a sound of impact, and *Thump!* *Thump!* *Thump!* *Thump!*… There was a strange sound coming from the tyres. What’s that…? 「She threw a 5 Yen coin! It’s stuck in the tyre. It would have blown out if it weren’t bulletproof.」 Aria declared with her good visual acuity, drawing her silver Government from her skirt– *Bang!* *Crash!* Zenigata’s second coin shattered the Cooper’s rear window. 「–S-sorry!! Because of budget considerations, only the windshield is bulletproof!! So, so now!!」 Shouting that, Shima jerked the wheel hard to the right–With a *Screech!* she pulled off a 180 turn without changing lanes. With her left hand, she shifted into reverse gear, and now we were driving backwards. Twisting around, she was now looking out the back to see where we were going. While headed backwards, Shima’s speed didn’t drop appreciably. As expected of LOGI. And Mutou’s rival. Now aware of the strange handling of our vehicle, the normal drivers and taxis gave us room. Sorry everyone. 「Kinji, don’t let your guard down. Zenigata is a Combat Expert Secretary–got it?」 Placing her arms against the back seat in position for a gymnastic tumble–*Creak!* She planted a kangaroo kick up into the sky, directly overhead. Running backwards, the targa top cover came off and blew into the roadway. Zenigata gave a shout of surprise and ducked *Bang!* Standing up in the backseat, Aria shot a .45ACP bullet and scored a direct hit on the front tyre of the Monkey. However– the tyre didn’t go flat. It was bulletproof. But it entirely destroyed her balance, and Zenigata cried out and kicked off the ground to right the bike. What are you? You should transfer to the foreign security police. 「…Shima~!」 Seeing where we were headed, I paled. It was the Kita Sando Intersection– a place where 5 roads converged. The signal was red. Driving backwards at about 100 KPH, it was impossible to tell what was coming from the left, right, or other side streets. There were also a lot of pedestrians. Even Shima couldn’t tell. 「Don’t worry! I’ve got this!」 The tires squealing again– she pulled the Cooper through an incredible right angle turn down a narrow street where cars are not allowed and leading to a row of bars. During the turn, the 2 left tyres of the car rose into the air… and with the body of the car canted at an angle, we went down the street on two wheels. Right 2 wheels on the ground, and left 2 wheels on the wall, the Cooper went backwards down the street, fortunately there were no people there at the time. 「Kinji, I’ll block it!」 Stepping on to my head in a two-step jump as I sat in the slanted seat, Aria soared up into the air. Pulling a somersault off the wall where a signboard for a Jazz Bar hung– *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* She shot and destroyed the pole supporting a ‘Best Ramen’ shop sign hanging between the Cooper and Monkey with her .45ACP bullets. The large sign fell… with a *Crash!* Hitting the ground– Acting as a『No Entry』sign, it closed off pursuit down the narrow street. 「–Mish Aria! You can’t eshcape!」 The signboard suddenly falling in front and stopping her, Zenigata furrowed her eyebrows in anger… Aria stuck out her tongue. Pulling off a mid-air akanbe, her own momentum returned her to the Cooper. I caught Aria, and she sat in the backseat– *Thump!* Emerging from the narrow street, the Cooper returned to rest on all 4 wheels. Alright, now to complete the escape…! I had that thought, but in that instant *Thumpa!* *Thumpa!* *Thumpa!*… from the sky… I heard an unpleasant sound. It was a helicopter rotor. A searchlight appeared in the sky as it chased us out into Ura-Harajuku. 2 It seems that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been monitoring our escape via helicopter– –They anticipated us. Then sporty, F-type Jaguars with British diplomatic plates appeared on our line of travel. 「Oh! Noo!」 Using her right and left hands to turn the wheel, while manipulating the clutch and accelerator, Shima drifted the Mini-Cooper around to face forward–she probably intended to leave the main road, but even then they’ll be able to follow us from the sky. But because of the unreasonable handling… the Mini-Cooper’s top speed was reduced. One of the back tyres was punctured. They were bulletproof, but the coins were unexpected– Biting into the tyre, the weight of the vehicle itself pressed it in, causing further damage. Christian Dior, Burberry, Louis Vuitton, and Armani… all these world-class brands gleamed ahead of us on Omotesandou as the Jaguars faced us, ready to pull out and head toward us. Blonde men leaned out of the passenger windows holding black Walther PPK’s. 「–Those guys are from MI6…! I’ve seen them in London!」 MI6– British Secret Intelligence Services. Although that agency is under the British Ministry of Foreign Affairs, they are actually a secret organisation under the direct control of the British Prime Minister. The current crop of agents were trained to be tough and ruthless by former Cold War veterans and are reputed to be the best armed agents in the world. Even here in Japan, word of the exploits of their weakest agents carries a real threat of intimidation. From what Watson has told me– there are some of them who don’t even consider anyone except the British to be human. With extraterritoriality as a shield, they can come and abduct an English noble and shoot the rest of us. Starting with the driver, Shima. Turning to avoid the oncoming Jaguars, Shima– 「…!」 She stomped down with all her strength on the thick-soled boots underneath her frilly, flower patterned skirts. Aria and I pitched forward in our seats as we came to a sudden stop. 100 metres in front of us, the Monkey had laid down a spike strip. It’s a trap that uses an innumerable number of spikes to bite into a tyre and force a car to a halt. It’s a blockade line. Behind us, 2 more Jaguars appeared and turned their sides toward us. Using the car bodies themselves as a barricade, they sealed off the exits. 「…This looks like a checkmate.」 Our enemy this time is a governmental agency. That is to say, a country. In this case the two countries of Japan and England. Caught in a pincer attack between two countries, the ordinary person has nowhere to go. As Butei, we can make excuses for violating traffic laws or causing property damage, but even the police cannot overlook much bigger issues. As for the Police– Zenigata is a bureaucratic friend. We would be the scoundrels, and they would arrest and lock us up. If that happens, it will all be over. At best, our Butei Licences would be suspended; at worst revoked. 「…Please run, Shima.」 Aria said as she reloaded her Governments– 「Stop, Aria. If you rely on your guns for strength–your enemy is a country, and you’ll reach your limits.」 I said, holding her back. 「–Well, if it’s a country, I guess we’ll have to go up against a country! Onii-chan!」 A bright voice came from the empty passenger’s seat. Th-… that voice… 「K-Kaname?」 I spoke that name and with a *Poof!*–Taking off the Metamaterial Ghillie Coat, Kaname appeared in the passenger seat. Through the semi-transparent HMD, she smiled sweetly. 「At times like this, rely on a stronger country than Japan or England!」 Oh! At that moment, as Kaname’s tie on her sailor suit flipped up as she raised a fist into the air… From the sky, there was the sound of a large rush of air. The noise of the Ministry’s helicopter was swallowed up by the roar of a dual-motor, 4-bladed, UH-60 Black Hawk descending. Sounding like it was going to come to rest where the missing roof of the Mini-Cooper was. Aria and I looked up, and from the winter sky– An invisible hatch on a vehicle we couldn’t see opened, *Whoosh!* *Whoosh!* There was a sound of reverse thrust as something descended. Landing between the Mini-Cooper and looming Jaguars. *Clank!* With a heavy, metallic sound, they hit the street. wearing backpack-like jet-packs seemingly designed for such landings which then detached and scattered on the roadway…They were… 「…Ro-robots…?」 Aria blinked her eyes in surprise, while in front of her there were what could only be described as androids. I judged them to be 2 metres 40 centimetres tall. Their blue-black metallic bodies were not very stylistic, but the fact that they were weapons meant for ground warfare was readily apparent. On their backs, they wore inactive black Metamaterial Ghillie mantles. But these were not mere robots. They had joints in the same place as the human body and from how they moved and directed the fluorescent green monoeye toward the group of Jaguars– there were humans inside. Rather than robots, it was a Neue Ange armour enclosing soldiers. –*Boooom!* The Jaguars that MI6 had ridden in hit them–No, they were hit, The Neue Ange armoured soldier pushed one back with his extended right hand. 「–Pile Bunker!」 From some kind of external speaker system, the suited man called out the name of the technique–it was an adult voice–and an explosion erupted from his right arm. From his forearm, a gunpowder powered explosive pushed what looked like a depleted uranium pile-like slug through the engine with ease, destroying it. The MI6 agents kicked open the door of the immobile Jaguar and rolled away. Then immediately afterwards, with a *Baaaang!*, the armoured man detonated a grenade-like Butei bullet at close range. The dust cloud from the explosion obscured the two of them, but when the wind cleared it… The MI6 drivers had retreated, and the armoured man was fixing a pizza-shaped shield onto his left forearm to defend from exploding bullets. 「Electric Joint Drive– at 80% output. Enemy Vehicle–heavily damaged. No damage received. Over.」 The man within the powered armour spoke English as he carried the 2 tonne Jaguar out of the way and down the street in one arm. It looks like they don’t want to cause a traffic jam. Kaname deployed her P-Fibre that she has stored within her skirt, rolled up like a scroll with a *Rustle!* Whistling with her fingers happily… Pointing at the man in the robotic suit, Aria turned toward me and asked:『Are these friends of yours?』, tilting her head to the side. But I could do nothing but shake my head from side to side. 「W…Who ish thish?」 It seems that Nori Zenigata has the same question that we do, as she shouted this from behind the Mini-Cooper. Hearing the question the armoured man turned. 「–I’m American.」 Came the incredible answer. 「Japanese. British. But there’s another one here too.」 The MI6 agent said, pointing his Walther PPK back toward Mister America– 「…Illogical.」 Almost coincident with that remark from Kaname, *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* Accompanying that sound, several iron needles penetrated the agent’s longcoat. Balance taken by the needle in one knee–*Zzzt!* *Zzzt!*–with an electric sound, he appeared next to the agent… A black man with a red necktie, wine red shirt, and purple suit. Curly hair hanging from his head, half his face was obscured by bandages–in the gaps between the bandages, large diamonds sparkled in his nose and ear. 「…」 His bandages opening for his mouth as he turned toward me, the MI6 agent’s gun drooped without firing. There was a needle-firing weapon in the black man’s mouth. He’s… I finally remembered. The bandaged man was one of the people that came to help Kaname in November last year at the Shinagawa thermal power station. –One of G-3’s underlings. 「W-w-w-ell…. If shomething happensh with the Americansh, the Foreign Minishter will pick me up by the scruff of my neck and tosh me into a reflection cell…! He’ll put me in the Government Records office to write a tower of apologies until I retire…! G-g-get back to your embashiesh, quickly!」 Zenigata said, her glasses off-kilter as she trembled and straddled her Monkey. Then she took off as fast as she could toward the Yoyogi District… Leaving MI6 behind. 「The G-3 League? Challenging those bastards would not be the most clever thing to do.」 The agent grumbled, shrugging off the coat that had been pinned to the ground. Then he drew his spare magazine, exposing the combat knife he wore on his vest, retreating to the furthest Jaguar. … This had all happened because G-3’s followers came to Japan for some reason, and made the Ministry of Foreign Affairs nervous… They’ll come again when they are ready. They are a political power. Just like when Aria was broken out of the Butei Hospital, they were embarrassed by the underhanded tactics employed. Somehow, the responsibility for this uproar will be put on us. The fact that it has occurred at all, is going to benefit the Foreign Ministry. Dammit, Kasumigaseki is a tough enemy to fight. 「–Kinji-kun. Aria-kun. You’re not hurt, are you?」 One of G-3’s underlings pointed the monoeye of his advanced armour toward us– Then I noticed Shima… she had nonchalantly strolled over to the Laforet storefront and disappeared into the crowd of curious onlookers dressed in a similar manner. Despite her taste in fashion, she was a Butei. Left to herself, she should be able to get back to Butei High. 「Onii-chan! How was that!? Will you pat my head?」 Kneeling on the passenger seat of the Mini-Cooper, she turned to look at me, peeking over the pack of the seat… She had definitely saved me from a dilemma, so I patted her head. Then– 「Ehehe! Time to make a logical retreat, alright? We were requested to bring you along with us. By Kinzou.」 Kaname said with a happy expression, her P-Fibre spreading out to form a ladder up to the helicopter. ******************************************************************** After Aria, myself, Kaname, the armoured man, the man with the bandages boarded, the Black Hawk rose to an altitude of about 100 metres and deactivated the Metamaterial Ghillie–then took a NNE course. 「It’s been a while, Tohyama-sama. Japanese roads are crowded, so let’s go by air to Sugamo. Third-sama is waiting there.」 Twisting his leathery body around to look back at us, it was the past middle-aged Caucasian, Angus… as his smile passed over Aria, her eyebrows raised slightly. It’s hidden by the 3-piece suit he is wearing, but his spine is clearly kinked. His arms and legs aren’t straight. But this is G-3’s follower-cum-butler, and he is flying well. I’ll leave it to him… It will be alright. 「–Yo! Kinji Tooyama, it’s been a while!」 The armoured man said, removing his helmet, flashing a bright smile, and giving me a thumbs-up. There wasn’t any ill will, but it was a bit overly familiar. We haven’t seen each other since Shinagawa, and we had never spoken. He seemed to be about 20 years old, very good looking, and with a solid build. He looks like an athletic WASP. He took off his his shoulder armour pads: 「Ooh now, Atlas, dear! Are the spare Personal Assault Armour hydride batteries charged yet? You really should swap them out pretty often, you know.」 Is that some kind of effeminate English…? The black bandaged man asked this. 「Oh! Thanks, Collins-kun! That would be a risky thing! Many thanks to you!」 The armoured man, Atlas, flashed a smile toward the black man, Collins. Tossing up a caramel sweet and snapping it out of the air in a slight transgression of manners, Kaname joined us… The G-3 League are all unique specimens. For better or worse. Thinking back on Baskerville and Constellation, I don’t really have any room to say anything, though. But this doesn’t feel like a mere coincidence… It was awfully convenient for them to be here in Japan. My younger brother, G-3. This is G-3. If there’s a Sino-Anglo problem, I should probably rely on the man who’s been all around the world. Definitely so. I don’t know why he arrived in Japan and wanted to meet–but I could guess. This was about Aria, ***************************************************** While piloting the helicopter and descending below the minimum flight ceiling stipulated by Civil Aviation Law: Article 81, Angus activated the Metamaterial Ghillie, concealing us–then he deposited us in the middle of the garden of my parent’s home that seemed to play the role of G-3’s personal heliport. 「…Kinji. It’s from Azumura Chinami.」 Immediately after descending the rope ladder, Aria– She received a call on her mobile, and whispered while shielding the microphone with a hand. Then she returned to the call with a serious tone 「…Understood. Yes, ma’am. I’ll accept your conditions if you vacate Kinji’s arrest warrant.」 From the ways she talked, it seems that she was dealing with someone in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but… I took moment to look up the name Aria had said on my own mobile– The person on the other side of the call was Azumura Chinami. A parliamentary official of the current Minister of Foreign Affairs. A politician. Goddammit, Zenigata! You told your boss, didn’t you? This is the Parliamentary Secretary. She’s number 3 in the Ministry. Only the Vice-Minister and Minister are above her. 「And I want an apology as well. You must apologise.」 Even when dealing with such a powerful person, Aria is just as domineering– But… if she doesn’t do what the adults want, we’re in a really bad spot. Apparently coming to the same conclusion, Aria ended her call… 「It’s been decided, Kinji. In actuality, I’m being deported–the official story is that I will be returning home to England of my own free will. The flight leaves tomorrow.」 She said with a nonchalant expression. In that phone call, all she had been worried about was protecting me… at least that is what it sounded like. Because of that I scowled. 「It’s alright. I wanted to meet with Menu anyway. I only pretended it was a difficult condition to accept in order to keep you safe. Think of it like a freebie. Or rather a shrewd bargain.」 Aria gave a bright smile. I-is that so? You did it, Aria. You just led a government official around by the nose. You must be the type that excels at negotiations. Because of this, Aria’s and my partnership is interrupted for the time being–it was an unpleasant necessity, but it was what we had planned from the beginning. It’s all said and done, and we struck a deal with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the British embassy. **************************************************************** One after another, we all entered the Tohyama Family home… 「–Kinji, Aria. Third-sama is this way.」 On the veranda and holding a FN P90–the non-human kitsune, Tsukumo, appeared, carrying the sub-machine gun with an ergonomically-based design. She seemed to be playing a defensive role. Her tail sticking out through a hole in her hip armour, Tsuko led us into my room– 「…G-3…!?」 Kneeling on the tatami at the head of the room, G-3 was completely surrounded by tomatoes that he was currently munching on… He was gravely hurt. But it seems that he was injured a while ago, and from the plasters and surgical tape, he is under medical treatment. For that reason, much of his armour was removed. His artificial left hand was also removed, and in its place was an old, heavy-looking mechanical one. His cloak was also missing. 「–Yo, Aniki! Still not dead?」 「Just like you. Actually, I’ve died twice.」 G-3 exchanged this very Tohyama-esque greeting with me, but– Although he wasn’t wearing it, there was a mobile oxygen therapy device by his side. He must have been hurt badly enough that breathing on his own was difficult. 「Who killed you?」 I said, sitting cross-legged directly in front of him– On his kabuki-like face-painted face, G-3’s eyebrows rose. 「I’m not dead. This is only a scratch.」 「To tear off an arm and put you on oxygen therapy, it must have been pretty severe.」 I did much the same to him when we fought–this is why one of his subordinates came in the vanguard instead of G-3 himself. He didn’t come out onto the front lines because he was injured. G-3 must be embarrassed about losing, that must be why he is not saying much. That’s my younger brother for you. That made me angry– 「If you look closely, he really does look like Kinji.」 Completely ignoring the extent of his injuries, Aria-san exclaimed upon seeing G-3. 「Hey now! Not only Kinzou, but Kinji was fighting too?」 「Fire and fights are the flowers of Edo, after all. 3 」 Carrying home-made inarizushi my grandmother, and my grandfather carrying tomatoes, gave the typical Tohyama response to the scene. What a family. 「…Was it Iron Man? Maybe the Terminator?」 I asked, somewhat concerned after my grandparents went back into the living room, and for some reason, G-3 returned a smile– 「Well, something like that.」 Was he really fighting American comic book heroes? 「Tell me their names. I’ll get revenge. If you don’t, I’ll hit you.」 I said, grabbing G-3 by the hair and threatening him as his cheeks were stuffed with my grandmother’s inarizushi– 「Mash Roosevelt from the NSA. He’s a Transzendieren Ange monster that is newer than me and my Neue Ange. 」 4 Finally, my brother told me. I don’t know the NSA from the NEC, but as soon as I find him, I’ll beat him until he’s unrecognisable. –If he almost killed my brother, then he must be an enemy with the same level of power as Son. But as a war-like nation, it isn’t strange for America to have something like that. He must be something like the Incredible Hulk. But no matter what kind of monster he is, I decided that he’s on my list, right after Demon Sword, Seiji. 「Why did you fight someone like that? Back at New Year’s didn’t you say you were going to some kind of base in Nevada.」 Hearing my insistent question, Kaname and Aria said: 「That’s Onii-chan for you.」 and 「Overprotective, isn’t he?」 Seeming to harmonise– 「Plan was to head to Area 51 in Nevada, then over to Edwards Air Force Base in California. They found me in Area 51 and attacked.」 「Why? What was it?」 「Irokane. I went to Area 51 to steal it.」 –G-3 let the keyword『irokane』slip. G-3 already knows about the effects of irokane on anyone nearby. He had planned to use it’s incredible powers to resurrect Dr. Sara who had died in an accident. But… America has irokane as well? I didn’t know that. 「I don’t know what you intended to do… but I’ll make it clear right now, if I see you turn against Aria, I’ll stop you. If you become Aria’s enemy, you’ll become mine as well.」 「I’ve given up on that hihiirokane. It would be a pain to extract it when there’s other irokane out there for the taking. But I was intercepted on my way to do that. All this stuff about irokane is really a pain, isn’t it? Don’t tell any of this to my subordinates, alright?」 G-3 said, to which– 「…How do you know about it?」 Glancing involuntarily in my direction, Aria asked, her gaze sharp. 「–As a former member of I.U., Patra called me from Kana’s house, she told me『It can become very powerful』and all other interesting things. So I came to Japan.」 …I see. Now Patra is a member of the Tohyama Family. It seems that knowing G-3 wanted something, she leveraged her connections as a former member of I.U. to lend a hand to her family and tell him what she knows. Given that he understood the situation– 「What colour is America’s irokane?」 Aria hurriedly broke in and asked. 「Blue. It’s ruruirokane.」 「What is it? Tell me everything you know!」 I picked up the line of questioning, I snapped at the mention of irokane– Expanding his chest, G-3 regained his usual pompous attitude. 「You don’t have to beg. I got a chance to take a look at the ruruirokane that the air force has. It’s a ridiculously huge piece. I know the manifestation of irokane’s supernatural power is directly proportional to its mass. But when it comes to irokane itself… I don’t know how it works, but I might be able to use it somehow. Nevada doesn’t just have ruruirokane; there’s also a hidan.」 G-3 said while crunching a tomato between his teeth– …He was trying to tempt us. Lure us to America. 「–Now, then it’s settled: we’ll go together, Aniki. Right now. To America.」 「Wh-what’s settled?」 I interjected as G-3 settled his right hand on my shoulder… 「You’re just as dense as ever, Aniki. Don’t our interests coincide? We both want irokane. I didn’t mess with Aria because she’s important to you. So let’s go take Nevada’s rurrirokane. You said it yourself–Aria’s hidan has to be dealt with. And in order to do that–there’s no other way except to take some to study.」 「That…」 「Area 51 is the only place with a piece of irokane larger than Aria’s hidan. Where else are you going to find a bigger piece? You’re an idiot, so I’ll tell you. They don’t sell irokane in supermarkets!」 「…」 Aria’s mother, Kanae-san, said that I should look for irokane–and it’s in America. If we can get our hands on it, we might be able to figure out a way to save Aria from the possession of the Scarlet Goddess. And Aria’s younger sister, Minuet, might just know how to do it. Maybe, maybe, our path forward lacked any concrete evidence and instead was merely full of『maybe’s』– But we have no other options going forward. Nothing but a『maybe』. And just by chance, it all relied on my younger brother and Aria’s younger sister– Each of them hold a key. A key to the mysterious door of irokane’s secrets. 「…Oi, all of you! Get out.」 G-3 said to his subordinates scattered about the room. Then the Caucasian Atlas, the black Collins, Tsukumo, and even Kaname, who had been watching things unfold silently… they all left my room and headed out onto the veranda. Then G-3 squinted his eyes and turned away from me– 「What actually happened with Patra was the opposite. I really had to beg her to tell me, and I… need you to come, Aniki. Breaking into Area 51 is gonna to be hard.」 He said, somewhat embarrassed. 「–Aniki. Lend me your strength.」 G-3 said, turning back to look me straight in the eye– and I said: 「…Well, I said it earlier. This will be『revenge』.」 I grumbled as I stood. Then I used my hand to settle G-3, whose eyes had lit up in delight. 「But I will warn you. Habi belongs to GRENEDA for the purposes of FEW–we will be fighting the oni clan. You became a member of DEEN because of a deal struck with Kana. You also challenged Son when she was a member of GRENEDA. If you join me, you’ll be part of the group that bears the stigma of defying the FEW cease-fire.」 「Heh, I knew that. Should be fun.」 He voiced his thoughts. It followed his life philosophy of ‘In all Heaven and Earth, I alone am worthy of honour’. 5 Then sighing 「–Yo, Aria! If ya become the Scarlet Goddess again, the world would be in for a whole lot of trouble, It’ll be something like WWIII.」 After teaming up with me, G3 seemed intent on ratcheting tensions even higher with careless talk. 「Saving the world from a crisis is a hobby of mine. If I had to kill you, it’d make a great story. Especially in front of Aniki. I’ll stop ya.」 「Oh. Thanks.」 The vein on her forehead throbbing in anger, she still responded to the jest with a forced smile and reasonable amount of calm due to the magical barrier at my parent’s home. Aria is going to England after all– But hanging around Japan by myself would be highly unproductive. Now that they have Aria pinned down, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs could just pick me up on a separate charge. That being the case it might be a good idea to go to America. Staying out of the country until at least until the situation cools down. –I’m going to America. And Aria is headed to England. Well, the『parting』that Kanae-san suggested has unexpectedly come to pass. But it will be fine like this for a short while. This is true in the context of the story of irokane, our feelings, and several other things. But– 「Well, then this is it… It’s goodby for a while. Aria.」 「It looks like it.」 We had partnered through a lot of hard battles since April last year, and there was nothing else to say– And with a brief exchange of glances that conveyed a torrent of emotions we parted without another word. [END TEXT] ****************************************************** 1. Administrative district area of Japan’s national government 2. Shopping district in Tokyo. 3. Historical reference to widespread fires following earthquakes in Edo. Means that it’s a typical thing to be expected. 4. ‘Transcendent Ange’ It’s supposed to be German, and I think someone said ‘Ange’ was something in German too. Basically, it’s ‘better than New Ange’–Neue Ange 2.0 5. Saying of Buddha. Meant to indicate humility, but literally an arrogant statement. ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ### 003. Bullet 3: To the Center of the World ― East meets West Chapter 3 is here! Bit slower chapter, with a bit more setup. We will get more exciting though, I guarantee it! Enjoy! Chapter 3: To the Center of the World ―East meets West [START TEXT] Before Aria returned home, she went back to Butei High– I stayed at my parent’s home and sent a report to Butei High about going to America. G-3 had a commission request from a company to work in America, so it was fine on paper. Because it met the『3 day minimum』, it was treated differently than Caravan III which yielded a fixed number of academic credits, regardless of the duration–overseas assignments accrue a number of credits at a base rate. This basic rate is based upon the average student’s achievement at Butei High. What’s more, the evaluation, that is to say the audit of the credit is rarely performed. Doing so for overseas work would be hard. As an extreme case, if you were going to receive a failing mark in a midterm or final examination in Japan…if you could come up with a fictitious overseas commission, the system allows you to scrape by with a barely passing grade. At least in Tokyo Butei High. But speaking of this loophole, if used to shirk off coursework, will result in a bad, untrained Butei that would eventually be killed.If you stay abroad without working for a long time, your visa will expire and you’ll run out of money. So this isn’t something that is typical for a student to do. Furthermore, by filing the report, everyone in the school network will know I’m in America. It will happen without the need to talk to anyone, and since it would be a strange thing to do during the FEW cease-fire… it’s best to limit contact with other members of DEEN. I want to lower the level of risk as much as possible. Even if someone was curious about where I had gone, they could find out that I was overseas in a single search. Then, without waiting a day to head to New York, the very next morning– 「Aniki, gimme this bear carving. It has artistic charm.」 「Onii-chan, I want this silver angel! Then I’ll have 4!」 My idiot younger brother and sister were picking through my stuff like they were some kind of Japanese souvenirs. 「The bear is 2,000 Yen, and the angle is 500.」 I declared, leaving the room with as many bullets as I could carry. Exiting the washroom into the corridor, I told my grandfather: 「I’m leaving for a while. I’m going to America.」 I slid open the exterior screen… 「Wha…!」 「…」 Standing there in a sailor suit and not returning my shocked reaction–was Reki. Having her right in front of me, and not giving off any sign of her presence, I was truly surprised. I didn’t know how long she was there…but she had been there the whole time, waiting for me it seemed. With a little girl standing with a Dragunov hanging from her shoulder in front of our door, there was no telling what kinds of rumours the neighbours would spin… 「Why are you here, Mint Yada.」 A bit petulantly, I used the embarrassing alias that Reki used last year when she free-loaded at my parent’s home. But, as usual, Reki answered as freely as the wind blew: 「I am accompanying you.」 She answered with her usual blank expression and uninflected voice. I indicated the line of G-3’s subordinates with my hand. 「No matter what, you can guess what we are doing. We aren’t going to an arcade or convenience store. Even if you say you’re a rule-breaker, we’ll be defying the cease-fire and–」 Mid-sentence: 「–The Wind is disturbed.」 Reki interjected, interrupting me and looking at me with her almond shaped eyes. …There it was,『The Wind』. Since the shinkansen-jacking it had been relatively quiet, and I’d ignored it, but this was Reki’s god. If told to kill herself, she’d do it. She and The Wind had fallen out last Autumn because of me, but it seems like they had recently re-established remote contact– 「Were you told to come with me?」 「Yes. The Wind wishes for me to go with all of you.」 「Tell The Wind to come themself.」 「…I am a single bullet. A bullet has no heart. Therefore, it does not think.」 Is she reciting that mantra again, after so long? But no matter what, she will never change her mind. I learned that back in the first semester of High School. What’s more–according to Shirayuki and Kazayuki–Reki is a miko for the ririirokane that we were going to take, although that is different from hihiirokane and ruruirokane. Although I didn’t want to think much about it, Reki was someone related to irokane . On the final day of summer vacation, she had warned me『You shouldn’t get too close to Aria』…I…can’t really say that I hadn’t ignored it. Aria and I had become friends, developed a bond, and become partners. If I had heeded that warning– It’s possible that this whole situation could have been avoided if I hadn’t recklessly ignored her. I couldn’t prove it or not, but if so, I need to repay Reki … At a glance, the addition of an S-ranked Butei sniper to G-3’s team is a welcome one. 「…Reki, do you speak English?.」 I asked, trying to break down her argument, point by point– 「 Yes. A little bit. 」 She answered in English with less of an accent than I had, a result of her having spent her early teen working in China and Russia as a hit man. ***************************************************** Ultimately, both Aria and I are both flying this morning. Aria, however, seems to have left Japan on a civilian flight ahead of me. Last night, I received a message from Aria that she was leaving from terminal 2, gate 3F–and I left G-3, his crew, and Reki in the international lobby. 「I’m going to see Aria off.」 I announced, and for some reason though grinning, a vein throbbed on Kaname’s forehead as she followed me across the ridiculously large lobby. The British Airways kiosk printer was located on the third floor at the south end of the building, and I quickly spotted Aria’s unusual pink hair… …Huh? There was another girl in a Butei High sailor suit standing next to her? She had twin-tails as well, but was even shorter than Aria–It was her Amica. Like Fuuma to me, this was the underclassman that Aria had adopted, Akari Mamiya. She was carrying Aria’s luggage. There was also another unsolicited pipsqueak there as well. Wearing a loose trench coat and looking happy, it was Nori Zenigata. It looks like… she’s acting as Aria’s bodyguard. That makes me angry. Because she caught us yesterday, Aria had to give up, raise her hands, and meekly return home. Mamiya shoved the luggage over the check-in counter, and Aria spotted me. 「Kinji.」 Her face lit up. Caught off-guard because of her cute smiling face, I was flustered for a moment– 「Good morning, Butei Offisher Kinji Tohyama. Did I hear it correctly from Butei High? Are you going to work in America today?」 The ebullient Zenigata interjected herself. She was happy to soon be relieved of the dangerous task of『taking care of Aria』. At least that was what her expression said. 「I was awfully rude yeshterday. Here. I have expresshed my shorrow in thish apology.」 Zenigata held out a manila envelope… and I started to refuse it. But the look in Aria’s eye said『please accept it』and after a brief inspection–the paper inside had『This document is a request to relevant officials to allow the bearer free passage into the United States of America』written on it in English. It was also stamped with the Secretary of Foreign Affairs’ seal. This… must be intended to prevent Aria and I from rejoining each other soon by making it easier for me to enter America. How considerate. Well, if I rejected this, it would put me on decisively bad terms with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I don’t plan to use it, but I’ll pretend to accept it. I put it into my pocket, and ignoring Zenigata– 「–Aria, you arrested 99 convicted criminals back in England. There must be some who are already released on bail or parole. Will you be alright without a bodyguard?」 I asked, worried about my partner’s safety. And the response was. 「I’m taking Akari with me.」 The mini-highschool girl Aria pointed a thumb toward the micro-highschool girl, Akari Mamiya. 「…Huh?」 I furrowed my eyebrows– 「Don’t worry. This girl is strong. She might even be able to beat you.」 「Nonsense. Even if I slacked off in INQUESTA, I wouldn’t lose to a first-year.」 「Well, let’s see. Akari, fight him.」 Grinning, Aria grabbed Akari’s twin-tails and placed her right in front of me. 「Wha! You want me to fight Kinji Tohyama… An upperclassman? H-here?」 The 139 cm tall Mamiya’s wide eyes flickered between me and Aria– –In her first year, she must have been involved in quite a few violent encounters, I can sense a reasonable amount of ability. But in the end, first-years are first-years. I’m not in Hysteria Mode, but I don’t feel like losing. At the orders of our common master Aria, we started some kind of bodyguard test. Glancing at the older women behind the British Airways counter, 「I don’t want to pull out a gun for no reason in an airport… so I’ll just rest my hand lightly on it. Just resting my hand on it is a bit clumsy, but it might hurt if hands get in the eyes or hit the jaw.」 I said prefatorily, pointing at my face. 「Ah, right. That reminds me that I asked Saski from INQUESTA about you…」 Scratching the back of my head, I gave no indication of attacking– –*Whoosh!* I aimed a leg sweep at Mamiya’s sneakers. If this were an ordinary first year, this would be the place where she would kick up at an angle toward the base of my skull, but– 「Hyaa!」 While raising a cry of surprise, Mamiya kicked out her own leg to intercept mine and used my own strength to power her own jump. Then there was a rush of air. With a flutter of her short skirt, she leapt up in a cat-like motion. As soon as I heard her foot touch the ground behind me, I pulled the gun I had bluffed and said I wouldn’t draw in a quick-draw motion. Then as I turned to face Mamiya– …? Huh? It’s lighter.My gun, that is. The magazine was missing. 「…Here you go.」 Bending forward, she took out the Beretta magazine from behind her back and returned it to me. When she was airborne, she must have slipped it from my shoulder holster. It was the same technique used by Watson and performed at the same skill level. It can’t be anything else. As I returned the magazine and gun to it’s holster… I noticed that it had a scratch like something left by an animal on it. Left by Mamaiya’s claws. From that I could tell it was– The Tohyama’s Family’s『Well Kerb Taking』…? The technique of taking an enemy’s weapon that I used on the day I met Aria to steal her spare magazine as she tossed me away. The track of the finger marks are quite similar. But when I learned Well Kerb Taking from my father, it was with both hands. There are only claw marks from one hand. No, this is『Penetrating Pilfer』…! Recalling its name, my eyes widened. The technique that I had learned,『Well Kerb Taking』, is a technique inherited from Tohyama no Kin-san, also known as Kinshiro Tohyama– a degraded version of a technique his father Kagekuni Tohyama stole from another style. The genuine technique was『Penetrating Pilfer』. Unlike Well Kerb Taking that can only take something on the surface of the body, Penetrating Pilfer can take something from inside . That is to say it is a brutal and unique killer technique meant to thrust the fingers into the navel or mouth and gouge out a vital organ or the brainstem. And the user of Penetrating Pilfer was working under Kagekuni Tohyama as a secret agent of the Imperial Court, to crack down on illegal contraband–a ninja. The name of that agent was Rinzou Mamiya. He and Akari Mamiya share the same family name. That can’t be a coincidence. But that is… a flower that should not be named. 1 「…Understood. I’ll leave it to you.」 I said, while returning the extended Micro-UZI magazine I had taken from Mamiya using Well Kerb Taking. Mamiya was Mamiya, and made a slightly relieved expression. 「I’ll have my Amica in London with me. She’s been about as hands-off with me as you’ve been with Fuuma, but when it comes down to it, she’s a reliable senpai. She’s also a certified S-Rank in fighting strength.」 Aria said, giving me a wink. With her senpai, Aria, and Mamiya, would that be the battle tri-sters? 2 If that’s the case, then I guess I shouldn’t worry too much. 「Aria…」 「Kinji. I can’t say a lot with Zenigata here, but let me be clear. We’re leaving Japan, but we aren’t running away. We’re running to confront something.」 — To confront the Scarlet Goddess, is what she means. I understand that. And I agree with you, Aria. 「So this isn’t『farewell』. It’s a see you latter」 「Right. Last year you chose me as your partner. I accepted it by going along with it. That means that I chose you as well. When Butei chooses partners, there is no『farewell』. Only when they die.」 「Thanks, Kinji. If something happens, I’ll call you.」 「I’ll hurry to your side, even if I have to dig a hole through the Earth.」 「Fufu! I think you just might.」 With this conversation, I wanted to check one last time on Aria– Yeah, that’s right. She’ll be fine. Just before we separated I got defiant. Well, if she’s on Earth, that’s practically the same place. Whether they are at the next station or the next country, the only difference is in the transport vehicle between them, but essentially they are the same. 「See you later, Kinji.」 「You too. Be careful.」 Alright, let’s go. Getting ready to perform a right about-face, my leg… it hesitated. But Aria. You and I– There was a possibility that this would be a parting for a lifetime. That was a fact. I looked up at Aria, and she looked back at me… There was only silence… with nothing but time passing between us. 「…」 「…Hurry up and go.」 Aria said suddenly, turning her camellia eyes away from me. Her anime-like voice quivered slightly… and moisture welled in her eyes. 「If you don’t, I’ll cry…!」 With a soft *Thump!* she pushed lightly against my chest– It was heartbreaking. It was unfair. A woman’s tears. Once they appear, no man can refuse. I should go. Right now. But that goes against my own determination. 「Alright, that’s no good! Onii-chan! Don’t raise that flag. 3 Let’s go!」 「Aria-senpai! There’s a free movie showing on the plane to watch! It’ll be fun, right!?」 Kaname and Mamiuya both tackled me and Aria, respectively. With a *Squish!* there was an alarmingly supple feeling against my arm from Kaname’s breasts that had experienced some surprising growth. I felt them through her sailor suit uniform as she pushed my arm from shoulder to forearm between them! I thought it was probably Shirayuki or Riko, but someone must have taught her this drastic technique. Witnessing that dangerous scene…! 「–Kinji! Wh-what are you doing leering at your sister!」 She did it! 「I’m not!」 「I-if you do strange things with you sister while I’m not watching, next time we meet, I’ll put so many wind holes in you, you’ll be Swiss cheese!」 「The human body it too thick to be Swiss cheese!」 I answered Aria back– What had a short time ago been a moving farewell scene was now one where Aria and I were quarreling because of some strange alliance between Kaname and Mamiya. 「Onii-chan, from now on we’ll be spending a lot of time alone together, right?」 Despite the public setting, Kaname who had been raised in America planted a kiss on my cheek, seeing that…! *Ping!* I heard the sound of a vein popping out of Aria’s forehead. 「RAAAAAARGH! Wind hole knee dislocation!」 –*Whoooosh!* For some reason, Aria aimed a low kick at me like the one I had used against Mamiya, but about 2 trillion times more powerful– Not only Kaname and Mamiya’s skirts, but also Zenigata’s coat were lifted by the air pressure created by her kick. *Crack!* Both my knees received a murderous blow. **************************** Originally, only bending in one direction, my knee now moved more freely than everyone else’s, now moving up toward the thigh causing me to walk strangely…*Shuffle!* *Shuffle!* I hobbled as we dashed away to escape Aria. 「Oniii-chan! Buy me that!」 Pointing at caramel sweets in an airport kiosk while grinning, Kaname carried me under her arm like Goma-chan “The spotted Seal”. I was afraid that Aria might shoot me to death. But what the heck, Aria! You should have kicked Kaname, not me! Pushing the back of the knee from behind, you should have called the cruel punishment that my knee received a knee cap breaker instead of a dislocation.The prefix of ‘wind hole’ had nothing to do with it at all! With all those quips about my latest stint of abuse, I employed a Tohyama Family reduction technique to the reversed <-shaped knee joint to return it to its usual orientation… I then passed through the priority international boarding gate with G-3’s party and Reki after the most ridiculously cursory security check ever. Why the preferential treatment? It’s even beyond that of first-class treatment. Kaname handed over the passport she had taken from the Men’s Dormitory No. 3 and was allowed through the departure security check without incident– 「Who has the tickets?」 I asked, and wearing his gold thread embroidered bell bottom suit, G-3: 「Aniki, you don’t buy a ticket when you ride your own bike, do you?」 He added with a grin. …Does he mean that we’re taking a private jet or something? That would explain why the security check was so lenient. You don’t hijack your own private plane. 「Are we taking the Galleon?」 「Aniki totally wrecked that one.」 We had these conversations as we passed by the jewellery and perfume of the duty-free shop… G-3’s subordinates followed after us. The large Caucasian Atlas was wearing a white school uniform-like set of clothes. The black, effeminate man, Collins, was wearing bandages on his face and a rainbow coloured suit. The one with her furry kitsune ears on full display and hiding her tail within a navy blue jumper and skirt that looked like something a middle school student would wear was probably the native Japanese Tsukumo. Finally, there was the grandfatherly chauffeur-cum-butler, Angus. There was also a woman with long, grey hair and differently coloured eyes, and a big man with bullet holes in his face who I remembered seeing in Shinagawa. Including the leader, they were a pretty flashy group… rather, they were a very diverse group. There were Caucasians, Black, Asians, Kitsune, able-bodies, disabled, sexual minorities, and men and women of all ages. When I pointed that out to G-3, he said: 「As long as I can use them, I don’t ask about race, social position, age, gender, or their past. On the other hand, if I can’t, then they might serve as a general officer of field commander.」 He gave a thoroughly meritocratic answer. Now I see. However, as we are making our way through the crowd of Japanese people, we stand out and are catching a lot of glances. Personally, I wanted to disappear using Metamaterial Ghillie. When they see us, they think that I’m their friend and are giving me strange looks. I hope we don’t come across anyone who knows me. I thought that, despite the fact that I have few friends…but then…*Tap!* *Tap!* *Tap!* 「–Huff! Huff!」 Running towards United Airlines boarding gate 65, a pipsqueak wearing a backpack and Butei High sailor suit ran past us. Slightly smaller than Mamiya, that kid was Hiraga-san.Recently, there have been a lot of pipsqueaks around me. 「Huh? Toma-kn! Ayaa’s going to!」 Hiraga-san stood there, holding a piece of bread in her mouth as she said something to me. Because of how long we had known each other I could tell that she said『Tohyama-kun! Ayaya’s going there too!』What she had said before was just her being out of breath. I watched her run through Narita Airport like a girl from a manga, just like I would expect from an inventor full of new ideas. 「I’m going to America too. If something happens, I’ll call.」 I said forcing a smile, while Hiraga-san flashed me a V-sign and dove headfirst through the gate after the final boarding call.The flight destination was–Washington D.C., Dulles International Airport. Hiraga-san must be studying abroad in Washington D.C.’s AMDO department. It looks like she’s going ahead to make preparations. Good luck. 「Aniki, over here!」 I stopped to see Hiraga-san off, and my annoying younger brother was tugging at my sleeve in jealousy. Rejoining everyone else, we left the lounge and descended the escalator to the south side of the airport. At the bottom waiting for us, there was the past middle-age Angus in a three-piece suit, giving us a respectful bow. G-3’s followers. 「Third-sama. Kinji-sama. I have been awaiting you. Please allow me to take you to the X-19C.」 Angus urged, respectfully, ushering us from the lounge into a mini-bus…It seems we were not going to use the boarding bridge to embark into G-3’s private aircraft as we pulled off into the aircraft taxiway. The impressive sight of a Boeing 747 taking off nearby stole my attention– 「We’re here, Onii-chan!」 Kaname said, poking my shoulder. Then when the bus stopped, G-3 led off and everyone else exited onto the aircraft parking area one by one. And there… 「–…A V-22…?」 Painted a dark sea grey, a craft that looked like something between a helicopter and conventional aircraft sat there. The V-22–Also known as the Osprey, is a tilt rotor aircraft that is able to rotate its wings to VTOL before and after achieving level flight. Like a helicopter, it doesn’t need a long runway, and like a fixed-wing craft, it has a long cruising range–a vehicle of dreams that is said to『Change how humans fly』. But this one… is twice the size of the specifications I have seen. The total width, including rotors, is about 40 m. Instead of 2 propellers on the main wings, this one has 4. It’s a quad tilt-rotor craft. In terms of shape, it’s closer to the C-130 Hercules. 「This is the X-19 Sagittarius. Angus talked about it a little while ago. It’s a total X-plane, ya know?」 G-3 shouted as he boarded, and his followers followed him, boarding via the door on the side of the fuselage. Then Reki and Kaname boarded and she turned back at the door. 「It’s cold, so hurry up and get in!」 Waving me on in… from the outside, the craft looked like a normal passenger craft… it took a bit of nerve, at first, to get inside. It looks pretty interesting from the outside, though. But it is cold, so I’ll get in. Inside the Sagittarius, it looked like the fuselage was a repurposed A-130 gunship fuselage and the interior was decorated to G-3’s tastes like a high-class hotel suite. The walls were panelled with rare carven mahogany wood and an oil painting of a short coliseum hung on one of them. Behind me, G-3 sat with crossed legs on a plush Versace sofa that had a wine red base and gold embroidery. The Persian carpet beneath my feet was very soft. 「We will conduct an aerial refueling above Alaska, then proceed directly to John F. Kennedy Airport.」 「Fine.」 G-3 gave a single word response to Angus who held his crooked arm against his chest while G-3 selected an LP record… When Angus turned and went back to the cockpit, I followed and peeked my head inside. 「I’ve seen you operate a car and a helicopter, but can you fly this airplane too? I don’t mean to insult you, but… isn’t the range of motion of your arms less than the average person? Flying a tilt-rotor is difficult. And I’ve heard rumours of accidents–」 「Please rest assured. I have completed over 1,000 of flight time in the Sagittarius. Once we reach cruising altitude, I will alternate shifts with Atlas, and he has completed 350 hours flight time.」 Saying that… he put on the comm headset and sat on one side of the two-seater cockpit with a curiously happy expression on his face. Because his facial muscles were stiff, whether it was a friendly grin or a smirk, I couldn’t tell. 「…Why are you so happy?」 「It is nothing. Yesterday and today, I have seen a good thing happen.」 「Something good?」 I titled my head, and Angus turned his neck around to look at me. 「Third-sama, who usually does whatever he wants, in Kinji-sama– has found someone to rely on. That was something new.」 He replied in a slightly hushed tone. But, apparently having very sharp ears, G-3 bellowed: 「That’s not true! My Aniki was unemployed, and I used my connections to get him a job!」 With a *Thump!* *Thump!*, he stamped his feet angrily. He was turning bright red. 「Ah yes. He is just as kind to his allies as ever.」 It seems like Angus likes to bully G-3. How reckless. 「He isn’t kind. Didn’t he fight you a long time ago…? And do that to your body…」 Given what my younger brother was capable of, I was slightly worried for Angus. 「By no means. He was kind at that time as well.」 「How!」 「He did not kill me.I was ordered by CAG to conduct a lone assault, and I was meant to kill him.」 At this statement from Angus, my eyes widened. Was this guy a former CAG member– a part of DELTA Force? But now he’s G-3’s chauffeur DELTA Force is supposed to be America’s special forces group and the best in the world. And the fact that he was selected and ordered to kill G-3 by himself must mean that he has some kind of Devil King level power. But didn’t he know his enemy is a human weapon that boasted the power to overthrow a small country? Even so… Behind me wearing an unconcerned smiling face, Atlas was carrying a meat pie into the cabin, Collins was perusing the champagne cooler and humming a tune, and their origins can be easily guessed. Green beret and Navy SEAL, respectively. Singing a lackluster version of a Perfume song with Kaname on a portable karaoke machine with Tsukumo, who seemed to be a former member of the JGSDF Central Readiness Force. ******************************************************* Sagittarius took off from Narita Airport in helicopter mode, then a minute later transitioned to flight mode– From there it became cruising an ordinary turboprop aircraft. Due to Angus’ top tier piloting skills, it didn’t so much as shake any more than the mini-bus had. …I guess I was more worried than I needed to be about this tilt-rotor craft. Reki sat on the floor, holding her knees like a life-size statue. Atlas pulled out a BlackBerry Curve 8530 chatting with his mother. Collins, who seemed to be a Muslim prostrating himself on the floor, worshipfully chanting: 「Allahu Akbar…」 Kaname and Tsukumo had pulled out hagoita and were playing a game of in-flight hanetsuki. 4 What a pain. After eating a sealed mean and a few hours of flying– 「–Everyone except Angus and Atlas, get sleep. We’ll arrive in New York at 1445 Eastern.Upon arrival, move into position, arm, and resupply. That is all. Move out!」 G-3 ordered, despite the fact that no one was tired. Crying「Ya!」in chorus, his followers pulled collapsible beds and futons from the back of the plane and spread them out. I’ve already had experience with jet lag, so this must be a preventative measure to catch up on sleep. Even with his usual laissez-faire​ attitude, he hasn’t forgotten to take care of his people.That’s G-3’s leadership. …With just red night light illuminating the space, the plane’s interior took on a gloomy tone… I borrowed a mat folded up 3 times and laid down on it on my side. But… I couldn’t do anything except worry about Aria. Right now, she’s probably flying over Russia to get back to England. We’re on opposite sides of the globe. … What am I doing? Mamiya is there to help her, and she’ll be fine. She shouldn’t have another attack. Even so… I couldn’t sleep with my thoughts racing… The last one up, I heard Collins putting his suit into a closet. In the dim light, I saw that he was removing the bandages covering his face. In his tank top, I could see that he was a thin black man, but well muscled–but on his body there was a scar from a knife… no, it looked like someone had torn flesh with their bare hands. It was on his face. He looked like Osamu Tezuka’s Black Jack. 5 「…Collins, did G-3 do that?」 「Nooo, how lewd!」 He said, raising a feminine cry upon realising that I had seen his exposed skin. 「What? Don’t look at me like that, dearie. I hide it because I don’t want to shock people, but I love this scar. No matter what, it is a human record of my fight with my darling prince.」 While looking at G-3 who sat on the sofa, arms crossed like a Sengoku Era warlord, he knelt like a little girl on my mat. Then while still looking at G-3– 「…You’re worried about Aria-chan.」 「…!」 Making a sudden remark that cut directly to the heart of my true feeling, I blushed slightly. 「It must be hard for you, huh? Being apart from someone you thought that you’d always be with, but now being apart. It’s happened to me too, dear.」 Collins closed his eyes and muttered「Ah yes, tis a blighted love…」to himself… 「But love does not mean that you are always clinging to each other. Sometimes when you are separated, you can love by withdrawing.」 Grinning broadly, his hands gently stroked my head. I had been avoiding this subject for a while, so I didn’t know this because I had no interest in it… Huh.Is it really like that? I never thought I’d learn it from an effeminate man. 「…It’s not love. I don’t know what you’re talking about.」 Brushing his hand off, I turned away sullenly, and Collins said:「Yah! So cute!」. 「What’s more, Kinji-kun. It takes a bit of time, but this is a love technique. After being separated for a brief period of time, feelings swell and what were previously insurmountable hurdles to love are overcome.」 「Th-that’s not how Aria and I are…!」 「Hush now, love! Everyone else following G-3’s order to sleep, so…you…need…to…be…quiet.」 Collins seemed to be more skilled in the art of conversation than me… In reality, reuniting after Aria’s confinement at the Institute for Medical Science, I felt that the bonds between us had strengthened If we are able to get past the issue of the Scarlet Goddess, we’ll definitely be much better partners. …Definitely. If that happens, then the number of bullets Aria shoots at me in a day might decrease to 5… While thinking of that my emotions became conflicted, and I was lulled to sleep by the sound of the X-19C rotors. ********************************************** On a Mercator’s projection map, the shortest distance from Tokyo to New York is a straight line. But since the Earth is actually spherical, this is not true. It’s actually a more northerly route. While I slept, we refueled over Alaska, and passed over Canada to reach America. Tired of the view of the endless forest beneath us, I went into the washroom to brush my teeth, and Kaname called:「I see it! It’s Manhattan.」from by the window. Like a child by the window of a train, she was kneeling by the window, and over her shoulder– –I saw it for the first time, New York. It was the largest city in the United States of America. Built up around Manhattan Island which was long and narrow from north to south on an island between 2 rivers. It’s centre was 81 km from the Hudson River estuary. My first impression from viewing it from the sky from the north was… it’s a lot greener than I expected. There was a large park on Manhattan Island. From movies, I knew it was Central Park. But on the south side, innumerable skyscrapers soared into the sky. Unlike Hong Kong, however, the closer you get to the centre, the taller the building, so that, at a glance, it looks like some kind of mountain. In all of those buildings, several hundred millions, or even trillions are created, tied up as instruments of the world’s strongest economy. Manhattan was surrounded by a glittering golden river, and a slight fog or haze of exhaust rose up from it– 「We will be transitioning flight modes shortly. We will arrive at Kennedy airport in 5 minutes.」 Angus announced from the cockpit over the intercom without any warning. The local time was 1530. We’re at a bit higher latitude than Tokyo, but the Sun doesn’t look too out of place. As a personal measure to prevent jet lag, I didn’t look at my watch when I synchronised it to local time. I meant to swap over my consciousness with the time. From Japan to America. ***************************************************** Treated as a charter flight, the Sagittarius set down on a helipad at John F. Kennedy Airport on the southeast side of Manhattan. Surprisingly, there was a private hanger there, and we were bussed from there to Terminal 1. With its high, broad ceiling, it was just as gloomy as Hong Kong Airport, Charles de Gaulle Airport, and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol​. The bright lights of Haneda and Narita Airport must be unusual in the world. Tourists, both domestic and foreign, crowded the space, and… Reki and I, along with Kaname who had a forged Japanese passport queued up in different Immigration Check lines than G-3 and his group with American passports. Because fingerprints and photographs needed to be taken, the line meandered its way forward slowly… Passengers from other flights lined up behind us. If you look at the crowd for a moment, you’d be able to see that these aren’t just tourists. There were business people in suits coming into the US. A group of black women further back are saying they came here to find work. An eccentric couple from Barcelona look to have come to New York for some kind of performance art. Those who have come to a new land of opportunity are full of eagerness. I don’t know if things will work out for them or not, but… New York is a city of hopes and dreams. 15 minutes later, it was finally our turn– Carrying her Zero Halliburton suitcase, Reki deliberately affected a Japanese accent into her English, and 30 seconds later, Kaname passed through as well. Then it was my turn. I passed my passport to a fat, white woman who was eating a snack–When she entered my passport number into the computer, the screen colour changed, and she shot me a look. Stopping eating, she turned to me with a serious expression. 「–Purpose for travel?」 Ah… Am I on some kind of American list of dangerous Butei, just like in England? Yeah, that’s got to be it. I’m not really a well-behaved person anyway. As she scrutinised me carefully, I answered– 「Business.」 I then held out the『apology letter』from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that I got from Zenigata requesting free entry for me. In actuality, I just recalled it, but I pretended that I was going to use it the entire time. Keeping her eyes on me, she took the letter to her superior. 「…」 I was sorry for all the people waiting behind me, but they were reading it very carefully… after a while, the yellow-green light above the counter flashed, and she held out the fingerprint reader to me and nodded her chin at it. Then they took my picture with a cheap digital camera. At the same time, they asked about where I was staying and for how long, so I answered:「My younger brother’s house. I’ll be leaving when I am done with my job.」– Then she handed my passport and letter back, already looking away from me. Then she called out: 「 Next! 」 to the person behind me. Seems like I got into the country alright. With a wry smile on my face, I headed out to catch up with everyone beyond the Immigration Check– 「Here, Onii-chan! It’s a welcome drink!」 Heart pounding and throat dry and crying out for moisture, I gratefully accepted the can of cola from Kaname. 「Thanks.」 In the Immigration Lobby full of kiosks and a post office, I downed a genuine Coca-Cola… Huh. Tastes the same as in Japan. Well, I guess I should have expected that. ******************************************************** Outside, the temperature was cooler than Tokyo, but the sun was shining, so it was bearable. However, Tsukumo who seemed sensitive to the cold was bundled up in a duffel coat, scarf, knitted wool mittens, and a hat. In order to prepare for the cold weather, myself, Reki, and Kaname had worn the Tokyo Butei High winter uniform, so we were fine, but the rest of G-3’ party were dressed for show and pretended it didn’t bother them. Puffing white mist, we crossed the black asphalt parking lot… 「Which one you like, Aniki?」 Wh-wha? There were a bunch of G-3’s favourite supercars. There were 5 of them with streamlined bodies like something out of an anime arranged in a row. I barely understood it, but when I asked the motorhead Mutou about it, the Bugatti Veyron can reach up to 400 KPH with certain modifications. There was also a deep red Enzo Ferrari, a matching electric blue Pagani Zonda, a scaled up version of a mysterious black Mini 4WD batmobile-esque car, and a white Rolls-Royce Phantom at the head of the line that made me a bit nervous. 「Doesn’t matter which one.」 I answered, and G-3’s face became furious… 「…Riding in an expensive foriegn luxury car would make me nervous. Aren’t there any Japanese cars?」 I was desperately looking around at all the cars I didn’t want to ride in– 「 This one’s Japanese. It’s a Mitsuoka Orochi.」 He replied, dragging me over to the most chuunibyou-esqe scaled-up model car. 「…This is a Mitsuoka? I wouldn’t have guessed that because it’s base model has been so changed. What are these holes in the rear?」 I said while I buckled my seat belt in the passenger seat out of necessity. 「Rocket boosters. Using Nitro at the same time, it can make a steady Mach 0.5!」 Why would you equip such a thing…! Actually, this is the first time I’ve heard a car’s top speed expressed as a Mach number. But even if we are separated by an ocean, we are still related as siblings. I used the name of the serpent for my hand armour, but my brother used it for something else, it seems. Sitting happily in the driver’s seat of the right-hand drive car–*Vrooom!* I heard the roar of what seemed to be an overhauled V-12 engine. 「Bad Orochi! You’re scaring our passenger.」 G-3 seemed to mutter to himself. 「Don’t mind me, Third.」 A level meter on the front panel of the car lit up from top to bottom, and we heard a synthesised male voice. I’ve heard rumours that you’ll be able to install a similar voice for Siri on IPhone in the near future. 「Can this car talk?」 「Yes, Kinji-sama. Third-sama had informed me of your visit. I am honoured that you are riding with me.」 I was shocked by the feature that was like K.I.T.T. from Knight Rider… Next to me, G-3 was wearing a self-satisfied smirk, and we followed Angus driving Reki and Kaname in the Rolls-Royce, while Tsukumo followed in the Bugatti, Atlas and Collins took the Ferrari onto the Van Wyck Expressway. It was like some kind of daimyo’s formal procession of supercars. It was embarrassing. 「This Mitsuoka Orochi was also originally sent to kill me. That’s the point of it’s AI. Haha!」 「My apologies for that.」 G-3’s was even able to use his charisma to convert a computer program into an ally– I got the feeling the G-3 was relaxed being back in his home country of America. It was like Jeanne in France, and I suppose it’s true for anyone coming home. Even Aria… I wonder if she’s breathing a sigh of relief right about now? Road signs and billboard clearly marked with Roman letters were interspersed on both side of the highway, and I gazed out at the cheap, dark brown brick condominiums we were passing– Gradually, the condominiums became higher class, with new buildings crowded together. Road traffic also increased. Then– 「Right now, we are crossing the Brooklyn Bridge. It crosses the East River into Manhattan.」 The Orochi said as we passed over the large bridge with 3 lanes going either way. The bridge was a tawny brown steel structure, disappearing off into the distance as it crossed the river, and as we crossed it, our field of view expanded– –So this is Manhattan. How many times had I seen this in a Hollywood film. I’ve come to see the heart of America, the city within a city and world metropolis As I thought that…. My heart began thumping inside my chest. Looking down FDR Drive down the riverside, the buildings were less crowded than Hong Kong and many of them were new. The atmosphere… was different from Paris, Amsterdam, or Kowloon. If I had to say, it was like Tokyo. But all of the people on the sidewalks were American… and that made a definitive difference. What is it? I tilted my head to the side, and G-3 contacted Angus over the Bluetooth link through the car to his Motorola mobile– 「–Oi, Angus! Take the road going the other way. Head north.」 『Oh. My mistake.』 He responded from the lead car. 「Do even New York locals get lost?」 「Angus didn’t get lost… this is an intentional detour to show my Aniki the sights. Look over there. It’s the Statue of Liberty.」 In response to my question, G-3 pointed with his thumb out the window and toward the south side of Manhattan and Liberty Island– It was the world famous goddess holding aloft a golden torch that glimmered silently. –The patina profile of the Statue of Liberty pointed our direction– The Scarlet Goddess threatened Aria… and I’ve come to her country to find another goddess to fight her, so I want her to bless my fight. I’ll pray and ask for it. *********************************** After that, the G-3 motorcade went down to Wall Street, Ground Zero–the former site of the World Trade Towers–,and Times Square with its enormous display screen and dazzling lights. At each point of interest, the electronic voice of the Orochi gave an explanation. We then went down to see Broadway, and even though I had seen it in films, I couldn’t help but be moved by it–We heard the occasional cheers from Yankee Stadium then the cars turned back toward Midtown. We then entered the deep valleys between the highrises… Now I see. I know what it is. I just figured out the difference between Tokyo and New York. Tokyo has highrises. But there, they do not stretch out to the horizon. The way they reach up like mountains into the sky, they overwhelmingly surpass those in Tokyo in sheer『volume』. It’s like an entire city made up of the skyscrapers in Shinjuku. That is… a testament to the economic power of America. If you look down into the crack-like gaps between the buildings… The world of New Yorkers is full of bustling energy. The crowds were in constant motion, moving past glittering show windows and offices that were crammed together. I didn’t see many convenience stores, and instead there were tiny general purpose shops on every street corner and crossing integrated into the landscape. From that–I could tell that there was a huge wealth disparity, and it had less sanitation than Japan. All along the main streets, there were unemployed men gathered at filthy pizzerias. What were called Internet Cafes, $1 internet shops were not very pretty from the outside. A few were open to the air, and the scent of the HVAC’s exhaust and ketchup leaked out. Somehow, this was exactly as I imagined it. 「G-3, don’t get mad at Angus. I enjoyed the drive. Even though we didn’t come to sightsee. What do we do now?」 「I have a bunch of bases in New York, but my Aniki is a VIP. I’m going to show you my stronghold.」 「And then?」 「Then we’ll get our equipment together. Depending on the state or smaller administrative district, I have a patchwork of allies and enemies. New York is full of neutrals, and that’s why we came here. On our way to Area 51, I have to avoid being detained as a fugitive and above all, Mash. Before we fight him again, I need to be sure my subordinates are armed and in good condition. You too. I also need to put some Merbromin on these scratches on mine.」 –Mash Roosevelt of the NSA, the Transzendieren Ange monster. Even the brash G-3 is being cautious– He must definitely be someone to reckon with. From what I’ve been told… Transzendieren Ange must be like the power armour Atlas wore on the Omotesando, but even larger… Is it like a Gundam? Or is my enemy a Macross or Evangelion? I’ll have to deal with it either way. The enemy– they are at a US military base, and I have to get in to steal the ruruirokane. [END TEXT] ****************************************************** 1. Idiomatic Expression means ‘something better left unsaid’. 2. Amica is San-shimai, the word here uses the kanji for ‘3’ in place of the first part ‘san’ of this word. 3. To ‘raise a flag’ as in trigger a common trope in manga/anime. Like, you know, if someone talks about getting married after the war, you know they’re gonna die next. 4. Rackets for a Japanese version of badminton. 5. LINK ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ### 004. Bullet 4: New Yorker ― G-3’s Gang Here’s Chapter 4! A bit slower chapter, but things will heat up quickly later! 95% of the volume is completed, so it should come out as soon as editing is complete. Might need a break as I actually execute my move and start the new job. Will keep people posted, generally, in the Discord. Not much else to say, so here we go! Chapter 4: New Yorker ―― G-3’s Gang [START TEXT] The motorcade then pulled past the Empire State Building the giant gorilla had clung to in the film『King Kong』…Nearby, a relatively newly constructed skyscraper reached up to pierce the sky. Up above the Gothic style entryway, a large, stylised set of『G』and『III』letters combined and arranged in a logo. 「Is this… possibly…」 I said as I got out of the Mitsuoka Orochi, and looking at the logo that I was pointing at, G-3 said: 「It’s my building.」 I thought so…! 「You, own a building in Manhattan…!?」 「They just keep popping up one after another. I thought it’d be fun to have one myself.」 「You did it for fun. That’s really in line with: ‘In all Heaven and Earth, I alone am worthy of honour’.」 「That’s my favourite quote!」 His followers in tow, I entered the building behind G-3. Above the entryway, the Stars and Stripes and Circle of the Sun fluttered side by side. I didn’t need to ask. G-3 must have ordered them to hoist them in order to welcome me. Although we are siblings, G-3 and I have different nationalities… With my sister-in-law, Patra, an Egyptian, we’re becoming quite cosmopolitan. The Tohyama Family, that is. Thinking that as I walked along, behind me: 「It’s been a while since I’ve been to G-3 Tower!」 Kaname said, giving a predictable name for the building as she skipped along, pulling Reki by the hand. Inside the entrance hall with the ridiculously high ceiling– In the floor by the walls there were a lot of bronze hand prints embedded. 1 Next to each of them, I saw there was a name and brief biography engraved…they must be from all the American heroes G-3 is friendly with. My brother has a lot of connections. Among superhumans. 「Oh! Is that Batto Hino’s hand print? 2 Do you know him?」 Hino is one of America’s most famous armed detectives. He was an anonymous soldier that never showed his face, and his ex-wife was Japanese. His daughter was a first-year enrolled in ASSAULT and one of Ranbyou’s favourites. 「Yeah. I can’t say 100% I can beat him in a fight, but I think of him as a friend.」 「Why do you always talk about everyone so condescendingly, and… huh? The floor over here…」 KINJI TOHYAMA– My name was on a nameplate. But there was no handprint. 「We’ll get your handprint later, Aniki. Your name will be immortalised here as a hero.」 「You’ve got to be joking! No I’m not; I’m a normal Butei. Get rid of that nameplate!」 I rounded on my younger brother… 「Welcome back, Third! Since you’ve been gone, the NSA and CIA have been snooping around.」 –A young girl’s voice interrupted, cutting me short. Turning around, I saw the familiar face of one of G-3’s subordinates… It was a girl with straight-cut bangs, silver hair, and eyes with mis-matched eye colours. 「Thanks for keeping a lookout, Luca. It’s probably Mash’s minions sniffing around. I don’t like it, but there’s nothing to be done.」 Entering the building and removing her scarf, Tsukumo addressed the beautiful Caucasian girl, Luca… She has uniform length hair and butterfly-shaped hair ornaments on the left and right sides of her head. She also wore a butterfly designed choker, a two-layer, short flared skirt, and a knee-length coat with a lining in a girlish print… The overall impression was that of a stylishly dressed child. But her expression was gloomy. 「–Aren’t you the classic example of ‘gloomy’?」 Her blue and red eyes looking at me, I was shocked. Did I just… say it out loud? I had to think about it. …The uncanny Luca, joined everyone else, except Angus who went to deal with the cars, and headed toward the elevator in the lobby. There, striking an imposing stance with arms folded, was a portrait of G-3. You seem to think highly of yourself, G-3. He even decorated the place with his own flattering picture. It looked like a blown-up picture of the JPEG he uploaded on Facebook at my parent’s home. But he was cross-dressing. ********************************************** Most of the floors of G-3 Tower seem to be rented out to various business enterprises, and the rent alone must be a sizable sum. And so the rich become richer. The entire top floors from 113-115 are the residence of the『G-3 League』. In total, there were 52 rooms, and the top floor was a penthouse for G-3’s exclusive use. It’s something I don’t understand. Each of the rooms were sets of suites in multiple styles with high ceilings that didn’t make any sense Entering one of the 3 dining rooms– 「「Yippie!」」 Both Kaname and Tsukumo chorused this baby-ish English cry, dashing to the table. There was a mound of hamburgers, cheeseburgers, Big Macs, and Quarter Pounders, apparently purchased by Luca. There were also bucket-like XL colas, milkshakes, and cake-like biscuits, and apple pies… Each taking a seat, the girls began to eat all of them. …It seems that what this country lacks the most is nutritional education… The large-sized French fry was twice the size of that in Japan, and Reki was silently imbibing the scent. I could already see the bad influence America was having on her. 「Aniki, you should eat too. An army marches on its stomach, after all.」 Angus came up behind him, pulled out his chair, and G-3 threw himself down into and started eating his Big N’ Tasty burger. 「Well, I do like McDonalds. But should you really eat it 3 times a day? It’s a bad example for Kaname.」 I scolded him, but I was hungry, so I ate a Big Mac–and, as I thought, it tasted the same as in Japan. There wasn’t an authentic taste to be experienced, but on the other hand, it was reassuring. It provided a sense of stability. Making the rounds to everyone besides G-3, Angus took a small meal to match his slight frame, along with one for Atlas, and Collins checked the halal markings on his meal before eating… Each meal was suited to the person. 「So when are we going? To get the ruruirokane…」 I asked G-3 while Angus poured me a black coffee, from a Syphon coffee maker– 「To get everyone rested, re-supplied, and service the Sagittarius it will take 3 days. We’ll get started on your personalised armour tonight, and you’ll have it in 3 days.」 Despite the fact that he used an abbreviation, I knew what he meant because he tapped the Neue Ange armour he wore on his shoulder with a finger. He… wants me to wear that? No way! *************************************************************** Although I didn’t want to wear it, I didn’t want to be the one to tell my younger brother that, and so after the meal, Angus took Reki and I, the pair of newbies, to his rooms. The antique style furniture was well-chosen and it looked like an office, and… 「Third-sama has some spare equipment, and you are his brother. It should require just minor alterations.」 He temporarily fitted boot-like leg armour, and some arm armour like Hiraga-san’s Orochi-kai on to me. Moving like a first class tailor, Angus took the measurements of my limbs and torso. In terms of Butei High, he is seemingly able to fulfil both the roles of LOGI and AMDO. But this armour… is incredible! It was as light as a feather and did nothing to restrict movement. And yet, it was completely bulletproof. We also conducted a test where a 9 mm bullet was fired at the armour on the back of the hand, and I didn’t even feel anything. The bulletproof clothing has a micro-spring structure made of twisted nano-Kevlar that operates on the principle of dispersing the shock of a bullet’s impact, but it appears able to disperse it with a much higher efficiency. 「How is it, Aniki?」 「What a cheat! This thing is incredible!」 「Your very existence is a cheat, Aniki!」 I didn’t like the armour and reacted as such, but G-3 was in high spirits. 「But what about concealability…? It can’t really be hidden under clothes.」 I still didn’t like the Metal Hero-like look of it, and in response to this unreasonable request: 「–As you wish. However, it would lower the strength.」 Pecking away on a scientific calculator, Angus replied. 「How much? Would Aniki be able to take a technique like my『Meteor』?」 G-3 asked from beside me, his face drawing itself into a grin. It looked like a wry smile. I cannot say exactly. I can guarantee it up to a speed of Mach 2.」 That’s plenty. Ouka is only Mach 1. 「My Aniki pulls all kinds of insane moves. Make it thin, but don’t let it’s performance drop.」 In response to G-3 even more harsh request, Angus replied: 「As you wish.」 Bowing his head. A reliable man. This is the kind of follower you want. 「…Hey, Reki. I know you like it, but take that thing off. When you wear that, I’m not joking, it makes me uncomfortable because I don’t know where you are.」 I said to the empty space within the room– *Zzzt!* *Zzzt!*… Accompanied by the crackling sound, the raincoated figure of Reki materialised next to me. 「…」 Silent as ever, her red eyes peered out at me from beneath the hood… Angus had given her a raincoat style Metamaterial Ghillie suit–It looked like she had taken a liking to the favourite disguise used by G-3’s followers. When I asked about it, this optical ghillie coat she was using employed Reflective Projection Technology (RPT) that was originally a Japanese technology. The wrecked Galleon was covered with it, that is nanoscale photopores that changed hue to match whatever background was behind it. If I had to give it a name, I’d call it Chameleon Reki. When she wore it, her already microscopic presences would vanish entirely. With this, Reiki might be able to get her revenge on Headmaster Midorimatsu. However, disappearing and then suddenly reappearing set my heart pounding in a bad way, so I banned her from wearing it while near me for a while. **************************************************************** Taking off the armour, I was released from Angus’s room– It was too early to sleep, so I decided to try to come to an understanding with G-3’s followers, with whom I would be shortly risking my life. However, I didn’t know who stayed in which room, so I just started opening them. Peering into the first one– 「Oh! Kinji-kun! Good evening!」 It was the real Ironman who fought in his P. A. A., the Caucasian–Atlas. Atlas’ room was setup like a sports gym. Running around the room in a set of shorts and a T-shirt, he looked like a huge, white, American football or rugby player. He’s not a bad guy by any stretch of the imagination… but I wanted to run. He’s the athletic type. 「Can I interrupt you for a moment?」 「By all means! Come in! You should join me in running!」 「Well, I really don’t want to run… But is this a picture of you in uniform?」 I said, picking up a framed picture from off a cabinet stand– It looked like a bit younger Atlas, but the one in the picture had the same flushed, smiling face. In his hand was a medal in a display box that was inscribed with valedictorian. Also displayed in the photograph was an older man that seemed to be his father holding a All-School Boxing Champ belt at Atlas’ waist. 「Sure is! I graduated from Westpoint, was appointed a second lieutenant, and was assigned to the 7th special forces group under Special Operations Command. I was the team commander, and it was during my time there that I ran into G-3-kun. You’ve got me all nostalgic.」 Atlas’ smile stretched across his face, exposing all of his teeth– You left Westpoint to come to Japan? Wasn’t this the elite, best of the best unit that General Douglas MacArthur commanded? 3 He was assigned the command of Green Berets. He must have been one of the youngest CO’s of the 7th SFG–They were tasked with the difficult task of drug trafficking in Central and South America and must have skipped a few steps up the chain of command. Just now, Atlas put a slight emphasis in the words『ran into』… He must have received orders and gone to kill him. G-3. Maybe when G-3 was engaging in his hobby of disrupting the cartels, the 7th SFG thought that their job was being stolen, so the assassination order was issued. 「How was it when you『ran into』my brother?」 「It was incredible! I fought him in the jungle of Ecuador, but no matter what our bullets never reached each other, so I proposed we decide things in a boxing match. He laughed loudly and accepted.」 What idiots…! Atlas, and you too G-3…! 「I drowned in a sea of blood. For the first time in my life, I was completely defeated and suffered a setback. Defeated, he asked me『Death or Prisoner, make a choice.』and I answered『Kill me』–Then he said『Good answer. I’ll kill you.』–Then he gouged out a hole in the ground right next to my head with his fist.」 「…So instead of killing you… he took you prisoner?」 「No. I was killed, in a sense. When my eyes went wide, G-3-kun said to me『The person you have been until yesterday is dead. Now you’re reborn. I recognise your strength, so become one of my superhero followers』–Then he took my hand and showed me a smiling face. I was inspired. And I thought: what an entirely amazing person…!」 The hell…! But when I’m in Hysteria Mode, I say all kinds of things to girls, so I’m not really one to talk, but hearing G-3’s words gave me goose bumps. A stubborn and serious man was disarmed by those words. After losing to G-3, Atlas dropped out of an elite military career. And he did it all for my brother. In any case, Atlas…was recognised for his strength by G-3 and joined the front-line force of the G-3 League, it would seem. And judging from that story and the fight on Omotesandou… His offensive and defensive power are both high, and he was a tough adversary even separated from his unit. If Atlas were a heavily armoured vanguard in his P.A.A., even if his enemy defeated him, they would be exhausted. And if G-3 were there, then there would be no one who could stand against them… Even for me in Shinagawa…could Altas and G-3 prepared a two-phased assault. I thought back to last year’s life or death ordeal– 「Boy!」 Calling Atlas, a plump, blonde grandmother entered the room. Who is this…? 「Mama!」 His already bright face began to beam as he rushed over to the source of the voice, an old woman with coke-bottle glasses–She wore a long, floral print skirt, and he swept her up into his arms. 「Oh! Boy! That business you work for keeps you awfully busy. You must be so tired! Look here, I’ll make you a big meat pie!」 「Whoa! Thanks, Mama!」 That… must be Atlas’ mother. What an age to have a child! Because of that, Atlas must have grown up spoiled and developed some kind of Oedipus Complex. 「Now then, I wanted to talk to you about this formal marriage interview. Look at this mobile phone picture. How about this little miss? You’d have awfully cute blonde babies!」 「M-Mama! It’s all too fast!」 He answered with a forced laugh. All of a sudden, Atlas had suddenly become totally weak– I have almost no memories of my own mother, but I’m envious, and I left the room behind. **************************************************************** 「…Were you a US Navy SEAL? 」 「Why, yes! Why do you want to know?」 A large number of computer displays arranged both vertically and horizontally on a wide, black desk, Collins answered, wearing a heart patterned suit. This room–though smartly designed smelled sickeningly of men’s cologne. 「What are you doing there? Trading stocks?」 「Yes and No. I have investments, but I mainly deal in Credit Default Swaps. 「I don’t understand… Can you make money on those? Isn’t the subprime American mortgage loan bubble collapsing?」 「There are ways to make money from a recession, dear. I just made 3.6 million today.」 「I-In such a short time… you made 3.6 million Yen?」 「That’s dollars, darling. That would be about 300 million Yen. When the children all retreat, it’s time to leave it to a US Securities Analyst.」 Flashing diamond studded earring and wearing Chanel sunglasses despite the fact that he’s indoors– Collins used an eye-tracking system on the monitors and used his right and left hands independently to type on separate keyboards. He must be taking in the information for multiple financial charts and tools, executing trades, and carrying on this conversation all simultaneously. What’s more, he has the fighting power of a Navy SEAL. That was the kind of follower G-3 had. 「…You’re a dependable man, aren’t you, Collins.」 「Wouldn’t you say Third-sama is more dependable than I? It’s a bother, so he leaves the money matters to me.」 What a smart bunch they are… even in their spare time, they make money almost like a hobby in their spare time. I was dripping sweat working as a part-timer in the convenience store for 640 Yen per hour. I didn’t want to disrupt Collins, so I stayed silent… I then began categorising the members of the G-3 League in my head. G-3 was in charge of bringing people together. As the strongest and most capable person, he directs the organisation with his charisma. He is the most important part in this ideal team structure. Angus was the leader’s butler who took care of the team’s property, daily necessities, and transport. Tsukumo seemed to be in charge of personal security in Sugamo. She appeared to be of the same race as Tamamo and likely had been serving as an advisor in matters related to irokane, as well. Atlas was deployed on the front lines, as well as Collins who also served the dual role of capital funds procurement. From what I saw last year, Kaname was in charge of spying, patrols, and subversive activities. In addition, Kaname also served the role of a lesser G-3 and could take command in the unlikely event that it is required. Life limiter–With G-3’s medical issue, this allowed for the delegation of authority so that the team doesn’t get wiped out all at once. Kaname has come to stay with me, but if G-3 eats that special tomato, he’ll be fine and it’s nothing to worry about. The G-3 League… is perfect. If given the opportunity to form a better team, I couldn’t. They weren’t any here, but I as looked around the floor, I felt there were more members… It was a small military–using the Combined Arms 4 approach and several extreme personnel. They each had their specialty and worked together organically to function effectively. There was a drastic difference between them and the typically useless assembly of Baskerville where I was the ex-pushover leader. However… That little girl Luca was a bit mysterious. She had been left behind as a defensive rear-guard, but she didn’t seem too strong. There was no way she was G-3’s lover, so she must be some kind of ESPer. If we’re going to be fighting together, I should really make sure and find out. ************************************************************** I knocked on a door that had the fancy, decorative script『Комнатеот Луки』 5 that I couldn’t read on it… According the Collins, this is definitely where Luca-chan’s room is, but my knock went ignored. However, the door wasn’t shut all the way and half locked… inside, I could tell someone was there. That brat! Was she ignoring me? I didn’t like that. Alright, then in retaliation for calling me ‘gloomy’, I’ll just go in. I even had the Metamaterial Ghillie I had confiscated from Reki. It had a switch inside the transparent raincoat, and I pulled the hood and stepped into a spacious bathroom to make sure I had disappeared– Then suddenly I felt sick as I entered the white and pink covered room that smelled entirely girlish and feminine. Actually, thinking about it, they would hear my breathing, but I could traumatise Luca by having her witness vomit seemingly appearing from an alternate dimension. I didn’t want to go overboard on the revenge, so I forced down the hamburger by force of will. She must be a collector because on the walls and in several cabinets, there were wristwatches and pocket watches from all over the world… There were several clearly defined areas and a door leading to a smaller room. I heard some kind of voice from inside, and I entered while invisible– …! …I just barely was able to restrain a shriek as I stepped inside… There was a soft, canopy bed inside what looked like a bedroom– 「You can remove the ribbon here so that it doesn’t pass below the navel, Tsukumo. It comes off.」 「Depending on the bra, it can actually improve your posture.」 「This one holds my breasts in the cup from armpit to chest. Even if I Banzai, I’m OK and they don’t come out. Yeah, it’s very cute too.」 Luca (in pastel pink), Tsukumo (in pastel yellow), Kaname (in pastel white), and Reki (in pastel green)…! They were all in their underwear! To any outside observers, the average age appeared to be 14, and the 4 girls were putting their vibrant skin on full display in a just about nude state. Why!? From the large walk-in closet, I deduced that Luca was the kind of person with a lot of clothes, and, in getting ready for a fancy party in a few days, they were helping her figure out what to wear–but the reason doesn’t really matter! I have to stop the blood flow as soon as possible! 2,3,5,7,9… 9 isn’t a prime number! Augh…! Come on…! Of all the places to hysterise! It was a fantasy of every other boy『What they would do if they were invisible』and imagining all the indecent acts they would get up to. These were 4 innocent, beautiful girls. And one of them was my little sister! Frightened and confused– I looked up on the bed, and there a field of women’s underwear bloomed. It was like a field of flowers…! It resembled the colourful field from the Hong Kong lingerie shop, but these flowers were much more frilly and girlish. Despite that point in my favour, the flowers were a bit more lively and fresh. Even so– these 4 beautiful girls were dressed only in their underwear…! What I mean to say is that each of these flower are as dangerous as a super-dreadnought, regardless of what they are or are not wearing. Reki’s Shimamura bras, Kaname’s Shima Shima bras, and Tsukumo’s sarashi-like default choices littered the bed. Th-this is too dangerous! The inside of the Metamaterial Ghille hood is equipped with an infrared display, and I could distinguish the freshly discarded articles… and there were a lot of them. That means that they were going to be taking off the lingerie they were currently wearing…! –I have to get out of here! 「 Hey, the door’s half open.」 Tsukumo said, reaching out to close off my only path of retreat. Adopting the posture of the C from the song YMCA, I just barely was able to avoid her as she reached over to close it. N… No good…! Although I was transparent, and it thus had no practical effect, I paled… but Tsukumo, standing next to me in her lemon-yellow lingerie– 「Huh?」 She raised her head and sniffed. With a rustle, the hair on her kitsune ears stood up. 「…Something… smells like… Kinji Tohyama…?」 Your nose is pretty keen, Tsukumo. 「Kinji-san is there, Tsukumo-san.」 Even Reki noticed. This was like the time that Riko locked me in the locker in the girl’s locker room all over again. Except this time, we’re in New York. 「…Uh… I’m sorry. I heard voices but never intended to do this–」 Glowering at the location from which my voice came, Luca’s expression told me she hadn’t heard me… …*Whoosh!*… Her uniform length hair flared. Then her blue eye took on the same shade of red as the other. Like witnessing an angry Ohmu 6 , the blood flow of Hysteria Mode froze– –*Thump!* *Ba!* *Ba!* *Ba!* *Ba!* *Ba!* I felt a series of impacts on me head, chest, and abdomen in a barrage of blows! Ow! Ooow! Luca didn’t even lay a finger on me! What the heck!? Knocked back into the wall, the Metamaterial Ghille raincoat came off partially–and Luca who stood with her arms crossed at her waist angrily: 「I can’t forgive you for stupidly saying I had thin arms.」 –She read my thoughts. She must be the one in the G-3 League… in charge of Stealth…! This must be something like the technique『Reading the human heart』that Julia-senpai from SSR who trained Aria in telekinesis used, but contactless. It probably only works when she is concentrating on the person. 「That’s just about right, but you wouldn’t really understand. I studied at the Moscow University Parapsychology Academy since I was 12 years old, and the Russian Federation’s Federal Security Service–the former KGB ordered me to fight Third. I am one of his followers now, but I chased him down to some of the worst places imaginable.」 You skipped up all the way to university at age 12? That’s incredible, Luca! You’re a genius! And you’re so beautiful too! Heaven has given you two gifts! 「I’ll know if it was on purpose.」 …So what should I do? 「Just obey me. Now, Tohyama. I’ve given you leeway because you are Third’s brother, but there are limits.」 She was calm and collected, but at the heart of it, her personality was like Aria’s– With the raincoat half off, part of me was invisible and others were not, creating a surreal image…then without warning, I was picked up by the scruff of the neck to be scolded. 「Y-your younger sister is here! You–beast!」 Her tail sticking out from the top of her underwear, the real beast Tsukumo declared–delivering a high kick to my face. 「Onii-chan, you’re so lewd. If you wanted to see them, you just had to say so~!」 Looking happy for some reason, Kaname pinched my cheek and glanced at the P-fiber that had taken on the shape of a heart. 「…」 Reki assigned the blame to me by looking at me silently with a cold glare. 「My punishment is a sentence of Karmic Castration–bad luck will follow you, and you will forever lose 1 chance to flirt with a woman. In its place, you will experience 1 stroke of good luck in our military operation.」 I blinked my eyes at her several times as she delivered this sentence in a cool tone, but rather than a punishment, for me this was a reward. The idiot. Seeming to not have read that though in my mind, the fancy door opened like an automatic door and I was deposited outside with a *Plop!*– falling on my head. ************************************************************* Although I tried to catch up on sleep on the Sagittarius, I was, as expected, jet-lagged on the first day. It was because the time difference between Tokyo and New York was a negative 14 hours. It was almost a complete reversal of night and day. So, after connecting with the G-3 League, I went to the spacious living room… 「Onii-chan, your face is red.」 「I was kicked.」 While saying that, I played 501 darts with Kaname and Reki to deal with the drowsiness. It wasn’t really that fun. Reki naturally took the shortest way, scoring 180, 180, and 141 via a set of 3 triple 20’s, 3 triple 20’s, then a triple 20, triple 19, and double 12, in just 9 darts, and Kaname matched her. It took me about 30 darts to match them. It was 2100 in New York– Reki had fallen asleep by the window without a word. She was clutching her knees, as per usual, and her Dragunov sniper rifle. It seems that her biological clock has a corrective reset function. When the darts stopped keeping me awake, I disassembled my Beretta to perform simple maintenance in order to stay awake. Then Kaname came over to help me. 「Onii-chan, why do you keep the 92-type Beretta? Why not the 93R?」 「There aren’t that many of those guns in Japan. The main body and its unique parts are expensive, the time between required servicing is short, and it isn’t very concealable. The 92 has been used in more than a few conflicts in the world and it’s been shown to be reliable. On top of that, the full-auto modification has about the same performance… *Yawn!*…」 My words mingled with a yawn, then– A man with a similar face to mine and a larger, more muscular body appeared and yawned. 「Aniki, go to sleep. No one except my comrades ever come here, so I don’t have a guest room on this floor, so you can sleep in my room.」 Ah, is that G-3? I didn’t recognise him for a moment because he had taken off his face paint and let his hair down. ************************************************************** Once we reached the penthouse that was full of a varied assortment of sculptures and paintings– G-3 gave me a robe-like set of pyjamas, and he laid down in a set of black briefs. My drowsiness had reached a maximum, and I laid down next to my brother who was fast asleep on the huge bed that could have slept an elephant… Then I awoke at 1000 to the most unpleasant sound of a spatula striking a frying pan in some kind of『little sister alarm』. 「Moooorning, Oniiiii-chaaaan!」 Forced to wakefulness by a sailor-suited Kaname, I was forced to dress while drowsy… 「You sleep so late, Aniki! The early bird gets the worm! It’s an American saying.」 In the morning sun, G-3 was doing push-ups on the granite floor. Stripped to the waist, I could see the joint between his shoulder and his artificial left hand… It looks like he is tuning the calibration of strength between his right and left arms as well as engaging in calisthenics. The injuries he got from Mash hadn’t healed completely, but he had made a considerable recovery. That’s what you’d expect from a Tohyama man, we’re able to take a lot of punishment. Standing by the wall in the spacious room, Tsukumo held a change of clothes for G-3, ready to hand them to him. Despite the fact that she had kicked me yesterday, she showed no restraint looking at G-3’s half-naked body. Huffing in satisfaction and breathing wildly through her nose, her eyes turned into hearts. 「Today’s Sunday. We’ve already been out and back again, but shouldn’t you go to church, Aniki?」 「Church?」 「I’m Catholic. Atlas is Protestant. Luca is Russian Orthodox. Angus is Jewish. Collins is Muslim. Tsukumo is Shinto.」 「If I had to say… I would say that my beliefs are a mix of Shinto and Buddhism. But I’m not that religious. No more than the average Japanese person, anyway.」 「I don’t get it at all. Japan is a strange country.」 G-3 said as he pushed himself up onto one finger–suspending himself above the floor. Then he let himself down and took a towel from Tsukumo with a rustle to mop up his sweat. Much the same as their religion, G-3’s followers– were a microcosm of America and a veritable salad bowl. The Asian G-3, the West European Atlas, the African Collins, Middle Eastern Angus, and the Eastern European Luca. Their races were Mongoloid, Caucasian, Black, and Other (Kitsune). 「Hey, Aniki! Those clothes suit you pretty well, huh? They’re mine.」 Taking armour from Tsukumo, he thumbed in my direction… 「?」 Looking at my own reflection in the window…. Wow that’s bright! I fell back onto the bed in shock. It was something that Kaname always wanted me to wear, and G-3 had worn in Narita– It was a multi-toned rock star-like suit in white and gold. 「Wh-what the heck! You’ve got to be joking! Give me back my uniform! This is the kind of flashy clothes you’d wear!」 「They were originally John Travolta’s! It won’t be a problem to wear just for today, will it? Just for a job we have later today. Yeah, I gave your bulletproof uniform to Angus earlier for cleaning. You’ll get it back tomorrow」 「A job…? What is it?」 「You look great, Onii-chan! Fufu!」 「You’re laughing, Kaname!」 I aimed a drop kick with both my white, bell-bottomed feet at Kaname, and G-3 retreated… There really being no help for it, I said: 「Well, the clothes are pretty warm.」 In a change of opinion, I headed into the living room. Once there, looking outside the window– I saw Reki standing on the terrace. As if she was engaged in some kind of telepathy, she turned her face toward the Manhattan sky with her eyes closed… 「…What are you doing? I’m used to your usual strange behaviour, but you aren’t sleeping while standing up are you? You’ll catch a cold.」 Being cold, I only opened the door halfway to ask about her strange behaviour. 「I was listening to the voice of the Wind.」 Turning around to look at me, she had no absolutely reaction to my clothes. This lack of any response, in contrast, is actually pretty mentally devastating. Even Riko would point and laugh at me, and that would be better than this. But well… Ever since the time we parted at Tokyo Station, it seems that Reki is back in contact with『The Wind』. Because I didn’t want to deal with it, I ignored it in Ikebukuro and Sugamo, but I had started to suspect something. Because we had come to New York to deal with something related to irokane, it all fell into place. In Kyoto, I heard from Shirayuki and Kazayuki that Reki was the ririirokane miko. Back in the spring, at The Wind’s direction, she watched me, Aria, and Shirayuki like a hawk–all people with a connection to irokane– despite the fact that there were S-ranked Butei in that list. But it was still all half guesswork, so: 「When you say『The Wind』do you mean… ririirokane?」 I voiced my suspicions– …*Nod!* Reki nodded. –I knew it! Based on that information… I pieced together information I had learned in Hysteria Mode. At the Hotogi shrine, they said that『ririirokane hates human emotions』. That is to say:『hihiirokane loves the violent emotions of love and war』and possesses the totally opposite nature. Reki continuing to live life with a total lack of emotion fits with her role as miko for ririirokane. Aria’s passionate personality suited her awakened hidan. There seems to be some kind of symmetry here. …And that likely means… Ririirokane and hihiirokane are in direct opposition. Like magnets. When we left Tokyo, she reminded me on the last day of summer vacation–when it was just the two of us on the rooftop of INQUESTA, she said: 「You shouldn’t get too close.」 Ordering me to keep away from Aria. Back at the monorail station, she had stabbed Aria with a bayonet, just to keep us apart. Reki had wanted to get close to me, replacing Aria in some kind of bride-snatching operation. But as a result of such actions… Her emotions had begun to bud, and she had betrayed ririirokane and allowed Aria and I to continue our partnership. Reki had accepted that. 「Whatever happens in the end, will happen.」 She said, seemingly resigned to the fact. –As a result, Aria had become possessed. Reki knew that would happen. As someone with control over ririirokane that was in direct opposition to hihiirokane. 『The Wind』had told her that. In that case, then there could be absolutely no doubt. Therefore… The Wind–ririirokane had it’s own will. What’s more, it was in direct opposition to hihiirokane. What it wanted was unclear, but based on the hihiirokane and the Scarlet Goddess relationship… she definitely exists. The Cyan Goddess. That is how it is. According to Kanae-san’s theory there may be a Sapphire Goddess living inside ruruirokane, the third kind of irokane, that we were trying to steal– According to Reki’s account, that is very probable. That’s what she’s saying. There was that kind of irokane and this kind of irokane. There were all kinds of mysteries around us. 『Fate』– I mulled over my Nii-san’s words from Nogizaka, and Reki and I locked eyes in Manhattan– and I… 「…」 Because of the gaudy clothing, the moment lack all seriousness. Well, that might just suit me. It wasn’t my destiny to look cool. ***************************************************** While we were taking brunch, I received a message from Aria. It seems that she arrived in London safely, and there was a picture attached of her in Baker Street Station on the Underground making an *Ahem!* gesture with her hand against her non-existent chest. On the wall behind her, there was a silhouette of her grandfather, the 19th century English national hero, Sherlock Holmes. It looked like she was bragging a bit. But she looked well, and that relieved me slightly– Just after noon, I went with G-3 on his『job』. Still wearing the fancy suit. G-3 was wearing a Judge Dredd-like costume, but that was alright, since all his followers dressed in a flashy manner today as well. Angus was wearing a bow tie and tailcoat. Atlas wore a sci-fi armoured helmet, and Collins’ was encrusted with a lot of diamonds. Luca wore a long, silver coat. Kaname was wearing a Yankees blouson with a ballcap on her head, and is that caramel scent…? She was blowing bubble gum bubbles. 「What’s this? Why is everyone dressed up like this?」 I asked G-3 as we passed a supermarket and the others followed in their cars behind us… 「I’m American. I have civic obligations.」 「…?」 「Aniki, it’s an important job. You could say being a hero is the most important job.」 G-3 who had gotten into the Orochi said this joke with a straight face. It seemed that this costume parade held some kind of sense of duty. I thought it was going to be far because we had gotten into the car, but we arrived at our destination in 5 minutes. It was the large public greenspace, Central Park, located at the heart of the planned city of Manhattan. Why did we even take a car? We could have walked, couldn’t we!? Braving the winter, performers and hot dog cart vendors spared us a glance as we entered the park. Then we pulled off and stopped at the side of the road near what looked like a somewhat large open space… Then we were greeted eagerly by a group of children. Wha!? A lively group of kids assembled– I soon understood, there were kids scattered here and there missing arms, legs, and a few using canes. They were all poor as well. Standing in front of these children, G-3 said– 「You gonna keep me waiting, kiddos! I’m back!」 Jumping up, a little black boy–who I noticed had a hearing aid–was scooped up and placed on top of his shoulder. Then there was a *Hiss!*, and powered by compressed air, G-3’s left prosthetic hand separated at the wrist and flew through the air like a rocket… It grabbed a balloon stuck in a tree that a little girl with thick glasses was staring up at. Connected to his left arm by a non-combustible wire, he reeled it back in, giving them children a thumbs-up– Then the children began to badger him, and he started telling stories about defeating villains all over the world. 「In Sumatra there was this drug factory disguised as a shampoo factory, and when I destroyed it, the local mafia set a hungry Sumatran tiger after me. But the tiger hadn’t done anything wrong, and it was an endangered species. So I beat it up with my bare hands!」 …It was quite a violent story, but they all listened with sparkling eyes and the overblown reactions of Americans. They seem to like this kind of story, after all. G-3 sat there, casually teaching them about the dangers of drugs and the importance of conservation… I can tell that they are thoroughly enjoying themselves without needing any explanation. Even though he’s missing an arm, it doesn’t stop G-3 from fighting all over the world, despite his handicap, and he’s these children’s hero. Even though he’s my idiot little brother, he’s bringing them hope like a Paralympic athlete. 「Hey! Who’s that in the white clothes? Some new henchman?」 A boy in a wheelchair asked, pointing at me– 「Nah! That’s my Aniki! He came from Japan, just to meet you all!」 G-3 said, introducing me with exaggerated gesticulation. Then, 「G-3’s older brother!?」 「Cool!」 「Really!? He even wears clothes like you! Hey, where’s he fought?」 Oh… That’s why he wanted me to wear these flashy clothes. 「I was just in Europe, and Hong Kong before that… but I usually fight in Japan. My boss had pink hair, and she’ll shoot at me for no reason, like a villainous heroine!」 I answered, and with a *Whoa!* , they started looking at me just like they looked at G-3, like a hero. I see. This is the job he was talking about– Pretending to be a superhero for these kids. 「Is your brother stronger than you, G-3?」 The group of kids now crowding around me asked sudden– 「Yeah! Due to a tragic twist of fate, we fought in the sky above Tokyo. But even I wasn’t able to beat my superman Aniki,『Enable』, who can hit back missiles with his bare hands!」 In response to this declaration all the children’s’ eyes widened and they chorused: 「Enable is so coooool!」 It seemed that my popularity among the boys especially had grown… After that I had a busy time carrying them around on my shoulders, then I took my place as 4th in line in the baseball game they setup on the grass. With a laugh, Atlas struck out on purpose, taking a full swing at the balls they threw, and as Kaname cheerfully stepped in as the relief pitcher, Reki absently guarded the outfield… As I waited my turn in the batting order, I asked G-3 a question in Japanese. 「Where do these kids come from?」 「They live in New York, but they go to school over there.」 G-3 pointed–down past the parked motorcade down the street across Central Park. Now that I’m looking at it, it differed from my mental image of a school in Japan…but the ground floor seemed to be a school for the disabled. 「…『G-3 Memorial Elementary School』the sign says. Did you build it?」 「Nah. That school was about to go bankrupt, and I knew the area, so I just lent them some money. Then they just gave it that name. The bastards.」 Slightly embarrassed, G-3 scratched the back of his head…In America, there are a lot of places with names attached to them where someone has done something notable, so it’s not that odd. –G-3 said it『was about to go bankrupt』, and that can happen in America. I’ve seen it on the newscast. Unlike Japan, expensive public services receive large subsidies and can run out of money in this strict, money-conscious country. Because of that, schools and even hospitals, can be ruthlessly shut down in the case of a budget shortage. Even an ambulance won’t carry someone who can’t pay. When prisons run out of money and shut down, they will release the prisoners. It’s easy to imagine what might happen to these kids if their school closed down. 7 「No, that’s a good name for the school. You’re really like a teacher.」 「…It really isn’t that big a deal. I’m not a teacher or anything. But… those kids shouldn’t grow up thinking they can’t do anything. Sometimes, they need to be told the opposite. I can do that, and you can too. That’s it.」 「Hmph! Then let’s do that, huh?」 「What’s with the look? Stop grinning! I’ll hit you!」 「What kind of lesson would it be if they saw the two of us brothers fighting?」 I said, defusing the situation as G-3 ground his teeth and turned red…. He’s American, but– the blood of Tohyama no Kin-san, the ally of Justice flows in his veins. Both my father and Nii-san were too kind to overlook the weak or children in need. He’s the same way. Despite the fact we were going to fight a terrifying oni, it was good for not only his followers to help take care of these children. He was kind to those weaker than himself. He might be more like my father than I am. 「Well, anyway. That’s my, uh… Personal principle. Yeah, my personal principle. The principle that–『Everyone should receive an education』. And a good one too! Without an education, people become bad people.」 「Yeah, I agree.」 Despite the fact that I attend Butei High that has the worst education in Japan, I have to support this. G-3, who was a Genion created by the US military’s whim–he received the best and the hardest educational instruction, but the implication is that everyone should get a basic level of education. That’s what he meant. 「…But recently the teacher of that school has changed. They made the old bat who taught there before retire because of her age… Huh…?」 G-3 continued with slightly bitter expression as he looked toward the school… 「?」 I looked over as well… From G-3 Memorial Elementary School, a blonde woman who could be identified as a nun by her clothes came out. The kindly looking sister entered the park–then with quick steps… came over to G-3. 「–Third-san. You’ve come to play with the children again. My deepest thanks.」 The young nun crossed herself. She looked older than us, but she had to be in her teens. Even without makeup of any kind, she was beautiful. This must have been the person he was talking about. The new teacher. You could tell with how familiar the children are to her. But standing next to me, G-3 started acting strangely. 「Oh…well…not at all, Sister Maria. Uh…what a pleasant surprise! I just so happened to have some free time, and I was passing by the neighbourhood… that’s all.」 The typically assertive and self-assured G-3… Right under my very eyes, was on the back foot. Was he trying to hide his artificial arm and was the face paint meant to hide the injuries to his face? 「Is that so? Then that was truly very fortunate. However… Third-san. Your arm and armour look different than they did before…? Were you fighting someone again?」 With a hard look at G-3, Sister Maria looked disappointed. 「…No, that… well… that is to say, yes, but…」 Oh, I see! G-3 is weak against older women, just like me. I don’t know how to treat girls my own age, and as for older girls–I don’t have even the vaguest idea how to deal with them. Blood will always tell, brother. 「I always pray that God will protect you. However, I know that in your line of work, you are bound to be hurt. When I consider that… a dark abyss of anxiety wells up inside of me…」 –At this even deeper expression of concern, G-3 looked up at Maria-san… 「Sister Maria loves G-3~!」 A small black girl declared with a grinning face. Whereupon, *Sproing!* Maria-san sprang into the air, turning red and nervously fanning herself with her hands. 「N-n-no! That is not the case! Th-this gentleman is far, far beyond one such as I…!」 Wha…! I understand now. Hyperventilating, her voice trailed off. Just looking at her makes me feel embarrassed. It appears to be an unrequited love, and G-3’s head sagged toward the ground… I sensed some kind of bloodlust as Tsukumo’s ears bristled, and she glowered at Sister Maria from the outfield, I understand. Actually, It seems that G-3 is cursed with bad luck with women. Even here on the other side of the world. Blood tells. ************************************************************** Returning to G-3 Tower as it became night–I was given a black suit with a vest to wear. It came with a black coat and a black trilby. Wearing a matching set of clothes and standing next to me, G-3 and I looked exactly like Prohibition Era gangsters. Angus wore a tuxedo, and Atlas and Collins were decked out in white and purple suits… 「Where are we going this time…?」 「A Hero union party. You’re going to be my escort, Onii-chan.」 Heroes in America have a union? That’s pretty open. Well, even if it was fine, she was clinging to my arm, so… 「–Kaname, you’re wearing a V-neck dress. Isn’t that showing a bit much of your chest?」 「Oh my! How lecherous for you to look at your sister’s breasts. How indecent.」 In response to this rebuke, she actually pressed herself more against me–wearing an evening dress. She was wearing a Japanese designer, Tadashi Shoji, branded dress, popular among the young socialites of New York. Despite the fact that she was a junior high student, she was wearing a sexy dress that made her look like a hostess in a high-price host club. Maybe this was the reason why Kaname, Tsukumo, Luca, and Reki, as a group of 4, were trying to find matching underwear last night– the others wore Donna Karen, Nicole Miller and other famously branded evening dresses. Interestingly enough, each of their dresses matched the colour of their hair, was strapless to expose their shoulders, and exposed their back down to their buttocks… 「…You. Aren’t going to wear those dresses are you? You’ll get cold. It’s winter.」 I grumbled an objection to something I should never have seen. 「You ignoramus. This is the dress code, so we have to wear these. For a party held after 6 PM, women are expected to wear revealing formal wear. Without sleeves. Exposing a lot of her chest and back. With a long hemline. Made of lace or satin. With gem or pearl accessories. That’s just common sense.」 Standing next to Tsukumo and using her as a model, Luca indicated each item with a pointed finger, glaring at me while wearing a small, peacock feather hat with a draping tulle. The fashionable Luca who opened a beauty parlour in her own rooms, also dealt with their make-up as well. Beautiful girls were already a problem for me, but now these super beautiful girls are a super problem. Why do girls use make-up to to double their beauty like some kind of Kaio-ken? 8 ****************************************************** Heading down Broadway towards Times Square, we headed toward the packed midtown–to 9th Street. We got out at a white-walled, designer hotel called Hudson New York. Due to his notoriety, the entryway doors were thrown open wide, and we went up the entryway escalator. Forced to be her escort, I was forced to enter with Kaname on my arm. It was embarrassing. Tsukumo was anxiously looking toward G-3 with an expression of『Please be my escort』, meanwhile G-3 didn’t notice at all and made a brash entrance alone. How insensitive. Even less than me. Then… when we entered the party, directly inside the entrance, there was a device to blow air up the girls skirts. This surprising device was an homage to Marylin Monroe’s『The Seven Year Itch.』. Who would make such a thing! I seriously want to hit you. 「…」 Having their skirts blown up was rather risky, so Reki alone was unaffected… The rest of the girls blushed red while smiling. The VIPs of the Hero Union were laughing brightly in the assembly hall. American humour. I don’t understand it. The party venue was lit softly and also below through frosted glass. There were also many coloured cocktails, wines, beers, and expensive liquor from around the world for the guests. There was a specially constructed kitchen area by one of the walls, and the seemingly skilled chefs were preparing and arranging so much food that it completely filled my field of vision. The sharp disparity of wealth in this country was quickly understood– T he『rich』are extravagant. I don’t know how much the union dues are, but they rented a modern hotel and provided an all you can drink bar and buffet. G-3 is a friend to the weak and a member of the strong. And these people… I can tell at a glance that they are all strong. As a union of real American heroes, they were all fit, tough-looking, and good looking. Their fighting strength was naturally high. In the context of Butei High, they exuded the same vibe as MASTERS. As someone who wanted nothing more than a normal life, these were hardly the kind of people I wanted to associate with. If I did, then I‘d definitely be caught up in a fight for Justice. However, G-3–started greeting people all over the fancy hall in a jovial manner, leaving his subordinates behind: 「The only people here are armed experts that have met a certain level of skill, experience, and proficiencies. There are also a few S-Rank Butei scattered around, so you should be able to make some connections.」 He urged me to join the hero union. 「I really have to decline. Due to my association with a certain S-Rank Butei with 2 names, my lifespan has decreased by 20 years.」 「It really looks like you’re on the outs with the Japanese government, Aniki. If you ever have to flee Japan, you should be ready to take the American battlefield. Everyone here is usually involved in some kind of big fight.」 G-3 stood next to me, saying things I didn’t want to hear, but if no one tries to engage me, I guess I’ll be okay. If they do, I’ll just chatter on about nothing. 9 I don’t know anyone anyway. 「That’s Batto Hino over there! I want to get his autograph.」 I said, shaking off G-3… I took out my Butei Handbook to get the autograph of this legendary Butei, but no sooner than I had, he disappeared. Looking around, Tsukumo had made her way to the dessert nook, and she had gotten a large parfait the size of a vase… Luca was carrying a Cinderella cocktail glass, and Atlas was talking excitedly with each guest, glass of milk in hand, in a way that didn’t suit his body builder image. Seemingly liking parties, Collins was on the dance floor doing a rendition of a Michael Jackson dance, and Kaname was singing a song, microphone in hand. …Somehow, this feels like the masquerade ball in Paris. But this gathering has a more national character. It seems livelier, and it looks like in America, the more energetic and outgoing the person is, the more popular they are. That’s my armchair observation. I don’t fit that model. In the first place, they are all speaking English, and I don’t know anyone. As for parties, themselves–I don’t like them. At least, not unless it is at a Japanese-style party of friends. And so I was uncomfortable… Oh, look over there. One other person is totally isolated. It’s Reki. Sitting in a chair with her legs drawn up and shrinking into her seat., she was becoming a wallflower. Joining her in her solitude, I headed over to her– 「…」 She was in her usual, doll-like state…but what’s this…? With the evening dress exposing her shoulders, back, and the upper third of her chest, she looked sexy. The thin silk material was designed to cling to her skin and accentuate the curves of her body… but right now, she looks a bit more feminine than I have seen her before. Although she isn’t typically fashion conscious, she was wearing make-up, but it had no effect. Her natural face was naturally beautiful, and the soft lighting was in effect– S-She was very beautiful to look at. No, she was naturally very beautiful. In a very out-of-character moment, she gave the impression of a『woman』, and I– 「…R-Reki. Are you going to eat something? It’s all-you-can-eat, so holding back will be your loss.」 I said to try to hide my fluster. 「No thank-you.」 As she turned slightly to face me, Tiffany earrings sparkled in her ears… Her womanly expression caused my heart to race again. It wasn’t the feeling of hysterising, but rather the fluster of having a beautiful woman in front of me, so the risk of slipping was low, but… it was still uncomfortable. Dealing with beautiful women is not something I’m good at. 「I have already consumed enough nourishment for the night, so that is satisfactory.」 Oh. She pulled a CalorieMate out of nowhere. So Reki was fine. But saying that, I looked around… apart from Tsukumo who had gotten another parfait, many of the heroes here are not really touching much of the food. Is it an idiosyncrasy of American armed personnel that they watch what they eat at parties? Even though they spend a bunch of time in idiotic exuberant expression, they seem to live the rest of their lives with the constant vigilance of the battlefield. But I’m an eater. If you don’t eat when you want to, you’ll just pile up stress and eventually become ill. What’s more, there’s a feast in front of me. What’s more, it’s free food. Unlike my brother who pays hundreds of millions to the government, I’m constantly running out of money. …So, leaving Reki and heading toward the food counter… Aiming to satisfy the needs of my stomach with all kinds of delicacies, I headed towards them. From the way they were moving, I could tell that the chefs were all top tier. There was an assortment of meat dishes on a golden tray: salmon carpaccio with caviar garnish, shrimp salad, and others.. Each of which glittered. But as an all-you-can-eat connoisseur, these beautiful appetisers just whetted my appetite. I should have gone for the heart of the meal. The main course– –There it is…! I discovered my main objective. The genuine American T-bone steak. Apart from my otherwise poor opinion of America『When it comes to American steak 』, my opinion is simple. However, it is hard to cook properly. With steak, the taste is something hard to replicate. When it comes to ingredients for cooking it, how you cut the meat changes the texture. It is the ultimate test of a chef’s powers of versatility and skill. Naturally, the steak was prime beef. The flesh to the right of the bone was a sirloin, and to the left were fillets, the supreme cut of meat. 「…」 First, I stared fixedly at the chef who was roasting the steak with an expression more serious than one engaged in battle. Noticing my intense shouting, the black chef with an Afro… and the sharp glint in his eye bespoke his commitment. 「–Cook one for me. I’ll have your best.」 「–But of course. It is my job to keep you heroes in good health–by my cooking. That is how I protect the world as a hero.」 …He’s a professional. From what he said, he must take a lot of pride in his work. He picked up the meat with his thick fingers– This is the country of showbiz, and he started cooking the meat in front of me. –There it was…! The subtle scent of fine quality beef tallow wafted up. This is the once-in-a-lifetime chance for one of the common masses like me to taste the ultimate steak. There can be no doubt of this. Then the Afroed chef placed the steak on a gilded plate–Without giving it time to cool, he quartered it with a knife, and it spread open like a flower. It was magnificent. 「Thank-you for this.」 「Enjoy, brother.」 Taking the plate from the chef, he gave me a thumbs-up as I walked away… Crossing over to a round table draped in snow white cloth, I set the plate down and picked up the fork and knife, ready to assume the appropriate table manners. *Swish!*… Looking up toward the ceiling, I loosened my necktie. 「–The time is commin’!」 I’m about to have the best meal in my entire life, right now– I thought this as I looked back down at the table… Huh…? It’s gone…! The steak! And the plate! 「Incredible! Thanks Onii-chan!」 「Yeah. They used Grade A beef!」 Looking over my shoulder from where these voices came Wha…!? Kaname…! And Tsukumo…! They stood on both sides of me and had taken the plate and wolfed down the steak. Both the fillet and the sirloin. **************************************************** Was I born under a star that doesn’t allow me to eat delicious things…? I didn’t get to eat any of the Imperial Feast at Rampan Castle either… The prime cuts of meat of the T-bone steak was gone, due to Kaname and Tsukumo’s sudden whim. Finished with his work, the Afroed chef retired into the back with a satisfied face. Everyone else in the hall thought it was a performance, while I vented my frustrations by body slamming Kaname and Tsukumo 20 times each–and most of the food staff retired. What remained was the liquor bar. I sat and pushed at the caviar appetiser with a spoon without eating it. The sushi train salted salmon roe was better, to be honest. I soon lost interest in sucking at the T-bone left on my plate like a hyena… I want to go home now. I was really dispirited. 「…Hey, G-3.」 It… wasn’t exactly a bunny girl, but it was a little girl wearing something like a Doronjo-esque 10 costume with a mantle that addresses G-3. Having carefully arranged her hair, it looked like her heart was pounding as she smiled. There were all kinds of people wearing American comic book hero and super hero-like costumes scattered here and there–I wasn’t surprised by her clothes, but when I realised she was talking to me, I furrowed my eyebrows. 「Huh? I made a mistake. Who’re you?」 「…G-3’s older brother.」 「Huh!? Older brother? Where’s G-3?」 The mini-Doronjo goggled around, looking for G-3… 「…Drat!」 Tutting her tongue and sulking… It looks like she really wanted to meet him. He’s really popular. I wonder if he’s popular with a lot of girls? But he’s pretty thick-headed. As his older brother, I’m worried that he might not notice a girl’s attentions and wound their heart. It looks like this mini-Doronjo would be the kind of person he’d have woman trouble with, so I won’t tell her… She left and went off somewhere. An older brother knows his younger brother. From the start, he hadn’t gotten too involved, and instead left it to his subordinates to do as they saw fit and sequestered himself somewhere. I’m going to do the same. *************************************************** Descending the yellow escalator alone to the Hudson Soft Hotel– 「…I thought you’d come, Aniki.」 Somehow my younger brother knew what I’d do, and he stood in the neon light. I had learned 2 secrets about my younger brother– 「You’re really a nice guy, aren’t you?」 I said, drawing my coat closer around me and puffing out a white cloud. 「…Why d’you say that?」 「I’ll get to the second later, but here’s the first: This party. You wanted your subordinates to make connections so that they could find re-employment, didn’t you? With all that is going on with the ruruirokane– you think that you might die in the operation.」 「….Well… If it’s you asking, yeah. Mash is stronger than me.」 Is he such a powerhouse that… he can make G-3 say this? This enemy? Even so, as the older brother I have to say this. 「Don’t worry. You’ve got me with you.」 That’s why I had come here. To find out how the ruruirokane was related to Aria’s hihiirokane. Then G-3 slid into a parked taxi cab and plopped himself down, and I sat beside him– Passing multi-coloured neon English signs, we then turned onto Broadway and 83rd street… 「Aniki. You recognise this spot?」 「Yeah. I saw it in『You’ve Got Mail』. Amazing! This is where Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks met up…!」 It was the Cafe Lalo in the Upper Westside. It was an old-fashioned French coffee shop that you’d pass by if you didn’t know it was there. 「Right. They shot the scene right here.」 Seemingly having heard of my love of movies from Kaname, G-3 went ahead up the steps and opened the door to go inside. 「It was winter in that movie too. I know it well.」 Because I loved the actors, I had a DVD of the film, but…. Now that we are on location, it was a bit moving. 「Here. Look at this seat. This is where Tom Hanks sat. Hey, G-3! Take a picture of me with your mobile’s camera.」 「You’re such a fanboy.」 Grabbing two colas, my brother took Meg Ryan’s seat. No matter what, this was a great experience. This place wasn’t just well-known for it’s Hollywood fame alone. It was also a famous cafe. It had high ceilings and a classically decorated interior. I liked it. 「In New York, things happen on their own timetable. There are more happenings than other cities, so it becomes rather busy. But you can’t write the character for『busy』without using the one for『heart』 11 . Inside this shop, time seems to slow down. I can just lose myself.」 Sinking back into the chair with a *Creak!*, G-3 stretched out his legs and started saying this… This metropolis has all kinds of events, and if you were to try to chase them all, before you knew it, you’d be an old man. Sometimes this is said of Tokyo as well. Because it was an entirely rural town with not much happening, when I spent time with Lisa in Bourtange, time seemed to pass slowly. In a place in the city that has existed without changing in 100 years… you should take your time more slowly. I should do that. –But I can’t. 「You noticed, Aniki.」 While pouring the cola into a glass, G-3 indicated the thing he was talking about– I had already noticed it in the reflection of the glass, using it as a mirror. He had been following us from the Hudson Hotel, a strange boy . It was a scrawny, short, middle-school aged Caucasian boy. He looked like Bill Gates turned into a child. He had a mushroom-like haircut that made him look top-heavy. Gold-rimmed glasses sat on his long nose, and he was carrying what looked like a small camera. A set of dental braces glinted dully in the light. He wore a dull coat and suit. In his hand was the latest version of the iPhone. I had noticed him due to his clumsy surveillance… The little brat lacked the necessary awareness. He had followed us this far. Bunglingly tailing us. 「The stalker boy bought a bag of potato crisps. Even though he ate some of the leftovers at the union hall meeting.」 「That’s why I made such a rude exit. This is an important party for my followers. So I wanted to lure him away.」 「That’s the second kind thing you’ve done.」 「–It’s fine, Aniki. He’s… come to kill me. He is definitely a problem for you and me.」 「Do you know him? Who is he?」 「That’s Mash.」 「…?」 That mushroom boy…? This was the Mash that had beaten G-3 within an inch of his life? 「Really, that Mash -room head…? G-3, I don’t really get your American humour」 「It’s not a joke. He’s the strongest man in America.」 「Don’t you mean the weakest?」 Mash… putting a bag of Lay’s Classic, salsa dip, and a small cola on a tray, while grinning– He headed straight for our table. –It’s true… is this brat really Mash? My sense of smell is pretty good, but the scent of gunpowder was completely absent. As if he had never fired a gun in his life. 「 May I share this table? 」 His voice… was high-pitched. For some reason, the way he spoke was disturbing. He took a seat without waiting for permission– 「Welcome to America G-2. How’s the old arm doing, G-3?」 –It was Mash. 「Oh, yeah. G-2. Lower your head a bit when you hit the ball and your batting form will improve. And G-3, you really shouldn’t delete messages from women without reading them.」 Had he seen me playing baseball in Central Park…? I’d noticed him watching us at the party, but not before then. And I had no idea how he had intercepted the communications for G-3’s mobile. This enoki-headed boy… was no ordinary person. 「Nice to meet you. I’m Mash Roosevelt from the National Security Agency–the NSA.」 He greeted me in his high-pitched voice and held out his hand for a handshake… but I couldn’t find a callus from holding a gun on the pad of his thumb or index finger. This hand had not held a gun. After 3 seconds of not returning the handshake had passed, he took his hand back, still smiling. 「–The two of you are truly a magnificent pair–an optimal case study. We are able to glean the best data from you. Thank-you.」 On top of the glasses on his pale face there was– What was probably an HMD. It was like the Dragon Ball scouter-esue device that G-3 used, only miniaturised, a Neue Ange device. There was a hole for a camera. He was definitely recording us right now. 「–What kind of organisation is the NSA? Is it like the FBI?」 I asked, purposefully scowling at the camera. 「Don’t you know? Even though the cabinet is considering establishing such an agency in Japan? That was a bit rude. The FBI is a boring agency that catches one petty criminal at a time. They can’t even deal with the Mafia. Actually… I am one of what would be called the privileged class. In terms of the Department of Defence, I’m a brigadier general; in terms of the NYPD, I’m on the level of a bureau chief; and in terms of the CIA, I have the authority of a technical assurance chief. No matter which government agency office I walk into. The FBI has a similar arrangement, so I suppose I must answer ‘yes’ to your question.」 I received this very roundabout answer…. From the way G-3 was sulking, I knew he wasn’t joking. From his explanation–this boy was like an super-evolved form of Zenigata from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Far from being a fringe government employee, he was like a mini-chief executive occupying a key post at the centre of government power. The age of the boy to whom such power was granted could be counted on a set of fingers. Perhaps— 「–You’re a Genion, aren’t you?」 「That was a pretty quick guess for your IQ. Correct. I’m a successful example of the Los Alamos Elite. The『G』series was a flop, and I am a member of the newer class of gene enriched program–the third in the『R』series– R-3, if you will. Don’t worry. Your father, Konza Tohayama’s genes were not used. He was lacking the minimum IQ.」 Los Alamos Elite– That must be the US Military’s program to create superhuman weapons with superior genes. They used my father’s genes to create G-3 and Kaname–my younger brother and sister that excelled in fighting power . But it looks like this guy was made according to a different pattern… the DNA selected to create him excelled in brain power . Mash then adjusted his glasses and launched into an IT business sale-like pitch– 「Now then, in place of a proper greeting, I’ll make this presentation. Its title is『Three Reasons None of You Can Beat Me』First, G-2. Are you aware that there are two major political parties in the United States?」 Picking up a crisp, he asked me this stupid question. 「I know that. There’s the Republicans… and, uh… the other one. What is the other one…? By the way, my name is Kinji Tohyama. Don’t call me by that strange name.」 「Got it. I’ll tell you, Kinji. G-3’s support comes from the head of the Republican party. I’m backed by the Democratic party. Right now, the Democraic party is in power in the United States. Your position in this country is weaker than mine.」 Now I understand what G-3’s had said in the Orochi about『allies』and『enemies』… He meant it in a political context. 「Due to the negligence of the FBI, G-3 has been allowed to run amok as some kind of『chaos』, and I am what society would call『order』. After G-3 went wild and escaped from Los Alamos, I rose up the ranks one step at a time.」 From the way he is talking… Mash’s true motivation is a personal vendetta against G-3. 「G-3’s power is Force. Mine is Intelligence. Intelligence is superior to force, and it has the capability to include it. With just one twist of information, I can start or stop a war. G-3’s method of deterrence using your own strength is a 20th century idea.」 「–Yeah, you’re right. Humph!」 Raising his cola to his lips, G-3 slouched further down in his chair. In contrast, Mash’s eyes gleamed like a new moon, and he stretched himself up to his full, but short height– 「–You aren’t the heroes in the 21st century. I am.」 Between new and old versions of the Genion, he wanted to establish his newer existence as superior. 「Now then, Kinji. I’ve seen the recording–and you are some kind of incredible charlatan.」 Changing the target of his attack, I raised my eyebrows. 「Charlatan?」 「Grabbing bullets with your bare hands, deflecting air-to-air missiles… Even G-3 or any peace-loving Japanese couldn’t do this, even if they were trained in the United States. From the video, you appeared to do so, but it has to be some kind of trick. You’ve even been able to fool the entire Butei community–I wonder if you’ve been tricking them to raise your SDA ranking?」 「…You could do it, so I’d appreciate it if you could delete my name from the ranks of those who have ceased to be human. I’ve ignored it anyway. You could do it with your knack for information manipulation.」 「I could do so, and you would immediately cease to exist on that list. If I killed you, for example.」 「…」 「There is also another, tougher ranking system apart from your silly little SDA rankings, for us boys and girls in the privileged class. If asked by a senator with political power– killing a hostile Genion in the top 100 rankings of the SDA would be quite the coup.」 「…Is that why you want to fight us…? To get ahead in your career, to score political points? You tiny humans are all the same. Selfish and egotistical.」 「Don’t underestimate me just because of my physical appearance. The shortest path to a high point, is taking it one small step up at a time. You two are the next 2 steps to take me to the next floor–then I’ll have major general status.」 「What will you do then?」 「Take on Afghanistan and Syria. That should get me to lieutenant general, then there’s Iran and North Korea. That should just get me to general. I wonder if I’ll ask your country for help after the necessary legal process? Especially for the second part.」 「…You’re talking about war?」 「I’m talking about a successful Pax Americana. It’s simply a continuation of what has been happening since the end of World War Two. Then, after my plans are complete–when I take office in 2033, I will be the youngest President in history. The United States will be the most powerful and affluent since it’s founding and all other countries with be tributary states.」 If this person becomes President… It will be the end of the world. 「That’s Hakkou Ichui. 12 We Japanese graduated from such an idea more than 60 years ago.」 I brushed away Mash’s grand visions of the future that he was weaving with a self-satisfied smirk on his face. 「You haven’t graduated, you’ve dropped out. By my calculations, we can achieve Pax Americana if the Dow-Jones Index is 4.3 times its current level, and per capita earnings of the American people is 4.7 times their current level. You called me selfish and egotistical–but my success in life has the best interests of the United States in mind.」 「That’s just dissembling.」 「Dissembling is a virtue.」 Mash pooh pooh-ed my words with a condescending grin like an older person might, despite being younger– 「However… Both you and G-3 are very reliable in some aspects. That is why I have used some of my valuable time to come meet with you. I want the two of you to become my subordinates. I would give G-3 another suitable government post again. And you would have a permanent residence in the United States.」 …Before fighting and killing… he came to recruit us? 「You want us to be your servants? I got a similar offer from the Chinese and Japanese yakuza. You want to use me as some kind of hitman?」 「Something like that. I thought you could deal with Osama bin Laden…. But from what you’re saying, I understand if you refuse. What about G-3? We could ride the train to glory together. You must know that this is the final departure call for the last train.」 Dismissing my answer, he turned his imperious gaze to G-3– 「Then I’ll be seeing you off. I don’t work well on tracks laid down by others. I’ve already had enough of Los Alamos.」 In that answer, his original hostility–was readily apparent. Mash remained completely silent for precisely 3 seconds… 「What an unfortunate waste. Truly, such an unfortunate waste.」 He said in clearly enunciated Japanese and snapped his fingers with a *Snap!*. Then… *Creak!*…*Creak!*… …That’s…! I remembered her, that small girl– With another set of creaks, the floorboards of Cafe Lalo bent under her weight. Then without saying anything… sat down at our table, next to Mash. *Creeeak!* The wooden chair warped under her weight. She was heavy. She was wearing a coat, but I couldn’t see any heavy armaments concealed inside. She must really be heavy. 200 kilos at least. –She’s not human. 「…LOO…!」 She spoke a name I had not heard in a long time. LOO had come to Daiba’s Empty Island last year in October for FEW’s Bandire, and I had seen this humanoid close-combat mech disguised as a little girl embark. She operated a tank with dual US Vulcan cannons that were destroyed by Aria in her escape, and she held rank in the US Army. I knew she came from America… so I met her here once more. 「…」 After confirming that this was the same mechanised doll, LOO– Remained silent. It was just like Reki. No, it lacked any trace of human kindness. On Empty Island, I had the impression of low intelligence, but… she was acting in a human manner. Right now, she looks like a gynoid. I could perceive slight motions meant to keep her balance, but the total lack of expression on her face was–eerily disturbing. Her hair was still like that of a beautiful girl from an anime and cerulean blue like then, but as a『Robot Girl』her personality program seemed to have been downgraded since I last saw her. 「Notice anything different from last year, Kinji?」 I scrutinised LOO as mash picked up and ate another crisp. 「Back then, there was a human in charge of the LOO-GyNe project.. That is to say, she was operated remotely. The XGY-12–the one you call LOO, is equipped with bilateral control when operating remotely in order to respond more like a human would. Don’t even characters from fighting games made in Japan have instantaneous responsive gestures and expressions in response to situations? That is to say, while acting autonomously, you should not take any hostile actions toward me. She also has an artificial pharynx instead of an automated voice box. It’s linguistic software is underdeveloped, so I have set it so that it cannot speak while under autonomous action.」 …This was the military robot weapon that the United States was pouring time and money into developing. With sensors more acute than human senses, it is prepared for biological and chemical warfare, and most of all, able to preserve human life–to the end of warding off war weariness. The wars in Vietnam and Somalia were unpopular after all. Such things were indispensable to the Pax Americana that Mash had laid out. They could spread out these unmanned weapons across the world on land, sea, and sky. But, LOO… Unlike the ubiquitous UAVs and UGVs, she was humanoid. Her weight was comparable to Honda Research Lab’s ASIMO, but her external features were much more advanced. At a glance, she was indistinguishable from a human. As expected of American Transzendieren. They make all kinds of incredible inventions behind closed doors. Although she is made of completely inorganic material, I would still hesitate to shoot her… That was probably why she was made to look as she does. And if you’re humanoid, you can also use weapons developed for humans. LOO was a transitional weapon on the way to the United States’ realisation of fully unmanned warfare. 「Don’t misunderstand me. She wasn’t made to look like a little girl out of my own preference. I like older women, and she was created and designed by the one responsible for the project–Back then he pretended to participate in your dispute in order to kill G-3…」 Mash was just prattling on at this point… LOO was looking at me without saying a word, but she looked somewhat pathetic. I knew she was a humanoid machine, but from Mash’s explanation, by taking away her voice, he had effectively stolen her heart. Her expressionless eyes seemed to convey the message:『Save me』. Maybe it was a Japanese habit that made me feel a soul in this inorganic form. 「…Now, it’s time for me to say farewell.」 His unlikable, high-pitched voice had barely explained the second half of his plan, but… ever since his guard, LOO, had arrived, Mash had adopted a smug manner. Casting a glance toward G-3, he had become hostile as well. 「Before we part, G-3, there is something I have to say to you directly. I adored Dr. Sara, and when she died–it was your fault.」 His tone grated on the nerves, and his words– While I ignored them, G-3… reacted suddenly. –Dr. Sara. That is the name of the woman that G-3 is trying to resurrect, using the power of irokane to defy the laws of nature. She passed away due to an accident during G-3’s training, and G-3 blamed himself… and he escaped the research facility where he had been born. I knew that–and G-3… He loved her. 「If you were stronger, I could have saved Dr. Sara! If she were still alive, she would have been an excellent future First Lady. What a shame.」 At Mash’s words, G-3’s grip on the glass on top of the table tightened. With a *Creak!* the glass cracked. 「Insulting the deceased is the absolute lowest form of provocation. Don’t fall for it.」 I laid my hand on top of G-3’s to hold him back…I said so too, as he was about to snap. Even in a conflict, there are good and bad things to say. Mash glossed over our anger like a cool breeze… 「That’s right. I ran through 200 possible simulations of a battle with you, yesterday. 199 times I won and 1 time it was a draw; I was undefeated. That’s a win rate of 99.5%.」 His thin fingers tapped quickly. Like there was a smartphone in his brain. 「『Political Superiority』,『The respective positions of chaos and order』,and– There is a third reason that you cannot defeat me, and I’ve saved the greatest reason for last. It’s simple. You are dumb . Kinji’s IQ is about 100, G-3’s 192, and mine is 407.」 …I had a standard score of 50, so I didn’t mind being told so again. But Mash’s tone indicated that he was planning to leave soon… So I felt I had to respond. 「Mash, we have this saying among Butei. If you put your strength together 1 + 1 can equal 3 or even 4.」 「Now I see just how dumb you are. You can’t even do Maths, can you, Kinji?」 「If you can’t understand that proverb, you’re the dumb one. What I mean is that there are things that transcend numbers… That is the meaning. And I don’t know if you have an IQ of 400, but if I have an IQ of 100, that’s like 4 of us working together. That’s important.」 I used my one intelligence to respond to this Genion’s war of words… 「Aniki, you shouldn’t talk. You’re showing how stupid you are.」 Forgetting his disgust and anger, G-3 tried to calm me down. 「No way! He said 3 things, so I want to say 3 back!『3 Reasons Drop-outs are Better than Elites』. First, even if drop-outs like us lose, we don’t have any social standing to lose. But if you do, you’ll lose your position. Mash, you can’t just climb the stairs. If you make a mistake, you’ll find yourself falling down them.」 I said rather pointlessly, to which– 「Hmm. I’ve never made a mistake or lost a thing in my life, so I don’t really understand.」 He unexpectedly side-stepped the issue. 「…And, Kinji? What are the other 2 reasons?」 Ugh! I had just said 3, but I didn’t really think about it. I need 2 more. I tried to think of something while I was talking, but my 100 IQ brain couldn’t come up with anything. 「…Ah, well…」 「…Huh! It seems you have a sense of humour. That was outside my calculations.」 「I think… I’m pretty good at simulations myself, so let me check your results. Right here, and right now. I’ll show you that you’ve made a mistake in your simulations.」 My mind subsumed by anger, I finally raised my idiot flag: resorting to brute force. Forgetting that LOO was here, I gripped Mash’s tie and dragged him toward me– 「…Wha! Hit me! Go ahead! I won’t hit back. You can’t win anyway. Even if I’m a scrawny person, go ahead!」 With wild gesticulation and glasses slightly askew, Mash shrieked in a high girlish voice. 「…Stop, Aniki. If you hit him here, you’ll just be arrested.」 G-3 held me back with his right arm. I was seething with anger. 「…!」 Grrr… Hitting this mushroom would be an entirely one-sided affair and diminish my standing as a man. It would be bullying. Then G-3 indicated a line of sight to where what appeared to be several plainclothes NYPD officers were. Mash must have used his connections to call them. I’m also not in Hysteria Mode. And G-3 is here. If I’m arrested, I’ll lose the chance to help Aria by stealing the ruruirokane. So, reluctantly, I let go of him– 「You are certainly stronger than I. G-3 was challenged by many top agents–Not one of them returned, and they were all capable agents. So I will not be foolish enough to fight you directly.」 Nervously adjusting his glasses and tie, Mash stood on his short leg next to his seat. 「So, I’ll take my leave while you are still living. The next time I see you, you’ll be sleeping corpses. Nevada, Area 51, controlled access area 89A. That is where the ruruirokane you desire is located, and I have applied to defend it, so we should meet again, as planned. If you surrender during the battle, you have my word that you’ll be sent to a prison for all kinds of troublemakers for a holiday. G-3, please put your affairs in order. As soon as I have taken care of you, I’ll legally seize that building of yours. I’ll also seize the school you’ve been pouring money into.」 「Mash! Why do you want to close his school!? Those kids are innocent!」 「That’s none of your business. In this country, political power and money are everything. In the unlikely event you survive, you might be able to appeal to some kind of political power or raise some money. If that power is higher than mine, then you could stop my harassment of G-3’s subordinates. Well, except for that cute nun–She might just make a good secretary.」 At that boorish remark, my patience was finally exhausted.… *Grip!* Heedless of the police officers, I grabbed Mash’s arm again to stop him from leaving. 「Oi! Wait! You can’t just say what you want and leave as you please when I have something to say to you–」 I had grabbed Mash’s arm, but as for my own hand–*Grip!*– LOO had gripped it in her own hand. She was still seated, staring off into empty space. But those slender arms… *Creak!*…*Creak!*… had strength in them. Wh-wha…! This was no human grip. It was stronger than Aria, Ranbyou, and even Nii-san’s…! 「–Aniki!」 「…Hrng!…Urgh!」 LOO’s grip had vice like strength and was about to crush the bones and muscles in my forearms… G-3 squeezed my arm with his left, artificial arm and my hand naturally opened. Realising I had released Mash, she let go of my arm… Mash slapped my aching arm with the back of his hand. 「–Don’t touch me with your filthy hand, you yellow sheep!」 Leaving me with the slur on Japanese people, he left the shop… As I cradled my aching arm, G-3 stood nearby to protect me– LOO followed behind Mash. With the two of them gone, only I and G-3 remained… …Having been overpowered by that little man in the end, I had no words. Mash Roosevelt… I hadn’t met that kind of enemy before today. Without doing anything to us, he had challenged us with intelligence alone. He had overwhelming political power and the power of a government–and he had wielded it to include law enforcement and military. Just like a sheep, I could not lay a hand or foot on Mash, but… Remember. Although you might think of sheep as weak, water buffalo have sharp horns and hooves and have headbutted and kicked wolves to death. In New Zealand they are the most prevalent livestock and they hold the record for the posing the most danger and number of injuries to humans. I’ll teach him just what I’m capable of. As a sheep. ********************************************************* In an entirely terrible mood, I left Cafe Lalo and went out into the winter night… 「I didn’t think that such enemies existed… not in the whole world. As a fellow American, I would have preferred if he’d struck directly.」 My white breath puffing, I grumbled to G-3 who didn’t call a taxi for some reason. 「Oi, Aniki! Let’s head back.」 Slightly peeved, I followed behind him as he walked down Broadway just ahead of me– Angus was waiting patiently for us with the white Rolls-Royce Phantom. When we disappeared, he must have come to look for us and found us at the cafe that G-3 seems to frequent. 「I shall keep to the busy streets for our return. Just in case of unlikely events, the police will not shoot at citizens.」 Angus said something to make you wonder just who the villain was here… The police were acting on Mash’s orders, and so this was the safest option. With our current clothing, we really did look like New York gangsters. 「Angus, you bastard, you’re skipping out on the party!」 Putting an arm on his hip and stretching the other across his chest while standing under a street lamp, G-3 adopted an Aria-esque angry pose. 「Scold me however you like. But I have decided to live and die with you, Third-sama.」 It seems that he had seen through to the true reason for attending the party, and his face screwed up into a small smile. 「…Tch! Have it your way! Oi, get me some tomatoes!」 G-3 turned red and vented his anger–he even makes the same unreasonable demands as Aria. But Angus is a different sort of henchman than I, and he proffered a tomato wrapped in a handkerchief like some kind of magic trick. A reliable man. If it were me it would go like this: 「Momoman?」 Then: 「No!」 Then: 「Not good enough!」 Then I’d start the wind-hole dance. 「I intercepted your conversation, and he was foolish. Mash Roosevelt.」 Angus smiled again at G-3 as he munched on tomatoes beside me. 「…Foolish, how? He has an IQ of 400.」 I said, somewhat discouraged. 「A foolish person can still have a high IQ. The top Army brass is full of them. But there are few fools such as Mash. I would much rather follow Third-sama…」 It seems that Angus who had the highest loyalty to G-3 dislikes Mash the most. 「Third-sama will not be restricted to one place, nor will that person become President. Third-sama is light. Can anyone in the world bind light?」 「…」 G-3 turned red, and it wasn’t because of the tomatoes he was eating…*Kick!* Then standing under the streetlight, he kicked Angus’ shin with the tip of his leather shoe to draw his attention to something. Angus turned around to look at something behind him… A fat, grandmotherly, black woman in a tight-fitting NYPD uniform stood there in one hand, an orange piece of paper that seemed to be a violation ticket flittered.. 「–You there, with the car. This is a No-Parking Zone!」 She pointed a bit angrily at the Rolls Royce with her baton… 「Oh, I knew that. I only parked because of my employer.」 Embarrassed, Angus tried to accept the ticket. But the policewoman snatched it back. 「I’ll let it go tonight. A friend of mine was pulled out in this shit weather for a personal security detail, and he told me:『Mash was a total piece of shit, and the people we were supposed to watch seemed like good guys.』So just move the car out of here fast.」 With a small smile, she exercised a bit of discretion. …I gave a tight smile at the clever arrangement. Mash said that『Political power and money are everything in this county』– But America isn’t such a narrow-minded country. That gave me a bit of peace of mind. [END TEXT] ***************************** 1. These are positive or negative impression of hand prints in bronze. Link 2. Batto Hino is Leica Hino’s (From HnA AA) father. 3. As far as I can tell, MacArthur had nothing to do with the 7th special forces group. 4. Means the combination of different units (ground troops and cavalry, ship and aircraft) to complement each other in different terrains and situations 5. Reads: Luca’s Room in Russian. 6. Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind creature from the Sea of Corruption. Link 7. This is not true. Emergency services are obligated to take people who obviously need/request care, regardless of their ability to pay. They are supposed to pay later, but there is really no way to force them to do it, and a lot of the people receiving care are very poor and homeless. Prisons don’t release prisoners if they run out of money. Federal and State detention centres do not close, hardly ever. When they do, they transfer them to other facilities. Same goes for private prisons, which are the only ones that really close. Schools operate similarly. Kids would just be transferred and given transportation options to the other school. Very few cannot get to public schools of some kind. Not that they are the best, but it is school. Tsk! Tsk! Akamatsu-sensei! 8. Dragon Ball move used in Super Saiyan Goku’s fight with Frieza on Namek 9. Original idiom is ‘sell oil’ 10. Evil villainess from Yatterman anime. 11. 忙しい == BUSY, 心 == HEART. You use the one for ‘heart’ to build off of to gwt ‘busy’. Kanji radical #61 — Thanks jorgelotr ! 12. WWII political slogan (All 8 corners of the world under one roof) implying Japanese world domination ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ### 005. Bullet 5: Thanks, Aniki ― With Enable Here is Chapter 5! Things might have been slow until now, but they are ratcheting up to an 11 very quickly! (I have edited this release, so any mistakes are my own) Boring Personal Note: As many in our Discord server are already aware, I am moving thousands of kilometres to start a new job. Moving will happen this week, and the job will start next week. I am unsure how this will affect my TL schedule long-term, but it will be disrupted in the short-term. I do have a few chapters prepped and ready for editing, so I don’t expect a hiatus for a while. This should be enough to get me through the adjustment phase, then I’ll know what we are looking at. Updates occur more frequently on the Discord. Anyway, on to the chapter! Hidan no Aria Volume 18, Chapter 5 Chapter 5: Thanks, Aniki ―― With Enable [START TEXT] The next day, after sunset, we returned to John F. Kennedy Airport– The Tohyama siblings: consisting of G-3, myself, and Kaname, and also the subordinates Atlas, Collins, Tsukumo, and Luca stood in a line in front of the Sagitarrius, whose propeller tips were glowing a fluorescent green. Angus was already on board. As the propellers began to turn slowly, they formed a light green halo, and standing behind the tiltrotors… G-3 looked back at his subordinates. 「Now we’ll be assaulting Groom Lake Air Force Base, popularly known as『Area 51』, and controlled access area 89A again. Our objective: Take the ruruirokane. Our goal: My own self-interest, with the minor goal of preventing the world war that would accompany the transformation of Aria H. Kanzaki into the Scarlet Goddess.」 Placing himself above the world. This is a true manifestation of: ‘In all Heaven and Earth, I alone am worthy of honour’. Well, that fits with what a tsundere would say after all. 「Our flightpath follows a route of friendly states and territories, however, once we reach Utah and Nevada we cannot avoid hostile airspace. Once there, I expect to be opposed by Mash Roosevelt, just like last time. He is the darling of the party in power, and he tramples upon the freedoms of other countries. No matter where, this American traitor tramples individual rights. Frankly, we should expect the worst. That is all! –Any questions?」 G-3 asked his strange subordinates’ opinion, and Tsukumo was the first to raise her hand. 「…Are our weapons and equipment the same as before? Actually, your equipment was broken last time and you had to replace it with a spare. Your injuries are also not fully recovered. Is that an accurate summary?」 「Your point?」 「Then… it’s a handicap! It’s madness to challenge Mash’ Transzendieren Ange–with this little firepower!」 She said everything except『I’m worried about you G-3-sama』, but her eyes did that– 「You’ve got it! I’ll give you a bonus later for such an accurate summary.」 G-3 answered with a laugh as he brushed off her concern. As she sulked, the ESPer girl next to her, Luca, raised her hand. 「Hey, Third! Can I get a bonus if I kill Mash? I’m going to an auction for a Breguet pocket watch at Sotheby’s​ next week, but I’m not sure if I have enough funds in reserve.」 「A Breguet? How beautiful. Sure, if you can.」 Luca’s eye turned to dollar signs as she pumped her fist into the air… It looks like she’s a watch collector. Is it possible that she just follows him because she loves works of art and the pay is good? 「Sir, as Co-pilot, I have a question. What about the Sagittarius’ Metamaterial Ghillie?」 「We won’t really use it. We can’t mask our heat signature, so it really won’t work.」 Atlas asked about the approach with a salute, and G-3 answered… 「Oi, G-3! I agree with Tsukumo. It’s reckless to rush in to be intercepted with the same equipment as when you were defeated last time. Aren’t you going to at least explain a new strategy?」 I asked, standing next to G-3 and grabbing his ear. 「Yup. I told you in Tokyo that I didn’t have a plan. I’ll just push forward with all my strength. Then when I get to my enemies, I just knock them down.」 Saying something that fell in line with Mash’s accusation of being an idiot, Tsukumo had tears streaking down her face as she spoke. 「Understood, Third-sama. I will follow you to the death.」 Whereupon, G-3 brushed off my hand, and turned to face Tsukumo with a serious face– 「–That was a joke. Of course I have a strategy.」 I felt relief well up in my chest. Why the hell did you make me worry? Why didn’t you drop the hubris from the start and explain that? 「This time the plan is–『Aniki will do something』. That’s how it’ll go.」 G-3 slapped me on the back while smiling with sparkling teeth… and his subordinates: 「Ah, I see!」 They made an expression of agreement. Wh-what…!? 「Even if he dies, he comes back to life like a video game character. He is our trump card.」 「Oi, Luca! Wouldn’t that be me? Here, hit him! Everybody pile on and hit him. I ordered Angus to make his armour. It should be able to take a full Mach 1 Ouka, so let’s test it out.」 Saying that former IJA demon sergeant-esque line my grandfather would say, G-3 grabbed me by the scruff of the neck– Holding me up in the air. 「Sorry guys. Soviet Cold War agents and all kinds of domestic American thieves have tried to steal the ruruirokane from Area 51, but none of them have succeeded. It is the one black mark on my record. This time, we’ll have to rely on this occult power.」 「Don’t call me occult! As a Genion, couldn’t you come up with a better plan! Breaking into an Air Force base that no one in the world has ever broken into is pretty much impossible –」 「–No, there was one person in the world. There was a man who was able to steal a very miniscule amount of ruruirokane from Area 51.」 「…Th-there was? Someone who was able to steal something from an American military base? Who?」 「Arsene Lupin the 3rd. He had exceptional companions, and if the military records are correct, there were 4 of them in his team. They only used guns and blades. We’re a bit more heavily armed.」 Riko… her old man? Speaking of her crucifix–Sherlock had said that it was an alloy containing a miniscule amount of another kind of metal of the same type as hihiirokane. Was that the ruruirokane that was stolen? 「My idiot brother forgot about his second name『Enable』when he spoke just now.」 Letting me go, G-3 crossed his arms and puffed his chest back out. 「Understand? The idea of impossibility is like a demon. And when it takes over a human, it crushes their spirit. Challenging what was impossible again might seem foolish to another person. But that’s what I’m going to do! There’s no guarantee of success this time. But if it doesn’t work out, I’ll just try again. And if I die, my Aniki will try. Again, and again. No matter how many times it takes. Even if it takes an infinite number of tries, and there is no enemy who can stand up against an opponent who keeps coming back. Even if they are a demon, there is no exception.」 G-3 said to encourage his subordinates– –His words have some kind of power. 「Since time immemorial, humanity has made the impossible possible. Crossing oceans, flying through the air, and landing on the Moon. And now we will make the impossible possible. Doing something that no one has ever seen. Secretly saving the world will gain us no praise from anyone. But don’t worry about that. I will definitely see and take note of it. And you, yourself, will see what you accomplish as well. Let’s do it. When we reach Area 51, we will be like Columbus, Lindbergh, and Armstrong. Someone will always accomplish the impossible. And right now it’s us–!.」 –Really? Is that how it is? I understood it. G-3’s followers raised a synchronised cry of: 「Yeah!」 And I realised it. G-3 hadn’t brought me into this for my own exaggerated fighting power. In this seemingly impossible battle as『Enable』–I am the symbol of making the impossible possible. By strengthening the bonds between the G-3 League, 1 + 1 + 1… grows to infinity. That is it… Even as his older brother with a slightly embarrassing second name, I can’t say it’s a terrible thing. Let’s go. To Area 51. The ruruirokane is there. And– so is the good news that Aria is waiting for. ********************************************************** The Sagittarius flew through the night sky at low altitude and it’s top speed of 620 KPH. Looking upward out the window, the whole sky was full of stars that twinkled more than usual, perhaps due to the fine dust that was being kicked up from the ground. It felt like we were flying through a planetarium or the void of space from an anime. Except for the infrequent light from the highway below, it was a total darkness. There was a large mountain range on the uneven horizon. The areas friendly to G-3 were largely districts within larger states. We made adjustments to our course above sparsely populated regions. Like ninja. …Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois… On the large, semi-transparent display, a bright dot on a map of the continental United States indicated our position and progress via GPS location. As for Mash and his party… I wouldn’t want to conduct a night attack. And we won’t. The Sagittarius was a gunship formed from a cross between an Osprey and Hercules, and it is heavily armed with infrared sensors, laser range-finding, and a precision targeting and fire control computer to operate its L-60 autocannons and M-102 howitzers. Enemies should think twice before trifling with it. As we slept in shifts, we crossed over the American Midwest and the Mississippi River at 0000 CST… passing into the western half of the United States… and crossing into the hostile airspace of Utah. For now, peacefully… G-3 laid on a sofa with his arms crossed and eyes closed–using some technique I can’t fathom, he was able to rest half of his brain at once, so he’ll respond if you ask a question. So: 「We’re about 90% of the way there. There are no issues. It’s quiet.」 I said in the direction of the sofa, but– 「–It’s too quiet. That’s the most dangerous time.」 He said tensely. But such over vigilance was unnecessary, our steady approach had been entirely uneventful–we were now crossing into Nevada airspace. If things continue like this, we should make a smooth arrival at Area 51. 「It’s daybreak…」 Tsukumo murmured, and outside the window–the eastern horizon behind us lit up. Looking down, the ochre desert shone. As a Japanese person, it was unlike the mental image I had of someplace like the Sahara. It was rocky, and vegetation that had adapted to the hot arid climate grew sparsely. With each passing moment, it grew more and more dazzling in the light, so Kaname drew a sunglasses-like shade over the window– –Then in a rush, G-3 stood and rushed over, then stopped. 「….Radar contact, check infrared sensors!」 Glowering outside, he shouted into the intercom. 『N-no anomaly detected.』 『Wait, just now– aural sensors detect an intermittent signal at 6 o’ clock…!』 Having been jointly piloting the craft since crossing into Utah, Atlas and Angus reported. As she heard the direction, Luca brought up a split screen view of a contingency table and a camera view from the rear of the Sagitarrius onto the display. When I looked at it, the feed was mostly white-out due to the rising sun. Even with light control, the outline of the mountains behind us were hard to make out. 「It’s a super-compact stealth aircraft! Hidden in the lookdown ground scatter 1 ! It took off 15 seconds ago in the blindspot of the mountains–there’s one tailing us! And there’s one more–by the sound of it… directly above us!」 Seemingly having ears more sensitive than the radar, G-3 looked directly overhead. 「–Ready the howitzer! Evasive action to port!」 G-3 barked an order and received a『Roger!』in response as Angus and Atlas banked the craft into a steep left turn. Kaname grabbed my belt to steady me, and Tsukumo and Collins tumbled and rolled to avoid injuring themselves. 『Target lock! Coming about! From high at 7 o’clock– 2 anomalies detected! Uh…Thermal source detected from 7 o’clock! ATAS stinger missile!』 This happened, and before I knew it, we were attacked from the two legs of an L-shaped trajectory! We were attacked from directions undetectable by radar and optical means, with the mountain and Sun behind us, to the rear and above. For a tactical aircraft like the Sagittarius, it’s ability to monitor the space directly overhead is poor. For fighter aircraft– due to the disturbance of air needed to power their jet engines, steep nosedive attacks are rare. It seems that G-3 issued orders to evade the dive bomb attack and the pursuing attack– –However. Even with the rotating howitzer, it was unable to put the enemy in its sights. In addition to normal stealth technology, it also employed Metamaterial Ghillie. However, zeroing in on the heat source, the Sagittarius’ guns fired–then suddenly, there was a violent impact to the right side of the tail section. It was the guided missile from the stealth aircraft–! 「–Kyaaaa!」 Luca shrieked as we were rolled about the interior cabin like a pachinko ball– The Sagittarius received critical damage and, shaking violently, began to fall. But it didn’t feel like a headlong plunging crash. We were still flying on a reduced number of engines. That is to say… we are listing off course. It wasn’t a stall, but we were unable to level out. Pulling into a corkscrew path, we began to descend gradually from our already low altitude. There was no smoke to be seen, but looking out at the right wing through the window it was a hellscape of flames. 『Engine 1, lost. Engine 2, 50% operational. Engines 3 and 4, fully operational. Right tail stabiliser, completely lost. Right wing, heavily damaged. Prop 1, completely lost. Steerage, impossible. Oil pressure, dropping. All propellers will not disengage from 60 degrees. We are currently 120 miles from our destination and descending. Landing gear will not deploy. Commencing emergency landing. Third-sama, I hate to impose upon you, however… In order to avoid soiling your clothes, please tidy up your beverage containers.』 Angus announced calmly from the cockpit as an alarm blared and black smoke from the fire poured into the fractured airtight cabin. To Tsukumo and Luca, who were choking on the smoke and on the verge of panic– 「–Stay alert! Don’t lose your calm! Brace for impact!」 G-3 ordered. Each of his followers snapped to attention and grabbed onto a rail attached to the wall… 「Onii-chan, I’m scared!」 Kaname said, obviously faking it as she clung on to my arm and clutching it between her breasts. Are you really doing this right now? We might die in 30 seconds. Reki leaned against a wall, clutching her Dragunov like a child to herself…completely calm… …As reckless as ever. Finally glancing over at the display that had turned to a blue screen, I sighed… *Whiiiiiiiiiiiiiiir!*…! We heard the left side propellers impacting and gouging a trough through the desert, causing the right side to jump up, rolling the Sagittarius over in a crash landing. **************************************************************** Without causing the Sagittarius to explode, Angus crashed, made an emergency landing, and brought it to a stop. Thanks to that, most of the crew were largely unharmed, harm restricted to minor injuries. In Butei High, we’d call them scratches. Thanks to my concealed armour, I only received minor injuries as well. However… the Sagittarius itself was totally crippled. It’s attached weaponry was entirely destroyed, so our fire power was reduced in one fell swoop. We were hit from behind in the tail by an air-to-air missile fired from some kind of invisible attack craft. We were also hit on the right wing by some kind of low altitude mass with a masked heat signature. I don’t really know what they actually were. I wouldn’t be surprised if it were some kind of Transzendieren Ange. G-3 kicked open a hatch and headed outside… Out there, it was horrifically dry, and the wind kicked up fine dust and grit that stung the eyes. My mental image of the desert was a hot, sultry place, but it was cold. The ambient temperature was about 8 degrees. It was like a sandy beach in winter with all of its water stolen away– Such a harsh place could not exist in Japan. And the landscape just went on and on. I thought I felt something growing under foot, but I was mistaken and it was withered and parched grass. The reddish-brown ground stretched out to the black-ish mountains. They were low in elevation…so perhaps instead of mountains, they should be called boulders. This is an American desert… It’s familiar to me from American Western films, but the reality was a bit overwhelming. In a word–hellish. It was a landscape that rejected all forms of life like something from The Wasted Land. 2 But… 「Alright. We’re closer than last time.」 Turning his back on the wreckage of the Sagittarius, despite the blood flowing from his head, G-3 stared smilingly in the direction of Area 51. His ability to feign optimism was on the same level as Riko. Still dazed, I lent a hand… his subordinates and I quickly extracted the food, water, and arms from the wrecked interior. 「Based on our numbers, we have enough water for one day and food for two, conservatively. For a land assault, fortunately enough arms, ammunition, explosives, and Atlas’ Personal Assault Armour are all unharmed. In addition, although we cannot procure any compatible transportation… perhaps we could use this as an and incendiary against the enemy position instead of dynamite.」 Angus held up the now useless canister of NOS fuel… He was holding the fuel accelerant that was installed in the Orochi in New York as he listed off a report of the provisions that everyone had been able to salvage. Then: 「I can carry it all myself.」 Wearing the unharmed power armour, Atlas began to load everything into his knapsack. With her Dragunov shouldered and the dry wind fluttering her skirt, Reki stood with her usual blank expression, but she was not alone… Tsukumo was taking a GPS measurement, Kaname was working with Luca to prepare the Sagittaruis’ self-destruct, and Collins had flopped down on the sand for a late morning prayer. Each of them were untroubled. Even in this extreme and isolated place with a life-or-death situation upon us, there was a distinct lack of anxiety. It was more than G-3’s absolute leadership; it was a strong sense of trust. *********************************************** Once we had put some distance between us and the crash of the Sagittaruis, we engaged the self-destruct… However, because religious matters were important, we waited until Collins finished his prayers. I was the only despondent one here in these dire straits. Reki sat on the sand, clutching her knees next to me… I looked around for something interesting to talk about, but couldn’t find anything. Soon after, I heard something rustling in the wind and saw a clump of straw tumbling across the ground–it was something I had seen in Westerns, so it didn’t do anything to raise my spirits. Typically it rolls through on a dry wind prior to a duel, so in our unfortunate state it only reinforced my prior bitter mood. What’s more, it seemed that something similar rolled across Reki’s own homeland so when I pointed and said: 「Look at that! What is it?」 「Tumbleweed…」 She was actually the one to tell me what it was. I borrowed a pair of binoculars from Kaname, and scanned the surroundings… Oh! Look at that. The stereotypical dead cattle skeleton. Unscavenged by animals and with bits of hide still sticking to its bones. As expected of someone as useless as I am, I could only find a ball of grass and a dead cow– 「As the crow flies, Area 51 is 190 km away… Avoiding the Chokecherry mountainous region, the distance is more like 200 km.」 Tsukumo reported to G-3, holding a tablet computer. But it’s still 200 km. That’s farther than the distance between Tokyo and Shizuoka, isn’t it? That’s not a walkable distance, even if it weren’t through this hellscape. But G-3 said: 「Alright, let’s move out! Leave the dead where they fall!」 The tsundere decided to exercise the tsun part of his nature, as he made this unreasonable request like the manager of a sweatshop to his workers. Used to such pain from Aria, I used my hand to turn Reki’s head to glare at G-3, silently putting pressure on him with our 4 eyes. As that happened… Collins raised his head up from his prayers and looked toward the Sun. 「…Third. Just a moment. Do you hear that?」 Pointing to the ground. G-3 stuck his ear to the spot…. …10 seconds passed… 20… listening for a sound. Then standing, he pointed a thumb a little south of west. 「–This way. Let’s walk. There some kind of man made object obstructing the wind and making a slight noise.」 ************************************************************************ Nevada was about 3 times the size of Hokkaido and almost entirely covered in desert– And we walked on. Our course undulated slightly, and due to the winter, the one bright spot in the darkness was that the daytime temperature only rose to just under 20 degrees… but the dryness was unbearable. After an hour, my hair dried out and the exposed, bare skin on my face and arms became rough. Powdery grains of sand stuck to my clothes and face, making it look like I was turning into sand myself. The thirst in my throat became a madness as we shared a little water between us at a time, but… G-3 only pretended to drink without taking in a single drop. I respect you for giving your share to your followers, but won’t you just tire yourself out? As he told us a funny story about stepping on a snake that couldn’t be seen because it was the same colour as the sand then chased after him with surprising speed…. …The sun set. After dusk, the temperature in the desert drops below freezing rapidly. While shivering and puffing white mist– We followed G-3 and his sense of hearing as we walked under the starry sky until it was about 11 PM. A town… There’s a town over there. But it was half covered in sand, and what might be called a ghost town. Well, that thought came to me partially because of where we were. With the wind and rain storms of Japan, the town would have rotten away entirely, but it looked to have been abandoned for 70-80 years… but the desert seems to have preserved the ruins of this Wild West-era town like the mummified cow. We saw several ruined structures, and when inhabited, the population of town was probably about 200 people. Most of the buildings had collapsed, but some of them still retained their original shape. At the centre of the town, there was a particularly large, warehouse-like structure that we didn’t know the purpose of… Maybe it had been built to house people that had come to the American Western Frontier. But as time went on, it became unnecessary and gradually the town became depopulated until it was abandoned 「Let’s head over there.」 Kaname said, pointing to an old, authentic cowboy saloon with a sign reading:『Hilton’s Bar』, and we all went inside… Atlas hung lights, and illuminated the crumbling interior… It was full of sand. It was draughty, and it wasn’t much warmer than outside. But wasn’t it better than sleeping out in the exposed wind? 「–We’ll make camp here tonight. Take your individual rations. We’re at C-II alert status with a Type 1 patrol-sleep rotation. Fall out!」 Giving us all orders, G-3 walked over to a handy chair and brushed off the sand. The girls discovered an ancient pinball machine in a corner of the shop. 「Look! It still works!」 And they chattered back and forth. Reki peered over at what they were doing, each of them acting carefree. I alone was acting like a victim marched into hostile enemy territory without supplies. But apparently, I’m the only one upset here– 「What’s this? A 1934 bourbon. It is still good. Please enjoy it, Third-sama. Regrettably, I do not have a beer for a chaser, and as for a glass…」 Angus rummaged through the bar counter interior, sifting through the sand. 「Oh no! My hair is such a mess! And my skin is so rough!」 Complaining as he looked into a mirror hanging on the wall, the fashion conscious Collins removed the bandages from his face and began arranging his hair, 「Come, come. I’ve got pocket sandwiches, buttermilk biscuits, and french toast! Come on and dig in, everyone!」 The grave Atlas said, removing his helmet and spreading out the UGR-E rations in accordance with G-3’s orders. Even at a time like this, they didn’t lose their good spirits. These Americans. Thanks to that, my spirits rose, just a little. Even if it was just a brave front. Knowing they wouldn’t eat his portion, G-3 sat in his chair, took a mouthful of bourbon, and pretended to sleep. I noticed that they put aside his portion… and I gave a wry smile as I ate a bag of mixed nuts. As the boisterous evening meal took place, I… Saw a blurry picture and description on a『Wanted』notice affixed to the wall. Should I peel it off as a souvenir? I contemplated acting as a bad tourist to disturb the ruins while visiting. No sooner than that happened, I was struck with a divine punishment and was hit by a cold draught… The door that appeared to lead to the toilet was buried and was not likely to open. It can’t be helped. I slipped quietly outside. ************************************* In the moonlight– I found an isolated end of a street in the ghost town. With the sand muffling all sound, the silence made my ears ache. There weren’t even any insects. It’s a terrible waste of water… Then I headed toward a brick wall to employ a particularly male ability… …? –I noticed something. It was about 20 metres behind me. Crap! I didn’t notice until it was too late because the sand deadened the sound. This is a dead-end street. I had driven myself into a corner. The sound was like the breath of a large animal– Could it live in these ruins? No, it was something else. There was a faintly metallic noise. It was obviously human. Without turning my head, I tried to determine what I hadn’t noticed before–pretending to fumble with my trouser belt, I loosened my gun in my holster. I got ready to quickdraw it as soon as the noise got close– — I spun around with a *Whoosh!* And down the street… Sitting astride an American Quarter Horse that could outstrip any cavalry horse, there was a large man with a dark brown cowboy hat. A large belly in a T-shirt stuck out from a vintage leather coat that the big and strong Caucasian old man wore. Looking like he had come from Kentucky Fried Chicken, he took off his Colonel Sanders-esque glasses to reveal a stern expression on the big man’s mustached face. His originally blonde hair was greying and left loose and unkempt. He looked right for the role of a bank robber in a Western. The thin canteen in his left hand, I didn’t have to ask, was probably full of alcohol– and in his right hand– there was an old-style M1 Garand rifle. 「…Who are you?」 I asked quietly. 「Don’ move, cowboy. You carryin’ on the chest?」 He answered in accented English in an equally low voice. Suddenly– I was alarmed by this man. In this country even women, children, and the elderly shoot guns. 30,000 die from it every year. It’s a country where more people are killed by guns every day than in a modest civil war. Thinking that, there was a very real sense of tension in this place. I didn’t think that this stranger in front of me wanted to talk. The likelihood that I would be suddenly shot with a *Bang!* was not low… 「You drew first. Then I did. I’m Japanese. We’re a country of self-defence.」 Without drawing my gun, I tried to gauge his attitude. Then the old man grinned broadly. 「I’m not yellow enough to draw before a youngin’. Go ahead an’ draw.」 He took another swig of alcohol. Without taking his eyes off of me, he raised it to his lips. Realising that I couldn’t shoot fast enough, in that instant– 「…I don’t want to fight you.」 I took out my Desert Eagle from my jacket and tossed it at my feet. I left my Beretta hidden for the moment. Seeing that… the old man stowed his rifle in a quiver-like hoster on his horse’s flank. –I’ve avoided a gunfight for the moment. 「…Who’s in there? I wanna know. I saw you a ways off.」 The old man asked, jerking a thumb toward『Hilton’s Bar』where G-3 and co were… 「My younger brother, sister, and some friends. They aren’t bad people, despite how they might look.」 I answered honestly, and– The old man– with a *Click!*– pulled a Ruger Blackhawk from a concealed back holster and pointed it toward the roof of the ruins. Up there… 「What do you mean by ‘despite how they look’, Aniki?」 G-3 stood there, seemingly having come to guard me while I relieved myself. Seemingly not taking his weapon seriously, G-3 stared down with an attitude of superiority. As the old man looked up– 「…Oh my Go–…!」 Hearing him exclaim that famous line grabbed my attention. When he looked up… I noticed a tattoo on the old man’s neck. It was a horrifying design of a knife thrust through a skull, and the letters spelling out U.S. Army. He must have put on weight since he got it, because it was considerably distorted. 「I thought I’d shoot people in ‘Nam, but this is surprising! A hero like you, way out here in the sticks!」 Apparently an ex-soldier, the old man stowed his gun and got off his horse happily, taking off his hat and holding it against his thick chest. Like a boy with sparkling eyes, he looked up at G-3. ********************************************************************* As a fighting nation, there are 1.5 million military personnel in America. When you count former personnel and staff, that number doubles. That being the case, it wasn’t at all outside the bounds of probability to happen to meet this older army veteran. But I still don’t know if it was a lucky or unlucky meeting. This old man had a rugged Colonel Sanders look– it was actually a common name, his last name really was Sanders– and his house was just a short distance from the ghost town and near the foot of the mountains. It took about 30 minutes to get there on foot, and he guided G-3 to his wood frame house… He gave us an overblown welcome and the inside of his house was just as rough and wild as his hair and moustache. It was an unkempt dwelling place where the man lived alone. Bullet boxes and alcohol bottles were strewn all over the floor. …It was old and crumbling. Although it was an American house, it was cramped. In terms of environment, it is a bit better than the ruins. The power generator was old and noisy. Among other faults. But a house was a house. It was bright, warm, and I had been saved from a brush with death. The old man had brought us here, both nervous and excited at the same time. 「Welcome G-3! You ‘member last year’s Trails Oilfield fire?」 He cracked open a can of Budweiser from the refrigerator packed full of them and handed it over to G-3. Then after a moment of puzzlement on his face, G-3 made a sign of recognition, then he looked away in embarrassment. 「Cuz y’all rushed in to save us, not a soul died. I thought I was a goner for sure under the collapsed oil platform. But y’all save my friend, his son, and me too!」 Laughing heartily he clapped G-3 on the shoulder while taking swigs of beer… It looks like this is one of the people that my brother saved while he engaged in his hobby of playing Ally of Justice. G-3’s face said he distinctly remembered the oilfield accident, but it seemed that he wasn’t that good at accepting praise from someone he saved. 「Uh… I might have done that. But I don’t remember each and every person I save. Just like you don’t remember all the names of all the streets you walk down.」 He said such a tsundere thing. He seems to be constantly acting. But this… –It was a lucky thing. We’ve obviously met up with an ally of G-3. No, it’s a bit too lucky. This must be… due to the boost of my luck in lieu of my luck with women that Luca had made with her supernatural power–somehow it affected my destiny. It has to be. That’s the whole reason that I met the old man in the first place. Or does that mean because I met him that my luck with women decreased even further? But my luck with women was Guinness World Record level bad from the start. If it decreases further, I’m afraid of what might happen. Some kind of dangerous woman might appear. ****************************************** Digging the old man’s precious tequila out from a cabinet, setting out a plastic case of beer cans, and pulling out one frozen meal after another from the freezer, Angus and Tsukumo bustled to serve us. 「Why do you live out here? Are you looking for oil?」 I asked, not drinking the alcohol, but stuffing my face with cold pizza. 「I’m retired. I’m waitin’ for WWIII to drop, so I moved out into the boonies. The next big ‘un is definitely gonna use nukes!」 Despite being drunk, the old man was not joking as he answered seriously. 「This old man’s crazy!」 G-3 laughed as he munched on tomatoes and chicken nuggets. 「Don’t say that!」 I interjected, glaring at him. 「Don’t say that.」 Tsukumo interjected, glaring at me as she waitressed. The Scarlet Goddess will cause a world war… Here in America where there is almost an unbroken chain of war, gun shootings, and the danger of terror– There were more than a few who had chosen to evacuate themselves due to a neurosis about war. It seems that they choose to live out in the country, arm themselves, and fortify their homes. This old man is one of them. The crazy old man Sanders, G-3, Atlas, and Collins put out dollar bills on the table… all of them equally crazy, they began making bets on a game of poker. The girls all got excited by watching intently. Even with his crooked posture, Angus dealt the hand of cards like a professional dealer. As for me, I lacked the ability and communication skills to become friendly with someone I just met… So I set myself down on the sofa that had springs poking out of it and next to Reki who had a similar lack of communication skills. Then I turned on the television to pass the time. I did much the same with Lisa in the Netherlands. It might be a habit of mine to find escape in a television when I go abroad. Slowly… the CRT display warmed up, and the program… thankfully was not adult content like the last time. It was the safest of all programs to prevent hysterising, a weather report. 「…What’s that mark? Oh, it’s a windstorm prediction. The forecast is for a『cyclone』. As expected of America.」 I chattered about what I saw, trying to strike up a conversation. 「…」 Her reddish brown eyes staring at the CRT, Reki-chan sat atop the sofa grasping her legs while saying nothing. With no expression. Having absolutely no response. Sitting next to me, there was no sign of her except for the faint scent of mint from her hair. Impressively lacking in presence. No matter what you might say, when Atlas or Luca go a day without a bath, they start giving off a strong foreign scent like Alice Bell. 「Whoo boy, you wanna attack Groom Lake Air Force Base–Area 51, G-3?」 While pouring the tequila into a glass, they told the old man the dangerous tale– I looked away from the television toward the table. 「So you got hit by their counter strike? You were flying some kind of UFO or somethin’. The noise of it upset my stomach. And now you wanna sneak up and catch ‘em off guard?」 「Yeah, that’s about it.」 Hearing G-3’s answer, the old man laughed heartily. 「This gonna be the big ‘un, G-3?」 「It’ll be a big fight,」 「That’s bad, sonny. I’ll help ya. We’re both in trouble and should lend each other a hand.」 Despite calling him ‘sonny’, the old man was clearly wanting to help his benefactor, G-3. 「…Sanders-shi. If you have a car, will you kindly lend it to us? Naturally, we shall compensate you for it.」 Angus proposed. 「You aren’t gettin’ to Area 51 in a car. No roads. Even in my jeep. Horses are the only way to go.」 Horses… then we can’t get there. It’s pretty far. And he only has one of them, in the first place. Hearing his response, everyone fell silent for a moment– Seemingly having been feigning ignorance until now he continued: 「But..」 He said, regathering their attention on himself. 「There’s ‘nother, special『path』. I’ll get ready tomorrow and go with ya. Let’s make those stupid Air Force Elites cry. Aha, full house! I win! Let’s stop here and be gettin’ some sleep. Or do you want to lose s’more?」 ************************************************************ Like the old man’s hand, his house was also full, and he was a traditional man that thought: 「Men-folk and women-folk should sleep in separate rooms. There’s only 1 bedroom, so that’ll be the women-folk’s room. I’ll take the sofa in the living room. The rest of y’all can take the floor.」 And he said so… Angus, Atlas, and Collins slept in the living room, taking up the entire floor. Due to his bodybuilder physique, Atlas took up the most room and was the main reason for the shortage of space. He was asleep 3 seconds after saying ‘Goodnight’, so out of necessity, G-3 and I… we slept out in the stable. However, there must have been some of my luck remaining. There weren’t any blankets in the house, but sliding underneath the straw, it was pleasantly warm. It felt good. I’ll be able to sleep well. Even if it smelled like horses. The horse bit my hand, but instantly became docile when stroked by G-3… G-3 and I fluffed up the straw and laid down side by side. When the borrowed light was extinguished, I could only hear my brother and the horse’s breathing in the darkness. This is probably the first time we had been alone together since leaving New York, so… 「…G-3. What are you going to do after you bring back Dr. Sara?」 I asked the question that had always troubled me. G-3… 「…」 My brother remained silent, but I felt like I could understand his strange mood. Somehow. I wonder if this is what they mean when they say Love is blind? 「It’s a terrible thing to say, but… since you’re my Aniki and no one else is here, I’ll tell you. I’ve given up. I’m against it. There isn’t even any proof that using irokane will work.」 「…」 「In my opinion, hihiirokane– and the Scarlet Goddess is pure『Evil』. I don’t think it’s a good idea to rely on evil… and the Doctor wouldn’t like it, would she?」 「…」 「But that’s a question you’d have to ask yourself. I won’t talk any more about it after this. Bringing the dead back to life– I haven’t given up on that. But there has to be another way.」 G-3 said as he lay next to me.. Then he fell silent. …I wonder if he was asleep? If that’s the case, I don’t want to talk to myself. So I closed my eyes. 「…Thanks, Aniki.」 …Huh? Is he awake? 「Angus, Atlas, and Collins– they all know. They know, and they worry, so they avoid this topic. They treat it『Like an abscess that shouldn’t be touched』… so… thanks, Aniki. For having the guts to bring it up. Thanks… for taking me to task.」 G-3, whom I had assumed was asleep, mumbled this, half like a soliloquy. It was halting and clumsy. He was. But I wasn’t good at talking to people either. But… he hadn’t told me that he had given up. That’s fine. He can figure out the rest later. One step at a time. That’s how it is. But I forgot that there was one more thing I wanted to say. I wanted to tell him while we were alone together. 「…And there’s also something about Tsukumo. Your follower. Show her a bit more care.」 It was a bit of an awkward topic, but I had to say it. I couldn’t ignore it. 「Why? I don’t treat any of my subordinates differently.」 Wha….! Have you really not noticed!? Despite the spotlight-like interest she shows in you? This guy’s an insensitive blockhead. Some kind of clueless protagonist. 「That’s not the issue here. You really don’t know, do you?」 「I don’t know what you mean. What do you want me to do?」 「Even asking me, I don’t really know either, but…」 Yeah. When it comes to matters of love, I know less than a kindergartener. When I gave Jeanne flowers a while ago, that seemed to work out, but… when I did the same thing to Shirayuki last year, she ended up shooting up my apartment with a machine gun the next day. I don’t know what he should do. But, having been the one to bring up the topic, if I didn’t say anything, it would affect my dignity and status as an older brother. Instead of taking a step back, I plunged forward. Then I– 「The next time you and Tsukumo are alone together, run your hand over her hips. Nature will take it from there.」 I blurted out the most sexual thing I had ever said. I had stolen half of it from something Reki had said before. But then… 「–Huh? I don’t get what you mean. Bite down as hard as you can on your tongue and go to sleep. Forever.」 It was no good. He wasn’t feigning ignorance. It seemed that the message had been lost. But, pathetic older brother that I am, I can’t give him what I don’t have. And I should only meddle sparingly. The next morning– Old man Sanders took a bunch of cowboy hats from a storage closet and gave us each one. This delighted G-3 who began acting like Clint Eastwood, but… the familiar headgear from Westerns was not only a fashion item, but an indispensable practical item. It protected your eyes from the desert rays of sunlight and helped prevent sunstroke. Looking like gunman by our clothes, Sanders took us to the『path』he told us about… He brought us back to the ghost town from yesterday. 「…Where’s the『path』you talked about?」 I asked in sulking Japanese– but then I realised that it had been too dark last night to notice it . Dotted here and there throughout the Nevada wasteland… There was what appeared to be a set of reddish dotted lines. Some kind of rock…? Mineral…? No, it was too straight. It had to be man-made. 「…A railway…!」 Tsukumo said it at the same instant I realised it, covering her eyes with her hands as her ears perked up while she looked out across the desert. None of us had noticed it in the dark but this town was a『railway station』. It didn’t look like this place was constructed to be a terminus. It looked like an offshoot from the main line, like Toshimaen Station on the West Ikebukuro Line– and the strange building in the centre of the town was meant to house the rolling stock. It was like a railway garage. Based on the smaller size, if I had to guess it was a shunting or holding station. With a self-satisfied grin on his face, the old man pulled on a chain to open the doors, and inside the large depot… …! Gleaming a dull jet black, there was a an old-fashioned rail vehicle– A perfectly preserved steam locomotive . While all of G-3’s followers were stunned, 「Gosh!」 Angus stepped up to the old steam-powered train and exclaimed happily: 「How? How? This–is a Central Pacific Railroad 63C! 3 . This is an American National Treasure. It was an early design in the transition between wood to coal-burning types, and it is impossible to remain calm upon learning that a fully functional example exists. Ah, look at that beautiful red cow-catcher…!」 …He seemed to be an American railroad enthusiast… Angus’ hand trembled in excitement as he reached out his hand– he ran it over the large steel-framed, rake-like protrusion that stuck out from the front of the steam locomotive like visor, just barely skimming the ground. In bygone days, it was an indispensable piece of equipment used to clear the track ahead of the locomotive of buffalo. The fire chamber door on the front of the steam locomotive was round, and where an Imperial Japanese train would have the Red Sun, there were two crossed Stars and Stripes flags. However, the flags had a few less stars than the current version of the American flag employed. Some antiques are from a time when there were fewer American states. Like this steam locomotive. 「This ‘uns like this old man. It may be old, but put a fire in her belly, and she’ll run. It might just be a lil’ bit rusty.」 「It only needs a bit of maintenance. Is that a transcontinental body?」 「You’ve got quite the eye there, Angus-san. It’s been called a Trans-American–『Trans-Am』.」 It’s trumpet-style smoke stack was a lustrous black, and in the front of this Trans-Am… these two older nerds began talking in detail about the Gold Rush-era steam locomotive that likely hauled freight cars with silver and gold ore. The ghost town was originally a switchyard town. I had never expected to find such a thing here, but… But it seems that this branch of the old Union Pacific transcontinental rail line reached just inside Area 51. What’s more, the area it runs through to reach our destination of Area 51 is just barely inside the territory friendly to G-3. That means that if we run the Trans-Am– We can get close to the ruruirokane. 「Oi, G-3! Back in Cafe Lalo you said:『I don’t work well on tracks laid down by others』… How about this?」 Indicating the tracks that ran across the wasteland, I asked sarcastically in my cowboy hat– 「Well, you have to trust some tracks enough to follow them at some point in your life.」 A bit more subdued since last night, G-3 scratched the back of his head underneath this cowboy hat. It wasn’t something that I had taught him, but it made me smile at the gesture so similar to my own. ************************************************ We followed Angus’ instructions, who appeared to have a solid knowledge of steam locomotives– We moved quickly, loading coal into the old, but serviceable coal tender, putting water into the tank on the outside of the combustion chamber, and checking the linkage between the driver wheel and follower. The Trans-Am that had last seen a fire lit 50 years earlier came to life…. with a 3 car arrangement, headed by the locomotive engine, followed by the tender carrying coal and water, and lastly the reinforced military transport passenger car. The base colour of the passenger car was a deep green, but the name of the railcar manufacturer, Schenectady, and car number were scribed in golden letters. Going up the stairs attached to the outside of the railcar, Collins, Luca, Tsukumo, and Atlas, wearing his P.A.A., boarded one after another… I held Kaname and Reki back with a hand. 「You’re being left to serve a defensive role. Old man Sander is loaning us his house, and I’m leaving that to you.」 It was the nature of the Americans to rush in cheerfully to an assault, but if looked at objectively, it’s a rash attack. With the loss of the gunship Sagittarius, even with all our advanced guns, we only have small calibre weapons and not even a single missile. What’s more, we’re advancing in a steam locomotive, of all things. –The path we have to take is too dangerous. 「We do not have adequate personnel to delegate to a defensive arrangement.」 I answered Reki’s unusual backchat– 「Then I’ll tell you what I really think: Firstly, you are not G-3’s followers. Reki, it goes without saying, and Kaname was fired. You have no obligation to go along with what looks like a suicide attack. What’s more–you’re girls. I want you to wait here in a safe place, particularly Kaname who is the youngest. Don’t worry. I’ll come back alive.」 I said this macho statement, then turned my back to them, intending to board the locomotive– Then as I took the first step, which was considerably high off the ground, *Whoosh!* I suddenly missed it with my foot. My head was about to hit the step instead, and… *Whoomph!*, it struck a cloth-like object instead. It was the P-Fibre stretching out from Kaname’s skirt. 「…How upsetting. I’m the cute little sister that watches over her Onii-chan from ‘Good Morning’ to ‘Good Night’, remember?」 Because of the flying, cloth-like scientific blade, the front of her skirt was turned up– and when she saw I was about to say something, Kaname raised a finger to stop me. 「I’m going to watch over you, right? I intend to do that. And that includes now.」 She said, with a cute wink… I give up. There’s no helping it. They had first knocked down my reason for leaving them, then they knocked me down. Then I stood up, and before I knew it, Reki was resting the back of her head against the railcar window across from me. It’s inevitable. We’re going. To Area 51– all of us. [END TEXT] ***************************** 1. Lookdown capability is the ability, or lack thereof, of a radar system to distinguish an aerial target below a radar’s local horizon. (below the radar system not through the Earth). Radar waves are reflected off the target, but the radar also detects the reflections from the ground objects, and the target often gets lost in the backscatter ‘noise’ from the ground objects. 2. A novel by Toyoko Yamasaki. It’s about a Japanese man captured by Soviets and sentenced to hard labour in Siberia before returning home, trying to re-adjust to civilian life, and running a trading company. 3. Also known as Leviathan. LINK ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ### 006. Bullet 6: Star-Spangled Martial Law – Trans-Am Final chapter in this volume, but there is still an Epilogue, and who knows what surprises that may hold! *Wink-wink* Find out next time on Silvered Tongue! But for now, enjoy the chapter! Chapter 6: Star-Spangled Martial Law ―― Trans-Am [BEGIN TEXT] *Cla-lang!*… The Trans-Am moved– Pitch black smoke began to rise from the trumpet-style chimney stack as the coal burned. In addition, the white steam from the evaporated water mixed in with the smoke, but didn’t stand out from it. The enormous black body advanced steadily, spilling the sand from the half covered steel rails as it moved along the track. Toward Area 51 that lay across the broad expanse of Nevada. Kaname and Reki were riding in the passenger car that had a wooden floor, but the walls and ceiling were made of steel. It lacked hand rails to grasp, and with similar benches, there wasn’t much else to distinguish it from cars on the Yamanote Line. In the engine at the head of the cars, Atlas and Collins were managing the fuel and water level coming from the coal tender. Grabbing on to the hand holds that were there to prevent a fall, I crabbed my way across the exterior of the tender’s body frame and running board and across the car coupler… finally reaching the locomotive at the head of the cars. The sunlight was still dazzling and the wind was as dry as it had been–and the time was a bit before noon. 「Oi, old man! Stop drinking alcohol, will you?」 I admonished old man Sanders who sat in the operator’s seat, one hand on a brass regulator control knob and gladly taking pulls of liquor… 「Hush up, youngun’. If I don’t drink my hand will start a-shakin’, that what you want?」 This is no good. Although the oni piloting the Fugaku were also drunk, at least they were a bit cuter. At the open tail-end of the car, G-3 stood with his arms folded as Tsukumo and Angus tended the iron boiler. 「Time check. Distance to Area 51: 115 miles. Estimated time to target: approximately 125 minutes.」 Luca reported, consulting her expensive looking, spring-wound Heuer stopwatch. That’s about 185 km until our final destination. I just hope that is not our final destination in life as well. But if a train that hasn’t run for decades starts moving, then Mash will think it ridiculous for G-3 to attack in a train, and he won’t immediately realise what we are doing. It might just be a good thing that we used this silly trick that he would never suspect. 「The Trans-Am tops out at 57 MPH. You feel that heat commin’ off it? She can handle the pressure fine, jus’ like this old man!」 Old man Sanders boasted with a belch, but the top speed of about 90 KPH wasn’t all that impressive. Nowadays, motor scooters and even Usain Bolt can beat that in a short sprint. 1 G-3 noticed my gloomy expression and turned to me… he passed me a knob on the end of a chain that drooped from the ceiling. 「Cheer up, Aniki!」 He said with a smile, and when I pulled the ball-like end– —–*Chooooooo!*—– I felt the reverberation of this genuine steam locomotive’s horn. So loud! Hearing the sound, G-3’s followers: 「Wow!」 「Yahoo!」 「Choo! Choo!」 They shouted loudly. They were American, after all. You don’t have the slightest idea of how to avoid sticking out do you? 「Let’s get our signals straight. A long blast will mean『We are 1 mile from Area 51』, and we’ll get off and prepare. Two short blasts will be a warning for anything else.」 The subordinates that had cooperated to follow G-3 on the train saluted and answered with a smile 「Roger!」 Honestly, they always seemed to be having a good time. These people. 「Don’t get so worked up, Aniki!」 「I don’t have any regrets.」 G-3 and I exchanged words… That is to say, when it comes to Americans… they have such a free and lively dynamic that we Japanese lack. I can’t despise it. Perhaps I should even try to emulate it, just a little. ***************************************************** The rusty rail lines were covered in spots with patchy grass–unbothered by that, the TransAm pushed west into the Nevada desert. We reached top speed. As the old man had said, it was about 90 KPH. We broke into the western side of Lincoln County, Nevada… In terms of political affiliation, the area was hostile to G-3. That means it wouldn’t be unexpected for Mash to intercept us here, but– Despite all our apprehension, there was no attack. However, this is the calm before a storm. He’s probably watching carefully and using some kind of satellite to keep tabs on us. Likely since shooting down the Sagittarius. G-3 ordered everyone to alert status, then–the sharp-sighted Reki spotted something strange floating in the eastern sky. When I looked in the direction she pointed, I spotted a black speck amidst the blue sky as I stood in the passenger car. . Sticking my head out the window, I used binoculars I had borrowed from Kaname to look at it… What…? A whale-like thing, or… a manta ray…? I couldn’t distinguish it well because of the smoke from the train. It was uncanny, though. As my eyebrows drew together, the scent of mint wafted up. It appears Reki stuck her own head out of the same window below mine. As the rushing air whipped her hair against my head: 「–It is some kind of aircraft. Slight over 10 metres long. In addition to matching the train’s speed, it is maintaining a following distance of 3.2 kilometres.」 Reki confirmed, her naked eye surpassing what I could do with the aid of binoculars. 「…G-3. There’s a low altitude craft with a shape halfway between a whale and manta ray following us.」 I said into the throat mic affixed to my neck, reaching G-3 in the main locomotive– –*Brrr!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* A sound like a fully automatic machine gun came from under the train cars. 「Wha-what? It’s not an enemy attack…」 Looking down at the tracks, I frowned in concentration. 『…We just crossed over some old waterproof firecrackers installed on the tracks. From here on, not even the Sheriff can monitor this deserted track–It’s a traditional warning that you are entering a lawless area and to not trespass. I’m sure that the whale in the sky will ride this tide our way soon.』 Looking back, as G-3 predicted: 「Craft is in motion. Listlessly moving, but gaining speed.」 Reki reported as she shouldered her Dragunov. …I see. Is this the place where the decisive battle will occur? With Mash? It’s going to be a battle in the wasteland–as we headed along the deserted rail line, it was becoming more likely. ******************************************** Atlas, Reki, and Kaname waited for the enemy in the last car, protected by the steel plating. Completely exposed in the tender, Collins took up the most dangerous role in the coal car. G-3, myself, old man Sanders, Tsukumo, and Luca formed the locomotive garrison. 「What is it that came off of that thing…?」 Glowering toward the sky, G-3 murmured then a few seconds later…I saw it. The plump manta shape was similar to the blended wing design of the B-2 Galleon that I had taken down… According the G-3, it was an enlarged version of the X-48, the X-48E『Global Shuttle』, and something about 3 metres wide had detached from it. The black smoke rose up as the TransAm dashed along the abandoned line… The detached object followed us. It had wings. I can see it. 「That silhouette…!」 「–It’s LOO…!」 G-3 and I realised it was the same person we had last seen at Cafe Lalo. It was the girl-shaped mecha, LOO– it looks like wings had been added so that she could fly. The wings were sharply angular, and the length to width ratio was high, making it look like a glider. It lacked any type of engine… It uses potential energy to accelerate upon descent, only gaining dynamic lift as it cuts through the air and glides. I saw a small jet flame, but that looks to be an attitude control thruster. I see. LOO can fly, but she can’t cruise, and she was carried to the abandoned rail line and dropped like a parasite aircraft. As LOO drew closer, more details could be made out. Wearing nothing but a white bathing suit, she was almost entirely naked– 「…!」 Perhaps to make myself and Kaname hesitant to destroy her, her clothing had a Butei High sailor suit collar similar to our friends. Mash… That’s a dirty trick. 「Oi, Atlas! That mecha girl’s equipment looks like yours. If Aria’s hover skirt and your P.A.A. are first generation, that’s second generation.」 G-3 said into his communication device as his eyebrows rose. 『Yes sir. It’s more like actual clothes than P.A.A. To distinguish it, we’ll call it–Personal Assault Dress.』 「Good name. Now… Let’s dance with this girl in the dress. Protect the TransAm! If we can do that and get to Area 51, we’ll win!」 Outlining the conditions for victory, G-3’s followers answered with a loud shout. 「Roger!」 …So this is a defensive battle, huh? I never imagined it would be a train, but defending a position is one of the fundamental topics I’ve studied. I might not be much help, but I’ll help fight her off. Mash wants to plunge America into the chaos of war–and the Scarlet Goddess wants to plunge the world into the chaos of war, so this battle will shatter 2 ambitions. With my sibling with me, I cannot lose. Then first of all, not caring for the Butei High sailor suit collar, Reki raised her SVD Dragunov– and Tsukumo raised her FN P90 PDW at the back of the train– *Bang!* *Ratatatata!* Her camera-like eyes widened, and the bullets struck her wings. But Reki’s bullet merely sent up a shower of sparks that scattered in front of LOO’s protected pretty face. It had to be some kind of Transzendieren Ange that we weren’t familiar with–Stopped by some invisible barrier. Well, I supposed that she’d do as much. Some of Tsukumo’s bullets struck LOO’s wings, but they only disturbed them slightly. The advanced material it was composed of must have been proof against FN 5.7x28mm bullets. 「…」 Reki pushed back the bolt and removed the magazine of 7.62mm×54R bullets from the modified barrel and substituted another magazine with a click. She must be changing ammunition type. Like a mecha, LOO pushed on, heedless of the bullets striking her– *Whoomph!* From a unit mounted on what appeared to be an extended epaulette, unidentified blue bullets streaked out wildly in response. However, because she was trying to land on the train at the same time, we were out of their line of fire and the grouping of shots went wild. Almost all of them impacted on both sides of the TransAm, sending up sprays of sand like landmines with a series of *Thud!* Thud!* Thud!*. Only about 2 or three hit the roof of the passenger car. LOO had descended and picked up speed, but was now close enough for us to make out her features and raised eyebrows. 『Was that a heavy ion ballista? It’s got to be a more efficient version of my ion collider blade, Execution D, and capable of rapid fire. I really, really want one!』 Kaname said, then adding to her report that everyone in the passenger car was safe from LOO’s last attack. 「Now then, it appears that Mash has discovered us. That being the case, it saves us the trouble of announcing ourselves. It may be a tad reckless, but let us increase our speed, shall we?」 Cool and collected, Angus– drew out what looked like a baton that was wrapped in paper from within his suit. On it’s exterior surface, the letters ‘NOS’ were stenciled. This was the fuel for the rocket equipped onto G-3’s personal car. 「With its long burn time and high heat capacity, it may just prove useful. The larger NOS-2 or 3 would surely wreck the train, but this is a tiny NOS-1.」 「Haha! Alright, use it!.」 G-3 laughed heartily, I forced a smile, Luca and old man Sanders’ paled, and Tsukumo’s eyes widened into saucers– 「Don’t worry! This will just help us get there faster. That’s all!」 Saying something would have caused any girl to choke up with emotion and shock, he held on and supported Tsukumo by the arm. But I don’t think Tsukumo suffered any harm from it. 「Now for the NOS-1.」 Angus tossed the canister into the firebox with a gentle underhand throw– *WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSH!* The fire box which had until now been a red colour flashed with golden light. The very next instant, a gout of flame like dragon’s breath erupted from the mouth of the firebox. 「–…!」 I raise my arm and turned my body to shield my face from the heat, but– I fell hard on my backside as the TransAm suddenly accelerated. In principle, anything with a high caloric capacity can be used to fuel the steam locomotive. Wood, coal, oil, coke, and dry grass have all been used. But we are probably the first in history to use Nitro. Violent heat that was not from a yakiniku barbecue rolled off the fire box …At last, the temperature finally fit my mental image of a Western film now, didn’t it? A cold, mid-winter Nevada hadn’t seemed right to me. 「Internal b-boiler temperature is 1,500 degrees! Speed– 137 KPH by my eye!」 Luca shouted out her estimate as the landscape streamed by about 1.5 times faster. 「You can do it, can’t you, TransAm!」 G-3 shouted, thumping the side wall lightly with the back of a hand and grinning like an idiot. Eyes wide open in a rush of adrenaline, old man Sanders said: 「You’re pretty fired up, aren’tcha! Nah, you’re a crazy old man Angus-san!」 「No, I am not quite that. Fufufu!」 Angus and the American chattered back and forth about nothing. The boost of sudden acceleration not only sped us on toward Area 51–, but if we were lucky, also put us outside of LOO’s flight range… But our enemy was armed with the latest P.A.D. She wouldn’t be defeated by the ancient steam locomotive. The thruster that was originally used for attitude control now accelerated her as she closed the distance once again. When I looked up–the smoke pouring from the TransAm’s smoke stack had changed to a dark red. There were sparks mingled with the fumes. It was a hellish sight. Evading the smoke and flames– 「Gynoid Loo–contact!」 Luca called out a status report as LOO raised both hands above her head– She touched down on the tail end of the passenger car with a screech of metal. Clamping down. Without landing gear or an arrestor cable. The secret was combat knife-like claws on her hands. The literal claws sank into the roof of the passenger car. They were on her feet too. With her claws fixing her to the passenger cars, LOO–*Pssh!* With a sound of compressed air, the airfoil unit on her back detached. The wing thruster then disappeared behind the train in an instant. …Was it going to return to the mothership that was hanging apparently motionless in the easter sky? A one-way trip must have been part of the plan–this too is typical of mecha. 『I know she’s an enemy, but that was incredible, wasn’t it, darlings? Like landing on a aircraft carrier!』 Collins said in his carefree, effeminate manner… The TransAm’s speed began to drop slightly. Due to LOO’s added weight. 「LOOoooo…」 LOO growled. Her expression was intimidating. Human operators were controlling her. Her white swimsuit was bulletproof and had a red Butei High girl’s uniform collar. A white rabbit-like set of ears protruding from her crown seemed to also serve as radar. Her main armament and electronics were affixed to her back, creating an overall weight distribution toward the rear. With wings spread, she looked like a bird or butterfly. Her arms and legs were covered in shining white gauntlets and greaves that gives off an aesthetic that, if seen by an anime fan, would move them to tears. 「No matter what else. This has to suit your tastes. I think it’s pretty cool.」 「It’s not exactly my thing. But when compared with that mushroom head sitting safely in his office at Area 51, drinking cola and eating potato crisps–this remote-control girl gives off a better feeling. Because we can engage on a fair and square level.」 I expected this to cause G-3 to enter Hysteria Mode, but it didn’t quite. 「I agree. However…At first I thought I’d be fighting with a Gundam, but it’s actually a Z’Gok that looks like a beautiful girl, isn’t it? Fortunately it’s not red and gold.」 「What’s a Z’Gok? And the paint colour doesn’t matter!」 「Ask Riko next time you see her. She’ll give you a 2-hour lecture course on it.」 2 After we had exchanged this sibling banter, Angus said: 「It would be a pity to lose what speed we have just gained, would it not?.You did say it yourself just a short while ago, Third-sama, that is will merely help us reach our destination more quickly.」 And he tossed more NOS-1 into the firebox. This time, 2 canisters. –*WHOOOOooooOOOOOOOooOOOOSH!* Once more, the TransAm shook. The acceleration caused Collins in the coal tender to fall over. With a *Pop!* *Pop!*, iron rivets flew off the body of the locomotive and white steam began to escape. Too much combustive power of the Nitro had pushed the boiler past its limit. 「S-speed–158 KPH! And increasing! Internal boiler temperature, 1,800 degrees! 100 kilometres to Area 51!」 Luca shouted. Now–the desert landscape blurred as it sped by, as if we were on a high speed train. Except for the dark red smoke, it looked like an active volcano above out heads. 「Jaaysus! I haven’t felt such speed since a chopper in ‘Nam!」 …Old man Sanders, caught along for the ride, was well experienced with such things in war. The sudden burst of acceleration hadn’t managed to shake LOO off so– 『–Barbariser!』 3 A pile-drive like stake slammed into the roof of the passenger car from the inside. Atlas gripped the steel plate in his right hand behind the iron stake that rushed out from his forearm. Then his left arm punched through the holes left by the heavy ion ballista and grasped the steel girder frame. He accurately determined LOO’s position from the shadow she cast on the desert outside, but– The sudden, unexpected attack from below did not damage her frame. However, it did displace here to some extent. Heavy mass impacts are also effective against LOO as well. That being the case… perhaps we can use this to disrupt melee combat. Knocking her off would be helpful. Aiming to do just that– 『Third-sama, Loo is quite exciting!』 While hanging suspended in the passenger car in the posture for a chin up– *Clang!* Wearing his advanced armoured helmet, Atlas punched his upper body up through the roof of the passenger car. 『–Please leave her to me!』 He lumbered slowly toward LOO who had taken up a position at the back end of the roof…! Atlas stood, a black figure in the middle of the passenger car roof– With all of her angular equipment extended, LOO looked small. There was a large discrepancy in body size. 『–Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, and armour for armour!』 「Alright, I’ll leave it to you. Do it, Atlas!」 G-3 ordered as he clenched his right hand, and Atlas turned to face LOO– the battle between the anime mecha girl and the CG American superhero was about to begin. I was dizzy with the excitement. Even in this wasteland, America is a country of science. This battle is one between Neue Ange and Transzendieren Ange. Then I switched over my brain to gauge their fighting potential– LOO is a versatile fighter, and Atlas is a melee combat specialist. In this fight where falling from the train constitutes a loss, it would seem that Altas holds the advantage. However–with a glance at LOO and Atlas, it is possible to understand the generational difference between them. It’s 22nd century weapons facing 21st century weapons. 「LOOoooo, LOOooooo…」 『That enemy is dangerous. Third-sama, please stay back. No one take my job! –LOO! Break this super alloy shield if you can! 』 Atlas’ shield that had taken MI6’s incendiary bullets back on the main road deployed in a pizza slice shape–on the back of his forearm with a *Shing!*– it fanned and spread out. The stacked pizza slice plates eventually formed a circular shield. With his right armoured hand holding a stake and his left a shield, Atlas faced LOO like an ancient Roman gladiator, and she– –An M-134…! Gatling guns attached to her back stuck out on both sides of her hips. It was just like the old film『Terminator 2』with multiple autocannons mounted on an android– 2 of them! After 0.3 seconds of spin up–the M-134s on both sides *Ba-ba-ba-bang!* A laser-like volley of fire erupted. If a human were struck by it, they would die without any sense of pain, and in a few seconds, 60 7.62 mm bullets hit Atlas. But–Atlas took it on his shield, unwavering. There were countless wedge-shaped dents where the bullets impacted, but the armour was unpierced. Immediately, LOO discarded the glowing red M-134 behind the train– –*Ching!* *Ching!* On both her shoulders, twin Mk 47 Striker grenade launchers opened up. *Poof!* *Poof!* *Poof!* *Poof!* *Poof!* *Poof!* 6 double-shots of 40 x 53 mm impact fuse grenades popped out. As I watched, Atlas was engulfed in a swirling vortex of fire and flame, and Atlas– –With a *Clank!*, he actually took a step forward, clear of the fire and smoke. Despite all that, the P.A.A. was not destroyed, but… its entire surface was glowing red with smoke rising from it. It looked just like a demon being born from a volcanic crater. Then from the almost entirely unscathed helmet– several metal plates of armour from the mouth area slid open. With the red helmet and the black void in the mouth region, it looked like it was laughing. 「–Smiley Atlas…!」 As we reached a curve in the track and seeing that profile, Luca muttered in a tense voice. 「…He’s really geared up to fight! Good, Atlas. Crush her!」 G-3 said, the first half by way of explanation to me, and the second was an order spoken into his communicator. *Shing!*, Atlas drew a 60 cm long Sonic combat knife from his leg armour– –With a popping sound atypical for such conventional weapons, he crossed blades with LOO’s claws. As she grasped the blade in her left hand, the chainsaw edge sent up a shower of sparks–*Creak!* *Creak!*– Atlas destroyed the entire hand with his vibrating knife. Then from the hand to the wrist, and from the wrist to the elbow–*Slice!* It was severed like a fish. 「…!」 From her destroyed right arm, green oil spurted like blood– 『–Rargh!』 Atlas used the edge of his shield like a blade and launched a left hook. Using his Westpoint boxing training, he hit LOO’s ruined right elbow–*Pop!* severing the forearm. Catching the heavy right arm as it spun, scattering oil drops– Atlas used the arm as a blunt implement to bash her left leg. …! …Brutal. This real fight between two mecha is nothing like the cool scenes in anime. It’s just as unsightly as a battle between two flesh and blood people. The sparks and smoke kicked up between LOO and Atlas mingled with the fumes coming from the train. The TransAm was very much like a shooting star crashing through the atmosphere. Dragging her left leg, LOO managed to cut around Atlas’ side, somehow, and create some distance. Then, grabbing the girder frame at the back of the passenger car like he was going to perform a deadlift… *Creak!* *Creak!*… and heaved with all his power. *Pop!* Tearing the huge rod-like object free of the car frame and sweeping it down to crush LOO into scrap–*Booooooom!* While discarding several armaments, LOO rolled toward the front of the passenger car and dodged the blow– but her legs were grazed by the heavy metal rod and suffered a lot of damage. Good. Atlas is dominating this melee battle. It looks like he is going to win. 「LOOoooo…!」 Seeing her own injuries, LOO appeared to be angry– 「It’s no surprise, LOO! Soldiers that aren’t wounded on the battlefield are extremely rare.」 While smiling, Atlas advanced again with a *Clank!*. Any human facing this terrifying Smiley Atlas would want to raise their hands and run away… and LOO took up a prone posture. From the viewpoint of the locomotive, LOO’s white bathing suited round buttocks were facing us… although she was a puppet-like doll, I felt a bit of the blood flow of Hysteria mode. Almost as if in rebuke *Choo!* *Choo!* Luca blew two short blast on the whistle. 「Oh…」 Tsukumo was looking forward with wide eyes, and I turned to look as well. 「…!」 The train was rapidly approaching a huge fissure-like valley in the desert. A V-shaped opening in a wall of rock led to a rift valley. Was it a miniature Grand Canyon? Passing through the valley, the tracks then crossed over a rickety wooden bridge. The vibrations from this runaway train might just destroy the old bridge, Seemingly having the same thought that I did, old man Sanders reached out to decouple the gears to bleed speed– 「Slow down, and I’ll kill you. Oi, Angus, faster.」 Scowling at the shuttle that was following close behind the train smoke, G-3 tossed an order behind him. 「As you wish. However, I only have 2 more canisters of Nitro remaining… and they are the larger NOS-2 and NOS-3. Shall I use those?」 Angus…he held out the bulky canisters as he asked this question cheerfully. Tsukumo glanced over fearfully at the boiler that was already at its limit– 「They’ll do. On my mark, use the NOS-2. 5… 3, 2, 1, now!」 「NOS-2.」 Angus recklessly tossed in the dynamite-like fuel into the boiler– *WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSH! 「–Whaaaaa!」 「Aaaaaaah!」 Luca and Tsukumo’s screams continued as the cover to the boiler was blown off. With the sound of a violent explosion, the smoke stack shattered, and steel fragments pelted the sides of the car. The already crimson smoke was now a scarlet and orange flame streaming behind the engine. *Whoooooosh!* The sound of the train was already quite different than it’s normally operating noise– The TransAm sped up with a sudden lurch. Still accelerating, we neared the valley bridge. With a splintering sound, the train destroyed the bridge, the wheels grinding up the rail ties–and we flew through the valley. …! As the runaway train crossed the wooden bridge–it scattered fragments of track, leaving the framework behind. I saw the coal tender and passenger car that were being drawn behind us sagging slightly. I-I see. With the TransAm running at high speed, the rickety bridge will be destroyed anyway. That means if we had slowed down, we would have fallen from the dizzying height into the ravine below. In order to avoid that–G-3 made us speed up. This is the power of a Genion. Pushing mental limits. 「Internal boiler temperature, over 2,000 degrees! The gauge is broken, so I can’t be sure. Speed is 192 KPH–we are still accelerating–196 KPH—200 KPH! Distance to Area fishty, 51– 78 km. Ah, I bit my tongue!」 Luca reported tearfully from the inside of the clattering and shaking locomotive. The TtransAm was overheating with steam, fire, and smoke pouring out from all over the engine. The trumpet-shaped smokestack had vanished without a trace, and it no longer served it purpose as a protection from harmful fumes, sparks, and flames. But without it, our mobility is unaffected. *Screeeech!*… Looking back toward the high-pitched screech that was coming from the passenger car… Even amidst the nightmarish crossing, LOO had not ceased fighting. Using the claws on her remaining left hand and both legs, she took up a tripod position– From the randoseru on her back, she pointed a Transzendieren Ange mortar weapon toward Atlas. If I had to describe it, I’d say she entered artillery mode. On the other side, Atls was kneeling with the steel girder in order to not fall from the train as it jostled and bounced. This is LOO’s best chance. 「A positron cannon… they have already deployed it in the field. It would be dangerous to be struck by it, Atlas…!」 Always calm, Angus furrowed his brows at the scene atop the passenger car. The situation was self-explanatory. Atlas can’t move and will be hit–that was a decisive manoevre. Planned by LOO. …Atlas…! Atlas couldnt escape the train while we were on the bridge, and– –In the next instant LOO’s cannon fired. 「Now I’ll steal a base. Despite the fact that I wasn’t up to bat!」 I heard Kaname’s carefree voice over the comms, *Bam!* *Bam!* *Bam!* 3 sheets of P-Fiber ripped up through the roof of the passenger car roof like paper. It covered up the cannon muzzle at the same instant LOO fired. It wrapped itself around the end, covering the opening in an asterisk shape. 「LO…!」 Unable to deal with it without tumbling from the train, LOO looked up past the muzzle– –*Booooom!* Blocked by the P-Fiber, the advanced mortar erupted within the barrel. 「–Very nice steal, Kaname-kun!」 Atlas, who at that moment was clinging on to the back of the passenger car– With a *Clang!*, a section of armour on his back opened. Then they spread like a rhinoceros beetle’s wings. Then with a *Ka-thunk!* *Ka-thunk!*, sections on his shoulders and legs split open. Inside the armour, there was what looked like a lot of injection nozzles embedded in the body– 「–Uoooooooooooooo–!」 A rumbling roar overlapped with Atlas’ war cry as tongues of flame licked out from the nozzles. This was the same whole body rocket engine that Kaname and G-3 used in Shinagawa–using unfathomable explosive power to leap forward at point-blank range, this auxiliary attack assist was a sure-kill device. Using literal explosive power, Atlas– –*Screeeeeeeeeeeeech!* He launched the most primitive assault on the damaged Transzendieren Ange… driving in with a ramming attack . Then amidst the swirling eddies of wood splinters from the destroyed wooden bridge– 「–Atlas!」 LOO fell from the car. She sent coal from the tender flying and barely missed Collins. 「–….!」 G-3 and I rushed over to the window of the locomotive to see where Atlas and LOO had gone. An incessant rain of remnants from the ruined bridged pelted the surface of the river below–and I spotted LOO first. With what looked to be an emergency equipment module, an airbag deployed from her partially ruined back… her body forming the seed and the airbag the flesh, it looked just like a large loquat fruit as she fell. And… then I saw Atlas’ arms and legs falling and scattering. No, that was just his armour. His actual body– 「Third-sama. Enemy P.A.D. neutralised… a resounding success. Heavy damage sustained. It will be hard to continue the fight. Haha! Bwahaha!」 Hearty laughter was heard nearby. From the direction of the coal tender. 「Oh my! How expensive it will be to rebuild the P.A.A.!」 Collins cradled Atlas’ form in his arms, his white school uniform-like clothes spattered with blood. It seems that he abandoned the armour at the last possible moment, and Collins grabbed him and pulled him in by his own strength. Thank goodness…! 「Collins-kun, my sincerest thanks for pulling me out of that dangerous spot!」 「I’ve fallen in love, Atlas.」 Atlas gave Collins a thumbs-up, and as their fists met, the train crossed the valley bridge– the passenger car has been derailed and was being dragged behind, so Reki transferred over from the passenger car. Kaname also migrated over to the tender, while cutting the brilliant redconnector with a whip-like scientific blade. The TransAm now only consisted of the locomotive and the tender– Freed of both LOO and the passenger car’s weight, we began accelerating once more. Our speed already matched that of a shinkansen, no, it actually felt like we had surpassed that. The locomotive almost completely exposed the crew at the sides and rear sides. Inside the engine that had become a flaming arrow crossing the desert– 「–Current speed: 210 KPH. Distance to Area 51: 58 km, Third. We managed to drive LOO away, but the boiler temperature hasn’t dropped! It’s going to break!」 Luca raised her mis-matched coloured eyes and shouted to G-3. Even to my untrained eye, the TransAm looked to already be on the brink of collapse. 30% of the rivets had blown off due to internal pressure, and fire and smoke spurted from the holes like gas burners. Due to the excessive NOS fuel, the interior glowed like the Sun and was impossible to look at. A strange, splitting sound went up from the body frame and rails, and a long tail of brilliant red smoke streamed from the missing smokestack, leaving a dark black band across the Nevada desert. In the first place, the frame was forced past twice its top speed of 100 KPH. It wouldn’t be strange if it suddenly broke. However, staring at the space behind the locomotive, G-3 gave and order– 「Angus, don’t lose focus. Use the NOS-3, hurry!」 He gave the order for more speed. Hearing G-3’s order, Angus said: 「As you wish.」 While smiling… he took out a canister of Nitro that was thick enough to shock all of us. 「Idiot! If y’all do that, we’ll blow ourselves to bits!」 Old man Sanders shouted angrily. 「That’s better than being blown to bits!」 With that alone as a response, G-3 extracted a 1 cm square of red paper from somewhere concealed near his ear. Placing it withing his mouth, the paper-like film–disappeared. That was the neurotransmitter accelerator that G-3 ingested orally back in the skies above Tokyo. That drug triggers your own Hysteria Mode–but it was a dangerous, life-threatening substance. 「Oi, G-3… why did you do that!?」 Ignoring my panic, G-3 drew his USP Match model from his leg armour…the first time he had done so here. Then he reached out with one hand into the firestorm outside the window and pulled himself up. 「–NOS-3.」 Leaving Angus with those orders– He lobbed the largest canister of Nitro fuel into the boiler that was about to explode. –*WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSH!* The entire frame of the locomotive lurched forward– The shock jumping it up several metres. With a *Screech!*, the TransAm returned to the tracks, and the inside of the engine was washed in hot air like that from a wok. Unable to scream, we were all tossed about like ingredients in Chinese fried rice– 「…!」 –Inside the bullet train that raced along while shaking violently– I pulled back Tsukumo who was about to fall onto the boiler, grabbed Luca who had bounced off the ceiling, and embraced Kaname who had slid in from the tender. … The young woman Tsukumo, little ESP girl Luca, and the girl related to me by bood… Each of them were beautiful girls. The 6 limbs and 6 young breasts were now above and below, and in front of a behind me, surrounding me. –Unused to having three such bodies pressed up against me– *Ka-thump!*– 「I wonder if you would call this a three-wheeler…?」 With their eyes gritted tightly close, I kissed each of them on the forehead or a cheek. 「Wha-wha? S-someone…. looking like Th-Third-sama…. k-k-k-k-kissed me!」 「You imbecile!」 「How dangerous, Onii-chan. If I wasn’t your sister, I would have just fallen for you.」 The hair on Tsukumo’s tail stood up straight in shock. Pinned beneath me, Luca flushed deep crimson. Kaname gave her usually bright sisterly smile. Haha! They are all cute. 「We will be alright. The train will be as well–it will still run. As expected of tough American products.」 「K-Kinji Tohyama! If we get back, I’ll stop your heart with ESP. I used to stop goat hearts at the Academy of Sciences.」 Wiping furiously at the spot on her cheek where I had kissed her, she ended up smudging her face with soot– Standing up, I said: 「I wonder if you are better at piercing them, than stopping them. Hearts, that is. However, I would relish the chance for my heart to be stopped by the lovely Luca– But don’t worry, even if you stop it, I’ll start it again. Ah, it’s still working.」 I handed back the mechanical stopwatch that I caught before it flew out the window. Luca snatched it back from me, then made a mental calculation after several seconds of observing the landscaping flowing past. 「–Current speed: 220 KPH! Distance to Area 51: 55 km! 15 minutes!」 She shouted both loudly and desperately so that G-3 could hear on the roof. Already, the engine room was engulfed in a small sea of fire…but 220 KPH… That was already beyond the highest speed recorded in a locomotive. 「Congratulations, Sanders-san! You’re going to make the Guinness World Records!」 Sitting in the operator’s seat and drinking alcohol, 「Jesus! The deceleration gear is busted!」 He said as he tossed the thin, empty tin out the window. 「Tsukumo, give a whistle when we’re within a mile.」 Kissing the shocked Tsukumo on the forehead, I put the whistle’s cord in her hand… 「I trust Onii-chan. And even now he’s changed . It makes me love him more.」 Toward Kaname who had orchestrated the 3 person crush– I sent her a wink. This no-good sister of mine. She caused 2 other girls to bump into me besides herself. But thanks to that… 「Until now, I’ve only protected him–but now I wonder if this train will carry us to the final battle.」 I said, reaching my hand out of the window on the opposite side from G-3…then I swung up my Spikes, made by Hiraga, into the roof of the train so that I wasn’t pushed off by the wind pressure created by our current speed of 220 KPH. 「–Slow, Aniki.」 Arms crossed as he stared into the sky, G-3… he had changed. The impression of a legendary creature radiated from him like heat. He was entirely in HSS. The Tohayama brothers– this was the second time two had stood together in the last month, the first time being with Kana. Behind the trail of fire we were leaving behind– maintaining its original 3.2 km of distance, was the X-43E. From the shuttle… I saw some appendages detach from it and scatter in the blue sky. Thankfully, it wasn’t little LOO, but… …That’s… They might be small, but it’s difficult to deal with. An MQ-1– Predator drones. 12 of them spread out in the air. With a nose section that looked like an eyeless dolphin, the drone gave off a strange feeling. These drones were masterpieces, used in the last century in Bosnia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iraq as scouts to pinpoint bombing raids… In short, used to conduct repeated assassinations. The innocent civilians unlucky enough to be caught up and killed in these raids infamously fanned the flames of anti-American sentiment. They have the same top speed as the TransAm, but… the specifications released to the world by the US military appear to be bold-faced lies. They are clearly closing the distance. 「–These seem to be LOO’s honour guard escort.」 「Yeah. Those Predators are his favourite.」 G-3 said while scowling at the flock of Predators as they drew slowly closer. These are Mash’s tactics– With the vast resources of America, these are the tactics of overwhelming force. In Sci-Fi anime, some kind of ultimate weapon like LOO is deployed, but… in reality, it’s the opposite. In combat, advanced weapons lack experience in the field and are subject to all kinds of unexpected problems. Instead, they are used to collect data at the outset, then thrown away. They can be used to shave off some of the enemy’s strength, but the finishing blow–that is delivered by an overwhelmingly large mass of tried and true equipment That is the strategy in play here. As it is most times. 「…It was a Predator that took down the Sagittarius.」 「Ah. I thought that a pilot might faint if they tried to pull of those manoeuvres–they were unmanned after all. It was a FIM-92 from behind, but I thought it might have been a ramming attack from above.」 As G-3 and I conversed, the swarm of Predators– Half of them dispersed on either side of the smoke grenade-like trail being left behind by the train. Then– with a *Brr!*, machinery deployed beneath the fuselage of each of the drones. They were equipped with machine guns. They kicked up a cloud of dust with their bullets with a roar on either side of the TransAm–and the distant sound of gunfire was audible. Then several 7.62 mm machine gun bullets began impacting the sides of the train. 「They’re shooting.」 「Yeah. They’re still out of range. Oi, you guys! Get ready for anti-air warfare!」 G-3 shouted, loud enough that his communication device unnecessary– Then, simultaneously, the Predator drones fired AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-surface missiles. 2 a piece, making a total of 24. The missiles traced countless trails of white smoke through the air as they approached us. They spread out to fill my field of vision like spider silk… as an observer, it was despair inducing. But ever the resolute and undaunted American, 「…Predators…huh? You bastards! If you’re a man, come an’ face us in person!」 Howling curses, old man Sanders who had been operating the train–*Bang!* Leaning out the window, he fired his wooden stock M1 Garand. As G-3 and I watched… by pure chance, the bullet hit one of the missiles. One of the orderly smoke trails lined up like acrobats became kinked… then as it wobbled… *Boom!*…! One of the missiles disintegrated midair. 「You did it!」 「Oi! Pay attention to the train!」 G-3 shouted into the train while wearing a wry smile. Then Reki fired one, two Butei bullets–the incendiary bullets bringing down as many missiles. As each of the missiles she targeted were destroyed, caught up in midair explosions, each took out another missile. As the AGM-114 slanted down to pursue us, I used my Desert Eagle on the right side and G-3 used his USP on the left to intercept them with incendiary bullets. The weren’t able to be destroyed with a single bullet, but it took 2 or 3. The top speed of the missiles was just faster than the TransAm, so they kept approaching however–despite it not being easy, it wasn’t impossible. Several types of gunshots rang out: Atlas with his M240, Collins with his needle gun, and Tsukumo with her FN P90 added to the volley. Despite being told to stop, Sanders fired his M1 Garand as well. This time, however, he missed. Through the gaps in our frantic missile defence–the Predators steadily advanced. One of them *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!*…scattered machine gun fire across the front half of the train. I’m feeling like I’m really trying to hit something without being able to get many hits in. …What…? As I frantically tried to intercept the missiles, I saw that their target had changed– With a rush of realisation, I saw it was the rail switch point 1 km ahead of us. The Predator machine gun fire hit the switch– switching the train’s course from the one heading toward Area 51 to one heading back in a U-turn toward the valley. Crap…! If we take the U-turn, we’ll be headed back on the single track we came in on. The deceleration gear is damaged, and this time we’ll plunge headlong into the ravine. And as I paled– –*Bang!*– I heard the roar of a Dragunov’s sniper fire and a *Ching!* as the switch was thrown again. A second later, we cross the switchpoint safely. 「…」 With her head half out the window, Reki performed the divine feat of『grazing the handle of the switch mechanism with a sniper bullet while the winds whipped by at 200 KPH』that I never thought possible… then returned to missile defence. …I tried to turn her back twice at the Sugamo switchyard, but now I’m glad she came along. 「Aniki–shrapnel!」 G-3 lifted his head and raised his voice, in the sky– and I saw the rockets they fired disperse with a *Boom!* Each shell was packed with 48 small, grape-like shot like large buckshot. Each of the Predators fired, one after each other. *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* From both sides of the train– 576 total pieces of shot rushed down. Filling the sky like locust. 「Don’t worry, G-3.」 I had already drawn my Beretta, stealing Aria’s signature double-wield style–I thumbed the fire selector on each gun with both my hands and at the same time started a rapid-fire volley. *Ba-ba-bang!* *Ba-ba-bang!* *Ba-ba-bang!* *Ba-ba-bang!* The bullets flew into the air. –*Ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ching!* –*Th-th-th-th-th-th-th-th-th-th-th-th-th-thud!* On both sides of the train, hundreds of shot rounds kicked up dust clouds. …The number of shots that hit: zero. Of the 492 shots that were going to hit, they were deflected by chain shooting. My bullet’s trajectory was deflected as it struck a piece of shot, then another, and another–in a seemingly infinite chain. 「…You did it, Aniki!」 「When compared to the exponentially larger barrage that Sherlock handled, this is nothing. Actually, you’ve seen this before.」 G-3 looked at me with a laugh and sparkling eyes as I reloaded my magazine and returned his glance with a gloomy expression. The gun technique of Billiard and Cannon shot were based upon the same principle, and I devised it– when I used 8 bullets to deflect the 13 bullets he fired at me. My good-for-nothing brother. The next missiles fired then changed targets to try to destroy the tracks. 「–16 km to Area 51!」 Luca’s report came as BGM for the incessant fire coming from Reki and Tsukumo– As their reserves of ammunition dwindled, it seemed that they wanted to conserve bullets, and the enemy concentrated their fire on the train itself. However, I dealt with the bullets, and G-3 took care of the missile. The troublesome sniper, Reki, took aim at the machine guns– Kaname’s P-Fibre provided an active defensive system for the interior of the engine. And the Predator that Reki sniped precisely… *Bang!*…! crashed into the desert. Just one. 「11 left, Aniki!」 「–No, it’s 10.」 Intending to circle around behind us, one of them strayed dangerously close――as we spoke, I used Checker to fire a bullet up the muzzle of the machine gun. 4 Suffering massive internal gun damage and the electronic system as well–the Predator began flying erratically, then was hit by Tsukumo’s P90 and crashed and exploded. 「–I-I’m almost out of bullets!」 Tsukumo shouted, and even Reki… she began to fire more conservatively. I’d used up my bullets, and G-3’s USP’s slide was stuck back. Our enemy… had also depleted their large ordnance of missiles and rocket artillery shells. However, almost all of their machine guns were going strong. There is power in numbers. From where I stood, I saw one that appeared to be out of ammunition– That one clearly broke formation. It sped up… and headed toward us. 「–It’s going to ram us! A suicide attack!」 G-3 said unhappily, while those inside began to murmur at the enemy’s new manoeuvre. At the scene of the aircraft itself rushing in bodily… the Americans seemed to have some kind of allergic reaction. The US forces had lost many lives to kamikaze attacks–and it seems that Japan had instilled a generational historical trauma upon them, and so they were all necessarily fearful. 「–If they’re using that kind of attack, that’s proof they’ve been driven into a corner. Calm down and let’s deal with it.」 I advised– *Ba-bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* Half panicked, his subordinates were using valuable ammunition to try and intercept it. G-3 must stop them. 「–Calm down!」 When I didn’t see him move to do so, I shouted. But I was just a moment too slow. The Predator flew in and crashed in a fireball against the back of the train–amidst a hail of gunfire. But now, all of the ones below were out of ammunition. Then one at a time, they each reported in over the communicator. …There were still 9 left… As if waiting for an opportunity, the flock of Predators–circled back. Without firing, they surrounded us and started to move in. They were coming. If they strafe us with machine gun fire, there’s no way to counterattack. 「…」 G-3 remained silent. The feeling that even the leader was troubled was transmitted to his subordinates, and they all were looking up as if they were about to die. Americans are different from the Japanese who will fight on to the bitter end–when things go badly, their morale falls quickly. Being happy and upbeat are their most salient national features. So in this spot… 「Alright, G-3. Let’s play baseball. We’re in America, so let’s show Mash how to hit a ball. You pitch.」 With as much of a smile as I could muster *Whoosh!*, I hopped from the locomotive to the tender. Then I went over to where the remnants of the passenger car frame destroyed by Atlas were stuck in the pile of coal… Then I chose a warped piece shaped like a half of a pincer and hefted it. It was about 1.5 metres long, but calling it a bat would be too generous. 「Even if we don’t have bullets, we have balls.」 I said as I picked out several ball-sized pieces of coal from the tender… Understanding what I was doing, G-3 chuffed. Then as the Predators drew even closer behind us, he laughed and jumped back into the tender laughing. 「Hahaha! You’re somewhat of an idiot, with a chance of being a genius, Aniki!」 G-3 roared with laughter at my joke, delivering it like a weather report. Americans might have found this funny. No, this must be G-3’s own way of raising his follower’s morale. But for all that, Atlas and Collins forced a smile, and Luca and Tsukumo were not laughing at all. Without exchanging another word, I held up the girder like a bat–and G-3 tossed a ball of coal into a good position in an underhand pitch. In order to avoid splitting the coal, I kissed the girder up to it lightly– –Ouka–! More like lacrosse than batting in baseball, I swung and hit the coal away. The coal struck the inverted V tail like a rock, and the nose of one of the Predators lurched upward… then tumbling to crash into the desert. 「Next! 9 more to go.」 「Yeah!」 I swung and hit the balls of coal G-3 threw from the tender and hit another Predator. Twice. 3 times. I repeated the feat, and they hit. The Predator… couldn’t see the lumps of coal…! I see. They would expect an attack by machine gun and missile, but they would never expect a ball of coal–without data, they wouldn’t be able to track them. The Predators are even less evasive than they had been in the previous firefight. It seems as if they are wavering between attacking or evading. They don’t even know what they want to do. Each time I take down another Predator and the rest scatter, a cheer goes up from our side. 「–Hahaha! They’re like turkeys!」 G-3 was in high spirits. Good. Our team morale is rising. 「We should have done it from the start! It’s fun like being in a batting center.」 I smiled at thee last Predator– *Whoom!* He tossed another piece of coal– I just barely missed the Predator. Banking to both sides, it came closer. 「Huh…? Another ball, G-3.」 It also avoided the second ball of coal. This… It was an uninformed opinion, but it’s possible that they hurriedly rewrote it’s software to allow it to play ball with us. 「Looks like that mushroom-head got here in the nick of time. Let’s get out of here.」 As we finally crossed paths, the Predator– punched the tender full of holes as G-3 and I, side-by-side, retreated to the locomotive. 「…Tch! Now what?」 As we took shelter in the locomotive with the rest of the group…the Predator cut a wide loop to sweep low to attack the locomotive, cutting time short. 「–I have an idea!」 Suddenly, Luca raised her hand and pointed at me. 「Abandon Kinji to draw off the Predator, then the rest of us can continue on to Area 51!」 「Oi! This isn’t the time for jokes–」 In response to my protests: 「I am not joking! You will be fine being chased by the Predator!」 She shouted, still angry from the earlier kiss. Ignoring our spat, Angus… 「Can we not use this? I thought that it would be needed to breach the walls of Area 51, and I saved the explosive for that purpose– Let us replace some of out spine with guts.」 Surprised that he hadn’t gotten rid of it in the midst of the raging inferno– I saw him take out a bundle of NOS canisters that looked just like a stack of dynamite. Then, immediately: 「–Bingo!」 The Genion G-3 was inspired. 「If we put it in the tender it is diving for, it will become a super-sized claymore. As soon as the Predator starts to descend, we’ll cut the tender loose and we’ll take it down in the explosion of coal. Move out!」 Putting the plan into action as soon as he conceived of it, everyone returned to the tender. Kaname used her P-Fibre to excavate…and the rest used brute force to dig into the coal and bury the explosives underneath it. 「It’s coming…! 32 seconds to impact! Blow it!」 Tsukumo bit the fuse cord into the appropriately prescribed length, and Collins used old man Sanders’ zippo to light it. The tender transformed into an oversized directional charge, we all hurried back to the locomotive– 「–Cut it loose!」 G-3 gave the order, and the chains and pegs in the joint linking the locomotive and tender were removed. 「…!」 Then we all stared in dumb silence. –It didn’t separate. The linkage was warped, and the seams didn’t open easily. The joint only opened halfway, and they deformed under great stress. Then… *Skree!* the front part of the tender rose up, riding on two wheels. 20 seconds were left until it was going to explode. Kaname immediately took action and severed the linkage with her scientific sword– –*Shing!* The front wheels of the tender slammed back onto the rails, hit a railroad tie, and derailed causing it to butt into the back of the locomotive. With the shock, Tsukumo– 「–Ah!」 She pitched forward and tumbled. Into the tender just as it separated. With only the front wheels derailed, the tender shook violently, knocking Tsukumo about, and the locomotive, free of towing it accelerated away. Tsukumo–struck her head on the tender and swooned. Losing all her power. The Predator continued closing in from above. The nose started sloping down toward her. 「–Tsukumo!」 In that instant, G-3– Unwilling to abandon Tsukumo in this dire situation, from his artificial left arm– his hand, powered by compressed air, flew out from his wrist. He lacks the weight to engage in an awful tug-of-war with the tender. What’s more, it will explode into a huge fireball in 10 seconds. *Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-bang!* Machine gun fire from the Predator struck all around the railway, tender, and locomotive. Somehow, G-3’s wire attached to his hand survived through the hail of bullets–pulling him across to the tender! 「G-3~!」 「Third!」 「Third-sama!」 As his followers shouted, G-3 took up Tsukumo in his right arm. 7.62 mm bullets struck his back and left arm. His left arm *Clank!* was stuck in one of the fissure created by the bullet that struck the tender. Unfortunately, G-3 ws now fixed in one place– He can’t get back to the locomotive with Tsukumo. 「G-3~~~~~!!!」 I screamed, but couldn’t cross the distance between us. The locomotive and tender inexorbaly continue to separate. –G-3–! As the Predator swooped low overhead, the dynamite in the tender– 「…A…Arrrrrrrrrrrrrgh!–」 –At the same instant as G-3’s shout, it exploded–! *BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!* The coal scattered in all directions like a volcanic eruption. The final Predator was broken into pieces, and the fragments scattered about the desert. —With the scene as the background I saw G-3 and Tsukumo in his right arm. While taking the blast on his back, then being pelted with a pieces of coal… he flew toward the locomotive– No, he was blasted toward the locomotive. The locomotive was momentarily lifted by the blast, but it was heavier than the rest of the cars. It came down with a *Clang!* without derailing–and G-3 and Tsukumo barely reached our outstretched arms as we caught and pulled them in. 「–G-3!」 As I took G-3’s bloody and soot covered body into my arms… his left arm was missing. He had detached his left arm like a lizard tail to escape the tender. 「…Uh…!」 His styled hair unkempt and wild, he made an incoherent sound… 「…O-Oi…! How much further…?」 Even as he breathed in smoke, he was a proper leader. 「R-right, the distance to Area 51 is… 5 miles…!」 Her mismatched coloured eyes wide, Luca reported while everyone was busy looking after G-3 and Tsukumo– 「Ugh… Ah… Th-Third-s-sama…」 Tsukumo also began to regain consciousness. Good. She’s mostly unhurt. But while that was happening: 「Well… It might seem a bit insensitive in this moment, but…」 Looking outside the window, Kaname–looked along our path of travel. But made no move to help us. 「What? We destroyed the Predator. Come help us.」 「…」 Even as I scowled at her, she didn’t avert her gaze outside. That provoked a strange idea in my mind– 「…!」 Looking outside, I saw something for the first time in my life. The moment I saw it, I was completely blown away. Quite literally, as I became speechless. …What, that’s…! Just like the SkyTree where I fought Watson and Hilda… No, it was a taller white pillar. That pillar was moving. With a rushing sound of air, it was ripping objects up off of the Earth’s surface into a spiralling corkscrew. 「–It’s a tornado!」 Kaname shouted, and everyone looked up. That’s… a tornado? That’s ridiculous! It’s a giant tornado. Even at this distance I can tell that it was 100 metres in diameter and 800 metres in height. It’s absurd in size! It might be an optical illusion… at least that’s what I wanted to believe… but all around us, it suddenly became dark. The wind changed direction, and the flames and smoke emanating from the locomotive were disturbed. Unconsciously gritting my teeth, I squinted my eyes… Underneath the cumulonimbus supercell cloud, I thought I could make out tractors and cattle caught up in the tornado and sand that it whipped up. There was no way that was an illusion. In response– 「Damn! We’re headin’ straight for that twister! Gotta be an F4, at least. Ya don’t usually see big ‘uns like that in Nevada…!」 The local old man Sanders furrowed his brows at the size of the tornado. We were now racing toward it at 220 KPH. Directly towards it on the railroad track.There wasn’t a junction between here and there. And we had no brakes. But then I knew we were on the exact right path. At the side of the tornado, and on the horizon, I saw it. A man-made structure that hadn’t been there before–an Air Force base. That was Area 51. I was able to see for myself that we had arrived! 「Don’t worry…! The train weighs 45 tonnes. We’ll break through…!」 Encouraging his fearful followers, G-3 stood unsteadily. 「Aniki, don’t look forward. They’re here…!」 He turned his back on the tornado that roared like a dragon, then glared at the back of the train. Turning to face backward, through the gaps of my forelocks as they whipped up in the wind– As I looked there was something large– the mothership for the Predator drones and LOO, the X-48E approached as the third attack wave. It planned to ram us in a kamikaze attack. It wasn’t aiming for the tracks, it was on a collision course with the locomotive. If we were derailed, we might survive and, being in range, reach Area 51 on foot. 「The X-48E is a flying aircraft carrier, but it is also a flying artillery shell. Silicon Carbide–a mixture of diamond and silicon that formed a fine ceramic. With a hardness of 9.3 on the Moh’s scale, it’s essentially a huge sapphire. I… couldn’t even take down the smaller fused wing X-48D with Meteor. Crush us in a ramming attack–that’s the plan.」 「…」 Caught between a tornado and a flying shell. Crash into the tornado, or be crushed by the flying shuttle. We have about 2-3 minutes. All of us… can’t help but despair. It was a very desperate situation. Even me… although things were usually bleak–this was twice as bad. This was awkward. The god of Fate the was trying to kill me must have been a particularly nasty ally of the Scarlet Goddess. Then, 「G-3. The moment I saw the train, I came up with a particular move. But it only has a 50% chance of working.」 I said in this desperate situation. 「What a coincidence, Aniki. I might just have had the same thought. I give it 50-50 odds.」 That’s Hysteria Mode for you. Even when everyone else gives up, we brothers do not. Being struck by inspiration. 「It’s either going to be the train or the tender.」 「Right.」 We both took out our fists–but not to fight, to play rock-paper-scissors. Rock, Paper, Scissor. G-3 won. 「Damn…」 「Alright, you take the locomotive, Aniki. If I can’t take it out, then my older brother will. If I tell this to those brats in New York, it’ll make a great story!」 G-3 grabbed the edge of the window one-handed to go back up onto the roof, to the worry of his subordinates. I thought I’d lose rock-paper-scissors. My bad luck in that has been established since my second year… Then I climbed up into the violent windstorm raging on the train’s roof. Then I saw the tornado standing directly ahead in our path, looking like a large white wall. It’s just like America to have just as dynamic natural phenomenon as well. And– the shuttle loomed silently behind the train. That is also huge. It looked like a whale in the sky. I began shaking. But no. It was not fear–my sense of anger had eclipsed that. Part of me wanted to take out that anger on something– But this was someone who was fighting remotely, and with their body somewhere else could laugh loudly… It was like the Scarlet Goddess with Aria, and it was really, really annoying! In that instant– the TransAm shook violently as it plunged into the huge tornado. Amidst the gale that seemed to pull my body apart– I clenched my right fist and held out my left hand as if to grab the shuttle that I could see with my head up and body held low. I fixed my feet in place with my Spike, but I was still lifted by the updraft. Behind me, G-3 was doing the same. One minute until the shuttle collision. 「What’s its name, Aniki?」 「What!?」 「This sibling technique. I need a name for it when I tell the story back in Central Park.」 「Multi-stage Ouka!」 「The hell!? –What about Supernova? That’s Japanese for supernova.」 「That sounds like something those brats from the supermarket would come up with…!」 「–Really? You have to play the role, Aniki!」 「Fine, fine, I get it. We’ll combine the two to make『Cherry Bomb』. That good enough?」 「Hmmm… Alright, it’s settled! Cherry Bomb, it is!」 Happy to combine his sibling’s idea with his own, G-3 cried out in a happy voice.The hellish interior of the huge tornado was no better than a true hellscape. Then the train pushed through an outer storm wall into what looked like an eye of a cyclone– –Then the shuttle followed us, plunging into the tornado. The differential areas of high and low pressure caused by convection gave rise to an inner wall of high speed airflow, and the shuttle began to fly erratically. However, its course was unaltered. 30 seconds until it crashes into us–! 「Trust me, Aniki!」 With a *Bam*– G-3 standing on both legs. 「What kind of older brother would I be if I can’t trust my younger brother?」 I also rose to my feet. Alright. I’ve fixed my target. On top of the TransAm and all around us, sparks danced violently. It was as if– the sparks were cherry blossoms. 「–If you can scatter this blizzard of cherry blossoms– then come and scatter it!」 Shouting that as I scowled at the shuttle– –*CHOOOOOOOOOOoooooo!*– The steam whistle signalling that we were within 1 mile of Area 51 rang out loudly. If we can intercept this, we’ll win…! From the wall of cloud and dust–*Whoooosh!*– the shuttle emerged. About the size of a passenger aircraft, the flying artillery shell– Came closer. It was right in front of me. –Mash. Up until the very end, you use weapons to fight, without making an appearance yourself. According to your simulations’ predictions, we should have been stymied. But those calculations collapse here. No matter how much you reckon, it’s still all abstract desktop theory. No, it’s meaningless programmatic theory. Even now, you are in Area 51, eating potato crisps and drinking cola while piloting the shuttle remotely. It’s like a game to you. But we are in this hellish desert, in the middle of a tornado, fighting for ourselves. That’s good. The final decision of victory between two men is not the number of bullets, how smart they are, or based on the size of their body. –It’s their resolve. How earnest they are, and how willing they are to put their life on the line! I’ll show you this…! Steeling myself, I pulled G-3’s right hand close. Cherry Bomb, a combination of our supersonic attacks. First, G-3 used『Meteor』to reach Mach 1, then I was pushed forward –using『Ouka』to reach Mach 2. I just matched the limit of the amour I wore under my uniform. Such a technique required the simultaneous coordination of all the muscles in both of our bodies. Meteor and Ouka in perfect harmony –it required perfect synergy. But we did it. –We were siblings, after all! 「Take this–Meteor–!」 「–Ouka–!」 –The very next instant– The world was different than that of Ouka at Mach 1… It was as if light distorted and blurred–completely changed at Mach 2. This… is the world at Mach 2…! The world became slow motion in my Hysteria Mode enhanced vision, and my fist shot across the dazzling space, soaring like a shooting star and forming a vapour cone compose of a blizzard of cherry blossoms around it. –The shuttle filled my vision as my fist made contacted with it– In less than the space of 0.1 seconds, an unnatural shock rocked the world. Actually, I didn’t even feel something touch my fist. At the moment of impact I used『Clear Fall Water』, transferring all the power into the shuttle. Including our equipment, our total body weight was–140 kilos, and I concentrated all of that into a single point on the shuttle. At Mach 2, I delivered a direct counter strike at a 90 degree angle. It had about the same impact as that the best intelligence suggests a second model Type 91 armour-piercing round fired from a 20.3 cm turret on a former Imperial Navy heavy cruiser possessed. Cherry Bomb was an all-in technique that transformed us into human artillery shells. Assuming that the naval guns had not fired at point-blank range– the flying shell would have been picked up and carried away like the dust thrown up by the tornado, causing an innumerable amount of microscopic damage… But since I delivered it directly, the full impact was conveyed. Spreading from millimetres, to centimetres, to metres of damage. All in fractions of a second. As I watched in slow motion, from the front to back–like eggs crashing against a wall, no, it was more like one being dropped. With a rush–as my sense of time returned to normal– As G-3 and I stood atop the tender, still in the position for Cherry bomb, the shuttle’s ceramic armour that was as hard at sapphire shattered into tiny pieces. The fragments were caught up into the air and carried away to the outer wall of the tornado as they glittered like gemstones. Apart from the dazzling flow of sparkles, the exposed interior of the craft was ripped open by the wind– –Behind the TransAm, it was tossed about by the tornado and crumpled. Exiting the backside of the tornado, we left the wreckage of the shuttle behind as it crashed– With a *Bam!* we crashed through the chain link fence surrounding Area 51, tearing through it like paper, and forcing our way inside the large Air Force base. All the while maintaining our speed of 220 KPH. On the base, it seems that there are further construction plans, and in front of us it looked like there was an area laid out for an airfield–until now, the land looked just like the rest of the desert. Inside and outside of Area 51 there was a huge difference. But there were no more railway tracks. It looks like they took them up so that airplane landing gear didn’t snag on the old rail line…! 「…!」 Shooting off the tracks like a missile, the cow catcher on the front plowed through the desert. *SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!*–! As the sand scattered in waves: 「…Hello Area 51! Hellllllloooooo…!」 G-3 laughed while scowling at the facility in front of us with raised eyebrows– I was thrown from the train that began to roll, but was unable to alter course. One of the Stars and Stripes on the front of the train was missing, and it soared high into the air, tumbling end over end. Thrown forward from the rolling train, G-3 and I made a ski-like stop, kicking up sand as we landed. While kicking up sand, inertia carried the locomotive forward– G-3 and I worried if we would be crushed as we rolled… 5 seconds, 10 seconds, and the avalanche of sand continued… …And finally it came to rest. Belching black and white smoke, it toppled onto one side and came to a stop barely a metre from us. 「…Heh… Fighting with you, Aniki, I’ll come to no good, will I!?」 With his legs buried it the sand up to his back, G-3 complained like a mole. But he was wearing a huge grin as he said it. 「That’s my line.」 I griped, half buried in sand myself and pushing myself forward in a crawl.. But I was scowling. 「After that, I know one thing for sure. The laws of Physics are a woman.」 「…Why do you say that?」 「Aniki, sometimes I hear you say the funniest things.」 Not letting me in on the American humour of the joke… I looked around us. Then looking forward, I saw a flood of jeeps far away and headed toward us. I didn’t know which controlled access area we were in, but I wanted to believe that we had reached an area friendly to G-3 as planned. I don’t have any more strength to fight. 「I wonder if everyone is alright?」 「Don’t underestimate my followers.」 Hooking a thumb behind him toward the train… 「Last stop~! Area 51~! Area 51~~!」 Kaname led the way shouting this message like a train conductor. 「We have arrived a bit sooner than anticipated. My apologies for the error.」 Angus politely bowed his head as he jumped down onto the desert sand. 「Well, for Third, that was pretty safe driving, by all accounts.」 「I wholeheartedly agree. Wahoo!」 「Oh my! It is time for prayers!」 「Third-sama~! That was so~ frightening~!」 Luca, Atlas, Collins, and Tsukumo were all covered in soot and cuts…. But they were moving under their own strength, talking freely like Americans, taking it upon themselves to pray on their own, and the girls rushing over to us. Reki also exited from the back, as calm as if she were alighting from a metro bus… 「My TransAm…! Oh my Gooooood…! Waaaaaaaaugh!」 Crawling out, old man Sanders threw himself onto the sand and started to bawl. His voice was strong. Actually, to look at him, he seem the least injured of our party. As expected, someone who came back from Vietnam is tough. Then: 「We owe you a deep debt of gratitude. Of course we shall compensate you for your loss.」 Angus said from beside him 「–Good. I want the next ‘un to be a brand spankin’ new diesel!」 Standing up as if he had never cried, he forced a smile onto his bearded face. What was that? But firstly– 「It’s settled, Aniki!」 「Huh?」 「We can do it.」 「Oh! Yeah, we can.」 I let him choose the post-fight words. Twice now. Because I’m a kind older brother. After that, G-3’s followers lined up in front of us, forming a line– With huge smiles plastered on their face, they saluted. Even without an arm, G-3 was able to return the salute. 「Good work, all of you. We’ve made it into Area 51.」 At some god’s command–the Stars and Stripes sent flying a little while ago fell– As if it were the most natural thing in the world, G-3 reached out, caught it, and draped it across his shoulders like a mantle. Then with a swish of his right arm– He struck a victorious pose in front of the group of jeeps that had stopped in a line in front of us. Then from all the soldiers–U.S.A.!!!–U.S.A.!!!–U.S.A.!!!–a loud chanting chorus came. It was like giving three cheers in Japan …Good. This controlled access location is friendly to G-3. We were rescued at the last possible moment. But in my case it would be J.P.N. This can’t be my luck; it has to be G-3’s at work. ************************************** –The day drew to the end in the American desert. Pulling a blanket around myself, I stared out blankly. Then I sat down next to Reki who was hugging her knees. We made camp outdoors and were being entertained with a barbecue with so much food that it was impossible to eat nearly all of it… There were two stereotypically macho American soldiers in fatigues. Each of them held one of a haggard looking Mash Roosevelt’s arms between them. The mushroom headed boy… he had definitely taken up a position in Area 51. For some unknown reason, they dragged him between them. Well, I don’t think that is a partially bad end, myself. A large, middle-aged uniformed man smoked a cigar– the very image of an Air Force brigadier general saluted G-3. Returning the salute, G-3… 「…Yo, Mash. Unfortunately we’re not meeting in a body bag.」 Flopped down on all fours with his face lowered, he sat up crossing his legs. 「Mash has been taken into custody. In the same moment you reach Area 51, Mister G-3, the NSA dismissed him– They received a Federal False Claim and Liability report and in accordance with section 110, paragraph 1, an electronic arrest warrant was issued… and so he was detained.」 The brigadier explained. 「The charge is bogus. There hasn’t been any false reporting of financial assets. It will be overturned in court.」 Mash muttered… But his words lacked conviction. 「Mash-kun. Don’t worry. In Alcatraz there will be a lot of kind, older people who will help give you the chance to rehabilitate. Everyone there owes you so much that they’ll practically dote on you.」 The brigadier told Mash as he puffed out purple tobacco smoke. Back in Cafe Lalo, I had recklessly given Mash『3 Reasons Drop-outs are Better than Elites』– They have a position, and they can lose it. Had that exactly just happened to Mash? Missing a single step… he’s fallen all the way down. The black woman who voided Angus’ ticket had said it: Mash was an unlikable person. He merely had his perfect record of success, and no saving grace of popularity to fall back upon. It stands to reason that he made himself enemies. Having risen near the top level of the elite, he had made himself a petty terror and dictator to his rivals. And because of that, as soon as he got his first black mark against him due to his loss to G-3… They gathered together to attack and bring Mash down like a wounded animal. It was political. 「…Oh, Mash. I might be a peace-loving Japanese. However, it seems like your experience in combat is somewhat lacking. If you ever get out, try starting in the infantry.」 Kneeling next to G-3, I threw his own words back in his face in a cutting remark… But it didn’t make me feel any better. Because, he’s as powerless as a caterpillar torn from a tree hollow, after all. The battle of Nevada… Was a pointless fight. That’s really all it was. No, where one side’s life was not in any danger… it couldn’t even be classed as a battle. But in the future, wars will definitely be fought by people like Mash. The US military is pushing forward, and it will not halt its advance… Seated in front of PC monitors, controlling weapons of war like it is some kind of game… is that how it is going to be? That’s pointless. Well, killing each other with guns and swords is pretty ridiculously empty as well. 「…Why?… Why… did I… lose…!? All of the data indicated a total victory…!」 Seeming not to quite understand, Mash finally cried out– 「Because you’re an idiot. You might give my siblings a run for their money for the Noble Idiot Prize.」 G-3 gave a tight smile while indicating me and himself with his thumb. Then Angus arrived. 「Now then, Third-sama. What are your orders concerning this naughty child? I shall take upon myself any method of execution you prescribe.」 With a devilish grin… his already tight face stretched even further into a smile. As Mash paled in front of him, G-3 burst into soft laughter– 「Hold on. I only kill those who are worth killing… That’s my rule.」 Hearing that, I blurted out: 「You’re too easy-going, no matter how you look.」 With a vein pulsating on my head, G-3 looked at Mash who was directly in front of him. Then: 「What’s more… in a very real way, we lost. This round at least. This guy doesn’t even have a scratch on him. And we weren’t the ones to strip him of his political power.」 He said, with a face as empty of expression as mine. A moment of silence passed– 「G-3… If… you want to laugh at me, go ahead and laugh. If you want to kill me, then kill me.」 Mash managed to squeeze out with a groan. 「I… was not designed to be strong like you, I was born into this world. Everyone around me… even girls, were stronger than me. I knew that the girl agents… were laughing at my weakness behind my back. But I still pushed on. I seized political power. I was recognised… by just one agency, the NSA…!」 With tears dripping onto the desert… Mash spoke while on all fours. Mash was obsessed with his career… and his whole mental landscape had just been inverted. Pathetically, Mash had gambled his own life on the NSA–but with just one mistake, they had washed their hands of him and cut him loose. It must have been a harsh, unforgiving organisation. American society. Just like this desert. 「…The only one to recognise me in the entire world was the NSA…!」 Mash cried, choking as he faced down into the sand… 「No, that is not correct. You have been recognised by 1 other man.」 G-3 laid a hand on the trembling Mash’s shoulder. 「…? Who? There’s no one like that!」 「There is! He’s in front of you.」 「…!」 「It’s me. Even if you almost killed me. Even this time– you really pushed us into a corner. So raise your head. Now, don’t cry. Laugh. You and I are the same, pitiful people created by America. Two people they’ve thrown away, coming to face each other and looking like idiots in the desert. What about that? Can you laugh at that?」 Hearing that, Mash, who had been crying pathetically looked up– Beneath his skewed glasses, he laughed. Even as his nose dripped. 「…Fufu! Don’t laugh. If any one’s stupid looking, it’s you.」 「Hehehe! No, you’re the stupid looking one. I’ll give you that.」 The two loner Genions, Mash and G-3… feeling some kind of empathy, laughing and getting along. Finally reaching this point. Then after exchanging a mutually awkward laugh… …Mash stood up Then smoothing down his collar, straightening his necktie, fixing his glasses, dusting the sand off his knees, running a hand through his mushroom haircut to straighten it, Mash took out a handkerchief… Then finally wiping away his tears like a man, he raised his head sharply. 「–Even emaciated and withered, I’m American. Every American citizen has the right to do what they believe is just.」 With that preamble, Mash looked across all of us– 「Therefore, to prevent further sabotage by you–I will lead you, G-3, to the ruruirokane. Come. The area is under the NSA’s jurisdiction, but I’m no longer an employee. However, I just so happen to know an exclusive emergency exit, but it is only passable by a Genion.」 –He finally declared proudly. He had been struck down, defeated, forgiven, and acknowledged by G-3 without words… and he offered this as an apology and thanks. [END] ***************************** 1. Not sure where this is coming from. Usain Bolt’s top speed was just under half this at 45 KPH. 2. Z’Gok are mass produced mecha suits in the Gundam series universe. Obviously not as powerful as the custom suits. The Gold and Red colour scheme was used by commanders and had increased ability and firepower. 3. Kanji say ‘penetrating stake’ 4. Seems to be a technique name that was lost from earlier volumes when he shot up the barrel of the UZIs or other guns. ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ### 007. Go For The NEXT!! – Ford Model-T + Afterword Illustrator Notes It’s been a long time coming, but I hope the content makes up for the wait! I also think that once you read this, we might have an explanation why the last big battle was a bit rushed of an ending. Besides that, Mash isn’t an enemy well-suited to a typical fight scene. Only way I could have seen it working would be Kinji and the G-3 League fighting through waves of defences, and that could be boring and unrealistic given the fact that Mash and the US have the ability to strike from afar with drones and missiles. But that is my opinion… Tell me what you think in the comments! Go For The NEXT!! Ford Model-T [START TEXT] Area 51, controlled access area 89A– It laid underneath the panning searchlights that illuminated the sky above the Air Force base. We descended a ramp that was covered by a manhole cover disguised to be indistinguishable from the desert‚Ķ Then we followed Mash down into the chilly corridor. The walls and floor of the unexpectedly powered fortification in the middle of the desert were covered in dark blue metal plating. Mash opened a series of obstructing bulkheads with a specialised key, one after another. But this ridiculous defense‚Ķ without his guidance, we would never have reached the ruruirokane. –The moment that LOO was defeated by Atlas, Mash must have intended to use this place to protect himself as he negotiated with G-3. He must have prepared for the 0.5% chance of defeat thoroughly and well in advance‚Ķ It would have taken 3 hours for us to discover this place, and another 3 hours to break through, buying him ample time. There were likely personnel in the facility above us, but seemingly distrustful of even his colleagues, the underground section of the controlled access area was deserted. This underground area seems to be a place that even within the NSA, who knows everything, only a few people know of its existence. „ÄåHere‚Äôs sub-level 5, section F. Further than this–to be honest, I have never been.„Äç Keying in a password on a wall panel while saying that with a tense expression on his face– A triple layer barrier wall opened, vertically, horizontally, and diagonally. …This place is very secure‚Ķ Such a completely secure area doesn‚Äôt contradict that narrative. The precious ruruirokane must actually be here. When we finally reached sub-level 7– –There was a large room with„ÄéWARNING! RESTRICTED AREA! DO NOT ENTER!„Äèstencilled on the wall– Mash opened the next door with a key. „Äå…„Äç Swallowing my saliva, as we looked forward‚Ķ …What‚Ķ? A group of classic cars with black top covers was the only thing to meet our eyes. They were all identical Ford Model T‚Äôs– The first Ford model car to be mass produced and sold almost 100 years ago. They sold more than 15 million units, which was not unusual due to its low price. About 20 of them were ranged side by side. There was nothing else here. The large room seemed to be a dead end, and it didn‚Äôt look like there were any hidden chambers. „Äå…The ruruirokane‚Ķ where is it? There‚Äôs‚Ķ supposed to be a large quantity of ruruirokane here.„Äç Mash looked around, but none of us saw anything. „ÄåDon‚Äôt worry‚Ķ Mash…You‚Äôve been tricked like the rest of us. Someone‚Ķ must have moved it somewhere else‚Ķ! Dammit‚Ķ!„Äç Stunned, G-3 fell to his knees on the spot. Even I‚Ķ Felt all the strength leave my body. Was this emotion despair? After going through the trouble of risking my life to travel to America all the way from Japan for Aria and finally arriving at Area 51– The ruruirokane I had come for…it felt like it was laughing at us thieves‚Ķ having only managed to reach a garage full of cars. Why? This was a sick joke. This isn‚Äôt a nightmare, is it? That‚Äôs it. It has to be a bad dream‚Ķ „ÄåThird– it‚Äôs the ruruirokane! All of it! All of it–!„Äç Snapping me back to attention with those words, it was the ESPer, Luca. „Äå…What‚Ķ?„Äç As G-3 turned around, Tsukumo, who was akin to Tamamo and knowledgeable about irokane also spoke– „ÄåY-you‚Äôre not mistaken‚Ķ! The cars are made entirely of ruruirokane! Everything, everything under the paint! The object of our search is right here, Third-sama…!„Äç Her tail trembling with excitement and tears of emotion flowing, she pointed toward the cars. „ÄåThey are camouflaged, Third. Wanting to disperse the original quantity of irokane out, the government must have fashioned it into the shape of the then-common Ford Model-T. Then they painted it and made it run to complete the deception. In the case of a civil or foreign war, then they would be able to spread them out across America.„Äç Hand trembling, Luca laid a hand on one of the Model-T‚Äôs. Th-this– A-All of these cars‚Ķ Are made entirely of irokane? If true, then there is an awful lot of it. At least a tonne! –Irokane was definitely a metal. As a metal, it was both ductile, malleable, and easy to machine. Aria‚Äôs hidan and my butterfly knife…an irokane-killer was but one of the things possible to make, but if manufactured onto a common shape, it is possible to shoot or slash with it. This was the only car available in America at the turn of the 20th century. This was the first mass produced car. The contemporary politicians– they shaped the large mass of ruruirokane into these cars. It was a„Äéconvenient„Äèshape for concealment as it was capable of moving wherever it needed to under its own power, if the need arose. Bearing all that in mind, it made sense to fashion it into cars. We‚Äôve done it. We‚Äôve finally got it. The ruruirokane. If we could only take 1 or 2 back with us– More irokane than we could handle had fallen into our hands! „ÄåG-3‚Ķ.!„Äç „ÄåAniki‚Ķ.„Äç I grabbed G-3‚Äôs right hand and pulled him to his feet…. At that moment… Something entirely unexpected happened. „ÄåKinji-san.„Äç As soon as she came forward to stand directly next to me, Reki called my name, and I turned to look at her– „Äå…?„Äç –She kissed me. That‚Äôs what happened. Like she did on the last day of summer holidays last year. No, it was more intense than that; more passionate. Reki tasted like sweet mint tea, and her tongue entwined with mine. It was so sudden, and unsure of how to react– I simply returned it. All those around us simply stared at us, wide-eyed. What is this? What is happening? *Ha!*– –As our lips parted, Reki— „Äå…„Äç ‚Ä¶! –No! This isn‚Äôt Reki. She isn‚Äôt here any longer. That was a mature kiss. The look in her eyes was much more seductive than usual, and this girl– She turned to look toward the motorcade. The spirit that had possessed Reki‚Äôs body‚Ķ Ah! I understand. I completely understand. –It was The Wind. It has been influencing Reki from afar…„ÄéThe Wind„Äè. That‚Äôs it. Reki has been possessed by The Wind. The way she moved was much more feminine than usual– Taking one step, than another toward the cars‚Ķ She spoke in a voice thick with excitement. „ÄåRuru, you‚Äôre there, aren‚Äôt you?„Äç –Speaking in Japanese. In response to those words, in front of Reki– Behind the line of cars‚Ķ it appeared like a blue hologram. „Äå–Riri–„Äç Accompanying that voice, a beautiful, naked woman appeared. The woman, comprised of blue light, had her eyes closed, arms drawn up like a foetus, and hands clasped in front of her chest as if in prayer. …This was‚Ķ Of all the supernatural phenomena I‚Äôve witnessed, this is the most paranormal of them all. A humanoid shape, composed of a thin, misty blue light. But there‚Äôs nothing like projection equipment at work here. If I had to make an intuitive judgement based on appearance–it was like seeing a ghost. Calling it that seems to make the most sense of it. This apparition. Then I recognised her .¬† I‚Äôd seen her before, but only in a photograph– –Dr. Sara–!? WIth eyes even wider than mine, G-3 and Mash stared in shock. Yes. This woman‚Ķ had Dr. Sara‚Äôs face. Unfolding her hands, she reached a hand toward Reki– And Reki reached out a hand towards Sara like Michelangelo’s painting on the ceiling of Sistine Chapel. Each of their index fingers stretching out to meet. Then after several seconds passed in silence– „Äå..Please forgive me…„Äç The woman of blue light said. She also spoke Japanese. „ÄåI have simply borrowed the form of someone dear to all of you‚Ķ You have all lived quite violent lives‚Ķ I have borrowed this figure from your minds…We possess no definite„Äéform„Äèof our own…„Äç „Äå…Ruru. Through the Rimiko‚Äôs senses I have borne witness and gained a general understanding of the current situation. Now‚Ķ we must stop it. For the sake of human lives and hearts. We cannot fail to stop her. Hihi…„Äç „Äå…I‚Ķ feared the day of battle and death when we would have to stop her. There are but 3 of us, and this action would move us one step closer to solitude. That is what you suggest, Riri…„Äç What… is this? What is this? What do these words mean? But we–are all unable to speak. It is as if– in the presence of gods, humans are incapable of doing anything. No. I understand it. –That‚Äôs exactly the current situation. The two in front of us are both goddesses– The woman of blue light closes her eyes as she turned in our direction. Then refolding both hands in front of her chest in a prayerful gesture‚Ķ She addressed us again. „Äå…Please‚Ķ you must stop her somehow‚Ķ Hihi–hihiirokane. Our sister.„Äç Go For The Next!!! [END TEXT] Atogaki [START TEXT] Hello! It was so hot that my Roomba escaped out of the genkan when I opened the door! It‚Äôs Akamatsu! It‚Äôs been a while, but having 18 volumes of this novel series, 10 volumes of the comic, and 8 volumes of Hidan no Aria AA all available makes me so happy. Here‚Äôs the long awaited Hidan no Aria Q&A Corner! Q: With the recent rise in tension, is the end of the series possibly near!? I appreciate the concern‚Ķ but please do not worry! We still have quite a while to go before the conclusion. I still have plenty of material in my head, even now, for events that I want to write. Things like character close-ups, fights, everyday life, and romantic comedy jokes– Their number actually increases as the days go on! I plan to„ÄåEnd it when I can‚Äôt come up with anything else„Äçfor this series. With everyone‚Äôs support, I‚Äôll be able to keep on writing for a long time, so there is no need to worry! ************************************ Now then, the story has changed considerably‚Ķ The„Äénew project„Äèwas finally announced this summer to be related to„ÄéHidan no Aria AA„Äè. Due to that, interest in the series has risen considerably! Please let me re-introduce AA. „ÄéHidan no Aria AA„Äèis a story with Aria‚Äôs Amica, Akari Mamiya as the protagonist. It depicts the daily life of underclassmen (with a few sexy scenes thrown in), and it‚Äôs a comic that will make you happy just to look at it. The drawings by Shogakko Tachibana-sensei are just too cute. But this is all fun and games, unlike my own work‚Ķ(Mwahaha!) The events depicted in AA– they are everyday situations you would expect at Butei High. Cute girls armed with guns and swords…with fists and kicks; blades and bullets flying, they live the extreme life of Aria‚Äôs juniors! All the cuteness and fights from AA link up with the timeline of this series. As juniors themselves, Fuuma and Kaname, to say nothing of Baskerville, all play an active role. The former I.U. member„ÄéDevil Scorpion„Äèwas depicted in the 12th volume of the novel series, and the daughter of the public prosecutor that Kinji and Co. heard rumours about in volume 17. Shino Sasaki and Akari Mamiya‚Äôs ancient connection to the Tohyama Family were revealed in volume 18, they are all actually characters from AA that have already made their appearance. If you read it, you will gain a deeper understanding of„ÄéHidan no Aria„Äè, and if you are a fan of the comic–„ÄéHidan no Aria AA„Äèis a die-hard fan‚Äôs must-have item. No, they would already have it! I‚Äôve filled up all my space in this obvious marketing ploy. Well, moving on–the seasons in the book are catching up with the real world weather. A certain day in August 2014 Akamatsu Chuugaku [END TEXT] Illustrator Notes: This time there was a mecha girl on the cover, so I studied all sorts of reference materials as I designed it. I never had the chance to draw a mecha, so while quite difficult, it was exciting for me. See you in the next volume! ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ## 16. Volume 19 - Let's Dance a Minuet Together -Minuet- ### 001. Bullet 1:Cyan Goddess ― Sister Emerald Another day, another volume. It’s taken a while, but here we are. Lots of great development in this chapter and our understanding of the world of HnA advances. Onwards! Chapter 1: Cyan Goddess ― Sister Emerald [BEGIN TEXT] Aria’s mother, Kanae-san’s conjecture was correct. Here they were. Just like the Scarlet Goddess– The Cyan Goddess and Turquoise Goddess. Two goddesses have now appeared in front of us. After crossing the Nevadan desert in a steam locomotive, then infiltrating an Air Force base sub-level– all to finally have us arrive in front of these goddesses. The Cyan Goddess had materialised from the ruruirokane that had been fashioned into the shape of a 100 year-old Ford Model-T car… 「–We are one with everything. We are unable to alter nature any more than we would harm ourselves.」 The apparition that had appeared and taken the form of an ethereal beauty addressed us. The figure regarded us warily… She had taken on the form of the late Dr. Sara that G-3 loved. 「Therefore, G-3. we are unable to grant you your desire. Resurrecting one lost to death is both unnatural and visits a great disruption upon nature that is impossible to control.」 Likely reading G-3’s wish from his mind, the Cyan Goddess effectively refused him in a low voice. The speechless G-3 was flanked on both sides by subordinates with ESP– Luca and Tsukumo who said: 「I cannot read her mind.」 「There are no ruru particles being emitted.」 They reported in a whisper on the Cyan Goddess. In the chilly car garage made of linoleum and steel… 「…Cyan Goddess, I…」 Shutting my eyes as if to make my own wish, I addressed the Cyan Goddess. I wanted to convey the idea that I wished to stop Aria from the Scarlet Goddess’ apotheosis. But the Cyan Goddess had read my mind. 「I have witnessed it through your friend’s rosary. The instance where Hihi meddled in your fates. I will apologise for that wrong in her stead.」 She gave off the sense of divine omniscience as she spoke to me. 「We of irokane– are metal with a will . That one will is present in all of it, and all of it is present in one part. Even if changed in form or divided, it all bears host to that will.」 The blue rosary that Riko wore contained a microscopic quantity of ruruirokane. Through that, the Cyan Goddess had received a basic understanding of the situation… If I had to put it into words. 「Our heart exists on the level of such microscopically small particles that cannot be fathomed by the human mind. If our metal were examined at the molecular level, iT would be seen that it is distinct from iron, nickel, platinum, and other metals that would not carry our consciousness when separated from it.」 The Cyan Goddess made this scientific self-introduction, but the general concept she articulated earlier was sufficient. If I had to explain it, it would be that the apparition is haunting the metal . And when the metal is divided, the haunting spirit is also split between them. However, they still persist in having one will while existing in several places at once. That must be what『one will is present in all of it, and all of it is present in one part』means. What is more– this apparition is a super-ESPer. Right now, she is using her powers to project Sara’s image as if she were possessing her, and emanating power. When confronted with a paranormal presence, it is convenient for human minds to call them『gods』… She looks human. That thought in mind, it gave me some courage in this conversation. 「Heart… you say? When Aria and Son transformed into the Scarlet Goddess to fight, their personalities were quite different than yours. Does each type of irokane have a different persona?」 As I addressed the Cyan Goddess, G-3, his followers, and Mash all stared in surprise. However, it may be unfortunate, but I have become used to being in the middle of supernatural events. The circuit for any nervousness I have had at the appearance of gods and ghosts has been short circuited. They are leaving this to me. 「Correct. As for myself–I am Ruru, and my younger sister Riri and I do not wish to alter our current form. To protect and go untouched by humanity within a perpetual sleep; that is our desire.」 Possessed by the Turquoise Goddess and standing stock still, she indicated Reki– This was the response that the Cyan Goddess gave. 「However, Hihi is different in this regard. Many millennia ago, she became enamoured of the『passion』of human emotion that existed apart from our metal. Since that time, she has relentlessly observed humankind, provoked Love and War, and become enraptured in the sympathetic emotional response so created. Because of that, the many human lives and fates that she has ruined cannot be overlooked any longer. She must not be allowed to disrupt the natural order any further.」 Considering humans as one part of nature, the Cyan Goddess continued– 「Therefore… Both I and Riri have decided that she must be stopped. That is our will, Kinji. This does not run counter your own wishes. Because of that, both we and you– we shall work to defeat Hihi.」 Calling us by name, she seemed to indicate that she would ally with us. That worked out perfectly. It was exactly what we had wanted, but… 「…When you say『stop』and『defeat』, what exactly do you mean?」 I asked, seeking confirmation. 「I shall allow you to carry a part of myself into the world wherever hihiirokane has been dispersed. Then, coming within her relative gravitational field, in each case I shall seize upon Hihi, and assemble a mass of graviton particles to crush her. We shall continue to do so in all such cases. That is what we shall do.」 「I don’t really understand. Can you put that into human terms?」 「We shall『kill』her piecemeal. I have determined to kill my older sister.」 At the same time as the Cyan goddess– the Turquoise Goddess that had taken over Reki’s body fixed me with an expression of resolve. …I thought it would come to this. I want to stop Aria from becoming the Scarlet Goddess. The Cyan Goddess and Turquoise Goddess’ aims certainly align with that goal. Regardless of whether or not you consider humans to be part of nature, we are agreed that the destruction of nature is something that should not occur. However, starting from this premise, it follows logically that I should consider each of the three sisters: Scarlet, Cyan, and Turquoise Goddess as people. Scholars can debate the fact of who is and isn’t a person, but as someone that has met and dealt with them, I consider them unique individuals with bodies of metal. Metal people. And following that– there is Butei Regulation 9. Regardless of the circumstance, in performance of their duties, a Butei must never kill anyone. According to the reading of the text, the object of that verb is『people』. The meaning is not restricted to biological humans. And in my conception, metal people are people. That being the case, I am barred from killing the Scarlet Goddess. What is more… Besides the law, I was first introduced to the Scarlet Goddess through Son and Aria. For that reason, killing her would lie heavily on my conscience because, although I don’t know, I perceive her gender to be female. Despite the fact that she lacks a body, I am averse to killing a woman. So: 「We can’t do that. Killing her, that is. Killing family is not a burden one should carry.」 I flatly refused. 「Then how is it that you would suggest we deal with Hihi?」 Realising it would be necessary to retain the Cyan Goddess as an ally in the future, I said– 「 Arrest her. 」 I put forward the idea. Whereupon everyone regarded me with a shocked expression. Having been unable to read my mind due to me having spoken without giving it a great deal of thought, the Cyan Goddess and the Turquoise Goddess possessing Reki wore an expression of surprise. 「At times like this, I try to frame things in the context of Japanese law. When I am with such absurd people as all of you, sometimes it is easy to lose track of what is common sense.」 「You say that, despite being the most absurd existence yourself!」 「Everyone has the right to a trial. Arresting the Scarlet Goddess will allow for the opportunity for her to pay for her crimes and be rehabilitated. Cyan Goddess, you just said that you 3 sisters are the only ones of your kind in the entire world. If an entire species is wiped out, that is a disruption of nature.」 Ignoring Luca who held her head in her hands and was looking through her splayed fingers– 「…I cannot agree to that. However, it is not that I am opposed to it. It is simply that you do not comprehend. That being the case… we shall reconvene and discuss this again later. Meet the Scarlet Goddess once more, may alter your opinion.」 While making a thoughtful expression, The Cyan Goddess replied. It was a very human action. 「My body, such as it is, has been fashioned into the shape of an automobile. You cannot take the entirety of it, but a few components should suffice.」 Before the Cyan Goddess changed her mind, I– Catching the eye of the most well-informed of G-3’s subordinates about old vehicles, Angus, I pointed to the one of the Ford Model-T’s made from ruruirokane. ********************************************************************** We made a hurried escape into the night from the underground area of Area 51 controlled access area 89A where ruruirokane was stored and protected by the breached electronic defenses set up by Mash. Reki– immediately after speaking with me and the Cyan Goddess, returned to normal.『The Wind』, Sapphire Goddess, only needed to use Reki to communicate with the Cyan Goddess, but she did not interact with the rest of us. As G-3’s followers partially dismantled one of the Ford Model-T’s, the Cyan Goddess began fading, then disappeared all at once. As expected, she wanted to avoid interaction with humans as much as possible. However, she still resided in the approximately 3 kilos of ruruirokane that we carried off. Atlas took a gear that Angus had removed, Luca packed various sizes of screws into her pocket, and Tsukumo carried the steering wheel tucked under her arm. That was more than enough. The theft of the ruruirokane will be discovered as soon as the protective systems that Mash is holding in check are released. As the one currently responsible for the defense of this base, Mash– 「…I want to ask if you understand what I said about IQ? G-3?」 The bespectacled boy asked as he peered out in the desert from a disguised escape hatch. 「You’re pretending to negotiate but actually are holding a gun to my back. That’s not very nice.」 Having lost heart upon seeing the phantom of Dr. Sara, G-3 now was regaining some of his spirit– his one remaining arm folded across his chest. Mash seemed surprised, and the rest of us were confused at G-3’s response. The Mash grinned meaningfully, and directed an order downward: 「Wake up, LOO-GyNe」 In response: 「LOO.」 A voice came from underground next to Mash– With a *Rustle!* and *Pop!*, a cerulean blue-haired girl appeared like a mole. 「…!」 Having already seemed to have noticed her, everyone except G-3 squared off. It was the one who had attacked us as we advanced on Area 51, LOO. The little robot girl was in tatters from her battle with Atlas and her tumble from the TranAm into the mini-Grand Canyon…! With her arms lost, her leg units damaged, and her right arm wrenched off, LOO seemed as if she was still willing and able to fight if she wanted. 「Are you really so surprised that LOO marathoned 37.5 miles?」 Mash tapped his micro-miniature HMD glasses with a finger… 「As someone with a Federal Claims and Liability Act claim levied against them, I will no longer have access to the Federal X-Files or the defence of the ruruirokane. After this, I may well be considered an outlaw. G-3–Your League needs an intelligence officer, and you have the opportunity to recruit an eminently qualified candidate. You’ll even get LOO thrown in! I have assets hidden in Cuba, so I’ll give you a large discount on my salary.」 Mash gestured and spoke like an infomercial salesman, and G-3– 「No matter how much of an honour student you are, you’re really a bad guy behind the scenes, aren’t you? Alright. I thought I needed someone to deal with intelligence. There are only 16 of the original 27 Genions left alive from those created in the 90’s. You and I are members of a rare class. As fellow classmates and twin blooming cherry trees 1 , let’s take care of each other.」 Forcing a smile onto his face, G-3 exchanged a one-handed handshake with his remaining arm. …I got the feeling that G-3 was his usual kind self, helping Mash and LOO who had lost themselves. ************************************************************************ We all returned to the Air Force camp that was friendly to G-3– There, our original conductor, old man Sanders, had heard about the Air Force liquor and had drunk himself into oblivion. He was boasting about how he and G-3 were close friends all the while he was being taken home via helicopter. At this point, like Mash, he provided a good representation of national character. Of Americans. 「I was in a real bind this time. I owe you one.」 Despite the fact that he was senior in age, G-3 spoke condescendingly to the Brigadier and gave a slight salute. The Brigadier’s large frame shook with laughter. 「I should be the one doing the thanking. I was able to help the famous G-3 League. The next President will be a Republican, and I’ll be able to brag about that when he calls.」 Already, there were propellers spinning on an AC-130 that was sitting on the aircraft staging area of the desert airfield, and he pointed at it with his cigar. 「You should take the northern route on your return trip. I’ve already filed a flight plan to John F. Kennedy Airport in New York with a sealed passenger and crew manifest.」 This special treatment for G-3 is incredible. In America, cooperation with heroes is only a net benefit. I wish Japan would follow this example. Please give me a monetary award for all the people I saved in the bus-jacking, plane-jacking, and Shinkasen-jacking. *********************************************** With Angus and Atlas piloting the AC-130, LOO had already fallen into the role of a maid. As expected of a robot, she is tireless. She skillfully tended to the wounded and waited upon us, all the while saying ‘LOO LOO’. G-3 was ripping meat off of a set of spare ribs while consulting with Mash about something. …From what I heard, it was something about Dr. Sara. However, I had decided not to intrude upon G-3’s personal problems. He can go and look for the Dragon Balls, or whatever he wants. Bringing the conversation to a close, G-3 said: 「So, Aniki, what are you going to do now?」 I was drinking a cup of instant coffee that LOO had gotten for me. 「…I’ve been thinking about that a bit. I’ll go to England to meet up with Aria.」 When I answered, the effeminate Black man, Collins, leaned over, interposing his body to interject himself into the conversion. 「I thought you would, darling! While apart, affection only grows until you meet again! This is true for all lovers.」 「No, that isn’t the reason I want to see her. It was a logical process of elimination. Now we know the current location of the Scarlet Goddess. The hidan within Aria’s chest and buried inside Kou’s body are the only two places. However, due to the terms of the FEW ceasefire, contacting Kou is our back-up plan. So our way forward is Aria. I want to seize the chance to bring the Cyan Goddess and Scarlet Goddess closer together.」 「Will London be the setting of the decisive battle between the Cyan and Scarlet Goddess?」 G-3 asked, and I turned my head to face him. 「The Scarlet Goddess is not someone that can be reasoned with. I also cannot allow the Cyan and Scarlet Goddesses to fight and kill her. If that happens, I’ll separate them. It sounded like the Cyan Goddess couldn’t kill her without being close.」 「You want to keep them from fighting? That doesn’t sound like you, Aniki.」 As he adopted a Western『good grief』pose, I flicked him on the forehead in rebuke. 「In America, you might settle things by fighting, but in Japan, we are stubbornly committed to do as much as we can through negotiations. I plan to have the Cyan Goddess act as a spokesperson. The Scarlet Goddess might talk to her sister. She might listen to her family.」 「Let’s say that you manage to get the two of them together. How will you get them to talk? You said that you’d arrest her. How will you do that? Will you excise the hidan from Aria’s chest or use some kind of tiny handcuffs? You can’t just throw her into jail, banish her, or impose some kind of punishment on her. So? Which of these are you going to do?」 「Right now… I don’t know.」 「You don’t? So are you going to kill her?」 「I don’t know. But there might be someone who does know about it.」 「…Who?」 「Minuet Holmes. Aria’s younger sister. In Tokyo, Kana told me about her, and that she knew at least as much as Sherlock about irokane. She seems to be a willful child, but Aria should be able to get information out of her. So– with Aria, the Scarlet Goddess, and Minuet all together, I’ll take the Cyan Goddess with me to London.」 –Even if they are Goddesses, Minuet will be able to reason things out. Still grasping at air as always, nevertheless, I had the feeling that we had taken the first steps toward a solution with this shaky plan. This is much better than the time we left Tokyo in a bewildered haze. With these plans, if they were all successful– Aria would be free from the binding spell of the Scarlet Goddess. If the connection between irokane and Aria were severed, there would be no more reason for Kanae-san to be imprisoned for keeping the secret of irokane from the government. Yeah. That would definitely be a happy ending. We’d just have to walk this path exactly. ********************************************* The next morning– The AC-130 arrived at John F. Kennedy Airport, and once we took the procession of supercars back to G-3 Tower… G-3 gave his followers the day off. Dressing up and heading out, Luca said: 「I am going out to bid on the golden Bruget watch.」 Rushing out enthusiastically to the auction house. Atlas took an SUV, picked up his mother and father, and excitedly returned to his parent’s home. Collins went to the salon. Tsukumo went with Kaname to watch a baseball game at Yankee Stadium. Even though we had just fought a gun battle and crossed America, everyone was just fine. I… was with G-3. Angus had given up his own time for recreation and Mash made preparations for my trip to London, we simply idled and recovered our strength. It was evening, and Reki and LOO sat next to each other on the soft carpet in the dining hall, hugging their knees and resting while watching television. Going out as soon as you can in order to relax is an amatuer move. Spending your holiday lazing around and doing nothing is the most luxuriant way to spend it. As I was watching the broadcast of the film 300… 「–Kinji-san,.Please take care of yourself as you go to London.」 Despite the fact that she was seated beside me and facing the huge plasma television, the look in Reki’s eyes was distant as she addressed me. 「…What? You aren’t coming?」 「Yes. I must return to my homeland for the moment.」 She said, still not looking at me, and I turned away from appreciating the film to look at her. 「The Wind has sent for me. It is not that I must do whatever The Wind says. I, myself, believe that I must meet The Wind.」 The Scarlet Goddess, Cyan Goddess–and『The Wind』, that is Sapphire Goddess. It seems as if Reki had no memory of being possessed by the Sapphire Goddess, but she wants to go to the place where the Sapphire Goddess resides in the ririirokane. 「The Wind… you mean the Sapphire Goddess. Actually, I was going to rely on you a bit longer to act as a first reserve in case I am driven into a corner.」 In Butei terms, the first reserve– They are someone tasked with problem solving if the main line breaks or I make a mistake, like a pinch-hitter. A mistake. In this case, that means if I die. At worst in this situation… I’ll die in battle with the Scarlet Goddess, the Cyan Goddess will be defeated, and Aria, becoming the Scarlet Goddess, will be the only one left. In that case, Reki and the Sapphire Goddess would have to face the possessed Aria. That was the gist of what I meant. But I hoped that would never happen. 「This is more or less my final request: Don’t kill the Scarlet Goddess. Even if I’m killed. You’ll still be a student of Butei High and have to follow Butei Law. Alright?」 「…」 She didn’t answer. She had a murderous aura. I’ll have to do my best to avoid a mistake. Engaging in a verbal tug-o-war with the stubborn Reki here is a waste of time. I’ll have to force the issue by having someone like Fuuma take Haimaki hostage later. 「…I’ll have Kaname go with you as your bodyguard. Apparently Habi–she and the other oni wanted the Scarlet Goddess to appear. It would be a problem if they were able to predict and interfere with your movements.」 「Thank-you very much.」 Thanking me properly, Reki showed some slight human emotion… Then I asked about something that just popped into my head. 「Now that you’ve mentioned your homeland, there’s ririirokane there, isn’t there?」 「Yes. I remember a stone always covered by algae, but it could have been metal.」 「Algae, you say… Does that mean it was underwater?」 「It is sunken at the bottom of a round lake called Lake Harius.」 It might be a dog toy. 2 Well, I’ve seen a rosary, bullet, knife, and car made of irokane, so it is not impossible. If it’s at the bottom of a lake, covered in algae… that would mean it’s chances of coming into contact with humans is low. From what Reki said, this might just be irokane in its natural form. 「Do you remember how large it is and what it looked like? Sketch it for me. You’re good at drawing. Oi! LOO, bring us something to draw with!」 I ordered robot Reki and the real robot LOO, respectively–LOO came back from Luca’s room with drawing paper and crayons, then passed them to Reki… And Reki started drawing. Kneeling and hunched forward, she spread the paper out onto the carpet and began to sketch. …*Rub!*…*Rub!*… Reki sketched the ririirokane from what appeared to be a free-diving perspective in blue and green crayon. That’s… a-amazing! The algae was hyperrealistic. The gradation of water transparency was represented splendidly. Due to the detail included, it appeared it would take a bit of time to complete. In tending to wait, the moment I looked away– W-whoa…! I let out a cry at what I saw. It was night, so the floor-to-ceiling windows were acting like a mirror… They reflected Reki who was『lying down』. Showing me a view from behind her. Due to the short Butei High skirt, in this creeping leopard pose, the entirety of her thighs– and their not over-plump, slender legs were exposed in their entirety. Beyond that, it seems that something within the skirt and made of a cotton material was likely to be exposed. Reki, as per usual, was entirely focused on her drawing and did not notice my line of sight. House-sitting for G-3 who didn’t have a father or mother, I was placed in such a situation. I had taken off the whole day off to rest and regain strength, so my circulation was good. Rather, I don’t want to reinforce that! How many times do I have to tell myself, this was dangerous for HSS! Don’t look! 「Please don’t look.」 As I was fighting down my blood flow, at Reki’s abrupt words– I was startled and pulled the『jumped up into seiza 3 』manouevre that Shirayuki does from time to time. However, it seems that she was referring to the picture she was drawing for me… Clearing my throat once, I played off my nervous shaking and looked at her crayon drawing. In the picture of ririirokane in its natural environment– That shape… I’ve seen it somewhere before… I had that feeling. I tried to concentrate on that thought, but with Reki and I facing each other on our knees, my mind was afflicted by a creeping idle thought that this was a fairly seductive position. Do you want me to see inside of your skirt? 「How big is it?」 「About 10 metres in diameter and 3 in height.」 That’s HUGE. Practically a boulder. But from Reki’s description, that makes it roughly circular… the overall shape was a truncated cone. It bulged at its centre like a hat– 「–A coolie hat?」 The descriptive words that came to mind slipped out of my mouth. It wasn’t shaped like a parasol, it was shaped like a coolie hat. In ancient Japan, lots of people wore such a coolie hat to protect themselves against rain and snow. It looked like a women’s straw hat out of a period drama. Then… I had seen it at Shirayuki’s family home at Hotogi Shrine when I was a kid, the Hotogi crest– The shape she had drawn matched the『A star on a coolie hat』very closely. Having a perfectly matched shape… this could not be a coincidence. The Hotogi Shrine had been involved with hihiirokane for a long time. Their crest was not a depiction of a coolie hat. I realised that it was the natural shape of irokane. *********************************** The next morning, most of G-3’s followers were still on holiday. Angus used some of the ruruirokane we had stolen from Area 51 to apply a coating to my butterfly knife–using a process called electroplating. Where once it had been tinged red due to hihiirokane, the blade now carried a blue-ish tinge. I plan to fly to London with this irokane knife today. I wanted to call and report what had happened over the last few days to Aria, but here in America, all of the telephone calls, without exception, are tapped by the NSA– so I asked the former bureau member Mash to help me in that role by sending a message using a Butei cypher. 『Ruruirokane acquired. Scheduled to arrive in London today. No response required』 He helped me send that cyphered message, but also encrypted it electronically. I assembled all of my belongings in my temporary residence of G-3’s penthouse. 「Oi, Aniki! You think you’ll have any trouble getting into England? Don’t you have some kind of B+ rating on a list of dangerous Butei list maintained by the British authorities?」 While eating his usual tomatoes, G-3 delivered some inconvenient news. 「Does that mean that I got a somewhat higher B ranking than the lower C and rank? I could just cry from happiness!」 「This means that you’ll have to disguise and smuggle yourself aboard a passenger airline. Here’s a counterfeit Dutch passport for you to use.」 I had a bad premonition when he mentioned Dutch , and when I opened the passport he handed to me…. Wha!? There was a picture of a beautiful woman inside! 「–This is Cromatael-san’s passport, isn’t it!? How did you find out!?」 「Patra told me. Oi, don’t hit me! There were a bunch of reference photos on Dutch Facebook, but it was a pain to get a front facing composite render!」 I straddled him and pummeled him with my fists from above like Aria would, and G-3 tried his best below to avoid my fists–this was a Tohyama Family farewell tradition. Angus had privately informed me that G-3 would be heading to Asia to seek another path to bring Dr. Sara back, in addition to fulfilling his Ally of Justice work. Even I thought she was cute… but I don’t want to get my brother involved in something ugly. I’ll have to put our sibling team-up on hold for now. Take care of yourself, G-3. **************************************************************** Seemingly having heard from Patra and Lisa in Japan that『Cromatael is a penny-pincher』, G-3 and Angus decided to establish her character… They booked me on a low-cost carrier, EasyJet, on a code-share flight to London. Not knowing that it was open seating, I was left with the narrowest seat at the back of the craft, after all the other passengers pushed their way forward to take the best seats for themselves. As the large Canadaian man in the seat next to me persisted in addressing me, trying to pick me up, I accepted an in-flight cup of water to quench my parched throat and was charged a service fee of 2 dollars. This was certainly very strange. However, the desperate disguise fulfilled its role, and I passed through the immigarion check at London Stansted Airport​ smoothly. Nervous to look at, I passed a note to the older male immigarion officer saying:『Speech handicapped. Please communicate with me by writing』, and his eyes turned to hearts as he readily agreed to help me. Collecting my weapons and ammunition from the baggage claim, I wore a black long coat and ushanka, I looked like a perfectly black Matael as I walked… mistaking me for some famous actress, I felt the painful, longing stares of some Caucasians as I passed.Despite Kinji Tohyama being spurned as『gloomy』and『dim-witted』, as Cromatael I was treated like an exquisitely beautiful lady. Ah! They’re taking pictures with their mobiles. Please stop! Sharing a genetic link with my Nii-san, before I awakened some kind of strange fetish– I made a decisive manoeuvre to change clothes in this rural airport that was pretty crowded for its size and location. Timing it so that no one saw me, I dashed into the men’s toilet. Why do I have to think of things like this? As I stuffed the wig and boots into a rubbish bin, my mobile seemed to pick up a signal from a British radio carrier O2–and the opening strains of Matsukata’s『Hana no Uchi』played. I had a phone call. The country code was +44– so it was from inside the UK. It looked like the digital connection was strong. 「–Aria?」 I answered the call. 『It’s me.』 It was Watson. 「What is it, Watson? Are you in England?」 『That’s a fine greeting! Do you want me to leave you like this?』 Following that statement, there was a *Honk!* *Honk!* A klaxon sound came over the telephone connection. Does that mean he brought a car to meet me? As directed over the phone, I exited the empty airport into the large car park, and leaning against a convertible parked in the corner and wearing a dark blue suit was Watson who gave me a wink. I was a man masquerading as a woman, and this was a woman masquerading as a man. It was an uncomfortably confusing feeling. 「Another 911? You really must like Porsches. Even though the headlights look like frog eyes.」 「Cute, aren’t they? You have no taste, Tooyama.」 Dissing his favourite automobile, Watson puffed out his cheeks just like a frog, and I felt a sense of relief as we met up without incident. 「The airport is pretty packed, isn’t it?」 「Yes, that was a bit unfortunate. It is congested because of the World Convention of Balloon Racers set to be held in London. Staff and participants are arriving one after another.」 As we exchanged idle gossip, Watson drove the car at high speed along the roadway… Watson told me that Aria had asked for help before I arrived. It seems that she also wanted to borrow strength like I did with G-3 and Reki in America. In any case… it seems that dealing with Minuet was not a trivial matter. That is to say, Watson is English. He was the best person for the job. Although she was working with someone else involved in FEW, talking with Minuet is an innocuous act that doesn’t connote a breach of terms. 「If she’s asking for help, does that mean that things with Aria aren’t going well?」 「I’ve only just arrived myself, but it would appear so. I still haven’t met with Minuet. However, it seems that she is already caught up in some kind of trouble…」 「What are you doing, Aria!? Here I am messing around because I thought I still had some time… Where is she right now?」 「Well… The thing is that she’s been arrested. Actually, she hasn’t really been arrested, per se.」 「Who was able to do that? If they were able to arrest and lock Aria up, I want them to teach me how. Was it for national security?」 「Well… The fact of the matter is…」 「Is she in a hospital?」 Did the secret of her transformation leak out, and was she trapped and being studied in a research lab as some new species of human? I probed, slightly worried. 「No, that’s not it.」 「Is she in a hospital?」 A cinnamon scent wafted from Watson as he shook his short hair from side to side.. 「It’s actually MI-6–the Secret Intelligence Service, isn’t it? I got mixed up with them back in Tokyo. When they need to drag someone of Aria’s level along without any questions or fuss, they send out the 00 series. I’ve talked about them before, Jam–」 「–Stop, Tooyama!」 Watson’s expression changed as he cut me off. 「This isn’t Japan. That’s not a name you should speak while in England. That kind of remark is dangerous. Particularly for you.」 Keeping one hand on the wheel, Watson actually reached out and put a hand over my mouth… I fell quiet. 「They have a murder licence–『a licence to kill』. They are free to kill at will any non-British citizens whom they deem to be a domestic or foreign threat to national security. And you are a foreigner here. They could kill you for a few ill spoken words. I don’t want to call it exactly legal, but… they certainly possess fighting power .『He spoke my full name』is good enough reason to kill you. As superhumans among superhumans, they could do it. You should manage your own risk.」 Watson, who had gone all out against me once before in Hysteria Mode Berserk… Is there really someone like that? MI-6’s special forces group, the 00 series? It seems the rumours about the world’s strongest intelligence agents were true after all. What’s more, as Watson said, we aren’t in Japan. It’s a foreign country where customs and laws that would never work in Japan can pass overlooked. Thinking I had become used to being abroad, I must have gotten careless. Anything is the most dangerous when it becomes familiar. I should be careful. But now, as for the people that took Aria into custody… It’s still a bit hazy, but from Watson’s words, it seems that it wasn’t MI-6 either. Who the hell was it? …I have a bad feeling about this. ***************************************************************** Entering London proper from the north, Watson stopped the Porsche on the elegant Grosvenor Road. London was cleaner than Paris and New York, and there was a good balance between the rows of traditional European style buildings and modern buildings. Here, they drive on the same side of the road as in Japan, so I felt no anxiety at all as Watson crossed over a crosswalk. Blessed with fine weather, my first impression of the city was not unpleasant. Tuning left at a corner, Watson brought us to Aria Gardens–a mid-sized park where he led me to a park bench to eat lunch while looking at the rose and gardenia flower garden. Packed inside a basket was a snack of home-made sandwiches and black tea in a thermos. Day by day, Watson’s level of femininity is rising. 「…Thanks. This park is very well-maintained. The weather and atmosphere are also good. But I don’t think that the name Aria Gardens fits very well.」 I said with a sarcastic laugh as I sipped the Assam Tea. 「That can’t be helped. Aria has ownership of the park after all.」 As Watson said that, I spat out my tea violently. 「Huh, wha….!? She owns parks!?」 「Only the one in London. Depending on the time, it’s open to the public.」 Incredible. That’s incredible, Aria! Actually, I still can’t fathom the concept of『owning』a『park』. 「Just how rich are they, the Holmes family…?」 「Actually, this is but one of the many things that Aria should inherit in the future. Were she to be recognised as the official heir to the estate, she would gain many pieces of London real estate: a mansion in Richmond, territory in Dartmoor, and a castle」 …A mansion. Territory. A castle. It conjured up the picture of a fantastical world from a shoujo manga. However, Watson’s manner told me that he wasn’t making a joke. England has still not discarded medieval values, and they are a country that protects cultural traditions. 「But that is uncertain.I remember hearing a little about it from you and Aria, but the Holmes family still have not recognised Aria as the official heir. Because the family founder, Sir Sherlock Holmes is known solely as a detective, the family has traditionally held a reputation for master detectives. If Aria were to succeed… a majority of the Holmes Family are『detectives』, and they feel that the tradition and reputation would be disrupted. The detectives have put forward Aria’s younger half-sister and logical prodigy, Minuet, trying to get her to inherit.」 I understand… The traditional Englishmen want to preserve tradition. Were Aria to gain the position, her fighting prowess would shift the balance, forcing the long-established family of Holmes working as detectives to alter their business model. That’s the gist of it. 「With no offense intended to you as Japanese, but Aria is also three-quarters Japanese. Some people have a problem with that. Minuet’s mother is English, so she is one-quarter.」 Humph! Even in this globalised world, they are still a very conservative country. Aren’t my own younger brother and sister American, my sister-in-law Egyptian, and hasn’t my older brother been unsure of his gender lately. 「However, the times have been changing. Aria is the legitimate heir, and a few of the『Butei』in the Holmes Family have insisted that the Family must change. I agree with them, and I would hope you do as well.」 A cheese sandwich in hand, Watson looked at me with upturned eyes… 「I may be conservative, but I don’t think that there is an issue with the eldest daughter succeeding to be the head of the family.」 I expressed agreement as I stuffed my face with a ham sandwich. Rather… what the hell, Aria!? You pretended that『I am treated as if I「don’t exist」by the Holmes Family』like some kind of tragic heroine. But you own a park and land! To the common person that’s about as far from「being treated as if I don’t exist」as possible, and hyper-Ojou-sama behaviour! But, even so… it must be a hard position to be in for an aristocrat. The circumstances shouldn’t be judged by the common measure. 「Speaking of Minuet, what kind of child is she?」 I asked, diverting the conversation slightly… 「I have never met her, but I have made inquiries. By all accounts, she is a sharp-minded child prodigy hailed as Sherlock Holmes reborn. She is calm and dignified, endearing, and deep within the confidence of royalty and various nobles.」 「Smart, gentle, and sophisticated, huh? So the opposite of Aria.」 As I said that, I surveyed my surroundings, thinking that Aria might kill me before MI-6 had the chance… 「Put another way, she lacks Aria’s energy and vigour. For that reason, the detectives may consider Aria to take charge in the event that an emergency with Minuet’s health occurs. For that reason, no matter what she may do, Aria will not be officially disinherited.」 Watson told me that, and I was finally able to read the room. A noble『family』has a high brand value, large amount of assets, and real estate property–just like a corporation. For those connected to the business and it’s employees… the survival of the business, that is the family, is the most important thing to the members of the corporation. They do not want the Holmes Family to collapse. Therefore, those at the top– are more concerned with the survival of the family than the happiness of their blood relations. For the purposes of the current dispute over the succession of the Holmes Family, it is a dispute between the supporters of the director of Special Projects, Aria, and the General Business director, Minuet. The serving head of the family is an unfathomably lofty position, just like the president of one of the top firms. 「To preserve her image as an aristocrat, Minuet will not meet with just anyone. She is very much a cloistered woman.」 「From what you say, I gather that meeting her will be difficult…」 「Not at all– You may be able to manage to do so.」 Watson said, and in response I stared back at her with a quizzical expression… .「Setting the family situation aside, Minuet seems to like Aria as a person. She is interested in anything relating to her, so she might just meet with her older sister’s partner. However, she is neither the unpredictable type like Aria, nor is she the kind to assume the guise of a commoner like me. She is a genuine aristocrat. Show would definitely grant you an audience, but it will take some time. I know the proper protocols, so please wait a while.」 「Understood. It seems that this matter will require more than the usual methods, so I will use the brief space of time to acclimate myself to London. I ran into trouble in Hong Kong and the Netherlands because I was unfamiliar with the town.」 England was Aria’s motherland– And until I saw it with my own eyes, I had always pictured a place where everyone wore silk top hats and carried walking canes. However, looking around it was much the same『Modern European country』as France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Watson said it before that in Europe,『countries』are like『prefectures』in Japan… I didn’t say it, but there were only slight difference just like those between the Kanto region, Eastern coast, and Kansai『districts』. However, the cultures were subtly different, and if I weren’t careful, I would be swept away, so I read up since Caravan II. With the feeling that I had gained considerable experience studying abroad… 「Well, let’s go. We’ll meet up with Aria. I don’t know if we’ll actually be able to do so, but we’ll only know if we try. If we do meet with her, don’t get upset, understand?」 Watson said, clenching his back teeth. 「?」 「You… when you were in a similar situation before, it was as if you were another person entirely and you launched a relentless onslaught on me. This time, you must restrain yourself. Absolutely so.」 When I attacked Watson…? Is he talking about the time at the Sky Tree when I was in Hysteria Mode Berserk? What does he mean? Now I have a really bad feeling about this. ************************************************************ After that, Watson drove me there in the Porsche, all the while glancing at his watch… We stopped in front of the popular tourist destination made famous in film and photographs– Buckingham Palace. This was the place where Queen Elizabeth actually lived, and the Queen’s Guard with their characteristically tall, black fluffy hats guarded the perimeter with bayoneted assault rifles. According to Watson, the palace grounds exceed 30,000 square metres. Not only the royalty live here, but also several hundred live-in staff work and reside in the 775 rooms. It is fully furnished with dance halls, concert halls, art galleries, and libraries. On the other side of the gold-tipped, spear-like iron fence, a park spread, immaculately maintained and beautiful. As a person lacking any kind of aesthetic sense, I wanted a postcard with that on it. As expected of a world-class palace. It’s status is different from other buildings. After taking a picture with my mobile as Japanese are wont to do… 「Oi, Watson. I’m grateful for the tour to get used to the terrain, but I wanted to meet and talk with Aria. I don’t know where she’s being held, but I wanted to try and meet with her.」 I said, acting on that bad feeling I had just had. Then Watson replied: 「That’s why we came here. Tooyama, you can’t meet with Aria . However, you may be able to see her in passing here. I checked her official itinerary and estimated that she would be returning. Just about now…」 「What? You’re kidding. Come on, hit me with the punchline. I’ll laugh out loud. I don’t get it, so you’ll have to tell me. Where’s Aria?」 「Aria is here, like she usually is.」 –Watson answered, pointing toward Buckingham Palace. The palace. 「Huh?」 「Well… given your relationship, it is pretty hard to tell you, but…」 「I get it. I get it. Watson, you’re a funny guy. Alright. Let’s go meet Aria.」 Replying to the speechless Watson, I jokingly stepped up to the iron fence. Then the moment I laid hands on the fence, pretending I was going to climb it– *Prrrrrrrrrriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!* A whistle sounded. 「…!?」 One of the Queen’s Guardsmen had blown it, and the rest of the guards’ expressions changed as they surrounded me. Then, without warning, one of them seized me by the scruff of the neck and dragged me off of the fence. Almost coincidentally, 2 or 3 of them– No, 10 of them started beating me with the stocks of their L85 rifles… 「Tooyama!」 「Augh…!」 I thought about fighting back, but if I draw my gun, I realised that they would definitely kill me. There are real soldiers– venting their bloodlust on me! As if to prove this fact, some of them pointed the muzzles of their barrels stamped with the letters L85 at my head. –I messed up. I had thought it was a tourist attraction. Realising it after an actual beating, this was like the Imperial Palace in Japan. Despite meaning it as a joke, the guards interpreted my actions as an incursion and were showing no mercy. I had gotten careless, thinking that they were cosplaying or something. These are like the Imperial Guard in Japan. Hand-picked, elite soldiers. Not being in Hysteria Mode, I couldn’t even win against one of them. As all 10 of them conducted a coordinated attack on me– Watson: 「Please stop! He’s an ignorant foreigner and didn’t know where he was! He only wanted to get inside because it was beautiful! He’ll get a strict telling off from me! Don’t kill him!」 Watson shouted at the guards in English, as he tried to pull them apart. Thanks to that, the rain of blows stopped, but entering my field of view after being trodden on like a worn out rag and having a gun shoved into my face… I saw… A golden wheel come slowly into view– A sky-blue car had stopped nearby. It was the quintessentially British Bentley Arnage. Surprised that the car had stopped there, the guards exchanged anxious and tense looks… then, one by one, they moved their feet and butts of their rifles aways from me. Then, in unison, they faced toward the car and bowed respectfully. Watson was also flustered, crossed his hand over his chest and bowed his head. …Who… is that…? With my vision blurred by the blood flowing down my face, I clawed myself up into a crawling posture– One of the guards forced me up into a kneeling position by grabbing and pulling my hair. When I tried to stand, Watson, who was beside me, checked me. 「T-Tooyama! You must kneel. Lower your head. T-This is an Official Car of State–」 As Watson spoke… The car door opened with a *Click!*. Exiting with the scent of gardenias… A… Aria…? Wearing a shimmering metallic golden dress and matching heels– It was Aria. 「–Kinji!?」 Her camelia eyes wide in shock, and her anime-like voice rising, Aria leant me a shoulder, unmindful of the guards. 「…Aria… Why… are you dressed like that…?」 「What are you doing here…!? This is… well, it’s a bit complicated to explain right now…」 Looking the worse for wear after being beaten, Aria dabbed at the blood on my face with her handkerchief. Then from the other side of the Bently– A man in a white suite and sky-blue scarf appeared. He was just as blonde haired and blue eyed as those depicted in illuminated Christian religious art. His skin was pure white. He had a good physique, excellent posture, and I could tell that he usually walked with squared shoulders. Aria looked over at him with a complex expression. 「Who are you…?」 I managed to mutter. 「Tsk! Tsk! Tooyama! Lower your head now! That gentleman– is the Duke of Cleveland, Prince Howard! 4 」 Watson yelped angrily into my ear with a trembling voice. ….A prince…? 「–It is quite alright. Stand, Sir Watson.」 With a clear smiling face, he revealed a set of brilliant white teeth–and Prince Howard continued: 「The foreign media features the Dukes of Cornwall and Cambridge much more often. It is not unreasonable for a commoner in a distant country to not know of us, so the casual address on the part of one so uniformed is more than justified. You lot ought not to have done this. The important tourists that come to admire our fair country should not be stained with their own blood nor our soil.」 As he said that, he pointed to the guards who snapped to rigid attention. Even at such a mild rebuke, they turned ghastly pale. Then they helped me to my feat, dusted off the dirt and wiped away the blood in a complete 180 degree change of treatment. But this was actually… The real thing. An English prince. He was young. Older than me, but not by much. Under 20 years old. 「You are the Kinji that Aria has told us of, correct? Allow us to introduce ourself. We are England .」 About to lightly clapp me on the shoulder, but stopping because it was filthy, the prince’s words– They sounded like some kind of joke, but I knew they weren’t. Atlas had introduced himself before with the similar words『I am American』, meaning he was an American citizen, but– Setting aside his actual name, he is the country of England. A member of the local royal family. 「Hmm. We had heard of the man who fought with Aria in Japan, and we would have thought him to have been stronger.」 「Aria…This prince, why are you with Aria?」 Finally standing up, I asked with a heavy weight in my stomach. Ignoring my question entirely: 「Vulgar American English.」 He turned up his nose at my English. The prince’s Queen’s English was so beautiful to my ears that it did not anger me at all. Naturally, it lacked any accent. On the other hand, my English, learned via『Cuckoo』was the common American English from Hollywood. I made a choked sound. 「We would like to offer you a handshake to mark this occasion, however we cannot do so with such a germ-ridden hand. One day, we may yet shoulder the great responsibility of the entire nation. Ah! Do not approach too closely. We shall be sullied.」 From the very start, he had spoken dismissively to me– Was that some kind of strange, competitive emotion I was detecting? What does he want? Leaving me annoyed, the prince returned to the car. Then, with his elbow against the side of the Bentley, he watched me calmly. Left behind, Aria began to speak in rapid Japanese… 「Kinji. I have not forgotten about the Scarlet Goddess. This is my problem, so please do your best as well.」 「But, why are you driving around with that guy? What about Minuet?」 My naturally unlikeable expression turned into a scowl. 「About that…」 Aria faltered… Watson stepped in using Japanese. 「Tooyama. On the day that Aria returned to England, she was received by Scotland Yard. Present by chance on official business and troubled by a personal problem, Prince Howard asked her to lend her aid. He could not share the exact details, but… in the personal employ of the crown, the prince proposed to bestow upon her the position of an R-rank Butei.」 An R-rank Butie– a Royal Butei. There aren’t more than 7 people in the entire world holding that rank, as a rule, they are private employees of heads of state. That most coveted rank is even higher than the top ranked S-rank in the Butei World… 「Aria, you should go back and stay with Prince Howard. Your status as an R-rank Butei confers extra-judicial privileges. At a stroke, you can make overtures to the Japanese government to release your mother. You can also take action to settle the matter of irokane all at once, without delay. You should not do anything to displease him, so you should return quickly.」 Watson rattled this all off at once… Was it the case that Aria had seized upon this great opportunity here in England to settle her problems in typical Aria fashion? She’s planning to use the help of the world’s most powerful person to pull off a coup in her own difficult situation. Truly, Aria was always surpassing my expectations with her actions. 「I-I thought so at first, but… apart from gaining the R-rank, some strange things happened.」 「Somehow, I understand it. But I want to urge you to hurry up. Tooyama might have an idea, but please explain it.」 「Watson, you of all people– Oh goodness. Kinji. It’s not that I’m dragging my feet! At the same time that all this happened, I contacted Minuet. I also met with Angie.」 With floral decorations riding on her shoulders, Aria turned from Watson to me to give me a hasty explanation. 「Who is this Angie?」 「Angelica Star. She was my Amica from the time I was at London Butei High. But the very next day after talking with Minuet, no one could determine her whereabouts.」 This was the S-rank Amica that Aria was relying on… After just talking with her, she really vanished? In Tokyo, Aria told me that Minuet possesses great powers of suggestions. By simply talking to someone, she is able to influence their thoughts and actions. Minuet had taken a dislike to Angelica, and so she bullied and pushed her thoughts to drive her away. 「Aria. By dedicating the entire resources of Liberty Mason to search for her, we were able to locate her just recently. She had managed to slip into a dangerous geyser in Iceland to dig in the clay, repeating the same thing over and over again as hot water rained down from on high:『The diamonds that lay here are mine!』and she would not stop or listen to anything that anyone said.」 What were you doing Angelica-san? Amica are a lot alike, but this is more than idiotic. 「Minuet did that. She made Angie give up, Kinji. I’ll tell you something about this country that you don’t know. The royal family and nobles in England, collectively, are like the world’s largest group of corporations. The prince is like the son of a head office executive, and I am the daughter of a miniscule branch manager. The nobles cannot defy the royal family.」 Having been abandoned by her Amica Angelica, Aria was explaining the situation with a metaphor similar to the comparison I had used. Under the dictionary heading for『In all Heaven and Earth, I alone am worthy of honour』the entry『This is Aria』appears, but in this hierarchically organised society in England– With her standing, is she unable to defy it? 「We do not care to learn Japanese! Speak English from now on!」 Prince Howard shouted from the car… 「In large part, I discern that you are speaking of us and Aria. Kinji. As a man who loves the same woman, I shall deign to enlighten you. After elevating Aria to make a her career as an R-rank Butei– we intend to eventually make her our wife.」 At his words, Aria went stiff. Her twin tails standing on end, Aria became nervous… 「…!」 She looked to gauge my reaction from my expression before the prince’s. 「In terms of peerage, her position is somewhat lacking, but she could raise it by feats of arms performed as an R-rank–she would gain approbation of the others. For the moment, she shall raise her status. The royal family is a great honour above all others.」 Not liking Aria’s current actions, the prince struck an additional blow with his words. I now see that there must be a misunderstanding about Aria and my relationship. Was this the reason Prince Howard disliked me from the start? Was Howard… smitten with Aria at first sight? This strange guy? Aria–from just her doll-like appearance, she is cute. That is probably all that he liked. But Prince, if you marry her like this, your life will be in a graveyard. That’s not even a metaphor, you’ll be sent off to an actual graveyard. Naive bastard. 「Even the Holmes Family approves. That is all we have to say. Come, Aria.」 Howard spoke with a tone that indicated Aria was under his control. No matter who it is, or if it’s someone’s partner, he’ll steal them away– That must have been his usual experience in life. As a royal, there is no one more powerful, even among the most powerful. But addressing Prince Howard. 「U-uh!」 Aria turned around, but now she was looking back at me. What does this mean? As an ordinary foreign highschool student, I can’t relate to this on any level. Your noble society or marriage. 「About that… Some time ago, I was engaged…」 That came up. Aria’s fiancee. It seems that it was really true. I only learned of it when I eavesdropped on Aria and Watson’s conversations. Even as short and with her tiny breast, it seems that Aria is actually popular. However… thinking about that made me angry. There wasn’t any particular reason, but for some reason I wanted to vent my frustrations on someone. 「Break off that engagement.」 While narcissistically adjusting his hair and tie in the side view mirror of the Prosche, Prince Howard responded easily, as if it were nothing. So it’s come to that? All due to his personality. In response, Aria– She looked in my direction with a puzzled expression. Her eyes fixed on me seemed to say: 『Please say something!』 Hmm. Does she dislike the order to break off the engagement, and is she wanting to vent her anger on me? Very well, I’ll start it. A fight. 「–It’s alright, isn’t it? Just go ahead and break it off.」 I said, my emotions running wild, and Aria’s mouth tugged down into a pout… The she… *Bam!* I received an audible blow to the head. What is this? Isn’t this a bit too much anger? Then after that. Tears began to stand out in both her eyes– For an instant I felt guilty for some unknown reason, but did she know? 「Go ahead and marry this prince of yours, and then you’ll be a princess, won’t you? You’ll be marrying up. Go ahead!」 I shouted, strangely angry as the words poured out of my mouth. In response, Aria covered her face with both hands, crying and looking like the world was ending… then her innate pride rose up. Then–glaring at me with tears in her eyes 「Is that so! Then it’s fine by me!」 Saying something equally unpleasant, she rushed off. Stomping over to Howard’s Bentley she closed the door with a *Clang!* ************************************************************* The damage inflicted by the guards beating was about average for one of Ranbyou’s grueling training sessions. More than the aching pain all over my body… What was this throbbing emotional pain that I didn’t understand? It was stronger. Then afterwards… My juniors had done better than I had. Infiltrating Buckingham palace. I felt no small feeling of defeat. They had seen me beaten down by the guards. On the underside of the Bentley’s frame, the first year ASSAULT student and Aria’s Amica, Mamiya Akari was hanging. The Imperial Spy, Rinzou Akari–that is to say, an official ninja, was her ancestor. Things like this would likely be her specialty. I don’t know the full truth of her feelings, and I don’t want to know, but Mamiya idolises Aria to an abnormal extent… Having deemed Howard to be an undesirable suitor, she may take it into her head to kill him. I don’t think that she will actually kill him, but at the very least, she will act as Aria’s guard dog. So I’ll let it go for now. This matter. Aria… If she were to marry into the royal family, it would solve all kinds of problems she has, wouldn’t it? She’d even be able to look back on the family home where she was a pariah in disdain. Instead of this tiny park, she’d gain the entire country of England. As we returned to the Porsche, Watson informed me that Prince Howard was 8th in line to inherit the throne. With all of the far older princes ahead of him, it was a distinct possibility. If he became king, then Aria would be the Queen Consort, or the Queen. Of all England. The prince… setting aside personality, outwardly he was a handsome athletic type that all the women in England would pine after. He had completed his royally obligated period of military service in the ordnance disposal. However, it was doubtful that such a fastidious man actually performed such service. 「…Tooyama. It might be hard to do, but we should watch and wait. I will continue to work with Minuet, and, if all things go well, it may be managed by royal authority.」 In a somewhat consoling tone, Watson spoke as I was unreasonably angry. Dammit! Why am I so worked up? Is it because the weather took a turn for the worse? 「It’s not that it’s hard. I…」 「You shouldn’t make that kind of bitter expression. We nobles cannot defy royalty.」 He now had compassion in his voice, but: 「That’s not it!」 I shouted, venting my frustration on Watson who hadn’t done anything wrong. A light drizzle had started as we waited at the traffic light by Piccadilly Circus station​… 「This is far enough. I’ll get out here. I’m staying around here, reach out and let me know how things go with Minuet.」 As soon as the Porshce came to a halt, I opened the car door and stepped out without an umbrella. After shouting that in a half-choked voice, without looking back, I dashed down a narrow alley so that Watson couldn’t pursue. Don’t say anything. You don’t have to say anything, Watson. I don’t want you to see. My true feelings. How many times have I been forced to face a formidable enemy and fought them…? But I had run away from facing up to my true feelings about Aria. It was due to my constitution, and I was more than capable of understanding that. I had put on a brave front last year in Hong Kong, here in London I was forced to face it once more. The problems caused by our relative social standings and positions. I’m nothing more than a dull highschool student waving a gun about–and I can’t do anything about it. But right now, there isn’t anything to be said. I don’t want to show you my true feelings. I was running away, just like I always did. In order to avoid showing them, I ran away so that I could manage to live with it. I was doing more or less that for someone. In my case, that person was–Aria. She was the reason. Only her. In this country, the rain isn’t like that in Japan, falling lightly in a mist. Because I was walking without an umbrella, but when I realised that, my clothes had already absorbed the rainwater and become heavy. I was unfamiliar with the climate here. Having left Watson– I should try to conceal myself from the authorities. Watson was connected to Liberty Mason. If I stay with him for a long time, then, possibly due to no ill-will on his part, my location may be leaked to Scotland Yard. They would cast a hard eye at me, the perceived reason that their capable agent, Aria, left for Japan. Moreover, I did not enter the country through official channels. It could be a problem if I were discovered. For that reason, I purposely booked a reservation online with my mobile for a run down hotel with poor reviews–Likely to go bankrupt otherwise, they will accept anyone looking for a place to stay. As would be expected of a large metropolis, locating such a perfect lodging was easy to do. There was such a place on Marshallton Road, in an area where public safety was a bit sketchy, there was a large 10 storey apartment complex run by a middle-aged Chinese man, and I booked what could be called a garret. With a higher latitude than Japan, winter dusk arrived at 5 PM, and I walked through the pitch black darkness of London… Arriving at the building, it lacked a lift, so the fat, stout, balding Chinese man led me up the stairs. 「You American? You’re completely soaked. Like a stray dog.」 「It’s fine. You don’t need to see my passport to confirm my nationality. I’ll be here for a week.」 「I’ll leave you alone then, but that will be 700 pounds.」 700 pounds… that’s 100,000 Yen, isn’t it? I had withdrawn my scholarship money from an ATM at the airport, but isn’t that expensive? 「Oi! You shouldn’t be overcharging a guest.」 When you enter a town, you follow its rules, so I let my gun glint in the light–but the Chinese are brave, as a rule. What’s more, there are a lot of mafias operating in the area, so the man was used to seeing guns and unfased. He actually laughed at me. 「I see that you’re Japanese yakuza. You’re a bumpkin so I’ll tell you, the pound is running high right now. If you don’t trust me, check the current exchange rate on your mobile.」 He said, and checking myself… Sure enough, the rate against the Euro had risen sharply. That was unlucky. 「That’s a Sharp brand. I knew you were Japanese. Was I telling the truth?」 「I get it, I get it. I’ll pay. But if you report me, I’ll kill you. Don’t underestimate the yakuza.」 The difference between a Butei and yakuza is paper thin, so as I gave that explanation for myself– Taking the Euro notes out of my wallet, I pushed them up against his large gut. The man said: 「Your English is a little bit rural. You’re speaking an American dialect more provincial than mine.」 Saying that, he handed over the key, leaving me with those words as he headed downstairs. I see, that’s why he thought I was American at first. Even using the key, the door was stuck and hard to open, but I managed it and entered the garret… It was directly next to the boiler room. Although it was winter, it was damn hot. But if I opened the window, it would let the rain in. I give up. What’s more, my stomach growled. Due to that, I headed down to the general variety shop on the first floor of the building… All of the food was expensive, but I bought a carton of milk and cereal. I ate it using the tableware on the garret shelf, but it was horrible. It tasted like paper. Given the fact that it was 30 C in the room, I stripped down to my underwear to allow my clothes to dry– A message arrived on my mobile. But it didn’t have an associated email address because it came from the Butei High intranet that was forwarded from a public email client. Looking over it suspiciously, the sender was listed as mamiyaakari@… It was from Mamiya Akari. 『Recently discovered information report. Aria-senpai serves as the Prince’s bodyguard until 1700. They are now at a state dinner for nobles and royalty. Afterwards, she will stay at the Savoy Hotel apart from the palace. Howard appears to be very germaphobic even with women. Do not worry about that.』 What a thing for her to write. Because she didn’t come out and say it, I wasn’t sure what she was trying to say… However, it seems that she wants me to cooperate with her to keep surveillance on Aria. But wherever Aria goes is her own personal business. It has nothing to do with me. No matter what though, I can’t imagine that Aria’s stalker, Mamiya, will kill the prince in the near future, so I have peace of mind. But is Aria-sama really at such a swanky party at that palatial hotel? No wonder she was wearing that flashy dress. Meanwhile, I’m sitting in my underwear in this garrett, eating cereal that tastes like cardboard. Hmph! Even though I flew here directly from America for this purpose, I’m getting angry… Getting angrier and angrier, but… I haven’t forgotten. My promise to help Aria from becoming the Scarlet Goddess. I had recently taken on the official responsibility for it, and if I am not successful at the end of March, then Tamamo will kill Aria. Even if the possessed Aria is able to kill Tamamo, it would be a problem if she started waging war afterward, and I wouldn’t know what to do. What’s more… even though I am angry… I would feel bad for Aria. If her personality were hijacked. With my own personality hijacked by Hysteria Mode, I have a good understanding of the bitter pain. –『Help me.』『I need you.』– –That’s what Aria said that night in the greenhouse. She’s afraid of becoming the Scarlet Goddess. But even before she had said that, I had made up my own mind. No matter what happens, I will always be on her side. That was decided the day I became Aria’s partner. That doesn’t change no matter how many times we quarrel. So that’s what I’ll do. Even if Aria becomes some kind of princess, I’ll help her. No matter how many bad things happen, that is what I have decided. As a man. Therefore… My body is just this honest. My Hysteria Mode Berserk kicked in today when my woman was taken away by another man, causing Watson to worry, hadn’t it? At my core, I firmly believe in my bond with Aria from the bottom of my heart. She will definitely not partner with anyone else besides me. ************************************************************* As I laid on the bare mattress, I received a message from Watson. 『I’ve called in some help, so I would like to know where you are staying.』 So I replied with the address of the garrett–just waiting for the meeting with Minuet to be finalised. Without anything to do while waiting, I was just sightseeing under the cloudy sky of London. Having smuggled myself into the country, I couldn’t really tour much beyond the local neighborhood. Unlike the multi-coloured brick houses of Brussels and Amsterdam, old, whitewashed apartment buildings predominate here. They had a neat and tidy external appearance with many entrances on the first floor, but inside, it was a jumbled structure. If you were to make a model of this building, the interior would be quite complex. It would be very helpful to be able to read the signs inside, written in English. However… when it comes to the Pound, the prices of goods are a problem. As can be seen by using the prices of MacDonalds as a barometer for foreign price indexing, the cost of living in London is high. Why is a lunch set 1,500 Yen? But I didn’t want to eat any more of that cereal, so I followed the locals to a bakery where I purchased a large loaf of bread for that day and the next, I lived a frugal life, dividing it into 3 portions–one for each meal of the day. Then on the morning of the third day of waiting… I splurged on some cheese to put on my bread, and as I left the bakery the sky was overcast, and I bumped into a skinny, scruffy boy. He was peeking into the bakery with his fingertips inside and failed to notice that I was coming out. The blonde-haired boy’s blue eyes widened in fear as he looked up at me– And as the scent of cheese wafted up from the paper bag I was holding… *Grrr!* His stomach growled. …Was he hungry? More so than me? Yeah, that has to be it… 「Well, I guess your luck runs out sooner or later.」 Muttering this in Japanese, I held out the bag of bread out to the boy. Taking it with a shocked look on his face, and before his expression could change to one of pleasure or thankfulness, he dashed down an alleyway. Then it looked like he divided it up into smaller portions to share with his little, younger brother and sister, and they wolfed it down quickly in a corner. Where there is royalty, nobility, and commoners… there will naturally be beggars as well. England is a class-based society, and I wonder if you are born poor in this country if you will be poor for the rest of your life? Just thinking about it makes me feel sorry for them. But this wasn’t a situation when I could be sorry. My scholarship isn’t deposited until tomorrow, so I have nothing to eat until tomorrow. But that is an issue, now raised, that I must accept. …There’s nothing else to be done. I plan to walk back to my bed with a hungry stomach and pass the day there in sleep. Making that up in my mind, as I turned to head back to the garrett: 「–Mooi! Lisa, Lisa is moved to tears! Master!」 I was surprised and embraced tightly as she jumped toward me. Huh…!? Th-th-this is Lisa! Wasn’t she in Japan!? 「W-why are you here…!?」 Losing my balance backwards, Lisa supported me from behind like a ballroom dancer and said: 「Watson-kyoua 5 told me:『Tooyama is entirely unable to make a living for himself, so he will end up eating nothing but bread. Please take care of him.』and sent me a plane ticket to London.」 She said such a thing with a broad smile on her face. 「The sight of you bestowing bread upon that poor, unfortunate child–it was enough to bring a tear to Lisa’s eye. Ah, how truly wonderful of Lisa’s hero-sama..! Heel mooi!」 Lisa was dressed for a winter trip in a felt, straw hat-shaped hat, a puff-sleeved blouse, and long skirt–a sweet maple syrup scent wafting from her fluffy hair. *Rub!* *Rub!* While clinging to me, she rubbed her head against my chest. Putting her scent on me like a cat. …Watson did say,『I’ve called in some help.』… As one familiar with life in Europe, she was well-behaved enough to not stand out and whose total lack of combat strength was unlikely to trigger a breach of the cease-fire… Was that the reason Watson chose her? In all practicality, however, it might be helpful for a man living alone to have a maid stay with him. 「I-I understand. Let go! We may be in Europe, but we are still in the middle of the road. Let me go.」 「Ufufu! My apologies. I am just so happy…」 Narrowing her still moist emerald eyes beneath her long lashes, she bobbed her head in acknowledgement. In accordance with my orders, she took a step back and pinched and spread her skirts as she bowed. With that action… slightly more pale than the typical Englishwoman, her beautiful long blonde hair waved. 「But a maid is always by her master’s side. She has a preference for the heroic. A hero-sama is always showering love upon his first wife and lovers–Lisa would be very content with the scraps of love by being near him.」 「…?」 Lisa said something I didn’t understand while setting her suitcase down on the cobbles by her feet… As I tilted my head to the side in confusions, Lisa hurriedly added to it of her own accord: 「According to what Watson-sama said, Master has been alone for a while. It must have been hard on your body. From tonight onwards, please feel free to use Lisa as a woman as you wish. Lisa will freely accept whatever use you shall put her to.」 「…」 「Such is the proper relation between a hero-sama and his maid, as was passed down by the Avé du Ank Family. Such is also the quickest manner in which to become pregnant with child.」 96% of her words were not heard due to the Tohyama Family’s Noise Canceller, and so I replied: 「Thanks for coming. Having you here makes life a lot easier.」 「Right. When there are other women in the house, it is only proper that a maid should take a step back, but now, for the first time in a long time, it is only the two of us. Let’s take full advantage of this chance.」 In actuality, rather than a single step, I would prefer women to take 100 million steps back but… I can’t say that, so I smiled back. Lisa seems intent on persevering in something while smiling cherubically and following close behind me. ************************************************************* Watson’s appointment of Lisa was well done. He has a phenomenal talent for oversight. Upon seeing my poor accommodations, Lisa said: 「Have no fear. Lisa shall follow Master no matter how low he falls into poverty.」 As the angelic Lisa said that subtly rude thing, she began cooking rice that she had brought from Japan in a pot. With the scarce pence that I had remaining, Lisa bought some eggs, and in an instant she had katsuobushi onigiri and fried eggs with miso soup arranged in a line on the table in the garret. 「How is it…? Good? Master.」 「Delicious. Absolutely wonderful. It’s been a while since I had rice, coming to England via The United States.」 「We still have more rice, so please ask for more if you wish.」 Looking truly happy, Lisa brought out more food, but… for some reason, there was preparation on her forehead. Ah! I know why. This room is hot and stuffy. Being next to the boiler room raises the temperature to 30 degrees. I’m putting up with it because I’m only wearing a thin shirt apart from my trousers, but it must be hot for someone like Lisa who is from the cold northern country of The Netherlands and dressed for the winter. She is not letting it show on her face, however. But as I am eating, I am noticing her usual maple scent intensify due to her perspiration. Th-this is not good. This cloying scent is seductive. With each breath I take, I can feel my level of Hysteria Mode rising ever so slightly. Why is a woman’s perspiration in the air so dangerous? Anything feminine is a problem for me! Ah, my head is swimming…! But Lisa doesn’t appear to be wearing any perfume, and it would seem that this scent is a natural function of her female body. Because it would be wrong to scold her for this, instead I said: 「…You should change out of those hot-looking clothes. Now then, did you bring anything to wear?」 I said to address the sudden emergency, pointing to her suitcase, but that was a mistake. 「Really, Master? It is not even noon. But being alone as a man until now–it must have been difficult. I have prepared myself for this, after all… This makes Lisa, very, very happy…」 Despite the way her eyebrow lowered in annoyance and the somewhat angry tone, her words were those of joy for some reason I did not understand… Following these curious remarks, she took the strange action of closing the curtains. Then… Her white cheeks flushed a light pink as she looked back at me… Kneeling next to her suitcase on the floor, there was a *Click!* It opened. Then she made a series of movements. 「…I will change into this to serve you. Although I have the skin of a servant girl, I have done my best to prepare myself. Please use me as you will…」 –Then she took it out suddenly. Holding it in both hands in front of her to hide her red face, she had taken her ace from the suitcase–a pure white cat garter! 「No, that’s not what I meant! I wanted you to change clothes, not do this! This isn’t what I meant when I said to change! Oi! Stop it…!」 「…But you were so worried about it being warm. Lisa has been so impolite as to have perspired a bit, so I must be unclean in your eyes.」 Wha! You’re not listening at all to my orders! In the cramped narrow room, there was no escape, and as I watched, there was a *Rustle!* and *Rustle!*… …*Pop!*… Undoing the buttons on her blouse, she took it up over her head. As she did so she whispered something like: 「Come on, Lisa!」 To herself in encouragement. –*Whoosh!*… Delicate lace outlined what was contained in a European-sized bust as they returned to their natural position by gravity after being lifted with the blouse… It was now possible to see them fully. I-Incredibly, they were Shirayuki, Nakasorachi, and Moe Mochizuki-class. Just now, I saw movement underneath her breasts–between her breast and torso, a bead of sweat glistened like a diamond. Do you sweat there when you are a girl with a large chest? What an astonishing discovery. Ah… with a *Ziiip!*, she began to pull down her skirt…! What that means is that Lisa was in just her underwear. In response to: 『You should change』 , she had only taken out the cat garter. It was a 10 cm, see-through micro-mini-skirt connected via a belt reaching down to garters that would wrap around each thigh. What could be called underwear, or panties, were entirely absent. No way…! Aah! This can’t be happening! Lisa’s hands are reaching down! 「Don’t take them off! Don’t take them off, you nudist!」 「Huh? Would it be better if I started at the top?」 I saw that Lisa was now reaching behind her back to unclasp the hooks there. 「—Uoooooo!」 Taking advantage of the energy I had gained back from Japanese rice fueling the blood flow of Hysteria Mode, I dashes through the curtains. Then, without time for any consideration, I was fortunate enough that there was a thick cloth sunroof spread out on the floors below, and I debuted the Tohyama Dive in England aiming for it. After making.and incredible bounce off of it, I fell toward the roadway… then I fell into a sitting posture in a seat of a London-exclusive double-decker bus that happened to be passing by, Like Jackie Chan had done. 6 [END TEXT] ************************************************** 1. The original term here is ‘ Douki no Sakura ’, was also the name of a Japanese WWII war song about the various fate of fellow students graduating a military academy and going off the war. 2. There’s a semi famous cafe in Japan with a dog mascot Called Buddy’s Harius . 3. Japanese formal kneeling posture. 4. Not a real person. Duke of Cleveland is a title that has been created and shelved many times in the past for royal family members when they need one. Hasn’t been used in a while because they didn’t need it. Last in use 1891. 5. Honorific roughly equivalent to ‘Sir/Lady’ or ‘Lord/Lady’ that is lower status than royalty. 6. Probably a reference to a scene in ‘Police Story’ where he runs to catch a bus and hangs/fights off it. He doesn’t exactly do what Kinji does, but the reference probably isn’t meant to be exact. ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ### 002. Bullet 4:Quadra on Big Ben Here it is! Most of the remaining volume in one shot. Will maybe get to the last pretty soon. I’ve been neglecting my music practice lately, and I have a lesson tomorrow. It all depends on how much my instructor yells at me… (I deserve it) Anyway… Onward ho! Chapter 4: Quadler on the Clocktower ― Quadler on Big Ben [BEGIN TEXT] I had another bad feeling about this. Early the next morning, Minuet received a phone call from a lady’s maid at Buckingham Palace, requesting her presence as soon as practicable– Aria had left word for a message to be relayed that the Prince was no longer there . He was not merely absent, but rather announced a last minute holiday, giving no clue as to where he was going nor how long he might be gone… She must have asked that the information be relayed to her family home so that her schedule would be known. 「It would appear that my elder sister is still free to travel. However, there is something strange about this recent development.」 Minuet also seems to have a bad feeling about this, and she seemed to be trying to deduce Aria’s location. That being the case, in order to obtain a clue myself– I immediately placed a call to her Amica, Akari Mamiya, myself. As soon as the connection was made: 「Oi, Mamiya! Have you been stalking Aria since early this morning?」 『I. HAVEN’T. BEEN. STALKING. I am bodyguarding. Anyway, yes. I can see her now.』 What? Finding her so quickly was a bit anticlimactic. 「Where?」 『At a cafe this morning with a friend for breakfast, I guess? The girl was quiet and cute.』 Mamiya seems to be slightly annoyed, but that seems to be the extent of it because she is with a girl, compared to the bloodlust she radiated as she stuck to the car like a remora when Aria was with the Prince. This woman is someone that is almost impossible to understand. However… For the moment, I was not very concerned. Unlike Minuet, Aria does not have only a few friends. However, the quiet type is not her kind of friend. 「…Did you happen to take a picture of this friend? Can you send it to me?」 『I did, but this is not a free service. Butei to Butei, it is a 2,000 Yen charge.』 I received this message from Mamiya who hated working with men, and afterwards I decided to take the hit with a handful of 4 500 Yen coins– then I waited a brief period. The photograph sent to my mobile was of an open-air cafe with an antique style heater with a paper bag on an empty seat, and they drank coffee and black tea… Aria wore a Butei High girl’s uniform… The other girl was wearing a Japanese schoolgirl style blazer and a feather plumed hat with a chequered pleated skirt. –When I saw her face, my blood boiled. Typhoon Sarah …! Formerly a mercenary hired by GRENEDA, Sarah Hood now seemed to be serving Habi and the red oni clan as an archer. Sarah was a descendant of the English hero, Robin Hood. As a British person, it wasn’t odd to see her here in London. I had last seen her in the skies above Tokyo on the Fugaku, but seeming her here now– –Returning home must have been the oni’s suggestion. The oni have some kind of strange ability to ascertain Aria’s location. From the scene, it looked like someone giving another person advice. The oni definitely check in periodically to assess Aria’s condition, waiting and gauging the time until the true advent of the Scarlet Goddess. If they judged it to be close–they may abduct her. 「Mamiya. I’ll pay you another 2,000, but don’t let Aria out of your sight. By any means necessary.」 Hurriedly I, placed a call to Mamiya– According to Mamiya, Aria and Sarah had gone into the shop and hadn’t come back out. I expressed the idea that perhaps they had gone to the toilet together like typical highschool girls, but Mamiya refuted that. 『But I don’t think that there is one.』 Sarah must have sensed Mamiya’s presence and given her the slip. This was a distinct disadvantage. In order to not lose any more ground, I quickly explained the situation to Minuet. Then: 「This is bad. They could have already kidnapped Aria.」 I said, already panicking– 「Do not be worried, Kinji. If she was abducted, they will be forced to take a circuitous route to their final destination. From what I have heard, I believe that the assessment that she has been『kidnapped』is premature. The reality is likely much more inopportune.」 A cherry scent wafting from her pipe, Minuet gazed out the window. 「Inopportune…?」 I furrowed my eyebrows with the question. Then something else happened. An uninvited guest came to Minuet’s home. While trembling, Sachet and Endora showed me into the living room– A tall figure wearing an expensive looking white suit, sunglasses, and white snakeskin shoes stood there. 「–Aria is not here, is she? Please do not reveal the fact that I have been here, I have walked here myself. I am currently『incognito』.」 Wearing a costume that served in no way as a disguise, it was easy to tell that it was Prince Howard. 「Aria isn’t here, Howard. And we’re too damn busy to deal with you…」 「Now, now. Welcome to this old house so early in the morning. I am pleased to be granted an audience on two successive days. It is an honour for Your Highness to be searching personally for my elder sister Aria.」 After pinching me in the rear, Minuet pinched her own skirts in greeting. 「Quite so. I have been informed of Aria’s unfortunate past by both MI6 and Scotland Yard, but above all else, I, myself, wish to proffer my best wishes for her health.」 「Hmm. Best wishes for her health , you say. Has my elder sister’s health declined?」 Minuet chattered on to Howard, keeping him in good humour and skillfully picking out the keyword clues in his speech. 「It is as you say. She said something to the effect of:『Please allow me a brief holiday to seek treatment for a chronic condition』, those were her parting words. I asked:『Where is the clinic you are going to?』, but she merely shook her head. I thought that perhaps she was seeking treatment and recuperation at her own or a family member’s home.」 「Howard. It’s a made-up illness. She’s a very healthy person.」 I cut off Howard’s seemingly useless information, but Minuet pushed forward from beside me… and with a *Whir!*, she interposed her wheelchair between us. 「–It may be embarrassing for His Royal Highness the Prince’s ears, but the explanation is a simple one. There is also an E-Rank Butei here, lacking in the ability to understand… And so I shall step you through it from the start, like the steps of a minuet.」 Her eyes–are sharp. More so than usual. Back on I.U., Sherlock had such an expression a few times, and only for a few moments. These two are truly alike. It must be the sign that they are exercising their deductive powers of reasoning. 「My elder sister is not a skillful liar. Those unskilled in the art of falsehoods unconsciously consider the need for later consistency in their tale, and merely altering the words, they speak the truth. That is to say it is not a lie, so much as it is the actual truth. Therefore, it is not a chronic condition that my elder sister spoke of–but a matter relating to the bullet lodged in the vicinity of her heart. My elder sister merely described it as a『chronic condition』.」 The bullet lodged in the vicinity of her heart–The hidan! And a matter relating to it. –Does this mean it has something to do with the Blazing Scarlet Goddess? 「In order to『treat』this condition, my elder sister must collect several articles that were previously stolen from her. It would seem that she has almost done so, and she has gone to retrieve it herself from Habi, the person who holds the last article, and who will not return it. That was her intended meaning of『to seek』.」 …『Chronic condition』,『treat』, and『seek 』, What she meant was… She went to take back the karagane from Habi in order to prevent the advent of the Scarlet Goddess. Is that what it means? 「–Why the hell did she go alone! That idiot! She should have asked me…!」 Without caring that I was doing so in front of the Prince, I complained as I checked my guns. Aria… even though you asked me to help you. You promised back in the greenhouse. I said I’d back you up. So why did you do this anyway…!? 「–If Kinji where to get close to Aria, Scion would intervene. If she can recover what was stolen by herself, then Kinji will not be killed by Scion–therefore she has chosen to infiltrate Habi’s base of operations.」 …An infiltration operation… She can’t do something like that alone! No matter how independent and self-reliant she is! To be sure, Aria was originally a one-woman show as a Butei. She must have decided to handle it all on her own. She must have gotten so desperate that she didn’t think that she could rely on me… That bad habit had reared its head again…! 「In London, the circumstances of my elder sister’s daily life have altered. Under the pretext of the use of an agent, she intends to use said agent to guide her to Habi’s location.」 Minuet gave a slightly incomplete explanation to Howard who stood in front of her– I, however, understood the implications of her deduction. Contacting an agent, namely Sarah, she could have taken advantage of the situation… She might have used the excuse of her pending marriage to the Prince and given the excuse that she『wants to run away』. As far as the oni are concerned, such a story would seem credible– Such would also be like finding a duck carrying spring onions. 1 If Aria came to them, seeking asylum before transforming into the Scarlet Goddess, of course they would say:『Sure. Come on in.』 That is definitely the simplest story to go with. And it would also occur to Aria when planning an infiltration operation. But after that, things get hard. Even if she could fool one of Habi’s companions and be taken to their hideout…she would have to escape cleanly after snatching back the piece of karagane from inside their leader Habi, protected as she was by Yen, Tsubaki, Sarah, and other oni, and somehow get back to Japan where Tamamo was. …Dammit… Aria had rushed in alone and her surroundings had closed in about her. It’s just like the bus-jacking last April. But– 「Minuet. Assuming your interpretations are right, I’m going to go rescue Aria, even if I’m called a busybody. However, this is a mountain that I could never hope to break through all by myself. Even if I left right now, I would be stopped for sure.」 Even supposing I could go and carry off Aria, then word of her flight would spread. And if she decides foolishly to fight, then there would likely be no way around fighting Sarah. Sarah is essentially a sniper– a witch with her bow. That is the worst type of enemy for me. In a video game, it would be like a fire-type character challenging a water-type, and in reality it would put me at a distinct disadvantage. 「This agent poses a great threat to me, personally. I would prefer not to fight them, but I will do it in my own way if I have to.」 I took out my mobile and said this as I showed Minuet the picture of Aria and Sarah. 「The story you told is mere deduction. If I’m going to set myself to tackle this mountain, I need some kind of evidence that your deductions are correct–I need definitive proof.」 I said, cocking the hammer of my pistols with a *Click!* and placing them into my holsters– 「Definitive proof exists.」 Minuet turned towards me, her forget-me-not blue eyes brimming with a strong will. 「–I know it is true because I am her younger sister.」 In response– 「That is the best proof possible.」 I responded briefly. Right. We have determined to recover Aria. However, London is vast. We must first determine Aria’s destination, then go from there. As planned, Mamiya had lost sight of Aria, but even then– I spoke to Howard, who seemed somehow more thick-headed than me and had listened to Minuet’s story without understanding many of the details. 「Howard. As things stand, Aria will be kidnapped. Actually, she seems to be kidnapping herself. You can use your power to mobilise the police to discover Aria’s location. Then I’ll go there.」 In the middle of my explanation… 「Did you not hear what was just said? I hold a very specific position. Aria is my intended Crown Princess. If I were to employ the police in such a matter, there would be a scandal. I refuse.」 「I don’t care about a scandal! It will be fine, if we–」 「You should both take me quickly to Aria. This is all taking on quite the air of a fight scene. I am glad to have thought to have brought this.」 WIth more willful egotism than Aria, Howard– With all the grace of a rank amatuer, he took out a Webley Mark IV revolver, muttering: 「Now them, how do you disengage the safety.」 As he fiddled with it. Entirely unaware of where the muzzle was pointed, it now drifted towards Sachet. 「–Stop! That’s dangerous! Don’t just disengage the safety in a place like this! Don’t put your finger on the trigger! You only do that just before you fire it! Weren’t you in the Army!?」 「Correct. I was in the 8th Engineer Brigade, 29th Combat Engineer Bomb Disposal Group.」 「Then why don’t you know any of that!?」 I shouted as I took the show piece revolver from him. 「In my time attached to the Army, I was only taught the elements of bomb disposal in an academic setting. Such a dangerous weapon could never be allowed in my presence.」 He said all this with a casual expression. This guy is totally useless…! 「–You wish to know where my elder sister is located? That much is able to be known from simple deduction.」 On the other hand, Minuet was able to be relied upon here– 「The coffee shop in the photograph you have just shown me is the Free State Cafe, 70 metres north of the Holborn Tube Station on Southampton Row. The fact that they met in such a difficult to reach place within the town centre means that her counterpart has a base somewhere inside the city. The paper bag that the girl in the photo brought with her is from a liquor store. From the size of the bag and it’s creases, I am able to deduce the shape of the containers within. They are a shimiin arkhi 2 , a liquor that has recently become popular in London, if I am not mistaken. Does Sarah drink?」 「No, even on the Fugaku–when the others were drinking and making merry, she didn’t drink any. The only thing in this girl’s unbalanced diet that she ate was boiled broccoli.」 「There was a salad on the table in the photograph, and there was a boiled egg slice provided as garnish that Sarah had set aside on her plate. She is a vegetarian– if she will not eat any egg, dairy, or any other animal product, then she is a vegan. In that case, the choice of alcohol is curious. Shimiin arkhi consists of cow’s milk, sheep’s milk, and sugar fermented together into a milk-based alcohol–that is to say, it comes from an animal. In that case, then I would wonder who would have dispatched her on such an errand to purchase it.」 I followed the well-read Minuet’s line of logic… and as a result… 「Dammit! They’re here! The oni! The oni like rice sake, and to overindulge in food and drink.」 It’s not just Sarah, but the oni are here too. That’s bad. I hadn’t noticed earlier…! 「On our walk the other day, I noticed that there was a private Cadogan Restaurant truck accepting a delivery of sacks of Japanese rice. The restaurant is fastidious about employing purely domestic British ingredients, and they would never place such a large order of imported goods. I did not understand why they would lay in such a large supply of Japanese rice.」 S-she’s very observant. What’s more, she remembered it as well. If it were me, I couldn’t even remember which street I had wandered down. 「Where is the restaurant?」 「At the top of Cheyne Walk–a small passenger vessel is still moored at the bank of the Thames. The entire craft consists the Cadogan Restaurant.」 Having deduced Aria’s destination, Minuet operated her wheelchair and moved toward the entranceway. I followed after her. 「We are going to a formal menswear shop on Baker Street. The restaurant requires all guests to dress formally, without exception. With such a rough and used up uniform as you now wear, you would be refused even employment at the establishment.」 「We can’t! There isn’t any time to have clothes made–」 Walking past Endora and Sachet who were wrapping a shawl and tucking in a lap blanket around her from both sides, I stuck my head between them to speak to here and… With a *Thunk!*, Minuet struck me on the head with her pipe. 「We have already had a march stolen upon us. Rushing in hastily would be a poor stratagem. In this case, we must find a gap in our opponents’ defences through which to strike.」 「Gap? Do you think there will be a point where both Sarah and the oni are both careless–?」 「Now, Kinji. That is elementary. There is a point in time where everyone, I mean, all animals, are inattentive. When there is something else important to attend to, they will certainly avert their gaze.」 「When?」 「During meals.」 Minuet answered, and without further prompting, she continued– 「A belly full of gluttony will never study willingly. 1 Rice is one of the most readily digested foods, and if they are partial to alcohol, then this will be our chance. You should infiltrate while the enemy’s vigilance is relaxed.」 –For the sake of her older sister, she opened the door herself. ********************************************************************** Something ready-made, bulletproof, and suiting my figure– With those restrictions, my potential options were limited, so I donned a black suit that the elderly shopkeeper brought to me that morning under Minuet’s watchful eye. The jacket fit snugly to my body; the shoulder was a natural shoulder style; the lapels and collar were narrow; and the waist was so high and tight that it looked like an X-shape from behind… a quintessential British suit. What’s more, I was forced to wear it in the British style, fastening only the centre of the 3 buttons and with one of the buttons on the cuff missing. It looks like you can only get it in this style of buttons 「Isn’t it a bit tight, actually… Isn’t it a bit old-fashioned…?」 To top it all off, there was a dark purple tie and white pocket kerchief to tie it all all together as I complained. 「Whatever do you mean? I think that it suits you well. I might just fall in love.」 Stepping out onto the street together, she looked up to me with an expression of genuine admiration. Then under Minuet’s order, the transportation that Sachet and Endora had procured for me was… some kind of bicycle. It was a public bicycle rental, employed by citizens for ecological reasons. What was more, it was meant for a couple of two people and was totally uncool. It appears to be the only one on Baker Street currently. When I talked to Watson on the phone, he had said that although a car was faster in terms of covering distance, because of all the traffic in London, a bicycle was still more preferable, so I reluctantly straddled the front seat. However… I still had some residual trauma about bicycles. Back in April, I had been bicycle-jacked. And what is more, after that, a bus-jacking and airplane-jacking followed. As I sent up a prayer toward a distant church cross that such a thing would not occur… I checked that there was not an explosive under the seat– 「What is this now? A bicycle? I have never ridden upon one, so this should be an interesting experience.」 Wha? I’ve already been hijacked! The white-suited Prince laid his handkerchief across the rear seat of the 2-person bicycle. He was smiling. .「As you are no doubt already aware, Aria is a stubborn woman. What shall you do if she refuses to listen and come back with you? In such a case, I could merely order her back. A quintessential aristocrat, Aria cannot defy my orders. Now then, let’s look lively there.」 It seemed that Minuet would not defy the Royal will, so I had no help from that quarter against the egotistical Howard. As a result– .「Fine! Do whatever you want to! But no matter what happens, I’m not saving you!」 .「I never for a moment supposed that you were one to be relied upon.」 Expressing our mutual dislike of each other, we set off on the bicycle built for two that was intended for use by good friends. ****************************************************** As we passed through the morning sun on our way toward the restaurant, Howard complained the entire way. We had not even gone a single kilometer when he said: 「My legs are fatigued. I cannot pedal any further!」 Why are your legs tired from riding a bicycle? After that, he was nothing more than a burden, and as I stood up to pedal he shouted: 「Such speed! Is this not dangerous!?」 While attempting to pull me down by my trousers. Can’t I just throw him into the Thames? All of these British people? With those thoughts in mind, I passed down Cheyney Walk as instructed by Minuet–and there I saw the large cruiser, semi-permanently docked at the bank of the Thames, and operating as the Cadogan restaurant. There was a short gangplank stretching out from the wharf to the ship with a notice hung on it that read:『Chartered for the day』 Leaving the bicycle at a bicycle rack by the riverbank, I first observed the strength of the enemy position from the dock… The forward deck was screened off by a large square curtain. What was more, out-of-season cherry blossoms and trees had been brought in from somewhere and were arranged against the backdrop of the curtains. 「What manner of hanging curtains are those? The pattern is beautiful. I find it quite striking, myself.」 「Those curtains are used to enclose the location of a Japanese banquet.」 Giving the clueless Howard a brief explanation– On the curtains, the five-sectioned melon cross section with the stylised『無』character was dyed. I saw it on the Fugaku, and it was the same symbol of the oni. They really did come to England. The wind gusted, and I saw through a crack what was inside the curtains. –They were there. The oni had apparently been engaged in a revel since the early morning. For some reason, there was an African design rug on which they sat in a circle around a pyramid of onigiri as they ate. The alcohol they drank wasn’t Japanese sake, but apparently not being choosy, they were consuming Western spirits. It seems… some kind of blend of Japanese and African culture that they have adopted as their own. The oni, that is. The fluttering wind allowed fleeting views into the enclosed area. Because of my vantage point, I could see the large, good-looking female oni, Yen. 「–The life of men is 50 years–」 4 I heard a husky voice. In an African patterned kimono, she seemed to be whirling in some kind of dance. As I watched, Yen turned red as she drank from a scarlet sake cup– Wearing a black formal Tomesode​ 5 like a sorority mother, despite appearing to be of similar age as myself, was Tsubaki. She was a slender oni with long black hair who wore a sadistic expression. …Yen has her strength, Tsubaki has her speed… and besides those… There’s another one of them? No, I am not sure if this other one is an oni. They were inside a pot with a design that looked to have come from Africa itself, reaching out from the pot like the arms of an octopus. Occasionally the lid opened slightly and thin, dark brown arms appeared. Gathering up onigiri and alcohol in their hands or tossing out empty plates and bottles…Ah! Just now I saw 3 arms! Does that mean that there are at least two of them inside? It has been a while since Jeanne told me about it, but this is definitely the same pot. It is I.U.’s genius engineer. Now I see, there might be a whole bunch of them inside, and they work together to pretend to be a genius inventor! This would follow the same pattern as Rampan’s Koko sisters. Sarah was also there, silently eating broccoli and drinking juice. Oi! Go easy on the Aojiru 6 that you’re gulping down! Now then, from what I can see of the oni’s party– I wonder if they are using the restaurant ship as a houseboat, complaining about everything the whole time like a middle-aged country bumpkin travelling abroad. Unable to find rice in England to pillage, they were likely forced to pay a shop to get it for them. A hedonist group from the start, they had surely been careless. No matter what, they don’t believe they could ever be defeated by humans. –And looking at the centre of their sitting circle. 「–She’s here! It’s Aria…!」 Wearing a Butei High sailor suit, kneeling, and munching on an onigiri, it was Aria. It looks like she’s fallen into bad company. I also get the sense that she is desperate. It might be only for her infiltration mission, but she actually joined the gang of oni. It is surprisingly easy to make one’s self at home within terrorist and yakuza groups, so there are some Butei that actually crossover. Fewer return. However… I’m not worried about that. Aria was in the ring of oni. She was originally very oni-like in her personality. But now, with her horns, she appears even more so. She’s a pink oni rather than a red oni. However, perhaps because of her embarrassing『sad drunk』behaviour that was revealed in Hong Kong, she was not drinking any alcohol. As for the fighting power available to the oni… Including the ones in the pot, there are more of them here than showed up at the Institute of Medical Science. In non-Hysteria Mode, I can’t deal with the number of people alone. I couldn’t even handle Aria. Starting a fight here would definitely be bad. But a fight was not what I had in mind. The purpose of the present mission wasn’t to defeat them. Our aim was to protect Aria. Rushing out to fight a losing battle was not what was needed. As Minuet had reasoned out, all we have to do is wait until they have eaten and drunken themselves into a stupor. Even if that doesn’t happen, I could have Mamiya and Watson watch them, waiting for a chance to appear. Good. We had discovered Aria and the oni’s location early on–Things are moving in a favourable direction. Then I looked away from the ship to consider the timing of my attack, hiding place, and path of retreat. …O-Oi…! I had only taken my eye off of him for a moment, but Howard–He had walked over to the gangway to board the ship by himself! Then entirely as if he hadn’t seen the sign denoting the reserved status of the ship, he marched right up to the deck. Howard–he was fearless, in the worst sense of the word. He expects everyone, no matter who, to prostrate themself before him, and that has been his experience up until now. 「–!」 I chased after him as fast as I could manage. But because of the time that it had taken for me to analyse the strength and capabilities of the oni’s camp, he was far ahead of me…Moving aside a portion of the partition to the oni’s banquet hall, he entered the space. At the sudden appearance of the Prince, the onigiri stuck in Aria’s throat. 「None of you appear to be a doctor, but you seem to be Japanese. Do you comprehend English? Aria, you must return. I will permit you to associate with them if they are in the same city. But you should return quickly.」 Howard’s attitude indicated that he was pushing his own desires onto others, expecting them to comply as a matter of course– Breaking into the welcome banquet for Aria, he was entirely unaware of the hostility and bloodlust directed toward him. Most likely because, until now, no one has ever directed animosity toward him in his entire life. –This is dangerous…! Howard is within Yen, Tusbaki, and Sarah’s killing range. As things stand, they might swat him like a fly and kill him off-handedly. It could happen at any second! Apparently the lowest ranked oni present, Tsubaki grinned–then set her cup aside. She’s planning to move. There’s no more time. 「–Dammit!」 The situation being urgent, I moved– Bounding up the gangplank to the deck, I rushed into the group, overturning the curtains. Then with a gun already in hand, I saw the black-suited Howard in front of me. 「Ki-Kinji!?」 Aria was astonished, her vermillion eyes wide in shock as she held an onigiri in her hand. The oni were equally surprised at my appearance. For better or worse, I am one of their worst fears. I had fought Yen recklessly to a stand still on the Fugaku. So they turned their attention to me, paying Howard no mind at all. 「–Sorry to break up this girls-only meet-up. But while I’m here, I have the same demands. Give Aria back. Otherwise, I’ll take one of each of your horns and donate them to the British Museum. I’ve borrowed something precious to England, and this would be an unusual gift to give in exchange.」 Not in Hysteria Mode, and with my nerves shaking inside me, I made this threat. But these oni are not the kind to give into threats. 「Oh? Thou hast come to London? For what purpose art thou attired thusly, Warrior Tohyama?」 While the whirling cherry blossoms fluttered behind me, Yen turned her beautiful face toward me, grinning and folding her arms. 「Tohyama… For the sake of Yen-nee-sama’s horn…!」 Tsubaki bared her fangs and laid a hand on the demon-forged sword that sat at her side. However, it appears that she will not swoop in to attack without an order from Yen. 「Aria wants to come to Ki-no-kuni of her own free will. You have merely appeared. Go back.」 Looking on me with loathing, Sarah puffed out her cheeks angrily. 「…」 The lid on the pot opened slightly and from the gap between them, a pair of glasses and thin slits of eyes with a look of ill-intent in them stared at me… As soon as I met the eyes, the lid shut as they secluded themselves inside. Just now I noticed that they had blonde twin-tails. At least one of them. 「Let me tell you idiots something. Aria is playing out some super naive infiltration tactics.」 「Hey…!」 As I laid out everything, Aria panicked at having the truth revealed. The oni and Sarah must have believed her story entirely judging from the looks of blank puzzlement on these faces–but now the reality had been unmasked. 「When I was into the convenience store inside the Institute of Medical Sciences, a thought came to me… Who is the brains behind your operation? Who? Tell me.」 The oni do not seem to grasp a lot of strategy. Something like this is unfathomable to Habi. It doesn’t seem like she employs a lot of spies, and she lacks the organisational competence of Rampan or Liberty Mason. However, when it comes to Aria’s location– They were able to follow her to London, and it seems that someone behind the scenes must be giving them advice. So… It looks like someone might be using them. And if that’s the case, it might have been even back as far as FEW’s Bandire. Now that I think about it, Habi’s reasons for participating in FEW were pretty vague. 「Thinking that we shall answer just because you asked is foolish. Did you think we would just tell you their name?」 Yen had all but confirmed their existence without saying as much… She was the female oni commander. Her fighting power was comparable to a battleship, and she had Tsubaki’s unquestioned trust. However, she possessed many flaws. She was overconfident and much too frank and forthright to be adaptable to the situation, like all oni–they shared a simple and slow grasp of their situation. That is to say, it is a simple matter to seize the initiative and catch them up in some trap. 「I didn’t think you would. So I’ll have to beat it out of you.」 While bluffing that I was going to fight– I flipped my Beretta into 3-short burst mode, equipped with the Flash, Shock, and Smoke bullets. Then I blinked the short message『RA』to Aria. 7 Having her plans come to nothing, Aria will come back to me herself in what I call my『3 general points of strategy』. The oni are strong, and we stand little chance in a fight against them, so Aria has to escape with me. The prince will likely fall off into the river. That might cool his head a little. The oni think of us as insects, so they probably won’t go out of their way to kill him specifically. Despite being a hasty, last-minute measure, this was my tentative plan– As the oni stared unafraid at my gun, I was about to fire the Butei bullets. Then, from inside the pot, a more cute than I expected, fumbling voice spoke. 「I gots a bad feeling abouts this Tohyama. I don’ wanna gets hurt. I don’ need ta be ‘roun’ for this. We have what we wants–Aria already ours. Imma goin’.」 The voice came out from the pot, and with a *Clink*, it flopped onto its side. Then it began to roll with a rumble… passing through the curtained enclosure and falling from the deck. I wonder if she was running like a hamster on a wheel inside. Regardless, it was a welcome turn of events that reduced the enemy’s fighting power– I waited another moment to see if anyone else would retreat. But–that moment proved fatal. Until now, I had detected no sign of them, but they were on the other side of the curtain. It was unfortunate… but now they chose to enter. It was the worst person in all of London…! 「–The gall required for you to abduct his Highness astounds me, Tohyama. It was also foolish in the extreme. Well surpassing the bounds of my expectation.」 Wearing a long coat over his grey 3-piece suit and with a submachine gun in his hand– It was Scion Bond, carrying a short-barreled MP5K… He suddenly appeared. At his appearance, Aria looked up in shock once more, while the oni looked back over their shoulders. However, he ignored all of the gazes turned in his direction, focusing solely on me. 「That’s not it! Why would I kidnap him!? It’s actually Howard that…」 I realised something in the middle of giving my flustered answer. It’s not the fact that I had kidnapped Howard that is driving this. It is what I might do. Scion has pledged unquestioned loyalty to England. I have been deemed a threat to national security by MI6, and he has decided that I must not be allowed to take any action that would harm England, that is Howard… –The warning he gave about killing me the next time we met, he was now trying to carry out. My line of sight shifted to Scion for a brief moment and in that space… *Whoosh!* Tsubaki vanished– The fluttering cherry blossoms caught up in a gust of wind were the only sign of where she had gone. Toward Aria! 「–Uh-Wha!」 I heard an anime-like exclamation, and the very next moment Tsubaki had Aria over her shoulder. With another rush of air, she returned to her original place, and Aria… lost consciousness. Tsubaki had used her super-speed to strike a vital blow, and she was out cold. Then Tsubaki took a step back to exit the enclosure, and Yen moved as if to follow. They’ve decided that fighting me would be pointless as well as result in injury, so they decided to make off with Aria. Crap! I’ve lost the initiative because of Scion. Aria’s being taken away! 「Aria!」 As I shouted, the left behind Sarah stood and faced Howard and me. Then, without bow in hand, she made a pointing gesture of:『Look over there』. ***************************************** Pointing toward the side at just the right moment, Howard and I glanced in that direction for a moment… No, I won’t let her trick me! It was the same kind of misdirection I had used on Yen. What are you trying to do, Sarah? A second later, I shook my head and returned my gaze to Sarah. 「–Hellwind–」 As she recited this quietly, she spun both her arms…! It looked like a Kamen Rider transformation scene. In that instant, there was a ripping gust of wind. And a windstorm whipped up with Sarah at its centre– …! Myself, Howard, and Scion were all hit with a shockwave moving more than 50 metres per second back, as if hit by a bomb blast. Plates and bottles scattering, the decorative cherry trees were knocked over, and the entire tented structure was blown away in all directions. 「…!」 Avoiding the knocked down trees, Scion jumped off of the ship, I braced myself to not fall over, and Howard writhed on the deck, appearing to have gotten some dust in his eye as he cried: 「Eyes! My eyes…!」 With the appearance of the wind, Sarah disappeared– 「…」 Just before getting hit by the blast, I had seen a flicker…entirely unintentionally, but it was what was contained within her pleated skirt that had been exposed up to her navel–While thinking a mental apology to Sarah, my brain function sharpened and my blood flow increased. . Alright, let’s do this. I have already discovered one thing. Despite the flashy and brazen use of technique, I had seen through it– –Hysteria Mode. It would appear that Sarah’s attempt at misdirection was a countermeasure employed for the fact that her skirt would be blown up and everything in white cotton up to the ribbon at her navel would be exposed. Despite the fact that I had absolutely no intention of witnessing it… It has worked out in my favour. Sarah. Right now, you’ve just made the biggest mistake you’ve ever made. I’ve already changed. Right now– I’m that person. As a manipulator of the winds, you decided that such an act wouldn’t go well with me, but perhaps you are wrong. There is a roadway running along the Thames river– The oni were running in a line westward, down Chelsea Embankment. Their speed was inhuman, but Tsubaki was moderating her speed to Yen’s which was about that of an automatic transmission car. Considerably further ahead, I saw Kon rolling along, then Sarah who was carrying a suitcase with her bow inside, boosted by a tailwind. I couldn’t see Aria, and because of that, she was likely inside the pot. I can still fix this. Then I started out running– –*Pa!* *Pa!* *Pa!* *Pa!* *Pa!* *Pa!* *Pa!* Aimed at me, I heard the sound of the MP5K 30 metres behind me. …! –*Zzzt!* *Zzzt!* *Zzzt!* *Zzzt!* I screwed my body around in a somersault as a shower of sparks from the broken streetlights burst at my feet. However, my own gun was no match for the accuracy that the MP5K submachine gun boasts. In Hysteria Mode, I avoided the bullets direct line of fire, and I diverted them with Mirror shooting with the regular bullets I had already loaded into my Beretta. Following the sound of the bullets back to its source near the entrance to the restaurant– *Whoosh!* Scion, who naturally wore a bulletproof coat, vaulted over the fence with one hand as he dropped to the roadway. He had only pretended to have been knocked off the ship by the Hellwind and dangled from the bow. Now he had made his comeback and was chasing after me. Dammit! If I have to deal with Scion…! 「–!」 Then, *BOOOM!* As soon as Scion got out onto the road, he was hit by a Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriole. Scion was knocked back away from the oni and flew across the street to the opposite side– 「Oh, excuse me. My friend, Tooyama, is so dressed up that I stopped paying attention to the road.」 Saying that, Watson backed up his convertible up next to me. A blue light was attached to the hood, marking it out as an English emergency vehicle. 「The oni are over there. I understood what was going on as soon as I saw them. Let’s hurry.」 Watson pulled me into the passenger seat and got his revenge on Scion for the other day. However, despite having struck someone with a car, he retained his presence of mind. But being in fact a girl, she apologised. 「You saved me. But won’t this worsen the relationship between Liberty Mason and MI6?」 「You cannot worsen something that was originally bad.」 While turning the car around to face the oni, Watson answered in the negative– But the already bad situation we were in had gotten much worse. 「You bastards, what about Scion? But the telling off will come later, after them!」 Styling himself the leader, Prince Howard packed himself into the cramped backseat of the Porsche. 「Why does trouble follow wherever you go, Prince?」 Grabbing the Prince by the scruff of the neck I attempted to take him out of the car… but at that point my eye caught Scion standing up from the road as if nothing had happened. A large motorcycle happened to be passing by–kicking the driver off the ivory white Triumph Thunderbird, Scion straddled the motorbike himself. …Well, I never thought he was the kind of guy to be put out of action by being hit by a car. It takes a bit more to keep you down, Scion. 「It’s going to be a bit of a bumpy ride. Be sure to use the door grip if you need to.」 Reversing my original plan, I strapped Prince Howard in with the seatbelt. I did it because of Scion’s expressed intentions. I planned to use him as a human shield. Perhaps because Howard was in the backseat, Scion did not fire right off. Noticing Scion in the rear view, Watson clicked his tongue, and the 6 cylinder air-cooled turbo engine screamed. The Chelsea Embankment, along the bank of the Thames, wasn’t a particularly busy road, but it was the morning commute. The Porsche had no choice but to weave its way between the cars on its zig-zagging way forward. As for the oni, they steadily began to outstrip car after car in their flight. Her African patterned kimono flapping, Yen ran barefoot. Matching Yen’s speed as she ran lightly, Tsubaki ran in her geta. Is the top running speed of an oni equal to that of a person in a car? Have we been beaten? 「We have stud-less winter tyres, so we are alright.」 As Watson muttered this, hitting the windscreen–was snow. But it was not snowing on the other side of the river. Had Sarah summoned a snow cloud to slow down our progress in the car? As we cut through the snow, following after the oni: 「It is cold! Is not this car equipped with seat heaters!?」 The Prince shouted, and as he did so– Sarah, a long distance ahead of the Porsche, opened her case with a *Click!* and pulled something out. With a *Whoosh!* a cushion of air exploded beneath her feet and she landed on Yen’s broad shoulders. Facing back towards us. Her bow was already in her left hand, and an arrow in her right– –*Whipsh!*– She fired! I fired to deflect the arrow, but Sarah had already sent a second arrow behind it that followed in exactly the same trajectory. And so: 「…!」 Watson suddenly decelerated, and thanks to that, the relative velocity between us and it decreased–and putting Zero, my bullet catching technique, into use, I successfully caught it. However, because of the decrease in speed, the low rumbling sound of the 1600cc engine behind us grew louder. Glancing back, I saw Scion chasing after us on the Thunderbird, ignoring the blizzard. One of the advantages that the motorbike has over a car is maneuverability–much like Kendo’s『Mikiri』 8 . He’s fast! And now he’s right beside us! 「–Stop running!」 *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* Without taking aim or using the sights, Scion shot directly across at me. 「Well, then how about not chasing us?」 While using Cannon to deflect the stream of bullets headed my way, I voiced this legitimate complaint. Then further ahead on the road, I saw a long train-like trailer…a tractor trailer. Although we were travelling in the same direction, it appeared to be at a standstill due to our high rate of speed. As we rapidly approached the trailer, Watson began to feint that he was going to knock against Scion’s Thunderbird to edge it to the left and toward the trailer. Then as we got close, he pulled off abruptly to the right to pass it. Scion split off and passed on the left-hand side as we ran parallel courses on opposing sides. 「I’m going to use the Nitrous Oxide system. Brace yourselves for the acceleration!」 Then the very next second… Watson hit a switch next to the handbrake with a *Click!* The very next moment, *Whoosh!*. The Porsche then accelerated rapidly in a short time, like a jet coaster. 「Oi! Oi! This is rather fast! Can you not slow down somewhat!?」 The Prince double dover as the Porsche pulled ahead of the trailer– We also began to pull away from Scion on his Thunderbird. Unable to see Watson while on opposite sides of the trailer, when we suddenly pulled away, he furrowed his eyebrows. Then from ahead there was a *Twang!* Another arrow from Sarah was headed for the Porsche. 「…!」 Unable to divert the arrow that was now headed straight for my head, I rotated my left hand to knock it aside–then from behind there was a *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* I heard the MP5 fire. Because the Prince’s head was slumped forward, Scion had fired at the back of my exposed head. Using the side mirror, I fired back with the gun in my right hand. Good grief! This is crazy! 「–Caught between a Sarah and a Scion, huh?」 Both Sarah and Scion were trying to get rid of me first. Seeming to have come to some kind of mutual understanding, their firing lines didn’t interfere with each other. They had come to this arrangement without any exchange of words–catching me in a pincer attack. 「Ah! Ow-Ow! My shoulder struck the door! Drive more carefully!」 Holding on to the door handle while rolling around in the cramped backseat, the Prince lacked the physical strength to maintain his grip. He was definitely weaker than a girl. But I am weaker than certain girls, so I don’t have room to talk. My Beretta was finally out of bullets, and in that instant: –*Whipsh!* *Bang!* With the skill of two elite marksmen coming into perfect synergy, Sarah and Scion– They timed their arrow and bullet to reach my head at the same exact instant. However, because I knew that they were slightly offset from each other– 「The two of you have no hesitation to aim for the head, do you?」 While reloading both of my guns’ magazines, I had no other choice– I moved my head in an Ouka-esque movement. Scion’s bullet passed behind the left side of my head, and Sarah’s arrow to the front right as they each grazed the size of my head in a blur of motion. As a result, their trajectories were slightly altered such that Sarah’s arrow was heading toward Scion and Scion’s bullet was heading toward Sarah. Coup de Tête . 9 Hard-headed as I am, I just came up with that technique to deal with two projectiles. *Whoosh!* A small bit of blood and hair danced amidst the snow in the air– 「–Aaaah!」 It was a trifling amount of blood, but Howard shrank back in fear. Despite the fact that he was a man. Sarah was saved by Yen’s『bullet grabbing』, but Scion had to manoeuvre in order to avoid her arrow. I got the feeling that he wasn’t going to hold back any more on account of the Prince. 「…」 When you are as good as Scion, you don’t make mistakes, but the Prince is a rank amatuer when it comes to fighting. And amateurs make moves that are incomprehensible to pros. This tends to lead to accidents whenever they clash. That being the case, I– 「Thank-you, Watson.」 As she drove, I grasped her head and planted a small kiss on her cheek. 「Hyah!? T-Tooyama!?」 Totally flustered, Watson began cutting the Porsche from side to side, and I cartwheeled out of the car. –Then combat loading and firing an airbag bullet as I was mid-air– I landed on a golden motorbike being ridden by a grey-haired woman who had turned a right onto the street, totally unaware of the chase scene that was unfolding. 「What!? Oh! Oh my–!」 「Please allow me to borrow this for a bit.」 Setting the woman down gently on the airbag bullet cushion that unfolded with a *Plop!*–*Vroom!* Revving the accelerator, I split off from Watson and the Prince, flashing a goodbye smile. This motorbike is a Suzuki Hayabusa GSX1300R. The dull golden-bronze collar ring told me it was a first generation. Scion, that Thunderbird and this Hayabusa are both birds of prey. 10 Then as I glanced at the rearview mirror– –With a *Crash!* up ahead, Yen collided, seemingly inattentively, with a streetside pineapple vendor, spilling them onto the road. Amidst the group of scattered pineapple spreading across the road… Mixed in with the pineapples there were a few Type 97 fragmentation grenades blended in. Kon had opened the lid of her pot and tossed them out! *Boom!* *Ba-boom!* I sprinted the Suzuki Hayabusa through the midst of the exploding former IJA ordnance and flying shrapnel. Drifting, spinning, and popping wheelies, I wove my way through the field of pineapples. From his reflection in the mirror– I saw Scion was undergoing the same and having to go to the same lengths. The car Watson was driving proved to be a larger target, so he had to turn right sharply to avoid the explosions and disappeared from the road we were on. It looks like he plans to circle back around again. Ahead, more explosions were still occurring, and a tall, iron street lamp pole– *Creak!*–*Bam!* –It toppled over, crossing the road at a low height like a railroad stop. Directly in front of Scion and me, There was no way to avoid it. Realising that, I began to skim the bike across the ground 1.2 metres from the pole–releasing the clutch and putting it into Neutral, 「Yah–!」 With the tails of my black suit flapping, I performed a belly roll and passed over the iron bar. In the same instant, the riderless Hayabusa continued forward under the pole. I passed above. The bike passed beneath. Each of us kept the same pace forward due to the Law of Inertia as we cleared the bar… With a *Plop!*I returned to the seat of the Hayabusa. Following after me as I cleared the impromptu railway stop, Scion– Tucking in tight he canted the body of the Thunderbird steeply like an auto racer taking a banked curve. With the exhaust pipe scraping across the ground and setting up a shower of sparks, he braked and counter-streered the bike into a controlled slide to pass beneath the pole. He’s not a man that gives up so easily. Due to how I cleared the obstacle– I had more gears to cycle back up through, and Scion caught up with me. Finally having closed the gap, he was going to bring me down with that MP5K– 「…Tch!」 As we reached an intersection with a crosswalk, Scion abruptly hung a left turn and left me behind. Checking my mirror, it appeared that in the chaos a pregnant woman had been caught in the crosswalk, unable to escape, and he had swerved aside to avoid her. …Even Scion is a child of humans. But as for those I am pursuing– They are heartless ogres engaging in terrorism within London’s streets. A Butei cannot overlook more damage to the city. And so when a hand emerged from the pot to toss another bomb– I somersaulted on top of the Hayabusa to kick it away like a kickball. Fortunately, it just so happened to land directly behind them, causing them to falter. For an instant, the lid to the pot opined wide, and I saw Kon inside with dynamite wrapped around her arms and all kinds of grenades hanging and dangling off her neck like a necklace. It was a frightening sight. I read Sarah’s lips as she sat perched on Yen’s shoulder, mouthing the words: 「I am unafraid.」 「Firecwackers and scawy female warriors, take that! More and more firewoks!」 Kon declared as she tossed another bomb– This time, due to my position, I couldn’t kick it back ahead, and instead passed in behind me on the left side to Scion. Then Scion supporting himself with his hand on his seat kicked. Sending it back to me. 「I do not need it.」 「I don’t want it either!」 Having no other choice after having read each other’s lips, we just shot the bomb and exploded it in the space between us. Ah! Kon is throwing another bomb. How many of those does she have? With no seeming end in sight, I– purposefully maneuvered my bike into position to be hit by the bomb’s shockwave. At the same time of the explosion, I kicked off the Hayabusa– The more than 200 kg frame slid toward Scion as my body flew forward… With a *Thump!*, I fell back toward the road, landing right back in the passenger seat of the Porsche. 「Welcome back, Tooyama.」 「It is good to be back. Did you miss me?」 I exchanged a wink with Watson as if we were on a driving date. Sacrificing the Hayabusa paid off as Scion came to a sudden stop. He fell behind us once more. Seemingly coming to the conclusion that we weren’t to be stopped with bombs, Kon finally stopped lobbing them. She set up a smoke screen instead. That was a good move. We continued forward–and in the middle of the crimson fumes… We lost sight of them. But if I listen closely I can hear the sounds of their footsteps–I could tell that they split up at the 5-way intersection known as Chiswick Roundabout. Probably so we couldn’t tell which direction they had taken Aria. But in the end, we turned to follow the rolling pot where I believed they had stashed her. But as we passed through the smoke, the Prince who was still in the backseat wailed: 「Smoke! The scent will stick to my clothes!」 He must be pretty stubborn to be so selfish in such a situation. Behind us, Scion was still in pursuit. Seemingly due to a police blockade, the traffic on the road had mostly cleared out– 「Tooyama, over there! Gosh! Those demons, that has to be them in that bus…!」 As we crossed over Kew Bridge, Watson pointed out a small yellow bus on the opposite side of the Thames that was roaring down the street. The windows were smashed and it was going against traffic. It was clearly an anomaly. They must have stolen it. Through the windows of the bus– Sticking part of the way out, and with the lid slightly open, I saw Kon peering out in our direction. Then I saw her. Inside with Kon and unconscious, it was Aria. 「I knew Kon had taken Aria! I need to get on that bus, so let’s catch it!」 「OK! Let’s go!」 Watson stomped down on the accelerator and the Porsche raced down the opposing lane of traffic. With the Londoners making some kind of noise as if to cheer us on, I hung out of the car and followed the bus…the rush of air tugging at my cheeks. I hadn’t noticed until just now because weren’t in Japan, but that yellow bus– I-It was an elementary school bu s! Of all things! Inside, there were young children calling for help in English. Dammit, I have to end this soon…! We caught up to the bus, pulling alongside and from the passenger seat– I pushed my gun ahead of me, intending to carefully enter through the broken window. Then: 「Is this where Aria is? Very well.This is my moment.」 Gripping my clothes, Prince Howard… he stood up in the back seat, and as the Porsche came up to run alongside a bus window, he clambered over me like a step stool to get through, 「O-Oi…!」 Afraid that he might fall back into the Porsche, I was forced to give the Prince a boost by pushing myself up and over into the bus, and we tumbled inside together. Howard entered through the window as easily as a key sliding into a lock… Children crying in fear were gathered at the rear of the bus. How nostalgic is this–a bus-jacking? What’s more this school bus is a stereotypical vehicle for criminals to commandeer. There being no small risk to criminals fleeing a crime by themselves, they still committed the diabolical act of taking children captive by hijacking the bus. But I actually realised back in the convenience store in the Institute of Medical Science that the oni see humans as mere insects. They are neither kind nor cruel when they deal with humans. They do not even kill them when not necessary. Killing these children would be meaningless to them, however–they will consider their lives of little consequence. That’s just how they are. Looking around the inside of the bus in anger, I did not see Yen, Tsubaki, or Sarah as I expected to– Looking to where the driver would sit, there was no one there either, likely having abandoned the bus through a window, Instead, on the driver’s seat… …! Kon was hanging down from the ceiling, then escaped up on top of the car through the broken windshield. In her place, she left a hastily improvised device with armatures and wires stretching out like the wings of a bird. The metal pipes, wires, gears and batteries it was comprised of were on full display, and it would be a simple matter to destroy it, but–on the seat there was a red clay-like object–Some kind of plastique explosive, needless to say. Then, with a jerk, the mechanism turned the wheel of the bus to follow a curve in the road ahead. Kon must be driving it remotely from above. It’s only been 10 minutes since they took over this bus…and in that time she was able to rig up a makeshift autopilot system from the scraps of material lying about? As expected of the former I.U. engineer Kon. Actually, the Kon inside the pot. 11 The jar is very primitive in appearance, but–in actuality, it was like a high-tech unicycle. As it rolled on its outer surface, there was something like suction cups on it that was actually made of silicone. So whether it’s a wall or a ceiling, it sticks and is able to move freely for that reason. Dammit! They’ve got us…! Kon must have lured me here onto the bus by intentionally letting me see her carry Aria abroad. Realising we couldn’t be killed with her explosives, Kon instead took a bunch of hostages and set a bomb. Then while I am trapped–Yen and the rest will crush us with all their power, is that the plan? In the next moment: 「–Tooyama!」 Watson pulled his Porsche to circle around to the left-hand side of the bus, and I opened the emergency exit. Riding on the bus herself, Kon did not indiscriminately scatter explosives–and as I moved to ferry a few children off the bus and to the Porsche. With a *Crash!*, the bus swerved suddenly to the left and rammed the Porsche. Knocked aside by the mass differential in the impact, the Porsche– 「Ah!」 Coincident with Watson’s cry, it crossed through a crosswalk, ran up over a curb, and flipped over it’s left wheel to roll over. Then as the Porsche rolled onto its side, the bus evaded to the right. As the airbags in Watson’ Porsche deployed, the bus soon left it behind… …Dammit! Things are getting more complicated. Avoiding the wrecked Porsche with ease, Scion took up the role of pursuit on his motorbike. Taking a hold of the open emergency exit door, he discarded the bike and made his way on board. Then pointing his MP5K briefly in my direction– 「–?」 Noticing there were children on the bus, his expression said that he did not understand what was going on, and he let his muzzle drop. I’m always getting into these kinds of absurd situations, but I sense that he’s used to more rational events. Unable to read the situation, I got the sense that he was puzzled. However, he soon noticed the driver’s seat, and his turquoise eyes flashed back toward me… and I understood in a moment. Scion is like me, a combat specialist. Unable to deal with explosives. Kon’s contraption hit the accelerator and the bus moved faster. We had now exceeded 100 KPH. We won’t be stopping anytime soon. But first of all, there’s the bomb in the driver’s seat to take care of. But there’s nothing that Scion or I can do about that. What should we do…? 「Now then, Tohyama! Where is Aria? She does not appear to be here!」 Prince Howard screamed directly into my ear– 「Howard! Aria is in that pot on top of the bus–but right now we have to save these children as well as Aria.」 「You two shall take care of that matter. I am here for Aria alone!」 As Howard said something so egotistical…I recalled his personal history and pointed toward the bomb in the driver’s seat. 「Howard, can’t you deal with that? You were in the Army’s Bomb Disposal Group!」 「Correct. However, my training was limited to classroom instruction. I have never handled true explosives.」 Shaking his head from side to side, his neatly trimmed eyebrows furrowed. 「–But you have the knowledge, so just do it! We can’t!」 「Y-you bastard! You dare to command me!? Someone holding a position such as I? I shall not do such a dangerous thing. Firstly, even were I to do such a menial task like a commoner– it is the role of the Royal Family to bestow rewards and honour for doing so. There is no one higher than I. Therefore I can do no such thing.」 As Howard turned briskly away from me, I said: 「Howard!」 I called his name again. But this time I grabbed him by the shoulder and forced him to face me. Then, with shock in his eyes at being grabbed–his blue eyes stared blankly. 「You’re a man! It doesn’t matter how dangerous, or who he’s fighting, or whether or not he’ll be rewarded–there are several times in a man’s life where he must fight and put his life on the line! This is one of your moments!」 I shoved Howard’s back to push him toward the driver’s seat. 「I, I…」 Howard shifted restlessly as he stood in front of the driver’s seat. 「–Right now, you’re the only one who can save these children! You’re a prince! At some point, you might become a king! A ruler doesn’t just act for himself–he fights for his people! Fight for the children who carry the future of your country!」 I shouted at him. Then, finally– Being a man, more or less, Howard scowled at me– 「What an insolent fellow, you are…!」 Afterwards, he turned to fix his blue eyes on the explosives in earnest. Then taking off the white gloves he wore due to his fastidious nature, he tossed them out the window in an act of desperation. Delicate work is best accomplished with the bare hands. 「…Fuck me! This is a powerful A-type semtex bomb!」 Uttering a vulgar curse despite his Royal lineage, Howard used a finger to trace a wire leading down off of the seat as he knelt by it. It seems that he has to first assess the nature of the bomb. You can do it, Howard…! Then he said: 「–Scion! Kinji is fine for the moment, retrieve Aria!」 During this exchange he had with Scion, Howard glanced back and forth between me and Scion as he gave this order. In the meanwhile, he discarded several dummy energising wires that ran from the detonator and tossed them out the window. Now under orders, Scion and I exchanged glances as we stood on the bus still running wildly down the road. 「Tohyama. I do not wish to do so.」 「It looks like there’s not other choice, but to work together, Scion.」 Thus a joint Anglo-Japanese armed tag-team expedition against the oni was formed. ************************************************************************** I used two hands to pull myself up onto the top of the bus as Scion smugly used one…there she was, Kon. 「–You seem happy. You’re bound to die sooner or later with those short lives of yours. Why don’tcha just wait for death to come anyways?」 Having left the front of the bus to take up a position behind us, the twin-tailed face of Kon’s peeked out at us from underneath the lid of her pot. Scion fired his MP5K without hesitation just as the bus shook. Kon orchestrated it to disrupt our movement. Taking advantage of the action, she rolled down to shelter herself on the side of the bus– Sticking on there, she tossed up a grenade from below. 「…!」 Scion and I were blasted in opposite directions by the explosion. The roof above the driver’s seat was partially destroyed, and I saw Howard still at work– I was dangling off the right side and Scion was hanging off the left side mirror, then Kon began to rock the car in a zig-zag manner. As I was just about to hit a bus stop and Scion was going to hit a street sign, we managed to get back on top of the vehicle. Once there, from in front of us–*Whizz!* Hearing the sound of Sarah’s arrow cutting through the air, I threw myself forward and down on the roof. I managed to dodge it. Looking in the direction from which the arrow flew… There was what appeared to be a trailer truck that they had taken over–the private truck from earlier. With a gross weight nearing 10 tonnes, it’s large body swayed from side to side and the back end aligned for a head-on collision with the bus. On top of the storage container, Sarah knelt with her bow held to her side. –I instantly knew what the oni were planning. The left and right rear doors of the container swung open, and everything inside had been removed to make space. It was just large enough for a single bus. Equipped with a ramp in order to help load cargo, it now stuck out trailing behind the truck and as it ran upon the asphalt, leaving behind a shower of sparks. 「Do they intend on putting the bus inside?」 Seeming to have grasped their intent, Scion then turned his MP5K in their direction– Sarah rolled her way across the top of the storage container and disappeared in the direction of the driver’s seat. She seems to have picked up on the fact that Scion and I had joined forces, and she wanted to avoid a 2 on 1 firefight. While that occupied my attention, between Scion and I–*Rrrrrr!* Kon breezed past us. Scion rained a hail of bullets on it, but the pot was bulletproof. Then leaping inside the back of the truck, she took up a position as if to wait for us. Even as we both ran along the road at high speed, the distance between the bus and truck lessened. If captured–we are finished. With so many children to guard, it’s impossible to counter-attack the oni. Like me, Scion surely understands this as well. In such a desperate life-and-death situation, not even my Hysteria Mode brain could figure a solution–the bus moved– 「Hahaha! Watch, children! Behold the power of a royal!」 –It swerved right. Away from the back of the truck. Looking through the gap in the rupture roof, I saw Howard sitting in the driver’s seat in place of the successfully dismantled semtex bomb. Howard…! I told you that you could do it, didn’t I!? Wonderful! 「Kinji! Scion! Leave these children within my care! The two of you must save Aria!」 The Prince could operate the bus– Now under human control, he maneuvered the bus right up next to the truck. 「Yes, sire.」 After hearing the Prince’s order, Scion leapt onto the back of the truck as his coat flapped in the wind. Needless to say, I did the same. Because of the difference in vehicle heights, I used the wire anchor in my belt–but Scion seemed to have his own hidden inside a fountain pen. Seemingly eager to disengage, the Prince soon after turned the elementary school bus down a London alleyway to keep it safe. As for us, we rushed up the back of the truck storage container, but we saw no sign of Kon. Did she fall out of the driver’s seat? Taking Aria along with her? 「…Tohyama, 2 kilometres to the rear. Above us.」 As Scion conveyed that terse message, I looked up into the clear blue sky absent of all snow clouds– …! –An AH-1–! …An attack helicopter is chasing after us…! I don’t get the feeling that it just so happens to be out on a training exercise. It is headed right for us. The AH-1–commonly known as Cobra, is a masterpiece of engineering with over 1,000 of them produced in the entire world. With a total length of 17.3 metres, a top speed of 227 KPH, in addition to an armament of a fixed M197 gatling gun, 8 TOW anti-tank missiles, and 38 tiered rockets in JM261 coaxial rocket pods, it was a viper of the sky designed solely for aerial combat. The loud whine of the Lycoming T53 engines came closer– With my Hysteria Mode enhanced vision, I saw Tsubaki in the pilot’s seat, in the next moment. –*Pa!* *Pa!* *Pa!* *Pa!* *Pa!* *Pa!* *Pa!* *Pa!* *Pa!* Bullets from the nose-mounted, tri-barrelled gatling gun belched fired and coated the truck in bullets. 「Hmph!」 「–Dammit!」 Scion merely exhaled through his nose with a blank expression, while I cried out, and each of us ran across the back of the truck–or perhaps more accurately tumbled across it, to take refuge in the cab. We both came to the same conclusion that we did not want to fight. Sure enough, because their allies were below, the Cobra stopped their aerial assault– With the whine of the rotors, the helicopter took up a position over the bullet-riddled truck. It began to fly alongside the truck at a matched speed over 100 KPH. Then a thick wire with a hook began to dangle from a sturdy winch. Despite it’s heavy weight, the cable hung down and behind the fast moving helicopter… Now, Kon who had been hiding, hooked her pot to the hook and began to rise with Sarah sitting atop it. The oni must have planned to escape via air the entire time. Still restrained by the threat of flying arrows, the two of us could not fire our guns as we hung on to opposites sides of the truck– Kon hooked her own pot onto the skids of the helicopter via an S-shape hook, and Sarah stayed on top. It looked like Sarah was using her own powers to moderate the intensity of the downwash around her. 「Shit! They’re getting away」 As I looked up at the AH-1 and shouted that, the sound of Scion firing reached my ears. Not at Sarah, but instead at the nearby figure at the back of the truck– He seemed to be aiming at Yen who carried two blue kanabou on her back. Yen quickly retreated back inside the container, and the hook dropped down close to the rear doors again It appears that Kon is operating the truck remotely and trying to move the hook and wire into the correct position. Yen seems to just want to grab a hold of the hook at the end of the wire. 「Alright… Let’s do this!」 –With a sudden movement, I ran down the back of the container and grabbed the hook that dropped down. All before Yen could. Then. 「Scion, did you want to do this? This is to make up for ruining our duel on Abbey Road.」 I pushed the hook through a gargantuan hole left by the Cobra in the roof of the truck. What’s more, I pushed my hand through another hole and pulled it back out, as if using the hook to sew. Then I looped the hook back over the wire–linking the truck and the helicopter. How about that, Tsubaki? Now the Cobra can’t escape. That’s how things are now. 「–This is a chain death-match between the helicopter and truck. I’ve changed the billing of this fight.」 As I stood up and gave a desperate smile, Scion… 「You are a madman, Kinji Tohyama.」 With a half-astonished look, he responded with a cool smile. As for the helicopter–The truck could not do anything except follow along the roads to reach its destination. As Kon operated the truck remotely, the Cobra was forced to follow along with the truck through the sky. With a *Clang!* Clang!*, the helicopter rose a few times, pulling the wire tight, but because it was sturdy, the hook only bit in more deeply to the cable. Serves you right. You’re not getting away. The helicopter was forced to perform several risky maneuvers, dodging left and right to avoid the wire getting snagged on lamp posts and street signs. A shrill shrieking noise came from the airframe. It was a good feeling. Yen watched these development from her place, hidden inside the container– I wondered if she would scale the container in anger, but she retreated back inside. …? Peeking inside through one of the bullet holes, I saw Yen with a sake bottle in her mouth, then she spat it out and breathed on her hands to improve her grip. Then she took up a baseball batting stance with her kanabou– –*Whoom!* She ripped horizontally through the side wall of the container. I tried to shoot, but I was thwarted by a rain of bulletproof arrows from above. Scion was in the same situation. I was shooting at Sarah, but she was hidden behind the pot and could not be dislodged. In the meanwhile, *Whoom!* *Whoom!*, Yen punched through the sides of the container several more times… Holes were appearing in a line across the body of the container. It was like someone punching open a food tin from the inside. …Crap…! As the Cobra rose again, I realised what Yen was doing. *Creak!* *Grrrrrr!* From front to back, the ceiling of the container– It peeled back just like the lid of a food tin Yen hung off the back end of the roof by her kanabou…then she climbed up on top. Now the roof that was suspended from the wire flew through the air like a flat metal plate as the helicopter flew above it. Carefully but surely, the Cobra was gaining altitude. In order to avoid tipping over the metal plate, we had to manage our weight and balance very carefully, so Scion and I found it difficult to move. Our mobility had been severely restricted…! On one knee, I deployed the claws that Hiraga-san had added to my shoes and dug them in with a *Creak!*, while beside me– Scion deployed similar spikes from the heel of his leather shoes with a rending sound of metal.. 「It’s just like Smash Bros. I’ve never fought on a tilting stage before!」 「What is that?」 「A Japanese game. Now, let’s do this bare handed, Scion. Just shooting at Yen is useless.」 「So it would appear. By the way, she does not seem to be human. What is she?」 「A Japanese oni. The story of fighting her will be a good one to tell in the pub. If we come back from this alive, that is.」 As Scion and I conversed–using the claws in her feet, Yen steadily advanced, step by step. As Yen moved toward the centre, the whole plate began to tilt like a seesaw. Because of that, Scion and I had no choice but to move forward ourselves, holstering out guns in our shoulder and back holsters. Without mentioning the wire that Yen was approaching, Scion and I both kept our gazes fixed upon it. Our footing was the worst, to say the least, and our present situation was much the same. On our side we had a hysterised me and Scion who had teamed up. On the other side was Yen, by herself. In such a situation we should be able to win. Let’s do it…! As that thought passed through my mind: 「Hold just a moment.」 Returning her kanabou to her back, Yen held up her palm. 「Tsubaki has never operated such a fragile dragonfly-like machine. What is more, carrying this heavy steel plate along cannot be anything good for it.」 Moving her hands, Yen grabbed a hold of the thick cable. Then with a grunt of exertion, she steadied her footing and began to pull with her left and right hand along the cable to make the plate rise. If you were to look at it, it would also appear that the helicopter is also rising. What is this? What’s going on…? Scion then stepped quickly in front of me as I stood confused. Then he began to help Yen pull us up the cable. 「…!」 Finally, I realised the reason and hurried over to the cable as well. Yen, Scion, and I, all together– We gave no more thought to our footing or balance. There was no time for anything like that…! At this moment, we were headed toward a huge 244 metre long and 65 metre tall bridge that spanned the Thames and looked like a gate– We were going to crash into the Tower Bridge! Well actually, due to Sarah’s powers, it seems that the helicopter will be able to clear it. But in order to avoid it, the arc that would be traced out by the evasion maneuver would swing our footing around a long way…causing us to collide with it…! A 44 metre high set of girders stretched between the two Gothic style towers– –*Screech!* The plate just barely grazed the tower, causing a little of its marble facade to fall. However… somehow, we had just barely avoided a collision. Because we had been able to put aside the distinction of friend and foe to combine our efforts. 「…That was a close shave.」 「That was your fault.」 「That was entirely your fault.」 I responded to Scion in Japanese, as he responded in English, grumbling the same complaint… Well, connecting the truck to the helicopter was definitely my crazy idea, so I bobbed my head in apology. Directly after I lowered my head to show my gratitude– –*Whoosh!* I landed an Ouka-powered uppercut on Yen. Yen caught my fist on her palm, and Scion also let go of the cable– The plate fell away from beneath us, and for a few seconds we were weightless–engaging in hand-to-hand combat in the middle of the air. Scion deflected Yen’s left-handed counter with some kind of trained martial art sidekick. Yen’s fist passed under my armpit, and I let it through up to the elbow joint. Yen had wanted to strike me with the heel of her hand, but somehow grabbing the cable and using it and Yen’s horn to support himself, Scion manages to wrap it around both of her arms and legs– –*Thump!* With both left and right arms restrained, Yen crashed face-first into the metal plate. It was a brutal pro wrestling double-team technique. I never thought that two people would ever do it while wearing suits. In order to regain balance, Scion and I backed up a little further–each of us taking up original karate and boxing stances heavily modified and influenced by a blend of many styles. The Cobra turned to fly over Southwark to avoid the massive ferris wheel of the London Eye. However, although it is not bad enough to crash, it is flying awkwardly. Possibly due to the added weight of the metal plate and the emergency evasive action we had just taken, something had happened to the engine, causing it to not be able to fly properly. Having apparently struck her nose in the fall, Yes stood up while rubbing it… 「Is this how you treat a woman?」 She asked. 「What of it?」 Scion said, glancing over briefly in my reaction as he spoke to Yen. Then Yen drew her kanabou from off her back… 「For an oni, their kanabou and their body are one spirit. This is part of my flesh. If we possess any special skill, this is it. I must confess some misgivings about fighting empty-handed.」 「Fine. It’s 2 against 1. Guns don’t work against you anyway, and my knife has recently become more precious to me, so I don’t want to use it.」 「Is that so? Then I shall use it to its fullest effect. Mark my Seigyokurokkaku 12 well. This is a rare two-handed form. You may regale the demons in Hell with tales of it.」 Then… Yen took the kanbou that shone with a blue light off her back and into her left and right hands. A kanbou in each hand, she held them out in front of her in a cruciform stance that was a style of a two-sword school. Both of them crossed. I don’t care for that stance. It reminds me of my trauma with the supersoldier Seiji, the Bewitching Blade. Yen’s new kanabou, Seigyokurokkaku… is thinner than it’s predecessor Kongourokkaku. Each of them probably weigh 20 kilograms, and there is no doubt that it is a slow weapon. 「–Tohyama. That woman’s Japanese was a bit difficult to understand. Give me an English translation.」 「Oh, Scion. That’s a part of her. So if we’re fighting barehanded, I told her it’s fine for her to use it.」 「Did you just give that ogre a handicap? You truly are mad.」 「That ogre–I believe that Yen is sincere. If you use a weapon, you might be able to catch her off guard. We’ve been talking in English so, she probably doesn’t understand.」 「I will do no such thing. However, I will if you do so.」 What is with this rivalry? Scion is really proud. 「Then the first move is mine, as usual. Follow me and match my actions.」 I said, then–Because I do not particularly hate this foolishly direct Yen, I rushed in at first unarmed, as promised. In order to maintain the balance, Yen moved forward as well. Not wanting to be hit by the kanabou above all things, I evaded her killing range by sliding under it and launching a low kick. At the same moment, hidden behind me, Scion jumped up– As Yen struck out trying to trample me with the claws on her foot, I held on tight to her left ankle. Flying up, Scion stepped on the kanabou Yen held over her head and retracted his spikes with a *Click!* Then, like me, followed the same strategy of attacking the giant’s extremities– I thought he would try to restrain an arm, but he did something different. That’s not going to work, Scion! Scion stepped past the kanabou and, coat flapping, circled behind Yen. Then gripped her neck between both arms to strangle her into submission. When it comes to personal combat, a sleeper hold is a literal killer technique. But for oni– 「–Call it off, Scion!」 As I shouted, *CRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK!*…! Yen’s fangs bit down on Scion’s forearm. Under his coat, Scion wore alloyed body armour like mine, but despite that– With the snap of metal… Yen’s vice-like bite force cracked it into pieces. 「…!」 As Scion furrowed his eyebrows, Yen did not bite off his arm– Holding it in her mouth and snarling, she shook it back and forth with the strength of her upper body. Thus breaking the sleeper hold, she brought Scion’s whole body in front of her– Then she raised Scion up. Thinking that she would hurl him away, Scion took out his wire anchor fountain pen. But with a *Snap!*, it was shot out of his hand by an arrow and dropped to the metal plate. Sarah had intervened. However, Yen’s purpose in raising him up in front of her– It was not a simple matter of just throwing him off. Yen raised the left foot that I was still clinging to–*Bam!* She swung Scion down to collide with me in a brutal crash. 「–…!」 Swaying, with his coat and armour lost and sense of balance destroyed, Scion slumped down onto the metal. I couldn’t help him because I lost consciousness a few tenths of a second later. 「Scion–Ugh!」 Then I was seized by some strange force– Were Scion and I being dragged across the metal sheet!? The next second *Boom!* Yen had been running after us as we slid and swung down her Seigyokurokkaku to hit the metal plate. It was just where my head had been a second ago. Jolted back to life by my near brush with death, I: 「–!」 I barely caught myself by grabbing the edge of the metal plate and hanging off of it. I thought he must have fallen… but there was that bastard Scion. When we had crashed together, he had grabbed a hold of my belt wire–and now he was hanging from that. Was that what had pulled me across the metal plate? Regardless, he had the ability to form a plan and flawlessly execute it. He’s a true superman. 「Uh, Yen. Your free lunch is over.」 As I said that, I reached into my pocket and combat loaded a bullet into my gun, then pointed it toward Scion. *Whoosh!* Sarah shot an arrow from the Cobra, neatly severing the 0.5 millimetre cable that connected Scion and I. At the same instant that airbag bullet I had fired detonated milliseconds later beneath Scion, triggered by an analogue timer. Just below his feet. With no other place to go he was propelled up and grabbed on to the edge of the plate. Hanging down off of it just like me. Now sloping at a great angle, Yen did all she could to right the balance by returning to the other side… 「Thanks, Scion. I know that you pulled me along on purpose when I lost consciousness. Thanks to that, my head wasn’t crushed.」 I said, expressing my gratitude for what I understood had occurred, but: 「I was simply hanging on to you so that I did not fall myself.」 He answered with an air of indifference. 「By the way, was that an airbag-type bullet just now? Is that a Japanese product?」 「Yes. A classmate of mine made if for me in her workshop in Kameori.」 「My quartermaster has crafted something similar for my mobile. However, it is troublesome to throw by hand.」 「…I’ll give you one later, but there will probably be some patent royalty to reproduce it By the way, you dropped this.」 . Then I replaced the fountain pen that I had picked as we fell and placed it into the chest pocket of his suit. After a brief moment of shock at the return of his fountain pen wire anchor, Scion said: 「–Look. A large bag of air is following us!」 Just as calmly as ever, he pulled himself back up onto the metal plate that had returned to level. But I had already seen the『large airbag』. As we hung suspended below the listing Cobra, it headed toward us–Many dozens of bright, multi-coloured balloons in a large group. …This is very unfortunate. It was the hot air balloon race that Watson had told me about at Stansted Airport. And the Cobra began to spin slightly as we headed right into the thick of them. 「…」 On the ground, obstacles generally exist in a single plane, but in the air, they are in three dimensions. We had entered a sort of 3-D maze. Innumerable balloons milled about, and their random shifting patterns made things dangerous. Then there is the effect of the wind that cannot be discounted. The question then– Can Tsubaki, who has never flown an aircraft before, successfully navigate through it with the damaged Cobra? .The balloons were now deadly airbags. If we hit just one, our lives would be over. Both those in the helicopter and us. And the balloon crew as well, of course. –The winch activated to bring the metal plate closer to the helicopter to avoid a collision… N-No…! We were about to graze a balloon! As I stood in front of Yen, unable to do anything: 「Hmph!」 Scion sniffed and began to run across the plate. Then: 「–Scion!」 As I called out from behind him, he looked like he was getting ready to jump. And he leapt from the plate toward the balloon. The plate’s centre of gravity now heavily skewed in Yen’s direction, it began to heel over like a seesaw– –We just barely avoided the balloon. He had raised the side of the sheet that was about to collide. But Scion managed to land on one knee, and was assailed by arrows from Sarah. He rolled to avoid them, but due to that, he was about to tumble from the balloon. Then he took out his fountain pen wire anchor. Making sure that I was outside of Yen’s attack range: 「Scion, grab on!」 Quickly loading an Anchor bullet into my Beretta, I fired. Scion grasped the 1 micron diameter diploid phase aramid fibre that boasted a tensile strength of 0.2 tonnes that traced a glowing blue trail through the air and hit him in the chest–forming a thread between us. Realising in an instant that it was a lifeline, Scion wrapped it one around the sleeve of his stab-proof suit. Pulling in the slack, he then ran along the balloon and kicked off–and in the very next moment… From behind me and at an inopportune angle. 「Victory!」 Yen’s fighting spirit blazed as she threw one of her Seigyokurokkaku like a boomerang! 「–!」 This mid-ranged attack surpassing all my expectations, I turned to take it on the back. Despite using Kikka to reduce the damage, I was knocked off the plate. Then I instantly know Yen’s objective was to have me and Scion crash into each other mid-air. As Scion and I flew towards each other in empty space– Scion suddenly reoriented himself with a sudden jerk. Causing the soles of his shoes to impact mine. 「I shall leave dealing with Yen to you.」 Making that sudden declaration of the state of affairs without changing expression, Scion kicked off hard. I also kicked off, sending me to the plate and Scion to the balloon. As my body passed back into Sarah’s field of view, Scion took out his fountain pen– –*Whizz!* He took aim at the cable that connected the helicopter and the plate below it. With a rattle, Scions’ wire tangled itself around the cable hanging from the winch… *Whoosh!* One of Sarah’s arrows flew to cut the wire. *Clang!*, but Scion intercepted it with an MP5K bullet. Then with a series of *Clangs!*, Scion intercepted each and every arrow she fired with a single bullet… A few seconds later, I reached the plate. Scion had said that he would leave Yen to me. That means he plans to attack the helicopter. If that’s the case, I hope he can climb up a rope pretty quickly, so I– 「If I recall correctly, that bow is fairly important to you. Then it looks like I’ll have to do this.」 Taking advantage of Sarah who was desperately firing at Scion, I shot a 9mm parabellum round. My bullet hit her bowstring and– *Snap!* As it was severed, Sarah paled… His gun slung across his back, Scion ascended the wire quickly, hand over hand, reaching the helicopter in the blink of an eye. Panicking, Sarah whirled her arm to summon a tornado… then an unfortunate gust of wind caused the Cobra to graze a balloon and halted the action. Mounting the skids, Scion took off his jacket and wielded it like a whip. The sleeve wound around Sarah’s ankle, and he pulled it tight– She fell with a *Thump!* Her evident unfamiliarity with hand-to-hand combat was on full display. Then Scion shot the strap that attached Sarah to the helicopter and abruptly fell from the helicopter. 「Ah–!」 Sarah screamed, and without letting go of her bow, she fell, and using bursts of air around her to change her trajectory–she avoided the metal plate and continued to fall–*Whooph!* She fell spreadeagled on a large rainbow coloured balloon that was considerably further below. Looking back up, she scowled and shouted angrily, but… it appeared that she could not launch herself through the air like a rocket. We have finally forced one of our enemies to retire. Now, though, Sarah was using a technique that she was unable to use while beneath the aircraft’s rotor–and she seemed to be pushing away her companion in the helicopter. All from where she stood on the balloon. Thanks to her actions, the Cobra was rescued from it’s predicament and pulled a wild turn to fly back over downtown London and Westminster. There was a harsh, grating sound mixed in with the sound of the rotor. When it will crash is only a matter of time. If it were to crash in the middle of the city–the damage would be catastrophic. Many of the citizens and tourists looking up at us would certainly die. As I furrowed my eyebrows, Kon worked her way down to hang off of the metal landing skid. –She tossed a Mk. II hand grenade in Scion’s direction! 「…!」 At what had to be a suicide bomber distance, a roar and flash detonated midair. The shrapnel from the grenade destroyed the skids and severely damaged the helicopter. –Having been finally cornered, Kon resorted to this ridiculous extreme! In order to avoid the explosion, Scion curled up and fell from the helicopter– Then, *BOOOOOOOOM!*, Yen struck the middle of the plate with her Seigyokurokkaku, destroying the cable and hook that connected the plate to the helicopter. Then a minute later we began to fall straight down. 「–!」 Glancing down, I saw us approaching a tower shaped building. Yen kicked off and jumped from the plate, then Kon fell from the helicopter using an explosion to change her direction, heading toward where Yen had thrown her kanabou. I kicked off to follow them and soared toward the tower-like building. As I flew through the air, I realised something– Yen had thrown her kanabou in order to save Tsubaki in the helicopter. If the damaged Cobra were forced to carry the heavy weight of the kanabou, it would definitely crash. What’s more, with Scion safely off of it, Tsubaki should be able to fly away. –But even so. Having fallen from the helicopter, Scion immediately took out the airbag device that looked like a mobile. Then inflating it midair, he pushed off from it– getting back onto the Cobra. That is to say he had fooled Yen causing her to miscalculate, but that was his plan all along. I wonder if I could pull a superhuman move that off in Hysteria Mode? Leaving Tsubaki in the helicopter to Scion, I turned back to Yen who was clutching Kon in her arms– With a *Thud!*, we both landed on different black steel beam-like objects that I couldn’t identify. Each of us were about 7 metres apart. Where are we? This is… Looking around, I soon realised where we were. I had seen this tower many times in films. It was the most famous clock tower in the world, Big Ben. It was about 9:11 AM so the hands were just about level. I stood on the short hour hand, and Yen stood on the longer minute hand. 「…」 Looking up into the sky, I saw Scion break the windscreen of the Cobra with his left fist and move inside to attack Tsubaki. In the confined cockpit, her super speed did her no good as he seized the control yoke–the people gathered below for the balloon launch scattered like baby spiders as he guided the craft into an emergency descent. Then, worried about Yen, I looked back at her. 「That explosion… it must have woken me up.」 Suddenly appearing– –It was Aria! Slapping the lid off the pot while stepping on Kon, Aria propped her torso up out of it! Then taking aim at Yen at point-blank range with her two guns, she prepared to fire– Then as the pot slid down the minute hand, Aria was forced to *Thump!* Kon on the head to avoid her escaping, and Kon pulled on her arm to keep her inside the pot as she jumped up. Then she grabbed the piece of metal that denoted 1 o’clock and swung herself up, kicked off it toward the one indicating 11 o’clock, then dove feet first like an airplane–landing next to me. Then she smiled at Kon. 「Huh? What now?」 Then she pointed– To have her see the hand grenade pin she had tossed away. 「…!」 With her neck stuck out of the pot, her red crimson eyes widened in surprise– 「Wh-wh-which one is it!?」 She–did not have time to check all of the grenades she wore around her neck like a necklace. Finally, she crawled out of the pot packed full of explosives and kicked it further down the minute hand herself. –*Boooooooooooom!*…Exploding in midair from the inside, the pot was reduced to tiny fragments… Then I was slightly surprised by the African pattern robed figure that had emerged. When I saw three hands, I had thought it must mean multiple people, but now I saw that she had 4 arms . That’s why she was able to work so quickly back on the bus she had hijacked. Seeming to have lost track of time while she was unconscious, Aria– 「…You haven’t waited long, have you?」 She gave me a fleeting apologetic sidelong glance. 「No? …Haha! We sound like a couple that has just met up where they agreed to.」 I answered, my Hysteria Mode surreptitiously intensified by Aria’s feet-first dive. From how I answered, Aria could tell that I had been aroused. 「Y-y-you are like this!? A-a-a-after I interrogate you, I’m putting a wind hole in you!」 Sentencing me to death without any explanation, she turned an angry face toward Yen and Kon. Yen and Kon. Me and Aria. Now, at the end of it all– it has come down to the 2 on 2 battle, hasn’t it? 「You… Saw something that shouldn’t be seen! There used to be a lot of demons with arms like mine a long time ago, but now it is only I. I’m ugly. How, how dare you! How embarrassing.」 Angrily baring her fangs, she took out her arms from her baggy clothing– She drew out two hatchets in her upper arms while the lower set stayed by her side. 「–Not at all, Kon. You are beautiful. All women are equally so.」 As I called her beautiful I perhaps for the first time… She stood blankly, her eyes behind her glasses wide and her cheeks blushing. Then Aria became angry. 「I can wield four weapons. I’ll have my revenge for kidnapping me. You take care of Yen.」 And so she decided our respective targets. Alright. That’s fine. Defeating Yen was the task the Scion left me anyway. 「…Well now, Aria. I’ll have to trim your arms and legs so that you cannot escape next time. I may not have my pot any more, but I can carry you all the way to Ki-no-Kuni.」 *Cling!* *Cling*, knocking her hatchets together, Kon threatened Aria. In response, Aria puffed out her non-existent chest, and coolly started Kon down. 「That is awfully kind of you. Kon, I have a technique to counter you. But it is pretty embarrassing to use, so I do not want to use it. If you surrender, I won’t have to.」 「Surrender? Surrender, you say? Ohohoho! An oni surrender to a human? Never. Not in a thousand years.」 Shaking her twintails from side to side–she then fell silent. Aria scowled. 「I see. Then I will have to use it.」 From both of her sides… shouldn’t this be her back? If I recall correctly her swords are on her back and guns on the hip, right? She drew her swords instead of her guns to match Kon. But that isn’t enough. Even with her two hatchets, Kon still has 2 arms to hold her down. But… I’ll leave this 4 armed enemy to Aria. She must have some trick up her sleeve. Above all else, Hysteria Mode respects a woman’s will. 「…The first time in Nao de China. The second time on Fugaku. The third on Big Ben. Yen, our dates always seem to have a great view, don’t they?」 As the minute hand fell with a *Thunk!*, the hour hand beneath me rose slightly. As we stood upon Big Ben it kept impeccable time–It was now 9:13. Standing on the minute hand, Yen uncrossed her arms. 「You have done well to survive. Tohyama. Human, though thou might be. Humans are weaker than oni. You defy that natural order–gaining victory over an oni. The strong survive and weak die, that is the unchanging order ordained by heaven.」 「Then I will teach you something by defeating you. The law is wrong..」 I showed her that I would not retreat a single step. 「…Why is it? Tohyama. No matter what actions you take–she will become the vessel for the Scarlet Goddess. Will you give your life only for this to occur regardless?」 No matter what, huh? 「–For love.」 As I gave that Yen-like answer, Aria slumped. But she held out. Good. Big Ben is 55 metres tall. 「Love…what is that?.」 「You certainly know it. Oni are similar to humans after all.」 「…I don’t comprehend.」 「Then I will make you understand. After this battle.」 「Unnecessary. I am Habi’s retainer. I can do naught by follow my mistress’ commands.」 Hiding her slight hesitation and purging her mind of independent thought, she raised the horn on her head– Then her eyes filled with scarlet light. Yen–she is getting serious as an oni. That is clear. She possesses the power of an entire battleship packed into her body. She is more muscular than Tsubaki or Kon, and if I had to guess, I would say that she was a pure combat type of oni. Then Yen… *Cr-Creak!*… she began to gather all the strength into her muscles. She looked like a fierce beast, and it was clear that no human could hope to stand against her in hand to hand combat. She pushed her knife-like horn and claws on both hands forward like a bird of prey, and along her centre line–she held her right hand high like a bear and her left low like a lion. She also tilted her horn that was harder than tungsten-cobalt alloy and tilted it down and to the right. Despite me having shattered one, she still had one remaining on her left side, and she pointed the horn toward me like a rhinoceros. Then concentrating her elephant-like strength into her back that coiled like a tiger, *Pom!* *Pom!* She stamped her feet to make sure of her footing. Looking like a bull readying to charge. Facing her, on the contrary, I adopted a loose posture and did not put any particular strength into my stance… A formless form and a natural posture. 「The cherry blossoms fall and continue to fall. Thou now, and I later. We shall meet again in hell, Tohyama cherry tree.」 「If you are going to scatter it, then come scatter it..」 When we both finished speaking– –…*Ding!*…—…*Dong!*…– –…*Clang!*…—…*Dong!*…– Big Ben’s 9:15 chime resounded throughout all of London. This close to it, it vibrated my blood– –*Whoosh!* Aria dashed forward on the hour hand. Like a fireball. At the same instant, Kon rushed forward on the thinner minute hand. Like a soundless hurricane. At the exact same moment, Yen and I started running. Moving faster than Aria and Kon, we outstripped them and overtook them–bounding forward to leave them both behind. Leaping forward from the minute hand, she held her arms forward in the uniquely oni type of so shrimp stance 13 — Then she brought her head forward and down with all her strength to slash with her horn. –Zetsurou–! But this was not a technique I had not seen before. Taking her horn in both my hands like an iron stake, I imprisoned all of her power. From wrist to elbow, elbow to shoulder, to back, to waist, I funnelled all of Yen’s power. Then I channelled that power into a knee-kick counter-strike–*Bam!* Striking out. Aiming at Yen’s abdomen. In response, Yen– Received the powerful strike on her steel-like abdominal muscles. Then from abdomen to back, from back to shoulder, and shoulder to elbow she returned my Zetsurou with Zetsurou with zero loss. Zetsuka 14 . From both sides, her claws closed in like a pincer attack– Then using both of my hands, I caught her power. Then I twisted her right hand in front of her and left hand behind her as if to pull her arm joints apart. Transforming her compressive force into rotational force I launched a roundhouse kick to her left side. I returned her Zetsuka with Zetsuka in a 3 layered Zetsurou–Then Yen caught my Zetsurou and turned it into an elbow strike. Then I added a fifth lay by returning another kick. Zetsurou in response to Zetsurou, a field of Zetsuka bloomed on top of Big Ben. Yen and I orbited each other like binary stars, trading what would be certainly deadly blows. Exchanging certain death back and forth every moment, there was no room for mistakes. My skill in using Zetsuka was slightly better, but Yen made up for it with her larger reserve of strength. Of the three cardinal virtues of a Sumo– what remained was spirit. 15 The one who lapses their concentration for a moment will lose…! –Beneath us, at the base of the minute hand, Aria clashed with Kon. 「…Quadra…!」 Mumbling that–she brought her twintails into action. Using ESP. She kept her ace hidden until now. Their tips reached inside her skirt and drew her pair of silver and jet black governments– With a *Bang!* *Bang!*, she used them skilfully to fire. Targeting the hatchets in Kon’s hands. 「Hu-Wha!?」 With the entirely unexpected shots, Kon’s hatchets were knocked out of her hands, and Aria pressed into the opening she had created with her blades. Staring her down–with her two hatchets gone, Kon was entirely unarmed. 「–Eep! Yen-nee…!」 She threw herself forward to avoid the rushing Quadra Aria. At that moment– The careful balance established between Yen and I crumbled. 「Kon…!」 Seeing Kon defeated before her eyes, Yen’s concentration was slightly disrupted. Actually, from the very beginning there had been an opening in her spirit. She was worried that Scion might have defeated Tsubaki. –Her spirit was troubled worrying about her comrades. That is to say, she has never faced defeat until now– 「–Yen–this is Love!」 *Craaaaack!* With a sound rivaling the tolling of the bell that reverberated throughout London, I headbutted the right side of Yen’s forehead with a violent crash using a 27-fold Zetsurou. 「–Aaaah–!」 With that feminine noise, Yen…. *Thud!* Moving past Aria, she slumped–and threw her body across Kon. As she lost consciousness a few moments later… even then, she spread her arms to shield Kon. Aira–*Whoosh!* used her twin tails as aero brakes… Leaping up over the oni, she took a few steps and with a whirl, turned a 180 on the minute hand. I had trusted Aria to deal with Kon, but I– with my headbutt, I had knocked Yen back onto the hour hand. 「…」 Yen embraced the 4-armed childish Kon. Protecting Kon from her attackers–the is to say from us, presenting her back to us. Then Aria and I looked down at them. With that scene– I orated about the outcome of this long battle. 「…It would appear that we have gained our enemies’ consent. You were able to do it after all, Aria. It was embarrassing for you to use that technique… but I wonder if it was because it reminded you of Riko?」 I threw Aria a wink as I looked at her twin tails. 「There was no other choice.」 *Whir!* *Whir!* *Thump!* Aria twirled her guns and replaced her guns in their holsters with her twin tails. She then also replaced her twin blades within her sailor suit. Last April during the hijacking Riko said:『Aria is not a real Quadra.』… Now had she become a true one? At the thought of the twin blades and twin guns bullying me, a cold feeling ran down my spine. 「This was the independent training I mentioned on the phone. I had free time, and was instructed over the phone by my senpai. It was my intention in coming to London to lessen the burden placed on you. Yen, from the very start, you were unfocused.」 Intuitively, Aria seemed to notice that Yen had been distracted worrying about Tsubaki. Then Yen… She raised her head while shielding Kon. Her eyes returned to their original golden colour. 「…Tohyama. I ask that thou teach me. Why could I not–act as oni in this instance?」 Worrying about Tsubaki and Kon had created an opening in her spirit. I turned a smile toward the still bewildered Yen. 「Because of Love. For oni, isn’t everyone like family? From the start, you thought of your comrades with love.」 I told her the answer again. Kishibojin– a mother oni was frantic when her own child was hidden from her. One is always grieved when someone they love is taken away. Yen finally understood what motivated me to save Aria. 「…Love…」 Yen muttered– Then without giving a sign of any intuition to fight any longer, she looked out of the town of London for a sign that the Cobra had crashed. 「Yen. I just faced you in a fight where you said:『the strong survive and weak die』… But we humans do not think in those terms. Both the strong and the weak harbour love in their hearts. And so all can thrive.」 I spoke to Yen as I waved my hand across, indicating all of London. 「–You seem to be similar to humans, but there do not appear to be many of you. Are the oni… dying out?」 「…」 「If you, who have learned of Love, became the leader, Yen– then you could stop this way of thinking. Those who trample the weak are fated to extinction.」 At my words… Yen remained silent, but listening. I don’t know if she understood them or not, but that is what I said. Giving her a lecture. Then on Yen and Kon’s backs, *Thump!* *Thump!*. Aria patted them to encourage them to meet me halfway. And they cross the hands of Big Ben like a balance beam toward me. …Ah, Aria. Finally meeting you again has my emotions surging. Here in your home city. I thought to give the oni a practical demonstration of Love, but… If your emotions were riled too much , then the Scarlet Goddess would make an appearance shortly after. 「Hey, Aria. You know you shouldn’t run away from me for some other guy, right? Remember what Sherlock told you? I’m the only one you’re supposed to be with.」 I played a bit of the domineering husband role. Then… 「I-I wasn’t with him. Although it may have looked like that…」 Aria mumbled. Turning red in the face as she did so. 「B-but, y-yeah. You’re the only one I want to be with.」 Saying that with upturned eyes, her blush-o-meter spiked, communicating the message:『Uwah! What have I just said!?』 As usual, she didn’t reach out toward me in any way.. 「They say that nobles cannot defy royalty in this country for some reason– you knew that, right? But you are already royalty. So defying them is alright.」 「M-me royalty?」 「–Yes. You are my queen.」 Kneeling at her feet like a knight, I held my hand to my chest– *Ka-thunk!* As is in response, Big Ben’s needle arms shifted up. Due to that, or perhaps her own shock at my words, Aria staggered. Because it would be a bad thing if she fell, I reached out to take her hand and steady her… Then I took the opportunity to plant a small kiss on the back of her hand. ************************************************************************** Yen and Kon accompanied us in a classic black taxi to the meeting place for the balloon race. On the grass there lay the Cobra that was slightly crumpled, and next to it was Scion–handcuffed, kneeling, and with a pitiful look in her eye was Tsubaki. 「…Tsubaki!」 Barefoot and treading heavily, Yen rushed over as Tsubaki stood. Then as if it were the most natural of things, she tore the handcuffs apart. Then Yen hugged her. Not expecting to see her again, Tsubaki cried large drops of tears as she was hugged tight like a child by Yen. There were a lot of police officers in the area, and they surrounded the two of them, holding out their batons… Just in case, Scion and I readied ourselves… We really do look like the criminals here, don’t we? Regardless, Yen continue to embrace Tsuabaki, The oni seem to be a very sentimental race, don’t they? But the oni don’t seem to be likely to cause a scene, and Scion is glaring at me. So I said– 「You did not use your licence to kill on Tsubaki, Scion. Thank-you.」 Coming up to stand by Scion, I expressed my thanks. 「What are you thanking me for?」 「You knew that I might get in trouble later with Butei Regulation 9 that tells me when I can kill or not–and you knew that, didn’t you? Or was it that an English gentleman never raises his hand against a lady?」 I said, hitting two bullseyes, and Scion fell silent for a short pause… 「Not at all. It was because I have not styled my hair today.」 He said something ridiculous with a straight face. It would seem that Scion is terrible at lying. In the first place, he has a close-shaven haircut. However, this might be one of Scion’s jokes. British humour is hard to understand. 「Kinji Tohyama. Who the bloody hell are you?」 Scion asked, a searching look in his turquoise eyes that were full of intelligence. But it’s alright. I’ll use a cliche. 「–I’m just an ordinary highschool student. One with slightly below average grades in a rough school.」 As I gave that answer, Scion… He gave a slight smile. Good. It’s alright. 「Kinji. I would like to be friends. Regardless of my father.」 Calling me by my name for the first time, Scion stuck out his tight have to shake– 「For the meantime, things are settled, right? You are truly an incredible man. I’ve just noticed, but after such a huge roundup of criminals… you’re not even breaking a sweat.」 「Something like this is not even worthy of comparison to one of the former Number 7’s exploits.」 「Well, then there is just one more thing. What are we going to do? About our duel? The Prince gave you an order, but things are a bit unclear how they stand at the moment.」 As I touched upon the matter– 「It is over. I do not wish to kill you.」 I received an unexpected answer. 「Running away, are you?」 「I have no issue with you interpreting it that way.」 「You are a terrible liar. Won’t you tell me your real reason?」 「–I have taken a liking to you.」 Scion said without changing expression. 「I shall definitely meet a man like you again sometime in the future. If I am ever working in Japan and need some help, I shall call upon you. Lend me your strength at that juncture.」 「I’ll think about it. And if I ever have a difficult time in England, You’ll help me, won’t you?」 「I shall bear it in mind. Although next time you come, please do not forget to bring Excalibur. Oh, by the by… I wanted to ask you a simple question.」 「?」 「Kinji Tohyama. Who the bloody hell are you?」 The searching look in his turquoise eyes staring at me demanded a somewhat witty answer. But that’s alright. It was becoming a pretty standard response line. 「–A normal highschool student. One with slightly below average grades at a rough school.」 Giving that answer, Scion… Cracked a small smile. Good. Good. 「Kinji. I feel like we can be good friends. Despite my father.」 Scion called me by my first name for the first time and reached out his right hand to offer a handshake– 「Well, I am glad we have settled all that– We can call it a done deal.」 I responded in kind and shook his hand to demonstrate my trust. However… 「You’re shaking with your right hand? I thought you were left-handed. Did you hurt your left hand?」 「Nothing of the sort.」 「Then why?」 「I am actually right-handed.」 「…What!? Why do you always shoot with your left hand then?」 「To give everyone else a handicap. I am pretty strong.」 That means– The fistfight on Abbey Road was a handicap piled on top of another handicap. He has me beaten cold. This Scion Bond. He was a surprisingly interesting fellow. I forced a smile– On what was definitely his left wrist, Scion glances at his Charles Frodsham watch. 「Time for all the paperwork.」 Forcing responsibility for the oni onto me and the police officers, Scion took his leave quietly. …Hey, Scion. Exiting the meeting grounds, I watched his back as he cross the street, then a double-decker bus passed by, cutting off my view– Then, after it passed, he was gone. [END TEXT] ************************************************************* 1. Japanese proverb with the meaning ‘a great stroke of luck’. The origins of the proverb lie in that spring onions and duck are the primary ingredients of a duck stew. Finding a duck would be hard enough, but getting one that is also carrying onions would save you time and be ‘lucky’. 2. Mongolian vodka made from fermented animal milk. 3. The original Japanese is ‘the mind of an engorged person becomes dull’. I give the English version because Minuet would likely use the English. 4. An Oda Nobunaga quote, supposedly, as he was assassinated at 48. 5. Expensive formal kimono typically worn by married women on formal occasions with embroidery along the bottom. 6. Japanese drink made from puree of leafy greens 7. Kanji say ‘Run away’. Wish I could figure out how to do Ruby text, but alas, I am not that motivate to fight with WP when they will inevitably change the interface *AGAIN*, and I will have to re-learn how to do it… 8. ‘Mikiri’ is a skill/practice in Kendo of body management and positioning to move that you only move *just* enough that the opponent’s sword misses you–especially from a close distance. The intent is to pick up on the enemies intent and conserve movement and energy while staying inside their guard. 9. French: ‘coup de tête’ literally means ‘headbutt’. Kanji say: ‘Head-butt Bullet send-off’ 10. Hayabusa means ‘falcon’. 11. In case you forgot, ‘Kon’ means ‘pot’ in Japanese. 12. ‘Sturdy Blue Hexagon’ in kanji 13. Weird kabuki stance where arms are held forward and back is arched back, representing being overwhelmed by the power of an opponent. 14. First part of ‘Zetsurou’ and last part of ‘Ouka’. Pretty obvious. 15. Sumo philosophy dictates a Sumo must have: skill, strength, and spirit. Kinji has the former, Yen the second, so ‘spirit’ is left. ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ### 003. Bullet 5:Together with Minuet Here we are! The end of Volume 19, and about to break into a new decade of books! Not much else to say at the moment, so… Onward! Chapter 5: Together with Minuet [BEGIN TEXT] 「–Thank-you for your efforts, Master.」 Returning to Baker Street, I gave Minuet the general outline of what had occurred while Lisa served cherry tea… and my eyes flicked across the composite evening paper Lisa had made. Standing up from where I sat on the living room sofa would be bothersome, due to the after effects of my Hysteria Mode fueled Zetsurou battle with Yen. Taking and returning supersonic strikes 27 times makes a body stiff. 「…」 However, there were many news articles about it. ‘Arrest made in bus-jacking!’ and other such headlines ascribed all the credit to Scotland Yard. I couldn’t find a single mention of me as an illegal immigrant, Watson as a part of Liberty Mason, Scion as an intelligence agent, or Aria and the Prince. Were they leaving us out? There were also pictures of the suspects. What’s this!? Those aren’t their faces? They must have used some sloppy CG work to draw them in. Because I was there, the oni were taken quietly into custody… However, due to Sarah, they must have escaped soon after. All of them. –This would be a police scandal, so instead, the media was selling the public on a pack of lies. The crash of the attack helicopter was attributed to a plane crash during movie filming. That’s a pretty thin story. Actually, well… It seemed like the oni were not in the mood for a fight, and they knew that if anything happened to Aria, they would have to face me and Scion again. We didn’t sign a treaty, but we entered into a truce. –Regarding the articles through the magnifying glass memento she had gotten from Sherlock as Minuet sat beside me, and I said: 「So then how about it? Of course you’ll give me a star?」 Holding out my star card. 「Hmm? Very well.」 Minuet puffed on her cherry-scented tobacco pipe. Then taking a quill proffered by Sachet, she sketched a star. A single star. 「Just one?」 I didn’t understand. Why does a huge battle merit the same reward as an inspection of Lisa’s ears? 「You were not the only one to resolve this situation, were you not? According to what you have told me, Sarah Hood eluded capture and freed the rest. As a result, you now see these strange mugshots of Arab men.」 Drawing the same conclusions that I did, Minuet pointed to the news articles with her pipe. As I sat speechless with my mouth open in a ロ shape… *Brrring!*… *Brrring!*… an old-style landline bell telephone rang. Then Endora passed the receiver first to Minuet. 「–Elder sister. I have already inquired about the details from Kinji. Ah, you are nearby?」 Oh! It seems that the call was from Aria who had returned to the palace. 「Aria is coming here?」 As the brief call ended, I stood unsteadily to my feet and asked. 「Yes. Both of them will be coming here. Please meet them and make the proper greetings for me.」 Minuet replied, 『Both of them』.. Is Watson coming too? Wasn’t he hospitalised due to injuries sustained when his Porsche crashed? Making those vague guesses, I headed out toward the cold entry way… Having changed out of the English-style suit back to my Butei High uniform, I headed out onto evening down Baker Street. Then: 「…」 Heading toward the bus stop, Aria stood there in her sailor suit. And having seemingly changed into a fresh white suit–Prince Howard was there as well. They probably came here in the Bentley parked at the side of the road. I met them under the streetlamp… 「…Howard. Thanks for what you did on the elementary school bus. Oh, you have a bump. How are you?」 I pointed to the bump on his forehead as he removed his sunglasses. 「I was struck by a scepter. Please say no more about it.」 I carelessly called him by his first name, but the one who punished him for this escapade.. Wel… it had to be the Queen, didn’t it? She would be just about the only one that coils impart physical punishment to the Prince. I felt bad for him. Forcing a smile onto his face: 「Kinji. Firstly, we–owe you an apology.」 Howard said, taking off his white hat and holding it against his chest. 「We were smitten with Aria at first sight and mixed business with pleasure when I believed that you would snatch her away from me. However, the events of today have impressed upon me how deeply you love Aria. To tell the truth, I knew as much from the outset. And Aria truly cares for you as well. And there is no place for ourself in that equation.」 Having suddenly brought up matters of love… 「W-well..」 「Th-that…」 Aria and I both flushed red in embarrassment. 「Do not deny it. It is known, even to us. We are the prince of the country. In this country, our word is law. Therefore–our order to become a member of the English Royal Family will result in a broken heart.」 Despite looking and sounding as pompous as ever… 「Aria Holmes-Kanzaki. From this day forward, you are released from this obligation. Thank-you for your efforts.」 Howard gave up Aria like a man. With the slightest hint of tears in his eyes, he urged Aria toward me– –Seeing Aria standing next to me, he smiled with his handsome face. In order to hide his tears, he put on his sunglasses despite it being night. Then he took out an envelope with the Royal Seal on it from his breast pocket. 「Aria. This will be the one and only gift we have for you. Please accept it. This is a handwritten letter or recommendation to the International Butei Association–it may take longer than it did in our service as a Butei, but in recognition of that we recommend you receive the R-rank.」 Receiving that in surprise, Aria attempted to express her thanks– –But cutting her off, he turned to clap me on the shoulder. Now with a bare, ungloved hand. 「Now then, Kinji. I have advised MI6 that there is no need to keep watch on you. For your entire life, I confer upon you free passage of all British airports. It would seem that you were smuggled in, which is an embarrassment to our domestic Department of Foreign Affairs and law enforcement, however, my order quashes that issue.」 「Howard…」 「Thanks are entirely unnecessary. It is to serve as a sign of my apologies. And now that apologies are concluded, I wish to express thanks. You– have taught us something very important. In our role as Prince, until now we have only thought.and lived for ourselves…」 Despite his sunglasses, I could tell that he was staring straight at me… 「『A ruler doesn’t just act for himself–he fights for his people』–The English was crude, but the words etched themself upon our heart. Henceforth, we shall live for our people. If we must fight again, we shall tackle that challenge heroically for that purpose. As you yourself have just done.」 Then he pressed his fist against my chest with a *Thump!*– 「This is farewell, Aria. Farewell, Kinji. You both bear the burden of some kind of difficult challenge–however, since it is the two of you, we are sure that you will be able to surmount it, no matter what it may be. We have spoken, therefore it must be so.」 Leaving us with those words, the Prince… returned to his sky blue Bentley Arnage. Then Aria bowed politely as he walked away– With a slight smile on my face, I watched as the real, revealed Howard left. *********************************************************************************** Officially released from the Prince’s service and now a free woman, Aria– Because we were so close, we proceeded directly into Minuet’s house. We did so in order to hear her thoughts on the enigma that was hihiirokane. Having lost the protection of the Prince, Aria was once more the useless Holmes the Fourth. As one would expect, this would sour the mood of those in the Holmes Family… The current situation being what it was, we headed toward Minuet’s house nearby. As for Minuet– If I bring Aria along, we would meet her unannounced. After what happened with Momoko, she has been a bit more diplomatic. Minuet might be the starting point of the healing Aria’s rift with the Holmes Family. Holding this hope in my chest, I spoke with Aria as we walked down Baker Street… 「Now then, about Menu. Did she shoot you with her airgun when you met her? She is a bad child, isn’t she? The Holmes Family is a strange one… were you surprised? Do you hate them?」 You shot at me with real gun when we mean, didn’t you? I wanted to say that, but because of Aria’s unusually anxious expression, I swallowed the comment. 「 I wasn’t surprised, because in the Tohyama Family, it isn’t a shock if my older brother would just suddenly shoot at me. I guess that means both of our families are full of eccentrics. Yours and mine.」 Then knocking on the door of 221 Baker Street– Sachet and Endora greeted us. Now for the 4th generation Holmes sisters to meet. ********************************************************* Aria entered the living room, and Lisa pushed Minuet’s chair–and they came face to face. 「 It has been a while, Menu. You have grown more beautiful since the last time we met.」 「 You as well, elder sister. They do say that a woman in love grows more lovely, do they not?」 「Whaaat!?」 Hearing that, Aria grew excited and pushed me away for some reason– 「However, the recipient of your affection does not appear to be His Highness, Prince Howard. The fact that you were accompanied by Kinji indicated that you have pooh-poohed the Prince. That is to say you have squandered the greatest opportunity afforded to a denizen of this country. You cannot possible be in a proper state of mind.」 「I have not squandered.anything. We never even held hands.」 「Despite the fact that things did not play out as I had thought, I am glad that you are safe. The matter is closed.」 Baring her canines like an oni, she brushed Aria off lightly. As expected of her little sister. 「No it’s not settled. We still haven’t heard what you know. I brought Aria here, so give me the last star. So then tell us about hihiirokane.」 「It is quite a common thing for an elder sister to meet her younger sibling. Giving a star to you would be an insult to my elder sister.」 To Minuet who said this, despite her not meeting too many people herself, I replied– 「Well, then let’s have a good showing with your sister here.」 「A good showing?」 「Gamble with me. We’ll bet stars.」 Obviously not wanting to give me the final star, I proposed a high-risk wager to her. I decided to stake it all on a coin-flip chance. 「Have my deductions come true once more? Very well. Something that I wish to take from my sister has just become apparent.」 Minuet responded with an expression that said she had trapped me. 「What is it?」 In response to Aria’s question– 「Kinji.」 –She said that. 「Just as Kinji and the Prince dueled for my elder sister, she and I will make a wager for Kinji. We shall stake Kinji’s final star on the outcome. From Kinji’s perspective, it would be similar to Scion’s role–my elder sister shall stand in as proxy to earn his final star. If I win, she shall give me Kinji. In a hand of poker.」 「O-oi! Hold one there!」 「It is not a problem, is it? Such a philandering man is a small stake to wager.」 Hey…! Hasn’t Minuet stripped Aria of all her possessions in games of poker!? As I panicked– Completely ignoring my own will, the Holmes sisters headed into a room further inside the house… Stacked with musical instruments, it appeared to be a music room, and they stepped briskly and rolled toward it. They have decided to fight there. Being the wager itself, I chased after them. It had begun without my consent. The Holmes sister showdown…! ************************************************************************** In the middle of the somewhat spacious music room, there was an antique table that was a memento from Sherlock–and 2 of his great-grandchildren sat at it. Aria seated in a salon chair, and Minuet in her wheelchair. 「It has been approximately 3 years since I last played poker.」 「Is that right? But I always believed we would meet again. So here.」 Aria then took out her personal set of playing cards from her pocket. On the back, there was a Speckled Band) pattern that was familiar to me. The Speckled Band–called so after the famous case solved my Sherlock Holmes. Such were Aria’s tastes. ************************************ 「Now then, the same as always?」 「Alright. That is fine.」 The sisters first shuffled, then spread the cards on top of the table. All the cards were set out, face-down, like a game of Concentration. Then they used both their hands to mix them up. It appeared that the two of them selected their cards from the pile as they were mixed. Such a manner of shuffling is employed when two people are playing cards in order to prevent fraud in the absence of a dealer. As the two of them shuffled the cards, they spoke… 「By the way, Menu, are you still using that pigeon gun of yours?」 「I could ask you, dear sister, if you are still using that imported gun.」 No sooner were they reunited, but hey began talking of guns. If anyone cheated, there would definitely be gunfore. 「I also have clothes left in this house. I will give them to you. I have too many clothes that I purchased in Japan.」 「That is quite alright. Whenever I wear your clothes, they are a bit constrictive at the bust.」 「Hrk!… A mental assault, is it?」 「Not at all. I am merely stating facts.」 Their relationship is a poor one. It certainly seems that these sisters are not ones who should spend overmuch time together. 「I have drawn a wild card. I will exchange it for another. As usual, you shall go first.」 「Very well.」 Aria and Minuet–despite the fact that Aria was wagering my on fate, they took up the cards in a casual manner. Presently situated behind Aria, I saw her hand… …A single pair… The weakest hand possible…! 「Then I shall draw a single card.」 Saying that and exchanging one card, Minuet had to have a stronger hand. 「Alright, then I’ll draw three cards.」 Taking her turn, Aria laid three cards down on the table as she took more– This time, however, she was deliberate about it… her Camelia eyes staring at something… Her eye looked at the mottled pattern of the card backings. But staring through the table top to focus at the distance of the floor. Holding that expression, she replaced her three cards. As the exchange of cards concluded–the result of the card match between the Holmes sisters was already decided. 「My shy elder sister ought to–blush at this hand.」 There seemed to be some kind of history of them making bad puns based on what cards they held, as Minuet laid out her cards… Q❤, J❤, 6❤, 3❤, and 2❤… a flush. The odds of making that exchange of cards was not even 1 in 100, and it cemented her in a strong position to claim victory. –Then Aria revealed her hand. 「I wanted to say something about this house today. With Menu, Sachet, Endora, Lisa, Kinji, and myself– it is pretty Full.」 …A♠, A❤, A♦, K♠, and K♦…! …Sh-she won…! The odds of getting a full house, a stronger hand than a flush, was much smaller. –She won! Pulling off just enough of a victory. 「…I have been defeated. Well, that is my elder sister for you.」 Calmly admitting her defeat, *Hiss!*… she increased the steam level in her wheelchair. 「Now then, Kinji. I won the game, so please give her your star card.」 Encouraging me with a wink, she prompted me to hand over my card to Minuet. As Minuet drew the tenth star as promised– 「In the future, please allow me to borrow Kinji from you. He is an interestingly mysterious character that defies my powers of deduction.」 「I’ll mail him to you via express service when he angers me. But I will allow you to take care of the postage.」 They had such an exchange as Aria gathered up the cards. As she scooped them up, I finally understood… …The way she had cheated. The way she had gotten that full house. I sealed away the memory because I did not want to recall it, but this was the same trick used in the『 Cast Off Table』card tournament hosted by Riko during the summer holidays. The pattern on the reverse side of the cards is subtly different in some way from the typical Speckled Band pattern–a random dot stereogram. It was an old fad where by unfocusing the eyes and using the parallax effect, characters and images seem to rise out of a printed pattern. That is to say, for Aria who used this, it was the same as if the cards were face up. That must be how Aria managed to cleverly eke out a hand that was just strong enough to beat Minuet. Minuet for her part, not able to pick up on this, was defeated. Perhaps it was too simple a trick for Minuet’s intelligence to perceive. Or maybe, actually– Or perhaps, seeing me return with Aria in place of the Prince, she discerned the bond between us and… she gave up the victory on purpose. The highly prideful Minuet, ended up returning Aria to me– And it might have been by her own choice. But let’s leave that as a mystery. It is poor manners to pry into all of the motivations and emotions of a woman, and I should act the part of an English gentleman. As I pondered this in my capacity as a former stake of the bet, Minuet propelled herself in her chair…. Rolling across the damask carpet of the music room, she turned to look back at me. Then she smiled at me with her forget-me-not blue eyes. 「Sachet, Endora. As when my elder sister and I were young– Petzold in G major, BWV Anh. 114. We have Lisa today to form the required trio.」 So order, Sachet and Endora happily took places up at the piano and harp…and Lisa took a violin off a shelf with a smile and bow. Minuet then held out a graceful hand to Aria– 「Elder sister. Let us dance a minuet.」 Meeting her half way with a gentle smile, Aria took her hand. Sachet, Endora ,and Lisa then launched into a performance of a famous piece of music that I was not familiar with… Hand in hand, Aria and Minuet began to dance skillfully. Doing so face to face with equally beautiful faces. Apparently designed to mimic the movements of a minuet, the wheelchair somehow flowed smoothly through the movements. At times it revolved around Aria, and at others it bobbed up and down live a wave. Aria’s pink twin-tails and Minuet’s platinum blond pig tails whirled and gleamed as they danced through the air. How…how beautiful. Despite being tormented and abused by those of titled status, I had to admire the performance. These two really are true aristocrats. 「Minuet.」 Her Camellia eyes narrowed, Aria happily called out her sister’s name as they danced. 「What is it, elder sister?」 「I love you.」 The sisters who shared part of their blood spoke softly– 「–And I as well, elder sister.」 Minuet also answered in a whisper. With the happiest smile on her face that I had ever seen. It was beautiful. Both of them were. It was pure sisterly affection that I saw. I observed the Holmes sisters with a warm feeling inside… As the music came to an end, it seemed natural to me to applaud. 「My elder sister opened wind holes in everything. Even here in this boring everyday life in London.」 Saying that as she looked up at Aria… Minuet then turned her chair to face me and tell me what she knew as she had promised. 「–Return to Japan and speak with Shirayuki Hotogi. She knows everything about hihiirokane..」 Go For The Next!!! [END TEXT] Atogaki Hello! It’s that time of the year for Santa Akamatsu! It’s getting harder and harder to understand the Roman numeral numbering, but we are pleased to present the next volume of Hidan no Aria. It is a seldom seen numbering, but XIX means volume 19. Honestly, if I had a time machine, I would go back to when I decided to use Roman numerals and say:「Just use Arabic numbers! I went into a bookshop the other day and saw volumes IV and VI in the wrong order!」and I feel like I want to drop kick myself. When I arranged them on my own bookshelf, I looked at them and say:「Uh.. Something seems off, doesn’t it?」and I had IX and XI swapped… My sincerest apologies, all you readers and bookstore workers… ********************************************** Now then, thank-you for waiting so long! We can now announce the true identity of the mysterious new Hidan no Aria「New Project」. –The『Hidan no Aria AA』anime adaptation! In the last afterword, I mentioned it, and Hidan on Aria AA is a series featuring Aria’s Amica, Mamiya Akari. It is a series full of cute girls that are Aria’s kohai and their amazing everyday lives and fights. In the industry there is a term『cute justice』, and『cute + cool = great justice』 at least in my own personal theory . More and more news will be shared about the anime in the future.. Please look forward to it. Now, for the comic source material for the anime『Hidan no Aria AA』, next month, volume 9 (IX) will be on sale. My original work is serialised and popular in Young Gangan. I write it so that you can understand what is going on even if you start in the middle, so please read the latest volume. What’s more, the novel version of AA is scheduled for release, so… if you’ve been waiting to buy it, don’t worry about getting lost and buy it! Now I’ve used up my space in self-promotion marketing–also known as propaganda advertisement– and I don’t feel like it was subtle. So then, until next time–Until we meet amidst the flowering cherry blossoms that complement Shirayuki Hotogi well. A certain day in December 2014, Chuugaku Akamatsu ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ## 17. Volume 20 - Superconductivity of Love and War -Superconductivity- ### 001. Bullet 1: Sign of the Mysterious Bird — Underway On Nuclear Power Another day, another chapter — and in this case, another volume. No spoilers, but from what I have heard, this is a *very* interesting volume, so you will *not* want to miss this one! Promise to `do my best to get these out as fast as I can! Let’s do this! Chapter 1: Sign of the Mysterious Bird ―― Underway on nuclear power [START TEXT] — Return to Japan and speak with Shirayuki Hotogi. –She knows everything about hihiirokane. Minuet’s words left me in shock. As I stood, stunned… A tiny part of my brain said:『I knew it.』 Back when I fought Son in Hong Kong–her being a defective Scarlet Goddess, she answered me like this when I asked her a question: 『If you wanted to know, you should have stayed in Japan. 』 …In searching all over for something, it was actually found where I had started. Such happenings are common in the world. It is like the irony of the play『The Blue Bird 』 1 「I shall step you through it from the start, like the steps of a minuet.」 As Aria and I stood speechless in the Holmes’ residence’s music room, Minuet took out a pipe from a compartment within her wheelchair– As the scent of cherry oil wafted up, she explained her deductions. 「Your entire approach to the solution of Elder Sister’s Scarlet Goddess issue has been flawed from the outset. You should have acted to confirm the nature of the issue first and establish its parameters. Your haphazard first strategy to『recover the stolen karagane』and『find a way to exorcise the Scarlet Goddess』has recklessly placed you in direct confrontation with her– What you ought to have done was firmly establish knowledge of your opponent’s true nature.」 …True nature. The Scarlet Goddess had come to possess Aria via the hidan. It was similar to how Mash controlled LOO. But it seems that the Scarlet Goddess’ soul inhabited the metal. She was not human. However, the essence of the idea was not entirely dissimilar. Coming to that conclusion… 「If you do not understand your enemy, then you do not comprehend enough to discuss how to fight them. If your enemy is fire, you use water, and if they are a tree, you use fire. If they are a mouse you use cheese, and if a child you use sweets to bring about a reconciliation, or else you cannot even start talking about a reconciliation.」 As Minuet spoke, her forget-me-not blue eyes took on a contemplative look. 「–Do you think that Shirayuki knows what she really is?」 Aria’s camellia eyes showed a slight expression of『could it really be?』 「Since the time of the first, founding scarlet miko, the miko of the Hotogi Shrine have studied hihiirokane for 2000 years–that is the study of the Scarlet Goddess. That is to say, the Hotogi Shrine has maintained a side aspect of a『hihiirokane research facility』for generations. Shirayuki Hotogi is the modern inheritor of the scarlet miko legacy. She must be the one who knows the most detail about the true nature of the Scarlet Goddess.」 Minuet’s answer was unambiguous. 「However, there is a singular fault in the logic underpinning my reasoning.」 「What flaw?」 Hearing my question, Minuet turned toward me with her pipe. ***************************************************************************** 「Yourself. This matter clearly involves you–and where you are concerned, the normal operation of my logic is disrupted. My reasoning is based upon the orderly operation of logic and reason. You are one who disrupts all logic to make the impossible to be possible.」 Minuet scowled as if discovering a bug in her programming. 「I don’t think any plan will go as expected because of him. Just a look at Shirayuki’s large beasts, and he’ll be drooling over her.」 Folding her arms across her flat chest, Aria scowled at me like I was an insect. Hey, why are both you sisters quibbling and finding problems with Enable-sama? That was what I wanted to say, but the Holmes sisters would likely consider the words of a midge such as I:『To be of little consequence』. 「By the by, elder sister.」 「Yes.」 They had already moved on to the next topic of discussion. Insignificant! That was what I was to them…! 「There is one more thing. And I do not know if it is beneficial or detrimental… However, a『certain person』has taken an interest in this affair. When you and Kinji go to meet Shirayuki Hotogi–that is the point in time at which they will choose to interpose themselves. I have deduced as much.」 「I have also had a hunch that someone would appear. Call it a strange feeling in my chest.」 「There is not much in your chest to feel, and I am sure that the premonition carries the same amount of substance.」 At that, Aria gripped Minuet by the collar with both hands, and Minuet delivered a Mongolian Chop to her neck. Thus began the battle of sisters. Despite the fact that mere moments ago they had been dancing the minuet together beautifully and gracefully. But as for Aria’s intuition and Minuet’s reasoning–I suppose that together they add up to the capacity of the full ability of Sherlock Holmes. In any case, we should do as she suggested and return to Japan to meet with Shirayuki. She had not told us until now, but we must learn the truth about the Scarlet Goddess at all costs. ***************************************************************************** As the Holmes sisters grappled, the maids Endora and Sachet–as if such displays were common–came up behind them, pinned their arms behind their backs, and separated them– My first thought was to call Shirayuki on my mobile, but I had no idea what the charges might be, so I headed into the living room to borrow the landline. I did not know how to make an international call from an English landline, so I brought Lisa with me… 「…?」 As she moved to pick up the receiver from what looked to be antique metal scales that it rested on, her eye was caught by a dark shape moving outside the window. As she stood, frozen, realisation dawned in her emerald coloured eyes as she stared in silence at the overcast sky. 「What is it, Lisa?」 「M…Master. Please excuse me…! Hrngh–!」 With both her fists clenched and held slightly above her large set of breasts, Lisa appeared to strain herself, and on top of her head and behind her maid headdress–With a *Pop!*, her wolf ears appeared. With both hands cupped around her ears, she faced outside and listened for something. Her expression was not her usually kind and gentle one, it was dead serious– I could see from her face that something odd had frightened her. ….Kuraaaaah…! – -What the heck!? I heard a soft noise from somewhere far away in the foggy night sky– Hearing that bizarre and eerie bird-like call, I also moved to look out the window. As soon as she heard that faint cry, the skirts of her maid costume flipped up against her buttocks. Hurriedly, she opened the Japanese style framed windows to look out and see if anyone walking the evening streets of Baker Street had made the noise. –Kuraaaaaaaaaah–! 「…!」 I heard it again coming from the sky. By its echo, I could tell it came from somewhere east. Near London’s centre. How…how did this sound provoke such an instinctual fear and dread? It had to be some kind of bird. But I’ve never heard such a cry before. Despite the great distance between us, I could tell that the thing was huge. 「…M-Master… protect me… I am frightened…!」 Under such a strange circumstance, Lisa– The King of Beasts, Gévaudan, and rider of whales was petrified. By a bird’s cry. I attempted to reach out a hand to her, but completely panicked, Lisa, pale-faced, pulled me in and hugged both my hand and head in tight– Hey now! Why are you holding me close like this!? 「Do something, I beg of you…! Please protect Lisa…!」 Tears in her eyes, Lisa pressed my hand into her left breast that was too large for it to hold in a single hand. Soft as a marshmallow, it engulfed and swallowed all 5 of my fingers. Uuu~~~! Let me go! I wanted to order, but that was impossible. The reason being that my mouth and the lower half of my face was pressed up against and engulfed by her right breast through her sailor maid outfit. Buried in her chest, I tried to control my breathing, but that only resulted in me being forced to inhale her sweet maple scent. What’s more, her breasts were plump and hung down pleasantly. Despite the thick cloth of her uniform, my mouth was filled with the sensation of something soft–just like the『Mother and Child Play』adult game that Mutou had told me about. But if that were the case, Lisa’s expression would have melted in affection and not be filled with fear. 「…」 –I see now. Lisa was scared of the bird’s cry that she wanted me to change into her Hero-sama. And as she wished, I did. In a mere 10 seconds. However, I do not like being forced to change. So in order to teach her not to do it, I pushed her away with some force as I escaped the valley of pleasure. –Kuraaaaaaah–! Kuraah! Kuraah–! As the strange bird gave its cry from above again, Aria and everyone from the music room came into the living room. In order to deflect from what had just occurred with Lisa, I turned on the old television set in the living room… We were all speechless at the live BBC News video feed. Illuminated by a searchlight in the dark, foggy sky over the Thames, there was a large flying creature with outspread black, bat-like wings. It was real. As it skimmed past the London eye, a quick estimate of its size put it at– 9 metres. When it flew through thinner patches of the fog, I could see that its eyes were approximately 20 centimetres in diameter. Its face had a terrible aspect like a cruel pelican. The monster’s cry could be heard even as far away as Baker Street. It can’t be… a pterosaur…!? I saw something like it in a picture book when I was little. It looked like the young flying lizard specimens of pterosaurs that Minuet had in her fossil collection, and I identified it as a pteranodon. But that specific species of dinosaur was extinct in the Cretaceous Period. How was one flying in the modern era above the Thames? 「A devil…!」 「How ugly…!」 Sachet and Endora said, respectively, crossing themselves as they stepped back from the television. On the television, I could see the inhabitants of London scattering and fleeing the Thames like a horde of baby spiders. The pteranodon certainly looked like the depiction of a devil from Christian iconography incarnate. Even Lisa was caught up in the general British panic. However, religious devotion aside, there were two English girls who were not frightened by this large devilish bird. 「–A pteranodon sternbergi! It has long been my own personal theory that pteranodons were warm-blooded, after all. They also appear not to suffer from night blindness. When the searchlights hit its eye, I saw the irises contract. Look at that! It just used its anterior cranial crest as a rudder to alter it’s flight course!」 Contrastingly, Minuet pushed closer with her chair to the television. 「Kinji. Apart from that big bird, there’s this fog. London does get night mists, but this was so sudden. I did not even feel an increase of humidity. And oddly, it only covers the river and hangs heavily. Just like in Hong Kong…」 Alternating between observing the television and looking outside, Aria urged caution. 「Yes. This is just like Katze, the Witch of Cursed Water–she used magically conjured fog like this to hide her tanker.」 However, it seems highly unlikely that Regiment Hex–defeated in FEW–would use a vacuum bomb against Liberty Mason’s London headquarters while in the middle of a ceasefire. That being the case… 「Minuet, I wonder if this disturbance is a result of『a certain person’s』appearance?」 I remember seeing another person use this kind of fog. The sight is burned into my memory. It was a completely unforgettable nightmare. On the screen, the videographer finally fled themself– Thrown onto the ground, the feed now only showed the unique London architecture. Minuet turned her chair to face me. 「…It would appear to be so. Elder sister, Kinij, please take care of yourselves. Please convey my regards as well.」 Pinching her skirts slightly in an aristocratic manner, she gave her parting message. 「I do not intend to have a pleasant chat, but to arrest them. I entrust Lisa to your care.」 「–Let’s go, Kinji!」 At Aria’s order, I checked my spare magazines and the armour I was wearing underneath my clothes as we headed out of the room. ***************************************************************************** The fog became thicker as we raced toward the Thames on a rented bicycle. They only had a single rider version this time, but Aria stood on the rods that protruded from the rear axle, making it a 2-seater. On the way, we passed one fleeing citizen after another. Children were crying, and clergy were shouting bits of scripture like a charm against the pteranodon. As the searchlight fell upon the flying creature–I hoped that it was some kind of artificial pteranodon, but it appeared all too real. Upon seeing a dinosaur for the first time, it had a more awesome presence than any modern animal. Even enough to overwhelm the King of Beasts, Lisa. –…*Ding!*…–…*Dong!*…– Big Ben chimed, announcing it was 7 PM– As I ran along the riverbank road, I drifted the bicycle to a stop. As Aria’s bulletproof uniform skirt fluttered, Aria got off the back. 「Kinji! There’s a red light on the water!」 The sharp-sighted Aria pointed at a faint glow somewhere downstream. The light illuminated the fog intermittently turning on and off. It was Morse code. U…n…der…way… 《WE ARE UNDERWAY UNDER NUCLEAR POWER》 Underway on Nuclear Power—That was the message relayed by the world’s first nuclear submarine, the Nautilus in 1955 as it sailed up the Thames. –Kuraaaaaaaaah–! In the sky above, the pteranodon was circling the light–as if maintaining contact with the vessel. Perhaps the flying monster was released from the ship in order to clear people out of its way. And the fog was meant to conceal the warship as it made its way up the Thames. –…*Ding!*…–…*Dong!*…– As Big Ben tolled once more, the ship rose to break through the surface as it moved slowly forward. At over 300 metres in length— It was the world’s largest nuclear submarine– –I.U…! For some reason it was flying the JMSDF 2 banner, but there was no doubt as to what it was. I had destroyed the secret I.U. cabal. This was the headquarters for their group of outlaws. Despite my doubts, I saw it with my own eyes sailing up the Thames. *Sssssssshhhhhh!*… I heard it cutting noisily through the water, but there were not sounds of engines. It must be drifting under inertia. It came to a stop with its stern underneath London Bridge. Thinking it might do as much, I leaned over the bridge railing an tutted. I thought so… they’re all connected. I saw the figures of Yen, Tsubaki, and Sarah. Kon seemed to be inside the oil drum Yen carried on her shoulder, and although they had noticed our presence… they made no antagonistic moves. —…O zittre nicht, mein lieber Sohn…!– The aria from Mozart’s『The Magic Flute』began playing from the large speakers on the bridge of the warship that was emblazoned with the large characters『伊U』. As the fog continued to swirl, the two letters 25 meters in front of us…came to a slow halt. The ship was now at rest. 「I.U…. It was entrusted to the JMSDF and moored in the south of China…!」 There came an answer to Aria’s anime-like voice. It spoke from the bridge of the ship. That voice… 「–Never hold a prejudice, and follow reason to whatever the truthful conclusion must be. Aria-kun. It is little wonder that the same person could steal that same thing twice.」 *Tap!* *Tap!*… Accompanied by the sound of footsteps, the upper half of a man dressed in a full classical suit appeared on a staircase leading up to the top of the bridge… It was the one who had been the first in history to escape I.U. on an ICBM–and the world’s greatest detective. –Sherlock Holmes–! 「Great-grandfather-sama…!」 ***************************************************************************** Even in her surprise, I could tell by her eyes that Aria had a hunch that she would reunite with him someday– 「…So you are alive after all, Sherlock. I guess it is true what they say about old soldiers simply fading away?」 3 「What vanishes shall appear once more. What leaves shall return again. As one whom the world believed to have died and has now returned as well, you should not be at all surprised, Kinji-kun. My reasoning tells me that you have died at least twice since the last time we have met, correct?」 As Sherlock stood on top of the submarine’s deck smiling, he struck a match and lit his pipe… *Boom!* There was a dull heavy echoing sound that reverberated. What appeared to be a gull-wing door– A tactical missile silo opened on the starboard side of the deck. 「New eras are always heralded from the sea. The Mongol Invasions, the Perry Expedition, and the USS Missouri–so it is for your homeland. My own country is much the same.」 Sherlock beckoned to the oni and Sarah behind us, and they dropped to the deck from the bridge. I saw the wind rush up in a draught to cushion their descent. This was Typhoon Sarah’s power at work. They entered the ship quickly from what appeared to be a service access hatch on the missile silo. From how familiar they seemed with it, it appeared that they had been working together for a while. Although it was not to a great extent, they had been able to predict our movement, so I had thought that there was some kind of mastermind behind the onis’ actions… and it appears it was Sherlock. Earlier, Jeanne had told me that Kon was an alumni of I.U. That must be the connection. I should have realised it sooner. The pteranodon also landed on the deck, folding it’s right and left wings in… staggering awkwardly, it slipped down into the missile silo. 「Aria-kun. Kinji-kun. Come with me if you can. Come, even if you cannot.」 He spoke the same words as he did in the Pacific. This time to both of us. …*Grrrr!* *Grrrrrr!*… I heard a deep, bass rumble that shook my stomach. It was the sound of an engine. I.U. began moving once more. 「I’ll do that much without being told. As a Butei, I cannot simply let a world-class criminal who has stolen a nuclear submarine twice just walk free when they appear in front of me. Sherlock Holmes, you are under arrest!」 Drawing my Beretta, I straddled the bicycle once more. 「Kinji…!」 Aria looked back and forth between me and Sherlock. 「Aria. You do not have to fight, it is alright. It is honestly alright.」 Knowing that she could not point her gun at her beloved Sherlock, so I told her this over my shoulder–*Boom!* Kicking out with Ouka, I gave the bicycle a rocketing start. Instantly accelerated, the bicycle headed toward the edge of the bridge and up and over the angled fence railing that prevents people from toppling over into the Thames– Soaring through the air, I headed toward I.U. Under this rash manoeuvre, the spokes of the wheels broke, the frame warped, and the front and rear tyres exploded, scattering in pieces midair. The debris hit I.U.’s deck at the same time I did. 「–Sherlock! This blizzard of cherry blossoms–do not forget it!」 Falling, I employed an Ouka-fuelled dropkick, to which Sherlock– He caught it in the hand that was not holding his pipe. –*Whoohm!* With both the sound and sensation of kicking a soccer ball, it was stopped and it’s power diffused. It was likely due to an air cushion. He must have copied that trick from Sarah. 「I think I will, if you do not mind? I employed a small fraction of my ESP power upon you.」 My ankle still in his grasp, Sherlock used what looked like a Baritsu move and twisted it. Understanding what had happened, I matched the rotation with my own body–drawing my gun in my right hand, I pointed it at Sherlock’s feet. –*Bang!* Ba-Bang* Accompanying the flare of muzzle flash, spent casings rotated with me and scattered in the darkness. But Sherlock had already let go of my leg and brushed the hand with the Beretta lightly to the side. My shots impacted just in front of him. Then he gripped my hand with his, intertwining our fingers. My gun still in hand, we engaged in something like finger wrestling. Our fingers were locked together in a joint-lock technique–. 「Is this what you call a pinky-promise? In Japan?」 Before I had realised it, it was gone in an instant. My Beretta was in Sherlock’s hands. 「It is a bit different, actually.」 –*Bang!* *Whipsh!* Sherlock fired, and I intercepted the shot with a quickdraw shot from my Desert Eagle. With a *Thump!*, I finally landed on the bridge of I.U. on one knee. Right in front of Sherlock. Smiling down at me, he held the Beretta where I could see it making an L-shape. It was a signal that he wasn’t going to shoot. 「…If you are not going to use it, give it back.」 I held out my left hand. 「Very well.」 With a *Plop!* He dropped my gun into my hand. As the blood rose to my head, I pointed both guns at Sherlock– Sherlock spun his pipe in his hands and with his hands– *Whoomph!* *Whoomph!* *Swish!* *Swish!* He skilfully trapped and manipulated my wrist and elbow joints. Then I noticed that both of my hands and guns were pressed up against both sides of my chest. Already having gathered enough power for Ouka in my legs for a kick, I launched a subsonic headbutt– 「Ah! I have no desire to be struck by another of your headbutts. 」 –Sherlock stood directly in front of me with a smile on his face. Holding up his hands and telling me to『hold on』. I would have liked to have been able to use this trick to crush his face in, but… It was impossible to cancel out the effect of Ouka. I ended up hurtling forward inside the ship from the bridge– The figure of a surprisingly small girl then entered my vision. 「Tohyama! You shouldn’t fight! Sherlock is a friend!」 Hearing the slightly nasal and flustered childish voice, my eyes widened. With bulging eyes, and standing even shorter than the 142 cm Aria–at what I guessed had to be 138 cm, was a long, black haired girl. 「…K-Kou…!?」 Perhaps weak to the cold, she was no longer wearing that revealing Nagoya High cutoff sailor suit… It was a fluffy down jacket she was wearing– Unless I was mistaken. I hadn’t seen her since we parted in Hong Kong. 「I travelled to London by way of Hong Kong. I reasoned that she could act as a mediator between you and I.」 …Sherlock, you bastard. Foreseeing that as soon as I saw you, I would try to take you into custody by force, you prepared her as a contingency against me, didn’t you? Of course, that was not the only reason for drawing Kou out from Hong Kong… In Hysteria Mode, I would be more likely to listen to a woman. 「Oh! It seems that coming from a warmer climate, the London cold is affecting Kou-kun. Now then, let us head inside, everyone.」 Without turning around, I.U. began moving back toward the estuary again, ready to get underway for an underwater journey–already the deck was sinking lower. The water was already up to the level of the bridge. 「Kinji, Great-Grandfather-sama–!」 From the same London Bridge that Sarah and the rest descended from–*Whizz!* Aria rappelled down from the bridge using a wire. Holding down her pleated skirt as she landed, Aria surveyed the scene and found me sulking, Sherlock in a fine mood, and the split personality Kou looking worried. 「???」 「Aria-kun. It is alright. Kinji and I seem to have injured each other–I would never do anything to make you cry. Now then, Kinji-kun.」 You go ahead and say that, Sherlock. Despite the fact that you shot Aria in the back with the hidan. However… I actually do not sense any bloodlust radiating from him. Grasping my Beretta and DE in my hands, I saw the rising tide of water. I.U. was once again going to be concealed underwater. It would not take more than 3 minutes. I must make a decision before then. Whether to stay aboard or to retreat. Kou looked around anxiously, watching to see what Aria and I would do. This being the situation, Sherlock puffed on his pipe calmly. Then he addressed the most hostile character present…me. 「I received a message from Yen-kun that you lot wish to make peace. That is a very interesting prospect.」 「What the hell are you saying? To come all the way from Hong Kong with a nuclear submarine, you should have been able to guess as much before receiving such a message.」 「Very astute of you. You seem to be quite capable of elementary reasoning.」 「And there is one more thing–Something I have reasoned out: I.U.’s current destination.」 I said as Aria and Kou looked up at me in confusion. 「Aria and I had no other choice but to come aboard this ship. That is to say, it is the location of the final piece of karagane. The oni have retreated here. Namely, Habi has.」 「Quite right. It is near Japan– Kii no Kuni has already received notice of our arrival. Our itinerary estimates a travel time of 165 hours. After a hundred years’ work on『A Study in Scarlet』, I deduce that the final act is nigh upon us. I cannot bear the thought of playing absolutely no role in the final revelation. Therefore, I have offered my services as a facilitator.」 I knew it…! Kii no Kuni. Sherlock made a grand gesture, asking us to cooperate… 「–Aria. This is a dangerous matter, but the truth may be different from what Minuet has deduced. As far as I know, there is not merely a single way to stop the advent of the Scarlet Goddess. Recovering the final karagane from Habi may be enough to stop the『soul merge』– that is to say that there are likely other methods to prevent the Scarlet Goddess from dominating your will and partitioning off her influence. Merely restoring you to the state in which you were prior to Bandire is not a perfect solution, by far–However, it will serve well enough as a stop-gap measure. There is no way to get the tiger’s cub without entering the den, and in that spirit… I will leave it to you to decide whether or not you wish to board I.U. with Sherlock and the oni.」 I asked Aria, deferring to her sense of intuition. Aria considered it for a few seconds. 「…I’ll go.」 She answered. 「An eye for an eye, and tooth for tooth. The oni came to London and did as they pleased, so let’s do the same here.」 An eye for an eye, and tooth for tooth. Paying back what has been done to you. In a certain sense, that is the shared motto and duty of Butei around the world. It was a very Aria-esque way of thinking. When it comes to Aria, no matter how trivial a thing is done to her, I cannot help but answer back for it. 「What’s more, even if we followed Menu’s advice–It might be hard for you and I to get into Japan via the airport, right? I am trying to work it out right now, but the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would notice us. While the deal with the Ministry is being worked out, we could go to Kii no Kuni and recover the karagane. Once that is done, we should be able to go and talk to Shirayuki publicly.」 Come to think of it… that is probably the best possible outcome. As much as I hate taking favours from Sherlock–I followed Aria, Kou, and Sherlock– I stepped down the stairs into I.U. as the water lapped up onto the deck. ***************************************************************************** The hatch at the top of the staircase was made of a superalloy, it closed automatically and was formed of several layers. As the sounds of the ship’s passage rang overhead, we descended into the warship’s interiors via a spiral staircase. LED lights illuminated the steps, and the stairs narrowed as we descended. Sherlock and my shoulders and hips snagged on the rails several times. Kou’s pouchette and coat snagged on the railing, and she cried out each time. As I thought, I could see that she was wearing the cutoff sailor suit underneath, but due to the angle, I couldn’t see anything else. 「Now then, allow me to extend greetings once more. Aria-kun. Kinji-kun. Welcome to I.U.」 As Sherlock spoke, he stepped off of the stairs and into what appeared to be I.U.’s reception hall– 「…I see your collection is as large as ever.」 Ranged in rows like a museum, there were full dinosaur skeleton specimens illuminated by chandeliers. The floor was marble. On the walls, there were rows of stuffed, extinct animals. I have been on board before, but at this point the sense that this was a submarine vanished entirely from my mind For I.U. that spent long periods of time dormant or crossing oceans, it was laid out so very extravagantly. 「Please take as long as you like to inspect them, Kinji-kun. It will take several days to traverse the Arctic Ocean to the land of the oni. But first, let us share a light meal with Yen and the others. I am sure that you have many questions.」 As he said that, Sherlock walked past a Pteranodon fossil. Aria followed after him, and: 「Tohyama! Kou has wanted to meet you again! You have been very busy in the East and West since leaving Hong Kong, haven’t you? Kou expected nothing less of you. Kou has been very anxious about what happened to you since our gunfight.」 Divesting herself of the jacket, Kou latched on to me in her usual short, cut-off sailor suit. Caught off-guard, I jumped slightly in shock. Her orange tail was crooked into a heart-shape. 「O-oh! I’m glad we could meet again too. But I never imagined that you would bring Sherlock along too.」 The scent of tapioca milk wafting from her body as she clung to me was almost too much… 「I was eating porridge at the North Poing Sang Kee specialty shop when he appeared all of a sudden–『Ni Hao, I am a friend of Kinji Tohyama.』, he told me while we ate porridge.」 Sherlock, you bastard! I bet you just showed up and didn’t even show her any proof. Actually, I wonder how he managed to reason out where we were? He must have pieced it together from various sources. 「This was after he had reached out to Rampan to say:『I wish to council Kinji-kun and Aria-kun in the matter of hihiirokane』, and he came to scout Kou directly.」 Then Kou let go of me and dropped to the floor… Then she cheerfully straddled the bicycle with training wheels that was parked at the bottom of the stairwell. Even as the back of the micro-miniskirt did nothing to cover the back of her buttocks as she sat on the seat: 「Kou also wanted to repay Tohyama for rescuing her in Hong Kong!」 Kou turned a happy face toward me as she pedalled, the training wheel squeaking as she did so. With an overall length of 300 metres, I suppose having a bicycle to traverse the ship is convenient. What is certain.. Kou harbours some hihiirokane within her body, and she is a failed Scarlet Goddess–Son was artificially created to serve in that role. As we draw closer to discovering the real truth about hihiirokane, there is no better qualified person from whom to borrow knowledge and experience. No doubt intentionally, Sherlock had preceded us with Aria, and Kou and I followed. However, Sherlock… Despite the fact that we had been fighting until now, he boldly displayed his back to me. That was a very bold action. Now that I think about it, Sherlock is blind, and he uses the perception of the shift of air current as a substitute for vision. Whoever goes first or last might be meaningless. That being the case, I stopped worrying about positioning and caught up to Sherlock. 「Oi, Sherlock! About that pteranodon. Is that thing your pet? Did you find some DNA in mosquitoes trapped in Cretaceous period amber like Jurassic Park?」 「Not at all. We used fossils. It has been widely accepted for the last 50 years that molecular fossils–namely DNA–can be extracted from biological fossils.」 「…Still, why the hell would you bring back a dinosaur?」 「Do boys not like dinosaurs, Kinji-kun? I am essentially a boy at heart!」 Sherlock declared with a wide grin on his face… Despite the fact that he was past 150 years old, he managed to look more boyish than me. ***************************************************************************** It is a well established scientific fact that atomic energy produces a vast amount of power, in spite of the serious drawback of radioactivity. 1 gramme of U-233 is able to produce as much energy as 3 tonnes of coal. A nuclear submarine–that is to say, a submarine equipped with an atomic reactor–is furnished with a near infinite source of power. With infinite power, infinite fresh water can be created through desalination, and from the fresh water, infinite oxygen can be created via electrolysis. Such a large craft has a virtually infinite range of travel. I have heard doubtful rumours that in anticipation of long sea voyages, Soviets and Americans constructed nuclear submarines with such things as pools, tennis courts, arcades, and livestock pens. However, I.U. is unique in the amount of freedom that it possesses to traverse the world. As we walked through the interior of the large craft that had been converted into some kind of museum and university, my Hysteria Mode wore off… I had already lost track of how many decks we had passed through. Then we arrived at an indescribably vast astroturfed greenhouse– Inside were Yen and Tsubaki, wearing kimonos, Kon peeking out from under the lid of an oil drum, and Sarah wearing her blazer and plains skirt. In front of the party of oni was a Sino-African style picnic on a cloth. Aria and I made brief eye contact to put each other on guard, and Yen beckoned to us. 「Now then, let us have a reconciliation celebration.」 As Sherlock encouraged us to do this… I clicked off the safety on my guns.. On the cloth there were mounds of rice balls, hamburgers, banana spring rolls, broccoli, salads, and all sorts of sandwiches.. The oni were presently eating the rice balls. 「…Do you only eat onigiri? Shouldn’t you get something with Vitamin C?」 Reading the room, I knelt down to sit beside Yen, and Tsubaki glanced up at me in her black kimono. 「『Omibusu』, you mean.」 「What?」 I asked, crossing my legs and taking a seat on the cloth. 「Onigiri is a word too close to『oni slaying』and one to be avoided.」 4 She gave an incomprehensible explanation but… the mood seems to be one of reconciliation, and I had no desire to disturb it. I continued to make small talk. Tsubaki seemed to loathe how familiar Yen and I were. This is something I have recently discovered in human relations as well: Younger sisters who admire their older siblings seem to get angry when I talk to them. That seems to explain the phenomenon of utter disdain that causes Tsubaki, Shirayuki’s sister Konayuki, and Aria’s Amica Mamiya to treat me with the same regard they would an insect pest. Tsubaki seems to admire Yen greatly. In other words, that means that she will never stop hating me, doesn’t it…? However, her ire seems reserved for me alone. Aria and Sherlock sat together eating hamburgers, and Kou plopped herself down to start shovelling banana spring rolls into her mouth with a spork. Next to Aria, Sarah ate broccoli. 「Your clothes…. Which school do they belong to?」 「These are a disguise. They are a Scottish tartan pattern.」 The fellow Britishers exchanged in English. On the other side of Aria, the short, golden twin-tail Kon… would not look my way. 「Sha-Sharrock…」 She called out to Sherlock in a thin voice, holding out a cooked sweet potato through the gap between the drum and its lid. Using all 4 of her dark-skinned arms to present it formally. Having taken an interest in mine and Yen’s conversation up to this point, Sherlock said: 「Ah! A baked sweet potato, is it not? Thank-you, Kon-kun.」 And he smilingly accepted the sweet potato that did not seem to be what one would eat while wearing a suit. Kon.. blushed behind her glasses through the narrow gap, and a soft giggle escaped her. 「Heh heh!」 What’s this? Not being exceptionally good at chatting with girls for a long period while eating『omibusu』–I cut straight to the point. 「So I’ve heard from Sherlock that you want to talk about a cease-fire with us.」 I brought up the topic to Yen. Then she nodded in agreement, and fixed me with her golden eyes. 「Correct. Aria becoming the Scarlet Goddess will slay her soul. That is to say, it will kill her love. We three oni have held conferences and are irresolute. We are at a loss.」 「If you are unsure, then you should stop. That is the oni way.」 From Yen and Tsubaki’s words, I could sense that they were more than a bit confused. …They were seriously discussing peace talks. They had no intentions to fight here. The oni wanted Aria to become the Scarlet Goddess… But they disliked the idea of overwriting her personality, it seemed. They must have listened to my Hysteria Mode lecture. Even as I recalled my discourse on『Love』 and other topics in embarrassment, the result is undeniably a benefit to us and to be celebrated. 「What does Habi, Er..Habi-san have to say about this?」 Sensing that dropping the honorific made the oni angry, I corrected myself and added the -san to the tiny oni’s name. 「In this matter, we deviate from our mistress’ will. Conveying such a sentiment over a long distance would be most improper. We shall inform her at the first opportunity we have to do so directly. We are fully prepared to commit kagebara. 5 」 「『At the first opportunity』you say. When will that be?」 「We know not. It depends on our mistress’ humour.」 「What if that is not soon enough? What if you let Aria go and she turns into the Scarlet Goddess? Tamamo the kitsune woman has set the deadline at the end of March.」 In I.U. The official languages were German and Japanese, so we conversed on Japanese… The oni’s words were archaic, and it seemed that the expat Aria did not understand part of what had been said. However, she could tell that it was important and was impatiently listening with an anxious expression. 「Tamamo-dono has declared the last day of March to be the limit… It may be that we are unable to meet that deadline.」 「Yen. You do not need to cut open your stomach, but take me to Kii no Kuni to see Habi-san. We will figure out the rest later.」 「What is it that you intend? If you seek to oppose our mistress with arms, we refuse.」 「Your loyalty is commendable. But in order to save Aria’s soul, we do not need to be proactively violent. Aria’s transformation can be stopped with just one more karagane. Habi-san is the one that has it. You do not have to fight her, but only turn a blind eye while I get it back.」 I explained what I would do with Habi– As I thought, Yen and Tsubaki became angry, and I sighed. They were like children who did not understand what their parents were doing. Finally Tsubaki spoke: 「The reason Yen-nee-sama does not wish you to fight Habi-sama, Tohayma, is for your own good.」 「My own good…?」 「If you were to fight Habi-sama for the karagane, you would suffer a severe blow. You would die in an instant. In such a case, your own love would be slain.」 「Killed? Butei hear such threats every week. Why would I–」 Yen interrupted me as I began to speak. 「Tohyama, can you figure arithmetic? You felt it in our battle on the London clock tower–we were evenly matched, you and I. As I have said before, even if there were seven of myself, I would be no match for Habi-sama.」 …She used numbers to predict my own defeat. I defeated Yen in Hysteria mode, but that was only by taking advantage of her affection for Tsubaki and Kon. In terms of raw power, I feel that Yen’s assessment is correct, and we are evenly matched. And If Habi has 7 times Yen’s strength… I would be soundly defeated by such an opponent. I understood the theory in practice, but I stubbornly remained silent. I was unable to do anything but remain silent. 「Let us have an audience in Kiinokuni. Our mistress desires to speak with you. And let us have an interview– but you must not fight. We shall stand at your side and speak for you in the dialogue.」 Dialogue? With Habi and her childish babbling? That seems like it would be hard to do. But if I expressed that now, the oni would be mad about it. The most important thing now is to preserve this atmosphere of reconciliation above all else… so I suppose that I should keep quiet and go along with it. ***************************************************************************** After Sherlock ate the yakiimo 6 , he got up and went off somewhere– Yen and Tsubaki; Kou; and even Sarah and Aria–having taken their fill of food–split up singly or in pairs to take baths or showers before sleep. Left behind in the prairie-like greenhouse, it was only myself and Kon who peeked out from the small gap between the oil drum and its lid–using a bamboo fishing pole to filch left-overs. From eavesdropping on Aria and Sarah’s conversation, I learned the I.U. was piloting itself through the Arctic Ocean. However, from the total lack of vibration, the sense of motion was entirely absent. As for the sense of time… I could tell it was getting late. I recall that back in Tokyo, Jeanne told me that Kon was a founding member of I.U. 「Oi, Kon! I don’t know anything about I.U.’s layout. Where do guys go if they want to sleep?」 When I asked that: 「Ones like you can just sleep outside.」 Such rudeness! Despite the manners and deference you showed to Sherlock. But I understood somehow. In this case, Jeanne’s intelligence held me in good stead, and I reasoned that Kon had the fickle temperament of a genius and merely listened to Sherlock as a pupil. Sure that there was some kind of shared empathy between Kon and Sherlock, as fellow geniuses, I said: 「Kon. You like Sherlock, don’t you?」 As the representative of Japan to the world of my total lack of diplomacy when it comes to dealing with girls, I spoke such a tactless statement. –*Ka-boom!* The lid flew off Kon’s oil drum as if a bomb had spontaneously combusted inside of it. I didn’t really understand why it happened. Now there is steam erupting from the drum like some kind of volcanic eruption! 「Uh-wha! Wha!? Tohyama…! Wh-wh-what…!?」 The lid hit the ceiling then clanged back onto the drum. Using her 4 arms, she clamped it back down with a loud clatter. Then, from the narrow gap beneath the lid–*Glare!* She scowled at me with a face that glowed with red-hot light. Steam was coming off her head. It looks like she is just a simple girl at heart… 「Nothing at all. You haven’t said anything to him about this, have you?」 「–T-There is no way I could. One such uncomely as I, and one so handsome as he can never be a good match.」 Caught up in a leading question, she admitted her feelings easily. …Right, this might just be the first step toward capturing Habi. Just a few moments ago with Yen when I remained passively silent as she suggested we『speak with Habi』, I did not intend that we『do what Habi wants』. However, up to this point, I still have absolutely no idea how to reclaim the karagane from her, and I might be able to extract some intelligence from this person. What knowledge has been gained prior to a battle is the deciding factor in 80% of cases. Takamagahara-sensei’s classes taught as much. 「You might have some kind of complex about how you look, but you still look like a woman. As a man, I can tell you that for sure. Your face is pretty cute too.」 「T…T-Truly? Then how shall I bed him?」 「Y-You can’t just jump all the way there at once! But well, actually, that is to say… there are things to do before *that*. Like a love letter.」 I am not the best with relationship advice, but I started talking freely with my elementary level of knowledge anyway. 「L-L-L-Love letter!?」 With a *Clank!* she clamped the lid down onto the barrel, and hid herself away. 「…Oi! Kon.」 I rapped on the side of the drum. …That went awfully quickly, now didn’t it? As I thought that, *Whoosh!* The lid cracked slightly open. Then from inside there was a *Whipsh!* A parcel wrapped in presentation paper with a hand-brushed address『To Milord』 shot out. After catching it like something out of a period play… I wondered if this was a secret missive or something? Then, peeking out with a red face through the gap while keeping her arms inside… 「Tohyama. I charge you to deliver this to milord. It is not uncommon for such to occur between members of my own kind. I lack the courage to deliver this love letter myself.」 Huh. So some oni lack the courage to deliver such things to each other themself. I haven’t given one out myself either, so I really don’t know how much courage it takes. 「Above all, you must breathe not a single word of this matter to anyone. Oni and humans coming together. It defies Heaven’s order. If Yen and Tsubaki were to discover it, they would be shocked and deride me.」 Ah! How girlish. 「You’re an oni, and you’re still this nervous? Well, I’ll still take it to Sherlock for you. But I won’t do it for nothing. You’re going to have to pay the postman. You will have to answer a question.」 「…」 「Hmm… I wonder if I should take this to Yen?」 「Wh-what!? Halt! I concede!」 …She became very miserable and pitiable. But this was to figure out how to deal with Habi and help Aria. I will extract the secrets from this oni’s heart. 「Oni and human bodies are somewhat different, aren’t they? I mean, oni have some interesting organs that humans lack. For example, the *devil’s pouch*–where is it located within the body?」 Aria’s karagane–is located inside Habi’s devil’s pouch. If I had to extract it surgically from her abdomen, or something, it would be difficult without knowing where it is. I asked the question with that purpose in mind, and Kon who had merely watched Sherlock as Yen and I conversed– Did not seem to realise the import of such a question. 「Humans are inquisitive. It is located just above the stomach.」 Kon informed me. ***************************************************************************** Besides that, Kon drew me a map of I.U.’s interior. What a detailed map done on washi paper with a brush! How did you get such straight lines? And I followed it despite the hard-to-read ancient style kanji… Out of an abundance of caution, I inspected the ICBM hangar where I once fought Sherlock. An automatic door with a radiographic hazard symbol stencilled on to it opened, and inside– Ah…! There are a bunch of them! Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles. There were 8 of them. On their outer surfaces I saw『Polaris 09』written. Without the nuclear warhead, they were now a kind of escape pod–transport vehicles. Which reminds me of the time in Sotobori-dori when Watson saved me and Aria from Hilda’s attack… 「Watson was number 5 and visited here before meeting you. He came here are a spy from Liberty Mason, and when that was discovered, he was treated as an honoured guest.」 Seemingly having predicted what I would do, Sherlock also correctly guessed at where my thoughts had led. Turning my head around, I saw Sherlock leaning against the bulkhead, twirling a walking cane and tucking it up under an arm. Despite the invasion of privacy by logical reasoning out all manner of things, I did not voice any compliant– 「…I thought so, but now I know for sure Watson came from I.U. Actually, Sherlock. You’ve aged all at once when you let go of the hidan–You look 20 years older. Is that because you no longer have the hihiirokane?」 「Kinji-kun. When presented with an inexplicable situation or fact, one should infer all possibilities by conjecture for consideration. Does irokane merely keep death at bay and rejuvenate youth? As a point of fact, since we parted from each other on that summer night, I have met the clinical definition of ‘dead’. A certain English noble, Madame Maria associated with the Romanian National Institute for the Research of Aging… Vlad-kun’s wife, at my behest, revived me immediately following death. With her cooperation, we have used NMN to boost the function of the sirtuin gene expression to increase its rejuvenation ability. In successive growth periods, how far do you think we will be able to boost the level of intelligence?」 …I don’t really understand what he said, but he seems to be able to use his connections from his time on I.U. to full advantage. But is this what he means by a growth period? That would explain how he seemed on the Thames before. Since the last time I fought him–he feels stronger. 「If you mess about with things like genes without knowing what you are doing, you might end up looking like Vlad.」 「I shall take your concerns under advisement.」 However, since the last time I met him, Sherlock seems less hostile. That being the case– 「So then, can you still reason? What is going to happen to Aria? Tell me… if you can.」 Framing his position as one of my allies, I asked frankly for his advice. In reply: 「…It is rather embarrassing, but I will answer candidly. I do not know.」 「You don’t know? Why?」 I was baffled at how quickly the famed Sherlock Holmes waved the white flag. 「–To start, the very essence of irokane defies my powers of deduction. That is also the reason that I entrusted irokane to you of the next generation on that day. The name I bestowed upon Aria-kun–『Hidan no Aria』. It embodies the hopes that I have that she will unravel the mysteries of the hidan.」 「…If you don’t know, I’ll make you do it. That brain of yours can understand anything.」 「Do you comprehend anything I have said? There are things that are too much for my mind, Kinji-kun. There are many exceptions to what I can determine by deduction. This mystery is my raison d’être. As I have said, the matter of hihiirokane–my 『Study in Scarlet』is rapidly heating up. And you are as well, are you not?」 「…Me?」 「Minuet-kun told you, did she not? You are『Enable』. The man who makes the impossible; possible. That is to say, you are a walking contradiction. Contradictions are unable to be resolved by logic, and are an exception to deduction. Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, and contradiction for contradiction–you are a fitting person to get close enough to unravel the mystery of hihiirokane. As for myself, I share your same intense interest in irokane.」 「Don’t say it like it doesn’t horrify you.」 Sherlock is able to reason out the outcomes of an entire society, but… 『The things that defy logic』are infinitely more interesting is what he is saying? And because of his incredibly powerful mind, he is able to take part and play a role in such dangerous things. And in the end, he is forced to look to those caught up in the situation around him to find the answers– this perilous great detective. The bastard. He’s opened a Pandora’s Box of trouble for others in irokane. And closing that Pandora’s Box is another Pandora’s Box that I have to deal with, isn’t it? After all, isn’t『clean-up』part of a Butei’s job…? I sighed deeply– I recalled the last time I fought Sherlock in this hangar… I recall that he told me that love between men and women was something that could not be deduced. Even the greatest detective in the world declared at the outset that not everything could be logically determined. …Ah, I see. That is how it is between men and women. 「Let me change the subject. Here’s a letter for you.」 I took out the tri-folded washi paper from my bulletproof uniform pocket. 「A letter?」 「You didn’t deduce this?」 「Quite. This event is an exception to logic.」 So it would seem. A love letter is the embodiment of love after all. A thing like this would definitely pique Sherlock’s interest. 「It’s from Kon. Write a reply after you read it. It is a confidential message, so handle it with care.」 Based on the fevered looks she gave him when handing him the yakiimo, I thought that if I mentioned her name he would realise, but… 「What an unexpected and interesting occurrence. And she has employed a messenger within the confines of the same vessel. One could even say that the addition of a proxy agent intensifies the enigma greatly.」 Sherlock wore an expression of unbounded wonder. He is surprisingly uninsightful. Upon finding himself in receipt of a secret letter from a girl, he is entirely unable to hazard a guess at its contents. This guy… he’s like me. I, at least, have the excuse of my condition, but Sherlock seems so totally engrossed by the mystery that he is unaware of the typical actions of girls. Receiving the letter from me, Sherlock was vexingly unable to comprehend its significance… Before opening it, he made an Aria-esque motion of crossing his arms. It seems to be a mannerism that both she and Minuet inherited in times of deep thought to employ the use of a smoking pipe. 「The more complicated a matter appears to be upon its face, the simpler the essence of the solution shall turn out to be. In the converse, those with the plainest appearance are often the most memorable…」 He said this as he continued his string of muttered comments, her pondered over the envelope addressed『To Milord』. He really did not understand! Kon, this is a feat! At this singular point in time the dangerous Sherlock Holmes–for a brief moment posed no one a threat at all. ***************************************************************************** Sherlock was trying to apply all of his powers of logic to determine what the intent of the one who sent him the love letter was. He pondered it grinning, turning it over in his hands, and I was not so rude as to merely stand there gawking. So I left the hanger. Consulting my diagram of the ship, I began searching for a good spot to get some sleep. There were the regular soldier’s quarters, but unfortunately my penchant for unfortunate accidents had been well established since my second year. Is it my fate that everytime I open a door, a girl will be in the middle of changing clothes, and I will receive a beating for it? Is that why I was given such crisis management skills? That has to be it. For that reason, I was seeking some kind of security measure aboard the ship similar to the one in the living room in my apartment. There is a sofa in the library. It is not an entirely bad substitute for a bed. The grain storage areas might be covered in flour. Inside the giant clam in the main hall would not be terribly horrible. As I wandered on– I entered a somewhat darkened room. At the top of the map was that the word『Laundry』written? The smell of soap put me on guard in case it was a bath… but when I turned on the lights, I could tell it was something else. Large, Japanese style drum clothes washers stood alongside dryers. So that is what ‘Laundry’ means? It actually looked like a large, coin-operated laundromat. That reminds me, Sherlock did say that it would be about a week’s journey. Just because it is free, I will do my washing later on. If I wanted to use machines this big in Daiba, it would probably cost me 800 yen. This is a great way to save some money. I walked over to slap the top of a machine with my hands then… 「…?」 There was something at my feet. It was a small bit of cloth. What’s this? I picked it up out of curiosity. … …….? It was a piece of white cloth I thought was some kind of handkerchief… It had a well-worn feel to it as I rubbed it between my fingers. But when I saw the seams stitched into it, I knew it wasn’t a handkerchief. …. I have a bad feeling about this. So I began to unfold it. 「…! …!」 *Tha-Thump!* This is a girl’s u-underwear! And why the heck was it at my feet!? What’s more, I recognise the Japanese-style ribbon placed to fall below the navel on them. I-I’m about to be in a tornado hell, aren’t I? By the user of the Wind Arts that blew me, Psion, and Prince Howard away the first time I saw it, the former member of GRENEDA and I.U. war hawk faction, Ignatius Nomad–these were Sarah Hood-chan’s!? I went stiff in embarrassment as my luck ran out. My propensity for disaster had re-asserted itself. 「…!」 It appears that she came to see if her blouses and underwear were finished washing– Typhoon Sarah stood before me. 「…!」 Sarah saw me standing frozen, holding her underwear spread out as if I was going to wear it as a mask…*Rrrrrrrrrr!* I heard a vibrating sound. Then her bulging azurite coloured eyes filled with disgust– and tears started at their corners– 「Uwaaaaa!」 With a *Tap!* *Tap!* *Tap!*, she began running. I wondered if she would use gusts of wind like blades to cut off my head, but Sarah seemed too shocked to concentrate enough to use her magic. That was good! Then she hit me. Impacting me with a charging attack, her body was soft and warm. 「Give them back! Give them back!!!」 This was the same as when I took her bow on the Fugaku, she began to rain feeble hammer bows on my chest. Despite her usual calm manner, she was just as frantic as then. But this time there was no way to misunderstand what had happened. She had probably dropped these when she put her other clothes into the washing machine without realising it… Regardless of the reason, the sight of what I now held in my hands had to be shocking enough to set Saraha’s hair standing on end. She appeared to be at that sensitive age of 14 or 15. –*Bzzzt!*– As the washing machine signalled that it had finished its cycle, I… Without any warning at all, from what I held in my hands–shockingly, I found myself in Hysteria Mode. It had only taken a few moments. That is how quickly my blood coursed. –! In the very next moment, Sarah’s lime scented silver-grey hair swished. And she snatched them from my hands. 「What do you wish for me to return? Sarah, did you mistake this for something else?」 Feigning ignorance, I pointed to the map of the ship that she now held in her hands. 「…? …?」 Sarah looked at Kon’s hand drawn map in her hands, then whipped her head around to see her underwear inside the washing machine– 「Get out!」 Grabbing a nearby laundry basket, she threw it at me. ***************************************************************************** 「Whatever do you mean? Whatever it is, it has got you awfully upset.」 「Get out!」 「I-I understand.」 I played dumb, but followed her instructions and left the laundry room. Then stepping out into the corridor…. *Phew!*… I breathed out a sigh. I figured out what I had just done— Using only my right hand , I had employed Ouka. Using it to replace her underwear back into the machine at subsonic speed. Humans blink once for approximately 120 milliseconds every 4 seconds. Sarah is no exception. During the space in time where Sarah blinked I opened the door to the drum-style washer, closed it, then took the map from my pocket and held it above my head. All that was accomplished within 120 milliseconds–then Sarah had snatched the map of the interior from me. –I had put the power of my whole body into sticking out my hand that I typically put into my entire body to make it move『all at once』. However, Ouka requires each muscle and joint to move『in sequence』. The principle relies upon each muscle in the sequence contributing its part to the total force and speed of the final motion. In order to reach Ouka’s typical speed, 4-6 such transfers are required. Originally the sequence was『toe➝knee➝abdomen➝shoulder➝arm➝wrist』, but when I fought Watson at the SkyTree it was『left wrist➝left elbow➝left shoulder➝right shoulder➝right elbow➝ right wrist』. This means that Ouka can be employed using any joint or muscle set in the body that you desire. I derived the understanding of this principle with my hysterised mental abilities… tickling at the possibility of new techniques… Just as I came to that realisation, Hysteria Mode dissipated. This was the shortest duration I have experienced to date, and now I am in post-Hysteria recovery. Across the entire world, all women secrete beta-endorphins that cling to their clothes and other possessions that men can pick up on… The fact that such a tiny piece of cloth elicited such a strong reaction that sent my brain reeling is something whose explanation exceeds my meagre experience. ***************************************************************************** I.U.’s speed increased to 47 knots as it rose to cruise on the surface of the Arctic Ocean. Although it is the world’s fastest nuclear submarine, it must still travel like this. To reach Ki no Kuni in the Sea of Japan, it took 165 hours. Because the journey crossed multiple time zones, it is hard to quantify just how long it took, but it felt like about 6 days. I intended to use the time to take it easy and rest, but.. On the third day out, Aria caught me early in the morning. Originally purposed to train superhuman students, the vessel is equipped with classrooms areas on board–and as she dragged me to one of those: 「I bet you slept the whole day away yesterday, didn’t you? In Butei High, back in Japan, it’s about time for final exams, and I wonder if you’d even show up on time for them?」 She said, forcing me to study. Aria’s Spartan-esque training regimen of squeezing my neck whenever I answered a question wrong overflowed with originality. Such casual stimulation of the ability to concentrate via fear of the loss of one’s life did, however, induce an improvement in performance. Then I said: 「The other day, I think I mentioned it. If I were to go back to Japan, I would have to be smuggled in.」 I would have to cast aside my homeland to preserve my life… 「Don’t worry about that. I expect something to happen in the next day or so. I had a teleconference with a Conservative Party member of the House of Lords, and I have Zenigata working on it.」 Aria replied. 「House of Lords?」 「Don’t you know? Are you stupid? It’s Britain’s upper legislative house. It’s like Japan’s House of Councillors.」 Aria ridiculed me with an expression that belied shock at my ignorance… 「Heh! You can’t fool me with that. You’ve been cooped up and unable to act out for the past few days, so you’re using the excuse of studying to take it out on me. You won’t catch me with this conspiracy theory. I know you’re the daughter of some kind of aristocratic family, but I heard in the Wagamama restaurant that there’s a difference between nobility and members of Parliament. Even if it were the case, who would you have been able to speak to?」 Feeling like I was being taken for a fool, I prattled on, adding to her conspiracy theory– 「My father. It is definitely mixing business with pleasure, but we could keep it a secret, couldn’t we?」 Aria made a grimacing expression. I did not know much about the illustrious Holmes Family because Aria rarely talked about it… … But apparently they had a member in Parliament. Aria’s father. My points refuted in an instant, Aria then lifted me in a bear hug–carrying me in both hands over her head. Then, to prevent me from squirming out and running away, she shoved her horns into my back in an inhuman technique as I was suspended above her. I called this: Idiot Riko, as she forcibly removed me. From then on, things proceeded as if Aria was a private tutor for a spring cram course. Aria taught me, non-stop, under constant supervision. Her Modern and Classical Japanese were a bit lacking, but she excelled in every other subject. However, I.U. was stocked with workbooks and reference books. But they were all in English. 「…Now that you mention it, what were you doing? Yesterday, I mean.」 I asked her as I was solving a Trigonometry problem Aria had pointed out from a Maths workbook… 「Talking about a bunch of things with my great-grandfather.」 「Did he tell you anything about hihiirokane?」 「Not much. He does not know much about it. That I why I have to do something.」 「You don’t resent him? Sherlock, I mean. For shooting you with the hidan last year?」 「Not really. It must not fall into criminal hands or a rogue state… 」 Resting her elbows on her notebook on top of the table, she reached over… touching her left chest where the hidan was located with a small hand… 「–I might even do something even worse with it than the Scarlet Goddess. Great-grandfather entrusted it to me. As the defective member of the Holmes Family, I have inherited this task for Her Majesty. I have a duty to carry out that I hope leads to a happy ending.」 From her words, I could tell that she held a lot of respect for Sherlock, despite the fact that he shot her… It was so vast. The reverence in which she held him. But her body was small. 「Well, I suppose being shot is all part of being a Butei.」 What I really wanted to say was:『Well then, why don’t you stop shooting me so much?』, but if I did that, she would hit me. So I changed what I was going to say to a more safe topic. This is what you call risk management. 「After being shot, there was risk of the Scarlet Goddess taking over if the karagane were removed, and I slipped up at the Bandire. Minuet told us that we should go see Shirayuki as soon as possible, but before doing that, we are going to see Habi to retrieve the karagane–I would prefer to meet with her after fixing my own mistakes. That is why I am happy we came to I.U.」 「Now that you mention it.. Wasn’t I.U. left in the care of the JMSDF?」 I asked because I remembered seeing it fly the SDF banner on the Thames. 「Right. They took it almost immediately after our fight. Last year, during Caravan I in Kansai… That is to say, while you were off on a romantic rendezvous with Reki.」 「No, you have it all wrong, I was being held hostage by the sniper Reki–」 「You and Reki were definitely off on a rendezvous. When Grandfather stole it again, the conditions of confidentiality were broken, so I went to Kure Harbour with Mutou from LOGI, then made a request of the former I.U. student, Riko, who was present when the JMSDF stormed I.U., and then negotiated how the JMSDF would take possession. This was done in cooperation with the Royal Navy. I worked out all the little details while you were off rendezvousing with Reki. Hold it right there! What’s this? You’re a highschool student. And you’re making an error in addition!? Stupid-Kinji! 」 「R-Right. I’m sorry.」 Addressing me without any honorifics, she scowled as she recalled the time I spent with Reki–pointing out a mistake I had made in my notes, she tapped it with the sights of her drawn gun. But I had wondered:『What happened to I.U. after the fight? Did it sink or something?』… And now I wonder if Sherlock had managed to steal it again thanks to Aria’s actions? Despite the natural Japanese antipathy to nuclear weapons, she must have had a hand on their throat to get the JMSDF the prize of I.U. To get it transferred to them under conditions of absolute secrecy must have netted her a great reward. Yet, I–the main reason I.U. was taken–hadn’t received a single Yen. Am I being ignored or something? That seems to be my luck. Anyway, they won’t be getting any of my help getting it back again. That being the case– After a while of studying under imminent threat, we reached a natural stopping point, and Aria glanced at her watch. 「Alright. You’ve done pretty well. As a reward, you can take a break. Stand. Walk. Now come with me, please. I took a look yesterday, but I wonder about today.」 She said that curious statement, curiously cheerful, as she led me to a locker room. Then she was wearing a fashionable felt coat that looked like something Hilda or Riko would wear, and she handed me a frock coat. 「Why are you dressed warmly? It is fairly comfortable inside the ship.」 「We’re going outside. We’re cruising on the surface right now. You don’t have to wear it if you want to freeze.」 「O-Outside? Just how cold is it? Aren’t we in the Arctic Ocean?」 In answer to my shock. 「Fufu!」 Aria smiled, covering her mouth with a knit mitten– Then, leaving behind the sound of footsteps, the twin-tailed teru teru bozou left the locker room. Then I pulled on the coat and chased after her. Huh… there seems to be a lingering scent of cinnamon. Ah! Watson probably used this before. Watson had probably passed as a boy during their time on I.U. With a wry smile on my face, I went out into the corridor and followed Aria up a cramped spiral staircase. Where I had trouble passing my head and shoulders through, Aria breezed through up onto the deck. I would have told her to be careful not to hit her head, but she just barely scraped by. 「I think we were headed due east yesterday based off the stars I saw.」 Aria operated a touch panel to confirm that we were cruising on the surface, then she used it to open the hatch– 「O-Oi! Look at that panel! It says it’s 25 degrees below!」 「The open bridge has a heater, it’s fine. The weather’s clear. That’s a lucky thing since I decided to bring you with me.」 *Ka-chunk!*… With a noise, the hatch above our heads opened as cold air rushed in from outside. Aria grabbed my hand and pulled me outside. Then it was just the two of us alone on the bridge that was about the size of a bus. The wind blew across the Arctic Ocean–and it was cold, as I thought it would be. Warm air wafted up from a heater beneath our feet, creating an effective temperature of 0 degrees. Away from the ship, it was total darkness. The sound of something like a low rumble of thunder was audible as the bow cut through the frozen seawater, and for all the world, it looked like we were in the midst of outer space. 「It can’t be much later than noon, can it…?」 I muttered as I looked left and right. 「This is polar night. It is the opposite of the midnight sun that occurs in the summer near the North Pole where the Sun stays high in the sky. In other words, it is night all day long.」 …Incredible. The North Pole is the end of the world. I have experienced it myself that the further you go north in Europe, the longer the night gets, ultimately giving way to total shadow. 「Night all day? That would make Hilda happy. Fii Bucuros, she might say.」 「Definitely. She says ’bucuros’ while smiling, the strange girl. Fufu!」 *Boom!*… *Shh!*…*Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!*… *Bang!*… What sounded like very distant sounds of a far away battle came to my ears, and I furrowed my brows and looked toward the direction from where they came. 「That sound you heard was ice calving off a larger sheet. Have you ever seen it on television?」 Aria explained what had happened. This Arctic Ocean is full of wonder. In the world, there are some things you can’t fully appreciate without coming to see them in person. However… Why are you looking up, Aria? That isn’t where the sound came from. It caused a slight worry, but there was a feeble flickering of pink light. I thought it came from I.U., but it was too irregular. 「What’s that? What, no, where is it coming from…?」 「You’re terrible at this, aren’t you? Look up!」 Ordering me to look up in her anime-like voice, I looked up– …! In the sky, *Blink!* *Blink!*… It was like a segmented curtain– 「–This… is an aurora?」 A pink aurora flickered. This is the first time I have seen it in my life. A real aurora. An aurora occurs when the never-ending barrage of charged particles from the Sun impact the Earth’s atmosphere at the poles, giving off light 100 kilometres in the sky and visible in the night sky. I knew about it before, but… It flickered and changed so quickly. I had only seen it in still photographs and assumed it was a stationary phenomenon. The gradation of a single hue was also surprising. In a word… beautiful. It was a majestic sight. I had seen nothing like it at any kind of gala. 「It was more visible yesterday. But it’s inevitable that with you here, luck drops.」 Despite the verbal jab at me, Aria’s tone was bright. 「I’ve never seen anything like it before. This aurora phenomenon.」 「I saw it before, when I was little, from an airplane, but that time it was more hazy and flickering between yellow and green. The aurora can be all kinds of colours.」 Aria and I–we just stayed looking up at the sky like that. 「…Hey, Kinji.」 「Yeah.」 「If I call you again… like today, will you come?」 「Why would you ask that? If I don’t, you’d shoot me.」 「To look at a scene like this, even if you have to pay a pound, it’s nice to spend some time together, isn’t it?」 If the answer is in the negative, that’s a gunshot. 「…Yeah. Let’s do it again. When everything settles down–Let’s meet up back at the Academy Island arcade. We’ll do the UFO Catcher again.」 「Kinji…」 I.U. was headed to Kii no Kuni. The top leader of the oni, Habi, was there. Habi held Aria’s karagane. The karagane acts as a filter to allow only the ESP powers derived from the『rule-based connection』to be used while suppressing the 『heart-based connection』that allows the hihiirokane to bond with the human personality and the Scarlet Goddess to take over. Once recovered, Aria’s apotheosis–for the time being at least, will be halted. Yen told me that Habi is 7 times stronger than her, and I don’t know just yet how I will get it back… but I will do it somehow. If Aria is with me. That’s how it has always been, no matter what has happened. [END TEXT] ***************************************************************************** 1. A Japanese play where children go on an adventure only to discover that the ‘blue bird of happiness’ they were seeking was in their back garden the whole time. 2. Japanese Maritme Self-Defense Force 3. Douglas MacArthur quote taken from a song 4. ‘Omibusu’ is another way to say ‘onigiri’, but slightly more formal and archaic. However, the nuance here is that ‘Oni kiri/giri’ means ‘oni slashing/killing. 5. The practice of inflicting a mortal abdominal wound, then making a dramatic statement and afterwards revealing the mortal wound to the other party. Kabuki theatre trope and dramatic device. 6. Roasted sweet potato dish ### 002. Bullet 2: Star Shattering Axe ― Haseisangabu After a three-day cruise through the Arctic Ocean, I.U. passed through the Bering Strait–then headed toward the South Pacific before anchoring. With the latitude and longitude coordinates that Sherlock gave me, I checked a nautical chart with Kou, and we were south of Japan, East of Taiwan, North of Palau, and west of Guam. We were in a hard to describe part of the Sea of the Philippines. Opening the hatch on the now surfaced I.U., we were hit by a humid, hot sea breeze due to the pressure differential inside the warship. It was still early morning, but it was 30 C outside. Sherlock, Yen, Tsubaki, Sarah, Kou, Aria and myself climbed up onto the submarine’s bridge… and the sunlight flashed in our eyes. I have not seen a more dazzling sight, brighter than a Japanese summer day. “…” As my eyes adjusted to the light, I was able to look out across the sea’s surface–and the scene took my breath away. Everywhere, the sea was perfectly clear. The sea was so transparent that the waves were imperceptible, and the sunlight reached the bottom of the shallow water… If seen from above, the pitch black I.U. would be observed floating in a sea of pure white. This must be some kind of optical illusion. Just then, a pod of porpoises and small fish swam and skimmed past the starboard hull. Making smooth and stately progress across the seabed, a blue whale shark was visible. Then 200 metres from the bow of the ship–we saw a lone island. “Is that the Oni homeland?” “Just so. This is the modern Island of the Oni, Kii no Kuni.” Wearing a cutoff sailor suit, Kou stood calmly–holding the nagatina-esque Green Dragon Crescent Blade ready in her hands–talking to the kimono garbed Yen. That solitary island is Kii no Kuni? Using my hand to shade my eyes while squinting I scrutinized the island and… it was somewhat strange. As far as I know, an island is usually surrounded by sandy beaches and/or rocky outcrops touching the ocean as far as one can see. Instead, this island was covered in trees down to the shoreline. The whole island was covered in a mangrove forest full of thick trunks covering the whole island that reached out into the ocean, anchoring in the seabed. And just like the film we had watched the other day… Aria’s small mouth opened in a small sound of shock because it looked very similar. It looked like the flying Castle of Laputa had set down on the ocean’s surface. (TL Note: Laputa is a reference to a Studio Ghibli film, in this case the film “Castle in the Sky”.) It was covered so thickly that the island itself could not be seen, and underneath the foliage on one side, a Fugake was visible with wheels and engines submerged on the ocean. Based on the large Fugaku bomber’s size, the island was 200 metres square. There were numerous signs of repair on the side of the Fugaku. Is this the one that flew above Tokyo? Back when I was onboard, the oni made a report saying it would fly here, so then did it fly here… and land in the water? It did not look like a seaplane, but it must have some way to take off and land that I can’t see. “The origins of the island are that it was originally an Imperial Japanese military floating oil platform for offshore drilling. Debris drifted to the abandoned structure from neighbouring land masses, and eventually the trees took root, becoming a true island.” With a jacket tossed over a shoulder, Sherlock explained as he held a pipe in one hand. A former Japanese military oil platform… And it was now taken over by the oni. “It is not an “island” according to the UN maritime definition, and as such, cannot be claimed by any nation, and as such, such relics… they can be found scattered across the high seas. Most notably, there is an abandoned platform within the coastal waters of my own England–the Principality of Sealand–that declared its own independence…” As Sherlock showcased the breadth of his knowledge by explaining this fact, I let the words pass over me– Is Habi there? As I observed the island… A single-masted wooden ship with the “無” character emblazoned in an undyed pattern on it’s square cloth sail set out from the island. (TL Note: Symbol here means “nothing” “nought”, etc.) Although the boat itself looks young, it is a Bezaisen, a Japanese style boat used from the Azuchi-Momoyama period into the Edo period. (TL Note: period here is 1600-1868.) It seems that at the outset, this type of craft design was intended to be both a sailing and rowing vessel intended to transport troops. A female oni wearing a purple kimono sculled the oars to bring the ship up close to the rear of I.U. ‘s bridge… We then unfurled a rope ladder constructed of wire and aluminum pipe that dropped down. Because of how skirts and kimono’s work with ladders, Sherlock and I–the two sole males–allowed the girls to descend first… huh…? What’s this? Sherlock stayed on the bridge. “You’re not coming to Kii no Kuni?” “Correct. Please excuse me. I have had a long-standing relationship with the nation of oni, so please convey my regards and apologies… Kon-kun cannot come in her oil drum so I shall stay.” “Kon?” “She is quite ill, and I shall take care of her to restore her health.” Now that I think of it, Kon hadn’t joined us on the bridge. I had attributed it to sheer laziness, but… Yen and Tsubaki’s mood seemed to agree with the idea that Kon would be left behind. But if the oni can get sick, shouldn’t there be an oni doctor here in Kii no Kuni to examine her…? I said that when I realized it. “– Were you able to deduce what was in that letter, Sherlock?” “You can deduce that yourself.” “You couldn’t so you read it, didn’t you?” “You possess some ability as a detective.” It is a well-known fact among historians that Sherlock was bad at dealing with the opposite sex, but witnessing it myself brought a wry smile to my face… Even in my normal state, I could read the situation. “Are you–using a woman as an excuse to make off with the I.U.? And leaving me and Aria here?” “Not accompanying my great-granddaughter to recover what was once hers is an extremely childish action, is it not?” …In a roundabout manner, he confirmed my suspicion. “According to some, I do possess a childish aspect. I also wish to take this craft to have adventures in the depths of the ocean. So I will borrow it for that purpose.” …Damn. He plans to use the nuclear submarine like a rental car. Regardless of his whimsical disposition, Sherlock had done us the favour of giving us free passage to Kii no Kuni where Habi was located. On top of that… If he came with us to the imminent fight with Habi, I would be doubtful of his true motives. Apart from Aria, I can’t shake the feeling that he bears me and Kou some kind of hostility. Objectively, parting ways here is for the best. Tactically speaking. “…Sherlock. I’ll turn a blind eye this time. Aria and Kou have spoken of you kindly.” “Thank-you, Kinji-kun. Then it is time for us to say farewell. Please look after Aria-kun.” Sensing that he and Kon were still awkward about expressing their feelings, I did nothing to disturb the neutral state of affairs… A Butei must show a samurai’s compassion, after all. Throwing a wrench into a situation when a man and woman are alone together–even I am not that much of a devil. As we rode the Bezaisen to Kii no Kuni, I gave a poor explanation as to why Sherlock was staying on the I.U. But then, for some reason, Aria and Kou seemed to pick up on the awkward atmosphere around us. Yen and Tsubaki as well. As women, they seem to be attuned to detect such things. Then, under Yen’s direction, we entered a part of the mangrove thicket, and the island… was surprisingly cool. At the centre of the small, rocky island was the old drilling platform–it was a ruin, riddled with holes and covered in green growth. It was about the size of a small schoolhouse, and the structures around it had become ramshackle and dilapidated. Arriving in front of it… “This is like… it feels like we are walking through a neighbourhood of apartment complexes in Kabukicho.” “I-, it’s like Kowloon Castle all over again. Demons are everywhere…” (TL Note: Demon in Kii No Kuni as in actual demons, demons in Kowloon as in enemies.) I grumbled while the scimitar that Kou held shook in fear. The island had quite the population density… No, it had quite the oni density. Everywhere you looked on this small island, you caught glimpses of oni in African patterned short-kimonos. As I had been previously informed, oni are exclusively female. They stop growing at what appears to be 18 years of age, so at first glance you might think this was a paradisaical island– But on their heads they each had sprouted one or two horns, varying in size and location. Oni women are still women though, so this is an island of female demons. One of the oni held a bowl out toward us, and I could see the steam of cooked rice rising from it. Slightly curious, I asked– “Oi, Yen! Where do you get your food and drink? There aren’t any convenience stores to plunder out here.” Still harbouring a grudge from the time she had burgled the shop where I had been working as a part-timer, I snidely queried her. “Are you speaking of our provisions? We trade in oil with Palau in exchange for rice and alcohol” Yen pointed at the rusted, hole-ridden steel beneath our feet– Beneath the waves below, I could see the rusty piston of a sucker rod oil well moving like a dippy bird. Next to it, I could see what had to be terribly inefficient, but compact oil and gas refinery equipment. It didn’t look like any I had seen before. It was probably one of Kon’s inventions. “200 of my brethren reside here. There are fewer people in Berau than Japan. If some calamity were to befall a village there, what future would we have? Thus we trade.” Unused to the nuances of ancient speech, Aria made a “?” face… but I got a sense of what she was saying. Berau referred to the archipelago nation of Palau. Because it was a former Japanese territory, the official language was Japanese, and there were many people of Japanese descent that lived there. The oni preference for Japanese foodstuffs must come from there. Therefore, if they pillaged and raided, they would run off the people entirely. So at Kii no Kuni, they always traded for what they needed instead. “Just as honey is produced solely by bees, rice and sake are produced solely by humans. So we allow them to do so.” Tsubaki said from beside Yen, showing that she viewed humans as insects… If you ask me though, they are all lazing about and living a lazy life off their petroleum products. Looking at all those scattered about, all they were doing was eating, drinking, sleeping, and messing about. Not a single one seems to possess the will to work. Some were fishing, but not to the level of what could be called fisherman’s work. The probably don’t have any concept of what “work” is. Speaking of envy, they truly had an enviable life, proving that they were a race apart from humans just as I thought–these oni. “That is enough talk. I have come to meet Habi. You have heard who my great-grandfather is, haven’t you?” Aria said this, and Yen and Tsubaki began to lead us. “Habi-sama is seated within the castle tower.” “Around this time, she takes her respite.” We then entered an old 4-story building built in the Imperial Japan era style. It was a crumbling concrete structure with rusty steel reinforcement showing here and there, and I gave a wry smile that the building they called a “castle tower” lacked any doors or windows… Earlier… When Aria addressed Habi without an honorific, Yen did not get angry at her. Despite the fact that she was extremely agitated by it when I did that in the Netherlands. Why was that? –Entering the castle: “Oh! It is Hina-sama!” “Hina-sama is here!”, my questions were resolved as the oni there spoke. Apparently the oni consider Aria to be one of their own…seemingly, they consider her a superior being and hold her in reverence. She herself was staring blankly with her camellia eyes, but it was no mystery to me. She was a genuine oni girl with horns. But why are they calling her that…? The name they are using is the same word used for dolls for the March Doll Festival. Actually, back in my room in my dorm, I made a Hina doll in poor taste that looked like a primary schooler sitting on the back of an effigy of me and shouting “You woke me up from my nap with the noise of you eating a rice cracker” while shooting me. This, naturally, had a bad outcome for me. (TL Note: Hinamatsuri is a Japanese festival where they display dolls, many of which are heirlooms.) “It looks like they are treating you like a god, doesn’t it?” “K-Kou is being treated the same way.” Crossing her arms, Aria acted the role of a VIP while Kou looked about nervously. But no oni approached me. Aria is becoming the Scarlet Goddess… that is to say, she is a fledgling. Is that the reason for the “Hinamatsuri”? Kou is an imperfect Scarlet Goddess and Aria is her current incarnation. (TL Note: Hina can mean Doll or Fledgeling. Avatar or Agent can also work here.) Grasping the true significance of this… I suppose that I would have been killed in an instant if I had arrived here alone. That might have been Sherlock’s calculated aim, so I am glad to be here with Aria and Kou. As the rumble of the oni feet sounded on the staircase like the pounding of a dancefloor, it was clear each and every oni possessed a fighting strength greater than a human. Of the 7-8 surrounding us, each of them possessed similar power to Yen and Tsubaki. This combat-type was likely the norm among them. The sunlight filtered through the cracks of the concrete as we reached the third level of the structure. “All, please halt here. Tsubaki will augur Habi-sama’s disposition. Afterwards, we shall pay audience with her.” “Agreed, Yen-nee-sama.” After that conversation shared between Yen and Tsubaki, Yen plopped herself down onto an African patterned goza mat… the rest of us also doing likewise. “Yen do you… that is to say, do both of you plan to help us get back the Karagane from your leader?” Avoiding the direct use of Habi’s name, I asked Yen to be sure of her intentions. “Indeed. We intend to oppose Habi-sama’s wishes for the sake of thine love.” “Love…” “L-L-Love?” This simple, two syllable word caused Aria to become excited, but as the one who had been the sole inspiration for this Love Theory that Yen was acting upon, I could not say anything. Kou then caught a gecko that was creeping nearby by happenstance, so the super embarrassing situation between Aria and I went unnoticed. “Speaking of ‘wishes’, is this what the Scarlet Goddess in Aria wants?” Coming back to the topic at hand, Yen nodded in response– Which caused Aria’s almond-shaped eyes to take on a sharper look as she sat in her sailor suit uniform. “The progenitor of the scarlet oni as well as the Scarlet Goddess and Habi-sama share the same ambitions. Habi-sama was an agent of the Scarlet Goddess at the start…” “–Habi also has Hihiirokane inside her, like Kou and myself?” Aria asked, but Yen shook her head. “Nay. Habi-sama was not the Scarlet Goddess. She was with the Scarlet Goddess, Nobunaga.” …Nobunaga…? “By Nobunaga, do you mean Oda Nobunaga?” I asked with eyes round as saucers. “Correct.” This time Yen shook her head up and down as my own eyes bulged. I think I read somewhere that Nobunaga collected all kinds of treasures from all over the world… Was there some Hihiirokane among some of it…? Oda Nobunaga. He was a Sengoku Era military commander who needs no introduction. Not only in Japan, but also the entire world, his military genius is acknowledged along with his brutality– “K-Kou has read that “Oda Nobunaga was a demon” in a Chinese novel. Was that actually the truth?” With round eyes, Kou voiced the same question I had. If a historian ever heard that Reki was descended from Ghengis Khan, they would just about faint. That was just about how I felt right now. “Nay. Nobunaga was human.” …T-Thank goodness! I let out a sigh of relief. Whereas Aria, on the other hand, pressed further on another tack… “Of course. That explains the crest and coat of arms you had on the cloth walls at the Cadogan Restaurant. I had Jeanne research them– the “Five-Sectioned Melon Cross” and “無” character– each of them were symbols used by Nobunaga. But what is the connection between Nobunaga and Habi? Is he one of her descendants?” Aria continued without any unease. “Nay. Sometime about the Eiroku Era or the Tensho Era, Nobunaga came across some Hihirokane, and the Scarlet Goddess found a kindred spirit. Greatly satisfied, the Scarlet Goddess bestowed her divine protection upon Nobunaga.” Perhaps believing the talk of such things required more formality, Yen transitioned from sitting cross-legged to seiza. …Kou/Son was an artificial attempt at tapping into the power of the Scarlet Goddess and by no means a natural occurrence… Her soul and the Scarlet Goddess’ were not in harmony, so she could not draw from power Hihiirokane freely. Last summer, Sherlock said that the Scarlet Goddess was awakened by someone with a “passionate, very prideful, and childish disposition”… According to the history that has come down to us, that fits Oda Nobunaga’s character well. I have no idea to what extent it might have been, but with similar personalities, Nobunaga certainly must have drawn upon some of the Scarlet Goddess’ power. From Yen’s choice of words, I gather that it was more like the Scarlet Goddess chose to support Nobunaga herself. Nobunaga was a heaven-sent military commander of the Sengoku Era. Quite literally it seems. “In the tenth year of the Tensho era, Nobunaga died at Honnoji Temple. At that point it time, the Scarlet Goddess attempted to transfer his soul to one of the scarlet oni residing in Arashiyama–exchanging it for Habi-sama’s using Transference Arts.” “Sou… Soul Swapping…!” Hearing Yen’s words, Kou’s tail went rigid like an exclamation point in shock. “This Soul Swapping…? What is that? Some kind of psychic power? Explain, Kou.” “Well–when a Taoist is on the brink of death–someone with psychic powers can separate their soul from their body and store or swap it somewhere like an emergency escape.” …Transferring your soul into something or someone else, huh? It’s making me feel dizzy. But this is a very important topic. It’s an area that is not my forte, but I must try to understand it. When Nobunaga died in the Honnoji Incident, the Scarlet Goddess saved him by transferring his soul to an oni–and the oni on hand at that time was Habi. That is about the size of it. “However, Soul Swapping into stone effigies, dolls, and using other inanimate objects as a vessel for the soul sounds like a somewhat complicated technique.However, using an oni with a soul, it is more like a substitution… is that it?” “Nay. Nobunaga’s–any person’s soul when copied comes under the control of the Scarlet Goddess. Thus, in the case of Nobunaga, part of his soul was transcribed upon Habi-sama’s” It seemed to be a very difficult technique, but the Scarlet Goddess was able to make a perfect copy of only part of Nobunaga’s soul to transcribe it upon that of Habi. If I have to explain it, then I would say that the aspect of enjoying the sight of battle, the power of leadership… among other things within Nobunaga’s personality had been impressed upon Habi. When it comes to her, I don’t get the sense that she has been completely taken over by Nobungaga, though. This new consciousness defied description in 21st century terms, however… explaining it in my own way, I would have to say that only a small, weakened part of his own consciousness had survived. As far as I can tell, a consciousness that has only been slightly diluted is still the original consciousness. Habi was still essentially Habi. For the time being, I will treat her as an oni with a weakened form of Nobunaga… something like a descendant. That is the off-the-cuff way a novice in the area of ESP powers should treat it. “It is Habi-sama’s intent to “Unify the Nation By Force”, to spread peace throughout the Land of the Rising Sun by employing the scarlet oni. To that end, we have travelled to the Land of the Raj, Persia, Land of the Nile, Nubia, Ethiopia, and Tanzania on a military expedition over the last few centuries. In every country under heaven, she had sought out the supposed best warriors, heroes, strong men, giants, and great men. In each case she has defeated them in a single blow that occurred in the twinkling of an eye. This journey of unification has become simpler over time with the use of boats and aircraft though.” –Although the general concept of Nobunaga was different, it looks like Habi has travelled the world, seeking to grow her skills by fighting. And her oni followers have followed. All over Asia and to Africa as well. …That being the case, it offers an explanation why the oni culture is blended with African style. She has sought out the superhumans on the battlefield and defeated them all in one-on-one combat. …What a pain. I feel bad for the rest of the world. As a fellow person from Japan, I feel the need to apologize. In any case, this desire is in line with the eagerness to fight displayed by the defective Scarlet Goddess Son in Hong Kong–to engage in serious battle with superhumans. That is to say, the answer to if Habi may harbour some portion of the Scarlet Goddess… The act of transcribing some of Nobunaga’s personality might have made her susceptible to the Scarlet Goddess’ influence. With such a prodigious experience and heritage, dealing with Habi will be a challenge for me, Aria, and Kou– “–Yen-nee-sama.” Tsubaki descended from the upper level in a dignified manner while wearing a black kimono. “Habi-sama has awakened, but her temper is as one would expect at such a time. Let us wait until she has eaten and drunk breakfast before seeing her.” “Thank you for your attention in this matter, Tsubaki. We shall do as you say. Tohyama, Aria, Kou, we shall wait a while. Whether we regain the Karagane we desire or not is dependant upon Habi-sama’s mood.” Yen replied, as Tsubaki began ordering several other oni in the garb of ladies-in-waiting on the lower floor about–and then they began to carry the fruit that seemed to connote Habi’s breakfast upstairs. Yen and the rest of us received onigiri and melons, accompanied by sake… The oni’s meal preparation was sloppy as the onigiri lacked anything besides rice, the melons were simply cut into quarters, and I refused the sake for all of us due to the important meeting coming up. Especially for Aria who had proven to be a sad drunk. After we had eaten, Yen brought out a shogi set to kill the time… however, there were pieces like “Copper General” and “The Drunken Elephant” in Chu Shogi which I had never played before. If Kaname were here, she would probably have understood the differences, but Yen explained the rules as she pointed to each piece. As were were playing, (TL Note: Chu Shogi is a variant of Shogi with slightly different pieces and rules.) “Come to think of it, Yen, the other day… after you fell into that concert hall, how did you get back here?” –*Clack!* “Hmm? I swam back to Kii no Kuni.” –*Clack!* “Oi! You just can’t take my piece like that!” “The “Lion” piece can take an adjacent piece without having to move. It is known as ‘The Lion’s Repose’.” “Hmmm… Wait! Do you mean that you swam here all the way from Tokyo Bay?” I interjected after a brief pause, to which: “Just so. I had the aid of the currents as well. I arrived here after seven days and nights.” Yen stretched out her hands, miming a butterfly stroke. … Seriously, she swam for 168 hours straight and across thousands of kilometres. I already knew this, but seriously, she is a monster. Maybe I could do it too, but I definitely do not want to find out. Habi, a demon even among demons who has been claimed to be seven times stronger than Yen, and who once defeated all the superhuman warriors in the world with a single blow… It would be a good idea, after all, to negotiate with Habi to have her return the Karagane through dialogue and negotiation. I breathed a small sigh of relief that negotiation was at least an option, and as I looked sideways at Aria and Kou… they were playing Chu Shogi ina prone position. After my crushing defeat in Chu Shogi, Yen lied and said things like “Tohyama is too weak even when I’m sleepy.” She then turned her back to me, muttering “It’s the time difference isn’t it?” and within 5 minutes she appeared to be asleep. The sun was shining through the trees outside the window as I was putting the pieces back away in their box… “… since I am sleeping, this is sleep talking…” In a love voice that only I could hear, Yen muttered from behind my back. “?” It is a strange preamble, but it sounded like she was trying to tell me something in secret… I don’t say anything in response, but slowly put the pieces away in the box while I pay attention to what Yen is saying. “Recently in particular, Habi-sama has changed. Day by day, the Scarlet Goddess’s influence on her mind seems to be getting stronger. I can only guess as to her intentions, but I believe that the Scarlet Goddess wants to invade Habi-sama’s heart without being noticed by us around her, that is to say, she wants to take over Habi-sama while keeping control over us.” Yen and the others… Does that mean that the Scarlet Goddess is taking control of my companions as well? Maybe the reason Yen and the other have been a little more cooperative lately is because they can sympathize with my feelings of trying to prevent Aria from being taken over by the Scarlet Goddess. “… the power of the Scarlet Goddess is… far strong than that of us Oni’s. We have no right to resist this but… we all love the pure, uninhibited, and free Habi-sama. We want her to remain as she is forever in full bloom…” Yen… you… What can I say, you have parental love for Habi. Who would have known even an oni can feel that? If I follow that belief though, it seems strange, albeit not too strange, that the child Habi is served by the parent Yen. For the general public… Every parent is devoted to their beloved children, as if they serve them. I cannot confirm this feeling though, since I cannot talk back as Yen is pretending to sleep talk, but… Yen and the other appear to not be willing to cooperate with the Scarlet Goddess. Yen was following Habi’s orders while being afraid that she was slowly being taken over. This is a complicated situation, but if I had to summarize it with my own words… Yen and the others are also victims who were tricked by the Scarlet Goddess, who is just as, if not more cunning than the most intelligent of criminals. When the ladies-in-waiting told use that Habi was ready for an audience, Yen and Tsubaki led the way… We went up to the fourth floor of the keep. Halfway up the stairs, upon reaching the 3rd floor, the feeling of being in a ruin fades away… the number of decoration increased, which apparantly were placed to imitate the inside of the ancient Azuchi Castle. But the oni seemd out of place. On the fourth floor, steam was blowing in from the public bathhouse next door, which seems to be constantly heating water with the waste heat produced from refining oil. The steam was flowing beneath his feet in a hall with scarlet-coloured walls, and a chair was set up in the back that looked like what I imagine a throne for a great demon king would look like… There was Habi, sitting cross-legged on one knee and the other knee upright. Instead of drinking water, she appears to be drinking the juice from a watermelon, or perhaps she is just devouring it and shoving her face into it. The shoulder-length hair on her head was a reddish-bronze and decorated with a single scarlet hibiscus flower. Her child-sized head snapped up, and… “– I found her! Ahahahahaha!” Habi looked at Aria with a wild expression and laughed like a schoolgirl. On the wall behind her was the Oda Family crest painted in gold. On either side of the throne stands a banner embroidered with the kanji “無” in red on a black background, and two oni’s, not like the fighting type from before, stand on both sides, for a total of four. “… Habi… I can understand your heart. Somehow, I can understand it deep inside myself.” Aria, who said this next to me, stepped forward, putting her hand on her left breast area where the Hidan was buried within her. I listen to Aria’s words, who had been acting a little more psychic lately… And then Habi responded, who seems to have within her the same Scarlet Goddess, albeit through a different method. “You are an innocent girl aren’t you? You are looking for someone you could love. Someone such as yourself who is willing to fight and strong.” “–oh! Habi likes people who are strong! People who would fight the whole world, cover it in wars, and bring out the strong. Habi wants to belong to someone stronger than me!” (TL Note: this line and Aria’s before is a bit brutally translated, but I believe it is fairly accurate to initial meaning.) Yes, Habi, who seemed to have no desire to communicate with humans… Is now, for the first time, having a conversation with Aria. Granted her speech is a bit childish. –Habi was looking for someone stronger than herself. She was looking for someone strong to fulfill her love of “fighting”. In order to find this person, she is trying to “cover” the world with “wars”, finding this heavenly warrior in her own way. That is what it sounds like. “It is no wonder why you were chosen by the Scarlet Goddess as a priestess. You and the Scarlet Goddess are much more compatible than either me or Kou. But, Habi. The Scarlet Goddess you are working with is a self-centred woman who does not know right from wrong, and will use you to their own ends. You know that, right?” Did you just say that, Aria? I was about to say “I am not sure you should be the one to say that”, but decided it was better for my health to stay my tongue. “For thousands of years, the Scarlet Goddess has taken advantage of people, demons, and devils for her own gain. That includes me, Kou, and you, Habi. Your thoughts and goals are being manipulated by her for her own selfishness. My goal is to expose her identity and make her pay for the crimes she has done. In order to do that… Kinji told you the other day, didn’t he? I need my Karagane back.” Aria proudly pushed out her flat chest at Habi, the king of Oni. As expected of a real noble and the Lord of Baskerville and Devon. Her fearless personality is reliable. But… “No! The Scarlet Goddess told Habi that Habi must not give it! Habi wont fight now though, its boring. Tomorrow, Habi will spread war over the world, starting with Japan and Middle Earth. Let the strong ones show themself!” – Baring her fangs, she started kicking her one-toothed red geta clad foot. Japan and middle-earth… does she mean Japan and China? What are you going to do tomorrow in those two countries? I am going into hysteria mode right now for some reason… I quickly discerned Habi’s intentions. … this is not good. This is definitely a scenario that the Scarlet Goddess told Habi about once she saw the lineup we have here. In China the Scarlet Goddess is turning Kou into Sun Wukong, and in Japan the Scarlet Goddess is slowly taking over Habi. The Scarlet Goddess is sending out her incarnations into different countries, to ignite a war between the two countries, who already have no shortage of tension. This is just like Minuet predicted. I am sure of this. People like a nuclear weapon, capable of destroying a small country by themselves, such as the R rated G3… there must be multiple such superhumans in China and Japan who are like that. If China was nudged by the Scarlet Goddess to move those people into action, Japan will respond in kind. The opposite is also true. Without a declaration of war or war actually breaks out, the superhumans of both countries would begin destroying important facilities and assassinating high ranking people, or entering single person combat with superhumans as they try to prevent the other from doing so. This fighting though would involve many unrelated sacrifices. It would be like a modern version of the games Riko plays, Samurai Warriors, but it would involve real people…! And Aria… In this scenario, there is an unknown. I know why this is, too, thanks to hysteria mode. When I fought her at Nogi Shrine, the Scarlet Goddess withdrew faster than when I fought Kou in Hong Kong. The Scarlet Goddess was being careful when she was controlling Aria. For the Scarlet Goddess, Aria has a different purpose than Kou and Habi. Like Kou, Habi is an incomplete agent of the Scarlet Goddess. – Aria, on the other hand, has the potential to be a better, even perfect, agent. In other words, she has the potential to become a true Scarlet Goddess. The timing of all this is clear from Habi’s earlier declaration. Tomorrow. Tomorrow, the Scarlet Goddess will use Son Goku and Habi as a spark to initiate a war of the superhumans from all over the world… and will then take over Aria to become a true Scarlet Goddess. There is not a moment to lose. This castle tower is where our fate will be decided. We need to somehow get back the last piece of the Karagane and seal the scarlet bullet in Aria…! In front of me, pale, “– Habi-sama. With awe for you I humbly request this. Please reconsider this decision once more.” Yen stepped forward and spoke to Habi. Looking over at Yen, next to her was Tsubaki, who was barely keeping a cool expression but had a clearly sweaty forehead and her legs were shaking. The oni ladies-in-waiting who were fanning Habi with peacock feathers also looked quite frightened. They all had a face that makes it clear that it wouldn’t be strange if someone in this room had their head cut off at any time. A battle axe must larger than Javi herself was emitting a dull light behind Habi. In the feudalistic world of the oni, it must be a terrible taboo for Yen to challenger her superiors. That was exactly the mood whenever one of Oda Nobunaga’s retainers spoke out against him. Slowly… an inexpressible tension fills the hall. “A battle like this will not be so easy. Myself and Tsubaki were both beaten by Sion, Aria, and Tohyama. To be struck down by disrespect towards mankind is a mistake that us oni have made for a thousand years. “ “If you try to take military action against them, you may endanger the blood of the Scarlet Oni. Habi-sama, please.” Yen and Tsubaki are… After her experience fighting us in London, Yen told Habi not to underestimate us humans. In fact, if superhuman warriors from Japan and China were to come out in droves like Habi wanted to, putting Habi aside… Even those subordinate oni’s would become part of the ‘unrelated sacrifices’ I was thinking of earlier. In a game, these oni would just be a mid-game boss. Just like there was Sion in England, there are surely many in Asia who are stronger than me. If those superhumans were to get into a war with the scarlet oni, the oni would become extinct. Furthermore, Yen and Tsubaki, “Us oni are in the midst of change and hesitation after our exploits in England, wondering if the way of the martial arts is the way of destruction for us.” “Instead of causing war in Middle-Earth and Japan, why not seek a path of mutual prosperity? In other words, we must search for a way of love.” They even understood and are now promoting the concept of “love” that I taught them during our fight on Big Ben. Habi was being cautioned by her ladies-in-waiting, Yen, and Tsubaki… “… well, I don’t know what that is.” Saying that, she stuck out her tongue as if to akanbe. And then, she stopped talking. The silence continued. “Ha-, Habi-sama. Please, reconsider your decision on this matter.” Tsubaki kneeled on the spot, prostrating herself, and asked again. “We also ask that you return to Aria the Karagane from your devil’s pouch. Us scarlet demons think and act on our own, and the Scarlet Goddess’s authority that controls us is no less than too much. I believe we should wait for Aria to be the vasal of the Scarlet Goddess’s birth, and to re-evaluate Habi-sama’s position in opposition to the Scarlet Goddess.” (TL Note: This was hard to make sense of. Basically, there are 3 demands. 1. Habi returns the Karagane. 2. the demons stop attempting to FORCE Aria to become a Scarlet Goddess. And 3. The oni’s reevaluate their relation to the Scarlett Goddess.) – Return the Karagane to Aria to prevent her from becoming a full Scarlet Goddess and to balance the power between the Scarlet Goddess and Habi. Yen, with this logic, repeated our request to return the Karagane. But… Habi began to pout and didn’t move. And, “… rebellion?” She mumbled as if she was bored… and then… Like a thunder cloud, she emitted a murderous intent that electrified the atmosphere. … the ladies-in-waiting stopped moving the peacock fan. Even though they were oni’s… they were too scared to move. Even I, in hysteria mode, could feel sweat beading on my forehead at this killing intent. I wish Yen’s claims were exaggerated, but… the pressure that Habi is putting out… It cannot be less than 7x more overwhelming than Yen. And it is all packed inside that tiny body. You can feel the unspeakable pressure, as if there was a weapon here that could obliterate both battleships and aircraft carriers. If it were to snap and explode… “That was not funny.” Habi spat and spoke in a tone somewhat reminiscent of Oda Nobunaga. A bottle of western Liquor, which was next to the throne, had the top snap right off. Biting the top of it with her fang, she took a glug of it, and then puaaa! And a whole bunch of it ended up on her hands in a mist. “Yen, Tsubaki, and Habi were all roused.” Alcohol is a slippery slope in negotiations. It is what people drink when words become handguns and swords. In other words, negotiation is… It was a failure. But this failure does not seem to be our fault. Aria, who can understand Habi due to their shared connection to the Scarlet Goddess, and the opinions of Yen and Tsubaki, who have been with Habi for many years, all agreed that Habi would at least listen to us in no small measure. And yet, this immediate rejection. This is… I cannot be positive of this, but it is obvious that the Scarlet Goddess has played her hand here. This must have been done remotely, strengthening Habi’s desires. It seems that Yen came to the same conclusion as my hysteria mode self… “… please take a rest after waking up. Please accept my apologies for this inconvenience.” Although she is actively protecting herself while speaking to Habi, her golden eyes seem to relay the fact that she is against odds with the Scarlet Goddess, who is sharing Habi’s soul. And, “– please, hold onto these scarlet horns.” With a thud, she pushed a metal bar that was hidden in her Africa Kimono down besides her feet. Yen immediately held the lustrous, blood-red octagonal metal rod up. – The rod is closer to a stick than a club than is generally imagined as an “Oni no Kanabo”, and has an almost prismatic shape. … Ye… Yen, are you planning on fighting? Not against an opponent who is only 2 or 3 times bigger than you, but against an opponent who is 7 times as strong? This looks unimaginably out of place, like a kindergartner getting challenged to a fight by a professional wrestler. I don’t even want to talk about it. “St-, Stop Yen! If Habi is your opponent, even you will be torn to pieces!” “Stop it, what is the point of being a martyr!” (TL Note: “martyr” was chosen from a few choices, others being partisan, splitting up, etc. I chose this based on Yen’s will to achieve her goal, even at her own death. Essentially, Kinji and Aria are telling her to stop acting by herself at risk of injury/death.) Me and Yen tried to stop her, but Yen did not even look at us. ”Awawawa”, Kou is running around in fear, hugging her scimitar and tucking her tail into her skirt between her legs. Not wanting to watch Yen meet her demise, Tsubaki is on her knees, face to the ground, and started crying. It-, it’s too late. With the Scarlet Goddess’s resurrection so near, no one should be fighting! Za, za , Yen kicked the floor, positioning her feet like a ferocious bull, “Habi-sama, take the Haseisangabu into your hands. It seemed to be against Yen’s warriors honour to only use a weapon herself, so she urged Habi to take up a weapon, presumably the huge axe. “I don’t want to.” Pyon , Habi raised up a leg- And with a slam, stood up in front of her throne. She then takes a step with her legs slightly crossed, leaned forward a little, and clenched her fist as if making a bicep. Her eyebrows are furrowed, but there is a smile on her mouth – her expression is truly, truly joyful. As I look at her face, that expression… is one that the Scarlet Goddess has made before, just like Aria in the past in the park. “O–k! Come on!” Habi shouted, and the next moment… –pa– And Tsubaki, that earlier had been crying at Yen’s feet, had disapeared. She didn’t disappear. She moved. Tsubaki, who can run at super high speeds, had earlier entered a crouching start pose, a preparatory posture for a quick attack, which she disguised as taking a knee. Then, Tsubaki attacked Habi, who was paying attention to Yen, with her head – specifically attacking with her horns. Yen and Tsubaki must have anticipated having to fight Habi, and had taken an offensive formation. As soon as we entered the room, they had been talking secretly to each other. Doonbbachu! The sound of her charge was heard a beat later by my Hysteria Mode ears– After her attack, I was able to understand the trajectory of Tsubaki’s thrust attack towards Habi from the flow of steam that was flowing throughout the hall. Steam swirls around Habi, forming a cloud. Two booming impact noises were heard. The first, was the sound of Tsubaki kicking the floor into her launch. The second was the sound of Tsubaki, who turned herself into a cannonball, piercing Habi…! “…!” As Aria, me, and Kou all gasp – the white steam surrounding the throne clears… The sight astounded us even more. Tsubaki’s horns, which she had tried to use to pierce Habi’s chest. Habi had grabbed it with one hand and stopped it. “Aha!” While laughing, Habi looked a little surprised– I don’t think she was away of Yen and Tsubaki’s plans. And yet, she easily defended it. The speed of Tsubaki’s attack was so fast that, even I in hysteria mode, could not even see it. If she were to catch me by surprise, there is no way I could grab her horns. At least, I could not. And yet, Habi did it. As if it was nothing to her. (…but…!) Even though she did not inflict a single wound, Tsubaki’s attack was successful. The maidens-in-waiting had run away in fear, and Habi’s balance was somewhat disturbed. What is more, at this moment in time, Tsubaki had sealed Habi’s right hand. The huge axe propped up behind her throne is twice as big as the one we saw last October on the vacant island. Last October she must have brought a one handed axe, but this must be a two handed one. In other words, with one hand occupied holding Tsubaki’s horns, she cannot wield her two handed axe. “–Yen-sama!” The screeching voice of Tsubaki that had just cried out was not a cry for help. It was a “Now!” cry, a call to action. “–take this!” Dodododo! And then Yen with her metal stick, Heaven’s Scarlet Horn, ran and leaped at Habi like a war horse. Grazing the ceiling, crushing both the concrete and steel frame like it was paper and twigs, and unleashing a shock wave-laden strike, Yen released an attack with not just all of her power, but also the full weight of her massive body behind it. GATTSUNNNNNN! The sounds was like the sounds of crashing heavy machinery, and Habi took it with the back of her left hand. Habi bent her legs, which were originally in a crouched over position and crossed, and is now in an even more crouched position, however… Gattsunnnnnnnn! “Yoiyoi, yoiii!” Habi, with one bent knee and one leg raised, and with her right hand she guides Tsubaki as if she was dancing, and with her left hand she guides Yan like an acrobat… After pulling them both in front of her so that the faces of Yen and Tsubaki were almost touching each other… “Ihihihi~! — HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!! “ With a loud yell, she suddenly threw the two oni to her left and white! “–!” “–Kyaaaaaa!” Like stones, Yen and Tsubaki were blown away to the left and right walls. – Bwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! Something like a gust of wind rushed through the middle of the room with Habi at the centre, causing me and Aria to involuntarily take a step or two back. Kou, on the other hand, fell onto her tiny bum. And, now… I looked at where Habi threw them, but they were not there. And they were gone. Habi seemingly destroyed them with just raw strength. “…Yen… Tsubaki…!” The walls of the keep were torn down like Shoji screens or walls, and Yen and Tsubaki fell to the ground, destroying the trees and buildings outside. From this 4th floor, I cannot see them anymore. “Yes, that must have made the Scarlet Goddess happy! So calm down now Habi!” Aria tried to stop Habi, acting as if Habi and Tsubaki were offerings to the Scarlet Goddess, but… “More, more! Scarlet Goddess won’t be happy with just this!” And Habi, pyon, pyon! began jumping up and down… – suton . With her single toothed geta, she stood on top of the massive axe. “…happiness is…” Under the weight of Habi, the great axe, with had been propped up, began to sway… and tilt… … Zudooon …! The axe, dropping to the floor, shook the entire castle tower. It must weight around 700kg. (TL Note: This is about half the weight of a typical Honda Civic.) “Tohyama! You, fight! Scarlet Goddess, and Habi’s friend. Let’s rejoice together!” Big, thick, and more like a block of iron than an axe, that giant axe… Gon ! Habi, lifted it up. To be more specific, she did not just pick it up. She picked it up with one hand. That is not all. She is waving it around, easily, like a fan… “…50 years, is but, a dream, in the heavens…” (TL Note: What is being said here is not exact. This is a line from Atsumori, and is basically saying how the perception of time between deities is nothing when compared to mortals. 50 years, a life for a human, is bought but a dream for a immortal.) And she began to dance and sing. Lacking the husky voice like Yen, she does not sound as sharp, but regardless this is the Atsumori that even Nobunaga loved. To Habi, the weight of an axe, never mind a two handed one… is nothing more than a fan. This is not just a monstrous level of strength. This is the strength of a demon… that is what Habi is. Moreover, the dance is perfect. The Kowakamai dance, favoured by samurai families, is influenced by the body movements of martial arts. Therefore, despite her dancing right now, an attack is impossible as Habi leaves no openings. But, however… … This is actually what I’ve been noticing ever since I entered this hall… Habi is leaving a gap. I say that, because… she is a girl. And it is a serious gap at that. First of all… Yen and the other Scarlet Oni were kimonos, even if the pattern is influenced by African culture. As Tamamo once said, the Kimono’s worn by girls do not have the underwear, unlike the clothes worn in modern Japan. And Habi is not well behaved when she sits or stands up. This may be because, like Kou and Aria, the Scarlet Goddess’s power has stopped her body from growing, so she is stuck with a childish mentality. She was kicking her legs when she sat on that throne, and even when she had that full on fight right in front of me. Earlier as well my retinas caught not only the sight of Sarah using her tornadoes, but I recalled a visual memory of going up the stairs, regardless of the fact that I had no desire to climb them… since there is no proof that oni’s have a different body structure than humans, and the stairs were going up… (TL Note: I am not 100% positive about this sentence. I can make out a few keywords, mainly Sarah, Tornado, stairway, and structure. I tried to make sense of it and ended up with this.) However, the fact that I am in Hysteria Mode due to Habi must be accepted as fact. But about that… There is no need to self-deprecate myself and regret going into Hysteria Mode over a girl who looks like a third of fourth grader. You are not that far gone yet Kinji. The theory that “even if someone looks like a young girl, if your instincts tell you that they are mentally older so you Hysterize, you are probably not guilty”, that I established regarding Kou, has not been proven false yet. (TL Note: another unsure sentence, but I am certain I got the general idea.) Undeniably Habi is a powerful warrior. But also undeniably, she is a tiny and adorably girl, and as a girl, she is full of gaps. Because of this, in regards to Hysterizing, I feel like I have a valid self-defence… “Kinji!” –Aria’s voice brought me back to myself. I noticed that Aria, with her two guns drawn, and Kou, with her blue-dragon scimitar sword held in a low position, were coming up on either side of me. “I can feel it. The Scarlet Goddess’s influence on Habi is slowly intensifying.” “Kou can feel it too. Habi’s connection is different than me or Aria’s, it is a new type.” Aria and Kou communicate with the Scarlet Goddess through the presence of Irokane. Habi, though, can communicate with Irokane, reminiscent of the resonance phenomenon that Sherlock was talking about long ago, as Habi glows with a faint scarlet. While I was thinking about this, things have developed a bit, it seems. “–put down your weapons, Aria, Kou. Habi-sama only wants to fight me.” I step in front of the two, with Aria and Kou to my back and Habi in front of me. I gently stroke Aria and Kou’s cheek with a feather light touch. Saying “Hiyaa…!” and “Fue…!” respectively, I was glad as the seemed to get their fighting spirit under control for the time being as they released a shivering voice. It was cute. “I don’t want to see you pretty girls fighting. Even if that pretty girl is a Goddess–“ “… so you became… that… Kinji. How did that happen!” Gau ! Aria yelled at me mid sentence, and began pointing her guns at my head… “–it was because of you. It has been and always will be because of only you.” A lie here is justifiable. Between a man and a woman, a lie is sometimes a kind of kindness. And so, to my gentle lie, Aria blushed, revealing her usual rapid blush. Wagu, Wagu, even Aria’s revealed canines began to shake as if not just Aria but even her tooth lost their bite. And then, “–well, Habi.” After brilliantly calming down Kou and Aria, I turned to face Habi. Good grief, it is a handful to deal with three women at once. “If you want to fight… then you want me. I will give you that fight.” In London, I preached love while the Oni brought war… In Kii no Kuni, the Oni preached love while I brought war. This is an ironic turn of events, huh? “Ah! Kinji! Come!” To Habi, who had a refreshingly flat chest, I… I am going to ask a question that has been bothering me for a bit. “… by the way, a long time ago Habi, you chose to side with Grenada at the Bandire. Why is that?” And then, with her huge axe on her shoulder, Habi… “Eh? Eh…? …Ah-! I remember now! If you are Grenada, you could get the Karagane. If you had the Karagane, you can fight the mighty Kinji! That was what Sherlock said before that!” I see. I see. And so, Sherlock goes back onto my “I will never forgive you” list. The list was feeling pretty lonely with Mash having being taken off of it and Seiji Harada being the only person on it, so this is actually okay. (TL Note: Bewitching Blade.) It wold appear since the beginning that Sherlock had been a military advisor to the Oni’s. And while observing the Far East Warfare, he had been pursuing his Study in Scarlet, or Irokane, at the same time, while also giving information about Aria to the Oni to further his own goals. And so the Oni, how that the Scarlet Goddess is descending into Aria, are gather all those related to the Scarlet Goddes… Kou, Aria, and Habi have been gathered here from all over the world. In this room is an all-star lineup who are all related to the Hidan, all brought here to seek a “conclusion”. But, even though Sherlock had a hard time deducing anything related to the Hidan… He thought that whatever conclusion there was, it would be tragic for Aria. Damn that Sherlock… he brought me here to overturn that! Thinking about it rationally, we cannot get the Karagane from Habi, the super oni, through force, nor will she give it. Therefore, Aria will be taken over by the Scarlet Goddess and that is it. This conclusion is the will of the Gods, and mere man can not resist it. However, I, “Enable”, who exists to destroy common sense and reasoning, can overturn any logical reasoning, by making the impossible possible. So now that I have decided my next move… … the time to second guess is over. Even Sherlock could not deduce what will happen next. From here, I myself will build a future that no one other than me can foresee. First, I must destroy the foundation of reasoning that has led to this tragic conclusion. And then, I will build a new foundation, ensuring that it leads to a happy ending. –I was here to get the Karagane from Habi. After that, Aria will be saved, everything will go back to normal, and we can return to Butei High as soon as possible. The final exam was coming up after all, and I nearly died during Aria’s lessons. “Habi, use, Axe! Tohyama, use the, Tanegashima, and sword?” (TL Note: Tanegashima is not referring to the island but the Tanegashima gun, introduced to the island of same name by the Portuguese.) Habi tilted her head as if she was a childish girl, but… Just before this childish action, she reduced the splendid name for her weapon to merely another axe. “I wouldn’t use a gun or a knife against a child. I said such a humanitarian thing, but this was just a pretext. Against Habi these weapons would be useless anyway, and according to the Tohyama family theory for combat, our bare hands are our strongest weapon anyway. For this reason I just have to give it my all. I will just do what I always do and give it my best. Anyway, what I am doing here is the opposite of Yen VS. Habi. Here, instead of Habi being unarmed and Yen armed, I will be unarmed and Habi armed. “Are you sure? Habi, is the Sixth Heavenly Demon King. You can’t escape from the Demon King.” With a thud , using the weight of her axe, rather than her own strength, Habi took a wobbly step forward. “I won’t run away.” I am not leaving. I am not a fan of muddling around, so I just walked through the hall, like Habi was just a normal person. “Habi, what did you eat earlier for breakfast?” “Watermelon.” “Only watermelon?” “Un!” “Hmm… that’s fine.” As we had such a conversation between us, Habi and I were closing the distance between us. And then… Quickly, the distance was closed. The distance between us 2 was now a meter and a half. For me, it was as if I was standing in front of a nuclear missile. I was looking down at Habi. Habi was looking up at me. Well then, Kinji. How am I going to deal with a super-powered demon that boasts more than 7 times the fighting power of Yen? “…Kinji…!” Anxiously, Aria called out to my back, but, “Don’t worry. Thins like this happens all the time to me.” I answer her without turning around. I don’t turn around… because if I did, she would see the sweat on my forehead. – What is my path to victory? – How do I save Aria? Is there a path to victory, or is there not? In life, sadly, there is no clear path. Oh how much easier it would be if these paths were told to us. I guess I must go on a path that isn’t even a path. There are situations where people have to do just that. I mean, I do that all the time. I guess I just want to have fun. I let out a small sigh of misery in my mind, and my stomach begins to tighten. And then, one breath… two breaths… We looked at each other, breathing at the same time and our hearts beating in unison. “War under the heavens! Alright, come on!” (TL Note: Not sure on first sentence, should be accurate.) With her right hand, she carried her massive lump of iron while she held her left hand out in front of her. Her eyebrows were raised, but her smile was as bright as the sun. She must be having fun. “Come Habi.” I was not saying this to be cool. I was doing this because my own CQC was largely based on countering. Gyu, gyu . Habi grasped the handle of her axe with her left and right hand. “– yoi, yoi, yo-rororororoo–“ The axe was big. Very big. It was probably the largest axe to exist that was used solely for combat. –Zuuuuuuuoooooooooo–! She simply swung the axe straight down. The act was simple enough to make you feel a certain kind of beauty, but when it was Habi, the size of the axe, and everything else was so extraordinary, it surpassed any imaginable dimension. It was an unknown attack that cut through not only the surrounding air, but through space itself. … But in the slowed down world of Hysteria Mode… I just stood still in front of her attack. The beauty of its power, it was mesmerizing. Images of methods to win begin to cloud my mind, like a person just about to die seeing their life flash before their eyes. The first think to flash through my mind was Yen’s testimony at Korakuen. At that time, Yen had made the claim that even if there were 7 of her, she could not beat Habi. Why did she pick such a specific number? It must be because it would take more than 7 of her to beat Habi, so 8 would have a minimal chance. (TL Note: this was butchered from original but maintains original meaning.) – the strength between Hysteria Mode me and Yen was about even. In other words, I should be able to compete with Habi if I was at 8 times my normal Hysteria Mode self. And the second memory was… The memory of our “Cherry Bomb” that I and G3 did in the Nevada desert. That was a technique in which G3 hit me with a Meteor, which I combined with a Ouka to create a Mach 2 attack. A Cherry Bomb made up of two Cherry Blossoms. (TL Note: “Cherry Blossom” is used a lot here, but Baka calls it a “Cherry Bomb” in vol 19. For continuity sake, I changed these last two lines a bit.) If there were 8 of us, 4 G3’s and 4 of me, it would be possible to make an 8 fold Cherry Bomb that could possibly defeat Habi. The problem though is that is obviously impossible, I am the only person here… I am enable though, I have to come up with a way to make this possible. The third and final memory to win this fight though… The Ouka attack that I did against Watson at the Sky Tree and with Sarah’s panties. If I could do such an attack with just my arms, theoretically, I should be able to do it with just my legs or torso. The number of actions required to reach a Ouka is 4. “Toe -> heel -> knee -> pelvis”. If this was done in two legs, mach 2 could be achieved. In addition, starting from the waist, I could pass the velocity using 4 lumbar bones and 12 thoracic bones out of my spinal column. Here, a subtotal Mach 4 is achieved. Finishing by adding Mach 2 with the right and left arm from shoulder -> elbow -> wrist -> fingers… (–A Mach 8 Ouka–!) The moment the axe touches me, I seem to evaporate and disappear. And then… –Gashiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii–! With both hands, I do a bare handed catch. A full body and soul 8 fold Ouka. An Ouka only possible in the fall wind. I did it. I actually did it! It is too late to stop now though. 1 + 1+ 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 8. I might have made a mistake in front of Aria earlier, but I did not make a mistake in the addition here. Great job me! “…!” A naturally strong being, Habi has lived her life as a demon even among demons, respected by the gods… Her scarlet eyes are wide open, looking at the point where her giant axe meets the palm of my hand. And then, Crack . She was surprised. She had the same face as many of my enemies, a face that says “I have just seen the impossible.” – But this is not a victory. All I did was catch my opponents attack. To win, you have to actually fight back. But Habi is a girl, and she was my trigger for Hysteria Mode this time. I do not want to hurt her. No… There is not need to hurt Habi in this fight… from the very beginning I had another option. My win condition here was to get back the Karagane. That is my sole condition. And so… Biki! First, I grab a hold of Habi’s blunt axe with my left hand. And while I was holding the axe, (The devils pouch is just above the stomach.) I made a mental note of the Oni’s unique organ that I had heard from Kon, and while apologizing in my heart… I put my hand on Habi’s chest, which had only a slight bulge but was nearly completely flat. “Wa?” To the young Habi, who could only open her mouth and mumble in confusion when having her breasts touched by a man… “Sorry.” – I apologize first. –Once again, I will use a 8 fold Ouka, this time into a single attack–! If a thrust is released at a super-high speech, such as Mach 8, my arm might burn up with the heat due to the friction with the air, never mind the shock wave. As I stated earlier, an Ouka of this strength could only be used during the colder Autumn. –Uuuuuuukyudon–! In the super-slow world of Hysteria mode, the sound produced by my Ouka rocked my entire body, and the impact sound was different than any other Ouka I have done. But this blow was not intended to defeat Habi. Once, when Yen used her Rakshasha on me, I had died. But when using it on her, she had thrown up. Recalling that memory, this was an attack with the attempt of making Habi “Throw Up”. An explosion, similar to the sound of a explosive tank shell hitting an enemy, rings out from Habi’s small body throughout the entire keep. “Vu” Habi then grunted and burped! Habi then started spitting things out of her mouth, like a human vomiting… no, a Oni vomiting. “Ueeeeeen” Habi is now on all fours, spitting out seemingly nearly everything that was stored in her demon pouch. Habi let go of her giant axe, Zudon! And then she fell down beside me… “…!” Aria, Kou, and the rest of the oni, who were now frozen and trembling along the wall of the hall, opened their mouth in shock and ere all at a seemingly loss for words. The other demons of the keep, who had come to the hall as well, were also in a state of shock. This was because I had beaten the unrivalled Habi with a punch. Just one punch. “… Ahh-, this isn’t possible. This is impossible…” For the time being, I ignore everyone’s reactions and throw to the side side large pearls, agate comb, old stamp with “Tenka Fubu” on it, etc, from the things that Habi had thrown up. Everything was wet, but it was inside Habi’s body so I guess that cannot be helped. It does not smell thankfully. The substance was different from gastric juice that dissolves things, it is a smooth secretion similar to drool. “Ueeeeeeee, Ueeeeeeeeeeeeeen.” I wonder if a Oni throwing things up out of their demon pouch is disgusting to them like it is to a human to throw up in its own way, and Habi continues to gag, vomiting random things. Golden dice, giant clam shells, small dishes, a coral flute, a silver ring… She seemed to have something stuck on her fangs, so I gave her a light tap on the back of her head to help her get it out. Finally, it came out. –A ruby gemstone in the shape of a gradient ball. Wait, this looks familiar… this… it’s the last piece of the Karagane! ..I got it…! “No more. No more come out. Karagane, last.” Habi turned 180 degrees on the spot in a crawling pose, shamelessly holder her head. She appeared to be protecting her horns, perhaps afraid that I might break them like I did with Yen. Because of this though, her head was on the ground, and her buttocks was raised, seemingly on purpose. Let’s not lower our gaze, Kinji. “Ha-, Habi-same…!?” “Who is this young samurai!? ” “It’s an extermination… spare me, human…!” There was a buzz behind me, and when I turned around… The group of Oni were furious at me for attacking Habi. Of course they were angry, this was to be expected. As Aria and Kou began to take a defensive stance against the Oni… “I’m tired. I’m done. I give up, I won’t fight anymore.” I made a preemptive move, and raised my hands to the Oni as I surrender. I had already tucked the Karagane away into my breast pocket. I have already achieved my goal. After all, everything should end peacefully after having punched their leader in the stomach. Even if we are attacked, I can escape with Aria under one arm and Kou under the other using the “Senrin” technique that has been handed down in the Tohyama family. After that, I just need to steal one of the Oni’s fishing boats and escape to one of the near small island. Yen could swim from Japan to here, and I, who am comparable to Yen when in Hysteria Mode, should be able to make it back to Japan on my own. While devising such a strategy in my brain, I told Aria “Got Karagane” with a winking signal… “–You almost killed Habi – !” Habi got up and turned around… “I found it! I found it, Kinji! Stronger than Habi!” She came bouncing back, not even a minute after being hit with a 8x Ouka. “Strong Strong husband!” Jumping onto my chest, holding on to me like a young Koala, wrapping her legs and arms around me, and aligning her face with mine, chu~! (TL Note: ) Wah- (…!) She gave me a watermelon-flavored kiss. The first thing the demons did, who were apparently not used to seeing such things, was say “Hiyaa-!”, “She kissed him!”, “I watched it happen!”, back and forth to each other Thanks to this, the tension and fighting mood from the demons side fizzled out… Aria, on the other hand, “Yooooooooou! BAKAKINJI!!” which reignited said mood, so it was a plus and minus. Zuzaaa! Aria came around behind me and grabbed my thighs from behind, performing a double leg suplex-! Habi, who had left her hold on me before Aria supplexed me, watched as Aria said “Tiny! To a little girl! What are you doing to her!? You lolicon! Lolicon! Lolicon! Common enemy of all girls and society!” and straddling my from my back as I laid down face first, she struck a hammer from hell to the back of my head. This head made me spit out the watermelon flavor from my mouth. “…To, Tohyama. Do you have the Karagane?” From the side of Aria, who stood up with a face like a Nio mask, the frightened Kou asked, “Ah, aah…” While I was able to defeat Habi without taking a single hit, I, Mr. Enable, who had my lifespan reduced by my own allies, stood up unsteadily and handed the Karagane in my breast pocket to Kou. When Aria saw this, she finally withdrew her anger from me, her self-proclaimed common enemy of society. She finally realized that now is not the time. “–Kou. Can you put that back into my chest?” “Yes. Kou was assigned to that role by Sherlock, but… but…” “…but? But what? Is something wrong? Is that not the Karagane” Aria, peering into the palm of a Kou’s tiny hand, “Nothing is wrong, and this is the Karagane. It is the same shape that Kou remembers and it fits perfectly with the Karagane Aria already has. But…” Kou, perhaps recognizing something at first glance, looked timid and clammed up, “… it’s losing its effectiveness.” It’s losing its… effectiveness? “What do you mean?” The Oni’s on the other hand, “Habi-sama is getting married!”, “Candles, we need candles!”, “Where is Yen and Tsubaki!?”, were making a fuss, while Aria and I approached Kou. Kou, who was dripping sweat from her forehead, “It is now nothing more than a ruby. It must be because the Scarlet Goddess, through Habi, destroyed the functions of the Karagane. It is difficult, but not impossible, to destroy the formulas applied to the ruby and stop it from functioning.” Kou’s story is… So the Scarlet Goddess interfered even here? The Karagane was put into Habi’s devil pouch. In other words, it was, for a long time now, in the hands of the Scarlet Goddess who possessed Habi. So – to make sense of this with a metaphor – the Scarlet Goddess hacked into the Karagne, messed with the programming, and broke the software. The Scarlet Goddess must have done this to prevent Aria’s Hidan from being repaired. (… she took the first move…!) Karagane… the last piece of it that we had risked our lives to collect had been destroyed. In other words… … there is no way to win now. Aria cannot be saved. I have no choice but to be forced to watch her become the Scarlet Goddess… “– ahaha–“ Then, Aria began to laugh. She put the back of her right hand over her mouth, her little back hunched over. She began walking away from us, to the back of the hall. Everyone was stunned as Aria continued to laugh, watching and not knowing what was wrong with her. “Hahaha, hahahahahaha!” … This… this laugh is…! I have heard it enough times to know now. Aria is laughing, yes that is Aria, but that is NOT Aria’s laugh. “Ha-hahahahahahahahaha! How unfortunate, Tohyama!” This… this is the way… the Scarlet Goddess speaks…! Did she finish transferring to Aria!? “I was waiting for the right time to show up, since I have been ready to become Aria for a while now. I decided now was the time to finish transferring after you all saw the Karagane that I ruined, seeing the despair on all of your face was delightful. With Kou and Habi are all here, that just makes it even better.” Baa, Baa, making sharp, dancing gestures while twisting her left and right hands around… This was no longer Aria. This was the movement of the Scarlet Goddess, as grand and graceful as if she were a stage actress. To me, who was puzzled as to what to do in such an emergency, “–Hihi–, are you trying to catch me off guard?” This voice was not heard as a sound, but as a direct echo in my head. This is… This is Ruruirokane. It was the same voice I had heard in Area 51, 89th Administrative District A. It seems the so named Hihi, or in this case Scarlet Goddess, had heard her. “What?” The Scarlet Goddess fixed Aria’s annoyed gaze to the right pocket of my pants. I looked down there as well. “Hihi can move several avatars at the same time. Come forth.” As if linked to the voice that once again echoed in my head, I noticed a blue light gushing out from within my pocket. I hurriedly pulled out my butterfly knife coated in the azure Ruruirokane “…UU…!” –it was an intense, glowing blue. But this light does not generate heat. This same phenomenon occurred on the Annabelle when my knife still had Hihiirokane. With the past events and current evidence, I can intuitively understand, Ruruirokane is talking to use through my knife. Ruru, who had been silent all the way from New York to here, as if to conceal her presence, has finally made her move. She was waiting for the Scarlet Goddess to appear… But – if that is the case, we might both be in trouble now. While I was focused on Ruru… “ugh…! To-, Tohyama…! This, this feeling… Son… … Gaah…” “Ah, Aaaaaaah…!” Kou and Habi began to moan in pain, and along with Aria they began to emit a aura and red haze. Things were changing at a dizzying pace, but I will still try to grasp the situation with my amateur psychic understandings, the limit for myself. Kou and Habi were glowing with about the same intensity, but Aria was glowing twice as bright as them. Their colour was the same though, with a scarlet colour reminiscent of flames even stronger than fire…! (Did the Scarlet Goddess… just transfer into Aria, Kou, and Habi… all at once!) Oh my God. I have had individual battles with the imperfect Scarlett Goddess in Hong Kong and Tokyo. Neither battle was a complete victory for me, I just barely managed to win. I had trouble dealing with only one of them… And now, three of them have appeared. Among the three, I could clearly tell that Aria was clearly different then when she became a Scarlet Goddess in Nogizaka. This was not a minor difference either. The intensity of her haze-like luminescence is doubled, but this is a trivial difference in comparison… Her essence here whole being, the entire atmosphere mood, and signs, everything is different. Yes… in a few words, this Scarlet God Aria presence is a “different calibre” than the one I had experienced previously. This was so clear that even I, someone not familiar with ESP, could recognize this fact. (…Aria…!) This… it felt more like a Goddess was descending rather than merely appearing. This fact was spoken not through Aria, but was merely proven, she had no need to say this herself. This… this is a perfect Scarlet Goddess. The Goddess that the scarlet oni’s have been waiting for has now descended through Aria’s body. Damn it… What do I do…! “Kinji, it seems that this is the end for you. You have failed. You were unable to stop Hihi and allowed her to fully resurrect. Hihi took advantage of your concern for Aria, Kou, and Habi as well, possessing them and using them in a pincer attack against you.” Ruru’s voice rang out, as if scolding me. The pale spirit I saw at Area 51, which resembled Dr. Sarah’s naked body, formed an image next to me. Floating in the air with her eyes closed as if sleeping, in a praying pose… … It’s Ruruirokane. She, too, has decided to make a physical appearance now. “Oops! You caught me.” With a startled look on her face, her sailor suit fluttered, and the one who jumped away from Ruru was… Kou, no, Son. As I expected, she is a Scarlet Goddess now too. Bububun , Son spun her scimitar like a baton twirler and stood to the right of Aria, who was standing in front of the throne, and turned around to face us. “This is not fair, Ruru. I had a lot of fun with all of my dependants, so decided to transfer into them all at once… but if you came here knowing that, you are here to kill me, aren’t you? How do you plan to deal with all three of me?” Habi, who earlier spoke like a child, now spoke in the tone of the Scarlet Goddess. And when, with a great axe in hand, she spun around and leapt – and then, with a audible snap, she moved to Aria’s left side and turned to face us.” Aria, the true Scarlet Goddess, stood on guard against Ruru, stood at the centre of her group, with Sun and Habi on either side. The sight of the three Scarlet Gods, each moving with their own will, shocked me once again. (… is it possible… for there to be… three Scarlet Gods… at the same time…!) Once again, I was confronted with something that no human imagination could possible keep up with. Hiten Hiyoumon. The laser. Teleportation. The tetradimension cubes. The Scarlet Goddess, who has shown us time and time again her Stealth abilities, will undoubtedly surprise us here once again. I raised my eyebrows, and tightly gripped the Ruruirokane plated knife in my hand… “Kinji. Just as a person cannot go to sleep immediately after waking up, once Hihi possesses a dependent, she will not leave immediately of her own will. In other words, right now Hihi cannot immediately escape. You do not have to stab her, you must just merely approach with the knife in your hand. If you do so, I will be able to take Hihi’s consciousness into a gravity sphere of my own control and crush her. I can kill even Hihi, albeit only partially.” Like an officer ordering their soldiers to open fire, Ruruirokane, eyes still closed, indicate Habi and the other with her hands. It made me uneasy how calmly she said that. “Wa-… Wait, Ruru! If you do that, what will happen to Aria and the others?” I asked Ruru about this, not caring at all if the enemy could hear us communicating. The Scarlet Goddess had hijacked Aria and the others soul and consciousness. While the meaning of “life” for the coloured metal goddesses seems different than that of a human being (or Oni), but if I were to kill the Scarlet Goddess, if only for a moment, while it is possessing someone, would it not kill the consciousness of Aria and the others? I was concerned about that possibility… It is exactly as you are thinking right now.” –I was told that was the case by Ruruiorkane, who seemed to be able to read my mind. “Part of Hihi’s heart and the heart of the three before you… they are fused with each other. If Hihi’s mind were to die, the mind of her dependant also dies. You may remember that Patra once brought about a similar effect to Aria with the Irokane Ayame coated bullet.” Patra’s cursed bullet… is she talking about last year when Aria was sniped by patra during our mission at the Casino? “Metaphorically speaking, that time it was as if it was a tranquilizer bullet, but this will be a live bullet. The effect will be permanent. In any case, you cannot keep making that same tranquilizer move over and over again. The only chance you have to end this is now.” When she was shot by Patra, Aria was suspended in time for 24 hours. If I were to approach Aria and the others with this knife as Ruruirokane ordered me, then… this time… the effect will be permanent. That is what Ruruirokane has told me. If it was not possible to revert them from that state, they would have effectively died. “… No! No, do not kill them Ruru!” “I understand your feelings. But, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If we miss this opportunity now, it will never occur again…” This is not good. Ruru have made it clear that she will now be reasoned with. If that is the case… “I don’t… want to see a girl as beautiful as Ruru put her hands on a girl as beautiful as Hihi.” Gods may be gods, but luckily the Gods of the coloured metals are Goddesses. I am not sure if even me in Hysteria Mode can seduce them though… “Ruru. I can see into your heart. You are crying because you do not want to hurt your sister. So let me handle it from here. It is a mans job to make sure that a woman does not ever have to cry…!” – A line came out of my mouth that sounded rather strange, however… “……” Ruru looked back and forth between the Scarlet Goddess and me, with a gesture and expression that made it obvious that she was not sure how to react. And so, taking advantage of that moment… The Scarlet Goddess could not miss this opportunity. “Hahaha, Ruru! What a pity! You were so close!” Said Aria, and then Ba! Kou and Habi ran to opposite sides of the keep. “…!” But I could not follow them. I did not know how Ruru would react. Aria, Pon, Pon! , made an invisible stairway as she leaped through the air out of the collapsed window frame that Yen was sent through. Her figure soon disappears into the shadows of the dense trees beneath us. Kou and Habi jumped out behind her, using tree branches like stepping stones to break their own fall. Ruru, who apparently could not go too far from my knife because she was inhabiting this area with the knife as a medium is… She reached out with her translucent hand as if to follow the Scarlet Goddess, but that was all she could do. It was not only me, Ruru, and the demons who had watched the whole thing unfold, who were left in the hall now. “… Kinji…” Ruru made a slightly depressive gesture, and… “I cannot say you were wrong with what you said. I really do not wan to kill my sister either. However… you and I missed the biggest and possible the last opportunity to destroy all existing Hihi dependants. Hihi is a bold and meticulous Goddess. From now on, each will be holed up in a stronghold beyond the reach of me and Riri’s powers, each of the three waging war on the world of mankind. Many people will die now in place of Aria and the other two. It is now impossible to stop them.” Perhaps giving up, she let her hazy body fade away. I was turning the knife over in my hand, which was now losing its blue light and began to put it away… “That’s fine.” I told Ruru. “What is fine, Kinji?” “”Impossible”… that was the word you just spoke.” Hysteria Mode was still active. “Ruru, do you still not know who I am? I am Enable. I can make the impossible, possible.” I cannot imagine how the fleeing Aria plans to leave Kii no Kuni, but… Fly or swim I will chase you, even to the ends of the Earth. Let’s finish this Scarlet Goddess. And then, I will deal with Aria. (TL Note: twisted some words here, original meaning still holds true.) ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ### 003. Bullet 3: Triangle Nonugale Kii no Kunii, so to speak, was a solitary island in a distant sea. There is no way off of it. Aria and the others could not have gotten very far yet. Ruru was gone now though, and I am all alone… I waded through a sea of onis and looked out the keep’s windows onto Kii no Kuni. Then, “…” Under the piercing direct sunlight, the scenery around me was completely different than when I arrived. The tide had receded. It is low tide now. The sea level had dropped, and the shallow seabed around Kii no Kuni was exposed as a sandy beach. The gently sloping seabed seemed to have a particularly long and narrow beach stretching several kilometres in a northwesterly direction. (A long strip of land only usable at low tide… a runway…!) However, Aria and the others were nowhere to be found, even here. ….. doon, doo, doo, dodododododododododo ….. From a corner of Kii no Kuni, an earth-shaking explosion roars. It was so loud that I did not recognize it for a moment, but it was undeniably the sound of an engine. A car engine normally has a fuel displacement of 2-3 litres, but this was a monstrous engine with potentially 60 litres. I could hear three, no, four-six explosions at the same time. “The Fugaku, or…!” I look down upon the huge bomber, which was partially visible from this keep. The Fugaku looked as if it was parked on the ground, due to the receding tides. It was attempting a sudden launch without warming up, and smoke was billowing out from various parts of the wing as it began to taxi itself. But this was a military aircraft. It began to move even while raising a creaking sound in agony. The 4-blade contra-rotating propellers with a diameter of about 5m where striking like a guillotine, mowing down the surrounding mangrove forest. “!” At that moment, Hysteria mode’s vision caught something. In the glass cockpit of the Fugaku… although it does not look like she was piloting the aircraft… Seeking a wider field of vision, I could see the figures of Aria and the others looking out the glass. “-Aria!” Ba! And then… I leap out of the keep through a broken window, hang a wire onto a tree branch, kick a tree branch to propel myself, and begin to fly toward the Fugaku. After breaking my roll after landing on the beach, I kicked myself off the sand like a track and field runner and started running. The Fugaku was already starting to accelerate on the ground, and was heading northwest on the runway. “Uwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa…..!” I chased after the Fugaku at full speed, not caring about the dust and wind caused by the propeller that was assaulting me. Once the Fugaku was at top speed, even my legs in hysteria mode cannot chase it. A khaki-coloured aircraft on a cream-coloured sandy beach. A dark, black shadow of its huge wings following it. Chasing, chasing, I was reaching out… “–….!” Under the left wing of the nearly gliding Fugaku, from behind the main landing gear I just touched the landing gear support post that was holding the huge double tires. But the massive air pressure from the Fugaku’s takeoff caused my fingers to slip from the post. The Fugaku was about to take off. (No, I won’t be able to catch up…!) And as I clenched my teeth. –gui. A pair of powerful hands grabbed me from behind. “What!?” At any rate I was still clinging to the post for the time being, but now my face was shoved into a womans breasts. These… these breasts… I remember these breasts since I had touched them before, albeit rather rudely. It was Yen’s. And unsurprisingly, when I raised my gaze it was Yen who was clinging to the Fugaku’s post with me in her arms. She seemed to have run as fast as she could, and so much like me she was breathing heavily. It looked like she was a little dizzy after Habi blew her away, but she seemed to have somewhat recovered. In addition, under the left wing of the plane, “–Yen-neesama!” tan,tan, someone was kicking the sand as they ran. With the sleeves of her black kimono fluttering, as she leaped horizontally, Tsubaki, who was following us from behind, stretched out her hand. I was running as fast as I could, but the scarlet oni were able to keep up with me with plenty of time to spare. That is what I call a speed demon. (TL Note: Oni is typically treated as “demon” in English, and “speed demon” is in Katakana which is used for foreign language words. This is a pun.) Yen saw Tsubaki’s hand reaching to Fugaku’s main leg, which was now slightly floating… “Tsubaki, thank you for your help.” Kuki , and then, I pushed her back with all my strength. Tsubaki fell back before my very eyes, gorogorogorogoro , rolling towards the back end of the Fugaku. And then, as if she was a little girl, she was sitting and looking up at me in confusion. Tsubaki, with a look of disbelief on her face, exchanged a distance glance with Yen. “…Like a vain dream…” Muttering this, she turned a gentle smile to Tsubaki, and Yen’s eyes were… There was a look of realization in her eyes that she was about to go to her death. Just as I am trying to save my friend Aria, Yen is trying to save her master Habi… Neither of us know how to save our target, and yet, we are both desperate to take on the Scarlet Goddess. But we were heading to combat with a literal goddess. In a fight with a God, there is a possibility that you could be killed immediately, even if you are a oni. No, that possibility was just as likely for an oni as it is for a human. That is why… I pushed Tsubaki away. I could not allow her to enter this Fugaku, a place that is about to become a temple of death. Realizing the meaning of my actions, Tsubaki… horohoro , began to cry… to me and Yen, she slowly became a dot far behind the Fugaku which had now taken off the ground. The Fugaku soared over the long sandy beach and accelerates, rising higher and higher over the transparent sea. The Kii no kuni was now so far away that it could be hidden by my extended palm. Yen’s rust-red hair fluttered in the air currents created by the giant propellers, “… Toyama. Know that you will never return from here.” She turned toward me as if to sever her own feelings for Kii no Kuni. Yen had lived a thousand years already, she was prepared to die here if she has to. She could not let her lord remain kidnapped. She absolutely could not. Even if it meant death, she could not ignore this. … she was, after all, a faithful, or rather, loyal demon, to a fault. Isnt this oni more admirable than people today? For Yen to be willing to lay down her own life for her lord… Even I want her as my subordinate. “… I have no desire to return. I must go.” Already rappelling up into the wheel hangar, I responded with a line that was almost identical yo Yen’s but I made it sound a bit better. I thanked Yen for earlier and reached out and put my hand on her shoulder, as she was holding onto my leg as she asked her question. Yen, looking cooler than any man I know, smiled with a small smile on her face… “It is strange. I never thought that the descendant of Yorimitsu-dono and the descendant of Shuten-sama would join hands after the death of Senchi Toshitose. (TL Note: last name I am not sure of, I cannot make sense of the raw. This is essentially just saying she never expected herself, a descendant of Shuten, to be allied with Kinji, a descendant of Yorimitsu.) And Yen took my hand with her own sharp clawed hand. Me and Yen. Two people, who once stood as enemies on this very planes wings… Now, we have returned as friends and allies against the Scarlet Goddess. I will never return, but regardless, I am determined. Perhaps to reduce the weight, the two outer wheels of the double tire system were purged and dumped. When the remaining wheels and their leg columns were stored in the wings, it was like me and Yen were put into a twin coffin set. Although massive, Yen was still a woman, and although she herself didn’t care, I felt bad having to stick so tightly to her. First, we had to escape from the wheelhouse, but this was unexpectedly difficult and we lost a lot of time. First of all, since I did not know the internal structure of the plane that well, I couldn’t just go around destroying the surrounding area, so I tapped the walls surface to look for thin sections. From that it seemed… front and back, left and right, seemed to contain aviation volatile oil, but part of the top surface seemed to be empty. Yen made a hole in the roof with her horn like it was a can opener, and we managed to get out to a small room inside of the left wing. There is no sign of anyone in the apartments in the wing. (For now, lets use this as a base and see what’s going on.) And when I look out the narrow window, from the direction of the sun… The plane was flying northwest. It was off the Ogasawara Islands, in the direction of Japan. Its speed is about 700km/h, which is extremely fast for a plane. It does not seem to be equipped with bombs, but even so, considering the performance of the Fugaku, it is an extremely high speed. … and so. “This is a strange tilt and flight pattern.” It was as Yen said, the floor of the Fugaku was tilted backward considerably. In other words, it is rising at a rapid pace. The plane is clearly taking too much of an Angle of Attack (AoA), which would put major strain on the aircraft hull and lead to a potential stall, if not an outright crash. As if to prove this fact, the Fugaku was making a creaking sound as if a monster was roaring. Checking the propeller through the window with a mirror taken out of my Butei Handbook, black smoke was blowing out from the engine, signifying an excessive fuel combustion. I don’t know where their destination is, but even if they are aiming for Japan, the plane wont last long at this rate. If the destination is somewhere up high in the sky, then they might be fine… “…!” When this thought occurred to me, I gasped, thinking of the various uses of aircraft within the bounds of human common sense. This flying style emphasized altitude over speed. The oni must have neglected the distance to their destination, which may be ahead the direction of their travel. Neglect, this is a possibility. (…Imaginary Jump, or…!) The Scarlet Goddess has the ability to instantaneously move. However, it seems to be a technique that allows leaping only as far as one can see, that is, the target has to be in ones field of vision. Even if she tried to jump far, the distance one can see is limited by the roundness of the earth. However, the higher the altitude, the farther one can see. This is simple geometry. The Scarlet Goddess is trying to gain altitude rapidly in the Fugaku in order to extend her vision farther. Then, when her destination is in sight, she would move instantaneously. The Fugaku would be abandoned mid-air. If the Fugaku was a disposable piece of equipment to you, it does not matter if you fly it so aggressively since you wont care if it breaks. “… Hurry up, Yen.” I don’t know how far the Scarlet Goddess intends to raise the Fugaku, how close she plans on getting to her target, or what she intends to move instantaneously when she does see it… but I guess the time limit on us is until she can see her target. In other words, there was a time limit to solving this. We can’t afford to be nonchalant about the situation. “Let’s hurry up. The lack of oxygen will make my lungs ache in this cabin. Habi-sama herself has had difficulties in the Fugaku as well.” As Yen said… The airtight abilities of the cabin appears to be weakened due to the Scarlet Goddess’s violent manoeuvring. I can understand the importance of this looking back on my experience of flying high in the ICBM and V-2, but in hysteria mode, I can unconsciously control my longs and bronchi with my pectoral muscles like a bird, and can also withstand a certain degree of hypoxia and decompression. I can tolerate these circumstances to some extent. But that, too, was a physical limit that I could handle for only a few dozen seconds at around 9,000 meters, which was the approximate distance that Lisa and I flew. Fugaku can fly up to an altitude of 10,000 meters according to its specifications. If the Scarlet Goddess intends to fly the Fugaku to that altitude, it would be a tricky thing to survive. “Yen. This battle is three against two. That means one of us has to take on two Scarlet Goddess’s. If that happens, I will be the ace and fight two against one. Yen, please watch the situation and cover me or evacuate.” Thanks to the oni’s habit of not locking doors, we can move effortlessly through the wings. We don’t have much time, so Yen and I have a strategy meeting while we walk, “I understand that in your hear you do not want someone weaker than yourself to stand in front of you, but it is unnecessary.” Yen walked in front of me with big strides. “… you are free to think that I am weaker than you, Yen. But the truth is I simply do not want to watch a girl fight.” I once again sped up my pace, so the two of us naturally hurriedly ran into the wing… “Isn’t this called “misogyny” among men?” (TL Note: Men in this context means mankind.) “Then… the one who will stand before the Scarlet Goddess and the others will be the captain, and the one who follows behind will be the vice captain.” “Understood.” “By the way Yen, there was a one-cup Ozeki in the hallway just now.” “Where are you?” I stopped Yen in the hallway, and then… dokan! I kicked open the door leading to the main body of the plan with a Cherry Blossom kick by transferring the energy from my left leg to my right leg. I entered first, and Yen, who was now blushing, said “Toyama, you are a schemer”, and also entered the Fugaku’s main body. (TL Note: Recall what Kinji said earlier, about how the Captain, who will fight the Scarlet Goddess and one other, goes first. He distracted Yen with the Ozeki allowing him to enter first. Smooth.) “There is only two of you?” Aria, who was standing in the glass-walled cockpit, was facing us with her arms folded. Standing in front of Aria, with barely any space between her on either side, “Then here as well…” With a buun , Son waved her scimitar holding it at the ready, then, “Two people will face each other.” With a zun the figure of Habi entered, carrying her star shattering axe. Each of the three lines were spoken by three separate people, and the voices were different, but somehow I could tell that the lines were all originating from the same person – the Scarlet Goddess. It was a strange dissonance. Behind Aria, on the instrument panel in the cockpit, switches were moving and clicking with clunking and snapping sounds. The control stick was also moving little by little as well, even though no one was touching anything. It did not feel like it was being controlled by auto-pilot: in Butei terminology, it appeared that the Scarlet Goddess was controlling the Fugaku with telekinesis power or esper abilities. (TL Note: I changed the terms in the last line a bit as I did not recognize them. Terms are S-Ken and PK.) “A tag-team match, huh? I’ll take it. A tag team of Sun Wu-Kong and Oda Nobunaga vs the tag team of Toyama no Kin-san’s and Shuten Doji’s descendants, involving the audience of Holmes the fourth. What an amazing card!” (TL Note: Card in this context is referring to WWE and other competitive fighting leagues I believe, as the term is used to refer to who is in a match.) Whatever the circumstances may be now, I am absolutely certain that this is better than the three against two I had planned for earlier, so I said something to help liven up the situation before the Scarlet Goddess decides to change her mind. (… I chased after her as if I had gone mad, but now… what do I do?) In front of me were three hyper stealth warriors artificially enhanced by the Scarlet Goddess. The Fugaku’s altitude increased without stopping, and its engines were on the verge of exploding due to the relentless rapid ascent. If the Scarlet Goddess and the others were to disappear in an instant, it’s over, and neither me nor Yen know when that will happen or where the leap will take them. Therefore, our time limit is also unknown. … I don’t even know how to start this fight or where to start it. I cannot see the win condition, never mind a way to achieve it, and now I am beginning to panic. But in times like these… I remember my lessons at Butei High. “Defeat enemies one at a time.” In other words, I should steadily and carefully take them down one by one. If I rush around and try to take everyone down at once, I wont be able to defeat even a single one, I would just waste time and make things even worse. In this case, Habi, Son, and Aria. Three people I have to knock out, trying not to hurt them more than is necessary. That is my first goal. After that, me and Yen need to deal with the Fugaku. … even though the Scarlet Goddess has possessed them, the bodies of Aria and the others is still each their own. This was proven earlier in Nogizaka when Kana had knocked out Aria. I have to prevent their bodies from moving without hurting them. However, our opponents are the literally incarnation of the Scarlet Goddess. This tactic is easier said than done, and to make women faint is unbearable for me in hysteria mode. Then, at least… “… Yen. Let’s deal with the each others target, as it would be difficult to fight with our friends or lord. Yen, you deal with Yen. I will play with Habi. I don’t think I can win by cutting corners though, so I may have to give Habi a serious beating. Please, though, do not intervene.” “Don’t worry. I am aware you are not doing this for your own goals, but are doing it for Habi-sama’s sake. I do not know what must be done, but… we have to exorcise the Scarlet Goddess who has entered her heart. This is unavoidable.” Me and Yen proceeded to walk side-by-side as we talk, towards Habi and Son. But then, in front of the smirking Aria… “Then, what will you do if I do this?” – batsu! And Habi and Son… Both of them jumped towards me! “…!” I was somehow able to respond immediately to the unexpected and concentrated attack. I was able to deal with Son’s scimitar, which was thrust out at subsonic speed, by grabbing the handle with my elbow, and at the same time I was able to parry Habi’s axe by parrying it with a palm strike to its side. The Fugaku’s floor was made of an alloy, but if this huge-axe were dropped, the aircraft could very well disintegrate mid-air. I managed to guide the axe back to her shoulders, but… After jumping and still in the air, Habi let the axe bounce up and down vigorously on her shoulders like the axe was at a rodeo… and then… Gatsun! She dug the axe into the ceiling and papapapapapapapapapapapa! “…ahahahahahahahaha!” The fired a series of strike from above my head that looked like the afterimage of dozens of hands, the recoil from my blocks managing to keep her in the air. A hail of sub-machine gun speed, albeit regular, flat, and yet penetrating fist make a explosive sounding burst of air that sounds like a sub-machine gun to match its speed. The fists poured down on my upper body without pause. The hits look like random strikes, but this was a torrential downpour of desperate attacks on the eyes, between the eyebrows, at the seams of the skull, at the ears, nose, mouth, throat, carotid artery, and collarbone, all hits aimed without a single one aimed at a non-weak point. I had to use my left and right fingers, wrists, forearms, elbows, shoulders, and even my own head to either parry, duck, or shift the impact point to prevent an instant death from the thrusts. Below me, as I was struggling to deal with the Habi overhead, “–hihi!” Katsun ! Son, who had slammed her scimitar on the floor, lot go of it. She then bent her elbows to 90-degress, spread her legs wide back and forth like in gymnastics, stooped low, and lowered her hips low. It was an old fashioned style, but this was a stance seen in Chinese Kung-Fu. Wait, are you coming at me at the same time…! “U~oryaaaaa!” Zazazazazazazazaza ! Then, spinning on the spot, Son’s blows attacked my lower body like a spinning firework wheel. (TL Note: for the “spinning firework wheel” think of two fireworks connected by a string, causing them to spin around rapidly.) In addition to the blade like hands, foot strikes, and claw strikes, the lower half of my body was assaulted by roundhouse kicks, back fist blows, and even tail blows. Like Habi, Son also attacked my Achilles tendon, front and rear cruciate ligaments, femoral artery, dorsal leg artery, and genitals. (TL Note: last one is accurate as far as I can tell. Son fights cheaply it would seem.) I have to keep both my feet on the ground, spinning and retreating on the spot to fend off Son. Kicking a foot away, somersaulting a few times – there were moments when I had to respond to Son with a fist and Habi with a kick. This “Hundred Fiery Strikes” struck from both the sky and earth without pause. It was a pincer struck like being stuck between a hailstorm and a volcanic eruption. “…Toyama…!” Yen… She stopped her foot that was about to break into this fight. She seemed to have decided that it was more dangerous for me if she were to interfere. Fighting with two Scarlet Goddess’s at once requires more concentration than surviving the barrage from Sherlock. Each blow that comes at me had the power to kill me then and there. … If I was distracted for even a moment, it would be fatal. I am not saying that we have to stick to our original plan, but stay out of this fight. I will dance with these two until it is over. Doooo ! Ddodododo ! Each tremor that shook my left and right arms and legs carried the gravity of this hopeless situation with it. (TL Note: I am not certain on this sentence.) Beyond the window that was just captured at the edge of my vision, the 6 engines on the Fugaku which was still travelling north… were all either on fire, either big or small. I could see that the fire was sizzling and slowly covering the rest of the wings. Damn it, the wings are about as fireproof as paper! Even though the Fugaku was built with new science materials, it is an aircraft based on the design philosophy of the old Japanese military, which tried to increase mobility and cruising capacity even at the expense of defensive capabilities. (….1352–1421–1508–….!) In less than a minute, the number of blows from above and below by Habi and Son exceeded 1,500. Approximately 27 strikes per second. Habi and Son were pounding me with their deadly blows at 13.5 shots each, per second. … These are the strikes of a God, is it? I am impressed. But surely there will be a pause in this one-sided onslaught. Both Habi and Son must have to breath eventually. At that moment, I will unleash a counter. Endure, endure, and wait. Wait for a chance to fight back. As if to mock my attempts for a counter, “– we’re still coming!” The axe, which was still braced against the ceiling with its blade stuck into it, gaiiiiiiii ! Habi hit the side of the axe with the back of her fist like a gong. She caught the falling axe handle with the nape of her wrist, and without stopping her attacks on me – she began to rotate the axe, as if she was brushing the handle with her wrist and the back of her knees, she began to rotate the axe… it was a hula-hoop centred on Habi herself. Papapa ! Bao ! Papapapan ! Ba ! Papapapapa ! Buun ! Habi’s blows to my upper body were now joined by the slash of a rotating guillotine-like axe. The precise blows were joined by the slash attacks, complicating the mental lethal zone that was being processed in my head. But if I don’t handle this, I will end up crushed up top and turned into ribbons down below. As the airtight seal was violently ripped and a cracked formed in the ceiling caused by the axe, the cabin pressure started to drop… “There we go! Time to cut off your legs!” (TL Note: This is not 100% accurate. I think she is saying an attack name, but cannot make sense of it.) … Son picks up the fallen scimitar with her toes. And then, byuun ! Hyuhyuhyuhyuhyuhyubyunbyunbyunbyun ! Like Habi, she began to spin the scimtar around under her feet. While doing this though, like Habi as well, she never once stopped her barrage of strikes on me. The naginata not only was aiming to cut me in my stomach, but also served to strike my legs with its long handle and make me fall down. If I were to trip, I would be squished like a carrot in a blender. I was being hit by machine gun fire from above and below, and now I was being slashed by the rotor blades of a helicopter… Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Aria the Scarlet Goddess laughing at me with amusement on her face. No… Stop it, Scarlet Goddess. Yes, Aria laughs often at me, but never with a face like that…! “””–You cannot afford to look away! Toyama!””” Aria, with her hands cupped like a megaphone, Habi harmonizing her voice, and Son shouting as loud as she could… I realized I had been caught. (…shoot!) She did that on purpose. The Scarlet Goddess, knowing I would not like it, made that laugh with that face on purpose. “Ascending Dragon Sprouting Legs!” (TL Note: Another attack name, I am again unsure what exactly is being said.) Taking advantage of my slipping attention, Son put her hands in a big motion as if she was going to fall backwards… Baoooooooooo ! While doing a handstand, she unleashes a kick up towards the sky. “–!” I managed to catch the kick between the scimitar and the great axe, while bending my knees to dodge the rest of the kick. Habi, though, was able to read this. Habi put her hands onto Son’s bare feet that had been kicked up, and combined with the strength of her own arms and with the strength of the kick, jumped upwards — Daaaaaaaan ! Upside down, she hit the roof of the Fugaku cabin. And from there, baaaaan ! She feel onto me like a shooting star. The way Habi and Son worked and breathed together was truly one of a kind. It was even better coordination than the Coco sisters demonstrated on the bullet train. That must be because while those were sisters… Habi and Son were essentially the same person. Using a combination of martial arts and divine power on her forehead… –Shaaaa! Habi’s headbutt that came down grazed me. “…!” It seems that Habi’s goal was to rip open a hole in my skull using her horns and smash open the rest of my head… My Hysteria Mode reflexes saves my life. The Hysteria Mode twisting movement was done just in time, and I managed to only get some cuts in my skin. But I was still cut. The wound was on my forehead, normally covered by my hair. (TL Note: sound familiar?) Because I was unfamiliar with fighting against horns, I misjudged and suffered a very deep wound. The wound reached the pericranial membrane, and a flashy stream of blood flowed out from the cut that the horn had cut open. It wasn’t a gush of blood, but it was a stream. Fresh blood… –right, eye. (… damn it…!) When things that are common in old shonen manga like this happens in real life, it is no longer a joke or fiction. Even if the view out of my right eye is not completely blocked, it is certainly restricted. From this point on, it will become even more difficult to outrun the onslaught of Habi and Son. First, I have to distance myself from them, secure some time, and wipe the blood away. And then I would have to endure those fierce attacks once again, and somehow take advantage of an opportunity. That is the only way ahead for me. I decided on that, and shook my head to get the drops of blood out of my eye, and at that same time… – Bah ! As soon as she lands, she retreated backwards. And then, saaaa . In my bloody, narrow field of vision, Son disappeared in my lower right corner field of view. With a snake like movement she crawled across the floor, and ran into my blind-spot while holding her scimitar. “–!” I looked down, being forced to jump to avoid an attack. “Look ahead, Toyama!” I heard Yen’s cry. Ahead of me, in the gap I looked away, Habi’s 700kg axe was now coming from above. Holding her great axe, Habi, with a bouncing leap from the floor, slammed a body-spinning kick into it after letting go, ejecting it towards me who had just managed to take a step back. She had pointed the top end of the handle towards me instead of the axe head, with the handle seemingly being sharp like a spear. It seems her technique of kicking the axe mid air as if it was a javelin was a common trick of hers, and the axe was designed for such. Habi, taking advantage of the double-bladed axe’s unique properties, kicked it away towards me at an angle that would impale me. I am still up in the air because of my leaping motion. In the air, naturally my movements are extremely restricted. (I can’t dodge like this…!) An axe, with blade like horizontal wings, was racing towards me who was still in the air. … Just as the term “attack fatigue” suggests, attacking is more exhaustive than defending. Therefore, I had let my opponent attack, again and again, and when they get tired of attacking, I counterattack. This is the most basic of basic for counterattack strategies. The beauty of this tactic is that you can retreat over and over again without attacking. So, having suffered a deep head wound earlier, I was now making the decision to use the enemies opening to retreat temporarily. After you retreat from an onslaught, typically the enemy takes a breather. The enemy will attack, over and over again, but once they can they rest. In this way, the attacker trys to recover from the fatigue of attacking. Usually. But the reaction of the Scarlet Goddess was different. They attacked, and attacked, and never stopped. If there is even a tenth of a zero point zero second opportunity, they would attack. All their time was spent attacking. So this is how the Scarlet Goddess fights…! Furthermore. Habi was not the only one who was attacking. Just before Habi kicked out the great axe, in my bloody blind spot – I could only grasp this happening by sound alone – Son, who had run up the side of the Fugaku’s round cockpit, was running upside down on the ceiling somehow. This three-dimensional movement was like a rollercoaster spinning throughout the air, but instead of 360 degrees it was only 270 degrees. In front of me, on the other side of the axe and the cockpit, I can hear something suddenly stopping… Standing vertically with her long, black hair floating in the air, Sun crouched down on the window, where we could now see the Pacific coast of Japan in the distance. She was holding her blue dragon scimitar like a throwing spear. “–haaaa!” The small hands and bare feet of the Fighting Buddha, Son Goku, stretched out all at once. The launched Blue Dragon scimitar created a ring of conical vapour in front of Son. The scimitar came flying at me at the speed of a cannonball. I cannot dodge this one either. Even Yen, who had the strength to stop this, couldn’t even breath before it hits me. I have no technique to stop this. My plan relying on them regrouping failed spectacularly. I realized my defeat when I saw the scimitar and the axe coming at me at the same time… “Nuuuuuu!” Dogoooo ! Suddenly, a shoulder hit me from the side. Yen pushed me away, saving me from the two attacking weapons. With a jolt that almost permanently switched the position of my internal organs, I was blown towards the window. The Fugaku has already reached a high enough altitude to see the curvature of the earth. Somehow though, I was able to take a Kikka-like passive stance, and managed to stop myself from breaking and flying out through the wall of the aircraft. But through my blood and wavering vision… “-Yen!!!” The axe kicked by Habi and the scimitar thrown by Son penetrated into Yen’s right thigh and right arm. She had taken the hit for me. “…!” Yen had gritted her teeth so as not to scream – Dogoooooooooooooo ! The two weapons hit Yen, and crashed her near Habi’s throne. Originally, Habi and Sun must have thrown the great axe and scimitar with the intention of sticking me onto the throne. But Yen, who had been hit by the weapons at a different angle, was stuck up in a sitting position besides the now unoccupied throne. Yen’s body might have been as tough as a truck, but the Scarlet Goddess had unleashed both the star-shattering axe and Son’s Blue Dragon scimitar… Both weapons easily penetrated her tough body. “…guu… ouuu…!” Yen was writhing around trying to dislodge the weapons, but her body positioning was poor and she lacked the strength. “–Yen!” I tried to help, flames now coming from the left and right wings of the plane… “…!” The window, now melting from the heat, was distorted, cracked from the pressure, and blown outward. The pressurized air was leaking even more now, wind blowing around the cabin. Beyond the metal wings, which had now turned into a phoenix’s wings of fire, although I did not recognize it for a moment because it was oriented different than on a map, but I could see the coastline of the Tohoku region north of Fukushima, Honshu Japan, beneath a low, thin, haze-like break in the clouds. I knew it… (The Scarlet Goddess’s destination is Japan…!) Since we could see Japan now, the Fugaku is no longer of any use. The engines were already ceasing to function, but the Fugaku was still maintaining its high altitude and speed by inertia. The direction of the aircraft must be finely adjusted on the tail side since it was relatively stable still. Flames rising from the lower half of the Fugaku were rising up here now with smoke pooling on the floor. I turned my head towards Yen. Yen, now buried in flames, was showing only slight movement. “Yen…!” “… It-…. it’s nothing to worry about… Toyama… I don’t need any, help, for this…” I could hear Yen’s voice coming from behind the flames, she sounded rather relieved that the flames had hidden her unsightly injuries from me. It was a blessing in disguise that it was her that took the hit, as she would not bleed out anytime soon. Nevertheless, however… When I had boarded the Fugaku, I was all set to defeat each and every one of them… But instead, I myself am injured, and Yen was pinned to the wall and cannot be rescued. Habi, Son, Aria, and the Fugaku. I had not been able to complete any of my objectives, let alone defeat any of the three girls. The situation had gone up in flames. Even though I, Enable, was in Hysteria Mode… even then, the Scarlet Goddess… … The load I took on was too heavy, wasn’t it? Regardless of the weight though… this is a terrible loss. I could not counterattack against Habi or Son, not even a single blow. The Scarlet Goddess Aria was not only unscathed, she did not have to move even a single finger. All she did was laugh at me. Aria as she is now would not even look at me or Yen… “Mountains are a nuisance.” She said this, looking at Japan from the glass-enclosed cockpit. Shortly after, Habi and Son leapt through the flames to get to Aria. While Son looked at me with a devilish grin on her face, “–But, Hihi. I saw something interesting between the clouds. Fine, fine, lets go.” Habi said, looking out of the plane through the glass, puffing up her flat chest. …kira…kira, kira… kirakira… A small golden light appeared. It doubled, and doubled, from two, to four, to eight. Light began to fly throughout the space, like stars in a miniature galaxy. The cockpit became its own realm, with an eclipse forming a football shape that contained Aria, Habi, and Son. (Thats… Imaginary Jump…!) I cannot stall… now I know for sure that the Scarlet Goddess is going to use it. Since both Son Goku in Hong Kong and Scarlet Goddess Aria could use it in Nogizaka, I am not surprised that Habi could use it too. However, right now, only Habi was using this technique… This made me aware of something. Something important that I should have realized long, long ago. Son said this in Hong Kong, she can only use Imaginary Jump once a day. That is probably still true though. The fact that Fugaku was being used as a relay from Kinokuni to Japan is proof enough that the art does not have unlimited uses, even for a Scarlet Goddess. Earlier as well, the Scarlet Goddess said something about her destination being obstructed from sight. She must be intending to teleport somewhere as a relay. But she did not seem too disappointed by that. This must mean, maybe… Scarlet Goddess Aria, Scarlet Goddess Habi, and Scarlet Goddess Son… in other words… each can use Imaginary Jump once a day. This seems to be a reasonable assumption. In other words, the Scarlet Goddess’s still have 2 more moves left. From the Fugaku, I would guess that they would jump to somewhere with a good view, such as a tower or the top of a mountain, and then repeat those jumps until they get to their destination. Perhaps their Imaginary Jump is not the only thing limited to three moves as well. If each of them can use Imaginary Jump once.. then… their laser beam…! These girls… Impossible. Not just difficult, but impossible. Seriously, Kinji, what can you even do against that? (come to think of it, there was a game called “Gradius” that Riko brought to my room once.) I used to play it during the night because it was a pretty fun game… If we considered Aria to be her own ship… Habi and Son are just convenient copies that can use the same techniques. Therefore, me and Yen only had to beat Aria to win. And the player controlling Aria and her copies… was the Scarlet God. Unfortunately, like the player playing a game, the Scarlet Goddess will not suffer a single injury, no matter what kind of attack she takes. It is like Mash’s drone in the Nevada, taking down the drone did not injure him. As my Hysteria Mode mind comprehends this fact, I am distracted by a sense of despair. I was confident before, but after realizing this fact… Shit. … kirakirakira… kirakira… And so, the golden light particles that surrounded Habi, Son, and Aria spread out. They are going to jump. But I cannot let this happen. (… I have to intervene.) Son once told me something in Hong Kong. ”Imaginary Leap”, or their teleport ability, is the ability to transporting someone within the space surrounded by that cloud of light. If the person is even slightly out of the cloud of light at the moment of activation, he or she will not move, and conversely, should I enter the ring of light in my entirety, I will simply teleport with them. I was also told that there was a limit as to how many people it can move at once, but if I remember correctly, when compared to Son’s luminescence, Habi’s is much grander. Maybe they can now use this ability more effectively since the Scarlet God is in an awakened state? … maybe the scale is 3-4…? “Yen, they are preparing for an Imaginary Jump! If we can get in the circle, we can get off of the Fugaku! This way! Can you still move?!” “…okay! I finally managed to remove both the axe and the sword. I am coming now, Toyama…! Once the flames start to die down, I will cross over to you!” Yen’s confident voice echoes from beyond the black smoke and flames that are filling the cabin. Okay, and so… “… you better make it. It would be an honour to share this ride with you.” And I pulled my gun out and jumped into the cockpit, right into the ring of light. Squinting in the glare, I look around and see… “I knew you’d come.” Although I could not see clearly, I could hear Habi’s voice coming from behind the golden light. “I guess you have not had enough of a fight yet? Luckily this golden cloud can just barely fit you too.” (TL Note: Brutally translated, I think I got the right meaning.) I cold also hear the sound of Son Goku. “… I have a plus one with me. She has god a good build, she it might be over limits. Why don’t you use Aria or Son to increase the light and not just Habi?” I told them that Yen was coming too, and tried to encourage them to waste their instantaneous movements. If they can teleport a limited amount of times, they will be at a huge advantage fighting or running later if I can get them to waste them now. If they can only teleport 3 times a day, I might be able to get them to use 2 or 3 of them here right now. This is another thing I learned at Butei High, but if an enemy is too strong, the ironclad rule is to destroy or impede their means of transportation. By preventing them from going where they want to go, you prevent them from taking their desired course of actions. Doing this will always work towards your advantage. If even one of them managed to escape there is nothing I could do about that right now, however… if I could somehow limit their potential movement or even stop them altogether… In response to my taunt though… “fufufufu” “ahahahahahahahaha!” … they are laughing in chorus…. “… Toyama…” From behind the golden light, the black smoke shadows, and the red flames… “I am sorry… I told a lie to you earlier.” The now husky voice of the unseen Yen could be heard. The place where the voice was coming from had not moved from before, from under the throne. Yen… you…! You couldn’t remove the scimitar and axe..! But had you told me that… I would have come to your rescue… so you lied to me… all to save me… “–Yen!” Gugogogogo….. gugogogogogogogogo… the squeaking and crunching sounds of the Fugoku reminded of the surrounding hell.. The Fugaku’s burned-out exterior peeled off, flying off into the sky. The wings were now most just its skeleton. The black smoke from the cabin was blown out into the open air, and now I could see behind the flames… Along with flowing blood, Yen was blackened like a burnt corpse by soot and charcoal… She lovingly raised her hand, which was covered with broken nails, to her masters axe, which has pinned her to the Fugaku. “I am asking you… save my master.” She turned a powerless smile towards me. Right after that, like a balloon popping… The Fugaku disintegrates in the air without a sound. Judging from the Horizon I saw earlier, the altitude is at least 12,000 meters. The outside air temperature is nearly -60C, and the atmospheric pressure is about one-seventh that of the ground. Fugaku debris scattered in the sky as the jumbo jet flew on… as soon as the fuel leaking out of the debris burned up, it froze white in the blink of an eye. With that scene around us, Aria, myself, son, and Habi… … we disappeared, from the sky. .. as soon as the golden light subsided, a cold blast of air slammed into me. Where are we…? The landscape is moving too quickly for me to tell. The X, Y, and Z coordinates in the Cartesian coordinate system were messed up and interchanging non-stop. I was seemingly falling in all directions, left, right, up, and down, front, and back. The next thing my body could sense was the air pressure. My lungs, which were about to burst from the low air pressure, suddenly was suppressed due to a return to normal pressure. The pressure revealed it. We were right now on the ground. To continue, the gravity. when my back hit the ground, which was some kind of metal, I realized what was up and what was down. In addition, suddenly a silvery light jumped into view. The light flies at me countless times from the wind, passing through me on the right and left. (… this is… snow…!?) The freezing temperature must be from the snow… I was in a high velocity blizzard that was beating down on me from the front in gusts of wind. And… this blizzard was fast. I must be on top of something moving incredibly fast. Maybe the Scarlet Goddess and the others chose this location to avoid the kinetic energy suddenly dropping to zero right after teleportation. The speed we are moving at… would be better expressed in terms of the speed of sound. About Mach 0.5…! But where are we? What am I on? For some reason I am lying on top of a fast moving vehicle that was moving at almost the same speed as the Fugaku’s end speed from earlier… Daan, dadaan . Suddenly, the footsteps of the three of them was echoing as they were disembarking. “Hey, Toyama, did you slip and fall down!?” In the direction we were travelling, was Aria the Scarlet Goddess. “ahhh, it’s so cold!” To the right and behind was Son. “Ahahahaha! Come on, get up!” To the left and behind her, was Habi. Each of the three was shouting as they were talking to me. —gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo— (What… what is that sound… what is this feeling…?) When I opened my sound after that sound, I saw… a white body with a blue border… a Shinkansen? (TL Note: Shinkansen is a bullet train.) It looks like we are on a bullet train, like the one that we once fought the Coco sisters on. But this is different. There are no overhead wires or pantographs. Weirdest of all, there is no sound coming from the wheels running on the tracks. We are probably flying. This is… an express trip that is flying low over the ground. It was a funny thing to think of, but this was the conclusion my hazy senses came to. A snowy forest that looked distorted due to excessive speed. I was on top of a mach 0.5 vehicle travelling at super high speed… “Toyama. I am going to do something that suits you. Let’s conclude this fight with “high-jack”.” Aria’s voice, which seemed to come from all directions, sounded like an echo in my head. It sounded godly, reminding me again who I was dealing with. “……!” … I know where we are now! This is a magnetic levitation linear motor car! This is the Aomori experimental line of the superconducting linear bullet train! The Aomori Experimental Line is a JR East experimental line running from Hachinohe to Shin-Hirozen. Aiming for a future export path to Russia and Canada, the line is an endurance test line equipped with a cold-resistant structure and snow-melting guideways, and is designed to run through heavy snowfall areas such as the Hakkouda Mountains and the Shirakami Mountains. On that single track, this linear Shinkanensen is rushing westward in a two-car formation. “… high jacking the super express. Do you like it? Toyama, you have been familiar with high-jackings ever since you met Aria.” “This is also a fitting stage for a decisive battle that matches the 21st century.” “Let’s fight.” I was surrounded by three scarlet Gods, who spoke to me, and in response, “… well, I thinks this is the best vehicle I have ridden so far. There is no possibility of a derailment due to its structure.” Whether or not I could be heard I spoke to them… my words might sound calm and pretentious, but I still stood towards the Scarlet Gods with anger. This was a battle of mourning over Yen, after all. However, despite these intense feelings, I cannot stand tall. That is because of the gust of wind that is blowing from the front. I have ridden on one before, but this floating bullet train thing is… It might sound strange coming from me, but this is a strange vehicle to ride on. There is little or no sound, nor is there any shaking coming from this vehicle. The only thing tormenting me right now is this fierce air pressure assaulting me. I feel like I am surfing on top of a UFO. Could I fight properly? In such strange conditions? “Kinji. I can’t control my feelings for you anymore!” “I can’t, I can’t control myself anymore!” “I wonder if this love?” (TL Note: God I wish that was me.) And now, the stage is set, three to one. “… love, huh? I am honoured to hear that from you.” The three girls, arranged like an isosceles triangle, surrounded me with me at the centre, and spoke to me. This time, for once, I cannot do anything to get out of this… and the reality that I realized earlier is coming back to haunt me. (TL Note: Kinji’s realization on the plane that this time there truly is nothing he could do.) Still, usually I leave it to Hysteria Mode to come up with something. But now, I’m in Hysterical Mode and I can’t think of anything else to solve this situation. Regardless, I will keep chasing after Aria. I will get Aria back. But I will fight knowing that I will probably lose. No, in fact, I will lose, but I will lose chasing after Aria and my allies while licking my wounds. … I am an idiot. But I was the one who let this happen. My feelings for my partner. My feelings for Aria…! “Love!” “Love means fighting!” “Let’s fight, Toyama! Hahaha!” … Scarlet Goddess. You are a clumsy woman for calling yourself a God. You want to fight those with a strong will. It is quite embarrassing to admit that a Scarlet Goddess likes me, but… You are the type of girl who likes to bully the guy she likes. You are just the ultimate version of that. You really do control and promote both love and war. You and I are like this two-car linear train. Driven by the power of superconductivity, constantly moving back and forth… –We are out of control, with hearts that cannot be helped anymore. “Okay, sweetheart. Let’s go as far as we can tonight.” In a blizzard of mach 0.5. On top of a linear bullet train. I duck down and pull out my knife just in case I fall. Just before I put the claw on my belt buckle on my shoe, since the knife might not prove to be enough. Now… on this super-express that has been High-Jacked. My opponent is a Scarlet God. And there are three of them. Top copies of the perfect Scarlet God, “Aria the Scarlet God”, with almost exactly the same attack power. That means effectively I am fighting the same person, three times, at once. Even if they take the form of Aria, they must be considered a completely different concept of existence from us mere mortals. Aria the Scarlet Bullet. Yes, Aria the Scarlet Ammo… … she is beyond comprehension, beyond reason, and I do not understand a milligram of her abilities. But so what? But girls are like that begin with, right? (Holmes in front, Goku behind to the right, Nobunaga behind left.) It is kind of an uneven fight, but that’s the kind of fight that suits me. The scariest of the 3 is Aria. I know it’s only intuitive, but I could feel twice the presence coming out of Aria than Habi or Son. This feeling… bishi…bishibibishi…bishibishibishi… was transmitted physically to me as well… There was a slight tremor in the air. The forest. The mountains. The space itself, swirling in a blizzard. And… A scarlet light arises in this silvery white world. Aria’s right eye began to glow. Scarlet. Scarlet, scarlet, scarlet, scarletscarletscarlet…! “Come one, Toyama. How are you going to deal with this?” …tsu. Aria… At her words, I turn around and… saw Son and Habi. All three of them were posed, looking at me from three directions, from the front, right rear, and left rear. And all of their right eyes are glowing scarlet. With each passing moment, the red light grew stronger. (… laser beam…!) And not just a laser beam, this was 3 laser beams. I had never even envisioned such a situation. The Earth began to shake slightly from the fighting spirit of the 3 girls. The surrounding trees began to shake and snap, flying off into the distance, bashi, bishi , even though nothing was touching them. And then, suddenly, “… Kinji. If it’s one shot, I can offset it.” I heard a different voice in my head, different from Aria and the others. …it was Rurugami. “Use the technique that you used in Hong Kong. If I widen the optical path of the laser during melting, and disrupt the increased phase on both sides of space-time to weaken the coherence – even with this knife length, I am sure I can catch the Monkey’s laser.” (TL Note: from what my monkey brain can figure out here, basically make the small, compact laser, into a wider laser, limiting its damage.) My butterfly knife, a memento of my brothers, coated Irokane… It was starting to glow blue. Even in Hysteria Mode, I cannot create the knowledge necessary to understand this, so I could not understand Rurugami’s reasoning that the laser could be stopped… But the technique I used in Hong Kong, the Excalibur Umbrella. Rurugami. Are you implying that I do that technique with a knife of this length? “Yes, it is possible. I can surely stop one shot. In return though, I will be killed here. Even though I only attempted to, I tried to kill my own sister. This is my atonement. Therefore, Toyama, I will not hesitate here to offer up my life.” “Ruru, you…!” “Kinji. If it was possible, I would have wanted to watch this battle till its ends. But from here one, I will be of zero help to you. I wish you the best of luck-“ After saying this, the light coming from Rurugami intensified. Blue, blueblueblueblue–! “wow” “So what?” “How are you going to avoid the other two shots?” “Toyama, you…” “What are you going to do about it?” “Can you do anything?” Aria, Son, and Habi watched this happen, and… I heard them speak from three directions, as they walked around me. Their questions are pointless. That’s right. Rurugami could block one shot, but the other two were my job. I have to do something. But I can’t. (Um, the laser…) Light emitted from the right pupil of each of the girls. If I could somehow get them to look away, they can’t hit me. But right now I am standing in front of Aria, staring right into her red camellia eyes. A man and a women who are destined to look at each other should never do anything to go against that. I don’t want to avert my eyes either from those adorably cute twinkling eyes. So, let us instead receive Aria’s light head on. As well, even though I have a different view of life and death than Rurugami, I must respect her will to fight even though it might end her life… I held my butterfly knife, shining blue like sapphire, out in a thrust. It looked like a spear, but for me, it was a shield. This must be the first time a contradiction like this has occurred in Japan. (TL Note: not sure exactly what is being said here, this is my best educated guess.) “If you were being attacked from one direction, it might have been possible to prevent it.” “but this time, you are stuck in a triangle, I am attacking you from three different directions with you at the centre of the lasers.” “No matter where you run, the only thing that will change is the angle that the laser will hit you at.” … way to tell it like it is, Scarlet Goddess. Actually, your statement sparked an epiphany. I am not a geometry guy, but I know a way to keep three straight lines from intersecting. Also, doing this will be an apology to Habi and Son, as an apology for keeping my eyes on Aria only so far. Well, this will be called… (–“Nonuguale”–) As soon as I named that new technique, I flew behind me using the wind pressure and Ouka. The whole time, I kept my shining blue knife pointed at the red shining Aria. As Kou had once said… The Scarlet God’s laser has a moment when it becomes uncancelable. It is about 1.2 seconds before activation. Once the red glow of the eye suddenly becomes brighter, it can no longer be stopped. I was aiming for that exact moment. “””!””” Due to my movement, the triple laser, instead of piercing me from three direction like an asterisk (*)… … [≠] … The laser was released in an irregular sequence, like the emblematic nonuguale symbols of Rome Butei High. The butterfly knife, which I had let go the moment the lasers shot, was melted by Aria’s laser and spread out like a blue flower. There was no sound after it took the laser head on. (…Ruru…!) The Goddess Ruru took the Scarlet God’s deadly blow head on. The expansion of the knife looked like an umbrella as it slowly opened. Rurugami used her supernatural ability to weaken the laser as it impacted the knife. The two of the other shots I dealt with myself. Son’s laser passed by in front of me while Habi’s went behind me. They flew off into the sky. Their lasers hit nothing but sky. It was honestly really easy to do. Even children could do this if they wanted to. All I did… The moment the laser shot, I was right in the middle with Habi on one side and Son on the other. Since we were in a straight line, if Habi shot, she would pierce me and hit Son, and should Son have fired, she would hit Habi. So, in order to protect myself and them a well… I had to make them avert their gaze and shoot in the form of a ‘=’. And with myself in the centre, I escaped the situation. Even with that dodge though, this strategy would have been impossible, and undesirable, without also protecting both Habi and Son. Dodging their lasers meant also protecting them. (TL Note: not sure exactly what is being said here, but basically Kinji is saying that either he, Habi, and Son all lived or all died.) I suppose to her losing two allies was worth it if it meant dealing with me. Does that mean that being seen as cheap pawns saved their lives? That honestly must hurt a little bit, huh? Like a flower being blown away by the wind and snow, the butterfly knife that had lived and now died in my hands for so long flew away in a linear backward motion. With that knife went Rurugami’s thoughts and life. “… a Non uguale is a negative equal sign. It means that it is not equal. Aria, Son, Habi. You are not a Scarlet God, nor are you equal to one. I still believe that.” The top of the train is slippery with now, and I slide backwards due to the inertia of my dodges. Aria, Son, and Habi were now all in front of me. But luckily, all three can no longer fire lasers. … I finally realized just how lucky I was that all three shot their lasers at once. “How is that, Scarlet Goddess? I dodged your greatest attack.” There is no use fighting anymore. I was about to ask her to calm down and stop taking over Aria and the others… “… stupid Kinji.” Aria the Scarlet Goddess, who was mimicking Yoriyoshi’s habit of speaking, folded her arms and grins. Son, with her long black hair blowing in the snowstorm, and Habi, with her short reddish-bronze hair flailing wildly, slowly walking up to Aria on either side of her… “That wasn’t a serious attack. It was a way to kill time.” Killing time…? However, her tone was not one of a sore loser. “It took me a while to get into the rhythm and for it speed up.” Following Aria’s line, guguguguu–! and the train started to accelerate rapidly. (…!) … that was a surprise. Aria and her team are manipulating the magnets or something to accelerate the train. The normal operating speed of this Linear Shinkansen was supposed to be mach 0.4-0.5… but right now the speed is…Mach 0.6-0.7 by feel… it is 1.5 times higher than that…! Although the noise was only beginning to increase little by little… this was only an endurance test line. The train is not supposed to be going through it full throttle, never mind over. It was like a rocket flying horizontally. I hunched my body over and just managed to stay on my feet, relying on the claws on my shoes… Son and Habi walked on the liners without a care in the world, their cutoff sailor skirts, blouses, and kimono hems flapping as if they might be torn off by the wind pressure. They were now beside Aria. And then, they acted strangely. (…?) It was like gymnastics or cheer leading. Aria turned her back to us and faced towards the direction we were travelling, and Son and Habi each grabbed a hand from her side. They acted in perfect unison, perfect coordination. “”Yo, to!”” (TL Note: this is just a cute sound effect girls make in anime. Only way I can really describe it.) Habi and Son, who were still holding Aria’s hand, held it up, and Aria was lifted up into a push-up position in the air. It was like a gymnastics routine, with her legs pointing towards me. And then, basabasa–! The pink-blonde twin tails, which had been previously blowing behind her, spread out to the left and right. It was like wings. “…!” It was around this I noticed. I could see the flow of the air around the twin tails by the way the snow was flowing under it. Lift was being generated. Her hair was being used like the wings of a plan. (… She is planning on flying!) As if to prove my deduction, Aria’s legs, which she had been lifting previously herself, was slowly breaking away from the grasp of gravity. Son and Habi no longer put any strength into the hands they were using to lift Aria. The Scarlet Goddess did not move from the Fugaku to her at a moments notice just for this high-jacking battle that I have been involved with so many times. This train… Aria the Scarlet Goddess is using it as a catapult! – fuwa — Aria’s body floats in the air. We were now travelling at Mach 0.75. Son and Habi opened their hands, separating from the departing Aria, the two of them in a pose as if they were sending Aria off with a banzai. (Aria…!) Was she manipulate the magnetic force again, or did she move something in the car with telekinesis… – Gokun –! Suddenly, the train started to slow down. Mach 0.6-0.5 or 300km/h or 200km/h. Aria, moving still at the previous high speed, is moving forward, leaving the train behind. “– Aria….. ARIAAAAAAA!” The deceleration meant the wind pressure was reduced, and I was able to move again, running towards the front of the train… Already, Aria was flying ahead in the clouds in the sky, far ahead. And… As the train reached speeds of less than 100km/h, dosa, dosa . And then suddenly, Son and Habi fall down. “……!” It was so sudden I had to hold their small bodies to keep them from tumbling off the side – they only seemed to be unconscious – and my eyes wandered to off into the snowstorm, barely able to see Aria anymore. (Aria…!) Thanks to her bright rouge-colored Butei uniform and the scarlet luminescence of her aura, I was just able to get a faint idea of her location. Aria was catching the rising air currents that travelled over the mountain ridges, higher and higher, taking altitude. There was no hesitation in the way she flew. It would seem that the Scarlet Goddess was going somewhere in particular after all. Clearly, she had an objective already in mind. “…!” Aria’s light soared higher than the mountains. It would seem that her desired trajectory was not visible as it was hidden behind the mountains on the Fugaku. Aria was tracing a path in the sky that seemed to head toward the north side of the Shirakami Mountains. Her scarlet light was glittering… kirakira… kirakira … and she began to grow a golden circle. (Imaginary Jump…!) And the next thing I knew, pa … … the light surrounding Aria suddenly disappeared. She disappeared… she had left Habi and Son here, and went somewhere else. ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ### 004. Bullet 5: Sacred Object of Mt. Seigasan In a mountainous forested area southwest of Hirosaki City, near the border with Akita Prefecture… Hotogi Shrine is located deep in the mountains, where people do not usually come to visit. As my vision returns to darkness, I fall, getting caught in the branches and leaves of the beech forest. And then, docha . (… ouch…!) Kou. I guess she could only see the top of the forest from the steel tower when she moved me. It might have been all she saw beforehand, but she could have told me that before she moved me at least. I was lucky that the ground was just decomposed leaves, but if it had been a rock or something, I would have fallen to my death. I must have fallen at least 20m? I was able to break my fall by using the multi-point landing technique though at least. But anyway… This is the forest surrounding the shrine of Hotogi Shrine. After a short walk through a somewhat familiar landscape, I came to a mountain road that looked like a animal path… this is the main path to Hotogi Shrine. This ancient approach to the temple is not easy to discover even if you are trying to find it on foot. It is difficult to find on purpose. Hotogi Shrine… it is an extremely exclusive and does not like to interact with the outside world. And now I can understand why. As can be seen from Shirayuki’s flame magic and her oracle techniques, the Hotogi priestesses have been a ESP group for generations, and have been inheriting their psychic abilities for just as long. For the long history of this country, there have been powerful and feared people who have been exploited by others to use their power for their own gain. In order to protect themselves from them, the Hotogi hid the road leading to the outside world, and shut themselves up in their shrine. In other words, the Hotogi shrine is a kind of ESP village. It is a hidden village for psychics. (The supernatural is still a confusing area for me…) And relying on my handgun to aide me… I begin on my way. In the darkness, through the grass and the cold wind, kicking up snow and dirt. … enshrine, pray, exorcise… Sacrifice shrine, ancestry shrine, ceremonial shrine, festival shrine… Good luck, bad luck… God… Many of the characters in Shinto Buddhism were being used to indicate locations. Shrine… there it is. For me, who wandered around the whole world for Aria… For the Scarlet Goddess… For answers… I will get what I have been looking for. When Shirayuki and I went to see the fireworks when we were still in kindergarten, the stone steps that led out of the Hotogi Shrine… I climbed up the stone steps, looking up at the moon. It is just before midnight. Stone lanterns are spaced at equal intervals on either side of the stone staircase, and the winter plum blossoms under the moonlight colour them. After climbing up 135 steps to the torii gate, which is painted a more vivid scarlet than those found in the Kanto region, I reach… From the right side of the torii. “… I knew you would come.” … Konayuki Hotogi. Shirayuki’s sister-in-law, who I had once guided throughout Butei High during summer vacation last year, appeared. She had a drawn dagger in her white hand. And there was one more, Hanayuki… This is also Shirayuki’s siter, appearing from the left with a naginata. I think Konayuki is 15 and Hanayuki is 14 now. I wonder if they did this all out of respect for Shirayuki, but all of the sisters had straight bangs. In addition, behind the torii gate, from the shadow of the wild fox statue of Inari, I could see… Kazeyuki, the one who had once saved me and Reki in Kyoto, had appeared with a Japanese bow. Kazeyuki is one year younger than Shirayuki, so she is 16 years old. Her long black hair was tied up in a ponytail with a white ribbon. They were poised to intercept any intruders with short-range, medium-range, and long-range armaments, respectively. Shirayuki’s sisters, who stood like goalkeepers guarding the torii gate that separated the human lives from the divine realm… “I thought the Hotogi had a rule regarding a 8:00pm bedtime?” I spoke to them with a light-hearted way of saying “hello”. If there is a dispute here, it might be a little rough. But my fears were not meant to be. The three hotogi priestesses were silent for a moment, “… you have come to see big sis Shirayuki.” “Just now, a scarlet star appeared which signifies a heavenly calamity… the star looked like Kanzaki Aria-sama, and onee-sama was chasing after it…” “… she has gone into hiding. Onee-sama has come to find the presence of the Divine Body since this evening.” Konayuki, Hanayuki, and Kazeyuki each told me a part of the complete story. I knew they would be here. Both Aria and Shirayuki. Kazeyuki then said “goshintai”. (TL Note Goshintai means “object of worship”.) When I used to come to the Hotogi shrine when I was little, I was told that I should never go to the place where the goshintai is located. … That is my final destination. I have travelled all across Japan, the USA, UK, Europe, Kiinokuni and China… It has been a long, and yet short, trip, around the world. “At this stage, even I can understand what is happening.” My Hysteria Mode mind just spun out a theory that could conclude my journey. “You Hotogi Miko’s must have enshrined the main body of the Scarlet Goddess here.” At these words, I could see Konayuki’s finger switch. She is an easy girl to understand. Alright, it appears I was right. With eyes asking if they should eliminate those that know the truth, Hanayuki looks up to the oldest sister there, Kazeyuki, with eye contact. But.. Kazeyuki stopped her sisters questioning gaze with her own gaze. The three of them look at me again, so I continue my earlier conversation. “Irokane seems to be an extremely rare kind of metal with trace amounts found in Riko’s rosary and the “scarlet bullet” is said to be the largest concentration in the world. But the Ruruirokane I saw in the US was tons. The metal might have been made into car parts, but the mass of that was huge. The lapis colored irokane at the bottom of the lake that the Urus has is the size of a boulder as well.” Konayuki and Hanayuki looked to be a little surprised listening to my story, but Kazeyuki, who was in charge of public affairs, seemed to know about this, and kept her cool expression on her face. “The Irokane I have seen was divided into microscopic and gigantic pieces. There has been no in-between. In other words… there is a huge natural “gemstone” of Hihiirokane, Ruruirokane, and Rereirokane that cannot be created artificially, and small pieces cut from the original are found in various places. Of those gemstones, the one that is holding the scarlet one is you, the Hotogi Shrine.” Japanese people don’t try to uncover the sacred objects of Shinto shrines unnecessarily. This is just a matter of getting caught in the crossfire. That is how the Hotogi have been able to hide this fact for over two thousand years now. They must have a huge lump of Hihiirokane, probably weighing tons. “…” Konayuki and Hanayuki looked at each other with a face of surprise in a “they know” kind of way. None of them answer me though. Neither does Kazeyuki. But that silence shows me that my guess was correct. “You don’t have to answer me. I know you don’t have the authority to. I am going to ask Shirayuki directly about the details now. That is what Aria’s younger sister told me to do.” And as I step to go around them… The Hotogi sisters did not stop me from going through the torii gates. They must be… They must be worried about the Hihiirokane gemstone, Aria, the Scarlet Goddess, and their older sister, Shirayuki, who has gone after it. They want me to protect Shirayuki if I can. So it looks like they were left to decide if I pass or not… They decided to let me through. They worshipped a power that was beyond their control. The hihiirokane and the Scarlet Goddess. I am now a samurai, going to confront the revived Scarlet Goddess to save Aria and stop her from bringing on a storm of war. It seems that everything is going just as I thought, “Toyama-sama, please save… please save Shirayuki-sama… please…” The young Konayuki was beginning to cry, covering her face with her hands. “Don’t worry, Konayuki.” I try to calm her down with the kindest smile I can make. I really wanted to put my hand on her shoulder or pat her head, but then she would complain that I was being unhygienic. She is a man hater but even moreso obsessed with cleanliness. (speaking of which…) I remember Konayuki saying that “The hidan will collapse” in one of her prophecies. ”Tsuieru” is an old Yamato word meaning “water overflows”. In the past, the kanji for the collapse of rivers and dams was also written as “kekkai”. (TL Note: this is a bit confusing, basically evolution of words and how they are written for her prophecy.) Irokane is one and all, all is one. Hidan overflows. Hihiirokane overflows. That must have been a prophecy meaning that the Scarlet Goddess’s power would be released. (TL Note: Understand now? Basically, the prophecy could be interpreted in that the bullet was destroyed, or that the Scarlet Goddess’s power would overflow. It was both.) But… … I will stop it. … I will stop you. I swear it. I have overturned even Sherlocks deduction. There is no way I will fail to overturn Konayuki’s prophecy. Walking through the various sections, decorated with countless windmills, a craft favoured by the miko’s, I pass between a pair of komainu. (TL Note: the pair of Komainu here is the two dogs seen on the side of shrines, and exist to ward off evil.) … ahh, the good old days. It has been more than a decade since the last time I have been to the main shrine of the Hotogi shrine. I may have forgotten this or that, but I remember parts of it. By the way, I also intend to pray to the 8 million gods other than the Scarlet Goddess for my safety. But, well, I did not intend to come here to pay my respects. And so, going around the main shrine, relying on the light of the moon… I enter the cedar forest behind the main shrine, entering the forest that I was forbidden to enter as a child. The forest looks like a snowbreak, but this is an artificial forest made to hide what was beyond. After passing through the forest, which is only a few dozen meters deep, (… mizuyumi… water bow.) I arrive at the edge of the lake that I saw earlier from the steel tower, which was called as such in the past. I used to think that Shirayuki and her sisters were saying “mizuyumi” instead of “mizuumi” due to an accent, but that was probably the right name of the lake. The sacred object of worship for the Hotogi… The Hihiirokane ore should be on the other side of this lake. In that case, I guess I have to go around the lake, but then… I got a call on my phone. It was Konayuki. “… Toyama. Have you arrived at the water bow yet?” “Yes. I am going around the lake shore right now. It is going to be quite a long walk, it will probably take about a half hour to get to the Hihiirokane.” “I called you confident that I could at least help you with directions… I cannot tell you anything about the sacred object, but I can answer any other questions you might have.” Konayuki, who appears quite rigid but is actually quite flexible, “The water bow is actually a straight walk to traverse. In ancient times, it was called Omiwatari, and people would walk on the surface of the frozen lake to reach the object of worship, but today, due to global warming, there are many years when it does not freeze, so there is a hidden glass bridge just below the surface of the water.” I was grateful for the information. “I think from where you are you can see a small torii gate on the shore of the lake. There is another on the opposite shore. You can cross between the two. If you don’t wear geta, your shoes and may get wet, but you can get to the other shore in less than three minutes.” Just as she said, there was a scarlet torii gate by the lake. At a quick glance, there seemed to be nothing under the surface of the lake, but when I stepped on it… I found that there was, indeed, a bridge about 2-3cm below the surface of the water. This idea is amazing. It is an invisible bridge. “… Konayuki, you just saved me. As I was taught in Butei High, saving time is just as valuable as covering fire.” “… you are welcome. However, there is no mobile phone service at Kaminabi, the cave where the Scarlet Goddess’s true body is. I have never been inside, but once upon a time, a sister who got drunk at a sake brewery-… Ah, never mind that, this is just a story I heard from Shirayuki-nee-sama, but apparently, inside is a human body. That is all I know.” Like a human body…? Is it squishy like one? “… that is enough information for me. I’m off.” “Since I decided to help you, please make sure to bring everything to a close and come back. If you fail, I will make a straw doll of you out of ox hair and prick it! Well then, please be safe.” I put away my phone with a wry smile on my face… I had heard that the Straw Dolls of the Hotogi Miko really could kill people, so that is one more reason why I can’t fail. And so, I approach the water bow lake that is reflecting the celestial bodies and the moon… I cross over the dark lake. It was as if I was walking in outer space. As Konayuki had told me, my socks and shoes did get wet, but it took a lot less time than I expected. Eventually… I reached the other side of the river, a slope with a depression that looked represented Hotogi Mountain. The foot of the mountain is a rocky terrain with no vegetation, and a mood of exoticism befitting the name of Kaminabi. After climbing up the rocks, which were subtle steps, I found two large rocks that looked like gates, overlapping each other like the character “人”. Inside the opening was another torii gate decorated with old five-colored silk. It was quietly hidden in the shape of a rock that you can’t see from a distance. … the torii gate leads to a tunnel, it is designed to allow entry into the depths of the rock. It this a natural cave…? No. Illuminating the inside with the flashlight, I could see a passageway just big enough for a person to pass through. This is man made. Rather than being dugout though, the structure looks as if the stones were gathered and the crater was carefully filled in. (It resembles a pyramid upside down… I feel like an archaeologist…) On the topic of being an archaeologist… geothermal, perhaps? I immediately noticed that the temperature inside was quite high. It was nice for my cold body and it helped dry my shoes, so that was nice… (Hey, hey…) … this rock passage. There are holes in the rock walls on either side that look almost like cupboards, and bronze mirrors and bronze bells are stored, resembling photos in history textbooks. This is amazing. Even to my untrained eye, I can see the historical value. Maybe the Hotogi should stop being so secretive and register itself as a world heritage site? This cave is like a labyrinth, and was dug like a maze with its many forks and some paths that showed signs as primitive traps. I was eventually forced to turn back. The correct path must have been traversed many times, so I judged the most taken path based on the sand and rocks under my feet… As I walked along, even though I was lost, I began to understanding the meaning of “like a human body” that Konayuki had told me earlier. The path I followed was wide and narrow. If I consider the wide path as the intestine, and the narrow path as the veins, their shapes roughly correspond to those of a human lying down. And there were empty spaces, that I believe are lungs or brains. (That must mean…) The most important organ in the human body, the heart, should be where the most important thing for the Hotogi is. As I was thinking that, I passed through the throat position, and came out into a wide space that seemed to be the stomach. “…” There, made of smoke, was a massive fox. The smoke had stabilized itself into the form of a giant fox. The big fox had its head facing me, and its tails erect and spread out like a peacock… one, two, three… 9 tails in total. But, even I, am not surprised by something like this anymore. I even have a vague idea of who it is supposed to resemble. Sadly, it seems I have developed a sense for understanding the paranormal. “… is that you Tamamo?” “… the Scarlet Goddess, the Hotogi Shrine Maiden, and a Toyama Samurai are all here. It is time.” The massive fox spoke without moving its mouth… The pitch might be lower, but it is still the same way that Tamamo spoke. Does that mean that this is Tamamo’s true form? If that is the case then I prefer her the way she looked up till now. Even in that previous form, she claimed it was necessary to have her tail and ears, but she was still a human girl in appearance. This must be Tamamo’s true form than. “… I must scold you, but also apologize… You have let Aria’s love for you rise too high. You are truly a womanizer. But, I did predict that the Scarlet Deification wouldn’t occur until the last day of the third month of this year… I must apologize for that. Because of that, there has been deaths.” My mind was suddenly filled with thoughts of Yen and Rurugami… “I won’t let anymore die. If someone must die, it will be only 1.” I say this with the determination to stop the Scarlet Goddess, even if I myself must die… Tamamo, though, took that as meaning I was prepared to kill Aria. “Prepare yourself, young warrior. Sometimes a samurai might be called upon to kill a woman or a friend. You must do what you must, I will do the rest. Conquer without reserve.” Even ignoring the first half, the second half… She is implying that should I fail, she will succeed. “Thank you for all your help so far. Whenever me, Aria, and Shirayuki get together, we usually get into a fight. It was always so hard to clean up afterwards.” I walked around Tamamo, who showed me the way with one of her tails, and… I stepped into the passageway that was on the wall. There was a gradual ascending staircase, and scarlet torii gates were lined up in rows about 30cm apart. It was like a torii tunnel. Beyond that, it was bright, with a hint of fire. I discarded my flashlight, which was a potential distraction, and in terms of the human body… … I stepped into the shrines heart. ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ### 005. Go For The NEXT!!! Land of the Rising Sun The scarlet light becomes more and more like sunlight as I approach the centre of the hall. My vision became clearer, as if I was walking into the morning or evening sun. Fire. Sun. Scarlet. All of these words were written with the same Yamato word, “ひ” (He). (TL Note: again, evolution of words and the usage of a single sound to signify different things. Pronounced “He” in English.) The flame, the sun in the sky, the colour that wakes people up. These three things were once considered to be the same. Here is the scarlet of all scarlet’s, crowned already with two of the “ひ”, a gem of Hihiirokane… Does that mean that it is still contained? … Shirayuki. (……) As my eyes got used to the sparkling, the first thing I saw was… Shirayuki. … Shan… Sharin… shan … With Kagura bells ringing in the rock chamber in a heartbeat-like rhythm, Shirayuki is… She danced a gentle dance, her scarlet hakama dissolving in the scarlet mist that flows beneath her feet. Unlike the dance that she showed me as a kid when I was little, there was no singing… but this… (Kagura dance…) A Hotogi Miko Kagura. This is one of them. Around Shirayuki, higanbana bloom as if floating in the mist, and feathers are fluttering around above the Hotogi Miko. … Shan… Sharin… shan … Suddenly, Shirayuki rang the bell hard and spun around. She makes a full body turn, letting her long, shiny, black hair draw on her graceful curves. As if it was a magic trick, the bell transformed into a sword, a sword made of irokane, and the kagura dance turns into something I have never seen before. A quickening rhythm, a sword being wielded to cut off evil. It was like a Japanese version of the sword dance. Even I, who am not familiar with such things, can visually and sensuously recognize that that movement, is meant to appease a God. It seems to be something meant to appease and subdue a supernatural being. But… … Shirayuki’s dance came to a quiet end. Her expression did not change. Nothing in the room changed at all, not in the slightest. “I like your dance. The beautiful Hotogi Miko reminds me of love, and the Irokane reminds me of war.” “… I can’t calm you down… anymore…” It was… Aria, the Scarlet Goddess… and Shirayuki… exchanging words. Shirayuki then spoke. “… why did you come, Kin-chan. Go… leave…” She muttered to me, in a frustrated voice. “Aria is not here anymore… she has become a Scarlet Goddess.” “I am tired of waiting, Toyama.” As if to support Shirayuki’s line, the Scarlet Goddess in the form of Aria also spoke to me. “… anyway, give up on Aria. It is just as Shirayuki says.” I did not need the Scarlet Goddess to tell me that… Even myself, Aria’s partner, could tell that much. The Scarlet Goddess here is different from the one in the past. She has not remotely taken over Aria and temporarily is in control. She brought Aria to herself forcibly, and has completely overwritten Aria with herself. That was the Scarlet Goddess’s goal by bringing Aria here. That is what I feel. Aria might just be my partner, but I can tell all this intuitively. This is the dwelling of the Scarlet Goddess. Even visually I can see that. Aria is sitting cross legged on top of the enormous “sacred body” that is here. (Is that… the original Hihiirokane…!) The Hihiirokane bullet was claimed to be the largest single piece of Irokane in the world… … but Aria is sitting on a lump of metal the size of a car. This is not an impure alloy either. This is pure Hihiirokane. The whole thing is exactly like the Hidan that Sherlock shot into Aria’s chest. Like blood, like a rose, like a flame… Scarlet. Its scarlet glow spread like an aura, tinting the steam that flowed underfoot around it. A looped shimenawa was hung like a hachimaki from the original Hihiirokane stone, and a number of swords resembling those of the Hotogi Miko were propped up on the ground around the stone. They were like tombstones, telling the history of generations of Hotogi Shrine Maidens who fought against the Scarlet Goddess. Among the rows of weapons surrounding the original were not only Hihiirokane swords, but also a bronze sword that appears to be from the Kofun period. (TL Note: Kofun period is 300-538AD.) This is how long the Hotogi priestesses have been trying to control the Scarlet Goddess. Trying to get the words out, I… “…” … there is something preventing me from speaking. It is the shape of the Hihiirokane gemstone, the sacred object. Its shape. (…笠…) (TL Note: this is shape. Explained in next part.) This is the shape of the Hotogi family crest, “Hoshi ni Kasa”, which is drawn like “笠”. It is drawn in the form of a kasa, a straw hat-like headgear used by the Japanese in the past to protect from rain and sunlight. It looks like the picture that Reki drew, but more clearly has that shape. Rather… Or rather… This is. Rather than a hat, this is a so-called Adamski-type UFO? There is no little window for a alien inside to wave their hands through, but if you show this to people and ask them what it looks like, 100/100 will say “it looks like a UFO.” At a loss for words, I walked up to Shirayuki’s side. “Shira… yuki. Is that Hihiirokane?” Finally able to find my voice, I seek a confirmation to my question before a reunion greeting. “Yes.” “That is, uh… in other words, that is pure ore??” As I stutter, Shirayuki, who lowered her eyebrows a little, gave me a hesitant look. “I am sorry I hid this from you until now… This is the ancestral gemstone for hihiirokane. The pieces of sharpened or crushed hihiirokane from all over the world come from here. “It looks like a UFO to me.” And, when I finally say those words. “That is right.” Shirayuki, nodded. ….. … is this the real deal? Shirayuki, her long, droopy eyes with long eyelashes under her straight bangs… Her eyebrows twitch up, and she looks back at the Scarlet Goddess Aria. And just like that… She finally reveals the true identity of the Scarlet Goddess. “This is a star that fell from the heavens 2,000 years ago.” Go For The NEXT!!! ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ## 18. Volume 21 - Lion of the Autumn Frost- (Rigorous Suspect) ### 001. Bullet 1: Scarlet for Scarlet Who are the Hotogi? Are they truly just worshippers of a star? (TL Note: Hotogi means “star”.) Their existence is to calm a star, keep it sleeping, calm it down. Their lives are devoted to a star. And what was that star? It was a UFO made of hihiirokane that has fallen from outer space. Minuet had said that Shirayuki knew what the identity of the hihiirokane was… … “Hotogi”. (TL Note: Again, Hotogi means “star”.) Shirayuki’s last name was the answer all along. In a cave called Kaminabi, behind a rock door where a God hides, “This star is the deity of Hotogi shrine.” In front of Shirayuki who said this, there was a disk with a shimenawa hanging from it in front of her. This metal mass on which the Scarlet God Aria sits on is approximately 10 meters in diameter. It has a scarlet lustre and a large, hemispherical raised centre that resembles a giant hat or straw hat. In other words, it is in the typical shape of a UFO called the Adamski Type UFO. The Hotogi family crest, “Hoshi ni Kasa”, I thought was originally based on a straw hat. But, thinking on that, was the family crest not based on a straw hat but instead based on the hihiirokane ore? The crest even looked like it had stars. (TL Note: here is the crest again 笠.) The Hotogi family is even more out of the ordinary than I originally thought. “Well, this ore is from outer space… I guess that is why it is shaped like this.” I was so astonished by this fact, that the first thing I asked about was the shape of the hihiirokane. Judging from a quick glance, this is probably not a spaceship though. I made this assessment as I could not see any entrance, a window, or anything mechanical. It was just a lump of metal in the shape of a UFO. “Originally I was shaped like a sphere. When the Earth’s gravity caught me and pulled me through its atmosphere on a crash course with the Earth, I became soft due to the heat from friction with the air.” Aria, sitting on the scarlet disk, or rather, the Scarlet Goddess, answered. Now… she did not say “landing” but “crashing”. “When I became soft, I can change my shape by my own will, if only little by little. I did not want to break apart and burn up mid-air, so I took this shape and applied my aerodynamic brakes.” When considering this information in conjunction with her earlier statement, the Scarlet Goddess fell to Earth… Apparently, her coming to Earth was an accident, or done in distress. Aria the Scarlet Goddess, pointing a finger that pointed diagonally in front of her, then ran her finger downwards at an angle. “And then, boom! That is my story. It has been 2,000 years though, so my memory is a little foggy.” As she said. It seems as if the angle of the crash was not vertical. It was almost as if the plane had crashed at a right angle to the slope of this mountain face. That means… that this depression isn’t the result of a volcano eruption. It was a crater created by the crash from the Scarlet Goddess. Then, Kaminabi was later filled with stone material to hide the hihiirokane. That unnatural crescent-shaped lake I just crossed over… that water bow must be a hollow left over from the impact. Come to think of it, Reki told me that Ririirokane was also at the bottom of a lake. I guess that was a crater lake too, where water filled in the crater. That Ririirokane rock that Reki drew with a crayon back in New York at that time had the same shape as this hihiirokane. It is a different place on Earth, but Riri must have also crashed. And, I bet, Ruruirokane, also crashed. Area 51, where Ruruirokane is stored, is also a land where UFO’s are often sighted. It may be that the US Air Force was trying to make an aircraft based on the original Ruruirokane. (… that this kind of reasoning that keeps popping into my head must mean…) My hysteria mode, which I got at the Onsen due to Kou and Habi, is still active. But it would last… no more than about 15 minutes judging by how I feel… I might as well unravel all the previous mysteries while I’m at it. “We still don’t know why it is scarlet coloured, but the ore’s composition is mostly iron. The crash happened in 7 B.B, and as people did not know it was iron back then, they called it hihiirokane based on its colour.” It seems that Shirayuki was already planning on telling me everything, and so she continues. “The history of the Hotogi Miko… us Scarlet Priestess’s, also dates back to that time.” Shirayuki gazed at the countless swords that surrounded the UFO, swords that appear to be those of the previous generations of slain Hotogi Miko’s… it was as if they were grave markers of those who died in combat. “…” I gaze at that scene… I can deduce as to why the Toyama family men have been involved with the Hotogi family for so long. My brother had taught that for the Hotogi, men have been forced to live in other homes than the women. Reki’s tribe, as well, was also all women. It must be because women can resonate with the coloured metal goddess’s more than men. However, the men of the Toyama family were allowed enter and leave, we were an exception… It must have been our ability to convert sexual arousal, or love, into fighting power that attracted the Hotogi’s attention. (We, the men of the Toyama family, are symbols of love and warfare.) Regardless of how much they know about Hysteria Mode, the Hotogi has continued to work with the Toyama, which naturally has a personality that seems related to the Scarlet Goddess, a relation to love and war. According to Tamamo, the Hotogi and the Toyama have been teaming up since the days of old tales. Sine my family tree is not well managed, the earliest of my ancestor that was positively known to have used Hysteria Mode was Kinshiro Toyama… but surely there were ancestors before that. According to Yen, Minamoto no Raiko about a thousand years ago could also use Hysteria Mode. Regardless… It is unknown how much Shirayuki personally knows about Hysteria Mode. Just as Sherlock hid from me and Aria that the Scarlet Goddess reacts to love, the reactions associated with such feelings can become awkward and not work well if we are conscious of them. Recalling how Shirayuki interacted with me, it is highly likely that Shirayuki has either not been taught about Hysteria Mode or has been taught something different about it. I don’t want to have to be the one to tell her the truth, so, “Let me elaborate a little more into this matter, the Hotogi and the Toyama families have always been close family friends.” I told Shirayuki that I was going to get involved in the Hotogi families major problem, the Scarlet Goddess, because we are family friends. Again, I turn my attention to the Scarlet Goddess. “Now… it is has finally become clear to me that you are an extraterrestrial metal. A metal with a will, I honestly thought that was beyond earthly comprehension.” “It is helpful that you understand so quickly, Kinji.” “Even though I am no stranger to the supernatural now, honestly I was a little taken aback at first. You are metal, but you have a will, a heart… you can even use superpowers.” “Even though I’m iron? How can you say that, when you have only seen neutrons, quarks, and even leptons as a blur? You Earthlings assume that what you can see is all there is. You have not progressed at all since the geocentric era.” … Well, Ririgami said something like that as well. The heart of irokane is in the world of microscopic elementary particles. Oh well. Let’s skip that part. I am just going to sound like an idiot, and in fact, I am just too stupid to understand the science behind it anyway. So, I am going to cut off the physics talk early. “… Alright, Scarlet Goddess. I will just declare my own definition for you here. You are an alien.” I told the Scarlet Goddess my own interpretation. At Area 51, I thought of the irokane as “metal people” but here I have had the term changed to “aliens”. I am still in disbelief as the truth regarding Aria, the Scarlet Goddess, and the Hotogi. But Minuet said, that if I don’t understand who they are, I cannot formulate a course of action on how to fight or talk with them. First, I need to reach an understanding, which will provide the basis for the actions I that can be taken for now. However, one of those other beings is of cosmic origin. If I spend too much time thinking as a normal Earthling, I will never be able to understand them. And so, I decided to create a larger, more flexible frame of reference in my hysteria-mode mind. … it will be an entire separate discussion about what makes a person a human, but the idea that intelligent life forms with personalities are absolutely and always created from organic matter is nothing more than an Earthly way of thinking. It is a human way of thinking. The shape looks like a UFO, but the idea that a UFO is the shape of an alien aircraft is merely the idea of Earthlings who can only go to space on a rocket. I am not familiar with what other shapes of UFO exist, but in the case of the irokokane series, the irokane UFO itself is an intelligent life form. In other words, the hihiirokane that is there is now “a metal with a personality, from outer space”, an alien. “In other words, you are the same as an octopus-like Martian, a Gray being, an alien Baltan, or so on. That is why, Shirayuki, you don’t have to worship her anymore. It would seem you have been worshipping this ore as a divine object for generations.” (TL Note: Baltan in this context is referring to the alien life forms from Ultraman, a popular Japanese show.) I am here to help Aria, whose heart was hijacked. However, there is absolutely no chance that I can do this alone. I came here with no plan, and no way to achieve anything. But Shirayuki, an SSR honours student in the ESP research department… may have a way to separate Aria from the Scarlet Goddess. The key person to achieving my goal… is Shirayuki. The first thing I have to do is make sure that Shirayuki was on my side, because it would be difficult to proceed if she had any loyalty or sincerity towards the hihiirokane. But it seems that was unnecessary. “Kin-chan…” The way Shirayuki looked at me with her big droopy eyes… the look in her eyes told me that she did not need me to tell her not to blindly worship the Scarlet Goddess in the first place. “… thank you for your concern. But this is not respect or praise. The Hotogi kept the Scarlet Goddess sealed because she is dangerous.” As she spoke, Shirayuki’s voice took on a tone that conveyed that her secret was difficult to say… “At first, a natural earth born psychic priestess who lived around here came to manage this star after it crashed… That is how the Hotogi began. But then, about 200 years later, the leader of the Hotogi Miko, the Scarlet Shrine Maiden of the time, tried to rule the world using her hihiirokane supernatural abilities. In fact, she actually conquered most of Japan… “Oh, come on. That’s the third century…” “Yes. It was the Himiko you are thinking of. She died of illness early in her life, but later generations of Hotogi priestesses saw how powerful she was and realized the danger of the hihiirokane… The Hotogi priestesses are the ones who are responsible for the protection of the hihiirokani from that point on, forever. The Hotogi Shrine Maiden is a guardian shrine maiden, our goal to “protect the world from the Scarlet Goddess”.” So you have hid that much from the world, Hotogi… The power of the Scarlet Goddess, which is an unimaginable power even by today’s standards, was involved in the Yayoi period in such a critical way. That should be a major incident in Japanese history. However, after such a massive incident, the Hotogi changed its policy… and instead of using, it sealed the hihiirokane so that it could not spread to the rest of the world. I do not know what would happen if a person who was compatible with hihiirokane went out of control. To prevent the potential spread of such a dangerous metal, the Hotogi miko had to become elusive and reclusive. Fur hundreds and thousands of years. They had developed techniques to help control it, such as the Hidan and Scarlet Miko, and have gone so far as to fight the Scarlet Goddess. “Still, throughout the ages, the hihiirokane has leaked out. Even the Hotogi miko can not be omniscient…” Shirayuki appears to be quite defensive about this topic… Following Himiko, the Hotogi may have tried to use hihiirokane. The artificial god Son is evidence of this. The Hotogi was trying to use hihiirokane to create an army of warrior gods at least 1,400 years ago. The hihiirokane that Nobunaga said he had and Aria’s scarlet bullet are both hihiirokane that must have leaked from the Hotogi shrine at some point in the past. In other words, in the long run… The Hotogi seal on the hihiirokane is not working. It is a difficult thing to achieve, beyond even the Hotogi. Despite that, just because Shirayuki was born as the eldest daughter of the Hotogi, she has become the Scarlet Miko who inherited such a job… for Shirayuki, the hihiirokane must be a troublesome thing. It is as if Shirayuki is being forced to manage a “cursed God”. “The modern outflow of the hihiirokane is Aria the Scarlet Goddess… Well, I understand the historical background up to this point. But you don’t have to worry about this yourself or deal with it by yourself. You were born into a house with such a past, and forced into this job. It is not as if you were trying to use the hihiirokane for yourself, and that caused Aria to end up like this. The Scarlet Goddess herself did this… oh, I will continue to call her the Scarlet Goddess as I have no other name for her at the moment, but is is obvious that she is not a God or anything like that. She is just an alien who has taken over a human and is invading the Earth on a small scale.” Aliens are a rare creature, as much as the tsuchinoko, so calling the coloured metals aliens might be a bit of a misnomer… I have faced witches, psychics, vampires, robots, mythical creatures, onis, and more. Now that the aliens have been added to the list, honestly, I am indifferent. “… so, even though you have now told me what the Scarlet Goddess is, my will remains the same. The only reason I came all the way here is to remove the Scarlet Goddess from Aria. Now, you too, Shirayuki, will help.” “…” I was staring at Aria the Scarlet Goddess, and Shirayuki who was next to me was, for some reason, keeping her mouth shut… “Are you going to fight me? Me, right here?” Aria the Scarlet Goddess puffed her flat chest under her sailor suit out and smiled at me. “Can you really do that Kinji? This is Aria’s body. You cannot harm Aria. Aria is one of the few people in the past 200 years with a heart that resonates with me perfectly. I will never give her up.” “…” “See, you cannot fight me anyway. Follow me. Let’s live happily together.” “Happily?” “Happy means excitement. And the things that bring people the most excitement is love and war. As long as you live, I can give you love and war.” “I don’t need either one. That is just who I am.” “But I want to have fun!” (TL Note: Happy and fun are being used interchangeably here in Japanese.) … If I compare the characterization of the Scarlet Goddess to the standards I learned in Criminal Psychology in Butei High… She is easily bored, with a low frustration tolerance. She likes stimulating activities, is short-tempered, and impulsive. Also a literal parasite. Psychopathic personality… the characteristics of psychopath are clearly visible. But of course, despite having such personalities, that does not make her an immediate criminal. Even Aria exhibits many of these personalities, evidenced by her being a perfect fit for the Scarlet Goddess. But, when you add the lack of a conscience or any empathy for others, it becomes clear who is more dangerous between the two. The Scarlet Goddess has such a flaw in her interpersonal emotions. But that is only natural. This is not a human being. (And so the reason why such a being commits a crime is…) As I change my understanding to non-humans, and search for a way to deal with these, I recall my lesson. It is a fact that people who like stimulation and have little empathy for others may, in their spare time, turn to crime as if it were a game. In the U.S, for example, there have been many criminal statements that resemble “I was bored, so I went on a shooting spree”. A shady motive that makes these people a force to be reckoned with in triggering crimes is… Almost always, frustration. There is a pattern of some sort that there is a “frustration that you can’t solve yourself”, and so people do bad things as an outlet to distract themselves from suffering. And so, what is the Scarlet Goddess dissatisfied with? If I can just figure out what that is… By working out what that frustration is, maybe I can separate her from Aria. “Shirayuki. In order to save Aria, I will talk to the Scarlet Goddess. You, though, must put away your sword first.” I intend to negotiate for now, but Shirayuki is still holding her drawn sword. I tell her this to not set off Aria. “… Kin-chan. I know you came all this way, but… that… that is no longer Aria.” As if to interrupt me, Shirayuki mutters in a sad voice. “No…? What are you talking about?” She is still there, I said, indicating Aria the Scarlet Goddess with my eyes. “The Kagura dance I just performed was the Scarlet Purification Dance. It is the most powerful and final means to exorcise the Scarlet Goddess from a yorishiro. The fact that I could not return Aria even a little bit despite doing such a dance means that she has been completely taken over. It is like overwriting a file on your computer… once it is done, it cannot be undone…” (TL Note Yorishiro is an object that spirits can possess in Shinto belief.) Shirayuki said this in a tearful, squeaking voice… She put strength into her right hand that was holding the Irokane Ayame down. “Shirayuki…?” “There have been a few people in the past who have been completely possessed. But no one has been unable to undo it. The Hotogi Priestesses of the past, who were much better than I am, risked their lives to try every possible method. Still, they could not find a way to restore a person who had been completely taken over. After the Scarlet Goddess completely takes over their target, they will stay here for about a day to recharge their powers. Once that is done, they leave here to bring a curse upon the world… so, before that comes to pass…” The sword in her hand was shaking slightly as she held it… Shirayuki, who slumped down to hide the tears in her eyes behind the shadows of her bangs told me such a hopeless story. (A curse on the world…) It was similar to the old story that Tamamo told me in my room. A story about the end of a persons life, possessed by the Scarlet Goddess who governs love and war. She who bewitched the emperor and caused war… Finally, was killed in combat by the Toyama Samurai and the Hotogi Miko. “The only times in the Hotogi’s 2,000 year history, that we have discovered to prevent the Scarlet Goddess’s descent onto the world… is while they are on the hihiirokane like now… now is the last chance to defeat her…” We cannot undo it anymore… Last chance… Shirayuki? What? What are you talking about? Stop this. “I wanted to save Aria, too. I did not want to settle things like this… Aria…” Shirayuki, crying… With despair clearly in her voice, rises… Like a black cloud… … killing intent. “Stop this Shirayuki… what are you going to do?” “I am sorry, kin-chan. This is a rule I must follow.” Shirayuki is a kind girl, who knows to apologize properly. Shirayukist just now… did not apologize to Aria, but to me. In other words, she has already decided that Aria does not exist anymore. “… Shirayuki…!” “Kin-chan, run. Do not fight.” With a clack, Shirayuki stepped forward, and untied the white sealing cloth that was keeping her hair tied. She was not answering anymore questions. She then raised the sword in her right hand above her head. She gripped the very tip of her pommel, and turned it sideways to show the belly of her sword. I have seen this right one-handed large upper hand used once against Jeanne. This is the stance that Shirayuki takes when she is ready for a real fight. “If the Scarlet Goddess takes this body, she will bring a curse unto the Earth. Do not let her do such a thing in Aria’s body… for Aria’s sake…” “Stop, are you trying to kill Aria?!” “Kin-chan… Aria is… that is not Aria anymore…” Shirayuki told me this with tears in her eyes. She is pitying me as if I refuse to accept the death of my friend. “Without a body, the Scarlet Goddess cannot rampage. So, it is the role of the Scarlet Miko to take the body away from the Scarlet Goddess.” The Hotogi Priestesses are guardian priestesses. But to protect… to defend… They must fight. That is accompanied by sacrifice. Shirayuki stared up at Aria the Scarlet Goddess with the Irokane Ayame in her hand, even though she no longer had the means to save Aria… It was possible still to kill the Scarlet Goddess’s body. Her eyes had this intent. As if to declare this to me, “The Irokane Ayame is a sword created by the Hotogi, a sword with the reversed powers of hihiirokane. It has many other functions, but its inherent power is the power to cancel out functions by releasing the exact opposite powers of the Scarlet Goddess… like a mirror. It is the only blade that can penetrate all the Scarlet Goddess’s power and reach its yorishiro…!” Shirayuki tells me this, the true power of the hihiirokane killer. (… an active anti-frequency weapon…!) An anti-frequency weapon is a weapon that is designed to launch an attack of exactly the same power and type as the enemy’s and cancel it out. The anti-noise control in high-end headphones is a similar concept. Of course, the Hotogi had conceived and developed it thousands of years ago, when that concept was not perfected by modern scientific capabilities. In front of the Irokane Ayame, which exists to kill the Scarlet Goddess’s host… “Scarlet Priestess. You are here to deal with me, but when it comes down to it, you are always in my way, generation after generation.” The Scarlet Goddess’s expression glaring down at Shirayuki doesn’t have the same composure as before. If you come, I will accept it. It is a face that seems to say so. “… really, you are such troublesome Miko…!” … gurari … Guraa …. zuzuzu … zuzuzuzuuzzuzuzuzu … Something is shaking. The rock chamber is starting to shake slightly. No, the whole mountain is. I have experienced this phenomenon several times before. It is a tremor caused by the fighting spirit of the Scarlet Goddess. The Scarlet Goddess is willing to fight too. (……) Shit, it is getting started. Aria the Scarlet Goddess VS. the Scarlet Miko Shirayuki! “I ask you, beseech you, of the 64 trigrams. Let this hihiirokane shine in the divine name of fire. Disaster, edge, The North Star. Exorcise and purify. Be pacified and purified. Dou, cage, Irokane Ayame. Strike down upon the hihiirokane.” (TL Note: This is a slaughter of a translation. The original is a mix of new, old, Chinese, Japanese, etc. What I can make out for certain, and is explained very soon, is this is a chant.) The incantation that Shirayuki began to chant seemed to contain some sort of code word… … Shirayuki, who seems to have released her true hidden power with that chant, begins to glow a scarlet red. It was exactly the same color as the hihiirokane. No, she glowed an even purer scarlet. It began to function. The active anti-frequency system to counter the Scarlet Goddess, handed down in the Hotogi since time immemorial. To destroy Aria’s body, which has become one with the Scarlet Goddess. “–Stop, Shirayuki!” Shirayuki reacted to my voice with a small twitch, but… With the dazzlingly shiny hihiirokane killer raised like a torch, katsun , katsun , she steps forward. Towards the hihiirokane. Towards the Scarlet Goddess. Towards Aria…! “Shirayuki. You are betraying me, aren’t you? You worship me as a God, you are supposed to protect me.” “I do not care anymore what you say.” “Why are you angry with me?” “You got Kin-chan involved in this… someone who should have never been involved.” As she was speaking, step by step, Shirayuki approached the Scarlet Goddess. The hihiirokane gemstone was slightly tilted, it is impossible to climb it without clinging to the side. … the Scarlet Goddess, on the other hand, has not moved from the stone. She seems to be unable to move while filling Aria’s body with power from the hihiirokane. She was like a fetus, connected to its mother by an invisible umbilical cord. In other words, Shirayuki has to approach Aria, the Scarlet Goddess. To destroy Aria and stop the Scarlet Goddess from leaving, that “last chance” she talked about earlier, she needs to close the distance to zero. … In getting close, does she intend to cut down Aria with her sword? What do I do. What do I do, Kinji? “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. Shirayuki, if you intend to kill me, I will kill you first.” As the Scarlet Goddess said this, she glanced at me. It was as if to say “Stop Shirayuki from moving”. Even without being told so, I should stop Shirayuki. But, the fight between Shirayuki and the Scarlet Goddess has already started. The moment I intervene, Shirayuki will be distracted, and if the Scarlet Goddess sees that, she will try some kind of ranged attack. In that time, Shirayuki will be killed. The Scarlet Goddess’s gaze was surely aimed at that kind of development. … No good, I cannot move. But then, how do I stop this? How…! “The Hotogi miko’s are guardian miko’s. I know what is important and who I want to protect. No matter who that is in front of me, or if they are important to me or others, that is not Aria, she is not with us anymore… And so, I must protect those who are important to me and their everyday life…!” To the me, in Hysteria Mode, Shirayuki… I can understand they she is talking about me, her childhood friend. (Shirayuki…!) In front of me, unable to move, on the hihiirokane, to the Scarlet Goddess… at that time. A very slight, but unexpected response was given. “…huh?” And with her voice… … poro … From those red, camellia eyes, a single tear spilled. That seemed to come as a surprise even to the Scarlet Goddess, who reacted as if she realized she cried only after she had spilled her tears. When I saw the look on her face… (…!) An image flashed through my mind. Sometimes, brain in Hysteria Mode will show me bits and pieces of images that can give me clues to lead me to victory. Recalled from past memories, they are often hints that seemingly have nothing to do with my battle and do not make sense to even me when I first see them. This time as well, the image I saw… (… a power plant…?) –Shinagawa. The Shinagawa Thermal Power Stations. There, Kaname had attacked us with her Noie Ange weaponry, and Aria is commencing her air raid, equipped with her hover skirt. As usual, this image does not seem to suggest anything new to me… “…!” I did not have much time to think about this. Shirayuki… – bwaaaaaaa –! A wave of scarlet was released from Aria the Scarlet Goddess, as if to strike Shirayuki… But it was repelled by an unknown force, that seemed to be even stronger than the scarlet aura that the Scarlet Goddess wore. “…!” “Shirayuki…!” I support Shirayuki’s back as she took a few steps backwards, looking up at the Irokane Ayame she had raised above her. The wind that blew through her hair was so hot that they scorched me… … It was only for a moment, so I somehow managed to endure it. “… Shirayuki, you, the current Scarlet Miko, are full of gaps and holes. That was the most clumsy control of the Irokane Ayame I have ever seen. Can you not concentrate properly? I am disappointed that I could stop your ceremony with a just single blow. Is your heart in knots? Fufu, ahahaha!” ”Hahaha, hahahaha!” The Scarlet Goddess’s laugh echoed in the chamber. Although there was still a cold sweat on Aria the Scarlet Goddess’s forehead, it was as if the sense of urgency earlier was gone… her laugh now is like a triumphant laughter, meant to disrupt Shirayuki. And I can now see why. Shirayuki’s sword, designed to defeat the Scarlet Goddess, the Irokaen Ayame, is losing its light. The current attack was not aimed at Shirayuki herself. It was a technique designed to blow away the power of a Scarlet Miko. “… Shirayuki…” Kashan . Helplessly, Shirayuki dropped the Irokane Ayame, which had become just a mere sword at her feet, and… covered her face with both her hands. And then… hikku , hikku … hinnn … she started to cry. No, she has been crying since earlier. Shirayuki… has been crying since she started to walk towards the Aria the Scarlet Goddess. “Kin-chan… I… I couldn’t… I cannot do it…” After using her two special moves, the Scarlet Exorcism Dance, and imbuing the Irokane Ayame with its counter ability, Shirayuki was so drained of power that she could not even stand up anymore… ” I shouldn’t have hesitated. I shouldn’t have thought about anything else. But…” She sat down on the ground, collapsed. I got down on one knee, and supported her. “I can’t… because… that still looks like Aria!” Uwaaa , Shirayuki pushed her face against my chest… She let out a cry, as if a dam broke within her. “I cant kill Aria, I cannot do such a thing in front of Kin-chan…! Kin-chan would… Kin-chan would be sad if I did that to Aria… he would be sad…!” Underneath her feet, the Irokane Ayame… paki , pakipaki , and… As I watch it, the sword rusts away. The Scarlet Goddess is delivering one final blow, hoping to ensure her revival. Destroying the only weapon that could have killed her, the Irokane Ayame. “But still, still, even if Kin-chan hates me, I… decided to slay the Scarlet Goddess. Even if he hates me now, and I can never see him again… no matter how unhappy I become, I am not going to allow the Scarlet Goddess to escape. Because that is a Scarlet Miko’s destiny… so…!” “Shirayuki…” “But I could not give up on Kin-chan… Rather than giving up on Kin-chan, I would rather go against fate and be unhappy… if I am going to be unhappy eitherway, I would rather not give up on Kin-chan and be unhappy… deep down in my heart, I thought so… But I am lost… and so I thought and I thought and I…!” A hesitation. And when that happens… … people are defeated. This is true, whether it is a friendly battle between friends or a battle for the fate of the world. I was the one who caused this hesitation for Shirayuki. It was my fault for sticking my neck out and stepping in here when I can’t do anything about this situation. That is why… “Shirayuki, please don’t give up on me. I won’t give up on you either.” … I will take responsibility. I. I am going to make sure you made the right choice. Sorry for second-guessing you. “…!” Shirayuki, still crying in pain, brought her snow white hand to her own mouth, in order to restrain her sobbing voice from leaking out anymore. Shirayuki. Even now, you are a really well behaved girl. “If you don’t like your destiny, you overturn it. I am not the type of person who blindly follows destiny. If I did not overturn it, I would never have survived.” … “destiny”? Ignore such things. Everyone does it. It is a tradition. That is the way it is supposed to be. The way it has always been. That is something normal people say to do, isn’t it? “Ignore destiny”. But… if you keep repeating the same things over and over while mumbling to yourself, you will never change. You will suffer forever. You are content to accept your unhappiness, and continue to maintain the status quo in frustration… You don’t have to do that! I am stopping too. I am done with all of that. Over turn it. Turn it over. End it. On our behalf. Me. Right here, and right now! “Also, Shirayuki. I have a monopoly on misfortune. Do not take it without my permission. I will make you happy.” “… Kin, chan…!” Poroporo … Shirayuki, looking up at me, tears began spilling from her eyes like pearls, and called out my name as if squeezing it out while clinging to me… Shirayuki. You have done well so far. This matter… if the Hotogi can not do it, the Toyama will take care of it. Okay? So. I stood up and took a step forward to protect Shirayuki… “You are going to show me something good, Toyama. I love that sort of thing.” The Scarlet Goddes, shuddering, with a thrilled face… You are making fun of me, Scarlet Goddess-san. “Well, now that that troublesome sword is gone… I am all set. Toyama. Give up on Aria and be happy. I will make you happy!” Aria the Scarlet Goddess says this, and as if to parrot my earlier conversation with Shirayuki… “If I give up on Aria, I can be happy? Then I will be unhappy and not give up. I have always had a reputation for being unhappy. It wont make much of a difference if I am just a little bit more unhappy.” … Aria. “Scarlet Goddess. I will not let you have Aria.” … Aria. “I will never forgive you for hurting Shirayuki.” The only person who can fix this situation… I knew it, Aria. You are the only one. I believe in you. I believe in the spirit of what you once said. I believe in you, and I believe in you to keep that faith. I am going to believe in you, and I am going to put my life on the line here. I am honestly sorry to myself for having to admit that my life is just a cheap Butei life in the eyes of the public, but for me, it is irreplaceable, my one and only life in the world. I am going to put it on the line, so please support this gamble, okay? Aria. “I am sorry I have been so cold to you, Scarlet Goddess. You seem to want either love or war… Earlier, Shirayuki told me not to fight. So I won’t fight.” I say so while looking at Aria the Scarlet Goddess. That only leaves love. Since that is what is left after doing a process of elimination, I wont have to explain what I am going to do. My Hysteria Mode is starting to weaken, and it is embarrassing now to make statements such as “love” with a straight face. …So… “I am coming to you now.” I declared that to Aria the Scarlet Goddess. Honestly, love… I do not understand it. Not yet. But since the Scarlet Goddess wants it, I decided to express it in my own way. I am coming to you. That is all. Because… Fighting is a repulsive force. Do you have the strength to retreat? And so… Love is the opposite. It is attraction. I think it is a force that brings us closer. So I am going to you. That is my answer to what love is. (TL Note: that is actually cute ngl.) “Aria.” After being told by Shirayuki that “Aria is dead”, and with the Scarlet Goddess looking and acting as if she does not feel even a shred of Aria’s existence inside her… I called out Aria’s name. “I believe in you. Just like I promised you inside the underground warehouse, “I will believe in you for the rest of my life”.” (TL Note: Durandal incident with Shirayuki.) As I speak to Aria, the Scarlet Goddess, who is still using Aria’s body, is listening silently. “You are not dead yet. You are a woman who would not die even if she was killed. And… I kind of understand. What it is that you are trying to do.” “What is that?” “You just answered your own question, Scarlet Goddess.” In response to the Scarlet Goddess’s question, I gave a sloppy answer… Za … I started walking closer. Just like Shirayuki. Aria. Can you do that? I do not know if I can. I have changed my specialty from “I don’t know if I can do that” to “I can do it if I try”. But, I don’t know if even you can do it. If you cannot do it right now, it probably requires more power to do. Power… regrettably, the Scarlet Goddess and Aria are now one and the same. To give Aria power would be giving the Scarlet Goddess power too. The source of her power is either love or war. Giving her love is giving her strength. I will give it to you, so use it… After that, you will do something about this. You will make it happen. Aria. “…Kin-chan…” Shirayuki’s voice can be heard from behind me as she sits in a proper girl pose. It was a worried voice, unsure of what I am trying to do. Look at me, Shirayuki. Just like that… … One step, two step, I continue onward. “Don’t come here, Toyama. What are you trying to do?” “I am trying to fall in love with you.” “…Huh? No-… now? Are you an idiot…!?” Kyaaaaaa , between Aria the Scarlet Goddess who turned red, and me… Gunii … for some reason, the space began to look distorted. It felt as if the distance to Aria is getting further away. This is… The Scarlet Goddess is distorting space. To keep me away. Perhaps because of that, from the slanted ceiling of the rock chamber, fragments of rock began to fall like fine sand. The rock here was mainly glassy crystals, sparkling beautifully. “Don’t make such a big deal out of this, Scarlet Goddess. If you don’t like it when a man comes onto you, just run away. That is what women have always done, no matter where they are in the world.” Zun … zuzuzun … The slight tremor caused by the Scarlet God’s fighting spirit has begun again. Are you getting angry? Pi, pishi ! The paper strips from the shimenawa hanging on the hihiirokane were getting cut off, and blown around like a firestorm. This is like the phenomenon I saw in Nogizaka involving the tree leaves, and Aria’s actions in Hakkoda. I am just an amateur, but maybe its plasma. (TL Note: All right, I damn near ripped out my hair trying to figure this one out, Nogizaka, is not, as Google would have me believe, just a J-Pop band. It is where Kinichi lives, and where Aria temporarily becomes a Scarlet Goddess. Hakkoda is referring to the mountains that Kinji just got out of with Kou and Habi.) “Oh, me? Run away? I am a God of war. I can’t just run away!” “When what shall you do?” “I-, I shall do what women have done what they have always done, I will push you away!” – tsutsutsugouuuuuuu –! And then, the scarlet repulsive force that pushed Shirayuki back now blew with the force of a flamethrower. It was 20, no, 30 times more powerful than before. “–!” Gasun ! I managed to stop being pushed back by using oka on my feet. It was not just my own power though. There is an invisible psychic force field around me that is blocking some, not all, of the Scarlet God’s repulsive force. It was like the magnetic field that protects the Earth from solar wind plasma. “… Kin, Chan…!” Shirayuki behind me is reflected on the shiny hihiirokane in front of me. I could tell visually by the sight of her hands outstretched towards me… Shirayuki is throwing away her remaining strength to create a force field to protect me. – Gou–gou! Again, and again, waves of scarlet repulsive waves were emitted. And each time Gatsung! Gatsung! I took a step forward with oka. It was a game of repulsion and attraction. … This is a battle between war and love…! –Using oka for each and every step consumes a lot of physical strength. Even with Shirayuki’s help, my body feels an unstoppable heat. Hot. Burning. My body is burning. Painful. It hurts. But that is love. That is what love is all about, I’m sure. So… “… Uoooooooooooo……!” I am getting closer to the Scarlet Goddess. I approach the scarlet, the fire. The closer I get, the more powerful the scarlet gale becomes. What was once a flamethrower is now a wave of fire… “Don’t come here, Toyama…! It is hot, isn’t it!? Get back!” Aria the Scarlet Goddess seems to be unable to move from the top of the hihiirokane UFO for now. She does not move, but instead intensifies her attacks to keep me at bay. “It was cold in the snowy mountains until now. Now it is hot, and it is just the right temperature.” Breaking through wave after wave of flames, I approach Aria. The distance between us… Just another 7 meters. “You are a big… Tsundere, right? You and all this fire. That is what Riko would say at least.” An eye for an eye… I was teased earlier, and so I said this to the Scarlet Goddess. Kaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa …! Aria the Scarlet Goddess, who was now blushing with all her might, showed the expression expected of a girl who had been poked in the middle of a verbal fight. Embarrassed, annoyed, that kind of face. “D-, d-, Don’t talk like you know what you are talking about! Now I am pissed off…!” “Are you angry now? That makes me happy.” “Why!?” “Because men and women who do well together usually make a bad first impression.” I said something Hysteria Mode like, and, gasun !And to me, who was taking another step closer, “–!” Turning bright red, Aria the Scarlet Goddess flipped up her sailor suit skirt a bit and… … she pulled out a silver government pistol. And immediately, bantsunnnnnn! She fired an accelerated bullet with psychic powers that was different from a normal bullet that sounded different from a normal bullet. The bullets estimated speed is mach 8-9, absolutely unavoidable. I could not dodge to the left, right, up, or down. And so… Giiiiiiiiin! I took the .45 ACP round head-on. Maniago knife, ex-scramax. … bullet slashing. It was the technique I used during the first big incident with Aria, in the fight with Riko. The cut bullet passed on the left and right side of my face. – Ba ! Bao ! As if chasing the bullet, a hot wind blows at me from the front and diagonally below. “Toyama! Why are you denying me! Why don’t you try to live a happy life! Why wont you try to play with love and war!?” Hyurururururu! Then, cutting through the hot wind, two swords spinning like fan blades from behind flew up to Aria the Scarlet Goddess and into her hands. Bronze swords left behind by the previous generations of Scarlet Miko. Aria, the Scarlet Goddess, “Life is just a game!” She threw them at me with her twin tails that look like big hands, with each sword spinning. While stepping forward I lightly tossed my own knife between my pinky and ring finger… –Bashi! — Bashi! “Neither love nor war is a game for me.” Edge Catching Peak… I used it to catch one sword in each hand. Aria, Shirayuki, and me… the main actors from the Durandal incident, where I used this technique to catch her sword with one hand, where gathered here to watch me do it again, one sword for each hand. “–I’m… I am going to kill you! Toyama, I am going to kill you!” The Scarlet Goddess, who flipped her skirt in a way similar to Aria, also now pulled out her jet-black government pistol… Batsun! BatsunBatsun! This time, she shot me with super-accelerated bullets from two pistols. “If I wanted to kill you, Scarlet Goddess, you would be dead by now.” Against Mach 4 bullets, I threw away my bronze sword, and held out my left and right fingers in a # shape, and swept away the bullets with Slash, the technique I first used against the Koko sisters in Tokyo Station. By accelerating with Slash at the moment of contact, this technique recently became possible with Orochi. “You can live endlessly, and your view of life and death is very different from humans. Even if you die, that is only true for your borrowed body, not your real body. So in the past, even if you did die, there was a next time. That is why your attack has so many gaps in it.” In addition, the supersonic bullets that flew at me were scattered with billiards with the Beretta that I had pulled out, using the same technique I had used in the Vlad fight. My bullets took into account the fact that the space was distorted by the Scarlet Goddess’s influence, and the mirage that caused my aim to shift. “But humans have such an end. Death is my end. That is why I am holding my ground. At this point, I am more committed to this fight than you are.” Passing through a storm of bullets, my feet finally step on the gemstone… I am on the edge of a UFO made of hihiirokane. I am only five meters away from Aria the Scarlet Goddess. “Don’t come… Don’t come any closer, Toyama!” “Are you afraid of love? You are the God of love.” But five meters between a man and a woman is a large distance. “Uwaaaaaaa!” Aria the Scarlet Goddess, basubasubasubasu! She fired a barrage of rounds from her twin pistols, as well as waves of scorching flames. Wrapped in a wave of energy that is indistinguishable from fire, I used Tornado, the move I used against Watson, and Zero I had used against Yakuza to deflect or throw away bullets. “You have been using Son, Habi, and Aria… All you have been doing was fighting in remote fights. You are so used to fighting using others techniques and skills, you are not used to fighting a direct battle as yourself. I have used my body and only my own body to fight others… From the beginning you were cornered, Scarlet Goddess!” Gatsun , and, my feet began to climb the hihiirokane gemstones slope. Aria the Scarlet Goddess was now surrounded flames. I will walk through that fire to get to her. The closer I get to her, the hotter I become. Approaching the source of that heat, the Scarlet Goddess, I feel as if I am becoming one with the flames. As if floating in heat, my consciousness begins to fade. Am I even making progress? I am aware of that thought, but already… My body seems to be on fire. “Kinji.” Dad. My father. I can hear his voice. At least, it feels like I can. “Kinji.” It was the voice of my father, who died in the line of duty. A conversation I had with my dad when I was young was repeating in my head. The sound was slowly dawning on me, like a turning light. “Us with HSS are not the strongest beings. We are in fact the weakest. Half of the world could easily kill us even when we are in HSS.” Half of the world? Who is that? “It is women. As for them, with HSS we would give up our life for them.” So what do we do to prevent that from happening…? “Those women who come to kill you, make them fall in love with you.” How? “Love her.” Love… “If you can do that, you with HSS will go from being the weakest to being the strongest.” … Amidst the flames with Aria the Scarlet Goddess… We made contact. From my left and right, big fists made of her twin tails came at me as if to punch me… using oka on the right and kikka on the right, I manage to flip the punch around and open a path. I come within a touchable range. Aria the Scarlet Goddess was within reach if I just stretch my hand out. However, I did not move one step closer. On the burning, hihiirokane… I am… dying. Already, I am standing. But I know it. My heart has already stopped. Like Aria, who had fought Riko on the hijacked flight… “—“ Butei charter. Article 10! (TL Note: “Never give up, a Butei must never ever give up”.) (–Kaiten–!) Never give up! A Butei never gives up! Alongside awakening in Hysteria Agonizante, I gave myself a heart a subsonic vibration. With perhaps the world roughest massage that literally made my heart bounce inside of my ribs… Revived. Resurrect. Myself. And, “–!” I took the last step. “…!” Right in front of me was Aria the Scarlet Goddess. I can see her reddish-camellia eyes that are open wide in surprise. Before she could try to escape, I held her from her back and the back of her knees… it was the first time in a while that I held her in a princess carry. It was just like the day we met, in the physical education warehouse. And so, “This cherry blossom blizzard…” Love, is the closeness between a man and a woman. It is to make the distance between two people zero. In other words, it is this. Ahh, don’t worry Aria. We are both in the flames, so no one, not even Shirayuki, can see you now. This is our own fortress… of scarlet and flames. “… don’t tell me later your eyes were closed, okay?” And so, my lips reached out.. out towards Aria’s lips that were like cherry petals. “Aa…” I can hear it directly in my head. The voice of the Scarlet Goddess who was surprised. “I am in love.” Scarlet Goddess. I wont because… Scarlet Goddess, you are a woman. You can fight me as much as you want, I will love you as much as I want. “In love. In love. In love.” So, are you satisfied with this? And now, come on. Wake up, Aria. A kiss is the only thing that can wake up a sleeping princess… that is what my brother once said. The outcome shouldn’t be a surprise. Just like I thought… The first half of my kiss was with the Scarlet Goddess… the second half is with Aria. –Ahhh… Aria. You did it. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, and a takeover for a takeover… (… you really are a competitive woman…!) No, that’s all right. If it wasn’t, I would be in trouble. You are my partner, living and dying with me! “Ppuha! Hey! Don’t get carried away! You baka Kinji!” Gasu ! A tiny fist punched me straight through the centre of my face. This feeling of being beaten. It is Aria now. Aria is back! Paaaaaaaaaaa — And then, the scarlet-coloured blazing wind swirled around, spreading and then disappears… “… Aria…!?” Shirayuki raised her voice at the sight of Aria, who had taken her body back from the Scarlet Goddess, and me, holding her in a princess carry. Yes. When Aria had fought Kaname – eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth, science for science – she had equipped herself with an advanced hover skirt to confront Kaname’s noie ange science armament. The image from Shinagawa that I recalled earlier was the scene of the thermal power plant once it had become a battlefield. And this time, it was “takeover for takeover”. Aria, who has been a expert in ESP even as a young Butei, took over the Scarlet Goddess, something even the Scarlet Goddess could not have predicted. She had taken over the Scarlet Goddess’s body, Aria’s own body. To think she would pull something like this with only one shot and zero practice. “Aria! If you try, you really can do anything! As expected of you!” Overwhelmed with emotion, I hugged Aria’s small body again. … But. Gochin . This time, something hard hit the back of my head instead of my face. “… it hurts…!” “Kinji! We can discuss the details later! Hurry… we have to evacuate!” Aria got off me, who was crouching and holding the back of my head now, and shuru ! She slid off the hihiirokane UFO like it was a slide. She left without a word of thanks towards me, and stones began to fall on my head and back. The ceiling has started to break apart. “…!” The rock chamber… it is crumbling. “It seems that the Scarlet Goddess had been holding this place together… until now. I am not sure how she did it, but it was clearly not in a very stable way. The chamber is breaking apart now.” Beyond Aria, who looked up and suddenly said something about ESP, I can see the passageway that is the exit from this chamber – with its countless torii gates – collapsing. (This is dangerous…) If we don’t do something, we will be buried alive here. I slide down the hihiirokane too, but the ceiling is falling fast. Now, even gravel is raining down from the ceiling. “… No way. To think that Kaminabi would be destroyed… for more than a thousand years, no matter what kind of earthquake it was, it would not collapse…!” She did not expect the rock chamber to collapse, and as Shirayuki ran about, a rock was about to fall… it was going to land on her! “”–watch out!”” Aria and I jumped towards Shirayuki at the same time, and pulled her towards the hihiirokane. Both of pulled her and… –Zudonnnnnnn…! With a thunderous sound, the rock fell and just grazed Shirayuki. The rock that fell may have dislodged a piece of that three-dimensional puzzle holding up the roof, as there was even more rumbling now. We have reach a point where we cannot escape the chamber anymore. … we have to protect ourselves now, we cannot escape anymore. (…!) A cloud of dust and smoke, mixed with glassy shards from the rocks, has made it impossible for me to see anything around me now. But I know where Shirayuki is as my hand is gripping her. I can tell Aria is near too. And so I — donn , donn , and… I push the two of them against the wall of the hihiirokane UFO. To minimize the probability of either of them being crushed by falling rocks, I needed them to sit against the wall. Both girls who were pushed against the wall must have instinctively cowered, and both of them sat down and shrunk themselves. I could not see very well because of the dust, but odds are Aria is sitting like in gym class and Shirayuki is sitting on her heels. The rest now is up to chance. “……!” I put both my hand onto the hihiirokane, and stood over the two of them to make a roof over their head with my back. Stones hit my back one after the other as if they were shooting down on my from above, and large rocks that could crush my spine were falling now as well. The torment was unceasing, and I feel like I am losing my mind because of how much it hurts. Gradually, the weight of the stones and rocks that stayed on my back was pushing me down. The pain from the falling rocks was now alleviated, but the weight was increasing with each passing moment… (… Uh, uhh…!) With a thud, I fall to a knee. The hihiirokane continued to emit a vague light, so my vision was not completely blacked out, but my vision is beginning to flicker. My mouth is filled with the taste of blood that is coming from my damaged organs. (Am I, already at, my… li… mit…) Right below me, Aria and Shirayuki are crouching down. I need to protect these two…! “Kinji!” “Kin-chan…!” Aria and Shirayuki’s voices sound far away, even though they are right there. Damn it. I have survived this long. I have fought my way to this point. In this way, and in this place. I am… I will… (… the end, huh, is this it…) A tremendous amount of pressure came from directly above me, and when I fell forward against my will… a roaring sound resounded from under my feet, like a gigantic cymbal, and something grabbed me. Aria and Shirayuki were hugging me, and following that feeling… my body was forced down. I thought the three of us would be crushed by the rocks, but… I was wrong. “……?” The rocks and stones that were pressing me down just fell to my side and behind me. My body literally feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Twisting my fallen body, I managed to look up with my blank eyes… The three of us had been knocked away from the hihiirokane, which was rocked like a seesaw by the falling rocks, and had slipped into a space that was created diagonally under it… … I have been saved, miraculously, here too. The hihiirokane UFO, which I thought was shaped like a hat, actually had turned into a hat by chance… it is protecting us from the cave in. This is good luck… thank you Konayuki and ruru for your prayers. “The cave in… it’s over.” Aria mutters while touching the hihiirokane ceiling that protected us from the cave in… The sound of falling rocks, that sounded like a huge cymbal, stopped. (…)( The hihiirokane emits a faint scarlet glow, so the surroundings look as if the room has been lit by a red light, but… There is no exit to the room now. Have I been buried alive? I thought I was lucky just now, but I guess nothing goes so smoothly in this world. But, “… for the time being at least, is it because of the hihiirokane that we were saved just now?” Although we are trapped underground, it seems certain that we only lived as long as we have because of the hihiirokane. I looked up at my hihiirokane roof and smiled wryly… “Until a while ago, we were enemies, but in the end, it seems that we have become allies, even if it was by coincidence.” I sit down quietly, so as to not mess with the surrounding rocks and upset our current, fragile balance. My body seems to be bleeding a lot, but thanks to the scarlet glow, it is not very noticeable. Well, the pain just increases when I look at my new scars, so I am happy with the fact that they are hard to see. “Actually, that looks to be true. Kinji, this really is your specialty.” Looking up at the hihiirokane UFO roof, Aria mutters. To this miracle that allowed us to narrowly escape with our lives, what does that comment mean? “What do you mean?” “… you always manage to turn the opponent you just fought into an ally. That is why the Scarlet Goddess helped us.” And, to the Aria who just smiled at me, baring her canine teeth… I had a lot of counter examples pass through my mind, like Vlad and Sarah, and… well, there are more I am sure, however, “Then I will take the credit for saving you. And, I am expecting payment later.” I seized upon the business chance of selling favours to the rich Aria-san. In fact, up to this point, my expenses have increased considerably. But… despite me being serious about this, “Kusu. Kinji can tell funny jokes ones in a while”, Aria just laughed it off. (… Aria…) This Aria is… In both body and mind… the real thing. Aria. Her cute smile makes my heart skip a beat. It feels like you have finally broken the Scarlet Goddess’s curse. … meanwhile, Shirayuki… “… Kin-chan, Aria… I am sorry… I have been hiding this from the two of you for a long time. Such an important thing…” Because of her sobbing, she did not notice my injuries… honestly this was a good thing, I did not want to depress her even more. For a moment, I wondered what I should say to Shirayuki, “You couldn’t hide it for long anyway. Yes, stop crying.” Aria, who hates sad atmospheres, puffs out her flat chest and says such a thing. When it comes to her saying that though… I cannot blame her for saying such a thing. Even more so when I take into account Shirayuki’s character. Rather, at the end of the day, I want to commend you for explaining that to her so plainly. “A little while ago, when the Kaminabi was collapsing, I… I thought I was going to die because of my sin. But, Kin-chan and Aria saved me…” When Shirayuki thanked me with tears in her round eyes… “Article 1 of the Butei Charter. No, even disregarding that… Do I need a reason to help a friend?” Aria, who was shrugging her shoulders, interrupted that too. For this, too, I have no objection to what Aria said. There was no reason to object. I have come all this way to save Aria from the Scarlet Goddess. Just now, I helped save Shirayuki from the cave in. A man helping a woman, no, a man helping a friend… There is no other needed reason. After a short while… Korokoro… a Japanese-style ball came rolling towards us from somewhere, through a small gap that a human could not fit through. “… Tamamo, huh?” I sat down and called out to her, and Bon . Emitting white smoke, the ball turned into Tamamo, who was on all fours. It is safe from this direction, but I really need you to stop crawling in that kimono miniskirt. You are not even wearing underwear. Tamamo was in the group that wanted to kill Aria the Scarlet Goddess, so I was on my guard, and Shirayuki stayed on her knees as Tamamo was her superior in the Shinto business, but… Tamamo was, “… Wait. What?! Aria, are you possessed by the Scarlet Goddess?” Looking up at Aria, she opened her eyes wide and was dumbfounded. “I don’t think so.” “Wh, What did you do?” “I just imagined what I wanted to happen. When I was little, I read a picture book about people being possessed by ghosts, so I imagined myself being that ghost.” When Aria had said “when I was little”, I wanted to retort “you are still little though, arent you?”, but I held my tongue as I wanted to avoid another wind tunnel. “It is not that surprising, is it? I just did what the Scarlet Goddess did to me. If she can take over my mind, it is natural than that I could do it as well to her.” “… o…” “… of course…” Tamamo and Shirayuki are at a loss for words with their mouths wide open at Aria who is now puffing out her chest. “Aria, even if you are a genius who could do such a thing just by “imagining” it, you would not have had a chance to possess the Scarlet Goddess… How did you overcome the barrier of the Scarlet Goddess’s strong formulaic power?” Tamamo, who asks that, looks at Aria like she is a ESP genius, a child prodigy even, but in my opinion… Aria is not a ESP genius or anything like that. She is a Guinness-class competitive woman who can simply and instinctively see a path to victory. “Barrier? I wonder if that was the dark scarlet wall that I saw when the Scarlet Goddess was fighting Kinji? But, when Kinji got closer to her… another pale scarlet wall appeared, and they cancelled each other out, both disappeared.” “… superconductivity in Love and War…!” “Ze-, zero resistance… That is your latest trick…” The stunned Shirayuki and Tamamo seemed to be satisfied with this psychic explanation, so I asked them to explain it to me. In the heart of the Scarlet Goddess, feelings of love and war were mixing with each other, conflicting one another… When she was, in Riko-speak at least, in a state of tsundere, those who can sympathize with her could enter her mind with zero resistance. It was just like superconductivity, in which electrical resistance becomes zero at a critical temperature. … even when this is explained to me in metaphorical physics though… I have a bad grade in physics, so I have no idea what they are talking about. I am an amateur to all this anyway, so I think I will stop listening in to this story for now. How about Tamamo throws everything else now onto Shirayuki? She did used to say that the Hotogi and Toyama should share roles. So, Tamamo… I could tell from Tamamo’s stance alone that she had no intent of killing Aria anymore. At first Tamamo must have been surprised at that Aria had managed to stop the process of becoming the scarlet Goddess, and in such a way that she never could have imagined, but with Aria having returned and that she herself could confirm this fact… Tamamo approached Aria and said “You really have taken over the Scarlet Goddess. What an unexpected outcome…” before beginning to sniff her. Is it possible for her to tell if it is Aria based off of her smell? “Ah… Kin-chan. Radio waves, radio waves are coming… 1 bar…” “Eh, ehh?” There is a vague sense of dread I have when a Shirayuki-like girl says something like “radio waves are coming”, so I turn around a little defensively… but she is holding her cellphone. Oh, are you talking about your cellphone? Looking closely, I can see a single antenna mark on the screen. Konayuki had said that Kaminabi was out of range, but with the ceiling having broken apart due to the cave in, we could get a signal now. Now that this location is no longer off limits… I instructed Shirayuki to call for rescue here, and she did so without hesitation. After Shirayuki called her sisters to fully explain the situation to them, the Hirosaki Fire Department called in a rescue team. Tamamo managed to exit the chamber through crevices in the rocks to tell the rescuers where we were… Once again, it was Aria, Shirayuki, and me, under the hihiirokane waiting. “They said it would take 3 hours for a rescue team to arrive. Sorry, the Hotogi live in the mountains…” “I wonder how many hours total it will take for us to escape. Well, for now we can sleep and wait.” And, while Shirayuki and I were talking. “Hmm.” Aria, with her hands on her hips, was looking up at our hihiirokane roof. “Hey. Are you worried about something?” Aria… are you talking to yourself? While she was still looking at the hihiirokane. “Don’t be shy. I know exactly how you feel.” “What is it, Aria? Who are you talking to?” “The Scarlet Goddess. I had to look into her heart to see why she was so angry.” Wow… Right now, you really are acting like a bona fide ESP. “Huh? Alright… I will let you two talk then.” Saying this, Aria looked up and… On the hihiirokane ceiling that is shining like a mirror, a girl-like image is forming… Sururi , and, a red spiritual like body came out. It emerged like it was dripping from a surface of water, upside down. “……” Even though me and Shirayuki were both surprised, we stood side by side and could only blush. That is because the spirit body had the appearance of Aria, with her long, but untied, twintails… however, much like Rurugami in the United States with Dr. Sara… Aria was naked. Seeing herself upside and completely naked, “ WHY ARE YOU NAKED!!!” Aria blushed such a bright pink that I could clearly see it, even in the red light, and, “– PUT ON SOME CLOTHES! I AM GOING TO OPEN A WINDHOLE IN YOU!” “Ah, we do not have a physical form. That is why we borrow the form of a woman who will not be attacked by those around us. No matter how belligerent you are, you would not attack yourself blindly.” While making excuses with Aria’s voice, the spirit body that seemed to be the Scarlet Goddess… suddenly covered herself with a sailor suit made of mist. “I am belligerent!? I am not as bad as you, idiot!” Aria… you look down upon even cosmic lifeforms that we could only call “God”. As expected of a noblewoman. She has no hesitation for looking down on others. While softly drifting down, Aria Scarlet Goddess rotated in the air while holding her skirt down… and she sat cross-legged next to Aria, while floating in the air. “Then, Scarlet Goddess, may I share your true feelings with the other two here?” “Even if I said no, you still would.” “If you let them listen to you, maybe they will give you some leniency?” “…” While Aria and the Scarlet Goddess were talking, Shirayuki and I just had a “?” above our heads… “The Scarlet Goddess wants to see her mother. This whole time, she was upset that she could not see her.” When Aria told us this about her, the Scarlet Goddess could only turn her head in embarrassment. (… mom?) Since rurugami and ririgami were sisters, I suppose it should not be surprising that the Scarlet Goddess has a mother, but… What do you mean, you want to meet her? “After possessing the Scarlet Goddess, I would look into her memories. Long ago, the three sister, hihi, ruru, and riri, crossed the universe as meteorites… When they passed near the Earth, the gravitational pull pulled them towards it and they crashed into the Earth. The odds of this happening were akin to an unlikely car accident or two ships crashing in the open sea. The exact timing might have been different, but the three sisters flew side by side, so they all crashed into Earth.” Aria spoke about the Scarlet Goddess’s memories… This story matches the story that the Hotogi said, that the Scarlet Goddess “fell from the sky”. “– we are, according to your earthling classification, free-floating planets. We are not bound by any other celestial body, and freely revolve directly around the galaxy.” I do not know if there is a higher or lower rank among the stars, but at any rate, the Scarlet Goddess is now puffing out her non-existent chest. “That is why we don’t have the habit of moving around much, which you humans do. We bend the space around us, and receive plasma emitted by stars to move like a sailboat. That is why our physical body can only move in outer space, and even when we do move, we do so slowly.” The Scarlet Goddess, who is saying things very much with my image of aliens from outer space… While she might by uniquely UFO in shape, she could not fly on Earth. As the Scarlet Goddess had said, right now she could not move. From our point of view, she is just a rock. “The gravitational pull of this planet is strong. Because of its magnetic field, stars plasma can hardly reach us. That is why we can no longer return to space. We were forced to live here.” The sky beyond the hihiirokane was a roof for her… The eyes of the Scarlet Goddess, as if looking to the universe beyond, are sad. Aria might be thinking of her own mother right now, as we were just talking of the Scarlet Goddess’s mother. Aria’s somewhat sympathetic tone towards the Scarlet Goddess is… Aria’s mother was imprisoned for a crime she never committed, and because of that Aria continues to be unable to see her mother. “Is there, a, umm… do you have a mother? In space?” When the Scarlet Goddess has a sad face while in the shape of Aria, I cannot help but be sympathetic to the Scarlet Goddess and listen to her personal story… “I do.” “What color is she?” “Gold.” “The she is Kinirokane.” As an amateur I am not confident in this, but the Scarlet Goddess responded and, “Mother has her own particles orbiting the Earth like a satellite, and has been watching us since we fell. Mommy is amazing. Even though she is small, she is powerful. She is kind, and has been lending a lot of her power to the people who built ancient tombs and the pyramids, which humans used as receivers… You know, your sister in law, Patra, uses her power too. That power is my mama’s.” When that story was told, an unexpected link between irokane and the Toyama family was discovered. Come to think of it, Hilda said something like “Patra gets her powers from the stars” at the Skytree. Was that was she was talking about? But honestly, I do not care much about that area… The Scarlet Goddess’s smile, as she gleefully boasts about her mother, is similar to Aria’s, but not just because she is the basis of her appearance… it is the face of someone who cares about their mother, who loves their mother deeply. Kinirokane is watching over its daughters through its satellite particles, perhaps pieces of its own body, in the Earth’s orbit, must also have the feelings of a parent towards their children. But her daughters cannot leave the Earth, as they are bound by gravity. Earlier, I had tried to use criminal psychology to find out the motives behind the Scarlet Goddess’s desire for love and war… I thought it to be some kind of frustration, but it was homesickness. The sorrow of being forced to Earth and unable to return to the universe where her mother is. I could have never predicted that. Her desire to leave is hopeless. She cannot fly freely in her UFO like we earthlings imagine she could. Yes. The coloured metal sisters can never leave the Earth again. Since the Scarlet Goddess could never go back to space anyway… She decided that she might as well enjoy her time on Earth, and her younger sisters, Ruru and Riri, tried to stop her from doing so as it could destroy the Earth. That is what led to the conflict between the irokane sisters. And as I am summarizing this tragic and sci-fi situation in my head… “Scarlet Goddess… you give up on things way too easily.” Aria, who was doing the “yareyare” pose that westerns often do, sighed towards the Scarlet Goddess. (TL Note: This is the pose. ) “?” When I, Shirayuki, and the Scarlet Goddess looked at Aria, she fixed her eyes on the Scarlet Goddess, “I will do something for you, hihiirokane. You want to go back to space, right? I mean, just like the universe is finite, so is life. It is not a bad thing to kill time, but you have to remember what you really want to do.” Aria is talking to her as an equal. Aria neither respects her nor despises her. No regard for her being an Earthling and hihiirokane being an alien. “Even stars must die someday, right? If you don’t live your life doing what you really want to do, you will regret it when you die. If you want to see your mother again, don’t waste your time.” “To put it simply for you Aria, let alone space, I cannot move even 1mm. That is why… it is impossible… impossible for me to see my mamma again…” “That may be right, but who do you think that is? He is Enable, a man who makes the impossible, possible.” Aria, who was talking to the Scarlet Goddess, folded her arms and flicked her head towards me. “If you say “I cannot do it”, I will open a windhole in you, so do not say it ever again. Also, do not say “I’m tired” or “it’s troublesome”.” She told this to the Scarlet Goddess, however, “… but this is too difficult, even for me, you know? I doubt it is even possible to move this rock to space.” While tapping the ceiling with the back of my hand, I raise my eyebrows and say that to Aria. “Kinji, are you telling me that you have been lying this whole time? Will I have to call myself the women who makes the impossible possible from today? Aria takes out her pearl pink cellphone while making a mischievous chuckle. What is this turn of events? I have a bad feeling about this. Aria then asked Shirayuki something strange, as if to add more to my worries. “Shirayuki. The Hotogi has been taking care of the hihiirokane, right?” “Ye-, yes.” “From now on, I will be taking care of it. Fundamentally, we are doing the same thing, so there should be no issue.” “?” Aria continued, and kurori . She turned around, her pink twintails waving in the wind, and she asked the Scarlet Goddess something strange. “Well, Scarlet Goddess, here is a question for you. This is something I did not quite understand even after reading your mind… Can I use your abilities from any distance?” “The hihiirokane in your chest follows you wherever you go. Your heart is always connected to mine. Irokane is one and all, all and one. The connection we have is on a separate dimension, our distance from one another is irrelevant.” “Ok. We can negotiate then. A Butei is a jack-of-all trades. Our job is not only to fight and arrest criminals. Sometimes, we do other jobs, such as this.” “?” “I will grant you your dearest wish. I will return you to outer space.” Aria, who is relatively strong in negotiations, replies as if she is out having a drink with the Scarlet Goddess. “Eh.” “What?” “Ehh?” The Scarlet Goddess, I, and Shirayuki, were all surprised… Aria does not say anything to our surprise, but keeps talking. “In return, I have a demand. That is, I want to be able to meet the expectations of the real name given to me by my great-grandfather… “Aria the Scarlet Ammo”.” … Aria the Scarlet Ammo. It was the honourable name that Sherlock Holmes gave to Aria back at IU. The meaning of the name was meant for one who had mastered the use of hihiirokane. A power beyond our modern understanding of psychics, concepts that are currently only conceptual… … a person with ESP powers. “In other words, for the rest of our lives, let me use your power without limit. Keep the Hidan as it is. It will only be used now as a means to talk to each other. Please teach me how to use the ESP abilities you can use, even if it is a little at a time. Right now, the laser is the only thing I know how to use with certainty.” Oh, oh no. This is not good. Or rather, Aria, you already know how to use the laser? Aria, you… I do not know how she is planning on doing this, but she is going to get this UFO back into outer space, and as a reward, she is going to be able to use the powers of the Scarlet Goddess at her will. “Aria…” At that moment, Shirayuki spoke with a hint of a warning, “What? Are you trying to stop me?” Aria’s eyes, a mix of her natural royal blue and scarlet, her reddish camellia eyes, glanced at Shirayuki. “No. If you can really do that, that is a wishful story. A method that none past could think of to calm the Scarlet Goddess semi-permanently… but maybe… I will be involved in that story…” Shirayuki seems to find it difficult to continue, so I, who can understand her thinking, will speak for her. “You will have to control yourself when it comes to using those abilities, Aria. I doubt it will happen, but if you go out of control for some reason, someone has to stop you. You need an auditor, a safety net. That would have to be Shirayuki. She would have to step in, be it with the hidan, the Irokane Ayame, or her Scarlet dances.” When I said that, Shirayuki nodded in agreement… Aria did not seem to have objections to that. Alright, at least for now, this will prevent lasers hitting me since Aria cannot use her powers whenever she wants. Just the normal guns and stuff. Still, this is a matter of “when”. “Okay. I will only use those abilities if I really have to. I don’t know why you are so suspicious of me, I am not going to shoot lasers out of my eyes for the fun of it. People would be scared of me.” Now then, Aria… do you really not realize that everyone is already scared of you? You, who scores 100kg high scores on punching machines purely for fun? Now, all that remains to be seen is how the Scarlet Goddess responds… “… I have already been possessed. I cannot do anything since my heart was taken hostage, I should know having done that to humans many times before… I understand the request. I accept, I don’t want to miss my chance to go back to space after waiting 2,000 years.” … it has been decided. But that is Aria for you. Her negotiating skills are an art. Armed force, economic power, and political sway, these powers of Aria’s are being perfected and improved constantly. And now, ESP powers… this is yet another of Aria’s powers, and now a God is my ally? Oh man. “And so the contract is concluded. Scarlet Goddess, can you shake my hands?” “You can do it if you want to.” “I don’t just want to do it. I will do it.” Aria and the Scarlet Goddess, who had a really earthling/alien-like conversation… They exchanged a firm handshake, a tiny hand and a misty tiny hand. Heh… you really can do it… And at that scene of reconciliation that I could only look upon with my eyes wide, “… I guess that settles that matter.” I muttered that line that, recently, I have missed many chances say. Shirayuki, too, was watching this historic handshake with a dreamy look on her face. Aria… “Not yet, Kinji. Article 8 of the Butei Charter. We must complete our mission, from beginning to end. Based on the contract, we must return the hihiirokane to space. You, my partner, must also help.” Then, she turned her red-camellia eyes towards me. Well, I knew I would have to help anyway. “What are you going to do?” “It’s easy.” And, Aria opened the cell phone that she had been flicking through recently. And… She launched into the most unexpected, most insane sentence I had ever heard come out of her mouth before. “I am in the process of contacting NASA. Let’s go to outer space.” ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ### 002. Bullet 2: STS-132-1/2 (Atlantis) Guided by Tamamo, who had again disguised herself as an elementary school girl, the rescue team had finally arrived at our hideout the next morning. The hospital was far away, so for the time being, we decided to go to Hotogi Shrine to get some immediate first aid. And well… Thank to Shirayuki, Konayuki, Kazayuki, and Hannayuki, I got some generous nursing, and after a hissy fit managed to get some sound sleep. My luck never changes. “Come on, let’s go, Kinji! Yes, wake up!Mmm, fine, I will carry you while you are sleeping. Shirayuki, hold his feet!” I could hear Aria’s voice speaking, but I had activated Hysteria Mode over and over again since Kii no Kuni. I was completely and totally exhausted from the continues fatigue. I would just barely open my eyes, but I could not push myself to wake up any more than that. While being dragged along by Aria, out of the corner of my eye I could see… heavy land based civilian machinery and JSDF machinery that seemed to be digging up Kaminabi. Hell, there was even a V-22 from the U.S garrisoned forces in Japan that had landed in the parking lot of the Hotogi Shrine. After being loaded onto it, I saw a screen showing an image of what was below the plane… there was an electromagnetic crane head attached to it, the same kind used in scrapyards and such. While everyone, including Shirayuki and the other Hotogi priestesses watched in unison… Suspended from this Osprey was the hihiirokane… As the brilliant scarlet of the hihiirokane melded with the sky beyond… (…sunset…) Thinking about it, that must mean that I slept 20 hours. And yet, I am still sleepy… Actually, now that I think about it, I have zero clue what is even going on right now. Unable to fight against the sleepiness, I once again closed my eyes. “How long until we reach Florida?” I could hear the excited voice of the Scarlet Goddess, as well as, “I think it will take about a full day, including the refuelling at the Royal Navy Carrier along the way. But, I don’t like this. Every time Kinji flies in a plane, it crashes.” (TL Note: Never thought about this but ya, Kinji has terrible luck in planes. Vehicles in general for that matter.) Aria, who was riding beside me, blurted that out and then poked me. “Ahhai…” That was all I could mumble in response, still being half-asleep. Okay, now I am sure. This must be a dream. Even for Aria, it is impossible to somehow use both the US air force and the British navy to move something like the Scarlet Goddess somewhere. This is kind of weird to think of but, if this is a dream, I might as well fall asleep in it. Hopefully when I wake up, this is all just a dream. (Yes, this is all a bad dream…) … However… the soude of those blades… it is pretty convincingly real… Yup, of course it was a dream. Fuck. When the Osprey landed on the Royal Navy aircraft carrier, the HMS Ark Royal, which was sailing off the coast of Alaska, Aria, who was the only person who was wearing a warm fur coat, said “Go to the bathroom and eat. As soon as we finish refueling, we are flying again”. She ordered me, who was already shivering in the cold, to leave the Osprey. For some reason, a floating Scarlet Goddess followed behind her. After getting on the deck, surrounded by gray sky and a blue sea, with my bangs flailing from the down current from the rotor blades… As the V-22 unloaded the red UFO on the flight deck, where normally only anti-submarine patrol helicopters took off from, the air force and bridge crews all said “Oh my Gosh!” with widened eyes. Ignoring the commotion, I was pretty hungry, so I went to the bridge to explain the situation to the friendly looking black crew member, and got some leftover sandwiches and tea bags which I had to eat in the corridor. I later heard that Aria had been invited to the officers mess and had a feast of roast beef and French Fries. How could I not be jealous? Well, now that I think about it, Aria had just used a British aircraft carrier as nothing more than a parking spot and gas station… She probably managed that using that British Prince Howard… however… the US air force is also involved. How did she manage that? … I want to know, and yet, I am afraid to know. The Osprey afterwards flew for a half day crossing North America from the North West to the South East, on a course to the hot as hell Atlantic coast of Florida… Finally, above the Kennedy Space Center, the Osprey transitioned to helicopter mode. (… I saw this once on “Discover of the Worlds Mysteries”…!) Heading towards the front of an cubic, almost jokingly large Vehicle Assembly Building… the Osprey softly unloaded the hihiirokane. Gradually, I began to understand what was happening, and as I made a face that could only be described as “the face of a man eating a spoonful of live slimy bugs”, “Yes Nicky, this is the setup.” Aria, looking a bit amused right now, handed me a sheet of A4 paper. “Who is Nicky…” “YOU are Nicholas. I am Jessica. I have a roster of fictitious scientists, such as NASA scientists, for situations like this.” (TL Note: “YOU are Nicholas” is in English in original.) Are you saying that that is a fake name? Or rather, you just suddenly started speaking in English, Aria. But why do we need a pseudonym anyway? No, somehow, I managed to realize why. However, I don’t want to hear any unpleasant revelations until the very last minute, so I will keep my mouth shut and one eyebrow raised, just staring at Aria in silence… Aria, aka Jessica, just narrowed her eyes at my gesture and laughed, “fufufu”. An anime-esque voice as cute as that just makes you want to record it to hear it again. JFK Space Center, Brevard County, Florida, USA. It is about 28 times the size of Minato Ward, where Butei High is located, and is the general base of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, otherwise known as NASA. Despite the futuristic title of a “Space Center”, most of the area around it is a wetland nature reserve. Thousands of alligators live in the surrounding swamps, the national bird of the United States, the bald eagle, flies around, and there is even a beach nearby with dolphins and manatees. When I stepped out of the Osprey, which had landed at the heliport of the adjacent Cape Canaveral Air Force Base, since we were so far south of Kyushu the sun was strong and muggy even in the monring. A Humvee greeted us there, and from it, “Damn… what are you doing now, big brother?” I have no idea why he is here, and am still doubting it, but my little brother, Kinzou, is definitely here now. Behind him I could also see Mash and LOO, a girlish robot who is still wearing a white school swimsuit-like battle suit that is still eye catching and out of place. The firs thing my younger brother said to me, as he was wearing a fancy suit, was “what are you doing?” “I don’t know either.” I answered him as honestly as I could. Immediately after him, Kaname, wearing the summer uniform of Butei High, “Onii-chan! Give me a big hug~!” (TL Note: Onii-chan is a cute way to say “Big Brother”, I kept the original as I could not think of a comparative English equivalent.) Hop, step, jump! Bashii ! She was jumping around in a short pleated skirt, and when I reflexively stiffened out of fear, she hugged me with a big smile on her face, and with a big thud, we fell into the swamp behind us, and an alligator family came running towards us in a frenzy, forcing us and everyone else to flee in all directions. In short, the mission now for Aria and myself this time is… It was to launch the hihirokane brought from Japan to here into space. Outer space… to be precise, about an altitude of 560km, satellite orbit. According to the Scarlet Goddess, there are particles of kinirokane, the mother of the irokane sisters, drifting around there. In addition, once in outer space, irokane can capture the stellar wind and move about on its own, albeit slowly. In other words, it is possible to leave the Earth’s gravitational pull and fly away into space, even if it takes a lot of time. The Scarlet Goddess, though, had said that it will choose if it will do so only after meeting its mother again. “It’s very existence and the information it has told us has solved so many mysteries thought not all of them, but after listening to its story… Regardless of if irokane is an alien or a metal person, it should certainly be returned to its original place from a humanitarian point of view. Really, the Scarlet Goddess is a refugee stuck on Earth. I will lend you my strength and help.” Dixie Crossroads… a family style seafood restaurant frequented by astronauts… Kinzou, who had heard the general story from me and Aria, replied while eating a lobster tail with a crunch . He seemed a little upset though at our desire to return the Scarlet Goddess, who was currently half sitting and floating next to Aria, to outerspace… Or maybe he was just frustrated that it was Aria who received its abilities and powers instead of him. “I thought you would say that, Mr. Hero of Justice.” “Losing such a beatiful ore is an aesthetic loss for mankind, though.” Kinzou, who was now nibbling on some tomatoes he brought with him, has a strong connection with NASA, due to his many years of buying parts through them for his Noi Ange weaponry. It would seem Aria, who was investigating this area after our previous fight with each other, contacted Kaname… And summoned the G siblings from New York to help. Kinzou is not particularly friendly with Aria, but when he had heard “Kinji will be there”, he decided to come right away. Aria knew that Kinzou is like Kaname in how they treat me, their older brother…. it is no wonder she decided to drag me to America. It must have been high ranking brass related to the GIII League who managed to force the US military based in Japan to fly that Osprey under the guise of training. I don’t want to get involved, however, so I will not prod him on it. “I want to help, but hey, I can’t afford to spend such a huge amount of money. For example, would it be okay to just send a small piece into space? I mean, irokane is one is all and all is one, right? If we send just a small piece, isn’t that the same as sending the whole thing?” To Kinzou, who was now sipping a Budweiser asks that, “It is true that regardless of how many pieces irokane is divided into, the pieces hearts are still connected by a force much like telepathy between themselves. However, the greater the mass, the more certain its existence is. Because of that, if we don’t launch the main body, but only a piece, the Scarlet Goddess wont be able to return to outerspace.” Aria answers while picking up a olibol, a smaller version of the holeless donuts that Lisa had eaten while we were in Holland. Kinzou is a peculiar man who uses his own finances to fund his activities. In other words, he is basically a self funded Hero who works for free as a hobby. Aria, however, was not happy about him helping unless she compensated him for his assistance, and was willing to pay for all expenses, including this meal.However, the expenses here are just too different from before. And so, the dynamic Atlas with the bullet holes on his face, the flamboyant Collins, the butler old man Angus, Luca, the silver haired telekinetic girl with mismatched colors eyes who was ex-KGB, the fox girl Tsukumo, my little sister Kaname, and the ginion genius Mash… everyone was having fun, drinking,m and singing. The only quiet person here was LOO, who was sitting quietly without having eaten anything. Americans appear to have no concept of shyness or discretion. Myself, Aria, and Kinzou sat in a separate box from his subordinates, “AHHH, shut up! You guys, eat quietly!” After stomping the ground and yelling at his subordinates, they only remained quiet for about 3 minutes… In the meantime, I decided to ask something that was bothering. Gather your courage, Kinji. “A-… Aria. Well, you know, your mission is to return the hihiirokane to outerspace. But, um, the fact is that you brought me as well…” “You are coming as well. I have been telling you this since I decided to do this.” “I… I am going to outer space…” “That-is-right! Out-er-space! You better not die and you are not getting away, stupid Kinji!” Aria suddenly got in a bad mood and yelled directly into my ear, making my eardrum tingle. “… Or rather, the Scarlet Goddess… she said “Kinji has to come see me off too, I will be disappointed otherwise”. She likes you, doesn’t she? Geez. Kinji’s bad playboy habits with women is not just limited to humans and yokai, but even aliens as well… I am past being disgusted or amazed, I am starting to even respect you a little…” “No, that is not true, I am not a womanizer or anything, the Scarlet Goddess said that on her ow- owowowowowowow! Don’t pinch my ass! You are going to tear a piece of it off! Stop!” Having escaped from Aria’s pincer-like attack, which by the way has the power to squeeze an open dry or crack a billiard ball, I… Fell off my chair and landed on the wooden floor, and put a little distance between me and Aria. And then… with teary eyes and desperation on my face… “well… Let’s say that the plan is to go to outer space… How the hell are we supposed to get there?” This was the big question, the one I was equal parts curious and scared. Aria and Kinzou bother turned to look at me as if I was some kind of idiot. “A space shuttle.” “STS-132-1/2, Atlantis.” … Ahh… Ahh-yupyup! I am going, really going! Granted, I don’t really have a choice! According to Kinzou, the mission of the Space Shuttle Atlantis, which will be launched the day after tomorrow, was to deploy a satellite and deliver a module to the International Space Station. However, due to a defect in the module, the satellite was not loaded, leaving empty space in the payload section of the shuttle… The launch of the satellite could not be postponed under the contract, so NASA auctioned off the right to load an item into the empty space. And so, Luca-chan, a famous auction attender who had received the request from Aria, who told Kaname, who requested Kinzou, was able to win the auction. The rights to load the shuttle also came with two vacant seats, which were originally for the mission specialists who were supposed to be on board the shuttle for launch. … Are we already in an era where space travel can be bought with just money? As expected, another shocking truth from America, the leading capitalist nation. “I imagined space development and exploration to be more for research purposes.” “I do not know about Japan, but in the United States, it was originally for military purposes, but not it is becoming a national project for business purposes. But it is true that science promotion sounds better to the public, so we are scientists now. That is why we have a pseudonym.” A gigantic structure that looks like the inside of a factory, a launch pad that has been assembled intricately… From there me and Aria, whose front half of her head looked like it was in a fishbowl due to the goldfish bowl helmet, crossed the boarding bridge and had a serious conversation with each other over the intercom system in our suit. We only had the channel open to us two to make sure no one over heard us but… Just in case, we talked in Japanese anyway. As far as the eye can see, the surrounding area is a uninhabited wetland. This was because people could not live in the surrounding area as the roaring sound of the engine could rupture eardrums or cause fatal injuries withing a 5km radius during launch. The animals stay away due to the traffic and constant noise though so I could not see any animals nearby. “Lucky for us, the opportunity for a launch so soon after we made a deal with the Scarlet Goddess…” “It is really that lucky, you know? Shuttles have been flying back and forth between Earth and space more than 130 times already. These days, a flight happens about once a month.” After a final check of our pressurized suits, which included a patch showing our mission number, a pocket for our personal items, and a parachute, Aria and I climbed through a side hatch into the shuttle’s orbiting spacecraft. I sat on the tilted seat with my back pointed to the group, firmly tightened the seatbelts that fixed my shoulders and hips down, and then watched the commanders, pilots, and other crew members communicate with weather control, and then launch control. For now, I just wait. Aria and I are not trained to operate the space shuttle itself, we are just fake payload specialists… guests, really. (And for that matter…) Aria-san is now boarding next to me. This girl was nothing more than arrogant and bossy at the Kennedy Space Center. Before boarding she used their landline to order peachbuns from a Chinese restaurant in Orlando for her dinner in the astronaut accommodations, had her hard bed changed to a nicer one, and so on. NASA had treated Aria like a VIP and did so without complaint. When I told her to “restrain yourself a little”, she replied simply with “I am launching at my own expense, am I not?” I had heard that Aria was a major sponsor for this launch, having sold the now captured IU submarine to the Japanese government, and used those funds for the auction privilege of loading the shuttle… In short however, it took all of the funds from that sale transaction to win the auction. The exact amount? I did not ask, I was not sure that my heart could take such a heartbreaking number. “Yes, sir. We are all go for launch!” Captain Monroe, a blond-haird female astronaut, communicated with everyone in plain English. She diligently checked the primary display on the LCD screen. “Jessica and Nicholas, are you feeling under the weather? Since you are sitting with your back to the floor, isn’t your blood rushing to your head?” “I am OK, Monroe.” (TL Note: OK is in English.) “Ah, ehh… me too.” The captain, who resembled Marilyn Monroe, including even her soft way of speech, was actually a distant relative of hers. From my point of view however, her demeaner and speech is sexy and annoying, and on top of that she is even a troublesome older sister character who listens to every one of Aria’s selfish commands. “I am fine too.” A voice resounded in my head, which naturally was the telepath of the Scarlet Goddess. Only me and Aria could hear her however. The hihiirokane, which had been carefully sterilized at the Vehicle Assembly Building, was not situated in the shuttle’s payload bay. (For now at least, the hihiirokane is being returned to the universe…) Ruruirokane and ririirokane will apparently be launched later as well. I do not know when that will be, how much that will cost, who will end up having to pay for it, or who will be going though. “–T-Minus 60 seconds till launch.” (TL Note: this is in English.) A communication from Space Centre Control Headquarters came through my helmet. It is finally happening. Damn. By the way, despite nobody telling me such important information, a quick Google search on my phone showed that 2 out of the 5 space shuttles to take off so far have exploded in the air. Apparently, our orange colored pressure suit is to make it easier to find our corpse should such an event happen. Just as I was thinking about reciting the nembutsu, Aria suddenly opened a dedicated line between us… “Kinji.” “What.” “Thank you.” “Why are you saying that now?” “Thank you. From the bottom of my heart. Thank you” … in a polite, formal Japanese voice, she thanked me. “What-, what are you saying? Saying such a thing at a time like this…” And saying such a thing in such a cute voice… I wonder if she is saying such a thing in case something bad happens… Those words are not a good omen, are they? But as a matter of fact, to hear such a thing coming from Aria, that she appreciates me, words from the bottom of her heart… it made me nervous and my heart flutter. So, “Aria, you really are an Aria, aren’t you? You decide everything on your own, never stopping, always moving forwards…” (TL Note: a reminder, “Aria” is a term used for a solo act in an opera.) I replied with snarky words. But Aria, “I am with you now. Now, it is a duet.” She narrowed her reddish-purple camellia eyes and smiled at me through her acrylic glass helmet. And then… a hand, a hand wearing a fluffy white glove… it grabbed onto my hand. This is nostalgic. “–T-Minus 15 seconds till launch.” (TL Note: This is in English.) When you and I first met. There was a joke I told you before we went to the arcade together for the first time. A duet. That was the first time Aria had ever… … her words at the time had made me smile. “… 10, 9, 8, 7…” The countdown continued, like a radio in my helmet. Me and Aria. Starting from that arcade, we have been to Daiba, Akihabara, Yokohama, Hong Kong, London, and so many other places together. And now, together, we are going to outerspace. “… 6, 5, 4…” Suddenly, I thought. Then, after this. Where am I going to go with Aria after this? “… 3, 2, 1…” Well, anywhere is fine. “… 0, LIFT OFF–!” As long as I am with Aria! … When you hear the word “space shuttle”, generally people think of only the white-and-black part that looks like an airplane, but the space shuttle is actually the part that circles the Earth. A space shuttle is a set that includes an external fuel tank and a solid fuel booster. First, two solid fuel rockets are used for the launch, and it is like a gigantic firework in that it cannot be extinguished once it is ignited. While ascending you can do nothing, so we just leave our fates to the heavens and listen to the communications between the commander and air traffic control. However… “Thi-, this thing really does shake a lot.” “Thththththth, thats right!” Aria and I communicated in a loud, broken voice due to the constant vibrations. It was as if I was on a roller coaster while sitting in a massage chair. I was worried that the shuttle would break, or that that hihiirokane might just fly out. “Jessica-san, Nich-san. Beginning pilots frequently bite their tongue when they talk during takeoff, you know~? Ufufufu. Alright, we are now at an altitude of 43km. SRB detachment will begin shortly.” Monroe was a veteran shuttle pilot, having flown already 3 times, so even amidst all this shaking she could still speak fluently. Occasionally, the shuttle would twist and change direction, with the sunlight coming in through the windows also changing sharply. (43km is… that is five times higher than the height that we flew in the Fugaku the other day…!) It has not even been two minutes since launch, and we have already gone up that high… amazing… Gonn , suddenly, there was a particularly large shake… Like petals falling off of a flower, the auxiliary rocket was detached. After the rocket was detached, I noticed that the scenery outside the plane was changing from morning to night, in the blink of an eye. No, it is not night, I am simply that close to outerspace. It felt as if the rocket had suddenly braked when the rocket was ejected, but the shuttle suddenly resumed acceleration with the main engine. At such high altitudes, the shuttle had to take a course that follows the curvature of the earth, so it gradually went into an inverted flight, but due to the acceleration, vibration, and lack of gravity, I already had no sense of what was up or down. “Oh, you can remove the shield from your helmet now.” “Uuuupu.” “Don’t throw up Ari… Jessica. Please, don’t throw up, ever.” When me and Aria were having such a conversation, after Monroe told us that we could open up our helmets shielding, the external fuel tank was disconnected too, we were almost in outerspace. From what I heard from the communication, the shuttle, which was now just a spacecraft, was making its final adjustments to enter orbit around earth… “… Engine… Stop…” Following the slightly exaggerated voice of the pilot… Suddenly… I stopped feeling any kind of acceleration. My body felt light and refreshed. Suddenly I felt a strange illusion of being naked, it was as if all the pressurized clothes that had been tightly clinging to me before had suddenly just come off. This must be… because of the weightlessness. Normally, gravity makes clothing feel attached to your skin. However, in space, clothes float off of your body as if you are swimming. “Alright everyone, thank you for your hard work so far. We are now in low orbit, an altitude of 560km and moving at 7.5km per second.” Monroe, who was speaking as if she was a kindergarten teacher, happily took off her helmet… Floating. An altitude of 560km. We were more than 800 times higher than the Sky Tree where we fought Hilda and Watson, and more than 50 times higher than the V-2 and Fugako. It was not a question anymore but a fact, we were in outer space now. I followed her lead and removed my helmet, holding it in front of my face and releasing it… It would not fall. It stood there. It was like a magic trick or CGI. “It looks like the hihiirokane is still safe.” Aria whispered to me, she must have had another conversation in her head with the Scarlet Goddess. She took off her helmet and flashed me a smile. Her pink twintails that came out of her helmet were fixed in the air. It was like a life size sculpture or figurine of her that was posed three-dimensionally. This is obviously the first time that I had been to outer space and I was super excited, but what was really interesting to me… “Aria, your hair, it looks really cool.” I had to hold back my laugh while taking off my seatbelt. (TL Note: term used here is プークスクス , think of anime characters like Aqua when they tried to hold back a laugh with one hand over their mouth.) Then Aria, with her face in a grimace, shook her head. She started to shake her head, and her hair went everywhere around her. But suddenly, I felt Aria’s twintail slapping onto face. … Wait a minute, Jessica-san. Have you been using your telekinesis powers to make it look like you slapping my face and covering it with your hair was happening in zero gravity? Ouch! That hurts! The smell, though… It smelled sweet, like gardenia flowers, but different somehow… This is too dangerous… With such a nice smell she has too much feminine power! In space there was no up or down, right or left, front or back. So, we had our first space meal on the middle deck, which is kind of like a living space which was below the cockpit… or was it above? Our meal was a hamburger that had the patty cooked by injecting hot water into a vacuum pack. The bread was a tortilla, but a normal bun, since crumbs would float in the air and could enter a machine, leading to an accident. “It is a weird spicy tasting hamburger… but it is delicious.” “In space, weightlessness changes the way you body circulates blood, so your sense of taste is affected, too.” Aria, who finally got a knack of moving around without having her twintails spread out, explained to me how space changed my sense of taste. A persons sense of taste and smell are connected though, so when Aria wrapped my head like a mummy with her hair earlier… it seemed to smell different than usual and smelled fresh. Thanks to that though, she was in danger of activating mankinds first hysteria mode in space. By the way, the other crew members finished their meal quickly and were already working. The only people lazily eating are me and Aria, the customer pair, who had changed into old-fashioned flight suits. In addition to the other changes from being in space, our feet literally did not touch the ground, so the only way to move was to push yourself off a wall or climb it. It was troublesome to make our bodies move like that, so Aria and I were sitting cross-legged upside down and thus eating upside down, which must have made for a strange picture. I looked closer and saw that the bag the hamburgers came in had the McDonald’s log on it. “Wasn’t the last time that we had McDonald’s together in Aomi?” “Fufu. I was just thinking that as well.” Me and Aria made small talk as we ate. Aria and I were on our first mission… to find a cat. Before we found the cat, we had eaten McDonald’s, and Aria had drank my coke by mistake, punching me in the face after for some reason. I will have to make sure to hide my special no-straw space cola to make sure that she does not mistake it for hers, again. (TL Note: in outer space, much like with food, drinks are a danger to the machinery, and thus drink containers have to be specially made for zero gravity.) “Aria, at least you were kind in the end, for what its worth.” “What?” “I am talking about the Scarlet God. Even though she caused you so much trouble… You still want to return her to outer space.” “Maybe I do.” “You feel sorry for her. Because she misses her mom.” “Maybe.” Maybe… Maybe… Well, she is not very honest. To be fair, I might also be the biggest softy in the universe for going along with her and coming all the way out here for her. I had once read in a book that if you look at the Earth from outer space, your outlook on life will certainly change… The Earth seen from the window of the Atlantis was so beautiful that even I, who has been seeing unusual and surreal sights on an almost daily basis, was speechless and could only stare. After all, in low Earth orbit, it took less than two hours to go around the Earth, so you could see the whole world in just a few hours. The Earth seen from space is so much more colorful than it looks in any video I have ever see. Various shapes of white clouds could be seen at the same time, I could even see round typhoons. Meteorological phenomena, such as the yellow-green aurora and even golden yellow thunder clouds could be seen here and there. Beneath that, on the surface of the Earth, I could see deep blue seas, dry yellow deserts, and deep, lush green lands… and, of course, as is natural… I was drawn to the image of a map in my mind. I could not see a single “border line”. “Nicky-“ “Whoa. What is it Ari-… Jessica? Don’t just suddenly appear from above me.” “From my point of view, you are above me. Here you go. It is time to release the satellite.” Aria suddenly appeared upside between my face and the window, and when I turn around, I see a burly black mission specialist, Mr. Gonzales, standing diagonally above my head and… he was manipulating a joystick-like controller with great precision. On the joysticks display, the horizon of the Earth is floating in an arc in the pitch-black darkness of space. The Canada Arm was extending from the cargo compartment from the now open double doors. A special crane head was connected to the Canada Arm which was holding onto the hihiirokane with electromagnetic force and frictional force. Mr. Gonzalez was using the controller to manipulate the arm, calmly carrying the hihiirokane, which was obviously not a satellite by any stretch of the imagination, from the cargo compartment it was transported in. “…umm, the satellite might look like that, but… umm… it is made of a special memory shape alloy…” As I tried to tell the taciturn Gonzalez the clumsy excuse I was thinking of while I was still on the ground, “You don’t have to explain everything to everyone. I have seen weirder things when doing missions for the Department of Defence.” A low, Southern accent came back that I could only describe as a “Hollywood” accent.” It was a blessing that his thinking was so flexible, but Gonzalez, who was moving the hihiirokane by the Canada Arm to a position far from the spacecraft… With the spirit of service peculiar to Americans, he said something even more surprising. “Jessica, Nicky. Would you like to be the one to release this artificial satellite?” He held out the controller to us, and offered to let us do the honors. “Eh? We can?” “Is that really okay?” “I have received Houston’s permission. After what I have done, there is nothing difficult left to do. Just turn off the magnetic force on the arm and open the crane slip. Just press the two LHC buttons in this order and you are done. It would be a good memory for you both, and my way of thanking the two sponsors for this mission and their continued support of NASA.” NASA was suffering from budget shortfalls and cutbacks recently, this shuttle program itself was even under review… You want Aria to have good memories of this since she spent such a large amount of money on this launch, huh? That is certainly an interesting, and impressive, way to achieve that. Aria and I placed our fingers on the two toggle switches that Gonzalez showed us. On such a narrow deck, we were shoulder to shoulder, head to head. With such a short distance between us, Gonzalez seemed to read the atmosphere… and he moved away for the moment. On the screen where numbers and grids were displayed, a scarlet disk was shining in the sunlight… the hihiirokane had been pulled out of the cargo bay by the arm. All that was left was for the arm to let go of it. “… hey, Kinji.” Aria whispered in my ear. She was speaking in Japanese. “What is it Aria.” It would seem, that as long as we whisper, it is okay to say our real name. “Do you remember? That UFO catch game?” “Ahh, the UFO catcher. When we first met, and you chased me around… We played that at an arcade.” “Ya. The UFO catch where you won us the Leopon straps.” Aria seemed to be misremembering the name of the game by mistake, but because of how cute she was saying that… instead of correcting her, I said, “This is a UFO release instead.” I said that and, pachin . Toggle switch number 1 was pushed down, cutting off the electromagnetic force that was keeping the hihiirokane stuck to the tip of the arm. And then… “Fufu, that is right. Then, I will release this UFO now.” Pachin . When Aria flipped switch 2, the tip of the arm opened as if it was a hand letting go of something. The hihiirokane was released back into space. For the first time in 2000 years, the hihiirokane was drifting through space. Gonzalez folded his arms as the shuttle descended a bit in orbit to eject the other satellites. It was not moving fast, but the hihiirokane that Aria and I were watching from the window… relatively, seemed to leave little by little back into space. At first, the color and shape were clearly visible, but gradually it looked like a red moon, and now it was already a small, scarlet colored, shining star. “Ahh…” I heard a voice that sounded like a sigh. I could hear a voice. It was from the Scarlet Goddess, and it was projected directly into mine and Aria’s head. It was the Scarlet Goddess, speaking in a very relaxed tone. “This is the second time that I have seen it from above, but the Earth really is a beautiful planet. I do not remember much from back then, but… maybe, just maybe, I decided to come to Earth because of this beauty.” The Earth was so beautiful that you decided to fall to Earth…? The Scarlet Goddess really acts on such a large scale… as expected of one who bears the name of of God. “Do you have anything left unfinished back on Earth?” Aria was speaking back to the Scarlet Goddess who can still be seen in the distance. Outside of this window was a vacuum. There was no way for noise to be transmitted to her, but it seems that for Aria, with a hihiirokane bullet in her chest, distance has no meaning for her and the Scarlet Goddess. “… Please, take care of my sisters.” “Well, I will do something about those two sooner or later.” I was standing next to Aria, so thankfully, to an outsider, right now she was not just talking to herself. Right now, the rest of the crew were on the middle deck, either doing their duties or sleeping. “Thank you, Aria. Also, Kinji. Thank you as well. I thought I had lived a long and fulfilling life, but the feelings I have for you… you were my first love. That is something you only ever realised once you have been dumped.” The voice of the Scarlet Goddess who was saying such a thing wistfully sounded somewhat regretful… “Goodbye, you who are now a memory of mine from this planet. I will never, ever forget you. So don’t you ever forget about me, okay?” And I, “I am not kind enough of a person to just forget someone who had almost killed me two or three times.” I do not care if Aria glares at me from the side, I will never forget her. That was just my kind of twisted expressions for her right now. “The Hong Kong east district and highway car chase was truly fun for me.” “I did not enjoy it though, no way.” I guess my last words to the Scarlet Goddess will be a complaint. But, “Tell me the truth.” Since I was told to… “Well, maybe, for just a little bit, it was kinda fun.” With a wry smile, I added that. What can I say, I am sweet when talking to women. No matter how long it has been, I am just like that I guess. “Kinji, look, the light… it is expanding…” Aria said, point to outside the window to where the hihiirokane was. The hihiirokane itself was now emitting light while reflecting it off of itself… but the light was growing bigger and bigger. Particles of what looked like a gold haze were now flying around it as well. The hihiirokane resembled a spiral galaxy with hold particles spiralling around it… –Kyi… The sound of a pleasant bell rang. Singing… she was here. It was a song of joy, I could tell intuitively. “…Mother…!” I could hear here, the voice of kinirokane. These golden particles that the Scarlet Goddess spoke of… it was her mother. The mother of the three sisters. She has been waiting for her children who had fallen to Earth to return to her for 2000 years. Since she lost them she had spread her particles in a satellite orbit around the Earth, waiting for them to return to her. However… The Scarlet Goddess is quiet. All we could hear was the pleasant sound of the bell that seems to go on forever, a sound that only Aria and myself could hear in our head. That sound however suddenly became quieter, perhaps Aria somehow deafened. With the sound of the bells now as only background music, “She was a nuisance, but… I think I might miss her once she is gone. This is our goodbye now.” I sum up my words regarding the Scarlet Goddess. But Aria shook her head as she looked at me. “Hihiirokane is one and all, all and one. And a piece of her will always be here, so this is not goodbye. The Hidan is a great power that will now with me and you from now on.” …Hidan… A hihiirokane bullet that was buried deep in her chest… Aria grabbed my hand with both of hers. That bullet has blessed Aria with her own title. “I am…. “Aria of the Scarlet Ammo”.” Thus, Aria… Has become Aria of the Scarlet Ammo. Ruler over the Scarlet Star, floating like an angel above the Earth. And I was standing next to her. ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ### 003. Bullet 3: Learning Motivation Aria the Scarlet Ammo chartered a British Air Force carrier jet, and set off on her way back home. It was only six hours by going through Hawaii, but the jet was only a two-seater. With the female pilot and Aria flying in tandem, I was left behind. It was as if it was Suneo’s cousins car. Do you hate me or something? Abandoned in Florida, Nobita had to take a low-cost flight from Orlando, alone and at his own expense, and returned home 18 hours later. Even though I was able to rest for a few hours at the Boston airport, where I had to land for layover, there was no way for me to get rid of my fatigue by sleeping on the benches at the terminal. (TL Note: I am not sure on the exact reference as I have not seen the show, but I can make a guess from what I have read online. The reference here and the previous paragraph is to Doraemon, specifically Suneo Honekawa, who in an episode has a Porsche 911 Carrera, a two seater. Nobeta is someone who Suneo bullies, and thus I suppose did not let him into the car. If you can explain this to me, feel free to DM me on Discord.) In the end, I arrived at Narita with my whole body sore, but thanks odds are to the authority from the British House of Lords, I managed to pass through immigration with ease. Should I have had to come as Cromaetel in such a state of exhaustation, I would have certainly reached my physical and mental limits and collapsed… I never want to have to dress up as a woman again… I am honestly grateful to the Holmes family for their help here. Regarding my previous resent to Aria, I will consider her help here and the balance will be zero. And so, once I returned home to Japan… From Narita I went straight back to Butei High. Not my dorms though, but instead the general education building. With my honed animal like instincts, I knew that going to the dormitory was dangerous right now, and anyways despite my efforts to patch up my tardiness, I was just keeping up with attendance requirements. If I missed even one more day, hell even an hour, I would have to repeat this year no matter what my grades were like, and in April I would be in the same class as Fuuma and Mamiya, which would not be good for my health. And so, I opened the sliding door with my exhausted body and entered 2-A’s morning class. “… Good morning.” Since it was so early there were not many classmates, but regardless I greeted them, albeit weakly. Muto, who was reading a magazine about cars, raised his big hand and said “Oh, it has been a while, huh?” To my classmates, I was just the “guy who is usually around and sits there”. My presence makes little to no difference and it does not matter normally if I am here or not. Also, the reason why there are not many people here, besides the time, is because the second half of the 3rd semester is called “absenteeism”… a period of time where students who have enough absentee days left to advance to the next grade don’t attend as they don’t have to. This period of time is basically a remedial period given to Butei High students who were unable to attend class due to work. So there was no Lisa, Watson, or Shiranui here right now, let alone Aria. Riko, who I thought would be here, wasn’t either. That is a relief, this should be relaxing. I had left some of my textbooks in my locker just in case something like this happened, so today I can take my classes as is. Oh, I have some loose-leaf notebooks that can be used for any subject… I will use them, then. Well, right now I am glad. It is good to know that I can still receive a normal education, even if it is at such a low level. My final exams are approaching, and for me, who did not take most of the classes in the 3rd semester, this is a good opportunity for me. And so today I attended LHR by Takamagahara-sensei after such a long time, chemistry with Chan Wu in a different classroom, English by Nangou-sensei again back in 2-A, and civics by Tsuzuri-sensei who was smoking as if it was a normal thing to do in a classroom… And… fuaa … I am getting sleepy. (… Hey, get back to normal already, damn jet lag…!) The time difference between Orlando and Tokyo was minus 14 hours. It is 11:00 am JST now, but my internal clock is… Well, I am not sure what the exact time is as it would be difficult to calculate in my head, but the point is that for me, right now, night and day are reversed. For my, right now, midday is midnight. “… tsuu… tsuu…” I tried to resust the urge to sleep by pressing using my fingers to keep my eyelids open, and pricking my thigh with my mechanical pencil, but I… I’m… ZZZzzz… “–KUORAA TOHYAMAAAAAA!” (TL Note: KUORRA is a sound effect a lot of animes use as an exaggerated way to get someones attention. I kept original as I could not think of anything to capture the same attitude other than “HEY” which imo didn’t match the original.) – Doga ! A metre long blackboard ruler flew at me like a windmill sized shuriken and hit my head so hard that I flew off my chair–That hurt! When I jumped up, “You must be quite bold to fall asleep in my class, huh?” Tsuzuri-senseit was coming down from her podium with a ruthlessly angry expression on her face, still holding a cigarette (?) in her mouth after tearing apart an English-Japanese dictionary with her bare hands. This was scary. Super scary. Putting aside her unavoidable personality though, Tsuzuri was a beautiful woman with a sharp face. When such a ordinarily beautiful lady gets angry, their face becomes sharper and scary. “Umm, no, I was not sleeping, rather I was just taking a long time to finish blinking…!” “You were snoring like a pig!” Guiii ! Tsuzuri grabbed me by the hair and forced me to stand up. It was a mysterious hold she has on me, as no matter what way I turn my head I could feel pain everywhere. Naturally though, if I did not turn my head, it did not hurt… Holding me by my hair, she forced me to walk out of the classroom on my own. “Stand in the corridor! Here, hold a bucket in each hand full of water!” “Ouch! That hurts!” Ju ! Suddenly, something hot was put on the back of my head, and a laced short boot with heels was kicked into my groin– Ouch, when people are hurt above and below their shoulders, they tend to slouch forwards! After Tsuzuri’s attack, my entire posture was messed up. I fell onto my back at her feet, and she crossed her arms and glared down on me. To finish it off, she decided to step on my stomach with one of her feet. Damnit, Tsuzuri-sensei. If you were going to throw something it could at least have been chalk, I would have even been fine with a black board eraser. That metre stick could have killed me if it hit me in a certain way. And telling me to “Stand still!” while actively stepping on me in contradicting yourself! And after all that, now this. Standing in a hallway with a bucket of water in each hand. Corporal punishment this ancient was last seen in the Showa Era. Corporal punishment however, which was naturally rare in general and banned in school, is openly allowed in this violent school. (Right now, I am powerless, but someday… Someday… I will anonymously visit the Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education…!) My head might have been blurry, but… To be frank, being alone in a hallway for me can actually be a good time. That is because, by nature, I am a person who like being alone. “…” I was just standing there, not even thinking… My head was empty, devoid of everything… I am temporarily freed from all negative emotions, such as all the terrifying experiences I have had related to Aria since April of last year. It was as if I was meditating with my eyes open, it was spiritual. Outside the sash window, Class C students were walking, probably because their class had ended early. I could even see Nakasorachi, a Connect student, squatting down and watering the flower bed next to a water cooler. I couldn’t hear anything though because of the bullet proof window. (…) Quiet. This silence is truly priceless to me. It might have actually been a good thing that I was kicked out of the classroom. Thank you Tsuzuri-senpai. I cannot express my thanks to her though. I cannot quite understand it myself, nor do I wish to, but at this school there are some boys who actually want to be punished and so deliberately make some of the more beautiful female teachers, such as Tsuzuri or Ranbyou, angry at them hoping to be punished. When they inevitably get slapped or kicked, they usually say “thank you very much!” What is it about this school in particular…? Although I was standing and my eyes were still open… My brain was resting since I was so absent minded, thinking about nothing. I was so relaxed that even my drowsiness from earlier had eased up. After school, I went to the schools department store and chugged down a cocktail of Redbull and a bottle of Sleepyhead, which had been sitting, covered in dust, on the shelf with an expiration date that was just a few days away. Finally, managed to defeat my jet lag. Now, what was this doping for? Because I had to study, of course. It was easy to forget that I was still in school with how often I skipped class, but even at a school this twisted I had to maintain good grades. This past semester I had been fighting underground battles with I.U and its members as well as the Scarlet Goddess and so have not had a chance to study. My academic performance is so bad right now that I can not even keep up with Aria’s tutoring. At the end of the second semester my grades temporarily improved due to my time spent at a general high school, but all through third semester I barely attended class which has naturally caused a significant blow to my academic performance. Even not too long I couldn’t attend the class I wanted to, having been forced to stand in the hallway with a bucket in each hand. (Even if I manage to attend enough days to go up a year, if things continue like this, there is a good chance I will just fail the general subject exams.) With Butei High already being such a low grade school when it comes to its education quality, failing a year here is a guarantee way of being labelled an elite of the elite idiot in the future. Butei high is so bad that it is a highschool that is said to be more advantageous to drop out of and maintain only being a Junior High School graduate when looking for a job than to have that school on your record and being strained out by the first piece of an academic background filter. In any case, with the final exam so close, I have to study right now even if it is a long and brutal process. And I, who was impatient to start studying, was at the end of the connecting corridor of the general subjects building– I visited a room called the self-study room, a room that I had never entered in the two years since I entered this school. Since this was a pure study room, “… sorry to disturb you…” I could not even read the atmosphere and decide what to say when entering such a room, and so I entered while speaking in a low voice… “…!” There were only two people in this room, both girls. They both looked at me with their eyes wide and round. I was the one, though, who rolled their eyes. “… Moe, Kikuyo…!” I rolled my eyes because it was Mochizuki Moe and Kikuyo Kagataka who was studying there. This was quite a surprise to me. I had met the two of them when I left Butei High and attended a general high school, a civilian highschool off of Butei Island. Now, however, they were sitting side by side in the dark red sailor uniforms of Butei High… Moe and Kikuyo. “Tohyama-kun!” “Tohyama.” Rattling, they stood up from their seat in unison as if competing for some reason. Then, both girls trotted over, one grabbing my left arm and one grabbing my right, “I am so happy! You still remember me!” “Good. I was worried when you didn’t come to school for such a long time.” Both of them were relieved to see me. Moe’s bob-cut hair, which was naturally a little brown, and Kikuyo’s almost blond hair, which was tied up with a flower ornament, were pulled close to each other. Moe still had her pure and innocent smile while Kikuyou still had her tsun and pouty face with her true feelings hidden deep inside. “I remember everything about you Toyama-kun, too. I remember every single day, I am not lying!” Mochizuki Moe is an ordinary good girl who was born into an ordinary family. She was the class representative at Higashi-Ikebukuro High, a general highschool that she attended. But because of a certain bad man, she had become misplaced in life and transferred to Butei High. Moe still had a slim and shapely but soft constitution that gave off a feeling that she has never trained before or worked out. Tucked into her brand new gun belt (it seems that she is still reluctant to hide it under her skirt) was a pistol, a black Browning High-Power, that is clear that she has never used before. Her plump and completely bare thighs are exposed, however. She resembles Shirayuki, Lisa, and Nakasorachi in that she is part of the “Poisonous to my eyes” club. “… Where have you been, actually… I will refrain from prying. Welcome back.” Kikuyo Kagataka, who was now averting her eyes and straightening her bangs even though she is approaching me, was a former member of the Kagataka clan, a crime syndicate, or in other terms, a Yakuza family. The syndicate itself has been disbanded, but she was the last head of the family while still being a high school girl. Partly because of the environment that she was raised in, despite being a highschool girl she has grown up features and acts. Even now, because she is looking away from me, it is more like she is showing off, her hair parting on the nape of her neck has a strange sensuality. Moreover, at highschool Kikuyo doesn’t seem to wear her high heels so she is a little shorter than usual. In comparison from my initial impression, she has become cute. She acts sexy and mature, yet she is a classmate and on top of that looks cute and occasionally lets her cute side through. This is not good. Moreover, from Kikuyo, the scent of her perfume, Hypnotic Poison, could be smelled, and it was so good it seemed to melt me. Back when we were classmates at Kanagawa Butei High, I had once said to Kikuyo “You smell nice”, not knowing that it was her perfume, and for some reason ever since then she has worn it. However, I have been around the world enough to not just run away from them hissing because I saw them again. I did, however, back away slowly from them, though. Yup. Up till now, everything was fine, but… (…!) Puyon . Despite all this time, all my training, my skill as Butei is lacking, severely. On my pectoral muscles, my left arm, I could feel something like a bag of water, soft, and warm… it was wrapped around my arm… It was the healthy breasts of the glamorous Moe enveloping my arm…! It is gonna happen at this rate…! “–Hey…! Uh, my arm, leg go…!” This is… Kaname, Lise, and the other girls have used it, is a method that only girls can do to restrain girls. I call it, the chest vise. Because of the “specifics” in what a girl uses to restrain, any attempt to roughly pull out your arm would, instead of releasing you, ultimately result in a self-destruction. This chest vise typically is done by somebody unconsciously, such as now, but according to Aria, who has witnessed Kaname doing it to me and thus shot at me 27 times, she lectured to me that it is not something that a girl can do unintentionally. From Moe who is now in extremely close contact, “I am so happy to see you again…!” As if she had not heard my request to let me go, she spoke to me with tears of joy in her eyes. “……!” I cannot get her to let go, and even though I shouldn’t… For some reason I cannot help but look down at Moe, who has a considerable volume of a bust. Oh, oh no. My arms are completely buried and wrapped in her warm and soft chest…! “… what is going on here.” – Puyo . Whoa! I let my guard down, and this time a torpedo struck my starboard side! On my right arm she is not as big, so my arm is not caught this time, but it is being pressed against me… Kikuyo’s chest. What’s more, she is hugging my arm and is keeping it close, her earlier shyness gone. I was caught off guard because Kikuyo’s breasts are on the smaller side, only one size larger than Aria’s pushup breasts. And yet… it is squishy and soft. It would seem regardless of size, all girls breasts are soft and squishy. This is less of a vise and more of a push… a chest press… Just what kind of strange factory am I stuck in? “Ah, hey, Kikuyo! What is up with you– Just let go of me already!” “…” Kikuyo, who puffed out her cheeks and her eyes were as angry as mine despite her good looks… Is silently staring up at me. Neither of the two girls would let me go. Actually, now that I think about it, doesn’t Kikuyo know about my hysteria mode? Wouldn’t that make her insane to put me into this breast factory? (Today I was forced to hold buckets in the hallway and now those arms are part of a chest factory, today is a rough day for my arms…!) If, if I hysteria mode in a deserted study room like this… it will be more than just a big deal. I might have come here with the intent of studying to ensure my future, but at this rate, I might just end up ensuring my bloodline. … Endure. Endure it, Kinji. Up until now, I had endured by counting prime numbers, but recently, by recalling the mathematics textbooks in my mind, I was able to escape from reality to an even higher degree… (… That’s it!) Sorry hysteria mode, but I am a miracle worker. My “Castling Turn”, which involves spinning myself like a screw, which I had used for Aria and Reki on the Shinkansen, was released once again for the first time in six months, let me break out of their grasp, and with Hidden Forest I was able to escape from between them. Then, almost as if I was in an action movie, I rolled across the ground and took a passive stance on one knee at a short distance. Moe and Kikuyo, who were now suddenly holding the others arm in their chest with a “?” above their head suddenly burst out into a blush and moved away from each other. “–I have a favor to ask of you girls! Please, help me study for the final exam!” I held up the loose leaf notebook I brought and lowered my head on one knee. (TL Note: Think of a knight offering up his sword to his king.) Whenever I study with Aria, Aria-sensei would strangle me should I answer incorrectly, and this was not a short strangle but something that was genuinely life threatening. Watson is always asking me for strange rehabilitation session in the middle of my studies, and while I have no proof on this, I suspect that Shirayuki is snooping around my room while trying to teach me while I study. Reki has no redeeming qualities when it comes to teaching, and Jeanne is naturally difficult to talk to. Riko is completely out of the question. Whenever Shiranui and I study together, the idiot girls from Connect make strange rumours about us, and the thought of even asking Muto for help is ridiculous, his grades are somehow worse than mine in some subjects. In other words, it was hard to find the right person around to teach me and help my study. That is, until now. However, Mochizuki Moe… I had heard that she was ranked 71st in the Kenshin Seminar’s national mock exam this winter, and that Masters expects her to be the first student to graduate from Tokyo University after graduating from Butei High… With a kindness comparable to the Gods and Buddha (excluding the Scarlet Goddess and the Fighting Buddgha), she immediately agreed to help me study. “Last time when you came to my house to study, I am sorry for just being a nuisance. At that time, I was in a rush because of Yada-san… But when I came to Butei High, I learned it was not just Yada-san. There are many rivals, such as Lisa-san from Ambulance, Hotogi-san, and Jeanne-san, as well as those girls in your own class. Each of them are one-of-a-kind.” While whispering, Moe in the second half spoke in Tsukami’s Lines that didn’t make any sense in the second half, but… (TL Note: I apologize but I cannot figure out wtf a Tsukami Line is, I cannot even figure out if it is a reference to media, language, culture, etc. I am 100% lost on this one. Original word is ツカミのセリフ, feel free to say something if you know what this means.) “So now, in my own way, I have decided to become the one for Toyama-kun. I am sure that I will be the number one girl… I am sure that I will be the most useful girl for Toyama-kun. If I am not, I wont be able to compete at all with the other girls.” “Ah, um…” I don’t understand why Moe was competing with Yada and Lisa while I was gone… “That is why I will improve Toyama-kuns grades. Butei university, no, it won’t even be a dream but reality that you can attend Tokyo University! First though, I will help you with the final exams. If you study with a plan in place, your grades will only go up and won’t drop again.” Anyways, at least her last words here were reliable! Masters motto was “Remember with guts” Those who don’t will be punished with an iron fist!” Their idea of positivity was more in-line with the old Japanese military mentality. Moe, who was sitting at a long maple-grained desk with a big smile on her face tapped the chair next to her. “… I’m saved. I am not really motivated to do this kind of factorization and other things that wont help me in the future…” While making excuses for not studying until just now, I took a seat. Moe, “This will help you in the future! It will help on next week’s test and also in your university entrance examination!” With sparkling eyes, she spoke such grandiose things. You are so confident, acting just like an adult. Furthermore, Moe-san, “Motivation is not something you have to fill up with before studying. It is not something you get after you are done studying, it is something you learn as you study.” I have a habit of lazing around until I get motivated, so this was a revolutionary theory to me. “Is, is that so?” “What you call “motivation” is merely a pleasure for working. It comes from the part of the brain called the Nucleus Accumbens, and it is stimulated when working. Once it is stimulated by work, it releases more motivation in a positive loop. It cannot be stimulated unless you get started working, though.” Moe-sensei seems to be a completely different type of tutor than Aria-sensei, who threatens me with a pistol to force me to study. She does not have the personality of the older generation, she is truly a modern girl. (Indeed, that is true though…) Once I get into a flow a little after I started studying or working on something I didn’t like, I did not need to “wait for more motivation”… Because I had already started. Once I started, it was easy to keep going. But, but… “But to even start… you need motivation to start, right?” “Yup. You need it.” “But motivation does not just appear, and even when I want to study I cannot just “start”… It is kind of embarrassing to admit, but a lot of the time when I want to study, I end up procrastinating and browsing the net or just take a nap.” While scratching the back of my head, I blushed and confessed that I was such a useless person… “That is nothing to be ashamed of. It is just a normal thing.” Moe shook her bob and denied my internal claims. A normal… thing? But if I hate studying and don’t want to do it, isn’t that an internal weakness of mine…? “It is Toyama’s “brain” and not his “heart” that makes you hate studying.” “… brain?” “Yes. Your brain is not just your mind, but an organ of the body that seeks to survive. It is an organ that is completely indifferent to anything other than the survival of you as a biological individual. Because of that, it is sensitive to “safety or uncomfortable things” as well as “wasting time and energy”, and so instinctively doesn’t want to do something that will not give an immediate award. Studying is a reward in the future, not right now.” –Moe’s story that she joined Ambulance was confirmed just again. The way she spoke… it was as if she was a NHK specialist, or a scholar, and her argument was more uplifting than the “guts” focus from masters… She made me comfortable to ask her questions. And to me, who was listening to Moe, “She says some interesting things, doesn’t she? That was one of the first things she told me as well when we started hanging out.” Kikuyo smiled wryly and headed to the coffee machine with a paper cup. “…” I looked at the back of her neck, specifically where her hair split at the nape of her neck, her hair so shiny that it did not match her sailor suit, and once again I couldn’t help but notice that she really was wearing a sailor suit… “That is why the brain doesn’t like studying, to put it simply… Therefore, how can we start doing something that we don’t like? If you can grasp that, Toyama-kun, and figure it out, you will be able to study with ease.” Gui , Moe leans against me and tries to draw my attention back to her. As she looked up at me from such a close distance, Moe’s breasts, which were soft and elastic like pudding, changed shape as if to burst from her sailor blouse as she pushed them against me. I cannot even begin to imagine how big they must be. I remembered the scene where my arm was buried in her soft chest until just a short moment ago… so, as to try to hide the fact that I was conscious of Moe’s breasts, “I, if I want to start something I don’t like… What should I do?” ”With a serious demeanour, I returned to the topic of Moe-sensei’s “Motivation Lesson”. “You just have to set goals.” “… that is it?” “Yes. That is all. Toyama, what is your current goal. Why do you want to study?” “I want to avoid red marks at the end of my term.” “… A red mark at this school, Toyama-kun… Ah, yes. I understand. You have until the end of the term. Your goal is to avoid failing… If that is the case, for example, you only need to focus on this part of the chemistry work…” And then, Moe-sensei opened my reference book, which was brand new and had not even been opened yet, and began checking boxes with a red pen. Apparently, that meant that if I studied those parts in particular, I will at least not fail it for the time being. Similarly, some boxes did not have a red checkmark. Because of that, I was able to grasp just how much I had to study to ensure that “at the end of this term, I would not have a red mark”. Nonetheless, this was still a considerable amount of work to do for each of my subjects. I did not have the motivation to do all this at once, however… “With this amount of work, that has to be done by the start of the exam season, than… If you work hard for about 3 hours a day, you will be able to get through all the subjects in time.” 3 hours once day. With that, I can make it. I am actually starting to feel a bit motivated. “Toyama-kun, your face is starting to look a bit brighter.” Smiling. Moe looks at me with her good girl smile that further lights up the way forward for me. As I gaze at Moe, who really looks to me like a goddess of salvation, I get a feeling of worship… “This plan is shifting his thoughts from the macro to the micro, right?” … With black coffee in hand, Kikuyo cut into the conversation. It would seem that Kikuyo is also a student of Moe-sensei. Moe-sense must truly be the Bodhisattva, a goddess of mercy, to teach me, a human who apparently is become less human, and a former Yakuza girl, how to study. (Once a day for 3 hours is fine… For now, I should go back to the dormitory, rest for a bit, and study 3 hours before going to bed.) As I was getting ready for that, “It is not the time to relax, Toyama. Now, let me guess… just now, you thought to yourself that you were going to go home, take a break, and then study for 3 hours before going to bed, right?” Giku . (TL Note: Pretty much a sound effect version of “uh-oh”, or “i was caught”.) Kikuyo. As expected of a former outlaw. You are good at seeing through scheming people, but also, why are you sitting right next to me now? With my escape plan now exposed, I exchanged a “damn it!” glance to Kikuyo who responded with a “I knew it!” Now, she was sitting basically right beside me, Kikuyo on one side and Moe on the other. “Um, uh, 3 hours is still a high hurdle for me.” On the other side, Moe-sensei pulled out a notebook with a schedule and timetable on it. Naturally, Moe-sensei’s body was shifted again and now touching me, and the chest of her blouse inevitably jumps into my field of vision again. “Ah, ahh… Big, not alot. Hurdle.” It seems to be persistent that they are touching me, but Moe’s big breasts, which are currently pressed into a ready-made size sailor suit and so partially squished against her, would easily havea deviation value of 67 even when compared to women who are older than her. On top of that not only are they big, but for a Butei girl, they are a valuable weapon as proven by the earlier chest vise she put me through due to how soft they are. A women’s breasts can be described not only by their size, but also by how soft they are… Moe’s breasts are not just firm, but they also have a watery, liquid feel to them, that evokes motherhood… She is like Shirayuki and Lisa, but category wise, she is closer to Nakasorachi… This type of girl is too dangerous in terms of hysteria mod. Since hysteria mode is an ability meant to leave behind descendants in the first place, it activates easier for those with big breasts, those who can easily raise babies. As I begin to think of such things, I felt like I was about to remember how it felt to touch the breasts of some girls that I have in the past… (No… Now…!) Shaking my head left and right, I shook the skin-colored orchard of memories from my past. Furthermore, I want to close my eyes in order to not be conscious of the large fruit that is there now. Moe-sensei has written my sturdy schedule in my notebook. It was strange to be silent right now, so I tried to narrow my field of view consciously to only look at my notebook instead. “The plan is to shift from macro to micro. First you decide on an overall goal, then break it down into smaller goals. Then you divide studying into a week, then one day. Each study period at a time is further split into 30 minutes, then 15 minutes, and so on until you set a goal to achieve every 5 minutes. What do you think Don’t you feel that the hurdles to start studying have been lowered?” The things that I should learn within 5 minutes, which Moe had marked in the reference book with her red pen… It was little. Very, very little. It was such a small amount that I could probably do it in 3 minutes instead of 5. As expected of me, I should be easily able to beat this level. “… Ah, ahh.” “Okay, five minutes. Let’s memorize this part.” “Is 5 minutes okay? We have 3 hours today…” As soon as I was concerned about that, Kikuyo leaned over from right next tome… “First of all, don’t focus on that, Toyama. For now, you should aim to complete 5 minutes of work.” She took out her cellphone, activated the timer function, and started it, saying “Yes, well, good luck and do your best!” And so, thinking that I had been deceived, I started my 5 minutes of work… I started going back and forth between my textbooks and my notes. I was studying. – Pipi . At the 5 minute mark, the timer sounded from Kikuyo’s cellphone… “Alright, its over. Good work, Toyama.” “…” When Kikuyo told me to stop working, I looked up and… “So? How do you feel? Are you motivated now…?” I did not even have to reply to Moe, who was looking at my face with a slightly varied look, whether her studying theory was valid for me or not… Certainly, somehow… I noticed that I felt like I could easily continue studying for about another 30 minutes. I felt like it would be a waste to stop in the middle right now. If this is what you call “motivation”, then you have certainly achieved your goal. “Ahh…” (TL Note: I know that by now I have put “Ahh” quite a few times. Here, this is meant to be like “I understand”, and is accurate to original.) “Good! I have many more tricks, but for today, just remember to “set a goal and grasp the total required work” and then “break it down into small pieces, lower the hurdles to get started, and make a schedule to follow”. Well then. Next, do your best for another 25 minutes.” And so, with Moe’s help, I went through a cycle of studying for 25 minutes and then resting for 5 minutes several times, and finally, I was eventually able to study for more than an hour, and eventually I managed to get through the 3 hour study period. … It worked. Moe’s “Study in Motivation” worked for me. (TL Note: I was getting various translations for “Study in motivation”, but given the context and the fact that it was even possible, I am confident that this is a joke about “A study in Scarlet”.) “If you decide on a limit of 3 hours a day, don’t study more than that even if you are in good shape still. Make sure you still have some motivation for tomorrow. Just like money, if you don’t spend it slowly, you will be inclined to waste it all at once. Take breaks to ensure you are rested instead of trying to push through. Let’s study together tomorrow again in the study room.” Moe-sensei made a gesture of a small bicep, shaking her fluffy bob cut hair in the process and smiled brightly at me. Her process was very advanced, taking into account my personal free time and even the motivation I will have available tomorrow. This was a far cry from the teaching methods from Masters whose only order was to “study like you are going to die!” I think Masters should be abolished and let Moe be a teacher here. When Moe went to the bookshelf to begin her own studying, Kikuyo sees her off… “Alright, good work.” Kikuyo brought me a coffe. And then, “From now on, even a Yakuza member won’t be able to function with an education. Toyama, Moe will teach you how to study, and then you can attend school properly, right? After graduating, I will start a family from scratch, and make you the first president. You will be the president because you are the only one who can surpass me.” According to her, she is leaving my studies up to Moe in the hopes that in the future I will revive the Katagi family. Or rather, Kikuyo, were you cooperative with my studies for that reason? “I have refused this before, but I will refuse here again. While I couldn’t care less about this, the Toyama family is a family that loves justice above all else. The day that I sign up as a gangster, never mind a president, that would be the day that my brother or sister would end up shooting me…” –“tsu”, suddenly– Kikuyo frowned as she watched me speak. It was as if she suddenly realized something. “What? I told you before, I don’t plan to become Yakuza again.” “… Well, we can talk about that later, than. Kikuyo, who still looks attractive in her sailor suit, pouts her mouth and looks down at her desk, and then… She looked and flashed me a discerning look. And then, “Be careful.” She spoke in a low, husky voice. “Of what?” “I don’t know. This is just my intuition, but your back is covered in soot.” “… What? What do you mean?” When I made a face that I didn’t understand, Kikuyo- While making a face at an angle, wondering whether to say anything or not… In a whispered voice, she told me. “– I am getting the same feeling. That feeling I had just before papa was killed. ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ### 004. Bullet 4: Now, with all my heart The closing and graduation ceremonies of Butei High is on March 28, later than those of general high schools or vocational colleges. Because of that, and with so many students being absent just before spring break, the ceremony to the students feels as if it is held in the middle of their holidays. Even though I was muddle-headed and tired, I took the final exam for general subjects after my study sessions with Moe and Kikuyo… And in preparation for the next day’s closing ceremony… Tired from the exam, I slept like a rock. And, I succeeded in actually sleeping. I feel the need to mention that I succeeded, as in my current life, whether or not I can sleep in my own dormitory room when I am sleepy is in itself an exam. For a while now, duplicate keys of my front door of my room were given to Aria, Shirayuki, Riko, Reki, Kaname, and Lisa, who can now enter and leave with this free pass. Last year, I made a complaint to the source of these duplicate keys in hopes of preventing any future keys from being made, but the person who was making these copies of key cards for only 500 yen was a girl named Mayumi Mayumi, a first-year Amdo student with a pun like name. She was a sickly girl though who brings an IV stand around with her, and since she refused and I couldn’t in good faith threaten or beat her up, the problem has gone unsolved for now. Because of her, a series of dangerous women and even children that I had mentioned earlier were always wandering around in my dorm, and if I am caught by anyone other than Reki while walking from the front door to my room, I would be dragged to either help them with work or play games. If I am talking to someone, fixing their problems, or playing games with them, then naturally, I am not sleeping. It is almost like playing a game of Pac-Man, with my goal being my bed but the single path there is filled with colorful ghosts. Isn’t that kind of game impossible to win? Even the immortal “Enable” would (probably) die if he did not get any sleep, so I went ahead and asked my Amica, Hina Fuuma, who has the useful skill of “being there without being seen”, to scout out the dormitory before I go there under the guise of training. With that in place, she sent me an email saying “it’s uninhabited” to my cell phone, so I managed to secretly go home and get some sleep. That is how I managed to survive last night and even get some decent sleep in my empty room. I was overwhelmed to the point where I cried tears of joy. From experience, it was Lisa or Shirayuki who seemed the most likely to appear in between last night to this morning, but they don’t do much that can wake me up while I am asleep. And so, I threw my Beretta, 9mm ammo, Butei notebook, and cellphone on my bedside table, collapsed on the bottom bunk… and fell asleep. This was the Spring time of my life… And it was only the first half-day of my spring break… … Pin , pon … I wake up to the sound of my door chime. Looking at my cellphone by my bedside, the time was currently 7:00 in the morning. (Who is here this early in the morning…) I could tell though based on the modesty of the chime as I got up with an eyebrow raised. It was Shirayuki. She has a duplicate keycard, but she rings the door chime when I am in the room… How she knows I am in the room, I am too scared to know. To her, the door chime was knocking I guess. (Somehow, this feels like we are back on the day of the opening ceremony…) No, that’s wrong. The number of girls who show up early in the morning to do housework has increased to two, one from the East and the other from the West… “Good morning Kin-chan. Good morning, Lisa-chan.” “Good morning master, ma’am.” Shirayuki and Lisa stood side by side and smiled at me, who was still in my pyjamas as I stumbled into the living room. One was in Butei Highs standard sailor uniform and the other in her modified sailor maid uniform. “Both of you, please, please stop calling me that…” As I go to wash my face while still yawning, I cannot help but think that it is a miracle that these two are still getting along. According to Fuuma, who had been hiding in the ceiling, on the morning of my return to Japan, Lisa, who had been waiting for me in my room, and Shriayuki, who had returned from the Hotogi shrine, had met each other. I want to praise myself for my crisis detection ability that had allowed me to be able to avoid that, but Lisa deserves more praise than myself for her ability to handle that situation. Lisa had just smiled and called her “ma’am”, as if she was a married woman, even though Shirayuki had unleashed a level of killing intent that even Fuuma, who was merely spying on them, was left with PTSD. Apparently, after that, Shirayuki had calmed down. After that, Lisa had consistently called her “ma’am, ma’am”, so I guess that left a good impression on her. “Kin-chan, this was frayed… so I fixed it for her.” Shirayuki handed me my now repaired bulletproof uniform and holster, wrapped in a furoshiki. I had been pretty rough with it recently up until now, so it is tattered all over the place. “Ah, thank you. I will put it on right now.” Once I had it in my hands, however… it now had the Hotogi family emblem on it, the star and hat. It was bad for my heart to be reminded of the various incident with the Scarlet Goddess… (I wonder how she is doing in outer space.) While looking at the blue sky outside my window and thinking about such things, I retreated back into my bedroom… Since I had just woken up, I was staggering while putting on my pants… I could feel someone gazing at me from behind. It was Shirayuki. “Hey, don’t peek at a man while he is changing his clothes. Wait, if someone was to peek at a woman changing their clothes, that would be the end of them, but…” I turn around while whispering the second half to myself… And sure enough, Shirayuki was there… Poro , pororo , and… Round tears were spilling from those dark, drooping eyes. She was looking at me. “Eh, what? Why are you crying?” “Ah, I’m sorry, Kin-chan.” Shirayuki impatiently wipes away a small tear from her eye with her snow white finger, and then, “I’m sorry. When I thought that you might have changed, but it was just the usual Kin-chan, I felt so relieved… I was so happy that I cried…” I guess after such a big incident, she is just a little emotionally unstable. As I had learned in the Assault Department, difficult cases can rip apart a persons heart. When they suddenly return to their daily life, they can be confused, stressed, and have poor mental health. Aria is tough so she will be fine, but what about Shirayuki? “I am the normal me. I am always, and will always be, the normal me.” I was a little worried, so I spoke kindly to her and patter her on the head. Shirayuki nodded, her cheeks blushing… She looked up at me with a spoiled, pampered look. Somehow… Yes. This seems to be okay. (Shirayuki hasn’t changed since she was little. This kind and gentle personality was a good thing…) But, well, I guess I can be kind to you for just a little while.I will just keep an eye on her to make sure she is okay. Even Shirayuki, who was happily folding her furoshiki, seemed to recall the Scarlet Goddess incident because of her family crest… “Kin-chan. Umm… I am sorry about the hihiirokane. You had to go all the way to outer space…” I don’t know how many times she is going to have to repeat her apologies. “Ah, you don’t have to apologize anymore. Having to think about space everyday is bad for my heart… Hey, Lisa. Get me some medicine please.” For me, it was more than the series of battles… The space shuttle. That was truly traumatic. It shook a lot when it was launched, but it somehow shook even more, and violently, when it re-entered the atmosphere. The spacecraft had descended from space and landed on the runway of Kennedy Space Centre like a glider-it does not carry any fuel to help in that process, a ridiculous vehicle that slows down only using the air resistance from its wings and main body. And that was only the beginning. Diving into the atmosphere at a speed of 24,000km/h, surrounded by pink flames due to the pressure with the gradually thickening air setting the very air on fire… and to increase the mass subjected to the aerodynamic drag, the aircraft was swung in a serpentine motion at Monroe’s direction. 2 degrees, 3 degrees, 4 degrees. I heard a rattling noise coming from the space craft like background music… “Then, lets do the first S-turn.” “Next is the second S-turn~” “Third S-turn~” “fourth S-turn~”… Monroe-sans sweet voice reappears in my mind along with the memories of such a traumatizing experience. Since then, whenever I hear the word “space” now, I get shortness of breath and heart palpitations. Breaaathe, and relief. I was given some medicine. It must have been Chinese herbal medicine, the only kind that has an effect on me. “Mooi. She is very good at sewing. Your wife is truly a golden egg of a good wife and a wise mother. Master, you must be the happiest person in the world.” Lisa, who had brought me some medicine, is looking at my shoulder holster and flattering Shirayuki. That is a strange series of words… “your wife is truly a golden egg of a good wife and a wise mother”. That is what she said. “Fufu. Lisa-chan is really a good and nice girl. You can have this girl for your mistress, Kin-chan.” Said mistress, however, was a good girl and was completely oblivious to the strange words coming out of Shirayuki’s mouth, as Shirayuki patted and stroked her on her head. What even is this… it is like, a hierarchy of the women in my household was being constructed, without and reflection of my intentions or desires… This hurts. Now my stomach is starting this hurt… “Hey, Lisa, can you get me some medicine for my stomach ache now…” This is also a herbal medicine, so it should work for me. Thank you, Chinese medicine. I mean, Katze from the Witch regiment was worried that it was impossible to kill a cursed man like myself… but really, she could just have killed me by attacking from the inside, such as inflicting trauma, damaging my fragile heart, or attacking my stomach by inflicting stress on me. In particular she could have just gone for my stomach and given me an ulcer, woman get them easily enough from stress. Actually, it would be a pain in the ass if she started to come after me like that… As I recall now, myself and Katze Grasse, the evil witch of cursed water, are now… well, friends… or rather, currently we are able to communicate with each other via SMS. During Far Eastern Warfare, I truly did sympathize with her despite being enemies, as she was a fellow warrior who was forced by her superiors to participate in a continues string of crazy battles. Lisa used to be Katze’s maid, and so I had been emailing her for updates for how she is doing in Japan and to update her on how Lisa is doing… Katze occasionally sends me MMS pictures of the girls school she attends alongside potential Hysteria Mode inducing pictures, which irritates me but I put up with it… My ultimate goal is to get some information out of her about those two mercenaries who were on her side, “Bewitching Blade” and “Demon Sword”. Apparently, the Witch Regiment hired each of them for about 100 million yen each… After they caught me, it seems that they disappeared into Germany. Their contract had expired, and Katze had also sent me a copy of their employment contract. It was kind of eerie, as it was signed in red ink as it was a witch’s contract, but the signature of their real names was far more important than the words written on it. Now, I knew the kanji and real name for Bewitching Blade, Seiji Harada. Since it was a fairly rare phonetic equivalent, I thought it would be easy to identify it, so I asked Jeanne, Team Constellation’s clumsy leader, to investigate this… “You are much too concerned about Bewitching Blade. From now on, we should be more cautious regarding Demon Sword instead of Bewitching Blade.” But, she was not very cooperative. By the way, this Jeanne came to wake me up for the closing ceremony so that I, the team auditor, wouldn’t be late… With that in mind, she was shrewdly sitting at the breakfast table, which was set by Lisa and Shirayuki, in her school uniform. It would seem that, despite being French, even Jeanne can sometimes miss the taste of rice and miso soup for breakfast. “Why do you say that?” Indeed, Harada’s fighting ability is extraordinary. If he was not a mercenary fighting for Grenada, but instead a member of FEW, the results of it might have been the opposite. However it is Demon Sword, Alicebell, that is the most likely to grow rapidly in the future and pose a threat. Within the next few years, in the Far East, there may be an ESP inflation.” “…?” With her sapphire-coloured eyes closed, the witch of Diamond Dust elegantly ate her miso soup, but… “What do you mean, “ESP inflation”?” “I am not saying you are guilty since it includes the Scarlet Goddess, but it does include her and the facts we now know.” What a nasty thing to open with, Jeanne. “… Irokane is a substance that emits and spreads invisible particles over a large area along with its emotions. These particles inhibit and weaken a stealth’s abilities. Historically, Riri particles have been discovered over the Eurasian continent and Ruru particles have been observed in North America and Europe. It is, however, difficult to tell them apart, as they are essentially the same isotope.” … I don’t like where this is going. Despite thinking that I was done studying, apparently now I have to apply some chemistry knowledge here. It is confusing having to know if she is talking about Riri or Ruru, but now to add more complexity, I am in trouble now Jeanne. “From what I can tell, whether those particles were Riri or Ruru has long been ignored. The effect that those particles have is the exact same, there was no purpose in identifying them. Those particles have been divided according to the area where they were detected.” “In other words, everyone had simply thought “Riri particles fall in Asia, and Ruru fall in Europe and North America”.” Thanks to Shirayuki, who had pretended to bring us refills, helping me out, I finally understood. “Regarding hihiirokane, whose location was revealed just the other day, probably also produced particles… hihi particles. However, those particles were indistinguishable from Riri and Ruru particles, and for a long time have been undetectable. Tamamo and Tsukumo though… Kitsune, it would seem, could sense the existence of these hihi particles.” Ririirokane in eastern Russia and Hihiirokane in Aomori… they were close to each other on a global scale, which would make it easy to confuse hihi particles and riri particles. They must have thought that there was only 1 source for both. “However, with the hihiirokane being moved to outer space, Asia… especially the far east… will have diluted particles. In other days… for psychics, there will be much more “sunny days” for them.” Particles of irokane falling like rain… It would come down or stop based on a woman’s emotions, which, like the weather, changed from time to time, both in the amount and frequency… There will be a decrease in the amount, I guess? “From the beginning, it was easy to use stealth abilities in regions without irokane particles, such as Eastern Europe. Romania is historically a country that is advanced in black magic, the absence of particles is part of the reason why.” “… in other words, in the future, those with stealth powers in Japan may become even stronger.” While eating the white rice that Shirayuki brought me, a serving too large for one person, I summarized the information in my own way in my head. Returning the hihiirokane to outer space was a humanitarian mission, so I have no regrets there… But, it seems I dug myself a pretty deep hole now. I do not know how many people in Japan have ESP, but did I really just climate change Japan to make their lives easier? However, their abilities are not to be blamed here. The problem is how these people will use their new powers. Those who abuse it now will just have abused it before anyways and nothing changes for how they are dealt with, and those who use it for good will become stronger, a welcome thing for me. I do not know where AliceBell falls in those two possibilities though… Whatever the case may be, when I find her, I will tease her just like I did with Harada. A Butei has a strong sense of duty and memory. Left had left earlier to do some shopping before the closing ceremony, and Jeanne had eaten her breakfast and left. And so, quietly and peacefull,y the time of the closing ceremony approached… Me, with one hand clutching my bag over my shoulder, and Shirayuki, with both hands holding her school bag in front of her body, we left the dorm together. The weather was nice. The warm sun was dazzling, warming my body. It felt nice. The wind generator on the vacant island was facing northwest. That was the best way to point to avoid the humidity from Tokyo Bay and the exhaust fumes from Shinagawa. There were no classes or tests today, it was a refreshing morning. “Tire pressure, good, light battery, good, bomb under seat, there is none.” As I exaggeratedly checked my bicycle at the bicycle parking area, “Fufu. Kin-chan, you might be checking silly things, but even doing that you look cool.” Putting her hand over her mouth to cover it, Shirayuki reacted happily. Unlike Aria, I can read the atmosphere here, and calm down. Shirayuki. She is a partner whose teasing is more friendly. I let Shirayuki sit sideways on the bike that I was riding on… I had no choice but to let her when she scooted over and gently hugged my waist. “Are the Hotogi okay now? They lost their object of worship.” While biking on the private road that serviced Butei High, I asked that to Shriayuki behind me… “You may have heard this from Tamamo, but there is still some hihiirokane left at the Hotogi Shrine. Even as the Scarlet Goddess went to outer space, she still wanted a part of her to remain behind in the Hotogi Shrine where she had spent so much time. Since the remaining amount is about as big as a volleyball, it is probably still the largest single piece in the world.” “Hmm… Well, a piece that b ig would seem more like a common deity in terms of atmosphere. The original was much too big to begin with.” By the way, after the big fuss at the Hotogi Shrine, it was discovered that there were a large amount of rubies left in Kaminabi, the mountain where the Scarlet Goddess had been enshrined for so many years. I do not know if they were offered there by Shirayuki’s ancestors or if the mysterious powers of the Scarlet Goddess had crystallized the aluminum oxide in the volcanic rock, but it seems that I did something regrettable… If I had the time to be cool and protect Aria and Shirayuki, I should have spent some time stuffing my pant pockets with the valuable stones literally under my feet. I had stepped on so many things that I thought were rocks, had so many fall on my back, I am positive that at least one was a ruby. “…” Whenever Shirayuki is alone with me, she is always quiet and gloomy, and I myself cannot offer any topic to talk about that a girl would find interesting so I am quiet as well. The sound of a bicycle pedalling, the occasional sound of passing cars, the chirping of sparrows… Cuckoo , cuckoo , a guiding sound for the visually impaired at a pedestrian crossing… “Kin-chan… You are good at using a bicycle…” Shirayuki spoke to me from behind. “Anybody can use something as easy to use as this.” “No, I can’t ride a bicycle. Even with training wheels, I would fall off. Thank you for letting me ride along.” Really? How can someone with that level of athleticisim be captain of the women’s volleyball team? But, when Shirayuki, a true Japanese beauty, thanked me so sincerely, I became nervous. “Ah… Uh… No, I should thank you, you are always doing my housework and cleaning. I am especially grateful to you for cleaning the living room.” She thanked me so I had to thank her for something, and yet, for some reason… I felt that I was just reiterating my daily thank you for everything you did. I wonder what this awkwardness is. It is always like this whenever I talk to Shirayuki. “There is no need. Lately, Lisa-chan is helping out. I am even having fun doing it now.” With a wry smile, Shirayuki told me again how much she loves to clean, granted she is only doing so because of me and Riko’s “duo man and woman who won’t clean up after themselves”. It is a little over the top to put a feminine doorknob cover on the doorknob to the veranda and bathroom in my opinion, but the toilet is always as shiny as a first class hotels. She says that she enjoys cleaning, which is obvious to see, as even with the maid Lisa helping her, she never leaves the work to her and makes sure to clean whatever she can herself. Despite her duties as a Hotogi Miko, an honours student at Butei High, all while taking on her various duties and roles, she still manages to do a perfect job at household chores. Shirayuki really is the perfect girl to model a traditional Japanese woman. “Kin-chan.” Kiyu , and, suddenly, Shirayuki put a little strength into her arms around my waist, and rested her head on my back… “Eh?” When I turned my head around to look at her, “… never disappear…” With her face down, Shirayuki muttered into my back. “What are you worried about? I am not going away. I will always be near.” I might be spoiling her and praising her a bit too much right now, but Shirayuki has a tendency to become Kuroyuki and suddenly try to slash at any girl nearby me for some reason. She is what some might call “an unpredictable girl”. (TL Note: Shiro Yuki means “white snow”, Shiro being White and Yuki meaning Snow. The joke here is Kuroyuki means Black Snow. Kuro means Black.) And so, because of that, I have to stay nearby her to protect all the other girls from her. But, since Shirayuki is still anxious, “Last spring… do you remember your fortune telling, Kin-chan? It was “Kin-chan will disappear”… but that has not happened yet. I am afraid of when that will be… A shrine maidens fortune-telling will always take place with a few years…. And since it hasn’t happened yet…” She spoke to me, clinging to me, a gesture that clearly stated that she never wants me to leave. “That had already happened. I came home really quickly, so you odds are did not even realize it happened, but last year I dropped out of school and went to a general school. That is what your fortune telling predicted.” “No. Such a short period of time cannot mean “disappear”…” Well that is a little harsh. This is getting troublesome, though. “Stop worrying about that. I don’t plan on dropping out anymore, and I know that I wont be expelled for failing my exams after all the studying I did, I did not even have to roll my pencil to answer the multiple choice. It is okay, you don’t have to worry anymore.” As I was cheerfully telling her all this, The number of Butei High students, who previously had only been sparsely walking down the street, increased steadily. The venue for the closing graduation ceremonies… the auditorium was approaching. I was nervous about the publicity, and the rumours that would spread, but Shirayuki, on the contrary, seems to want to be seen by as many people as possible to see her riding with me on a bike. In fact, as this realization dawned on her, for some reason she was happy even, and her voice became cheerful instead of the dark mood she was in earlier. “That’s… right, isn’t it? That is right, Kin-chan. From now on, we will be together forever. Ahh, it would be nice for us to be in the same class next year. I hope Aria is in a different class, though.” “Ah, aha…” And so, passing through a archway of cherry blossoms in full bloom… Shirayuki and I entered into the main auditorium for the last time in our second year of high school. Now, it is time to begin the closing ceremony. The principal, Takeru Midorimatsu, was standing on the stage with the curtain opened to the right and left, which has had the bullets holes in it sewn shut. “… Word “Butei”‘s calligraphy is of a shield stopping a spear…” Now that I think about it, does our principal actually sound like this? I have met him several times, but this person in front of me does not seem like him… As expected of a “a visible invisible man”, I am impressed and yet horrified of him. “… You, the Butei, are a shield against crime, and the future of Japan and the world…” It was not just the principal in this ceremony that is making me shiver. After the closing ceremonies are held, the graduation ceremony is held, so all of the third year students are at the front of the auditorium. By their third year, most Butei students are professionals and taking on professional level work. That is why they usually are not at school, and even right now only about half of them are up there, but when they are line dup like that… the bloodlust is overwhelming, their presence immense. No one wants to look directly at them, even though we are behind them. Not a single person was looking at them, everyone was looking away without exception. They were sitting far from me, yet there was a sharpness in the air, it felt as if just moving was enough to cut my skin. What is more, despite this presence they were hiding themselves within their uniform, it was as if they were hiding in plain sight from the public. It was rather scary to think that, just by dropping by guard, I would perceive these monsters as just ordinary young people. The first years, too immature to feel their bloodlust yet, were all fine, but those in the second year, such as myself, who could… looking at the third-years, sweat from tension was breaking out on our foreheads. Is this a graduation ceremony or a battlefield. (I don’t like this–… I wonder if I will be like that in a year…) Even scarier than that thought however is that part of these third year students decided to join general universities or junior colleges. Apart from Butei University that is said to be easy enough for an insect to join as long as it could write, the only reason that private and national universities, including first class universities, would accept such students is that recently the security situation on campuses has been deteriorating day by day. Before a suspicious person fires a shotgun in the halls, or a delinquent students starts a gun fight with a cheap gun, universities are putting student Butei, who fear a real gun as much as a water gun, in classes as a watchdog. The student, referred to as a Gako Butei (School Butei), hide their true identity and quietly attend school, just like an ordinary student. And in exchange for crushing potential evil unnoticed, they are given a decent, if truly undeserved, college or university education. Many Butei High graduates go on to general universities without recommendation of course. Whether it is a second-rate university you managed to enter by chance, or a third-rate university that is trying to fill up its empty seats… For those who are entering the Butei field as a profession, it is sometimes just as important to have a “non-butei” identity as it is to have a Butei identity. While pretending to be a normal student and attending college, they continue to work on their Butei undercover skills… for these graduates, their first year of college is really just a period of training. There were of course other paths that students would take… National Defence Academy of the National Defence Medical College. There were also some who do not go to a higher education centre and simply start their own private firm such as a Butei investigator. Some join an existing Butei firm and earn their monthly salary, while other simply disappear, keeping their career paths secret from the school. Eventually… Those third years, sharpened like rifle bullets, will be released into the world. As a Butei, a member of a force that exists to stop crime from flooding society. As we left the auditorium after the closing ceremony, the area near the exit was crowded with students. At Butei High, there is a rule that everyone wears a name tag in April, but Masters this year made the mistake of distributing the name tag in the hallway leading into the auditorium. As I was walking with Shirayuki, hand in hand, I saw Aria and Riko through the crowd… I thought to myself, that if Reki was here, the old Baskerville would be complete, but I couldn’t see her anywhere. When I tried calling here, my phone alerted me that I was making an international call… I managed to find Nakasorachi, who was being pushed left and right by the crowd, and so I paid her 50 yen to listen to the call. Somehow, she was able to figure out that I was calling a mobile number through a Russian telecommunications carrier called MTS. So, does that mean that Reki is still in Russia? Once I managed to receive the name tag, I, Shirayuki, Aria, and Riko joined up together outside the auditorium… “Watching a ceremony like this, it fills my chest with expectations for the future.” Aria, looking up at the blue sky with a refreshing smile, spoke such a thing, “Expectations?” “Your chest?” “Is it swollen?” Me, Shirayuki, and Riko each visually confirmed that Aria’s breasts weren’t bulging out from above or below her clothes. “Why are each of you guys saying your lines separately!?” Finally, this wouldn’t be miss Aria-san, without this happening, and so two Government Colt’s were pulled out and opened fire… And so that is how we finished the second year. Same as it started, with gunshots. Well, there is one more thing… Shortly thereafter, an uninvited guest appeared. “Ah, Mish Aria. Thank you for your hard work. Thish way, thish way.” (TL Note: I am not as good as Baka at picking up speaking styles like lisps, and thus will have to make do based off of previous lines of hers.) At first, I could not see them because of all the students… But it was an elementary school girl with glasses, pigtails, and thick eyebrows, dragging a trench coat behind them. It was a kid seemingly dressed up as an adult. Once upon a time, me and Aria had been in a flashy car chase from Shinjuko to Harajuku to Omotesando… It was Nori Zenigata, from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Outside, next to the main auditorium… Aria was brought to a courtyard planted with plum, peach, and cherry trees, all in one place… Zenigata did not seem to be disconcerted seeing us all together again… The reason was… I knew right away. “Yesh, that was tough. After recieving orders from the vishe minishter, I made full use of Twitter and Facebook to search a~ll night long. I did not find everyone, but I am shurprised I managed to find this many… Yesh, surprise!” In the courtyard that Zenigata pointed to with her baggy sleeves, there were the Butei that Aria helped saved from the bus jacking last April, the passengers she saved from the hijacking including the ANA pilot and co-pilot, and the people she saved from the bullet train that the Caocao sisters hijacked. There were many kinds of people here, men, women, young, old, but it seems that, everyone here… Everyone here seems to have been helped by Aria, either directly or indirectly. Everyone in the courtyard were gathered there, sweets and juice being served under the fruit trees as if this was a hanami party. (TL Note: a Hanami party is an outdoor party in Japan.) Standing at the centre of the group was Aria’s advisor, Kuroe Renjo, and her first year Amica, Akari Mamiya. Before we had appeared, Mamiya was talking about Aria’s activities and success to someone… … That person. Both me and Riko were amazed. Shirayuki seemed to be able to foretell this event somehow, and so she looked happily at Aria. Aria was at a loss for words from the moment she stepped into this courtyard… She was out of character, trembling a little. I’m happy. I am so, so happy. Her long time wish has finally come true. “Mama…!” “Aria…!” Yes. Wearing a dress with a loose long skirt, her long hair swaying in the spring breeze, she was standing amidst a garden in full bloom. Aria’s mother. It was… Kanae Kanzaki. Released… she was finally released… “… Mama…!” With a look of utter disbelief in her eyes, at the sight of her mother before her, Aria walked forward on trembling feet… Yoroyoro , she walked forward, one small step at a time. “Hey, Hotogi Shirayuki. I do not know what you said, but your letter really worked. The Cabinet Offisher pushed the Minishtry of Jushtice to the Imperial Household Agenshy, and in the case of Kanae Kanzaki, the Minishter of Jushstice exshershised authoritative command over the Proshecutor General and forshed them to stop the trial. That happens from time to time, but it has been a long time since I have seen someone releashed on the same day…” Looking closely, it would seem that Zenigata has had a little bit of alcohol already, this early in the day, and is saying things that frankly she probably shouldn’t be. Shirayuki, who was pointed out by name, pretended to not notice, and walked with Aria… This is no drea. Really, the Japanese governmnet… Kanae-san, who was detained due to her knowledge of stealth’s and irokane, was released. It would seem that, with the main body or irokane in Japan being sent to outer space, they did not have to be as vigilant as before with her or her threatening anything involving it. In addition to that, I am getting the sense that… the government is afraid of Aria, as hinted by Zenigata’s statement. This abrupt release of Kanae-san speaks volumes to the machinations at work. But, what was the government so afraid of in “Shirayuki’s Letter”? What is so scary about Aria? It was needless to say. It was Aria transcending the realms of a normal stealth and becoming a Hyper Stealth… Aria the Scarlet Ammo. Actually, right now she can only shoot lasers, but its true abilities are unknown. I myself am afraid of antagonizing Scarlet Aria, and I don’t yet know what she will be capable of, never mind a national level of government. Zenigata’s slip of the tongue proved that much in terms of fear, but it is interesting to think about why that information spread to the Cabinet and ministries in an instant… Shirayuki would have reported to the Imperial Household Agency that “A national treasure called hihiirokane has returned to outer space, and a girl with its original powers has appeared”. She has connections there, and that story would have spread to the appropriate authorities, assumingly. “…” But for now, I will just… just… With my heart full of emotion, I will just stare at Aria and Kana-san hugging each other. Congratulations, Aria. Congratulations…! “Mama… Mamaaaa…!” “… Aria. I asked everyone here. No, even if I did not ask them here, the fact that they are all here celebrating is proof already. You… You have become a splendid Butei.” “… Mama… Uwaa… Uwaaaaaaaaa-…!” Even though she was showing such a side of herself in front of Mamiya, Aria had already shut out everything other than her mom… She buried her face in Kanae’s chest and cried. Kanae-san, like a goddess in a statue, embraced Aria in a hug… With such a happy, joyful sight before me, I almost broke out in tears as well. “… So she has been acquitted, right? Not parole or anything like that?” I squatted down a little and matched Zenigata’s height with the face of a fox, and glared sharply at her, partly to hold back my tears. “If you shtill have any doubts, look at the Shupreme Courts Jushtice’s legal orders. Look. It may shound pretentious, but that is what it shtates. Kanae Kanzaki has been releashed. Mish Aria’s deportation and your recommendation for forced deportation are all lifted as well.” “…” Wait, I was recommended too? At that time, I would have taken it. (TL Note: alright, this sentence is weird. The Kanji for deportation is present in both, I take this to mean that Kinji would be forced out of Japan as he is a risk.) But anyway… Aria. Maybe you are not a solo singer after all anymore. It is not even just a duet anymore with me and you. So many… Because, now, there is a chorus around you with everyone in it. I am happy for you, Aria. Really, I am truly happy for you. I am just so happy for Aria and her mom, I am already on the verge of tears… I was so embarrassed that I snuck out of the courtyard on my own. (If someone like Riko saw me crying, she would take pictures and tease me about it for the rest of my life.) While thinking about such a twisted thing… I decided to return to the dormitory and tell Lisa about this happy story, so I got on a bus that circulated the island that had just arrived. And, when I got to my seat and looked at my cellphone, I noticed that there was a missed email and incoming call. (… Takamagahara-sensei…?) Ikene . I decided to just not notice the call from Takamagahara-sense and ignored it. The email simply stated to come to Masters immediately. I don’t like this. One of Butei High’s three most dangerous areas, Masters. Moreover, it was currently occupied by the beautiful Takamagahara. Secretly, I was happy to finally have a new homeroom teacher. However, despite my will, at the feudal Butei High, a teachers orders are absolute. Takamagahara is a nice and normal person, but regardless of how nice she is, to be ordered to come right away you are certainly going to be punished with life-threatening corporal punishment. It is for that reason that I am in a hurry, but.. luckily, in the history of my misfortune, I caught a break. This bus also happens to stop in front of the School Affairs department, and I was able to arrive really quickly. When I got off the bus and looked up at the Academic Affairs building in fear… “Toyama-kun? Were you invited too?” Whoah, I came across an unusual face. Masato Itsuki. We were in the same class in our first year, but in the second yet Masato entered a special class called Class X. In fact, just like Aria, Reki, and myself when I was still in Assault, this man is a S-ranked Butei. He is a superhuman who has held high positions in Assault, Snipe, and Logi. On top of all that he was also a studious student, which is hard to believe for one at Butei High. However, he is not popular with women, he is rather unfashionable and has a rugged appearance and build. He is about 5 foot 8, and is a serious student, not once has he skipped class and I have not heard a single person say that he slacks off on his missions. He follows the law perfectly, is always looking out for his peers, especially the younger ones, has a strong body and mind, and has the skills necessary for a leader. I could not even imagine him being cowardly or unjust. Because of his personality, those around him trust him deeply, and he is probably the most dependably man in the second year. But… he is a little too stiff, and his type does not suit me very well. It is not that I don’t like him, but honestly, I don’t think he is suited to be a Butei. If anything, a police officer is his best fit. “… Itsuki, if you were summoned to Masters as well, I am actually relieved. It does not seem like I am going to be scolded.” “I don’t know about that. You won’t know what is inside until you open the lid.” Hahaha , Misato was laughing cheerfully, but… he is right. What is inside the container, we won’t know until we open it. “Then let’s go. It was what, April of our first year since we were called here together?” “That is right, I remember it. At that time, it was just Toyama-kun and me.” At Butei High, if there are students with names that look similar, to avoid confusion, the lower names are spelled out in Katakana or Hiragana on the roster. When I was in my first year, Itsuki and I were summoned to Masters and forced to play rock-paper-scissors with students who had similar names. We both lost our game. We might differ in many ways, but we have one thing in common. Our shared skill at rock-paper-scissors. “Just for some small talk, Itsuki… Have you ever heard of the SDA rankings?” “… let’s not talk about that.” “What are you numbered at? In Asia?” “55th” Hooray! This guy is even less human than I am! Because Itsuki was enrolled in Class 2-X, he is alongside those superhuman students who were mainly hired by overseas police, military police, military special forces, foreign armies, military advisory groups, etc. To compare it to soccer, it is a waste to keep him in the kiddie leagues, so he was sent to the adult leagues which trained him to become a pro overseas. At the end of my first year, Masters had approached me about advancing into Class X, but unless I gave my consent I couldn’t join it… At the time I was ranked E, Aria was not approached because of her status, and Reki had been told about it but turned it down. Itsuki, however, took the offer. “No, I respect you, Itsuki. I am 71st, Thanks to you my rank has dropped by one, I was starting to get frustrated.” After a year of playing an impossible game, in which Butei, who are forced to be nonlethal, are forced to fight against terrorists and trained gunmen who are determined to kill us… well, of course we will stop being human, and our rank will rise. Pupupu . “What are you talking about, Toyama? Don’t look so happy while saying you are frustrated. Regardless, that strange list was made by an American rating agency without anyone’s permission…” “Ya, ya.” I feel like I should drop the conversation here… But I know what you are talking about, Itsuki. You must have had a hell of a junior year in high school. You have always been strong, ever since your freshman year, but you have really stepped it up a notch, haven’t you? You are hiding the results well though, just like those 3rd year students. Just like with Aria and Reki, I definitely don’t want to get into a fight with an S-ranked Butei. And so, while talking, the two of us entered Masters, and arrived at the staff room… “… Itsuki Masato.” “Toyama Kinji.” The teachers were sparse, but as I cautiously entered inside while casually using Itsuki as a shield… “Ah, both of you. We are ready for you. Please, come over here.” Takamagahara-sensei grabbed an A4-sized brown envelope from her desk and guided us to a booth separated from everyone else by a screen. The staff room of Masters looks like a normal staff room… The booth for our conversation was a small space, with only an old and short couch with a table. “…” There was another student there that I did not recognize. She was a girl with semi-long black hair. She was a pretty girl, but she did not bother saying hello to me, she just glanced at me. She is almost like Reki if she had different styled and coloured hair. “Umm. Sorry to bother you everyone, I am sure you are busy.” With a bitter smile, Takamagahara-sensei sits down on the sofa. She was wearing a tight miniskirt and sank into the low sofa. Because of that however, inside her skirt might be visible, and so I panicked for a second, but as to be expected of a teacher, she saw this coming and placed the envelope on her thighs. I’m saved. But just now, for a moment, I caught a glimpse of the edges of the surface of the document. Autumn Frost and Rising Sun… it was the mark of the Public Prosecutor’s Office. This is starting to smell bad. As we each took our seat… “– Itsusuki-kun, Saeki-san, and Toyama-kun each received a letter from the Armed Public Prosecutor’s Office.” Takamagahara-sensei cut to the heart of the matter, squinting her soft eyes under her glasses. (… Armed Public Prosecutor’s Office?) (TL Note: Kinji on the paper saw Public Prosecutors, the letter is from Armed Public Prosecutors.) That is where my father used to work. Armed Prosecutors are extralegal public servants. Within the Public Prosecutors Office, which investigates and prosecutes criminal cases in order to maintain public order within society, it is a position that carries out justice with extrajudicial force. He was effectively a state approved hero of justice, appointed by the Prime Minister himself. He bore the responsibility of confronting even the greatest evils that even the SDF couldn’t solve, let alone the Butei or police. No matter what kind of enemy it was, for a Armed Prosecutor, you could not turn your back on an evil that seeks to harm Japan. “It was a sudden call, but this years Armed Prosecutor exam will take place over the next three days starting tomorrow. A few of this year’s graduates will also be taking it, and the Armed Prosecutors Office has informed us that three of our students could skip the required grades and take the exam early. It would seem that an independent investigation of your activities this past year has caught their attention. What will you do?” Armed Prosecutor Selection… Armed Prosecutor Selection Exam…!? It was quite literally a national level exam to selected Armed Prosecutors. It is a hellish exam where all abilities such as intelligence, physical strength, mental strength, judgment, leadership, and combat power were tested, and life-threatening tests run over and over again. Only once person passes the exam every year. Therefore, it is said that a person who can become an Armed Prosecutor is truly a perfect superhuman, with less of a chance to appear in the world than an ESP. However, “Wait a minute, Sensei. Armed Prosecutors require a university degree to begin with…” I was surprised at this story and offer, and so replied back, “Yes, you are correct. Technically, even if you three took the exam, you wouldn’t be able to become Armed Prosecutors if you passed. I thought this offer was strange, and so asked around and did some investigation. Apparently, the Armed Prosecutors office is chronically short of personnel. In response to that, it looks like next fiscal year they are going to be creating a new government position for Buti Prosecutor Assistants, an Armed Prosecutors Assistant. I think the fact that the eligibility for this years selection process has been greatly deregulated means that they are trying to recruit auxiliaries from among those who have failed. Overall it would seem, we are entering an era where even non university graduates, and promising Butei students, can become assistant Armed Prosecutors. Of course, this is just all my speculation.” In front of me, maybe out of respect for my dad who had died in the line of duty, Takamagahara did not say it clearly… Armed Prosecutors, those fighting true evil, have a high rate of martyrdom. It is not just merely expensive on manpower. Nearly 30% die by the time they reach retirement age. Letting a force of God-like human resources die in tatters, those who are the smartest, strongest, a true sense of justice, and is willing to fight at the risk of their life on the low salary of a civil servant… naturally, a “chronic shortage of human resources” will appear. And so, the Public Prosecutor’s Office… (Don’t be silly. Don’t do it. I mean, that offer…) In short… “… I will decline that offer. An Armed Prosecutors Assistant is a free bulletproof vest, right?” Semi-long black hair… The girl named Saeki makes the exact same speculation as me in a cool voice. In other words, an Armed Prosecutors Assistant is a scapegoat to be used to protect the valuable Armed Prosecutor. These are just honeyed words, meant to gather the “young people” with claims of righteousness and justice, hoping using them as movable bullet proof vests. “… I must also decline. It is a waste of time to take an exam that I will fail anyways.” I, too, refuse with a face equivalent to a cat throwing up a hairball. This was probably just another obligation of hers, so it can’t be helped, but please don’t sent Takamagahara after me to ask me to lay down my life as a bulletproof vest. There was no reason or benefit to me accepting, so I turned it down. Welp, time to go. Just as I was getting up to leave, I felt a bad omen… “Thank you, sensei. I accept. Please give me an admission ticket for the exam.” Saeki and I, round eyed, turned to look at Itsuki, who was holding out his palm to Takamagahara. It seems that Takamagahara-sensei didn’t expect anyone to accept the offer, even she was confused. Hey, Itsuki. I know for a fact that you can see through their story. After what we said to Takamagahara and our decision to decline, why… Without us even asking. “Toyama-kun. I have never told you this before, but it is my dream to become an Armed Public Prosecutor. Thirteen years ago, my life and my sisters was saved by a Armed Prosecutor… That man was your father.” … What? My father met Itsuki when me and him were still children… Did something like that really happen? Itsuki’s voice had suddenly become passionate, as if a switch had been flipped. While telling me this story, his gaze… a gaze meant to persuade… was directed at the teacher, who was still surprised but had not given him a ticket yet. “This is a once in a lifetime chance for me. I do not want to miss this opportunity. It is an opportunity to take an exam that I thought I would not be able to take until I graduated from college. Even if I don’t pass it this year, I should be able to pass it my second or third try. I can take the selection every year until I am 25, and there is no limit to how many tries I can take it. I know I can do this.” Itsuki switched moods midway through his speech, as if he was now speaking more to the teacher than me. With his skillfull storytelling, an atmosphere was made that makes it difficult to persuade Takamagahara to not let him take the exam. “But what if you failed the exam and are offered a position as an assistant? If you refuse, the Public Prosecutor’s Office will be given the impression that “you are someone who doesn’t follow orders from above”. That would be fatal to your next selection…” “If that happens, I will become an assistant. As you said yourself, there should be a way to climb my way up from there.” You are prepared to go even that far, Itsuki… I can only remain silent. Saeki… All she could do was glance at him with a face clearly displaying “what a stupid guy”. It would seem that Itsuki was not acquainted with her from the start, and so felt nothing from her gaze. “… I understand. Then, Itsuki, you can stay. Thank you, Saeki-san, Toyama-kun. you may leave.” Since Takamagahara-sensei said so… Leaving Itsuki behind, me and Saeki had no choice but to leave the staff room. But, just as I was leaving, I… “… Itsuki. Your dream. Make it come true.” I am going to cheer for him from now on. It might actually be a good fit the serious Itsuki. An Armed Prosecutor. “Ah, I will make it come true for sure. Thank you, Toyama-kun.” Itsuki responded only by raising his rugged face. He kept his brave, focused eyes looking ahead of him. The radiance in his burning eyes, that were given the chance to finally pursue his dreams in earnest… (…) Somewhere, for some reason, I envy him. Myself, I cannot seem to do anything, just drifting around aimlessly, unsure of what I want to do… All I can feel is impatience. ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ### 005. Bullet 5: The Circumstances of the Kanzaki Family Aria’s mother, Kanae Kanzaki, who was finally free, seemed to be much more relaxed than I thought she would be. I guess as the wife of someone from the Holmes family, a few years of jail would leave her no worse for wear. The evening of the next day, Aria had emailed me, saying “I’m going to make dinner with mama, so you should come help us”, and so I rushed to the women’s dormitory on by bicycle. It wasn’t because I particularly wanted to help her cook, nor was I afraid of Aria’s wrath, but because from the email I could inference “Aria will be cooking”. (At this rate, Kanae-sans life might really be in danger, not to mention the girls dormitory as a whole…!) Aria has a criminal record of causing dust explosions in my room, shortly after saying something whimsically like “I am going to make a cake”, which somehow results in my gas stove exploding. Because of that trauma, I was imprinted with the notion that Aria + cooking = bombing, and I was worried that Kanae-san, who has gone through great lengths only to finally be released, would be blown up alongside Aria’s VIP room and part of the building. In addition, Aria was only able to finally make an omelette rice late last year, but… After a short while, she seems to have forgotten how to even make that, and has now gone back to aristocratic Lady Aria who cannot even make fried eggs by herself now. In the sunset, I was in such a hurry that I fell over at the corner of a Lawson’s and hit a post after getting off my bike… I ran, out of breath, all the way to Aria’s room. And then… “Good evening. Welcome, Kinji-san.” It was Kanae-san who greeted me at the door, with the flapping sound of her slippers. Entering a house, late in the evening, I was greeted by a beautiful adult women wearing an apron. I was so strangely nostalgic at such a sight that I had forgotten my own impatience, and… “Ah, I’m ho…” For some reason I had started to say “I’m home”, but blushed partway through and stuttered. Seeing me like that, Kanae-san put one of her small hands to her mouth and looked like she had started laughing. Her long, soft, wavy hair, which was a little light and brown for a Japanese person, was help up with a barrette. Her hair was also slightly gathered at the back of her head, presumably to make it easier to cook. The sun, that was setting in the west, was shining into the entrance to Aria’s dorm, giving Kanae-san an angel’s radiance. The gentle spring breeze blowing through the window was carrying with it a sweet scent like a gardenia. “… Ah… Sorry for the disturbance.” (TL Note: the sentence here is used when entering someone elses home. Earlier, Kinji almost said the one for his own home.) Feeling overwhelmed by the sweet scent coming on the breeze, I averted my gaze and looked down. Kanae-san, she has the presence of a goddess. It might be because she is also 165cm tall, but her womanly atmosphere is amazing. She does not wear much makeup but regardless is beautiful, she really is Aria’s mother. “…” As I got down on one knee to take off my shoes, Kanae-san… Her loose, cream-colored skirt that went halfway down her calf’s was swaying in front of me. Although the shape of her legs was not defined due to her long loose skirt, judging from the height of her waist, her long legs were not typical of a Japanese person. Aria, naturally, did not inherit this trait, who has short legs, granted, she is short overall. As I was glancing at Kanae-sans physical features, such as her long legs, which naturally is just a habit for Butei, Kanae-san squatted down in front of me. It seemed to me that she was just being thoughtful when she crouched down, to match the height of my eyes, (……!) But the sight that suddenly jumped into my eyesight made my eyes pop out. I had let down my guard because I had thought that her long, loose tlt would give me a high degree of safety from Hysteria Mode. … But Kanae-san was squatting with her knees together in a classy and elegant manner. However, her legs are slightly cross-legged to begin with, and in order to maintain stability she squatted down with her legs slightly spread below her knees. The front of her long skirt, however, is lifted up, the ends just below her knees. Because of that, Kanae-san wouldn’t notice this fact from her point of view… Her lower legs form an arch-shaped gate with her knees at the apex and the skirt was slightly covering it, like the letter “A”, but beyond that thin cloth gate, on the inside of her skirt, her white, plump, thick thighs were quite clearly visible! No, that is not all. Between her perfect thighs. Beyond her legs. There. That…! The thin cloth that shows a hint of skin, that allows you to just see through it with minimal effort…! (……!) Frightened, I accidentally pulled on my shoelaces with all my strength while trying to stand up, and stumbled backwards. Butei are trained to protect the back of their head should they fall, and so I reached out to grab something to stop my fall– “….!” “Ara. What’s wrong?” Kanae-san was waiting with a smile on her face, her hands outstretched as if to catch them… – Pofun , and, she pulled me into a hug. “……!” Even without a mirror, I… I know, that I am doing the rapid blush technique, just like Aria… So-, soft. It wasn’t just her breasts. The arm that was holding me, my hand on her thighs burying my fingers in their elasticity, and… the scent of her breath and the “ara” that was spoken into my ears. Above all, the mood. Everything was soft… it enveloped me, all my being. That is truly what I felt the moment I made contact with her. (… mother…) It was instinctual. The word that I never thought I would say again crossed my mind. I… have almost no memories of my own mother. That is one of the reasons why I am so unsure how to treat women, especially older women. I do not know if my synaptic connections are wired differently than the other guys, but I am weak against older women. That is especially true for motherly women like Kanae-san. However, even if the memories of “my mother” are minimal if at all present… This is making is feel like she has come back to life. “–Are you okay? Did you hurt your feet?” Kanae-san gently tilts her head to the side, and asks me worriedly from a distance where our faces are almost touching… “Ah, I’m okay.” The fact that they are pinned to your legs is not okay, however, I though internally. It seemed that Kanae-san was ready to hug me for quite some time, so I voluntarily moved away from her soft, gentle body. Then, “Kinji-san. It seems that I was wrong just now and you were right.” Kanae-san, who was wearing a thin sweater that hid her skin but clearly revealed her large breasts, placed her hands on her breasts. This was a gesture that Meiya and Lisa have also done, but when the breasts are as big as Kanae-sans, it becomes less of “putting ones hand on their breasts” and more so “placing ones hand on their breasts”. “What, what do you mean?” Despite it being rude, after standing up I put my hands on the wall so I could take my shoes off while standing up. Kanae-san casually picked at something under her sweater. Apparently, she was adjusting her bra, her shoulder straps were slightly out of place due to the physical contact we had just made. “Earlier, when I had said “Welcome, Kinji-san”, it had felt wrong to say. But, when you started to say “I’m home”, it felt right. Maybe you just think that is weird, but…” Kanae, who was smiling innocently as if she were just a little girl, “Welcome back.” She said. Those words, I… I subconsciously thought to myself, those are the words that my mom would have said to me. “I… I’m home.” Once again, I responded with those words. When she said something like that, I had no choice but to say those words to her. After such an embarrassing play, we entered Aria’s living room… (This… this is absurd…!) I was so surprised that I stopped and looked around the room in disbelief. In Aria’s room, which was as spacious as ever, there was something impossible. First, was an eco-friendly basket for shopping. Aria, who was a real overseas celebrity who is well known for her “meals? I eat out or have them delivered”… I cannot believe that she has her own bag for shopping. Herbs were planted in a planter on her balcony. She has… a kitchen garden.. does that mean…? Does that mean that Aria, who has a track record for killing even cactus’s and preserved flowers is…? Upon a further inspection, I also found that Aria’s room had an ironing board, a front-loader washing machine, and a sewing machine. That is impossible! When could this have happened!? It is dangerous to mix Aria with housework. An ironing board is a fire hazard for her, the washing machine had turned my whole house into a bubble bath, and the sewing machine has a history of sewing my blazer and Aria’s together when used by her, turning our clothes into some weird kinf of tug-of-war. All of that, just in my room. “… Aria, this is… uooooo!?” I was now face to face with Aria, who was in the kitchen holding a knife. Instinctively I backstepped away from her with a pinched face. “Kinji, why are you so pale? Yet despite being so pale, you are sweating so much. What is it, are you too cold or too hot?” While I was wiping away my cold sweat in front of the apron-clad Aria, who had an eyebrow raised in suspicion, “When it comes to cooking, “it is best to learn by doing”, Aria.” “Okay, mama.” Kanae-san and Aria, who was holding a ladle and tasting her cream stew from a tasting plate, were happily having such a conversation while cooking. (… I, I see…) This is perhaps the system of inheritance of girl power that I had also seen between Minuet and Lisa. In the case of men, this is similar to how a father plays catch with his son, or an older brother teaches his younger brother how to fight to raise his manhood. Aria has only ever leaned on Shirayuki or Lisa, but with kanae-sasn as her partner, is it possible for even her to learn how to do housework? This is just unbelievable, and yet, it is reality. … I am just too exhausted now, and retreated to the leather sofa with unsteady steps. Carrot-san♪ Potato-san♪ Fu-fu-fu♪ Kanae-san’s singing and humming made me feel as if I was in another world. After all, it has been five minutes since I entered Aria’s room, but I have not heard any gunshots yet and I am getting rather concerned. It was so discomforting, I was getting a stomach ache. I need to get a drink. Like in trench warfare, I glimpsed into the kitchen to get a read on the situation, from behind the sofa and then bar counter, but Kanae-san was just acting like a normal mom. Her cooking skills are comparable to those of Shirayuki and Lisa, and even though having Aria cook was the maximum level of a hindrance, Kanae-san still seemingly was able to achieve her goal. The only thing that Kanae was having trouble with was, “Um, to turn it into an oven…” It was the microwave that she was looking at with a fingertip on her lip. Apparently, she is not good with appliances. Of course, Aria has only ever pressed the “automatic warm-up” button, and so she is just as useless as her mother, looking at her like a toddler. Because of that, I decided to enter the kitchen, and found out, that the microwave is symbolized, on the buttons are images that show what they do. Beep , beep , beep , beep , I put it into oven mode. Well, that was easy to figure out. Kanae in response put her hand to her mouth in surprise. “Wow. Kinji-san, did you understand all that just by looking at it?” “Ye-… Yes, the buttons have symbols that show what they do. How hot should I set it?” “I wonder if it can go up to 240 degrees?” “It should… there. When you are done, I think you can stop it by pressing “cancel” here.” “Thank you. You saved me…” Kanae-san, who is only 5cm shorter than me, is peering into the microwave with the gratin now in it, bringing her face close to mine. When I reverted my eyes away from her approach, Kanae was leaning forward, her apron pulled down due to gravity, and I could see her pure white cleavage from the neckline of her thin sweater underneath. (….!) I panicked again and turned my head, this time my eyes meeting Aria’s. I prepared myself to rapidly unholster my Beretta on my waist, but… Whenever I accidentally looked at Shirayuki’s or Riko’s breasts, she would say “What are you looking at, Stupid Kinji!”, and Aria would swiftly and sharply notice… “?” But for some reason, she is just looking at with with a confused face like a dumb child. Apparently, Aria never imagined that that I would see her mom as a woman, and thus has not realized why I am panicking right now. It would seem that she turned off her radar. I feel kind of guilty, but I am grateful for that. I was surprisingly saved. “Fufun, as expected of a boy. You saved this old lady.” Kanae-san, who was smiling at me in sync with my internal thoughts, had no idea that I was looking at her as a woman. That was probably because the age gap was too big between us. “I am a little old to be called a “boy”, and you are not old enough to be called an “old lady”.” When I pretended to still be calm and spoke to Kanae-san, who to me actually looked like an older sister… “Well, that makes me glad. You are not a boy, but… Instead a respectable man to say something like that.” Kanae-san put one hand on each of her cheeks to hide her blushing, and started to twist her body in a playful, yet sexy, way. … It would seem even here, there is a certain maturity that girls my age don’t have. Cream stew, shrimp gratin, and herb quiche are lined up on the table… Even guys such as myself could see that the menu was made with fresh ingredients and was made with nutritional balance in mind. In contrast to Kanae-san, whose table manners were perfect as she was cutting the quiche for us, Aria– “So, Kinji ran into a nuclear submarine with just a single pistol, and had a gunfight on top of a bullet train that had bombs planted in it, oh, and then there was a Yakuza hideout–“ I am not privy when it comes to the manners for choosing topics when having meals. However, the food is delicious, so please stop digging up my past traumas one after the other. However, Kanae really is Aria’s mom… As Aria told her the story about the stealth bomber I was on that exploded over Sagami Bay, the story of how I grabbed a bullet that was shot at Hilda on the sky tree and turned it around… Kanae was smiling, and saying “Oh dear” or “wow” while listening to Aria tell my stories in a messed up chronological order. (I guess this is what it means to have a gentle personality…) And yet Kanae-san… you were so sharp when I met you when you were in jail. At home, though, she is laid back. Anyway. Aria kept saying “hey, mama” and “so mama” in a sweet and gentle voice. Kanae seemed so happy to listen her talk. She was happily taking in everything in stride. And so, in order to not interfere with this mother-daughter bonding time, I just started at the two in silence. When looking at these two, though, I realized that they don’t look like mother and daughter alike at first glance… Their equally white skin, long eyelashes, and the shape of their nose and mouth are very similar. I guess it isn’t that hard to actually see that they are related by blood, mother and daughter. Looking closer, the shape of their ears is also very similar, and when I, who was amused by that, gave a wry smile– “What is it, Kinji-san?” Kanae-san, who I was staring at at that moment, made a gesture as if she was fixing her hair, and returned a wry smile. “Ah, no. I’m sorry. When I was looking at Kanae-san and Aria together, I thought that a parent and their child really are similar…” When I spoke honestly, “I am glad that you think that, I do not hear that too often. What about you, Kinji-san? Do you look like your father? Do you look like your mother?” Kanae asked me a question herself. “… My grandpa told me that I am exactly half and half. However, I don’t remember my mothers face very well…” Again, when she asked me though, I answered her honestly. Kanae in response put her hand to her mouth… “… I’m sorry. I am so sorry to have asked something that might have hurt you…” She looked quit anxious and apologized profusely. Lisa gave a similar reaction when this topic came up with her, but for me, my parents are a thing of the distant past. “Ah, don’t worry. I don’t mind.” That said, on the topic of family matters in general for me is complicated, be it my older brother, my young brother, my older sister, or my younger sister. After all, in my family there are three nationalities: Japanese, Egyptian, and American, and I am not even sure if I have one sister or two. That is why I kept quiet and emitted an air of not wanting to continue this talk regarding my family situation. However, this had an unintended consequence. (TL Note: not a perfect translation, same meaning.) Kanae-san’s black, onyx eyes became moist, and seemed to say “to make amends for hurting him, I have to become a motherly figure for him”… I have a bad feeling about this. After such a peaceful and nice dinner, “Aria, go take a bath.” “Okay, mama.” I could hear a dangerous conversation going on, “Ah, okay then, I’ll go home now.” I was about to watch a variety show on TV for the first time in a while, but as I started to get up from the sofa to leave… Kanae-sane turned to me with a “?” face. “Can’t you stay the night? I had thought you were going to, and so I got everything ready for you…” Kanae looked disappointed that I had said I was going to leave and not stay the night. Even though she would have heard this conversation, Aria calmly went to the bathroom, “staying overnight… No, that’s…” I was feeling a hysteria danger from both Aria and Kanae-san, I was thinking up an excuse, even a poor one, to refuse to stay overnight— “Fufu.” Kanae-san put a hand to her mouth and smiled politely. “… What is it?” “Kinji-san you are really cute. Whenever something unexpected happens, you become really cute and makes an even cuter face.” “Eh, really?” “Yes. Even right now.” While saying that, Kanae-san who was still wearing a thin sweater and a long skirt… With a squeak, she sat down on the sofa. The sofa in Aria’s room has a weak spring, and so when Kanae-san sits on it, she leans towards the weak spring. With two people sitting side by side, both of us were leaning towards each other… waist to waist, shoulder to shoulder, we were basically stuck together. From the bathroom, I could hear the sound of Aria starting to use her shower. Right now, Kanae-san and I are alone in the living room. “”You’re cute”. I don’t think I have ever been told that before.” While speaking with camouflage to hide my internal struggles, I try to avoid our bodies touching by tilting my body away to an extent that it doesn’t look rude to her. “Maybe the boys won’t. But I think you are cute.” She was treating me as a “boy” again. And, when I made a slightly sullen face, Kanae-san said “Ah”, remembering that it was a “no good” word… Kusukusu , and giggled. It seemed she was having fun. “sorry, obasan has bad memory.” (TL Note: Obasan in this context means “older woman”. There is no real English word that works here so I used Japanese.) Her talking in first person made me slightly uncomfortable, so I continued to lean back and do my best to avoid physical contact while talking to her. (TL Note: iirc, when talking mature/sexy first person talk is normal.) “Yo-, you aren’t an old lady. I told you that earlier.” “Well. If I am not an old lady, than what am I?” Somehow, Kanae-san… I feel like she is interrogating me. “… You are like a mother…” Kanae-san is more like Aria’s older sister, but saying such flattery would be embarrassing to say. This was the only answer left. It seems that Kanae-san was expecting this answer, “… It is okay for you to think of me as your mother.” And, she gently embraced me. It is so gentle and enveloping. I think she is trying to atone for asking me about my parents earlier. It seems as if she is trying to comfort me like she is because I have no memory of my own mother. Up to that point, it is fine. I am not hurt, but maybe it is beneficial to be comforted like this. So, let this matter end here as a beautiful story. (I want this to end, but…!) … a mature adult body is throwing cold water onto this beautiful story…! Due to the fact that I am being hugged while sitting down, Kanae-sans big breasts are right in front of my face. With my face in her sweater, peaking through her sweaters keyhole I could see skin as white as porcelain. The effort I had put in earlier to avoid physical contact was all in vain. Above all, the softness of her body is felt because of our waists being forced to touch. A mature woman like this… she is so soft. Shirayuki and Lisa are soft as well, but Kanae-san is in a different dimension in comparison. (……!) Kanae-san, who is seemingly just trying to be nice, hugs me deep into her chest– I held my breath to its utter limit, but in the end, I was forced to inhale her sweet scent through my nose. Uhh… This sweet scene unique only to mature woman…! It was similar to Aria’s scent, a sweet gardenia scent was mixed in… is this the ultimate form of female fragrance? Kanae-san… is the “real thing”. There is a thing called a “woman’s scent”, but as a creature, you feel it as a woman’s pheromones. It is not something that is random, it becomes present when a woman is old enough to give birth… it is an incredibly lusty, sexy scent…! (Shit, the blood flow…!) Hysteria modes original goal was the express intent of leaving children behind. It is reacting to Kanae-san, who is a true woman, its original target. Up until this point, the usual activator was Aria, Kanae-sans daughter. Although there is the unethical situation of it now being Kanae-san, regardless the blood was rushing to the centre of my body. No, no, no, no stop rushing in! No matter how beautiful and mature yet youthful she is, she is my classmate’s mom! But wait, there are real life examples that are like that! The wife of the great slugger Roberto Petagine, who is rumoured to be joining the Hawks next season, is one of his friends mother! Stop reminding me of such stories brain! (TL Note: this is a real story btw. Dude went to his friends house one day, fell in love with his mom, and married someone who is over 20 years older than him.) “… Ah. umm, as expected–“ I’m going home! As I took my body away from Kanae-san to say that, “Kin-chan? What happened? Why are you sweating so much…” Kanae-san is much like Aria, in that she does not realize that I see her as a single woman. Just like earlier, she treats me gently, as if I were her own young child. Continuing from the earlier thought of Aria doing housework, my forehead was dripping with sweat again… Kanae took a tissue from the tissue box on the table and wiped my sweat off. Purunpurun… With that movement, her large chest under her sweater was trembling and shaking. Her twin mountains, which even large might not be appropriate, both shook and frequently bump into her arms, causing them to shake even more. “Ah, um, I… already…!” –I’m going home! As I was about to say that, I started moving away from the sofa and, zuru , I slipped and fell to the floor! I fell on my butt, but there was a soft carpet underneath. It feels soft, as if I fell on a futon. But the problem was Kanae-san– “Ah… Kyaa!” The hand that was wiping my forehead reached out in vain, and fell forward. There was no reason for me not to, so I decided to catch her… However, I ended up using my body as a cushion as she fell on me. “……!” “Ahh…!” Kanae’s whole body fell onto me, but rather than being crushed it felt like I was being wrapped up in it. She was so warm and smelt so good, I felt like I was going to faint… Seriously, I passed out for a second. I, who had not fainted even when a missile grazed me in combat, had passed out from physical contact with one adult woman. “… Kinji-san? Kinji-saaan.” However, I regained consciousness after a few seconds, and could see Kanae-san who had some blood on her face. “Oh… I’m sorry, Kanae-san. Did you get hurt?” “Yes. Thanks to Kinji-san, it is not too bad… Kinji is safe… thank goodness…” Kanae-san is a little teary-eyed over this incident… Despite being dignified and sexy, she also has this kind of girlish side to her… From the way she just stumbled, I could tell that her motor skills were somewhat poor. She really a clumsy person, she does not even realize how she is making me feel. Even so… despite all that, Kanae-san is trying her best to be a good mother. That much is obvious. Also… passing out was quite beneficial. Thanks to Kanae-san, my blood is calming down. It feels like hysteria mode has come full circle, I am in a state similar to hysteria wiseman. “Mooouu, that is enough mama” Aria said while pouting. I had only just noticed it, but Aria, who had finished taking her bath, appeared wearing her bath towel and with a bottle of milk in her hand… She seemed to have seen the whole thing and was giggling now. Aria… I am grateful that she did not realize I was entering hysteria mode. If she found that out, I would be in wind hole tornado hell by now. To be honest, I feel like I should be kneeling down and apologizing from the bottom of my heart, even if she does not plan on shooting me, but even if I did, Aria would probably not know why I am apologizing… What should I do from now on for tonight…! In preparation for something like this happening, I had an overnight bag packed with a change of clothes that I had left with Fuuma last year, and I had her secretly deliver it to me. (Even if I sleep on the couch, if I don’t wash off the sweat from my two breakouts, I will have a hard time sleeping…) So, I held my breath as I entered the bathroom that Aria had just taken a bath in… I couldn’t help but mutter “Heh, you bourgeoisie” because of how big her bathroom was. I took a breath and nearly choked on the scent of gardenia. The Kanzaki family, being western, do not particularly care about the order in which men and women use the bath. The order is whoever wants to use it first, that is why I went in after Aria… If I entered after Kanae-san, I might have hysterised purely from her smell alone. This was a bathroom that only girls have ever used before. It was essentially a women’s only bath. I did not want to stay in such a place for too long, regardless of the problem of Aria’s scent being here, and so I used the high speed washing technique that I hadn’t used since Reki and Tamamo shared a bath with me… After I got out, I realized that the next person to use this bath will be Kanae-san– Just thinking that was dangerous to me, and so I tried to escape reality through games to get the images out of my head. Luckily, Aria’s room has Mario Kart for the Wii that Riko had left behind. I grabbed a bottle of Perrier from the fridge, changed into my pyjamas… and decided to grab an extra controller and went to invite Aria, who was watching BBC news in a one-piece negligee. Aria, however, who was watching some serious breaking news, didn’t seem motivated to play games right now, “Hey, Aria, let’s play some Mario Kart.” “Why should we?” “Oh, are you just afraid of losing?” “Hah?” And, she decided to pick up the controller. It is almost too easy. Finally, with an opponent, I got to playing some racing. (Really, older woman are like poison for Hysteria mode… Rather, I have never been so conscious of a woman before…) I couldn’t concentrate on the game because I could hear the sound of water in the bathroom. Aria eventually prioritized attacking my cart, and so eventually I got angry and counterattacked Aria with a red shell and a blue shell. Somehow, this racing game is not much of a race anymore but a different kind of game… although, “Don’t stay up too late, okay? Yes, you two, bedtime, bedtime.” I turned around at Kanae-sans voice and nearly spewed out the Perrier I was drinking– I managed to just endure it and force it down my throat. However, my trachea and pharynx were tormented by the carbonation and I ended up choking. Because Kanae-san’s glorious body… Like Aria, she was wearing a negligee nightgown! “……!” I hate the me of 20 minutes ago who sought to escape reality with games without solving the problem when I should have easily predicted this crisis. (I was prepared for everything up to a bath towel, but this is…!) I was used to seeing Aria in a negligee, and so when I saw her in one my brain just thought “this is just a child wearing a loose, one piece dress”. … Because of that, I was careless. Kanae’s white negligee, which looked like a super short miniskirt, was made of synthetic fibre’s that allow even those without stealth powers to see inside. Her half-cup bra hiding only the bottom of her large breasts that put even cows to shame, and an all lace short skirt that allows you to just barely see her skin underneath… the fact that I could only just barely sometimes see it made it even more erotic than bare skin…! While I was standing perfectly still, my entire body tensed, Kanae-sans face showed that she clearly did not know what was wrong with me right now. “…?” No, “…?” is not the correct response to this, Kanae-san! I do not think that Kanae-san had this intention, but, the translucency of her negligee and the shape of her underwear and bra was definitely designed with the thought of drawing the eyes of men…! I think my inner thoughts finally got through to her, as, “Oh no, I was careless…” Kanae-san made a sweet and youthful gesture to hide her soft and plump thighs, which were radiant from her recent bath, and turned around. However, now I could see her well defined heart shaped butt, which was even worse for my blood flow. “Since I am in my daughters room I was a little too relaxed. I am sorry for showing you such an unflattering appearance…” Embarrassed, she brought out a remote control– She changed the light in the living room from bluish daylight to orange-ish incandescent light, giving off a dim yet warm glow. Ah, thanks to that her negligee is less transparent and I cannot see through it anymore. However, there was no change to the fact that your mature body lines are clearly visible, and that includes your chest, waist, and butt! … The worst thing about my bad luck is that, whenever I, a bed, and a woman are involved, I almost always end up having to share a bed. However, thankfully this is not the time to sigh and regret my luck. Aria’s room has two levels despite being just one room, with the 10th floor being the usual living space and the penthouse portion of the 11th floor being the bedroom. (TL Note: in this context floor is height, as in the “10th floor of the overall building”. Aria’s room alone is not 11 floors, it occupies the 10th and 11th floor of the building.) And so, Kanae-san and Aria went up together, so I saw them off with some incomprehensible “good night”, but then just as I was taking a sigh of relief on the sofa, “Kinji, you should come listen to mama’s fairy tale too. It will help bring you happy dreams when you sleep.” Looking over the balcony, Aria made an unnecessary suggestion. Such a thing should only be done between a real mother and her daughter…! My blood cannot handle anymore! “No, that… Um.. ah, huh? The inside of my knees hurt, with this much pain it would be impossible for me to climb the stairs. It is a shame, but I have no choice but to just go to sleep now on the sofa.” “Do you not like my mom? You have been acting weird around her for a while now…” … Giku …! My “Government Appearance” alert is blaring… And so, in a trembling voice, I said “Hey, my knee is fine now”… And walked up the stairs to her bedroom, feeling like a prisoner being led to death row. I mean, I know what it is just past 9 o’clock, but are you going to bed already? It might not be as early as the Hotogi family, but the Kanzaki family apparently also go to bed quite early. The eleventh floor, which seems to have been refurbished from carpet to wood flooring, makes a squeaking noise when I walk on it. To begin with, I don’t understand why such a large area is necessary for just a bedroom. Other than the king sized bed that could easily fit 5 people on it, there wasn’t much. Why is there a need for so much empty space? It was quite a big difference from the men’s dormitory where four people live in a six tatami mat room. Half a tatami mat for when you are awake, 1 tatami mat to sleep on. Humans don’t need this much space to live, do they? While I was saying such things in my mind, I was startled when Kanae-san operated a switch on the bedside and the lights in the bedroom were turned off… When I arrived at the bedside Kanae-san and Aria were lying down, Aria… Even though she had just threatened me, right now she was curled up like a baby next to Kanae-san… tsu … tsu … She had already fallen asleep. … so much… She must be so relieved. She waited such a long time to see her mother again, and finally, she can sleep with her again, curled up next to her… “Kinji-san.” In the dim orange nightlight, lying on her back, Kanae-san turned to look at the sleeping Aria next to her and gave her a wry smile… She then turned her gaze towards me. She then put an index finger to her mouth, a gesture as if to say “she has just fallen asleep, please be quiet”. And then, pom pom . The tapped the bed to her right to indicate where I should sleep. it was a formation where Aria, Kanae-san, and I slept in the shape of a river (Kanji for river is 川). Uh, I mean, I can’t sleep in such close proximity to these two. (–Why… How did… this happen…!) I could sense it from Kanae-sans hand gesture that she had naturally assumed that I would be sleeping here to begin with, but… Kanae-san seems to think of me as a child, rather than my actual age, as evidence earlier by her declaration that “I can be your mother”. Because Aria is so childish, maybe she has a feeling that me, Aria’s classmate, is also a child. I guess to her it was cruel to let a child sleep alone on a sofa. “……” Looking down onto Aria’s bed where the Kanzaki mother and her daughter are lying down, sleeping… Gokuri … my throat tightens. Hysteria is basically a disease to me, a woman’s scent is more dangerous to me than the scent of gunpowder. And this bed right now is a honey pot that is full of these two women’s scent. And on top of that, right now, both these women are lying here, one already asleep… I have an excellent sense of smell, and I could tell just by standing by the bedside, this smell was something that might occur once in a decade. It was more pleasant than even Jeanne’s bed in France, which in my memory was the best in the past 10 years of my life. Aria’s sweet and sour scent combined with Kanae’es mature, sexy scent, a fruity start and an elegant sexy finish. This bed smells better than even the finest of perfumes in recent years. (–Wait, why am I thinking about this bed like I’m a sommelier!) (TL Note: Sommelier is professional wine taster.) For tonight I have to sleep here!? Rather, I was forced to sleep here by Aria in the first place. I do not even know if that fairy tale was told or not, but Aria is already asleep regardless. Actually, if I do sleep on the couch now, I won’t be shot right now, but that would only delay the timing of my execution until tomorrow morning. My only to options are to either A) Sleep here in hell or B) Sleep downstairs and go to hell tomorrow morning. If the outcome is the same anyway, I might as well not hurt Kanae-sans feelings. Ryoma Sakamoto once said that when you die, make sure you fall forward. (TL Note: the longer saying is “If you are a man, even if you die in a ditch during battle, you will die pitching forward”.) Just as I was about to wrap my head around what was about to happen, Kanae-san… “Come.” She gently beckons me to the bed, and I climbed up onto it… Uhh, this womanly scent is amazing after all. I felt even more overwhelmed than when I was trapped back home during the Far East Warfare. (TL Note: Not sure what exactly he is talking about, I can only assume he is talking about his interactions with Kaname back home?) However, the numerical disadvantage of 2 women to 1 man can be used to my advantage here… I managed to get to a point on the bed where I could lie down on it and not be in danger. I slept on my back so as to not be rude to Kanae-san, and breathed through my mouth to avoid the smell from entering my nose. When I close my eyes, I project prime numbers on my eyelids, resembling the opening scene to “The Matrix” which helped me escape from reality. Okay. With this, I have shored up my defences from both smell and sight. “Kinji-san… Isn’t your tummy going to get cold…?” I forgot I have hearing…! Sweet sweet Kanae-sans voice whispered into my ear. Opening my eyes, I watched as she covered my upper half with a blanket!Estimated at 99cm her bust, it was… close enough to touch my nose! “Ah, ah, I–!” I’m fine! I tried to say that, but of course I had to breath to speak. They smelled like sweetened milk, which is only natural I suppose. It was a motherly aroma that spoiled anyone who smelled it. I was in a hurry to say that, and thus not only my nose but even the bottom of lungs had breathed that smell in. “…!……!” My fortress of smell and sight crumbled without any resistance. My defences were much too weak! It was not in my spirit to give up without a fight, however, and so I closed my eyes and held my breath again. She then proceeded to tuck in the blanket that was soaked with the the smell of Aria. I do not know why it is, but the smell of Aria is something I am particularly weak against. Receiving something like this, I am sure now that I will enter hystria mode at this rate–! But, for now, all I can do is close my eyes so as to not look at Kanae-sans chest. Considering the risk that this blanket has, I used both hands to push it off me as quickly as possible. However, my hands. Once I started pushing it off, Kanae-san moved… Unfortunately, both my left and right hand missed their targets. “–!” At that time, my hand got caught in the opening above Kanae-sans negligee… her stretchy, white, thin negligee… It looked as if I was using both hands to try to forcefully take it off. Her loose elastic shoulder straps were easily pulled off to the right and left. Her large breasts, like cannon balls, exposed only the upper half, and yet had a staggering sense of volume. Both left and right. “………!” When I opened my eyes, I could see Kanae-san’s upper body covering me… It looked like I was trying to undress her negligee from under her. In an emergency like this, I am at a complete loss for words. The silence was not good. Kanae-san was (seemingly) being undressed by me, “…eh…!?” This entire situation was an unexpected development for me, but for Kanae-san, she was surprised by this development in a different sense. She was so surprised that her long-lashed eyes widened. And, “N-… no, you can’t do that Kinji-san. No…!” With one hand, she held down the chest area of her negligee that was about to fall down. With her other hand, she held down my hand and was restraining me as if she was asking me to calm down. She then lifter her upper body up and turned her back to me, and fixed up her negligee, which was about to completely become undone… She also fixed her long, loose wavy brown hair. Finally, while guarding her chest with her arms… With a wry smile, she turned around. “Mo, mou. I am surprised. To do such a thing to an older lady, such… For a young boy to feel that way about an older lady is okay.” “N-, no……!” No it isn’t! I was about to say that out loud, but I felt that it would be rude to Kanae-san to deny it outright… And so I blushed and hesitated. But, this hesitation… It seems that Kanae-sans misunderstandings have been spurred on again. “This boy just had his heart broken, I have to encourage him”. She looked at me with a wry smile. “But thanks to that… I might still be able to make at least one more flower bloom…? Thank you for restoring my confidence, Kinji-san.” Although she was in a joking mood right now, Kanae-san had made a remark that said she was happy right now. What? What are you so happy about, that a boy had tried to strip you naked in bed? Women… They are hard to understand. An eternal mystery, an enigma. Apparently, at any age. At 7:00 the next morning, while I was still in agony from not sleeping a single minute throughout the night, I was brushing my teeth, thinking that the circles around my eyes reflected in my eyes resembled a pandas eyes. “Do you have your lunch? Do you have your handkerchief? Are you sure you have everything?” “I said I have everything mama.” I could hear a conversation between Kanae-san and Aria, who both woke up before me, through the bathroom door. Now that I think about it, yesterday while I was playing Mario Kart with Aria I had heard that Akari Mamiya, Aria and the other girls are having a picnic for a girls party today. The party is being held at Daiba Park though, which is just around the corner. (… you are leaving already! I am going to be alone with Kanae-san here!) When I hurriedly exited the washroom, ran into the hallway, and looked towards the entrance… there, Aria, was wearing a red checkered jumper skirt and was carrying a rucksack on her back, ready to head out. “Mouu, mama stop worrying! I told my juniors to make sure that they are always punctual, if I am the one who is late I will just be embarrassing myself!” “Look, your ribbon isn’t straight, Aria. Take life slowly, one step at a time.” Aria, who was fussy and nervous, and Kanae, who was calm and collected, started to get into a bit of a mother daughter argument– – Kui , ton ! “Mikya!” “If you run too fast you are going to fall!” ….!? A-, amazing. I have just witnessed the impossible. Kanae-san had lightly touched Aria’s wrist, and almost like a four-way throw in Aikido… she flipped Aria over on the spot. Aria’s skirt was naturally flipped when she landed on her back, so I averted my eyes, but… That was probably a Baritsu move. Aria was an expert user of Baritsu, and yet Kanae-san was enough of an expert to easily defeat even her. This is amazing. Was there really someone in this world who could soundly defeat a raging Aria with such ease? Aria, whose forehead was now swollen like a chipmunk with food stuffed into its cheek, “Hmm, that’s right, Aria.” Kanae-san gave her a little push with her finger, and gently scolds her. Aria seemed to understand that she was no match for her mama, and so reluctantly let herself be scolded. This is similar to my relationship with Kana. Aria, finally gaining her composure, said “I’m off!” and left the room… Kanae-san, who turned around once Aria left, met my eyes, who was still surprised at what I had just witnessed. “Ara, arara? Oh dear. Did you see that just now, Kinji-san?” After being caught disciplining Aria, Kanae-san blushed and smiled wryly. Embarrassed, she put her hands on her cheeks and shyly pressed her knees together under her long skirt. That gesture which resembled a well-brought up young lady turning into an adult… How could such a cute person give birth to such a ferocious creature, the level of moe Kanae-san gave off made me marvel at the mystery of DNA when I compared her to Aria. No, this isn’t the time or situation to be tilting my head in confusion. ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ### 006. Bullet 6: A promise of Rose Quartz for that Girl After Aria left, Kanae-san and I were now alone, and so when I left to change my clothes with trepidation, I could see that Kanae-san too was nervous about something… But it would seem that God has not quite yet abandoned me. Kanae suddenly got a phone call out of the blue, and on the other end was a friend who invited her to a party that was being held by her friends from college. … On the other hand, though, I received an email from Riko. It was cipher like, full of pictograms, emoticons, and anime gal characters, but I was somehow able to make sense of this mess and put together a sentence along the lines of “Come to Odaiba”. In other words, both of us had plans coming up, so… Without any awkwardness, we parted in front of the girls dormitory with natural goodbyes. Pheww…. However, this unnatural separation felt too fortunate to be a mere coincidence. Although this is still at the level of “perhaps that is a coincidence”, some things come to mind to refute that. Back in New York, after I had the misfortune of peeking on the girls changing and in their underwear using the Meta-material Gillie suit, Luca had cast a… What was it… a Karmic Castration? A curse in which in the future I would lose one opportunity to flirt with a woman? That may have just activated right now. To be honest, this was extremely lucky for me and I would like to see Luca cast more Karmic Castration cast on me. Emails from Riko are always full of unintelligible noise, so I had to filter that out, but no matter how I read the email all I could read was “Come to Odaiba”. Whatever, I had some shopping I had to do in Daiba anyway, so I left the girls dormitory and took the monorail to Odaiba station… From there I walked along the road towards Mediage, which was just behind Aqua City. (TL Note: This sentence was annoying to get the order of, I literally made a Google Maps trip to get the correct order.) This road carries traumatic memories for me, mainly from that time I flew over it on a helicopter to board a hijacked bus with a bomb on it, but in recent times I managed to overcome this trauma and can walk on it normally. On the way to my destination, in front of the Fuji TV… “Ah, Toyama-senpai.” I ran into one of my juniors, Raika Hino. Hino, who is quite tall for a girl, was blonde, blue-eyed, and half Japanese half American. She has not made this fact public yet at Butei High, but her farther is Hino Bat, a well-known martial arts officer in the United States. She is also a quite capable first year student in the Assault Department and a personal favourite of Ryanbou-sensei. “Oh, Hino. I actually met Hino Bat in New York the other day.” When I took out my Butei Handbook to show her his signature, Hino’s eyes widened and, “How is papa?” (TL Note: Papa is in Katakana, typically used for borrowed words from other languages.) “Are not in contact with him at all? Have you not seen him recently?” “…” “well I couldn’t see his face since everyone was wearing a mask, but from his voice he sounded fine at least.” “Is that so.” Our conversation might have been short, but already, we were struggling for anything to talk about. While I might be infamous for hating women, Hino herself was actually famous for hating men. … I mean I haven’t talked to either of them much to be honest. Hino or her old man. I wanted to ask Hino about her father and his personal life since I was curious about him, but I was afraid of what might happen if I touched upon a sensitive subject. All right, lets drop this subject then. “… see you later.” Hino has the figure of a slender model and well sized breasts. Even though she is quite unsocial towards men, it would be wise from a hysteria angle to stay away as far as possible from her. But when I tried to run away from her– “Ah, senpai.” “What.” “Earlier, not too long ago actually, I ran into Mine-senpai around the Statue of Liberty. She was all dressed up, and told me that she was waiting to meet you.” “I see.” “Ah, um… Are you two, like… on a date or something?” “She just called me out to meet her. I mean, in the first place, me and Riko don’t remotely have that kind of relationship. Don’t get the wrong idea.” “I see… Regardless, you should give her a call.” “Ah.” A call? Why would I do that, I don’t even really want to see her. For me, a dressed up Riko is nothing more than a ticking time bomb… Who would actually want to meet such a cute girl who is now dressed up? I would rather just turn off my phone than call her… But Hino, regardless of that, your information could prove useful. Riko is around the Statue of Liberty. So as long as I don’t go to the Seaside Park side, I can reduce the change of encountering that honey bee… I only came to Odaiba because I happened to have something to do. I can actually use this as a defence… Should Riko end up sending me an email with something along the lines of “Why didn’t you come see me ~punpun Gao~!” I can actually use that to justify that, I did indeed come, but I was just busy and couldn’t make the time. And so, at Odaiba intersection– I entered the Mediage building from the corner with the McDonalds and a Matsutsukyo. Inside the hall that I entered, where a new School Year sale is being held, were cherry-blossom decorations. There decorations were simply everywhere and there to celebrate new life, but honestly it was a bit of a new and awkward thing for me to see. Many of the visitors were students and their families who were both equally excited about the Spring Break Season. I don’t know what could be so fun about shopping, but regardless, people were smiling everywhere and happily being noisy. “…” Weaving between the shoppers with both my hands in my pocket around the edge of the Mediage hallways… I arrived at a stamp shop that, judging by the lack of visitors and simple decoration, clearly was not making much profit. (TL Note: Stamp in this context is NOT like a post stamp. It is a seal stamp, used in Japan kind of like a signature. Google it if you are still confused, there are multiple sites with great info on this.) Perfect. They are having a 5% sale here. However, the store clerk was a cute lady wearing glasses… I don’t like this. Why couldn’t the person here today been the old guy who I always see here. “Umm… I would like to make a personal seal…” Since the store clerk was a woman, I could not quite get the words out fluently, but– To tell the truth, my own personal seal had the edge chipped when I dropped it in my freshman year. Since I was broke I had been using my bank seal alongside my personal for now, and when I called my bank they had said that I could keep using my personal seal as long as the damage done to them was minimal. Because of that I had no intention of paying to replace my personal seal, but the other day Shirayuki had told me that, if my seal was broken, my luck with money will run away with the broken seal. Regardless of how often I have sen youkai, demons, or even UFO’s in real life, I don’t believe in the occult, however, I am certainly aware that my luck with money is already bad as it is. Maybe it was because of my broken stamp? With that as my reasoning, I decided to take advantage of this 5% discount that this stamp shop is having. The girl behind the counter turned around with her bobbed hair to look at me, “Yup! Welcome!” Wow, what a bright attitude. And kind of cute. She seems like the overly familiar and yet shy type. “Recently, people have been making their seals out of so many various tings, such as jade, or different types of wood such as sandalwood, ebony, and maple. You can even make it out of horns and tusks such as buffalo, ivory, or even mammoth tusks! Yup, even mammoth! Obviously the price will depend on what material is used… So, dear customer, can I ask what your budget is before deciding on what material you want to use?” Ah. She asked the question I wanted to hear from the beginning. To be honest for me the cheaper the better… However, the previous one I had was made out of the cheapest material and that is probably why it chipped. Getting the cheapest one available though made sense at the time… The price of a seal can easily become unimaginable. “Well, umm… Ideally I want one that is not too cheap or too expensive… Also this is just a story… But I seem to have trouble with women, so if possible, if you have a material that can help with that… Ah, I don’t have any trouble with money either…” I gave her a non-coherent, rambling request. In response however, her eyes started to twinkly, “Oh hoh, I understand now… A mineral of some kind would be good, then. Titanium is typically recommended for its durability, but natural stones such as lapiz lazuli and amber are said to bring you good luck. This mineral is actually quite popular with young customers–“ She was talking way too fast right now. Clearly, she very much loves her job. Halfway through I she started just sounding like a fortune teller… My request odds are was a minefield with or without the mention of “luck”. “Depending on what mineral is used, the typ face that can be carved might be somewhat limited. As well, the fortunes of the material that the seal is made from varies from group to group, but–“ The older sister type clerk continued to happily explain about the different type faces, seals, and materials, but I, who was still firmly grounded in my scientific beliefs and not the occult, did not have the motivation to listen to what she had to say. So, I just pretended to listen to her while ignoring her, but… I eventually got bored of even that… As she excitedly leaned forward with stamps in hand, the clerks white blouse… Wait, why is it now transparent? She was leaning far forward because of how passionate she was right now, and her pastel pink underwear– “Do you like the color pink?” “Eh, huh?” I instinctively thought that she had realized that I had seen her bra, and so I was nervous as I made a strange sound. “If you don’t mind the color, how about using rose quartz, which is said to give its owner good luck with women? It is sometimes said to be a fragile mineral, but in recent years it has been combined with a special oil that also gives it a good aroma–“ “Oh, well then… I will just take that one then.” After all those incident with Kanae-san, I was frustratingly conscious of older women now– I did not even look at the sample she offered to show me, I just ordered that material and left to waste some time. I went to eat some yakisoba at the food court and when I returned back to the stamp shop, there was a glittering pink crystal “Toyama” stamp waiting for me. What is… isn’t this almost a little too feminine… at the top and bottom of the seal are heart marks. However, according to this eccentric clerk, this stamp is supposedly a lucky charm that is extremely effective in warding off bad luck related to marriage and the opposite sex. Apparently it does not require marriage to be effective, which is reassuring to me as it can still help with my woman troubles. It wasn’t that expensive either, and I am a fan of the font that “Toyama” was written in. Alright, I am happy with this and will be using it from now on instead of my bank seal. However, rose quartz was originally a material for a female audience, and so my new seal was wrapped in a pink sachet, upping the femininity of my seal. I casually put it in my pocket and left the store. (Well, I might be done with what I came for… This IS one of my rare holidays, so maybe I should just hang around a bit.) However, both Mediage and Aqua City have a lot of people there having fun with friends and family, so it was kind of awkward for me to stay there doing seemingly nothing. I contemplated watching a movie by myself, but none of the movies being offered were appealing to me. Besides, the weather outside was sunny and had a slight spring breeze. It would be a waste to spend my whole days indoors with such nice weather. But if I did go outside, I would run the risk of running into Riko, and so– I had bought a Riko countermeasure at Aqua City that had come to mind while I was waiting for my stamp to be made. It was a small bottle, almost like a test tube, that was about the same size as my stamp, made of colored glass, and filled with star sand and gold sand. I have no clue what it is actually called, but I just decided to call it a “glitter stick”. I have long known that Riko loves anything shiny, the most obvious examples being precious metals and jewels. Honestly though she is on the same level as an elementary school student who love things like shiny Pokemon cards, and so whenever she sees something shiny, such as a piece of glass or a shiny sea shell, she has a habit of being distracted for a moment. (TL Note: I was given the Kanji for “mackerel”, this could be referring to the shiny scales of the fish but I took the liberty of just saying seashell as it makes more sense given context.) And so, my plan was, should Riko appear, I would take the initiative and hand over this glitter stick. Tomorrow… March 31’st… is Riko’s birthday, and if I say that this is a birthday present for her, she will accept it happily with open arms. I put it in the pink satchel that my seal came in so that the will not immediately know what it is. And so, once Riko opens up the satchel and sees what is inside, she is sure to go “Ahh–!!” and start happily jumping up and down. As she is doing that, I will take that chance to make a run for it and run as far, and as fast, as I can. She wont be able to follow me around like she usually does since she will be too distracted by the glitter stick. That is my plan. (I must say, me… this is a perfect plan even by my standards… Now I must prepare for battle… Parabellum…) (TL Note: Parabellum is Latin for “prepare for war”.) As I followed the commandments written on the box of 9mm bullets I use, I prepared for Riko– I bought a cafe au lait from Takachiho Ranch and headed outside. In the spring breeze, I sat down comfortably on the bench next to the harbour bus waiting area, nearby an anchor statue… I began to sip my cold cafe au lait, and enjoyed the atmosphere with a nice fresh breeze while gazing at the Rainbow Bridge. This refreshing drink and this view… “Bah!” Suddenly, Riko was standing in front of me! And of all things, she appeared while making an akanbe face. Buho ! I was so surprised that I spat out my coffee milk, but Riko dodged it with her usual Riko graceful and brilliant body movements. With her frilly remodelled school uniform fluttering behind her like a goldfishes tail, she struck a buriko pose – kirari ~. (TL Note: Google buriko pose if you are unaware of what this is, basically cute girly pose.) “Yahhoo Ki-kun!” And then she winked while still in a buriko pose. “Hey, what are you doing Riko! This drink was pretty expensive you know!” I mean, I had a whole mouth full of this drink when she suddenly appeared, at least 30yen worth of it, and so now I am nearly out… Riko, though, smiled and, “Fine fine, I will give you this as an apology then. It was handmade by Riko herself~” She handed me a small bento basket that was wrapped in a frilled handkerchief. When I open it, I found out that it was filled with mini pancakes decorated with cream, chocolate writing, and different colored chocolate chips. It was definitely the type of treat that would make any girl go “Kyaaaaaii! Cute!” as they squeal with delight, but for a boy to eat this would be an act to make them question their sanity… So I intended not to eat them. “… You… No, I will eat it. Don’t make these kinds of things for boys again, okay?” As I made that complaint to Riko, she was… dumbfounded. Her large, double lidded eyes with her long eyelashes somehow got even bigger than usual. I was not expecting that reaction. “Uh, yeah. Rajah! I wouldn’t want to make something like this for a boy other than you, Ki-kun. I had never even thought of it, but I was surprised that you would tell me that…” “What?” “I am surprised to learn that Ki-kun wants to monopolize me~” “Huh?” I don’t think that Riko is quite understanding me here… But hey, these pancake snacks would probably make for a good snack to have with my coffee. Regardless of how they might look, they are the perfect size to eat with my coffee. “Where did you see me from?” “I saw you at the cafe earlier. I was sure that you would come to the convenience store nearby eventually, and so I had that area staked out.” “You were tailing me since then… I never even had the slightest notion that I was being followed.” And while I was sitting on the bench… Riko was sitting next to me on me left, clinging onto my arm with all her strength… I will just leave her alone for now. “Do they taste good?” “Yeah, they do.” This was not flattery at all, but honestly the mini pancakes that Riko made were surprisingly delicious despite the fact that it was clear that her emphasis was on appearance. I thought that Riko would be a Aria level when it came to life skills, but she might be more homely than I had originally given her credit for. (This one is vanilla flavoured, huh…) Looking at Riko, I have to say… Raika was right, Riko does look more dressed up than usual. Riko, who was already an absurdly beautiful girl, was somehow looking like she was sparkling and shining in the sunlight, it was making me awkward. A womans makeup truly was magic, it is something that a man can truly never comprehend. The only thing that I could clearly tell is that she is wearing a lipstick or a lip gloss. Her lips looked moist and plump, giving off the impression as if Riko was saying “I dare you to try them”. In other words… Riko wants me to focus on her lips, but why? … I cannot decipher this girl, never mind women in general. “That’s right… Not too long ago, I met one of your Amica’s friend, Raika Hino from Assault. She was kind of suspicious of my relationship with you… I tried to clear up her misunderstanding on us, but I am not sure if she actually understood. I am sorry if this ends up being a nuisance for you.” As I spoke about my earlier encounter with Raika while eating some of Riko’s pancakes, Riko, furufuru , she starting to awkwardly shake her body. She shook her twintails as she shook her head from side to side. And, while chuckling, “N- no, no. Riko does not think that is a nuisance in the slightest… Rather, Riko thinks that that kind of thing should be officially recognized by everyone else around me…” Making a victory pose with her elbows at her side and her arms out front, she said some more unintelligible things. … But, well, it does not seem like the has a problem with any possible misunderstandings or rumours, so whatever. It is a waste of time anyway to try to understand Riko’s free-form brain. “Thank you for the meal.” When I returned the now empty basket, Riko put it back into her pochette– With a smile, she held out her hand. Is she asking me for money…? “I don’t have any money on me now.” “No, I don’t want that. I want your hand.” Dog role-play? That is kind of sudden…? However, those pancakes she just made for me… the cost of those ingredients alone were far more than the amount of coffee I had wasted when I spit it out. Giving money to Riko for the pancakes would be quite dangerous for me financially, so I bent my fingers a bit… “Here.” And I put my hand on top of Riko’s. Riko’s hands were small, soft, smooth, and warm, a surprise since her weapon of choice is a pistol… For a mere split second, I was distracted by that unexpected sensation. Paku . In that split second, Riko grabbed my hand with her own. In the blink of an eye, her fingers entwined with my own in a lovers tie… We were now holding hands. “Okay, Ki-kun! Let’s go on a date now!” Riko happily stood up, pulling me along with her by the hand, her skirt bouncing along with her cheerfully. “D-, Date?” Riko, her hair fluttering in the behind behind her, took me, still confused, along for a walk… “By definition, if a man and a woman are walking together, hand in hand, that is a date. We are already on a date together.” She was stating facts that sound like they came from a girls manga. But, well, Riko looks like she is truly having fun from the bottom of her heart, and I still have the “get away from Riko” item, the glitter stick. If she starts to get really annoying, I can just use that to get away if I want to. Well I wanted to go for a walk anyway to let my stomach settle down, so I will just walk with her for now I guess. And so, I walked with her hand in hand… Riko seemed to take this fact as me agreeing to the date, and so happily squeezed her hand. She wrapped her arms around my arm without my permission. Isn’t this a lovers embrace? Arm around arm, hand clasped with hand, we were entwined like a rope. (…) Even if I try to shake you off, you are just going to hold on even tighter, aren’t you? Whatever. Let’s just keep walking. “Hehehehe, ehehe. Ki-Kun, Ki-kuuun~. This is so fun!” “… You, how are you so energetic.” “Riko can’t calm down, she cant-!” Riko skipped along while I walked through Odaibia Seaside park. Riko had let go of me so she could happily skip along ahead, as if she was bouncing on the surface of the moon. Before I knew it though, she was hugging my arm again with both of her own. Hey, your breasts… your breasts…! She had buried my arm in between them as she hugged my arm as hard as she could. Riko’s breasts are soft, warm, and squishy. However, I was somewhat prepared for that when are arms became intertwined, but the direction of the wind… it was southerly. Since I was on the windward side, Riko’s sweet, mesmerizing vanilla scent was a risk to hysteria mode. And so, barely holding on, I let Riko pull me along on our date… We walked west through the narrow seaside park. Walking along the sidewalk and avoiding joggers as we zigzag along the narrow path, we watched as the scenery changes over and over again… Flower bushes, grassy fields, and the ocean alongside us off in the distance. It seems that the path that we took was charted purposefully by Riko, who is not a fan of monotonous things. I don’t know why Riko is having so much fun though, she is just walking around with someone like me. “Riko is having so much fun right now but I don’t know why!” While tightly hugging my arm, Riko happily yelled at me. It seems even she does not know why she is having fun right now. It is sunny and warm out today, so the park as expected is pretty crowded, and we walked past a lot of people… Walking with Riko, her body rubbing happily up against mine, both men and women turned to look at her and me. I have been in a similar situation before walking with the other girls… Shirayuki in particular, but only guys were looking at us back then. (How should I put it… I wonder if Riko has a charm that captivates everyone and anyone who sees her, even other girls.) Even someone as dense as me can clearly see that Riko is an absurdly beautiful girl. But this beauties charm is different than that of Shirayuki or Aria. Riko is like an idol or an actress, whose charm makes everyone stop and stare at her regardless of gender. Thinking back on it, Aria had once said that Riko’s mom was a peerless beauty who was admired by both men and women. Riko must truly have her mothers blood than, I guess. But to the Riko who was the cause of these stares, her head was currently in the clouds… She just kept talking. Just like a Radio DJ, “Hey, Ki-kun” “You know, Ki-kun…” “So, Ki-kun…”, why are you so damn talkative today? On top of the fact that she wont stop talking, she was only talking about bishoujo anime and dating games, meaning that I had no choice but to ignore. In the meantime, we were approaching a small kids play area. This place was well hidden among the trees, only known to those who already knew that it was there… No one else was here. Upon reaching it, suddenly Riko let go of me. “Wah wow~! Ki-kun, come here!” With her feet in cute red strap-shoes, she began to climb the wooden ladder. (….) Her speed in climbing was so fast that her short frilly skirt flipped up, and… Honey gold panties today… I hurriedly lowered my gaze and avoided looking towards the ladder as I walked around the area. It seems that Riko is having a lot of fun playing on the playground equipment meant for kids, “Riko, you… you aren’t a kid anymore…” In awe at the childish Riko, I stopped walking at the bottom of the slide to make it clear that I was not going to join her. Then, “Pyu-!” Riku gleefully slid down the slide while making a cutesie sound effect. Now that I was looking at her from the front, and the fact that Riko was on her hands and knees to slowly go down the slide… Even her bra is honey gold…! (….!) Riko slid down to the bottom of the slide and looks up at me with a big smile and a V sign on one hand. Despite my inner panic, it seems like she was really enjoying the slide as well. Why am I panicking around Riko so much right now? I feel so stupid, I… Really, what am I doing? I think I get it. Recently, my defences to prevent Hysteria Mode have been really lax. I think it is time to rebuild those defences right here and now. –And, so I… “Hey, Riko. Oh yeah, tomorrow is your birthday isn’t it?” Starting up a conversation, I stuck my hand into my pocket to get the glitter stick ready. Riko, who was sitting at the bottom of the slid and freely kicking her legs in the air like a child– “–umm. Ye-, yes.” She looked up at me, her energetic mood gone and is now acting awkward and jerky. She was stiff, and her cheeks had a faint blush. What is up with the sudden change in tension? But I am grateful that she is talking so little right now. “Ki-ku, you remembered? Not just Aria and Shirayuki-chan’s birthday, but Riko’s birthday too…” “I told you in Hong Kong, do you not remember that? Your birthday is the easiest to remember, March 31’st, the end of the fiscal year.” “Ah, uh, ya. Thank you… Then, um, ah, I was wondering if you would do something for me on my birthday, like you did for Aria and Yuki-chan.” What happened to Riko? Ahahaha , she was laughing awkwardly, her eyes were darting all over the place… she is acting really suspicious. Well thinking about it, it is normal for Riko to act suspiciously. Really this is just normal Riko right now. So, “Well your birthday is actually technically tomorrow, so I will do something formal tomorrow for it, but,” With that, I took out a small pink bag from my pocket and held out the glitter stick to Riko. Riko, who was still sitting on the slide, took the wrapped up gift with both of her small hands and… Dokkin , dokkin . Her face became even tenser, and I swear I could hear her heartbeat right now. What the… Well then, it is time to run away from here while Riko is distracted by the glitter stick… To further my chances of getting away from her, I should pretend that I was going to walk with her for a bit now that her guard is lowered. And so, at the same time that Riko began to gently open the pink pouch… “Riko. For now, just be quiet and come with me.” I pretended to be fed up with her talking about anime and video games I did not know about, and so used that complaint as a guise to get her to be quiet. Riko then looked inside the pouch and Pikkin ! Riko stiffened and gave a slightly different reaction than what I expected– It seemed as if she was completely frozen in time– But just as I turned to my right and tried to dash away. … But. “A-, Are you sure, Ki-kun!?” Looking at Riko’s bright smile, who had turned to me and had her Aria level blush on… I realized that my plan had failed spectacularly. Ahhhh. I guess the glitter stick did not stall for quite as long as I hoped. I thought that Riko would spend a lot more time looking at it before coming to her senses. “Aria has a ring, Yuki-chan has a rose, I thought to myself “what could be left?”. But no, this gift was far more than I was expecting… I would have never anticipated this.” (TL Note: I took some liberties with this.) “… I am sorry. It was not an expensive gift.” I could not help but talk about this gift as if it was just a normal birthday present, since Riko did not know that that was just a gift to help me escape. “No, that’s fine. Riko only steals expensive things after all.” “Hey, you…” “Aha, ahaha! Well then I will gladly accept this!” Instead of taking the glitter stick out of the bag, Riko held it in her hands as if it was a precious memento… “I will give you an answer tomorrow. I will be ready and waiting for you.” “… Ready? What?” In response to my confusion on Riko’s strange remark, “–I need to prepare to run away together.” She spoke in a silent voice with a cute wink. …? Are you running away from Aria and Shirayuki? But wait, didn’t you say together? “But Riko is convinced that this can work. Riko is better at running and hiding than Aria or Yuki-chan is at searching. Riko has hideouts everywhere as well. So Riko can learn to get along better with you as we live there.” Riko spoke in a low voice, as if she was hiding her conversation from someone, but… You don’t have to be so freaked out over Aria and Shirayuki. “… What are you going to do today for now?” “I am going to go home for now. Riko’s heart is a little too excited, and right now I cannot be the normal Riko. As I am right now, I might show Ki-kun a strange side of me and do something I normally wouldn’t, and even if you asked me to stop it wouldn’t work. Since you chose me, this is bye-bye for today, I don’t have to rush.” I don’t really understand what just happened, but did she just imply that she will restrain herself till tomorrow? Well, whatever then. Even if I were to run away, I am sure Riko will just chase after me, so I will just hang out with her then too. “Okay.” “Well then, tomorrow at 7 o’clock… come to Riko’s room. please come… Ah, but… Ki-kun… if your mind changes… you don’t have to come. If Ki-kun does not come, Riko will understand and give up… That would just mean you would have chosen to run away with another girl.” Which is it then? Do you want me to come or no? I mean, if I don’t come you will just complain about it later anyway, right? “Tomorrow at 7’o’clock, right? See you then.” When I said that, Riko, “Eh?” Dokkin , once again I heard a heartbeat so loud I thought that Riko’s heart was about to appear in her mouth. “You know, Riko, even she thinks that Aria and Yuki-chan are fine girls, better than her. If you keep treating Riko like their equal… I might try to steal something from you and them.” “What do you mean?” “Ki-kun’s heart. Riko loves to steal other peoples things… Riko especially loves to steal from Aria.” As usual, I am not sure what she is talking about… “… Even if it is unrequited love anyway, stealing it overturns that. Riko will accompany you to the ends of the Earth as we run away. I will throw everything I have away and go anywhere you want with you. I am willing to give you everything or give everything up– The only one to have that resolve is surely Riko.” Pyoko , Riko stood up softly… and her vanilla-like scent wafted through the air. As Riko passed by my, leaving her scent behind in the air, “Be careful. Les murs ont des oreilles (the walls have ears). Don’t tell anyone about tomorrow” (TL Note: normally I would translate French into English and just mention it in the notes, but Riko speaking French there was too on point.) Leaving those words behind– She left for Hotel Nikko, which is where her stronghold was when she was still the Butei Killer. After parting ways with Riko, I headed back to Academy Island by taking the Tokyo Waterfront Monorail… As I was jokingly browsing the “Look for and For Sale” sign in front of the Assault Department, the sun had begun to gradually descend. (Guess I should head back home…) And so, because I was out even more now after buying the stamp, I ended up walking back to the boys dormitory to save money on the bus fare. Passing by the seconds Sports Ground on my way back home, I could see half-bloomed cherry blossoms swaying against a backdrop of a beautiful sunset. It must have been because I had just been with Riko, but– This cherry tree was the one that Aria and I had landed on about a year ago… Thanks to the branches and leaves that cushioned our fall from the bomb blast, we managed to survive our fall into the gymnasium, a fall that normally would have killed us both. In a way, really, this tree saved our lives, huh…? As I looked up to the tree for a moment, admiring it, “… Kinji?” I heard an anime like voice from behind me. Turning, sure enough, was Aria in her plain clothes. She was standing there with a peach bun in her hands, mid bite. “Is your girls party over already?” “Yeah. I went to the convenience store over there to buy some peach buns, and as I was leaving, I saw someone from behind who I thought looked like you.” Aria-sama, who did not even know the Japanese word for convenience store this time last year, is somehow now able to even buy food from them to eat. Even Aria can grow up it seems. Aria happily walked up beside me and looked up at the cherry blossom tree with me with a bright smile on her face… “Right here, this is where you and I first met.” “So you remembered that as well, huh? Well, technically, we met a little further down the roadway.” “It has been a year since then. Now, we are already done our sophomore year.” “Advancing a grade, huh… I think I am at least. I won’t know for sure until tomorrow since everything at Butei High is always on the edge for me…” At Butei High, a students standing for all of the grades are made on March 31’st. Those who did not advance to the next will have their name in the same grade, so those who fail and succeed find out at the same time. “If you end up failing and repeating a year, you might be classmates with Akari and Fuuma. Fufu~” Aria ended up laughing by herself at her own joke. “Stop laughing. That wouldn’t be funny at all…” Just imagining that was making me feel uncomfortable. Having Fuuma, a girl I routinely use as an errand girl, as a classmate… “This year has been just one incident after another, so I guess you would not have been able to study much.” You think? “… I have been getting the hang of studying these days. I did pretty good on the finals though, you don’t have to worry about that.” Hiding the fact that I was being privately tutored by Moe, I was actually getting confident with my studies and quite proud of myself… “… Kinji, thank you so much.” Aria thanked me again. She thanked me again for everything in the past year. “You have changed recently. Now both on the shuttle and here, you have said “thank you” to me. You have never said that before.” “Even I can say “thank you” sometimes you know.” “No you don’t.” “Yes I do! … I may not always say it, but I do have feelings of gratitude for everything you have done for me. Let me say it here, though. Kinji. Thank you for always being so kind and gentle to me. You are so kind to me even though I am always hitting you…” If you are aware that the way you treat me isn’t fair, then just don’t hit me at all! Also, your “hit” frequently isnt from a fist but a bullet! I wanted to say that to Aria, but I couldn’t to Aria who was acting unusually shy right now. This is where Aria is wrong though, in saying that I am being kind to her… But I am not kind, I am just a wimp, weak-minded. Because of hysteria syndrome as well, I have a tendency to be kind to women. I don’t buy it, me being kind. And, as I was silent… “… Kinji.” Aria turned her face to look at me. Somehow, it looks like she has made up her mind on something. “I’m sure that you have already figured it out, but I… I have something I have to tell you, and I need to tell it to you properly. I have been putting off saying it because of mama.” “…?” “I haven’t properly told you about my own feelings yet. At least, not of my own volition.” Just as the sky outside is getting darker and darker, Aria is turner redder and redder… I think she is about to make some kind of serious confession to me. However, it does not seem like she wants to say it right now, “But… Of course, you have the freedom to choose to hear it. So, uh, a time… If I remember correctly, the classroom announcements will be tomorrow night at 7, so at that time come to my room.” It felt like Aria was just making excuses to put gaps in between her words until she got the courage to say what she wanted to. “Mama also said that tomorrow night she is going to be out looking for a new house too… The two of us can use the internet to look for our new classes. If we end up in the same class for our third year, I think… I think that would be really exciting. If that happens then us two can, you know, have a mini party or something… umm…” When Aria realizes that I don’t understand what she is getting at, she begins to lose momentum. “But if you… umm, if something comes up or something… If you don’t want to hear my answer, you don’t have to come hear it. That will just be the way it is, and I will give up once and for all.” There were too many confusing words and pronouns for me to really understand what she is implying, but Aria seemed to be speaking with all of her courage, so I was not going to ask her to explain what she just said. But, (Tomorrow night at 7…) That is the exact same time that Riko had invited me at. However, Riko told me not to tell anyone about that. If I were to tell Aria that I had something planned but wasn’t able to tell her what, she will definitely push me on that and try to figure out what it is. If Aria manages to figure out that I had something planned with Riko, that would make things awkward for all three of us. So thinking on it a little… Since it seemed like Aria was planning on throwing a small party, “If we are going to have a party, why not invite someone else? We could invite Riko for instance to help liven things up.” Thinking that that would let me meet with both girls at 7, I offered a natural suggestion to Aria. That, however, was a big mistake. Aria, “Why are you trying to invite Riko!?” Dokan ! An eruption of angry steam erupted from her pink-haired head. Shoot. Aria is even angrier than usual. I wonder if Aria and Riko are fighting or something. “Baka! You! Idiot! Come! Baka! Alone!” (TL Note: Baka means idiot/stupid/etc, I put both because it sounds better/cuter in my head.) For every “baka!” and “idiot!”, Aria stomped on the ground with her alternating strapped shoes. “Wh-, why did you suddenly lose your temper? Don’t get angry at me.” “I AM NOT A–N–G–R–Y–!” Beroberober- ! Aria was looking at me with an angry childish brat expression. I don’t like this. This Aria behavioural pattern… If I leave her alone like this, things are bound to break in her path. Just the other day, she did a brain buster on me with a vending machine. “okay, okay. I will come, alone.” When I said that to Aria to prevent her from indiscriminate destruction from her, Aria… “Ar-, are you coming? Tomorrow. At 7:00pm.” Still half dazed and out of it, her face did a magic trick and now she was looking strangely happy. “Ah, if you are late I will make you pay!” “Ya ya.” “Just one “ya” is enough! Oh, and Kinji. Don’t tell anyone about this promise. They will just get in the way… And make sure you don’t say a single thing about it to Riko especially!” Aria bared her canine teeth and pointed at me as she said that– I know for a fact I won’t be able to ask Riko to change the time either. Riko is Riko after all, and if I said “I am sorry but I am busy now”, she is just as likely as Aria to look into that. … That is why… I will have to do a “late cancellation” strategy tomorrow. I will go to either Aria or Riko’s room, but I will call the other 5 minutes before hand to cancel. That way, they will have no opportunity to figure out why I had to cancel. Skipping away with a big grin, the mysterious Aria sometimes looked back and waved bye-bye with her small hand… I waved back with a wry smile. Beyond my shadow which had grown long, I could see the lights of Tokyo as the sun was beginning to set. ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ### 007. Go for the NEXT!!! The promised day, March 31st… Evening has arrived. Well, the time to be exact as 6:45… 15 minutes to go. (Do I go to Aria or Riko?) I had still not decided on that even as I briskly walked down the asphalt with my hands in my pockets. Aria’s room was in the first girls dormitory, Riko’s room is in the second girls dormitory. Soon, I will come to a fork in the road. So, I need to make a comparison between the two before I decide for potential outcomes. First… –The road leading to Aria. Since I will definitely have to turn down one of them, I need to address the potential punishment that either of the girls might do. If I had to choose between the two, I am far more scared of Aria being angry than Riko. In that regard, Aria is the better choice when it comes to personal safety. I have zero intention of being turned into a human lotus root tomorrow in a Wind Hole Festival during the opening ceremony for my third year of Butei High. There is a second path though… –The road leading to Riko. It is also Riko’s birthday today, not to mention I have something rather embarrassing to say to her. It is regarding my seal… Yesterday, in order to distract Riko should I come across her, I intended to give her a long, narrow bottle filled with star sand that I accurately named a “Glitter Stick”… However… By mistake, I gave her the new stamp that I had just bought shortly before meeting her. Because of their similar size and weight, as well as the fact that I had put her gift in the pink satchel, I did not realize till later that day. The seal was brand new and made out of rose quartz, so perhaps to Riko it looked like a magic crystal gift. However, since it has “Toyama” carved on it, Riko should have known it was a gift, but… Regardless, it is not good for someone other than the owner, particularly a professional thief, to have a seal that is intended to be used as a registered seal or a bank seal. I have to get that seal back as soon as possible. (Well, where should I go?) The thirteen wards of Butei Island, are divided into squares of 100 meters, like a chess board… I stop at a small plaza in front of a medium-sized shopping building in which all of the stores were closed for reconstruction. Going east from here, I will be heading towards Aria in the First Girls Dormitory, should I go north, I will be heading towards Riko in the Second Girls Dormitory. In other words… I have arrived at the cross roads of fate. On the southwest side of the plaza, at the top of a wide staircase, the shutters were down on a store… Perhaps because of how long the building has been empty and unused, it was covered in flashy graffiti. With my back to the wide staircase, and my arms crossed… “You have a flower in both hands, Toyama.” … Huh? A familiar face appeared in this previously deserted plaza. –Ryo Shiranui. An A-ranked Assault Butei, and a classmate of mine enshrouded in mystery. “But, you can only select one of those two flowers… However, the only option you have is likely a third flower.” While saying such things, he came over to me with one hand raised as if to greet me. I am wearing my bullet proof uniform on my day off as well, so I don’t feel the need to point that out to him, however the fact he is wearing it is strange– But regardless, how does he know about what is going on? I have not told a single person about me agreeing to meet both Aria and Riko at the same time on the same day. Neither Aria or Riko seemed to want anyone else to know as well, so I doubt they told anyone. But Shiranui is definitely in front of me right now, and talking as he if knows about everything that is happening with the two girls… “You must have been bored at Higashi Ikebukuro High. I had to go undercover because of someone there you know.” – He hes been watching me the whole time. At least since last winter, when I dropped out of Butei High and went to a regular school, maybe even already by that point. Thinking about it now, he has been too unnatural. Shiranui had left Butei High around the same time as me, went to the same school, and even returned around the same time. I had never wanted to doubt my friend, so I did not think it strange until now– Shiranui was sent by someone, for some reason, and has been closely watching me for some time now. “No, that is not true. You were quite active after all, there was a lot to report. It was annoying, however, to make sure that Reki-san and your younger brother and sister did not notice me, though.” He knows everything, he is not holding anything back. “–It is part of a Butei’s job to tell lies. However, didn’t you learn a single thing from your grandma or grandpa? a liar will eventually have their tongue cut out by Enma-sama.” When I turn to look towards Shiranui… “So, then, for your tongue’s sake, let me make a request.” “A request? Do you seriously think that I will fulfill a request of yours, pretending like you are right now?” “Look, I helped you during that soccer match during the summer vacation, right? At that time, you had said that you would accept any request of mine in return. Did you forget that you had let me postpone it indefinitely?” “Hey, you…” “Hm? Didn’t you say you would do anything?” “… You are such a child. But, fine, I get it. Then, what is it?” –For now, I should just let him talk. I need information. This is a creepy encounter and right now I know nothing. Thinking back on it, Shiranui was always very concerned about my relationship with Aria. If anything, he was always in a position to mediate whenever something went wrong between us. I had always thought that, to him, it was merely “I like to tease classmates who work with female partners” which isnt uncommon at Butei high… However, right now I wish it was just that. That is because, depending on how far ahead I think… There was a potential third party that we did not notice during the nightmarish Scarlet Goddess incident. During that incident, there was us, the party who were trying to prevent Aria from becoming a Scarlet God, and the faction working towards Aria becoming a Scarlet God. With Shiranui trying to get me and Aria to become closer, it is unclear what his end goal could have been… –But regardless of that, there is the possibility that he was trying to lead us towards one way or the other. Although weak, minuscule at best, it is possible that he had somehow intervened in that incident. “I actually also had a personal reason in accepting this duty. You had apologized before, but previously I had planned on teaming up with you. But since the events of the Butei Killer, any hope of that was dashed by Kanzaki-san. You might think jealousy to be effeminate, but just as beautiful women are rare, so are strong people. I hope that you can understand that, while I might have negative feelings, someone was taken away from me after all.” (TL Note: Who had “Shiranui confession” on their “HnA Bingo Card”?) “… Official duties? On whose orders?” “Client confidentiality is a most popular rule.” With a cool and handsome face, he parried away my question. “Okay, I understand. I just need to make you say it, then.” Compared to me, Shiranui’s combat ability… He is stronger than me if I am not in Hysteria Mode. However, I have spent the past year training all over the world… I have finally devised a method to enter Hysteria Mode on my own will. I haven’t had a chance to test it in live combat yet, but this is a perfect opportunity for that. My opponent is my own friend, after all. Even if I screw up, he won’t kill me. Besides, in this situation… I have nothing to lose, but Shiranui does. Information. In other words, the conditions are completely in my favour. And so, as I took a step towards Shiranui… –I could feel it. –All at once. Here, finally. “……” Since I had expressed an intent to fight, Shiranui let it all out. All of his presence. Tough, complex, and sharp. A presence that I had never encountered before. And multiple presences at once! This isn’t good. This is not the time to get caught up with Shiranui’s presence though. (–There he is! Behind me–!) Ba …! And then I turned around. On the wide staircase with a spray painted wall behind it… There were five people. Some looked bored, some were looking off to the side, some sat with their legs spread out and some exuded a languid air. The five of them were looking at different places, but… It was obvious that they were a team. It was also obvious that each person alone was a superhuman warrior in terms of fighting ability, and that they were united in a goal. They seemed like an army that could fight just as well alone and as a team. That is what my senses were screaming at me. And… Among those five… (… Harada, Seiji…!) I don’t like this. That man who wore a black coat and covered his face with a hood. A former mercenary who almost assassinated me in Belgium. He is currently carrying both swords on his left hip instead of on his back, although the black sheathed Japanese swords are still the same ones that he has gotten his nickname from. He is on one knee, hanging over the stairs, just looking at me. It has felt like 100 years since we last met, but this time I am gonna beat you up…! I wanted to yell that at him, but I already knew that that wouldn’t be an easy task. First, was Harada Seiji himself. It is clear that he is even stronger than when we met in Belgium. It has only been 2 and a half months since then, what is going on with him? “If you have not seen the young man for more than three days, The next time you see him, look at him carefully. “… That said, that is still an unnaturally rapid growth. He has left zero openings. (TL Note: that saying is from a Chinese story, basically that young men can grow rapidly in a short period of time.) Among Harada’s allies is a beautiful boy with a large collar shirt, a slender man in a crisp suit, and a huge man with a bald round head wearing a kimono… Three men as strong as, or potentially even stronger than Harada, and… (TL Note: This is the type of collar shirt. I do not know the English name for it. ) There is 1 more person who seems exceptionally strong. They are sitting in front of the middle of the wide staircase. It was a large man, sitting on his knees with his long legs spread and his desert-colored trench coat touching the ground, and when my eyes met his… He took out a box of Lucky Strike with his left hand from his pocket, tapped it, took out a cigarette, put it in his mouth, and lit the end of it on fire with a Zippo. The presence of this man… It surpassed humans, even demons… Far surpassed that… it was edging on a presence like Enma…! (–Damn it…!) I could clearly tell, all of my bodies organs were instinctively searching for some kind of way out of this. This is bad, really bad…. What the hell even is this guy…!? I cannot win, that is an absolute. Even if I was in Hysteria Mode, the end result would my absolute defeat even if he were to use just one hand. On top of that was his sword… it looks like Masamune’s sword. No, that is not right. It does not look like it, that is indeed the real thing. I am nearly certain that, at the absolute minimum, this being is as strong as my grandfather and father during their absolute peak. I cannot even take my eyes off this being whose presence overwhelms me… “– Do we really need us five to deal with one kid like this?” “Isn’t Nada-san enough to deal with just one person? You said this was a Rank Hunt you know?” “I am currently ranked 19th. Even if I do kill the 71’st, it is not like my rank will go up.” The man in the suit and the collar boy were complaining to the man wearing the trench coat. That MI6 agent in London… the two bickering have a presence about as strong as Bond… However, the mane in the trench coat sitting in the centre of the room did not even bother turning around to look back at them… After breathing out purple smoke… “Don’t underestimate this kid just because he is a kid.” Never taking his eyes off me, he spoke slowly. His voice was like a lion roaring. “Kamui, Nada, Harada, Daimonbou. Delta Formation. Team up for the offensive.” The supposed leader of the group gave off orders– “Beta is more than enough.” The man in the suit, whose eyes looked even worse than mine… Nada I think… Spoke back in a gloomy voice. However, it seems that he had no intention of disobeying his orders. The murderous intent of these five… They worked together, entering formation like a cable of wires. (TL Note: I take this to mean like how wires are wrapped together in a cable, close knit and tight.) “Kinji Toyama. For a kid, you might be a level 99. However, from my perspective, the perspective of an adult, you are a mere level 1.” Their murderous intent was enough to deprive me of any ability to even move– The leader stood up. Just him getting up alone was enough to give me the illusion that everything in the plaza was distorting out of place. “I will have you know I am 17, already on the edge of adulthood. Since we are on Butei Island right now… I will educate you a little tonight.” Between his curly bangs, the leaders sagging eyes gave off a sharp glint in response. His gaze was supernatural, as if his eyesight was as vast as the sky and deep as the sea. The leader looked at his wristwatch, an Omega Speedmaster, and checked the current time. Gasagasa , and he took out a piece of paper from his coat. From afar, I could tell, that paper looked familiar. … An arrest warrant…! “I am Shido from the Tokyo District Public Prosecutor’s Office Special Investigation Department. Toyama Kinji. As of 19:00, you are under arrest on suspicion of murder.” And then suddenly, gachan . Shiranui put put handcuffs on my wrist. The handcuffs were cemented carbide handcuffs engraved with the National Police Agency cherry blossom crest. Go For The NEXT!!! ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ## 19. Volume 22 - O Comet, Sleep in a Daydream - (Anonymous Death) ### 001. Bullet 1: Anonymous Death – I am Shido from the Tokyo District Public Prosecutor’s Office Special Investigation Department. Toyama Kinji. As of 19:00, you are under arrest on suspicion of murder. To those words. I am at a loss for words as the black handcuffs are put onto my wrists. (If I am under arrest, than…?) In developed countries right now, the conviction rate for an arrest and prosecution is 60%-70%. Thus, a mere 1 in 3 cases are typically acquitted at trial. However, in Japan, the conviction rate is 99.9%. (TL Note: This is true in Japan. Typically the prosecution will NOT pursue a case unless they have absolutely damning evidence.) In some years, the rate of prosecution can even surpass that of China or North Korea. In other words, if you go on trial here in Japan, you are going to be found guilty, it is a guarantee. It is no exaggeration to say that in Japan the prosecution is responsible for both the investigation as well as the judiciary process, similar to how it was done during the medieval ages. – The leader of this group who issued this arrest warrant for me, Shido, said he is from the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office Special Investigation Department. The Special Investigation Department of the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office is an elite group that is capable of making even politicians and major corporations tremble with their mere presence. They are a terrifying force. The prosecutors of this organization are given all the powers necessary to investigate, arrest, and prosecute, and each each of them is an “ally of justice” who are allowed to subdue evil independently from each other of the organization as a whole. But… (Shido, Nada, Daimonbou, Kamui… And Bewitching Blade Harada Seiji…) – Looking around at the group around me, I cannot help but feel worried. I have met public prosecutors several times, including my own fathers colleagues back when he was still alive. However, Shido and the others with him are far from that image of a prosecutor. This is only an initial impression, but the prosecutors I had met before looked much more… stylish? Refined maybe? They were all well-dressed from their hairstyle down to their socks and shoes, with a high awareness and recognition that they were men of justice who sought out, caught, and even brought down evil. They were able to even venture forth into parliament and political party headquarters, always wearing a pure white shirt and a navy blue suit. Their bodies were perfectly rigid, their spine sharp, and they excluded a seriousness from every pore of their body showing no shame but only respect for the prosecutor’s badge pinned to their chest. However, Shido and the others were nothing like that. There is no uniformity in their clothes or hairstyle, and their characteristics and abilities are undeterminable. In other words, this is a heterogeneous group. Even more unlike what I have seen before, a Prosecutors Badge is also missing from Shido’s dark gray suit with its open desert-colored coat. I… I refuse to believe that these guys are actually from the Public Prosecutor’s Office. They are just too different, they are nothing like those heroes of justice that I have seen before. But… They are strong. Too strong. Just being near them I can understand that much to be true beyond doubt. This fact is clear to me, even though I am not in hysteria mode. Putting aside Shiranui, who shortly before had handcuffed me, all five of those standing before me are definitely strong. This… Is an army of superhumans that an ordinary criminal would stand no chance against. Even among this group of superhumans, Shido, the leader who is standing in the middle of these five, is out of place. When my father was still alive, he naturally had an overwhelming presence much like the other armed prosecutors he worked with. And… While it is hard to be sure of it from his rough gestures and curly bangs… But… At least from him, I can feel that peculiar presence of an armed prosecutor and overwhelming pressure. Even the handcuffs on my wrist are from the Public Prosecutors Office. (– Police.) That keyword… This suddenly makes sense. Within the police is an organization that bands superhumans together into groups. That group is… “… Public Safety Section 0, right? Why are you lying about your affiliation?” I am not confident that I am right, but… I need to find answers to my questions right now, even if that means I have to throw out a weak argument. Shido, on the other hand… Using his long gnarled index finger and thumb he picks up a cigarette, and fuu … exhaling purple smoke, “At least learn to read a newspaper, boy.” He just gives me a sarcastic answer, his dominating presence never diminishing the entire time. I… Have no idea what he is talking about, I mean I don’t really have a habit of reading newspapers to be sure… “There is no such as Public Safety Section 0. That was a popular story when it broke, did you really not hear about that?” Shiranui is the one who addresses my confusion from beside me. They… Don’t exist anymore…? “Look, it is even on the TV. Rather than “no more” or “dissolved” though, I think the term “shuffling” would be better. Government Revitalization Unit. The Public Safety Section 0 of the Public Safety Department of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department was dismantled there… Its members were transferred to the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office. Thus, I guess Toyama-kun… You were half right when you said that they are from Public Safety Section 0.” (TL Note: The Government Revitalization Unit is a real thing in Japan. It is a council meeting to follow up on proposed policy’s, administrative programs, etc.) I want to strangle the smug smiling Shiranui as he educates the ignorant me on the way of the world, but… I can’t, since I have handcuffs on. However, I can at least understand two things from his lecture just now. The Democratic Socialist United Nations Government, a coalition government based around the DPP, was inaugurated in last summers lower house general election, is scrapping or reviewing various national projects to cope with financial woes. Public Security Section 0 was among one of those projects. (TL Note: From what I can find, this is a make believe party made up of various real parties.) This isn’t surprising… Public Safety Section 0 was despised, mainly by leftists, as a waste of tax payers money. In the past Public Safety Section 0 was very active in the intelligence community, such as activities in the communist bloc, counterintelligence throughout the country, and containing extremist organizations within Japan. However these concepts of the Cold War and potential armed revolution are a relic of the past, much like Section 0 is now as well. In addition to not being viewed as a necessity anymore, Section 0 had a good relationship with the previous government, the Liberal Democratic Party, which had maintained their power for a long time after the war with some newspapers ridiculing Section 0 as “the prime minister’s private army”. Their existence must have been a hinderance and obstacle to the then opposition party now ruling party. It makes sense then for Section 0 to be their first target once the government changed hands. Shido and the other members here before me are various remnants of that. (And so, that leaves one more…) Turning my head to the side, I glare at Shiranui with a sidelong glance. Shiranui is cooperating with Shido. In other words, he too must be a member of the Public Prosecutors. Even if you are a Butei, should you break the law the police will come for you. You are not above the low. Thus it makes sense for someone related to the Public Prosecutors to be lurking at Butei High, much like Butei typically lurk in regular schools. Thinking back I used to find it strange that Shiranui was so used to a place like Butei High during his first year… It was nothing new to him. But… Earlier Shiranui had said “they are from”. Taking that sentence at its face value, that means that Shiranui himself was not a part of Section 0. I have no clue what their relationship is, however… I do know that they cooperated together to take me into custody. On the plus side though, at least they did not immediately kill me. (From here on, I guess I just have to leave everything to Section 0 for what happens to me…) I slowly return my gaze to Shido and the others around him, unable to even wipe the sweat forming on my forehead. Even though now they are under the districts Public Prosecutor’s office, this Public Safety group that Shido and the others once belonged to… Its predecessor was the Special Higher Police. This notorious “higher level” police was a force that used brutal violence and torture on ordinary civilians to suppress those who disobeyed military law and rebelled against their interests. While this police force was ultimately abolished by the GHQ after the war, in reality it merely changed its name to Public Safety. (TL Note: Special High Police was a real thing, basically Japanese secret police.) That ruthlessness and brutality naturally carried over into Section 0, which has managed to survive until now. (TL Note: it is around here that I got confused on the different groups. Skip this if you are not confused: Police here as we know it are normal. However there is a group that deals with tougher criminals, Public Prosecutors. Section 0 when it was formed existed under Public Safety. However, Section 0 doesn’t exist anymore and its members were absorbed into Public Prosecutors.) In any case, it is natural for someone fulfilling Public Safety duties to be attacked during their operations, so naturally their combat capabilities are high even among the general police. Section 0, made up of its fiercest fighters, was a fighting group that was highly praised as the countries mightiest warriors. It was based on the Secret Intelligence Services Number 00 agents of the British Intelligence Agency that Scion 007 is a part of. Much like the British 00 series, there were 10 members in Section 0, odds are Shido being one of them with the rest being his subordinates. Members of Section 0 were allowed to do any illegal act necessary for their duty to protect Japan…. Even if they were to kill a villain without a trial, there would be no punishment. Members of Section 0 shared that same freedom as an Armed Prosecutor, however, it is rumored that Section 0’s overall kill count is much higher than that of the Armed Prosecutors… Conversely due to that, the death rate is much higher for a Armed Prosecutor. This difference was a result of the Armed Prosecutors seeking to be heroes of justice, aiming to arrest and prosecute evil with killing evil as a last resort. Section 0 was often given the goal of exterminating evil from the beginning, in other words, to kill and not arrest. Due to its predecessor’s background, the Special Higher Police, Section 0 is rooted in an anti-hero mindset, willing to get its hands dirty for the sake of justice at all costs. As a result, Armed Prosecutors and Public Safety Section 0 have been at odds with each other. This has always been true. It is well known that members of either group refuse to cooperate with each other due to decentralization at best and feuding administration at worst. In other words, for members of Section 0… Being under the control of the Public Prosecutor’s office is like a company being bought out by its rival. It is no wonder that Shido and the others around him look so stressed out. (I… I don’t know if someone who was once a part of Section 0 are still allowed to do illegal acts in the name of justice…) Politics is like water. If the Liberal government were to return in a few years, odds are Section 0 will be revived. Politics is ever flowing and changing. Considering that fact, it would be a bad idea to be hostile and rude to the members of the former Section 0 standing before me. However, a charge is a charge. It is not a good idea to go along meekly with this. If I fight or if I surrender… Both of these options are just a path to hell. If that is so, then I just need to run away. Yes, that’s it. However, as I am right now that is impossible. My only option to run away is relying on Hysteria Mode. And while I have devised a method to secrete beta-endorphins on my own… I need time to do it. I cannot do it right away. Before I even realize it Shiranui had left, leaving just the members of Section 0 behind. Sections 0’s leader, Shido… He is definitely not the kind of man to turn down a conversation. Alright Kinji, now I just need to talk to him. “… You said that I am under arrest for suspicion of convicting murder. So, who did I kill?” In Japan, a first instance conviction rate is 99.5%, even if the suspect states “I did not do it”. I am well aware of this fact, stating that I did not do the crime is useless. However, by denying the charges or at least questioning them, I can at least buy myself some time. Shido however just laughs at me, his big mouth with a little beard stubble wide open. And, “I don’t know.” … His message is clear. Shido is using a technique called “Anonymous Death”. Anonymous Death is the most intense method used by police when arresting Butei. In exchange for the rights to be armed and conduct arrests and searches, Butei must bear equal if not higher levels of responsibility. When a Butei is undergoing criminal punishment, the so-called Butei Triple Penalty is imposed, and a much heaver punishment than usual is imposed upon said Butei. This holds true even if a Butei has killed someone. They cannot escape the death penalty, no matter the reason. Even if the Butei is a juvenile. (I had heard rumors about this Anonymous Death, but I never thought that I would be the one who would get hit with it…) Typically when an arrest is being done with two charges, the suspect is caught with the minor charge while the main charge, the focus of the investigation, is being examined closely. However, in the case of “Anonymous Death”, the trump card of “murder” is played first, forcing the Butei’s hand. Once that card is played, the Butei is at the mercy of the police. They have no choice but to accept any deal, regardless of what it is, regardless of what their actual charge might be. Originally, the FBI in the United States were quite good at this. They would create a fake murder of an unidentified person, arrest their target for murder, and drop the murder charge should the suspect plead guilty to their main crime. However… In recent years, the Japanese police have begun to imitate this, behind the scenes of course. Of course this is all illegal, but Section 0 to begin with was a group of dark heroes who conducted illegal activities with the governments complete approval. I do not know if Shido actually still has that power, but if he does, resisting it is useless. But if that is his method, why? What does he want from me…! “… I know you are not all grown men, but… Are you sure that it is a good idea for full grown men to greet me, a high school student, and handcuff me? On top of that, you then use Anonymous Death? Aren’t you embarrassed and ashamed for yourself?” As I wait for the hysterical blood flow to start, I decide to create a bit of a petty mood with my words. My goal is simple, to bring them into a long and drawn out verbal quarrel by insulting and questioning them. I still can’t feel the beta-endorphins in my blood. Talk, Kinji. I need to keep them talking. “What did you call yourself before? An adult? Are you really a man though? If you are a man, prove it. Fight me one on one, if you aren’t a coward that is.” I am almost there. Surely, in just a short while… That blood flow will start to pulse within me. Go ahead, talk back to me Shido. “Toyama. Do you watch sports? An athlete can only be praised for their fairness and sportsmanship until they get to the big leagues, then that only becomes stupidity. But you are still in highschool, aren’t you? I am sorry if that metaphor went over your head.” Shido, who so far has had a sloppy and simple way of speaking, replied to me albeit with hostility. Okay, this is good. I was finally able to buy some time from this seemingly formidable enemy. Even a few seconds is worth gold bars to me right now. The blood flow… It is starting. But, it is still weak. I need more time. “I am going to teach you something, so pay attention and remember this. Adult’s don’t play games. That is not allowed to us. Our only goal, is to win. Win, win, and if you keep winning… You, and those you care about, can keep living.” Shido put the arrest warrant back into his inner coat pocket, and glances to his sides at his comrades… “Organizational power is also a power. As you are right now, you have no power. That is all this is, Toyama, that is how you lost. Or is it something else, perhaps? For instance, is it strange for a Butei, walking around in a deserted place such as like an idiot with his guard down low, to get caught off guard by a surprise attack?” … He has a point. Despite the way he is speaking, it is clear to me that his will is to admonish a boy with his adult wit, it even has a certain kind of warmth to it. Although he is talking harshly, his words seem to have a seriousness to it as if he is treating me as a fellow man. What he is saying is a pure fact that I cannot refute: For a Butei, the world is a permanent battlefield. We are not in a class training session right now where “I was outnumbered and beaten” is acceptable, nor are we in an arcade where “I was careless and made a misplay” is a reason to lose. If you get killed, there is no “I will just do this instead next time” or “I will just do better next time”. … If you don’t grow up, you won’t survive. That is what it means to be a Butei. It is true that I find it troublesome to be around other people, so I often travel alone. On top of that, I had let down my guard because I was only thinking about the Aria-Riko double-booked problem I made for myself… Indeed, I was the one who was stupid. “… I understand what you are saying, Shido. There is nothing strange about what is happening here.” I have to admit it to myself. I am already in my third year of highschool, so I have to start to become an adult as well. Even me. So, as a thank you for giving me an opportunity to learn under you… I’m going to show you and your companions my debut as an adult. With the remnants of Section 0 in front of me, I have no shortage of enemies. Okay… Okay… Here it comes, that blood flow. (Maybe, somehow… I am getting used to this. Hysteria Mode…!) This is my first time I am actually using this in actual combat, but if I try, I know I can do it. This much now is nothing. Ever since last winter when I was scolded by my grandfather in Sugamo, who said “A true Toyama is one who can freely “reciprocate””, I have been secretly devising this technique. I named this new technique Hysteria Reverie – a day dreaming Hysteria mode. Using my experience of going into Hysteria Mode while sleeping in the past as evidence, I know it to be possible for a person to enter Hysteria Mode on their own. Grandfather had named his technique “Spring Water Wheel” and used photographs, but Reverie instead uses my own memory. Photos and videos are too graphic for me anyway, and since I have been avoiding the opposite sex for so many years… I am honestly afraid of trying that method. Of course even memories of my own actual experiences is scary to me, but while practicing Reverie in the middle of the night, I learned that I could control my own imagination, and could modify it to my advantage and needs, thus alleviating my fears. In my mind I could easily create an Aria that is not scary or a modest Shirayuki, as long as I could imagine it. This, is how I daydream… (A Hysteria Mode of dreams, literally…) … At first I thought that this would be an extremely useful ability, but it has many flaws. First, I need a lot of time to activate it. A normal Hysteria mode draws blood to the center of the body all at once, but Reverie can only stimulate the blood flow, and gradually at that. Also, it is not nearly as effective as normal Hysteria Mode. It’s biggest flaw however is its short duration. A normal activation can last for about 30 minutes, or an hour at the longest. Reverie mode however can only last a few minutes at max. (…?) Also, for some reason, this time the back of my head hurts. This had never happened when I was practicing using this mode… I am beginning to feel a bit uneasy about this. Because this happened a few years ago I nearly forgot about it… My older brother and I were once told by Grandpa, “If you have pain appear in the back of your head during Hysteria Mode, it is a sign of something going wrong… So be prepared”. In other words, what is happening right now is in response to Hysteria Mode Reverie. I recently learned as well, this was an indirect cause of my father’s death. According to Grandpa, my dad had developed this headache himself… Knowing that something was going wrong with him though, that he had this illness, he was prepared to die and kept fighting to uphold justice. Because of this condition, this illness, he died a martyr in battle with an enemy. My headache… I had a headache like this when I fought the GIII League, but I had assumed that it was an effect peculiar to Hysteria Regal. I still remember that pain now, it hurt across every single nerve in my body instead of just my head… But since then, I haven’t had a recurrence of that pain nor headache. But this time, the pain is clear. It only hurts the back of my head… This is horrifying. But… But. The pain at least is not incapacitating. And an… Existence… That could lead me directly to my death is in front of me. Concentrate on that right now, Kinji. Nothing else matters, don’t overthink this. And when I look around at the five people in front of me from Section 0… “Finally.” Shido raises his left leg a little, and extinguished his cigarette butt with the corner of his leather shoe. … Was he waiting for me? He waited for me, waited for me to be ready to fight back. “I had thought that I was the one who made you talk back, but this whole time you knew what I was doing. You are indeed an adult, a man. I thank you, Shido.” Thanks to being in Hysteria Mode, albeit a weakened one… I am not positive, but, I can guess as to what they want. “You guys came here for my little tricks. The only reason you used “Anonymous Death” on me… It was to make me take this seriously. This is nothing more than a little “ability gallery”, huh?” Billiard, invisible shot, cannon, slash, tornado-ouka, clear fall water, zetsurou… I have been quite flashy with these moves, too. I also have to partly blame my idiot brother for this, GIII League → US military satellite KH-14 → US Department of Defense/Pentagon → underground operations in various countries. Thinking on it, I am positive that Shido has already seen most if not all of my moves. “I see. Well, apparently you are the real deal… That analysis is not far off the mark.” Shido did not say it clearly, but… He seems to have realized that I am not the same person as I was shortly before, due to me correctly assessing what is going on. “Kamui. Toyama is the same as you, someone who can raise or lower their own combat capabilities. Hey Nada, I think Toyama is actually closer to you right now, 19th on the SDA rank.” Shido… He immediately saw through the fact that I managed to enter Hysteria Mode and improved myself. I am not surprised that members of the old Section 0 are capable of seeing through even that, but… This is all too soon. I should have been able to anticipate this. “Huh? This kid?” Nada, a slender man wearing a striped suit with bad posture and bad eyesight let out a sharp stupefied voice. “Normally he wouldn’t even be ranked. So I guess that means on average he is ranked 71’st.” As Nada listened to what Shido is saying, Nada who was once reluctant to even be here… For just a moment, the atmosphere was… Well, motivational. Even the beautiful boy in the white uniform, Kamui, seemed intrigued. This Shido… He is controlling his subordinates well. I am not sure what to expect anymore from this extremely competent man. This is a different kind of leadership than what is typically written in the Assault Department’s textbook, but this is itself a way to control ones subordinates. (And… Bewitching Blade…) One thing that stood out to me from Shido’s statement earlier, Harada Seiji, who is still sitting on the stairs with one knee up, had not told Shido or the others about my Hysteria Mode. Or perhaps Bewitching Blade and Demon Sword do not know about that condition. Truthfully speaking, I thought that that information had been shared throughout his companions during the Far Eastern Warfare earlier. If he isn’t planning on telling that information with Shido, perhaps it means that he is not cooperating in earnest with him. All right, these five guys… – If I want to beat them, I need to start with the monster before me. It seems unlikely that those that visit the Toyama Department Store of Techniques will want to go back home empty handed. So, let’s do this. Maybe it is because I am in Reverie mode, or maybe because I used Aria to activate it, but I am feeling a bit ferocious right now. This department store has short business hours though. I have already been in Reverie Mode for 30 seconds… And it feels like I can last maybe 5 more minutes at max. – I need to set this up properly first before they do. In a battle involving guns, knifes, and swords, surprisingly it is difficult to attack a single person with a large group. Even if they simultaneously attack from the front, back, left, and right, their own bodies will simply get in the way and they will not be able to coordinate an attack properly. However, they can turn this into an advantage to them, in other words if they attack from a distance using guns. When I see someone begin to pull out a gun, I need to close the distance immediately. At that point the others wont be able to use their own guns, since they will risk hitting each other by accident. So, my choice is clear. First, let’s deal with whoever decides to be the first person to pull out a gun. … I guess it’s natural to expect a group from Section 0 to be able to read my thoughts or at least predict them. No one pulls out a gun. Well, that’s fine. I just wont do an ouka-dash, and instead just approach them normally. As I move forward… At the exact same time, they all move ever so slightly. Nada and Kamui. Seiji and Daimonbou. They move subtly, becoming pairs of two. Except Shido. 2-2-1, forming a △ shape. Is this that formation that they called Delta Formation? As I walk towards them, I, “Hey, you over there. Are you the one called Kamui? You look like a girl, hah. How old are you anyway? Are all school girls wearing white uniforms these days?” While making it seem like I am aiming for the youngest person here, I am actually aiming for Seiji. Granted though I am still handcuffed, so I don’t expect my provocation will go well, but it is what it is. As I get closer though… I can see now that Kamui actually has a feminine face. Even though they have a beautiful feminine face, due to the short hair and white school male uniform I couldn’t be certain just by looking at them from the neck up. However, they have snow white, perfect skin. Since I have dealt with Watson before, I take a good look at their body lines and… Ya, that’s a man. … But this man is terrifying as well. I don’t mean to fight him right now, but this guy is also strong too. Despite being half a head shorter than me, but he exudes superhuman strength. “I know that all you are trying to do is piss me off and anger me. But isn’t what you just said misogynistic? Oh, and I am 15 by the way.” Fif-, fifteen? You are two years younger than me and yet.. You are giving off a superhuman aura of that degree? I admit, I am embarrassed to say that I am afraid of this child. (… tch.) That is when my legs stop moving. The reason I stop is simple. Kamui’s presence simply exploded all at once. Shido’s words just a little earlier, “Toyama is the same as you, someone who can raise or lower their own combat capabilities”… Certainly, while this atmosphere from Kamui is not Hysteria Mode, it is absolutely familiar. As I moved closer, it is as if he shifted into high gear. Kamui, whose expression became annoyed after the earlier provocation, “– Do not use anymore, Kamui.” With a voice like that of a lions roar, Shido raises his voice, and in response Kamui’s atmosphere suddenly weakens. Is it even possible for me to “increase” or “lower” my Hysteria Mode capabilities at will? This handsome boy is more skillful with his abilities than I am of my own Hysteria Mode. But, if I ever plan on making a move against Seiji… Now is the time since everyone is watching what will happen between me and Kamui…! And just as I was about to turn towards Seiji. “—“ Again, I have no choice but to stop mid movement. Because from the onlookers, one takes a step in my direction. It was neither Kamui nor Seiji. Shaking his ocher colored coat, unexpectedly, it is the leader, Shido, who takes a step forward on his own. “… You guys would just kill Toyama in a heartbeat. If that is the case…” Shit, shit, shi– His pressure, like that of a several tone dinosaur, is approaching me. Even with Hysteria Mode, it is like an illusion of a huge wall approaching that I could never hope to push back. “If this goes on any further, I will just end up getting in trouble with Konza.” –? What was that just now? Shido just said Konza… That is my fathers name. The way he spoke… It almost sounds like my father is still alive. What is going on… Are you just trying to confuse me with meaningless remarks and false hope? No, Shido does not look like or act like the type to use such a childish and underhanded trick. “……” At that moment, I lose all my concentration— Looking around at the group around me, I immediately become wary of any guns that might have been drawn during that gap. However, no one has drawn a gun. Instead, they all just slightly changed their standing position. I thought that they changed formation since they voluntarily broke the formation that Shido had told them to enter earlier, but that is not it. They all… backed down. Because the lion had appeared. Does that mean that they no longer see a need to even be here? Or maybe it is all just to avoid receiving collateral damage from Shido’s attack. “So, I would like to ask you to accompany me to the police station for just a moment. If you would be so inclined.” Shido, who jokingly said something from a cheesy detective drama and gestures to me with a “come here, boy” with his long-fingered hand like a person would to a dog… Huge. He is about 185cm tall, but when he stands in front of me, he seems even bigger than that. With him standing in front of me, I can’t help but feel as if he is literally, and figuratively, looking down on me. With his deeply chiseled face, he would be a good looking man if he put some effort into appearance. However, there is a ferocity and brutality that cannot be hidden within that face. And… Like the others… Shido did not pull out a weapon either. From what I can see, he seems to have a gun belt with a holster on his hip, but he does not seem to have decided that he needs a weapon to deal with me. … Underestimating me was your first mistake. Did you really think I was just going to say “oh no!” when you put these handcuffs on my wrist and do whatever you ask me to do? “ Wan , wan “, I am not your dog, Shido. “Shido, do you happen to have a car?” “Eh? I do.” “Good. You won’t be able to walk from now on. You will need it.” “Haha, you are starting to make me laugh.” “Can you drive? You, the henchmen over there.” “Ya, all of them know how to.” “Good. You won’t be able to drive either, soon.” As soon as I said that, I– – Ba ! Quickly jump back and do a backflip in the air. I kick up with my left leg with the intention of kicking Shido’s outstretched right arm and breaking it, but Shido had read that and had already withdrawn his hand. But, that doesn’t matter to me. That move, is nothing more than a feint. The purpose of that kick now was not to kick Shido. The cemented carbide handcuffs on my hand. Shido entered this fight with the premise that I will fight with these on. Let’s reverse that, shall we? I don’t like to do this since it hurts a lot and if I mess up the restoration I am in an even worse spot than before, but the Toyama family has a peculiar way of dealing with handcuffs. I pull my knees back mid air, and as I flip, goki ! I kick the bones of my left wrist with my left knee. Then, as I pull my now dislocated left wrist and hand out of the handcuffs, I immediately kick my wrist again with my right knee to reinsert and set the bones. “–!” As I landed I swing my right hand sideways, a hand that I made sure that Shido did not think I would be able to use. The distance between me and Shido is 10cm outside of my reach. However, if we add the length of the handcuffs on my right hand, Shido is within reach. My target, is Shido’s face. Despite his face being so chiseled, the supraorbital rim above the eyelids is an easy target./ Should someone’s supraorbital artery there get cut by a blow, the blood coming out of it will block the vision in one eye, giving the other person an immediate advantage in a fight. But, “Oh?” Shido slightly swayed, and dodged the handcuffs that I had swung at him. This isn’t surprising, he does not seem like the kind of guy who could get hit by such an easily done surprise attack. But, is that really the end of my attack– Even if my attack misses, it has the effect of setting me up for another attack. The important thing here is to attack in rapid succession. Putting my weight on my right leg, connecting my hips, shoulders, arms, and fists before a slight spin… I wont show you ouka, but… “!” – Zudon ! My right uppercut hammers right into Shido’s thick and muscular body. A giant person is nothing more than a giant target. Thus I am in a good place right now. I used the weight of the handcuffs in my hand when I punched him in the stomach, a trick I learned from Watson’s own fighting techniques. It is like getting hit in the solar plexus with a steel ball. How do you like that one, Shido? It feels so good, I bet you want to throw up, huh? This is that Hysteria Blow that you wanted to see so badly. “Oh…” Shido releases a low groan, and staggers slightly to his right. At the sight of Shido groaning and staggering, the Public Safety team, who had trusted Shido 100%… Look unsure for the first time. It is actually fortunate that it was Shido who stepped forward. If I take down the boss, his subordinates will waver. When a person is afraid or unsure, they are not capable of revealing their peak capabilities. Defeating Shido means defeating everyone else. I tilt my upper body, turn my ankles and hip back, and stretching out my leg, bachi ! A kick from my left foot into his midsection, as if to knockout the now staggered Shido. This kick that landed in Shido’s abdomen has a second purpose though. It causes him to slightly bend down. While Reverie mode might have its flaws, at the end of the day it is still a Hysteria Mode. All of this hits so far, are nothing more than stepping stones to the next hit. Everything is leading up to my ultimate goal. Since large enemies are resilient to blows, the iron clad rule is to attack the extremities and vital points. After all, even a giant cannot simply make their fingers, eyeballs, or brain invincible or toughened up than a normal persons. My ultimate target is Shido’s head, his brain. The rest of his body is too… tough. I cannot feel protective gear under his coat, but every impact leaves some kind of uncomfortable feeling. It is suspicious. “Don’t fall down yet, I am not nearly done yet.” And, after slamming both my hands onto Shido’s shoulders, I use his shoulders as a launching point to throw myself up into the air. I land myself on his shoulder, as if he is carrying me on his shoulders, face to face. And in that position… Gasugasugasu ! Aiming at the top of his head, I slam my fist with the handcuffs and my other fist into his head, still in Hysteria Mode. (And with this, now you will faint…!) This adult was always looking down on me, purely because in his eyes I am a child. Well then, if he is an adult and I am a child, while I might be sitting on the wrong side, surely he sees nothing wrong with carrying me on his shoulders? “– I don’t understand.” – Watching this one-sided battle from afar, Kamui’s dismayed voice… “N.” Next, came Shido’s muffled voice from between my legs. And, … Washii … I could feel pressure attacking my ankle. (……!) Shido has grabbed of of my ankles with his hands This grip… It is like a vice. It reminds me of that demon, Yen. No, it is even stronger… It is about to crush my ankle. Trying to get his hand off of my ankle, I unlock my other leg around his head and beginning kicking his hand. However, Shido shifts his weight to match my movements. And so because of that, I lose nearly all of my balance that I was using to keep myself on top of Shido. (–Kuzushi…!) Shit. Shido knows Judo! I was in a position where I was being half carried around by Shido. I was wary of that Judo technique and try to get off of Shido’s shoulders, but shortly before I can, I feel a thud … Shido had flipped me off his coat by grabbing my torso with one arm. Grabbing me, he puts his right arm across my chest as if he was doing a lariat, and grabs my armpit with his other hand. For just a moment I am puzzled by his form here, which is neither Judo despite the earlier kuzushi nor wrestling from the lariat. Suddenly, Shido rotates his whole body, as if he is swinging me around, and just like that– “– Sorayo!” Baoooooooooooooooooooooo !! And, just like that, Shido threw me to the side. With one arm. This is unbelievable– “!?” As for where I am being sent, judging by my sense of direction I am being sent straight behind. The momentum is so strong that flesh is torn from my body, and my eyeballs feel as if they are about to pop out of my skull. Shido from my point of view seemingly is flying away from me, as if I was put on an invisible roller coaster. I have never seen nor experienced such a spectacle in the midst of any kind of fighting of any level. What is even going on anymore!? It does not matter who or how someone has sent me flying before. Even when Yen hit me with her metal rod, my body drew a parabola in the air and I fell shortly after being hit. But this time… It feels as if I might never touch the ground again. The moment where I begin to fall seemingly is not coming. I am just flying parallel to the ground… All from just being thrown. This is absurd. How is it even possible for someone to throw a 60kg human body to their side to such a degree? I cannot even imagine myself doing such a thing, even in Hysteria Mode. Impossible. Just impossible– – Dogaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa !… And… My body is sent through a commercial building that was closed for renovations… Breaking through a shutter full of graffiti, destroying multiple layers of shelves inside, and eventually I crash into a partition wall at the end. The steel cables within the wall snap, and the steel frame bent as if it was made of nothing more than paper. And finally, I… … I stop. Right there. (… Wha… What was… That… Now, this… What…) It felt as if I was diving off of a moving bullet train. I managed to survive because of the shutters, shelves, and thin walls that formed multiple layers of weak barriers, but if this had been a concrete wall instead I would have been flattened like a noshi squid sheet. I. My entire body has been battered and beaten, the damage… Heavy. Serious. Faced with such a situation and such damage, Kikka would have been useless here. The damage and momentum is simply that extreme. The color of the darkening sky is… Unusually red and dark. It seems that I am bleeding out of my eye socket, odds are from the throw itself earlier. However, I can still see some flickering, so at least my eyes are still in their sockets and didn’t pop out. (Da-, Damn that bastard…) I rattle through the debris, eventually falling down and collapsing to the ground, “Ah… Did I kill him…? Damnit, I thought I held back and threw him lightly…” I can faintly hear Shido’s voice from afar, sounding as if he is a little worried he might have overdone it, or making excuses to his subordinates in case I died. Did you kill me…? No you didn’t, you damn monster. I am somehow still conscious, albeit it wobbling. In my mouth is enough blood to easily gargle and spit out. That said, Hysteria Mode is still active. I still have a chance. (Techniques, huh…) This isn’t the time to be stingy now. Okay, fine. I will show you. if I challenge him to a normal martial arts fight and manage to get hit with that throw technique again… The next time for sure I will be flattened like a roadkill frog. However, I need time to recover from this damage before I can return back into combat. Just a little bit of time is enough. If I can just get back some of my stamina, I can still use this body to fight back. However, if I just pretend to be dead here, I risk the other 4 subordinates convening here as well. Despite staggering I get back to my feet. And, “… Okay, I get it… I won’t fight back anymore…” Raising both hands and trembling while in pain, I declare defeat and raise a figurate white flag. Naturally, I am lying. While I might have called you a coward earlier, well… This is how a Butei operates. I step over the shattered and broken shutters of the the shopping building that looks like it had just been hit by a cannonball… And walk towards Shido in a daze. “Ah, you survived.” Seeing me in my current state, Kamui stood there in his white school uniform, dumbfounded. Shido also raises one eyebrow and opens his double lidded eyes. The guys from Public Safety seems genuinely surprised that I did not die. Except for Seiji. “… Not only alive, but conscious too? I have never seen someone quite like you before. You really are Konza’s son.” Shido, who just said my fathers name again, is laughing as he is rubbing his nose where I hit him earlier. Even after being hit by me in Hysteria Mode, to him it is nothing more than a slight itch. He is unbelievable tough. But that fearless grin of yours is about to end here. (– I’ll use it.) As I stumbled forward, my breathing and heart rate, which was disturbed and unsettled by the throw earlier, began to settle. … My time left in Reverie mode is short. Dangerously short. Not to mention, ever since I entered it, I have had a pounding headache. I have to settle this with my next move. I have to hit him with an ouka, a popular item from the Toyama Department Store of Techniques. And to end it, well luckily my opponent is a guy. My ouka? A kick, straight to the testicles. While such a cowardly move might be considered a… Foul in sports, the testicles are basically an exposed internal organ. Internal organs are usually protected by strong ribs and muscles. However, for the sake of cooling, the male body decided through evolution to leave this internal organ unprotected outside the body. It a mans testicles are destroyed… Even the giant Shido would collapse in severe pain. And so, thinking of that target just below Shido’s belly, I stand in front of him… “… I surrender. Take me wherever you want. I am not brave nor stupid enough to fight this many inhuman opponents in a state where I have already been beaten to this point…” Weakly, I stretch out my right arm, handcuffs hanging down, towards Shido. “There is no more meaning to these handcuffs now. Can you remove them? Do you still have the key? I already pulled out my left hand, but my right hand is still stuck in them and I get get it out…” This is of course a lie. Kakkou, the Toyama family art of self-dislocation, can be done with any joint or extremity. “…” Shido looks down at me, with a slightly pitiful expression on his face… He seems to be thinking whether it would be a good idea or not to remove my handcuffs before detaining me. “I… Have had some bad experiences with handcuffs. Honestly, it is a phobia at this point.” This, however, is true. There are multiple instances of these bad experiences, be it Kaname’s immoral game packaging art for “little sister games”, or Katze’s handcuffs back on the snowy mountains… “– Well, that should be fine. Hey, Shiranui.” Shido spoke to Shiranui in an appropriate boss tone. Okay good, I have caught you off guard so far. But not yet. I need to wait, for a moment where I can guarantee a decisive victory. Shiranui threw the key to Shido with an under hand throw, and Shido grabbed it snap . “Give me your hand. “Thank you. Actually, back in London I once had to fight someone strong like you while being handcuffed to him–“ And, I raise my right hand… Shido looks at the keyhole of the handcuffs. “–And back then, it went like this–“ Okay, now is the time! 100km/h for toes, 200km/h for heels, 300km/h for knees, 400km/ for hips– (–Ouka!) High kick– My leg. Ton , it was pushed. (….!?) Without even looking at my feet, Shido pushes my leg. It wasn’t a hard push, it didn’t hurt at all. All Shido did was push my thigh with his gnarled, rough hand. However, my foot lost its balance and because of that I couldn’t put any strength into my toes, which was my starting point. The order of acceleration points that pass on speed at a precise timing was also messed up and unusable. At this rate, the vectors would dissipate completely, and let alone an ouka I wouldn’t be able to do even a normal kick. And so, in the end, I just lightly lift my right leg. And that leg, I just lightly put it back down as if nothing happened at all. “… tch…” This surprise attack… It was never going to happen. Even against Scion at Abbey Road I was able to launch this attack. I made sure to guide his gaze, distract him with conversation… All the preparations I could do I did. “Did you kick him like this back then as well? You really are a sweet-heart, huh?.” Shido smiles wryly before removing my handcuffs. He had seen through my Hysteria Mode act. But, how did he know? To the me who is surprised, Shido just grins. “You’ve had your eyes set on escape this entire time, and I have had my eyes on you.” Shido begins to laugh. –My ouka was thourghly destroyed. In a mind numbingly simple way, he managed to compeltely crush the activation. But…! “… Don’t look at me right now, alright?” I awkwardly laugh and use my hands to cover my shocked, pale face, as if I am just a sore loser. And then, I begin the setup. I pull my left leg and right fist back, and slightly drop my hips. I place my head, which is acting as a balancer, on the midline. I had hoped to avoid using it, but I have no choice but to use ouka in an opened-ended hand-to-hand fight. I will show you something very different from everything I have shown you so far…! Shido, on the other hand, assumes no stance. But, hit hand is open. As expected, Judo. Its techniques are based on throwing and grappling. “If you came here for my techniques, let me show you what you want.” If will make it so your body is never able to fight again, and that is a free bonus! (Ouka–!) And, I hit him with all my might– I hit his shoulder with a light don . However, I am the one who is sent back, with a slight bounce. “Hm.” And Shido just… Snorts. Like last time, Shido prevents the attack, this time with a light push. He didn’t use any mysterious stupid power or anything just now. Much like Judo and Aikido masters, he just read the “starting” of my attack. (Shit…! What should I do now…!) Even if I were to use zetsurou and return the push… Shido is just pushing me, there is no point. I had expected his focus to wane or to overlook my prep work, and so I thought that just using ouka in rapid succession would eventually lead to one hitting… Don , don , don ,… Be it a push, a lick kick to my leather shoes, no matter what my ouka will just be canceled before it can even begin to activate. However, ever so slowly, I am forced back. And each time, Shido closes the distance. I… I am being pushed. Despite being in Hysteria Mode, I am just being pushed around by such a crude method… This has been unimaginable to me until now. Being able to beat me so soundly now, and yet I managed to hit and kick him not too long ago… Was that nothing more to him than an adult humoring a kid in a play fight? (If I can just land one ouka… If I can just hit him with one…! Surely there is no one who can withstand being hit by such an extreme attack…!) As I begin to grind my teeth– It seems that he has had enough of this, pashi . Shido grabs my right fist with his huge left hand, stopping the me from doing another ouka. However, I am tired of this as well… I know that even if I were to prepare another ouka with my left hand, he will just stop it anyway, and so I stand there stuck in that position, of my right hand in his left. “Have… Have you seen this technique before?” “I don’t know anything about that technique. But I do know a guy who can do that “transformation” of yours… Mainly because he showed us all hell…. Trauma, as you say.” Shido speaks to me with his husky voice. Transformation… Hysteria Mode, huh? No wonder, it felt like you were able to accurately predict and guess my Hysteria Mode earlier. I am not the only one who can enter Hysteria Mode. Brother, GIII, Kaname, Vlad, Sherlock… According to what Scion had once told me in London, apparently there are even some users of it in Cuba. (TL Note: I have zero recollection of this but it is accurate.) “Who was it.” But, Shido’s answer was neither of them. “Konza Toyama.” –? My fathers name again– My dad died over 10 years ago. I cannot accurately read Shido’s age due to his physical features, but he must be in his early twenties. For him to have fought and been beaten by my dad… He would have to have been in his early teens. That is not possible. “Regardless, what I came here today to see… It is not that technique. It is your eyes. A man can usually tell what kind of man someone is by looking at their eyes when they are fighting.” Shido speaks to me while still holding my fist. “Your eyes… They’re fine. Different from Konza’s though.” This… These are not the words someone heard from within Public Security. What Shido just said… That is something that only someone who has seen my father could say. “Have you met my father? Do you know him? What are you talking about? Tell me.” I don’t want to believe it. I don’t want to believe it, but. –Dad, are you alive? Konza Toyama… My father. To borrow my old mans words… Death and resurrection are just a daily occurrence for those of the Toyama family. Maybe, just maybe. And if it is possible judging from Shido’s age, my father… Years after his supposed death, he was stil very much alive. If that is true… This headache in the back of my brain, he had somehow overcome this condition. “I can understand your concern, I do. But I am sorry, I do not have the authority to tell you anything. After all, the Armed Prosecutor’s are now our superior.” Shido keeps using phrases and words that only further confuse and interest me, however he keeps all the important parts hidden. Damn it… you Keep me dancing in the palm of your hand. Why are adults so damn good at this. Even without that earlier Anonymous Death… I have a good reason to get involved with these guys. No, calm down Kinji. Shido does not look like nor does he seem like the kind of person to lie, but… There is no evidence for me to fully believe his story. I can’t let them just take me along like this. If I don’t change my ways of thinking here, I really am just a child. “– Also, your eyes… It was obvious that you were thinking “as long as I can use my technique and hit him with it I can still win”. You have had those eyes for quite a while now.” Shido abruptly stops talking about my father, and instead starts talking about our earlier “fight”. “…” That is right, Shido. Ouka is a subsonic blow that can and has defeated both demons and those in HSS as well. As long as I can land one on you… Even you wouldn’t be able to simply just stand back up. I did not respond with words, but instead with my eyes. As if to laugh at my inner thoughts, “The fact that you would even think that proves that up until now you have only fought sweet-hearted enemies who would let you use your “ultimate technique”. I am going to teach you something, so once again, pay attention. We won’t let you do that. It is common sense to finish off your foe before letting them use their trump card. This isn’t professional wrestling.” Shido had something to me earlier. –“Since we are on Butei Island right now… I will educate you a little tonight.”– Just as he had declared, Shido… Everything he has said and done has just broken my confidence at its foundation. Non-stop. “Shido-san, you love professional wrestling, don’t you?” Kamui suddenly broke into the conversation with a nonchalant tension breaker line… “Don’t change the topic. Ah… But yeah. Unlike you guys, it isn’t lacking in excitement. All right, then.” And Shido… He pokes my fist, which was clenched in his left hand, with the index finger of his right. “Guess what? “Ultimate technique”. Just for today, I will be a sweet-heart for you.” … Ultimate technique… … What…? This guy…! Just because he is an adult and I am a kid, he is just playing around with me…! Hysteria Reverie is on the verge of ending, but it should still be enough to last long enough to let me use one more attack. His stance and distance. Me and him are in close contact now. Our current contact is my fist and his hand. A combination of Clear Fall Water and an 8 ouka… 8-fold ouka. All conditions for it to work are here. I don’t move my fist from where it is, but just in case, “Is it okay if we stay where we are?” I just need his confirmation. “… Ya.” He nods, but… I can’t help but hesitate. I have become rather accustomed to being around stealths, those with physic powers, and while I don’t know how this can be… I don’t feel anything psychic about him. He is really just a normal person. If I hit you with this 8-fold ouka… You really will die. “Shido. I want you to tell me everything you know about my father. While you cannot tell me anything right now, once you get permission to, I want to hear everything. But this attack… If I use it and kill you, you won’t be able to speak anymore.” As I preface that, Shido bursts out into laughter. With his right hand, Shido raises his bangs, puts his hand to his forehead and laughs. “Hahahahahaha… Don’t worry. Okay, come on, do it already.” … Seriously, this guy. He is insane. Alright… Fine then, let me get as insane as you. – This is quite literally the strongest move I have. 8-fold ouka. But, I still need to decide on the punches angle. Only Shido’s left arm and shoulder need to get hit, resulting in the impact penetrating and going behind. An 8-fold ouka requires me to use both hands, legs, and entire torso, each limb and join generating an ouka inside of my body, connecting them, and combining them with a Clear Fall Water. This is a technique that Shido wouldn’t be able to steal, and even if he somehow did the sheer force of this would simply result in him losing his arms. Okay I will do it. No more hesitations, I am really going to. After doing it I will have to call Butei hospital, though luckily it isn’t far. But… Is Shido really just going to take the attack. And to me, who is hesitating until the very end– “–Hey. You’re a man.” Shido begin’s to put strength into the hand that is holding my fist. His grip strength… As expected… It is abnormal…! Aria also posses an inhuman grip strength, but Shido is immensely more powerful. As to be expected of the person who threw me horizontally that far, his power is stupid. At this rate, my fist will be squished until it becomes a liquid. Hysteria Reverie is about to be no more… Maybe 10 seconds left. I’ll do it… I’ll do it! “… Shido. As you said earlier, this is an academy island. Well, it is time for your first lesson here…!” Mach 2 at the toes, heels, knees, and pelvis, mach 4 with four lumbar vertebrae and 12 thoracic vertebrae– During that time, in the world of a now super slow Hysteria Mode, uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu , a siren like sound pierces through my entire body. In addition, mach 2 with my left and right shoulders, elbows, wrists, and fingers. This is all transmitted to flow from my left arm to the right arm, merging with the velocity coming up through my spine. In total, mach 8…! (TL Note: for context: Mach 8 is 9,878 km/h. A SR71 BlackBird caps out at about Mach 3.1 or so which is about 3827km/h.) Take this. A single blow, full power with nothing held back– (–An 8-fold ouka!) UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUKYUDONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN –! An impact sounds similar to that of a tank’s high explosive shell detonating resounds throughout the entire 13 districts of Academy Island. The surrounding atmosphere trembles violently, and at myself and Shido’s point of contact– With my fist and his hand as the hypocenter, the impacts radiates and spreads out instantly. Basabasabasa! Shido’s coat violently flutters, as if it is caught up in a tornado. The windows of the unoccupied building behind me shatter from the bottom floor all the way to the top floor. The four members of the former Section 0, as well as Shiranui, who are all watching from afar, had their clothes and hair ruffled and shaken due to the air quake of the impact. … But… … But. “…..!” Shido. His left hand. It is fine. I had hit his left hand with the intent of completely blowing off his left shoulder as well. –But nevermind that, he did not suffer a single wound. “Ooooh. Seems like you put a lot of effort into that.” Now he is… Laughing. Hehehe . I… Am a fool. I was completely serious with that attack. The movement, technique, prep work, everything was done and it was done perfectly. But even now, no since the beginning, Shido wasn’t serious. He is treating this punch right now like a dad who is playing catch with their son who just threw a fast ball. Shido and I are exactly what he said… A child and an adult… An indescribable feeling of despair covers my consciousness, like a black cloud. Professional wrestlers are said to intentionally receive their opponents moves. This is partly for commercial reasons, as they are wrestling in front of an audience, but there is a deeper meaning to it as well. It is to make their enemy despair by showing a calm appearance even after being hit. And right now, I feel that despair. Everything I can possibly do is useless against Shido. If this were a real battle I wouldn’t be able to use any of my techniques, and even if I somehow could he would just accept it face on. I cannot beat this guy. It is impossible. To further my despair… I can feel it, Hysteria Mode ended. I am screwed. I am going to get caught. Like this. Having done nothing. What is… going to happen to me? “Shido, are you… a stealth?” “Nope. That area is outside of my profession. I am a, uh… “multiplyer”. Do you know what I mean?” ….! (A multipotent…!) (TL Note: Multiplyer or multipotent work here, however I will use multipotent from here on primarily to prevent confusion.) A multipotent is a superhuman who was born into this world as a result of a mistake from God. They are ones whose organs, for whatever reason, are endowed with abilities and capabilities many times greater than those of ordinary people. Actually, this technically applies to me too. Those in Hysteria Mode manipulate their neurotransmitters at least 30x more than normal people. Although the medical name is different, this can just be expressed in the easy to understand term “Conditional Multipotent, level 30”, albeit unless the person reading this is a Butei they might need elaboration on the term multipotent. “Yours seems like its a multiplied nervous system. Mine is for muscle fibers. Congenital musculature… Or was it myopathies? Normally, myofilaments have an output of 2 when they are folded, but should said muscle be folded 8 times, the output is 512. In other words, my muscles have a strength that is 256 times that of a normal person. At least, that is what the doctors say.” Shido looks down at me, while removing his palm away from my fist. “Surely you have read about that condition in your textbook, right? The statue of Agyo and Ungyo at Todaiji Temple. It seems that the model for that statue is one of my ancestors who had the same constitution. At least, that is what the scholars say.” –Shido is– Defenders of the temples and defenders of the Gods, Kongo Rikishi… a descendant of the Nio. (TL Note: this line and the one two before were hard for me to make sense of but I think I got it.) I have had some experiences already with the cosmic creatures and yokai that call themselves a God or Buddha, but Shido isn’t an ancient being as say the Scarlet Goddess or Kou. He is the child of a god reincarnated in the modern age. Moreover, the strength between us can quite literally be compared numerically. While I am level 30, this guy… is level 256. In RPG video game terms, not only are we different species, but we are different levels. No wonder this has merely turned into a fight between adult and children. As everything finally starts to make sense, and I come to terms with this situation, the last remnants of Reverie mode disappear… “Now then, it is getting late… Class is over. Come one, join us. You can get stronger, and a monthly salary. If you refuse, well, we will just stick Anonymous Death on you.” As he spoke the words Anonymous Death, Shido dragged his thumb across his neck, signifying what would happen should I be found guilty. “… Monthly salary?” “There is an agreement between the Armed Prosecutors Office and the Butei Agency that if a student from Butei High completes their second year of high school, they can be recruited for a position.” (TL Note: Seem familiar? This was discussed in the last volume.) Wait, Shido– Did you… Come here with the intention of hiring me? He wasn’t here for my techniques… He was here for the whole store. This is getting weird. “Don’t be ridiculous. Did you really think I would join you guys if you came at me with such violent behavior?” “Eh, you could say that we are in the business of making people end up working for us. Besides, you kicked us out when we used peaceful recruiters, remember?” That… Is true. Just the other day, Takamagahara-sensei had informed me, Itsuki, and Saeki-san, that the Public Prosecutors Office was interested in hiring us. In other words… Yesterday they tried the normal route, today the back road. “The former Section 0 right now is full of missing numbers. I came here to get to you before you young and sprightly young Butei get taken away the Butei Agency. In company terms I guess… Ya, this is my first interview.” An interview… This is quite a rough interview than. I am grateful to finally get the offer to have a job, but I must say I feel quite sorry for the rest of Section 0’s underlings. Not to mention, I don’t want to work for Section 0. This is just the same story as I was told by Takamagahara-sensei earlier: They came to pick up young promising Butei to send to the front lines to fulfill the role of suicidal targets or scapegoats. While I am still worried about my father, I doubt that Shido, who doesn’t have the authority to do so, will tell me anything anyway. From the beginning that info was just bait to get me to walk with him on this hellish road. And so, I take a step back from Shido. Before I knew it, the sun had completely set, and a long, dark shadow stretches under my feet. Even though I thought it a waste of time, I pretend to be in Hysteria Mode– “Sorry, but I am a Butei. I have zero interest in being involved with either the Public Prosecutors or Public Safety.” “Well then, let me give you the name of someone you might want to get involved with. One of the jobs we are doing is… Not necessarily unrelated to you. That is actually why we are here right now.” “…?” “Makiri Ito. Lately, he has been on the move again.” …! –Makiri Ito–! “…..! You, you can lie to me all you want. Say whatever you want, I wont…” While rejecting Shido’s offer– I cannot hide my intense inner turmoil from hearing that name. (… Makiri Ito…!) No. That isn’t possible. I cannot keep dancing around in Shido’s palm like this. But, from the back of my throat, the words “I will do anything, just please tell me what you know” are starting to come out. AS well, right now, I cannot run away even if I wanted to. Much like normal Hysteria Mode, Reverie cannot simply be continuously used. “Even if I mention that name, are you really still about to turn around and show me your back? Well, then I will just have to grab you by the neck and drag you along with me. You should be grateful, you know. For us, using force is a… Gentle way of completing our tasks.” Shido begins to crack his fists as he starts to openly threaten me. Even if I use all my strength… I cannot win. He is the man who took an 8-fold ouka and did not even flinch. A Level 30 cannot compete with a Level 256 no matter what they have at their disposal. “…” The four people who should have been on the other side of Shido– Before I knew it, it was only Seiji and Daimonbou. When I turn to look behind me, there is Kamui and Nada, yawning behind me. They are blocking any escape route. My Reverie is done… Partly because of the inhumane fight just now, my breathing is still disturbed and a cold sweat is dripping down my spine. The headache has largely subsided once Hysteria Mode ended but no matter what I need them to think that I can still fight back. As I back away from Shido I make sure to still be within pistol range of him– Behind me are Nada and Kamui. While they may not be as strong as Shido, together they odds are can still finish me off. Even if I was still in Hysteria Mode. –And then. “?” Daimonbou… A monk like man standing to the left rear of Shido, who was not wearing an apron-like robe but instead a robe and thick belt, turns his narrow-eyed gaze slightly downward… He isn’t looking at his feet… What is he looking at than? Shido, Kamui, and Nada are all still just looking at me. But then, Seiji too lowers his gaze, which at some point began to glow a silver vermillion. Following their gaze they… Are both looking at my long shadow, in the setting sun. And then, just a few moments later. The streetlights on the roadway that had just turned on… … Fu … Fu,fu … They suddenly turn off. But it does not end there. The fluorescent lights of the vending machine and the crosswalk start to turn off as well. “Huh? A power outage?” Nada mutters to himself, looking around in the dark making his already bad eyes look even worse. Looking off into the distance I can still see power. The distant Snipe department building and the aircraft runway lights in the distance are still on. Only… The immediate area here is in the dark. –This… Seems oddly familiar. Right after I thought that, my long shadow… It… Starts to move. Even though I was still standing still. “?” Shido and Kamui also notice this bizarre event. The shadows, as I watch, begin to draw the shape of a realistic human head… This shadow head however is ignoring the shape of my own body. Then, out of nowhere, shadows of bats fly across the ground. In the blood-colored sky of the sunset, as if summoned by someone– Crows begin to gather. A brown rat scampers by at my feet. Following that rat dozens begin to appear, scattering everywhere. They run around in a panic, before jumping into the gutter and running away as if in a state of panic. “…Huh…?” Shido frowns a little at this sight. It is obvious to me, this expression from him means he, too, has no idea what is going on right now. And then, “Even the little rats have run and hid… Should you have realized that I am here, you too would have hid like the rats. Humans truly are dumber creatures.” Suddenly, I can hear an elegant woman’s voice, that doesn’t fit this rough location full of men. Right in front of me, at my feet, from the center of the skull-shaped shadow… With a twirl, a black ruffled parasol emerges. It was as if this place was no longer solid ground beneath my feet, but instead the surface of a lake. Emerging still, vertical blond twin tails. An eerie but decadent Gothic Lolita dress colored pitch black like the night sky. A mini skirt with a pannier. Spider web skin tight tights. Black enamel stiletto heels with a glossy sheen… And perhaps to cover up the smell of blood… The faint smell of a sweet perfume… –Hilda Dracula, emerges from the shadow. (Hilda…!) This woman is… She is the daughter of Vlad, and had tormented us in Yokohama atop the Sky Tree as a representative of Grenada. “Wow, a vampire? This is honestly the first time I have ever seen one.” “Did Toyama call her? This really is just troublesome, and now it is just getting unpleasant. As I said before, this would have been a lot quicker if we just kidnapped the Hotogi daughter.” Amidst the sounds of Kamui’s amazement as if his curiosity had been piqued, and Nada’s complaint while he still keeps an eye on me… Shido takes a step back. –Thank you. Shido himself had said it earlier… This side of “reality” is not his specialty. I pull out my Beretta and talk to Hilda, who it seems that for the time being has come to my rescue. “… So how are you doing, Hilda?” “What a nasty face to see once again. But, hohoho . It is a fun face to look at right now, Tooyama. How does it feel to be on the side getting beaten up by oh so many people at once for a change?” (TL Note: Like Watson Hilda speaks “Toyama” in Katakana, an alphabet for foreign words.) The back of her hand, manicured with crimson nail polish, is resting on her rose-colored lips of her mouth… Hilda, smiling pleasantly with her pure white face covered in makeup, lets out a slight laugh. She tilts her parasol to look up at the sky, and after confirming that the sun she hates has set over the city, closes her parasol. … Thinking on it, it is kind of ironic that myself, Aria, and Riko had once grouped on on Hilda, much like how now I am the one being grouped up against. Why does this always happen when you are around? “If you were there this whole time, you should have come out from the beginning. You kept yourself hidden on purpose, didn’t you?” This Hilda escort… I am certain that it was Riko who set this up. Back when I had met Riko at Odaiba, Riko had told me to be prepared to escape. Riko must have somehow known about this danger approaching me and so had told Hilda to hide within my shadow. However I could not say this information out lout… The reason being that these remnants of Section 0 are a dangerous opponent who I do not want to give any information to that is not necessary. I do now know how they might react. “I am a lady, Tooyama, I don’t work late into the afternoon. In fact, you should kneel and kiss these noble feet of mine for coming out to help you so early into the evening after the sun has set. The world revolves around and lives at night, Tooyama.” … You are the only person who considers the night to be your world you know. And even if I did lick your shoes, you would just complain and be disgusted. Hilda, who is still speaking in her eccentric ways… Tosses her now closed parasol into the shadows beneath her feet. The shadows swallow her parasol up like a swamp, and this time coming out of it… Hilda pulls out a whip covered in black mesh metal, and with her pure white hand snaps it to the side. Bachi ! As the whip is snapped, a pale blue light is emitted all along it. Hilda, who has the nickname of “Lightning Witch”, is pouring the electricity she stole from the 13th ward of Academy Island into the whip. Basa ! At that moment, Hildo, who has spread her bat-like wings on her back out as if threatening all those around her, steps up to Shido with a cruel and sadistic smile on her face. Douuuu –! Bachuuuu –! Hilda’s right hand, which had held the whip up till now, scatters. (…!) The whip losses its light as it rolls around on the ground, the electricity jumping like a rampaging snake, and my eyes widen at the scattered fresh blood on the ground around her. That sound, was a gunshot. Hilda was shot. The shot…. came from the Demon Blade, Harada Seiji. Seiji had pulled out his gun and shot so fast, it was as if I was watching a scene of a gunman in a western movie. His gun of choice is a Taurus Raging Bull. It fires a .454 Cassull bullet, and judging by the unbearable sight of Hilda’s right hand… dum-dum bullets. That shot was just a greeting for him. (TL Note: Dum-dum bullets is a colloquial term for a bullet that expands on impact, preventing overpenetration and dealing catastrophic damage. They are used by police and hunters but funnily enough are generally prohibited in war as they are deemed too “inhumane”.) “…” Hilda, who is holding her devastated right hand with her left, stops walking– Mascara applied all around her crimson red eyes, “Shido. I hope you haven’t forgotten what you said earlier.” … Hilda spoke to Shido. Not Seiji. Despite being shot… Hilda spoke normally. Shido’s eyes, “?” could only furrow in confusion– “Organizational power is also power. Despite that, this being a battle between men, many against one is nothing more than a barbaric act that goes against the spirit of chivalry. I, the Princess of Dracula, will join the side of Tooyama.” “… Ho. This is a surprising turn of events. This is becoming interesting. As expected, he really is Konza’s son. You are one in the same in how you both love to shake things up…” Laughing wryly, Shido still does not seem like he wants to fight Hilda. He has not attacked her yet at all. It seems he has judged her as a target that he can attack, but in doing so risks getting hurt. “Do you think a mere human can beat me?” In contrast to Shido’s reluctance, Hilda opens her left hand while laughing at him… Her right hand is completely healed, as if she had just done a magic trick and it was never shot to begin with. I mean… I guess in Hilda’s mind, she never lost to us at the Sky Tree. “–Harada-san. What is this?” Pointing at Hilda, Kamui questions Harada on what just happened– “Change your guns and bullets. That is the real deal. I had heard about her from Ruki Honey-Liz. Odds are she is a Romanian vampire. I will deal with her, so you guys just take a step back.” (TL Note: The name Ruki Honey-Liz is subject to change.) While speaking to everyone around him… Seiji pulls out a M1887 shotgun from under his black coat. While the M1887 is a gun that must be converted into a pump action under the new and revised Firearms Law, the one that Seiji has is still a lever action allowing him to quickly feed a live round one after the other. In other words, this weapon is contraband. The trigger guard has also been cut off, allowing for a more practical usage. (Shotgun…) Hilda and all other vampires have four small organs in their bodies called “demon entrails” that humans do not have. With them, their body can recover from any injury immediately, no matter how devastating the injury is. It is that ability that allowed her to recover from her earlier gunshot wound. To even one up that ability, demon entrails can also restore each other, so in order to kill a vampire, all 4 must be taken out at once. Even Hilda herself does not know where her four demon entrails are located on her body, and the white eyeball pattern that is just barely visible on her porcelain white skin is just a trick. Because of that, when myself, Riko, and Aria did manage to beat her… We had to use a shotgun to shoot her entire body at once. “It seems you have heard how my friends managed to take care of me Far East Warfare. But to think that yesterdays friends are todays enemies…” Hilda’s anger is clear in her voice when she saw Seiji pull out the shotgun, but… In his hand are Winchester red cartridges 20 gauge buck shot, clack clack clack , which Hilda is also watching… In short, these are rounds meant for a human sized enemy. It is a cartridge with the idea that a large spread of pellet rounds will guarantee that at least one hit. Odds are the pellets are made out of silver since he only pulled the shotgun and cartridges out after seeing Hilda, but in his hand is about 10 cartridges. The odds of him hitting all of her demon entrails is low. Hilda, recognizing this, remains confident, “If I am a noble and proud snow leopard, you are nothing more than a hyena shameless enough to flock to a rotting rabbit carcass. I will not be giving you a coffin for your corpse.” What she is saying is just a regular metaphor, but… Does that mean that I am the dead rabbit? I mean, I guess I have already died a few times… “Do not fret, however. That is why I called forth the crows and rats, to devour your skewered corpses that will soon litter the ground.” Hilda once again steps onto the shadows with her heels, and kicks something up out of the shadows… This time, a trident appears. Buuun , the tip of the trident divides into three pieces, resembling the kanji “山”, and bluish-white flashes of electricity arc between the three tips. It is a spear that not only impales its targets, but also electrocutes them from the inside. The sound of high-voltage electricity crackling as the arc jumps from one tip to the other evokes a certain type of primordial fear… However, two people step forward without any fear from the defunct Section 0… One is Harada Seiji. The other is the giant monk whose entire body is covered in layers of muscle and wearing a black robe… Daimonbou. Shido, however, takes a step back. I see, are these two in charge of dealing with stealths? “Harada-dono. Let me fight with you.” The monk speaks in a bold voice to Seiji, but… There is no opening. He is not wearing a white goujou-kesa nor is his head wrapped, but despite that… He is a warrior monk. “Sure. Just don’t kill me whenever you join, Daimonbou.” “From the beginning, killing was immoral.” Seiji, who is hiding the lower half of his face with his coat’s neckpiece like a ninja, and Daimonbou, who is looking calm even at a time like this… Without a single sound, like a grim reaper approaching their prey, they begin to move silently towards Hilda, despite Daminbou wearing iron clogs. A reaper and a monk. Well, that is a satisfying and yet contradictory combination. Despite not being in Hysteria Mode I need to help Hilda– So I ready my Beretta. I mean, anyway… Nada and Kamui are behind me, so I cannot really just retreat. To Daimonbou, who confronts Hilda with his right on his open left hand in front of his taut pectoral muscles, Hilda… “Are you a priest or a pastor in this country?” Instead of thrusting at him with her trident suddenly, or using her electricity, she merely asks him a question. “Indeed. It is my sworn duty as a monk to dispel evil spirits, and so I have come.” To Daimonbou who answers her seriously, “hmmm”, Hilda looks at him and, “The blood of the clergy is poison to my body. You are not worthy of being on the table of a vampire, you meat sack of muddy water. But…” Next, she turns her glorious ruby jewel eyes towards Seiji, who is still carrying his shotgun. “Seiji boy… Indeed, you are a half demon. My father used to tell me that the most delicious of blood is demon cannibalism. Hold your head out slowly… Yes, slowly… Slowly…” This slow way of talking, Mesmerism. It is an ancient way of hypnosis, a technique that Hilda had once used on me and Riko. But, Seiji, “That trick is useless on me.” Speaking as if he was in a game, Seiji takes a half step back and spreads open his coat. Then, using his right hand he grabs the hilt of the Japanese Katana on his left hip and readies his shotgun in his left hand. It seems that Seiji did not immediately shoot Hilda with the shotgun as he intends to first cripple her with his sword and then shoot her with a barrage of shotgun pellets without giving her time to heal. Chaki , As seiji pulls the sword from its sheath, a sound can be heard. Yuraaa… A black smoke begins to pour out of his coat. His right eye intensifies its red glow. Baki , bakibaki … The sound of his muscle fibers compressing and tightening can be heard rippling from his entire body. Basa , in response Hilda spreads out her wings and holds out her spear charged with purple electricity at the ready to keep Seiji’s movements in check. Next to Seiji, Daimonbou takes off his black beads that he had hung around his neck like a pendant to form a seal. He is also beginning to mutter a sutra. This match… It is starting now. What I should do now to help Hilda is wait for a chance to prevent the movement of either Seiji or Daimonbou. The first one to move… Is Seiji, who has the expression of that of a demonic beast– He puts all of his strength into his legs to pounce on Hilda. At that time. “–Alright, that will be all.” A new person suddenly appeared– This time, a man appeared, unnoticed by either Daimonbou or Seiji. To my rear left, quite far away… Standing next to Shiranui. When Shido saw the man in the suit, “……!” He grits his teeth in frustration and, pachinpachin , snaps his fingers twice. With that as his signal, Seiji releases his stance… Daimonbou with a troubled look on his face breaks his line of sight with Hilda… And instead turns to look at the man. “…” “…?” Hilda and I were prepared for a superhuman battle to begin, like in Tokyo Last War. (TL Note: Tokyo Last War is a dark fantasy fiction film based on the Teito Monogatari novel by Hiroshi Aramata.) However, having to not fight is infinitely better and this is potentially my chance to avoid having to fight entirely. The one who suddenly appears before us enters this destroyed arena of inhumane monster with a nonchalant gait, as if he were instead walking into a spring field full of flowers… The man has the same physique as Shido, but instead has good posture and a pair of smart looking glasses. Wearing a navy blue suit and a plain necktie, he looks more like an ordinary office worker than anything else. However, on his collar… the Badge of the Rising Sun and Autumn Frost… A Prosecutor. But within my body, my most basic of instincts are telling me… This is no ordinary prosecutor. Behind his average and basic face, a tremendously sharp mood is lurking. With a mere gesture and a few words he has calmed down this place and placed everyone here under his control… It seems obvious, than, that with a few words and gestures he can quickly and easily do the opposite. This man… (– an Armed Prosecutor…!) Seeing my astonishment, Hilda… To avoid the risk of potentially attacking and making an enemy of an unknown person, Hilda drains the power out of her spear. To the man, who was looking at and treating Hilda’s hellish trident as if it were nothing more than a simple flashlight, “… Just when things were starting to get interesting.” Shido whispers while shaking his curly-haired head. “Mr.Shido, please think about the trouble you guys make for me, the manager of the now former Section 0. Certainly, Mr.Toyama is on the list of potential personnel, but it is still much to early for him.” Pon , the Armed Prosecutor places his hand on my shoulder as he speaks to Shido. Since I was acting hostile to Shido and his companions, it stands to reason that this Armed Prosecutor who is their companion should be seen as my enemy, but… It is as if he couldn’t care less about me, nevermind the gun I am holding. “Still too early, huh? It is internal rule now that a Butei can join the Public Prosecutors after completing their second year of high school. Hell, even the Personnel Department the other day–“ “No, it is still a year early. It was only recently decided upon at Butei High, so the personnel affairs were in a bit of a rush to update us, so it is not unreasonable that you, Shido, and the others, who already lack any kind of research ability, do not know about this.” As the Armed Prosecutor spoke… He said the most astonishing thing that I have heard yet today. “Toyama-kun will be in his second year of high school starting tomorrow. This child… Well, he has to repeat a year.” (TL Note: Well I was not expecting this.) In response to him, “– WHAT!? “ I manage to raise my voice at him before anyone else. Re, re, re, repeat a year!? “Eh?” Even Shiranui’s eyes widened at this sudden revelation. Then, as silence awkwardly envelopes the surrounding area… Shiranui with unprecedented speed whips out his cellphone and loads up a site that appears to be accessible on the Butei High School campus network. And… Shiranui… Looking up from his cellphone, his face is pale. And to Shido, whose double lidded eyes are still wide open, kokuri . Kokuri . Shiranui nods. And then with a face full of pity, Shiranui looks to me as if I was a poor person begging on the side of the street. Wait, seriously? Shiranui… Senpai? “…” No, wait, I still have hope. That man is an apostle of justice and peace, an Armed Prosecutor. Shiranui as well here is surely part of a moderate faction. Thi-, this is all just a lie to calm down everyone, right? Lying is still peacefull and justice… Isn’t it? Please? Yes. That must be it. No way, I refuse to believe that I am repeating a year. This is all just a lie, right? “Even though it is just an internal rule, even you have to follow them, Mr. Shido. Right now, you are not the loosely controlled Section 0. Deviant behaviour will be cracked down upon under the law.” The Armed Prosecutor, who is pushing up the front of his glasses while speaking, gives off the attitude of a teacher scolding a delinquent… Shido was completely stunned. It seems that he has nothing that he could say in return. “I had heard that Toyama was not the most studious of students, but to think that he managed to score below even my expectations…” “Hey Shido! Isn’t this supposed to be considered overtime pay?” “Ahahahaha. Shido, you got scolded again.” “Ah… Even I was not aware of this. Uh, um… Young Toyama. Uh, good luck with your studies.” “…” Shido gritted his teeth, Nada started getting angry, Kamui began to laugh at Shido with a big grin, Daimonbou seemed to be embarrassed, and Seiji was wearing a cool expression but it was obvious to everyone that even he was dumbfounded… Each member of Section 0 has their own reaction to this unbelievable situation. “The report, Shidou-kun.” “Kuh. I will erase it once I get back to Public Safety.” Shido, who was scolded again, attempts to maintain his bravado in front of his subordinates. But before leaving, this unnamed Armed Prosecutor turns his back to Shido and faces me. “… Oi. Say something, sullen face. If you want, I can fight you here right now you know.” Shido still refuses to let this go. “The people are taxed quite enough as it is… Do you think I intend to waste their tax dollars to shoot every stray barking dog?” He replies without turning around, and just a moment later. – Jiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii — A bloodlust unleashes from the Armed Prosecutor, freezing the nerves of everyone present. Just from his blood lust alone, everyone here lost their voice as well, as if they were frozen in place. If we were in an actual battle and he had released that blood lust… It would alone definitely be enough to kill me, Hilda, and all of Shido’s subordinates. Shido is the only one who is not completely frozen in place, and has a bare amount of consciousness left to allow him to fight back– I do not know which of the two is stronger. It is said that Armed Prosecutors generally posses great pride, perhaps that is why he had reacted to Shido’s shallow insults. However, now that the Armed Prosecutor is Shido’s superior, perhaps that is why he is avoiding taking Shido head-on. “So you are Toyama-kun? Hmmm…” The Armed Prosecutor, who once again fixes his glasses by pushing them up from the side with the palm of his hand this time, looks at me… He seems to have something he wants to say, but doesn’t. “I heard that you declined to take the Armed Prosecutor Exam. Well, that is fine, it was optional so that is perfectly fine. To begin with the Public Prosecutors office was highly overthinking the capabilities of Butei High Schools… I am not here for you or anything like that. I am here to complain to Butei High about the boy they sent to take the exam because he was so poorly prepared. Again, my apologies for my subordinates behavior.” The boy who had taken the exam… “Itsuki…?” Masato Itsuki is a S-rank Butei who is enrolled in the special class “Class X” in his second year at Butei High. Rated by the SDA as well, his ranking is higher than mine. Currently, he is the pride of the male second year students. That… Itsuki, the exam was too much for him? “During the primary exam, he fell unconscious and was in a critical condition. He was sent to a Medical Research Institute Hospital, but I wonder, is he still alive? This year we had more deaths than usual, so it has been quite difficult for us to deal with the aftermath. That is why I am here, to talk to various institutions and teach them how to train young people more severely to make sure that they don’t die from such a trivial exam.” The Armed Prosecutor, who is talking about a life or death exam with the ease that one might have when talking about the weather, smiles at Hilda and the looks at me again, “I have heard before that a Butei with good companions is themselves a good Butei. Well, I will leave you two to it.” Leaving those words behind, he turns around on her heels. I can’t let him leave. I was caught so off guard by his bluff about my failing a year and the Itsuki situation with the exam that I nearly forgot to address the most important question I have right now. –My father. Armed Prosecutors are constantly busy with the task of protecting the entire country. The chance of a Armed Prosecutor meeting a normal high school student like me… Is extremely rare. I do not know when will meet again. Odds are I we never will. “–Wait, just one question. You are an Armed Prosecutor, aren’t you? Shido and the others… They kept mentioning my dad. Is my dad still alive!?” I ask my question to the back of the main in the suit. But, his answer… “Kinji Toyama. You do not have the authority to know that answer. If you want to know the answer to the question– Get stronger. Aim to become an Armed Prosecutor yourself. On the day that you become an Armed Prosecutor, you will know the truth that day Kinji Toyama.” –He neither confirmed nor denied. “……” “Only an Armed Prosecutor has the right to know about another Armed Prosecutor.” With that as his parting words, the man in the suit leaves the area. I… Was left alone. The former members of Section 0, with whom I now have a less than friendly relationship with, are merely standing around. … Pa … Pa, pa … Whether Hilda has stopped stealing the power from the area or the power has simply just been restored to the lights and vending machines again, the lights turn back on one by one… “…” Shido, with his hatred on clear display as he watches the back of the leaving Armed Prosecutor, snorts a “hmph” before straightening his coat. Looking at Nada complaining, Kamui laughing, and Daimonbou smiling, all gathered Shido… The unity of the group that Shido has built is strong. I do not know about Seiji though, who is a little further away than the rest. From that circle of superhumans– “Oi, Toyama.” Shido calls out to me with a clearly displeased voice. Alongside Hilda, who is still keeping her spear in her shadows, I am a little wary of Section 0, but… I can no longer sense any killing intent from Shido. I exit my battle stance. “–Study! You absolute idiot! Sigh , for now we will not prosecute you. It was quite troubling to make that Anonymous Death you know. Regardless we are still quite short on manpower. Let me show how serious I am… for now.” Right in front of me, Shido tears up the arrest warrant for me… It seems he has still not given up on the idea of making me his subordinate. He seems to like me quite a bit… Flipping his desert-colored coat, Shido yells “dismissed!”. His subordinates who do not disband at all, “Buy us a treat”, “Yay! I want yakiniku!”, “No, Kamui-dono. I, a monk, am forbidden from eating meat…” began pestering him on and on… “Ahh, that’s right, Toyama. If something happens to you, regarding Makiri Ito, contact me. Oi, Harada. You are to be Toyama’s point of contact.” With the old Section 0 withdrawing… Harada Seiji, the Demon Blade, gives me a sideways glance, “… Well, I suppose you wouldn’t like it if I were to follow you.” Seiji starts talking to me in a muffled voice as the lower half of his face is still covered by his jet-black coat. “Of course? I barely know who you are to begin with, and would you trust someone who just shot one of your friends in the hand and then pulled out a shotgun on them? Rather, you should be preparing yourself for the next time that we meet.” I thought that it would be easier for me to fight him later if I continued the lie that the person he met in Belgium was a body double, so I continue to pretend that this is the first time meeting him. I couldn’t tell whether he still believed that though as to begin with he doesn’t seem to talk much, but– “If you have any problems or something pops up, call me.” He hands me a small piece of paper that he took out of his coat pocket. On the paper… Is a phone number, starting with 090… Regardless of what trouble manages to find me, I have no intention of relying on Seiji, but regardless an enemies phone number is a nice gift. I am rather annoyed that out of this entire mess I got absolutely nothing other than a jump scare that I failed a grade so… I will accept this. After giving me his phone number, it seemed that Seiji was hungry too, since he went off to catch up to Shido and the others… The only people left now are me, Hilda, and Shiranui, who approaches me with a smile. “… You got me involved in quite a stupid ruckus you know. Whatever, my summer vacation was already a joke anyway.” I still have a slight headache, not to mention I don’t want to get involved with Shiranui anymore, so… Let’s just wrap this up already. “You are too kind, Toyama. But… I like that side of you.” “I don’t want you to like me” “That’s disappointing.” Shiranui did not say any kind of apology for getting me involved in this, and so I, rather irritated now, respond coldly to him. Hilda is blushing a little bit now, and keeps looking from me to Shiranui and back with embarrassment. Why is she doing that..? “Tonight, you showed me something amazing. Ya… That favor you owed me from the soccer match has been fulfilled.” And then, doing a practice imitation… Shiranui mimics my 8-fold ouka. But… Thinking on it, it might have been Shiranui who gave my name to Public Security or the Public Prosecutor’s office. But, well, it is my fault that I did not notice that nor think of that possibility. Should our positions have been swapped and I took on the same job as him, I might have very well done the same thing to Shiranui. I do have some questions for him though, “That Armed Prosecutor that showed up at the very end must have been sent by you. You can even control people that high up?” My request to him to share information on my dad was completely denied, but… I’m rather persistent, and I will stick to that Armed Prosecutor who could be a source of information if possible. But, “No. I do not know who that is, nor was I aware that he would show up. Anything else though? You have any more questions for me?” Shiranui responds back with a smile and disappointing information. Although, “You wouldn’t answer me even if I asked you anything else. But… Your earlier acting did help quite a bit. Thanks for that. Thinking back on it, the only reason this place didn’t turn into a bloodbath was because of the theatrics of the Armed Prosecutor and Shiranui. So, for that, I will give you some credit. “…” But… Shiranui is silent. Wait, huh? Why did you just look away from me suddenly. “Seriously, that performance that I failed a grade seriously helped me a lot there.” Thinking maybe he forgot about it I just reiterate my thanks and remind me of the whole “Toyama you failed a grade” thing, but Shiranui is just smiling wryly… The shutters full of graffiti that I broke, or rather I broke when Shido launched me through them, has a vending machine next to it, so I go over to it to buy some Straight Tea, 3 bottles to be exact. After getting them I come back with them and give Shiranui and Hilda one each. “…?” I might be a coffee person, but I open it up with a paki . Hilda wraps her hands around the bottle and begins to sip from it as well. Kiba , she seems to enjoy it. Why is Shiranui so mellow though? “… Even students need a break in their life, Toyama.” Shiranui calmly sips his tea after spouting something strange. However, there is some sweat on his forehead, as if he was scared or upset about something. “Because of that, let’s take a year off to get that break.” “…?” Shiranui took his phone out of his jacket with the hand not holding his can, and showed me the screen of that Butei High website that he had used earlier. “Class Placement Announcement. I think it just happened.” The screen that Shiranui is showing me… 2nd Year Class C which starts tomorrow…? In that row of student names… [Second-year Class C seat order undecided: Kinji Toyama. ※Repeat students who are in their third year or above are displayed only when accessing this page from third year or above.] No, way. “I, I mean… You are joking still, right? This is obviously a fake site that you set up for this… As expected of a A-rank Butei, Shiranui you are…” The blood in my face is draining… More than when I fought the Scarlet Goddess or even the fight with Shido just now… I don’t have to look in a mirror to know that, right now, my face very much resembles the pale white face of Hilda beside me. Ah… I almost just fainted. “We-, well, this is quite impressive Toyama and as expected of you. It does not seem like you did it on purpose, but this… This is certainly one way to repel the old Section 0. This is… Certainly an unprecedented method at that. Honestly it is amazing.” In a twisted case of fate, Shiranui begins to praise me for repeating a year. “…” Me at a loss for words, and Shiranui also at a loss for words albeit still with a smile on his face… Amidst that silence, I am kicked. “Ow” “Come on, Tooyama.” Hilda, having kicked my shin from the side with her stiletto toe finished off her drink. “You promised to meet up with Riko at 19:00. You are already late for that.” Hilda throws her empty can into her shadow pit, and shows me a gold watch that she pulled out from who knows where… “Shut up about that. I don’t care about that right now.” Trying to get away from the situation of double-booking Aria and Riko, not to mention now being late to both, I turn to dash towards the Masters building in a panic. However, the neck of my bulletproof uniform is holding me back. Hilda had grabbed it. And from the fingertips of her bright red manicure hand, biri ! Damn that hurts! “Wait, stop, it feels like a stun gun!” “Come on, hurry it up.” “Ah, well, seems I am not needed here anymore… See you later, Toyama. Give my regards to Mine-san.” Shiranui disappears, as if leaving me to my fate with Hilda… “I, I have to go to Masters right now, Hilda…!” To me, who is still trying to shake Hilda off, “while I do not know the details of how, they have already decided to fail you this year. There is no point wasting your time by arguing with your teachers. If you wanted to do something about it, you should have worked harder this year so you didn’t fail.” Despite literally being a demon, as well as the daughter of Vlad Dracula, Hilda is speaking the blunt and literal truth right now. … Thinking on it, certainly, the probability of any of Butei High’s lazy teachers working overtime in Masters right now is quite low. Even if I did go there, the person on duty will just be sleeping, and if I were to wake them up I would just be facing corporal punishment. I have no choice but to check my phone with trembling hands to see what is happening… My name does not appear on the school’s online roster for the 2nd year Class C… However, the words “※Repeating students are only displayed when accessing this from 3rd year or above”… when checking the third year roster, my name does not appear either. Suddenly, from my cellphone, jajajan . Hey! The melody of Ryotari Sugi’s “Sukimakaze” is playing, which is set to only play when I get a call or an e-mail from a “dangerous” person. Really, it is alarm for me. It is an email from Masters, with the subject line… “You are being called to guidance as a repeating student on April 1st.” …Ah… … I’m finished… … This is the end of Kinji Toyama. I failed my second year. “Hey. Start walking, you packhorse. Riko’s house is this way.” Kick , kick . And, despite letting go of my shirt collar, Hilda began to kick my shins and butt with her hard enamel stiletto… Just like an old packhorse, I start to toddle my way forward… I walk forward, the mood around me so intense that you can just barely heard Donna Donna by Taro as my BGM. (TL Note: this is a real song, search up “ドナドナ” on youtube (cow image one) and listen to it while you visualize this XD) If this email is to be believed as true, than most definitely there is nothing I can do right now. All I can do now is wait until tomorrow and report to Masters for guidance on repeating students. Also, while I am completely out of motivation, I am still double booked for Aria and Riko. My destination I guess is Riko’s. When I first arrived at this plaza, I was initially just going to choose Aria for my own safety, but now I owe Riko a debt. If Riko hadn’t been so wary of Public Safety and attached Hilda onto me, I don’t know what Shido and the others would have done to me once I ran out of Hysteria Mode. Zubuzubu , as I slowly walk through the shadows, accompanied by Hilda was sinking into her own shadows…. “… Oh yea, just to let you know. The actions of a demonic being can trigger an imbalance of luck.” A surreal sight to be sure, Hilda, with only her umbrella now seemingly floating and moving above ground, began speaking stealth words and concepts from underfoot. “I don’t understand what you are talking about.” “You are really stupid, huh. In other words, you got lucky right now. When I, an old enemy of yours, helped you in battle, that was good luck. Now, bad luck will be on its way to you.” “I’m used to bad luck, and I don’t see how any amount of bad luck can top the bad luck of today. But just in case tell me, what is coming?” “I don’t know, the details of what constitute that “bad luck” are beyond my control or knowledge.” “Oi, that’s a rather sloppy answer. Rather, are the things that you are possessing, like Riko, okay?” “That child has a lot of luck, so I think she will be fine.” A lot of luck… Is that even a thing? “Well, I guess having luck is in itself lucky… What about me? How much luck do I have?” Her umbrella has now sunk into the shadows, so now I am nothing but a edgy chuuni talking to the shadows. This is way too embarrassing. “I don’t want to lie to you, and if I were to tell you the truth you would hate me, so I won’t tell you.” “Just tell me, I’m curious.” “Your luck is in the worst category. Misfortune will continue to appear for you.” “… I should have never asked…” “this is why I didn’t want to tell you, you fool.” “But the last part of what you said isn’t that bad.” “?” –Misfortune will continue. If misfortune will continue, well, that means I won’t be dying anytime soon I guess. Well, to be fair, I guess there is the saying “living in hell”. Or rather, I feel like I am living it every day. ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ### 002. Bullet 2: Good night, my love While even Donna Donna could catch a ride on a wagon to the market, I was forced to have to walk to the second girls dormitory. … For some reason, when I casually started to walk off to the side off the path to Riko’s, the shadow beneath my feet began to take on the shape of a chainsaw. Hilda, is this your way of telling me that should I try to run away you would cut me in half long ways? Even more dangerous than that is what I could only believe to be the distinct sounds of a .45ACP Colt Government coming from the direction of the first girls dormitory, which is where Aria should currently be at. I guess since slave-Kinji didn’t show up when Aria ordered him to, she is taking out her anger by pointlessly shooting at Mamiya. Seriously, for a so called “genius Butei” her threshold for shooting at people is alarmingly low. However, right now… … I suppose that the best way to avoid the pistol wielding monster named Aria would be to take shelter at Riko’s place. And so I once again became PacMan, and using Hilda, a bonafide monster, as my eyes and ears to look around corners to keep a lookout for the pink monster… I eventually managed to safely arrive at the second girls dormitory. By the end of this game of cat and mouse I was so stressed out that not only did I have a headache, I also had a stomach ache. I wonder if Bufferin and Ohta Isan sell a combo drug? (TL Note: Both of these are popular antacid’s in Japan.)) (But what about this headache…) The pain started the moment I entered hysteria mode and was a deep pain from the center of my brain… On top of that, the pain subsided as soon as hysteria mode ended. Horrifyingly… All of the symptoms matched what Grandpa had warned me about a while ago. But I mean… Still. This is the first time it has ever happened to me. And really, just how many types of headaches are there anyways? Surely this is just another type of headache. It is pretty common for people to assume the worst whenever they feel pain, but realistically most of the time… It is just an exaggerated minor ailment. Ya, I should probably just keep this a secret from Grandpa. There is no reason to needlessly worry him over nothing. Looking down at my feet I can see my shadow in the shape of Hilda who is apparently on her phone… Odds are she is talking to Riko? Seriously, how does that whole changing shadow thing even work? After a treacherous and dangerous walk, I somehow manage to make it to Riko’s room, where my wall shadow Hilda stretches’ herself against the wall and using a key opens Riko’s door with a click. After opening the door, the sight of a row of cute shoes at the entryway greet me. However, none of these shoes appear to be Riko’s. The bright red pair with the big ribbon on top are too small to be Riko’s, but they are similar to her style. Those are Ichigo’s from Team Constellation, which I had joined as an auditor last year in my second year (granted I am still in my second year now…). Next to them is a similar looking cutesy pair… Those must be Kirin’s, who apparently is not only similar looking in terms of height but also clothing style. I guess both of them came over to Riko’s today? Kirin was Riko’s Amica when Riko was a first year so I guess it isn’t a surprise that she would come over… (TL Note: Turns out that Shimaisago’s (the girl from the novel where Kinji is on Jeannes Team Constellation) real name is Ichigo and that she is Kirin’s sister. From now on she is called Ichigo.) Next to those shoes is a pair of blue sneakers… Those aren’t nearly feminine enough for Riko. These shoes… Ah, now I remember. Raika Hino had worn them when I had passed her by back in Daiba the other day. … I have a really keen sense of smell, and this feminine smell coming from this room is starting to overwhelm me. However, one shouldn’t show cowardice in the face of a literal monster, and its not like Hilda, who is currently hiding in my shadow, would just simply let me leave after all. At this point, the best thing is to simply breathe through my mouth instead of my nose… Hang on Kinji. Just be patient for now and wait for the opportune moment to dash. Thinking on it… Did Riko call me over to hang out for a girls night? I can hear a lot of girls laughter coming from the dining room. ”Girls night out”… Nope. Just judging from that name, I dislike it. Honestly I would rather have a dinner meeting with the Yakuza than be here right now. Even if I were to somehow leave though and get past Hilda, that pink monster will just shoot me with her dual pistols and Pac-Man will lose another one of his lives… With certain death behind me I have no other option other than to step into the girly dining room before me. “… Hey, Riko. I’m here.” In addition to the colorful drinks on the table is an entire cake that was cut into slices. Oh, is Riko having a birthday party? I guess that is why I was invited. I had heard from Lisa that westerners typically thrown their own birthday parties. Riko had spent her childhood in Blois France so perhaps she is merely just following the customs that she grew up with. “Ah–! Ki-kun is here-!” In the dining room is not just Riko, who had suddenly jumped out of her seat with bright, wide, and giddy eyes, but everyone else who is wearing their Butei High uniform. “Oh my!” “The boys are here!” The surprised Kirin and Ichigo are both wearing matching frilly, fluttery modified uniforms. Since they both also have similar doll-like eyes and French hair styles I cannot tell the sisters apart. So, “… Which one of you is Ichigo and which is Kirin?” Once I asked, “”Come here!”” The way that they harmonize their voice and speak at the same time is really cute, and it seems like they are trying to liven up the party. Ah… Now that I think about it, they avoided the question or just didn’t care enough to answer. Honestly, I don’t really care which is which anyway. “…” Raika Hino on the other hand, the rumored man hater, is making her displeasure of seeing me quite obvious. … Personally I am not a fan of women so I can understand her hatred of men. Sadly for her though, if I don’t stay here I either have to face a pistol, a chainsaw, or both. So sorry, but I will be happily intruding. “okay, Ki-kun, you will sit here!” Riko said, pulling on my sleeve and forcing me to sit next to her. As I reluctantly sat down, she sat down sideways on my lap and began to cling to me. “Heyheyheyhey. What are you doing?” Riko wraps her arms around me as I begin to panic at this cruel and unexpected treatment– “UWAA, Ki-kun you are so bold~! And while everyone is watching us…~” “Don’t say anything that could be misunderstood! I didn’t do anything, you just decided to jump onto my lap!” It feels as if Riko is trying to show off to everyone around us for some reason. “Well, Onee-sama, it is much more lively now that Toyama Kinji-senpai is here now.” Is that… Kirin? Seriously, she looks exactly like Ichigo. “Well, let’s leave now…” Raika Hino wanted to leave the second I appeared. It is almost painfully obvious.” “Us too. We have been bothering Riko-onee for a while now.” Even the Shima sisters left with Riko, after cleaning up their mess. “Byebye, see you soon!” Riko waved her hand to the three girls while clinging to my arm– Her tone is the same as normal Riko, but… Her tone is rather arrogant, or rather, for some reason she is acting arrogant in front of her juniors. It is reminiscent of me in front of Fuuma or Aria in front of Mamiya, the need for a senior to act superior in front of their juniors. And, although no one realized it, the shadow had left Riko’s room while gracefully saying goodbye to Riko. I guess Hilda is going outside now? It is night now and I would assume that vampires are nocturnal… “I get that since I am late I don’t have much room to be angry, but what were they all doing here? You know I hate women.” I pushed Riko off of me and immediately began to complain. “I am doing this to keep them out. If I didn’t do this, Kirin would just show up later in the night on her own. She will come by unannounced from time to time.” “Keep them out? … Whatever, I’m not really in the mood to deal with other people right now anyway.” Honestly I am already pretty depressed and tired over the entire Section 0 and having to repeat a grade, so after somehow managing to pry Riko off of my arm I plop myself down onto the sofa in the living room. However, like a cat stalking its prey, Riko follows me while carrying a bright red heart-shaped pillow cushion held to her chest, “You came, Ki-kun… Riko is so happy. I am so happy I think I might start to fly like an angel…” She is speaking in a higher pitch voice than when the Shima sisters and Riko were here, while looking at me with upturned eyes. Her perfectly symmetrical head, which smells like the sweetest vanilla, also came to rest on my shoulder as she sat down beside me. Damn it… This girlish behavior. It is too damn cute. What’s more, Riko is a formidable enemy who is well aware of how cute she is, and everything from her gestures to her clothing is calculated to enhance her cuteness as much as possible. When I am around her I have to be a different kind of alert than when I am around Aria, whose natural cuteness alone can arouse my hysteria mode. I need to take the initiative here and use my secret technique, Slash 3, and divert the topic. “I see… Actually, Riko, once the year is up your Amica contract will be disbanded, right? Are you planning on taking on another Amica?” “Amica? Yeah, I am thinking of nominating Mamiya. I am certain that she could be a fantastic thief if I can get her to transfer to Inquesta.” “Come on. Don’t lead the juniors down the path of evil… Not to mention I am sure there are other Amica’s you could enter into a contract with other than that chibi jerk…” The only reason I bothered to scold Riko over her Amica choice is because I don’t want my relationship to continue with Mamiya, a junior who happens to be Aria’s Amica and for some reason has a strange dislike of me… “Riko just wants to steal everything that belongs to Aria.” Riko said, while gently poking my chest with her finger and looking me in the eyes. “… Aria’s half sister, Minuet, said something similar. I don’t get it, why does everyone want to steal from that little tiger cub? Are you girls just suicidal?” AT any rate it seems like I managed to get Riko to talk about our friends, so I was planning on just continuing that conversation, but… Riko cut me off by putting her lips right up to my ear, and, “Kufufufu~ You are trying to divert the topic, aren’t you? I wonder… How long will that last?” … Slash 3 failed miserably…! My 8-fold Ouka was beaten earlier today too… What is it about today specifically? Is today just a holiday meant to break my special techniques? “Don’t worry though, Ki-kun. I wont do anything… intimate , just because we are alone. Aria is probably wandering around outside right now, so Ki-kun can’t leave anyway, right? So, Riko doesn’t have to be in a rush… That’s right. The night is still young.” Please, just do whatever it is you want to do and leave me alone… “Alright! Time to get a higher high score than Aria!” Riko says with a pon ! She quickly stands up, her skirt flying with the movement that from my perspective was quite dangerous. Then, she trotted off into the girly kitchen that the Shima sisters had cleaned up just a little bit earlier. Or rather, what is more important to me right now, is that Riko seems to know about my double booking with Aria. I can only guess where Riko heard about that from… It must be Hilda. When I had met Aria earlier she must have been in my shadow. If you had known, why wouldn’t you just change our meeting time? Why put me in a situation like this, where you pit yourself against Aria with me in the middle? Seriously, that pisses me off. Riko on the other hand, while wearing a white apron with a heart cutout on her chest– “Ki-ki-ki-kun came♪ Not to Aria♪ But to Riko♪” While singing, she excitedly and happily cooked food for me. Apparently, she had already prepared all the ingredients in preparation for my arrival. I had taken Riko to be the kind of girl who isn’t very homey, but apparently I was wrong. Granted, she doesn’t seem to be as good as Shirayuki or Lisa. And… “Okay, Ki-kun, come here! Mommy made some food for you♪” Riko seems to be in a good mood as she serves my dinner on the table. “Panpakapa-n! Shuppatshinkou!” … A childrens lunch… The lunch plante on the 0 Series Shinkansen comes with a burger, fried shrimp, chicken rice with a Japanese flag in it, and pudding with cherries on top. Honestly though this meal brings back memories from last year when the Coco sisters tried to hijack the Sinkansen, granted that was a N700 series though. As I sat down with a traumatized look on my face to eat what looked to be Riko’s home-cooked dinner… Riko, who is sitting across the table from me, looks a little flustered. Honestly, she looks like she is panicking. “Ah… Um, if you don’t like it I can remake it, okay Ki-kun? I don’t want to make do something that Ki-kun doesn’t like…” … You have already done quite a bit to me, such as trying to shoot me in the head on ANA Flight 600. But your home cooking is where you are afraid I might not like it? Also, I am not so incompetent or rude as to throw a woman’s home cooking back at her. “No, it’s fine. I am a child anyways, after all.” I decide to eat it with the rounded-tip fork that was given to me as part of a cutlery set. Riko looks and beginning to eat with a bright and happy face. She was eating cake earlier with the Shima sisters and Raika, but now she has brought out vanilla ice cream and was happily eating that. She is even licking the ice cream off of her fingers… How do girls so mindlessly eat a seemingly endless amount of sweet things? Just looking at her is making my mouth taste sweet. In front of her as well is a cup of banana juice, a yogurt drink, and soda. Oi. “So? Does it taste good?” “Hm. Ahh.” “Oh ya, Riko will feed you!” “Can you please just sit still… I mean, I can eat it by myself.” “Okay okay. Yes, yes, please open your mouth. Say ahhhh~” Riko, holding a spoon in her hand, leans her upper body over the table. Before I could even realize it, she had taken off the scarf going around her neck under her collar allowing me to see the V-line of her cleavage… Her deep cleavage is now clearly visible, and although Riko is a petite girl her large breasts are swaying with every single movement. Amidst my stunned expression at this sight, Riko scoops up some of the pudding with a spoon and began to feed me as if I was a child. “…” “Okay, now it is your turn to feed me.” This time, I myself lean forward with my spoon. Riko willingly opens her small mouth, showing the inside of it to me, with her perfectly white and well aligned teeth. Riko, what is up with you and your willingness to show me your body? “You didn’t make this for me to eat, did you?” “Riko loves pudding. Can you give Riko the part with the cherries?” Well I guess Riko is free to eat whatever she wants, even if it is food that she supposedly made for someone else. Since I don’t have much of a sweet tooth I scoop up the cherry part of the pudding and feed it to her. Riko’s pink tongue… Is a little bit bigger than I was expecting. No wonder she has a sweet, slightly nasal voice. After feeding her, I silently eat my chicken fried rice– Honestly, it is kind of embarrassing as a man to eat something like this in front of a woman. After finishing my meal, I decide to make sure that no one else becomes a victim of such a menu, “– Thank you for the meal. Don’t make this for anyone else other than me, okay?” I decide to blunt with her. Riko has a personality where she tends to take advantage of you if you pamper her too much. Just as I thanked her for the meal, Riko tore a hole into her Yakult and upon hearing my tell her to make this for no one else she started choking on her drink. “ Eho, ho. Pyoe …” (TL Note: Sounds of baka Riko choking on her yogurt drink.) After clearing the yogurt in her throat she puts her hands over her mouth and her eyes go wide. What is going on with this girl? “… Riko is so surprised. Ki-kun wants to monopolize just like Riko does… Riko is so happy…” “? ? ?” Eh…. What in the world are you talking about? And why do you look so strangely surprised and happy? “Of course I will. I would never ever ever do something like this unless it was for Ki-kun.” Riko was beginning to fidget, chiyuuuu , and finishes her strawberry yogurt drink in on big gulp. Why is she so happy now? She is kicking her feet under the table, making the cherry-like decorations on her socks flop about. Hmm, ya, something here is clearly being miscommunicated. Whatever. Trying to have a decent conversation with Riko would be harder than having a decent conversation with a chimpanzee. “Riko, if you drink too much you are just going to end up wetting your bed you know.” “Ki-kun, I didn’t know you were so naughty, thinking of Riko wetting herself. What a perverted gentleman~” Look. Once again I have no idea what you are talking about. After eating dinner I went back to the living room to lounge on the sofa, and Riko brought me a drink with a “Okay, here you go”. She brought herself a drink too… Where is she storing all this liquid? “Kanpai!” “um, yay.” I went along with the toast because of the flow, and the drink… Ginger ale I think? It tastes really good, though. I was sipping on the after dinner meal in the overly girlish living room with everything being in “Riko” style… Riko again sat down next to me, this time without her cushion, and naturally I ignore her… Granted, knowing her, she will approach me anyways. “… The whole Scarlet Goddess incident. Thanks for everything you did defending Tokyo… Come to think of it, you have some Ruruirokane. Have you done anything with it since?” “I only have a little bit. I asked Hilda to looking into it since she has some knowledge on irokane and psychic powers in general.” Riko took out the small, blue glowing cross that was around her neck that she had taken back from Vlad last year. That cross is a keepsake for Riko that contains a small amount of Ruruirokane that Riko’s parents had stolen from the US military. I had already told Riko that irokane is a metal with a living will that came from outer space, and as expected, she was quick to decide already what she was going to do. “Ki-kun, you must think that the whole colored metal with a will case has been settled, right? How foolish, that is clearly not the case.” “What?” “Ki-kun, it would seem that Ruruirokane and Ririirokane both don’t want to return to space like Hihiirokane did. I don’t know the specifics, but… After the whole Hihi incident, Ruru and Riri had a falling out and aren’t exactly friends anymore.” “Ruruirokane… and Ririirokane?” It’s been a while so I had to search my memory to remember everything… Ruruirokane, who had appeared as a spirit in the Area 51 garage where she was stored, and Ririirokane, who had basically possessed Reki, had seemed to both be in agreement over how to handle Hihiirokane. They had both wanted to kill her, the Scarlet Goddess, due to her deranged views of peace and war that came as a result of her nature and interactions with Earth… However, due to my concerns over Aria and the fact that killing Hihiirokane ultimately meant having to kill Aria who was possessed by the Scarlet Goddess, I managed to convince Ruruirokane to change her mind. On the other hand, Ririirokane was left out of the equation. I left handling her to Reki and did not bother asking for her opinion. After all, honestly I get the impression that Ririirokane doesn’t really want to get involved with us human. Was there some sort of conflict between the two because of that? It seems that since then Ririirokane moved themselves away from Ruruirokane and cut of communication. She even called back Reki, who was in New York, back to her. In retrospect, that is actually a bit of a worrisome move to make. “Reki… I wonder what is going on with her. I somehow managed to stop Aria from turning into a Scarlet Goddess, but now I wonder if Reki will turn into a Lapis Goddess and go on a rampage in Russia… I’m starting to get worried, I need to give her a call.” I pull out my cellphone to call Reki with– And bring up my contacts info to call Reki with Riko next to me, who is still drinking her sugary fruit drink. … Just to make sure I should make it a video call, so I can see if she is shooting lasers out of her eyes or emitting a lapis aura. Shortly after clicking her name I can hear a Koh, Koh… NTT’s busy tone. She must be overseas. But the tone… It isn’t the sound of Russian MTS which I have heard before…. I wonder where she is? “–Privyet?” Someone’s voice… It sounds like they are speaking Russian, but I am certain that is Reki’s voice. A moment later, our video call was connected. It was a bit grainy, but… It looks like she is in a room with pure white walls. An internet café maybe? She is wearing her Butei Sailor uniform, but I can see the outside sky through a window beside her… Morning or noon. Must be due to the time difference. “Ah-, It’s me, Kinji. How are you, Reki?” “Good.” Despite her rather blunt and emotionless answer, that is nothing unusual for Reki. This is just normal everyday Reki. “Where are you?” “Geneva.” “Wait, Geneva? Where is that and what are you doing there?” “Switzerland. Right now, I am negotiating the terms and conditions via email regarding a corporate ordered request.” Huh. I am beginning to get the impression that Reki is hiding something from me based on how little she is telling me… Granted when considering just how little Reki talks to begin with it is completely possible that she is just talking like normal. Contemplating if she is lying is pointless anyway. For now, I will just assume that Reki is doing some Butei work. Reki wouldn’t lie to me anyway. Either way, this isn’t the time nor situation to be talking to Reki about Ruruirokane or Ririirokane and everything occurring around it. At the very least I eased some of my fears. I should end the call here. “Don’t accept any sweeper missions, okay? Well, honestly I am relieved that you are okay. Im going to hang up now, I am afraid to see just how much this call is going to cost me already…” After saying goodbye I end the call. “… She seems to be okay for now. But she is in Switzerland? I wonder if she is dipping her Calorie Mates in fondue. Honestly I am kind of jealous of her right now, what I would do to be somewhere as peaceful as Switzerland right now…” I have many fond, if now terrifying, memories of England, France, and Belgium, but I have never been to Switzerland. The only mental image I have of it is “Heidi, Girl of the Alps”. When Riko heard my longing of somewhere peaceful like Switzerland, she started to laugh at me. “Kufufufu. It is still cold over there right now, right?” “Have you been there before?” “Riko also has a hideout in Switzerland. I usually let other people stay there when I’m not using it.” Riko began to mumble something along the lines of “snackie snackie” and reached into the fruit basket on the table in front of the sofa, but rather than grab one of the fruits she somehow pulls out a large lollipop. Riko, even after all that, you still want something sweet? Regardless of her insatiable sweet tooth, I knew that Riko was rich, although not nearly as rich as Aria, but I guess renting out her unused hideouts is how she makes her money… Other than theft of course. Ah, I knew this was coming eventually. Don’t sit on the sofa wearing such a short skirt. While typically that would be fine since you are next to me, the massive TV in the front is acting like a mirror and has a bad angle… Yup, the best course of action here is to look away so I don’t accidentally see your honey gold underwear. “”Also has a hideout in Switzerland”… Does that mean you have multiple other hideouts?” “Yup, I have them all over the world. I think now it is about… 20 or so?” “Wow… I am guessing you already heard this from Hilda herself, but right now I am actually being watched by Public Security, or rather the District Attorney. Odds are I am going to have to go on the run eventually, I might have to take you up on a few of those hideouts.” Riko was able to somehow escape from both me in hysteria mode and Aria. To say that she is a master of escaping is an understatement. “Ah, that’s right! I just remembered! Ki-kun, is it true that you may have to repeat a grade!?” Ueeeh. Hilda sure likes to talk. “… Don’t tell anyone else, okay? I mean, it’s not like… It is a serious problem you know…” I could only hold my head in my hands and hope that this all went way on its own. Repeating a school year… At Butei High, where the average deviation score is not less than 50, and actually has been close to 40 in recent years, I somehow managed to do so bad that I have to repeat a year… How did that even happen…? Was it my grades? My attendance? Honestly, thinking realistically, it was probably everything. Riko could clearly see me sinking into a sea of depression, even if I refused to realize it myself, “But that ended up being a good thing, right? Because of that, you were able to get over the whole Section 0 thing for now. What you need is a break. Lets take a leave from school and elope together to Tahiti for a while. It is common in France to go on a vacation with someone of the opposite sex after a long day of work as a refresher… Luckily for you, there is a willing member of the opposite sex sitting right next to you you know~?” As expected of Riko, I can always count on her to say something stupid. While it might be true that due to this I managed to get Section 0 off my back for the time being… “Japanese people lack the mentality of playing hard and partying hard in equal measure. In other words, starting tomorrow, how in the world will I even be able to mentally stand walking through the front doors of the schools main building…” I spoke with a bit of a depressing attitude and took a sip of Riko’s drink which just ended up making me more thirsty with how sweet it is. For some strange reason, Riko pulls out her cellphone and began to fiddle with it… Kirakirakirarin ~! Music began to play in the room… It seems that her home theater speakers are wireless. What is she doing…? During the intro Riko stood up off the sofa and pulls out some castanets and a tambourine from a white claw-footed cabinet. Then, “Yay! Idol Riko-rin’s solo concert is going to begin!” She suddenly started singing an anime song that i had never heard before, randomly mixing in Burikko-like poses that honestly just made me want to punch her. “Ki-kun, sing with me! 3, 2, 1, go!” What? Who in the world would want to sing a duet with you ? (TL Note: Me.) (Really, she truly just cant sit still… Or read the room for that matter…) … No… Maybe I am the one who can’t read the room. … I get it now. Riko is just trying to brighten me up in her own weird way. She truly just has my best interests at heart. Honestly, Riko’s singing and dancing are both really good. The sound of the castanets while she dances and the sound of the tambourine being tapped on her small butt, Riko’s high but sweet ang lovely voice, regardless if it is being done on purpose or not, are all strangely soothing to my ears. Riko is like a genie who governs all girly interests… (Huh, what…?) Somehow, Riko… Seems like a really alluring woman. I am starting to feel weird, not like my usual self. A cute woman with well shaped breasts that look as soft as pudding who is wearing a short, frilly, and fluttering skirt… It is as if a neutron bomb is dancing before my eyes. “Let’s go wherever we want and do whatever want tonight, Ki-kun! “Huh. Um, uhh.” Thanks to Riko’s efforts, my mood actually improved a bit. At the very least, my previously downcast face is actually able to look straight at her now. Come to think of it, back in the Assault Department… We were actually taught that it is as good idea to always have one member on the team who is free-spirited and cheerful. While we were encouraged to reflect on our mistakes and failures, should you become depressed you will be unable to recover properly. Because of that, having at least one person who can cheer people up is vital to preventing further mental decline. However, this isn’t a trait that you can simply learn. Generally those kinds of people are just born able to do that due to their personality, and typically whether they end up in your friend group is just a matter of luck. You cannot buy this kind of personality. While I was expelled from Baskerville, luckily… Despite everything I say about her, Riko is a really kind and precious person. “Uwaaa-. The way Riko is moving is making her blush. I’m like Char’s personal Rick Dom!” (TL Note: There is a Gundam reference here but as I don’t watch Gundam I have zero clue wtf this is supposed to mean.) “You are a maniac like Char, granted look more like Char’s Zaku.” (TL Note: Again, since I have zero knowledge on Gundam I cannot make sense of this. If you can help feel free to DM me.) I continue to tease Riko who had come to the sofa and sat down next to me, her face bright red now. But wait, what? Looking at the drink in my cup, face is pretty red too now. Did I catch a cold from all the stress I have been under recently? Riko, who I had just had a private song and dance, is as beautiful as any idol, so my initial thought was perhaps I was hysterizing… In the living room, which is filled with the sweet smell of Riko’s vanilla like scent, “Thank you for everything, Riko. Would you like to get some fresh air with me?” I stood up intending to go to the balcony after inviting her. Riko trots up to me carrying my shoes as well as her own cute red strap shoes, and the two of us head out to the balcony. Both of us take in the view, looking over the balcony railing at the artificial floating islands and Rainbow Bridge. Riko is standing so close to me that her hair is brushing up against my shoulder, “Sorry for everything. Riko got a little bit too excited on her own earlier…” Riko smiles embarrassedly and is looking down at the ground, but she seems to be happy. For some reason, even just standing next to me outside and taking in the sights is making her happy. Rather, why are you suddenly speaking like a normal girl? Please, don’t you go crazy now too. I assumed she would just start talking about video games and anime like she normally always does. “No, it’s fine. I could tell you were just trying to cheer me up.” “Ki-kun came all the way over here and chose Riko. Riko will do anything for you after that. No. The truth is, though… I was worried.” “Worried?” “… Wouldn’t you have preferred to pick Aria?” For some reason, Riko is looking up at me with upturned eyes with an anxious expression. Mentally after comparing both going to Aria’s and Riko’s… Should I have gone to Aria’s place and she found out I repeated a grade, odds are I would have been tied up, shot, thrown into the sea, and be ib vacation in hell by now. Due to that fear, “You were the better choice.” After summing up my inner contemplation in a single sentence, Riko said “Waaa” and looked moved as she began to fidget and squeeze her body. Suddenly she began to hug me with both her arms… Riko, your breasts…! Soft and fluffy, like a freshly cooked hotcake. Don’t press them up against me anymore…! “Ki-kun, I am so happy. Even if you were just being a gentleman and lying… Riko… Riko is so happy…” “…? Wait, what’s wrong? Why are you all of a sudden crying?” Looking closer at Riko, her normally bright and energetic double lidded eyes are moist with tears. “Ah, aha. Don’t worry, it is just allergies.” Riko began to wipe away her eyes with a curled fist like a cat and began to smile again. I have heard that pollen is supposed to decrease at night, but since I don’t have allergies I don’t really know anything about that. “I see, sorry for inviting you than. I didn’t know you had allergies.” “Mmm, it’s fine. Riko want’s to be with Ki-kun, even if it just for a minute or second.” Normally I get annoyed when Riko says something embarrassing like that, but right now… Strangely, I’m not. Maybe it has to do with the thing I was remembering earlier… Recently I have had a lot of bad and depressing things happen to me without any real break. I wonder if I am just trying to find an escape with the bright, cute, and for tonight, incredibly kind Riko. Right now, Riko is silently looking up at me, into my eyes… And I, I am looking down at Riko, into her eyes. Again, I cannot help but think that Riko is a strangely attractive woman… The slight fever I had earlier is picking up again, probably due to the hysteria blood flow occurring in my body. I should go lie down. It is already dark outside. “… Riko, lend me your bed.” As I said that and turned around to head back inside, “Uwaah. When you get pushy, you are pushy. Everything is moving so fast.” Riko seemed to misunderstand what I said again, but she skipped over regardless to follow me back inside. And after strecthing out her body, “–Ki-kun is a naughty boy♥” She whispers into my ear from behind, her lips lightly touching my ear lobe. What was that about? As she turns away from me, her cotton candy-like hair brushes against my cheeks, tickling me. After using the bathroom to get ready for bed, I returned to the hallway looking for Riko… It sounds like she is in the other bathroom in the dorm. And judging by the splashing sounds… She is taking a bath. This isn’t good. However this can work out for me, I will just go on ahead and go to sleep while she is in the bathtub. If I waited for her anyway she would just act like a lonely cat anyway and start begging me for attention. Entering Riko’s bedroom, which also serves as her closet, I have a bit of experience with it having been tricked into coming here last year. On either side of her huge bed is a long rack of hangers which serves as Riko’s wardrobe. About half of her clothes odds are are cosplay costumes, but since even her casual clothes look like cosplays it is hard to tell for certain. She even has a shopping cart like what one might see in a supermarket, which I assume she uses to move around her clothes. Riko is without a doubt the first person I know that actually ones one of these. While her clothes are well organized, the same cannot be said of her champagne-gold makeup table. While it might look like one a princess might own, it is covered with cosmetics that don’t seem to fit in the drawers. She even has a antique hand mirror with an angle embossed on the back. Even though all the makeup looks expensive, it seems like Riko can’t be bothered to keep it all clean and tidy. I should send Shirayuki or Lisa here on a business trip. It feels a little late to questions this now, but can is it possible for me to even sleep in Riko Land? I don’t know if it is being multiplied by the pheromones here, but the femininity of this place is making me tipsy. It is as if this room is in a separate universe, where I am being drowned in girly scents and sights… Still… I don’t feel right. Now I have a fever and a headache… I think I am fine, but I keep sweating. Despite the risk of being in this room I need to sleep and I don’t think I can make it back to my own place right now. It might be because of my fever, but damn am I thirsty… But the potential of seeing a hot, warm, wet, and steamy naked Riko wearing nothing but a towel was enough to make my slight sweat multiply 10 fold, so I open the small door of the cabinet next to the bed that looks like a minifridge one might see in a hotel. But it wasn’t a minifridge… Opening that small door reveals a drawer. “…?” Something familiar to me is peeking out from the gap in the drawer. Curious as to what it is, I take it out and immediately recognize the logo. I could never forget this. It is the cardboard coaster that Riko had used to hold our cups at Club Estella, where she had called me just before the plane jacking incident with Aria. And in that drawer are two of the coaster. Judging by the damage from time on them, I can tell with near certainty that these are those exact same coaster. (This is mine and your coasters…?) Riko, why would you keep something that unimportant for so long? Regardless, what I need right now is something to drink, and since there is a coaster, well, maybe there is a canned coffee or something on the lower drawer. Opening the bottom drawer, I can see several things that are about the size of a baseball and tied into cute candy-like shapes. They are all cute designs, like polka-dots, stripes, strawberry prints, and more. As well, they are all in cute bright colors like white, pink, red, light blue, and even honey gold. (What the hell are these…? Are these some new kind of grenade that Riko is designing?) Thinking so I pick one up, but it is surprisingly light. Honestly, the cloth that these grenades are covered in is very soft. Deciding that these must not be grenades at this point as it doesn’t make sense, I open it up since candy can help moisten your throat. However, upon opening it, “……!” This, this is… Pan, pan, panties…! Riko-rin’s panties! I was in a similar predicament to this when Shirayuki suddenly barged into my dorm, but this time I was caught off guard because of the cute print and coloring of them. I cannot believe I even grabbed a pair and spread one out… I should have been able to tell what these are the second I saw the golden one…! Maybe I couldn’t tell what they were because of how stiff my hands are, or maybe because of the differing shapes of a man and a woman’s lower half of their bodies, but regardless… The cloth making up these panties is way too small! Even Shirayuki’s black sexy underwear hid more than this! How can girls make such a small piece of fabric cover anything? Regardless, this is not the time to be impressed by a girls secrets. I can just faintly make out the sound of Riko leaving the bathroom across the hallway! “…..!” There is no excusing this, right now I look like an underwear thief. Granted, right now the actual thief is on the other side… Panicking enough to somehow make my forget forget to hysterize, I shoved that dangerous piece of cloth into my pocket. Pulling it out in an even greater panic at what I just tried to do I begin to try and re-fold it into a candy cane, but I couldn’t figure out how. How the hell does Riko know how to do the most useless but impressive things? –No, there isn’t enough time…! In a panic now I shove the underwear back into the drawer and close it, but due to the bumping of the drawer into the shelf the bottom drawer slightly opens up. In that drawer is a hardcover book for girls called “The Love Spell Book” and some toothpaste gum on top. (Even though Riko spends most of her time hanging around actual witches, Riko herself cannot cast any spells.) This is perfect! Grabbing the toothpaste while thinking such things, I pop one into my mouth. Even if Riko became suspicious over her rummaged underwear, I can just casually excuse myself by saying “I was looking for some gum”. Collecting myself, I pretend to be calm, lying back down onto the bed and chewing my gum. My hands, still shaking from the whole underwear situation from earlier, from the muscle memory of traying to make underwear art began to make origami with the gum wrapper. I thought that there was something odd and lumpy about the highly concentrated female smelling pillow I was laying my head on, but it was just Riko’s derringer that she had put underneath it… Usually she keeps it hidden in her chest or on her garter belt underneath her skirt. The gun itself is still lukewarm, and even smells like her sweet scent. She must have just taken it off before going into the bathroom, which is scary in a few ways. However, I can be certain that this isn’t Riko planning to kill me in my sleep; I myself keep my gun within arms reach even when I sleep after all, that is just a normal thing for any Butei. For me, those tiny panties I saw earlier is far more dangerous. Kacha… Riko came into the bedroom with her uniform back on already. Thank God. She is happily smiling, but her face is now a bright red, probably because she just finished her bath. Riko. I casually raise my upper body and act as relaxed and calm as I can. “You didn’t change your clothes?” “I thought Ki-kun might like looking at me in my sailor suit.” “I see.” Well, I guess I can’t deny that. Butei High’s winter uniform is less revealing than the summer uniform, and Riko’s skirt, while short much like all of the other girls uniforms, is actually a little bit longer than most due to the frills at the hem. On top of that is her pannier inside which further hides her impeccable skin. With all of these factors in place, my defenses are actually surprisingly strong against her right now. “…” But from some reason, here the conversation ends. Why is Riko looking at me and fidgeting in silence? And what is up with that happy but embarrassed face? Wait. If I let her start talking now, it is possible that she will begin talking about some dumb things and somehow this will all lead to her talking about her underwear. In order to fill in this dangerous “silence”, I quickly make a tiny paper airplane from my gum wrapper. Then, I aim it at Riko and let it fly. As the plane flies towards her, Riko makes a cute heart using her thumb and index finger of both of her hands… And, to my embarrassment, the airplane flies through her heart and bounces off of Riko’s chest. After the plan hit her chest Riko held her chest with both hands and shouted “ Kyun! ” while faking being in pain. What? However, it looks like the underwear issue wont be an issue for now. The fact that Riko is here and is wearing her uniform means that she probably wont change her underwear right now at least. As relief begins to wash over me… … I’m starting to feel sleepy… Perhaps it is because I am laying down right now, but I think it is because of my earlier prolonged use of Hysteria mode. Hysteria Mode places a heavy burden on the nervous system, especially the spinal cord, which leads to the user often feeling sleepy once it ends. However, it does not seem like that rest will come right now… “ Pyon “ Riko makes cute bunny ears with her hands on her head. And, “Pyon, pyoon” A hop, a step, a jump, and a pon . She lightly jumps onto the bed. Next to me, Riko is sitting her her knees slightly spread, and her heels on either side behind her. (TL Note: not sure how to describe this, but like this ) “Ehehe. I got on the bed.” “I see.” “I got onto the bed.” Why are you blushing all of a sudden and repeating that, Riko? Thinking that the answer to that might lead me down a dangerous route, however, I decide to ignore her. “Gao~. Riko is like the jaguar from Satou Musen. Would you like to try out something wonderful? Just me and you?” Riko changes her sitting posture to crawling on all fours towards me, while purposefully swinging her chest. She begins to slightly swipe my chest with her hand curled up like a paw. Why did you go from a jaguar to a rabbit? “Turn off the lights” Because I am sleepy. “O, okay! Um…” Why is her face even more red? Granted, her eyes are shining even more now. However, no matter what Riko is interpreting my requests as, once I fall asleep I immediately win. Turning my back to Riko, I lay down. For some reason the light’s won’t turn off, but at this point I don’t really care. Hah, what do you think, Riko? I have already been in a predicament like this a few times. Of course by now I have a few ways to protect myself. While that was my initial thinking… Riko’s soft and warm body suddenly began to rest on my lower body. Kuh… Holy on, Kinji…! Just surrender to the sleepiness…! … Kacha … That, that was… My… Was my belt just taken off…? … Gee … Zuri … Zuri … The zi-, the zipper of my pants was just undone…! (Hey, what a second–) This is definitely not the time to sleep! Even if I don’t want to, at this rate I am just going to be forced to do something outrageous and be forced to accept the outcome as a man! “Hey! Why did you take off my pants!” “Because, Ki-kun, you’re hurt.” Riko begins to lightly stroke my knee… Looking down where she is stroking, she is right, I am injured. On my socks is some clotted blood as well. This must be from when I got thrown by Shidou and crashed into that old store. However, compared to what a Butei can expect to get these are mere scratches. If I was just a normal high school student I could make a fuss over these, but a Butei shouldn’t care about anything short of life threatening. For me and what I usually get, that is even more true. However, I am surprised that I did not notice these injuries till now when Riko pointed them out. I have been feeling light headed for a while now, and my sense of pain seems to be dulled. I wonder why? “Let Riko take care of you. Stay still.” I was surprised when Riko opens her cabinet, but– Riko pulls out a first aid kit from a different drawer than her underwear one, and began to treat my injuries. “It isn’t a big injury, I can deal with something like this myself.” “Let Riko-rin help you, Ki-kun.” Suddenly, Riko drops down to one see, apparently serious about providing medical treatment… I am having trouble keeping my eyes open now, so I have no choice but to just trust her at this point. Ah. Riko took out a band-aid with a cute picture of a bear on it and put it on the cut. “Oh no, Ki-kun might be hurt up here too. Okay, let Riko take your top off too, Ki-kun.” “Don’t you dare take off my top. In fact, keep all your clothes on.” “Hmm. I guess Ki-kun prefers to keep his clothes on than?” In front of Riko who is beginning to spout things that don’t make sense again, I take off my shirt leaving me wearing only my pants… Just as Riko said, there are scratches here and there on my upper body. However, these are all just minor bruises and abrasions. Honestly just a disinfectant is enough. Thanks’ to Kikka, I managed to avoid any serious injuries despite such a brutal and one-sided fight. “… Alright, I am going to bed now. Hand me back my clothes.” “Let me wash it for your first.” Riko won’t give me back my uniform… Whatever. I have been feeling really warm for a while now, so I should be fine sleeping in just my underwear. Suddenly, as I lay back down again…. Riko covers me with the sheet. And then suddenly covers herself as well. But still… Stand strong! As I turn my back to her, my defenses still standing strong, “Ki-kun. Do you want to hold me?” Riko began to whisper sweetly to me. “There is no way I can… Under these circumstances.” “Then, would you like to drink some more?” “?” As I turn my body to look back at her… Riko pulls out a half full bottle from the mini fridge in her shelf, which just so happens to be on the other side of the bed from her underwear drawer… That bottle… Krug Grand Cuvée – Champagne. Isn’t that alcohol? I can tell by the smell, but that is that same strangely delicious drink that we had after dinner. The exact same one. It all makes sense, why the the two of us slowly got redder and redder and why the pain started to ease after having that drink…! “Hey, underage drinking is illegal you know. If you had mentioned earlier that that was alcohol I wouldn’t have drank it.” Angry at being tricked, I prop myself up using my elbows… Riko returns to the blanket with a small smile on her face and does a cutesy little punch to her cheek… This girl is too irritating sometimes. As I learned at Ranpan castle, Riko can clearly hold her alcohol. Has she been drinking for a while than? On the other hand, for me alcohol takes a while to have any effect on me. Upon realizing that I drank alcohol earlier, I actually start to feel even more dizzy. This kind of weaponized alcohol I have heard of men using it to make women get unknowingly drunk, but never a woman doing it to a man… I was careless. After fully revealing what happened, Riko lightly throws the bottle onto the bed, “Hug me, Ki-kun. Won’t you just lie down and hug me tightly?” Riko goes under the sheets again next to me, and rests her bare leg on top of mine. Right now, I am drunk and Riko is sober. She has the overwhelming advantage. “No!” “Then, pet me instead.” Nadenade … Riko begins to rub her head against me… Knowing Riko… She wont stop making demands unless I fulfill some of them for her. To avoid having to do her most insane demands… I need to make a tactical concession…! “Okay, fine. I will pet you. Ah, on your head, right?” “Ya!” As soon as I showed the bare minimum of an opening, Riko slips into my arms. As expected, Riko is a bit more modest when it comes to sleeping. Granted… Did she come to bed wearing her uniform knowing that she wouldn’t be able to do this if she was wearing her underwear nevermind naked? Maybe it is because she just got out of the bath, but Rikos body… It smells so good. Not only is she being held in my arms right now, but the blanket is condensing her sweet scent even more… Ugh… “Ki-kun’s scent… It is making me so happy…” Riko, who is now burying her face into my chest and rubbing it like a cat, apparently has the same thoughts regarding my scent. Contrary to me, though, Riko seems almost smitten by my scent. Meanwhile, in a desperate bid to please her, I stroke… And pet… Riko’s head. Please, Kinji, don’t Hysterize… If that happens under these conditions, my life as it is is over. In the first place Hysteria Mode exists to leave behind kids. While Riko was the one attacking me earlier, should I enter Hysteria Mode here I will be the one attacking her…! If that were to happen, I would have no choice but to take responsibility for what I did…! “… It’s okay. Everything will be okay, ki-kun.” “Huh… What?” “All you had to do for Riko was show up tonight.” “… Riko…?” Riko, are you crying again…? But her voice sounds so happy… Riko gently takes the hand that was stroking her head into her own. And then, as if praying, laces our fingers as if we are lovers. “Riko, knows what kind of person Ki-kun is. When the time comes, you can do whatever you want with Riko. Riko won’t say no to anything. Until you come, Riko will be a good girl and wait for you, even if she is waiting forever.” And then Riko… “That is why, it is okay, Ki-kun. For tonight… For Riko, this is enough.” And with head resting on my chest, Riko closes her eyes. “Ki-kun… As long as I can be with you, I don’t need anything else.” (TL Note: My heart is crying after translating this part.) Riko… I can tell that she is relieved from the bottom of her heart. Right now, she is falling asleep with a pure smile on her face. Her smile… It looks as if she has just fulfilled her dream of sleeping with me at least once. “Riko…” Hysteria Mode– Because of that condition, and my life with it, I do not know what to say in a situation like this… All I could do is hold Riko close and say her name out loud. But Riko kept her eyes closed and her smile pure, as if even just saying her name and touching her is enough. My eyelids are heavy, and beginning to close on their own. The last thing I could see before sleep takes over… Is Riko’s adorable sleeping face… … …… “…?” Waking up I can feel a weird… Chill. It was as if my sleep was very deep and I suddenly woke up. Looking at the clock, it is just past midnight. (Maybe it is because of the alchohol…?) At some point after I went to sleep the lights were turned off, and the only light in the room were the streetlights from the waterfront. Riko must have woken up to turn off the lights. “…..” A lot of difficult and problematic things happened tonight, but honestly… Seeing Riko’s adorable sleeping face helped me, a lot. Hell, I could even say it saved me from a spiraling depression. Riko, sleeping on her side with her hair draped over her cheeks… She is even more beautiful now than she was last year. No, she is even more beautiful now than she was yesterday. Perhaps Riko is just someone who gets more beautiful by the second. Riko’s mother was said to have been a peerless beauty, a beautiful country girl comparable to Marilyn Monroe. (Well, it is also possible that the alcohol is just making me think these things…) Watching her move around when she is awake just proves how cute she is, but when she is still, sleeping, and defenseless… Riko is a piece of art. Her healthy, milky, unblemished skin has a healthy beauty to it, like a sculpture from a legendary artist like at the Louvre. The beauty of her skin, however, is slightly offset by her fully developed and sexy mature breasts… … Tch…! She is wearing nothing but her panties…! I told her to stay dressed! “Nnn… Ki-kun.” And of course now she is waking up…! Why couldn’t you just stay as a Sleeping Beauty…! Riko is wearing her honey gold underwear made of a glossy satin fabric and decorated with frills. Considering that when people wake up, they prop themselves up… This is not good. Riko’s underwear, which has small embroidered flowers on it, has a different feel than cheap underwear. Probably because it is a luxury import from France. Her breasts push out against her bra beyond on either side surpassing the width of her slender shoulders, and it protrudes generously forward without losing its shape from its own weight. Visually, her breasts look far bigger than when she was wearing her fluttery sailor suit uniform. How could such a small blouse contain that much volume…! Her waist is not extremely slender, but it is very curvaceous, leading from her waist, through her well-shaped navel, to her butt which itself is well shaped… Her panties have a elaborate design, and the part just below her belly button is made of lace. Lovely, yet casually cute. These underwear fit Riko’s figure perfectly. The fabric is so small and sits so low on Riko’s… Well, my heart almost stopped for a moment because I wasn’t sure if I was seeing flower embroidery on her panties or what. Riko– Her wavy hair is flowing down to her waist… She just let out a soft yawn. “I was so happy earlier when you showed up that I ended up drinking more than I originally planned… Then when I got into bed I was so hot that I had to take off my clothes. Ki-kun, why don’t you have another drink? Then let Riko… Well, we can do something nice together…?” Riko hands me a sake bottle. Earlier you said that you were already content and wouldn’t try this…! Unlike other guys, when I see a girl in underwear my “aggressiveness” is more fear than anything, and I am honestly half thinking of just hitting her over the head with the bottle and making an emergency escape… But suddenly…. – Gyagyagyagyagya –! The drifting and braking sound of a mountain bike, almost like a traffic accident, could be heard below the girls dormitory. And then dadadadadadadadadada , dodododododododo …! Foot steps sounding like a lion and a bull came thundering up the stairs of the dormitory. Even stranger, the sounds seem to be coming closer… “Hah… haaaah…!” … I am so scared that even when breathing I am trying to be silent. The reason I woke up earlier… Was my innate animalistic desire to live warning me about this impending crisis! – Gakin ! Gakingakin ! Everything occuring right now is as if it was ripped right from a horror movie. The metal door is slashed open form the hallway followed by a thud after being kicked in by two assailants! Suddenly, those two people rush into Riko’s room. I don’t remember the door being locked when we went to sleep, so really they could have just opened it normally… But as the two burst into the fairy-tale like bedroom and I can make out who it is… “–KUOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO BAKA-KINJI!! I KNEW HE WAS HIDING HERE AFTER ALL!!” Aria, clad in her usual sailor uniform, before she even finishes her sentence is taking out her dual pistols, one silver and the other jet black. Upon realizing both me and Riko are both in our underwear and sharing a bed, “Huh… Huaaaaah…!” Making a sound I had never heard before nor did I think was possible, Aria fell to her knees in shock, her upper body losing strength too as she fell backwards like Keanu Reeves dodging bullets in The Matrix… Byon ! And then, like a spring-loaded bullet, suddenly Shirayuki took her place with a face like a Hannya…! (TL Note: Hannya is a type of mask used in Noh theatre.) Shirayuki is clad in her Shrine Maiden costume with a sash and the kanji “誅” on a headband wrapped around her forehead. While unlike Aria she is not inhabited by what was one considered a literal god, it is clear from her prestigious sword and stance that she is an master of the sword. (TL Note: 誅 means death.) Instead of making sure that Shima Kirin and those other girls didn’t show up, you should have done something about these two, Riko! “Hello, hello, I am Riko Toyama, tehe!” For some reason, Riko refers to herself as mine. Hugging me, still in her underwear, she flashes Aria and Shirayuki a peace symbol. Why did she suddenly take my surname? Hearing this, Shirayuki could only let out a nervous and pained laugh, “Hah, and I am Shirayuki Toyama. What of it?” Shirayuki took my surname too. What is even going on now? “Then I am Aria Holmes Toyama!” What is happening right now? Okay, putting aside the battle for my surname that I still don’t quite understand the importance of, “… You, you guys, w-why are you even here…!” Yes, I was trying to hide from Aria, I can admit that, and so while I know that there is no point in making excuses for my being here… I use my skill Slash 3 here in hopes of distracting Aria from that very topic. While it has failed so far, it has yet to be tried on Aria or Shirayuki. “Earlier when I was shooting at Akari, just before she made a run for it she yelled out “I heard that Kinji Toyama-senpai is in Mine Riko-senpai’s room! I wonder what he could be doing there with her this late at night!”. Hearing that naturally I came here!” Damn it…! Shima and Hino → Mamiya → Aria → Shirayuki…! How did I not see this coming! Akari Mamiya… That little brat…! Did you really sell me out to save your own life? What about mine! Her skills as a Butei when it comes to attacking me are unparalleled! “You brute! Whenever you see a girl… You just have to taste them, is that it? Huh!? When it comes to Riko… I told you to stay away from you! I told you that in our second year!” I mean I am still in our second year… Granted it is only a matter of time till they find out. “Whoops, actually it seems like you are repeating second year! Baka-Kinji!!” Wait, she already knows! It must be because of the school website. “I thought you were an idiot for a while now, but it turns out that you are actually an idiot among idiots! You idiot!” Aria, with her canines bared much like Hilda’s, keeps calling me an idiot in her anime voice. Really what she is saying is an insult to everyone in the world who has had to repeat a grade, and while I have heard that attendance can hold you back a grade, which would be your fault by the way, I feel like that definitely has something to do with me failing. However, I am not foolish enough to tell her that. “And so you got depressed and crawled over to Riko, again? You have a habit of turning to her whenever you get depressed over something. Crawling to Riko wont change anything, stupid!” Aria, her face now a shade of red resembling the actual demon she is, bares her fangs like Hilda’s before she is going to take a bite of someone…! And then, she points at me. Not with her finger… But her guns muzzles. “What do you mean? Kinji was promoted to a man tonight. With the help of Riko. Right, Ki-kun~?”” Riko turns to Aria and Shirayuki, saying this while winking. In the face of a lion and a bull, Riko is showing a strange level of aggressiveness. “I haven’t been promoted at all! Nothing happened!” “I want to get promoted too, Kin-channnnnnnnnn!!” “Don’t scream so late at night! And what are you talking about, you went up a grade! I haven’t! I am still in the second year!” (TL Note: just in case you are confused: Promoted could mean losing your v-card, as in what Riko is saying, or going up a grade. Kinji is dumb.) “That is so mean, Ki-kun… Why are you so upset about doing all those things to Riko…” Urururururu , Riko pulls the sheets up to her nose, and begins to fake cry. Her lies began to further flame the Shirayuki’s angers, as if she were tossing oil onto a raging inferno. Whatever it was that Aria somehow managed to imagine from Riko’s strange comment… Bwaaaa! Her pink twintails began to puff out on either side of her and she began to blush even more than before, her eyes glistening at this point. Then, she locks eyes with me, her reddish-purple eyes locked on to my own. “I thought it strange that you didn’t give me anything for White Day…!” (TL Note: In case you forgot, White Day is a day for guys to give girls chocolates.) Shoot. I forgot! This isn’t good… I was so caught up with the whole Scarlet Goddess thing! “Before I even realized it, you and Riko became such good friends, huh…! I will be interrogating you and making wind holes until you spill every single detail of what you two did…!” Hiiii…! (TL Note: Sound effect from Kinji implying fear.) “Kin-chan! Did something like that really happen with that thieving cat!? Not just Aria!? Answer me! Look me in the eyes and answer me!” Ugh…! I am not the kind of guy who can look a beautiful woman in the eyes when asked to. It seems I made a mistake here too by not properly looking at Shirayuki’s beautiful face, as, “Hehehe-Heavenly Punishment! On behalf of each and every single one of the eight millions gods in heaven, I will kill this woman before me 8 millions timessssss!!” She has got a lock onto Riko, the only one who might end up on my side if a fight were to break out. Now I am stuck completely! A holmes, a Lupin, and a Miko are about to start a war. And in doing so, Mr.Kin, a Toyama is involved. However… “Riko, do you want a windhole too! Why are you trying to take my partner again…!” “Hah, Aria are you seriously saying that? You didn’t even notice that your partner was about to be taken away from you by a man…” When Riko suddenly brought up the fact that I was attacked by Section 0, Aria… “A… A man? A man… Was going to take him…?” “I… I already knew about that! That Kin-chan has such hobbies! Back at Ranpan, he said something like that Zhuge-san is better than Koko and the other girls! But he only said that at the time because that is something common among powerful men, such as during the Warring States Period! So I forgave him!” Aria and Shirayuki, clearly having misunderstood Riko’s words, and with a gun or sword in one hand each make a pose as if they were umpires saying “Safe!”. “You guys! Don’t misunderstand what Riko is saying!” I am trying to outright deny Riko’s words, but, “Ah!” At this point, Shirayuki notices something and looks directly at Aria’s chest. “… Then, that is why Kin-chan is into this pink cutting board chest… Because it looks like a boys…!” (TL Note: As a lover of flat chests idk what to think about this.) With a look on her face as if she finally came to a grand truth, Shirayuki referred to Aria as “this pink”. “Hah!? What is so boyish about me!!” “You are talking about her breasts, right? Aria’s breasts are so flat that her bra slides off just from her raising her hands up.” “That doesn’t happen all the time, only 2 out of 5 times!!!” Shirayuki, Aria, then Riko all of sudden change the topic of conversation. “I thought nothing of it when Aria acted unfazed when I washed all of her underwear by mistake — But to think that she was just playing boy with Kinji…! That is not acceptable! Absolutely not! Out!” (TL Note: The joke here is Shirayuki is suggesting that Aria is “playing boy” and thus doesn’t care that a girl is washing her clothes for her. Lesbian joke.) “Naturally Aria didn’t care either when she forgot her cutting board during cooking class.” “Of course I cared! And I would get hurt cutting something there…!” Mugii -! In equal parts exasperation and anger, Aria throws her hands up. I mean.. Uh… I know this is off topic, but… There is a statistical 40% chance that Aria’s bra will… “By breasts are flat for a reason! It is functional beauty! Breasts are mostly fat! Fat burns when you exercise! That just means I am more active than either of you two! And I don’t eat a lot of fatty junk food either!” In front of Aria, who is shouting out her seemingly ground-in-her-truth logic, I, (If, if I can manage to escape while these three idiots are fighting, I… I can avoid dying in the nick of time…!) I try to sneak out of the bedroom to the balcony, but… “Neither Aria or Yuki-chan could read the atmosphere. Riko-rin was enjoying the sweet after pillow talk. Punpun ~!” Riko puffs out her cheeks like a pufferfish and makes a duck mouth. On top of that, she makes horns on either side of her head using her index finger on either hand. Are you supposed to be a puffer fish, a duck, or a demon? You somehow managed to get the land, sea, and air. Or rather, don’t change the topic now ! “If a fight is what you want then I will beat you both up till you can’t Rikover! It will be a bloodbath!” (TL Note: Thanks to Floppy we managed to make sense of this. The original pun doesn’t make sense in English so we changed it to read better.) It seems as if Riko’s fight switch has finally been turned on. Riko quickly reaches under her pillow, pulls out her derringer, and da ! Riko jumps at Aria who had pointed the muzzle away from her! Due to the difference in bullets between Riko’s Derringer and Aria’s Colt’s, Riko is not foolish enough to engage in Aru-Kata. The Derringer is only meant as a checkmate. Riko’s attack, of all things… Was a bite. “Gao~!” “Mugii!!” Riko leaps at Aria’s and bites onto her sleeve, Aria in return bits onto her sleeve, and now for some reason they are spinning on the spot. And now… Shirayuki is trying to kill them both. This is a very complicated situation it would seem. “H-, Hey, come on, stop this!” “Shut up, Kinji!” “This is not your fault, Kin-chan!” “Ki-kun, just be quiet for now!” These three merciless idiots, with no respect of my will, changed their formation finishing their line– “Urara-!” Riko began to yell at Shirayuki, grabbing a nearby shopping cart that she uses for moving clothes and charging at her! “–Kyan!” With a cry, Shirayuki is knocked into the cart, and Aria soon follows her as well. With both girls in the cart, Riko pushes the cart out the door leading into the hallway! Good idea, Riko! But, bakiyubakiyubakiyu ! The sound of government pistols began to fire out, roaring! Riko, spinning on the spot to avoid the bullets, “Pon-!” ran away from Aria with her hands in the air. And, naturally, she decides to hide behind me. What? For someone who is shot at on a daily basis, this isn’t a normal reaction from Riko for just a few Colt bullets… With a scary realization dawning on me, I look over at the hallway where the shopping cart is and… Something is starting to glow. A deep scarlet red. –Red, red, red red red red–! “Baka-Kinji. You made fun of my breasts earlier.” “N-, no, I didn’t say a word about your breasts…” “Her breasts haven’t changed at all… I thought with the Scarlet Goddess being returned to outer space that Aria might grow taller as well, but she hasn’t grown a single millimeter… She is still only 142cm tall.” With Shirayuki, the sword bearing Miko in tow, much like when Yokozuna in his rin-entering ceremony… Aria, whose pistols both have their hold open from being emptied, steps back into Riko’s bedroom. “…I-I see…” I am so petrified by the sight before me, I could only speak as politely as I can. “In other words, Kinji, even now I am receiving supernatural powers and influence from the Scarlet Goddess through the Hidan within me. That does not just mean I won’t grow anymore, it also means I have all of her abilities and powers. Hmm, this is the perfect opportunity to test some of her abilities on the baka-Kinji in front of me as punishment for having bad taste in women.” Aria points to her right eye with her index finger, and… It is beginning to glow. Her right eye is glowing a scarlet red. A-, Aria-san, are you really going to use such an absurd power for such an idiotic reason!? Using her abilities for such a stupid reason must be quite a nuisance for the Scarlet Goddess…! “Wa-, just wait! Don’t shoot, everything will make sense if you just let me talk…!” Behind me, Riko, who is already on the run from this optical weapon woman’s line of fire– Pyon! Riko jumps to the side of me, still in her underwear. She seems to have decided that being behind me in line with Aria is dangerous… Should that laser go off, though, I am done for! “Hey, Riko! This is all your fault! Do something about this!” “Kiiiiiii♪” Riko, still wearing only her underwear, began to run around with her arms outstretched like the wings of an airplane. And ran to the forest of clothes rack next to her bed. I thought she was planning on hiding there, but Riko just simply kept running through. And, just as quickly as she ran in, she ran back out wearing her bulletproof Sailor suit. Although, for some reason, she is also wearing a red elementary school student backpack for some reason. Honestly it is amazing how quickly you can change clothes. “Uhoho!” Suddenly screaming, gagaga! Riko began to shoot at Aria with a sleeve gun that she had popped out of her uniforms sleeve, causing Aria to lose her balance. “Life!” (TL Note: The kanji here is 命.) One of her knees is raised sideways and both of her hands are lowered diagonally – a pose similar to the Kanji for life. (TL Note: Again, 命.) With that movement her backpack was bounced up and, pon ! A pocket watch pops out of her backpack. Wait, I recognize that! If I remember correctly, that is a clock-shaped disguised grenade that Riko has used on Aria before…! My life is in even more danger now! – Bofoooooooooo …! However, I guess since this is her room, Riko instead decided to use a smoke bomb version of it. I thought that the white or red phosphorous might cause a fire to start in this clothes filled room, but instead I could smell a vanilla scent… This must be a vanilla-scented water vapor smoke bomb, not unlike the fumigation bombs that we use during training. Aria’s laser isn’t so weak that it would lose its lethal output due to the steam disorientating the laser, but it would prevent her from seeing me and aiming the laser. Great idea, Riko! “Hey, Riko! Geho geho !” Aria’s voice and coughing could be heard on the other side of the smoke between us. I was about to take this chance to throw on my uniform and make a run to the balcony when I could feel something on my shoulders. Riko’s thighs, soft as a marshmallow, were on my shoulders. Funyuu . She hooks her legs under my armpits as if locking me in. This position… I remember this. “Say, Ki-kun. Leave those two old geezers here and come with Riko. Their garden of youth is over, anyway~” Riko, who is sitting on my shoulders, says. “Who did you call an old geezer! “Your terrible! And we are the same age!” Gyaa! The roar of the two monsters, Aria and Shirayuki, who were obscured by the smoke, is all that is returned. “Ehhh? Well Aria and Shirayuki are old ladies in Riko’s eyes. Riko’s birthday was only yesterday, so Riko is the youngest. Unlike you two Riko is still cute and lively~. Kyahaha!” I ran out to the balcony with Riko still laughing and her still sitting on my shoulders– Then, I climb over the railing and dive into the night sky! And immediately, with Riko’s legs hooked under my armpits…… …Basabasabasa. Her sailor suit unravels to become a paraglider. This is our first tandem flight since the fight with Vlad in Yokohama. It is a bit embarrassing having a nearly naked Riko save me, but I wouldn’t trade this for anything. It is night anyways, no one can see us. Actually, on that note, I am sorry to everyone in the neghbourhood for being so loud so late at night. Riko’s handling of the ribbon break cord is skillful, but with two people suspending, maneuvering seems to be more difficult than normal… We both got swept away by a southerly wind of about 2m/sec, and I end up hitting a cherry blossom tree in full bloom. “Yoto!” (TL Note: Sound effect from Riko. Used when completing something is my best way to describe it.) “Oww!” I had thought that I was going to land on Training Ground Number 2, but instead we landed on the road in front of it. We approached it at such a high angle of depression that I ended up hitting the ground butt first. Pyon , with a light hop Riko straddles my head like its a vaulting box, pulling her uniform glider with her and folding it… “That was fun~!” “… Oww… That wasn’t fun at all.” I could only complain as I slowly stagger to my feet, amidst the now cherry blossom snowstorm happening around us at night. Looking up, this cherry blossom tree… It is the same cherry blossom tree that me and Aria hit during the whole Butei Killer incident last year. Thinking on it… My first day last year was all about Riko. And now, that is happening again this year. What a strange coincidence… (TL Note: Just a reminder that it is past midnight now, so technically it is the first day of school.) “… This cherry blossom blizzard. I won’t let you say you forget about it.” “Ahh! I got Kinji to say the thing!” As I could only sigh, Riko’s eyes began to twinkle like the stars above. “If only you had been born a few days later, you would have been a year lower than me. Actually, a lot of things would have changed. I never would have met Aria, and because of that I wouldn’t have ended up repeating a grade.” “Weren’t you already going to be repeating a grade or at risk? At that time you were already an E-rank, and you were lacking credits.” Riko, who gathered up her paraglider with a rustling motion, returns it to its uniform mode with practiced hands. As she was putting on her uniform, I went to go and grab her red school bag… Before giving it to her, though, I decide to look inside. Along with her treasured items like her rosary and her gun, “Ah, Riko. This is mine. Give it back.” Is my rose quartz stamp that I had accidentally given her. “—No. I won’t give it back. Not anymore.” Riko, back to wearing her uniform, rips it away from me along with her school bag. The way she took it back is strangely serious for her, almost like… Well, whatever. It isn’t that expensive, and I haven’t registered it yet with my bank or ward yet anyway. Besides, from a thief’s point of view, returning something that you stole might be a hit to their honor or pride. “Fine, you can keep it. However, don’t try to abuse it, okay? Just keep it, don’t use it.” “Yeah. Because it is mine now. I will always be a good girl and keep it safe.” “Good, be a good girl. Also… I am a bit late to say this, but… Happy birthday.” “Thank you… Ki-kun. From now on, whenever you need to run away from Aria, Section 0, or anyone else, please call Riko. Riko will run with you wherever you need to go.” “If you only keep running, eventually you will just end up under a tombstone. I will do my best to not trouble you.” “… Ki-kun, do you remember earlier today when you asked Riko if she was suicidal for wanting to steal you from Aria? If that means that Riko can be with Ki-kun… Maybe Riko is.” “He-, hey-“ “Shh, just listen.” Riko takes a whispering pose next to me… “What.” When I put me ear, or rather my whole head, close to Riko’s face… Chyu . She lightly kisses my cheek. “……” “I will let you go for tonight with that. Bonne nuit, mon cheri.” (TL Note: Look at the title. Shout out to my mom for helping with this haha.) Riko, who leaves her final words in French, turns around and disappears under the starlight with a fair-like skip. With her light steps, she taps out a melody as she leaves. (… Riko…) I look up at the cherry blossom tree before me, the air has the lingering scent of Riko’s vanilla scent. But even that, too, fades and disappears with the spring breeze. Even though she is usually so clingy, she knew when to leave, and in her own way she is mature… That is just like her. ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ### 003. Bullet 3: Krometel's Younger Sister I wished so hard that this was all some kind of prank, or some kind of ploy… But it seems that wishes don’t come true no matter how hard you wish them to become true. I am seriously repeating a grade. After buying a cup of coffee at Mac’s and staying up late at night I received an email with a PDF attached which stated “Insufficient attendance in Civics class 0.5” and “Health and physical education 3rd semester Final Exam results insufficient”. It would seem that thanks to this one-two combo of failures that I am being held back. Checking the details, the first failure was Tsuzumi’s class where I fell asleep the other day and was kicked out. That was marked as a semi-absence which pushed me over the limit. The phys-ed class exam, which consisted of me rolling pencils for my multiple choice answers, must prove that I have truly been abandoned by the God who governs both luck and pencils. … So… The next morning I went to Butei High’s Masters department first thing in the morning to attend an event called “Repeat Student Guidance”, which I had received a summons for in that very same email. “E-x, excuse me..” There was no one around, and Masters was also completely empty, but regardless I am being as polite as I can be. The silence is rather creepy as I walk down the hallway, which is riddled with bullet holes, and head for the second interview room which was designated in the email. And, standing in front of the interview room, from which I can sense a sinister aura… “…” A female student is crouched down inside of a huge Audio Technica cardboard box. For a high school student she has a rather shapely butt, her hair is long and black, and her red shoes are sticking out of the box and shacking. This sloppiness in covering your head in the box but not your butt… “…Nakasorachi?” “Hiiiie!” Just hearing her name get called causes her to lose her nerve… I crouch down beside her to look inside. As I suspected, inside the box is Nakasorachi-san. Former 2nd year Class C student from Connect. “I-I’m so scared, I’m so-so-sory for repeating m-my grade, I-I’m sorry for failing PE class… Hiiiie…” “… Do you have to repeat a grade too…?” “Hiie… To-to, Toyama-kun… Where are…!” The cardboard box turns, and teary eyes behind a pair of glasses look up at me through the finger holes. Or rather than why she is here, currently Nakasorachi is blocking the way into the interview room. I have heard that if you are late to your Repeat Student Guidance appointment, you could be forced to redo your first year again. “Card board isn’t bulletproof, and so, I will be taking the vanguard. Buckle up, we are going in.” I have no choice but to act as man in this situation– After pushing Nakasorachi aside, who seems to be a fellow repeater like me, like some kind mover, I put a hand on the handle of the sliding door of the interview room. Then, after wiping the sweat from my forehead and taking a deep breath… “Go-… Good morning. This is Kinji Toyama. I am coming in.” After announcing my name as per the rules, I step into the room and close the door behind me. “Go-go-go, Nakaroa, pii.” Nakasorachi, sounding like a broken iPod, follows me while wearing the cardboard box over her head. As I enter with the self-propelled cardboard box in tow, I am greeted by a surreal scene. Sitting on a pipe chair is a Yutori Takamagahara, my former class 2-A homeroom teacher, with a wry smile on her face. Sitting next to her is Ranbyou, former 2nd year class 2-C, with her boots on the desk and for some reason is glaring at me. “Okay, please sit there. Misaki Nakasorachi-san, are you okay? Umm… Us at Masters had a discussion have been discussing this until the very last minute possible, but unfortunately, we have come to the agreement that you two must repeat the second year.” “These two idiots are forcing me to do more work. Honestly, you both should have just voluntarily dropped out.” As soon as the door was closed, naturally we were subject to a negative mood. Granted, that was to be expected. Upon hearing Ranbyou’s lines I thought about dropping out for good this time, but after remembering my experiences at Higashi Ikebukuro High School I remember that I am not cut out for a normal high school. Besides… What Shido and that Armed Prosecutor were hinting at… What if my dad really is still alive? I still have some unfinished business with the Prosecutor’s Office and Public Security Section 0. Because of that, it is still advantageous for me to remain a Butei for now. I cannot drop out just yet. “Keh.” With a thud, Ranbyou takes her feet off of the desk and back onto the floor, then takes a few steps forward. Roughly grabbing my hair, Ranbyou huffs, like a while beast sniffing its food. “Oi, Toyama. You got guts coming to school with a hangover, you know that? Hmm?” Biki …! I had to hold back saying anything to Ranbyou, who herself is quite famous for showing up to school drunk. “Now now. After finding out that you are failing a grade, it can be normal to turn to things like alcohol or make bad decisions, right? However, if you do this again Toyama, we won’t let you off with a warning.” Mrs.Takamagahara the angel of Butei High, actually stood up for delinquent behaviour. I am eternally grateful for that. If I had been reported for underage drinking, I would have been arrested and charge with triple punishment. “You should just drop out of school! It will be easier for us and for you guys too.” In response to Ranbyou who, geshi geshi , has begun to furiously kick the cardboard box, “Hieeee, help….!” Nakasorachi could only pitifully cry out and literally cry… “Na, Nakasorachi. Anyways, stand up for yourself and here, something for you to talk to us through.” I slip my cellphone through a hole in the now kicked and distorted cardboard box. Suddenly the cardboard box lid opens up and click !. With turning on my phone, Nakasorachi appears to come alive again, her hair bouncing as she moves about inside the box. I do not know who she is calling, but with my phone to her ear, “– I apologize for the inconvenience, it’s me, Misaki Nakasorachi.” With a no-nonsense attitude, she smoothly restates her name. What a weirdo. Actually, give me back my phone. Just use your own. After that, Takamagahara-sensei explains a few things to me… At Butei High, in which feudalism rules the hierarchy, repeat students are a troubling group who disrupt this hierarchy. In other words, they are a nuisance to Masters. The existence of repeat students can cause issues, and could result in the upper year students being seen in a negative light, hence why the identity of repeat students are not broadcasted to the whole school. “… Due to this, I need to receive a confirmation from you two. Do you both intend to stay at Butei High? Takamagahara-sensei openly asks us if we intend to leave Butei High. “Yes… I cannot live in the outside world…” “Same with me, I can only see myself staying at Butei High. I cannot work a normal job.” To both me and Nakasorachi, “I guess that is true for you two!” Ranbyou yells while chewing on air. While I might be angry at Ranbyou, perhaps she is a good person since she is willing to mentor us two still. “Now then, as for what comes next… You two have a very difficult path before you.” … Even harder than before…? Upon hearing Takamagahara’s preamble, gokuri , me and Naksorachi both gulp. “Tokyo Butei High has internal rules that hide the fact that repeat students are repeat students. Therefore, we will be having you two transfer to a different districts Butei High as new sophomore students.” I-, I see…. “when we approached Butei High school across the country to see if they would accept you two, five schools put their hands up for Misaki Nakasorachi.” Ah. You are quite popular Nakasorachi. Not surprising, as long as she has a means of communicating digitally, she is rather smart, or rather, is an honours student. “Please choose the Butei High in either Sapporo, Sendai, Kanagawa, Osaka, or Hiroshima. Personally I recommend Kanagawa Butei high, which is the closest. We will get the documentation ready for whichever you choose.” “Thank you, sensei. I understand. Thank you as well for your consideration and concern, I will transfer to Kanagawa Butei High.” …. ….. …Huh…. … What about me? “Umm–. Does this mean that I am going to Kanagawa Butei High too?” For some reason, when Nakasorachi received the A4 envelope from Takamagahara-sensei, it felt like this conversation was over… So I decide to ask the obvious question. “You transferred in front Kanagawa Butei High you idiot, people will recognize that terrifying face of yours!” Geshi ! Suddenly, Ranbyou’s combat boots kick me in my spleen. “Th-, that makes sense…! Then, which schools offered to let me transfer in…?” Ranbyou lets out a deep sigh, and I look around the room while holding my aching stomach. For some reason even Takamagahara-sensei looks troubled, “Not a single school did. Everyone refused.” “None! Zero!” “Eh…!” Am I really that unpopular! Takamagahara-sensei gives me a wry smile as I begin to turn pale… “Us teachers are in a bit of a tough situation as well over this. When there are no places in Japan willing to accept a student, we are supposed to ask Butei High Schools from overseas to let you study abroad, but Toyama-sans entry into the U.S, China, and many other countries is already very restricted…” O-… Overseas… In a sense, should that happen it would feel like my educational institution is just deporting me. And I really would have no choice but to accept that? “However, we did receive an OK from one school. And they were actually quite welcoming about it, you know?” Ah, finally…! “Wh-, where is it?” I, who thought I was destined to be banished to this island for the rest of time due to some fabricated crimes, ask in fear. “Rome Butei High in Italy.” … Italy…! Well, I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that they are friendly towards me. This is all because of my weapon of choice, the M9 which I got from the U.S military. The Beretta M92F was developed in Italy and when in hysteria mode I have been quite fancy with it. Footage of me using it has been leaked by to the intelligence agencies of various countries via the US Department of Defence, making me, and the gun, quite famous in underground groups. “So, Toyama. We will have you study abroad, which means that you have no need to hide the fact that you are a repeat student at Rome Butei High. Good for you, you damn idiot.” Studying abroad at Rome Butei High… Huh… Like Switzerland, I have never been to Italy, so the only knowledge I have on it comes from movies and TV. Whenever I think of Rome, the first thing that comes to mind is the Vatican and the Colosseum. However, it seems like Rome Butei High is the only school that will accept me… And my brother went there too. Thinking on it, actually… This could be a god send. Now that Public Security, or rather the District Attorneys office, is keeping an eye on me. this has the added benefit of letting me hide elsewhere until the dust settles. “I-, I understand. Thank you for your consideration and help.” I vaguely copy Nakasorachi’s line, and pekopeko . I bow my head to the teachers before me who worked tirelessly to help a failure like me get a second opportunity, and all the effort they went through to get it. “Now then, let us discuss what happens next for you two. Nakasorachi0san will be attending Kanagawa Butei High starting next week. However, Toyama-kun… Can you speak Italian?” Takamagahara-sensei suddenly asks while bringing out my documents, “Un po… But I doubt I can hold an actual conversation.” (TL Note: Un po is Italian for “A little”) When I was hiding out in Bhutange with Lisa, I had learned a little bit of Italian through Katsukou, and while it isn’t enough for a conversation, there is no point hiding that. “Then you will have a month to prepare for your move. During that time, please learn to speak Italian.” “I-, in just a single month…” “– Just get your damn head in the game and do it!” That is an impossible feat to achieve. As if she could hear the voice in my heart, “Naturally that is a difficult thing to achieve, so I contacted the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology through the Butei Agency… And they introduced me to a school called Mihama Foreign Language High School in the Chiba Prefecture. I have enrolled you in the Italian language course there. Please attend that high school for a month as a regular student and make sure to study hard this time.” Takamagahara-sensei is an angel, and her response and help divine. There is a canyon of a difference between her and the Hong Kong Yakuza Ranran’s theory of “make it work through guts!”. “However, it will take about 10 days for the Foreign Language High School to process our request… Until then, you will be attending Butei High as a sophomore. Should we have you do nothing for those 10 days, Masters will be scolded by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology, so we will have you attend Butei High.” … Second year student… Doesn’t that mean that I will be in the same year as Fuuma and Mamiya? That is not good. This is a worse situation than the entire I.U or Scarlet Goddess catastrophe. To further cause my mental health to degrade, “Toyama. You will be disguising yourself and using a fake name. Starting tomorrow, you will be in Class 2-C. Ranbyou will be your homeroom teacher. If anyone is able to find out who you are, including any other teachers than me, you will be expelled immediately.” “Toyama-kun, I know that when it came to disguises in my class you did not do very well, but… Sorry, that is the rule.” Ranbyou and Takamagahara-sensei deliver the finishing blow. To me, the world appears to be ending, but Takamagahara, “Bu-, but. It is true that there are students who take advantage of a repeat year to achieve a breakthrough for themselves. Don’t think of yourself as dumb or losers, but instead believe in yourself and make sure to do your best this year!” And that is how our guidance appointment ends for the repeat second year students of me and Nakasorachi, both of whom were kicked out of Butei High for being both dumb and losers. – By tomorrow, I need to create a disguise that won’t be noticed by either my second-year classmates and that Ranbyou herself cannot figure out on her own. However, as Takamagahara said, I received an E grade in disguises during my Inquesta training. Making a disguise requires skill, but it also requires having a good sense of disguise and control of your behaviours and attitudes which I don’t have. After confirming with Lisa on the phone that both Aria and the others in my room are absent, I return to my room and stare at myself in the mirror in my bathroom. (A disguise that won’t get noticed… A disguise that won’t get noticed… Maybe a glasses and a fake beard…?) However, all I can think of is something that makes no sense and wont work. As I get dressed and go out into the hallway, the sound of Lisa cooking becomes my background music… On the wall, the photo of Krometel catches my eye. … No, no no. Don’t even think of that, Kinji. It is certainly a miraculous disguise that even Riko couldn’t see through, but if somehow the second year students did… Not just my high school life, no, my entire life would simply have to come to an end. (But.. I cannot think of anything else…!) As I am groaning at the dining table with my head in my hands, Lisa brings me lunch. Cabbage rolls simmered in tomato sauce, mixed with rice and edamame with a side of corn and salad. Both Lisa and I are wearing our butei uniforms while eating lunch that looks very healthy for the body… “Hey, Lisa.” “Yes master.” “Lisa-senpai.” “Yes?” “I am repeating my second year.” “Oh dear.” Well, Lisa is Lisa like always, who simply accepts this rather big deal as nothing important and calmly accepts it. Her emerald jade eyes are wide open, and she looks surprised. However, it is helpful to talk to people who can stay calm like this during a pinch. “On top of that, the District Attorney has their eye on me. Oh, and Aria and Shirayuki are both hunting me down.” “Well, well. They do say that excellent men are busy people. If there is anything that Lica can do to help master, please just let me know.” Lisa expresses her obedience to me by placing her right hand on her large and soft breasts. After telling her about how I have to disguise myself due to orders from Masters, “The only people who can help me right now are you and Riko. However, if I ask Riko to help me disguise myself for 10 days, I am sure she will charge me a hefty fee. Lise, do you have any ideas…?” When I ask her… “I think Krometel is your only choice now.” “I don’t want to do that.” “I know you don’t want to. However, master, the next 10 days from tomorrow onwards will be the most difficult part of you having to repeat a grade. You will have to weigh both the embarrassment of dressing up as Krometel and your academic studies. Which is more important? Please, think of it that way.” … Didn’t you say something like that before in the underground passage in Brussels? It feel as if I am just playing along with Lisa’s whims, but I couldn’t think of a better idea myself… Not to mention, there are benefits to dressing up as Krometel I guess. She should be enough to fool the eyes of Section 0. Odds are Shido hasn’t taken his eyes off me yet and still plans to make me his subordinate. If he were to attack me at Butei High again after doing some political maneuvers… I wouldn’t be able to stop him. But, if Kinji isn’t there… I should be fine. And so, in order to survive these 10 days of death… I have no choice but to grab the wig from the back of my closet as Lisa instructed me, in order to prepare “so no one finds out”. Putting on this wig requires more determination and grit than putting on a tactical helmet for live combat, but when I put it on and look into the hand mirror that Lisa hands me… Strangely enough, I am already beginning to look like Krometel. “Moi! Yes, master is very talented. You were chosen by the god of cross-dressing!” Is there truly such a God like that? “…” Terrified and offended, I go to put the chain lock on the door in case anyone else were to try to come in… Lisa follows along with me. And then, like a cute little pigeon, she tilts her head and begins to think. “What is it?” When I send her that through blinks, which it seems that Lisa has finally learned at Butei High… “The way you walk is still masculine.” “It’s fine, don’t worry about that.” “No, they will see right through you. Shortly after coming to Japan, I learned that there is a big difference between the behaviour of men and women in Japan than there are between the two in the Netherlands.” “Is that so…” “You cannot be a perfect cross-dresser unless you thoroughly understand how to behave and express yourself. Today, Lisa will be coaching you on how to act like a woman.” I don’t want to be a perfect cross-dresser! Suddenly, next to me who is down on all fours now in a depressed state, Lisa squats down with her knees together like a girl… “Master, no matter what form my master might take, Lisa will always remain your loyal maid. I am sure you will be able to overtime this trial given to you by heaven above. It will all be okay. I am sure of it, you can change. It is a small thing, just little gender difference.” What do you mean, this is a fundamental root problem! Or rather, heaven above, you have been giving me too many problem recently! please, feel free to spread these trials out a little more evenly to the public…! Wait a second… Krometel doesn’t even sound like a girl… Noticing this, I turn to Lisa and speak in a low voice. “That’s right. This-, this voice. What do I do about it?” I had also learned how to change the sound of my voice in Inquesta, but I received a C grade for it. Honestly, its horrific. It is not impossible for me to make it sound feminine if I am only whispering, but if I were to speak normally people would immediately realize something is going on. “Well. Right now you sound like a Japanese woman.” “I can only whisper.” (TL Note: Masculine) “I can only whisper.” (TL Note: feminine) “I can only whisper.” (TL Note: feminine. Only makes sense in Japanese. Basically Kinji said the first line like a guy would, Lisa says it in the feminine way, and he says it feminine after.) “Isn’t it considered cute to have a soft voice now? In Japan at least, girls with soft quiet voice are seen as cute.” I really wish there wasn’t considered to be an element of cuteness for something like that… “Now master. Practice with Lisa, girl to girl.” Krometel-san was led by the hand and taken to the front of the bathroom mirror– Uwaa, she is super cute with her eyes all watery. I want to die. “Yes, now smile~” … Maybe like this? Wow, that was really cute. (TL Note: Average Onimai moment) “Yes, that is a gesture of embarrassment.” … Li-, like this? Wow, I am actually kind of shocked. What a beautiful woman. Or rather, if I were to master this art, wouldn’t I be able to hysterize without using Reverie? If I were to get used to this, wouldn’t that eventually make me and Kana-san sister? That sounds kind of fun… Oops, I almost bit my tongue off impulsively. (TL Note: In case you didn’t know, biting your tongue off would kill you due to blood loss.) The next morning, my first day of second year classes has finally arrived. I woke up much in the same mood as the day when I was to be executed by Regiment Hex… And I change into my female bulletproof uniform that Lisa had bought the day before from Amdo. I make fake breasts by shoving bags of red bean paste into the blouse. I had thought that the first day of my second year when I had met Aria was the worst day of my life, but somehow this morning is even worse. There truly is always a deeper bottom to hit. So, it seems like LHR will start an hour later for 3rd year students than it will for 2nd year. (TL Note: Not sure what LHR is.) “Well then, master, please go on. Although we might be in different grades and classes, Lisa’s heart will always be with you.” Lisa, seeing me off as if she is seeing off a soldier going to war, waves to me as I go outside in my makeshift female uniform. (I’ve never been so nervous in my life before just for going outside…!) On my walk to the bus stop, there are various students who appear to be in either their first or second year. I am beyond scared that someone will just say “Hey, I know you!” and my life will simply put come to an end right there. Krometel-san is so frightened, that when she gets on the Butei High route bus, she sits at the end of the last seat so as to not attract attention. If by some chance she were to run into a pervert or something… It would simply put be the end of the world for both of her and the pervert. However, the students both inside the bus and at the bus stop… Even when we get off the bus and enter the second year general subjects building that I am already accustomed to going to… No one seems to notice that I am a boy. People only see me as a normal girl, walking like a girl would. Honestly, it is hard not to feel hurt by this. And so, I knock on the door of the divided teachers staff room in the general education building, which has a plate on it with the word “Ran” written on it, and enter. “Hmm… Ah? Who are you? Are you a transfer student. You are such a pretty looking girl.” In that small room, Ranbyou, who is reading a pachinko strategy book on a chair, quickly hid the gourd of sake behind her back. Are you really drinking this early in the morning? I cannot believe you were mad at me just yesterday over merely being hungover. “No… I am a second year student…” “Huh?” Ranbyou, with her beautiful face, came as close to my face as she could… Hmm…? She appears to be deep in thought. She doesn’t seem to have realized that I am a boy. “… I’m Toyama Kinji…” When I finally said my name in my natural voice with teary eyes, Ranbyou– Byon ! She jumps up in shock, then puts her hand to her forehead. “Uhiyahiya. You actually got me! I did NOT expect this! You are actually really damn talented! Damn you are beautiful! Hiiie, my stomach actually hurts from laughing so much!” Laughing wildly, her huge ponytail is swinging around, and she is clutching her stomach in actual pain. Well then, please excuse me. Following Ranbyou who is, “pu… pupu”, still holding back her laughter, we head towards the 2nd year Class 2 classroom. Butei High first year students are the slaves, second years are the demons, and the third years are the rulers of hell. But since I wasn’t able to be considered a devil apparently, I am still a mere demon. A cross dressing demon at that. Oops, this time I reached for my gun. Granted, even if I am shot in the head, apparently I won’t die. However, Kinji, don’t get discouraged just yet… Last year I was not one to look down on my juniors or interact with them much. It might be hard, but I just wont look at anyone directly, talk to them, or even be seen by them. Eventually I will know who my classmates are anyway. “Oi, brats! Hurry up and get into the classroom, or else I’ll kill you!” Since it is nearly time for class to start, Ranbyou began to kick at the students who were still in the hallway and hit them with her sheathed sword before letting them into the classroom. Seats were pre-assigned by the school and told ahead of time on the schools website, so seating isn’t mandatory. Thus Krometel decides to sit in the back far right seat so as to not draw attention to herself. “Okay, let’s start homeroom. You guys are lucky to get such a kind hearted homeroom teacher like me. I can see some familiar faces… pukuku… But still, let me introduce myself. My last name is Ran, and my first name is Byou. Ranbyou.” Ranbyou, don’t look at me and laugh. That will just draw attention to me. “Okay, we are done with that part! Now then, transfer student, introduce yourself!” Ranbyou with a massive grin suddenly nominates me to introduce myself…! Naturally, there is no way out. Oka, Krometel, time to stand up and do this! Gatan … With a slight thud, I stand up. Everyone turns around to look at me. That alone caused my heart to shatter and make me want to run away, but so what? Is it really so unbearable for me to introduce myself in front of second year students? I mean, I am in my second year as well. “… I am Krometel Belmont from the Netherlands… I am of half Japanese descent… Ni-, nice to meet you.” Using the pseudonym that Lisa had come up with yesterday, I quietly introduce myself– Uwaaa … For some reason, both the girls and the boys begin cheering. What. What? Did they figure it out? Krometel begins to drip sweat from her forehead. “Beautiful” “Cute!” “So pretty…” “Please let me protect you!” The whole classroom begins to praise me. This isn’t sarcasm, quite literally everyone is praising Krometel. Feeling like I want to disappear, I take my seat. Or rather, I just heard Fuuma’s voice, and so I look around and realize… In Class 2-C… I can see a familiar face. Or rather, multiple familiar faces. Including those familiar faces, the students of Class 2-C introduce themselves one by one… First is Akari Mamiya, Aria’s Amica. She is seated right next to me. Damn it, I should have looked around the class before deciding where I will be seated. Last winter I met a rather fellow depressed looking girl who was helping Jeanne draw her manga. Momoko Suzuki was her real name if I remember correctly. Naturally she is from I.U, and did not bother slightly to hide that fact at the time. Then of course there is you… Wait, please don’t look this way, Fuuma! Please don’t notice me! But above all that, this woman is the most dangerous to me— “My name is Kaname Toyama. My favourite food is caramel.” She introduces herself with a cute and radiant smile… Kaname…! This is bad. This is really really bad…! The other day I had three idiots, idiot Aria, idiot Shirayuki, and idiot Riko all pretending to be my family and take my surname, but that person standing up really is a Toyama, my actual little sister. The hurdles are too high right now, how can I hide my identity from my own little sister? I don’t know how much I can realistically do in such a small classroom, but I need to avoid any and all contact with her. “Also, the person I have a crush on is my big brother.” Kaname places her left and right hand on either cheek and begins to fidget on the spot while adding something both unnecessary and embarrassing… The class in response erupts in laughter, saying things like “Ahaha–. You are a big brothers girl, aren’t you?” and so on. Ahahaha– That shouldn’t be your reaction. Her idea of loving her big brother with a mysterious amount of love is doing things like “I love him so much I chase him around with a kitchen knife and threaten to break his ankles!”. Well, I guess now that older brother is an older sister. After the heart pounding LHR finally ended… It was time for a break. Then, suddenly, I immediately receive an email. I hide my phone in my desk and secretly look at it, and the email is from Fuuma. She emailed me even though I am right there. Ah… So Fuuma hasn’t realized that I am Krometel, so she emailed me thinking I wasn’t there. This is getting complicated. “That woman in the mysterious photo displayed in the hallway of masters room is Krometel Belmont. She is currently a classmate of mine at Tokyo Butei High year 2 Class C.” I know. However, this proves that Fuuma is not yet aware of the fact that I am Krometel. That is really good news. However, Fuuma is definitely one of the most risky students here when it comes to learning that I am a repeat student, and the first thing to come to mind was using Fuuma to solve that issue, but since I am not her Amica anymore I cannot give her orders, and when I thought about it… My target is Fuuma. And I was thinking of using Fuuma to physically remove her. Which, naturally, isn’t possible… Why am I so stupid? “Krometel-chan. Would you like to eat a leaf pie with me?” Suddenly, a girl calls out to me and biku ! I was so scared that patan ! I quickly snap my phone shut! “Ah, sorry. It’s okay, I didn’t see your email.” The girl standing before me and smiling wryly with a sweets bag in her hand is Akari Mamiya… “Did you receive an email from your boyfriend by any chance? You looked really flustered for some reason…” The girl following Mamiya is Sasaki Shino. She is a girl with long black hair who looks like the same girl from Inquesta I met in masters when I was scouted by Public Security. “… N-, no… I did not… I don’t have a boyfriend, or rather I won’t ever one…” While stammering much like Nakasorachi, Krometel is beginning to get excited and saying unnecessary things. “— You don’t want a boyfriend, ever? May I ask you for some details?” Uwaa. Momoko, also a girl with long black hair asks me that. I wonder why? However, thanks to these three people blocking my exit and with a wall behind me… For some reason, the boys who looked anxious to talk to Krometel suddenly don’t seem to want to. It is as if these three are protecting me from them, and since I cannot reveal my true identity, this is rather helpful. If a boy were to say something like “wow, you’re cute” I might just shoot him on impulse alone. From then on, Mamiya, Sasaki, and Suzuki all started talking to me, saying things like “we were in the same class in our first year too!”, “we’re all good friends”, and “tell me more about how you don’t ever want a boyfriend”, etc. However, Krometel-san is rather worried now that her true identity might be revealed at any moment, to the point where she hasn’t even touched my leaf pie yet. I have decided that it is dangerous to speak out loud… I thought about communicating in writing like I did at Immigration at London Airport, but that isn’t a wise idea with Sasaki from Inquesta here. It is possible that she would recognize my hand writing. “I cannot talk because my throat isn’t feeling well. Sorry.” I type onto my cellphone and show the three girls the screen. Thinking on it, isn’t this rather rude? I thought that they might get angry with me, but… “Waa, I didn’t notice. I’m sorry for making you feel uncomfortable…” Hm? Mamiya is a rather nice person. When it comes to girls, at least. I honestly thought that for a moment, but then when Mamiya turned to speak to Sasaki and the others… “You know, I was with Aria-senpai in her dorm just a few days ago.” Aria– You still have this damn connection with Mamiya and now Krometel…! This is getting scary… “My senpai was acting nervous, so I didn’t want to go home and leave her alone, but then she began yelling at me saying “How long are you going to stay! Go home and study or something!” and began to shoot at me. I thought there was something strange about this, and as I was dodging all of her bullets I suddenly received a phone call from Kirin-chan.” Wait… Isn’t this story about me? Kirin-chan must be Shima Kirin. On an unrelated note, Mamiya is rather good at imitating Aria’s voice. “Through that email I learned that Kinji Toyama was at Mine Rikoe-senpai’s dorm room.” Oi. Why did you refer to Riko as a senpai and not me? “– According to Kirin-chan, Toyama Kinji and Mine Riko-senpai seemed to be getting along very well! Very well actually. That is when I told Aria about this breaking news!” Damn it, so it was you! I’ll kill you…! Damn it I will kill you…! “then, for some reason, I was shot at again! Aria-senpai was so angry that it honestly felt and looked like she was on fire, so I think finally her impure relationship with Kinji is over. In other words, I have taken back Aria-senpai from the axis of evil. Isn’t that great?”” “Good job, Akari Mamiya. You did a good deed that day. All relationships between men and women are impure.” “I-, I guess so…” Mamiya appears to be quite proud of herself, treating both me and a rogue nation as an equal threat. Suzuki is mumbling something to herself with a straight face that I cannot understand and Sasaki is trembling with a strained smile on her face. My first day of school last year there was an idiot who ended up shooting her guns in the classroom and this year there is another idiot in my class comparing me to a rogue nuclear state. They say sisters are similar, and honestly I am inclined to believe it now. It is taking ever fibre of my being to hold myself back from punishing Mamiya right here and right now over this slander and betrayal. “Um, what’s wrong Krometel-san? Your complexion doesn’t look good…” Sasaki calls out to me, and I snap back to my senses. If it were just Mamiya here, I don’t think I would have been able to keep myself restrained right now, even if I am wearing my Krometel disguise, but Sasaki… Her father is an armed prosecutor. She might very well become the starting point for a route that could lead to information about my father. Therefore, it would be wise to not make Mamiya, Sasaki’s best friend, an enemy of Krometel. So for that, Mamiya, you can survive for now. However– “I don’t think that was a good idea…” I type that on my phone and show Mamiya, who now has a “?” expression on her face. Second year classes, in general, are pretty boring now. As expected, I can understand and remember most of the material already, I only learned it a year ago after all. I am basically leading my class now. During the general classes I have basically gone from a below average student to an honours student in my class. But in actuality, I am basically in a lap race, and while I am at the front of the pack that is only because everyone else has lapped me. Which isn’t very cool. –As I read the same modern literature textbook that I have already read last year, my thought begin to wonder elsewhere. (Dad…) The way Shido and that armed prosecutor who didn’t introduce himself spoke… I cannot help but wonder. However, as that armed prosecutor said, it would be impossible to gather information on my dad unless I became an armed prosecutor myself. Armed prosecutors are important positions given to those deemed worthy to protect the peace and security of Japan. All of these activities are carried out in secret, and there is even a bill called The Specially Designated Secrets Protection Act that is being considered to keep the activities of the armed prosecutors a secret from the government. Their activities and the secrecy around them is that important. Should that bill pass, it would be impossible for me to find out anything about the armed prosecutors in general. Even info about my own father. But… Becoming an armed prosecutor is a hell of a lofty goal. Recently there was the whole revision to the selection process for armed prosecutors and Butei, but that was merely a ploy to deceive young Butei. Should I want to go through the official routes, however, I wouldn’t be able to until I graduate from the Faculty of Law at the University of Tokyo. However those who even get into the University of Tokyo have been studying hard since middle school or even elementary school. There is no way I can catch up now. On the contrary, I am literally repeating a grade. Krometel can only let out a defeated sigh– Finally, modern literature class ends, so I put away my textbooks. “–Okay, guys, stand up! Earlier today the window in the girl’s locker room was broken in a shooting incident. Girls, you will be changing today in the classroom, so guys get out!” Urara Takachiho, the class president from the LHR earlier, gave an order. On instinct alone I stood up and was about to leave the class when… Ah, damnit! I am not supposed to leave! I ended up intending to leave along with the boys! But Mamiya, who thinks that I am a transfer student, stops me with a wry smile. “Aha. Krometel-san, when she said “guys” she meant “boys”.” I know. That is why I stood up. With the boys out of the classroom Takachiho slams the door shut in front of me, and then promptly closes the windows curtains. As of right now, in the 2nd year Class C classroom, it is just me and all of the girls. Behind me… “I wonder why the gym uniforms sold at Amdo are all bloomers. I mean I don’t mind them since they are easy to move around in…” “On the cover of that pamphlet that they were handing outside of the school was a girl wearing bloomers too.” “I was right! Ah, Kirara-chan’s panties are so cute~!” The girls are starting to change their clothes! … This… This is a massive problem! Don’t look behind you, don’t look behind you Krometel. Even the God of cross dressing cannot predict what will happen if I hysterize under these conditions, dressed as Krometel. This may seem strange, by hysteria mode exists for procreation. I do not believe myself to have a preference for younger woman, but generally speaking… Is is said that men instinctively prefer younger women who are more likely to have children with them and for a longer period of time. And right now, every single girl in this room is younger than me. To put it as something Riko might say… This is a paradise of young spiffy girls. (I have to get the hell out of here somehow…!) However, diving out of the window like when I am running from Aria is simply too obvious and would stand out. Should I make the claim that I need to use the bathroom? No, I cannot enter the women’s restroom, and if I brazenly went to the mens restroom, I will just be called a pervert and won’t be able to get married anymore. I cannot go there either. “Huh? What’s wrong, Krometel-san?” “Your face is bright red and you haven’t changed your clothes yet. Haha, are you embarrassed? We are all girls you know.” “Or rather, are you okay? Come to think of it, you look kind of sick right now you know? Does your stomach hurt?” Oh no, all of the girls have begun to gather around me…! Everyone is wearing either bloomers of panties and a bra…! They might be my classmates now, but before they were all my juniors. And now they are caring for me like one of their closest friends. However, even amongst life there is death, and taking advantage of what that girl just said I begin to crouch down and hold my lower abdomen. (TL Note: Oh no.) I make sure to balance how in pain I look, making sure that it is enough where I don’t have to do phys-ed but not too much where those in Medica feel the need to examine me as a patient. “…” I have always been good at pretending to be sick, and I use that to take advantage of the girls standing in front of me… It seems that I managed to convince them, and they are now whispering. It seems like they are speaking about me in a kind tone. Suddenly, a health committee member, a girl from Ambulance, “I will contact the phys-ed teacher. Ah, Ranbyou-sensei? And pulls out her cellphone. After talking to Ranbyou-sensei… “For some reason Ranbyou-sensei began to laugh really hard when I told her what is going on… It must be terrible having to deal with this every month, Krometel. Anyway, she said that you can just observe for today.” Another mysterious statement. What do you mean? Does Ranbyou and you girls have something that happens to your body every month? Whatever it is, my body isn’t equipped with that function. However, she did say that I could just observe for today, so I won’t have to change into gym wear. That is a relief at least. Once I realize that fact, my heartbeat finally started to calm down… I take a seat on a chair in the corner of the classroom, and wait for this torture to end. But… “That’s right! Hahaha!” “Ouch! If you are going to rub it, do it gently!” “Um– It has been in the closet for a while, and its all dusty now…” The girls begin to laugh out loud, fondle each others breasts, and flip out their skirt before taking them off… When it comes down to it, women act far more manly when with other women than men think they do. Honestly I am sure most of my male friends would be disappointed to hear this. Thankfully I never had that illusion to begin with, and due to this my hysteria bloodflow is disappearing, which is a good thing. (This, too, is cause and effect…) Last year in second semester, I had teased Watson, who at the time was dressed as a man. Myself, Muto, and the other boys, not knowing that Watson was a girl cross dressing, had teased her about not wanting to enter the pool with us… And now, it is my time to face the same treatment. What you do to others will someday come to happen to you… For the sake of my future, I suppose I must start being kinder to others. Suddenly, I can just make out… “I think her name is Krometel? She is so beautiful, ladylike, and it seems that she is popular with the girls and the boys…” “Ah, I can get why. She is like the image of an ideal woman.” “She is so perfect–, I want to be like Krometel-san one day.” As a boy all the girls disliked but, but now that I am a girl they cannot stop praising me. But I guess Krometel-san is nicer to people in general. I need to keep this up, maybe it can help Kinji-san avoid shootings in the future. I fix my eyes on the wall opposite me, and divert my attention away from the well shaped and elegant arms and legs of the girls as they do split-legged vaults over the bulletproof vaulting box in the gymnasium– And finally, my observation of gym class came to an end. Then, it was back to class for math and finally, lunch break. I had planned on going to the school cafeteria, but as I was leaving the classroom… “Hey…!”(TL Note: This is in English.) Suddenly, I could hear someone calling out to me. Looking at the door, Aria-senpai is in front of the 2nd Year Class-C classroom…! Aria, her eyes darting about looking for someone, or rather looking for me. When a fellow classmate went up to her and asked “Huh? Is that an elementary school kid? Are you lost?” Aria responded by picking her up and throwing her out the window of the classroom. As expected of a third year, a ruler of hell. Aria-senpai, who threw a demon out of a third-floor window like it was nothing, finally found me, who is frozen like a Zebra after encountering a lion. “… Ohh?” Pl-, please don’t kill me! “Hey, don’t I have a photo of you in my house? I didn’t know you were a student at Tokyo Butei High.” Luckily… Aria does not realize that I am Krometel. My disguise has saved my life it would seem. (Does that mean that Krometel knows Kinji?) Aria’s expression is easy to read, “I am looking for someone. Actually, I need to talk to you, too, so come with me. There should be a boy in this class with scary looking eyes and has a habit of being misogynistic.” She is looking for me. However, she knows that if I am found out that I will be expelled, so she could not say my name. “He is probably in disguise, but I think he might know you…” “……” “Do you know him? Well, do you!?” “… It-… It is not that I don’t know him, but… I cannot tell you my relationship with your acquaintance…” “What? Speak up, I can’t hear you!” Hieee…! “So-, sorry, I’m not feeling good…!” When Krometel-san, who can only whisper, answers and runs away while pretending to be sick, Aria sighing at her back– “Hmm, it might be better if I just wait for him in the dorm room after all.” Aria spoke to herself as I ran away. Wait, Aria is going to be waiting for me in my own home now…!? I cannot even go back to my own home now! While I am already afraid for Aria to find me because of the whole Riko thing, my fear is only being multiplied at the thought of her finding me while I am Krometel…! Returning from the school cafeteria, in which I spent most of my lunch break reading up on a camping manual on my cellphone… In a small classroom on the first floor, a group of second-year boys are eating lunch and happily chatting. The curtains for some reason are closed, but I can clearly make out their happy voices. That sounds nice right now. I wish I could return to that daily normal life. As I walk down the hallways, listening to the various conversations going on… “A really beautiful girl transferred in to Class C. Hell, she is already the number one pick for the general vote website.” “Krometel-san, right? I heard she is Japanese-Dutch. The photograph that the photography club took of her has already broken the record for most expensive photograph ever.” “Kuro-chan looks the best when she is in Shy-san mode. Her downcast look is my favourite though. What a beautiful flower we have now at Butei High.” … Oi… Shy-shan? Why not just stick with Kuro-chan? Actually, regardless don’t go ahead and give me nicknames at all. Or rather, how are you all, Butei, unable to see through my disguise at all? No, maybe I am just that great as a Butei? Even if I am, it isn’t like I can brag about it to anyone or anything. “Oh, here is some information I dug up about Kuro-chan. I did some research on her name and found some photos of her from the Netherlands. Look, here are photos of her from England and the United States too!” “As expected of someone from Inquesta. I wonder if she was originally an Idol in the Netherlands?” “That isn’t right. When I translated it I got things like “angelic girl I saw at the airport” or “she should appear on America’s got Talent!”. No one seemed to know her, so she must be an ordinary person. However, all of these different sites decided to come together to make one big mega fan club site!” In response to these stupid boys and their ridiculous theories, (Ehh…) Krometel-san could only be shocked as if she were a girl in a girl’s manga overhearing some boys. Overhearing the boys mention “let’s create a fan site for Japan” I could only sink further into despair, weak as I am at information warfare and manipulation. Even if I were to somehow stop its creation, it would just become an underground site anyway, and the fees for having Jeanne continue to go after it would simply skyrocket far beyond what I could afford. But… It would seem that somehow I managed to play a role in friendly international exchanges between the Netherlands, United States, America, and Japan. I might have caused a lot of problems, but come on various governments, please? Won’t this help lessen my transgressions? Ranbyou has a bad habit of deciding the cleaning duty by rolling two dice, one for vertical row and one for horizontal row, and just like previous years that habit is still alive and well this year. And so, it was my job to clean up the classroom today. While poor Kuro-chan wants to go home, she can’t. Granted right now she has no home. Looking outside the window, I can hear the sounds of the track and field team running. Even at a school like this, everyone seems to be enjoying the sweat of youth… So why am I doing forced to cross dress? Moreover, Krometel’s true identity is Kinji Toyama, a second year student who already has a less than stellar reputation. The two people on cleaning duty today, one of which is my partner– “Krometel-chan, I will carry the desk for you. Cleaning is such a pain.” Kaname Toyama, who is currently eating caramel. “…” “In the United States, school cleaning is contracted out to janitors. Only in Japan do they have students clean up at the end of the day… But that is why I guess Japanese people like everything to be clean.” “…” While Kaname is talking, I spent my time just mopping the floor, clearly depressed and unhappy by today’s repeated misfortunes. Kaname in response “…?” looks at me in confusion and tussles the back of her bob-cut hair. You even have the same habits as me when I am thinking about something. I never taught you that though. After that, the two of us spend our time cleaning in silence…. However, Kaname suddenly came out from behind me, “Oh, that’s right. I saw an interesting movie recently, onii-chan.” (TL Note: Onii-chan means brother. It sounds cuter than “brother” so I am gonna use it.) Suddenly, she calls out to me, “What?” And I– -Shoot! When Kaname called me “onii-chan” I responded to her in my normal voice…! “I knew it! I thought that you matched those characteristics that Patra-san told me about the other day–“ Nipa ! Kaname, rather proud of herself, strikes a pose and smiles as bright as a sunflower. Dah ! I approach her nearly as quickly as I would in Hysteria mode. And then immediately, bien ! I thrust and hold a maniago knife against Kanames throat! “–If you tell anyone about this, even if you are my little sister, I will spare you no mercy. You yourself now know just how crazy this school is, and if this were to get out, being expelled would be the least of my worries…!” To Krometel-san, who has revealed her true nature with bloodshot eyes, “Ah, I get it now. You failed a grade, didn’t you? So, at Butei High there is a secret system I guess? However, as expected from a ginion, she is not fazed in the slightest at having a knife shoved against her throat and continues to smile as she makes sense of everything. Through just a few sentences she was able to see through everything, even that I failed a grade and am now repeating it. Realizing that talking any more would just lead to more information leaking, I collapse on the spot. Cross dressing. “Please… Don’t tell anyone.” Just a few days ago Ranbyou had told me that if she were to learn that anyone found out who I am, I would be expelled immediately. However, this can be interpreted to mean that even if anyone found out, as long as Ranbyou doesn’t learn and that person keeps their mouth shut, I am safe. Even if I have to pitifully beg her to keep Kaname’s mouth shut, as long as Ranbyou doesn’t learn about this it’s fine…! “Hmm. Now, what should I do~?” Kaname dramatically puts her hands behind her back with a mischievous smile, bends forward slightly, and looks down at me. Wh, –what on Earth are you planning? “Ahh. My it seems that I learned a dangerous secret about my sister . Whatever will I do~?” – I have a bad feeling about this. A very bad feeling. Poor Krometel… Against my will, I was taken to the third girls dormitory where Kaname is renting out a room for herself. I was forced to confess most of my current situation on our way to her dorm, but this was all done under the promise that as long as I listen to what she has to say that she would keep everything a secret. In front of room 106, Kaname opens her arms and “Ja~Jaa~!” “Yes, this is my room. However, from today onwards, this is also Krometel’s room!” “What are you even talking about right now…” Kuro-chan’s tone became a little rough due to her frustration. “Come on and share a room with me. I won’t even charge you rent.” “I refuse.” “I see. Fuun ? Heeeh ? You don’t want to? That doesn’t make sense.” Kaname is grinning and looking up at me, as if threatening people just came naturally to her. As her older sister, with how natural doing this comes to her I am concerned as to her upbringing and life so far. “Gununu…” “It would be difficult for Krometel-chan to go in and out of the boys dormitory like that, right? She also wouldn’t be able to stay in her male friends rooms, and you being alone with Aria in her room would be dangerous.” Damn it, why is my little sister so smart? However, everything that Kaname said is true. Aria and Kaname are both dangerous, but when it comes to who is more dangerous between her and Aria, Aria is just a little bit more dangerous. In otherwords… Right now, I have nowhere else to go, and the only place I can is… Here. So… Realizing this and giving up any resistance, I called Lisa and “Due to various circumstances, I have decided to hide out at my younger sisters place. Please take my male uniforms to Room 106 of the 3rd Girls Dormitory. I want to change out of this female uniform quickly, so take the express train and I will cover the cost”. Naturally, I said all of that in a whisper. Opening the door to Kaname’s room and turning on a light, my heart almost stopped beating. Upon opening the door, I was immediately greeted by a unknowingly taken photographs of me on the wall. It was also on the ceiling. Sitting in a cabinet is a new version of the “Big Brother Doll” that Kaname so dearingly lived in the past sitting next to a new “Kaname Doll”. In addition, there are some new things, such as Lipovitan D bottle that I threw away yesterday, now in an acrylic case, and a shirt that I had thrown away now being displayed like a soccer players uniform in a frame. What on Earth is this place? Some kind of Kinji Museum? “You…! Clean this all up, how can you even live like this!” Faced with such a house, the neat and proper innocent flower Krometel became infuriated, but Kaname simply looked on smiling, “Ok! Right now I have you here anyway, so I don’t need a photo. Onii-chan, your cute little sister is standing right in front of you, right? I am still wearing my cute sailor suit from school. However, under my skirt I am still wearing my bloomers. I was suspicious of Krometel-san ever since gym class, and anticipated this happening, so I left them on to make you happy~. Why don’t you try flipping my skirt up and seeing my bloomers for yourself?” After making a strange request, Kaname slightly tugs up on her pleated skirt and looks at me with a mischievous and wry smile. Or rather, why do you keep talking about “my sisters” sailor suit or bloomers? Does that mean that right now I am wearing your sisters sailor suit? “This… Don’t just get carried away because I have been quiet so far!” “Owie! Th-, that’s terrible, Onii-chan! Suddenly headbutting your lovely younger sister!” Kaname pouts, one hand on each cheek and both cheeks puffed out. “Sorry. Next time, I will slowly bring my head to yours and just tap it. Make sure not to avoid it, okay?” I begin to shake off my long black hair wig, but… “Well, um Onii-chan, since you are now my Onee-chan, I guess I will call you Onee-chan from now on. In class only of course.” Kaname immediately pulls out her strongest card, so I abort my slow moving headbutt. “Gu, gu… You…” “Well then, for the sake of my older sister I will just have to show you my bloomers myself. Watch carefully~. I am going to raise it up… Little by little…” “O-, oi, stop it!” “Why? Since we are both siblings and together alone, why not have some fun together? Now be a good brother and squat down and don’t look away. Just stay calm, look between my thighs, and have some immoral with Kaname~” “Ordinary siblings don’t typically have fun like this! Also, immorality is a noun, not a verb!” Kaname approaches me seductively, slightly pulling up her skirt. I have nowhere to escape due to the entrance being narrow and her between me and the exit, however even more scary is the hysteria blood flow that is starting to form due to my younger sisters visible bloomers– – Chiririn , chiririn . Kikiii … Then, suddenly, just like yesterday a bike interrupts us. However, it is not like the MTB that Aria uses, which is much noisier than this bike. This is mama Lisa’s bike. (TL Note: Mama is correct, presumably as a joke to the situation.) And suddenly, after a brief knocking there is a clatter. The front door opens. “Master, I have come to deliver the items you have ordered via express. I was just picking them up at the dry cleaners–“ Lisa, who is holding up a male uniform by the hanger, froze for a moment upon spotting Kaname, my younger sister, who is pulling up her skirt, and me, who had been squatting down since she had forced me to look at her bloomers. “Who? Are you related to my brother?” Lisa looks at Kaname, who had let her skirt down and had folded her arms. Then, Lisa bows to both me and her. “I apologize for the inconvenience I have caused in disrupting your activities. My name is Lisa Ave du Angue. I am your brothers faithful maid. Please rest assured. Maids do not reveal secrets amongst family members.” “N-, no, this is just my dumb little sister–“ “This is a common occurrence amongst noble blood for a very long time, master. I do apologize again for disrupting such a practice.” … With my maid making a 100% outrageous misunderstanding in her head as to me and Kaname’s relationship, I sidestep Kaname to grab my uniform and close the door on her, and then hang my uniform on the door handle.. I mean, Lisa. While you have saved my life just now, why were you so confident on what me and Kaname were doing? Did she notice Kaname’s aggressiveness and try to prevent herself from being attacked? Damn, that’s smart. After changing into a male uniform and cleaning up the place, I was finally allowed to catch my breath… “Eh, why did I just smell the faint scent of Riko coming from onii-chan’s body?” Kaname says in a grumpy voice while washing her hands in the kitchen. Sharp as always. Yesterday I even took a shower in my own room. But Kaname is my sister after all. She has a good nose, just like me. “Ye-, yesterday I had manjuu, maybe that is why?” “I asked Akari Mamiya-chan about this, but apparently there are rumours that my onii-chan is dating Mine Riko?” If you know about those rumours, don’t ask me in such a roundabout way. Don’t make me tell unnecessary lies. I mean, still, you are quick to spread rumours, Mamiya. “That’s… Well… I was invited to go out with her to something like a birthday party, but it seems like in this world “going out” is used in a different way than the one I normally assume.” “It seems that I will have to investigate this further. Depending on the results of the investigation… I might have to kill Riko Mine…” Did she just say “kill”…? Also, we are not even cooking, so why are you holding a knife, never mind where did it even come from…? “W-what are you so angry about?” “I’m not angry.” Kaname suddenly tries to stomp on my foot and, gasun ! I just avoided having my foot crushed, and when I look down… The floor boards were dented…! “You’re angry, aren’t you? I mean, regardless, don’t kill people. Not just Riko… Don’t try to kill anyone. I told you this already.” “Really, I’m not mad. Look.” Smile. Kaname smiles again, which is adorable, but with what is going on it is actually scaring me more. “Also, the relationship between Onii-chan and Riko Mine… “In an attempt to escape myself from seeing my sister as a woman, I start dating another woman, but she just tells me “You don’t even truly see me. You love someone more than me!” Which is when I truly realize that the one I love my sister.” I know that Onii-chan’s and Riko Mine’s relationship is like that.” “I don’t really understand what you are talking about right now, but I can understand you are happy. That much I can get.” “Then, who would you rather be with Onii-chan? Riko Mine or me?” “Wait, what do you mean who would I rather be with? Wait, don’t come closer to me, and the knife! Put the knife down!” “Okay, Onii-chan, answer, answer me now! 3, 2, 1, go~!” “Kaname!” I had said “Kaname!” out loud hoping to reprimand her for coming at me with a knife, but… “Ehehehe. Yay, yay! Everything is fine then, Onii-chan really does love his little sister, huh? That’s immoral~” She is so excited at being chosen that she is just jumping up and down in joy. Naturally, she is still holding the knife. Later, in the evening… “I will teach my brother and help him study so he doesn’t have to repeat a grade again and become my junior!” Suddenly, Kaname lines up a bunch of textbooks on the Shogi board that had been serving as her short table. Annoying. However, it is true that Kaname is a Ginion who already has the academic ability of a university graduate. After meeting that Armed Prosecutor I am rather eager to learn in hopes of eventually answering my questions surrounding my father, so I sit down in front of the Shogi board and say “Then teach me.”. “For every problem that you properly solve, I will give you a kiss Onii-chan! Good luck, good luck, Onii-chan~!” Kaname plops down opposite me, her skirt fluttering in the air as she does so. You definitely did that on purpose. “… Um,, about this function here…” I am not particularly good at science, and I am also struggling with second year math, but Kaname is constantly encouraging me, saying things like “Hurray, hurray, concentrate Onii-chan!♪”. But she is wearing her short skirt, and sitting up straight with her knees slightly apart. Surely you can understand why it is hard for me to concentrate right now? However, an even bigger problem with Kaname, “How should I show my proof for this question?” “What don’t you understand? There is no way I can really help you for such a simple problem…” Because she is such a genius, her ability to teach something so simple is impossible for her. In the end, she just ended up staring at me, “Oi… Stop staring at me.” “Ehehe, Onii-chan is so cool.” “What is so cool about a Onii-chan who fails a grade and ends up having to cross dress…” “I love you, Onii-chan~.” Hearing her say that is rather jarring. This isn’t helping me at all right now. I need to seriously pick up the slack right now, but I don’t have a proper teacher who can help me… In the midst of this agony, I remember something. There are teachers at Butei High, too. And I am not just talking about those who have messed up their lives and crawled into Masters, but actual teachers who teach. (… Moe sensei! I should ask her for help. There is no way to know what will happen if I keep spending my time here with Kaname alone.) And so, after explaining my logic to Kaname, making her understand, and then threatening to stab her with 100 needles if she does anything aggressive– I give Moe Mochizuki a call asking her to help me. Also, apparently Kikuyo Kagataka will be coming along to supervise us. The two of them, who share a room on the upper floor of the third girls dormitory come right away– “Waa-, Toyama-kuns younger sister is so cute! I’m Moe Mochizuki. You can just call me Moe, I am so happy to meet you!” “Hmm, I think she will look rather sexy once she grows up a bit. I’m Kikuyo.” “Moe-san, Kikuyo-san, it is nice to meet you. I’m Kaname Toyama. My brother has always taken care of me, thank you for helping him.” Kaname bows a perfect 45 degrees, her bob-cut silk hair shaking as she does so. She is as flexible as a cat it would seem. “Don’t mind my sister. Anyways, I need to tell you two this in secret, but the truth is I failed a grade. Moreover, currently I am in danger of being forced to drop out. However, due to circumstances, I am thinking of going to high education, specifically Tokyo University.” In front of the shogi board table, I, a failure, sit cross-legged and confide in the two of them… Moe and Kikuyo look down at me, one with the eyes of a good understanding girl and the other seemingly looking down on me. “You, you are repeating a grade this year… Toyama-kun…” “You are always having to do something, huh? Your life must never be boring.” “Shut up. I know that it won’t help my chances at getting into university since I have to repeat a grade, but this is an important goal of mine. What should I do?” When I open my eyes and look at them, conveying my determination and will– “You failed a grade, are on the verge of expulsion, are in a hurry, and want to get to university–“ Moe-sensei places an index finger on both of her temples under her fluffy hair as the attempts to solve a problem that only Ikkyu-san could possible solve. It seems that modern Yakuzza need an academic background too, as Kikuyo too is patiently waiting for Moe’s epiphany. And then… “That’s it! Toyama-kun! Take the high school equivalency exam!” “… Equivalency exam…?” (TL Note: In Japan, this exam can be done in place of a high school diploma for whatever reason. It is a prestigious exam, with an average pass rate of 30-40%, and is even recognized by Tokyo University.) “Yes! It used to be called the University Entrance Qualification Exam. it is an exam that tests your academic abilities in all high school subjects. If you pass it, you are eligible to take university entrance exams.” Wait, that is amazing. Is it really going to be this easy? “That way, even if you do drop out of high school, you can still apply for university!” If-, if I drop out of high school… That would make my final education… Middle school…! The words that Moe said without any malice caused my brain to short circuit. Yes, I am sure that there are many fine and successful people who are fine even if they are only a middle school graduate. That I know and understand. –So, I sit around the small shogi board with Moe. Kikuyo, and Kaname for an emergency response meeting. Once I finished typing out the necessary materials for the equivalency exam on Kaname’s computer, honestly it doesn’t seem like an extremely difficult exam to pass. If that is the case, the only other entrance qualification required is age. Although I am a year behind everyone else, I am still the same age as them, and I am beginning to see the possibility of dropping out of high school and just taking the university entrance exam without my high school diploma. Once I pass, I can use that to apply to Tokyo University. However, now comes the highest hurdle, the university entrance exam. The main exam. That is still the hurdle. Still, Moe-sensei, “It will be okay. There are only three requirements to study, no, to achieve anything at all. And right now, we have all three of those things. Even Toyama-kun can definitely get into Tokyo University!” A humanized form of positivty itself. Moe-sensei is truly amazing. However, that last bit wasn’t necessary. “Three requirements? What are they?” Kikuyo herself seems interested in these three things too. You are trying to rebuild the family, aren’t you? “The first is a clear goal. Toyama-kun, the Faculty of Law at the University of Tokyo is a first-class liberal arts department, right? Since you now know your goal you now know what subjects you need to focus on and the amount of work necessary to achieve your goal.” Then, Moe begins to seriously explain the specifics and paths necessary for me to take to get into the Faculty of Law at the University of Tokyo. I feel like I can see a halo forming above her head. She has gone from Moe-sensei to Moe-sama. “Secondly, you need the date of each exam at the University of Tokyo. That lets us know how much time we have. Once we know the remaining time, we can focus on motivation. Divide the work into equal amounts into the number of months leading up to the exam, and then split that into a daily routine of studying. By doing this, the work will seem insignificant on its own, but actually be a lot. Look at this way: Telling yourself that you are going to be reading a whole textbook in a month is a lot, but if you were to say “I will read one page an hour” or “I am going to study just this one line for 3 minutes” it is a lot easier to get started, right? If you start a task and succeed in it, your brain will secrete a chemical, dopamine, that give you a sense of pleasure for working after about 3 minutes. Then, you can work without any stress.” “I-I see… Then, what is the third one?” When I ask Moe-sama, who is brimming with positivity now, I lean forward, “A procedure. The brain is very sensitive to pleasure and discomfort, which all works to keep the body alive. When it is stressed by something unpleasant, such as failing a task, it naturally becomes averse to doing it ever again. The reason why people cannot study only become worse at studying is because the brain doesn’t like that stress. It is not that the person is sloppy or laze, it is instinct. An innate reaction that they cannot stop.” Ah… Was there really some kind of inner mechanism causing my inability to study…! I am not a slovenly, useless, lazy person who is sorry for even being alive. I am a normal person reacting in a normal way. Man am I glad to be alive again! Well, Moe’s entire theory is on the brain, a black box with many unexplored and unknown parts, so I can only take it with a grain of salt, but it doesn’t hurt to at least hear her out. For the time being at least, I have a will to live again. “On the other hand, those who can study will keep studying and learn more and more, right? That is because their brain is experiencing a pleasure in succeeding in a task. When something feels good, you want to repeat it, right? That is why it is important to succeed in the first three minutes. That is the more important part.” The moment the beautiful girl Moe said “When something feels good, you can to repeat it, right?” in her beautiful girly voice, my bloodstream, already slightly hot, begin to fluctuate, “Succeed in the first three minutes, huh? In other words, answer something correctly.” Okay, it wasn’t enough to hysterize, and I was able to get myself under control. “Yeah. There are a lot of question on the entrance exams, but most you can answer through sheer memorization. Whether it is liberal arts or science, if you can memorize the vocabulary, formulas, and question patterns, you will be much closer to passing.” When I think of memorization, I think of Hysteria Mode’s cheat technique, Cuckoo… It is a technique that is forbidden to be used domestically, according to the Toyama family rules. Even if I were to use that to get into Tokyo University, if it was discovered that I had used it to get in, my brother, a hard-headed ally of justice, would probably just shoot me to death. At best he would force me to voluntarily withdraw from the school. However, although I already used it to memorize English, all I can do is have conversations based on lines from movies. It would be impossible for me to answer any kind of language question that requires me to read and decipher a piece of text. “Therefore, Toyama needs to first begin to successfully memorize a small piece of information, right?” “Yes. Then, comes the procedure. If we can devise one, we can see the work being done in more detail, and the brain will become more motivated basically saying “since it gives me pleasure, let’s do it!”.” “Te-, tell me the procedure, Moe.” “The most basic of basics is repetition, but if someone can memorize by writing, watching, listening, etc, varies from person to person. There are however ways to significantly reduce the number of repetitions needed to memorize however, things such as word matching, so let’s find what work for Toyama-kun. Then, we can combine these methods to create a procedure that Toyama-kun can use to help him memorize!” Tayun ! And with that, Moe stands up excitedly, her big breasts swaying as she does so– “So where do we start?” While Kaname herself is a genuine genius, when it comes to teaching idiots she herself is an idiot. “The internet! There are countless little tricks people use to memorize information that are shared online. So, let’s start by looking for those secrets for three minutes!” Just the way that Moe-sama is talking is already starting to get my brain fired up and releasing dopamine. ”Nothing is impossible”– Hiraga-san, who had told me that I “should aspire to be an armed prosecutor”, had also told me something like that. Aria herself had forbidden me from saying that something is impossible. Going to university, which seems like a high hurdle for a student like me who is repeating a year, should I have said that it was impossible my second name, “Enable”, would surely have cried out. I am going to give it my all. Even if I am up against the University of Tokyo, an unbelievably strong opponent that is different in nature from the enemies up until now, I will fight with all I have. Motivated and burning with passion, I spent the allotted time with the help of Moe, Kikuyo, and Kaname who is using her Tella Net Assist System, and begin working hard to create a study procedure for the entrance exam. Eventually I realize that the method of “listening and memorizing” would be possible even while doing basic things like maintaining my pistols. Also, from my daily habit of making stupid puns for the girls around me I realized I had a method of memorization of making “bad puns” and applying them to information, a highly efficient method of memorization… However, the full-fledged memorization process will begin tomorrow, and will be carried out on a daily basis, giving me plenty of spare time without the stress of cramming. Moe-kami had said: “Once you decide how many hours you’ll work each day, that is a contract that you have made with your brain, so do not break that contract. If you force your brain to work harder than you promised it, even if it is a good day for you… Starting the next day, your brain will think “let’s do that today too”. Eventually you will start to doubt yourself, and hate it because you have to work more than you planned to. Instead, use your spare time for your personal life.”. Then, after that she went home with Kikuyo, issuing me a ban on overtime for my brain. Moe seriously has the talent to do something great, like become the president. So now– Studying itself is a private activity that I need to do myself. Everything I am doing now, right now, is being done towards my goal of studying abroad in Italy. There are not that many days until I begin studying at the Foreign Language School, and there failure is not an option if I intend to study abroad. (… I will have to learn Italian separately from my entrance exam studies.) And so, in preparation for that I downloaded and watched an Italian mafia movie that I had purchased on Kaname’s TV without her permission, in preparation for Cuckoo. Thinking on it, wouldn’t this just make me end up sounding like a member of the Italian Mafia? However, the only on-demand options were either romance or Mafia based movies. If that is the case, my only real option is Mafia movies. (Actually, why didn’t the Scarlet Goddess go to Italy…? Italy seems to have a national trait of liking both violence and love.) And, I am a bit worried about my future right now… At the edge of my vision… For a while now… Kaname-chan has been wandering around, seemingly anxious right now. With a bath towel. Well, they say that strange people always appear in the spring. “Onii-chan, come in the bath with me. Don’t you want some immoral skinship?” (TL Note: It should’ve been me, not him!) “I-re-fuse.” “Ehhh, why noooot? Onii-chan, when we were both little we used to take baths together all the time.” “–I didn’t even know about you until recently! I only met you last year.” “I had you in my head long before then. Scenarios like that just came to mind a lot for me. So, I guess that must mean that we were lovers in a past life.” “Don’t make up those delusional stories and theories despite being a child of science yourself. Woah, hey, don’t just grab my arm like that!” “Okay, since Onii-chan agrees with me, come on and join me in the bath~!” “At what moment did I ever agree with you, hey wait, stop, don’t pull me…!” When Kaname had barged in on me during my bath at my parents house in Sugamo, I had managed to escape from her using hidden forest. It would seem that she wasn’t eager for me to do this again, and had me enter first with her P Fibre shield blocking the exit and her noi ange sword in hand. … Not only am I trapped, but I am also naked. This is quite a serious situation to be in. The bathtub in the girls dormitory is larger than the bathtub in the boys dormitory, and is large enough for two people to comfortably fit in. The bathroom itself, which has a slightly caramel-like sweet smell similar to Kaname, is also spacious, with plenty of space for something to happen in. I don’t have my cellphone on me, so I cannot even call for help from Lisa. I thought that I might be able to break through the vent to escape, but the vent is so small I doubt I could even fit my head in it. And naturally, even I cannot crack my skull and survive. I am not an octopus after all. “–I’m coming in, Onii-chan~!” The frosted glass door clicks open. Kaname suddenly appears right in front of my eyes, and I am still not mentally prepared to see her naked…! I panic, and cover as much of my body as I can with my towel, but… Strangely enough, Kaname enters into the bathing room wearing a dark blue school swimsuit… Specifically, a one-piece new style school swimsuit without a water drainage hole. “Ehehe~. Onii-chan, I know what if I am naked you will try to run away.” While I was standing there stunned by the strange picture of “Kaname in a school bathing suit in the bathroom”, Kaname quickly slams shut the door behind her. Oh-, oh no… I was defeated. My first line of defence was hoping to avoid this situation of us two in the bathing room entirely. As expected of a Ginion. Like Riko, you also came prepared, fully clothed. But regardless of the situation Kaname is in a swimsuit. I think I will be fine with my sister wearing a swimsuit, even if she does join me in the bathtub. While that might still be immoral, at the very least I should not hysterize. I should be okay… Just trust me, me…! “Okay, then I will begin to wash my body. Just face away from me, okay…?” “Okaaay~” Kaname raises both her hands into the air and spins around to look away. She turns her bare back to me, which is almost completely exposed, and her butt is covered however outlined very well by the dark blue swimsuit. The swimsuit appears to have been used in her classes as there are some worn down spots, probably from sitting on the side of the pool. When it comes to girls school swimsuits, the main topic of discussion is the difference in shape between the old and the new school style swimsuits. However, according to the knowledge that I had gained from Riko from being exposed to the actual item, there are two types: ones made of polyester and one made of the synthetic fibres of nylon and polyurethane. The former is a thick material with little elasticity and is a little stiff to the tough. The latter is a thin material that stretches well and is a smooth fabric that is also used for competitive swimsuits. Butei High’s school clothing uses both, but Kaname’s school swimsuit is 100% polyester. This is the type that is easier to use. It is a childish design aimed for interns, and the overall little sister appeal is exemplified by its childish design. Kaname’s use of the word “immoral” certainly applies here, and it is far worse for my bloodstream than I was expecting. While Kaname had her back turned to me, I began to use soap to perform a high-speed body wash. In the end, it only took me seconds. Then, in order to get as far away from Kaname as possible, I enter the hot water filled bathtub. “Now-into-the-bath♪” “That’s enough… Actually, I don’t care anymore…” As I am still half naked, I sit in the bathtub in a gym position, like Reki, to hide as much of my body as I can, but… This posture was a big mistake. Rather, the big mistake was leaving room open for Kaname to sit down in, “Waaah! Onii-chan is in the bathtub! Yes, look at me… Don’t look away. This is fun. Very fun.” As if to show off as much of her body as possible, Kaname takes long strides towards the bathtub, slowly raising and then lowering one bare leg into the bathtub each time she says the word “fun”. Naturally, she is looking me straight on the entire time. My younger sisters soft and healthy thighs are exposed all the way up until her hips, and are neither too thick or too thin… I am forced to look at her thigh, as she is now standing right in front of me, just a mere 35cm away. Her thighs are so close, I could touch them without even having to reach out. However, there is something else that I have never wanted to be positioned in front of me at eye level… Her gently rounded lower abdomen. I have made a serious spacial mistake, allowing my sisters lower half to be so close to my face. Even though I am not particularly hot, sweat is forming on my forehead. (Don’t hiss, this is just a swimsuit, don’t let your little sister in a swimsuit defeat you, Kinji…!) But since she is wearing a swimsuit, that also means that she doesn’t have any panties or bras on underneath, meaning that these curves, edges, and outline are virtually the same as her naked body… Imagination, stop damn it! Ah, this is just a hiss self-destruction right now, my blood flow is entering the danger zone…! (I-I have to do something about this… That’s right.) At this point, I have no choice but to use my last-minute creativity and pretend to do a really long blink to obstruct my vision. But, “Closing your eyes is prohibited, Onii-chan.” Kaname, who instantly saw through my shallow trickery, slowly and quietly… Squats dow into the hot water. Right in front of me. I am just barely able to suppress my physiological reaction of trembling, but her waist is moderate and firm, her breasts clearly more developed than they were before. Her swimsuit is just making all those parts more eye catching than before, it is barely hiding anything from the imagination… Is this going to give me PTSD? “Ehehe. Yay~, I am in the bath with Onii-chan.” Due to the size of Kaname and me, the hot water overflowed from the bathtub a bit… I barely washed my body but I wasn’t dumb enough to complain about this being unsanitary. Finally I manage to look at Kaname’s beautiful and innocent girly face. My legs and Kaname’s legs are double crossing at the knees. Side by side. Normal (?) families would notice this kind of disturbing act between a brother and his younger sister and intervene, but in my case, my parents are both missing, my older brother is also my older sister, and my sister in law wants to see me and my brother become sisters who get along a little too well with eachother, so the family safety net is complete broken. Hell, it is actually completely absent. “Okay, then let’s have a taste~.” “wha-what do you mean…?” I had nowhere to turn to in this small bathtub to run, and as I moved my head backwards Kaname began to slowly move forward, closer. “well, don’t brother and sisters usually kiss when they have baths together?” “Wha! Don’t even suggest such a thing ever again! I just imagined Mutou and Mutou’s sister for a moment… You will have to compensate me for that mental trauma!” I have no idea what she is even talking about anymore, but Kaname… “Well… Shall we? That is what brothers and sisters do, Onii-chan.” Suddenly, her tone of voice changes from her innocent “younger sister” voice to her seductive “woman” voice. Oh no. I cannot help but feel that Kaname is seriously turned on right now. “If that is what sibling are like, then I wont be your big brother anymore.” “Does that mean that you will marry me instead!?” “How are you so positive about everything!?” “Then, touch me. A school swimsuits top half can be taken off pretty easily and quickly you know?” Once again, Kaname came to an extraordinarily incorrect conclusion, however now with both hands she is slowly lifting the elastic milky-white shoulder straps on either shoulder. Suddenly, she lifts the straps straight up and pulls them left and right. Due to this movement and tugging on the school swimsuit, her breasts, which are already not 100% hidden, begin to squish against her body and push up– it is nearing its limit…! “I’m leaving! We took our bath together, so that is enough!” With that I role out of the bathtub, taking advantage of the fact that Kaname’s hands were occupied from her attempt to slowly take off her swimsuit. However, just as I was about to push the bathroom door open… It is flat against it. Kaname’s P-Fibre is attached to the door from the dressing room side, acting as a locking bar. I begin to bang on the door, “Open–!” “Hahahahaha. Where do you think you are going?” Toyama siblings are all quite similar and in harmony, with me and Kaname exchanging lines from a certain nationally popular anime movie. However, if I am remembering that movie correctly, right now the genders are reversed. (TL Note: IDK what movie this is referring to.) “My breasts have gotten bigger, haven’t they? They got bigger for you, Onii-chan. A little sister is her Onii-chan’s toy, so why don’t you play with me as much as you can? Here, let me take off that towel covering your bottom half.” (TL Note: the views expressed by Kaname here do NOT represent the views of Silver Tongue Translations.) Suddenly, Kaname grabs my arm from behind… I can easily imagine what is about to happen based on what she said, and she begins to tug my arms towards her chest, trying to guide me. This is a subtle joint lock technique, she is trying to force me to touch her…! Wait, I just felt something squishy, and now my fingers are touching something soft… It is as if my fingers can sink into this softness forever… But I just barely manage to snap my mind back and pull my arm back! “Yo-, your so… Horny…!” “Just touch me as much as you want Onii-chan…!” My arm is being tugged back to that soft thing, and finally, unable to hold back, I begin to hysterize…! … Huh…? “…! ……” O-, oww, my head…! The back of my head hurts. Wait. It hurts, damn it. The pain suddenly increases, and I lost the ability to move my body. … No, I can feel myself… drifting… away… “Huh, Onii-chan? Wh-what’s wrong? P-Fibre, get out of the way! We are coming out!” — Kaname, with her swimsuit back on, lent me her shoulder and helped me out of the bathroom. While I should confess about Hysteria Mode and my headaches recently, I really don’t want to worry her about it… I ended up just telling her instead about the hot water giving me a headache, put my uniform back on, and rested on the couch. (But now…) I think it is time to stop hiding this from grandpa. Headaches related to hysteria mode may or may not occur and the severity can vary from a slight pain to mind blurring. However, what is happening now is the exact same symptoms of what Grandpa had once warned me about. While I was pretending to be fine, Kaname began to feel at ease, and returns to the bath to finish cleaning herself. I was going to take this opportunity to make a phone call but… Well, I don’t have my cell phone. While I was wondering around looking for it, Kaname finishes her bath and came out. I cannot help that, I guess I will have to look for it later. “Ehehe, it smells like Onii-chan~.” Sounding like a pervert, Kaname appears in the living room with a creepy remark. Wondering what she is talking about and smelling, suddenly I realize that Kaname is wearing rather baggy pyjamas… No, wait, those are my pyjamas! “Hey! I thought that my pyjamas in my dorm were looking awfully new every now and then…! When, rather why, are you stealing my pyjamas!” “They were getting old, so me and big-sis decided that you should share it with your little sister and big-sis and we bought you a new pair. I didn’t steal them, I was being a good younger sister. These are just hand-me-downs.” Big-sis… Is she talking about Shirayuki? Damn, I did not even realize that there was a leak so close to home… “Whatever, give it back! Those are mine!” “Iyaaa~! My big brother is so perverted and immoral that he is trying to make his little sister strip naked and give him her clothes~!” As I angrily pull on her pyjamas, Kaname cooperates in taking them off. She happily takes them off and is left standing there in her underwear. Her standing there in nothing but her underwear does make me nervous, but it is not impossible to convince my brain that her underwear “is a swimsuit”, as long as I am not doing something like peeking at them from under a skirt. So I kick Kaname who is now skipping around in her panties and bra, saying things like “Brother is immoral, a sexual deviant!” while yelling “put on some damn clothes!”. Really, having to educate my sister is tiring. After that, Kaname left to go into her bedroom, and took a strange amount of time to change into her clothes while rummaging through her closet… Taking this opportunity, I continue to look for my phone, and there it is. It was on the table in the kitchen where Kaname was cooking earlier. Did something happen to it? When I open it, it turns out that its setting had been messed around with. The wallpaper is now a photo of Kaname winking and blowing a kiss, and even the battery level and other pictures such as the antenna image have been changed to read “Kaname” or “Imouto”. Really, I wonder how much of a big-brother loving sister she is. I mean if the roles were reversed and I was the little brother, I think I would be sick having a sibling love me this much. “Alright♪ Onii-chan, shall we have our immoral first married night together in the bedroom♪?” However, I do not have time to call my grandpa as Kaname begins to call me from the bedroom. “What? I am just going to sleep on the sofa.” When I tell her this through the bedroom door, “Then I will sleep on the sofa too. Or rather, Onii-chan will not let me sleep tonight on the sofa~” “What kind of person do you take me for…? Oi!” Wassa wassa . Kaname steps out of the bedroom, with the sound of her clothes rustling– … An all white wedding dress…! Moreover, it is a mini skirt, the kind you might find at an after party rather than the wedding reception. There are no straps on her now exposed shoulders, and her chest is clearly designed so that you can pull it down with just a finger. The miniskirt, which flutters with its large folds, is lifted up by a soft-looking pannier. I do not know if she is purposefully showing off her panties or not right now, but I can just almost catch a glimpse of her bridal underwear and its many frills. Transparent wedding gloves, a frilly garter ring on her thigh, and ultra thin stocking that tightly wrap around her small feet– Everything that she is wearing is white. Kaname has entered the living room dressed as a flawless bride…! “Onii-chan, I love you. Please lift the veil.” I was stunned, shocked by my younger sister who so calmly approaches her older brother wearing that outfit, but I was so afraid of the Krometel Card that Kaname has that I had no choice but to raise the veil covering her face… I flip it up and drape it over the back of her head. Kaname… She is fully outfitted with a tiara, a flower crown, and a pearl necklace. It is obvious that Kaname has no intention of sleeping yet. “I’m so happy. I cannot believe that the day finally came when Onii-chan lifted the veil. Now then, the bride and groom… Must say our vows and kiss.” “No, I won’t. After I go to sleep, maybe.” “–You just said that you would marry me!” Hiie ! Don’t suddenly open your eyes and scream, Kaname-chan! “I don’t want to just be your little sister! I am a girl too!” “Please just remain my little sister!” “Then we can remain brother and sister after we get married!” “That is legally impossible!” Despite being late at night, my sisters room right now is turning into a horror movie… It cannot be helped since things have evolved to this point. The groom, in his school uniform, takes out his ultimate weapon from his breast pocket and breaks it into pieces, scattering it! “Ah! Jean-Paul Hevin’s caramel!” These are high class and expensive confectionery that I had happened to see in Daiba and bought on a whim.(TL Note: this is French brand of very expensive chocolate and other treats such as caramel.) It is a bar of chocolate that contains a rich caramel filling. I do not particularly like caramel, but when I had tried a sample it was delicious, so I had kept a few pieces in my Butei handbook thinking that it might be useful in the future. Kaname odds are has enough normal caramel stashed away, so I had thrown a different kind of caramel… And it seems to have worked. Kaname, who is well versed in caramel, could tell what it was at a glance and threw the bouquet in her hands up in the air. Then, like a dog picking up treats off the grand, Kaname went onto all fours, miniskirt and all, crawling all over the ground to grab the chocolate caramel squars. After all… Kaname you are still a kid. You are trying to get married to soon, little sis. As Kaname was crawling around scooping up the expensive candy, I barricaded myself behind the TV stand, pulled out my Dessert Eagle, and bunker down… While Kaname was lying down on the sofa, completely exhausted with a hand full of caramel chocolates in her hand, “Brush your teeth once you are done so you don’t get cavities. Then go to bed.” “I will stay awake until Onii-chan goes to bed.” “It’s late.” “I want to go to bed at the same time as Onii-chan.” What a troublesome little sister, she really does her Onii-chan from the moment she wakes up until the second she goes to sleep. While I am frightened by Kaname, who is still wearing her bridal outfit and laying down on the couch while looking at me and smiling, I am currently fixing my phones wallpaper and pictogram settings to their defaults… And before I know it… Coming from Kaname, laying on the sofa in her wedding dress… I can hear deep breaths. (… Geez…) Finally, she seems to have fallen asleep. I walk slowly without making and noises, turn off the lights, and then go quietly out onto the balcony. There, finally, I can call grandpa. It was already past midnight, but Grandpa has always been a night owl… … He picked up. Good. “Kinji? What are you doing this late at night? I went to the trouble of recording a girls swimsuit TV show all day hoping to watch it at night and you just interrupted me.” “Sorry for the inconvenience grandpa.” “How are you?” “While I would like to say I am good, I don’t think I can. By the way, I want to ask you about dad. You had told me that when he was fighting Makikiri Ito, he apparently fell unconscious due to a chronic headache. Can you tell me more about that–“ I had only said a few words. However, it felt like a switch had been clicked on. I could feel it even through the phone. “This too… Maybe it is fate. Do father and son truly suffer from the same condition?” “No, I am not certain on that yet…” “Damn it, this caught me off guard. I had let down my guard since Kinichi did not seem to have this condition… I did not think you would get it instead, Kinji. I never told you this, but my father, your great grandfather, had passed away at a young age due to this condition. I do not know much about the medical world, but us Toyama’s negatively impact our brain when we use hysteria mode. I believe the medical condition term is called a “stroke”. However, from generation to generation about one in two people will experience this condition and be forced to become admitted to a hospital over it.” A stroke… Cerebral hemorrhage? It is hard to remain calm hearing that… “some people get it an a young age and there are those who never get this condition. Anyway, Kinji. Do not make me repeat this again. The men of the Toyama family are the best in the world. But even they cannot win against an illness like this. Those who have suffered from this strokes and yet continue to fight have all died in battle. Konza, your father, so to speak was not defeated in battle against Ito but instead by illness.” So even Grandpa does not know that dad is still alive, somewhere… He must be, as Shido had fought him and that had to have occurred after dads “death”. That must mean… Somehow dad overcame this condition. “Kinji. You may think that it is too soon… But retire as a Butei.” “… I will think about that. But there might be a way to overcome this. I will look into it on my own and figure this out.” What if my father somehow survived this? If somehow he did… Maybe I can too. Now, confirming if my father is alive or dead is paramount to ensure my own survival. “Hmmm… Then so be it. Perhaps it is possible with medicine progressing as it has. However, be very careful.” “… Thank you. Good night.” Don’t sound so worried over this, Grandpa. I will not be leaving this mortal world before my parents, never mind my grandparents. Don’t worry, of that I am sure. After living in Kaname’s room for the next few days to avoid the natural disaster that is Aria– Finally, Masters contacted me through email saying “Starting tomorrow, you will be attending Mihama Foreign Language High School”. It seems that the preparations for my transfer to the foreign language school have finally been completed. Today marks the end of Kanama’s unpleasant morning routine of straddling me in her uniform and apron while I am sleeping and making the frying pan and ladle as my own little sister alarm clock. Kaname is in the kitchen again this morning, once again making sure to show off her defenceless and uncovered backside… It seems that she is making a homemade bento box while playing around with the slippers on her feet. “Why don’t you come back here once you come back from Italy? Then you can live a happy life with your sister, who is now her Onii-chans wife, and is willing to make bento boxes for you everyday?” “If I have learned anything over the past few days, it is that it is pointless to say anything to you, who can say something like that without even breathing.” “Grandma had told me “Help Kinji out, he has no idea how to live on his own”, so I helped you just like a wife would. But anyway… I’m sleep… I haven’t gotten much sleep lately since Onii-chan won’t let me sleep at all…” “Never say that line at school, okay? … And I am sorry for staying up late and watching mafia movies. That counts as me studying.” “I know, its fine, its fine. Here, for Krometel-chan.” Kaname hands me her little sister homemade punch packed in a matching bento box. This is the last day of Krometel-chan and Butei High. However, Kaname previously has been known to try to sneak strange drugs into my food, and even if she didn’t odds are she wrote something embarrassing on the food like “LOVE”. So, after distracting her with something I swapped our bento boxes and put Kaname’s into my bag. I cannot let her get the last blow in after all. I head to Year 2 Class-C wearing my Krometel disguise– When I open my bento box during my lunch break, Kaname had written “LOVE (Onii-chan, I swapped them!)”. Even Krometel-chan, who has never laughed before, had to laugh bitterly at this. Then, I flip my Bento meal upside down onto the lid and eat it. While it was only for a short time… Thanks Kaname. For everything. I mean it. ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ### 004. Bullet 4: The Big Dipper Mihama Foreign Language High School is a relatively new high school created in response to the greater role of Japan in the international stage, and is located in Mihama city in the Chiba prefecture, a small city located north of the Chiba port, and is near the business district, Makuhari Messe, and the Chiba Marine Stadium. Having finished my traumatic life as Krometel, here at this school I will be learning Italian from today on to fulfill my plan of studying abroad at Rome Butei High in May. Honestly I feel like a school tourist at this point… So far I have gone to: Tokyo Butei High → Higashi Ikebukuro High → Tokyo Butei High → Mihama Foreign Language High School → Rome Butei High… However, school is like a vehicle of sorts. If my vehicle breaks down, well, I can just call a taxi and keep going. While transferring schools for the third time does make nervous, regardless I hop on the bus and then transfer to a train to finish my journey to Mihama High School and take my first step onto the schools campus with great enthusiasm. (TL Note: I am not going to keep calling the school its full name, you will have to make do with Mihama High School.) However, there was no need to be nervous or keep my guard up… The high school has a rather open and inviting atmosphere. High schools to me have always felt rather closed off and confined but… This school feels open, almost like a university or place of higher education. I guess that makes sense, this is a school that actively accepts adults or working class citizens as well as foreign students here to learn Japanese. Age and grade don’t matter here. While I am enrolled here as a “second Year” that just means that I am in my second year of studies, which certainly helps my mood. The school rules are lenient, and there is no set outfit other than common sense. However, since I am a student I thought it best to wear a uniform, but when I brought that up to Mihama High School I was told that should anyone find out that I am a Butei I would be immediately expelled from the school. This was due to the fact that Butei’s are still not a widely socially accepted profession, and the prejudice towards them is only slightly less than that of the Yakuza who are infamous for their tendencies to shoot whenever they so feel like it. When I heard that at first I was confused, but upon thinking about those around me, specifically Aria… Well, maybe it isn’t really prejudice but a reasonable reaction? And so with that… I settled on the Tsumeyeri uniform, which is available for purchase at Butei High. It is a formal uniform that I was forced to buy when I enrolled at Butei High and yet this is my first time wearing it. Before wearing it here however I cut off the schools emblem, so it just looks like a generic black uniform. “…” Once I arrive at the campus first thing in the morning I decided to take a quick walk around the large green campus… In the crisp morning I enjoyed the smell of the green grass and the well kept trees, bushes, and flowers. There is not a single whiff of gunpowder in the air… On the ground there are just rocks and stepping stones, no shell casings or empty smoke canisters. (– It is nice to be around some ordinary people for once…) I never would have had the opportunity to come to a normal highschool again if I didn’t end up having to repeat a year. While it isn’t the boys-only school that I am dreaming of, odds are there are still a lot of boys around my age here… (This time, here… I might be able to make some normal friends–) With that thought running through my mind, my heart beat started to pick up in excitement. Alright me, let’s not expect too much here though. At Higashi Ikebukuro High I entered with stupidly high expectations even before enrolling and so my disappointment was only so much more. This time, let’s just take it slow and act normal. Entering the school I am pleasantly surprised at how normal it is. The cafeteria has multiple Asian food stalls built into it, and there is even a small church with what appears to be a mosque in the corner of the main school building, further showing just how international this schools population is. In fact, just walking around the school I passed by two female students carrying Japanese textbooks and conversing in Chinese. As my tally of points of interest slowly begin to accumulate just by walking these halls: (Ahh… I am so jealous of this school…!) I mean, even the staff room that I was told to come to on my first day… It has an employment office attached to it. Butei High doesn’t even have an employment office. Amazing. This is truly a healthy and normal place for one to complete their academic studies at and have help guide you into the workforce at a suitable company. After all, this is what a school is supposed to be like. It isn’t supposed to teach you things like gun disassembly and assembly or ballistics theory. But, (… Geh.) There is a rather familiar but unpleasant face on the bulletin board of the employment department… A post of Nori Zenigata, an acquaintance of Aria’s from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Apparently, she is giving a lecture called “The Wonderful Ministry of Foreign Affairs” at this school next month. (Zenigata-me. You are planning on roping in these poor students into the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and force them to take your dangerous work, aren’t you?) (TL Note: -me ending is a derogatory honorific for someone you are pissed off with, angry, etc.) Alright, let’s put thumbtacks through her eyes on the poster so she looks like Batou from Ghost in the Shell. Okay. Done. In the midst of such a childish act, “Hello, Toyama-kun. You are acting like an elementary school student.” (TL Note: The “Hello” is in English.) A familiar voice calls out to me from behind. When I turn around, the one who suddenly winks at me… Is Shiranui, a rather handsome boy the same age as me and wearing the exact same black school uniform. “I know this might be news to you but I only failed a single grade, I am still in high school. I didn’t fail so badly as to go back to elementary school. What, are you here as my chaperone?” “No, the truth is that Shido-san has been working closely with the Butei Agency ever since you last met. In fact, you being here is the result of a little trick from the Butei Agency.” “A trick?” “No need to worry, your time here is short so it’s fine you don’t know all of the inner workings. During this time you won’t notice anything nor will you get involved in it.” “No matter what I notice I won’t cause any problems nor am I eager to get involved in anything, so please just go back to the school that you came from. I don’t want to see your face for a while… Every time I do I am reminded of last month.” “When you leave I will be leaving too. Right now I am in charge though. While I am here though I might as well be studying a second language… Ah, yes, Italian sounds nice.” “Ahhh, I know, I get it. Do whatever you want.” Since me being a Butei cannot be known at this school, Shiranui omitted the “leaving Butei High” part when be spoke, but– Whatever. It was the same when I went to Higashi Ikebukuro High… Well, I should have expected something like this I suppose. The course that I, and apparently Shiranui, are attending is a short-term but intensive Italian language course. The course is fairly expensive, being an unusual language with low demand, but Butei High had managed to negotiate a discounted price so I was able to afford it, however even then… This is still a fairly painful blow to the nearing broke status Kinji. My savings, a.k.a my scholarship I had received from Beretta, in other words a loan, is basically all but exhausted now. Actually, when I had checked by Italian bank account through UniCredit from online, I found out that my April payment from Beretta had yet to be deposited… I wonder if the economy in Italy is in arrears for weapon manufacturers due to their disarmament? As I enter the staff room with these troubling thoughts in mind… While I can quickly make out many western and Asian teachers, the sole Italian teacher… Good, she appears to be Japanese. But the not so good fact is that she is a “she”. And to top it off, she is beautiful and quite flashy as well as outgoing. “Uhm… I am Toyama, a non-degree student who will be attending a short-term intensive Italian language course starting today.” “Shiranui, and I am the same.” The teacher appears to be in her mid-20’s and smells like makeup, perhaps part of her Italian persona. She has a large chest and is wearing a thigh skirt that exposes more than half of her plump white thighs. However, while that is all troubling to me, I am quite happy of the fact that she isn’t equipped with a dagger, let alone a pistol. “Bravissimo! I have been waiting for you boys! And here you both are! Va bene. You both are so nice coming here to see me, if I knew you two would be like this I would have spent more time applying my makeup!” The teacher makes a grand and exaggerated gesture, welcoming both my and Shiranui before bringing us both in for a hug. I have never felt so tense before in my life. Why did she decide to suddenly greet us with casual sexual harassment? Is this normal in Italy? Or is this teacher seemingly just not okay? Well whatever, at least she seems teasy to get along with. Suddenly she seems to go deep in thought, “Umm… Toyama-kun and Shiranui-kun. Originally there were only three students in my class, but just last week we gained one more, and now we have you two. So now we have a total of six students. Here, take this, and call me Etsuko.” Then, she hands me a pamphlet over viewing the Italian short-term intensive course… … There are only 6 people in the class? But maybe that makes sense… Italian is a minor language only really spoken in Italy. Well, it seems like the opportunity for me to make some normal friends has come to a grinding halt. “Let’s get started and go say hello to everyone else. By the way, I am single. Divorced, actually. My ex-husband was Italian but I am single now.” With that the teacher leads the way while strangely making sure to emphasize how single she is. Why is she so focused on that though…? The classroom for Italian language studies is located at the end of a long hallway, with the wall faicing the entrance made entirely out of glass. Because of that I can clearly see inside… And because of that, I could quickly discern that, even for me who is deemed a man capable of making the impossible possible, this time it will truly be impossible for me to make friends. This must be some cruel joke… Other than me and Shiranui, all four of the other students are girls. The girls are visibly nervous, probably because they had just been told that two boys are joining the class now. I am so sorry for daring to show my face here. But I am sure Shiranui can fit in fine, regrettably unlike me he is rather handsome and doesn’t have a scary face. “Hello everyone! Gratche gratche, ciao!Everyone, here are the boys we have all been waiting for. These are the two who will be attending class with us all starting today! Okay then, let’s introduce ourselves to them! Let’s start with the girls! Japanese is fine.” Here it comes, the devils entertainment, self-introduction. However Italian culture is more ladies-first than Japanese, so at the very least I have time to think while the girls introduce themselves first. Those four girls… A stuckup girl who likes opera and other music. A flashy girl with a passion for fashion. A young girl capable of speaking several languages and aspires to be a diplomat. I wonder if she will be one of Zenigata’s subordinates in the future? And the final girl is a short-cut hair girl who only states the obvious, “I’m here to study a language”. This seems to be the girl who just transferred in last week. At first glance all four of the girls look to be children from rich families. Since they are all girls I wasn’t really all that interested in them or their story so I did not listen to everything they said, but I do get the impression however that, unlike at Higashi High School where students attended because they had to, all the students here want to be here and have a greater purpose in being here. Before I knew it all the girls had taken their seats after introducing themselves and were looking at me and Shiranui now with excited eyes… Ahh, it’s our turn, huh. It came a lot faster than I was expecting… “Go, Toyama-kun.” “You do it first.” “You sure?” “Yes I’m sure.” The girls start to get visibly excited, acting as if they are peering into something valuable and rare. Honestly I am not sure what is going through their mind… “– Hello, I am Ryo Shiranui. I have no experience with Italian and so I will do my best not to get in the way of everyone else.” Shiranui is the type of guy who doesn’t get nervous at all, and he easily manages to introduce himself with a refreshing smile that makes him look completely harmless and friendly. Quickly he creates a web of lies regarding his alma mater, career, hobbies, and more. As expected of an A-rank Butei. However this seems to have had an unintended side effect, with the girls hanging on every single one of his words, whispering and giggling to each other. … And then, it’s my turn. When it became my turn the girls excitement dropped considerably. Well, I am not surprised. Unlike Shiranui who could pass off any kind of lie and has the looks to do it, Aria has always said I have a scary face and am hot headed, right? So whatever, I don’t really care if he gets along with them anyway. They are women and I won’t be here for long anyway. And so, with the least motivation possible, “I am Kinji Toyama.” Just as I say my name… The tall girl with the short haircut who had seemed out of place from the others… I think her name is Hibari Yamane? For some reason, her eyes go wide. Huh? Maybe I am imagining things, but the way she is acting is as if she knows me? However I have never seen her before in my life. Whatever, I still have an introduction to do, “My hobbies are… Erm… Watching movies… And speaking Italian… I like Italian movies a lot and want to learn more about the culture…” I obviously cannot just say that I was basically abandoned from all Butei High’s in Japan or that this is all just a ploy to escape from the country and Section 0… So I just continue to speak in a slow and boring manner. Unlike Shiranui, who is both physically fit and mentally fit I have a nervous face on right now, and when I am not in Hysteria mode talking to girls I have never met before is more terrfying than most fights I have been in. However, that Hibari Yamane from earlier… For some reason she is writing notes on my self-introduction… Even stranger is that she isn’t writing on a notebook or something but instead just on her hand with a pen. With how quickly and easily she started doing that I guess she must be used to taking notes quickly on a daily basis. What in the world is wrong with this girl? (… Hibari Yamane…) Thinking on her name again… There is something that is nagging me about it… However, I cannot think of what exactly it is. Nothing clearly comes to mind. I feel like I should be able to remember something about her, but for some reason there is a part of me inside me that is telling me that I am intentionally not remembering it. It is like my mind has placed a lid on my memories, holding them back to protect me… “Now then, let’s all get along as good friends and study hard together!” While the outgoing teacher began to speak cheerfully, I did not dare to look directly at Hibari Yamane, who in the end I could not remember anything about… However, I tried to capture her in the edge of my vision and memorize her characteristics just in case. During her self introduction she had said that she is as old as me but she looks to be a bit older… She is about 170cm tall, so about as tall as me with large breasts, long limbs, and a curvy figure. Overall she has both an adult and very mature figure. However with her short hair she is more cool than cute or sexy. With my sensitive nose I can faintly make out the scent of soap coming from her, probably from her shampoo or body wash. Her clothing is crisp and clean, and the attitude she gives off is that of a career woman who doesn’t give the time of day to the men around her and is completely dedicated to her work, putting any kind of relationship second to results. She appears to have a string backpack and light makeup. Just like the teacher she is wearing a suit and a tight skirt with short heels. Her clothing seems to value ease of movement, but naturally she doesn’t have any kind of weapon on her be it a gun or a knife. Her hands as well lack any of the characteristic signs of training in combat. The only possible weapon she has is a pen. (… There is no need to be so wary of her…) Her movements are full of gaps, and it is obvious that she has no combat training. Odds are she is not someone related to Section 0 that Shiranui was hinting at earlier. Shiranui himself as well shows no sign of having any interest in her either. In other words, this is just a me thing right now. I am sure that strange feeling I felt around her will disappear soon… I mean, if she reacted to my name it is possible she is just a hardcore Toyama family fan, which has happened a few times already. The Italian that I had learned before using cuckoo is only a few words that I cannot use outside of the context that I learned them. As for whether I can speak Italian or not the answer is no, I cannot. The biggest hurdle right now is that Italian pronunciations is difficult for someone who can only speak Japanese to pronounce or hear, so listening skills are being taught first. Cuckoo does not increase the knowledge or understanding you have but instead only helps you recall prior information, in this case words I have heard from movies… So first of all, I need to listen to Italian to learn it. Being immersed in the Italian language in an intensive course here will allow me to recall lots of information when I next use cuckoo and thus have lots of vocabulary to work with. On top of that, based on my previous experiences in trying to learn English, it will be more efficient to learn the language once I have some basic grammar knowledge. (In other words, there is no point in trying to master anything if I don’t study properly in the right order…) With that in mind I decide to supplement the teachers lessons by listening to DVD teaching materials, internet and radio news, Series A soccer commentary, and more. With that, I should somehow be able to manage to keep up with the rest of the class. –Rome of course wasn’t built in a day. And so, the first thing I need to do is stay awake and keep listening. Let’s do our best, Kinji. After the two 90-minute classes ended, I quickly discovered a fatal flaw in my new life… I don’t have a place to live. Even though Kaname’s room is within commuting distance from Butei High via the Sobu Line, it is about time for Aria to become suspicious of her. At first I was planning on staying at a cheap weekly contract apartment with the scholarship money from Beretta, but seeing as how that money hasn’t arrived I don’t have a place to stay anymore. As I leave the school thinking about that issue I spot Shiranui heading back to Butei High on the Sobu Line and my thoughts further scatter… (I am in big trouble here. I can’t commute from my parents house since Aria might find out about that…) Completely lost on what to do, I stand in front of Makuhari Station, looking for a way out, someone to rely on… I take out my phone, and starting from the “あ” section I make my way to the “や” section, (TL Note: あ=A や=Ya) “… Demon…” Seiji Harada’s number appeared. There is no need to hesitate, this is the answer. Honestly I don’t want to rely on him no matter how much trouble I get in to, but this is the only option I have without any connection to Aria or Shirayuki. (well, I guess it would be better than camping out in the wild.) You know what they say, yesterday’s enemies is today’s friend… Well I have no intention of becoming his friend, and seeing as how he killed me the least he could do is let me borrow a room for a bit. The other options I can think of will just result in my death as anyway. So, I send him an SMS… –It seems that Seiji is living in Kinshicho, Sumida Ward. While it is a little out of my way I can get to Mihama High School pretty quickly taking the Sobu Line. Once I arrive at the address he gave me I flick off the safety on my pistol… It is in a secluded place in the cluttered Nishiki 3-Chome area… And there it is. On the first floor of a cheap apartment building that doesn’t get much sunlight is a handwritten name plate that says “Harada”. Anticipating a trap I sneak up attempt to eavesdrop through a window, and I can make out two people inside, “Oi, Seiji. Your meal is almost ready~ yo.” Who is that… A woman’s voice? They have a strange accent, or rather the way they end their sentences is weird. Is it a female demon? I know for a fact its not Alice Bell or Tsurugi. “…” Ringing the doorbell, “Biyo.” There she is. A cute and tiny woman wearing an apron. Behind her I can see Seiji sitting cross legged silently with his back turned to her. Why are you wearing that black coat even when you are at home? I mean seriously, it is spring now. Aren’t you hot? However… This girl is something else. First of all, her eyes are different colours, one is blue and one is red. Her long flowing hair is pink, and so too are her clothes. At max she cannot be any taller than 120cm. She is cute, and yet there is something fierce and sinister about her expression and voice… Granted considering that she is roommates with an Olympic class monster it kind of makes sense. In a strange way. “Hey. Sorry to disturb you.” When I spoke out, Seiji who is just sitting and reading something stood up quietly and turns around. “Hm.” That is all I get back. What an unfriendly guy. “Oi, Seiji. Are you living with this… Little pink haired girl? You have some strange hobbies and interests.” “You too.” (TL Note: Saw this coming.) Upon hearing that I, too, am living with a pink-haired little girl I couldn’t even mutter a single sound never mind a word. “Hello, yoyo. I am Nue-chan, yo. Oops, the food is burning, yo. After her messy self introduction in which she pointed at herself with both index finger at the corners of her mouth the little girl quickly runs to the stove to salvage her meal… “… Nue…? Is that her first name or her last name?” I don’t feel comfortable having a complete stranger girl staying with me, so I ask Seiji. “Her name is Nue Harada then.” “What do you mean “then”? Oi, explain it already to me, Seiji. She doesn’t exactly look like your sister you know.” “…” “Sister? Puhihiyaihya ~” Seiji remains silent and Nue-chan just begins to laugh at my suggestion, probably because it sounds insane to her. … Whatever, it doesn’t even matter anymore. She seems awfully dangerous, but then again it isn’t like me and Seiji aren’t dangerous either. We are just three wild animals living in the same hole of a shabby cheap apartment. Yes, let’s think of it that way. A strange pink-haired girl with the even stranger name of Nue is making the awfully normal meal of simple udon noodles. Honestly that isn’t the strangest part of this meal, though. The strangest part is that it is delicious. All three of us are silent as we sit around the table, slurping our noodles. Me, Nue-chan, and the ninja-like demon with his mouthpiece removed. Neither of them had any questions to ask the newcomer, a.k.a me. “…” Huh… When he isn’t fighting he is a fairly calm guy, Seiji. And looking at his eyes… He seems to have a heavy and sad past. – Did he change his partner? From Alicebell? That question had been nagging me in the back of my head since I got here, but if this life between Nue and Seiji was a… What should I call it… Yes, a secret cohabitation between a man and a woman, asking something like that is sure to have Nue asking “Who is that woman!?” or just get angry and lave the house on her own. At that point then either I or Seiji would have to cook, and I wouldn’t want to have to do that, or worse, eat his cooking. While that train of thought might be rather gender-discriminatory personally I see it as it being better to have food prepared by a woman who seems to value cleanliness. “Uhehe. So this is Toyama Kinji.” Breaking the silence, Nue-chan turns to look at me with a big grin on her face. “What is it, I am not some kind of zoo animal… Oh, I forgot to mention this to you but I will be troubling you for a while.” “…” Seiji doesn’t seem to care either way… “Seiji, back in Belgium, do you remember that guy you kicked? That was me, I was just pretending to be a double.” Seeing as how I am planning on living here for a while I might as well offer up some valuable information in return. “…” But Seiji just ignores me and continues to eat his udon noodles without looking at me. Did he already know that? “Because of you I ended up getting killed by Everita and the rest of Regiment Hex you know. Well I guess I did come back to live, but still. Because of that you have no right to complain if I live here for a month. Alright?” I say to Seiji while eating Nue’s udon. “I’m sorry that I killed you.” Finally Seiji turns to look at me and apologizes. “You must be the first person in human history to apologize to someone for killing them.” After my sarcastic response, “No, I guess I am the second person.” For some reason Seiji says while looking at Nue-chan. “Byohihihi.” … Nue-chan gives off a creepy laugh while looking at us. Well I guess her laugh could be considered charming, cute even. Almost like she is a cute mascot from an anime. “Well, Seiji has apologized, so let’s all get along now.” “Is it even possible to be friends with the person who killed me?” “I am not sure about that either.” “Byohihihi.” Nue-chan and Seiji begin to exchange mysterious glances at each other. During the opportunity to open up and talk to one another it seems like I am being left out. No actually, it would be problematic if I got too close to Seiji’s circle of demons, even becoming friends is dangerous. I still want to be a human after all. “Also, another thing. Two weeks ago… Are you working part time for Public Security?” “I’m a volunteer. As long as you are involved in something, I will be too. That is my job.” “I don’t think that’s true… You are talking like Shiranui right now. You are just a stalker, aren’t you?” “Don’t say that again, it gives me the creeps.” With that, Seiji… Perhaps he isn’t a clean man or has too much respect as a host, but after finishing his meal he returns back to the back of the room without even bothering to bring his plate to the sink. And then after plopping himself back down on the ground… He returns to reading some creepy occult literature. After bringing the dishes to the sink I went over to see what is going on… In the tatami room where Seiji is sitting there are piles and piles of books related to psychic powers. There are also old-fashioned clocks, pocket watches, hourglasses, antique scales, vacuum scales in glass cases…? These are all tools for… Measuring time and equilibrium. I have no idea what this is all for, but I can only assume that he is one of those people. I have no intention of joining him in his studies, but him being not only a guy but a stealth makes him quite rare for my acquaintances. From what I can tell it seems like women are more compatible with the occult than men… Thinking on it Shirayuki has said that there are terms like witches and magical girls but I cannot think of what the opposite of those are. The bathtub was a gas-powered kettle basically, but seeing as how no on intruded on me I was able to take a relaxing bath for the first time in a long time. When I exited the bathtub in the changing room I found a pair of pyjamas that Nue-chan had brought me. Or rather, these are a pair of Seiji’s pyjamas whose physique is quite similar to my own. Nue-chan, spouting some old-fashioned lines like “women are the last ones to bathe”, Seiji enters the bath next. (…) Wiping down his wet body with his bath towel I could see… His body is both more muscular and has more scars than mine. The base of his right arm is especially badly covered in scars and wounds. It looks almost as if his arms has been mangled, ripped off, reattached, and then kept fighting… You truly are a monster, Seiji. After Seiji, Nue-chan takes her opportunity to take a bath… “… Hey, Seiji. I just have a quick question. Nue-chan… Is she your woman?” I lean in and whisper that question to Seiji as he puts his coat on over his clothes and prepares to go back to reading. “Women? Women are nothing but a source of danger.” He answers me without even bothering to turn around and look at me. “I completely agree with you 100%. What I am trying to get at, is… Well… You and Nue-chan… Well basically with how young she is, you know, child abuse…” “Child abuse? Don’t be stupid. That girl is older than me, hundreds of years older in fact. If there is a fight I will be there, but if you have any other trouble such as getting injured or cursed you can rely on Nue… That girl is an all-around stealth expert. She is a prime of example of wisdom coming with age.” He half turns around and explains to me their relationship. Ahh… I see. That is when everything finally clicks. Tamamao is much like her when she is in her human form. Nue-chan must be something similar like that. Come to think of it, there is a yokai with the name Nue and is a shapeshifter from the Tale of Heike… With that settled I became convinced all at once that there was no longer any need to question the relationship between Seiji and Nue-chan. “I’m sorry for calling you stupid earlier. Even death cannot cure stupidity.” Seiji says this as if he was annoyed. Then he scratches the base of his right arm through his coat, and then… “I agree with you 100%.” Looking at his face I narrow my eyes… He has a slight smile on his face. It is a self-deprecating smile, as if he is saying that he is stupid too. Back at Migama High School. There are only 3 hours of class a day, so I have a lot of free time on my hands. However there is a lot of nice greenery at this school, and I can just relax and enjoy my time by going on a walk during my free time. Thus during my breaks I walk around like an old man just to kill time… It isn’t like I want to hang out in the classroom with the girls anyway. In Japan it is believed that a healthy mind resides in a healthy body. On a nearby gymnasium with the words “VTSITMENSSANAINCORPORESANO” scrawled on the wall, Roman Juvenal… From there I can hear students playing sports, odds are just some students skipping class. (TL Note: IDK wtf that means.) I can feel my heart move listening to the sound of joy in the students voice. It isn’t like Butei High doesn’t have sport or anything, but Butei play sports to build up physical strength, the ultimate being to not die in combat. So, naturally, there is no real joy or fun in the sports. Whenever there was any kind of dispute a gun would immediately get pulled out, followed by a sword. Peeking inside with a bit of longing for this normalcy I can see Shiranui playing 3-on-3 basketball in the gymnasium. From what I can tell, the people that he is competing against are… A group of delinquents who had dropped out of studying at the school and are just trying to be as popular as possible now with the girls. However, the one getting the most attention from the girl spectators, naturally is not the flirtatious guys but, well… It’s Shiranui. Once the match comes to a close the girls flock to Shiranui to give him a towel or a sports drink. Shiranui looks to be a little troubled by all this attention, but regardless the handsome guy gives all the girls a bright and affectionate smile with his impeccable teeth, even amidst a recruiting scheme by virtually all the female managers of the sports clubs here. (… Keh. You clueless girls and women. You don’t have any clue who Shiranui is or just how dangerous he is…) I look at him and frown, my face just like the delinquents. A man is not his looks. It is also what is inside him, right? That is my true and honest opinion, but then again it isn’t like I have any substance to prove it, either. So then it is only natural than that no girls at this school will approach me like they approach Shiranui.. So far all I have done is taken my daily 2 classes and gone on walks like some kind of wandering old mag. I am not doing anything particularly noteworthy either, so not only the girls but none of the guys will approach me either. In other words I am not popular here either, it is as if I don’t even exist. I have no presence. In other words, I am just floating along with the flow. However, if I were to become popular with the girls… I wouldn’t want to come to school anyway. Honestly it is easier to focus on my studies without having friends anyway. It is okay. Ya. I am fine with this. Shiranui odds are just plays sports to keep his body from getting sluggish, but… I really need to start doing some exercise, too. Even if I put aside my friends and their fitness, I am a Butei as well. However, I am not particularly well at ball games… I head towards a large prefabricated building in a corner of the school grounds that I had seen while on my daily walks. It looks like a dojo-like facility that was built for karate or judo. However, odds are there is no one at this school interested in the martial arts, so it is probably just used as storage now. However it needs a key… Or rather, it would need a key if the door wasn’t broken and left open. There is no one inside and it is covered in dust. It feels like it is just one step or empty can away from evolving into a run-down house, and there is a bunch of old stuff inside of it. Tools, a cassette stove, an old DVD player, and an old power bar. But what I am looking for isn’t this assortment of scattered garbage. Hanging from the ceiling in the back is a punching bag. This can still be used. In fact, it looks like it has never been used before. “… If you don’t get punched too, it isn’t really worth the effort.” Even though I hardly speak at school, here I am speaking kindly too a punching bag… I loosen myself up, and then ton , ton , ton, bi , bishi . Dogo , dodo . First I decide to review the moves that Assault taught us that are capable of quickly incapacitating the human body. –Temple, eyeballs, pharynx, stomach pouch, liver, kidneys, solar plexus– While I am not that strong I am still a Butei. Dealing with some of those delinquents like earlier is a piece of cake for me, I could easily take down 10 of them even if they had me surrounded. It wouldn’t even matter if they managed to launch a surprise attack on me. This is a level of exercise that doesn’t make me sweat, but it is important to remember how these moves feel. “…” Gyi … Suddenly, the punching bag that I was attacking makes a creaking sound from the chain holding it up– I, who frequently speak with the inanimate, give a light tap to the punching bag. Then, with the thought of “see you later” in my head… (…?) Someone ran away. I could hear their footsteps from the front of the prefab building. I couldn’t see them, but… I could sense their presence. – Was I seen? Kinji, that was slow and dumb even for you. I thought no one would come to a run down place like this so dropped my guard and didn’t sense them till the last second. Damn it, I guess someone came by here to throw away some trash or something and heard me. However, even if I was seen that wouldn’t be problematic at all. The average person watching me wouldn’t be conscious of the human body parts that I was targeting. No one here would be trained in such an act and capable of knowing what I was doing. And no one at this school would be capable of such a thing. It is too peaceful here. By the time I went outside whoever had seen me had already left and far gone… Whoever it was though they smelled nice, like soap. Just a little bit. After seriously studying Italian for a week I started to feel like I could handle very simple everyday conversations. I could even probably go on some sightseeing tours now. I was able to keep up with the 2nd year level class thanks to my earlier cheating with cuckoo. Shiranui seemed to have some difficulty at first, but he seems to be getting by well. He is pretty smart after all. Because of that, my studies are progressing smoothly… However, even at this foreign language school, my main problem is human relationships. Everyone around me is female except for Shiranui after all, which to be honest is a shame. At first the girls were happy to see me and accepting since I was a boy, but now they just smile bitterly, laugh, and whisper to each other when they see me. Of course this is all from an angle that I cannot see, but as an Inquesta Butei I have a habit of looking at mirrors or reflections and can clearly see them… In the classroom that mainly being the large plasma screen TV. Since I am in that position I am naturally nervous about practice conversations, even simple ones that I would need in my daily life… Even saying something like “thank you” to a girl is hard for me, and there are only 6 of us in this class… It is especially hard before or after class, since sometimes a girl will ask me a question such as “what do you think of the class, Toyama?”, and all I can do is end the conversation with a few awkward one line responses. The situation is getting worse and worse by the day, and now even when I have to look at the girls in the class I get nervous and it feels like I am making a strange face while looking at them… Whenever one of the girls asks to sit in front of me to practice with me during conversation practice I have nowhere else to look but at them. All four of the girls in our class are pretty, so if I were to look directly at them and make an embarrassed face or something there is a high chance that they might think that I am interested in them. If that were to happen it is a near guarantee that they would begin to feel very uncomfortable… Because of that I just look down at my text book so as to not look directly at their face, but now they will think that I am just ignoring them… My head is spinning trying to solve this problem. Now that it has come to this, it is painful to cross paths with the girls at this school now. Whenever I walk by a girl I make sure to pass her with an uninterested look on my face, but whenever I do I am worried that I am coming off as rude. Even if we happen to be walking in the same direction I don’t want people to think that I am following them, which makes me confused when I try to decide if I should just pass them or slow down and distance myself… A normal girl… While they are not an enemy their very existence stresses me out. But half of the world are girls or women… Am I just some kind of sociopath…? After school I can finally escape from the stress of being around girls, so it is a moment of liberation for me. Since I am just being a freeloader and thinking that it would be rude of me to not allow Seiji and Nue-chan some time to be alone with me not around… I decide to go home a bit later today and watch a mafia movie on the big TV in the classroom after school. Ugh. Even though it is after school, there are girl here. Lot’s of them actually. Luckily no one notices me, but still I reflexively hide myself in the classroom next door. “I guess Mio-chan is also aiming for Shiranui-kun after all.” “Of course. You too, right?” “Yeah yeah. Okay then, the popularity vote goes to Shiranui-kun with 3 votes and Toyama 0.” What… They are doing a popularity vote. Isn’t your paper awfully empty with only two boy names on there? So wait. When I was Krometel I managed to win the top spot, but as Kinji I get 0 votes? Both of my two self’s received extreme votes. However, it doesn’t look like the voting is over yet… There are only three votes but there are four girls in my class. – Hibari Yamane. The tall girl with the short haircut who was watching me closely on my first day here is gone now. “But, Hibari. She is absolutely in love with Toyama, right?” … Geh. “That’s right. Hibari needs to have her vote put in as well. Ufufu.” “Hibari’s hair before was pretty bad, but recently it looks like she has been getting hair treatments done. She also keeps glancing over at Toyama even in the middle of class. I wonder what she sees in him, he is so creepy and serious.” I… I never even realized that… I can make excuses like the fact that I just avoid girls in general, or that women are instinctively more sensitive to gazes than guys, but… Regardless, Hibari Yamane has been watching me for a while now without me managing to notice. It isn’t strange for a normal person to have that happen to them, but it is a little strange for a Butei to not notice the gaze of a civilian. Since I am considered a creep anyway already, I continue to eavesdrop on the conversation in the classroom next door. “Hibari has a criminal record, right?” “Trespassing, right?” “She is a dangerous person. Her life is already over and it barely began.” Hey, I have been arrested before too. Recently. For murder, actually. And us dangerous people are people too you know. My life is not over just yet. Sure I am on the official list of dangerous Butei by both the British and American authorities, but still I am alive. “I don’t like those “workaholic” types.” “Honestly I don’t get along well with her either.” “Hey, do you think that Hibari and Toyama, two weird people, are actually a really match for each other?” It didn’t really seem that way in the classroom, but… Hibari Yamane isn’t really well liked by her peers. Suddenly though HIbari Yamane herself came running into the classroom wearing her usual low-heeled shoes, perhaps to help disguise her usual tall height. The three girls quickly change their topic of conversation. “Ah-, Hibari. “Thanks for joining us.” “It has been pretty hot at night now, huh?” The three girls begin talking to her as if she were a close friend of theirs… Women are scary. “What’s this?” Unaware that she had been the centre of the girls gossip behind her back, Hibari joins the girls at the circle and… “It’s a popularity vote. There are only two boys though in our class, but anyway who has your vote?” One of the girls asks her, barely managing to hold in a laugh. Then… “You called me for that? I’m busy. Ah… Then, yes.” “Waa!” “I knew that it would be Toyama after all! Vagabond’s are your type aren’t they, Hibari?” “Ahaha! Hibari, is that a sympathy vote?” Huh… Hibari Yamane is a woman who it seems can’t read the atmosphere. You and Shiranui should talk to each other. This is why you stand out from those around you. Granted, I know that I am not one to speak about that… “— No. He is just and interesting guy. Toyama.” Compared to the three of them with their childish and girly voices, Hibari’s tone is mature, sounding far more mature than her age would imply. “I am interested in guys like that, with a dark side to them. … You are indeed a troubled woman. Please, just ignore me and leave me alone. The other girls on the other hand begun to erupt with excitement at this revelation. It seems that now they are convinced of their theory from earlier. “Ehhhh? well, why don’t you try talking to him more?” “… I’m too shy.” “Be more confident! Shiranui-kun might have a 3x multiplier for difficulty due to competition but Toyama only has a 1x competition multiplier! Go on the offensive with him!” Attack. She just used Butei terminology for relationships. Actually for a while now you have been doing this, but why are you giving Shiranui the “-kun” honorific but none for me? Suddenly… poki poki poki. I could hear someone eating some Pocky sticks. I know this by now because I have seen it so many times before, but this is Hirabi’s favourite snack, ultra-slim Pocky. Hibari seems to have a habit of eating them whenever she gets stressed out. “I don’t see him like that. I don’t like men like that at all. I used to be bullied a lot by the boys at my school because I was taller than them…” To Hibari’s nonchalant response the girls all respond with “Ehhhhhhh?”, dissatisfied with her response. However, that is a helpful revelation for me. She hates men. If all the girls hated men, like Hibari and Raika, I would never have a thing to worry about. There is a tendency in the world to think that those who have a lot of friends will always win. However, this vagabond Toyama firmly disagrees with that statement. There is nothing wrong with loneliness. That isn’t a weakness. … To be alone is quiet, and free…. It is the ideal state for human begins. It is the ultimate stress free state where you do not have to be told to do anything no matter what it is you want to do. There are many things you can do to improve yourself only while you are alone, such as reading or physical exercise. I haven’t had many friends since elementary school, and there was indeed a time where I spent lots of time star gazing alone… But I have always felt better when I am alone. Even things such as painting, composing music, and writing are mainly done alone. Therefore, for my conclusion, loneliness is a necessary state for human advancement. And so today after school I decide that I am going to go and stand alone in front of a punching bag in the abandoned building, trying to further improve myself… However it seems that my luck has been worse than usual lately, as there is already someone here. Two people actually. No one can see you two here… What are you doing? “… Umm, I promise you, I, I don’t have any money right now…” –One of them says. However, I cannot believe my ears. And peeking inside I cannot believe my eyes. One of the two is half-Russian and is widely said to be the top delinquent at the school… A blond boy with a jangle of piercings in his ears. And the other one is a man with a feminine face who is being lifted up off the ground by his collar. “Hey, I am just asking you to lend it to me you know? Eh? You know it wont be good for you if you don’t have the money you know?” “Um, I really don’t have it right now… I forgot to bring it…” What is the most surprising, though, is that boy’s white uniform. I knew I wasn’t mistaken. (Isn’t that… Kamui…!) Kamui, one of the members of the former Public Security Section 0, and also one of Shido’s subordinates who had surrounded late last month at Academy Island’s 13th ward. Shiranui had something along the lines of “during this time you won’t notice anything nor will you get involved in it”… … This is…! This isn’t the time to be thinking about what I heard while eavesdropping on Hibari Yamane’s story. But this right now is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I never thought I could defeat the enemy of edo in Nagasaki…! Sorry Shiranui, but I must retract my previous statement (TL Note: The line about Nagasaki is a saying that means something along the lines of “getting revenge in an unexpected place with an unexpected opportunity”.). – I am starting to get angry, though… “Then, then I will just take the money to senpai’s house later…” “Ah? I am asking for it now. Come one, I need it to get a drink.” “It hurts… Please, just let go of my neck… I-I can’t breathe…” … Still, this is… A strange situation. He is not actually in pain. He is merely acting in a way that looks like it hurts to the untrained eye. A hanging choke from the front involves first grabbing the opponents collar from the left and right with crossed arms, pulling from the left and right as if spreading your arms, then wrapping the collar around your hands more and more while you tighten it like a cord. When doing that you can use the opponents weight to help you choke them, so the golden rule is to light the entire body up off the ground. Depending on where you angle the choking you can even choose whether to use the force to damage the cervical vertebrae or compress the carotid artery and trachea, causing ischemia and suffocation. As well, since you are using their clothes to choke them, it is even better to go behind them and choke them from there. It offers better control and makes you a lot less susceptible to counter attacks. However, right now… He is simply pulling up Kamui by his collar. I don’t even know what he is trying to do. Kamui’s toes are just touching the ground, not to mention he is being choked from the front. There is no way Kamui would be in any serious pain with such a shoddy choking technique. From my point of view, Kamui has a presence that clearly tells me that I would lose two out of seven times in a fight with him… Even if I was in Hysteria Mode. Then right now why is he acting like this? I mean right now he just looks like any normal girl. I mean his blond hair doesn’t have a single imperfection. Ah, I don’t know if the delinquent is trying to intimidate Kamui or something, but he just stuck his face out.. Even if I wasn’t in hysteria mode, an opponent like this could be dealt with a single punch to his face, knocking out a few teeth. I could end this in a second. Well I guess that wouldn’t be a very fun way to end this, so is Kamui… Waiting for the other party to call a friend or something? So I, a mere bystander, fold my arms and begin to deeply think about Kamui’s actions here. Gui! Pasha! Suddenly I was pulled from the side, and pushed away from the open front door… A flash of light flashes in through the front door of the building. “Namba Egor, a third year student. If you don’t intend on being kicked out of the school let him go.” That very source of light is right next to me… Standing beside me is Hibari holding a Nikon D3, a large, black, and rugged digital single-lens reflex camera in her hands. It is a fairly high-end device with an effective pixel count of over 12 megapixels, not a cheap camera. Hibari, is photography your hobby? It seems that Egor is planning on stopping the violence by recording it and threatening Namba, but… No matter how one looks at Egor over there, he is quite a bit stronger than the average girl. “– Huh? What was that? Come on, I let him go… Now give me the camera.” For the time being Egor, who had let go of Kamui… Exits the dojo with his huge body. Then he reaches out to grab the camera from Hibari who it seems is fearless, or rather very courageous. Not only is the camera rather expensive but it also now has a record of his violence and bullying, so there are two reasons for Egor to want to get a hold of it now. However, Hibari prevents that from happening by hugging the camera close. “Is this supposed to be some kind of joke!” With a don , Egor tries to push Hibari away. Then… I, who had been standing still there until now, step in between the two. So instead of Hibari being pushed I was the one who got pushed instead. Purely because we are in the same class. If I were to push him back too hard as a counter I would just end up hurting his wrist, so I don’t resist and let myself fall… But… “– Toyama-kun!” For some reason Hibari ran behind me to hug me from behind as if to support me. Jama ! The two of us will fall to the ground at this rate. I couldn’t help it, odds are she would get hurt from this, so I turn half a turn and hold her by her slender wast– –Huh? We fall down. Putting my hand on the back of her head, I prevent her from hitting her head on the hard ground. However, after landing on her butt we broke apart… “… Nggg…” Hibari frowns slightly in pain. I am not sure what to make of this current situation, but I should have expected this. She was wearing a short and tight skirt after all. At least only I can see up her skirt at least, but why the hell did she feel the need to wear little and tight black lingerie underwear? Especially under such formal clothes? I don’t know much about these kinds of things, but isn’t this the type of clothing referred to as “even sexier just before it’s taken off”? I mean I kind of have to admit, this does suit the mature Hibari though. “Ah, just wait…!” ”Kiyaaaaa…!” Hibari’s normally dignified face turns bright red, and she pulls down her skirt to hide her panties from me. She has a feminine scent, like soap. “Now you, get the hell out of my way.” Egor, who roughly pushes me away with his feet, reaches for Hibari’s camera. “– I wouldn’t do that if I were you. A man shouldn’t be brusquely touching a women’s belongings like that.” I thought that Hibari wouldn’t like to witness violence, so I decided to be gentle, ton . I guide his arm to the side by brushing his forearm. In doing so, his ulnar nerve hits the frame of the door of the old building, giving him the feeling of when you bump your elbow into the corner of a chair or something else. Basically he hit his funny bone. Egor, “That hurt’s! … Kuh…” He let out a loud yelp of surprise and pulls his arm back. Then he begins to rub his elbow to his pink finger in an exaggerated manner. “Damnit, that hurt like hell…!” Huh? Egor, did you have a bruise on your elbow or something? No, that isn’t it. The way he is rubbing his elbow makes me think it’s just sore… Is he just sensitive to pain or something? I wonder if normal people are just made of glass, both in mind and body. Egor, his white face turning pink and then dark red is getting angry, his face almost looking like a shark now looking at prey… “– What happened here? Did someone fall?” Shiranui, who is for some reason always a set distance away from me, suddenly appeared. Egor began to calm down, seeming to recognize that he is at a serious numerical disadvantage. Deciding that he was at a disadvantage, Egor came up to me and gave me a kick as hard as he could… Granted it felt pretty light to me when compared to the usual punishment I get from everyone else around me, and then left. “Good grief…” But this playboy attitude… Hysteria mode. It would seem that the lingerie incident with Hibari was enough. It is true that Hibari is quite beautiful and mature, but I hate myself for hysterising under such circumstances. Do I have no self discipline? … I wonder if in the back of my mind I am just remembering the whole popular vote incident. No, it is probably just because of the fact that there aren’t many mature or career-like girls at Butei High. While I have only just met you, you have already taken up some room in my heart. Just a little bit, though. Still- This isn’t hysteria mode regal, it is just a normal and pure hysteria mode. It is a strong and solid hysteria mode too… It feels like a genuine waste to let the situation resolve the way it did. So, why not use it to fight some someone else? As I turn my head to look at Kamui, pashi ! I got hit on the head. By Hibari. Then, “Why didn’t you go and help them sooner!? You are a boy aren’t you!” Hibari Yamane, who I thought was helping me, began to get mad at me for some reason. “… No, I am not a fan of violence or anything like that.” I wonder how any Butei, the very personification of violence, could say something so hypocritical like that. Then again I am the one saying that though. Furthermore, just inside of the building… “Ah, umm… Thank you, very much…” Outside comes him, still acting like a innocent girl which is honestly making me feel weird to watch. Kamui wearing his white school uniform. He thanks me and Hibari. “You are a boy too, so get your damn act together!!” Perhaps because Hibari is a mature and independent type it seems she doesn’t get along well with Kamui. – And then there is Shiranui… When he saw me and Kamui pretending to be strangers to each other he smiled bitterly, as if to say “Acha, have we met before?”. So this is it after all. The whole thing I wouldn’t get involved in. “Umm, Yamane-san. Are you okay? If you are hurt I can help bring you back to the nurse.” As expected of Shiranui, who is popular with women, spoke to her in a kind tone, but Hibari Yamane, seeing as how she isn’t a Shiranui fan but a Toyama fan, took a quick look at him and then me, “I don’t need help.” She leaves alone, still holding her camera. She heads in the opposite from Egor when he had left the building. Then… I turn to look away from Kamui. Kamui turns to look away from me. Shiranui smiles bitterly. The three of us are just silent… After standing around for a short while after Egor and Hibari had left, “Kinji Toyama, what the hell are you doing here? Please leave.” Oops. Kamui, who up until now had been a cute feminine boy, suddenly gains a murderous intent in his voice. But just from one line I, who was in hysteria mode immediately understood a lot. it would seem that Kamui was not informed about Shido’s little trick. Odds are Kamui would not have been very happy if he had been filled in after all. Shido had probably planned for this encounter and knew that something like this would happen. After all, there are many places in Tokyo to learn Italian, and yet they had decided to go out of their way to have me attend a school in Chiba. But, still. Why have this encounter with Kamui to begin with? Did he think that we would get along well with each other since we are both young? If so he couldn’t be more wrong. “– Hey, I saved you you know? From the big scary Egor sepnai’s shakedown.” Looking up at the sky that is slowly becoming cloudy, Kamui… “You don’t understand.” Kamui immediately denys everything. Kinji, stay calm. “Egor’s father is a member of the SDF. I wanted a reason to go to his house, in this case to bring money. You intervening didn’t help at all, actually it would have been best if you pretended to have seen nothing and just simply walked away.” Due to us being out in public he is leaving out a lot of information, but still… Since I am in hysteria mode I can roughly make out the whole situation. Egor’s father is a member of the SDF, and is suspected of being a spy. Kamui had infiltrated into the foreign language school in hopes of sneaking into Egor’s home to investigate. And I had shamelessly interfered with that plan. “I was just trying to figure out why you were putting on such a dumb act.” “No excuses for what you did.” Kamui looks at me, glaring now. Eh? Are we going to go at it? “Now now.” Kamui tries to intervene, but, “I thought Shido-san had been grinning too much at me lately. Toyama-senpai, just drop out and don’t come to this school anymore.” “Sorry, not an option. I am here to learn Italian, which is why this school exists. Actually you are the one who shouldn’t be here at such a peaceful school. You should be the one to leave.” “I refuse.” “Hah, actually what’s the matter with you, huh? What was that all about earlier? Without your big strong teammates all you can do is pathetically beg? Come on, I have been within your reach this whole time.” When I am in hysteria mode I am usually intentionally quite harsh with men. “Okay, okay. Kamui-kun, you calm down. Toyama-kun too.” “– Shiranui, have you forgotten the rules at Butei High while you were being chased around by heart-eyed girls at this general school? Shiranui. If I turn my back on a cocky under-classman, Ranbyou will personally see to it that I am properly punished for being a coward.” “This isn’t that school you were at before, Toyama-kun. This is a normal high school where we should all get along well.” “That’s enough out of you, Shiranui-san. Now, Toyama-senpai. Time for you to die.” Kamui, turning up his almond-shaped eyes at me… Walks back into the prefab. Alright then, it’s time to fight. “unfortunately I have already died twice in the past. I will have to pass on that offer.” I also don’t want to be seen by other people, so I unhook the cuffs on my uniform and head inside. “Ah, Toyama-kun. I really think it isn’t a good idea to fight Kamui right now. Kamui-kun, are you still in first gear? Or second?” “Right now, I am in second gear.” “Okay, okay. Let’s end this. Stop.” Shiranui peers into the prefab, clearly looking impatient and worried. However, the fact that he is even saying this shows that he knows its worthless… Shiranui is currently on my side. He is giving me hints while pretending to try and stop me. Kamui just told Shiranui that he had “raised” something. As I had already guessed during the skirmish in District 13, Kamui can strengthen himself at will. That means I should have seen it done. “Those who interfere with me are guilty. Toyama Kinji. Here and now I will judge you.” “Shouldn’t that be up to the courts to decide?” Kamui and I– A student clad in white and a student clad in white face each other like some kind of Showa era delinquent movie. The distance between us is 6m. Based on Shiranui’s words I look around the room a bit… It seems like fighting in an enclosed and messy room like this will require a bit of brainpower. I will have to be conscious of the space to avoid any obstacles while still focusing on the fight. Kamui glares at me from the back of the room, emitting a quiet killing intent… His ability is the real deal, but as long as I don’t drop my guard I can definitely beat him. This time as well, I don’t have my usual headache. “You can make the first move.” “I think that honour should go to my underclassman.” My expertise is mainly in counters, however I obviously cannot say that so instead I try to incite him into attacking first… “Toyama-senpai, you showed me considerable skills late last month. As both an apology and a thank you for that, I will show you…” Kamui readies himself and takes a stance. But that stance, it isn’t normal. His right hand is raised in front of his chest, his index finger and middle finger in a pose as if he were about to tell me a secret. It looks similar to Fuuma when she is casting a seal, but… This isn’t ninjutsu. “What’s that?” – Just in case I ask him… “– Shiyapuka.” …? What language is that? I have never heard of that before. However, it is common sense to name your techniques and attacks in a way that conceal their true identity. That obviously goes for my own Ouka and Zetsurou. However even then, it is hard to imagine him being so cocky as to fight against me with two fingers. I feel insulted right now. The only technique that can be assumed from that stance is… A stabbing technique with those two fingers. According to the Toyama families combat classification, there are roughly three types of hand techniques: Punching, slashing, and stabbing. Piercing is the literal act of stabbing an enemy with the tip of your hand, and the thinner said tip the sharper your stab becomes. The most common form of a stab attack is thrusting your fingers at your enemy. Among those techniques, holding up one or two fingers and stabbing with them is called shiken. In Chinese martial arts, it would be called a sword finger. My uniforms is both bulletproof and stabproof, so for Kamui to use such a technique knowing this his offensive power must surpass even that to pierce my uniform. Something along the lines of a anti-blade knife. However TNK fibers are not like other clothes. If he were to even slightly mess up the angle or the amount of force applied, he is bound to make a mistake, potentially a fatal one. Even in Europe during the Dark Ages, opponents wearing solid metal armour were killed with blunt weapons like war hammers or clubs. The correct answer to deal with me as I am now would be to punch me, something like Ouka for example. Not to stab me. Furthermore, there is a drastic difference in reach between me and Kamui. By stretching out his fingers, Kamui could make up for the difference in reach, but… Even so, he wouldn’t be able to pierce deeply into me. (– You have made a mistake in your choice of attack, Kamui.) And so, I take a stance to counter. I don’t want to make any noise here, so my gun is not an option. I will join you in melee. “Ahhh, this door won’t close… I wonder, should I just stand here and block it with my body than…” With Shiranui standing in the door frame just outside the prefab, the only way to look into the building is now blocked. – Dah ! Suddenly, Kamui rushes forward. His posture is low to the ground. As he runs towards me, suddenly he picks something up. However, I quickly knew what it was as it flew right in front of me. A piece of broken glass, as sharp as a knife. There were 6 of them approaching both my left and right eyes, 3 each. In the super slow world of hysteria mode– “–…!” Evade, evade, but 5 out of 6 of those are for guiding my movements. The last one has to be smashed with my arm… However breaking it means that pieces would scatter everywhere. Thus after breaking it I need to close my eyelids for a moment to keep the tiny pieces from getting into my eyes. – Tata — In that instant when my eyes are closed I can hear Kamui take a step back, as if her were bouncing away from me. (Behind the punching bag…!?) When I finally open my eyes I saw… No… He is not behind the punching bag but in front of it. In the space between me and the punching bag. There, before I even knew it, was a large number of random screws and bolts that Kamui had thrown up into the air. And in the centre of them all… Is the cassette stoves gas cylinder wrapped in rags. In addition to this, Kamui had already shot… His gun is a M93R. A single bullet. A red-hot 9mm bullet is flying towards the gas cylinder at a terrifying speed. This is… Kamui has essentially built a fragmentation grenade using random junk. Bolts and screws are his fragmentation…. The gas cylinder is the explosive charge. His gun bullet is the fuse. Kamui had created a deadly weapon using only what was available here. Just now, in mere moments. I pull out my gun intending to shoot a billiard shot, but I can’t… The gas cylinder is in the way, blocking any possibility of that. – Douuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu ! The explosion sound was slightly muffled by the rags, and the blast wave became irregular due to that. Screws and bolts fly throughout the room at a high speed, indiscriminately destroying the surrounding junk. I have no choice but to lie down and weather out the explosion, there is no safe zone in this room right now. Suddenly Kamui appears from behind the punching bag, running towards me– – Daa –! Quickly he closes the distance between us. The glass shards and the cassette stove bomb weren’t meant to kill me. His sole aim with that was the break my stance. I cannot block that finger sword approaching like a meteorite due to my broken stance. I need to avoid it somehow–! – Kamui’s fingers, which had anticipated such a move, bishi ! He caught me… My left thigh. “…!” As a shock like an electric current runs up through my legs, I roll over and move away from Kamui. What the hell is this intense pain? It didn’t just hurt me… It hurt even more than a damn bullet. Poison on his fingers or nails maybe? No. It doesn’t feel like poison. Did he hit a major blood vessel or a nerve? No… There shouldn’t be either of those there. In fact there is barely any bleeding and no paralysis. “– Urai.” Suddenly, Kamui lets out a weird word. After that, bishu –! As I try to regain my balance Kamui deftly thrusts his fingers towards me, preventing me the opportunity from doing so. Kamui’s middle finger once again pierces my bulletproof uniform and this time inflict a wound slightly above my left hip. “….!?” At that moment, the two wounds on my body– A line connecting the two points on my body suddenly erupts into inexplicable and severe pain. It is as if someone had made an incision connecting the two using a butter knife. This hurts far more than any simple cut. (What the… What the hell is this…!?) I break into a cold sweat as I hold onto Kamui’s arm. However, none of that pain matters right now. I finally caught Kamui and can give him the headbutt he deserves– The moment I thought that, fuu ! Kamui shot out a nail from his mouth, aiming for my eyes!! I let go of Kamui’s arms and grab the needle like nail with two fingers. Then, “Iyutani Nochi.” – Biiiiiii –! And this time, from the right flank…! He stabbed me again. Suddenly the three points from where I had been jabbed connect forming a triangle, and a distorted line of unbelievable pain erupts along that path. I can no longer maintain my cool face. It hurts. It really freaking hurts. My thoughts becoming dominated by pain, and I almost let out a cry of pain while gritting my teeth. I had no choice but to put distance between us– Kamui straightens his back and stands tall, “Does it hurt?” He asks me while wiping away blood from his finger tips, a cruel and ruthless smile playing on his face, “A little.” Despite putting on a strong front I cannot hide the fact that my forehead is covered in sweat. The pain is so intense that it felt like I was having surgery done without anaesthesia while standing up. For a moment I could almost confirm with my own eyes the fact that my body was actually being torn apart at the seams. (Don’t panic, keep calm… Just calm down Kinji and read his movements…!) Kamui’s fighting style is that of an assassins… His fighting style is similar to someone like Watson. His attack pattern is a two-stage attack where he uses the environment or objects to restrain my movement, then uses his finger as a sword. In particular he is quite creative in restraint techniques, I cannot anticipate what he will do next. (This junkyard is like an arsenal for Kamui.) I can tell that even right now Kamui is thinking about how best to use the resources around him. It would be dumb of me to give him the time to plan his next attack, though. This is not the time to take a breather to recover from my pain. I am getting tired of being on the receiving end, so it is time to start attacking. That said, I don’t really want to use the Toyama families techniques right now. It will be troublesome later on if my technique were to be stolen, just like what happened with Scion Bond, or if my technique managed to be stopped like it did with Shido. But honestly even more important than that is the fact that it just doesn’t look cool to go all out on someone younger than you, so… “Sorry, but I am going to cheat just a little bit.” And then I, donnnn …! One of Fuuma’s techniques, I rapidly kick up a cloud of dust. This will make it harder for Kamui to use the surrounding junk as weapons as he simply cannot see them now. Furthermore, using the smoke as cover, I muffle my footsteps and close the distance between us. “Are you a ninja, senpai?” Kamui says. Is he somehow calculating our distance using sound reflection? If so using smoke to hide myself was pointless. “No, the actual ninja is my kouhai… Or rather, my classmate now.” When I spoke to try and find him as well, Kamui wasn’t in front of me anymore. It seems that he had used the smoke to his advantage as well. Just as I realized that, something string-like was hung around my neck. From behind. Spinning around I could see Kamui had hung it around my neck. It was a broken DVD player’s power cable. Unlike Egor who couldn’t choke out someone if his life depended on it, this was an immaculate technique. I will give you that much, Kamui. This hanging choke is probably to get revenge for me butting in earlier… But still this could work to my situation. This style of hanging choke is meant to be used against a shorter opponent, and right now between me and Kamui I am the taller guy. To get out of a situation like this a throwing technique is my best bet, taking advantage of this close contact. However this is a fight against time, and if you wait too long then naturally you will be choked out. If it had been with a woman like Paonyan, that fierce sister from the Caocao quadruplets, I might have fallen behind… But Kamui is a man. And so immediately, batsu ! I throw Kamui off of my back, doing a forward roll on teh spot. As I anticipated Kamui couldn’t be finished off with such a simple move and he let go of the cables as he was being thrown… But even that choking attack was nothing more than a means to get me into a position to attack me again. “Reneshikuru.” – Bii ! And with that his thrust his fingers again into me, this time into the right side of my chest…! “Ugh……!” The number of impact points increases to 4, the lines of pain now totalling 6. However, that was not the only reason I cried out in agony. Now, my headache, the one that only occurs during hysteria mode, began to develop in the back of my head. Shit. It is starting to get hard to move. My body is slowly becoming paralyzed by the pain…! “… Toyama-senpai. That was not very mature of you.” Kamui, noticing my agony… He is talking about the move from just a little bit earlier, and is dusting off his white school uniform. “Still, as to be expected of you. I have never seen anyone still standing after being hit with four Nochi’s. Usually by the second or third time they either die from the shock or go insane from the pain. Now then, senpai, what should we do? It looks like you are reaching your limit, so if you want to ask for forgiveness now is the time. Granted, if you cannot even bear to speak anymore due to the pain I suppose that isn’t an option for you. There are only two more Nochi’s left… Do you want to keep going?” – Nochi. Is that the name of his finger sword technique? Shiyapuka, urai, iyutani nochi, reneshikuru. Those were the names of the blows so far. “Try it…” – My face is slightly lowered, as if to use my bangs to hide the agony in my expression… I decide to back back to Kamui the line that Shido had said to me in the 13th district. “… Are you sure? I am not kidding about killing you you know.” “So do it than. You might look like that, but you are a man too. Also, this is a school… So it is about time I educate you.” “In that case you can consider this place your coffin. While it might be large it is fairly cramped, dirty, and dimly lit. Do you have any regrets about losing your life in such a place?” “If you think you can scatter these flower petals than try it…!” I spoke the line handed down through generations through my family, when one is ready to lay their very life down and give it their all. I raise my gaze and take a stance. I put my trembling left hand forward, draw my right fist, put my right foot wide, and lower my hips. – Ouka. That is the stance I take. Somehow, I will win this. “Let’s finish it with this strike… Kamui.” “What?” “I hadn’t wanted to use this attack since you are younger than me. I was planning on being gentle and just grappling with you. But… After all, a man has to make his finishing blow a single attack. It was rude of me to keep such an ending away from you. It wouldn’t be very kind of me to keep toying around, hoping to land a simple small hit or two before ending this. The same should be true for you as well after all.” The feminine faced Kamui look at into me eyes after my provocation– His black eyes sharpen, sharper now than a blades edge. “I understand. Then in that case, I will plant the last two star points using both hands at the same time.” … Did I just make things worse for myself? Regardless, Kamui getting angry let something slip. – Star. I distinctly understood from these words. The final location of the two wounds… I am pretty late in noticing it since it is upside down, but when view from Kamui’s point of view he has been drawing the Big Dipper on me. When considering the Big Dipper constellation there is only one star missing, but some cultures view the big dipper as six stars rather than give. And mysteriously, that constellation is… The points correspond to the meridians, the circulation and reaction pathways of the human body, as laid out by schools of Oriental medicine. In recent years Western medicine has attempted to quantitatively search for and prove the existence of meridians, which are said to exist separately from blood vessels and nerves, using thermoelectrics stacks and electrical resistance, and objective proof is slowly coming to light. I only have a shallow understanding of the knowledge, but… All the target points that Kamui has hit are traditional acupuncture points that serve as intersections of the body. The lines connecting said points must be connecting pathways. Kamui is attempting to bring me down using acupuncture points… Traditional Chinese medicine as a weapon. “Before that, let me give you this back.” Kamui doesn’t change his stance, perhaps to more reliably hit his nochi attack– But in a Watson-like move he had somehow stolen my Maniago knife which he is now giving back. Dropping the knife he catches it with his knee like it’s a soccer ball ball before, bam ! Sending it flying towards me like a cannonball. The knife approaches me at the speed of a bullet, slicing through the thin dust still hanging in the air. His target is my throat, which I had exposed earlier when I took my stance. Edge catching break… No, I can’t do it. Right now the pain I am in from the nochi and headache is way too much, I can barely concentrate. (I can’t help it…!) I brace myself, and twist my upper body slightly. Then, the knife plunges into my collar. – Suton –. The maniago knife goes in clean through just under my left collarbone. The angle is such that the tip penetrates clean through the back, so as to not cut the conical ligament of my shoulder joint. A rough and dangerous technique inspired by GIII’s Organ Through, allowing myself to be attacked but avoiding any critical organs. “…” This probably came as a surprise to Kamui, his eyes going wide like that of a woman. I guess the point of that attack was to make me break my stance by having to break it to dodge the knife… How many times are you planning on relying on that? Over and over again… At this point it is basically I defend, you break it, and then repeat. From now on, though, let’s change things up. And so, shaking off the pain… – Dah ! This time, I run at Kamui and begin a subsonic attack. Both ankles, knees, hips, I connect these joints together, my speed multiplying over and over again like a multi-chamber cannon or a coil gun. However, even still the Ouka is not complete. These are merely stepping stones. “– Yashiyanoka– Poro nochi–“ Kamui on the other hand crouches down– Like an owl flapping its wings he raises his hands with his finger swords out on either side. Then, he rushes forwards with his left finger sword aiming for the centre of my chest and his right finger sword aiming towards my left chest. (– Kikka–Kikka–!) However, I could easily predict each points location accurately. This is because these are the final two top stars of the Big Dipper that Kamui had yet to draw. That is why I have already grabbed both of Kamui’s arms with my own. Then I add the right half of my back, right shoulder, right elbow, and right wrist. As well as the left half of my back, left shoulder, left elbow, and left wrist. Using these parts through Kikka I grab onto both of Kamui’s arms and block his attack. As if his fingers were two bullets in the air I catch one with each hand. “…!” Kamui was surprised, but how couldn’t he? This vagabond managed to catch two stars before they could land. And in return, “–Cherry blossom–!” Comet! I add neck acceleration to my ankle, kneed, and hip speed that I had already created– – Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa –! I ram a headbutt into his his own head. Right onto his forehead. Even though he hadn’t meant to nor do I understand the meaning of the name, Kamui had taught me the name of his technique. Didn’t I have that very thought earlier? You shouldn’t be able to guess a technique just from its name. “–….” Kamui, whose arms are still held by me, was not sent flying backwards– He literally began to wobble. Then, he fell to his knees with a clunk on the spot. His left and right finger swords, the stance of his main attack… Both collapse completely, showing his defeat. Both now look like fingers. A double piece. Nice. … But, “Hng… ugh…” As expected of a young guy from Section 0. As I pull him up by his arms and look into his face I can see that he is barely conscious at this point… He wasn’t completely passed out but in a serious daze. “… I won’t let an enemy use their special move. That is something your boss taught me quite well when we met.” Granted I wasn’t able to complete the task of beating him before it already released it on me. Now with this… I wonder if I can be considered an adult too. After that I sit Kamui back down. – And with this, the matter is settled– At least, that is what I thought. (…. Tsu…!?) I was so engrossed in the fight with Kamui that I didn’t notice it. “… What? What is going on? I thought I heard a popping sound just now.” “No, it’s nothing, I was just cleaning up a bit in here and dropped something by accident.” Before I knew it, I could hear Shiranui talking to someone. Someone is standing just outside the prefab…! Looking back, near the entrance of the prefab… (Wait… Is that Hibari Yamane…!) I can just make out her slender mature figure on the other side of Shiranui. Apparently she had heard the sound of Kamui’s improvised grenade earlier and turned on her heel to run back to see what that sound was. Shiranui is trying his best to hold her back, but… I can tell that she is giving him a hard time. My whole body was throbbing so hard that I couldn’t tell where to start with it, and so I tried to hide behind in the shadows while holding Kamui by his forehead. “Let me see it. That wasn’t just something falling, it was something more, I know it.” Hibari began to peek inside just before I could hide with bad timing for me. “What is that smell…? Eh? What? What are you doing here? Toyama-kun? And… you. Two boys alone in a place like this.” By bad timing, just when Hibari began to peek in she could see me and Kamui hugging each other passionately in the shadows… And she could clearly make out my face. So, while I was annoyed with Kamui and the fact that he began his plaintive imitation of crying, I decided to go along with it for now, “This has nothing to do with girls. Alright? We were just having a bit of a fight. It is common among guy, so don’t worry about it. Look, we already made up.” I really don’t want her to see the blood on my shoulders and stomach, so I reply with my back turned to her. I was only half telling the truth, but I pretended that the fight we just had wasn’t a big deal… “… I see…” Hibari Yamane is still standing in front of the prefab. please, just get the hell away from here. The burning smell from the explosion earlier is still hiding the smell of blood in the building. “Ah-, so that is why you heard that sound. Yamane-san, let’s go home. Toyama-kun seems a little nervous right now.” Shiranui grabbed Yamane by her shoulder and began to push her away with some force… He is a smooth talker, so he managed to make her leave without saying anything extra or unnecessary while making up some excuse. I wonder if he is trying to find out how much she learned. Whatever, it looks like they are leaving together now. “…” Now Kamui and I were alone inside the dingy prefab room… After breathing a sigh of relief once Hibari had left I sat down cross-legged and began to breathe deeply. With the tension easing my headache began to slowly subside, but… The pain from the four nochi’s will not subside. Kamui, probably still feeling shaky, sat down in front of me, facing me. “As expected… You are amazing. Toyama-senpai. I can see why Shido-san is so excited to see you again and bring you into his ranks.” Fu , and, he takes a deep breath. It would seem that he had already lost some of the power that he had previously “raised”. “While that might be true, your nochi is impressive. While it might operate very differently than my own ouka, it is an impressive technique. You almost won.” However, Kamui is still… Shaky to say the least. He shook his head, his hair slightly bouncing at the nape of his neck. “Still, it is my loss. If we were to compare your ouka and my nochi, ouka is a more practical technique.” … Well, that might be true. A technique that requires six hits is too slow no matter how powerful such an attack might be. Why would one even want such a technique in the first place? As if to answer the question in my head, Kamui… “I am not an expert in direct combat, and if I had lost my cool and attempted it my lose would have been a guarantee. Nochi is essentially just a interrogation technique…” His story seems to line up with the despair that I imagine Section 0 had brought with it. This guy is not only that strong but he is an interrogator rather than a combatant…? Section 0, even for you that is too much. But still, it makes sense. Every hit was agonizing and I was dreading the next hit. I could feel the meridians being torn apart and the lightning ripping my body from where they were connected. Unless you are someone like me, used to being beaten on a day to day basis… You wouldn’t last the second attack and would confess whatever it was that Kamui wanted you to confess. I began to feel bad for Kamui, who is sulking and hugging his knees now… “Don’t beat yourself up. Seriously, you are hurt far less than I am right now.” As the older person here I wanted to encourage him, but in reality it is just true that I am stronger than Kamui. On top of that I could tell that Kamui was limiting himself during our fight, like there was a lid on his abilities… But odds are he couldn’t fully remove the lid. However I cannot afford to act proud or arrogant over this win. Even in this very battle, if there had been a second opponent as strong as Kamui my loss would have been an absolute. In a real fight, unlike in fights of the past, it is rarely ever one on one. “My win is largely due to our age difference. If we were the same age, I would have lost. But this ending is probably for the best… If you had won and killed me Shido would have beaten you up later.” “Ah. That’s right…” And with that, Kamui… Finally smiles. A likeable smile, peculiar only to beautiful and feminine guys. “Anyway, do you understand now that you cannot just eliminate me with force?” “I understand. But still, I have to hide my true identity while I am at this school If Toyama-senpai were to ever tell anyone who I truly am I will have no choice but to erase that person and then challenge you to a fight again. As for the next time, well, I will just have to wait till Toyama-senpai is not at his best.” … Does that mean that he will surprise attack me when I am not in hysteria mode? If that were to happen, I might actually fall victim to nochi. “… Actually, what language are you saying? Shiyapuka, nochi…” When I asked him that, Kamui became oddly hesitant… “– It is a lost language.” While answering… Kamui looked to be just the tiniest bit lonely. Kamui before leaving made a light tap to some acupuncture spots on me with his finger to relieve the pain before leaving. He can freely injure or heal with just his finger… What a terrifying guy. Thanks to that the bleeding and pain had stopped, but there is no way for him to heal the holes in my body from his thrusts. Not to mention the stab wound on my left shoulder… However since I don’t have my scholarship money I don’t even have enough money to go to the hospital to receive treatment… Because of that I pulled out the sewing kit in my Butei notebook to at least roughly cover the holes in my uniform… Then I head back to Seiji’s house hoping to rely on that pink haired chibi girl. She is almost like a flex pick character in a game, apparently capable of basic housework and extreme medical treatment… Nue-chan. Taking the Sobu line to its end I sneak back to Seiji’s apartment in Kinshicho, taking back alleys and hiding in the shadows to avoid anyone seeing any trace of my earlier fight with Kamui. Heading inside the apartment I could see Seiji disassembling his Raging Bull revolver and doing maintenance on it. It would seem that right now he is applying anti-rust oil to the inside of the barrel using a flannel cloth. While you don’t need to be so careful with revolver maintenance this just shows how serious and committed he is. But… Come to think of it, I have never seen him do any maintenance on his sword. A katana in fact requires more maintenance than a modern day gun. “… You are a man with constant fresh wounds.” Without even turning around Seiji could clearly make out my new injuries. “I ended up fighting with your friend, Kamui-kun.” Seiji is friends with Kamui after all so I don’t exactly have to hide that fact from him. “… You two could get along well. Kamui is chasing after Makiri Ito by himself right now you know. Granted such a task is probably too heavy a burden for him alone.” Hearing those words I momentarily forget the pain of my wounds and widen my eyes. “Kamui is chasing after Makiri Ito…? And doing it all by himself?” While my father might have had a stroke during the fight, he had managed to defeat even my father. He is an extremely dangerous foe, stronger than my father who has left me in the dust in terms of strength. It is beyond dangerous, even suicidal, for Kamui to be chasing him alone when even I managed to defeat him. I doubt that someone of Kamui’s strength could potentially miscalculate just how strong Makiri is even without substantial information on him. Why are you taking on such a dangerous foe? To begin with you aren’t even an expert in combat but interrogation. “Rather than being told to chase after him Kamui volunteered freely for the mission. In the first place Kamui only accepted Section 0’s scouting offer in order to chase after Makiri.” “…” It seems like me and Kamui have some kind of strange connection involving Makiri. However Seiji keeps his silence as he continues his guns maintenance, refusing to tell me more. Then… pinpon … The door chime rang. I open the door thinking that Nume-chan had come back, but… “… What is it, Shiranui.” “What a way to greet a friend. I just decided to stop by and give you a report. Sorry to bother you, Harada-kun.” Shiranui pokes me on my forehead with his finger before turning his handsome and immaculate smile towards Seiji. There was no particular complaint from Seiji. I guess that means that Shiranui can come in. “I have both good news and bad news. Which one would you like to hear first, Toyama-kun?” “What a western thing to say… I am the type of guy who likes to hear the good news last though.” “Okay, let’s start with the bad news then. Hibari Yamane, from our class. She might be someone you need to keep an eye on. After she left the prefab I made sure to follow her for a little bit to make sure that she didn’t try to sneak her way back.” “Did she come back?” “Nope. She never went back.” “Well that is a good thing than, right?” “Not quite. I don’t have any proof, but… It is possible she might have noticed that I was tailing her and didn’t go back on purpose.” So she might have somehow managed to notice Shirnaui was tailing her? – Shiranui is a butei. Not just any butei, but an A-rank. For someone to notice him trailing them… “Well wait before deciding anything. She might have just been following her usual routine. I wanted to follow her more and investigate it to make sure but I was afraid I might have ended up leaving my tail exposed.” “You saying that is just going to give me a headache though. Alright don’t try anything else. If she were to learn who any of us really are than Kamui will end up killing her. You have good news now though, right?” “Kamui-kun really likes you now. Even respects you.” “What are you talking about, all you brought was bad news! Damn it, yelling just reopened my wounds…” I sit down on my knees, like a boxer who has been hit hard. “… What is up with that guy Kamui. Tell me everything you know about him.” “Kamui-kun is the youngest member of former Section 0. He is a valuable asset to the team, particularly when it comes to roles such as spying on schools that take advantage of his young age. He is popular with the girls due to his good looks and mannerisms, however even when he does infiltrate a school he doesn’t make friends since his stays are usually short term.” “Instead of telling me things that I don’t care about and are irrelevant, tell me something that gets to the heart of the matter.” “I think he is similar to you.” “I don’t know what you are talking about. How are me and that feminine guy similar at all…” “He is one of the easiest members to understand out of all members of Section 0. But I am surprised that you would say that. Granted you are bit mysterious after all.” “Let me send that line right back to you.” Just as I am beginning to start getting back up… The door slams open, this time without a chime. “I redeemed all of my T-points today! Tonight we are having eel!” Nue-chan, who has added an apron to her normally girlish clothes, has returned incredibly cheerfully. Her eyes go wide when she found me and Shiranui together in the lobby, “O-ho? There are three strong-looking men in the house now. I am going to have to work hard tonight to keep up, byohihihihi.” Suddenly, she began to drool. What a creepy girl… Honestly I am starting to get worried at the thought of letting her heal my stomach and collar bone. Or rather, what is this woman called Nue? Apparantly she looks like a loli, is an old woman, has pink hair, flirtatious to the point of obscenity, and talks weirdly. Just how many defining attributes can one person have? Even when considering those stupid eroge games Riko plays I don’t think there is even someone remotely this absurd, right? I mean I have never played them but I can imagine that at least. ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ### 005. Go For The Next!!! The wounds caused my Kamui’s finger swords, as well as the wound on my nek, were both treated by Nue-chan, who is currently dressed in only her kiddie panties and bra. In the bathroom she ended up applying Makiron, a disinfectant, on the wound as well as some type of warm ointment to them. Afterwards the wound was closed with a needle and some nylon thread and that was that. When I asked her about any bacterial complications, she merely replied “In South America, where Nue used to live, people who had been shot or stabbed were operated on much more roughly in worse conditions than this”. Apparently this treatment was on the same level as surgery in the past in South America. However despite my doubts the wound had already begun to close by the next morning. Even if I were to get stabbed or shot, could I really heal in such a short amount of time using that disinfectant? No, this must be the word of that ointment. When I saw Nue-chan that morning I said “Hey, Nue-chan, give me some of that ointment from yesterday. I want to carry it around with me just in case” but the response I got was “That’s Nue-chan’s secretion that only comes out when I am in the mood to do so. I cannot make it whenever someone wants me to”. Hearing that I became so petrified as to what that secretion was that I decided to just forget about whatever loli juice that was. (TL Note: UOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH) However as expected of Nue, a woman, she was able to properly fix any damage on my uniform along the acupuncture points and virtually eliminate any trace of the damage. While taking Italian classes at school the next day I could barely feel any lingering pain in my body… At this rate I should heal entirely in less than a week. But, (… Even more than my shoulders… My stomach hurts…) My life has been a nonstop repeating cycle of a beautiful female teacher and four cute girls in a high school classroom. Woman. Woman. Woman. All that pain is concentrating in my stomach. (If it wasn’t for Shiranui I would have collapsed from a stomach ulcer by now…) Once my break ended I trudge myself back to the girly class again… And as I was making my way back. Basa . There is a girl standing in front of the photocopy machine with stacks of photocopies of Italian texts scattered all over the floor around her. “Ah, come on.” The one putting her elbows on the multi-function photocopier and is clearly not a fan of modern machines… (Hibari, Yamane…) It is Hibari, that strange girl who was the only one to vote for me in the popularity poll and Shiranui has said to watch out for. I thought to just ignore her and walk right past her, but remembering that she had nearly caught me fighting Kamui yesterday… I was so anxious to not attract suspicion that I began to act suspicious. On top of that albeit it only being for a little while I was still seen in hysteria mode. It would be better to air things out here and just act normal again. If it were a normal boy after all, they would help her pick up the papers of course. Let’s just act normal here and hopefully make Hibari less distrustful of us. So I… “Let me help you.” I got down on one knee and started to help Hibari pick up the dropped B4 papers. “… Thank you.” Hibari ave me a sideways look, and then silently starts to pick up the papers as well. Basa , basa , basa … The papers had spread out over a fairly wide area, so the two of us moved a little at a time in a crouched pose to collect them all… While squatting she was moving her knees to the right and then the left while squatting. Her tight skirt is sliding up slowly with every movement, little by little before going back down. It is as if I can see something but just barely each time. Over and over again. … No, stop. If I keep thinking of that it will seem like that was my goal when I decided to help her pick up the papers, making me even more suspicious. Kinji, look away. However if my turn away is too obvious, then even that will look unnatural and weird…! With even more anxiety than even before I continued to pick up the papers with jerky movements… – Suddenly Hibari looks at me. At my chest to be exact. It was as if she was watching me, waiting for me to become distracted. And, “… Toyama-kun.” “… What.” “You have a gun on you, don’t you?” … Oh no. These papers did not fall on the floor… They were put here on purpose. Hibari had laid a trap for me. The shoulder holster band that I holster my gun in under my armpit is in a difficult to see location. However, since I had been stabbed in my shoulder I had opened up the uniforms collar to leave my neck and part of my shoulder exposed. By making me bend over to collect the paper… She could clearly see into my clothes. If I try to prove her wrong, I will have to prove to her I have nothing there. Then the wound from yesterday with Kamui will be revealed. It is unavoidable now. I would rather she learn only one of my secrets than two. “… Don’t tell anyone. I honestly just want to study here.” – If she were an ordinary girl she wouldn’t talk to me anymore… So I look her straight on and answer her truthfully. However, Hibari remains calm. “Toyama-kun. You are from Tokyo Butei High, aren’t you?” “…” Have you looked into my past? Why? “It seems like you have known Shiranui-kun for a long time now, so I guess he is from Tokyo Butei High too.” Hibari continues to speak as I silently collect the papers. Why are you interested in either me or Shiranui? If you are going to be interested in either of us be interested in Shiranui and in a normal way like a normal girl. “Toyama-kun, do you have an older brother?” “– Do I have to answer that question?” When I reply without answering Hibari crouched down… She was no longer looking at the papers but instead directly into my eyes. “His name… Is it Kinichi?” Shit. This is bad. How does she… Something bad is happening just after the whole Kamui situation. At this point it would be wiser to ascertain Hibari’s true identity rather than simply leave her alone. If I let her get the jump and lead on me, I might never recover. No, at this point it might have already happened. “– Why did you decide to investigate me so much?” “Because I am a reporter. While I am just a high school student I am not just an apprentice either. I have been working in the editorial department at headquarters since junior high school. Now, I am an exclusive report for the special feature team.” Reporter…? “…!” Then… I remembered. Like a picture becoming clear in my mind. That one sentence I was trying to forget for the longest time. That one hateful sentence written by Hibari Yamane herself. “Two years ago I wrote a scoop article about your brother. I really hate butei. At the time I had a tip that there was a butei named Kana who was not on the Butei agencies lists… In other words, she was falsely claiming to be someone that she wasn’t. Based on the information provided I ended up pursuing the older brother, who seemed to be an acquaintance of hers. That Kana scandal turned out to be a waste of time, but then the Annabelle incident occurred.” Her and butei– Butei need to be careful around the media. Media will bring you down. To them, politicians are politicians. Celebrities are celebrities. And butei are butei. Using the freedom of press as a shield they write up and spread inconvenient words, lies, or shrouded truths until their targets are destroyed regardless of who they are. Even as the era changed from newspapers to the internet, it is journalists who are still the first to write about something and set the tone. “I had come to this foreign language school in preparation for my time as a foreign correspondent. People tend to approach me on social media whenever they hear something regarding a potential new story… Well when I learned that the younger brother from that case was transferring to this school, I was allowed to take the same class as him.” “– Don’t ever talk to me again.” I tried to turn tail and get away from her like a minister accused of accepting illegal donations. Hibari, however, grabs my sleeve to keep me from running away. And, “What is this?” Suddenly she pulls out a digitally printed photo from her breast pocket. And that photo– “… tch…!” It is a photo of my and Kamui pointing our guns at each other. It seems that Shiranui had predicted the explosion of the improvised grenade that Kamui had set off and Hibari had taken this photo when he had momentarily leaned away from the front of the door. “It is a little blurry since it was taken from so far away, but I do have audio recordings too.” Shit…! I thought that there were only ordinary people at this school… I had let my guard down. – Ordinary people. Even they, in the right place with the right powers can possess a force capable of destroying butei. Moreover, Kamui is directly involved in this case now. If this ends up leaking or he learns about this… Kamui could very well hunt down Hibari until she is killed. And nothing could stop him. In front of me, who is turning pale, Hibari pulls out a business card from the inside pocket of her suit. Then she stuck the business card onto my aching shoulder and told me her demands. “– I am Hibari Yamane from Bunshu Weekly. I would like to have an interview. About you.” Go For The Next!!! ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ## 20. Volume 23 - Unknown Bullet ### 001. Bullet 1: Reporter VS Butei “– I feel like this would be unfair to you if I didn’t say it, so I might as well. My dad was a report for the Tokyo Shimbun, but his career was crushed by Butei. For that reason, Butei are the sworn enemies of my family.” Hibari Yamane explains to me, glaring all the while.. Despite being a student, she is still a full fledged reporter for a weekly newspaper. While physical newspaper sales have seen a stark decline in popularity due to the internet, the mass media still maintains a supremely powerful weapon. – The power to reveal. On the argument that the public has “the right to know” as a shield, the media maintains the power to expose anything and everything. Corrupted politicians and businesses, the true faces of celebrities and organized crime… Such a power cannot be merely contained through force or threats. “But personal feelings are not supposed to be in journalism, regardless of how I might feel about that. Regardless… Why are you, a Butei, at this school?” “……” We are crouched near the photo copier machine at Mihama Foreign Language High School, and in my breast pocket is Hibari’s business card… With my hand, I fix the collar of my uniform, furling it down. But still such an action is pointless. Hiding the gun shoulder holster now is pointless in hiding my true identity as a Butei, although preventing any further commotion is a necessity. Hibari already has a picture of the fight between me and Kamui after all. The fact that she was able to achieve such a thing without being caught by the three of us shows her prowess and skill as a reported. Attempting to hide anything from Hibari would surely just be a waste of time. “… Are you an only child?” “Why are you asking that? I have an older sister.” “Then we must part here. You are my enemy.” “Huh?” Standing up I look down at Hibari with a menacing look, who then stands up as well and adjusts her tight skirt that had been slowly slipping up her body. Hibari is just a little bit shorter than I am. Moreover she is courageous, giving off the feeling that intimation on something like physique or attitude alone wouldn’t work. “Did you seriously think that I, her brother, would say anything to the reporter who wrote such horrific things about her?” “I didn’t write anything bad. Toyama-kun, did you not read my article properly?” Shut up… Don’t say another word. You are half of the reason my brother had to live the way he did. “Why would I reach such a sleazy newspaper? I already know that it was full of lies anyway, no point wasting my time.” The S.S. Annabelle accident… Actually I never watched any of the news about it or really read up on it. I just glanced over it all. However, what I know for a fact… Is that my brother, and really all Butei, were criticized heavily over the incident. However, when the Annabelle sunk my brother traded his life in order to ensure that all the other passengers and crew survived. At the time I had been told that my brother died in the incident. Because of that I wasn’t in a sound mental state to read the weekly newspaper really carefully. It is for that reason that I didn’t immediately recognize the name Yamane Hibari. “I admit that there are some articles that, shall we say, are not the best. But I only write actual facts and issues in my articles.” “You liar. Because of what you wrote… The world turned against us!” In anger I begin to grab the collar of Hibari’s uniform, but… I stop. This is not Butei High. This is a normal school, that peacefully teaches foreign languages. If I were to hit her, I could very well be expelled from this school. – That was nearly very bad. As of right now I am suffering from a fatal condition. Probably, at least. As for who I know who can help me get through this… I don’t even know if my dad is truly alive or dead right now and he was my first choice for an answer. The most reliable source of information I have right now are the armed prosecutors. If I were to try to approach the truth to my father from that perspective, I need to become someone who can be privy to such details… And the best way to achieve that is to become an armed prosecutor myself. If I want to become an armed prosecutor, my academic background will be an important factor in the selection exam. Already my education background is full of scars, including: dropping out, returning to school, and repeating a grade. … If I were to get carried away here by some temporary emotions and add an expulsion to my list… “You seem to have a misunderstanding as to what a reporter is. So, what do you think? Are you going to let me interview you? Or not?” Hibari unfazed by my attack tilts her short-cut hair head and points to he breast pocket. Her large and shapely breasts move as she lightly pokes the photo she had taken of me and Kamui pointing guns at each other. Kamui is the youngest of the modern-day recently reformed Section 0, as well as its interrogator. In a country that officially recognizes and respects human rights is a boy doing the dirty work that should never grace the front page of a weekly newspaper. However he had also told me in secret that should anyone learn of his true identity that he would be forced to kill them. “… I accept the interview.” Barely managing to hold back the anger within me, I am left with no choice but to accept. If I were to refuse she would merely move onto asking Kamui for an interview. And if that were to happen, Kamui would kill her without remorse. As a Butei I cannot simply overlook an impending murder. Reporters are humans too. “But honestly, I just came to this school to study. I have classes today, can we not do it on a different day!” – My first objective should be to postpone the interview. I need to buy myself some time and think about my next moves carefully. If I can postpone this interview here I can also stop her from going after Kamui instead. “Then Sunday. Kaihin Makuhari Station, south exit. Be there at noon.” Grabbing a pen from her breast pocket Hibari quickly jots down the schedule on the palm of her hand. “Is it just you and me?” Asking her to make sure that Kamui doesn’t show up too, Hibari nods. “That’s right. I wasn’t asked to assemble a team or anything.” … For the time being, things seem to be fine. However, being alone with a woman is a problem, too. Hibari has both a good figure and a cute face. Her body is also quite curvy, and she is a mess of a bundle of things that have already made me hysterize more than once. In a situation like this, calling in Shiranui for reinforcements might be a good idea. Thinking that, and hoping to tie in that idea based on our earlier conversation, “I don’t want to be alone with a woman. Can I call someone to join us on Sunday?” Naturally I didn’t mention the why, but still I ask it, however… Hibari strictly shakes her head, and, “No. If there is a third party you might not say what you want to say. Even though I am a woman it isn’t like I look like all the other woman… Just see meas a man.” Is there really such a man a chest as big as yours? “I don’t want to be alone with a beautiful woman.” I thought it was a risky remark to make given my constitution, but when I say that… “Bea, bea, beautiful…!?” Hibari’s eyes open wide and her face turns red. “Wha, wha, what are you even saying? That is not true at all. I’m…” “It’s true though. You are beautiful. Since you are a reporter you shouldn’t be denying facts. Anyway–“ “No, no, no one has ever said something like that to me.” Hibari suddenly gets even more excited and approaches me closely… She almost looks angry now. Huh? It’s not like I said something wrong or disrespected her. “Well that is my opinion of you. Whatever, just let me call someone. It is going to be a problem if it is just you and me.” This is starting to get troublesome, so I repeat my request in a stronger tone. Then… Hibari’s face turns bright red, and she opens her cat-like eyes, saying “ah”… She almost looks like she was struck by lightning or something now. “… I-, i-, is that what you are worried about? It would be a problem if we were both alone…” Then, she suddenly begins stammering about random things. Her eyes begin to dark around… Did she hear me? Also, what is this strange reaction? Hibari began to stammer a bit, “um, uh, um” and– “Um. Toyama-kun, do you have a girlfriend?” … Huh? Why are you the one acting confused after asking me such a strange question? Also, why would you even ask me that question when I literally just said “I don’t want to be alone with a woman.”? – Ah, I get it now. “Are you trying to use the fact that you are a woman to get information from me?” Hibari at this began to shake and raise her eyebrows in surprise. Hmmm, that seems like that’s not it. Then, “Y-, y-, yeah, that’s it. It is standard practice for reporters to investigate the bank statements of a persons partner. Yeah. So, is there one?” Honestly I am not really sure how to respond to this, but regardless I have to give some kind of response. Seeing as how the person asking me is not just a woman but an reporter, I don’t want to complicate things for myself and create more problems by lying about this. And so, “There are a few girls who call themselves my girlfriend I guess, so ya I guess I do. Granted I don’t really know why they do that.” To be honest, Riko and Reki immediately came to mind because of what they have said in the past. “Eh, um ah, uh, I see. So, uh, are you dating any of them? Normally you would date your girlfriend after all.” Hibari at this began to turn pale, and kept asking questions about my girlfriends for some reason. “The term “date” would imply us interacting or going out with one another as far as I know. However for some reason people keep implying that there is some other meaning for it… You must be asking about that. If so then honestly that question is something outside of my knowledge, and so I have no way of answering that question.” For the sake of crisis management I answer her seriously, no lies or twisting words. Recently I had an argument with Kaname on what it meant to “date” or “go out”, and ended up having a knife pointed at me and watching in real time as Kaname turned into Kurome. However, Hibari appears to be unconvinced. “…?” She folds her arms as if thinking, squishing her large breasts. Uh oh. It seems I need to provide a better explanation that that. “Alright, right now I am going out with you. If the woman I am going out with is my girlfriend then that makes you my girlfriend, right? Do you get it now?” (TL Note: confusion here is based on the status of dating and going out, with Kinji not understanding that the two in most circumstances mean the same thing.) “–Eh.” Hibari makes a sound as if something cold just touched the back of her neck, and for some reason her face violently shifts from being blue to red, then red to blue and black. It seems she is the kind of girl whose face can be used as some kind of signal for her inner state of mind. However… This response from her is bad. It is as if I am not getting my point across. Because of hysteria mode I have avoided woman for a long long time… And as is revealed at this school if not every day this has led to a handicap when it comes to communicating properly with women. If the other part is just a normal woman the problem is minuscule at worst. However to be misunderstood by a reporter… That could be a problem. If what I say is misinterpreted and published in a magazine… That could easily lead to a self destruction. (Making a mistake in such a short conversation does not make me confident for Sunday’s interview…) When my anxiety levels began to reach a point that I began to get stomach aches… Keen kon … Kan kon … It is the bell at Mihama Foreign Language High school… There are only five minutes left until classes resume. “Well, anyway. Sunday. Come by yourself.” Hibari raises her eyebrow before pressing her breast pocket hard again with her elegant and thin fingers. In other words, a threat that should I not follow her instructions she will leak the photo of the gun fight between me and Kamui. A similar gesture to what Butei do, where they will point to a weapon hidden beneath their clothing to threaten their opponent. No, that is not a “similar gesture”. It is the same gesture. For reporters after all, their weapons are not guns or swords but pens and photographs. Hibari has taken up a weapon more powerful than any sword or gun… And is challenging me… Or rather my entire family if not the entire existence of Butei. – I cannot let down my guard. This, too, is a battle. Moreover, the more I wield the military might that I excel at, the more of a disadvantage I am at. After all, my enemy right now is the media. A battle unlike any other that I have experienced has already begun… A battle between Butei and reporter. I watch as Hibari walks back to the classroom, and take a deep breath… I was about to head back to my classroom when… I could sense someone whose presence had been erased up to this point. Two people, in fact. “Bonasera, Toyama-kun.’ One of them is Shiranui, who had just turned the intersection in the hallway with a wry smile on his face. The other person… Who only reveals himself to me for a second before disappearing down the hallway in the distance… Kamui. Aside from Shiranui, does this mean that Kamui also knows about this? “Mamma Mia, God oh why.” Due to the location and the fact that classes are now in session, I have to watch what I say. If Kamui had heard the conversation just now, he would know that right now his identity is safe and he isn’t at risk… I don’t expect him to move quickly as that could compromise his identity, but regardless it will be hard to put out this ember before it becomes a wild fire. “I think you should think about your next steps once you get home.” Shiranui doesn’t say much, and instead just pats me on the shoulder. As if to sympathize with my plight, he only pats the uninjured shoulder. The exciting lesson in a class full of girls is finally over– In the twilight of a cool day, where I would normally be in a good mood, I exit the gate of Mihama Foreign Language School in a sense of dismay. During class Hibari seemed to be a little excited. She might be good at hiding her intentions and actions but when it comes to hiding her emotions she is pretty bad at it. This is just a hunch, but… I am pretty sure she is in a good mood since she just got a scoop on another scandalous article on Butei, especially one about me. Earlier when we teamed up for a conversation lesson Hibari was blushing and fidgeting the whole time, probably because she was looking forward to our interview and this reminded her of it. She couldn’t look me directly in the eye and was restless, constantly fidgeting or fixing her hair. At times she even made strange expressions that looked like she was trying to hold back a smile, which made me even more nervous than usual… Worse this seemed to make some kind of misunderstanding with the other girls in our class, and they kept exchanging emails saying things like “she made great progress” and “she is doing great”. They seemed to think that they could hide their phones behind the desk but the movement of their fingers made what they were doing and what they were writing obvious. At the bus stop for the metro I could only sigh repeatedly… Suddenly a nondescript black Toyota Crown slowly passes by in front of the bus stop. The car deliberately flashes its hazard lights and turns down the road. (… Shiranui?) I have seen that black crown before… That is the one that Shiranui was riding in near my parent’s house in Sugamo last year. There is no one else waiting for the bus, but even still I quickly check my surroundings and follow the car. And then… When I get to the car, which parked one a one-way street, the door opens. As expected Shiranui is the one in the driver’s street. And the one who had opened the door at the back seat is… “She seems like a very happy woman, doesn’t she? She still thinks I haven’t realized anything. Come in.” Kamui. And the first thing he talks about is Hibari before inviting me into the car. Since my ultimate goal is to stop him from killing Hibari I decide to get into the car. After all that means I can also save on bus fare. Suddenly, Kamui who is sitting next to me in the back seat… Began to eat something. Looking at it it’s a sweet chestnut. And he has a pretty big bag of them… Are you a fan of amaguri? “Well, I guess we are not the ones who actually have to panic right now, are we?” While driving the car towards the subway station, Shiranui began to speak… These two beautiful boys with cool smiles within them have a murderous intent, contrary to their outside appearance. “I was actually a little worried. I thought that by now Kamui would be peeling off Hibari’s fingernails right about now.” I grumble while grabbing a chestnut from Kamui’s paper bag. “Mou. What era of torture do you think this is? If I wanted to deliver pain to her fingertips I would just insert a needle under her fingernail…” Kamui, digging his nails into a sweet chestnut shell to peel it apart, smiles at me with a girlish look on his face. “Stop it. Just hearing that hurts.” I say while cracking open the shell of a sweet chestnut, and in response Kamui shrugs his shoulders. “Then, what do you want me to do? I could just get rid of her I guess. Is that what you want me to do?” With a cute face combating his murderous words, he speaks calmly while munching on chestnuts. In other words, he wants to talk about killing Hibari. “suddenly, you let your inner thoughts slip…” I scrunch my eyebrows, trying to make my expression sour. “For me to hear such a thing, I could be accused of being a knowing accomplice in a court case. I would be charged with knowing that Hibari was to be killed and turning her over to you. I don’t know about your situation but at all times I have Article 9 of the Butei Act around my neck like a noose.” “Oops. That was a careless thing for me to say out loud. Sorry, Toyama-senpai. Guess that means I cannot do anything for now.” Kamui smiles and puts both of hands over his mouth in an X shape. … Ahhh, so that’s what this is. I guess for the time being Kamui is planning on checking in on me for now and leaving things to me. He even made a small little act in which he leaves things to me due to his own error, when in actuality he should have just kept his mouth shut. Kamui… After hearing the conversation earlier must have decided that Hibari’s coverage wouldn’t be able to reach him right away. Of course should Hibari get close to that truth he will, odds are, end up killing her. “I am sure senpai doesn’t want me to touch her, so for now I will give in.” “There you go. Good for you, Toyama-kun.” From the side and through the rear view mirror I can see both the beautiful Kamui smiling and beautiful Shiranui winking at me. Is this Crown a host club or something? This just looks like two guys trying to get a girl, and in a sense they are, although their pickup lines are rather unpleasant… Since Shiranui’s lines after Kamui seemed to be targeted at Kamui more than me it would seem that the two had come to an agreement in advance on what to do. Apparently that is what this is. Shiranui is a Butei himself, and it seems his prep work was immaculate, which is to be expected. “Toyama-senpai, please make sure that she doesn’t have anything else to do with us. If things go well everything can be resolved then and there. And if it doesn’t, well… Ah. There are two nuts in this one chestnut.” Kamui cracks open another sweet chestnut… He does not continue his sentence, which he had cut off at a rather questionable state. Odds are that was on purpose too. Well, even without him finishing it I already know what is being told. – I understand the danger that Kamui presents, and that what I am doing right now could very well decide Hibari’s fate. Granted regardless of what happened in the past or happens in the future, I am not simply going to put my finger on my lips and look the other way. Even if the prosecutors were to charge me, it would be difficult for them to build a story that I had conspired with Kamui. Regardless though, what he had just told me was a clear cut warning: If I do not stop Hibari, Kamui will act. … I cannot fail on Sunday’s interview. “Ah, right here is fine. Thank you Shiranui-san.” After Kamui finishes saying what he has to say, he asks for the Crown to be parked beneath the Makuhari Overpass. The door to the back seat opens, and as Kamui gets out… “Toyama-senpai, I feel bad bothering you about this, but… Please make sure that you handle this right.” He says this while adjusting his long collar. Ah, I can understand what he is getting at. “Ahh. I know, this has become a hassle.” As I answer that, Kamui appears to let out a little bit of his true nature under the overpass… “– It looks like you are having fun right now. That kind of face could make a person cry.” His cruel smile while looking at me chills me to my bones. … Honestly it’s nothing special, but regardless it isn’t a good… Look… For a 15 year old boy. “I, um… I’m not particularly good at keeping people quiet.” “Well that’s not good. You are a Butei so surely you were taught some methods, right? Threatening, inflicting paint, the list is endless. The other person is a girl, so there are even more options to get her to listen to reason. Do you want to hear some of them? I could share some with you.” What a scary thing for a kid to say. With joy at that. What a sadist. Well, most interrogators are sadists anyway… It’s not like Butei High interrogators are much different. “No, it’s fine. I don’t want to bother you with that.” If Hibari were to get caught by Kamui, she would be in big trouble… Her getting killed would be the least of my worries. However, (The other person is a woman, though…) This is a lot more difficult since she is a woman… For me at least. Hibari’s interview is on Sunday. No matter what, I have to divert Hibari’s attention away from me get her interested in something else. After seeing that smile on Kamui’s face, I cannot just simply let her walk into that. I have to protect Hibari… Even if she is my brothers enemy. “Haaa…” “What’s wrong, Toyama? You are sighing a lot tonight.” “… Well, I guess I can tell you. I am being chased by a weekly magazine reporter right now.” “A weekly magazine? Makes sense since you seem to have a new problem every week, huh?” You might be wondering, despite being faced with such a difficult and massive problem why am I wasting time talking to Kikuyo Kagataka? Well the answer is quite simple. I am solving another difficult problem, at Saizeriya in Kinshicho with a math reference book in front of me. If my goal is to get to post secondary, naturally I need to make sure I study hard every day. This study group organized my Moe-sama used to be held in Kaname’s dorm room, but since I am now at a new school we are now using a nearby family restaurant. (… I used to believe with my all my soul that all Butei were “not normal”.) Moe and Kikuyo, who in all honesty look quite good in the red sailor uniforms… Unlike them, who can simply stay here and continue their studies, I who was scouted by former Section 0 am now being pursued by murderous ex members of it and am being forced to study abroad at Rome with no place here willing to take me in. I am envious of those not infected with this disease called “bad luck” who has to live with a chuuni ghost in a dilapidated building while being chased around by a weekly news reporter who is unknowingly getting closer and closer to her death. What this means is that my personal status of normalcy is steadily decreasing… I want to go back. I really do. For those sitting at this family restaurant they are unknowingly living such an irreplaceable and wonderful ordinary life. “Would you like me to “remove” her using some drugs? Personally I am not a fan of reporters either.” Kikuyo-chan, the daughter of an ex Yakuza boss, is sitting at the same table as me and studying… Tick, tick, tick, tick. The lead at the tip of the mechanical pencil keeps getting bigger and bigger. Hmmm. So that is how you handle things for your end. Well, I am not a part of that kind of group but neither are you, “Oi. You are a Butei now too, you know.” “Hey we use it in Daugula too. All it does is make people laugh. Surely you learned about it being used by actual mafia in Italy too, right?” “What do you expect me to be doing in my future…” And again, I let out a sigh. It would seem I am not the only one who suffers from the grasp of weekly magazine reporters. Politicians, celebrities, athletes, and even the mafia and Yakuza. Honestly it is a bit of a relief to know that I am not alone in this. Well, this isn’t exactly the time to be sympathizing with Yakuza or anyone else like that. (The other day, Kikuyo told me in the study room at Butei High that my “back is covered in soot”…) Well, she was right. I managed to get both Public Safety on me and repeated a grade within the same day. I wonder if the soot is somehow still there. Would you mind taking a look for me? Moe who is sitting in front of me too, who until now had her back turned to Kikuyo– “No, Kikuyo-chan. You need to follow Butei Law. No killing people or using drugs.” Moe raises her index finger, and turns to educate Kikuyo. Ahhh. Moe. After watching her for only a short time it is irrefutable that she is now a full fledged Butei. Even Moe, who used to be a true to heart good girl, turned into a violent Butei. Butei High is truly capable of turning anyone and everyone into a bad person… Hell, right now Moe is talking about the legality of killing someone. “Such talk is boring. I just want to help Toyama.” “No. If you want to help Toyama help him here. Toyama, here: if you want help in reducing stress when it comes to starting something you need to make it a habit. In doing that we should hold regular study sessions for a specific amount each day and help Toyama learn, helping him develop a habit. If we manage to achieve that even if Toyama is studying abroad even when we aren’t there he won’t be stressed by studying.” Moe-sensei even now is Moe-sensei, and is not just trying to help me here but even in the future… Moe-sama, Goddess-Moe… Thank you. Let me pray to you. Still… Ever since the stress of just daily life for me has hit its ever expanding maximum, I have discovered a side effect of studying that not even Moe-sensei has realized. Concentrating on work like this, not just studying, is good for my mental health. When people are in a daze, they sometimes begin to think about unpleasant things… And that is double so for myself, who is rather lazy, and has a past history rich of unpleasant things. I almost had that happen a moment ago when I was becoming jealous of ordinary peoples lives, worrying about my shortcomings, and remembering my past scary experiences (an overwhelming majority of which were caused by Aria). But… Working on something like this, I can actually begin to feel calm. Humans only have one brain after all, so if I am using it for something else it doesn’t have the time to focus on such unpleasant things. While I guess I could just browse the internet or play video games to focus on other things, doing something like studying or working to make money is more beneficial in the long term. (… Thinking of money just reminded me of this, but that scholarship from Beretta…) Even still it hasn’t transferred yet. Even though the scheduled date for the money to have arrived and went, I haven’t gotten a single euro yet. Thank to that I had no choice but to hang out at just the drink bar this entire time. I would have loved to have ordered an tiramisu or iced drink for a late night snack but with my financial situation that isn’t a choice. Well, once I manage to get to Rome Butei High… I might be able to eat actual real authentic tiramisu. Granted that only holds true if I have money… I am in serious trouble. –Due to using study as a means of escapism, Sunday arrives and I am not even remotely prepared for this. A battle is about to take place with an interview as the battlefield. My goal is to make Hibari lose interest in both me and Kamui. If I fail that objective Kamui will make his move and Hibari could very well be killed. Even if she is an enemy she is still a girl, so the stakes are serious. However, my odds are looking good. Right now I am not in hysteria mode… I am just me. I am usually just an ordinary person, now… Even less than that. Uninteresting. There is nothing special about me, rather I am basically just made up of flaws. In that I have a solid and unshakable confidence… Although honestly it makes me sad to admit that. Anyway… As long as I interact with her in this state, just like all other girls she will lose any interest in me. Realistically, I have a unique talent to make girls hate me. – I am hoping to make use of this talent to make Hibari not just lose interest in me but hate me. Woman are creatures that value human relationships far more than men do. If I become hated, disgusted, and disliked, by my calculations just like all others even Hibari will come to hate me. (Well, really if that is all I have, it is a rather weak strategy to have…) Also, I need to make sure I do not act like a Butei. The reason why Hibari sees any value in interviewing me is because to her I am a Butei. That is probably the only reason she even cast that vote for me in the popularity contest. If I show my incompetence as a Butei, Hibari will just think “even if I do interview this guy and investigate him it won’t be an interview with a decent Butei”, and I am certain that Hibari will change her focus to a Butei who has nothing to do with me. Surely. Anyone who is around me she will just associate with me and will see them as incompetent too. In other words, I am just going to show her my usual incompetence. My usual, daily useless self. … This feels nostalgic somehow. This same strategy is what I used to try to fight off Aria, who had seen me in hysteria mode around this time last year. Well… Wasn’t that just a massive failure? At 12:30pm, I head out to meet up with Hibari with the little bit of planning I managed to do before hand. I head to the south exit of Kaihin Makuhari Station, wearing the ugliest pair of clothing that Seiji has, a gray hoodie and simple jeans. As has been drilled into me through my studies as a Butei, clothing can have a strong effect on the impression you give to others. If I intentionally wear ugly clothing, I will come off as uncool to Hibari. … Ugh. There is Hibari, sitting next to a public pay phone with a Nikon D3 hung over her shoulder, eating ultra-thin Pocky with an irritated look on her face… And she, too, is dressed up as ugly as possible. Shirayuki might even call this “matching”. A gray hoodie, denim skirt, and sneakers. Other than the fact that I am wearing simple jeans we are matching. (Is she just the type who lives for her work, or…) Just as the girls in our class were talking about earlier, Hibari doesn’t seem to be interested in fashion. However… At least she isn’t the kind of girl who doubles their cuteness when wearing simple clothes and makeup. I was a little worried since she is a rather beautiful girl with a nice figure, but this actually helps with my hysteria mode. The only worry I even have right now is that denim skirt, which is quite short. Well, at least Hibari hasn’t noticed my arrival yet… The first to call out… That is also an important part of my plan. (Okay. Not only will I not apologize for being late, but instead I will even arrogantly force her to talk about a different topic.) That’s right… Okay, first I will ask her about that extra-thin Pocky that she is eating. Something like “You like those?” “Yeah”, and then I will follow up with a “If you keep eating those you will gain weight you know”, and then force the conversation onto her body. I know from experience that women get angry when talking about their figure. So far I have tallied 273 instances of me getting shot immediately after talking to Aria about either her height or about how flat she is. This is guaranteed to work. –The moment my eyes meet Hibari’s I… “Do you like those?” I say this while looking at the Pocky stick sticking out of Hibari’s mouth, and then move my eyes to look at hers. And, “– Keho keho .” Hibari’s bangs, which she had let down a bit today, began to bounce around as she began to choke on a Pocky and began to cough. As I approach her, “No, I don’t! I am not conscious of it or anything, it’s just people might say weird things about me! I am a professional after all.” Huh? Why is she staring at me so hard. I haven’t even said anything about her body type yet. I mean, what are you even talking about? This conversation already isn’t going well… I cannot bring up anything about weight now. “Ah… huh.” My preemptive strike already failed, which I had bet most of my hope on, and so my expression quickly became disappointed… Hibari, “Eh, ehhh?” began to make some strange sound with a surprised face. What’s more, for some reason her cheeks are getting redder and redder. What is going on here? “Do you like those?” “No, I don’t!”. What could have caused her to react like that? I cannot think of anything. Regardless, I need to follow it up with something. I don’t know why, but for some reason my first strike upset her a lot. Alright, what can make her hate me even more… Ya, let’s go for her ugly clothing. “Come on. What are those clothes?” Putting my own clothes aside I point at her clothes. “What. Do you have something to complain about?” Okay, one of her eyebrows is raised now. What exactly do I say? I am wearing basically the same clothes as her, so the easiest thing to say would be… What we are wearing as lower clothing. Ya, there is a clear difference there between men and women. “There. That skirt.” “… What of it?” “Ah-…” Shoot. While I have the will to go on the offensive I have no plan…! I was just saying whatever came to mind, and I have zero idea where I am trying to take this now. What should I say? “That… Oh, ya. It is sunny today, but later one it is supposed to get cloudy. You are going to get cold wearing such a short skirt. Girls like yourself shouldn’t get cold, you are going to get sick.” From my rather limited knowledge of women I pull out the same accusations I have made against Moe and Jeanne in the past. Short and tight skirts are a nuisance to the eyes, and Hibari’s long, slender legs reveal a lot of skin, which to me especially is annoying. So, I should try to convey just how upset her skirt makes me. However, Hibari… I could see a flicker of pride and happiness in her cat-like eyes. Huh? Wasn’t I just nagging? “I-, it’s true that I am a bit sensitive to the cold, but uhm, I don’t need your concern.” Concern…? There is absolutely no way that I, the so called leader of the Japanese Misogyny Team, would in any scope be delicate towards a girl. “If you can’t run when the situation calls for it, you might miss a good photo opportunity, right? Wearing comfortable clothes is a basic requirement for being a reporter but… Well, I’m sorry. I know this doesn’t look cute on me at all.” For some reason she ended up apologizing… This is also a different reaction than I expected. “Ah… No, I think it’s a good idea to be mobile at all times.” Hibari began to squirm a little bit, and my inner Buddha-like spirit began to shine through as I try to comfort her. No I can’t be naive, I have a job to do. Moreover what I just said was a rather Butei like line… Damn it, I only realized that after I said it. (No, no, no, it wasn’t supposed to go like this…! You were supposed to be hating me by now!!) Looks like even more follow up is needed now. Okay, let me try from a different attack vector now. “So, did you bring it?” “Eh, what?” “Money.” I make my normally bad looking eyes even worse, and bring to rub my index finger and thumb together. “If you are planning on interviewing me, naturally you have to pay. Come on, where is the money?” “I wasn’t given any funds yet.” “Then pay out of pocket.” “Just like all dog Butei, you run on money.” Hibari glares at me, as if she were looking at a pile of dung. Okay… Finally, I landed a punch. A nice quick one-two. “Dogs don’t talk unless it’s for food. I am a human, and if you want me to talk then you need money.” “Still, I refuse. We refuse to buy stories with money.” Sharply Hibari refuses. … Well this is a surprise. If you ask me the media are just a bunch of idiots… Weekly magazines topping that list of idiots. I had thought that they let money speak, paying people to say this or that. “… Why.” “Think about it for a second, you idiot.” Hibari begins to lightly knock on my head with her finger. “If I were to pay you than the interviewee might just fabricate a story to get more money. For reporters the most embarrassing thing is to publish a lie.” Huh… I guess that makes sense… Well it wasn’t like I was going to lie anyway, right? I had honestly expected gossip magazines like hers to be full of lies. “Come on doggie, wan wan . The least you could do is give me some food.” Hibari says, tugging on my sleeve. “What do you want?” “Food. You made me wait and so now I am hungry.” “Weren’t you just eating Pocky?” As I say that and Hibari laughs a little… “That is something else entirely. For me it’s a way to calm down. Well, today it didn’t have much of an effect on me…” Well it is true that for whatever reason she seemed really nervous, and Hibari got up while still tugging on my sleeve, dragging me along. No way. It looks like she is having fun right now and joking around. I need her to hate me more, not less. –Mihama Foreign Language School can be accessed from two stations, north and south. To the north is Makuharihongo Station on the Sobu Line, and to the south is Makuhari Station on the Keiyo Line. I have always used Makuharihongo Station and so I have never been to the south side, but from what I know Makuhari is a lively area like Daiba. It is a relatively new and prosperous area, with Makuhari Messe and Chiba Marine Stadium both within walking distance. As it is a sunny Sunday there are a lot of families and couples visiting from the nearby area. (…) Hibari and I are walking, side by side and close together. This is awkward. Not only are we both wearing similar clothes but I am starting to feel like a boring and basic guy dragging his beautiful woman with a nice figure around with him. People are going to start thinking things, and as someone who hates women both the fact I am with her and those misconceptions are starting to irk me. “– Ah, just to let you know, but if you have something you want to talk about feel free to ask me. I want to hear you talk… About yourself. Anything about you.” Hibari says that with an excited smile as we walk around, so I…. “I don’t want to walk around too much.” As soon as we reach the rotary in front of the station, I begin to complain. “Why? The weather is so nice right now.” “It is a rare thing for me to walk with girls in my private life. So this might sound strange, but… I don’t know how to walk with girls.” She had asked me to talk to her about anything, so I awkwardly began to talk to her about how I was feeling. “You are lying right now. I know you are popular, I have heard things about you.” Hibari began to pout, and began to sound oddly angry. What is up with that reaction? “Where and when did you hear about me?” “I went to Butei High and interviewed some people. The girls at Connect told me all about you. Oh, don’t worry though, I didn’t tell them anything about you attending Mihama High or anything.” … Dammit. Takane, Hayakawa, and Anesaki right? Damn those girls from Connect are talkative. They are Butei too so I doubt they would have said anything about my mission history or weapons… But like most women they love to gossip. What kind of grudge do you three have against me in particular anyway? “Everything they said was fake. Don’t believe it.” “Huh? In that case Toyama are you telling me that you are not popular? Why?” Hibari continues to talk about the boring topic on if I am popular or not, so I shut up to hopefully cut the conversation off. However, Hibari… She keeps looking up at me with big cat-like eyes, waiting for me to answer her. Now we are walking under the Keiyo Line guard. Even though she is a reporter, she is still a woman. She seems to like topics like this. I turn around, getting ready to yell at her about how much I hate women. (Huh…?) After passing the guard and getting out of the shade I can see clear dark circles under her eyes… For some reason, it seems like she is using a little bit thicker makeup today… Okay then. Let’s use verbal Slash III to divert the topic. “You haven’t slept much recently, have you?” “Eh?” “Your eyes. They have dark circles.” “Oh… You can see those? Ah… Oh, that’s right. I had a hard time sleeping last night. This is my first time making plans with a boy, so I guess I am like you in that I don’t how to walk with one like this.” Perhaps since she hates losing, Hibari just says the same thing that I did. Suddenly, for some reason, she turns red and began point at mine, or rather Seiji’s, hoodie. “The clothes we are wearing are the same too. If someone were to see us, they would think that we were crazy…” “I don’t see why they would, but by any chance you didn’t look up info on me to see what I wear did you?” “Nope.” That answer seemed to carry something else with it… So I instead ask her, “Did you figure out where I live and go there?” Yes, I should double check that fact. Kokuri . Hibari nods, as if such a thing were normal. “I didn’t look inside, though. When I got close I could sense the presence of another woman inside.” That is genuinely scary. Stalker behaviour. “… For your own safety, it is best not to look any further into where I live. The owner of the house is a dangerous man, and the woman living with her is also pretty suspicious.” “Huh? I thought it was something else? Don’t you live with two woman?” “…?” “Last night, Toyama-kun, I saw you with a Yakuza member at Saizeriya. She looked like a Butei though… There was also another girl with her, and both were quite cute. You living with two girls… Honestly I was quite surprised to see that. Geh. I was being watched? During my study session? Or rather, at least from that point on I was being monitored… Perhaps even on a daily basis for a while now. Since I was too late to be wary about Hibari, my address, friendships, and everything else were all revealed to her. But– From what she just said, I got some material to use against Hibari to gain her trust a bit. Hibari seems to think that the two people I am living with are Meo and Kikuyo. In other words, she doesn’t know about Seiji and Nue-chan who I am actually living with. The fact she doesn’t know about that also backs up the fact that she hasn’t actually physically looked into my house. Hibari… Is basically a detective when it comes to how she reports people. But, at least she isn’t a liar. “– It was Kikuyo, right? That cute little girl who was talking about “removing” me?” Is it a normal things for reporters to have people threaten their lives like Butei? The look in her eyes show me that something like this is just a normal thing for her. “Sorry about that. She is a friend of mine, and while she is ex-Yakuza I suppose she still is a Yakuza at heart.” “But Toyama-kun, you ended up protecting me. I was surprised that a Butei would protect me, a reporter.” “… I wasn’t trying to protect you. I was just following the law.” “Hmmm?” Taking a look at the information that Hibari has just said regarding Kikuyo, and the topic of “removing” her… It would seem that Hibari hasn’t actually realized that not only Kikuyo could “remove” her, but Kamui is seriously considering it. She didn’t bring up him at all. Still, the level of urgency is drastically different for Kikuyo than it is for Kamui. If I mess up here, Kamui could very well take her out here and now. For all I know he is hiding nearby, unnoticed by either me or Hibari. Just because I haven’t detected him doesn’t mean he isn’t here after all. The place Hibari leads me to is a brand new mall, built at the north side of the station. There is a Marugame Seinen there on the second floor, and since it is just after peak lunch hour, we head in right away without waiting. “I will grab your meal for you, so grab us some seats and wait.” It seems like Hibari plans to treat me to some udon noodles… But she doesn’t get any toppings on hers. However, on mine I got squid tempura… I want to incur some kind of debt over this, so, “I will pay and get the food myself. I don’t want adding a truth serum to my food after all.” I grab her tray and tell my enemy, Hibari this, clearly acting annoyed. “Of course you would be concerned about that, you are a Butei after all. A funny one albeit.” “Anyone would be wary of poisons or serums if they were taken to a restaurant like this and someone else served them their food.” “I wouldn’t say that. I chose this restaurant since it said in the manual that men feel more comfortable and happy at restaurants like this. Ah-“ While saying this, Hibari’s eyes go wide, as if what she just said surprised even herself. Then she turns red, and begins to glare at me, “No, what I just said isn’t true!? I didn’t read a romance manual for how to go on dates with boys! It was a manual for how to interview people!” Despite me not even knowing what she said since I wasn’t paying attention, she began to get angry. Well, as long as she is angry who cares how we got there. Butei often have a saying. “If you want someone to talk, put something into their mouths”. It is to my understanding that reporters have the same general saying. Naturally people open their mouths when they eat, as people have a habit of making conversation when eating. It is a well known fact that the police keep Katsudon on hand for when they interview suspects, believing that the shortest path to a confession is through their stomachs. Anyway, just as I had said earlier, I begin to make my back to our table with our udons on it… Hibari had grabbed a table on the empty terrace, so I take a seat across from her. “I will be recording this interview.” Hibari shows me her silver IC recorder. “Have it your way.” –And now, our battle begins. Hibari Yamane and Kinji Toyama. What might seem like an interview is an actual battle. Before beginning, Hibari sits on the edge of her steel chair… Keh , she crossed her long legs. It doesn’t seem like she intended for this to happen, nor has she noticed herself, but the way she just crossed her legs… I can see up the depths of her extremely short jean skirt as she moves them. (…..) I cannot make it out clearly, but I cannot help but feel that I can see something flickering in and out of sight as her legs move. Still, I can just barely make it out… White today. Dammit… Geh . Maybe it is because she is a woman, but still how do you not realize you have such a visible and dangerous gap in your clothing? This woman. Unintentionally it seems like she landed the first blow. “I hope you aren’t going to be this nervous for the entire interview.” It is not like I am actually nervous about the interview itself. Ah, please don’t uncross your legs. I am having trouble trying to figure out where to focus my eyes. Since this is a family friendly chair meant for all ages, the seat is low, which just makes things more risqué for us… Though that part isn’t Hibari’s fault. However I am too embarrassed to point out such a fact, so instead I put a cracker into my mouth and begin to chew on it. “It seems you have a grudge against me, but even if you were to write a article about Butei, me in particular, it won’t sell or get any views. Just go after idols and athletes instead.” I begin to eat my udon, wondering if she will mention Kamui at all. “Sales are important, of course. But even more than that, I want to ask the world if the Butei system should exist in this country in the current state that the Butei system is.” While sprinkling some salt on her squid tempura, Hibari explains her stance to me… That is quite a serious conversation to have. Especially for such a young reporter for a weekly magazine series. “In the first place, do you think that Japan voluntarily ratified the Butei system?” “I don’t know. I had heard that the Americans were behind the scenes and pulling the strings but personally I have zero clue if that’s true.” “My dad was investigating that very topic, back then.” – Hibari’s father. Was he a reporter for the Toto Shimbun? “The Cabinet at the time was asked by the American Republican Party, the Cabinet of which at the time was moving towards stricter gun control, to revise the Firearms Control Law and ratify the Butei system in response. They wanted Japan to become a major importer of American firearms. Secret agreements were even made, leading to the importation of tens of thousands of firearms, all of which were chosen to ensure their purchase supported American companies.” “Ahh, wasn’t that information leaked onto the internet last year? It was to late though since the Butei system by then was well established. I have even heard some say that that was one of the factors that led to the recent change in government.” Political talk, huh…? I’m not really a fan, but it doesn’t smell dangerous at least. “My dad’s goal was to ask this country before the House of Representatives election: Is it truly okay to sacrifice the safety of our people for such frivolous diplomatic reasons?” Going up against a country with just a camera and a pen– What is more he went up against both Japan and America, two of the worlds most powerful countries. However it seems he failed, although his courage is truly a national treasure. No wonder his daughter is so brave… “…” Did he end up getting killed? Hibari seemed to have sense the shift in my mood just as I was about to ask… “Due to the pressure from above my father was fired from the Toto Shimbun. All the evidence he collected over the years was destroyed by government spies as well… So he was forced to run away and shut up… Eventually he turned to alcohol to cope.” “I’m sorry to hear that, to think that the company he worked for turned against him.” Newspaper companies are thought to be politically neutral, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Toto Shimbun is a well known conservative news organization that, at the time, was very close to the acting government. “But enough about my dad, his actions actions have nothing to do with the me of now. I mentioned this a bit earlier, but I would have felt bad not telling you about my reasons. I do not want you to pity me or worry about me.” Hibari appears to be someone who keeps her personal feelings out of her journalism… Personal feelings… They can affect you. I know that as a Butei. However those can be dangerous here if this turned into biased reporting, especially if her article were to turn into a scandal against all Butei. I have to take control here. But still, this is digressing from the dislike strategy I made. “Regardless of whether it is right or wrong, the Revised Firearms and Swords act as well as the Butei Act are laws that have been passed and are enforced. As long as Japan is a country ruled by law, I must abide by those laws. Even if we keep talking about it, me and you are just going to be on parallel lines. I say something in defence of the Butei Act, but… There are people in the world who don’t think like I do. That is fine, so I try to meet them halfway. I know that, too. Perhaps sensing my understanding, Hibari remains silent for a moment… It feels like the topic is finally moving on, end of story. And, “… I remember that, compliance with the law.” She suddenly looks embarrassed and lowers her eyes. What is going on now? “Toyama-kun is a Butei and so you odds are already know about me. About the other girls in our class gossiping about me.” … Is this about Hibari’s arrest record? “I am not one to participate in gossip.” “The rumour is true.” It seems she is honest. Although Hibari conducts interviews like some kind of government agent, it seems she has a policy of sharing information to the other party during interviews. In other words, she has pride as a journalist, a sense of chivalry. A unique trait to have now. At those words I look up at her. Still, I cannot get close to her. This girl is part of the reason why my brother was forced to do what he did, as well as the enemy of all Butei. “As I mentioned earlier, when I was investigating Kana, a Butei, I learned which Butei Agency she frequented and began to stalk them. But one day she didn’t come out, so I hung around waiting for her but she had snuck out and arrested me for trespassing.” Ah… It would seem that she did meet the true Kana-san. However, odds are who she was following was just my brother. “That was a bad idea from the very beginning for you. The Butei at offices are all at least A-rank. Even the clerical staff could easily detect someone trying to sneak in or stalking around the premises.” Still, it would seem that Kana already taken her revenge on her without even realizing it, as did my brother. “Hmph. It took them half a day.” … That is honestly an amazing feat. I doubt I could even do that. Depending on how deep you are trying to penetrate, infiltrating a Butei Agency can take up to three hours. If Hibari were to be ranked as a Butei… If she were part of Inquesta she would be at least A rank. … Tch. I am starting to respect her… She is actually a really strong foe. Maybe because of the skirt peek I had earlier, and the realization that she is a honest to goodness girl because of that… I can feel my hostility towards her melting. In order to save myself I begin to chant “she is the enemy! Enemy!” in my head, but– “Still, I am sure that the saintly Kana must hold a grudge against you, too, for all the things you said about my brother.” I bring up the topic of my brother to try and regain my fighting spirit with bitterness and resentment. “I suppose, they are acquaintances after all.” “Acquaintance? That is physically impossible.” “?” Shit, I shouldn’t have said that. I almost slipped up badly. If my brother knew about this he would shoot me with his Colt Peace Maker for sure. “No, let me rephrase that. If you write bad things about Butei, all Butei will come to hate you.” “Ah, so that is what this is about. I never wrote about Butei in a negative light. Toyama-kun, you haven’t read my story properly have you? Just in case, I brought a copy of the Offshore Marine Incident. Could you mind reading?” Hibari pulls out a copy of the magazine from her backpack. Huh… It seems she came prepared, bringing something like that. Ripping it out of her hand I glare at the picture of the Annabelle, which is a smouldering mess in the image. This– This is the article that ruined my brothers life. Alright, fine. I will read it, and let it rekindle my anger. No matter if you are a talented reporter, a woman, and wearing a tight miniskirt, I never forgot that you are my true enemy. The media is evil. Reporters are my enemy. “…” While looking through the article– “I never expected my article to lead to the negative and intense treatment of your brother. Honestly, everyone in the editorial department were surprised as well.” –Hibari seems a little upset when talking about that. “Only later, much after the fact, did I learn that the event company had paid exorbitant compensations to the passengers, and were told to spread the story that the Butei was incompetent and unable to prevent the accident. They took advantage that Kinichi was missing, and so there was no way for he to argue against them.” … Surely… This article… “On public message boards at the time, passengers and the cruise event company were very vocal about that story on the internet. Eventually the liberal party got on board, and public opinion began to expand towards eliminating the Butei system, and, well… You know the rest.” … The objective facts of the entire incident… … The true flaws of the Butei system… Yes they are negative, but… That is all. Not a single lie was written. Not one. I had expected this weekly newspaper to just be full of lies… “At the time no one at any weekly newspaper had imagined that the posts of complete strangers online could rival a newspapers power, nor did we ever imagine that such a thing would basically form a lynching ruled by emotion rather than logic or law… I completely underestimated the power of the internet, and everyone in the editorial department since then were much more on guard against a repeat incident. – However. “And then somehow your brother came back from the dead after his disappearance, his name even reinstated into the Butei registration. I want to interview him again. It may be presumptuous of me to apologize, but the editor-in-chief sees it as a way to set the facts straight again. However I do not want to be the one to interview him as such a thing might end negatively, so we will have another reporter interview him.” “–I do not want to be the one to decide that.” Throwing the article onto the table, I lean back and make a curve with my mouth. Even if the event company were the one working things behind the scenes to set my brother up as a fall man, it was the public who attacked my brother as well as all Butei and this article was the spark. That is true, even if it wasn’t the intention of Hibari. Yes, I know what this article wasn’t written maliciously, but still I cannot help but be angry about it. Even if you think it immature of me, I cannot forgive Hibari Yamane, the person who wrote this article. “I understand.” Hibari munches on her squid tempura without biting it, looking down dejectedly. It seems like her goal here was just to clear up the misunderstanding around the whole article. Once that was accomplished Hibari, as if her composure had been regained, turned her expressions sharp, “Then let’s get straight to the point. The photo. What is that all about?” She immediately cute straight into me, the main reason we are here. The photo she took the other day with Kamui and myself, pointing our guns at each other. “… It was a fight. I told you that before.” “All three of you came to Mihama Foreign Language School for some kind of “job”, right?” “Can’t you tell just by looking at me in class? I am studying hard, aren’t I?” “You are studying quite hard, I can agree to that. From what Kikuyo-san said, you are planning on going to Italy. You and Kamui seem to be great fighters, so does that mean that you and him will be the main fighting force with Shiranui, who has not shown an interest in learning Italian, being your assistant?” … Damn it. Come to think of it, yesterday Kikiyo did say something about learning how the mafia work. You can gather a lot of information from such small details… You really are quite astute. There might be some misunderstandings here and there though, but your ability to gather information is pretty damn good. “But something doesn’t make sense here. Shouldn’t you be learning Russian right now?” “… Russian?” In response to my puzzled face, Hibari… –She looks right at my face, as if checking to see if my reaction is just an act. Then, as if watching her words… “Isn’t this about Egor Nanba’s parents?” Suddenly the name of the bully from the other day who had been bullying Kamui came up. “?” However naturally all I can do is frown, nothing she is saying is making sense. “Egor’s mother is an external relations officer with the Port Authorities, and uses her position to help smuggle weapons parts from Russia into China, beyond the terms of the Preliminary Arms Trade Treaty. She is able to do this by exploiting a blind spot in the law, using Japan as a middle man. Through this she has been making a killing, all with the support and consent of her husband, who is with the JSDF.” Hibari pulls out another bit of information, which naturally I knew nothing about. I try my best to not have my expression change, but… (I wonder if Kamui is trying to find Mikiri Ito through this arms smuggling ring.) An idea comes to mind, one in which I need to hide my expression to ensure that Hibari doesn’t notice anything. Anyway, aside from the fact that Egor Namba’s parents are doing something quite dangerous and illegal… – Makiri Ito is an international terrorist that is from Japan. In the far east, the countries that he would most likely work with are either Russia or China. It is possible that he is being supplied with weapons for his operations from the trade coming out of Russia. Kamui had already thought that far, and using his investigation into Namba Egor as a means to find out his location. However, that operation failed due to me… And then we had that duel that led to the here and now. Apparently, that is how that “fight” came to be. Granted as the one who had caused that fight and ruined his investigation, it is a little late for me to be learning about his reason for being there in the first place. “… I don’t know about that story. Your information is all over the place.” Just as I begin to respond to it– “Hmm, guess I was wrong. Toyama truly knows nothing about this. I thought you might have had an idea of what was going on, but clearly you are thinking something else.” Hibari sighs, and shakes her head. “What makes you think that?” I ask her that, genuinely astonished at just how close to the truth that is. “Experience. I can tell if someone is telling the truth by looking into their eyes. If you cannot see through someones lies and truths you cannot be a reporter.” … Amazing. Not an exaggeration either. In response to my puzzled expression, Hibari looks as if she is thinking of something else, as if the interview in her mind has come to an end. Her face, kiyuu … Suddenly turns red. She looks the same as the other day, as if she is contemplating saying something or not… And then she looks down at the ground. And then, she looks up at me, as if she has finally decided to say what is on her mind. “… Thank you… For that one time…” “What are you talking about?” “When Egor pushed me to the ground. Toyama, you caught me and protected me to make sure I didn’t hit my head… Even though that meant that you got hurt and involved instead…” Ahhh. So that is what this is about. Hibari didn’t want her camera to get taken, and despite being so weak decided to get involved. “… I know that reporters are hated. I am used to being pushed around and spit on. No one has ever stood up for me… Until now. I’m sorry about everything I did to you after that… I was just panicking, I didn’t mean to hurt you and get violent.” I mean it is true that I got beaten up for some reason after helping Hibari… But I wouldn’t really call that “violent”. If that counts as violent, then the number of times that Aria has used violence against me would skyrocket to an astronomical incomprehensible number. “But, then you helped me… Ever since then I have had dreams of that moment, and every time it makes me so happy. I have wanted to tell you that ever since that day.” Rather, Hibari… Why is your face red all the way up to your ears, and why are you looking down? No matter how brutal the fight might be, it is common sense in combat to act as a support or escort guard when someone is unable to protect themselves. For Butei is is a weird thing to be thanked for something that we just consider “natural” to do… At this I cannot help but turn red too. And there is something I need to say too, “Do-, don’t worry about it. I have a hard head, hitting my head on the ground doesn’t hurt any more than my hands or feet. Hell I used to catch baseballs with my head more than my hands…” A joke from my, Kinji Toyama, to a girl? What is going on. My jokes have a statistically proven 78% chance of falling flat and a 21% chance of not being understood, so I wonder if that will actually play to my benefit with the “hate me” strategy? Just as I think this… Hibari begins to chuckle. She is laughing? Somehow that joke fell into the remaining 1%. “You know, I worry about you sometimes. But still, at the time… The way you caught me. That was the first time a boy has ever held me before…” And then… This. She gives me a little light punch to my chest. With a cute smile while blushing. It would seem that she is the type to turn violent when embarrassed. In any case, it would seem that Hibari’s story can be summed up as “I am happy”. I don’t know why that is or what I did to do that, but it is probably safe to say that she owes me a favour right now. I am not making much progress with the “hate me” strategy either, so… Why don’t I try that method? Up against someone as sharp as Hibari, it is pointless to attack someone sneakily in the dark with mental games. Let’s just take advantage of this favour and ask her straight up. “– Can I ask a favour of you?” “Eh, what?” Sensing that I wanted to return back to the main topic, Hibari revers from her flustered look to her previous career woman look. “The reason I hid my identity of a Butei is because it would be bad if that were to come to light. Please, do not tell anyone else about that.” “… I understand.” “As you already figured out, Shiranui is also a Butei, although Kamui’s position is a bit different. Do not get involved with them. They are not the Butei you are looking for nor would you benefit in any way from investigating them.” “When you put it like that, I actually get even more interested you know.” “Look into my eyes.” – Kamui is dangerous. If Hibari tries to investigate him, she will be killed… After being forced to first endure the torments of hell. While repeating those words in my heart… I look straight into Hibari’s eyes. Hibari looks into my eyes… 5 seconds pas… 10 seconds… We are just looking into the others eyes. “…” You got the message already, right? Hey, reporter. Ya, you. Didn’t you say something about being able to tell if someone is lying or not, looking into their heart or something? Actually… The more I look at her, the more beautiful she looks. I am actually starting to blush looking at you for so long. She might not be as beautiful as a celebrity in makeup, but the beauty from her intelligence and skills, and the “honest good girl” aura from her is dangerous in its own way. She is my enemy, and a career woman who is passionate about her work. Even the way she dresses doesn’t seem feminine at all… Honestly I don’t even really see her as the opposite sex, but… When I notice her mature beauty, her curves, her feminine features, I find her attractive. I cannot unsee it. It is even stronger when it’s coupled with the fact that it seems no one else sees this charm of hers. My mind began to wander thinking about her, and it seems that Hibari picked up on that as well. “…” … Kaaaaa … With that Hibari began to blush again, looking straight at me. “I-, I understand. I won’t say or do anything anymore about that photo.” “Y-, ya.” … Huh. For some reason she readily agrees, obediently. I thought reporters would be more persistent and harder to work with. “… You get it, right? You cannot keep coming after me about that photo, spying on Kamui, or trying to dig at all into the matter, right?” “I-, I get it. If you force someone to talk who doesn’t want to, they will just spout nonsense anyway. Also… If you have anything you want to tell me, then tell me. If there is nothing you can tell me, then that is fine too.” This… Is unexpected. However, I guess Hibari just doesn’t want to be given a bunch of fake information anyway… Works for me. “… If that is the case, how do you usually interview Butei?” “In addition to “active reporting”, like what you just said, an interview, there is also “passive reporting”. Since I already knew you hated the media due to the situation with your brother, I ended up doing both. The easiest way to explain it is to receive information through things like reports. I am a patient investigator after all. I have many friends who are Butei and they offer up lots of interesting stories to me in our conversations.” “Butei you are… Friends with? Are there other Butei you are good friends with?” “About 20 such people or so. There are many Butei who are dissatisfied with the system you know? I dislike men, so I keep it normally just to girls, typically looking for those who ignore the compensation guidelines for their activities. I had thought Kana to be one such example, so I followed her. I knew she disliked the media so I was quite aggressive in my interview attempts with her, ready to be hated. I was planning on switching things up eventually with her, sort of like what I ended up doing with you. As you know though I never had the chance for that.” … Well Kana isn’t a female Butei… At least not biologically. “In other words, despite the fact that I have my doubts about the Butei system there are still many i have good relations with. In fact I have many who use me as a means to release information to the public that they cannot release themselves.” The ways in which Hibari is able to get her information… I think I am just beginning to understand how it works. If I am getting this right though: First she looks for valuable Butei who might have information she finds useful and can use, such as those who are against the current Butei system. Then she splits them into two groups, those who hate the media which she will then aggressively investigate them, waiting for the opportune moment to strike. An example of that would be me with the photo. Naturally this carries its own risks for her. The interviewee might shut them self off from Hibari. On the other hand they might begin to counter analyze the interviewer like I did with Hibari. Over time though even those who once hated Hibari might become friends and form a relationship, which could take a long time. But eventually, if Hibari doesn’t mess up… They will of their own will bring her information. That is her method. But… For that to happen, the target needs to share the same aspirations and goals as Hibari. Hibari’s goal is to force society to reconsider and discuss the Butei system rather than accept it in its current state. But personally I am pro-Butei. Yes I am aware that there are problems with it, but it isn’t my dream to be the reason it changes. That is the politician’s job, not mine. Therefore no matter how much I give her, it isn’t like it is going to be useful for Hibari. From my point of view I came out on top here having learned the situation with Egor, and I even managed to cover up the whole fight situation with Kamui. Personally I think I did a pretty damn good job here. Not only did I manage to stop Kamui from killing Hibari, I even got some information out of it. Just as I was processing how the interview went… “So… Toyama-kun, do you have any free time today?” “I was planning on studying in the afternoon, but I guess until then I have some free time.” “Then, do you have to hang out with me and do something fun?” Is this you trying to make some kind of “relationship” between us? If so what an obvious way to do it. She just told me how she manages to get information, granted it isn’t like she tried to hide that method from me. I don’t feel any distrust towards her at all right now. Hmm, I wonder if Hibari is trying to recruit me into her left-wing anti-Butei group she is creating. I don’t know why she would want me in it, personally I see myself as the kind of person who would just end up causing trouble and conflict within the group. Actually maybe that is why she wants me, maybe she sees me as someone who might one day revolt against the system. Still, hanging out with a beautiful woman for half a day honestly sounds more dangerous to me than spending that time in a jail full of hardened criminals… But even more pressing is that I am afraid of losing sight of Hibari. There is no telling what Kamui might do. … Maybe I should hang out with Hibari for a bit and just see what happens. Still, I am not sure why Hibari is inviting me out with such a strangely excited look on her face… “I haven’t been to the area on the south side of Mihama yet. Do you want to go shopping with me there?” After finishing up my Udon, I pretend to scratch my butt checking to make sure my pistol is still in the holster. If Kamui is truly watching me, I need to make sure I am on my guard at all times. When the two of us enter into the sunlight, Hibari began to make some kind of cute noise and, “If you want to go shopping, Aeon is nearby. I live around here actually and go there often.” An interesting idea, but not something fashionable or main stream. Here, too, Hibari’s typical clumsy but career woman attitude comes into play, something that a lot of the girls in our class gossip about behind her back. There is no femininity to her personality. Why would you pick there when there is a marine park and park nearby us already? Aeon is just a chain of supermarkets. I haven’t been there personally since it is too far from me, but it is just like Seiyu in Tokyo, right? Usually in places like that the first floor is a grocery store, the second and third floors sell cheap men’s and women’s clothing, and the fourth floor is pots, pans, furniture, etc. In other words… A story for the daily necessities for the neighbourhood elderly population. Of course it will be somewhere remote in a small sparsely populated area and not a place for younger people to go for fun or vacation. But… I can bear it if a beautiful woman were to take me there with such a old mood. From that perspective… I got lucky. And it is true that I wanted to go shopping since I had to prepare for my travel abroad soon. “Alright, let’s go there then.” “Okay!” After a brief conversation between two of the opposite sex who hate the opposite sex, Hibari leads me to the bus stop which will take us there. Naturally I follow her… “We are going by bus? Isn’t it nearby?” When I ask that, “Although it is close, this is a Aeon bus.” I receive a surprising answer. An Aeon private bus…? Is that really possible? I was about to get on the bus when suddenly I hear a giggle. Some of the passengers are giggling at me. What is going on? “Wha-, what are you doing? That is the exit you know?” Hibari tugs me on the sleeve of my hoodie and takes me to the rear entrance which I had thought was the exit. (TL Note: Fun fact: I went to Japan and did this exact same thing the first time I tried to get on the bus.) “Huh… Where do I put the money…?” (TL Note: yup, this happened to me too.) “You pay later. Have you never taken a bus? This is getting embarrassing…” No, this system is just stupid. You get in at the front, you pay, and then you get off at the back. That is just common sense… But apparently Chiba residents get on at the back, which is supposed to be the exit, and yet look as if that just normal… Even though we are from the same Kanto region, never mind all from Japan, apparently the etiquette is different than that of the Toei bus. Suddenly I begin to feel embarrassed. Very embarrassed. “… Which stop is Aeon?” “We are going to the third Aeon. Which Aeon are you talking about?” “What do you mean? Aeon is Aeon.” “You…” Poor Hibari, who people have just assumed is my girlfriend it would seem due to our matching clothes, began to laugh at my comment while blushing. “Just be quiet already. You are embarrassing me.” “Yes…” Hibari begins to scold me under her breath, while I bow my head. From there on we ride the bus in silence, just looking out the window… Aeon Makuhari Store, Aeon Fantasy, Aeon Style, Aeon Building…!? What is this? Is this just a city ruled by Aeon!? “– Aeon Mall Makuhari New City.” Hearing the bus drivers voice, the passengers begin to get off the bus. It is as if I am in a dream, and my knees are now trembling… Out of habit I turn around to leave at the back but Hibari tugs on my sleeve so I leave with her at the front of the bus. The towering Aeon Mall Makuhari New City… – No, this is not what I imagined at all. This is completely different from the supermarkets I had imagined, full of nothing but elderly ladies mindlessly pushing shopping carts. What in the world is this? This is like Decks in Daiba… The shopping centre at Handeda Airport… No, this is much larger than either of those…! “Toyama-kun, what is it that you want to buy?” “Uhm… For now… A bullet proof shirt… “Okay. Follow me then.” Guided by Hibari, we brass through the massive entrance. “Uaaaah…” I can only brace myself at the sight before me. The first floor is not, in fact, a grocery store that for some reason only sells hams and milk. I tis a huge Tsutaya Bookstore with a stylish wooden floor and a massive Toys R Us next door to it. Along the wide aisle are many huge brand name stores one would find in Daiba, such as Five Foxes, Kumikyoku, and ZARA. There is even a Starbucks and a Subway at the back of the aisle. This isn’t a supermarket chain, this is some kind of futuristic city…! (TL Note: I have been to places like this in Japan, not sure which one… But ya, they are essentially cities. Massive, like literal indoor cities.) “What’s wrong, Toyama-kun?” “Uhm, ah, I, I just didn’t expect it to be this big…” “I mean ya it might be big, but… This is still just the sister mall? The place we are going to is the Grand Mall, which is twice as big as this. Look, we cannot get there unless we head through the Pet Mall to get there.” Pe-, Pet Mall…? Is that like a mall made up of only pet stores? You would never find something like that in Daiba, Kinschicho, Ikebukuro, Shibuya, or Shinjuku. I cannot believe what I am seeing and hearing right now. As I am led by Hibari who is still tugging on my sleeve I cross the passageway bridge and me eyes get even wider in amazement. – That is actually what it is. A massive mall where you can bring your pets. Everywhere I loko are stores that sell pets themselves, stores that sell food and goods, pet hotels, grooming and training facilities, veterinary clinics, and even a massive aquarium store selling tropical fish. I pass through in a daze, and then we cross another connecting bridge– “Ah, ahh…” I almost faint, like one would imagine a peasant looking on at the Palace of Versailles. I had thought myself, until now, to be a city dweller. Hibari’s statement did not do this justice, Aeon’s Grand Mall is truly the largest… Thing… I have ever seen. H&M, Shimamura Musical Instruments, Laura Ashley, Bushiroad Store… Branches from famous stores all over the world are spread out showing off the latest in fashion, entertainment, hobbys, and more. “Just how many store are there…” “Eh. I never counted them. Something like 500 in total?” “Ugh…” At that number I begin to feel dizzy and crouch down, holding my hand against my forehead. It truly felt like I had let down my guard and just been shot. As someone from Tokyo, I may have unconsciously looked down on this place just because it was in Chiba. Daiba would be a better place to build something of this scale… Tokyo you need to try harder, this is a pathetic showing. “If you want a bullet proof shirt go to Uniqlo. Here, follow me.” With trembling hands, and pulled along by Hibari, she pulls me down an endless pathway in the Grand Mall, as I begin to feel regret for ever underestimating the country side. As soon as we entered the mall I could immediately tell that the main clientele were families, but… There are also a lot of couples. Yes, that is right. There are a lot of stores to cater to young couples, and it was clear to me that you could spend all day going from one store catering to couples to another and not visit them all in a single day. That seems exhausting. Entering the spacious Uniqlo store, I was told that bulletproof shirts are available in various colours, and that I was allowed to try them on… Okay, get yourself together Kinji. After all, these are the shirts that you will be entrusting your life to. While they are called bullet proof shirts, really they are so thin that their effectiveness is minimal at best. After all they are a shirt first and bullet proof second, meaning even a 9mm round can go right through it. However, depending on the angle of approach and distance it can block a 9mm, and is quite effective at blocking .22mm rounds. In any case no matter what level of protection you have, getting shot will cause damage from the impact so wearing something like this is effective for layered protection. This material as well is quite new, developed recently by Kyohishi Kasen, and so is quite expensive and not widely used in the military yet worldwide. Due to it being a Japanese domestic product, over in Europe the cost is even higher according to Katze. Hmm, wonder if I should try investing in this material and selling it overseas to Butei for a profit? So, after grabbing a white and black shirt, “Just eat some Pocky and wait for me.” After saying that to Hibari I lock myself inside a changing room. I take off my hoodie and shirt and begin to inspect the density of the TNK fibres in the shirt… Since this is a new product for me I am not really sure what to look for, and spend a while checking it over and over again to gauge its effectiveness… After staring at the shirt for a while… “Toyama-kun?” – Shaaa , Hibari suddenly opens the curtain into the changing room. “Ah, oi!” I am naked from the pants up, so I hurriedly bring the shirt in my hand to my chest, trying to hide the scars from Kamui that form the Big Dipper. I was not expecting her to open the curtain, it was like a surprise attack. However, to me benefit Hibari is rather astute, and would not think these wounds by Kamui. After all, with Nue’s ointment these wounds look years old already rather than a few days. Or rather, back to the main point, what is this event right now… Aren’t the roles in games and anime usually reversed…! 「”Ah…. AH! So-, sorry!” Hibari, who had now seen my exposed upper body, began to turn even redder than I am and hurriedly closes the curtain. “Yo-, you didn’t come out after such a long time… I thought you ran away…!” The voice from the other side of the curtain sounds flustered… A girl reaction, something that is not typical of Hibari. Has she never seen a mans upper half before? … Actually, I should be apologizing. My body isn’t exactly normal after all, it is covered in scars and marks. No one at Butei High would think this sight weird, but naturally a normal person would be. An example of just how ravaged my body is is this hideous scar on my arm from when I used Ouka on Sherlock Homes back on the IU. Even the girls in Higashi Ikebukuro High used to gossip about this one. “… It’s fine. I was just making sure that this bullet proof shirt would be reliable enough to trust. Sorry you had to see something so hideous.” When I put my own clothes back on and leave the changing room… Hibari looks to the side of me when she sees me again, blushing and refusing to look me in the eye. “… You look amazing. After all I guess it makes sense since you have to fight as a Butei. Toyama-kun. You must be so brave…. Even braver than I thought.” “You too.” After saying that I head towards the cashier. Hibari follows me with a “?” expression on her face– “In my opinion, you have to be braver to fight someone with a pen and a photo than with a gun and a knife.” Apologizing for showing my scars I tell her how I truly feel. When it comes down to it Hibari is chasing after armed and dangerous Butei unarmed, fighting for the sole purpose of trying to convey her will to make the world a better place without having to resort to violence. While I might not strictly agree with her, her courage is astonishing. Being a reporter is a profession that honestly deserves more respect than a Butei who wields authority to use armed force. I guess deep inside I held a bias against reporters… It might have been over my brother, but still. Just past 3 o’clock once I am done shopping. It should be safe to go home now, but I am still worried about Kamui. Maybe I am just being paranoid though. While Hibari had asked me if I wanted to “hang out”, we didn’t do anything fun together at all. All that happened was I went shopping and she followed along. However, naturally I have no ideas what a girl would find fun, “Is there anything fun for us to do here?” Asking her directly… “There are two arcade centres here. Do you want to play Time Crisis at Namco Eggnam?” Hibari seems pretty excited about the idea, but I feel a little disheartened at the idea. “Even though it is a toy gun, I don’t want to shoot one in public. I mean I already use the real thing pretty often. Why not somewhere a bit quieter?” “Are you sure? I was looking forward to playing something with you but… How about this?” After saying that, Hibari smiles and grabs my hand. (… Tch…) I have a momentary fear of hysterizing due to her grabbing my hand, but… The sloppy way she grabs my hand shows me that she has no experience either with holding the other sexes hand. It is as if she were just grabbing the hand of someone else to take them along with her. And while I might be the only one out of the two of us to realize this… It is embarrassing. Hibari drags me along with her to Morley Fantasy on the second floor of the Family Mall. This is more of an indoor amusement park than an arcade, with large groups of elementary school students playing. “Isn’t it embarrassing to be in a place like this?” – Hibari asks me, so I casually let go of her hand… “No. Personally I prefer places like this to amusement facilities meant for adults. After all, most of the groups here are families.” I answer, feeling soothed by the sounds of children laughing and having fun. Then… “Ehhhh. Why?” Hibari, with her curious feline like eyes, turns a bit into her interviewer-personality mode. I cannot tell her that seeing couples and female students my age roaming about and acting romantically is bad for my physical health. “Hmm, well… I like children.” I reply to her. “…? …?” Hibari takes a step and then another away from me, looking around at all the children around her. Who are mainly girls. “O-, oi. Are you misunderstanding something?” “No, it’s just, I mean… When I interviewed some of the Butei from Butei High, Toyama-kun… You have brought multiple small girls into the combat training facilities… One just last years Culture Festival. You said she was your cousin…” Culture Festival… Ah, that must be Tamamo she is talking about. Your reporting skills are fantastic… I nearly forgot about that. Thinking on it, the girls in my class who saw us together did give me some strange looks and seemed suspicious… Uh, wow. Hibari-san, you have a depressed look in your eyes now. “Th-, th-, that’s now it! I, uh… um…” However, I obviously couldn’t just tell her that “she is an 800 year old fox”, and so naturally I stammer. “Well, just to confirm. Uhm, Toyama-kun… What kind of girl do you like?” Hibari for some reason has begun to interview me about my female relationships. This is an unpleasant topic, and improvisation wouldn’t work here, “I don’t like women at all. I prefer having relationships with guys.” Naturally I would rather hang out with guys and like them more, so why lie? I should just state the truth. “Eh… Umm… Is that…? Toyama-kun and Shiranui-kun did seem like good friends…” Hibari’s blood begins to drain from her face, as her previously red face turns pale. And then, suddenly… (…? ……!) Realizing what I just said and its implications, I, too, turn pale. “Ah, umm, that isn’t strictly true either!!” “Oh, do you prefer manly women than? For example like, uh, girls with short hair?” Hibari’s mood for some reason suddenly improves. It seems like she once again came to some kind of misunderstanding. But, whatever. If I don’t clear up this misunderstanding Shiranui will be in trouble too. “Ye-, yeah, sure.” “O-, okay!” Although the air is extremely awkward, it seems that Hibari and myself both came to a conclusion that we are happy with. Whatever, let’s just say that it has all been resolved. What she said isn’t false after all. Hair is really good at trapping body odours and pheromones. This fact has been proven countless times by Aria, Shirayuki, Riko, and others… Long hair can easily cause me to hysterize, especially since I have a stronger sense of smell than most people. “… ah…” After a few short seconds Hibari’s face suddenly turns bright red again– For some reason I could hear my brain screaming “she is thinking something ridiculous right now…!” due to the expression on her face. Honestly I cannot figure out how Hibari came to whatever conclusion she did, but at the very least she will not reach out to a child safety hotline or cause any problems with my male friends like Shiranui or Muto. So whatever, I won… I think. What I couldn’t understand though, is why Hibari began to act strangely nervous after… “Do you want to have a competition with this game?” – “Whack-a-mole”. Taking up a position at the front of the childish game machine, Hibari turn to ask me. “Hmm, what a nostalgic sight…” While reminiscing I remain alert, looking around the machine to inspect it. After all, even if these game machines are meant for kids, they often feature beautiful anime girls. However, this one looks completely safe. Five differently coloured mole shaped targets slide into physical holes and a digital screen is on the back to show your score. Even the so called “Enable” Kinji Toyama hasn’t transcended humanity to the point where a mole could cause me to hysterize. “Here.” And so, Hibari here me a hammer… Sliding in a 100 yen coin I look down at the game board, which is quite low to accommodate its main clientele. There are 5 moles, forming a V shape formation. Pyoko, pon . Bam, I got the white mole. Pyoko, pon . This time the blue mole… What a pretty array. “What a easy game.” At first I beat them down, one by one with a smile on my face, but… “Hehe, isn’t this only the start of the game?” When Hibari, who has been silently watching me up till now, began to wryly smile… Suddenly the game began to change. The moles had been popping up only on the left so I had been focusing there, but now the one on the far right pops up and I almost missed it. I see. The moles appear to pop up randomly, but they use the previous location to appear in blind spots and trick people to focus on one side… After the thirtieth mole pops up, two, three, more and more appear at the same time. Since it is not possible to hit two at the same time, there are situations where one or two must be missed… It is also necessary to judge which “would leave me in the best position and provide the most points”. Truly a game that requires a high level of judgment and thinking to play. (Concentrate…!) Rapidly the smile disappears from my face, and I enter a serious mode. This is similar to the training used in Assault, with appearance pattern training of silhouettes used in target practice… The two are eerily similar actually. At the end I manage to achieve a score of 61 out of 70. On the screen with my score the words “You Win!” and “Normal Score” appear. It has been so long since I have played Whack-a-mole, I actually found myself having fun playing it… “Well that is the best I could get. Now it’s your turn. Bet you can’t beat my score.” With a smile, I turn to Hibari and hand her the hammer. “You can be serious. Well if you are going to say that, guess I have to be serious.” Hibari puts a coin in the machine… Due to how tall she is, she has to lean towards to game machine as it is fairly low and meant for kids. Leaning on a nearby pillar with my arms folded I watch her play… Pyoko, pon. Pyoko pyoko, pon, pon. Pyoko pyoko pyoko. Pon, pon, pon. Pyoko pyoko pyoko pon pon pon. Uhh… She is good at this. Really good. Her dynamic vision is astounding… This must be the result of her habit of taking pictures on the spot, never missing the decisive moment. While keeping track in her mind of the position of the hammer, the immediately judges the perfect order in which to strike. Hibari… She could be a deadly member of Assault. “The world is full of stories to write about. In fact they are like these moles, there is no shortage of them and they are always popping up. Popopopopopopopon . Without missing a single mole Hibari speaks… This game is so easy she even found the time to talk while playing. However, what Hibari is showing right now is not just the spare time to talk to me… (……) Due to her tall height she is bent over the board… Leaning over… And violently moving to hit the rapidly appearing moles… … Her short denim skirt… It is slowly slipping up…! Now her slender and long legs are nearly completely visible. Against my tearful will, her tight mini-skirt is slowly being lifted by her squishy, taut, teardrop-shaped hips every time Hibari vigorously whacks one of the moles. That isn’t even the worst of it! Looking closely… Millimetre by millimetre… I can see white thin fabric appearing…! Every time her butt moves when she hits a mole, I can see it flickering in and out of sight…! (I have to stop it before that millimetre turns into a centimetre!) However, Hibari is too hyper focused on the moles to notice this change taking place. “Alright! I think I might end up getting a perfect score. Wouldn’t that be amazing?” However, if I were to say anything here, that hammer might very well hit me instead of the moles. While she could hit those moles to make them go away, that is for obvious reasons not a solution for the white mole popping in and out of sight for me right now. Dammit! All I would have to do is go over to her and pull down her skirt a little bit. But knowing my luck I would just end up tripping and pull her skirt down to her ankles! What do I do…! – A flash of inspiration. A new technique– (Avert your Gaze: Slash IV!) If I don’t want to see it, all I need to do is look away! And as I turn my eyes to look diagonally… (…Eh?) I detect someone elses presence. … Someone is watching us. Could it be Kamui? No, that isn’t possible. I am not in Hysteria mode right now, and he is not someone I could detect without it. However, it could be someone working for him. But who? “Okay, perfect!” A smiling Hibari comes running up to me, with the hammer in one of her hands, flexing a bicep as if to brag. Suddenly I reach out to her and grab her hand. It is almost natural, and for a second I could see Hibari smile at this. Perfect, she isn’t resisting. Holding her hand I grab the hammer in her other hand and put it back on the whack-a-mole table. A family passes by, temporarily blocking the view of whoever is watching us as I slowly make our way to the exit, giving Hibari a slight tug and making sure our hands never separate. I cannot move too fast lest whoever is watching us realizes I know they are there. “Huh… What? What is the matter, Toyama-kun?” Hibari is rapidly turning red, probably because of the forceful things I just did to her, but… However I cannot explain to her what is happening. If whoever is watching us were to pick up on Hibari’s awkward movements once I tell her, they will know that we are aware of their presence. And on top of that, I cannot let a gunfight happen here with so many kids. “Do not make any loud noises. Follow me.” There… The emergency exit… If I can just get down the stairs– No. If this is the old Section 0, that exit will naturally be blocked. I should head up instead. Then I can find a route to lead us out and down. It is hard to make it out due to the ambient noise, but I can hear footsteps following us. Their tracking is too obvious. Whoever it is has minimal training. But still, I can make out three of them. For me to protect Hibari while dealing with them without a gun… The risk is too high. If possible I need to reduce their numbers and force them into a barricaded fight to our advantage. The footsteps follow us, even across the bridge connecting the malls. “Hey, where are we…” “Walk normally. But if I tell you to run, run.” The Aeon is open on holidays, so right now it is full of customers. Even if I wanted to fight here, I need to go somewhere with less people, so I head up to the third floor of the Grand Mall. There I see a sign that says “Terrace”, so head there. And then I start to walk faster. Out on the terrace like veranda spanning the entire wall of the mall… After confirming that the terrace spreads out to the left and right, I head along the left side. I head into a recessed space in the wall with a door leading into the workers pathways. The width is only about 1 metre. Before our pursuers come out of the automatic door, I hug Hibari’s slender waist and hide her body from the doors view with my own. “Kiya…” Hibari lets out a small scream, so I cover her mouth with my hand. Since we had gone to the terrace, naturally our pursuers would split into two groups, one going left and one going right. Depending on our luck, I could be in a situation where I would only have to deal with one and then the other two. If only one were to come I could quickly get the jump on them from cover and take them out immediately… Such a thing would be easy even for me. Still covering Hibari’s mouth, I slowly make my way down to my waist to draw my gun. “Nnn!” Gochi ! Ouch! She just punched me in the jaw! “Whwhwhwhwhwhwhat are you trying to do right now!?” Even though I went to such lengths to hide us… Hibari just threw it all away by shouting…! For some reason her eyes are teary and red now, and she is blushing so hard I am afraid she might start a fire, but from such a close distance away I can see that she is actually glaring. But still, I do not let go of her. Now that we are out on an empty terrace it is possible that the enemy will use guns too. It would be dangerous if she were to expose herself right now. At least I have my bullet proof uniform. “Is, is this what you want in exchange for the interview?” “Wha-, what are you talking about?” “No, it’s fine. If you want to do it I am fine with that, but not outside like this!” Hibari is so excited I don’t think even she knows what she is talking about right now. “So… Our pursuer…” I was about to say. Suddenly, all three pursuers appear at once. In front of me and Hibari who I am hiding. And they are… “I knew it!” “You two are on a date!” “Together all alone on a Friday~!” It is the three girls other than Hibari attending the Italian classes at the foreign language school…! Unfortunately, it would seem that the three of them had come to the Aeon mall as well to shop. (… I cannot believe… I mistook these three for Kamui’s henchmen…) I was being too sensitive. However, the current situation of me and Hibari… After having a good time at an arcade, I dragged her along with me to a deserted and secluded beautiful place like this terrace… A man and a woman, huddled together in a place like this… As if we were looking for privacy for a good time. As expected, there is only one kind of misunderstanding for these situation to give these girls. “Ei!” Pasha… That was Hualian, right? The girl with an interest in fashion pulls her iPhone out and takes a picture of Hibari in my arms. My Butei habit of hiding my identity makes me reflexively hide my own face with my hand, but Hibari’s face is clearly in the photo. Hualien, along with the other two, “Hahahahaha!” all begin to laugh. “…!” Hibari’s eyes widen, and she began to turn pale at the misunderstanding but… Then she began to turn red, and burst into tears. “Hey, come on. You know about portrait rights, right? Besides… You misunderstand, this isn’t a date. Come one girls.” “Ye-, yes, there is a reason for this.” Hibari, tears in her eyes, began to try to explain to the three of them… But it seems that she had been hiding her true identity and so couldn’t explain it to them. “I was, uh interviewing Toyama-kun.” She began to make excuses, only half explaining things. … The girls for their part begin to look at one another with grins on their faces, as I inwardly begin to pummel myself for somehow mistaking these three as potential enemies. “Interview? An interview huh?” “Alright than, we will just call it that then. “Ahh. Sorry, we are all sorry. Don’t cry. Look we are going to leave, we don’t want to bother you two anymore.” Satisfied with whatever they think the relationship is between me and Hibari… Still excited they leave the terrace together. “…” Hibari, resting her face on my chest… shikushiku … She is crying. It would seem that even career woman cry the same way that girls do. Or rather, are you really that upset by this? Are you really that upset some gossip involving me? I mean I can understand why you would dislike it. If I were a woman I wouldn’t want gossip spreading about me and some shy scary looking guy. “… Sorry, I cannot help it. Due to my job I am a little sensitive to being watched or followed by someone. I guess in a way this is karmic retribution. I guess now you might know how it feels to be photographed without the person knowing?” As I say that, I pat Hibari on the back. “… It’s fine.” Hibari wipes away her tears, and straightens her back, before moving away from me. “I haven’t ever really had something like that happen to me before. I have always kept to myself… In a way it was kind of fun.” Shrugging her shoulders she looks away from me in a defiant manner, her face bright red. “You are awfully beautiful, so I am surprised to hear that.” “I-, if you keep flattering me like that, I won’t compensate you for the interview.” “It isn’t a compliment. If you are a real reporter, you shouldn’t be denying objective facts.” When I repeat the line I spoke the other day… With a slight push, Hibari pushes my chest, and turns her head back to the side. “I-, i-, it seems that… The rumours I heard about you at Butei High are true. Womanizer. I didn’t think they were true watching you in the class, but when you are alone with a girl…” Then Hibari looks at me. The three from earlier who I thought had left return from the automatic door. It would seem they only pretended to leave. “Toyama-kun!!” “Hibari!” “She like you!” Damn these girls are so loud and noisy… But are you not misinterpreting what she meant by “like” during the popularity poll? She clearly meant that as an interview subject? “…!” Wow, Hibari is completely frozen in place. Speechless, with a face as if the world is ending. I guess that makes sense, with three girls all misunderstanding what you meant. For people to think that you like me… I couldn’t imagine a greater dishonour. Their footsteps are happily running away. It seems that this time they left for good… “…” Hibari stares at me with her teary eyes, half glaring. She remains silent. So I guess she is expecting some kind of comment, as a reporter. Then… “They seem to misunderstand something, but I fully understand that today was just an interview. No matter what they say I will not think of you otherwise, so don’t worry about that.” I just reiterate our relationship. Professional. Then Hibari… “…” Without saying a word, she turns her back to me. And then leaves the terrace, at a light trot. It seems like I made a mistake in what I said… (Does that mean that the interview is over?) Free from the interview, I lean my back against the wall, look off into the sunset of Chiba, and take a deep breath. … Poki poki poki. The sound of ultra-fine Poki being eaten. I seems that Hibari kept some in her hoodie pocket, and has begun to snack on them. Without looking back, I can hear Hibari leave through the automatic door back into the Grand Mall. ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ### 002. Bullet 2: Editor Kinji Hibari showed up to Italian class on Monday, however… For some reason, she is avoiding me. Her attitude in fact was so obvious that the other girls in the class began to worry that they had teased her too much. But… While I don’t understand why she is avoiding me, being avoided by a beautiful woman is a relief to me. Maybe Hibari had just decided to not include me as part of her reporting network… I mean after all I am not really the type of person to give out inside information on Butei information… I don’t have any of that information to begin with. In fact, what is bothering me more is Kamui. During the entirety of Hibari’s interview, he did not show up once. Although my plan ended up going through a bunch of twists and turns, it was my goal to prevent Hibari from every interviewing Kamui. But… (I wonder what Kamui is thinking now?) After school I had asked Shiranui in the boys bathroom if he could look into the situation, and he had said, “Even if I ask him I doubt he will tell me the truth… Kamui is generally a friendly guy, but he tends to decide whether he trusts someone based on if he likes them or not, and our relationship is just professional. Hell, I don’t think he likes me that much at all.” Well… Shiranui is the business man type, and doesn’t really open up much to people himself. That is why it is easy to hang out with him, but also means you cannot just have a heart-to-heart with him. “Kamui said he would leave Hibari to me. I wonder why…” “I think what he does will just depend on how much he likes you, and how deep your friendship is. Kamui seems to respect you, so I think it will be fine…” Shiranui had said that, but he himself has no confidence that Kamui likes him at all. “After meeting Hibari, I have a new outlook on what it means to be a reporter. Although I was able to make it difficult for him to end up murdering Hibari as it would make me an accomplice, I still want solid proof that Kamui will not make a move on her life.” Remembering what Kamui had done to me not too long ago, I began to feel uneasy… “Honestly I think the best you can do is just ask him directly. Kamui is at school today I am sure. Actually, he was invited to an English tea party by some of the girls.” “What is an English tea party?” “Exactly what it sounds like. A combination of English conversation lessons and some interaction between the students attending it. It seems to be a fairly popular event at the school.” As expected of a foreign language school. I had never heard of such a thing before… This is pretty different from the evil hotpot party at Butei High. “Why don’t you go too? You can bring Hibari-san along.” “You are lucky we aren’t at Butei High right now Shiranui. Should I shoot a gun at you right now it would cause some problem, so I won’t.” “Sorry, it just seemed you were fighting with her today. But I know you well, Toyama. This is your star technique. Fight for a while, and then you make up with them, and then you get popular with all the girls… Ouch, hey.” While stepping on Shiranui’s toes… I took out my cell phone and made a call to Kamui. And, “There is something I want to talk to you about. Well… Meet me at the library.” Instead of going to see him in person at the part I decide to just call him. For me, who was given the official stamp of approval for having “poor communication” by Masters, a party, a place with expectations, is the worst kind of barrier for me to overcome. Crossing the schoolyard at dusk and passing through a well-maintained Western-style garden… Arriving at a large glass-walled library, I look at the proudly displayed plaque that reads “2009 Artistic Design Award Winner”. But this library actually wins the “Bad Design” award since it is shaped like a space shuttle. The trauma of riding the Atlantic, the space ship we used to return the hihigami to low orbit, began to return and I got stomach aches, but regardless I need to endure this so I pull out my student IC card and enter the building. The library is unnecessarily large for the number of students it needs to service, so the student density is always low. There are plenty of places to hide, and the books act as multiple layers of soundproofing… It is a place I have been looking at for a while now, perfect for secret conversations and secret meetings. So, Kamui… Earlier on the phone you said… There, sitting at a small table at the back in a corner, with a line of books in Portuguese beside him. Wearing a white school uniform, he is engrossed in typing away on his laptop. Next to him are several foreign language books and a Japanese thesaurus…? Perhaps he is writing a letter or something. Also, there is a big bag of sweet chestnuts next to him, which I guess is a favourite food of his. In this library is is okay to eat and drink things like sweets or coffee. However, judging from the number of chestnut shells next to him… It seems that Kamui was here long before I told him to be here. Guess he left the tea party early. Whatever, you just have a gloomy vibe to you anyway Mr.Interrogator. A quiet place like this suits you. A beautiful boy with an idol-like face, what a waste of a with that personality. “What are you doing here? I am an indoor person too so I cannot really say much about others, but a dimly lit place doesn’t seem right for you.” As he notices me approaching, Kamui closes his laptop in a slightly flustered manner. “Nothing. Ah, wait a moment. –Hurry up… No, it is still too soon…” … Is he writing a report for Section 0 or something? I began to think that, but odds are whatever he is doing is private. Everything Section 0 does is classified after all, it wouldn’t be a good idea to write reports like that in a public place like this. So, is he looking at a naughty website or something? What a gloomy and weird guy… I might take a peek later if I get a chance, Mr.Zarbon-san. (TL Note: Zarbon-san seems to be a Dragon Ball character.) Taking the liberty I move the Paul Smith bag that Kamui had placed on the seat opposite him at the table and put it on the floor. Then, “… So, what I wanted to talk to you about… Is that reporter. I think I did something about her and she shouldn’t be a problem anymore.” Looking around I don’t see anyone, so I quickly bring up the topic for discussion. “Is that so.” “It is, there is no need for you to threaten her anymore.” “I understand. But if she ever does find out who I am in the future, I will have to take immediate action according to our rules.” “I warned her not to do anything like that. I think we reached our own kind of deal. For now, you are not to take any action on your own, got it?” “Got it.” Oh… Okay, hes got it. Conversation is over than. But for some reason, he quickly looks away. I am not sure if he fully understands what I am saying… Or rather, I could sense a feeling of “I hope Toyama-senpai leaves soon” in the air. It is as if he is hiding something from me. Maybe he is planning on making a move on Hibari’s life without telling me? I should keep chatting with him and see what happens. It might even help increase that friendship thing with Kamui thing that Shiranui had mentioned before. “What is that that you are reading?” I point to the foreign books on the table… “It says what it is on the cover, doesn’t it?” “I cannot read it. Is it Russian?” “Yes. The literature of Imperial Russia is good, but the 19th century is the peak of Russian literature. During the era of Socialist Realism, there is no one better than Sholokhov.” Kamui began to smile. Perhaps he is a fan of literature, since he had responded so enthusiastically to a question about a book. “O-, oh. That is right. I like Xiaolongbao too.” (TL Note: Xialongbao is a type of Chinese steamed bun. A food. Not a author.) I have never read a single word of Russian literature before, but I decide to just go along with the conversation anyway. “Since you are at a foreign language high school, why don’t I recommend some novels to you, Toyama-senpai?” “No, I am already too busy with Italian right now.” “Who is your favourite Italian author? Do you prefer Verismo or neorealism?” “Huh? Berardi…” (TL Note: Berardi is a big name professional Italian soccer player.) I am studying Italian to study abroad soon, but the only Italians I can remember are soccer players and Mussolini. “Is there really such a writer? Toyama-senpai, you are quite maniac.” “Ah, ahaha. And more recently Totti and Del Piero, hahaha.” (TL Note: Same thing, big name Italian soccer players.) “– Books are great, aren’t they? They are a rare tool that allow us to converse with the geniuses of the past.” I can sense a clear difference in intellectual level and it is stressing me out. If you want to chat with a genius let me just call Sherlock or Minuet. They both anyway me anyway? I hate talking to geniuses. “… Let me have some chestnuts.” I am short on cash, so my survival strategy is to eat whatever edible food is nearby. So, while avoiding Kamui’s complicated conversation, I begin to gobble down on some of his sweet chestnuts. By the way, it seems he only eats chestnuts. I wonder if he is a vegetarian like Sarah. No, he was trying to get Shido to buy him some grilled meat when we first met, so that probably isn’t the case. “Sure. But if you ever fine one with six nuts in a single shell, please let me know.” “Six? I have seen two or three, but nothing that high.” “There must be one somewhere, I am sure.” “You have changed a lot since I first met you. Actually… Sorry for making you leave the party early.” “No problem, I wasn’t going to attend that one. I have been here all day after school.” Have you really been in such a deserted place for such a long time? Right now outside of here, everyone is having a lively party and you are here, alone. Kamui… Likes being alone. Guess this is Snufkin number 2. (TL Note: A character from Moomin, known for being a shy vagabond.) “Didn’t a girl ask you specifically? What a sinful man.” I, who for some reason has a boastful attitude when talking to guy younger to me says that, but… “What do you think people here know about me? The girl who asked me out I have never once talked to before, we just happen to be in the same class.” “Maybe she likes you for your appearance? Unlike me, with my scary face, you are quite good looking.” “What a stupid thing to think. I don’t want to get involved with girls anyway.” “I agree 100% and completely with you on that.” “I have never spent time with a girl, and I don’t plan on doing that in the future. I would just end up making them sad and unhappy anyway.” “We have alot of things in common, huh? I don’t want to spend time with girls either. On the contrary, being around girls just makes me unhappy.” There seem to be quite a few women haters in the world. “But… If you don’t show up at their events, eventually your friends will just begin to get suspicious of you.” “I don’t have any friends or anything else like that.” “… Pff… Oh, I see.” Dammit, I couldn’t help but laugh. Wow, you really are a loner, Kamui-kun. I suddenly am feeling even closer to you. Maybe it is because I suddenly began to have a kind, older brother like face… But Kamui began to look a little embarrassed and flustered. (TL Note: Erm.) “I try to avoid making friends for their sake and Public Security. It is not good to get close to someone, they might be used as a hostage against me.” Kamui emphasizes a common fact. But for some reason, his cheeks are getting redder. I guess he doesn’t really have friends after all. As is the case with Minuet, geniuses tend to isolate themselves from the masses. “Let’s leave it at that then.” “Then, Toyama-senpai, do you have any friends?” “Me? I have friends… Friends… Ah, a persons worth can’t be determined by things like that.” Now it is my turn to blush and for Kamui to laugh. But… Kamui’s smile is cute. That is not the face of someone planning to kill someone… That is at least a bit reassuring. Although our conversation is a bit of an argument, it is still all just jokes. I can tell, the friendship between me and Kamui has improved, and I can tell that Hibari is more safe now than she was before. “Section 0 after all is a good fit for you, Toyama-senpai. People with few family members, lovers, friends, etc, less of a chance of having someone taken hostage.” “Shut it.” I pop the shell off another chestnut and throw it at Kamui’s forehead. Then, “Ouch… Umm. Toyama-senpai, you are right handed, right?” Kamui glances at my hands, and then his eyes becomes suspicious. … What is this? Where did that come from. “Right handed? Yeah, I am.” “You just threw that shell with your left hand. You even cracked the chestnut shell with the nails on your left hand.” Huh… He is right. I did. It is not something I am really worried about, but lately I have occasionally had a slight numbness in my right hand… Maybe that is why I unconsciously used my left hand. “May I ask about your medical history? Has anyone in your family ever suffered a cerebral infraction or stroke?” …… (–Stroke–) Hearing Kamui say that word is flashes across my mind. “What does that have to do with my left and right hand?” “Numbness in the fingers can be a preliminary sign of brain problems.” “… You are overthinking things. I have no history of that sort of thing.” I quickly come up with a lie. It is best I do not talk about my families unique trait to anyone. You never know what or how information might leak out and get in the hands of someone hostile. This isn’t just a cold or cavity after all. It is a life threatening condition that caused my father to lose in his fight against Makiri Ito. “Excuse me, but when you fought with me you used your left hand unnaturally in a situation where you should have used your right hand. It bothered me a bit.” Kamui however keeps pressing me, trying to find the truth. I just pretend to be uninterested and quickly change the subject. “You even remember that? Your memory is pretty sharp.” “I am just replaying the scene in my mind. I am glad I didn’t drop out of second.” – Can you recall what you saw just as if you were seeing it again? However, based on what you just said makes it seem as if there is some kind of condition to be met to make that possible. While changing the topic, let me try asking about some of those interesting words. “… What are you talking about? Second, drop?” Kamui’s abilities are kind of similar to Hysteria Mode. I have been interested in this for a while so I might as well ask. Kamui looks as if he is straining his ears to listen, perhaps to make sure that there is no one else around us in the library. And then, “Have you not investigated me properly? Even if you are an E-rank you are still a Butei, so you should be investigating those around you properly. If we were to get into another fight I would be able to win easily.” Then he frowns a little bit… I wonder if this mentality is normal among ex-Section 0 members? “I don’t want to fight with you again, and I doubt I ever will. I don’t even have the strength in my stomach to raise my finger at this point.” “Oh my… You really do trust people easily. You are such a nice guy. Now then… I guess I can share some information about myself. Can I continue talking about the brain? This time I will talk about my own, granted it is a little bit uncomfortable for me to talk about, just like you.” If I am too reluctant to talk about the brain in general I might end up on his radar, so I nod. “That is fine, we all have something we don’t like to talk about.” Like Hysteria Mode or Chrometel. “… I have six brains.” Huh… Well, here it is. Another paranormal event. Granted this is a bit unexpected though. “Physically, there is only one brain, but the neural network formed by the neocortex is six-fold. I was born with this.” The human cerebral cortex contains over 10 billion nerve cells, some of which form a network that exchanges signals with one another. It is like a network of electronic circuits all over the brain. Or so I read once in a book… Does that mean that Kamui has six of these networks in his brain? “Umm… Do you have multiple personalities because of this? Like Bi Polar Disorder?” “You are closer to that than me Toyama-senpai, are you not? I will explain it to you later, but up to my fourth gear I am the same as first gear. There is no weird change to me at all.” … That is a bit reassuring. Though I do feel like I am being subtly insulted. “I can control all other five brains with my first one… Normally I just keep them asleep and when necessary I access then – that is, I wake them up. When I use two I call it second gear, three is third gear, and from there four, five, and finally six.” Increasing and decreasing… Is that what Kamui was talking about? The name makes it sound like a manual car, but rather this is more like a multi core CPU in a computer. It is not about adding more cores into your brain though, but rather wiring them to allow them to exceed their limits and improve performance… A little bit rough on the brain to be sure, but would allow significant performance boosts. It is like a “six times multiplier”, but not quite the same as Hysteria Mode that increases the absolute amount of neurotransmitters. This is also different from Minuet and Sherlock, who just so happen to have a single powerful brain. There really are all kinds of people in the world. However… “… How far did you get in your fight with me?” “Second gear. But don’t underestimate it.” – I thought so. Even if there are 6 cores there is only one underlying brain. There must be a limit to how much Kamui can use. That must be why he didn’t go for all six back then. As if he had seen through my thought process– “Up to second gear there is not that much strain on me. Buy anything higher than that is dangerous. Third or fourth gear is impossible to maintain for long, and there is a risk of becoming incapacitated by cerebral farituge. Fifth gear is dangerous for even a short time. I quickly lose consciousness from a cerebral ischemic attack. Sixth gear… Death is a certainty for us.” “… Us?” I did not miss that word he just said. Kamui– He lowers his gaze sadly. “There is another person with this complex neurocortex.” “Another person?” “…” Perhaps just to be sure, Kamui pauses his words again, as if to gauge his surroundings for anyone eavesdropping. But again, there is no sign of anyone else in this library. Kamui stays silent for nearly a full minute, as if to confirm this. This just started as a casual conversation for me to ensure Hibari’s safety, but… And yet just as I thought it was going well, the atmosphere suddenly began to seem as if it was going to lead to another crazy story… And I have a feeling that is just what is about to happen. “… Toyama-senpai, you are strong. An interesting guy as well… That is why I want to be friends with you. However, if you learn about this… You might never speak to me again. But I have an obligation to tell this you… I am sure… No, I definitely…” Obligation…? “… I will leave it up to you…. Whether I say anything or not.” And, when I wave back my confirmation… “I haven’t yet told you my last name.” Come to think of it, that is a good point. I have only heard Kamui’s first name. I thought he was hiding his last name since he is connected to Public Security, but… Maybe there is a greater reasoning behind it? I tilt my head in interest… After a moment of silence… “Ito. My full name is Kamui Ito.” Kamui introduces himself for the first time. –Ito– Kamui continues, in a small and trembling voice. “They killed Toyama-senpai’s father, Toyama Kinshi… Ito Makiri is my sister.” And then he stops. So… I get it. Seiji had said something about Kamui chasing after Makiri. And not on orders from Public Security, but of their own choice. That must mean– “I joined Public Security Section 0 to kill my sister.” So that is what this is all about. – Makiri Ito is truly a mysterious figure. Apart from the fact that she is Japanese and an international terrorist with frighteningly high fighting power, there is almost no real information about her. Hell, I only just learned that they are a girl from Kamui’s testimony. Strangely enough, my father had said this in the past- “Women can easily kill us when we are in HSS” – and it was just like he said, he was defeated by a woman. “… Tell me everything you know about Makiri.” Urging him on, Kamui lowers his eyes slightly and– “I have almost no memories of my sister. All I remember is that she has a mysterious charm.” “A mysterious charm…?” “She is almost godlike. In fact, when I was little, I thought of my sister as a God.” She is… Godlike? A bit incomprehensible to understand, but it is clear she is no ordinary person. Kamui points to his own head. “I think that too is a power of having multiple logical brains. In my family, there are rare cases of people who can live with their brain constantly at 6th gear. Such people are consider living gods by us, and live in shrine-like facilities from a young age. My sister was one such person and worshipped as such.” I do not know what part of Japan they are from, but… I have heard of this custom not being limited to just Japan but existing in many countries. People with special abilities or minds, sometimes even being seen as Gods.” “The siblings of such people are given the name Kamui. This awe inspiring name, which means God, is given to them so they can act as a decoy for enemies and evil spirits who come to steal this living God. In other words, I am the younger brother who is destined to live in place of Makiri, in order to protect her.” The one destined to become a false God and protect his sister… And you are trying to kill Makiri, the true God and your sister? What a brutal fate, it almost sounds like something a mythical fantasy world. “In the past, living God’s were hidden away within their shrines for their entire lives… But that is no longer the case in modern times. My sister’s superhuman powers became known to the public, and she was taken away by Public Security Section 0. That was the end of Makiri and me. My sister was in middle school at the time, only 13 years old.” … That is horrific. According to current internal regulation, the legal age for recruitment is after you have completed your second year of high school, but then still… That a terrible story, Section 0 back then was doing even more outrageous things to recruit people. The reason Kamui spoke the way they do is probably because he and Makiri are siblings with such a large age gap between the two. It has been 11 years since my father died in the line of duty. At that time, she was a member of Section 0, which makes my father at least 10 years older than Makiri, no matter how you look at the numbers. That means… She is at least 25 years old. “Public Security Section – has a rank system called Shiki, which is roughly rated by your strength. These are like uniform numbers, ranging from Type 1 to Type 99, with those in the single digits given extra-legal powers that far exceed the current laws. Makiri was a Type 4 when she fought your father.” Makiri… As a member of Section 0 killed my father. Despite how outrageous it might sound, it is very possible. Currently Section 0 has surrended to the Prosecutor’s Office, but Section 0 has always been at odds with the Armed Prosecutor’s Office, where my father worked. The conflict between Armed Prosecutors who want to arrest criminals and give them a fair trial and Section 0 which believes that all evil should be eradicated… Was fierce. I have heard that up until the post-Cold War era, a bloody battle was waged in the shadows of society. “Makiri was apparently angry that violent criminals arrested by armed prosecutors were not sentenced to death in court, and that some were even found innocent. In other words… Makiri had her reasons to be at odds with your father.” Dad… Although he was given a license to kill as an armed prosecutor, he never once killed a single criminal. Based on his principal that it is the judge, not the prosecutor, who judges criminals, he continued to fight with the sole aim of making arrests. Some, if not many, of his actions were probably contrary to Makiri’s ideals. “Despite the differences in their positions, Kinshi was a person who was respected and looked up to by those in Section 0. Around the time he was allegedly killed, the Public Safety Commission began to doubt Makiri’s qualifications. The investigation revealed that Makiri was idealistic, had an extremely xenophobic view of the nation, and had a flaw of killing those who were not considered to be killed for the good of Japan. This was likely influenced by her upbringing and the fact that she was mainly in charge of foreign counterintelligence at Section 0… Or so the report said.” Because she was raised and treated like a God, she thought nothing of killing bad guys or in general… And as a result of her mission of hunting foreign spies, she developed an isolationist attitude towards diplomacy. “Even so, Makiri wasn’t expelled. It was because of her exceptional fighting ability. But gradually, Makiri was relegated to supporting the other members, more and more. Just as Makiri’s resentment at not being allowed on the front lines was building up, a change of government occurred.” … Change of government. Was this when Section 0 was disbanded as part of the budget review? “The new administration didn’t even acknowledge the existence of Section 0, let alone what it stood for. Makiri in particular was seen as a dangerous person, and was the first to be eliminated.” “Eliminated…?” “They fabricated a false charge of inciting foreign aggression, and tried to kill her. They sent Type 8 and Type 9 after Makiri.” – Assassins were sent after Makiri. But Makiri is still alive even today. That means she must have fought back, and won. Makiri… Fighting for Japan at the risk of her own life, she ended up being targeted by the very Japan she once served. From her perspective, she must have felt betrayed. “… Type 2, which normally wouldn’t be used for such matters, showed up to settle the matter at the time. However, they were unable to kill her, and Makiri left Japan for a while. There is no certainty where she went, but she seems to have been active in China, Russia, Central Asia, and more.” “If you don’t mind me asking, what was she doing this whole time?” “She took it upon herself to punish evildoers who couldn’t be brought to justice by the law. At first it was unruly and callous, but recently it seems like her activities are being backed up by someone. There are signs that some kind of organization is gathering superhuman international terrorists, including Makiri. This is something that not only Section 0, but government agencies all over the world are starting to take notice of.” Makiri… Is now not just someone my father had a grudge against. – As a Butei I cannot just overlook this. Thinking on this, I begin to frown. Kamui opens his hand slightly at me, as if to say “wait a second”. “I will be the one to kill Makiri.” Those eyes, Kamui… “You wont be able to do it.” “On the contrary, I am the only one who can.” … Those are the eyes of someone ready to die.” And from what he said earlier, I understand what he is saying. The only thing that can match against a sixth gear God Makiri is the sixth gear Kamui. That is what he is thinking. “… You are planning to fight at the same level as Makiri, aren’t you? Using your sixth gear. But you said it yourself just earlier. That if you use it, you will die.” “Toyama-senpai, surely you understand right? I am ready to fight to the death. Any evil that comes from within your family must be defeated by family. That is the law of my tribe.” It is as if… I am looking at a past self. I can understand that sentiment well, there was time when I was little and I looked up to my brother. My brother was always stronger than me, always standing in front of me and I was looking at his back. My trust that my brother was superior to me in every way was absolute. That is why… When your sibling goes down the wrong path, you should be the one to stop them. This is probably a feeling only younger brothers and sisters can have, but at times it feels like fate or destiny. But a fight against an older sibling is always dangerous. An older brother or sister will be stronger, that is how it is. Though they might be of the same blood as you, they will always have the upper hand. I like to brag that I beat my brother in battle off the coast of Odaiba, but… That is not really the case. At that time my brother wasn’t being serious… He wasn’t Kana. I might have defeated my brother, but I have yet to defeat Kana. When we worked together in Nogizaka, I could tell that Kana was far more skilled than I am even now. Even with our three year age difference, there is a big gap between sibling. Even if Kamui were to use his life-threatening sixth gear against his sister with a 10 year age gap… Victory is far from certain. … I can’t just let him go alone. I might be called soft again, but as an older man, I cannot just send a boy like this to his death alone. But… This is the limit of what I can say in a serious conversation. A bustling stream of people began to enter into the once empty library. It looks like a group of people have come to return their assigned books after their English tea party, and it seems like they are slowly making there way to near us. While it seems like our conversation was interrupted, that is probably a good thing. I want to think about this a little more before I say anything, and with the nature of our conversation it is possible that Kamui and I will get a little heated up if we keep talking. And if that were to happen and our friendship got harmed… Hibari could be in danger. “… There are people here now.” Kamui must have had the same though as he mutters that, so I, “It is almost closing time, and the people who just showed up will probably leave soon anyway, but… Let’s leave the conversation here. You still have to clean up all the books you gathered here anyway.” “I agree.” “Let me help you put the books back then. I am thirsty after eating those chestnuts though so could you grab me a can of coffee first, or maybe some Emerald Mountain…” I started to say that Kamui should pay for it, but then hesitated remembering that bad habit from my previous school. If you make someone younger than you do errands for you, you will get scolded by the teachers because of the hierarchical relationships at Butei High. So, “Let’s decide that whoever loses a game of rock-paper-scissos should buy and pay for it.” As I suggest that, “We don’t play rock-paper-scissors at Section 0. Many of us can read the muscle movements of the fingers and come up with the winning combination. We have always decided by tossing a coin.” My offer was turned down in an unexpected way. So Kamui pulls out a coin from his breast pocket… But it isn’t a Japanese coin but an American 50 cent coin. How cliche. Before I could say anything, Kamui– Pin … Pashi … And Kamui places the coin face down on the back of his hand. “Can’t you just tell the winning side using your vision too?” “Normally I just use manual techniques to trick other members into making it look like it will land on a specific side. By the way, I am on a nine game win streak.” “Heads than.” Not even knowing which side of a 50-cent coin is heads I just give my answer casually… “Ah, I made it look like it was tails. As expected of Toyama-senpai, it landed on heads. I will go buy them than.” With an impressed look on his face, Kamui opens his hand and shows me a side of the coin with a picture of J.F. Kennedy. Oh, so that is heads. To story of Ito Makiri had almost completely blown my mind, but as for Hibari… As long as Hibari doesn’t go looking for Kamui, she should be fine. Hibari became distant after I said the wrong thing at our conversation the other day at the end of our interview, and it seems she is no longer in the mood for a repeat interview. When I settled the debt with her, I got her to promise not to come after me about the photo again or to spy on Kamui or interview him. I don’t think Hibari will break that promise. I could tell the other day, she is not the kind of woman to lie. Still, I will keep an eye on her just in case. And… As I am sorting the pile of novels on the table, some of which I cannot even pronounce the titles of, by classification number, my eye suddenly falls on Kamui’s laptop. He probably left it here since I am still here to watch over it, but what Kamui was typing earlier… It clearly wasn’t classified documents since he was just carrying them around at all times. But then, what was it? I am getting curious now… Judging from what he said when we first met, it would mean that Kamui was using his second gear to type it. And then, when I arrived, he casually closed it. This is fishy. (… I should check it, just in case.) Since my qualifications as a Butei are now in doubt due to the fact that I hadn’t even bothered to do a background check on Kamui earlier, I decide to follow Article 6 of the Butei Charter and personally investigate Kamui’s PC. The small laptop was left suspended, with a microSD card inserted. Wondering if there is any data on it, I move the SC card to my phone and try to make a copy of it… What is this? It is just a text file. I don’t know what kind of document Kamui is making, but I am sure it is about him. I bet he is using some kind of words like “ubiquitous”, “consensus”, and “second opinion” and some other lame foreign words. I should edit it later to make it easier to understand and surprise him with it. I put the microSD card back into the PC and put it back into it’s original place, and after a while, “Do you want your coffee black?” “Ah.” When Kamui returns he hands me a can of coffee without seeming to notice my movements at all. Even after he told me about Makiri, his attitude towards me hasn’t changed at all, and it looks like he began to smile at me with a newfound respect for me… Or should I say, warm affection. ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ## 21. Bullet 2: Emblem Part 1 ### 001. Bullet 2: Emblem Part 1 Through Masters, Akari’s application had reached Aria. …Akari Mamiya. If you want to be my Battle Sister, you have to play against me…! (TL Note: This is NOT in quotes in raw. I am not sure why. Perhaps because Akari is so stunned she is not paying attention?) But Akari cannot react to that voice. That’s right. That butei star is now looking at me and speaking only to me. Moreover, the way she is speaking is as if she is declaring a war. It is a formidable challenge from the strong to the weak. Seeing Akari freeze up, beyond nervousness, Aria was flustered. As if there was a staircase in the air, she descended from a 4-meter-high cherry blossom tree, with brilliant legs that moved as if she was weightless. Aria stands in front of Akari, who is still rubbing her eyes, and puffs her chest out with a gulp. “Opportunities should be given equally to everyone, but the results from these opportunities are not equal. It all depends on your effort.” Even her talking has a powerful impact on everyone around her. Her voice is lovely, like an anime voice actress, and she is about the same height as Akari. Aria has a presence to her. It is so strong that not only Akari, but also Raika and Shino are swallowed up by it all at once. …this is what they call a first class human being. “You applied to be my War Sister, didn’t you?” Akari finally got confirmation from Aria that she had received it. “Y-, Yes.” ”Yes”, I could barely return those words. “I am busy, so I cannot babysit you unconditionally, even if Masters orders me to do so.” After saying this, Aria took out a sticker from her skirt pocket and showed it to me. It was a star shaped, yellow seal about the size of a fist. “That is why, using this Emblem, let’s finish this now.” (TL Note: Emblem is in Katakana. For those unaware of this, Katakana is kind of like a “alphabet” in Japanese for foreign words, such as Pan (パン), which is derived from the Portuguese word, pão.) “Eh? Em-bu-rem?” (TL Note: hence why Akari is confused.) And in front of Akari’s eyes that have turned black and white… (TL Note: might be a reference to when in Anime a characters eyes shrink and become black and white when they are confused.) Gui~ , Aria rolls up the blouse of her sailor suit. A small belly button and a slim waist with no unnecessary flab is exposed… “…AH!?” Akari’s face turned bright red. What in the world is Aria going to do now? Is she going to start undressing?! “..Wh-, What are you doing?! You are out in the open!” Raika hits Akari on the head, which appears to be coming to a strange misunderstanding. “Idiot! Don’t you know what the rules of Emblem are!?” Akari still does not understand Aria’s intention, so Shino hurriedly explains it to her. “Emblem is a test recommended by the Assault department for testing potential War Sisters to form a contract with!” ”That is right”, Aria said, nodding as she stuck a star sticker onto her side. “You have 30 minutes to get this emblem off from me. I will not sign a contract with anyone who cannot do even this. I’ve rejected everyone I have ever tested before with this test.” (Eh…? She won’t sign… contracts with people who can’t get it…?) Akari seemed to be doing her best to understand her words… “Come, it has already started.” Aria shows Akari her pearly pink cell phone as she utilized and opened it. A timer was displayed on the screen and was just beginning to count down. 29:59 remaining. “Bu-, but that is… impossible…!” The emblem on Aria’s body had to be take off of her. The rules are simple, but this test is… So far, as many as 20 first-year students, all of which have higher grades than Akari, have tried and none have succeeded. As expected of her, Aria’s athleticism is not that of a mere mortal. This is something that was clearly demonstrated by this morning’s incident, which is still fresh in Akari’s mind. First Akari has to catch up to Aria, manage to flip her blouse up, grab the sticker, and peel it off. Such a thing… “There is no way I can do that…” Interrupting Akari’s words… “Opportunities don’t wait for people. Just as cases do not wait for Butei.” Aria gives off a mood denying any questions or complaints. Yes. It has already begun. My hesitation was irrelevant. Who cares that I failed the fire training test. It is time for the “War Sisters” test, my once in a lifetime chance to achieve my dreams! “…!” I was in a daze before. I was hesitating. I was making excuses. I was wasting time. This precious time I was given, where every grain of time is equivalent to a diamond! “Akari!” Raika… “Akari-san!” Shino too was pushing my back… Aria has extended her hand to me too, albeit with a condition… I have to grab it myself! (… chances don’t wait for people to reach out…!) I’m going. I will take it. … that star! “Uwaaaa!” With a sudden burst of energy, Akari grabbed towards Aria, who had folded her arms. She reached out desperately for the abdomen where the emblem was affixed, but… “!?” Aria, who avoided it with minimal movement, grabbed Akari by the wrist. The moment Aria grabbed me, it was over. One second later, Akari’s body spun around once and hit the ground with a Bam . This was not done by Aria’s power, but with the power of Akari herself. (…I almost just had my wrist broken…!) If a joint is twisted in a direction that the wrist is not meant to bend in, the person will fall to the ground on their own. It was the same logic as the aikido technique that Aria used on the criminals this morning. Akari’s wrists were still tingling and arching, even though she didn’t fight the technique. After rolling over onto my stomach and raising my face to look at Aria… Aria is inviting me with her finger, saying “come and take it” with a generous smile on her face. Akari hit the ground hard and stood up. “Haa!” This time, Akari tried to forcefully pin her. If Akari grappled Aria, they would have to wrestle with each other, as people of similar physique do. If they happens, she is surely able to be able to grab Arias side…! As if to scoff at Akari’s idea as shallow, Aria stepped back. And so, right behind Aria was a cherry tree… Aria began running backwards, almost vertically. (Parkour…!?) Akri looks up in surprise as Aria twists and turns and passes overhead. Aria had lightly kicked the trunk of the tree behind her while pushing off of the back of Akari’s head with a thud, ending up behind Akari. “!!” …Guchi! And so, do to Aria using Akari’s head a launchpad, Akari crashed into the tree nose first. (…so… so strong…!) Akari held her bruised face and became teary-eyed, but still turned around to make sure she did not lose sight of Aria. “Akari, you can’t just use your bare hands!” To Raika’s advice, “I don’t care. Use your gun or your knife.” Aria openly urged Akari to use her weapons. Akari, rushed by the time limit that was ticking away, did not hesitate any longer… Akari pulled out her tactical knife, a Uzi Heavy Duty Defender, which was tucked into the back collar of her sailor suit. She then used a reverse hand to cut across… “…!” Akari’s right hand grips the knife, and something cold pierces the space between her index and middle fingers. It was the tip of a Japanese sword that Aria had drawn. The sword easily pierces through the hard plastic grip and snatches the knife from Akari’s hand, which loosens its grip in surprise. “Do not let go of your weapon, no matter what the enemy does to you.” Aria told me this while discarding the knife stuck into the tip of her Japanese sword. Akari saw this as an opportunity. (In that case…!) I pulled the micro UZI out of my skirt with my right hand. No matter how bad my aim is, I cannot miss at this close of a range. That is what I was thinking, and so I pulled the trigger. Akari’s gun made Aria’s eyes even sharper, and she instantly closed the distance and swiped her arm away with the slide of her Government pistol she had pulled out with her left hand. “!!” Akari, unable to cancel the trigger pull, fires the micro UZI to the side, ba-ba-ba-ba-ba! , embedding bullets into the ground. (Aru-Kata!?) Akari’s eyes went wide at Aria who had just used an elite technique without cutting corners against even a junior… “Do not waste bullets.” With her sword still in her right hand, and her Government in her left hand, Aria Basu! She shot Akari in the through from the top of her skirt. “…!” While the bulletproof uniforms are impervious to bullets and disperse the impact… If the bullet hits, it wont penetrate but will still inflict striking damage to the wearer. The pain is so great that it can be likened to a serious beating by a professional wrestler. Even though Akari works out somewhat, it is regardless not something that a petite high school girl can withstand with her height and weight. With a thud, Akari fell on her butt… Akari collapsed on the spot, sitting like a young girl. (TL Note: no clue what sitting like a girl means, just think a stereotypical anime girl sitting on the ground after falling I suppose?) Martial arts, blades, firearms… in all of them, Aria surpasses Akari. This can only be because the gap between the two in general is a dimension apart. (This is a S rank butei…!) One gun and a one sword stance… Looking up at Aria from below her… “Akari!” “Akari-san!” A worried Raika and Shino run towards me. Raika was even a little tearful at the sight of her friend, Akari, being hurt, even though Raika is usually so gung-ho. “It’s okay, I’m fine, it is bulletproof…” In response, Akari tries to be strong. But, like Raika, the pain in her thighs is making her tear-up. But the tears in Akari’s eyes… It was also being blotted out by joy. It was blotted out by the concern that Raika and Shino had for me. And… (Aria-senpai is teaching me to fight right now…!) That was a fact. When Akari turned her head again, Aria had disappeared from where she had been earlier. This time, she was standing a short distance away, with the Butei High school in the background. Kuikui , Aria beckoned to me… She had such a cute smile that I couldn’t believe she was a year older than me. “Come here. Let’s play tag.” After Akari this, she started running, he twin-tail hair twirling behind her. And just like in a game of tag, she turned her back on Akari and ran away from Akari. …I cannot let her get away. …I cannot lose sight of her. Aria is Akari’s star of hope. I must not give up until I reach that star, that star shaped sticker on her side. Akari stands up, her eyes full of determination. Shino and Raika still look worried though. They look at Akari as if they have no choice but to watch her off now. “Akari-san. Due to regulations, I cannot help you, but… I can wish you good luck.” Shino was calm. “Good luck, Akari!!” Raika cheerfully gave Akari a boost. Akari smiled a little and nodded broadly. “Maybe this is too much for me, but… I’m off!” With less than 25 minutes remaining in this test… Aria entered the monorail station that leads from this artificial floating island to Daiba. Akari followed and runs into the station. Akari, who was imitating Aria, leapt over the gate like a pommel horse before the gate could open after she swiped her Suica pass, but her foot got caught in the gate and she fell grandly. She fell with such force that both of her legs went straight up, but she quickly got back up and ran up the stairs. We both got onto the platform of the Mutetokou station… “Ah!” The monorail on which Aria got on was just about to depart. From behind the closed doors, Aria is waving and winking at me, as if saying “bye-bye”. (Aria-senpai…!) If I wait for the next monorail, I will never catch up. Then… “…!” Akari climbed the fall-prevention fence with desperate effort. Then, she jumped… to the wiper installed on the window at the tail end of the monorail. The monorail, which is autonomous and has no conductor, is oblivious to what is going on and continues to run. (…falling, falling, falling…!) This monorail has a maximum height of 16 meters above the ground, or so my classmates in Logi have told me. If I fall, my life is seriously in danger. However, for a butei to capture someone, dangerous acts like these are occasionally performed, just like in an action movie. This is the kind of thing that, when teamed up with Aria, would become an everyday occurrence. I told myself that and endured the fear, and… I managed to crawl down to the platform from the monorail that stopped at Daiba station. Ignoring the stares of the surprised passengers, Akari followed Aria as she ran for the exit. Aria flips her skirt up again and jumps the automatic ticket gate while paying the fare properly. But… Akari looked around and saw escalators and stairs leading down to Aria. Daiba station is more crowded than Buteitaka station. It would be impossible to run through the crowd. (Here… I can close the distance!) And then, right in front of Akari’s eyes. “!” Aria lightly kicked up an empty can that had fallen on the street, then stepped on it and used it as a contact point to… slide down the railing like an inline skate handrail grind. “…tsu…!” Akari runs down the stairs, ziggzagging and avoiding the crowd. Instead of closing the distance, Aria widened it. Beyond the stairs there was a square crowded with stalls. (…ehhh!?) Even there, Aria managed to run up the wall and run vertically through it. Akari, chasing after Aria who was running on the wall like a ninja, fell down the stairs because she was looking away and plunged into a pile of cardboard boxes by the wall… (… I can’t do this…! I will never catch up with you…!) I look at Aria’s back, which is now far away, and get up to my feet, wobbling. We are just running. But even comparing our performance here, Aria is a dimension away from me. The chances of catching up would be almost zero. But… She hasn’t lost sight of her yet. That is why Akari is still pursuing her. The chances are almost zero, but not zero…! The time that Aria had declared, 30 minutes, was already half done. Akari cannot believe her eyes when she sees Aria still running from Akari’s persistent pursuit… Now at the Expressway 11 Daiba Line, which connects Tokyo’s central and sub central areas… … Aria is standing on the main tower of the “Rainbow Bridge” and looking down at me. Rainbow Bridge is a huge suspension bridge nearly 800 meters long. The two main towers that support the cables suspending the bridge are 126 meters above sea level. The top of the main tower is as high as a 30-story building, but unlike a building, it shakes just as much as it looks it does. Aria stood on top of such a tower, looking exactly the same as if she were standing on stable ground. To get to her, Akari must… Teeth clattering, she desperately walks up the thick cables. The cable has a gentle curve at the lower levels and gets steeper the higher you get towards the main tower. At first, Akari upon discovering Aria at the top was desperate and eagerly climbed forward, but within 10 meters, Akari’s whole body instinctively began to tremble. It was also a bad idea to look down towards her feet when she was about halfway up. Without any support to hold onto, this place seems much higher than it actually is. Even someone not afraid of heights would feel faint and the intense urge to jump out of their skin. But, even then. (Chances… don’t wait… for people…!) Akari, half-conscious again, climbs up one step, and then another, and another. To Aria. To the stars. I want to be strong. Like Aria. That is all I want anymore. That is my longing… If I only admire her, my dream will just remain illusory for the rest of my life. (I will absolutely be… Aria’s Amica!!) To get to my dream, I have to go. No matter how hard that road may be… I have to go. This is my first test. This path is also my training. This training will help me become the person I admire. And this time… this training is in the form of suspension wires above the Rainbow Bridge…! … as Akari approached, Aria’s face became visible. Her face displayed half admiration and half dismay. Apparently, Aria has given this ordeal to every junior prospective War Sister who has followed her to the platform. However, Akari was the only one who has seriously tried to climb up this main tower. ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ## 22. Bullet 5: Shino Sasaki Part 1 ### 001. Bullet 5: Shino Sasaki Part 1 (Just a little message from the TL. Previously parts of the story might have been confusing with the perspective changing. I have rectified this for this chapter and all future chapters by putting ALL inner thoughts in brackets, not just ones that in the raw have brackets. For some reason no other story had such confusing perspectives, only AA…) … About six months ago. (Shabby…) On a certain day, Shino Sasaki was walking alone in Daiba and looked with contempt at a group of 3 of her classmates from a Tokyo Butei High affiliate school. It was a group of girls who looked to be a little tomboyish, which is a common trait among Butei School girls. Some carried sniper rifles on their backs, others carried pistols, and they walked along the street, spread out along the road The three were walking around and eating leaf pies, a popular women’s food at Daiba… The leaf pie was originally a homemade leaf pie made by an adult-oriented restaurant called Estella, but it was so well received in the restaurant that it is now sold at a stall on a street corner in Daiba. It was not uncommon for a juior high school girl to want to eat it, whether they are a butei or not. … however. Why are they buying and eating it on the way home from school, walking and talking together? Shino was raised strictly by her father, an elite prosecutor appointed by the Japanese Prime Minister and certified by the Emperor, and her mother, formerly his faithful subordinate. Studies, martial arts, calligraphy, piano lessons… Shino was rigorously drilled in these dignified arts. As the daughter of an armed prosecutor, who was a defender of justice, it is only natural that she would be well-behaved. She would never be allowed to act in such a flamboyant manner. From Shino’s point of view, the three girls walking together looked like savages. For Shino, it is an unthinkable act to eat and shop after school without hesitation while wearing the uniform of a proud butei. But… (I need to be careful.) It is not a violation of the school rules in the first place, so she could not look down on it. Because Shino used to actively call out her classmates for this kind of behaviour… She was isolated at school before she knew it. She was isolated after doing nothing wrong. From Shino’s point of view, it was unreasonable. Now, Shino has no friends. No, she had no friends even in the beginning. Because, I am… “Ah! It’s a winner!” … on of her classmates, who was holding a leaf pie that she was about to bite into, said this to her inner circle, but was spoken loud enough in a way that was clearly intended to be heard by Shino. “You’re on your own again.” “You are always so proud of yourself, pretty lady.” The other two girls were also in sync, bad-mouthing Shino as they left the leaf pie stall. This, too, was spoken loud enough to allow Shino to hear them. From an early age, Shino received a crammed education from a female tutor… And she received good grades. Very good grades. Shino was a very beautiful girl as well, a natural beauty that she does not have to try to achieve, with large breasts that she received from her mother. Very large actually. What is more, the Sasaki family is rich. And like her breasts, very much so. … because of this, she received the nickname “winners”. (TL Note: winners used in Japanese in this context means economically, social, etc.) In short, Shino is jealous of what she doesn’t have… She doesn’t know how to deal with it. Maybe there is nothing she can do about it. When she thinks about it… (I feel like I will continue to be jealous, hated, and outcast in this was for the rest of my life.) It is not to a level that will turn to anger and outlash at her classmates, but sadness and the desire of of giving up prevail. Gyu… Shino grips the handle of her schoolbag. (alone… I have… always been alone… alone…) She tells that to herself, to imbue herself with strength. (I don’t even want to eat a leaf pie…) She tells that to herself as well. But… …fuwa~… She can smell the sweet smell wafting from the stall, which tickled her nose. (Ahh, it smells…) (…it smells good…!) It also looks delicious to Shino. The harmony of aromas created by the exquisite balance of flour, butter, and sugar. To Shino, it should be as delicious as its reputation suggests, or even better. It is also irresistibly attractive, with the leaf shape being incredibly cute. And then she realized… Shino was now standing in front of the food stall after the girls in her class had left. Estella. Living up to its name, which means “star” in Spanish, the single leaf pie in the glass case appears to shine like a star. (But I can’t buy food at…) Self-control urges Shino to leave the stall, but her instinctive desire won’t let her. And so Shino sat there agonizing over the leaf pie. (Oh, welcome. Do you want a leaf pie?” A older girl wearing a hat with a star on it, who was working at the stall, accosted Shino. “…eh?” “You are in luck. It is the last leaf, freshly backed, and usually we sell out very quickly.” With only 1 left, apparently it was very close to selling out. The clerk in front of Shino picked up the leaf pie with a pair of tongs. “Eh, no, I was just watching…” Even though Shino answered “no”, the clerk couldn’t hear her because her voice was so quiet and the BGM of the store was loud. “Do you have a loyalty card?” The onee-chan asked while filling a paper bag with the leaf pie. (What is a loyalty card?) Shino, who is not familiar with the customs of the common people, tilts her head. But she can at least make out that they are asking for a card of some kind. “…? I have a gold card…” And the naive Shino gently pulls out her American Express card. “Ah-, we do not accept credit cards here.” The onee-chan laughed, and seemed to naturally think that Shino would just pay in cash, and so fastened the mouth of the bag with a ribbon. Apparently, now that Shino had shown her credit card, the onee-chan thought that meant she was determined to buy the leaf pie. But what should she do? Shino rarely shops outside of her own home. This is because it is the job of the Miyamoto sisters, maids employed by the Sasaki family. Therefore, she never had a need to carry cash on her. So naturally, Shino only had a credit card. She had no physical cash, coins or bills, on her. However, the lady at the stall has assumed that Shino is buying the leaf pie. Shino was in trouble… but someone just appeared by her side. “Just in time!!” A girl with short twin-tail hair, wearing a sailor uniform from a school attached to Butei High School, the same school as Shino, came running and out of breath. “Leaf Pie, please!” While holding out a 500 yen coin, the petite girl orders with an excited expression on her face… “I am sorry little girl but you are too late. This customer is buying the last one.” The lady at the stall, who apparently mistook the child for an elementary school students, responded with a bit of jest. “Ehhhh?! Sold out again-!?” The child’s face became so expressive and shocked that you can almost see the word “really?!” on it. Then she looked up at Shino, due to how short she was, who seemed to have bought the last one. Shino… “N-, no! I was just looking at it because it looked delicious…. please, go ahead.” With a wave of her hand, Shino let her order the last leaf pie. Shino was having a hard time buying one, so this for her was some relief in a pinch. With her short, twin tails, the little girl… was adorable… “… are you sure?” This, small surprise with a comical expression too, was very adorable. And… “Thank you–!” With a dazzling smile on her face, she took Shino’s hand. She expressed her joy by waving her hands in the air. Shino, who hadn’t held hands with anyone in years, was a little taken aback, but… Her smile was carefree, like a little sunbeam, and Shino couldn’t take her eyes off of her… That… was how Shino Sasaki and Akari Mamiya met. Shino could still smell the sweet aroma of a leaf pie… She was reminded of that day. … “I will be spending the night with Aria-senpai at her room.”… Shino, who managed to get over the stress last night by coating the shock of the e-mail with happy memories from the past… was not walking down the corridor of Butei High after school. On her chest, she is holding a small paper bag with a leaf symbol in her arms. She went to Estella’s stall right after class to pick up a freshly made leaf pie that the maid had reserved for her. (hot, hot) Shino entered the classroom of Class 1A, and finds Akari chatting with Raika. Shino has various statistics for Akari’s behavioural patters based off of the day of the week and weather. Shino has a general idea of where she is now no matter what. She quietly entered the classroom with a ladylike smile that should have made her highly desirable to anyone… “Akari, you can get Estella’s limited edition Sugar Leaf pie at…” And she started talking to Akari. Shino’s voice, however, did not reach the ears of Akari, who was engrossed in telling Raika a story. “… I see!! Aria-senpai, used it!!” Akari says this with a smile, but does not even look at Shino. “Aria… senpai?” Shino repeated the hateful name out loud that Akari just said. “Ah, Shino-chan.” … a little later, Akari noticed Shino’s presence. Raika beckoned Shino to join the conversation. “This morning, there was a bombing on the second field. I happened to be near the scene.” Talk about a somewhat disturbing story. But then again, at Butei High, shots fired and bombs exploding are a daily occurrence. Shino, though, was more concerned about Akari’s condition. Akari though… “Aria-senpai rescued the victim with a paraglider! I sewed the stitches for her! For Aria-senpai!” … despite the tension being high, there was a twinkle in Akari’s eyes. (Why are you looking at me with those eyes right now?) “For Aria-senpai…?” Akari had such happy eyes right now. Happy eyes. (those happy eyes should be made for me.) “-Yes! It was a rescue operation from the sky! Aria-senpai is so cool!” Akari was standing on her chair and gesturing like a child as she pretended to be Aria, happy that she could help her in some way. The excitement radiating from Akari was so great, even the tomboy Raika had a restrained wry smile on her face. In this atmosphere, Shino should be smiling too… but her expression was drawn. “I-, I’m glad you got to help her. Let’s go home now and eat this together.” Hiding her stormy heart, Shino makes a smile with only her facial muscles and invites Akari to join her. “Oooh, Leaf Pie!” But it was Raika who reacted quickly to Shino’s offer. (…that offer wasn’t for you.) Raika was a valuable friend of Shino, but not who she wanted to talk to right now. Raika, who did not notice the intentions of Shino, moved her nose close to the bag of leaf pies. Raika was not lying though (Yes. The leaf pie smells very good and is delicious.) (Surely Akari will forget all about Aria if she eats this leaf pie.) Shino’s victory is– “Ah, I cannot go home together with you today, I am sorry Shino-chan.” Akari’s response left Shino shattered. “I have to pack a overnight bag for Aria-senpai. I even have to pack her negligees and underwear.” Akari’s eyes turn into heart symbols as she begins getting excited. “…!” Shino is stunned into silence. (Since they are War Sisters now, she is packing Aria’s suitcase for an overnight stay. Let’s say that this is okay.) (To do this act, Akari must touch her negligee, bra’s, and panties.) (Let’s say that is okay too.) (But.) (Why?) (Why do you do these things with such glee?) (She seems so gleeful, even though I am so shocked after she turned down my invitation.) (Akari-chan.) (What happened to you?) (Who changed you…) “And now I’m NG for sweets.” (TL Note: NG is English in raw, means No Good.) Akari, who stated that she would leave alone, followed up her rejection with a declaration that she wouldn’t eat sweets anymore. She declared that she wouldn’t eat leaf pies anymore. “Aria-senpai told me that I should lose some weight after we had our bath together.” Akari uttered this line with a bit of embarrassment. That part… (B-, b-, bath?!) That word sent an electric current through Shino’s entire body. (Bath. Bath. Bath…! Bath, together…!) (In other, it is a Hadaka relationship.) (TL Note: Hadaka is a skinship festival in Japan, basically put, it is a relationship where both members have seen each other naked.) In other words, Akari and Aria have become such close friends that they have shown each other naked and nude. Already. (A bath with Akari-chan!) Shino has not fantasized about this act dozens, if not hundreds of times while bathing or sleeping… (But Aria has already realized this dream?) (Akari’s naked body, which I have not seen yet. But Aria saw her? With her own eyes!?) Leaving Shino, who has sunk into despair as deep as the Japan Trench, Akari waved her hand and walks out of the classroom. The moment Akari disappears from sight, Shino’s consciousness fades away. Her whole body loses strength and Shino wobbles, dropping the paper bag containing the leaf pie… “… got it.” With a snap, Raika caught it in mid-air. Raikia took the liberty of opening the bag of leaf pies that Shino had bought for Akari. “She has been talking about Aria-senpai since this morning. She must really like her.” Raika did not mean anything malicious with what she had said, but this is just another thing that dug into Shino’s heart. Shino tries to leave the classroom while wrapping her right fist, which is shaking slightly, with her left hand… “Hmm, are you going home?” Shino smiles a mournful smile at Raika, who is chewing on a leaf pie… “…Y-, yes… I feel… a little…” Shino left the classroom feeling dizzy, barely able to speak. Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, an upscale residential area. When Shino returns home to her mansion, which was one of the largest in the area, she enters the spacious entrance hall. “Welcome back, Shino-sama.” In the entrance hall, Shiori Miyamoto and Iori Miyamoto – twin beauties a little older than Shino – greet her with reverence. These two are apparently descendants of a person who had an enmity with Shino’s ancestor, but in the present day they are faithful maids who take care of Shino in the Sasaki household. Shino hands her bag to one of the Miyamoto sisters, who is dressed in a stereotypical black and white maid’s uniform, and attempts to slip past them silently. “Shino-sama, you don’t seem to be in a good mod…” Shino was acting strangely, and Shiori, who was worried about her, approached her. “… Shut up!” Shino, who is usually a shy girl, makes a screeching statement and enters her room without hiding her annoyance. Then, slam! , the door was violently slammed shut. In Shino’s room, which is bigger than her classroom in Class 1A. “… Why! Aria-senpai this, Aria-senpai that!” Shino exploded with the anger that had been dragging behind her since the left the classroom. Shouting in anger, she kicked her piano chair hard with her black stocking clad feet. “Akari-chan! Is! My! Friend! And! Yet!” Gasu! Gasu! Gasu! Gasu! Gasu! She even took out her anger on her stuffed rabbit, and after hitting it five times against the sofa, the rabbits body was torn apart and the stuffing inside came flying out. “ … fuu…. Fuu…. “ Still breathing heavily… After venting about 1% of her anger in a violent outburst, Shino regained a slight measure of composure. Who was the cause of this anger? Who was to blame? That went without saying. (…Kanzaki H. Aria.) (Akari is addicted to that villain.) (If I don’t do something… Aria will take Akari away from me…!) (I have to get Akari away from that woman.) (Because…) (Akari should not belong to anyone but me!) (If I dont do something, I will lose her!) (This must be stopped. What is wrong is bad. To stop what is wrong is therefore nothing but good. In other words, this will be justice.) … Shino took a deep breath with a serious expression on her face at the justification of the giant evil that is Aria. (Ah, calm down, Shino.) (Now I find myself trapped in perpetual anger.) (To do justice, calm judgment is required.) (So first I must calm down.) (Calming down is the first thing I must do.) In the corner of the room where Shino was walking was her “Akari-chan Box”… So accurately named, her treasure chest was waiting. (First, I need to get my Akari items from the Akari-chan Box…!) Shino opens the lid of the treasure chest with her pale hands. At that moment, Shino’s eyes see sparkling particles of light gushing from inside the box. Inside there was… A framed, sneakily taken photo of Akari, a popular favourite of Shino’s A part of the “Akari-chan Album”, this was an album filled with various sneakily taken photos of Akari. There was also a handmade stuffed animal, an Akari-chan doll. Next to that was a “Akari-chan Favor Graph” that records everything according to Akari’s daily interactions and reactions. There was a plastic bottle that Akari drank the contents of and then threw away. Hair, which was collected from Akari’s clothes after she returned to class and had to miss gym class. The treasure chest is filled with a large number of Akari related items that Shino has collected over the past six months… After burying her face in the box… Shino’s heart was very, very much at ease. “Ahh… Akari-chan…” Shino then pulls out the Akari doll from her treasure chest, and hugs it with all her might. Shino’s heart was filled with an inexpressible sense of happiness, as she held this holy doll, which she handled as if it were Akari herself, between her large breasts that were over 90cm in circumference… “… Akari-chan, we will always be friends!” Shino dived into her canopied princess bed with the Akari doll still in her arms. Then, with the blanket completely over her head, she was left alone with the Akari doll. While hugging the Akari doll to escape an undesirable reality… The memories of six months ago come vividly to mind. The Akari in Shino’s mind still sees Shino as she did back then. … that day in autumn when the fallen leaves were dancing. When Akari and Shino bought a leaf pie together… Where they sat on a bench side by side in Odaiba Seaside Park and each ate half of a leaf pie together. It was the first time Shino went out of her way to buy food. For her, it was a very naughty thing. But Shino did it anyway because Akari took her hand. She did something that her teacher and mother would call naughty, something undignified, something to her that was crazy… Because… Akari told Shino at the time. Words that Shino would never forget, with a smile that she will never forget either. “Akari-chan… Akari-chan, yes, yes, leaf pie is delicious, isn’t it? Please… have some of my pie, just kidding…” Shino was actively immersed in memories of a happy past, and her body had a mature and sexy quality that girls her age did not usually have. “Ahh… Akari-chan…” Shino was rubbing up against the Akari-chan doll like a cat. Shino, who had been moseying around for 15 minutes doing such a thing under the blanket where no one could see her when… “…” By comforting herself in that way, the stress accumulated that day was relieved and she returned to normal. Then, after a few seconds of silence, wham! , and the blanket was flung away. “… this is no time for escapism!” Her expression switches to one that is typical of a brave and typical daughter of an armed prosecutor. Finished pampering herself, she got out of bed and headed to her PC with a crisp face. And when she put on her blue light blocking glasses, pakapakapaka! , and with an aggressive expression on her face, she taps on the keyboard, and slid the mouse around on her desk. … Kanzaki H. Aria. The reason for this research was to find out more about the women who seduced Shino’s dear friend, a woman who was nothing less than a thief. Shino, who information-gathering ability increases tenfold when Akari is involved, quickly and steadily read up on the “Butei High Internet” website, the “Butei High Back Site” website, as well as a general search for Kanzaki H. Aria. However, the content is… An S-Ranked Butei who has been active throughout Europe since her early teens. An expert in handguns, swords, and hand-to-hand combat. 99 consecutive successful raids and criminal arrests. (… why is she so strong?) Giri… Shino begins to grind her teeth. (So strong…! It would be unreasonable to try and kill her directly…) With a crease forming on her forehead, Shino searches the various school’s websites to learn more. Even if she tried to bring Aria to justice by force, she would surely be beaten. Shino, who has a future with Akari (according to her own beliefs), will not settle for a crushing defeat though. In other words, if Shino was to win, it would not be through killing Aria, and victory must be through other means. (Are there any scandals in the past that could be used to blackmail Aria? Any weak family members or friends that I could take hostage?) (If Aria has no Achilles Heel though, I could use various institutions such as laws and school rules.) To ensure justice is done, Shino is willing to use any means necessary. And then, as the sun was setting… “… Shino-sama, we have brought your meal for you.” Twin maids bring a meal with a silver dome on a brass tray for Shino. “Leave it there!” Shino doesn’t show her face to her maids and commands them through the door. (I am not in the mood for food right now. In a battle against a strong enemy, a momentary lapse of guard can be fatal. It is the same in combat as well as in this operation planning phase.) (I need to hurry up. In a battle, time can be on your side or against you.) (As soon as possible… I must find it. I must find a winning move that will let me take Akari away from Aria.) By the time Shino noticed what time it was, morning light was leaking in through the curtains. The time was 5a.m of the next day. Shino has not eaten or slept at all since she began her research. She has dark circles under her eyes and a dizzy head, but… “… this… this is it…!” (It was worth it after all, I found a way!) (I am so glad that I looked for the answer as fast as I could. This method has a time limit.) (… 8p.m later that evening.) (That is the time limit for this operation) (There is only half a day before then, but that should be plenty of time to get ready.) …ufufu, fufufufu… Shino smiles as the light from the display illuminates her face. (… with this, I can get Akari back!) § § Two hours later, around the time Shino had fallen spectacularly asleep at home… “Umm… how long is Aria-senpai… going to be away?” Akari was helping Aria prepare for her outing. Aria will have to live away from home for a while due to a top-secret mission. Akari was disgruntled with the fact that their communal life in the same room that had just begun was already coming to a temporary end. “Hm. I am not sure how long I will be away… but you should be alone from time to time. You are my War Sister, so you can do that much, right?” Aria said. When asked this by her beloved Aria, Akari has only one possible answer. “– Yes! I will be all right even if I am alone!” With a sparkling, innocent smile, she replied honestly. ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ## 23. Bullet 6: Shino Sasaki Part 2 ### 001. Bullet 6: Shino Sasaki Part 2 At the end of school, Akari was not asked by Aria to help her at all, and she did not have the money to go out and have fun, and so she instead left the classroom with no particular plans to do anything. Then, “– Thank you Akari for your hard work today, let’s walk home together.” With a voice as gentle as the sound of wind chimes in a slight breeze, Shino called out to Akari with a bright smile. Shino appeared to be just passing through the hallway on her way from the bathroom, but in reality she was ambushing Akari as she was leaving the classroom. But Akari, who naturally is not a cautious girl, does not notice this… “Sure!” Akari nods with an innocent smile, just like a little girl. And so Akari walks around, chatting with Shino until they get to the school gate… The whole time, Akari’s conversation centred on her proud War Sister, Aria. Akari, who had no idea that the topic of their conversation was creating a black cloud in Shino’s mind kept talking about Aria, while Shino kept her smile firmly in place. But to Shino though, Akari innocently talking about Aria like this was tantamount to flirting. “Aria-senpai is out right now because she is busy.” Akari sighed as she was updating Shino on everything related to Aria… Shino on the inside had an elated expression as she thought “This is a Godsend!”. “In that case why don’t you come over to my house? I can treat you to dinner.” Shino proposed this to Akari. And Akari, “–Are you sure? Yay Yay! It is my first time going to Shino-chan’s house, I am so excited!” Akari answered without any doubt. Akari was so happy and excited that… She almost collided with a butei who resembled a pessimistic office worker. In the paper bag held by the boy, the contents now on the ground after he dropped the bag, were some games, “White and Black”, “The Tale of White Clover”, and “My Goth!”, which appeared to be some bishojo games. The boy put everything back into the bag as if them being seen was embarrassing, and he quickly fled the place. § § Akari went to the Sasaki household in Shirokanedai, Minato-Ku, in Tokyo, and… “A-, Amazing…! It is just like a castle!” ”Woooooooah”, Akari said, her mouth open wide. Akari was so unbelievably excited to visit a white-walled castle mansion like one might see in a shojo manga that all she could say was “Amazing! Amazing!” as she jumped around like a kangaroo. That gesture… (Cu-, Cute…! I should have brought my digital camera!) Shino moans and secretly begins taking pictures with her cellphone of Akari jumping around excitedly. Shino took Akari’s hand and walked together into the entrance hall. “Welcome home.” As usual, Shino’s twin maids greeted her. “wooooah, there is a maid.” It was the first time that Akari has seen a real maid, and she was surprised. “!” And the maids were equally surprised to see Akari. The maids look at Shino, and then Akari, and then Shino, and then… “– The young master has a friend!” “– The young master has never brought a friend over before!” The maids are obviously happy, as they are looking at each other, crackings jokes, and whispering to each other as they do sometimes. Shino, not wanting Akari to learn about this, coughed once, which silenced the maid. “Akari-chan, I know you are not home right now, but please leave your gun with the maids while you are here.” First, Shino told this to Akari with a calm expression on her face. Akari, still in awe at the glamorous hall, had no idea that this was the first stage of Shino’s plan. “Okay!” She handed over her micro UZI as requested. Akari’s bare thighs, now even more visible with the leg holster removed. “…” Shino smiled wryly and stole a sideways glance. Even while she was in the dining room, Akari’s eyes sparkle at all the gold and silver ornaments. To Shino, who has been accustomed to seeing such things since her childhood, it is mere furniture, but to Akari, it was a pirates treasure. Akari’s reaction was mesmerizing to Shino. The girls took their seats at the table, and soon the maids were bringing them their dinner on brass trolleys. The main dish was filet steak with herbs. Shino, though, was worried about whether it would suit Akari’s palate though… “Yummy-…!” Shino put her hand on her chest and sighed in relief as Akari ate it with great delight. “Shino, you can eat these leaves too, right?” Apparently not used to seeing herbs in her meals, Akari picked up a thin yellow-green leaf, confused. “Yes. Young caraway leaves take the smell out of meat. They are part of the parsley family, so they are safe to eat.” Akari, in response to shino had to explain something so obvious, “Really?” Akari was impressed. (Akari is so cute that she seems so much younger than me, even though we are the same age…) Pleased by her cute reaction, Shino also points to a small leaf on the ice cream that was served for dessert. “Lemon balm has a calming and cardiotonic properties. Chew one before a battle to unleash your full strength.” “–Shino, you know so much! There’s always one girl in every group of girls who knows a lot about herbs and stuff, and it is you!” Akari is in a good mood and praising Shino for the feast that was unlike anything she has seen before. (I am so happy.) (Now Akari is not talking about Aria, but she is talking about me.) (She is praising me. Akari is praising me, not Aria.) “That… that is too much to say…” Happy. Shino is so happy that her face is quickly turning red. Shino had to face slightly down towards the floor so as to not be noticed, and began gripping the knife to put away her uncontrollably feelings for Akari… Carefully cut the meat alone a straight line. (… oooooh, I like her, no I really like her, ahhhhh I love her…!) Continue cutting until the the steak has been cut into such thin slices that you can see right through it. After dinner, Akari and Shino were walking in the English Garden style garden at the back of the mansion. There are almost no tall buildings around the Sasaki residence, giving it a spacious and open feeling. The garden, now completely dark, is illuminated beautifully by an electric light that was modelled after the old-fashioned gas lamp. Shino walked beside Akari under the light. “Sorry for making you walk with me at night. I really waned to take a little walk after dinner…” (I will just make up the reason I lured you out here as I go along.) “It is amazing that you have a garden big enough that you can walk in it!” Akari, however, does not seem suspicious and ir instead rather pleased. With a face that clearly conveyed how glad she was to be here, she looked at the illuminated, well-maintained rose garden. (…) When Shino checked her watch, the time was just a little before 7:45. (It is about time.) Perhaps in response to Shino’s thought, a cold wind blew into the garden. “Ah… it is getting a little cold. Shall we go back?” While rubbing her arms, Akari chuckles and grabs the know of the garden gate that leads back into the mansion. But… gacha. “Huh?” The door will not open. “Shino-chan. The gate is locked…” (exactly.) “…” (Naturally the door is locked. I have the key.) “… Shino-chan?” Shino doesn’t answer as Akari looks at her, confused. Instead, Shino turned her back to Akari and reached for the herbs growing in the garden. (Lemon balm, chewing one will let me use my all.) “Akari, have you ever heard of the Three-Day Dissolution Rule?” Shino asks this, as she tears off one of the lemon balm leaves. (Of course she won’t know.) (This is a supplementary provision of the Amica system.) It was a clause that Shino found in the corner of the very detailed Amica contract, and the clause itself is not well known. Tilting her head, Akari had a “?” face that clearly conveyed she does not know what Shino is talking about. “The rules of the contract between two sisters states that if the younger sister loses a fight within 72 hours of signing the contract, the contract will be terminated. This is because the older sister could not protect their younger sister. Also, if this happens, the sisters cannot re-sign the contract.” Shino informs Akari about this clause while sucking on a lemon balm leaf. … this statement was kind of a preamble to a unilateral declaration of war. “heeeh…. I did not know that there was such a clause. Let’s see, the contract was approved by Masters three nights ago at 8:00 p.m., and it is right now 7:45 p.m. now, so… only 15 minutes to go.” Akari looks at the clock in the garden. The time is still, albeit just barely, within the time frame of the “Three-Day Dissolution Rule” that Shino was talking about. “Yes… you don’t want to cancel the contract as you want to be a War Sister with Aria-senpai, right? Twenty girls have already been turned down by Aria, and the school rules do not allow them to reapply, so you don’t have to worry about being attacked by someone who wants to be Aria-senpai’s War Sister… right?” Perhaps trying to reassure the worried Akari, Shino smiled at her. Shino turned her back on that lovely face… “Not everyone is aiming to be Aria-senpai’s Amica.” Shino muttered a few words. And then… “… Akari-chan, your bladeproof uniform isn’t loose, is it?” This time, the question came from a voice clearly audible, despite being partially hidden by the hedge from the rose garden… With a rustle, Shino pulled out what she had previously hidden there. –Saber. However, only the exterior of the sword is a Western-style sword, while the blade is a Japanese sword made by a sword smith in Seki. It is a military sword unique to Japan. Its blade is not a cast blade like most swords in the world, but a forged one. There is no blade that can match its unbreaking, unbending strength, or in other words, its raw killing power. (First, I need to check over Akari’s entire body… the sailor uniform of Butei High is not just bullet proof but blade proof too.” (But if the uniform is loose, an accident could happen.) “Shino… chan?” In front of Akari’s perplexed eyes, Shino is… She pulled out the metal scabbard decorated with engravings and dumped the sheath under her feet. A white blade gleams in the electric light in the garden. And… “… Akari-chan. Leave Aria.” While looking Akai squarely in the eye, Shino declared war. Shino’s black hair sways in the spring night breeze against the roses and the moon. And… “…..!?” Without a word, the tip of the sabre was pointed at the terribly surprised Akari. § § Apartment 202 at Heights Kachidoki… Nonoka was waiting for a text message from her sister. (I can’t believe you haven’t responded to my dinner email…) Nonoka received a text message in the evening that Akari was going to have dinner at a friends, Shino’s, house… but for a petite girl, Akari had a huge appetite, and was able to eat as much as she wants to in a day, so she was sure to eat a meal that Nonoka had prepared earlier that day. With that in mind, Nonoka had emailed the menu to Akari but… she still had not received a email back. Nonoka’s anxiety only grew at the absence of a reply from Akari, who was quick to respond to anything regarding food. (Could it be…) … a painful memory from two years ago comes to mind. A town was on fire. It was a hell filled with death. If disaster had befallen Akari now as it did back then… (No, nothing like that should ever happen again. I am sure of it.) (It wont ever happen again because we are all living apart, in secret.) But still. Fear was eating at Nonoka’s heart. (Big sis…) § § Shino’s mood has changed drastically… “Shino… what are you talking about…?” Akari didn’t understand. No, Akari did understand. Shino declared it loudly, “Leave Aria”, there was only one way to interpret it. Shino… (Shino doesn’t like that I am a Amica…) (Ever since me and Aria became Amica’s…) (I don’t know why, but she is trying to break us up…) (I know one thing for sure though.) (I don’t want to fight Shino, she is my friend.) (But…) “To force the dissolution of a War Sisters agreement, one of them must be defeated in a private fight with 72 hours… That is a school rule!” As soon as she finishes saying that, Da! , Shino rapidly closed all the remaining distance at once. “…!” Akari ducked from Shino by rolling out of the way, with Shino’s sabre cleaving the space where her upper body used to be, swinging fast enough to make a sound. The sword sliced through the rose hedge like it was paper, petals sent flying into the air. As crimson petals flew on the wind between the two girls… “…yaaa!” The sword continued to be swung at Akari. The second swing, which drew a V-shape like a swallow changing direction… Akari avoided it with nimble movements. Akari backsteps out of the blades killing zone and back rolled to keep her distance from Shino. (….!) Akari quickly dodged on the spur of the moment, using moves that her mother taught her as a child that she hid from ever doing in public. (I have to escape from here!) Because, right now, Akari is not prepared to fight. She does not want to fight, to kill Shino. Akari does not know why Shino wants to dissolve the contract between herself and Aria, nor does she know what Shino’s true intentions are. If Akari fights in a unsure state, she wont be able to fight to the best of her abilities. Her sealed abilities will be even weaker. Her fighting abilities will be weaker than what Shino already thinks it is, and if that is true… even though Shino does not plan on killing her, the risk is that much higher. Akari landed on the ground as if she was crouching down in her blade-proof uniform… “…!” Her tie fastener came off with a snap. Shino’s blade had managed to hit Akari’s uniform, even though Akari ducked. There are two types of sailor uniforms at Butei High: The older type, in which the collar and tie are integrated, and the newer type, such as the one that Akari is wearing, in which the two pieces are seperate. The fabric itself used in the new uniform is bulletproof and stab-proof, but the threads and the hooks used to put it all together is not. Shino had just precisely targeted that hook, using the tip of her sabre. The double layered parts though, such as the collar and tie of this sailor suit, are particularly protected though. (Shino probably intends to attack the threads and hooks to limit the protective potential of the uniform.) As if to prove Akari’s thoughts, “I’m sorry. Even if you are wearing a stab-proof uniform, I might end up breaking a few bones… but I will be thre to nurse you back to health, okay?” Muttering this, Shino turned around, sabre still in hand. Her face… She was laughing, with a strange passion in her voice, her smile saying “I will get you”. (Shino… something is wrong with her…!) (Shino’s mind, which had been incomprehensible to me for a while now, has only become more incomprehensible since I came here…) Akari pulled out her Uzi Heavy Defender from her blouse, with fear evident on her face. Akari grabbed it, not to attack Shino with but to defend herself, and ran towards the centre of the garden, where the fountain was located. But Shino, who naturally knew the garden paths better than Akari, “Akari, you moved so quickly just now. You were like a swallow.” She walked towards Akari with ease and appeared from the front with the sabre still in her hand. “… but I can kill even a swallow.” That being said though, Shino was 5m away from Akari… She twisted her body and slid her sword in tandem with it. … she is ready. Her stance was easily recognizable, even to an amateur. It was an iai stance. But… this is different from the iai posture that Akari saw in the assault department’s instruction book. Shino’s body is in front of Shino and to the right, and her sabre is held lower left, but behind her back. Just before her stance, Shino had discarded her sheath. Iai was originally a sword drawing technique. The first blow is usually made from the state of natto. What makes this different from a regular iai is the distance. By all account, the distance between Shino and Akari is not within the range of attack by the sword. However. In an actual battlefield, someone who is “poised” means they are “ready to attack”, regardless of the distance. (… this is dangerous!) An alarming sense of impending doom is running down Akari’s spine…! ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ## 24. Bullet 7: Shino Sasaki Part 3 ### 001. Bullet 7: Shino Sasaki Part 3 …In the Sasaki family, there was a swordsmanship style called “Itsu-Ryu” that has been handed down throughout the generations. It was a swordsmanship style that was founded by Shino’s distant ancestor, Sasaki Kojiro, and it is a secret style of swordsmanship forbidden from being taught outside of the household. The Sasaki family, including Shino, possess a number of techniques that are far more advanced than modern kendo. One of the combinations of various techniques of this style is… The “Tsubamegaeshi”, a legendary sword technique. (TL Note: Tsubamegaeshi involves the Kanji for “swallow” and “return”. From what I can gather, it basically means something like “a move to kill a swallow”.) Originally developed to respond immediately to an enemy attack or to swoop down on an enemy quickly, is a literally dazzling style created by focusing all attention on the speed of the sword, said to be so fast it is unnoticeable… This technique though, relies on mastering the drawing of a sword, not from a sheath, but from the air. It is a style that focuses on drawing a sword as fast as possible. This technique, largely avoided by other schools due to its conceptually contradictory logic, has produced the fastest sword style as it ignores the typical friction of a sword leaving its sheath. The reversal in thinking for drawing was developed by the genius Kojiro Sasaki, and the first part was called “Number 1”. The sheath is first discarded. Just as Sasaki Kojiro did when he confronted the historically famous Miyamoto Musashi. Just like Shino Sasaki did just now. (… this is a secret technique, but if I am just dealing with Akari…) (The next parts I learned from my parents are “Number 2” and “Number 3″…) This was a technique that utilized the speed of the flow of ones blood from the beating of their hearts to gather instantaneous power. This technique intentionally utilizes the timing of static and dynamic motions to create the illusion of distance in the opponents vision. (And now for “number 4”, “Number 5”, and “Number 6″…) With every second that passes… Shino’s procedures are being prepared in her mind, and preparations are being done. … and then… (Tsubamegaeshi…!) A sword technique that is said to kill even a swallow is moving at 200km/h… Though the technique is young and incomplete, nonetheless Shino unleashes it! The body of Shino flashes, as all of the parts of the technique are linked into one, and the sword reaches Akari from over 3 meteres away. Akari, who previously had a gap between her and Shino, had watched as Shino seemingly teleported closer… “…!” Akari’s knife met Shino’s military grade sword. No, Shino made sure this would happen. She did this to destroy the knife, which was a mere toy compared to her Japanese military sword. “…!” Akari’s knife shattered as if it was glass as it received the blow of the secret sword technique. Not only that though, but Akari’s body was blown away by the force of the impact, basaaaa! She tumbled into a round pool that surrounded the fountain. Shino approaches Akari, who is now soaking wet and breathing heavily, with her sword still in posture. “… Akari-chan.” … Shino’s cheeks were wet as well. Wet from the tears coming out of her eyes. “Akari-chan, you know this is all your fault, right…?” At that moment, Shino’s precious memories of Akari came back to her mind… (Six months ago, I met Akari…) After buying the last of the leaf pies, Akari took Shino to a nearby park. And there, on a bench, Shino and Akari sat side by side. (Why did she bring me here, why did she make me sit side-by-side with her, and…. why am I doing all this for Akari?) Shino was confused by all of this, “I will give you half, since I took the last one by interrupting you.” Akari laughed as she split the leaf pie in half, and gave half to Shino. “Eh, ahh” Akari handed it to Shino, and Shino awkwardly accepted it. (For some reason, I feel like I cannot go against anything that this girl is asking or doing for me.) “…bu-, but… I… don’t know how to eat outside…” Shino protested, giggling for some reason, “It is super amazing to be able to eat a leaf pie that was freshly baked!” Akari, who apparently has already begun eating, apparently didn’t care about Shino’s worries. Akari eats her half of the leaf pie with a face full of bright happiness. (She is irresistibly cute. Cute… Cute… Cute… That must be why…) Shino no longer had the will to condemn the act as wrong. (She is so cute… if something like this can make such a angelically cute girl so happy, surely it cannot be a bad thing…) Yes. From Shino’s point of view, Akari seemed to be akin to a holy being. (I never knew there was such a lovely, innocent, pure and cute child in this world.) Rather, it would be an evil act to prevent that smile. Shino, who had just flipped her internal switch from evil to good, was thrilled, and… Shino broke a small piece off of her leaf pie and brought it to her mouth. “… delicious.” Shino’s mouth was full and her honest thoughts came out. Shino no longer thought what she was doing was wrong. It was strange. (When I am around this girl, I can be honest with myself.) “Right?!” Akari’s smile as she said that, just like when she said her name “Akari Mamiya” when she introduced herself in the park, made Shino feel as if her surroundings had brightened up. Shino realized that she, too, was smiling for the first time in a long time, and so after a while, she… “Ah, um… Mamiya-san.” Shino was really curious about something, so she nervously approached Akari herself. “You can call me Shino, so can I call you Akari?” Shino’s face was bright red and she is overjoyed… “Um, also… let me pay half for the leaf pie.” Shino took out her wallet that was branded with her parents law firm. But… “Ah, wah, I only have a credit card…!” (Come to think of it, this was why I couldn’t pay for the leaf pie in the first place.) As Shino is besides herself with internal turmoil, Akari tilts her head and says “credit card…?” But she seemed to understand what Shino is talking about. “Paying tomorrow is fine.” That is what she said. “But will I be able to even see you tomorrow… we are in different classes…” Akari was in a different class, and so Akari had to remind her of that fact. “I don’t care about that or if you pay me later. That is because…” Akari smiles with a pure and bright smile. “… since we are friends now, we will be friends forever!” Yes, that is what she said. That was her response. (… friends… forever…) Shino’s heart skipped a beat. Shino heard a word she had never heard before. She felt something she had never felt before. And from that word alone, a warm feeling spread throughout her body. It was a indescribably pleasant feeling, pleasurable and moving, something Shino had never experienced before. It filled Shino’s body to the point where it seemed that it would overflow everywhere. (… my first… friend…) … I am so happy… so, so happy… Tears welled up in Shino’s eyes. Poroporo, poroporo . There was no way for Shino to stop the tears. “… fuee …” Even the proud Shino could cry out with shame. “Eh? Eh? Why are you crying?!” Akari was quickly to show her some concern. (She is such a nice and pure girl!) (Akari… she must be a real angel!) (She was an angel sent by God to poor me, who was isolated at school…) … the angel was… (Akari-chan.) (There are those out there who want to take you away from me.) (… you are my friend… I don’t want to lose you…!) The tears flowing from Shino’s eyes now are different than they were back then. These were tears of anger, hatred, and sadness. (These tears are not flowing because of Akari.) (It is because of Aria, who is trying to take Akari from me!) (Yes. The root of all this evil is Kanzaki H. Aria. That woman is to blame for everything.) (I must separate Akari from Aria… that is why…) (… I am going to cut them apart!) Shino re-grips the hilt of her sword. § § As Akari’s uniform absorbed water, the uniform became heavier. She had been able to run around easily until now, but with this weight slowing her down, her movement is heavily limited. Especially since the iai slash earlier. Akari, unarmed and without a gun or knife now, feels as if she is now looking upon a death row sentence… (I have to get out of the fountains pool.) “… Akari, I am not giving you over to Aria!” Hearing Shino’s excited cries, Akari finally, albeit not-confidently, guessed what Shino was talking about. (Shino is jealous of Aria-senpai.) (Why are you so jealous that you would go this far?) Akari still has question marks in her head, but she understands that this all stems from Shino’s understanding that Akari is leaving her for Aria. (But regardless, that does not mean I can just back down!) Shino is using the “Three-Day dissolution rule” to separate Akari and Aria. “I don’t want to stop being Aria’s Amica!” Akari replied, clenching her fist tightly. After all this time, even someone like Akari had finally hardened her resolve. (I am ready to fight Shino now.) (I must fight.) Akari’s eyes focused on the weapon held in Shino’s right hand. (… if I can just get that sword away from her…!) (I know, since I have known her now for a short while, that Shino does not use a gun. She owns one but never takes it out of her school bag, and it does not look like she has it with her at the moment.) (Shino is also a Inquesta student, so she does not have to practice combat training.) Although she is not a particularly skilled assault student, nonetheless she has practice hand-to-hand combat at assault. (If I manage to take her sword away and leave her unarmed like me, and then force her into a hand-to-hand fight, I might be able to win…) (I need to take her sword with my bare hand.) (If I use my technique that can turn the impossible, possible…) (…”tobiugachi”…!) Angry, Akari prepares to use her technique. Tobiugachi. It was originally a technique meant to rip out a part of the human body with ones fingers, like a black kite swooping down and grabbing a small animal. The target of tobiugachi that Akari was taught was: the eyeballs, tongue, brain stem, five viscera, major blood vessels, and nervous system. The target was defined as things “inside” the body. In other words, tobiugachi in the first place was a technique that directly violates Article 9. However, Akari has modified this technique herself. As if to downgrade the technique, the technique now targets things “outside” the body. This was an extremely difficult task for her. It is very difficult for someone to change the muscle memory of a technique that had been memorized by the body through hundreds of repetitions. But, Akari was able to override this memory with thousands of repetitions and countless practice, all to overcome and change this lethal-technique into a non-lethal technique. So… (I will be fine. I am sure.) With that in mind, Akari.. Relaxing her clenched fist, Akari makes a open hand. Like a hawk flying into the air over his prey, Akari relaxes her claws to prepare for the drive. … but. Shino’s eyes narrowed when she saw Akari moving. “… I know what you are doing. I know you better than anyone else does, Akari. The other day, you did that technique to take the paper from Raika, didn’t you?” (She must be talking about that time that I took back the application form for my Amica contract with Aria from Raika.) Akari had used tobiugachi in the spur of the moment that time. (… Shino was there that time.) Shino was a member of Inquesta. Students in the Inquesta department are constantly on the lookout for human characteristics and behaviours. The teachers strictly ingrained this into their students to make it a habit. (… she knows…!) To Akari, who’s face now has a element of surprise and fear on it… “Akari, you took the emblem from Aria using that technique, too. And if you were to use it now, you would take this sword from me.” Shino spoke her own deduction as if chasing Akari’s hopes. Then, the sabre that Akari had set as he target, Zaku! . Shino had thrust the sword into the ground. (…?) Akari was puzzled at the sight of Shino giving up her weapon. “I came to the conclusion that that technique can only be used if the target is within arm’s reach. In other words, you have to be virtually next to the target to use it.” While saying this… gasaa… gasagaa… Shino reached behind the rose bush again and pulls out another sword that she had hidden inside. “… a samurai always carries a large sword and a small sword. The one I have been using so far is my small sword.” The sabre, which Shino had called a small sword, had a blade length of 70cm. That was long enough to be the long sword held by a normal samurai. But the sword that Shino had just pulled out… (… long…!) It was an odd-looking sword, with a blade that was well over 1m 50cm in length. It was not uncommon to see a Japanese sword like this, they do exist. In the supplementary reading books of the Assault department, there were pictures of these swords such as the odachi, zhanmadao, and so on. But a sword that large is usually handled by a mounted warrior. It is rare to use a sword that large in hand-to-hand combat, which is exactly what Shino is doing right now. “This is my large sword, also known as a “clothesline”.” But Shino pulled the sword out of its sheath with a practiced hand… Like the sabre from earlier, she discarded the sheath. This sword design is apparently from China, and at the back end of the handle Shino gripped, the part called the haft, was a metal ring for attaching a decorative cloth, as seen on Chinese swords. However, the blade of the sword has a clearly razor sharp edge that even the untrained eye can tell that the sword was forged in Japan. With a beautiful curve, its long, elegant shine shows a long killing zone that almost reaches the moon in the night sky… Naturally, it was impossible for Akari to enter such a large killing area and grab the handle. “Akari-chan.” Akari noticed that Shino was calling her Akari-chan recently… (She usually calls me Akar-san, but will call me Akari-chan when she is excited.) With a face filled with passionate heat, and yet calm on the surface. “… please do not grab the blade. If you do, all your finger will fall off.” Following this horrifying threat, which bluntly was warning Akari to not even think about using tobiugachi… sususu Shino shifted her posture to the same iai stance as before. Shino spread her legs out to the front right, bent her knees to lower her centre of gravity, and moved the sword behind her to build up the rotational force of her lateral cleave. (… I can’t! Tobiugachi… cannot be used here…!) Tobiugachi was even able to take the emblem away from Aria, but a secret technique only works if its true identity and method is not known to the target. (She has seen that technique and has taken countermeasures against it… it would be suicidal to use it on Shino, who has exposed tobiugachi.) (In order to neutralize Shino’s super long sword, I have to use a different method.) (But what can I do if I am unarmed?) Under such dire circumstances, “Shino, why are you…! Aren’t we friend!?” “I cannot back down… because we are friends!” Akari and Shino threw screams at each other. And the next moment… (…Tobiugachi…!) Shino’s super-long sword, which was swung and stretched as if to ignore the distance, caused the blade to sway. “-!” Akari did not hesitate to evade the horizontal slash with a quick, swallow-like side step. The fountain behind Akari… A break was formed in the running water. “Did you think I would hesitate?!” Shino shouted, kicking off a tree in the garden and jumped over Akari. Shino did not show it earlier, but a true Tsubamegaeshi is a double strike with a sword. Her clothesline sword, which has a larger swing than her smaller sabre, has only just completed the first slash. – the second shot which was intended to catch Akari — “Naive!” The sword descends from above in an elliptical trajectory. (This one is Shino’s real striker, her killing blow…!) (–!) In the gap between strike one and two, Akari had pulled off the tie of her uniform that hat been unfastened earlier. Gathering all her strength into her small hands, she raises her taut and blade proof necktie to the sky. And Shino’s desperate sword strike… – Akari caught it with the tie–! But it is not enough. As long as a sword is drawn, the next attack will eventually come. (Now, I am in control of the flow of this fight!) Akari, not missing the moment when Shino, wide-eyed and surprised, lands on her feet and lost her stance. (–!) Akari gripped the sword, which has killed the swords momentum, with both hands through the protective tie. Although it is awkward, this is a last resort when using chains or wires to protect oneself from blades. (This is just a simplified version of the bare handed sword catch technique that we were taught in the Assault department!) When a blade is wide such as on this sword, Akari’s pinch has more leverage than Shino who is holding the sword like a lever. So if you were to twist the blade… “!?” – Kokin! And as Shino’s wrist was twisted, she lets go of the sword. Shino, being Shino, did not seem to have fully mastered the motion of releasing the tsubamegaeshi swing with such a large sword. The weight of the sword caused her to lose her balance and she stumbled… (TL Note: “Shino being Shino” could be referring to the fact she is a girl and the sword is heavy, maybe she never practised being in a losing fight or preparing for it, maybe she is clumsy, etc. Text does not expand on what that means.) She fell into the fountain behind her with a loud splash. “… haa… haa.. haa…” Akari breathed heavily as she slumped down. She is in a cold sweat, and her hands are trembling as she clamped the long blade still in the neck tie. (It was reckless… too reckless… but… I was able to take Shino’s long sword away from her…) While Akari was lucky with her gamble, for the entire fight Shino was out of her mind and immature when it came to actual combat. And because of that, Akari could conquer Shino’s technique. In the fountain, Shino sat stunned for a while. The clock strikes 8:00 a.m… the deadline for the three-day elimination rule has passed. (I don’t need to be afraid anymore that someone will come after me to dissolve my War Sister contract with Aria…) Akari breathed a sigh of relief. “… fuee…. fueeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!” Akari heard crying coming from the fountain. The crying came from a soaking wet Shino. “Akari-chan hates me now! I am back to being all alone again!” She was wailing like a child. Seeing her, Akari finally… she finally felt like she could understand Shino’s true feelings. (Shino acts like a cool and mature lady, but she is actually really lonely…) (She was worried.) (She was afraid that me and Aria having a War Sister contract would break our friendship.) (Now that I think about it… the last time Shino went out of her way to buy my a leaf pie to eat with her after school… I refused to eat it…) (looking back on how I treated her, after seeing her true feelings for me…) (I… might have done something terrible to her, and hurt her…) That is what Akari thought. “I am sorry I was insensitive to you… Shino, I’m… Sorry I could not see how important our friendship was. I do not hate you.” Akari crouched down on the edge of the fountain, put her face close to Shino’s, and apologized. “Re-… really? You don’t hate me?” With tears in her eyes, Shino asked Akari like a puppy that was about to be abandoned. Akari smiled like she was Shino’s big sister, despite Shino being much taller than her. “Yep!” Akari said gently. Then Shino moved her face 5cm closer to Akari. “Then, do you like me? Do you like me?” While closing the distance to 4cm, then 3cm, Shino questions Akari with a look of anticipation that Akari cannot say no to. Akari was a little overwhelmed by it. “Ye-, yep.” With a wry smile, Akari nodded. Then, paaaaaaa….! “Akari-chan!” Shino, her smile as beautiful as a rose, jumped at Akari. “… I love you too! I love you -!” Shino jumped on Akari, reducing the distance between them to zero, and then she hugged Akari with a gyuu! The hug was tight enough that it hurt Akari a little. “Shi-, Shino-chan…?” “I love, love, LOVE you!” Akari’s eyes went black and white as Shino repeated this to her. Shino was going overboard as if to solidify a friendship that was almost lost. At any rate though… Akari and Shino’s first big fight thus came to an end. … it was the next day. Akari, who was on day duty, arrived at school early today. “Fuwaaa.” Behind her, Raika, also on day duty, continued to clean, sweeping the ground with the broom in her hand. Right now, Akari and Raika are the only two people on day duty. (I cleared the three-day elimination rule, but… Shino, I wonder if she is ok…) Akari looked distressed as she wiped the blackboard. (Yesterday, after that fight, I had to calm Shino down, who was crying…) (We had made the excuse to the maids that we were playing in the garden and fell into the pool, so we managed to get away with no one knowing about our fight…) (I wonder if Shino caught a cold though after that. I am worried…) “Good Morning.” Upon the classroom door opening though, Akari heard Shino’s voice. Akari, who was just involved in a fight with Shino yesterday, turns around a bit flustered. “Sh-, Shino-chan. About yesterday…” ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ## 25. Bullet 8: Kinji Toyama Part 1 ### 001. Bullet 8: Kinji Toyama Part 1 – When training in the Assault Department, after meeting the minimum quota for specific training, you are free to do whatever training you want. The purpose of this freedom is to develop a habit that will see people continue practising on their own, with the training helping them survive in the future. It is for this reason that many students continue to hone their marksmanship and CQC skills even after school. On that day, too, in that black walled gymnasium Assault department building, voluntary hand-to-hand combat and and knife fighting was being conducted. The training conducted was in the form of a semi-life-threatening simulation, with the participants dressed in their bulletproof uniforms used for actual combat. There is a training gym on the second floor of the Assault department. And there… Akari was training to improve her basic fitness on a exercise bike, although she was so petite she has to stand to pedal. There is a glass window in front of the bike, and through that window you can see the first floor, which at a quick glance is no different from an ordinary gymnasium. (I wonder if Aria-senpai will come today.) Since she is looking at the window in front of her, Akaris skirt… Due to her standing posture, she is a little defenceless right now. However, since Butei High requires its students to wear the bulletproof uniform whenever they are on the premises, Akari had no choice but to wear the short sailor uniform as she stands and pedals on the exercise bike. Behind Akari, and right now doing pushups, is Raika, who has a keen eye for such feminine opportunities. Raika, who was also training, was trying to find the right moment to tease Akari… “Shino isn’t here right now…” Raika called out to Akari. “Yep” Behind Raika, Akari, her skirt still fluttering up, was reminded of the other day when she saw Shino off. That day, after general subject classes were over, Shino, who was aiming for a Amica contract with a specific senpai, had to leave Butei High for a while and go on a training camp where that senpai was staying. A Bentley Mulsanne, a luxury car costing tens of millions of yen with a female chauffeur who was exclusive to the Sasaki family, picked Shino up in the entrance of the general school district. Raika’s eyes lit up like a little boys when she saw the rarely seen car, saying “Wow!”. “Akari-chan. What a sad fate… I cannot see you for a while…!” Shino handed her suitcase to the driver and gyugyugyu…! After, she hugged Akari as hard as she could, as if she could not possibly miss this opportunity. “… please be okay as long as I am gone! Wait for me to come back!” She leaned out of the window of the Bentley and kept waving her hand with regret and remorse on her face… (…if I recall correctly, that is what happened.) “I did not know there were so many different tests for a War Sister’s contract.” Akari talks to Raika behind her as she continues using her exercise bike. “Ahh. It is weird for a War Sister to make her come out to the mountains. Okay, and… 100!” Raika, having fulfilled her push-up quote, lies down on her back on the spot. And then, “Well, while Shino is away, I can monopolize Akari… uhehehehe…” Akari turned around and saw… Raika, lying on her back, was making a rectangle with her index finger and thumbs of both hands, like a photographer who has found a good angle. Raika’s finger camera is… Akari is right now standing on her exercise bike, and the finger camera is angled to point up her skirt from below! “uwa, white cotton. It’s like a pair of kid panties. It is more like “panchu” than “pantsu”.” “….!?” Finally, Akari noticed Raika’s gaze and held down her skirt. “Panchu, full view~♪” After enthusiastically teasing Akari, Raika spread her hands out like a airplane and began running away. “He-, Hey-! Baka Raika! Low angler! Pervert!” (TL Note: the original is okanehare for pervert, which translates loosely to “pay me”. This doesn’t make sense to me, unless Akari is selling pantie pics now, and the only other thing that could make sense is “I will make you pay” which seemed out of place here, so I put “pervert!” instead.) Akari angrily chased after Raika, smoke billowing out from her head. This was a customary event that often takes place between Raika and Akari. Raika’s various sexual harassment → Akari rages → Akari chases Raika… but, this time, the chase did not last as long as usual. The reason is that Raika stopped abruptly when she heard a conversation among the boys looking down onto the first floor. Mugyu! Because Raika stopped abruptly, Akari collided into her back. “–Hey, did you hear that Kinji is coming back to the Assault Department!?” “I did! By Kinji they have to mean Kinji as in Kinji Toyama, right?” “He was said to be the chief candidate for the Assault department!” Raika overheard her sophomore senpais talking about this… (Raika’s serious face is making me feel nervous…) “… Raika?” Concerned about Raika’s serious expression, Akari paused her anger and called out to her. “Kinji Toyama… that man is coming back?” “Kinji…? Who is that?” “He is a senior in his second year. He was always away on missions, and last year he transferred to Inquesta, but before… He was in the Assault Department and was an S-ranked Butei.” “An S-rank in their freshman year!? There is such a person…!” The top of the top for Butei – the S-rank Butei – is strictly limited in numbers, with only the best in each field being selected. There are only a few hundred of them in the whole world, and that is including adult butei. Akari’s Amica, Aria, is one of them, but it is very rare for high school students to be S rank. And it is even more rare for a first year. “I heard that Kinji Toyama even beat an instructor in his entrance exam. He is a legendary man. A junior high school student who can beat a professional Butei is a monster.” The instructors at Butei High are a select group of professional Butei’s from Japan and other parts of the world, who were former soldiers, mercenaries, policemen… and, as rumour would have it, mafia members. The students are reminded on a daily basis just how strong the instructors are. And Kinji Toyama, who was in the third grade of junior high at the time of his exam, was said to have defeated them. “…monster…” Based off of Raika’s story, Akari tried to imagine, with her limited information, who this person Kinji Toyama was. (He must be a big man, like a professional wrestler, since he could beat the instructors of Butei High.) (He cant be using a normal gun. He must be using, like, a bazooka, like the hero of an action movie.) (There is such a person in the same school as me… I only passed the entrance exam because there was a vacancy…) Beside Akari, who was trembling at the mere thought of Kinji, “I have never spoken to him but I know his face. Oh, there he is.” Raika pointed to the first-floor. “…” Coyly, Akari peeked through a inner window on the second floor. There… was two seniors. They are making a fuss, saying “It’s Kinji!” and “He’s really back!” At the centre of a small crowd… Was a dark-looking boy with a slightly glazed look in his eyes, rubbing his black hair wearing a crumpled uniform and tie. (…?) (Could he be the rumoured Kinji Toyama…?) He was far from what Akari had just imagined, he seems like an ordinary high school boy that could be found anywhere. (He looks like someone I had seen somewhere recently, but even if I had, he has an air kind of like… If I had seen him, I would have forgot about him five minutes later. He is unimpressive and has no presence.) But the students in the Assault course are in a happy mood about Kinji’s return to Assault. Or, rather, they are messing with him and teasing him. “… something… is different from what I imagined…” “Well that is what he looks like. He is a year above us, and apparently some first year students are trying to beat him in a fight as it is a big deal if you get a Upper Win, but… it does not look like they’re going to win.” ”Upper Win”, which Raika referred to, was a Butei High term that means that a junior beat their senior in a private battle. The different between those who have received one year of practical training and those who have received two years is significant, and so a Upper Win cannot usually happen. So, at Butei High, those who can get a Upper Win are highly valued by their peers and teachers. (From the way she is talking, Raika may also be aiming to beat Kinji.) “His War Sister though is Fuuma from the intelligence. He seems to be a difficult person fight. Well, I can’t win anyway, and I don’t fight fights I cannot win.” After that Raika left the training gym, scratching the back of her head and internally seething at the fact that she didn’t stand a chance at fighting Kinji. Akari, who was left behind, tried to observe Kinji on the first floor of the gymnasium for a while longer… As for Kinji’s strength that was considered to be the same as the S-rank Aria, that did not become obvious till later. A while later… With a sports drink in one hand, Akari was walking alone in the school after classes. And, just as she was leaving the school gates to go home. (– Ah, Aria-senpai!) Akari was overjoyed to find Aria H. Kanzaki near the gate. But shortly after… That smile, piki! , solidified. “… you are a popular person. I was a little surprised.” And Aria… She approached Kinji Toyama, who had left earlier, and called out to him. Akari’s eyes bulged at the sight. “I don’t want those people to like me.” Kinji answers a little grimly, looking sideways at the Assault department. Aria doesn’t smile at this response, and there appears to be a psychological distance between the two of them. But, despite that, it is by no means a bad atmosphere. Because, you see, they started walking almost next to each other. (Kinji is walking next to Aria, and Aria is following him.) “You don’t socialize well, and you are a bit gloomy. It seems like you have good friends at Assault though and everyone gave you a… what was it? A glance. Kinji, watching you walk through the Assault Department… you were kind of cool, walking through the Assault Department surrounded by people.” Aria talked to Kinji as she was staring at him. (She is even saying things that could be taken as a compliment…!) (What!? What!? What!? What!? What!?) Akari almost began to panic. (Kinji Toyama… who are you!?) (I must, must, MUST find out who that dirtbag is!) After a few minutes… “Don’t follow me! I don’t even want to look at you right now!” “I don’t want to see your stupid face either!” “Then don’t follow me!” “No!” And so on. For some reason, Kinji and Aria were chasing each other on the street as they made their way home. (They seem on the outside to be on bad terms, but their relationship may be that of fighting friends instead.) For Akari, that was very bad. For Akari, after all, fighting in a friend relationship can lead to a lovers relationship later. Or at least, that is how it is often described in shojo manga. (If Aria-senpai, the senior whom I adore, should happen to go out with a dull boy like that…!) (… I won’t let it happen!) Akari watched as Kinji and Aria went to a video game arcade. And then, Aria took out two stuffed animals from the UFO catcher and gave one of them to Kinji. (I don’t know anything about Kinji, but did you like stuffed animals Aria…?) (She is smiling. Aria-senpai is.) (Sh-, she looks like she is having fun…!) Akari continued to spy on them from behind a roadside mailbox, and then… (Kinji Toyama…! That guy, what if… what if I let such a guy latch onto Aria-senpai!?) Akari was beginning to get impatient as she watched this existential crisis approaching Aria. (Aria-senpai is as perfect as a goddess, so there shouldn’t be any problem.) (In other words, it is Kinji Toyama who is to blame. That man must have brain washed Aria-senpai.) Akari narrowed her target to Kinji and began tracking him after he left Aria. She followed Kinji Toyama to… With a sigh, Akari walked through the alleys of the artificial island, where Butei high was located. Thankfully it was quite windy today, so the sound of the wind drowned out the sound of Akari’s footsteps. (… I will find out what kind of person you are…!) When Akari, who was beginning to get angry, turned at the crossroads where Kinji went, Kinji had suddenly dissapeared… “… Mamiya-dono. Let’s end this here.” From overhead, Akari was stopped by a strange, time-honored way of speaking. (I never felt any sign that someone was in that direction!) “…!?” When Akari looked up, about 4 meters high, there was a girl from Butei High hanging upside down with her toes on a lamppost and her arms folded. Black hair in a ponytail. Shinobi armour on her hands. She is wearing a mask-like cloth that covers her mouth and a long scarf, and her sharp eyes are turned towards Akari. “… it is nice to meet you for the first time. I am Master Toyama’s Amica, Hina Fuuma.” Akari’s body stiffened when she heard the name. She stepped back, unconsciously bracing herself. (Fuuma–!?) ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ## 26. Bullet 9: Kinji Toyama Part 2 ### 001. Bullet 9: Kinji Toyama Part 2 (… I have been told about the Fuuma’s because of my situation at home.) “The Fuuma are the shinobi of… Sagami, aren’t they? What do you want?” In the distant past, Fuuma was the surname of a ninja who had a hostile relationship with Akari’s family, the Mamiya’s. It is said that the Fuuma clan was once a powerful family with its roots in the mountains and forests of what is now called Kanagawa Prefecture. Akari’s ancestors had a lot of trouble dealing with the Fuuma ninjas. These stories had alarmed Akari, but… “…” … Fuuma has not answered the question. “…” And after a while of just staring at Fuuma… Akari became curious about a specific point. (… her skirt, why doesn’t it fall down…?) Hina Fuuma was upside down, and her ponytail and scarf were drooping downwards, but her miniskirt maintained its normal shape, defying gravity. She was also wearing spats, which made her appear to be a defensive and girlish. While Akari was thinking all this, Fuuma was… “Master Toyama hates girls. Do not pursue him any further.” Fuuma said that , breaking the silence. “I must return to escorting my master. Sorry!” She took a small, ball-like object wrapped in Japanese paper from her chest and threw it onto the ground. And then… boofun! A cloud of white smoke rose up from the impact site… “…!” The white smoke obscurred everything for a moment, but that was quickly dispelled by today’s particularly strong winds. When Akari looked up, Fuuma was gone. But… Across the alley, the back of the retreating Fuuma was easy to spot. (Sh-, she showed me her back…) (In the first place, it was a blunder to use a smoke bomb on such a windy day…) (Raika was alarmed earlier about Fuuma, but I am sure she is just a third rate ninja…) As if to confirm Akari’s thoughts, Fuuma got scared when a dog barked at her in the shadows of a T-junction. (… that girl is not scary!) Fuuma had declared that she was escorting Kinji Toyama. (I have lost sight of Kinji and I am now stranded, but if I follow Fuuma, I will be able to find Kinji again.) With that thought in mind, Akari resumes her tail, now chasing Fuuma who was returning to Kinji. Akari was now in the T-junction and chasing after Fuuma… (Nobody is here…!) (I lost sight of not only Kinji but also Fuuma.) It was then that Akari suddenly noticed. Fuuma did not mess up her retreat. … she did it on purpose. (She was stalling for time by making me chase her… she pretended to be going back to Kinji Toyama, but she was running in the wrong direction to draw me away from him…!) (Which means that Toyama Kinji is going in the opposite direction…!) Akari noticed this and hurriedly turned around. (I will find him, I swear I will find Kinji Toyama… he must be around here!) Fuelled by her obsession, Akari ran from east to west, north to south, searching all corners to crush Kinji… Akari reached the park. (I thought looking for him would be the right answer…) “Fuuma wasn’t making any sense, but… who are you?” – from behind a tree in the park, Akari’s target, Kinji Toyama, appeared behind Akari. When he approached, Akari turned around and, “senpai… To-, Toyama!” –Akari was faced with Toyama Kinji. Akari was so focused on Aria that she nearly called her out, thankfully though she just referred to her as senpai. Kinji Toyama on the other hand, simply looked her up and down. And then… “… thankfully, you are the type that is okay.” He seemed a little relieved. (What does he mean by “okay”?) (I don’t know what he means but it is ticking me off for some reason.) “Why are you following me?” Kinji asked Akari with a troubled look on his face. When asked, Akari’s mind flashes back to Aria’s happy face from earlier. That sent Akari into a rage all at once. “It’s… it’s not fair!” Akari shouted at Kinji with all her emotions. “I fought so hard to get close to her! And yet, I can’t believe that Aria-senpai is chasing after you! What kind of relationship do you two have?!” It lacked an explanation, but still, Akari blurts out her angry lines… “I don’t know what you are talking about… are you a fan of Arias?” It seems that, despite an explanation, Kinji somehow got a vibe of the situation. But Kinji said neither an apology nor something that could appease Akari, “… I am just being chased by Aria, and she is honestly just a nuisance.” (such an unforgivable statement.) (Aria-senpai is… is a… nuisance!? This… this rude…!) Akari felt like a volcano was about to erupt out the top of her head. Kinji, on the other hand, seemed to only add more fuel to the fire. “How was that? Are you satisfied now? Then don’t tail me anymore. I might be just an E-rank, but I am still a butei. I have been a butei for a year more than you and can both tail and detect a tail better than you.” He said these as if he was hoping to just throw away Akari. (Eh? He used to be an S-rank… and now he is just an E-rank!?) (According to Raika, Kinji was a fierce fight who was rated S in the Assault department.) It is common for a butei’s rank to drop, but for it to drop from the highest level to the lowest rank in one year, that is not quite a ordinary occurrence. This can only happen to those who have lost all motivation, such as skipping all activities as a butei and not taking rank examinations. (This is strange…! It is even weirder now that someone like Aria would chase after such a person!) Unconvinced, Akari turned away and said “see you later”, as if to stop Kinji, who was about to walk away. “You are hiding something… aren’t you? Toyama-senpai…!” Akari pointed that out. Akari was just pointing out something she noticed, but it was a lined that seemed to not just reverse the flow of conversation but shook the very core of this… mysterious man. When Kinji Toyama heard this, he stopped, and… “… there is a difference between being brave and being foolhardy, you year one.” He turned around as the trees rustled in the strong wind. His eyes finally showed the sharpness of the S-rank he was once rated as… “What could you possibly know about me?”, his eyes seemed to ask. (Depending on my answer, he might just kill me…) (… killing-intent…!?) It was not only Kinji’s murderous intent that Akari detected at that moment. Akari looked up and, on a rustling tree branch, was Hina Fuuma, who is bent over holding a small blade in her hand. The dagger like blade in her hand is called a kunai. It is a ninja weapon that can be thrown like a shuriken. (Fuuma…!) Akari hurriedly distanced herself from Fuuma and pulls out her micro UZI. “…” Not missing this movement, Kinji also pulled out his pistol out of his holster. – Beretta 92F. It is a masterpiece gun, which was also officially adopted by the U.S. military, and was held in Kinjis right hand. (I don’t know how good he is with that gun, but I am sure he is used to it judging by its dull glow.) (Kinji… looks like he is really contemplating it.) Fuuma, as Kinji’s Amica, kept her eyes on Akari with her kunai at the ready at all times. The fight was two against one. Akari, following her training from her Assault training, started stepping back as she alternated who she was pointing her muzzle at every second or two. At Butei High, where butei are trained, gun fighting is considered part of their job, and so the rules regarding firing outside of a gun range is simply “don’t do it more than is necessary”. In other words, a butei can shoot their gun outside of a gun range. Gunfights between students are a common occurrence at the school. Of course, the teaching department does not stop it, although they do look down upon it. Here, where her competition is Kinji and Fuuma… Akari has no confidence in her ability to leave the fight unscathed. But, Kinji did not want to shoot Akari either… “You. Where are you from?” Kinji spoke to Akari. “I-, I am from a general secondary school. In the second semester of my junior year, I transferred to a school affiliated with Butei High.” If a conversation could postpone a firefight under these unfavourable conditions, Akari would be open to dialogue. Then, “General school… Fuuma, it is okay. Let her go.” (No one in junior high school could know my secret.) (TL Note: This is Kinji’s inner thoughts.) And Kinji lowered his muzzle. Following the words of her War Brother, Kinji, Fuuma put the kunai away in a kneeling posture. But… Akari’s emotions had not subsided. The two of them refused to fight Akari for some unknown reason, and Akari felt like she was being left out to dry… (It is not just the Aria thing that is on my nerves now.) Akari, on the contrary, got my worked up as the killing intent was removed from the area… While thrusting her left and right arms straight down, “–What’s the matter with going to a general public school!” And Akari exploded with her pent up emotions. Akari shouted out with a moment of energy, and right after that… –pyu–! And then, a strong wind blew through the area. And because of that. Fuasaa! Akari’s skirt was flipped up with force. The front of her skirt was almost entirely flipped up, and her panties easily visible. But for boys. And to the hateful Kinji Toyama… “Pa-, panchu GAA!” Akari held down her skirt even though it meant dropping her gun, while biting her lip and holding back the urge to say “pantsu!”. And then… (what?). Just as Akari turned bright red and panicked, Kinji also turned bright red and panicked. “–Wha-, what the hell are you doing!?” Kinji guards his eyes with the back of his right hand, as if he had been hit by a flashbang. Normally, a boy would move his hands from his eyes, but for Kinji… For some reason, he did not want to see a girls underwear. And he very much so did not want to see Akari’s underwear. Kinji, while mumbling something encouraging to himself to calm his mind, turns around and runs away from Akari… “Ma-, master! Be careful!” Fuuma, who had slide down the tree like a koala, was also chasing after Kinji, looking panicked. “…?” Akari was left behind in the park, holding her skirt down… She could only look at the back of mysterious and unusual Kinji, as he ran away. After the sun has set… (What? What was that about? Does he have a fear of women or what! Freak! I mean, that is just rude!) Back at the First Girls Dormitory, Akari’s anger and frustration towards Kinji were still burning inside her. (Why did he react as if he had seen something he didn’t want to see and run away when my skirt was flipped up and my panties visible?) Akari, as a girl, was very much hurt by that too, but the real question is… (It is strange that someone like Aria-senpai would chase such a… such a creep!) (Kinji is definitely a problem, but Aria need to be admonished too though for staying with such a freak willingly. Kinji, the main problem though, has escaped for now.) And Akari, still in a state of excitement, entered room 707 with an attitude of “I have more than a few words to say to you!”. “Aria-senpai!” –Baban! Akari violently opened the living room door. And there was Aria… kirakira… She was her usual divinely beautiful girl, hanging out on the sofa and holding a momoman in her hand. A momoman is a peach shaped manju. They are about the same size as the bean-jam buns sold at convenience stores, and the filling is the same as a bean-jam bun. Aria, who seems to prefer these over all else for some reason, eats it with a fluffy, pleased look on her face. Akari’s heart was filled with joy when she was greeted by such a happy face on Aria… (…cu-, cute…!) –suu … Akari’s anger disappears, and on the contrary, she begins to smile. Looking at Akari, Aria reaches for one of the large quantity of momoman which are piled up in a pyramid shape on the table. “Akari, welcome back. Do you want some too?” (Akari is smiling at me, gesturing as if she is going to share one with me.) Akari was buckling under the force of Aria’s charming face. “Aria-senpai… that smile, it is not fair. I have to forgive you for everything…” “?” Aria was cleaning her cheeks with her fingers and licking the peach-bun jam off of them… Akari decided to talk about the situation while sharing a peach bun with Aria, now that she had calmed down. “So that is why you were so grumpy.” Aria said as she was chewing on a momoman to Akari, who was in a daze. After eating a unbelievable number of momoman, Aria wiped her mouth with a handkerchief and turned serious… “I was just trying to see if he was a viable member to help me with my investigation. You don’t need to be worried about your senpai leaving you.” “Aria-senpai…” (In other words, she is saying, that I don’t have to worry about shojo manga-like developments.) “And Akari, don’t be nosy. Two butei’s should not have a relationship that is deeper than it needs to be. For example, if you can help me or your client, you must help your client, even if it meant abandoning me. Can you honestly tell me that you would select your client though?” Aria confronts Akari with such a harsh case study, as if to scold her for trying to get too deep into Aria’s personal affairs. “… abandoning… Aria-senpai…” Akari, contemplating the question, imagined the worst case situation, in which she would have to abandon an injured Aria and go rescue her client. She was so shaken by her imagination alone that she became teary-eyed. Aria laughed at Akari’s rather imaginative state of mind, and… “You are that kind of girl, huh. Then, in that case… be strong enough to help both.” Aria’s small finger touched Akari’s nose. (If you do such an adorable gesture…) (If you comfort me with such a gentle voice…) (I wont be able to contain all my emotions…) (… While Aria-senpai is strict… she is actually really kind…) Aria had power over Akari. Not only was she Akari’s idol, she was charismatic as well. (If she says anything in her voice, that is all it takes to make all my inner bad feelings go away.) Akari, who was once again moved by the splendour of Aria… “Aria-senpai-!” Gaba , and Akari hugged Aria from the side. “!?” It was so sudden that Aria was pushed down on the couch with a thud , and then… The unexpected movement shook the table, causing the momoman that was still left piled up to go flying in all directions. Pofupofu! Some of the momoman ended up on top of Aria and Akari. “Ah, ah, my momoman!” Akari hurriedly reached out to grab her momoman. Then, she began gathering up all of Aria’s favourite food, the rest of the momoman. “My momoman! My momoman!” washi, washi, washi, Akari grabs all the momoman and puts them back on the table… wapi . Akari’s hand reached out and… grabbed a small peach bun. “hu-, huh, that is an unusually small…!?” Akari was so absorbed in collecting all the peach buns that she didn’t notice what she was grabbing… (… Aria-senpai’s, bre-, breasts…) (sm-, sm-, small! They are bigger than mine, but not by much!) “-where are you touching!? That is not peach bun!!” Basu-! An angry Aria suddenly shot her gun, gashan! , and the window shattered. Akari now was not sure if she was lucky or unlucky that she got such precious physical contact with Aria. But the Aria-senpai, who Akari thought earlier was very kind, “You aren’t kind after all! Pl-, please don’t shoot me!” Aria, venting her embarrassment and shame in the same way that most butei girls do, by shooting, was shooting her colts all over the room, with Akari running for her life. Soon, Akari and Aria’s VIP room was filled with the clamour and excitement typical of butei students. ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ## 27. Bullet 11: Shima Kirin Part 1 ### 001. Bullet 11: Shima Kirin Part 1 Once again, the students of the Assault department were conducting hand-to-hand combat training in the Assault department building. For a butei, who is often on combat missions against criminals, the martial arts is not a sport. Like the police and Self-Defense forces, it is an essential skill for butei to defend themself and to take down criminals non-lethally. Students hone their skills, both attacking and being attacked, as if their lives are on the line like in a real emergency. In a real battle, it is not an option to ask the enemy to change into more advantageous clothes, or to ask for a handicap because of their gender or weight differences. Therefore, except for fingerless gloves to protect the bones of their knuckles, students usually fight in their regular uniforms and fight each other regardless of gender or physique. “– let’s go!” And so, Akari, and underdog of the Assault department, also… She took her combat stance with more energy than usual. (Today, Aria is leading the training session!) “Haa!” And Akari unleashes a vertical fist at Aria. …but, Koki! Akari easily had her wrist grabbed and dotan! “Kyau!” With a one-handed four-direction throw, she was thrown to the ground. Despite having ample physical strength, Aria skilfully uses an aikido technique that uses her opponents strength rather than her own to defeat her foe. It is a style of combat that allows her to fight for long periods of time, and is valuable in a 1 vs many combat situation. And with this throw, Akari could hear the cheers from the crowd a little further away that were watching. “I can take on both men and women.” When Akari looked up at the sound of this voice, she saw Raika, who was using a perfect Achilles tendon lock on a man who was much taller than herself. The boy was on the floor, and indicated his intention to give up. “Did that woman win again against a guy?” “So strong–!” Akari heard the spectators saying such things. “Raika, amazing!” Akari had a smile on her face getting up as she watched Raika. When Aria saw that Akari, who had been knocked down by her throw and had just gotten up without a care in the world, “… Akari, your only A rank is in how tough you are.” In a voice that sounds both stunned and impressed… she muttered such as a thing as she laughed bitterly. Akari’s gaze though fell upon, “Tch, are you a man or a woman!” Looking at the crowd surrounding Raika, a boy who had been beaten by Raika was saying such things. At Butei High, it was a disgrace among the boys to lose to a girl, and so the boy was filled with hatred at losing to Raika. However, Raika was used to such hatred by now, and so she brushed it off with a quick smile. § § After her combat training was over, Raika showered and changed out of her uniform… While drinking a sports drink, she left the Assault department. While the expression on her face was cool and composed, (… well, I cannot change the fact that I am a masculine female, so whatever.) Her heart was not so peaceful. (… a manly girl. Even at somewhere like here, Butei high, where most of the girls are fairly manly when compared to normal, I am still called that.) (In other words, I guess I am just a super un-girly high school girl, I suppose.) (Although, I have been aware of such things for as long as I can remember.) (I inherited my height and strength from my father is a butei in the US, hell, even my speech is manly like his. I was born this way though and have zero intention of changing it.) (– I am fine with this though, no matter what anyone says.) That was what Raika told herself as she walked away… “……” But Raika walked by a girl on the street who was her senior, catching her eye. (She is blond like me but… that is it. This senpai has a charm to her and is wearing a fluttery Butei High sailor suit that she modified…) (She has her hair done up in twin tails with a cute pink ribbon and her face has not a charm… but a girlish charm.) (She is like a perfect, sweet, girly girl who would be loved by both boys and girls…) (… I… I admire girls like that…) The vanilla-like aroma that wafted from this slightly older woman enraptured Raika and all she could do was use her eyes to follow her. Raika’s mouth became a く shape as her heart pounded with an emotion that even she did not fully understand… (I want to be like that too. I want to be a fluffy cute girl that everyone instinctively wants to hug.) (But that is an impossible wish…) (I am too tall. My face is too sharp. I am too strong at physical combat.) (It does not matter if I wish for it, it cannot happen. It is impossible.) (I should just give up.) (But at least… if I could just be friends with a girl like that…) (But that isn’t possible.) (A masculine girl like myself is bound to be disliked by a frilly girl like her.) And, as Raika began walking away, dejectedly… “– oh, Raika. Hey, Raika!.” Raika could hear Akari’s voice… Akari and Shino were sitting side by side on a bench by the school building, sharking a Pocky. “What is it?” As Raika approached… “We are going to Rakun Daiba on Sunday. Want to come, Raika?” Rakun Daiba is an amusement facility with a hotel built in Daiba by Rakuten. “That is an amusement park, right? I am not a little kid anymore you know…” Raika, who was not too keen on the idea, accepted the pamphlet offered by Akari at least. Next to Akari, Shino, who was planning on going alone with Akari, looked at Raika with a face that said “Don’t feel like you have to come! Actually, please don’t!” Raika though could not feel read the atmosphere, so Shino’s message went unnoticed, and Raika instead read the pamphlet. In the pamphlet was a picture of an adorable group of idols in colourful costumes, their skirts billowing with panniers. Bishojo idols are the embodiment of girlishness. For Raika, they are everything she aspires to be. On Sunday, they have an event where you can see them live. (I would love to see this…), but she never said this out loud as she thought she might be teased for saying it. “… well, can I come too?” Raika did not ask for the details, and instead replied with a disinterested face. Shino hung her head and snapped the Pocky in her hand at Raika’s response. “I am so glad! These free ticket allows admission for up to three people!” Akari, with the ticket in her hand, looked genuinely happy, which made Raika and Shino feel happy as well as they looked at her smile. After that, the three of them started excitedly making plans for Sunday. After lively chatting for a while, “Akari.” Aria’s voice was heard coming down from the second floor of the school building. “You know that as a butei, even when you go out into a town for fun you are a butei, right?” Talking as if she had heard what the girls were saying, she called for their attention with a sharp expression. Next to Akari was Reki, a second-year student in the Snipe department, with a Dragunov sniper-rifle slung over her shoulders. Akari nodding, cheerfully replied to Aria’s warning with a “Yes!”, although… her mood lacks any seriousness and is 100% buoyant. Akari became even more giddy when she saw Aria. “Akari-san, we need to discuss the meeting place…” Shino, who was still hostile to Aria, tried to resume the conversation in an attempt to draw Akari’s attention back to her. Aria frowned at her underclassmen who were preoccupied with planning their outing, and even called out to Raika. “You too, you have to get your act together too, you know? I know assault rifles are subject to strict firearm inspections, but it won’t pass inspections if it is in the shop forever.” A gun inspection. The gun inspection here refers to the firearms inspection and registration system. Even though civilians have been allowed to carry guns in Japan in recent years, they cannot carry guns without a registration card issues by the Public Safety Commission. The registration of these guns, ranging from the pocket-sized Dillinger to massive General Purpose Machine Guns, is classified in detail according to calibre, number of rounds it can load, and whether or not is has a fully automatic function. The higher a guns killing power, the more stringent the inspection is. However, the system itself is rather draconian, and there are many legal loopholes. For example, as Aria had pointed out, if an application is filed with the Public Security Bureau stating that a gun is “under maintenance”, the use of the gun is permitted even if the expensive legal maintenance is skipped. In this case, the use of the gun is legal even though it is deprecated. (TL Note: Basically, as long as you SAY you are doing maintenance, there is no way for it to BE PROVEN that you are doing maintenance.) As Aria had said, Raika’s gun is a AR, specifically a Magpul MASADA. The gun itself is not particularly popular and has not been adopted by many militaries or police forces around the world, it is regardless a powerful weapon. It is a useful weapon in actual combat, but the gun inspection for it is troublesome, so… Raika, during the various inspection quarterly checks, writes the gun down as “under maintenance”, as some of the students at Butei High do. Even in the face of criticism from Aria, “Alriiiight.” Raika, who has no money to pay for actual maintenance, has no choice but to respond with a raw reply. Aria looked down at the three junior girls with a worried look on her face. “Aria-senpai, see you tomorrow~!” Akari, who was not the least bit aware of Aria’s worries, waved her hand widely with a relaxed expression. Room 103, a room at the third women’s dormitory that was discounted due to the lack of sunlight… Back in her room in 1K, Raika hung her rifle on a hook on the wall and looked around the room at her other firearms and knives. On her floor was training equipment, and even her bed was rugged, painted black, and made out of steel-pipe. If someone were to look at this room, they would not think that this was a high school girls room. However, there was something under Raika’s bed that could be considered girly. It was a collection of shoujo manga that she had secretly ordered along with other masculine magazines. “People yearn for things they don’t have.” Muttering self-deprecatingly, Raika picks up a manga from among them. And then… dosa. Raika lies down on her bed and began to read one of her favourite books… a book with a pink-edged cover. It was a book that depicts a royal school romance, which is a bit old-fashioned from the current trend of shoujo manga. … Raika opened the book to her favourite scene… A scene where a cool male character was being wooed by a beautiful girl heroine. There heroine is a tiny, cute girl with big eyes and an innocent face. She is what is called the loli type, a girl you typically want to protect. The heroine is spoiled by the male character she falls in love with, and from a mans point of view, he was happy to spoil such a cute girl. The male character himself also accepts all of the heroines advances and spends his free time spending sweet moments with her. Raika imagines herself holding such a cute girl in her arms, and eventually they kiss in a scene where… “…!” Raika noticed something. And then, bafu. Despite no one watching her, Raika, like an innocent girl, hides the lower half of her face with the manga as she blushed. (Right now I am… now, I always…) (Even when I read a manga, I am reading it as if I am the guy…) (Normally a girl would read this and be reading it with the same feelings as the girl in the manga…) (I am a man after all…) (… I cannot even read a book like a normal girl should.) § § Sunday. At the Racoon Daiba amusement park, in a corner of the park, Shima Kirin was sitting alone on a bench. A stuffed animal, which was a deformed giraffe named Jonathan, was placed besides her, a half-eaten crepe in her hand… “Giraffes die when they are lonely.” With a small murmur, she looks down at the pastel pink pass case. Inside this pink pass case was a purikura, a photo taken with Mine Riko, who had been her War Sister until last month. (I can’t beleive I have to say goodbye to my War Sister when my contract is over… school rules are cruel.) The photo was of Riko and Kirin, cheek-to-cheek, and some messages they wrote like “Friends Forever” and “Amika”, which brought back a flood of happy memories from their time as War Sisters. However, a War Sister contract is only for a year. Due to a policy at Butei High that juniors should be taught by a diverse group of seniors, it is shunned upon to renew contracts after a year, even if said year was beneficial to both parties. And so, Riko and Kirin chose to part ways once their contract was over. But a song, as if cheering for Kirin who was lamenting her sad fate… –Love is like a pendulum, swing, swing, swinging– From a nearby stage, Kirin heard a live song, sung by a beautiful idol group. (… love is something that swings.) With her feelings for Riko reignited in her heart, Kirin regains her composure. (Neither of us can help the fact that we were forced apart.) (Instead of lamenting the past, I should hope for the future. In other words, I need a new War Sister to fight with.) Riko and Kirin were very similar, both in personality and fashion sense. That is why they were able to be both War Sisters and very good friends. (Next time, I should look for a different girl to be sisters with.) (Like, for example, a prince-type senpai!) (It will surely be a new and exciting experience for me~!) (Yes… It will be just like “love between a man and a woman”, which is typically regarded as a good thing…) (There is no doubt that this will be an experience that allows different types of people to experience a romantic attraction and understanding towards each other.) (Slender, tall, cool, protective, and nice senpai…) Kirin was imagining such an ideal sister, “Hey, sweetie. Wanna go on a date?” A tactless, thick mans voice called out to Kirin. Looking behind her a… white rabbit costume was looking at Kirin. (An incompetent staff member of the amusement park must be playing one of those so called “pick-up” games…) In response, Kirin turned her head to the side with a sigh. “Go away, shoo-shoo. I am not interested in men.” Kirin’s statement was not a pick-up avoidance tactic. It was her honest feelings. Kirin was naturally not romantically interested in members of the opposite sex. It is for that reason that Kirin wears frilly, fluttery, lolita style outfits that boys would typically be daunted by if they saw her. She wears these clothes also to help attract other girls in hopes of them loving her, who are drawn to her cute, girly fashion sense. It is also for this very reason that Kirin at Butei High is a member of CVR, where honey pot tricks and seduction are used to entangle criminals. But even within this very department, Kirin is a member of Type 2 Beta, which are CVR butei trained solely for female criminals. But first… The goal of this costumed man seemed to be something other than just picking up girls. Instead of merely pestering Kirin, “Come here!” and proceeded to forcefully grab Kirin’s right arm. At that moment, Kirin dropped her half-eaten crepe from her hand — Kii! With a sharp expression on her face, she slapped his torso with a open palm while prying the costume hand off her hand. Utilizing the Chinese Kempo theories she learned from Riko Mine, despite her small size she has a firm weight in her pams and has both feet firmly planted to the ground. “You picked the wrong girl to pick on! I am a butei!” But, Kirin’s attack… “–that is why, come here.” … it was not working. Then another man wearing a black cat suit came up behind him. Put a knife to Kirin’s cheek. “–uhiiiiiii! Don’t put that near my face!” For CVR students whose job is to honey-pot criminals, their face is their most important tool of their trade. Not wanting to get her face hurt, Kirin raised her hands to cover her face and makes a feeble expression as if she cannot bear to have it hurt. Then, as soon as she did that… “Get in.” The man in the black suit ordered, indicating a nearby golf-cart. He was not pointing to the seat though, he was pointing to the trunk in the back. (Is this… a kidnapping…?) With a heightened sense of danger, Kirin boldly… Put her hand up the left side of her skirt and pulled out the Derringer that was hidden by her garter belt. Gripping a Remington Model 95 Double Derringer – an easily concealable gun with a barrel length of only 7.5cm – Kirin turns and points the muzzle of the gun at the men. But the man in the black suit was unconcerned. (… he is not intimidated by guns?!) Immediately after realizing this, Kirin was hit on the back of the head by the guy in the rabbit costume – and fell down. “You idiot. Why wouldn’t a butei be wearing their bulletproof armour?” The man in the black costume laughs as he catches the fallen giraffe as if leaning against it. The two then shoved the unconscious Kirin into the trunk of the golf-cart while being mindful of their surroundings. –basun , and right after the trunk was closed, Kirin… She stopped pretending to be unconscious and opened her eyes. She then took out her rhinestone-decorated pink cellphone and began hurriedly typing a message requesting assistance. § § At the same time, Akari and her friends were also at the Racoon Daiba. “Uhiyaaaa-! What’s this-!” Named the Tarzan Swing, Akari is standing on a small scaffold under a long rope, screaming wildly as she ride son a playground equipment that swings wildly. Although it has a safety belt, it is still a fairly scary ride. Akari flying about on the ride has no time to fix her fluttering skirt, and so Shino is taking pictures of Akari with her digital camera as she is saying “Thank you God!” Raika was laughing happily as she ate a churro. “This is like the rappelling exercise in the Assault department.” Her gaze though had been glancing at the stage of the beautiful girly idols for quite some time. In contrast to Shino and Raika, who seem to be enjoying themselves, “UWAAAAAAA!” Akari, strapped to the giant swing, kept screaming with tears in her eyes. (It is a holiday, but I was also earlier warned by Aria but…) Akari and her team brought swords, guns, and their bulletproof uniforms. However, Raccoon Daiba, where the three good friends were spending the day, was such a fun place that they had forgotten about such dangerous equipment. Next, the three of them ride on a Ferris wheel, where they pointed out airplanes taking off and landing at Haneda Airport, and were excited by the view of Butei High from above. The capsule that the three of them had boarded had just reached the top of the Ferris wheel. “…hm?” A Western melody came from Raika’s skirt pocket, an electronic beeping sounds came from Akari’s breast pocket, and from Shino’s pocket, too, came the vibrating sounds of a cell phone set to silent mode. For all three of them to receive a email at the same time, it is probably an area based emergency notification email from Butei High or the police. When Akari and the others look at the email with disbelief… all of their smiles freeze at the same time. 『Area: 2-6, Koto-ku, Tokyo Case Code: F3B-O2-EAW. Shima Kirin, CVR Intern (jr.3), Special Investigation Research Department. Dispatch received at 13:55.』 –it was partially encrypted, this is an email that indicates the occurrence of an incident. “The site… this is it. It is Raccoon Daiba.” “Case F3B is a kidnapping and confinement… what is O2?” “It means 2 or more criminals.” (TL Note: not certain about this translation, but I can make out “2” and “or more”.) Shino answered Akari who was getting impatient. “The culprit has bulletproof equipment? This might be a professional.” Raika mutters. By “professional”, Raika is referring to someone who has not just picked up a weapon a day or two ago. They are dangerous opponents such as Yakuza or Mafia who have come to Japan from abroad for work. Shino shows everyone the emergency contact BBS on the school network that she accessed. “Students in the neighbourhood are replying back… even if they were to leave right now, it would take them 20 minutes to arrive on scene.” “The students of CVR are trained in honey pot tricks and seduction… if they are abducted, they can at most hope to trick their way out.” After Raika raised an eyebrow in concern while saying this, the Ferris wheel completes its trip, and the 3 people descend to the ground… “… what should we do? Should we move?” “… but we have only had a month since the entrance ceremony…” Raika and Shino are discussing with anxious expressions on their faces. This case may involve an opponent that is beyond the control of Akari and her colleagues. But no students other than themselves seems to be in this amusement park. (Do we make our own move? Or do we Akari, unsure of what she should do… (Aria-senpai..! What would Aria-senpai do…!) Akari wondered what Aria would do, as she looked at the words “Intern (Junior High) Kirin” on her phone. (… Junior High…) Akari now turned her thoughts to Aria-senpai. She wondered what Aria would do in this situation. However, from the perspective of this third-year junior high school student, Kirin Shima, right now Akari was the senior. (I am the senior who needs to be relied upon right now.) “… let’s go…!” (For the sake of my junior who may be getting hurt this very moment…!) “Right now, we are the only ones who can save this kouhai!” Akari made up her mind and declared this to Shino and Raika. ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ## 28. Bullet 12: Shima Kirin Part 2 ### 001. Bullet 12: Shima Kirin Part 2 Handcuffed, Kirin was brought to a temporary hideout of the two costumed men. It was a suite at the top of the seven-story Raccoon Grand Hotel. The two men who took off their costumes in the parking lot were both young men. The white rabbit had bleached silver hair and the black cat had black hair. It would appear they picked their costume based on the colour of their hair. “I know you are still carrying a gun. Give me it.” The dark hair one demanded this of her and grabbed Kirin by the hair as she sat on the floor of the suite. In his other hand, he has the Derringer taken earlier from Kirin and held it against her head. (This guy over here is younger than the silver-haired one and seems to also have a temper. Also, he doesn’t seem very smart.) “–I don’t have any more guns! Look!” With an angry expression on her face, Kirin flipped up the left half of her skirt to show it. The dark-haired man flinches upon looking at Kirin’s pale mostly exposed thighs. It seems that he is not used to seeing a women’s skin. Kirin did not miss this upset, “If you like, you can look directly up my skirt you know?” Kirin said provocatively. The black haired man in response to this, clicked his tongue and let go of the Dillinger with a red face… –Meanwhile, the silver-haired man who was smoking a cigarette seemed uninterested in this exchange– “It is a stuffed toy. But the centre of gravity is strange.” He turned his sharp gaze from beneath his tinted sunglasses to towards Kirin and tells the dark-haired man this info. From his tone of voice, it seems that the silver-haired one is in a superior position out of the two. His subordinate, the black-haired man, did as he was told and picked up Kirin’s stuff toy. “–don’t touch Jonathan!” Kirin was running around trying to get back Jonathan, the stuffed animal, that she always carries around with her. “Migya!” Kirin was pushed and lost her balance, falling and hitting the table in the room with all the strength the man could muster. The force of the impact scattered the notepads and fruit on the table onto the floor. “Jonathan! Give me back my Jonathan!” Kirin cries childishly, but… The dark-haired man mercilessly unzipped the stuffed animals belly. Then, from inside, a Colt Anaconda… A revolver-style pistol, with a stainless silver barrel and wood grain grip, appears. The large gun, which uses a 44 magnum bullet that has a large recoil when shot, is something that Kirin could never handle, but she carried it around for destruction when necessary and to use as a threat. “Hyaha! She had 2 guns!” The dark-haired man was waving the Colt Anaconda in the air, was screaming with glee… Seeing that, Kirin stopped crying and puffed out her cheeks, “muuuuu”. “Since we kidnapped a butei, we got a hostage and weapons now. With this, we can blackmail Raccoon Daiba.” “The bulletproof suit was a good idea too! Big brother, you are a genius!” The dark-haired man began nodding and handed the Colt Anaconda to the silver-haired man in sunglasses. “Uu…bieeeeeeeee!” When Kirin sat back on the floor, and resumed her loud, but fake, crying… The dark-haired man turned away annoyed. The man with the sunglasses began using the cellphone he took from Kirin to call someone. By paying attention to the call, Kirin… “… if a horrific incident were to occur at Raccoon Daiba, it wouldn’t be good for PR, would it? I think a ransom is a small price to pay to prevent this.” (Apparently, they are threatening Raccoon Daiba by taking me hostage.) (But for now, both kidnappers have lost interest in me.) Kirin discerned this and then… hide the notepad and pen under her skirt, behind her bum. (TL Note: not sure exactly how it was hidden, but I am assuming it has something to do with her garter belt. The word used here is オシリ which is buttocks/bum/etc. Maybe she is sitting on it, stuffed it in to her underwear or garter belt, I am not sure.) § § Akari and the others split up to search for Kirin. But there were a lot of buildings to search at Raccoon Daiba. (I have no clue… what I should be doing…!?) Impatiently, Akaari began walking to the right and to the left. Shino and Raika were also both searching, but still, no one had any promising information yet as to where Kirin was. § § While the kidnappers were enjoying drinks with fish appetizers… Kirin was ordered to serve them drinks while her hands were handcuffed. “As long as we get the money, you will get to go home safe and sound, so don’t look at us like that.” In reply to the silver-haired man wearing sunglasses. “I’m sure a cool prince will come to save me soon!” With a bottle of whisky in her arms, Kirin did an akanbe. However, at the word “prince”, Kirin looked apologetic and slumped down into a mermaid-sitting posture. “I am sorry though Prince… Kirin is a member of CVR, the only Prince for me must be a strong woman…!” Suddenly, Kirin broke out into a one-woman show with her imaginary prince… “… we kidnapped a funny little girl.” The man with the sunglasses in response to this one woman show was taken aback by Kirin’s willingness to go at her own pace even after being kidnapped. This was all down to catch them off guard though. “Hau! Another tragedy for the captive Kirin princess…!” Kirin began speaking to herself in a very theatrical tone. While Kirin was slowly taking control of the the pace of the conversation… “What is it now?” The dark-haired subordinate asked, a bit puzzled. “… I, I need to go to the bathroom…!” While the black-haired man was asking the silver-haired man for permission for Kirin’s request… “Let her go, I have her cellphone right here.” The silver-haired man, looking a bit relaxed after a few drinks, gave her permission. And so, the black-haired man let Kirin enter the bathroom. “Hurry up and finish quickly.” The black-haired man was taking out a cigarette, though, as if he intended to keep watch from behind the closed door. Still, Kirin was alone in the bathroom… (First, I need to look around me.) Inside, there was a washlet and a washbasin, and on the wall is a plastic map with a cross-sectional view of the hotel cut lengthwise, with an evacuation route added to it. Looking at these conditions, Kirin began thinking. (How do I get out of here?) There was a window in the bathroom, however, it does not open wide enough to prevent people from falling out. Moreover, according to the evacuation route map, this was room 703, which was on the seventh floor. (Then, just like I assumed… I need to continue to wait for help.) (The cellphone I used earlier to request help and update the situation to my fellow butei was taken away by the kidnappers already.) (However, at the very least, I managed to at least tell them that I was kidnapped at Raccoon Daiba.) (Since they know my general area, it is unlikely that they aren’t here by now and trying to help me.) (In other words, I should try to come up with something using the information already here and try to get it to my fellow butei.) (… the pole is here and the pool is here…) Using the cross-sectional view of the hotel as a floor plan, Kirin thought up her own rescue route and took out the notepad and ballpoint pen that she had hidden earlier inside her skirt… (–now I just need to share this information–) This can be done without necessarily relying on data communications or wide-area speakers. ( I cannot stand up to criminals with strength… I need to stand up to them with my weak self using my cunning mind and imagination, something that typical high school girls don’t have…) First, Kirin wrote into her notepad… “703 NF Tarzan Return Dive.” –With a string of text written like that, even if it is seen by the two men, it will not reveal any details of her plan to them. She began repeatedly writing it out. 10 times, then 20 times. “… are you not done yet? What are you doing in there!” The black-haired man began talking to Kirin who was still in the bathroom. “–it is a girls time of the month!” Kirin replied, trying to get the guy to shut up on the other side of the door, who was not used to dealing with women. § § (… Where are you… Shima Kirin…!) Akari was getting impatient because she cannot find a single trace of Kirin anywhere and so began to internally panic. Kotsu. Suddenly, something hit Akari. (What is this?) Akari thought, as she pulled something out of her hair… It was a paper airplane made out of a folded piece of notepad paper. The words “703 NF Tarzan Return Dive” written on the planes wings. (… this is butei short cipher…! NF — Need Friendlies…!) Part of the string was a cipher that all students learn in class. Akari noticed the cipher and looked up to the sky. “ah…!” A large number of paper airplanes were flying in the sky. Following the breeze, the plane must have originated from… (…Raccoon Grand Hotel.) The planes were coming from a small window of one of the rooms on the top floor of the building. Counting the number of windows from the bottom, it is on the seventh floor. In other words… (Shima Kirin is at that hotel in… room 703!) (But still, why did she us a paper airplane?) (That was not how I was taught in class to share information.) (I guess Kirin’s cell phone was destroyed or taken away, so she must have come up with this method as a means of communicating information with her allies.) Next to the hotel was a closed pool, which was filled to the brim with water and reflecting the spring sunlight. As if she was struck by the reflecting light, a ray of hope had finally welled up in Akari’s heart. Akari had called Shino and Raika on her cellphone, and all three were now waiting in the hotel lobby to move in. Raika looked over the longitudinal section of the hotel and Akari pulled out her micro Uzi as Shino pulled out her sabre. The employees watched timidly as the three butei prepared to move in. ” ‘Tarzan’ is code for a wire based entrance, but… what is ‘return dive’?” Akari tilted her head and gave the paper airplane she picked up to Raika. “…?” But even Raika did not know the true meaning of this message. In this case, however, it would not matter whether they understood the full meaning of the text or not. If the location of a missing person is known, butei must hurry there immediately. Even at this very moment, Shima Kirin may be in mortal danger. “Anyway, let’s act now. Our strategy is a pincer attack through the window and through the door.” Akari and Raika nodded at Shino’s words. “Then I will use the rope and attack through the window. Akari and Shino, you go through the door.” Raika had decided on the difficult role herself… “See you in Room 703!” After saying this, she moved on her own, without Akari and Shino. § § After assembling her Magpul Masada AR, Raika rode the elevator to the roof. The rooftop of the hotel, which was reached by an employee only fire escape was dome shaped… (I knew about that from the evacuation schematics, but…), Raika raises her eyebrows at the edge of the rooftop. When using a rappel to go down a building, the user must rappel from directly above, in this case, directly above room 703. But the roof on the hotel is round and slippery, with nowhere to hang a hook onto. (The only thing that I could securely rappel down is the fire escape that I just came from…) (If I rappel down that though, I will probably end up in another window that is not where Kirin is…) (… Tarzan…) Raika’s head was filled with the words that were written on the paper airplane… “!” Raika had a flash of inspiration. Or, more precisely, she was inspired. The other words on the paper plane, the words after Tarzan, ‘return dive’. (… if I am right, and ‘return dive’ means…! What an outside the box idea!) (What Junior High School intern could think of such a thing!) (This might be a difficult thing to do, but is also a certain fact that I would not be able to get myself to the window of room 703 otherwise.) (Okay. I will bet on that idea. Just wait a little bit longer Kirin Shima…!) Raika had a rather motivated smile at the difficult task that was given to her by her kouhai. § § … Akari and Shino arrived at the door of room 703. “Let’s go, Shino-chan.” “Yes. Akari-san, I am with you.” We exchanged a few words with a whisper… First, Shino quietly approached the door. She then pulled back her right hand far back, which was holding her sabre. A Tsubamegaeshi technique handed down through the Sasaki family, Tsubame-nuki, is an explosive thrusting technique with instantaneous force, that was said to be able to skewer armoured warriors through their armour. Bakiiin! Shino’s thrust broke the lock on the door with an explosive sound. Akari rushed into action and opened the door with her body with a don! “– drop your weapons!” Akari, who had learned in her Assault course that she should shout loudly to intimidate her enemies at the moment of entry, followed her teachers advice, but because her eyes were not on her feet…! becha! She put her foot on a slipper that was near the entrance and fell forward with all her might. “A-, Akari-chan! Are you okay?” Shino, who saw this happen, looked away from the room since she valued Akari the most out of the two. “Pu-…t your weapon… do…wn…” Akari, holding her nose where it had hit the floor, tried to reposition her micro-UZI, but, “–you are the one who is going to put your weapons down!” Contrary to Akari’s demand, a dark-haired man in the room was pointing a Dillinger’s muzzle at him. The other man, a silver-haired man, was holding the muzzle of a Colt Anaconda to a girls head. The girl was smaller than Akari and wearing a modified Butei High sailor uniform… (that must be Shima Kirin!) (Just those few seconds turned the offense and defense around…!) “…!” The lives of the hostages were the priority… Akari and Shino were forced to drop their weapons at their feet. In response to Akari and Shino, “Why… would you fall down there…!?” Akari watched as Kirin made a despairing face. ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ## 29. Bullet 13: Shima Kirin Part 3 ### 001. Bullet 13: Shima Kirin Part 3 On the roof of the domed hotel, with the rappel wires hung on some poles, Raika was sideways on the ledge. If she were to rappel from here, though, she would rappel far from room 703. (This is fine though. I just have to follow Shima Kirin’s idea.) Closing one eye, she eyeballed the angle many times – and eventually, Raika stopped moving. Looking under her, she could see a large pool on the ground. The area above the pool, Raika’s current standing position, and room 703 are all exactly in a straight angled line. (TL Note: This is kind of hard to write while staying accurate to what is said. Essentially, if you are looking at the wall, from right to left is Anchor point -> pool -> Raika. You can probably see where this is going.) (… okay!) Raika grips the wire with her left hand and hangs one foot on the holder attached to the end of it. Just like Akari earlier was riding the Tarzan Swing back at the amusement park part of Raccoon Daiba. (Maybe… Shima Kirin saw the amusement park rides at Raccoon Daiba and came up with this idea…) After taking a deep breath, Raika hefted her assault rifle from the roof– And threw herself into the air. § § Back in room 703, Akari and Shino were now sitting on the floor after having their weapons taken away. “Hahaha, we got more hostages and weapons!” The black-haired kidnapper is holding Akari’s UZI and pointing the muzzle at them. Since Shino only had a sword, it was left in the corner of the room… And so now Akari and Shino had joined Shima Kirin as hostages. Even Shima Kirin’s giraffe, which was in the silver-haired mans arms as if it was strangled also seemed to have given up. But, Akari had one more hope left. (Raika. I am sure Raika will come through the window…) At that time. “!” ──Babababababababa! Suddenly, the sound of rifle fire and the shattering of window glass by the bedroom rang out. The eyes of everyone in the room turned to the large window. However, for just a moment, Akari was able to see Raika. There must have been no place to hang the wire directly above. Raika swung from left to right in front of the window like she was on a trapeze, then disappeared far beyond the window. “You idiot! There is nobody over there!” The black-haired man, temporarily panicked by the sudden gunfire, laughs at Raika, making fun of her for shooting at the unoccupied bedroom. Just as Akari, who had lost all hope, gnashed her teeth… Kirin’s Giraffe… Paa , his face lit up, and… “–you are right!” The giraffe bit the arm that was around its own neck and escaped from its restraints. “You little…! Stop!” Karin, who was just earlier scared of the kidnappers… She now had a cute and dainty smile that was completely out of place in such a desperate situation. She acted as if, out of everyone there, only she understood what was happening. “–Love is like a pendulum, swing, swing, swinging–♪” While singing, pon, pon , with dance like steps, Kirin escaped to the bedroom. But in there there was no exit. It was a dead end with a broken window. It wasn’t just the kidnappers, but even Akari and Shino were raising their eyebrows at her mysterious behaviour. “3, 2, 1.” Kirin counted down the seconds on her fingers. Pon! And used the bed as a jumping platform. “Kyahan.” And with a Burikko girl pose with her loosely clenched hands under her face with the window to her back.. She jumped out of the room. That is, she jumped out the window of the seventh floor of the hotel! “–!” At that moment, everyone in the room was stunned by the sight of Kirin seemingly smiling as she committed suicide. – pashi! — The small body of Kirin, which leaped out the window was successfully caught by Raika, who was now swinging from right to left like a pendulum. Akari and Shino witnessed this rescue from still in the room. Kirin had written on the paper airplane “Tarzan Return Swing”. That is, she wanted her rescuer to not do just a tarzan grapple maneuver, but to rescue her mid swing in a pendulum motion. ”I will time my jump with your swing, so catch me” was the meaning that was hidden. After rescuing Kirin in mid-air, Raika, putsu! , and cut the wire herself with a knife! Akari immediately understood what she was doing. With the trajectory of her fall… Raika would fall into the large pool that was next to room 703. (TL Note: remember the order from earlier that I explained?) But now, the two kidnappers, “– damn it!” The silver-haired man standing by the window points the muzzle of the Colt Anaconda at Kirin and Raika. “Raika!” Akari shouted a warning and Raika realized that the gun was pointing at her, but she could not take evasive action midair. (At the very least I can protect the hostage…) Rika put Kirin’s head to her chest, turning to expose her own back to the muzzle of the mans gun. –Datsu! To help Raika, Akari ran to the silver-haired kidnapper. “Don’t move!” Her path was blocked by the dark-haired man. He was holding the Dillinger in one hand and Akari’s micro UZI in the other. “Akari-chan! Look out!” Akari did not stop even at Shino’s warning. In the back of Akaris mind was Aria’s scolding from a few days ago. (Aria-senpai was right… I am not aware enough as a butei…!) Akari tried to forcibly pass by the mans side, but they got tangled together and both fall down! Akari’s hand can no longer reach the silver-haired mans Colt, who is still aiming at Raika. (… I wont get to it in time!) The distance between the silver-haired man pointing the Anaconda and Raika was not far. Even an amateur could land the shot if they took a second to aim. (The man looks like he has a better aim than I though–) (If he shoots… he is hitting Raika in the head or neck.) (I do not want this to happen…! So…) Akari, as if she could not contain her voice… “–help me–!” She screamed out. As if to drown out the sound of her voice, basun!, the sound of a gunshot rang out mercilessly. The silver-haired man had pulled the trigger on the Colt Anaconda. Raika in the air was holding Kirin’s head tight. (…!) But… the bullet… it did not hit Raika. Crawling to the bedroom window, Akari leaned out, and… Raika and Kirin were falling into the pool with a splash as they hugged each other. – on the other hand, “– you bastards!” The dark haired man who had fallen after getting tangled with Akari got up, his face bright red… And then began trying to scare Akari and Shino with the Dillinger and micro Uzi… “…!?” But the guns were no longer in his hands; Akari was now holding both of them. –tobi-ugachi– Using that technique, she was able to grab both of the mans guns the moment that they impacted each other. In the midst of the chaos, Shino had picked up her sabre and was pointing at the silver-haired man, who was still standing at the window, forcing him to drop his Colt Anaconda… While the now unarmed kidnappers raised their hands in surrender, Akari… (Raika…!) While pointing her guns at the two men, she looked down at the rippling pool and began praying for Raika and Shima Kirin’s safety. It seems that her prayers were answered by the heavens, though. There was a splash in the centre of the pool, and Raika appeared on the surface on the water along with Kirin. “Raika…!” Akari sighed in relief. As far as Akari could tell from a distance, the two of them on the surface of the pool appeared to have no major injuries. (I was sure that that bullet would have hit one of them, but it somehow miraculously did not…) (No, I am sure this was not a miracle…) (…surely, Aria-senpai…) § § On the roof of the Snipe department building at Tokyo Butei High… “…” Reki, a prodigy sniper in the Snipe department, lowered her Dragunov rifle that she was using from a kneeling position. The muzzle of the gun was blowing out a little bit of gunpowder smoke, indicating that it had just been fired. Next to the beautiful girl with short hair and an emotionless face, Reki, was… “My, my. She is a handful.” Aria, who had been Reki’s observer, took her eyes off of her military binoculars with a look of exasperation on her face. The two had received a text message from Butei High informing them of the situation, and had been observing the situation from the rooftop of the Snipe department building. And so they found Raika on the rooftop of the Raccoon Grand Hotel– Reki had just completed her covering shot. Reki slung her sniper rifle back over her shoulder as if she had not done anything special at all. “Even for an S rank you are amazing. I have never actually seen someone do a billiards shot before.” Looking impressed, Aria speaks up. The scene through the binoculars was firmly etched into Aria’s mind. A magnum round from a Colt Anaconda was fired at Raika. But the Anaconda shot aimed at the defenceless Raika was reflected by a Dragunov 7.62mm round fired by Reki, who had anticipated the shot. The bullets were invisible to the naked eye, but Aria could see the sparks that were made when the two bullets collided with each other. Reki’s bullet had hit the Colt’s bullet in Raccoon Daiba, nearly 2km away. Reki, who can effortlessly perform psychic-level divine feats… “…” She was still silent and had a vacant look in her eyes, Aria not even sure what exactly she is looking at. § § Soaking wet, Raika was breathing heavily by the pool. Droplets of water were falling from the tips of her ponytail, and the white blouse of her sailor uniform was now see through. However… (I… managed to save… Shima Kirin…) “Are you okay? You…) Raika called out to Kirin as she came up to the poolside… “!” –at that very moment, Raika’s heart made a big jump inside her body. (I did not notice it as I was helping her, but her appearance is…) Girlish, fluffy, chestnut hair. Large, shining eyes, with two, cute, rounded eyelids. A hair ornament with a large pure white ribbon that only girlish girls can pull off. A modified sailor suit, trimmed with plenty of frills, that resembles a cosplay outfit. And… she is even smaller than Akari, a petite girl that makes you want to protect her no matter what. And yet, she has a modest bust, which cannot be good for her back… (…Uoo…!) (TL Note: not modified for memes, I promise.) She looks exactly like a bishojo from a shoujo manga. She was the type of girl that Raika was weak against, a girl who is exactly what a girl should be. She was the kind of girl that Raika had always dreamed of – or perhaps, Kirin even exceeded those ideals, a girl who had girlishness concentrated within her. But now, it was reality, and… there she is. “… found…” The line that Raika was thinking was just muttered by Kirin, as if they were each others reflection. Then, with a face teeming with happiness… “Kirin’s prince..!”, she shouted out a strange line. After the two kidnappers were taken into custody by Akari and the others, they were later taken to a detention centre by responding police officers. Leaving Akari and Shino to give witness reports for now, a soaked Raika and Kirin… (First, I need to change my clothes.) Raika borrowed a staff room, and changed into a new sailor suit brought to her by a senpai named Aya Hiraga (for a fee) from the Amdo Department… Raika, though, is a little uncomfortable, partly because she is alone with an incredibly cute junior. Raika’s heart was so unsteady that she was completely silent. “You. If you are a butei, you should solve problems before they even happen. Usually, if you get caught, it is completely over for you.” While talking to Kirin, Raika begins to scold her. Raika unhooked her black bra that Raccoon Daiba provided her for free in case she needed to change it. “You are still wet! Onee-sama!” (TL Note: onee-sama is a way to refer to a older girl.) Kirin, holding a bath towell in her hand, hugged Raika from behind. Her hands were grabbing both of Raika’s breasts with all her strength, as to whether she intends to wipe Raika dry or not… “Ah… hey! I will wipe myself dry…” Raika tried to escape, but Kirin was quicker than her, and began wiping her breasts in a round massage motion… “–nn…!” A sound came out of Raika’s mouth. The sound was so feminine that even Raika was not sure if she could even make such a voice. “Ya-n, your moaning is sexy too!” Kirin looked like she was having fun, but “what the hell is up with this girl? Why would a woman do this to another woman?” The actual attitude of the petite devilish Kirin is very different from her dainty first impressions… –kaa , Raika’s face quickly dyed bright red. “You…! You pervert!” Kirin was so nervous that she tried to elbow Kirin out of her way, but for some reason Raika couldn’t muster the strength to do so, and she just ducked. Kirin, who was keeping her distance away from Raika like a baby squirrel… Kururin . She did a twirl now in her sweet lolita underwear, trimmed with layers of ruffles. “Kirin has made up her mind. This year…” Kirin’s finger started pointing, pishi! And it was directed at Raika’s face! “…?” “I am applying to be Raika onee-sama’s War Sister! I’m gonna do it!” (…huh!?) And then, in response to Raika’s exclamation… Kirin snapped her finger, smiled her best smile, and winked. “–if I catch you, it’s over!” Go For The Next!!! ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ## 30. Bullet 14: Raika Hino Part 1 ### 001. Bullet 14: Raika Hino Part 1 –Before starting classes on a certain day. While Akari and Shino were preparing for lessons in the classroom, from the corridor… “Please make Kirin your Amica-!” Akari heard a young voice. It was a lovely voice, full of energy, childish and pure. In addition to her high-pitched anime like voice, the girl in question has a habit of referring to herself by name, making her voice even easier to recognize. It was the middle school girl that Akari had helped rescue the other day. Shima Kirin. “…” A pouting Raika returned to class 1-A, wearing Kirin on her back like a backpack. Kirin herself was wearing a remodelled uniform that has frills like a dolls dress and has a giraffe on her back… Kirin herself looks like an elementary school student, while Raika was tall like a model, so their current relationship and situation seemed oddly fitting despite the small age difference. However, only Kirin is happy about the persistent physical contact, Raika herself seems to be troubled by it. Raika was so troubled by this in fact, that she did not bother putting a hand behind her to help support Kirin. Kirin was unilaterally and wholeheartedly the only one happy that she was on Raika’s back. “… What are you two doing?” Akari asked, with a bit of confusion, “That middle schooler we rescued the other day just latched onto me and won’t let go.” Raika told Akari with a face that truly showed just how overwhelmed and disadvantaged she is. “Onee-sama-♥” (TL Note: Onee-sama means big sis. However, because of the implications onee-sama has when compared to big sis, I will use Onee-sama as it is more accurate.) Contrary to Raika’s shy face– Kirin, who was resting her entire body on Raika’s back, looked like a kitten that had become attached to its new owner. Incidentally, Kirin was even smaller than Akari. Akari, who has a complex because of her short height, can accurately and quickly measure other peoples height, and so placed Kirin at around 135cm. However, despite this fact, Kirin’s breasts were noticeably larger than hers, reminding her once again that reality is quite cruel. Shino, closely watching the innocent looking Kirin’s chest clinging to Raika’s back, “Such a beautiful sight so early in the morning…” She mumbled such things under her breath with a truly bright smile on her face for some reason. Meanwhile, Kirin who continued to exude her uncontrollable happiness, “ Funfunfun ! Onee-sama, you smell so good!” (TL Note: Funfunfun in this context is Kirin sniffing.) Burying her face in Raika’s ponytail, Kirin began to sniffer Raika’s hair. Because of her small size and innocence, Kirin just looked like a kitten playing in Raika’s hair. Raika, who was on the receiving end of that against her will, “Ahh-! You pervert! Stop!” Kirin who was getting scolded, “Yes sir!” Kirin gave a smile on the level of an angel. Kirin’s confidence and her smile in response to Raika… It gave off the illusion that Raika, who was the one scolding Kirin, should instead get scolded. “Mo~~ You aren’t listening at all!” Raika began to violently swing her arms, trying to knock Kirin off her back. Suddenly, her elbow…! “!” Raika used an elbow strike on Kirin, a technique taught in Assault to use against those grabbing you from behind– Perhaps Raika only used it out of habit, but regardless it struck Kirin’s small body. “!” In front of Akari and Shino, from behind Raika’s back – Fuasa . With a light sound, Kirin fell to the ground. “Kirin-chan! Are you okay!?” Akari panicked and leaped towards Kirin who was still lying on her back. The elbow strike from Raika must have impacted Kirin’s stomach or liver, as Kirin’s eyes were rolled back into her head and it looked like she blacked out. While Raika might have hit Kirin quite hard, kicking and punching between students at Butei High really about as serious as a verbal dispute at a normal school. — That said however, the equivalent of a fistfight at a regular school is a gunfight at Butei High. Since Butei High is such a violent school, the surrounding students thought nothing of the fight between Raika and Kirin. … But, however… Butei Charter Article 3: “Be Strong. But Before That, Be Right.”. It goes against Article 3 for an honours student from the Assault Department to fight with a younger junior who is not even in a program that specializes in combat. “That was too much for someone who is just a junior high student, Raika-san.” Shino, while helping Akari care for Kirin, chided Raika. … Although Kirin that was following her was a nuisance, and the elbow hit itself was unintentional and just reflexive, not to mention that Raika never intended to hit Kirin in a vital spot… Raika was embarrassed by what happened, “… Um, yeah…” Hesitating and worriedly, Raika walked over to Kirin. When Raika got near, pachi ~. In fact actually, Kirin seemed to have no injury at all, and she opened her eyes with their long, well groomed eyelashes, on par with an idol. And then, koron ~. Standing up like Daruma-san, and in front of Raika’s long, beautiful legs… Which above that is her skirt… peron . She flipped it up. “Ahhh, black lace! Onee-san, that is so cool!” Raika, who was just as deceived as Akari and Shino by Kirin pretending to have fainted, had had her all black lace panties seen by all three girls. “ !” Her voice was muffled and her face instantly turned red… It was obvious to all that she was angry. However… Kirin was already running away from Classroom 1-A. With Raika’s roar and the chime of the school bell resounding at the same time– Kirin, jumping up and down like a bouncy ball in the corridor, “Onee-sama Raika! Please take care of Kirin as your Amica!” From behind the cover of a door, Kirin sent a remarkably cute wink to Raika who she had just been toying with, along with a one handed salute with her small hand. There are two types of classes that students can take at Butei High: general subjects and specialized subjects. Students take general subjects, curriculum that is the same as a regular high schools curriculum, and specialized subjects related to Butei activities. Students typically attend general subject classes from the 1st to 4th period, and after their lunch break they move to their specialized department buildings after 5th period to attend their specialized subjects, such as Assault, Inquesta, and Connect to name a few. (TL Note: I don’t know how it is in other countries, but lunch typically counts as a period, hence the “after 5th period” as lunch is the 5th period). Because of that, lunch break at Butei High was a little longer than other schools, and that day Akari and Shino were having a leisurely lunch together on a bench underneath a connecting corridor. Naturally, their topic of conversation today was on Kirin and Raika. “Kirin-chan is only a Junior High student… In a sense, she is an amazing girl to be able to take advantage of Raika like that.” Akari, who laid her bento box on her lap, was talking about Kirin faking falling unconscious, which she fell for as well. Be it faking ones death or faking being hit by bullets… Faking ones injury or death may seem easy, but in fact, requires a high level of skill to trick a skilled Butei. Being skilled is a natural expectation of course, if you are pretending to be dead or knocked out, and are caught faking it, you won’t be able to fight back and risk being injured or outright killed. Naturally at Butei High, the curriculum for Lezzad and CVR teach those skills, but if you do not already have talent in acting they do not bother teaching you those skills because of the risks involved. But this morning, when Kirin faked her fainting, that was clearly something she had trained in extensively. It was nothing short of a sign of her brilliance that she was ably to deceive all three of those Butei High students; Raika, Akari, and Shino, all at once. “Isn’t she? It would be great if Raika could become an Amica’s older sister in her first year. If I remember correctly, last years first year president also had a younger sister Amica in her first year…” Shino agreed with Akari as she ate her sandwich that she brought in a basket. Butei High is a vocational high school as defined by the Ministry of Education… In other words, despite being a high school, it can accept Junior High students through an intern system. So, it is possible, albeit rare, for juniors to be enrolled as a first year in high school. Because of that, it is rare for a first year Butei to have a younger brother/sister Amica, having one is a sign of an exemplary and outstanding student. Akari also remembered the worried face that Raika had made for a moment when Kirin had collapsed to the ground earlier in the classroom, “… I get the feeling that… Raika doesn’t actually hate that girl either.” As Akari was talking to Shino about her earlier observation… A voice could be heard from the corridor overhead. “Come come any closer!” “Onee-sama, I will follow you anywhere to become your Amica–“ Akari and Shino could easily tell who it was just from their voice. It was Raika and Kirin. (TL Note: I think their might be a Japanese saying here for the first sentence involving rumours and shadows. Something like “Rumours cast long shadows”.) Raika was clearly angry while Kirin was pleading with her. It was easy to imagine, well obvious to imagine, that currently Raika was being chased around by Kirin. With a wry smile, Akari looked up towards the corridor… Something suddenly unexpected happened. Raika, who had been caught by Kirin, “ Douer-ya !” She threw Kirin off her back as she tried to jump on her. Kirin’s small body was easily thrown over the railing and out of the connecting corridor– “Hey!” “Kyaa!” Akari and Shino rushed off of the benches they were sitting on. Just before Kirin hit the ground from being thrown off of the connecting corridor that is as high as the second floor — docha ! Akari managed to catch her. Shino, who was on the ground close to Akari and Kirin, had managed to get entangled with the legs of her black stockings and fell. Despite being worried about Shino, Akari decided to prioritize Kirin. At Butei high, where Butei are taught the art of capturing criminals and everything involved with it, it is common for Butei to have to fight atop tall buildings and receive training in that. For a Butei, a fall from 2 to 3 floors is the same as jumping down a short flight of stairs for the average person. However, Kirin is just a normal cute girl in the CVR department, which specializes in honey pot techniques and flirting, not combat. It was hard for Akari to not be worried about her current condition. “A-Are you okay!? Do you have any injuries!?” Akari asked Kirin who she was holding in her arms. But– Gaba . Kirin stood up as if nothing had happened. And, as if in response to Akari, “… Raika Onee-sama is as distant and magnificent as a star…!” With a level of skill that would put theatre kids to shame, she looked up at the connecting corridor like a tragic heroine. Raika was at the centre of her gaze. After confirming that Kirin was safe, she turned around and left the corridor. “Despite everything, I cannot get rid of this feeling of wanting to be her Amica…” In response to Kirin’s monologue, her eyes sparkling, “?” Akari had a blank, confused face. Somehow, Akari got the feeling that Kirin knew that Akari was underneath her, and had let herself been thrown by Raika…. “owow…” … On the other hand, Shino, who had landed on her back, had finally gotten up. On her head was Kirin’s stuffed animal that she always carried around. “… Why is your stuffed toy so heavy?” Shino had taken it off her head. Despite her words, it seemed like she wasn’t injured in the slightest. Akari was relieved and gave Shino a sideways glance… “–Mamiya-sama!” Gaba , Kirin approached Akari as if to hug her. It seems like she wants to continue that little skit that Akari assumed had just ended. “Mamiya-san, surely you understand just how great Raika is!?” Grabbing both of Akari’s hands with her own, Kirin pulled Akari’s face closer to her own and looked up at her with an upward glance. “H-, huh?” Kirin made a heartfelt appeal to the now bewildered Akari… Suddenly Shino, carrying Kirin’s giraffe toy by its neck, came charging in, “Stay away from Akari-chan-!” As Shino began peeling Kirin off of Akari, Akari could only watch on, wondering at this point “what is even going on?”. In the Assault Training Area, commonly referred to as the “Black Gymnasium” by students of the Assault Department, “ Teyaaaaaa !” Raika, dressed in her school uniform, had decided to get some payback on one of the boys in her class. The boy in question who was fighting back set up the foot technique for a Judo throw called Kouchigari, “Orya!” Raika effortless shrugged it off, and countered with a signature technique of her own, leading her counter into an ippon shoulder flip. Dotan ! And she slammed him into the wooden floor. The Assault Department, which can be said is the star of the various specialized departments at Butei High, practices actual combat and not simulated, with students wearing their bulletproof uniform. In most cases, weight differences and gender differences are irrelevant and ignored. This was done as students when apprehending criminals cannot simply say “I am a girl, so can you please take it easy on me?” or “I don’t fight people who are shorter/taller/heavier/lighter than myself.”. “–Alright. Excellent.” The teacher in charge of the Assault Department and its classes is Ranbyou-sensei. A female teacher from Hong Kong, her surname is Ryan and her first name is Byou, leading to students calling her Ranbyou. (TL Note: Just a quick and interesting thing to note, leopard in Japanese is Hyo, which sounds similar to Byou.) She is a strong, young, and beautiful girl who can speak Japanese fluently, and takes care of her students, but… because of her ferocious if not destructive personality, she is often at the centre of large incident, and so frequently moves from one Butei school to another throughout Asia. She originally was from Hong Kong, and is the only daughter of a mafia boss. Apparently she was famous throughout her childhood for having a violent streak. Ranbyou-sensei though… She was far stronger than most men, and seemed to be particular fond of Raika, a girl who resembled herself. Around Raika were a lot of boys from her previous matches, their eyes still rolled back into their head after being thrown to the ground by her. Akari, who was pretending to be taking a break, was watching the other students doing their hand-to-band combat training. … Despite being in the middle of class, Akari could hardly concentrate on it. Akari was thinking about Kirin. She admired her and her talent as a Butei, but despite that fact she felt oddly sympathetic towards her. (She reminds me of when I was chasing after Aria-senpai, so I know how she feels…) The image of Kirin desperately chasing after Raika, clinging to her back in hopes of becoming her Amica… In her mind, Akari overlapped Kirin with herself Suddenly, Akari realized. (… Kirin-chan, earlier, did you ask me that question hoping that I would help you…?) If so, Kirin is an even smarter girl than Akari originally thought. Since her target is Raika… It is possible that she investigated the people around her to find those who would cooperate with her. If so… that investigation ability and the skill to execute it far surpasses that of the average Junior High student. Kirin Shima might look like an innocent and energetic young girl, really an angel, but in reality she might be quite the strategist. As a Butei, she does not excel in combat but scouting instead. The ability to look up people and their relationships, preparing and laying out the groundwork for your operation, and the ability to ultimately carry out your mission is an essential skill for any Butei. Akari could only imagine that as a Butei, she still has a lot to learn from Kirin. (I will do whatever I can to help you, Kirin.) Akari was not so foolish as to think that since she was older than Kirin that she had nothing to learn from her. So, Akari put her mouth close to her collar… and whispered into the microphone that she had hidden within. “Kirin-chan, can you hear me? Raika is acting as usual.” Obviously, who she was talking to… It was Kirin, who currently was in a distant area. “… Mumumu. I need an opportunity where I can take advantage of her…!” Kirin, who had been rejected by Raika many times, temporarily stopped approaching Raika directly. And so, she had approached Akari and asked her to relay and observe Raika’s current situation to help Kirin seize the perfect opportunity to become her Amica. For Kirin, the time and place where as big a deal as Kirin’s mental state. Shima Kirin is a girl who is more than just cute and innocent… After finishing her specialized classes, Akari was walking down the hallway with Raika. “Those guys were just a bunch of small fry.” After demolishing those boys in hand to hand combat, Raika was in an exhilarated mood. “Raika is really strong.” Akari, who watched her friend in action, was congratulating Raika and quite proud of her. But Akari couldn’t just be happy for her right now. Right now, Akari was on a mission to help Kirin. (I hope I can find an opportunity for Raika and Kirin-chan to get along better…) Glancing at Raika, as Akari was internally thinking… As they were walking along the hallway, “… Hino Raika? A manly girl like that is at the bottom!” From inside an empty classroom, they heard some of the boys in their first year Assault Department. It seems that they are talking about Raika, so Akari and Raika both began to listen to the conversation without saying a word. Then, “Only her face is pretty, everything else about her is just manly.” (TL Note: I will not take Raika leg slander, y’all better recognize that her legs are a 10/10.) “She isn’t even cute, she is like 170cm’s tall, isn’t she?” (TL Note: 5 foot 5.) … It seems that they are ranking Raika as a girl. Moreover, they were not saying very uplifting things about her. When Akari peeked through the window separating the corridor from the classroom, it seemed that the boys were ranking the girls of each grade. Basically, ranking the girls based on who was the cutest and who was the least cute. 5 boys had spread out their notebooks on a desk and had surrounded it. Among those boys, there was one that Raika had beaten in CQC just earlier. Looking at the girls names written in the notebook, they were rudely being rated on a scale of ◎○△× , a 4 tier scale. (TL Note: as is revealed shortly, double circle is top and X is bottom.) The scale was called “Cuteness Ranking”– From what Akari could see, “Mamiya Akari (Assault Department) △～○？← Too small.” and “Sasaki Shino (Inquesta Department) ◎”. Akari could only nod in agreement with that. In addition to Assault and Inquesta, they were also ranking the girls from Rapier, Logi, Lezzad, and Ambulance, obviously without the girls knowledge or agreement… “–Then, last place should be Raika!” One of the boys grabbed a pen and put a big X over “Hino Raika (Assault Department)”. On the Cuteness Ranking, Raika was bottom. Behind her back, Raika was being insulted and criticized. Without a doubt some of those boys were just envious and jealous of Raika’s skill, but… the fact that they were laughing out loud just showed that they truly did not see anything cute about Raika as a girl. Akari and Raika in the corridor could not hear anything other than their laughter. Certainly… Raika was beautiful, but she was more cool than cute, a model more than a school girl. She did not have the cuteness that would make her popular with boys. But that does not just mean that the boys had the right to point at her and make her into a laughingstock. (The boys at Butei High lack any delicacy!!) Akari was angry, and thought that Raika herself would be furious and storm into the classroom, and fully intended to assist her, but, “… Hm. Raika just snorted at them, and calmly entered the nearby women’s restroom. It seemed that she was mature enough to ignore their childish, albeit rude, antics. Akari, though, (Those stupid boys…!) Glared at the classroom door. But Akari did not go in. Without Raika’s help, the boys would easily just kick her out… So, Akari went into the women’s restroom because she was worried about Raika. She also had to consider Kirin’s request, so she could not afford to lose sight of Raika for even a moment. “…?” Akari could not find Raika anywhere inside the pink tiled women’s restroom. However, only one stall door was closed. Raika must be the one inside it. “Raika.” When Akari called out to her, “Ah, Akari–, you can go on ahead without me.” Raika replied back. Raika just spoke in her usual crisp voice.. (…) Since other girls began to enter the bathroom with squeals of laughter, Akari, “… I will go on ahead then.” Even though she was worried about Raika, Akari made to leave– But– … gusun … Akari stopped at the small sound that she heard from the stall that Raika was in. Akari could tell, it was the sound of Raika trying to hold herself back from crying. Raika was crying right now. While she might be a strong, cool, and elite girl from the Assault Department… She is still a girl, and as a girl she was hurt. Hurt, she ran away to such a small and miserable place. And here… she is crying. Because Raika is tall, strong, and has a cool face… Raika has never felt like a girl. No matter what she wished for, or what she did… Raika could never consider herself cute. Akari, who had been asked by Kirin to investigate Raika, (Even I had never known this about Raika… Do I really know who she is?) Although Akari saw Raika as a close friend, she could only feel shame at never realizing this side of Raika and her feelings. “Raika Onee-sama…” –It seemed that even Kirin, a member of CVR, a department known for its cute girls, had overheard the whole thing through Akari’s microphone. § § The next day was a day off of class, so Raika stayed in her apartment all morning and afternoon. Sitting on the floor in a 1 person bedroom, with a cold pizza next to her that she had for brunch, Raika was disassembling and repairing her gun with a conflicted face. Her other guns and knives were stored methodically by the wall, but on the floor was a sports bag that she had brought home yesterday and thrown on the floor, leaving it untouched. Raika, looking like a soldier from the JSDF, wearing only cute jeans and a sleeveless shirt, in her mind Raika thought in her mind, “Men and women.” “Is she a man?” “Well she isn’t cute.” The only thoughts she had were the words that she had heard the boys say yesterday. It was an irritating and unending stream of words that Raika was remembering despite the fact that she never wanted to remember them again. The hand holding the brass brush was pushed too hard, “–ahh.” Tochi , Raika dropped the spring that she was cleaning. Her inner frustration… it grew greater and greater. (Ah–… Stop. I need to get rid of this stress-!) Raika opened her closet while undoing her ponytail. Ant then, she took out her personal clothes from the back. She grabbed a masculine-looking black denim jacket, and instead of grabbing a skirt she grabbed a pair of shorts– An older sister type girl at Odaiba told her that it would look good on her. (TL Note: Older sister knows… Raika bare legs…) Raika took out a pair of sunglasses from the back of her closest as well as an old school British newsboy cap.(TL Note: term is ハンチング帽. Google it if you need clarification.) For Raika, this getup looked and acted more like a disguise than dressing up, however she looked very attractive, (It has been a while since I wen there…) Thinking about her destination… She began to blush from two emotions: Embarrassment and excitement. § § Around the same time, outside Raika’s apartment, “Kirin-chan… Why are you watching Raika even though it’s a holiday…?” “I am watching her because it is a holiday.” Kirin was watching Raika, hoping to investigate her private life, and Akari had been dragged along. At Butei High, students were encouraged to wear their bulletproof outside of school, even on holidays, so both Akari and Kirin were wearing their bullet proof uniforms. However, Kirin’s remodelled skirt that was fluttering in the wind was even shorter than yesterday. Kirin had her giraffe stuffed toy on her that she always carried around. However, Akari wondered (That giraffe is named Jonathan if I remember correctly? Why does it look different than normal…). “–Ah! She went outside.” Kirin perked up when she saw Raika leave the apartment, so Akari missed the opportunity to ask her about the giraffe. When Akari sneakily sticks her head out from behind her shrub cover… Wearing a black jacket and shorts, with sunglasses and a hat, Raika was leaving her apartment. Kirin’s eyes were sparkling, as if to say “Wonderful♥” when she saw Kirin in her plain clothes. “Where are you… going dressed like that, Raika…?” “Anyway, we have to follow her.” –Akari and Kirin began to sneakily follow Raika. Raika took the Yurikamome to Shimbashi station. Blending in with the crowds, she transferred to the JR Keihin Tohoku Line… Even though Akari and Kirin were in the same vehicle as Raika, she was no the least bit aware of them. Thinking that Raika was being far too careless for a Butei, “Raika-oneesama doesn’t seem to be very careful…” Kirin whispered a little disappointed, which Akari smiled wryly at. The train– “Next is Akihabara, Akihabara. Please exit on the right.” –The train stopped at JR Akihabara Station, which Raika got off at. Akihabara connects to stations along the Sobu/Chuo Line, Yamanote Line, Hibiya Line, etc, so Akari thought that she was just changing trains, but… Raika headed for the exit. This seemed to be her destination. Akari was surprised by this. Akihabara, which is a high populated area making it hard to use guns, has intricate alleys making it hard to track criminals… It is a place typically avoided by Butei. There is also an unusually high failure rate when it comes to capturing criminals here, earning it the nickname “Town of the Sealed Butei”. It was the early afternoon on a Saturday, so the area in front of the aptly called Electric Town was bustling as expected. In order to not lose sight of Raika among the crowd, Akari and Kirin followed after her while concealing their presence. As they walked through a plaza in front of the station, and past a radio shop that had an aged look to it… (Ahh) Akari noticed that there was a girl in the Butei High uniform in side the radio shop. It was a remodelled uniform full of frills like Kirin’s, but it was very well made, almost looking authentic. It was not one of the fakes that high school cosplayers sometimes wear around Akihabara. She had fluffy blonde twintails tied up on either side, and while Akari was curious about her since she seemed to be her senior… For now, she had to follow Raika. So, Akari left her without calling out to her, and continued to chase after Kirin and Raika. … And so, after walking for a while… Raika headed for a building right next to the Electric Town exit. Radio Kaikan… A building that housed shops that sell miscellaneous products that symbolize the soul of Akihabara, such as home appliances, real guns, air guns, video games, and even figurines. Raika stopped in front of it for a second, looked around restlessly, and… Kosokoso , she sneaked inside. Akari and Kirin watched her while hiding behind a life-sized CG anime character. “Why would Raika go to a place like this…?” In contrast to Akari’s confused face, “No way, Onee-sama… This is unexpected. Okay, Mamiya-san, I will follow you now.” Kirin, holding onto her stuff giraffe Jonathan, seemed to have something on her mind. Upon entering the building– Since Raika had taken the elevator to the upper floors with other guests, Akari had to check each elevator stop and the shops there for her. At first Akari saw it as a hassle, but she ended up finding it fun walking around the building and looking at all the shops. Kirin did not agree with her, but for Akari, the inside of Radio Kaikan was like a museum, full of things she had never seen before. Although the atmosphere of the building was more catering to boys, Akari had fun looking at the toy shops and the various candy stores. However, Akari had to regain her composure. She did not come here for sightseeing. (Where… is Raika?) ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ## 31. Bullet 15: Raika Hino Part 2 ### 001. Bullet 15: Raika Hino Part 2 Akihabara – Radio Kaikan. On the sixth floor, Raika arrived at a business called Volks. (TL Note: Volks is a real Japanese based business.) Raika immediately went to the Dolfie Dream section, a ball-jointed doll that is about 60cm tall. (TL Note: Dolfie Dolls are dolls that try to mimic an anime aesthetic, both cute and oddly terrifying.) Dolfie dolls are taller than Rikka-chan dolls that are 20cm’s tall as well as Barbie or Jenny dolls that are 30cm tall. The different faces of Dolfie Dream dolls resemble beautiful anime girls, and the proportions themselves are based on anime aesthetics as well. The target range for these dolls are not girls, but instead what could aptly be called “older friends”. (TL Note: in this context, older friends basically just means high school girls or adults.) When Raika first stumbled upon this shop for the first time, she was not looking for it… She had gone to a gun store on the same floor. The store she had first went to at best could be considered an outlet store and at worst a market stall. It was the kind of store where the grenade launcher that is on the under rail of Raika’s assault rifle, a Magpul MASADA… was being sold at an extremely low price. The store obviously had a very different clientele than the doll store, a complete 180. Raika, who had gone out to buy a launcher and was on her way home… When she had seen the dolls lined up in the large Volk’s showcase, she was struck with a sensation that she had never felt before. Her heart… it throbbed. Inside, she was thrilled. Unintentionally… she stopped walking. And stared. She saw a beautiful anime girl-like face, with enchanting big glass eyeballs. Tiny and adorable, with perfect proportions. But above all, her pastel-coloured cute and sweet lolita dress. The doll was buried in frills and lace, clothing that only a doll could ever wear. The doll was covered in small and cute accessories in bright colours that tickled Raika’s heart. It was a mysterious feeling that Raika could not explain, the only thing she could even compare it to was what she thought love at firs sight felt like. Raika , who was in high school… … Was awakened to the idea of playing with dolls. Even though she is attending a school for Butei and in that school the Assault Department. Even though she boasts a strength that allows her to overwhelm boys during training. Even though in front of everyone she is known as a strong and cool woman. “…” Raika stepped into the store, which was air conditioned to protect the dolls hair, body, and clothes… Today, like every other day, countless dolls were on display for sale. Raika snuck around the store, scouting it out, (O-, okay, there are no students from Butei High.) After confirming that, she took off her sunglasses and hat with slightly trembling hands. “Arara, hello.” “Waa!” A voice suddenly spoke out to her, and Raika felt like her heart had just came out of her mouth. … However, when Raika turned around, there was a beautiful clerk that she recognized. She was a gentle onee-san of about 20 years old with a soft and fluffy impression. “Ah, He-… Hello.” Stunned, Raika greeted her with an embarrassed and shy smile. The dolls in this store are quite expensive, so usually the store only has a few customers in it. Because of that, the store employee has the time to help Raika properly as she browses the store. “We actually just welcomed our newest children to the family.” At first, this was a technical term that Raika did not understand… In this industry, there is a custom of treating the dolls like real humans. In terms of what the onee-san just said, the “children” were dolls, and “welcomed” means that they are for sale. As she had just said, in the displays where dolls are advertised for sale… A lot of new cute dolls welcomed Raika. In addition to arranging the various parts of the dolls for sale, such as heads and bodies, but the store also displayed various assembled dolls and originals. Since it is easier for the customers to see what the finished dolls can look like, they were also dressed in clothes. “…Uwaa…” Raika’s voice couldn’t help but be full of emotion when she spoke. Their fake hair, carefully cute and permed by a hairdresser that specializes in doing doll hair, matched perfectly with the dolls pink ribbons and hats. The dolls not only wore dresses, but also Japanese-style kimonos that perfectly matched with girlish tastes. Each doll had specialized accessories for their clothes, such as feathers, cat ears, glasses, anything to make them even cuter. Those influenced by anime had sailor uniforms, blazers, and jumper skirts, and were posed as if they were in an anime. Naturally the dolls also had small shoes on, as well as panties that were finely decorated with hearts, stripes, or strawberry patterns… (… Ahhh…) For Raika, naturally… This was a world of her dreams and ideals. “…” Raika was so focused on looking at all the dolls that she did not even notice that her mouth was wide open as if she had fallen in love with them. As her face was turning bright red, “U-, um! Can I touch this one?” She turned and asked the clerk with her hands in front of her chest, a girlish gesture that she had never shown anyone at Butei High. Fufufu, the onee-san clerk smiled kindly, “Please, do so. Raika treats them so gently after all.” The clerk gave Raika permission twice. So, with trembling hands, Raika gently picked up a blonde doll like it was a baby. (Cu-, Cute…) In addition, the clerk let her pick up a black-haired dolls well. She held the two dolls close to her face, making Raika feel like she was in a harem situation. While staring at the cute and lovely dolls eyes, Raika remembered again, (Humans… We all yearn for the things we don’t have.) Yes. These dolls have something that Raika can never have. What Rika yearns for is to be “pretty” or “cute”. Small, pretty, cute, lovely. She loves these dolls because, unlike her, they can wear frilly, fluttering clothes, and decorate themselves with countless ribbons and elaborate laces… Even where other could not see them. And they could because they are tiny and cute. – Even if she could never have that kind of cute body ever again, at least… This was something that allowed her to at least compensate for that fact, like bringing that fictitious ideal image close to her hand and admiring it. The thing that she desired like nothing else. § § Raika with a truly overjoyed expression held the doll close to her chest. Akari and Kirin were watching her while hiding behind a shelf lined with military goods in the store across the passageway. Seeing Raika playing with a cute doll, Akari– The gap from the usual Raika was nearly too great for Akari to comprehend, she couldn’t hide her shock or surprise. Raika is a Butei Assault student who specializes in using guns, knives, and even hand to hand combat. And yet, here she is playing with like a kindergarten girl, alone. She was mumbling to herself with a smile that did not resemble Raika at all. She must have been speaking for the doll. She even pretended to make her walk, and now has one in each hand, pretending to talk to them and make them walk. She was truly immersed in the world of playing with dolls. From what Akari could gather from this, it would seem that Raika would come here whenever she wants to let out some frustration. Judging from how she interacts with the store clerk as well, this is not her second or third time here either. They are well aquanted, she must come here often. “… Th-, this is an unexpected way for her to relieve stress… But everyone has their own hobbies, so there shouldn’t be any problems, right?” In a low voice, Akari spoke to Kirin next to her, who was looking at Raika with a grim expression. … Then, “No.” Kirin clearly rebuked Akari, who had suggested that there was no problem. “That is an example of a “Cry of a Girl”… and it is a serious case of it too.” (TL Note: something like “Girl Return” would be more accurate but doesn’t sound proper to me.) “Cry of the Girl?” “– At Butei High, girls are expected to compete and excel just as much as the men. But that isn’t natural. It is stressful for girls to have to compare and compete with boys. And so, in order for a girl to balance their mind, they seek what they don’t have… and turn to those kinds of girlish hobbies!” Kirin spoke a sad story while clenching a fist. “Is, is that true…?” “Yes. In fact, it is a common thing for the girls at Butei High.” Thinking on it… Akari actually could remember her classmates and even the older girls talking about such girly hobbies while in the lock room at the Assault Department. ”I wish I could go to a flower garden instead of a shooting range…” or “I wish I could eat cake instead of protein.”. Thinking on it, flowers and desserts were always more popular than guns and knives… Maybe Kirin is speaking the truth. But… (… Raika looks really happy.) Watching Raika playing with dolls, a face as if she was in heaven… Akari could only feel happiness for her. That is why Akari thought it would just be fine to leave her as she is, however… “–The other day the prince saved the princess. Now, it is the princess’s turn to save the prince!” – On the other hand, Kirin was saying that Raika had to be saved, that she has been kidnapped. Muttering her determination, she stood up while arranging the large ribbon above her head. And with her feet in red enamel strapped shoes, she stepped forward confidently. Akari hastily chased after Kirin, who was heading towards Volk’s with a sharp expression. “Wa-… Wait Kirin. She will see you…!” Even though Akari tried to stop her, her whispers well on deaf ears and Kirin didn’t stop. “Onee-sama Raika. I will use everything I have to fill the void in your heart!” And with her little feet… She rushed into the Dolfie Dream corner where Raika was. § § “This doll is an affordable price.” The clerk onee-san… Introduced Raika to a princess doll that has a big ribbon on her fluffy hair. Raika was only a normal high school girl, so she wasn’t well off financially, and the clerk understood that. Raika though had not shown any interest in buying dolls however. However, since this was a shop, the clerk naturally recommended different dolls to Raika that she might one day buy. As expected of the onee-san, she was a professional, and she was able to grasp Raika’s taste just by watching her interact with different dolls. The conclusion she came to, the princess dolls are exactly what Raika likes. The dolls all have a young face. Despite that, their proportions were mature and curvy. Each is dressed in a sweet lolita outfit that further accentuates their curves and matches it perfectly. And all of the dolls… –Somehow, for some reason, they resemble Kirin. Raika… Actually… Her ideal, who she wanted to look like, this whole time was someone like Kirin. She still couldn’t comprehend that such an idealistic girl actually existed. Raika wondered what kind of cruel God would create such a girl, and then make that girl chase after Raika hoping to hug her and be with her… Honestly Raika just did not know how to handle her, and was confused on what to do with Kirin. That is why she wants to be rid of Kirin, Kirin unintentionally confused and hurt her just by being near her. In addition to that, Kirin wasn’t also just a pervert… She was a girl. It would be weird for Raika to act lovey-dovey with her like Kirin wants. No matter what people say about Raika, at the end of the day she is a girl. The only thing a girl can loving pet is a doll. Petting a real girl.. is no good. Absolutely. And so Raika, who was allowed to hold a princess doll that looks like Kirin instead of actually being Kirin… (Ahh… really, I wonder if I should just sell one of my guns and buy one…) Raika was so fascinated and engrossed with the dolls, she had honestly thought of selling her Butei soul, her weapons, to buy one. She was soaring, and even started to spin on the spot as if she was dancing with the doll in her hands. Naturally as she spun around with her cute princess doll, her field of vision did a 360 as well. The background behind the princess doll changed as she spun. She saw other dolls. A shop wall. A display shelf for small items. A space for photography dedicated to the dolls. The clerk onee-sama. Shima Kirin– “—-!?” Her legs, she stopped spinning immediately. Raika’s expression was frozen. Right there, on the other side of the doll she was hugging. Was Shima Kirin, who was looking up right at her with a bright cute smile on her face. For a short while, Raika was completely frozen with her eyes wide open… “–UoAAAAAAAA!?” The moment she understood the situation, she was so surprised that she fell backwards on her butt with no effort to break her fall. The doll, which was thrown up into the air when she fell… “… got it!” (TL Note: original was a sound effect. Doesn’t work too well in English.) Akari appeared from the side and caught the doll before it hit the ground. “Ki-Kirin!? Akari too…!? Whwhwh-why are you here #$%@#!!” Raika turned a bright red and began to scream at the sudden appearance of the two girls who naturally shouldn’t have been there. Raika sat down on the floor and crying while pointing at the two girls and mumbling. Akari decided to try and explain things to calm down the confused Raika, “Um, no, um, I think you look good! That’s it! Raika is cute, you are super cute Raika!” Akari spoke to Raika with a desperate grasp to try and calm her down. “Akari……” Raika– She is famous at Butei High for her Assault Department achievements, and was afraid that should someone see her playing with dolls behind everyone’s back that she would be laughed at. In her mind all she could see is people pointing fingers at her, photos of her playing with dolls scattered around the internet, and to be the laughing school at school the next day. However, stroking the head of the doll she just caught, “I think this doll is really cute too.” Akari, who was smiling despite the fact that her cheeks were twitching, and she did not reject Raika’s hobby. “Sorry, Raika. I…” Suddenly, Akari changed her tone to an apologetic one for invading Raika’s privacy… “– Mamiya-sama is not the one who is at fault.” Pishari . Kirin cut in. Kirin with a sly smile on her face turned towards Raika who was still sitting down. “It is a Butei’s own fault if they did not notice that they are being tailed.” Hohoho , Kirin put a hand over her mouth as if to provoke Raika. What Kirin said was… true… No, it isn’t just true. A Butei doesn’t just fight criminals… They investigate them too. A Butei will stoop to tailing and investigating as long as they are paid, investigating a persons private life without concern for their privacy. A Butei can be a detective too. In fact, should a Butei complain at school, saying something like “someone uncovered my secret!” they would be the laughing stock of the school, perhaps even laughed out of it. It is even considered stupid for a Butei to bother trying to have secrets. That is an unspoken rule of Butei. “You…” But… There is more to that rule. If someone were to find out your secret… You could just shut them up. Really, if you want your secret to never get out, you just simply have to beat them until they cannot speak anymore. (TL Note: Yes this is accurate, and I guess true?) A Butei is a warrior at heart after all. If you are being attacked by someone tailing you… Fight back. … Swaying… Raika finally regained her composure from her shock, and stood up swaying angrily. … Kirin on the other hand, was smiling quite comfortably. “… From the beginning, I could sense your hidden desires. Your cold attitude towards me… Onee-san is a tsundere.” Behind the lovely Kirin were many just as lovely dolls. Standing in front of those dolls, Kirin seemed like a model for them, the embodiment of the cute, cute world of dolls… Raika glared at her. And, “… If you tell anyone, I will kill you.” She responded with as few words as possible to make her threat known. However, not once did Kirin’s provocative smile waver, “I will keep your secret a secret. In exchange, though… I want a Amica Exam. You can do that for me, right?” Amica Exam… (TL Note: Amica Exam Match, Amica Chance Match, etc. I will use Amica Exam.) An Amica Exam, much like the “Emblem” challenge that Aria had given Akari… Is a contest in which the right to be ones Amica is at stake. For those aspiring to be ones Amica, everything is on the line for them. Kirin, who had been repeatedly repelled by Raika has given up on the peaceful conclusion of the Amica contract that she wants so badly… So that is why she revealed herself before Raika. Her conspiring and manoeuvring were skilful. Since she had gathered Raika’s greatest weakness, it wouldn’t be unusual for her to demand “If you don’t want your secret spread, sign my Amica contract” and use her secret as a threat. However, should Kirin have done that, Raika would have just refused. It would be easier for Raika to just silence Kirin herself with violence… Thus, Kirin came up with conditions that were easier for Raika to accept. –If you don’t want your secrets spread, accept my Amica Exam. A Amica Exam is really just a test. If Kirin fails, it is all over and she has no right to complain. That way, Raika can not only get rid of her but also ensure that she does not spread Raika’s secret. For Raika, it was a light request when considering the weight of her secret. Should Raika, when given this opportunity, turn to violence, she would be the bad guy here. On top of that, Kirin wasn’t the only person here. Akari was here as well, a neutral who would see nothing wrong with Kirin’s request. Kirin was conniving if anything. “… You got me.” What is worrisome is that the content of the Amica Exam is still undecided. Neither Raika no Kirin would be satisfied if either of them made it an exam that one or the other was guaranteed to win. (Then, what kind of exam should I propose…) That is what Raika was thinking. “– From what I can see, you don’t seem to be wearing a bulletproof uniform. How about hand to hand combat?” From Kirin came a high unexpected request. (… Hand to hand combat…?) Her request made Raika doubt her own ears, even Akari was surprised. The martial arts is Raika’s specialty. It would have been cowardly for Raika to propose it, but if Kirin proposed, well no one would have any right to complain… “This intern is slick…” –Raika can’t refuse that request. Raika felt like she was being led around by Kirin, as if this was her plan all along… It felt a little creepy. But regardless, since this was a Amica Exam in hand-to-hand combat, Raika saw this as a guaranteed win. (Fine, I will let you lead me around… And I will make you regret it.) Raika thought to herself that what she should do is simple. For now, she will just beat this impertinent brat to get rid of the grudges that had recently been haunting her. After that she will make sure that Kirin doesn’t reveal her secret, and make her give up on becoming her Amica. “To the rooftop, come.” Saying that, Raika turned towards the exit of the store. And then, with bloodlust in her eyes, turned only her head around– “Akari, pleasure ensure that you are present.” She then told Akari to return the doll to the store clerk who was frightened at seeing Raika like this for the first time. “… Um, o-, ok…” Akari herself was actually somewhat afraid of Raika, however, she did not run away from the battlefield. She herself was a Butei as well. And so… towards the rooftop, the three of them began to climb the stairs. ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ## 32. Bullet 16: Raika Hino Part 3 ### 001. Bullet 16: Raika Hino Part 3 The roof of Radio Kaikan was rough from acid rain and stained black with exhaust fumes. The weather was cloudy. The clouds were thick with moisture, however it did not look quite like it was about to rain. Glittering vertical and horizontal neon signboards surround the area. The environment was dirty, stuffy, and brutal… However, there are not many places in Akihabara where you can move around without other people nearby. Who came up here was… Kirin, who looked like a cute doll. Raika, who had her hair up in a ponytail like her usual. And Akari, who came up as a witness to the Amica Exam and was looking quite worried. “Okay– There is no time limit, martial arts and jujitsu are allowed. Throwing and striking are allowed. Use of tools other than guns and knives are allowed as well. You win when the other persons back either touches the ground or they surrender.” The rules of the Amica Exam were being reviewed, rules which the girls had decided upon while they were walking up the stairs. “If I win, do not come near me again.” Raika spoke in a husky voice as her right fist hit her left palm. “I expected that you and me would fight one day.” As Kirin spoke, she thrust her left palm forward, spread her legs slightly, and slightly lowered her centre of gravity. The stance was surprising to see… “– Chinese kung-fu?” Kirin nodded at Raika’s assessment. “I learned it from my former Amica. I was only taught defence, though.” Despite being only an intern in the CVR department, it seemed that Kirin had some self-defence training. However, despite her training, no matter how one looks at it, there was a clear difference in strength between the two. … Their physique. In martial arts, even a weight difference of just a few kilos can have a huge impact on victory or defeat. The power of a strike, the momentum of a push, defence that cannot be broken, weight can be a deciding factor in all of those. Similarly, height and limb length can be an advantage or disadvantage as well. The smaller and shorter person literally cannot reach the other person or close the distance to them. Simply put, they cannot attack the other person. Conversely, the bigger person can attack the other from a safe point. According to Akari’s eye measurement, Raika is about 165cm and 60kg. Kirin is about 135cm and 35kg. There are three weight classes in judo and nine in boxing… and in each this would be like a battle between an adult and a child. To further prove that mental image, Kirin was holding Jonathan, a stuffed giraffe, under her arm. Seeing that Kirin was planning to fight while holding it, Raika’s eyes became even sharper. While Raika thought that perhaps Kirin had some kind of strategy involving the stuffed giraffe, she couldn’t help but feel that Kirin was looking down on her. “… it is fine according to the rules, we can use anything but knives and guns!” Raika rushed in, and with a spring like twist of her lower body… Ba~tsu ! And releases a mid-level spinning kick with her right leg. Bishi ! But Kirin intercepted it with a raised left knee. And then — Hira . (TL Note: Flutter sound effect.) Due to her raising her leg and the wind pressure from Raika’s kick, (…Tch!) Kirin’s short skirt jumped up causing Raika to flinch. Doki ! Raika’s heart beat loudly enough for the other girls to hear it. Kirin under her skirt was as cute as she was above her skirt… And right now, Raika could clearly see up her skirt. Seeing that Raika couldn’t control her inner turmoil, Kirin retreated a little and chuckled. And then, with a glance that revealed that she could see everything going on with Raika, “I came here prepared for this.” She grabbed her fluttering frilled skirt and showed Raika what they were covering. Her thighs were soft and pure white like fresh rice cakes. Surprisingly, she had decorated them with a frilled garter belt. Raika could only wonder, (why are her clothes, even those underneath other clothes, so cute and seductive?). Kirin lightly shook her small body to further show off the frills, “You like what you see? Don’t you.” Kirin continued to tease Raika, and was easily able to see through Raika’s true feelings, pushing her to the edge. She spoke in an inviting voice, sweet if not sweeter than sugared cream puffs. Even Akari, who was just a referee, “Hiyaa–” could only cover her face with her hands and blush. It was a technique that only the small but sexy Kirin could do… But a girls lower half could even be used like that in a fight. Akari, who was only tiny, could never pull it off. From their current angle, the inside of Kirin’s lifted skirt, her panties, seemed to be invisible to Raika. The scene before Raika was nothing short of exquisite, everything from the angle to Raika’s thighs, her clothes, and the timing of it all, and despite feeling guilty Raika’s gaze was instinctively fixed on Kirin’s lower half. It is embarrassing… Even someone like Raika, who not once had lost her composure in a fight due to anger or frustration, turned bright red and got upset at this obscene scene. “L… Lik, like…” Suddenly, her true words came out. “… You’re full of gaps!” (TL Note: This is a joke that doesn’t work in English. “Like” in Japanese is “suki”, the Kanji for “gap”, 隙, starts with “suki”. With how Japanese works, Raika’s first sentence is “suki” in various forms and her second starts with “suki”.) She tried to deceive herself with ad-libs, failed, but luckily managed to grab onto something to cover up her inner turmoil.. It was Kirin’s right arm. Raika turned her blushing face away from Kirin, gira ! She then turned to her right in front of Kirin, pulling her slender, almost muscle free, arm with her. – An Ippon shoulder throw. Raika wanted to end this right here, using an often-decisive move in martial arts with a similar ruleset to this Amica Exam. A move that results in the victims back hitting the ground. However, Akari, who was watching this, raised her eyebrows. The weight shift was done improperly. Raika, who was in too much of a hurry and flustered, simply pulled Kirin forcefully instead of directing her. As a a result, Kirin was instead simply just lifted up by Raika with force instead of being pinned to the ground and was now sitting piggyback on Raika. The usual expertise in Raika’s technique was nowhere to be seen, and Kirin was given plenty of time and gap. Taking advantage of this, Kirin, “Come one! Jonathan number 3!” Paa , she threw the stuffed animal she was holding under her arms to in front of her. The stuffed toy, goton ! While making a heavy, hard sound, it landed upright on four legs on the floor. (– Something is inside! Is it a blunt weapon!?) Raika’s gaze, which discerned that something is amiss from the sound, naturally landed on the stuffed toy. Taking advantage of that gap, Kirin made a full spin in the air using the arm that had grabbed her as a fulcrum. It was an acrobatic move, as if she did a forward roll on Raika’s shoulder. “….!” Surprised at Kirins ability to move in a such a way that seemed impossible without breaking her own arm, Raika let go of her soft arm. She was afraid of breaking it by accident. Kururuin . Kirin, who was aware of the naivety and kindness of Raika, flipped her fluttering remodelled uniform. Then, as if it was natural, ton . She landed with one foot on Jonathan’s head, which she had used as a stepping stone. Kirin was quite tall now, as the giraffes height… “Kirin is now as tall as you, onee-sama.” … Is about 30cm. The giraffe was the perfect height for closing the height difference between the two. Kirin then gracefully turned around to look at Raika, still standing on Raika. She was almost at eye level now with Raika. Kirin’s face, which was 5cm away from Raika’s own, had a sinfully adorable and innocent smile. Raika, “…!” The smile stole her eyes… And maybe even her heart. On the cheek of the Raika who was completely frozen… … Chiyuuu …♥ There was a sweet sensation, a sensation that felt dream like. Kirin had closed the distance of 5cm between their faces to nothing… she kissed Raika on her cheek. It was the middle of a battle. Kirin kissed someone who had just kicked them and tried to slam her into the ground. Akari was so surprised while watching that her twin tails actually started standing up. Raika was frozen still, it was as if she had forgotten about the fight itself from the shock. This is the third time now that Kirin had caught Raika by surprise from a gap she had made. The first thing that Kirin did now was hug her closely, and bring Raika close to her body. And then very very gently, but with a clear intention, she pushed Raika down. With her right foot, she gently swept Raika’s left leg out from the inside. The slow, but gentle footwork, causes Raika to tilt falling backward. Raika looked disoriented, as if she was in an out of body experience, as if she was immersed in the afterglow of being kissed by an angel. “–eh?” At that sight, Akari let out a small voice of surprise. Raika was fully aware of why Akari was surprised. Jujitsu is a martial arts in which the movements are ingrained in the body through repeated and endless practice. It is just like riding a bicycle, the rider is not conscious of what their legs are doing, it is muscle memory. Just because someone trained in Jujitsu is a little dazed or confused does not mean that they forget how to use the techniques. However, Raika’s movements right now lack any skill. It is not that she couldn’t do anything, rather she of her own free will chose to do nothing. As a result– Patan . Raika had fallen. “… Huh!?” Lying on her back, Raika began to panic as she came back to her senses, but… It was already too late. She was lying down on her back on the rooftop floor. “Eh… Um, -Over…!” The rule was, whoever had their back hit the ground first loses. Despite this clear victor though, Akari could only be shocked at the Amica Exam itself and its unexpected victor. “…..! …..?” Raika couldn’t believe that she lost to her junior in something as important to her as an Amica Exam. Kirin, who was now straddling Raika’s belly as Raika was on her back, “Raika-oneesama!” Began to hug Raika tightly as she rubbed her face on Raika’s chest, hearts seemingly appearing around her. After the Amica Exam, Akari and the others left Radio Kaikan and went to a nearby family style restaurant. They were seated in a 4 person booth and, naturally… Kirin was sitting next to Raika. (Sh-, she actually did it…) Raika still couldn’t accept the results of the Amica Exam, but… However, Kirin’s bright lovely smile, as she was hugging Raika’s arm and repeating “Amica, we are Amica’s now～♥” brought her back to reality and reminded her of the result of the Exam. Kirin was able to do it herself. She now has an Amica. Kirin was at the climax of her happiness, and had not even began to eat the parfait that was brought to her and currently sat untouched on the table. Akari watched this with a somewhat relieved expression. “I am still surprised, this is the first time I have ever seen Raika lose in hand-to-hand combat…” In response to Akari, who was drinking a tropical iced tea, “…” Raika averted her gaze and said nothing, she just drank her iced coffee. Akari, “But. The way you were defeated, isn’t it kind of strange…?” Akari continued to spoke, which caused Rika to twitch. At that unexpected movement Kirin looked up at her, puzzled. Thinking on it, it was indeed strange. It was a valid point. “… So you did notice it, Akari…” Raika whispered, blushing and becoming sullen. “Ehehehe. Well, we are friends after all.” “Wh-, what do you mean?” The truth to Raika’s defeat had been uncovered by Akari… Kirin, who had not thought about her victory at all due to her excitement, had a confused look on her face. On top of that, she couldn’t stand not knowing that there was something about Raika that she didn’t know. Akari, who had spent many lessons in the Assault Department hand-to-hand training classes watching Raika– “In the last moments of the Amica Exam, Kirin-chan, did you notice anything off about Raika’s footwork? Raika’s signature move is an ippon-shoulder throw, using her opponents attack against them with a counter, using footwork as its basis. However, Raika did use that counter and shoulder throw on you. Deliberately.” Akari explained to Kirin. She did not have to much though before Raika started to turn even redder. She was embarrassed to have this truth be revealed to Kirin. Very, very embarrassed. “Does that mean that Raika lost on purpose…? I thought I wont using my strength only… I wanted to win with my strength only.. why…?” After listening to Akari’s explanation, Kirin suddenly lost the smile that was on her face this whole time… and starting acting despondent. – Yes. During the final moments before Raika’s defeat, she could have easily countered Kirin if she had wanted to. She had fumbled her footwork and stumbled, resulting in her being thrown onto her back. She had blundered her shoulder throw once before that because of Kirin’s charm, but the second time she should have been fine. But Raika didn’t. And in doing so she of her own volition surrendered her victory. Meaning Kirin won. It may not have been obvious to Kirin or others, particularly with what she had said before about the Amica Exam…. But her inner desire manifested itself and the Amica Exam outcome was a result of that inner desire. However, not knowing why Raika did this… Kirin began to cry. (“Go on, tell us why”) The eye contact that Akari sent to Raika had a clear intention, but… Raika was puzzled. Why should she have to tell them? It was a hassle, never mind embarrassing to confess why she lost on purpose. However, if Raika was not honest here, she knew that it would lead to some misunderstandings. So, Raika braced herself, “I… I thought that it would be fine! In that moment…” Despite deciding to be honest with herself, Raika turned away from Kirin. “So, I was wondering if you would be my Amica… That is why I let you win. I’m sorry.” While saying that, Raika gave Kirin a sideways glance– More specifically, she said it while looking Kirin in the eyes. Raika’s heart was pounding. She had not expected herself to be this embarrassed and her heart to be beating so loudly just from telling a cute girl her true feelings. Raika has always been known for being brave and resolute, but she was finding it hard to find any courage to help her confess her true feelings. At this rate, Raika was certain that she would be more comfortable and safe if she was in an active shootout right now. – The word abashed would be appropriate here. However, Raika couldn’t help but look at Kirin’s gloomy face, which usually was as energetic and bright as a small sun. Raika couldn’t help but blame herself here for being the reason that the sun had burned out. It was her fault. Because of that Raika wanted to make her smile as soon as possible, but she did not know what to do… Raika blushed as she stroked her head, who was listening to her confession in amazement. Here, Akari offered her a rescue vessel– “It was Kirin-chans efforts that made Raika feel this way. She is a very hardworking and cute intern after all.” “Mamiya-sama…!” At those words, Kirin’s eyes began to sparkle. Akari was not only astute in picking up on Kirin’s feelings, feelings that the clumsy Raika was not able to pick up on, but also able to pick up on the things that Raika herself could not communicate well. “Kirin-chan, please take care of Raika.” “Yes, I will!” Raika, hearing this conversation going on that felt more like a parent blessing their child’s marriage instead of becoming an Amica, “Ba! Baka! Don’t say any unnecessary things!” Raika raised her voice at Akari, looking a little annoyed. She had said that mainly to keep her Amica next to her in check, but… Kirin, “Now then, onee-sama, for our sealing vow as War Sisters! A oath kiss!” (TL Note: Just a reminder, Amica/War Sisters is the same thing, War Sisters being only for two girls.) Kirin was no longer frightened to ask something like this now. Shima Kirin from CVR might be tiny, cute, and look vulnerable and innocent, but… She was tough at heart. She is the complete opposite of Raika, who looks strong and masculine but secretly has a girlish and weak side to her. Raika let out a small scream while trying to push Kirin away from her, that was pushing her face up against her while breathing hard. And Raika spoke the same line to her that she said the other day. “Ahh-! You pervert! Stop!” “Yes sir!” Kirin’s response as well was the exact same as before. And so, on this particular spring day, a day like any other– Hino Raika and Shima Kirin became War Sister’s. The location: a corner of Akihabara, where the neon signs of the seven different colours twinkle throughout the day. ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ## 33. Bullet 17: Quartet Part 1 ### 001. Bullet 17: Quartet Part 1 In their classroom during their lunch break, Akari and Shino are eating lunch while chatting again today. Raika, who had secretly been eating her lunch during class, was slumped over her desk and had a manga volume as an eye mask… She was just taking a nap. The other students as well were resting, eating, and enjoying their break… When suddenly, a loud noise came from classroom 1-A’s door! It opened with a bang , and so naturally everyone’s eyes gathered there. At the now open door stood a girl with long hair and glasses. But she had a pale face, and looked so nervous that it wouldn’t be surprising if she threw up. Everyone was on edge, even though they recognized this girl from being Butei High as she was wearing an official bulletproof sailor school uniform. It seems that she had opened the door with too much enthusiasm due to being tense. The sound of the door slamming open had terrified her, and she began looking around restlessly with her eyes that were covered by her bangs. And, “… I-, I’m not good at speaking to people, why was I given this job…” She was mumbling and clutching the clipboard to her chest as she walked into the classroom. She seems to have something to tell the class, and so she walked over to the podium at the front. The girl was standing at the podium in a stiff state, her glasses half hidden by her bangs flashing, “I-, I am a second year from Connect, Nakasorachi! I am here with a message from Masters!” In a voice that was hard to make out despite the class being silent, she spoke to the class. However, when she had suddenly shouted “second year”, the class all at once entered an uproar. Just like the Defense Academy and the Police Academy, Butei High is rooted in a hierarchical society, not unlike a feudal society. Therefore, being rude towards a senior is never tolerated, even if they were slightly timid and seemingly unprofessional. The previously relaxed 1-A students suddenly straightened their backs and had all eyes forward on their senior. Those who were standing stood at attention, and those who were turned to the side in their chairs turned to face forwards. Akari and Shino naturally of course followed suit, even Raika woke up, put away her manga, and straightened her posture. Nakasorachi-senpai held a clipboard out in front of her, as if she was reading out an award on it, “Th-, th-, this class! This class has had a low application rate for the 4v4 Quartet! Please hurry up and apply! That is all!” She had merely read out what was written down. Despite being a senior in the Connect Department, who had often done announcements and worked with operators in the field, her speech was full of stutters and hard to understand. In any case, when Nakasorachi-senpai finished disseminating what was written down, she placed a bundle of application forms on the podium and left the classroom. … Akari grabbed one of the application forms left by her senpai, “”Quartet”… What is that?” Returning to her seat, she spoke to Shino, who is sitting in front of her. “It is a competition for first year students where everyone participates in a 4v4 style match. Come to think of it, Masters had told me to apply with a group, but that was quite a while ago so I had forgotten all about it…” “Huh… It seems that even interns can be included in the team selection. Interesting.” Raika, who was also looking at an application form, joined in on their conversation. It seemed that Raika couldn’t say what she really wanted to say since she was too embarrassed, so Akari decided to say it for her. “Then, we should all apply together with Kirin-chan.” When Akari said what Raika had wanted to say, “Sounds good!” “Well, we do need 4 people after all.” Shino and Raika agreed with her. “Then its decided~! Ehehe~.” With a bright smile on her face, Akari filled out the application form with the names of 4 of her best friends. Taking this for granted, she did not think too much about what this meant or would mean. – A few days later, the schedule for the 4v4 Quartet matchup was posted on the bulletin board in front of the Masters department. The battle table and the teams were decided upon by Masters based on the various teams that students applied with. Each team only had one match, and the result of said match is subject to “evaluation” from Masters. This evaluation is extremely important for the involved students, and can affect both their credits and Butei rank. Much like in a normal highschool, credits are given to students throughout the year and necessary to move up a grade or ultimately graduate. Furthermore, a Butei rank can impact a Butei’s income. Rank is decided upon without distinction between student and professional Butei, and available jobs for a Butei can vary greatly on rank. Because of this importance, the bulletin board that Akari and the others came to was crowded with other first year students who had come to see the 4v4 Quartet matchup schedule. Somehow Akari managed to squeeze herself close to the bulletin board, and when Akari found her name… “Round 9: Team Mamiya vs. Team Takachiho.” The opponent was team… “Takachiho”. “Takachiho Urara… She is an A-rank in the Assault Department.” “Indeed, if I remember correctly she is the Head of Class C.” Akari did not know who she is, but Raika and Shino had both heard of her. Judging from their facial expressions, she seems to be a fairly well known student. As an explanation, at Butei High “Head” is a term for “Class President”. “CVR had actually scouted her once before… She is a very popular beauty among the M-attribute boys.” Wrapping both arms around Raika’s arm and holding a crepe in one hand, Kirin divulged even more information on Takachiho. Kirin kept wrapping her arms around Raika no matter how many times Raika shook her off, so Raika had gotten used to it now or at the very least stopped shaking her off. “… M-attribute?” When Akari tilted her head at the unfamiliar word, a response came from behind. “– Yuyu, Yaya, laugh.” Suddenly, Akari heard a strange order. Turning around, “Hohohohohoho!” A blond female student with a raised voice that hit Akari’s ears like an ultrasonic wave with a lace fringed fan over her mouth, “”Hohohohoho.”” Standing on either side of her were twins with bobbed hair who were both laughing in sync. Akari did not understand why, but for some reason all three of them were laughing at Akari and her friends. However, their laugh was the kind of laugh that made people think “Oh, people actually laugh like that?”, a laugh that most people would think only queens laugh like. The three of them continued to laugh like that for a while, while Akari and the others just stared in confusion at this sudden turn of events… “Yuyu, Yaya, stop!” When the blond girl in the centre closed her fan with a snap , the twins behind her stopped laughing as well. The blond haired female student, who was showing off the dignity of a queen, looked at Akari and the others as if she was evaluating them, “You seem like unworthy opponents… I guess my fathers donation to Butei High was effective.” She spoke high handed in a voice that was not cowardly or thoughtful of what others might think. However, she had said “opponent”, and wore an armband that represented her as Class President. In other words, this must be Urara Takachiho, Akari’s competition in the 4v4. She was brazenly confident, walking around with a girl on either side of her as if they were her cronies, and she seemed to be a very skilled Butei. First of all, Akari’s attention was drawn to her height. She is about 160cm’s tall. (TL Note: 5 foot 2.) Kirin had said that Takachiho was scouted by CVR, a specialized department at Butei High that instructs students in the art of honey potting and only allows the most beautiful and cute girls to join, meaning that Takachiho is a recognized impeccable beauty. Her overall impression is harsh, but that is purely a positive when combined with her western-style make-up and crimson rouge lipstick. At Butei High, students are allowed to remodel their uniform “as long as it retains its original form”, and Takachiho had remodelled hers to make it look like a dress. She has bulging puff sleeves around her upper arms, a long skirt that gracefully spreads out around her, and a combination of black sights and lace-up boots. Everything she has assembled to wear is something that clearly she has chosen herself. Such is the way of girls. Takachiho’s sneering gaze… It seems as if she had quickly and easily seen through the weakest of Akari’s party and set her sights on Kirin who was by Raika’s side. “Oh my. They even have an intern, one who looks like they wont be able to do much.” Then, as if she was teasing her, she tickled Kirin’s cheek with the tip of her fan. Raika, who was now Kirin’s Amica, “It can’t be helped, she is my Amica after all.” Takachiho, in response to Raika who was protecting Kirin… “Well, what are you planning on using a CVR member as an Amica for? Hmm?” Takachiho looked at Raika, with her face as if she was purposefully saying something suggestive to provoke Raika and Kirin. That… Seemed to be the last thing that Raika had wanted to hear, and as if she was screaming Kyaaa !, Raika’s face turned bright red. Whether someone is setting up a trap, planning a counter, seeing how her opponents react, or simply making an excuse for legitimate self-defense, “provocation” is a technique that gets your opponent to make the first move. Takachiho clearly was well trained in that art. She could tell right away what Raika, the most easily provoked person here, didn’t want to hear, and set her off within seconds. “If you want to fight, don’t get angry when I smear your face in the mud!” Raika, who was getting angry after being teased over her newly formed War Sisters relationship began to shake in anger and threw a fist at Takachiho– “–!!” However, it never reached her. Someone had managed to stop Raika from behind her. An armlock… This specific one being a Standing Hammerlock. Raika twisted her head to look behind her, and the tip of a knive – a Kunai to be specific – was placed against her cheek. The girl had black hair tied up in a ponytail much like Raika, but was wearing a mask that hid her mouth and lower face. Akari recognized this girl. “Fuuma, Hina…!” At the same time that Akari recognized this girl, Rika also mentioned her name. “Raika-dono. Please do not act out.” Raika was not the only student in the first year that was recognized for her strength. Many strong students existed besides her, and outside Assault at that. Hina Fuuma, from Lezzad and dressed like a ninja– Although she had done a surprise attack, was able to neutralize Raika with an elite level restraint technique. “That is indeed Hina Fuuma. I hired her since she seemed to be useful, and will be working with me under contract until the end of the Quartet.” Takachiho showed a satisfied and smug smile as she explained what was going on. At Butei High– Students are not prohibited from paying students to hire them for helping during examinations. Rather, even among students, it is frowned upon to help anyone for free. Unlike the Police and JSDF, Butei is a private, not public, business. Thus it is a policy to have students acquire a habit of working for pay from an early age. Raika naturally understood that as well. “… Well, Butei is a business driven by money. I understand that.” Her expressions seemed to express that she has surrendered. However. While Raika had admitted that “Butei is a business driven by money”, there is another habit that Butei follow as well… “Surprise attacks, unexpected attacks, and fake surrenders are an art”. Something that Raika sought to remind Fuuma. “– That is what you would expect me to say!” Raika suddenly changed her opinion and, gari ! She bit into the Kunai that Fuuma was holding up to her cheek. Suddenly twisting her neck and forcibly snatching her Kunai from her hand, Raika suddenly jerked her lower body, unleashing a right high kick without regard for her short skirt! Her pinned arm was still locked, however the limited motion she had was enough. That sharp and powerful leg hit the side of Takachiho’s head — Gashii ! Before her feet could make contact, something blocked it. Takachiho herself blocked it with her fan. Apparently, Takachiho was not just a smug foolish general who sat cross-legged as their subordinates did everything for them. This was obvious to see now, she had managed to intercept a kick from Raika, who excels in the martial arts, without any gimmicks or issues. On top of that there was no movement in her long remodelled skirt, but the odds of her somehow having taken steps to counteract the impact through footwork was high. Takachiho, using her right hand and with a cool expression on her face, uses her fan and wrist to lock Raika’s ankle from moving. Against Raika who was locked in place by Fuuma’s right arm from behind and her right leg by Takachiho… – Fuuma and Takachiho used a highly skilled combination attack to unleash a rotating throw on Raika’s body to the right. With the two girls working together, doga ! Raika slammed into the ground on her face. “Oneesama!” “Raika!” Kirin and Akari called out to her, but there was no response. She wasn’t acting this time. She was either too weak to move or fainted. “You said that you would rub my face in the mud… But yours looks much better.” Kusukusu , now, Takachiho was mockingly laughing at Raika. On top of that, Akari and the others– –They couldn’t just retreat. Takachiho had picked a fight with them right in front of Masters department, a location that was bound to attract a lot of attention. Running away from a fight that was brought to you was a dishonourable and shameful thing to do at Butei High. And, more than anything else now, they had to defeat Takachiho and Fuuma to avenge Raika. Even girls at Butei High cannot just let themselves get beaten. “– Onee-sama! … How dare you!!” Kirin, who had her Amica beaten soundly in battle, fired a palm strike at Fuuma, but… Kirin wasn’t like Fuuma, she was from CVR where combat training wasn’t compulsory, and moreover was an intern in junior high who had thrown a punch purely out of anger. Her palm was easily repulsed. Her attack was completely ineffective… The difference in combat between her and Fuuma was that wide of a gap. “… Just kidding♪” Kirin, who was now flustered at her ineffectiveness and smiling wryly, Was now trying to get Fuuma to drop her guard and forgive Kirin by doing a “cute girl blinking routine”, but– Fuuma was cold hearted, paan ! Slapped both of Kirin’s ears at the same time as if she was pinching her head. The impact caused her eyes to roll back into her head and she dropped her half eaten crepe to the ground, falling on top of Raika. “Kirin-chan!” The technique is called a “eardrum rupture”. It is a dangerous technique that Fuuma occasionally uses that disrupts the semicircular ear canals and defeats her opponent. In actual combat, as the name suggests, it can actually rupture the eardrum. Knowing this potential outcome, Akari goes to check on Kirin’s injuries, but before she even could, “Eh…?” Both of her arms were grabbed from her left and right by Takachiho’s subordinate twins, Yuyu and Yaya. The twins were in perfect harmony with each other, and once they lifted Akari from both her left and right arm– They threw her into a nearby trash can. “Kyaa!” Akari’s landed butt first into the trashcan and was stuck in it, making it look like she was sitting on the trashcan. She was completely unable to get herself out. This had not happened by chance. This was a restraint method called the “Box of Laughter” that had originated in Italy. When a person lands butt first in a large can-like object, either on purpose or accidentally, they are unable to get out by themselves. Looking at her like this, Yuyu and Yaya looked proud of their work. They looked at Akari in her embarrassing appearance, unable to move on her own. One of the twins threw the crepe that Kirin had dropped at her. – Becha . The crepe landed on Akari’s head, and her head became stick with cream and pieces crepe dough. “Iyaa~! What is–!” Akari couldn’t help but tear up at the humiliating situation that she had ended up in. “Akari-san!” Shino panicked and rushed to rescue her, but– “Shino Sasaki… Your father is an armed prosecutor, correct?” When Takachiho’s words hit her back just as she turned, she stopped moving. Shino wanted to save Akari as soon as possible, but in doing so would involve her turning her back on Takachiho, Fuuma, Yuyu, and Yaya, allowing an opening. Also, it seemed unnatural, odd even, for Takachiho to suddenly bring up her family situation, “… What do you mean by bringing that up?” Shino put her hand on her sabre and turned towards Takachiho. Takachiho responded to Shino’s angry gaze with a cool and collected face… “Don’t our fathers have a dog-monkey relationship in the courts?” Takachiho spoke. At those words, Shino’s eyes opened wide. “… I just remembered.” Shino and Takachiho glared at each other for a while. “… armed lawyers, the Takachiho clan. From Tottori.” To Shino, who just recalled the name Takachiho and their legacy, Takachiho, “There was no need to say we are from Tottori given the situation we are in!!” She seems to have a habit of speaking in her hometown dialect when she gets excited or embarrassed, and so responded in the Inaka dialect. Takachiho, who suddenly noticed the dialect that she unconsciously spoke in… “… ~Ohon” (TL Note: Sound for clearing throat basically.) She blushed, cleared her throat, and immediately returned to her original pompous demeanour. She then looked at Akari and the others, “– A Quartet group is mean to be built with strategy and individual balance in mind. But you girls are just nothing but friends.” Seeing clearly through them, she spoke with full confidence. “It is impossible for you to win against us.” Takachiho’s words… They were persuasive. Aside from her overbearing words, Takachiho’s ability as a leader is excellent as is her individual combat ability. Fuuma, who had taken out Takachiho herself is a formidable opponent as well. In addition, the Yuyu and Yaya twin sisters on either side of Takachiho had a teamwork and combination compatibility unique only to twins. But. No matter how touch Takachiho’s team might seem, “Why does that make it impossible to win~!? Or rather, so what if we are good friends!” On top of the ridicule that Akari was facing, Akari herself was not the kind of person who could keep silent after having the taboo word of “impossible” forced onto her, a word that Aria herself had forbidden. While glaring at Takachiho, gassha , gassha ! She expressed her anger by violently shaking the trashchan to the point that it started to jump. “That’s right! Akari-san and I are good friends!” Shino agreed with her, although the way that she agreed did not line up with Takachiho’s statement. There– “Hey! What do you think you are doing in front of the Masters department!” From the other side of the students who were watching the fight, Aria appeared in her gym clothes with a round-neck shirt and shorts, seeming to have just finished a physical education class. –To the Aria, who was severely admonishing everyone, “…!” For a moment, Takachiho made a complicated expression. But immediately, she snorted and turned her back, “Then, please look forward to our upcoming performance.” And so, leaving Akari and the others behind, she calmly left as if nothing happened at all. After a while, Shino had managed to rescue Akari from the trash can, and was washing herself in the Assault Department’s shower room. There was also the figure of Kirin and Raika with her nearby. “Uhh…” Kirin was still dealing with the disorientation from the damage that Fuuma had done to both of her ears. Her eardrums would end up being fine with time and she could still hear, however she was still dizzy. Even after taking a shower, it seemed that she was unable to wrap a bath towel around her body… “Um, hey. Are you really okay?” Raika spoke in a caring tone to Kirin. Raika had heard from Shino that Kirin had attempted to take revenge on Raika’s behalf and that is why she got hurt… Kirin wondered, “is that why she is being so kind to me?”. Aria, who was looking sideways at Kirin, “Your semicircular canal was injured. You need to sit down and rest for now.” She spoke to Kirin from her own partitioned shower stall. In response to Aria, “Okay…”, and as Akari watched as Raika took Kirin to a nearby bench… “It only took 1 minute for all of us to be knocked out…” Akari could hear Shino’s depressed voice in the shower next to her. The fight against Takachiho was a crushing defeat for Akari and the others. It was an undeniable fact. But for Akari, “But! Hiring allies with money is cheating!” Her anger and dissatisfaction to Takachiho was evident to all, especially since she had hired an excellent pawn to use, Fuuma, using the power of money. For Akari, comrades are meant to be friends. A true companion is one who is bound by friendship in your everyday life. But– “Would that be your excuse in the afterlife if you were killed by a mercenary?” As if dismissing Akari’s opinion, Aria sighed as she began to dry her hair with a bath towel. Aria’s words… They were undeniably true. In the first place, a Butei is someone that anyone can hire as long as they have the money. Even Akari, who is a Butei albeit a new one, can understand that in her head. But… Emotionally, she could not accept it nor admit it as truth. “Aria-senpai… but, but…” Poroporo , Akari stuck her face outside her shower stall while crying. Aria who saw her crying face… She hadn’t meant to hurt Akari more right after she lost her fight. “Hey, don’t cry.” Aria began to pat and stroke Akari’s head, trying her best to comfort her. Much like Raika had done earlier, most Amica’s have a habit of being kind to their younger Amica. However… Shino was being strangely hostile towards Aria during all this, glaring at her with an openly hostile face. In the changing part of the shower room, Akari put on her bullet proof uniform and her underwear. After a short rest, Kirin’s complexion improved. She was now sitting upright on a chair and using a hair dryer to dry her long hair. Even so, Raika looked on at her worried… Drinking milk coffee, she was standing nearby and watching over Kirin. She had hated the idea before of being an Amica, but not only is she now an Amica, but she is an overly protective one. Aria had finished changing into her clothes and tied her hair into twintails, and then looked over at her juniors who seemed to want advice on how to win the Quartet against Takachiho and her team. It isn’t unusual for the older War Sister to give advice to her younger sisters during an exam, but… “… While I want to help you with this exam, I am a transfer student, and so I have never taken this exam. As well, I am busy this Saturday and Sunday so I have no time to help train you.” Aria herself had not actually even heard of this exam until Akari herself told her about. Aria, however, did have an idea, “Kirin, why don’t you ask your previous Amica about the exam?” Aria made a good suggestion, and when Kirin heard it, “– That’s right! I’m sure Riko-oneesama will help train us!” She seemed to have suddenly gained a burst of energy, and pulled out her cellphone that was decorated with rhinestones. “Now that that is decided, we should rent a training camp facility for us to use while training!” Kirin triumphantly began to browse the Butei High internet, but… “– No way.” Raika, who had anticipated this outcome had also accessed the internet from her own phone and shook her head. “All of Butei High’s training camp facilities have been rented, and they were all rented under Takachiho’s name.” “All of them were rented out…!? Wha-, what an absurdly rich person…” Akari, who had been drinking milk through a strat, opened her mouth in utter disbelief. But, Akari knew, that that is something that Takachiho would do. It is the same logic as is the case for her hiring Fuuma. In the Butei profession, money is king, and using money to win something is not something to criticize at all. The rich have a way to fight unique only to them. – In important and critical situations like subjugation, rescue, and a life or death fight, a Butei is willing to stoop to any level to win. Another big difference between Butei and JSDF. That is why, despite the odds of them knowing what Takachiho is doing, Butei high is knowingly overlooking her “borrowing” all the training camp facilities. As for Akari and the others, this is a precariously difficult situation. However, in the middle of this gloomy atmosphere, “In that case, we can use my house as the location for our training camp! I refuse to lose to the Takachiho family!” Shino, drinking the same milk as Akari, made a sudden but resolute declaration. “Eh!? Is that okay!? Are you sure!?” Shino’s house was indeed very spacious and had a large garden perfect for training. It would be very useful if they could use her house. “If it’s Shino-chan’s house, that is perfect!” “Wow, you really are a great friend.” “I am looking forward to seeing Sasaki-sama’s house.” Akari and the others are overjoyed at the offer, while… “… I did it! A natural and great opportunity to get Akari-chan to stay at my house…!” Shino, on the other hand, has an evil expression on her face, and is currently muttering dangerous and suspicious words to herself… ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ## 34. Bullet 18: Quartet Part 2 ### 001. Bullet 18: Quartet Part 2 On Saturday, with the Quartet coming up at the beginning of next week, Akari and the others had taken the Shirokan-Takanawa Station on the Tokyo Metro and are visiting Shino’s house for their training camp. In front of her chalk white mansion in Shirokanedai… “Oooh, amazing!” “It looks like a castle!” Raika and Kirin, seeing Shino’s house for the first time, had twinkles in their eyes. The bulletproof uniform clad girls had needed pyjamas as they planned on staying overnight, so Akari and Raika had brought sports bags with them while Kirin brought her school backpack. Among them, “Why are you coming…?” Akari was looking at the fourth member of the group with a reproachful glance… Out of the girls there, only one was wearing plain civilian clothes, holding a Boston bag. (TL Note: A Boston bag is basically, like, a big purse? Google it if you are curious.) It was Nonoka, Akari’s younger sister. Akari, who had wanted to spend time alone with her Butei friends and so had said nothing to Nonoka about today, was unhappy that Nonoka was there and wondered if Nonoka had secretly followed her on her own. “Since my sister was spending so much time out of the house recently, I wanted to check on her and make sure she is okay.” Nonoka said, sounding like the older sister out of the two. With her talking like this and Akari sulking, she almost looked like Akari’s guardian. However, since Nonoka had no ill intentions in following her… Akari decide to put aside the fact that her sister had followed her and rang the doorbell on the Sasaki mansion. Gachaaa … The large doors open with a heavy and deep sounds… “Sorry to disturb you.” (TL Note: common thing to say in Japan when visiting someones house, regardless of if you are expected or not.) While saying that, the group enter into the large entrance hall. Suddenly, “Welcome everyone!” Shino, wearing her sailor uniform, came into the hall to greet everyone. Nonoka looked over at Shino and identified her by her long black hair and serious expression. “Ah, you must be Sasaki Shino-san! I am indebted to you for taking care of my older sister.” Nonokw bowed politely to Shino. Shino stared at Nonoka, as she raised her smiling face that looked a lot like Akari… “Si… Sister bowl…!” After muttering an unknown term, for a moment, Shino’s face was pure ecstasy. “…?” “N-, never mind, welcome.” Towards the Mamiya sisters who are tilting both of their heads in confusion, Shino quickly tried to cover up what she was saying just earlier. “Okay, onee-chan. Come here.” After greeting Shino, Nonoka placed the Boston bag she was carrying on the marble floor. When Akari crouched down next to her, “Okay, here. Pyjamas and a change of clothes… as well as onee-chan’s pillow. I always have to remind you that if you use a different pillow, you have trouble falling asleep.” Nonoka, looking like a proud house wife with a smile on her face, watched as Akari checked the overnight bag that Nonoka had brought for her. Boko , and, finally, Akari pulled out a pillow with a chick-print image on the front from the Boston bag… “You are a reliable and sensible little sister, aren’t you?” “I can’t believe that she is Akari’s little sister…” Kirin and Raika, standing side by side and watching, exchanged their honest impression on the two sisters. “What do you two mean by that!?” Akari, tired of being treated like a little child, angrily turned towards Raika and Kirin. “Now then, I will go home.” Nonoka smiled wryly when she tried to pick up her bag… However, she somehow failed to grab her bag. “Huh?” … For a moment, Nonoka had a surprised look on her face. Akari, watching this with surprise and concern on her face, “… Well, I should get going, I can see now that onee-chan is serious about this sleepover and will be okay.” Nonoka reached for the handle of her bag, this time grabbing it, and stood up. Her expression looked the same as usual. “Of course? Did you forget who is the older sister?” Akari bit her lip, thinking the strange look in Nonoka’s eyes must have been her imagination… But no matter what she told herself, she couldn’t dismiss the image of her face from her mind. “Ah, onee-chan. While this might be a sleepover, that is no excuse to stay up late at night.” “I know, I know.” While talking back and forth between the two sisters– Akari began to push Nonoka out of the lobby, afraid that Nonoka might never stop talking to her unless Akari pushed her out of the house herself. “Nonoka-san. Please take care of yourself and be careful on your way home.” Nonoka smiles and nods to Kirin who was waving at her. Among them, Shino, “… Pillow…!” Was the only one not looking at Nonoka. Her eyes were glued to treasure, “Akari’s pillow”, that was sitting half out of the bag that Nonoka brought…! After dinner, Akari and the others gathered together in the Sasaki residence’s private theatre room. There was a large tv screen on the wall of the room, and some maids were expertly controlling the materials being presented. Shino, acting as the moderator of the gathering, was speaking aloud. “In a Quartet match, our competition and the match style has been decided by Masters. Our match is against Takachiho, and the match style is “Poison”.” Next, an illustration of a bee and a spider, both poisonous insects, appeared on the screen. “All members of team Mamiya or team Takachiho will have a flag with them with either a “bee” or a “spider” drawn on it.” Under the illustrations of the bees and spider, four humanoid markers appeared. In one of their hands, they held a flag with the mark of their squad drawn on it. The Akari team had a bee flag, and the Takachiho team had a spider flag. “Each team also has a flag that must be protected at all costs, a flag with an “eye” on it.” A large flag with an eye in the middle of it were displayed on both sides of the teams. “The team that touches the other teams eye flag with their own insect flag wins.” The winner is whichever team is able to protect their own eye flag from an insect flag while taking out the other persons eye flag first. In other words… “… If you get stung by a poisonous insect in the eye, you lose, right?” At Akari’s words, “That’s right”, Shino nodded. “Are we team Bee?” In response to Raika, “ Uhiii . I hate bees!” Kirin screams in a cute and girly manner. A rough square map was then displayed on the screen. “The exam site is the entire 11th Ward of Butei High Island, and you can use anything within said ward. Mamiya team will start at the south end, Takachiho team will start at the north end.” Looking at the map of the 11th ward, the starting point for Team Mamiya was inside a park while the starting point for Team Takachiho was inside a construction site. In other words, one side starts in a park, and the other will start inside a construction site. “Those are the basic rules… That’s it.” Lowering her pointing stick, Shino finished her basic explanation. “Simple, isn’t it?” Akari seemed a little disappointed that the rules were so simple, while Raika simply say “I guess so”. However, Kirin has a serious expression on her face. Despite being the youngest person there, it seems that Kirin was capable of seeing through the deep realities of the Quartet that Masters had aimed for when designing “Poison”. “It is true that Poison seems simple at first… but concealment, combat, retreating, and teamwork… it will test every one of our skills.” Hiding the eye flag. Protecting it. Taking it with you as you run away. Searching. Attacking. Tailing. Teamwork was a requirement for both the defenders and attackers in the exam. And, of course, this competition requires weapons. When approaching or defending a flag, the two teams combat capabilities and equipment will decide the outcome. As if praising Kirin who noticed this fact, “– That’s right! Rinrin, you really are my student!” A bouncy and girly voice burst into the theatre room. When Akari and the others turned around, entering the room and guided by the Miyamoto sister maids… “Riko-oneesama!” There was a girl in a sailor suit who seemed to be a senior, and with no warning Kirin jumped at her. “Let me introduce Riko-oneesama! My ex-Amica, and a second year Inquesta student!” The girl that Kirin introduced to everyone was a girl wearing a sweet lolita remodelled uniform that looked similar to Kirin’s, with blonde hair tied up in two twin-tails, one on either side of her head. She has a small and cute physique, but her presence was strong. Not only was she beautiful, but she has a charm that anyone would fall for at first sight, her body was not just cute but curvy and sexy as well. When Riko and Kirin were standing side by side, it looked like two idols sparkling and shining with the spotlight on them. (Uwaaa… She is so pretty and cute…) Akari couldn’t help but look at and admire the two of them, “…” Raika, Kirin’s current Amica, had a face that clearly showed that she was not happy to see Kirin so close and friendly with Riko, Completely ignoring the atmosphere of the place, “A Poison match. How nostalgic.” Riko Riko pulled Kirin off of her and walked towards the screen. Riko had a mysterious charm that simply couldn’t be put into words. “Fumufumu. So… the enemy team will start at the construction site.” Looking at the map with her index finger cutely on her lips, Riko turns her back to Akari and the others as she mutters to herself. “A Butei must be capable of defending themselves. As a senpai, I cannot protect you just because you are my juniors.” Akari and the others couldn’t see her facial expression as she had her back to them, but… They could easily hear her line with a harsh meaning to it. But that was for only a moment, “However, that does not mean that I can’t train you!” While looking back with a smile, Riko cutely leaned over with her finger still to her lip. And she then did a perfect wink, capable of captivating anyone and everyone regardless of gender. Everyone went to the Shino’s garden, the same garden where her and Akari had fought not too long ago. There, with Article 5 in their head (Be swift in action), they immediately started their cleaning. Riko, taking on the role of instructor, is keeping a watchful eye on everyone while holding her shinai, a bamboo sword with a ribbon around the brim. However, despite the fact that they were supposed to be training for their Quartet… Perhaps it was because of Riko’s bright personality, but there is a somewhat cheerful atmosphere in the garden. “Shino-chan, your training is going to be focused on fighting the twins.” Riko spoke to Shino, who currently was wearing kendo armour. Standing opposed to her are the twin Miyamoto sisters who were working as maids at Shino’s house. Taking advantage of the fact that Shino happened to have twin maids working at her house, Riko gave each of them two wooden swords, a total of four between them. It was training that trained Shino in combating two enemies who are in sync, in this case the bobbed hair Yaya and Yuyu “Shino-sama, I am sorry!” “Young lady, I am sorry!” While apologizing, the Miyamoto sisters took turns hitting her with their wooden swords. Shino desperately tried to block the endless blows from the twin maids using her single wooden sword. “Alright, lets go girls!” Riko seemed to be enjoying herself teasing someone as the Miyamoto sisters behind her continued to attack Shino. There, Raika and Kirin are undergoing their special training. Although the two were to work as a team, Raika had been ordered by Riko to be blind folded with a cloth. Moreover, since she was prohibited to attack back, only defence was available to her. Raika was only allowed to guard against Kirin’s attacks in her peekaboo style of boxing, and was using both of her face to protect her face. Kirin on the other hand continued to hit Raika with chops and palm blows. Her special training… “Traditionally, the strongest Butei is the defender of the eye flag. For you, even if you are put into a disadvantageous situation, you just have to continue to believe in your comrades and buy them time.” Riko, who had appointed Raika as the guardian of the “Eye flag”, spoke to her as she continued doing her special defence training. Raika in earnest continued to take Kirin’s relentless attacks and endured it without backing down. This was her training, the longer she could endure Kirin’s attacks, the longer she could defend her flag, and the longer her comrades had to attack. Each individual blow from Kirin was light. However, Raika right now was just a punching bag, and receiving dozens if not hundreds so far has become fierce training. On the other hand, the attacking Kirin looked to be in pain as well. Kirin did not usually do martial arts training, and so was immediately gasping for air, her attacks now were empty, and she had already fallen down once. She was not the king of Butei that is used to fighting for a long time. “You cannot stop just yet.” With a wry smile, Riko moved to a different corner of the garden. “Akari-rin♥ Are you still doing your best?” (TL Note: a more accurate name is Akkarin.) There… “Wh, wh, why am I the only one doing something like this!?” Akari, who had been dragged out of the house after hearing what her training was, is currently straddling a piece of machinery. To be specific, it was a horse riding training machine. While watching the teary-eyed Akari as she was thrown around up, down, left, and right, “Your fine your fine. A Butei who only trains to fight will die an early death.” However, Riko couldn’t help but laugh lightly at the sight. Riko was an elusive senpai who seemingly did as she wanted. Akari could never tell what she was thinking. “Bu, but… Kyaa!” Akari lost her balance and becha ! She fell face first. Her nose, which was not very begin to begin with much like the rest of her body, was somehow crushed even smaller. “Uooh! Ouch. Are you okay~?” In front of Riko, who was looking down at Akari to see if she was okay– – Akari once again straddled the horse-riding machine. Despite being Aria’s Amica for a short time, Akari had inherited a little bit of Aria’s indomitable spirit. Or rather, Aria’s first job was to train Akari to have a strong sense of perseverance through a training system that Aria herself devised in which she shunned any weakness or willingness to give up. Riko could clearly see this as well… “Ahaha, what a straightforward girl…” While saying things to herself that she normally wouldn’t… Her eyes never left Akari, as if she was observing Aria H. Kanzaki herself on the other side of her. Meanwhile, Takachiho… “Hoohohoho! Why? Why are you playing on a horse riding machine!?” While watching Akari struggling on her big TV screen in her room, she couldn’t help but bust into laughter. The video she is watching is live and is being secretly shot from a building a short distance away from the Sasaki residence. Yuyu and Yaya, the twin Aizawa sisters, are doing reconnaissance and are recording Akari with a telephoto camera, sending the footage via a video call. Takachiho, dressed in a loose negligee, was watching Akari and the others training late into the night from her elegant room, which is as spacious as a suite in a five-star hotel. Takachio sat down on a bed with a canopy, quenching her thirst with grape juice from a wine glass. “Well, it is not like I had any intention to lose to these girls anyway. What do you think?” In the corner of her room, Fuuma, who was summoned to inspect Takachiho’s enemies, is sitting cross legged. Fuuma, who had been given consent by Takachio to answer her question, “…” Fuuma had spotted Riko Mine, one of her senpais, and was silently and earnestly contemplating the meaning of the training regimen that Riko had given them. It was due to Fuuma’s seriousness and strong sense of caution to not let down her guard, even when her enemies look as ridiculous as Akari. In the Sasaki residence, there is a large bath that can easily accommodate 10 or 20 people at once. The windows in on the walls are beautiful stained glass, and the hot water did not come out of a faucet but instead spouted out of a sculpture of a lion situation in the middle of the main bath. However, despite being in such a beautiful bath… Akari, who unsteadily walks towards the bathtub did not have the time to enjoy such an extravagant experience. Even now, she felt as if her lower body was shaking, making her feel sick. Even Shino, was already in the bathtub, somehow looked exhausted. But– Somehow, Kirin and her former older Amica, Riko, were bright and happy even after all that training. “It has been a while since we had taken a bath together.” Riko was washing Kirin’s hair from behind while Kirin was wearing a shampoo hat, and just after a mischievous smile appeared on Riko’s face she began to tickle Kirin’s armpits. “Kyaha, onee-sama, you’re tickling me!” Raika was looking on… irairaira … annoyed. She was patient at first as she watched on, but, “… Hey!” Three minutes was her limit. “We should not be playing around right now! We will be training tomorrow as well after all. I want to begin resting as soon as I can, so I will be taking Kirin with me. Senpai.” Gui . She began pulling Kirin’s arm as she was leaving the bathtub. As Riko saw this, “Awwa, are you jealous~?” Riko’s goal was to make Raika jealous, a fact that was made obvious by her grinning and mischievous smile. “Wh-, whose jealous!?” Before she knew it, Raika’s face turned bright red and she began to panic, wondering if or when she had somehow developed a desire to monopolize her cute little Amica. “Wow! Onee-sama, going crazy over me with jealousy, you are so cute!” Raika realized that Kirin must be in on this as well, Riko was her older Amica for a while after all. “That’s not true!” With her face somehow turning even brighter red, Raika could only object with as much seriousness as she could muster right now. The Riko and Kirin ex-Amica pair would continue to make fun of Raika, but… “… Well, this has been fun but it is time for me to head home~♪” Riko-senpai suddenly spun on her heels and turned around. “… Are you really going home already Riko-oneesama?” Riko nodded “yes” to Kirin’s question, and then poured hot water over her body from a nearby washbasin. Puffing out her nude exposed chest, bushi ! She then pointed to Akari and the others. “All that is left is for you to remember Article 6 of the Butei Charter: Think for yourself and act yourself!” Leaving those words behind, Riko wrapped herself in a bath towel and left the bathing room. § § Later at night, Akari and the others had entered their respective rooms to go to bed. Shino’s house has several guest rooms, however despite that it was not possible for everyone to have their own private room… So the Amica sisters Raika and Kirin were sharing a room. That room, in which the lights had already been turned off, was still dimly lit by the moonlight. “…” Raika was in her pyjamas, lying on a king-size bed. However, she was keeping her back turned to Kirin, who was sitting with her legs to her side, upright on the bed. Kirin, wearing a short neckline negligee, was combing her own hair while looking towards Raika’s back with a wry smile on her face… Raika was still sulking about the bath incident from earlier. “Are you jealous?” While touching Raika from behind, despite being younger than Raika Kirin spoke in a voice that sounded like an older sister teasing a boy younger than her, “You-, you idiot! I am not!” Even though Raika’s face was currently so red it looked like she had a sunburn, she was acting as obstinate and defiant as any immature boy. § § Shino was restlessly pacing around her room. She was awaiting a report from her trusted twin Miyamoto sister maids. … wandering, wandering… and then, “Shino-sama! I got it! I found the same pillow!” One of the Miyamoto sisters opened the door and ran in, out of breath. In her hand was a pillow with a price tag inside a transparent plastic bag. It was the exact same pillow as the one that Akari brought…! “Here!” As the maid handed the pillow to Shino, “Good job!” Plompf ! Shino accepted the pillow. “Akari-chans pillow…! I will take it saying that I am going to have it dry cleaned, but that is fine since I will be giving you this brand new one!) Legally, this was indeed a robbery, but to Shino it was fine since she was replacing an old pillow with a new one. In her eyes she was innocent as she had not committed anything bad or sinful, it was a self-evidenced good act really. As the daughter of an armed prosecutor, she was satisfied that there were no issues… Imagining her near future, she began to bury her face in the replacement pillow, Shino was the happiest that she had ever been in her life right now. § § Unaware of all this, Akari still wearing her uniform… Even though it was past midnight, she was alone in the courtyard, continuing her special training on the horse-riding machine. “… uwa!!” She was nearly thrown off, but had managed to hold on and endure the shaking. She has gotten a lot better at staying on the machine than when she had first started. She was still not sure what the purpose of her training is supposed to be, but Article 1: “Believe in yourself and your comrades”. She would believe in Kirin and her ex-Amica Riko, who is experienced in Quartet matches. (If I keep doing this tomorrow as well, I will surely be able to master this in time!” Akari, with a flame in her eye, suddenly sensed the presence of someone nearby, “…? Uwa!” Because of the distraction, Akari fell off the riding machine. “Itatata…Huh!” (TL Note: Itatata is basically Japanese “ow”) She landed on her nose again. Akari contemplated if it was shrinking by 1mm each time she fell… No, wouldn’t it swell and get bigger…? Thinking this, and holding her nose with her hand, “What are you doing?” Akari heard a familiar anime sounding voice, albeit a bit more withdrawn and confused than normal. Akari stood up with newfound energy. “A-, Aria-senpai!” Aria was standing in front of Akari with a paper bag filled to the brim with momoman. Aria had apparently just arrived and was currently being guided around the mansion by a maid… However, it would seem that seeing Akari, a Butei, training on a horse-riding machine past midnight, was enough to even stun even the elite Aria. And so, Akari told Aria the story of everything that had happened up till now. “Hmm. Special training…” Sitting on her butt on the grass with her knees pulled close to her chest, Akari was eating one of the momoman buns that Aria had given her and was telling Aria about Riko’s special training… Aria, listening this, gave a thumbs up to the horse-riding machine to size it up as she looked at it, confused. “Riko might be an idiot, but she isn’t a normal idiot. There must be something to this training that isn’t immediately visible but is useful in real combat.” Despite her initial confusion, Aria looked like she was convinced that there was some meaning to this training. “Regardless, you are the only one training right now… Why are you working so much harder than everyone else?” Aria asking this was looking at her watch with sideways eyes… A little embarrassed, Akari hid her face in her knees. “… Because Takachiho-san… She told me that winning was impossible for me.” Akari responded to Aria, remembering the incident in front of the Masters office. “Aria-senpai told me that that word is forbidden…” Akari muttered, as if she was talking to herself… Aria shrugged her shoulders and sighed, exasperated with how straight forward her Amica is. “Mouu, you really are stupidly honest to a fault.” (TL Note: Mouu here is a sound effect, I cannot think of an English equivalent.) “Bu-, but…” To Akari, who was now looking at the ground, “Well, I don’t hate that kind of person…” Aria gave Akari a smile from her heart, and held out a gift for Akari in her hand. In Aria’s hand is a charm… Stitched on the front is the word “Victory”. “I bought this charm for you from a Japanese… church? It was near a lawyers office that I visited earlier today. Since it said “Victory” on it, I thought it would be a perfect good luck charm for you.” Akari’s face immediately brightened and she smiled a hear felt smile in response to Aria’s comment, reminded again that Aria truly is a foreigner even if it is not obvious… (TL Note: Aria calls it a Japanese Church, it is in fact a shrine.) Receiving the charm with both of her hands, “Thank you Aria-senpai!” She spoke words of gratitude to Aria, words that came from the bottom of her heart. ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ## 35. Bullet 19: Quartet Part 3 ### 001. Bullet 19: Quartet Part 3 It is the day of the Quartet, just past noon… A total of eight people, made up of the members of team Mamiya and team Takachiho, are gathered beside the roadway intersection in the centre of the 11th district. Pedestrians and cars drove by them at a nearby pedestrian crossing. “… Then, let’s start our 4v4 Quartet match, “Poison”.” Tooru Sayonaki-sensei, a part-time teacher from the Ambulance department, was supervising this battle for Masters and has declared the start of it. Sayonaki-sensei is a rare sight in Butei High, a handsome man wearing a typical suit instead of a bulletproof outfit. “Team Mamiya wins if their “Bee” stings the enemies “Eye” and team Takachiho wins if their “Spider” stings the enemy “Eye”. Concealing your “Eye” flag, handing it over to team members, stealing flags from the enemy, and destroying the enemies flags is all okay. And flags that are torn or broken are invalid.” Akari and the others all listen to Sayonaki’s explanation of the rules while being conscious of team Takachiho. “It does not matter what weapons you use in the area. However, for firearms, only rubber rounds can be used.” To add on, Sayonaki held up a black rubber round and showed it to everyone. “Well, if you do happen to get hit in the head, well, you can still die. Ahaha.” The words coming out of his mouth were so disturbing that Akari and the rest couldn’t believe that a teacher had just said it… The words weren’t meant to intimidate the girls nor was it a joke. Butei place is just simply such a place, and the students are there to train for a dangerous job. Everyone there, Akari included, knew this and are prepared to accept even the most cruel outcomes. After Sayonaki finished going over the rules… Akari, as the representative of Team Mamiya, “Let’s both do our best!” Akari then held out her right hand to Takachiho, the leader of their opposing team. Her hand, pashi ! Takachiho hit her hand with her metal fan, refusing to shake her hand. Looking down at Akari and the others, puzzled by her attitude, “… Do you intend to imply that we are equals? How unpleasant you even think that.” She spoke as if she was planning to spit on Akari instead of shake her hand. Akari’s anger flares up at the arrogant and rude attitude from Takachiho. Shino grabbed Akari’s slightly swollen hand and glared at Takachiho. Raika and Kirin digging daggers into her with their eyes as well. The four members of team Takachiho in turn also began to look at their opponents with clear aggression. The match has not even started yet and there is a tense mood in the air… “Alright, alright. Mamiya team is to start in the south end, Takachiho in the north end. The game will start in 10 minutes.” However, the teachers of Butei High are used to this level of animosity, and so Sayonaki simply clapped his hands with a smile on his face. Takachiho let out a snort and left towards the North End with a relaxed and carefree smile on her face. Akari, looking at her back as she walked away, held our her right hand straight in front of her… Not only Shino, but Raika and Kirin as well put their right hand on top of Akari’s. All 4 of them, in a circle, facing one another, had motivation and confidence on their face. Everyone’s feelings are united as one… (– We won’t lose!) § § Watching the Takachiho group heading for the north and the Mamiya team heading to the south… From the roof of a nearby building, Riko Mine watches the two groups with dazzling rhinestone-decorated opera glasses. Looking at Akari from a distance, Riko couldn’t help but focus on her serious face. “… They say part of a person’s spirit resides in those that they raise…” Riko was speaking of Kanzaki H. Aria, her lifelong rival. Akari Mamiya is Aria’s little sister Amica, someone that she is raising. Riko had only happened to receive a request from Kirin to help train her group at Shino Sasaki’s, and Riko had accepted as a pretext to watch Akari from close by… From her observations of Akari Mamiya, she had began to better understand Aria and her situation. Riko actually felt a gratitude to Akari for allowing her this opportunity, enough gratitude in fact that she nearly said “Merci” to her back at Sasaki’s house. Riko recognized that she obviously could not do thank Akari without stirring suspicion, but she felt bad taking advantage of her… In exchange, she had left something in the 11th ward. Whether or not Akari saw it and recognized its value was up to her. “Well, just do your best…” As she was muttering that, Riko lowered her opera glasses from her eyes. And then, as if wishing Akari good luck, she smiled a smile to her from her vantage point off in the distance. § § Team Mamiya took up their position in a small forest on a hill in a park at the southern end of the 11th ward. There, they were steadily preparing for the start of the match. Akari loaded 9mm rubber round magazines into her Micro UZI, Raika equipped a leather open-finger glove on her fist. With her sabre at her waist, Shino checked the volume and connection of her one-ear headset. The same type of equipment was also in Akari’s ears. With this the team could stay connected and have a conversation no matter how far apart they are. Kirin suddenly appeared, wiping mud off of her hands. “As we discussed before the match, I buried our “Eye” flag to protect it and keep it hidden. The attack flags, our “Bee” flags, should be hidden inside your clothing until you are ready to use them.” “We have already hidden them.” Raika, who had answered, had already hidden her attack flag about 20cm up underneath her blouse on her back. Akari had already hidden hers inside of her skirt and Shino hid it in the chest of her blouse. The four of them, who had now nearly completed their preparations, were looking at one another face-to-face. “Mamiya-sama and Sasaki-sama will be our attackers. Raika-oneesama and I will be in charge of defence.” Kirin, the teams strategist, turns to Akari. “Mamiya-sama. It is possible that the enemy may put their “Eye” flag inside of a locker and lock it.” “Un. I have a bump key with me just in case.” Akari pulled out her bump key from her blouse pocket. It is a must have item for any Butei, a simple tool for picking locks. However, even with such a versatile tool there are those who simply are good at picking locks and those who arent. Akari luckily falls into those that are skilled. Something such as a locker or a car door can be picked by her in 1 or 2 minutes. Because of that, she was in charge of picking any potential locks that the group came across. And then, the start time of the Quartet came without a sound… “Let’s go, Akari-san. “Un.” Shino and Akari departed from the park, wary now of their surroundings. The two warily walked through the 11th ward, paying attention to everything around them from all sides. First they walked along the sidewalk, then crossed a road which lead them into a back alley. Sneaking throughout the back alley, they were now in the northern section of the Quartet area… In other words, they were now in Team Takachiho’s area. Despite being in their territory, they still had a while to go before they reached the construction site where Takachiho odds are is located. The first obstacle Shino and Akari have before reaching there is to pass through the main street, which has good visibility and is open to attacks. In other words, there is a high possibility that the enemy has a line of defence here. It is a difficult place for an attacker to go through. “The only way to get to the construction zone is through here. Be wary of any ambushes.” Shino whispered, Akari responded with a quiet “Un”… With more vigilance than they had before, Shino led the way as the two girls entered into a dangerous zone. … Even though this area is now part of the Quartet and a battle zone, it is not like this part of the town was cordoned off from the general public. The residents and students of Butei High walked around normally, and the local shops continued to operate normally. “Ahahaha…” “I know, right?” Two girls wearing Butei High sailor uniforms walked out of a casual clothing store for girls, laughing happily. Hybrid cars, a rare sight despite their increasing numbers, quietly pass by on a two-lane road in either direction. Everything occurring is nothing more than a normal site, but… (… Even though the town is just as it always is, everything is so eerie…) Tension is high, and the girls were suspicious of everything that happened around them. As this is enemy territory, they got the feeling that everyone around them is a potential enemy. The car across the street could right now potentially be cover for a sniper. The office building just around the corner could have someone waiting for the girls to enter their view. When Akari walked past the bright and cheery high school girls from earlier… Bishii ! “!?” A sudden blast hit the back of Akari’s knee. It struck her left and right knee at the same time. “Migya!” Out of nowhere, Akari screamed out like a cat who just got startled. She understood as was being flipped over, but someone, no two people, had kicked the back of her knees at the same time. Forced onto her back from the attack, Akari still on her back tilted her head up to look behind her. It was the two cheerful high school girls who she had seen earlier that just passed her. – No. “The Aizawa sisters!?) The two of Takachiho’s subordinates had disguised themselves with long-haired wigs. It was the twins Yaya and Yuyu. The Aizawa sisters tore of their wigs and returned to their previous bobbed haircuts, and began to grope Akari’s body. One of them was groping her through her blouse, the other through her skirt. “– Akari-san!” Shino finally noticed what had just happened and turned around in a panic. However, she was too late. Yuyu had found Akari’s “Bee” flag in her skirt and, Baki ! The flag was mercilessly broken. “Finish her!” “Yes!” The Aizawa sisters each pulled on one of Akari’s short twintails from either side of her, forcing Akari to sit up and lift her face up, exposing her throat. Should this continue, the end result was clear to see; she would be strangled. (– This isn’t good!) Due to the surprise attack, Akari could neither defend herself nor counterattack… “–!” Shino with a ghastly expression on her face jumped over Akari’s head. Stretching both arms out, to the left and right, she appeared between the two Aizawa sisters and grabbed both of their necks into her elbows like a hook… Zuka ! Both Yaya and Yuyu were knocked to the ground! A running neck breaker drop… A rough technique in which you hook the enemies neck with your arms like a lariat and then knock them to the ground directly behind using your momentum as you run through them. Shino had used both of her arms to grab both the Aizawa twins at the same time. Shino, saving Akari from a dangerous situation, immediately locked Yuyu in a toe hold with one hand, a joint lock technique in which she locks the legs of her fallen opponent while Shino herself is still standing. “Two or one it doesn’t matter, I’ve been training!” She then threw a chain-weight at the feet of Yaya to catch her. This was all a result of Riko’s training. Shino had trained against her twin maids in two-on-one fights, and as a result could single handily immobilize both the Aizawa sisters at the same time. Shino, “Akari-san!” She threw her own “Bee” flag hidden in the chest of her blouse to Akari, who now was on her feet. “Leave them to me and go on ahead!” Shino, who had captured one of the twins with her leg and the other twin with a weighted chain, had entrusted her own flag to Akari who had had her own attack flag broken. Akari having received it, (Shino-chans flag… but that…) She was hesitating over whether it was okay to leave Shino fighting against the Aizawa twins and continue on her own. The person who ended her hesitation, “We have to win!” It was Shino’s confident and triumphant smile and encouraging shout. The moment that Akari saw her face… She felt it was okay to leave this to Shino. No, she felt that she must leave it to Shino. “…!” Akari gripped Shino’s attack flag tightly and made up her mind… She nodded to Shino and turned around, heading towards the north. § § Akari gave a status report through her headset to Raika. After encountering the Aizawa sisters, one of their attack flags was destroyed, and Shino was currently engaging them both in combat. Akari had succeeded in penetrating the Northern side of the combat zone, and is now deep in Takachiho’s territory. The situation was in a pendulum state right now, but… “From what I can deduce, the Aizawa sisters were acting aggressively.” Kirin gave her analysis from her position in the park forest, guarding the “Eye” flag. The point at which the Aizawa sisters attacked was near the road that divides the 11th district into the north and south half, so it was probably an ambush attack in hopes of turning it into a counter attack. By doing that, Takachiho can leave both the attack and the defence to the twin sisters, leaving herself and Fuuma for defence. However, considering Takachiho’s aggressive personality, odds are that was not her plan. “They would have to leave at least one person to defence, that leaves one to attack.” Raika’a gave her opinion, while standing under a tall tree. “– That is correct, Raika-sama.” Her analysis was confirmed by a presence that suddenly appeared from behind her. “!?” When Raika turns around… She was met face to face with Fuuma who was hanging upside on the tree. (Fuuma Hina!!) It is rumoured that Fuuma is a descendant of a famous ninja family. For someone of Fuuma’s lineage, sneaking into an enemy camp while concealing their presence would be an easy task. Once Raika recognizes her presence… Fuuma fell from teh tree, grabbing the “Bee” flag that Raika had hidden behind her back. (Damn it, this is why members from Lezzad are so hard to fight…!) Members of Assault operate on the basis of attacking an enemy base with high attack power, naturally having to pay the cost of battle and evaluating risk. However, Lezzad operates on the basis of having no cost or risk involved. Their job is to sneak into enemy lines undetected and attack the enemy at the perfect time in controlled situations. Her target, (… Kirin!) Noticing this, Raika immediately moved to attack Fuuma, but Fuuma was behind her. Her body couldn’t keep up with Fuuma’s speed. “– Prepare yourself.” Just as Raika feared, Fuuma was going to throw a kunai at Kirin. Fuuma might have still been mid motion, but students at Butei High are trained to throw a knife only when they know that they can land the hit. Should her knife hit Kirin’s hand, thigh, cheek, or any other piece of exposed skin, the knife will penetrate. “Hiii…!” (TL Note: sound effect, screaming pretty much.) Kirin was frightened, but showed zero intent of trying to run. It was odds are because of the flag buried beneath her feet. For everyone’s sake, Kirin could not retreat. Raika was the only person there who could do anything. However, Fumma and Raika were back to back. Raika simply had farther to move than Fuuma did to attack. (TL Note: the situation here is a bit confusing, let me explain. From what I can gather, Fuuma is in between Raika and Kirin. She is planning on throwing a knife at Kirin, but Raika is too far to move and Kirin cannot.) (– in that case!) Raika hit the ground and rolled backwards, by doing this, she was able to launch herself and use her legs, which has a longer reach than her arms! Gyurun ! Raika unleashed an acrobatic back somersault kick, and her left foot exploded into Fuuma’s head– at the very last moment, “Huh!” Fuuma received the kick with her wrists crossed above her head. The hit didn’t land. But for now, it was enough. Raika was able to stop Fuuma from throwing the knife at Kirin. Raika then dropped her foot the ground, preventing her ankle from being hit by the kunai. Then, Raika put herself between Fuuma and Kirin, spreading her arms out to protect the Kirin behind her. “An Amica should always protect their younger sister!” Raika loudly proclaimed out loud. When a spy or assassin is working behind enemy lines, it is a rule that they must first take out any important individuals, such as leaders, machine gunners, and communication members. Kirin is in charge of Team Akari’s strategy, so Fuuma’s decision to take her out first and Raika’s decision to protect her are both right. As a Butei, the decisions that both made would be scored a perfect 100, and highly applauded by Masters. But. Kirin is a Butei but also an Amica. Her older sister cannot allow her to be attacked, and is forced to protect. Raika’s words of determination are the exact opposite of Riko’s words, who had decided to let Kirin defend herself… “… big sis!” Kirin’s joy and love for her Amica could be clearly felt on Raika’s back. For some reason, Kirin could swear that Raika’s back was glowing when Raika heard her voice. Normally Raika would be embarrassed at hearing that, but with Fuuma present even Raika was able to contain her embarrassment and focus on the job at hand. For a while, Raika and Fuuma only glared at each other, stuck in a stalemate. The silence was finally broken, “… Shima-dono, your hands are dirty… You must have buried the flag nearby.” Fuuma pointed that fact out, her eyesight as keen as a hawks. Giku ! Kirin’s inner turmoil was felt by all those around her, so intense it was nearly audible. Fuuma’s remarks may have been mere speculation, but the way Kirin acted exposed it as truth. What’s more, now that Fuuma knows that, she cannot be simply allowed to leave. “Good eyes.” Raika pulled out two tonfa batons from behind her blouse, and held them up with bods hands. “However, for right now you will have to keep your eyes on me!” Raika was moving to attack her, but Fuuma… “Eyes are meant to be crushed.” As one might guess from her appearance, Fuuma fought using ninjutsu-like techniques. Standing perfectly straight, bon ! A cloud of dust suddenly appeared from the soles of her feet. There was no sign that a bomb bad been used. Raika had no idea how or why the dust suddenly appeared, but what is known is that somehow the dust under her feet was suddenly thrown up into the air. Although the dust does not appear to be toxic or dangerous by itself, (… I can’t see!) Raika’s vision was suddenly impaired by the unexpected dust cloud. From the other side of the dust, sha ! With barely a sound, not even a whisper, Fuuma attacked. “Kuh!” Immediately guarding with her batons, kin ! A small, but sharp, metallic sound rang out and was felt in her fingertips, sparks scattering in the air. Raika immediately moved back… Fuuma had thrown a kunai. Kunai are a traditional Japanese weapon that can be used as both a throwing knife and as a close quarters combat weapon. Fuuma, now in close range, is spinning the kunai around in her hands, using it to attack from various angles and stab locations, using it like one might use a glove in boxing. Pii , shu , sha , a flurry of attacks were coming down on Raika, each attack seemingly lacking any kind of strength behind it. Unlike the students from Assault, who seek to end a fight as quickly as possible and with one attack if possible, Lezzad students inflict small wounds, and take advantage of an opponents flinch and stress to inflict larger wounds. All of their attacks exist as a way to quietly take down enemies and wait for their opportunity to do so. In fact, right now Fuuma’s quick but light attacks are causing problems for Raika. The unfamiliar attacks combined with poor visibility, Raika is being forced to rely on her batons to protect the gaps in her blade-proof uniform with no opportunity to attack back. She couldn’t grasp the attack pattern of Fuuma to formulate a counter attack. (Shit…!) Although her defeat would not be immediate, Raika could only accumulate more and more damage by staying on the defensive. “Onee-sama…!” Raika couldn’t bear to hear Kirin’s sorrowful voice from behind her. All the while, Raika was reminded of what Riko had told her during their special training. “Trust your comrades and buy them time.” Raika felt that she has to believe in those words. Believe in her comrades and buy them time by protecting this place.. Raika gritted her teeth and, (Akari…!) Raika decided to believe in her comrades, the ones leading the attack on the enemy, and steeled herself to survive Fuuma’s onslaught. ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ## 36. Bullet 20: Quartet Part 4 ### 001. Bullet 20: Quartet Part 4 Running with the “Bee” flag that was entrusted to her by Shino… Akari alone continued to the construction site, the location where Team Takachiho have their base set up. In order for her to win, Akari has to find the “Eye” flag that was hidden there and touch it with the “Bee” flag that Shino gave her. When Akari entered the construction site, the first thing that she saw was a bicycle parking lot where a large amount of bikes and mopeds were lined up… (!) Akari located the enemy “Eye” flag immediately. Or rather, instead of “locate” a better word would be “see”. Team Takachiho did not bother to try to hide their flag, and instead it was standing majestically on top of a mountain of dirt and sand, about two and a half meters off the ground. All she had to do was run up to the flag, attack it with the flag hidden in her skirt, and as long as the flag makes contact Team Mamiya wins. But of course, it was never going to be that easy. “… So it was you who came here. I wonder if this is also fate.” It front of Mamiya was the leader of the enemy team, Urara Takachiho. Her aggression was clear to see. Stomping one foot at a manhole at her feet with her heel, she puffed out her huge chest, large enough to make people question if she really was a freshman at High School. It is unlikely that Takachiho would come out unarmed, but as of this moment she did not have a weapon in her hand. Akari, could not move however…. she was afraid that there might be traps hidden throughout the arena, “…. I had asked Aria Kanzaki to sign an Amica Contract once before.” Suddenly, Takachiho spoke, “But I failed in her Amica Contract Exam. After failing I offered her a limitless sum of money to accept me as her Amica, but no matter how much I offered her it was useless.” What she is talking about right now… It was a story of the relationship between Aria and Urara that Akari had never heard of before. Two girls had aspired to become Aria’s Amica… One succeeded and one did not. Now, those two are facing each other as team leaders of their respective teams in a 4v4 match. Regardless of whether Masters knew about this and had them face each other because of that fact… For Urara, this match was personal and a means of revenge. (It all makes sense now…!) Akari was reminded of something that occurred a few days ago, then Takachiho and her team attacked Akari and her friends in front of the Masters bulletin board… When Takachiho saw Aria, who had showed up to stop the fight, she suddenly had a complicated expression on her face. Akari thought to herself, is that why she had that expression? “However, now I am glad that I did not become Aria-senpais Amica…” Takachiho, with a sour expression on her face that was probably due to the fact that she could not hide her emotions… “For her to make someone as useless as you her Amica… I can only assume that she is delusional or insane.” Much like the fox in Aesop’s “Sour Grapes”, Urara disparaged Aria as she herself could not attain the title as her Amica, using Akari as a reason to do so. (TL Note: Aesop’s Sour Grapes is basically a story with one part of it being a part where a Fox cannot enjoy grapes and so insults those who can have them. Since Takachiho cannot be Aria’s Amica, she insults Akari for being her Amica.) “….!” Akari was clearly provoked. Takachiho’s personality is perfect for provoking her enemies, targeting them where it would hurt the most… Akari is aware of this however. Using this talent, Takachiho is urging Akari to walk closer, “Come here, you can do it”. Since Takachiho is attempting to instigate Akari, she must of prepared a trap or counter attack. Akari knew this as well. “Say whatever you want about me…” However, Takachiho said something that Akari would refuse to let anyone say. Because of that, something in the petite Akari snapped. “But don’t you ever speak ill of Aria-senpai!” In anger, Akari charged headlong into Takachiho. In other words, she ran towards Team Takachiho’s “Eye” flag behind her. Akari is a fast runner and she rushed in at max speed, but… – Doooooon ! (!?) Only 5 meters away from running into Takachiho, a tremendous impact hit Akari square in the chest. The impact was comparable to being hit by the knee of a giant man who had a running start. “–Kaha!” Tasting blood in her mouth, Akari was sent flying backwards. The bullet that hit her was a non-lethal rubber bullet. Even though it doesn’t have lethal force behind it, it is regardless a round that is used for riot suppression. For Akari, the difference in pain from a real bullet and a rubber bullet was minuscule. In Takachiho’s hand… (…!) Is a huge revolver that she had pulled out without Akari even realizing it. The gun is Sturm Ruger Super Redhawk. In addition to the traditional long barrel of 9.5 inches, it was equipped with a custom grip and stock, a rare attachment for a handgun. It was so large, its silhouette resembles a rifle more than a handgun. Perhaps Takachiho just wanted to stand out from her peers, but her gun of choice is just another piece of proof that she just wanted to have things that others didn’t have. Regardless, her pistol was designed on the premise of quickly responding to a battle regardless of its range. Her long dress as well… the side of it has a zipper on it to allow her to quickly grab it and the extra length can hide this ridiculous long handgun. Takachiho… She is to be reckoned with, all aspects of her weapon and clothing were thought out for combat. “Keho…!” Akari coughed, (What power and accuracy…!) Takachiho’s large calibre pistol shook, and it was in that moment that Akari regretted letting down her guard due to anger. The rubber bullets are at least a 44 magnum in size. No, it was a 454 Cassull round that is even bigger. The damage from each shot is serious… Each round has the potential to cause someone to black out. Walking towards Akari, who is now standing and trying to run from Takachiho’s pursuit, “Hohohoho! Did you really think that I was defenceless just because I did not have my entourage here!?” With a demeaning laugh, Takachiho kept firing her Super Red Hawk. – Doon ! Doon ! In addition to its massive power, due to the shoulder stock and grip that Takachiho added to it it was also high stable and accurate. Akari crawls clumsily on the ground, somehow managing to retreat into the bicycle parking lot. Since the bicycles there are too small to use as a shield, Akari hid behind a moped that was there. Her cover is an Italian Vespa scooter. That is all that stood between her and Takachiho’s onslaught. While regulating her breathing she took out a micro-UZI from her skirt to counterattack, but… (She is too far, the micro-UZI can’t hit from here…!) And Akari bit her lip. Naturally the UZI bullets can theoretically hit Takachio… But not a single bullet would if Akari did shoot. The UZI’s design and attack range is similar more to a shotgun than a handgun. Like with every gun accurate fire is desirable, but due to how fast the UZI shoots, unless the one using the gun is a giant, the rapid rate of fire will cause the gun to shake uncontrollably. It is a weapon that was designed to shoot out as many bullets as possible with the hope that a few will land, making it a great weapon for close range suppressing fire or combat. Thus, in close range combat the UZI is a great weapon as the wide spread is limited due to the short distance and the high rate of fire makes a wall of bullet… From a distance however, not so much. The spread of the bullets is simply too much. On top of that, the fast rate of fire meant that the gun would empty its magazine quickly, leaving you defenceless. – Because of this, the best option was to hold it and not shoot. At least if Akari held it with ammunition in it, Takachiho would be forced to attack from a distance. At a short distance, the high rate of fire UZI would have a higher attack power than Takachiho’s revolver… As long as Akari’s UZI had ammo in it, Takachiho would not try to close the distance. On the other hand, the Super Redhawk can fire at a medium range unlike the UZI. Takachiho has the advantage where she is. Yes… Right now, Akari is in the best situation by not firing back. When Akari read the air around her from behind the Vespa… It seemed that Takachiho knew about Akari’s gun and her attack flag, and thus Takachiho did not intend on leaving the “Eye” flag on the sandy mountain behind her. (But, at this rate…) Even though Akari went to such great lengths to invade the enemy camp, now she was stuck here. From the intercom communication earlier, Akari was made aware from Kirin’s update that Raika was currently engaging Fuuma. Shino was out of communication range for some reason and so Akari did not know her status. The battle situation was changing by the moment. Akari was aware of this, and that sluggish movements would lead to defeat. At this moment, Akari’s impatient and scrunched face was tickled by a ribbon fluttering in the wind. It was a ribbon attached to the Vespa that Akari was using as as shield… Turning around, Akari saw that the Vespa was a flashy and shocking pink patter. For some reason, it reminded Akari of Riko, “A Butei who only fights will soon be defeated–“ Riko’s words from her special training regiment surfaced in Akari’s mind… (…!) Akari thought of a plan, and took out her bump key from her skirt pocket. Originally, Akari brought it with the assumption that Team Takachiho would hide their flag in a locker or behind a locked door, but now Akari had a different plan for it. Attempting to look over the top of the Vespa at Akari, Takachiho– chari ~ chari ~… She dumped the empty cartridges from her guns rotating magazine. “It was a mistake to hide, Akari Mamiya.” Pachin , pachin , pachin . Leisurely, Takachiho was reloading bullets one by one while speaking to Akari. “… When talking about non-lethal bullets, the effective range of the gun is what really matters.” Takachio spoke and acted like she always does, and it was clear that she was angry at Akari for wasting her time. Her plan now was obvious, it was to shoot Akari again. “…” Akari did not reply back. Takachiho, who had now finished reloading her handgun, “Hmmm, should I just blow the entire moped away? Even if I broke it, I would just have to compensate the owner.” The armed lawyers daughter, muttering such a rich mans strategy , her muzzle… … It was slowly descending to point towards Akari. The moment that the gun was pointed at the Vespa, – Boom ! “!?” Takachihos eyes were wide open. For some reason, the Vespa was now moving. Akari was sitting on the seat, pulling the accelerator to full throttle. Akari had turned on the Vespa using her bump key, (I am so sorry owner! Please, just let me use it for one minute!) It was moving at full speed. And it was moving perfectly straight. Moving towards the sand dunes that the “Eye” flag was set up on. “Wha…!!” For a second Takachiho had a surprised expression, but… As is expected of a leader of their team, Takachiho immediately re-positioned her gun using both of her hands. Her muzzle, purposefully or not, it was aimed… … Squarely on Akari’s head. “Well, if you do happen to get hit in the head, well, you can still die. Ahaha.” In Akari’s mind, she thought back on the words of Sayonaki-sensei. However, despite this, her hand never held up on the accelerator. She ran headlong, closer now to Takachiho than ever before during this match… Dooooooooon ! The Super Redhawk roared, and the bullet that spewed out of it, bachi ! Hit Akari directly on her temple. The impact this time felt as if a master martial artist hit Akari squarely on the temple using their knee and all the force that they could muster. From this impact, Akari’s hand slipped off the steering, and her upper body leaned backwards. “… fall down!” Akari could hear Takachiho’s cries from nearby. In other words, Akari was still on the Vespa, but even more important… She is nearby Takachiho… And the “Eye” flag that is just behind her! (I can’t afford to lose here!) – For a moment her head went blank, but– Still, Akari grit herself, and managed to keep her body on the speeding moped. The only reason this was possible was all the muscle memory from her relentless training. (That’s right, the special training…!) – Bah ! Akari recovered from her slumped position, and grabbed onto the steering again. As Akari closed in on Takachiho she could see her obviously surprised face, shocked that Akari had managed to recover instead of being shot clean off the moped. A stream of warm blood trickled down from her temples, but Akari paid her injuries no heed. (Just look and keep going forward…!) Akari screamed with all her might, “– I will not fall!: § § In the park, the battle between Raika and Fuuma continued. As a result of their fighting the dust has cleared, and both were in a state of considerable fatigue. Fuuma has proven to be unable to break Raika’s firm defence, and is growing hesitant to event try attacking. Raika has managed to endure the onslaught with her tonga although she is covered in small wounds, but… She is growing tired from constantly defending, and her concentration was beginning to slip. This meant that both were evenly matched in combat levels, “You don’t give up, do you? You’re good.” Raika, breathing heavily, praises Fuuma. “Even now…” Fuuma had undergone training to hide her irregular breathing from others during combat. While her breath seemed calm, her complexion was not showing clear signs of fatigue. While battle between these two continued… Kirin was crouched down in the bush where their flag was buried, and watched. However, Kirin was not limiting her attention to their fight. She could hear Akari’s situation from her headset. As for Shino, with what limited information she had she was predicting and anticipating Shino’s movements, the entire situation playing out in her mind. From Kirin’s ear where her headset was inserted, ”–I will not fall!” She could hear Akari’s desperate scream. As soon as she heard that, “We’ve got it!” Instinctively feeling that the pendulum had swung towards victory, Kirin rushed out of the bushes. Suddenly, she leaped onto her Amica, Raika, who was locking eyes with Fuuma. “–!?” Gaba ! With her full body tackle, albeit her small body but her entire weight nonetheless, Raika was forced to drop the tonfa in her hand. And, both were thrown over the fall prevention railing on the hill at the edge of the park, and fell. Fuuma was unable to follow after them, too surprised and stunned by what had just happened. “–Waaaaah!” Both Raika and Kirin, who were launched over the railing and into the air while embracing each other, bounced against the vinyl eaves of the flower shop below, exactly as Kirin had planned. After the eaves drop naturally would be the ground, which Raika and Kirin were plummeting towards, but… They instead landed on the roof of a large truck that was stopped at a stoplight. And, shortly after, the truck began to drive off at a slow speed. Because the driver was listening to a horse race on their radio they had not heard the impact from Raika and Kirin landing on the roof. (Awawawa…) Atop the driving truck, Raika’s heart was beating so fast that she swore it was seconds away from exploding. As a student in Assault, things as everyday as jumping off a hill onto a truck was not nearly enough to even register a slight spike in her heart rate. However, regardless, her heart was beating fast. For some reason, her face is now bright red as well, even her neck was red. Her heart rate was so fast, her body shaking so much, she was incapable of even standing up right now. Her rapid heart rate was a different kind than the one that Raika had from her fight earlier with Fuuma. The reason for this was simple to explain however… The lovely, cute, petite, doll-like Kirin in her frilly modified uniform, her loosely wavy fluffy hair that smelled like fresh vanilla and milk was hugging Raika. Kirin was so cute that to Raika, she must exist in a different dimension from herself. Even though contact was something that she experienced often in Assault, this was different. Her entire body… Her head, breasts, arms, legs… All of which is adorable was touching Raika, as they lay side by side, Kirin still hugging Raika. For Raika, this is a very bad situation to be in. As Raika was lying down stunned on her back… “Wha, what are you doing!” Remembering that she was still in the midst of a 4v4 Quartet, Raika immediately woke back up to reality. Pointing at the park as she was being carried away by the truck, “Our “Eye” flag is now going to be destroyed!” Raika shouted at Kirin, furious that Kirin would leave their buried flag behind. However, against such an angry and confused Raika Kirin just… smiled. Her smile, however, was a mischievous one. “To deceive your enemies you must first deceive your allies.” … And. Kirin pulled a flag out from the chest of her uniform. … It was their “Eye” flag. Much like Team Takachiho had an “Eye” flag that they must defend, the flag that Kirin pulled out was Team Mamiya’s “Eye” flag. On Raika’s face was clear confusion, how could this flag be here? “Huh? I watched you bury that flag in the park…” In response to Raika, who was confused as to how that flag was with Kirin, “I did not bury the “Eye” flag, I buried the “Bee” flag.” In response to Kirin who cutely stuck out her tongue and did a cat paw pose as if she was digging the air, “Kirin, you…!” Raika gave a defeated sigh and weak smile. Kirin this whole time had been performing a play, deceiving not only her enemies but even her allies. By doing this, Kirin herself was the main actor in defending the “Eye” flag, not Raika. Right now, Fuuma was probably confused disappointed after having dug up the “Bee” flag instead of her target. Raika laughed at that thought, while Kirin again stuck out her tongue mischievously as she imagined a confused and distraught Fuuma, “I hate bees…” She gave Raika a lovely and cute wink as she repeated the line that she had said back in Shino’s house during their special training. § § Akari, who had not fallen off her moped even after receiving a potentially fatal rubber-bullet to her temple… (TL Note: I just want to say that, for the record, this would absolutely kill you.) Is passing right by Takachiho. Takachiho, who had been bracing herself for the impeding impact of the Vespa, turned around, puzzled. Never holding back on the accelerator, Akari began to climb the sand hill. However, the Vespa began to slow down once it hit the hill. The Vespa wasn’t going to make it to the flag. Because of that, the only option now was for Akari to get off the Vespa partway up the hill and climb the rest on foot. Takachiho, who lives in the Tottori Prefecture, has a lot of experience with sandy soils and so was easily able to climb the hill and plant the flag, but for Akari even walking on the soil would cause her to slip and sink in it. If that were to happen… There is no way that Takachiho would miss with her Super Red Hawk. All she would have to do is shoot rubber bullets at Akari until she couldn’t move anymore. It is because of the slip hazard and the ease of firing at a stuck target that Takachiho put the flag on top in the first place. All of these thoughts were running through Takachiho’s head as she looked at the Vespa with Akari on it… But Akari dexterously stood on top of the Vespa’s seat, and then did a kicking backwards jump off of it. This, was outside of Takachiho’s expectations. The unmanned scooter, which was now much lighter, with better power to weight ratio and the kick from Akari steadily climbs the mountain of sand. (Is that…!?) The next moment, what Takachiho’s eyes saw… Was a certain something on the Vespa’s left mirror, tied to it with a charm that said “Victory” on it. It is Akari’s “Bee” flag! (Her attack flag! This is bad!) Unmanned, the Vespa was capable of climbing the hill of sand. The accelerator as well was wedged into a full throttle with a 10-yen coin. Should the Vespa continue like that… Takachiho’s “Eye” flag and Akari’s attack flag are going to touch. Until this very moment, Takachiho was unaware of this unfolding strategy. This was all because of Akari, who while she was still in control of the Vespa had hid the flag stick in her sleeve and the cloth in her closed fist. Takachiho had no chance of catching up with the Vespa now. However… (If I shoot the wheel it will simply just fall over…!) Takachiho, who had inwardly admitted her mistake, devised a strategy to overcome it, put her finger on her Red Hawk’s trigger, Gasu ! “Kyaa!?” A sudden shock appeared from directly below the stock of the gun, causing the muzzle to spring upwards. Confused as to what just happened Takachiho looked at her gun and… There was a sabre stuck in the stock. It had hit the bottom of the stock, pushing the entire gun up. “Sasaki Shino…!” Shino appeared from a manhole cover at Takachiho’s feet, climbing out. “Let me say something now to you…! Real friends can’t be bought with money!” Shino, having rushed to her friends crisis, grabbed Takachiho’s gun away from her as if to back up her words with actions. “… Kuh!” Takachiho, now weaponless, could only watch as the Vespa continued its trip towards the top of the sand mountain. (Please, reach it. All 4 of us put everything into getting this attack flag here…!) Akari pleaded from the foot of the mountain of sand, “Gooooooooooooooo!!” Akari shouted with all of her remaining strength, screaming both for herself and the feelings of her comrades who weren’t there. Shortly after– The Vespa aiming for the peak tilted slightly to its right, but regardless, the “Bee” flag and Takachiho’s “Eye” flag… Paan ! Takachiho’s “Eye” flag was sent flying into the sky, and off the sand dune. Once the Vespa hit a sandbag on the other side of the soft and sandy mountain, the coin wedged into the accelerator came undone and the Vespa came to a stop… The surrounding area had suddenly become quiet. “Does, does that…” Looking at her “Eye” flag slowly falling from the sky… Takachiho was stunned. The A-rank honour student, Urara Takachiho… Lost to the E-rank student, Akari Mamiya, who is on the complete opposite side in terms of rank. She could not believe that she lost. Urara did internally admit to herself that for a while she was just simply playing around with Mamiya as a means of revenge, but not once had she dropped her guard against her. She is an honours student after all. In other words, Urara had to ask herself, if she had not dropped her guard is Mamiya Akari… Simply stronger than her? No, that is not the case. This must just simply be… A mistake. Yes. This is like a computer bug, something that should not have ever been possible. However, the truth is before her eyes, her “Eye” flag fluttering in the air after being hit by Akari’s “Bee” flag. Refusing to admit defeat, Takachiho began to walk backwards to avoid her falling flag. “Kyaa!” – Suton ! And Takachiho tripped, almost falling down. She had completely forgotten about the open manhole that Shino had appeared from. She panicked, and continued to try to move forward, but having lost her balance she fell on the spot… She couldn’t regain her balance, and she fell butt first into the manhole, stuck in it. Takachiho’s lower body, toned but with a beautiful curve that is as feminine as her breasts… is stuck in the manhole. Her appearance is exactly the same as Akari, who not too long ago was thrown into a trash can by the Aizawa sisters, and had her butt stuck in it. “What, I can’t get out!!” Her shame in not being able to get out caused her Totori dialect to suddenly appear again. And just like when Akari was hit in the head by Kirin’s half eaten crepe… Kotsun . The “Eye” flag that was swept away by the wind and was falling landed on her head. This match in a way was a match of revenge, and yet if anything it was more a match of cause-and-effect. Mamiya Akari and Takachiho Urara. Due to their very different upbringing, the two would normally have never met if they simply lived their life like all the other students… But they did meet. They met because of the existence of Kanzaki H. Aria. Yes… In a way, this Quartet match was not a just a match of revenge or cause-and-effect… It was also the beginning of a long-lasting albeit strange relationship between the two girls. § § Akari and the rest of Team Mamiya are sitting around a table lined with pizza and parfaits at a family restaurant called “Roxy”, which price wise is more expensive than Saizeriya or Bamiya but about as much as Royal Host. (TL Note: All of the restaurants said other than Roxy are real places.) “And now, to Team Mamiya, Kanpai!!” (TL Note: Kanpai is like cheers/congratulations.) Aria, who was also the sponsor of this celebration, gave a toast. “Congratulations–!!” Riko rushed over and congratulated Riko and the others on their victory as well. Akari, Shino, Raika, and Kirin, having fought their way tooth and nail throughout the Quartet, each had their own painful injuries and scars and had been treated, whether the injury was heavy or light. However, at Butei High, students are slashed and injured on a daily basis, and so no fuss was made over their injuries. It was truly an era of equality between men and women in that regard. It was because of this that, despite their lingering injuries, all four of the girls have a genuine smile on their face and overjoyed at the sight of the delicious and free food before them. The tension from earlier is completely gone… Shino was trying to feed Akari with a “Haaan” as if she was a little girl, Kirin had Raika in a tight embrace around her arm… This would be a normal sight to see for high school girls if they weren’t all wearing bandages or plaster casts. But suddenly… “… While I still want to congratulate you for your victory neechan, I had heard that should that have been a real fight, you would have died for sure.” (TL Note: Neechan is Japanese for big sis, however in this context is is informal.) Nonoka spoke while looking at the bandage around Akari’s forehead with concern on her face. Nonoka’s expression was complicated, a mixture of anger at Akari’s recklessness and worry for her sisters safety. Aria, who was actively eating a momoman, put down her momoman and folded her arms, saying “yes, that’s right.”. “As you are right now Akari, there is no such thing as a battle that might not kill you. Every battle is a life or death situation. You still have a long way to go, Akari.” Regarding the Quartet battle, after the match Dagula heard testimonies from both Team Mamiya and Team Takachiho, and a detailed battle record was created and released that same day. Recorded in that record was the Vespa attack on Team Takachiho’s flag, recorded in heavy detail. Of course Akari had been far more aggressive and reckless knowing that Takachiho only had non-lethal bullets, but regardless once the battle hardened Aria had heard that “Akari was hit in the head” she had a chill go up her spine at how this could have ended, concerned for her Amica’s health. Akari, who was scolded by Aria, “… Yes…” Akari felt dejected now. Seeing her Amica’s clouded expression, Aria suddenly felt pity for her… This was in fact a place for a victory celebration, not to berate Akari, and so she reconsidered what her next words should be, “But… A win is a win after all. Well done Akari.” She decided to instead give kind words and congratulations. The honest and now bubble Akari once again regained her cheerful and bright smile, “… Thank you!!” Alongside Shino, Raika, and Kirin, Team Mamiya once again became excited and began to celebrate their win. Aria couldnt help but smile bitterly at the lax and easy to understand Akari, but she couldn’t say anything when the rest of Team Mamiya was the same way. In Team Mamiya, if Akari is okay, so is everyone else. If Akari is in trouble, so is everyone else. That is just the kind of team that they are. (… While I am just an aria, a soloist… This kind of “Quartet” doesn’t seem that bad either.) Aria looked on at Akari and the others, drinking her soda through a straw. Aria thought it might be presumptuous of her to say this so soon, but she sensed a budding certain kind of leadership or charisma in Akari Mamiya. Within Aria herself, although she couldn’t explain why or how this started to appear, she felt a desire to make Akari smile and be happy. A person with that level of leadership and charisma is rare. That strange man that Aria is chasing after and researching, Kinji Toyama, has a similar level of leadership and charisma. It’s just… Such a level of charisma has a different effect depending on a persons gender. Akari’s innocence is clearly biased towards being effective on girls. In team based battles, women who give men a reason to fight and motivate them are useful as well… But Akari doesn’t have that kind of sex appeal. She is simply too childish, nor does she have a lolita charm aspect the way that Shima Kirin does. In other words, by letting her simply lead the way she is now, Akari is already able to bring out the abilities of those around her. Aria thought to herself that for Akari, this is a trait that she should remember and utilize to its fullest. § § Nonoka was happily staring at the excitement of Akari and the other girls of her team, but… (… not… that… again…) Unexpectedly, Nonoka was hit by a sudden sense of incongruity that was not all that rare these days for her. She tried to pick up her melon soda on the table, but she didn’t seem able to quite grab it. For Nonoka, suddenly such simple things had just become impossible. The frequency of this feeling was increasing day by day… It was as if some uninvited person was interfering with her simple tasks throughout the day. Covering her eyes, Nonoka stood up from her seat. “Huh, where are you going?” In response to Akari who asked her, “Don’t worry, I am just going to go wash my hands quickly.” With a wry smile to deceive Akari, Nonoka answered. But when she entered the women’s restroom, Nonoka just stood in front of the washbasin. And she looked at her own eyes in front of the mirror. Aware of her own expression of pure confusion and weakness, Nonoka just thought to herself… (Wha, What is going on… Lately I… I can’t see well…) She couldn’t simply ignore it anymore. Up until now, she just thought it was a normal, sudden thing… Nonoka had tried to believe that it was simply nothing to be worried about, but now she had no choice but to admit the truth. She is coming down with something, something abnormal. In fact, Nonoka had already secretly been to a hospital about this. However the symptoms are sudden and random, disappearing after a while. So even when she went to see a doctor, she was told that “nothing is wrong with you”, and was sent away. She had not wanted to worry Akari about this and so… She simply told Akari nothing. Nonoka could only be puzzled by the sense of incongruity and her cloudy vision. All she could do… Is stand there perplexed, confused, and scared. ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ## 37. Bullet 24: Oleander Part 1 ### 001. Bullet 24: Oleander Part 1 Located at a three-way intersection sits the café “Wild Shoot”, a café with an adult mood which is rather rare on the academy float. It is for this reason that the café has become the go-to café for the girls of Butei High. Once it rose to fame with the girls of Butei High it also garnered a reputation for not allowing boys to enter as well. Perhaps it is because of this atmosphere that Kiyochikuto chose this café, entering it with Akari behind her. Inside this dimly lit café with chandeliers as the only light source, a modest piano arrangement from an old movie is playing over the speakers. Akari and Kiyochikuto take their seats on a 2 sofas facing each other in a corner of the café…. Looking around Akari can see several tall foliage plants, some of which are behind Kiyochikuto. Akari had at first assumed that Kiyochikuto chose her spot at random without a second thought, however thinking on it more Akari realized that Kiyochikuto chose this spot as her back is to a wall limiting potential points of attack and leaving no blind spots in the entire café to her. After a short while a maid came to them and Akari vaguely heard Kiyochikuto order… A few quiet minutes later a waitress clad in a maid suit returns to the girls and places their coffee on the round table in front of them. “…” However, Akari does not drink her coffee. She is concerned that it might be poisoned after all since that is Kiyochikuto’s main weapon. She had witnessed this very act two years ago. Drinking or eating anything near her opens the possibility of ingesting poison. And, from the beginning, Akari is wary of Kiyochikuto and what exactly she is doing here on the Butei mega float… Feeling her phone vibrate Akari quickly checks her phone and on it is an email from Raika that just arrived. “Akari, where are you? Aria-senpai was just hospitalized… Her condition is life threatening.” While inwardly relieved that she is still able to contact her companions, Akari turns a hostile expression towards Kiyochikuto. After closing her phone, “Did you, are you the one who did that to Aria-senpai…?” Akari’s glare is enough to completely counter her normally cute appearance and transform her into a terrifying sight… Kiyochikuto, however, is unfazed, and lights her smoking pipe with a lighter that she pulled out of her sailor suit uniform. Fuuuh , fuuuh , as Kiyochikuto slowly and deeply breathes in the smoke from her pipe, the embers inside the pipe grow brighter and hotter… “… The person who did that was not me but a friend of mine. It was a child in the same grade as me but of a different rank. At “IU” we refer to each other as “Classmates” as if we are at a school…” Without any expression Kiyochikuto reveals that while she was not the person who hurt Aria, she does know who has. (… She has her friends and companions here too…) Akari’s angry expression is starting to become tense. The conditions and variables in this situation are rapidly changing and evolving. Now Akari knows for sure, Kiyochikuto is not here alone. She is not the only enemy. To Akari, whose forehead is starting to visibly drip with sweat, Kiyochikuto gave a small snicker, “I haven’t killed you yet, so calm down.” Kin … she dumps the rest of the ash from her smoke pipe into the glass ashtray on the table. When Kiyochikuto’s gaze slowly shifted towards Akari, Akari instinctively reached her hand from the table to behind her to her Micro UZI and knife hidden on her back under her sailor blouse. Kiyochikuto, with her pitch black dark eyes looking right at her must have noticed Akari’s suspicious movements, but… She shows no signs of being wary of Akari or intervening. To her, Akari is not worthy of being considered an enemy. For Akari this situation and attitude from Kiyochikuto is just like that horrible night that she thought was left in the past. “… This is not just about Aria-senpai.” Pishi … Akari’s expression is an even higher level of hostility than even before. Kiyochikuto is an ally of those who defeated Aria, someone Akari deeply respects… … Her grudge and revenge with Kiyochikuto from the horrors she subjected Akari to in the past and the helplessness from watching Akari’s limp and bloodied body began to overlap in Akari’s head. This hostile and hate filled relationship existed long before Akari became a Butei. Perhaps because of that, Akari’s consciousness as she sits in front of Kiyochikuto begins to change to closer resemble her consciousness from around that night. Back then… Akari did not know, nor care, about Article 9 of the Butei Charter. “…” Her eyes as sharp as blades, glaring at her enemy with her hands on her gun and knife ready to kill the target before her within a heartbeat… Her gaze conveys her goal clearly. To kill Kiyochikuto. It is a clear murderous intent that a Butei should never have towards anyone. A Butei should never kill, and thus should never, ever, have killing intent in their gaze. “… Yes, that’s right. You do still have those eyes.” However, Kiyochikuto is unconcerned about Akari’s clear and obvious killing intent. In fact, she is praising Akari instead. Fuwaa, and, from her mouth… Smelling different than normal cigarettes, while exhaling a think smoke with a strangely sweet like scent that smells like medicinal herbs, “Yes, I would like a Mamiya child with eyes like that.” She smiles, and spoke her mind and desires freely. “…” For a moment, Akari and Kiyochikuto simply look at each other, into the others eyes. Contrary to the Kiyochikuto looking at Akari with an inviting and affectionate look… Akari can only glare at Kiyochikuto. Hatred, anger, resentment. With her mind clouded with those dark and evil emotions… Memories from two years ago come flooding back into Akari’s mind. … Her memory starts from two years ago, on a night when she was still in junior high school. Her hometown was in the Ibaraki Prefecture, surrounded in an abundance of beautiful greenery from trees, flowers and grasses… But in Akari’s memory, it is engulfed in a blaze of crimson flames. Around her fires are raging everywhere, and equally both large and small pieces of homes, stores, trees, and piles of rubble are scattered about, burning or already burned to ash. Amidst such destruction stands Kiyochikuto, walking calmly with an equally calm face. Her sailor suit from back then is the same as it is now, melting into the darkness around her. Entering into the small square in the middle of Akari’s village, “So the Mamiya clan scattered and ran away. I guess they are only fast whenever they are running away~” A young girl spoke, dressed in Qing dynasty traditional Chinese civilian clothing and holding a recoilless multi-barreled mini-gun of her own making smiles innocently as she walks along the path. Kiyochikuto’s expression unchanging, “Things would have gone better if we had quietly gotten past the security checkpoint.” She muttered, holding her smoking pipe in her hand and exhaling smoke, looking out over the city engulfed in flames. Suddenly, the shadow of a huge bipedal beast appears from behind the flames, crushing a large piece of rubble underfoot. It clearly is not a human nor a normal beast like a bear… If anything, it resembles a bipedal wolf more than anything else. “We have already taken the village, all that is left is to burn it down.” However, from this… Monster… came low-pitched Japanese… A human language. Next to this thing with glowing red eyes stood a beautiful young woman with a ruthless smile. She was dressed in revealing clothes in the style of an ancient Egyptian queen as if she was from a movie. In addition to these four is another beautiful woman sitting on top of a street lamp three meters off the ground. This one, on the contrary to the others, wore clothes that covered her skin, she is wearing a long-sleeved coat and boots. Resting on her left shoulder is a giant scythe that is reminiscent of the claws that a dinosaur might have. These five are those responsible for the complete destruction of the Mamiya village. (TL Note: All 5 of these characters are in the main series minus Kiyochikuto. Try to see if you can guess them all~) “… Haah, haah…!” There, to that square, was Akari forced to run to. Akari and Nonoka, both sisters. They had been chased there by a large dog… No, a silver wolf. These are massive wolfs that did not originally live in Japan, and weigh about 70kg. While supporting and protecting Nonoka, whose left shoulder was injured from the fire and collapsing buildings… Akari had desperately ran for her and her sisters life through the devastated village. The village had already lost any remnant of the village that Akari had spent her entire life growing up in… The Mamiya Village is no more. It is gone to the wind like so much ash. Even after running all that time however, she could not escape. In the center plaza was where these monsters had gathered. The wolves behind her had forced her towards the plaza. In front of Akari and Nonoka stood Kiyochikuto and her companions. Behind them, the silver wolfs. “… Haah, haah…!” Akari’s and Nonoka’s breathing was sporadic, forced to breath deeply from exhaustion and running, but difficult to breath amidst all the smoke in the air, “Kyaa!” Suddenly, Akari could hear Nonoka beside her scream and felt Nonoka’s arm that she was supporting slide off her shoulder. “Nonoka!!” Akari turns to the side to pick Nonoka back up, but when she suddenly raises her face… “!!” Standing in front of her is Kiyochikuto and her companions. A girl with a brutally big weapon. A beastman towering over two meters tall. A woman with a crystal ball floating just above her open hand. Furthermore, sitting on a lamp post above her head is a grim reaper-like beauty with a gigantic scythe shining from the flames of the fire. And, Kiyochikuto. … This group of five, who Akari could tell at a glance was a danger each on their own, turns to face Akari and Nonoka. “Oneechan…!” Nonoka, frightened, grabs onto and hugs Akari’s arm. “……!” With her expression stiffening but her arms shaking, she raises the knife in her hand that she brought from her kitchen to protect her and her sister. Akari was not hopeful, however… Even she knew that this was a pointless act of resistance in front of such foes. “… Hoho. It seems as if there were some who failed to escape.” The Egyptian woman, with her large crystal ball floating like a magic trick, her tanned skin exposed and her hair bobbed… Put the back of her hand to her mouth and starts to laugh, as if to mock Akari’s resistance. The beautiful grim reaper looking woman sitting on the lamppost, “Do not kill them. That is a rule.” Spoke something that does not seem to fit the situation or the place, but… “Kihi” The girl with the massive gattling gun… She merely shrugs off the warning and points her muzzle towards Akari and Nonoka. Should Akari or Nonoka get shot by that weapon, they would be ripped apart before they could even feel the pain of getting shot! “– Run, Nonoka!!” Even fully knowing about the pack of wolfs roaring at them behind her… The two sisters have no choice but to run away in order to escape the muzzle of such a devastating weapon. “Run run! Kihihi!!” Behind them as they ran the Chinese girl continued to yell, Akari and Nonoka wondering when their inevitable death would come in a spray of bullets…. Feeling already dead, both sisters run trying to get away from this hell that their village became. Those legs, running frantically… Suddenly, both sisters stopped. “–!?” Someone appeared from behind them as if teleporting, and grabbed Akari and Nonoka by their neck. The hand gripping her was not what was preventing her from running, it is in fact a rather weak grip. No, it was an instinct, a primal instinct for survival telling her that should she defy this force and take a step forward only death awaited her. (When… When did they…!) Akari clenches her teeth, and while shaking turns her neck to look behind her. Directly behind her, a young black-haired woman in a black sailor suit is standing. Her right hand held Akari’s neck and her left hand is holding Nonoka by her neck. Akari and Nonoka are both scared they cannot even scream, their body barely capable of even trembling… “Children of the Mamiya clan, listen carefully.” The woman in the black sailor suit leans forward, putting her face between the twos own from behind and whispers into their ears. “You, the Mamiya clan, refused to cooperate with I.U and decided to keep your technology and techniques a secret from us. That is why we have decided to steal it.” Her eyes not once looked at either Akari or Nonoka, she merely stared straight ahead. Then, “… However, there is something you are still hiding, isn’t there?” While speaking that line, Kiyochikuto stares at Nonoka on her left. “…” Akari and Nonoka, their necks still held by Kiyochikuto, are unable to answer any of her questions. Thinking that she could not expect any more results here… “I pity the Mamiya child whose neck is in my left hand. I will poison you.” The woman in the black sailor suit pricks Nonoka’s neck with, chiku …! Kiyochikuto did not prick her with a needle, however. She pricks her with her finger, which is as sharp as a knife. Each of her 5 fingers on her left had is painted a different color as if Kiyochikuto had received a rainbow colored manicure. On Nonoka, she uses her middle finger. The tip of her finger pierces Nonoka’s neck. Her finger breaks the skin, cuts apart small blood vessels, and causes a large amount of blood to flow. “… Ahh… AHHHHH…!!” “Nonoka! Nonoka!!” As Akari desperately calls out the name of her sister who is in agony as blood pours down her neck… Pa , the woman in the sailor suit behind them releases her hands from their necks. Akari looked teary-eyed into Nonoka’s face as she kneels down, holding her bleeding neck. “… Nonoka!” “Ah… Aah, ughh…!” Nonoka’s reaction… She was slightly convulsing, her eyes unable to focus on anything. Poison. Nonoka was just poisoned. But… “Ugh… Uhh…” Nonoka appears to be in pain, but the poison did not seem to be fast acting. It did not seem like Nonoka’s life was in any danger right now judging by the moderate symptoms and what knowledge Akari has on poisons. Akari timidly looks around while hugging and comforting her little sister to see where the girl in the black sailor suit went. The four invaders had not moved forward and Kiyochikuto had joined them. Instead, all five seemed to disappear into the shadows from behind the wall of smoke from the burning village… Even the silver wolves from earlier had at some point in time gathered at the feet of wolf like monster from earlier. During that, the woman in the black sailor suit was the only one of the five who was looking at Akari and Nonoka, and she spoke to them in a quiet voice. “… My name, is Kiyochikuto. I will be back sooner or later. To pick the flowers I planted today…” Before long her figure, too, disappears. She melts into the darkness of the night and the poisonous black smoke of Mamiya’s burning home. – As Akari remembers the horrors from two years ago… Apparently, the same memories came to Kiyochikuto who is sitting across from Akari. “After that night I heard that the the Mamiya clan split apart, hiding in various parts of Japan.” Akari’s eyes sharpened upon hearing Kiyochikuto’s words. “That is all your fault, Kiyochikuto.” Akari’s anger continued to visibly grow, but Kiyochikuto ignores her and takes another puff of her pipe. As if to change the subject, “You know, I like you. I like the way you look.” Kiyochikuto began talking about Akari’s looks all of a sudden. To Akari, who tilted her head slightly at her words, “Because of that, I won’t poison you… Instead, I’ll make you my pet.” With almost no expression on her face, Kiyochikuto for the first time smiles a little. Kiyochikuto spoke in a strangely sensual and sexual way, but Akari did not quite understand what she meant, so… “Why did you come to me.” As if probing for information, Akari sought to get the conversation back on track. … And, “The Mamiya tradition handed down only orally… “Takamakuri”, a poison secret to even me. You know this, right?” Kiyochikuto spoke a name that few know. “…!” Akari’s expression suddenly changes when she heard Kiyochikuto speak that name, but… She immediately hid that with a stiff expression. “I do not know what that is.” “Maa, I know you are just playing dumb.” The sharp eyed Kiyochikuto was convinced that Akari knew about takamakrui from their conversation just now… No, her words just now was as if she had just confirmed that Akari knows of it. Still, Akari stubbornly keeps her mouth shut. “Even if I knew about it, I have sealed and forgotten all of the Mamiya techniques. I can not tell you even if I wanted to.” To Akari, who made a condescending look to Kiyochikuto, “… Should I make it so that you have no choice but to teach me than?” As if to show off to Akari, Kiyochikuto rearranges her pure white legs. Due to her legs hanging over the edge of the sofa, with that movement Akari could see her snow white thighs and the area under her long black pleated skirt of her sailor suit. There was no holster, bulge from a case, or weapon hidden in her skirt. Kiyochikuto is absolutely weaponless. In other words, (She is completely unarmed…! I can easily arrest her!) Ba ! Suddenly, Akari pulls out her micro UZI and stands up. Even if you are inferior when it comes to combat skills, if you have far superior weaponry you can make up for that gap in ability. Judging this to be applicable here, “Kiyochikuto, come quietly…!” Akari tried to go around the table with her gun drawn, but… (E…h?) The moment she tried to move, a faint pain ran through her neck just under her jaw. It felt as if someone was running the edge of a thin piece of paper against her neck and it was cutting into her skin. The pain alone stops Aria from moving. She instinctively knew that it was impossible for her to move forward anymore. When she moves her eyes around to check her surroundings, Akari could just faintly see a glint from a very thin piano wire, no thicker than a spiders web, stretched across at neck height. The wires around her were strung up like a web of a poisonous spider, using the branches and leaves of the ornamental plants around the sofa. Kiyochikuto must have set them up when she entered the cafe. By straining her eyes Akari is just barely capable of perceiving them, glowing faintly in the light of the illumination. Akari stops walking forward. Her skin was just cut a little bit, but as she thinks about what could have happened had she not stopped walking but kept going… Chills go down her spine. Looking at Akari, a thin stream of blood dripping down her neck… Shyan, Kiyochikuto swung the lighter in her left hand open and held the smoke pipe in her right hand, moving them around as if she was using a jump rope. Suddenly, a sparkling wire was looped around the back of Akari’s neck in a U-shape. The ends of this wire are held in each of Kiyochikuto’s hands. Now, there is a wire attached to the front and back of Akari’s neck. Akari’s neck is sandwiched between them. “Twisted Nano Kevlar wire. It is the very same fiber that is woven into your bulletproof uniform.” As Kiyochikuto explains what is happening, kyu … (… Ugh…!) The wires bit into Akari’s neck. Her gun still held and pointed at Kiyochikuto, Akari is frozen in place, unable to move either forward, backward, or take any action against Kiyochikuto. Should she try anything after all, both wires will cut into her neck as if it a watermelon, severing all of her artery’s and guaranteeing her death. Kui, Kiyochikuto crossing the two wires over on top of each other as if she were weaving her hands– “Don’t fight. You’re weak.” Gradually, painfully slowly, Kiyochikuto changes the angle at which the wires are on Akari’s neck, increasing the force of the wires with minimal force. Akari moves her UZI and tries to make a gap by inserting the guns muzzle between her neck and the wire, but… It is no use. The wire was now wrapped around Akari’s neck like a jigsaw. She can’t find an opening. “… Shall we go now? Potori . Negotiations seem to have broken down.” Potori, a three letter word used to represent the sound of a head falling off of a persons neck… (TL Note: In Japanese Pottori is ポトリっ. Ignore the small symbol at the end.) With this, Akari is reminded that, right now, she is on the verge of death. Kiyochikuto tightens the two wires, eyeing Akari with her sharp, black, merciless eyes. At this rate, Akari’s neck really will be severed from her body. As that impending doom hits Akari– – Putsun –! “!?” Suddenly, the restraint around Akari’s neck released. A fan flew in from nowhere towards the wires hanging between Kiyochikuto’s hands and Akari’s neck, severing them. Akari, who collapsed to her sofa with a pompf , put both hands around her bleeding neck and let out small coughs as she caught her breath. The fan that saved Akari was not a normal fan, it was made out of iron. Along the edge of the fan, Akari’s sharp eyes saw something, which she concluded to be a sharp diamond edge. Disguised as a fan, this is instead a deadly and expensive throwing weapon that attacks its foes like a frisbee. (…!) Akari recognizes the fan, however, she remembers it being covered in a black frilled cloth… “– Did you call her “weak”? I cannot ignore you saying such a thing.” Clack , clack . Approaching the pair is someone that Akari expected but is surprised to see, Takachiho Urara. It is her fan that saved Akari. When Akari turned around while still holding her aching neck with her hands… There, Takachiho is standing proudly with her large chest puffed out, looking down at Kiyochikuto. To Kiyochikuto, who is still calmly sitting on the sofa, “If you intend to hurt this child anymore, I will arrest you on the grounds of causing bodily harm.” And pointed her finger directly at Akari. (Takachiho-san…!) While walking outside, she had seen Akari walking alongside Kiyochikuto, a suspicious looking girl wearing a black sailor suit uniform that clearly did not belong to Butei High, and apparently had been tracking and guarding Akari from the shadows. ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related ## 38. Bullet 25: Oleander Part 2 ### 001. Bullet 25: Oleander Part 2 … Kiyochikuto just stares at Takachiho, who had suddenly appeared from nowhere, with an expressionless face that made it impossible to read her thoughts. To Kiyochikuto, “The Akari Mamiya before you managed to defeat me. To insult her and call her “weak” is also an insult to me.” Takachiho using her own reasoning and logic managed to make it so that Kiyochikuto also insulted her. Kiyochikuto in response is quiet, either because she doesn’t care what Takachiho is saying or because she has not even bothered to listen to her. However, whether she is the shy type, didn’t care, or does not want to give unnecessary information to Takachiho, who had interrupted her… The talkativeness she had when she was one-on-one with Akari before disappeared entirely. At any rate though, right now Akari has the numerical advantage, “Takachiho-san, thank you… You saved me.” As Akari stood back up, she thanked Takachiho. “…” The last time they met, at the quartet, Akari was fiercely hostile to Takachiho, and so Takachiho having Akari honestly thank her… With a face that didn’t know how to react, she turned bright red. However, as she looked at Akari with her innocent and grateful face thanking her… For just a moment Takachiho understood what “moe” truly was, feeling as if she had just helped save a small and cute animal from a hungry wolf. However, Takachiho’s perplexed expression and bright red face quickly returned to her refined and sharp look, “I feel like I should mention this just to make it clear. I did not save your life. Do you understand?” Even though she had come to help Akari, she began to yell at her instead. To Takachiho Urara, who is trying to put on a crisp and professional front… “Bu, but” But as Akari begins to stutter, “You’re you, and so I am just going to tease you again!” While blushing, Takachiho began to shriek to Akari in embarrassment. Perhaps it is because she is so flustered, but she began to speak in the Tottori dialect. …Takachiho Urara… While she is an eccentric girl, Akari was sure that, for the time being at least, she was on her side. As Akari thought on her new ally, Takachiho turns to face Kiyochikuto, “… Now then, I don’t actually know who you are.” Takachiho unfastened the zipper clasp on the side of her skirt with her fingernail. The weighted zipper automatically drops to the bottom of the zipper track opening up, giving her dress a slit like a Chinese dress. Takachio then quickly pulls out her revolver-style pistol from the inside of her dress, a Sturm Ruger Redhawk with its 9.5 inch long barrel. “The crime of not only insulting me but also trying to steal my prey has a heavy fine!” The café on Butei Island, where Butei High is located, is designed like a bar from an old western movie. Because of that, the sight of a gun is common here and so no commotion occurred when Takachiho pulled hers out. However, the nearby waitresses seemed to have felt in the air that a fight was brewing, and casually hid behind the bulletproof counter. Since Takachiho drew her gun Akari decided to reposition her UZI… … Standing right next to Takachiho, Akari also pointed her gun at Kiyochikuto. With two guns pointed right at her… She did seem surprised or scared. She is an outlaw after all, she lives in a world where guns and knives being pointed at her are commonplace. But, “…” … After a short time, she showed a strange reaction. Seeing Akari and Takachiho standing right next to each other… For some reason, she began to… Kaaa blush…? “I see. So that is your relationship.” Kiyochikuto’s eyes went back and forth from Takachiho and Akari, as she mumbled to herself and in deep thought. Akari did not know what she was thinking about, but for some reason her breathing is getting a little rough and she appears to be sweating…? Akari could only wonder, (is she… excited? Because of both of us? Huh? Why?). “…?” Kiyochikuto’s reaction is incomprehensible to Akari and Takachiho, but not aggressive, so both girls lose their earlier tension having nowhere to direct it. – Suu … As if the two guns being pointed at her are nothing more than prop weapons, Kiyochikuto gets up from the sofa and, “… Using this material I can easily make a new manga, I hope I can make it in time for summer…” Muttering incomprehensible things to herself, Kiyochikuto started acting as if she was planning on just leaving the café. It is not as if she is planning on running away though. It is as if she just simply has something that she wants to prioritize over Akari and Takachiho. She took out a white handkerchief that is embroidered with flowers and gently raised it to her nose. And, “… I won’t get in the way of that kind of female friendship. I might be an outlaw, but I am not tactless or uncouth.” She spoke to Akari and Takachiho while wiping away her slight nosebleed. Neither Akari nor Takachiho could understand why Kiyochikuto was getting so excited, and so the two of them, “?” While Akari and Takachiho were both looking back and forth from each other and Kiyochikuto in confusion… Kiyochikuto, whose voice turned cold again, turns her expressionless eyes towards Akari. It seems that she somehow, in her own way, managed to regain her composure. “Child of the Mamiya. I will give you a week. Two years ago I planted seeds… It is time for those flowers to bloom.” Takachiho did not seem to understand the meaning of these words at all… – Akari, on the other hand, promptly gave a stiff expression. – Two years ago. Those key words sharply tore and gouged out Akari’s heart. “If you agree to give all of yourself to me, then no one will have to get hurt…” With her umbrella in her hand, Kiyochikuto spoke that ominous demand to Akari before leaving the coffee shop… At that time… A folded piece of paper fell out of Kiyochikuto’s skirt. (… It fell out… No. She dropped it. On purpose.) Akari hurriedly picks up the piece of paper that Kiyochikuto dropped for her. On the paper is an email address composed of random numbers and random letters. Akari shoves the paper into her pocket, not giving chase to Kiyochikuto who calmly walks out of the café as if nothing were out of the ordinary. After all, Kiyochikuto is the person who just a few minutes earlier nearly killed her using nothing more than a thin wire. Should she carelessly pursue her too deeply, she risks not only falling into Kiyochikuto’s trap again but also bringing Takachiho into it as well. “…” Akari watches her walk out as Takachiho lowers her muzzle… While glaring at the door with a “humph” as Kiyochikuto walks out, Kiyochikuto stole a sideways glance at Akari. Apparantly… Kiyochikuto is worried about what Akari might think of her for some reason. A short while later– Akari and Takachiho also leave Cafe Wild Shoot. Takachiho never inquired about Kiyochikuto. She seemed to pick up that Akari did not want to talk about her judging by her silence on her. Akari had to admit to herself though that perhaps Takachiho really is a caring person. She initially took her to be a difficult person to get along with, but the more time she spent with her, the more convinced she was that Takachiho was actually a potentially caring friend. “Thank you, Takachiho-son.” Akari bows her head in gratitude to Takachiho for her earlier help. Seeing that, Takachiho began to blush once again for some reason. “–Do-, don’t misunderstand! Just now… If you were to die here to someone like her after beating me, I would just be laughed at at school!” Takachiho began to mumble some tsundere excuse with warped logic to justify her actions as not helping Akari out of goodwill. Then, as if to prove her excuse as true, she promptly unfolded her own umbrella and left the café with an awkwardly brisk walk. However, a short distance away… — She gave Akari a little glance. Her glance clearly conveyed what she had wanted to say, “are you really okay being targeted by such a person?” with a very concerned face. Butei High Ambulance department. In the hospital lobby in the evening are many students from Butei High sitting beside Akari on the bench. Some of them have minor injuries with some of them having casts on their arm, they seem to be those involved in the bus hijacking incident in which Aria was injured saving them from. “Has the culprit of the bus jacking incident been captured yet…?” “Not yet, however Inquesta and Rapier are coordinating their investigation.” “Damn it! Our comrades were hurt and we can’t do anything about it! We don’t even know who did it! Why are we…!” As she listened to the frustrated male students complaints from the other side of the lobby… (Aria-senpai… I can’t even visit you…) Akari, who was spoken to by Aria’s nurse, sat back down and checked her cellphone. Suddenly, (Ah) A little while ago she had received a text message from Nonoka saying “I just arrived at the hospital”, and now saw her entering the lobby. Akari was sitting on a bench in front of the entrance, so she thought that Nonoka would see her right away, but… For some reason, Nonoka after entering the lobby was looking all around her, as if she was lost. “Nonoka. I am over here.” When Akari calls out to her, “Big sis.” Nonoka turns around at her voice. However, despite Nonoka looking right at her eyes, Akari did not get the sense that they were making eye contact. It felt like Nonoka was looking right through her. Come to think of it, Akari could swear that Nonoka’s eyes are unfocused and a little cloudy… However, other than seeming a little lost, her expression and attitude are the same as usual for Nonoka, so Akari thought that maybe this is all just her imagination. Rather than focus on her imagination, Akari has something important that she has to tell Nonoka as soon as possible. As she approaches Nonoka, “I am sorry for calling you so suddenly… I cannot leave the hospital today. Also, here.” As she is talking to Nonoka, Akari pulls out 10,000 yen in cash and an express train ticket from her pocket, the train ticket which she had obtained urgently from a classmate form the Logi department. “…?” Making a strange expression, “… Stay with our aunt in Nagano for a while. I will explain everything to you later.” Akari told Nonoka what to do with a face that both begs for her cooperation and conveys the seriousness of this. “O-, okay.” While confused over why this is happening, Nonoka reaches out to grab the money and listen to her sister, but– “… Ah…” Her right hand grabs nothing but air. She can’t make her hand grab the ticket. “Nonoka…?” Towards the bewildered Akari… Fura . As if using her as a support, Nonoka falls towards and leans on Akari. Akari hurriedly grabs her body and holds her up. Nonoka is… Losing consciousness, still standing only because Akari is helping her. “Nonoka…? Nonoka! Nonoka!!” The surrounding Butei students all notice and react to Akari’s screams. Immediately the hospital staff are alerted, a commotion breaking out in the lobby as staff arrive on site to support and a stretcher promptly arrives that Nonoka is loaded onto. Nonoka on the stretcher is promptly carried away into the hospital with the nurses and doctors going with her. Akari too… Just like when Aria was being transported in the ambulance, all Akari could do is stand there and watch in horror and despair, helpless to do anything. – Several hours later, when it is pitch black as she looks out the window… Nonoka is sitting upright in a private room inside the hospital. Her eyes are wrapped in multiple layers of bandages, making her injuries look particularly gruesome and painful… Akari has her face buried in Nonoka’s blanket, “… Nonoka… gusu … eguu …” (TL Note: gusu here as a sound effect is like crying, sniffling, etc. Eguu is similar to wailing.) Akari could only cry and worry. (It is not just Aria-senpai now, but even Nonoka is hospitalized… What am I supposed to do?) Her older sisters helplessness and timidness giving her enough energy to talk, “It is okay big sis. I am sure that myself and Aria will be better soon.” Nonoka puts on one of her usual happy smiles on her lips as she moves her hand to touch Akari’s. “But even the doctors don’t know what the cause is…” – In response, Akari looks up at Nonoka’s bandaged and blindfolded face with her own panicked face streaked with tears. Akari could only continue to hate herself, here she is being comforted by her younger sister when she should be the one comforting her instead. To Akari, who is about to cry even more after realizing this fact, “Don’t be such a cry baby, onee-can. Even though I can’t see, I can still hear you crying you know.” Nonoka spoke to Akari with a smile on her lips, but… Tears beyond her control began to poor out from underneath her bandages. In response to Nonoka’s bold and confident words, “– No. Your confidence is misplaced. First is sight… then hearing, and taste. In 8 days from now, the last thing you will lose is your life.” Suddenly, came a voice denying any faith. When Akari turns around, without her noticing Hina Fuuma had entered the room, and spoke while reading Nonoka’s medical record on the hospital wall. As well, “Akari-san! Nonoka-san!” Shino– “Akari!” Raika– “Mamiya-sama!” And Kirin are in the room, Kirin carrying Jonathan in her arms. “Everyone…” Akari, who earlier had disappeared without saying a word to anyone, now realized just how worried she had made everyone about her… and could only blame herself, feeling sorry for worrying her good friends more than they already are. Shino in particular was devastated when she disappeared, and began to hug Akari with tears of joy on her face that she was safe. On the other hand, Raika and Kirin turn towards Fuuma with stiff expression on their face. Outside of the hospital room, odds are Fuuma had already explained some of the circumstances to her regarding Nonoka’s condition. – “In 8 days Nonoka will die.”– Ready to hear the rest of the story and explanation, Akari with fear on her face slowly turns her head to look at Fuuma who is standing by a wall in the room. “The cause of Nonoka’s current condition… It is “Fucho Poison”. It is a poison that first kills all 5 of a persons senses 2 years after it is applied. The poison is designed at a molecular level each time it is made, thus only the person who makes that specific strain of the poison is able to create an antidote.” “How do you know all that about this poison…?” When Akari asks Fuuma that question… Fuuma with frustration and regret on her face, “I know all this… Because that poison originally belonged to and was made by the Fuuma clan. It is a Fuuma technique.” Fighting through regret and second-doubts on sharing this shameful and regretful history, Fuuma manages to force herself to say this revelation. A technique of the Fuuma. In other words, it is a creation developed by the clan that Fuuma Hina belongs to, a powerful ninjutsu poison. However, something doesn’t make sense. “Why would the Fuuma do this to Nonoka-san…?” Kirin, fearfully grabbing onto Raika’s arm, cautiously asks Fuuma. Fuuma in response seems finally ready to speak on her clans history out of necessity given the situation, “… I must apologize to you, Akari and Nonoka, for my clans failures. A few years ago, a young child in my clan was struck with a different poison… In return for an antidote, we were forced to supply the recipe and method for creating the Fucho Poison.” While frowning, Fuuma reveals the defeat of her clan and the extortion of their techniques. And… “Using a poison to learn a new poison– Is this not a trick of Kiyochikuto that you yourself are facing right now?” … Fuuma asks Akari as if looking for a confirmation and agreement. Kiyochikuto in the past had used poison to force the Fuuma clan to share the method of creation for the Fucho Poison. Now, Kiyochikuto is using this same technique on Akari, using Fucho Poison to force her to share the creation method of Takamaki. “…!” “Onee-chan…” Akari and Nonoka are stunned and can only hold their breath when the name “Kiyochikuto” is mentioned by Fuuma in front of everyone else. Everyone… Akari does not want to get them involved in this. She does not just want to avoid them getting involved in this. She does not even want them to know what this is all about… This mighty but abominable and terrifying power that surrounds and haunts the Mamiya clan. For that reason… Akari cannot say anything at all. Akari has already decided what she is going to do. In order to solve this problem without saying anything to anyone else or getting them involved… She has decided that she has no choice but to go to Kiyochikuto by herself. That is her only option. (… The only one who can create an antidote that can cure Nonoka… The only person who can save her… That only person is Kiyochikuto…!) Grinding her teeth in frustration, Akari grips the paper that she had put into her skirt pocket, the one that she had picked up earlier at the café, with Kiyochikuto’s email address written on it. (If I just agree to become Kiyochikuto’s pet… I can save Nonoka!!) Looking down at the ground, Akari tries to leave the hospital room. She does not say anything to anyone, nevermind look at them, and tries to leave without touching anyone. “Akari-san!” “Akari!” In response to Shino and Raika’s voices pleading with her to stop, “– Don’t follow me!” Yelling at everyone in the room, Akari forcefully grabs the door handle of the hospital room. And, “If I have to become a sacrifice to save Nonoka and protect everyone else… That’s fine with me!!” With a tearful voice as tears stream down her face, Akari swings open the door with all her strength. The door opens with a slam, and beyond… “…!” “A self sacrifice is only a “beautiful story ending” in fairy tales.” –It’s Aria. Akari’s Amica, Aria, is standing on her own two feet. “…!” Akari had strengthened her resolve to go through with her plan no matter what, no matter who tries to stop her, but… Aria is standing before her in a patients uniform, her forehead bandaged heavily and using crutches… And yet, Akari could not even find the strength to try pushing Aria out of her way. Aria’s consciousness is already clear, her mind sharp, “Self-sacrifice is just a means of “escaping reality”. The more you try to escape reality, the more serious and detrimental the situation becomes.” With a sharp look in her eyes, Aria speaks to Akari as if she is both teaching her and reprimanding her. “… Aria-senpai…” Hearing Aria and her words, Akari finally… Stops. And falls to the ground. “Mouu–, Takachiho sent me a strange email about you and some other girl, so I got worried and began trying to figure out where you are…” ”My, my”, with a hint of pity on her face, Aria enters the room, pushing Akari back in as she does so. It seems like shortly after the café incident, Takachiho was still concerned for Akari’s safety and so had contacted Aria to inform her of Akari’s condition and the incident itself. “…” To Akari, who is only feeling more and more depressed, helpless, and is keeping her mouth shut, “– Was it the enemy who contacted you first?” Quickly, Aria redirected the conversation back to the heart of the matter. Even so, Akari did not want to say anything to even Aria, and so with a face that clearly says “I guess I can’t help it”, And with a slightly angry expression on her face now, “I am not an idiot, Akari. On the contrary, my instincts are rather sharp… Kiyochikuto is not your only enemy is she, Akari?” Kiro , and Aria turns her reddish-purple camellia eyes towards Akari’s own eyes. “– You have been hiding something from me for a while now.” At that line, Akari’s throat lets out a small “…ah…”. “You have been hiding your true self and suppressing your real powers from me for a long time. That is why your Butei rank is still so low… Am I wrong?” Aria spoke while thinking of the Tobi-Ugachi that Akari had shown her during the Amica Exam and the 10 Bolts she had shown her in the Assault shooting lane a few days ago. “… Can you really solve anything while still hiding your true strength? Those words from her idle… They pierce Akari’s chest, straight into her heart. Akari fell silent, and can only look down at the floor. Nonoka, Shino, Raika, and Kirin’s worried gaze all gather on Akari’s back. “… Sorry…” Slowly… Akari opens her mouth. And speaks to everyone. “I am sorry everyone. Until now, I have hid something from you…” Shedding tears… “… I will tell you the truth. In front of Aria-senpai… I will reveal everything. Without any lies.” With an empty and lifeless smile on her face, her cheeks stained from her tears… “I… Am a student who has no right to be here. I do not belong at Butei High.” Akari in front of everyone, including Aria, reveals her “true identity” which she had kept hidden and buried within her. Go For The Next!!! ### Share this: - Share on X (Opens in new window) X - Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook ### Related