Baka-Tsuki - User contributions [en]

Hello, Hello and Hello:Volume 1 Chapter 1

2020-02-01T10:58:33Z

141.101.105.243: /* Contact 92 - The Promise That Existed Nowhere */

==Contact 92 - The Promise That Existed Nowhere==

[[File:Hello_X3_c1.jpeg|400px|right]]

“It’s sudden, but can I request something from you?”

I was approached by a girl I never met.

It happened when I was on the way home from school.

I heard a delightful voice, one unforgettable after hearing the first time.

“Well, I want you to bring me to the movies.”

I was at the old bus stop I had been acquainted with since I was young; the faded zinc sheets, the wooden bench continually exposed to the weather.

Standing next to them was an unfamiliar girl.

The street lights were not exactly orange or yellow, draping the girl’s nice body in gold, bringing her out from the darkness. Even the somewhat old lights made her out to be some kind of sacred being when shining upon her.

She tilted her head cutely, probably because I remained silent.

“You didn’t hear me?”

Before I knew it, the me reflected in the girl’s eyes looked a lot larger than before. They’re close, real close. Why’s she able to just approach me so casually. Feeling disturbed, I gulped, the saliva drenching my thirst.

“No, I heard you.”

My voice was a lot softer than I wanted, hoarse even.

This time, it was I who was worried if she heard me.

“Really? That’s good.” This time however, it was the girl who said that, patting down on her ample breasts. It appeared my message did reach her.

“I’m Shiina Yuki. Nice to meet you, Haruyoshi-kun.”

“Huh? Hello. Erm, Shiina-san?”

“Call me Yuki.”

Shiina Yuki beamed. She’s really a shockingly cute girl.

The hair reaching her shoulders seemed ironed, a little curly. Her skin’s white as snow. Because of this, her fine, blood red lips looked alluring despite her not having any accessories on.

When a gust of wind blew, her hair fluttered. I unwittingly scented upon a fragrance. What is this scent? After thinking for a moment, I had an answer. Yeah, it’s the fragrance of the cherry blossoms.

The moment I found this answer, what struck my heart was a sudden torrent of emotions: pain, agony, searing heat. My heart tightened.

I put my hand on the left chest of my uniform, and at the same time, called out her name as she had wished. Yes, I really am trying to bluff my way out of things I should be doing.

“Yuki, you said you want me to bring you to the movies. What’s going on?”

“You’ll be going to watch a movie tomorrow, right?”

“……Tomorrow’s a school day.”

“Yes, I know. But your high school will be closed tomorrow to celebrate its founding.”

Yuki spoke in a matter of fact. Tomorrow’s set lunch is curry, it’s written on the menu. That’s the manner in which she replied.

“You’ll use this vacation to watch a movie, right? You have two tickets. Or have you asked someone out?”

“How do you know, Yuki? I never mentioned it to anyone.”

I recalled back to a few days ago, when my friends invited me out. I rejected them, saying that I had something important. Akane in particular fervently questioned why; since you’re going out alone, bring me along. Nevertheless, I never mentioned the reason.

I didn’t want any acquaintance to notice us together, and watching a movie with her would just be an interrogation. Obviously, I’ll be teased about this matter years later.

The girl before my eyes seemingly failed to comprehend my emotions as she smiled.

“Uu, hmm. I think I'll keep it a secret”

“Why?”

“Because, a girl with secrets should be more attractive, right?”

It appeared she had no intention of answering me directly.

I tried waiting for a while, but I didn’t get a decent answer. Yuki merely stood there, smiling, knowing that I was waiting for her reply, but choosing to remain silent.

In this battle of patience, I lost.

“I didn’t ask anyone out. Got two tickets on hand.”

“Then bring me along.”

“Why do you want to see the movie?”

“……I promised to watch it.”

“Promised who?”

Yuki continued to smile. I didn’t know if it was just me, but her smile seemed a little sadder than before.

I looked up at the sky, and so did Yuki.

Without me noticing, the darkness in the sky had become very deep.

The clouds in the night skies were thin and few, and many stars sparkled. It would be really cool if I could find just one constellation here. Unfortunately, I don’t have any such knowledge.

I found nothing in the vast, endless night sky.

“I see. So you promised.”

“Yes.”

“Since it’s a promise, I can only go along with that.”
I tried saying this instead of talking about the constellations. It’s embarrassing, but I was spent just from saying this line.

“Got it. Let’s go together then.”

“Really? Thank you.”

“I remember there’s a train ride at 10.10. Shall we meet up at the gantry?”

“Mn, sounds great. I’m really looking forward to tomorrow!”

We waved hands, bidding each other goodbye.

Yuki went off in the opposite direction of this street, the only one. Soon, her petite silhouette vanished.

I watched her until she vanished, before moving on.

My mind was filled with the girl I had just met, and it lingered for a long, long time.

The fragrance of Spring, the slender body, the fine fingers moving through the hair fluttering in the wind, resembling a piece of glass art. The long, narrow eyebrows, the pitch black eyes, the nicely shaped red lips. So I recalled, and then——

The moment Yuki’s voice echoed in my mind, I stopped.

For a question clearly floated in my mind.

“Hm? Did I tell her my name?”

Of course, nobody would answer. Yuki’s pleased smile as she sidestepped the issue remained in my mind.

That happened in Autumn, during my first year of High School.

This was how I encountered Shiina Yuki.

I arrived at the station 30 minutes early, but it was Yuki who arrived earlier. We probably could ride on an earlier train.

I wanted to run towards Yuki, but I hesitated, no longer sure if I should approach her.

Her back was leaning on the pillar, looking into an empty void. Her sidelong face had the disposition of an artistic masterpiece, giving her an unapproachable vibe.

On a closer look, many peeked towards her from time to time, but none dared to speak to her. It takes a lot of courage to go up and talk to her.

I gulped, rubbed my sweaty palms on my pants, forced my legs to move towards her, and slowly raised my hand, and finally managed to talk to her.

“Good morning. You’re really early.”

Yuki turned around at the sound of my voice. Her palms pushed off the pillar, and she hurried towards me.

“Have you waited for long?”

“No. I just arrived.”

“Ehehe,” Yuki giggled.

The thorns around her vanished before I knew it. I heaved a sigh of relief, and the heat rising from the bottom of my lungs seemingly merged into the clear air.

“Sorry, I’ll take note of it next time. It’s not good to keep a girl waiting.”

“You don’t have to worry. You’re really sincere there, Yoshi-kun.”

“Yoshi-kun?”

“Yes. Haruyoshi, so Yoshi-kun. Can’t I call you that?”

“Not that you can’t but I never had anyone call me that before.”

Normally, I’m either called Segawa or Haru.

My little sister Natsuna and my parents call me Haru. I’m a little uneasy to be called something different for the first time.

“Then this is my personal way of addressing you.”

Yuki smiled, showing her white teeth, and pulled my arm towards her.

I barely managed to maintain my balance, and avoided falling forward. The distance between us decreased by a step or so.

Yuki’s small, cold hand seemingly robbed me of my warmth as she grabbed onto my wrist. I felt hot just from being grabbed. I was unable to look up, and merely continued to stare at the dirty tips of my shoes.

“Okay, let’s go then, Yoshi-kun.”

The moment she said this, I thought of something I forgot to ask yesterday.

“Anyway, do you know where we’re going today?”

The movie I was going to see on this day was different. To describe it, well, it’s different from those movies heavily featured on the TV ads, and it’s not aired at a cinema either.

But Yuki ignored all of my concerns.

“That’s a weird question. We’re going to Yasaka University, right?”

There’s a town two stations from where I’m living, with lots of slopes. Yasaka University’s located at the longest slope in that town.

In fact, we have to take the bus after alighting from the station.

“Ah, it’s there, right, Yoshi-kun? Here, have a look?”

Yuki said. We were almost ten minutes into our bus ride.

There was a large gate at where she was pointing, and a large sign.

The sign contained colourful popup words “60th Aksho Festival’.

This Yasaka University began holding this one week festival since Sunday. The tickets I had are for the ‘movie club's self-produced film’ airing during this culture festival.

I forgot if it happened a year ago, or at least half, but due to a certain incident, I so happened to obtain these two tickets.

The moment I entered the school gates, I felt a sudden change in the atmosphere around me.

There was an infrequent sight of the leaves colored in Autumn, and beneath them,

There were many stalls on display in the school, along with the intense riff of guitars from afar. For a YOSAKOI, the clappers sounded delightful. It really seemed like a real festival.

I received a pamphlet from a young woman, and immediately flipped through it, intending to check the schedule of the movie. It’s a 30 minute short film, and including break time, it airs once every one and a half hours.

There’s ten minutes until the next airing. I checked the location on the map, and if we hurry, we might be able to make it. I continued to flip through, wanting to confirm the route there, but my pamphlet got snatched away.

I lifted my hands, and found Yuki holding a pamphlet in each hand.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m asking you that, Yoshi-kun. What are you doing?”

“Doing what…looking for where the movie screening is, of course?”

“Haa.” Yuki sighed, shaking her head as she gave a ‘you don’t understand’ look.

“We can just explore and find that place. More importantly, this is a rare festival. Stalls, performing bands, and haunted houses. If you ignore them all and go straight to your destination, it’ll be a waste. Karma will strike you, know?”

“I don’t want to be hit by karma.”

“Then let’s walk around. It’ll be fun. Come on, let’s go!”

That’s how we started walking around the festival.

Yuki sniffed around the stalls corner with her little nose, and when she was finally tempted by a fragrance, she queued at the crepes shop. She couldn't decide whether she should add strawberries or chocolate bananas, so she chose both. I personally chose chestnut to fit with the autumn theme.

“It’s amazing that you’re able to eat two.”

“Seeds du go indo amoda starbuck.”

Yuki’s mouth was stuffed with crepes, her cheeks puffed. What she said sounded alien, though I never met an alien myself.

“What are you saying?”

This time, she began to close her mouth, and chew carefully. However, she seemed reluctant as she slowly swallowed the crepes, and with cream still on the side of her lips, she emphasized once again,

“Sweets do go into another stomach.”

“Yuki, you got cream on your lips.

“Ah, sorry. This side?”

“The other.”

“This side huh?”

Yuki tried wiping hard with her palm, but she did not wipe the cream.

“Hold on.”

I took a piece of pocket tissue, and wiped her mouth. She let me do so without resistance, but she was always eyeing more the next opportunity to take a bite. I had to remind her “It’s not off yet. Wait.” Seriously, girls are such creatures. I do like sweets myself, but their passionate easily exceeds the like I have.

“Alright, done..”

“Thanks, Yoshi-kun. You’re well prepared..”

“It’s fine, just a tissue. I think high school students normally have them around.”

“I’m almost 17, but I never brought any before.”

“So you’re older than me by a year, Yuki?”

“Yes. I’m your senior, so you have to respect me.”

“There’s no respect to speak of when you still have cream on your mouth.”

“No way! There’s still more?”

I saw Yuki rub her mouth flusteredly, and chuckled. Her white skin reddened slightly, probably because she panicked and rubbed too hard. Even the cheeks, which were not rubbed, were a little red.

“Kuku, it’s gone..”

“Uu. You’re so mean, Yoshi-kun. Really mean..”

Yuki pouted as she walked before me.

She had a slender back, fluffy hair, and thin legs reaching out from her skirt. I tailed Yuki from a little distance, wanting to eye them a little more.

But Yuki went straight for the library, and began to marvel at the exhibits of the photography club, and I had to chase after her in an instant.

We marvelled at the many monochrome photos lined together—talking about the work we both liked.

I chose a photo of a man jumping on a beach, while Yuki chose a photo of a girl alone on the shopping street.

The lonely girl was cut away from the vast world, looking so helpless. It’s definitely a nice picture wanting to convey something, but it didn’t match my impression of Yuki. I thought she’ll be like me, and would choose a photo filled with life.

“Really?”

Yuki’s soft voice in the library sparsely filled with people.

“But this is definitely me.”

We went to the arts club store, bought a few doujins, and read them together while next to each other. Our tastes in novels are similar, and we like the same works.

Then, Yuki noticed something, and approached it without hesitation. Before I realized, we’re at furthest end of the school, far away from the noise. There’s an old building deep inside, and Yuki eyed at the building that appeared to be secretly built, muttering, “what’s that building for?”

The originally white building had changed colors due to the many years of weathering, and on the walls, there were plants whose names I didn’t know of. The green stuff’s probably moss. Anyway, the building such seem so unapproachable.

I wanted to call for Yuki to return, but at this moment,

“Ah, the boy there. Hold on a moment.”

I was called out by this slightly familiar voice, by this familiar sounding line.

Even after a long time, I could recognize that muscular body.

He had a messy 3 days stubble, his hair was tied behind his head, and he was showing childish, dazzling eyes between his long bangs.

It’s been at least a year since we met, but he’s exactly the same.

It’s the director.

The director of the movie we’re going to see today.

And the person who gave me these two tickets.

❀

I first met the director during winter break, while I was still in middle school.

Club activities were suspended, and I was alone, with nothing to do, so I went strolling in the park nearby.

There would be many visitors at the park during the vacation and the evening, but it’s very quiet on a normal workday. It made me a little lonely.

Breaking this silence was an exceptionally gruff voice.

“Ah, the boy there. Hold on a moment.”

“Eh?”

I was called out, and turned to the voice. I saw a muscular man, much older than I was, running towards me. I could hear the frantic sound effects of a person running. I knew he was in a fix, so I stopped without thinking——that was a mistake.

That man was huffing so hard, he was almost dying. He went behind me, and suddenly grabbed me by the elbow.

“Ahh——I’m saved. Please come along with us.”

“Wh-what’s going on?

“We’re filming a movie, but we don’t have enough actors for the last scene. It’s causing us lots of trouble.”

“No no no, hold on. I don’t get what you mean.”

“You don't get what I mean?”

The man turned towards me with bewilderment. I took a closer look at his face, and saw that he was still fairly young. He was probably in his twenties, at the phase when I should call him a young man.

“I don’t.”

“As I said, you’ll be a temporary actor for a movie.”

“That’s not what I don’t understand. I’m saying that I don’t know why I have to come along with you.”

“Didn’t I just say why? If you don’t come along, I’ll be in real trouble..”

“…Huh?”

“That’s how it is. Let’s go.”

“No, wait,”

Just like that, I was dragged off by him.

Everything I said thereafter was a waste of effort. There was an overwhelming difference in strength, and no matter how I resisted, I couldn’t escape. Three minutes into my struggle, I gave up.

I was left at his whim, either to be roasted or fried.

It appeared the man who called me was the director of this work. He showed a different expression from what I had seen, the aura around him changing drastically. I felt really annoyed to think that he was a little cool.

The filming scene was at the bench in the park.

I was assigned the role of passer-by A.

All I had to do was to follow behind the protagonist. I had no lines or actions. Even so, I was instructed to do a series of actions, where I should look at what time, how fast I should be walking.

We were filming a single scene, so I carelessly thought I could go home once I was done, but the reality was that I was caught in a four hour deadlock, due to the many retakes.

The sky was dark blue when they started collecting the equipment. In another 10 minutes or so, the world will be plunged into darkness, more even in a blink of an eye. See, night is coming.

“So you’re here. Good work there..”

I looked towards the voice and found the director walking towards me. It seemed he had been looking for me for quite a while.

“It took quite a long time.”

“You really helped me out. Well, you only appeared for like 10 seconds or so, but I really didn’t want to compromise on the quality, so I dragged it out. Oh yeah, this is for you. As a gift of thanks.”

Saying that, the director took out a can of corn soup. The weather’s cold after the sunset, so I accepted gratefully. The soup’s still warm. As I held the can with both hands, I felt the warmth spreading in my palms.

“Thank you very much.”

“Also, these tickets are for you. There’ll be a public screening during the culture festival next Autumn, so do come by to watch”

“Next year? Not this year?”

“The production probably won’t be finished this year. Once this is done next year, I’ll be graduating.”

The rectangular color paper had the words “60th Akiho Festival Movie Screening Ticket”. The ‘59th’ had two strikethroughs over them, and the ‘60th’ written above were larger than the other words, as though conveying the director’s determination.

By the side of the words was the name of the university and the crest. The rectangular red words ‘Yasaka University’ were a little blurry. I had heard of rumors about the school, like it’s built on a demonic slope or something.

“But there are two tickets..”

“It’s a romance film. If you have a girl you like, invite her along..”

Just like this, I had two tickets and a can of corn soup. It’s a cheap payout compared to the four hours of work. But well, it’s a valuable experience, so whatever.

I saw the director wave as he left with his back facing me, drinking the soup. For this cat-tongued me, the warm soup was just right. It flowed past my throat, and immediately after, I felt a gentle warmness spreading through my belly.

The brightest star was sparkling in the sky.

It seemed to be the leading star.

So I started walking towards the little light of Venus.

❀

“You’re here, boy.”

The director called for us, his muscular body taking up two thirds of the bench or so. There were a dozen or so tickets messily laid out on the table, along with a promotional pamphlet for the Akiho Festival, and so. There’s a movie magazine, probably flipped through lots of times as the actress’ face on the cover was disfigured.

“It’s been a while. Is the movie airing here?”

“Yeah. The innermost room of this clubroom building is our clubroom. It’s on the second floor. Hm?”

At this moment, the director finally noticed Yuki, it seemed. Like a man possessed, he sized her up several times. Then, he averted his eyes, and called out to me.

“Boy, a word.”

“Huh?”

I went towards the director as he said, and he dragged me to the end of the building.

We’re some distance away from Yuki, so even at normal volume, our voices probably wouldn’t reach her. However, “What’s with that girl? Isn’t she super cute?” the director whispered softer than a mosquito.

“What’s her relationship with you?”

“Friends, I guess. She seems like she wants to see this movie no matter what. I don't know how she got wind of me having two tickets, but I brought her along.”

“A fan of mine?”

The director eyed sideways, smirking.

“Guess not. She told me she promised someone that she’ll see this movie.”

I had enough of the director’s leery face, so I had to insistently deny.

“Promised who?”

“Who knows?”

Both of us looked towards Yuki in unison.

Yuki was flipping through the magazine on the bench. She’s probably not reading, just flipping through. Probably enjoying the feeling of paper and the sound.

“She’s like a painting.”

The director marvelled as he appraised her, muttering,

“Such girls are rare. She’s not just cute or pretty, she has a certain charm that attracts attention. It’s a really rare thing. So boy, mind negotiating for her to appear in a movie?”

“I’m not going to. Can’t you just ask her yourself?”

“Well, but..”

“What do you mean, but?”

“…I’ll be hurt if such a cute girl rejects me.”

“Huh?”

I really, seriously did show an outraged look.

Hold on a moment. What’s this guy saying? And what happened to the crazy guy who dragged me away that year?

“Aren’t guys such creatures? We become weak in the face of beauties.”

“Why are you saying it like it’s a motto?”

I couldn’t help but retort, and the large eyes of the director stared at me intently.

“You've changed, boy.”

“Eh? Really?”

“Yeah, you’ve changed. The old you, well, how do I put it? Easy to deal with. It’s like if I begged you, you'd agree to do anything. You’re a little different now. You’re able to express yourself..”

“Is that a good thing?”

“That’s definitely a good thing. Those that go with the flow can’t catch anything. If you want something, you need to grab it with your hands, even if it’s by force. That’s how it is, so please. I’ll get down on my knees and beg if you continue to refuse. But you’re just going to refuse me again, so.”

Why be so forceful to me? Can’t you do that to Yuki?

Well, I’m a guy. Can’t say that I don’t understand what the director’s feeling.

“Well, so be it. I’ll introduce her to you, but you will have to ask her yourself.”

“Tch, got it.”

“Yuki.”

I called for Yuki’s name, and she closed the magazine, her body swaying side by side as she approached us.

“Finished whispering?”

“Yeah, basically, he gave me the tickets, and he’s the director of this movie we’re going to see. Seems like he wants to ask for something from you.”

“Ask me?”

“Speak up, director.”

“Oh, yeah.”

I nudged hard at his large back.

It’s like a rock: hard, solid, and unmoving. Even so, my little nudge might have motivated him to move forward.

“Th-th-thank you very much for coming to see this movie today!”

“Yes. I’m looking forward to today’s movie.”

Yuki smiled, and the director blushed, his body shaking. He’s already at his mental limit, huh? Never expected that.

Feeling that he was helpless, I was about to speak up for the director, only for him to say,

“And erm, erm, if it’s okay, can I get you to act in my movie next time?”

He reached his massive hand out towards Yuki.

“Please?”

“hmm.”

“No can do?”

“hmm.”

“So is it a yes?”

Yuki smiled impishly.

“Anyway, I can decide after watching the movie, right?”

That was the smile of a little devil.

There were twelve chairs in a room large enough for twenty. Four chairs to a row, three rows. We were seated in the second row, and the chairs were wobbly, probably because the floor was old. Other than us, there were another three people. When the movie began screening, the lights in the room were switched off.

Then, aired on the screen commonly used during lessons was a visual.

The movie depicts a typical daily life, the encounter of a boy and a girl, their breakup, and their encounter again. It was a simple and common story.

There was no alien invasion, no monster destroying the world. The world wasn’t in any crisis, but there was clearly something in the movie.

The scene I appeared in was the important one, when the duo, after having a huge argument, regretted their actions, and reunited at the bench in the park. I was far into the background, but I realized it was me, just passing by.

Yuki must have noticed my appearance, as she poked at my flank.

I grabbed her mischievous finger, and glanced towards her discreetly.

Yuki, next to me, never looked towards me, her eyes staring at the screen, looking really serious.

I might be being too harsh, but it’s just an amateur movie for a culture festival, not something meant to be watched so seriously. Why’s she being that serious?

In the darkness, her sidelong face brightened by the movie lights looked really beautiful. For the last five minutes, I was just staring at her, mesmerized.

We arrived at the bus stop at the main entrance, only to see the bus turn around a corner. The red taillights slowly got smaller, and finally vanished.

It seemed the next ride would arrive 10 minutes later.

I was seated alongside Yuki, on the plastic seats. We were the only ones here.

“Yoshi-kun, the movie really left me nervous.”

Yuki beamed, “But the movie’s really interesting.”, so she said.

“The part where the protagonist confessed was really good. I want to be confessed to passionately like that for once..”

Yuki delightedly told me what she thought, but I barely listened. There’s one thing I was more interested in than the review, and I kept thinking about it. Should I ask? Or not? After much deliberation, I couldn’t help but ask.

“In that case, why did you refuse the director?”

❀

It happened at least ten minutes ago.

The director had been outside the room, waiting for our exit.

“How’s the movie?”

“Yes, it’s really nice.”

“Really?”

He probably felt nervous before getting this answer, and he heaved a huge sigh of relief. I’m guessing he’s clenching his right fist in victory, the smile on his face dazzling.

Yuki too nodded with a smile.

“I guess the miracle never happened after all.” So she said.

“So as promised, I think I shall refuse.”

“Eh?”

Both I, who was next to her, and the smiling director never understood what Yuki was saying, and neither did we remember the reason for her saying so.

From our faces, she probably understood what we were thinking.

Yuki repeated herself, emphasizing that there’s no mistake on anyone’s part,

“Sorry, I can’t appear in your movie.”

She bowed, and hastily left the club building.

I looked back and forth between Yuki’s back and the dumbfounded director, and finally bowed towards the director as Yuki had done, before giving chase after her.

❀

“Because I promised.” So Yuki answered my question.

“Hey, Yoshi-kun, do you think there’s a scene that looks out of sorts?”

“…No.”

“In that case, I shouldn’t appear in the movie. It’s a promise after all.”

“I don’t get what you mean at all. Who did you make a promise with, and what’s the promise?”

Yuki’s eyes looked towards the slightly worn out tips of her red shoes. They touched and broke away like over and over again, like a kiss.

“Anyway, now that we’re talking about this, I’ll ask again, Yuki? Who did you make the promise to watch this movie with?”

Yuki took a deep breath, and breathed out towards the sky. She stopped her shaking legs, and stood up.

I immediately looked up towards her without thinking. Her back was facing the setting sun, so I couldn’t tell what expression she was making.

“We made a promise that exists nowhere. Nowhere in the past, present or future.”

“What’s going on? You made a promise, didn’t you, Yuki?”

“I did, but it no longer exists. Even the part about us making that promise never existed.”

“I don’t really get you, but in that case, it’s fine for you not to go with the promise, right?”

“No. It’s still very important to me.”

There was clearly something in Yuki’s voice, something stubborn. It’s not something I could settle just because I want to, and that’s the only thing I got.

Finally, the bus arrived.

Yuki reached her hand towards me, and I did my best to hold it as gently as possible, standing up from the seat. Her hand was delicate, cold, weak and fleeting. It’s so weak that if I exerted a little too much strength, I might break it.

“If possible, can I meet you tomorrow?”

“It will have to be after school, if you’re fine with that.”

“Of course.”

“See you tomorrow then.”

So we promised.

We made a promise that really existed in this world.

We were together the next day, and the following day.

We visited the bookstore, and studied at the library.

Yuki’s great at studies, and patiently explained the solutions to the questions I couldn’t solve.

Before I knew it, a week passed from the moment I met Yuki.

“You’re a good kid, Yoshi-kun.”

“Look, even if you say that, I’m not treating you to tea..”

As thanks for having her check my work, I bought a meat bun for her at the convenience store.

“Tch, you’re not treating me?”

Yuki clumsily sang, “it’s cold, it’s cold.” And we walked down the town while the lights started to brighten. “I’m scared of the cold.” So she said as she rubbed her little hands, breathing out on her fingertips. Winter was coming, and surely the tomorrow would be colder than this day.

We passed by the post office, and arrived at a place a little distant from the station. With a gentle, correcting tone, Yuki said .

“Hey, Yoshi-kun. You shouldn’t be too trusting of me, you know?”

“Why?”

“Because I want to do something cruel to you.”

Saying that, Yuki shook her head. She closed her eyes hard, and three seconds passed. She opened her eyes again, and there was a mysterious glint to them. What’s that? Confusion? Fear? Rage? Rugged determination? Finally, that light too vanished.

“No. It’s nothing. Forget about it.”

Yuki ran towards me, step by step, trying to hide her face, it seemed.

“Can we meet again tomorrow?”

It feels like Yuki will vanish, so I shouted at her back.

At that moment, Yuki quickly turned towards me. Her skirt fluttered slightly due to the turn, Her hair rose slightly, and she appeared to be dancing. Just like the day when we first met, my heart pounded tremendously, so much that it was aching.

“Ehehe. It’s the first you you started a promise with me, Yoshi-kun.”

“If that’ll make you happy, I’ll keep inviting you starting tomorrow.”

“Really?”

“I promise you.”

“I’m happy.”

Like before, I bade farewell with Yuki before the train station.

She waved hard at me, so hard that I was worried if her arm would rip off. I waved hard at her in response. The distance between us was increasing, little by little.

After some distance, Yuki put her hand down, and shouted my name,

“Yoshi-kun.”

At that moment, my body froze.

Yuki’s expression changed, and I had the impression that her smile was a lie. At the same time, she muttered something.

That delightful voice was immediately buried in the noise, and did not reach my ears.

But through the movements of her lips, I understood what she said.

At the last moment, Yuki said with an anguished look.

“――Liar.”

<noinclude>
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| Forward to [[Hello,_Hello_and_Hello:Volume_1_Chapter 2|Contact 33]]
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</noinclude>

Horizon:Volume 7B Chapter 45

2020-01-15T17:06:15Z

141.101.105.243:

==Chapter 45: Battlefield Decider==
[[Image:Horizon7B_594-595.jpg|thumb]]
''I can do what I want right now

''All of what is happening here

''Is what people call a battlefield

'''Point Allocation (Battle Negotiations)

“Now, then,” said Ookubo while taking a deep breath in the darkness.

She was somewhat northwest of the Bousou Peninsula’s center.

The enemy was preparing for a counterattack, but she could see their destination.

It was to the south.

The enemy base was on the southeastern coast, but before heading there…

“It’s time for negotiation.”

They had already begun to move. One unit led by Kanou was en route to a safe location on foot while Yagyuu Munenori had been sent out as a scout.

“Milady, Yagyuu-sama has sent word that the route is safe. We should start by heading 2km south.”

Kanou held up a sign frame that revealed the surrounding scenery with a night-vision guidepost spell. And she traced her finger along that sign frame to draw a line that looked like red ink.

“This is our route. It will give us a view of the enemy base, by which I mean the Satomi stronghold.”

“Then we need to split up our forces for now.”

Ookubo looked up to see the small transport ship they had flown in on.

It had forcibly landed in the middle of the forest and the enemy knew where it was. It had not been attacked because the enemy would be shifting to a focus on fortifying their defenses.

The enemy had concluded this group had no real aerial forces. However…

“I will be moving on ahead.”

With that comment, a few large forms began to move.

They were gods of war.

Their movements added four ribbon lines to the sign frame they were viewing. Two moved out ahead and three followed behind them. And the biggest line of all took up the rear.

The two taking the lead were Righteousness and Suzaku.

The following three were from the heavy god of war unit. They were equipped for long-range combat and were meant to protect and cover for the lead two.

All of them were protecting the largest line taking up the rear. That was the ground unit comprised mostly of the warriors.

Their plan was to use the gods of war for a powerful assault that expanded their controlled territory. Then the individual personnel could establish a more complete control.

Ookubo’s group was commanding the group while both exchanging and gathering information from one side of the ground unit. Plus…

“We’re handling all the administrative work needed to ensure our safety,” said Ookubo while climbing the ridge of Bousou with the Public Morals Committee’s elite unit.

'''Nagaya-Stable:''' “It’s time to negotiate, Konishi Yukinaga.”

Konishi watched the enemy’s movement.

She knew the enemy’s small transport ship had been landed and abandoned on the distant northern slope.

The slope itself obstructed her view of that area, but they would be able to climb up to the ridge to overlook this area.

The enemy invasion was a problem, but…

…''What comes after that?

How much of a land unit had been inside that small transport ship? While it was called small, it was still 200m long. It could easily carry a thousand personnel and could carry as much as two thousand.

Two thousand nearly unharmed troops with high morale and some gods of wars between Hashiba’s main unit and the northern unit would be very bad news.

…''Also…

There was something else Konishi had to consider.

How was she supposed to bring this battle to an end?

There were a few different options, possibilities, and uncertain factors. As a merchant, she wanted to examine things much more closely before taking action, but she had actually already made some preparations and started to arrive at the situation she wanted.

“And I can predict more or less what’s gonna happen, so I need to go in strong to start with.”

The ''lernen figur'' by her hands had already received her opponent’s words, so she gave a response.

'''Koni-ko:''' “You will negotiate with me? I appreciate it, Musashi Representative Council Head.”

“But,” she added.

'''Koni-ko:''' “You said you recommend we withdraw, didn’t you? Who do you think you are?”

“Fair enough,” muttered Ookubo.

…''Although from a history recreation perspective, the Hashiba forces really should withdraw.

But withdrawing when Musashi demanded it and withdrawing as a part of the history recreation would entail very different things and the other nations would view them very differently.

The sounds of the god of wars moving out ahead vanished into the forest. But not because they were growing more distant. The stealth spells that activated in time with their movements were beginning to mask the sounds.

Without the route information being sent to her map, even Ookubo would not have known they were there.

And while listening to those noises fade, she thought about what Konishi had just said.

…''Does she really not intend to accept our recommendation to withdraw?

They could not openly accept it because these divine transmissions would remain in the records, but what about below the surface? She decided to ask.

'''Nagaya-Stable:''' “You refuse to accept our recommendation to withdraw?”

'''Koni-ko:''' “We still have the upper hand here. Shouldn’t you be the ones withdrawing?”

The other girl asked a probing question.

…''I see.

It was true they were on the losing end in the aerial fleet battle when viewing just the number of ships sunk.

They had taken the Miura Peninsula and the Great Bridge Ruins of Edo Bay in the land battle, but they had not taken the Bousou Peninsula.

When it came to controlling Edo and Satomi, the enemy did indeed have the upper hand.

The ground units were finally about to clash. It was unknown how that would turn out, but the other side was sure to have prepared a large number of troops. So…

'''Nagaya-Stable:''' “Then you are saying your northern unit still intends to fight, I take it?”

'''Koni-ko:''' “Of course. No one in Hashiba would run away when they can still fight.”

…''Do you really intend to do this?

Based on Konishi’s words alone, it seemed that way. And Ookubo also sensed a challenge in her words.

…''Why?

The northern unit had been worn down by their battle with the Reine des Garous and now their numbers were more of a hindrance than anything.

“I imagine their original plan was to have them withdraw unharmed and then pursue us from behind.”

Of course, the less-exhausted members of that unit could still be used for that purpose.

But if they did that, the exhausted majority would be left behind as prey for the Reine des Garous.

…''That means their northern unit can’t move at the moment.

Then why was Konishi claiming that unit would continue to fight?

“She has something set up or has some kind of idea.”

“What does this mean, Masazumi?”

Asama asked that while calling up a map of the area around Edo Bay. Based on the positioning of the enemy forces and their own forces that Ookubo had sent them…

“The enemy’s northern unit is doing well when it comes to numbers, but they are exhausted. If they are still going to fight, does that mean they were ordered to fight until the bitter end?”

Masazumi’s initial response to that question was a tilt of the head. And then…

“Nagaoka did seem to be fighting that way, but…but in that case, they would have fought harder to hold the bridge. So I expect there is some hidden meaning to what Konishi is saying.”

Such as…

“There must be some special meaning to the northern unit fighting to the end in some way.”

…''Meaning?

The simplest idea was for them to move south. They had lost the bridge thanks to Mitotsudaira’s mother and leaving their injured behind would be too dangerous.

“But,” chimed in Naito. “Whatever they might want to do, they won’t be able to keep up, will they? They’re moving an exhausted group, so moving through the forest at night would be pushing them too hard. Plus, transporting the injured and extremely exhausted will absolutely kill their speed.”

“That is true,” agreed Mary. “Even a single exhausted person will reduce the mobility of a unit.”

'''Silver Wolf:''' “I am ashamed to admit it, but I proved that well enough back in Hexagone Française.”

''Then what are they thinking?'' wondered Asama.

That exhausted northern unit would be unable to fight or move very well.

…''The only thing they could do is…

Once thinking it through that far, Asama noticed something about the arrangement of the forces on the map.

“Huh?”

Something about the arrangement bothered her.

The individual elements were meaningless, but when she linked them together…

“Um.”

She tossed the contents of her sign frame to Masazumi. She had drawn a red line between the two worrying forces, but would that be enough for Masazumi to catch on?

“Masazumi.”

She looked over to see Masazumi was already taking action. She petted Tsukinowa on her shoulder, and…

“Huh? It didn’t go through. Hey, Asama, how do you send a message to a specific person again? Don’t give me that look, everyone! I’m a divine transmission beginner!”

“Yes, yes,” said Asama as she gave herself access to Masazumi’s divine transmission controls using her assistance management setting.

…''I had a feeling that was it.

That was Ookubo’s thought as she read the divine mail from the anteater.

The message contained the Vice President’s thoughts, which supported Ookubo’s speculation about Konishi’s plan. So…

'''Nagaya-Stable:''' “Konishi Yukinaga. …Do you have a moment?”

'''Koni-ko:''' “What is it? I will listen to you for free just this once.”

'''Nagaya-Stable:''' “I intend to win the Keichou Campaign.”

Konishi did not send a response.

That meant “get a clue”. Ookubo could tell that much at this point.

So she rejected Konishi’s advice.

She would not get a clue. And to prove it, she said more.

'''Nagaya-Stable:''' “The Mouri transport ships shot down by our Vice Chancellor’s Aides are located northeast of your northern unit, aren’t they? A lot of those ships are still functioning, but since quite a few were shot down, the entire ''group'' of transport ships is considered immobilized.”

'''Koni-ko:''' “True enough. What about it?”

“Judge,” casually responded Ookubo.

'''Nagaya-Stable:''' “You intend to have the northern unit fall back to the transport ships and preserve the battle line there with a focus on defense. That way, even if we do take the Bousou Peninsula, you can claim their presence means the Keichou Campaign is still ongoing.”

In other words…

'''Nagaya-Stable:''' “We will be unable to complete the Kantou Liberation even if we take Bousou. And while we are sending our main forces back to the northeast, Hashiba will arrive to retake Kantou. …That is your plan, isn’t it?”

Konishi smiled a bit at Ookubo’s words.

That idea was obvious enough when looking at the map.

Of course, the battlefield had changed a lot in just the past half hour. The Hashiba forces had not expected Edo to be taken so quickly and neither side would have predicted that would lead to a situation like this.

But she had noticed something.

She had noticed it when those ships being shot down had presented problems for receiving supplies from the northeast.

She had noticed that, if the northern unit did have to withdraw from the bridge, those transport ships would be to their northeast.

Most people would assume the battlefield would shift to central and southern Bousou.

…''But I noticed it.

So she had made a few arrangements while the battle was underway on the bridge.

When the Satomi forces had been attacked by the launched gods of war, it had not been a coincidence or meaningless. She had thought that attack would guide the Satomi forces to central Bousou.

“Do you see now why I gave you central Bousou for free, despite the danger it posed?”

Konishi did not ask these questions over the divine transmission.

“You thought you could isolate our northern unit by placing yourselves ''there'', didn’t you? You thought the northeastern transport ships weren’t a threat because they have no weapons, didn’t you?”

But you were wrong.

“Combine the unarmed transport ships with the exhausted combat unit in need of supplies and you get a powerful fighting force.”

'''Koni-ko:''' “Good job, Kasuya-kun and Kani-kun. Now we will win when they run out of time. The checkmate is in view.”

Then she lightly slapped herself on the cheek.

“I mustn’t get complacent.”

She smiled bitterly.

“All I’ve done is restore the one fighting force. Fortunately, I have already prepared a different checkmate for you. But have you noticed that yet, Musashi?”

Ookubo stopped on the mountain path.

Kanou soon looked back from up ahead.

“What is it, milady? Is something not to your liking?”

“I really wish I could complain about how tired my feet are.”

“It is because you say things like that that I cannot allow you to go to Satomi.”

While Kanou said that, everyone around them took up positions to monitor their surroundings.

No actual threat was approaching, but they were protecting and creating a spot for her to think on the battlefield.

“Thanks.”

She had told the Vice President that they could settle this quickly, so there was little time to think.

…''Besides, I’ve got a good idea what they’re thinking.

'''Vice President:''' “Ookubo.”

'''Nagaya-Stable:''' “Yes, you can leave for Nördlingen.”

The Vice President must have realized what Konishi was thinking as well.

But it seemed like she had yet to get a good grasp of Konishi’s character.

'''Nagaya-Stable:''' “Please, Vice President. Can you leave this to me and complete your preparations for Nördlingen? To be honest, that’s more convenient when it comes to dealing with Konishi Yukinaga.”

'''Vice President:''' “How do you see her?”

'''Nagaya-Stable:''' “An adlibber always looking for a chance to get rich quick.”

The span of a few breaths passed before the Vice President responded.

'''Vice President:''' “Judge. …Ookubo.”

'''Nagaya-Stable:''' “What is it?”

'''Vice President:''' “Go get her. It looks like she has us in checkmate, but instead of letting her guard down, she’s already thinking up her next move, right? Then don’t hold back and go get her. You have my permission.”

“You moron,” said Ookubo while feeling some heat in her cheeks.

'''Nagaya-Stable:''' “I was gonna do that whether I had permission or not.”

'''Vice President:''' “Yeah, you are pretty mean.”

'''Nagaya-Stable:''' “I don’t want to hear that from a superior who abuses her power as easily as breathing!”

'''Vice President:''' “Huh? I only give you all that work because I know you can handle it, so that doesn’t count as abuse of power.”

''She is the worst,'' thought Ookubo with a click of her tongue and a sigh. And…

'''Nagaya-Stable:''' “At least you’re quick to make decisions.”

A sound began to fill the sky.

The small transport ship above the ether forest to the northwest was starting to turn toward the Musashi.

The small transport ship was returning to the Musashi.

The right corner of Konishi’s lips curled up when she saw it.

“My, my.”

The breath that left her throat was more of a choke than a bitter laugh.

“You figured out what I was thinking that quickly? You are quite the mean person, Ookubo Nagayasu!”

A commotion had broken above and below the small transport ship. The people remaining behind and those returning to the ship were moving in and out in time for the rushed departure.

Most of those headed down had always intended to participate in the Satomi Liberation.

They would stay on the ground while Futayo, Mitotsudaira, Narumi, Urquiaga, and others like them were returning to the ship to head to Nördlingen.

Toori asked Masazumi a question while the coming and going people greeted each other.

“Hey, Seijun, why are we calling it quits all of a sudden?”

“To dumb it down enough for an idiot to understand…our presence here will only get in Ookubo’s way. Do you get it now? Basically, we’re being used as bargaining chips.”

Toori started to nod and say he understood, but…

“Wait a sec.”

“What is it, super idiot?”

“D-damn you! But I’m fine being a super, duper idiot…maybe.”

“Toori-kun, you really will turn yourself into an idiot if you try too hard, so how about you stop?”

Asama’s response was half understanding and half exasperated. And…

'''Silver Wolf:''' “All the returners have boarded via the lower hangar. We are leaving around 1500 people behind.”

And…

'''Silver Wolf:''' “Now we will not trip up the Representative Council Head. My king, that is what Masazumi is trying to explain, but do you understand it or not?”

Mitotsudaira was inside the small transport ship’s hangar. The main cargo hatch was open on the bow end, so she could see the night scenery spread out below them.

She saw the ether forest that was essentially a part of her mother and she saw the terrain near the foot of the Bousou Peninsula.

She was interested in the northeast area to the far left of the bridge’s end. Some scattered flame-like red lights could be seen in the sky and on the ground in that direction.

…''That would be the transport ships Gin shot down.

The enemy was trying to get their northern unit to those transport ships.

They planned to create a single great fighting force that could continue the Keichou Campaign.

Mitotsudaira thought that was a fairly troublesome idea.

After all, Konishi’s plot contained a certain “checkmate”.

'''Silver Wolf:''' “My king, are you listening? The enemy Konishi’s strategy is to prevent us from going to Nördlingen.”

'''Me:''' “Nate, what’s that supposed to mean?”

Mitotsudaira listened to her king’s words while the wind blew in from the open hatch.

'''Me:''' “Seijun’s being a meanie and won’t tell me.”

'''Silver Wolf:''' “My, my, Masazumi.”

''Oh, that sounded just like my mother,'' she thought while smiling bitterly at Masazumi’s response to her king.

…''She’s too smart for her own good.

Although that was not too surprising when she was the one who negotiated with people like that and also worked to keep Musashi in line.

But she did often fail to explain things properly to her own people. She was likely aware of that, which was why she had gone to the effort of getting a consensus in the bath before this battle.

In a way, she may have been letting her guard down and assuming someone would always fill everyone else in when she was vague about things. If so, was that trust something they could be proud of?

“Then this would be a job for me.”

Mitotsudaira looked down below.

Those who were staying behind were moving through the ether forest to reach the end of the bridge. But…

'''Silver Wolf:''' “Listen, my king. The number of personnel down there cannot immediately defeat the enemy’s northern unit. They outnumber us there. And even if they are worn out, they have two name inheritors in Kasuya and Kani. Most likely, they will make it to the transport ships even as their numbers are whittled down.”

'''Me:''' “Huh? Your maman isn’t gonna attack too?”

'''Silver Wolf:''' “She must protect the bridge. If it is taken, the enemy can cross Edo Bay and reach the Miura Peninsula. She must stay where she is to keep that option off the table.”

“Also,” said Mitotsudaira.

'''Silver Wolf:''' “Just as our ground unit cannot immediately destroy the enemy’s northern unit, she cannot do so immediately when they are not crammed into the narrow space of the bridge. She is just one person, so if the enemy is spread out, she cannot destroy them immediately.”

'''Still Got It:''' “That is true. The best way to hold a large area is to expand my forest, but I have calmed down a fair bit and it will take time before I can do that again.”

'''Me:''' “Then what can we do?”

'''Silver Wolf:''' “There is a simple solution.”

Namely…

'''Silver Wolf:''' “We send in more ground forces. In other words, we make another attack.”

That would end it relatively quickly.

…''They have name inheritors, so Futayo and I could go.

It would be a lot easier if they could use Narumi, Urquiaga, and Mary’s MTL<sup>2</sup>H (Master Tenzou Love Love Homerun), but that last girl was busy treating the 1st Special Duty Officer’s wound. Naito and Naruze had to protect the ship, so they would probably have to send someone like Neshinbara.

They could also have Adele fight (or at least act as a weight), and…

'''Silver Wolf:''' “I bet it would be over in record time if my king and Kimi provoked Asama into acting.”

'''Asama:''' “J-just so you know, I would do nothing of the sort!!”

Everyone muttered “yes, you would” and Mitotsudaira had to agree, but if they had all that…

'''Silver Wolf:''' “If we left my mother on the bridge, we could probably clean them up in half an hour. But that half hour could end up being a critical time loss in regards to Nördlingen.”

So…

'''Silver Wolf:''' “If we are there, the enemy is sure to use us in their negotiations. And even if we can break free of that, it will only waste our time. …That is why the Representative Council Head is telling us to leave as soon as possible.”

Konishi narrowed her eyes in a smile as the enemy’s small transport ship turned.

…''That second year named Ookubo does not like to lose, does she?

“She is removing the ‘checkmate’ I was trying to set up.”

She was certainly decisive.

After all, Musashi’s main force could crush Hashiba’s northern unit, but they had a time limit if they were to reach Nördlingen.

Konishi had thought those two conflicting factors would make for a very tasty bargaining chip.

But Ookubo had eliminated that.

Was it meant as an expression of her intent? Was she saying she refused to let Konishi have her way?

Konishi could tell the girl was the strong authority type, but…

…''Now, then.

Konishi took a breath.

Their negotiations had more or less fallen apart.

Ookubo of the Musashi forces was recommending that Hashiba’s northern unit withdraw. She was negotiating to say that unit had no more purpose on the battlefield.

That was why Konishi had done the opposite. She had given that unit military meaning and also set up a means of continuing the Keichou Campaign.

Her orders and understanding were essentially adlibs, but there had been a meaning behind it all.

'''Koni-ko:''' “Sorry about this, Kuki-kun. You can scold me when I get back.”

'''Nine Horns:''' “About the Reine des Garous?”

“That’s right,” agreed Konishi.

The state of the northern unit – their exhaustion and their current formation and position – were all the result of the Reine des Garous revealing her true nature. Without that, they might have reached this situation eventually, but they would have been able to take up more time delaying the Musashi forces on the bridge. However…

'''Koni-ko:''' “That is why I am turning it all around.”

'''Nine Horns:''' “We do not yet know if that will work.”

He was a strict one, but she was prepared for this. That was why she had not let the negotiations break down. To be safe, she had to watch and see what the enemy decided on.

'''Nine Horns:''' “The battlefield can change in an instant and that is even more true for negotiations fought via words.”

“Which is why,” continued Kuki.

'''Nine Horns:''' “Make sure you consider every facet of this as you negotiate, Konishi-kun.”

'''Koni-ko:''' “Testament. I will interpret that as you leaving all authority with me.”

Just as she said that, words arrived from Ookubo.

'''Nagaya-Stable:''' “Hey, Konishi Yukinaga. Do you have a moment?”

The text continued without a pause.

'''Nagaya-Stable:''' “Five minutes from now, our ground forces on the Great Bridge Ruins of Edo Bay will charge at your northern unit. …Got that?”

Konishi frowned.

…''Why is she announcing the beginning of their attack?

'''Koni-ko:''' “Are you saying negotiations have failed?”

'''Nagaya-Stable:''' “No, I am always prepared to negotiate. I am simply telling you what we will do in advance. …Think of it as a free service.”

Ookubo went on to say more.

'''Nagaya-Stable:''' “We benefit from this charge in the following ways:

“'''1: Reducing the numbers of the enemy’s northern unit.

“'''2: Expanding our held territory in the northern region.

“'''3: Covering the Satomi forces from behind.

“Combining #2 and 3 in particular will allow Musashi to take the large area between the bridge and the Satomi forces, which will greatly open up the battlefield.”

''So that’s it,'' thought Konishi.

…''She’s accelerating the negotiations.

By listing out the benefits of her actions, she was revealing her hand and her objective.

She was eliminating most of the “unspoken understandings” and “under-the-table dealings” so common in negotiations.

That would naturally accelerate the negotiation.

They both knew what the other wanted, so they only had to decide whether or not they would go along with that and play what bargaining chips they had on hand.

It was more like collusion than anything.

But this was a bit tricky for Konishi to deal with.

She excelled at negotiations built up from adlibs. Finding the crux of the situation and turning everything around with a split-second decision was unbearably entertaining in her opinion.

That was a lot trickier when everything was revealed from the beginning.

It felt like having her freedom restricted.

Ookubo was saying something by revealing her own hand.

…''She’s saying she can see most of what I am trying at with my adlibs.

''And that’s fine,'' thought Konishi. Working your brain in overdrive was a merchant’s special skill.

Whether she would endure this or go on the attack, this kind of battle was her forte.

'''Koni-ko:''' “Thank you for the information. In exchange, I will tell you something nice.”

Her opponent was trying to get the northern unit to withdraw.

Konishi was trying to send the northern unit to the transport ships and use them to keep the Keichou Campaign going.

And to do that…

'''Koni-ko:''' “I will have the northern unit leave a delaying defense unit while most of it moves northeast to reach the transport ships.”

And…

'''Koni-ko:''' “The Bousou Peninsula base’s defense unit will move south and fortify our defensive line. …Got that?”

Masazumi drew the two announced actions on her map.

When she viewed it like this…

“The enemy is leaving the middle of the Bousou Peninsula entirely open?”

“Ho ho. So you noticed, Crossdressing Honda-kun! Yes, this means that…”

Neshinbara trailed off and then looked side to side in suspicion.

“Why isn’t anyone interfering?!”

“Do you want us to? …Now, what does it mean that they are leaving the middle open?”

“The obvious meaning is that moving south buys some more time until the group invading Satomi reaches them.”

Masazumi realized what that would mean.

“That delays the beginning of the Satomi Liberation, doesn’t it?”

“Not just that. …This will fortify their defenses, so our group will have a harder time conquering Satomi. And it will take longer to redirect our attention to the north.” Neshinbara shrugged. “They apparently have a sure thing in sending their northern unit to the transport ships. A fleet battle is underway in the southern sky and the ground unit is traveling south from central Bousou to make an attack, but Konishi Yukinaga is acting based on the assumption that all of that fails.”

“So she intends to win in the end, does she?”

If so, what were they supposed to do about it?

Neshinbara opened several sign frames and typed on his keyboard.

He spoke based on his observations of the overall situation.

“Even if we do send the god of war unit and the main unit south, I think it would be best to send the Tachibana Couple’s group north. Two fighters on a name inheritor level might be enough to crush the northern unit.”

“I see,” said Masazumi with a nod. But then…

'''Nagaya-Stable:''' “Then we will send the god of war unit and main unit south. The Tachibana Couple will also continue south and they will all form a solid barrier.”

'''Gold Mar:''' “So doing the opposite of what Bara-yan says is the right choice?”

'''Mar-Ga:''' “A simple and thorough policy. I like it.”

'''Novice:''' “Why must you reject everything I say out of hand!?”

'''Vice President:''' “Ookubo didn’t reject your idea out of hand, Neshinbara. …She took it under consideration and decided to do the opposite instead. This was a well-thought-out rejection.”

'''Novice:''' “Dammiiiiiiit! The dark shadow gauge in my heart is filling up!”

'''Me:''' “Got any normal gauges in there? Well, do you?”

''The Musashi group is as lively as ever,'' thought Ookubo while focusing on her own work.

'''Nagaya-Stable:''' “I will continue with the original plan.”

The ground unit’s invasion would continue as planned.

There would be no hesitation in their movement.

'''Nagaya-Stable:''' “We benefit from this in the following ways:

“'''1: They are following their original orders, so there will be no confusion.

“'''2: Greater assurance of the Satomi Liberation.

“'''3: Following from #2, the greater density between different units will increase the density of defense and offense.'''”

And another benefit was found by combining #1-3. And this opponent was sure to know what that was.

But Ookubo went out of her way to state it out loud.

'''Nagaya-Stable:''' “Combining #1-3 creates a secondary effect:

“'''4: The Satomi Liberation will occur more quickly.

“Those are my reasons.”

“Hm,” said Konishi with a hand to her mouth.

…''She really does hate to lose.

If Konishi had her troops pull back and increase the density between formations as a delaying tactic, the enemy would increase their own density in response.

That would eliminate her advantage.

But that would not change much in the big picture.

The northern unit would still leave behind a defense unit to delay any attackers while most of them moved to the transport ships.

Konishi saw that as a foregone conclusion now.

After all, the enemy had no way to stop them. Sending in the Musashi forces was their only way of doing it, but they had chosen to go to Nördlingen instead.

So how would they crush the northern unit? The enemy had no options outside of figuring that out.

''Also,'' Konishi began in her heart.

'''Koni-ko:''' “I suppose I will present my plan to you as well.”

It was…

'''Koni-ko:''' “The surviving transport ships in the northeast will form a column and move toward the northern unit. The column will extend out so as not to actually leave the landed ships and the ships that reach the northern unit will collect them and return.”

She went on to explain what that would accomplish.

'''Koni-ko:''' “The benefits are as follows:

“'''1: It hastens the northern unit’s arrival to the transport ships.

“'''2: It ensures the northern unit’s safety, resupplies them, and helps them recover much earlier.'''”

And…

'''Koni-ko:''' “'''3: It ensures the Keichou Campaign can be continued.

“That about sums it up.”

''What a persistent opponent,'' thought Masazumi regarding Konishi.

Konishi bringing the northern unit and transport ships together would act as a form of insurance for the Hashiba forces.

It would allow them to continue the Keichou Campaign even if they lost their base in Satomi and the aerial ship battle.

And if they could buy time with that, Hashiba would be able to arrive.

She was making up for drawing out the Reine des Garous’s true nature, even if she had not done so intentionally. And for the Musashi side of things…

'''Still Got It:''' “Hm, to be honest, I think I overdid things.”

'''Tonbokiri:''' “No, if anything, it is the enemy that did quite well. It was thanks to the power of their name inheritors that most of them remain despite being so exhausted.”

Masazumi felt both of them had a point.

Without the Reine des Garous revealing her true nature, it would have taken a lot longer to take the bridge.

On the other hand, she had pushed them all back on her own.

And the valiant efforts of the enemy’s defenders had kept the damage minimal albeit widespread.

That would be because they had been ordered to withdraw.

If they had been ordered to defend the bridge with their lives, it would not have turned out like this.

And who would have given that withdrawal order? Nagaoka had been unable to function as a commander with the bridge more than half taken, so…

…''Was it Konishi since she was in charge of the opposite bank!?

''This is bad,'' thought Masazumi as she belatedly sensed the danger.

This opponent was most likely working to “restrict” them.

She restricted what factors could be used for negotiation, thought, and tactics and she put together adlibbed tactics of her own based on her understanding of those things.

And when a tactic looked promising, she would go all in on it.

She was a merchant.

“That’s right.”

She had a feeling some merchants had started producing udon of late, but not this one. This one would not. ''Well, our merchants can technically negotiate, but they side against us 80% of the time.

…''Come to think of it, there’s something seriously wrong with our merchants!

Suddenly curious, she decided to ask.

'''Vice President:''' “Asama, what are Bertoni and Augesvarer up to?”

'''Mar-Ga:''' “Wasn’t their execution scheduled for this morning? I imagine they’re eating some fried tofu or something to go with it.”

'''Asama:''' “Why do you have to make such disturbingly realistic comments, Naruze? …Eh?”

'''Gold Mar:''' “What’s the matter?”

'''Asama:''' “Well, um, for some reason Shirojiro-kun and Heidi’s divine punishment is set for tomorrow morning. They were given a one-day extension.”

'''Vice President:''' “Did they perform some devout act to earn that?”

Just then, a sign frame popped up with a divine transmission from the Musashi group.

'''Marube-ya:''' “Wait, wait, Masazumi! Don’t make it sound like we kowtowed to that god!”

'''Vice President:''' “Huh? What other way was there?”

'''Marube-ya:''' “Judge! Just as the date changed, we used a bit of a trick to embezzle public funds again! And then, y’know, they needed time to calculate out the cumulative punishment, so we get to wait until tomorrow! Hooray!”

'''Flat Vassal:''' “Guarrrrrds!!”

Masazumi heard the Treasurer’s Aide doubling down.

'''Marube-ya:''' “What, the guards? Don’t be silly, Adele! We were long since arrested and Shiro-kun is doing the ‘if you won’t pay me, I will exercise my right to remain silent’ bit!”

“But,” said the Treasurer’s Aide.

'''Marube-ya:''' “How about that, Asama-chi!? Now we get a one-day extension on the udon! If we keep this up, our crimes will pile up, but the extensions will keep us safe. We don’t need to fear your stupid divine punishments anymore!”

'''Wise Sister:''' “Heh heh. The merchants are going for an extreme record in cumulative crimes. But, Asama? What does Musashi’s Shinto Representative have to say about that?”

'''Asama:''' “Well…”

Five seconds passed.

'''Asama:''' “Oh, I just got confirmation. The update confirms exactly what Heidi said. …Um, Heidi?”

'''Marube-ya:''' “Huh!? What!? Are you finally ready to admit that Shinto has succumbed to our greedy merchant powers!? Yay!!”

'''Asama:''' “No, it’s not that. Your god contacted me to say the udon is going to be upgraded to the thick variety.”

'''Marube-ya:''' “Waiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit! No one told us that!”

''Of course they didn’t,'' silently commented Masazumi, but there was something she had to ask.

'''Vice President:''' “Asama, just out of curiosity, what’s that about?”

'''Asama:''' “Well, it starts at the thin and hollow Inaba udon, but their obvious malicious intent this time led the Inari Shrine to say ‘You really shouldn’t have done that, kon’ in fox language, so they were just upped to Ise udon.”

'''Me:''' “Is there ever a class change to kishimen?”

'''Marube-ya:''' “W-wait, Toori-kun! Don’t egg Asama-chi on! No kishimen! My shape will forever change if I start expelling that!”

'''Wise Sister:''' “Yeah, you probably would end up as something like a female version of a flathead screwdriver. So why not do it again to get the cross shape of a Phillips head!? And you can gradually go for something more complex, like a naruto shape!”

The boys fell to their knees when they imagined it, but that surpassing human language was the usual way of things for that girl.

'''Asama:''' “Anyway, Heidi, please be careful. …Do it again and it might be sara udon, which means the noodles are fried crispy.”

'''Marube-ya:''' “Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow! I can almost feel it just from imagining it! And Asama-chi! What did we ever do to deserve this!?”

'''Asama:''' “This wasn’t my decision. It was the god’s.”

'''Marube-ya:''' “Th-then what would you do if it were your decision!? C’mon, your humanity is being put to the test here! Now, answer!”

'''Asama:''' “Since this is a punishment for cumulative crimes, I would probably give you an extra serving for each additional crime instead of making them thicker.”

'''Marube-ya:''' “But then it would never stop! Do you really want us turning into nonstop udon machines!?”

'''Vice President:''' “Anyway, Augesvarer, what’s your opinion of the current situation?”

'''Marube-ya:''' “Eh!? The current situation!? To be honest, it’s really making me sweat!”

'''Vice President:''' “Not what I meant! The battle situation!”

“Eh?” said Augesvarer. And then…

'''Marube-ya:''' “Judge. I think you can leave them be.”

Because…

'''Marube-ya:''' “One of the Representative Committee Head’s inherited names is Ookubo Nagayasu. According to the Testament, he was given rights to all the nation’s gold mines by Matsudaira and he was really good when it came to working with money. In fact, after his death, Matsudaira suspected he had illegally stockpiled money, so they executed his entire clan, dug up his grave, and posthumously executed him too.”

'''Vice President:''' “Yeah, that’s the one that the Testament says was probably secretly carried out by me and my dad.”

''I see,'' thought Masazumi.

Konishi had said she was sending out the surviving northeastern transport ships so they could join with the northern unit more quickly. That would be a way to force her tactic through, but as a merchant…

“Are those two essentially making additional investments in their tactics?”

Masazumi thought about it.

…''Konishi’s tactic is to get the northern unit and the transport ships together as soon as possible.

That would leave some insurance in case Hashiba’s main unit was defeated. Kuki and the others had agreed to it.

Musashi would have to respond quickly since it changed the initial layout of the Kantou Liberation. Ookubo was acting as the negotiator there, but…

…''What will she do?

Just as Masazumi wondered that, two things happened.

The first was their small transport ship finishing its turn.

And the second…

'''Nagaya-Stable:''' “Now, how about we get moving too?”

It was Ookubo.

She gave a certain command.

'''Nagaya-Stable:''' “Satomi, have your small transport ship ascend.”

Ookubo spoke.

'''Nagaya-Stable:''' “The advantages of having this transport ship ascend here are as follows.”

She listed them out.

'''Nagaya-Stable:''' “Are you listening?”

“'''1: We can ram the transport ship into the isolated northern unit.

“'''2: The Satomi Liberation god of war unit can be brought back onboard to hasten their invasion.”

And…

'''Nagaya-Stable:''' “'''3: The extra elevation gives me many more options.'''”

The roaring of the virtual ocean and the rumbling of mechanical parts came from the north as the small transport ship ascended.

Ookubo saw a 200m ship above the forest. That was small as far as aerial ships went, but it was quite large compared to a person.

It made a calm ascent. The movement of the air was clear and the forest’s air was sucked away to the north.

She spoke while feeling that slight breeze.

“Now, what will you do, Konishi Yukinaga?”

She knew Konishi was the type to make improvised decisions after gathering up a great many options. That was why Ookubo revealed everything she was doing and did not alter the original form of the invasion.

She would not give her opponent any options. And on top of that…

“This was the one option we had not used. …So how will you respond?”

'''Koni-ko:''' “Heyyy.”

The response arrived quick.

'''Koni-ko:''' “That’s an interesting move you’re pulling there. But…is Musashi really willing to ram a transport ship into people? I’d like to hear about that.”

''I knew it,'' thought Ookubo.

Musashi had never rammed a transport ship into actual people. Even in the battle against the Shirasagi Castle, that had only been preparatory blasts meant to shake the Shirasagi Castle. And when leaving the Edo ruins, they had used it like a battering ram.

The Vice President had worked to give this kind of attack a dirty image.

The other side had of course noticed that, so…

…''Konishi is here to call our bluff.

But there was one way to respond when someone called your bluff.

'''Nagaya-Stable:''' “Konishi Yukinaga.”

She said it.

'''Nagaya-Stable:''' “Are you really willing to test me here?”

<noinclude>
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| [[Horizon:Volume 7B Chapter 44|Chapter 44]]
| [[Horizon:Volume 7B Chapter 46|Chapter 46]]
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</noinclude>

Horizon:Volume 7B Chapter 33

2020-01-10T14:01:39Z

141.101.105.243:

==Chapter 33: Jumping Girls Above and Below the Arch==
[[Image:Horizon7B_197.jpg|thumb]]
''Cr-

''Cr-

''Cr-

''Cr-

''Craaaash

'''Point Allocation (Should I Have Done That…?)

Adele saw the transport ship slam into Futayo.

“She was hit!”

That was clearly a direct hit. The transport ship had been flying in at extreme low altitude to fire on them, so there had not been room for Futayo to fit below it.

She was hit.

She flew through the air while leaning backwards. The back of her head collapsed backwards, her navel pointed up toward the heavens, and she formed a large curve with her body.

“Eh?”

''Something isn’t right,'' thought Adele as she stood up. And then…

“Like this, Adele.”

Kimi lightly struck her hips. Or so she thought.

At the same time, Adele flipped back starting from her feet.

…''Wah!?

The next thing she knew, she was standing up.

The world was back to normal with her legs below her. But the hem of her summer uniform was falling from the tug of gravity. And more than that, her pulse was racing.

…''What was that?

“Heh heh. Futayo just did that same thing. In the instant of impact, she lifted her knees and lightly kicked off the transport ship’s bow. From there, she spun herself around in a 450-degree backflip.”

Kimi pointed toward the enemy transport ship. There was a straight line path up from the bow.

“Is the Vice Chancellor trying to run up the bow to reach the top of the transport ship!?”

That was exactly what she saw happening.

After swinging her long ponytail in a 450-degree circle, Futayo landed on the approaching transport ship’s bow.

“––––”

And she suddenly ran straight up the bow.

Futayo entered a fighting stance the instant she hopped up onto the transport ship’s deck.

But that stance was meaningless when it came to intercepting attacks and she could not afford to lose her speed, so she left the stance again. ''Adapting to the situation is an important skill.

So her charge was done freestyle. There was a good chance they would shoot at her, so she angled her body to the side and relied on her shoulder and skirt armor while holding Tonbo Spare up as a shield.

And she realized something while flying across the enemy ship’s bow.

“There is no one here?”

Was the ship deserted? It was still firing and the cannons were making minute adjustments to remain aimed at the Musashi transport ships.

But the ship could be controlled remotely, so if there was no one on the deck…

“Do they intend to ram us!?”

'''Tonbokiri:''' “You need to figure out what to do in a hurry! Thish ship…this sip…''this ship'' intends to ram you!”

Asama heard Futayo struggle to get the right words out.

And she exchanged a glance with the others on the transport ship.

“So what ''do'' we do?”

They all gasped as the enemy ship arrived right in front of them.

But despite the pressing situation, Asama heard Narumi while she tilted her head and tugged on Urquiaga’s sleeve.

“The two of us will be fine either way, won’t we?”

''Incredible!'' thought Asama just before something other than a collision happened.

Their transport ship was blown away. All on its own.

Suzu focused on the movement of the ships.

The ship debris had disturbed her senses a lot like chaff, but that was gone now. The long distance meant her senses were a little rough, but the models she had were plenty clear for her purposes as she moved the transport ships.

She had a single goal.

“Jump…over it!”

Of course, the transport ship had fairly low buoyancy. Even with the thick virtual ocean surrounding it, it took time for it to float. So if she was going to do this, she had to use speed.

…''Roll!

There were three methods necessary.

First, she caught the enemy’s cannon fire on diagonally-oriented defense barriers to knock the bow down.

Next, she created a diagonally-oriented virtual ocean with the lower end toward the bow and the higher end toward the stern.

That would cause the rear of the transport ship to float.

The next part was kind of rough. She sent forward the transport ship following the lead one.

“Suzu-sama. We will control the hits, so you need not hold back. Over.”

“O-okay!”

Suzu jabbed the lead ship’s raised rear with the next ship’s bow.

This caused a rear-end collision.

The second ship crashed into the bottom of the lead ship’s raised stern.

Instead of a roar, this simply caused a heavy noise and two things happened afterwards.

The lead ship skidded up and forward with its back end raised and the rear ship pitched forward.

Then the process repeated.

The second ship’s forward tilt lifted its rear and the third ship hit there and tilted forward as well. The fourth ship hit the third’s raised back end and the fifth and sixth ships did the same.

Soon thereafter, the first through fifth ships hopped up as if thrown forward.

They flew.

The Musashi ships passed by above the enemy ship that had tried to ram them from head on. And those five ships all performed a flip as they did so.

But the sixth and final ship had no one to ram it from behind, so it could not jump.

But the sixth ship had time instead. Unlike the ships in front, it had time to float up normally.

So it did.

That would allow the sixth ship to pass by above the enemy ship as well.

But the enemy ship made a hurried action.

From the moment the lead ship had hopped up, the cannons on its deck had been aimed upwards.

It did not have time to take aim then, but that would change when it came to the sixth ship. All of the enemy ship’s cannons were aimed skyward in order to target the lead ship.

And it opened fire.

Everyone saw it happening from the large boxy structure that was the flipping lead ship.

The cannons meant to target them opened fire.

The cannon turrets fired from close enough for a kiss.

“Hey! Adele! That’s your cue!! Become a shield!”

“A direct hit from that will peel off a lot of the armor! And what if I get stuck in the deck!?”

''That’s your worst-case scenario?'' everyone muttered while two overheated shells flew toward them.

“Wah!”

Everyone cried out and started to move, but then a brief but definite change came over the two shells.

They were split down the center to create four total pieces.

“Bind! Tonbo Spare!”

The cutting power destroyed them.

Futayo looked up at the spinning transport ship from the enemy ship’s deck.

The rotation had already moved the deck out of view.

Everyone was safe. She could not see any sign of damage from here.

…''That cut must have reached them.

''Although,'' she thought. ''That one was a freebie.

“I know I am not the only one of us who can intercept shells!”

There was something else she needed to focus on while on the enemy ship.

“I must destroy the cannons!”

With that, she accelerated. She ran across the enemy ship as if pursuing her allies’ ships passing by overhead.

“Soaring Wings!”

She provided herself further acceleration to move forward.

Futayo first destroyed one of the enemy cannons with a surprise cutting attack.

The enemy ship had three main cannons and a few secondary cannons on its deck. The main ones were the real threat. The secondary ones could be easily blocked with defense barriers, so she could ignore them.

Meanwhile, her allies could not get in any solid hits with their own defense barriers in the way.

That was why she had boarded the enemy ship.

''I must hurry,'' she thought.

Her race across the deck arrived at the second cannon installed at the center. The cannons had been attached to the transport ship’s deck in a hurry. The base was built up as a package and a 15cm cannon was affixed to that. The barrel appeared to be around 38 calibers long.

That cannon was attempting to fire on the transport ship passing above it.

She could not overlook that. Even if the enemy did not fire here…

“You never know what will happen as the battle continues!”

She ran and leaped past the cannon while activating Tonbo Spare.

“Bind!”

She slammed the cutting attack into it. And in that same instant…

…''Mh?

She sensed something like wind approaching from the stern ahead of her.

She knew what it was.

…''A flying shell!

This had the same intensity as the ones Gin had fired at her.

And Futayo saw the rearmost main cannon aiming at her rather than up.

Just as she had predicted, two of its shells were flying her way.

Narumi saw something atop the rotating ship as it passed over the enemy ship.

She saw the Musashi Vice Chancellor’s decision.

The girl took a certain action when the shells were fired at her from the stern.

…''Will she dodge out of the way? Or will she jump over them?

No, in the records of her battle with Sanada’s Celestial Dragon, she had used one of Tachibana Gin’s shells as a stepping stone and jumped off of it.

That was insane.

But the Musashi Vice Chancellor would do things like that.

Narumi could tell just how troublesome an opponent that girl would be if she ever had to fight her.

…''I really thought she would dodge out of the way.

If she had done that, she would have been safe.

But that would have put the rest of them in danger. Even with defense barriers, this was far too close.

Narumi had thought the Musashi Vice Chancellor was that sort of person.

Heroes who made the battlefield their own had existed since antiquity.

They would run whichever way they pleased, bring down enemies wherever they passed by, and never take any damage themselves. They were heroes because they were an exceptional force on the battlefield.

Of course, that fighting style did not take those behind them into account. The others would have to protect themselves in order to respect the hero’s results.

The Musashi Vice Chancellor tended in that direction.

She would always rush forward, ignore the plan, and singlehandedly adlib her way through.

But that was not all she did.

She had prioritized protecting the others over herself.

That decision may have looked like she did not even consider the danger to herself.

But looking at the big picture, she had done the right thing. Their overall goal was to reach the end of this road.

If she had protected herself but the transport ships had not made it through, they would have lost the battle.

“Yes.”

But perhaps the Musashi Vice Chancellor had simply not forgotten something else.

…''The Satomi Student Council President asked us to show her the ocean.

Narumi shut her eyes.

The transport ship’s rotation settled down and the bottom descended to the road once more.

The enemy ship was already behind them.

The two shells would have flown the Musashi Vice Chancellor’s way from the stern of that ship, but…

“She really is troublesome.”

That girl was troublesome for more than just her grasp of their battlefield objective. She had such exceptional power and she fought as an individual, yet…

“She does not forget she has allies with her.”

Just as Narumi said that, an explosion erupted behind them.

The two shells flying toward the Musashi Vice Chancellor had exploded.

But not because they had hit her.

“They were destroyed.”

Something had torn into and eliminated the shells.

“The Mito Lord’s Ex. Collbrande.”

Futayo spun herself around while destroying the central cannon.

Smoke and scorched metal shards scattered below her flowing hair and swinging arms.

The shells aimed at her had been destroyed. That was thanks to…

“Mitotsudaira-sama!”

“Judge!”

But more than one voice responded with that word.

First, Mitotsudaira landed on the stern as if chasing after the Silver Chains and Ex. Collbrande.

She looked back a bit while Futayo spun herself around to build up acceleration.

“I will be going on ahead.”

She was not speaking to Futayo alone. The wolf was addressing her and…

“Naito-dono and Naruze-dono?”

“Judge! It can be hard to tell whether you’re moving too fast or lagging behind.”

With that, the Schwarz Hexen stepped up beside her.

And the Weiss Hexen lined up on her other side, placing her between the two Technohexen.

“How did you end up behind everyone after running out ahead?”

''Fair point,'' thought Futayo as she ended her spin and moved forward.

She ran.

As she kicked off the deck, the rear cannon up ahead suddenly transformed. The silver wolf had used her chains to spread and bend the cannon to either side.

This transport ship was no longer a threat. With just one exception:

…''It could ascend, turn around, and ram us.

That just left escaping.

The fourth ship was spinning by overhead. If she ran to the stern now, she would have plenty of time to reach the sixth ship as it landed.

The Technohexen called out to her while accelerating behind her.

“Are you hopping aboard, Nida-yan!?”

“You two go on ahead to guard its surroundings!”

“Judge!”

The Technohexen left. Up ahead, Mitotsudaira launched a Silver Chain toward the descending sixth ship.

The silver fingers grasped the back of the transport ship and the wolf looked back as the chain grew taut.

“You can jump on by yourself, can’t you!?”

Futayo raised her eyebrows at that.

…''No help for me!?

But she was Vice Chancellor. Even if Mitotsudaira was the Mito Lord, she was still only the 5th Special Duty Officer, so Futayo could not get her help when she did not need it.

In other words, she could jump on by herself. So she responded with her eyebrows raised in a smile.

“Of course!”

She had learned how to do this while training with Kimi.

She corrected her axis, aligned her center of gravity along a straight line, and passed her strength through a single point to leap.

She unleashed enough jumping force to fly a few dozen meters in a single bound. This was her version of the Hassou Tobi.

The silver wolf flew off ahead of her as the chain pulled her. Futayo matched her pace as she pursued.

…''Right, left, right, left.

“Mh?”

When she prepared to leap to the right again, the deck moved faster than her.

Mitotsudaira saw Futayo trip and fall off of the enemy ship.

…''What are you doing!?

The girl had screwed up.

No, it was Mitotsudaira who had screwed up, not Futayo.

Urging her to jump out of some weird concern for her position as Vice Chancellor had been a mistake. Because…

…''Futayo is useless when she tries to use her head!

If Mitotsudaira had said nothing, Futayo would not have tried to think and would have used her wild instincts to jump, but Mitotsudaira’s words must have made her think something. And as a result…

“Silver Chain!”

She extended it, released it, and sent it out straight, but…

…''Will it not reach her!?

Just as she thought that, Futayo spun herself through the air and prepared her spear. She aimed it backwards, toward the stern of the departing enemy transport ship.

She deactivated Soaring Wings during her fall, and…

“Bind and cut…Tonbo Spare!”

The rear of the enemy ship was cut through.

Mitotsudaira saw what Futayo had accomplished.

She had cut.

A horizontal line was sliced diagonally down into the stern.

That shattered the ship’s rear armor.

Next, some light was destroyed.

The rear virtual ocean scattered and the ether forming it burst and exploded in the air.

The enemy transport ship left a trail of light behind, its rear shook, and its bow hit the road.

Sparks flew and a creaking sound echoed through the canyon created by the ruins while text appeared on Mitotsudaira’s sign frame.

'''Musashino:''' “I have determined that worked well. Without a stable current in the back, there will be a disturbance in its acceleration and it will be unable to fly properly. Over.”

That was not the only effect.

The explosion’s shockwave hit Futayo and sent her flying toward Mitotsudaira.

“Honestly…”

Futayo’s hand reached the end of the Silver Chain that Mitotsudaira had sent out for her.

She had it grasp the girl’s hand and pull her up.

“That was not how I expected that to go, but you did make the jump.”

“Oh?”

Gin heard her husband’s voice.

They had just taken a break and were preparing to begin the invasion of Satomi. Their transport ship was already on fire.

Their break was complete and they had shot down lots of enemy ship.

…''Master Muneshige appears satisfied and I am satisfied too.

After all, it had been so long since they had fought with no sign of the Musashi group nearby. It felt a little lonely to be the only ones fighting, but it was also a valuable time.

And Gin saw Muneshige look back at her on the burning deck.

“Gin, it seems the Vice Chancellor just sunk an enemy transport ship.”

“Maybe so, but I just sunk-…”

Gin started speaking, but decided to stop. The daughter of a warrior family was not some barbarian who could be dragged into a contest of destruction. Besides, that girl was a close-range fighter and she was an all-range fighter who could even bring down castles. Of course she had the superior results when it came to destroying transport ships. So…

…''You did well using that cutting power, Honda Futayo.

She was certain and not just guessing that the girl had used Tonbo Spare’s power. That girl had the strength to do that and to use herself as part of a larger strategy.

So Gin spoke.

“You cannot let her get ahead of you, Master Muneshige.”

“I hope I will I have the chance to prove she has not.”

He meant a chance to face a transport ship like that. The fact that he had responded so quickly made Gin smile on the burning deck. She used her knees to absorb the shaking of a small explosion in the engine division.

“Hee hee. This reminds me of the Armada Battle.”

“I did not have the opportunity to join that one. But it did bring me back to you.”

“Judge. That was also when Sir Segundo and Madam Juana exchanged a passionate kiss (initiated by Madam Juana) as their ship burned and prepared to sink.”

“Was it that passionate?”

“Yes, their passions burned just as hot as the flames around them.”

“What a coincidence. I believe that was the same night when I shouted amore to you five times.”

“Master Muneshige…”

She told herself not to look back on the past, but she also felt like it was relevant to their present situation. And she also also thought she was truly hopeless if she had started making excuses like that. But…

“Master Muneshige…”

She called her husband’s name again and then looked around them.

“I just wish these flames had some practical purpose for us.”

“Spain is known as the nation of passion, so we tend to go over the top in everything we do,” he said. “But being with you is more about giving life meaning than about practicality.”

“…You do have a way with words, Master Muneshige.”

She could feel heat rising in her cheeks, but she decided to blame it on the fire surrounding them. Otherwise, she would be reacting like he had asked her for a kiss or something more.

''Honestly,'' she thought with a sigh. And then…

'''Tonbokiri:''' “Gin-dono, we just made it through, but what about you?”

'''Tachibana Wife:''' “We have long since finished.”

'''Tonbokiri:''' “I would expect no less from you! Oh, and, Gin-dono! I just incapacitated a transport ship!”

…''She’s clearly angling for my praise!

''Be strong, Tachibana Gin. You stayed calm while discussing this with yourself, so you need to give a proper response now that she herself has hit you with a surprise attack.

'''Tachibana Wife:''' “W-w-well done.”

''Oops. I stuttered a bit because that is not what I really wanted to say. I hope she does not think I am weird.''

'''Tonbokiri:''' “No, no. I am still no match for you, Gin-dono. And I couldn’t have done it without a memory of you putting me in the right mood, Gin-dono. I am in your debt.”

“–––––”

After a short silence, Gin clung to Muneshige.

“Master Muneshige! Master Muneshige! Am I a narrow-minded girl!?”

“No, no. You are open-minded enough to take in a boy you barely knew.”

“I am fairly certain that used up what open-mindedness I had! My mind is like a tiny single-person room, so I am just sure of it, Master Muneshige!”

“In that case,” he said with a smile. “Together, we have a great castle, so that is not a problem at all. Keeping that in mind is what matters most. And once you have settled in some, you can clean things up and put things away to clear out some space.”

“…You really do have a way with words.”

“Now, now.” He placed a hand on her shoulder and then viewed the sea of flames around them. “Let’s go save the people who see meaning in these flames.”

“Judge. But disembarking would be a pain, so how about we do this instead?”

She pulled Cuatro Cruz in with her right hand and spun it around with her fingers. She aimed it at the deck as a siege hammer. She pressed the striking portion against the very surface they stood on.

“Now, let us head down.”

Gin added another transport ship to her kill list.

<noinclude>
{{HorizonNavbar
| [[Horizon:Volume 7B Chapter 32|Chapter 32]]
| [[Horizon:Volume 7B Chapter 34|Chapter 34]]
}}
</noinclude>

Horizon:Volume 7B Chapter 31

2020-01-09T19:30:57Z

141.101.105.243:

==Chapter 31: Preparers on the Map==
[[Image:Horizon7B_149.jpg|thumb]]
''Announcements are external

''Vows are internal

'''Point Allocation (The Raised Hand is Fairly Meaningless)

“Dammit!”

Nabeshima got her mechanical dragon to its feet in a part of the ocean that was shallow only for that giant machine.

She had rolled over. After hitting the water, rolling, and sliding along the ocean floor, she had scooped up a lot of sand. That was more weight than expected and the front left leg was gone, so getting up was a lot like throwing her body in the opposite direction.

Once she had righted herself, she could see the cannon fire flying back and forth in the sky. This was definitely a battlefield, but…

…''I’m outside it.

The area around her was horribly quiet.

She was about 300 meters from the Miura Peninsula’s coast. Any further and she would quickly sink to the bottom of the ocean and a damaged mechanical dragon was not where she wanted to be if she was sinking.

She was not sure if this counted as being lucky or not.

“Goddammit…”

The mechanical dragon got up as she muttered that curse. And…

“My lady. We should withdraw.”

“What are you-…?”

She did not get a chance to add “saying”.

When she finished getting up, she saw the aerial warships that had arrived from the Bousou Peninsula and Edo Bay to assist her.

In another seven minutes, they would open fire on the Miura Peninsula to prepare for its recapture.

Or that had been the plan. But now…

“Why…aren’t they doing anything?”

The ships had started their approach earlier, but they had stopped since.

The reason why could be seen in the western sky.

She could see it with the naked eye from the mechanical dragon’s cockpit. There was a silhouette beyond the Miura Peninsula’s slope.

It was far larger than a mechanical dragon and it was an entirely artificial structure.

“The Pension Versailles.”

Now that the Miura Peninsula had been taken, the Mouri fleet had begun deploying above the peninsula while using the slope as a shield.

Hashiba’s light warships and warships had inferior range to the Pension Versailles. The enemy was using the same tactics they had used with their ironclad fleet.

In that case…

“Was everything we did a waste of time? Or…did I make it a waste of time?”

“My lady,” said the Four Heavenly Kings of Ryuuzouji. “This is not over yet, so do not worry.”

“But!”

“''This'' isn’t the extent of the power we gave you.”

So…

“Don’t cry, my lady. If you cry, we can’t win.”

After a pause, Nabeshima nodded.

“Testament,” she said. “I’m not crying. I was just a little surprised at being blown away and rolled through the ocean. Dammit.”

She wiped off what was flowing from the corners of her eyes. “Dammit,” she said again. “Goddammit,” she added. “Agh!” she shouted.

And finally…

“Just you watch!”

Kuki had sent her instructions to withdraw and return home. She grabbed that ''lernen figur'', swept it aside, and had the mechanical dragon stand tall.

The power system was functioning. She could not fire the dragon cannon, but she could fly for a short time just fine. So…

“Nabeshima Naoshige here. I will withdraw as instructed!”

''I’m not gonna cry anymore,'' she thought while raising her voice. She no longer had a part to play in the Keichou Campaign, but…

“I won’t let this be the end. Just you watch. …This is where it all begins!”

“Nabe-chan is withdrawing!?” groaned Kani while viewing a ''lernen figur'' from the PR Committee entitled “Breaking! Hour 4 of Our On-Site Keichou Campaign Coverage!”

The screen showed footage of the Miura Peninsula that had been brightened since it was night. A photo of Nabeshima’s face, her age, and some other information was displayed alongside that and the newscaster was speaking over some recorded footage of Nabeshima walking to school.

“Let’s see, Nabeshima Naoshige is currently an exchange student in Ryuuzouji, she is always cheerful, her neighbors speak highly of her, and she recently said she is looking forward to the potato stew party at the Takase River. …Oh! Has she finished withdrawing!? She has!? Yes, very good. Then let’s return to the studio! Nn~, Keichou♪!!”

From there, the footage shifted to the PR Committee’s special studio in their home nation where war researcher priests, nobles, and courtiers discussed the state of the battlefield.

“In my priestly opinion, the Satomi aerial ships should really start moving soon. Because…

“No, that is not nearly enough! You are being far too conservative for my noble tastes. You see…”

“Stop! Stop right there! We must reach an agreement! For the courtly thing to do is to reach an agreement!”

Asano glared over at it.

“Therrrre is no wayyy, they’ll ever agreeee, is there?”

“Why not!? Don’t important people like that know how to talk things out!?”

“Oh, they’rrre not important. They’ve only beeeen given some authorityyy.”

That sounded confusing, but Asano knew a lot about how the world worked. Kani decided she could take her word for it.

“But Mouri’s invasion has temporarily stopped!”

“It haaas? But they took the Miura Peninsulaaa.”

“Testament!” said Kani, but…

…''Huh!?

Kani realized she and Asano were looking at the situation differently. So…

“I mean, look! Nabe-chan had to withdraw, but the Pension Versailles came to hold the Miura Peninsula, so they haven’t fully taken it by deploying troops and everything!”

“Buuut aren’t they about to dooo that?”

“Maybe, but it’ll take time! And once they deploy their troops, the Pension Versailles won’t be able to move out front anymore! Because they have to recover and defend their personnel!”

That was probably true, but in that case…

“I seeee. Kani-saaan? Will our attack on the Miura Peninsula be stalled toooo?”

“Testament! It will!”

Both sides had taken territory on opposite banks with the ocean between, so they would primarily be firing on each other from that land.

That would make it difficult for either side to cross the Uraga Channel between Miura and Bousou.

“Now that it’s hard to approach, it would be a waste of our strength to use any on retaking the Miura Peninsula!”

So they needed to instead focus on the transport ships and warships under Murakami Motoyoshi’s command.

“Those shiiiips are doing a bunch of stuff to stallll for time, but won’t they lose a bunch of their forrrrces doing that?”

“That’s true! But troublesome as it is, I think Mouri must have taken that into consideration! From now on, we won’t be able to attack them from the Miura Peninsula, after all.”

While Kani said this, there was one aspect of the battlefield that was not in motion. That was…

“Mogami Yoshiaki-sama’s Yamagata Castle! They’ll send that out for some extra help!”

''Here it comes,'' thought Kuki while viewing the sky straight ahead.

It was beyond the wall of ironclad ships and to the left of the enemy ships headed this way.

A giant ship was slowly approaching above the southern ocean: the Yamagata Castle.

From the beginning of the battle, that Mogami flagship had stayed at the back of the enemy fleet along with the Pension Versailles. There was only one reason why it would be moving forward to lay on the pressure now.

“Because the Pension Versailles took the Miura Peninsula.”

The enemy could now freely use their forces on the north side. Which meant…

…''The Mouri fleet has a lot more leeway in how many ships they can afford to lose.

The north side of the Mouri fleet was where they had their transport ships. They were meant to defend against the cannon fire from the coast, but now they would not receive fire from the closest area of land.

From now on, the defensive formation of transport ships could focus on the attacks from the ironclad fleet.

Of course, it was obvious to both sides that the north would be the center of the action now.

That was why the Yamagata Castle had arrived from the south.

It was a warning: Focus only on the northern ships and you will leave an opening for us to attack.

''This is trouble,'' thought Kuki while raising his right hand and giving the first command necessary to deal with this.

“Move the ironclad fleet. Have them fall back a bit toward the Bousou Peninsula.”

Murakami Motoyoshi could tell Kuki was taking this seriously.

…''He’s ready to do this.

Beyond the long line of Mouri ships, Motoyoshi saw the ironclad fleet falling back.

But that was not a retreat.

“Motoyoshi-sama! Are you seeing this!?”

“I am. …They are rearranging their formation for a truly solid defense.”

The ironclad fleet moved as if to block off the area in front of the Bousou Peninsula, but their formation was different from before. The total of nine ships was still arranged in a 3x3 formation, but the left column of three was facing the Mouri fleet while the other two columns were arranged in a shallow fan shape to match the tip of the Bousou Peninsula.

That would prevent anyone from circling around from the south.

…''You can tell it’s a response to the Yamagata Castle.

But that would thin out their forward barrage, so…

“The warships from Edo Bay are going to join Kuki’s ironclad fleet.”

The enemy ships had held the sky above Edo Bay. They had failed to take the Miura Peninsula, but now they formed a wall in the northern sky to the left of the ironclad fleet.

Those ships had less firepower and defense than the ironclad fleet, but they were more numerous.

However, the enemy was not done yet.

Motoyoshi saw the ships to the north of Edo Bay moving south. And that was no small movement.

“Hey, Motoyoshi.”

“What is it, Student Council President?”

“Testament. …If you ask me, it looks like the Hashiba fleet is trying to surround that half of the Bousou Peninsula, but what does it look like to you?”

“Testament. It looks the exact same to me, Student Council President.”

Motoyoshi opened up a map centered on the Bousou Peninsula and Edo Bay.

The enemy formation was clear. The ironclad fleet was spread out in a fan shape reaching the southern tip of the Bousou Peninsula. A group of mostly light warships was filling in the gaps that left to form a wall along the southern and western sides of the Bousou Peninsula.

And at the northern extent of the wall was…

“The great bridge crossing Edo Bay. The line extending east from the bridge and dividing the Bousou Peninsula will be the enemy’s north defensive line for the Bousou Peninsula.”

“What do you think they’re doing?”

“I believe they are holing up there like the Bousou Peninsula is a castle. In the end, everything should trend southward.”

So…

“We must either break through their ironclad wall or have Satomi break through the north to take the peninsula. Either one will mean our victory.”

And…

“Look at this, Student Council President. …The enemy at the Great Edo Ruins is moving too.”

That was happening in the northern sky.

The ships that the Musashi and Satomi unit had broken through had finished turning.

They were headed for the sky above northeast Edo Bay where the one Musashi transport ship had broken through. The transport ship took some light hits while pursued by many ships, and…

“I am not sure if I should call that a masterful move or a reckless one.”

Motoyoshi smiled bitterly while viewing that end of the battlefield.

“Mouri Terumoto, my leader. Musashi will offer you a future. …Please watch. This should be the beginning of the Satomi Liberation.”

Just as he said that, fire rose into the sky above northeast Edo Bay.

The Mouri transport ships evacuated to the sky there – the supply transport ships that Mouri had provided at Hashiba’s demand – burst into flames after taking fire from the Musashi transport ship.

“Huh?”

Nagaoka looked to the northeastern sky from his base on the bay.

He could tell there was fire spreading in the sky. From his position, it appeared to be happening directly above him and a bit northeast.

The Mouri transport ships were taking cannon fire and going up in flames there.

But who was doing the firing made no sense.

“Why is Musashi shooting them!? Isn’t Mouri on their side!?”

No one answered his question. The situation simply continued with time.

And despite Nagaoka’s question, he heard more cannon fire from the distance.

Those had to be pseudo-anti-ship cannon blasts. The reverberating booms were hard to make out with all the blowing wind obscuring it, but Nagaoka was a gunner. He had been taught how to hear the difference and he could subconsciously calculate out the number of shells fired.

The blasts did not stop. With each consecutive boom, more fire filled the sky. And...

“Are you serious?”

The next thing he knew, nearly a fifth of those many transport ships were on fire.

…''What is going on?

Those supply transport ships had been sent to Hashiba, but they were originally Mouri’s. So why would Musashi be sinking them?

'''Nabe3:''' “They’re trying to throw our supply line into chaos.”

'''Asano:''' “Oh, Nabe-sannn. You okayyy?”

'''Nabe3:''' “I’m perfectly fine, which makes me wonder just how sturdy this mechanical dragon is. Anyway, I’ve joined our transport ships, so I’m helping monitor the battlefield with the mechanical dragon’s sensors while it’s being repaired.”

Knowing a friend was safe brought relief to Nagaoka.

…''I’m hopeless.

He had become such a coward when it came to matters of life or death.

But Nabeshima kept talking while oblivious to how he felt.

'''Nabe3:''' “The transport fleet sent by Mouri was working with the Bousou supply line under Konishi’s command. When the Bousou supply line isn’t going to make it in time or an emergency change to the supply line is needed, the Mouri transport fleet rushes out there.”

'''Asano:''' “So whaaat happens nowww?”

'''Nabe3:''' “Our supply line can’t rely on the Mouri transport fleet anymore.”

Nagaoka looked overhead as he listened.

The Musashi transport ship in the sky was headed toward the transport fleet while taking some hits from the west.

The transport fleet was turning and attempting to fall back, but they were too slow. Yet more flames erupted among them.

…''Are they gonna fall?

A few ships fell toward northeast Bousou.

They were not sinking. The ships were still controllable, so they were attempting to land before the power system grew too weak.

The burning ships lit up the night sky as they descended.

Nagaoka started counting the falling ships and reached the double digits in no time. He realized what Musashi was doing while he viewed that light.

'''Okaaa:''' “Oh, I get it. Mouri doesn’t care if the transport ships fall as long as their cargo survives.”

'''Nabe3:''' “If they plan to stay in Edo for a while, it only changes whether their supplies are up above or down below. As long as they have other transport ships, they can go collect the supplies. So…”

So…

'''Nabe3:''' “Even in a short-term battle, disturbing our transport plans will affect our entire fighting force. Musashi might have some other ideas in mind, but that’s all I can predict at the moment.”

“Then,” said another voice.

'''Asano:''' “I’ll leave Kani-san herrre and go fortify Bousouuuu. Do you know what the enemyyy is gonna do now?”

'''Kanitama:''' “Asa-chan, I’m sure they’re gonna be coming! …Ah! Oky-kun, I can see you from over here!”

“Oh?” said Nagaoka while looking behind him.

The middle of the Bousou Peninsula was engulfed in shadows to the east. The south was illuminated by the battle, but this part was still dark and it looked like there was something hidden there. But he could see some moving figures on the east end of that.

He saw a largescale land unit led by a group of transport mechanical horses.

'''Asano:''' “Ohhh, I’m headed to the innerrr edge of the Peninsulaaa.”

'''Kanitama:''' “Testament! We’ll head toward Oky-kun and protect the middle of the bridge!”

“Oh,” said Nagaoka when he figured it out.

The Bousou Peninsula was being surrounded by the ships that had withdrawn from Edo Bay. The northern line of that was the great bridge he was on.

And if Musashi was coming from the west, this bridge would be their shortest route to Bousou.

To respond, some defensive warriors had taken up position on the coast to his west and a few light warships were waiting.

That put him on the frontline.

'''Asano:''' “Can’t we just destroy that briiidge?”

'''Nabe3:''' “Bad idea. It’s a shared trade route for the surrounding nations, so if non-locals like us destroyed it, we’d only be earning ourselves some grudges.”

'''Asano:''' “Whose side are you on, Nabe-sannn?”

'''Nabe3:''' “I’m on the current situation’s side. You need to calm down a little, Asano.”

Nabeshima’s words helped Nagaoka relax his own shoulders.

He could really feel Nabeshima’s leadership.

…''It’s incredible.

She was only about two years older than him, but she could follow the flow of the battle and she had fought a fierce battle on the Miura Peninsula earlier.

He wondered if he would be on that level in another two years. Or…

'''Kanitama:''' “Oky-kun! To the west!”

Just as Kani’s words reached him, Nagaoka sensed a small light.

It did not come from the northeastern sky where the transport ship was being hit.

Nor did it come from the southern sky where two fleets were clashing.

It was a much smaller but quite distinct light. It came from…

…''The west!?

He had looked back to the east, so that was the direction he had originally been facing.

On the opposite coast there, a few white lights had risen from the great ruins sprawling out there. The narrow beams of light moved like pillars searching through the sky.

'''Kanitama:''' “That’s the ether light from transport ships! The Musashi ships are rushing this way through the ruins!”

That warning was immediately followed by an explosion of light on that coast to the west.

The transport ships passed through the ruins, and…

“They’re clashing with the defensive warriors there!?”

Futayo saw the city and the road leading to the battlefield.

She was in the Great Edo Ruins. They had left the central road partway through and took a southwest path toward Edo Bay.

She guessed the road was about wide enough for three transport ships to fly abreast. The ruins of tall buildings stood up on either side of the road.

“This is most impressive.”

The ruins of her hometown of Mikawa had generally been residential areas. The tall buildings had been gathered in the central area.

But the Great Edo Ruins were different. It probably helped that they had started by flying in on a transport ship, but walls had towered up on either side of them from the beginning.

It felt like racing down the bottom of a canyon.

This was probably the first time she had been surrounded by such tall structures since she had started living on the Musashi. Of course, the Musashi had its own giant structures to see, such as the Musashino’s bridge or the movable thrusters on either side of each ship, but…

“These are packed much more closely together.”

After they passed a curve in the flowing canyon, she saw a straight path extending ahead with another road meeting up with it along the way.

This was so incredible because the “current” they were riding came from the piloting of the transport ship rather than a river.

…''That would be Suzu-dono.

The piloting was impressive.

She felt like she had spent her entire time enthralled by the ruins rushing by around her, but those standing on the lead transport ship’s deck noticed something. The idiot wiggled his nose and spoke.

“Is the ocean nearby?”

“I hate that I agree with you,” said Futayo.

Edo Bay was nearby.

Futayo had never seen it, but Edo would one day be the Matsudaira hometown.

She was curious how similar this bay would be to her own hometown which had become a bay after its destruction.

Would Edo’s marketplace have lots of signs saying “freshly caught in the bay”? Would it be a good thing if it did? Would she feel homesick when she saw it?

''It is hard to say.

She had first visited Edo during the Battle of Mikatagahara. They had passed by in the middle of the night, so the only thing she remembered was the Bousou Peninsula backlit by the dragon line reactor explosion.

Ever since, this had been too distant to see when looking south from the Mito land where the Ariake had been.

…''But…

Her hometown had not just been lost. It had been erased.

And the city that would become her second hometown had been damaged and stolen. So…

“If it still exists, we can take it back.”

…''Hm.

While setting a goal for herself, Futayo heard a certain noise.

“Masazumi, it seems the enemy is approaching.”

Based on Futayo’s warning, Masazumi checked the divine transmission from Mukai. She checked the situation around them. And…

…''How could she tell?

Futayo was right: the enemy was coming. Mukai probably thought they were still quite far away, but the enemy was approaching to intercept them from directly ahead.

There was just one ship. On the way to the bay, there was a giant intersection before the road took a shallow right turn. What was likely a light warship was moving ahead of them from around that turn. It probably was not driving along the ground like them, but it was very low to the ground.

What would the enemy’s tactics be given the situation?

'''Vice President:''' “What do you think!?”

'''Me:''' “I-it feels good?”

'''Silver Wolf:''' “My king, why not wait for a second hint instead of forcing an answer?”

'''Mar-Ga:''' “Then the second hint is ‘woof woof’.”

'''Still Got It:''' “My. Have Nate and her king been having some woof woof fun that feels good? My husband and I haven’t done that recently, come to think of it.”

'''Silver Wolf:''' “Why do you have to look my way when you say that!? Also…Masazumi, give us a real hint!”

'''Bell:''' “Oh, the enemy…is about to be…right in front of you.”

Mukai’s time limit had arrived. A map with all the information on the enemy arrived at everyone’s sign frame. An enemy ship was rushing in from the right turn a little over a kilometer ahead.

'''Gold Mar:''' “Is it a light warship? Do you think it’ll open fire the instant it appears?”

'''Vice President:''' “I do, but I doubt they can make it too intense. Like we said before, the other nations have an interest in these ruins. Since the Testament Union has declared this a protected area, they can’t make any attacks that are guaranteed to damage the ruins.”

'''Me:''' “Huh? Then can’t we just stay in the ruins and fire on them from here? That sounds like a great idea.”

'''Uqui:''' “How are we supposed to aim outside the ruins without hitting them when these tall buildings form something like a canyon around us, you idiot?”

'''Me:''' “I-if you call someone an idiot, then you’re the idiot! You iiiiidiot! You iiiidiotic iiiidiot! Yay! Uqui’s the real iiiiiiiiiiiiiidiot!”

'''Smoking Girl:''' “It’s not often someone doubles down in such a pathetic way.”

'''Unturning:''' “Kiyonari, I don’t care if you’re an idiot. Just do this right.”

“Ohhh…” said the girls while someone nodded.

It was Futayo.

She checked the situation on the sign frame map and then turned toward Masazumi.

“Masazumi, does that mean we can assume very little exchange of artillery fire?”

“Yes, I doubt they’ll shoot at us unless it’s a head-on shot that’s basically guaranteed to be a direct hit.”

“Judge. Then I will be going.”

“Eh?”

Before Masazumi could ask what the girl meant, Futayo leaped out into the empty space in front of the deck.

She jumped down ahead of the racing transport ship.

Mitotsudaira heard Masazumi lean over the edge of the deck and shout.

“Wait! Futayo!?”

It happened so suddenly it must have looked like Futayo recklessly jumped off of the ship. Naito nodded and spoke up.

“Uh, just FYI, we’re currently moving at 240km/h.”

“Futayo’s acceleration spell is not the type to provide speed right away, is it?” The idiot sister held her face between her hands. “Kyah! She was splattered!”

“K-Kimi why are you so good at mimicking people!?” asked Asama.

“I’m not sure that’s the main point here,” said Naito.

“Anyway.” Mitotsudaira pointed out ahead. “Futayo is right over there.”

That she was. Instead of directly below where Masazumi was looking, she was on the road up ahead. In fact, she had already made it more than 200m ahead.

She had accelerated using Soaring Wings. And she continued to accelerate and move further ahead.

'''Mar-Ga:''' “Wait, does that acceleration spell really give a blast of speed as soon as she lands?”

It could not do that. Soaring Wings was a Shinto acceleration spell that increased the user’s speed through repeated purification. She would have started at normal running speed upon landing.

…''But the acceleration begins once she “lands”.

Mitotsudaira knew what Futayo had done.

She had run down the keel along the tip of the bow.

…''She did that at England too.

When the transport ship had been crashing onto England, Mitotsudaira had seen Futayo accelerate toward the bow by running up along the inside.

And now that Futayo knew how to use ideal movements, she could store that acceleration in her actions. She must have spun her body while running down the ship to gain the distance she needed to accelerate.

As a result, Futayo had leaped ahead of the ship with far more speed than Masazumi had imagined.

Up ahead of the transport ship, there was an intersection of canyons and then a right turn.

If they made that turn, it would be a straight shot to the ocean.

But the enemy had appeared there.

Except it was not the warship arriving from beyond the upcoming turn.

Mitotsudaira looked at the map that was constantly updated with data sent from Musashino’s bridge.

'''Bell:''' “…! They’re coming…all of a sudden…from the sky on the left and right!”

These were new enemies.

They arrived from the left and right sky at the intersection up ahead.

They had not been hiding within the great ruins. Two transport ships were rapidly descending from the north and west.

The two giant shapes moved like the tongue of a bell. They charged in with greater speed than the Musashi transport ships, and…

“They intend to either catch us between them or block the way ahead!”

Just as she yelled that, Mitotsudaira heard a voice.

It was her king.

“Nate,” he said. “Someone needs to clear the way, don’t they?”

“Judge!”

She responded with that one word and her actions.

She looked her king in the eye and then nodded toward Asama and Kimi.

“Lady Mitotsudaira!”

Mary tossed her Ex. Collbrande, so she caught that and leaped forward.

She jumped.

She threw herself into the empty space in front of the transport ship and saw movement ahead of her.

Far ahead, the ether light of the enemy ship was reflected off the ruins at the corner. Closer than that, Futayo looked back her way after crossing the intersection. And just as the other girl glanced into the sky on either side…

“Here I go!”

Mitotsudaira ran down the bow to accelerate like Futayo had and then moved forward.

The wolf followed the dragonfly to clear a path for their king.

<noinclude>
{{HorizonNavbar
| [[Horizon:Volume 7B Chapter 30|Chapter 30]]
| [[Horizon:Volume 7B Chapter 32|Chapter 32]]
}}
</noinclude>

Omae wo Onii-chan ni Shite Yarouka (Indonesia)

2019-08-15T11:14:38Z

141.101.105.243: /* Jilid 1 (Teks Utuh) */

{{Status|Active}}

<span style="color:red">'''INI ADALAH HASIL TERJEMAHAN DARI FANS, OLEH FANS, DAN UNTUK FANS. TIDAK DIPERKENANKAN TINDAKAN KOMERSIL DALAM BENTUK APAPUN YANG MELIBATKAN HASIL TERJEMAHAN INI. JIKA TERJADI TINDAKAN TIDAK BERTANGGUNG JAWAB DENGAN MENYALIN TERJEMAHAN INI TANPA SEPENGETAHUAN PENGURUS PROYEK, LANTAS MEMANFAATKANNYA UNTUK KEPENTINGAN PRIBADI ATAU KELOMPOK, MAKA PROYEK INI AKAN SEGERA DIHENTIKAN.'''</span>

[[Image:OOSY v01 Cover.jpg‎|thumb|300px|Volume 1 Cover]]

'''Omae wo Onii-chan ni Shite Yarouka!?''' (お前をお兄ちゃんにしてやろうか！？) atau yang diterjemahkan "Bolehkah aku menjadikanmu sebagai abangku?" adalah suatu novel bergenre comedy yang ditulis oleh Sugiyama Ryuu (すぎやまリュウ), dan diilustrasikan oleh Kakao. Seri ini sudah selesai ditulis dengan total mencapai 3 jilid, dan diterbitkan oleh MF Bunko. Sekarang, versi terjemahan bahasa Indonesia sedang dikerjakan berdasarkan teks versi Inggris oleh grup terjemahan <b>[https://krytykal.org/omae-wo/ Krytykal Translation]</b>.

==Ringkasan Novel==
Seorang lelaki bernama Yoichi tumbuh dewasa meski tidak mengenal orang tuanya, suatu hari dia menerima kabar kematian ayahnya. Ayahnya meninggalkan sepucuk surat wasiat, yang mengatakan bahwa dia hanya <b>boleh memilih satu</b> dari lima 'calon adik perempuan'?!

"... Aku tidak ingin bekerja, aku hanya ingin bermalas-malasan dengan Onii-chan." (Selene)

"Ayo kita bertanding! Jika aku yang menang, Nii-chan akan ... menjadikanku adik perempuannya!" (Tomomi)

"Onii-sama akan memilihku, bukankah begitu? Itulah takdir kita." (Sayuri)

"Untuk menjadi gadis seutuhnya, aku ingin menjadi adik perempuan Nii-san!" (Yuuki)

"Kalau Mii-chan menjadi adik perempuan Nii-chama, Mii-chan akan menjadi kaya, 'kan?" (Mika)

Salah satu dari kelima kepribadian aneh tersebut akan menjadi adik perempuannya, maka komedi konyol antara saudara kandung di mulai di sini!

=='''[https://www.facebook.com/bakatsukiupdateindo/ Pendaftaran Penerjemah]'''==
Mohon menghubungi page tersebut untuk ikut serta dalam project ini.

== Update ==
<div style="overflow:auto; max-height: 150px;">
* 18 Maret 2018 - Proyek dimulai
</div>

==''Omae wo Onii-chan ni Shite Yarouka!?'' karangan Sugiyama Ryuu==

===Jilid 1 ([[Omae wo Onii-chan ni Shite Yarouka (Indonesia): Jilid 1|Teks Utuh]])===
[[image:OOSY v01 Cover.jpg|left|300px|border]]
<table border=0 cellpadding=0><tr><td>
::*[[Omae wo Onii-chan ni Shite Yarouka (Indonesia): Jilid 1_Ilustrasi|Ilustrasi.]]
::*[[Omae wo Onii-chan ni Shite Yarouka (Indonesia): Jilid 1_Prolog|Prolog.]]
::*[[Omae wo Onii-chan ni Shite Yarouka (Indonesia): Jilid 1_Bab 1|Minggu, 7 April - Murasaki-san. Percakapan penting. Relasi warisan?]]
::*[[Omae wo Onii-chan ni Shite Yarouka (Indonesia): Jilid 1_Bab 2|Senin, 8 April - Upacara Masuk. Teman masa kecil. Adik perempuan pertama.]]
::*[[Omae wo Onii-chan ni Shite Yarouka (Indonesia): Jilid 1_Bab 3|Selasa, 9 April - Adik perempuan kedua. Gamer. Kompetisi-Gila.]]
::*[[Omae wo Onii-chan ni Shite Yarouka (Indonesia): Jilid 1_Bab 4|Rabu, 10 April - Adik perempuan ketiga. Makanan lezat. Pelajar teladan?]]
::*[[Omae wo Onii-chan ni Shite Yarouka (Indonesia): Jilid 1_Bab 5|Kamis, 11 April - Adik perempuan keempat. Tampan. Kewanitaannya berkurang.]]
::*[[Omae wo Onii-chan ni Shite Yarouka (Indonesia): Jilid 1_Bab 6|Jumat, 12 April - Adik perempuan kelima. Siswi SD. Beruang.]]
::*[[Omae wo Onii-chan ni Shite Yarouka (Indonesia): Jilid 1_Bab 7|Sabtu, 13 April - Serangan gencar. Serangan balik. Penghancuran.]]
::*[[Omae wo Onii-chan ni Shite Yarouka (Indonesia): Jilid 1_Bab 8|Senin, 15 April - Ke luar. Ke luar. Untuk sekarang, ayo kita pergi ke luar.]]
::*[[Omae wo Onii-chan ni Shite Yarouka (Indonesia): Jilid 1_Bab 9|Selasa, 16 April - Kompetisi ✕. Kerjasama ◎. Onee-chan.]]
::*[[Omae wo Onii-chan ni Shite Yarouka (Indonesia): Jilid 1_Bab 10|Rabu, 17 April - Menyelamatkan diri sendiri. Pemulihan yang Terhormat? Perasaan yang sesungguhnya.]]
::*[[Omae wo Onii-chan ni Shite Yarouka (Indonesia): Jilid 1_Bab 11|Kamis, 18 April - Pakaian. Keramahan. Kewanitaan meningkat.]]
::*[[Omae wo Onii-chan ni Shite Yarouka (Indonesia): Jilid 1_Bab 12|Jumat, 19 April - Pekerjaan rumah. Membantu. Apa itu Keluarga ...]]
::*[[Omae wo Onii-chan ni Shite Yarouka (Indonesia): Jilid 1_Bab 13|Sabtu, 20 April - Perubahan. Pertumbuhan. Perpisahan?]]
::*[[Omae wo Onii-chan ni Shite Yarouka (Indonesia): Jilid 1_Epilog|Epilog.]]
::*[[Omae wo Onii-chan ni Shite Yarouka (Indonesia): Jilid 1_Kata Penutup|Kata Penutup.]]
</td></tr></table><br style="clear:both"/>

===Jilid 2 ([[Omae wo Onii-chan ni Shite Yarouka (Indonesia): Jilid 2|Teks Utuh]])===
[[image:OOSY v02 Cover.jpg|left|300px|border]]
<table border=0 cellpadding=0><tr><td>
::*[[Omae wo Onii-chan ni Shite Yarouka (Indonesia): Jilid 2_Ilustrasi|Ilustrasi.]]
::*[[Omae wo Onii-chan ni Shite Yarouka (Indonesia): Jilid 2_Prolog|Minggu, 21 April - Prolog.]]
::*[[Omae wo Onii-chan ni Shite Yarouka (Indonesia): Jilid 2_Bab 1|Senin, 22 April - Puk puk. Kencan malam. Mulai sekarang.]]
::*[[Omae wo Onii-chan ni Shite Yarouka (Indonesia): Jilid 2_Bab 2|Selasa, 23 April - Ingatan. Penyergapan. Badai musim semi.]]
::*[[Omae wo Onii-chan ni Shite Yarouka (Indonesia): Jilid 2_Bab 3|Rabu, 24 April - Perubahan. Orang yang berbeda. Tergantung tulisan.]]
::*[[Omae wo Onii-chan ni Shite Yarouka (Indonesia): Jilid 2_Bab 4|Kamis, 25 April - Menghadap ke depan. Kosong. Wadah kari.]]
::*[[Omae wo Onii-chan ni Shite Yarouka (Indonesia): Jilid 2_Bab 5|Jum'at, 26 April - Cemberut. Khawatir. Konsultasi rahasia.]]
::*[[Omae wo Onii-chan ni Shite Yarouka (Indonesia): Jilid 2_Bab 6|Sabtu, 27 April - Semuanya. Berkumpul. Deadline.]]
::*[[Omae wo Onii-chan ni Shite Yarouka (Indonesia): Jilid 2_Bab 7|Minggu, 28 April - Latihan. Kencan. Pengalaman pertama.]]
::*[[Omae wo Onii-chan ni Shite Yarouka (Indonesia): Jilid 2_Bab 8|Senin, 29 April - Keburu. Kegelapan. Senin yang menyenangkan.]]
::*[[Omae wo Onii-chan ni Shite Yarouka (Indonesia): Jilid 2_Bab 9|Selasa, 30 April - Menggertak. Kelemahan. Tertekan.]]
::*[[Omae wo Onii-chan ni Shite Yarouka (Indonesia): Jilid 2_Bab 10|Rabu, 1 Mei - Proyek. Asli. Rencana.]]
::*[[Omae wo Onii-chan ni Shite Yarouka (Indonesia): Jilid 2_Bab 11|Kamis, 2 Mei - Serius. Kesetiaan. Kursus konseling.]]
::*[[Omae wo Onii-chan ni Shite Yarouka (Indonesia): Jilid 2_Bab 12|Jumat, 3 Mei - Apa yang kuinginkan. Apa yang kusuka. Rahasiakan.]]
::*[[Omae wo Onii-chan ni Shite Yarouka (Indonesia): Jilid 2_Bab 13|Sabtu, 4 Mei - Pembalasan. Tensi tinggi. Kencan kedua]]
::*[[Omae wo Onii-chan ni Shite Yarouka (Indonesia): Jilid 2_Epilog|Minggu, 5 Mei - Epilog.]]
::*[[Omae wo Onii-chan ni Shite Yarouka (Indonesia): Jilid 2_Kata Penutup|Kata Penutup.]]
</td></tr></table><br style="clear:both"/>

===Jilid 3 ([[Omae wo Onii-chan ni Shite Yarouka (Indonesia): Jilid 3|Teks Utuh]])===
[[image:OOSY v03 Cover.jpg|left|300px|border]]
<table border=0 cellpadding=0><tr><td>
::*[[Omae wo Onii-chan ni Shite Yarouka (Indonesia): Jilid 3_Ilustrasi|Ilustrasi.]]
::*[[Omae wo Onii-chan ni Shite Yarouka (Indonesia): Jilid 3_Prolog|Prolog.]]
::*[[Omae wo Onii-chan ni Shite Yarouka (Indonesia): Jilid 3_Bab 1|Senin, 6 Mei - Seharian. Komplet. Konsultasi dalam perjalanan pulang.]]
::*[[Omae wo Onii-chan ni Shite Yarouka (Indonesia): Jilid 3_Bab 2|Selasa, 7 Mei - Antusiasme. Tepat sasaran. Menembak.]]
::*[[Omae wo Onii-chan ni Shite Yarouka (Indonesia): Jilid 3_Bab 3|Rabu, 8 Mei - Ingin makan? Tidak mau makan? Permintaan.]]
::*[[Omae wo Onii-chan ni Shite Yarouka (Indonesia): Jilid 3_Bab 4|Kamis, 9 Mei - Kunjungan. Gerbang sekolah. Kencan sepulang sekolah.]]
::*[[Omae wo Onii-chan ni Shite Yarouka (Indonesia): Jilid 3_Bab 5|Jum'at, 10 Mei - Ayah. Ibu. Pertemuan keluarga.]]
::*[[Omae wo Onii-chan ni Shite Yarouka (Indonesia): Jilid 3_Bab 6|Sabtu, 11 Mei - Semuanya. Berkumpul. Akhir pekan yang menyenangkan.]]
::*[[Omae wo Onii-chan ni Shite Yarouka (Indonesia): Jilid 3_Bab 7|Minggu, 12 Mei - Bubaran. Perpisahan. Akhir yang mengerikan.]]
::*[[Omae wo Onii-chan ni Shite Yarouka (Indonesia): Jilid 3_Bab 8|Senin, 13 Mei - Tanggung jawab. Pembebasan. Mulai dari minus.]]
::*[[Omae wo Onii-chan ni Shite Yarouka (Indonesia): Jilid 3_Bab 9|Selasa, 14 Mei - Dampak. Serangan. Baku hantam tanpa pertahanan.]]
::*[[Omae wo Onii-chan ni Shite Yarouka (Indonesia): Jilid 3_Bab 10|Rabu, 15 Mei - Harapan. Permohonan. Hasrat murni.]]
::*[[Omae wo Onii-chan ni Shite Yarouka (Indonesia): Jilid 3_Bab 11|Kamis, 16 Mei - Pertentangan. Keraguan. Perasaan tanpa dosa.]]
::*[[Omae wo Onii-chan ni Shite Yarouka (Indonesia): Jilid 3_Bab 12|Jumat, 17 Mei - Enam belas tahun. Ulang tahun. Tempat kenanganku.]]
::*[[Omae wo Onii-chan ni Shite Yarouka (Indonesia): Jilid 3_Bab 13|Jumat, 17 Mei - Memutuskan. Semangat. Jawaban dari hati.]]
::*[[Omae wo Onii-chan ni Shite Yarouka (Indonesia): Jilid 3_Epilog|Epilog.]]
::*[[Omae wo Onii-chan ni Shite Yarouka (Indonesia): Jilid 3_Kata Penutup|Kata Penutup.]]
</td></tr></table><br style="clear:both"/>

==Staf Proyek==
*Supervisor:
:*[[user:Baka-Tsuki Update Indonesia|Baka-Tsuki Update Indonesia]]

*Manajer Proyek:
:*[[user:Baka-Tsuki Update Indonesia|Baka-Tsuki Update Indonesia]]

===Penerjemah===
AKTIF

:*[[user:Meido-Moe|Meido-Moe]]

===Editor===

== Tinjauan Serial ==
* Jilid 1 : お前をお兄ちゃんにしてやろうか! ? , 25 Agustus 2013 , ISBN 13 978-4840152884
* Jilid 2 : お前をお兄ちゃんにしてやろうか! ? , 25 Desember 2013 , ISBN 13 978-4040661551
* Jilid 3 : お前をお兄ちゃんにしてやろうか! ? , 5 Mei 2014 , ISBN 13 978-4040667508

[[Category:Light novel (Indonesian)]]
[[Category:Indonesian]]