Baka-Tsuki - User contributions [en]

Tsukumodo:Volume 2 Make-Up

2013-01-14T23:47:16Z

Akios01:

When and how do girls learn to do make-up?

On TV, you can often see children literally turning themselves into monsters using make-up when mommy's not around, but I've never seen something like that in real life.

As for my own environment, I noticed that the girls in my class have started to do make-up about the time when we entered high school.

But not only at make-up are the girls ahead of us guys, but also when it comes to clothes and stylish haircuts. They must be more sensitive to fashion than us.

There ''are'' fashionable guys here and there as well, but that's the minority. It tends to be acceptable for men to be indifferent about this sort of thing. Not that I want to claim that I'm the standard, but it's a fact that I couldn't care less about fashion.

I suppose girls read magazines to get better in this field? But I don't believe that just doing that would do.

Which means that they must ask their friends or their mothers for advise on make-up and fashion.

But girls who do not have any friends and parents are at a disadvantage in that case.

Mm? Who I'm referring to, you ask?

Nah, I'm not thinking of someone in specific of course.

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<div style="color: #75365A; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
A wide range of bottles was placed on the desk.

Toner, milky and normal lotions, liquid foundation, cream... skin protection cream, hydrating cream, skin care cream... after-care articles to use after washing one's face or applying a face masque, or before putting on any make-up...

Since I hadn't had the slightest idea what to use when for what purpose, I'd just randomly bought a few things, but I was none wiser now that I had lined my purchases up.

In fact, this was only a small portion of the cosmetics available. All I could say at the moment was that face masques were still too high-level for me.

It was about ten in the evening, and I was holding my head in font of the mirror and a bunch of cosmetic products while still in a slip dress I had put on after taking a bath.

Supposedly, it is necessary do something about dry skin after bathing, but I didn't even know why my skin would be dry when I had just taken a bath. In addition, toner and such could supposedly not only be put on, but had to be massaged in.

''Anyway, there's no use in sitting on my hands.''

I decided to start while referring to my book.

I carefully poured some toner on my hands and moved them in circles over my face to massage it in. Following the instructions of the book, I also applied some to other places like my arms or the nape of my neck.

I was afraid that I would have to go through the same procedure again for the lotion and the foundation, but they were declared optional, so I omitted them altogether.

Thinking that the majority of all women were doing this every day, I felt deep respect for them.

I had just started doing cosmetics myself, too, but I didn't know how long my endurance would last.

<i>No, this is the wrong mindset.

I must absolutely not give up.

Otherwise, I will end up like...</i>

I looked at a certain crumpled picture on the table.

I tried to flatten it in my palm, but the picture remained crumpled, and the person in it remained as wrinkled as an old woman.

The incident occurred several hours ago.

Towako-san was away for her usual purchases, while the two of us were looking after the shop.

During my break, I went out to buy some things. When I came back, I put the groceries into the fridge, and was about to place a castella cake, which I had bought to go with tea, on the table in the living room when I suddenly noticed a camera there.

It was a rather old-looking analog camera, and so I was tempted to take it into my hands.

That's when it happened.

A loud shutter sound resounded.

I hadn't operated the camera, so either I had touched a wrong spot or it had activated on its own.

Discomposed I put the camera down.

...Someone else might not have noticed, but I was indeed discomposed; because I feared that the camera might be a Relic.

Because of their special powers, it's impossible to predict what effect an unfamiliar Relict might have. Towako-san had the bad habit of just leaving Relics lying about from time to time.

''How careless of me.'' I had been way too incautious.

I should have taken that possibility into consideration before touching it.

What if the camera had the power to suck up souls? In the past, we had come across a statue that would kill anyone who touches it, after all.

While I was mulling over these things, the camera produced a mechanical sound and printed out a photo. As it seemed, it was a Polaroid camera. But what was going to happen now?

I took the picture and took a look at it.

"Is this...?"

It was then that Tokiya peeked into the living room from the shop.

"Something wrong?"

"Ah, Tokiya. Look, this camera..."

"Mm? Ah, don't touch it, okay? It's a Relic Towako-san left there."

"So it really was a Relic."

"Hey, don't tell me you actually used it?"

I quickly shook my head, hiding the picture behind me.

"Yeah, you wouldn't," he said, "But seriously, be careful! It was a real mess when I touched that wallet Relic, you can take my word on that."

Of course, Tokiya had made just as many painful experiences with Relics as I. So if Tokiya was warning me about it, what kind of harm was hidden in this camera?

"T-Tokiya... What power does this camera have?"

"To tell the truth, it's nothing sensational actually," Tokiya admitted as he entered the living room. After he had come over to the table, he picked up the camera, and rotated some kind of dial, and eventually took a photo of the castella cake I had put on the table. After a few moments, another picture was printed out with the same mechanical sound like before.

He took the photo and showed it to me.

Needles to say, a cake was in it. In that photo, however, it looked spoiled—almost rotten—and had a slightly different color.

"Why does it look different?"

"Well, you can take photos of the future."

"Of the future..."

"Aah, but there's a catch...," Tokiya said as he took a piece of the castella cake, and took a bite of it. "The picture only shows you how it ''would'' look after a certain period of time without taking into account that it might get eaten like now."

"How much time would that be?"

"In this case, maybe a year? Do you see this dial? You can set the number of years here, according to Towako-san."

"T-To how much was it set before?"

"Before?"

"I mean, w-was it also set to a year before you took this picture? It wasn't, right?"

"Err, how much was it again? I didn't really pay attention, but I think it was 16 years? Yeah, approximately. Only got a glimpse, though."

"16 years?"

"Yeah."

"Did you say sixteen years?"

"Yeah. Something wrong?"

"No."

He shrugged and went back to the shop as he shoved the rest of the piece into his mouth.

"I see, 16 years...."

I took a look at the picture, which I had accidentally crumpled up.

Deep wrinkles that weren't due to the picture being crumpled, snow-white hair, ragged clothes—

It was a picture of a girl called Saki Maino, 16 years from now.

...In other words, me.

That was outrageous.

Even when considering that I had never paid attention to my skin, that was just outrageous.

But when I took out an old magazine, I found out that even elementary schoolers were doing skin care nowadays.

According to that magazine, you couldn't start too early taking care of your skin because aging of our skin and body has become faster and faster in recent years for various reasons like an increased UV radiation or malnutrition.

Upon reading that article, I reflected on my indifference to this kind of thing.

As a matter of fact, there are all sorts of cosmetic products in the market nowadays, contrary to the past, which is frankly due to the fact that they're needed.

I then started to read up on the subject and not only touched on the basics like creams and lotions, but I also discovered that make-up also aims to protect the skin from UV radiation and the like.

So far I had come to think that make-up served the sole purpose of showing off, and thus had considered it negligible.

I didn't often spot Towako-san applying make-up, but she was indeed wearing thin make-up most of the time. And to be honest, she did look younger than her age. I had always attributed it to her nature, but I had been mistaken. Towako-san had made an effort to stay young.

...Why hadn't she ever told me?

Having sensed a danger of sorts, I quickly went out and bought myself a range of cosmetic products, determined to start right away.

I could still make a change.

I looked again at the picture.

At my own crumpled appearance, sixteen years from now.

And then I vowed:

''I'll get pretty in no time.''

Even a girl like me is familiar with the desire that any girl conceives.

The desire to be pretty.

Three days had passed since I'd started doing make-up and skin care.

I unnoticedly went to the camera and picked it up.

<i>Would there already be a noticeable improvement if I took a photo now?

No, don't rush things, girl.

Besides, I would instantly give up should there be none.</i>

I put the camera down again.

<i>One step at a time. No sweet without sweat. My effort is bound to yield fruit.

I'm not that much of a TV watcher, but I know how pretty stars are. They must be making an effort, too, behind the stage in order to shine on the stage.

To be honest, I'd rather do it in secret, too, but I won't get anywhere with such a lukewarm attitude.

After all, the fact that I'll be so horribly wrinkled in sixteen years also means that in the near future... maybe even in a month or so, I might start to age. No, the aging process might have already started and be progressing as we speak, just not visible to the eye.

There's no way around it.

That aside, Tokiya hasn't commented on my latest behavior.

Sure, I'm only slightly using make-up right now, but there's no way he wouldn't notice. He must be feigning ignorance. He's quite the gentleman for not touching on the effort I'm making.

Anyway, time to study while it's still my break!</i>

It was then that I suddenly stopped flicking through the pages of the magazine.

I had found a special feature article.

"To all the girls who don't get any praise from their boyfriends despite all the effort they make."

<i>...Let's take a look.

N-Not that it bothered me that Tokiya hasn't said anything about my looks. It's purely out of academic interest.</i>

"Hey, Saki."

"W-Whawhahat?"

I had been so absorbed in the magazine that I failed miserably at closing it in a hurry. With even shakier hands, I quickly covered the magazine with my hands.

"What's the matter?" he asked.

"Nothing. But what's your matter, anyway?"

"Toilet break. Can you look after the shop while I'm away? Not that I think that anyone would drop by," he said and headed to the bathroom.

I may have failed at closing the magazine, but I'd managed to change to a different page with a report, so he had probably not noticed anything. ''That was close.'' Had he seen me read such an article, he would have surely started to wonder about me.

After confirming that Tokiya was really gone, I opened the feature article again.

''"Beware! Do not think that boys are dense just because they don't say anything about your effort to look pretty! Maybe your boyfriend deliberately keeps silent because he's starting to get bored of you!"''

''He doesn't say anything, indeed. Has he grown bored of me? No, we're not in a relationship, so he can't get bored of me. Wait. Can he also get bored of me without being my boyfriend?''

I took a closer look at the article.

Miss A's story. ''My boyfriend didn't say a word when I changed my make-up. When I asked him about it, he just said, "So?" We split up a week after.''

Miss B's story. ''There was that boy at work. We had the same shift and we mixed just great. But when I tried putting some extra effort into my make-up, he didn't even say anything. I asked him subtly about it. "Get back to work!" was his answer. Afterwards, I learned that he already had a girlfriend. I hadn't been a love interest from the start.''

''"Wasn't there something in their stories that you can relate to yourself?"''

''There is. Right now. So does that mean that we have started to get bored of each other? That Tokiya doesn't have any interest in me?''

''"But fear not! Here's the deal!

Operation 'Amaze Your Boorish Sweetheart To the Bone! (Make-Up part)' "''

The article contained an in-depth introduction to make-up as well as a number of handy tips, and came with a comic showing a man with heart-eyes praising a woman to the skies.

Inspired by that, I tried imagining Tokiya calling me pretty.

......

......

<i>I think I like that.

I-I'm not talking about being praised of course, but the idea of having a concrete goal, since I've already started to get fed up with cosmetics. It's not like Tokiya were my boyfriend or that-certain-boy or anything, and I don't particularly want to be praised by him.</i>

...But if I was honest, I was also a tiny little bit interested praise.

Even a girl like me is familiar with the desire that any girl conceives.

The desire to be called pretty.
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After finishing her break, Saki started sorting the shelves, bustling back and forth in front of me.

She took an item from a shelf, walked past me to put it elsewhere and then passed me by again, now carrying the item she had just replaced. But it didn't end there; apparently unsatisfied, she walked back with the item, crossing my field of vision again, and put it back to its original place, and then gazed at the shelf from afar to get an impression.

She was quite the opposite of me; I had made myself comfortable at the counter, waiting for our non-existent customers.

I followed her with my eyes just because, but Saki was apparently so engrossed in her work that she didn't notice me, not even looking in my direction.

"Saki."

"Yes?" Saki asked, stopping her busy hands.

"Looks good."

"Y-You think so?"

"Yeah, I definitely like what I'm seeing."

"D-Does it really make such a difference?"

"Yeah. I didn't expect such an effect just by rearranging the items in the shelves."

"Yes, yes. A light touch of make-u... eh? The shelves? Items?"

"Yeah. Have you started studying interior design this time around?"

"Y-Yes! I really think that the impression matters!"

"I see," I said.

"......"

"......"

"That's all?"

"Mm?"

"N-No, never mind."

While something still seemed to be on her tongue, Saki went back to rearranging the items without saying anything.

When Saki walked past me, I noticed a nice smell.

"Saki."

"Yes?" she asked as she stopped on her way to the shelf.

"Smells great."

"Y-You think so?"

"Yeah, it smells kinda stimulating."

"S-Stimulating? Wow... r-really? But I'm not trying to do anything suspicious!" Saki said, for once slightly widening her eyes in confusion.

"Yeah. I guess you're having stew for dinner? Sure is stimulating my appetite."

"Yes, yes. A light touch of perfum... eh? Stew? Appetite?"

"Yeah. You're already preparing the dinner, aren't you? There's a nice smell coming from the kitchen. I think I'm hungry now."

"Y-Yes! We're having stew tonight!"

"I see... I wonder if should get myself some microwave stew, too."

"......"

"......"

"That's all?"

"Mm?"

"N-No, never mind."

While something still seemed to be on her tongue, Saki went to the kitchen to adjust the stove-plate without saying anything.

"She sure is acting strange today."

<i>She looked kinda disappointed even though I'd praised her. Or is that just me?

Speaking of strange things, I wonder what it is all about with that article. She may have covered it instantly, but I could catch a glimpse.

To be honest, I didn't think she would ever be interested in such stuff.

Well, she's still a girl. I guess that's perfectly normal.

But if that's the case, I'll get her something from the school library one of these days.</i>

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<div style="color: #75365A; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
A few days later.

''This is strange.'' Despite my efforts spent on make-up, Tokiya just wouldn't give me any feedback. I'd even ventured on perfume and lost to stew.

Not only did he not praise me, he didn't even touch on the subject.

Had he really not noticed anything? No, that couldn't be. He had noticed for sure. Had he really gotten bored of me then? But for that, he was associating with me too normally...

"Mm?" I muttered as I noticed a book on the table, one that I had not seen before. It wasn't mine. Had Tokiya forgotten to take it home?

I was somewhat interested in Tokiya's taste of books, so I picked it up and took a look.

From the hardcover binding, I had assumed it was a novel, but it turned out to be a theater script.

I'd had no idea that Tokiya was interested in theater.

The story was very much like a fairy tale.

<i>Convinced to be the most beautiful woman under the sun, that woman would always try to become more beautiful every day. She received countless proposals, but she would turn every single one of them down because she thought that there was no man worthy of her beauty.

One day, she asked her magical mirror who was the fairest one of all, but the mirror replied with the name of someone else. Even though the woman increased her efforts to look more beautiful, the mirror never replied with her own name again.

The woman used her entire life solely for trying to look pretty with make-up and jewelry, and became old without gaining anything at all.

As time went by, the proposals subsided, and in the end, she died all alone.</i>

"What's this..."

The message of this story was written in the postscript.

"You'd better refrain from futile efforts."

Something pierced through my heart.

What was the meaning of this? Of this strangely reverberating sentence?

Why had Tokiya left this book here today of all days?

"Ah! Perhaps... does he want to say that...?"

I hurried to my room and opened my dresser.

I was keeping ''the photo'' there so that nobody would find it. I really wanted to just throw it away, but I had deliberately kept it for the purpose of renewing my determination when I was about to give up.

The photo was there. However, I had no means of knowing that no one had seen it.

No, Tokiya had seen the photo for sure. Maybe he had known from the start. Maybe he had already seen the photo back when I took it.

He knew what I looked like in sixteen years from now.

And on top of that knowledge, he had left this script ''purposefully'' at a place where I would find it.

In order to say that my efforts were futile.

Before I knew it, I had thrown the script away.

<i>I see. That's what you wanted to tell me.

Of course you would notice, right?

Of course you wouldn't get bored of me when you aren't interested in the first place, right?

Why, thanks for that eye-opener!</i>

I took my cream and my lotion, and patted them onto my face, using twice the amount and time than usual.

But this wasn't enough by half, I was sure.

While applying make-up, I made up my mind.

''It's time for my secret weapon! Even though I may have sealed it away because of its difficulty level...''

I put away the magazine I had been reading so far, and took a different book out of the depths of my book shelf.

<i>Very well, Tokiya! I'll accept your challenge.

We'll see if I'm really making futile efforts here.

I'll make you lose your tongue.

Just you wait!

I'll become the most beautiful thing you've ever seen!</i>
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When headed to the Tsukumodo Antique Shop after school, I ran into someone who was leaving the shop with a contorted face. Figuring that Saki had done it again, I entered the shop with a sigh.

"Welcome, Tokiya."

"Hey, what have you done to that... WHOA!" I yelled out as I shrunk back.

"What's wrong?"

"Wrong...? That's my line... ah, no..."

To my surprise, Saki had put on make-up.

Needless to say, I wouldn't have been so surprised if it was just make-up.

No, she had put on some extremely heavy make-up, much like a member of a certain theatrical group that was popular among the girls at the moment. The group had become famous because of its members who wore costumes that were as gaudy as it gets along with heavy make-up, and because of their scriptwriter who was an unparalleled master at reinterpreting existing tales.

Eye shadow glaringly purple, eyebrows like drawn with a marker, eyelashes lengthened to twice their original length, cheeks redder than in the coldest of countries, lipstick as red as blood, and fancy glitter all around her face.
[[Image:Tsukumodo_V2_259.jpg|400px|right]]

As fancy as it might look on the stage from a ten or twenty meters' distance, it was just downright horrifying when seen from so near.

No wonder that customer went home with a grimace. We should be happy that he didn't scream his lungs out. I was curious what the customer thought our shop was after this incident.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"Ah, no, nothing. Um, why don't you take a rest?"

"I don't need one."

"No, I'm sure you do. Aren't you a bit tired? Yeah, you should be."

"You think so? I'll take a short break then."

Losing to my persistence, Saki left the counter for the living room.

I changed my clothes, and sat down behind the counter, but I couldn't suppress the urge to sneak a peek at Saki.

''What on Earth happened? No, more importantly, is it really okay to ask her about it? Or should I pretend like everything'ss fine and dandy? But she's making it way too blatant to feign ignorance.''

Suddenly, the book she was reading caught my eye.

''"Becoming An Actress Made Easy! (Make-Up for the Stage)"''

That was the title.

"S-Saki?"

"What is it?"

"D-Does this book also help improving your customer service?" I asked.

With a deadpan look... no, that look was way too dreadful to be called deadpan, Saki replied, "What are you talking about? How would make-up and customer service be related?"

"Y-Yeah, you're right. Sorry for asking a strange question."

<i>Absolutely, absolutely. We're not a cosmetics store after all... Wait. It's like '''I''' said something strange now! I feel like our roles are reversed. Obviously, Saki's the strange of us.

But that aside, how should I interpret her behavior?

O-Oh, it's a good thing to have a hobby.

While I'm against putting something like that on during work, regardless how interested she is, I guess I'll take a back seat and remain an observer.

Yeah, that's a good idea.

Towako-san, please come home soon.</i>

"Tokiya."

I winced in surprise.

"W-What is it?"

Saki walked up straight to me and held out a book.

At that moment, it finally dawned on me as if hit by a thunder.

That peculiar make-up was that of the theatrical group Saki had been reading a report about in that magazine a few days ago. Sure, after realizing that she was interested in such stuff, I had brought her one of their scripts from the library and put it on the table in the living room, but I hadn't dreamed that she was fascinated by them so much as to imitate their actresses. No, maybe she was aiming to become an actual actress if her imitation was so close to perfection? ''No, no, she wouldn't...''

"Thanks for that book."

"D-Did you like it?"

"Why, yes. I ''loved'' it."

It seemed like this wasn't about simple "interest"; her face was expressionless as always, but her eyes weren't.

I sensed fire in her eyes, almost as though she was glaring at me.

By the way, this book was a reinterpretation of a story whose moral was "Do not only polish your outside, but also your inside," and "Don't envy others for their looks; you are you, and they are they."

I hadn't read the book myself, but the student who helped out in the library had told me so. Apparently, the message the author had written in the postscript was just a little prank and shouldn't be taken seriously.

Actually, that library helper had given me another book which she obstinately recommended to me. I had originally planned to return it unread, but if Saki was so much into this sort of thing, I thought I might just as well lend it to her.

<i>I'll leave that book on the table for her.

Mm, what should I get her tomorrow?</i>

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I found another book that day.

It was a script by the same group as the first time, and again it was a fairy tale-like story with a moral.

<i>Once upon a time, there was a young woman living in a village. Her family was poor, her clothes ragged, and her face and hands stained from the daily farm work. Because of her seedy appearance, she was always laughed at.

Despite all that, the girl tried to enjoy her life to the fullest, when one day, a man came to her place in order to thank her for saving him when he'd once slumped down on the road.

He was actually a nobleman and asked for her hand, presenting her with clothes and jewelry more beautiful and expensive than anything she knew.

After she had cleaned away the dirt and put on her new clothes, she turned into a most beautiful lady. She married the man and lived happily ever after.</i>

The moral of this story was written in the postscript.

"No matter how pretty your face is, if you don't pay attention to your clothes and your hygiene, it's all for nothing."

Something pierced through my heart.

Tokiya was laughing at my desperate efforts in make-up, implying that even that wouldn't change my seedy appearance in sixteen years.

Before I knew it, I had thrown the script away.

<i>Very well, Tokiya. I'll accept your challenge.

I'll show you the result of my "futile efforts," and make you lose your tongue.

Just you wait!

I'll become the most beautiful thing you've ever seen!</i>
</div>

<div style="text-align: center">◆</div>

When I arrived at the shop he following day, Saki was wearing an extravagant black dress.

In her hands, she was holding a book titled "Becoming an Actress Made Easy! (Costumes for the Stage)." Indeed, the dress she was wearing was exactly that of a queen in the theater, and could probably only be found in a costume shop. I was surprised to see that she had even sought out such a special kind of shop.

Perhaps, she was seriously aiming to become an actress.

Her face was expressionless as always, but her eyes weren't.

I sensed the fiercest flames in them, as though she was about to pierce someone with her gaze alone.

"Oh, you're here?" she said.

"Yeah, I'm taking over here, so you can take a break."

"Thanks for the book."

"Did you like it?"

"Why, yes. I ''loved'' it."

It seemed like she had already finished the book I'd brought her. ''Now that's what I call passion, reading through such a book in one day.''

By the way, the book was a reinterpretation of a story whose moral was "Don't judge over things by the first impression, maybe you'll find that they are really beautiful on a closer look."

I hadn't read the book myself, but the student who helped out in the library had told me so. The message the author had written in the postscript was again just a prank and shouldn't be taken seriously.

<i>I'll leave the book I brought her today on the table.

Mm, what should I get her tomorrow?</i>

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<div style="color: #75365A; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
I found yet another book that day.

It was a script by the same group as the first two times, and again it was a fairy tale-like story with a moral.

<i>Once upon a time, there was a kingdom with a queen who wore a wig. One evening during supper, her wig was askew, and everyone except for her had noticed. Because her wig really was a secret, however, nobody could point it out to her.

Everyone present started to pay attention that they did not look at her hair and that they did not use any words that would remind of head hair.

But then it happened: Her wig caught fire from a candle. But she still failed to notice. The other diners wanted to kill the fire by tapping or with water, but it would end in a disaster if the wig fell off by accident. If they did not hurry up, the queen would burn herself, but if the queen found out that they knew about her wig, they would be sentenced to death. The air was tense when the nobles started to shake a few bottles of weak liquor and popper their corks. The liquor poured over all of them, including the queen, and made the dripping wet, preventing the worst. Incidentally, this is the origin of what we now call "Champagne Fight."<ref>It isn't.</ref></i>

The message of that story was written in the postscript.

"Your hair is on fire, too. Better check your hair before it's gone. Furthermore, this story is incomplete. A continuation is in the works."

Something pierced through my heart.

Tokiya was laughing at my desperate efforts in make-up and fashion, implying that my untreated hair—the feature of beauty of every girl—will not only become disheveled but fall off entirely.

He even came up with an ironical implication that I hadn't lighted a fire under myself, but on my head, and by giving me a half-baked book, he implied that my efforts are just as half-baked.

Before I knew it, I had thrown away the script.

<i>Very well, Tokiya. I'll accept that challenge.

We'll see if my efforts end up half-baked.

I'll make you lose your tongue.

Just you wait.

I'll become the most beautiful thing you've ever seen.</i>
</div>

<div style="text-align: center">◆</div>

When I arrived at the shop the following day, Saki told me straight away, "I'm going to the barbershop today."

In her hand she was holding a book titled "Becoming an Actress Made Easy! (Wig for the Stage)." ''She's come a long way'', I thought. Personally, I found her hair pretty as it was, but she seemed to differ.

Perhaps, she was aiming for the leading role and wanted to stand out most.

Her face was expressionless as always, but her eyes weren't.

I sensed fire in her eyes, almost as if she wanted to curse someone to death.

"Oh, you're here?"

"Yeah, I'm taking over here, so have a rest."

"Thanks for the book."

"Did you like it?"

"Why, yes. I ''loved'' it."

It seemed like she had already finished the book I'd brought her. Now that's what I call passion, reading through such a book in one day again.

By the way, the book was a reinterpretation of a story whose moral was "You look best when you're just yourself," and "Don't trouble the people around you with absurd lies."

Again, I hadn't read the book myself, but I was told so. The message the author had written in the postscript was yet another prank and shouldn't be taken seriously.

<i>I'll leave the book I brought her today on the table.

Mm, what should I get her tomorrow?</i>

<div style="text-align: center">◆</div>

<div style="color: #75365A; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
That day I headed to the barbershop to get some hair treatment.

Not to the barbershop I usually went, but to a much fancier place: a shop that combined various areas of the beauty business, from hair salons to make-up and nail salons.

Since that dress was sort of troublesome to walk in, I changed to my usual clothes, but I left my make-up as it was. The magazine said the UV radiation would hurt my skin otherwise.

"Welcome to...?"

''Oh dear, where's the object in that sentence? I understand they don't know how to attend to customers here.''

"I'm Saki Maino. I've made an appointment."

"Ah, yes. We've been awaiting you. Please, this way."

After I had been led to a seat, I was asked to sit down and was covered with a sheet. My body disappeared under the white sheet, with only my heavily made-up face poking out. It must have looked quite eerie, if I may say so myself. But it was all for the sake of getting a fine skin like an actress! I couldn't be picky now.

"My name is Koumoto and I will be your hairstylist today."

"Pleased to meet you."

Koumoto-san nodded and touched my hair.

"You have beautiful hair. Do you care for them a lot?"

"No. All I do is apply the most necessary when bathing."

I did use shampoo and hair oil, which I both borrowed from Towako-san, but nothing special.

But everything aside, having seen my looks in sixteen years, I couldn't care less about empty phrases.

"How would you like to have you hair done?"

"Like this. And I'd also like to ask for a treatment," I said as I gave him a cut-out from my book.

The haircut in the photo was coiled like a soft ice cream. While very offbeat, the cut was bound to be in vogue if an actress was wearing it.

Normal treatment was insufficient; in order to go one step further than challenged, I had decided to get myself a new haircut. There would be no room for any complaints after that.

"Err, this haircut?"

"Yes."

"Ummm, may I ask one thing?"

"Yes?"

"Is there a reason for that make-up and this haircut?"

The air tensed inside the salon, as though someone had dropped a brick.

"A... reason?"

''Is he asking about the Relic that has shown my future appearance? No, he wouldn't know. But what is he referring to then?''

"I mean, are you an actress and the play takes place tomorrow?"

"No, I'm not. I'm just a shop assistant."

"A shop... assistant..."

"Yes."

"Excuse my rudeness, but may I ask what book this photo is from?"

"Um, just from a normal book about haircuts really."

"Normal... Um, I really do not mean to be rude, but did you also refer to such a book for your make-up?"

"Y-Yes."

"A book on what?"

"It introduced various make-up techniques for actresses. I thought it was best to start by imitating an actress if I wanted to get good at make-up."

"Yes, of course... an actress."

<i>Why is it that I feel like he is overly carefully trying to say something?

Looking at his face in the mirror, it's kind of contorted, and bitter.

N-No way...</i>

I noticed a certain thing and reluctantly asked, "Do I look strange?"

While still trying to choose his words carefully, the hairstylist answered point-blank, "Very much so."

I gazed at my unmade-up face in the mirror.

I hadn't expected that the first thing I would do at the barbershop would be removing my make-up.

According to Koumoto-san, my make-up had indeed been that of an actress, but not what they would put on normally.

He also showed me a few magazines of make-ups, haircuts and fashion that was in vogue at the moment.

What I saw in those was not just far from what was in my books; it couldn't have been any more different.

O-Of course, I had also thought that the make-up was a bit heavy, the clothes a bit gaudy, and the haircut a bit extravagant, but it was a fact that there were people who actually used that outfit. Besides, I had been convinced that I couldn't get too aggressive after seeing myself in sixteen years and getting provoked by Tokiya. But as it seemed, my make-up had been too heavy, my clothes too gaudy and my haircut too extravagant. I was ''really'' grateful that I hadn't put on my dress when I'd come here.

"Mm, mm! Au naturel suits you way better!"

"T-Thank you."

I could see Koumoto's satisfied smile reflected in the mirror. Too embarrassed to hold his gaze, I turned my face down.

I was so close to my limits that I couldn't even be bothered that he had dropped his polite choice of words.

"Okay, can you look ahead for a sec?"

I had to turn my head upwards again. Right now, I was really grateful that my feelings didn't show much on my face.

Koumoto-san was holding a make-up tool.

"We're well-equipped because we also have a make-up and nail salon in the second floor here. Well, just look."

After he had applied a few basic cosmetic products, he lightly applied a foundation on my face and traced my lips with a weak lipstick.

"This should be more than enough in your case. After all, you have pretty eyes, well-defined eyebrows, and nice long eyelashes. In fact, you probably wouldn't need to do anything at all."

''He's a pro'', I thought when I saw how he managed to beautify my face while keeping it natural.

He also taught me a few tricks, and explained to me that there was no need for heavy make-up just to protect the skin from UV radiation.

I realized just how mistaken my shallow knowledge had been.

Now that I calmly looked back on it, I had to admit that my make-up had been gross. No one would walk around like that.

It seemed like I'd had, as was rare for me, lost my composure and become numb. How careless of me.

"Okay then, we'll just adjust your hair a bit today and then give it a treatment, is that fine?"

Needless to say, I had decided against that strange haircut and just asked him to adjust the length a bit, after which he applied a treatment. While I was waiting for the conditioner to have an effect, Koumoto-san talked with me.

"By the way, how come you started caring about make-up and hair care? Is there a cause?"

"Um, to tell the truth, I was shown how I might look in a couple of years."
"Aah, one of those machines that can supposedly find out such things by analyzing the condition of your skin?"

I couldn't tell him about the Relics, but apparently, there was an actual machine that did something similar.

"It was a real shock to see so many wrinkles and slack skin..."

"Are you sure? I don't think so. You must have been fooled."

"B-But that's not all! When I started caring for my skin, a colleague at work indirectly told me that it's all futile effort and that my hair and clothes were awful as well, so I wanted to show him..."

"Is he your boyfriend?"

<i>What? What is he talking about all of a sudden. Tokiya and I, we're not a couple or dating or anything.

But it's not the first time I was told so. No, maybe I'm being told so quite often. Does that mean that we look like that to others? But Koumoto-san hasn't seen us together... did he come to that conclusion from my way of talking about Tokiya?

Did I speak in a way that could be taken like that? Sure, we spend a lot of time together, and we're calling each other by the first name, and I've already visited his apartment, and we also go out together once in a while.

Is this what we normally call dating someone?

Mmm, no no. There never was a confession or anything, and I don't look at Tokiya in such a light. Ah, but I absolutely don't dislike him. More like, of all people around me, he's the closest to me... there's no one else my age, so he's the only one... Ah! With "the only one" I don't mean that I can't think of being together with someone else or anything, um, anyway, we're not seeing each other, and we aren't a couple, nothing of this kind.</i>

Therefore, I bluntly said, "No. He's not."

"It took you quite a while to arrive at that conclusion, didn't it?"

"What do you mean?"

"No need to affect indifference..."

"I'm not. I'm always like this."

"U-Uh-huh..." he muttered in reply as he smiled wryly for some reason. "Um, anyways, leaving aside what he told you, it's important to care for your skin, but you shouldn't get over-eager. You have really pretty skin and hair!"

"Y-You think so? Thank you."

''I'm relieved if a pro says so.''

"I'll stop trying all kinds of things then," I said.

"Yes, that would be good. But you don't need to stop everything! Just the minimum. You're a girl; it's normal that you would want to look pretty for a certain person."

Apparently, Koumoto-san still had a wrong image of Tokiya and me.

Besides, this time it wasn't about being pretty for someone, but a personal matter of being pretty. I had to admit that I'd been fooled by that article and got a bit over-eager because of Tokiya's provocations, but he was really unrelated.

After that, we continued to chat a bit until the treatment finished, and in the end, I had him blow-dry my hair.

"Thank you for everything," I said, including my gratitude for clearing things up for me.

"No problem. Please visit us again if you like."

"Yes," I replied. But when I wanted to pay the bill, I realized:

"...I've left my wallet at home."
</div>

<div style="text-align: center">◆</div>

When she came back from the barbershop, Saki had removed that stage actor-like make-up.

The length of her hair hadn't changed too much, but it was a bit cut into shape. I had been afraid of what strange haircut she would get, but fortunately, my fears ended up being unfounded.

Since she didn't change into her actress dress, I assumed that she had finished the first phase of whatever she was trying to do.

I left out a sigh of relief internally.

I had decided to stop her if she were to do even stranger things.

"I think this make-up looks much better on you!"

"Huh? Eh? Ah, yes," Saki uttered with a few blinks, apparently a bit taken aback. "I-I have to go out again for a moment," Saki said shortly after arriving.

"Okay, but where are you going?"

"S-Shopping."

"Why didn't you do that when you came back?"

"I just recalled that I forgot to buy something! Anyway, take care of the shop while I'm away."

With these words, Saki left the shop again. Almost as if she didn't want me to inquire further.

This was bothering me. Something was weird. First that make-up, then those clothes, now this, I clearly smelled a rat.

"......"

After waiting that she had left, I followed her.

Without noticing me, Saki walked along the road.

Clearly, she wasn't shopping. The super market she usually went to wasn't this way.

After I had followed her carefully for a while, she stopped in front of a certain shop.

It was a beauty salon. With no hesitation, Saki entered the salon.

''What's the meaning of this? Why would she go to a barbershop again when she just came back from one? Was her extravagant haircut just not done yet?''

While hiding behind a telephone pole, I peeped into the shop. A young man who was approximately twenty years old approached Saki upon noticing her. He seemed to be one of those charismatic hairstylist and it looked like they knew each other already. Was he Saki's hairstylist of choice?

The two started to talk.

It was a normal conversation, but somehow they seemed to be rather familiar with each other. Even worse, I felt like I could recognize embarrassment in Saki's trademarked deadpan look.

''Could it be that he's the reason why Saki started caring about cosmetics and fashion?''

After they had exchanged a few words, the hairstylist tried to take her somewhere, pushing her a little.

Saki nodded once and followed along.

There was no way she would have to leave the department if she just wanted to get her hair done. No, coming twice alone was already strange enough.

''Seriously, what's going on here?''

Heavily confused by the turn of events, I just kept standing there thunderstruck.

<div style="text-align: center">◆</div>

<div style="color: #75365A; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
I was so embarrassed about leaving my wallet at home that I couldn't tell Tokiya. Who knows how he would have made fun of me.

That aside...

''I think this make-up looks much better on you!''

Tokiya praised me.

That catchphrase in that magazine had been my goal, but I didn't ''really'' want to be praised; I hadn't started learning about make-up for that.

But I was happy... more than when I just imagined it.

Maybe, things like skin care, make-up and fashion, while bothersome, weren't so bad after all.

''A-Also, looks like Tokiya didn't like that heavy make-up either. Why didn't he just tell me then!''

I made a few complaints internally.

While mulling over such things, I arrived at the beauty salon and asked for Koumoto-san.

While I was waiting for him, the person at the reception praised me, commenting that this make-up looked better. Praise never feels bad of course, but because Tokiya had already praised me, I wasn't as happy.

''I wonder why? Have I become used to praise just because Tokiya has done so once?''

I was a bit ashamed of my conceit.

After a while, Koumoto-san approached me, and when I paid the bill while saying thanks again, he gently replied, "You didn't have to pay today."

The hairstylists around us who knew what had happened laughed.

First the make-up, then my wallet; it looked like I had become famous around here.

''How embarrassing! I want to bury my head in the sand! I don't look like that to anyone, though.''

"Okay, payment received!"

"Yes, thank you for everything."

"Ah, wait a moment!" Koumoto stopped me when I was about to turn around.

"Yes?"

"Um, you know, we're holding a shooting here today for our new advertisement, but our model had to cancel last-minute. We do have a few shots from other candidates that could be used for the advertisement, but it would be a real shame if the clothes and the set we've prepared was all for naught."

"Uh-huh."

"Wouldn't you like to stand in?"

"Huh?"

I think that my surprise became quite visible even though it was me.

"You would fit the image perfectly! What do you think? Just think of it as doing us a little favor. Ah, of course you'll get a pay, and we'll try to accommodate you."

"Um, but I don't want to have my hair cut."

"Okay, no cut then."

"Um, but I don't have any experience in this sort of thing."

"Don't worry. We'll have pros take care of your make-up, your clothes and hair, you just have to sit there!"

"Um, but... but..."

I couldn't think of any other reason to turn him down.

"You're interested in make-up and fashion, aren't you? You don't get pros to do that for you everyday, and you can even get tips from the specialists. And considering how you looked earlier, this is a great opportunity if you ask me."

The ''how you looked earlier'' touched me in a sore point. I may not owe him a favor, but as a little token of gratitude...

"Besides, you can show that colleague of yours how pretty you are, and you may get some praise from him?"

"N-No need for that. But this might be a good opportunity to show him once for all."

Yes. I didn't want to be praised or anything, but I could show him.

As a matter of fact, I hadn't forgiven Tokiya for his provoking attitude yet. In fact, I was burning to show him more than ever after I had learned a few tricks from Koumoto-san.

I had by no means taken a liking to being praised by Tokiya, and I did of course not want to get praised again.

"Please! Do us a favor!"

"Understood."

Contrary to my personality, I accepted being their model.

"Thank you, you're being a real help here! Do you have any wishes? Please tell me in advance what you don't want us to do."

"Um, there's one thing," I said and voiced one request I had.
</div>

<div style="text-align: center">◆</div>

Quite a while passed waiting for her.

She would still not come back. Just when I started to worry that she had been involved in a dangerous incident and planned to go to her rescue, the hairstylist in question appeared.

He went outside and started to have a puff. He looked like he had settled a job.

I accidentally stumbled out of the shadow, and our eyes met.

Thinking I was a customer, he gave me a nod.

If I were to leave now, I would make myself suspicious as hell.

"Ah, excuse me. I'm looking for a girl who's working at the same place like I am. Do you happen to have seen her?"

I then told him Saki's name and her characteristics. I felt a bit stupid because I knew she was there.

The hairstylist pondered shortly, but then he nodded and told me that she was here.

"So you're her colleague?"

"Eh? Have you heard about me?"

"I was in charge of her today, you know. She told me a few things."

"I see. By the way, what has she come here for anyway? Wasn't she already here earlier?"

"Aah, she has forgotten her... No, um, we have asked her to model for us."

It seemed like he was hiding something, but the latter part of his statement was more shocking anyway.

"Model for you?"

"Is there anything wrong?"

"No, I was just surprised."

I was indeed surprised.

''She, a model?'' It was the surprise among surprises that she would accept such an offer. I thought that if asked, she would decline point-blank.

"Um, are you acquainted with her?" I asked the hairstylist.

"No, I only attended her today. You see, the model we had hired for our new advertisement couldn't come, so we asked your colleague to stand in."

Apparently, they weren't as familiar as I had thought.

I unconsciously let out a sigh of relief. Not that I really was relieved.

"Ah, you've come just right. Could you come along for a moment?"

"Yes?"

Without waiting for my approval, he dragged me into the salon.

<div style="text-align: center">◆</div>

<div style="color: #75365A; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
While I do not know much about modeling, I was feeling like a doll.

One after the other, I was treated by professionals in hair style, make-up and attire, receiving praise and advise alike, and metamorphosed step by step.

I was told that I had nice skin. But that person, who incidentally was in her twenties, also warned me that I should be careful because it would get worse at once when I got older. Even though they were all so pretty, they all have worries respectively.

The person who was in charge of my attire had me take off my clothes and put on the new ones before I could even be embarrassed. I was told that my underwear was lacking sex appeal, but I didn't consider that necessary.

After this and that, a new Saki was looking at me in the mirror.

Because my hair was done up in a slightly loose and twisted fashion, my neck was exposed, making me feel a little uncomfortable. In addition, I was also wearing black ribbons that went well with my clothes. As for the color, it was left silver but they applied some sort of a temporary black mesh.

To my delight, my clothes were mostly black and gothic-style. Unfortunately, though, there were no sleeves and the skirt was above the knees, leaving me sort of embarrassed. I tried to pull up the elbow-long black gloves and the above-knee-high black fishnet tights as much as possible, but when I did so, I was strictly told not to.

In regards to make-up, they emphasized my eyes with mascara and added a weak red touch to my cheeks, and finally put on bright red lipstick, resulting in an overall mature and provocative appearance.

I had never been as dressed up as now in my life.

I may have been indifferent to make-up and skin care so far, but that was not because I had no interest in this sort of thing whatsoever. I did have my own views on what looked good, and I always tried to select products that suited me and that I personally liked.

That being said, I had never taken it this far.

Beauty sure needs courage.

While this style hadn't required that much courage because I had others do it for me, I shuddered at the thought of showing it to someone, especially Tokiya.

It was then that I heard Koumoto-san knock at the door and say, "Could you come, please?"

The shooting was over already, and he had been checking the photos, after which my job here was completed. Most likely, he had finished checking them and wanted to ask for my approval.

I opened the door.

"Huh?"

When I did so, Tokiya was there.

I lost my tongue in surprise.

<i>Why is Tokiya here? Why isn't he doing his shift?

No, why is he staring so closely at me?</i>
[[Image:Tsukumodo_V2_290.jpg|400px|right]]

I somehow felt hot in the face.

Looking closely at me, Tokiya opened his mouth.

''What is he trying to say, I wonder?''

I'd had no intention of showing him, but since he had already seen it now, I couldn't help but wonder about his opinion.

I felt a mix of anxiety and expectation.

While holding Tokiya's gaze, I waited patiently for his words.

''I think this make-up suits you much better!''

His previous words crossed my mind.

Finally, he slowly opened his mouth again and said:

"Err, pleased to meet you."

T-This jerk...

I immediately shut the door.

Tokiya didn't recognize just because of some make-up, some new clothes and a different haircut.

Koumoto-san had indeed said he would turn me into a different person, and I'd welcomed that because I didn't want anyone to recognize me in the advertisement.

But I hadn't thought that even Tokiya would fail to recognize me.

Is it really normal to mistake someone who you have spent so much time with?

I was somehow deeply disappointed.

"Hah," I sighed unintentionally.

''What are you doing, girl?''

Where had I started to go astray?

I originally only wanted to prevent the future by starting to care for my skin, after seeing how I would look in sixteen years. Despite that, I was fooled by that article, reacted over-sensitively to Tokiya's provocation and even started to put effort into fashion and my hair style, just to end up as a model before I knew it.

I had learned something new, indeed, but I had also clearly made a mistake.

I felt like I had completely mistaken the means with the ends, gone through a pointless struggle.

I looked into the mirror.

An unfamiliar Saki was there.

And a Saki who hadn't been recognized by Tokiya was here.

''Yes, I'll admit it. I ''was'' in high spirits. I was in ''somewhat'' high spirits because of all the praise.''

But those feelings had gone away somewhere.

They had disappeared in an instant, although I didn't want to admit that it was Tokiya's words that caused it.

''Really... what are you doing, girl?''

I removed the ribbons that had held my hair up.

My hair fell down.

"Let's go home..."

In my disappointment, I noticed something.

Even a girl like me seemed to be familiar with the desire that any girl conceives.

The desire to look pretty...

...No... the desire to be praised by a certain boy.
</div>

<div style="text-align: center">◆</div>

"Err, pleased to meet you," I said, greeting a beautiful but unfamiliar girl, but she ignored me and shut the door.

My gaze wandered to Koumoto-san who was facepalming besides me.

"Huh? Don't tell me that this girl is..."

"Yes, it's her."

"Eeh?"

''That was Saki? No way! But now that I think about it, I feel like it was her.''

I wanted to see her again, but she had already closed the door.

"Look," he said, pointing at the photos on the table.

"!"

"Surprised?"

Saki was in them. Completely different from how she normally looked, but Saki was in them, more beautiful than I had ever seen her. It was the girl that had appeared behind the door just a moment before.

"I hadn't expected her to change that much, either! Incredible, isn't she?"

"Yeah, quite so..."

I could only give him a vague reply because I was having a shock.

Honestly speaking, those photos didn't look so much like Saki either. Unless told so, I may have not recognized her. In fact, I was still suspecting that he was fooling me.

However, once I had noticed a certain thing, I was dead-sure that it was Saki and nobody else.

I had found something proved it was her in the photos, although not noticeable to anyone else.

"What a pity. This was your chance," he said.

"My chance?"

"Well, you seemed to have a fight."

"Huh? I don't remember fighting with her."

''What is he talking about? Did she talk badly about me when she had her hair done?''

"But that aside," I said, "did you recommend becoming an actress to her?"

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Lately, she's been reading a series of self-improvement books titled 'Becoming an Actress Made Easy!' and imitating the make-up, clothes, and so forth of a certain theatrical group. Because I thought she was interested in this sort of thing, I brought her a few scripts of that group from the library, you see..."

"Your story is quite different from the one I've heard."

"The one you've heard?" I asked.

"Yes. She told me that her colleague at work implied that her efforts were futile when she started catching up on skin care."

"I don't understand."

"Neither do I!"

I had completely become lost, including the fight Koumoto-san had mentioned. Well, I was used to her occasional strange behavior, so that in itself didn't come as such a surprise.

"So she doesn't want to become an actress, did I get that right?" I asked.

"At least from what I've heard, she only wanted to learn from their make-ups."

"But why did she suddenly start caring about make-up and whatnot?"

"Well? I don't know, but doesn't every girl have some interest in make-up and fashion?"

I couldn't believe that that was all in her case, but I couldn't think of a different reason. At the very least, there must have been something that sparked her interest.

"If there's a misunderstanding between the two of you, you should probably correct it as soon as possible," he suggested.

"Hah," I uttered vaguely. He was talking about correcting it, but I didn't even know what the problem was.

"Well, but whatever the problem is, you just made a blunder," Koumoto-san said as he patted my back, half out of bafflement, half out of encouragement. "There are two types of people. Those who dress themselves up for themselves, and those who do it for someone else. What type do you think she is? If it's the latter, you should have praised her. Not recognizing her was a complete no-go, of course."

<div style="text-align: center">◆</div>

<div style="color: #75365A; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
Tokiya and I returned to the shop without saying a word.

It seemed like he wanted to say something, unable to take heart, but I pretended like I didn't notice.

Once we had arrived at the shop, I went straight into the bathroom to wash my face. I'd had them remove the make-up and redo my haircut, and was wearing my usual clothes, but I just wanted to wash off that uncomfortable mood.

Only after doing so did I feel fresh again.

I looked into the mirror and found my usual face in there.

In the end, they accepted my request not to use the photos of my different self for their advertisement. Truth be told, I was relieved.

I searched my pocket. In it was a lipstick. Koumoto-san had given it to me as a token of gratitude, since there was no payment in the end. It wasn't a gaudy lipstick, but one with a pale color.

I tried putting it on.

Not to show Tokiya of course, but because I didn't want him to think that I gave up on make-up because of him.

I was quite sure that he was going to praise me.

He might be in the belief that I hadn't noticed because I'd closed the door, but I did know that Koumoto-san had given him some advise in front of the door.

I was sure that he would praise me like Koumoto-san had told him, and once he did so, I would reply like this:

''"Oh, you do recognize it's me if I only put on this much?"''

With this sarcastic remark, I would conclude the matter.

I wasn't angry or anything.

Apparently, it was a misunderstanding on my part regarding the scripts he'd given me, and I didn't have the right to get angry at him just because he hadn't noticed my make-up.

I was just a little disappointed.

But I didn't want to stay like that forever.

This was a chance for Tokiya.

But if he didn't notice, it was over. I wouldn't care about him anymore.

That was my line of compromise.

I went into the shop.

Tokiya was sitting behind the counter and looked at me.

His gaze went to my eyes and then downward.

"Saki."

Here he goes.

My heart and my answer were ready to go. I only needed his words now.

"You put on the pendant, didn't you?" he smiled.

"!"

A surprise attack. He got me. As careless as I was, I hadn't expected that.

"Koumoto-san told me that you only accepted the job on condition that you may keep the pendant on."

I unconsciously grabbed the pendant under my clothes.

It was a pendant inspired by the moon.

It was a present I had received from Tokiya.

I had requested not to remove it in exchange to model for them.

''Oh boy... you didn't have to tell him, Koumoto-san.''

"Thanks, Saki!"

"I-I didn't do it for you. I just like this pendant."

"Your face looks kinda red."

"That's make-up!"

"Mm? Have you put on make-up again? I think you look best as you are!"

"O-Only lipstick!"

And here I am, giving it away myself.

...What a day.
</div>

<div style="text-align: center">◆</div>

While looking at Saki's photos, I noticed that she was wore a shining pendant.

It was the very pendant I had once presented her with. That's why I became dead-sure that it was Saki... although I do admit that it's pathetic to recognize her by a pendant.

A while after that incident, when it had settled down a bit, I asked her:

"By the way, why did you even start doing make-up?"

"I wasn't interested in make-up, but in skin care."

"Why?"

"......"

Saki mulled over something for a few seconds, but then she went into the private area of the shop and came back with a crumpled picture. Not only the picture itself was crumpled, but also the person in it.

"What's this?"

"A photo of me from that Relic camera."

"Of you?"

"You said the camera was set to sixteen, right? That means it's a photo of me in sixteen years. But I don't care. I will care for my skin and make sure that it won't happen. Koumoto-san praised my skin, after all, and it looks like I've been successful so far."

Saki held out another picture.

"And what's this one?"

"A photo of myself in sixteen years I've taken just now."

In it was the grown-up Saki. While she still looked younger than thirty, the air about her was that of a mature woman, much like Towako-san.

Saki clearly was in a very good mood.

"Why don't you take a photo, too, Tokiya? Even if you're male, you may get the shock of your life if you don't care for your skin?"

"Aah, um, yeah, but that aside, isn't that change a bit huge?" I asked as I compared the photos she'd given me and picked up the camera. "Is this thing broken or something?"

"Hey, do you have a problem with my new photo?"

"No, not with the new, but with the old one. How would you become like this in sixteen... oh?" While tampering with the camera, I noticed something. "Is this camera set to sixteen years right now?"

"Don't you have eyes? Just look at the number down there."

"...Ah...I understand now."

"What do you understand?"

I patted her back and expressively asked her to listen to me composedly.

"The camera was not set to sixteen back then, but to ninety-one."

Apparently, I had looked at the dial the wrong way and mistook "91" for "16."

Now, isn't that a funny discovery?

"Hey, isn't that great? You're going to be a pretty woman in sixteen... Huh? Saki?"

I had no idea why, but I felt like I was hearing the rumbling of an earthquake or an erupting volcano.

Huh? Saki? Wasn't your deadpan look your trademark?

Saki...!

<references />

<noinclude>
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| Forward to [[Tsukumodo:Volume 2 Afterword|Afterword]]
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</noinclude>

Ryuu to Aitsu to Kawaige no Nai Watashi

2012-11-12T14:31:26Z

Akios01:

[[Image:Ryuutoaitsu.png |thumb|300px]]
Ryuu to Aitsu to Kawaige no Nai Watashi (竜と勇者と可愛げのない私) is a light novel series written by Shimura Kazuya (志村一矢) and illustrated by Ginta(ぎん太). The series is serialized in Dengeki Bunko.

== Story Synopsis ==
Ange, a royal palace magician is looked down on by her peers despite her excellent ability, because she's a commoner. To bear the loneliness, she closed her heart and lost her cute side. Ange was given a mission to save the world by defeating the demon king May-Hem. In addition to this, she has to travel with Rex, a good-for-nothing knight who was born in a family of heroes, but has a fear of blood.

== Translation ==
=== [[Ryuu to Aitsu:Registration Page|Registration]] ===

Translators are asked to [[Ryuu to Aitsu:Registration Page|register]] for chapters they want to work on.

===Format Standards===
'''Every Chapter (after editing) must conform to the general format guidelines.'''
*[[Format_guideline|General Format/Style Guideline]]

== Updates ==
* 2 March 2012 - Project page created.

== Ryuu to Aitsu to Kawaige no Nai Watashi by Shimura Kazuya ==

=== Volume 1 ===
* [[Ryuu to Aitsu:Volume1 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Ryuu to Aitsu:Volume1 Chapter1|Chapter 1 - The Start of a Legend]] (22.58%)
* [[Ryuu to Aitsu:Volume1 Chapter2|Chapter 2 -]]
* [[Ryuu to Aitsu:Volume1 Chapter3|Chapter 3 -]]
* [[Ryuu to Aitsu:Volume1 Afterword|Afterword]]

=== Volume 2 ===

=== Volume 3 ===

=== Volume 4 ===

=== Volume 5 ===

=== Volume 6 ===

=== Volume 7 ===

== Project Staff ==
* Project Administrator:
* Project Supervisor:

==== Translators ====
* [[User:Stellarroze|stellarroze]]

==== Editors ====

== Series Overview ==
* Volume 1 - 竜と勇者と可愛げのない私 (February 10 2010 ISBN 978-4048683357)
* Volume 2 - 竜と勇者と可愛げのない私 2 (August 10 2010 ISBN 978-4048687713)
* Volume 3 - 竜と勇者と可愛げのない私 3 (January 6 2011 ISBN 978-4048701792)
* Volume 4 - 竜と勇者と可愛げのない私 4 (June 10 2011 ISBN 978-4048705899)
* Volume 5 - 竜と勇者と可愛げのない私 5 (October 8 2011 ISBN 978-4048708760)

[[Category:Teasers]][[Category:Dengeki Bunko]]

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume3 Chapter8

2012-09-30T04:28:35Z

Akios01: I edited best I could. Someone should check over however, just in case.

==Chapter 8: Ellis' Determination==

===Part 1===

"Ah..."

As Kamito opened his eyes, the image that he saw was the usual room of Claire's.

The warmth of the sun slipped through the curtains and brightened the room.

''...Ah? I, why was I sleeping?''

His memory was still in confusion.

He didn't know when he put on pajamas, or the bandages.

Next to his bed, there was a spirit stone, cracked after healing.

Just as Kamito was going to sit up—

"Hoo... Ah...!"

His flanks felt like it was burning.

Taking a closer look, the roll of bandages that were on his abdomen had formed a hard clot.

''That's right—''

The pain finally let Kamito remember what happened.

''I was pierced by the Spirit...''

The mirror spirit that went out of control through the power of the Spell Armament Seal.

The spirit that wounded Kamito, was finally annihilated by Velsaria.

With overwhelming destructive force, wiping it off the Earth.

The spirit that was completely destroyed, could never even return back to Astral Zero.

Complete eradication.

"The Academy's strongest Blade dancer— huh?"

Indeed a spirit's level that is on par with Ellis', That fortress was also insanely strong.

She was far stronger then she had been at the Spirit Blade Dance Festival 3 years ago.

''...As I am now, will I be able to defeat her?''

Clenching my left hand which used to hold that pitch black blade, asking myself.

The 3 years of emptiness, embarking on the journey to find

The reasons of defeat, you can have as many as you want.

''That "Kyōdouin"'s orphan — Jio Inzagi also said I've became weak...''

That is because, Kamito unconsciously protected his companions.

If that is my weakness then—

''... I have indeed became weak, heh.''

Pushing back the burning pain, he finally sat up on the bed.

Kamito's uniform was hanging on the walls of the room. It had become so tattered that it was unrecognizable.

After judging that even washing it would still do no good, he left it there.

Using his hands to lean on the wall, he started walking wobbly.

He searched through his uniform's front pocket, and took out the present and chocolate.

Although the chocolate had already been flattened, but because Claire finally made it successfully, he will gratefully eat it.

After making his resolve and placing it into his mouth, the sweet taste fully spread in his cavity.

"...Ah? This is surprisingly..."

Although there it was a bit bitter, it is quite good.

Compared to the coal cooking before, this is indeed remarkable progress.

''...She, essentially is a very hard working person, isn't she?''

While she does have some weaknesses, like often times where she has sudden mood swings, but as a top student, her learning speed is extremely fast.

If she was serious, maybe she could have been an expert in cooking too.

===Part 2===

"—Kamito!?"

Suddenly, the room's door slammed opened.

The one who came in holding a pile of bandages was Claire.

"Y-You, what are you doing, ah!"

"Nm? Your chocolate, is pretty good. You practiced hard."

"Eh?"

Kamito frankly praised—

Claire's face immediately reddened.

"T-Thats obvious isn't it? I-I Practiced a lot… ah, not that. W-Why are you up, isn't your body still unable to move!?"

"Ah, no, just walking should be no problem, look... Ouch!"

Even with the slight movement of his wrist, his sides started to really hurt again.

"...Haaa. You really are a fool, your wound opened again right? Well, quickly sit there. I'll put some new bandages on you."

"Ahhh, sorry for bothering you..."

Claire started wrapping the bandages awkwardly—

and slowly told Kamito what happened after he fainted.

The 2 who had the Spell Armament Seals, were found unconscious in the forest.

It seems like after being captured by the Knights they were jailed in the capital. After all, using Spell Armament Seals does not only just break the Academy's rule. They would also probably be tried by the Spirit Investigation Association.

The action Velsaria took that involved the public, did not cause any deaths, and since she only destroyed a small area of the street, she did not get any punishment.

Although the one who issued the ruling was Greyworth, this judgement might be what the Alfas Empire decided because they did not want to punish the Academy's strongest Blade Dancer, especially when the Spirit Blade Dance Festival is so near.

Ellis who helped Claire move Kamito back to the room, stayed in her room and never went out.

It probably was because she felt deep remorse that she failed her responsibility as the captain, and didn't prevent the streets getting destroyed nor the students getting associated with the Spell Armament Seals.

"… How long did I sleep?"

"A whole day. The Valentia Holy Festival ended a long time ago."

"Is that so..."

Kamito glanced at the clock hanging on the wall.

"From last night, it has almost been half a day."

"Claire, although I'm late I am very sorry."

Kamito handed out the small box that was just taken out of his uniform and gave it to Claire.

"What is this?"

"Ah... That, is your present, Your birthday gift. Although it has already passed hasn't it."

"...!?"

Claire widened her ruby eyes.

"W-Why, How...?"

"Rinslet told me. Ma, for a lady of nobility, it may not be anything of value."

"..."

"..."

In the end, Claire carefully untied the ribbons."

Inside the box, was the cat-like silver pendant that was carefully placed.

"T-This, isn't it the one I wanted...?"

"Before, weren't you always looking at it?"

"Ah, ah, but..."

Claire hugged the pendent in her hands like a treasure.

"This, should be pretty expensive wasn't it? You aren't an aristocrat—"

"That is because I made an unreasonable request to Ellis, asking an advance for my payment."

"...S-So... It was like that."

Claire tightly clasped the pendent, and from below looked at Kamito—

"...Th-Thank you, Kamito"

And said that shyly.

Seeing an emotion that was usually never seen from her, Kamito's heartbeat could not help but beat faster.

''...T-This person, putting on this expression, is simply too cute to be true—''

''"Hmph, as a slave you know quite some interesting things—"'' He thought he would hear something like that.

He totally did not expect she would frankly express her gratitude.

"Sorry, Kamito... About that, I was wrong."

"Mn?"

Another line that was hard to believe also emerged. Kamito could not help but wonder about his ears.

"I-I'm sorry... that, I chased you out of the room. This was the reason why you went to work for the Knights right?"

"Ah, no, that is—"

Just when he was going to say it, Kamito quickly closed his mouth.

Although it wasn't entirely like that— but it is better to remain silent now.

"Yet I, didn't even listen to your explanation and got angry... Sorry."

Her red twin tails dropped down with no energy.

"No, It's my fault, at that time I didn't explain properly. I apologize."

"Kamito..."

Claire looked up with teary eyes and slowly got closer to Kamito.

"--Hey, are you people done?"

"Cough cough!"

"...!?"

The two hurried and separated.

"Fianna, when were you here!?"

"Probably from that moment when Kamito-kun said 'It's time for you to become more frank, even though you always say you hate it— but you actually want to do more exciting things with me right?'"

"Don't fabricate such an unlikely fact!"

"Y-Yeah! D-Doing more exciting things with... N-No!"

Claire who was red all over immediately got angry.

"Hoho, it's just a joke. Claire really, you face doesn't have to be that red."

"W-Wh-Why did you even come here! Ero-Queen!"

"Tomorrow's match has already been declared, so thats why I came over here to tell you!"

"Who's our enemy for tomorrow?"

"Ah, our enemy is the team that's ranked first— Velsaria Eva's team~"

"...!"

Claire's expression immediately froze."

"...The Silent Fortress, huh?"

"An enemy that we know we will soon encounter, as long as we win."

Claire should have already realized this.

But, a power that can eradicate 2 strong high level spirits in an instant—

"—There's no problem."

Kamito picked up the Elemental Waffe sword that was placed next to the bed.

"I will defeat Velsaria. I will wake her up personally."

"W-What are you saying!"

Claire fiercely glared at Kamito.

"With that kind of injury, how are you able to join tomorrow's match?"

"That person will not be defeated with just you and the others."

"T-There is always a way... Lets not speak of Velsaria as an individual, their team is not mature enough. As it was just formed by pulling people from the Knights, they haven't even completed their—"

"The Silent Fortress is a tough opponent you know."

"That is..."

Even if Claire has a very straight forward personality, But as a Spirit Contractor, she also has the ability to calmly observe the situation.

Even with one reason, she wouldn't miscalculate the power difference between Velsaria and her.

But even if Fianna was an ex-Princess Maiden from the Divine Ritual Institute, which grants her the ability to do rituals, but once the fighting stats she is no different from any other people.

While is is true that her knight spirit is strong, but once you consider it can't enter Elemental Waffe, the area of tactical fighting immediately lowers.

Additionally, in order to attack the flying fortress, a spirit that has long-range attacks are necessary.

The only one that could attack air units in Team Scarlet is only Claire's magic. But, it is impossible to just rely on magic to destroy the armor mounted on the fortress.

''But, if I be the forward, we could at lest adhere to five minutes.''

Towards Kamito who was making an attempt to get out of bed—

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Squeeze squeeze*

"Yeah, even if Kamito-kun's body is firmer and stronger, participating in tomorrow's match is impossible~"

Fianna used her soft chest to press him back.

Due to Kamito blushing because of the touch of something really soft, Claire fiercely glared back.

"Thats right~ the injured you would just give us more trouble."

"..."

Although he feels really unwilling, but he couldn't find any words of rebuttal.

Indeed, letting Kamito who is seriously injured to join the battle would just be a hinderance.

"Then, Team Scarlet is forfeiting?"

"That—"

Kamito who was asking it also understood, there was no other way.

Once you forfeit a match, as a punishment your ranking would significantly drop.

Knowing that, if they don't defeat the top team, the chance of getting their 6th placed team to the top 3 would almost be 0.

===Part 3===

"..."

A heavy atmosphere filled the room, and at this moment—

"Fuu, I understand what you all were saying~"

An elegant voice came from outside the room.

Accompanied by the waving blond hair, Rinslet entered the room.

Following closely behind her, was her maid Carol.

"Rinslet why did you come over here!?"

"Seems like there is in need of my power~"

Disregarding Claire who is actively protesting, Rinslet bluntly walked over.

After stopping in front of Kamito who is still sitting on the bed, she elegantly moved her long hair.

"As long as it is me, I can definitely shoot down the flying fortress for you!"

"Ojou-sama is trying to say that she hopes to join Claire-sama's team~"

Carol simultaneous translated what Rinslet said.

"Is that right, Rinslet?"

"...N-No! It's, just that..."

Rinslet, being flustered, asked for Carol's help.

"Haha, ojou-sama really is not good at expressing the truth~"

Using her hands to cover her mouth, Carol gently laughed.

"—Rinslet!"

Suddenly, Kamito stood up and grasped her shoulders.

The slender shoulders of hers suddenly trembled.

"Ah!, w-what! You are too violent... I'm not ready yet!"

Her voice sharpened as she protested. But, Kamito did not let go.

"..."

"Ah, whe..."

Being stared straight at by Kamito, Rinslet quickly quieted down.

Blushing, she nervously grabbed her skirt's corner.

"T-Thats troublesome... If I am being stared like that, I-I would become strange..."

"K-Kamito, what are you doing!?"

"Kamito-kun, no matter how you argue, you are being too bold!"

Ignoring the shocked Claire and Fianna—

"Please, Rinslet. Join our team."

"Eh?"

Rinslet stood there shocked. Claire also widened her eyes.

Rinslet's Elemental Waffe— "Freezing Arrow", is a long range attacking weapon. Under the situation that Kamito is not allowed to enter tomorrow's match, they need her to urgently join.

But, if we let Claire who is always arguing with her to ask, this ojou-sama would never put down her pride. So, Kamito intervened and asked himself.

Rinslet then—

"A-Alright..."

Like a bride that was getting proposed to, she bluntly agreed.

"I-If Kamito-san says so..."

Reddening, she used her fingers to play with her hair.

"Is that fine, Claire?"

Claire sighed.

"True, this is after all the undefeated "Silent Fortress". And one day we will need ranged support that has sufficient power."

"W-Wait, don't misunderstand. I only joined your team because Kamito-san requested it."

"Now, now." Carol slowly comforted the furious Rinslet.

In any case, now we will be able to carry out anti-air attacks from the ground.

''...Now if I joined, our power would be more balanced.''

Claire also seemed to have also considered the same thing with Kamito.

"If only we can have another person to take on the position as forward..."

She said it with a troubled expression.

Just then, there were knocks on the door.

"...?"

Everyone looked at each other... Having visitors coming to this room is very surprising.

Claire went over and opened the door.

The ones who were standing outside the door— were surprisingly 2 people.

"Y-You!?"

Claire who was holding the door handle widened her eyes.

"Claire Rouge, there is something I want you to do."

"...Although it is clear, that we do not have the qualifications to ask for something."

Those people were Ellis' teammates who were still supposed to be in the infirmary.

Rakka and Reishia from the Sylphid Knights.

===Part 4===

Inside the dark room where all the curtains were pulled up—

Ellis was crying alone on her bed, not caring for anything.

Staring at the memory that was sealed in the spirit stone.

Inside was, a young Ellis dreaming of Velsaria.

For the first time, she didn't attend the Knight's meeting in the morning.

What she is wearing right now is not the school uniform, but pajamas that were printed with polka-dots.

Her hair was also not tied up, letting the long hair scatter off in directions on her bed.

—''You are not a knight.''

Velsaria's words repeated in her brain.

''It may be just as what onee-sama said...''

In the dark, Ellis firmly grasped the bed sheet.

''...It's the truth, in the end, I couldn't protect anything.''

The people that were happily enjoying the festival.

The students that were transplanted with Spell Armament Seals.

And also— her important partner that was with her.

Kamito who joined her from kindness, also sustained serious injuries.

''Everything that happened was because of me. If only if I was more powerful, nothing would have happened—''

The seniors who agreed to join Velsaria and left the Knights, were also her fault.

No one would want to be with a captain that has no power, and would only speak of dreams.

"...I do not, have the right, to call myself a Knight—"

"Yup, the current you really does not have the right to be called a knight, Ellis."

"...!"

Ellis immediately let go of the bed sheets.

"Claire Rouge?"

"Sorry, but I melted the lock."

After saying that, Claire bluntly entered the room.

"W-Why are you here, and what was the meaning about I had no right of being a knight!"

"Heh~ So you still have the strength to be furious. I feel at ease now."

Claire went next to the bed, hands on her hips, and lowered her head while looking at Ellis.

The normal Ellis would stare back immediately, but—

She looks like as if she is being forced and looked away.

"...H-Has Kamito awakened yet?"

"Ah, he even said weird things like he would like to join tomorrow's match."

"What—? With that kind of injury?"

"Yup. And our enemy is the Academy's strongest 'Silent Fortress'."

"That's crazy, what are all of you thinking of!?"

Ellis grabbed on to Claire and stood up.

"You still don't understand onee-sama's power?"

"Ah, She is a very powerful spirit contractor, but she is not invincible."

"What?"

Ellis frowned.

Velsaria Eva Fahrengart is the strongest in the Academy.

That fact, is a truth everyone knows.

"Three years ago, Ren Ashbell defeated her."

"But that's because— She is the strongest blade dancer. The level is too far apart!"

"True. But, to defeat Ren Ashbell is our current goal."

"Wha—?"

To Ellis who never ever thought she would hear those words— she was speechless.

''...To defeat Ren Ashbell!?''

"How is that possible—?"

"It is possible. More precisely, it will be possible~"

"..."

Claire was serious.

She was seriously thinking of— defeating the strongest blade dancer.

"I will continue to win in the Spirit Blade Dance Festival, then I will make my 'wish'. whether it is the Silent Fortress or the strongest blade dancer, whoever gets in my way shall be brought down."

Looking straight at Ellis, was an eye that was burning silently.

A small flame was then ignited, inside Ellis' heart.

"M-Me too..."

"Ellis, will you bring that resolve and join the Spirit Blade Dance Festival?"

Claire seized Ellis' collar.

"Your dream of being a knight, is it only to this level?"

"—No!"

Ellis pushed Claire's hands away.

"I am... I am a knight of the Fahrengart!"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Boom!*

A strong wind was formed in the room.

The bed sheet on the bed flown away, the items on the desk flying in the air.

Curtains ripped apart, A strong sun ray was fired into the dark room, brightening everything.

"..."

After the wind settled—

"Looks like the wind has started blowing again~"

Claire smiled.

Then, she pointed at Ellis.

With her other hand on her hips—

"Ellis, join our team!"

"...W-What?"

Ellis asked, still shocked.

"Allow me... to join Team Scarlet?"

"Correct. With you with us, we can win against the Silent Fortress."

Claire spoke with a serious tone.

However, Ellis firmly shook her head.

"Sorry, I cannot accept that. I already have companions to fight with—"

"—Captain!"

"?"

After hearing the noise that echoed in the room, Ellis looked over—

"Y-You guys!?"

Standing there, was a girl with short hair, and the other one with braiding.

Her teammates Rekka and Reishia.

"...You escaped from the Infirmary?"

===Part 5===

They should still be recovering.

They should not have been allowed to come this far out.

"Why...?"

"We, hope that Captain could appear in the Spirit Blade Dance Festival."

While painfully coughing, Rekka said that.

Reishia also nodded.

"We decided it ourselves. We already know that we would not be healed before the festival... So—"

"Disbanding... the party?"

While having a stunned expression, Ellis looked at her 2 teammates.

"..."

"N-No, I will not allow that!"

"But, Captain—"

"Didn't we already promise! We decided to appear on the festival together!"

Ellis already didn't care about her appearance to others and cried like a child.

"We can't do it anymore. So—"

"We want to fight side by side... So carry our dreams with you."

"Rekka, Reishia..."

"Please, fight for us too."

"I would like to see Captain's blade dance. A blade dance that cuts everything blocking its path, like a gale."

"..."

Ellis—

Firmly bit her lips, clenched her fist.

Both sides refused to give up— A heavy atmosphere quickly filled up the room.

The first person who sighed, was Ellis.

"...I understand. You win."

"Captain!"

The two girls squealed in happiness.

"—Claire Rouge."

Ellis looked back at the quiet Claire."

Not with the past face without any energy.

But with an expression that was filled with pride.

"I, Ellis Fahrengart, request to join Team Scarlet."

"Welcome, Ellis~"

Claire smiled happily and stretched out her right hand.

And Ellis returned by stretching out her left.

"I want to show that person, my honor."

===Part 6===

The strongest blade dancer— Ren Ashbell.

Three years ago, from that day they exchanged blows with their blades, Velsaria's life changed drastically.

On that day, her pride was struck and shattered.

Before that day, Velsaria always had the pride of the strongest Knight.

To the girl that appeared in front of her, she didn't underestimate her foe that was two years younger then her.

No matter who, As long as it is an enemy, she would try her best to strike it down.

That was her belief as a Knight.

With her full power she fought— But was defeated.

At that time, in her heart, Velsaria did not feel hatred.

More like a yearning to her.

Velsaria was not an exception, she like other girls, was also fascinated by Ren Ashbell's blade dance.

But what shattered her pride, was not the defeat itself.

But it was the eyes that the strongest girl cast at the loser.

In her pitch black pupils, what was shown—

Was not hostility, nor was it disdain— It was not an emotion.

In her eyes, Velsaria was not even recognized.

''...Unforgivable. What she had done was unforgivable.''

''I must defeat the strongest girl, and let her 'acknowledge my existence'.''

That was probably— in a sense, an emotion that was close to love.

''Soon, I can fight her again in the Spirit Blade Dance Festival.''

''As long as I do that, anything is fine.''

Midnight. Deep inside the "Spirit Forest"—

Velsaria was alone in the dark, trying her best to restrain her excitement.

At this moment, the bush behind her slightly moved.

"—You, you are there right?"

"Ha, as expected of you, you were able to detect my presence~"

A vivid laughter was able to be heard in the forest.

The one who appeared was— the Corpse Federation merchant, Vivian Melosa appeared.

"You were perfect yesterday, because of you I was able to collect a lot of data~"

"I knew it, it was you who implanted those Spell Armament Seals on them."

Velsaria emitted a strong murderous aura, the leaves started to fall.

"Yes, but, it was destroyed immediately. Even if it is the famed Areshia Spirit Academy, it is rare to find such a fine specimen like yourself!"

"Disappear. I told you to never appear in front of me anymore."

"Wa, you are pretty cold. I just came here to find how was the corruption rate of the 'heart'."

"I have no intentions to support your research. The 'heart' can already be fully controlled."

Vivian Melosa laughed out loud.

"Don't stretch it. A 'spell armament seal engraved on a heart'— the only person who could possibly control that is the Dusk Witch. If you just leave it like that, you will die in a few years~"

"Not a problem. As long as I live till the Spirit Blade Dance Festival 2 weeks later, it is enough."

"That is troublesome to me though. You are actually a specimen I took a liking to—"

In an instant, Velsaria released her Elemental Waffe towards Vivian Melosa.

With the strength of the compressed Divine power, it blew apart the trees in the forest, and blasted the dirt in front of her.

After the dust has settled, There was no one there. Only the dense darkness.

"...That damned witch."

Facing the empty space, Velsaria bitterly cursed.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Thump*—, the 'heart' started hurting.

<noinclude>{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume3 Chapter7|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume3 Chapter9}}</noinclude>

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume3 Chapter7

2012-09-29T05:15:05Z

Akios01:

==Chapter 7 - Valentia Holy Festival==

=== Part 1 ===

It was evening. The plaza of Academy Town was bustling with crowds of people.

Sweet smells tickled his nostrils. At the shrine, delicious-looking baked sweets were piled up like a mountain and princess maidens dispatched from the academy were showcasing a blade dance that entertained the spirits.

"However, where did she go, that girl?"

As his gaze fell towards the chocolate that Claire had thrown aside -

Kamito breathed a sigh, exasperated.

Together with Ellis and the other two, they had given chase after Claire, but halfway through, the time for the change of patrolling shifts had came, and they had to give up on the chase. With that, they started their rounds around the <Wind> area.

"....."

Ellis, walking right beside him with a complicated expression, stared at the chocolate that Kamito was carrying.

"What is it, Ellis?"

"N-no, it's nothing.... it looks like there's no problem in this area."

Ellis coughed, and looked away.

Indeed, there did not seem to be any signs of suspicious activity in this area.

Although there might have been brawls between drunkards and pickpockets, those kinds of trouble were left for the town's vigilante corps to deal with. Rather, what Kamito and the others needed to look out for were the matter that the townpeople, who were not used to interaction with spirits, incurred the anger of the spirits unknowingly.

During the rituals of worshipping the spirits, those kinds of incident occurred frequently.

"This is almost like.... a da-date."

"Hm, did you say something?"

"Nothing at all, concentrate more onto the patrolling!"

Ellis' face was flushed a deep red as she got angry.

"So-sorry...."

Kamito apologized.

''..... Wait a second, isn't Ellis the one who isn't concentrating?''

From earlier on, Ellis was not able to calm down, and was stealing glances at Kamito's face from the side, now and then.

Somehow, her manner of walking seemed unsteady and uncertain.

Their shoulders coming so close together that he was not sure whether they were touching, and then her screaming "Fuwaa", once again moving away from him - that kind of thing was repeated over and over.

Because of that, they bumped into the people that they passed by, many times.

"Ellis, walking like that is dangerous."

Unable to watch any longer, Kamito grabbed Ellis' hand,

"...... W-W-What are you doing, you insolent person!"


"No, since a while ago, you were somewhat unsteady, and it got dangerous... Your hand is also a little hot. Would you happen to have a fever or something?"

"...～Wh-Whose fault do you think it is?!"

As Ellis' hand was joined with Kamito's, she hit his shoulder.

"I'll have you bear responsibility for taking my first time!"

"Wh...!?"

At those words of Ellis, whose face was colored in bright red,—

The people, going back and forth the street, turned around with their faces lighted up.

They glared at Kamito with a scornful-like look and murmured in a soft voice together.

"Ellis, don't utter something that would invite misunderstanding!"

"I-It isn't a misunderstanding! Really, I-it's my first time joining hands with a man!"

"...!?"

''I see''— Kamito suddenly understood.

Thinking about it, Ellis was also an ojou-sama with a prestigious noble background.

Now that he thought about it, Claire and the others seemed like they were hesitating about joining hands with him when they were departing yesterday. To them who were the daughters of nobles, joining hands with a boy might be an act more embarrassing than he imagined.

"...Sorry. My bad."


Just as Kamito was about to release her hand,

Ellis blushed while looking away, still tightly holding his hand. "Ah, no, I don't mind, and I didn't mean to scare you."

The soft feeling a girl's hands. With a feeling of calluses, evidence of extensive weapon practice, Ellis continued to walk slowly holding hands.

"A guy, a guy's hand."

"Yes."

Hearing Kamito's reply, Ellis could not understand why she started laughing happily.

"It doesn't feel so daring or shameful, holding a guy's hand."

"Haha, yes." Kamito answered softly, while scratching his head with his free hand.

To be honest, Kamito really didn't know what to say.

From a moment ago, Ellis' large bust rested on his arm. Although the two of them were separated by her breastplate, the fullness of her chest could be easily felt. One could not help but stare at the armor to enjoy the sight of her body. For a young boy, the effect was downright irresistible.

''With such a hard body, why? Why is her body so soft?''

With his heart beating hard and full of excitement, the two continued to walk down the street full of festive excitement. The entire street was illuminated by spirit ore, giving it a blinding brightness.

Ellis' eyes started to glow at a small bear inside a display window, then her breath was stolen away after catching sight of a high class dinner gown at a different store.

Kamito brought up yesterday's maid's outfit incident to tease Ellis, which instantly turned her face red with rage.

"Hmm! Someone like me, isn't comparable with those kind of clothes anyway!"

"No such thing. The Knight armor is great, but I want to see Ellis in these kind of clothes too."

"What, what are you talking about?"

With a cute frown, Ellis suddenly became very shy. That was not the look of a Sylphid knight, but more the look of an ordinary girl. Looking at her——

Kamito suddenly had a question: "Hey, Ellis, why did you want to become a knight?"

Her reason to become a knight, wasn't just because she was a child of the Fahrengart family.

"................"

Ellis slowly turned her face toward him.

"At first it is because I wanted to follow my Aneue's footsteps."

"That Velsaria Eva-senpai?"

"That's right. Onee-sama is a amazing knight. She is very disciplined, always practicing her sword art, she never ceases in her quest to make herself a proper leader of the people.

As if looking at something far, far away, she raised her head to look at the evening sky.

"From when I was a child, I always tried to become a knight like Aneue. So when I joined the academy, I immediately joined the Sylphid knights." 

Suddenly, Ellis's tea-colored eyes turned hazy.

"But.." she continued,

"When I joined the academy, Aneue had already changed. As if driven by something, she became obsessed with gaining power. Of course, I don't think that kind of life is wrong. Pursuing the highest form of spiritual power is not wrong. But now, she is no longer the knight I want to follow."

"Something changed her?"

Kamito began to ask...

Ellis tightly bit her lips,

"I think, it was during the Blade Dance contest three years ago."

"!?"

Kamito couldn't help but exclaim.

"What happened, I am not sure, but since then, onee-sama rapidly changed."

Kamito looked down and stared at his gloved left hand.

Hidden inside, was the mark of his spirit contract. It was the hand that defeated Versalias three years ago and made him the victor of the Spirit Dance.

It was the left hand that had cut down many hopes and dreams of others for the sake of victory.

''The me of three years ago, didn't see anything.''

Only, innocently fought for "her".

Slowly accumulating victories, defeating dozens of opponents. Never even remembering how each opponent looked. The ones who were defeated by Ren Ashbell, what kind of hope or dream that brought them to the Spirit Blade Dance— It was never a factor to be considered.

Recalling Valesrtria Eva's icy pupils.

''Am I the person who changed Ellis's most respected knight?''

Ellis turned her eyes from the skies back to Kamito. Staring at him with a pair of strong spirited tea-colored eyes.

"I want to show my onee-sama my way of a knight. Although I am not mature yet, but I believe one day I will have that power. That is why I want to join in the Spirit Dance Festival."

For her belief as a knight—

For Kamito, a glowing aura seem to roll off Ellis.

Kamito couldn't help but ask: "Ellis, you don't hate Ren Ashbell?"

If he didn't change Valereisa's opportunity three years ago...

Kamito had no right to complain if Ellis hated him.

Then, Ellis lightly shook her head.

"Oh course, I was very unhappy when onee-sama was defeated. But, looking at the Spirit Dance and watching Ren Ashbell's consecutive victories, I was completely entranced by her."

"I really don't understand. She is really same as other spirit contractors, only to dance for that «wish», not someone with noble goals like Ellis.."

"WRONG—" Ellis interrupted Kamito with a strong rebuke.

"?"

"Her sword dance was greater than anyone else; if that was not the case, the elemental lords wouldn't have been satisfied. Nor allow those thousands of girls watching in that arena, until now, still wishing to be like her."

"......................."

Staring down the aggressive Ellis, Kamito could only muster a sigh.

"Because her sword skill was so high class, I was attracted to her. She didn't only fight for herself— but she fought for others."

"For others."

Kamito— listening to Ellis's words, felt slightly redeemed.

For others— That was correct. Kamito went into the arena fighting for "Her".

''To achieve her one dream— For this I drew my blade.''

But the only result— was completely disgusting.

For that important person, only this part was correct.

The girl in front of him spoke so.

"Ellis, thank you."

"Thank me for what?"

Ellis frowned suspiciously.

"No, nothing."

Kamito laughed bitterly as he looked away from Ellis.

—At this moment, his gaze landed on a particular store.

"Ellis, can you come with me so that I can buy something?"

"But-But we are patrolling right now."

"I have already decided on what I need to get. It shouldn't take more than a minute."

"I can't do anything about it. What do you need to buy?"

"Um, it will be quick."

=== Part 2 ===

Claire walked out of the town and into the spirit forest in tears. From a distance one could hear the noise from the plaza. It was almost nightfall, but it felt awful going back to the dorm now. She really didn't not want to see Fianna or Est right now. The red-haired girl used her sleeve to wipe away her tears.

"What-What knight-related work? I-I was planning to forgive him."

The evening wind continue to blow at her ponytails; Claire bit her lips tightly. Staring only at her sandals. *Di Dat*<ref>sound of waterdrops</ref> Tears slowly rolled off her eyes.

"Tomorr—Tomorrow is birthday."

As she uttered those words, she was attacked on how lonely she was.

Before, during the «Valentia Holy Festival», parents, sisters, and commoners would always gather in the city to start a great birthday party for her. Wearing a pretty dress, eating delicious cake— and only on that day she could sleep with her elder sister from the «Spirit Academy»— It was the happiest day of the year.

But four years ago, Rubia Elstein betrayed the Fire Elemental Lord.

Little Claire lost everything.

''Yes, I still have my list of goals.''

Banishing her sadness, Claire raised her head.

What birthday? What Valestina festival? Those were not the things to focus on right now.

''My goals are, to win the Spiritual Blade Dance and find out about the truth of four years ago. For this objective, I must become even stronger.''

The two Ponytails burned like flames.

''Even if Kamito is not around, I will also—''

"Haha, you really are under a lot of pressure, hellcat girl."

"!?"

Hearing the voice from behind—

Claire quickly turned around.

Standing beside a tree, was a girl laughing.

With emerald hair reaching her wrists. And pointy ears.

She had seen this person before.

She was the waitress in the cafe who brought the extra-large ice-cream yesterday.

''When did she get this close to me?!''

Clare instantly became alert-to be able to sneak up to a spirit contractor like her, she was definitely not someone ordinary. Her intuition screamed this was not normal.

"Who are you? I am sorry, but I am not feeling very well right now."

"Ara Ara, although a pretty face, but definitely a scary kitty."

Vivian Melosa opened her hands up.

"It is so-so difficult, I want to lend you my strength."

"Strength?"

Claire frowned.

"Yes, the thing you desired the most."

"You... could you be...?"

Clare stared at the woman.

"THE «CURSED ARMAMENT» DEALER!"

"You answered correctly! But the correct term is 'Researcher', yup!"

«Vivian Melosa» wagged her finger, slowly walking towards her. With her red eyes glowing, tightly focused on Claire's eyes. As if staring straight into her soul. With a full of gloom,

"—Hmm, hmm, little kitty, do you want that power?"

Claire couldn't move; as if her feet were nailed to the ground.

''Is this! Domination magic?''

A magic that elves were highly proficient with, a type of spirit control magic.

Her words continued to repeat in her mind, slowly reaching the deepest recess of her mind.

"You-You bastard."

"All you have to do is accept my «Cursed Seal», your little hell-kitten will become a extremely strong spirit."

Her head threatened to explode, even with her hands blocking her ears, the voice continue to invade her mind.

<span style="font-family: Impact;">—Oh Oh, do you want this power?</span>

<span style="font-family: Impact;">The power to overcome everything— The power to achieve your «wish».</span>

''Oh, something like that, I definitely want it!''

''The power I want. For the goal, powers are required.''

''For my wish, for everything— Four years ago, this is what I wanted to happen.''

Thus— risking her life— she raised her hand to receive the cursed seal— to receive the dangerous contract with a Dark Elf.

"DON'T LOOK DOWN ON ME!"

In an instant, Clare ignited her Flame Whip, and split the air between them.

"What?! You broke my spell??"

"My apologies, but I really dislike forced bargains."

"It is so disappointing, I thought you would be a great fit. I guess I was wrong."

If this were the Claire from a few weeks ago, she probably wouldn't have been able to beat the enticement.

To reach that power, she would accept the seal.

''But the me today is not the same.''

<big><span style="font-family: Calibri;">''If you want power— I will become your contract spirit.''</span></big>

''Because I made a contract with him''

"So, that kind of questionable power, I really don't want it!"

Screaming loudly, Claire released a massive fireball.

The silence of the forest was shattered by a massive explosion.

The trees were sent flying, and felt in a line. With the remaining trees ablaze, «Vivian» vanished.

"Haha, Don't be so hasty. There is someone else who wants to meet you."

A voice flowed out flirtatiously from the forest.

Claire turned around—

In the deep end of the forest, a tall girl stood there.

"You are."

Yesterday, the one that provoked Claire, the upperclassman who used an 'adamantine spirit'.

But there was no expression on that girl's face. She slowly walked closer with an unsteady gait— as if she was some kind of ghost.

"Is it the «Cursed Seal»?"

"Ah, don't be mistaken, they desired this power for themselves, but they didn't have the willpower to sustain the seal."

A laughter flew from the forest.

"«???? really weird name» hahahahahahaha."

The Adamantine Spirit contractor released a heart piercing wail.

In that instant, with a roaring wind, a huge beast appeared from the void.

There— Stood something way taller than Claire, a huge Adamantine beast.

With two huge horns, and an incredibly oppressive atmosphere.

"What the? Isn't this the Adamantine spirit?"

Claire shuttered in fear.

There was no way her contract Spirit could beat a monster like that.

"No, in theory, that is her spirit, but it has been strengthen by my Seals."

«Vivian Melosa» laughed.

"So, please help me with the experiment, Hell-kitty ojou-sama."

"!?"

The frenzied spirit released a deafening roar.

=== Part 3 ===

What Kamito bought, was the cat-shaped necklace that Claire liked.

After asking the shopkeeper to wrap up the box with ribbons, Kamito embarrassingly put the box in his breast pocket and started to walk away.

"Today is that person's birthday."

"So thats why you asked for your salary in advance, and it is to buy this thing."

"Ah, something like that… but, I just argued with her."

After seeing Kamito lowered his shoulder, Ellis coughed a bit.

"I think reconciling is not going to be hard, after all, didn't Claire personally make that chocolate for you?"

"Ah, looks like it, She even practiced cooking yesterday."

"I mean she even gave you that chocolate during the Valentia Holy Festival, that shows she does not hate you… In other words, you could say she was trying to become friends with you again right?"

"If it was like that, that would be great."

"B-But, when you send it to the opposite sex, there is this slight chance that…"

Ellis coughed again-

And Looked at Kamito's face.

"Huh? What's the matter?"

"A-Also, u-um… actually, I-I also have chocolates-"

At the moment when Ellis wanted to take something out of her pockets.

Dong-!

From the plaza's direction, came a noise that shook the ground.

"... Ellis!?"

"Ah, lets go Kamito!"

Ellis' immediately recovered back to normal, and ran like the wind.

=== Part 4 ===

Pushing through the crowds, and after arriving at the plaza-

"What is that!?"

Right in the middle, there is a giant beast dashing around.

With 2 sharp front teeth, a pig-like monster.

Its body covered fully with glass like material that shined like a mirror.

That is not a beast, but a spirit.

A high level spirit that’s gone wild.

The crowd in the plaza has already fallen into panic.

Escaping in the same direction, they all fell like dominoes.

With them, there’s also quite a few old people and children.

"What made the spirit run wild?"

"Eh, even if the Spirit Contractor could be hiding somewhere close, this looks like the spirits have totally lost all control."

Not surprising, being used to deal with these situations, Ellis is very calm.

She already equipped herself with her Elemental Waffe "Ray Hawk", and began to prepare to fight.

"The investigation can be delayed. Make this situation a level 5 spirit crisis, Lets destroy it together, Kamito."

"Understood!"

Kamito unsheathed Terminus·Est from his hip.

Flowing his divine power to his blade, he woke up the sleeping Demon King Killing Sacred Sword(Demon Slayer).

"Est, grant me your power!"

Noticing the Elemental Waffe's existence, the hysterical spirit looked at the two.

Releasing a giant scream, it immediately charged forward.

A shockwave shock through the ground. The buildings around collapsed one by one.

"-Ha!"

Ellis used Ray Hawk and swiped the air.

It released countless wind slashes that could even rip metal apart towards the spirit.

Even a high level spirit could not completely take on the skill without getting severely injured.

But-

At the exact moment, the mirror-like skin of the spirit released rainbow color lights.

"W-What!?"

The wind slashes that was bounced back slashed through the surrounding buildings, The top part of the buildings slowly slid down, causing it to fall and gathered up a lot of dust.

"I-It managed to rebound my wind slashes!?"

"No- it even increased the power of your slashes."

Kamito glared at the spirit in front of him.

(… A rebound attacking type spirit, eh?)

The image of yesterday’s fight quickly flashed through Kamito's brain.

(… That means, it was yesterdays mirror spirit?)

"It's coming, Kamito!"

Ellis screamed out. After shrugging off the rubble, the hysterical spirit started charging again.

Kamito tightly grabbed Terminus·Est, blocking the spirit in front.

(Dodging is easy- But, we can't do that-

In the back there are still a lot of people that haven't escaped yet. I can't just leave them.)

Kamito used the blade and slashed at the pair of teeth that was approaching.

The clashes between metal can be heard loudly. Even though his strength can counter the beast's charging power, Terminus·Est, who can't even use a tenth of its power, can't even damage the skin.

(… this monster, isn't its divine power a little too strong?)

Kamito's forehead started sweating.

Maintaining his stance of the sword to block the giant teeth, whilst slowly being pushed back.

(Damn, if we at least have an elemental spirit, there might still be a way-)

A hysterical high level spirit. Even if it can pose a threat to normal spirit contractors, but for Kamito who is titled the strongest blade dancer, it is not a bitter struggle.

Then the question now is, has the surrounding crowds escaped yet.

Letting this giant monster run freely, there is no need to imagine the consequences.

Noticing the elemental damage is useless, Ellis started to help freeing the crowds behind Kamito's back. A calm and reasonable decision that is made by the Captain of the Sylphid Knights.

The demonic mirror spirit started to howl wildly.

The ground which cracked by the shockwave, threw Kamito who was blocking the teeth's body in the air.

And like that he fell into the rubble.

"Gah, its too strong…"

Kamito groaned, and when he was slowly preparing to stand up-

"Kamito!"

Hearing Ellis' shout, Kamito quickly turned his head around.

The demonic mirror spirit which was stampeding in town. headed towards a young girl.

Probably after seeing the hysterical spirit, she got scared and couldn't move.

The spirit released a loud cry and started to speed up.

(Damn, Must. Catch. Up!)

Kamito kicked off the ground towards the demonic spirit, and started running.

At this time, grabbing the small girl and dodging is impossible to do.

Judging the situation, He pushed the girl on the side.

-The crimson blood was then released into the air.

The giant pig struck his stomach and pierced Kamito.

"Gwah!"

Blood spurted from his mouth. Hot, Its burning, and his vision slowly turned white.

The demonic spirit tossed its teeth around, and slammed Kamito's body heavily on the ground.

"…! Kamito!!"

Quickly, Ellis dashed towards him.

=== Part 5 ===

The white school uniform is now stained with huge blood spots.

(Gah… what happened to that girl?)

Enduring the sharp pain, he looked around-

She, is now unconscious on the ground.

Feeling at ease at the same time, Kamito began to cough violently.

Red blood was sprinkled on the ground.

"Kamito! Are you alright! Kamito-!!"

Ellis cried out.

"Haha… S-Seems like i didn't die, -Cough-"

His consciousness began to slip away.

The image of the worried Ellis became blurry,

The body which was drowned in cold sweat was a clear warning about the huge blood loss.

With one hand over his abdomen, Kamito slowly stood up.

Staring at the demonic mirror spirit that was covered in his own blood.

"E-Ellis, assist me. I'll get rid of that guy."

"But, your injury-"

"Your Elemental Waffe and this guy has too much difference. Only I can do this."

Prepared to argue back but was blocked by the truth, Ellis unwillingly clenched her lips.

Kamito clenched Terminus·Est with both hands, and transferred the rest of the Divine Power to it.

(… If I don't finish it at the next strike…)

Even if the Demon King Killing Sacred Sword is one of the strongest level of Elemental Waffe, its power is not very stable.

Without enough Divine Power to control it, the power could not be released.

With the current state of Kamito, he can only bet on the next hit.

The demonic mirror spirit raised its teeth, and charged again.

"Ellis, I'm counting on you!"

"Ah!"

Kamito jumped upwards - no, flew up.

It was Ellis who used her Elemental Waffe.

Flying to the top of the demonic spirit's head, Kamito swung his sword downwards on the monsters head.

However.

(…! It did not go through!?)

Demon King Killing Sacred Sword, only pierced the top of the demonic spirit’s forehead by a little.

Because of the heavy injury, His control over Est became really unstable.

Because of rage that turned the spirit hysterical, it shook his head wildly, and threw Kamito on the ground.

While the behemoth slowly approached the fallen Kamito-

At that moment, a crimson slash shone across the sky.

The fiery whip wrapped itself around the demonic spirit's leg and caused it to fall.

Boom-!

Accompanied by a earth splitting noise, the dust flew up.

"What!?"

Through the widespread dust - there came her voice.

"That person is actually my slave spirit… w-without permission you can't touch him!"

"Claire!?"

Kamito's eyes widened in surprise.

Holding the fiery whip, Claire jumped from the 2nd floor down from a building.

"Y-You, Why-"

"After that we'll talk. Lets defeat those spirits first."

"Those?"

Kamito frowned - and followed Claire's sight and looked.

At this time, from the destruction of the buildings, in the plaza's other side, there was another spirit.

A giant metallic deer with huge horns on its head.

"…! Another one!"

"What is happening, Claire?"

Ellis rushed over and asked with a sharp expression.

Their master, are those 2 students that use the mirror spirit and the metallic spirit. Even though the Spirit Contractor has already fallen, those 2 spirits have completely lost control and became hysterical"

"Don't tell me, the 2 people yesterday… B-But, their contract spirit aren't those-"

Even without finishing the sentence- Kamito suddenly realized. Ellis also seemed to notice.

"Don't tell me…"

"uh, they have Spell Armament Seals."

“...！”

Ellis clenched her lips in trouble.

Seems like she appears to be troubled because she failed to prevent students reaching out to Spell Armament Seals.

Allowing mid level spirits to evolve to a high level spirit's Spell Armament Seal. Transplanting those things, have to be dangerous. Thus the conclusion - the spirits going hysterical.

"Anyways how are your body injuries!?"

Noticing the blood stains on the uniform, Claire widened her eyes.

"… Ah, got beaten up. You too, aren't you also covered in injuries?"

"… It's not a big deal, at this level."

Claire unintentionally moved her face away.

But, even her uniform was torn everywhere, her hands and legs full with scratches.

"More than that, Ellis, why hasn't the support of the Sylphid Knights arrived yet?”

"It should already be on their way. It's just that because it is only Kamito and I that are stationed in this area… So,even if the groups are coming from other regions, it will still take some time."

Ellis clenched her lips tightly, because the combat power of the Sylphid Knights is cut in half, therefore, they can only move other people from other areas to support.

Releasing a loud roar that shook the earth, the fallen demonic mirror spirit stood up.

Having the form of the deer's, the metallic spirit also slowly went to the plaza's center.

=== Part 6 ===

"There are 2 high level spirits that are running wild, - this is really troublesome. no?" Claire nervously said.

There are still large groups of people that haven't escaped the plaza. Idly waiting for the Sylphid Knight and the Academy for reinforcements, would only cause Irreparable results.

"You can’t move any further."

"Sorry, but please stay put until reinforcements arrive."

Respectively clenching their own Elemental Waffe, Claire and Ellis confronted the spirits.

And at this time, a bright flash bursted open.

A painful schrick came from the rubbles, and it started to crack.

"…! What just happened!?"

Kamito yelled out, blocking the rubble with his hands.

It’s as if there is rain.

A rain of rubble that merciless barraged the 2 hysterical spirits.

Shaking the ground violently, and countless pillars of fire shoot up to the sky.

“...”

The barrage stopped-

At that time, the only thing left was a destroyed plaza.

The 2 high level spirits had already been wiped out.

(… What, just happened!?)

While coughing, Kamito turned his face towards the direction of barrage - just above the sky.

There was a giant floating fortress!

An aerial fortress that was equipped with several layers of armor and numerous cannons.

There stood a person with cold ice blue pupils, overlooking the ground.

"The Silent Fortress-"

Using one 1 strike that destroyed the entire plaza is the Academy's strongest Spirit Contractor, and she slowly landed on the ground.

"Power would be ravaged by forces with more power. A power that is equal has no difference with having no power."

"Velsaria…"

Kamito clutched his abdomen that was oozing blood, and stared at Velsaria.

The plaza that was completely flattened with the barrage of cannons.

The fragmentations of rubble, merciless trapped the crowd that had not yet fled.

"Why did you open fire! Don't tell me you didn't know, using that kind of Elemental Waffe, would cause that kind of conclusion-"

"I only destroyed the hysterical spirits. You could only say those that were involved had bad luck - no, having that kind of damage would already be considered lucky"

"Onee-sama! Do you seriously think that-"

Velsaria coldly glared at the emotional Ellis.

"Ellis, looks like you being the captain was a mistake ne. You can't even deal with this level of situation."

“...！？”

Pushing away Ellis, Velsaria turned around and left.

At this moment.

"Hurry up and take it back."

"What?"

"I told you to take back what you just said! Hurry and apologize to Ellis!"

In a hazy consciousness, Kamito stepped forward with wobbly footsteps, towards Velsaria.

Unable to forgive. Clearly not knowing Ellis' thoughts and said those types of sentences.

Saying such a thing, is that what Ellis' claimed as a perfect knight?

Whatever creed you live by is your freedom. But, a person like you who doesn't know anything, stepping on Ellis' ideals and values, I would never forgive.

"I'm just saying the truth. The Fahrengart knights never distort their own ideals.

"Shut up, you do not have the requirements to be titled a knight."

“...!?”

A feeling flashed in Velsaria's pupils.

Not troubled, nor anger - some other emotion.

"Disappear, male spirit contractor. Your existence only blocks my vision."

"Wait, -"

Just when he was prepared to chase her, Kamito's vision suddenly shook.

Blood gushed out of his throat. The vision in front of his eyes is suddenly become hazier like the mist.

"Damn…!"

"- Kamito!"

Claire quickly supported Kamito's fallen body.

== Translator's Notes and Reference ==
<references/>

{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume3 Chapter6|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume3 Chapter8}}</noinclude>

OreShura: Volume 3 Chapter 0

2012-09-28T00:43:00Z

Akios01:

There was a scene like this in the drama series I watched on a Monday at 9pm.

During some rainy night, the ex-girlfriend suddenly visited the home of the main protagonist, '''A'''.

Facing his ex-girlfriend whose body was entirely soaked, '''A''' let her use his shower—but he met then with his actual girlfriend who suddenly went to visit him.

It was really a mayhem.

I thought at that time that the main protagonist was incredibly stupid.

First, he shouldn't have let his ex-girlfriend enter.

Since they aren't lovers anymore, he shouldn't take an imprudent action like this. '''A''' should have drove her in his car or given her the money for a taxi so that she could get home.

Furthermore, how couldn't he explain properly.

Since it was only a misunderstanding, he should have stayed calm, and explain properly what happened and the reason why he did that, and the girlfriend would surely understand. But '''A''' was panicking and was incoherent. Really, is he that afraid of his girlfriend? What a good-for-nothing.

Then, the biggest problem is that—love itself is a mistake.

If it was the 'Anti-romance' me, being stuck between a girlfriend and an ex-girlfriend would be a joke. It's what you call 'you reap what you sow'. If I wasn't taken by love, how can it be possible that I get caught in such mayhem.

How can it be possible that I get caught in such a mayhem.

How can it be possible.

How......can it......

"Eita-kun, open the door quickly. Quickly."

"Ei-kun, open the door! Don't put up unnecessary resistance."

The two of them were aggressively knocking on the door.

This is Hanenoyama High's infirmary.

I—Eita Kidou suddenly felt somehow sick during the third period, so I'm resting on the bed.

Until that, it was still normal. Though when I woke up, I noticed my "ex-girlfriend" lying beside me.

"Hey, princess."

"What is it, Eita?"

"Why would you be lying here?"

After hearing my question, Princess puffed her little nose.

(--Incomplete--)

Boku to Kanojo no Game Sensou:Volume 1 Prologue

2012-09-16T17:13:02Z

Akios01:

==It's perhaps not such a distant future story==

It was a familiar scene to me.

To explain that scene, just one word would be enough. That is, "Ruins".

Although I made my rounds in the neighboring buildings, I didn't find even a single thing in its original form. Earlier, a lot of people used to live here. The stores and houses bustling with a sense of life have collapsed as a result of bombarding and bombing. And now, in place of the sounds of residents indulging in their daily affairs, only the sound of the gusty wind could be heard.

We were inside those ruins.

"Now then, it's the beginning of the hunting. You guys, are you prepared for it!?"

Contrary to the tragic scene, the lively voice that resounded in the ruins belonged to Sena-sensei. Even among us, he is the leading guy with the most training under his belt, and his combat experience is also quite reliable.

"Move ahead, Kishimine! Today, we must again turn out to be the victors!"

A pleasant voice commanding dignity, struck my ears. Tendou Shinobu. Although she's a girl, she is our leader on whom we rely to keep up our spirits.

"Roger, please leave that to me!"

I also reply reassuringly.

And, the battle quietly began. As a raider, my role is to act as a vanguard of my comrades, and run through the ruins ahead of them. I never look back. My reliable comrades guard my back. It's fine for me to just look ahead.

I prepare to use the Assault Rifle that is generally seen with Sub Rangers. It's just like another dear part of me that I've gotten accustomed to using. As long as I've this rifle, I can exchange shots even with a sniper lying in wait in some corner of the battlefield.

Soon, we approached the street corner. It's a dangerous place. This isn't the first time we're fighting on this battlefield. We knew that the side facing this street corner is an "ideal ambush point".

But, there was no need to stop. Sena-sensei, who was waiting in the rear, calls out to us.

"I'm going to throw!"

From behind me, something like a spherical ball was thrown into the air.

The thing thrown by Sena-sansei is a hand grenade. Without missing its aim, the hand grenade falls in the street corner, and explodes.

It spreads a fierce, deadly storm.

The moment the explosion stopped, I plunged into the side facing the street corner.

"I made it."

I confirm the presence of enemies. They're the soldiers of enemy nation, dressed in camouflaged clothes. There are three of them. Hiding in the shade of the shelter, they're lying in wait for a typical ambush. Probably the enemies were also expecting an attack from our side, since they didn't look wounded by the hand grenade.

But on a battlefield, small actions decide everything. As a result of escaping from the hand grenade, they wasted a little bit time to spot me and pull the trigger.

That was enough for me.

Without a moments delay, I prepare my assault rifle. Instantly I focus the "iron sight" on the enemy's head, and pull the trigger.

The bullet travelling with blinding speed, accurately went through the enemy's head.

One after another, I pointed the gun point at the remaining two enemies, and fired at them. Even if they're wearing some sort of armour, it can't protect them from the rapid-fire of my Assault Rifle. Instantly, they end up as new corpses. Out of the three of us, Tendou, who was covering my back, took a step ahead. It hasn’t been even 3 seconds since Sena-sensei threw the hand grenade.

"Alright, the actual thing starts from here. Kishimine, robustly move ahead!"

I hear Tendou's voice coming from behind me. That voice probably served as adrenalin for me, and I felt my courage increasing. Unintentionally, I feel the urge to turn around and look at her beautiful face. But, that's not something I could afford. If I don't undergo instant recovery at the last moment following the panic inciting sound of gunshots, I'll die instantly. It's the battlefield I've gotten used to play.

[[Image: BtKnGS vol 01 013.jpg|150px|thumb]]

We kept the Trinity stance, and continued our advance. This place is enemy territory. It won't be strange even if there're enemies hidden in some more places.

It's just that we were strong.

"To attract their attention, I'll handle the neutralization fire! Go inside their perimeter, Kishimine!"

The usually aggressive Sena-sensei, is calm on the battlefield. And contrary to sensei,

"Leave your back to me! I'll make those fucking bastards lick your asshole!"

When the battle gets overheated, Tendou, who usually maintains a dignified speech and conduct, becomes the extreme opposite of her usual self.

"Roger, I'm going ahead!"

Under their protection I conduct the raid, and the duo behind me attack the encountered enemies.

My pride is the quick and accurate "aiming", integrated with love and bullet.
That sort of aiming is surely what Sena-sensei call "unity of rider and horse". When the enemies attack from the front, those average opponents aren’t capable of defeating us.

But then, this place is enemy territory. The enemies wouldn’t always attack from the front. It's obviously possible that the enemies, who were lying dormant in the hiding like Ninjas, could sneak around to our back.

However, to attack the three of us from the back would mean death. That's because, we're originally a team of four people.

The duty of assaulting and annihilating is carried out by our trio, and somewhere on this vast battlefield, there is a caterpillar-like ambush sniper.

Her duty is to deal with the enemy snipers. And so, the enemies that sneaked around to our back, gets their head or chest shot by heavy caliber bullets.

It's because she's there, that we could run about the battlefield without any worries. We guys fighting on the front line, naturally stand out on this battlefield. But, she's the one with the lengthiest history of combat experience among us, and has taught us ways to survive on a battlefield.

"Team Play, Victory and Defeat. Such things are fine with me. I simply want to attack people!"

That's her catch phrase. They, no, these girls, who don't have anything like a shooter ethics, keep attacking people as if they’re simply breathing.

Their tendency during a war situation was already evident. Because of our iron wall formation, the enemies are at their wits end. Getting shot one by one, they're losing their life in vain.

Before long, I lost the count of the defeated enemies.

The end of the battle appeared in sight.

"The Game is over~! Izunomiya Academy's Modern Games club Team, you've achieved an overwhelming victory!"

The voice of a girl that didn't belong to the battlefield, resounded, and I blacked out.

The boy called Kishimine Kengo, suddenly regained his consciousness.

After repeating the action of closing and opening his eyes for a short while, he gradually recognizes the place he is at the moment.

The things in front of his eyes are, the Television Monitor of the Game Machine and the figure of the on duty hostess in a cute cosplay, who is a High School Girl's voice actress. He is holding a game console in his hands. The place is also nothing like a battlefield. It's an event assembly hall in Akihabara, Tokyo.

"You have become a full on regular customer of JGBC<ref group="1A">'''JGBC''' is the abbreviation of 'Japan Game Battle Championship'.</ref>. Izunomiya Game Club Team, you've cleared the first round with an overwhelming score!"

(I see. We won, huh.)

The girl's lovely voice makes us finally acknowledge our victory.

On the Gigantic screen in the centre of the assembly hall, the result of the "FPS Game" ----- "Flashy health recovery, Panicky blow and Swift death Game," as Kishimine was taught ------ that was being played until just a few minutes ago was being displayed. The number of our dead enemies was several tens of times that of the other team. On the other hand, the number of our friendly casualty was zero. In short, a perfect game. In FPS, it's rare to see this much one-sided game take place. The opponent team is regretting their loss, but they could only curse their bad luck of facing us in the first round battle.

When he casually turned around, he found the crowd of participants all over the assembly hall, gathering around him. They were deeply moved by the magnificent gameplay of Kishimine and Co., and were cheering aloud for them. Some were booing, saying that their own style is more skillful.

There was a time when he used to get nervous because of this scene. However, it's different now.

(I've completely grown used to seeing this scenery!)

The Kishimine from some time ago never did anything like appearing in public. He always liked to remain alone. He never entered a club, or stopped over at someplace with someone after school while returning back to his home. What's more, with the exception of his relatives, he never talked with the opposite sex.

(It's time to go......)

He moves his eyes side to side. At that place, there are three of his reassuring comrades. Two of them are girls. Furthermore, these "the female high-school students who could even make a flower blush" called girls, are probably the reason for the increase in the booing sound.

These days, Kishimine was always together with girls. Seeing his three years of high school life, he never expected to spend such days.

However, Kishimine Kengo often thinks like this nowadays.

“Putting this and that aside, it isn’t bad to spend such days.”

==Translator's notes and references==
<references group="1A" />

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Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume3 Chapter7

2012-09-13T13:28:48Z

Akios01:

{{Incomplete}}

As the night fell, the Academy Square became crowded and noisy.

The air was saturated with a captivating sweet fragrance. The delicious desserts were piled up on the altar like a mountain, plus the female students from the academy were performing the spirit blade dance ritual.

"Speaking of which, where did she run off to?"

Kamito sighed as he stared at the bag of chocolate Claire had left behind. Although he and Ellis were originally trying to look for Claire together, it was almost time for a shift change. They were forced to abandon the search for Claire in order to carry out a patrol in the «Wind» region .

The Sylphid knight stared at chocolates that Kamito held with a complicated expression.

"...................."

"Ellis, whats wrong?"

"N-Nothing is wrong. This whole area doesn't seem to have any problems."

Ellis pretended to cough and hastily re-directed her line of sight elsewhere.

Indeed, there wasn't much in terms of unusual activity.

There were occasionally some drunken disturbances or pickpocketing, but that can be easily handled by the local security. What Kamito and Ellis were more concerned with, were the individual civilians who were not familiar with spirits who might invoke the wrath of the spirits by accident.

While making offerings to the spirits, such incidents are not unknown.

"This.....feels like we are on a date...."

"Humm, what did you say?"

"I didn't say anything! Stay alert and focus on the patrol!"

The red faced Ellis angrily spoke.

Kamito apologized, "I-I'm sorry."

''Hey, isn't Ellis the one not paying attention?''

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