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Hidan no Aria:Volume9 Chapter5

2011-11-17T02:07:33Z

ElmoWu: /* 5th Ammo: Cultural Festival Day 2 -Carnaval Finale- */

==5th Ammo: Cultural Festival Day 2 -Carnaval Finale-==

Leaving Tamamo and Shirayuki behind at SSR, I went back to my room--there was the scent of gardenia in the room.

Aria is in the room then.

Walking past the corridor... The curtains of the changing area to the bathroom was drawn, and the sound of a hairdryer could be heard within.

Looks like she went straight into the bathroom after coming back.

"I'm back."

As Aria staying here has become a fact, so to say....

"Ah, Kinji? Wai.. Wait, if you dare open the curtain I'll shoot you dead. I'm covered with a towel now."

... Looks like there's no need to say anything.

Who the hell wants to open it. A pandora box containing a naked girl and weapons.

But... in the past, when I came back to such situations, Aria would always start firing intimidation shots without waiting for any explanation, yet now, it's simply verbal threats only.

(Really.... Aria's attitude towards me has softened somewhat recently.)

I guess this can be considered a good thing.

"Kinji."

"What is it?"

"Today's a tiring day, so we'll just rest... what are you doing tomorrow. There's no more work for you right."

"I'm not doing anything, so I'll just swing by the cultural festival and walk around."

"Me too, I don't have any work tomorrow, before noon."

"Then you can go walk around the cultural festival as well."

"......"

.....Eh?

Why is Aria keeping quiet?

"....Why are you so quiet?"

"Ah, didn't I already mention.... I'll be free tomorrow as well until noon. I'll only have something on in the afternoon."

She repeated what she just said.

"....What should I do before noon?"

Aria intentionally asked the question out loudly, switching off the hairdryer.

Following that, there were rustling noises, probably changing clothes.

"What should I DO?"

Shit... she seems to sound a bit angry.

If I don't give some suggestions, it's likely I'm gonna get shot by her.

Even with the curtain drawn, Aria is still capable to accurately hitting her target.

"--You can walk around the places you feel like going. I heard Muto's younger sister opened a Takoyaki stall, and it's selling like hotcakes."

I cautiously offered my own opinion...

".... I say, is your ability to talk only at the elementary school level?"

Drawing the curtain open and walking out, Aria was wearing her sailor uniform and staring at me as she spoke.

"Wha.. what are you trying to say."

Aren't you at elementary school level yourself, in terms of body height.

"Then I'll say it, aren't you going to the cultural festival tomorrow to walk around? By chance, coincidentally, accidentally, I'll be free all the way until noon... so, I can accompany you too! You're really hopeless!"

According to my interpretation of the speech patterns in Aria Language, which I have finally figured out recently--

The meaning of her words were "I order you to go with me."

Simply put, she wants company. Alright, I'll go along, since I'll be free anyway.

"Then... do me a favor, please go with me."

The way of replying is very important as well.

To Aria ojou-sama.... using the "I'm taking the initiative to ask you" type of speaking is key to survival.

I glanced at the edges of her skirt, and as expected, the guns were there, just like usual.

"Alright alright, then I'll accompany you and we can go together. I really don't know what to do with you."

Aria's voice feels significantly cheerful.

Her expression has softened as well, and the killing intent has dissipated...

Well done, my Aria Remote Control. It was done so beautifully, I couldn't help but admire myself.

"If I leave Kinji alone, you'll definitely cause trouble, and it'll be terrible if you got lost. I'll just have to be your guardian for the time being, so you should thank me quickly! Visiting the cultural festival at 9 in the morning tomorrow, ok, it's entered into my schedule."

.... I'll become lost?

(I'll see ghosts first before I get lost in my own school, and, whichever way you look at it, the guardian should be me.)

Although there's a lot of things to rebut...

But, Aria seemed pretty happy as she entered the schedule into her new pearl-white handphone.

The only thing was, her "A good chance has arrived" type of excitement made me feel somewhat uneasy.....

After all, Aria has always been using her petite body frame to endure the cruelties of fate.

Since it's rare to have a short period of time for free activity, I'll just accompany her.

This day, the other members of Baskerville didn't come to the room, so Aria and I watched television and chatted away.

.... Then, we enjoyed a very rare leisurely dinner.

After dinner, around 10pm in the evening--

The phone in the room rang.

I picked up the handset, and found that Tamamo had called.

"Tell Aria to take the call", she said over the phone.....

Hence, I called Aria over to the phone, and looking at her seriously, said,

"Aria, I have something to say first... I have something to do with this call."

".....?"

"Actually I should have told you sooner, but, regarding this matter, I'm no different from any other amateur.... I may not be able to explain this to you accurately, so, I'll let the expert do it."

"Expert?"

"It's someone with links to Shirayuki and Jeanne. It's an important matter for you, so listen to this calmly."

Done speaking, I passed the handset to her--

After saying "This is Kanzaki Aria", the conversation started.

I stood by the side and watched in silence... Although Aria looked visibly shocked several times, but she appeared calm from the beginning till the end.... The phone call ended in a very short time.

*Click*

Aria placed the handset back....

Closing her camellia eyes, she was deep in her thoughts for a while.

"Aria..."

"--Never mind, Kinji. Your assessment was correct. This matter--is definitely not in your area of expertise."

Aria shook her head lightly.

She headed towards the door.

"But I've always had this feeling. Koko, Hilda, Watson, all turning up one after another, there must be some inside story to all these."

"Where are you going?"

"I'm going to speak with Tamamo in private. We'll be meeting at the sports center where the cultural festival is held at night. Kinji... We'll talk tomorrow. About the things from now on."

"Alright."

Tamamo probably said eveything. About the Far Eastern War, Golden Shell, and the Scarlet Blazing God--

Be careful Aria.

The next morning, at 8.30am--

I arrived at the outdoor swimming pool where I met Aria yesterday.

The Masters had instructed "To prevent mingling, meeting places that comes immediate to mind are no allowed to be used.", so I decided to use this place as the meeting location...

Aria hasn't arrived yet.

The meeting time was supposed to be at 9am.

But, when we went to the festival at Ueno during the summer holidays, Aria strictly ordered me to arrive 30 minutes early, saying that she'll let me have a taste of windhole giant volcano or windhole active volcano as punishment if I made her wait.

So, bored out of my skull, I could only wait at the diving platform of the second lane.....

Under the blue autumn sky, staring blankly at the swimming pool, waiting for Aria.

Last night, Aria didn't come back....

She called back in the night, saying that after speaking with Tamamo, she's meeting Shirayuki to get specific details--furthermore, she also has some matter which she needed help from her female kōhai, so she'll be sleeping over at the girls dorm.

--She sounded the same as usual.

Even though she heard so many things, but she didn't appear to be in a state of confusion.

No, maybe it's like what she said--on some level, she felt it through her intuition.

"Kinji."

Aria appeared--much earlier than I expected.

Aria was pacing along under the autumn sunlight... She sat beside me, on the diving platform of the first lane.

.....? The sailor uniform she usually wears looks new.

"Did you iron it? Your clothes."

"Ah, yeah."

"You actually know how to iron your clothes. Didn't you almost cause a fire last time you used the iron in my room?"

".... Because I don't know how, so I asked Mamiya to help me iron the clothes."

Ah, so she asked her Battle-kōhai [http://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Hidan_no_Aria:Volume9_Translator%27s_Notes#Chapter_5] Mamiya for help.

--Butei High has this Amica System, whereby a senior will provide guidance to a junior on a one-to-one basis.

To put it in another way, it's like a teacher-student relationship between 2 consenting parties, this relationship is called Battle-brothers between guys, and Battle-sisters among girls, putting them together, it's called the Amica System. This is a really long-winded explanation.

"--But Kinji, why are you here so early?"

"Why I'm so early... You came early as well, the cultural festival only starts at 9am."

"Ah, well... I, I asked first, so you have to answer me first."

For some reason, Aria's face started turning red....

If I answer with "It's all because you threatened me in the past", she'll definitely be unhappy.

"I just... happened to arrive early, there's no other meaning."

"Ah, I happen to be the same, there's no other meaning, really no other meaning at all. It's not because I can be alone with Kinji that I came early, so you better don't be mistaken."

Aria puffed her non-existent chest proudly as she spoke--but, isn't the front half of your reply copied from mine.

I lowered my head to look at my watch--it's 8.45am now.

There's still some time.

"By the way, you've seen it right?"

"--Are you referring to Tamamo?"

Sweeping her gaze at me, Aria asked.

"Yes, so how was it?"

"It's nothing much, or rather, after knowing so much, I felt a peace of mind."

Her twin-tails drifting with the wind--Aria definitely looked very calm.

Just like usual.

That's really impressive. I totally lost it during the Bandire.

"So what did you talk about?"

"Oh, the Far Eastern War, Baskerville joining the war, Deen and Grenada, although I have no recollection of seeing Hilda during the Bandire... but, it seems that it was because the Suggestive Arts was used on me, and also, the golden shell being taken by force... Although I only have a hazy impression, but one of them has been placed back in my left chest... so, I believed it. As of now, the Hidan in my chest has only 3 fragments of the golden shell with it.

--I've also heard, if we leave it like this, a dangerous event will occur."

"The danger you are referring to...."

"I wasn't told the details. Do you know what it is?"

I.... nodded.

".... Wanna know?"

"It's ok if you don't say, I can tell from your expression, there's still a fair bit of time, perhaps measured in years."

Aria, with her sharp intuition that even Sherlock Holmes had to admit defeat to--

Correctly guessed her symptoms.

".... You're really calm, after hearing such major news."

"Don't underestimate me, Butei are frequently on the battlefield. Afraid of being injured or dying in the line of duty, is as good as not doing your job. Don't tell me--if it were you in my situation, you'll become spineless."

Aria looked at me sharply with her gaze.

I shook my head, so, Aria stood up at the first lane of the swimming pool with her hands on her hips.

"--The targets are 4 members of Grenada. Patra, Shokatsu, Katze Grasse and Havi. But Kinji, as my mother's next trial will be the final sentencing... so there's a need to arrest Patra, the leader of EU's Ignatius. Shokatsu's organization, Ranban, has dealings with EU, and has a member from the remnants of EU."

Aria began describing the situation of each enemy.

"The woman, Katze Grasse, is EU's OB [http://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Hidan_no_Aria:Volume9_Translator%27s_Notes#Chapter_5], she's in the Witch Company [http://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Hidan_no_Aria:Volume9_Translator%27s_Notes#Chapter_5], which is an infamous spying and terrorist organisation. The women are all hired by Libya, Iran, North Korea for high fees. As for that girl, Havi, I'm not too sure about her.... but since she's related to Grenada, there's a need to thoroughly investigate her."

"....In other words, they're all enemies you need to defeat in the first place."

"Yes, so it doesn't matter if there's a time limit. Or should I say, I don't need that much time. Before mother's final sentencing--March next year, I will succeed."

Speaking with the usual vigor and drive, Aria suddenly--

Swung her pink ponytails, turning her head to look at me.

"Kinji, what are you going to do?"

"Shirayuki and Tamamo are allies, Reki and Ranban have their connection, you are aware of Riko's intent to fight, she doesn't want me or Kinji to be killed by other enemies, But, thinking about it carefully.... you're just dragged into this mess Kinji, there's no need for you to participate in the battle."

Being asked by Aria in all seriousness, I--

"... This is Butei Charter 8 as well."

The moment I decided to answer, I confirmed what I knew long ago about my own situation.

"The mission must be resolved completed, since I interfered with EU, I got myself implicated into the Far Eastern War. Regarding this, you reap what you sow, this is the principle of a Butei."

Even before considering this, there's the humane principle as well.

If we compare this to a fire disaster.... because we tried to put out EU's flames, the sparks created spread the fire further.

After all, the reason of putting out the fires is not enough by itself.

"Like what you said, there's no need for me to be involved... but i have already planted the seeds of hate, Jeanne has told me this as well. After all, the one who defeated Sherlock--your great grandfather--and destroyed his EU is me. Patra and the rest of the gang must be aiming for my head. Just like how Hilda came seeking revenge for Vlad, who knows when Koko's accomplices will attack me."

That's right, the fire was not put out completely--remnants of EU still remain.

They have received the fuel named as Grenada, and intend to revive the powerful flames.

From the looks of it, it's just that I haven't been attacked yet, but returning to a normal life is no longer possible.

"I'm just a normal high school student. In order to turn this into reality, these guys are obstacles, If I return to school without resolving everything, it could bring trouble to other students."

I said everything in one breath--

"Kinji...."

As if obtaining a dependable comrade, Aria displayed a joyful expression.

I'm only E-ranked, so I can't be counted as a dependable comrade.

(And, perhaps Aria found it hard to say it out....)

But I understood when Aria became involved with EU, and when Riko got into trouble.

--I can't let myself sit out for this one.

I can't leave the people fighting those freaks, super-humans and monsters on their own... and moreover, they're girls.

I must protect them, after all, I am a man.

This isn't for the sake of garnering their affections, or trying to get their gratitude, but it's out of public morals, the men must protect the women.

.... Seriously, I can only blame myself to be born in the sex with no benefits.

Just that--

"The deadline is March next year.... to resolve everything before Kanae-san's final sentencing. It'll be alright if we can do that."

"Un, yeah."

I looked seriously at Aria, she nodded her head.

"Starting from April, I'll be going to a normal school. So, the Far Eastern War--will be my retirement battle as a Butei."

Listening to my declaration.... Aria didn't nod her head.

She wanted to say something, but stopped herself and turned her head to one side.

"Aria, I've told you this when I met you..."

I hesitated, and was about to voice out my wish to transfer out from Butei High.

Aria hurriedly extended her hand to stop me.

"I understand, so please don't say anymore."

".... Do you really understand?"

I asked with some doubt. Aria hugged her arms, raised her eyebrows and answered.

"Yes, although I can't accept this. Once you encounter a situation, you'll display world-class bravery.... You obviously possess such talents, but wish to retire... this is one point I'm unable to accept. Kinji, things like talent, are like platinum cards in life, and you actually want to throw it away on your own accord--"

"No matter how good the card is, it's just a piece of useless paper when there's no need for it."

"But..."

"We've already talked till this point, do you still need me to repeat myself? It looks like my intent hasn't been properly transmitted to you."

I sat back down at the second lane of the pool, Aria, however--

Lightly dusted off her skirt, and leapt down from the diving platform of the first lane.

"Ah, what a pity, it's time."

Saying this, Aria pointed at the clock tower--it's already 9am.

"Let's not bother about this, listen carefully, I...."

"--The cultural festival has started, it's time for the activities to commence. Aren't the two of us supposed to be resting for today."

"Yes, but...."

"We need to change our moods when resting, if we're always wound up so tightly, it's only a matter of time before the mental strain breaks us. If that happens, we won't be able to make accurate decisions."

Looks like Aria doesn't want to talk about the topic of me switching schools....

But, not talking about it doesn't mean not understanding.

"In other words, for a Butei, resting is a type of work as well. Let's not talk about those thing anymore, for now we'll just relax ourselves. I need a change of mood as well, having an argument with someone you like before going for a date isn't good."

......?

Aria... did you just....

Did you just say something very weird?

I probably heard wrongly.

"Da... Date?"

I repeated Aria's words--

Maybe Aria had unconsciously spoken those words. Listening to me repeat them, her whole face turned red immediately.

"Ah, I, I... just.... said those words?"

Blushing, Aria started stammering--

And facing her, I must have been blushing as well. Bastard.

In stark contrast to the red faces, were completely blank minds.

Just before the word "date", there seems to be another word which had even more of an impact, but as Aria's slip of the tongue was too stimulating, all my memory flew out into the clouds.

But if our reaction to this problem is overly delayed, it'll make the both of us even more awkward, turning the day into a mess.

So, even though my mind was in a complete mess, I still nodded my head.

"No, never, never, never never never!"

Never never!

Baring her little fangs, Aria entered full denial mode.

Whoosh whoosh! Her hands started waving like a windmill.

"--Today is a holiday, a holiday is a holiday."

It feels like she's saying really weird stuff, but I nodded my head anyway.

"Yea.. yeah, a holiday is a holiday."

"Yes, that's it, a holiday is a holiday!"

Reaching an agreement that "a holiday is a holiday", we left the swimming pool.

That girl Aria, why did she suddenly pitch such a foul ball at me.

In my mind--appeared a scene of Aria falling down on a baseball field after failing to catch a ball, and she just happened to fall into a hole which, for some unknown reason, was on the baseball field. Unlike a vanishing baseball, the one vanishing was Aria instead.

Aria and I continued walking along....

While I was recalling what Aria said just now, her mood switched rapidly.

Walking in the Academy Island grounds, she was gradually getting excited.

It looks like Aria has never seen a Japanese school festival.

"Kinji, what's that? And what's this? What are those girls queuing in line for?"

Everything in front of her eyes generated a large amount of interest for her.

As her follower, I could only provide explanations like "This is a shop selling gun magazine clips, it's total rubbish for Butei High, but can still be sold to people from outside", "These are pirated merchandise of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rilakkuma Rilakkuma]", "It's a beauty contest for men, Shiranui is really standing out". I'm so exhausted.

And, Aria was moving randomly in all directions, all according to her whim.

"I say, do you have some direction you wanna go?"

I asked.

"Nope."

She immediately replied.

She has no objective, but she's still so happy. I wonder why this is so.

(....I'd rather participate in some activities....)

Just as I thought about it, I found a place to go.

Ambulace and Repier had organised a "Morgue of Horrors and Friends".

Butei High running a morgue, that's really bad for business. And, who are these friends you are referring to? There's just too many tsukkomi here...

(--But, from now on we do have to fight the freaks in Grenada.)

Perhaps this could be some form of mental training for people to get used to fighting monsters.

With that thought in my mind, I called out to Aria, whose reaction to the Morgue of Horrors was unusually mild and was just about to leave.

"Hey, Aria."

"..... Wha... what is it?"

"Let's go in."

I said, as I pointed at the bio-hazard signboard for the "Horror House".....

"Are.. are you stupid? Thinking of going to that kiddie place?"

Aria glared at me for a moment, and then just sat on the ground.

"Are you afraid?"

"I'm n... not... not afraid at all!"

"That's good, then let's go in."

"Ah!"

"Didn't you say you weren't scared?"

"--Of.. of course not!"

Saying this, Aria was contemplating running away at the same time. Well, it's necessary for Aria to undergo this kind of training.

After all, she's the type who had a frightened look on her face after seeing just the external appearance of the Koumeikan mansion in Yokohama.

A Butei must have good resistance when going after unusual targets, Aria, prepare yourself!

I bought 2 tickets, lifted up the black curtain and entered into the auditorium on the first floor of Repier's building......

Woah, it's pitch black. Time to switch on the pen torchlight handed out at the entrance.

Switching on the torch, I saw bloodstains all over the floor at my feet.

"Iyaa!"

.. Aria suddenly screamed.

"Don't... don't stick to me, aren't you used to seeing real blood?"

"That... that isn't purposely splashed with the intention of scaring people, stupid!"

....*Patter patter patter*

Arguing irrationally, Aria did not even look at the stretchers strewn all over the place and the damaged operating table, directly breaking into a light run and moving ahead.

"Hey Aria, you're walking too fast!"

"I don't want to waste time in this place! You walk faster as well so we can get out of this place quickly!"

It seems.... Aria intends to express anger to cover her fear.

(...On another level of meaning, I started to feel scared as well...)

As I was contemplating this--

Suddenly, Aria halted her steps.

I caught up to her and used the torch to shine ahead. I could see terror written all over her face.

"There's somebody."

"Of course there is, it's the guy in charge of scaring people."

"You walk in front."

"Alright alright."

I was just about to take a step--beep beep--an alarm sounded.

Red lights started flashing.

"Kyaaa! Waaaahh!"

Aria tried to escape towards her side, but bounced off the wall.

Why is she in such a panic.

Looking closer, I saw that there was a stretcher in front, and on top of the stretcher was a body bag.

There was something in the body bag.

".... Tha.. that bag, there's a dead person in it."

"You idiot, that's just a First Year tasked with scaring people."

"So to say, it's still alive?"

"How do you scare people if you're dead? Hey, don't whip out your gun, that will really result in a dead person."

"This is for just in case."

"Just in case of what. Give me the gun."

"Nnnnononono, what if it's really a monster?"

"How is that possible, I'm just beside you, give me the gun quickly."

"Uuuuuu...."

Aria started crying as she handed the gun to me.

Then, she hid behind me and pushed me in the direction of the body bag.

Hey hey, don't use me as a shield. And to think you're the Demon Butei who scares humans, scatters spirits, and make children cry, double-sword double-gun Aria.

As I was thinking of that...

"Wooooo..."

As expected.

A First Year dressed up as a zombie crawled out from the body bag.

Woah, thanks for your hard work.

"Look, it's just like I said."

I laughed bitterly at Aria who was hiding behind me.

"--WAAHHHHHHH!"

Seeing the zombie from behind me, Aria was so scared her twin tails shot straight up.

Following that, bam, *sprints*!

She pushed me away, and ran off panickedly.

All the while screaming....

This is totally you scaring yourself.

Aria.... Just how much do you fear the supernatural.

Come to think of it, it won't be too long before you have to fight with the real deal.

Since the past till now, horror houses all follow the same model.

To let people walk on a path for some time where nothing will happen, and once they let down their guard, the sudden use of light and sound to scare them.

Aria, who was scared time and again, repeatedly said "Wha.. what. That wasn't scary at all, hu hu hu" and "KYAAAA!!"

And like this, we passed through the first floor, and headed towards the second floor which had been decorated as a hospital.

"It.. it's ending soon right?"

"No... we've only walked one-third of it."

"So long! Think of a solution for me quickly."

"It's no use telling me."

As I comforted Aria, whose twin tails were standing vertically upwards, I walked into the classroom.

"Thi.. this won't do, this place won't do, you have to protect me properly!"

....To actually want someone to "protect" you inside a horror house.

It's really unheard of.

--Seeing the bloody palm prints on the door, Aria's camellia eyes widened into circles in fear as she hugged my elbow tightly. Then she lowered her head, and went into a total no-look mode.

(I really don't know what to do with you...)

If it's like this, won't I be like some sort of guide dog dragging Aria along.

Entering the classroom, just as the first year dressed as a zombie nurse saw us....

".....?"

The path we came from just now, in a direction which was out of the way... came some sort of sound.

I immediately halted my steps, Aria was trembling non-stop.

"What... what is it Kinji, what is it, what is it?"

"It's nothing, I seem to have heard some sound.... it's like a strange crying sound."

"Hhhhhhhoooow can you betray me as well!"

"Betray?"

"Scary things! You're not allowed to say it out!"

She's really still frightened.

"Hmm--it sounds like the crying of a child, Aria, you wait here for me."

Because it doesn't sound like a recording, so I was very concerned.

"--Wait, don't leave me alone here!"

"It can't be helped, it's possible someone is lost."

Leaving Aria behind, I returned to the corridor. Suddenly, *ka-chk*.

Seems like someone was in charge of closing the door. Aria was now locked in the hospital.

"Iyaaaaaaaaaa! Open the door! Open the door quickly! Open the door! Open up for me! Open up the door for me this instant!"

Aria was yelling out in an exaggerated anime-like voice, pounding on the door forcefully....

We should call the first years to give you training to overcome your fear.

And since you usually use "training" as an excuse to kick, beat and even ride me like a horse.

--I'll let you have a slight taste of what I'm going through.

Along the corridor, there could be, no, there really was someone who had gotten lost. It was a 6 year old girl.

"Mama, where are you?"

Hearing her talk, I went forward to make some enquiries.

She seemed to have taken the wrong path, and got seperated from her mother.

This is really pitiful. As I was thinking, Aria smashed opened the hospital door with a low head-butt. She started crying and administering punches and kicks to me at the same time.

There's no helping it, I could only cut the training short, bringing Aria and the little girl out using the emergency exit.

As I was explaining the situation to the First Year who was attending to me... the mother of the little girl appeared.

She seemed to have thought that her daughter would be coming out about now as well, so she was searching for her daughter in the vicinity of Repier.

"Mama!"

The little girl flew straight into her mother's embrace. Under the urging of her mother, the little girl bowed her head at us in thanks.

"Big brother, big sister, thank you both."

"This is really a relief, don't get separated from your mother now!"

Aria squatted down, comforting the little girl with tone of an older sister.

Looks like Aria has decided to pretend her disgraceful behavior just now has never happened.

"Un, that's right, big sister."

"What is it?"

"Big sister, you like big brother very much right."

The little girl said as she pointed at me....

Aria froze.

"Wh... what makes you say that."

"Because, to beat is to show affection, to scold is to show love."

"Ah, I... I just.... It's because Kinji is an idiot, so there is a need to carry out educational guidance..."

The little girl patted the stammering Aria on the shoulder--

"Do your best k!"

Saying this, the little girl then left.

Watching the little girl leave.... Aria's face was blushing red, her entire body petrified.

The joke made by the little kid.... seemed to caused Aria to be thinking about something. Let's not talk about that first... Anyways, her violent actions towards me should stop now.

Really well done, little girl.

Thanks to her, I no longer have to join the "Morgue of Horror and Friends", I'm really grateful.

After that, Aria started complaining "This is all your fault, you made me really hungry."

I wanted to eat something as well, so.....

We decided to visit the legendary super hot-selling Takoyaki shop, which was located around the Logi building.

"Delicious Takoyaki! C'mon take a look and try it!"

... I heard a familiar voice, which was mixed with a Kansai accent.

The source of the sound came from the "Takoyaki Queen" stall, set up near the car-park.

Passing through door curtains which was printed with strange drawings of wheels drawn to look like Takoyaki....

"Ah, Tohyama Kinji."

"You, add in a "sempai" when addressing your senior."

Muto Takaki.

Logi first year, with a name that sounds like a vehicle braking, but a fearless racing fanatic--

She was looking at me with her beautiful face that doesn't look anything like she's Muto's younger sister.

(The only similarity she has with Muto... probably the height.)

Takaki was only in the first year of high school, and she's almost 170cm tall.

As she was working on the side as a race queen, she's somewhat famous on the Suzuka Circuit and Fuji Expressway.

"Kinji, what's this?"

Aria, who can never become a race queen, poked half her head over the counter (due to her height, she could only show half of her head) to get a better look at the stall.

"It's Takoyaki."

"But the thing being cooked looks like a ball, it should be called Boruyaki [http://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Hidan_no_Aria:Volume9_Translator%27s_Notes#Chapter_5] instead!"

"There's no such name. Don't you even know what Takoyaki is. Alright then, let me do the talking."

Muto (sis), who has an interest in making mini 4WD, said mockingly, "Don'cha know what a Takoyaki is? Really, you Tokyoites... should just be run over!"

Then, shaking her tea-coloured ponytail which was almost blonde, she moved closer.

Just a quick explanation, the Muto siblings have a speech pattern which uses "Run you over!" and such.

"Well, so how many do you wanna buy? Since ya brought a girl, ya have to be more generous."

Takaki, you... actually use such a contemptuous tone on a customer, who's also your sempai as well.

Muto that guy too, you should teach your sister properly.

Since the both of you are vehicle otakus.

"Give me 8 then."

"Ahhh--?"

Takaki furrowed her pretty brow, bending over at her waist and looked up at me.

".... 12 then."

"Ah ah--? Just be run over--!"

Saying that, she started smiling and moved her face closer.

Hey hey! Pretty girls shouldn't move their faces so close, won't this cause guys to be unable to resist?

Speaking of which, if I cannot control myself against Muto's sister--it's as good as turning the gun on myself.

"I... I understand, give me 20. Hurry up."

"Thanks for yer patronage! No wonder yer Tohyama-sempai! Yer display of generosity, I will let my big brother know!"

Making a pose from her other profession, her waist shaking slight and blowing a kiss, Takaki skillfully placed the Takoyaki into a paper box.

So this is it.... that girl Takaki has been using this method to increase her sales.

"Lovely Charm Takoyaki Stall", truly a vixen in the business world.

Speaking of which, what do I do with my predicament. I bought 20 Takoyakis, I'll be stuffed to death.

We sat on some chairs on the side to start eating, Aria had bought 2 bottles of Perrier water from somewhere else.

I have always been thinking... Why does Aria frequently consume carbonated drinks?

From what she said herself, "This is common practice in Europe when eating oily food.", but with respect to non-fruity carbonated drinks, I always felt weird.

But, although it's only 2 people eating, water is essential in order to vanquish 20 Takoyakis.

I opened a Perrier bottle and said,

"Each one gets 10, equality for boys and girls."

When I finished speaking, Aria looked at the box, and twitched her nose, sniffing at the food.

Just to add, perhaps it was a habit from Takakai's family, the Takoyaki were to be eaten as how it was made. There was no dark sauce, not even seaweed or tuna flakes.

But there were massive amounts of onions and chilli sauce.

"This isn't a problem, but what kind of food is this."

"Didn't I already say it was Takoyaki."

"WHERE. IS. THE. OCTOPUS!"

This is pissing me off....

"It's inside, and already cut."

Do you need me to explain to such a detail.

(Speaking of which... Before this, Aria doesn't even know what cotton candy is at her age.)

People who have international marriages are really something.

I skewered a Takoyaki.

"Taste it, instead of explaining, try it for yourself."

I presented it to Aria.

*Gulp*

She ate it without hesitation.

It feels like... I'm feeding a small kitten.

*Chew, chew*.....

"Ah, it's delicious..."

This is great.

If it wasn't up to her taste, I'd have to deal with the remaining 19.

Aria skewered one as well, bringing it up... *pa*--

The soft "Queen Takoyaki" slipped from the skewer, dropping back into the box.

".... I can't skewer it up."

"Stick it into the piece of octopus inside."

"Are you an idiot? I'm not an ability user, how would I know where the octopus is."

"True.... then use your intuition."

As I said that, Aria poked another one.

.... It still dropped.

......GRRRRRRRRR.......

Shit, a dangerous signal was emitting from Aria's throat.

"Ca.. calm down Aria. Use 2 sticks like a chopstick. It shouldn't be a problem if you clip it up lightly."

"Uu--like this? Ah--...ah, this is really working."

Come on... come on, Takoyaki.

Don't break. or else I'll become the punching bag again.

*sss... sssssss....*

"--It's clipped up! Look! The onions are on top as well!"

"Very good very good, nicely done....!"

You didn't break, such strength, Takoyaki!

On the surface it looked as if I was praising Aria, but actually I was praising the Takoyaki.

"Then, open your mouth!"

"?"

"Sai 'arrrrrrr'....." ''(Spoken in English using Japanese pronounciation)''

"..........?"

"Say ah....." ''(Spoken in English)''

As the pronunciation changed to proper English, I finally understodd.

This is the English version of "Open your mouth!".

.... Speaking of which,

Why make me perform such an embarrassing action, it's not as if it's Shirayuki or Riko.

Aria was totally unconcerned with my embarrassment, sending the Takoyaki to my mouth with a super cute smile. (.... Was it because I fed her just now? If that's the case, I'm really asking for it.)

[[File:Aria09 239.jpg|thumb]]

After I confirmed that there was no one I know around me--

I made a decision, and ate the Takoyaki Aria was feeding me with the speed of lightning.

It's really delicious. Although it's already delicious in the first place.... But, defeated by Aria's "Open your mouth!" attack, I felt the tastiness of the Takoyaki went up by several points.

It just feels like.... Aria has been behaving strangely recently.

"Then, next is my turn."

For some unknown reason, there's now a rule of feeding one another.

Aria was behaving excitedly like a kid playing games in kindergarten, chewing on the Takoyaki I fed her.

Everytime Aria fed the Takoyaki to me, I felt so nervous that I didn't even know whether I was full or not... When I realised, the big box of Takoyaki had been finished by the both of us.

"It's really delicious, I should praise you for this."

Drinking her Perrier water, Aria took out something like a lipstick from the pocket of her skirt.

Then, she turned her back towards me and started applying it.

I looked at the cover she placed on the chair... the word 'Dior' was on it.

"What are you applying?"

"Lip gloss. I don't use lipstick, though Jeanne does."

Lip gloss?? Lipstick?

Is there a difference?

"You.... go out to buy cosmetics too?"

A pint-sized Butei armed with guns shopping in a cosmetic store?

Thinking of this scenario, I had to keep myself from laughing out.

"I don't go out to buy. A personal fashion consultant and make-up artist are hired to the company, and everything is custom-made for me."

To her, this is probably no big deal right? To say it in such a matter-of-fact way... that's really something.

I guess this is what nobility are like.

That's right..... Aria is still a girl.

So she'll be very conscious about her make-up as well.

"How much to make one?"

"Your heart won't be able to take it if I told you."

Saying that, Aria placed the cover back on the lip gloss, and put it back into her pocket.

Listening to her.... I became acutely aware of her lips, which looking closely, were shining and reflecting light.

I see, lip gloss and lipstick are indeed different things.

I became silent, and looked at Aria's lips....

"Wha... what is it? I didn't apply it on because I was expecting anything, it's because I just ate something, and the autumn winds in Japan are dryer. I didn't have any sort of strange expectations alright!"

Aria folded her arms and turned her head away as she spoke.

Then--

"To.. today is really meaningful. How about you, Kinji?"

She suddenly looked at me... her face was blushing as she asked.

"Ah? Yeah, a cultural festival has to be meaningful to people."

"I wasn't talking about this, I meant 'being together with me'."

..... Again with the strange way of asking questions.

But truthfully speaking, I had a great time today.

Because , when I'm with Aria, it's the same as being with my guy friends, there's no feeling of restriction.

Although there are occasional things that make my face blush or heart race, but basically she isn't like a girl. Her child-like appearance makes her look more like my younger sister (although in actual fact I don't have a younger sister), the atmosphere was very relaxing.

"--It's alright, I don't feel tired when I'm with you."

Even though there are all sorts of danger.

I'll keep this sentence to myself. Following my short and simple reply--Aria....

Ho ho....

Suddenly laughed in a shy manner.

"Me.. me too. I'm very happy, except for the haunted house. You're really not bad."

"I don't know what you're praising me for...."

"It's an evaluation for today. Yes.... since it's not often I'm in a good mood, I'll promote you as a servant, starting from now on."

Can Ojou-sama please explain to me what's the bloody difference between a slave and a servant.

But... it feels really strange, for Aria to actually praise me.

Usually I'll just be Aria's personal punching bag. Being praised by her like this, I felt uneasy instead.

"How do I say this... Recently, you've changed somewhat."

As I felt awkward, I turned my head away to the side.

Aria became silent for a while, wiping her hands on her skirt.

I glanced at her from the corner of my eye, and noticed she was holding out her little finger.

"Of course I'll change. You, made the little finger...."

"?"

"You're really weird.... You're a weird person too."

Saying that, Aria lowered her head.

I could only remain silent as well.

After a while, Aria stole a glance at me, and asked.

"Then, which me is better? For Kinji, the me before? Or the me right now?"

".... Both are good, you're still you."

After replying, I placed my hands on the back of my head--

The both of us continued to sit on the chairs in silence.

As the conversation has ended, I raised my head, looking at the clear autumn skies and feeling the autumn wind blowing on my face.....

Ding.... Dong.... Ding.... Dong....

The sound of the tolling bell came from the direction of Odabai.

It was from the church of Hotel Nikko.

Due to the direction of the wind, the sound could be heard in Academy Island.

"Oh, it's a wedding."

I said with some emphasis.

"--Pfffff."

Aria was drinking the Perrier water, and suddenly shouted "Wuuaahhhhhhh" like she choked on the water.

Following that, she replaced the cap on the Perrier bottle, and started smoothing her hair in a flustered manner.

This is what she looks like when she's unable to calm down.

"Speaking of which, Aria. what are you doing in the afternoon?"

"Ah, the afternoon? The afternoon... the afternoon I'll be going to Assault to check on the activities of the female juniors. Didn't the Masters put up a notice to say 'Sempais are to verify the activities of their juniors. If there appears to be inadequate preparation, guidance must be given.' !"

"It's good to look after others, but that's not compulsory! When I heard the notice I simply thought that it's for people who want to go, I don't really care."

"It's.. it's fine. We'll end here today. The book did say 'Too much bindings will result in displeasure'."

Aria said some strange stuff as she stood up--throwing the bottle into the trash can.

(Bindings... was it referring to me?)

Recently, didn't you still use ropes to bind me and throw me into the sea for stealing your peach buns.

And that's after shooting me.

"Then.. then bye, Kinji. See you again at the fireworks meet in the evening. If you don't turn up, be prepared to be blasted with holes."

As Aria said these terrifying words, she politely left the place like an obedient girl.

Suddenly, she seemed to recall something, and adjusted her skirt to hide the gun holsters.

This action.... it's the first time I've seen it. That girl would actually be embarrassed because her guns were showing.

Afterwards, I met up with Muto (brother), and walked around the Cultural Festival with Shiranui, who placed second in the men's beauty contest.

Last year my schedule was packed to the brim with work. Finally this year I have one day of rest...

When Muto and Shiranui went to the CVR ball, which was an activity full of girls, I took the opportunity to slack off.

I can say that up till now, today was the most perfect day I've had for all this while.

The Cultural Festival successfully came to a close at 7pm in the evening as there was no festival at night.....

--So, from now on, it's time for the terrifying "Fireworks Meet".

On the final day of the Cultural Festival, Butei High has a tradition of having each team prepare and eat their own "Butei Pot".

For this, the sports hall was opened to everyone in the evening, and members of Team Baskerville were to gather there.

At this time, everyone was to bring their own ingredients, but...

The type of ingredients brought by each member of the team was determined by whether you have drawn "Hit" or "Miss".

Following the outcome, I was responsible for "Hit". As such, I gave normal pork meat to Shirayuki, who was overall-in-charge of the pot.

To add on, Shirayuki was the other one responsible for "Hit". This reassured me greatly.

But... the ones who drawn "Miss" were Aria and Reki.

Members responsible for "Miss" were to hand over "ingredients that one does not normally put into a hotpot" to the pot IC. This is a rule for the Butei Pot.

(.....I hope it won't become a problem with those two.....)

Aria has very little knowledge on the hotpot of Japanese culture, while Reki lives a life devoid of culture.

What creative ideas the two extremists can come up with, just thinking about it gave me a headache.

Also, in teams where there are an odd number of members, there will be one person in charge of the "seasoning", and that's Riko.

I guess this can be considered fortunate. If that girl whose mind is filled with fantasies ended up in charge of "Miss" ingredients, she might even bring a can of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surstr%C3%B6mming Surströmming].

("Water tossing", "Butei Pot".... who is supposed to benefit from these crazy ideas...)

As I thought about it, I walked into the sports hall with heavy footsteps--it was already quite noisy with all the people inside.

Many of the teams have started eating from their Butei Pot, and beside some of the seated students, there were several people lying on the ground foaming at their mouth, receiving treatment from Medica students equipped with first aid boxes.

Dammit, what's the point of this activity.

"Ki-kun, over here!"

Sitting like a mermaid on a picnic cloth, Riko was beaming as she called out to me.

Very much enjoying herself from this sort of ridiculous activities, Riko was tapping on the hotpot with her chopsticks while humming a tune.

Just to mention, the hotpot being used is a "dedicated hotpot for Butei Pot".

It was a negative type of inheritance passed down from our seniors, from each generation to the next. It's basically a pot made of clay.

But, the cover of the pot was shaped like a bowler hat.

On top of the bowler-hat cover, there was a small flap that could be opened up... The design was such that even if the flap was opened, you wouldn't know what food you had taken until it's completely out of the flap.

Putting it in another way, even in a brightly lit place, it's still able to create a 'dark' hotpot, it's an artifact that emanates demonic aura.

Besides Riko--Aria was sitting cross-legged on the picnic cloth, Reki was sitting in a squat position, Haimaki was sitting on top as well, and--

"It's being cooked now, Kin-chan, thank you for the meat."

The only one sitting in seiza was the IC, Shirayuki, who was adjusting the fire of the stove.

Wearing an apron around her school uniform, Shirayuki opened up a space for me, so I sat beside her.

"Cone-------pepper-----"

Suddenly, like Doraemon whipping out a secret tool, Riko started yelling!

--She started stuffing alot of chili into the flap!

"Wah!" "Kya!" "...."

Aria and Shirayuki stared with wide eyes, while Reki looked on silently at the pot.

"You... you.... what did you add inside! This will turn it into spicy hotpot!"

Seeing that Riko was still thinking of adding more chili, I started shouting.

"But Riko loves to eat spicy stuff. Cone----pepper----!"

Riko said loudly.

And added in some more--!

The cone pepper, simply put, is a type of chili.

A single one would have made the hotpot unbearable, and she actually put in twenty pieces. Is she trying to kill us?

".... Kin-chan, the person in charge of the seasoning can put anything she wants, this is the rule. But at least we will die together."

Shirayuki said, as she took out a expensive-looking embroidered handkerchief to dab her tears.

"There's no need to follow this type of rule! Riko... if you put one more inside, I'll execute you! Aria, Reki, remove your safety catches!"

As the team leader, I will no longer tolerate further acts of violence.

We removed the safety off our weapons together.

"Hurmp, let's make it slightly sweeter then."

Saying that, Riko took out a pack from a bear-shaped bag, opened it, and poured everything into the hotpot with a whoosh!

.... Art.. artificial sweetener...!

That's the artificial sweetener which is 4 times sweeter than normal sugar.

Simply put, it's like pouring in 2 kilograms of white sugar.

(I wonder what other hellish stuff has been added into the pot when I wasn't around.)

The seasoning alone for the hotpot was already enough to make me uneasy, this is the first time in my life I encountered such a situation.

...........Buruburuburu....

The hotpot was giving off a weird smell, and emitting purple gas, this hotpot....

"Hee hee, it looks really delicious, the taste will top everything else in the world..."

Seeing Riko taking out a packet of seasoning sauce,

"Shirayuki, is it done, I think it should be cooked right?"

I hurriedly prompted Shirayuki to hurry up.

"Un, I think it's done, although I'm not really sure myself when it can be considered done...."

"Ok, then--let's hope this cultural festival will end smoothly, with no one dying..."

As the leader, I hurriedly gave the speech to begin the feast--

"Alright! Then Aria, taste it!"

"Shi... Shirayuki, the overall-in-charge should start first."

"Ehh... Then Reki, how about you give it a try?"

"Riko should be the one to start eating first."

The girls ignored my speech, and started to push the task to each other.

My existence... is really pathetic...

"Then, let's have Ki-kun go first!"

"That's right, let the leader start first!"

"Kin-chan, I'm sorry, but.. but, there's normal food inside as well, so..."

"Kinji, do your best!"

You guys....

But, as it's four against one, there's nothing I could do. Afterall, the girls were pretending to display their weapons accidentally.

--There's no choice.

I'll just have to suck it up and do it.

"....The sakura, falls with the wind, drifting, scattering..."

Singing a tune to bid farewell to the world, I held the thought "If I die you all won't be able to live much longer too" to comfort myself, and went first.

Holding a bowl.... with my hands trembling.... I brought up the food... *pa*!

....Pea.... Peach....

.....Peach bun....!?

Like a corpse, the peach bun surfaced.

Aria, this must be your handiwork!

Maybe you would have liked this, but the filling has already been exposed from the melted skin of the bun. Have you ever thought what the taste would be like?

"To be considerate of others before you act", do elementary school students in foreign countries not learn about this?

And... on top of the peach bun, what... what the hell is that thing?

On top there was a half-melted thing, which should have originally been some brown-coloured rectangular object.

(What.. what is this....? Is this wheat bran...?)

Transferring the thing to my bowl, I picked up my chopsticks, the apprehension in my heart greater than when I was attacking E.U.

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

Including Haimaki, everyone was looking at me as I placed the "wheat bran" lookalike-thingy in my mouth....

"Guh.... Ah..."

--That girl Reki!

You actually put [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wafer wafers] into the pot.....!

And it's cheese flavored.

The thick cheese flavor mixed with the seafood soup, resulted in an indescribable taste.

However, by a remarkable stroke of fortune, the chili was neutralized by the artificial sweetener.

It's practically a miracle. Putting aside the food, at least no one will die from drinking the soup.

Using whatever determination I had, I finished the peach bun saturated with soup--mission accomplished.

Also, as there was a each-person-a-scoop rule, the girls started playing rock-paper-scissors to decide who's next.

The first was Aria.

"....Wah...."

She scooped up something black, a mass of black stuff.

"Reki! This is your doing isn't it?"

After an interrogation by a furious Aria sitting on top of Reki, that thing appears to be blueberries which Snipe uses for the purpose of improving their eyesight. This explains the purple gases emitting from the soup.

Aria forced the thing into her mouth unwillingly, gulping down milk from a cup in her hands to wash everything down.

"Uhhh.. May the heavens protect me, may the heavens protect me...Uhhh..."

Shirayuki started to pray. Maybe because her behavior was usually prim and proper, she scooped up a cooked egg.

As Shirayuki was shedding tears of joy, Riko, who was sitting beside her scooped up...

"Woah, Reki!"

It's flour noodle... But, artificial sweeteners had crystallized and enveloped the noodles, turning it shiny.

How did this happen.... I was very shocked. Riko said "It's delicious", and calmly ate the flour noodle. Don't you find the flour noodles strange at all, and your sense of taste as well.

After Riko, was Reki.

With the usual expressionless look on her face, she stirred the ladle up and down... *whisk!*

"....!"

Sitting beside her, I broke out into a cold sweat seeing what she had scooped up, a full ladle of chili.

"......"

Reki placed the chili into a bowl.....

Breaking apart the chopsticks--with a gleam in both her eyes--

*whisk*

*swallow, swallow*

She really ate the chili.

In a calm and collected manner as usual.

*whisk*.... swallow*, *whisk.... swallow, swallow*.

She ate all of the remaining chili as well, like she was eating fries.

"...Are.. are you alright...?"

I asked worriedly. Reki nodded her head slightly.

Her eyes were devoid of emotion, and showed no signs of distress.

(....This is too ridiculous...)

....Afterwards....

The disgusting traditional activity had ended, and all the demonic ingredients were removed from the pot, so that everyone can slowly enjoy it.

As they say, the pet follows the image of its master, Haimaki actually started to eat the ingredients happily as well.

Isn't this cruelty to animals?

--At this time, Shirayuki said,

"Well, I'll remove the foam."

Using this as an excuse to change the entire soup.....

After she used a cloth to sanitize the pot for a new lease of life, the normal hotpot can begin. I can finally feel at ease.

"Shirayuki, there should still be some food left."

"Un, the pork meat from Kin-chan.... there's still cabbage and mizuna, carrots, mushrooms, spring onions, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burdock gobō]..... ah, and slices of Yonezawa beef."

"Un.... that's great."

"We can still make something decent."

Like confirming weapons and equipment, Aria and I made a thorough inspection of the food, gave out orders, and Shirayuki started cooking.

Just like that--

The members of Baskerville crowded around the hotpot once again. At this time, Riko...

"--This meat is painstakingly prepared by Riko for herself!"

*Pa!*

Palmed in the eye, the beef I had picked up was snatched away in mid-air above the pot.

"That hurts... Isn't it the same whoever prepared the meat! I haven't eaten any meat yet!"

"From now one, this is Riko's territory, Ki-kun is forbidden to enter!"

Saying that, Riko decided on her own to use stalks of spring onions to draw out a boundary.

Then, she ate the boundary as well, leaving me with no idea how to react.

Looking at Riko eating the meat with gusto, I was starting to panic. I asked Shirayuki to pass me some meat... under the watchful eyes of the everyone else, I picked up a piece....

"Arrwooo!"

"Woah?!"

This time, the ambushing party was Haimaki, who snatched the meat from the side.

You--

Normally you eat all sorts of junk, why on earth do you have to eat my Yonezawa beef today!

"Give it back!"

"Arrwooo!"
.
With my anxiety pushed to the breaking point, I no longer cared about what others might think of me. I tried to snatch the food back from Haimaki's mouth, but was ultimately no match for an animal, and the fight ended with me being bitten a few times.

I say, Reki, don't just sit there in a daze, help me! Aren't you the owner!

As I turned my head back for help, I saw that while I was fighting with Haimaki over food, she was--

"Japanese beef are really the best in the world!"

"....."

[[File:Aria09 263.jpg|thumb]]

Aria and Reki were both eating the Yonezawa beef first.

Aria, who was scared of burning her tongue, kept blowing at her food, so she was eating slower... But, what made things worse was that Reki had activated her infamous "non-stop eating" mode. Why does it have to activate now, stop... please stop.

"Kin... Kin-chan, there's still some meat!"

Shirayuki told me as she picked up a cooked piece of beef, but,

"This beef was cooked in Riko's territory! Ho ho!"

With lightning speed, Riko extended her chopsticks and snatched the beef away.

"Hey! That's so rude! I picked it for Kin-chan!"

Even though Shirayuki trued to use the pot cover as a shield to defend--

Riko used Aru=Kata with chopsticks in both hands to snatch away the meat.

"Kyaa, meat! The meat picked for Kin-chan!"

"Haha, it's really tasty! Thanks Shirayuki!"

That girl Riko....!

Finally, all the Yonezawa meat were wiped out...!

But.... the battle isn't over,,, there was still pork meat.

"You guys--this is brought by me, at least let me eat a bit."

Displaying a seriousness which I do not usually have, I drew out my DE (Desert Eagle) as a further threat.

As I have been having some money problems.... After Watson treated me to the steak that one time, I practically didn't have a good meal with any meat.

If I don't eat some now, I don't know when will be the next time I get the chance to eat meat.

Seeing how determined I was, the girls toned down a little as well--in order to combat Riko, Shirayuki used some mizuna to set up a boundary, designating that area as my rented zone to cook the pork for me.

Thanks to her assistance... I can finally eat meat. Even if it's just pork.

"This is great, Kin-chan can finally get to eat Kin-chan's meat."

"Don't put it in such a disgusting way..."

"Here, please enjoy."

I put out my bowl towards Shirayuki who was handing the meat to me....

".... Ah, it feels so warm when having hotpot."

For some reason, Shirayuki started to use her hand to fan her chest at this time.

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

While receiving the meat.... Within Shirayuki's apron, at the chest area of her sailor uniform....

(Bla... Black....!)

It's exposed!

I can see your "competition" underwear.

"......!"

Feeling the excited rush of blood flow in my nose, I quickly took the meat and turned my back.

Re-adjusting my sitting position, I heard a soft dissatisfied sound of "Chey!" coming from behind me......

Just then, *thump*, *thump*, the sound of combat boots approaching from the side--

"Guh...?"

I'm actually floating in mid-air.

Like a kitten being wrung at the neck, I was lifted up.

Single-handedly lifting me who weighs 60 kilos, and sitting in the space I was forced to vacate was....

"Ran... Ranbyou... sensei."

"--The cosplay cafeteria was given pretty good evaluations by the customers. Profit margins were higher than last year, all of you have done well."

Taking my bowl by force, Ranbyou helped herself and picked up the chopsticks, eating and chatting at the same time.

(My, my meat is all gone... I didn't even manage to get a single bite.)

This is, reality.

The lion cub, raging bull, mountain cat, hawk, silver wolf, and now with the addition of a female leopard coming over to fight for food, a weak human like me stands no chance whatsoever.

Speaking of which, is Butei High an Animal Kingdom?

"--And Reki, the poster you drew for the cultural festival has been awarded first place by the public vote. There's a prize to be presented to you, so come get it from the staff room later."

...Ah?

Under the stares of everyone in Baskerville.... Reki nodded silently at Ranbyou.

"Reki... you can draw as well?"

I was thoroughly stunned.

Reki nodded her head.

"The posters collected were not enough, so all the posters from students who could draw were used. Recently I made a drawing with 'Dreams' as its theme, and it was used to make up numbers."

"Dreams....? Reki, what did you draw?"

Aria, who was rarely shocked, had widened her eyes.

"--I drew the Dream Demon from the legends of my birthplace."

Patting Reki who answered in an emotionless manner, Ranbyou spoke.

"Reki's drawing was fantastic. Take a look for yourself."

Saying that, she showed us a photo of Reki's drawing she had taken using her handphone's camera.... The girls were all stunned.

Being thrown outside the picnic mat and unable to get a first hand look at the picture, I looked over towards Ranbyou's phone....

"Whoa...."

--The phone display showed an extremely realistic drawing which looked like it was drawn by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H._R._Giger H R Giger].

Although the thing showed in the painting was a strange combination between some sort of animal and bird bones, but the drawing was certainly very well drawn.

That type of creature may not exist in reality, but it was drawn so realistically like a photograph.

"This is really awesome... you really drew this?"

Hearing my question, Reki nodded her head slightly.

....Such artistic talent.

In Baskerville--Shirayuki was skilled at ink drawing, Riko was also able to draw shōjo manga-like illustrations.

But Reki was on a completely different level.

There won't be any problems with turning into a professional artist right? With such brutal capabilities.

Constantly maintaining their guns with care, tirelessly carrying out slight adjustments, being able to remain highly focused when ambushing a target--many snipers are good at drawing.

I've heard of such rumors... But, it looks like the rumors are true, and Reki is such an example.

"......"

As if not hearing the praises from everyone, Reki herself was behaving calmly. But, her talent was really unexpected.

I say... you should just quit being a sniper and switch jobs to become an artist instead!

That's what I felt from the bottom of my heart.

And this kind of work contributes to the world as well.

--Switch your job, quickly.

(Just like myself.... who will be transferring to a normal school.)

As I thought of this, I looked at Aria and the girls surrounding Reki and heaping praises on her.

In actual fact, I....

Was planning to hand in my application to the Masters to transfer from Butei High to a normal high school.

If I want to transfer school by April next year, I'll have to hand in the application before the deadline of October 31st, which is before midnight today.

Considering the fact that I may change my mind, I had even submitted an application to extend the deadline.....

But, it looks like my decision hasn't changed.

This kind of life, will only result in death and destruction one day.

(So--there's still about half a year's time. Half a year from now, I won't be able to be like this anymore... leaving this group of people behind. By then, it'll really be....)

As I thought about all these, I looked on at my comrades who had crowded together.... In the first half of the year, I had--

Discovered a new side to everyone, just like the Reki right now.

Sometimes on the battlefield, sometimes, in everyday life like this.

And not just from the members of Baskerville.

But also from Jeanne, Waston, and myself--discovering many new things.

(Well, not counting the parts on shooting and slashing at each other. Discovering all these things... it's really nice, and it's the same for Butei High too.)

As I was not good at dealing with girls, it caused me some grief... But, having lived with eveyone for some time, I could feel that all of them were my true comrades.

Even if I'll only be staying here for half a year, but before I leave--Team Baskerville is to me,

Still a wonderful place to call my own. Here, there are comrades who can help each other out.

--So, I want to protect them.

In the remaining half a year that I'm in Butei High, I'll protect them with my all.

To protect this place I call my own, to protect the important comrades in front of me.

(After all, I am still the leader of Team Baskerville.)

As these thoughts ran through my mind, I gazed serenely at Aria, Shirayuki, Riko and Reki.

<noinclude>
{{Hidan no Aria Nav|prev=Hidan no Aria:Volume9 Chapter4|next=Hidan no Aria:Volume9 Epilogue}}
</noinclude>

Hidan no Aria:Volume9 Chapter4

2011-11-17T01:27:27Z

ElmoWu: /* 4th Ammo: Cultural Festival Day 1 -Carnaval Via- */

==4th Ammo: Cultural Festival Day 1 -Carnaval Via-==

Another few days have passed--October 30th.

Butei High's cultural festival for this year has started.

Coming out from the dorm, you can see that the sidewalks of the Academy Island had become a pedestrian paradise, full of people from outside the school.

Both sides of the roads were set up with all kinds of shops, even people from Assault and Dagula opened up to everyone else in a calm manner.

(..... All the dangerous items have been stored underground.)

During preparations for the cultural festival, there will be a massive clean up, adjustments will also be made for the decoration of the facilities.

This is due to the fact that interviews will be taking place during the cultural festival, and to avoid leaving negative impressions on the parents of special elementary and middle school students with an interest in enrolling into Butei High, these preparations beforehand are absolutely necessary.

Just that, all these troublesome works are the responsibility of the First Years.

The internal ranking system in Butei High is as strict as those in the military.

In Butei High, there are even words like these being spread around: First Years are slaves, Second Years are demons, Third Years are the Kings of Hell.....

Last year, I had no choice but to constantly pick up empty cartridges in Assault as well.

(The cultural festival lasts for two days.... The mission for this year is only the Cosplay Cafeteria for today, and tomorrow should be free activity.)

Strolling in the school grounds, from a distance I could see promotional posters for the cultural festival pasted all over the place.

These promotional posters were collected from students in Butei High.

There were oil paintings, illustration-styled drawings, strong graphics created by computers.... more than several dozens different styles.

(Every one of them is pretty well done....)

There are serial numbers marked on each promotional drawing, and observers can vote using their cellphones, appraising the promotional drawings through their votes.

When the drawings were being collected, Jeanne immediately rushed over upon hearing the news, giving me quite a scare.

"Even though I know I can win, but I should still draw one and participate."

Although this is what Jeanne the artist said, her face was simply overflowing with the desire to create.

"If you say you know you can win and still participate, then that's just too childish."

Using such reasons, I managed to convince her not to participate in the competition--that was close!

If Jeanne's horrific-beyond-imagination drawing was publicly displayed, the public might suffer mental trauma, and if things worsened we might even be sued in court.

That's right. This is part of my job as a Butei--"To avert a disaster before it begins", dealing with the problem without anyone else knowing.

(.... If I report this to the Masters, maybe I can get an academic credit?)

As I thought about it seriously, I walked along the school grounds that were filled with a festive mood.

In a warehouse belonging to Logi, children were gathered together, sitting on the pilot's seat in a helicopter.

The Snipe's Airgun shooting corner and the SSR's Museum of Ancient History were attracting large crowds as well.

The musical performed by CVR has been renowned for a very long time, with even professionals in the industry admitting to being inferior. On the day of the musical, long queues snaked before the ticketing booths. It was probably because CVR has quite a number of beautiful young girls, the absurdly highly-priced tickets were sold out in a flash.

The cafeteria where students usually leave a mess all over after eating, was wiped clean for the "Cosplay Cafeteria" that will be held in the morning today.

During the Cosplay Cafeteria, the training results of the students carrying out their missions to infiltrate and search for evidence would be clearly shown. As such, if successful, it seems that the Masters will give an "Outstanding" grade in the internal reports for the students involved in the activity.

For a problem student like me who worries constantly about academic credits, this is a job worth doing seriously.

But....

"Welcome!"

A girl's voice came from outside.

Ranbyou, who had came to check on the results of the cosplay, ordered me to work in the kitchen.

"There's no police officer with such a gloomy look in his eyes."

Waving her fists, she uttered her judgement--but I must disagree.

Things like the look in one's eyes are due to what a person is born with, it can't be changed that easily. Ranbyou-san.

Recently, as friends in Informa had told me... One day I will expose the fact that you registered an account for yourself on a social website for making friends, and even gave yourself an online name called "Ranran". And you still have the cheek to write that you like reading books in your personal information column. Besides books on gambling tips and gossip magazines, I've never seen you touch any other type of printed media. And you actually wrote down age as 18.

If you look at the face alone, she's really beautiful, so there are actually victims who have been deceived by her attractive external appearance and dated the female gorilla. I must meet out the justice of heaven.

... Thinking about this, I was stirring the stewed vegetables in the pot, feeling very depressed.

"The fire's too small!"

Wearing a fireman uniform, Muto was mumbling as he fidgeted with the sides of the pot.

Hearing this, Ranbyou shouted, "Firemen risk their lives in their work, how can there be such a chatty fellow!", and at the same time, kicked Muto almost 3 meters away.

Speaking of which, doesn't the school already have kitchen staff in the first place? There's no need for everyone to change costumes in the first place at all.

This school has very poor planning.

With pent-up grudges and dissatisfaction in me, I spent another hour making stewed vegetables and pasta.

Coming in for the afternoon shift, Hiraga who was a girl, was caught by Ranbyou with one hand and swung in a circle in mid-air.

The angry looking Hiraga had her feet twisted in a impossible direction, her tendon had probably been injured by Ranbyou. Our violent teacher does not go easy on anyone, including girls.

"What the hell, Hiraga--anyone is stronger than you, can you at least increase your height somewhat?"

"Aiya, aiyaya!"

As Ranbyou was saying such offensive words, she placed Hiraga into an empty pot, then looked around at me and Muto.

"Come to think of it, two people will be enough for the kitchen. So, who goes to the mess hall...."

While Muto was tugging away at Hiraga's shiny skirt to drag her out from the pot, I made use of the opportunity to open my mouth and talk.

"Sensei, I, no, this Police Officer has deeply reflected on his past actions while in the kitchen, and will never be '''lazy''' [http://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Hidan_no_Aria:Volume9_Translator%27s_Notes#Chapter_4] again."

Speaking softly to her, I intentionally added in Ranbyou's online name.

Following my conversation, Ranbyou, who was facing in the direction of Muto suddenly froze.

Like suddenly pressing a 'Pause' button, even her huge ponytail was frozen as well.

"......."

With her mouth in a 'へ' shape, Ranbyou turned her head around, sweat beads the size of beans forming on her forehead.

Although there is no conclusive evidence, but.... Tohyama wouldn't have known my secret right....? Ranbyou's face reflected an anxious expression.

This... this seems promising. Time to change topic, and probe her once more time.

"Add.. adding on, this Officer has a 19 year elder brother. Although he's very strict, but he's very good looking."

Drawing her attention with these words, Ranbyou, who had written in her self-introduction column "Types that I like: Strong, forceful types"--managed to maintain her dignity as a teacher, her mouth remaining in the shape of 'へ' without much change.....

But, she seemed to be somewhat happy, the corners of her mouth slowly rising, finally forming the shape of a 'W'.

Ranbyou was flashing a smile like a leopard [http://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Hidan_no_Aria:Volume9_Translator%27s_Notes#Chapter_4].

Mmm. Actually you did see my Nii-san before, just that, my Nii-san appeared in the form of a girl.

"Then... Muto and Hiraga will be a team. It might be better to adjust the style of the people working together. Tohyama! Go to mess hall!"

--This is great, even though I sacrificed Nii-san, but at least I got away from the female panther for now.

Looking at me with a vacant expression on their faces, I bowed to Muto and Hiraga...

Although it was somewhat dishonorable, but at least I successfully escaped from the kitchen.

....--When I walked into the hall with the posture of a police officer, the busy scene was like that of a hurricane.

The tables and chairs of the Cosplay Cafeteria were set all the way to the courtyard, with second year students in various uniforms shuttling back and forth at all corners.

"....Guh..."

Managing the affairs in the mess hall, the girls will always be drawing a lot of attention. It was really an impossible situation.

The costumes of the girls were resplendent, and an atmosphere of a cosplay coffeeshop was pervading the mess hall.

The male customers seemed to be very happy.... maybe because they still have no idea how fierce the girls of Butei High are.

For the normal boys, they probably view this as a simple affair of being waited upon by service staff, being able to be served food by a cosplaying female high school student was already a enjoyable affair by itself.

But, if those girls are hired by your competitors, they might end up sending you bullets and explosives instead.

And those will be lighted.

(.....Ignorance is bliss for these people....)

As I thought about it, I delivered fried rice and cola all over the place, brushing shoulders with the people that I usually know.

There's Shiranui wearing a pilot uniform, whose wish is to become an idol for middle-aged ladies.

There's Nakasorachi, who was wearing the white lab coat of a chemist research facility staff and serving honeydew melon soda to the customers. Her clothes were in a disarray, with her soft breasts barely contained by her lacy clothes......

Not good, it seems like she can't really work on the job.

Firstly, she should wearing contact lens for her poor vision, but she's still bumping into walls.

She was responsible for the taking, repeating and listing orders, but due for some reason, her face turned red when our eyes meet, resulting in her accidentally tripping over a foot.

What's more baffling is, in the process of falling, the tray she was holding in her hands forcefully smacked into her own face. It seems to be all my fault, but it looks like she's really not suitable for this kind of work.....

[[File:Aria09 159.jpg|thumb]]

I helped Nakasorachi onto her feet, and thinking of letting her rest for a while, I brought her out of the mess hall.

The straight path leading out from the mess hall was turned into a ramp using plywood, becoming an unobstructed route.

... Hey hey. Nakasorachi.

I say, because you fell down just now, your super short mini-skirt has been lifted to dangerous heights.

But, just as I was about to point this out, I suddenly developed a fearful panic of seeing her exposed well-developed thighs due to the fact that her clothes were in a mess, and as a result I couldn't say anything

Wrapped up in my own fear, I brought Nakasorachi to a place which couldn't be seen from the mess hall...

"Oto... Otoko-yama-kun [http://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Hidan_no_Aria:Volume9_Translator%27s_Notes#Chapter_4]... As a wait... waitress, I'm always a failure... sorry! It's all my... my blunder, I'm a stupid, useless tort... tortoise. A tortoise will always be a tortoise!"

She started smoothing the long bangs at her forehead and sobbing, and just like what she said, completely became negative about herself.

For her, besides being a communications operator, she probably takes only types of work like being a librarian. Requiring her to become a waitress dressed up as a lace queen is simply too challenging.

I really wanted to push her into the kitchen so that a poor fireman could be rescued, but the male customers seemed to really fancy types like Nakasorachi, so I guess Ranbyou will never agree.

As the Cosplay Cafeteria will be assessed by the Masters once the cultural festival is over--

And if the results of their assessment is not ideal, according to regulations, all student participants will be graded badly in their internal report.

So, if a black sheep appears, then my grades will be implicated as well. Looks like I must act.

"It's alright. Don't let Ranbyou see you, rest for a while. I'll deal with the work."

Thinking and looking out for her, I led Nakasorachi in the direction of the lounge....

"Ai ai! It's no wonder you're Ki-kun the Flagship Architect! You're now taking on the Nakasorachi route!"

Wearing the costume which she had wanted, turning into a "Western Gun-slinger", the extremely late but highly-regarded-by-Ranbyou Riko was walking towards us.

Riko certainly looked the part of an American from those times, using her thumb and pointing at us. Truly accomplished acting.

After being discharged from the hospital, Riko returned to school as usual.

Her attitude towards us remained the same as well... as if the battle on the Sky Tree never took place.

Although Riko only knows how to create problems, but without her around, things get kind of lonely.

Honestly speaking, I'm really happy she has returned in good health....

"Ki-kun is really an accomplished skirt-chaser, Riko is relieved."

"Speak properly, and speaking of which you've been skipping too many classes. Nakasorachi can't be a waitress now, so we'll continue with her work."

"OK! But she looks like she's pretty scheming, would it be all right if I leave you alone with her? Woah--woah--could this be an act by a baka-girl?"

As Riko snickered, she pointed grudgingly at Nakasorachi's skirt.

"Mine.. Mine-san. This.. this... isn't what it looks like. I did not have that kind of intention! But... but if this can make Tohyama-kun.... have a better impression of me... But.. but that's too blatant as well!"

Jumping away from beside me, Nakasorachi hurriedly adjusted her super mini-skirt which was lifted high up.

Nakasorachi. If you had really noticed, why didn't you adjust your skirt before this.

Luckily I kept looking up with my eyes. or it'd have been dangerous.

"But Ki-kun, you should still start with the Aria route first. Riko supports Ki-kun and Aria. So you and Riko including this girl should just maintain a physical relationship. Bang~"

"....Huh....?"

Riko closed her eyes to a slit, and mimicked a shot at me with her index finger....

.....POOOOOOOOOOOM.....

Following a waft of light gardenia scent, came a magma-like aura from behind me....

"........"

The scenery before my eyes suddenly turned upside down.

A big 180 degrees turn.

In the Up-Down direction.

An unknown hand had grabbed my belt and shirt, turning me entirely around.

"You--lecherous Kinji! What's a phy.. physical relationship! Not only Riko, but even that communications operation kid as well.... You.. what have you done! Have you really been working as a waiter!?"

The judgement has been passed--

The one holding me from behind in an awkward head-down position, was Aria in her elementary school student outfit.

"No.... I didn't do anyth--!"

"Ah ah?"

Aria emitted a sound like that of an anxious lion cub, and with a 'swoosh', stopped momentarily in mid-air while holding onto me.

"--Windhole Trap!"

BANG!!!

Along with my police cap, my entire head up to my lower jaw was buried in the plywood ramp.

Fortunately the plywood was very thin, allowing me to escape from the brink of death...

Using a finishing move on me while I was in an difficult position, this was adding insult to injury.

Woah woah! A fourth year elementary school girl performing a pile-driver on a police officer! This scene can only be seen in Butei High!

Toh.. Toh.. Toh-chan! Yama-chan! Look... looking at it in reverse, it looks like you've been on a guillotine!

It's Riko and Nakasorachi....

The muffled sounds of their voices came from above the plywood.

With my head finally plucked out, I proned on the ground and look upwards--

".....!"

This time it has turned into a position where I was down-slope and looking up at Aria's short skirt.

I'm now caught in a position of a pervert whom should be arrested by the police in the first place.

"--!"

Above that slender leg which looks like it still belongs to an elementary school student--sh.. shit!

This is a bad angle!

I lowered my head by a centimeter, having witnessed the scene, I felt that my blood flow seemed to have almost changed into Hysteria mode.

"You... you...! Even in this situation...!"

Even Aria seemed to feel that I was thinking "So lucky, I actually saw it (laughs)", the veins on her temple showing.

"Woah woah! Aira just turned eight! You've seen everything!"

"--Fourth year elementary school students are ten years old!"

"Aiya! It's really the Battle of Waterloo! Ki-kun, lower your head!"

Bam! Riko jumped up forcefully--

"Swoosh!"

Wearing her cowboy jeans, she aimed for my back and sat down.

Pressed down by her body weight, my head lowered.

Look carefully Riko. If you look properly, I have already gotten used to Hysteria mode long ago.

This is for the battles with "Grenada" from now on.

(Should I fight.....!)

If I enter Hysteria mode now, a tragedy will definitely occur before I achieve victory. Now that the three of us are alone in the lounge which hardly anyone comes by, the moment Hysteria mode gets activated will be certainly be a earth shaking event. If that's the case, the innocent Nakasorachi will become a victim as well.

I took a defensive approach--

Lowering my head, trying my best not to look between Aria's legs.

But using the concept of riding a camel on its back, Riko used both her hands on my lower jaw to forcefully lift it up. Not.. not bad.

You've let me witnessed the variety of Chinese martial arts techniques.

This time, with Aria in the "full exposure" angle--

"--Windhole Memory Destroyer!"

[[File:Aria09 165.jpg|thumb]]

--She brought her foot down hard. (--!)

God has appeared.

In the gap where Aria has lifted her shoe up, a miraculous angle that could have only been due to the protection of gods appeared--

From my line of sight, only the bottom of the skirt could be seen--in the gap between her legs.

--Fantastic.

This can be settled without having to enter Hysteria mode....

Dear God. Perhaps I will be going to where you are very soon, and I will thank you again then.

After receiving Aria's windhole attack, I only lost consciousness for 3 minutes. I couldn't help but give thanks to my own endurance. Once I adjusted my police cap, I returned to my work post as a waiter.

But thinking about it in detail, my endurance was largely due to the training from Aria's brutal violence.

I take back my thanks.

"Hi, all students. Come this way!"

Shirayuki, dressed as a female teacher was speaking gently to a group of elementary school students and guiding them.

The children were making a din near the entrance of the Cosplay Cafeteria, becoming a nuisance to the other customers.

Responsible for being the cashier, Aria wanted to be their guide, but was taken as a playmate instead. In the end her pony tails were caught and she fell to the ground. As the shop manager, Shirayuki hurried over to resolve the situation.

(.....She's really well-trained in the methods to handle little children...)

The elementary school students who were standing all over the place just a while ago, quickly became obedient, lining up to take their seats.

It's no wonder she's the eldest of six sisters, one look and you can tell she'll definitely become a dutiful wife and loving mother in the future.

After helping them with their orders, Shirayuki came into the backyard from the mess hall.

"There's alot of customers, so let's raise our spirits! AI AI YO!"

Shirayuki said to the tired group of cosplayers--

Everyone seemed to be spurred on, raising their fists and shouting "YO--!"

Even though she was still expressionless, but Doctor Reki (Ph.D.) did the same thing as well. This is the first time I've seen her like this.

Following that, Shirayuki started giving instructions of the measures to take to handle the different situation for each and every table, making everyone's work alot easier.

This is the true messiah.

"I see you have very good leadership capabilities...."

I said in a sigh to Shirayuki, who was writing down the priority list for the work to be done.

Might as well let her replace me as the leader for Baskerville, I've lost all confidence.

"No....."

Hearing my words, Shirayuki-sensei hurriedly adjusted her eye-glasses.

"My student council work has been lagging behind, I'll have to rush for that."

Following that, with a wonderful smile on her face, she walked towards me and helped me adjust my rank badge and tie.

"For the Butei, many are not good at work involving receiving customers. The Masters will deduct points because of this... Thanks to you, the situation has more or less been redeemed somewhat."

"....I... I was praised by Kin-chan..."

With an entranced expression showing on her face, Shirayuki's cheeks turned red instantly...

"I will work hard so I can be your helper. And also for those children who are unable to help at all. Ok, you can go now. Be safe." Shirayuki adjusted my police cap, and when she mentioned "children", she looked at Aria.

'Chey'--Taking a break and drinking honeydew melon soda, Aria, with a straw in her mouth, clicked her tongue in reply to Shirayuki's gaze.

Not only that, Aira was biting her straw and shooting glances at me at the same time.

Wh.. why are you emanating killing intent from your body.

Behaving differently from usual, she was looking at me with a bit of anxiety.

If you got something to say, say it. It's completely not like Aria's style.

"Look look, it's time for Aria to go for school. Did you forget anything?"

Shirayuki was somewhat delightedly speaking in a motherly tone. "No, I'm going off" Aria threw out a reply and walked out.

Then she ran back into the hall and viciously stepped on my foot.

What.. what the hell was that. Why did you get angry just because I praised Shirayuki.

And the act of physical punishment was so despicable. I felt her anger this time was different compared to previously.

Don't tell me there's new software installed in her brain? Uninstall it immediately!

After that, Aria kept having a weird look on her, like she wanted to speak but stopped herself, giving me a stare every now and then....

With some difficulty, I managed to endure till 5pm. Finally, I can change shifts.

Taking out the new phone I bought a few days ago, there was a message from Watson--No training for today? Recalling my antics when I entered Hysteria mode in front of her, I chose the splendor of ignoring the message.

Even without that factor, I'm dead beat from doing a bunch of stuff that I've never done before--not only did I have to address myself as "this police officer", I even had to bow after the customers made their orders.

I should just quickly go home and just eat something, take a shower, and sleep like a dead log.

As I was lifting my leg to return to the preparation room--

"Tohyama."

The fourth preparation room, which was so small and cramp it could hardly be counted as a room, came a call for me, and it was done with the door closed.

"Jeanne?"

"It's me, come in here for a second."

"You're wearing clothes right?"

I asked Jeanne, who seemed unwilling to open the door for some reason.

"Are you stupid, of course I'm wearing clothes, but.... about this set of clothes, I want to discuss it with you."

Her reply caused me to have some doubts,so I entered the changing room.

In the changing room, Jeanne was wearing the "family cafe" type of frilly female waitress uniform.....

She was sitting on a metal-pipe chair, her body sprawled on top of the table.

On top of her head was a hair-band that was reminiscent of what a maid would wear, and I could see her ears under her shimmering silver hair.....

For some reason, her ears were red.

"What's the matter, you should be on the evening shift."

"Yes."

Still sprawled on the table, Jeanne's voice transmitted from her arm on the table.

"Then it's about time for you to get going."

"I know that!"

"Then get going quickly. You really like this set of clothes right."

This is because the clothes were Jeanne's own, and she made an effort to bring it out.

--I know, I accidentally saw it before.

"Ye.. Yes. But I still....once I think about appearing in front of everyone, I'll feel embarrassed."

"It can't be helped. This is the way things are, even I felt embarrassed too."

"Don't put me in the same league as you!"

Jeanne swifty lifted her head, her whole face blushing red like Aria.

As Jeanne is 100% white Caucasian, so putting it more accurately, her face was pink.

Judging from her expression, it seems that while facing me, she's harboring some negative emotions with no outlet to let it out, so in order not to become some sort of snack--

"I get it, I get it. Then why did you call me into the changing room."

I said to Jeanne to pacify her.

"Tell me your opinions! You seen me like this before. What do you think of it."

"I already told you back then. It's really cute! You don't have to worry."

"Really?"

"It's the truth. A police officer doesn't lie."

"Then say it again."

"Say what."

"Say that I'm cute! I've no confidence in myself. When I... I wear the clothes alone, I feel that it isn't too bad. And this is the set of clothes that I like the most. I've always wanted to try being a waitress for once. But, this.... girls of my height wearing clothes like this will be made out as some kind of joke. Everyone will certainly make sarcastic remarks."

I finally understood...

Jeanne is the type who does what she likes in private, but becomes very reserved in public.

When alone by herself, she is becomes broad-minded enough to start a fashion show, but once she faced me, who has seen her in those clothes, she'll feel very embarrassed.

"That's not going to happen. Have some confidence! You're very cute, come, let's go."

"You don't sound convincing at all!"

Jeanne stood up, waving her featherlight sleeves.

What a troublesome guy as well.

Just as I was starting to feel a bit tired, Jeanne leaned over with a 'pleading for help' look on her face .

[[File:Aria09 173.jpg|thumb]]

Her featherlight skirt brushing against me.

"Actually... it seems that the kohais [http://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Hidan_no_Aria:Volume9_Translator%27s_Notes#Chapter_4] from the tennis club will be coming to see me. What should I do."

Ah.....

So that's how it is.

--Butei High is is a school with some.. no, with a lot of feudalism.

The seniors must be strict with the juniors, and must more or less put on some airs in front of them.

This way, the relationship between the seniors and the juniors will be evident. This is necessary in order to ensure success during investigations and battles. Such similar culture exists in the Police and the Self Defense Force as well.

Hence, Jeanne was even more afraid of being laughed at by her juniors.

"No one will make a joke out of you. If there are really any first years who dare to make fun of you, I'll help you teach them a lesson. Look, there's only 15 minutes left!"

I looked at my watch--

Jeanne also looked at her shiny watch, which was adorned with precious stones, worn on the underside of her wrist.

"Un, un un, it's already this time now."

"Don't panic. This isn't like Jeanne at all. There won't be any problems. This police officer guarantees it. Let's go!"

I patted her on the shoulder to motivate her, but--

Crinkle, crinkle. Upon patting her, numerous tiny ice crystals flew out from her body.

What's that. Looks like diamond dust.

It's like some sort of mechanism which appears when she's agitated. This is a new discovery.

"--Tohyama. I wore these clothes only because of the lot that I drew, so you'll be responsible. If I become a joke, then prepare to be turned into a human [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frost#Hoar_frost hoarfrost]!"

Although Jeanne said that, she still didn't want to leave the room on her own.

"What are you saying. And what, on earth is a human hoarfrost"

"It's hoarfrost made up of a human. Can't you understand simple words? Are you stupid?"

".... I've always been stupid. I was stupid to come here and listen to you. Get going. Come on, follow me."

Saying this, I finally managed to drag Jeanne forcefully out from the changing room--

"Jeanne-sempai!" "Jeanne-sempai!" "Sorry to have kept you waiting!"

We just barely walked out of the changing room, and 4, 5 first-year girls jumped out in front of the door.

They seemed to have gathered here after hearing Jeanne's voice, it looks like they're Jeanne's juniors in the tennis club.

"Ah!"

It seems that Jeanne haven't mentally prepared herself yet, freezing on the spot and turning into a human hoarfrost herself

I shifted my gaze to the first years, and was about to say "First years, if you dare to make fun of her, I'll arrest the whole lot of you!"--

"IYAAA---!!! SO CUTE!!!!"

But the first year girls were screaming away with their eyes fixated on Jeanne.

IYAAA!!! IYAAA!!!

SO CUTE!!! SO CUTE!!!

The girls were so caught up in a rapturous frenzy they totally ignored my existence, surrounding Jeanne who was dressed as a waitress.

"Cu... cu.. cute....?"

Jeanne's rose red lips were trembling slightly as she said.

The girls were still obsessively screaming cute.

"Ah, this... this--was because of drawing lots, I had no choice but to wear these clothes--I know I'm not really suitable for it, and...!"

Jeanne clumsily blurted. But her juniors were still heaping praises and saying "No way! Sempai is so cute!!" "Jeanne-sempai looks good in anything she wears!! So cute!!" "Sempai is a goddess!! So cute!!"

"Un... Un un.....!"

Jeanne....

Her gaze started drifting as she became shy.

Her reaction caused the first year girls to yell cute again.

But... besides "cute", don't you all have other words of description you can use?

Looking at first year students talking excitedly and crowding towards the side of the window--

(Come to think of it, Jeanne is really well respected-- )

I felt somewhat touched inside.

Shirayuki is the same as well, she seems to possess some sort of attributes that causes the kohais to respect her. This is quite important for Butei who will eventually have subordinates. During the end of term after our second year, there will be a grading for "Leadership capabilities. Suitability as a government official"... Jeanne will definitely score full marks for this.

Although she looks extremely cold-blooded, she will never bully her kohais, or give out impossible tasks to them. Plus she's also a beautiful girl liked by both guys and girls, although she's a bit slow-witted by nature, but she's a jack-of-all-trades... Even among students of the same year, she's a very reliable person.

Before this I heard of rumors like this--Jeanne's popularity among the first years started in the tennis club, and was slowly spreading towards Informa, Connect, Repier, Inquesta and other places.

Presently, Watson has the slight advantage for now, but if the trends continue on like this, Jeanne would definitely get the upper hand.

(Jeanne seems to have some sort of strength to attract people towards her.... perhaps a genetic inheritance from her ancestor....)

Just to add on, Aria is very well-respected by the first years in Assault as well, but this was due to her personal ability, and not her personality. She's pretty strict on kohais.

And Riko. There's no need to mention her. She's the type who'll end up playing with the kohais.

There's no need to elaborate on Reki as well.

From now on, I'll use Jeanna and Shirayuki as a positive example, while the others will be deemed as bad examples.

As for me, I have not much of a popularity, Within the kohais, only Fuma knows about me.

(Anyway.... looks like I won't be turned into a human hoarforst.)

Just as I started to relax myself--

Trouble appeared.

Jeanne was on cloud nine after being flattered by her kohais, all sorts of emotions surging within her.

"...."

Wearing her graceful skirt, she leapt out from the the window.

"Hey! Hey...."

Although this was the first floor and no injuries will be sustained, but if a deserter (people who are absent without valid reason) appears, there will be a negative impact on the Cosplay Cafeteria.

If so... the Masters will judge us as incompetent, and everyone will be deemed responsible and slammed viciously by Ranbyou. I reckon the impact can result in internal organs being puked out from the mouth. Of course, this involves me as well.

I rushed to the side of the window, only to see Jeanne's hands covering her fiery red cheeks, running swiftly towards the center courtyard.

As she wasn't paying attention to the road in front of her, in no time at all, she bumped into a scarecrow on the field growing herbs.

"Sempai! Where are you going?" "Please let me take a photo!" "Are you heading for the Cosplay Cafeteria?"

I ditched the first years behind, who crowded at the window side within moments.

Using the emergency exit, I ran out towards the center courtyard, in pursuit of Jeanne.

As I realized that this problem involves my internal organs, my tracking skills increased tremendously as well.

Very quickly, I found Jeanne's hiding place.

She had left one of her lacy leather shoes behind near a small storage room in the center courtyard. Don't tell me you're Cinderella.

Like a real police officer relentlessly pursuing a criminal, I pressed my face lightly against the wooden wall.

Jeanne was sitting on a wooden chair, and I could see one side of her face from here.

"Ho ho, ho ho ho....."

Both hands pressed onto her burning cheeks, I have never seen such a cute expression on her face.

Acting just like how other girls of her age should act, the smile overflowing from her face even infected a bystander like me with bliss.

"..... It's really such a joy!"

Jeanne usually make people feel like she's an Hollywood actress, always with an uptight look on her face. So her expression now could be considered to be truly refreshing.

It even feels like it's the first time I'm getting to know her true self.

".... Cute, I'm cute! As a waitress, I'm very cute...."

Jeanne lowered her head, immersing in every single moment the bliss which belongs only to her. A beautiful lace ribbon was tied on her silver hair.

And so she simply sat there, straightening both her legs, swinging it back and forth lightly.

(.......)

For some reason, I suddenly felt that I shouldn't continue peeping on her like this.

Her breasts, which were contoured on her clothes, was starting to shake continuously along with her swinging legs, making me feel that the scene was becoming very dangerous.

"Well from the looks of it, she probably won't run away from here...."

I smiled wryly and turned around with my back facing the wooden shed.

Watson is like this as well....

Maybe it's because of the reason that as a descendant of the heroine Jeanne D'Arc and that she was adopted, Jeanne always felt she wasn't "girly" enough somewhere.

But girls will be girls.

She was probably always fretting over how to show her feminine side.

The Cosplay Cafeteria was just the thing to help Jeanne fulfill this wish, and show her that what she thought about herself was always wrong.

Perhaps she will eventually start showing the side of herself which she has been hiding, little by little.

Through meaningless activities, the school is a place that lets its students to grow continuously, Or at least it's a place that gives you the chance to grow.

"Of course, if it's a normal school.... there should be much more chances like this."

I looked at my watch, in another 7 to 8 minutes, Jeanne will have to takeover the shift.

Jeanne.

I'll just let her enjoy her happiness here for a while longer. Then the waitress job which she has been looking forward to for some time will have to start.

You must work hard!

When you first came to Butei High, you didn't even know what flavored drinks are.

Finally changing into my Butei High uniform, I started walking back in the glow of the sunset.

The buses have stopped operating during the cultural festival. So I had to walk back to the dorm.

"Tohyama....."

From an abandoned building used for battle training, came a voice calling out for me.

As this was like a real war zone, all I could see was a chaotic mess. So it was covered up by plastic canvas sheets, and was out of bounds, but....

That voice, I seem to have heard it somewhere before.

It's that fox girl, in reality a fox spirit, and a comrade in "Deen". I think her name was Tamamo.

"Tamamo, you're back. But why today of all days."

As I replied, I lifted a blue plastic canvas sheet and walked into the abandoned building.

The exposed concrete on the first floor were full of bullet markings.

Dust particles in the building danced in the air as a gust of wind blew in from a broken window.

Sunlight streaming in from all corners shone onto the dust particles like a spotlight.

"Today is naught the day of Tomobiki (友引), tis a fine day for making many friends."

Stepping on the ground strewn with broken glass and bullet shells, I walked further in, towards where Tamamo's voice came from.

"Let me tell you, the television crews are here today. If you get caught by them and get broadcasted on air as 'Rare Animal Caught', I won't do anything to help."

Chatting with her, I lifted my head and found her standing on top of a steel beam laid on its side and hanging high up in the air.

She was wearing a mini version of Butei High's sailor uniform.

"I hath no wish to hath these ears of mine pulled and examined with intrigue and amusement. Hence, I came wearing the uniform of students here."

Tamamo said, while standing within a beam of light.

She was wearing a small uniform cap with a wave-shaped hem, and there were actually something shaped like 2 fox ears poking upwards at the top of the cap.

Hey, is this really ok.

"Yes, Tohyama. I hath heard you brought defeat to Hilda. Well done!"

Swish! Tamamo leapt off the steel beam animal-like movements.

With her movements, I saw her tail which was hidden under her skirt.

So there is still no way to make the tail vanish. But if I told her this, she'll definitely get angry. So I chose to remain silent.

"You know pretty much. Who told you?"

"Tis the head of Liberty Mason who told me. Whilst discussing the problem of what comes under the jurisdiction of "Deen", it was proposed not to proceed with the extermination of the prisoner in the Demon Barrier--Hilda."

Liberty Mason......

I see. After I defeated Hilda, Watson must have contacted them immediately and reported the facts.

With a bright look on my face for unraveling the truth, Tamamo gradually approached me, and suddenly extended both hands in front of me.

"What are you doing? I don't have any malt candy."

"No. Tis for thou to carry me."

"Carry you? You're not a little kid...."

"As there is no deity palanquin, I canst only lower my expectations and hath thou carry me. Tis an honour for thou. Be quick about it, and carry me around for sight-seeing. Or dost it matter naught that thou suffers retribution."

Tamamo stood tip-toed, and patted at my nose.

Well, no matter what, this guy is still considered a god... of sorts.

If I really get struck by retribution, and my luck worsens, then my life will really be in a sorry state.

But when I reached both my hands under her armpits, and tried to carry her up...

"I say, you're quite heavy to carry. Should be at least 20 kilos and above. How heavy are you exactly?"

"Thou dares to asks my weight, does thou not know tis a forbidden number to ask of goddesses or even all women."

Using both hands, Tamamo hugged my neck tightly with no intention of letting go.

"Then you should at least change your form from an second year elementary schooler to a baby."

Hearing what I said, Tamamo used both her legs to start climbing onto my body.

"Aiya, thou should stop complaining. Think of something quickly. Good fortune will come from carry a deity. Haha!"

Using both hands to support Tamamo's bottom, who was rubbing herself excitedly against my body, I lifted her up....

No matter what, I finally managed to carry this deity.

"I'll die from exhaustion if I carry you all over the place like this."

I said to Tamamo's face which was directly in front of my eyes.

Tamamo looked very happy, her face filled with innocence.

Looking close-up at her big round eyes, it seemed to have aroused my so-called fatherly instincts.

If there weren't any fox ears or tail, her appearance will easily make her a target for abduction.

"Why, thou seems verily interested in me. Art thou smitten with me."

Tamamo laughingly said to me, who was staring fixedly at her.

"Don't talk nonsense. The age difference is too big."

"791 years counts for naught much. Tis naught a thing impossible in a world of transformation."

"That's not what I mean. You're saying it in reverse, reverse."

"Reverse? Guh, the Tohyama Samurai of before frequently says things I do not understand as well."

Saying things which people don't understand, that should be you right.

I think my ancestors-sama must have gotten more than just a few headaches because of her. For some reason, the fates of our family and Tamamo appears to be closely intertwined.

I sighed inwardly, and started to tease Tamamo.

"Hiraga from Amdo was around this area for quite some time just now, we're screwed now."

"It'll definitely be snatched away if it's discovered. Once that guy sees something sweet, even the color of her eyes changes."

"Here, here. Let's hide here and eat... ah, Kinji...."

The voices of girls came from the entrance of the abandoned building.

The 3 girls were holding in their hands gigantic crêpes which were probably some sort of freebie.

They opened their big mouths in shock at seeing me carrying Tamamo.

"Ab... ab.. abduction...."

"To actually bring such a small girl to this place...."

"It must be an abduction. We have to report this immediately to the Masters and Children Welfare Services."

Oi.....

My luck didn't turn for the better at all. I'm obviously already carrying a deity.

On closer inspection, I noticed that the 3 people were my classmates in school. Yelling "This is so dangerous!", they took out cellphones from the pockets of their skirt.

"No, it's not like that."

I hurriedly put Tamamo down, trying to explain the situation clearly.

This will definitely be a bad thing once it involves Informa and the Butei triple punishment.

"Thi.... this is a child who lost her way."

I declared, well aware of the fact that I'll have to start a gun fight if all else fails.

"A child who lost her way?"

With a confused look on her face, Tamamo lifted her head to look at me.

"Yes. A child who lost her way."

Tamamo seemed to sense the effort I was putting in for this.

"No, I mean ye... ye... yes."

She seemed to have understood the present situation, following up on my words.

Just that her acting skills were really terrible.

In doubt, the girls said,

"A child who lost her way?''

"Doesn't look like it."

"It just feels like she's been tamed."

The girls seemed to have completely believed the opinion that I have abducted a little girl.

"Adding on, isn't she wearing a Butei High intern uniform? There's no possibility she's a kid who lost her way."

That girl is well and truly a student from Inquesta.

Damn it, don't use your deductive reasoning skills is a place like this.

"That, well.... she really lost her way, then she was sent to me. She's my cousin."

"Uhn, yes. I wanted to see onii-chan."

Said Tamamo as she hugged my waist tightly.

"How can Kinji's cousin look so cute!"

"This has nothing to do with the face. Hey, let's go. It's really great to be able to see onii-chan."

I clumsily played along with Tamamo's act.

"Uhn, let's go. Onii-chan won't let you become lost again."

I held Tamamo's little hand which was waving in the air, finally managing to escape from the abandoned building.

I didn't know whether those girls believed what we said, the sounds of their discussion coming from the back.

"So that's how it is. Oh yeah, the cat-ears cap that little girl was wearing was really cute."

"It seemed to be moving."

"Maybe it's fitted with actuators."

Apparently Tamamo's cat-ears cap has turned into their next discussion topic.

Just that it isn't cat ears, but fox ears. And they're real.

Wiping the cold sweat on my forehead, I spoke to Tamamo.

"Tamamo, I can bring you anywhere you want to go, but can you change your form?"

I feebly supported my hands on my kness, pleading with Tamamo.

A second year high school student walking around with a little girl. even if it wasn't those people just now, other people might report me as well.

"Uhn, thou's physical strength will not be capable of carrying me around and move freely."

"Then we have a deal."

"So it shalt be done."

Once Tamamo was done talking, white smoke suddenly appeared at her feet.

"......."

I looked over....

And found that Tamamo's figure had vanished, and there was now a Temari beside my feet.

Oh yeah, she can change into these things.

"Hey. Carry me and go."

With the ball speaking, I bent over to pick her up. It's very light, about the same weight as a normal ball.

"You should have changed into this form from the start. Come to think of it, how does Tamamo do it."

"Tis the jitsu for emptiness transformation. Thou would understand naught even if I explained it."

Opening up the conversation with a condescending tone, the ball continued speaking.

"First, 'Mustard Particle'. Tis a singular point that possesses an extremely strong gravitational pull. These points are very tiny, but everywhere around us. Each and every one of these points are connected to one another. Using the 'Heavenly Streams of Fox Lightning', attractive and repulsive forces are applied to these bonds, manipulating the bonds into a shape of a tube. With 'Matter Fog', these are passed through my small body. The ends of the tube have a space of 'Emptiness', which exists on this space as well. The ball is placed in this space, and is used to replace my illusionary little girl form. Once the 'seal' is recited in my mind, these steps can be achieved in mere moments. Tis a matter which occurs in a blink of an eye."

"I'm sorry, I completely don't understand what that means."

"Using thou's terms, tis manipulating a wormhole."

".... I don't know what this is as well."

Come to think of it, you don't even know what panties are, but you actually know about a wormhole.

"Tohyama, thou art lacking in learning. Tis to say, although I'm here, but I'm not here as well. From the perspective of reality, if the ball is destroyed, I'll lose 'Mustard Particles', and have no way of returning from 'Emptiness'. Because the ball is me now, hence thou must be careful, and then even more so.

So this is the so-called magical transformation. Whatever.

(But this is really something. Be it Hilda or this guy...)

These non-human races have existed since eons ago, but their techniques are far more advanced than the forefront advancements of our science.

Although I don't know the specifics about wormholes, but mankind only knows that it 'possibly exists'. Even Hilda's Electric Charged Particles are only being researched by scientists in research facilities. But they are already able to make use of it.

If these are the kind of freaks in "Grenada" I have to fight with from now on....

Then it'll be like fighting people whom are from 100 years in the future.

But...

I suddenly thought of a phrase taught during a lesson in school.

Combat.

In this field, mankind has combined their intelligence and outstanding capabilities.

Not to self-boast, but mankind has progressed till now from recurring wars.

This is why the advances in this field far outpace the rest.

Aria's Colt Government was produced in 1911, about 100 years ago from now. Humans have not made any improvements to it since then.

That is to say humans have produced combat tech 100 years ago.

Then how many years has it been since the first person used Hysteria mode.

Now in a position with no choices left, the only thing I can do is try.

As Tamamo ordered me to "Take me to where Shirayuki is", I called up Shirayuki to say hi.

After her work at the Cosplay Cafeteria ended, Shirayuki went to the Supernatural Searching Research (SSR in short).

Seems to be for self-study, no wonder she's an honors student.

"I really don't like it much here...."

Reach the SSR building, I felt a lost of interest due to the appearance of the building.

Firstly, the entrance was a vermillion gateway, it was like a tunnel directly linking to the building.

Looking around the entrance, there was a statue of Chinese Guardian Lion on the right hand side, and a statue of Sphinx on the left hand side.

The surroundings were full of Totem poles, Buddha statues, Moai statues, lanterns and what-nots on display.

Although there were Japanese barrier-sealing ropes hanging above my head, but hanging in front of me wasn't large Japanese bells, but rather something like the yellow copper bells in a prayer room......

In front of me was a written message.

--"Those with no business here are prohibited from entering the SSR"--

It was on a lookout board. I can't think of having any business in this kind of place.

This is a research department for super powers and magical abilities. A lair of secret arts. And a place I can't stand the most.

"Why does thou hath such a grim look. The surrounding atmosphere seems pretty nice."

The Tamamo-ball said.

"It looks like the gods are about to start an argument. You're considered a deity of sorts. Looking at the scene in front of you, don't you think it's some sacrilege."

"Times now are no longer of the old. But the truth each god seeks tis the same. And since telling humans to 'get along well', what manner will become of us if the gods starts fighting amongst ourselves."

"I see...."

Well, since she put it that way, then it no longer matters.

Pushing the large entrance door decorated with colorful stained glass, I entered the SSR.

The decorations in the hall still made me broke out in cold sweat.

In order to allow the students to pray here, the spacious hall were dotted with a few seat-cushions and chairs. The walls to the half-dome roof were full of ancient religious drawings.

This is truly a world I cannot comprehend.

What's going on in the minds of these SSR people. There was even a Wooden Fish [http://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Hidan_no_Aria:Volume9_Translator%27s_Notes#Chapter_4] placed on top of a pipe organ.

A sign with "Anyone fighting will be shot to death -- From Masters" stuck beside an Aztec Calendar is the only thing here I understand.

"......so to say the Roswell Incident..."

".....through similar magic the mysterious links can be....."

"....It's really tasty, the fried and smoked red..."

I can hear the conversations of students situated in a corner of the hall.

There were all sorts of clothes they were wearing. One girl was dressed like a Tengu, but it was not a spear she carried on her back, but a bow and demon-slaying arrows instead.

A turban on the head, and speaking in Wheel Hatha yoga pose, that one must be a foreign exchange student from India. That guy holding a sutra in his hand and eating some dry-fried food, was actually wearing a cassock.

"Looketh, everyone gets along very well."

Tamamo-ball exposed the tip of her tail, pointed at the students and said.

Besides sighing, there wasn't anything replay I could come up with. I carried Tamamo up the stairs with heavy steps.

As the number of students in SSR are very few, the second floor and above have only units of single rooms.

On reaching the fifth floor, I knocked loudly on the door to a room with the name "Hotogi Shirayuki" written on an [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ema_%28Shinto%29 Ema] shaped wooden sign.

"Coming, coming!"

Shirayuki's voice came from inside the room, following the patter of footsteps, came the sound of the door being unlocked.

When the door just opened, I could see a sliding door adorned with pentagrams, samurai helms, and the Hotogi family crest through the opening slit.

When the door was fully opened....

"Welcome, Kin-chan."

Greeting me politely, Shirayuki came out to receive me, dressed in her Miko garb.

There was a 3-way mirror left slightly ajar in the room, could it because she was putting on make-up just now?

(Actually there's no need to go through so much preparation just to greet me....)

Upon seeing the gloomy look on my face.

Shirayuki's eyes instantly teared up as she said,

"Ahh.... Kin-chan doesn't like these Miko clothes very much. I always wear these clothes in SSR, so.... I'll go change immediately, please wait for a while."

Once she finished talking, she was about to close the sliding door.

"It's fine, I have something to discuss with you."

I said, as I pressed against the sliding door with my hand, took out my shoes and walked into the room.

Inside was a Japanese-style room with 10 tatami mats laid on the floor, on top of a painted rack was a statue of Dharma Buddha.

In 6 bamboo tubes laid alongside one another, each had a windmill made by her younger sisters.

I appraised the room, which was the complete embodiment of a Japanese-style room.

"Hotogi Shirayuki, thou hast grown up as well."

The ball I was holding suddenly moved onto the floor.

White smoke emitted from the floor, and in less than a second Tamamo returned to her original form.

"Ah!"

Shirayuki yelped in shock as she looked at the grinning Tamamo.

"Ta...Ta... Tamamo-sama!"

Swoosh!

Shirayuki dived onto the tatami mat.

The Miko garb's skirt fluttered in the air, coming to a pause at the time she knelt down.

"It's has been a long time since paying my respects, I didn't know you were coming. I'm deeply sorry that I have prepared nothing!"

Shirayuki was like an employee who saw a supervisor on a surprise visit.

Holding a windmill in her hand, Tamamo slowly walked towards her.

"Thine bad habit of apologizing constantly hath changed naught. Come, lift up your face."

Making Shirayuki raise her upper body, it seems Tamamo wanted to squirm in between Shirayuki's knees and chest.

Ah, Tamamo actually grabbed Shirayuki's breast. You lusting fox.

Then, Tamamo turned her back towards Shirayuki and sat onto her knees.

"Tamamo-sama has not changed as well...."

"Shirayuki, thou hast finally gotten used to a mixed school. How goes your zither practice, can you ride a bicycle now?"

"Really, please do not talk about the things of my childhood."

Looking at them happily conversing away.....

So the both of them really knew each other from the start.

Sitting cross-legged at the Japanese-style low table in the room, I drank the green tea prepared by Shirayuki.

"No matter what, tis a good thing that the Tohyama Samurai and Hotogi Miko are of the same age."

Tamamo pointed a finger at me and spoke.

"So how is it, Shirayuki. Hast thou been done giving birth to children for this guy?"

[[File:Aria09 197.jpg|thumb]]

PFFFTT!

I spat out the tea in my mouth in one breath.

Being asked that question by Tamamo with the tone of "What did you have for dinner last night?", Shirayuki's body softened gradually like an octopus. Replying at Tamamo's ear side.

"I.. I.. I can do it at any time..."

But why are you looking at me and saying that.

Looking at the speechless me, Shirayuki suddenly buried her face into Tamamo's head.

".... What should we do hubby, our daughter says she wants a little brother or sister..."

Tamamo muttered softly, as her finger drew the "の" symbol on the tatami mat.

Listening up to here, even my face started turning red.

"Shi.. Shirayuki. Lift your face up. Don't bother about Tamamo's irrelevant remarks."

"Yes, yes. Father of the child. Let's do our best! How many, no, how many dozens of kids should we have?"

"Don't look at me with your eyes glowing like that. And who's this father of the child. Tamamo, stop saying useless things and quickly get to the point."

I said with some anxiety. Straightening her tail, Tamamo replied "Yes yes", and came to the side of the low table.

Shirayuki appeared at my side in an instant, and sat beside me. Even if I avoid her, she'll just continue to stick to me. So I just gave up, and the both of us sat facing Tamamo.

Following that, Tamamo....

She first spoke to Shirayuki about the "Far Eastern War" which has already begun.

And the incident with me getting involved in the war as the leader of Baskerville.

She also mentioned my battle with Hilda, and how I finally won.

Shirayuki listened calmly from the start till the end. As expected from an armed Miko.

Some of the technical terms that appeared and was used during this period of time, which I didn't really understand, she seemed to understand them as well.

".... Anti-demon barriers have been set up in all the harbours within the city. If any demon barge in, the Shikigami will inform me, and I will proceed to attack it using seals."

"Since this is the case, then we can consider the matters that will come next."

Under the premise of joining in the war, she spoke about numerous related topics.

"Hey, Shirayuki. Getting involved into this war, are you not afraid?"

"No. I have heard about the "Battle" in the Hotogi. And through my divination, I have known long ago that these things will continue to occur within the next few years."

You're really optimistic. After my fight with Hilda, I discovered that this will be a tough battle."

I said, as if trying to confirm Shirayuki's determination.

Shirayuki gave a light smile.

It was a very peaceful, long-standing Shirayuki-type of smile.

"The Hotogi Miko are protective Mikos. We have alway fought for the sake of protecting. The chaos in the country, wars, and the few "Battles" encountered, protecting is what we always, and always will do. And..."

Shirayuki's expression hardened.

In an instant, as if re-affirming what she has already set her decision on, spoke hesitantly.

"I will burn out all the ashes that lands on Kin-chan, no matter who that person is."

She lightly touched Irokane Ayame's ruby-colored sheath at her waist as she spoke.

The term 'burn out all the ashes' is a contradiction by itself.

No matter, since she means to join us just like always.

"Oh right, Tamamo. Although it's a bit late to ask this question now... what's the aim of starting this so-called war in the first place? Even though Jeanna said it's for 'needs, fighting for something-something..."

"Tis like what Jeanne hath said. Fighting for something thou needs. Carrying out the redistribution of power. Tis is the intent of the war."

"Then what are all of you fighting over?"

"Tis the same as all other wars, things being fought over changes with time. Last time, twas fighting over precious swords, holy grails and so on. And now, tis for Irokane. Tis the best treasure of all. Although twas never cared much for til now, but the world's greatest genius Sherlock found the method to harness its power."

Sherlock....

Come to think of it, that guy did describe Irokane as "The Core of the Supernatural World".

So this is the thing that Deen and Grenada are going all-out to obtain.

"Things being fought over changes with time....."

I seem to understand somewhat now.

Using the outside world as an example, in the past, no one paid any attention to the Wulan Mountain Mine.

But once the method of exploiting it became known to the world, everyone started scrambling for it blindly.

Hence, causing a war to break out.

"Tis not only treasures. Excellent soldiers are targets to fight over as well. Tis why, since ancient times, defeated soldiers are incorporated into one's own flag. Defeated soldiers will also initiate switching sides to the enemy so as not to get killed."

"Oh....."

This is similar to Jeanne's "Betrayal is OK", and Watson's "The defeated party is the surbodinate of the enemy".

Thinking like this, I seem to have an understanding on the system for the "Battle".

"Then.... what will it take to end the war?"

"Total annihilation or surrender. Tis either Deen or Grenada's soldiers gets wiped out, or all the soldiers of one side choose to surrender. Conditional surrender are recognised as well."

This seems to be the same as wars of the outside world.

I glaced sideways at Shirayuki, and noticed that she had a face which indicated she already knew everything.

"Shirayuki, some problems hath surfaced but recently."

Tamamo straightened her seiza position, speaking to Shirayuki.

"Aria's 'Seven Stars of the Scarlet Shell' has been damaged, and the fragments hath been taken by Grenada."

"........"

This was the first time that Shirayuki became shocked at something Tamamo said.

"I met Watson just now, as proof of alliance. I demanded this. Counting this piece, Deen now hast 3 pieces of the golden shell."

Tamamo took out a gem which looked like a ruby. That's the crystallized form of a piece of the golden shell which shields the Hidan.

Maintaining her seiza, Shirayuki moved backwards, then bowed deeply.

"Our deepest apologies, if only the Hotogi Miko could have made the Golden Shell sturdier in the past, this would have never..."

"Tis not the fault of the Hotogi, you are so few, to hath done this is already remarkable."

"However, the Irokane Ayame which was bonded to me was taken away by Patra a while ago. As such, the Hidan...."

Just as Shirayuki spoke till this point--

Tamamo's gaze suddenly became sharp like never before.

"Shirayuki, stop speaking. Coincidentally Tohyama is here as well. Hotogi and Tohyama can share the workload and help one another."

".....What are you talking about. What's happened with the Irokane Ayame?"

"Don't ask. The hihi-irokane bonds to the human heart. And love is an extremely difficult portion to master. The more you know, the more your heart becomes confused. Humans are unable to master their internal feelings."

"?"

"From the past, the Hotogi Miko whom are deeply connected to the Irokane, are able to be aqcuainted with the Tohyama Samurai till now, tis because the Tohyama family is a clan that fights with the heart. Thou should consider carefully what this means. Does thou naught hath matters which thou does not wish to tell Hotogi?"

The hihi-irokane obviously loves "Love" and "War", just now Tamamo....

Only spoke about the part on love.

"Things which I do not want to tell Hotogi..."

She seems to know about the hereditary power passed on from generation to generation in the Tohyama family.

(Hysteria mode is definitely linked to our emotional state with members of the opposite sex, but so what?)

... I feel the atmosphere becoming a bit weird now.

The supernatural and topics on romance are the 2 boundaries where I'm the worst at.

If Tamamo mentions about Hysteria mode at this time, things will become problematic for me, best to remain silent for now.

"In order to successfully resolve this issue, the cooperation between Tohyama and Shirayuki is of utmost importance. So the both of you must get along well."

Drinking her tea, a contented-looking Tamamo looked at Shirayuki who answered with a loud "Yes".

"Not to worry, no matter what happens, I'll always be at your sides."

With a somewhat frozen smile, Tamamo looked in my direction.

"Be at your sides..."

When we were fighting Hilda, why weren't you around.

Although setting up the barriers is definitely a busy task....

"As for Aria, I will speak with her soon. The golden shell must be retrieved. To err on the side of caution, I'll also perform a preliminary diagnosis on the progress of the deitification into the Scarlet Blazing God."

"... Is Aria fine?"

I asked somewhat worriedly.

"Tis should be fine for the time being. Thou should worry naught. As long as Grenada is defeated, and all the golden shells are retrieved, there will not be any problems."

Since the expert has said her piece, then I have no objections as well.

But regardless...

I don't really know about Aria's condition yet, so it's not so good I worry about it now.

Aria still seems to be pretty spirited, so my worries may really be groundless fears.

"........"

I suddenly noticed that while I was speaking to Tamamo about Aria,

Shirayuki seemed to be intentionally withholding her comments and listening at the sides.

Tamamo, for some reason, did not even glance at Shirayuki.

It feels as if the both of them have a premonition about something, but didn't wish to say anything.

I furrowed my brows.

I don't know why, but my mind suddenly recalled what Tamamo once told me.

--About 700 years ago, someone transformed into the Scarlet Blazing God.

That person turned into a monster, and started wars....

Before it was finally killed by the Tohyama Samurai and Hotogi Miko.....

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