https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/api.php?action=feedcontributions&feedformat=atom&user=IdolonBaka-Tsuki - User contributions [en]2026-05-07T01:19:04ZUser contributionsMediaWiki 1.43.1https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=User:Idolon/common.css&diff=285935User:Idolon/common.css2013-09-11T05:07:49Z<p>Idolon: </p>
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<div>==1st Ammo: Case E8==<br />
<br />
Reki.<br />
<br />
Always expressionless, unfeeling and taciturn Reki. <br />
<br />
Protecting me on orders from the "wind", the Reki who, armed with only a single sniper rifle, bravely took on the Ten Thousand Skill Warrior Koko.<br />
<br />
Under the starlight, that Reki was sprawled on the roadway.<br />
<br />
"This wound.....It's not a gunshot wound."<br />
<br />
Said Shirayuki's younger sister, Kazayuki, who was kneeling on one knee at Reki's side.<br />
<br />
The astonishment at her previously abrupt and hard to believe exclamation about Reki's bloodline still remained. However, now is not the time to be speaking about family lineages. <br />
<br />
Medical aid for Reki has to be quickly administered.<br />
<br />
"Reki was wounded by some sort of light that I don't really understand; some kind of invisible bomb. She bled considerably before you arrived. Shirayuki, your....healing art or something; can't you use it?!"<br />
<br />
Clinging onto my words, I shook Shirayuki by the neck, trying to get rescue to come.<br />
<br />
"Ordinarily, I would be up to the task......but right now, my powers are unstable." <br />
<br />
"Unstable....?"<br />
<br />
Kazayuki explained to me with my furrowed eyebrows,<br />
<br />
"Lately, in Japan...no, throughout the whole world, there has been a weakening of supernatural abilities. The reason for this drop in success rate is unknown. Among the Hotogi, the ability to heal wounds has been especially limited. In the event of failure, it could kill the person."<br />
<br />
I weakened at her words....<br />
<br />
Somehow or the other, simply having Shirayuki's magic turn the game for the better would not be the case.<br />
<br />
Then how can I.....<br />
<br />
As I agitatedly paced around, Shirayuki took Reki's temperature.<br />
<br />
"Terrible. Her body temperature has plummeted to extremely low levels. If we don't get her to a hospital fast...."<br />
<br />
From behind, Shirayuki and her sisters boarded a convertible, a Himiko, a solid sedan of Mitsuoka Automobile and a Kushinada that came along with it.<br />
<br />
Shirayuki and her sisters used this bulletproof car for retreat in accordance with the battle situation.<br />
<br />
Just perfect. These guys can transport Reki. <br />
<br />
However....<br />
<br />
"Don't go to a hospital. Our enemy from just now, Koko, was using a sniper rifle."<br />
<br />
Right now, there is no sniper here.<br />
<br />
If the hospital in the city came under attack from a sniper rifle, we won't be able to do anything.<br />
<br />
Urban areas with plenty of buildings are where a sniper holds the most advantage.<br />
<br />
"In that case, we'll take Reki-sama to a branch shrine of the Hotogi. We'll call a doctor there."<br />
<br />
Kazayuki grudgingly soaked her miko garb in blood carrying Reki. <br />
<br />
Carrying Reki in the back seat of the Kushinada, I supported her, together with my neighboring passenger. With our cell phones destroyed, Shirayuki got into the co-driver's seat and called Butei High. <br />
<br />
With the engine primed forward, Kazayuki settled down on a passenger seat with a sharp expression. Right now, her wakyuu was in her hands in preparation for a pursuit with Koko.<br />
<br />
The driver opposite and the driver here; both of them dazzling beauties started their vehicles to maintain a lookout over the river bank, heading down the mountain road.<br />
<br />
"Kin-chan, it's connected. The Masters' night duty room. It's Nangou sensei."<br />
<br />
I accepted the white cell phone from Shirayuki, and explained the situation to Nangou-sensei of Snipe; how during Caravan I, we came under sniper attack on the outskirts of Kyouto, the battle near Mt Hiei, Reki's wounding and the assailant being a Hong Kong exchange student named Koko. The silent Nangou listened to my words, all the while not saying anything.<br />
<br />
"That's Case E8, Tohyama. The Masters cannot act."<br />
<br />
A low voice at the end was the reply.<br />
<br />
Case E8.<br />
<br />
That was cipher code for "possibility of perpetrators within being high and as such, this common knowledge cannot be leaked out. Make contact with trusted individuals as active partners; resolve issue by the hand of concerned parties."<br />
<br />
Nangou's decision was....right. The perpetrator infiltrated under the disguise of an exchange student from Hong Kong. <br />
<br />
If the situation became common knowledge amongst the entirety of the student body, the enemy could obtain information.<br />
<br />
Thus, Butei Article Chapter 4:<br />
<br />
Butei must be independent.<br />
<br />
Upon reaching their 2nd or 3rd year in Butei High, it is a general rule that they defeat their enemies on their own. <br />
<br />
Those who receive aid from the Masters are interns or inexperienced first years. As it was not like I joined only recently, I somewhat understood Butei High's education policy. I understood....Nangou's callousness. Although, the one who's been attacked is your student, can't you be more worried? <br />
<br />
"If unarmed civilians get involved, contact me again Tohyama."<br />
<br />
.....It would be too late if that happens. <br />
<br />
Muttering in the depths of my heart, I made my salutations and cut the connection with Nangou.<br />
<br />
<br />
Two vehicles sped down the mountain from the national highway 367 towards highways 105 and 106. During a stop at an intersection, Kazayuki nocked an arrow and briefly raising her bow, surveyed the bank. Casting a sidelong glance, I called Riko from Shirayuki's phone.<br />
<br />
(Koko's modus operandi resembles Riko's in some parts.)<br />
<br />
Vocaloid warnings, submachine gun mounted radio controlled devices. Conversely, Riko's close combat technique in the confrontation with Haimaki at Butei High had the feeling of Kungfu.<br />
<br />
Perhaps she may have some kind of connection with Koko. However, my call could not connect. Riko was out of range. Yesterday at Osaka, I encountered by chance Riko and Aria who were speaking of working together. When I tried to make a call, Aria was out of range. <br />
<br />
In the midst of such a serious affair, where are those two? They aren't near at all.<br />
<br />
(......Koko....)<br />
<br />
Unable to do anything, I again considered from where our enemy may target us.<br />
<br />
Just who is she?<br />
<br />
A superhuman capable of combining hand to hand combat skills rivaling mine in Hysteria Mode, handgun skills that can evenly match Aria's and sniper skills equal to that of Reki......The face of E.U? I wouldn't happen to know.<br />
<br />
With that being the case, I called Jeanne who, just like Riko, had her roots in E.U. It took six calls to get a response from Jeanne, who was sleeping in the middle of the night.<br />
<br />
"Hotogi? What's the matter?"<br />
<br />
A clear voice emitted from the phone.<br />
<br />
"No, it's me. Tohyama Kinji. I'm calling from Shirayuki's phone."<br />
<br />
"......? It....It's the middle of the night. Why are you using Shirayuki's phone?"<br />
<br />
Ignoring the suspicion in her voice, I urgently explained the situation.<br />
<br />
"Jeanne, is there a sniper of Reki's skill within E.U? A monster with hand to hand combat and handgun skills. Her name is Koko," I asked.<br />
<br />
"Sniper.....Koko? Non. Except for Sherlock, a sniper with the skill to exchange shots evenly with Reki does not exist in E.U. There are people like Patra who use sniper rifles but they are of modest skill."<br />
<br />
Then Koko....is not a remnant of E.U.<br />
<br />
With my face sheer white, I recounted the words Reki had spoken.<br />
<br />
"The enemies from here onwards cannot be beaten through a simple contest of force."<br />
<br />
The enemies from here on.<br />
<br />
(Reki...)<br />
<br />
Losing my desire to sleep, I held Reki and clenched my teeth in frustration.<br />
<br />
You, we..... How can fighting be even possible now?<br />
<br />
Reki......!<br />
<br />
Within the powerful Hotogi shrine, the organization is divided into the main shrine and branch offices.<br />
<br />
The branch office also doubles as a branch shrine. There was a large branch shrine of the Hotogi shrine in Kyoto. Around the time we arrived there, a warm rain had begun to fall from the lightening sky. <br />
<br />
On the wet asphalt scented road, megumi miko stood on alert. These were young miko who served full Hotogi miko like Shirayuki and Kazayuki. The megumi miko carried Reki away on a stretcher and led me, Shirayuki and Jeanne who had rushed over in a taxi to the shrine. <br />
<br />
Ascending a flight of meticulously swept stone steps.....<br />
<br />
"Tohyama, this place is just like a city. Reki will be safely protected here," Jeanne said as she calmly surveyed the surroundings. <br />
<br />
"Ah. Upon arrival I felt that the Hotogi's head and branch shrines were slightly different from normal shrines. It looks like a shrine yet its construction also resembles a fortress." <br />
<br />
Below was a garage. We saw the two vehicles being used some moments ago entering there. <br />
<br />
Not only cars but Kawasaki Heavy Industries OH-1 Ninja reconnaissance helicopters were housed there. <br />
<br />
--The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honden honden] of the Kyoto branch of the Hotogi shrine was situated at the top of a hill overgrown with Japanese cedar.<br />
<br />
Where snipers are concerned, they would be unable to take up position beneath the slope and fire into the interior of the shrine.<br />
<br />
Additionally, with the exception of the entrance [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torii torii], samurai estates ringed with walls of mortar guarded the entire approach. <br />
<br />
Beneath the torii, Kazayuki, who had arrived earlier, stood sentinel in formal red armor and her [http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%92%8C%E5%BC%93 wakyuu] in hand. Koko wouldn't succeed if she were to blindly pursue us here.<br />
<br />
"This way Kin-chan," Shirayuki said as she led us under the torii to a first-aid mansion resembling Kazayuki's clinic. <br />
<br />
Summoned nurses and a female doctor immediately crowded one of the rooms where Reki was brought into. Medical equipment and medicines filled the area around them.<br />
<br />
"Oh...oh.....you took a hit there....."<br />
<br />
The young female doctor fixing her rimless glasses who greeted Reki was brandishing a handgun. It seems like Hotogi summoned a professional from the Medic DA. Medic Butei are like medic troopers in the army: key personnel who give emergency treatment to wounded Butei. In Butei High, it's the Medica who train these Butei.<br />
<br />
"Blood cell count, blood type determination - cross match, biochemistry check – ASAP, begin blood transfusion."<br />
<br />
Immediately, the nurses monitoring Reki's condition hurried to carry out the doctor's instructions.<br />
<br />
"Boy, while we work here, you go take a rest. Your face looks like a corpse," the doctor said as she cast a sidelong glance at me.<br />
<br />
"I can't help at all? Reki; she..." With that, I, who could not take my eyes off Reki calmly walked towards Shirayuki.<br />
<br />
"It's okay, Kin-chan. This is a doctor under contract with Hotogi. She's the number one doctor in Kyoto. Wait. Tell me what's wrong."<br />
<br />
"Listen Shirayuki..."<br />
<br />
Certainly, it was frightening getting used to the methods of the doctor currently treating Reki. Almost assuredly, under normal conditions wounded Butei would have been first examined.<br />
<br />
(Reki....)<br />
<br />
<br />
Last night, all I could do was administer first-aid on Reki. It goes without saying that Shirayuki would allow only professionals to administer full blown medical care.<br />
<br />
The nurses' assistant.<br />
<br />
"I'll assist. It isn't advanced grade aid but I possess Pan-European Aegis Assistant qualifications," Jeanne said as she skillfully donned a surgical apron and nurse's cap. <br />
<br />
This isn't my place at all.<br />
<br />
Thinking about that, why does it feel as if a thread of mental strain is about to be cut?<br />
<br />
<br />
(.......Uu.......)<br />
<br />
My vision faded with a great tremor.<br />
<br />
"Kin-chan!?"<br />
<br />
"Tohyama!?"<br />
<br />
Shirayuki and Jeanne's voices desperately called from far off in the distance.<br />
<br />
What happened to me.....?<br />
<br />
The floor that I had been standing on earlier...<br />
<br />
Appeared before my eyes...?<br />
<br />
<br />
What's that.....sound that I'm hearing?<br />
<br />
This is the sound of the wind.<br />
<br />
The sound of a dry wind blowing out from the surroundings.<br />
<br />
I found myself in the middle of a vast steppe with mountain ranges visible in the distance.<br />
<br />
This is probably......a dream.<br />
<br />
A dream in which you are self-aware. A lucid dream. <br />
<br />
In this arid steppe, several horses could be seen.<br />
<br />
<nowiki>Girls dressed in vividly colored traditional garb rode on those horses.</nowiki><br />
<br />
<nowiki>With severe expressions, they carried old, Russian-made sniper rifles on their backs. </nowiki><br />
<br />
<nowiki>At their head, was a girl with hair ornaments more exquisite than the others. </nowiki><br />
<br />
She approached on noticing my gaze.<br />
<br />
That face.....<br />
<br />
(Reki....?)<br />
<br />
<br />
".........Reki........"<br />
<br />
.........<br />
<br />
.........I awoke.<br />
<br />
There was no wind but the sound of rain. This is......yes....The Hotogi branch shrine in Kyoto.<br />
<br />
After the wounded Reki had been treated by the doctors, I had collapsed from exhaustion. Sitting upright in the futon, I looked around my surroundings. I understood how I had come to be lying down in this large Japanese-style room. Beneath the hanging scrolls, I saw an old clock. It was close to noon.<br />
<br />
(Reki....How is she?)<br />
<br />
Before I knew it, I had changed out of my glossed silk night clothes into the neatly folded and washed uniform arranged by my bedside, opened the paper sliding door and headed outside. In the nightingale floored corridor, Shirayuki, in her miko garb and with sword in hand, knelt quietly. She was acting as my escort. For some reason, her face wore an expression of suspense as she glanced in the direction of the torii. Looking over her shoulder, she finally became aware of me.<br />
<br />
"Kin-chan!"<br />
<br />
Pyon! Shirayuki flew from a kneeling posture to standing.<br />
<br />
Tayun!<br />
<br />
"......."<br />
<br />
Shi-Shirayuki....as a result of that excessively vigourous jump, that overly massive chest was I think late by a single beat in swaying. Right now...suddenly right after I woke, a wonderful sight greeted my eyes. <br />
<br />
As usual, they were of a size far beyond that of a high school student. 1.5 times that of Riko's, 3 times that of Reki's, 6 times that of Aria's. As I was still mainly stunned however, in terms of Hysteria level, I was fine. As I thought that, Shirayuki stroked me while making sure that I was alright. With teary eyes she gently caressed my arms and head.<br />
<br />
"Kin-chan, Kin-chan, I think my heart nearly stopped because of your sudden collapse......!"<br />
<br />
"A, aa. I'm fine, thank you. I was just a little tired, that's why. That aside, how's Reki?"<br />
<br />
Shirayuki delicately brushed aside my question.<br />
<br />
"Reki-san survived. However, we definitely cannot relax yet. She still hasn't regained consciousness. If she had over-exerted herself anymore than this, her life would really be in danger."<br />
<br />
"I see...."<br />
<br />
"Kin-chan too....do not over exert yourself. Rest in your futon. The danger from the side of the torii seems minor for now."<br />
<br />
Said Shirayuki, facing the torii in a manner protective of me.<br />
<br />
"Torii....?"<br />
<br />
"Un....it can't be seen very well from here........for some time now, it seems some kind of animal is in the area."<br />
<br />
Shirayuki said as she looked over her shoulder in the direction of the torii. Amidst the drizzle, Kazayuki held her wakyuu in one hand like a staff, shooing in a bid to drive away something.<br />
<br />
.....grrr......<br />
<br />
"!"<br />
<br />
Barefooted as I am, I leapt at the growl coming from the direction of the stone steps.<br />
<br />
Amidst the rain, kicking up gravel as I ran through the compound with Shirayuki's and Kazayuki's restraining voices at my back, I leapt from the torii.....<br />
<br />
".....Haimaki!"<br />
<br />
The torn and ragged silver wolf lay on the edge of the stone steps.<br />
<br />
The rain beaten Haimaki was visibly marked with horrific wounds. Bitten by Koko's hunting dogs and rent by claws, that snow white coat now resembled a shredded rag stained with blood and mud.<br />
<br />
"Haimaki......you.....!"<br />
<br />
Stumbling as I ran down the stairs, I embraced Haimaki.<br />
<br />
During the sniper battle the night before, Haimaki had acted as a decoy so that Reki and I might escape.<br />
<br />
One single animal taking on some ten hunting dogs. <br />
<br />
Against such overwhelming numerical superiority that survival seemed impossible, Haimaki had returned alive. <br />
<br />
After driving off the hunting dogs, Haimaki had tracked us first by the scent of Reki's blood, and from the point where that became disrupted, by the scent of the car's tires until he had discovered this place.<br />
<br />
"Thank Heaven, Haimaki. Reki still lives thanks to you.....!"<br />
<br />
So saying, I patted his back.<br />
<br />
Relieved, Haimaki lowered his throat and grunted.<br />
<br />
<br />
Haimaki, who had been taken to the medical station firmly refused to move from the bedside of the sleeping, bandage-covered Reki. <br />
<br />
With no other choice, the doctors and nurses began Haimaki's treatment at that spot.<br />
<br />
With the first stage of that treatment completed, the medical staff accordingly kept watch on me all the way throughout.<br />
<br />
"Kin-chan....are you hungry? I am going to prepare some food."<br />
<br />
On hearing Shirayuki, who had worn a frilly apron over her miko garments mention that, I became thoroughly aware of my empty stomach. <br />
<br />
Come to think of it, I did not get to eat the half box of Calorie Mate last night.<br />
<br />
Following Shirayuki, I, who had collapsed from this reason, met up with Jeanne, who was strolling around with a deep interest in the shrine's interior. The three of us headed towards the kitchen hall which resembled a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryoutei ryoutei].<br />
<br />
The Kyouto branch shrine of the Hotogi is colossal; a great number of buildings interconnected by passageways attached to rooftops. As we crossed over, the megumi miko who occasionally appeared would kneel at the end of the passageways and bow deeply as soon as they saw me. <br />
<br />
What the heck.....it's just like a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daimyo daimyo's] procession.<br />
<br />
On that matter, the Hotogi is a shrine which is utterly forbidden to males. For some reason, the males of the Tohyama have special entrance rights. Because of this rule, males have been strangely accorded special treatment. It feels as if one is in foreign lands.<br />
<br />
(Such self humiliating behavior.....it's totally not necessary....)<br />
<br />
Feeling vaguely irritated by that, we entered the kitchen hall. There, Jeanne and I prepared the small paulownia wood chairs we would use. Facing us was Shirayuki's seat. <br />
<br />
I was probably the first male to sit on this seat. Because of the need to welcome a foreign guest, Jeanne, apron wearing megumi miko reverently set the table and brought in lacquered circular soup containers. <br />
<br />
The menu consisted of flounder, turban shell, squid soumen sashimi, daggertooth pike conger, salted salmon roe sushi, tofu greater burdock rolls, [http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E4%BA%AC%E9%87%8E%E8%8F%9C kyouyasai] sauce, matsutake mushroom over a charcoal fire, rice with the colors of autumn, black bean.....<br />
<br />
"I'm sorry Kin-chan. That is all I have......I think the nutritional value is perfect. Eat much and recover your health ok?"<br />
<br />
Is...is this all? The Hotogi sure are rich....I mean, this meal seems indiscriminately large for just me....<br />
<br />
"Thank you Shirayuki, it's really a little too much. Even so, excuse me for not apologizing yet. Sorry for suddenly bringing in a wounded person."<br />
<br />
"Uun....it's ok. You can rely on me any time when there is trouble."<br />
<br />
Shirayuki nodded her head with a gentle look in her eyes and a smile. At that, I again felt worry for Reki and I glanced in the direction of the medical station.<br />
<br />
"Don't worry Tohyama. While I was assisting, I saw that that female doctor was skilled in her work. The treatment was adequate. With rest, Reki will surely regain consciousness." So saying, Jeanne sat down elegantly and crossed herself before helping herself to the meal. From a side glance, I saw that she was using chopsticks perfectly. Rather than being unskillful, she was more skilled than a Japanese person. Beside me, Shirayuki was making additional checks to the food by hand. Finally, my own chopsticks were in her hands.<br />
<br />
"But....why were Kin-chan and Reki-san targeted?"<br />
<br />
"In the end, I have no idea."<br />
<br />
"Where were you targeted? You were both targeted together? Eh? Together...together....? Errm....why are Kin-chan and Reki-san together...?"<br />
<br />
"Ah....." I faltered.<br />
<br />
This is hard to explain. I cannot skillfully convey it, unstable as Shirayuki is.<br />
<br />
"Tohyama started living together with Reki from the start of this month."<br />
Jeanne murmured an elaboration from my side. With a forceful sound, Shirayuki's chopsticks came to a halt.<br />
<br />
"O...oi.....Jeanne...."<br />
<br />
"It can't be helped. The Hotogi are now involved in this. Information must be shared."<br />
<br />
I whispered into the ridiculously serious Jeanne's ear.<br />
<br />
"Be careful with what you share. Watch how you handle Shirayuki. Don't say anything unnecessary."<br />
<br />
"Anything unnecessary......? Hmm. Well then I'll just mention the main points. Tohyama and Reki acted together during the field trip and stayed together at the same inn. According to the female owner of the inn which came under sniper attack, both of them bathed together as well as sleep together in the same futon. It was then that they came under attack. In short, those two continuously acted together; those two were attacked together. Is this ok ?"<br />
<br />
"No it isn't!"<br />
<br />
.....Damn you, Jeanne...<br />
<br />
Jeanne, as might be expected from an Informa student, had last night sought out information from the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryokan_%28Japanese_inn%29 ryokan] that was attacked by calling the proprietress. Damn it, she really got hold of that extraneous information all too quickly. I mean, she got part of the story wrong.<br />
<br />
"......"<br />
<br />
Quietly, Shirayuki looked in my direction.......<br />
<br />
Some time ago, her posture had gone rigid, her chopsticks failing to pick up any of the black beans.<br />
<br />
She wasn't blinking at all.<br />
<br />
S-Scary!<br />
<br />
"Jeanne, please be silent for a while. I'll do the explanation."<br />
<br />
"Why? I was telling the truth."<br />
<br />
"That is why the problem lies with you describing that!"<br />
<br />
"I don't understand? If that's true, then do you want a picture instead?"<br />
<br />
"No, a picture is fine but that's not the case. You telling the truth..."<br />
<br />
"But the truth is the truth," *Pishari!* Jeanne flatly responded, unable to read the mood of the conversation. *Gushari!* Came the sound of Shirayuki's chopsticks.<br />
<br />
She had turned pale and was looking over her shoulder.<br />
<br />
"The truth....the whole truth....the whole truth.....eh. Beaten there first huh.....by Reki. A,ha...a,ha....a. She was one of those who didn't stand out much so you were unprepared eh, Shirayuki? That's right. Unprepared....However, how were you still unable to notice that girl's ambush Shirayuki...un. Reki's a sniper, so she'll ambush. It was unfortunate for you Shirayuki....that's right."<br />
<br />
T-Terrible.<br />
<br />
Shirayuki has started to talk to herself in a broken voice. One person playing two personalities. Furthermore, why did she start suddenly addressing Reki without honorifics?<br />
<br />
"H-Here Shirayuki. Come back to reality. I tell you, I was Reki's intern sniper. I was doing it for the purpose of inducing Lima Syndrome. It was a last resort...." For some reason, I felt utterly helpless while trying to explain.<br />
<br />
"Excuse me," said a small voice as the interior sliding screen opened.<br />
<br />
Sitting on the corridor with the same flowing black hair as her elder sister.....Kazayuki.<br />
<br />
Excellent. Although it was unplanned, it was a nice assist, Kazayuki.</div>Idolonhttps://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Hidan_no_Aria:Volume6_Chapter4&diff=98323Hidan no Aria:Volume6 Chapter42011-06-02T20:17:12Z<p>Idolon: /* 4th Ammo: Flash Cannon */ American spellings</p>
<hr />
<div>==4th Ammo: Flash Cannon==<br />
<br />
Butei Charter article 4: Butei must be independent.<br />
<br />
Butei High's field trip follows this rule, making its students find lodging for themselves.<br />
<br />
Because Reki will definitely stay with me, even at night, I, not willing to be mocked by my classmates...booked an isolated hotel in northeast Kyoto, at the forest near Mount Hiei, online. After all, the site said that pets are OK.<br />
<br />
We took a minibus, going along the driveway, disembarking at a desolate night path...<br />
<br />
Standing there all alone, the hotel, "Bee's child", had a retro appearance, and personally, I liked it.<br />
<br />
If she was a normal high school student, she'd definitely scream, "I don't want to stay at such an old place!" However, Reki, wearing her dress, her Butei High uniform in a paper bag...didn't say anything. I'm so glad that, at times like these, I don't need to worry about her.<br />
<br />
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Clatter Clatter*, I opened the sliding door at the entrance, and an unexpectedly young landlady welcomed us from inside.<br />
<br />
"My, my. Welcome."<br />
<br />
"Ah, um...I'm the Tohyama that reserved a place here online. I reserved two rooms...but, I'm a little short on money, so could you change one of the two rooms into a cheaper one?"<br />
<br />
So I said to her...Wearing typical Japanese clothing, the landlady looked between Reki and I...<br />
<br />
"My, my~, ufufufu."<br />
<br />
Covering her mouth with her sleeve, she narrowed her eyes happily.<br />
<br />
...?<br />
<br />
"Customer-han, since that is the case, wouldn't it be fine if ya switched ta one room? Ya can stay together with yer girlfriend."<br />
<br />
''Fufufu''. The landlady said so extremely happily. I waved my hands violently, saying,<br />
<br />
"N-no, she isn't my girlfriend." <!--Whatever.--><br />
<br />
"I am his girlfriend." <br />
<br />
Eh? I turned my head, and the person who had cut in was Reki.<br />
<br />
Wh-what are you claiming to be?<br />
<br />
"The hotel is the subject of the sentence, and the only other girl here is me. Therefore, the third person noun for such a situation would be 'she'." [http://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Hidan_no_Aria:Volume6_Translator%27s_Notes#Chapter_4]<br />
<br />
Her speech like that of a teacher's, the robot girl said these things as if putting forth a counterargument.<br />
<br />
"Mmnnn, I'm so jealous about how innocent you two are~~. Saori is so jealous~~."<br />
<br />
With a strange movement like that of a little girl, the landlady swayed left and right. <br />
<br />
She seemed to be dancing in time with the pendulum affixed behind her.<br />
<br />
Facing her, who, if I were to put her in a manga panel, was scattering hearts everywhere, the landlady--Saori-san<br />
<br />
"Ah, no...she's a girl that's a little bit...that..."<br />
<br />
I wanted to try explaining Reki to her, but...<br />
<br />
"Fortunately, there aren't any other guests today, so I'll prepare a nice room for ya, OK?"<br />
<br />
Saori spun around, daintily walking inside, bringing us in.<br />
<br />
<br />
The "Room of the Western Front" that we had been led into was a luxurious 8-tatami room, the tatami completely new.<br />
<br />
Aptly named, the walls of the room were decorated with vividly colored [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nishijin Nishijin], which looked like tapestries. [http://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Hidan_no_Aria:Volume6_Translator%27s_Notes#Chapter_4]<br />
<br />
In front of the silk was a vase, which looked big enough for someone to enter, raising the overall feeling of classiness.<br />
<br />
This is an amazingly...good room. Almost too good.<br />
<br />
Preferring Japanese-styled rooms to the rooms in modern city-hotels, I was extremely thankful to the landlady, who had given us such a high-class room for such a reasonable price, but...<br />
<br />
The problem is, the fact that Reki is sharing a room with me.<br />
<br />
For these few days, I had been living in Reki's room, but that was just a desolate emptiness. Rather than, "living" together with Reki, the mood was more like, "in the midst of battle."<br />
<br />
So, I was able to somewhat convince myself, but--<br />
<br />
Staying in the same room during a trip, however, the mood was completely different.<br />
<br />
"..."<br />
<br />
"..."<br />
<br />
Reki and I were sitting next to the wooden table, eating the food that the landlady, Saori-san, had quickly prepared for us. It was delicious, but I was agitated to the point where I wasn't sure what I was eating.<br />
<br />
(He-heavy, this atmosphere...)<br />
<br />
Reki and I...for some reason...<br />
<br />
Isn't this ambiance something like the "couple that ran away together for whatever reasons" atmosphere, so commonly found in old movies?<br />
<br />
And, the majority of those would be, the so-called adult movies...and afterward, it will go into something where I can't help but avert my eyes, pushing the fast-forward button...that stimulating scene.<br />
<br />
Ah...<br />
<br />
(I may be alone with Reki, but because we have nothing to talk about...I'm thinking about these unnecessary things.)<br />
<br />
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Stare* Looking in front of me, Reki, sitting up straight, was eating her meal from the right to left, just gradually eating, as if the taste was completely irrelevant. <br />
<br />
In a short while, she had finished all the rice, next, she ate all the tempura, from then on, it was sashimi, and lastly, she drank the miso soup in one gulp.<br />
<br />
"..."<br />
<br />
Afterwards, having finished our meal, together, Reki and I put our cellphones, both out of charge, on top of the TV, and each of us plugged our respective phones into our respective chargers.<br />
<br />
When I had released my cellphone because there was nothing that I could do...I ordered Reki to: "Sit at the wall," sleeping at the sliding door at the other end of the room.<br />
<br />
Us two, completely silent, could hear the sound of crickets coming from outside of the paper walls...<br />
<br />
In the silence of the long, autumn night, it stood out even further.<br />
<br />
"..."<br />
<br />
Following my orders, Reki was sitting at the wall, apparently resting after she had eaten, staying completely still.<br />
<br />
...Even though she's wearing such a beautiful dress, she's still sitting upright.<br />
<br />
Turning my back on Reki, who was in that kind of position, I fell asleep...<br />
<br />
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Slide*<br />
<br />
"Forgive my rudeness."<br />
<br />
The sliding door in front of my eyes opened, and Saori-san, kneeling in the corridor, had made her appearance once again.<br />
<br />
"--How was your meal?"<br />
<br />
"Ah, yes, it was delicious. Thank you for the meal."<br />
<br />
Completely caught off guard, I sat up straight, slightly panicked, and Saori-san, seeing the distance between Reki and I--<br />
<br />
She made an expression: "I grow tired of this."<br />
<br />
"If yer completely finished with ya meal, then feel free ta take a bath. Because, today, both of ya are my only customers...You can use the hot springs for a while."<br />
<br />
A bath...?<br />
<br />
Flashing a face at me which said ''Give it your best shot'', because of Saori-san's expression--<br />
<br />
I had a bad feeling about this.<br />
<br />
<br />
Confirming my premonition, the hot springs at the hotel didn't have any signs with "Men's bath", or "Women's bath".<br />
<br />
In short, this was a mixed bath.<br />
<br />
--Mixed hot springs.<br />
<br />
For me, a no-man's land.<br />
<br />
When I had strode into the ICBM hangar in EU, I was completely unarmed...and now, this was like entering there naked.<br />
<br />
But, today was quite hot, so I had sweated a little, so I had no choice but to go bathe.<br />
<br />
According to what Saori-san had said, there were no other customers, so there was no danger of being surrounded by any hostiles (= women).<br />
<br />
"Reki, you, absolutely, cannot come in here. Absolutely forbidden. Absolutely."<br />
<br />
In the room, having warned Reki--somehow, feeling as if I was the preview act for a comedy routine--I headed towards the hot springs.<br />
<br />
Thankfully, this hotel had a service where Saori-san would wash our clothes for us while we were inside the bath.<br />
<br />
As such, I put my clothes inside the laundry basket...<nowiki>*</nowiki>Rattle*, opening the sliding door...<br />
<br />
Because I had confirmed that no-one was around, I walked to the bath that was formed by rocks and a bamboo wall, lowering myself into the water in order to wash myself.<br />
<br />
(...)<br />
<br />
This...feels amazingly good.<br />
<br />
The temperature of the bath, lukewarm, was exactly to my liking, and besides that, the fact that I was alone allowed me to slip into a state of complete relaxation.<br />
<br />
It was as if the fatigue from the journey was seeping out of me, into the bath.<br />
<br />
Inside the steam of the bath, slowly wisping upwards, I...<br />
<br />
(I wonder what everyone from Butei High is doing...we're on a trip, so they're probably having fun right now.)<br />
<br />
...thought about my classmates, time flowing by.<br />
<br />
After thinking about this and that, it had was already 9:00 at night.<br />
<br />
Looking towards the stars, I saw that they were visible in the midst of the steam, and it was a beautiful sight. This is something that would be described as 'elegant'.<br />
<br />
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Buzzz*....*Buzzz*...<br />
<br />
The sound of insects from the forest.<br />
<br />
''Hooo''...''Hooo''<br />
<br />
What I had heard from the faraway forest was the call of an owl. It had been a while since I'd last heard it.<br />
<br />
And, *Rattle*...<br />
<br />
The sound of the sliding door opening.<br />
<br />
(...Mm...?)<br />
<br />
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Splash* The sound of splashing water.<br />
<br />
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Splash*...*Splash*.<br />
<br />
(...Mmm...!?)<br />
<br />
And, *Splash*--<br />
<br />
The sound of someone's foot entering the bath.<br />
<br />
--That!<br />
<br />
"Hey!"<br />
<br />
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Splash!*<br />
<br />
Standing up immediately, I dropped the towel that was sitting on my head, and catching it, I--covered one specific part of my body, backing up.<br />
<br />
Looking into the steam, the figure which I could see belonged to a--<br />
<br />
Gi-girl.<br />
<br />
Rather, no matter how I looked at it, it was Reki.<br />
<br />
Leaning against the large rock at one side of the hot spring, was a Dragunov.<br />
<br />
Moreover, this was beyond obvious, but--she was naked.<br />
<br />
One wouldn't be able to say that Reki had a nice figure, even as flattery, since she had a body akin to a middle school student, but...<br />
<br />
Seeing the lines of her body where the steam was thin, she really had feminine, beautiful curves.<br />
<br />
Comparing is something that I would never do, but...her body was less flat than Aria's.<br />
<br />
The plumpness of her chest was like that of an unripe plum, or an apple. A slender waist. Her skin, normally reminiscent of ceramics, was shining even more, light reflected off the condensation of the steam, its pigment slightly flushed.<br />
<br />
"Re-Reki...!"<br />
<br />
--Reki isn't a robot, after all. She's a person. And she was, very clearly, a girl.<br />
<br />
The image she gave off, far from being anything like a normal girl, couldn't even be said to be human, but at this moment...I was made sharply aware of this sense of lust, of immorality. Reki, was a girl.<br />
<br />
But--<br />
<br />
If that is so, then why. Why did she enter the bath with me so calmly. We are no longer children with no sense of the relationships between men and women, just playing with bubbles.<br />
<br />
The one saving grace was...because of the steam, I had no way of clearly seeing Reki, who was standing three meters away from me.<br />
<br />
After, all I can do is hope that this steam, almost unnaturally thick, doesn't disperse, for any reason.<br />
<br />
"I-I said not to come, so why..."<br />
[[File:Aria06 199.jpg|thumb]]<br />
Hearing me say that, Reki turned her small face, veiled by her damp short hair, looking this way.<br />
<br />
"Yes. Kinji-san gave me that order--but, I sensed danger, and I came to protect you."<br />
<br />
Eh, for me, you're the most dangerous thing here!<br />
<br />
Looking at Reki, who had ignored my orders, entering the hot springs, I could only dip myself back into the water, hiding my body.<br />
<br />
Calm down...you have to calm down...Kinji...!<br />
<br />
The trigger to Hysteria Mode, is the heart.<br />
<br />
As long as my heart keeps calm, then I should...be able to suppress it!<br />
<br />
Alright, think of normal things. Think about the primary reason for bathing.<br />
<br />
Bathing is something that one does to cleanse oneself, dispelling the pressure on one's soul.<br />
<br />
There were no unhealthy impulses behind it. Absolutely not.<br />
<br />
"Pro-protect me? Protect me from what...!"<br />
<br />
I wrapped the towel around my waist, and with an immovable resolve, I strode out of the bath.<br />
<br />
Keeping my breathing steady, I turned my face, following the bamboo fence towards the exit.<br />
<br />
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Splash*<br />
<br />
The splashing sound that Reki made, apparently coming my way, made my heart skip a beat.<br />
<br />
"--I have felt an ill wind. Please do not go too far from my side."<br />
<br />
Feeling the flow of blood become ever more dangerous, I ignored Reki's words, leaving the hot springs.<br />
<br />
Taking deep breaths, confirming the status of my body's core...<br />
<br />
I-I did it. I'm safe. I overcame it.<br />
<br />
Reki is definitely a beautiful girl. She's as cute as a small animal, a girl who carries an inexplicable, indescribable attraction.<br />
<br />
But--in reality, it appears that it's hard for me to go into Hysteria because of her.<br />
<br />
I still don't know the reason, however, having been kissed by her once before and transforming, I could not let my guard down, not for any reason.<br />
<br />
My uniform, during the time that I was in the bath, had already been cleaned and dried by the landlady, Saori-san.<br />
<br />
Thanking her gratefully in my heart and wearing my uniform, having returned to "The Room of the Western Front", I never thought that my agitated blood flow would become even more excited...<br />
<br />
Because, inside the room, there was a huge futon.<br />
<br />
And, there was only one.<br />
<br />
Added to that, the two pillows on top of it were pressed together, intimately.<br />
<br />
(Did...Did Saori-san do this...!)<br />
<br />
This will definitely--even someone as slow as me understood the underlying meaning behind this scene--preventing me from composing myself.<br />
<br />
I opened the cabinet in a panic, but it was empty, there were no other futons prepared.<br />
<br />
(What do I do...!)<br />
<br />
Kinji, what do you do! You're out of the frying pan and into the fire!<br />
<br />
The futon and pillow were wondrously soft, making one feel as comfortable as if it was heaven. Although, sleeping in it alone and making Reki sit on the tatami...I thought that I'd get an ulcer out of guilt.<br />
<br />
But, if I let Reki sleep inside, heaven will immediately become hell.<br />
<br />
Just thinking about it triggered slight Hysteria, an extremely dangerous action.<br />
<br />
Maybe, if I use this side, and she uses that side...?<br />
<br />
I separated the pillows, placing them at opposite ends of the futon, and my mind was running scenarios of what this would look like while asleep.<br />
<br />
Th-this won't do. This kind of distance would be covered just by one of us rolling over.<br />
<br />
And, I have no reason to wear the complete protective gear, Armament Set C, to sleep.<br />
<br />
Because, yukata were placed next to the pillow, meant to act as pajamas.<br />
<br />
--Yukata are very dangerous. Because, they can be stripped off in an instant. <br />
<br />
Also, comparatively, my sleeping posture is quite bad. When I was a child, I had stayed at the Hotogi shrine, wearing a yukata...but, once I woke up, I noticed that, sleeping next to me, Shirayuki, Kiriyuki, Kazayuki, and Konayuki, (there were only 4 sisters then,) were pressed against me like a sandwich.<br />
<br />
If that kind of scene appears in a situation like this, where Reki and I, a boy and girl, are alone together--whether it be in the dead of the night or at the crack of dawn, because of Hysteria Mode, I will really do some things that will render me unable to do anything but submit a wedding application.<br />
<br />
I cannot let such a thing come to pass.<br />
<br />
I held up one pillow, and like Nakasorachi in Connect, I started rolling around the futon...<br />
<br />
--<nowiki>*Rattle*</nowiki><br />
<br />
At that moment, Reki, changed back into her uniform, opened the door.<br />
<br />
Having been completely unaware of her presence, I, shocked, started swinging the pillow, twice, thrice.<br />
<br />
"Ah, no, we're only two people, so we can't have a pillow fight."<br />
<br />
Saying things that even I didn't understand, I exerted all my willpower, forcing myself to act calm, keeping the pillow inside the cabinet.<br />
<br />
Hey, hand. My hand. Stop shaking.<br />
<br />
No matter what, I cannot let the topic turn to the futon...<br />
<br />
Steeling myself in my heart, I-<br />
<br />
"No-now that I think about it...what happened to Haimaki?"<br />
<br />
-asked this question, which I had been thinking of, trying to lead away from the topic.<br />
<br />
On the other side, Reki, going her own pace, grasped the Dragunov as if it was a stick...and at the wall, she sat upright.<br />
<br />
"--He's inside the room."<br />
<br />
"Inside the room?"<br />
<br />
I asked because he wasn't here.<br />
<br />
Well...whatever. At least, I've temporarily prevented any discussion over the futon.<br />
<br />
If Haimaki really were here, it'd just be even more hateful, anyways.<br />
<br />
"..."<br />
<br />
I re-arranged the things that I had disturbed in my panic just now, sitting down at the wall opposite Reki.<br />
<br />
This...is, strangely enough, like a painting. Separated by a gigantic futon, a boy and girl sits apart, on opposite walls. Doesn't this situation make it seem as if we're paying special attention to that one futon?<br />
<br />
(Aw-awkward...)<br />
<br />
This is far too awkward.<br />
<br />
Did the people who really went through arranged marriages in the past have this kind of feeling too?<br />
<br />
Rather, what does Reki plan to do?<br />
<br />
It can't be that she can't see this gigantic futon.<br />
<br />
But, if you're going to sleep sitting down as always...I'm sorry, but I will be sleeping inside the futon by myself. I'm really sorry about doing this to you. But, let the ulcers come.<br />
<br />
"You, that...Do you plan to sit here, holding your gun while sleeping?"<br />
<br />
Unable to stand the silence any longer, I started to speak--<br />
<br />
-suddenly, I realized that the way I had started speaking might cause an understanding.<br />
<br />
What I had said just now seemed as if I was trying to draw Reki in. "Don't sleep that way" → "So, let's get into the futon together." If it were to be misunderstood like that, then I really won't have any way of backing out. I've really done it.<br />
<br />
But, it seemed as if I was just adding on to my imagined torments...<br />
<br />
"Yes. When the time comes, I have to fend off the enemy--The wind ordered me to do so."<br />
<br />
Reki, her head slanted downwards, looking at the tatami, answered me softly.<br />
<br />
If you say that...you're going to sleep upright. Alright, alright.<br />
<br />
The ball's on my court now.<br />
<br />
"The wind's orders, huh. Then, please obey them fully as well."<br />
<br />
"Yes. Just..."<br />
<br />
"...?"<br />
<br />
"The wind has two other orders. And, I haven't fulfilled them yet."<br />
<br />
"What orders?"<br />
<br />
I couldn't help but frown.<br />
<br />
Reki--<br />
<br />
-wordlessly, stood up.<br />
<br />
"Protect the wind, creating descendants for Ulus."<br />
<br />
"Descendants for Ulus...?"<br />
<br />
"The child of Kinji-san and I."<br />
<br />
"...!"<br />
<br />
Th-those words...<br />
<br />
Why are they being said again, in this kind of situation...!<br />
<br />
Reki, *Footstep, Footstep*, walked onto the futon--<br />
<br />
The wood-framed chandelier that was hanging from the ceiling, *Click*, she extinguished it.<br />
<br />
Reki's eyes, reflecting the light of the stars that was shining into the room, which had darkened in an instant...*Turn*<br />
<br />
...turned towards me.<br />
<br />
And as if at that signal, *Thump*...!<br />
<br />
The gigantic vase under the painting fell over, and a silver beast appeared from within it.<br />
<br />
Ha-Haimaki. That was where you were hiding?<br />
<br />
Haimaki-<br />
<br />
"Uu...?"<br />
<br />
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Shuffle. Shuffle*<br />
<br />
-pushed me forward forcefully, coming to a stop when he had reached Reki's feet.<br />
<br />
He-hey. Stop it! Th-this is bad...Ku!<br />
<br />
The flow which I had thought we were following, was broken.<br />
<br />
Rather than that, in the blink of an eye, I had run into a terrible danger. <br />
<br />
Before me, was Reki's soft, supple legs. Behind me, Haimaki's fangs, completely bared.<br />
<br />
I mean, I'm not too versed with this kind of thing, but this "overly forceful" approach...normally, the position of the boy and girl should be reversed, right?<br />
<br />
"That and--I was given one more order."<br />
<br />
Reki suddenly lowered her voice, bending down.<br />
<br />
Wh-what is it?<br />
<br />
"--protecting Kinji-san."<br />
<br />
Saying that--*Thump*<br />
<br />
Completely unlike the normal Reki, she shoved me with all her force, pushing me down to the ground.<br />
<br />
"...!"<br />
<br />
Because of the pillow, I didn't smash my head, but, held tightly by Reki, I had no way of getting up.<br />
<br />
Reki was clutching me as if she wanted to use her chest to squash my face--<br />
<br />
At the point in time where I was utterly confused, my face reddening.<br />
<br />
<br />
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Sshhhcc....Sshhccc! Kch!<br />
<br />
<br />
The sound of something ripping through the air, piercing the paper screen--<br />
<br />
And, the sound of breaking glass at the end of the hallway rang out in the midst of the darkness.<br />
<br />
"--!?"<br />
<br />
<nowiki>*Sshhcch!*</nowiki><br />
<br />
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Kch! Kch! Kch!*<br />
<br />
The continuous sound of glass crackng.<br />
<br />
<nowiki>*Bang!*</nowiki>...under the impact of multiple bullets, the window fell out of its frame--<br />
<br />
<nowiki>*Shhchhch Shhhchch*!</nowiki><br />
<br />
On top of the TV, Reki's cellphone and my cellphone took direct hits.<br />
<br />
And on top of that, the bullet, *Bccch*...!<br />
<br />
The broken window, just like a frame, span around, falling down--smashing into the wall.<br />
<br />
The silk decorating the walls dropped down like flowing water. The vivid tapestries were ripped off from every direction, covering Reki and I.<br />
<br />
"--A snipe."<br />
<br />
Hearing Reki's words and not being able to help but turn pale, I,<br />
<br />
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Clank*...*Clank*...! *Clank*...*Clank*...!<br />
<br />
-heard the sound of several gunshots coming from the mountain.<br />
<br />
That--was the gunshot sound of those snipes.<br />
<br />
A sniper rifle's bullets exceed the speed of sound. So, the bullets arrived earlier than the gunshots.<br />
<br />
Then, Reki pushing me--was for the sake of preventing me from being hit by those snipes.<br />
<br />
But...who is it? Why are they firing? Why are they attacking us!?<br />
<br />
"--Remington M700. Distance: 2180m. Fired from the mountain."<br />
<br />
Apparently able to judge the opponent's location and gun model merely from the gunshot, Reki said those words calmly.<br />
<br />
Upon hearing that number, I could not help but widen my eyes.<br />
<br />
(...2180m...!?)<br />
<br />
Reki's Killing Range is 2051m.<br />
<br />
Among the S ranked Butei in Tokyo Butei High, it was named as the greatest range.<br />
<br />
But, the person attacking us appeared to be an elite sniper who was even more skillful than Reki.<br />
<br />
Morever, that person was equipped with a Remington M700.<br />
<br />
It is the world's most reliable sniper rifle.<br />
<br />
"This place is extremely dangerous. The enemy is very clear about our location. Go outside."<br />
<br />
Crawling, I extricated myself from underneath Reki, who was covered with the beautiful silk.<br />
<br />
The room was filled with feathers, dancing through the air, having flown out of the torn futon.<br />
<br />
"Who...is the enemy? Why are they assaulting us!"<br />
<br />
Well, in terms of a vague idea...it's not that I'm at a complete loss. The important thing is, this has something to do with EU.<br />
<br />
But if this is one of the remnants of EU acting, it's too fast.<br />
<br />
Reki didn't answer my question, and she swept away the fabric--<br />
<br />
Those eyes looked like cameras, embedded into a robot.<br />
<br />
<br />
With Saori-san, who had called the police, trailing behind us, Reki and I, as well as Haimaki, his fur standing on end, exited from the kitchen door, which should have been in the sniper's blind spot.<br />
<br />
At that time, from an unknown location,<br />
<br />
"Tohyama Kinji Reki You two Surrender."<br />
<br />
(...!?)<br />
<br />
This...is the vocaloid that is so popular on the net, that sister-like voice.<br />
<br />
Next to me, who had realized that, Reki pointed her Dragunov into the air--<br />
<br />
''Bang!!''<br />
<br />
--firing into the night sky.<br />
<br />
In the pitch black sky, something akin to small sparks burst forth...<br />
<br />
Immediately afterward, a remote-controlled helicopter, painted jet black, fell towards the driveway.<br />
<br />
And afterward, from the skies-''Dadadadadadada''<br />
<br />
-as if counterattacking Reki, several bullets buried themselves in the ground around us.<br />
<br />
"There's more!? --Saori-san! Don't come outside!"<br />
<br />
Hurriedly, I pushed Saori-san, who was clutching her cellphone in her hands, back into the room.<br />
<br />
And, exactly as I did that, a bullet pierced through the air, flying towards us. We dodged it by a hair's breadth.<br />
<br />
The shots, coming from the air--weren't very accurate. For the sake of keeping silent in order to prevent themselves from being noticed, miniature remote-control helicopters were being used. As such, the gun's recoil prevents them from accurately locking on to their target.<br />
<br />
However, there is the saying: 'It only takes one'. Just from the bullets ricocheting off the ground, there was the danger that we would be caught by a stray.<br />
<br />
Under the downpour of the rain of bullets, the cars and the asphalt parking lot were pockmarked with gouged-out bullet holes.<br />
<br />
"--I am a single bullet--"<br />
<br />
--''Bang! Bang! Bang!''<br />
<br />
Her sniper rifle pointed into the sky, Reki fired three continuous shots.<br />
<br />
From the parking lot, they hurtled into the darkness.<br />
<br />
Each one burst into sparks in the air...afterwards, we could see the remote-controlled helicopters, leaving a trail of smoke, fall from the sky. <!--W/O modifiers: We could see the remote-controlled helicopters fall from the sky.--><br />
<br />
"If you run the... Saori-san there...break her Ahaha Ahahahahahahaha"<br />
<br />
The voice came erratically...but the helicopter announced that it would start firing indiscriminately.<br />
<br />
I cannot let Saori-san get dragged into this.<br />
<br />
Well, from the beginning, as for planning to run--I had no intention of doing so.<br />
<br />
"There are no more helicopters. Let us enter the forest from the hotel's shadow, circling around so we can counterattack."<br />
<br />
Reki said, lowering her Dragunov. I nodded...<br />
<br />
...but, the enemy's attack had made me even more uncertain.<br />
<br />
A machine-synthesized vocaloid. Remote controlled devices armed with sub-machine guns.<br />
<br />
This mode of operation. It's indelible.<br />
<br />
This is exactly the same as the "Butei Killer"--Riko's attack method when she assaulted us in April!<br />
<br />
Although, it could not be Riko.<br />
<br />
That was something which exceeded Reki's Killing Range, a snipe from 2180 meters away.<br />
<br />
It is a superhuman technique which, with the exception of elite snipers, is impossible for humans to accomplish.<br />
<br />
The offender is definitely an expert who has undergone severe sniping training ever since he was a child.<br />
<br />
Even if Riko had familiarized herself with sniper rifles, judging from her past, it was impossible that she could have this kind of skill.<br />
<br />
Also, she has no reason to attack us...after all, Riko and I are in what amounts to a truce. Furthermore, Riko's target is, "Aria and I", this partnership, not Reki and I.<br />
<br />
Added to this--<br />
<br />
The name the enemy designated us as, "Reki and I", was also an enigma.<br />
<br />
Just now, for a moment, I had suspected that this was an assault from the remnants of EU, but if it was them...their sights should be locked onto Aria, who was defending Kanzaki Kanae-san, who had been made their scapegoat, or perhaps the person who defeated Sherlock--me.<br />
<br />
Because, in the battle with EU, Reki was only support. I can't say that they bear absolutely no hatred towards her, however, as for the order of targets, she should be relatively low on the list.<br />
<br />
--I don't understand.<br />
<br />
Who is this enemy?<br />
<br />
Why did you...attack us!?<br />
<br />
<br />
Reki and I crossed over the parking lot, taking care to keep ourselves hidden in the shadows of the trees--<br />
<br />
First, the forest, afterward, we enter the jungle that stretches far behind.<br />
<br />
The humidity here is extremely high. The abnormally rugged ground emitted the smell of dirt and rotting leaves.<br />
<br />
At the beginning, I was constantly gazing at the uneven ground below my feet...<br />
<br />
(...So dark...)<br />
<br />
But, once we had gone deep into the jungle, the surroundings were swallowed by darkness.<br />
<br />
There was the light from the stars, but it only just managed to pierce the thick jungle canopy.<br />
<br />
"Reki. We should--"<br />
<br />
-go to a slightly brighter area; before I had finished my sentence--Reki looked back.<br />
<br />
Her forefinger was held to her lips, forbidding me from speaking.<br />
<br />
...I swallowed my words, approaching her...<br />
<br />
Reki stood on her tiptoes, softly whispering into my ear,<br />
<br />
"Stay silent. The enemy should have set microphones up. Just now, after Kinji-san alerted the landlady--the enemy said her name."<br />
<br />
...Now that she mentions it, that's how it was.<br />
<br />
There was never a mention of the landlady's real name on the website, the "Saori" which the vocaloid had uttered.<br />
<br />
I nodded--<br />
<br />
Following Haimaki's lead, I, along with Reki, strode deeper into the jungle.<br />
<br />
But, not fit to this kind of environment, I...felt my breathing become erratic extremely quickly. I had completely lost all sense of direction as well. It was as if I was wandering through the forest, my only guide the faint starlight that pierced through the trees.<br />
<br />
And on the contrary, Reki hadn't even taken a deep breath once--it seemed as if she was advancing, a clear objective in her mind.<br />
<br />
"Where are you going?"<br />
<br />
Lowering my voice, I asked Reki, whose footfalls were near non-existent.<br />
<br />
"Judging from the the hostile's location when he sniped us, I am estimating his current location--while searching for territory advantageous for my sniping."<br />
<br />
"Territory..."<br />
<br />
A battle between snipers...I had heard that they were like battles of positioning.<br />
<br />
A location where you can see the enemy clearly, yet a location where the enemy cannot do the same, the side that finds such a position, extremely fitting for snipers, gains an overwhelming advantage.<br />
<br />
"How is it that you're so clear about this mountain's topography. Our cellphones...are already broken, do you have something like a GPS with you?"<br />
<br />
"There are minor flaws in the output of GPS. My memory is accurate."<br />
<br />
"But, you haven't even seen a map of this area, right?"<br />
<br />
"Before, on the bus to the hotel, I saw a map of the topography here."<br />
<br />
...As expected of an S rank Butei. <br />
<br />
The difference from me, who had been looking at a movie website with my cellphone while on the bus, was truly colossal. Apparently, Reki, who had been next to me, had memorized the surroundings' characteristics, a blank look on her face the whole time.<br />
<br />
"...?"<br />
<br />
''Squelch''...My feet sunk slightly into the ground.<br />
<br />
Only now did I realize, there appeared to be water in front of us.<br />
<br />
From the faint sound of running water, I thought that...it was probably a rather shallow river.<br />
<br />
I don't know whether she had night vision, but Reki, moving lightly, crossed the river, almost like a water fairy. <!--My bad.--><br />
<br />
Apparently, there were stumps and rocks, and it seemed that she had crossed over above them.<br />
<br />
The river was filled with water, and I couldn't let it slow my movements. I recalled the little wilderness combat training I had learned in Assault, and keeping my body low, I kept careful watch of my feet while crossing over the deeper parts of the river. If I do this, then I can more or less make things out in the darkness.<br />
<br />
Stepping on the moss-covered rocks and stumps, I somehow managed to make it to the other side of the bank...<br />
<br />
Reki, having reached the other side far ahead of me, was standing next to a gigantic tree, and she was gesturing towards me.<br />
<br />
I walked to Reki's side, looking up at the enormous tree, which appeared to be a camphor.<br />
<br />
The large, wide trunk was already covered with vines, merging with the ground. I don't really know much about plants, but its age...is probably over 1000. It is the master of the forest.<br />
<br />
Is she going to use this tree's branches and trunk to act as cover, initiating the battle?<br />
<br />
I'm sorry, master of the forest-san. We're going to drag you into this mess, which reeks of gunpowder.<br />
<br />
"Then...What do we do now?"<br />
<br />
I pressed myself against the trunk of the colossal tree, drawing the Beretta at my waist, checking its functionality.<br />
<br />
Well, there isn't really a use for these in the coming battle--both the gun and me. <!--Clarity~--><br />
<br />
"We will lie in wait here, scanning for the enemy. I will look for an opportunity to snipe."<br />
<br />
Scanning for the enemy...?<br />
<br />
We can't see anything in the midst of this darkness, right? And, the enemy is, like us, on the mountain.<br />
<br />
"Kinji-san, please keep your watch."<br />
<br />
"...Why?"<br />
<br />
"Its fluorescent paint could be noticed by the enemy."<br />
<br />
"That's retarded. How can anyone see something like this?"<br />
<br />
"I can see it."<br />
<br />
Seeing Reki, who never lies, say this with such a serious look, I...couldn't help but swallow my saliva.<br />
<br />
The enemy--is someone who holds the same level of skill as Reki, no even more skillful, an elite sniper.<br />
<br />
Really, even this kind of tiny light might be seen by him.<br />
<br />
"It might be that the enemy is equipping a starlight scope. If so, we will lose the ability to take advantage of the night to surprise him, nor will we be able to see his remote-controlled helicopters, which are painted jet black."<br />
<br />
Starlight scope, it's a night-vision scope that can be attached to armaments like sniper rifles.<br />
<br />
I had used them once before--<br />
<br />
It really is able to make the dark night, only faintly illuminated by the stars, turn into day.<br />
<br />
"...Does that have any night-vision capabilities added to it?"<br />
<br />
While taking my watch off, I pointed at the Dragunov's scope. ''Rustle''<br />
<br />
Reki shook her head--<br />
<br />
"The only night-vision functionality that this scope has is lighting reticule."<br />
<br />
Lighting reticule...an overlayed aiming function, a cross that can be seen when one looks into the scope. Because it is luminous, it can be used at night, a very outdated attachment.<br />
<br />
It's better than nothing, but when pitted against starlight scope, it is nearly equivalent to fighting blind.<br />
<br />
Frowning, at my feet--<br />
<br />
Haimaki's ears stood straight up, twitching slightly.<br />
<br />
And, he was staring deep into the dark forest...killing his footfalls, he walked towards it.<br />
<br />
"...Hey..."<br />
<br />
Reki, staring in the same direction that Haimaki was going, stretched her hand out to stop me, who had called out to him in a small voice.<br />
<br />
"..."<br />
<br />
...Wh-what is it?<br />
<br />
What happened? Don't stay silent, explain this to me.<br />
<br />
--''Fwoosh!'' Cutting through the air, Haimaki rushed out.<br />
<br />
''Huuu!'' That breathing noise--did not come from Haimaki.<br />
<br />
"...!?"<br />
<br />
In my line of sight, a black dog appeared, charging towards the silver wolf.<br />
<br />
That was something I had seen on one of Aria's animal programs, a dog-hunting dog--a Shar-Pei.<br />
<br />
It's a species that is used in China as a hunting dog or a military dog, a particularly vicious breed. And, its strain appeared to have been heavily modified, as it was far bigger than the ones I had seen on TV. It looked as if it could easily tear off a man's limb.<br />
<br />
"--!"<br />
<br />
I hurriedly brought my gun up--''Clank!''<br />
<br />
But, my elbow collided with Reki, who had brought her Dragunov up at the exact same time.<br />
<br />
Reki, a petite girl, lost her balance, and she leaned against the trunk with one knee.<br />
<br />
And, staggering, I--as if trying to push Reki down, fell down on her.<br />
<br />
--''Thump!''<br />
<br />
(Uu...!)<br />
<br />
The frontal impact jarred the Beretta, which was in semi-automatic, and one bullet was released, thudding into the ground.<br />
<br />
At that moment--Haimaki and the Shar-Pei had engaged each other, entering a state where we were forced into inaction, unable to shoot. If we fire, there is no guarantee that we will not fatally wound Haimaki.<br />
<br />
Standing up, thinking that I should at least fire some shots to intimidate the opponent--Woah.<br />
<br />
This time, Reki's legs and my legs were tangled, and I fell against the trunk once again.<br />
<br />
"...!"<br />
<br />
What the hell am I doing.<br />
<br />
Damn it.<br />
<br />
Reki and I--have never really fought together like this.<br />
<br />
Because, when we had worked together in Assault, Reki always acted as long-range support. Battling together with her in this kind of close-contact fighting...had only ever occurred during the Odaiba casino security detail.<br />
<br />
So, there is no coordination between us.<br />
<br />
(Right now...if it was Aria...!)<br />
<br />
In my mind--Aria's image, charging towards the dogs without any thought whatsoever, using the flat of her blade to start beating the enemy down, appeared. At that point, because she'd be unable to halt her momentum, she'd definitely strike Haimaki a few times. And I, standing on the side, would use the vines to bind the powerless dog, capturing it. If it was Aria, I felt that that kind of combination would be possible.<br />
<br />
--''Bang! Bang!''<br />
<br />
Reki, still being crushed by me, extended her Dragunov to the side, firing.<br />
<br />
"!"<br />
<br />
The empty casing which flew into the air before me, as well as the unique metallic clack of the Dragunov, forced me to slam my eyes shut.<br />
<br />
When I had opened them again...<br />
<br />
The black dog had suddenly weakened considerably.<br />
<br />
"--Haimaki, let that dog go. Stop fighting."<br />
<br />
Hearing Reki, who was below me, give him an order, Haimaki--kicked off the dirt with a thud, retreating.<br />
<br />
Keeping some distance away from that dog, ''Grrrrrrrr...'', he growled threateningly. <!--This is a special case, as it already describes him as growling in the sentence, and as such, I shall leave it the way it is.--><br />
<br />
That black dog...limping all the while...ran away.<br />
<br />
"...Did you hit?"<br />
<br />
"Yes. The bullet grazed both his legs."<br />
<br />
"That dog...probably ran back to its master. Like this, our hiding place will be exposed. I'm not trying to say that you should have killed it, but is it really fine..?"<br />
<br />
"Our location was already noticed by the enemy when Kinji-san fired. So, I fired as well."<br />
<br />
..I-I see. The accidental discharge when I fell just now has already exposed our position?<br />
<br />
Because, the enemy really has microphones set up. That's probably it.<br />
<br />
To Reki, I'm really a dead weight.<br />
<br />
"Please do not concern yourself. That dog is very powerful. Haimaki wanted to clamp down on the dog's throat, not allowing it to bark, and afterward, he wished to use his claws to rake what appears to be a transmitter off the dog's body, but--Haimaki was unable to do so immediately. If the dog stayed abnormally still, the enemy would have turned his attention this way."<br />
<br />
"Transmitter..."<br />
<br />
I never saw such a thing...is that how it was?<br />
<br />
I turned my head, looking at Haimaki, who was staggering back, exhausted...he was injured.<br />
<br />
During the fight with the Shar-Pei, he appeared to have been bitten in several places. That beautiful silver fur was flecked with crimson blood.<br />
<br />
It appears that this confirms Reki's words. That battle dog was quite strong.<br />
<br />
Added to this, ringing out from inside the forest, as if reporting that it had already found us--a dog's howl. Probably the one from just now. It was vicious and chilling, a sound that easily inspired fear in people's hearts.<br />
<br />
"...We should change our position, right? We've already been exposed, so it's pretty dangerous here."<br />
<br />
Just about to move, I--<br />
<br />
-had my belt,''Tug'', grabbed by Reki.<br />
<br />
"You cannot move."<br />
<br />
"...Why?"<br />
<br />
My eyebrows furrowed.<br />
<br />
Reki took out a box filled with Calorie Mate energy bars from her pocket...and with a click, she opened it.<br />
<br />
Emptying its contents, she filled it with the earth by her feet.<br />
<br />
"...What are you doing?"<br />
<br />
Not turning towards me, Reki-''Fwoosh''<br />
<br />
-threw the dirt-filled Calorie Mate box away from the tree.<br />
<br />
<br />
--''Clank''--!!<br />
<br />
<br />
The box burst open, the dirt inside showering down.<br />
<br />
That scene made a chill run down my back.<br />
<br />
It had been sniped. And, it was a box roughly the size of my palm.<br />
<br />
"The moment we step to the right or left of this tree, we will be sniped. We cannot move."<br />
<br />
...''Bang''...<br />
<br />
Immediately after Reki's words, the sound of a gunshot reached us from afar.<br />
<br />
"As predicted, the enemy has not left the location he was occupying when he first attacked the hotel. The distance is 2050m, and as such, he is in range."<br />
<br />
"...From 2050 meters...he is a sniper that is able to snipe that box from such a distance, huh?"<br />
<br />
There's nothing we can do. At least, there's nothing ''I'' can do.<br />
<br />
In this battle, I can only be a burden.<br />
<br />
"...He's really a powerful enemy. I have no idea what kind of person he might be."<br />
<br />
"The enemy is certainly an expert in sniping. As for his personality, it is overflowing with confidence."<br />
<br />
"...You can understand the enemy's personality?"<br />
<br />
"Because, the enemy sniped the box. That is meant to express that, even if his position is known, he will not lose, a challenge to his opponent."<br />
<br />
"..."<br />
<br />
"At the same time, the enemy has shown that he puts a lot of trust in new technology. He is a very adaptable person."<br />
<br />
"--I can't believe you know so much. But, what does it matter if you're able to deduce the opponent's traits? A battle of sniping is but a battle of marksmanship, right?"<br />
<br />
"A battle between snipers is done by reading the opponent's characteristics, and using that as a basis, deciding upon the method of attack."<br />
<br />
"Characteristics...?"<br />
<br />
I have no idea what use that might hold in a battle...<br />
<br />
And, not being clear about this point means that, for this battle, I cannot help in the slightest.<br />
<br />
...I have no choice.<br />
<br />
Then, Haimaki and I will sharpen our gaze, looking out, seeing whether that hunting dog returns.<br />
<br />
I sighed, sitting down on the trunk--<br />
<br />
"--This will become a drawn-out battle. Please eat."<br />
<br />
Reki took one of the Calorie Mates which she had emptied just now, handing it over.<br />
<br />
...I see. Now I know why Reki only ever eats these.<br />
<br />
This is like a wilderness ration. For the sake of being able to respond to these wars of attrition, Reki carries this kind of nutritious food at all times.<br />
<br />
As expected of a girl who is ready to fight whether she is walking, sitting, or even sleeping.<br />
<br />
I started thinking outside the box, and I asked Reki whether we could escape, running directly backwards from the tree...but the words had scarcely left my mouth before they were denied.<br />
<br />
But, that was normal, since this is a forest. <br />
<br />
As long as I move left or right even the slightest bit, just for the sake of avoiding a tree or rock, my head will suffer the same fate as that box.<br />
<br />
The safe zone only extends from this tree to the river. As such, Reki and I ate the Calorie Mates, scooping up some river water to drink....<br />
<br />
Staying by the trunk of the tree, unmoving.<br />
<br />
...10 minutes...30 minutes...1 hour...<br />
<br />
Nothing...happened. We just waited. Both us, and the enemy.<br />
<br />
2 hours...3 hours.<br />
<br />
The time was 0:00.<br />
<br />
Right now, it's the season of passage between summer and autumn, but as time dragged on, the forest air was becoming colder and colder.<br />
<br />
Our body heat slowly being stolen by the frigid air, our strength was being sapped as well. And, not only was our body affected, but drowsiness soon fell upon us. Quietly sitting in the darkness, I felt exhaustion come upon me...and, forcing oneself to stay awake is a large test of willpower.<br />
<br />
I understood, my own willpower was fading, along with the passage of time.<br />
<br />
Until now--in all the battles that I had fought with offenders...<br />
<br />
I had been able to see the enemy.<br />
<br />
Even if the enemy hid himself, all I needed to do was to force him out of hiding with my pistol.<br />
<br />
Although, the offender we're facing this time is a sniper. An unseen enemy. And, this isn't like the battle with Reki, where I had been running everywhere, but this was a war of attrition which had already been dragged on for several hours.<br />
<br />
Humans cannot maintain a state of agitation for that long a period.<br />
<br />
However, I needed to keep myself in that state.<br />
<br />
Because, once that was interrupted--My life would be put in danger.<br />
<br />
...Fuck.<br />
<br />
(This too...is a battle, huh...)<br />
<br />
I had never experienced this kind of battle before. To be honest, I was about to reach my limit.<br />
<br />
And even now, I wanted to--test my luck, charging out of cover, running away from this place.<br />
<br />
On the contrary, Reki...completely still, was staring at me, who was in this state.<br />
<br />
Haimaki licked his wounds, his face fatigued.<br />
<br />
We still can't act...We still can't act!?<br />
<br />
Like this, when time had passed into the deep night--<br />
<br />
"..."<br />
<br />
Reki made her move.<br />
<br />
She slipped the bayonet out from under her skirt, affixing it to the Dragunov...<br />
<br />
And, she took off the scarf of her uniform, releasing a soft sound of rubbing fabric, placing it on the tip of the bayonet edge.<br />
<br />
"...If you want to make a white flag, I'll lend you my shirt."<br />
<br />
Reki glanced at me, who was struggling to keep his eyes open, joking...<br />
<br />
''Rustle''...She extended the scarf to the side of the tree.<br />
<br />
A gust of wind washed over it, and the scarf danced in the air, slightly outside the tree.<br />
<br />
''Shhchh! Shhchh!''<br />
<br />
The scarf had been torn past at high speed by something--by a bullet.<br />
<br />
A few seconds later, the echo of two gunshots reached our ears from afar.<br />
<br />
--The opponent fired.<br />
<br />
The enemy's concentration was amazing, he had been staring this way for three and a half hours.<br />
<br />
"...Did he fire from the same location?"<br />
<br />
"Yes. He should not have moved from the location he attacked the hotel. I'm afraid that, securing the mechanical advantage of starlight scope and having set up several microphones, he has no intention of leaving that position."<br />
<br />
"He doesn't care even if we know where he is? Then, he really is very confident."<br />
<br />
"That is probably correct. The signal that I had released was returned to me unflinchingly."<br />
<br />
"Signal?"<br />
<br />
"The exhibition of technique. On each of that hunting dog's legs, I left a 3cm long, 3mm deep, 3cm high wound, exactly the same on both legs.<br />
<br />
A-a completely identical wound...? Furthermore, she's able to control its shallowness to such a degree that the dog can still walk?<br />
<br />
I can't do that even while in Hysteria Mode. Probably.<br />
<br />
Al...although I've been shocked at your strangeness up till now...exactly how much of a genius are you?<br />
<br />
''Rustle''. On the bulletproof scarf that Reki opened up for me to see...there was an X-shaped hole which was probably caused by the two bullets from before.<br />
<br />
Those two obliquely angular lines...their length was exactly the same. Each one was about 30 centimeters long.<br />
<br />
--"I can do even this."<br />
<br />
The enemy is sending that kind of signal, right?<br />
<br />
"What do we do? Do we just last till daylight...I don't know if they'll come, but should we wait here for the police to come up the mountain to investigate?"<br />
<br />
Reki shook her head.<br />
<br />
"We would not be able to do it. The enemy is in a hurry to decide his victory."<br />
<br />
''Stare.'' She said, turning her eyes to the forest. It seemed...that there was something there again.<br />
<br />
"Kinji-san. Please use me, and go into HSS--Hysteria Mode."<br />
<br />
Wh...?<br />
<br />
What...did you say?<br />
<br />
"No matter what the result of this battle is, the you as of now cannot escape from this forest."<br />
<br />
"...Wa-wait. Hysteria Mode...you...I don't know where you found this information, but seeing as you know, I'll tell you. If I am to go into Hysteria Mode, I have to..."<br />
<br />
Suddenly telling me that crazy battle plan, Reki cut off my words.<br />
<br />
"--I will not mind no matter what you do to me. Because it's you." <!--The Japanese version is a lot more touching, I feel.--><br />
<br />
She said, her grip loosening on the scarf in her hands.<br />
<br />
The rouge colored scarf, fluttering in the midst of the darkness, seemed to imply some sort of deep meaning--and slowly, it fell towards Reki's feet.<br />
<br />
"We are nearly out of time, are you able to do it?"<br />
<br />
''Thud''...Reki pressed herself against the gigantic tree trunk.<br />
<br />
Staying like that, unmoving, she stared directly at me.<br />
<br />
"Time...?"<br />
<br />
"After this, I will commence an exchange of shots with the enemy."<br />
<br />
"...!"<br />
<br />
"If I die or am injured, please leave me. If that time comes, please bring back the scope on this gun. Hidden inside this is a camera, it has already been set to record the scene at the instant that I snipe--You can use this to confirm the enemy's appearance."<br />
<br />
"Hey..."<br />
<br />
Facing Reki, who was able to state her purpose so coolly despite the fact that she knew she might die, I couldn't hide the tremor that ran through my body.<br />
<br />
However, Reki, as if there was no time to answer, continued,<br />
<br />
"On my body, there are 3 DAL for sniper rifle use."<br />
<br />
--Butei Bullets.<br />
<br />
Different from normal bullets, they are special modified bullets that are only circulated among elite Butei.<br />
<br />
All of them are handmade by professional bullet craftsman, the price of one cannot fall lower than 1 million yen...Other than the Grenade and Flash that Nii-san gave me on EU, there were many different types, such as Flare or Cannon.<br />
<br />
But, Reki, you brought those kinds of things with you to travel?<br />
<br />
"In a while, I will fire two DAL. For the third shot, I will use a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/7.62x54mmR Russian bullet], and when I've finished--we will start to leave this place." <!--She doesn't say DAL, it only uses the furigana for the first time, but I think that Reki would use the more proper name, just as with HSS.--><br />
<br />
Scarcely telling me what I needed to know, Reki ejected the magazine from her Dragunov.<br />
<br />
From its contents, she took out two bullets--''Click Click''<br />
<br />
-and she slotted in two other bullets that she had taken out from her breast pocket.<br />
<br />
They were probably attack-type Butei Bullets.<br />
<br />
"Kinji-san. Quickly go into HSS...Hysteria Mode--We have no time left."<br />
<br />
I hesitated.<br />
<br />
A few seconds later...<br />
<br />
Reki closed those wise eyes.<br />
<br />
As if saying--that I was "useless".<br />
<br />
"Then, we shall change our plan. We are already at a dangerous distance. I will definitely take care of the enemy. After that, please go into Hysteria Mode...running away from here."<br />
<br />
Reki, not caring whether I approved of her plan, pressed her back against the tree--<br />
<br />
"...I am a single bullet."<br />
<br />
-she softly recited those mantra-like words.<br />
<br />
"A bullet has no heart. As such, it does not think."<br />
<br />
That voice is something that I had gotten used to hearing when she had acted as support, sniping--<br />
<br />
"It just flies towards its target."<br />
<br />
At that moment, I didn't know why, but a sense of unease sprung up in my chest.<br />
<br />
--Reki---<br />
<br />
''Flutter''--Her skirt fluttering, turning her Dragunov to the right, Reki--<br />
<br />
-flickered out to the side of the tree, her gun held ready.<br />
<br />
''Bang!''<br />
<br />
She fired without a moment's hesitation, and immediately, Reki turned left, returning behind the tree.<br />
<br />
As if grazing past Reki, ''Shhhchhh!'' , the bullet of the enemy's counterattack hurtled out of the darkness.<br />
<br />
...!<br />
<br />
I didn't truly understand what had happened in that instant, but...wh-what was that!<br />
<br />
Just now, that was truly amazing.<br />
<br />
The enemy had fired the instant he saw Reki.<br />
<br />
The two sides are around two kilometers away from each other....the muzzle velocity of the M700 with 7.62mm NATO bullets that he was using, was 840 meters per second.<br />
<br />
The time between the shot and its impact is around 2.5 seconds.<br />
<br />
In that 2.5 seconds, Reki had aimed at the enemy, who was enveloped by the darkness, fired, and returned to the safe zone behind the tree.<br />
<br />
As I realized what had happened, stunned--<br />
<br />
''Pch...!''<br />
<br />
Light glared out, coming from the direction of the forest. Almost as if lightning had struck.<br />
<br />
(Flash...!)<br />
<br />
Just now, Reki's attack--appeared to be the same as the one I had used in EU, the bullet that brought a blinding light to life.<br />
<br />
The enemy's surroundings have definitely been lit up like a day at the height of summer.<br />
<br />
Continuing, Reki performed the same movement--flashing out to the side of the tree.<br />
<br />
''Bang!''<br />
<br />
The second shot...<br />
<br />
--''GIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIN''--!!<br />
<br />
"Uu...!"<br />
<br />
From the depths of the forest, a high-pitched blast, which seemed to shake the ground even here, rang out.<br />
<br />
--Cannon.<br />
<br />
Normally used to disrupt the enemy's battle ability, it is a Butei Bullet that creates massive amounts of sound pressure. <!--Sound pressure...Doesn't really mean this. Some sort of sound with a large impact. Almost like a shock-wave.--><br />
<br />
(Reki...)<br />
<br />
--I understand.<br />
<br />
I understand what Reki wanted to do.<!--Kinji's talking in present tense here, so it should be understand--><br />
<br />
The first shot, Flash, was directed against starlight scope.<br />
<br />
That type of night-vision attachment, amplifying the light of the stars umpteen times, was extremely weak against strong light.<br />
<br />
A scope that faced that way would probably undergo 'white out'--or otherwise the safety function would engage, momentarily forcing a shutdown of all functionality.<br />
<br />
With this, Reki followed through with her second shot, Cannon, firing at the enemy, who had lost his sight.<br />
<br />
The enemy had used microphones, which amplified all sound, setting them up all around us. And, if he's wearing something like headphones to listen to their input, his hearing would definitely be damaged from the sonic-boom.<br />
<br />
"--The enemy sniper has reached for his ears in pain. He is a solitary killer, he has no observers."<br />
<br />
Looking into her scope, Reki reported these facts, like a scientist examining a guinea pig.<br />
<br />
(...I see...)<br />
<br />
--In a battle between snipers, the two sides read each other's personalities, deciding their method of attack.<br />
<br />
That was what had happened here.<br />
<br />
The overconfident enemy had responded to Reki's provocation. And, from that behaviour, Reki was able to recognize the enemy's position in an instant.<br />
<br />
Additionally, the enemy is also someone who relies a lot on machines. Setting up a location which he could not move from easily, he put too much faith in them.<br />
<br />
Reki specifically targeted this specific point--using light and sound, she assaulted the enemy's machine-heightened eyes and ears.<br />
<br />
And now, she held the enemy's life and death in her hands.<br />
<br />
We won...<br />
<br />
"The enemy--is a little girl. Younger than me."<br />
<br />
The sniper over there is a girl as well--and moreover, she's younger than you?<br />
<br />
It's unbelievable, but...these are Reki's words. They must be true.<br />
<br />
"Shoot to kill?"<br />
<br />
Towards Reki, who was saying this as confirmation, I immediately replied with: "No, respect Butei Law."<br />
<br />
"Then, I shall break the enemy's weapon."<br />
<br />
''Bang!''<br />
<br />
Immediately after Reki sniped at the enemy, her gun emitting a sharp muzzle flash--<br />
<br />
(...?)<br />
<br />
''Bch! BchBch!''<br />
<br />
Small dots of light scattering about her, she seemed to be in pain, as if she had been struck. Reki's skirt, as if dancing in place, spun a semicircle, fluttering up, before it fell down.<br />
<br />
''Drip, Drip'' The sound of a certain liquid falling to Reki's feet reached my ears.<br />
<br />
"Reki...?"<br />
<br />
...!?<br />
<br />
What...happened?<br />
<br />
Her appearance is extremely strange. Was she counterattacked?<br />
<br />
No. The enemy should have had her battle ability ripped from her, she shouldn't be able to do anything.<br />
<br />
Even if she had been sniped, I would have heard a gunshot, but none came.<br />
<br />
"..."<br />
<br />
Reki raised her gun again, aiming towards a location slightly different from before...and one step, two steps, she retreated.<br />
<br />
"..."<br />
<br />
Silently--she lowered her gun.<br />
<br />
In that state, she placed the stock of her gun against the ground, and while she appeared to be using it to support herself...<br />
<br />
''Scrape''...''Scrape''...<br />
<br />
...she sat down, unable to move.<br />
<br />
"...Ah...Hey...!"<br />
<br />
I immediately crouched down, supporting Reki, whose head was drooping down--<br />
<br />
"...!'<br />
<br />
She's injured...! When!?<br />
<br />
In the darkness, I fumbled around, trying to find Reki's wound, copious amounts of blood were flowing out.<br />
<br />
Her upper head was heavily wounded, as well as her forearm and left thigh.<br />
<br />
In that instant just now, what on Earth was she counterattacked by? I don't understand...<br />
<br />
Pressing down on Reki's wounds with a frantic desperation, I, ''OOOOooOOoo...! UoOOOoooOO...!''<br />
<br />
-suddenly heard the sound of several howls, all around us, continuously echoing out from within the forest.<br />
<br />
Those voices were similar to the Shar-Pei's that came earlier. And...there were 10...No, 20 sets of them.<br />
<br />
I see. It was because they were surrounding us, that Reki was so eager to decide the battle.<br />
<br />
"Kinji-san. This..."<br />
<br />
Reki handed her Dragunov and bayonet over to me.<br />
<br />
''Drip, Drip''. Blood was still flowing down her forehead and elbows, dripping off of her.<br />
<br />
"Regrettably, I have been injured. I no longer have the strength to drive those hunting dogs away, protecting you. After this, please protect yourself, and run away alone. The enemy will definitely regain her composure in short order...and she will come to perform the final blow."<br />
<br />
"What are you saying? Since that's the case, it's even more clear that this is a path that we cannot take! How can I leave you here, alone and unarmed?"<br />
<br />
I pushed the Dragunov back towards her.<br />
<br />
"I have one more Grenade left. It can be detonated even without a gun."<br />
<br />
Said Reki, taking the third, the final, Butei Bullet from her breast pocket.<br />
<br />
Understanding the meaning of her words, I...clenched my teeth.<br />
<br />
--Do you wish to commit suicide?<br />
<br />
Do you wish to go down the path of killing yourself and the enemy!?<br />
<br />
"Stop saying such idiotic things...!"<br />
<br />
"Kinji-san, hurry. The enemy's net is closing in, and soon, you will no longer be able to escape."<br />
<br />
Having lost too much blood, not even able to lift her head up, Reki--was still trying to hurry me, who was crouching there, not willing to stand up.<br />
<br />
"I failed. I was weaker than the enemy. The weak will be devoured by the strong. This is the natural law of the world."<br />
<br />
This...certainly, might be the truth.<br />
<br />
"This is very logical, Kinji-san. If you linger any further, both of us will be killed. As such, it is better if you yourself live."<br />
<br />
This too...might be the truth.<br />
<br />
"Kinji-san...there is no need to worry about me. I live the life that the wind has determined, and I shall die in the same manner. That is of no importance to me."<br />
<br />
People--whether they be few or many, live by the rules that have been determined for them.<br />
<br />
Whether it be a delusion or something else, the "wind" is the rule in Reki's life. Just like a normal person's society, as well as their laws.<br />
<br />
So, Reki has been respecting those rules since she was born, and it is certainly possible that she will follow them till her death.<br />
<br />
--But. <!--Don't change this.--><br />
<br />
"Reki...dying in this kind of place, dying by the hands of an unknown person...Isn't this a worthless death...!? Don't always listen to the "wind's" orders, never laughing, never even crying...dying with no emotion, dying with no feeling, this is too...!"<br />
<br />
I knelt by Reki's side. Reki--<br />
<br />
''Rustle.''<br />
<br />
Her hair shaking, she shook her head.<br />
<br />
"Kinji-san. Yesterday...I said that I 'had no emotions'. But, actually...I do not know why I did not tell you then...I...once, had a very clear emotion..."<br />
<br />
"...Reki..."<br />
<br />
"The 'wind'...ordered me, it ordered me to take a boy...to take a powerful boy and bring him into Ulus. And when the 'wind'--ordered me to become Kinji-san's everything...in my heart...for the first time, I had my own...I had my own, true feelings."<br />
<br />
Reki...<br />
<br />
"--I'm so glad that Kinji-san is the one.--"<br />
<br />
An emotion had sprouted within you.<br />
<br />
You may not have been able to convey it through your expression or behaviour, but in your heart...an emotion, only belonging to you, had been brought to life.<br />
<br />
''Drip, Drip'' Her blood trickling down without pause, Reki said,<br />
<br />
"So, Kinji-san, I will not die without any emotion. You...don't have to feel sadness for me inside...the responsibility of keeping the line of Ulus eternal, now lies with my sisters."<br />
<br />
Reki...!<br />
<br />
"I, have no regrets. I can, with the person who first created emotion within me...eat a meal with you, I can travel with you, I can receive clothes from you. It may not have been long, I may not have been able to...express it within this period of time...but, that is definitely an emotion...I...am very happy...the last two weeks that I have spent with you, those days were filled with joy..."<br />
<br />
Reki said, raising her bloodstained face.<br />
<br />
That face--<br />
<br />
Ahh, it was, for the first time...<br />
<br />
--Smiling--<br />
<br />
She smiled.<br />
<br />
This is probably Reki wanting to make me relieved.<br />
<br />
"Reki..."<br />
<br />
That beautiful, unblemished face--made me feel as if, in an instant, I had understood Reki.<br />
<br />
It isn't that Reki doesn't have emotions.<br />
<br />
She just doesn't understand what emotion is.<br />
<br />
Just that, her heart hasn't developed yet. Exactly like a child.<br />
<br />
And, the reason it was so difficult to go into Hysteria Mode from Reki, was also because...in my heart, I had a faint feeling that she was still a child. <!--Coinc. doesn't work.--><br />
<br />
Reki.<br />
<br />
The enemy is approaching. We will fight for an instant.<br />
<br />
You cannot fight anymore. You yourself said very clearly for me to leave you behind.<br />
<br />
And I...only have to run away. By myself.<br />
<br />
"Kinji-san...please go...it's already..."<br />
<br />
Reki's voice was losing all strength, but even in that state, she was calmly hurrying me on...<br />
<br />
I slipped the bayonet into my belt, and I shouldered the Dragunov.<br />
<br />
"Reki. As opposed to two people dying, it is certainly better for one to live."<br />
<br />
Hearing my words--<br />
<br />
Reki, as if relieved, lightly nodded.<br />
<br />
You don't even have the strength to answer anymore.<br />
<br />
"Yet--my math isn't very good, but at least, I can understand that that isn't the best answer."<br />
<br />
"...?"<br />
<br />
Reki's eyes, under her bloodstained locks, looked at me.<br />
<br />
''Rustle.''<br />
<br />
Putting strength into my arms, I lifted Reki's arm.<br />
<br />
"Obviously, it is better if both can live."<br />
<br />
I helped her stand up, and Reki's--<br />
<br />
-almond eyes were slightly wider than usual, staring directly at me.<br />
<br />
It was extremely slight, but she had an amazed expression.<br />
[[File:Aria06 243.jpg|thumb]]<br />
<br />
That's good, Reki. That's good.<br />
<br />
Doing this, you have to find yourself.<br />
<br />
From this moment onward, let your life be filled with more surprise. With more tears. And--with more, more smiles.<br />
<br />
That kind of smile, shown to me while sitting in the midst of a puddle of your own blood--<br />
<br />
-your first and last smile...That isn't fine at all!<br />
<br />
"Reki. You cannot. You cannot die. I saw it. At this moment, you--smiled. You can smile."<br />
<br />
Reki--this is the moment where you start to grow.<br />
<br />
In this situation, where you've taken your first step, you cannot die.<br />
<br />
From now onward. For what comes after.<br />
<br />
You are no longer the wind's slave--you are a human, a new life.<br />
<br />
Therefore, you cannot die!<br />
<br />
Reki seemed to start trying to resist...but immediately, she lost all strength, and while standing, she swayed dangerously.<br />
<br />
She can't. Reki can no longer walk.<br />
<br />
The Dragunov slung around my back, I took Reki with my two hands before--holding her up, princess-style.<br />
<br />
It's a relief that this girl is so light. Because of that, I'm able to run. Relying on the strength that comes when one is in the midst of a firestorm.<br />
<br />
''Tap Tap Tap''...!<br />
<br />
The hunting dogs had already reached a point where I could hear their footsteps.<br />
<br />
While holding Reki, I wasn't able to fire off any intimidation shots, and I had no idea as to where to escape--when from my feet.<br />
<br />
''Whisper''...<br />
<br />
A white shadow flickered out.<br />
<br />
--Haimaki.<br />
<br />
Having been injured earlier in the fight with the Shar-Pei, Haimaki was standing up.<br />
<br />
''Grrrrrrr''...Growling softly, Haimaki's fur was standing up, and although he was in the darkness, I was able to see that his fangs and claws were extended.<br />
<br />
His back facing me, running towards the forest, Haimaki--is an extremely faithful wolf.<br />
<br />
That blind faith was always there, a willingness to die for his master. Even when he had been struck by Patra's hideous golems, even when he was pursuing me, acting as the platform for Reki's ricochet, those positions of enormous danger.<br />
<br />
And now, even now, he was like this.<br />
<br />
Haimaki. You...<br />
<br />
...are going to volunteer to be our bait?<br />
<br />
By yourself, you're going to challenge that entire pack of ferocious hunting dogs?<br />
<br />
You too--are a man.<br />
<br />
It matters not whether you're a human or an animal. When in times of need, men...have no choice but to help women. Even if one is to die, it is something that one must do.<br />
<br />
Only turning his head back halfway, Haimaki's eyes, gleaming in the darkness, looked at me.<br />
<br />
Those eyes had faith in me--<br />
<br />
Go. I leave Reki to you.<br />
<br />
They seemed to be saying that.<br />
<br />
"--Haimaki. When you survive and come back, I'll buy a box of fish sausages for you."<br />
<br />
Saying that, I--<br />
<br />
-turned my back on Haimaki, already surrounded by the countless gleaming eyes of the hunting dogs in the darkness by his side--<br />
<br />
-I turned my back on Haimaki, who howled, bursting into the midst of the pack like a hurricane. <!--I can't keep this one in original Japanese sentence structure. Otherwise, it'd be smoething like: Saying that, I-- already surrounded by the countless gleaming eyes of the hunting dogs in the darkness by his side, -turned my back on Haimaki, who howled, bursting into the midst of the pack like a hurricane. The 'already surrounded...' is supposed to describe Haimaki without a pronoun or noun, but it doesn't work unless I put his name in.--><br />
<br />
Facing the hunting dogs which had bundled up, preparing to savage Haimaki together, I held Reki's delicate frame in my hands, rushing towards the river--<br />
<br />
<br />
Run.<br />
<br />
I have to run.<br />
<br />
I have to run with all my strength.<br />
<br />
Still holding Reki, who was completely still, in my arms, I ran. Into the forest. Recklessly.<br />
<br />
The me as of now isn't in anything like Hysteria Mode. The me as of now is just a normal high school student.<br />
<br />
However, I still have the ability to carry a girl in my arms, running away. I can still turn my back on the enemy, running away with all my strength.<br />
<br />
Besides, Reki--I had run away from you during the "Manhunt", and normally, I run away from Aria as well. Running away is the only field in which I have a wealth of experience. So, don't worry.<br />
<br />
Having crossed over a few muddy creeks, my limbs scratched as I hurtled through the dense branches, having slid down steep slopes, my body stained with mud, covered with wounds, I still ran, despite being in this state. I had emptied my mind of all thought.<br />
<br />
In the midst of the mountain, Haimaki is probably still fighting with the hunting dogs, preventing them from going after us.<br />
<br />
Or perhaps, because I had crossed through many rivers, it was hard to track me? The dogs--had not given chase. It seemed as if they had retreated.<br />
<br />
Continuing to run deep inside, my breathing erratic, my vision suddenly opened--<br />
<br />
-I exited into a vast field where [http://k-kabegami.sakura.ne.jp/onokosumosu/e.html cosmos] was growing abundantly. <br />
<br />
Under the light of the stars, the pink color of the petals, all blooming simultaneously, seemed like a haze of pink.<br />
<br />
"Reki...Reki!"<br />
<br />
While entering into the midst of the cosmos in the field, parting their branches, I called out her name, trying to confirm whether she was conscious or not, but...<br />
<br />
Reki could no longer answer.<br />
<br />
I understood that the temperature in her limbs was already dropping.<br />
<br />
"...Reki..."<br />
<br />
Panicked, in an instant, I placed Reki into the midst of the cosmos--and pulling out the wire in my belt, I cut it with the cutter on my belt. Using it, I stopped the blood flow to her thigh and forearm.<br />
<br />
Because I had ascertained that Reki was still breathing, I raised my head, looking around. There was not a single house around. Not even the tiniest home. At any rate, we cannot contact a hospital.<br />
<br />
Aah, if my cellphone hadn't been damaged in the very first attack...<br />
<br />
I could have called in reinforcements for support, called in ambulances, called in anything.<br />
<br />
There were no lights around us. I had no idea where the city was. I had ran directly away from the enemy, but...it could be that I had ran in the opposite direction from the city.<br />
<br />
At that moment--<br />
<br />
''Flutter.''<br />
<br />
''Flutter.''<br />
<br />
A butterfly...flew into my field of vision.<br />
<br />
Appearing to be a swallowtail butterfly, it flew in small circles before us, and as if guiding us--it started flying in a certain direction.<br />
<br />
Heading in that direction, at the forest on the other side of the swamp--<br />
<br />
''Shine.'' I saw a light. Squinting, looking closer, the lights...continued.<br />
<br />
Most likely, that's a streetlight.<br />
<br />
If I head over there, a car will probably pass. Then, I will be able to ask for help.<br />
<br />
But, aahh...<br />
<br />
It's so far...! To the point of despair.<br />
<br />
(Reki...you cannot die...!)<br />
<br />
Once again taking Reki into my arms, I stood up, focusing all the strength in my body into my legs.<br />
<br />
Reki, you cannot die.<br />
<br />
I have finally reached this point, I have finally understood you.<br />
<br />
Just the slightest bit...I can understand you.<br />
<br />
So--there is still something that I need to tell you.<br />
<br />
Something I haven't told you yet.<br />
<br />
So, you cannot die.<br />
<br />
You cannot die, Reki!<br />
<br />
<noinclude><br />
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</noinclude></div>Idolonhttps://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Hidan_no_Aria:Volume6_Chapter1&diff=98322Hidan no Aria:Volume6 Chapter12011-06-02T20:16:15Z<p>Idolon: /* 1st Ammo: Manhunt */ American spellings</p>
<hr />
<div>==1st Ammo: Manhunt==<br />
<br />
--The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragunov_sniper_rifle Dragunov] Sniper Rifle<!--(T/L note: Snayperskaya Vintovka Dragunova)--><br />
<br />
A slender body design, with a great aesthetic design.<br />
<br />
It is very light, and it far surpasses other sniper rifles.<br />
<br />
Also, its durability and reliability are not bad, and it is one of the world-class sniper rifles.<br />
<br />
"Wa, wait. Wait a moment."<br />
<br />
The Dragunov sniper rifle is entirely different than the sniper rifles which only have shooting as an advantage.<br />
<br />
In a hostile environment it won’t receive damage, it can continuously shoot through the semi-automatic function, and also, on the peak, there’s a bayonet, making it usable as a pike……it’s a terrifying 'warzone' sniper rifle.<br />
<br />
“Why are you unhappy……Reki!”<br />
<br />
That muzzle, for now, was pointing directly at me.<br />
<br />
The one holding the rifle was the Snipe division’s genius, Reki.<br />
<br />
She is someone who has the potential of a genius, the S-ranked butei in the same grade as me.<br />
<br />
“——You and Aria, cannot be together.” <br />
<br />
Her voice completely toneless, Reki replied the same way as before.<br />
<br />
Behind her, there was a bit of Tokyo’s chilly night view, with tonight’s moonlight blooming with radiance.<br />
<br />
I was stirred up by the sight of that scene with a feeling of uneasiness……<br />
<br />
“United……is what?”<br />
<br />
After she spoke those weird words, I was slightly blushing. <br />
<br />
Just then, Aria and me——<br />
<br />
After cleaning the Inquesta building, we were on this roof. Under the sunset. Just two of us.<br />
<br />
Looking like this, maybe it looked like a scene of a pair of intimate man and woman who loves each other.<br />
<br />
But, why did Reki, who seemed to have seen us two do that kind of thing, draw her gun!?<br />
<br />
“Don’t……don’t say rubbish. The relationship between Aria and me isn’t that kind. It should be just the opposite, just then we were <br />
saying……that, from now on……we will be separated. Us two.” <br />
<br />
“Were you talking about breaking up?”<br />
<br />
“What, what do you mean by ‘breaking up’?”<br />
<br />
“If it’s like this, then it is even better. Because Kinji-san, can be my husband without being bothered.”<br />
<br />
That, that point.<br />
<br />
Only that point.<br />
<br />
The weirdest thing would be that point.<br />
<br />
After chasing Aria away from here, Reki is now pointing her rifle at me……<br />
<br />
''(And actually, proposed to me!)''<br />
<br />
“Reki, you, why are you talking about ‘marriage’……!”<br />
<br />
Also, from the beginning, I have the disease that is Hysteria Mode in my body. I must live far away from women. <br />
<br />
That you, actually say ‘marriage’. What the heck is that!<br />
<br />
“——If it’s like this, Kinji-san can become ‘Ulus’.”<br />
<br />
“Ulus…...?”<br />
<br />
“It means ’family’” (T/L note: Ulus is in Mongolian.)<br />
<br />
Family……family member?<br />
<br />
Impossible. This is becoming harder and harder to understand.<br />
<br />
I'm just about to cry.<br />
<br />
“Well, that...after marriage, the man and woman become family. ……But I already have my brother, it’s more than enough for me. If you want to have someone you can call family, you can find some other person to take care of you. What do you think?” <!--Kira: Don’t really understand that part.--> <!--Krytyk: Check it up, but i guess now it should make sense. (I cross-checked with the Japanese raws.)--><br />
<br />
I said that, trying to evade it.<br />
<br />
“ ‘The wind says, that it’s you’ ”<br />
<br />
Reki, said that with her previous hard tone.<br />
<br />
“ ‘The wind says, that it can only be you’ “<br />
<br />
——That tone, seemed to have an inexplicably strong confidence.<br />
<br />
Her pupils, which looked like lenses, were glaring at me as if she wanted to pierce through me with that gaze. <!--Check up last part of the sentence, sounds kind of wrong. Here ya go. Just had piano lessons, now for dinner, but I'll finish this chapter up. Thanks for the help <3--><br />
<br />
It is really transparent, the sniper rifle’s scope.<br />
<br />
''(……What the heck is that……!)''<br />
<br />
This Reki, is different from the usual Reki.<br />
<br />
This girl’s nickname is ‘Robot Reki’. She's always a wordless, emotionless, expressionless girl. But despite that, the Reki as of now, is making me feel some inexplicable intensity, as if I am her target.<br />
<br />
——As if, she has received some kind of order.<br />
<br />
“Lis-listen to me. Reki.”<br />
<br />
I wanted to move my body out of her shooting line, and stepped back a bit as if it was nothing.<br />
<br />
"Your actions are far too contradictory. Since you want me to be part of the family, why are you pointing your gun at me? Put that down, and let's talk about this calmly. Alright?"<br />
<br />
"Denied. Men and women should not talk to each other--"<br />
<br />
And doing the opposite of my suggestion, Reki shifted the gun with the slightest movement possible, pointing it at me while saying:<br />
<br />
"--but steal each other."<br />
<br />
Men and women should steal each other.<br />
<br />
So, that's how Reki views boy-girl relationships. Well, if one had to talk about whether it was right or not, one couldn't say that it's completely wrong.<br />
<br />
But, you, isn't that a ''really'' wrong way of looking at things?<br />
<br />
Performing a Tsukommi on Reki in my heart, in my line of sight...<br />
<br />
<nowiki>*Whoosh*</nowiki><br />
<br />
A leaf-brown cloth rode the wind, fluttering down.<br />
<br />
Fluttering precisely within my reach, it was the jacket that I had taken off earlier for the sake of cleaning.<br />
<br />
I looked up at the direction that it had flown from--and there, standing on the air-conditioning unit precisely one level above the ground, a beast was looking down at me.<br />
<br />
That jacket appeared to be something that it had carried in its mouth all the way from the Inquesta classroom.<br />
<br />
''(Haimaki...!)''<br />
<br />
That was the silver-white wolf that Reki was taking care of, Haimaki.<br />
<br />
Not understanding why he would be holding my uniform...<br />
<br />
I caught it, and a little agitated, I put my hands through its sleeves.<br />
<br />
Butei High's uniform--The jacket and pants are made out of the bulletproof fiber, TNK.<br />
<br />
It's useless against the armor-piercing rounds that Reki was holding earlier, but wearing it is a little reassuring.<br />
<br />
After all, the bullets that are stored in that magazine may not all be pierce rounds.<br />
<br />
"Kinji-san."<br />
<br />
"...What?"<br />
<br />
"I too, do not wish to immediately make Kinji-san marry me."<br />
<br />
Naturally.<br />
<br />
"As such--I think that I will give you seven minutes grace."<br />
<br />
Just seven!?<br />
<br />
"From now on, I will attack you seven times. If you are able to escape being hit for more than one minute, I will retract my proposal."<br />
<br />
This is like...explaining the rules of a game.<br />
<br />
A cold sweat breaking out, I looked down at my watch.<br />
<br />
"You can run where-ever you like. But, I'll warn you first. My "Killing Range" is 2051 meters." <!--Argh, 'Absolute' Killing Range sounds better XD. Stupid furigana.--><br />
<br />
--Killing range.<br />
<br />
The farthest range at which a hit is a certainty...The people in Snipe have different names for it, but Butei call it "Killing Range".<br />
<br />
Which is to say, that is the distance at which snipers will definitely take out the enemy--<br />
<br />
"In short, no matter where you run to inside this 2051 meter radius, my rifle will be able to hit you. Because, this rifle will never betray me--"<br />
<br />
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Kch* Looking at Reki, who had straightened her gun again, at last...<br />
<br />
I too, strengthened my resolve.<br />
<br />
--I get it, I get it.<br />
<br />
It looks like no matter what, you're not willing to talk with me, Reki.<br />
<br />
Then, as you wish, I will play this game with you.<br />
<br />
The normal me would definitely be unwilling to listen to these words.<br />
<br />
I don't know when Reki figured out how to make me change...But the me as of now has entered Hysteria Mode, where I will listen to anything that girls say, because...<br />
<br />
Without heat or passion, but all the more stimulating because of it--Earlier, Reki's kiss.<br />
<br />
"Then, please marry me before the seventh bullet."<br />
<br />
But...Why "seven"?<br />
<br />
I didn't have enough time to even voice that question--<br />
<br />
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Thud!*<br />
<br />
"!?"<br />
<br />
Leaping off the air-conditioning unit, the silver-wolf Haimaki flew over my head!<br />
<br />
I saw that--probably something that Reki had made him wear--on his back, thick metal plating, just like armor, was protecting it. This is...I no longer have the chance to use the paralyzing bullet technique to graze his back, like I did to his brother. <!--What?--><br />
<br />
"--Uu!"<br />
<br />
I, standing at the edge of the Inquesta Building, where the emergency stairs were, was smashed into by Haimaki, pouncing through the air.<br />
<br />
Colliding with me like that, I fell onto the rusty steps.<br />
<br />
As if pulling out its prey's organs, Haimaki ripped my cellphone out of my pocket, and just as that happened--<br />
<br />
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Chnk!*<br />
<br />
--The Dragunov's gunshot!<br />
<br />
''(Armor-piercing bullet--!)''<br />
<br />
I was in Hysteria Mode, but the blood froze in my veins.<br />
<br />
I thought I was hit...but there was no pain. I was not injured.<br />
<br />
As I felt a wave of relief wash over me, *Gchhng!*<br />
<br />
"!"<br />
<br />
Lumped together like a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dango Dango], Haimaki and I tumbled over together. We struck the handrail of the stairs, breaking it, sending us falling into thin-air.<br />
<br />
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Don!*<br />
<br />
Haimaki jumped off me, using me as a step, returning to the stairs.<br />
<br />
Quickly deploying the cable in my belt, I, like the Spiderman in the movies, lowered myself down to the emergency stairs a few floors below.<br />
<br />
"...?"<br />
<br />
Feeling a strange sensation, I glanced towards my left wrist, and my bulletproof uniform--<br />
<br />
One of the buttons on the cuff was missing.<br />
<br />
I could understand from the tiny piece of broken metal that was left on the sleeve. Just before, Reki had shot it off. The button.<br />
<br />
Reki...Hasn't changed. She's still as impressive as usual.<br />
<br />
As I was rolling around with Haimaki, she managed to shoot such that she only hit the tiny button of my cuffs.<br />
<br />
''<br />
(But, why did she shoot that kind of thing...?)''<br />
<br />
<br />
As I frowned, by my ear, *Kccccchhhhh*--<br />
<br />
As its paws trod upon the steel stairs, I heard the sound of its footsteps fast approaching.<br />
<br />
Haimaki was rushing down the stairs.<br />
<br />
I stretched out the Beretta in my hand...before I stopped.<br />
<br />
Haimaki's bulletproof armor. That should be the tactical body armor that police dogs or Butei dogs wear.<br />
<br />
My 9mm bullet would be completely useless. Even if I used all my bullets, the best I'd be able to do is delay him.<br />
<br />
With no other choice, I could only spin around, rushing down the stairs, just ahead of Haimaki.<br />
<br />
--Haimaki.<br />
<br />
Now that I think about it, I had spent some time chasing you around on a motorcycle in the middle of spring. That's when you were still under Vlad's control. But now...it's your turn to chase me. This is divine retribution, isn't it?<br />
<br />
<br />
Having landed on the ground, I--<br />
<br />
''(If another bullet comes, I'll defend using Billiard Shot--)''<br />
<br />
-thought that for a moment, before I realized that It was impossible.<br />
<br />
A prerequisite of Billiard Shot is the ability to see the stance of the enemy, and deduce the trajectory of the bullet. I have to link the timing of my shot with the timing of her shot, a technique that only has one chance of success.<br />
<br />
And facing a sniper whom I can't see, it's impossible for me to predict when she will open fire--I can't use it.<br />
<br />
Feeling Haimaki's breath from behind my back, I sprinted forward with all my might, nothing else I could do. Under the strange looks of pedestrians that passed by occasionally, I went under the monorail tracks, jumping the guardrail to enter the commercial district, ignoring the traffic lights--<br />
<br />
And using the anti-sniper tactics that I had learned in Assault, I twisted aside at one of the crossroads, entering a tiny alley.<br />
<br />
Bullets cannot curve, and as such, sniper rifles can only hit enemies that are directly in their line of fire. As long as I hide in this kind of angular place, I definitely won't be hit.<br />
<br />
"Haa, haa, haa..."<br />
<br />
I leaned my back against the wall of the building, glancing at my watch.<br />
<br />
It's just about to reach one minute after the first shot. According to the rules that Reki set down, this should be my victory.<br />
<br />
I thought this, turning my head towards the entrance of the alley to see whether Haimaki had caught up with me--<br />
<br />
--*Giin!*<br />
<br />
Suddenly, sparks burst forth from the pole of the traffic light by the side of the road.<br />
<br />
"!?"<br />
<br />
The next instant, *Bch!*, a feeling of numbness ran up my wrist.<br />
<br />
''(I-I was hit...!?)''<br />
<br />
I looked to my left wrist in panic--and again, I saw that yet another button on the cuffs of my sleeve had been ripped off by a bullet.<br />
<br />
Reki. You--<br />
<br />
-hit the pole of the traffic light, and you still managed to make the bullet ricochet and hit my wrist!<br />
<br />
L-Snipe.<br />
<br />
Like the concept of the V-shape bullet trajectory that my own Billiard Shot draws in the air, this is a sniping technique that allows the bullet to reach an enemy around an angle, a shot that draws an L in the air.<br />
<br />
I went "Tch", and I ran deeper into alley, which continued to wind--*Gng! Gng!* The sound of ricocheting bullets resounded twice behind me, and this time, the feeling of numbness ran up my right wrist.<br />
<br />
--L-L Snipe...! <br />
<br />
The bullet hit the pole of the traffic light before it ricocheted off a roadside garbage-can, chasing me all the way up the street!<br />
<br />
''(I-is that even possible...!?)''<br />
<br />
While I continued to go "Tch", I ran through the automatic door of a select shop.<br />
<br />
This is in an alley which has two corners, and what's more, this is a shop. Added to this, in front of this shop, there's nothing like a postbox or power-line pole to ricochet off.<br />
<br />
(This place is definitely...safe!)<br />
<br />
Quite unpopular, this shop was filled with mannequins of girls, but there was not a customer in sight.<br />
<br />
--*Zccchh!*<br />
<br />
I saw Haimaki, hurtling in front of the store like a hurricane...and the store attendant, seeing him, retreated into a corner of the shop.<br />
<br />
Just right. I'm sorry, but I'm just going to hide here for now.<br />
<br />
"...?"<br />
<br />
Drawing my gun and pointing towards the open door, I--couldn't help but frown.<br />
<br />
Haimaki was not entering the store.<br />
<br />
He had stopped in front of the automatic door such that it would not close, and he lowered his head, stretching his front paws out, crouching down.<br />
<br />
''(...!)''<br />
<br />
I reacted violently, but it was already too late.<br />
<br />
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Gin!*--*Gin!*--the bullet, having come here all the way through the alley, also--*Giiin!*<br />
<br />
Ricocheted off the metal plating on Haimaki's back, facing this way--<br />
<br />
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Bcch!* It tore past my right sleeve in a heartbeat.<br />
<br />
"--Uwoah!"<br />
<br />
My wrist having been grazed by a bullet, I fell towards the feet of the mannequins.<br />
<br />
I looked at my hand, sprawled out across the floor--and from my right wrist, one more button had disappeared from the cuffs.<br />
<br />
My mind in Hysteria Mode told me what exactly that meant.<br />
<br />
If you add the first and second button on the chest of my uniform and the 2 cuff buttons on each of my wrists---together, there are six buttons.<br />
<br />
And Reki has been shooting them one by one.<br />
<br />
--Reki's words echoed in my mind.<br />
<br />
"Then, please marry me before the seventh bullet."<br />
<br />
If all six of my buttons go missing, and I still haven't replied with "YES"--<br />
<br />
The seventh shot--where are you going to shoot, Reki.<br />
<br />
Could it be that, you are trying to kill...me!<br />
<br />
"...Fuck...!"<br />
<br />
Reki can see me. Reki can shoot me.<br />
<br />
But despite that, I cannot see her. I cannot shoot her back.<br />
<br />
''(This is a sniper...!)''<br />
<br />
A battle between pistols and snipers is like a battle between a sword and a gun. If both sides are far apart from each other, the pistol's bullet will have no way of reaching the sniper. Even if it's the me in Hysteria Mode, that fact doesn't change.<br />
<br />
Kneeling on one knee and looking up, I...in an instant, all the mannequins looked like Reki.<br />
<br />
This terrifying feeling. I'm going to go mad. My consciousness was about to be pressured into reaching its limit.<br />
<br />
The me as of right now is being run down by a silver wolf, and I am but prey that cannot evade the bullets of the hunter.<br />
<br />
Yes...This is as Reki called it, a "hunt".<br />
<br />
--Isn't this just a..."Manhunt"!!<br />
<br />
<br />
I used all the bullets in my Beretta to chase Haimaki away, and Hysteria Mode, sending interrupted thoughts into my mind, had thought of a place where I could hide.<br />
<br />
I don't know why, but...<br />
<br />
The Hysteria Mode this time, triggered by Reki, went away extremely fast.<br />
<br />
''(If "the exterior of an obstacle" doesn't work, then if I enter the "hollow interior of an obstacle"...!)''<br />
<br />
Perhaps, I might have a chance.<br />
<br />
Thinking that way, I ran, throwing my body about, piercing through the alleys, returning to the entrance of the campus. Hopping the fence, I ran into the Logi's garage. Rushing towards what appeared to be a very sturdy four-wheel drive, I used the multi-purpose tool in my Butei Handbook to open the door.<br />
<br />
Butei cars are completely armored. Even if the enemy uses armor-piercing bullets, it's still able to withstand the attack.<br />
<br />
As long as I hide here, there shouldn't be a problem--<br />
<br />
But, as I had just entered and closed the door.<br />
<br />
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Pa!*<br />
<br />
"!"<br />
<br />
Cracks, running outwards like a spiderweb, appeared on the window of the car. That was Reki's shot!<br />
<br />
But, the bullet didn't pierce it. It only damaged the bulletproof glass, ricocheting off.<br />
<br />
A-as it should.<br />
<br />
''(My...victory!)''<br />
<br />
But, as I rubbed my hands, slick with cold sweat, I froze.<br />
<br />
--*Pa!*<br />
<br />
--*Pa!*<br />
<br />
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Pa! Pa! Pa!*<br />
<br />
The sniping...continued without pause.<br />
<br />
And, they were all concentrated on one singular point on the glass, not straying by even a millimeter.<br />
<br />
Reki, like hammering a nail into a plank--Finally--<br />
<br />
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Kch!*<br />
<br />
Shot through the bulletproof glass!<br />
<br />
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Bch!* And, on my uniform--the second button on my chest was ripped off, spinning into the air.<br />
<br />
My mind...thought back to Reki's other words.<br />
<br />
"That's why, you should know that there are people who can easily destroy your existences through other means."<br />
<br />
She was completely correct. If what Reki was aiming for was not a button...but my head, then even the me in Hysteria Mode would have had my brains blown out.<br />
<br />
Jeanne, Vlad, Patra--<br />
<br />
Even Sherlock I could beat when I was in this mode--Hysteria Mode!<br />
<br />
Fuck! Ahh, I've understood! I understand it very well! You're stronger than me!<br />
<br />
So, please stop it! Reki!<br />
<br />
<br />
On my uniform, only one button was left.<br />
<br />
I ran out of the four-wheel vehicle, which already had a broken window, and I used the last resort.<br />
<br />
Understanding that running away had no meaning, I no longer ran to extend the distance.<br />
<br />
(More like, I'm doing the opposite...!)<br />
<br />
Just before Hysteria Mode had disappeared, the last place to run had flashed into the forefront of my mind--my starting point, Inquesta.<br />
<br />
The building that Reki was on.<br />
<br />
If she's still on that rooftop, then it's impossible for her to shoot downwards. Absolutely.<br />
<br />
Even if she rushes down the stairs, preparing to shoot within the classroom, she will definitely take too much time, and I will win.<br />
<br />
I sprinted into the building with all my might, running into the classroom that Aria and I had had a competition to clean this evening. I didn't turn on the light.<br />
<br />
I glanced at my watch--It had been 50 seconds since the last shot.<br />
<br />
10 seconds left. 9, 8, 7...<br />
<br />
Alright. At the last of the last, I made a comeback. Thanks to the inverse logic due to the circumstances.<br />
<br />
As I heaved a sigh of relief--<br />
<br />
"!"<br />
<br />
Her hair and skirt fluttering, Reki--<br />
<br />
--*Bang*--!<br />
<br />
Falling down in what amounted to a standing position, she shot me through the window!<br />
<br />
That bullet, fired from point blank range, shattered the glass. And inexorably, it continued towards me, who couldn't help but flinch backwards. Towards the first button on the chest of my uniform.<br />
<br />
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Kin!*<br />
<br />
It was blown away...!<br />
<br />
(I'm done...!)<br />
<br />
Apparently having affixed her cable to the roof, Reki, *Shhh*...used a miniature automated reel to ascend up the cable and entered the classroom through the window. Standing in front of me, who was still in a state of shock.<br />
<br />
[[Image:Aria06 031.jpg|thumb|right]]<br />
Afterward, she raised that face, which looked like it belonged to the CG of a game character, drawn with painstaking care...<br />
<br />
And like a robot, she raised the Dragunov towards me.<br />
<br />
Pointing at the chest of my uniform, which was wide open--pointing it at my completely defenseless, vulnerable, heart.<br />
<br />
"--I-I surrender. I understand. Don't fire."<br />
<br />
Reki really is a girl whom I cannot understand.<br />
<br />
So, she might really kill me with the seventh bullet.<br />
<br />
Because before this, when we had fought with Patra, she had shot the opponent in the head as if it were perfectly natural.<br />
<br />
"Whether it's marriage or something else, I will agree. Don't fire."<br />
<br />
My last thread of hope, Hysteria Mode, having been released, I could only raise my hands in defeat.<br />
<br />
And in front of me, who was in this position...<br />
<br />
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Kch.* Reki leaned the Dragunov against a desk by her side.<br />
<br />
"--Then, Kinji-san. From now onwards, I am yours. I have translated the following edict into modern Japanese...If you don't understand, then please forgive me."<br />
<br />
And with that, taking off her headphones, striding in my front of me--<br />
<br />
In the empty nighttime classroom, she knelt.<br />
<br />
Behind her...the moon, particularly enormous tonight, scattered its rays through the shattered window.<br />
<br />
"From this moment onward, I am for Kinji-san to use. The strength of my gun is yours, use it as you will. My body has become but one of your possessions, use it as you will."<br />
<br />
...He-hey...<br />
<br />
"A bride does everything her lord wishes. I vow that my bullets will seek vengeance upon all those nearby who wish to harm my lord. I will eradicate them, not leaving a trace."<br />
<br />
Wh...What did you say?<br />
<br />
Just now, you set your wolf on me, and you shot at me...<br />
<br />
But despite that, now, "my body has become but one of your possessions"?<br />
<br />
"One of Ulus is all, and all of Ulus is one. From this moment onwards, us 47 girls of Ulus, no matter when, for eternity, will become your strength."<br />
<br />
As if reciting certain requirements, she added this last sentence, in front of me, who was still stunned--<br />
<br />
Standing up lightly, she wore her headphones again, and she picked up the Dragunov, shouldering it.<br />
<br />
"... ..."<br />
<br />
She was completely still. She just stood there like that. And that expressionless gaze was fixated upon the empty air in front of her.<br />
<br />
This is probably...the normal Reki. I can already feel the lack of killing intent.<br />
<br />
I may not know why, but that hunter form she was in just now, appears to have stopped.<br />
<br />
"..."<br />
<br />
Standing there in a daze, just like Reki, I felt a chill trickle up my spine...Using my mind in normal mode, I organized this sequence of events, which didn't seem to have fully registered in my mind.<br />
<br />
Just now, that "Manhunt" was probably an exhibition of Reki's power.<br />
<br />
--If you run, I will kill you.<br />
<br />
That message had been deeply engraved into my mind.<br />
<br />
And just after that, she announced that she would marry me.<br />
<br />
--I am yours.<br />
<br />
These 2 messages were completely contradictory, but without a doubt, she had conveyed such to me in reality.<br />
<br />
(...)<br />
<br />
I scratched my head, trying to ascertain the situation around me.<br />
<br />
I've been captured by a sniper. If I run, I will be sniped. The Butei phrase for such situations is, "Sniper Restriction".<br />
<br />
It conveys the situation of being trapped in the opponent's Killing Range--an invisible cage.<br />
<br />
Following the rules that I had learned in Assault about being restricted by an enemy...I should pretend to surrender, not resisting, no matter what may come my way. Submit and obey the opponent's every order. <br />
<br />
And, later, take the chance to escape, or call for support.<br />
<br />
Well...right now, Reki probably won't interrogate me or kill me like a Yakuza or terrorist. So, the first movement that is laid down--"Surrender", should be the correct step to take.<br />
<br />
But, although I waved a white flag--<br />
<br />
"..."<br />
<br />
-I had no idea of what to do afterward.<br />
<br />
Reki seemed to have entered standby, and she didn't move at all.<br />
<br />
"..."<br />
<br />
I tested the waters, taking one step, two steps back...<br />
<br />
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Tap Tap*<br />
<br />
Uu. She followed.<br />
<br />
I turned my back, leaving the classroom...*Tap Tap Tap Tap* She continued to follow, at my back.<br />
<br />
...So hateful. This is like the incarnation of a ghost, haunting my back.<br />
<br />
Thinking that, I quickened my steps, wanting to descend the stairs--<br />
<br />
Appearing to notice this, Reki, *Shh*,<br />
<br />
Grabbed my sleeve.<br />
<br />
"...What is it."<br />
<br />
"Please don't leave me."<br />
<br />
"Why?"<br />
<br />
"I cannot let the enemy attack you."<br />
<br />
The enemy, she says. Who would want to attack me?<br />
<br />
Now that I think about it, she said this before she started to attack me. Something like, "the enemies from now on," <br />
<br />
...Wasn't that about you?<br />
<br />
But, if I just resist her, things will get ugly, right? If I push Reki's switch, and she becomes weird again, she might just deliver the seventh bullet a little late, directly to my head this time.<br />
<br />
"So...what are you going to do, Reki? From now on?"<br />
<br />
"I will obey you. I will carry out any orders you give."<br />
<br />
"...Get away from me."<br />
<br />
"I cannot do such a thing."<br />
<br />
What is this. Despite the fact that you just said you will carry out any orders I give.<br />
<br />
With that, I looked back, an unsatisfied expression on my face.<br />
<br />
"Then...raise one leg."<br />
<br />
I copied the old movie that I had seen on TV, "Terminator 2", and I tried saying something horrible.<br />
<br />
And--*Shh*<br />
<br />
On top of the stairs, Reki raised her right knee a little, standing there on one leg, just like a flamingo.<br />
<br />
Hmmm...well, looks like she really will do anything I say.<br />
<br />
...Alright. I've thought of something good.<br />
<br />
"A little more up."<br />
<br />
This could be my chance to escape.<br />
<br />
I--will push Reki. I'll just pretend it's payback for the blow from before.<br />
<br />
If she rolls down the stairs like that, I can steal the Dragunov before running away.<br />
<br />
Diagonally above me, who had been putting this together in my mind, Reki raised her small, deer-like leg.<br />
<br />
But, her center of gravity didn't change at all. That's amazing, that sense of balance feels like that of a gymnast.<br />
<br />
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Shhh*....*Shhhh*...<br />
<br />
That snow white knee continued to raise up, continuing to reach towards the ceiling...<br />
<br />
And her thigh, nearly horizontal now, brought her skirt along with it...<br />
<br />
"...!"<br />
<br />
Ah...Hey...<br />
<br />
Th-the scene before my eyes is about to get da-dangerous!<br />
<br />
"A-alright, alright! You can bring it down now!"<br />
<br />
Turning my face around, I gave her an order, panicked.<br />
<br />
--<nowiki>*</nowiki>Tap*<br />
<br />
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Fuah*Reki brought her leg down, and her skirt returned to normal.<br />
<br />
"?"<br />
<br />
Seeing me so panicked, Reki twisted her head by one centimeter.<br />
<br />
Hey, is there a need to go "?" If you had raised it more, I'd be able to see under your short skirt. If you're a girl, then be a little more embarrassed, a little more unwilling, alright?<br />
<br />
Really--Reki really is a robot girl.<br />
<br />
Now, have I been forced to take something I don't want at all, a remote control?<br />
<br />
A defective remote control, one with a missing switch: "Go far away".<br />
<br />
Me.<br />
<br />
Reki, behind me.<br />
<br />
Haimaki, behind Reki.<br />
<br />
We walked through the nighttime street in a row, just like RPG characters...I was thinking.<br />
<br />
To be honest, I was extremely, extremely angry. I wanted to return home and sleep as fast as possible.<br />
<br />
But, at this time, if I were to bring Reki back to my own room--earlier, having misunderstood the relationship between Reki and I, Aria...Meeting up with her would be very awkward.<br />
<br />
And, Shirayuki as well. She said that she was going to stay at the Meiji Shrine tonight...But, my misfortune has been proven again and again, so with that in mind, I followed the steps in my head: "I will return home before the agreed time!" → "Some pests have attached themselves to Kin-chan! Pests should be exterminated!" With that, there's the possibility that Dormitory War III will break out again.<br />
<br />
As for Muto or Shiranui's place...that won't do either. As long as Reki continues to follow me, those places won't do at all.<br />
<br />
With no other options, I told Reki this.<br />
<br />
But, Reki didn't take it seriously at all, and she said:<br />
<br />
"Then come to my room."<br />
<br />
And at that moment, I finally noticed...I had already been pressured into a position where I had no choice but to do that.<br />
<br />
<br />
(The girl's dormitory...how hateful...)<br />
<br />
Stealthily, making sure that the teacher on duty didn't notice me, I walked into the 2nd girl's dormitory. Reki and Haimaki's steps were completely silent, but the same couldn't be said for me. Hey, Reki, how is it that you have such a perfect gait? You may have said "come to my room," so calmly, but isn't it obvious that if I'm noticed, things will get ugly?<br />
<br />
Continuously complaining in my heart, I arrived at Reki's room...<br />
<br />
"..."<br />
<br />
Inside, was the same terrifying desolateness, without a trace of life.<br />
<br />
The room, illuminated by a single lightbulb, had no furniture at all. Actually, why doesn't the wall even have a clock on it? It's amazing that you're able to live in this kind of sickening atmosphere.<br />
<br />
It may have been the second time I had come here, but I still felt a vague feeling that I was intruding.<br />
<br />
"... ..."<br />
<br />
Now that I think about it, even though it looks like this, this room still belongs to a single girl.<br />
<br />
And from now on, I am to live with Reki here, just a boy and a girl.<br />
<br />
This...in terms of Hysteria Mode, is a huge pinch.<br />
<br />
Because, if I go into Hysteria Mode, and spend a night with Reki, who has a personality like that of a hostess, doing something that I can't take back...<br />
<br />
...I might really have to take responsibility. I might have no choice but to marry her. That really is a deathtrap. Also, the person in question won't resist at all.<br />
<br />
(I have to stay alert...)<br />
<br />
I couldn't help but twist my gaze away from Reki, who was bending down, removing her shoes on the bare concrete...couldn't help but twist my gaze away from the nape of her neck, slightly exposed...so white that I could hardly tell the difference between her skin and the uniform. <!--Thanks for bringing attention to this.--><br />
<br />
Never having applied any makeup or cosmetics, Reki has never received a lot of attention, but in truth...<br />
<br />
She is a breathtakingly beautiful girl.<br />
<br />
In truth, her face as it is, is far more beautiful than a model's face, completely covered with makeup.<br />
<br />
That expressionless face makes people feel that she is hard to approach...but, just as Reki's secret fanclub believes, she is amazingly cute.<br />
<br />
"--Kinji-san."<br />
<br />
"Hmm? Ah, um, what?"<br />
<br />
Thinking about that, my voice a little agitated, I couldn't help but twist my head around to look at Reki, who had suddenly raised her head, looking my way.<br />
<br />
Th-this expressionless gaze, looking upwards--Damn it, it's cute. It's like the gaze of a puppy.<br />
<br />
"The keycard to this place. Please use it as you like."<br />
<br />
Reki's slender, white finger...It was hard to believe that just few a moments ago, it had been pulling the trigger to a sniper rifle--passed the ID card to me.<br />
<br />
(I don't want it! But, if I say something like that, her sniper rifle will spit fire again, right...)<br />
<br />
With no other choice, I reached out, but my fingers...and Reki's soft, gentle fingers.<br />
<br />
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Shh*<br />
<br />
For an instant. They touched. As if linking with each other.<br />
<br />
--*Dogun*<br />
<br />
My heartbeat, a strange sound.<br />
<br />
For some reason, this seems to be the sound between "Dokin" and "Giku". It's pretty talented. My heart, that is.[http://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Hidan_no_Aria:Volume6_Translator%27s_Notes#Chapter_1]<br />
<br />
"..."<br />
<br />
"..."<br />
<br />
Ahh...Damn it. I can't speak. Against girls...I am weak. No matter how much time may pass, no matter which girl it may be.<br />
<br />
<br />
Reki strode into one of the interior rooms from the entrance. Inside, was the only piece of furniture--On the table, were various tools, which looked like metal brushes and anvils. Those tools were used for maintaining guns.<br />
<br />
Having been standing in the living room in a daze, I didn't really want to stay inside the desolate living room...and so, I also walked into the other room, which was like a workroom.<br />
<br />
"...Sorry for interrupting."<br />
<br />
"..."<br />
<br />
Reki didn't look at me. She was sitting up straight on the chair, preparing to maintain her sniper rifle.<br />
<br />
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Click Click Chck Chck*<br />
<br />
The gun was dismantled under Reki's practiced movements, turning into a mass of components, laid out piece by piece onto the table.<br />
<br />
There was nothing like a manual or handbook by her side.<br />
<br />
It appears that each component and function of the Dragunov, down to the smallest screw, was completely memorized by her.<br />
<br />
Her technique able to match any Amdo teacher, perfectly maintaining the Dragunov, Reki--<br />
<br />
-*Kch*, pointed the reassembled rifle at the wall, checking it.<br />
<br />
Almost like a swordsman who had just been given a katana.<br />
<br />
"Kinji-san. I'm sorry, but starting now--please stop breathing for a while."<br />
<br />
"...Breathing? What?"<br />
<br />
"There is a chance that the water particles in your breath might stick to the bullet and affect it, somehow."<br />
<br />
Finished talking, Reki pulled open a drawer and took a vinyl-sealed ziploc bag from out of it. From within it, she took out a 7.62mmx54R--a sniper round.<br />
<br />
(...Breathing, she says. She really has some mental problems...)<br />
<br />
But still, I lowered my breathing, staring at Reki as she worked.<br />
<br />
Looking closely, there was a scale on the table. That was an instrument to precisely measure how much gunpowder to use in each bullet.<br />
<br />
Which is to say, sealed inside the case that Reki had just taken out, were bullets, all of them made by Reki herself. She certainly pays a lot of attention to fine detail.<br />
<br />
As for me, I always go to buy the pistol bullets that are resold by the army. Not even that, I always aim for the cheap ones.<br />
<br />
"..."<br />
<br />
Wearing gloves, Reki placed one bullet, two bullets on the table, in a neat row.<br />
<br />
After she had finished laying them all out, *Shh*, she stared at the 20 bullets, spread apart... <!---My bad, I translated it wrong.--><br />
<br />
Her eyes, seeming like scanners, gazed upon the bullets, flowing from left to right in a meticulous order, unblinking....<br />
<br />
She only picked one bullet up.<br />
<br />
Continuing to scan the bullet from every angle, Reki made me feel as if she needed no instruments to measure anything. Rather, with just her eyes and fingertips, she could sense every microgram of fault, feel every nanogram of error.<br />
<br />
"..."<br />
<br />
Reki slotted the bullet, which appeared to have passed her test, into the magazine, and the remaining 19 bullets...*Clatter Clatter*. She threw them all into the rubbish bin by her feet. Once again, she took out another case, which probably held 20 bullets as well.<br />
<br />
"What are you doing?"<br />
<br />
"Misfire protection. I will only use the best bullet from the 20."<br />
<br />
"...Don't be so wasteful. This is an eco-era, after all. And as for misfires, when they happen, they happen. There's no stopping it."<br />
<br />
"Until now, that has not happened to me once."<br />
<br />
Apparently having a lot of pride when it comes to matters involving guns, Reki answered me, the box clasped between her hands.<br />
<br />
"That...I realize that maintenance is important. But, there will be times where guns, as well as tools, don't respond to our commands. The ability to adapt to such a situation, and overcome it is what it means to be a Butei."<br />
<br />
"My gun will not betray me."<br />
<br />
Reki returned those words, her tone slightly firmer, slightly louder, those cute lips tightly closed--<br />
<br />
Her gaze returned to the desk, and she continued selecting the bullets.<br />
<br />
It's true that...if one does such a thing, the probability of a misfire happening will become zero.<br />
<br />
(But--this way of doing things, she won't even let one drop fall from her cup.) <!--Eh...Anyone know any good idioms about paying extremely close attention to detail?--><br />
<br />
With just one battle, she completely dismantles her gun, maintaining it, protecting against any malfunctions.<br />
<br />
All her bullets are made meticulously, and even after that, they undergo a strict selection phase to prevent any chance of misfiring.<br />
<br />
Reki's attitude, obsessive to this level, leaves no room for error.<br />
<br />
It may be that I, not wanting to be killed, decided to surrender first, looking for a chance to run...<br />
<br />
But, looking at this scene, her meticulousness is such that, there will be no "chance to run".<br />
<br />
(At any rate, were I to escape to any corner of Academy Island...as long as I am within two kilometers of Reki, I will be sniped...)<br />
<br />
It looks like my plan to run was meaningless.<br />
<br />
Since that's the way things are--The only thing I can do is, convince Reki to stop attacking me.<br />
<br />
But, how do I do that?<br />
<br />
I leaned against the wall, my mind whirring into gear, thinking of how I could regain my freedom.<br />
<br />
Now that I think about it, I might have seen something in the appendix of one of the Assault textbooks--<br />
<br />
When being used as a hostage, when the opponent has no weaknesses, when it's impossible to run...as the last resort, there's still the method, called: "Lima Syndrome".<br />
<br />
Lima Syndrome is a situation where after a period of time, the offenders will begin sympathizing with the hostages and in the end decide to end the conflict of their own free will. It is named thus because of just such a situation that happened in 1996, when a large-scale kidnapping incident occurred in the Japanese embassy of Lima, Peru. <!--(ED Note : Lima Syndrome is when the captor begins sympathizing with the hostage, which is the inverse of Stockholm Syndrome. Edited to be more specific and match the characteristics of the given syndrome as well as minor grammar.)--><br />
<br />
(But, will that method work? On this robot girl?)<br />
<br />
Thinking about those things, I--<br />
<br />
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Click*<br />
<br />
-heard the sound of Reki inserting the magazine, completely loaded with handpicked bullets, into the Dragunov. A noise so ominous, filled with despair.<br />
<br />
<br />
After finishing the maintenance of her gun, Reki...*Tap Tap*<br />
<br />
Strode into the living room.<br />
<br />
As she walked, her clothes rustled, and in a flowing movement, she pulled her scarf, part of the school uniform, off.<br />
<br />
...What's she doing now?<br />
<br />
Not understanding, I gazed upon her back...<br />
<br />
Inside a small side room, upon closer investigation, there was what appeared to be a miniature washing machine. Inside it, Reki took off her headphones...<br />
<br />
"..."<br />
<br />
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Rustle* Her hands grasped the hem of her shirt.<br />
<br />
"......"<br />
<br />
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Rustle*<br />
<br />
"--!?"<br />
<br />
Sh-she pulled it up with one movement!<br />
<br />
"--Wait! Wait! Why are you taking off your clothes!?"<br />
<br />
Reki's exposed back, shining like a pearl, made me panic.<br />
<br />
"Bathing."<br />
<br />
"Do-don't turn around!"<br />
<br />
"--The stains on one's body will affect one's health. Conversely, my health will affect the accuracy of my sniping and as such, I must constantly cleanse myself."<br />
<br />
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Zcch* She pulled her zipper down. *Fyuu*<br />
<br />
A-and without a moment's hesitation, sh-she even took her skirt off.<br />
<br />
Panicked, I twisted around, my back facing Reki, who had no qualms whatsoever about exposing her unadorned, white undergarments.<br />
<br />
"Th-that's not what I'm talking about, I-I saw it all, you know!"<br />
<br />
"I care not."<br />
<br />
"I care!"<br />
<br />
"--Haimaki, come here."<br />
<br />
Reki didn't appear to understand the reason for my resistance--*Kch, Shhhhh, Fyuu*<br />
<br />
-once again, the noise of rustling clothes reached my ears.<br />
<br />
And the source of that noise--I had no wish of thinking about.<br />
<br />
How dangerous is this girl?<br />
<br />
I knew that she had no emotions, but I didn't expect that it would even extend to things like this.<br />
<br />
Why is it that, in front of me...you can remove your clothes so calmly!<br />
<br />
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Tap Tap Tap Tap* Haimaki passed by my side, and the sound of the shower door closing reached my ears...*Shhh*...the sound of a shower really started.<br />
<br />
And my eyes, just like the shower, gushing water now, were watering. Damn it. What a horrible day.<br />
<br />
<br />
--"Lima Syndrome"<br />
<br />
Taking some time to establish a relationship with Reki, and afterward, convince her into letting me go.<br />
<br />
That was my last hope of getting out of here.<br />
<br />
(But...) <br />
<br />
Relationships can only be formed between people.<br />
<br />
But, facing the inhuman Reki, there doesn't seem to be any chance of success.<br />
<br />
Which is to say, my plan has to start with educating Reki about human emotions.<br />
<br />
And that--is a long, perhaps endless, path. But, if I don't act, there will be no way for me to leave this Sniper Restriction. So, I have to adopt an indomitable mindset and find a way to carry out, "Reki's humanization"...<br />
<br />
<nowiki>After I too, had borrowed her shower--</nowiki><br />
<br />
-My head resting on Haimaki's back, lying on the ground, I pondered my plan in secret.<br />
<br />
Before, his fur wet, looking like a dog, Haimaki shook himself violently on the balcony, throwing the water off and returning to normal. His fur was soft, and very comfortable.<br />
<br />
"..."<br />
<br />
I twisted my head to the side, and Reki, wearing a sailor uniform, was sitting upright against the wall. It appears that she has several uniforms, and she wears them alternatively.<br />
<br />
"......"<br />
<br />
Before, when I found out about it, I was extremely surprised, because Reki sleeps upright.<br />
<br />
Some say that, during the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sengoku_period Sengoku period], some warriors, for the sake of being able to react immediately to the enemy's surprise attacks, had the habit of clutching their swords while they slept. And in modern times, Reki still does that. Even while she sleeps, she does not show any weaknesses. <!--I have a feeling that 体育坐 doesn't mean sitting upright. I'll have to check the raws to make sure.--><br />
<br />
(Well...but, as a girl, you're full of weaknesses.)<br />
<br />
...Wearing that kind of short skirt, sitting like that, on your knees.<br />
<br />
I can understand that, if one sits like that while holding a sniper rifle, that stance is very stable...but, could you tell me where my eyes are supposed to look?<br />
<br />
As a result of your present, for the sake of not seeing anything...unnecessary, I chose a very uncomfortable sleeping position. Well, I may say that, but no matter where I lie, it will be cold, bare concrete.<br />
<br />
"...It's time for lights out. May I switch off the lights?"<br />
<br />
Hearing her words, I glanced at my watch, it was just 9:00, not 1 second more, or less. It's no wonder there are no clocks here, her body clock is as accurate as a robot's.<br />
<br />
"It's fine. There's nothing to do in this empty place, anyways."<br />
<br />
I responded, almost complaining.<br />
<br />
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Pa*<br />
<br />
Reki used the muzzle of the Dragunov to push the switch of the light behind her, switching off the light. But, the Tokyo streetlights, by the sea, were shining in a little, and as such, it wasn't very dark.<br />
<br />
"..."<br />
<br />
Silently, Reki closed those eyes, which were like gems, floating in the midst of the darkness.<br />
<br />
That gave me the feeling of a robot switching itself off, quieting down...But, she's still breathing. That chest, which could not be said to be well-developed, no matter how one looked at it, was rising and falling, in time with her breaths.<br />
<br />
"..."<br />
<br />
Reki's sleeping face, appearing in the midst of the faint light--<br />
<br />
Such a terrifying enemy...has such an unparalleled beauty. Such that it makes me feel a little lost, a little confused.<br />
<br />
More appropriately, this is some sort of allure, right? That face, so neat, seemed to be like a doll...fashioned from some sort of crystal, crafted lovingly by a famous artisan.<br />
<br />
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Fyuu*<br />
<br />
An aroma, reminiscent of plant-scented shampoo, wafted over, in the wake of the wind. Reki's hair, damp from her shower, under the night breeze, coming in through the partially opened window, was slowly returning to its natural smoothness.<br />
<br />
"...Are you asleep yet?"<br />
<br />
"...Not yet."<br />
<br />
Once again, Reki opened her closed eyes, looking this way.<br />
<br />
It was only a vague feeling, but I felt that Reki was also thinking deeply, waiting for sleep to come. If it's now, I feel that I'll be able to converse with her calmly.<br />
<br />
Thinking that way, I,<br />
<br />
"Asking when things have come to this is a little late...but why did you take someone like me?"<br />
<br />
I came straight out with the question that I had wanted to ask from the start.<br />
<br />
"The 'wind' ordered me to do so."<br />
<br />
"Wind...? What's that? Is it someone's codename?"<br />
<br />
"Not a person. The wind is the wind."<br />
<br />
Wind...?<br />
<br />
Are you talking about the wind that's blowing around outside right now?<br />
<br />
That's merely the flow of gas, a natural phenomenon. How could something like that give anybody an order?<br />
<br />
"Then, what is the wind?"<br />
<br />
"The wind is the wind."<br />
<br />
...Unnn...<br />
<br />
It looks like continuing to ask along this line of thought is a waste of time. There's a feeling that we'll back and forth: "What's that?" "That's the wind," for all eternity.<br />
<br />
--Let's ask about something else to start up a conversation.<br />
<br />
"...You said, 'order'? Then, this proposal, mm...is like an arranged marriage, and is not of your own free will?"<br />
<br />
"Yes."<br />
<br />
...Hey, hey...<br />
<br />
I couldn't stop my face from twitching.<br />
<br />
"...Will you obey that...wind, no matter what it says? I don't understand, even if the wind makes you marry someone like me...you don't care?"<br />
<br />
I asked blankly. Reki--<br />
<br />
"--I am a single bullet. A bullet has no heart. Therefore, it does not think--"<br />
<br />
She used the mantra-like words that she always said when firing, to respond.<br />
<br />
--It does not think.<br />
<br />
Which is to say, as long as the wind wills it so, you will, just like a bullet, always flying out in response to the pull of the trigger, always obey?<br />
<br />
"..."<br />
<br />
I...had no way of asking anything about the restriction anymore.<br />
<br />
Because, I had already realized that, no matter what I asked, it would be useless.<br />
<br />
It isn't possible for Reki's thoughts to suddenly change. Because, she never had her own thoughts to begin with.<br />
<br />
This may seem like a rhetoric, but in principle, it is impossible to make "nothingness" undergo "change".<br />
<br />
Heaving a sigh at this conversation, completely meaningless, I--<br />
<br />
"Then...since we're playing house, what should I do?"<br />
<br />
I asked about something else I was worried about.<br />
<br />
Is it fine if I just laze around, playing the part of a useless husband?<br />
<br />
"I don't know."<br />
<br />
...You don't know, you say. You didn't think about this at all, did you?<br />
<br />
"But, Kinji-san and I are no longer children, physically."<br />
<br />
Reki brushed off her headphones lightly, continuing tonelessly,<br />
<br />
"While living together, just leave the rest to your natural instincts--that's what the wind told me."<br />
<br />
"Natural instincts...?" <!--Raws say something more like guidance.--><br />
<br />
"Yes. The wind said, we would naturally have children."<br />
<br />
Children...<br />
<br />
"Children!?"<br />
<br />
Children!<br />
<br />
My head slipped off Haimaki's back, the back of my skull violently colliding with the concrete floor.<br />
<br />
Fr-from marriage, this topic turned to children.<br />
<br />
...Which is to say, th-that kind of thing!<br />
<br />
That's impossible for me! Absolutely impossible! From the beginning, as for girls, I--<br />
<br />
-wanted to refuse, but Reki probably already knows about my Hysteria Mode. Which means, having already exposed my arousal from Reki's kiss, I have no right to say anything.<br />
<br />
"Just, I don't know what I should do...so, I'll leave everything to Kinji-san. Kinji-san appears to be quite familiar with this, and wives should give everything to their husbands, as well."<br />
<br />
Reki's calm voice made me sit up violently.<br />
<br />
"Yo-you said that, "Kinji-san appears to be familiar with this,"...What is that supposed to mean?"<br />
<br />
"Kinji-san is liked by many girls, so I believe that you are very familiar with the relationships between men and women." <!--L.O.L--><br />
<br />
"I-I'm not familiar at all. If I had to use an adjective, it would be 'slow'. Because, I am somebody that always avoids girls. I think you know this too, but it's for the sake of not activating the sickness that is Hysteria Mode."<br />
<br />
I said, as if venting my feelings, and I lay back down on Haimaki's stomach.<br />
<br />
"Anyways, even if the one in a million chance that a girl likes me occurs...then, they'd just like the me in Hysteria Mode. The normal me is just a useless, uninteresting high schooler."<br />
<br />
"--Wrong."<br />
<br />
Reki directly refuted my words.<br />
<br />
"Outside of HSS...of Hysteria Mode, you hide a different, amazing power."<br />
<br />
"...?"<br />
<br />
Outside of...Hysteria Mode?<br />
<br />
This is the first time I had ever heard someone say this.<br />
<br />
"--One of them being, your submerged charisma. Such things are hard for one to notice about oneself."<br />
<br />
"Submerged...?"<br />
<br />
Now that I think about it...Before, Tsuduri-sensei also said something like this.<br />
<br />
She said that I have "a sort of charisma".<br />
<br />
"That is the characteristic of a leader. The characteristic of a general."<br />
<br />
...General?<br />
<br />
She's talking about generals.<br />
<br />
"When you were fighting with EU, you activated a certain core ability, gathering numerous allies about you--even your enemies were swayed under your influence, becoming your companions. And this, is unquestionably the growth of your unique charisma. After all, once an excellent general appears, warriors will naturally gather around him."<br />
<br />
"...Hey..."<br />
<br />
I shook my head.<br />
<br />
"Even in Hysteria Mode, I am weaker than you. My abilities, as compared to Nii-san and father is such that I feel shame over my inexperience. How could I have that kind of charisma?"<br />
<br />
"A general does not need unparalleled intelligence, or power. That is something that each warrior should have. And, I'm not stating this in relation to Hysteria Mode, but stating this in relation to that particular part of Kinji-san."<br />
<br />
"..."<br />
<br />
I turned around, my back facing Reki.<br />
<br />
Reki's personality...is such that she will not lie.<br />
<br />
So, that probably isn't flattery, but her true beliefs.<br />
<br />
"..."<br />
<br />
I...<br />
<br />
Without even looking at a mirror, I know that my cheeks are slightly red.<br />
<br />
I may not know why...but, I'm abnormally embarrassed.<br />
<br />
I feel that...having that kind of direct affirmation of something inside me that isn't Hysteria Mode, is too much. But, this is something that I have never heard before, throughout my entire life.<br />
<br />
I had no idea of how I should react.<br />
<br />
"Also, just now, Kinji-san said, you are 'weaker than me'--But, I know that if Kinji-san were serious, you would be stronger. You are still conserving, locking away, your true power."<br />
<br />
"--Don't say any more."<br />
<br />
My voice, a little deeper, halted Reki.<br />
<br />
Reki wasn't wrong...that battle from just now...<br />
<br />
If I had wanted to, I wouldn't have needed to run away.<br />
<br />
If my heart could accept killing somebody...<br />
<br />
I could have eradicated Reki and Haimaki. I could have wiped them out.<br />
<br />
"...I don't wish to use that kind of power, and I will never use it again. Using my full strength against you, what will it achieve?"<br />
<br />
"..."<br />
<br />
"Guns, swords, whichever one is stronger--is meaningless for me. I'll take this opportunity to explain this to you, next year, I will drop out of this school and transfer to a normal high school. So? What do you think? That is how I truly feel. Unexpected, isn't it?"<br />
<br />
"No--If you do that, I will drop out of Butei High as well, and follow you to a normal high school."<br />
<br />
Reki's answer could not help but make me twist around.<br />
<br />
This...was the first time I had seen such a reaction.<br />
<br />
Despite the fact that, as long as they heard me say such a thing, Aria's, even Shirayuki's expression would freeze.<br />
<br />
"--A person's personality is not reliant upon which school they go to. No matter which school you go to, Kinji-san will be Kinji-san."<br />
<br />
Still sitting upright, Reki, just as always, was looking down at the floor, and she asked,<br />
<br />
"Is there something that Kinji-san wants to do, going to a normal high school?"<br />
<br />
Hearing Reki's counter-question, I was a little tongue-tied.<br />
<br />
"...This..I'll think about it after I transfer."<br />
<br />
"I see."<br />
<br />
Reki's tone, seeming to carry a hint of the question, "that's not how it really is, right?" made me feel as if I was being led--<br />
<br />
"Probably...there might be something."<br />
<br />
The words casually slipped out of my mouth, retracting my previous statement, meant to disguise my true intention.<br />
<br />
"But...that is just a dream, hidden in my heart. In reality...I've never worked for it at all. So now, I can just drag myself through my Butei High days. As if just hanging in the air, suspended by a string."<br />
<br />
I understood very clearly that this wouldn't do. But, even with that, my heart...knew that the school I was attending now had no way of allowing me to take that very first step.<br />
<br />
"..."<br />
<br />
As if knowing my thoughts, as if understanding me, Reki...didn't say anything.<br />
<br />
(Reki...)<br />
<br />
To be honest, I...never thought that I'd be able to talk to her about this.<br />
<br />
Reflecting on this in my heart, I glanced towards the side of Reki's face.<br />
<br />
Reki has never showed any care for others. No matter who she faces, she will never form any reassuring expressions, never any promising smiles.<br />
<br />
As a result, she has no friends. If I had to name one, Aria would be the only one she could call friend.<br />
<br />
And I--<br />
<br />
-had never thought that I would tell Reki my true feelings.<br />
<br />
The me in Butei High would never speak my mind to anybody. That is because, there is nobody in this place that would be able to talk about this kind of thing with me.<br />
<br />
Thinking about this, my feelings, full of rejection against Reki just a moment ago...<br />
<br />
Seemed to have flipped slightly.<br />
<br />
Flipped--which is to say, I felt a certain closeness.<br />
<br />
"..."<br />
<br />
I'm not sure whether she felt the same as I, but Reki, who seemed to be only moving her eyes, looked directly into mine.<br />
<br />
"..."<br />
<br />
That wordless stare, Reki's gaze...<br />
<br />
Slowly...<br />
<br />
I may be wrong, but it felt as if she was waiting for some sort of order.<br />
<br />
(...Order...)<br />
<br />
Now that I think about it, just now...I acquired an invisible remote to this person in front of me, Reki.<br />
<br />
--Acquired that remote, which had only one missing button: "Go far away."<br />
<br />
...<br />
<br />
But, as opposed to that, there was a button which said, "Come here."<br />
<br />
...<br />
<br />
...No, no. I can't...!<br />
<br />
Because I had relaxed a little, I had thought of it for an instant.<br />
<br />
A little embarrassed, I turned my head a little, but those light-pink colored lips, opened in the midst of that shining porcelain-like skin, flashed into my eyes.<br />
<br />
(...Just now, those lips suddenly...touched mine...)<br />
<br />
Reki's lips--<br />
<br />
Apparently reacting to my gaze, she shifted, perhaps a millimeter.<br />
<br />
Suddenly feeling as if my thoughts had been seen, I became a little agitated.<br />
<br />
...This isn't good.<br />
<br />
I had only noticed it now, but Reki, whether it be in terms of strength, or in terms of Hysteria Mode...she was the strongest enemy I had faced so far.<br />
<br />
To put it briefly, I had already understood that she was someone so beautiful, someone whom the more you looked at her, the more beautiful she seemed--<br />
<br />
And, although I don't wish to admit it, but she definitely has...as compared to Aria, Shirayuki, Riko...a completely different allure.<br />
<br />
"We...we should sleep. The opening ceremony for the 2nd semester is tomorrow. I don't want to be late on the first day of school."<br />
<br />
I said, turning my head towards the ceiling. I used Haimaki's tail as a eyeshade, covering my eyes with it.<br />
<br />
The moment that I had seen Reki's face before I turned my eyes away, it was expressionless, the same as ever, but--<br />
<br />
For some reason, I had a slight feeling...<br />
<br />
That that face was filled with an immeasurable sorrow.<br />
<br />
<noinclude><br />
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; padding: 0.2em; border-collapse: collapse;"<br />
|-<br />
| Back to [[Hidan no Aria:Volume5_Epilogue|Epilogue - Go for the Next!! Hello Reki]]<br />
| Return to [[Hidan no Aria|Main Page]]<br />
| Forward to [[Hidan no Aria:Volume6_Chapter2|2nd Ammo: Water Tossing]]<br />
|-<br />
|}<br />
</noinclude></div>Idolonhttps://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Baka_to_Tesuto_to_Syokanju:Volume4_The_First_Question&diff=98174Baka to Tesuto to Syokanju:Volume4 The First Question2011-06-01T22:54:44Z<p>Idolon: </p>
<hr />
<div><!-- PG 5 --><br />
“...... Yuuji.”<br />
<br />
“Wha --- arghhh!? What the hell are you doing all of a sudden!?”<br />
<br />
“...... don’t dodge.”<br />
<br />
“When you’re butting your head with me, of course I’ll dodge!”<br />
<br />
“...... I’m not butting my head.”<br />
<br />
“? Then what’s that? A heddobatto<ref>’’’heddobatto:’’’ Headbutt.</ref>?”<br />
<br />
“...... a kiss.”<br />
<br />
“Alright. I don’t want to see any unnecessary movement from you. Put your hands behind your head and explain this slowly in a way that’s easy to understand.”<br />
<br />
“...... putting lips together. A natural act between an engaged couple like me and Yuuji. It’s called ‘making out’.”<br />
<br />
“Wait. I didn’t mean that I don’t know what a ‘kiss’ is. I’m asking, why are you doing that out of the bl......ahhhh!”<br />
<br />
“....... you say you know, with whom, when, at where did you......!!”<br />
<br />
“N, no! What I meant is that I know the meaning of a kiss, it doesn’t mean that I have any ---”<br />
<br />
“...... experience?”<br />
<br />
“--- you can’t really say that I don’t have any ex...gyaaaaa! I’m kidding! I’m just being cocky, I’ve never experienced a real one before!”<br />
<br />
<!-- PG 6 --><br />
“...... I see. Then, it’s fine.”<br />
<br />
“I, I thought I was going to die...... So, why did you talk about that out of the blue?”<br />
<br />
“...... look.”<br />
<br />
“Yeah? Isn’t that Akihisa and Shimada? I can’t really see it from here --- but isn’t Shimada running away from him?”<br />
<br />
“...... they were kissing before that.”<br />
<br />
“Seriously! Ugh, the fellows in our class have started surrounding the ditched guy, Akihisa.”<br />
<br />
“...... an incredible killing intent.”<br />
<br />
“Woah, what a nice body! Something good is also stuffed in between his jaws. As expected, he’s outnumbered.”<br />
<br />
“...... he can’t move anymore.”<br />
<br />
“Tsk tsk. As usual, Akihisa is an idiot. They are famous for not showing any mercy to anyone who has experienced even something as small as a kiss.”<br />
<br />
“...... I’m sorry.”<br />
<br />
“Huh? What’s wrong? Why are you apologizing? Since I haven’t done anything like that, I’ll fine, you know?”<br />
<br />
“...... the truth is, while Yuuji was sleeping ---”<br />
<br />
“I can’t hear you! I totally, completely can’t hear you at all!”<br />
<br />
“...... it’s ok. Since I’ll take responsibility.”<br />
<br />
<!-- PG 7 --><br />
“That’s not the problem, isn’t it!? --- hah! Killing intent gyaaaaaaaaa!”<br />
<br />
<br />
“Heretics discovered. We’ve secured them.”<br />
<br />
“Alright. Take them away.”<br />
<br />
“Roger! President Sugawa!”<br />
<br />
<br />
“....... ah...... Yuuji......”<br />
<br />
<br />
“How goes the preparations for the trial?”<br />
<br />
“No problem.”<br />
<br />
“Well done. We’re going to begin the emergency heretic trial! All members, do not be negligent in inspecting your tools!”<br />
<br />
"""Roger! President Sugawa!"""<br />
<br />
<br />
“...... what shoud I do. I was so busy selling him out that I forgot to mention that I only did it on his cheek......”<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<!-- PG 8 --><br />
===The First Question===<br />
'''Convert the following words to proper English.'''<br />
<br />
“Haatofuru Rabusutourii”<br />
<br />
<br />
<br/><br />
'''Himeji Mizuki’s answer'''<br />
<br />
“heartful love story”<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Teacher’s comment'''<br />
<br />
Correct. It’s a common catchphrase you see in movies and books, but every now and then, there will be someone who will get the “heart” part wrong. Even though it should be a familiar English word to most, it’s surprisingly difficult to get it right.<br />
<br />
By the way, translated to Japanese, it’s “A romance story filled with love”. I’d definitely like to see you all spend your springtime of youth in such a manner.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br/><br />
'''Shimada Minami’s answer'''<br />
<br />
“hurt full rough story”<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Teacher’s comment'''<br />
<br />
*hurt...... injury<br />
<br />
*full...... to be filled with<br />
<br />
*rough...... rough<br />
<br />
*story...... story<br />
<br />
It’s a beautiful mistake to the effect that I was wondering whether you got it wrong on purpose.<br />
<br />
I think you will be the only one “playing out”<ref>’’’Playing out:’’’ Here, the word used is “演じる” which could mean, “acting”(meaning Minami’s love story is really as such) as well as “committing a blunder”(meaning Minami made a mistake in her answer).</ref> such a “heartful love story”.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br/><br />
'''Kirishima Shouko’s answer'''<br />
<br />
“hurt full rough story”<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Teacher’s comment'''<br />
<br />
To think that there’s another one.<br />
<br />
<br />
----<br />
<br />
<br />
<!-- PG 10 --><br />
“Aki, close your eyes.”<br />
<br />
<br />
That came rather suddenly.<br />
<br />
In front of me were a pair of large eyes framed with full eyelashes.<br />
<br />
A shampoo fragrance could be detected emanating from that beautiful hair with the back tied up into a ponytail.<br />
<br />
And then on my lips --- I could feel the touch of the soft, warm lips of Minami.<br />
<br />
What’s this. What just happened. Why is Minami’s face so close to me. Why am I spacing out like this.<br />
<br />
Not knowing what happened, in a jerking motion, Minami pulled away from me,<br />
<br />
“Th, that...... is not a joke, I’m telling you......!”<br />
<br />
After saying that one line, she ran away from me.<br />
<br />
Ahaha. Minami’s face is surprisingly red. Just like a tomato.<br />
<br />
I was overseeing this scene, taking in this situation in a strangely calm manner.<br />
<br />
“As I thought...... Minami-chan, towards Akihisa-kun......”<br />
<br />
I’m strangely concerned with the murmuring voice of the nearby Himeji-san.<br />
<br />
<br />
<!-- PG 11 --><br />
“Yoshii, prepare yourself!”<br />
<br />
<br />
And then, what came next was rather sudden.<br />
<br />
A tightly clenched large fist appeared in front of me.<br />
<br />
And then, I felt the hard, sweltering touch of Sugawa’s fist on my cheek.<br />
<br />
What’s this. What just happened. Why is Sugawa-kun and the rest of F class closing in on me like predators closing in on their prey. Why is my vision quivering.<br />
<br />
Not knowing what happened, in a jerking motion, Sugawa-kun pulled away from me,<br />
<br />
“Th, that...... is not a joke, I’m telling you......! …... we’re really going to kill you!”<br />
<br />
He raised his hand and gave the others around him a signal.<br />
<br />
“Eh!? Eh!? Wait wait! I don’t understand the situa --- gyaaaaa!”<br />
<br />
A killing intent that had never been felt before. For some reason, it seemed like everyone was looking at me with serious eyes!?<br />
<br />
“As I thought...... Minami-chan, towards Akihisa......”<br />
<br />
“No, Himej-san! Enough of that! Anyway for now, save me--- !”<br />
<br />
At that moment, my consciousness descended into darkness.<br />
<br />
<br />
<!-- PG 12 --><br />
“Gentlemen. Where are we?”<br />
<br />
"""The court that passes down the oldest form of judgement!"""<br />
<br />
“What will the heretic get?”<br />
<br />
"""The iron hammer of death!"""<br />
<br />
“What will the guy get?”<br />
<br />
"""He shall throw away his love, and live in sorrow!"""<br />
<br />
“Good. Now --- let the heretic trial of class 2-F begin!”<br />
<br />
<br />
<!-- PG 13 --><br />
When I opened my eyes, it was the meeting place for Sabado.<br />
<br />
“Eh? Huh? What’s the meaning of this?”<br />
<br />
Even though the curtains had been drawn up and it was dark, I realized I was in my usual classroom from the feel of tatami. In other words, the masked guys standing beside the platform were of class 2-F.<br />
<br />
“Akihisa, you’ve awakened.”<br />
<br />
A familair voice came from nearby. As I tried to turn around to face that voice, I realized for the first time that my hands and feet had been bound.<br />
<br />
And I had no choice but to roll my entire body to face the direction of the owner of that voice. What I was seeing before me was the figure of my bad pal, also with his hands and feet bound, lying there.<br />
<br />
“...... Yuuji, what are you doing?”<br />
<br />
“...... I’ve been dragged into this by you.”<br />
<br />
He spat with his scowling, annoyed face that gave out a complete feeling of wildness. Just like a wild animal tied up in a cage.<br />
<br />
“Dragged into this?”<br />
<br />
“Thanks to you, the talk about ‘me getting kissed by Shouko while asleep’ was overheard by them. What a great bother, bastard.”<br />
<br />
<!-- PG 14 --><br />
Hm hm. Kirishima-san kissing. Kissing Yuuji. I see ---<br />
<br />
“.............................. huh?”<br />
<br />
No no no. Wait a minute please. Isn’t it too good a thing to be ignored?<br />
<br />
Kirishima-san and Yuuji have kissed? That beautiful Kirishima Shouko-san who is good in studies and sports and also with a good family background, and the plain Sakamoto Yuuji who is bad in personality and brains, have kissed? Haha. That’s really a distasteful joke. So stupid to the point beyond laughable.…... but, what if.<br />
<br />
I don’t really want to think about it, but what if. If in one in a million chance, that’s true.<br />
<br />
If that’s the case, even if God permits, I shall not forgive him......!<br />
<br />
“Everyone, this is bad! Sakamoto Yuuji is suspected to be a heretic! Time to prepare for an emergency trial!”<br />
<br />
“Wait Akihisa! Rather, weren’t you the one who was trying to make us kiss at the Kisaragi Highland incident!? In other words, you are the real heretic!”<br />
<br />
Yuuji was prattling about some nonsensical stuff. Me, a heretic?<br />
<br />
“Yuuji, how unsightly! You’re plotting to shift some unfounded allegation onto me to protect yourself! Do you think I’ll swallow that!”<br />
<br />
<!-- PG 15 --><br />
This was not a joke. Having lived in this world for sixteen years. This was not something to be proud of, but I had never yet had the joyful experience of being kissed! ...... well, I’ve received one on the cheek however......<br />
<br />
“This, this idiot......! If you don’t believe me, just try listening to what they are saying!”<br />
<br />
Even though I didn’t get what Yuuji was saying, for now, I'd do as he said and try stretching my hearing. As I did that, I could make out a strange conversation going on between my classmates.<br />
<br />
<br />
“--- read out the charges.”<br />
<br />
“Yes, President Sugawa. Eh--- the accused, Yoshii Akihisa (from now on, he shall be referred to as A), a student of our Fumizuki Academy’s class 2-F, is suspected of violating our doctrine. The charges for A are indecent assault, as well as, acts of infidelity. At the early dawn of this very day, when A was forcefully performing an obscene act on his classmate, Shimada Minami (from now on, she shall be referred to as Flat-Chest), he was apprehended by our compatriots. He is now brought before us. From here on, after we have thoroughly investigated the relationship between A and Flat-Chest, to properly deal with A ---”<br />
<br />
“Skip the trivialities. Read out the conclusion.”<br />
<br />
“We’re envious of him being kissed!”<br />
<br />
“Uhm. It’s truly an easy-to-understand report.”<br />
<br />
<br />
<!-- PG 16 --><br />
Eh? Huh? Kiss? What’s that. Speaking of this, something like that did seem to happen, or didn’t seem to happen......<br />
<br />
“Akihisa. You must have lost your memories from the excessive shock, so let me tell you about it. This morning, you and Shimada kissed. And it was right in front of Himeji.”<br />
<br />
Yuuji seemed to be explaining to me.<br />
<br />
Kiss. With Minami. I kissed. What’s that. After being told that, it did seem like Minami and I kissed.<br />
<br />
But that’s not possible.<br />
<br />
“Haha. You can stop the jokes, Yuuji. Since there’s definitely no way that Minami would actually kiss someone like me, right?”<br />
<br />
Even for me, I’d know my place. I’m not someone who’s passionate about any club activities, neither am I good in studies, nor am I good in anything in particular. Only someone who’s not aware of any of these realities, someone like Hazuki-chan, would actually be willing to kiss me.<br />
<br />
“Well, don’t put yourself down so much, Akihisa. Indeed, you are the worst when it comes to looks, studies, and personality, and even if one closes his eyes to them, you’re just someone with neither ability nor wealth, isn’t it?”<br />
<br />
“Damn you! Are you saying I’m good for nothing except for shoulder massages!?”<br />
<br />
<!-- PG 17 --><br />
“At this age, only shoulder massages!? Don’t you have other strengths that you can use for arguing!?”<br />
<br />
There should be a limit to how much he can make a fool out of me. If my hands and feet were not bound up, I would have made a grab for him.<br />
<br />
“In any case, it’s a fact that you and Shimada have kissed. Seems like there’s undeniable proof.”<br />
<br />
Before I could ask about the proof, a photograph was thrust before my eyes.<br />
<br />
“............ traitors should die.”<br />
<br />
The person who muttered that and who was holding on to the photograph was none other than my classmate, the Muttsuliini Tsuchiya Kouta. Even though he is usually a quiet guy who is hardworking in taking photos while erasing his presence, right now, he is releasing a quiet killing intent just like a ninja who’s a moment away from carrying out an assassination.<br />
<br />
And in that photograph in his hand, wass a scene of a guy who resembled me kissing a girl who resembled Minami --- so as to speak, however you look at it, it’s me kissing Minami.<br />
<br />
“Eh!? Is this for real!? That wasn’t a dream!?”<br />
<br />
“If it were a dream, you wouldn’t be all tied up like this.”<br />
<br />
“I, I see. So that’s how I ended up like this......”<br />
<br />
I did possess a hazy memory of that, but to think that it was real...... Me and Minami kiss huh.......<br />
<br />
“I sorry for interrupting your reverie in embarrassment to the point where even your ears are red, but I have a question.”<br />
<br />
<!-- PG 18 --><br />
“That, that’s not it......! This, is just, my face getting hot......”<br />
<br />
“I get it, I get it. So, how did the both of you end up like that?”<br />
<br />
How, you say......<br />
<br />
“I’d like to ask that as well.”<br />
<br />
I had not the slightest idea why Minami would do that all of a sudden. She was probably threatened by someone to catch me in a trap, I guess.<br />
<br />
“Use that spongy head of yours to think it through. Did anything strange happen recently, or was there anything about her that was out of the ordinary?”<br />
<br />
Even if we’re talking about something recent, ever since my mobile was broken, I’ve not contacted her at all.<br />
<br />
“Uh~n......”<br />
<br />
What was it. What actually happened?<br />
<br />
“Let’s change the question. When was the last time you saw Shimada?”<br />
<br />
The last time I saw her. It’s of course referring to a time other than this morning, isn’t it? If that’s the case,<br />
<br />
“Erm...... the last night of the training camp, I guess?”<br />
<br />
“Last night?”<br />
<br />
“Yeah. After everyone was asleep, Minami came to me secretly.”<br />
<br />
“............ why didn’t you think of that as strange?”<br />
<br />
<!-- PG 19 --><br />
Yuuji had a dumbstruck look on his face.<br />
<br />
“Well, because she was coming to kill me......”<br />
<br />
“...... well then, what did you say to her before seeing her that night?”<br />
<br />
The conversation before we met huh. Speaking of that, then it had to be the mail, I guess.<br />
<br />
The contents of that mail, if I remembered correctly ---<br />
<br />
“Something that sounded like a confession was said.”<br />
<br />
“...... huh? Shimada said that to you?”<br />
<br />
“No, I said it to Minami.”<br />
<br />
“Did such a thing really happen?”<br />
<br />
“Yeah. That did happen.”<br />
<br />
“Right, right. I see, I see.”<br />
<br />
Yuuji nodded.<br />
<br />
And following that, as I was thinking of letting out a large sighhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh,<br />
<br />
“Go to hell.”<br />
<br />
Wham......<br />
<br />
The heel of his shoe came burying itself into my face.<br />
<br />
“...... ugh! My face......ugh! I could feel a dent forming in my skull...... ugh!”<br />
<br />
<!-- PG 20 --><br />
“What’s with the ‘I don’t know’! Isn’t that something totally out of the ordinary, you idiot!”<br />
<br />
Yuuji was looking at the writhing me as if I’m some kind of idiot. Damn! I can’t afford to get any plainer than this!<br />
<br />
“So, what was it that you said?”<br />
<br />
Having calmed down again, Yuuji continued asking.<br />
<br />
What did I say? What did I write in that misleading mail?<br />
<br />
Erm....... ah, that’s right. The mail that time, if I remember correctly,<br />
<br />
“‘I love you more than Yuuji’ was written.”<br />
<br />
“Wait, your standard of love is pegged to me!?”<br />
<br />
With a look of disgust on his face, Yuuji pulled away from me. A big misunderstanding.<br />
<br />
Just as I was thinking about how to make it clear to Yuuji that even if I’m a homosexual I wouldn’t go after him, the apparent organizer of this suspicious gathering (I’m afraid it’s Sugawa-kun) looked towards here.<br />
<br />
“Heretic, Yoshii Akihisa. Would thou repent and accept our judgement?”<br />
<br />
With a quiet voice, Sugawa-kun (?) waits for my response. If I respond to him carelessly, I might jeopardise my life.<br />
<br />
“Hey, before I answer you, I have a question.”<br />
<br />
<!-- PG 21 --><br />
“Speak.”<br />
<br />
“What kind of judgement are you referring to?”<br />
<br />
Responding to my query, Sugawa-kun (assumed) squinted his eyes and announced to me.<br />
<br />
“First, we shall prepare kerosene and a lighter ---”<br />
<br />
“The accusations are false! I’m not a believer who would go against the doctrine!”<br />
<br />
As if I would let myself get roasted from a misunderstanding!<br />
<br />
“I see. In that case, we shall force you to confess.”<br />
<br />
“You said it! You just said ‘force you to confess’ all of a sudden! This trial is useless!”<br />
<br />
“That’s right! Let’s force him to confess!”<br />
<br />
“Let’s falsify the records of the proceedings!”<br />
<br />
“Hey wait! You guys are not playing by the rules!? Normally, at this juncture, I don’t think you should be going along with the act of forcing confessions!”<br />
<br />
Do this guys really understand what a trial means?<br />
<br />
“Eeh, the kerosene and lighter are not ready yet!”<br />
<br />
“Are those what you use for interrogation to yield a confession!? Both are used for execution right!?”<br />
<br />
<!-- PG 22 --><br />
“That’s not it, Yoshii. In the case when the accused pleads innocence, this would be used twice, once for forcing a confession, and once for meting out the sentence; we’re just taking enough of it for one use.”<br />
<br />
“I won’t be deceived! Even when you say it like the selling catchphrase of a facial cleanser that comes with added volume, I won’t be deceived.”<br />
<br />
In the first place, when it comes down to using a lighter and kerosene, there won’t be a second time.<br />
<br />
“Yuuji! Yuuji, you should say something as well! At this rate, we’re going to become roasted bodies!”<br />
<br />
“Damn you guys......! If you want to do it, just do it on this guy!”<br />
<br />
“Yuuji...... thank --- no! That line, thinking about it clearly, aren’t you just selling me out to save yourself! You low-life. You only care about yourself!”<br />
<br />
Normally, it should have been, ‘if you want to do it, just do it to me!’. Because he said it in such a cool way, for an instant, I was thankful to Yuuji.<br />
<br />
“Aren’t you the man, Sakamoto. If you’re willing to go this far, as you wish, we’ll do it to Yoshii.”<br />
<br />
Even now, Sugawa-kun (verified) was still deceived by Yuuji’s words.<br />
<br />
“Realize it, Sugawa-kun! At this rate, I’ll be the only victim!”<br />
<br />
While I hollered at the limit of my voice, I did not display my fiery tension outwardly.<br />
<br />
“Well, since the preparation of the kerosene seems delayed, for now, let’s make Yoshii do ‘Special Bungee Jump’.”<br />
<br />
<!-- PG 23 --><br />
I could smell a whiff of death from the sudden announcement from Sugawa.<br />
<br />
“Sugawa-kun. Just out of curiosity, what’s this ‘Special Bungee Jump’?”<br />
<br />
Even I know what a bungee jump is. The question is how ‘special’ is it.<br />
<br />
“Let’s see...... If I go into too many details, it might bring unnecessary unease to Yoshii, so I’ll just give a hint ---”<br />
<br />
Sugawa turned his face away, and seemed to look at the windows with the drawn-up curtains.<br />
<br />
“--- I’d just say that it’s akin to skydiving without a parachute.”<br />
<br />
People call that execution.<br />
<br />
“You call that complete description a hint that wouldn’t bring me unnecessary unease! With no cord!? You want me to do a bungee jump with no cord!?”<br />
<br />
These guys are seriously bad news. In order to escape from this place, just as I was considering ramming my body against the window, and using the broken pieces to cut away these ropes that were bounding me,<br />
<br />
“Akihisa.”<br />
<br />
I could hear the nearby Yuuji whispering to me.<br />
<br />
“Eh? What’s up, Yuuji?”<br />
<br />
“Use this.”<br />
<br />
Hidden from Sugawa-kun’s view, Yuuji handed out something with his bound hands.<br />
<br />
<!-- PG 24 --><br />
“Yuuji..... Thanks.......”<br />
<br />
As I said my word of thanks to my bad pal who was saving me from this pinch, I ascertained the thing he passed over to me...... a rubber band?<br />
<br />
“You can use this on your feet.”<br />
<br />
Yuuji announced to me confidently, and I looked at him and thought.<br />
<br />
Ah I see. This guy must have contracted a terrible illness of the head.<br />
<br />
“You know, Yuuji. I’m really happy, but just this alone can’t support my weight.”<br />
<br />
However you think about it, I would end up in pieces.<br />
<br />
As I explained this gently to my sick bad pal, an unbefitting smile floated on Yuuji’s face and he replied.<br />
<br />
“Stupid Akihisa. That’s not all.”<br />
<br />
“Eh? Is that so?”<br />
<br />
I see. This isn’t everything yet. That should have been expected. Even if it’s Yuuji, he should know this well enough. I was jumping to conclusion too early ---<br />
<br />
“I’ve prepared another one.”<br />
<br />
He said confidently as he passed me another rubber band.<br />
<br />
<!-- PG 25 --><br />
A pity. Yuuji’s illness must have entered terminal stage and can no longer be cured by modern medicine.<br />
<br />
“You know, Yuuji. It’s not about the numbers.”<br />
<br />
As I looked at my bad pal who was carrying an illness of the head with pained eyes,<br />
<br />
“...... suspension has just ended, and what are you guys doing right now......”<br />
<br />
Ironman sighed as he slapped his hand on his forehead, having just walked into class for morning homeroom.<br />
<br />
“Ah, Sensei! You’ve come just at the right time! Save me! This is an act of violence in school! I’m being bullied by my classmates!”<br />
<br />
“That’s not it! This is a holy war to maintain the morals within this school! Yoshii has committed acts of indecency towards members of the opposite sex!”<br />
<br />
Having listened to us, with an utter look of amazement, Ironman began.<br />
<br />
“Ah...... Whatever, are you guys okay with not taking mark replenishment tests? Thanks to what happened at the training camp, all the guys practically have no marks left right?”<br />
<br />
Ironman was talking about the application to take the tests.<br />
<br />
In order to take the tests during normal lesson times, the teachers have to make preparations and as such, it’s necessary to make an application beforehand. At this rate, without making any application, we’re probably going to carry on with normal classes.<br />
<br />
At the end of that training camp, it was a death fray using every subject, and because of that, practically everyone was depleted of marks in all the subjects. That’s why, it might be necessary for us to replenish our marks sometime down the road......<br />
<br />
<!-- PG 26 --><br />
""This not the time for that.""<br />
<br />
Since three months had yet to pass since the last summoning test war, we would not be able to wage a new summoning test war. Furthermore, we’re the F class with the worst facilities. There was no need to worry about anyone attacking us. Instead of worrying about the test marks which wouldn’t have any impending use, the direction in which my fate would take was much more pressing.<br />
<br />
“Man man. If you guys say so, it doesn’t matter to me then...... Anyway, just an announcement. The maintenance work on the summoning test system that started last week will take longer than expected. Even though the teachers are pushing for it, seems like it won’t be ready till tomorrow. Just note that summong test wars are not possible till then. That’s all.”<br />
<br />
While Ironman seemed to have left the class after prattling about something, all our attention was focused on the trial.<br />
<br />
“Yoshii! Stop resisting! It’s bad to not know when to give up!”<br />
<br />
“Damn! Someone, save m--- that’s right! Himeji-san! Where’s Himeji-san!? The kind Himeji-san will definitely save me!”<br />
<br />
I looked around the dark classroom to search for the figure of Himeji-san. The cute, smart, and well-endowed idol of F class was sitting in her own seat quietly.<br />
<br />
<!-- PG 27 --><br />
“I beg you, Himeji-san! Save me!”<br />
<br />
I called out to her frantically.<br />
<br />
However, Himeji-san seemed to have not heard me and was spacing out, mumbling about something.<br />
<br />
“As I thought...... Minami-chan, towards Akihisa-kun......”<br />
<br />
“Eeh!? You’re still going about that!?”<br />
<br />
She seemed to be repeating that same old line for the past thirty minutes.<br />
<br />
At the time when all ways seemed to be exhausted and as I was preparing myself for the worst,<br />
<br />
“What, what on earth is this?”<br />
<br />
A glimmer of hope appeared in the classroom.<br />
<br />
“Hideyoshi! Thank heavens......! Since there was no sign of you all this while, I thought you were on a leave of absence.”<br />
<br />
Standing in shock, with a hand on the door, was my classmate who has been awarded the high honor of a rare beauty, Kinoshita Hideyoshi. I have heard rumors of her parents having made a mistake in entering the register, this dear friend of mine with a cute outward appearance has proclaimed herself to be guy.<br />
<br />
“I was held up by some preparations this morning, and thus late, but....... Akihisa, what did you guys do?”<br />
<br />
The classroom was curtained in darkness, and me and Yuuji were curled up like bagworms. And our classmates were masked. Anyone normal would have been surprised by this situation occurring in a classroom.<br />
<br />
<!-- PG 28 --><br />
“Kinoshita. Don’t interfere. Right now, we’re about to execute heretics Yoshii Akihisa and Sakamoto Yuuji.”<br />
<br />
Finally, it’s no longer a trial but an execution, it seemed.<br />
<br />
“Is that so. However, I can understand if it’s Yuuji, but what did Akihisa do?”<br />
<br />
“Listen carefully, Kinoshita. The heretic Yoshii Akihisa had conducted an act of indecency by kissing Shimada Minami this morning in the premises of our holy city, Fumitsu Academy ---”<br />
<br />
<br />
Slide.<br />
<br />
<br />
In the middle of Sugawa’s sentence, the door of the classroom, different from the one from which Hideyoshi had come through, opened.<br />
<br />
And then, flushing all the way to her ears, with her face downwards, a female student appeared, quickly walking to her seat. Speak of the devil. It was the individual whose name had just been mentioned, Shimada Minami herself.<br />
<br />
<br />
"""............"""<br />
<br />
<br />
A sudden silence descended upon the classroom.<br />
<br />
<!-- PG 29 --><br />
With a strange atmosphere that was different from usual, no one in F class spoke.<br />
<br />
“Good morning, everyone. Due to various matters, I’m here to take over Fuse-sensei’s class--- what’s wrong, everyone?”<br />
<br />
The teacher for the first period looked at us with widened eyes. <!-- rounded doesn’t work in English I guess --><br />
<br />
<br />
<noinclude><br />
----<br />
<br />
===Translator's Notes===<br />
<references/><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; padding: 0.2em; border-collapse: collapse;"<br />
|-<br />
| Back to [[Baka to Tesuto to Syokanju:Volume4 Novel Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]<br />
| Return to [[Baka to Tesuto to Syokanju|Main Page]]<br />
| Forward to The Second Question<br />
|-<br />
|}<br />
</noinclude></div>Idolonhttps://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Baka_to_Tesuto_to_Syokanju:Volume4_The_First_Question&diff=98173Baka to Tesuto to Syokanju:Volume4 The First Question2011-06-01T22:47:20Z<p>Idolon: /* The First Question */ Grammar fixes and a couple rewordings</p>
<hr />
<div><!-- PG 5 --><br />
“...... Yuuji.”<br />
<br />
“Wha --- arghhh!? What the hell are you doing all of a sudden!?”<br />
<br />
“...... don’t dodge.”<br />
<br />
“When you’re butting your head with me, of course I’ll dodge right!”<br />
<br />
“...... I’m not butting head.”<br />
<br />
“? Then what’s that? A heddobatto<ref>’’’heddobatto:’’’ Headbutt.</ref>?”<br />
<br />
“...... a kiss.”<br />
<br />
“Alright. I don’t want to see any unnecessary movement from you. Put your hands behind your head and explain this slowly in a way that’s easy to understand.”<br />
<br />
“...... putting lips together. A natural act between an engaged couple like me and Yuuji. It’s called ‘making out’.”<br />
<br />
“Wait. I didn’t mean that I don’t know what’s a ‘kiss’. I’m asking why are you doing that out of the bl......ahhhh!”<br />
<br />
“....... you say you know, with who, when, at where did you......!!”<br />
<br />
“N, no! What I meant is that I know the meaning of a kiss, it doesn’t mean that I have any ---”<br />
<br />
“...... experience?”<br />
<br />
“--- you can’t really say that I don’t have any ex...gyaaaaa! I’m kidding! I’m just being cocky, I’ve never experienced a real one before!”<br />
<br />
<!-- PG 6 --><br />
“...... I see. Then, it’s fine.”<br />
<br />
“I, I thought I was going to die...... So, why did you talk about that out of the blue?”<br />
<br />
“...... look.”<br />
<br />
“Yeah? Isn’t that Akihisa and Shimada? I can’t really see it from here --- but isn’t Shimada running away from him?”<br />
<br />
“...... they were kissing before that.”<br />
<br />
“Seriously! Ugh, the fellows in our class have started surrounding the ditched guy, Akihisa.”<br />
<br />
“...... an incredible killing intent.”<br />
<br />
“Woah, what a nice body! Something good is also stuffed in between his jaws. As expected, he’s outnumbered.”<br />
<br />
“...... he can’t move anymore.”<br />
<br />
“Tsk tsk. As usual, Akihisa is an idiot. They are famous for not showing any mercy to anyone who has experienced even something as small as a kiss.”<br />
<br />
“...... I’m sorry.”<br />
<br />
“Huh? What’s wrong? Why are you apologizing? Since I haven’t done anything like that, I’ll fine, you know?”<br />
<br />
“...... the truth is, while Yuuji was sleeping ---”<br />
<br />
“I can’t hear you! I totally, completely can’t hear you at all!”<br />
<br />
“...... it’s ok. Since I’ll take responsibility.”<br />
<br />
<!-- PG 7 --><br />
“That’s not the problem, isn’t it!? --- hah! Killing intent gyaaaaaaaaa!”<br />
<br />
<br />
“Heretics discovered. We’ve secured them.”<br />
<br />
“Alright. Take them away.”<br />
<br />
“Roger! President Sugawa!”<br />
<br />
<br />
“....... ah...... Yuuji......”<br />
<br />
<br />
“How goes the preparations for the trial?”<br />
<br />
“No problem.”<br />
<br />
“Well done. We’re going to begin the emergency heretic trial! All members, do not be negligent in inspecting your tools!”<br />
<br />
"""Roger! President Sugawa!"""<br />
<br />
<br />
“...... what shoud I do. I was busy selling him out that I forgot to mention that I only did it on his cheek......”<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<!-- PG 8 --><br />
===The First Question===<br />
'''Convert the following words to proper English.'''<br />
<br />
“Haatofuru Rabusutourii”<br />
<br />
<br />
<br/><br />
'''Himeji Mizuki’s answer'''<br />
<br />
“heartful love story”<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Teacher’s comment'''<br />
<br />
Correct. It’s a common catchphrase you see in movies and books, but every now and then, there will be someone who will get the “heart” part wrong. Even though it should be a familiar English word to most, it’s surprisingly difficult to get it right.<br />
<br />
By the way, translated to Japanese, it’s “A romance story filled with love”. I’d definitely like to see you all spend your springtime of youth in such a manner.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br/><br />
'''Shimada Minami’s answer'''<br />
<br />
“hurt full rough story”<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Teacher’s comment'''<br />
<br />
*hurt...... injury<br />
<br />
*full...... to be filled with<br />
<br />
*rough...... rough<br />
<br />
*story...... story<br />
<br />
It’s a beautiful mistake to the effect that I was wondering whether you got it wrong on purpose.<br />
<br />
I think you will be the only one “playing out”<ref>’’’Playing out:’’’ Here, the word used is “演じる” which could mean, “acting”(meaning Minami’s love story is really as such) as well as “committing a blunder”(meaning Minami made a mistake in her answer).</ref> such a “heartful love story”.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br/><br />
'''Kirishima Shouko’s answer'''<br />
<br />
“hurt full rough story”<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Teacher’s comment'''<br />
<br />
To think that there’s another one.<br />
<br />
<br />
----<br />
<br />
<br />
<!-- PG 10 --><br />
“Aki, close your eyes.”<br />
<br />
<br />
That came rather suddenly.<br />
<br />
In front of me were a pair of large eyes framed with full eyelashes.<br />
<br />
A shampoo fragrance could be detected emanating from that beautiful hair with the back tied up into a ponytail.<br />
<br />
And then on my lips --- I could feel the touch of the soft, warm lips of Minami.<br />
<br />
What’s this. What just happened. Why is Minami’s face so close to me. Why am I spacing out like this.<br />
<br />
Not knowing what happened, in a jerking motion, Minami pulled away from me,<br />
<br />
“Th, that...... is not a joke, I’m telling you......!”<br />
<br />
After saying that one line, she ran away from me.<br />
<br />
Ahaha. Minami’s face is surprisingly red. Just like a tomato.<br />
<br />
I was overseeing this scene, taking in this situation in a strangely calm manner.<br />
<br />
“As I thought...... Minami-chan, towards Akihisa-kun......”<br />
<br />
I’m strangely concerned with the murmuring voice of the nearby Himeji-san.<br />
<br />
<br />
<!-- PG 11 --><br />
“Yoshii, prepare yourself!”<br />
<br />
<br />
And then, what came next was rather sudden.<br />
<br />
A tightly clenched large fist appeared in front of me.<br />
<br />
And then, I felt the hard, sweltering touch of Sugawa’s fist on my cheek.<br />
<br />
What’s this. What just happened. Why is Sugawa-kun and the rest of F class closing in on me like predators closing in on their prey. Why is my vision quivering.<br />
<br />
Not knowing what happened, in a jerking motion, Sugawa-kun pulled away from me,<br />
<br />
“Th, that...... is not a joke, I’m telling you......! …... we’re really going to kill you!”<br />
<br />
He raised his hand and gave the others around him a signal.<br />
<br />
“Eh!? Eh!? Wait wait! I don’t understand the situa --- gyaaaaa!”<br />
<br />
A killing intent that had never been felt before. For some reason, it seemed like everyone was looking at me with serious eyes!?<br />
<br />
“As I thought...... Minami-chan, towards Akihisa......”<br />
<br />
“No, Himej-san! Enough of that! Anyway for now, save me--- !”<br />
<br />
At that moment, my consciousness descended into darkness.<br />
<br />
<br />
<!-- PG 12 --><br />
“Gentlemen. Where are we?”<br />
<br />
"""The court that passes down the oldest form of judgement!"""<br />
<br />
“What will the heretic get?”<br />
<br />
"""The iron hammer of death!"""<br />
<br />
“What will the guy get?”<br />
<br />
"""He shall throw away his love, and live in sorrow!"""<br />
<br />
“Good. Now --- let the heretic trial of class 2-F begin!”<br />
<br />
<br />
<!-- PG 13 --><br />
When I opened my eyes, it was the meeting place for Sabado.<br />
<br />
“Eh? Huh? What’s the meaning of this?”<br />
<br />
Even though the curtains had been drawn up and it was dark, I realized I was in my usual classroom from the feel of tatami. In other words, the masked guys standing beside the platform were of class 2-F.<br />
<br />
“Akihisa, you’ve awakened.”<br />
<br />
A familair voice came from nearby. As I tried to turn around to face that voice, I realized for the first time that my hands and feet had been bound.<br />
<br />
And I had no choice but to roll my entire body to face the direction of the owner of that voice. What I was seeing before me was the figure of my bad pal, also with his hands and feet bound, lying there.<br />
<br />
“...... Yuuji, what are you doing?”<br />
<br />
“...... I’ve been dragged into this by you.”<br />
<br />
He spat with his scowling, annoyed face that gave out a complete feeling of wildness. Just like a wild animal tied up in a cage.<br />
<br />
“Dragged into this?”<br />
<br />
“Thanks to you, the talk about ‘me getting kissed by Shouko while asleep’ was overheard by them. What a great bother, bastard.”<br />
<br />
<!-- PG 14 --><br />
Hm hm. Kirishima-san kissing. Kissing Yuuji. I see ---<br />
<br />
“.............................. huh?”<br />
<br />
No no no. Wait a minute please. Isn’t it too good a thing to be ignored?<br />
<br />
Kirishima-san and Yuuji have kissed? That beautiful Kirishima Shouko-san who is good in studies and sports and also with a good family background, and the plain Sakamoto Yuuji who is bad in personality and brains, have kissed? Haha. That’s really a distasteful joke. So stupid to the point beyond laughable.…... but, what if.<br />
<br />
I don’t really want to think about it, but what if. If in one in a million chance, that’s true.<br />
<br />
If that’s the case, even if God permits, I shall not forgive him......!<br />
<br />
“Everyone, this is bad! Sakamoto Yuuji is suspected to be a heretic! Time to prepare for an emergency trial!”<br />
<br />
“Wait Akihisa! Rather, weren’t you the one who was trying to make us kiss at the Kisaragi Highland incident!? In other words, you are the real heretic!”<br />
<br />
Yuuji was prattling about some nonsensical stuff. Me, a heretic?<br />
<br />
“Yuuji, how unsightly! You’re plotting to shift some unfounded allegation onto me to protect yourself! Do you think I’ll swallow that!”<br />
<br />
<!-- PG 15 --><br />
This was not a joke. Having lived in this world for sixteen years. This was not something to be proud of, but I had never yet had the joyful experience of being kissed! ...... well, I’ve received one on the cheek however......<br />
<br />
“This, this idiot......! If you don’t believe me, just try listening to what they are saying!”<br />
<br />
Even though I didn’t get what Yuuji was saying, for now, I'd do as he said and try stretching my hearing. As I did that, I could make out a strange conversation going on between my classmates.<br />
<br />
<br />
“--- read out the charges.”<br />
<br />
“Yes, President Sugawa. Eh--- the accused, Yoshii Akihisa (from now on, he shall be referred to as A), a student of our Fumizuki Academy’s class 2-F, is suspected of violating our doctrine. The charges for A are indecent assault, as well as, acts of infidelity. At the early dawn of this very day, when A was forcefully performing an obscene act on his classmate, Shimada Minami (from now on, she shall be referred to as Flat-Chest), he was apprehended by our compatriots. He is now brought before us. From here on, after we have thoroughly investigated the relationship between A and Flat-Chest, to properly deal with A ---”<br />
<br />
“Skip the trivialities. Read out the conclusion.”<br />
<br />
“We’re envious of him being kissed!”<br />
<br />
“Uhm. It’s truly an easy-to-understand report.”<br />
<br />
<br />
<!-- PG 16 --><br />
Eh? Huh? Kiss? What’s that. Speaking of this, something like that did seem to happen, or didn’t seem to happen......<br />
<br />
“Akihisa. You must have lost your memories from the excessive shock, so let me tell you about it. This morning, you and Shimada kissed. And it was right in front of Himeji.”<br />
<br />
Yuuji seemed to be explaining to me.<br />
<br />
Kiss. With Minami. I kissed. What’s that. After being told that, it did seem like Minami and I kissed.<br />
<br />
But that’s not possible.<br />
<br />
“Haha. You can stop the jokes, Yuuji. Since there’s definitely no way that Minami would actually kiss someone like me, right?”<br />
<br />
Even for me, I’d know my place. I’m not someone who’s passionate about any club activities, neither am I good in studies, nor am I good in anything in particular. Only someone who’s not aware of any of these realities, someone like Hazuki-chan, would actually be willing to kiss me.<br />
<br />
“Well, don’t put yourself down so much, Akihisa. Indeed, you are the worst when it comes to looks, studies, and personality, and even if one closes his eyes to them, you’re just someone with neither ability nor wealth, isn’t it?”<br />
<br />
“Damn you! Are you saying I’m good for nothing except for shoulder massages!?”<br />
<br />
<!-- PG 17 --><br />
“At this age, only shoulder massages!? Don’t you have other strengths that you can use for arguing!?”<br />
<br />
There should be a limit to how much he can make a fool out of me. If my hands and feet were not bound up, I would have made a grab for him.<br />
<br />
“In any case, it’s a fact that you and Shimada have kissed. Seems like there’s undeniable proof.”<br />
<br />
Before I could ask about the proof, a photograph was thrust before my eyes.<br />
<br />
“............ traitors should die.”<br />
<br />
The person who muttered that and who was holding on to the photograph was none other than my classmate, the Muttsuliini Tsuchiya Kouta. Even though he is usually a quiet guy who is hardworking in taking photos while erasing his presence, right now, he is releasing a quiet killing intent just like a ninja who’s a moment away from carrying out an assassination.<br />
<br />
And in that photograph in his hand, wass a scene of a guy who resembled me kissing a girl who resembled Minami --- so as to speak, however you look at it, it’s me kissing Minami.<br />
<br />
“Eh!? Is this for real!? That wasn’t a dream!?”<br />
<br />
“If it were a dream, you wouldn’t be all tied up like this.”<br />
<br />
“I, I see. So that’s how I ended up like this......”<br />
<br />
I did possess a hazy memory of that, but to think that it was real...... Me and Minami kiss huh.......<br />
<br />
“I sorry for interrupting your reverie in embarrassment to the point where even your ears are red, but I have a question.”<br />
<br />
<!-- PG 18 --><br />
“That, that’s not it......! This, is just, my face getting hot......”<br />
<br />
“I get it, I get it. So, how did the both of you end up like that?”<br />
<br />
How, you say......<br />
<br />
“I’d like to ask that as well.”<br />
<br />
I had not the slightest idea why Minami would do that all of a sudden. She was probably threatened by someone to catch me in a trap, I guess.<br />
<br />
“Use that spongy head of yours to think it through. Did anything strange happen recently, or was there anything about her that was out of the ordinary?”<br />
<br />
Even if we’re talking about something recent, ever since my mobile was broken, I’ve not contacted her at all.<br />
<br />
“Uh~n......”<br />
<br />
What was it. What actually happened?<br />
<br />
“Let’s change the question. When was the last time you saw Shimada?”<br />
<br />
The last time I saw her. It’s of course referring to a time other than this morning, isn’t it? If that’s the case,<br />
<br />
“Erm...... the last night of the training camp, I guess?”<br />
<br />
“Last night?”<br />
<br />
“Yeah. After everyone was asleep, Minami came to me secretly.”<br />
<br />
“............ why didn’t you think of that as strange?”<br />
<br />
<!-- PG 19 --><br />
Yuuji had a dumbstruck look on his face.<br />
<br />
“Well, because she was coming to kill me......”<br />
<br />
“...... well then, what did you say to her before seeing her that night?”<br />
<br />
The conversation before we met huh. Speaking of that, then it had to be the mail, I guess.<br />
<br />
The contents of that mail, if I remembered correctly ---<br />
<br />
“Something that sounded like a confession was said.”<br />
<br />
“...... huh? Shimada said that to you?”<br />
<br />
“No, I said it to Minami.”<br />
<br />
“Did such a thing really happen?”<br />
<br />
“Yeah. That did happen.”<br />
<br />
“Right, right. I see, I see.”<br />
<br />
Yuuji nodded.<br />
<br />
And following that, as I was thinking of letting out a large sighhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh,<br />
<br />
“Go to hell.”<br />
<br />
Wham......<br />
<br />
The heel of his shoe came burying itself into my face.<br />
<br />
“...... ugh! My face......ugh! I could feel a dent forming in my skull...... ugh!”<br />
<br />
<!-- PG 20 --><br />
“What’s with the ‘I don’t know’! Isn’t that something totally out of the ordinary, you idiot!”<br />
<br />
Yuuji was looking at the writhing me as if I’m some kind of idiot. Damn! I can’t afford to get any plainer than this!<br />
<br />
“So, what was it that you said?”<br />
<br />
Having calmed down again, Yuuji continued asking.<br />
<br />
What did I say? What did I write in that misleading mail?<br />
<br />
Erm....... ah, that’s right. The mail that time, if I remember correctly,<br />
<br />
“‘I love you more than Yuuji’ was written.”<br />
<br />
“Wait, your standard of love is pegged to me!?”<br />
<br />
With a look of disgust on his face, Yuuji pulled away from me. A big misunderstanding.<br />
<br />
Just as I was thinking about how to make it clear to Yuuji that even if I’m a homosexual I wouldn’t go after him, the apparent organizer of this suspicious gathering (I’m afraid it’s Sugawa-kun) looked towards here.<br />
<br />
“Heretic, Yoshii Akihisa. Would thou repent and accept our judgement?”<br />
<br />
With a quiet voice, Sugawa-kun (?) waits for my response. If I respond to him carelessly, I might jeopardise my life.<br />
<br />
“Hey, before I answer you, I have a question.”<br />
<br />
<!-- PG 21 --><br />
“Speak.”<br />
<br />
“What kind of judgement are you referring to?”<br />
<br />
Responding to my query, Sugawa-kun (assumed) squinted his eyes and announced to me.<br />
<br />
“First, we shall prepare kerosene and a lighter ---”<br />
<br />
“The accusations are false! I’m not a believer who would go against the doctrine!”<br />
<br />
As if I would let myself get roasted from a misunderstanding!<br />
<br />
“I see. In that case, we shall force you to confess.”<br />
<br />
“You said it! You just said ‘force you to confess’ all of a sudden! This trial is useless!”<br />
<br />
“That’s right! Let’s force him to confess!”<br />
<br />
“Let’s falsify the records of the proceedings!”<br />
<br />
“Hey wait! You guys are not playing by the rules!? Normally, at this juncture, I don’t think you should be going along with the act of forcing confessions!”<br />
<br />
Do this guys really understand what a trial means?<br />
<br />
“Eeh, the kerosene and lighter are not ready yet!”<br />
<br />
“Are those what you use for interrogation to yield a confession!? Both are used for execution right!?”<br />
<br />
<!-- PG 22 --><br />
“That’s not it, Yoshii. In the case when the accused pleads innocence, this would be used twice, once for forcing a confession, and once for meting out the sentence; we’re just taking enough of it for one use.”<br />
<br />
“I won’t be deceived! Even when you say it like the selling catchphrase of a facial cleanser that comes with added volume, I won’t be deceived.”<br />
<br />
In the first place, when it comes down to using a lighter and kerosene, there won’t be a second time.<br />
<br />
“Yuuji! Yuuji, you should say something as well! At this rate, we’re going to become roasted bodies!”<br />
<br />
“Damn you guys......! If you want to do it, just do it on this guy!”<br />
<br />
“Yuuji...... thank --- no! That line, thinking about it clearly, aren’t you just selling me out to save yourself! You low-life. You only care about yourself!”<br />
<br />
Normally, it should have been, ‘if you want to do it, just do it to me!’. Because he said it in such a cool way, for an instant, I was thankful to Yuuji.<br />
<br />
“Aren’t you the man, Sakamoto. If you’re willing to go this far, as you wish, we’ll do it to Yoshii.”<br />
<br />
Even now, Sugawa-kun (verified) was still deceived by Yuuji’s words.<br />
<br />
“Realize it, Sugawa-kun! At this rate, I’ll be the only victim!”<br />
<br />
While I hollered at the limit of my voice, I did not display my fiery tension outwardly.<br />
<br />
“Well, since the preparation of the kerosene seems delayed, for now, let’s make Yoshii do ‘Special Bungee Jump’.”<br />
<br />
<!-- PG 23 --><br />
I could smell a whiff of death from the sudden announcement from Sugawa.<br />
<br />
“Sugawa-kun. Just out of curiosity, what’s this ‘Special Bungee Jump’?”<br />
<br />
Even I know what a bungee jump is. The question is how ‘special’ is it.<br />
<br />
“Let’s see...... If I go into too many details, it might bring unnecessary unease to Yoshii, so I’ll just give a hint ---”<br />
<br />
Sugawa turned his face away, and seemed to look at the windows with the drawn-up curtains.<br />
<br />
“--- I’d just say that it’s akin to skydiving without a parachute.”<br />
<br />
People call that execution.<br />
<br />
“You call that complete description a hint that wouldn’t bring me unnecessary unease! With no cord!? You want me to do a bungee jump with no cord!?”<br />
<br />
These guys are seriously bad news. In order to escape from this place, just as I was considering ramming my body against the window, and using the broken pieces to cut away these ropes that were bounding me,<br />
<br />
“Akihisa.”<br />
<br />
I could hear the nearby Yuuji whispering to me.<br />
<br />
“Eh? What’s up, Yuuji?”<br />
<br />
“Use this.”<br />
<br />
Hidden from Sugawa-kun’s view, Yuuji handed out something with his bound hands.<br />
<br />
<!-- PG 24 --><br />
“Yuuji..... Thanks.......”<br />
<br />
As I said my word of thanks to my bad pal who was saving me from this pinch, I ascertained the thing he passed over to me...... a rubber band?<br />
<br />
“You can use this on your feet.”<br />
<br />
Yuuji announced to me confidently, and I looked at him and thought.<br />
<br />
Ah I see. This guy must have contracted a terrible illness of the head.<br />
<br />
“You know, Yuuji. I’m really happy, but just this alone can’t support my weight.”<br />
<br />
However you think about it, I would end up in pieces.<br />
<br />
As I explained this gently to my sick bad pal, an unbefitting smile floated on Yuuji’s face and he replied.<br />
<br />
“Stupid Akihisa. That’s not all.”<br />
<br />
“Eh? Is that so?”<br />
<br />
I see. This isn’t everything yet. That should have been expected. Even if it’s Yuuji, he should know this well enough. I was jumping to conclusion too early ---<br />
<br />
“I’ve prepared another one.”<br />
<br />
He said confidently as he passed me another rubber band.<br />
<br />
<!-- PG 25 --><br />
A pity. Yuuji’s illness must have entered terminal stage and can no longer be cured by modern medicine.<br />
<br />
“You know, Yuuji. It’s not about the numbers.”<br />
<br />
As I looked at my bad pal who was carrying an illness of the head with pained eyes,<br />
<br />
“...... suspension has just ended, and what are you guys doing right now......”<br />
<br />
Ironman sighed as he slapped his hand on his forehead, having just walked into class for morning homeroom.<br />
<br />
“Ah, Sensei! You’ve come just at the right time! Save me! This is an act of violence in school! I’m being bullied by my classmates!”<br />
<br />
“That’s not it! This is a holy war to maintain the morals within this school! Yoshii has committed acts of indecency towards members of the opposite sex!”<br />
<br />
Having listened to us, with an utter look of amazement, Ironman began.<br />
<br />
“Ah...... Whatever, are you guys okay with not taking mark replenishment tests? Thanks to what happened at the training camp, all the guys practically have no marks left right?”<br />
<br />
Ironman was talking about the application to take the tests.<br />
<br />
In order to take the tests during normal lesson times, the teachers have to make preparations and as such, it’s necessary to make an application beforehand. At this rate, without making any application, we’re probably going to carry on with normal classes.<br />
<br />
At the end of that training camp, it was a death fray using every subject, and because of that, practically everyone was depleted of marks in all the subjects. That’s why, it might be necessary for us to replenish our marks sometime down the road......<br />
<br />
<!-- PG 26 --><br />
""This not the time for that.""<br />
<br />
Since three months had yet to pass since the last summoning test war, we would not be able to wage a new summoning test war. Furthermore, we’re the F class with the worst facilities. There was no need to worry about anyone attacking us. Instead of worrying about the test marks which wouldn’t have any impending use, the direction in which my fate would take was much more pressing.<br />
<br />
“Man man. If you guys say so, it doesn’t matter to me then...... Anyway, just an announcement. The maintenance work on the summoning test system that started last week will take longer than expected. Even though the teachers are pushing for it, seems like it won’t be ready till tomorrow. Just note that summong test wars are not possible till then. That’s all.”<br />
<br />
While Ironman seemed to have left the class after prattling about something, all our attention was focused on the trial.<br />
<br />
“Yoshii! Stop resisting! It’s bad to not know when to give up!”<br />
<br />
“Damn! Someone, save m--- that’s right! Himeji-san! Where’s Himeji-san!? The kind Himeji-san will definitely save me!”<br />
<br />
I looked around the dark classroom to search for the figure of Himeji-san. The cute, smart, and well-endowed idol of F class was sitting in her own seat quietly.<br />
<br />
<!-- PG 27 --><br />
“I beg you, Himeji-san! Save me!”<br />
<br />
I called out to her frantically.<br />
<br />
However, Himeji-san seemed to have not heard me and was spacing out, mumbling about something.<br />
<br />
“As I thought...... Minami-chan, towards Akihisa-kun......”<br />
<br />
“Eeh!? You’re still going about that!?”<br />
<br />
She seemed to be repeating that same old line for the past thirty minutes.<br />
<br />
At the time when all ways seemed to be exhausted and as I was preparing myself for the worst,<br />
<br />
“What, what on earth is this?”<br />
<br />
A glimmer of hope appeared in the classroom.<br />
<br />
“Hideyoshi! Thank heavens......! Since there was no sign of you all this while, I thought you were on a leave of absence.”<br />
<br />
Standing in shock, with a hand on the door, was my classmate who has been awarded the high honor of a rare beauty, Kinoshita Hideyoshi. I have heard rumors of her parents having made a mistake in entering the register, this dear friend of mine with a cute outward appearance has proclaimed herself to be guy.<br />
<br />
“I was held up by some preparations this morning, and thus late, but....... Akihisa, what did you guys do?”<br />
<br />
The classroom was curtained in darkness, and me and Yuuji were curled up like bagworms. And our classmates were masked. Anyone normal would have been surprised by this situation occurring in a classroom.<br />
<br />
<!-- PG 28 --><br />
“Kinoshita. Don’t interfere. Right now, we’re about to execute heretics Yoshii Akihisa and Sakamoto Yuuji.”<br />
<br />
Finally, it’s no longer a trial but an execution, it seemed.<br />
<br />
“Is that so. However, I can understand if it’s Yuuji, but what did Akihisa do?”<br />
<br />
“Listen carefully, Kinoshita. The heretic Yoshii Akihisa had conducted an act of indecency by kissing Shimada Minami this morning in the premises of our holy city, Fumitsu Academy ---”<br />
<br />
<br />
Slide.<br />
<br />
<br />
In the middle of Sugawa’s sentence, the door of the classroom, different from the one from which Hideyoshi had come through, opened.<br />
<br />
And then, flushing all the way to her ears, with her face downwards, a female student appeared, quickly walking to her seat. Speak of the devil. It was the individual whose name had just been mentioned, Shimada Minami herself.<br />
<br />
<br />
"""............"""<br />
<br />
<br />
A sudden silence descended upon the classroom.<br />
<br />
<!-- PG 29 --><br />
With a strange atmosphere that was different from usual, no one in F class spoke.<br />
<br />
“Good morning, everyone. Due to various matters, I’m here to take over Fuse-sensei’s class--- what’s wrong, everyone?”<br />
<br />
The teacher for the first period looked at us with widened eyes. <!-- rounded doesn’t work in English I guess --><br />
<br />
<br />
<noinclude><br />
----<br />
<br />
===Translator's Notes===<br />
<references/><br />
<br />
<br />
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|-<br />
|}<br />
</noinclude></div>Idolonhttps://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Baka_to_Tesuto_to_Syokanju:Volume3_The_Final_Question&diff=98171Baka to Tesuto to Syokanju:Volume3 The Final Question2011-06-01T22:08:11Z<p>Idolon: /* The Final Question */ Fixed grammar and tense</p>
<hr />
<div>==The Final Question==<br />
<br />
'''Please form a four worded Japanese idiom from the following romanization, and come up with a suitable sentence with it.'''<br />
<br />
‘aimaimoko’<br />
<br />
'''Himeji Mizuki’s answer:'''<br />
<br />
‘In kanji ‘暧昧模糊’ (ambiguous)<br />
<br />
The sentence: ‘the distribution of responsibilities is rather ambiguous’’<br />
<br />
'''Teacher’s comment:'''<br />
<br />
‘暧昧不清, 模糊不明’ ‘aimai fukiyoshi, moko fumei’, (basically means ambiguous) are what these four words mean. There are a lot of people who know how to pronounce it,, but there are very few people who know how to write it in kanji. Well answered.’<br />
<br />
'''Yoshii Akihisa’s answer:'''<br />
<br />
‘In kanji ‘合間妹子’ ‘(aima)(imo-ko) ’<br />
<br />
'''Teacher’s comment:'''<br />
<br />
I get the feeling that at least you’re trying to answer this question.<br />
<br />
'''Tsuchiya Kouta’s answer:'''<br />
<br />
‘Example: The three beauties Ono no Komachi, Ono no Imoko and Aima Imoko [http://www.baka-tsuki.net/project/index.php?title=Baka_to_Tesuto_to_Syokanju:Volume3_Translator%27s_Notes] started on their journey as envoys.’<br />
<br />
'''Teacher’s comment:'''<br />
<br />
Please do note that you included a male in that.<br />
<br />
<br />
After our suspension ended, I felt rather thankful as I arrived at the school gate earlier than usual.<br />
<br />
“Really, it feels like I haven’t been at school for quite a long time…”<br />
<br />
Including the time off for training camp, it’s been about two weeks since I last stepped into school. That’s longer than spring break. To be able to have a long break at this time, in a certain way, that’s rather lucky—but no one will feel this way, right? Who asked the teachers to come up with so many assignments, not even allowing us any time to reflect?<br />
<br />
“Ah, Akihisa-kun!”<br />
<br />
The sound of small running footsteps reached my ears.<br />
<br />
“Long time no see, how are you?”<br />
<br />
“Himeji-san, it’s been a while!”<br />
<br />
Even though we were only shut off for a week, considering that I could have seen Himeji-san everyday, it felt like three autumns had passed. We really hadn’t met for a long time.<br />
<br />
“Truthfully, I have something I want to apologise to Akihisa-kun for.”<br />
<br />
“Eh? Isn’t that too sudden? What’s it about?”<br />
<br />
If I were the one who was supposed to apologise, then I have nothing to say, but did Himeji-san do something that she really has to apologise for?<br />
<br />
“It’s the first day of training camp—I mistook you for the peeping tom!”<br />
<br />
“Eh?”<br />
<br />
Himeji-san bowed down and lowered her head in apology.<br />
<br />
“Eh, no matter whether you mistook me for a peeping tom, we still became ones in the end…”<br />
<br />
“Ah, it’s not that, I don’t mean that. Didn’t I misunderstand you in the beginning? At that time, I actually doubted Akihisa-kun’s innocence, I’m really sorry about that…”<br />
<br />
As long as Muttsulini’s our friend, it’s not rare for the girls to treat us like perverts.<br />
<br />
“Ah haha. We ended up peeping in the end, so it’s a little weird for you to apologise to me.”<br />
<br />
“Is, is that so?”<br />
<br />
But speaking of which, it’s rather strange of you to be talking to me like usual when I’m a peeping tom. Ah, but if so, you won’t be able to talk normally with all the boys from the second year.<br />
<br />
“However, that…”<br />
<br />
“Eh? What?”<br />
<br />
“It’s, it’s that…you really wanted to peep?”<br />
<br />
“Yeah.”<br />
<br />
Should I not have replied ‘yeah’? I’m really a big idiot.<br />
<br />
“AH! That…eh~ did I say it too fast—no no, I said it out without thinking too much…”<br />
<br />
“I see…hehe.”<br />
<br />
Strange. She doesn’t seem to be looking directly at me.<br />
<br />
“Great, seems like Akihisa-kun still has interest in girls.”<br />
<br />
“Ku…”<br />
<br />
I see, so it’s better to be treated as a pervert than a homosexual, huh?<br />
<br />
Seeing me in agony, Himeji-san seemed to smile happily. Mm, is she making fun of me? I have to respond in kind to her.<br />
<br />
“I, I’m definitely interested! Especially…especially in Himeji-san!”<br />
<br />
“Eh—EHHHHHHH!?”<br />
<br />
Himeji-san blushed till her face was all red. Seems like my response was rather good.<br />
<br />
“Hahaha, just joking! This is revenge for making fun of me, Himej-san…”<br />
<br />
“…Sure.”<br />
<br />
“……What?”<br />
<br />
“I’m saying…if it’s you, it’s alright for you to peep…”<br />
<br />
At this moment, my mind just went blank.<br />
<br />
“EHH? WHAT ARE YOU SAYING!? HIMEJI-SAN, ARE YOU ARLIGHT?”<br />
<br />
The unbelievable reply made me doubt my ears. Is it really alright to allow me to do this?<br />
<br />
“It’s alright for you to peep, but—”<br />
<br />
“But, but what?”<br />
<br />
“But—I have to be Akihisa-kun’s wife first!”<br />
<br />
Hold on a minute, what’s with the development up till now!? What’s the situation now!? Anyway, got to calm down first…right now, I have to think of a honeymoon destination. Would it be old-fashioned for me to chose the beach? It’s better to go overseas for a honeymoon, huh? However, I'd have to request for a break from school.<br />
<br />
“Hehe…”<br />
<br />
The sudden gentle laugh made me lift my head, and the moment I lifted my head, I saw Himeji-san smiling happily as she blushed.<br />
<br />
Eh? Don’t tell me that what she said—was another joke?<br />
<br />
I got fooled again…to think that she would counter me like this, as expected of Himeji-san!<br />
<br />
“Hahaha, Akihisa-kun, your face is all red now.”<br />
<br />
“Of, of course it is, isn’t Himeji-san blushing because you’re saying words that you’re not used to?”<br />
<br />
At this moment, we smiled at each other. This way of conversing really is rather refreshing.<br />
<br />
“Aki!”<br />
<br />
Just as we were smiling at each other, there was a forceful and terrifying shout. Is that Minami?<br />
<br />
“Hm, long time no see, Minami.”<br />
<br />
I turned towards where the voice came from, and as expected, Minami was running towards me with enthusiasm.<br />
<br />
“Eh? Strange? What’s going on?”<br />
<br />
Her expression seemed rather serious. What’s going on?<br />
<br />
“What’s wrong, Minami?”<br />
<br />
Seeing Minami acting so strangely, Himeji-san was shocked as well.<br />
<br />
“Aki, close your eyes.”<br />
<br />
“Eh? Oh, alright!”<br />
<br />
The moment she arrived in front of me, Minami suddenly made this request.<br />
<br />
Is she trying to punish me for peeping?<br />
<br />
Can’t be helped, I’ll just take a punch from her.<br />
<br />
I obediently closed my eyes, waiting for the incoming impact.<br />
<br />
“…Sorry, Mizuki…”<br />
<br />
“Eh? What are you saying, Minami…”<br />
<br />
What’s going on? She doesn’t seem like she’s going to hit me.<br />
<br />
I timidly opened my eyes, and what appeared in front of me was Minami, who was blushing as her face closed in.<br />
<br />
“—UU!”<br />
<br />
The moment I realised it, Minami’s lips were already pressed onto mine…<br />
<br />
[[Image:BTS vol 03 249.jpg|thumb]]<br />
<br />
<br />
<noinclude> <br />
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| Back to [[Baka to Tesuto to Syokanju:Volume3_The_Seventh_Question|The Seventh Question]] <br />
| Return to [[Baka to Tesuto to Syokanju|Main Page]]<br />
| Forward to [[Baka to Tesuto to Syokanju:Volume3_Author's_Notes|Author's Notes]]<br />
|-<br />
|}<br />
</noinclude></div>Idolonhttps://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Talk:Baka_to_Test_to_Shoukanjuu&diff=98022Talk:Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu2011-06-01T03:22:21Z<p>Idolon: /* Translation */</p>
<hr />
<div>== Translation ==<br />
For Translator(s) : There are severals words with loss characters and mispell. I've fixed it, if you don't mind<br />
<br />
There are a couple places in volume 3 where the term "self conscious" is used, but it doesn't make any sense in context. For example, "Teacher believes this self conscious is not good." near the beginning of The First Question. Any idea what this is supposed to be? [[User:Idolon|Idolon]] 03:22, 1 June 2011 (UCT)<br />
<br />
== ==<br />
<br />
Just out of curiosity, why is volume 3 being translated before volume 2? does volume 3 come before volume 2? or is it just because thats the way you felt like translating it?<br />
<br />
maybe because there are different translators working on different volumes<br />
<br />
I haven't seen any new updates for some time (since the anime started airing?)... I'm worried. *curiosity regarding what happened with the tape-recorded thing, Himeji et cetera in the second volume*<br />
<br />
Working on Volume 2 now, but I'll be rather slow on this, maybe 3 months for 1 volume? --[[User:Teh Ping|Teh Ping]] 15:32, 20 September 2010 (UTC)<br />
<br />
ty for updates<br />
<br />
== Illustrations ==<br />
<br />
Same thing as in TAMnI, can I have the illustrations uploaded? Many thanks in advance.--[[User:Teh Ping|Teh Ping]] 12:58, 8 December 2010 (UTC)<br />
<br />
I have the raws from vol 4-7, does it help? I have no idea how to upload the illustration though :)<br />
<br />
Hey there, I currently uploading the illustration for Baka to test, is that okay for you? - Annoymous1008</div>Idolonhttps://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Baka_to_Tesuto_to_Syokanju:Volume3_The_First_Question&diff=98021Baka to Tesuto to Syokanju:Volume3 The First Question2011-06-01T03:16:14Z<p>Idolon: /* The First Question */ Grammar, more natural language</p>
<hr />
<div>"Shouko."<br />
<br />
"...I have nothing to hide."<br />
<br />
"I haven't said anything yet?"<br />
<br />
"Such devious methods of interrogation."<br />
<br />
"Please look up on the proper usage of interrogation. And also, what are you hiding behind your back?"<br />
<br />
"...Nothing."<br />
<br />
"Shouko, give me your hand."<br />
<br />
"Ok."<br />
<br />
"Here, hm, an MP3 player."<br />
<br />
"...Yuuji, you are so mean."<br />
<br />
"How can a technologically incompatible person like you be carrying a machine? What's inside of this?"<br />
<br />
"...Normal music..."<br />
<br />
<br />
———Beep <If I win, I will marry you. Shouko, I love you.><br />
<br />
<br />
"..."<br />
<br />
"...Normal music."<br />
<br />
"After deleting the sound track I will return this back to you tomorrow."<br />
<br />
"...So mean, I haven't even given this to my father to listen to yet. And also, we haven't held hands yet."<br />
<br />
"Father...you are trying to increase the number of weaknesses that you have on me, aren't you?!"<br />
<br />
"...It's not like that. If I let father listen to this, we can have a smooth marriage."<br />
<br />
"Shouko, go to the hospital now. If you take two or three shots, you may recover and be a normal human <br />
being."<br />
<br />
"...I don't think I'm pregnant yet."<br />
<br />
"You need to go to the psychiatrist department! Hm?! What's that in your bag?"<br />
<br />
"...Nothing special."<br />
<br />
"Mmm...what's this? [Yuuji and I's future baby name list]; hold it."<br />
<br />
"...The name in most favor is using a character from our first names."<br />
<br />
"[Shouko] and [Yuuji] makes [Shouyuu] [http://www.baka-tsuki.net/project/index.php?title=Baka_to_Tesuto_to_Syokanju:Volume3_Translator%27s_Notes#Question_1]. Why this particular combination?"<br />
<br />
"...I hope to raise a tasty child."<br />
<br />
"I can only see a child being brought up with a wrecked conscious."<br />
<br />
"...Also to note, if our child is a son, his name is [Koshou] [http://www.baka-tsuki.net/project/index.php?title=Baka_to_Tesuto_to_Syokanju:Volume3_Translator%27s_Notes#Question_1]."<br />
<br />
"(Soy Sauce) is a daughter's name...."<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
===The First Question===<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Please explain why "I" would be in such grief from the following situation.'''<br />
<br />
Father announced to me in a painful expression.<br />
<br />
"He has left this morning. Please forget about him."<br />
<br />
Having heard the news, <u>I could feel a shocking pain splitting my body in half.</u> My mind was wiped blank and devoid of any other thoughts. How he would end up is a mystery. And my relationship with him is undetermined. Even as I had this idea in my mind, my emotions are still in disarray.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Himeji Mizuki's Answer:'''<br />
<br />
"His existence is as important as half of his body."<br />
<br />
'''Teacher's comment:'''<br />
<br />
Correct. As it is "as important as half of his body", therefore if "he" is no longer there, the body will experience pain as if it has lost half of it.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Yoshii Akihisa's Answer:'''<br />
<br />
[[Image:BTS vol 03 007.jpg|thumb]]<br />
"He is as important as the lower half of my body."<br />
<br />
'''Teacher's comment:'''<br />
<br />
Why is it only limited to your lower half?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Tsuchiya Kouta's Answer:'''<br />
<br />
"Because he is the lower half of my body."<br />
<br />
'''Teacher's comment:'''<br />
<br />
Teacher believes this self conscious is not good.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Two months have passed since the new semester and the effects of the extra daylight are beginning to become more apparent. Because of the temperate climate, sleeping is easier and therefore I have arrived at school earlier than usual. <!--(This does not make sense logically. Could best actually be worst or is this sarcasm? If the latter, I would recommend italicizing.) (It makes perfect sense. The time of year right now is "Spring", which has the most moderate climate all-year-round, ideal for "sleeping in". The first half of the sentence means something to the effect of "There is now more daylight", indicating that winter is gone) (Yes, but why would he wake up early because it is the best temperature to sleep in?)--><br />
<br />
<!--Translator explanation: Akihisa means he slept well/better than in other seasons. So he doesn't need to sleep "as long" for the same effect. Does this clarify some issues? (Refer to increased efficiency in sleeping). Btw, to not confuse anyone, the daylight saving has nothing to do with Akihisa waking earlier, only the temperature. It's just Akihisa rambling non-sense. --><br />
<br />
"Oh? You are early today, Akihisa."<br />
<br />
As my foot just entered the classroom door, a classmate called out to me. Her face was petite with large and round eyeballs. Although having used a weird dialect, anyone can easily see that her face is of absolute stunning beauty. <br />
<br />
"Morning, Hideyoshi. It's just that I woke up earlier than normal."<br />
<br />
The one with such an appearance is our Kinoshita Hideyoshi. He is part of our class, and is the reason why I start to disregard gender when it comes to love.<br />
<br />
"Good morning. Then are you preparing your feelings for tomorrow's training course?"<br />
<br />
Hideyoshi's brilliance was shining. And I was able to experience Hideyoshi's wonderful smile.<br />
<br />
"Hahaha. Perhaps so."<br />
<br />
Treading across the tatami mats that were recently recovered from the previous school festival, and having placed my school bag on top of a folding table, the difference in placing objects on a folding table and a cardboard box sincerely moved my heart. <br />
<br />
"Even though the aforementioned goal was to increase our knowledge, by gathering everyone to stay in the same place, it is hard to to avoid changing the event to be a pleasurable one. I can feel the excitement gathering in my chest."<br />
<br />
"Oh how terrible, even if you say that your chest feels like it's swelling, your chest volume has not increased."<br />
<br />
"No, if my chest grew bigger, it would cause problems for me...."<br />
<br />
While taking the objects out of my school bag, I continued my usual useless banter with Hideyoshi.<br />
<br />
"But, a five day and four night trip feels like a vacation, so I have anticipation for it."<br />
<br />
"Hm? What's this?"<br />
<br />
The contents of the drawer that were supposed to have been confiscated by Iron Man should have been missing, but after detailed inspection, the empty desk drawer seemed to contain a letter; a letter that was never seen before.<br />
<br />
<br />
<Addressed to Yoshii Akihisa><br />
<br />
<br />
The recipient of the letter was my name. <br />
<br />
"--OH!"<br />
<br />
It it it can't be... a love letter?!<br />
<br />
"Hm? What's wrong, Akihisa?"<br />
<br />
CCCCCCCCccalm down Yoshii Akihisa! If I am discovered with such a letter, the students in this class will be engulfed with envy and definitely execute me. With the past events leading up until today, it was hardly difficult to come to this conclusion. What is most important is to pretend that nothing has happened.<br />
<br />
"What's up, Hideyoshi? Everything goes so well..." (This is in English in original context.)<br />
<br />
"This must be serious."<br />
<br />
Oh crap! I was busted so quickly!<br />
<br />
"A...ah. I must hand it to Hideyoshi. To have so easily discovered my acting."<br />
<br />
"Um, no, before the issue of your acting skills, I think your language..."<br />
<br />
I guess him having been crowned with the title of a future actor was not for naught.<br />
<br />
"A...Actually it's nothing very important, can you pretend to have not noticed?"<br />
<br />
I placed both of my hands together in front of my face to beg Hideyoshi. If acting doesn't work, it would have to do to persuade him using sincerity.<br />
<br />
"Mm... If Akihisa says so, then I will avoid asking then...."<br />
<br />
Suspicion arose on Hideyoshi's face, but ceased to ask further on, such a gentle person!<br />
<br />
"Thank you for your help! Then au revoir!"<br />
<br />
With extreme care, under no arousing attention, I secretly slipped the letter into the school bag and made a mad dash out of the classroom.<br />
<br />
There was no problem with time, as I still had time left before class. And also, I could not feel anyone trailing behind me. It seems it had not yet been discovered by my classmates.<br />
<br />
"It is possible that my spring has arrived...!"<br />
<br />
Holding various happy feelings, I increase my pace while running on the staircase.<br />
<br />
"Haa, haa."<br />
<br />
Having reached the rooftop's heavy metal door, I opened it, giving way to the clear blue sky.<br />
<br />
"Great, there is no one around."<br />
<br />
This gave me the irresistible urge to break into soliloquy. <!--(I took "monologue to oneself" to mean "soliloquy". Please correct this if it was supposed to mean something else)--><br />
<br />
As if to the avoid the strong piercing rays of the sun, I headed towards the shady cool areas of the rooftop and retrieved the letter from my bag.<br />
<br />
"Hm, so who wrote this letter?"<br />
<br />
The letter had no name on it. 'What kind of girl could it possibly be?' was the sensation that I was having at the moment, while my heart hammered noisily.<br />
<br />
Having closed my eyes to calm myself down, slowly I took the contents of the letter out. But possibly due to being very nervous, this took a great deal of time.<br />
<br />
Today is the best day of all days. I could feel luck pouring from every crevice of my body.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
With the happy rays of sunshine pouring over my body.<br />
<br />
The wide clear blue sky.<br />
<br />
The gentle breeze that blew across.<br />
<br />
<br />
[I have your secrets.]<br />
<br />
<br />
Was blackmail.<br />
<br />
<br />
"This can't beeee!!!!"<br />
<br />
To me, it seems spring is still a distant thing.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 200%; border: "><center>☆</center></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
"Akihisa, what's wrong?"<br />
<br />
Having noticed that I returned to the classroom, Hideyoshi spoke out in concern.<br />
<br />
"No...Nothing special. Ha, haha."<br />
<br />
Having misunderstood that a love letter was actually blackmail, it was something I could not bear to say aloud. With my pride on the line, no matter what, I cannot let this get out.<br />
<br />
"Full of lies. We could hear a strangled yell from the windows. You must be hiding something?"<br />
<br />
"Oh, Minami. Good morning."<br />
<br />
Having appeared from behind Hideyoshi, was the student from Germany, Shimada Minami. She is a girl with a ponytail and eyes full of vigor.<br />
<br />
"Good morning Akihisa, what are you hiding? Unless it is...?"<br />
<br />
The corner of Minami's eyes rose sharply, indicating that she is about to enter battle status.<br />
<br />
"How is that possible, Minami. I am really hiding nothing."<br />
<br />
"Unless you want to say you received a love letter?"<br />
<br />
"Minami, such an accusation should not be spoken lightly. Everyone's reaction to 'love letter' are extremely explosive, look, everyone is aiming crafting knives at me!"<br />
<br />
My classmates are such a dangerous bunch of individuals. To have such strong killing intent against another member of the same class is simply abnormal.<br />
<br />
"Everyone, the craft knives are too early. Cool down and think it over. This is Akihisa that we are talking about, he surely couldn't have received a love letter. He must be hiding something else."<br />
<br />
Minami raised one of her hands to halt the onslaught of the class.<br />
<br />
Although her intuition was completely correct, but under this situation, her words stung greatly against my pride as a man. Even if I have to bullshit my way through, I still have to say it!<br />
<br />
"Yes, it is actually that. I discovered a love letter in my shoe locker this morning!"<br />
<br />
THWUNK! (Was the noise of the craft knife piercing the tatami mats.)<br />
<br />
"Next time, it will be your ears."<br />
<br />
"My sincerest apologies."<br />
<br />
Pride? What the hell is that? Is it edible?<br />
<br />
"Then answer honestly, what are you hiding?"<br />
<br />
"Well, I am hiding...."<br />
<br />
Blackmail, is when I thought that on most TV dramas, the contents of the blackmail normally should not be told to the police or another party. And of my own interests, I wish to keep the people who know of the blackmailing to a minimum. Smarten up Yoshii Akihisa, what can you do?!<br />
<br />
"Uhm...."<br />
<br />
At this point, time slowed down to a crawl.<br />
<br />
Under the extenuating circumstances, it is standard for the mind to recall past experiences to escape the current problem.<br />
<br />
"'Uhm' what?"<br />
<br />
At this point, I reached the height of recalling yesterday's TV shows from memory.<br />
<br />
"Oh, it's the advertisement letter from a competition swimsuit club."<br />
<br />
...And this is the final result of my brain under pressure, the idea it manages to make? I start to worry about my sanity.<br />
<br />
"R-Really? Akihisa?"<br />
<br />
Obviously it's a lie.<br />
<br />
But, if I were to deny it, we would end up going back to square one for "What are you hiding?" And this time, I have no confidence that my brain will manage to bring up a better excuse for this time round.<br />
<br />
"Obviously it's true!"<br />
<br />
In order to not arouse suspicion, I announced the statement in a firm voice.<br />
<br />
"Hmm. But it seems you don't want to throw it away.... So you wish to join them?"<br />
<br />
"Some, something like that! I had an interest since some time ago!"<br />
<br />
Not good! I'm at the point of no return!<br />
<br />
"Oh, oh, that's the first time I have ever heard of it."<br />
<br />
Yes, it's also the first time that I have ever heard of it also.<br />
<br />
"But, then what piques your interest more? Normal swimsuits or competition type swimsuits?"<br />
<br />
So troublesome, to tell the truth, I do not have a sliver of an idea on what competition swimsuits should be. It boils down to trying to remember whatever I could still remember from yesterday's TV programme.<br />
<br />
"Th-That is..."<br />
<br />
"Yes?"<br />
<br />
Come on! Recall quickly what was your first impression of the TV programme from last night, Yoshii Akihisa!<br />
<br />
My impression of the programme was...<br />
<br />
"-the difference of the tightness."<br />
<br />
I'm such a big pervert.<br />
<br />
"Shimada, I am probably repeating what you already know, but I should clarify things a bit. Akihisa is actually lying you know? Akihisa cannot possibly have such a fetish."<br />
<br />
"Oh oh!? Because his lie was so realistic, I nearly fell for it!"<br />
<br />
"I'm hurt! Your comment just now has severely wounded me to the point where I could cry myself to sleep while holding my pillow every night!"<br />
<br />
Do I really look like a person with such deep interest in swimsuits?<br />
<br />
"This is the last time I am asking you, say only the truth, so what is it?"<br />
<br />
If I do not tell her truth, I think before the blackmail can kill me, Minami would have killed me long before so.<br />
<br />
"Actually, I received blackmail this morning."<br />
<br />
"What? That's great...."<br />
<br />
I could not resist but to arouse suspicion on a student which would feel relieved after hearing someone receive blackmail.<br />
<br />
"Then, what was the content of the blackmail?"<br />
<br />
Though Hideyoshi asked with the exact reverse attitude of Minami, he asked out of pure kindness. His kindness had a healing effect on my shattered conscious. My impression of Hideyoshi rose up by 1. <br />
<br />
"It says that [You are forbidden to become intimate with females around you.] in it."<br />
<br />
"Mm, hm. It is clear from the content of the letter that the person has strong feelings for the females that are around Akihisa. It was probably sent out of jealousy. That should mean..."<br />
<br />
"Yes, the fact that the writer of the letter should have affection for the two girls in our class, Himeji and Hideyoshi is already obvious to me."<br />
<br />
"Akihisa, run before Shimada returns from retrieving a metal baseball bat."<br />
<br />
Huh? Was my assumption incorrect?<br />
<br />
"Well, back to the topic, what is being used to threaten you then?"<br />
<br />
"Oh, speaking of which, I still don't know about that. Let's see, [If you do not do as instructed, the photographs included in the letter will be announced to the world.] Photographs...you mean the ones also in this letter?"<br />
<br />
Inside the envelope that was just the correct size for holding photographs, was three photos.<br />
<br />
Taking out the first photograph, revealed a picture of me, in a maid dress.<br />
<br />
"That's the dress from the previous school festival."<br />
<br />
"When...when was it taken?!"<br />
<br />
"After close inspection, the dress suits you well."<br />
<br />
"That, I am not happy at all from your words."<br />
<br />
I sighed and, if possible, I wish Hideyoshi did not have to see the photo.<br />
<br />
The second photograph, was me cross dressing in a maid dress, -with my panties visible- version.<br />
<br />
"...."<br />
<br />
"Akihisa, what's wrong?"<br />
<br />
"Because it was a pair of trunks, therefore it is safe. Because it was a pair of trunks, therefore it is safe. Because it was a pair of trunks, therefor-"<br />
<br />
"Oh my, Akihisa! Does the photograph contain something so potent that your will is pulverized?"<br />
<br />
It's ok! I am a strong child. If it is only to this extent, it is fine! This blackmail is nothing!<br />
<br />
Gathering my courage, I looked at the final photo.<br />
<br />
It was a picture of me, holding a bra. (Changing into the maid dress edition photo)<br />
<br />
"I HAVE HAD ENOUGH!!!!!!!!!!!"<br />
<br />
"What!? What was the photo about?"<br />
<br />
"Do not look! Do not look at such dirty pictures of me!"<br />
<br />
"Even though I am thoroughly confused, you should calm down! You are becoming the center of attraction for everyone else!"<br />
<br />
Having been told so, I finally notice the piercing stares of the surroundings. Calm down, this is not the time to increase attention.<br />
<br />
"Huff huff.... Such destructive power. If I were to say this is a plan to murder me, it would not be an understatement."<br />
<br />
"You think too much, it is just a maid dress. Everyone in their life wears one at least once."<br />
<br />
That. Definitely has to be a lie.<br />
<br />
When I was doing a tsukkomi on the indifference of view for Hideyoshi.<br />
<br />
"Yoshii and Kinoshita, good morning."<br />
<br />
From behind, a pleasant voice carried over, which seemed to heal one's heart as well.<br />
<br />
"That voice. It has to be Himeji. Good morning."<br />
<br />
"Yes. Because I discovered midway to school that I left something behind at home. I was nearly late for school."<br />
<br />
With her timid smile, she had the power to cleanse the entire classroom of manly stench, Himeji Mizuki.<br />
<br />
"Just in time, we can have Himeji prove that the pictures from before are of no importance. Himeji, do you mind?"<br />
<br />
Hideyoshi blurted hastily in front of Himeji.<br />
<br />
"Ok, so what is it?"<br />
<br />
"Yes, I have a question to ask you. If you had a photograph of Akihisa's dressed as a maid, what would you want to do?"<br />
<br />
Truthfully speaking, his questioning seems too suspicious.<br />
<br />
"Mmm... If it is that..."<br />
<br />
If Himeji reveals a revolted expression, no matter what the cost is, I must avoid public exposure of the photographs! I cannot let my fame that is at the bottom of the canyon, dig deeper than it already is!<br />
<br />
"If I really were to have such a photo, the first thing I would do is buy a scanner."<br />
<br />
"Huh? Scanner? Why?"<br />
<br />
Under such a hard to understand answer, I reflexively asked another question. What use can she have with a scanner?<br />
<br />
"Without it, I cannot announce the charm of Akihisa to the world, through the use of the internet..."<br />
<br />
"Akihisa! Calm down! It is still too early to jump from here!"<br />
<br />
"Let me go, Hideyoshi! I cannot bear to stay alive any longer!"<br />
<br />
Himeji definitely hates me now, doesn't she? <!--removed spoiler as vol 2 is presently complete--><br />
<br />
"Right, right! Silent pervert! Silent pervert is well versed in occasions like these. If you tell him what has happened..."<br />
<br />
"To let silent pervert laugh at me?"<br />
<br />
"No, not that! To explain what has happened so he can help you catch the criminal!"<br />
<br />
"Ohh! So that's what you meant!"<br />
<br />
Right! It's still too early to give up! Silent pervert is an infamous voyeur photographer and intelligence informant. He could possibly nail down the source of all the problems. With this, I can retrieve my photos!<br />
<br />
"Nice idea, Hideyoshi! Nothing less from my bride!"<br />
<br />
"Shouldn't it be groom instead?!"<br />
<br />
"Actually, no matter which one, it still feels wrong."<br />
<br />
I have to rush to talk to Silent Pervert immediately. At the moment, he seems to be talking with someone else in the shadows.<br />
<br />
"Then, I'll go over and talk with Silent Pervert!"<br />
<br />
Having waved to Himeji and Hideyoshi, I ran over to the corner of the classroom.<br />
<br />
"Speaking of which, what of Akihisa's maid dress photographs..."<br />
<br />
"Hi...Himeji! Would you like to have a chat with me?"<br />
<br />
From the back, I could notice Hideyoshi desperately blocking Himeji's path. Oh, such a wonderful bride.<br />
<br />
"Help me, Silent Pervert! My fame is at stake here!"<br />
<br />
Rushing over to stand in front of Silent Pervert ideal conversation location, at this point a hand thrust out and hindered my path. The hand came from a person with a large body.<br />
<br />
"Wait a moment, I came here first."<br />
<br />
"Oh? Yuuji?"<br />
<br />
The person who stole ahead was my bad friend, and at the same time the class rep, Sakamoto Yuuji. His normal hedgehog head seems to have lost all energy, what could have happened?<br />
<br />
"Silent Pervert, what were you discussing?"<br />
<br />
"...It seems Yuuji will be married soon."<br />
<br />
The person that was talking to Yuuji was the short boy, Tsuchiya Kouta. Because of his absolute defiance in refusing to admit that he has a huge interest in matters of sex, we call him "Silent Pervert".<br />
<br />
"Yuuji and Shouko having a wedding? Compared to a fact that was determined a long time ago, my problem of soon being recognized as a cross dresser is more important!"<br />
<br />
"What the hell are you saying? You were known as a pervert, and that didn't start today!"<br />
<br />
"You there with a wife, shut up and return to the cemetery of your life!"<br />
<br />
"The one who should shut up is you, you pervert! Go and return to your maid tea cafe waitress job!"<br />
<br />
"..."<br />
<br />
"..."<br />
<br />
"...If you both knew that it would come down to this, wouldn't it have been better to have stayed silent in the beginning?"<br />
<br />
I didn't cry! It's just that this morning's breakfast (salt and water) is coming out of my eyes.<br />
<br />
"But, but... If it's just marriage, it's still great right? I thought at the pace you were going at, I wouldn't be surprised to see children by now."<br />
<br />
"...Akihisa, you should stop the cold jokes."<br />
<br />
Huh? What? It wasn't funny?<br />
<br />
"Having been beaten down by you like this. I should listen on what has happened."<br />
<br />
"With how you phrased it just now, it seems to anger me. But I'll let it slide for now, this morning, Shouko brought a MP3 player."<br />
<br />
"MP3 player? That's nothing special is it? Yuuji used to bring one to school too?"<br />
<br />
But was quickly confiscated by Iron Man.<br />
<br />
"No. She is extremely terrible when it comes to handling machines. To have brought such a device, and especially to school is extremely unnatural."<br />
<br />
It seems Kirishima is inept when it comes to handling machines. It looks like it has nothing to do with brains after all.<br />
<br />
"Because it looked extremely odd, I took it from her, but mysteriously it contained a recording of someone imitating me proposing to her."<br />
<br />
"..."<br />
<br />
All of a sudden, the scene of the last summoning war surfaced on my memories. Because the mastermind behind the imitation of the proposal was none other than myself. I was plagued deeply by guilt.<br />
<br />
But, to record the proposal of her beloved, isn't that just cute of her? You shouldn't take it so seriously and laugh it off.<br />
<br />
"Is, Isn't it cute of Kirishima to have recorded that as a memento of her memories?"<br />
<br />
"No, she was planning to use this as evidence of the proposal to her father."<br />
<br />
The feeling of guilt grew to the point where it was unbearable.<br />
<br />
"Even though I have confiscated the MP3 player, I suspect this is merely a copy, and if the original is not destroyed..."<br />
<br />
This is because on Yuuji's hand, it only looked like a standard MP3 player. Even if the content was destroyed, the problem would not be solved.<br />
<br />
"Because of this, I hoped to ask Silent Pervert to stop whoever has the original recording of this. As I said before, Shouko is incompatible with machines, she could have never set up hidden recording equipment ahead of time. Therefore there must be a real professional in this field who has done this!"<br />
<br />
Actually, recalling the past events, I did not seem to notice any recording of Yuuji's (Hideyoshi's) speech. But like Yuuji mentioned, it is possible someone was secretly recording, because prior to the summoning war, Himeji, and Minami were wearing quite splendid china dresses. It wouldn't be surprising if someone wanted to secretly record the event.<br />
<br />
"...Akihisa?"<br />
<br />
"My process of changing into a maid dress, seems to be in risk of being announced online."<br />
<br />
"...What happened?"<br />
<br />
It was understandable of him to have asked the question.<br />
<br />
"Sorry, but to simplify things. This..."<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
-In the process of explanation-<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
"-Because of this, I hope you can stop whoever is blackmailing me. I don't recall having pictures of me taken, therefore I suspect someone to be extremely well versed to do so."<br />
<br />
"What? Akihisa seems to be in the same situation as I am."<br />
<br />
"...Companions through being the victims of blackmail."<br />
<br />
"Having become comrades through this is just a little..."<br />
<br />
After the explanation ended, the classroom echoed the sound of *kasha kasha* of the door sliding open, and it appears that the home room is about to start.<br />
<br />
"Sorry for being so late, the training course preparations took a fair bit of time to handle. Everyone please be seated as the lessons will start."<br />
<br />
Iron Man, no, Nishimura-sensei carried a large box. The contents must have been the handbooks for the training course.<br />
<br />
"...I will investigate on this matter."<br />
<br />
"Sorry for the inconvenience, as for the reward, I will bring a book that seems to suit your interests."<br />
<br />
"I will give one of the two recently obtained treasures to you."<br />
<br />
"...I will definitely discover the one behind this."<br />
<br />
Silent Pervert quickly returned to his original position. Because Yuuji and I were too much of a sore thumb, it was not possible to have moved from our original positions.<br />
<br />
"So, tomorrow is the start of the training course, but the details of the course are nearly all written inside the booklet that I am about to hand out to you, so read it yourself when you return home. And this isn't a holiday, all you need is studying tools and a change of clothes."<br />
<br />
A pile of booklets was passed from the front, I kept one and passed the rest to the person behind me.<br />
<br />
"Only, do not mistake the gathering place and time."<br />
<br />
Iron Man roughly rapped the desk for attention.<br />
<br />
Indeed, if one were to mistake the gathering place and time, it would be disastrous. Even though the purpose was to improve our knowledge, missing the chance to have fun with your friends at night would be a sad outcome. Therefore I should put the effort to memorize the place and time.<br />
<br />
I flipped through the booklet to find the section which mentioned the place and time.<br />
<br />
The place we were heading to was Uzuki Kougen, which is famous as a tourist spot. The nearest street car should take 4 hours to arrive, and interchanging buses should take around 5 hours.<br />
<br />
<!--Translator Corrections: 卯月高原 is a made up place. Because later on, in the book, 卯月高原 is referring to the hostel/hotel they are staying at. Therefore it makes sense that you can't look it up on Wikipedia/internet.--><br />
<br />
"The important part is that our gathering time and place is different from other classes."<br />
<br />
Class A and B probably would be traveling in luxury buses. I guess we would be in normal buses, and possibly we can only stand and not even sit. No, if it can get worse, only an instructor would lead the way.<br />
<br />
"Listen well, Class F is to meet directly at the destination spot."<br />
<br />
"""Not even an instructor to lead the way????"""<br />
<br />
Due to the cruel treatment, every member of the class was in tears.<br />
<br />
<br />
<noinclude> <br />
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</noinclude></div>Idolonhttps://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Hidan_no_Aria:Volume7_Chapter1&diff=97412Hidan no Aria:Volume7 Chapter12011-05-28T08:19:14Z<p>Idolon: /* 1st Ammo: Case E8 */</p>
<hr />
<div>==1st Ammo: Case E8==<br />
<br />
Reki.<br />
<br />
Always expressionless, unfeeling and taciturn Reki. <br />
<br />
Protecting me on orders from the “wind”, the Reki who, armed with only a single sniper rifle, bravely took on the Ten Thousand Skill Warrior Koko.<br />
<br />
Under the starlight, that Reki was sprawled on the roadway.<br />
<br />
“This wound…..It’s not a gunshot wound.”<br />
<br />
Said Shirayuki’s younger sister, Kazayuki, who was kneeling on one knee at Reki’s side.<br />
<br />
The astonishment at her previously abrupt and hard to believe exclamation about Reki’s bloodline still remained. However, now is not the time to be speaking about family lineages. <br />
<br />
Medical aid for Reki has to be quickly administered.<br />
<br />
“Reki was wounded by some sort of light that I don’t really understand; some kind of invisible bomb. She bled considerably before you arrived. Shirayuki, your….healing art or something; can’t you use it?!”<br />
<br />
Clinging onto my words, I shook Shirayuki by the neck, trying to get rescue to come.<br />
<br />
“Ordinarily, I would be up to the task…...but right now, my powers are unstable.” <br />
<br />
“Unstable….?”<br />
<br />
Kazayuki explained to me with my furrowed eyebrows,<br />
<br />
“Lately, in Japan…no, throughout the whole world, there has been a weakening of supernatural abilities. The reason for this drop in success rate is unknown. Among the Hotogi, the ability to heal wounds has been especially limited. In the event of failure, it could kill the person.”<br />
<br />
I weakened at her words….<br />
<br />
Somehow or the other, simply having Shirayuki’s magic turn the game for the better would not be the case.<br />
<br />
Then how can I…..<br />
<br />
As I agitatedly paced around, Shirayuki took Reki’s temperature.<br />
<br />
“Terrible. Her body temperature has plummeted to extremely low levels. If we don’t get her to a hospital fast….”<br />
<br />
From behind, Shirayuki and her sisters boarded a convertible, a Himiko, a solid sedan of Mitsuoka Automobile and a Kushinada that came along with it.<br />
<br />
Shirayuki and her sisters used this bulletproof car for retreat in accordance with the battle situation.<br />
<br />
Just perfect. These guys can transport Reki. <br />
<br />
However….<br />
<br />
“Don’t go to a hospital. Our enemy from just now, Koko, was using a sniper rifle.”<br />
<br />
Right now, there is no sniper here.<br />
<br />
If the hospital in the city came under attack from a sniper rifle, we won’t be able to do anything.<br />
<br />
Urban areas with plenty of buildings are where a sniper holds the most advantage.<br />
<br />
“In that case, we’ll take Reki-sama to a branch shrine of the Hotogi. We’ll call a doctor there.”<br />
<br />
Kazayuki grudgingly soaked her miko garb in blood carrying Reki. <br />
<br />
Carrying Reki in the back seat of the Kushinada, I supported her, together with my neighboring passenger. With our cell phones destroyed, Shirayuki got into the co-driver’s seat and called Butei High. <br />
<br />
With the engine primed forward, Kazayuki settled down on a passenger seat with a sharp expression. Right now, her wakyuu was in her hands in preparation for a pursuit with Koko.<br />
<br />
The driver opposite and the driver here; both of them dazzling beauties started their vehicles to maintain a lookout over the river bank, heading down the mountain road.<br />
<br />
“Kin-chan, it’s connected. The Masters’ night duty room. It’s Nangou sensei.”<br />
<br />
I accepted the white cell phone from Shirayuki, and explained the situation to Nangou-sensei of Snipe; how during Caravan I, we came under sniper attack on the outskirts of Kyouto, the battle near Mt Hiei, Reki’s wounding and the assailant being a Hong Kong exchange student named Koko. The silent Nangou listened to my words, all the while not saying anything.<br />
<br />
“That’s Case E8, Tohyama. The Masters cannot act.”<br />
<br />
A low voice at the end was the reply.<br />
<br />
Case E8.<br />
<br />
That was cipher code for “possibility of perpetrators within being high and as such, this common knowledge cannot be leaked out. Make contact with trusted individuals as active partners; resolve issue by the hand of concerned parties.”<br />
<br />
Nangou’s decision was….right. The perpetrator infiltrated under the disguise of an exchange student from Hong Kong. <br />
<br />
If the situation became common knowledge amongst the entirety of the student body, the enemy could obtain information.<br />
<br />
Thus, Butei Article Chapter 4:<br />
<br />
Butei must be independent.<br />
<br />
Upon reaching their 2nd or 3rd year in Butei High, it is a general rule that they defeat their enemies on their own. <br />
<br />
Those who receive aid from the Masters are interns or inexperienced first years. As it was not like I joined only recently, I somewhat understood Butei High’s education policy. I understood….Nangou’s callousness. Although, the one who’s been attacked is your student, can’t you be more worried? <br />
<br />
“If unarmed civilians get involved, contact me again Tohyama.”<br />
<br />
…..It would be too late if that happens. <br />
<br />
Muttering in the depths of my heart, I made my salutations and cut the connection with Nangou.<br />
<br />
<br />
Two vehicles sped down the mountain from the national highway 367 towards highways 105 and 106. During a stop at an intersection, Kazayuki nocked an arrow and briefly raising her bow, surveyed the bank. Casting a sidelong glance, I called Riko from Shirayuki’s phone.<br />
<br />
(Koko’s modus operandi resembles Riko’s in some parts.)<br />
<br />
Vocaloid warnings, submachine gun mounted radio controlled devices. Conversely, Riko’s close combat technique in the confrontation with Haimaki at Butei High had the feeling of Kungfu.<br />
<br />
Perhaps she may have some kind of connection with Koko. However, my call could not connect. Riko was out of range. Yesterday at Osaka, I encountered by chance Riko and Aria who were speaking of working together. When I tried to make a call, Aria was out of range. <br />
<br />
In the midst of such a serious affair, where are those two? They aren’t near at all.<br />
<br />
(……Koko….)<br />
<br />
Unable to do anything, I again considered from where our enemy may target us.<br />
<br />
Just who is she?<br />
<br />
A superhuman capable of combining hand to hand combat skills rivaling mine in Hysteria Mode, handgun skills that can evenly match Aria’s and sniper skills equal to that of Reki……The face of E.U? I wouldn’t happen to know.<br />
<br />
With that being the case, I called Jeanne who, just like Riko, had her roots in E.U. It took six calls to get a response from Jeanne, who was sleeping in the middle of the night.<br />
<br />
“Hotogi? What’s the matter?”<br />
<br />
A clear voice emitted from the phone.<br />
<br />
“No, it’s me. Tohyama Kinji. I’m calling from Shirayuki’s phone.”<br />
<br />
“……? It....It’s the middle of the night. Why are you using Shirayuki’s phone?”<br />
<br />
Ignoring the suspicion in her voice, I urgently explained the situation.<br />
<br />
“Jeanne, is there a sniper of Reki’s skill within E.U? A monster with hand to hand combat and handgun skills. Her name is Koko,” I asked.<br />
<br />
“Sniper…..Koko? Non. Except for Sherlock, a sniper with the skill to exchange shots evenly with Reki does not exist in E.U. There are people like Patra who use sniper rifles but they are of modest skill.”<br />
<br />
Then Koko….is not a remnant of E.U.<br />
<br />
With my face sheer white, I recounted the words Reki had spoken.<br />
<br />
“The enemies from here onwards cannot be beaten through a simple contest of force.”<br />
<br />
The enemies from here on.<br />
<br />
(Reki…)<br />
<br />
Losing my desire to sleep, I held Reki and clenched my teeth in frustration.<br />
<br />
You, we….. How can fighting be even possible now?<br />
<br />
Reki……!<br />
<br />
Within the powerful Hotogi shrine, the organization is divided into the main shrine and branch offices.<br />
<br />
The branch office also doubles as a branch shrine. There was a large branch shrine of the Hotogi shrine in Kyoto. Around the time we arrived there, a warm rain had begun to fall from the lightening sky. <br />
<br />
On the wet asphalt scented road, megumi miko stood on alert. These were young miko who served full Hotogi miko like Shirayuki and Kazayuki. The megumi miko carried Reki away on a stretcher and led me, Shirayuki and Jeanne who had rushed over in a taxi to the shrine. <br />
<br />
Ascending a flight of meticulously swept stone steps…..<br />
<br />
“Tohyama, this place is just like a city. Reki will be safely protected here,” Jeanne said as she calmly surveyed the surroundings. <br />
<br />
“Ah. Upon arrival I felt that the Hotogi’s head and branch shrines were slightly different from normal shrines. It looks like a shrine yet its construction also resembles a fortress.” <br />
<br />
Below was a garage. We saw the two vehicles being used some moments ago entering there. <br />
<br />
Not only cars but Kawasaki Heavy Industries OH-1 Ninja reconnaissance helicopters were housed there. <br />
<br />
--The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honden honden] of the Kyoto branch of the Hotogi shrine was situated at the top of a hill overgrown with Japanese cedar.<br />
<br />
Where snipers are concerned, they would be unable to take up position beneath the slope and fire into the interior of the shrine.<br />
<br />
Additionally, with the exception of the entrance [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torii torii], samurai estates ringed with walls of mortar guarded the entire approach. <br />
<br />
Beneath the torii, Kazayuki, who had arrived earlier, stood sentinel in formal red armor and her [http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%92%8C%E5%BC%93 wakyuu] in hand. Koko wouldn’t succeed if she were to blindly pursue us here.<br />
<br />
“This way Kin-chan,” Shirayuki said as she led us under the torii to a first-aid mansion resembling Kazayuki’s clinic. <br />
<br />
Summoned nurses and a female doctor immediately crowded one of the rooms where Reki was brought into. Medical equipment and medicines filled the area around them.<br />
<br />
“Oh…oh…..you took a hit there…..”<br />
<br />
The young female doctor fixing her rimless glasses who greeted Reki was brandishing a handgun. It seems like Hotogi summoned a professional from the Medic DA. Medic Butei are like medic troopers in the army: key personnel who give emergency treatment to wounded Butei. In Butei High, it’s the Medica who train these Butei.<br />
<br />
“Blood cell count, blood type determination - cross match, biochemistry check – ASAP, begin blood transfusion.”<br />
<br />
Immediately, the nurses monitoring Reki’s condition hurried to carry out the doctor’s instructions.<br />
<br />
“Boy, while we work here, you go take a rest. Your face looks like a corpse,” the doctor said as she cast a sidelong glance at me.<br />
<br />
“I can’t help at all? Reki; she…” With that, I, who could not take my eyes off Reki calmly walked towards Shirayuki.<br />
<br />
“It’s okay, Kin-chan. This is a doctor under contract with Hotogi. She’s the number one doctor in Kyoto. Wait. Tell me what’s wrong.”<br />
<br />
“Listen Shirayuki…”<br />
<br />
Certainly, it was frightening getting used to the methods of the doctor currently treating Reki. Almost assuredly, under normal conditions wounded Butei would have been first examined.<br />
<br />
(Reki….)<br />
<br />
<br />
Last night, all I could do was administer first-aid on Reki. It goes without saying that Shirayuki would allow only professionals to administer full blown medical care.<br />
<br />
The nurses’ assistant.<br />
<br />
“I’ll assist. It isn’t advanced grade aid but I possess Pan-European Aegis Assistant qualifications,” Jeanne said as she skillfully donned a surgical apron and nurse’s cap. <br />
<br />
This isn’t my place at all.<br />
<br />
Thinking about that, why does it feel as if a thread of mental strain is about to be cut?<br />
<br />
<br />
(…….Uu…….)<br />
<br />
My vision faded with a great tremor.<br />
<br />
“Kin-chan!?”<br />
<br />
“Tohyama!?”<br />
<br />
Shirayuki and Jeanne’s voices desperately called from far off in the distance.<br />
<br />
What happened to me…..?<br />
<br />
The floor that I had been standing on earlier...<br />
<br />
Appeared before my eyes...?<br />
<br />
<br />
What’s that…..sound that I’m hearing?<br />
<br />
This is the sound of the wind.<br />
<br />
The sound of a dry wind blowing out from the surroundings.<br />
<br />
I found myself in the middle of a vast steppe with mountain ranges visible in the distance.<br />
<br />
This is probably……a dream.<br />
<br />
A dream in which you are self-aware. A lucid dream. <br />
<br />
In this arid steppe, several horses could be seen.<br />
<br />
<nowiki>Girls dressed in vividly coloured traditional garb rode on those horses.</nowiki><br />
<br />
<nowiki>With severe expressions, they carried old, Russian-made sniper rifles on their backs. </nowiki><br />
<br />
<nowiki>At their head, was a girl with hair ornaments more exquisite than the others. </nowiki><br />
<br />
She approached on noticing my gaze.<br />
<br />
That face…..<br />
<br />
(Reki….?)<br />
<br />
<br />
“………Reki……..”<br />
<br />
………<br />
<br />
………I awoke.<br />
<br />
There was no wind but the sound of rain. This is……yes….The Hotogi branch shrine in Kyoto.<br />
<br />
After the wounded Reki had been treated by the doctors, I had collapsed from exhaustion. Sitting upright in the futon, I looked around my surroundings. I understood how I had come to be lying down in this large Japanese-style room. Beneath the hanging scrolls, I saw an old clock. It was close to noon.<br />
<br />
(Reki….How is she?)<br />
<br />
Before I knew it, I had changed out of my glossed silk night clothes into the neatly folded and washed uniform arranged by my bedside, opened the paper sliding door and headed outside. In the nightingale floored corridor, Shirayuki, in her miko garb and with sword in hand, knelt quietly. She was acting as my escort. For some reason, her face wore an expression of suspense as she glanced in the direction of the torii. Looking over her shoulder, she finally became aware of me.<br />
<br />
“Kin-chan!”<br />
<br />
Pyon! Shirayuki flew from a kneeling posture to standing.<br />
<br />
Tayun!<br />
<br />
“…….”<br />
<br />
Shi-Shirayuki….as a result of that excessively vigourous jump, that overly massive chest was I think late by a single beat in swaying. Right now...suddenly right after I woke, a wonderful sight greeted my eyes. <br />
<br />
As usual, they were of a size far beyond that of a high school student. 1.5 times that of Riko’s, 3 times that of Reki’s, 6 times that of Aria’s. As I was still mainly stunned however, in terms of Hysteria level, I was fine. As I thought that, Shirayuki stroked me while making sure that I was alright. With teary eyes she gently caressed my arms and head.<br />
<br />
“Kin-chan, Kin-chan, I think my heart nearly stopped because of your sudden collapse……!”<br />
<br />
“A, aa. I’m fine, thank you. I was just a little tired, that’s why. That aside, how’s Reki?”<br />
<br />
Shirayuki delicately brushed aside my question.</div>Idolonhttps://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=User:Idolon/vector.css&diff=97089User:Idolon/vector.css2011-05-25T03:57:17Z<p>Idolon: </p>
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<div>==Go For The NEXT! Reki==<br />
<br />
Running, running, exiting onto the highway, I--<br />
<br />
-collapsed, my knees thudding into the ground, laying Reki down onto the asphalt.<br />
<br />
"Haa, haa, haa...!"<br />
<br />
My head was spinning, my breathing laboured.<br />
<br />
--I'm at my limit. I cannot run any further.<br />
<br />
From the beginning, my body had been weakening as I spent longer and longer in the woods. And, that body had continued carrying somebody, no matter how elfin they might be, as it ran. Furthermore, going through those pathless locations, my body had gone into completely and total exhaustion.<br />
<br />
I pressed my hands to the road, breathing heavily.<br />
<br />
And...''Flutter, Flutter.''<br />
<br />
The butterfly, which had been dancing in the field of cosmos earlier, had somehow, reached here first...and flitting around me as if it was worried, it flew to my left hand.<br />
<br />
Having large, white wings, it, with a design just like a swallowtail--had a star-shaped pattern on them.<br />
<br />
I felt that I had seen this design somewhere before, but...this isn't the time to investigate.<br />
<br />
(--I'm fine with whatever, but will a car...come--?)<br />
<br />
If one came, I'd use my Butei License to slow it, and then bring Reki to a hospital.<br />
<br />
The hill-road that leads to the city has a very large curve, making it impossible to see it due to the trees and topography...and now, it didn't feel as if there was a car nearby.<br />
<br />
Damn it...I have no other choice.<br />
<br />
One minute. In just one minute, I forced my legs up again, waiting for a car.<br />
<br />
If a car does not come, I will carry Reki once again, running down the road.<br />
<br />
Deciding that, I--took off the Dragunov that was slung over my back, and I looked into the scope.<br />
<br />
I cannot let even one minute go to waste. Just now, Reki's words...<br />
<br />
"Hidden inside this is a camera. It has already been set to record the scene at the instant that I snipe." <br />
<br />
Recalling them, I fumbled with the scope...and on the bottom, I pressed a slim button.<br />
<br />
I peered into the scope, redundantly pushing the button. The telescope function disappeared from my sight, replaced by the image of a black remote-controlled helicopter.<br />
<br />
This is...the video of the helicopter that Reki had shot when it attacked us at the hotel, right?<br />
<br />
I pressed the same button repeatedly. ''Click Click''<br />
<br />
After the screen flickered through four helicopters, the image changed into that of the shot at the black dog's leg.<br />
<br />
After that, the video that I saw, the video that replaced the image of the dog's right and left legs--<br />
<br />
(--!)<br />
<br />
My heart skipped a beat.<br />
<br />
Flash, Cannon, Russian--what was pictured inside the three photos of the time of release of the three bullets...was, as Reki had said, a girl.<br />
<br />
And she too--seemed familiar.<br />
<br />
She had black twin-tails, around the same length as Aria's. She was wearing the same extravagant Chinese clothing as when she had attacked me.<br />
<br />
This is...the transfer student from Hong Kong Butei High.<br />
<br />
"...Koko...!"<br />
<br />
This isn't a mistake.<br />
<br />
It may be that the videos were rather dark, but in all three, her whole body was clearly captured.<br />
<br />
That little girl who had ambushed me by the road on the day of the opening ceremony, Koko--charged out of the camouflage of leaves, quickly mounting the offroad-bike behind her, a CRM250AR.<br />
<br />
(Koko...the person who put me in submission by grappling when I was in Hysteria Mode, the person who drew with Aria in Aru=Kata--)<br />
<br />
--and in sniping, she was a match for Reki...wasn't she...?<br />
<br />
That kind of girl exists in this world?<br />
<br />
No, can they exist in this world?<br />
<br />
Martial arts, guns, and sniping. All of these techniques take many years to reach their ultimate form. At our age...no, at an age below that, it's impossible for someone to be a master at two, or three things.<br />
<br />
"The Warrior of Ten-Thousand Techniques--"'''Ten-Thousand Arms'''"...Koko..."<br />
<br />
As I murmured the second name she had given--<br />
<br />
From the left...coming from the mountain, I heard the sound of an engine.<br />
<br />
''Ha'' Raising my head, I stood up, thinking that a car was coming.<br />
<br />
--''Beeeeep''<br />
<br />
Afterward, hearing the sound of a siren...<br />
<br />
--''Beeeeeeeeeep''...!<br />
<br />
"...!"<br />
<br />
...I whipped out my Beretta.<br />
<br />
She's different from the one in legend. Well, I'm just talking to myself right now.<br />
<br />
--That was the sound of a motorcycle.<br />
<br />
It had a high pitch which even an amateur would understand from listening, the sound of a 2-stroke engine.<br />
<br />
It was the the sound of the bike in the video, the engine equipped by a CRM250AR.<br />
<br />
It's impossible that the same bike would pass by coincidentally, because 2-stroke motorcycles exceed exhaust limits, and their gas, as well as the motorcycles themselves, are no longer in production.<br />
<br />
As I deduced this, sitting on the bike that was banking furiously around the curve--was Koko.<br />
<br />
"Koko!"<br />
<br />
I stood in a position where I could protect Reki, bringing my Beretta up to bear--<br />
<br />
"Kihi!"<br />
<br />
Damn it! Laughing while swerving in an S-shape, Koko could not be held within my sights.<br />
<br />
The next instant, Koko slammed down on the brakes, brushing past me as if trying to sweep me over.<br />
<br />
"--!"<br />
<br />
Twisting my head back, I...could not ready my gun.<br />
<br />
Because, stopping the bike in a slanted position a few meters away, Koko was pointing a gun at me.<br />
<br />
That was a suppressed UZI--a sub-machine gun.<br />
<br />
This situation...<br />
<br />
Koko has the advantage in terms of magazine capacity, and moreover, she was a person that was able to match Aria in a gunfight. Facing her was me, not even in Hysteria Mode, and added to that, I had to protect Reki, who was heavily wounded, while fighting.<br />
<br />
--I don't want to admit it, but I cannot act.<br />
<br />
"Drop your pistol. The DE at your chest too."<br />
<br />
''Wave, Wave''. The barrel of Koko's gun pointed at my ribs, I, compelled to do so, dropped the Beretta--as well as the Desert Eagle that I had not used yet, having no other choice.<br />
<br />
"Reki--90 points. She's a good piece, so I'll take it. And as expected, Kinchi gets 0 points. But, he's a piece with a good military record. I like it. I'll bring him back."<br />
<br />
"...Take...what are you saying?"<br />
<br />
Keeping my body completely still, I directed those words at Koko, staring at her.<br />
<br />
"From now on, all Stealths have to be destroyed. It's good to keep people like you, "just humans, yet strong pieces," in my grasp."[http://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Hidan_no_Aria:Volume6_Translator%27s_Notes#Epilogue]<br />
<br />
"...?"<br />
<br />
"And, Reki is one of the '''northern barbarians''', Kinchi is one of the '''eastern tribesmen'''. You're fitting as soldiers of the queen of the center of the world, Koko." [http://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Hidan_no_Aria:Volume6_Translator%27s_Notes#Epilogue]<br />
<br />
I...have no idea what she's talking about. What the hell is she saying?<br />
<br />
Please go learn Japanese again.<br />
<br />
I made a confused expression, and Koko, going ''Fufu'', snickered, looking at me.<br />
<br />
"Become part of my collection, alright? Do you know who '''Koko''', or '''Meng De''' is? Koko is of his bloodline." [http://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Hidan_no_Aria:Volume6_Translator%27s_Notes#Epilogue]<br />
<br />
"...I have no idea."<br />
<br />
"[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cao_cao Cao Cao Meng De]."<br />
<br />
"...Aah."<br />
<br />
"--I won't forgive you for that weak reaction!"<br />
<br />
''Pffft!''<br />
<br />
Quickly becoming angry, Koko fired a warning shot into the air--<br />
<br />
Once again returning the barrel of the gun to my body, she seemed as if she was going to give some sort of order...at that moment.<br />
<br />
"...!"<br />
<br />
Suddenly realizing something, she started the bike again, ''Vroom!'' Koko spun in place, turning around completely.<br />
<br />
Brushing past Koko's twin-tails, in front of me--<br />
<br />
--''Shiiing!''<br />
<br />
-along with the sound of a bell, an arrow sped past.<br />
<br />
Koko put the motorcycle into action, dodging the arrow. <br />
<br />
From the direction that the arrow came from...I could see a wine-red car cut through the air, hurtling this way.<br />
<br />
It was around 150 meters away.<br />
<br />
(...That is...!)<br />
<br />
On the engine bonnet of the convertible--there was someone kneeling on one knee.<br />
<br />
Even from such a long distance, I realized it.<br />
<br />
The gold forehead protector on her head, her body clothed with red and white Miko garments, its sleeves rolled up, a nocked bow in her hands--A Hotogi Armed Miko. However, it was not Shirayuki.<br />
<br />
Kyoto has a Hotogi shrine as well. It seemed that they were reinforcements from there.<br />
<br />
That butterfly just now...as if welcoming them, flew over, its wings fluttering.<br />
<br />
Seeing this scene, I suddenly thought back to it.<br />
<br />
That butterfly is a Hotogi Swallowtail.<br />
<br />
When I was a child, I had seen them being raised at the Hotogi shrine in Aomori.<br />
<br />
''Creak Creak''...''Hyuu''--!<br />
<br />
The intrepid Miko used a daikyu, over 2 meters long, to shoot two arrows.[http://l5r.wikia.com/wiki/Daikyu] <br />
<br />
''Shhaang!'' That bell rang out again, as if exorcising something, the eagle-feathered arrow penetrating the motorcycle that Koko was using as her shield, making a hole in the fuel tank.<br />
<br />
--Amazing. From that kind of distance, on top of a swaying car...without using any sights, she managed to hit the gasoline tank with an arrow from a daikyuu.<br />
<br />
''PftPftPft!''<br />
<br />
Counterattacking with a number of bullets from the Uzi, Koko immediately jumped onto the motorcycle--<br />
<br />
"In every generation, Koko has always run when the time came to run. It's fine as long as I have the last laugh. '''Farewell'''."<br />
<br />
Leaving a trail of gasoline behind and swerving off the road, she disappeared into the thick undergrowth.<br />
<br />
I picked up Reki's Dragunov, trying to snipe her with my amateur skills...but it was impossible. I could no longer see Koko.<br />
<br />
The engine noise continued to get further and further.<br />
<br />
She--really knows how to adapt to the situation.<br />
<br />
This kind of calm, collected, hit and run type...from my experience, is very strong.<br />
<br />
I went "Tch", turning towards Reki--<br />
<br />
The car just now--a high-grade Mitsuoka automatic car, a wine-red Himiko--had stopped. The Miko on the bonnet, a bow in her hands, was looking towards the mountain, still alert.<br />
<br />
Sitting on the seat was the beautiful driver that had come to pick up Konayuki last month--<br />
<br />
"...Kin-chan! What happened...!?"<br />
<br />
Pointing at the Hotogi Swallowtail was Shirayuki.<br />
<br />
"Shirayuki...you really saved us. I'm glad you noticed."<br />
<br />
"Because we heard a noise like Cannon from the mountain, I had a bad feeling in my heart...so, I used Koujutsu[http://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Hidan_no_Aria:Volume6_Translator%27s_Notes#Epilogue] to investigate. Also, because I couldn't connect with Kin-chan's cellphone...I-I, feh...."<br />
<br />
Climbing out of the car, her eyes filled with tears, Shirayuki embraced me tightly, as if trying to confirm if I was alright.<br />
<br />
Immediately noticing Reki, lying on the floor, Shirayuki said: "Oh no...!", kneeling by Reki's side.<br />
<br />
"Reki--was beaten by that girl from earlier. We have to go to a hospital immediately--"<br />
<br />
I said that, and next to Shirayuki, who had clasped her hands to her mouth, her eyes wide open,<br />
<br />
"Reki...?"[http://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Hidan_no_Aria:Volume6_Translator%27s_Notes#Epilogue]<br />
<br />
The other Miko, getting off the car, said something in a small voice, kneeling down.<br />
<br />
Already having become a beautiful woman, I didn't recognize her for a moment, but...this girl is...Kazayuki.<br />
<br />
One of Shirayuki's sisters. One year younger.<br />
<br />
Before, she was a very cool girl, able to match Reki. She hadn't changed at all.<br />
<br />
Having just been fighting with arrows, even though she saw Reki, soaked in blood, before her...her expression did not change at all.<br />
<br />
Expressionless, Kazayuki whispered something into Shirayuki's ear--<br />
<br />
"...N-no way. Are you sure that isn't a mistake?"<br />
<br />
Shirayuki turned towards her, stunned.<br />
<br />
''Nod''. Nodding, Kazayuki...<br />
<br />
...said something that I did not wish to hear, the true identity of my fiancé--coolly, she announced it.<br />
<br />
<br />
"This is the descendant of both--[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minamoto_no_Yoshitsune Minamoto no Yoshitsune] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genghis_Khan Genghis Khan]. The princess of the continent."<br />
<br />
<br />
Go For The Next!<br />
<br />
<noinclude><br />
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| Return to [[Hidan no Aria|Main Page]]<br />
| Forward to [[Hidan_no_Aria:Volume7_Chapter1|1st Ammo: Case E8]]<br />
|-<br />
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</noinclude></div>Idolonhttps://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=User:Idolon&diff=96672User:Idolon2011-05-22T23:03:44Z<p>Idolon: </p>
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<div>Hello! Just a long time lurker and drive-by editor here. I'll try to fix whatever grammar mistakes I can.</div>Idolonhttps://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Talk:Sword_Art_Online&diff=56604Talk:Sword Art Online2010-01-18T08:02:20Z<p>Idolon: /* This is REALLY GOOD!!!! */</p>
<hr />
<div>==Editor==<br />
<br />
OK some of you might notice that this thing has an editor all of a sudden. I've done this 'without' a supervisor..... I hope that's OK.... O.o<br />
<br />
Feel free to keep editing if you see something wrong though, we're only two pairs of eyes and it's highly probable that we'd miss something. Also we aren't perfect.<br />
<br />
This is also not going to affect the speed in any way (well except for only today I think... since y'know it's going to be first 'gap' but it'll be back to normal. Actually you guys won't even notice).<br />
<br />
You're never be going to be waiting for too long.... well unless I'm translating slowly. If the editor hasn't put the next chap up in two days I'll put mine up first. The editor can chance it with his (or her???? Now I think about it I don't know O.O) version. But I don't think that that's going to happen.<br />
<br />
And thank you all for reading!!!!<br />
<br />
--[[user:sharramon|sharramon]]-- Jan. 16, 11:19:24 UTC <br />
<br />
==This is REALLY GOOD!!!!==<br />
I really like this. When I first started reading it sounded like just another virtual reality/MMORPG anime... thing, but now, it looks really cool!<br />
Please Give us chapter four soon!<br />
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I agree with this fellows statement as well. It sounded dumb at first, but the character's feel far more realistic than i would have thought. I hope this gets alot of attention. Good luck Sharramon!<br />
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I like this a lot too. Sounded and is very interesting Very good novel. Please continue...<br />
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Thank you all ^^ I've done chap four now! But it's more of a run through of how the situation was like in Aincrad. The story starts properly from chapter five. I'll try to translate that as quick as possible too!<br />
:I love you<br />
<br />
Thanks for the update<br />
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This is good! I like the development in chapter 5. Will wait until next update! I look forward to the next chapter, from what i see in the illustration there will be some romance...<br />
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Dammit now I want chapter 6... Please give it to us soon!!! PLEASE!!!! And thank you once again for translating this!<br />
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This overwhelming pressure! XD I'm workin' on it! I'll try and get it up soon but the soonest SHOULD be Thursday but we'll see!<br />
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Thank you very much for your effort! ^^ Awaiting next update eagerly... You update surprisingly fast^^. Please do not take this as a pressure but as encouragement^^<br />
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This is turning into a pretty good response column, and for a nifty reason; SAO is pretty kick ass. All our thanks go out to you, Sharramon, keep up the good work! ps BTW you have the fastest chapter updates I've seen in awhile! and as the previous comment mentioned, that isn't some weird pressure build up, its a compliment.<br />
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I agree this is really good, thanks for the translations<br />
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:BTW you have the fastest chapter updates I've seen in awhile!<br />
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That's most probably because this light novel has the shortest chapters that you've seen in a while! :D<br />
And chap 6 done! Hell yeah!<br />
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Thanks for chapter 6. This is a really good light novel. Can't wait for the next chapters. I would like to know though when you get volume 2 whether Kirito stays with Asuna after volume 1 or not. Because looking at the covers for volumes 2 and 3 it seems he teams up with other girls.<br />
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He does stay with her. Book two's about the past and the third book is about saving her from a game or something by what I gather...<br />
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:Thanks for the info. I was agonizing over the thought that she might have died and he moved on to party with another player.<br />
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I shouldn't say so much! I'm spoiling people!<br />
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Seeing the update section.... I've realized that I've done more than a chap every two days WITHOUT the prologue O.O.....<br />
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That's why you're Sharramon-sama :) thanks for the great releases xD<br />
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damn! this is like reading Naruto. No, not the storyline, but on the updates... (yours is of course, much faster than the weekly updates) but nonetheless, the suspense, the waiting... it feels the same. Anyway, thank you for the fast updates! SPOILERS!!!!! nuooohh!!!<br />
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don't understand third volume images ç.ç aren't they supposed to have their true form? so why there are non.humans? waiting fro spoileeeers XD<br />
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:You will understand once the translation gets that far. It's not fun being spoiled. Because you just keep wanting to know more.<br />
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You are awesome and so is this book! I know this is a minor point, but semicolons are meant to separate two closely related things that could be sentences by themselves, like the first line of the synopsis. For parts like "...floating castle, 'Aincrad'; he distinguished...", it should really be commas on both sides of Aincrad.<br />
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==Is this ongoing?==<br />
Is this series ongoing or is it only 3 volumes long? Thanks!<br />
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By what I know of the series it is ongoing.<br />
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One question: firs volume only has 15 chapters?<br />
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Twenty five. Just adding the chapters as I go since I think I'll feel depressed if there was this HUGE list and only five chaps done XD. I feel like that with 15 up already O.o lol<br />
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I have one question... How many of the 3 volumes of Sword Art Online do you have?<br />
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Right now only one. By the time I've finished the first book I'll have the second I think. Well I actually think I'll have it a month BEFORE I finish<br />
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Will you translate that one as well if I bow at your feet and praise you Sharramon-sama?<br />
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Lol I'm hoping to translate all of them ..... but we'll see! Since I don't know what's going to happen a few months from now....<br />
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i thank you for all the updates till now ,from now on i shall call you kami-sama^^<br />
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== keep up the good work! ==<br />
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you know, you have the breaking record for the fastest update in baka-tsuki...<br />
And we love you!<br />
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^^ What this person said. We LOVE you Sharramon-sama :D.<br />
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Sama O.O....<br />
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Uh...We LOVE you Sharramon-dono*? :D<br />
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We aren't samurai either.<br />
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Let's go with san!... or kun? Hell I'll take tan!XD<br />
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Nah, I prefer Sharramon-kakka myself. So let's use that!<br />
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==This Picture==<br />
Just a question that has seriously been plaguing me for a while since reading ch. 7, but is this picture supposed to be a romantic scene? Or a creepy stalker scene?: http://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/images/6/6c/Sword_Art_Online_Vol_01_-_242.jpg If it's too spoilerific though, just white out the text or inform me please! It's agonizing...<br />
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Read the story XD. Getting THERE will take a while though...<br />
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Can I at least ask which chapter the picture is in? PLEEEEAAASSSEEE?<br />
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[[user:72.130.141.175|72.130.141.175]]<br />
<br />
Chapter 16<br />
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[[User:Vaelis|Vaelis]] 00:02, 17 January 2010 (UTC)<br />
==Volume Names==<br />
Both the first and second volumes are called "Aincrad"? Weird...<br />
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:That's how they are named. Take a look at the third colour page for volume 01 and 02. <br />
{| style="background:black; color:black"<br />
|They are named after the setting they take place in or so it seems. <br />
|}<br />
I know that, I was just commenting on how it was odd.</div>Idolonhttps://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Sword_Art_Online&diff=56603Sword Art Online2010-01-18T07:51:57Z<p>Idolon: /* Story Synopsis */</p>
<hr />
<div>[[Image:Sword_Art_Online_Vol_01_cover.jpg|thumb|Volume 1 Cover]]<br />
Sword Art Online (ソードアート・オンライン) is a light novel series written by Reki Kawahara and illustrated by Abec. <br>The series has currently 3 volumes.<br />
<br />
==Story Synopsis==<br />
Escape was impossible until it was cleared; a game over would mean an actual "death"―.<br><br />
Without knowing the "truth" of the mysterious next generation MMO, 'Sword Art Online(SAO)', approximately ten thousand users logged in together, opening the curtains to this cruel death battle.<br><br />
Participating alone in SAO, protagonist Kirito had promptly accepted the "truth" of this MMO.<br><br />
And in the game world, a gigantic floating castle named 'Aincrad', he distinguished himself as a solo player.<br><br />
Aiming to clear the game by reaching the highest floor, Kirito riskily continued alone.<br><br />
Because of a <!--forcible-->pushy invitation from a female warrior and rapier expert, Asuna, he teamed up with her.<br><br />
That encounter brought about an opportunity to call out to the fated Kirito―.<br><br />
The legendary novel made appearance with browsing numbers exceeding 6.5 million page views recorded at the personal website.<br />
<br />
== Translation ==<br />
<br />
=== [[Sword Art Online:Registration Page|Registration]] ===<br />
<br />
Those who wish to contribute are asked to first notify a supervisor beforehand.<br />
<br />
'''Translators are asked to [[Sword Art Online:Registration Page|register]] which chapters they're working on''' <br />
<br />
===Format Standards===<br />
'''Every Chapter (after editing) must conform to the general format guidelines.'''<br />
*[[Format_guideline|General Format/Style Guideline]]<br />
<br />
== Updates ==<br />
*January 16, 2010 - Volume 1 Chapter 8 & 9 completed.<br />
*January 15, 2010 - Volume 1 Chapter 7 completed.<br />
*January 13, 2010 - Volume 1 Chapter 6 completed.<br />
*January 10, 2010 - Volume 1 Chapter 5 completed.<br />
*January 09, 2010 - Volume 1 Chapter 4 completed.<br />
*January 08, 2010 - Volume 1 Chapter 3 completed.<br />
*January 03, 2010 - Volume 1 Chapter 2 completed.<br />
*January 02, 2010 - Volume 1 Prologue and Chapter 1 completed.<br />
*January 02, 2010 - Sword Art Online project page created.<br />
<br />
==The ''Sword Art Online'' series by Reki Kawahara==<br />
<br />
===Volume 1 - Aincrad ===<br />
{| class="wikitable" width="140" ; style="float:left" <br />
| <br />
*[[Sword Art Online:Volume 1 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]<br />
*[[Sword Art Online:Volume 1 Prologue|Prologue]]<br />
*[[Sword Art Online:Volume 1 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]<br />
*[[Sword Art Online:Volume 1 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]<br />
*[[Sword Art Online:Volume 1 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]<br />
*[[Sword Art Online:Volume 1 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]<br />
*[[Sword Art Online:Volume 1 Chapter 5|Chapter 5]]<br />
|-<br />
|}<br />
{| class="wikitable" width="140" ; style="float:left" <br />
| <br />
*[[Sword Art Online:Volume 1 Chapter 6|Chapter 6]]<br />
*[[Sword Art Online:Volume 1 Chapter 7|Chapter 7]]<br />
*[[Sword Art Online:Volume 1 Chapter 8|Chapter 8]]<br />
*[[Sword Art Online:Volume 1 Chapter 9|Chapter 9]]<br />
*Chapter 10<br />
*Chapter 11<br />
*Chapter 12<br />
|-<br />
|} <br />
{| class="wikitable" width="140" ; style="float:left" <br />
| <br />
*Chapter 13<br />
*Chapter 14<br />
*Chapter 15<br />
*Chapter 16<br />
*Chapter 17<br />
*Chapter 18<br />
*Chapter 19<br />
|-<br />
|} <br />
{| class="wikitable" width="140" <br />
| <br />
*Chapter 20<br />
*Chapter 21<br />
*Chapter 22<br />
*Chapter 23<br />
*Chapter 24<br />
*Chapter 25<br />
*Author's Notes<br />
|-<br />
|}<br />
<br />
===Volume 2 - Aincrad ===<br />
*[[Sword Art Online:Volume 2 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]<br />
*Prologue<br />
*Chapter 1<br />
*Chapter 2<br />
*Chapter 3<br />
*Chapter 4<br />
<br />
===Volume 3 - Fairy Dance ===<br />
*[[Sword Art Online:Volume 3 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]<br />
*Prologue<br />
*Chapter 1<br />
*Chapter 2<br />
*Chapter 3<br />
<br />
== Project Staff ==<br />
*Project Administrator:<br />
*Project Supervisor:<br />
<br />
=== Translators ===<br />
:*[[user:Sharramon|Sharramon]]<br />
<br />
=== Editors ===<br />
:*[[user:Aorii|Aorii]]<br />
:*<br />
<br />
==Series Overview==<br />
* Volume 1 - Aincrad (April 2009) - <nowiki>ISBN 978-4-04-867760-8</nowiki><br />
* Volume 2 - Aincrad (August 2009) - <nowiki>ISBN 978-4-04-867935-0</nowiki><br />
* Volume 3 - Fairy Dance (December 2009) - <nowiki>ISBN 978-4-04-868193-3</nowiki></div>Idolonhttps://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=User:Idolon&diff=56596User:Idolon2010-01-18T05:19:28Z<p>Idolon: New page: Hello! Just a long time lurker and drive-by editor here. I'll try to fix whatever grammar mistakes I can without changing the meaning of the sentences.</p>
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<div>Hello! Just a long time lurker and drive-by editor here. I'll try to fix whatever grammar mistakes I can without changing the meaning of the sentences.</div>Idolon