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Maou na Ore to Fushihime no Yubiwa:Volume 3 Chapter 3

2014-02-21T03:00:05Z

Lawes12: /* Chapter 3: Lineage of the Maou */

{{Incomplete|percentage=86}}
==Chapter 3: Lineage of the Maou==

We, having had a blast at the beach until it got dark, driven by Lilith-san, went by car to the lodging hotel.

“Erm… There’s something that has been bugging me for a while.”

“Yes, what is it?”

“Aren’t there any other monsters around here? Even in the beach there were no other visitors besides us…”

“Yeah. This place is a demesne<ref>http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/demesne</ref> of us demons. No one has been entertained here apart from you.”

“…? But, a while ago, I think I saw in the sky some monsters that resembled birds…”

“I beg you pardon. It seems I’ve expressed myself wrong. Properly speaking, I meant there were no intelligent monsters… Monsters able to adopt human form. We differentiate unintelligent monsters by calling them magical beasts<ref>Majuu, with “ma” being the same as in “monsters”, “demons” and “magic”, while “juu” means “beast”. Is the name given to mystical and magical animals that can’t use human speech in Japanese mythology. The term has been usually translated to English as “magical beasts” in RPGs and TCGs.</ref>."

“I see.”

As if our conversation had made her remember something, Zonmi, who was seating at the nearside, turned back.

“… Since we are at it, there’s something I should explain to the little sister. The difference between zombies and ghouls lies in what the succubus has just mentioned.

Though, properly speaking, there are no less of a thousand differences between both races from the historical standpoint… Explaining it with easy to understand words, it comes to ghouls=intelligent zombies.”

“Wow. Is that so?”

To tell the truth, I also hadn’t heard about the difference between ghouls and zombies.

I see.

To Zonmi, mistaking ghouls with zombies is the same as to a human being treated as an animal.

That is, that’s the reason Zonmi gets mad.

“Manami… chan, have you listened?”

Despite being the chance to better the way Manami calls Zonmi…

“… ZZZ”

“Wha, she’s sleeping!”

I’d say, that’s because she was frolicking at the sea.

The youngest group of Manami & Iris were soundly sleeping, cuddling to each other at the back seat.

“… There’s no way. Let’s explain it to the little sister on another occasion.”

Seeing Manami peacefully sleeping, Zonmi gave up.

Returning to her original position, Zonmi sat once again on the nearside.

“It’s a pity for those sleeping but… People. We’ll arrive soon.”

“Could it be… Is that the hotel we’ll be staying at…”

“Of course, it surely is.”

“… Haha. This is great.”

What appeared in our sights from beyond the window was a fairytale-like scenery you wouldn’t usually see at the human world.

The building in front of us… Rather than an hotel, it would be better called a castle.

It had a classy air that made it seem directly taken off from the Middle Ages Europe.

“Well… Let’s get down. From here on, we’ll go on foot.”

After waking up Manami and Iris, we got down as Lilith-san had said.

The gardens of the hotel were so spacious that it seemed like you could use them to play golf like that.

Furthermore, they not only were spacious, it looked like time and money had been spent in every nook, like the carefully planted and arranged trees or the uniquely shaped fountain.

Like that, it seems you could kill enough time simply by observing the scenery.

Standing before the hotel (castle?), we opened the huge door with a dull sound.

“““““Welcome home, masters!”””””

Next instant.

There was a battalion of more than ten maids to greet us.

Moreover… Each one of them was, to some extent, a beauty (the “to some extent” right here comes by rating them with “compared with the girls around me, they are a bit lacking”, in truth they are striking beauties).

“They are like me, lesser demons, succubus. As you see, they’ve been gathered by their looks. If something troubles you, feel free to command them as you like. After all, we have personnel to spare.”

“… Now, have you said as we like?”

The instant I asked, I felt stares overflowing with killing intent coming from the girls around me.

“… Of course sexual requests are forbidden?”

“I-it’s not like I was asking with that purpose!?”

“… Why have you suddenly started talking like a tsundere<ref>As in “new type” tsundere: a character (often a girl) who hides its feelings beneath a mask of violence (usually verbal, sometimes also physical) and rejection. “I-it’s not like…” is a usual sentence starter for tsundere characters to deny the real intention of their actions, so that the other party doesn’t get the wrong (right) impression.</ref>?”

Kyouko rebutted me with a cold stare.

Is it you saying that?

“Quite right… I always tell them to give maximum priority to attend to the guests. So… If that’s what Chiharu-sama really wishes, they may not be able to really refuse.”

“Hoho!”

My cheeks softened unconsciously with the answer brimming with romance as if in the dreams of any man.

“Oniichan… Do you know what will happen if you do something like that?”

“Chiharu… Are you aware of what will happen to you if you do something like that?”

“Haru… You know what’ll happen if you do that?”

“Yeah! I know! Since I know, please don’t tell me the same sentence the three of you…”

How regretful.

As I’m under close surveillance by this lot, it seems that I can’t ask *KYAKKYA UFUFU* things from the maids<ref>KYAKKYA are surprised or scandalized yells, while UFUFU is an evil small laughter. I leave it to your imagination.</ref>.

So, putting an end to those delusions, I felt somewhat anxious. 

“… Do you feel unwell, Iris?”

Ever since when entering the hotel, Iris has been behaving suspiciously, walking as if she were hiding behind us.

Pale as a sheet, Iris every movement felt as if it was lacking her usual brazen demeanor.

“… There’s no issue. Just a little fatigued.”

“Is that so? If you say so…”

What the heck?

This uncomfortable feeling I can’t get rid of—.

Is Iris really just tired?

Looking carefully, her petrified stance, as if hiding behind us, can be perceived as her being scared of something.

“… It’s all right. There’s no one here that’ll bring you harm.”

It took me a while to notice that Lilith-san’s words were meant for Iris.

With what intention has she said that?

Without finding a satisfactory response to what was what she had seen, thinking in her own way—.

[[File:Maou_na_Ore_to_Fushihime_no_Yubiwa_3_p077.png|thumb]]

In the end, we were led like that inside the hotel.

<center>× × ×</center>

After that.

As we had free time until the start of dinner, each one went their own way.

Like that, being told by Lilith-san “I have something I want to show you”, I went to the hotel’s basement.

In spite of the above ground facilities being a gathering of the newest things that are not inferior to those of the human world, the basement was worn out like a dungeon from a RPG, it created a sharp contrast.

“… It’s a considerably dusty place.”

“Yeah. Since this hotel has been reformed from a Maou castle that was used up to two hundred years ago.”

“… So it was like that?”

Is that the reason the exterior of the hotel is so castle-like?

“But then… This underground tunnel is the only thing that’s kept intact in the same state as back then.”

“Why haven’t you refurbished it?”

“As this basement stores many things like rare valuable expensive antiques and magic artifacts… So as to guard them, a lot of life-threatening harmful traps have been installed. That’s why… Not even us can carelessly remodel it.”

“Erm… I’d have liked that you had told me in advance about that important thing of ‘life-threatening’…”

Fearing harm, after that, I walked carefully down the stairs.

Hey… What the heck?

While I was walking, I realized one thing.

That was that Lilith-san, who walked before me, was maintaining at all times a distance of just over a meter<ref>Just over a yard.</ref> from me.

If a walked faster, she also walked faster, If I walked slower, she also walked slower.

Since that gait wasn’t something she had become accustomed for nothing, I unconsciously became impressed.

“Just Lilith.”

While we were going down the stairs, Lilith-san softly muttered as if remembering something.

“… Eh?”

“I think I should have said it to you before, but… Just call me Lilith, please, no honorifics. If I tell you my true feelings, serving a man… Though it’s more humiliating than being ravished by cattle… Since, in the end, it’s a job requested by my benefactor Kanae-sama…”

“… Is that so?”

I feel that, if only a bit, I’ve learned a part of her background.

Despite being a total man-hater, for the reason “since it’s my job”, she’s forced to adopt a subservient attitude towards a man.

This is nothing other than my personal guessing, but that may be the reason why, until now, she has behaved so awkwardly.

“Lilith.”

“… Uh.”

“Lilith!”

“… Guh!”

“Lilith?”

“… Ng.”

“…”

Why is it?

Despite having said it’s humiliating, each time I call to her I think she puts a pleasure-filled face.

Could it be that this person… She has in fact a fetish?

“Erm… If you dislike it, why don’t I stop calling you without honorifics for no reason…?”

“…”

Once I suggested that, Lilith-san dropped her shoulders as if she was a little dejected.

“I see. Chiharu-sama, you have quite a brute hobby. Knowing I cannot refuse… You dare to restrict my options…”

“Of course I don’t plan to do that. I mean… Are you all right?”

“What the heck do you mean by that? Of course I’m not all right. I feel as disgraced as if you had forced me to clean a public toilet’s urinal with my tongue.”

“… No, I didn’t ask with that meaning. It seems you’re having a nosebleed?”

“… Wha.”

Right after I pointed that out.

Lilith-san’s face turned beet red and she got flustered.

“Th-th-this… It’s not what it seems!<ref>Once again, it is. This is also tsundere.</ref> It’s not like… I was having dirty thoughts or anything. Turning humiliations received from men into pleasure… It’s decidedly not that!?”

“… Hah, is that so?”

In the first place, getting a nosebleed by having dirty thoughts is a trope from manga and anime without any scientific basic<ref>More information about that [http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/Nosebleed here].</ref>, but… Judging by this girl’s reaction, there’s no doubt.

“Here. A hankie.”

“… Th-there’s no need. I have mine.”

Saying that, Lilith-san turned back and started briskly walking by herself.

[[File:Maou_na_Ore_to_Fushihime_no_Yubiwa_3_p083.png|thumb]]

Mmm. Lilith-san may say that, but I feel that it’s still a bit earlier to leave honorifics out.

While thinking that, I once again went down the stairs, chasing after her.

<center>× × ×</center>

“Well. We have arrived. Our destination lies at the other side of that door.”

Have we been walking for around 20 minutes after that?

Pointing at the wall in front of her, Lilith-san said those words.

“What door… Not matter how you look at it, that before us looks like a dead end.”

“Is that so… To the eyes of an outsider it may seem nothing more than a wall… But if I press here…”

After Lilith-san pressed a part of the brick wall, next instant.

With the sound of something being pulled, the wall before me opened right and left.

“I see. A hidden door?”

This is looking more and more like a typical RPG.

Still wary of the traps, I walked through the hidden door.

And, what came into my sight—.

“Is it this? The thing you said you wanted to show me…”

It wasn’t like after the hidden door there was a treasure in gold and silver.

It wasn’t like there was a huge monster.

What laid there was a regular small room.

No, to be accurate, it doesn’t seem to be any different from the human world.

For having expressly come walking till here, I’d say it lacks impact… What a let-down.

“Yeah. This could be considered to be the den of the former Maou.”

“!?”

Just as I heard Lilith-san words, I felt my back growing stiff in an instant.

The king who rules over the Netherworld—the Maou.

Even though up until now I’ve regarded that existence as something as distant as the weather in foreign countries, recently I feel that the frequency I’m hearing that word has increased all at once.

“… Why is such a thing here?”

“… The reason is as I explained a moment ago.

This hotel was originally reformed from the castle of the Maou. For said reason, it’s nary a wonder even if something remained.

“Surely… That’s possible…”

At least, I’d like that you explained to me beforehand.

I’d say it’s bad for my heart or something. I wish you put yourself in my shoes when you are suddenly told “this is the Maou’s room”.

“… What’s drawn in that picture is the countenance of the former Maou.

The 34th Maou—Cruel<ref>Surely a pun between the transparent meaning of the word and the “-el” (god) suffix in the names of many angels (even fallen ones) and high-level devils (usually of angelic origin).</ref>. There are no words to describe the greatness of his achievements. Being a fanatic of the human world’s… especially Japan’s culture, he brought many technologies to the Netherworld and brought forth an engineering revolution.”

“…”

I see.

So the fact the scenery at the Netherworld didn’t differ much from that of the human world is due to this Cruel guy.

“… He’s more ordinary than I expected.”

That was what I honestly felt when I saw the man in the picture.

If we talk about the personal image I have of a Maou, though I picture him as a character with a more sinister and wicked face, the one in the picture, the pair of horns growing from his head aside, looks like a regular old man you could find anywhere (?).

“Surely… You cannot say his looks are good even as flattery.

However, there’s one legend about Cruel… I heard he was popular with the ladies at such a level that it looked like a love potion was emitted from his body <ref>aka “Manga main character syndrome”.</ref>.

“… You joking?”

I’m not so gullible.

That this… Old man like the ones you can find anywhere is a popular guy on legendary levels, how can it be<ref>Like you are one to talk.</ref>.

“Incredible… That’s the kind of face you have right now.

By the way, it’s recorded that the Maou Cruel, in the 300 years he ruled over the Netherworld, he has in fact married 14 wives and left more than 20 heirs.”

“Fourt…”

Is this old man for real?

Grrrr. Harem man… Unforgivable<ref>See note above</ref>.

“Even so… Being popular with the ladies has its merits and its demerits.

It’s said Cruel made only a single mistake in his whole like… And that was all of the women troubles he brought on himself and did nothing about.

Was it about twenty years now? This constitution that granted him excessive popularity with the Netherworld ladies was a curse, Cruel tragically met death under the cover of the night at the hands of a single woman moved out of jealousy.”

“…A-are you serious?”

I take back my words.

Isn’t it the best to have everything in moderation?

You can even die from being too popular with the girls… I don’t think that way out of envy.

“Then, since Cruel has died, what kind of person has become the next Maou?”

As I went and asked, Lilith-san put on a meek face and gently shook her head,

“Unfortunately… That still hasn’t been decided.”

“… Eh?”

“It’s as I told you a while just now. I told you the sole mistake Cruel made in his life was his women troubles that left him with too many heirs.

After Cruel’s death… A bloody war unfolded between his more than twenty heirs to see who held the title of next Maou.

Especially, the dispute between those who oppose the changes of the Netherworld and the supporters of the constant peace up until now increase day by day in violence.

It’s not an easy thing to say, but the origin of the monster incidents that happened at the human world in recent years… Have as one of their causes the political disturbances brought by this turmoil.

“…”

I didn’t know.

That the passing of the former Maou held influence to such an extent.

If I think about it… Until now I didn’t know a thing.

About the Netherworld. About my family.

And, above all… About myself.

“Thank you very much. I feel that I understand a bit the reason why Lilith-san has brought me here.”

“… I’m not worthy of those words. Then, do we return above ground?”

“Eeerm… Before that, there’s something I’d want to ask… This, what’s this sword stabbed into the floor?”

“!?”

Just when I tried to pick that sword.

“Y-you can’t!”

Lilith-san yelled, her face devoid of blood.

“That sword… It’s a treasure sword called ‘Jiden’<ref>It means “Purple Lightning” and “Sword flash”.</ref> that, inheriting the Cruel’s will, rejects everyone except those with the makings of a true Maou.

That sword does still keep some of Cruel’s magic power and if a normal person touches it, it will be the last thing they do! Blue lightning will eat into their minds and all their body will get turned into ashes!”

“… Eh, you’re totally joking, right? Since, look, the normal me is touching it and there doesn’t seem to be any problem.”

“………… Wha?”

For a while.

Lilith-san looked like she blinked in surprise with her mouth half-open, but in the end she came back to her senses and *AHEM* she cleared her throat.

“Of course everything I said was a joke.”

“It is, isn’t it. You got me.”

“However, Chiharu-sama. Even if it’s like that, it’s not nice of you to go touching the things on the room without my consent.”

“Sorry. It was such a cool sword…”

It appealed to the chuuni<ref>Chuunibyou. Check footnote at volume 1, chapter 5.</ref> in the depths of my heart.

“I’ll let it slide just this time, but be careful.

As I’ve just told you, inside this underground there are lots of traps that we still haven’t managed to comprehend. If you carelessly touch something in the room, you could activate some switch…”

“Erm… Lilith-san. Do you… Hear a weird noise?”

“? A weird noise, you say?”

“Like turning cogwheels… A somewhat ominous sound.”

“I beg you pardon. I cannot hear such a sound.”

“… Is that so?”

That’s weird.

I certainly can hear it crystal clear.

Possibilities I can think of… There are two.

One is that I’m just mishearing… The other one is that the me that has awakened the power of a monster has a hearing ability that surpasses Lilith-san’s.

… It seems the latter is the correct one.

As I was pondering about that, the cogwheel noise became gradually stronger and, in the end, I could feel the ground shake under my feet.

“… Above! Lilith-san!”

How careless.

The cause is not yet definite, but… Me having picked the sword may have been what has activated the trap.

An instant.

The ceiling split in two and a huge iron ball fell from above Lilith-san’s head.

This is bad. The iron ball that’s coming from right above Lilith-san seems to entirely fall into her blind spot.

Come to this… I can only save her!

“Excuse me!”

Ready to die, I jumped at Lilith-san.

… Safe.

It seems I managed to avoid the ball by a hair’s breadth.

However.

It seems that due to diverting my attention only upwards, I left my feet defenseless.

On the floor where just a while ago there was nothing, there appeared numerous pitfalls like in a Swiss cheese.

“… Ku. Double trap?”

I tried to assess it calmly, but it was too late already.

At our wits’ end, we fell through a hole.

<center>× × ×</center>

The pitfalls that suddenly appeared inside the room were deeper than I thought.

I’d say… I think we have fallen 20 meters<ref>Over 65 and a half feet.</ref> down?

To a regular human it’d have been instant death… Perhaps I should say it wouldn’t had been weird that a tragedy where the body scattered in pieces had happened… That’s a non-human quality.

… When I say it myself, I feel a bit sad.

Though I’ve broken several bones, as they’ll be as good as new with just a little of spit, it’s not really an issue.

“Are you hurt somewhere?”

“…”

“Erm… Lilith-san! Say something!”

“…”

No response.

At first glance, she doesn’t seem to have external injuries, but… It may be that she has hit her head somewhere.

In that case… That’s bad.

Though it seems she’s breathing, I have to call for help asap…

“… Do-don’t touch me.”

Interrupting my thoughts, I could hear a frail voice I wouldn’t have expected from her usual self.

“Good… You’re safe.”

“Don’t… Touch me. Please… Go away.”

“U-understood.”

Since Lilith-san asked me with quite a serious tone, I unconsciously became panicked.

Although, in the first place, the cause that activated the trap was me… I’ll give my life to protect her.

That way of speaking… Something somehow feels out of place.

Mm, wait?

That reminds me, Lilith sand said something like that.

That the thing she hated the most in the world were the beings known as males.

“…”

That?

Is it that?

So Lilith-san… Extremely hates to be touched by me, who is a man?

“Sorry. I… It seems I was being insensible.”

“… No. That’s my line. You gracefully saved me and I repaid it by spewing harsh words.… O truly beg you pardon.”

“Erm… Can I ask the reason?”

“Yes. Of what?”

“The reason why Lilith-san is scared of men.”

“…”

When I asked, after a little while, carefully started spinning her story.

“Before talking to you about that, there’s something I want to ask… Chiharu-sama, what’s the image you hold in regards to us, the succubus clan?”

“…”

“If you are being considerate to me, please stop. If you don’t speak truthfully, the story cannot progress.”

“How do I put it… It’s terribly difficult to answer that, but… An image of perverted women.”

“So it is. That’s the usual image people have of the succubus clan.”

Lilith-san shot a glance as if realizing something.

“Certainly, the sexual drive of us succubus, put into terms of the human world… Can be said to be twenty times the one of a male middle school student in the peak of his puberty, and there are many whose raison d’être is to copulate with men.

However, naturally it’s not like every succubus fits into that design.

Among them there are some that, hurt by the conceptions of the society, have fallen into distrust of men.”

“Then… Is that the reason you started distrusting men, Lilith-san?”

“So it is. An to make thing worse… It seems my body is, from the start, one who easily attracts glances from men… So I’ve received terrible and heartless words from men. It wouldn’t be once or twice that I was raped while taking a night stroll.”

“…It must have been difficult.”

“It’s fine. I’ve already overcome those things.”

“For reals?”

“Yeah. By carrying over my greatest ambition, I could settle that problem.”

“… Ambition?”

“So it is. Do I tell you, Chiharu-sama?

My dream is to wipe out from the world the loser image of succubus=loose women.

By living my whole life without mingling with men and maintaining my body pure, working earnestly and succeeding in improving my career prospects, surely the men on the world are bound to think like that. ‘Aah. Among the succubus clan there are also those who live a honest and diligent life.’”

“… That’s a splendid idea.”

Living her life in order to wipe out the image they hold of a clan… What?

Surely, there are lots of objectionable points in her way of thinking.

For starters, it’s not likely that Lilith-san, by her sole effort, will change the image of the whole clan, and I feel it’s wrong that she avoids men for that reason.

However, I cannot refute her ideas as she has told me about her dream with such an earnest gaze.

“But… I think that if things keep like this, Lilith-san’s androphobia<ref>Fear or extreme disliking of men.</ref> will be fixed?”

“… And why is that?”

“After all… Right now, aren’t you being able to hold a conversation with me in such a dimly illuminated place?”

“… Ah.”

“So… Don’t worry. Lilith-san androphobia will soon…”

The moment right after I started talking.

Lilith-san, flinching as if she had noticed something,

“Kyaaaaaaaaaaaa!”

“Goheh!?”

It hit her as soon as I said it.

Ueh. I shouldn’t… Have made her remember that…

“Fufufu. Misleading me… With dangerously nice words… You were about to rape me.

At last you show your true colors, Chiharu-sama. 

<noinclude>

==References and Translation Notes==
<references />

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</noinclude>

Maou na Ore to Fushihime no Yubiwa:Volume 3 Chapter 3

2014-02-16T18:38:44Z

Lawes12: /* Chapter 3: Lineage of the Maou */

{{Incomplete|percentage=25}}
==Chapter 3: Lineage of the Maou==

We, having had a blast at the beach until it got dark, driven by Lilith-san, went by car to the lodging hotel.

“Erm… There’s something that has been bugging me for a while.”

“Yes, what is it?”

“Aren’t there any other monsters around here? Even in the beach there were no other visitors besides us…”

“Yeah. This place is a demesne of us demons. No one has been entertained here apart from you.”

“…? But, a while ago, I think I saw in the sky some monsters that resembled birds…”

“I beg you pardon. It seems I’ve expressed myself wrong. Properly speaking, I meant there were no intelligent monsters… Monsters able to adopt human form. We differentiate unintelligent monsters by calling them magical beasts<ref>Majuu, with “ma” being the same as in “monsters”, “demons” and “magic”, while “juu” means “beast”. Is the name given to mystical and magical animals that can’t use human speech in Japanese mythology. The term has been usually translated to English as “magical beasts” in RPGs and TCGs.</ref>."

“I see.”

As if our conversation had made her remember something, Zonmi, who was seating at the nearside, turned back.

“… Since we are at it, there’s something I should explain to the little sister. The difference between zombies and ghouls lies in what the succubus has just mentioned.

Though, properly speaking, there are no less of a thousand differences between both races from the historical standpoint… Explaining it with easy to understand words, it comes to ghouls=intelligent zombies.”

“Wow. Is that so?”

To tell the truth, I also hadn’t heard about the difference between ghouls and zombies.

I see.

To Zonmi, mistaking ghouls with zombies is the same as to a human being treated as an animal.

That is, that’s the reason Zonmi gets mad.

“Manami… chan, have you listened?”

Despite being the chance to better the way Manami calls Zonmi…

“… ZZZ”

“Wha, she’s sleeping!”

I’d say, that’s because she was frolicking at the sea.

The youngest group of Manami & Iris were soundly sleeping, cuddling to each other at the back seat.

“… There’s no way. Let’s explain it to the little sister on another occasion.”

Seeing Manami peacefully sleeping, Zonmi gave up.

Returning to her original position, Zonmi sat once again on the nearside.

“It’s a pity for those sleeping but… People. We’ll arrive soon.”

“Could it be… Is that the hotel we’ll be staying at…”

“Of course, it surely is.”

“… Haha. This is great.”

What appeared in our sights from beyond the window was a fairytale-like scenery you wouldn’t usually see at the human world.

The building in front of us… Rather than an hotel, it would be better called a castle.

It had a classy air that made it seem directly taken off from the Middle Ages Europe.

“Well… Let’s get down. From here on, we’ll go on foot.”

After waking up Manami and Iris, we got down as Lilith-san had said.

The gardens of the hotel were so spacious that it seemed like you could use them to play golf like that.

Furthermore, they not only were spacious, it looked like time and money had been spent in every nook, like the carefully planted and arranged trees or the uniquely shaped fountain.

Like that, it seems you could kill enough time simply by observing the scenery.

Standing before the hotel (castle?), we opened the huge door with a dull sound.

“““““Welcome home, masters!”””””

Next instant.

There was a battalion of more than ten maids to greet us.

Moreover… Each one of them was, to some extent, a beauty (the “to some extent” right here comes by rating them with “compared with the girls around me, they are a bit lacking”, in truth they are striking beauties).

“They are like me<!—I take that the “like us” that appears here in the original is a typo -->, lesser demons, succubus. As you see, they’ve been gathered by their looks. I something troubles you, feel free to command them as you like. After all, we have personnel to spare.”

“… Now, have you said as we like?”

The instant I asked, I felt stares overflowing with killing intent coming from the girls around me.

“… Of course sexual requests are forbidden?”

“I-it’s not like I was asking with that purpose!?”

“… Why have you suddenly started talking like a tsundere<ref>As in “new type” tsundere: a character (often a girl) who hides its feelings beneath a mask of violence (usually verbal, sometimes also physical) and rejection. “I-it’s not like…” is a usual sentence starter for tsundere characters to deny the real intention of their actions, so that the other party doesn’t get the wrong (right) impression.</ref>?”

Kyouko rebutted me with a cold stare.

Is it you saying that?

“Quite right… I always tell them to give maximum priority to attend to the guests. So… If that’s what Chiharu-sama really wishes, they may not be able to really refuse.”

“Hoho!”

My cheeks softened unconsciously with the answer brimming with romance as if in the dreams of any man.

“Oniichan… Do you know what will happen if you do something like that?”

“Chiharu… Are you aware of what will happen to you if you do something like that?”

“Haru… You know what’ll happen if you do that?”

“Yeah! I know! Since I know, please don’t tell me the same sentence the three of you…”

How regretful.

As I’m under close surveillance by this lot, it seems that I can’t ask *KYAKKYA UFUFU* things from the maids<ref>KYAKKYA are surprised or scandalized yells, while UFUFU is an evil small laughter. I leave it to your imagination.</ref>.

So, putting an end to those delusions, I felt somewhat anxious. 

“… Do you feel unwell, Iris?”

Ever since when entering the hotel, Iris has been behaving suspiciously, walking as if she were hiding behind us.

Pale as a sheet, Iris every movement felt as if lacking her usual brazen demeanor.

“… There’s no issue. Just a little fatigued.”

“Is that so? If you say so…”

What the heck?

This uncomfortable feeling I can’t get rid of—.

Is Iris really just tired?

Looking carefully, her petrified stance, as if hiding behind us, can be perceived as her being scared of something.

“… It’s all right. There’s no one here that’ll bring you harm.”

It took me a while to notice that Lilith-san’s words were meant for Iris.

With what intention has she said that?

Without finding a satisfactory response to what was what she had seen, thinking in her own way—.

[[File:Maou_na_Ore_to_Fushihime_no_Yubiwa_3_p077.png|thumb]]

In the end, we were led like that inside the hotel.

<center>× × ×</center>

After that.

As we had free time until the start of dinner, each one went their own way.

Like that, being told by Lilith-san “I have something I want to show you”, I went to the hotel’s basement.

In spite of the above ground facilities being a gathering of the newest things that are no inferior to those of the human world, as the basement was worn out like a dungeon from a RPG, it makes a complex mixture.

“… It’s a considerably dusty place.”

“Yeah. Since this hotel has been reformed from a Maou castle that was used up to two hundred years ago.”

“… So it was like that?”

Is that the reason the exterior of the hotel is so castle-like?

<noinclude>

==References and Translation Notes==
<references />

{{SimpleNav|e=6}}
</noinclude>

Absolute Duo:Volume 2 Chapter 3

2013-12-24T20:54:42Z

Lawes12: /* Part 1 */

==Chapter 3 『That Is a Good Idea』==

===Part 1===

After exiting the school gate and crossing the small bridge, the only connection to the outer world to the students attending Kouryou academy ---------is a monorail for authorized personals only.

In a distance that doesn’t even take 5 minutes; the suspended type monorail is connected to a nearby JR station<ref group ="2c">Japan Railway station</ref> of Tokyo and Chiba from the front of the school.

And when we board the railway car, there were only a countable numbers of people ridding it inside.

Since school academy personals are the only ones able to use it in the first place, it is only normal to say the numbers of users are little.

Thanks to that, we are grateful to be able to find empty seats without fighting over it.

“This is somehow heart throbbing isn’t it”

Sitting in the opposite side of the box seat, Yurie said that while facing her face towards the outside of the window.

“I see. It’s the first time you went out to a Japan city”

“Ya---. That is why I am looking forward to it”

Yurie moved her sights from the outside of the window--------the sea to me and nodded.

(It might be good to take a breather like this once in a while……….)

I took a side look at Yurie who has returned her sights back the sea again, and *Fuu* leaked a smile.

Incidentally, Yurie and I were in uniform even though it was Sunday.

It’s not like there is a school rules saying we have to wear the school uniform when going out of the school.

It’s simply just because Yurie does not have clothes to match the May weather, and I followed her.

(However, this placement relation sure feels nostalgic. Well, it’s probably because I gotten too used to it)

Normally, I would be with Yurie side by side with our shoulders close to each other when we usually watch television--------and depending on the situation, we would be sitting side by side in a distance where I could feel warmth from it touching each other.

It is the same case too when we attend classes and cafeteria.

That is why, I feel strange sitting in front of her and would accidentally stare fix at her.

This foreign beauty directing her {{Furigana|red eyes|Ruby eyes}} outside the window.

Her {{Furigana|silver hair|Silver blonde}} who no one would turn away from and would stare amazed was beautifully swaying.

Because there was a lack of expression shown on her well-featured face, it makes one think of her as a delicate bisque doll.

But, i know this normal girl has something off from those truths.

---inside that heart holds a dark emotion known as revenge.

The same darkness with me.

Maybe------That night was just a dream, I would think something like that.

However, I felt hesitant to put that matter in my mouth again.

That’s because I didn’t want to admit Yurie holds the same hatred as me and is someone that wishes for revenge.

“-----Tooru?”

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Chirin* the echoing bell brought me back.

She has probably called out to me many times already. Yurie was looking at me while tilting her head.

“We are going to reach soon.

“Ah…………i-I see”

Before I knew it, the departed monorail is close to reaching its destination.

In the middle of slowly entering the platform, Yurie got up from her seat.

“Yurie, it’s better to stand up once we reach”

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Gakon*.

Almost at the same time with my warning, the monorail was close to stopping and was swaying.

“Ah……..”

My warning was useless and Yurie’s balance collapsed, making her fall on her butt.

…………on top of my lap.

Her hair swayed and a nice smell tickled my nasal cavity.

“Th-that’s why I told you”

“Ya-Ya-----……..”

After I said that while feeling a little embarrassed, Yurie also hang her head downwards in embarrassment.

“I will be careful from now on. Alright then, let’s get off”

After I stood up, I extended my hand to Yurie.

Although I once extended out my hands to her in the clock tower last time, with this time included too, having her hands weighted on my hand feels very embarrassing.

After getting out the station, we transferred to the JR route following what Miyabi taught me and got off after one station.

We reached our destination the A la mode after walking for around 5 minutes from there but------

Once, the A la mode the biggest shopping mall in japan (According to Miyabi’s information), although that status has been taken by another place but, the number of customers did not decrease and it is filled with many people during holidays.

“…………….It’s like a festival”

Although it can’t be said to be wide, Yurie opened her mouth in amazement and looked around.

“Tooru isn’t really that shocked”

“That’s because there was a big mall in my hometown. Well, let’s see the floor guide and confirm the place of the shop for now”

“Ya---…………..”

I urged Yurie was still a little blank and the moment I opened the guide map I took from a set up nearby, I frowned my eyebrows in bewilderment.
“What is this…………..”

The guide map is oddly thick, and it crosses 8 pages even though it is just introducing the floors; and a total more than 500 plus shop names was written in it.

(I heard there are a lot of shops but, I didn’t think it would be this many……………)

“Tooru, Is something wrong?”

When I was dumbfounded, Yurie tip-toed while peeking into the guide map.

She then grabbed my sleeves to take balance and her peeking form makes me think of her as a small animal.

“Ah, sorry. Let’s look at this while sitting nearby”

After saying that, I sat on a nearby stool with Yurie.

“This is…………….i have no idea what is going in this at all”

“A-aah…………As expected, it’s normal to think that”

She brought her body closer defenselessly as usual and stick on my lap making me feel slightly excited in my mind.

However, Yurie does not bother at all and flipped the page but------

“It’s too many, so I don’t know where we should go…………….”

And like that, she made a troubled face.

The only information in the index is the shops name and the position code. What’s more, it’s not like the places are positioned in the west, south, north hall respectively since it also expands to the first and second floor; thanks to that, just like what Yurie said, we have no idea where we should go.

“U---n…………. Let’s walk around randomly for now. Since there is this many shops, I think we would find something of interest sooner or later”

I stood up and the moment I was about to start walking, I recalled of something and turned back.

“Yurie, please be careful not to get separated because of the crowd”

“Ya---“

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Koku**koku* Yurie nodded and grabbed my sleeves tightly.

“I won’t get separated like this”

Yurie said that while making in satisfaction while making a small smile.

“Th-that’s true………”

It’s not until the level of holding hands but, this is embarrassing in its own way.

However, that feeling immediately disappeared somewhere once we started walking.

Inside the hustle and bustle, many people we passed by looked at us and I could hear topics of Yurie.

[Hey, isn’t that girl really beautiful?] [A celebrity?] [I’ll take a photo and upload it] [Oh, she has a guy……..] [The Blondie just now was good too but, this is good in its own way……….]

There were a lot of reactions but, most of it is regarding Yurie.

But, when I meant most of it, it means all of it wasn’t that.

[They are wearing school uniforms though; I wonder which school they are from?] [Don’t know? I never seen that before………….]

It’s only normal they don’t know.

Unless there is a good reason, Kouryou students are not allowed to go out other than weekends.

And even if they were to go out on a weekend, there probably isn’t any commendable students that would go out wearing a school uniform.

Only the school name could be heard at best.

Even for myself, if I hadn’t heard about the existence of the school beforehand then, not only will I have no idea about the internal conditions of the school, I won’t even know about the schools name in the first place.

(That’s because it’s a school with that kind of enrollment ceremony)

Although it is a school lacking common sense when half of the number of students dropped out from the enrollment ceremony, it’s also weird that this school is not known to the public.

Mikuni-sensei said that information regulations were imposed but, it would probably be just a rumor at most.

And when I was thinking things like that, my sleeves was *gui**gui* being pulled.

“Tooru, how about that shop?”

“Ah……. You’re right, that’s a cute shirt………..i guess?”

I was often brought by my sister------Otoha to buy things but, I have absolutely no idea in girl clothing.

But, judging from the shop display, it’s true that I feel it would suit Yurie.

Like that, we tried entering this shop for now but-------

“I think this suits her. How about it, boyfriend-san?”

“Eh!? Ah………. Nonono I am not her boyfriend…………!”

When we were looking around for clothes, a female shop attendant came over and said those lines; even though I hurried and denied it, she just giggled.

I probably made her think I was trying to trick her from embarrassment.

A male and a female together, what’s more even though we entered the shop and started looking at clothes, Yurie was still grabbing my sleeves and it’s true that; it isn’t strange for her to misunderstand.

Rather, even if I am a 3rd person here, we definitely would be thought of as a couple.

“I will go try the clothes now”

Yurie left those words and took several summer clothes recommended by the shop attendant before entering the changing room.

“Fufu, she’s a very cute girlfriend!”

“Y-yeah………”

I gave up denying since anything I do will be useless and made a nod mixed with a wry smile.

Crossing her status, I made a small sigh while making a side glance at the shop attendant who came over to see us with the feelings of prying her noses into our matter and started regretting coming out with the two of us only.

(It would have been better if everyone was together…………)

Miyabi is probably out playing with Tachibana somewhere.

Tora headed out somewhere so I couldn’t find him.

Tatsu is working hard in his muscle training.

…………and when I was recalling that back, the curtain slightly opened and Yurie suddenly brought her face out.

“Tooru. I have finished changing……..can you see it?”

“I’ll say this just in case; don’t expect a good sense from me”

“Ya---. It is okay”

I don’t know what she meant by its okay but, Yurie nodded and opened the curtain wider.

[Uoo……….][Oh my………..]

Me and the shop attendant, let out a shocked voice at the same time and Yurie silently showed herself.

The clothe Yurie tried on was a cooling basic white one piece.

The sleeves were opened wide and the arranged white lace has emphasized the girlishness.

“What’s wrong, Tooru?”

“A-aah……………errr, I think it suits you very well…………..”

“Thank you very much. I will buy this then”

“You decide too fast!!..............wait, at least isn’t it better to try some others first before deciding?”

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Un**un*The shop attendant beside me nodded.

Rather than doing it for her job, her expression is saying to try more clothes on.

“I understand………….but, I decide to buy this one”

After saying that, she closed the curtain once more and we waited for a few minutes more.

“Tooru. What do you think about this?”

It is black this time, opposite to the one piece from just now. Looking at that figure, me and the attendant made an admiration voice again.

The skirt was short and it has a lot of frills as its characteristic, thanks to it being blank, it made Yurie’s silver hair attractive and it suited her very much.

“Err………I think it’s nice. Extremely”

“Ya---. I think I will buy this too then”

Maybe she liked my response, Yurie slightly narrowed her eyes and confined herself in the changing room the third time.

She then showed herself not long later, and the clothes this time again suited her.

“How about this?”

“It looks cooling so why not?”

“Ya---, it is very cooling. Well, this too……………”

She bought all 3 clothes she tried in the end.

“E-erm. If it okay with you, will you try other clothes? For my eyes recuperation………..not that, I think it will suit miss customer and we have a lot of cute clothes too”

“Errr………..what will you do, Yurie? Will you try it on?”

“Ya--. If Tooru says so”

…………it was a mistake to go with this flow.

“…………….Yurie. Don’t you think you are buying too much?”

While staring at the 12 clothes stacked up like a mountain on the counter, I made a comeback just in case.

Looking at the state of clothes she tried from the beginning entering the list of purchase, I thought she bought too many as expected and if I did not tell her it’s about time we should head to other shops then I would have no idea what would have happened.

“Nai. I am only buying the clothes Tooru said is nice”

“N-no, it’s true I said them but, I think all of it is just a little…………..”

“But, this one looks very matching and this one is very nice, this one is cooling and-------“

Yurie lined up my comments one by one without making any mistakes.

After saying everything until the last 12th clothes-----

“As expected, I will buy all”

In the end, Yurie announced herself as a very good miss customer.

Although the shop attendant opened her eyes wide when we said to buy 12 clothes (+3 pair of shoes), she made an even more shocked expression when we told her we would pay with a credit card.

She probably would have never thought students like us would pay with a card.

But, the instant we handed the student card which also has the function of a credit card in it, [Aah, it’s that schools…………..] the attendant muttered that.

I became curious on how she knew about it and asked her, it seems several people like us come over here to buy stuff every year.

However, we were the first ones to purchase this large amount.

Incidentally, the moment I heard the total amount of money, my eyes were almost going to pop out but this is a secret.

Luckily it was within allowance range so, there wasn’t any problem.

“Alright then, now that we finished buying clothes, what should we do now?”

“--------? Weren’t we going to other shops to see the clothes?”

“………………..no, I’ll give up on that for today”

It was not hard to imagine the same result if we go to another shop.

It would be fast if I say it doesn’t suit her but, the foundation material is good---------rather than that, Yurie was too good until any clothes she wear suits here naturally.

More importantly, it is impossible for me to twist my thoughts and tell Yurie.

In front of the small happy expression she shows when I say it suits her, there is no way I can lie.

“So, should we head back?”

“U-nn………well since we are outside, let’s wander around for a bit then”

“Ya--. That’s true”

Nonetheless, as expected there was a lot of baggage so, we decided to head to the delivery counter first.

“Well, where should we go, Tooru?”

Right after we finished our delivery and lighten the load, we then decided to look around the north hall from one corner to the other.

As if it was natural for her, Yurie grabbed my sleeves and walked beside me.

Although it was more or less embarrassing for me at the beginning but even so, we talked with each other while looking at the shops until I natural forgotten about it.

After that, Yurie looked at the ferret in the pet shop nearby with her eyes glittering, and played a free to play virtual game in one corner of the game shop; we were passing a fun and peaceful time enough for us to forget the tough training we go through regularly.

“Now that I think back, Miyabi told me the gelato on the first floor is recommended”

“……………gelato huh. If Miyabi recommended it then, I want to try heading there but…………..”

As a late lunch, when Yurie was about to start her pumpkin cream pasta, and fondant chocolate as dessert, I recalled back the talk Miyabi told me.

Even Yurie is not an exception to girlishness, it seems Yurie also loves sweets and she often exchanges impression in the desserts that comes out in the cafeteria.

That is why it is only normal for her to think she want to try it after hearing it is a recommendation but------

Since Yurie eats little in the first place, it is clear that she will lose the space for the gelato once she eats the chocolate; she knows that herself and dropped her shoulders from what I can see.

It will probably be alright after some time but, the influence would probably come back during dinner time this time if we were to do that.

“……………why don’t we try buying as much gelato of that as you can for now? If you cannot finish then I will eat the leftovers”

Because of me forgetting, her disappointed figure was really pitiful and after I brought up an idea-------

“That is a good idea”

Yurie brought out a happy atmosphere.

I unintentionally leaked a smile from that expression.

(This is good, this is good……….)

And like that, my thoughts were over hasty.

“Tooru. Just in case, can you eat this chocolate?”

“Aah, I don’t mind”

Yurie proposed this when it was half eaten.

Of course, since there is no reason to refuse, it was alright until I nodded but-------

“Please open your mouth”

“Huh?”

“Like I said, please open your mouth”

She lifted one mouth full size fondant chocolate wrapped in cold ice with a fork and brought it in front of me.

“…………….are you perhaps going to feed me?”

“Ya—♪Ahnn”

“N-no, doing that in front of people is a little……….”

“----? Miyabi often does this to me?”

That is between girls.

And we are of the opposite sex.

I know Yurie has no other intentions but, it can’t be help for me to feel resistant to her actions, rather I think it was only normal to do so.

“Errrr…………”

Luckily, there were little people in the shop since we were off from lunch time, and thanks to there being many blocks, it is not like people can see us. it is unacceptable as window but, since there is an atrium from the first floor in front of this 3 floored building instead of a road, we are not likely to be noticed from outside.

(Well, I guess this situation is alright…………?)

“------?”

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Chirin* the bell rang as if to urge me. And of course, Yurie doesn’t have the intentions to make me hurry.

“I-I get it. Then…………..”

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Ahhn* I opened my mouth wide as I was told and ate the chocolate.

(I’m glad everyone didn’t come………….)

I was thinking a completely different thing from the tailor shop from just now.

“Tooru, here you go”

“Eh? Again?”

“Ya---. There is still this much left. So, Ahhnn”

“Hahaha……okay”

In the end, I was fed around 8 times and there was one time when the shop attendant there saw us and giggled making it an awkward situation.

But------

I then found out the really problematic situation happened right after that.

“Tooru, Ahhn”

Between the south and north hall-------in a place called Harbor Street where many people pasts by, Yurie brought the gelato to my mouth.

“………eh?”

“It is very delicious so I am sharing with you. That’s why Tooru, please Ahnnn”

Inside the presence of a crowd of people, Yurie smiled as if she was not bothered about them.

Of course, it was only natural for me to be bothered about the sights from our surroundings.

“----Tooru?”

She tilted her small head-----

“Ya-yaa-----………”

I answered powerlessly and let her fed me the gelato……….

===Part 2===

Tooru and Yurie. Unless one knows about their situation they could only be seen as an intimate couple, and there were shadows watching those 2 from afar.

It was Tomoe and Miyabi.

Having asked Tooru and Yurie’s departure time indirectly during breakfast, Miyabi and Tomoe reached the closest station near the A la mode one hour before those 2.

From that point on, both of them were sneakily following behind them; they acted as if they were buying things at a nearby shop from the shop Yurie tried her clothes on---------(Miyabi actually bought something)------, this time they were hiding and peeping at the atrium where Yurie and Tooru were eating at from afar in a sports shop located across the atrium.

“Mi-Miyabi. Are those 2 really not going out with each other……….?”

“U-un…………..Tooru-kun said that………..”

“I see……….no, but……………”

During eating and this time in a manner of not bothering the public eye----------(Miyabi and Tomoe saw it like this)-------Tooru was being fed gelato by Yurie.

Looking at those two, Miyabi and Tomoe panicked together.

“To-To-To-Tomoe-chan. That’s errrr…………..not an illicit relationship right………..?”

“N-no, i-it isn’t a sexual conduct so……………..”

There are probably in this society which calls those actions of a stupid couple but, at the very least it isn’t any illicit relationship.

Thanks to that, they could not cut in and intrude them making both of them getting agitated only and could not make any other actions other than watching over them.

However, both of them were suddenly called out by a voice.

“Both of you are alone?”

“Eh………..?”

When they looked over, there were 4 guys standing there.

They were obviously picking up girls.

[If it is okay you two, want to play with us?][Both of you are cute. High school student? From what school?] [Kouryouu?][I know where. It’s the place nearby popular with martial arts]

The confirmation this guy made towards Kouryou academy was not wrong.

A private school with a dormitory system, and power placed inside martial arts, graduation would link to an employment from the secret service.

Not leaving any achievements to the public and because of the secret regulations from the Dawn organization, it is impossible for there to be any eye catching general information left inside the people’s memories.

Even if the <<Luciful>> or <<Blaze>> has been turned into a rumor, it would probably an absurd nonsense at most.

[[File:Absolute Duo Volume 2 Non-Colour 3.jpg|thumb]]

Unless they have definite proof then, it would not leave the realm of rumor even if it is real.

Naturally, since that was also made to be fully aware by the students that goes out, during the filling of the form for going out, they are not to cause any trouble outside, they are not to manifest their <<Blaze>> and etc; it was an outing with many attentions.

By any chance any of those rules were broken; a strict punishment will be given but------

“Heeh, by martial arts is it judo or karate? So you all are doing that too?”

“Ye-yeah…….”

Miyabi and Tomoe were agitated by the sudden pick up and answered the persons question honestly.

“That’s nice. Then, teach us some pinning skills too”

“……………..no thanks. Let’s go, Miyabi”

Finally at this moment, Tomoe noticed the guys’ intentions and even though she took Miyabi and left the spot-----

“That’s so cold. A little is fine. We won’t do anything strange”

A guy then grabbed Miyabi’s arm and pulled hard.

“Ah…………..”

Scared--------the moment she felt that, her body moved by reflex.

“Le-let go……….!”

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Don* Miyabi thrust the guy away.

Normally, he would stagger a bit but-------

Since her arm strength is exceedingly stronger than a normal person because of the <<Luciful>>, the guy fell over pathetically.

[Haha, lame][Shut up! My balance just collapsed!!]

The fallen over guy shouted at his comrades which were laughing loudly.

Luckily, he was just grazed.

“Oi oi, give me a break from violence”

“Your side was the ones getting violent first. It’s true that, trusting him away was too much though………………”

Although Tomoe entered between Miyabi and the leader, her voice tone was weak as expected.

Naturally, the person did not let that slip by.

“If you think it was too much then, isn’t it okay for you two to go out with us to reconcile”

“I-I refuse! I will apologize but, this and that is different!!”

“To-Tomoe-chan……………”

Tomoe whispered ''It’s alright'', to Miyabi who was turning smaller behind Tomoe.

(I have no problems with this number of people alone……….!)

That awareness, made Tomoe’s feelings stronger even if it turns into a fight.

However, Tomoe’s response does not feel nice to the guys and after the guy Miyabi thrust away joined back, the guys stand and surrounded both of them like a wall.

At that moment, someone Miyabi and Tomoe was familiar with, pushed through the crowd of people and appeared.

“Stop it you bastards!!”

[What is it!?][Who the hell are you!!]

Tooru was the one who stood in front of the guys.

Luckily, since they were nearby, he heard Miyabi and Tomoe’s voice and ran over here.

“These two are with me. I’ll listen if you have any problems”

[To-Tooru-kun……….][Kokonoe………..!]

Both of them called Tooru’s name and was a little relieved.

[He says they are with him][Looks real][What should we do?]

On the other hand, the guys were looking at each other on what to do next from the appearance of the person who named himself as one of them-------

“Miyabi, Tomoe, are you two okay?”

At that moment, they made their decision when Yurie joined.

[Wow. She’s super cute……….][This girl is also with him?][The so called Harem?][I feel a little pissed][What should we do?][Obviously---]

At the same time with the leader saying that, the guys slightly lowered their hips.

“Let’s give him a light one!”

“-----!!”

The guys move at the same time.

It was somewhat surprising-------but nonetheless, it looks like it was in slow motion to Tooru who has sublimated to <<{{Furigana|II|Level 2}}>>.

(I have no choice then; I’ll give them a light one then run away)

''I’ll push them down so they won’t get hurt I guess'', it was that moment Tooru decided that.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Taan*…………!! A dry sound from far away-----a ''gunshot'' echoed in the harbor street.

Almost at the same time, one guy that was going to punch Tooru, fell down as if he was flicked away.

“Eh…………?”

In astonishment, the voice of the person who muttered that was unknown.

However, faster than everyone in the spot-------including Tooru and the group------faster than them understanding what happened, another gunshot echoed and another guy collapsed.

“Wha…….!?”

“Tooru, That’s…………!!”

Further ahead of Yurie’s sights-----around 100 meters away standing on top of the 3rd floors balcony, Tooru saw the owner who made the gunshot.

A girl with long gorgeous shining {{Furigana|blonde hair|Yellow Topaz}}.

Her hand was holding a-------black long barrel <<{{Furigana|Gun|Rifle}}>>.

(Lealith!? And that’s-------------<<Blaze>>!?)

During the time Tooru was opening his eyes in shock, Lealith then pulled the trigger making the 3rd shot then 4th shot in an instant and the all of the guys collapsed.

In the middle of the sights looking at the guys suddenly collapsing at their surroundings, Tooru and Yurie was looking at the gold girl-------and was unable to take their eyes away from the <<{{Furigana|Gun|Rifle}}>> she was holding.

The thought that revived in his mind, was the talk that was taught in class last time.

'''“The <<Blaze>> cannot be manifested as a weapon with complex structure”'''

That talk wasn’t a lie and, '''a <<Gun>> type <<Blaze>> is impossible originally'''.

But, the <<Blaze>> being shown in Tooru and the groups sights was unmistakably a <<{{Furigana|Gun|Rifle}}>>.

Lealith made her <<{{Furigana|Gun|Rifle}}>> disappeared and turned her heels around.

While looking at the {{Furigana|blonde hair|Yellow Topaz}} walking into the balcony, Tooru muttered.

“<<Exception>>………..”

<noinclude>

==Translation Notes and References==
<references group="2c" />

{{SimpleNav}}
</noinclude>

Absolute Duo:Volume 1 Chapter 6

2013-12-23T00:19:17Z

Lawes12: /* Part 2 */

==Chapter 6 『I Will Be the One---That Take Your Cover!!』==

===Part 1===

A night before the <<{{Furigana|New blade battle|Newcomer battle}}>>.

The comfortable time after taking a bath has already turned into a daily thing--------

Like usual, we were drinking apple tea while watching television.

“It looks delicious, Tooru.”

“That’s true. It would be nice if I can eat that even once.”

When I agreed with her at the local gourmet being shown on the screen, Yurie made a wondering face and asked.

“Tooru has not eaten it before even though it is a Japanese food?”

“Aah. I never went to ''Kyushu'' before.”

I was supposed to go to Kyushu on my middle school trip but, since my mental state towards my daily life changed greatly ''during that summer'', I didn’t go.

If it didn’t change, I would not seek <<Power>> and come to Kouryou then---------

I would probably not be passing time with Yurie like this.

(The reason for coming to Kouryou, huh……………)

When I thought about that, the question that arose on the first day after enrollment once again came forth.

The question of, why did Yurie enroll into Kouryou.

Leaving her country, and coming to the deepest part of the east while holding anxiety----------what’s more to a very special background school, a ''battle technique instruction school''.

That was not all.

Once that question came across my mind, the feeling of wanting to know got bigger and bigger but---------

(This isn’t something I should be asking out of curiosity…………..)

I controlled myself using the same reason as the last time.

It might have a circumstance she doesn’t want to be asked.

More importantly, I came to Kouryou with a circumstance which I don’t want others to know.

“Tooru. It should be time to go to bed.”

When I was absent minded and thinking, I was urged by Yurie.

When I looked over to Yurie, she was already sitting on the lower bed before I knew it.

(As expected, this is nerve wrecking………….)

I was still resisting the action of sleeping together with a girl in the same futon.

But, Yurie in question did not show any nervousness at all.

I was not treated as a male but rather like a father-like existence so if I say this is natural then it is only natural but…………..

Being trusted sounds nice but, somehow it was a complex feeling.

“Tooru?”

“A,aah. Let’s sleep then………….”

The lights were turned off and we entered the bed.

Inside the darkness wrapped in silence, I thought as an ending I called out to Yurie.

“Yurie”

“Yes?”

“Let’s do our best tomorrow.”

“Ya---“

“Okay then, good night Yurie.”

“Good night, Tooru.”

Yurie clung tightly to me.

(<nowiki>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</nowiki>!!)

It has already been something done every time but even so, I was so agitated by this action I couldn’t get used to, and not long after, my consciousness lost to the drowsiness and fell into the darkness.

The night cleared out----------and the curtains of the <<{{Furigana|New blade battle|Newcomer battle}}>> unfolded.

“Tooru, it’s almost time.”

Staring at the clock tower which could be seen from everywhere inside the academy, Yurie muttered.

Near evening on the next day, about the time <<{{Furigana|New blade battle|Newcomer battle}}>> was going to start, just beside the outer walls surrounding Kouryou------we were standing-by on the place we drew by lottery.

The other <<Duo>>s were also doing the same by standing-by around different places in the academy, and were impatiently waiting.

Towards the event that is going to happen, when I was wrapped in an uplifting feeling------

<nowiki>*RiinGon-----**RiinGon………..**RiinGon…………..*</nowiki>

The bells of the clock tower announced the start of the <<{{Furigana|New blade battle|Newcomer battle}}>> inside the academy.

“Let’s go, Yurie!”

“Ya----!”

“”<<Blaze>>””

Our voices piled up and the <<Flame>> danced.

At the same time when a <<Shield>> appeared on my right arm, and <<{{Furigana|Twin blades|Double}}>> appeared on both Yurie’s hands, we started running.

But, it’s not like we have no plan.

Advancing straight ahead, and if we encounter other <<Duo>> we crush them head on.

(I never thought Yurie would go with my plan---------no plan.)

Towards my plan which only consists of a risky advance, Yurie did not hesitate and nodded.

She said, [I will choose a difficult road in order to become stronger……….I also think we should go with that].

To agree with my thoughts, we might really be compatible with each other.

(However-------)

I took a side glance to Yurie running beside me.

In order to become stronger-------Yurie certainly said that.

(I wonder why Yurie wants to become stronger?)

But that question disappeared when we found our battle opponent from far away and we plunged in.

The time was around 6 o’clock, and the view was getting darker upon that time.

On the present time, we crushed 6 groups of <<Duo>>s and were in the middle of searching for the next opponent.

At this point, there were opponents that would receive a frontal match, and some pretending to be defeated and finding a chance to strike.

There were some that grouped together with the difference in power so, there were seriously various tactics taken by each <<Duo>>, it turned into a format close to real battle with the future unpredictable.

At the present time, the hardest opponent was the Kigami & Izumi but, after they were disturbed by Yurie’s speed, the match ended with me giving a single strike.

The remaining strong ones are Tachibana & Miyabi, and Tora & Tatsu these two teams.

“If I think there is less than 1 hour then, it is a pain to look for an opponent.”

“There seem to be a lot of <<Duo>>s that have dropped out so, it is something that can’t be helped.”

“Do you think it is a good idea to confirm places we have never been to?”

“The opponents are moving too, so it will be difficult.”

Naturally, there were <<Duo>>s that didn’t move away from their spot.

The teams’ conscious about an advantages position should be like a spider waiting for its prey to get caught in its net.

“Let’s head to the school building for now.”

“Ya----. There is a route through the auditorium from the front and the opposite side from here but, which one should we go with?”

“From what we can see, there is no one in the front so, let’s go around the opposite side.”

Yurie agreed with my plan and right after we started moving to the opposite side of the auditorium-----

“O-ya, Kokonoe-kun and Sigtuna-san. Looks like you are doing well in winning.”

Mikuni-sensei appeared from the auditorium and talked to us.

“Ah, thank you for patrolling, Mikuni-sensei.”

In case the students get hurt during the <<{{Furigana|New blade battle|Newcomer battle}}>>, there were few people including Tsukimi-sensei and Mikuni-sensei patrolling.

“No no, this is also my job……………..and, now it isn’t the time to be talking nor overemphasis, both of you please continue the <<{{Furigana|New blade battle|Newcomer battle}}>>.”

[Yes, please excuse us] [Please excuse us]

I bowed lightly, and jogged towards the other side of the auditorium together with Yurie.

………………..we didn’t notice Mikuni-sensei making a light smile towards our back.

This was what happened when we were taking side glances in the passageway connecting the auditorium and school building together.

“----!!”

When I jumped aside from the splitting air sound, a flying ''something'' pierced a hole to the ground in front of me.

“You came, Kokonoe, Yurie.”

Together with a dignified voice, Tachibana showed herself and retrieved the ''something'' she shot at us.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Jyarii* a rustling sound of metal. The thin iron rings reflected the evening sun and it was a weapon with a drip shaped weight attached on its tip, the <<{{Furigana|Iron chain|Chain}}>>----------that was Tachibana’s <<Blaze>>.

Normally, the combination of a weight and chain weapon is to restrain the opponents or entangle their weapons, its sub-weapon image is strong. In reality, it pierced a hole into the earth like just now, and it holds a power enough to crack my skull if it hits my head.

“What a dangerous greeting, Tachibana.”

“Fufu, I shot it so you could avoid it so, forgive me for that much. More importantly, I was about to give up when I thought it was impossible to have a match with you two when the time became only an hour.”

“That goes for me too. Looks like my love call got through.”

“Aah, like I love you!? Wha-wha-what are you saying suddenly!? ………….kuh, to think you would use words to confuse my heart, how cowardly!!”

“Huh? Confuse your heart? What do you mean?”

“……………..ah………….”

“Hey, what do you mean, Tachibana?”

“Shu-shu-shut up! Let’s fight with good grace!! Tachibana style 18 arts, Tachibana Tomoe……….here I come!!”

Hyun, that sound appeared and when I thought the metal drip rotated, immediately right after Tachibana’s hands become blurry--------

The metal water drop cut through the air and was heading this way.

[-----------!!][Tooru!]

Even though I dodged it almost at the same timing with Yurie’s shout, the metal drip scratched me and plowed down the tree behind me like that.

“It has some power but------it’s okay, it’s just a scratch.”

“Fufu, that was a nice dodge. Several people got hit with only this and ended.”

“We finally met, so I can’t have it end in an instant, right?”

Although I talked so much, I was having cold sweats in my mind.

(If I hadn’t avoided the vital points then it seriously would have been a one-hit kill. The gap is 6 to 7 meters………?)

Although it is a breath distance thanks to the <<Luciful>> , it was hard to make sure from that ''happening'' with only a slight movement of her wrist.
On top of that, since the gap is wide, it is clear entering her chest area is going to be a pain.

(This is going to be hard……….also------)

“What happened to Miyabi? Are you planning to fight us without your partner?”

“Fufu, didn’t you make a prediction?”

(As expected a strategy huh…………)

She is probably lurking around somewhere to ambush us.

Coming to the front lines with an irregular weapon like the <<{{Furigana|Iron chain|Chain}}>>, means Miyabi’s <<Blaze>> is probably ''not a type meant for head-on combat''.

(…………I didn't think Miyabi would fight head-on in the first place anyway.)

“Well then, why don’t we start going-all out now.”

“Aah, let’s go! Yurie!”

“Ya----!!”

All 3 of us moved at the same time.

I and Yurie dodged the incoming metal drip by separating to the left and right and immediately dashed towards Tachibana.

The important thing here is ''not getting put between the opponents''. Tachibana’s sight was reflecting both of our images while, attacking us to dull our judgments. A blind spot attack from the other side will make the decision to cope faster from the viewable side as long as it has been predicted.

“Fuu, I have already predicted your movements!!”

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Jyarii*-------the rustling sound of the chain. At the same time Tachibana sights were on Yurie.

But the ''metal drip was heading towards me.''

At the same time with me stopping my legs to block the metal drop with my <<Shield>>, Tachibana jumped into Yurie’s chest area.

Surprised, Yurie’s arm was grabbed and thrown up to the air just like that.

Even though Yurie landed easily by twisting her body, Tachibana once again took distance.

“As expected from you, Tachibana.”

“Tachibana style 18 arts have various martial arts passed through. Sword skills, jujitsu, arrow skills, and many more-------”

“……….This is troubling”

<<{{Furigana|Iron chain|Chain}}>> for distance, and jujitsu for close-combat-------just like what Yurie said, there is nothing more annoying.

“Okay, I am going to keep going, Kokonoe, Yurie!!”

The attacking metal drip pierced the ground one after another. That attack, launches and pull backs were fast, therefore we couldn’t grasp the timing to enter her chest area.

However, the situation is getting poor for her since it is a one sided defense battle. The opponent still has a plan----------as long as Miyabi is still waiting, we can’t let Tachibana get the pace here.

“Yurie! <<{{Furigana|Saber|Single blade sword}}>> throw!”

“Ya---!”

A short instruction. But that is all it needs to get through. Yurie who moved to the side in an instant, followed my instruction and reached right behind her.

“A blind?”

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Chyarii* that sound appeared, and the <<{{Furigana|Iron chain|Chain}}>> shook. She was planning to make a counter-attack from looking at me and Yurie’s movements.

“Yurie!”

To replace the signal, I called Yurie’s name------and made a front roll.

“Wha!?”

Having her predictions overcome, Tachibana made a surprised voice.

It was not from my movements. It was because she saw the <<{{Furigana|Twin blades|Double}}>> thrown at me and passing through the top of my head.

Although she was attacked off guard, she still evaded the flying sword.

But, Yurie who was in mid-air performed a slash attack at that moment. It was something that only belongs to Yurie who has two of her most trusted weapons, and it was the attack that made me suffer defeat on the 4th match conducted after school on Monday.

However, I can say it was expected from Tachibana.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Jigiin*! She somehow blocked the swung down blade with the bundled up chains.

But, that was the limit of being alone.

By the time I got up, I was already in her range.

Together with a strong shout, I made a mid-level punch and pierced towards to Tachibana’s stomach.

However it was too shallow……….! Right before it hit, the hit point was decreased because she slightly twisted her body.

But even so, she was blown away for a few meters but, at the same time with Tachibana standing up--------

“Kuh………..! We are retreating for now, Miyabi!”

After shouting, she jumped into the school building.

She probably decided it was not the situation effective to use the ambush, or is this is a strategy too-----------------------

“Yurie, we’re chasing!”

Without even thinking about it for an instant, we chased after Tachibana when we got the chance of winning, and dashed into the school building.

At the end of the corridor that was turning darker, we saw Tachibana kneeling down there.

Although it was shallow, it looks like she got some damaged on her.

“We’ll end this.”

Yurie prepared her <<{{Furigana|Twin blades|Double}}>>, and filled in the distance.

Looking at that, Tachibana raised her face------and showed a smile.

“Miyabi!!”

As if to respond to that call, a thunderous roar echoed from behind us.

The classroom wall was destroyed and a shadow dashed out to the corridor from inside the enshrouding dust------It’s Miyabi.

“Sorry. If I don’t get hit at least once, you would probably think it is a trap and won’t chase me. Okay, this will end it! Tachibana style-------Style of the big snake!!”

This time it wasn’t the snap throw she used until now but a full strength full throw hitting the walls, the ceiling, and floor, the metal drip was springing around and approaching.

The reason for entering a narrow area like the corridor was also to use this.

And also------Miyabi was charging straight forward behind us.

“Tooru-kun, Yurie-chan, be prepared--------!!”

In her hands she was holding a giant lance-------<<{{Furigana|Chivalry lance|Lance}}>>. Just like the name it is a lance originally meant to be used by a knight on a horse, and she was charging towards us while holding it with her enhanced arm strength. Even though it is a giant weapon that will make a huge chance completely if it misses but, it is extremely hard to avoid it in this narrow space.

(So this is what she meant……!!)

It took me this long to remember the conversation I had with Miyabi. The words Miyabi said about needing stamina in order to use her <<Blaze>>. If I knew she was planning to use a <<{{Furigana|Chivalry lance|Lance}}>>, then I would have agreed with her.

The prediction that it is a much trickier <<Blaze>> for an ambush was an unthinkable wrong conclusion. Using a giant weapon like <<{{Furigana|Chivalry lance|Lance}}>> as a ambush is completely out of my predictions but, it could be said to be a proper strategy in the point of attacking us off-guard.

(What should I do…………!?)

The current situation is exactly, a lion in front and a wolf behind.

The moment I thought a quick decision would definitely determine everything----------

“Tooru! I am counting on you!”

As soon as Yurie shouted, she charged into the attacking <<{{Furigana|Iron chain|Chain}}>>.

Not even taking a single glance behind us, and with all her trust towards me--------*Chirin* she left behind the sound of the bell.
That’s why I made a vow towards her back, and shouted.

“Yurie! I will------protect your back!!”

I turned behind, lowered my hips and prepared my <<shield>> towards the charging Miyabi.

“I-I am coming, Tooru-kun!!”

Will I be blown away or will I block it---------!!

<nowiki>*</nowiki>GyaRiii*!! The <<{{Furigana|Chivalry lance|Lance}}>> and <<Shield>> clashed.

“I-I won’t lose!! I………..will show you the results of my effort! To Tooru-kun! That’s why, that’s why I will not loseeeee!!”

A direct battle between strength. The tremendous impact, I was pushed by that power and was about to be blown away.

(Kuh, heavy……..!!)

The results she gained from running, has certainly turned into Miyabi’s flesh and blood.

As proof, that impact was transmitted to me, and even when I stood firm while pushing back, I was moving backwards.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Mishi**mishi* the <<Shield>> creaked and even when my feet became slightly floating from the pressure--------

(But…………….Like hell I will lose!!)

“SEYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!”

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Zun*!! I slammed my floating feet and crushed the floor.

In an instant, there were cracks coming from the floor to the wall, and at the same time I stopped moving backwards.

“Uu………….!”

No matter how much strength she put into it, towards me who was not moving like a mountain, Miyabi distorted her face---------

“Haa……………I can’t put any more strength………..”

Soon, at the same time with the pressure disappearing, Miyabi made a wry smile while falling on her butt.

“The results of your effort, I have seen it. You were strong, Miyabi”

“Ah…………Th-thank you for praising me, Tooru-kun……….e-errrr. I, will continue running even more from now on. And, I will become even stronger then, so……………..”

“Aah. Work hard. I look forward for the next match”

“U-un……………!”

===Part 2===

Just a few moments after Tooru’s battle concluded--------Tachibana Tomoe was feeling fear at the silver girl heading towards her.

At that figure dodging the <<{{Furigana|Iron chain|Chain}}>> which was attacking according to the word freely, and closing in the distance.

Yes, Yurie did not parry with her <<{{Furigana|Twin blades|Double}}>>, and was dodging all of it.

There was cold sweat flowing down Tomoe’s back.

Towards that movement that crosses over common sense, Tomoe found out the real meaning of the other name black wing angel which became a rumor during the entrance examination.

(I knew she was not serious during the <<Fist Practice>> but, to think it was this much!!)

The gap was filled. Now, the only problem was the time when the <<{{Furigana|Twin blades|Double}}>>’s black blade would reach her body.

(Yurie, you are strong. Maybe even more than the current me…………but------)

“I can’t lose! In the name of Tachibana!!”

Tomoe hardened her resolve and headed out for the final battle.

Launching the <<{{Furigana|Iron chain|Chain}}>> towards the stomach as a target.

When she aimed at a part which moves little and is hard to defend, it was parried by the swords.

But, that was what Tomoe was aiming at.

She controlled the parried metal drip with her fingers and the moment she aimed at that small body from behind------------

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Gikiin*………….!! The sound of metal clashing echoed and Tomoe’s eyes opened wide in surprise.

Yurie ''parried the metal drip with her left sword, in order to trust her right sword towards Tomoe.''

“It’s checkmate.”

“That last attack…………did you predict it?”

“I felt the spirit of not giving up at any cost. So I thought there will definitely be a plan.”

“Fufu, magnificent, to think you were still calm until the end…………today is my complete defeat.”

In the next moment, the blade made a line flash-------and Tomoe slowly collapsed.

===Part 3===

“Good work, Yurie.”

“Ya----. Tooru too, good work.”

While Tooru was replying back to Yurie who was making a small smile with a smile, he was astonished of Yurie’s judgments from just now inside his heart.

(In just that instant, she saw through many points of her opponent.)

If it is Yurie then none of it would be a problem for her but, it was clear her close-combat style has bad compatibilities with Tachibana’s <<{{Furigana|Iron chain|Chain}}>> which is mid-ranged.

But, at the same time there was that happiness regarding leaving her back to him.

“Well then. Okay, we will be going so; can I leave the rest to you?”

“U-un”

Tachibana lost consciousness from Yurie’s attack and was currently being looked after by Miyabi. She doesn’t look injured but, because of that, towards the <<Blaze>>-------he had no choice but to be shocked at its properties is unable to injure a person once again.

(Judging from the time, one more match is the limit. If possible, I want to have a go with Tora but……………….)

That moment that face was floating in his mind-------his thoughts were interrupted.

“Kuh…………….Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahh!!”

From the upper floor, Tora’s shout echoed.

<noinclude>
{{SimpleNav}}
</noinclude>

Absolute Duo:Volume 1 Chapter 6

2013-12-23T00:18:15Z

Lawes12: /* Part 1 */

==Chapter 6 『I Will Be the One---That Take Your Cover!!』==

===Part 1===

A night before the <<{{Furigana|New blade battle|Newcomer battle}}>>.

The comfortable time after taking a bath has already turned into a daily thing--------

Like usual, we were drinking apple tea while watching television.

“It looks delicious, Tooru.”

“That’s true. It would be nice if I can eat that even once.”

When I agreed with her at the local gourmet being shown on the screen, Yurie made a wondering face and asked.

“Tooru has not eaten it before even though it is a Japanese food?”

“Aah. I never went to ''Kyushu'' before.”

I was supposed to go to Kyushu on my middle school trip but, since my mental state towards my daily life changed greatly ''during that summer'', I didn’t go.

If it didn’t change, I would not seek <<Power>> and come to Kouryou then---------

I would probably not be passing time with Yurie like this.

(The reason for coming to Kouryou, huh……………)

When I thought about that, the question that arose on the first day after enrollment once again came forth.

The question of, why did Yurie enroll into Kouryou.

Leaving her country, and coming to the deepest part of the east while holding anxiety----------what’s more to a very special background school, a ''battle technique instruction school''.

That was not all.

Once that question came across my mind, the feeling of wanting to know got bigger and bigger but---------

(This isn’t something I should be asking out of curiosity…………..)

I controlled myself using the same reason as the last time.

It might have a circumstance she doesn’t want to be asked.

More importantly, I came to Kouryou with a circumstance which I don’t want others to know.

“Tooru. It should be time to go to bed.”

When I was absent minded and thinking, I was urged by Yurie.

When I looked over to Yurie, she was already sitting on the lower bed before I knew it.

(As expected, this is nerve wrecking………….)

I was still resisting the action of sleeping together with a girl in the same futon.

But, Yurie in question did not show any nervousness at all.

I was not treated as a male but rather like a father-like existence so if I say this is natural then it is only natural but…………..

Being trusted sounds nice but, somehow it was a complex feeling.

“Tooru?”

“A,aah. Let’s sleep then………….”

The lights were turned off and we entered the bed.

Inside the darkness wrapped in silence, I thought as an ending I called out to Yurie.

“Yurie”

“Yes?”

“Let’s do our best tomorrow.”

“Ya---“

“Okay then, good night Yurie.”

“Good night, Tooru.”

Yurie clung tightly to me.

(<nowiki>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</nowiki>!!)

It has already been something done every time but even so, I was so agitated by this action I couldn’t get used to, and not long after, my consciousness lost to the drowsiness and fell into the darkness.

The night cleared out----------and the curtains of the <<{{Furigana|New blade battle|Newcomer battle}}>> unfolded.

“Tooru, it’s almost time.”

Staring at the clock tower which could be seen from everywhere inside the academy, Yurie muttered.

Near evening on the next day, about the time <<{{Furigana|New blade battle|Newcomer battle}}>> was going to start, just beside the outer walls surrounding Kouryou------we were standing-by on the place we drew by lottery.

The other <<Duo>>s were also doing the same by standing-by around different places in the academy, and were impatiently waiting.

Towards the event that is going to happen, when I was wrapped in an uplifting feeling------

<nowiki>*RiinGon-----**RiinGon………..**RiinGon…………..*</nowiki>

The bells of the clock tower announced the start of the <<{{Furigana|New blade battle|Newcomer battle}}>> inside the academy.

“Let’s go, Yurie!”

“Ya----!”

“”<<Blaze>>””

Our voices piled up and the <<Flame>> danced.

At the same time when a <<Shield>> appeared on my right arm, and <<{{Furigana|Twin blades|Double}}>> appeared on both Yurie’s hands, we started running.

But, it’s not like we have no plan.

Advancing straight ahead, and if we encounter other <<Duo>> we crush them head on.

(I never thought Yurie would go with my plan---------no plan.)

Towards my plan which only consists of a risky advance, Yurie did not hesitate and nodded.

She said, [I will choose a difficult road in order to become stronger……….I also think we should go with that].

To agree with my thoughts, we might really be compatible with each other.

(However-------)

I took a side glance to Yurie running beside me.

In order to become stronger-------Yurie certainly said that.

(I wonder why Yurie wants to become stronger?)

But that question disappeared when we found our battle opponent from far away and we plunged in.

The time was around 6 o’clock, and the view was getting darker upon that time.

On the present time, we crushed 6 groups of <<Duo>>s and were in the middle of searching for the next opponent.

At this point, there were opponents that would receive a frontal match, and some pretending to be defeated and finding a chance to strike.

There were some that grouped together with the difference in power so, there were seriously various tactics taken by each <<Duo>>, it turned into a format close to real battle with the future unpredictable.

At the present time, the hardest opponent was the Kigami & Izumi but, after they were disturbed by Yurie’s speed, the match ended with me giving a single strike.

The remaining strong ones are Tachibana & Miyabi, and Tora & Tatsu these two teams.

“If I think there is less than 1 hour then, it is a pain to look for an opponent.”

“There seem to be a lot of <<Duo>>s that have dropped out so, it is something that can’t be helped.”

“Do you think it is a good idea to confirm places we have never been to?”

“The opponents are moving too, so it will be difficult.”

Naturally, there were <<Duo>>s that didn’t move away from their spot.

The teams’ conscious about an advantages position should be like a spider waiting for its prey to get caught in its net.

“Let’s head to the school building for now.”

“Ya----. There is a route through the auditorium from the front and the opposite side from here but, which one should we go with?”

“From what we can see, there is no one in the front so, let’s go around the opposite side.”

Yurie agreed with my plan and right after we started moving to the opposite side of the auditorium-----

“O-ya, Kokonoe-kun and Sigtuna-san. Looks like you are doing well in winning.”

Mikuni-sensei appeared from the auditorium and talked to us.

“Ah, thank you for patrolling, Mikuni-sensei.”

In case the students get hurt during the <<{{Furigana|New blade battle|Newcomer battle}}>>, there were few people including Tsukimi-sensei and Mikuni-sensei patrolling.

“No no, this is also my job……………..and, now it isn’t the time to be talking nor overemphasis, both of you please continue the <<{{Furigana|New blade battle|Newcomer battle}}>>.”

[Yes, please excuse us] [Please excuse us]

I bowed lightly, and jogged towards the other side of the auditorium together with Yurie.

………………..we didn’t notice Mikuni-sensei making a light smile towards our back.

This was what happened when we were taking side glances in the passageway connecting the auditorium and school building together.

“----!!”

When I jumped aside from the splitting air sound, a flying ''something'' pierced a hole to the ground in front of me.

“You came, Kokonoe, Yurie.”

Together with a dignified voice, Tachibana showed herself and retrieved the ''something'' she shot at us.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Jyarii* a rustling sound of metal. The thin iron rings reflected the evening sun and it was a weapon with a drip shaped weight attached on its tip, the <<{{Furigana|Iron chain|Chain}}>>----------that was Tachibana’s <<Blaze>>.

Normally, the combination of a weight and chain weapon is to restrain the opponents or entangle their weapons, its sub-weapon image is strong. In reality, it pierced a hole into the earth like just now, and it holds a power enough to crack my skull if it hits my head.

“What a dangerous greeting, Tachibana.”

“Fufu, I shot it so you could avoid it so, forgive me for that much. More importantly, I was about to give up when I thought it was impossible to have a match with you two when the time became only an hour.”

“That goes for me too. Looks like my love call got through.”

“Aah, like I love you!? Wha-wha-what are you saying suddenly!? ………….kuh, to think you would use words to confuse my heart, how cowardly!!”

“Huh? Confuse your heart? What do you mean?”

“……………..ah………….”

“Hey, what do you mean, Tachibana?”

“Shu-shu-shut up! Let’s fight with good grace!! Tachibana style 18 arts, Tachibana Tomoe……….here I come!!”

Hyun, that sound appeared and when I thought the metal drip rotated, immediately right after Tachibana’s hands become blurry--------

The metal water drop cut through the air and was heading this way.

[-----------!!][Tooru!]

Even though I dodged it almost at the same timing with Yurie’s shout, the metal drip scratched me and plowed down the tree behind me like that.

“It has some power but------it’s okay, it’s just a scratch.”

“Fufu, that was a nice dodge. Several people got hit with only this and ended.”

“We finally met, so I can’t have it end in an instant, right?”

Although I talked so much, I was having cold sweats in my mind.

(If I hadn’t avoided the vital points then it seriously would have been a one-hit kill. The gap is 6 to 7 meters………?)

Although it is a breath distance thanks to the <<Luciful>> , it was hard to make sure from that ''happening'' with only a slight movement of her wrist.
On top of that, since the gap is wide, it is clear entering her chest area is going to be a pain.

(This is going to be hard……….also------)

“What happened to Miyabi? Are you planning to fight us without your partner?”

“Fufu, didn’t you make a prediction?”

(As expected a strategy huh…………)

She is probably lurking around somewhere to ambush us.

Coming to the front lines with an irregular weapon like the <<{{Furigana|Iron chain|Chain}}>>, means Miyabi’s <<Blaze>> is probably ''not a type meant for head-on combat''.

(…………I didn't think Miyabi would fight head-on in the first place anyway.)

“Well then, why don’t we start going-all out now.”

“Aah, let’s go! Yurie!”

“Ya----!!”

All 3 of us moved at the same time.

I and Yurie dodged the incoming metal drip by separating to the left and right and immediately dashed towards Tachibana.

The important thing here is ''not getting put between the opponents''. Tachibana’s sight was reflecting both of our images while, attacking us to dull our judgments. A blind spot attack from the other side will make the decision to cope faster from the viewable side as long as it has been predicted.

“Fuu, I have already predicted your movements!!”

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Jyarii*-------the rustling sound of the chain. At the same time Tachibana sights were on Yurie.

But the ''metal drip was heading towards me.''

At the same time with me stopping my legs to block the metal drop with my <<Shield>>, Tachibana jumped into Yurie’s chest area.

Surprised, Yurie’s arm was grabbed and thrown up to the air just like that.

Even though Yurie landed easily by twisting her body, Tachibana once again took distance.

“As expected from you, Tachibana.”

“Tachibana style 18 arts have various martial arts passed through. Sword skills, jujitsu, arrow skills, and many more-------”

“……….This is troubling”

<<{{Furigana|Iron chain|Chain}}>> for distance, and jujitsu for close-combat-------just like what Yurie said, there is nothing more annoying.

“Okay, I am going to keep going, Kokonoe, Yurie!!”

The attacking metal drip pierced the ground one after another. That attack, launches and pull backs were fast, therefore we couldn’t grasp the timing to enter her chest area.

However, the situation is getting poor for her since it is a one sided defense battle. The opponent still has a plan----------as long as Miyabi is still waiting, we can’t let Tachibana get the pace here.

“Yurie! <<{{Furigana|Saber|Single blade sword}}>> throw!”

“Ya---!”

A short instruction. But that is all it needs to get through. Yurie who moved to the side in an instant, followed my instruction and reached right behind her.

“A blind?”

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Chyarii* that sound appeared, and the <<{{Furigana|Iron chain|Chain}}>> shook. She was planning to make a counter-attack from looking at me and Yurie’s movements.

“Yurie!”

To replace the signal, I called Yurie’s name------and made a front roll.

“Wha!?”

Having her predictions overcome, Tachibana made a surprised voice.

It was not from my movements. It was because she saw the <<{{Furigana|Twin blades|Double}}>> thrown at me and passing through the top of my head.

Although she was attacked off guard, she still evaded the flying sword.

But, Yurie who was in mid-air performed a slash attack at that moment. It was something that only belongs to Yurie who has two of her most trusted weapons, and it was the attack that made me suffer defeat on the 4th match conducted after school on Monday.

However, I can say it was expected from Tachibana.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Jigiin*! She somehow blocked the swung down blade with the bundled up chains.

But, that was the limit of being alone.

By the time I got up, I was already in her range.

Together with a strong shout, I made a mid-level punch and pierced towards to Tachibana’s stomach.

However it was too shallow……….! Right before it hit, the hit point was decreased because she slightly twisted her body.

But even so, she was blown away for a few meters but, at the same time with Tachibana standing up--------

“Kuh………..! We are retreating for now, Miyabi!”

After shouting, she jumped into the school building.

She probably decided it was not the situation effective to use the ambush, or is this is a strategy too-----------------------

“Yurie, we’re chasing!”

Without even thinking about it for an instant, we chased after Tachibana when we got the chance of winning, and dashed into the school building.

At the end of the corridor that was turning darker, we saw Tachibana kneeling down there.

Although it was shallow, it looks like she got some damaged on her.

“We’ll end this.”

Yurie prepared her <<{{Furigana|Twin blades|Double}}>>, and filled in the distance.

Looking at that, Tachibana raised her face------and showed a smile.

“Miyabi!!”

As if to respond to that call, a thunderous roar echoed from behind us.

The classroom wall was destroyed and a shadow dashed out to the corridor from inside the enshrouding dust------It’s Miyabi.

“Sorry. If I don’t get hit at least once, you would probably think it is a trap and won’t chase me. Okay, this will end it! Tachibana style-------Style of the big snake!!”

This time it wasn’t the snap throw she used until now but a full strength full throw hitting the walls, the ceiling, and floor, the metal drip was springing around and approaching.

The reason for entering a narrow area like the corridor was also to use this.

And also------Miyabi was charging straight forward behind us.

“Tooru-kun, Yurie-chan, be prepared--------!!”

In her hands she was holding a giant lance-------<<{{Furigana|Chivalry lance|Lance}}>>. Just like the name it is a lance originally meant to be used by a knight on a horse, and she was charging towards us while holding it with her enhanced arm strength. Even though it is a giant weapon that will make a huge chance completely if it misses but, it is extremely hard to avoid it in this narrow space.

(So this is what she meant……!!)

It took me this long to remember the conversation I had with Miyabi. The words Miyabi said about needing stamina in order to use her <<Blaze>>. If I knew she was planning to use a <<{{Furigana|Chivalry lance|Lance}}>>, then I would have agreed with her.

The prediction that it is a much trickier <<Blaze>> for an ambush was an unthinkable wrong conclusion. Using a giant weapon like <<{{Furigana|Chivalry lance|Lance}}>> as a ambush is completely out of my predictions but, it could be said to be a proper strategy in the point of attacking us off-guard.

(What should I do…………!?)

The current situation is exactly, a lion in front and a wolf behind.

The moment I thought a quick decision would definitely determine everything----------

“Tooru! I am counting on you!”

As soon as Yurie shouted, she charged into the attacking <<{{Furigana|Iron chain|Chain}}>>.

Not even taking a single glance behind us, and with all her trust towards me--------*Chirin* she left behind the sound of the bell.
That’s why I made a vow towards her back, and shouted.

“Yurie! I will------protect your back!!”

I turned behind, lowered my hips and prepared my <<shield>> towards the charging Miyabi.

“I-I am coming, Tooru-kun!!”

Will I be blown away or will I block it---------!!

<nowiki>*</nowiki>GyaRiii*!! The <<{{Furigana|Chivalry lance|Lance}}>> and <<Shield>> clashed.

“I-I won’t lose!! I………..will show you the results of my effort! To Tooru-kun! That’s why, that’s why I will not loseeeee!!”

A direct battle between strength. The tremendous impact, I was pushed by that power and was about to be blown away.

(Kuh, heavy……..!!)

The results she gained from running, has certainly turned into Miyabi’s flesh and blood.

As proof, that impact was transmitted to me, and even when I stood firm while pushing back, I was moving backwards.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Mishi**mishi* the <<Shield>> creaked and even when my feet became slightly floating from the pressure--------

(But…………….Like hell I will lose!!)

“SEYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!”

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Zun*!! I slammed my floating feet and crushed the floor.

In an instant, there were cracks coming from the floor to the wall, and at the same time I stopped moving backwards.

“Uu………….!”

No matter how much strength she put into it, towards me who was not moving like a mountain, Miyabi distorted her face---------

“Haa……………I can’t put any more strength………..”

Soon, at the same time with the pressure disappearing, Miyabi made a wry smile while falling on her butt.

“The results of your effort, I have seen it. You were strong, Miyabi”

“Ah…………Th-thank you for praising me, Tooru-kun……….e-errrr. I, will continue running even more from now on. And, I will become even stronger then, so……………..”

“Aah. Work hard. I look forward for the next match”

“U-un……………!”

===Part 2===

Just a few moments after Tooru’s battle concluded--------Tachibana Tomoe was feeling fear at the silver girl heading towards her.

At that figure dodging the <<{{Furigana|Iron chain|Chain}}>> which was attacking according to the word freely, and closing in the distance.

Yes, Yurie did not parry with her <<{{Furigana|Twin blades|Double}}>>, and was dodging all of it.

There were cold sweats flowing behind Tomoe’s back.

Towards that movement that crosses over common sense, Tomoe found out the real meaning of the other name black wing angel which became a rumor during the entrance examination.

(I knew she was not serious during the <<Fist Practice>> but, to think it was this much!!)

The gap was filled. Now, the only problem was the time when the <<{{Furigana|Twin blades|Double}}>>’s black blade would reach her body.

(Yurie, you are strong. Maybe even more than the current me…………but------)

“I can’t lose! In the name of Tachibana!!”

Tomoe hardened her resolve and headed out for the final battle.

Launching the <<{{Furigana|Iron chain|Chain}}>> towards the stomach as a target.

When she aimed at a part which moves little and is hard to defend, it was parried by the swords.

But, that was what Tomoe was aiming at.

She controlled the parried metal drip with her fingers and the moment she aimed at that small body from behind------------

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Gikiin*………….!! The sound of metal clashing echoed and Tomoe’s eyes opened wide in surprise.

Yurie ''parried the metal drip with her left sword, in order to trust her right sword towards Tomoe.''

“It’s checkmate.”

“That last attack…………did you predict it?”

“I felt the spirit of not giving up at any cost. So I thought there will definitely be a plan.”

“Fufu, magnificent, to think you were still calm until the end…………today is my complete defeat.”

In the next moment, the blade made a line flash-------and Tomoe slowly collapsed.

===Part 3===

“Good work, Yurie.”

“Ya----. Tooru too, good work.”

While Tooru was replying back to Yurie who was making a small smile with a smile, he was astonished of Yurie’s judgments from just now inside his heart.

(In just that instant, she saw through many points of her opponent.)

If it is Yurie then none of it would be a problem for her but, it was clear her close-combat style has bad compatibilities with Tachibana’s <<{{Furigana|Iron chain|Chain}}>> which is mid-ranged.

But, at the same time there was that happiness regarding leaving her back to him.

“Well then. Okay, we will be going so; can I leave the rest to you?”

“U-un”

Tachibana lost consciousness from Yurie’s attack and was currently being looked after by Miyabi. She doesn’t look injured but, because of that, towards the <<Blaze>>-------he had no choice but to be shocked at its properties is unable to injure a person once again.

(Judging from the time, one more match is the limit. If possible, I want to have a go with Tora but……………….)

That moment that face was floating in his mind-------his thoughts were interrupted.

“Kuh…………….Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahh!!”

From the upper floor, Tora’s shout echoed.

<noinclude>
{{SimpleNav}}
</noinclude>

Absolute Duo:Volume 1 Chapter 5

2013-12-22T23:48:44Z

Lawes12: /* Part 1 */

==Chapter 5 『It's a Promise』==

===Part 1===
After finishing registering for the <<Duo>>, and after reporting this to Tachibana and the rest during dinner time---------

We returned to our room and this happened after a while.

“Tooru. ……………are you going to take a bath?”

“Hn? It’s okay for Yurie to go in like usual.”

“……………”

Yurie swung her head and ''continued her words………for some reason with her cheeks blushed''.

“Are you not coming in together?”

“Buu----!?”

I spurt out the apple tea.

“Yu-Yu,Yuri-Yurie--------------!?”

From that sudden explosive remark, while it being natural, I was only shocked.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Peek*…………*Peek*……………….

On the other side, Yurie was alternately lowering her sights down and then to me.

(Ta, taking a bath together!? Which means both of us soaking in the bathtub together, both of us naked--------------no no no that’s bad! At least with swimsuits……………….there’s no way we have that! …………….no no no that isn’t the problem!!)

And after a big chaos, I finally thought it was a good idea to ask the person herself directly.

“He-hey Yurie………….if I did not hear this right………………ju-just now, did you ask me if I wasn’t entering the bath together?................”

“…………….Ya---“

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Chirin*, the bells rang, and Yurie moved her head vertically.

Her cheeks as expected were pumped with blood and it looks like she understands what she just said out of her mouth.

“Wh-why did you suddenly say something like this………….?”

When I asked her while unable to hide my trembling from her explosive remark, an unexpected question was replied back.

“Because there school rule says, after the <<Duo>> has been teamed up they must know about each other deeply, and pass time together as much as possible to strengthen their bonds………….”

(Now that I think about it, we were told that before!)

“No no no, even if it is school rules, we don’t have to follow it that closely!”

“Is that so?”

“Aah. Gen-generally speaking, going together with a male to a bath, you don’t like it right?”

“………………….”

Towards my question, Yurie looked downwards in a degree of embarrassment.

After a while, she looked at me with upturned eyes.

“It is embarrassing but, ''Tooru is special'' so……….…”

“--------!?”

I got violently agitated from that one sentence.

The misunderstanding on the first day--------love at first sight, did it turn to reality in this one week interval.

(N-no, I can’t call it love at first sight after one week passed right? What is this called? Falling in love normally? No, it’s true that I told her to be my <<Duo>> but, I don’t mean it that way!!)

And, when I was agitated-----------

“Tooru……….somehow feels like a papa”

I seriously was about to fall over from Yurie’s comment.

“Hahaha, I-I see, papa huh………….bu-but give up on the bath. As expected there is a lot of problems………………al-also, that goes for toilet”

“Ya----. I understand.”

With various things, the sudden explosive remark that was reached has finally reached a stage where it could be dropped.

Just like that, Yurie entered the bathroom, and when I became alone in the room, I made a big sigh.

(That was surprising…………to think she would take the school rules so literally………….)

In a way, she is very honest but, in another way to put it she could be called a natural airhead.

(………………..if I nodded just now, right now I would be…………….)

Immediately, I swung my head to shake off the delusion in my head.

But-------

The time when I found out this matter was not over yet was, after a while I got out of the baths.

“Well then Tooru. It’s about time to sleep.”

“……………………….”

“Tooru?”

Yurie tilted her small head.

But, the one having the bigger question was me.

''That’s because Yurie is in my futon for some reason.''

“Are you not going to sleep?”

“No, I am sleeping but…………”

It was the second night of enrollment that we discussed and decided, I will be using the lower level while Yurie uses the top level.

Even so, right now Yurie was unmistakably in the lower level bed and crawled inside the futon.

“Hey Yurie. I think this might be impossible but, are you planning to sleep together………..?”

“Ya---. That’s because we are <<Duo>>.”

“………………….”

It's true I said no to going into the bath and toilet together but, I never thought it would result to this………….

“I- I’ll ask just in case, let me ask what you think regarding sleeping with me.”

“I was always together with mama at home so, although it is embarrassing but actually I feel lonely when I sleep alone.”

Yurie made a downhearted expression before, changing it into a small smile.

“That’s why, even though it is in a <<Duo>> way, I am very happy to be able to sleep together”

“I-i see……….”

Towards that smile, I could only answer powerlessly.

(Judging from the talk just now, it looks like I am being treated as a father-like figure inside Yurie and has no ulterior intentions)

Because she said until she was happy so, I felt happy being trusted.

(If Yurie is happy then……………wait, nonono, it’s a no, no matter how much I think.)

For an instant, I hurried and correct my fluctuating thoughts.

“As,as expected we can’t. No matter if it is <<Duo>>, we are both man and woman………..”

And, although I told her that, I noticed something.

<nowiki>*Stare*</nowiki>-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------.

Using eyes like a thrown away puppy, she was staring fixedly at me.

“I-it’s only for today…………..”

“Ya-----♪“

(Thi-this is because Yurie said she was lonely! Also this is only for today! A-and I told her I would become her strength as a <<Duo>>, Un!)

While repeatedly making excuses to no one else but my heart, we entered the bed which was quite cramped for 2 people to sleep in.

And of course, Yurie was beside me.

“Good night, Tooru”

“Go-good night, Yurie………”

My voice was shaking from the nervousness.

(For now, I’ll pay attention not to touch her body…………yeah, unn. I’ll just have to keep quiet at the corner. If I do that, nothing will happen!)

Although I was thinking that, if I were asked if this would calm my feelings down then my answer would be the same as of course.

Doki Doki Doki Doki Doki <ref group ="1e">Heart beat sound effect</ref>, my heart beat was ringing like an alarm bell.

I know. That Yurie has no ulterior motives.

And of course, I have no intentions to do anything.

(Nothing! Nothing will happen! She is just sleeping beside me!!)

---But in the next moment, that thought was smashed apart.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Pitoo*.

“!?”

Yurie gripped tightly on the sleeves of my shirt in order to touch her head on my shoulders.

“Yurie, Yurie!?”

“Tooru…….is it okay if I sleep like this?”

“Eh, wai, that’s, no, something is htting, Uee…….!?”

Inside the darkness, Yurie’s voice was calm in contrastive to my panicking voice. No-----

“Just like this, I felt like I went back to the past…………”

As if she was mumbling, she continued her words with a somewhat lonely tone.

“It feels like papa came back…………….”

“……..err, how is your Yurie’s father?”

“……………..he passed away few years ago.”

“I see……..sorry………”

“Nai. Do not mind it.”

I don’t know why I am piled up against Yurie’s father.

But, my thoughts inside me changed a little.

“Hey, Yurie. I am not Yurie’s father but………….if it is okay, together like this again………wan-want to sleep like this?”

“Ah…….Tooru……………”

“Bu-but not every day. It's only when Yurie thinks she is very lonely okay?”

“Ya---------!”

Even in this darkness, I knew Yurie was nodding her head.

From the tone of her voice, I also know she was happy.

“Thank you very much, Tooru.”

In order to display her happiness------

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Gyuu*

Yurie hugged my arm.

“!?”

“I am very happy.”

(<nowiki>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</nowiki>!!)

Being pushed by her soft and modest chest, the sweet scent from getting in contact with her, I was suppressing my mouth from shouting out any moment now.

Tonight---------

Yurie was still hugging my arm even after she fell asleep, so I was wide-awake from being nervous and couldn’t sleep until it was morning.
The week ended and it was Monday morning.

After {{Furigana|HR|Homeroom}}, I was in low tension since morning when I immediately thought of English.

However Tsukimi-sensei was contrastive to me and was in high tension.

“Oh Hello ♥ did everyone determine your <<Duo>> safely♪un un~ ☆ Well then well then, now that we have our partners decided today onwards it’s a fresh start, let’s change the seats with the <<Duo>> lined together♪ ……….hn? Oh my oh my<small>?</small> it looks like there are people who have not change with their temporary roommate partners.”

“Our compatibility was good.”

“Wawah! What kind of compatibility? What kind of compatibility!?”

“Personality”

“Chie--………”

What kind of answer was she expecting.

“Then how about the good friend combination seating in front of Kokonoe-kun?”

“Who is a good friend with this muscle idiot!”

Tora’s <<Duo>> was Tatsu. Since I teamed up with Yurie, Tora who was left out was in the end, was automatically teamed up with the other unregistered person Tatsu.

(Sorry, Tora……..)

“Hnmou----, hey Tora-kun that’s no way to talk to your Sensei. I’ll scold you~☆”

“I refuse.”

“Seriously that’s no good…………oh well. Well then well then continuing with my talk, since the <<Duo>> have been decided, immediately next week a practice match with the <<Blaze>> permitted----------<<{{Furigana|New blade battle|Newcomer battle}}>> will be commenced♪”

The classroom made a commotion at that announcement.

And of course, from bewilderment and shock.

We heard there were practice matches with the use of <<Blaze>> permitted but, there was no one here who thought it was going to be this fast.

“Un Un. I understand clearly what you all are saying. I thought the same thing during my school days♥ That damn glasses brought that up…………ah, that’s a secret to Mikuni-sensei okay.”

It would seems her homeroom teacher was Mikuni—sensei.

“Okay then, I will explain the <<{{Furigana|New blade battle|Newcomer battle}}>> rules, keep your ears straight and listen— ☆“

After saying that, Tsukimi-sensei put her hand on her head and made a rabbit-like reaction.

Even though the ribbon was originally rabbit-like, is she doing this because she knows adding her hands will show 4 ears?

“First off, in the schedule--in next week’s Saturday-------this means it was on the day before GW<ref group ="1e">Golden Week</ref>. We will be having it before the holidays, so even if someone gets sent to the hospital it’s going to be okay♪”

It was an ill omen sentence.

“The start begins at 5 o’ clock, and ends at 7 o’ clock making it 2 hours, the clock tower’s bell are the signal------. The place is the whole northern block---“

“Northern block, which means, here-----------inside the school is also included?”

When I asked that question, Tsukimi-sensei made a thumb stand up and nodded.

“The answer is yes ♥ Each <<Blaze>> has its each special attributes and, to match with that, fighting head on is okay, and so is working out strategies. Taking account in the terrains and how to make the situation in favor to you and fight is also important♪”

It would seem it has quite real life battle content.

(What’s left is depending on the opponent, huh.)

Judging from the lessons in this one week interval from last week, the one that stands out in skill the best in the new students is Yurie.

But, since I won’t be fighting against Yurie who is my <<Duo>>, the biggest enemy would be Tachibana, Tora, if it is power then Tatsu, a guy named Kigami who has experience in martial arts, and another guy called Izumi who has sports experience and is the class’s 1st ranker in cooperation ability.

I might as well guess who it is inside them was what I thought but----------

“We~~ll then well then, regarding the battle opponent everyone is looking forward to………….nannannannannan okay-----♪”

Tsukimi-sensei made a smile with her whole face, and made her fingers stand up before saying enjoyably.

“'''''Everyone''''' is the enemy ♥“

On that days lunch break.

Me, Yurie, Tachibana, Hotaka, Tora and Tatsu headed over to the cafeteria to eat together but-----

When the <<{{Furigana|New blade battle|Newcomer battle}}>> topic came up, Hotaka was holding the cup filled with milk and made a gloomy sigh.

“Haa………..we just decided our <<Duo>> and yet…………..”

“It’s because we just decided it is what I think, Miyabi.”

“I agree with Tachibana. It has a meaning because of this period that is what I think.”

When I agreed with Tachibana’s words, Tora sitting beside me made a nod.

“What do you mean?”

Being asked, Tachibana--------started explaining the almost similar content we were thinking about.

“They probably want us to experience a real format battle as fast as possible. It’s true even though we are taught about how to move and readiness as <<Duo>> in lessons but, all of it is just knowledge. Only when we accumulate experience, knowledge will truly be attached into the body.”

“The get used to it than learn it thing huh.”

“Fuun. Time period and how wide the range is, also even though the rules are from battle royals, uncertain factors are high, preparing it into a more actual battle-like situation.”

“Time period? Now that I think about it, we are doing it quite late. What is that?”

“30 minutes after the start and it will be evening, it’ll become sunset before the end and the view will become very hard to see, Miyabi.”

“Fuun.”

To see through the influence during bad eye sight, is to me a very important aspect.

Since my <<Blaze>> is a <<Shield>>, i have no choice but to block my opponents attack and bring it to a close-range combat, having the time period at night time puts me at a disadvantage.

But, having that type of situation is what I wish for.

Able to grasp the chance of victory during a disadvantage situation, is what I think gaining strength is.

“I see, there are a lot of reasons…………I understand the reasons but, I think I would be better after getting more used to the <<Blaze>> first…………….”

Until now, and from now until the <<{{Furigana|New blade battle|Newcomer battle}}>>, there were no lessons on using <<Blaze>>.

However, even without lessons, it doesn’t seem to be the case if I say training with the use of <<Blaze>> can be conducted or not.

“Miyabi. This time is different from the entrance examination so losing does not mean the end so; you don’t have to force yourself to go beyond your ability. After school today, we will be able to use <<Blaze>> so just steadily get used to it.”

Just like what Tachibana said, starting from now until the <<{{Furigana|New blade battle|Newcomer battle}}>> as long an application has been sent, after school, with a condition of using it inside the school area, the use of <<Blaze>> is permitted.

Most likely, no most definitely, all of our classmates are starting <<Blaze>> training after school.

The most important thing here is, to be told it is okay to ''observe without permission'' other <<Duo>>’s training.

It’s the so-called spy act the school approves.

It’s true that, it was written on the classmate profile that was given when we were finding our <<Duo>> but, since I thought it was sketchy; I didn’t look through it thus not memorizing it.

Even though the weapon is the same, the battle styles are different, and have an infinite variety.

Which means, in the point of view of information battle, then it isn't exaggerated to say the <<{{Furigana|New blade battle|Newcomer battle}}>> has begun at this present point.

“Seriously, this is annoying…….”

“Fuun. Your face doesn’t say that, Tooru.”

“That goes to both of us.”

I felt anticipated to have matches with strong opponents.

I think this is a simple personality but, since this is my personality I can’t help it.

“Ko-Kokonoe-kun and Tora-kun too, you two look so eager…………Is it because there is a reward……..?”

The <<Duo>> that accumulates excellent grades in the <<{{Furigana|New blade battle|Newcomer battle}}>>, in a name of special reward, they will receive the chance to be sublimated without waiting to the end of the semester.

As long as the <<Level up>> is not entirely limited to one time, it is better to receive the <<Sublimation Ceremony>> as much as possible.

However---------

“It’s not because of the reward. Of course, I won’t deny that it is one of the reasons.”

While answering Hotaka, I send my sights towards Tora.

“Fuun. It’s been a year and a half since fighting with you seriously.”

“Aah, yeah. Don’t get eliminated before getting to me okay?”

“That is my line.”

We send each other fearless smiles, and lightly bashed our fist together.

“E-err…………..”

“Fufu, this might be a relationship Miyabi has problem understanding. But, why don’t we work hard too so that we won’t lose to these two, Miyabi.”

“U,un………..but, I might become a burden……………”

“It’s okay. It’s true that currently Miyabi is inferior to these two in terms of ability and skill. If that is the case then all we have to do is to make a plan to bury the ability that you are inferior at. And more importantly, don’t forget you have me as a partner. This is not a one on one but a battle with <<Duo>> okay.”

From the way of speaking, it looks like Tachibana has no intentions of losing.

“-----<<Duo>> huh…………”

“Something wrong, Tooru?”

“No, I just remembered something from the <<Duo>>. I was wondering about the <<Absolute Duo>> the director was talking about last time………….”

When the <<Luciful>> was being administrated, and during the entrance ceremony, it was a word I heard twice.

“Fumu, that huh. I was bothered about that and took a look back at the pamphlet but, that word was not in it. Judging from the nuance, it makes one think it is related to the <<Duo>>, and as long as the director purposely prayed for us to reach the <<Absolute Duo>> eventually, I think it is something important……………..”

“Fuun. Doesn’t this make it clear that we are being recognized as {{Furigana|real-Life experiments|guinea pigs}} to her?”

“A guinea pig…?”

Hearing Tora’s sarcasm, Yurie raised her eyebrows.

“Well, I understand being called that is nasty, Yurie.”

“Nai. That might not be the case……………..”

“That might not be the case?”

“I prefer hamsters so, I prefer that side more………….”

Hearing that sentence, I was about close to slide off my chair.

…………incidentally Tatsu has been *Gahaha* laughing and talking in his own pace from the beginning to the end, so we left him out.

“Tooru. It’s about time to sleep.”

Yurie was sitting small and quietly on my bed.

It was the atmosphere like; if she has a tail then it would be making big swings left and right.

“………………you mean together right?”

“Ya----♪“

Towards her nodding figure, my eyesight was getting dizzy.

“Okay then, good night, Yurie.”

“Good night, Tooru.”

My heart was beating violently like last time, but in order to make it unable to be sensed, I calmed myself as much as possible.

The lights were turned off, and entered in the futon lined up.

(Uh! A,again………!!)

Yurie naturally grabbed my shirt’s sleeve tightly.

Even after Yurie fell asleep, I was the same as last time and couldn’t sleep.

But this time, I was calm.

It might be because this was the second time but, more than that-----------

(Otoha……………)

Yurie’s figure making sleep breathing was stacked over by my deceased sister.

When I was young, I used to sleep together with my sister.

“Hn……..”

I gently pat Yurie’s head.

Yurie is not Otoha.

Even so, I felt a little warmed up from the nostalgia.

But-----

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Tight*.

My arm was clung onto again tonight and as expected, I became conscious about the fact Yurie isn’t my sister.

(A-again, the softness is! Being pushed! Uwah, get-getting even tighter, gi-gi-give me a break, Yurie--------------!!)

And again tonight, I lacked sleep.

The week ended, and it was after school.

Towards the <<{{Furigana|New blade battle|Newcomer battle}}>>, me and Yurie were in the courtyard again today, having a practice match with <<Blaze>>.

There are people making tactics, and training under the consciousness of combinations but, instead of re-tempering a dull sword by worrying about combinations, we focused on how our fitting style is and conducted a practice match to grasp them.

Exchanging fist and blade, the gasping offense and defense continues.

But, not long later, the match’s trend started to be seen.

Yurie’s extremely fast continuous attacks were gradually cornering me.

(Kuh, this is bad if this goes on. For now, I’ll make some distance…………..!)

And the moment I took some distance.

“---------!?”

Towards the <<Saber>> approaching my eyes, I opened my eyes wide in surprise.

Throwing the <<Saber>> which is her own <<Soul>>-------I barely managed to protect myself from that surprise attack but…………

“Checkmate”

Immediately right after, the remaining <<Saber>> was thrust towards my throat and the outcome was determined.

“I didn’t think you would throw the <<Saber>>.”

“I have two so; I thought throwing at least one was okay.”

(…………unlike her appearance, her imagination is quite exciting.)

Because it is self-taught, the style is not restricted, which means it might be better not to hear about it.

“Let’s take a little break.”

“Ya------“

After taking a bow to end it, the atmosphere Yurie was having during the practice completely disappeared.

Just a moment ago, she was emitting a crushing atmospheric pressure but now, she turned into a calm beautiful girl with few words.

Similar to her ability, she was a completely different person.

That was how much the amount of concentration she put towards the battle.

(It’ll be 4 continuous lost with this on today, huh…………..we were still equal during the <<Fist practice>>………..)

Although I was overwhelmed during the first match but, originally my fighting skills learned are centered on being weaponless and if it is a weaponless fight right now, then we should be equal.

But, when it comes to <<Blaze practice>> my winning percentage falls until 20 percent.

Originally adding in with her extreme speed, her reach extended just by holding on to weapons and naturally her attack power increases too, furthermore since her dual blade is self-taught, it becomes hard to read her swordsmanship and thus making it uncontrollable.

(I have to become stronger or else……….)

“Tooru, can I have a moment?”

“What is it?”

“Changing the use of the <<Shield>> a little and only focus on either offense or defense, how about it"

“What do you mean?”

When question marks are popping out from not understanding her intentions, and told me to thrust my hand out.

I did what she said and she used her right hand to ward off my arm then------

“{{Furigana|1|Ai}}”

At the same time she entered my chest area.

………………..until a distance where, if it was ''Hotaka or Tachibana they might have bumped into me''.

“{{Furigana|2|Tou}}------and, like this”

After saying that, Yurie looked up at me.

“………………………………”

Her face is close.

…………..somehow this distance. Is like she is going to kiss me----------

(Wait, what am i thinking about seriously!?)

“I was too close. At this distance”

Not noticing my agitating, Yurie took half a step back.

(You really were too close………….)

“Th-then, what was that……….?”

“In a form of Tooru stepping in after receiving attacks but, this would mean receiving attacks while stepping in. The risk is high but, you can enter this distance one action faster. When you reach this spot, it is time for the {{Furigana|Thunder god’s strike|Mjolnir}}”

“{{Furigana|Thunder god’s strike|Mjolnir}}?”

“It’s this.”

Yurie was making stance like pulling a bow behind.

“……………what is that name?”

“It is the weapon Thor holds that we talked before.”

“I-I see……….”

A name was given before I knew about it.

Leaving that aside for now, my eyes became wide-open from Yurie’s advice.

“Under the crossings of a long sword is hell but, taking a step forward will make it paradise huh………..”

“-------?”

Yurie tilted her small head, *Chirin* and the bells rang.

“It’s a sword’s essential point said by a certain samurai. It has the same meaning with what Yurie said.”

Reading breathing patterns and step into the opponent’s chest area the moment the opponent moves, making it attack and blocking at the same time.

Stepping forward will increase the risk but, getting closer to the fulcrum lowers the power and makes blocking the attack easier.

And after blocking the attack, at that moment just like what Yurie said, it’s my opportunity.

“Thanks for the advice. Yurie. Sorry but, can I rely on you about the other side.”

“Ya---“

Yurie made a nod and made a small smile before taking distance.

On that day------after we teamed up as a <<Duo>>, Yurie will show smiles sometimes.

I felt that it was the proof of trust to me and although I didn’t say it out my heart was quite happy.

“Here I go, Tooru………………!”

But, reading breathing patterns can be easily said but, it is not something that can be put into practice in just a day.

“What’s wrong, Tooru?”

“It might be possible if I make it to a situation where reading breathing patterns is easier. Well, it is still hard for the current me……………”

“Let’s work hard.”

Yurie grasped both her hands tightly.

“Aah, yeah”

If I am asked if I can master it before the <<{{Furigana|New blade battle|Newcomer battle}}>> it was hard to say.

But even so, it’s true that I made a new goal for now on, although I did not achieve any results but with a fulfilling feeling we decided to end today’s training.

“Ah……………..Ko-kokonoe-kun, Yurie-chan. You two just got back?”

“Ya----. Miyabi is going out?”

“U-un…………”

When we just got back to the dormitory, we unexpectedly met up with Hotaka right when we changed places with her while she was heading outside.
“Are you still preparing for the <<{{Furigana|New blade battle|Newcomer battle}}>>?”

“Eh? Ah, around those lines……….”

Hoping to make plans, she was following what Tachibana proclaimed; Hotaka and Tachibana would look around the premise after school and would conduct a strategic meeting inside their room.

“I see. The sun is going to sink so, be careful.”

“Fight, Miyabi.”

“Un………Thank you, Kokonoe-kun, Yurie-chan.”

After nodding to us, Hotaka jogged outside.

“She sure is working hard, that Hotaka.”

“Let’s work hard too.”

Yurie gripped both of her hands tightly together and made a motivated pose.

But since her expression didn’t change much as usual, I accidentally laughed thinking it was a little weird and Yurie tilted her small head looking at me doing so.

“-----?”

There are 4 days left to the <<{{Furigana|New blade battle|Newcomer battle}}>>-------------the chime signaling the end of 2nd period rang, and everyone from the classroom leaked out their sighs.

“Haa…………..it’s finally over……………”

Even though they say they center on skill training, study subjects are of course natural.

In the morning, it has been decided to have lessons for 2 hours in the classroom, various contents from normal stuff and abnormal stuffs were cramped into my head.

And the subject of today’s normal content was, English--------------

After the lesson ended, I lied on the table and everyone gathered around my table.

“Fuun, even though it just started, what are you going to do if you are in this state now?”

“If Japanese people can talk Japanese then it’s all okay………….”

“E,errr, isn’t it better to be able to speak in English, Kokonoe-kun…………..?”

“Just like what Miyabi said. It is important to learn languages since we might be dispatched overseas after graduation, we were told that in the first lesson. Haa…………..”

“If not for the sigh at the end and that tired face, it would be a plausible sentence………”

“-------------!! I-I don’t have a choice. I have always been bad in English……!!”

“Ahaha………..actually I am also bad at it………”

“Haa………..this is annoying……..”

“Fuun, every last one of you is pitiful.”

“””……………”””

From the single sentence from Tora who has excellent grades, just like the literature we have nothing to reply.

“………………now that I think about it, Yurie has it easy with English. Is it your country’s official language?”

“Nai. It is a language quite close to English but, it is different.”

“Fumu………….so that means Yurie can speak in 3 different languages”

Yurie swing her head in Tachibana’s question.

“It’s 6 different languages.”

”””Six!!””””

From that large number even Tora was shocked and 4 of our voices piled up together.

“Gimle language, Japanese language, English------and 3 more northern European languages.”

“Tha-that’s amazing……..”

“The language from northern countries is quite similar to Gimle’s. English has been enforced in my school and for Japanese, I have been taught by mama like I said before. Although it is a different story when it comes to writing literature………….”

Looks like for her writing, she has her mother language, English, and more or less Japanese although it was in the best she can do.

Even when Yurie showed such a downhearted state, I think being able to talk it itself is amazing enough.

“He-hey Yurie-chan. Next time, is it okay if I ask you about things I don’t know about?”

“Ya---.I’ll be happy too if it is within my ability.”

“………….Sorry Yurie. Can I count on you………?”

“Count me in as well………..”

“Fuun. I don’t mind teaching you, Tooru.”

“No, judging from Tora’s personality, it will definitely turn Spartan and be annoying so I'll pass on it.”

“……………”

“Oh yeah, Yurie. Sorry for it being sudden, but I have something I don’t understand from the lesson just now, can you teach me that?”

“Ya---.Where?”

Yurie nodded and opened her own notes.

On it there were beautiful English cursive writing and--------mysterious hieroglyphic written words there.

“What is this?”

“…………Japanese”

After saying that, Yurie casts her eyes down embarrassed.

“Uu……………….”

''Touching Yurie’s slender white legs'' is somewhat-------no, is quite nerve wrecking.

“Tooru?”

“A-aah………”

Yurie tilted her head in wonder but after I nodded saying it’s okay, I touched her soft skin and hands.

(It’s really smooth………..wait, what am I thinking about!!)

If people ask why am I doing this then, this is also a part of a lesson.

Today is 2 days just before the <<{{Furigana|New blade battle|Newcomer battle}}>>, and dull ash colored clouds were covering the sky.

The 4th period, health lessons was conducted in such weather, first-aid--------we were learning how to roll up bandages.

After being explained on several ways to roll bandages, this time it was time for the <<Duo>>’s to put it to practice but--------------

(Ev-even if it is a part of a lesson…………..)

Touching a girl’s bare feet as expected has some resistance.

Thanks to that, my heart beat was in increased state, and Yurie made a soft shocked voice.

“Ah……….Tooru, you skipped one step.”

“Eh? Isn’t it like this………Buu!?”

I lifted my face and the moment I move my sights from her legs to face, I spurt out.

Because her skirt was just wound up until it was in the limit zone.

“---------?”

I quickly moved my sights back to her legs, and swing my head to ward of the image I saw.

(Sh-she’s too defenseless, this is just too…………..!!)

This situation was not the only one; she would wear a one-shirt as a housedress when it is hot, she would also bring her face to a super close distance and so forth; Yurie is quite defenseless in regards to the opposite gender.

Although it’s not like I don’t feel embarrassment coming from her, since her cheeks blushed when I accidentally peeked at her changing………….

(I completely don’t know her standards……..no, I can agree if I think I am being treated as a father-like figure right?)

And when I was troubled in my head-----

“Tooru?”

Yurie tilted her head in wonder.

“Ah, So-sorry. I was trying to remember what I was supposed to do--------Buu!?”

When I was trying to face towards Yurie face, I once again spurt out from the same scenery……..

After a while, around the time we finish bandaging each other, Tsukimi-sensei *Pan**Pan* clapped her hand and gave the next instruction.

“Well then------, next off try it on a different person other than your <<Duo>>---♪“

(This is great…………………as expected, I would get tired from being too nervous when I have
{{Furigana|a girl|Yurie}} as my partner…………)

After I made a sigh of relief from Tsukimi-sensei’s single sentence, Hotaka called out to Yurie.

“Yu-Yurie-chan. Why don’t we do it together………?”

“Ya---. I am counting on you, Miyabi.”

(I will go with Tora-----)

“Wait, huh? Where’s Tora?”

Tora’s figure sitting in front was missing, and I could not find him even after I looked around the classroom.

“What are you saying Kokonoe. Tora and Tatsu were disputing throughout and were making a commotion so; they were thrown out to the corridor.”

Towards Tachibana explaining that with a fed up face, I could only reply back with a wry smile.

It looks like I was more nervous than I thought.

(I have no choice. I’ll just go with someone else………..)

Although I thought of that, all the guys has already finished grouping up.

That means, the only ones remaining are------

“Looks like everyone else finished teaming up. As people that are remaining, why don’t we team up, Kokonoe.”

“Eh, a-aah………..”

Since I had a girl once again as my partner, I predicted the I would feel nervous in the practical afterwards so made a small sigh--------right after, I found out even the prediction was half-hearted.

“What’s wrong, Kokonoe? Hurry up and bandage me.”

(Ev-even if you tell me that………)

The instruction of the next practical was the method of bandaging when the shoulders is dislocated but, this was much more difficult than what I had imagined.

First off, wrap around the arms then next is one wrap round around the body’s (Chest) --------and this is repeated several times but………….
It means during the time when wrapping around the body, ''my hands were close to touching the bulges on her chest''.

What’s more, Tachibana’s chest was the 2nd biggest inside the class and it was quite nerve wrecking to avoid having my hands touching them, because of that I made a mistake in distributing my strength and accidentally made Tachibana’s breathing become wild.

“Haa, fuu,hn, haaa………..Kokonoe, hnn………it’s a little, tight……….”

Furthermore, I made a mistake in the wrapping and accidentally made the wrapping further emphasizes her huge chest, and together with her disarrayed breathing, her oddly erotic figure is in front of me…………..

“Oya Oya? Kokonoe-kun. To think you would do an abnormal play right off the bat, you won’t be satisfied anymore if it is normal you know---?”

[[File:Absolute Duo Volume 1 Non-Colour 7.jpg|thumb]]

At that moment, Tsukimi-sensei threw out an unnecessary sentence.

“Abnormal………….?”

“Although it might be your preference but, please give up on tying her up to emphasize her chest in lessons okay, you Ecchi-man <ref group ="1e">Pervert man</ref>♥”

“---------!?”

Making a doubly sure sentence, Tachibana noticed the situation she was in-------

“T-to think you have a liking in humiliating someone using bondage………….A-a guy like you is shameless!!”

“It’s a misunderstanding----------!!”

“You shameless pervert----------------!!”

Even though I quickly deny it, Tachibana didn’t lend her ears and walked out the classroom.

“Ahahahaha☆ it’s better you hurry and chase after her, or else the misunderstanding is going to get worse, Kokonoe-kun♪”

“Whose fault do you think it is!!”

I shouted towards Tsukimi-sensei who was making a smiling face with one of her eyes closed and dashed out the classroom to chase after Tachibana.

“Ooh, Youth youth~ *Whistle**whistle*☆”

I could hear an openly enjoying voice coming from the classroom, and I cursed her inside my mind.

(Aah, damn it! An annoying person is my homeroom teacher………….!!)

It became evening; the weather turned weird and started raining.

Thanks to that, me and Yurie ended our match quickly and returned to the dormitory but-------

“Ah………..Tachibana……………”

After dinner, half-way of heading towards the training room because I felt like moving my body a little more.

In the lounge, I saw Tachibana inside the group of students relaxing there, and stopped my legs.

“Mu…………….?--------------uh! Koko-Kokonoe-kun………………..”

After turning back at my muttering, Tachibana’s face instantly blushed and showed an agitated state.

“I-I am very sorry about what happened in the afternoon. That kind of insult in front of everyone------“

“No, it’s okay already. And, let me say this just in case, you don’t have to kneel on the ground.”

Continuing from a few days ago, she also kneels on the ground today, and persuading her to stop requires quite a lot of time but that’s another story.

“More importantly, what is Tachibana doing here-------Shogi<ref group ="1e">Japanese chess</ref>?”

In the dormitory lounge, there was a television, table, chairs and sofa placed there, it was a space opened for students to freely relax in. It was a place with magazines, Manga, games prepared on the shelves along the wall, and an embarrassing Manga cafe providing snacks and drinks which can be consumed as much as you want.

In that lounge, Tachibana was holding a book in one hand and a Shogi board was placed on the table.

“Aah, it's Shogi problems.”

“Is it interesting?”

“Fufu, there is no reason for me to do it if it is not interesting right. Kokonoe want to try it too?”

“I’ll give up on that. I am bad at using my head.”

“Fumu. It’s true it feels like that.”

“……………even though you suck in English.”

“Th-the only thing I am bad at is English.”

Certainly, compared to me who has bad grades other than sports, Tachibana is doing quite well other than English.

However, more importantly-------

“Uu…………….”

She crossed her arms together when she looked back at me, her huge nicely shaped breast was riding on it and emphasized.

Thanks to that, I had a flashback on what happened during the afternoon, and the person concerned which was Tachibana, is in an unworried state.

“What’s wrong, Kokonoe?”

“N-no……………more importantly, to like Shogi, you sure are quite refined.”

While feeling my cheeks getting hot, I returned the topic to Shogi to avoid being noticed.

“Fufu, my house is a certain martial arts dojo. I learned it as the next successor but, the pupils around there were only elders. And what those elderly picked during their resting time was Shogi.”

After making a gentle smile, Tachibana closed the book with Shogi problems in it which she was holding.

“Well then, it’s about time I return back to my room. Sorry to stop you.”

“I don’t really mind. Originally, it was me who called out to you in the first place anyway.”

“Okay then, see you tomorrow morning.”

After saying that, Tachibana cleaned up the Shogi board and book and exited out the lounge.

(Well then, I should get going too-----------hn………..?)

When I exited the lounge, just when I used the stairs and went to the lower floor, I saw Hotaka there.

But, her figure disappeared before I could call out to her.

(She was wearing windbreakers right? Which means she is planning to head out?)

Inside that drizzle, I wonder want kind of business she has outside.

While I was somewhat interested, I headed towards the training room.

And like that, the thing regarding Hotaka completely flew out of my mind but----------

Around an hour later, when I was reading a magazine after finishing my training, Hotaka came back to the dormitory.

…………….looks like she didn’t bring an umbrella with her, and she was dripping wet from her head.

“Hotaka. Where did you go that you are so wet?”

As expected I was interested this time and called out to Hotaka.

“Eh? A-ara……… Kokonoe-kun, what are you doing here………?”

“I am in the middle of break…………….so, how about Hotaka?”

“Uu………e-err…………….”

It seemed to be something hard to say, Hotaka was alternately moving her sights from her legs to me--------

After a while, she replied back softly.

“Ru-running…………..”

“I see, running huh”

No wonder she came back after one hour.

“Wait, Running!? At this time and inside this rain, for more than one hour!? Even though you ran during the lessons too!?”

“U-un………..”

“Ah……….by chance, last time-------when me and Yurie came back to the dormitory and passed by you at the entrance and you went outside, you were planning to run too………….?”

“U-un………..”

“Why on earth…………..”

“……………………….ac-actually, from last time…………….fwa………..fwaa, Kushunn”

“Ah…………sorry. You are still wet.”

Towards Hotaka who sneezed, I unexpectedly thought she was quite cute.

“So-sorry. Is it okay if I come back after I take a bath?”

“I get it. Then I’ll wait here.”

“Sorry to make you wait, Kokonoe-kun. Sorry to be so late.”

30 minutes passed after that and Hotaka whose cheeks were visibly blushing from a bath, came back to the lounge.

“I was reading magazines so………. It’s, okay………”

I swang my head towards Hotaka who called me and apologized, I then placed the magazine on the table but--------------

“What’s wrong, Kokonoe-kun?”

“N-no…….”

Maybe it’s because she came out of the baths, her rough attire-----------the thin T-shirt was transparent and her pink underwear entered my eyes making me agitated.

Incidentally, I also remembered the piggy-back I gave Hotaka last time-------

<nowiki>*</nowiki>PAN!*

“Hyaa!?...........Wha-what happened to you, Kokonoe-kun?”

“No, I just want to make myself motivated……….”

“Mo-motivated? Aren’t you in the middle of a break?”

“I was putting in some motivation to rest.”

“…………..Is Kokonoe-kun a little weird?”

“Maybe.”

If this goes on, I might be conscious about it, and when I thought there is a chance it might be noticed, being thought of as a little weird is better.

“So, about that running matter from just now--------“

“Ah, unn. Lately, I have been running 20 kilometers everyday………”

“Even when you ran during lessons?”

“U-un……….in order to use my <<Blaze>>, ''stamina is needed'' so…………”

(Stamina……?)

Now that I think about it, I wonder what kind of <<Blaze>> Hotaka manifests?

It should be written on the profile list but, since I checked (What’s more roughly) only through the males, I am quite interested to what it is.

(Well, I’ll find out when I have a match with her during at <<{{Furigana|New blade battle|Newcomer battle}}>>.)

“Speaking of which, recently your marathon time has increased. There was this kind behind the scenes huh.”

Lately, Hotaka reaches the goal before the sky color changes.

Since she didn’t have any stamina from the start, I thought results would appear fast but, to think she was putting this much effort in the shadows………

That day---------when I think about that day when Hotaka said some weak words, I was shocked from the bottom of my heart.

“You sure are working hard, Hotaka.”

“U-un………”

''While her cheeks were blushed from coming out the baths'', Hotaka looked downwards a little and entwined the fingers with both her hands.

“It is thanks to Kokonoe-kun.”

“Me?”

“Un. You said on that day, to try running a bit more……..”

“I feel it isn’t in the level of a bit more though.”

“Fufu. That’s because Kokonoe-kun said he ran a lot and became fast like right now…………so I thought I should run a lot too……….”

“Hotaka………”

“Stamina is something you obtain the more you run……………..something like talent doesn’t matter, right?”

After saying that, Hotaka made a smile.

When we first met, that image of her hesitantly trying to avoid having our eyes meet was like a lie.

But when she let out the next sentence, Hotaka’s smile disappeared and the tone of her voice changed.

“I……..have nothing special. Whether it is studying or sports and I have a lot of things I am bad at………….that’s why if I have even one thing that I am better at than someone else, something that I can boast about, I always thought that would be nice.”

Towards Hotaka who was making a lonely face, I straightened my ears and kept quiet.

“That’s why, I was happy when I was told I had an <<Adapt>>. I was in high spirits when I heard it was a talent that belongs to one in a thousand.
But…………..after coming to Kouryou, as expected it isn’t suitable for me, and nothing changed in the end even though I have an <<Adapt>>………..”

After saying it until there, Hotaka slightly swung her head and faced towards my face.

“But Kokonoe-kun, said talent doesn’t matter and I will definitely change so…….I, have those words support me and kept on running everyday.”

“……………somehow this is embarrassing.”

I scratched my head and averted my sights and, Hotaka giggled at me.

“Last time too, I was very happy when you cheered me up.”

“Haha. If you can get cheered up from that then, I will say it anytime you want.”

“Re-really? Then, if by any chance I feel depressed; will you say something that will cheer me up again?”

“No problem. If you would cheer up from that then I’ll say it as much as you want.”

“Ah…….un. It’s, a promise.”

The quiet Hotaka made a small smile that makes me think of a giant flower.

Looking at that smile, I was glad from the bottom of my hearts to talk with Hotaka on that day.

After that we continued immersing ourselves in talking, the dormitory advisor then showed up in the lounge to tell us it was time to off the lights, and we returned back to our respective rooms.

“Okay then, let’s work hard for the <<{{Furigana|New blade battle|Newcomer battle}}>>.”

“U-un”

When i said my goodbyes in front of the staircase, Hotaka headed a few steps up before looking back.

“E-err, Kokonoe-kun. I-i-i-i-i-i-i-I have a request………..!”

“Request?”

[[File:Absolute Duo Volume 1 Non-Colour 8.jpg|thumb]]

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Bun**bun* Hotaka nodded oddly violently.

“I-I want you to call me by my name. Mi-Miyabi……..! A-all my friends call me by that……….! Tha-that’s why, that’s why…………”

“I get it. Then it’s okay to call me Tooru.”

“Ah…………u-un”

“Then, see you again tomorrow. Miyabi”

“Good night. To-Tooru,-kun…………..”

Miyabi made a smile and swing her hands before lightly go up the stairs.

Her back somehow looks in a good mood to me.

===Part 2===

“I’m back.”

“What were you doing at a time like this, Miyabi?”

Tomoe released her sights from the book she was reading and faced towards Miyabi who came back.

“Mu………?”

“What’s wrong?”

“No, I just thought, did something nice happen to you?”

“Eh!? I-I-I think nothing special happened though…………..”

Miyabi’s cheeks were slightly blushing and she showed an agitated state.

But, to take it according to her words, Tomoe at a time like this isn’t that dumb.

(The person itself said like that so, asking more than this is probably called insensitive.)

Tomoe made a small smile so that Miyabi wouldn’t notice and once again returned her sights to her book.

But inside her head, Tomoe was thinking about her roommate that just got back.

At first during enrollment, Miyabi was worried if she could catch up in the training and made a lot of dark expressions.

However, one day her psychological state became positive.

From the long time they spent together, it was natural to say Tomoe was the first one to notice that change.

(However, if I say I am not bothered then I would be lying.)

While looking at Miyabi who was lying on the bed in a good mood, Tomoe thought that.

After a while the lights were turned off, the sound of Tomoe’s well regulated sleep breathing could be heard from the lower bed.

On one side, speaking of Miyabi who was using the upper bed level, she has not fallen asleep yet.

She was supposed to feel sleepy but, each time she remembered about what happened just now, she couldn’t sleep.

(Tooru-kun…………)

Each time she remembers about Tooru, she would naturally smile.

Until now, to Miyabi the opposite gender was her conscious subject of being bad with.

But, Tooru is different.

He didn’t make fun of Miyabi’s dullness. And he would push her back too.

(It would be nice if tomorrow comes faster…………….)

When she thought about that, her heartbeat increased for some reason.

The reason why she started being attracted to Tooru, Miyabi was still not conscious about it yet.

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==Translation Notes and References==
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