Editing Hagure Yuusha no Aesthetica:Volume 7 Chapter 1 (section)

===Part 11===
 
Listy took the sleeping Kuzuha from Miu and laid her on her bed, then gently covered her with her quilt.
 
"Now what? Kuzuha has fallen asleep, should we also go to bed soon?"
 
Looking back, Chikage was waving her index finger from side to side.
 
"It's too early right? The late-night revelry has let to begin."
 
As she said that their faces showed a smile.
 
"Umm, I thought it's pretty noisy already....... I'm a little tired now."
 
Miu somewhat disagreed.
 
"Yeah ......"
 
Listy felt the same way.
 
Fooling around with your good friends of course was fun, but now it might be a good time to end things.
 
"I can't hardly keep my eyes open anymore......"
 
".......By now it should be considerably late."
 
Haruka also agreed.
 
"Oh ... ... Are you sure? That's a pity."
 
Chikage received passive opposition from everyone else, but then she feigned a mysterious smile.
 
"-- I wanted to share some good information about Akatsuki."
 
".................."
 
".................."
 
".................."
 
Listy, Miu and Haruka immediately fell silent, Chikage deliberately pretended not to notice expressions on their faces.
 
"This information wouldn't have been suitable for Class Rep to hear. So I thought I'd use this chance to tell everyone now that's she asleep......but forget it. Anyway, everyone is tired and wants to sleep, and it is considerably late so I think best to get some sleep. Ah but, I may end up forgetting exactly what the story was by tomorrow morning, so don't blame me."
 
After that, Chikage turned her back and looked around. Listy seized the their shoulders, then the trio huddled closely together.
 
"Suddenly I'm not sleepy." "Did my tiredness fly off somewhere?." "It's a lot earlier than I thought."
 
The trio separated and returned to Chikage.
 
Chikage was smiling from ear to ear, then pretend to clear her throat a few times.
 
"To tell the truth -- Akatsuki is popular among the girls in Babel. Well now, it is at an absurd level."
 
"Yes, Umm,......? Babel is the school that everyone goes to, right?"
 
Chikage nods to Listy's question, then let out a "Ah".
 
"At the entrance examination, for the first time in Babel's history it described Akatsuki as the 'True hero' during his Nolan screening. Followed by passing a special test set up by a member of COCOON, president Hikami. Lastly he fought with the other three student council members including Haruka to a draw. Even though the girls attending Babel have seen many heroes in the alternate worlds they crossed over to, or became heroes themselves, they still have no choice but to view Akatsuki's strength in a new light. Akatsuki's position in their hearts naturally is not an insignificant matter."
 
"Sure, I have heard similar rumors."
 
Haruka added,
 
"Though President Hikami is also considerably popular, but he is, after all, a manager of the world as part of COCOON. Which makes him extremely revered, so the majority are just secret admirers. By comparison –-"
 
"Yes. Unlike the eminent and unapproachable student council president, Akatsuki is more like idol that's within reach. Besides Akatsuki's looks, the way he turns his nose up to authority is also one of his charms."
 
Chikage interjected.
 
"It is said that his outstanding ranking tournament's performance was the decisive blow for many of girls."
 
"Oh, and at that time ...... I worked hard to help that person."
 
Miu tries to casually emphasize her position.
 
However......
 
"Ah but...... they all see you as Akatsuki's 'Younger sister' not his 'Lover'.
 
Chikage shook her head with a wry smile,
 
"Although there are special cases in the special autonomous region that allows brothers and sisters to intermarry. Such cases are very very rare, so they don't see Miu as a rival. On the contrary, they see Akatsuki as the "Elder brother who risked his life to save his little sister". With many, that imagery raised more points."
 
"Th-that's not right......"
 
Miu's face cast a shadow.
 
"In short -- as long as we're around Akatsuki we don't have to worry about other women."
 
Listy also added:
 
"Although Akatsuki is certainly a lewd womanizer that's not all there is to him. He is bold, strong, and heroic. I don't know how many women in Alayzard were attracted to his virtues, but I never heard of him relenting."
 
Akatsuki was just mischievous and doesn't cross the final line of defense.
 
"Oh dear. You have a point certainly, so there might be no need to worry."
 
Chikage nodded,
 
"But what if the other party takes the initiative, would Akatsuki reject it?"
 
"That......"
 
Listy found herself at a loss for words.
 
...... There was the problem.
 
If tempted from the other party, based on 'not wanting to make a woman look bad' Akatsuki would never reject her.
 
"There are plenty of aggressive girls in the world. And at first glance even a usually quite cute girl.......can meet someone she likes and then suddenly became a formidable predator."
 
Chikage words seemed reasonable, as Haruka couldn't help but nod.
 
"I have so also run into this type of girl in Babel."
 
"Moreover Akatsuki's rise to popularity happened very quickly. There doesn't seem to be agreement to strictly prohibit snatching him from behind each others backs between the female students."
 
Chikage sighed.
 
"Well right now, they are all tripping over each other, and it doesn't appear that any female student has confessed to him. But...... I don't know how long this situation will continue. What if someone suddenly confesses when Akatsuki is in an empty classroom. If that happens things can hardly be controlled....."
 
"A confession as soon as he enters a classroom."
 
Chikage returned a wry smile to horrified Miu.
 
"Don't forget Akatsuki is weak to a woman's tears. If the girl cries in the middle of her confession. How would that turn out?"
 
"............"
 
"............"
 
"............"
 
The three were unintentionally lost in thought.
 
After they imagined the scene in their heads, in unison:
 
" " "Compromise with them." " "
 
No way...... It turned out like this even in this world.
 
Listy couldn't help but bury her head in her hands.
 
"Eh, is there a need to be so upset?"
 
Chikage said,
 
"Listy and Miu are already living together Akatsuki. They must have naturally developed that kind of relationship long ago."
 
" "Do not!" "
 
Listy and Miu shouted at the same time.
 
Though considerably close to such a situation, nevertheless they haven't crossed the final line of defense.
 
"A young healthy man and two woman living under the same roof ...... What?"
 
Chikage gave them a suspicious look, then it was Haruka's turn to continue:
 
"That's too direct, Chikage."
 
Then she calmly looked Listy and Miu square in the face.
 
"It must be their beliefs -- peculiar to Alayzard."
 
"This has nothing to do with religion."
 
Listy immediately rejected Haruka's misconceptions.
 
"Separately, we just ......"
 
At this point, Listy glanced at Miu.
 
"............"
 
"............"
 
Lacking the experience the two blushed.
 
"Just......there is no chance to be alone......"
 
"Oh... ... If Akatsuki requested, would you refuse?"
 
"Umm......" "That......"
 
Listy and Miu were at a loss, because Chikage evidently hit the bull's-eye.
 
To be nestled in the Akatsuki's arms, to devote themselves to Akatsuki, to become Akatsuki's woman.
 
It was the future that Listy and Miu dreamt of.
 
And, it was even the future they were hoping for.
 
However Listy can't dare to say the phrase 'I want you to embrace me.'. Miu was also probably the same. They still weren't brazen enough -- and can't abandon the trepidation in their hearts.
 
...... Why was that?
 
Listy felt a bit frustrated.
 
If I can't voice it myself, then I wonder If I am able to become Akatsuki's woman?
 
But .......
 
Even so, the both of us still hope that Akatsuki would embrace us in his arms. I want to feel that I'm needed by him.
 
"........................"
 
"........................"
 
Listy and Miu remained silent.
 
"Well, I can understand the feelings you to have, but ......"
 
Chikage continued with a bitter smile,
 
"Just on the basis of having a little bit of an atmosphere, and fact that the both of you are so cute it should be very easy to reach a hand out and grab it."
 
"But......"
 
"That sort of thing is a first for us...... we really don't know what to do."
 
Listy and Miu hesitantly stated, looking very embarrassed.
 
"Akatsuki is not some super slow male protagonist commonly seen in light novels. Rather I think that he is sensitive to such an atmosphere."
 
Don't worry Chikage's smile said,
 
"When the moment comes he will naturally lead you."
 
"But ... ... what if it doesn't go well, and then I'm hated by him......"
 
Listy was looking down at the ground while blushing. If she was unable to satisfy Akatsuki, so much so that he loses hope. She's afraid that... she'll never get over it and leave a shadow in her heart forever.
 
Then Miu suddenly:
 
"Actually, I always had an idea."
 
Her tone immediately attracted the attention of everyone present.
 
 
 
"I hope that my first time with that person -- everyone would be together."
 
 
 
That statement unintentionally caused the room to fall silent.
 
" " "What......?" " "
 
They all asked the same question at the same time.
 
Listy was unable to hide the quandary in her heart.
 
"Er Miu-chan, you...... have always had this thought on your mind?"
 
"I-It's because......what if I don't know what to do either, at least if we to do it together with everyone then we could all help with ideas. And also ...... I wanna watch Chikage-san, Listy-san, and Haruka-san from the side to learn, and take notes. But I thought that under surface one after another might feel like a ranking and be unpleasant -- so everyone together would be the best way. So that there would be no unfairness, no one would question who was first or who was last."
 
The redness spreed over Miu's face the more she spoke, while also alternatively covering her mouth with both hands.
 
Then she sneaked a peek at everyone.
 
".......Is that no good?"
 
She asked rather shyly.
 
"Umm, this ... ... How can I put it?"
 
Even the very open-minded Chikage didn't know how to answer.
 
"--Haruka, what do you think?"
 
"Wah, don't put this on me!"
 
Haruka quickly waved her hands,
 
"These are the particular beliefs of Alayzard. You should ask Listy!"
 
"W-wait a minute! When did I say that? This sort of thing has nothing to do with beliefs!"
 
"Uh ... ... Did I say something strange?"
 
Baffled as to why their reactions fell short of her expectations, Miu can't help but reveal a troubled look.
 
".................."
 
".................."
 
".................."
 
The three only looked at each other in the eye to achieved a consensus. Chikage with a nod accepted to be the representative:
 
"I say Miu......that sorta stuff can be learned from DVDs or games that you can get.....okay?"
 
"But...... umm, by watching that can I learn what that person likes?"
 
Miu tilted her heard, Haruka mildly apologetic:
 
"Yes it is so, but we may not be able to please Ousawa Akatsuki ... ..."
 
"Its all right, as long as I'm not the only one who is embarrassed. I don't care at all."
 
Miu keeped her composure, while Listy put on a fake smile,
 
"But that said...... isn't doing that sort of thing with others watching already embarrassing?"
 
"Yeah, although that is true......whenever that person sees me naked it already is enough to make me want to dig a hole and crawl into."
 
Miu paused,
 
"But unable to satisfy the person you like, I think is more embarrassing."
 
Further.......
 
"Didn't everyone here vow that no matter what happens we will be together forever?"
 
And ......
 
"......And now it turn out like this...... "
 
Her tone revealed her obvious displeasure,
 
"Does everyone really find it that awful to be embraced by that person with me so much?"
 
"Eh......no. Miu-chan, we didn't mean it like that!"
 
Slow down a minute, Miu is getting mad at us?
 
Was there any chance that it could be us who were wrong?
 
Too much chaos was unfolding, Listy's thoughts were in disorder losing all common sense. But then again, why was Miu so persistent about this?
 
Then Miu continued in a sulky tone:
 
".......If we all did it together, I feel that Kuzuha would feel very secure."  
 
"Wait! You even intended to involve Kuzuha?"
 
Listy unintentionally cried out in horror.
 
"Uh, Well... ... Suddenly the previous thing is not so much of a worry."
 
Seeing the situation heading into a bad direction, Chikage quickly jumped in to smooth things over.
 
"Since there is so such uneasiness to create such a special relationship with the Akatsuki, first why don't we get accustomed to said atmosphere."
 
She though up a good idea to proposes.
 
"Therefore I suggest a test of courage. Everyone here will take turns sneaking into Akatsuki's room. After climbing into his bed you have to count to one hundred before coming back......How about it?"
 
" " "Never! " " "
 
Listy, Miu, and Haruka refused immediately.
 
"Listy and Haruka are understandable....... but, could you tell me why you also opposed, Miu? Your the one who wanted everyone to do that all together."
 
Chikage was mystified, Miu bashfully said:
 
"Because ... ... I don't have confidence in myself."
 
 " " "She still says that!" " "
 
The three yelled in unison.
 
"Really ......"
 
Chikage put her hand to her forehead. It seems she could sense a big headache coming.
 
"So what about 'making the world your enemy for Akatsuki' or 'prepared to put your life on the line' --"
 
"Haa ~" Chikage let out hoity-toity sigh. Then looked down on the other three with disdain in her eyes,
 
"-- After all that, it was only hot air."
 
To the Chikage's provocation.
 
"Th-that's not true!" "It, it was not!" "D-Don't spew nonsense!"
 
Listy and the others loudly refuted at the same time.
 
"Ah ......"
 
When she realized what was going on it was already a step too late.
 
"I know, a little thing like that is nothing for us."
 
Chikage looked around at everyone with a proud smile.
 
"For the sake of fairness we should all draw lots. However, if no likes that I can go first since I suggested it -- How does that sound?"