Editing Absolute Duo:Volume 3 Chapter 6 (section)

===Part 1===

Miyabi’s face changed color immediately when she saw my shocked expression.

While she covered her mouth as if to say, '''''I’ve done it'''''-----

It was too late.

“You heard that……..?”

I did not answer. However, that silence ''was'' an answer.

She dropped her sights to the ground, and continued speaking; I couldn't tell if those words were directed at me or to herself.

“Ah, ahaha……….You heard………E-errr, I actually planned to say it with the wave sound to prevent you from hearing. After that, Tooru-kun would ask me what I said, and I would answer *Uun* nothing………then, I will tell myself to work harder than usual…………….and………it would be nice if that worked out……….”

“Miyabi……….”

Miyabi's shoulders twitched, *Bikun*, when I called her-----

She slowly lifted her face.

“Errr-errr, Tooru-kun………..I want you to listen……..you might have heard that just now but……but even so, I want you to listen………..!”

Her face was so red that it could not get any redder but she continued staring straight at me-----

She told me what was in her heart.

“I love you………it might not have been long since we met but……..but even so, I love you. Ever since Tooru-kun told me that you would be lonely if I left………….I was in love with you……..that’s why……..that’s why, I really love Tooru-kun…..!!”

Even though the sound of the waves was echoing, that confession clearly reached me.

I-----was shocked, while at the same time I had somehow predicted this.

I thought of this possibility during the afternoon, when I went looking for shells with Miyabi.

At that time, I rejected that possibility since Miyabi was bad with the opposite sex.

However, when I recalled some events before now, there were some things I should have noticed.

Those '''''some things''''' happen during times she comes in contact with me. The image of her getting embarrassed when our hands touch; that shy face when I nonchalantly told her to work hard and focus; those things started appearing in my mind.

All of it were forms of affection for me.

My heart changed from shock to confusion, and------then to annoyance.

'''''(How should I answer……….?)'''''

My thoughts showed in my face------for an instant. It accidentally appeared.

While Miyabi was uneasy, she was still looking at me so she did not miss that one instant.

It was already too late when I thought '''''oh no'''''----

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Tosaa* the sound of sand moving when the straw bag fell again.

Miyabi’s expression, changed to a tearful one in the blink of an eye-----

But she still tried her best to smile.

“Ah…….aha-ha…….As expected huh……..that’s true……even if I told you I love you………..it’s anno-ying……right………So-sorry……….!”

“Miyabi…….!!”

Miyabi started running on the beach.

I could not chase after her even though I called her name.

“Miyabi………..”

While standing frozen on the evening beach, I looked at her back gradually turning smaller and muttered.

After her figure disappeared by the rocks, I gathered the stuff scattered from the bag on the ground----

I picked up the heart-shaped stone last.

The memory I had of Miyabi smiling when I found this stone and gave it to her this afternoon seemed like it was from a distant past.

I destroyed that smile.

“Damn……….!”

I clenched the stone.

Time won’t turn back even if I regret it.

I'll never get a second chance.

Why did I get annoyed?

Because, I am an <<Avenger>>.

I entered Kouryou academy with a secret goal in my heart called revenge.

All of it was to gain <<Power>>.

In order to bring down my sister’s killer with my <<Power>>, which he judged as weak.

But, I gained back some of the days I lost two years ago in Kouryou Academy.

These warm, fun, and comfortable days.

But not everything that happened could be said to be good things.

I will gain <<Power>>, find its true meaning, and accomplish my revenge------

Doubt was born inside me; I who lived with only those wishes from that day.

I don’t want to let go of the warm days I regained.

However, I also can’t let go of my revenge, which is counter to those normal days.

Normal days and abnormal goals----my heart was wavering between those boundaries.

Those wavers moved and the doubt slowly changed to fear.

It changed to the fear of my everyday life filled with happy laughter and peace, always turning my mind back to that summer day; my past filled with anger, hate, and sadness.

I must not forget.

I must not let those simple joys sink deep into my heart.

That’s because I am an <<Avenger>>.

(To have fallen……..for a guy like that……….)

How should I reply to the girl who told me her heart-felt feelings while looking straight at me?

What do I think about Miyabi?

Although she is shy and quiet, it's fun talking to her. I would get energetic whenever I see her work hard, and she looks quite charming.

More importantly, her shy smile is so cute it's bewitching.

There is no way I wouldn't be happy that Miyabi shows affection towards me.

It's also true that I have some affection for her.

But, but even so, I-----

I can’t throw away my revenge.






Around the time the sun had almost set, I returned back to the hall through the small path.

The main and branch school students were together in the hall getting started with dinner’s preparations.

“Kokonoe, you came back.”

A girl stopped her prep work-----Tachibana jogged over and asked me.

“Where’s Miyabi?”

“Eh? Miyabi headed back before-----don’t tell me, she isn’t back?”

“A-ahh………..this might be unlikely but, did she get lost?”

I thought it was still better if she got lost.

I distorted my expression and Tachibana’s face color changed.
My expression distorted and Tachibana's color changed.

“………….did something happen?”

“Sorry, hold this for me! I’ll go look for her!”

I pushed Miyabi’s bag onto Tachibana and tried to head back onto the road I just come through, but my hand was grabbed.

“Wait, Kokonoe! I’ll go with you!!”

She might have guessed something when she saw my expression. Tachibana wore a serious look.

At that moment, Imari and Miwa approached us. It seems they heard us shouting.

“What’s the commotion, Tooru, Tomoe? Ah-re, where’s Miyabi? -----you got separated…………as expected, it’s dangerous when the sun is down. Okay, we will go, both of you wait here.”

“Noo, I will look for her no matter what you say.”

Faster than me, Tachibana shook her head before continuing.

“I am Miyabi’s <<Duo>>. She is the precious partner I chose. Imari, it’s true that you are more informed about this island but, I can’t do something like sitting down and waiting. So, I am sorry, but I will go look for her! Let’s go, Kokonoe!!”

After handing the bag to Miwa, Tachibana ran out to the small path and I chased after her.

“Wait! Wait up……….! Arm ba…………..! …………..!!”

Imari’s panicked voice faded immediately and could not be heard anymore.

Inside the forest in the ending twilight, Tachibana who was in front turned to me and asked.

“Kokonoe, where did you separate with Miyabi…….!?”

“………….probably at the hill road where we separated with you guys. Around there.”

There was no road other than the mountain ridge from the beach. Which means, Miyabi did not take the usual road and should be somewhere around the ridge to the hall.

“I see. Then let’s head to the mountain ridge first. From there, let’s search the spots which Miyabi would most likely get lost in.”

There are quite a number of forking paths from the ridge to the branch school and she had most likely mistaken one for the road back.

It’s only natural since she was in a situation where she'd lost her composure.

“You’re not asking anything, huh?”

“………….. You lost her even though you two were together. I know something happened, but I don’t know if it’s something I can pry into.”

Tachibana might know Miyabi’s feelings.

No, thinking back carefully, Imari and Tachibana were the ones that created the circumstances to put me and Miyabi together. That’s why if anything happened, it was not strange if she predicted something.

“Sorry.”

“You don’t have to apologize. More importantly, finding Miyabi is our first priority.”

Even though we looked down to the beach from the ridge as we were climbing down the slope, we did not see anyone.

Further up the beach-----the sun had sunk into the water horizon and the sky turned into dusk before we knew it.

On the opposite side----when we looked down from the caldera, we found out it was already quite dark.

Even if it was the afternoon, it would probably be impossible to find someone under the trees.

“We have to hurry. It’ll be more dangerous at night……..”

Even though she is an <<Exceed>> I don’t think Miyabi in her current unstable state could make good decisions.

I heard that there are no big animals on the island, but it’s still dangerous to wander around in the dark.

“There are three paths that look like they would be easy to mistake as a way back………….then first, let’s go on the animal trail. That looks like the path we used------Hnn?”

“What’s wrong, Kokonoe? You’re not going?”

I stopped Tachibana who was about to climb down the forest from the ridge.

“Wait. Just now, that’s…….a shadow right…….?”

“A shadow……….?”

Further up my finger------I saw a human-like shadow on the cliff thrusting out from the seaward side.

I felt as if I saw something move at the edge of my view for an instant but, the shadow was already gone by the time Tachibana looked there.

“Let’s try heading there?”

It might be Miyabi.

Guessing my unexpressed intentions, Tachibana nodded before we ran to the cliffs.






“Should be around here.”

After a few minutes we reached the cliff, but there was no one there.

“I think we made a mistake coming here, it seems like it'd be really easy to lose your footing…………”

“Do-don’t tell me………”

From the shock------a nasty picture crossed my mind and we headed to the tip of the cliff. 

While watching our footsteps, we peeked down the cliff and could only see rocky areas down there.

Even though we are <<Exceed>>, it seems we won’t be able to reach the sea unless we manage a long jump.

“She probably moved.”

Tachibana peeked around me, but I agreed with her.

“What should we do? Should we head back to where we were before?”

“No, I think it’s better to look at the road around here leading to the branch building. Even if we head back, as long as there is a chance we missed her when we came here, I think it would be wasting our efforts to leave.” 

If I think about the chance Miyabi might have been here just now, it’s probably better to move according to what Tachibana said.

I swung my head down vertically, and was about to leave the cliff.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Jyari*. A giant shadow appeared, accompanied by the sound of small stones getting stepped, blocking our way.

Of course, it wasn’t Miyabi.

A familiar and yet unfamiliar giant male was standing there glaring at me with wickedness in his eyes.

“Long time no see, damn brat. I was hoping to see you……..”

“Y-You are…….!!”

This guy, who was making a vulgar smile, was unmistakably the guy that intruded in the <<Survive>>. Of course, along with the face, he had a characteristic battle suit and assault rifle in his hands; the memories of two months ago vividly returned.

“……….Kokonoe. is this man perhaps…….”

“Yeah, it’s that guy.”

I nodded to Tachibana without moving my sights from the man. Even though it was the first time she met this man, she probably guessed who it was since she heard about it from me and Miyabi.

“Why are you here…….!?”

“For a mission, you should know that if you use your head a little. Although, my role is already done.”

“-----!!  Did you do something to Lilith!?”

“Keh, no. This time, it’s a different target than the Bristol's rampaging horse……………wait, you’re going to die now anyway, so it’s not your problem.”

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Perori* the man brought out his tongue and licked his lips in a foul manner.

"Seriously, that's one heck of a cliché bad guy line, straight out of a B-movie. Since you've said that much, how about telling me what your actual mission is?"

Tachibana whispered to me who was speaking bitterly.

“Kokonoe……….”

“I know. We have to get through somehow. We are at a complete disadvantage if this goes on.”

It’s probably impossible to avoid battle since he specifically appeared in front of me.

We are at the edge of a cliff. Meaning, we're already at a disadvantage before things even start.

We will probably be in serious trouble if we don’t at least get rid of the terrain issue.

“Be grateful, you damn brat. I came to this island a few hours ago, just for the purpose of beating the shit out of you.”

“I’m not happy at all to be popular with you, old man…….”

The man was not showing any weakness even though we were talking. His gun was just casually aimed towards us.

His hatred of me was probably boiling, but it seems he was calm in battle aspects. He probably lost to me before because he made light of me during our last confrontation.

“Your face is as annoying as before. But, what are you going to do in this situation? Destroy the ground again? I think it’s a nice experiment to see if the <<Exceed>> would die after smashing into rocks from a few meters above the ground! Gyaahahaha!!”

His disgusting laugh echoed throughout the area.

“Answer me this. Were you the one here just now?”

“…………Idiot. It's not my duty to answer you.”

He made a mocking expression.

But, since his reaction was slow by an instant, I understood that the shadow I saw before was not this man.

That shadow was Miyabi like I thought huh.

(I guess its good luck that Miyabi did not meet up with this guy……….)

I changed my frame of mind here. I'm still worried about Miyabi, but it will be dangerous if I don’t focus on this man.

“Tachibana. I will charge in. It’s the same basic strategy we used against Lilith. But it’s impossible to block all the assault rifle’s bullets so-----“

“Understood. I just have to be your support right”

Even if I didn’t finish my sentence, she immediately guessed the rest of it. I once again thought Tachibana is one trustworthy comrade.

“Well then…………time for you to die, damn brat.”

The man released killing intent and distorted his mouth; he might have been picturing our deaths.

His trigger finger moved-----

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Gagagagagagaga*!! Together with ear piercing gunshots, the bullets flew with killing intent.

“”<<Blaze>>!!””

<nowiki>*</nowiki>GiKikii*!! Tachibana’s <<Chain>> turned into a tornado and averted the bullet’s path. Although some bullets got through, most of them were blocked by my <<Shield>>.

“Whattt!?”

It’s normal for the man to be shocked.

That’s because most of the bullets were taken down or blocked with only two <<Blaze>>.

We might get some injuries but, it’s far off from critical damage.

“Now!!”

I aimed at the moment of his discomposure, and lowered my body while preparing my <<Shield>> before charging at him.

The man is probably a veteran soldier as expected. He immediately regained his composure, and prepared his gun-----but, there was an attack obstructing him from pulling the trigger. The <<Chain>>’s metal drip hit the guys hand and made him drop the gun.

“Y-you little bitch……!!”

His anger burst and the moment I jumped into the man’s chest area-----

“Idiot, I purposely lured you in!”

“-----!!”

The fist I thought connected got dodged, and it hit the air.

“'''''Judging by the previous match, my physical abilities are now higher because I became <<{{Furigana|III|Level 3}}>>'''''-----that’s what you probably thought right, you damn brat……!?!”

It probably got drawn at the same time he dodged. There was a knife being held in the man’s hand.

A blade slashed----from below to upwards.

Even though it was a close dodge, I got punched when my balance collapsed.

“I already know you got stronger. That’s because, I have been looking at you brats these past few days in detail!! But we're also done adjusting the <<Unit>>!! Hyahahahaha!!”

I received more punches when I was wobbly and the knife came falling down as a finale. Even though I managed to move my <<Shield>> and blocked it, I immediately took an uppercut to my jaw.

“Kokonoe!!”

As if to change places with me who got blown to the edge of the cliff, Tachibana stood in front. Tachibana and the man exchanged attacks while defending in close combat. The <<Chain>> would avert the knife, the sickle would cut the air, and she would ward off his giant punches with Juuhou<ref group ="3G">A Kenpou-style with the principle of “Soft” to overcome the jujitsu weakness such as thrust and kicks</ref>. His giant body floated up for an instant------and got slammed to the ground.

But----

“………….Too naïve!!”

Disregarding the fact he got slammed hard into the ground, the man stood up immediately, while at the same time releasing a kick with his log-like legs.

Tachibana got blown away even though she guarded it.

“That was a mistake. I never would have thought you would retaliate that way………”

Tachibana landed without falling down but, the arm she blocked the kick with was hanging limply by her side.

“Kuh, Tachibana……uu……..”

Even though I tried to head out to stop Tachibana from fighting with her injuries, my view shook and I fell to my knees.

The jaw attack shook my head vertically and that caused a cerebral concussion.

“Kukuh………nice look you got there. Stay quiet like that. I’ll beat the shit out of you and give you pain you've never imagined before.”

He licked the knife and made a disgusting laugh.

“……….This is a crisis huh?”

Judging by Tachibana’s tone, I know she was feeling disadvantageous.

She probably calmly analyzed the situation by my condition and the wound on her chest.

“You can try running you know? But, that’s if you can do it.”

There was no place to run. The man made a scornful smile at our completely disadvantage situation.

“………..Okay then, I’ll do that.”

“Whaaa!?”

Faster than his words, Tachibana turned her heels around and ran to me.

“…………..Kuh, damn it!!”

The man looked surprised but, he immediately picked up his gun after guessing Tachibana’s intentions and fired.

“Kokonoe, we are jumping!!”

Running towards me, Tachibana did not slow down and hugged my body----

Inside the bullet storm, we reached the edge of the cliff and------

We jumped into the sea.







“-----E………Konoe…..Wake up, Kokonoe…….”

There was the sound of a helicopter rotor passing overhead.

I could hear a weak call mixed with that sound.

(Wh-where is this……..? What was I……..I was searching for for Miyabi and……)

Inside my cloudy conscious, I wondered why I was lying down on a place like this.

When I came to, I was laying on top of a rock.

“-----! Oh yeah, that guy! And Tachibana……….Kuh…….!?”

I felt pain on my head after I raised my upper body when my memories clarified, and I felt a damp sensation when I touched my head.

“Sorry………….I injured you…….”

Someone talked to me, and I noticed Tachibana lying down on the rock nearby for the first time.

“This is just a scratch, don’t worry about it. Although, it’s a little sad that I lost my parka.”

We fell a few meters down to the sea after jumping from the cliff.

We rode on the wild waves and it seems I lost my parka when I hit the rocks; my upper body was currently bare.

“Haha, I did something bad to you………”

When I say thanks in a joking manner, Tachibana made a weak smile.

“It’s thanks to Tachibana I am alive at all. I am really thankful.”

Even if we had continued fighting, we would probably be tormented by that guy since I could not move with that my concussion, and Tachibana could only use one hand because of her injury.

That's why I think Tachibana’s choice to retreat immediately was a good one.

“More importantly, Tachibana are you okay?”

Tachibana probably lost a lot of blood in the sea.

She looked like she was in pain, but showed a firm smile.

“Fufu, of course. I am somehow-----Fuu, Guh…..!!”

Half-way in her words, Tachibana’s expression distorted into pain.

She got a palpation after she said no; it seems the shoulder she got hit by the man got dislocated and there were some more spots hurting because she slammed into some rocks.

“Your ankle seems to have the worst injury. I think it’s broken. I can fix it if I have cloth but………..”

I am worried about Miyabi but, as long as there is no way to tell what that man would do next, we have to get back to the branch school as fast as possible.

That’s why I have to perform emergency treatment for her fast but, I don’t have the cloth needed to fix her leg.

“Kokonoe, I am okay……leave me and-----“

“Don’t be stupid. How can I leave a girl alone out here?”

It seems he might be injured too, but there was a possibility that guy might still be around looking for us.

I can’t leave Tachibana out here.

“………….Tha-thank you, Kokonoe……..”

“It’s a normal thing to do so don’t thank me.”

More importantly I need cloth or something close to it.

I looked around to look for something that got washed ashore so I can use and-------

“…………..Ko-Kokonoe. Errr, if it’s a substitute for the cloth……….. You can use my…..…”

“Eh? I use what?”

Since the word got erased by the sound of the waves, I could not hear what I should use at all.

When I looked at Tachibana’s face, she was making an expression as if she was struggling to say something.

“Li-like I said…….. St-st-strip off my l-leotard and use it…………”

“I see, your leotard. I get it!”

Its elasticity and length was enough. I had no objections using it as a bandage substitute.

“…………….strip your----leotard?”

I regained my senses here.

“Me?”

“I-I have no choice, right?! I can only use one arm even if I want to do it myself, and my body hurts whenever I move…….”

Thinking about the injuries on her shoulder and body, it’s true that her words are correct but-----

“T-that’s why, I want you to strip off my………leotard with……your hands……..”

She looked dazed half-way through her words.

Maybe Tachibana was clear on what she was suggesting for me to do right now.

“Thi-this is a treatment done because of this emergency situation. You should know that too……..!”

“A-ahh………….”

But even so--------*Gulp*.

Although I have no time to be thinking weird stuff now.

Even though I know Tachibana does not mean it in any weird way when she brought up the suggestion.

But even so, Tachibana’s suggestion was enough to slam me into a vortex of nervousness.

I could clearly see her cheeks blushing in the dusk.

Of course, it goes for me too.

“F-faster…………….will you strip it off for me……….? I-if possible, do it gently…….”

“That’s what I’m planning but………tell me if it hurts okay……..?”

“I-I get it……….”

“Okay then…………I’m taking it off.”

I made up my mind and slowly put my hands into her skirt.

Tachibana looked away from me and stayed silent but-----

“Hnn……….”

She twitched her shoulders when I placed my fingers on her leotard’s waistband.

After I pulled away my fingers in surprise, Tachibana looked at me meekly and apologized.

“So-sorry. Continue……..”

I nodded and placed my hands on the waistband again before starting to pull it down slowly.

“Can you lift your hips a little higher?”

“Hnn………Hah, nnu………li-like this……..?”

I made her slightly lift her hips but, it hurts my heart to see her breath roughly.

But since I had no choice of stopping here, I started pulling down the leotard again----and half-way, my finger got caught on something.

“What? Strings……?”

“---------!! Wa-wait, Kokonoe! Pl-please don’t pull any further, that’s my…………under……..”

Her voice turned softer as time goes even though she was behaving flustered.

('My under'………?)

Judging by this situation, I tried thinking the rest of the words and----

“Ah……”

I let out my voice when something comes to mind. When I did that, Tachibana saw my realization and looked downwards in embarrassment.

“Uaa, E-errr. Ah-no, Ta-Tachibana is like an adult so, I think those are good, un!”

“Wh-what is good, you sh-sh-shameless fool! Don’t imagine anything weird, limit those perverted thoughts!”

“Uu……..Sorry……….”

Even though I was trying to help, I got scolded. 

(My mouth is the one causing disaster huh……….)

While reflecting on my mistake, I vow to pull her leotard down silently from now on------I made that vow, but...

“Fuu…………Hnn, ah…………..Nuuuuu……….A-ahh, Haaan………Kokonoe, your fingers are, haaa……..”

“P-please stop with the weird sounds…………”

As expected, I just had to tell her after she leaked puffing breaths.

“Don’t call it weird……..! I can’t help it since your fingers have been touching my thighs and its ticklish………..I'm just ticklish………!”

Tachibana was showing an expression that was either anger or troubled.

“So-sorry………Errr, I am continuing”

While feeling awkward, I started pulling down her leotard again.

“Hnn, Haaa………..a,Hnkuh………..Fuaa-a-a-aaaaa………”

In the end, I could not help but touch her legs with my fingers and although Tachibana pressed her mouth with her hands to resist it, she could not avoid letting out those charming breaths until the end.

Thanks to that, I felt as if I couldn't look straight at Tachibana’s face for a while.



“-----Okay. done patching you up. Let’s hurry to the branch school.”

Not long later, the emergency treatment to fix her legs and other injuries was done so I carried Tachibana.

“This is the second time I've carried Tachibana like this. Please don’t go wild like last time?”

“Carry……..!? Do-don’t say something weird!! Uu, ouch ouch………..”

“I-I don’t mean it that way so stop rampaging!! Anyway, let’s go. It will be wobbly but bear with it.”

“U-umu……Kokonoe……err, Thanks……….”

“Don’t worry about it. Okay, let’s hurry!”

I started running, with full power towards the branch school.

However------

After a few steps forward, I could not help but to stop my legs.

That’s because I found a familiar parka washed ashore at the rocky area.

I wouldn't have had to use her leotard.

“”…………………””

“How should I say this……..sorry.”

“Don’t say anything, Kokonoe……..”







We crossed the mountain ridge and after we left the forest path I continued running toward the branch school.

It was clear that there was a weird air wrapping the island.

Even though it was night already, I could hear the birds making noises.

Something was happening.

Although I didn’t know what it was, I continued running while an uneasy feeling grew in my body-----

“Iyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!”

I stopped my leg at the sudden scream that sliced through the darkness.

“Kokonoe, that’s……..!!”

We both immediately realized who the owner of that scream was.

“Miyabi…………!!”