Editing Kämpfer:Volume 2 Chapter 4 (section)

==Part 1: The Morning Stakeout==


The next morning was also beautiful. I wonder who said the weather is like a mirror, reflecting a person's inner state? It's a complete lie. How could my mood possibly match this sunny weather?

Listening to Kondou Mikoto, the one who gathered early was Akane. Finally, all the members were together before school started. Even earlier than Akane was the person in question, Kondou Mikoto. She ran up to me and roared furiously, her voice louder than a heavy metal band's. If I hadn't had breakfast, I'd have been furious and yelled at her to get out.

"Little Akane is here too! Thank you so much!"

Kondou Mikoto stood at the entrance, her arms folded, as if she were the master of the house.

"Then let's go to school! Let's go!"

What's the point of going? It was just a normal trip to school, just with a few more people than usual.

I asked Kondou Mikoto on the way.

"Hey, where are we going and what are we doing?"

"The girls' school gate. I want to start monitoring the female version of Natsuru from this morning."

"That's going to be a long wait. What if she doesn't show up?"

"Then we can monitor her tomorrow and the day after tomorrow."

"That's not good. What about classes?"

"It's okay to skip a class once in a while. I don't really care about credits."

I do. Incidentally, this girl really doesn't care about credits. Even if she skips classes a lot, she can pass all her classes by studying for one night before the exam, and still rank among the top students. Even the teachers at school call her the brainiac of aliens. Most people would be troubled if they didn't attend enough days, but if she were expelled, she could happily fly around the world.

"But I can't go into the girls' department."

"Just keep watch outside."

"The teachers and the Discipline Committee are patrolling over there."

Just as I mentioned before, those Gestapo-like guys were on duty. Their obsession was even more terrifying than that of the former Soviet National Security Council. There were even stories of them chasing escaped students all the way to Ibaraki Prefecture.

"As long as we don't get caught, it's okay. Even if we do, it's okay because we're from the Seitetsu school."

"You say it like it's none of your business."

Anyway, we went to a coffee shop a little distance from the girls' department gate.

I'd been to this place before when I was waiting for Sakura Kaede. Its defining features were its terrible coffee and its bitter-faced owner. Today's coffee was even worse than last time, and the owner's face was just as bitter. Could he be cursed?

We set up our position by the window and began monitoring the incoming female students.

A closer look revealed a surprising number of attractive girls at Seitetsu. Perhaps because it's a traditional school, many students come from far away. While the uniforms and location aren't particularly impressive, there's something about them that appeals to girls, which is probably why the Bishoujo Research Society in Higashida is so thriving.

"...Why hasn't she come yet?"

Kondou Mikoto muttered. Of course, there's no way a female version of Natsuru could show up.

Akane and I exchanged a glance. There was no point in waiting in a place like this; we both knew the answer. The next thing to do was figure out how to get out of here.

"Ah, isn't that Sakura Kaede?"

"Where?"

Hearing Kondou Mikoto's words, I instinctively moved toward the window.

It's really Sakura Kaede. It's great that she came to school alone. If she'd come with a boy, I'd probably have died from shock.

She looked her usual self, seemingly having pulled herself together.

"She's alone."

"What are you talking about?"

"It would be a headache if a bad boy followed her."

"Why are you saying that again? Would it really be a headache for you?"

"It's a headache for you,"

said Kondou Mikoto, looking bored. I just kept staring at Sakura Kaede.

"...Pervert,"

said Kondou Mikoto next to me.

"What?"

"You've been staring at Sakura Kaede. Are you a stalker?"

"Please don't make me sound like a criminal. I'm innocent."

"Your eyes are evil. You must be thinking something dirty."

"I'm talking to you."

Akane, who had been silent until then, suddenly tugged at my sleeve.

"What...ah?"

I swallowed my words in panic. The Ring of Oath was gleaming. There were no other Kämpfer warriors around. It must have been a random transformation.

"What's wrong... Hey, what's with that bracelet?"

Kondou Mikoto glanced at me with interest. I didn't have the time for that. This was the second time I'd dodged in front of this guy. Why did I have to change now?

I sprinted outside the cafe. Even though Kondou Mikoto was yelling, I didn't have time to pay attention.