Editing Absolute Duo:Volume 3 Chapter 5 (section)

===Part 2===

In the Kouryou academy branch school-----

The reason for its existence was to be the net for those that had dropped out from the <<Qualification Ceremony>>.

“……………There is a 1 in a 1000 chance someone would have an <<Adapt>>. It really is a strange thing that he seriously thought I would throw them away because of one failure.”

Tsukumo Sakuya made a weak smile, recalling back the conversation she had with Tooru a few days ago.

"Oh my, but wasn't that close to your own thoughts, Sakuya?"

Another girl was there combing her yellow topaz hair while asking a question.

“Yes, that is right…………..I don’t mind throwing away losers.”

Sakuya replied back with her personal opinion to Lilith’s question.

They might have the strength to be second-tier in the group, but they lost because they got unlucky and got paired up with a strong, first-rate opponent. That’s why they thought they would win if they were put together with a different person-------what bullshit.

Those are words that could only be described as funny, spoken by fools that have not thrown themselves into a war of survival with their lives bet on victory.

No matter how much power a person possesses, it's meaningless if they don’t win when the time calls for it.

“Everything ends when you die.”

The results were both extremely logical while also being irrational.

However------it's the simple truth that they live in that kind of world.

But that was still Sakuya’s personal opinion in the end, and the Dawn organization’s objectives were a different story. A huge amount of funds is needed to continue the <<Lucifer>> research. In order to gain those funds, they need as many public maintenance <<Exceeds>> teams as possible----even if they are not people Sakuya needs.

Of course, Sakuya does not think the existence of the branch school is completely worthless.

All of them are sacrifices.

They are sacrifices to plant confidence into the main school students that have survived the <<Qualification Ceremony>>-----and also give them the readiness to aim for the top, for the sake of the loser they defeated with their own hands.

The reason why she allowed them to know of the existence of the branch school through the seaside school was also a type of mental testing for them.

It had been three months since they enrolled into Kouryou academy. During the period when they start getting a little relaxed after getting used to the daily training, they are made to meet up with the branch school and that will cause the students thoughts to follow one of two major tracks.

They would either continue to aim for top knowing that they might be defeated by the losers who had accumulated additional training as branch school students...

Or they would become even more relaxed and lose their aspiration.

It is obvious that Sakuya wished for the former.

If she thought about the future, she would not need people that would be satisfied at this level.

“By the way Lilith. This is about a few days ago, but what kind of intentions did you have when you said I wasn’t honest with myself?”

“It’s more convenient to have Tooru think the chairman is actually a good child. He's too earnest for his own good.”

Sakuya gave a small shrug in response the gold girl who winked at her.

“……………Kokonoe Tooru sure has it rough, to be loved by this two-faced woman.”

“The living thing called 'woman' has two-sides, you know. More importantly, it is a fact that I do love him, so isn’t that fine? Other than that, I move in order to achieve the things I must. In order to reach the <<Absolute Duo>>…………that's all there is to it.”

While placing her hand on her chest as if she was singing in an opera, and spreading out her free hand, Lilith made an exaggerated posture and talked about the contents of her heart.

How much can she believe those words? Sakuya could not begin to guess how much of that was true.

“Now then, a question from me.”

The Lilith from a few moments ago was no longer here.

Her smile was gone and her eyes narrowed; an expression that she does not usually show Tooru was there.

“Will it be tonight, if they are coming at all?” 

“Oh my, did you notice?”

"When there is an idiot deliberately blowing its cover that much, there is no way I wouldn't notice."

On the morning of the third day after the start of the Seaside school, Lilith felt someone’s presence.

The presence would not get near the students, but could be seen observing their movements; it kept itself just far enough away, waiting for its existence to be perceived.

“It has been two months since the last incident……………I even set out bait, thinking that <<Equipment Smith>> might start moving around to cause something…………….”

Sakuya made a faint smile while swinging her head to those let-down results.

“No close encounters huh…………but, I don’t think you need to act as bait by going for walks at night. Even though you have Mikuni with you.”

It was every evening until today that they could feel the trespassers presence, and Sakuya took Mikuni along for a stroll about the island. Just like what Lilith said, she was acting as bait.

“It’s either me or you. I just wanted to know which one of us they want………..The results were: they won’t make a move on either one of us, so I just know they are there.”

“I wonder what kind of intentions they have for moving around.”

“I don’t care. I only hope that it makes for good sacrifices.”

Sakuya made a cold smile that was unthinkable from a ten year-old girl. 

The reason why that smile broke suddenly was because of the emergency signal sent from Kouryou academy's main school.

“…………a call for reinforcement, why?”

The expression of the black-clothed girl turned dubious, when she received a report that they were under attack by unidentified personnel with guns and were at a disadvantage.

The guards stationed there numbered two <<Exceed>>----<<IV>>, ten <<III>>s, and their power alone can rival an army battalion (around 300 regular soldiers). Adding in the second and third year students from the main school that had survived training, it was only natural for her to be dubious at this unnatural event of receiving a call for reinforcements. 

“-------I see, their goal is the research lab………….I understand, please withstand for another forty minutes. I will send Mikuni.”

After cutting the transmission, Sakuya clenched her teeth.

(Their aim was not me, but the <<Lucifer>> data------I predicted that too but………….)

“They sure have sent quite a force there. I wonder if we should say that it's our loss?”

Ignoring Lilith's frivolous chatter, Sakuya ordered Mikuni who was standing beside her. 

“…………Mikuni, it’s just like what you’ve heard. Head back to the main school and clean up the attackers.”

“But Sakuya-sama. If an attack occurs here then-----”

It’s only natural for Mikuni to be concerned. It's a fact that they already have one trespasser on the island.

“Judging by this situation, I can’t send Rito over there. She might end up destroying the facilities. I'm ordering you there because you are an assassin type…………..or what, are you saying you will not listen to my orders?”

“…………..I would never do something such as that.”

The gold girl then spoke to Mikuni who was still concerned about his master.

“It’s okay; you don’t have to worry about it. I, the staff and also Tsukimi Rito are here. She is <<V>> right? Unless they sent over a powerful force, it will be impossible to bring us down.”

“…………….Understood. I am counting on you; please take care of Sakuya-sama.”

“Of course.”

Leaning on the wall, Lilith sent a one-eyed wink at him.

Mikuni turned on his heels and headed out of the room.

Lilith did not bother to watch him leave, instead turning her sight to the window.

(I did say that, but there is a bad feeling I'm getting……….)

The presence that was squirming around these past few days was still here.

But something different from that, an indescribable *something* was causing anxiousness in her chest.

Both Sakuya and Lilith were lost in thought.

The room was wrapped in silence but-----

Soon, an echoing knock broke the silence.




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