Editing Hagure Yuusha no Aesthetica:Volume 4 Prologue (section)

===Part 2===

The heavy silence continued. 

Scratching his cheek, Akatsuki looked at the clock hanging on the wall. The time was around half past one in the afternoon, Since Chikage and Kuzuha came, roughly about half an hour had passed. 

To tell the truth, at this time right now they should've been attending school. 

However, though it was a weekday, Akatsuki and the others were on a break. So as to wrap up the Ranking Tournament, from today onwards JPN Babel had entered spring break. 

Ten days. That was the rest time given to the alternate world returnee youngsters who attented school at JPN Babel.

Once it ended, it would be the start of a new school term. 

The long-awaited first day of spring break. Even the weather was the best one. Even though Akatsuki was thinking about wrapping the talk up in a flash and <u>brightly go out with everyone</u>. What's the deal with this, ruminated Akatsuki. If Miu keeps silent like this, the mood will become heavier and heavier, and she will miss the chance to start the conversation. 

However, although this matter was also related to Akatsuki, in the end, it was Miu's own problem. Therefore he though it was best for Miu to say it with her own words when she herself decided.

......Well, I can at least create a chance.

Making a faint wry smile, Akatsuki made the necessary preparations without Miu knowing.



"——Hyah!?"

Suddenly, Miu screamed in surprise. 

What was the best way to talk about her to Chikage and Kuzuha? While fretting about that, suddenly her body shivered.  She wondered why, but Miu soon found out the reason.

"Huh——?"

She unconsciously stopped thinking.

Her boob was being rubbed. It was because, before anyone noticed, Akatsuki's left hand had gone around from behind her.

Her left breast changing in shape, Miu looked beside her with eyes of disbelief,

"Hmm? How soft......"

While Akatsuki in question kept calmly rubbing Miu's chest, she tilted her head in wonder,

"With a mood this stiff, I thought your boobs, reading a bit the mood, would also get a little stiff......"

"You dolt—read the mood a bit!"

As Miu screamed, at the same time she hit Akatsuki's face with a backhand blow of her right hand.

Standing up, she crossed her arms hiding her chest to protect it,

"The mood at the time doesn't matter, a girl's boobs are soft!"

Thereupon, Akatsuki, who supposedly received a direct backhand blow, smiling composedly,

"—What. You've come out quickly, haven't you, voice?"

"Huh......?" 

Miu involuntarily became dumbfounded. What the heck is Akatsuki saying? 

Then, Akatsuki's expression became gentle,

"Since you couldn't start to talk at ease, I've just unknotted your feelings. If you keep worrying forever, you'll make no progress. Izumi and Class Rep decided to come hear your story, and came specifically for that. And yet, if you stay silent, you'll be being rude to them."

"Ah ......" 

Miu, coming to a realization, looked at Chikage and Kuzuha sitting on the opposite sofa. 

They didn't know how to react to Akatsuki's sudden action. After meeting her eyes, Chikage and Kuzuha revealed troubled smiles.  However, they kept saying nothing, since they were waiting for Miu to speak. If they said something, their words would become an urging to Miu. 

So that wouldn't happen, they kept waiting for Miu. 

That's why,

"Sorry...... Girls<ref>She says "you two", but I think that in English that sounds a bit too impolite</ref>." 

To Miu, who involuntarily hung her head down, Chikage directed a gentle smile<ref>Does someone know how to add the nuance that her mouth is open (i.e. with her teeth showing)? (Grin, I suppose?)</ref>. 

"No need to apologize...... Besides, there's no need to hurry."

The reason why was,

"Since both me and the class rep came here to listen Miu tell us with her own words." 

"True...... So, don't think we are forced to hear it."

Said Kuzuha. And, confronting Akatsuki with a chiding tone, 

"Ousawa-kun. Although we are grateful, stop behaving like rushing things. Since we'll wait until she readies her heart."

"Yeah, okay. That was my bad......"

Akatsuki shrugged his shoulders, but still showed a satisfied smile.

He put his hands behind the back of his head, and his body once again sunk deep into the couch. 

It seemed he didn't intend to say anything more. Akatsuki kept quiet and closed his eyes.

However, Ousawa Miu realized it. Akatsuki's withdrawal just now was not because of Miu's words.

It was because of the words of Chikage and Kuzuha, who believed in Miu. So that Miu wouldn't hesitate like up until now, he checked those two so that their thoughts could be heard.

That was, gentle interference.

....From behind my back, you've given me a push.

Miu remembered. When he asked her if she would open her heart to Chikage and Kuzuha or not, those were Akatsuki's words. Assuming I had to choose, I'll just protect you with all my might—that was what Akatsuki said to her. For this reason, Miu made the decision to report to Chikage and Kuzuha.

I don't want to involve those two, she felt like that. Since my fate is filled with great dangers. Even though both witnessed Phil during the Ranking War and fought, she could always dodge the issue. If she decided to deceive them, in order to make Chikage and Kuzuha not pry anymore into her business, she could make up something.

However, if she did that, both of them would surely notice in the end. That she had deceived them.

When that time came, it would undoubtedly further the distance between them, and that probably would be the end.

Naturally, those two would drift away from Miu.

Since the result of lying—would most likely be that. 

...... But.

Miu thought. She certainly didn't want that.

They were the first friends she could ever make. Existences she could call her best friends, she didn't want to lose them.

Perhaps by conveying the truth, Chikage and Kuzuha would possibly drift apart. However, even in that case, she didn't want them to scatter by saying nothing.

So,

"............ Is it right? Chikage-san, Class Rep."

She could ready her heart. Sitting straight in the couch, she stared at those two up front.

I'll tell. Let's pray,

"Though it may become a little long...... Will you hear me? My story"