Editing Hagure Yuusha no Aesthetica:Volume 9 Chapter 1 (section)

===Part 4===
 
The soaring tower of Babel.
 
The highest most floor vibrated from a loud bang.
 
The walls of the student council room had vanished from the explosion.
 
At the same time, one shadow had flew out from the inside.
 
It was girl wearing battle clothes, holding a half-moon sword in each hand.
 
Her name was Nanase Haruka.
 
"-- How could it turn out like this!?"
 
While moving away at high-speed, Haruka couldn't resist asking.
 
From behind, countless fire balls and earth javelins chased after her.
 
Using the fastest wind magic on herself, Haruka was flying back and forth down the long corridor to avoid the attacks from behind. In addition for the ones she wouldn't be able to dodge, she alter their trajectory with a strong wind.
 
One after another the fire and earth magic missed their target, and instead rained down on the floor, walls and ceiling.
 
And then Haruka twisted her body around in the air, to stick out both her hands to the rear.
 
She unfolded innumerable magic formations to form a defense barrier stopping the incoming magic.
 
"Did the both of you not hear my question!"
 
Haruka then let loose a series of compressed air bullets.
 
The air bullets caused the fireballs to explode, while continuing straight back.
 
Immediately after a series of bangs overlap down the corridor.
 
The compressed air which had take shape in bullets were actually heavier than lead.
 
Generally a person after being hit would be left neutralize.
 
-- However, Haruka face shrank as her magic never reached her opponents.
 
More precisely, the moment before they should have hit a protective barrier suddenly raised from the floor blocking her magic.
 
And after completing its role, the protective wall quietly crumbled.
 
From the other side, two shadows appeared.
 
Haruka was familiar with the two figures, as they were her close friends Uesaki Ryohei and Aihara Minami。
 
Similarly to herself, they had used their ADs to materialize their battle clothes and weapons.
 
Haruka asked again,
 
"How could...... you guys support student council president Hikami? Do you know what he is trying do?"
 
Then,
 
"Of course -- we known a long time ago."
 
And with a wry smile Ryohei said,
 
"That being the case!"
 
"...... That being the case, what?"
 
Haruka instinctively glared at Minami, who quietly said in her usual tone,
 
"Kyouya is our comrade...... it's only natural that we will team up and provide assistance for Kyouya."
 
"It's only natural? Knowing that he is about to make a mistake, it's only natural that we come together to help him understand his wrong doing, right?"
 
Haruka could not help but raise her voice in protest, while Ryohei said in a calm voice,
 
"Wait a minute, it may not be that Kyouya is making a mistake."
 
Ryohei paused, and,
 
"What he is doing now, he is doing while firmly believing that it is needed to pursue his goal. It might be in violation of COCOON's interest. However, that does not mean he is doing something wrong. COCOON is certainly right now the administrator of this world, but that doesn't mean you can treat them as absolute justice."
 
"We do not not serve COCOON. Kyouya is the student council president, and is looking at things from the perspective of a student. That's why JPN Babel so far has been able to care for their students much more than any other Babel. Isn't that the reason why joined the student council, to help?"
 
"This is sophistry (A fallacious argument)......!"
 
Haruka wasn't swayed an inch from their argument, and,
 
"Certainly it might have been so up til now...... however, that's no longer the case. The other members of COCOON will never condone his actions. What the president is doing now is for the sake of his own ambition, and plans to drag JPN Babel and the entire special autonomous region into needless peril with him."
 
"How can you assert it is needless?"
 
Ryohei couldn't help but asked reversely,
 
"The current administers of the world, COCOON are fighting against the terrorist like organization Crimson Twilight for supremacy, and already there have been too many innocent sacrifices. And if COCOON can bring down, can you assert that will bring about world peace. Do not be naive, such a thing is impossible. At that time another terrorist organization will immediately pop up. And who's to say there won't be any internal strife over policy within COCOON itself. Whatever you do, even if you do nothing, there is still risk. Therefore, we can only choose walk down the path with the lowest risk, don't you agree?"
 
"You...... believe that president's path is the best choice?"
 
Faced with Haruka's stern gaze, Minami nodded "That's so" and,
 
"Kyouya is obtaining a power that exceeds COCOON and Crimson Twilight, and will become a third force as a deterrent, that will bring about world stability. And to say the least it will be effective in reducing sacrifices right now."
 
"That sort of reasoning is too convenient......"
 
Haruka refuted, and,
 
"That power is too strong to be a deterrent, and will simply be a threat. Such that the president will stand over COCOON and Crimson Twilight. His true goal is not to be a third force, but a dictator!"
 
But......
 
"Maybe...... but is there a problem?"
 
"COCOON has long been a dictator of the world."
 
Ryohei and Minami said calmly.
 
"Precisely because there is dissatisfaction with COCOON, Crimson Twilight and other terrorists groups were born. Even now their are terrorist attacks happening throughout the world. So what we need now is a new political system -- possibly a dictatorship is required."
 
Ryohei paused,
 
"But also -- just before you claimed that we are making a mistake, however haven't you yourself decided to join in with Ousawa's camp? You'll been speaking disagreeably about Kyouya actions, but hasn't that guy also been trying to oppose COCOON and Crimson Twilight. Moreover, his way of handling things seem to be more arrogant, perhaps more unreasonable than Kyouya. Like that, deciding to follow Ousawa, what right do you have to criticize us for being wrong?"
 
"That......"
 
Haruka couldn't help but be speechless.
 
It was true that Akatsuki planned to rebel against the current world, and by doing so COCOON and Crimson Twilight would be his greatest obstacle making it indeed no different from Kyouya's plans.
 
And as Ryohei said with Akatsuki's way there is a possibility for more sacrifices.
 
Of course, Haruka had also understood such a thing, but she still choose Akatsuki.
 
What Ryohei said probably wasn't wrong.
 
She choose Akatsuki, and Ryohei and Minami choose Kyouya.
 
Whichever choice was neither completely right, but also not completely wrong.
 
They all simply choose a different path.
 
...... However.......
 
In order to carry out Kyouya ambitions they had to use MIu, moreover they had to disregard Miu's wishes.
 
Therefore Haruka feelings were such that she was unable to forgive the two people before her eyes for their choice.
 
She did not want to recognize it, simple because Ryohei and Minami were once her best friends. Then,
 
"...... Eh?"
 
Haruka suddenly felt that her feet sink into the floor all the up to the ankle. It was clearly Minami's magic.
 
Haruka had been struggling with her emotions for a few seconds.
 
Still, even if it was a momentarily gap it was a chance that neither Ryohei or Minami missed.
 
Haruka struggled to escape, but her feet were firmly implanted in the floor.
 
"It is regrettable, truly......"
 
Ryohei sighed and,
 
"Finding out you decided to joined Ousawa's group, Kyouya originally intended to eliminate you. However we begged him to give you one last chance. Minami even went as far to prepare a corpse doll for you."
 
After Ryohei mention that, Haruka suddenly remembered back a few hours to where she had confronted Kyouya.
 
They both asked me to..... "Please think twice."
 
And said "I did not want to do this, but we can't back down from this."
 
Haruka finally understand the true meaning of these two words.
 
It wasn't that the two were fixing Kyouya's mistake, rather it was a way for them to repent.
 
Kyouya had decided Haruka needed to be killed, and the two desperately persuaded him against it. However,
 
"Do you guys seriously think after seeing that the president kill you guys I could ever swear allegiance again?"
 
Haruka looked at Ryohei and Minami with indifference.
 
Everything the two did so far, did nothing but negate that there was any friendship between the three.
 
Then Ryohei shrugged,
 
"I believe after being betrayed, to once again gain that trust is definitely a high hurdle."
 
"But...... we can do it."
 
Minami continued,
 
"For Kyouya's ideal we are willing to sacrificing ourselves -- and even willing to sacrifice you."
 
Then the two people held out their right hand towards Haruka.
 
A magic formation unfolded, and the radiance of magic power assembled in their hands.
 
...... This is far from good.
 
Haruka put her anxiety aside, and desperately focused her mind.
 
She was readying to invoke a defensive barrier, and at the same time prepared flying magic.
 
When the two launched their magic at her she planned to deflect it with the barrier towards the floor and destroy it. Then wait for her feet to freed, before invoking her flying magic to get away at high-speed. Her reactions had to be perfect for it work.
 
Nevertheless, the possibility of succeeding was low.
 
In the first place, there was no guarantee she'd be able to resist both of their magics. And even if she was able to deflect it, she couldn't be certain Minami wouldn't be able to fortify and heatproof the floor as she herself invoked her magic.
 
...... Still.
 
Haruka thought if there was no other way, she could only bet.
 
Although it was a desperate situation, she couldn't just resign herself for die.
 
Never give up.
 
Therefore -- now just as Ryohei and Minami's magic was going to be invoked.
 
A scene occurred that was beyond all their imaginations.
 
There was a sudden horrific explosion that shattered the floor the three of their feet were planted.
 
"-!"
 
Although startled, the three were able to correct themselves to land upright on the floor below.
 
And as Haruka's legs hit the ground, she immediately jumped back to distance herself.
 
"Could it be......"
 
It was aggressive and rough...... but it was dependable. This was certainly something that was done in order to help her.
 
Inside Haruka's mind floated an image of a youth that she decided to follow.
 
-- However, the voice that echoed done the hallway didn't belong to Akatsuki.
 
"My bad to disappoint you -- but, I'm not Ackee."
 
The tone of the young man was light, but also somewhat hung in the air.
 
Knowing who was speaking, Haruka turned around to look.
 
Naturally the voice was of a young man who refers to himself as a poor student (Leftovers).
 
"I can't thank you enough Kaidou Motoharu...... but, why are you here?"
 
What was he be doing here? And why did he rescue me?
 
Faced with Haruka's question, Kaidou wryly smiled as if troubled,
 
"Its hard to explain, but I...... just happened to be close by. In truth, I wanted to rid myself of this troublesome place immediately, however I still had some minor business. Normally I wouldn't poke my nose into others' personal matters, but if Ackee learns later that I let you die without doing anything, he might become terrifying."
 
Then......
 
"So it actually is 'Twilight' Kaidou...... moreover a troubling fellow has come."
 
Ryohei helplessly sighed and,
 
"So be it, I'll deal with him. Minami, I'll leave Haruka to you."
 
"Understood."
 
Then the two respectively split apart with their weapons in hand.
 
"Uh, how annoying. Those two seem really motivated."
 
[[File:HYnA vol 09 008.jpg|thumbnail]]
 
And Kaidou laughed,
 
"What will you do vice-president?... ... Before you seemed to be somewhat hesitant, and now how is it?"
 
"...... Such a thing goes without saying."
 
And Haruka with unwavering eyes said,
 
"I am no longer the vice-president. It is not president's Hikami's world I want to help create but Ousawa Akatsuki's -- The same world where he, Miu, and everyone can look towards the future together."
 
So, even if the other party was a former close friend there were no exceptions.
 
"Even if its only me, I'll never give up."
 
Having said so, Nanase Haruka also held up her half moon swords in her hands.
 
And -- bravely stepped forward