Editing Absolute Duo:Volume 5 Chapter 3 (section)

===Part 1===
“Kuh………….”

It has been a few days after the battle with <<K>>; I woke up from the sharp headache.

……….Well, I only knew this fact a little later from now. 

(I-is this…….the medical building……..)

This isn’t something I am proud off but, I knew this immediately because I often come here.

That’s why immediately understanding that I am alive through that is just a little ironic.

At that time----

<<K>> collapsed after I slashed him with the <<Soul>>.

Immediately after, the security guards showed up as if they were waiting for that moment.

I realized that the battle ended with that event happening and Julie calling my name was the last thing I remember before everything went blank; this is my current state.

“Hn………..”

After I slowly raised my body while pressing my hurting head, I heard someone reply.

When I looked over to the direction of the voice, I saw the silver girl sleeping at the edge on the bed.

(She was taking care of me the whole time huh……..)

I don’t know how long has passed since the fight with <<K>> but, I know that Julie was beside me the whole time.

I was happy of her feelings and felt apologetic at the same time.

(Thanks Julie………)

I gently patted her with appreciation on her sleepy head.

………..and at that moment.

“Ouch……..”

My head had a sharp pain again.

It was the headache that was the reason why I woke up but-----

“Too………..ru?”

The headache woke Julie up this time instead of me.

“Opps, Sorry, Julie. I guess I woke you up”

“Nai………..don’t worry about------.

Her sentence was cut off while she was scratching her eyes before Julie looked at my face blankly.

Her {{Furigana|red eyes|Ruby eyes}} got teary-----

[Tooru!!] [Gofuu]

The silver girl jumped into my chest.

“Ah……are you okay, Tooru……..?”

“Y-yeah………..it hurts a little though…….”

“I am really sorry……err, I jumped in reflex because I was happy…….”

I pat Julie’s head when she dropped her shoulders, and told her don’t worry about it.

“Tooru………thank you”

She’s probably still worrying about it.

Even though Julie was smiling softly, her eyebrows were still slanting downwards, making a troubled expression.

“You really don’t have to worry about it, Julie”

“J-Ja---……..”

While patting her head, I remembered something about Julie.

The weird phenomenon that happened in the fight with <<K>>---

Just like what happened during the seaside school, a high-pitched sound was coming out from Julie.

What’s more, there’s a sound of something breaking and the <<Power>> Julie showed after that was very different.

Obviously for her extreme speed, the apparent <<Power>> to---kick the sky, is something even the existence that transcends humans-<<Exceed>> can do.

However, it’s a different story if they crossed through <<{{Furigana|IV|Level 4}}>> and pull out the true <<Power>> of the <<Blaze>>.

But, Julie is still <<{{Furigana|III|Level 3}}>>-----

“Tooru………?”

Since I was thinking while placing my hand on Julie’s head, she looked up at me wondering what’s up.

“The <<{{Furigana| ability | Power }}>>  you showed last time-----I was just wondering what’s that”

“That huh……..”

Julie’s expression turned cloudy again.

That’s because she doesn’t know that <<Power>> herself too.

Adding on, it’s only natural that she used an even weirder <<Power>> compared to before.

“…………Tooru, i……….”

Julie lifted her face after a moment of silence but her words cut off half-way.

I can see anxiety in her {{Furigana|red eyes|Ruby eyes}}.

“……..Don’t worry about it. You can’t do anything about something you don’t know”

“Tooru……..”

I *Pon**Pon* hit Julie’s head when she was making a sunken expression, swung my head telling her it’s okay before my head started to hurt a little.

“Does your wound hurt, Tooru?”

“No, it’s just a headache……..it’s probably from overusing the <<Aegis Desire>>”

It’s just my speculations but, that’s probably it.

During the battle, the <<Aegis Desire>> converts the <<Power>> of the <<Soul>> to energy so, I will get more tired the more I use it.

Especially for this time; I activated it to its limit making it unavoidable to get a headache from the fatigue.

“Well, I’ll recover after some rest. More importantly, will you tell me what happened after that?”

“………Ja---“

After that, I asked Julie about the end of the fight.

She told me that several passed since the fight and that Tsukimi managed to survive and is now in the emergency room. And-----she had no clue on what happened to <<K>> after he was apprehended by the security guards.

“I see……….”

I mumbled, after hearing the end.

The fight with <<K>> ended.

Oddly enough I was quite convinced that I will never see him ever again.

Our peaceful days are sure to come back this time.

But-----

The me of that time had no idea that a new fight was already right at the corner.



And---a fight started.



[Tooru] [Tooru-kun]

Lilith and Miyabi’s voice joined together, and apples were brought to me from both sides.

“”Here, Ahhn””

“”…………..””

Both of them looked at each other unanimously but, they immediately looked back at me with a smile.

“Err……….”

[Tooru] [Tooru-kun]

“”<big>Here, Ahhn</big>””

“------Wait, why trying to act like you’re Tooru’s lover, Miyabi!?”

“Th-that’s well………”

Miyabi had trouble replying back to the gold girl’s demand of an explanation.



On the 2nd night after I woke up, everyone were already back from their home visit.

When they got back to the dorm, everyone was shocked by what Tora explained regarding the <<K>> attack and everyone came during today’s visitor hours-----not only Miyabi, Lilith were there, Tora, Tachibana and Tatsu also came together to visit; everything was well until that point though.

Ever since the moment I brought up my empty stomach, some weird events happened to this point and---it connected to the girl’s fight.




“L-lilith-san is doing it too so, I thought I can too……….”

Lilith brushed her {{Furigana|blonde hair|Yellow Topaz}} with her hand before replying to the timid Miyabi.

[Oh my, Tooru is my future husband. So---] [Nai] [-----it’s only natural to feed……wait, you shut up!]

There goes Lilith’s honest retort and Julie’s interrupting denial.

“Anyway, that’s it. So, let me handle this”

But, Miyabi swung her head to the sides.

“Li-lilith-san is really beautiful, rich, and good in sports and studies, strong too…………..I feel really envious of you but------that’s not decided yet…….”

“What isn’t decided yet?”

“Uuu……well that’s………”

A question flew over to Miyabi this time and made her sights move to the hand riding on her lap.

Miyabi gripped her skirt tightly before taking a deep breath before----

Lifting her face and looked straight at the gold girl.

“If it’s the future then, there’s a possibility that I would be married with Tooru-kun too……..!!”

“Wha!?”

Immediately, not only Lilith but everyone in the room focused on Miyabi who made the explosive remark.

“Ah………errr, well………..t-that’s it…….”

Miyabi’s face turned red from the sights and looked back down again.

The first person who regained composure from the explosive remark was the main cause----Lilith.

“Now you’ve said it, Miyabi. Nonetheless, you won’t be able to be my rival. That’s because----“

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Pii* The gold girl pointed at herself with her thumbs and told this.

“We kissed!”

“…………….You did that on your one accord”

Nice come-back, Tora.

“I slept with Tooru too!”

“……..if it’s about the seaside school; didn’t you just slip into their tent as you like?”

Nice follow, Tachibana.

“I went with Tooru to {{Furigana| DNL | Death new land}}  on a date!!”

“At that time, Ojou-sama forcefully made him go with you by giving him a condition”

Oooh, an unbelievable follow up from Sara…………

“A-anyway, we are getting closer in time. You better have the determination to come in between us right?”

Even though she was retorted back many times, Lilith still made a fearless face and pointed at herself.

But today’s Miyabi----no, the Miyabi after the firework competition is different.

“I-I won’t lose if it’s the feeling of liking Tooru-kun!”

Forget getting scared of Lilith, she stood up and shouted.

“Also, I am very intimate with Tooru-kun too……! I work hard with Tooru-kun every morning, Tooru-kun said that I was his first, it was my first time too, and, errr, Tooru-kun work hard with Tomoe-chan every morning too but, he would do it with me once a week!”

[[File:AD v05 049.jpg|thumb]]

We go for morning runs every morning, we went to our first dates, and although I work hard training in the morning with Tachibana every day, I would run with her once in a week.

Once she left out the running, date, and morning practice, it becomes one heck of a misunderstanding………..

Thanks to that, the medical room returned back to silence------

Tachibana was the one that broke the atmosphere.

“Ko-Ko-Ko-Kokonoe------!! W-w-what perverted things have you done with Miyabi!! What’s more, every day with me-----!? I misjudged you, you wolf-----!!”

“No no no, wait a second there, Tachibana----!! Don’t you find your own words any weird at all----!!”

Equal to Miyabi, Tachibana’s face turned red and made loud sounds before running out from the room.

Judging by that; my voice didn’t reach her at all.

(Help me out here, Tora!!)

I told him through eye contact.

(This is a battle you encountered. It’s unreasonable for me to pry into)

Immediately shot down.

Furthermore, it seems that Julie could not understand Miyabi’s sentence while Tatsu was laughing loudly as usual; looks like none of them are going to be helping.

(Someone, do something-----!!)

Even when I was shouting in my heart, Lilith and Miyabi’s fight was still ongoing making it feel like the headache a few days to come back.

“Fu-fufu………not bad; for doing something behind my back…………but, Tooru will end up choosing me”

“T-that’s---“

“No, it has been decided. Listen here, Miyabi. No matter what kind of relationship you have with Tooru now, males will end up choosing the charming girls. And even will all your charm, I exceed all of it. That’s why Tooru choosing me as his final woman is the most natural thing to do!!”

Lilith’s fingers were pointed at Miyabi again and I thought I heard a *Bishii* super effective sound effect.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Funyon*.

“Hyauu?”

The gold girl’s finger sunk into Miyabi’s the soft big bulge and made her give out a cute scream.

Lilith kept quiet there for some reason.

“…………..”

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Funyon**funyon**funyon**funyon*

Lilith’s finger was poking into Miyabi’s breast, making it jiggle.

“Hyawawa, Li-lilith-san……..!?”

While Miyabi was panicking because she could not understand Lilith’s actions, Lilith’s shoulders dropped and she mumbled.

“………t-to think that I tasted the sense of defeat………..”

You can’t do anything about it.

“Fu-fufu………fu………..”

After recovering from the shock of defeat, (Broken?) Lilith pointed at Miyabi and declared this.

“Okay. I will accept you, Miyabi! You are from now on my rival!!”

“Eh? Ah, err…………..u-un! I won’t lose if it is regarding Tooru-kun…………!”

A miraculous rival relationship was born here.

“Okay then, first thing first, we will have Tooru decide who he wants to feed him. Okay, Miyabi?”

“U-un. It’s fair if Tooru-kun chooses so I am okay with it. Err, Tooru-kun can you pick?”

“……….eh, me?”

Both of them nodded at the same time.

“Errrrr…………”

In the end, I picked <s>the <s>escape route</s> the peaceful way to solve this by letting them both feed me.



“Tooru, are you awake?”

On a certain afternoon, almost a week after the battle with <<K>>.

Even though it should be class time now, Lilith showed up at my medical room.

“Aah, I am…………are you ditching class?”

“Why not. I don’t need to take general subjects anyway”

That’s one leisure sentence; if its academics then, she can easily top over the school level.

I want to share her academic abilities if possible.

“How’s your condition?”

“I am thinking of heading back to my room and change before showing up in the afternoon class………well, I am really just going to show my face only though”

Since my wounds stabilized------(thanks to recovery enhancement from the <<Luciful>>)----I received the permit to be discharged under the condition that exercise is prohibited for a few more days.

“That’s a good idea. It seems suffocating if you stay here doing nothing”

“It’s not “It seems suffocating”, it really is suffocating……….i really want to stop coming back here ever again”

“Fufu. You’re a regular already”

……….i feel like it’s too late already.

Many students are admitted in due to injuries but, I can’t help to think that I am the Kouryou Academy’s history first student to be admitted 3 times from the span of the start of my 1st year to summer.

“By the way-----that girl didn’t come?”

“If it’s Julie; isn’t it class time now?”

“She didn’t show up that’s why I asked”

'''''You got a point there''''', I nodded.

(But, it really is rare for Julie to skip class……..)

Unlike the whimsical gold girl in front of me, the silver girl is actually quite responsible.

Within my knowledge, she has not skipped class before.

(……….maybe-----)

I have an idea about it but, this is something I have to ask her or I won’t get the answer.

However, if she didn’t come here then, where is Julie right now?

Is she in the dorm room, or------

(…………no, more importantly now----)

I decided to leave Julie aside temporarily and concentrate back at Lilith.

“Hey Lilith. Can we get into the main topic already?”

“Main topic?”

“You have something that you don’t others to hear so you picked this time to come-----right?”

“…………correct. I sometimes don’t know if you’re dense or sharp”

While making a wry smile, Lilith shrugged her shoulders.

“Well, we can talk while walking, if you are heading back to the dorm”

I nodded to her suggestion and quickly packed my stuff to head out the room with her.

When we got outside, the strong sunlight burned my skin.

Even though the lantern festival is over, I guess summer is still going to go on.

I walked back to the dorm and beside me is the girl with {{Furigana|blonde hair|Yellow Topaz}} that won’t lose to the glow of the sun.

“………it’s about <<K>> huh?”

“I was wondering about what happened after he was apprehended”

Apparently with his consciousness cut from the <<Blaze>>, <<K>> was brought towards the medical ward by the security guards after they appended him.

“He was injured before the fight?”

“Yes. And it was quite serious”

The reason was not clear but, it seems that <<K>> suffered serious injuries before Tsukimi and our fight.

And it was so serious that he might have died if he was brought to the emergency room a little later.

“Most likely, he wished to fight while fully prepared for death” 

“Just why would he; in such a body…….”

“That just means that finishing things up with you means a lot to him…………If you really are curious about it then, should I tell them to ask?”

Ask him-----That’s probably the main reason why they saved him even though he brought great damage to Kouryou academy AKA Dawn Organization many times.

This is so that they can gain information through interrogation of the enemy organization-Gogmagog.

“………….no, never mind. I somehow know that he will not answer------it feels like that”

“I see…….i understand”

“What’s going to happen to----<<K>>?”

“There are many instances that those type of devoted ones cannot be handled so, dragging him over through deals won’t be happening”

Even though Lilith’s face turned moody from my question, she told me the actions that the {{Furigana| organization’s | Dawn}} was trying to take.

What’s left is probably using him as business materials to deal with Gogmagog but, I think that won’t be happening if I think about them coming to receive someone who is gravely injured.

Which means; it won’t be hard to imagine what is going to happen later.

The world we are in right now is outside the realms of law.

“It’s better to fret about it”

“……..thanks, Lllith. I am okay”

I replied and thanked her for her consideration.

Our words were cut off for a while.

While hearing the cicada coming from a distance, we continued walking without talking and------

(Ah……….)

I quickly stopped when we reached the clock tower nearby.

It’s because I saw the black yellow guard fence showing that it is prohibited to enter.

Over the other side of the fence was the scars of the Ether cannon that <<K>> shot at Tsukimi.

Thinking back again; it’s quite amazing that we were able to block the Twin Ether Cannon which has more explosive output than normal.

(It’s all thanks to Julie………..)

I might have not won if I was alone.

It’s because I believed in her at that time that I am………..

“I saw the report. Looks like it was one crazy fight”

“Well yeah……….”

While directing her sapphire eyes at the place prohibited from entering, Lilith said that.

2 days go, an investigation was conducted on us by a staff member dispatched by Dawn organization.

Lilith then read through the report created with additional information including the scars of the battle.

Which means----she should also know about the mysterious <<Power>> inside Julie.

Just how did this gold girl feel when she saw the article in the report?

 (Julie huh…………..)

I moved towards the tower from the fence and told Lilith.

“Lilith. I have somewhere to go so, sorry but, can you let me go alone”

“Alone? Well I don’t mind…………..well then, I will head back to the dorm first”

After seeing off the gold girl walking at the path leading to the dorm, I once again looked back at the clock tower.

“Well then………….”

After mumbling alone, I started walking towards the clock tower.



It’s been 4 months since I walked into the clock tower------ever since the day I officially teamed up with Julie as <<Duo>>.

One step after another, I climbed up the stone stairs of the quiet tower.

The stairs soon ended and I reached a hall before-----

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Chirin* I heard the sound of bells with the wind.

“Tooru……………..”

The silver girl who was looking up at the sky, turned around.

It’s not like I saw her from below but, the first thing that popped up in my mind when I thought about Julie in the medical room was the clock tower.

“It’s not good to skip class you know, Julie”

I went closer to her while saying that before standing beside her to look out the window.

My head was filled with Julie during the last time I came here but, now that I take a good look outside, I am able to take a good look at the academy which I have many fates with, and the buildings expanding across the tall walls.

“Nice view”

“Ja--………….”

Even though Julie nodded, she looked downwards.

“…………….are you okay coming outside?”

“Yeah. Although it’s with a condition that I can’t exercise, I will be heading back to the dorm starting from today”

“That’s good”

After saying that, a gentle wind came in when Julie made a soft smile.

The wind passing by feels comfortable.

“Okay then. I feel like relaxing here but, let’s head back already”

After I tapped Julie’s shoulder, I turned my heel and walked off.

I stopped walking because of one sentence the silver girl said.

“<<Wind Jerzu>>-----“

“Eh…….?”

When I turned around, her {{Furigana|red eyes|Ruby eyes}} looked at me.

“That is the <<Power>> of my <<Blaze>> you saw”

“The ability to kick the sky, was the real <<Power>> of your <<Blaze>>…..?”

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Chirin* the bells echoed when the silver girl nodded.

It took a while to digest Julie’s words before I made up my mind.

“I was hesitating if I should ask. It’s just that I thought you might know about your own <<Power>>…….”

When I first woke up at the medical room and asked her about the <<Power>>, Julie looked like she wanted to say something.

But after I saw the anxiety in the eyes of the silver girl, I ended the conversation by pretending that she does not know about her own <<Power>>.

That’s because I was trapped by a strong uneasiness.

I thought that Julie might go somewhere-------

I was stuck with that thought.

But now; the silver girl told me about her <<Power>> for whatever reason it may be.

The same anxiety as that time was floating in her eyes.

But, she did not hide the truth and told me.

That’s why I have the obligation to listen to the rest of her story.

I have to listen to the confession made by the girl that I made a vow to be a <<Duo>> with.

“Will you tell me? The truth about Julie----I have to know”

“Ja---“

The bells echoed when the wind blew her {{Furigana|Silver hair|Silver Blonde}}-----

She then started talking about herself.

“I----am not an <<Exceed>>”

“Wha..!?”

Shock came out from my mouth when I heard the truth Julie presented.

That’s normal.

That’s because Julie has the physical abilities far surpassing human beings while is able to manifest the <<Blaze>> too like us-----and that weapon is the biggest characteristic of being an <<Exceed>>. 

It’s hard to believe but, I know the best that this silver girl is not one that will joke.

“Then, what are you?”

“<<Ell Awake>>-----a human that has awakened their hidden <<Power>>………that’s me”

Julie placed her hand on her chest and called herself that.

“Everything started on that snowy night------yes, when this curse was carved on my back”

While saying that, Julie moved her hands to her shoulders as if she was reaching for the scar.

“I-----couldn’t understand immediately when my papa died. The hand patting my head gently fell off powerlessly, his smile disappeared, and his eyes stopped opening-----I was just there blank there and I could only stare at my papa turning colder……….”

Ironically, it was the man that killed him that made Julie understood that her father died.

'''''Your father is dead------you’re the one that killed him''''', those were his words.

Violent anger and hatred were brewing inside the girl when she was pulled back to reality.

A concentrate of pure black negative emotions that could be called <<Black beast>>, took over Julie’s heart and made her jump defenselessly towards her enemy.

However, there’s no way such a young girl could beat someone that even Gimle’s number hero-Julie’s father could handle.

She got punched to the ground but even so, Julie stilled glared at her enemy with violent emotions.

“I prayed for <<Power>> and wished for it. I wanted a <<Fang>> that is able stab into him and tear his throat into pieces…………..”

At that time, Julie felt a scorching pain on her chest.

It felt like the <<Black Beast>> turned into hell fire and was trying to burn down her heart.

Immediately, an extreme pain attacked her as if her blood, flesh and bones were scorched down.

Julie’s body was really covered in <<Flame>>.

(It’s the same as the when the <<Lucifer>> is administrated………)

And------Julie grabbed the <<Flame>> just like how I did it so.

“The <<Flame>> I grabbed turned into the <<Double>> and I gained the <<Power>>-----of 2 <<Fangs>>”

Julie bore her fangs at her enemy again with the <<Power>> she gained.

Her old self is no longer there.

She turned stronger and faster as if she was another person and she was able to fly too.

But even so------it still did not reach her enemy’s life.

Julie was then scarred at her back after she lost and that was the start of her path as an <<Avenger>>.

“………..i know that unlike me, you broke through your limits as a human-----and turned into that <<Ell Awake>> or something. But why come to Kouryou academy? If you gained <<Power>> during that point of life then, what is your reason for getting closer to this academy?”

Julie made a small nod at my question before talking again.

“After 2 years my papa was killed by that man-----It’s an event that happened 4 years ago from now”

In a way that her mother wouldn’t find out----Julie entered the forest to train her <<Blaze>> and met up with several foreigners.

She found this out later but, it seems that they were all mafia remnants that have soiled their hands in criminal activities overseas.

They were at that time escaping and were shocked to see the silver girl at such an impossible area---deep inside the forest.

That’s only normal.

No one would imagine finding a girl swinging swords deep inside a forest covered in snow.

The men who regained their composure, planned to use Julie to slow down the <<Exceed>> chasing them as much as possible.

If the pursuer found a seriously injured Julie then, they will be able to buy some time because the pursuer would either treat Julie or call someone to help; and even though they pointed the gun at her-----

Their evil intentions, caused the <<Black Beast>> to awaken----

After The Mafia remnants were disabled in a short time, a female <<Exceed>> called Valeria who were chasing them, showed up at the area.

Julie went berserk------(but it seems that the memories were still with her)-----and judged that the female that suddenly appeared to be a new enemy before attacking her.

“During the battle, it seems that Valeria was shocked. It’s because she realized that the identity of the opponent that attacked her was a child”

Still being controlled by the <<Black Beast>>, Julie battled equally with Valeria who is a <<High level>> <<Exceed>>.

The battle concluded quickly.

As a result of going all out with her <<Power>> without any restraints in berserk state-----Julie suddenly lost her speed and the battle ended when she was beaten down because of that reason.

After that, Valeria took custody of Julie and brought her under Dawn Organization’s care, with the reason that Julie is suffering a disease that was corroding her body and it was undetected even by herself-----(This reason was for her mother).

The person she met there was the birth parent of the <<Lucifer>> and the Chairman’s grandfather- Professor Tsukumo.

“At that time, I found out that I am an <<Ell Awake>>”

“What is the <<Ell Awake>>…………….?”

Julie answered my question through the information told by Professor Tsukumo.

That every human has a <<Power>> hidden in their <<Soul>> called <<Luminous>>.

That every human is able to control a body which has gone over the limits, by awakening the <<Luminous>>.

The awakened person can manifest their <<Soul>> into a weapon, and can even activate a special skill.

“It’s just like the <<Exceed>>>…………..no, the <<Exceed>> is just like----“

“Ja. That is correct Tooru. The <<Exceed>> are <<Ell Awake>> who awoken the <<Luminous>> artificially through the <<Lucifer>>-----That’s what I have been told”

“I see…………”

I could only be shocked at the truth presented to me which isn’t even taught in class.

“After that, I was able given the ability to control the <<Power>> which I couldn’t before”

From what I heard, it seems that Julie’s body was at a wreck because it was unable to endure the <<Power>> at that time.

To fix that, Professor Tsukumo arranged sword training for her and also not only that, but also to raise her neglected basic physical abilities until she can enroll to Kouryou academy.

And in a few months, she was able to unleash her controlled <<Power>> by taking each step but------

When she saw my critical state in the fight with <<K>>, her violent emotions awoken the <<Black Beast>> and removed her limiter temporarily.

“I----made a lie”

While looking down, Julie placed her hand on her chest and grabbed her uniform.

“I lied to hide this <<Power>> from you, and pretended that I am an <<Exceed>>………”

Lies and pretend----

That’s correct.

Julie said that she don’t really remember about the fight on the boat with her unleased <<Power>>.

More importantly, she has been keeping the truth about her being an <<Ell Awake>> from her <<Duo>> -me.

Everything----was reality.

“I was afraid. That you would leave me if you knew the truth………”

This was probably the anxiety Julie showed in the medical room.

She was afraid that I might make a wall if I found out about the different existence called <<Ell Awake>>; on top of that, she cannot help but to feel anxious that I might even leave her because of that.

“But, there is something I am more afraid of. If I am swallowed by the <<Black Beast>> next time-----I might even hurt Tooru when it happens, I might even take your life; I am really afraid of that……..”

Julie looked at me with her anxious filled eyes and continued her words.

“But even so…………”

She had the expression of running away.

However, Julie made up her mind not to run.

So that she could tell me the truth, her wishes, and desire.

“But even so, I still want to be with you”

The silver girl confessed her wish and desire to me.

“I lied, pretended and might even hurt you someday. But-----“

Even though she was afraid of rejection, Julie brought her hands forward to me.

Just like how I extend my hands to her in this clock tower before.

“Can I continue being your <<Duo>>, Tooru”

Julie, stared at me and waited.

She was waiting for my words.

She was waiting for my choice.

That’s why I will tell her my will.

“Those who have bonded, must use their utmost ability to stay together---whether it’s through happiness or sadness or being healthy; until the day death separates us………..!”

I placed my hand on Julie’s hand.

“…………Really?”

“Of course”

“……..As long as I am your <<Duo>>, I might end up hurting you and the others”

“I have my <<Shield>> to prevent you from hurting others”

“…………I am weak. I will rely on you a lot you know?”

“I relied on you when I was having it tough right? That’s what you call supporting each other as <<Duo>>”

“Ah………….”

It seems that Julie recalled back the words she said on a certain night.

“Is that so…………..”

Julie nodded with a small smile.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Chirin* after hearing a ring, I told the silver girl this.

“Julie, let me protect you with this <<Shield>>”

“Tooru…………..!”

I then, said the wish and desire we both wanted.

“We are <<Duo>>. From now on, and forever……..!!”

“Ja--. Together forever……!”

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Gyuu* after her small hands gripped my hand tightly, Julie smiled.

Her smile looked so happy yet she was close to crying.

My heart shook greatly when I saw that smile---

And I ended up hugging the silver girl by reflex.



“…………That was a little surprising”

“Haha, Sorry. I somehow feel like I needed to do that”

“I see”

After the silver girl commented on the hug, my cheeks turned a little red and I replied back with a wry smile.

Just like Julie, she had some kind of happy atmosphere around her but-----

Her expression was slightly clouded.

“Tooru………is it really okay?”

“You still worry about that?”

“I’ve been feeling guilty the whole time so…….”

After seeing her slightly dropped her shoulders, I swung my head with the intentions of telling her not to worry.

“……….it’s true that you might have lied. You might have pretended too. That’s reality but--------so what? Even I have 1 or 2 things I didn’t tell you”

“………..and what is that?”

“A secret. But, I think the time to tell you will come soon”

I will, someday.

What should I do with Julie’s revenge?

Should I stop Julie’s wish------for revenge?

But as an <<Avenger>> too, do I even have the authority to stop Julie of her revenge?

I can’t answer that now.

But, I have to come up with the answer until that day comes.

“……….I understand. Then, someday”

“Yeah, I will, someday”

I nodded and told Julie that we should head back to the dorm.

After Julie nodded, she once again joined our hands.

“Ju-Julie…….?”

“-----?”

Julie tilted her small head when she looked at me shaken caused by this and the hug just now.

“N-no, nothing………”

Compared to sleeping together, joining hands isn’t a big deal.

Oddly enough, my heartbeat was pumping faster than usual.

“Eeer, mo-more importantly, this is about the talk just now. The sentence regarding the <<Duo>> feels embarrassing to put into words huh. Like, it’s like a wedding vow………..!”

(Wait, What the heck did I say!?)

I retorted at my running mouth inside my mind.

On the other hand, Julie----

“…………Now that you say that, I feel that too now”

After saying that, the silver girl looking down blushed and revealed her embarrassment.

Normally, the silver girl was the one who makes me feel panic and awkward.

When I saw Julie looking up at me looking shy, I felt so embarrassed that smoke might puff out from my head until I die.

“O-okay then, let’s head back to the dorm and eat. Also, we have to attend afternoon training too. Hahaha……………”

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“J-ja--, that’s true, let’s do that………….but, before that-----“

“Hn?”

“Can we go back to the room first?”

“! Yeah, that’s right”

I tried guessing what the silver girl meant------

Our voices mixed together and said the next word.

“”Let’s drink Apple tea again””