Editing Absolute Duo:Volume 3 Chapter 4 (section)

===Part 2===

The 5th day of the training had ended.

The training camp with the alias of a seaside school ended today.

It was a completely free day on the 6th day (which is tomorrow) and even though they were still unable to leave the island, the students had been pardoned to do whatever they wanted there.

Heading back to the academy would probably be enough to allow them time to relax, but the reason for giving them a rest day on the island had the same simple meaning as giving candy to a child. Especially for the main school, there were quite a lot of students who had gotten excited when they heard that they were headed to a seaside school located on a southern island.

During the night before the final day everyone was excited for-----

There were several girls gathered in the cafeteria.

Julie, Tomoe, Miyabi, Kibitsu and one more person were from the main school.

Imari and three other girls were from the branch school.

There were a total of 9 girls there snacking on candies while talking.

They were the group that had gotten the closest in those 5 days of training.

The conversation started with what they should do tomorrow, but then it changed to a very ordinary topic.

It was getting late into the night and------

“Neh neh, what do you think about the boys in the main school?”

The moment the branch school girl------the <<Kunai>> user Miwa said that, the students from the main school got excited.

---that’s what she thought but, only one person responded from there.

The people that did not respond-----Julie, Tomoe, and Kibitsu made an expression as if they had no idea what she meant. Miyabi twitched her shoulders for only an instant, but luckily there was no one that noticed that.

“What do you mean by that?”

“It’s about, is there a boy you are thinking about, Tomoe”

The other main school girl guidedthe discussion here and Tomoe nodded as if she understood.

“……………Fumu. If you say it’s just thinking about, then it’s going to be Tora or Kokonoe I guess”

6 girls excluding Julie and Kibitsu reacted to Tomoe’s words.

“Both of them are strong. To me------mu? What’s wrong, everyone?”

6 girls excluding Julie and Kibitsu reacted to Tomoe’s words again------rather, they collapsed.

“Ahaha……….It’s that so-called girl talk and the standards for it are love talks………..”

Tomoe turned red when she realized it was a misunderstanding after hearing Imari’s explanation of the topic while making a wry smile.

“Sorry, I just thought………”

After some of them laughed at Tomoe’s reaction, one girl from the branch school opened her mouth next.

[There are a lot of cool guys in the main school right? Like Izumi-kun. Judging by the failures we have in the branch school, it’s an envious thing] [It’s better to be careful around him since he likes girls]

[Ah, I think I’ll pick Tora-kun. He is small and cute] [But isn’t he kind of scary?] [I will definitely pick Tatsu-kun! Guys with muscles are awesome] [[[No way]]]

When anyone of them brought out a boys' name then, someone would *kya**kya* react back nosily.

“Let’s see…………I guess for me----it would be Tooru”

“----!!”

Several people reacted when Imari said Tooru’s name.

[Like I thought. I kept thinking you were suspicious somehow. But I kind of understand, Kokonoe-kun is quite handsome] [Agree] [He lacks muscles though] [Ignore]

“You’re wrong. It’s not because of his face but rather, I could get along with him. It’s easy to talk with him, and I mean very easy"

Miyabi got worried when she saw Imari smiling while talking.

She listens to the conversation quietly while her heartbeat was increasing.

“Well, us branch school students have no idea when we would meet the main school students again once the seaside school ends, so I will avoid having a serious relationship. More importantly, I have something I have to do no matter what”

“Ah, that’s so cruel. Imari has something more important than me………..”

“Ahaha, don’t worry, I love you the most in this world♪”

Miyabi relaxed seeing Imari replying back to Miwa who was being playful.

Having the appearance that could make her eyes open wide even though she is the same gender, the beauties Julie and Lilith are normally around Tooru. What’s more, Tomoe who was a beauty with an adult atmosphere around her has been closing in the gap using the morning training recently.

Miyabi thought she had no way to oppose if Imari, on top of having an appearance with nothing to criticize, and who has a cheerful and refreshing personality joins into that group.

That is why it was normal for her to relax.

Having completely no faith in herself, Miyabi didn't know she was quite popular with the guys. [The number 1 girl I want to protect ] [The breast of the girl I want to bury my face in Number 1], she has 2 magnificent titles.

“Speaking about Kokonoe-kun. Miyabi-chan likes him too, right?”

“uuuh!?”

Kibitsu was the one that made a devastating comment with a dazed tone.

Naturally, Miyabi became the center of attention.

“Mo-Mo-Momo-chan!? I-I-I-----“

“That’s because, you often talk about Kokonoe-kun. And you’re really close with him right”

Kibitsu had no ill intentions. It was probably because of her absentminded personality that she said the things she was thinking about. There were times good things happened because of that but; the words she said right now did not make Miyabi happy at all.

“He is a f-friend. I-I-it’s true I think he is easier to talk with compared to the others though……….!”

“Is that so?”

“Un, un……….!”

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Puun**puun* Miyabi made big nods but-----

“……….Iyah, everyone noticed that already Hotaka. Rather, your attitude is so obvious”

Everyone’s sights moved back to Miyabi immediately when the main school girl mumbled that.

“Fuuee……….!?”

“I-is that so, Miyabi……?”

The person closest to Miyabi at this spot but who at the same time was completely oblivious to Miyabi’s feelings to Tooru------Tomoe asked back with a shocked expression.

“Ah………..ah, uu………..err……… …………….”

At last Miyabi's face turned red, before hanging her head down silently.

That reaction was the same as confessing the truth and even Tomoe figured that out.

“I see, Miyabi likes Kokonoe……”

“Ahaha. I guess I was right”

“U,uu…….errr, Momo-chan. Please keep it a secret from Tooru-kun…….”

“Uun, of course”

“Kokonoe’s <<Duo>> and roommate must not be forgotten in this. Was there anything you wanted to say when you heard that, Julie?”

Everyone’s sights focused on Julie when the main school girl said that.

Julie who became the center of attention-----

“………..*suu*………*suu*……..”

She was sleeping.

Almost everyone there was close to falling off their chairs when they saw her dozing off.

“Ahaha…….it’s about time to go to bed”

Imari made a wry smile. After she continued the sentence by telling everyone to head back to their tents since there was still tomorrow, several of them made unsatisfied and reluctant faces but still nodded.

Tomoe headed out of the cafeteria while pulling Julie who was still in a mid-dreamland state.

After that, Kibitsu, Miwa and the others headed out. Miyabi and Imari were walking behind all of them.

“I somehow felt that was that case, but it’s just like what I guess after all”

“U-unn………..”

“Fufu. I understand those feelings very much. If I managed to go to the main school, I would most likely………..uun, I would probably fall for him"

Miyabi had a startled face when Imari declared that.

“I said this just now too but, I could get along with him and he is easy to talk with, I also think his personality is good……………and, I think this may be unrelated but, it’s true that he is quite cool”

“E-err………….”

“It’s okay; you don’t have to look that uneasy. This was also something I said just now, but I have something I need to do no matter what, compared to love”

Imari felt her chest hurting a bit after finishing her sentence and told herself it can’t be helped and to come to terms with it.

There might be a day when she might regret this choice.

However, Imari decided to end her feelings for Tooru secretly since she had no time to be all lovey-dovey in order to fulfill her wish.

“E-err……Is it okay if I ask what Imari has to do……..?”

“Ahh………Hnnn……….well, I don’t mind I guess. In exchange, please keep it a secret from Tooru okay?”

While wondering why Tooru’s name came up, Miyabi nodded.

“I need money. A lot of it, neh”

Miyabi got shocked at those vulgar words which could not be topped any more.

Although she was shocked, she waited for the next sentence. Even though she had known her for only few days, she thought there should be a reason why someone like Imari would say something like that.

“My family works in a small factory but, how should I say this, managing it is a little tough. We are often told that it’s better to close it, but my father and the workers there are working hard because they don’t want to close the company that my deceased grand-father worked so hard to build up. My sisters and I love our grandfather very much, so we agreed to say no to shutting the company down and often think about ways to help them somehow”

“Ah…… so you became an <<Exceed>> for that……?”

“Bingo♪ Originally I thought of finding a job once I graduated middle school. My parents rejected that but I wanted to do something------and suddenly on a certain day, a member of the Dawn organization came over and told me about the Kouryou academy”

Because of those circumstances, Imari decided to go to Kouryou academy.

If she joined the dawn organization after graduating, it would probably be possible to gain an income large enough to reorganize her family factory. Also, after some negotiation with the academy side, most of the money provided monthly from the academy will be sent back to her house.

“So that’s why………. Now I understand why you told me not to tell Tooru-kun……….”

“Looking at Tooru’s personality, he would probably be very worried about it even though he knows it won’t be a problem since I am in the branch school. So, please keep this a secret between us”

Imari placed her index finger on her lips and smiled.

Miyabi followed her and smiled too.

She smiled while harboring respect for the girl the same age as her with strong beliefs in her heart.

“So with that said, becoming stronger is more important to me than love, which makes me a sad muscle-brain woman………..that’s why Miyabi, there are other people you should be more worried about than me”

Even though 3 faces popped up in Miyabi’s mind, Imari was actually referring to Lilith. That’s because she has seen her show her affections to Tooru several times already regardless of the public gazes.

Tomoe can be said to have a good relationship with Tooru but she looks like a friend and although Imari was shocked about Julie having a <<Duo>> relationship with him at first, she could somehow understand their actual relationship in just a few days.

They believe each other and although their distance was close, her feelings are no different than those of a family’s.

That’s all; leaving Tomoe out, Imari’s judgment at this point could be said to be generally correct.

--Of course, she doesn’t know what kind of changes would happen in the future.

“Well, Tooru is probably the strongest enemy. How should I put it, he is kind of dense or off-topic………….”

After seeing Imari sigh, Miyabi made a wry smile when she thought of several events that came to mind.

“Good luck, Miyabi. He won’t notice if you don’t step in more”

Miyabi nodded, when Imari winked one eye.

“I-I will work harder………….errr, Imari-chan…..Thank you”

“You’re welcome. Miyabi, Fight♪”

“U-un……..!”






Half an hour had passed since the girls headed back to their respective tents after the love talk.

Most of the students had turned off their lights and started sleeping.

Tomoe and Miyabi’s tent was wrapped in darkness too but------

“……..Miyabi. Are you still awake?”

“………….Uun, I am”

“No err……….i-it’s about the conversation just now. Err………..it’s about Mi-miyabi liking Kokonoe……..”

“U-un….it’s real I guess…….”

Miyabi’s nod could be felt in the darkness.

“I see……….”

Tomoe admits that she is not sensitive to love related feelings.

Even so she could only be shocked when she found out that her friend, who she has been eating and sleeping with for 3 months, was having affections for the closest guy-friend she had.

However, now that she has calmed down somewhat since some time has passed since she found out, Tomoe thought of confirming it again.

“Work hard, Miyabi. I’ll cheer for you”

“Eh…………? Ah…………U-un…….I’ll do so, but………”

After hearing Tomoe’s words, Miyabi made a crisp answer----- 

“Is it really okay……?”

She asked on the verge of puzzlement.

“About what?”

“U-uun, nothing at all. Ahaha………”

Repling back with a curious tone, Miyabi swung her head despite the darkness.

“------? Well forget it. Anyways, you can call me if there is something you need help with. Although, it has to be within my limits okay”

“Unn………thank you, Tomoe-chan”

“Umu……….however, don’t expect good strategies from me okay? It seems I am also slow regarding love”

Miyabi giggled at Tomoe’s self-evaluation. Tomoe also laughed with her.

Not long later, both of them ended their talk after saying good night until tomorrow.

In the darkness, Miyabi vividly recalled the conversation she had just now.

(Was it just my misunderstanding……..?)

By Miyabi’s judgment, she thought Tomoe should have a considerable amount of affection for Tooru.

But judging by Tomoe’s tone, she could not perceive any of those feelings on her end.

That made Miyabi feel relieved.

That was because she clearly understood the charms the girl Tachibana Tomoe had since she was close to her.

(I shouldn't be relieved yet. There is still Lilith-san and Julie-chan…….I have to step in more, just as Imari-chan said……..Fight on, me……..!)

Miyabi clenched her fist tightly and vowed to work a little harder from tomorrow onward.

Although her eyes were closed, Tomoe’s back was facing Miyabi and was still unable to fall asleep.

(…………..Miyabi likes Kokonoe huh. Why didn’t I notice that before………..)

She could agree in a lot of ways once she recalled some events.

Tooru’s name often comes from Miyabi’s mouth, and she has few memories of her talking with other guys compared to Tooru. Although she did somewhat exchange some  words to Tora and Tatsu, Tooru would definitely be around the area when that happens.

(Kokonoe and Miyabi huh……….)

Quiet and shy. Tomoe wished for the love of the hard working girl to come true.

Cheerful and kind, although the boy was a little dense, he would often think about his comrades; she wished that their love would become mutual.
Until Tooru’s face appeared in her mind.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Tokun*…….

(-----what is this?)

Her heartbeat became a little faster.

She also felt her breathing getting rougher.

Tomoe reached a conclusion after thinking about her body condition.

(I might be worried about Miyabi more than I thought………)

But, thinking about such a thing was worthless now.

After Tomoe gave up thinking about it and decided to go to sleep, she released her body to the drowsiness that was gradually getting stronger.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Tokun**Tokun**Tokun*…….

Tomoe did not notice the reason for her fast heartbeat.


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==Translation Notes and References==

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