Shakugan no Shana:Volume0 Chapter 1

Shakugan no Shana

1. Broken World

This boundary, called a "wet zone", is an ability. Equipment for disappearing waves and waterproof pipes have been installed on a floor. This is surrounded by a water park.

This is nothing unusual, but I suppose we could use the term "beautiful" to describe it.

Why can't I just say,"There is a pool?"

Shana arrived at the conclusion as she was preoccupied.

Tying back her straight black hair, her figure towering over the pool side, shining sunlight reflecting off her small body. No sense of existence was felt in her, but her swimsuit was decorated with an unconventional design.

A black design speckled inside larger groups of red tried in vain to cover a pitifully flat sight.

What! What is with this description!? Giving me a gaze that would throw me into Cocytus or turn me into stone from head to toe, or flush me down the drain, I felt just like a board.

"Wait a minute! This is different from what was said in Volume One! Elegant, cool, and clear curves on the figure - what happened to those!? Or maybe you still can say that and are indirectly taking revenge?" asked Shana.

From the very start, Yoshida Kasumi hit the bull's eye. A white one-piece dress on top of the swimsuit was then covered by a parker. Usually, a modest outfit suits a beautiful appearance, but that was cruelly hidden beneath a cloak. It was as if our very dreams were stolen.

"Th-this is sexual harrassment," she said as her cheeks reddened. Using a crowded, diminished scale to compare to the valley of Yoshida's own chest...Looking at it for an instant, Shana is clearly the original model.

"First of all, why is this starting with pools and a swimsuit? Sure, summer is special, but this project is starting to feel cheap," said Shana, hopelessly cutting to the point. Shana was in the middle of the pool, staying aloft on a float.

On top of that, a goggles and swimsuit wearing Glasses-Man Aqua, the kind you'd see in a swimming race, was present. This person, named Ike Hayato, was drawing on a board, looking down from overhead. He sometimes clapped his hands.

"Well, this is originally supposed to be a trifling paradise action novel ... NOT!"

It has instead become a sexy fanservice novel according to my desires. It has betrayed its beginning. It has now been liberated. "It's a bother, so you can read the author's complaints in the postscript template," said the author.

Shana hit my forehead and roared.

"Listen up! I thought the author would have a good reason for making me wear a simsuit!" Yoshida cowered before speaking. "But this way I won't be able to give the readers any sexy fanservice." Though clearly worried, he tried to say something to lighten the scene.

"Why, that's right! Did you know, everyone? The Bay City Feelings of the Giant's Moat! In fact, in other countries, the saying 'what's yours is mine, what's mine is mine' exists as a common proverb."

Some uninteresting bit of knowledge was being unfolded at such times. "Okay, maybe what I was saying is wrong," he said.

"Give an answer in under five seconds," said Shana.

"It seems art based on gathering shapes or evidence isn't an art," offered the author.

"I bet you'll say the answer is in the margin on the next page, " said Shana. "You can't change much in one work of art," replied the director, arguing with her. Yoshida's cheeks puffed out while she was preparing some kind of argument. Adjusting his glasses, Megane Man reversed the beat.

"The theme, in terms of its description, is a strange and wonderful kind of tofu. In terms of content, it's 'this is a conspiracy, yo!'

"Now, because this message will not automatically self-destruct, please dispose of it thoroughly," noted the director.

"For some reason, this is a very slipshod, sloppy job," observed Shana.

"Because it's something designed for service, instead of going past good taste, breaking it completely makes you feel good, doesn't it? In the end, this volume has no relation to the others. It's an extra!" the author stated triumphantly.

"I suppose that's true, but-" began Shana.

"We'll, let's go to the next thing. To the next. Let's swim in the pool!

"For fun, going with the premise of swimming." said the author, changing the topic. Fluttering her hands, Shana turned upon the water's shining surface. Aiming for her prey, she dove in like a water bird.

2. Yuuji

Something unknown somewhere in the vast sea. Right in the middle, "that" was floating. A bowl, as if it had been set, with the upper half full of green grass, and in the center, sticking up from the ground was a palm tree.

This typical fiction was made to give the impression of a desert island. Underneath the palm tree, Sakai Yuji was sitting in seiza style while making a difficult face. Underneath the blazing sun, a painful atmosphere was forming. His outward appearance showed his discomfort.

A friendly smiling Sakai Chigusa was also sitting in seiza. (TL Note: She is wearing a one-piece described as being in Paleo, but I'm not sure what Paleo means.) The two were having a picnic.

Soon the pair of them, sitting heavily on the grass, broke the long silence.

"Mother," said Yuji. Under strong sunshine, sweat ran down his cheek.

"What is it, Yu-chan?" Chigusa responded, unbothered by the heat while picking up a straw hat and putting it on her head.

"Why is it that only we are isolated in this place?" asked her son.

"Oh, that. Well, many times Yu-chan has been cornered and had to deal with trouble. If I had to deal with a guardianship interview, accusation and blame would come my way. So, basically it means-" she explained.

"What the heck are you talking about? After I went to the trouble of packing my swimsuit! Everyone else is playing, so why am I the only one-" Yuji, sharing his thoughts on the subject, was tapped on the head by his mother.

Of course she didn't hit him hard. "Ah, that's right. In the original you were too popular/sexy, so now that we're in a side (gaiden) volume, it's okay for you to be in a terrible spot, right?" she continued.

"That-that's absurd!" he said.

"It's natural for you to say that. What I heard is that in the 4th volume, you asked a lot of pure-hearted Shana and got to kiss and hug her. That's considerably lewd, isn't it?" Chigusa observed.

Yuji gulped as his shoulders fell.

"Where did you hear that from?" he asked, defeated.

"Alastor-san told me," she said. Seeing her son go so far in his half-baked defense, she quietly groaned.

In the third volume, it was Yasaki that needed to be looked after. It seems (surprisingly enough) that they can't let their guard down around Yu-chan either. Alastor-san had been assured that she'd watch them strictly. And she probably needed to. Hmmph.

Feeling bad because of his mother's scolding, thinking it unconnected to him, Yuji spread himself out in the grass and turned his thoughts to the scenery, bemoaning the situation with a long sigh.

3. The Aizen Couple

According to the square slip next to the painting, a bundle of miscellaneous things were left inan area with a mountain and a sky. The picture was covered from below with a screen. Yet beyond that screen, a thin, beautiful man came into view.

It was Hunter Friagne. And next to him, trampling the ground of the screen, was the flying form a girl doll. "It is time for us to answer questions!" said one of them.

Together with comical music, as the two said their line, a title logo flashed into view. There was a fairy-tale like character as many pictures were revealed and then disappeared. After that, a spectacle not unlike a doll play remained. Could this be their reappearance!?

"It's like a dream, my master!" said Marianne the doll. The doll did not have a sewed expression and its hands and feet pattered, revealing its glee. In contrast, the young man, restrained compared to the actions of the doll, was beaming with a smile of relief. "Absolutely right, my cute Marianne. Because the author likes me the best." he replied.

As they had died in battle, so to speak, they reappeared using a desperate ploy.

"And so, Marianne-" began Friagne. The beautiful young man made a strict face while straightening a finger in his white gloves. The doll tilted her head. "Yes, my honorable master, or rather, Friagne?" "Ah, yes - Friagne-sama" said Friagne, adding the honorific to his name. Upon hearing that phrase, his expression broke into a sloppy smile. He embraced the doll and pressed his face against her.

"That's it! That's the way it should be, Marianne! Oh, you are so cute."

"Friagne-sama, we need to be moving the story forward," said the doll.

"Ah, yes. Yes, we should do that," answered Friagne. With a face that plainly showed his grief, he released the doll. Marianne, with a hand that lacked fingers, tapped her hand against her mouth. "Hmm. I guess in this part of the work, characters in the story ask questions, raise problems, and then answer them. Putting that aside, as if we were designed for it, we fit this situation perfectly," stated the doll.

"Ha ha ha. That's right, Marianne. For some reason our motive is like that of Kyo-___ television show's M.C. Am I Mr. Ta__pu?" Perhaps the man was like her older brother. He looked older than Marianne. "In any case, let's read a letter with questions."

Marianne quickly withdrew a hand out from his embrace, produced a letter from her sleeve, and then slipped her fingers inside it.

"Well, well. 'When did Shana start buying melon pan, and how did she save up the money for all those sweets?' What a difficult question," stated the doll as she stalled for time.

"That reminds me. Int he third book she gave a thick envelope to Chigusa. She lives alone in a mansion apartment so I assume she also has to pay rent," chimed in Friagne, who was making a dry smile.

Marianne had crossed her arms. "Inside the envelope, there was probably a bundle of 10,000 yen notes. And in the 4th book, she bought two uniforms and threw down 10,000 yen like it was nothing. She seems very indifferent towards money," said the doll, continuing the analysis.

"Actually, we tried to interview her. Let's start the tape!" said Friagne, pushing a button on the VCR.

The video feed cut to Shana, who was holding a microphone as the camera brought her into focus.

"Oh the money? We got that when we attacked those drug dealers. Isn't that right, Alastor?" said Shana calmly.

"We got the money in Hong Kong dollars and then had to convert that into Japanese yen using some unjust water routes. These routes had funds fleeing Japan," explained Alastor.

The feed then cut back to Friagne and Marianne.

"Well, should I call that a primitive or an easy to understand answer?" asked Friagne.

"Really, that's barbaric. For reference, let's look at one more Flame Haze on video," said the doll.

The feed cut away, this time revealing a young woman in a suit, wearing glasses, with her hair swept into a straight ponytail. She spoke. "Um, these days they swindle money they Holy Association earns. Over the period of 100 years, the chief stock was left to 'a certain person'. Sometimes there may have been personal ultilization of that policy," said the woman.

The feed then cut back to Friagne and Marianne. "That was surprisingly firm. If she said the opposite, it would have seemed strange," stated the doll.

"In any case, both stories begin with funds being seized," observed Friagne.

"By nature, Flame Hazes are exceedingly impulsive so there's nothing that can be done. By the way, in the case of Crimson Denizens like us, it's more common for us to seize and devour. First and foremost, for us eating the Power of Existence is the most common feature, and usually the 'working one' has a way to get these things, but there are many exceptions," said Friagne as he provided the backstory.

"It's said there are many types of people. Well, dear readers, are you satisfied now?" asked the doll.

As if they were intentionally overacting, the two raised their arms and pressed their backs against one another. Using a cheerful voice, the two spoke in unison. "Now, please look forward to the next part!"

4. Thousands of Quarrels

Shana, instead of swimming alone in the pool, rested on a bench near the edge of the pool, splashing the water by making kicking motions with her feet. In front of that sight, in the middle of the pool, Megane Man Aqua again turned his board around.

A new work is on display. The supervisor, Miki-san, is handling the job of service with vitality.

This scene, as part of the completed version, has definitely increased since the original. Please look forward to more material from the person in charge.

But the title of this work has received a sudden and dangerous suggestion from the one responsible. "Shana of the Everlasting Summer" was to be the new title, was it not?

Speaking of Shana, she's currently submerged up to her shoulders, beads of water flowing down her cheeks as her sweat cools her down.

This is starting to sound a little iffy.

But because this is a service project, going with an easy-to-understand title is not necessarily the wrong way to go. Above the narrator(s), a new shadow appeared.

"Oh my, with how far you've already gone, what kind of service will it be?" asked the person. The two turned to look at who spoke. They saw a barefooted, attractive woman with model-quality proportions, standing tall and showing off her figure.

Without trying to hype her beauty or coquettishness, this must be the appearance of Witch Reed. She was wearing a brilliant aquamarine bikini with a daring, showy design. She had elegant-looking long hair and a gorgeous appearance. Just by looking at her, you could tell she was a strong and important woman. As proof of the latter, behind her were the figures of her two followers, who were wearing Hawaiian shirts and scurrying to attend to her whims and follow her demands.

"I guess you might get that impression. Still, I'm glad I lived this long," said Satou, one of her followers. He was carrying a tropical drink on a tray, and had an overjoyed expression.

"To be alive and excessive is wonderful. This is the true shape of the gods," said Tanaka Eita, carrying things as rivers of tears flowed down his cheeks.

"It is good. Youth is so good! Something in the air is blossoming!" said her talking book, Grimoire, as it expressed the words of Marchosias. Shana, hearing this, did a surprise take and jumped out of the water.

"This isn't for a feeling of height!" said Margery. She then tapped a hand against her mouth and gave a deliberate laugh. She took advantage of the opportunity to lean back and stick out her chest, showing off the large size of her breasts.

Shana, who was sitting near the edge of the pool, made an uneasy sound. From the time she was with Yoshida, to compare _that_ to her, she said, stifling the unpleasant thought. She then responded in a low, challenging voice.

"You say that while wearing baggy clothing. Is your pride that strong?"

A blue vein popped up on Margery's forehead and she sighed. "Loose-fitting. A child like yourself can't appreciate the beauty of this. It's impossible for you."

Shana refused to yield. "Well, for someone who has lived for hundreds of years, anyone is a child."

"There you go again, childishly stirring things up. Beneath that seedy exterior, you're still just a kid." responded Margery, adding fuel to the fire.

"And your persistence sounds like an old woman's mocking. Or didn't you realize?"

While the two of them argued, paying no attention to their surroundings, a crimson powder or mist appeared and slowly spread around the area.

"There's kind of a dangerous atmosphere now," said Satou. The Grimoire uttered an unearthly, gutteral laugh, then it quieted down. Sensing something was amiss, Satou snuck into the water, trying not to provoke the angry Flame Hazes who now glowered at each other.

"Um, Yoshida-chan? I think you should get out." She gave a noncomittal reply. "I guess, but Mr. Ike is still in the middle of the pool. And it looks like he'll become a sacrifice. I guess I'd better let it go."

Satou turned and spoke to Tanaka. "Now that I think on it, we're always in danger. Why is that?"

As Yoshida climbed out of the pool, behind her, from the center of the float, came Megane Man Aqua, surging out of the width of the pool. The surface of the water exploded with energy.

"This is not right! Maybe if I put on my reading glasses!" yelled an uncomprehending observer.

Running over the wide surface of the water, as if sliding across it, gorgeous like a red lotus flower, shining with energy, with flame red hair and burning eyes, Shana had arrived on the scene.

"This kid! This kid!" roared the monster.

Producing aquamarine flames, the beast formed a fireball at the end of its thick arms and began firing blasts in a rapidfire burst, then stopped to chase Shana.

As if it were a souvenier from Megane Man Aqua, inside the rising mist, the board spun around in circles as if it was dancing.

The narrator observed the scene and spoke. "This scene is like a soft picture illustrated by a gentle artist. Shana's burning face and Yoshida's smile are equally cute. For my journey, and for this project, you have my profound thanks!"

Far away from the battlefield, a man sat in a chair at an open cafe. He was wearing a stifling outfit, consisting of a black suit and sunglasses. He tried to project a nonchalant, unconcerned image.

He then noticed who was sitting opposite him, across the table.

"Oh! Ah, Hecate."

Sitting across from him was a young girl wearing a large hat and a cloak. Her whole body was tightly covered, and her short build radiated power. In that glance, any unpleasant or unfocused thoughts in the man vanished.

"S-sorry. Was there something else you wanted to discuss?" he asked, fumbling over his words. She remained silent for a moment, and then spoke. "How about a refill on that drink?" "Yes, I'll take it." replied the man.

5. Ayumi, on the way to crashing everything

"For various reasons, everyone is mean, Master," said Yuuji, still sitting in seiza, complaining about his misfortune.

"Who are you calling Master?" asked someone with an old voice. In front of Yuuji, sitting in a large seat called a deck chair, an old man called Ramy answered in an astringent, weak voice.

For the sake of politeness, he was covered up to his knees and elbows in a retro-style striped swimming outfit, and even had a swimming cap.

With the look of an old man suited for this project, suiting Yuuji as well, it could be said that he was wearing a thankless outfit.

Yuuji stammered. "Oh. Well, without realizing-"

Ramy interrupted the lad. "To begin with, don't make me listen to your idle complaints."

Yuuji grasped the old man who was making a tired face.

"But don't you want to say these kinds of things when you think them? In fact, if I do something and it doesn't work, there's no choice but to complain," said Yuuji.

"I guess that in these situations, you express your regret by complaining," observed Ramy.

In any case, Ramy clapped his hands together and spoke to Yuuji as a master to his student.

"So, regarding your relationship with Shana, has it progressed anymore since last we talked about it?"

Yuuji answered. "There's been no progress to speak of. Although it's noisy around here, the reality is that there's nothing."

He gave a frank report.

Ramy drew in a breath before replying. "Yes, that's how it is. Those are the symptoms of how self-conscious you are. You're insensitive to the feelings of your partner, and are the type that's an inconvenience to others.

Even if something occured, before you realized it, something unavoidable would happen and you'd be forced to make a decision," stated the old man.

"Right now, I feel like I've been really insulted," said Yuuji.

Rany's argument had struck home. The old man, knowing this, addressed Yuuji. "If it's not the case, try convincing me with logic or your feelings?"

Yuuji was now totally silent. Seeing how things were, Ramy talked about how to take the first step.

"So, from how you see things, how do you feel about Shana?"

"Like a dump truck that has no brakes," answered the youth.

"Oh, what's with that face? Look at her with those hurt eyes. Who is that gaze for?" said the old man.

"Why does everyone reach that conclusion!?" roared Yuuji. With no room left for sympathy, and realizing he'd reaped what he had sown, he cried out to the ocean and sky.

6. Kaikou Meian (Deep Shadow)

The screen swtiched, revealing the upper half of Friagne.

"Hunter Friagne!"

And likewise, Marianne appeared with a hop.

"Ask Anything Question Box!" they explained.

After waiting for the title letters to fade from the screen, Friagne spoke to Marianne:

"Well, let's get to the only good thing about this Gaiden volume, the conscience/good heart corner - volume two!"

"Speaking of which, this is the last one," observed Marianne.

"Well, it's only a filler project anyway. It's okay if our very last one is like this," stated Friagne.

"Anyway, let's open up the letters and read the questions ... 'The terminology of the book is confusing, so please explain it.' Yup, that's definitely come now."

"We've told him many times, but this author loves terms like 'Power of Existence', the 'black clothes of a Flame Haze', using nouns to describe their characteristics, and the person in charge of the project even said 'Go any further with this and it'll become hard to understand, so cut it out.' Thus he had to restrain himself," explained Marianne as she described the situation.

"In that series, even though it was repeatedly pointed out to him, he made no progress. He's just a guy who didn't learn his lesson," observed Friagne.

"Then let's set things in order, make the arrangement easy to understand, and go on from there," said Marianne as she got to the work.

Term Description Crimson World - An alternate world Crimson Denizen - Inhabitant of that world

"And I am a Lord of those ... ah, that isn't enought to put a lid on it," said Friagne.

"If we don't make it easy for them to understand, explaining it won't have any meaning. Do the name set next," ordered Marianne.

"This sounds selfish for me to do. It's vexing, but for everyone the most familiar lot are what I brought out as examples," stated Friagne.

"Heaven's Threatening Ancient Fire." Hmm. Sounds about right. That is the Crimson World's true name. It means to burn everything up.

"Alastor". A name that stuck with him on this world. In this world everyone has the freedom to do as they wish, and they have varied origins.

"Flame Haze". These are Lords who give up their humanity in a contract in order to receive something. Flame Haze is the general term used for those who protect the balance of the world by defeating Denizens in battle.

"The Fighting Hand of the Flaming Hair, Burning Eyes." That's a title among Flame Hazes. According to the contract, their titles and abilities are supposed to change. Among that lot, Shana is an exception.

"In the second volume on page 236 she connected that land and became famous for it. Because of that, she gets to use that thick line of Kanji for her title," commented Fraigne.

"Hunter Friagne-sama, even though he's a Denizen of the Crimson World, is sort of the same then," chided Marianne.

"Those who oppose the Flame Hazes, these Lords, take and manage Power of Existence in order to exist. Our opinions are inconsistent, but since we're Denizens it's natural for us to feel that way. In the past, it didn't matter what camp you were part of. You learned through trial and error. Now we and they think of each other as enemies and treat each other as such. Really, our type is Denizen, and in our language that's a euphemism for 'ones like me'," stated Friagne with satisfaction.

"Oh, I'm talking like we have a close relationship!" exclaimed Friagne, picking up Marianne and hugging her tightly.

"Again you debase yourself, using first names instead of family names. It has that kind of nuance," observed the doll.

"Well then, bust out the dictionary of powers then!" he said.

"Power of Existence". The root of the power needed to exist in this world. By getting PoE from humans, Denizens are able to manifest themselves in accordance with Universal Law, 'take no PoE from something in this world.'

"Universal Ceremony". Under Universal Law, if violations in the pattern of the world appear, PoE can be crystallized. And there are things that can amplify the effect.

Universal Law the First. Special space for isolation and concealment. As a general principle, only Denizens and Flame Hazes can move there.

The experts in Universal Law know there are no clear regulations.

"Treasure Tools". These items are carried by Denizens. They have various special effects.

"Making exceptions for certain circumstances, how about I explain like this?" asked Marianne.

She pressed her small face against her master, and used her hand to muss his hair.

"That's right, Marianne. For us the power of our Treasure Tool is Lord Power." As the Universal Law became noticeable, Friagne was clearly disappointed. "In the end, the Law is just there to help. Who would have thought pursuing our objective would activate it like that. I'm sorry, Marianne."

"Aaaah, Friagne-sama!" she exclaimed.

What a persistent and showy way of displaying a stunt. The two were pushed away off the edge of the screen. Coming into view were a beautiful young girl and boy. The girl was pulling the young boy by the hand. The two came into frame.

"Ah ha ha. Our image is reversed, onii-sama. In accordance with the Universal Law, construction of a useful battlefield is complete, and the Treasure Tool we have is a Support-type item," stated Tiriel.

"Yeah, the Music Box (Orgel) is one of those," said Sorath, supporting her. This was the beautiful young girl and her brother. Tiriel nestled against his chest. "We also have onii-sama's Blutsauger on our side. The thing to start that up will be your finger and will," she gloated.

"Ah, is that right?" he asked in surprise.

Tiriel nodded yes, and then clung even more strongly to her brother as she continued her explanation.

"The Universal Law does not have a determined form for Denizens. Their own nature and phenomena establish their shape. A popular style among them is materializing an attack spirit as a fireball. My own special thing is to have someone else to love and protect, which my Cradle Garden lets me do," she said contentedly.

"Now that w're talking about it, when did you become the substitute explainer?" asked Marianne, out of frame.

Tiriel pushed against the girl, keeping her from coming back onscreen.

"Against these types of little girls, I also have 'Isolation/Seal Degree', which is part of the power from being a Lord," gloated Tiriel.

"And it is this gift that has made Universal Law-lovin', tone-deaf Flame haze who might also be here-" said Tiriel as she lost her focus. It was now Friagne, carrying Marianne, who began to push and jostle againt Sorath and Marianne.

"Over there, stored within the body, is the grand power of a Lord. Unfortunately, even if you use that, there will be no way to make the situation pleasant. Also, it'll send the remaining Flame Hazes into a panic." stated Solat.

"When it's used, the frequency of consumption becomes a real problem," observed Tiriel bitterly.

"Well, let's look at another part of the book!" stated Friagne.

"Torch." These are substitutes for the people eaten by the Denizens. Unconnected to the circuit of existence, these fade after a while.

"Mystes." A Torch with a Treasure Tool within its own body. If it dies, the Treasure Tool will transfer to another Torch.

"Rinne/Servants" Flunkies of the Denizens. As to the degree of their ability, their manufacturer's own skill and relative power increase the scales.

"In other words, the Rinne I make with my Treasure Tool is ...?" Friagne trailed off, leaving the last part of the question unsaid.

Marianne again pushed with a strong kick.

Tiriel was dubious. "In the end, a Servant/Rinne is just a tool for gathering PoE."

Now Friagne pushed in front of Tiriel, pressing his face against the screen.

"Hmph! Clumsy, boorish fellows like you lot could never understand how wonderful Marianne, the work of art that I love, is," he said with pride.

"Hmmm. Giving your love to a doll ... you have the hobby of a degenerate," gloated Tiriel.

"Ah, so? And that heavy petting you do with your own brother, couldn't that be called degenerate also?" commented Friagne.

The two glared at each other.

"Ah ha ha, you dare to insult the circumstances of our love? Then I'll do this!" declared Tiriel.

"Wait, Ti!" cried her brother.

Suddenly Tiriel kissed Solat. For a full 10 seconds they were lip-locked, and then they finally broke the kiss.

"So, can your doll do that?" asked Tiriel.

"Even if we don't copy your disgusting act, our bond is still strong!" declared Friagne.

"That's right!" said the doll, backing up Friagne.

Friagne then relaxed his face in ecstacy as he gave Marianne a grand and strong hug.

"Ha! Sour grapes! How about this, and this!"

The two siblings showed their love in foolish, indescribable ways.

"Our love is not led astray by tawdry lust of the flesh! Within petting hair, or dancing, or simply enjoying smiles, lies a deep and meaningful platonic love. My cute Marianne ..." he said.

"H- hai, Friagne-sama!"

"Ha ha. How laughable. If you were truly in love, you'd want deeper relations! Like this! It feels like this!" gloated Tiriel.

"Tiriel, I'm getting tired," complained her brother.

Friagne was unshaken. In front of this serious scene, he took Marianne's hand and began an elegant dance. "If you always seek deeper relations, then the weakness of your heart is shown. If you exchange your pure feelings, you don't need to take other action," he explained, continuing his dance.

"How ridiculous, going to that extent. We'll take our leave in any case. I pray the day will come when we meet again!" said Tiriel as she left with her brother.

7. Now Things Are Getting Twisted

In the middle of the pool on a float, Marjorie and Shana sat, backs to each other. Completely drained and powerless, the two had returned to their original states.

"I'm tired," moaned Shana. "I wonder why we were doing that," commented Marjorie, which provoked a low "You ..." from Shana.

Shana turned to look behind her, but then stopped. "Ah, it's not worth it. We took the trouble to get here. Might as well make the most of it."

Marjorie made a sound of acknowledgement. "That's right. Going on a major rampage would be unrefined."

Satou and Tanaka, their necks sticking out of the water, swam up to the two women and spoke in bitter voices.

"Why can't you think about that from the beginning?" asked Satou. His companion agreed, adding "You've burned everything here to a cinder."

Over by the poolside, the blackened guests had their eyes wide open. The ruckus caused by the two left behind many traces. In the middle of the mess was a parasol that had burned to a crisp and a table set broken beyond repair and scattered to the winds. Almost everything had been ruined and was now useless.

"Just with that, only the pool escaped destruction," observed Tanaka. "Hmmm. I smell the workings of a dirty prank in the air," said Marjorie.

Off to the side, Ike lay helpless on the floor. "Oh my, Ike-kun was stunned!" said Yoshida.

I wonder if you're lucky. In one recitation of chants, Megane Man Aqua was KO'd, and now was on top of a float, being patched up by Yoshida.

"I have reflected on my actions," he said. "Behind us, it's the same thing," said the person helping him with a voice that had no sincerity.

In a wasted space, their breath matching, those two were there. Shana, turning away with a blank look, and the still beautiful surface of the water.

---

Now this time, before we get to writing the book, the system that had been abused over four years finally crashed. The replacement computer's speed was increased by my friend. This new one is fast enough to snatch chestnuts out of the middle of a blazing fire. My deep thanks go to my mercenary ally, Y. Naka-kun.

Just by getting that, the contents changed.

"It'll be okay if this one doesn't have any jokes," said my supervisor. That was my biggest challenge from that Osaka-jin, so I developed an appetite for putting jokes in.

And so, to those people reading this, you have my unchanging, everlasting thanks.

I hope another day will come when I can catch your eye, everyone.

---

With a surprised face, Shana showed everyone the board. 'It's about time for me to get to the joke.' was written on it.

Now, a person who is not with us has used 'that' to easily create anything.

---

"A book outside of continuity can have anything, so that guy journeyed out into the edge of the universe!" bellowed Satou.

"As for the enemies remaining, yell that classic line, 'you're next!'" 'Thank you for your cheers of support' would appear as a subtitle, at least according to that maniac Tanaka.

---

Marjorie made a nasal laugh. "That boy would definitely tell jokes like a beginner. And I doubt there'd be a good punchline." From off to the side came a biting remark from her Grimoire Marcosias: "Your little boy Sakai Yuuji is scared of all the ghost stories."

In the midst of never giving a straight reply, Yoshida made a small, muttered wish: "It'd be nice if I got a happy end with him."

The one who could not read her thoughts and know what she meant, Shana was considerate. Her eyebrows twitched, remembering Shana's self-confidence.

"I know what the answer's going to be. No, isn't that right?" commented Shana.

Marjorie answered with an even voice, her face showing her dubiousness. "What was that?"

"It has nothing to do with my chest," said Shana. "Oh," said everyone else, clearly convinced. At the the same time, she prayed for Yuuji's happiness.

8. Crimson Teacher

The island's grass bruned. From the sea level, an erupting volcano broke the seabed, turning the water into churning rolls of steam. In the middle of that was a voice and deep laughter.

"Uh, Alastor?" asked Yuuji. With a heavy, deep rumble that reached the bottom of Yuuji's stomach, and with the power of distant thunder, Alastor answered. "What is it, Sakai Yuuji?" responded Alastor. "What's the big noise?"

As if opposed to the island, a giant ball of black collected, concealing something within it.

A Crimson Lord slowly rose from the ocean's surface. "It's a bangaihen (gaiden story). So anything can happen," observed Alastor.

The Crimson Lord stretched, revealing long wings. They were a spiral of black, thin like a membrane, and brought gloom to the world.

"This is doing as I please," it stated.

"Why are you swinging your arms this way?" asked Shana.

The creature's huge, sharp claws stretched out as its palms faced outward, reaching toward them.

Shana's forelocks separated and curled up. She stared at the thing without blinking and her eyes started to feel dry.

"Sometimes it's fun to waste some time with Shana!" it roared.

"Just die!" said Shana as she attacked the monster.

The island fell to one blow of the Heaven and Earth, world-destroying conflagration.

The monster flew off into the distance admirably, becoming a dot in the sky.