Hidan no Aria:Volume11 1st Ammo

1st Ammo - Lumberjack -Night of Revenge-

On a quiet and sunny autumn afternoon…

"The Texas burger is really delicious, Onii-chan!"

"Yeah..."

"Being able to eat it with the person I like makes it ten times yummier!"

"...”

Kaname and I were eating hamburgers at an open-air McDonald's terrace in Odaiba. The ambience was nice.

There were many couples under the refurbished, beautiful terrace. If people were uninformed of the creepy details, they would think that Kaname, a seemingly normal schoolgirl, was just showing me a cute schoolgirl smile. In the eyes of passers-by, we were just a high school couple having a date in the terrace.

"Nn~~, the weather's great! It's a perfect day for a sibling date, Onii-chan!"

This self-proclaimed little sister of mine, the young lass that was known as Tohyama Kaname. Once her personality changed, she would enter a state that could result in destroyed overhead bridges, grenades being uncontrollably thrown, and a kitchen knife being pointed at anyone in sight. As you could imagine, this was something that I just could not manage. She was a dangerous girl who could turn the terrace into ruins in just 30 minutes.

(Hey, what do you mean by "sibling date"?)

Don't make such a taboo statement loudly in public, Kaname.

Also, I don't understand your logic of drinking caramel latte instead of eating your burger. When you go to a McDonald's store, you should drink Coke. As Jeanne would put it, this is a universally accepted rule.

I, who was pondering over my own rules, drinking Coke and muttering "They say that autumn is a splendid season", was entering a state of unparalleled frustration.

If you ask me why, it's because a few days ago... this same Miss Kaname and Shirayuki were having a stand-off in my dorm. The clash had damaged my sanity.

That night, Shirayuki broke into my dorm and found Kaname there. So, she yelled, "I-I want to challenge you! Even if someone dies by accident during the duel, it's okay! To maintain the stability of the Tohyama family and ensure peace in Japan, I am obligated to fight you!". With that, she laughed in a devilishly high pitch, and sprayed the machine gun wildly at Kaname, who was dodging and hiding in the room.

The gun in Shirayuki's grasp was an M60. It was basically a specialized killing machine.

Bullets were endlessly sprayed across the room.

Despite the gun overheating in the end, it was unable to disperse the image of the bullets flying out of the barrel. Although there was a heat disperser equipped, it was meaningless once you saw the way Shirayuki's furiously fired.

After finishing all her rounds, Shirayuki threw away her overheated barrel and remarked, "This is just a greeting. Before I announce a formal duel, I will not come to find you. Enjoy the time you have left alive." Then, she went straight home.

On the second day, Shirayuki, the same girl who greeted us the previous morning by emptying a light machine gun in our faces (behaviour that was consistent with the role of Butei High Student Council President), once again treated me as considerately, submissively, and gently as she always did, naturally giving me a shock.

She even came to my dorm when Kaname was not here and exclaimed "Ah! That's bad!", before making it as good as new...

But Miss Shirayuki... this is your doing, right?

You really seem like you have split personalities.

Ever since then, she has always been coming to do housework with her gracious smile - but on several occasions, I witnessed her face turning into a terrible Prajnaparamita-like one when she found Kaname's toothbrush and clothes.

On the other hand, after Shirayuki left obvious traces of her coming to do the housework… Kaname also gave off an aura similar to Shirayuki’s when the younger girl found out that miko had been here.

If you ask me to describe how I felt, I could use one word. It is – Mortifying...

Normally, they left me with such a good impression. However, in these situations, their instantaneous change in attitude stimulates my heart like a jack-in-a-box. That change in expression was just like the old film “Daimajin”. And in this situation, there were two Daimajins.

Compared to their violent tendencies, I would have preferred Aria’s a lot more. After all, she doesn’t delay her actions and as such, I would only have to be afraid for a short period of time.

Drinking my Coke unknowingly... I noticed that the sparrows that had landed on the terrace suddenly chirped noisily before hastily flying away.

She-she's appeared!

I turned my head, making a “gah” sound...

“...”

The sight that awaited my eyes was Miss Shirayuki taking the escalator up to our floor on the terrace. She was wearing her bulletproof sailor suit with a white ribbon in her hair. Although she greeted me cutely, she shot Kaname a murderous glance that had frightened the sparrows away. Moreover, she was smiling.

Kaname, who was beside me, waved her hand and said “hi” to Shirayuki -

However, contrary to her expression, she was emanating an aura of fury.

Due to their dark auras, the beauty and ambience of the perfect autumn day had been ruined.

And I, who had called them here, was repeatedly looking at them like a professional American wrestling referee.

“Ah, Kin-chan.”

Shirayuki walked towards me with her back facing the escalator, greeting me. Making a “click” sound, she accidentally stepped on her own foot. Although she didn’t fall this time, her fitness was still as terrible as before.

Watching Shirayuki regain her balance and walk towards me, I said, “Well… I guess we’re all here. Shirayuki, go order a hamburger or something too.”

“Nn.” Shirayuki answered. *clap* *clap*, she clapped her hands... with an unknowing look, she glanced around. We kept silent for a moment, only then did I realise that she was doing the waiter call used in the Butei High mess hall.

(Now that I think about it, it seems that Shirayuki hardly goes to anywhere except for the shrine and the school compound.)

Somewhere like McDonald’s... she probably had never even visited such a place.

There’s no other way. Someone will have to accompany her.

But seriously, to summon a waiter in McDonald’s. There should be a certain extent to her lack of knowledge, right? Just how fenced off from the world are you? That action alone was enough to claim the “World Ojou-sama Champion” award.

To say why I pulled them here for a meal - it’s because Shirayuki declared a duel on Kaname, and the girls (Aria, Riko, Reki for example) were ready to help her as they wanted revenge.

As a pioneer of Team Baskerville, Shirayuki was very alert to Tohyama Kaname. If I turned a blind eye to the situation, it would certainly result in a major war. If that really happens, there would be no guarantee that Academy Island would not sink.

So, I intervened, like the United Nations would do... In order to come up with a peaceful solution to this confrontation, I opened negotiations.

And choosing the venue to be at McDonald’s, that was because I was sure that no matter what, they would not brandish their weapons in a place packed with innocent civilians.

To Shirayuki, who was carrying a McDonald’s food tray while having an intoxicated look on her face, I said, “Okay, take a seat here. Listen carefully, this is not Butei High. No acts of violence due to personal problems are allowed. Kaname, take note.”

I, who had to constantly remind them sadly and helplessly, let Shirayuki sit on the other side of the table, directly opposite Kaname.

At that moment, both Shirayuki and Kaname’s expressions... they were glaring at each other. With smiles on their faces.

Ugh, ugggh. My stomach was aching. It felt as though needles were being inserted into it...

“I’ll give you a death penalty.”

Kaname actually entered the dialogue with the worst possible opening speech.

“When Onii-chan came back with her after ordering her meal, I saw hearts flying on top of this fakely pure girl.”

Kaname crunched her straw, making a “kachi kachi” sound. Fumes… came out from her mouth. Could it be that... the straw melted due to friction? What kind of biting force is this, it’s totally nowhere inferior to a crocodile or shark.

Opposite her, Shirayuki was smiling calmly. Elegantly, she nibbled on her hamburger and said,

“Indeed, the women apart from the first wife are usually the ones who make a fuss out of everything.”

She- she actually... talked back provocatively...

Seriously, what do you mean by “first wife”? What makes you say such a thing? But in this atmosphere, a joke really cannot be cracked. I must find a way to make them talk peacefully.

“Don’t quarrel as soon as we start. This time, I only did this for you two to settle this peacefully.”

“Kaname. The first wife is the strongest - this is a universal truth. I will not retreat.”

“Those words are too unreasonable. Imoutos should be the stronger ones. I won’t retreat either.”

Uh... looks like they won’t settle this peacefully.

Seeing both of them arguing and not having the mood to listen to me, I was subconsciously thinking about an escape route. *Smack* *Smack*. Both Shirayuki and Kaname, who were shouting “It’s naturally the first wife” and “It’s obviously the little sister”, caught my shoulder.

This, this situation... It seems like Aria and Riko have done this before. If I don’t find a way to flee quickly, I’m definitely going to be torn into halves...!

Just when a picture of my head to my buttocks being torn into halves appeared in my mind, Shirayuki suddenly spoke, “Kaname. I’ve investigated this - You were registered as an American Butei, no?”

“Hnn, the data hasn’t been erased? So, what does it matter?”

Both of them looked daggers into one another.

“You are a Butei. I am also a Butei. And fights between Butei without a client involved is definitely not a good thing. So, the Team Baskerville community has decided that the revenge battle will be based on the representatives. The duel will be conformed to the Butei High rules.”

“Ah, hey! Don’t conclude this without me, the captain!”

“ - And the representative will be me. This is our decision after a discussion with all our members.”

Beside me, who was apparently not part of “all our members”, Kaname laughed belligerently.

When we were first-years, the Masters had already given an informal notice: “Duel between Butei must be based on a proper set of rules without being unreasonable.”

Essentially meaning - duels are allowed.

Although such bloody duels are illegal in our country, my school had to be accustomed to such happenings, so they were accepted.

No matter what happens during the duel, it is natural that lawsuits cannot be started. After all, if one complained to the police like “I was wounded in a duel”, he or she would be the laughingstock of the class.

“Onee-san, you’re really unreasonable. Don’t you understand who's the stronger one here?”

“So you accept this duel?”

In the fiery stare-off - *Brush*, Kaname brushed my arm off and replied, “That goes without saying. I accept it. Then Onee-san, I’ll return this to you. I’ve analysed it anyway.”

As she said that, I heard a soft *clap*. It seems that something dropped from the sky at a brilliant moment that no one noticed it.

Shirayuki let go of my arm in an instant and grabbed that object.

That Japanese sword in the scarlet sheath was...

(Irokane Ayame...!)

I could not help but look at the sky. All I saw was an X-shaped cloth about 20 metres above - having once blocked Aria’s bullet, the weapon that broke through an overhead bridge as if it was paper - floating up there like a bamboo-copter.

That was probably left there in the event of a sudden battle.

“This blade is Onee-san’s main weapon, right? It would be despicable to start the duel without returning this.”

“Despicable? I never guessed that I would hear this coming from your lips.” said Shirayuki, laughing as she covered her mouth gracefully.

“A few days ago, Onii-chan told me ‘Don’t do any despicable things’, I’ve learnt it by heart. So, I will not be like all of you and commit such despicable acts.”

Kaname said so, as she pinched the buttock of a female McDonald’s employee that was nearby.

That silver-haired female employee turned her head that was covered by a hat.

“J-Jeanne...!? What are you doing here?”

Isn’t this Miss Jeanne D'Arc, who had fully transferred into Sophomore Informa of Tokyo Butei High from Paris Butei High?

“Uwa~, it’s a beauty. Onii-chan really isn’t resistant to pretty women.”

Kaname actually gave despising look at Jeanne, who was surprised and muttering “I’ve been spotted!”

“Hotogi Shirayuki! You, the “Flame Witch” who tricked Onii-chan. And you, the evil and abetting Jeanne D'Arc - the “Ice Witch”. I’m going to hunt both of you at once. Even if it is 1 vs 2, I don’t consider it an advantage.”

Opposite Kaname, who was raving arrogantly... Shirayuki, whose head was kept down, said “Do you really think it’s only two on one?” softly. I saw her eyes flash, if only for a moment.

(In, in this peaceful, McDonald’s in broad daylight, you guys, what are you intending to do...!?)

I looked around in a panic -

They, they’re all are here. Here, in employee uniforms.

Aria, whose gun was obviously on her skirt, was frying French fries in the kitchen. Riko was the cashier - she wasn’t there before. At a corner, Reki was mopping the floor. Even, Haimaki could be seen in the shadows of the plants.

- The place was totally surrounded by them.

“Uu ah~~, Onii-chan, I’m scared. They’re bullying me.”

Kaname hugged me as she read those scripted lines emotionlessly.

To come to think of it, being gripped casually in this situation... I’m being held hostage.

“But, but this is all your own doing. Who asked you to do things that made people hate you so much?”

The pathetic me, who knew that I had no hostage value - could not withstand being attacked from all sides together with her, and used her to defend myself.

“Just kidding.”

• Clap*, Kaname let go of me and threatened all the Baskerville girls (including Jeanne), “All of you really do unreasonable things. Looks like you people haven’t tasted enough losses. I’ll make all of you into hamburgers!”

On the other hand, Shirayuki had on a terrifying smile as she reassured me,

“Don’t worry, Kin-chan. We will not attack jointly. This will happen next time. This is only because Kaname does not have a lot of common sense, so we got everyone just to prevent her from making a mess. Hnhn, hnhnhnhnhn.”

“Is, is that so, Shirayuki-san...”

Because of my fear, I subconsciously slipped on an honorific.

Like Kaname, Shirayuki also had a backup in case of a sudden battle.

“Kaname, this is also considered as a notice of our duel method. From this situation - you know how you will be ‘loved’, yes?”

Hearing Shirayuki’s question, Kaname frowned instinctively.

“...!”

And beside her, I also frowned. However, unlike Kaname, I frowned because I knew what Shirayuki was getting at.

“The L-Lumberjack...!?”

“As expected from Kin-chan. We considered the fact that Kaname was from America, so we chose to use their common method of dueling.”

Shirayuki suddenly changed from her dark side back to her normal state and looked at me, smiling with a cute expression.

(The Lumberjack...!)

When I had first enrolled into Tokyo Butei High, I had once done this with a boy in a fist fight, so I know about it... This is the specialty of Butei High, one of the most brutal ways of dueling.

Just as Shirayuki had said, this is a specialty evolved from an American way of duel. The rules can be said to be extremely simple.

Firstly, Butei equipped with bulletproof equipment stand in a circle. The centre of the circle is the dueling ground. This circle will make sure that the duelists are completely surrounded such that no duelist can flee. In the case that a side surrenders or is completely unable to move, the duel is ended - those were the basic rules.

However, there was a catch...

When a duelist attempts to flee, the people surrounding the duelists can immediately start to attack.

After being forced back into the circle by the people surrounding them, the “escapist” will then continue to be attacked by his or her opponent. In this way, the duelist will continue to go back and forth and be attacked. This will continue till the “escapist” is so severely injured that he or she is at the verge of death.

Which basically means, this is not just supposed to make fleeing impossible, it is also a hellish fight that doesn’t allow one to retreat.

Also - the people surrounding the duelists, do not care about neutrality.

Even the people surrounding the duelists can take sides.

That is, if a duelist is unpopular with everyone, the entire circle would become his or her enemy.

(... These rules are very dangerous for Kaname...!)

Naturally, the biased outsiders will not attack the favoured winner. Even if the opponent can force this person out of the circle - the people surrounding them would only gently nudge him or her back in. However, when the unfavoured one has been forced outside, he or she will receive no mercy in fatal blows.

Because of this rule, the “Lumberjack” has a very restrictive nature.

The most troublesome part of this is, Kaname has no friends.

Even though Kaname started everything, the fact that it is an all vs one war is already very obvious.

I could not help but to curl my lip, “You guys. The “Lumberjack” is already outdated. Although many people were doing this during the time of the founding of Butei High... there were too many accidents, too bloody. At the very least, this isn’t befitting of girls. So, stop now.” Without options, I voiced out my opinion to the girls.

“Don’t stop me, Kin-chan. Sometimes, girls have no choice but to fight!” Shirayuki’s black hair shook as she shook her head adamantly. She then started rattling inexplicable things about some national strategies, “This is a holy war started by a love for Kin-chan! To ensure peace for the Kin-chan nation, our country is forced to declare war on the Kaname nation!”

“I say...”

Usually, you are so gentle and virtuous, but at times, you love battle even more than Aria...

“ - No problem. I’ll fight. So what about “Assistants”?”

In front of her, Kaname asked that after calmly eating her remaining burger. That look was as relaxed as when one says “Do you want milk with your coffee?”

This is a rare occasion when I actually want to help you. How troublesome.

“Of course. If you have friends, go ahead and bring them.”

Seeing Kaname accept the duel, Shirayuki muttered “Good, now I can finish Kaname off.” and an evil grin before suggesting that warmly.

The so-called “assistant”... is a lifeline who can assist once.

Although this was usually to prevent the duel from ending in a stalemate or to make sure that the victor does not over-attack the opponent after the win was already very obvious and let him or her admit defeat - but from my experience, nobody cares about the formalities when the battle begins

“Course not. I don’t even need one. Onee-san is the one who needs one. Anyway, Onee-san will be so hurt that she won’t even be able to say “I surrender” by the end of it; so she will need someone to say that for her, isn’t it so?”

Kaname shot a smile at Shirayuki, *rustle*, and crumpled the wrapper of her Texas burger - *toss!* and threw it into the bin.

<~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~>

The night after, Kaname was fully dressed in her uniform. At the second battleground, which was decided to be the duel venue, she was standing while embracing her own arms.

On her back, there was a sheathless blade that was as long as she was tall

This unusual blade gleaming with a fluorescent blue. It was the very same blade that Kaname used in attacking the Baskerville girls, a cutting-edge technology weapon. I’m sure it’s a monomolecular vibration weapon.

For me, whose physics and chemistry results were not as good as I would have liked, it was hard for me to comprehend. But according to Kaname, the blade was edged with a molecular chain and the chain could rotate like a chainsaw.

It was mainly consisting of carbon atoms manufactured through the use of an electron microscope and it has hardness level of 10 on the Mohs scale. To explain it simply, it is basically a saw made of diamond.

Beside Kaname, who was proudly saying “There’s nothing this blade cannot cut through”, I could not help but think.

(Half a year ago, Shirayuki had said that too. However, compared to her supernatural theories, Kaname’s words seem more convincing...)

At that moment, led by Shirayuki and Jeanne, were Aria and Riko who were making a rustling sound in the battleground as they arrived together.

Whoa... this is...

I‘m starting to regret my inaction. After all, despite being worried about Kaname coming here, I didn’t do anything about it.

At this point, Shirayuki was in her Miko garments wit protective headgear. Her sleeves were rolled up and her hands grabbed the sheath of Irokane Ayame tightly. This was what she wore when she was trying to behead Aria in April, the traditional battle attire of Hotogi Mikos.

Although the others were in their usual bulletproof attire, Jeanne had Durandal sheathed while attached to her waist. The two guns attached to Aria’s legs were constantly moving in accordance to her motion and Riko was smiling at us while embracing her M1887. Everyone looked determined.

“Sisters, you are really really slow. I’ve grown tired of waiting for you all.”

Kaname, who had been waiting from the start, gestured at them with her thumb and said, “Hypocrite, Opera Girl, Turnip Head and Fake Cutie... Oh, there’s one less. Where’s that weird mute?” -- after gesturing over them (Opera Girl seems to mean Jeanne), Kaname noticed that Reki was absent and asked.

"She already has her crosshairs on you--" motioning and letting her twin ponytails waver in the wind, Aria said.

Looks like she has already taken the name Kaname as a name she uses for people of equal standing as her.

"She will be part of the outer ring. You will never be able to escape. Reki is a sniper with a sniping success rate of more than 99% -- I've only seen her fail once. and that was only because a dud was used."

Mm, I was the one who set up that dud. Her success rate is actually 100%.

"Eh... I'll say it again, stop this. You girls were the direct victims of Kaname's surprise attack, so it's not like I don't know how you feel, but this is too disgraceful. Please, think of a more rooted solution." I had to say this as the captain of Team Baskerville.

The vice-captain Aria glared at me like a gunman in Western movies. Although her voice was still that old seiyuu-like voice, she used a Western gunman-like tone and said, "It's because of the fact that you don't come to Assault that you've become such a peace-supporting idiot, Kinji. This is the real essence of a Butei. Resolving the conflict through brawls and bullets should the the correct way."

"Even if so, your actions are too much. To defeat Kaname as one, you guys came so well-prepared. Don't tell me it's because all of you have some other personal hatred?" I returned a glare to her and said.

In my view, Aria's blushing switch started turning to 'on' mode. Frantically, she tried to cover herself, "I, I'm not trying to snatch you back from Kaname!" then changed into a "Oh no, what am I saying" kind of panic -- *swoosh*, immediately changing into her usual self and drew out her silver M1911, saying to Kaname, "I'll declare this beforehand, my gun currently contains <Coloured Crayon>. This is different from when you surprised attacked me."

<Coloured Crayon> -- This is the Butei Ammo that Aria had gotten from the Vatican.

She probably brought that after realizing that normal .45ACP bullets were ineffective against my younger “sister”.

"You think the problem lies with that? What a woman that makes others feel relieved." Kaname mocked Aria.

But, you're wrong, Kaname.

Perhaps you, who has superior combat power, has never considered this problem. However, when one is surprise attacked and one is fighting with preparations made, their power can have a difference of a few times. This is especially true when facing an Aria-leveled Butei where even a tiny slip could threaten your life. Do you understand this?

“Recently, Kaname-chan has been having Ki-kun all to herself. See, now everyone has become yanderes~”

Giving Kaname a pet name was Riko, whose hand was gripping her shotgun. With her other dexterous hand, she was making horns above her head - *Shutter!* And she loaded her shotgun.

To people who have gone against a shotgun, that is a terrible sound.

“When fleeing, remember to come here and play with Riko, okay? Hehehe.”

Usually, bullets fired from a handgun can be dodged. And unexpectedly, even if it is someone inexperienced, he or she can also dodge. This is because handguns can only shoot in a straight line, and observing that “line” clearly before shooting is impossible.

However, if it’s a shell from a shotgun, one cannot dodge it. This is because the shell will scatter into a buckshot and capture the target’s “surface”.

And the gun in Riko’s hands was sawed-off. This does not just help in concealing the gun, but it makes the pellet spread much wider.

In truth, even if I was in HSS, I would not want to fight with someone with that kind of gun.

“Ehehehe. The Lumberjack does make me reminisce, Ki-kun.”

Not just so, while Riko was smiling at me... there were actually two shadows under her feet.

Hilda is following her? Mm, she probably came on her own accord.

I, who recalled Hilda’s devilish figure without thinking, suddenly heard a sound.

“Kaname, have you prayed to the gods?”

Jeanne, drawing Durandal, said in a clear voice,

“I am Shirayuki’s assistant. I am part of the outer ring, but at the same time, I might have to interfere with the battle.”

Seeing her ponytail hairstyle... she seems to be in battle condition too.

“Jeanne..., I had always thought that you weren’t one to help in such uncivilised actions.”

Hearing what I said, Jeanne’s azure eyes shot me a glare.

“Tohyama, the reason why I am forced to fight, is because of your uselessness.”

“Why blame me now?”

“Didn’t I order you a couple of days ago, to use some method to pull Kaname into <Deen>?”

Some method...?

Ah, you mean letting me seduce her. That’s just totally absurd.

That kind of thing, I will never do even if you bash me to death. Don’t even raise the idea of doing that to a self-proclaimed little sister.

“But look at the current situation. It’s all because of your failure.”

“Let’s not talk about whether this is a success or failure. That method was forced onto me on your own accord.” I indignantly responded.

"I was not directly ambushed, so I'm supposed to be safe from Kaname's matter. That's the reason why I wasted so much effort on persuading the Baskerville girls, telling them that you were using this method to get Kaname over to our side and let them be. I even helped them draw a mind map."

Hey...! What have you done, Jeanne!

"But, Kaname and everyone's relationship doesn't seem to have improved..." Jeanne responded with a slight hint of sadness in her tone.

"Your illogical plan definitely cannot be done, how can I carry it out?!"

"This proves that, we need to change our plan now, and use a duel to make Kaname surrender and let her join us."

In a natural action, Jeanne's saber made a *swoosh* sound as it rotated, and it reflected greenish light under the moon, just as if it was trying to show itself to Kaname, whose face had an absent expression.

"And what's more important is, in the hamburger store, Kaname called me despicable." Hamburger store... Is she talking about that time at McDonald's? Seriously, you guys were indeed sneaky at that time.

“I’m not a coward and I’m definitely not despicable. Now, I am going to make Kaname understand this point through a fair duel. And in Butei High, surrendering is very dishonourable. No matter what situation it is, I must not cower in a duel against a younger Butei.”

Now just hold on for a second. You ran away from an underclassman the other day in the cosplay cafe.

Ah, I can’t stand it. Because of the fact that there were too many points that were making me dumbfounded, I couldn’t even bother to speak.

“Okay okay. So what about a victory of the Far East Warfare?” Kaname said, *spit* and gave Jeanne a monster-like face.

At this time, Shirayuki, who looked more terrifying when silent, stepped forward, making a clicking sound with her red clogs, saying,

“Kin-chan, stay away. Because there aren’t any Riri particles tonight.”

Riri particles… Are those the particles that fall like raindrops, and can interfere with supernatural powers?

And without those - it means that Shirayuki can bring out her full powers, different from the time when Kaname defeated her till she was defenseless.

Kaname. This time, you’re in danger.

“The outer ring is ready, only the validation of rules is left.”

Seeing Shirayuki say this while unsheathing her blade, I suddenly realised - I’m not sure when, that only Shirayuki, Jeanne and Kaname was nearby.

To prevent friendly fire, Aria and Riko had moved back to form two points of an equilateral triangle, with the last point facing the sports warehouse.

I’m guessing that area should be under Reki’s responsibility.

(These fools actually came up with a strategy after reconnaissance.)

The outer ring of ‘Lumberjack’ duels should not consist of not more than a few people as per the rules, but there are no specific rules regarding the placement of this outer layer.

The outer ring that the Baskerville members had created - If one would see it as being centred around the location, then it was easy to understand the advantages of such a formation.

Firstly, the duelist is the experienced blade-wielder Shirayuki.

Following the traditions of the ‘Lumberjack’, both duelists have two use close-range weapons.

And another swordswoman accustomed to close-combat - Jeanne, was positioned closest to the fight.

Even if Kaname could evade both of them, she would come in the handgun prodigy Aria and the shotgun wielding Riko’s line of fire. It was unable to go pass these two.

And even if some miracle did occur, she would be unable to get out of Reki’s grasp.

Even if I was under HSS, I wouldn’t be able to get out of this.

“This won’t do, Kaname. You too should understand the meaning of this formation. It’s the ‘Lumberjack’ after all. It’s absolutely impossible to escape them all.” I tried to advise Kaname slightly forcefully with a hint of anxiousness.

But Kaname ignored me while continuing to smile.

“Please don’t make me go on. Apologize and surrender. Leave the rest to me. I’ll find a way to convince them. You should at least have some inkling of the danger to come-”

“That’s unreasonable, onii-chan,” Kaname interjected, “No dinosaur would be afraid of ants. Anyway, there’s no need for such a wide outer ring, Onee-san.”

• scratch*

(...?)

Her skirt gently lifted up…. Like a elementary schoolgirl about to play hopscotch, Kaname drew a roughly 10 metre diameter circle with her toes on the sandy field.

“-I’ll battle you without getting out of this circle. If I even lay a finger out of this boundary, take it that I lose.”

Hearing this-- Shirayuki’s brows widened in shock.

• Whoosh*. Kaname drew her blade while exclaiming,

“Hail the advances of technology. This blade is very different from those steel weapons of yours. It’s worth 10 of the newest Japanese tanks. Whether it comes to women or weapons, the newest are the best. Isn’t that right, onii-chan?”

At this, Kaname turned to me and gave me a radiant smile.

But-Having lived with Kaname for a period of time, I could understand her true thoughts.

I can’t explain it with simple theories, but I could feel Kaname’s feelings being transferred to my heart.

Kaname-- Kaname was calling a bluff.

She was… alone. Without any help.

All the Baskervilles had enhanced weapons. The concentration of Riri in the area had already been determined beforehand.

Not only this- but their flawless formation… This burden, was surely too much to bear for Kaname alone.

Her fear was being transmitted to me. Straight to my heart.

So I had to--

Dammit. I have no way out.

“Aria.”

Even though I was far away, I could clearly see that Type D blood vessels had already appeared from Aria’s neck.

“The cocktail that was sent to me isn’t 9mm bullets. It’s .50AE bullets.”

I pulled out the pre-loaded Desert Eagle and showed it to them.

“Kinji, any intervention is useless.”

“I won’t stop you. Go ahead! Fight till you feel good. But, I’ll have you know that I hate bullies like these the most.”

“This isn’t bullying~ It’s showing love~” Riko shouted to me while cupping her hands around her mouth like a trumpet.

“They’re all the same” I retorted.

“Tohyama- What’s the meaning of you taking out your gun.”

“It means that I’ll be Kaname’s assistant.”

After explaining to Jeanne, I glanced sideways at Kaname--

She was looking at me with a bit of shock with her hands plastered around her breasts. When our eyes met… She averted my gaze with her suddenly reddened cheeks.

I couldn’t understand what that meant, but I took it as she had nothing against it.

Watching Shirayuki gnashing her teeth, looking as if she had something to say, I immediately pressed on.

“Alright ladies--I’ll go through the rules once more. The duel ends when one party surrenders or is unable to take action. Before this, any other injuries do not result in a loss. There is no draw. No running away is permitted. If anyone tries to, the outer ring can force the duelist back into the ring. Any method of doing so is permitted, so long as the duelist is forced back in.”

Ah...This brought me back to the times when I was still in Assault.

Even though this isn’t Aria, but this was the style of a Butei. Of course, I meant this in a bad way.

“Assistants are permitted to prevent death or any other events from occurring, and they can interfere once. After that, any actions are not permitted.”

“Mm. It’s as we know. Is that all?”

Seeing as how I was going to take part, Aria was for some unknown reason, suddenly pleased. This girl is as battle-hungry as ever.

I nodded my head.

“Well… You guys can start now!”

Aria motioned to Shirayuki and Kaname, and took out a black Government.

Shirayuki and Kaname--were watching each other in the ring.

Both of them didn’t begin attacking.

The starting of the “Lumberjack” was up to the duelists. It was a privilege for both of them, anyone outside had no right to intervene. It started when both their breathing were in sync. This battle between savages, just like it was in the Samurai Era.

Time slowly passed.

• Whoosh*. Shirayuki raised her blade silently.

The blade faced the sky, and the hilt was raised to the right - The Hassou stance.

While you could say no modern swordsman used such an antique stance, Shirayuki, a witchcraft user, would often use such a stance that required little physical strength.

(But Shirayuki… How do you intend to fight?)

Kaname’s knife can cut through any metal.

Even the legendary Irokane Ayame was probably no exception.

“Laser Sharp...”

With a mutter, Kaname also raised her blade.

Taking a step back with her right foot, she faced Shirayuki almost completely sideways.

The blade in her hand was parallel to the floor, and raised almost as high as her face.

Both her hands holding the hilt was thrust back, an offensive stance leaving space below her right armpit.

This stance… I’ve never seen it before. There are no records of it in any textbook.

But my instincts told me that this was a stance that had no defense against counterattacks.

If it’s this blade of Kaname’s, then it was good enough for her not to factor in defence.

And this stance… shows Kaname’s own tendencies with this blade.

“...”

The vertical blade of Shirayuki, and the horizontal blade of Kaname.

These two gave off an aura that made one anxious.

Everyone was speechless. Even the birds had stopped chirping.

Their indomitable fighting spirit repeatedly spread to the surroundings… Suddenly, a stray leaf floated in between both of them.

At this time -Bang- Kaname charged as fast as a gust of wind.

(Beautiful.)

She had used the opening where Shirayuki’s vision was blocked by the falling leaf.

“Hihomura Kogikabe.”

Shirayuki had to defend against this attack, and she moved her right hand across the blade.

Following this move, a fiery wall appeared roughly two metres away from her.

(Wow…)

Even I could feel the heat from where I was standing.

Those were no ordinary flames. Those flames were blazingly hot and scary.

Now I more or less understand Shirayuki’s warning that “there are no Riri particles tonight”. Unrestricted from any sort of attack, Shirayuki was literally a monster.

The blade in Kaname’s hand cut through the wall. *Bang* The wall fell and Kaname danced to the left.

And where the blade had penetrated the wall--Shirayuki, with her hair dancing, appeared there too.

Jeanne would have seen the stance Shirayuki had adopted in war before, as if she was holding a blazing torch. The swirling flame was entwined around the blade.

“Hotogi Soutenryuu… Hinokagabi Kochiyou!”

One could not track the swing of that sword with the naked eye.

But the afterimage left by the flames clearly showed a V-shaped cut like a butterfly’s wings.

It was probably the single-handed version of the Swallow Cut.

But this path was only an attempt to burn Kaname’s blade. Shirayuki’s blade did not touch Kaname’s even once. For if it did, it would be mercilessly cut in half.

“...Aha.”

Kaname gave a smile showing her confidence in victory. It was also impossible to follow the swings of her sword with the naked eye. With a backflip, she widened the distance between her and Shirayuki. The glow around her blade swirled around her body like neon lights.

“That was dangerous.”

“She’s pretty good huh, that Kaname-chan.”

Aria and Riko, who seemed to be able to follow the fight, exclaimed with a sigh.

“...”

Shirayuki wordlessly raised her sword to a standard fighting stance. One of the straps on her miko garment had been sliced apart.

And in that pure white uniform, there was a cut around the left armpit, showing off her Hadajiban. In those moments, Kaname had actually continuously sliced twice at Shirayuki’s body and chest.

“You dodged those in the nick of time, Onee-san.”

With the grace of a gymnast, Kaname-*whoosh*- raised her blade again. This time the blade was even further back, showing off a more aggressive stance than before.

“Hmph. You’re just trying to make my blade too hot to hold...aren’t ya?”

The blade in Kaname’s hand was burnt like melted iron. If it was me… I wouldn’t be able to hold it.

As it seems, Shirayuki using Hotogi witchcraft to invoke flames wasn’t without reason. She was trying to get the heat to spread to Kaname, forcing her to drop that technologically advanced blade.

“Too bad for you, Onee-san. Heat resistance tests has been done for more than ten times already. It’s the same for both me and this blade. It won’t change no matter how much you heat it. You’ve lost, Onee-san.”

Kaname -whose gaze was now like a hunter before its prey- her extended right leg suddenly moved.

“But if the place I’ll cut gets burnt by this, then even normal surgery won’t save it. You can only blame yourself then.”

Faced with Kaname making such threats, Shirayuki calmly sheathed Irokane Ayame and crouched down, showing the action of drawing a sword.

(——Is this Hihi Hotogikami!? It isn’t a good move, Shirayuki!)

I involuntarily sucked in the cool air and watched her.

The Secret Art-Hihi Hotogikami required channeling time. And Kaname absolutely would not give her that time.

Even if Shirayuki could channel it, Kaname clearly knows where Irokane Ayame will come out from.

She just needs to thrust the tip of her blade and sever it. Just like how she should do it to Shirayuki. But- Kaname did not move.

Even like this, even understanding this...You’re prepared to survive with the use the trump of the Hotogi, Shirayuki?

“Flame Witch-Prepare to get burnt by your own fire!”

Kaname raised that blade infused with flames-

With an impossible speed, Kaname’s legs exploded forward as fast as a cannonball.

“Kaname, this ends here.”

Those eyes that stared at Kaname from behind Shirayuki-

(...Jeanne…!)

Jeanne, Shirayuki’s assistant, charged forward.

She kept Durandal behind her, using her body to block the blade.

“Hey! It’s Jet Stream Attack!”

Riko suddenly came up with this nonsense.

Jeanne vaulted over Shirayuki and pulled out Durandal.

“——The Ice Flower of Orleans (fleur de la glace d’Orleans)——”

Jeanne’s blade emitted a pale green glow while she was softly chanting.

Small ice crystals flashed, encircling Jeanne-

Kaname, who seemed to feel that she could not meet it head on, stopped by piercing her blade on the ground.

-Pah-

The blue light that landed right in front of Kaname instantly froze the ground beneath.

Without the Riri particles interfering with the abnormally low temperature, it spread to Kaname’s blade which was still in the ground.

“...!”

• Crack* *Crack*

Following the sounds, the monomolecular blade was enclosed by the ice.

To prevent her legs from being frozen together with the ground, Kaname…

“Ngh…”

With a burst of strength and the athleticism of a superhero, Kaname used the hilt of her sword to swing herself upwards and do a handstand. It was almost as if it were a circus act.

The ice slowly spread upwards towards the hilt of the sword, but because the sword had been recently heated, it only reached the end of the blade. Kaname, who was balancing on the hilt, was unaffected.

“Ho...Using an assistant, eh? Sorry, I forgot about your existence because your skill level is too low!”

Saying this, Kaname flipped her body back--

• Crack*

“Regretful as it is, there’s no use!”

Kaname ripped the sword out of the ice and charged straight at Shirayuki.

“Hotogi Soutenryuu… Secret Art-Hihi Hotogikami!”

At the voice of the power-conserving Shirayuki, the stream of flames danced upward towards Kaname, who was attacking from the sky.

Kaname completely ignored the tempestuous blaze and went straight for Shirayuki’s Irokane Ayame.

“!!!”

Suddenly, Kaname seemed to have realized something. With a sound akin to glass breaking, the monomolecular blade, which had crossed paths with Irokane Ayame, shattered.

Quickly following was a dull thud.

Shirayuki’s sword, which lost the flames encircling it, hit Kaname square in the back.

(That...That’s the blunt side!”)

Shirayuki gently hit Kaname with the blunt side of Irokane Ayame.

Kaname, who had fallen to the ground, rolled on the floor until she faced the stars.

“A-ah……..ah…”

Kaname, whose eyes were glistening with tears, desperately tried to collect the broken shards of what used to be her blade… But her hands recoiled upon touching the heated glass.

“No way. No way…! How can a cutting-edge piece of weaponry break? This...makes no sense!”

Kaname, who had been hit with a strong sense of confusion, looked forlorn.

And as for me… being a bystander, I more or less understood the Baskerville’s plan.

Whatever technology was applied to it, Kaname’s sword was still metallic.

So long as it was, a repeated cycle of extreme heating and cooling would cause it to be weakened.

There have even been cases of the strongest Japanese steel being broken because of this.

And Kaname’s blade had gone through such an extreme change of heating and cooling… the results were instantaneous. This is the result.

“はかなさをほかにもいはじ桜花...咲きては散りぬあはれ世の中...”

Shirayuki gently hummed with her eyes and long eyelashes closed.

Quietly, she returned Irokane Ayame into the sheath.

This should be a song from Shin Kokin Wakashuu, by Tokudaiji Sanesada? I can’t remember because my Ancient Studies results aren’t as I like.

“-- The winner has been decided, then.”

Aria said as she kept her dual pistols back into the holster.

Hey, you didn’t even do anything. What’s with the delighted expression?

I squatted beside Kaname, and translated the song that Shirayuki had been singing to her-

“Cheer up, Kaname. It’s over. The newest weaponry will keep appearing like blooming flowers. But even those flowers have to wilt at some point. And your blade has only wilted now. That’s all there is to it.”

Even after understanding their plan, one has to think that it was very simple. But perhaps it was due to this simplicity that it was unexpected.

But, Kaname, who looked up at me -- seemed to not be able to accept this fact.

The newest, strongest piece of cutting-edge weaponry that was hers had been destroyed.

And this, was like questioning the need for Kaname’s own existence.

“Uuu..Uwaaaaaaa!”

Kaname stood up like a normal angry elementary school student and used her fists to attack Shirayuki. Seeing this, Shirayuki shifted a little from her position and prepared to meet Kaname’s blows.

As an assistant, I raised my hands in front of Shirayuki, blocking her.

I used my index finger to activate the trigger guard on my DE, and relaxed my hand and let the gun hook on my fingers.

This is the Butei and American police’s symbol showing the lack of desire to fire guns. In other words, it was the symbol of surrender.

After that, I used my other hand to hold Kaname, letting her look at the floor.

It was then that Kaname noticed… One of her legs had left that circle she had previously demarcated as the place she would fight in.

Or rather, Shirayuki had used the back of her sword to force Kaname’s leg out of the circle.

“You said it yourself. No going back on your words.” I said with a slightly stricter tone.

Kaname...with her eyes full with tears, resisting, resisting… Finally- “Uu…..Uwaaaa…...Uwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!” Like a real elementary school student, Kaname sobbed loudly.

She seemed… to be unable to mess up when in front of me.

Honestly speaking, what should I do? Kaname’s crying, after all.

“You’ve~made~Kaname~cry~! I’ll~go~and~complain to the teachers~!”

Riko laughed while singing and came over to Shirayuki and I.

Riko, weren’t you the one that wanted to bully Kaname?

But then… Thanks to her, all the animosity for earlier had been dispelled.

How do I put it… Riko is in some sort of “It’s ok up to this point...but bullying Kaname further is a no-no!” state.

Looks like this girl purposely tried to release the tension upon seeing Kaname like this. What a girl who knows how to communicate with others.

And Aria and I, who completely lack this ability, could only watch on with a “What should I do?” expression.

Suddenly, Haimaki ran over, and licked Kaname’s face, comforting her gently. Looks like Aria’s and my communication skills weren’t even on par to a dogs.

On the other hand, Haimaki’s owner with the worst possible communication skills climbed down from the cherry tree beside the field carrying her SVD. Reki, you stayed surprisingly close to the battlefield this time, eh?

“Kaname, although we met as enemies, your combat skills are really impressive. I didn’t think you were able to counterattack in such a short timeframe. I would have lost if things deviated even slightly from the plan.”

Jeanne, who was squatting beside Kaname saying this, her back…

(This… Isn’t it completely exposed?!)

I hurriedly turned away.

Although she didn’t seem to mind, the back of Jeanne’s bulletproof uniform had been completely sliced vertically… Even the straps of her bra and that snow-white skin were exposed.

Sp-Speaking of which, I can understand if the straps are in front, like Aria’s, but bras like these with the straps behind, how on earth do girls manage them?

Just as this male brain of mine was overheating...Shirayuki, who had pinned her torn Miko garments with something that I have no idea where she conjured it from, comforted the half-crying Kaname like a gentle big sister.

“You are indeed this strong. As expected of Kin-chan’s younger sister.”

The downcast and wordless Kaname nodded her head after hearing the phrase ‘Kin-chan’s younger sister’.

And me, who had already been stressed over this, was finally able to give a bitter smile. “Don’t praise her for this. Whether her combat prowess is strong or not has no meaning outside of the Academy Island.” I tried to tell Jeanne and Shirayuki.

Immediately after this, Aria ojou-sama, whose had changed expressions abnormally quickly, said to me,

“Kinji, coffee.”

I was nervous, knowing that there was a chance that any delay would make Aria bring me for a round of Lumberjack. I also felt sorry that it was in the middle of the night, but for the sake of my life, I decided to call Mutou to bring the goods over.

But I obviously couldn’t tell him that I was watching over a Lumberjack duel, so I had to resort to “I’m enjoying the late night. There are also girls.” Mutou replied with “I’ll be there in 5!”, but he could only provide canned coffee.

Because of this, I had to bow down and speak to Aria ojou-sama respectfully, asking her “What should I do?” This earned a strong rebuke from her. “You trash, I’m worried about your future.”

After that, Aria called one of her juniors in Assault and ordered her to make coffee for her.

I say, you lazy princess. That used to ordering people around, are you?

In exactly 5 minutes, Mutou arrived in his truck with Aria’s junior in tow. And this junior of hers actually brought 10 different coffee pots filled with different types of coffee.

And that’s how that lie of mine turned into truth… From that onwards, it became an appreciation of the night.

Anyway, this Mamiya-kun is shorter and flatter than Aria. A rare high school student with such a youthful body. And she sported a twintail, showing off her obvious childishness.

I don’t know how this girl went wrong, but she’s abnormally subservient to Aria, and follows all her orders. But…

“It’s getting dark. Tohyama-senpai, please leave Aria-senpai-- No, please find a seat by yourself away from the girls.”

I don’t know why she purposefully focused on me. Maybe I’m one of the boys that wasn’t wanted by the girls.

Anyway Mamiya-kun, one can accept this “appreciation” if you glance over it, but it’s a bit hard for a Butei to do so right? Sitting next to Aria with this guardian-like face smiling while pouring coffee, don’t you find it a little… uncharacteristic?

“...”

Feeling excluded after Mamiya’s persecution, I sat on the sand away from the circle of girls.

While I did get the coffee, it’s a bit pointless drinking it away from everyone else. Mutou, could you hurry up and get those dumplings so we can appreciated such an evening?

About the girls, Kaname, who let her weapon lie on the floor - a magnetic propulsion fibre shield… Sitting at a corner, everyone felt as if she were saying “It can be sat on.”, and she used it as a cushion for the picnic. It had the atmosphere of a gathering of girls.

Being worried about Kaname, I watched the girls...having drank a cup of caramel macchiato, she finally felt more at ease.

Seeing Mamiya finally doze off, presumably because of the late hour, Aria - having suffered at the expense of that shield - asked,

“Hey, why didn’t you use this tonight?”

Kaname--looked at Shirayuki, and replied,

“Because Shirayuki onee-san is fighting with only a standard knife. Tonight is different from the last time, it’s a duel, not a war. That’s why I thought it was only reasonable to bring one blade. It would be despicable for me to use so many knives.”

Ahh… Kaname had mentioned this before in McDonalds too--

She was abiding to my words that “since she claimed her name was Tohyama, then she could not do anything despicable.”.

“So that’s why…”

Shirayuki, who heard Kaname say this, changed her impression of her.

She picked up one of the shards of the monomolecular knife, wrapped it in a cloth the colour of a red dianthus flower and gave it to Kaname.

“Knives are the soul of Butei - From your knife, I can feel a noble spirit. It’s beautiful.”

“Onee-san…”

Receiving the gift from Shirayuki, Kaname looked at Shirayuki respectfully.

The way those two behave, they could be real sisters.

“This should be the saying of ‘No discord, no concord’...”

Listening to that line just like one from a mafia show, I turned around to find Mutou holding a plate full of dumplings. Mutou passed the dumplings to the girls and sat beside me.

“You guys just had a round of Lumberjack, didn’t ya.”

I guess he saw through it immediately.

“Keep it a secret, won’t you?. Even though the school permits it, Facultas has been a little annoying recently.”

“Of course I won’t say a word. I can keep secrets, ya know?”

We both hinted at each other while eating the dumplings the girls hadn’t taken.

“Hehe. Speaking of which, Kinji…”

“Don’t laugh so evilly…”

“Aren’t you laughing too?”

Actually, Mutou was the opponent that fought with me not long after I entered school.

What’s the reason? I think I said something about Shirayuki, and that made Mutou mad.

And because Mutou was from Logi, I didn’t respect him because of our physical differences. His throwing skills are surprisingly rich, his signature move, Exploider, left people seeing stars. Honestly, I don’t want to have to take that again.

At that time we were constantly pushed back into the ring by the outsiders like Shiranui and Riko until we were both exhausted… I don’t even remember who won that battle.

And that’s how we became friends.

This couldn’t really be explained with words… But this is probably some way that proud Butei forge relationships. And it’s the stupidest one.

After the appreciation, we parted our ways, deciding to let the conversation continue when we had found another time.

Shirayuki and Aria went back to their respective dorms, and Kaname and I returned to my room.

Under the light of the streetlamp, Kaname and I ambled among the sounds of nature amidst this autumn night.

“Onii-chan?” Kaname called me while strolling beside me.

“What’s up?”

“Thank you… Thank you for being my assistant… Thank you for standing beside me. When I heard you wanted to be my assistant… I was really… really happy!”

“But you lost also because of me...”

But I had to pick out that point.

When Jeanne had released the Ice Flower of Orleans (fleur de la glace d’Orleans), Kaname could have been faster in pulling out the blade and rushing at Shirayuki.

But I was standing behind her… So Kaname had to use the blade to completely stop the freezing of the floor to affect me.

And that’s why Kaname’s monomolecular knife had completely been frozen, resulting in it being weakened.

Of course, putting me in Jeanne’s line-of-fire was Kaname’s mistake. But if I had never volunteered to assist Kaname - it wouldn’t have ended like this.

“No it’s fine. A younger sister protecting her elder brother… A person protecting her family, it’s nothing to be surprised by.”

Kaname said, while vigorously shaking her head.

“...”

Hearing this, I got a sense of Kaname being my actual sister… Stopping in my tracks, I gazed at Kaname.

And Kaname, who had stopped at that exact same moment, used those beautiful, azure-coloured eyes to look up at me just like a younger sister looking up at her older brother.

~End of 1st Ammo~