The second day of the school trip began.
Shidou arrived at the Akaru coast located at the northern extremity of Arubi Island.
This coast that had been scrapped off due to the Space Quake on this island 30 years ago, it looked like a gentle arc from the view from above, and it would seem that it was called a cool name like the Crescent moon coast from guides.
"……………………"
But, there were no signs of any tourist-like shadows there.
However that was only normal. Shidou was called and stopped by Reine when he was about to head to the changing room with everyone else, and by using a prepared rental car, he was taken to the private beach located at the edge of the Akaru coast.
It would seem she had purposely prepared it yesterday, since there is a high possibility that the Shidou's capture might be interrupted by the other classmates when it was in progress.
"Haa……………..this is amazing."
The sky was clear. The intense sunlight reflected on the high-transparent water, and made Shidou squint his eyes.
However Shidou, in contrast compared to normal energetic young boys playing in a swimming pool, muttered with a tone similar to an old man, he then gently caressed the scratch wounds made on his chest and cheeks.
In an instant, a slight pain ran through his skin and made his face flinch.
"Ouchouchouch………."
Last night, the moment he opened the door in order to run away from Kaguya and Yuzuru, he was attacked by Tama-chan's slash fang.
Thanks to Kotori's Reiryoku, Shidou has gained a body that could heal itself no matter how serious the injuries he got but, it would seem that the ability is not subjected to injuries that can be healed by his own body's healing abilities. If he were to enter the sea in his current state, he would probably shed tears because of the severe ocean baptism.
Well, nonetheless——
"Either way, it is not like I can play comfortably…………"
Shidou made a sigh. As if to match up with that, a sleepy voice echoed through from the Incam equipped on his right ear.
"…………Shin, it looks like Kaguya and Yuzuru finished changing their clothes. Are you ready?"
Hearing Reine's words, Shidou made a deep breath before, answering [Yes].
"………….just as what I had explained yesterday, I handed Incams to the both of them. They seem to have not tried sea swimming before, so I am thinking of giving them many instructions. Try to match up with it as much as possible."
"Un, understood."
"………….in order to avoid crossing our conversation and the advice I am going to give to the girls, I will be closing our communication line for now……………..is that okay?"
"Yes, I will somehow manage it …………but honestly, it is a little uneasy though."
Recalling back yesterday's incident, he made a tired bitter smile.
"………….well, it looks like you had various problem yesterday but, we will be saving to a certain degree today. Now then, mission start. Do not forget to compliment them on their swimsuit."
At the end of those words, the communication connection was cut.
And thus, the same time as that, he heard voices of 2 people coming from behind.
"Kuku…………..So you were hiding in a place like this huh."
"Discover. Found you, Shidou."
They were characteristic tones. There was no need for confirmation. Shidou slowly turned around.
Kaguya and Yuzuru were standing there just as he had predicted. Kaguya was wearing a black bikini with white lace decorations and opposite to that; Yuzuru was wearing a bikini with a white background decorated with black laces.
To both sides, it was so suitable on them that it was infuriating. If these girls were to walk side by side on a beach, it would probably not end with one or two guys approaching them spontaneously.
"O, ou, both of you. It really fits you two. It's really beautiful."
When Shidou made a compliment to their swimsuits following accordingly to Reine's instructions, Kaguya opened her eyes wide with a red face as if she was surprised while, Yuzuru blankly looked down at her outfit.
However in a sudden manner, Kaguya folded her arms together.
"Ku,kukuku…………………isn't that right isn't that right. But don't be mistaken. Clothes at this level, would just be overshadowed by my charm."
"Thanks. Thank you very much. Yuzuru is very happy."
Subsequently, Yuzuru made an obedient bow.
And, at that moment.
"…………..hmm?"
"Confirmation. Yes."
And when he thought, Kaguya and Yuzuru moved their eyebrows unexpectedly, both of them used their hands and poked their own ears respectively. Looking closely, Shidou saw the same type of Incam as his on the girls' ears.
"Kuku…………….I see, acknowledged."
"Roger. Understood."
Shidou made a bitter smile unintentionally. Since it was an unfamiliar action it couldn't be helped, but…………it was not a strange scene looking at both of them being preoccupied with the Incam.
Before long, Kaguya and Yuzuru separated their hands from the Incam, and faced back to Shidou.
"Oh Shidou. This Star Shine is quite unbearable, to me who has everlasting darkness placed inside my body. I allow you to apply the divine protection of the miasma on my body to repel the holy light."
"Heh…………?"
"Appeal. Please help apply on Yuzuru to prevent getting sunburn."
"Aah……………I see."
He finally understood thanks to Yuzuru's words.
But, it was only after he realized that it was going to be trouble. That's because, to apply something to prevent sunburns would mean——
"Fu……………well then, I am counting on you. I am leaving my back to you."
Kaguya was saying something that was obviously not meant for this kind of situation while handing over the sunblock lotion to him. Subsequently, Yuzuru also said something similar to that.
"Request. Please."
He was thinking where on earth did they get something like this from but, he immediately understood. Just nearby Shidou and the others, a Resting space like area with parasols and leisure sheets were constructed. Most probably, Reine prepared it beforehand.
After severely mixing their sights together, both of them lay face down under the parasol shade. They then unhooked their tops and, revealed their white backs to Shidou.
"E,eerr…………….."
While looking at the both of their backs lying side by side, sweat was oozing down the middle of Shidou's face.
Applying this………….would means that, he would have no choice but to use his hands and directly run it around the soft skin of a girl.
Thereupon, as expected whether or not they have gotten impatient, Kaguya and Yuzuru touched the Incam and started making soft voices.
"Oi, Shidou isn't getting hooked. Isn't this different from what you said?"
"Question. Is there something wrong?"
"…………..uh, this is bad."
Shidou raised his eyebrows. Today's aim was to increase the credibility of Reine's advice. If Shidou were to hesitate here, it would probably mess up the plan.
"O,okay, I'm going to apply it!"
When he said that, Kaguya and Yuzuru faced towards Shidou for an instant before making a small nod.
"Fuu…………"
It looked like Shidou somehow managed to end it without making Reine's advice useless. Shidou made a relaxed sigh.
However——
"Kuku………..so Shidou, it might be something that I don't need to ask but, of course I am going to be the first you apply it on right?"
"Question. Who is Shidou going to apply sunblock first?"
"Eh………? No, that's..."
And, when he thought both of them were mixing their sights while still lying down, Kaguya suddenly grappled Yuzuru and rode on top of her after rolling Yuzuru's body over. She then raised her voice, while holding down Yuzuru's body with both her hands and legs to stop her from moving.
"Shidou, right now. Bestow me with the divine protection of the miasma."
"Careless. Ku……….."
Kaguya raised the side of her lips as if elated with victory and Yuzuru leaked an anguished voice.
For some reason, the sight of them being in that kind of posture while their swimsuit tops were off and with Kaguya and Yuzuru's breasts being pushed onto each other's bodys was somehow oddly erotic.
"Hurry up!"
"O, ou!"
In a form of being overpowered, Shidou folded his knees at that spot and took a good amount of lotion on his hands before touching Kaguya's back. At that instant——
"uh, Fuaa……….."
While making a sweet voice unheard until now, Kaguya's whole body twitched.
"!, So,sorry, was it cold?"
"It, its okay. Hurry…………up……."
"Ah,aah…………."
However, each time Shidou moved his hands, Kaguya would twist her body like it was ticklish while making excessively sexy voices like [ah………….], or [Hnn……….].
Yuzuru, who was being held down by Kaguya, also looked at Kaguya's reactions and [Oou…………] let out an envious voice.
But, Yuzuru immediately moved her eyebrows in a sudden manner and by taking advantage of the small chance made by Kaguya, she then rotates her body.
"Return fire. Chance taken."
"Guh…………"
This time Yuzuru was the one holding Kaguya down, who was now lying face up. Yuzuru turned her eyes towards Shidou. Kaguya, who had taken a position of being mounted, looked like she did not have the composure to retaliate against Yuzuru and was *haa**haa* breathing heavily.
"Appeal. Shidou, hurry please give……………. Yuzuru too."
"Uh………………..!? O,ou."
He knew she was referring to the sunblock but, towards that oddly sensational sentence and that pose, he mistakenly had a strong heartbeat.
When Shidou somehow managed to calm his heart down, he started applying lotion onto Yuzuru's back.
"Twitch. U…………….aah,h"
When he did that, Yuzuru let out breaths from her nose in small intervals and made a voice as if she were being squeezed to death.
Shidou then nervously started using his hands and while moving his hands accordingly to the muscles around her spine, Yuzuru's body suddenly sprung up as if she finally could not stand it anymore.
"E,eerr…………"
"Admi……ration, Shidou, you have……….very good skills."
"N,no fair! Next is me!"
Kaguya, who looked like she had finally regained her breath, raised her body, and reverse their positions.
But when Shidou started to apply the lotion again, she would start to raise a lovely voice and shake her body.
"Re…taliation……………..would not let you."
This time Yuzuru was the one who twisted her body and made Kaguya's back get attached to the leisure sheet. The lotion that was excessively applied was flowing onto the sheet.
"Why you, what are you doing……….!"
But this time Kaguya did not let it end with her losing. She immediately grabbed Yuzuru's hand and got back into a mount position.
After repeating the same thing over and over for some time, probably slipping because of the lotion, both of them were in a manner where they were respectively in a lying down on their stomach position on the sheet and were glaring at each other.
"Errr, in this situation……….."
Shidou joined his hands together to apply some lotion to his other hand and then ran his fingers along both their backs while they were lying face down on the ground and lined up at the same time.
When he did that——
""——uh, A,Aaaaaaahh!""
After the both of them raised a loud voice, they relaxed their hands and legs on the spot completely exhausted and started breathing heavily as if they were sprinting with full-strength.
"Ar,are you okay, both of you………..!"
Both of their vacant pairs of eyes met with each other's when Shidou said that while being confused.
"………..This from, being unwary of it………….."
"Shudder…………….it's the fingers of god………….what an unthinkable wolf."
"Hu,huh……..?"
However, it looked like a message had been transmitted from Reine at that moment. After both of them pushed the Incam at the same time, they started to make small nods after rearranging their breathing.
"Fu, fumu, next would be………………watermelon splitting……..? have Shidou blindfolded………….?"
"Con…….firm. After spinning around and getting dizzy, wait for the direction………….?"
"Wai, wait a sec! What are you planning to do!?"
Unable to bear it he shouted——Shidou moved his shoulders with a twitch.
Different from Kaguya and Yuzuru's, he felt as if he heard a voice from somewhere.
He thought it was Reine's voice coming from the incam in an instant but, no. Yes, this is——
"——shidou!"
"uh,Tohka………….!?"
Shidou called out the name of whose voice he had heard before and he turned around in shock. Although there was only the ocean expanding into his view but, he was certain he felt the voice was coming from that direction.
After looking, he found Tohka swimming towards him from the open sea, while making tremendous splashes.
Although the form was reckless, she was extremely fast. Incidentally coming from behind, he caught a glimpse of Origami swimming with a beautiful crawl.
From the coast, Ellen, who was observing the target Yatogami Tohka, was making sighs while massaging her right shoulder. Because it had been quite a while since she last did vigorous exercise without the Territory, she got a light muscle ache.
…………In the end, yesterday she was dragged into the pillow fight until late into the night and along the way she had gotten tired and fell asleep together with the target.
Today for sure, pulling herself together, she was going to observe the target. But, as expected, there were a lot of people in the middle of the day, so it didn't seem like the target would be alone. Waiting for tonight would probably be better——
That kind of thinking crossed her mind. And,
"——hmm?"
Ellen's eyebrows frowned doubtfully. The target that was just now looking around relentlessly in panic was unexpectedly heading towards the ocean. [Oo shidou, you are in such a place!] she shouted that and entered the ocean.
No, if only that were the case then it would be fine, but——the problem was, the target (And for some reason, Tobiichi Origami too) was swimming in a straight line just like that.
"——<Arbatel>. Where is the target heading towards? Can we follow her from here?"
After Ellen faced towards the Incam and raised her voice, the voice of the operator immediately replied back.
"We have confirmation. It would seem, that she is heading to the opposite side of the coast."
"The opposite side of the coast, huh?"
While saying that, Ellen recalled the map of Arubi Island which she was on right now. It was certain that Ellen and the others should be on the edge of the arc coast that looked like a crescent moon. Although she could only see a little, the line Tohka and the others were swimming on, was exactly on the course that connects both of the coast's edges.
"Is there something on the coast they are headed to?"
"It would seem that it is a private beach. We are able to confirm 3 people, male and female there."
After hearing that, Ellen licked her lips.
Although she did not know why Tohka and Origami started heading there, this was a good opportunity. Unusually, there were less people in this swimming area which was opened to public and she could expect testimonies of the target swimming out to the open sea. This was probably the ideal chance to treat it as a gone missing scenario.
"I will immediately head there too. Please make <Bandersnatch> follow me."
"Roger."
After hearing the reply, Ellen took along the camera that was made into a stand onto her shoulder, and stood up straight on the spot.
——However.
"Oo, camera-san! Here here over here, take a picture take a picture!"
Unexpectedly called from behind, Ellen took a single glance towards that direction.
She saw a bunch of boys and girls over there having fun with the sand on the beach-side. There was a boy with his hair hardened up from wax being buried in the sand, leaving only his head and below the bow. There was also a weird body taking a weird pose made out of sand.
Incidentally, the worst thing was, in his surroundings, she saw the 3 girl students from yesterday who dragged Ellen into the pillow fight.
"I am very sorry but, I am——"
"Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeehhhhhh!"
"Isn't it okay, Ellen-san take one picture."
"Aren't we friends that have gone through a hot night together."
"………………….Haaa."
After making an annoyed sigh, she set the camera and carelessly pressed the shutter.
"Is this okay. Well then, I am in a hurry, so."
"Eeh, come on take more—"
"I closed my eyes just now—"
"Rather, where are you going? Let's play—"
"………………………."
When Ellen was about the walk away while ignoring them, Ai Mai Mii stealthily came from behind and had gotten close, they then took the camera that was being held on Ellen's shoulder and ran away.
"!, what are you doing. Please give that back."
"Noo—, I feel bad for you having to always take the photos, I will help take some of Ellen-san too."
"Th,there is no need. Please give that back."
"It's okay— it's okay—, you don't have to restrain yourself."
"I am not restraining myself. I have something important to do so——"
"Hai~~, lead our precious customer to her seat~"
The same time Mii said that, all the students from random directions grouped together and lightly carried Ellen's body. They then brought her to the beach-side just like that.
When they did that, at the same time with that Ai Mai Mii grabbed a shovel with their hands and, *ZaZaZa* when she thought a human sized hole was dug out in the sandy beach in a flash, Ellen was thrown inside it.
"Kuh, what on earth are you……….! Rather, aren't you people digging a little too fast!?"
"Fu! We practiced high-speed hole digging in the back of the hotel until the ground was full of holes yesterday!"
"Something like a sandy beach, to us now is like digging into tofu!"
"Now then, you guys, do it!"
""Ou!""
Together with Ai's leading command, Ellen's body was buried with sand all at the same time.
"Uwah Puuh…………..wha, ple,please stop!"
Resisting in vain, Ellen's body was completely buried under the sand. Incidentally on the piled up sand, a body-like sculpture was made on it.
"Kuh……………….this is troubling. Please let me go."
"Maa— Maa—, don't be in such a hurry."
"One picture for now, okay?"
"We will add more volume to the breasts so—"
When she lowered her sight to her body, there was an odd amount of sand piled up on her chest area exactly to what Mii said.
…………..it was a completely unneeded assistance.
Incidentally, when she looked at it closely, below on her right side, she was able to confirm the face of the boy that was buried by sand from just now. Forget that——the body made under Ellen's face was a Queen swinging a whip down and the boys was, a naked man on all four with his butt facing her.
And most probably in order to bring both sides together, Ai who was a little further away pressed the shutter.
"……………………….."
After Ellen twitched her cheeks, the boy that was buried——if certain, his name was Tonomachi Hiroto or something——his face was looking over towards this side.
"Ha Haa, was it……………Ellen-san. This is a little problematic."
"Haaaaa."
After Ellen gave a spiritless reply, Tonomachi cheek's lightly blushed while continuing.
"How should I put it——no, haha, I wonder can this kind of things be also, called………fate."
"………………….."
This was the first time in her life she ever felt like spitting on somebody else.
After Tohka and Origami reached the coast, they jogged towards Shidou.
Incidentally, their outfits were the swimsuits that Shidou bought for them last month. Tohka's was dark colored while Origami's was a white bikini. Both of them were worth trying on, it matched them greatly.
"shidou, you were in a place like this! I was looking for you!"
"Shidou. Why are you together with the Yamai sisters?"
And, Tohka said that cheerful while Origami said it suspiciously. Shidou made a wary smile as if to ambiguously deceive them and took a step backwards.
"No, well…………….about that, ahaha, truthfully speaking, I got lost……………"
And at that moment, somehow having managed to correct their breathing, Kaguya and Yuzuru, who had their swimsuit tops fixed, let out their voices.
"Hou? Isn't it Tohka. Kuku……………for you to come to your owner's side, what a cute fellow. I give you my compliment."
"Wonder. Master Origami, why are you in such a place."
Speaking of which, there was talk about Kaguya and Yuzuru being a burden in Tohka and Origami's room respectively. It was not surprising that both of them have remembered their faces. ……………..well, whether it was master or owner, he was a little curious as to why those kinds of titles that did not sound much like what a friend should be using was being used.
"Ooou, Kaguya is also here too. What were you doing?"
"Kuku…………..right now, crushing something with the outline dyed with darkness and dark green until its crimson red blood and organs burst out, we are about to proceed on playing the devils game."
"Wha, what is that. It sounds scary."
"Explanation. Kaguya is about to play split the watermelon——"
"…………..Wait, for a little longer."
And, in the middle of Yuzuru's words, a sleepy voice could be heard coming from behind.
Looking back, over there was Reine, wearing a parka over her swimsuit. Probably because the sun rays were too strong, she squinted her eyes while making a shade with her hand and her head was wobbling. She looked like an anemic patient that was about to fall down at any moment but…………………….well, Shidou knew that this was Reine's usual condition.
"!, Reine-san……………….?"
Shidou raised his eyebrows doubtfully. Right now, Reine was suppose be giving out advice to Kaguya and Yuzuru through the Incam.
Kaguya and Yuzuru were probably having the same doubts, they stared at Reine strangely and touched the Incam equipped on their ears with their hands.
"……………….I'm sorry but, I forgot to prepare the watermelon. ——instead, since the number of people increased. There is a court built there. How about beach volleyball?"
Saying that, she pointed towards the end of the beach.
At first, Kaguya and Yuzuru were unhappy but after a while, they seemed to have immediately understood that the objective had been changed.
"Fuun, alright. No matter what I do, it is decided that I will be the on standing on top."
"Consent. Yuzuru doesn't mind. Yuzuru is the one to win anyway."
When their eyes met after saying that, although it was not a race, both of them started running at the same time.
"Oou!"
And thus, Tohka started to run as if she was inspired by them.
Origami was sending her sights towards Shidou and Reine as if she was not convinced enough but, she probably guessed that there was nothing to gain from asking anymore and walked towards the beach.
And as if to follow her, Reine and Shidou also started walking.
"………………so, Reine-san. Why did you suddenly come out?"
"……………..aah. It's because the irregulars known as Tohka and Origami appearing has occurred. So I had the plan switched to plan B. We might have been able to do something about this if we were to use the <Ratatoskr>'s organization members but…………..as expected, there is a limit if I am the only one."
"Plan B, you say."
"……………..aah, by fighting together in the same team, from the unity of you and those girls, it's a plan where you increase your relationship."
"In the same team……………I wonder will those two quietly team up together……….."
"…………………well, I have an idea for that. Just look."
After having such a conversation, Shidou and the others reached the magnificent beach volleyball court constructed on the beach.
After that, Reine leaned her body over and took a tube-like object that was leaning against the pole.
"……………….now then, let's decide the team separation. 3 people in one team. Please pull a lot."
"Mu?"
Starting from Tohka, the tube entrance was pointed towards her and she pulled a rod that was inside it. Shidou hit his hands as if he got it. There was no mistake that those lots were most probably set up so that Kaguya, Yuzuru and Shidou would be in the same team.
"…………..well, Shin too."
"Ah, yes."
Being told that, he pulled one out from the remaining two.
And then, he brought his eyes towards the tip of the lot and——Shidou, [heh?] made a stupid look.
That's because, on it was not a symbol or a number, but a drawing of an overly exaggerated man.
"…………………well then, the people that pulled out Gregor, Jackson, and Spenser come over here, while those who pulled Alexander, Abraham and Anthony, please go to the other side of the court."
"Reine, this one is who?"
"This is?"
Tohka and Origami showed their lots to Reine as if they were troubled.
"……………..aah, this one is Gregor. That one is Spenser."
Next Kaguya and Yuzuru did the same thing and showed theirs to Reine similar to before.
"……………..you two are Alexander and Abraham. Please go around to the other side."
"……………………"
He looked at the exaggerated man (most probably Anthony) once more with half his eyes closed. …………..he could not tell the difference from Tohka's and the others.
Team A…………..Kaguya, Yuzuru and Shidou.
Team B…………...Tohka, Origami and Reine.
Kaguya, Yuzuru, Tohka and Origami. 4 people of 6 were not satisfied with the team organization originally but, just by one word [I will tell the winning team a secret about Shidou that he would never want to be found out by someone else] from Reine, the match started. Shidou's protest with his almost crying face was not accepted.
"Okay! Let's do it!"
Tohka raised a cheerful shout, and released the service shot from the edge of the opposite court.
But——
"Wha!?"
Bohyuuuuuu! The ball easily penetrated the net together with that sound, and progressed like a bullet. Shidou immediately moved his body towards the side.
After the ball pierced to the spot where Shidou was just now, GyaGyaGyaGyaGyaGyaa! It danced on the beach like a coma before finally stopping.
"Reine! How many points was that!"
"………………0 points."
"Muu, technical skill points were not added huh…………."
"……………..most probably, but I think you are mistaking this with another sport."
Probably after looking at Tohka's attack, Kaguya raised a low laugh.
"Kuku…………….not bad. It looks like I have to get serious too——"
"No, you don't have to. You don't have to!"
If it was going to be exchanges of those types of balls then, even if he had multiple lives, they wouldn't be enough. Shidou shook his head.
"Fuun, boring. Well whatever, next is our service right?"
With that said, Kaguya stretched her hands towards the ball that was dug into the ground.
And with an unexpectedly beautiful form, she shot the ball towards the opposing court.
"Oou, it's coming!"
"Don't disturb."
Stopping Tohka's movement with her voice, Origami received the ball.
Reine who was standing behind her when that happened, made a beautiful toss. During that occasion, Reine's breasts which were proud of their tremendous mass, bounced up and down and Shidou's eyes were unintentionally pinned onto them.
"Warning. It's dangerous."
"Haa………….!"
Being told that by Yuzuru, he immediately opened his eyes wide. By the time he realized it; in front of him was Tohka who had made an energetic jump high enough to cross the net.
"Haa!"
Together with a loud shout filled with energy, Tohka hit the ball with the palm of her hand. Standing there blankly, Shidou was grazed on his cheeks by the bullet-like attack coming from that.
"Uwah!?"
"Kuh, Don't daze away, Shidou!"
"Agree. You're hindering."
Kaguya and Yuzuru's voices echoed from behind. It would seem, they made a slide in order to get the ball.
However, since they reached the same spot at the same time, both of them *Bam* knocked each other on the head and fell down on the spot. During that time, the ball bounced inside the court and *roll**roll**roll* rolled on top of the sand.
"Kuhaa! Wha,what are you doing Yuzuru!"
"Objection. That is my line. Please do not disturb me."
Kaguya and Yuzuru pressed on their foreheads while glaring at each other.
"……………….Okay Tohka, that was one point."
"Oou! Really!"
In regards, the other side of the court was lively. Tohka and Reine *clap*, made a high five. Although Origami looked like she ignored it but, her hand was taken by Reine and was forced to participate.
However, not stopping to bother about that, Kaguya and Yuzuru continued their quarrel with each other.
"That was my territory no matter how much you think about it. Don't do anything extra!"
"Objection. I thought that the simpleton Kaguya would not make it in time."
"Wha, What did you say you bastard!"
"Return fire. What is it."
"O,Oi, both of you calm down……………."
And, at the same time when Shidou went between the both them to separate them, Reine from the opposite court, whispered something into Tohka and Origami's ears. When she did that,
"——Hou, I get it now."
"……………..I will definitely get the promised thing later."
While saying things like that, Tohka and Origami arrogantly looked down at Kaguya and Yuzuru.
"Fuu, what, Kaguya and Yuzuru aren't that much of a big deal!"
"A let-down. To challenge me when you are at that level, you don't know your place."
""……………!""
Towards those obvious provocations, Kaguya and Yuzuru responded with a twitch.
And once more, Reine softly whispered into Tohka and Origami's ears. Although a little……………[more foul languages. You are supposed to do it like that when the time comes] he felt that he heard something like this.
"Kaguya is a weak bug and Yuzuru is hopeless! Both of you two joined together are useless!"
"You XXXXX's. XXXXXXXX should just XXXXXXX. This is suitable for loser sons of a bitch."
An excessively childish insult and an excessively bland abuse were falling over from the other side of the court.
""………………………""
Towards those two's agitation, Kaguya and Yuzuru quietly narrowed their eyes.
"………………hey Yuzuru."
"Reply. Is there anything?"
"………………wanna do it?"
"Agree. Let's do it."
Both of them mixed their sights together with a glance.
But having the next service, after Origami took the ball with her hands in an extremely calm manner, she shot it towards the corner of the court with a beautiful form.
"Yuzuru!"
"Reply. I know."
However, Yuzuru slid by the time she was almost finished and received the perfectly close service.
She then hit up to Kaguya, who returned it back to the opposite court just like that. It was a beautiful combination play, enough to think that the shameful sight from before was a lie.
But the opposing team was not losing. Origami hit up the approaching ball.
"Teacher Murasame."
"………….Aah, I know."
The next thing after that, Reine *ton* lightly toss the ball. It was the exact same pattern from just now. When somehow managing to brace himself in order to avoid being preoccupied by her breasts, he saw Tohka once again jumping high up.
"Oooh!"
She shouted, and released a sharp attack from far away in the distant sky.
"Shidou, stop it!"
Kaguya's shout echoed. Shidou joined his hands while in panic, and prepared for Tohka's attack.
But, after the ball pierced straight towards his face instead of his hands, it then made a violent bounce high up into the sky just like that. The intense impact attacked his head and made his sight dance with glittering stars.
"Gueeh!?"
"Okay! Shidou will be taken to this team since the ball hit him, right?"
"………………no, I did not hear of such a rule before."
He could hear things like that from the enemy court. It looked like that was the reason why Tohka's ball had been aimed at Shidou.
"Praise. Nice."
However, it was Yuzuru's voice that he heard inside his hazy consciousness.
"Establish. Kaguya."
"Okay!"
Yuzuru kneeled down on that spot and joined both her hands together and made the palm of her hands face upwards. And at the same time with the running Kaguya stepping on it with one leg, Yuzuru lightly threw Kaguya's body up to the sky.
"Wha………….!"
"……………….!"
He could hear Tohka and Origami's voice coming from the opposing court. The next moment——
"——Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!"
Kaguya, that had jumped high up into the sky, hit down the airborne ball——it pierced towards the enemy court like an attack from an arrow. It was a really splendid attack.
"Okay! Same point! Did you see that BASTARDS!"
In a manner as if she had forgotten her usual tone, Kaguya made a guts pose midair.
And after landing and standing on the ground, she exchanged a high five with Yuzuru in an extremely natural way,
"Yahoooooo!"
"Excited. Yahoo."
"Yaa! That was perfect Yuzuru. Byuun It went up Byuun!"
"Positive. That was a magnificent attack. As expected from Kaguya"
"Nono, that was Yuzuru's——"
And, both of them twitched their shoulders at that point, and *fuun* averted their eyes away.
"Fuun…………..don't get conceited you lowlife. Think of it as an honor to be stepped by my foot."
"Unpleasant. The smell has sticked onto my hands. It stinks. It smells like dried mackerel, natto[5D 1] and surstromming[5D 2] mixed together."
"I, it doesn't stink like that!"
And, they started quarreling as if they remembered. It was not a strange aspect at all.
However, Shidou did not have the pleasure to carefully observe them right now. While hearing shouts like [Shidou! Are you okay!?] echoing inside his head, the remainder of his consciousness sank into the darkness.
"Ouch Ouch……….."
Shidou was rubbing the bump made on his head while walking sluggishly towards the toilet established at the beachside.
Incidentally, the moment when Shidou said he was going to the toilet, there were a few of them saying that it was dangerous for him to go since he was out-cold just now, so they said "I will follow" and tried to help him but, he vigorously refused by politely rubbing his head against the sandy beach.
"……………..Are you alright, Shin?"
And thus, he heard Reine's voice coming from his right ear. Shidou opened his mouth while making a wry smile as if he were tired.
"Well………..somehow. How is it on the other end?"
"…………honestly, I still can't say anything. What's left is to agitate their opposition as much as possible but——"
And, Reine suddenly cut off her words.
"Reine-san? What's wrong?"
He asked while raising his eyebrows but, he immediately found the reason out.
It was because right after Reine shortened her words, Kaguya popped her face out from the side of the toilet.
"Kaguya……….? What are you doing here? Weren't you supposed to be waiting where the others are?"
"Kuku…………I who holds the divine protection of the hurricane, that kind of distance has no meaning to me."
"……………well that might be true. I was asking about the reason though……………."
When he spoke until there, Shidou immediately was taken aback. He slouched forward while shouting.
"I, I told you I don't need any help!?"
"Huh……………..?"
Kaguya's face turned red right after she went blank for an instant.
"Wha, I said that following the flow at the time! Don't take it seriously!"
"I, is that so…………?"
"Isn't that obvious!? Wh, why must I, your………..errr…….."
Kaguya hang her head in shame at that point and shortened her words.
"Aa! Anyway, I am here for another matter!"
"O,ou…………!"
He nodded unintentionally. Shidou then lowered his voice and sent his question towards the Incam.
"Reine-san, is this an instruction from your side?"
"……………..no, I have not said anything."
And, while Shidou and Reine were having a conversation, Kaguya called out to him as if she had gotten irritated.
"Hey, don't ignore me."
"Aah, my bad."
After Shidou returned his posture back to normal, in panic, he then faced back towards Kaguya. But………speaking of which, there was one thing that he was wondering about. He stared at Kaguya's face while scratching his cheeks.
"By the way………..are you going to continue using that tone?"
"Ah."
Kaguya made an 'Oh no face'.
She then made a cough and cleared her throat awkwardly and took a cool pose.
"Kuku…………….you have been deceived by my antics. I find you dancing on the palm of my hands very humorous."
"……………………."
"………….what is with those eyes."
Kaguya made her lips go *buu* in displeasure. Shidou made a powerless wry smile while scratching his cheeks.
"No……….I was thinking about why you would especially force yourself to use that tone……………."
"I did not force myself! This is normal!"
"It's back it's back."
"Hah…………..!"
After he said that, Kaguya made a shocked face, she then made a sigh and muttered softly.
"………..that's because, it's that. Since I am a Spirit. Aren't I like super powerful? Then there should be some dignity similar to that, isn't something like that needed?"
"…………is it something like that."
Shidou brought his eyebrows together and *u,un* groaned. He had met many Spirits until now but, he felt as if there were no such girls before.
"Well isn't it obvious. Since I have a cool origin of birth and, I have tragic circumstances prepared you know? Then I have to have a personality around that level."
"Well…………..if Kaguya is okay with it then it's okay. So? What's the matter?"
When Shidou said that, Kaguya [ahh] nodded before continuing.
"It's kind of troublesome so I'm going to continue like this, right now me and Yuzuru, are having a battle for you right? So, it's about tomorrow's conclusion."
"Aah……..I guess so. Wait, you, don't tell me. As expected isn't that kind of sneaky?"
He frowned, thinking that Kaguya was here to set a groundwork for herself.
——but Kaguya, spit out a totally unexpected line.
"——Shidou. Tomorrow——choose Yuzuru."
"......Heh?"
Towards those words that were not in his assumptions, he blankly opened his eyes wide.
"Don't, heh."
Kaguya shrugged her shoulders while continuing.
"There isn't any point to worry about, right? That's because, she is super cute. Although she is a little unsociable but, she's obedient, her breasts are big, and she is like a super Moe-like character shaped from guys delusions, isn't she? And what's more, if you choose her, she would most likely give you lots of services, right? There is nothing worth not choosing. That's why——"
"Wa, wait a second!"
Shidou was sorting out his confused head while stopping Kaguya's words. He couldn't understand what she was saying. No, he could understand the contents of those words. But, choosing Yuzuru tomorrow would mean——
"Kaguya, you……….said that the winner of this match would become Yamai's main personality right."
"Un, I said that."
"………. You said the loser, would be consumed by the winner and be erased right."
"Un, yeah."
"Then, why——"
When Shidou said that as if he were squeezing it out from his throat, Kaguya scratched her head while making a troubled smile.
"Hmm………well, even I don't want to disappear. But, more than that——I, want Yuzuru to live. I want her to see even more things, and go all out and have fun in this world."
"……………uh, you."
Although Shidou groaned painfully, Kaguya did not bother about it and continued her words.
"Rather, everything would have been solved if you had not barged in at that time. I was going to make a flashy clash and I would [Get defeated] get downed and everything was supposed to end."
Kaguya pointed her fingers at Shidou while saying that.
Shidou's face distorted. A detestable pain as if his heart was being pulled out, was swirling around his chest.
"Th,then, the first one to make me fall for them is the winner is——"
"Aah, that? Well that, isn't it obvious, Yuzuru is the cuter one. With this match, there should be no mistaking that Yuzuru would win, right?"
"But, that's………….."
When Shidou was about to finish, Kaguya moved in front of Shidou in an instance and used her index finger to block Shidou's lips.
"I did not really ask for Shidou's opinion. All you have to do for tomorrow is say Yuzuru is much cuter, lovely lovely Yuzuru-tan hahaha. ………..if not, I will blast this island away together with all your friends."
Kaguya narrowed her eyes in the middle of her words and said it in a low voice.
Shidou *gulp* gulped. The threat that he had forgotten until now, was revived by that sight and words.
When Shidou was standing there nervously without moving, *Fuu* Kaguya loosen her expression and pulled her legs away.
And then *turn* she turned her body facing direction and took on an excessively cool pose.
"Kuku……………well then, I'm off human. The exchange right now was a blood pact. Know, your body will be scorched by the Flame of purgatoryFeegefoia franme right down to your medulla if you fail to keep the pact!"
She said that, and Kaguya ran away.
Shidou could only stand still on that spot.
"…………….Shin."
After a while. He twitched his shoulders from Reine's voice echoing through his right ear.
"Reine-san, that was——"
"………aah, I heard. This has……..turned out into something difficult. If those were Kaguya's true feelings instead of a strategy…………….then tomorrow, there might be a chance Kaguya would not react to the kiss even if you stir her up. ——in order to let Yuzuru win."
"……….guh……."
Shidou clutched his fist.
It's true there's that. It is a grave situation.
But, more than that.
Kaguya's determination to let herself die in order to let Yuzuru live——was heavily hanging onto Shidou's heart.
However, he couldn't let himself continue getting dumbfounded here. Shidou started walking by dragging his heavy legs. If he were to stay missing any longer, Tohka, Origami and more importantly Yuzuru would get suspicious——
"Stop. Shidou, please stop."
"…………………..!?"
Suddenly a voice came from his back, and Shidou twitched his shoulders.
That was unmistakably Yuzuru's voice. For an instant, he thought that it was an auditory hallucination but……….that was wrong. Wondering since when she was there, Yuzuru was standing right behind him.
"Yu,Yuzuru………………?"
"Reply. Yes, is what Yuzuru replied."
With a voice that had no accent. In a calm behavior. In an extremely calm manner, Yuzuru nodded.
"Wha,whats wrong?"
When Shidou asked her while having sweat flowing from his forehead, *Fuu* Yuzuru turned her face towards the direction Kaguya ran off to and quietly opened her mouth.
"Question. ——with Kaguya, what did you two talk about?"
"……………..!"
Shidou gasped. His heartbeat that had calmed down was once again throbbing roughly.
"What did………….errr."
And, when Shidou was being immersed in his thoughts, Yuzuru made a small shrug with her shoulders while sighing.
"Take back. No, as expected, it's okay. Yuzuru could guess pretty much."
"uh, I,is…….that so?"
"Affirmative. Most likely——in the occasion for tomorrow's selection, she said to choose her, right?"
"No…….that is."
When Shidou was about to release his words, Yuzuru used the palm of her hands and stopped him.
"Question. Although Yuzuru doesn't care about that but, did Kaguya do anything during that time?"
"What………….as in?"
"Example. Yuzuru is asking whether, for example, hugging Shidou and crawling her tongue around Shidou's nape, or putting Shidou's face in between her chest, or putting her hands into Shidou's swimsuit and touching your groin."
"Sh, she did not do something like that!"
Towards those unexpected words, Shidou shouted unintentionally. Yuzuru *good grief* shook her head as if she had given up.
"Disappointment. Kaguya, that's not good. You are too naïve. If Kaguya were to seduce properly, you would easily drop Shidou to the level of a monkey in mating season."
It felt like he was somehow being insulted but, more importantly Shidou felt Yuzuru's way of speaking was out of place.
That's because, Yuzuru's words were as if——
"Appeal. Yuzuru has a request for Shidou."
And, as if to interrupt Shidou's thoughts, Yuzuru let out her voice.
"Request……….?"
Hearing a word like that, there were chills running up Shidou's spine. He unintentionally swallowed his saliva.
His throat hurt and his heart started to pump faster. *babump* *babump*. His blood vessels quickly expanded, and the feeling was like his whole body was being poured with blood vigorously.
However Shidou's mind was contrastively, as if intoxicated, getting hazy. But inside that, there was only one——the words he heard just a few minutes ago, were vividly brought back into his mind.
"Consent. That is correct."
After Yuzuru made a deep nod and continued her words without getting enthusiastic.
"Appeal. Shidou, this match, please by all means choose Kaguya."
"———"
His voice did not come out.
Most likely, at the time Yuzuru appeared, he could already somehow predict this outcome.
Looking at Shidou's reaction, Yuzuru tilted her head in doubt.
"Question. Yuzuru feels that Shidou's reaction is out of place."
"uh, no, nothing at all……………"
"Request. More importantly, please. Tomorrow, Shidou must pick Kaguya. It's a promise."
"Wh-why…………..something like that."
"Explanation. Kaguya is much more superior to Yuzuru. There is no room for worrying. Even Shidou should also know about Kaguya's cuteness. Although Kaguya somewhat pretends to be tough, she is earnest, and has a fragile body that looks like it would break when touched and the feeling when hugging it could only be described as heavenly. Most likely, if Shidou chooses Kaguya, Kaguya would do a lot of things for you. By all means, Kaguya——"
"But, if Kaguya wins, then Yuzuru will——"
When Shidou said that, Yuzuru cast her eyes downwards and nodded. Shidou only used words that he carefully thought over and over again.
"Kaguya is the spirit most fit to be the true Yamai. Even Shidou clearly knows that after this one day, right? Kaguya is very charming. There is no reason not to choose her."
"Tha,that's because, both of you, were so competitive…………"
"Explanation. Although Kaguya looks like that, she is a shy girl. Unless Kaguya were stirred up, she wouldn't appeal to you like that."
"………………….."
When Shidou became silent, Yuzuru walked closer to Shidou and whispered towards his ears.
"Reminder. Tomorrow, please say Shidou would choose Kaguya. If not, misfortune will be brought to Shidou's friends."
After leaving threatening words similar to Kaguya's, Yuzuru ran off.
"……………….."
Reaching gathering time, Ellen, who was finally dug out from the sand pit, was sitting along the coast on the floor, grasping her knees while viewing the sea.
The target had already come over to this side of the coast and had gone to the changing room in order to change her clothes. She had also passed by Ellen who just now was buried in the sand (The part of the body made by sand was changed and improved into the shape of a body builder), and unmistakably should have laughed while holding her stomach.
Incidentally, the boy Tonomachi who was dug out one step earlier than her, extended his hands in a respectful manner, but since it was irritating, Ellen threw him into the hole she was dug in, and filled it up once again with sand.
"…………….Miss executive officer, errr."
Coming from the Incam, the awkward voice of the operator echoed.
"……………….I'm okay. Don't worry. This is nothing. I'll use my favored method during the night. There is no problem. I will catch her properly in the hotel."
"I,I guess so……………"
The voice of the kind operator was somehow the one that sounded tired.
That day, the dinner didn't taste like anything.
It was not like the hotel chef took too much consideration on the guest's health or Shidou's sense of taste being dull. It was just simply because his mind was wandering off somewhere.
After finishing his meal without exchanging any conversations with the others, he was immersing himself in his thoughts absentmindedly while sluggishly walking in the hotel corridor.
The words that Kaguya and Yuzuru spewed out during daytime were still swirling inside his head.
——In order to let their other-self live, they chose to eliminate themselves.
The moment Shidou heard that, he was unable to understand those girls in an instant.
But, for example.
If Shidou would not sacrifice his life, his sister Kotori would die.
Most definitely——he would respond to that by shaking his head without hesitating.
It was not like those types of narcissistic motives, like self-sacrificing or devotion.
But simply, without consideration, that was the only choice.
There wouldn't even be any options to choose from, his head would simply make its own judgment.
"——dou."
So, he painfully understood Yuzuru's feelings for wanting Kaguya to keep on living, just as well as Kaguya's wish for Yuzuru to survive.
"shidou."
No, not only that. Rather——Shidou might even be happy knowing that Kaguya and Yuzuru think of each other to this extend. But——
"Oi, shidou!"
"uh!?"
A loud voice was released at his ears and Shidou immediately opened his eyes wide.
"Seriously, you finally realized shidou?"
Saying that, not knowing since when she was there, Tohka, wearing a yukata, *Puff* bulged her cheeks.
"To,Tohka…………how long were you there?"
"I have been walking beside you for quite a while."
When Shidou said that, Tohka stared at Shidou's face.
"Wha………….what?"
"Nothing."
After Tohka *Fuu* averted her sight, she made a small smile with her lips and held Shidou's hand tightly.
"shidou, if it is okay, why don't we go outside for a little?"
"Eh…………….?"
"The sea in the night——I want to see."
She said that and pulled Shidou's hand.
"Ah, wai, wait a sec………….."
Shidou braced his legs in panic and stopped Tohka's progress.
"No, isn't it bad going outside on our own accord. The teachers should be coming to patrol about now too…………….."
When he did that, Tohka stuck out her lips while *Haa* sighing.
"…………sorry, shidou. I said a small lie."
"Eh?"
"That is…………how to put it, even though we came to the school trip, but for some reason……….we haven't been talking with each other, right? That's why——together with shidou, I wanted the both of us to talk."
"…………………uh"
"I am……….not allowed?"
After saying that, she made an upward glance while looking at Shidou.
"………………..no, that, is."
If there were a guy that could say no after that, by all means he wanted to meet him. In the next instant, Shidou was pulled by Tohka who had a smile on her face.
"Haai! It is everyone's long awaited Trump tiiiiiiiiiiiiiime!..............and, aree?"
Ai who jumped into the room while shouting, looked around the room's interior while tilting her head.
Inside the room were only Mai and Mii.
"Aree, where's Tohka-chan? And Kaguya-chan too."
When she asked, Mai who was lying down and flipping through the travel guide and Mii who was having a boxing match with the string coming down from the light, faced towards her direction.
"Un——, if it is Tohka-chan then she was together with Itsuka-kun. Isn't she getting cozy with him?"
"I also saw Kaguya-chan. She was hiding behind the walls and looking at them."
Towards both of their words, Ai [HoHoo…….] patted her chin.
"You're kidding; don't tell me it's a love triangle? Kyaa——it somehow smells like an afternoon drama."
After Ai made a mischievous smile, she then dropped her sights towards the trump on her hands.
"But well, if that is the case then we don't have enough people. I was thinking of playing Daifugou [5D 3] though."
When Ai said that while shrugging her shoulders, both of them *ahaha* laughed.
"If that is the case then we need 5 people."
"How about calling Yuzuru-chan?"
"No, I did head towards her room but, it looks like Yuzuru-chan is not there too. Although I found Ellen-san, but I lost her half-way. I wonder where everyone went."
After Ai *Fuu* made a sigh, then how about, let's play shichinarabe [5D 4]? And started shuffling the cards.
"——Haa, Haa"
While sticking onto the wall outside of the hotel, Ellen was taking a breath to re-arrange her rough breathing.
She then peeked back inside the hotel and heaved a sigh of relieve after confirming no one was there.
"……………That was a close call."
Speaking to herself in a monologue, she then wiped the sweat of her forehead. After seeing the target Yatogami Tohka going outside with a male student. The moment she thought that this was a good chance and was about to follow them, coming from behind, [Ellen-saaaaaaaaaann! Let's plaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyy!] The voice of her natural enemy echoed.
She then withdrew away from the area in a panic, honestly speaking, her heart was still beating hard even now.
"We,well, no matter, this is a chance."
After taking another peek at the hotel's condition just in case, Ellen extended her hands to the Incam.
"<Arbatell>, are you seeing this? The target has distanced herself from the hotel. Time to commence."
"——Understood."
"And also…………..Please send one <Bandersnatch> around this area, and have it on stand-by."
"I don't mind but, why is that?"
"——There is master sergeant Tobiichi inside the hotel. I think it is an unnecessary anxiety but……………by any chance she is seen to make strange movements, I'm leaving the counter response to you."
"Roger."
After confirming the operator's voice, Ellen stepped out into the dark night.
There was no one on the beach at night, the uproar in the middle of the day fell into silence as if it had been a lie.
Well, the private beach Shidou and the others were at, was quiet even in the afternoon.
Shidou and Tohka, in a slow pace, were walking beside the breakwater while exchanging various conversations.
"——then, yesterday night, I had a pillow fight with Ai Mai Mii."
"Haha………….did you seriously do something like that."
"Umu. At first it was a match with Tobiichi Origami to determine who would be going to look after shidou but, it became heated up half-way, and we did it until both of us became tired and sleepy."
"…………I, I see."
Shidou made a wry laugh powerlessly. If their match were to had ended faster and either one of them had had some energy left, then yesterday night would most probably had had another great disaster waiting for him.
But no matter……………….how would you put it. Although they were exchanging a meaningless conversation with each other, for some reason his mood became relaxed.
And thus, after walking a little bit further ahead, Tohka suddenly turned around.
"So——shidou. What on earth happened?"
After being told that, *Babump* Shidou felt his heart jumping out.
"………uh, what do you mean."
"No, although I am not very sure about it but, something happened right?"
"Wh, why do you think that……….?"
When Shidou asked, Tohka [unnnn………….] touched her chin with her index finger.
"Somehow, I can feel shidou being troubled. I guess——err, at that time, the feeling was a little similar as that time with Kurumi."
Tohka said that while groaning a little. Shidou opened his eyes wide.
Tokisaki Kurumi. An evil spirit that kills humans under her own volition.
Last month, Shidou was knocked into reality by finding out that girl's true nature——at that time, he was saved by Tohka's words.
"No, if there is nothing then it's okay. It might be because I am thinking too much.
"…………………"
Towards Tohka's words, Shidou made a big sigh.
"Is that why, Tohka. For that reason you took me outside?"
"Mu……….well, that's, somehow. No, it is true that I wanted to talk with shidou?"
Tohka said that while her cheeks were slightly blushed. That gesture was cute beyond belief——and, gratefully, Shidou unintentionally loosen his cheeks.
"………………hey, Tohka. Will you hear me out?"
"Mu? Umu, I will listen to anything."
Tohka nodded. After Shidou made a nod, he started talking slowly.
"There's Kaguya and Yuzuru right? It is a talk that kind of sounds like a lie, in reality those two are——"
While skillfully obscuring the charm contest and such, he explained that those two were spirits, were in dispute and……………..that the loser would lose her life.
At first Tohka was *Fumu**fumu* nodding but, immediately she made a shocked face.
"What…………that kind of thing is."
"Aah. And so——the main topic is starting from here. Actually……….this afternoon, I was told by Kaguya to [choose Yuzuru]."
"What…………? That is absurd, if that happens then Kaguya will——"
Saying until there, Tohka shook her head a little.
"No, but, I see. Me too, if I were told shidou would die if I don't die then……………I might also do that."
"Tohka…………."
When Shidou said that, Tohka shook her shoulders in surprise.
"Nu, no, nothing! Just continue!"
"A,aah…………"
He continued after scratching his cheeks.
"And………… immediately after that, I was told the same thing by Yuzuru. She said [Please choose Kaguya]."
Tohka, opened her eyes in wonder.
"What…….then Kaguya and Yuzuru are."
"Aah………..both of them are, trying to keep the other alive. Even if their own self were to disappear, Kaguya to Yuzuru, Yuzuru to Kaguya, they are thinking of wanting the latter to survive. And so——how should I put it, I don't know what the right thing to do is."
When Shidou said that, Tohka *umu*, groaned and turned silent.
After that for a short while, she frowned her eyebrows as if she was thinking very hard.
And after a few seconds, Tohka started moving her mouth with a meek expression.
"Hey……………..shidou. This is what I think but——"
And——at that moment. Coming from the front, the sound of a foot firmly hitting onto the ground echoed and Shidou raised his face.
He then noticed a girl wearing a yukata there, and his body stiffened.
——Yes. Yamai Kaguya was standing over there.
"Ka,Kaguya……….!? Why are you here……………"
"What was that…….just now?"
Without answering the question, Kaguya released a silent——but violent voice filled with anger.
"Yuzuru…………me? Hah……….? I don't understand the meaning. What are you saying?"
While muttering to herself like an internal monologue, Kaguya grinded her teeth hard, and clenched her fist. After she did that, as if to match up with that, a cold wind swirled around the surroundings.
"Kaguya, calm down——"
While being pressured by uneasiness, in his heart, Shidou said that. But, it looked like Kaguya completely did not hear what he said. She was only inserting force into her fist and her body trembled.
And then——right after that.
"……………!? Yuzuru…………..!?"
When Shidou turned back from hearing the footstep coming from behind, over there was Yuzuru, facing her face downwards performing the same thing as Kaguya.
"Demand——repetition. Kaguya said………..choose Yuzuru? Is what Kaguya said?"
"Yuzuru, listen to——"
""Don't screw with me………….!""
In an instant, at the same time both of them released a voice similar to an angry roar, tremendous wind pressure was released from both of them.
"Uwah……….!?"
"Kuh——!"
Shidou and Tohka, who were close to them, hit the ground with their backs from the sudden gust.
Somehow managing to cling onto the nearby breakwater while raising his body, he then returned his sight back to those two.
The intense wind current coiled about Kaguya's and Yuzuru's body and the clothes that were on their bodies turned into light particles.
And then, in exchange, a straightjacket appeared and tightened around their whole bodys and locks were placed on their necks, hands and legs.
——AstralDress. The absolute armor that protects the Spirits.
What's more, it did not end at that point.
Kaguya's right hand, Yuzuru's left hand, both of them put them up to the front respectively.
When they did that, an inorganic wing appeared on Kaguya's right shoulder. As if that were the starting point, a metal gauntlet that held brilliance was constructed on her right arm——and on the end of her hand, a giant lance that easily exceeded her body height appeared.
"<Raphael> —— [El Re'em]!!"
And in an exact timing with that, an inorganic wing grew out of Yuzuru's left shoulder. Her left arm was then covered by armor and on her hand; she grasped a string with a diamond shaped blade on its tip. It looked like a pendulum used for dowsing.
"Concord. <Raphael> —— [El Nachash]."
Kaguya entered a stance with her lance while Yuzuru made the blade attached to the tip of the pendulum float in mid-air.
Shidou's face turned blue.
The thing both of them manifested just now was unmistakably the [Angel]. The Spirits prided strongest weapon.
Inside the interval of an instant, various thoughts coursed about in the inside of his head.
[Don't screw with me]. The meaning of the word those two released. Whether it was something faced towards Shidou for leaking their secrets——or, was it faced towards Tohka for talking together with Shidou.
But, it looked like none of them were right to be accurate.
Kaguya to Yuzuru, Yuzuru to Kaguya, both of them glared at each other with piercing sights and opened their mouth detestably.
"………………looks like you did something to screw with me, Yuzuru. Choose me?"
"Rebuttal. Kaguya too, what are you planning. Yuzuru does not remember requesting something like that."
Together with those words, the winds swirling nearby intensified even further.
"——it's no good. As expected, no good. I thought this battle method would give a quiet and reasonable conclusion but, I forgot to put your idiocy inside my calculations."
"Consent. Yuzuru has lost patience to Kaguya's degree of foolishness. ——In the end, it will turn out like this. The match both of us started, to let it end by the hands of someone else, it is just asking too much."
After saying that, both of them readied their lance, and pendulum.
"I guess you're right. As expected, it looks like we have no choice but to end it with just the both of us. It's just right. Right now I am, at the highest point of my life pissed off at you."
"Return fire. Yuzuru too. Yuzuru can't hide her irritation and anger of Kaguya's thoughtlessness."
"——the duel method is."
"Naturally. That is obvious."
Kaguya and Yuzuru once again opened their mouth at the same time.
""——The first one to fall, Wins""
Only one thing could be seen.
A conflict——that would not end until one of them got defeated.
"Sto——"
Without hearing Shidou's voice of desisting, both of them clashed with tremendous wind pressure accompanying them.
Suddenly, *Go**go**go*——, when she thought the sound of the wind from outside resounded like the ground rumbling, the outer wall of the hotel *creak**creak* started creaking.
There were various reactions coming from the students inside the hotel. Those who turned on the television to confirm the weather forecast, those who were scared of the storm, and thus who quickly covered themselves with a futon, as well as those nonchalant people laughing at the fact that it was a good thing the storm did not occur in the afternoon.
Nonetheless naturally, no one went outside the hotel on purpose to get blown by the wind.
——With the exception of, Tobiichi Origami.
"……………………"
Silently putting on her shoes, she placed her hands on the hotel door.
The reason was plain and simple. When she was about to go look for Shidou just now, coming from Ai living in the same room as Tohka, she gained the information that she saw Tohka taking Shidou and heading outside.
Origami's actions were swift. She knocked down Ai's hand, who came to invite her for a game of trump, and while she was running towards the hotel entrance, half-way there she received a warning from Tamae [You should not run in the corridor]. Origami's legs could not stop just because there was a storm.
She was not pleased about Shidou and Tohka going outside together but, more importantly, in a storm like this, it was extremely dangerous to be outside of the hotel which is particularly close to the sea. She has to bring Shidou back as fast as possible.
It is true the storm is strong but, it wasn't as strong as to not being able to walk outside. Origami proceeded on walking outside——
"…………..!?"
She felt a presence behind her and immediately jumped away from her spot.
In an instant, coming from the spot where Origami was at just now, *clash*. Such a metallic sound echoed.
"Wha………"
Origami looked at the thing that appeared there and slightly raised her eyebrows.
A thing that had a human shape was standing there with its fist thrust into the ground.
In a moment, Origami thought that was an AST personnel. In reality that equipment looked like a CR-unit that looked similar to the AST official accepted equipment, and she felt the slight headache of a Territory being activated at close-range. There was most probably no mistaking that it had its Realizer activated.
But——no. The unit that was being worn by that thing was clearly not human.
An inorganic exterior that made one think that it had no life. It had crooked hands and legs designed only for efficiency.
It was a human shaped machine that would generally be described as a robot or a doll.
"What on earth………..is this."
Origami said that as if she were squeezing her voice out from her throat. The Realizer couldn't be controlled if a human's brain waves were not used. For a human-type robot to use a Territory——
"Kuh………………."
That kind of thought was interrupted half-way. The mechanical doll leaped towards Origami.
Avoiding it at the very last second, she took as much distance as she could.
"Who are you?"
Betting on the small hope she tried talking to it, but as expected the doll did not reply back. While not showing any reactions at all, it came attacking with consecutive strikes.
"………………………!"
Origami dodged by a hair's breadth while noticing something strange.
As far as she could see, the doll was equipped with the basic equipments such as the laser blade or the gun. But for some reason showing no signs of using them in response to Origami, it came punching bare-handedly.
It was like; it was trying to capture Origami unharmed——just like it was here to prevent Origami from advancing further.
"…………………., don't disturb——"
Avoiding by jumping backwards, Origami quivered her throat in detest. Even though danger was getting closer to Shidou, she was stuck doing this.
And thus——at that moment.
"……………Tobiichi Origami, what are you doing. It is dangerous outside, hurry up and come back into the hotel."
Origami exiting the hotel was probably told by someone, coming from the direction Origami came from, the sleepy voice of teacher Murasame Reine echoed.
"——Sensei, go back——"
But, faster than Origami could finish her sentence, the doll that was confronting Origami, *creak**creak* turned its head towards Reine's direction.
"……………..hmm? who are you. I'm sorry but our student………….."
And, when she said that towards the doll, Reine stopped her words. Most probably she finally noticed that the object she directed her voice to was not human.
But, it was already too late. The doll changed its target to Reine from Origami, swinging its log-like arm in full vigor, it charged towards Reine.
"Kuh——"
After Origami exhaled her breath, she immediately kicked the floor and pushed Reine away.
And then, the next moment.
"Ka——ha…………."
Receiving a heavy strike in the stomach from the doll, Origami easily got blown backwards.
Her side intensely hurt and her breathing became difficult. Her consciousness turned hazy and her eyes turned blurry.
"Sensei……………..hurry, run aw……….."
At the same time, with the image of the doll's shadow drawing near to Reine's back in her view, Origami's consciousness fell into the darkness.
"——uh! Vice commander, around the vicinity of the northern part of Arubi Island, a tremendous storm has occurred!"
Together with the alarm ringing in the bridge of the [Fraxinus] floating above Arubi Island, [Deep love] Minowa shouted.
"A storm…………occurred?"
Kannazuki, who was standing beside the captain seat, gently brushed his chin doubtfully. Wind is formed by the flow of air. Normally, it would not suddenly appear without an origin.
"Is there any contact from Analysis officer Reine?"
"Nothing!"
Kannazuki *Fumu* groaned. They were supposed to be contacted in case a problem occurs.
"Please try by opening the line here once. It's okay even if there is nothing."
"Roger!"
However, the crew member who started operating the console immediately let out a doubtful voice.
"The connection…………won't connect. I'm afraid there is something blocking the communications!"
"Fumu?"
Kannazuki moved his eyebrows with a twitch. Even until making us attempt to open the communication line on this side, and the source of the blocking is still not detected, what on earth——
But, his decision was very fast. Without even waiting a few seconds, he gave a command to the crew.
"There is no choice. It is a little dangerous but, let's send the communication personals directly there. After lowering the altitude to 1000 meters, transfer the personals to the Arubi Island northern block and conduct the communication via the deployed <Yggd. Folium>. After that please confirm the safety of Analysis officer Murasame Reine, Shidou-kun and also Tohka-kun."
""——Roger!""
Responding to Kannuzuki's command, the crew operated the consoles.
When they did that, a low driving sound echoed across the bridge, and their bodies had a slight floating feeling similar to being inside an elevator.
Without even needing a few minutes, [Fraxinus] descended to 1000 meters altitude in the sky of the Arubi Island from 15000 meters above.
"We have reached the designated target. There is no reaction from the permanent Territory."
[Fraxinus] has 8 Control Realizers and 10 large-type basic Realizers installed, normally the surroundings of the ship had a Territory deployed around it.
And that Territory then manipulated the visible light rays, making the giant ship body of the <Fraxinus> invisible. Not only that, it was also made to automatically evade the moment a plane or bird touched the Territory to avoid collisions.
But, during the occasion of transferring machinery or humans to the ground from the teleporter located in the lower section of the ship, or when the independent unit <Yggd .Folium> equipped in the back of the ship was activated, the invisibility would then be interrupted for a few seconds.
Therefore, whenever they use the <Yggd. Folium> and made a communication relay point at a lower altitude, they would have to be careful and check whether there was an aircraft around to avoid having the <Fraxinus> being sensed by its radar.
"Okay. Well then, please activate the <Yggd. Folium>."
"Roger."
Together with Kannazuki's instruction, the invisible wall wrapping the [Fraxinus] slowly disappeared.
Similarly, on the altitude of 1000 meters above the sky of Arubi Island.
Inside DEM's 500 meter class airship <Arbatel>, the shout of the crew echoed across.
"——! Captain, There is a reading on the radar!"
"An aircraft?"
"No……this is, an airship!"
"…………what did you say?"
At the same time with Paddington doubtfully moving his eyebrows and sitting on the captain seat, the image of the sky was shown out on the main monitor.
It was not an aircraft, unmistakably that was an airship. Behind the ship with a sharp form, there were several small heat sinks like objects attached to it; it made him think it was a giant tree.
"Where on earth did it appear from."
"The readings suddenly appeared. Most probably——Invisible mode was used."
"What did you say? What's the identification number?"
"It's unknown. We cannot confirm the ship model falling under the DEM Company."
Paddington made a sullen face, and stroked his beard.
"An airship that has Invisible equipped……? Impossible. The ability to turn invisible with the Territory was just made successful recently by the DEM industries."
Yes. Invisible was the DEM Company's completed latest Realizer, the beta series of the <Ashcroft> and it was the latest technology first implemented. The only ships that had that equipped currently were, only 3 ships with the <Arbatel> included in the count.
And thus, at that moment, the heat sink-like object detached itself from the ship being shown on the monitor, and floated midair independently.
And in the next moment, the ship that was being talked about once again vanished into the sky as if it had finished its task.
"! The reading disappeared!"
The crew member who was observing the radar raised his voice.
Without a doubt, the unidentified ship had already used the installed Invisible function. Using his eyes, he had confirmed that function.
But, that kind of thing should not be in existence——
"……….., don't tell me."
Paddington opened his eyes wide in surprise. Speaking of which, he had heard of something before.
The name of another organization that holds the Realizer besides DEM Company.
"——<Ratatoskr> organization."
When Paddington said that word, the crew members that were in the bridge gulped down their breath.
DEM's second executives——if it was the people affiliated in the shadow execution team of the DEM Company then, it was not weird that they had heard of that name.
Yes. Paddington himself was told about that existence. ——from that person Isaac Westcott.
Pretext, there is an organization with technology more advanced than DEM.
Pretext, there is an eccentric group that decided to settle the spacequakes with peaceful ways.
Pretext——that is, ourDEM's enemy.
"By any chance it is spotted, immediately——eliminate it."
After Paddington released that from his mouth, *snicker**snicker* he laughed.
"I see, I have good luck."
He stood up from that spot, and threw a command at his crews.
"Prepare the main cannon! Put magic from <Ashcroft-Beta> number 10 to number 20! The target is——the unidentified ship!"
"uh, Captain……………..it is better to ask for instructions from the executive Chief——"
A crew member said that with a distorted face anxiously. Paddington clicked his tongue irritated. Even more than Paddington's, are you saying that young girl words are more important.
"Don't mind that! If the <Bandersnatch> team is there then it is enough for the executive chief's mission! If that is maintained then there is no complains right!"
"Un, Understood…………."
As if getting overwhelmed by Paddington's manner of speaking, the crew members started operating the console.
Soon enough a low driving sound echoed in the bridge and the <Arbatel> changed its course.
"Cannon, magic charge complete!"
"Target, the area the unidentified ship disappeared to!"
"Invisible deactivate! Change the Territory property to anti-shock!"
After confirming the voices of the crew members, Paddington pointed his fingers towards the screen and said it as if he were muttering.
"——Fire."
At the same time, with the sound of rumbling, <Fraxinus> bridge was shaking violently as if it got struck by an earthquake.
Noise ran through the monitor and the emergency call echoed loudly.
And then, suddenly a response appeared on the radar screen, and on the monitor that was showing the exterior image, a giant craft appeared.
"………..!"
<Ratatoskr> crew member——Shiizaki Hinako instinctively used both her hands and covered her head. Towards the impact she had never experienced before, her head immediately turned into disarray.
But, that was only natural. In reality, a part of the crew that were on the bridge showed the same reaction as Hinako.
It is true that the <Fraxinus>, in case of emergencies, is equipped with weapons for battle.
When joining <Ratatoskr>, they were told that there is a chance for such battles to occur, and they received battle training.
But——at the very least Hinako had not experienced a real battle until now.
"——Left side port Territory, reduced by 20%!"
"Basic RealizerAR-008 number 30 is losing its output!"
"The craft damage is minor! But, what on earth is this——"
The shouts of the bridges crew member flew around and mixed together.
"Tha,that was………..!"
After Hinako made a shrill voice, Kannazuki who was standing beside the commander seat, *fumu* used his hands and touched his chin. Even though that was such an intense shaking, his posture had not crumbled at all.
"Fumu, it looks like we are getting attacked. Even when approached this close and the readings are still not confirmed, this means……………….that side is also using Invisible huh. This is weird. This technology should be impossible other than ourAsgard Company's Realizer…………….."
"Heat source confirmed! A second attack is coming!"
"Opps——Deactivate Invisible as well as Avoid. Please transfer all the generated magic from the Basic Realizer to the Protect Realizer to activate it."
"Ro,Roger!"
Together with the shout of the crew members, the properties of the Territory deployed around the <Fraxinus>, the Invisible changed to Protect mode.
In an instant, the shock inside the Bridge calmed down once again.
"Kuh——this power even with a protective barrier……….!?"
Kawagoe who was sitting on the lower bridge, groaned while making a frown with his face. It was exactly as he said; it was an impact that made one think the magic from the camouflage effect was not transferred to the protective barrier.
"To bring out such a direct attack, it looks like they have great confidence in their ships performance. Hnnn…………..this is nice, it makes me tremble. Aahh, make it more rough!"
"………………….."
………….as expected this person is hopeless. Hinako opened her eyes half-way and operated the console at her hands reach.
The ship will sink if this drags on. She opened the secret line and proceeded in making an emergency call.
Before long, Commander Itsuka Kotori appeared on the screen.
"…………….Shiizaki? What's wrong, using the secret line. What on earth happened?"
"It's an emergency! I'm begging you Commander, please take command………!"
After Hinako said it like a disaster was approaching, Kotori's face turned stern.
"Don't tell me, Kannazuki made a strange choice selection and made Tohka's mood get worse again?"
"No, it's much more serious. If this goes on…………"
"That's what I am saying, what happened. …………..uh, don't tell me, Kannazuki directly went in and barged in on the school trip, and made a strip show in front of Tohka or Shidou——!?"
Kotori said that in a horrified state. *Bun**bun* Hinako shook her head.
"No, that's not it, it's an enemy………..! An unidentified airship appeared, and we are under fire! If this keeps up <Fraxinus> will…………"
Hinako said that to her desperately. That was only normal. That's because her life is being placed on the line.
But, the moment Kotori heard Hinako's words; she made a half-eyed look like she just lost interest.
"Oh…….it's about that."
After saying that, she then made a sigh.
"I seriously thought that idiot went on ahead and done something stupid. Don't scare me like that."
"I, it's about that——it's a serious case for the ship you know…………!?"
When she made a shout, Kotori spread her hands as if stopping Hinako.
"It's okay, you don't have to worry that much."
"Ho,how can you be so calm………."
After Hinako said that hopelessly, Kotori shrugged her shoulders while moving her lips.
"——That's because right now, Kannazuki is there, right?"
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